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 --> 00:00:19.339 Chapter: The Virtue of Asceticism in the World, Encouragement to Have Little of It, and the Virtue of Poverty. 00:00:19.339 --> 00:00:24.820 On the authority of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:30.820 I was walking with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the stony tract of Medina, 00:00:30.820 --> 00:00:32.820 when Mount Uhud came into our view. 00:00:32.820 --> 00:00:39.880 He said, "O Abu Dharr!" I replied, "At your service, O Messenger of Allah!" 00:00:39.880 --> 00:00:45.880 He said, "It would not please me to possess the equivalent of this Mount Uhud in gold, 00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:50.880 and have three days pass while a single dinar of it remains with me, 00:00:50.880 --> 00:00:53.880 except for something I reserve to settle a debt, 00:00:53.880 --> 00:00:59.880 unless I were to distribute it among the servants of Allah like this, and like this, and like this," 00:00:59.880 --> 00:01:03.880 to his right, to his left, and behind him. 00:01:03.880 --> 00:01:05.939 Then he walked on and said, 00:01:05.939 --> 00:01:09.939 "Indeed, those with the most wealth will have the least on the Day of Resurrection, 00:01:09.939 --> 00:01:14.939 except for him who dispenses his wealth like this, and like this, and like this," 00:01:14.939 --> 00:01:18.939 to his right, to his left, and behind him, 00:01:18.939 --> 00:01:21.939 "and how few they are!" 00:01:21.939 --> 00:01:26.939 Then he said to me, "Stay where you are; do not leave until I return to you." 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:31.939 Then he set out into the darkness of the night until he disappeared from sight. 00:01:31.939 --> 00:01:34.939 Then I heard a raised sound, 00:01:34.939 --> 00:01:40.939 and I feared that someone had accosted the Prophet (peace be upon him). 00:01:40.939 --> 00:01:42.939 So I wanted to go to him, 00:01:42.939 --> 00:01:46.939 but I remembered his words: "Do not leave until I return to you." 00:01:46.939 --> 00:01:49.939 So I did not leave until he came back to me. 00:01:49.939 --> 00:01:54.939 I said, "I heard a sound that frightened me," 00:01:54.939 --> 00:01:56.939 and I mentioned it to him. 00:01:56.939 --> 00:01:59.939 He said, "Did you hear it?" 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:01.939 I said, "Yes." 00:02:01.939 --> 00:02:04.939 He said, "That was Gabriel who came to me 00:02:04.939 --> 00:02:09.939 and said: 'Whoever dies from your Ummah without associating anything with Allah 00:02:09.939 --> 00:02:11.979 will enter Paradise.'" 00:02:11.979 --> 00:02:15.039 I asked, "Even if he committed adultery and even if he stole?" 00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:19.039 He replied, "Even if he committed adultery and even if he stole." 00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:21.039 Agreed upon, 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:23.419 and this is the wording of al-Bukhari. 00:02:23.419 --> 00:02:26.419 And on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:02:26.419 --> 00:02:29.419 from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 00:02:29.419 --> 00:02:30.419 who said: 00:02:30.419 --> 00:02:33.419 "If I had the equivalent of Mount Uhud in gold, 00:02:33.419 --> 00:02:37.419 it would please me that three nights do not pass 00:02:37.419 --> 00:02:39.419 while any of it remains with me, 00:02:39.419 --> 00:02:42.419 except something I reserve to settle a debt." 00:02:42.419 --> 00:02:45.419 Agreed upon. 00:02:45.419 --> 00:02:47.449 *Harrah*: 00:02:47.449 --> 00:02:50.449 It is land covered with black stones. 00:02:50.449 --> 00:02:52.639 *Arsuduhu* (I reserve it): 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:54.639 That is, I prepare and set it aside. 00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:58.900 "Indeed, those with the most wealth will have the least on the Day of Resurrection": 00:02:58.900 --> 00:03:00.900 What is meant 00:03:00.900 --> 00:03:04.900 is having an abundance of wealth, but having the least reward. 00:03:04.900 --> 00:03:06.090 *Makanaka* (Stay where you are): 00:03:06.090 --> 00:03:08.090 That is, remain in your spot. 00:03:08.090 --> 00:03:10.219 *La tabrah* (Do not leave): 00:03:10.219 --> 00:03:12.219 That is, do not depart from your place. 00:03:12.219 --> 00:03:14.340 *Tawara* (He disappeared): 00:03:14.340 --> 00:03:17.340 That is, his person vanished from sight, 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:19.629 so I could no longer see him. 00:03:19.629 --> 00:03:20.629 *'Arada*: 00:03:20.629 --> 00:03:23.629 That is, someone accosted him with ill intent. 00:03:23.629 --> 00:03:26.460 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:03:26.460 --> 00:03:31.909 The humility of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) with his Companions, 00:03:31.909 --> 00:03:34.909 and his lack of superiority over any of them. 00:03:34.909 --> 00:03:42.389 The excellent manners of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 00:03:42.389 --> 00:03:46.389 and his intense concern for his safety from every harm. 00:03:46.389 --> 00:03:50.870 The permissibility of holding wealth for an absent creditor, 00:03:50.870 --> 00:03:54.870 or to settle a deferred debt when it falls due, 00:03:54.870 --> 00:04:00.319 because paying off a debt takes precedence over voluntary charity. 