Comparing oneself to others

Question:

I’ve come across this hadith: “The Prophet told us, “Always look at those above you for the deen and those below you for the dunya.” [Bukhāri]” Is it correct that it is to be found in the Sahih al Bukhari? I haven’t been able to find it, and is this an acceptable translation?

JazakumAllahu khayra.
Wassalam

Answer:

This is not in Sahih al-Bukhari but rather it is a very weak hadith (da`if jiddan) or a forgery (mawdu`) nor is the translation correct. Rather it is part of a very long dialogue beginning with the words: “I advise you to have taqwa of Allah…” (Usika bi taqwa Allah) and in which Abu Dharr reportedly keeps saying to the Prophet (upon him blessings and peace): “Tell me more, tell me more,” and at one point this advice comes up. The original clause has:

انْظُر إِلَى من تَحْتك وَلَا تنظر إِلَى من فَوْقك فَإِنَّهُ أَجْدَر أَلا تَزْدَرُوا نعْمَة الله

which translates as “Look at those below you and do not look at those above you, for it is more conducive to your not belittling the favor of Allah.” It also contains the famous advice “Tell the truth even if bitter” (qulil haqq wa-in kana murran).

Al-Ghumari documented it in Fath al-Wahhab (1:463-464) and said it is narrated by al-Tabarani, Ibn Hibban and al-Quda`i, all through Ibrahim b. Hisham al-Ghassani who is discarded by general agreement. Ibn Hajar mentioned it in his Takhrij Ahadith al-Kashshaf and said that Ibn al-Jawzi considered it forged.

Hajj Gibril Haddad

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