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 --> 00:00:15,310 Chapter: Scrupulousness (*Wara'*) and Avoiding Doubtful Matters. 3 00:00:15,310 --> 00:00:20,070 On the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, 4 00:00:20,070 --> 00:00:25,070 the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, found a date in the road 5 00:00:25,070 --> 00:00:27,070 and said: 6 00:00:27,070 --> 00:00:32,070 "Were it not that I fear it might be from charity, I would have eaten it." 7 00:00:32,070 --> 00:00:35,740 Agreed upon. 8 00:00:35,740 --> 00:00:37,740 Key takeaways from the hadith: 9 00:00:37,740 --> 00:00:42,969 Among the unique characteristics of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his household 10 00:00:42,969 --> 00:00:46,969 is the prohibition of accepting obligatory and voluntary charity. 11 00:00:46,969 --> 00:00:53,539 It is permissible to make use of insignificant items found on the road, 12 00:00:53,539 --> 00:00:56,539 which people generally overlook. 13 00:00:56,539 --> 00:01:03,020 Encouragement to pick up food from the road and eat it if it is clean and edible, 14 00:01:03,020 --> 00:01:06,019 and not leave it for Satan. 15 00:01:06,019 --> 00:01:09,409 Whoever is uncertain about the ruling on a matter 16 00:01:09,409 --> 00:01:14,620 is obligated to leave it and stay away from it. 17 00:01:14,620 --> 00:01:18,620 On the authority of al-Nawwas ibn Sam'an, may Allah be pleased with him, 18 00:01:18,620 --> 00:01:22,659 from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said: 19 00:01:22,659 --> 00:01:27,659 "Righteousness is good character, and sin is that which wavers in your heart 20 00:01:27,659 --> 00:01:31,659 and you would hate for people to find out about." 21 00:01:31,659 --> 00:01:33,780 Related by Muslim. 22 00:01:33,780 --> 00:01:35,780 Meaning: it causes hesitation and unease. 23 00:01:35,780 --> 00:01:39,870 Key takeaways from the hadith: 24 00:01:39,870 --> 00:01:44,870 Exhortation to cultivate good character due to its immense status in Islam, 25 00:01:44,870 --> 00:01:47,870 and that it delivers one from sin and transgression. 26 00:01:47,870 --> 00:01:50,290 Sin has two distinguishing signs: 27 00:01:50,290 --> 00:01:53,290 that it causes inner hesitation and unease, 28 00:01:53,290 --> 00:01:56,290 and that one hates for people to discover it, 29 00:01:56,290 --> 00:02:01,900 because it is an ugly blemish that a person of modesty shrinks from exposing. 30 00:02:01,900 --> 00:02:06,900 The hadith proves that the soul possesses an innate, primordial sense 31 00:02:06,900 --> 00:02:09,900 of what is praiseworthy and what is blameworthy; 32 00:02:09,900 --> 00:02:13,900 thus, it is capable of distinguishing between sin and righteousness, 33 00:02:13,900 --> 00:02:19,900 because Allah created His servants with an innate disposition to recognize the truth, find tranquility in it, and accept it, 34 00:02:19,900 --> 00:02:26,180 and He ingrained in human nature a love for it and an aversion to its opposite. 35 00:02:26,180 --> 00:02:30,180 On the authority of Wabisa ibn Ma'bad, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 36 00:02:30,180 --> 00:02:34,180 I came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 37 00:02:34,180 --> 00:02:38,180 and he said: "Have you come to ask about righteousness?" 38 00:02:38,180 --> 00:02:40,180 I replied: "Yes." 39 00:02:40,180 --> 00:02:43,270 He said: "Consult your heart. 40 00:02:43,270 --> 00:02:49,270 Righteousness is that with which the soul and the heart feel at ease, 41 00:02:49,270 --> 00:02:53,270 and sin is that which wavers in the soul and hesitates in the chest, 42 00:02:53,270 --> 00:02:56,530 even if people give you religious verdicts again and again." 43 00:02:56,530 --> 00:02:59,530 Related by Ahmad and al-Darimi. 