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:03.319 Encouragement to spend in the cause of Allah 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:05.319 and not hoard wealth. 00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:09.770 The permissibility of a person referring to himself by his kunya for a valid reason, 00:04:09.770 --> 00:04:14.219 such as his kunya being more well-known than his given name. 00:04:14.219 --> 00:04:17.220 The obligation to comply with a command and abide by it 00:04:17.220 --> 00:04:21.220 takes precedence over acting against it based on personal reasoning, 00:04:21.220 --> 00:04:24.220 even if that personal reasoning involves 00:04:24.220 --> 00:04:28.220 the assumed repelling of harm, until that harm is confirmed, 00:04:28.220 --> 00:04:31.660 in which case repelling the harm takes precedence. 00:04:31.660 --> 00:04:38.660 The prompt obedience of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 00:04:38.660 --> 00:04:41.110 and their avoidance of disobeying him. 00:04:41.110 --> 00:04:48.110 The permissibility of a teacher asking his student questions to impart a point of knowledge or other benefits. 00:04:48.110 --> 00:04:54.660 The permissibility of a student following up with his teacher to verify something or remove an ambiguity. 00:04:54.660 --> 00:04:58.009 One should not be excessively persistent when following up, 00:04:58.009 --> 00:05:03.009 and if someone does so, it is permissible for the teacher to reprimand him in an appropriate manner, 00:05:03.009 --> 00:05:08.009 such as the Messenger of Allah's reprimand of Abu Dharr, 00:05:08.009 --> 00:05:11.009 as mentioned in some narrations with his words: 00:05:11.009 --> 00:05:13.009 "Even if Abu Dharr's nose is rubbed in the dust." 00:05:13.009 --> 00:05:16.620 The one who commits a major sin is not a disbeliever. 00:05:16.620 --> 00:05:20.100 The Sunnah is revelation from Allah, 00:05:20.100 --> 00:05:25.100 which Gabriel used to bring down to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 00:05:25.100 --> 00:05:28.100 though it is non-recited revelation. 00:05:28.100 --> 00:05:32.610 The permissibility of using the word "if" (*law*) when wishing for good. 00:05:32.610 --> 00:05:36.899 The asceticism of the Prophet (peace be upon him), 00:05:36.899 --> 00:05:40.899 for he used to spend like one who does not fear poverty. 00:05:40.899 --> 00:05:46.300 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:50.300 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 00:05:50.300 --> 00:05:54.300 "Look at those who are below you, 00:05:54.300 --> 00:05:58.300 and do not look at those who are above you, 00:05:58.300 --> 00:06:03.300 for that is more likely to keep you from belittling Allah's favor upon you." 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:05.300 Agreed upon, 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:07.300 and this is the wording of Muslim. 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:10.300 In a narration of al-Bukhari: 00:06:10.300 --> 00:06:15.370 "When one of you looks at someone who has been favored over him in wealth and physical form, 00:06:15.370 --> 00:06:19.370 let him look at someone who is below him." 00:06:19.370 --> 00:06:22.680 "Below you": 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:25.680 That is, lesser than you in worldly matters. 00:06:25.680 --> 00:06:27.899 *Ajdar*: 00:06:27.899 --> 00:06:28.899 That is, more fitting. 00:06:28.899 --> 00:06:30.319 *Tazdaru*: 00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:33.319 You belittle and despise. 00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:37.060 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:06:37.060 --> 00:06:42.220 It is recommended for a Muslim to look at those who are below him in worldly matters, 00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:46.220 and to look at those who are above him in religious matters. 00:06:47.569 --> 00:06:50.569 Looking at those who have more wealth 00:06:50.569 --> 00:06:52.569 leads to discontent, anxiety, 00:06:52.569 --> 00:06:55.569 and a failure to show gratitude for Allah's blessings. 00:06:55.569 --> 00:06:59.050 Looking at those who are higher in religious devotion 00:06:59.050 --> 00:07:06.050 motivates one to greater obedience and devoted worship to Allah Almighty. 00:07:06.050 --> 00:07:10.420 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:07:10.420 --> 00:07:14.420 from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who said: 00:07:14.420 --> 00:07:19.420 "Wretched is the slave of the dinar, the dirham, the velvet plush, and the fine cloak; 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:24.459 if he is given, he is pleased, and if he is not given, he is displeased." 00:07:24.459 --> 00:07:26.459 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:07:26.459 --> 00:07:30.959 *Ta'isa* means: he is ruined. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:35.220 *Al-qatifah* is a fabric with a plush nap. 00:07:35.220 --> 00:07:39.220 *Al-khamisah* is a square patterned cloak. 00:07:39.220 --> 00:07:43.139 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:07:43.139 --> 00:07:46.139 A warning against servitude to other than Allah, 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:49.139 especially to these transient worldly things 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:52.750 like wealth and fine clothing. 00:07:52.750 --> 00:07:54.750 Servitude to Allah 00:07:54.750 --> 00:07:56.750 engenders contentment and satisfaction, 00:07:56.750 --> 00:07:59.750 unlike servitude to other than Allah, 00:07:59.750 --> 00:08:04.750 which breeds greed, stinginess, anxiety, and selfishness. 00:08:05.230 --> 00:08:09.230 The blameworthy accumulation and possession of wealth is that which exceeds one's needs, 00:08:09.230 --> 00:08:12.230 distracts from Allah Almighty, 00:08:12.230 --> 00:08:15.230 and is not used in the service of Allah. 00:08:15.230 --> 00:08:20.509 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:08:20.509 --> 00:08:24.509 I saw seventy of the people of al-Suffah, 00:08:24.509 --> 00:08:27.509 not one of whom possessed an upper cloak (*rida'*); 00:08:27.509 --> 00:08:30.509 they had either a waist wrapper (*izar*) or a single sheet of cloth, 00:08:30.509 --> 00:08:33.509 which they tied around their necks. 00:08:33.509 --> 00:08:36.509 Some reached down to mid-calf, 00:08:36.509 --> 00:08:39.509 while others reached down to the ankles, 00:08:39.509 --> 00:08:43.509 and each man would gather it with his hand out of reluctance for his private parts to be exposed. 00:08:43.509 --> 00:08:45.610 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:08:45.610 --> 00:08:50.889 The people of al-Suffah were ascetic Companions, 00:08:50.889 --> 00:08:52.889 poor and transient, 00:08:52.889 --> 00:08:58.889 who used to seek shelter under a shaded veranda at the back of the Prophet's Mosque; 00:08:58.889 --> 00:09:00.889 it was a shaded area 00:09:00.889 --> 00:09:03.889 where the destitute used to take shelter. 00:09:03.889 --> 00:09:06.049 *Rida'*: 00:09:06.049 --> 00:09:09.210 That is, a garment covering only the upper body. 00:09:09.210 --> 00:09:11.210 *Al-izar*: 00:09:11.210 --> 00:09:14.210 That which covers only the lower body. 00:09:14.210 --> 00:09:16.850 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:09:16.850 --> 00:09:19.909 The permissibility of wearing a single garment. 00:09:19.909 --> 00:09:23.139 The believer's diligence in covering his private parts. 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:27.809 The permissibility of men sleeping overnight in the mosque. 00:09:27.809 --> 00:09:33.809 The asceticism of the people of al-Suffah and their dedication to knowledge and striving in the cause of Allah. 00:09:33.809 --> 00:09:39.179 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:09:39.179 --> 00:09:43.179 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 00:09:43.179 --> 00:09:47.179 "The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever." 00:09:47.179 --> 00:09:49.179 Narrated by Muslim. 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:53.240 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:56.429 The insignificance of this worldly life before Allah. 00:09:56.429 --> 00:10:00.429 Urging the believer to turn away from the love of the world, 00:10:00.429 --> 00:10:03.429 avoid indulging in its pleasures, 00:10:03.429 --> 00:10:06.909 and yearn for the Abode of the Hereafter. 00:10:06.909 --> 00:10:11.909 The disbeliever consumes his good things during his worldly life. 00:10:11.909 --> 00:10:17.159 On the authority of Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:23.220 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took hold of my shoulders and said: 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:28.220 "Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer." 00:10:28.220 --> 00:10:32.419 Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) used to say: 00:10:32.419 --> 00:10:36.419 "When evening comes, do not await the morning; 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:40.480 and when morning comes, do not await the evening. 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:43.539 Take from your health for your illness, 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:46.539 and from your life for your death." 00:10:46.740 --> 00:10:48.740 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:52.120 The scholars said in explaining this hadith: 00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:57.120 Its meaning is: do not rely on this world, do not take it as a permanent homeland, 00:10:57.120 --> 00:11:01.120 do not harbor notions of a long stay in it, 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:04.120 nor become consumed with tending to it; 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:10.120 do not attach yourself to it except as a stranger attaches himself to an unfamiliar land, 00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:17.120 and do not busy yourself in it with what a stranger who wishes to return to his family would not busy himself. 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:20.279 And with Allah lies all success. 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:23.529 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:11:23.529 --> 00:11:28.820 The Prophet's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) grasping the shoulders of Abdullah Ibn Umar 00:11:28.820 --> 00:11:31.820 is proof of his love for him 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:35.820 and an alert to the importance of what he was saying to him. 00:11:35.820 --> 00:11:39.200 The Prophet's keen guidance. 