Question
Kindly provide the translation and reference of the full narration:
إنما أجلكم في أجل من خلا من الأمم، ما بين صلاة العصر إلى مغرب الشمس، وإنما مثلكم ومثل اليهود، والنصارى، كرجل استعمل عمالا، فقال: من يعمل لي إلى نصف النهار على قيراط قيراط…
Answer
Imam Bukhari and others (rahimahumullah) have recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3459)
Translation
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) has narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
‘Verily your lifespan in comparison to the lifespan of those nations that have passed is [like] the time between ‘Asr Salah and sunset.
Certainly, your parable and the parable of the Jews and Christians is like a man who sought to employ a few workers and said: “Who will work for me till mid-day in lieu of one Qirat each?”
The Jews then worked for half of the day in exchange of one Qirat each.
He then said: “Who will work for me from mid-day till [the time of] ‘Asr Salah in lieu of one Qirat each?”
The Christians then worked from mid-day till ‘Asr Salah in lieu of one Qirat each.
He then said: “Who will work for me from ‘Asr Salah till sunset in leu of two Qirats each?”
Behold, for you are those who will work from ‘Asr Salah till sunset in exchange of two Qirats each! Behold! You shall receive the reward twice!
The Jews and Christians will become angry and say: ‘We are more in deeds whilst being less in reward?!’
Allah Ta’ala will say: “Have I wronged you of any portion of your right [i.e. what is due to you]?”
They will say: “No.”
He will then say: “Verily, the matter is such that I grant my grace to whomsoever I wish!”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3459; Also see Sahih Bukhari along with Fathul Bari, Hadith: 557-558)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar