What is the status of the following Hadith and the explanation of it, if it is suitable to quote?
وقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم: ألا أخبركم عن الأجود الأجود ؟ الله هو الأجود الأجود، وأنا أجود ولد آدم، وأجودهم بعدي رجل تعلم علما فنشر علمه، يبعث يوم القيامة أمة وحده
Answer
This Hadith is recorded in Musnad Abi Ya’la, Hadith: 2782.
‘Allamah Busiri (rahimahullah) has graded it as weak.
(Ithaful Khiyarah, Hadith: 444 and 8636. Also see Targhib, Hadith: 191)
Translation
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Shall I not inform you about the most generous of all generous ones? Allah, He is the The Most Generous of all generous ones, and I am the most generous from the children of Adam, and the most generous of them after me is a man who learned knowledge then dispersed his knowledge, he will be resurrected as one ummah on the day of Qiyamah.
Explanation
The first parts of the Hadith are self explanatory. Undoubtedly, Allah Ta’ala is The most Generous being. Our Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) is the most generous of all mankind for his selfless spending on the poor, as well his imparting of a huge treasure of knowledge to the Ummah.
The part of the Hadith that mentions: ‘the most generous of them after me is a man who learned knowledge then dispersed his knowledge’ emphasises the point that generosity is not merely linked to the spending of wealth on others. It actually includes the imparting of knowledge to mankind as well. Therefore a man who imparts beneficial knowledge is considered most generous too, even though he may have not spent money on the needy…
The last part: ‘he will be resurrected as one ummah on the day of Qiyamah’ means this person will be resurrected as a very honoured or unique person or one who will be considered a leader.
(Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 2860 and As-Sirajul Munir, vol.2 pg.94)
The word ‘Ummah’ has several usages in the Arabic language and in the Quran as well. One such meaning is: to be unique or one who is worthy of being followed (an Imam). Allah Ta’ala has referred to Nabi Ibrahim (‘alayhis salam) as ‘ummah’ too in the Quran.
(Surah: Nahl, verse: 120)
May Allah Ta’ala allow us to be from those generous and powerful people in his court. Amin.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar