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 Sunan Ibn Majah, which contains 4,345 hadiths across 38 books. It is hadith number 3937 in the Book of Zuhd.

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#3936

#3937

Sunan Ibn Majah

#3938

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Sunan Ibn Majah #3937

Q: What is Sunan Ibn Majah 3937 about?

This hadith from Sunan Ibn Majah (Book of Zuhd), narrated by Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyan said:, states: "“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Deeds are like vessels. If the lower part is good then the upper part will be good, and if the lower part is bad then the upper part will be bad.’”"

Zuhd

Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ عِمْرَانَ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ يَزِيدَ بْنِ جَابِرٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ رَبٍّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ كَالْوِعَاءِ إِذَا طَابَ أَسْفَلُهُ طَابَ أَعْلاَهُ وَإِذَا فَسَدَ أَسْفَلُهُ فَسَدَ أَعْلاَهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Deeds are like vessels. If the lower part is good then the upper part will be good, and if the lower part is bad then the upper part will be bad.’”

Narrated by Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyan said:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) uses the metaphor of a vessel to describe the nature of deeds. He explains that the quality of one's actions determines the overall goodness of a person's character. This highlights the interconnectedness of intentions and actions in Islam.

Modern Application

This principle can be applied in everyday life by encouraging individuals to focus on the quality of their actions, ensuring that they are rooted in good intentions. It serves as a reminder that our deeds reflect our inner state and can influence our relationships with others.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Good Deeds and Reward of Deeds because it illustrates the relationship between the quality of actions and their outcomes.

Good Deeds Reward of Deeds

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ الشُّورَىٰ

Ash-Shura (Consultation)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلَّذِى يُبَشِّرُ ٱللَّهُ عِبَادَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا ٱلْمَوَدَّةَ فِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ ۗ وَمَن يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةًۭ نَّزِدْ لَهُۥ فِيهَا حُسْنًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ شَكُورٌ

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.

سُورَةُ المُؤۡمِنُونَ

Al-Muminoon (The Believers)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرُّسُلُ كُلُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ وَٱعْمَلُوا۟ صَٰلِحًا ۖ إِنِّى بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌۭ

[Allah said], "O messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness. Indeed, I, of what you do, am Knowing.

سُورَةُ الأَنبِيَاءِ

Al-Anbiyaa (The Prophets)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

قَالَ رَبِّى يَعْلَمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

The Prophet said, "My Lord knows whatever is said throughout the heaven and earth, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing."

سُورَةُ النَّحۡلِ

An-Nahl (The Bee)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

۞ وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ مَاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ ۚ قَالُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا ۗ لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌۭ ۚ وَلَدَارُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ خَيْرٌۭ ۚ وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ

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 -

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ

At-Tawba (The Repentance)

1 ayah

وَقُلِ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ فَسَيَرَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ۖ وَسَتُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

And say, "Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His Messenger and the believers. And you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do."

Common Words

86 total78 unique6 repeated

ٱلله3x

فى3x

حسنة2x

بما2x

تعملون2x

للذين2x

ذلك1x

ٱلذى1x

يبشر1x

عباده1x

ٱلذين1x

ءامنوا1x

وعملوا1x

ٱلصلحت1x

قل1x

لا1x

أسـلكم1x

عليه1x

أجرا1x

إلا1x

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About Sunan Ibn Majah

This hadith is #3937 from Sunan Ibn Majah, in the Book of Zuhd. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Mu’awiyah bin Abu Sufyan said:.

Browse all Sunan Ibn Majah All Hadith Collections

Sunan Ibn Majah #3937

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sunan Ibn Majah

About This Hadith