WEBVTT 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. 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. 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, 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: 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. 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: 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:08.420 *Jilf al-khubz* means bread without any condiment; others said it means coarse bread. 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. 00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:26.469 "Like a sack," meaning like containers. Among the lessons of the hadith: 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. 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, 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﴿. 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, 00:02:08.909 --> 00:02:15.780 or what you give in charity and pass on?" Narrated by Muslim. 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. 00:02:24.900 --> 00:02:32.259 "Pass on" means you executed the charity and gave it to those who deserved it. 00:02:32.259 --> 00:02:36.150 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:02:36.150 --> 00:02:41.409 People are preoccupied with the transient and heedless of the eternal. 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. 00:02:48.919 --> 00:02:54.919 A servant amasses wealth for others, forgetting that he will be held accountable for it. 00:02:54.919 --> 00:03:01.500 Whatever people have will perish, and whatever is with Allah will remain. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:07.840 On the authority of 'Abdullah ibn Mughaffal, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:11.840 A man said to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:16.939 "O Messenger of Allah, by Allah, I truly love you." 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:20.939 He replied: "Consider what you are saying." 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:26.939 The man said: "By Allah, I truly love you," three times. 00:03:26.939 --> 00:03:33.939 He said: "If you love me, then prepare a shield for poverty, 00:03:33.939 --> 00:03:38.939 for poverty reaches those who love me faster than a flood reaches its destination." 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:42.509 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. 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. 00:03:52.469 --> 00:03:59.599 "Prepare" means make ready; "its destination" means the place it ultimately reaches. 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:03.400 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:04:03.400 --> 00:04:07.400 Asceticism in this worldly life and refraining from indulging in it 00:04:07.400 --> 00:04:12.400 is evidence of sincere love for the Prophet, peace be upon him, 00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:20.220 because a sincere lover must adopt the characteristics of his beloved. 00:04:20.220 --> 00:04:24.220 On the authority of Ka'b ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:04:24.220 --> 00:04:28.220 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:04:28.220 --> 00:04:32.220 "Two hungry wolves unleashed among sheep 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." 00:04:37.220 --> 00:04:41.019 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. 00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:45.019 "Do not cause more corruption to them," meaning do not cause greater harm to the sheep. 00:04:45.019 --> 00:04:49.180 "Prestige" (*al-sharaf*) means high social status. 00:04:49.180 --> 00:04:51.180 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:57.560 An eager craving to amass wealth and striving to attain status and prominence 00:04:57.560 --> 00:04:59.560 corrupts one's religion, 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:03.560 because preferring this world over the Hereafter is evident in both of them. 00:05:03.560 --> 00:05:07.100 Whoever has been entrusted by Allah with a flock, 00:05:07.100 --> 00:05:10.100 ought to protect it with what benefits it, 00:05:10.100 --> 00:05:15.100 shield it from places of destruction, and guard it against its enemies. 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; 00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:23.100 he must safeguard it from the Fire of Hell. 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:25.579 The self is inherently covetous, 00:05:25.579 --> 00:05:29.579 so one must train it to be content; 00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:33.579 for if he does not wean it, it will cast him into destruction. 00:05:33.579 --> 00:05:39.089 On the authority of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 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, 00:05:44.089 --> 00:05:48.279 and when he stood up, it had left marks on his side. 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:51.279 So we said: "O Messenger of Allah, 00:05:51.279 --> 00:05:54.310 if only we were to prepare a soft mattress for you." 00:05:54.310 --> 00:05:58.310 He replied: "What do I have to do with this world? 00:05:58.310 --> 00:06:03.310 I am not in this world except like a rider who seeks shade under a tree, 00:06:03.310 --> 00:06:06.500 then moves on and leaves it behind." 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:08.500 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:11.300 *Wita'*: 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:15.300 meaning a soft, comfortable bed upon which one rests. 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:19.170 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:06:19.170 --> 00:06:23.420 An illustration of the Prophet's asceticism, peace be upon him. 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:26.420 A student observing his teacher's condition 00:06:26.420 --> 00:06:29.839 to learn good demeanor and conduct from him. 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:35.449 It is recommended for a student to offer whatever alleviates discomfort from his teacher. 00:06:35.449 --> 00:06:38.449 This world is a realm of transition and passage, 00:06:38.449 --> 00:06:41.899 and man within it is merely a passing wayfarer. 