1 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. 2 00:00:09,779 --> 00:00:15,570 Chapter: Istikharah (Seeking Allah’s Counsel) and Consultation. 3 00:00:15,570 --> 00:00:22,300 Allah Almighty said: "And consult them in the matter." 4 00:00:22,300 --> 00:00:27,420 And Almighty Allah said: "And whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves." 5 00:00:27,420 --> 00:00:30,420 That is: they consult with one another regarding it. 6 00:00:30,420 --> 00:00:34,899 On the authority of Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 7 00:00:34,899 --> 00:00:37,899 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 8 00:00:37,899 --> 00:00:40,899 used to teach us Istikharah in all matters, 9 00:00:40,899 --> 00:00:43,899 just as he would teach us a surah from the Qur'an. 10 00:00:43,899 --> 00:00:47,899 He would say: "When one of you intends to undertake a matter, 11 00:00:47,899 --> 00:00:50,899 let him offer two non-obligatory units of prayer, 12 00:00:50,899 --> 00:00:52,899 and then say: 13 00:00:52,899 --> 00:00:55,899 'O Allah, I seek Your counsel by Your knowledge, 14 00:00:55,899 --> 00:00:58,899 and I seek strength through Your power, 15 00:00:58,899 --> 00:01:01,899 and I ask You of Your tremendous bounty. 16 00:01:01,899 --> 00:01:04,900 For You have power, while I have none; 17 00:01:04,900 --> 00:01:06,900 and You know, while I do not know; 18 00:01:06,900 --> 00:01:09,900 and You are the Knower of all the unseen. 19 00:01:09,900 --> 00:01:13,019 O Allah, if You know that this matter 20 00:01:13,019 --> 00:01:16,019 is good for me in my religion, my livelihood, 21 00:01:16,019 --> 00:01:18,019 and the outcome of my affair'— 22 00:01:18,019 --> 00:01:22,019 or he said: 'in my immediate affair and its end'— 23 00:01:22,019 --> 00:01:24,019 'then decree it for me, make it easy for me, 24 00:01:24,019 --> 00:01:27,019 and then bless it for me. 25 00:01:27,019 --> 00:01:30,219 But if You know that this matter 26 00:01:30,219 --> 00:01:33,219 is bad for me in my religion, my livelihood, 27 00:01:33,219 --> 00:01:35,219 and the outcome of my affair'— 28 00:01:35,219 --> 00:01:39,219 or he said: 'in my immediate affair and its end'— 29 00:01:39,219 --> 00:01:42,219 'then turn it away from me and turn me away from it, 30 00:01:42,219 --> 00:01:45,219 and decree for me the good wherever it may be, 31 00:01:45,219 --> 00:01:47,219 and then make me pleased with it.'" 32 00:01:47,219 --> 00:01:50,310 He said: "And he should name his specific need." 33 00:01:50,310 --> 00:01:53,409 Recorded by al-Bukhari. 34 00:01:53,409 --> 00:01:56,079 Istikharah is 35 00:01:56,079 --> 00:02:00,079 seeking the better of two choices for the one who needs it. 36 00:02:00,079 --> 00:02:02,689 Points of benefit from the hadith: 37 00:02:02,689 --> 00:02:08,169 Istikharah is not performed for obligatory or recommended acts, 38 00:02:08,169 --> 00:02:10,169 because the fundamental rule regarding them is to perform them. 39 00:02:10,169 --> 00:02:14,169 Likewise, one does not perform Istikharah to refrain from forbidden or disliked acts. 40 00:02:14,169 --> 00:02:17,169 Therefore, the statement of Jabir: 41 00:02:17,169 --> 00:02:20,169 "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 42 00:02:20,169 --> 00:02:23,169 used to teach us Istikharah in all matters" 43 00:02:23,169 --> 00:02:25,169 refers to a specific scope, 44 00:02:25,169 --> 00:02:28,169 meaning all permissible matters. 45 00:02:28,169 --> 00:02:31,710 Istikharah is recommended in every matter, 46 00:02:31,710 --> 00:02:33,710 even if it seems trivial in the estimation of the person, 47 00:02:33,710 --> 00:02:36,710 for a minor thing may become significant, 48 00:02:36,710 --> 00:02:39,710 and major consequences may result from it. 49 00:02:39,710 --> 00:02:43,159 It demonstrates the profound eagerness of the Prophet, peace be upon him, 50 00:02:43,159 --> 00:02:46,159 to teach his Companions this prayer, 51 00:02:46,159 --> 00:02:50,159 due to the great benefit and goodness it contains. 