Verification of 'I Am Only a Distributor, and Allah Gives'

Question

Some friends mentioned that the following hadith is engraved on the main gate of Dar al-‘Ulum Deoband: 'O Muhammad, say that our God gives to us, and we give to everyone.' We request Your Honour to kindly inform [us] as to how far this narration is authentic, or whatever its status may be; and if it is indeed an engraved hadith, [please give] its reference as well.

Answer

[ar]إِنَّمَا أَنَا قَاسِمٌ وَاللَّهُ يُعْطِي[/ar] “I am only a distributor, and it is Allah who gives” (the hadith) — is found in Sahih al-Bukhari, vol. 1, p. 16. The very fact that Imam al-Bukhari ﵀ took up this hadith and documented its chain (takhrij) is itself proof of its authenticity (sihha). It is also mentioned in other books of hadith; its isnad is sahih (sound).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.