44 00:02:59,530 --> 00:03:05,099 "Consult your heart" means: seek a verdict from your own conscience; 45 00:03:05,099 --> 00:03:09,099 and "hesitates in the chest" means: the chest finds no ease or expansion with it. 46 00:03:09,099 --> 00:03:13,099 Key takeaways from the hadith: 47 00:03:13,099 --> 00:03:17,099 Among the miracles of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 48 00:03:17,099 --> 00:03:22,099 is informing the questioner of what he intended to ask before he spoke, 49 00:03:22,099 --> 00:03:26,610 which is from the unseen knowledge that Allah revealed to him. 50 00:03:26,610 --> 00:03:30,610 Truth and falsehood are never ambiguous to an insightful believer; 51 00:03:30,610 --> 00:03:33,610 rather, he recognizes the truth by the light it carries, 52 00:03:33,610 --> 00:03:37,610 so his heart embraces it and turns away from falsehood, 53 00:03:37,610 --> 00:03:40,610 rejecting it and finding no affinity with it. 54 00:03:40,610 --> 00:03:46,180 This hadith does not support the claim of some Sufis 55 00:03:46,180 --> 00:03:51,180 that mystical inspiration (*ilham*) and direct unveiling (*kashf*) are legitimate proofs for deriving legal rulings. 56 00:03:51,180 --> 00:03:57,400 On the authority of Abu Sarwa'ah, 'Uqbah ibn al-Harith, may Allah be pleased with him, 57 00:03:57,400 --> 00:04:01,400 who married a daughter of Abu Ihab ibn 'Aziz: 58 00:04:01,400 --> 00:04:04,400 A woman came and said, 59 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:09,400 "I breastfed both 'Uqbah and the woman he has married." 60 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:11,430 'Uqbah said to her, 61 00:04:11,430 --> 00:04:15,460 "I did not know that you breastfed me, nor did you ever inform me." 62 00:04:15,460 --> 00:04:20,500 So he rode out to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in Medina 63 00:04:20,500 --> 00:04:22,500 and asked him. 64 00:04:22,500 --> 00:04:26,500 The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: 65 00:04:26,500 --> 00:04:28,500 "How can you remain together when this has been said?" 66 00:04:28,500 --> 00:04:33,500 So 'Uqbah separated from her, and she married another husband. 67 00:04:33,500 --> 00:04:36,689 Related by al-Bukhari. 68 00:04:36,689 --> 00:04:39,579 "How can you remain together when this has been said?" 69 00:04:39,579 --> 00:04:42,579 Meaning: how can you remain together 70 00:04:42,579 --> 00:04:46,579 when it has been stated that you are foster-brother and sister? 71 00:04:46,579 --> 00:04:49,160 Key takeaways from the hadith: 72 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:53,379 Fosterage establishes the same marital prohibitions as biological lineage. 73 00:04:53,379 --> 00:04:59,860 The testimony of a wet nurse regarding the one she breastfed is sufficient to establish fosterage. 74 00:04:59,860 --> 00:05:05,500 The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, were deeply eager to ascertain the correct ruling, 75 00:05:05,500 --> 00:05:08,500 even if doing so entailed hardship, 76 00:05:08,500 --> 00:05:12,500 as 'Uqbah ibn al-Harith rode all the way from Mecca to Medina 77 00:05:12,500 --> 00:05:16,500 to ask the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 78 00:05:16,500 --> 00:05:21,019 Whoever is unclear about a ruling or faces a doubtful matter 79 00:05:21,019 --> 00:05:24,019 must ask the people of knowledge. 80 00:05:24,019 --> 00:05:27,339 The recommendation of traveling in pursuit of knowledge. 81 00:05:28,339 --> 00:05:34,230 Whoever learns a legal ruling is obligated to abide by it. 82 00:05:34,230 --> 00:05:37,230 A Muslim servant should leave doubtful matters 83 00:05:37,230 --> 00:05:42,480 and take precautions to safeguard their religion and honor. 