Reference for Hadith on Patience with Others
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Can you please tell me if this is an authentic hadith and what is the reference? Hadith: “The believer who consorts with people and endures their harm is better than a believer who does not consort with people nor does he endure their harm.”
Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are well, insha’Allah.
“The believer who keeps the company of people and is steadfastly patient over their harm is better than the believer who does not keep the company of people nor is he steadfastly patient over their harm.” In some variants, “is better” is replaced by “is greater in reward”.
The narration (hadith) has been reported in the Musnad of Imam Ahmad, Tirmidhi’s Jami`, and the Sunan of Ibn Majah. Shaykh Shu`ayb Arna`ut has noted that its chain of transmission is authentic (sahih).
The believer who keeps the company of people commands the good (with its requisite conditions; for details see: The Criteria of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil), forbids the evil, and displays excellent character in dealing with them.
There should be some form of benefit in keeping company with them. With the righteous and with a religious reason, it would be considered worship. Though, one should be wary of those keeping the company of others for the sake of keeping their company, busying themselves from Allah.
Of the greatest forms of patience is patience in dealing with other people and the harm which comes about from them. Realize that Allah did not send them upon you except for some sin that you committed, so seek His forgiveness; and realize that this is a punishment from Him. [Munawi, Fayd al-Qadir]
Allah Most High says, “And We have appointed some of you a test for others: Will ye be steadfast?” [Qur’an, 25:20] Here, Allah is telling us to be patient. It is a command, “Be patient!”, and not just a question. May Allah make us all of the foremost of the righteous.
See also: A Reader on Patience and Reliance on Allah
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani
