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 996 in the Book of The Book of Prayers.

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#995

#996

Sahih Muslim

#997

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Sahih Muslim #996

Q: What is Sahih Muslim 996 about?

This hadith from Sahih Muslim (Book of The Book of Prayers), narrated by Rabi'a b. Ka'b said:, states: "I was with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) one night. and I brought him water and what he required. He said to me: Ask (anything you like). I said: I ask your company in Paradise. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Or…"

The Book of Prayers

Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا الْحَكَمُ بْنُ مُوسَى أَبُو صَالِحٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هِقْلُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الأَوْزَاعِيَّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ، حَدَّثَنِي رَبِيعَةُ بْنُ كَعْبٍ الأَسْلَمِيُّ، قَالَ كُنْتُ أَبِيتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَتَيْتُهُ بِوَضُوئِهِ وَحَاجَتِهِ فَقَالَ لِي ‏"‏ سَلْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ أَسْأَلُكَ مُرَافَقَتَكَ فِي الْجَنَّةِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَوَغَيْرَ ذَلِكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ هُوَ ذَاكَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَأَعِنِّي عَلَى نَفْسِكَ بِكَثْرَةِ السُّجُودِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

I was with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) one night. and I brought him water and what he required. He said to me: Ask (anything you like). I said: I ask your company in Paradise. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Or anything else besides it. I said: That is all (what I require). He said: Then help me to achieve this for you by devoting yourself often to prostration.

Narrated by Rabi'a b. Ka'b said:

Context

Rabi'a b. Ka'b shares his experience of asking the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for companionship in Paradise. The Prophet's response encourages frequent prostration as a means to achieve this noble goal, emphasizing the importance of dedication in worship and the pursuit of spiritual elevation.

Modern Application

This hadith can inspire individuals today to increase their acts of worship, particularly through voluntary prayers and prostration, as a way to deepen their connection with Allah and strive for a higher spiritual status.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prayer because it highlights the significance of prostration in worship and its role in attaining closeness to Allah.

Prayer