WEBVTT 00:00:00.780 --> 00:00:09.779 Riyad al-Salihin from the words of the Master of the Messengers, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:00:09.779 --> 00:00:17.170 Chapter: Moderation in Worship 00:00:17.170 --> 00:00:25.300 Allah the Exalted says: ﴾Ta-Ha. We have not sent down to you the Qur'an that you be distressed.﴿ 00:00:25.300 --> 00:00:32.299 “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful.” (2:185) 00:00:32.299 --> 00:00:41.859 It is narrated from ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, entered upon her while a woman was with her. 00:00:41.859 --> 00:00:44.859 He asked, "Who is this?" 00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:49.859 She replied, "This is so-and-so," and she began to describe her prayer. 00:00:49.859 --> 00:00:54.859 He said, "Desist! You should only take upon yourselves what you are capable of bearing." 00:00:54.859 --> 00:00:58.899 "For by Allah, Allah does not grow weary until you yourselves grow weary." 00:00:58.899 --> 00:01:04.019 The most beloved of religious acts to Him was that which its practitioner performed consistently. 00:01:04.019 --> 00:01:06.090 Agreed upon. 00:01:06.090 --> 00:01:10.280 "Desist" (mah) is a word of prohibition and rebuke. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:12.280 The meaning of "Allah does not grow weary" 00:01:12.280 --> 00:01:17.280 Is that He does not cease bestowing His reward upon you and recompensing your deeds. 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:23.280 Rather, He treats you as if you were the ones who might grow weary and abandon the deed. 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:27.280 Therefore, it is incumbent upon you to undertake only what you are capable of maintaining consistently, 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:31.280 So that His reward and grace upon you may continue. 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:39.980 "Weariness" (malal) is finding a thing burdensome and the soul feeling aversion toward it after having loved it. 00:01:39.980 --> 00:01:44.099 "Capable of bearing" (tutiqun) means what you are able to do. 00:01:44.099 --> 00:01:46.969 From the benefits of the hadith: 00:01:46.969 --> 00:01:52.030 The permissibility of asking about who has entered the house, whether men or women. 00:01:52.030 --> 00:01:59.290 The permissibility of mentioning a description in the presence of a scholar so that he may correct an error or praise what is correct. 00:01:59.290 --> 00:02:03.480 The desirability of rebuke upon seeing something objectionable. 00:02:03.480 --> 00:02:09.990 Changing an objectionable matter is required when one has knowledge of it and the ability to change it. 00:02:09.990 --> 00:02:13.990 It is not permissible to delay a clarification when the need for it arises. 00:02:13.990 --> 00:02:18.219 Exaggerating in worship beyond what the body can bear 00:02:18.219 --> 00:02:22.219 Leads to boredom and lethargy, causing the soul to abandon it. 00:02:22.219 --> 00:02:26.340 Moderation and balance in performing acts of worship 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:31.699 Are a means to sustain them and ensure steadfastness in obedience. 00:02:31.699 --> 00:02:34.699 The most beloved of deeds and the most rewarding 00:02:34.699 --> 00:02:37.819 Are those that are most consistent, even if they are few. 00:02:37.819 --> 00:02:42.819 Giving the soul its due share of permissible things contains reward and merit, 00:02:42.819 --> 00:02:48.080 Provided the intention is to gain strength for righteous deeds and the worship of Allah. 00:02:48.080 --> 00:02:54.870 A small, consistent deed is better than a large, interrupted one. 00:02:54.870 --> 00:02:57.900 It is narrated from Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:02:57.900 --> 00:03:03.900 Three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:03:03.900 --> 00:03:08.900 Asking about the worship of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:03:08.900 --> 00:03:12.900 When they were informed, it was as if they considered it little. 00:03:12.900 --> 00:03:18.900 They said, "Where do we stand in comparison to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him?" 00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:24.189 "For he has been forgiven all his past and future sins." 00:03:24.189 --> 00:03:29.189 One of them said, "As for me, I will pray all night, forever." 00:03:29.189 --> 00:03:34.189 Another said, "And I will fast every day and never break my fast." 00:03:34.189 --> 00:03:41.189 The other said, "And I will abstain from women and never marry." 00:03:41.189 --> 00:03:46.289 Then the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, came to them and said: 00:03:46.289 --> 00:03:50.289 "Are you the ones who said such-and-such?" 00:03:50.289 --> 00:03:55.349 "By Allah, I am the most fearful and the most pious of you toward Allah." 00:03:55.349 --> 00:04:02.349 "Yet, I fast and I break my fast; I pray and I sleep; and I marry women." 00:04:02.349 --> 00:04:08.349 "So whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me." Agreed upon. 00:04:08.349 --> 00:04:14.050 "Three men" (rahṭ) means three men. 00:04:14.050 --> 00:04:18.079 "Considered it little" (taqalluha) means they deemed it small. 00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:24.180 "Turns away from my Sunnah" means turns away from my path and my methodology in worship. 00:04:24.180 --> 00:04:28.259 From the benefits of the hadith: 00:04:28.259 --> 00:04:34.579 The desirability of following the states of the Rabbani scholars to emulate them. 00:04:34.579 --> 00:04:40.839 If one intends a righteous deed and needs to make it known, while being safe from showing off (riya'), 00:04:40.839 --> 00:04:43.839 That is not forbidden. 00:04:43.839 --> 00:04:49.160 Moderation in a Sunnah is better than striving in an innovation. 00:04:49.160 --> 00:04:56.449 The eagerness of the Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to increase in worship and obedience. 00:04:56.449 --> 00:05:02.930 The desirability of beginning with praise and glorification of Allah when presenting questions of knowledge. 00:05:02.930 --> 00:05:07.180 The desirability of marriage and the encouragement toward it. 00:05:07.180 --> 00:05:11.379 Permissible and recommended acts may turn into forbidden ones 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:16.379 If they deviate from the guidance of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:22.569 Emulating the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in balance and moderation. 00:05:22.569 --> 00:05:25.569 The reality of drawing near to Allah the Exalted. 00:05:25.569 --> 00:05:31.889 Failing to adhere to the guidance of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in worship 00:05:31.889 --> 00:05:37.889 Leads to extremism, over-scrupulousness, and falling into every blameworthy prohibition. 00:05:37.889 --> 00:05:41.139 The fundamental principle in acts of worship is that they are restricted to what is revealed (tawqif). 00:05:41.139 --> 00:05:45.139 It is not permissible to exercise independent reasoning (ijtihad) in them based on opinion or personal preference. 00:05:45.139 --> 00:05:50.339 One should not be deceived by certain deeds that appear to be good, 00:05:50.339 --> 00:05:56.339 Because of the corruption that results from them due to their opposition to the correct Prophetic guidance. 00:05:56.339 --> 00:06:00.620 This hadith is a foundational principle in invalidating innovations, 00:06:00.620 --> 00:06:03.620 Even if the intention of those who perform them is good. 00:06:03.620 --> 00:06:06.620 May Allah have mercy on Ibn ‘Umar, who said: 00:06:06.620 --> 00:06:11.620 "Every innovation is a misguidance, even if people see it as something good." 00:06:11.620 --> 00:06:16.350 From Ibn Mas‘ud, may Allah be pleased with him: 00:06:16.350 --> 00:06:20.350 That the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:06:20.350 --> 00:06:22.350 "The over-scrupulous are ruined." 00:06:22.350 --> 00:06:24.350 He said it three times. 00:06:24.350 --> 00:06:26.350 Narrated by Muslim. 00:06:26.350 --> 00:06:28.740 "The over-scrupulous" (al-mutanatti‘un) 00:06:28.740 --> 00:06:33.740 Are those who delve too deeply and are overly strict where strictness is not required. 00:06:33.740 --> 00:06:38.430 From the benefits of the hadith: 00:06:38.430 --> 00:06:43.430 Ruin is the consequence for those who are extremist in their words and deeds. 00:06:43.430 --> 00:06:47.779 The condemnation of affectation and grandiloquence in speech. 00:06:47.779 --> 00:06:51.100 Harshness does not bring about anything good. 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:58.350 Islam is a religion of balance and moderation in words and deeds. 00:06:58.350 --> 00:07:01.350 From Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him: 00:07:01.350 --> 00:07:05.480 From the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said: 00:07:05.480 --> 00:07:07.480 "Indeed, the religion is easy." 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:11.509 "And no one will try to outdo the religion but that it will overcome him." 00:07:11.509 --> 00:07:14.509 "So be steadfast, be moderate, and be of good cheer." 00:07:14.509 --> 00:07:17.509 "And seek help by [worshipping] in the early morning and the late afternoon," 00:07:17.509 --> 00:07:20.610 "And a portion of the night." 00:07:20.610 --> 00:07:22.610 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:07:22.610 --> 00:07:24.899 And in a narration of his: 00:07:24.899 --> 00:07:26.899 "Be steadfast and be moderate." 00:07:26.899 --> 00:07:28.899 "Set out in the early morning and the late afternoon," 00:07:28.899 --> 00:07:31.899 "And a portion of the night." 00:07:31.899 --> 00:07:34.899 "Moderation, moderation, and you will reach your goal." 00:07:34.899 --> 00:07:36.180 His saying: 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:37.180 "The religion" 00:07:37.180 --> 00:07:41.180 Is in the nominative case as the subject of a passive verb. 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:43.180 And it is narrated in the accusative case. 00:07:43.180 --> 00:07:47.250 And it is narrated as "No one will try to outdo the religion." 00:07:47.250 --> 00:07:50.250 And his saying, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: 00:07:50.250 --> 00:07:52.250 "But that it will overcome him." 00:07:52.250 --> 00:07:54.250 Meaning, the religion will overcome him. 00:07:54.250 --> 00:07:59.250 And that person who tries to outdo it will be unable to resist the religion due to the abundance of its paths. 00:07:59.250 --> 00:08:03.439 "Early morning" (ghudwah) is traveling at the beginning of the day. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:06.439 "Late afternoon" (rawḥah) is at the end of the day. 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:09.439 "Portion of the night" (duljah) is the end of the night. 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:12.439 This is a metaphor and an analogy. 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:13.439 And the meaning of: 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:16.439 "Seek help in the obedience of Allah the Almighty and Majestic" 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:19.439 By performing deeds during your time of energy 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:21.439 And when your hearts are free, 00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:25.439 So that you find pleasure in worship and do not grow weary, 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:27.439 And you reach your goal. 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:32.440 Just as the skilled traveler travels during these times, 00:08:32.440 --> 00:08:36.440 And he and his mount rest during other times, 00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:39.440 So he reaches his destination without exhaustion. 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:41.440 And Allah knows best. 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:44.240 "Be steadfast" (saddidu) 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:46.240 Means adhere to the correct path. 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:50.240 Which is moderation in action without excess or negligence. 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:52.399 "Be moderate" (qaribu) 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:55.399 Means if you cannot achieve the most perfect state, 00:08:55.399 --> 00:08:57.399 Then do what is closest to it. 00:08:57.399 --> 00:08:59.659 "Moderation" (al-qasd) 00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:01.659 Is in the accusative case as an incitement. 00:09:01.659 --> 00:09:03.659 And his intent is: 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:07.659 Adhere to moderation in the matter without excess or negligence. 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:11.580 From the benefits of the hadith: 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:14.970 Islam is a religion of ease and the removal of hardship. 00:09:14.970 --> 00:09:18.970 This is one of the characteristics of the blessed Ummah. 00:09:18.970 --> 00:09:22.129 Anyone who is overly scrupulous in religion will be cut off. 00:09:22.129 --> 00:09:25.129 Because excess leads to boredom. 00:09:25.129 --> 00:09:29.129 And exaggeration in voluntary worship is followed by lethargy, 00:09:29.129 --> 00:09:31.129 Or by abandoning what is better. 00:09:31.129 --> 00:09:36.509 A reminder to the traveler to seek out times of energy, 00:09:36.509 --> 00:09:39.509 For if he walks day and night, 00:09:39.509 --> 00:09:41.509 He will become exhausted and be cut off. 00:09:41.509 --> 00:09:46.509 For the one who pushes his mount too hard neither covers the distance nor keeps his mount alive. 00:09:46.509 --> 00:09:50.509 But if he seeks to travel during his times of energy, 00:09:50.509 --> 00:09:53.509 He is able to continue without hardship. 00:09:53.509 --> 00:09:55.509 And likewise the worshiper: 00:09:55.509 --> 00:10:00.769 Should choose times of energy for worship. 00:10:00.769 --> 00:10:02.769 Moderation in worship 00:10:02.769 --> 00:10:04.769 Leads to the pleasure of the Lord, 00:10:04.769 --> 00:10:07.769 And the continuity of fulfilling His servitude. 00:10:07.769 --> 00:10:12.590 From Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:10:12.590 --> 00:10:16.590 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, entered the mosque, 00:10:16.590 --> 00:10:20.590 And there was a rope stretched between two pillars. 00:10:20.590 --> 00:10:23.590 He asked, "What is this rope?" 00:10:23.590 --> 00:10:27.590 They said, "This is a rope for Zaynab." 00:10:27.590 --> 00:10:30.590 "When she feels tired, she holds onto it." 00:10:30.590 --> 00:10:34.750 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:10:34.750 --> 00:10:36.750 "Untie it." 00:10:36.750 --> 00:10:38.750 "Let one of you pray while he is energetic." 00:10:38.750 --> 00:10:41.750 "And when he feels tired, let him sleep." 00:10:41.750 --> 00:10:43.750 Agreed upon. 00:10:43.750 --> 00:10:48.190 "Pillar" (sariyah) is the column. 00:10:48.190 --> 00:10:52.190 It is the support upon which the roof rests. 00:10:52.190 --> 00:10:56.580 "Feels tired" (fatrat) means she became lazy in standing for prayer. 00:10:56.580 --> 00:10:58.830 "Energetic" (nashat) 00:10:58.830 --> 00:11:01.830 Means the period of his comfort and leisure. 00:11:01.830 --> 00:11:06.019 From the benefits of the hadith: 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:08.460 Islam is a religion of ease, 00:11:08.460 --> 00:11:10.460 And the removal of hardship and difficulty. 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:14.879 Voluntary prayer is permissible in the mosque for both men and women. 00:11:14.879 --> 00:11:18.299 Removing an objectionable matter by hand 00:11:18.299 --> 00:11:20.299 For those who are able to do so. 