Sahifah Hammam

Explanation of the Hadith:
After narrating this hadith, Imam Muslim rahimahullah said that Abu Ishaq rahimahullah states:
"In my view, there is (in terms of wording) advancement and postponement (taqdeem wa ta’kheer) in this hadith, and its meaning is that «لأَنْ يَّرَانِىْ مَعَهُمْ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ اَهْلِهِ وَ مَالِهِ» 'For him to see me with himself will be more beloved to him than seeing his family and wealth.' The word 'ma‘ahum' in the hadith is used for family and wealth, but its connection is with the preceding phrase 'li-an yarani' (for him to see me with himself). (That soul attaining me with himself.)
Imam Nawawi states that Qadi ‘Iyad also holds this view. And even if the word 'ma‘ahum' is placed at the end of the hadith, there is no flaw in the meaning; that is, if the meaning of the hadith is taken as: 'For a soul to attain me will be more beloved to him than seeing his family and wealth.'
In any case, from this hadith, the virtue, rank, and importance of the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam become manifest and clear. However, since at this time the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is not present among us, then listening to his statements, acquiring their understanding, and acting upon them will be, for us, a means of beholding the countenance of Mustafa sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.
The saying of the Salaf Salihin is:
«أَهْلُ الْحَدِيْثِ هُمُو اَهْلُ النَّبِىِّ»
«وَإِنْ لَّمْ يَصْحَبُوْا نَفْسَهُ اَنْفَاسَهُ صَحِبُوْا»
The Ahl al-Hadith are, in reality, the people of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and although they could not become the companions of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam in person, they have, in every case, become the recipients of the rain of his breaths. Keep in mind that maintaining a connection with the scholars of the time who inform the common people of religious matters and provide them with fatwas is also tantamount to maintaining a connection with the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, because the blessed statement of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is: «اَلْعُلَمَاءُ وَرَثَةُ الْاَنْبِيَاءِ» (The people of knowledge are the inheritors of the Prophets), and inheritance indicates kinship. This is a clear principle.