What is the meaning of the following words in Sahih Muslim, Chapter of fasting, ‘Qala: Man li bi hadhihi?’
Answer
This is part of a Hadith recorded by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim (rahimahumallah).
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1977 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1159)
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) advised Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) against over exerting himself in ‘ibadah. Rather, he should fast and act like Dawud (‘alayhis salam) i.e. fast every alternate day and that Dawud (‘alayhis salam) would remain steadfast and never fled when he encountered the enemy.
[Since Dawud ‘alayhis salam would fast every alternate day and not every day, he had sufficient energy when fighting the enemy].
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr then said, ‘Man li bi hadhihi’, i.e. These qualities of Dawud (‘alayhis salam) especially the last one [remaining steadfast when encountering the enemy] are difficult to uphold, who can guarantee upholding them’?
(Refer: Al Minhaj of ‘Allamah Nawawi, Hadith: 2726, ‘Umdatul Qari, Hadith: 1977, Ad Dibaj of ‘Allamah Suyuti, Hadith: 2726)
This was uttered out of humility and in fear of failing in that regard.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar