There Is No Cure for Old Age

Question

What is the reference for this Hadith?

Usamah ibn Sharik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported: “We were with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), as if vultures were on our heads, none of us spoke. Then some Bedouins came to him and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, give us a ruling about this, give us a ruling about that.’ So he said: ‘O people, indeed Allah has removed hardship from you, except for a man who takes from his brother’s honour,  that is the one who faces hardship and destruction.’ They said: ‘Should we seek medical treatment, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said: ‘Yes, for Allah has not sent down a disease except that He has sent down a cure for it.'”

 

Answer

Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith and has declared it authentic.

Sayyiduna Usamah ibn Sharik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “We were once with Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and [we sat so still] it was as though vultures were perched upon our heads. No one among us spoke. Then a group of Bedouins arrived and asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, give us rulings regarding such-and-such, give us rulings regarding such-and-such. ‘Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘O people, indeed Allah has lifted hardship from you, except in the case of one who violates the honour of his brother, such a person is blameworthy and ruined.’ They then asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, should we seek medical treatment?’ He replied: ‘Yes. Indeed, Allah has sent a cure for every disease besides one.’ They asked, ‘And what is that, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied: ‘Old age.’ Then they asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, which people are most beloved to Allah?’ He replied: ‘The most beloved of people to Allah are those who have the best character.’”

(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 486. See others versions of this Hadith here)

Note: Certain portions of this Hadith have bene recorded in other Hadith collections as well. See here

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

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التخريج من المصادر العربية

صحيح ابن حبان:
(٤٨٦) – أخبرنا عبد الله بن محمد بن عمرو النيسابوري، قال: حدثنا علي بن خشرم، قال: أخبرنا عيسى بن يونس، قال: حدثنا عثمان بن حكيم، عن زياد بن علاقة، عن أسامة بن شريك، قال: كنا عند النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، كأن على رءوسنا الرخم، ما يتكلم منا متكلم، إذ جاءه ناس من الأعراب، فقالوا: يا رسول الله، أفتنا في كذا، أفتنا في كذا، فقال: «أيها الناس، إن الله قد وضع عنكم الحرج، إلا امرأ اقترض من عرض أخيه فذاك الذي حرج وهلك» قالوا: أفنتداوى يا رسول الله؟، قال: «نعم، فإن الله لم ينزل داء إلا أنزل له دواء، غير داء واحد»، قالوا: وما هو يا رسول الله؟، قال: «الهرم»، قالوا: فأي الناس أحب إلى الله، يا رسول الله؟، قال: «أحب الناس إلى الله أحسنهم خلقا».