Question Summary:
Is the hadith that Allah swt cannot fit in heavens or Earth but in heart of a Mumin – is this mawdoo hadith?

Question Detail:

Is the hadith that Allah swt cannot fit in heavens or Earth but in heart of a Mumin - is this mawdoo hadith?

Answer :

Assalāmu `alaikum Warahmatullāhi Wabrakatuh,

The famous wording of the quotation in reference is,

Allah Ta’ala says, “Neither can My sky nor My earth contain me, but the heart of My bondsman can contain Me.”

(Maqasidul Hasanah Pg.373, Maktabatul Khanji - Cairo)[1]

Firstly, the meaning implied by these words is that, the heart of a Muslim can be a receptacle (place of storage) to harbor the firm conviction and belief (Iman), the Divine love (Muhabbat) and the true recognition (Ma’rifat) of Allah Ta’ala.

(Maqasidul Hasanah Pg.373, Maktabatul Khanji – Cairo; Majmu’atul Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah #122, 376, Vol.18)[2]

Furthermore, the above quotation has not been proven to be a Hadith (of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) by many reliable authorities of Hadith (Muhadditheen); that is, it is not proven that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam uttered these words.

(Faydhul Qadeer Munawi Pg.629, Vol.2, Darul Kutubul Ilmiyyah) [3]

It is, however, recorded to be a Historical Narration (Riwayat Israiliyyah), something mentioned in the bygone days; specifically being from the time of Nabi Ya’qoob (Alayhis Salam) till the advent of Islam.

(Israeeliyyat Walmawduaat Fi Kutubit Tafseer Pg.13, Maktabatus Sunnah) [4]

Nonetheless, a Hadith which portrays a similar meaning is found in the authentic books of Hadith.[5] The Hadith reads as follows,

“Allah Ta’ala has receptacles from amongst the people on earth (i.e. receptacles and holders in which Allah’s love and recognition is contained), and His receptacles are the hearts of the pious (Sawliheen)”

(Musnadush Shamiyyeen of Tabrani Pg. 19, Mu’assasatur Risalah)

As a general principle, it would be correct to quote a historical narration if it conforms to something established in our Deen and Shariah. Therefore, it would be quite in order to mention this historical narration since the Hadith shares the same meaning. However, when quoted, not be attributed to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

Since there exists a Hadith implying the same meaning as the historical narration, one should endeavor to narrate the actual Hadith.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Checked and Approved by,
Muftī Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net