I went to see 'Abdullah to inquire about his health as he was sick and he narrated to us a hadith of Allahs Messenger (ﷺ). He heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His believing servant than a person who loses his riding beast carrying food and drink. He sleeps (being disappointed of its recovery) and then gets up and goes in search for that, until he is stricken with thirst. then comes back to the place where he had been before and goes to sleep completely exhausted placing his head upon his hands waiting for death. And when he gets up, lot there is before him his riding beast and his provisions of food and drink. Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than the recovery of this riding beast along with the provisions (of food and drink).
The Book of Repentance - Sahih Muslim 2744a
This narration from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, transmitted through the authoritative compilation of Sahih Muslim, presents a profound analogy illustrating Allah's immense pleasure in the repentance of His believing servants. The hadith employs a tangible earthly scenario to convey a spiritual reality beyond human comprehension.
The Analogy Explained
The traveler represents every human soul journeying through life. His riding beast carrying provisions symbolizes the spiritual capital and good deeds that sustain one's journey toward Allah. The loss signifies straying from the righteous path through sin and disobedience.
The exhaustive search and despair mirror the spiritual anguish and desperation of a sinner recognizing their separation from divine grace. The complete exhaustion and resignation to death demonstrate the ultimate state of hopelessness without Allah's mercy.
Divine Mercy Manifest
The miraculous recovery of the beast with all provisions intact represents Allah's ready acceptance of repentance. Just as the traveler's relief surpasses mere recovery of material loss, Allah's pleasure in accepting repentance exceeds the greatest earthly joy.
This teaching emphasizes that no matter how far one strays or how grave the sin, the door of repentance remains open. Allah's mercy anticipates the sinner's return, awaiting with greater eagerness than the desperate traveler's hope for recovery.
Scholarly Insights
Classical commentators note that this hadith specifically mentions "believing servant," indicating that true repentance requires underlying faith. The analogy's intensity - involving life-sustaining provisions in barren terrain - underscores that spiritual loss is more critical than material loss.
Scholars explain that Allah's pleasure exceeds the traveler's joy because divine attributes operate at the highest perfection. The hadith encourages immediate repentance without despair, assuring believers that Allah's welcome exceeds their utmost expectations.