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 --> 00:00:16.230 Chapter on Hope. 00:00:16.230 --> 00:00:22.230 On the authority of Abu Najih 'Amr ibn 'Abasah al-Sulami, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:00:22.230 --> 00:00:28.230 "During the pre-Islamic period of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), I used to consider people to be in manifest error, 00:00:28.230 --> 00:00:33.229 and that they stood on nothing of truth while worshipping idols. 00:00:33.229 --> 00:00:40.229 Then I heard of a man in Mecca who was delivering profound news, so I mounted my camel and journeyed to him. 00:00:40.229 --> 00:00:48.229 There I found the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, living in hiding, while his people were brazen and insolent toward him. 00:00:48.229 --> 00:00:54.229 I acted discreetly until I managed to enter his presence in Mecca, and I asked him: 'What are you?' 00:00:54.229 --> 00:00:57.229 He replied: 'I am a Prophet.' 00:00:57.229 --> 00:00:59.229 I asked: 'And what is a Prophet?' 00:00:59.229 --> 00:01:02.259 He said: 'Allah has sent me as a Messenger.' 00:01:02.259 --> 00:01:05.299 I asked: 'With what has He sent you?' 00:01:05.299 --> 00:01:10.299 He replied: 'He has sent me to uphold the ties of kinship, to smash idols, 00:01:10.299 --> 00:01:14.299 and to proclaim that Allah alone be worshipped, without associating anything with Him.' 00:01:14.299 --> 00:01:18.359 I asked: 'And who is with you in this matter?' 00:01:18.359 --> 00:01:21.359 He said: 'A free man and a slave.' 00:01:21.359 --> 00:01:26.359 At that time, Abu Bakr and Bilal, may Allah be pleased with them, were with him. 00:01:26.359 --> 00:01:29.359 I said: 'I am going to follow you.' 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:34.359 He replied: 'You will not be able to do so today. 00:01:34.359 --> 00:01:38.359 Do you not see my vulnerable state and the hostile state of the people? 00:01:38.359 --> 00:01:40.359 Rather, return to your family, 00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:44.359 and when you hear that I have prevailed, then come to me.' 00:01:44.359 --> 00:01:47.359 He said: 'So I went back to my family, 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:52.359 and later the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, arrived in Medina. 00:01:52.359 --> 00:01:54.359 While I was still among my family, 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:57.359 I began actively seeking news 00:01:57.359 --> 00:02:00.359 and inquiring of people after he arrived in Medina, 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:04.359 until a group of people from Medina arrived. 00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:09.360 I asked them: 'What has this man who arrived in Medina done?' 00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:13.360 They said: 'People are hastening to him in crowds; 00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:15.360 his people intended to kill him, 00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:18.360 but they were unable to do so.' 00:02:18.360 --> 00:02:21.360 So I went to Medina and entered his presence. 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:25.360 I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, do you recognize me?' 00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:30.360 He said: 'Yes, you are the one who met me in Mecca.' 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:34.360 He said: 'So I said: O Messenger of Allah, 00:02:34.360 --> 00:02:38.360 teach me of what Allah has taught you and of which I am ignorant; 00:02:38.360 --> 00:02:40.360 teach me about the prayer.' 00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:43.360 He said: 'Perform the morning prayer, 00:02:43.360 --> 00:02:48.360 then refrain from praying until the sun has risen to the height of a spear, 00:02:48.360 --> 00:02:53.360 for it rises between the two horns of Satan, 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:56.360 and at that time the disbelievers prostrate to it. 00:02:56.360 --> 00:03:01.360 Thereafter, pray as you wish, for the prayer is witnessed and attended by the angels, 00:03:01.360 --> 00:03:04.360 until the shadow of a spear becomes at its shortest at midday. 00:03:04.360 --> 00:03:06.360 Then refrain from praying, 00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:10.360 for at that hour Hellfire is intensely stoked. 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:13.360 When the shadow begins to shift, pray, 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:16.360 for the prayer is witnessed and attended by the angels, 00:03:16.360 --> 00:03:18.360 until you pray the 'Asr prayer. 00:03:18.360 --> 00:03:22.360 Then refrain from praying until the sun has set, 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:26.360 for it sets between the two horns of Satan, 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:29.360 and at that time the disbelievers prostrate to it.' 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:33.419 He said: 'I then said: O Prophet of Allah, 00:03:33.419 --> 00:03:36.419 tell me about the ablution (wudu).' 00:03:36.419 --> 00:03:41.419 He said: 'No man among you brings his ablution water, 00:03:41.419 --> 00:03:44.419 rinses his mouth, snuffs water into his nostrils, and blows it out, 00:03:44.419 --> 00:03:49.419 but that the sins of his face, mouth, and nostrils fall away. 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:53.520 Then, when he washes his face as Allah commanded him, 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:59.520 the sins of his face drop from the tips of his beard along with the water. 00:03:59.520 --> 00:04:02.650 Then he washes his arms up to the elbows, 00:04:02.650 --> 00:04:07.650 and the sins of his hands drop from his fingertips along with the water. 00:04:07.650 --> 00:04:09.710 Then he wipes his head, 00:04:09.710 --> 00:04:14.710 and the sins of his head drop from the ends of his hair along with the water. 00:04:14.710 --> 00:04:17.740 Then he washes his feet up to the ankles, 00:04:17.740 --> 00:04:23.740 and the sins of his feet drop from his toes along with the water. 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:28.779 If he then stands up to pray, praises and extols Allah, 00:04:28.779 --> 00:04:31.779 glorifies Him as He truly deserves, 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:34.779 and devotes his heart entirely to Allah Almighty, 00:04:34.779 --> 00:04:40.779 he departs from his sins as pure as on the day his mother gave birth to him.' 00:04:40.779 --> 00:04:45.060 'Amr ibn 'Abasah narrated this hadith to Abu Umamah, 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:49.060 the Companion of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:52.060 Abu Umamah said to him: 00:04:52.060 --> 00:04:54.060 'O 'Amr ibn 'Abasah, 00:04:54.060 --> 00:04:56.060 consider carefully what you are saying! 00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:59.060 Is all this bestowed upon this man in a single setting?' 00:04:59.060 --> 00:05:01.060 'Amr replied: 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:03.060 'O Abu Umamah, 00:05:03.060 --> 00:05:06.060 my age has advanced, my bones have grown frail, 00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:08.060 my appointed time draws near, 00:05:08.060 --> 00:05:12.060 and I have no need to invent a lie against Allah Almighty, 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:16.060 nor against the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:21.129 Had I not heard it from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 00:05:21.129 --> 00:05:25.129 except once, twice, or thrice— 00:05:25.129 --> 00:05:28.129 until he counted up to seven times— 00:05:28.129 --> 00:05:30.129 I would never have narrated it, 00:05:30.129 --> 00:05:34.259 but indeed I heard it even more times than that.' 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:36.540 Related by Muslim. 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:39.540 His phrase: 'brazen and insolent toward him' (*jura'a' 'alayhi qawmuh*), 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:43.540 means audacious, domineering, and lacking any awe of him. 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:45.540 This is the well-known transmission. 00:05:45.540 --> 00:05:48.540 Al-Humaydi and others transmitted it as: 00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:50.540 *hira'a' 'alayhi qawmuh*, 00:05:50.540 --> 00:05:52.540 and he explained its meaning as: 00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:55.540 enraged, filled with deep grief and anguish, 00:05:55.540 --> 00:05:57.540 whose patience with him had completely run out, 00:05:57.540 --> 00:05:59.540 to the point that it visibly took a toll on their physical bodies; 00:05:59.540 --> 00:06:01.540 derived from their expression: 00:06:01.540 --> 00:06:03.540 'his body withered away' (*hara jismuhu yahra*), 00:06:03.540 --> 00:06:07.540 which applies when it emaciates due to pain, sorrow, or the like. 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:10.540 The correct reading, however, is with the letter *jim* (*jura'a'*). 00:06:10.540 --> 00:06:13.740 His saying, peace be upon him: 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:15.740 'between the two horns of Satan', 00:06:15.740 --> 00:06:17.740 means the two sides of his head. 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:19.740 The intent here is a metaphorical representation, 00:06:19.740 --> 00:06:22.740 meaning that at that particular time, 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:24.740 Satan and his legions stir into action 00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:26.740 and exercise their sway. 00:06:26.740 --> 00:06:29.740 And his words: 'brings his ablution water', 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:33.740 mean that he prepares the water with which he will perform ablution. 00:06:33.740 --> 00:06:36.769 And his words: 'the sins fall away' (*kharrot khataya*), 00:06:36.769 --> 00:06:38.769 mean that they drop off. 00:06:38.769 --> 00:06:42.769 Some narrated it as *jarat* with a *jim* ('flowed away'), 00:06:42.769 --> 00:06:44.769 but the correct reading is with the *kha'* (*kharrot*), 00:06:44.769 --> 00:06:46.769 which is the transmission of the vast majority. 