Chapter: “Souls Are Like Gathered Troops”
«باب الأرواح جنود مجندة»
❖ Souls Are Like Aligned Troops
✿ It is narrated from Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) in a marfūʿ report that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“People are like mines of silver and gold. The best of them in the pre-Islamic era are the best of them in Islam, if they gain understanding. And souls are gathered troops — those who knew each other before, find mutual affinity in the world; and those who were unfamiliar, remain distant.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2638]
❖ Natural Connection of Souls
✿ Abdullah ibn Masʿūd (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Souls are like aligned troops — those that became acquainted (before) are drawn to each other (in this life), and those that did not recognize each other (before) remain apart.”
[Ḥasan: al-Ṭabarānī in al-Kabīr 10/283]
❖ Likeness Attracts Likeness
✿ ʿAmrah bint ʿAbd al-Raḥmān narrated:
In Makkah, there was a woman who was lighthearted and humorous. She stayed as a guest with another woman who was just like her. When this was mentioned to ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها), she said:
“My beloved has spoken the truth. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Souls are like assembled troops — those that recognized one another found affection, and those that did not, remained distant.’”
[Ḥasan: Abū Yaʿlā 4381]
✿ Summary:
✔ This profound Hadith illustrates that spiritual compatibility is a key reason for the affection or aversion we feel toward others.
✔ Souls that were connected in the realm before this life are naturally drawn to each other in this world.
✔ This principle explains natural comfort, harmony, or discomfort we may feel around certain people without knowing why.
