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 --> 00:00:14.570 Chapter on Good Character. 00:00:14.570 --> 00:00:18.969 Allah the Exalted said: 00:00:18.969 --> 00:00:22.969 "And indeed, you are of a great moral character." 00:00:22.969 --> 00:00:24.969 And the Exalted said: 00:00:24.969 --> 00:00:28.969 "...and who restrain anger and pardon people," 00:00:28.969 --> 00:00:34.280 "...and Allah loves the doers of good." 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:37.280 On the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:43.280 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was the best of people in character. 00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:45.380 Agreed upon. 00:00:45.380 --> 00:00:48.530 Key lessons of the hadith: 00:00:48.530 --> 00:00:53.659 Allah favored His servant and Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:00:53.659 --> 00:00:56.659 by granting him the grace to embody noble character traits; 00:00:56.659 --> 00:00:58.659 He then praised him, 00:00:58.659 --> 00:01:03.659 highlighting the beautiful manners he was adorned with, 00:01:03.659 --> 00:01:05.659 and emphasized this by saying: 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:09.750 "And indeed, you are of a great moral character." 00:01:09.750 --> 00:01:13.750 This was simply because he possessed the finest character among all people, 00:01:13.750 --> 00:01:15.750 for there is no virtuous trait 00:01:15.750 --> 00:01:21.750 except that he embodied it in its most complete, exemplary, and sublime manner. 00:01:21.750 --> 00:01:25.969 On the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:01:25.969 --> 00:01:28.969 I never touched brocade or silk 00:01:28.969 --> 00:01:33.969 that was softer than the palm of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:01:33.969 --> 00:01:40.969 nor did I ever smell a fragrance sweeter than the fragrance of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:01:40.969 --> 00:01:47.060 I served the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for ten years, 00:01:47.060 --> 00:01:50.060 and he never once said "Uff" to me, 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:54.099 nor did he ever say regarding something I did, "Why did you do that?" 00:01:54.099 --> 00:01:57.099 nor regarding something I did not do, 00:01:57.099 --> 00:01:59.099 "Why did you not do such-and-such?" 00:01:59.099 --> 00:02:01.189 Agreed upon. 00:02:01.189 --> 00:02:04.120 Key lessons of the hadith: 00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:08.439 The humility a Muslim should show to his fellow Muslim when shaking hands, 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:14.439 such that one is cheerful-faced, smiling, and gentle in demeanor. 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:17.919 Encouragement toward maintaining personal cleanliness and wearing pleasant fragrance, 00:02:17.919 --> 00:02:21.919 as this was the practice of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:25.430 The exhortation to treat servants with gentleness 00:02:25.430 --> 00:02:28.430 and not to express annoyance at what they do. 00:02:28.430 --> 00:02:34.979 Anas's, may Allah be pleased with him, keenness to conform to what the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, desired; 00:02:34.979 --> 00:02:38.979 for he served the Messenger of Allah for ten years, 00:02:38.979 --> 00:02:41.979 and the Prophet never objected to him, owing to the perfection of his service, 00:02:41.979 --> 00:02:43.979 or its near perfection; 00:02:43.979 --> 00:02:46.979 for had Anas done anything requiring disciplinary rebuke, 00:02:46.979 --> 00:02:51.979 the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, would not have delayed it. 00:02:51.979 --> 00:02:58.060 On the authority of al-Sa'b ibn Jaththamah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:02.129 I presented the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, with a gift of 00:03:02.129 --> 00:03:04.129 an onager (wild ass), 00:03:04.129 --> 00:03:06.129 but he returned it to me. 00:03:06.129 --> 00:03:09.189 When he saw the expression on my face, he said: 00:03:09.189 --> 00:03:12.189 "We did not return it to you 00:03:12.189 --> 00:03:14.189 except because we are in the state of ihram." 00:03:14.189 --> 00:03:16.189 Agreed upon. 00:03:16.189 --> 00:03:21.930 *Hurum* means in the state of ihram for Hajj or 'Umrah. 00:03:21.930 --> 00:03:24.599 Key lessons of the hadith: 00:03:24.599 --> 00:03:27.860 The prohibition for a person in ihram to eat game meat 00:03:27.860 --> 00:03:29.860 if it was hunted specifically for his sake; 00:03:29.860 --> 00:03:33.860 and it is to this scenario that the hadith of al-Sa'b ibn Jaththamah is applied. 00:03:33.860 --> 00:03:36.860 But if someone not in ihram hunted it for himself 00:03:36.860 --> 00:03:41.500 and gifted it to the person in ihram, it is permissible for the latter to eat it. 00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:45.979 The recommendation to accept gifts and partake of them. 00:03:45.979 --> 00:03:50.259 It is impermissible to accept unlawful gifts. 00:03:50.259 --> 00:03:54.259 The noble character of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:03:54.259 --> 00:03:56.259 in that he comforted the feelings of the gift-giver 00:03:56.259 --> 00:04:00.780 by explaining the reason and justification for his refusal. 00:04:00.780 --> 00:04:03.780 The hadith indicates the permissibility of judging by circumstantial indicators 00:04:03.780 --> 00:04:07.780 in the absence of explicit verbal statements, based on al-Sa'b's words: 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:11.990 "When he saw the expression on my face." 00:04:11.990 --> 00:04:15.990 On the authority of al-Nawwas ibn Sam'an, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:04:15.990 --> 00:04:19.990 I asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:04:19.990 --> 00:04:21.990 about righteousness and sin, 00:04:21.990 --> 00:04:22.990 and he replied: 00:04:22.990 --> 00:04:25.990 "Righteousness is good character, 00:04:25.990 --> 00:04:28.990 and sin is that which wavers in your heart 00:04:28.990 --> 00:04:31.990 and you would hate for people to find out about." 00:04:31.990 --> 00:04:33.990 Reported by Muslim. 00:04:33.990 --> 00:04:39.250 On the authority of 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As, may Allah be pleased with them both, who said: 00:04:39.250 --> 00:04:43.250 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was never 00:04:43.250 --> 00:04:46.250 obscene by nature (*fahish*), nor did he deliberately use obscenity (*mutafahhish*), 00:04:46.250 --> 00:04:48.250 and he used to say: 00:04:48.250 --> 00:04:52.250 "Indeed, among the best of you are those who are best in character." 00:04:52.250 --> 00:04:54.410 Agreed upon. 00:04:54.410 --> 00:04:57.750 *Fahish*: 00:04:57.750 --> 00:04:59.750 meaning one who speaks obscenities, 00:04:59.750 --> 00:05:03.939 which is exceeding the proper bounds in foul speech. 00:05:03.939 --> 00:05:04.939 *Mutafahhish*: 00:05:04.939 --> 00:05:10.160 meaning one who artificially adopts and exaggerates foul speech. 00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:12.160 Key lessons of the hadith: 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:18.160 A believing servant must stay away from foul speech and vile actions, 00:05:18.160 --> 00:05:20.160 must not pursue them, 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:22.160 and must steer clear of their causes. 00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:27.740 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, possessed the finest moral discipline, 00:05:27.740 --> 00:05:30.740 so nothing ever emanated from him except righteous deeds 00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:33.250 and wholesome speech. 00:05:33.250 --> 00:05:37.250 Good character is an arena of virtuous competition among the believers; 00:05:37.250 --> 00:05:39.250 whoever excels in it 00:05:39.250 --> 00:05:43.250 is among the best of believers and the most complete in faith. 00:05:43.250 --> 00:05:48.529 On the authority of Abu al-Darda', may Allah be pleased with him, 00:05:48.529 --> 00:05:52.529 that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:05:52.529 --> 00:05:58.720 "Nothing is heavier on the scale of the believer on the Day of Resurrection than good character, 00:05:58.720 --> 00:06:02.850 and indeed, Allah detests the obscene and foul-mouthed person." 00:06:02.850 --> 00:06:05.300 Reported by al-Tirmidhi. 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:12.160 *Al-Badhi'* is the one who utters obscenities and vulgar words. 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:14.160 Key lessons of the hadith: 00:06:14.160 --> 00:06:20.290 Affirmation of the Scale that weighs good and bad deeds on the Day of Resurrection, 00:06:20.290 --> 00:06:22.290 and that it has two pans. 00:06:22.290 --> 00:06:30.670 Good character is among the greatest righteous deeds a servant will find in his record on the Day of Resurrection, 00:06:30.670 --> 00:06:33.670 and will see on the scale of his good deeds. 00:06:33.670 --> 00:06:41.149 The obscene, foul-mouthed person who indulges in bad speech is not loved by Allah. 00:06:41.149 --> 00:06:46.370 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:06:46.370 --> 00:06:53.370 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was asked about that which most frequently admits people into Paradise, 00:06:53.370 --> 00:06:57.370 and he said: "Taqwa (fear and consciousness of Allah) and good character." 00:06:57.370 --> 00:07:01.620 And he was asked about that which most frequently admits people into the Fire, 00:07:01.620 --> 00:07:04.620 and he replied: "The mouth and the private parts." 00:07:05.750 --> 00:07:09.220 Reported by al-Tirmidhi. 00:07:09.220 --> 00:07:11.220 Key lessons of the hadith: 00:07:11.220 --> 00:07:14.350 Encouragement toward taqwa and good character. 00:07:14.350 --> 00:07:17.740 Warning against the harvest of the tongue, 00:07:17.740 --> 00:07:20.740 such as disbelief, backbiting, talebearing, 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:24.740 false testimony, slandering chaste women, and the like, 00:07:24.740 --> 00:07:30.740 for these cast people headlong on their faces into the Hellfire on the Day of Resurrection. 00:07:30.740 --> 00:07:33.180 Warning against fornication and adultery, 00:07:33.180 --> 00:07:39.180 which is an abomination that leads to evil consequences in this world and the Hereafter. 00:07:39.180 --> 00:07:44.269 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:07:44.269 --> 00:07:48.269 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:07:48.269 --> 00:07:51.269 "The most complete of believers in faith 00:07:51.269 --> 00:07:53.269 are those who are best in character, 00:07:53.269 --> 00:07:57.269 and the best of you are those who are best to their women." 00:07:57.269 --> 00:07:59.430 Reported by al-Tirmidhi. 00:07:59.430 --> 00:08:03.980 On the authority of 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, who said: 00:08:03.980 --> 00:08:07.980 I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say: 00:08:07.980 --> 00:08:14.009 "Indeed, by his good character, the believer surely attains the rank of the one who constantly fasts and stands in night prayer." 00:08:14.009 --> 00:08:17.100 Reported by Abu Dawud. 00:08:17.100 --> 00:08:20.379 Key lessons of the hadith: 00:08:20.379 --> 00:08:22.379 The loftiest ranks belong to 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:24.379 the one who fasts by day 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:26.379 and stands in prayer through the night. 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:30.930 Good character multiplies reward and recompense, 00:08:30.930 --> 00:08:34.929 to the point that a servant attains thereby the rank of the fasting person who never breaks his fast 00:08:34.929 --> 00:08:37.929 and the night-worshiper who never grows weary. 00:08:37.929 --> 00:08:44.110 On the authority of Abu Umamah al-Bahili, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:08:44.110 --> 00:08:48.110 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:08:48.110 --> 00:08:52.110 "I guarantee a house in the outskirts of Paradise 00:08:52.110 --> 00:08:56.110 for whoever leaves off arguing, even if he is in the right; 00:08:56.110 --> 00:08:59.110 and a house in the middle of Paradise 00:08:59.110 --> 00:09:03.110 for whoever leaves off lying, even if he is joking; 00:09:03.110 --> 00:09:06.110 and a house in the highest part of Paradise 00:09:06.110 --> 00:09:08.110 for whoever refines his character." 00:09:08.110 --> 00:09:11.370 Reported by Abu Dawud. 00:09:11.370 --> 00:09:14.850 *Al-Za'im* means the guarantor. 00:09:14.850 --> 00:09:19.100 *Rabad al-Jannah* refers to its outskirts, 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:22.100 just as the *rabad* of a city refers to its surrounding environs. 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:29.350 *Al-Mira'* means disputing and contending in word or deed for a vain purpose. 00:09:29.350 --> 00:09:32.179 Key lessons of the hadith: 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:35.309 The permissibility of giving a guarantee to encourage good deeds, 00:09:35.309 --> 00:09:39.309 and whoever gives a guarantee is obligated to fulfill it, 00:09:39.309 --> 00:09:43.309 based on the principle of the obligation to honor promises and covenants. 00:09:43.309 --> 00:09:45.860 Encouragement to abandon argumentative disputation, 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:49.860 because it leads to discord and division. 00:09:49.860 --> 00:09:56.299 The hadith contains proof for the legal principle of blocking the means to harm and warding off evils: 00:09:56.299 --> 00:10:00.299 if a perceived benefit will lead to a greater evil, 00:10:01.299 --> 00:10:04.590 that benefit is relinquished for that reason. 00:10:04.590 --> 00:10:06.590 Paradise has degrees, 00:10:06.590 --> 00:10:12.100 and the stations of people in Paradise correspond to their deeds. 00:10:12.100 --> 00:10:16.100 The prohibition of lying in all its forms and varieties, 00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:18.100 even in jest and amusement, 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:20.100 except for what has been explicitly exempted. 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:25.100 In this lies a refutation of those who claim there is a "white lie" 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:28.100 meant as lying during jest and play. 