Who is this statement attributed to and could you mention the reference?
لأن أعض على جمرة حتى تبرد أحب إلي من أن أقول لشيء قد قضاه الله ليته لم يكن
Answer
This narration is recorded in Kitabuz Zuhd of Imam Abu Dawud (rahimahullah), as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu)
(Kitabuz Zuhd, pg. 197)
Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) has also recorded this narration with slight variation in the wording.
(Al Mu’jamul Kabir, Hadith: 9171, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 7 pg. 207. Also see: Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 35709)
Translation
It is more beloved to me to bite onto a burning coal until it cools, rather than saying upon something that Allah had decreed ‘If only it did not happen.’
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar