Hadith #571

Arabic Text

English Translation

Yazid narrated from Sufyan ibn Husayn, from al-Zuhri, from 'Ubaydullah ibn 'Abdullah ibn 'Utbah, from Ibn 'Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) who said: A man saw a dream and came to the Prophet ﷺ saying: 'I saw what appeared to be a canopy dripping honey and ghee. People were taking from it, some taking much, some taking little, and some in between. And there appeared to be a rope connected to the sky' — Yazid said on one occasion: 'a rope let down from the sky.' 'You came and took hold of it and ascended, and Allah raised you. Then a man came after you and took hold of it and ascended, and Allah raised him. Then a man came after you two and took hold of it and ascended, and Allah raised him. Then a man came after you all and took hold of it, but it was cut off. Then it was reconnected for him, and he ascended, and Allah raised him.' Abu Bakr said: 'Allow me, O Messenger of Allah, to interpret it.' He gave him permission. He said: 'The canopy is Islam. The honey and ghee are the sweetness of the Quran — some taking much, some taking little, and some in between. The rope is what you are upon — you ascend and Allah raises you. Then a man will come after you on your path, ascending, and Allah will raise him. Then a man will come after you two, following your way, ascending, and Allah will raise him. Then a man will come after you all, and it will be cut off, then reconnected for him, and he will ascend, and Allah will raise him.' He said: 'Did I get it right, O Messenger of Allah?' He said: 'You got some right and some wrong.' He said: 'I adjure you, O Messenger of Allah, tell me!' He said: 'Do not adjure.' 'Abd al-Razzaq also narrated from Ma'mar, from al-Zuhri, from 'Ubaydullah ibn 'Abdullah, from Ibn 'Abbas, that a man came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ — and mentioned the same meaning.