The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، سَمِعْتُ أَبَا صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم
" يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي، وَأَنَا مَعَهُ إِذَا ذَكَرَنِي، فَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي نَفْسِهِ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي نَفْسِي، وَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي مَلأٍ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي مَلأٍ خَيْرٍ مِنْهُمْ، وَإِنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ بِشِبْرٍ تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذِرَاعًا، وَإِنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ ذِرَاعًا تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ بَاعًا، وَإِنْ أَتَانِي يَمْشِي أَتَيْتُهُ هَرْوَلَةً ".
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah says: 'I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he
thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I
too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a
group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and
if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he
comes to Me walking, I go to him running.' "
Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) conveys a profound message about the relationship between Allah and His servants. He emphasizes that Allah is as one thinks of Him and is always close to those who remember Him. This highlights the importance of maintaining a positive perception of Allah and engaging in remembrance, which fosters a deeper connection with the Divine.
Modern Application
This teaching encourages individuals to cultivate a positive mindset and engage in regular remembrance of Allah in their daily lives. By doing so, we can strengthen our faith and find comfort in our relationship with Allah, especially during challenging times.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Supplication because it emphasizes the significance of remembering Allah and the reciprocal nature of this relationship.
And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.
This hadith is #7123 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:.
