What is the authenticity of the Hadith: "Whoever reaches forty years of age and his good has not overcome his evil, then let him prepare for Hellfire"?
The Hadith: "Whoever reaches forty years of age, and his good does not outweigh his evil, let him prepare for the Fire," is not authentically attributed to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. Its chain of narration is flawed due to the weakness of its narrators, such as "Juwaybir" and "Barih," and the lack of a meeting between "Al-Dahhak" and Ibn Abbas.
However, a servant, upon reaching forty, should prepare for the Hereafter and seize the strength of his intellect, which has matured, as Almighty Allah says: "Until, when he reaches his full maturity and reaches forty years of age, he says: 'My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.'" (Al-Ahqaf/15).
Masruq said: "If you reach forty, take heed," and Al-Qurtubi said: "Whoever reaches forty, it is time for him to know the extent of Allah's blessings upon him and upon his parents, and to be grateful for them."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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