84 00:05:42,480 --> 00:05:46,480 On the authority of al-Hasan ibn 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with them both, who said: 85 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:51,480 I memorized from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: 86 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:55,610 "Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt." 87 00:05:55,610 --> 00:05:57,639 Related by al-Tirmidhi. 88 00:05:57,639 --> 00:06:00,639 The meaning is: leave what you are doubtful of 89 00:06:00,639 --> 00:06:03,639 and take what you have no doubt about. 90 00:06:03,639 --> 00:06:07,600 Key takeaways from the hadith: 91 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:11,730 One should halt at doubtful matters and beware of them, 92 00:06:11,730 --> 00:06:16,730 for purely lawful matters cause no doubt in the believer's heart; 93 00:06:16,730 --> 00:06:20,730 rather, the soul finds comfort and tranquility in them. 94 00:06:20,730 --> 00:06:22,730 As for doubtful matters, 95 00:06:22,730 --> 00:06:29,459 they induce anxiety and turbulence in the heart, giving rise to doubt. 96 00:06:29,459 --> 00:06:32,459 On the authority of 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, who said: 97 00:06:32,459 --> 00:06:36,459 Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, had 98 00:06:36,459 --> 00:06:39,459 a slave who used to pay him a set daily tax from his earnings (*kharaj*), 99 00:06:39,459 --> 00:06:42,459 and Abu Bakr used to eat from his earnings. 100 00:06:42,459 --> 00:06:44,459 One day, the slave brought something, 101 00:06:44,459 --> 00:06:47,459 and Abu Bakr ate from it. 102 00:06:47,459 --> 00:06:49,459 The slave said to him, 103 00:06:49,459 --> 00:06:51,459 "Do you know what this is?" 104 00:06:51,459 --> 00:06:53,459 Abu Bakr asked, 105 00:06:53,459 --> 00:06:55,459 "What is it?" 106 00:06:55,459 --> 00:06:56,459 He said, 107 00:06:56,459 --> 00:07:00,459 "I practiced soothsaying for a man during the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (*Jahiliyyah*), 108 00:07:00,459 --> 00:07:02,459 though I was no expert in soothsaying; 109 00:07:02,459 --> 00:07:04,459 I merely deceived him. 110 00:07:04,459 --> 00:07:06,490 He met me today 111 00:07:06,490 --> 00:07:10,709 and gave me this, of which you just ate." 112 00:07:10,709 --> 00:07:12,709 Thereupon, Abu Bakr inserted his hand into his throat 113 00:07:12,709 --> 00:07:16,779 and vomited up everything that was in his stomach. 114 00:07:16,779 --> 00:07:18,779 Related by al-Bukhari. 115 00:07:18,779 --> 00:07:21,129 *Kharaj*: 116 00:07:21,129 --> 00:07:24,129 a fixed sum that a master imposes upon his slave, 117 00:07:24,129 --> 00:07:27,129 which the slave pays to the master daily, 118 00:07:27,129 --> 00:07:30,899 while the remainder of his earnings belongs to the slave. 119 00:07:30,899 --> 00:07:33,899 "Used to pay him a set daily tax" 120 00:07:33,899 --> 00:07:36,990 means he would bring him the earnings of that stipulated tax. 121 00:07:36,990 --> 00:07:38,990 "I practiced soothsaying" 122 00:07:38,990 --> 00:07:43,660 means: I told him of future events without any basis. 123 00:07:43,660 --> 00:07:46,790 Key takeaways from the hadith: 124 00:07:46,790 --> 00:07:49,790 The profound scrupulousness (*wara'*) of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, 125 00:07:49,790 --> 00:07:53,790 and his extreme care that nothing unlawful enter his belly. 126 00:07:53,790 --> 00:07:57,370 Clarification of the prohibition of soothsaying, 127 00:07:57,370 --> 00:08:00,370 as well as the payment given to a soothsayer; 128 00:08:00,370 --> 00:08:04,370 for it is established that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 129 00:08:04,370 --> 00:08:07,779 forbade the earnings of a soothsayer. 130 00:08:07,779 --> 00:08:11,230 The permissibility of eating from the earnings paid by a slave. 131 00:08:11,230 --> 00:08:14,230 The default presumption regarding Muslims' food 132 00:08:14,230 --> 00:08:16,230 is that it is lawful, 133 00:08:16,230 --> 00:08:18,230 and one should not inquire about it 134 00:08:19,230 --> 00:08:22,649 unless an unlawful aspect becomes apparent. 135 00:08:22,649 --> 00:08:27,649 It is impermissible to eat from the food of one whose wealth is known to be unlawful. 136 00:08:27,649 --> 00:08:31,060 On the authority of Nafi', 137 00:08:31,060 --> 00:08:34,059 that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, 138 00:08:34,059 --> 00:08:39,059 allocated a stipend of four thousand to the earliest Emigrants (*Muhajirun*), 139 00:08:39,059 --> 00:08:43,059 but allocated three thousand five hundred to his own son. 140 00:08:43,059 --> 00:08:45,059 It was said to him: 141 00:08:45,059 --> 00:08:47,059 "He is also from among the Emigrants, 142 00:08:47,059 --> 00:08:49,059 so why did you reduce his share?" 143 00:08:49,059 --> 00:08:52,059 He replied: "His father brought him along when he emigrated," 144 00:08:52,059 --> 00:08:53,059 meaning: 145 00:08:53,059 --> 00:08:56,059 "He is not like one who emigrated of his own accord." 146 00:08:56,059 --> 00:08:58,250 Related by al-Bukhari. 147 00:08:58,250 --> 00:09:02,879 Key takeaways from the hadith: 148 00:09:02,879 --> 00:09:05,879 The scrupulousness of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him. 149 00:09:05,879 --> 00:09:09,230 The superior virtue of the earliest Emigrants, 150 00:09:09,230 --> 00:09:15,230 who set out on their own, fleeing for their religion and seeking the countenance of Allah. 151 00:09:15,230 --> 00:09:21,840 The ruler has the right to allocate a stipend to certain believers to assist them in their livelihood, 152 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:25,840 including those who devote themselves entirely to religious calling and knowledge. 153 00:09:25,840 --> 00:09:32,860 On the authority of 'Atiyyah ibn 'Urwah al-Sa'di, the Companion, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 154 00:09:32,860 --> 00:09:36,860 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 155 00:09:36,860 --> 00:09:40,860 "A servant will not reach the level of the truly pious (*muttaqin*) 156 00:09:40,860 --> 00:09:43,860 until he leaves that which is harmless 157 00:09:43,860 --> 00:09:46,860 out of caution against falling into that which is harmful." 158 00:09:46,860 --> 00:09:48,990 Related by al-Tirmidhi. 159 00:09:48,990 --> 00:09:53,559 Key takeaways from the hadith: 160 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:57,559 Consuming purely lawful sustenance is a quality of the pious. 161 00:09:57,559 --> 00:10:03,139 Piety (*taqwa*) serves as a barrier between the servant and doubtful matters. 162 00:10:03,139 --> 00:10:10,570 True piety entails safeguarding oneself against doubtful matters and turning away from them. 163 00:10:10,570 --> 00:10:14,570 Chapter: The Recommendation of Seclusion during the Corruption of People and Times, 164 00:10:14,570 --> 00:10:21,570 or when Fearing Tribulation (*fitnah*) in Religion and Falling into Unlawful and Doubtful Matters, and the Like. 165 00:10:21,570 --> 00:10:24,559 Allah Almighty said: 166 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:26,559 "So flee to Allah. 167 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:31,559 Truly, I am a clear warner from Him to you." 168 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:36,970 On the authority of Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 169 00:10:36,970 --> 00:10:41,970 I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say: 170 00:10:41,970 --> 00:10:46,970 "Indeed, Allah loves the servant who is pious, self-sufficient, and obscure." 171 00:10:46,970 --> 00:10:49,100 Related by Muslim. 