1 00:00:00,780 --> 00:00:09,779 *Riyadh al-Salihin* (The Meadows of the Righteous) from the words of the Master of the Messengers, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 2 00:00:09,779 --> 00:00:19,339 Chapter: The Virtue of Asceticism (*Zuhd*) in the World, Encouragement to Settle for Little of It, and the Virtue of Poverty. 3 00:00:19,339 --> 00:00:31,230 On the authority of Abu 'Amr—also said to be Abu 'Abdullah or Abu Layla—'Uthman ibn 'Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, 4 00:00:31,230 --> 00:00:40,229 that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: "The son of Adam has no right to anything beyond these traits: 5 00:00:40,229 --> 00:00:50,420 a house to live in, clothing to cover his nakedness, and a chunk of bread and water." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. 6 00:00:50,420 --> 00:01:00,420 Al-Tirmidhi said: I heard Abu Dawud Sulayman ibn Salim al-Balkhi saying: I heard al-Nadr ibn Shumayl saying: 7 00:01:00,420 --> 00:01:08,420 *Jilf al-khubz* means bread without any condiment; others said it means coarse bread. 8 00:01:08,420 --> 00:01:19,319 Al-Harawi said: What is meant here is the container for bread, such as a sack or saddlebag, and Allah knows best. 9 00:01:19,319 --> 00:01:26,469 "Like a sack," meaning like containers. Among the lessons of the hadith: 10 00:01:26,469 --> 00:01:37,469 Being content with the bare minimum in this worldly life: a house to dwell in, clothes to conceal one's nakedness, and bread and water. 11 00:01:37,469 --> 00:01:47,909 On the authority of 'Abdullah ibn al-Shikhkhir—with a *kasrah* on the *shin* and a doubled *kha'*, both dotted—may Allah be pleased with him, 12 00:01:47,909 --> 00:01:55,909 who said: I came to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, while he was reciting: ﴾Competition in worldly increase diverts you﴿. 13 00:01:55,909 --> 00:02:08,909 He said: "The son of Adam says, 'My wealth, my wealth!' Yet do you have any of your wealth, O son of Adam, except what you eat and consume, what you wear and wear out, 14 00:02:08,909 --> 00:02:15,780 or what you give in charity and pass on?" Narrated by Muslim. 15 00:02:15,780 --> 00:02:24,900 "Consume" means used up and spent; "wear out" comes from *ibla'*, which is wearing out new clothes until they are old. 16 00:02:24,900 --> 00:02:32,259 "Pass on" means you executed the charity and gave it to those who deserved it. 17 00:02:32,259 --> 00:02:36,150 Among the lessons of the hadith: 18 00:02:36,150 --> 00:02:41,409 People are preoccupied with the transient and heedless of the eternal. 19 00:02:41,409 --> 00:02:48,919 No matter how much wealth a person amasses, he gains nothing from it except what was mentioned in the hadith. 20 00:02:48,919 --> 00:02:54,919 A servant amasses wealth for others, forgetting that he will be held accountable for it. 21 00:02:54,919 --> 00:03:01,500 Whatever people have will perish, and whatever is with Allah will remain. 22 00:03:01,500 --> 00:03:07,840 On the authority of 'Abdullah ibn Mughaffal, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 23 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:11,840 A man said to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: 24 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:16,939 "O Messenger of Allah, by Allah, I truly love you." 25 00:03:16,939 --> 00:03:20,939 He replied: "Consider what you are saying." 26 00:03:20,939 --> 00:03:26,939 The man said: "By Allah, I truly love you," three times. 27 00:03:26,939 --> 00:03:33,939 He said: "If you love me, then prepare a shield for poverty, 28 00:03:33,939 --> 00:03:38,939 for poverty reaches those who love me faster than a flood reaches its destination." 29 00:03:38,939 --> 00:03:42,509 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. 30 00:03:42,509 --> 00:03:52,469 A *tijfaf* is a protective covering worn by a horse to ward off harm, and a human may also wear it. 31 00:03:52,469 --> 00:03:59,599 "Prepare" means make ready; "its destination" means the place it ultimately reaches. 32 00:03:59,599 --> 00:04:03,400 Among the lessons of the hadith: 33 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:07,400 Asceticism in this worldly life and refraining from indulging in it 34 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:12,400 is evidence of sincere love for the Prophet, peace be upon him, 35 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:20,220 because a sincere lover must adopt the characteristics of his beloved. 