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 Muslim, which contains 7,459 hadiths across 57 books. It is hadith number 4686 in the Book of The Book on Government.

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

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#4685

#4686

Sahih Muslim

#4687

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Sahih Muslim #4686

Q: What is Sahih Muslim 4686 about?

This hadith from Sahih Muslim (Book of The Book on Government), narrated by The tradition has been narrated on the authority of Sa'id b. Musayyib who learnt it from his father. The latter said:, states: "I had seen the tree. When I came to the spot afterwards, I could not recognise it."

The Book on Government

Sahih

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

وَحَدَّثَنِي حَجَّاجُ بْنُ الشَّاعِرِ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا شَبَابَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ الشَّجَرَةَ ثُمَّ أَتَيْتُهَا بَعْدُ فَلَمْ أَعْرِفْهَا.

I had seen the tree. When I came to the spot afterwards, I could not recognise it.

Narrated by The tradition has been narrated on the authority of Sa'id b. Musayyib who learnt it from his father. The latter said:

Context

In this hadith, Sa'id b. Musayyib reflects on a tree he had previously seen but could not recognize upon returning to the same spot. This situation serves as a metaphor for the changes that time brings and the importance of reflection on past experiences. The takeaway emphasizes the transient nature of life and the need for contemplation.

Modern Application

In modern life, this principle encourages individuals to take moments for self-reflection and to appreciate how experiences shape their identities. Regularly reflecting on past experiences can help one grow and adapt to changes in life.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Reflection and Contemplation because it highlights the importance of recognizing changes over time and encourages introspection.

Reflection and Contemplation