172 00:10:49,100 --> 00:10:53,289 "Self-sufficient" refers to contentment and richness of the soul, 173 00:10:53,289 --> 00:10:57,409 as previously established in the authentic hadith. 174 00:10:57,409 --> 00:10:59,409 Key takeaways from the hadith: 175 00:10:59,409 --> 00:11:03,539 The virtue of secluding oneself from people while remaining steadfast in obedience to Allah, 176 00:11:03,539 --> 00:11:06,539 when fearing tribulations and the moral corruption of society. 177 00:11:06,539 --> 00:11:10,110 Affirmation of the attribute of love for Allah, 178 00:11:10,110 --> 00:11:13,110 and that He loves His obedient servant. 179 00:11:13,110 --> 00:11:17,690 Clarification of the qualities that earn Allah's love for His servants, 180 00:11:17,690 --> 00:11:22,690 namely piety, humility, and contentment with what Allah has apportioned. 181 00:11:22,690 --> 00:11:27,169 Richness is not measured by an abundance of worldly goods and wealth; 182 00:11:27,169 --> 00:11:29,169 rather, true richness is the richness of the soul. 183 00:11:29,169 --> 00:11:34,580 The best of deeds are those performed purely for the sake of Allah Almighty, 184 00:11:34,580 --> 00:11:37,580 done in obscurity away from people's view, 185 00:11:37,580 --> 00:11:40,580 out of fear of ostentation and seeking fame. 186 00:11:40,580 --> 00:11:45,899 On the authority of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 187 00:11:45,899 --> 00:11:47,899 A man asked, 188 00:11:47,899 --> 00:11:50,899 "Which of the people is best, O Messenger of Allah?" 189 00:11:50,899 --> 00:11:53,059 He replied: 190 00:11:53,059 --> 00:11:58,059 "A believer who strives with his life and his wealth in the path of Allah." 191 00:11:58,059 --> 00:11:59,149 The man asked, 192 00:11:59,149 --> 00:12:01,149 "Then who?" 193 00:12:01,149 --> 00:12:02,149 He replied: 194 00:12:02,149 --> 00:12:07,149 "Then a man in seclusion in a mountain pass, worshiping his Lord" 195 00:12:07,149 --> 00:12:09,340 — and in another narration: 196 00:12:09,340 --> 00:12:11,340 "fearing Allah 197 00:12:11,340 --> 00:12:13,340 and sparing people from his harm." 198 00:12:13,340 --> 00:12:15,470 Agreed upon. 199 00:12:15,470 --> 00:12:19,529 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 200 00:12:19,529 --> 00:12:24,529 It is recommended to ask about necessary matters of religion. 201 00:12:24,529 --> 00:12:30,750 The virtue of the mujahid due to sacrificing his life and wealth in the cause of Allah. 202 00:12:30,750 --> 00:12:34,200 Mixing with people when they are corrupt 203 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:37,649 is an incitement to committing sins. 204 00:12:37,649 --> 00:12:41,649 It is permissible to withdraw from people when turmoil and tribulations occur, 205 00:12:41,649 --> 00:12:44,649 because of the safety it provides against harms. 206 00:12:44,649 --> 00:12:50,830 On the authority of Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), who said 207 00:12:50,830 --> 00:12:54,830 that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 208 00:12:54,830 --> 00:12:57,830 "The time is soon approaching when the best wealth of a Muslim will be 209 00:12:57,830 --> 00:13:01,830 sheep which he follows along the mountain peaks 210 00:13:01,830 --> 00:13:03,830 and the places where rain falls, 211 00:13:03,830 --> 00:13:06,830 fleeing with his religion from tribulations." 212 00:13:06,929 --> 00:13:08,929 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 213 00:13:08,929 --> 00:13:11,120 And "mountain peaks" (sha'af al-jibal) 214 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:14,210 refers to their highest points. 