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 --> 00:00:15.310 Chapter: Scrupulousness (*Wara'*) and Avoiding Doubtful Matters. 00:00:15.310 --> 00:00:20.070 On the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:00:20.070 --> 00:00:25.070 the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, found a date in the road 00:00:25.070 --> 00:00:27.070 and said: 00:00:27.070 --> 00:00:32.070 "Were it not that I fear it might be from charity, I would have eaten it." 00:00:32.070 --> 00:00:35.740 Agreed upon. 00:00:35.740 --> 00:00:37.740 Key takeaways from the hadith: 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 00:00:42.969 --> 00:00:46.969 is the prohibition of accepting obligatory and voluntary charity. 00:00:46.969 --> 00:00:53.539 It is permissible to make use of insignificant items found on the road, 00:00:53.539 --> 00:00:56.539 which people generally overlook. 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, 00:01:03.020 --> 00:01:06.019 and not leave it for Satan. 00:01:06.019 --> 00:01:09.409 Whoever is uncertain about the ruling on a matter 00:01:09.409 --> 00:01:14.620 is obligated to leave it and stay away from it. 00:01:14.620 --> 00:01:18.620 On the authority of al-Nawwas ibn Sam'an, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:01:18.620 --> 00:01:22.659 from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said: 00:01:22.659 --> 00:01:27.659 "Righteousness is good character, and sin is that which wavers in your heart 00:01:27.659 --> 00:01:31.659 and you would hate for people to find out about." 00:01:31.659 --> 00:01:33.780 Related by Muslim. 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:35.780 Meaning: it causes hesitation and unease. 00:01:35.780 --> 00:01:39.870 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:01:39.870 --> 00:01:44.870 Exhortation to cultivate good character due to its immense status in Islam, 00:01:44.870 --> 00:01:47.870 and that it delivers one from sin and transgression. 00:01:47.870 --> 00:01:50.290 Sin has two distinguishing signs: 00:01:50.290 --> 00:01:53.290 that it causes inner hesitation and unease, 00:01:53.290 --> 00:01:56.290 and that one hates for people to discover it, 00:01:56.290 --> 00:02:01.900 because it is an ugly blemish that a person of modesty shrinks from exposing. 00:02:01.900 --> 00:02:06.900 The hadith proves that the soul possesses an innate, primordial sense 00:02:06.900 --> 00:02:09.900 of what is praiseworthy and what is blameworthy; 00:02:09.900 --> 00:02:13.900 thus, it is capable of distinguishing between sin and righteousness, 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, 00:02:19.900 --> 00:02:26.180 and He ingrained in human nature a love for it and an aversion to its opposite. 00:02:26.180 --> 00:02:30.180 On the authority of Wabisa ibn Ma'bad, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:34.180 I came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:02:34.180 --> 00:02:38.180 and he said: "Have you come to ask about righteousness?" 00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:40.180 I replied: "Yes." 00:02:40.180 --> 00:02:43.270 He said: "Consult your heart. 00:02:43.270 --> 00:02:49.270 Righteousness is that with which the soul and the heart feel at ease, 00:02:49.270 --> 00:02:53.270 and sin is that which wavers in the soul and hesitates in the chest, 00:02:53.270 --> 00:02:56.530 even if people give you religious verdicts again and again." 00:02:56.530 --> 00:02:59.530 Related by Ahmad and al-Darimi. 00:02:59.530 --> 00:03:05.099 "Consult your heart" means: seek a verdict from your own conscience; 00:03:05.099 --> 00:03:09.099 and "hesitates in the chest" means: the chest finds no ease or expansion with it. 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:13.099 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:17.099 Among the miracles of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:22.099 is informing the questioner of what he intended to ask before he spoke, 00:03:22.099 --> 00:03:26.610 which is from the unseen knowledge that Allah revealed to him. 00:03:26.610 --> 00:03:30.610 Truth and falsehood are never ambiguous to an insightful believer; 00:03:30.610 --> 00:03:33.610 rather, he recognizes the truth by the light it carries, 00:03:33.610 --> 00:03:37.610 so his heart embraces it and turns away from falsehood, 00:03:37.610 --> 00:03:40.610 rejecting it and finding no affinity with it. 00:03:40.610 --> 00:03:46.180 This hadith does not support the claim of some Sufis 00:03:46.180 --> 00:03:51.180 that mystical inspiration (*ilham*) and direct unveiling (*kashf*) are legitimate proofs for deriving legal rulings. 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, 00:03:57.400 --> 00:04:01.400 who married a daughter of Abu Ihab ibn 'Aziz: 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:04.400 A woman came and said, 00:04:04.400 --> 00:04:09.400 "I breastfed both 'Uqbah and the woman he has married." 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:11.430 'Uqbah said to her, 00:04:11.430 --> 00:04:15.460 "I did not know that you breastfed me, nor did you ever inform me." 