I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "If Allah wants to do good to a person, He makes him comprehend the religion. I am just a distributor, but the grant is from Allah. (And remember) that this nation (true Muslims) will keep on following Allah's teachings strictly and they will not be harmed by any one going on a different path till Allah's order (Day of Judgment) is established."
Exposition of Divine Guidance
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 71 contains profound wisdom regarding Allah's divine favor and the preservation of religious truth. The Prophet (ﷺ) begins by establishing that true comprehension of Islam is a divine gift from Allah, not merely an intellectual achievement.
The Distributor and The Source
When the Messenger states "I am just a distributor, but the grant is from Allah," he clarifies his role as the conduit of revelation while affirming that true understanding originates from divine grace. This protects the ummah from attributing religious comprehension to human capability alone.
Scholars explain this distribution refers to the Prophet's perfect conveyance of the message, while the internal comprehension (fiqh) in hearts is Allah's exclusive grant.
The Protected Community
The final portion guarantees the preservation of truth within the Muslim ummah. The "following Allah's teachings strictly" refers to the mainstream community adhering to Quran and Sunnah.
This divine protection ensures that despite deviations by splinter groups, the majority following the straight path will remain unharmed in their creed and practice until the Day of Judgment.
Practical Implications
This hadith teaches humility in seeking knowledge, recognizing that true understanding is Allah's gift. It also provides comfort that the Muslim ummah will never collectively agree upon error.
The seeker of knowledge should combine diligent study with sincere supplication for divine enlightenment, following the methodology of the righteous predecessors.