Explanation of the Hadeeth: People are just like camels...

29-5-2005 | IslamWeb

Question:

Can I have the explanation of this Hadeeth 505 in Saheeh Al-Bukhaari vol. 8: "People are just like camels, out of 100 camels, one can hardly find a suitable camel to ride."
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

 

The Hadeeth that you have mentioned is reported by Imaam Al-Bukhari and Muslim may Allaah have mercy upon them. 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Umar may Allaah be pleased with him narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "People are just like camels, out of 100 camels, one can hardly find a suitable camel to ride." [This is the wording of Al-Bukhari]

Ibn Hajar may Allaah have mercy upon him said about the interpretation of this Hadeeth: "Al-Khattaabi may Allaah have mercy upon him said: "The scholars may Allaah have mercy upon them interpreted the Hadeeth to mean two things:

First interpretation: People are all alike and all equal in relation to religious rulings, the noble person has no superiority over an ordinary person, and a person of a high status has no superiority over a common one; they are like 100 equal camels among which there is not one suitable for riding.

The second meaning: Most people are negligent and the people of excellence are very few in number, they are like suitable camels for riding among other camels. Allaah Says (what means): {...but most of the people do not know.} [Quran 7:187]."  

Allaah Knows best.

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