قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: فضل الشاب العابد الذي تعبد في شبابه على الشيخ الذي تعبد بعدما كبرت سنه قال يقول الله: للشاب المؤمن بقدري الراضي بكتابي القانع برزقي التارك شهوته من أجلي أنت عندي كبعض ملائكتي وللشاب التارك لحرمات الله العامل بطاعة الله كل أجر سبعين صديقا وفضل الشاب المتعبد على الشيخ الذي تعبد بعدما كبرت سنه كفضل المرسلين على سائر النبيين
Answer
This narration is recorded in At Targhib Fi Fadailil A’amal of Imam Ibn Shahin (rahimahullah) on the authority of Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(At Targhib Fi Fadailil A’amal, Hadith: 228)
Shaykh Siddiq Al Ghumari (rahimahullah) states, ‘Most of the narrators of this chain are unknown and the Hadith is a fabrication.’
(Al Mudawi, Hadith: 2399 and Al Mughir, Hadith: 324)
The following narrations should be quoted instead which explain the virtue of a youngster who devotes himself to ‘ibadah:
1) Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “… Allah Ta’ala will grant shade to seven types of people on the Day of Qiyamah, a day when there will be no shade but His… The second category being, ‘That youngster who grew up worshipping Allah Ta’ala…”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 660, 1423, 6806 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1031)
2) Yazid ibn Maysarah (rahimahullah) says:
“Allah Ta’ala boasts to the angels regarding a youngster who is engaged in the ‘ibadah of Allah. Allah says, ‘Look at my servant, he has given up his desires for my sake.’”
(Az Zuhd of Imam Ahmad ibn Hambal, Hadith: 547. See here)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar