Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

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This hadith is from Sunan an-Nasa'i, which contains 5,768 hadiths across 52 books. It is hadith number 5046 in the Book of The Book Of Faith and its Signs.

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#5045

#5046

Sunan an-Nasa'i

#5047

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Sunan an-Nasa'i #5046

Q: What is Sunan an-Nasa'i 5046 about?

This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (Book of The Book Of Faith and its Signs), narrated by It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that :, states: "The Messenger of Allah said: "The parable of the hypocrite is that of a sheep that hesitates between two flocks, sometimes following one, and sometimes following another, not knowing which to follow.…"

The Book Of Faith and its Signs

Sahih

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

أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عُقْبَةَ عَنْ نَافِعٍ عَنْ ابْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَثَلُ الْمُنَافِقِ كَمَثَلِ الشَّاةِ الْعَائِرَةِ بَيْنَ الْغَنَمَيْنِ تَعِيرُ فِي هَذِهِ مَرَّةً وَفِي هَذِهِ مَرَّةً لَا تَدْرِي أَيَّهَا تَتْبَعُ

The Messenger of Allah said: "The parable of the hypocrite is that of a sheep that hesitates between two flocks, sometimes following one, and sometimes following another, not knowing which to follow."

Narrated by It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that :

Context

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ uses a metaphor to describe the behavior of hypocrites, likening them to a sheep that cannot decide which flock to follow. This illustrates the indecisiveness and lack of commitment often seen in hypocritical behavior, serving as a warning to remain steadfast in faith.

Modern Application

In our daily lives, this hadith encourages us to be decisive in our beliefs and actions. It serves as a reminder to avoid wavering in our commitments and to stand firm in our values.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Hypocrisy and Spiritual Struggle because it highlights the characteristics of a hypocrite and the internal conflict faced when one lacks conviction in their beliefs.

Hypocrisy Spiritual Struggle

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ الحَشۡرِ

Al-Hashr (The Exile)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

كَمَثَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ إِذْ قَالَ لِلْإِنسَٰنِ ٱكْفُرْ فَلَمَّا كَفَرَ قَالَ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌۭ مِّنكَ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

[The hypocrites are] like the example of Satan when he says to man, "Disbelieve." But when he disbelieves, he says, "Indeed, I am disassociated from you. Indeed, I fear Allah, Lord of the worlds."

سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ

An-Nisaa (The Women)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ وَإِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ رَأَيْتَ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَنكَ صُدُودًۭا

And when it is said to them, "Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger," you see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion.

مُّذَبْذَبِينَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ لَآ إِلَىٰ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَلَآ إِلَىٰ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ ۚ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُۥ سَبِيلًۭا

Wavering between them, [belonging] neither to the believers nor to the disbelievers. And whoever Allah leaves astray - never will you find for him a way.

سُورَةُ النُّورِ

An-Noor (The Light)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَيَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلرَّسُولِ وَأَطَعْنَا ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّىٰ فَرِيقٌۭ مِّنْهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَمَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

But the hypocrites say, "We have believed in Allah and in the Messenger, and we obey"; then a party of them turns away after that. And those are not believers.

سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ

Aal-i-Imraan (The Family of Imraan)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ نَافَقُوا۟ ۚ وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا۟ قَٰتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوِ ٱدْفَعُوا۟ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَوْ نَعْلَمُ قِتَالًۭا لَّٱتَّبَعْنَٰكُمْ ۗ هُمْ لِلْكُفْرِ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَقْرَبُ مِنْهُمْ لِلْإِيمَٰنِ ۚ يَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَٰهِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَكْتُمُونَ

And that He might make evident those who are hypocrites. For it was said to them, "Come, fight in the way of Allah or [at least] defend." They said, "If we had known [there would be] fighting, we would have followed you." They were nearer to disbelief that day than to faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah is most Knowing of what they conceal -

Common Words

96 total82 unique11 repeated

ٱلله4x

إلى3x

قال2x

إنى2x

لهم2x

تعالوا2x

ما2x

منهم2x

ذلك2x

هؤلاء2x

فى2x

كمثل1x

ٱلشيطن1x

إذ1x

للإنسن1x

ٱكفر1x

فلما1x

كفر1x

برىء1x

منك1x

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

This hadith is #5046 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book Of Faith and its Signs. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that :.

Browse all Sunan an-Nasa'i All Hadith Collections

Sunan an-Nasa'i #5046

Context

Modern Application

Topics

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Common Words

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

About This Hadith