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:45.490 Encouragement toward asceticism in the world and sufficing with what is indispensable. 00:11:45.490 --> 00:11:47.490 And whoever desires that 00:11:47.490 --> 00:11:49.490 is like a wayfarer, 00:11:49.490 --> 00:11:52.490 who only takes provisions enough to sustain him, 00:11:52.490 --> 00:11:55.490 and unburdens himself of heavy loads 00:11:55.490 --> 00:12:00.490 that would hinder his journey and interrupt his travel to his destination. 00:12:00.490 --> 00:12:03.490 The believer in this world is a stranger, 00:12:03.490 --> 00:12:06.899 because Paradise is his original home, 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:09.899 from which his enemy caused him to be expelled as a captive, 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:13.899 so he gathers the provisions that will convey him to the highest station. 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:18.289 taking the initiative to perform every deed in its proper time, 00:12:18.289 --> 00:12:22.700 urging the seizing of opportunities for increased acts of obedience, 00:12:22.700 --> 00:12:25.700 and avoiding sluggishness and procrastination in them. 00:12:25.700 --> 00:12:29.149 Health and life are opportunities for the believer, 00:12:29.149 --> 00:12:33.149 which one must utilize in performing good deeds, 00:12:33.149 --> 00:12:36.149 so it is not fitting for a person to squander them, 00:12:36.149 --> 00:12:43.940 wasting them on things that will not benefit them in the Hereafter. 00:12:43.940 --> 00:12:45.940 And on the authority of Abu al-Abbas, 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:49.940 Sahl ibn Sa'd al-Sa'idi (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:12:49.940 --> 00:12:54.940 A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:56.940 "O Messenger of Allah, 00:12:56.940 --> 00:13:01.940 direct me to a deed which, if I perform it, will make Allah love me 00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:03.940 and make the people love me." 00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:04.940 So he said, 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:07.940 "Renounce the worldly life and Allah will love you, 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:12.940 and renounce what is in the hands of the people and the people will love you." 00:13:12.940 --> 00:13:14.940 Related by Ibn Majah. 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:18.970 Among the lessons derived from the hadith: 00:13:18.970 --> 00:13:23.970 The eagerness of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to know what brings them closer to Allah 00:13:23.970 --> 00:13:28.970 and what benefits them among people so their coexistence with them is upright; 00:13:28.970 --> 00:13:32.970 this is part of combining the good of both this world and the Hereafter. 00:13:32.970 --> 00:13:37.259 Whoever practices detachment from the worldly life, aspires to what is with Allah, 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:41.259 and yearns for His meeting, Allah loves him, 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:46.259 for whoever loves meeting Allah, Allah loves meeting him. 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:52.769 Not coveting what is in the hands of people is a means to gain their affection, 00:13:52.769 --> 00:13:57.769 and for this reason, all the Messengers never asked the people for any payment. 00:13:57.769 --> 00:14:04.210 And on the authority of al-Nu'man ibn Bashir (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: 00:14:04.210 --> 00:14:10.210 'Umar ibn al-Khattab mentioned the worldly wealth that the people had acquired, 00:14:10.210 --> 00:14:18.210 and said, "I have seen the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) spend the entire day bending over, 00:14:18.210 --> 00:14:22.210 unable to find even poor-quality dates with which to fill his stomach." 00:14:22.210 --> 00:14:27.269 Related by Muslim. And "al-daql" means inferior-quality dates. 00:14:27.269 --> 00:14:32.850 "What the people acquired" refers to what they attained and gained 00:14:32.850 --> 00:14:37.909 of worldly goods, such as wealth, status, and the like. 00:14:37.909 --> 00:14:45.980 "Spend the day bending over" means spending the day bending over his noble stomach due to hunger. 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:49.779 Among the lessons derived from the hadith: 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:55.000 Companions and students ought to be mindful of the state of their senior leader and scholar, 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:59.000 grieving for his distress and rejoicing in his joy, 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:04.000 just as the Companions of the Messenger of Allah were. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:08.450 The asceticism of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in this world, 00:15:08.450 --> 00:15:13.450 and his patience through hunger, giving preference to the Hereafter over the worldly life 00:15:13.450 --> 00:15:16.450 and educating his Companions thereby. 00:15:16.450 --> 00:15:21.179 Riyad al-Salihin.