It is reported from the Hadith of Abu Qatadah and Abud Dahma who said: ‘We came to a man from the people of the desert and asked him, did you hear a Hadith from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam)?
He said: ‘I heard him saying,’
‘You will never leave something for the sake of Allah, but Allah will give you something better in return.’
My questions are:
1. I would like to know the authenticity and reference for the Hadith.
2. What is the meaning of this Hadith.
3. Does it apply to leaving your family and going out in Tabligh Jamat?
4. Does it apply to leaving out some act of sin and Allah will reward that person with the same thing in a better and halal manner?
Answer
Reference and Authenticity
This Hadith is recorded by Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) in his Musnad a few times, vol.5 pgs.78, 79 & 363 with a reliable chain, as stated by ‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah).
(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol.10 pg.296. Also see Kitabuz Zuhd of Ibnul Mubarak, Hadith: 1168 & Kitabuz Zud of Bayhaqi, Hadith: 875)
Meaning
Some versions of this Hadith have the following words at the beginning:
You will never leave something out of the fear of Allah…
This Hadith refers to when a person abandons sin for the sake of Allah, he/she will be rewarded by Allah Ta’ala with something better. Allah alone Knows whats ‘better’ for each person. It could be the same item being acquired via halal avenues, and it could also be anything else that Allah Ta’ala deemed as ‘better’ for this person.
‘Allamah Sindhi (rahimahullah) writes that ‘what is better’ is sometimes given in this world and sometimes in the Hereafter.
(Hashiyatus Sindhi ‘alal Musnad)
Leaving one’s family for the effort of din, or to acquire knowledge etc has its own merits. Such a person will definitely be rewarded by Allah Ta’ala.
Those who do so, do not wish for their families to be replaced! Despite leaving them behind for the sake of Allah.
The Hadith in question is quoted by the Muhaddithun under the chapter of ‘Zuhd’ – Abstinence from worldly temptations. Therefore it refers to leaving/abandoning these temptations perpetually, with no intention of returning to those sins.
One who leaves his home and family leaves with the intention of returning…
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar