I heard Hudhaifa saying, "While we were sitting with `Umar, he said, 'Who among you remembers the
statement of the Prophet (ﷺ) about the afflictions?' Hudhaifa said, "The affliction of a man in his family,
his property, his children and his neighbors are expiated by his prayers, Zakat (and alms) and
enjoining good and forbidding evil." `Umar said, "I do not ask you about these afflictions, but about
those afflictions which will move like the waves of the sea." Hudhaifa said, "Don't worry about it, O
chief of the believers, for there is a closed door between you and them." `Umar said, "Will that door
be broken or opened?" I said, "No. it will be broken." `Umar said, "Then it will never be closed," I
said, "Yes." We asked Hudhaifa, "Did `Umar know what that door meant?" He replied, "Yes, as I
know that there will be night before tomorrow morning, that is because I narrated to him a true
narration free from errors." We dared not ask Hudhaifa as to whom the door represented so we
ordered Masruq to ask him what does the door stand for? He replied, "`Umar."
Narrated by Narrated Shaqiq:
Context
In this hadith, Hudhaifa recounts a discussion with Umar about the nature of afflictions. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) explained that personal trials involving family, wealth, and neighbors can be atoned for through acts of worship and good deeds. However, Umar sought clarification on more severe trials that would arise later, which would be tumultuous like the waves of the sea. Hudhaifa reassured him that there was a barrier protecting him from such trials, indicating the importance of faith and guidance during turbulent times.
Modern Application
Today, this hadith reminds us that personal struggles can be mitigated through prayer, charity, and promoting good while discouraging wrongdoing. In our daily lives, we can focus on our immediate responsibilities and relationships, ensuring we act with integrity and compassion, which can help us navigate personal challenges.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Warning because it addresses the dangers of future trials and the importance of being prepared through faith and good deeds.
So you see those in whose hearts is disease hastening into [association with] them, saying, "We are afraid a misfortune may strike us." But perhaps Allah will bring conquest or a decision from Him, and they will become, over what they have been concealing within themselves, regretful.
Then after distress, He sent down upon you security [in the form of] drowsiness, overcoming a faction of you, while another faction worried about themselves, thinking of Allah other than the truth - the thought of ignorance, saying, "Is there anything for us [to have done] in this matter?" Say, "Indeed, the matter belongs completely to Allah." They conceal within themselves what they will not reveal to you. They say, "If there was anything we could have done in the matter, some of us would not have been killed right here." Say, "Even if you had been inside your houses, those decreed to be killed would have come out to their death beds." [It was] so that Allah might test what is in your breasts and purify what is in your hearts. And Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts.
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?" Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.
O you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not [yet] reached puberty among you ask permission of you [before entering] at three times: before the dawn prayer and when you put aside your clothing [for rest] at noon and after the night prayer. [These are] three times of privacy for you. There is no blame upon you nor upon them beyond these [periods], for they continually circulate among you - some of you, among others. Thus does Allah make clear to you the verses; and Allah is Knowing and Wise.