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 00:04:20.500 --> 00:04:22.500 and asked him. 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:26.500 The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: 00:04:26.500 --> 00:04:28.500 "How can you remain together when this has been said?" 00:04:28.500 --> 00:04:33.500 So 'Uqbah separated from her, and she married another husband. 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:36.689 Related by al-Bukhari. 00:04:36.689 --> 00:04:39.579 "How can you remain together when this has been said?" 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:42.579 Meaning: how can you remain together 00:04:42.579 --> 00:04:46.579 when it has been stated that you are foster-brother and sister? 00:04:46.579 --> 00:04:49.160 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:04:49.160 --> 00:04:53.379 Fosterage establishes the same marital prohibitions as biological lineage. 00:04:53.379 --> 00:04:59.860 The testimony of a wet nurse regarding the one she breastfed is sufficient to establish fosterage. 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:05.500 The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, were deeply eager to ascertain the correct ruling, 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:08.500 even if doing so entailed hardship, 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:12.500 as 'Uqbah ibn al-Harith rode all the way from Mecca to Medina 00:05:12.500 --> 00:05:16.500 to ask the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:21.019 Whoever is unclear about a ruling or faces a doubtful matter 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:24.019 must ask the people of knowledge. 00:05:24.019 --> 00:05:27.339 The recommendation of traveling in pursuit of knowledge. 00:05:28.339 --> 00:05:34.230 Whoever learns a legal ruling is obligated to abide by it. 00:05:34.230 --> 00:05:37.230 A Muslim servant should leave doubtful matters 00:05:37.230 --> 00:05:42.480 and take precautions to safeguard their religion and honor. 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: 00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:51.480 I memorized from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: 00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:55.610 "Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt." 00:05:55.610 --> 00:05:57.639 Related by al-Tirmidhi. 00:05:57.639 --> 00:06:00.639 The meaning is: leave what you are doubtful of 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:03.639 and take what you have no doubt about. 00:06:03.639 --> 00:06:07.600 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:11.730 One should halt at doubtful matters and beware of them, 00:06:11.730 --> 00:06:16.730 for purely lawful matters cause no doubt in the believer's heart; 00:06:16.730 --> 00:06:20.730 rather, the soul finds comfort and tranquility in them. 00:06:20.730 --> 00:06:22.730 As for doubtful matters, 00:06:22.730 --> 00:06:29.459 they induce anxiety and turbulence in the heart, giving rise to doubt. 00:06:29.459 --> 00:06:32.459 On the authority of 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, who said: 00:06:32.459 --> 00:06:36.459 Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, had 00:06:36.459 --> 00:06:39.459 a slave who used to pay him a set daily tax from his earnings (*kharaj*), 00:06:39.459 --> 00:06:42.459 and Abu Bakr used to eat from his earnings. 00:06:42.459 --> 00:06:44.459 One day, the slave brought something, 00:06:44.459 --> 00:06:47.459 and Abu Bakr ate from it. 00:06:47.459 --> 00:06:49.459 The slave said to him, 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:51.459 "Do you know what this is?" 00:06:51.459 --> 00:06:53.459 Abu Bakr asked, 00:06:53.459 --> 00:06:55.459 "What is it?" 00:06:55.459 --> 00:06:56.459 He said, 00:06:56.459 --> 00:07:00.459 "I practiced soothsaying for a man during the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (*Jahiliyyah*), 00:07:00.459 --> 00:07:02.459 though I was no expert in soothsaying; 00:07:02.459 --> 00:07:04.459 I merely deceived him. 00:07:04.459 --> 00:07:06.490 He met me today 00:07:06.490 --> 00:07:10.709 and gave me this, of which you just ate." 00:07:10.709 --> 00:07:12.709 Thereupon, Abu Bakr inserted his hand into his throat 00:07:12.709 --> 00:07:16.779 and vomited up everything that was in his stomach. 00:07:16.779 --> 00:07:18.779 Related by al-Bukhari. 00:07:18.779 --> 00:07:21.129 *Kharaj*: 00:07:21.129 --> 00:07:24.129 a fixed sum that a master imposes upon his slave, 00:07:24.129 --> 00:07:27.129 which the slave pays to the master daily, 00:07:27.129 --> 00:07:30.899 while the remainder of his earnings belongs to the slave. 00:07:30.899 --> 00:07:33.899 "Used to pay him a set daily tax" 00:07:33.899 --> 00:07:36.990 means he would bring him the earnings of that stipulated tax. 00:07:36.990 --> 00:07:38.990 "I practiced soothsaying" 00:07:38.990 --> 00:07:43.660 means: I told him of future events without any basis. 