The Prophet ﷺ said: The Human Being Is A Box Of Hope

Sitting with his Companions, the Prophet ﷺ drew a square [in the sand], and then drew a line in the middle of it and let it extend outside the square, and then drew several small lines attached to that central line, and (pointing to each line) said,

"This is the human being, and this square is his (inevitable) death, encircling him from all sides, and this line which is outside (the square) is his HOPE, and these small lines are the calamities and troubles (which may befall him), and if one misses him, another will befall him (i.e. overtake), and if that misses him, a third will befall him (i.e. overtake)."

Al-Bukhari, volume 8, Book 76, #426. Narrated by 'Abdullah.

Also the following from the Sahih Collection of al-Bukhari, by Imam Bukhari. Following translated by Ustadha Aisha Bewley.

Chapter 84. Book of Riqaq (Ahadith which produce mercy in the heart)
IV. On hope and too much of it

Rabi' ibn Khuthaym related that 'Abdullah said,
"The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, drew a square and then drew a line in the middle of it which extended beyond it. He drew some small lines up to this middle line from the side within the square and said,

'This is man, and this is end of his lifespan which encircles him - or by which he is encircled - and this which goes beyond it is his hope and these small lines are things that happen. If this one misses him, that one gets him, and if that one misses him, this one gets him.'" (6054)

★ SUBSCRIBE and SHARE
Zaufishan's British Muslim Blog