He and Abu Sa'id reported the Prophet as saying, “No Muslim is afflicted by difficulty, continuous pain, anxiety, grief, injury, or care, or even by a thorn with which he is pierced, without God thereby making an atonement for his sins.”(Bukhari and Muslim.)
Hadith on Divine Compensation
The noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) transmitted by both Bukhari and Muslim reveals profound divine wisdom regarding human suffering. This tradition encompasses various forms of hardship that befall the believer, demonstrating Allah's infinite mercy even in apparent adversity.
Comprehensive Nature of Afflictions
The Prophet enumerated seven categories of hardship: difficulty (al-musiba), continuous pain (al-waja'), anxiety (al-hamm), grief (al-ghamm), injury (al-adha), care (al-karb), and even the minor discomfort of a thorn prick. This comprehensive listing indicates that no form of suffering, whether major or minor, physical or psychological, escapes Allah's compensatory justice.
Theological Significance of Suffering
From an Islamic theological perspective, this hadith resolves the perennial question of why the righteous suffer. Rather than being punitive, these afflictions serve as expiation (kaffara) for sins. The believer's patience transforms temporal pain into eternal purification, elevating their spiritual station while cleansing their record of transgressions.
Practical Spiritual Implications
This teaching revolutionizes the believer's relationship with hardship. When understood properly, difficulties become welcomed opportunities for spiritual advancement rather than mere misfortunes. The faithful should meet afflictions with grateful patience (sabr), recognizing them as divine gifts that lighten their burden on the Day of Judgment.
Comparative Juristic Notes
Scholars note that while all afflictions bring reward, the degree of compensation corresponds to the severity of the trial and the quality of one's patience. The mention of "even a thorn" emphasizes that no suffering is too insignificant to be recorded and rewarded by the All-Knowing, All-Just Creator.