00:07:43.660 --> 00:07:46.790 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:07:46.790 --> 00:07:49.790 The profound scrupulousness (*wara'*) of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:07:49.790 --> 00:07:53.790 and his extreme care that nothing unlawful enter his belly. 00:07:53.790 --> 00:07:57.370 Clarification of the prohibition of soothsaying, 00:07:57.370 --> 00:08:00.370 as well as the payment given to a soothsayer; 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, 00:08:04.370 --> 00:08:07.779 forbade the earnings of a soothsayer. 00:08:07.779 --> 00:08:11.230 The permissibility of eating from the earnings paid by a slave. 00:08:11.230 --> 00:08:14.230 The default presumption regarding Muslims' food 00:08:14.230 --> 00:08:16.230 is that it is lawful, 00:08:16.230 --> 00:08:18.230 and one should not inquire about it 00:08:19.230 --> 00:08:22.649 unless an unlawful aspect becomes apparent. 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. 00:08:27.649 --> 00:08:31.060 On the authority of Nafi', 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:34.059 that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:08:34.059 --> 00:08:39.059 allocated a stipend of four thousand to the earliest Emigrants (*Muhajirun*), 00:08:39.059 --> 00:08:43.059 but allocated three thousand five hundred to his own son. 00:08:43.059 --> 00:08:45.059 It was said to him: 00:08:45.059 --> 00:08:47.059 "He is also from among the Emigrants, 00:08:47.059 --> 00:08:49.059 so why did you reduce his share?" 00:08:49.059 --> 00:08:52.059 He replied: "His father brought him along when he emigrated," 00:08:52.059 --> 00:08:53.059 meaning: 00:08:53.059 --> 00:08:56.059 "He is not like one who emigrated of his own accord." 00:08:56.059 --> 00:08:58.250 Related by al-Bukhari. 00:08:58.250 --> 00:09:02.879 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:05.879 The scrupulousness of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:09.230 The superior virtue of the earliest Emigrants, 00:09:09.230 --> 00:09:15.230 who set out on their own, fleeing for their religion and seeking the countenance of Allah. 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, 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:25.840 including those who devote themselves entirely to religious calling and knowledge. 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: 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:36.860 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:40.860 "A servant will not reach the level of the truly pious (*muttaqin*) 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:43.860 until he leaves that which is harmless 00:09:43.860 --> 00:09:46.860 out of caution against falling into that which is harmful." 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:48.990 Related by al-Tirmidhi. 00:09:48.990 --> 00:09:53.559 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:09:53.559 --> 00:09:57.559 Consuming purely lawful sustenance is a quality of the pious. 00:09:57.559 --> 00:10:03.139 Piety (*taqwa*) serves as a barrier between the servant and doubtful matters. 00:10:03.139 --> 00:10:10.570 True piety entails safeguarding oneself against doubtful matters and turning away from them. 00:10:10.570 --> 00:10:14.570 Chapter: The Recommendation of Seclusion during the Corruption of People and Times, 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. 00:10:21.570 --> 00:10:24.559 Allah Almighty said: 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:26.559 "So flee to Allah. 00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:31.559 Truly, I am a clear warner from Him to you." 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: 00:10:36.970 --> 00:10:41.970 I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say: 00:10:41.970 --> 00:10:46.970 "Indeed, Allah loves the servant who is pious, self-sufficient, and obscure." 00:10:46.970 --> 00:10:49.100 Related by Muslim. 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:53.289 "Self-sufficient" refers to contentment and richness of the soul, 00:10:53.289 --> 00:10:57.409 as previously established in the authentic hadith. 00:10:57.409 --> 00:10:59.409 Key takeaways from the hadith: 00:10:59.409 --> 00:11:03.539 The virtue of secluding oneself from people while remaining steadfast in obedience to Allah, 00:11:03.539 --> 00:11:06.539 when fearing tribulations and the moral corruption of society. 00:11:06.539 --> 00:11:10.110 Affirmation of the attribute of love for Allah, 00:11:10.110 --> 00:11:13.110 and that He loves His obedient servant. 00:11:13.110 --> 00:11:17.690 Clarification of the qualities that earn Allah's love for His servants, 00:11:17.690 --> 00:11:22.690 namely piety, humility, and contentment with what Allah has apportioned. 00:11:22.690 --> 00:11:27.169 Richness is not measured by an abundance of worldly goods and wealth; 00:11:27.169 --> 00:11:29.169 rather, true richness is the richness of the soul. 00:11:29.169 --> 00:11:34.580 The best of deeds are those performed purely for the sake of Allah Almighty, 00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:37.580 done in obscurity away from people's view, 00:11:37.580 --> 00:11:40.580 out of fear of ostentation and seeking fame. 