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 --> 00:00:14.380 Chapter on the Virtue of Hope. 00:00:14.380 --> 00:00:20.140 Allah Almighty said, reporting about the righteous servant: 00:00:20.140 --> 00:00:23.260 “And ye will remember what I say unto you. I confide my cause unto Allah. Lo! Allah is Seer of (His) slaves.” (40:44) 00:00:23.260 --> 00:00:27.260 “And ye will remember what I say unto you. I confide my cause unto Allah. Lo! Allah is Seer of (His) slaves.” (40:44) 00:00:27.260 --> 00:00:31.260 “So Allah warded off from him the evils which they plotted, while a dreadful doom encompassed Pharaoh's folk,” (40:45) 00:00:31.260 --> 00:00:35.609 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:00:35.609 --> 00:00:39.609 from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), that he said: 00:00:39.609 --> 00:00:42.609 "Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: 00:00:42.609 --> 00:00:45.609 'I am as My servant expects Me to be, 00:00:45.609 --> 00:00:48.609 and I am with him wherever he remembers Me. 00:00:48.609 --> 00:00:55.609 By Allah, Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than one of you would be upon finding his lost mount in a barren desert. 00:00:55.609 --> 00:00:58.770 Whoever draws near to Me by a handspan, 00:00:58.770 --> 00:01:01.770 I draw near to him by an arm's length; 00:01:01.770 --> 00:01:04.769 and whoever draws near to Me by an arm's length, 00:01:04.769 --> 00:01:07.769 I draw near to him by a fathom; 00:01:07.769 --> 00:01:10.769 and if he comes to Me walking, 00:01:10.769 --> 00:01:13.930 I come to him at speed.'" 00:01:13.930 --> 00:01:15.930 Agreed upon. 00:01:15.930 --> 00:01:18.930 And this is the wording of one of the narrations in Muslim. 00:01:18.930 --> 00:01:21.989 And it is narrated in the two *Sahih* collections: 00:01:21.989 --> 00:01:25.989 "And I am with him when (*heena*) he remembers Me," with the letter *nun*, 00:01:25.989 --> 00:01:29.989 while in this narration it is "wherever (*haythu*)," with the letter *tha'*. 00:01:29.989 --> 00:01:33.180 And both are authentic. 00:01:33.180 --> 00:01:35.180 "As My servant expects Me to be": 00:01:35.180 --> 00:01:38.180 meaning, in his hoping in Me and thinking well of Me. 00:01:38.180 --> 00:01:40.370 "His lost mount (*dalatuhu*)": 00:01:40.370 --> 00:01:43.370 meaning, his riding beast that he had lost, 00:01:43.370 --> 00:01:46.689 which carried his provisions and his water. 00:01:46.689 --> 00:01:47.689 "The barren desert (*al-fala*)": 00:01:47.689 --> 00:01:51.689 meaning, the land in which there is no water. 00:01:51.689 --> 00:01:54.420 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 00:01:54.420 --> 00:02:01.620 Affirming the attributes of Speech, Joy, and Coming for Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He. 00:02:01.620 --> 00:02:03.620 And what is obligatory regarding this subject 00:02:03.620 --> 00:02:05.620 is affirmation without resemblance (to creation), 00:02:05.620 --> 00:02:08.620 and transcendence without negation. 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:13.099 Encouragement to think well of Allah and to hope for His mercy, 00:02:13.099 --> 00:02:18.099 and hastening to repent and draw close to Him through acts of obedience. 00:02:18.099 --> 00:02:22.539 Affirming the special accompaniment (*al-ma'iyyah*) specific to the believers, 00:02:22.539 --> 00:02:25.539 which entails care, protection, 00:02:25.539 --> 00:02:28.539 divine guidance, victory, and support; 00:02:28.539 --> 00:02:30.539 and it is distinct from the general accompaniment 00:02:30.539 --> 00:02:33.539 that encompasses all of creation, 00:02:33.539 --> 00:02:35.539 which is by His all-encompassing knowledge. 00:02:35.539 --> 00:02:40.949 And on the authority of Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with them both, 00:02:40.949 --> 00:02:44.949 that he heard the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:02:44.949 --> 00:02:47.949 say three days before his death: 00:02:47.949 --> 00:02:55.020 "Let none of you die except while thinking well of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious." 00:02:55.020 --> 00:02:57.020 Narrated by Muslim. 00:02:57.020 --> 00:02:59.590 "Let none of you die": 00:02:59.590 --> 00:03:04.750 meaning, let one strive so that death reaches him while he is in this state. 00:03:04.750 --> 00:03:06.750 "Thinking well": 00:03:06.750 --> 00:03:10.490 meaning, hoping for His mercy and His pardon. 00:03:10.490 --> 00:03:12.490 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 00:03:12.490 --> 00:03:17.780 The Prophet's keenness (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to guide his Ummah, 00:03:17.780 --> 00:03:21.780 and his immense compassion for it in all his circumstances, 00:03:21.780 --> 00:03:25.780 even while he was in his final terminal illness (peace be upon him), 00:03:25.780 --> 00:03:31.129 offering sincere counsel to his Ummah and pointing it toward the paths of salvation. 00:03:31.129 --> 00:03:33.129 Warning against despair and despondency, 00:03:33.129 --> 00:03:35.129 and encouraging hope, 00:03:35.129 --> 00:03:38.129 especially at the time of death. 00:03:38.129 --> 00:03:42.439 And on the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:03:42.439 --> 00:03:47.439 I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say: 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:49.439 "Allah Almighty said: 00:03:49.439 --> 00:03:51.469 'O son of Adam! 00:03:51.469 --> 00:03:54.469 So long as you call upon Me and hope in Me, 00:03:54.469 --> 00:03:59.469 I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I do not mind. 00:03:59.469 --> 00:04:01.539 O son of Adam! 00:04:01.539 --> 00:04:04.539 Were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky, 00:04:04.539 --> 00:04:06.539 and then you were to ask forgiveness of Me, 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:09.539 I would forgive you, and I do not mind. 00:04:09.539 --> 00:04:11.599 O son of Adam! 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:15.599 Were you to come to Me with an earthful of sins, 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:19.600 and then meet Me without associating anything with Me, 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:22.600 I would come to you with an earthful of forgiveness.'" 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:24.889 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. 00:04:24.889 --> 00:04:27.529 "The clouds of the sky (*'anan al-sama'*)": 00:04:27.529 --> 00:04:30.529 It is said to mean whatever appears before you of it, 00:04:30.529 --> 00:04:33.529 meaning what is visible when you raise your head; 00:04:33.529 --> 00:04:35.529 and it is said to mean the clouds. 00:04:35.529 --> 00:04:37.529 "An earthful (*qurab al-ard*)": 00:04:37.529 --> 00:04:40.529 It is what nearly fills it. 00:04:40.529 --> 00:04:42.529 And Allah knows best. 00:04:42.529 --> 00:04:46.579 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 00:04:46.579 --> 00:04:49.579 The vastness of Allah's bounty, the Exalted and Glorious, and His generosity, 00:04:49.579 --> 00:04:52.579 for indeed His mercy encompasses all things. 00:04:52.579 --> 00:04:59.000 Encouragement to seek forgiveness, make supplication, and place one's hope in Allah, Exalted is He. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:01.509 The immense virtue of Tawhid (monotheism), 00:05:01.509 --> 00:05:04.509 for no matter how numerous or heinous sins may be, 00:05:04.509 --> 00:05:07.509 their forgiveness is hoped for from Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, 00:05:07.509 --> 00:05:11.509 so long as the servant does not associate any partner with Allah. 00:05:11.509 --> 00:05:18.009 Chapter on Combining Fear and Hope. 00:05:18.009 --> 00:05:23.100 Know that the preferred state for a servant during good health 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:26.100 is to be both fearful and hopeful, 00:05:26.100 --> 00:05:29.100 with his fear and hope being equal. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:32.100 But in times of illness, 00:05:32.100 --> 00:05:34.100 hope should become purely predominant. 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:37.100 And the principles of the Sharia from the texts of the Book and the Sunnah 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:41.100 and other sources are abundantly clear in supporting that. 00:05:41.100 --> 00:05:43.259 Allah Almighty said: 00:05:43.259 --> 00:05:45.290 “Are they then secure from Allah's scheme? None deemeth himself secure from Allah's scheme save folk that perish.” (7:99) 00:05:45.290 --> 00:05:48.290 ◁except the people who are losers.▷ 00:05:48.290 --> 00:05:50.319 And He, Exalted is He, said: 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:53.319 “Go, O my sons, and ascertain concerning Joseph and his brother, and despair not of the Spirit of Allah. Lo! none despaireth of the Spirit of Allah save disbelieving folk.” (12:87) 00:05:53.319 --> 00:05:56.319 ◁except the disbelieving people.▷ 00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:58.379 And He, Exalted is He, said: 00:05:58.379 --> 00:06:01.379 ◁On the Day when some faces will turn white▷ 00:06:01.379 --> 00:06:03.379 ◁and other faces will turn black.▷ 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:05.379 And He, Exalted is He, said: 00:06:05.379 --> 00:06:08.379 “And (remember) when thy Lord proclaimed that He would raise against them till the Day of Resurrection those who would lay on them a cruel torment. Lo! verily thy Lord is swift in prosecution and lo! verily He is Forgiving, Merciful.” (7:167) 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:11.379 ◁and indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.