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 5808 in the Book of The Book of Virtues.

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#5807

#5808

Sahih Muslim

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Sahih Muslim #5808

Q: What is Sahih Muslim 5808 about?

This hadith from Sahih Muslim (Book of The Book of Virtues), narrated by Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:, states: "The similitude of mine and that of the Apostles (before me) is that of a person who constructed a building and he built it fine and well and the people went round it saying: Never have we seen a build…"

The Book of Virtues

Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ النَّاقِدُ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَثَلِي وَمَثَلُ الأَنْبِيَاءِ كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ بَنَى بُنْيَانًا فَأَحْسَنَهُ وَأَجْمَلَهُ فَجَعَلَ النَّاسُ يُطِيفُونَ بِهِ يَقُولُونَ مَا رَأَيْنَا بُنْيَانًا أَحْسَنَ مِنْ هَذَا إِلاَّ هَذِهِ اللَّبِنَةَ ‏.‏ فَكُنْتُ أَنَا تِلْكَ اللَّبِنَةَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

The similitude of mine and that of the Apostles (before me) is that of a person who constructed a building and he built it fine and well and the people went round it saying: Never have we seen a building more imposing than this. but for one brick, and I am that brick (with which you give the finishing touch to the building).

Narrated by Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

Context

Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) compared his role to that of a brick in a well-constructed building, indicating that he is the final touch that completes the mission of the prophets before him. This metaphor illustrates the significance of his prophethood in the broader context of divine guidance.

Modern Application

This hadith encourages individuals to recognize their unique contributions within their communities. It serves as a reminder that everyone has a role to play in achieving collective goals and enhancing the overall structure of society.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Authority and Prophetic Mission because it highlights the unique and essential role of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in the continuum of prophetic guidance.

Prophetic Authority Prophetic Mission

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ الكَهۡفِ

Al-Kahf (The Cave)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

قَالَ مَا مَكَّنِّى فِيهِ رَبِّى خَيْرٌۭ فَأَعِينُونِى بِقُوَّةٍ أَجْعَلْ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ رَدْمًا

He said, "That in which my Lord has established me is better [than what you offer], but assist me with strength; I will make between you and them a dam.

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّۭ وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهَآ إِذْ يَتَنَٰزَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ ۖ فَقَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ عَلَيْهِم بُنْيَٰنًۭا ۖ رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًۭا

And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allah is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, "Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them." Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid."

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ

At-Tawba (The Repentance)

1 ayah

أَفَمَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَٰنَهُۥ عَلَىٰ تَقْوَىٰ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنٍ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَٰنَهُۥ عَلَىٰ شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٍۢ فَٱنْهَارَ بِهِۦ فِى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

Then is one who laid the foundation of his building on righteousness [with fear] from Allah and [seeking] His approval better or one who laid the foundation of his building on the edge of a bank about to collapse, so it collapsed with him into the fire of Hell? And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

سُورَةُ هُودٍ

Hud (Hud)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَيَصْنَعُ ٱلْفُلْكَ وَكُلَّمَا مَرَّ عَلَيْهِ مَلَأٌۭ مِّن قَوْمِهِۦ سَخِرُوا۟ مِنْهُ ۚ قَالَ إِن تَسْخَرُوا۟ مِنَّا فَإِنَّا نَسْخَرُ مِنكُمْ كَمَا تَسْخَرُونَ

And he constructed the ship, and whenever an assembly of the eminent of his people passed by him, they ridiculed him. He said, "If you ridicule us, then we will ridicule you just as you ridicule.

سُورَةُ الفَجۡرِ

Al-Fajr (The Dawn)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

إِرَمَ ذَاتِ ٱلْعِمَادِ

[With] Iram - who had lofty pillars,

Common Words

93 total79 unique10 repeated

قال3x

على3x

من3x

عليهم3x

خير2x

أسس2x

بنينه2x

ٱلله2x

لا2x

أمرهم2x

ما1x

مكنى1x

فيه1x

ربى1x

فأعينونى1x

بقوة1x

أجعل1x

بينكم1x

وبينهم1x

ردما1x

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About Sahih Muslim

This hadith is #5808 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Virtues. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:.

Browse all Sahih Muslim All Hadith Collections

Sahih Muslim #5808

Context

Modern Application

Topics

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Common Words

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About Sahih Muslim

About This Hadith