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: 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:47.899 A man asked, 00:11:47.899 --> 00:11:50.899 "Which of the people is best, O Messenger of Allah?" 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:53.059 He replied: 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:58.059 "A believer who strives with his life and his wealth in the path of Allah." 00:11:58.059 --> 00:11:59.149 The man asked, 00:11:59.149 --> 00:12:01.149 "Then who?" 00:12:01.149 --> 00:12:02.149 He replied: 00:12:02.149 --> 00:12:07.149 "Then a man in seclusion in a mountain pass, worshiping his Lord" 00:12:07.149 --> 00:12:09.340 — and in another narration: 00:12:09.340 --> 00:12:11.340 "fearing Allah 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:13.340 and sparing people from his harm." 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:15.470 Agreed upon. 00:12:15.470 --> 00:12:19.529 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 00:12:19.529 --> 00:12:24.529 It is recommended to ask about necessary matters of religion. 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. 00:12:30.750 --> 00:12:34.200 Mixing with people when they are corrupt 00:12:34.200 --> 00:12:37.649 is an incitement to committing sins. 00:12:37.649 --> 00:12:41.649 It is permissible to withdraw from people when turmoil and tribulations occur, 00:12:41.649 --> 00:12:44.649 because of the safety it provides against harms. 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 00:12:50.830 --> 00:12:54.830 that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 00:12:54.830 --> 00:12:57.830 "The time is soon approaching when the best wealth of a Muslim will be 00:12:57.830 --> 00:13:01.830 sheep which he follows along the mountain peaks 00:13:01.830 --> 00:13:03.830 and the places where rain falls, 00:13:03.830 --> 00:13:06.830 fleeing with his religion from tribulations." 00:13:06.929 --> 00:13:08.929 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:13:08.929 --> 00:13:11.120 And "mountain peaks" (sha'af al-jibal) 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:14.210 refers to their highest points. 00:13:14.210 --> 00:13:16.210 "The time is soon approaching" means it is near. 00:13:16.210 --> 00:13:18.370 "The places where rain falls" (mawaqi' al-qatr) 00:13:18.370 --> 00:13:22.370 refers to the places of pasture where rain descends, 00:13:22.370 --> 00:13:27.649 for if it falls upon the land, vegetation grows. 00:13:27.649 --> 00:13:29.649 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 00:13:29.649 --> 00:13:31.870 Fleeing from tribulations 00:13:31.870 --> 00:13:34.870 is the way of the sincere believers, 00:13:34.870 --> 00:13:38.159 because it preserves their religion. 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, 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:46.700 thereby earning wholesome sustenance from them. 00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:51.179 Seclusion brings relief from bad companions. 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:54.179 Permission to live as a desert nomad during times of tribulation; 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:58.179 for it was previously forbidden for one who migrated in the cause of Allah 00:13:58.179 --> 00:14:02.179 to return after his migration to living as a Bedouin, 00:14:02.179 --> 00:14:06.700 yet it was permitted when tribulations arise. 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:11.179 Seclusion is recommended for anyone who fears for his religion. 00:14:11.179 --> 00:14:14.179 The hadith is among the signs of prophethood, 00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:17.179 as what the truthful and trusted one foretold has indeed occurred, 00:14:17.179 --> 00:14:22.179 such that a believer can scarcely keep himself safe by night or by day. 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:26.360 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:14:26.360 --> 00:14:30.360 from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:34.490 "Allah did not send any prophet except that he tended sheep." 00:14:34.490 --> 00:14:36.490 His Companions asked, 00:14:36.490 --> 00:14:38.490 "And you?" 00:14:38.490 --> 00:14:39.490 He said, 00:14:39.490 --> 00:14:40.490 "Yes, 00:14:40.490 --> 00:14:44.490 I used to tend them for the people of Mecca for a few qirats." 00:14:44.490 --> 00:14:48.289 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:14:48.289 --> 00:14:50.289 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 00:14:50.289 --> 00:14:55.580 Allah inspired all the prophets before their prophethood to tend sheep, 00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:58.580 so that by caring for them they would gain training and experience 00:14:58.580 --> 00:15:03.580 for the task they would be charged with in guiding and leading people. 