▷ 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:13.449 And He, Exalted is He, said: 00:06:13.449 --> 00:06:16.449 ◁Indeed, the righteous will be in pleasure,▷ 00:06:16.449 --> 00:06:20.449 “And lo! the wicked verily will be in hell;” (82:14) 00:06:20.449 --> 00:06:22.449 And He, Exalted is He, said: 00:06:22.449 --> 00:06:26.449 “Then, as for him whose scales are heavy (with good works),” (101:6) 00:06:26.449 --> 00:06:29.449 ◁he will be in a pleasant life.▷ 00:06:29.449 --> 00:06:32.449 “But as for him whose scales are light,” (101:8) 00:06:32.449 --> 00:06:35.449 ◁his mother will be an abyss.▷ 00:06:35.449 --> 00:06:38.699 And the verses conveying this meaning are numerous, 00:06:38.699 --> 00:06:40.699 so fear and hope are combined 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:42.699 in two paired verses, 00:06:42.699 --> 00:06:45.699 or across several verses, or even within a single verse. 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:50.110 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:06:50.110 --> 00:06:54.110 that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 00:06:54.110 --> 00:06:56.110 "If the believer knew 00:06:56.110 --> 00:06:59.110 the punishment that is with Allah, 00:06:59.110 --> 00:07:02.110 no one would hope for His Paradise; 00:07:02.110 --> 00:07:04.209 and if the disbeliever knew 00:07:04.209 --> 00:07:07.209 the mercy that is with Allah, 00:07:07.209 --> 00:07:10.209 no one would despair of His Paradise." 00:07:10.209 --> 00:07:13.910 Narrated by Muslim. 00:07:13.910 --> 00:07:16.100 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 00:07:16.100 --> 00:07:19.100 Urging fear of the punishment of Allah Almighty 00:07:19.100 --> 00:07:21.100 and hope for His reward, 00:07:21.100 --> 00:07:24.680 His forgiveness, and His good pleasure. 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:27.680 A servant should not rely entirely upon his deeds 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:29.680 and become conceited on account of them, 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:31.680 nor should he abandon righteous deeds relying merely 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:34.680 on the mercy and forgiveness of Allah Almighty. 00:07:34.680 --> 00:07:40.019 And on the authority of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:07:40.019 --> 00:07:44.019 that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 00:07:44.019 --> 00:07:47.019 "When the funeral bier is set down 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:51.019 and the people—or the men—carry it upon their shoulders, 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:54.019 if the deceased was righteous, it says: 00:07:54.019 --> 00:07:57.019 'Advance me! Advance me!' 00:07:57.019 --> 00:07:59.019 But if it was not righteous, 00:07:59.019 --> 00:08:01.019 it says: 00:08:01.019 --> 00:08:04.019 'Woe unto it! Where are you taking it?' 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:08.019 Everything hears its cry except human beings, 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:11.019 and were a human being to hear it, he would fall unconscious." 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:15.529 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:08:15.529 --> 00:08:20.529 "It is set down": meaning, placed upon the bier before the men so that they may carry it. 00:08:20.529 --> 00:08:24.720 "Advance me": meaning, hasten with me. 00:08:24.779 --> 00:08:28.779 "Woe unto it": an expression of terror and utter remorse. 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:32.009 "He would fall unconscious": meaning, he would faint, 00:08:32.009 --> 00:08:35.009 and that is due to the terrifying severity of the sound he would hear. 00:08:35.009 --> 00:08:38.519 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 00:08:38.519 --> 00:08:42.649 It is the Sunnah to carry the funeral bier upon the shoulders of men. 00:08:42.649 --> 00:08:48.190 Carrying funeral biers is specific to men, to the exclusion of women. 00:08:48.190 --> 00:08:52.669 Allah Almighty shows His servants their dwellings 00:08:52.669 --> 00:08:55.669 and what is prepared for them in this state; 00:08:55.669 --> 00:08:59.669 thus the believer yearns for the honor prepared for him, 00:08:59.669 --> 00:09:05.669 while the disbeliever and the wicked tremble in horror at the painful torment awaiting them. 00:09:05.669 --> 00:09:09.149 There are certain sounds that creatures other than humans can hear, 00:09:09.149 --> 00:09:13.149 while human beings are unable to hear them. 00:09:13.149 --> 00:09:15.149 And this is among the miraculous signs, 00:09:15.149 --> 00:09:18.149 which modern science has indeed confirmed. 00:09:18.149 --> 00:09:23.399 And on the authority of Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:27.399 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:33.460 "Paradise is closer to any one of you than the strap of his sandal, 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:36.529 and the Fire is likewise." 00:09:36.529 --> 00:09:39.169 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:09:39.169 --> 00:09:43.169 *Riyad al-Salihin*.