00:06:46.769 --> 00:06:49.769 And his words: 'and blows it out' (*yastanthir*), 00:06:49.769 --> 00:06:52.769 mean that he expels the impurities inside his nose, 00:06:52.769 --> 00:06:55.769 and the *nathrah* is the tip of the nose. 00:06:56.769 --> 00:06:59.759 'In Jahiliyyah' 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:01.759 means the era prior to Islam; 00:07:01.759 --> 00:07:04.759 they were named so because of their pervasive ignorance and foolishness. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:06.860 'I acted discreetly' (*talattaftu*) 00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:08.860 means I conducted myself with gentle caution. 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:09.860 'I follow you' 00:07:09.860 --> 00:07:11.860 means openly professing Islam 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:14.860 and remaining with you in Mecca. 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:17.019 'Return to your family' 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:19.019 means remain steadfast upon your Islam 00:07:19.019 --> 00:07:21.019 and reside among your family, 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:23.019 out of concern for his safety from the persecution of Quraysh. 00:07:23.019 --> 00:07:25.019 'The height of a spear' 00:07:25.019 --> 00:07:27.079 means its approximate measure in the sky. 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:29.079 'Witnessed' 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:31.079 means the angels are present at it 00:07:31.079 --> 00:07:33.079 and bear witness to it on behalf of whoever performs it. 00:07:33.079 --> 00:07:35.110 'Is stoked' (*tusjar*) 00:07:35.110 --> 00:07:37.110 means it is flared up with fuel. 00:07:37.110 --> 00:07:39.110 *Al-Fay'* 00:07:39.110 --> 00:07:41.110 is the post-meridian shadow that shifts after midday. 00:07:41.110 --> 00:07:43.689 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:07:43.689 --> 00:07:48.009 Any nation that deviates from the methodology of Allah 00:07:48.009 --> 00:07:51.009 and follows the footsteps of Satan 00:07:51.009 --> 00:07:53.009 stands upon nothing of true substance, 00:07:53.009 --> 00:07:56.009 because it plunges headlong into the abysses of misguidance. 00:07:56.009 --> 00:08:01.620 The people of Jahiliyyah corrupted the religion of Abraham, peace be upon him, 00:08:01.620 --> 00:08:05.620 yet there remained a few individuals who firmly believed their people were astray, 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:09.620 adhered to what survived of the religion of Abraham, peace be upon him, 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:11.620 and were known as the Hunafa' (monotheists), 00:08:11.620 --> 00:08:14.620 such as Quss ibn Sa'idah al-Iyadi 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:18.000 and Zayd ibn 'Amr ibn Nufayl. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:20.000 When the callers to truth fear persecution 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:22.000 at the hands of the party of Satan, 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:25.000 and find themselves in a state of vulnerability, 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:28.000 it is permissible for them to keep their dawah discreet. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:32.000 For this reason, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, instructed 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:35.000 'Amr ibn 'Abasah, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:37.000 to return to his family while holding onto his Islam, 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:41.000 so as to stay among them out of fear of Quraysh's harm. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:47.350 An illustration of the severe hardship the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, endured 00:08:47.350 --> 00:08:48.350 from his people, 00:08:48.350 --> 00:08:50.350 as they sought to bar people from the path of Allah. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:55.860 The recommendation to ask the people of knowledge regarding the rulings of the religion. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:59.440 An exposition of what Allah sent His Messengers with, 00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:01.440 namely, the unified foundation of the faith: 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:03.440 that Allah alone be worshipped, 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:05.440 without associating any partner with Him, 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:07.440 and that false deities (taghut) be destroyed. 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:10.860 The obligation to demolish idols and crosses, 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:12.860 and to efface images. 