Please mention the reference for this narration
قيل لعبد الله بن المبارك: لو قيل لك لم يبق من عمرك إلا يوم ما كنت صانعا؟ قال: كنت أعلّم الناس
Answer
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration.
(Al Madkhal ila ‘Ilmis Sunan: 1579)
Translation
‘Abdullah ibn Al Mubarak (rahimahullah) was asked, “If it was said to you that you only have one more day to live, what [deeds] would you do?” He replied, “I would [spend that day] teaching people.”
Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) made an even more profound statement regarding conveying knowledge. He pointed to his neck and said:
“If you were to put a sharp sword here and at that time the thought crossed my mind that I should convey one more sentence which I heard from Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), before you killed me, I would still say it.”
(Sahih Bukhari –ta’liqan-, before Hadith: 68. Also see: Footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah on Al Madkhal: 1579)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar