Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
The greatest accusation in the world is that which the Christians have attributed to Allah: that Maryam is Allah’s consort and ‘Isa (alayhis salam) is the son of Allah.
But Allah is so forbearing that He does not make this accusation a cause of hardship or distress for these wrongdoers; rather, He gives them even more.
Truly,
Allah is As-Samad.

Hadith Commentary:
In this hadith, the meaning of "sabr" is forbearance and patience, that Allah, the Exalted, does not hasten to punish those who attribute offspring to Him.
The greatest accusation in the world is the one the Christians have made against Allah, the Exalted, by claiming that Maryam (alayha as-salam) is Allah’s wife and ‘Isa (alayhis-salam) is His son. Yet Allah, the Exalted, is so forbearing and patient that He does not seize such oppressive people swiftly; rather, He provides them with abundant sustenance.

Chapter of Sahih Bukhari Hadith Number: 7378: «بَابُ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى: {إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ} :»
Relevance between the Chapter and the Hadith:
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has presented in the chapter heading a noble verse in which the exalted attributes of Allah, Most High, are mentioned. The hadith presented under this chapter does not appear to be fully connected to the chapter at first glance, but upon reflection, the connection between the chapter heading and the hadith is related to «الرزاق», because in the hadith, the words «يرزقهم» that Allah provides them sustenance are mentioned. However, the connection with «ذو القوة المتين» is difficult to establish. In this regard, Ibn al-Munir rahimahullah writes:
«أما الرزاق فواضح بقوله: ”ويرزقهم“ أما القدرة و القوة فبقوله: ما أحد أصبر على أذى سمعه من الله عز و جل، ففيه إشارة إلى قدرة الله على الإحسان إليهم مع كفرهم به.» [المتوري على ابواب البخاري : ص 461]
“The relevance of ‘Provider’ (Razzaq) is clear from the word «ويرزقهم» in the hadith, and the connection of «القوة» is in the words of the hadith: ‘There is none more patient than Allah upon hearing hurtful words.’ Thus, this indicates that Allah, Most High, has the power that, despite their disbelief, He continues to bestow favors upon them.”

Allamah Abdul Haq al-Hashimi rahimahullah states that the chapter heading is based on two attributes: the first attribute is «الرزاق» and the second is «القوة», meaning that even upon hearing hurtful words from people, Allah, Most High, continues to bestow favors upon them and is patient.”
«ثم أورد البخاري فى الباب حديث أبى موسى، و وجه المطابقة للترجمة من جهة اشتمال الحديث على الصفتين: الرزق، و القوة الدالة على القدرة، أما الرزق، فواضح من قوله: ”ويرزقهم“، وأما القوة، فمن قوله: ”أصبر“ فإن فيه إشارة إلى القدرة على الإحسان إليهم مع إساءتهم، بخلاف طبع البشر، فإنه لا يقدر على الإحسان إلى المشيء إلا من جهة تكلفه ذالك شرعًا.» [لب اللباب فی تراجم والابواب : 252/5]

Ibn Battal rahimahullah writes:
«تضمن هذا الباب صفتين لله تعالى: صفة ذات، و صفة فعل، فالرزق فعل من أفعاله تعالى، فهو من صفات فعله، والقوة من صفات الذات، وهى بمعني القدرة.» [شرح ابن بطال 404/10]
“In this chapter, two attributes of Allah, Most High, are combined: one is an ‘attribute of essence’ (sifat dhat), and the other is an ‘attribute of action’ (sifat fi‘l). Thus, the attribute of provision (rizq) is an action, from among the actions of Allah, Most High, and it is from His active attributes. The other attribute is that of power (quwwah), which is an attribute of essence and is in the meaning of ability (qudrah). (From this, the relevance to the chapter becomes apparent.)”

Allamah ‘Ayni rahimahullah says that the connection between the chapter heading and the hadith is with the last part of the hadith.[عمدة القاري للعيني : 129/25]

Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi rahimahullah has stated that, in his view, the connection of the chapter heading is only with the first part, because in the upcoming chapter «صفة القوة», its connection is present: «باب قل هو القادر». [الابواب و التراجم: 780/6]

This humble and insignificant servant says that the connection of the last part of the chapter heading is combined with this very hadith, because at this point Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has mentioned ‘power’ (quwwah), and the use of power is with vengeance. Whereas in the hadith, Allah, Most High, is patient upon hearing hurtful words; Allah’s patience indicates His power, in that He restrains vengeance. Therefore, the relevance to the chapter is from this aspect. As for the connection with «باب قل هو القادر», in this chapter, only patience is not mentioned, but rather it is related to fulfilling the needs of the creation. That is why, under the chapter, the supplication of istikhara is mentioned. So understand!

