The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ جَاءَ حَبْرٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَضَعُ السَّمَاءَ عَلَى إِصْبَعٍ، وَالأَرْضَ عَلَى إِصْبَعٍ، وَالْجِبَالَ عَلَى إِصْبَعٍ، وَالشَّجَرَ وَالأَنْهَارَ عَلَى إِصْبَعٍ، وَسَائِرَ الْخَلْقِ عَلَى إِصْبَعٍ، ثُمَّ يَقُولُ بِيَدِهِ أَنَا الْمَلِكُ فَضَحِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَالَ " {وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ}"
A Jewish Rabbi came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said, "O Muhammad! Allah will put the Heavens on one
finger and the earth on one finger, and the trees and the rivers on one finger, and the rest of the
creation on one finger, and then will say, pointing out with His Hand, 'I am the King.' "On that Allah's
Apostle smiled and said, "No just estimate have they made of Allah such as due to Him. (39.67)
Narrated by Narrated `Abdullah:
Context
In this hadith, a Jewish Rabbi visits the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and describes an imaginative depiction of Allah's power, illustrating how He controls the universe with ease. The Prophet (ﷺ) smiles at this statement and references a verse from the Quran, emphasizing that humanity has not truly understood Allah's greatness. This interaction highlights the importance of recognizing the majesty of Allah and the limitations of human comprehension.
Modern Application
In our daily lives, we often encounter situations that remind us of the vastness of the universe and our place within it. This hadith encourages us to reflect on our understanding of Allah's power and to maintain humility in the face of His greatness, reminding us to appreciate the wonders of creation.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Divine Attributes and Divine Revelation because it illustrates the majesty of Allah's control over creation and highlights the importance of understanding His attributes.
They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal, while the earth entirely will be [within] His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.
And the Jews say, "The hand of Allah is chained." Chained are their hands, and cursed are they for what they say. Rather, both His hands are extended; He spends however He wills. And that which has been revealed to you from your Lord will surely increase many of them in transgression and disbelief. And We have cast among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection. Every time they kindled the fire of war [against you], Allah extinguished it. And they strive throughout the land [causing] corruption, and Allah does not like corrupters.
Indeed, Allah holds the heavens and the earth, lest they cease. And if they should cease, no one could hold them [in place] after Him. Indeed, He is Forbearing and Forgiving.
It is Allah who has created seven heavens and of the earth, the like of them. [His] command descends among them so you may know that Allah is over all things competent and that Allah has encompassed all things in knowledge.
This hadith is #7166 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated `Abdullah:.