215 00:13:14,210 --> 00:13:16,210 "The time is soon approaching" means it is near. 216 00:13:16,210 --> 00:13:18,370 "The places where rain falls" (mawaqi' al-qatr) 217 00:13:18,370 --> 00:13:22,370 refers to the places of pasture where rain descends, 218 00:13:22,370 --> 00:13:27,649 for if it falls upon the land, vegetation grows. 219 00:13:27,649 --> 00:13:29,649 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 220 00:13:29,649 --> 00:13:31,870 Fleeing from tribulations 221 00:13:31,870 --> 00:13:34,870 is the way of the sincere believers, 222 00:13:34,870 --> 00:13:38,159 because it preserves their religion. 223 00:13:38,159 --> 00:13:43,159 The best wealth of a Muslim is a small flock of sheep he pastures on permitted grazing land, 224 00:13:43,159 --> 00:13:46,700 thereby earning wholesome sustenance from them. 225 00:13:46,700 --> 00:13:51,179 Seclusion brings relief from bad companions. 226 00:13:51,179 --> 00:13:54,179 Permission to live as a desert nomad during times of tribulation; 227 00:13:54,179 --> 00:13:58,179 for it was previously forbidden for one who migrated in the cause of Allah 228 00:13:58,179 --> 00:14:02,179 to return after his migration to living as a Bedouin, 229 00:14:02,179 --> 00:14:06,700 yet it was permitted when tribulations arise. 230 00:14:06,700 --> 00:14:11,179 Seclusion is recommended for anyone who fears for his religion. 231 00:14:11,179 --> 00:14:14,179 The hadith is among the signs of prophethood, 232 00:14:14,179 --> 00:14:17,179 as what the truthful and trusted one foretold has indeed occurred, 233 00:14:17,179 --> 00:14:22,179 such that a believer can scarcely keep himself safe by night or by day. 234 00:14:22,179 --> 00:14:26,360 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), 235 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:30,360 from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: 236 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:34,490 "Allah did not send any prophet except that he tended sheep." 237 00:14:34,490 --> 00:14:36,490 His Companions asked, 238 00:14:36,490 --> 00:14:38,490 "And you?" 239 00:14:38,490 --> 00:14:39,490 He said, 240 00:14:39,490 --> 00:14:40,490 "Yes, 241 00:14:40,490 --> 00:14:44,490 I used to tend them for the people of Mecca for a few qirats." 242 00:14:44,490 --> 00:14:48,289 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 243 00:14:48,289 --> 00:14:50,289 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 244 00:14:50,289 --> 00:14:55,580 Allah inspired all the prophets before their prophethood to tend sheep, 245 00:14:55,580 --> 00:14:58,580 so that by caring for them they would gain training and experience 246 00:14:58,580 --> 00:15:03,580 for the task they would be charged with in guiding and leading people. 247 00:15:03,580 --> 00:15:06,090 Mingling with sheep 248 00:15:06,090 --> 00:15:09,090 fosters forbearance, patience, and compassion; 249 00:15:09,090 --> 00:15:15,090 for in patiently tending them and gathering them after they scatter across the pasture, 250 00:15:15,090 --> 00:15:19,090 repelling their attacking enemies such as predatory beasts, 251 00:15:19,090 --> 00:15:23,090 understanding their differing temperaments and tendency to scatter, 252 00:15:23,090 --> 00:15:27,090 along with their weakness and need for someone to care for them, 253 00:15:27,090 --> 00:15:30,090 they grew accustomed to being patient with the Ummah, 254 00:15:30,090 --> 00:15:34,090 and bearing the differences in their temperaments and the variation in their intellects; 255 00:15:34,090 --> 00:15:36,090 so they repaired their fractures, 256 00:15:36,090 --> 00:15:38,090 showed gentleness to the weak among them, 257 00:15:38,090 --> 00:15:41,090 and showed kindness to those among them who erred. 258 00:15:41,090 --> 00:15:46,090 This is part of Allah the Exalted's care and guardianship over His prophets, 259 00:15:46,090 --> 00:15:51,090 nurturing them gradually to bear the trust and convey the message. 