52 00:02:50,159 --> 00:02:54,669 The command to perform the Istikharah prayer is not obligatory, 53 00:02:54,669 --> 00:02:57,669 due to his statement, peace be upon him: 54 00:02:57,669 --> 00:03:00,669 "Let him offer two non-obligatory units of prayer." 55 00:03:00,669 --> 00:03:04,219 The supplication is to be made after the prayer, 56 00:03:04,219 --> 00:03:07,219 due to his statement, peace be upon him: 57 00:03:07,219 --> 00:03:09,219 "Then let him say." 58 00:03:09,219 --> 00:03:13,729 A servant must refer all matters back to Allah 59 00:03:13,729 --> 00:03:16,729 and absolve himself of any reliance on his own power and might, 60 00:03:16,729 --> 00:03:20,729 for there is no power or might except with Allah. 61 00:03:20,729 --> 00:03:23,020 Some of the common people mistakenly believe 62 00:03:23,020 --> 00:03:26,020 that it is necessary after Istikharah 63 00:03:26,020 --> 00:03:30,020 for the person to see a dream indicating what they should do, 64 00:03:30,020 --> 00:03:33,719 but this is a false assumption. 65 00:03:33,719 --> 00:03:37,719 What is apparent is that the supplication of Istikharah should follow two units of prayer 66 00:03:37,719 --> 00:03:40,719 performed specifically for the purpose of Istikharah and nothing else; 67 00:03:40,719 --> 00:03:47,259 thus, one should not recite the Istikharah supplication after an obligatory prayer or a regular Sunnah prayer. 68 00:03:47,259 --> 00:03:51,259 The person seeking guidance should proceed with the matter for which he sought Allah's counsel; 69 00:03:51,259 --> 00:03:53,259 so he embarks upon it, 70 00:03:53,259 --> 00:03:56,259 and if he finds ease, facilitation, and success, 71 00:03:56,259 --> 00:03:58,259 he continues, 72 00:03:58,259 --> 00:04:00,259 otherwise he refrains and desists. 73 00:04:00,259 --> 00:04:05,080 And Allah knows best. 74 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:08,080 Chapter: The Recommendation to Go to the Eid Prayer, 75 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:10,080 Visit the Sick, 76 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:14,080 Perform Hajj, Military Expeditions, Funerals, and the Like 77 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:18,079 by One Route and Return by Another, 78 00:04:18,079 --> 00:04:22,259 to Multiply the Places of Worship. 79 00:04:22,259 --> 00:04:25,259 On the authority of Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 80 00:04:25,259 --> 00:04:29,259 On the day of Eid, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 81 00:04:29,259 --> 00:04:31,259 would take alternate routes. 82 00:04:31,259 --> 00:04:33,259 Recorded by al-Bukhari. 83 00:04:33,259 --> 00:04:36,420 His statement: "He would take alternate routes" 84 00:04:36,420 --> 00:04:40,420 means he would go by one path and return by another. 85 00:04:40,420 --> 00:04:45,019 Points of benefit from the hadith: 86 00:04:45,019 --> 00:04:51,379 It is recommended to take an alternate route when returning on the day of Eid, both for the imam and the congregation. 87 00:04:51,379 --> 00:04:55,379 The path will testify for the person on the Day of Resurrection. 88 00:04:55,379 --> 00:04:59,430 And on the authority of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both: 89 00:04:59,430 --> 00:05:02,430 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 90 00:05:02,430 --> 00:05:05,430 used to leave via the road of al-Shajarah 91 00:05:05,430 --> 00:05:08,430 and enter via the road of al-Mu'arras; 92 00:05:08,430 --> 00:05:10,430 and when he entered Mecca, 93 00:05:10,430 --> 00:05:12,430 he entered from the upper pass (al-Thaniyyah al-'Ulya) 94 00:05:12,430 --> 00:05:15,430 and left from the lower pass (al-Thaniyyah al-Sufla). 