WEBVTT 00:00:00.780 --> 00:00:09.779 *Riyad 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 --> 00:00:25.070 Chapter: Respecting Scholars, Elders, and People of Virtue, Giving Them Precedence over Others, Elevating Their Assemblies, and Making Their Status Manifest. 00:00:25.070 --> 00:00:36.070 On the authority of Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to join two men from those slain at Uhud in a single grave cloth, 00:00:36.070 --> 00:00:47.140 and then he would ask, "Which of them had taken more of the Qur'an?" When one was pointed out to him, he would place him first in the niche (*lahd*) of the grave. 00:00:47.140 --> 00:00:49.140 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:00:49.140 --> 00:00:58.539 The *lahd* is a niche carved into the Qiblah-facing wall of the grave in which the deceased is placed. 00:00:58.539 --> 00:01:00.700 Among the benefits of this hadith: 00:01:00.700 --> 00:01:09.700 Both the lateral niche (*lahd*) and the trench (*shaqq*) are permissible in graves, as both were practiced during the era of the Prophet, peace be upon him. 00:01:09.700 --> 00:01:11.700 However, the lateral niche (*lahd*) is superior. 00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:19.340 The permissibility of burying two or three men in a single grave in cases of need or necessity. 00:01:19.340 --> 00:01:26.019 Giving precedence to the people of knowledge and virtue applies both during their lives and after their deaths. 00:01:26.019 --> 00:01:35.359 On the authority of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:43.489 "I saw in a dream that I was using a tooth-stick (*siwak*), when two men came to me, one older than the other. 00:01:43.489 --> 00:01:52.489 I offered the tooth-stick to the younger one, but it was said to me, 'Give precedence to the older one!' So I handed it to the older of the two." 00:01:52.489 --> 00:01:57.489 Narrated by Muslim with a connected chain, and by al-Bukhari as a suspended (*mu'allaq*) narration. 00:01:57.489 --> 00:02:00.189 Among the benefits of this hadith: 00:02:00.189 --> 00:02:07.349 The recommendation of using the tooth-stick (*siwak*), as it is an emphasized Sunnah of the Prophet. 00:02:07.349 --> 00:02:16.349 It purifies the mouth and pleases the Lord, especially before ablution, prayer, and the recitation of the Qur'an. 00:02:16.349 --> 00:02:24.800 Giving precedence to the eldest applies specifically to handing the tooth-stick and speaking, whether the gathering is seated in order or not. 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:30.379 As for other matters, precedence is given to those on the right, proceeding sequentially. 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:34.379 The permissibility of using another person's tooth-stick with their permission. 00:02:34.379 --> 00:02:37.729 The dreams of Prophets are true. 00:02:37.729 --> 00:02:39.729 They are infallible divine revelation. 00:02:39.729 --> 00:02:43.729 Therefore, whatever occurs in them carries legislative authority. 00:02:43.729 --> 00:02:49.330 On the authority of Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:02:49.330 --> 00:02:53.490 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:02:53.490 --> 00:02:56.490 "Verily, part of glorifying Allah Almighty is: 00:02:56.490 --> 00:02:59.490 honoring the elderly Muslim, 00:02:59.490 --> 00:03:04.490 honoring the bearer of the Qur'an who neither exceeds its bounds nor neglects it, 00:03:04.490 --> 00:03:07.490 and honoring the just ruler." 00:03:07.490 --> 00:03:10.710 Narrated by Abu Dawud. 00:03:10.710 --> 00:03:16.639 "The elderly" (*dhu al-shaybah*) refers to the one whose hair has turned gray and who has grown old in Islam. 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:21.090 "The bearer of the Qur'an" means its reciter and memorizer. 00:03:21.090 --> 00:03:26.150 "The one who exceeds its bounds" (*al-ghali*) is the one who goes to extremes through unjustified rigidity. 00:03:26.150 --> 00:03:31.150 "The one who neglects it" (*al-jafi*) is the one who abandons acting upon it and forsakes its recitation. 00:03:31.150 --> 00:03:36.020 "The just" (*al-muqsit*) means the equitable. 00:03:36.020 --> 00:03:38.020 Among the benefits of this hadith: 00:03:38.020 --> 00:03:41.139 The recommendation of honoring the elderly Muslim, 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:44.139 and the one who has grown old in Islam, 00:03:44.139 --> 00:03:46.139 and respecting them in gatherings, 00:03:46.139 --> 00:03:49.139 in recognition of their virtue and precedence in faith, 00:03:49.139 --> 00:03:52.139 as well as treating them with gentleness and compassion. 00:03:52.139 --> 00:03:56.139 Honoring the reciter of the Qur'an who understands its fiqh and acts upon it, 00:03:56.139 --> 00:03:58.139 who strictly adheres to its limits, 00:03:58.139 --> 00:04:02.139 and who recites it during the hours of the night and the extremes of the day. 00:04:02.139 --> 00:04:04.139 Honoring the just leader. 