The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ حَمَّادٍ الْمِصْرِيُّ، أَنْبَأَنَا اللَّيْثُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ عِيَاضِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيَّ، يَقُولُ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَخَطَبَ فَقَالَ " لاَ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَخْشَى عَلَيْكُمْ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِلاَّ مَا يُخْرِجُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ مِنْ زَهْرَةِ الدُّنْيَا " . فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيَأْتِي الْخَيْرُ بِالشَّرِّ فَصَمَتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ " كَيْفَ قُلْتَ " . قَالَ قُلْتُ وَهَلْ يَأْتِي الْخَيْرُ بِالشَّرِّ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " إِنَّ الْخَيْرَ لاَ يَأْتِي إِلاَّ بِخَيْرٍ أَوَخَيْرٌ هُوَ إِنَّ كُلَّ مَا يُنْبِتُ الرَّبِيعُ يَقْتُلُ حَبَطًا أَوْ يُلِمُّ إِلاَّ آكِلَةَ الْخَضِرِ أَكَلَتْ حَتَّى إِذَا امْتَلأَتْ خَاصِرَتَاهَا اسْتَقْبَلَتِ الشَّمْسَ فَثَلَطَتْ وَبَالَتْ ثُمَّ اجْتَرَّتْ فَعَادَتْ فَأَكَلَتْ فَمَنْ يَأْخُذُ مَالاً بِحَقِّهِ يُبَارَكُ لَهُ وَمَنْ يَأْخُذُ مَالاً بِغَيْرِ حَقِّهِ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي يَأْكُلُ وَلاَ يَشْبَعُ " .
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood up
and
addressed the people saying: ‘No, by Allah, I do not fear for
you, O
people, but I fear the attractions of this world that Allah
brings
forth for you.’ A man said to him: ‘O Messenger of
Allah(ﷺ), does
good bring forth evil?’ The Messenger of Allah
(ﷺ) remained silent
for a while, then he said: ‘What did you
say?’ He said: ‘I said, does
good bring forth evil?’ The
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Good does
not bring forth anything
but good, but is it really good? Everything
that grows on the banks
of a stream may either kill if overeaten or
(at least) make the
animals sick, except if an animal eats its fill of
Khadir* and then
faces the sun, and then defecates and urinates,
chews the cud and
then returns to graze again. Whoever takes wealth in
a lawful manner,
it will be blessed for him, but whoever takes it in
an unlawful
manner, his likeness is that of one who eats and it never
satisfied.’”
Narrated by Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri said:
Context
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) addresses the people, expressing his concern not for external threats but for the allure of worldly temptations. When questioned about the relationship between good and evil, he clarifies that true good cannot lead to evil. This highlights the importance of discerning true goodness and its implications.
Modern Application
In modern contexts, this hadith serves as a reminder to critically evaluate the sources of our actions and the potential consequences. It encourages individuals to pursue lawful and ethical means of obtaining wealth and success, fostering a mindset of integrity.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Good Deeds and Prophetic Teachings because it emphasizes the importance of pursuing goodness and understanding the nature of true good.
But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters."
And it will be said to those who feared Allah, "What did your Lord send down?" They will say, "[That which is] good." For those who do good in this world is good; and the home of the Hereafter is better. And how excellent is the home of the righteous -
Say, "Not equal are the evil and the good, although the abundance of evil might impress you." So fear Allah, O you of understanding, that you may be successful.
What comes to you of good is from Allah, but what comes to you of evil, [O man], is from yourself. And We have sent you, [O Muhammad], to the people as a messenger, and sufficient is Allah as Witness.
It is that of which Allah gives good tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, [O Muhammad], "I do not ask you for this message any payment [but] only good will through kinship." And whoever commits a good deed - We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Appreciative.