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:23.740 It is disliked for the one praying to lean 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:25.740 During his prayer on something. 00:11:25.740 --> 00:11:29.100 The encouragement to be moderate in worship, 00:11:29.100 --> 00:11:32.100 And to approach it with energy. 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:35.639 The permissibility of sitting during prayer 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:37.639 For one who is overcome by exhaustion. 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:41.990 Denouncing an objectionable matter should only be done after having knowledge of it. 00:11:41.990 --> 00:11:45.440 "This is a rope for Zaynab" 00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:50.440 The intent is Zaynab bint Jahsh, may Allah be pleased with her, 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:52.440 The Mother of the Believers. 00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:56.750 From ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, 00:11:56.750 --> 00:12:00.750 That the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:12:00.750 --> 00:12:04.879 "If one of you becomes drowsy while praying," 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:08.980 "Let him sleep until the sleep leaves him." 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:11.980 "For if one of you prays while he is drowsy," 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:15.980 "He does not know, perhaps he intends to seek forgiveness," 00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:17.980 "But instead he curses himself." 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:21.379 Agreed upon. 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:23.379 "Drowsy" (na‘as) comes from drowsiness, 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:25.379 Which is the onset of sleep. 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:27.669 "Let him sleep" 00:12:27.669 --> 00:12:29.669 Means let him stop the prayer 00:12:29.669 --> 00:12:32.899 After finishing it, in order to sleep. 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:34.929 "But instead he curses himself" 00:12:34.929 --> 00:12:37.929 Means he utters what he does not intend 00:12:37.929 --> 00:12:39.929 Due to the overpowering of drowsiness, 00:12:39.929 --> 00:12:41.929 So he invokes evil upon himself. 00:12:41.929 --> 00:12:44.759 From the benefits of the hadith: 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:48.210 The dislike of overexerting oneself in worship. 00:12:48.210 --> 00:12:52.429 Moderation and avoiding extremism in worship. 00:12:52.429 --> 00:12:54.690 Adopting a precautionary approach. 00:12:54.690 --> 00:12:57.690 Because he provided a reason based on a probable matter. 00:12:57.690 --> 00:13:02.100 The hadith serves as evidence for the principle of blocking the means (sadd al-dhara'i'). 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:06.100 For averting harm takes precedence over securing benefits. 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:09.460 The obligation of khushu' (humility and focus) in prayer. 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:11.460 And the presence of the heart during worship. 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:14.460 And distancing oneself from whatever detracts from that. 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:17.809 The recommendation of supplication during prayer. 00:13:17.809 --> 00:13:22.059 Without being restricted to any specific wording. 00:13:22.059 --> 00:13:25.059 The removal of sin from one who says something he does not intend. 00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:28.059 And upon which his heart has not resolved. 00:13:28.059 --> 00:13:30.059 Such as this drowsiness. 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:32.059 Or someone who was distracted by astonishment. 00:13:32.059 --> 00:13:36.210 On the authority of Abu 'Abdullah. 00:13:36.210 --> 00:13:40.210 Jabir ibn Samurah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:13:40.210 --> 00:13:45.210 I used to pray the prayers with the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:13:45.210 --> 00:13:48.210 His prayer was of moderate length. 00:13:48.210 --> 00:13:50.210 And his sermon was of moderate length. 00:13:50.210 --> 00:13:52.210 Narrated by Muslim. 00:13:52.210 --> 00:13:54.500 His statement "of moderate length." 00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:57.500 Meaning between being too long and too short. 00:13:57.500 --> 00:14:01.649 Among the benefits of the hadith: 00:14:01.649 --> 00:14:06.779 The Prophet, peace be upon him, would lighten the prayer and the sermon. 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:08.779 Out of mercy for those praying. 00:14:08.779 --> 00:14:12.779 For among them are the sick and those with pressing needs. 00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:16.059 The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:18.059 Was given the gift of concise speech. 00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:22.059 Yet he would not go to extremes in brevity. 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:28.350 Moderation in all matters is a cause for consistency in obedience and avoiding interruption. 00:14:28.350 --> 00:14:33.090 Riyad al-Salihin.