Do not say "If Only"

On the authority of Abu Hurairah (RA), the Prophet (SAWS) said:

"The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allaah than the weak believer, while there is good in both. Guard over that which benefits you, seek Allaah's Assistance and if something befalls you, then don't say 'If I only would have done such and such,' rather say:

قدر الله و ما شاء فعل
'Qaddarallaahu wa maa shaa' fa'al'
(It is the decree of Allaah and what He wills He does)

for verily the phrase 'If I would have' makes way for the work of Shaytaan."


[Sunan Ibn Maajah [English Translation], Vol. 5, Chapter 14, Number 4168, p. 323, Darussalam publishers, 2007]

Also see Sahih Muslim 4/2052

The Takhreej of the Hadeeth (where it can be found)

As-Suyootee gathered it in Al-Jaami'us-Sagheer, and Al-Albaanee numbered it #6650 and called it 'hasan'. He traced it to Saheeh Muslim, Ibn Maajah, and Ahmad. He brought it in his summarized Saheeh Muslim #1840 but did not mention why it is hasan, but he mentions in his takhreej of As-Sunnah of Ibn Abee 'Aasim that As-Suyootee found a problem with Rabee'ah bin 'Uthmaan (one of the narrators).