“Whoever holds on to my sunnah at the time of corruption of my Ummah, will get the reward of a hundred martyrs”

1. The word used in this narration is: “man Tamassaka” which translates as: One who holds steadfast to my sunnah, and not: One who revives it (as is commonly quoted).

2. A look at the other ahadith in the chapter under which ‘Allamah Mundhiri and ‘Allamah Baghawi have cited this hadith clearly points to the meaning being: Adherence to the sunnah in general.

For example, Hafidh Mundhiri (rahimahullah) quotes the following hadith before this one:

“Whoever eats halal, practices upon the sunnah and doesn’t harm the people will enter Jannah” (Hakim)

‘Allamah Baghawi (rahimahullah) cites the following hadith before the one in question:

“…Whoever loves my sunnah loves me, and who loves me will be with me in Jannah” (Tirmidhi)

Undoubtedly, these ahadith do not mean that the love or practice of just one sunnah yields the reward of Jannah! Although it cannot be denied, that Allah Ta’ala could grant an individual Jannah even for his love for only one sunnah.

Therefore, when asked about this issue, Shaykh Yunus Jawnpuri (may Allah protect him) answered: “It’s quite clear that the Hadith is referring to the practice on the entire sunnah, although it wouldn’t be farfetched to understand it to be referring to even just one sunnah” (Al-Yawaqitul Ghaliyah, vol.1 pg.46)

 After writing the above, I asked my Respected Teacher, Al-Muhaddith Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah (may Allah protect him) on 13 January 2014, about the meaning of the hadith, to which he replied: “It’s difficult to say that it refers to adhering to just one sunnah. The more appropriate meaning is the broader one (i.e, that this is the virtue of holding on to the sunnah in general) although one may use it for a specific sunnah when wisdom demands so.”

Be that as it may, let us all make a firm intention to always stick to the way of our Beloved Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam).

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And Allah Ta’ala knows best.