Majma al-Zawaid — Hadith 11422

Abu al-Duha relates: Once Masruq and Shutayr bin Shakal met in the mosque, and the circles of the mosque got up and came over to the two of them. Masruq said: I think these people have come and sat with us only so that they may hear something good from us. So either you narrate a hadith from Sayyiduna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and I will confirm you, or I narrate a hadith from Sayyiduna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) and you confirm me. He said: O Abu Aishah, you narrate to us. So Masruq said: I heard Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) say: "The two eyes commit fornication, the two feet commit fornication, the two hands commit fornication, and the private part confirms that or denies it." Shutayr said: Yes, I too heard this from him. He asked: Did you hear Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) say that the most comprehensive verse in the Qur'an regarding the lawful, the unlawful, command and prohibition is this (Allah Almighty says): "Indeed, Allah Almighty commands justice, excellence and giving to near relatives, and forbids indecency and wrongdoing." This is to the end of the verse. He replied: Yes! I heard this from him. Then he said: Did you hear Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) say that the greatest verse in the Book of Allah Almighty with regard to tafwid (entrusting one's affairs to Allah) is this: "And whoever fears Allah Almighty, Allah Almighty makes a way out for him and provides for him from where he does not even expect"? He replied: Yes! I heard him state this. Then he asked: Did you hear Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) say that the most powerful verse of the Qur'an with regard to joy is this (Allah Almighty says): "O My servants who have wronged themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah Almighty"? This is to the end of the verse. He replied: Yes! I heard him say this.