00:06:41.899 --> 00:06:48.240 The importance of building the Hereafter through righteous deeds. 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:52.240 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:56.240 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:06:56.240 --> 00:07:00.240 "The poor will enter Paradise before the rich 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:02.500 by five hundred years." 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:04.500 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:07.230 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:07:07.230 --> 00:07:10.490 The superiority of the poor who perform righteous deeds 00:07:10.490 --> 00:07:13.490 over the rich who fall into disobedience. 00:07:13.490 --> 00:07:16.060 Possessors of wealth 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:18.060 will be questioned by Allah about their wealth: 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:20.060 from where they earned it, 00:07:20.060 --> 00:07:23.060 and where they placed and spent it. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:26.579 A servant should only take from this world 00:07:26.579 --> 00:07:30.579 that which conveys him safely to his final abode and the Hereafter. 00:07:30.579 --> 00:07:33.949 On the authority of Ibn 'Abbas 00:07:33.949 --> 00:07:36.949 and 'Imran ibn Husayn, may Allah be pleased with them, 00:07:36.949 --> 00:07:40.949 from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said: 00:07:40.949 --> 00:07:42.949 "I looked into Paradise 00:07:42.949 --> 00:07:45.949 and saw that the majority of its dwellers were the poor, 00:07:45.949 --> 00:07:47.949 and I looked into the Fire 00:07:47.949 --> 00:07:50.949 and saw that the majority of its dwellers were women." 00:07:50.949 --> 00:07:55.079 Agreed upon from the narration of Ibn 'Abbas, 00:07:55.079 --> 00:08:01.079 and al-Bukhari also narrated it from the narration of 'Imran ibn Husayn. 00:08:01.079 --> 00:08:03.779 "I looked" (*ittala'tu*), 00:08:03.779 --> 00:08:05.779 meaning I observed and peered into. 00:08:05.779 --> 00:08:08.819 "And I saw," meaning I came to know. 00:08:08.819 --> 00:08:12.649 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:08:12.649 --> 00:08:17.060 The poor in Paradise are more numerous than the rich, 00:08:17.060 --> 00:08:21.060 though the poor person did not enter Paradise merely due to his poverty, 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:24.060 but rather entered it by virtue of his righteous deeds. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:27.579 Incitement to abandon excessive indulgence in worldly expansion 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:30.579 and seeking an abundance of its transient pleasures. 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:34.019 Urging women toward righteous deeds 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:37.019 so that they may protect themselves from the Fire. 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:42.460 On the authority of Usamah ibn Zayd, may Allah be pleased with them both, 00:08:42.460 --> 00:08:46.460 from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said: 00:08:46.460 --> 00:08:49.529 "I stood at the gate of Paradise, 00:08:49.529 --> 00:08:53.529 and most of those who entered it were the destitute, 00:08:53.529 --> 00:08:56.529 while the people of fortune and wealth were held back, 00:08:56.529 --> 00:09:01.529 except that the companions of the Fire were ordered to be taken to the Fire." 00:09:01.529 --> 00:09:03.559 Agreed upon. 00:09:03.559 --> 00:09:06.690 *Al-Jadd* means fortune, status, and wealth. 00:09:06.690 --> 00:09:10.139 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:14.139 from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said: 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:18.169 "The truest statement ever spoken by a poet 00:09:18.169 --> 00:09:20.169 is the word of Labid: 00:09:20.169 --> 00:09:24.299 'Behold, everything besides Allah is utterly false and transient.'" 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:26.389 Agreed upon. 00:09:26.389 --> 00:09:31.120 "Word" (*kalimah*) here means a complete, meaningful sentence 00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:34.120 that corresponds to ultimate reality. 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:37.409 Labid is Labid ibn Rabi'ah, 00:09:38.409 --> 00:09:42.409 one of the noble knight-poets of the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah) 00:09:42.409 --> 00:09:45.409 from the people of the upper highlands of Najd. 00:09:45.409 --> 00:09:47.409 He lived until the advent of Islam, 00:09:47.409 --> 00:09:51.409 came as an emissary to the Prophet, peace be upon him, 00:09:51.409 --> 00:09:55.409 is counted among the Companions and those whose hearts were reconciled, 00:09:55.409 --> 00:09:58.409 gave up composing poetry after embracing Islam, 00:09:58.409 --> 00:10:01.659 and lived a long life. 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:03.659 "Besides Allah" (*ma khala Allah*), 00:10:03.659 --> 00:10:06.659 meaning other than Allah and His divine attributes. 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:09.340 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:13.559 The Prophet's citing of poetry as an illustration, peace be upon him; 00:10:13.559 --> 00:10:19.559 the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, would cite a hemistich of verse. 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:23.070 Indeed, there is wisdom in some poetry. 00:10:23.070 --> 00:10:25.460 The deficiency and transience of this worldly life, 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:29.460 since its inevitable end is demise and destruction. 00:10:29.460 --> 00:10:32.000 Affirming the truth and embracing it 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:35.000 whenever a Muslim servant encounters it, 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:37.000 for he is the most deserving of people to take hold of it. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:42.899 *Riyadh al-Salihin* (The Meadows of the Righteous).