The Hadith
Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“I was behind the Prophet one day and he said:
‘O young man, I will teach you some words:
Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you.
Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you.
If you ask, ask Allah.
If you seek help, seek help from Allah.
Know that if the whole nation were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you except with what Allah has already written for you.
And if they were to gather together to harm you with something, they would not harm you except with what Allah has already written against you.
The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.’”
Reference
Reported by at-Tirmidhi, who said it is a hasan sahih hadith.
Explanation (From Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan)
In this hadith the Prophet gave important advice to Ibn Abbas while he was still young, teaching him principles related to faith, reliance upon Allah, and belief in divine decree.
The Prophet said:
“Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you.”
This means that a person should guard the commands of Allah by obeying Him and avoiding what He has forbidden. When a person protects the limits set by Allah, Allah protects him in return.
The Prophet then said:
“Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you.”
This means that the servant will find Allah’s support, assistance, and guidance in his affairs.
The Prophet also instructed:
“If you ask, ask Allah. If you seek help, seek help from Allah.”
This teaches that the believer should direct his requests and reliance toward Allah alone.
The Prophet then explained that benefit and harm occur only according to the decree of Allah.
The statement:
“The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried”
means that what Allah has decreed has already been written and established.
This hadith teaches the Muslim to strengthen his reliance upon Allah, trust in His decree, and obedience to His commands.
References
The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith: Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan. Dar Makkah International.
Verified on 2026-10-21 against: The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith (Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan), Hadith 19.