95 00:05:15,430 --> 00:05:17,459 Agreed upon. 96 00:05:17,459 --> 00:05:21,579 Points of benefit from the hadith: 97 00:05:21,579 --> 00:05:26,779 The recommendation to take alternate routes when going and coming during Hajj, 98 00:05:26,779 --> 00:05:32,430 in order to multiply the paths of goodness. 99 00:05:32,430 --> 00:05:35,430 Chapter: The Recommendation of Prioritizing the Right Hand 100 00:05:35,430 --> 00:05:38,430 in Everything Involving Honor and Dignity, 101 00:05:38,430 --> 00:05:40,430 such as performing Wudu, Ghusl, and Tayammum, 102 00:05:40,430 --> 00:05:42,430 putting on garments, sandals, 103 00:05:42,430 --> 00:05:44,430 leather socks, and trousers, 104 00:05:44,430 --> 00:05:46,430 entering the mosque, 105 00:05:46,430 --> 00:05:48,430 using the tooth-stick (siwak), applying kohl, 106 00:05:48,430 --> 00:05:50,430 trimming the nails, 107 00:05:50,430 --> 00:05:52,430 clipping the mustache, 108 00:05:52,430 --> 00:05:54,430 plucking the armpit hair, shaving the head, 109 00:05:54,430 --> 00:05:56,430 giving the greeting of salam to end the prayer, 110 00:05:56,430 --> 00:05:58,430 eating, drinking, 111 00:05:58,430 --> 00:06:00,430 shaking hands, 112 00:06:00,430 --> 00:06:02,430 touching the Black Stone, 113 00:06:02,430 --> 00:06:04,430 exiting the lavatory, 114 00:06:04,430 --> 00:06:06,430 giving and receiving, 115 00:06:06,430 --> 00:06:09,430 and other similar dignified actions. 116 00:06:09,430 --> 00:06:13,430 It is also recommended to prioritize the left side in the opposite cases, 117 00:06:13,430 --> 00:06:16,430 such as blowing the nose, spitting to the left, 118 00:06:16,430 --> 00:06:18,430 entering the lavatory, 119 00:06:18,430 --> 00:06:20,430 exiting the mosque, 120 00:06:20,430 --> 00:06:24,430 taking off leather socks, sandals, trousers, and garments, 121 00:06:24,430 --> 00:06:26,430 leaving the mosque, 122 00:06:26,430 --> 00:06:31,620 and handling impurities and the like. 123 00:06:31,620 --> 00:06:33,779 Allah Almighty said: 124 00:06:33,779 --> 00:06:37,779 "So as for him who is given his record in his right hand, 125 00:06:37,779 --> 00:06:41,779 he will say, 'Here, read my record!'" 126 00:06:41,779 --> 00:06:43,779 to the end of the verses. 127 00:06:43,779 --> 00:06:45,779 And Almighty Allah said: 128 00:06:45,779 --> 00:06:47,779 "Then the companions of the right— 129 00:06:47,779 --> 00:06:49,779 what are the companions of the right? 130 00:06:49,779 --> 00:06:51,779 And the companions of the left— 131 00:06:51,779 --> 00:06:56,120 what are the companions of the left?" 132 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:59,120 On the authority of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, who said: 133 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:02,120 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 134 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:05,120 liked to prioritize the right side in all his affairs: 135 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:09,120 in his purification, combing his hair, and putting on his sandals. 136 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:11,120 Agreed upon. 137 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:14,339 *Al-Tayammun* 138 00:07:14,339 --> 00:07:16,339 means beginning with the right side. 139 00:07:16,339 --> 00:07:18,339 *Tana'uluh* 140 00:07:18,339 --> 00:07:20,370 means putting on his sandals. 141 00:07:20,370 --> 00:07:21,370 *Tarajjuluh* 142 00:07:21,370 --> 00:07:24,370 means combing and oiling his hair. 143 00:07:24,370 --> 00:07:27,100 Points of benefit from the hadith: 144 00:07:27,100 --> 00:07:31,420 The recommendation to begin with the right-side limbs 145 00:07:31,420 --> 00:07:33,420 during Wudu and Ghusl. 146 00:07:33,420 --> 00:07:36,899 The recommendation to begin with the right side of the head 147 00:07:36,899 --> 00:07:39,899 when combing, washing, and shaving. 148 00:07:39,899 --> 00:07:44,319 The recommendation to begin with the right foot when putting on sandals. 149 00:07:44,319 --> 00:07:49,500 And on the authority of Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, who said: 150 00:07:49,500 --> 00:07:53,500 The right hand of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 151 00:07:53,500 --> 00:07:54,500 was used 152 00:07:54,500 --> 00:07:56,500 for his purification and his food, 153 00:07:56,500 --> 00:08:01,500 while his left hand was for his toilet and anything unclean. 154 00:08:01,500 --> 00:08:03,699 Recorded by Abu Dawud. 155 00:08:03,699 --> 00:08:07,560 Points of benefit from the hadith: 156 00:08:07,560 --> 00:08:12,779 The left hand is not used except in removing impurities 157 00:08:12,779 --> 00:08:15,779 and for everything that does not involve dignity. 158 00:08:15,779 --> 00:08:19,810 And on the authority of Umm 'Atiyyah, may Allah be pleased with her: 159 00:08:19,810 --> 00:08:22,810 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 160 00:08:22,810 --> 00:08:27,810 said to them regarding the washing of his daughter Zaynab, may Allah be pleased with her: 161 00:08:27,810 --> 00:08:32,809 "Begin with her right side and the parts washed in Wudu." 162 00:08:32,809 --> 00:08:34,809 Agreed upon. 163 00:08:34,809 --> 00:08:38,769 Points of benefit from the hadith: 164 00:08:38,769 --> 00:08:41,899 Women are to undertake the washing of a deceased female, 165 00:08:41,899 --> 00:08:44,899 and it is not permissible for men to wash her, 166 00:08:44,899 --> 00:08:47,899 with the exception of spouses, 167 00:08:47,899 --> 00:08:52,899 for it is permissible for either spouse to wash the other. 168 00:08:52,899 --> 00:08:55,440 The Sunnah in washing the deceased 169 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:59,440 is to begin with the right side and the areas washed in Wudu. 170 00:08:59,440 --> 00:09:04,919 It highlights the honor of the limbs of Wudu over the rest of the body. 171 00:09:04,919 --> 00:09:08,980 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him: 172 00:09:08,980 --> 00:09:12,980 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 173 00:09:12,980 --> 00:09:17,100 "When one of you puts on sandals, let him start with the right foot; 174 00:09:17,100 --> 00:09:21,100 and when he takes them off, let him start with the left foot. 175 00:09:21,100 --> 00:09:24,100 Let the right foot be the first to be shod 176 00:09:24,100 --> 00:09:27,100 and the last to be barefoot." 177 00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:29,200 Agreed upon. 178 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:32,970 Points of benefit from the hadith: 179 00:09:32,970 --> 00:09:35,129 The recommendation to put on sandals with the right foot 180 00:09:35,129 --> 00:09:37,129 and take them off with the left. 181 00:09:37,129 --> 00:09:41,129 This demonstrates that honor belongs to the right side, 182 00:09:41,129 --> 00:09:45,129 so one begins with it and ends with it. 183 00:09:45,129 --> 00:09:49,279 And on the authority of Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with her: 184 00:09:49,279 --> 00:09:52,279 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 185 00:09:52,279 --> 00:09:57,279 used his right hand