Lesson 3 of 6 · Fatrah is inside the sunnah
A Companion diagnosed himself, and was wrong
Hanzala, may Allah be pleased with him, went to Abu Bakr and said Hanzala has become a hypocrite.
His reason was this. When he was with the Prophet, peace be upon him, his state was one thing. When he went home to his wife and his children and his work, it was another. He took the fluctuation as evidence of nifaq in himself.
Abu Bakr said the same happened to him. They took it to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and the charge was not accepted.
That is the exact error this course exists to correct, made by a Companion, about himself, in front of the Prophet, and answered.
In one of the wordings Abu Bakr's answer is three words long. We all do that.
Qur’an and Sunnah
Hanzala told Abu Bakr he had become a hypocrite because his state at home was not his state in the Prophet's company, peace be upon him, and the charge was not accepted.
Abu 'Uthman narrated from Hanzalah Al-Usaidi – and he was one of the scribes of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w)- that he passed by Abu Bakr while he was crying, so he(Abu Bakr) said to him:“What is wrong with you, O Hanzalah?” He replied: “Hanzalah has become a hypocrite O Abu Bakr! When we are with the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) we remember the Fire and Paradise as if we are looking at them with the naked eye. But when we return we busy ourselves with our wives and livelihood and we forget so much.” He(Abu Bakr) said: “By Allah! The same thing happens to me. Let us go to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w).” (Hanzalah said:) “So he went." When the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) saw him, he said: “What is wrong with you O Hanzalah?” He said: “Hanzalah has become a hypocrite O Messenger of Allah! When we are with you we remember the Fire and Paradise as if we can see them with the naked eye. But when we return we are busy with our wives and livelihood, and we forget so much.” He said: “So the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: 'If you were to abide in the state that you are in when you are with me, then the Angels would shake hands with you in your gatherings, and upon your bedding, and in your paths. But O Hanzalah! There is a time for this and a time for that.'” (Sahih)
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2514graded sound, albanithe Arabic and its grading
Hanzala telling Abu Bakr he had become a hypocrite, in a second collection. It is shown because a Companion making this diagnosis of himself in front of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and being answered, is not the sort of claim to rest on one wording.
It was narrated that Hanzalah Tamimi Al-Usaiyidi, the scribe, said:“We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and we spoke of Paradise and Hell until it was as if we could see them. Then I got up and went to my family and children, and I laughed and played (with them). Then I remembered how we had been, and I went out and met Abu Bakr, and said: ‘I have become a hypocrite!’ Abu Bakr said: ‘We all do that.’” So Hanzalah went and mentioned that to the Prophet (ﷺ), who said: “O Hanzalah, if you were (always) as you are with me, the angels would shake hands with you in your beds and in your streets. O Hanzalah, there is a time for this and a time for that.”
Sunan Ibn Majah 4239graded sound, albanithe Arabic and its grading