00:04:04.139 --> 00:04:07.620 Extremism in religious practice is ruinous, 00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:10.620 in whose barren deserts good deeds are severed and lost. 00:04:10.620 --> 00:04:14.099 Neglecting the Qur'an is a sin 00:04:14.099 --> 00:04:17.100 from which one must repent. 00:04:17.100 --> 00:04:22.490 The religion of Allah is a middle path between the extremist and the neglectful. 00:04:22.490 --> 00:04:27.029 Honoring the righteous, reformist servants of Allah 00:04:27.029 --> 00:04:32.029 bestows majesty and reverence upon whoever does so seeking Allah's reward. 00:04:32.029 --> 00:04:39.379 On the authority of 'Amr ibn Shu'ayb, from his father, from his grandfather, may Allah be pleased with them, who said: 00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:43.379 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:04:43.379 --> 00:04:47.379 "He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:50.439 and recognize the honor of our elders." 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:53.569 Narrated by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi. 00:04:53.569 --> 00:04:57.569 In the narration of Abu Dawud: "and recognize the right of our elders." 00:04:57.569 --> 00:05:02.389 Among the benefits of this hadith: 00:05:02.389 --> 00:05:05.389 The recommendation of showing mercy to children, 00:05:05.389 --> 00:05:10.899 and showing compassion, gentleness, and kindness toward them. 00:05:10.899 --> 00:05:15.259 The recommendation of respecting and revering elders. 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:18.259 The Islamic community is like a solid, compact structure; 00:05:18.259 --> 00:05:22.259 it shows compassion to the young and respects the old, 00:05:22.259 --> 00:05:26.259 because each of them holds a place in that wall 00:05:26.259 --> 00:05:31.259 whose construction was perfected by the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:35.740 One must recognize the right of scholars and revere them, 00:05:35.740 --> 00:05:39.740 for in the hadith of 'Ubadah ibn al-Samit recorded by Ahmad, 00:05:39.740 --> 00:05:42.740 there is an addition with a good (*hasan*) chain of transmission: 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:46.980 "and recognizes [the right of] our scholar." 00:05:46.980 --> 00:05:50.980 On the authority of Maymun ibn Abi Shabib, may Allah have mercy on him: 00:05:50.980 --> 00:05:54.980 A beggar passed by 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, 00:05:54.980 --> 00:05:56.980 so she gave him a crust of bread. 00:05:56.980 --> 00:06:00.980 Then a man wearing decent clothing and of dignified appearance passed by her, 00:06:00.980 --> 00:06:05.980 so she had him seated and served a meal. When asked about that, 00:06:05.980 --> 00:06:10.980 she said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:13.980 "Treat people according to their status." 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:15.980 Narrated by Abu Dawud. 00:06:15.980 --> 00:06:20.980 However, Abu Dawud noted that Maymun did not meet 'A'ishah. 00:06:20.980 --> 00:06:24.980 Muslim cited it in the introduction of his *Sahih* as a suspended (*mu'allaq*) report, 00:06:24.980 --> 00:06:28.980 stating: It was mentioned on the authority of 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:33.980 who said: "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, commanded us 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:36.980 to treat people according to their status." 00:06:36.980 --> 00:06:41.110 Al-Hakim Abu 'Abdullah mentioned it in his book 00:06:41.110 --> 00:06:43.110 *Ma'rifat 'Ulum al-Hadith*, 00:06:43.110 --> 00:06:46.110 and said: "It is an authentic (*sahih*) hadith." 00:06:46.110 --> 00:06:50.139 A "crust" (*kisrah*) means a piece of bread. 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:54.170 "Appearance" (*hay'ah*) means a respectable and goodly condition. 00:06:54.170 --> 00:06:57.230 "Their status" (*manazilahum*) means their ranks and positions. 00:06:58.230 --> 00:07:00.680 Among the benefits of this hadith: 00:07:00.680 --> 00:07:03.899 Taking into account the ranks and standing of people, 00:07:03.899 --> 00:07:06.899 and giving every rightful person their due right, 00:07:06.899 --> 00:07:08.899 so that the generous is honored, 00:07:08.899 --> 00:07:10.899 the noble is dignified, 00:07:10.899 --> 00:07:13.899 and the slips of honorable people are pardoned. 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:18.290 The permissibility of giving even a small thing in charity. 00:07:18.290 --> 00:07:21.800 Citing Prophetic hadith as evidence 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:24.800 is a definitive proof in Islamic law, 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:28.800 and it is far more eloquent than merely stating a ruling without proof. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:33.889 On the authority of Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, who said: 00:07:33.889 --> 00:07:36.920 'Uyaynah ibn Hisn arrived [in Medina] 00:07:36.920 --> 00:07:39.920 and stayed with his nephew, al-Hurr ibn Qays, 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:44.920 who was among the men whom 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, drew close to him. 