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In some manuscripts of Sahih Bukhari, the verse is as follows:
“I alone am the Provider (Razzaq), the Possessor of great strength (and) the Most Powerful.”
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu recited it in this manner.
He said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam taught him to recite it thus.
(Fath al-Bari: 13/440 and Musnad Ahmad: 1/394)

➋
From this verse and other similar verses, it is evident that Allah ta’ala is characterized by lofty attributes and has beautiful names.
In this noble verse, “al-Quwwah” (the Power) is His attribute, and “ar-Razzaq” (the Provider) is His name.
We have already explained that every name of Allah ta’ala entails an attribute.
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah intends, through these verses, to refute the deniers of the attributes of Allah ta’ala.
In this hadith, Allah ta’ala’s forbearance (hilm), patience, and tolerance are described—even to the extent that He grants health and well-being, and abundant provision, to the disbeliever who ascribes offspring and partners to Him.
This hadith mentions the attribute of patience (sabr) of Allah ta’ala, which is real in its meaning.
Patience is to forgo retaliation despite having the power to take revenge.
The attribute of patience and forbearance of Allah ta’ala can be gauged from the following verses:
“Indeed, Allah holds the heavens and the earth lest they move from their places, and if they were to move, none could hold them after Him. Surely, He is Most Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.” (Fatir 35:41)
That is, despite possessing such immense power and authority, He is forbearing; this is why He does not immediately destroy those who commit shirk with Him, but continues to pardon His rebels, deniers, and disobedient ones.
Allah ta’ala says:
“Some people say, ‘The Most Merciful has taken a son.’ You have certainly made an outrageous claim, at which the heavens are about to rupture, the earth to split, and the mountains to collapse in devastation, that they attribute a son to the Most Merciful. It is not befitting for the Most Merciful that He should take a son.” (Maryam 88–92)
That is, it is only due to Allah ta’ala’s forbearance that, even after hearing such absurd statements, He does not destroy them instantly.

➌
The relevance of this hadith to the chapter heading is as follows: the heading mentions two attributes—providing sustenance to creation, and possessing immense power, which refers to His perfect ability.
The mention of providing sustenance is present in the hadith, and the proof of power is that enduring hurtful statements with patience indicates His strength, because human nature, upon hearing such painful and distressing words, is provoked to take revenge.
A person, in such circumstances, hastens to retaliate so that the opportunity is not lost, but Allah ta’ala, despite His immense power, does not take revenge. This is not due to any weakness or inability, but because of His patience, forbearance, and tolerance, which are signs of His strength and power.
(Fath al-Bari: 13/441)

➍
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah’s intent is that the beautiful names and lofty attributes of Allah ta’ala should be affirmed as real, just as their apparent meanings immediately come to mind from the mentioned words.
No kind of figurative interpretation (ta’wil) should be made regarding them, nor is there any need to understand them through logical terminology or the subtleties of any philosopher.
(Sharh Kitab al-Tawhid by al-Ghunayman: 1/102)

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: Allah Ta'ala is exalted and pure, far above having any partner, associate, offspring, or wife. He is in need of nothing. However, the polytheists ascribe partners and offspring to Him and deny His self-sufficiency. Despite this, He grants them health, well-being, and wealth, and does not immediately call them to account, nor does He take revenge despite having full power and ability. The forbearance (sabr) of Allah is befitting to His lofty majesty; its true nature and reality cannot be described, nor is there any need for interpretation (ta'wil), likening (tashbih), or negation (ta'til).

Takhrij al-Hadith:
[صحیح بخاری 7378],
[صحیح مسلم 7080]

Fiqh al-Hadith
➊ The meaning of Allah’s patience is that, despite being All-Powerful over everything, He grants respite to the disbelievers and polytheists. If He wills, He can annihilate all the disbelievers and polytheists in an instant. The statement of Allah, the Exalted, is:
«وَيَمُدُّهُمْ فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ»
“And He grants them respite, so they wander blindly in their transgression.” [سورة البقره 15]

➋ The meaning of causing harm or pain to Allah is the claim of the polytheists that God has offspring. That is, due to their polytheism, the polytheists anger their Lord.

➌ In this world, Allah, the Exalted, grants sustenance and happiness even to the disbelievers and polytheists, but after death, there will be a painful punishment for such people. After death, sustenance and happiness are only for those who have true faith in Allah, do not commit polytheism or disbelief, and live their lives according to the Qur’an and Hadith.

➍ Patience is the best deed. The Most Generous Lord says:
«إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ»
“Only those who are patient will be given their reward without measure.” [سوره الزمر : 10]

➎ The greatest sin of all sins is polytheism (shirk). If a polytheist dies without repentance, he will be an eternal inhabitant of Hell. The statement of Allah, the Exalted, is:
«إِنَّهُ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّـهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّـهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنْصَارٍ»
“Indeed, whoever associates partners with Allah, then Allah has certainly forbidden Paradise for him, and his abode is the Fire, and the wrongdoers will have no helpers.” [سورة المائده : 72]

Benefit:
In this hadith, the meaning of "sabr" is knowledge and forbearance. And "Haleem" (Forbearing) is among the attributes of Allah, the Exalted. Our belief is that there is none more forbearing than Allah, the Exalted. Allah is the One Who shows forbearance even towards those who associate partners with Him.

In the present era, the situation appears reversed: propaganda is made against one's own brothers, and even those who try to make them fail are granted (blessings) by Allah.

The Christians made a tremendous accusation against Allah, the Exalted, by declaring Lady Maryam (alayha as-salam) as the wife of Allah and our master Isa (alayhi as-salam) as the son of Allah. Despite this, Allah, the Exalted, still provides them with health and abundant sustenance. Subhan Allah!

Furthermore, it is understood from this that health and abundance of sustenance are two great blessings of Allah, the Exalted. Every person should seek forgiveness for his sins and live his life according to Allah’s beloved religion, Islam. Shirk (associating partners with Allah) is the greatest of all major sins, which Allah, the Exalted, does not forgive.