The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى الصَّدَفِيُّ، وَعَمْرُو بْنُ سَوَّادٍ الْعَامِرِيُّ، قَالاَ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ، اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ اشْتَكَى سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ شَكْوَى لَهُ فَأَتَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَعُودُهُ مَعَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ وَسَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ وَجَدَهُ فِي غَشِيَّةٍ فَقَالَ " أَقَدْ قَضَى " . قَالُوا لاَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . فَبَكَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمَّا رَأَى الْقَوْمُ بُكَاءَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَكَوْا فَقَالَ " أَلاَ تَسْمَعُونَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُعَذِّبُ بِدَمْعِ الْعَيْنِ وَلاَ بِحُزْنِ الْقَلْبِ وَلَكِنْ يُعَذِّبُ بِهَذَا - وَأَشَارَ إِلَى لِسَانِهِ - أَوْ يَرْحَمُ " .
Has he died? They said: Messenger of Allah, it is not so. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wept. When the people saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) weeping, they also began to weep. He said. Listen, Allah does not punish for the tears that the eye sheds or the grief the heart feels, but He punishes for this (pointing to his tongue), or He may show mercy.
Narrated by 'Abdullah b. 'Umar said that Sa'd b. Ubada complained of illness. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to visit him accompanied by 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Auf, Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas and 'Abdullah b. Mas'ud. As he entered (his room) he found him in a swoon. Upon this he said:
Context
This hadith recounts the visit of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to Sa'd b. Ubada, who was ill. The Prophet's emotional response to Sa'd's condition illustrates the deep compassion and empathy he had for his companions. His statement about the nature of grief emphasizes that true accountability lies in one's actions and words rather than mere feelings.
Modern Application
In contemporary life, this principle encourages individuals to express their emotions while also being mindful of their words and actions. It serves as a reminder that compassion should be accompanied by responsible behavior, especially during times of grief.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Compassion because it highlights the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ's empathy and the importance of emotional expression in the face of suffering.
And We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed by permission of Allah. And if, when they wronged themselves, they had come to you, [O Muhammad], and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Accepting of repentance and Merciful.
Say, [O Muhammad], "Have you considered: whether Allah should cause my death and those with me or have mercy upon us, who can protect the disbelievers from a painful punishment?"
And among them are those who abuse the Prophet and say, "He is an ear." Say, "[It is] an ear of goodness for you that believes in Allah and believes the believers and [is] a mercy to those who believe among you." And those who abuse the Messenger of Allah - for them is a painful punishment.
And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say, "Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses.
Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful.
This hadith is #2024 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Prayer - Funerals. It is graded Sahih and narrated by 'Abdullah b. 'Umar said that Sa'd b. Ubada complained of illness. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to visit him accompanied by 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Auf, Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas and 'Abdullah b. Mas'ud. As he entered (his room) he found him in a swoon. Upon this he said:.
