Question
Is this narration authentic?
الدنيا سجن المؤمن وسنته
Answer
Imams Hakim and Ahmad (rahimahumallah) have recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reported that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The world is a prison for the believer and a famine/drought. When he leaves the world, he separates from the prison and drought [i.e. A place of diffuculty].”
(Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4 pg. 315, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 2 pg. 197)
‘Allamah Haythami (rahimahullah) has declared the narrators of Musnad Ahmad credible (رجال أحمد رجال الصحيح غير عبد الله بن جنادة، وهو ثقة)
(Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 10 pg. 288)
The words ‘The world is a prison for a believer’ are also recorded in Sahih Muslim.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2956)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar