Characteristics of The Hypocrites And Rulings Concerning Them
Sahih
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْحُلْوَانِيُّ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَهْلٍ التَّمِيمِيُّ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي،
مَرْيَمَ أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي زَيْدُ بْنُ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ،
الْخُدْرِيِّ أَنَّ رِجَالاً، مِنَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانُوا إِذَا خَرَجَ
النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى الْغَزْوِ تَخَلَّفُوا عَنْهُ وَفَرِحُوا بِمَقْعَدِهِمْ خِلاَفَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ
صلى الله عليه وسلم فَإِذَا قَدِمَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم اعْتَذَرُوا إِلَيْهِ وَحَلَفُوا وَأَحَبُّوا
أَنْ يُحْمَدُوا بِمَا لَمْ يَفْعَلُوا فَنَزَلَتْ { لاَ تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَا أَتَوْا وَيُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يُحْمَدُوا
بِمَا لَمْ يَفْعَلُوا فَلاَ تَحْسَبَنَّهُمْ بِمَفَازَةٍ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ}
" Think not that those who exult in what they have done, and love to be praised for what they have not done-think not them to be safe from the chastisement; and for them is a painful chastisement" (iii. 18).
Narrated by Abu Sa'id Khudri reported that during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) the hypocrites behaved in this way that when Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) set out for a battle, they kept themselves behind, and they became happy that they had managed to sit in the house contrary to (the act of) Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and when Allah's Apostle (may peace he upon him) came back, they put forward excuses and took oath and wished that people should laud them for the deeds which they had not done. It was on this occasion that this verse was revealed:
Context
This hadith narrated by Abu Sa'id Khudri addresses the behavior of hypocrites during the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It describes how they would avoid participating in battles while seeking praise for their inaction. The revelation of a verse in response highlights the seriousness of hypocrisy and the consequences of seeking validation for unearned actions.
Modern Application
In contemporary society, this principle serves as a reminder to be genuine in our actions and to avoid seeking recognition for what we have not done. It encourages individuals to act with integrity and sincerity in their endeavors.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Community and Hypocrisy because it addresses the detrimental effects of hypocrisy within a community and the importance of sincere actions.
And never think that those who rejoice in what they have perpetrated and like to be praised for what they did not do - never think them [to be] in safety from the punishment, and for them is a painful punishment.
And leave those who take their religion as amusement and diversion and whom the worldly life has deluded. But remind with the Qur'an, lest a soul be given up to destruction for what it earned; it will have other than Allah no protector and no intercessor. And if it should offer every compensation, it would not be taken from it. Those are the ones who are given to destruction for what they have earned. For them will be a drink of scalding water and a painful punishment because they used to disbelieve.
And do not be like those who came forth from their homes insolently and to be seen by people and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And Allah is encompassing of what they do.
Indeed, those who came with falsehood are a group among you. Do not think it bad for you; rather it is good for you. For every person among them is what [punishment] he has earned from the sin, and he who took upon himself the greater portion thereof - for him is a great punishment.
This hadith is #6859 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of Characteristics of The Hypocrites And Rulings Concerning Them. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abu Sa'id Khudri reported that during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) the hypocrites behaved in this way that when Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) set out for a battle, they kept themselves behind, and they became happy that they had managed to sit in the house contrary to (the act of) Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and when Allah's Apostle (may peace he upon him) came back, they put forward excuses and took oath and wished that people should laud them for the deeds which they had not done. It was on this occasion that this verse was revealed:.