36 00:04:20,220 --> 00:04:24,220 On the authority of Ka'b ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 37 00:04:24,220 --> 00:04:28,220 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 38 00:04:28,220 --> 00:04:32,220 "Two hungry wolves unleashed among sheep 39 00:04:32,220 --> 00:04:37,220 do not cause more corruption to them than a man's craving for wealth and prestige does to his religion." 40 00:04:37,220 --> 00:04:41,019 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. 41 00:04:41,019 --> 00:04:45,019 "Do not cause more corruption to them," meaning do not cause greater harm to the sheep. 42 00:04:45,019 --> 00:04:49,180 "Prestige" (*al-sharaf*) means high social status. 43 00:04:49,180 --> 00:04:51,180 Among the lessons of the hadith: 44 00:04:51,180 --> 00:04:57,560 An eager craving to amass wealth and striving to attain status and prominence 45 00:04:57,560 --> 00:04:59,560 corrupts one's religion, 46 00:04:59,560 --> 00:05:03,560 because preferring this world over the Hereafter is evident in both of them. 47 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:07,100 Whoever has been entrusted by Allah with a flock, 48 00:05:07,100 --> 00:05:10,100 ought to protect it with what benefits it, 49 00:05:10,100 --> 00:05:15,100 shield it from places of destruction, and guard it against its enemies. 50 00:05:15,100 --> 00:05:20,100 The first flock a servant is responsible for is his own soul that lies between his sides; 51 00:05:20,100 --> 00:05:23,100 he must safeguard it from the Fire of Hell. 52 00:05:23,100 --> 00:05:25,579 The self is inherently covetous, 53 00:05:25,579 --> 00:05:29,579 so one must train it to be content; 54 00:05:29,579 --> 00:05:33,579 for if he does not wean it, it will cast him into destruction. 55 00:05:33,579 --> 00:05:39,089 On the authority of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 56 00:05:39,089 --> 00:05:44,089 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, slept on a reed mat, 57 00:05:44,089 --> 00:05:48,279 and when he stood up, it had left marks on his side. 58 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:51,279 So we said: "O Messenger of Allah, 59 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:54,310 if only we were to prepare a soft mattress for you." 60 00:05:54,310 --> 00:05:58,310 He replied: "What do I have to do with this world? 61 00:05:58,310 --> 00:06:03,310 I am not in this world except like a rider who seeks shade under a tree, 62 00:06:03,310 --> 00:06:06,500 then moves on and leaves it behind." 63 00:06:06,500 --> 00:06:08,500 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. 64 00:06:08,500 --> 00:06:11,300 *Wita'*: 65 00:06:11,300 --> 00:06:15,300 meaning a soft, comfortable bed upon which one rests. 66 00:06:15,300 --> 00:06:19,170 Among the lessons of the hadith: 67 00:06:19,170 --> 00:06:23,420 An illustration of the Prophet's asceticism, peace be upon him. 68 00:06:23,420 --> 00:06:26,420 A student observing his teacher's condition 69 00:06:26,420 --> 00:06:29,839 to learn good demeanor and conduct from him. 70 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:35,449 It is recommended for a student to offer whatever alleviates discomfort from his teacher. 71 00:06:35,449 --> 00:06:38,449 This world is a realm of transition and passage, 72 00:06:38,449 --> 00:06:41,899 and man within it is merely a passing wayfarer. 73 00:06:41,899 --> 00:06:48,240 The importance of building the Hereafter through righteous deeds. 74 00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:52,240 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 75 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:56,240 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 76 00:06:56,240 --> 00:07:00,240 "The poor will enter Paradise before the rich 77 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:02,500 by five hundred years." 78 00:07:02,500 --> 00:07:04,500 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. 79 00:07:04,500 --> 00:07:07,230 Among the lessons of the hadith: 80 00:07:07,230 --> 00:07:10,490 The superiority of the poor who perform righteous deeds 81 00:07:10,490 --> 00:07:13,490 over the rich who fall into disobedience. 82 00:07:13,490 --> 00:07:16,060 Possessors of wealth 83 00:07:16,060 --> 00:07:18,060 will be questioned by Allah about their wealth: 84 00:07:18,060 --> 00:07:20,060 from where they earned it, 85 00:07:20,060 --> 00:07:23,060 and where they placed and spent it. 86 00:07:23,060 --> 00:07:26,579 A servant should only take from this world 87 00:07:26,579 --> 00:07:30,579 that which conveys him safely to his final abode and the Hereafter. 