Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Da'if. The grade indicates the level of authenticity based on the chain of narration and content analysis.

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 3969 in the Book of Zuhd.

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#3968

#3969

Sunan Ibn Majah

#3970

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Sunan Ibn Majah #3969

Q: What is Sunan Ibn Majah 3969 about?

This hadith from Sunan Ibn Majah (Book of Zuhd), narrated by It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud that the Prophet (ﷺ) drew a square, and a line in the middle of the square, and lines to the side of the line in the middle of the square, and a line outside the square, and he said:, states: "“Do you know what this is?” They said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said: “Man is the line in the middle, and these lines to his side are the sicknesses and problems that assail him from al…"

Zuhd

Da'if

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

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بِشْرٍ، ‏:‏ بَكْرُ بْنُ خَلَفٍ وَأَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ خَلاَّدٍ الْبَاهِلِيُّ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ أَبِي يَعْلَى، عَنِ الرَّبِيعِ بْنِ خُثَيْمٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏:‏ أَنَّهُ خَطَّ خَطًّا مُرَبَّعًا وَخَطًّا وَسَطَ الْخَطِّ الْمُرَبَّعِ وَخُطُوطًا إِلَى جَانِبِ الْخَطِّ الَّذِي وَسَطَ الْخَطِّ الْمُرَبَّعِ وَخَطًّا خَارِجًا مِنَ الْخَطِّ الْمُرَبَّعِ فَقَالَ ‏:‏ ‏"‏ أَتَدْرُونَ مَا هَذَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالُوا ‏:‏ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏:‏ ‏"‏ هَذَا الإِنْسَانُ الْخَطُّ الأَوْسَطُ وَهَذِهِ الْخُطُوطُ إِلَى جَنْبِهِ الأَعْرَاضُ تَنْهَشُهُ أَوْ تَنْهَسُهُ مِنْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَإِنْ أَخْطَأَهُ هَذَا أَصَابَهُ هَذَا وَالْخَطُّ الْمُرَبَّعُ الأَجَلُ الْمُحِيطُ وَالْخَطُّ الْخَارِجُ الأَمَلُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

“Do you know what this is?” They said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said: “Man is the line in the middle, and these lines to his side are the sicknesses and problems that assail him from all places. If one misses him, another will befall him. The square is his life span, at his neck; and the line outside it is (his) hope.”

Narrated by It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud that the Prophet (ﷺ) drew a square, and a line in the middle of the square, and lines to the side of the line in the middle of the square, and a line outside the square, and he said:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) uses a drawing to illustrate the complexities of life, including the challenges and hopes that accompany human existence. It serves as a reflection on the unpredictability of life and the importance of maintaining hope. The takeaway is to remain resilient in the face of life's trials.

Modern Application

Today, this teaching can inspire individuals to reflect on their life challenges and maintain hope for the future. It encourages a mindset of resilience and positivity amidst difficulties.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Spiritual Reflection and Life as Test because it encourages contemplation on life's challenges and the importance of hope.

Spiritual Reflection Life as Test