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:06.090 Mingling with sheep 00:15:06.090 --> 00:15:09.090 fosters forbearance, patience, and compassion; 00:15:09.090 --> 00:15:15.090 for in patiently tending them and gathering them after they scatter across the pasture, 00:15:15.090 --> 00:15:19.090 repelling their attacking enemies such as predatory beasts, 00:15:19.090 --> 00:15:23.090 understanding their differing temperaments and tendency to scatter, 00:15:23.090 --> 00:15:27.090 along with their weakness and need for someone to care for them, 00:15:27.090 --> 00:15:30.090 they grew accustomed to being patient with the Ummah, 00:15:30.090 --> 00:15:34.090 and bearing the differences in their temperaments and the variation in their intellects; 00:15:34.090 --> 00:15:36.090 so they repaired their fractures, 00:15:36.090 --> 00:15:38.090 showed gentleness to the weak among them, 00:15:38.090 --> 00:15:41.090 and showed kindness to those among them who erred. 00:15:41.090 --> 00:15:46.090 This is part of Allah the Exalted's care and guardianship over His prophets, 00:15:46.090 --> 00:15:51.090 nurturing them gradually to bear the trust and convey the message. 00:15:51.090 --> 00:15:54.570 Sheep were specifically chosen to be tended by the prophets 00:15:54.570 --> 00:15:57.570 because they are weaker than other animals, 00:15:57.570 --> 00:16:01.570 and because they scatter more than camels and cattle. 00:16:01.570 --> 00:16:06.269 The humility of the prophets (peace be upon them), 00:16:06.269 --> 00:16:09.269 as seen in their engagement in modest crafts. 00:16:09.269 --> 00:16:12.850 It is recommended for a servant to earn his sustenance lawfully, 00:16:12.850 --> 00:16:17.850 and even if it is little, it contains blessing for one who is content. 00:16:17.850 --> 00:16:22.100 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:26.100 from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), that he said: 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:29.100 "Among the best of livelihoods for people 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:33.100 is a man holding the rein of his horse in the cause of Allah; 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:35.100 he flies upon its back, 00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:38.100 whenever he hears a battle cry or an alarm, 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:43.100 he flies toward it, seeking combat or death wherever it is expected; 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, 00:16:48.190 --> 00:16:51.190 or in the bottom of one of these valleys, 00:16:51.190 --> 00:16:54.190 who establishes prayer, pays zakat, 00:16:54.190 --> 00:16:58.190 and worships his Lord until certainty comes to him; 00:16:58.190 --> 00:17:02.190 he deals with people only in good." 00:17:02.190 --> 00:17:04.259 Narrated by Muslim. 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:07.420 "He flies" means he rushes swiftly, 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:10.450 and "its back" refers to the back of the horse. 00:17:10.450 --> 00:17:13.609 "Hay'ah" is the clamor or call of battle, 00:17:13.609 --> 00:17:16.609 "faz'ah" has a similar meaning, 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. 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:25.640 "Ghunaymah" is a diminutive form of "ghanam" (a small flock of sheep), 00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:29.640 and "sha'fah" is the mountain peak. 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:35.440 "Rein" ('inan) is the strap of the bridle by which the mount is held. 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:37.539 "Seeking combat" 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:41.539 means seeking it against the disbelievers in jihad. 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:44.660 "Certainty" means death. 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:47.660 "He deals with people only in good" 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:51.660 means he does not mix with people except in goodness. 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:55.779 Among the benefits derived from the hadith: 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:59.779 The virtue of jihad, preparing for it, anticipating it, 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:05.299 and resolving inwardly to undertake it, seeking martyrdom in the cause of Allah. 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:07.299 The virtue of tending sheep, 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:11.299 due to its sufficiency of provision and lawful earnings, 00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:15.299 when withdrawing from people during times of tribulation and corruption. 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:23.509 Whoever mixes with people, the Muslims should be safe from his hand and his tongue. 00:18:23.509 --> 00:18:25.509 Seclusion due to tribulations 00:18:25.509 --> 00:18:31.509 must not prevent a servant from fulfilling the legal rulings properly, 00:18:31.509 --> 00:18:35.509 such as prayer, fasting, zakat, and Hajj. 00:18:35.509 --> 00:18:40.640 Riyad al-Salihin.