260 00:15:51,090 --> 00:15:54,570 Sheep were specifically chosen to be tended by the prophets 261 00:15:54,570 --> 00:15:57,570 because they are weaker than other animals, 262 00:15:57,570 --> 00:16:01,570 and because they scatter more than camels and cattle. 263 00:16:01,570 --> 00:16:06,269 The humility of the prophets (peace be upon them), 264 00:16:06,269 --> 00:16:09,269 as seen in their engagement in modest crafts. 265 00:16:09,269 --> 00:16:12,850 It is recommended for a servant to earn his sustenance lawfully, 266 00:16:12,850 --> 00:16:17,850 and even if it is little, it contains blessing for one who is content. 267 00:16:17,850 --> 00:16:22,100 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), 268 00:16:22,100 --> 00:16:26,100 from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), that he said: 269 00:16:26,100 --> 00:16:29,100 "Among the best of livelihoods for people 270 00:16:29,100 --> 00:16:33,100 is a man holding the rein of his horse in the cause of Allah; 271 00:16:33,100 --> 00:16:35,100 he flies upon its back, 272 00:16:35,100 --> 00:16:38,100 whenever he hears a battle cry or an alarm, 273 00:16:38,100 --> 00:16:43,100 he flies toward it, seeking combat or death wherever it is expected; 274 00:16:43,100 --> 00:16:48,190 or a man with a small flock of sheep upon the peak of one of these mountains, 275 00:16:48,190 --> 00:16:51,190 or in the bottom of one of these valleys, 276 00:16:51,190 --> 00:16:54,190 who establishes prayer, pays zakat, 277 00:16:54,190 --> 00:16:58,190 and worships his Lord until certainty comes to him; 278 00:16:58,190 --> 00:17:02,190 he deals with people only in good." 279 00:17:02,190 --> 00:17:04,259 Narrated by Muslim. 280 00:17:04,259 --> 00:17:07,420 "He flies" means he rushes swiftly, 281 00:17:07,420 --> 00:17:10,450 and "its back" refers to the back of the horse. 282 00:17:10,450 --> 00:17:13,609 "Hay'ah" is the clamor or call of battle, 283 00:17:13,609 --> 00:17:16,609 "faz'ah" has a similar meaning, 284 00:17:16,609 --> 00:17:22,640 and "the places where a thing is expected" (madann) means the places where it is likely to be found. 285 00:17:22,640 --> 00:17:25,640 "Ghunaymah" is a diminutive form of "ghanam" (a small flock of sheep), 286 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:29,640 and "sha'fah" is the mountain peak. 287 00:17:29,640 --> 00:17:35,440 "Rein" ('inan) is the strap of the bridle by which the mount is held. 288 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:37,539 "Seeking combat" 289 00:17:37,539 --> 00:17:41,539 means seeking it against the disbelievers in jihad. 290 00:17:41,539 --> 00:17:44,660 "Certainty" means death. 291 00:17:44,660 --> 00:17:47,660 "He deals with people only in good" 292 00:17:47,660 --> 00:17:51,660 means he does not mix with people except in goodness. 293 00:17:51,660 --> 00:17:55,779 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 294 00:17:55,779 --> 00:17:59,779 The virtue of jihad, preparing for it, anticipating it, 295 00:17:59,779 --> 00:18:05,299 and resolving inwardly to undertake it, seeking martyrdom in the cause of Allah. 296 00:18:05,299 --> 00:18:07,299 The virtue of tending sheep, 297 00:18:07,299 --> 00:18:11,299 due to its sufficiency of provision and lawful earnings, 298 00:18:11,299 --> 00:18:15,299 when withdrawing from people during times of tribulation and corruption. 299 00:18:15,299 --> 00:18:23,509 Whoever mixes with people, the Muslims should be safe from his hand and his tongue. 300 00:18:23,509 --> 00:18:25,509 Seclusion due to tribulations 301 00:18:25,509 --> 00:18:31,509 must not prevent a servant from fulfilling the legal rulings properly, 302 00:18:31,509 --> 00:18:35,509 such as prayer, fasting, zakat, and Hajj. 303 00:18:35,509 --> 00:18:40,640 Riyad al-Salihin.