for his food, drink, and dressing, 186 00:09:57,279 --> 00:10:01,279 and used his left hand for other than that. 187 00:10:01,279 --> 00:10:04,759 And on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him: 188 00:10:04,759 --> 00:10:08,759 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 189 00:10:08,759 --> 00:10:11,759 "When you dress and when you perform Wudu, 190 00:10:11,759 --> 00:10:14,759 begin with your right side." 191 00:10:14,759 --> 00:10:17,889 Recorded by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi. 192 00:10:17,889 --> 00:10:21,340 And on the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him: 193 00:10:21,340 --> 00:10:24,340 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 194 00:10:24,340 --> 00:10:26,340 came to Mina; 195 00:10:26,340 --> 00:10:29,340 he went to the Jamrah and stoned it, 196 00:10:29,340 --> 00:10:32,340 then went to his lodging in Mina and slaughtered the sacrifice. 197 00:10:32,340 --> 00:10:34,340 He then said to the barber: 198 00:10:34,340 --> 00:10:38,340 "Shave," and gestured towards the right side of his head, 199 00:10:38,340 --> 00:10:40,340 and then the left side, 200 00:10:40,340 --> 00:10:42,340 and then he began distributing it among the people." 201 00:10:42,340 --> 00:10:44,340 Agreed upon. 202 00:10:44,340 --> 00:10:46,370 In another narration: 203 00:10:46,370 --> 00:10:48,370 "When he stoned the Jamrah, 204 00:10:48,370 --> 00:10:50,370 slaughtered his sacrificial animal, and exited the state of ihram, 205 00:10:50,370 --> 00:10:53,370 he presented the right side of his head to the barber, 206 00:10:53,370 --> 00:10:55,370 who shaved it. 207 00:10:55,370 --> 00:10:59,429 Then he called Abu Talhah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) 208 00:10:59,429 --> 00:11:01,429 and gave it to him. 209 00:11:01,429 --> 00:11:03,460 Then he presented the left side, 210 00:11:03,460 --> 00:11:05,460 saying, 'Shave,' 211 00:11:05,460 --> 00:11:07,460 and he shaved it, 212 00:11:07,460 --> 00:11:09,460 and he gave it to Abu Talhah, 213 00:11:09,460 --> 00:11:11,460 saying, 214 00:11:11,460 --> 00:11:13,460 'Distribute it among the people.'" 215 00:11:13,460 --> 00:11:16,299 "His sacrificial animal" (nusukahu) 216 00:11:16,299 --> 00:11:19,299 refers to the sacrificial offering (hady) that he had brought with him, 217 00:11:19,299 --> 00:11:22,299 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, on his Pilgrimage. 218 00:11:22,299 --> 00:11:26,000 Among the benefits derived from this hadith: 219 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:28,320 the recommendation of instructing the barber 220 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:30,320 where to begin shaving 221 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:32,320 and where to finish; 222 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:36,799 that whatever separated from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 223 00:11:36,799 --> 00:11:38,799 is permissible to seek blessings (barakah) from; 224 00:11:38,799 --> 00:11:42,799 and this is exclusive to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 225 00:11:42,799 --> 00:11:46,799 with no one else from the Ummah sharing in it; 226 00:11:46,799 --> 00:11:50,279 the permissibility of singling out certain individuals for good 227 00:11:50,279 --> 00:11:52,279 over others, 228 00:11:52,279 --> 00:11:55,279 which is why the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, called 229 00:11:55,279 --> 00:11:58,279 Abu Talhah al-Ansari, 230 00:11:58,279 --> 00:12:00,279 gave him his hair, 231 00:12:00,279 --> 00:12:03,279 and commanded him to distribute it among the people. 232 00:12:04,279 --> 00:12:08,409 Riyad al-Salihin.