عَنْ أَنَسٍ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: كَانَ أَخَوَانِ عَلَىٰ عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، وَكَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا يَأْتِي النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، وَالآخَرُ يَحْتَرِفُ، فَشَكَا الْمُحْتَرِفُ أَخَاهُ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فَقَالَ: «لَعَلَّكَ تُرْزَقُ بِهِ». رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ بِإِسْنَادٍ صَحِيحٍ عَلَىٰ شَرْطِ مُسْلِمٍ.
Translation:
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: There were two brothers during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). One of them would regularly attend the Prophet’s gatherings (for knowledge and worship), while the other worked to earn a living. The working brother complained about his sibling to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who said: “Perhaps you are being provided for because of him.” [Reported by al-Tirmidhi with a sound chain meeting Muslim’s conditions]
Gloss: “Yahtarifu” — he works, earns, and seeks livelihood through a trade or craft.
1. Connection to the Chapter
This hadith appears in the chapter on certainty and reliance upon Allah (al-yaqin wa al-tawakkul). It reframes how we understand “provision” (rizq): it is not only what your hands produce, but also what Allah sends through unseen channels—blessings, prayers, and the spiritual weight of those devoted to His path.surahquran+2
By placing it here, Imam al-Nawawi teaches that true reliance includes recognizing divine causes beyond visible labor: the scholar’s presence, the worshiper’s du‘a, the barakah of a household anchored in faith.almosleh+1
2. Key Concept Breakdown
- يَأْتِي النَّبِيَّ — “Attends the Prophet” — This is not casual attendance; it is committed pursuit of knowledge, adab, and nearness to Allah through the Prophet’s company. It represents the “people of knowledge and worship” whose lives are oriented toward the Hereafter.surahquran+1
- يَحْتَرِفُ — “Works/earns a livelihood” — Legitimate work is honored in Islam; the complaint was not about working itself, but about perceived imbalance in contribution.almosleh+2
- لَعَلَّكَ تُرْزَقُ بِهِ — “Perhaps you are provided for because of him” — A gentle, profound correction: your sustenance may be flowing through your brother’s spiritual role—his prayers, his presence, the barakah of his dedication.surahquran+2
3. Hadith Lessons
- Support the people of knowledge. The Prophet’s reply validates the social contract: some devote themselves to learning and teaching; others support them materially—and both share in the reward and the provision.surahquran+2
- Sustaining students of knowledge is a key to rizq. Providing for those who seek sacred knowledge is not a loss; it is an investment that opens doors of blessing for the provider and the community.saaid+2
- Barakah is real—and communal. A single devoted worshiper or student can become a spiritual anchor for an entire family or neighborhood. Their du‘a, their recitation, their sincerity can shield and sustain others.surahquran+2
- Do not belittle unseen contributions. In a world that measures value by income and output, this hadith honors the invisible economy of faith: prayer, study, presence, and the quiet work of the heart.saaid+1
4. Special Reflections: A Deeper Look
- Balance, not abandonment of work. The hadith does not tell the worker to stop working, nor the student to stop studying. It corrects the heart’s narrative: “I am the sole provider” becomes “We are partners in a single sustenance, each playing a role Allah has willed.”hadithprophet+1
- A model for community building. The Prophetic vision includes families and communities intentionally supporting a “knowledge-bearer” among them—knowing that this choice can multiply mercy, stability, and guidance for all.saaid+1
- A warning against transactional thinking. If you only value what you can measure, you will miss the barakah that sustains you. The hadith trains the heart to see beyond the visible ledger.surahquran+1
5. Three Questions to Close With
- Who in your circle is devoted to knowledge or worship—and how might your support (time, money, protection, encouragement) be unlocking barakah for you both?
- Where have you reduced “provision” to salary alone—and what unseen causes (prayer, gratitude, honest conduct, family ties) might be carrying more weight than you realize?
- If your household or community decided to intentionally support one student of knowledge this year, what would that look like practically—and what would you ask Allah to open through that choice?