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:49.920 The reciters of the Qur'an were the companions of 'Umar's council and consultative assembly, 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:52.920 whether they were middle-aged or young. 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:54.920 So 'Uyaynah said to his nephew: 00:07:54.920 --> 00:07:58.920 "O my nephew, you have standing with this leader, 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:00.920 so seek permission for me to enter upon him." 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:02.920 Al-Hurr requested permission for him, 00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:05.920 and 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, granted it to him. 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:07.920 When he entered, 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:08.920 he said: 00:08:08.920 --> 00:08:10.920 "Watch out, O Ibn al-Khattab! 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:13.920 For, by Allah, you do not give us plenty, 00:08:13.920 --> 00:08:16.920 nor do you judge between us with justice!" 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:19.920 Thereupon, 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, became so angry 00:08:19.920 --> 00:08:21.920 that he was about to punish him. 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:23.920 But al-Hurr said to him: 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:25.920 "O Commander of the Believers! 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:31.920 Verily, Allah Almighty said to His Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:36.919 ﴾Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.﴿ 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:39.919 And this man is indeed among the ignorant." 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:43.919 By Allah, 'Umar did not transgress that verse when al-Hurr recited it to him, 00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:48.919 for he strictly adhered to the Book of Allah Almighty. 00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:51.049 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:08:51.049 --> 00:08:53.210 On the authority of Abu Sa'id, 00:08:53.210 --> 00:08:57.210 Samurah ibn Jundub, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:08:57.210 --> 00:09:03.210 "I was a young boy during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:09:03.210 --> 00:09:05.210 and I used to memorize [hadiths] from him; 00:09:05.210 --> 00:09:07.210 nothing prevented me from speaking 00:09:07.210 --> 00:09:12.210 except that there were men present here who were older than me." 00:09:12.210 --> 00:09:14.210 Agreed upon. 00:09:14.210 --> 00:09:18.820 "Older than me" (*asanna minni*) means more advanced in age. 00:09:18.820 --> 00:09:22.519 Among the benefits of this hadith: 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:25.840 The discouragement of narrating the Sunnah 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:28.840 when there is someone present who is more entitled to speak, 00:09:28.840 --> 00:09:32.840 owing to greater knowledge, memorization, or seniority in age. 00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:38.350 The permissibility of young boys attending the assemblies of elders and gatherings of knowledge. 00:09:38.350 --> 00:09:42.860 A youth can acquire and retain knowledge during his childhood. 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:46.279 Respecting and venerating elders. 00:09:46.279 --> 00:09:52.570 The Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, recognized the honor of their elders, 00:09:52.570 --> 00:09:55.570 knowing that they would remain upon goodness 00:09:55.570 --> 00:10:00.570 as long as knowledge came to them through their seniors. 00:10:00.570 --> 00:10:04.820 On the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:08.820 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:12.820 "No youth honors an elderly person on account of their age 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:17.850 but that Allah appoints for him someone to honor him when he reaches that age." 00:10:17.850 --> 00:10:19.850 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, who said: 00:10:19.850 --> 00:10:23.419 "This is a *gharib* (unfamiliar) hadith." 00:10:23.419 --> 00:10:26.419 "Appoints" (*qayyada*) means decrees and ordains. 00:10:26.419 --> 00:10:29.899 Among the benefits of this hadith: 00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:33.899 The recommendation of honoring elderly Muslims on account of their age. 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:37.480 Recompense corresponds to the nature of the deed. 00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:39.480 As you treat others, so shall you be treated. 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:44.919 A good deed is never lost with Allah. 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:48.919 *Riyad al-Salihin*.