What Has Been Related About The Virtue Of The One Whose Two Feet Became Dusty In The Cause Of Allah Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1632

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1632
Arabic hadith text
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَمَّارٍ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ حُرَيْثٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، قَالَ لَحِقَنِي عَبَايَةُ بْنُ رِفَاعَةَ بْنِ رَافِعٍ وَأَنَا مَاشٍ، إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ فَإِنَّ خُطَاكَ هَذِهِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْسٍ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ مَنِ اغْبَرَّتْ قَدَمَاهُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَهُمَا حَرَامٌ عَلَى النَّارِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏ وَأَبُو عَبْسٍ اسْمُهُ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ جَبْرٍ ‏.‏ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَرَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى يَزِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ هُوَ رَجُلٌ شَامِيٌّ رَوَى عَنْهُ الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ وَيَحْيَى بْنُ حَمْزَةَ وَغَيْرُ وَاحِدٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ وَبُرَيْدُ بْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ كُوفِيٌّ أَبُوهُ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَاسْمُهُ مَالِكُ بْنُ رَبِيعَةَ وَبُرَيْدُ بْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ سَمِعَ مِنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ وَرَوَى عَنْ بُرَيْدِ بْنِ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ الْهَمْدَانِيُّ وَعَطَاءُ بْنُ السَّائِبِ وَيُونُسُ بْنُ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ وَشُعْبَةُ أَحَادِيثَ
Translation
Narrated Yazid bin Abu Maryam

"Abayah bin Rifa'ah bin Rafi' met me while I was walking to the Friday prayer. He said: 'Have glad tidings, for indeed these footsteps of yours are in the cause of Allah. I heard Abu 'Abs say: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, 'Whoever get his two feet dusty in the path of Allah, then they are prohibited for the Fire.'"

[Abu 'Eisa said:] This Hadith is Hasan Sahih Gharib. Abu 'Abs's name is 'Abdur-Rahman bin Jabr. There are narrations on this topic from Abu Bkar and a man from the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ).

He said: Yazid bin Abi Maryam is a man from Ash-Sham. Al-Walid bin Muslim, Yahya bin Hamzah, and some others among the people of Ash-Sham report from him.

Buraid bin Abi Maryam is form Al-Kufah. His father is one of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) whose name was Malik bin Rabi'ah. [Buraid bin Abi Maryam heard from Anas bin Malik. Abu Ishaq Al-Hamdani, 'Ata bin As-Sa'ib, Yunus bin Abi Ishaq, and Shu'bah reported Ahadith from Buraid bin Abi Maryam].

Commentary

Overview & Central Theme

This hadith, recorded by Imam at-Tirmidhi in the Book on Virtues of Jihad, encapsulates a profound spiritual promise: the dust that clings to a believer's feet while striving in Allah's path becomes a shield against the Fire. The central theme is the sanctification of physical effort in the cause of Allah—whether in actual combat, seeking sacred knowledge, or any righteous endeavor—and the divine honor bestowed upon even the most mundane traces of such striving. It elevates the believer's intention (niyyah) and action, affirming that Allah's mercy transforms worldly exertion into a means of eternal salvation.

Context & Linguistic Insights

The hadith was narrated by Abayah bin Rifa'ah from Abu 'Abs (Abdur-Rahman bin Jabr), a companion of the Prophet (ﷺ). Abu 'Abs conveyed this glad tiding while Abayah was en route to the Friday prayer, illustrating that walking to the mosque for congregational worship is itself a form of striving in Allah's path. The Arabic phrase "man aghbara qadamaihi fi sabilillah" (whoever gets his two feet dusty in the path of Allah) uses "aghbara" from "ghubar" (dust), signifying genuine effort and toil. The key nuance is "fi sabilillah"—a comprehensive term encompassing jihad of the sword, seeking knowledge, visiting the sick, or any act performed solely for Allah's pleasure. The promise that such feet are "haram" (forbidden) upon the Fire underscores the absolute protection granted to sincere strivers, a reward proportionate to their sacrifice.

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

  • The hadith establishes the immense virtue of physical exertion in righteous causes, with dust symbolizing the tangible proof of one's effort and sincerity.
  • It highlights the principle of "al-a'mal bi-n-niyyah" (actions are judged by intentions)—the dust is only protective when the stride is for Allah's sake, not for worldly gain or show.
  • Scholars derive that this promise applies broadly to all forms of striving, including walking to the mosque, seeking knowledge, and defending one's faith and community, as long as the intention is purely for Allah.
  • The hadith is graded Hasan Sahih Gharib by at-Tirmidhi, indicating its authentic chain, though unique in its wording, and it is supported by similar narrations from Abu Bakr and other companions.
"Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani commented: 'The prohibition of the Fire upon the dusty feet is a metaphor for the complete protection of the believer from punishment, for the dust of the path of Allah is a witness to his sincerity, and Allah does not allow the Fire to consume that which bears witness to His servant's devotion.'"

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

In our daily lives, this hadith inspires us to transform ordinary actions into acts of worship through conscious intention. Walking to the mosque, attending a study circle, volunteering for community service, or even working to support one's family—when done with the intention of pleasing Allah—becomes a stride in His path. The "dust" we accumulate may be sweat, fatigue, or inconvenience; yet, these are the very elements that purify us and draw us closer to Allah. Let us renew our intentions daily, embrace the effort required for righteous deeds, and trust that Allah's promise of protection is certain for those who strive sincerely. This teaching also urges us to avoid idleness and to seek opportunities for beneficial action, knowing that every step taken for Allah's cause is recorded and rewarded.