❖ The Virtue of Patience in Hardships and the Classification of the Hadith ❖
Question Summary:
A hadith on patience was shared via the “Al-Ulamaa” platform:
"يَوَدُّ أَهْلُ الْعَافِيَةِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حِينَ يُعْطَى أَهْلُ الْبَلَاءِ الثَّوَابَ، لَوْ أَنَّ جُلُودَهُمْ كَانَتْ قُرِضَتْ فِي الدُّنْيَا بِالْمَقَارِيضِ"
“On the Day of Judgment, those who lived in comfort will wish that their skins had been cut apart with scissors in the world when they see the reward given to those who were afflicted.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 2402]
A brother raised concern, quoting the late Shaykh Zubair ʿAlī Zaʾī (رحمه الله), who graded the narration as weak due to chain-related issues.
Yes, the chain of narration in Tirmidhī (2402) has been classified as weak (ḍaʿīf) by scholars such as Shaykh Zubair ʿAlī Zaʾī, due to issues like:
References:
The concept that those who remained safe (in comfort) will envy those who bore hardships is supported by other authentic narrations, which state that:
This strengthens the overall theme and acceptability of the narration.
In his work “al-Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah” (Hadith 2206), Shaykh al-Albānī graded this narration as:
"Ḥasan li-ghayrih" — "Hasan due to supporting narrations"
Meaning: although each individual chain may be weak, the combined strength of multiple weak chains can raise the hadith to the level of acceptability (i.e. Hasan li-ghayrih), especially in non-legal matters such as virtues and encouragement (faḍāʾil & targhīb).
Many contemporary scholars trust Shaykh al-Albānī's grading in this case, especially because:
✔ The hadith “يَوَدُّ أَهْلُ الْعَافِيَةِ…” has some weak chains, as stated by Shaykh Zubair ʿAlī Zaʾī (رحمه الله).
✔ However, scholars like Shaykh al-Albānī (رحمه الله)—after analyzing all chains and supporting reports—have graded it “Hasan li-ghayrih”.
✔ Therefore, it is permissible to narrate and act upon this hadith in the context of virtues and exhortation, as long as its weakness is not severe and the content is supported elsewhere.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ
Question Summary:
A hadith on patience was shared via the “Al-Ulamaa” platform:
"يَوَدُّ أَهْلُ الْعَافِيَةِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حِينَ يُعْطَى أَهْلُ الْبَلَاءِ الثَّوَابَ، لَوْ أَنَّ جُلُودَهُمْ كَانَتْ قُرِضَتْ فِي الدُّنْيَا بِالْمَقَارِيضِ"
“On the Day of Judgment, those who lived in comfort will wish that their skins had been cut apart with scissors in the world when they see the reward given to those who were afflicted.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 2402]
A brother raised concern, quoting the late Shaykh Zubair ʿAlī Zaʾī (رحمه الله), who graded the narration as weak due to chain-related issues.
❀ Response by Shaykh Khidr Ḥayāt (حفظه الله)
1. The Hadith’s Chain (Isnād)
Yes, the chain of narration in Tirmidhī (2402) has been classified as weak (ḍaʿīf) by scholars such as Shaykh Zubair ʿAlī Zaʾī, due to issues like:
- ʿAnʿanah (ambiguous narration) from al-Aʿmash and Abū al-Zubayr
- Supporting reports (shawāhid) found in al-Ṭabarānī and others are also weak
References:
- Tirmidhī: 2402
- al-Muʿjam al-Kabīr (Ṭabarānī): 12829 / Vol. 12, p. 182
2. Supporting Meanings from Other Authentic Ahadith
The concept that those who remained safe (in comfort) will envy those who bore hardships is supported by other authentic narrations, which state that:
- Patience during affliction is highly rewarded
- Those free from trials will feel regret on the Day of Judgment
This strengthens the overall theme and acceptability of the narration.
3. Classification by Shaykh al-Albānī (رحمه الله)
In his work “al-Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah” (Hadith 2206), Shaykh al-Albānī graded this narration as:
"Ḥasan li-ghayrih" — "Hasan due to supporting narrations"
Meaning: although each individual chain may be weak, the combined strength of multiple weak chains can raise the hadith to the level of acceptability (i.e. Hasan li-ghayrih), especially in non-legal matters such as virtues and encouragement (faḍāʾil & targhīb).
4. Position of Contemporary Scholars
Many contemporary scholars trust Shaykh al-Albānī's grading in this case, especially because:
- The meaning is corroborated by other reliable narrations
- The hadith is not related to ḥalāl & ḥarām, but rather to encouragement toward patience
Conclusion
✔ The hadith “يَوَدُّ أَهْلُ الْعَافِيَةِ…” has some weak chains, as stated by Shaykh Zubair ʿAlī Zaʾī (رحمه الله).
✔ However, scholars like Shaykh al-Albānī (رحمه الله)—after analyzing all chains and supporting reports—have graded it “Hasan li-ghayrih”.
✔ Therefore, it is permissible to narrate and act upon this hadith in the context of virtues and exhortation, as long as its weakness is not severe and the content is supported elsewhere.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ