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:16.139 A demonstration of the superior virtue of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:19.139 and Bilal ibn Rabah, may Allah be pleased with them both, 00:09:19.139 --> 00:09:22.139 and that they were among the foremost early believers. 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:26.460 The recommendation to follow up on the news of the scholars, 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:30.460 inquiring into their well-being, and seeking reassurance about them. 00:09:30.460 --> 00:09:33.750 The recommendation to hasten toward the community of Islam 00:09:33.750 --> 00:09:36.750 once trials and tribulations have subsided. 00:09:36.750 --> 00:09:40.750 Consequently, it is impermissible to increase the numbers of the disbelievers 00:09:40.750 --> 00:09:43.750 by permanently residing in their midst. 00:09:43.750 --> 00:09:47.100 An explanation of the times during which prayer is disliked: 00:09:48.100 --> 00:09:50.100 at sunrise, 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:52.100 at midday zenith, 00:09:52.100 --> 00:09:54.100 and at sunset. 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:57.580 The prohibition of imitating the disbelievers, 00:09:57.580 --> 00:10:00.580 even if the one imitating does not intend to do so; 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:04.580 for the person praying at sunrise or sunset 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:07.580 does not intend to imitate the disbelievers, 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:09.580 yet despite this, 00:10:09.580 --> 00:10:13.059 prayer at those specific times remains prohibited. 00:10:13.059 --> 00:10:15.059 An exposition of the great virtue of ablution, 00:10:15.059 --> 00:10:18.059 and that it expiates sins and wrongdoings, 00:10:18.059 --> 00:10:22.059 and this applies to whoever performs ablution as commanded. 00:10:22.059 --> 00:10:26.509 The permissibility of verifying a narrator's transmission without implying an accusation of dishonesty. 00:10:26.509 --> 00:10:28.899 Whenever a Muslim's lifespan increases, 00:10:28.899 --> 00:10:30.899 their hair grows white with old age, 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:32.899 and their bones become frail, 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:35.899 they ought to increase in excellence, hope, 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:37.899 and righteous deeds. 00:10:37.899 --> 00:10:42.340 The Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 00:10:42.340 --> 00:10:45.340 are all upright and trustworthy. 00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:49.850 On the authority of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:10:49.850 --> 00:10:52.850 from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:10:52.850 --> 00:10:54.850 who said: 00:10:54.850 --> 00:10:57.850 "When Allah, Exalted is He, intends mercy for an Ummah, 00:10:57.850 --> 00:11:00.850 He takes the soul of its Prophet before it, 00:11:00.850 --> 00:11:04.850 making him a forerunner and an advance herald awaiting them. 00:11:04.850 --> 00:11:07.850 But when He intends the destruction of an Ummah, 00:11:07.850 --> 00:11:10.850 He punishes it while its Prophet is still alive, 00:11:10.850 --> 00:11:13.850 destroying it as he looks on, 00:11:13.850 --> 00:11:16.850 bringing solace to his eyes by its destruction 00:11:16.850 --> 00:11:20.070 because they denied him and defied his command." 00:11:20.070 --> 00:11:22.070 Related by Muslim. 00:11:22.070 --> 00:11:24.870 "A forerunner" (farat) 00:11:24.870 --> 00:11:28.029 means one who goes ahead and precedes them, 00:11:28.029 --> 00:11:31.029 "awaiting them" means ahead of them. 00:11:31.029 --> 00:11:33.190 "Destruction" (halakah) 00:11:33.190 --> 00:11:35.350 means ruin and perdition. 00:11:35.350 --> 00:11:37.350 "Solace to his eyes" 00:11:37.350 --> 00:11:40.350 means that he finds relief and vindication in its destruction. 00:11:40.350 --> 00:11:44.120 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:47.120 Allah's immense mercy toward this Muhammadan Ummah— 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:50.120 may Allah increase it in honor— 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:53.120 for it is an Ummah granted mercy, 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:56.120 as its Prophet was taken before it. 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:59.120 So we ask Allah, Exalted is He, to make him for us 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:02.120 a forerunner and an advance herald when we meet him at the Basin. 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:05.629 Also, the profound care of the Prophets for their nations, 00:12:05.629 --> 00:12:08.629 their deep concern for safeguarding them, 00:12:08.629 --> 00:12:11.080 and rectifying their affairs. 00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:14.080 Furthermore, the punishment and destruction of the disbelievers, 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:17.080 which brings solace and vindication to the Prophets and their followers. 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:20.210 Riyadh al-Salih— 00:12:20.210 --> 00:12:22.210 Riyadh al-Salihin.