88 00:07:30,579 --> 00:07:33,949 On the authority of Ibn 'Abbas 89 00:07:33,949 --> 00:07:36,949 and 'Imran ibn Husayn, may Allah be pleased with them, 90 00:07:36,949 --> 00:07:40,949 from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said: 91 00:07:40,949 --> 00:07:42,949 "I looked into Paradise 92 00:07:42,949 --> 00:07:45,949 and saw that the majority of its dwellers were the poor, 93 00:07:45,949 --> 00:07:47,949 and I looked into the Fire 94 00:07:47,949 --> 00:07:50,949 and saw that the majority of its dwellers were women." 95 00:07:50,949 --> 00:07:55,079 Agreed upon from the narration of Ibn 'Abbas, 96 00:07:55,079 --> 00:08:01,079 and al-Bukhari also narrated it from the narration of 'Imran ibn Husayn. 97 00:08:01,079 --> 00:08:03,779 "I looked" (*ittala'tu*), 98 00:08:03,779 --> 00:08:05,779 meaning I observed and peered into. 99 00:08:05,779 --> 00:08:08,819 "And I saw," meaning I came to know. 100 00:08:08,819 --> 00:08:12,649 Among the lessons of the hadith: 101 00:08:12,649 --> 00:08:17,060 The poor in Paradise are more numerous than the rich, 102 00:08:17,060 --> 00:08:21,060 though the poor person did not enter Paradise merely due to his poverty, 103 00:08:21,060 --> 00:08:24,060 but rather entered it by virtue of his righteous deeds. 104 00:08:24,060 --> 00:08:27,579 Incitement to abandon excessive indulgence in worldly expansion 105 00:08:27,579 --> 00:08:30,579 and seeking an abundance of its transient pleasures. 106 00:08:30,579 --> 00:08:34,019 Urging women toward righteous deeds 107 00:08:34,019 --> 00:08:37,019 so that they may protect themselves from the Fire. 108 00:08:37,019 --> 00:08:42,460 On the authority of Usamah ibn Zayd, may Allah be pleased with them both, 109 00:08:42,460 --> 00:08:46,460 from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said: 110 00:08:46,460 --> 00:08:49,529 "I stood at the gate of Paradise, 111 00:08:49,529 --> 00:08:53,529 and most of those who entered it were the destitute, 112 00:08:53,529 --> 00:08:56,529 while the people of fortune and wealth were held back, 113 00:08:56,529 --> 00:09:01,529 except that the companions of the Fire were ordered to be taken to the Fire." 114 00:09:01,529 --> 00:09:03,559 Agreed upon. 115 00:09:03,559 --> 00:09:06,690 *Al-Jadd* means fortune, status, and wealth. 116 00:09:06,690 --> 00:09:10,139 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, 117 00:09:10,139 --> 00:09:14,139 from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said: 118 00:09:14,139 --> 00:09:18,169 "The truest statement ever spoken by a poet 119 00:09:18,169 --> 00:09:20,169 is the word of Labid: 120 00:09:20,169 --> 00:09:24,299 'Behold, everything besides Allah is utterly false and transient.'" 121 00:09:24,299 --> 00:09:26,389 Agreed upon. 122 00:09:26,389 --> 00:09:31,120 "Word" (*kalimah*) here means a complete, meaningful sentence 123 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:34,120 that corresponds to ultimate reality. 124 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:37,409 Labid is Labid ibn Rabi'ah, 125 00:09:38,409 --> 00:09:42,409 one of the noble knight-poets of the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah) 126 00:09:42,409 --> 00:09:45,409 from the people of the upper highlands of Najd. 127 00:09:45,409 --> 00:09:47,409 He lived until the advent of Islam, 128 00:09:47,409 --> 00:09:51,409 came as an emissary to the Prophet, peace be upon him, 129 00:09:51,409 --> 00:09:55,409 is counted among the Companions and those whose hearts were reconciled, 130 00:09:55,409 --> 00:09:58,409 gave up composing poetry after embracing Islam, 131 00:09:58,409 --> 00:10:01,659 and lived a long life. 132 00:10:01,659 --> 00:10:03,659 "Besides Allah" (*ma khala Allah*), 133 00:10:03,659 --> 00:10:06,659 meaning other than Allah and His divine attributes. 134 00:10:06,659 --> 00:10:09,340 Among the lessons of the hadith: 135 00:10:09,340 --> 00:10:13,559 The Prophet's citing of poetry as an illustration, peace be upon him; 136 00:10:13,559 --> 00:10:19,559 the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, would cite a hemistich of verse. 137 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:23,070 Indeed, there is wisdom in some poetry. 138 00:10:23,070 --> 00:10:25,460 The deficiency and transience of this worldly life, 139 00:10:25,460 --> 00:10:29,460 since its inevitable end is demise and destruction. 140 00:10:29,460 --> 00:10:32,000 Affirming the truth and embracing it 141 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:35,000 whenever a Muslim servant encounters it, 142 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:37,000 for he is the most deserving of people to take hold of it. 143 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:42,899 *Riyadh al-Salihin* (The Meadows of the Righteous).