Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sahih al-Bukhari, which contains 7,277 hadiths across 97 books. It is hadith number 7177 in the Book of Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed).

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#7176

#7177

Sahih al-Bukhari

#7178

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Sahih al-Bukhari #7177

Q: What is Sahih al-Bukhari 7177 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed)), narrated by Narrated Ibn Mas`ud:, states: "While I was walking in company with the Prophet (ﷺ) in one of the fields of Medina, the Prophet (ﷺ) was reclining on a palm leave stalk which he carried with him. We passed by a group of Jews. Some o…"

Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed)

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْوَاحِدِ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ بَيْنَا أَنَا أَمْشِي، مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي بَعْضِ حَرْثِ الْمَدِينَةِ وَهْوَ يَتَوَكَّأُ عَلَى عَسِيبٍ مَعَهُ، فَمَرَرْنَا عَلَى نَفَرٍ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ سَلُوهُ عَنِ الرُّوحِ‏.‏ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لاَ تَسْأَلُوهُ أَنْ يَجِيءَ فِيهِ بِشَىْءٍ تَكْرَهُونَهُ‏.‏ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَنَسْأَلَنَّهُ‏.‏ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا الْقَاسِمِ مَا الرُّوحُ فَسَكَتَ عَنْهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَعَلِمْتُ أَنَّهُ يُوحَى إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ ‏{‏وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي وَمَا أُوتُوا مِنَ الْعِلْمِ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً‏}‏‏.‏ قَالَ الأَعْمَشُ هَكَذَا فِي قِرِاءَتِنَا‏.‏

While I was walking in company with the Prophet (ﷺ) in one of the fields of Medina, the Prophet (ﷺ) was reclining on a palm leave stalk which he carried with him. We passed by a group of Jews. Some of them said to the others, "Ask him about the spirit." The others said, "Do not ask him, lest he would say something that you hate." Some of them said, "We will ask him." So a man from among them stood up and said, 'O Abal-Qasim! What is the spirit?" The Prophet (ﷺ) kept quiet and I knew that he was being divinely inspired. Then he said: "They ask you concerning the Spirit, Say: The Spirit; its knowledge is with my Lord. And of knowledge you (mankind) have been given only a little." (17.85)

Narrated by Narrated Ibn Mas`ud:

Context

In this narration by Ibn Mas`ud, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) encounters a group of Jews who are curious about the nature of the spirit. His response, which is divinely inspired, indicates that the knowledge of the spirit is solely with Allah. This moment illustrates the limitations of human understanding and the importance of divine revelation in addressing profound questions.

Modern Application

Today, this hadith reminds us of the boundaries of human knowledge and the importance of humility in our quest for understanding. In an age of information, recognizing that some matters are beyond our comprehension can lead to a more respectful approach to differing beliefs and perspectives.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Conduct and Divine Revelation because it showcases the Prophet's response to a complex question and emphasizes the role of divine guidance.

Prophetic Conduct Divine Revelation