Hadith #479

Arabic Text

English Translation

Bahz ibn Asad narrated to us, Sulaymān ibn al-Mughīrah narrated to us, Ḥumayd — meaning Ibn Hilāl — narrated to us, from Khālid ibn ʿUmayr, who said: ʿUtbah ibn Ghazwān delivered a sermon. Bahz said: And he said before that: the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave us a sermon. He praised Allah and extolled Him, then said: "As for what follows: Indeed, the world has announced its departure and turned away swiftly. Nothing remains of it except a small remnant like the last sip in a vessel that its owner tips out. You are moving from it to an abode of no end, so move with the best of what is before you. It has been mentioned to us that a stone thrown from the edge of Hell would fall for seventy years without reaching its bottom. By Allah, it will surely be filled. Are you amazed? By Allah, it has been mentioned to us that the distance between the gateposts of Paradise is the journey of forty years, and a day will come when it will be packed with crowds. I saw myself as the seventh of seven with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ — we had no food except the leaves of trees, until the corners of our mouths became ulcerated. I picked up a cloak and split it between myself and Saʿd — he wrapped himself with half and I wrapped myself with the other half. Yet not one of us remains today who has not become governor of a city. I seek refuge with Allah from being great in my own eyes yet small before Allah. No prophethood has ever existed except that it was gradually succeeded until its end became kingship. You will surely experience — or learn about — the rulers after us."