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:31.679 The highest levels of reward with Allah 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:33.679 are for the one who perfects his character, 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:37.679 because good character encompasses all virtues. 00:10:37.679 --> 00:10:41.960 On the authority of Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:45.960 that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:49.090 "Indeed, among the most beloved of you to me, 00:10:49.090 --> 00:10:53.090 and the nearest of you to me in gathering on the Day of Resurrection, 00:10:53.090 --> 00:10:55.090 are those of you who have the best character; 00:10:55.090 --> 00:11:00.090 and indeed, the most detested of you to me and the farthest from me on the Day of Resurrection 00:11:00.090 --> 00:11:05.090 are the chatterboxes (*thartharun*), the pompous babblers (*mutashaddiqun*), and the pretentious blowhards (*mutafayhiqun*)." 00:11:05.090 --> 00:11:08.250 They said, "O Messenger of Allah, 00:11:08.250 --> 00:11:12.309 we know the chatterboxes and the pompous babblers, 00:11:12.309 --> 00:11:14.309 but who are the pretentious blowhards?" 00:11:14.309 --> 00:11:17.309 He said: "The arrogant." 00:11:17.309 --> 00:11:20.730 Reported by al-Tirmidhi. 00:11:20.730 --> 00:11:24.730 *Al-Tharthar* is one who talks excessively and affectatiously. 00:11:24.730 --> 00:11:26.820 *Al-Mutashaddiq* 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:29.820 is one who talks down to people, 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:34.820 opening his mouth wide with affected eloquence to aggrandize his speech. 00:11:34.820 --> 00:11:36.980 *Al-Mutafayhiq* 00:11:36.980 --> 00:11:38.980 is derived from *al-fahaq*, 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:39.980 which means fullness; 00:11:39.980 --> 00:11:42.980 it refers to one who fills his mouth with speech, 00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:44.980 expands excessively in it, 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:47.980 and uses obscure words out of arrogance, self-importance, 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:50.980 and a display of superiority over others. 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:54.750 Key lessons of the hadith: 00:11:54.750 --> 00:12:00.820 Good character is among the means to gain the love of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:12:00.820 --> 00:12:03.820 and proximity to him on the Day of Resurrection. 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:08.200 The highest ranks of Paradise are for whoever perfects his character, 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:11.200 because it encompasses all traits of righteousness. 00:12:11.200 --> 00:12:16.519 warning against pretentiousness in speech through making grandiose claims, 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:19.519 boasting, self-praise, 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:23.519 and speaking pompously merely to display eloquence and rhetoric, 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:28.519 for these traits are the characteristics of the arrogant and the ostentatious. 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:31.639 At-Tirmidhi reported 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:36.639 from 'Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak, may Allah have mercy on him, regarding the explanation of good character, 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:37.639 that he said: 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:39.639 "It is having a cheerful countenance, 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:41.639 extending kindness, 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:43.639 and refraining from harm." 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:47.730 Among the benefits of this narration 00:12:47.730 --> 00:12:52.049 is that 'Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak, may Allah have mercy on him, pointed out 00:12:52.049 --> 00:12:55.049 the signs and fruits of good character; 00:12:55.049 --> 00:12:57.049 for good character 00:12:57.049 --> 00:13:01.049 requires that a Muslim meet his brother with a joyful and smiling face, 00:13:01.049 --> 00:13:04.049 because he earns a reward for doing so. 00:13:04.049 --> 00:13:06.049 Whoever possesses this quality 00:13:06.049 --> 00:13:08.049 extends his hand in goodness, 00:13:08.049 --> 00:13:11.049 prefers others over himself with what he has, 00:13:11.049 --> 00:13:13.049 and does not withhold his aid and generosity. 00:13:13.049 --> 00:13:17.779 *Riyad as-Salihin* (The Meadows of the Righteous).