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 --> 00:00:15.339 Chapter: The Excellence of Hunger and an Austere Life, 00:00:15.339 --> 00:00:20.339 and Contenting Oneself with Little Food, Drink, and Clothing, 00:00:20.339 --> 00:00:25.339 as well as other worldly pleasures, and Renouncing Desires. 00:00:25.339 --> 00:00:31.140 On the authority of Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: 00:00:31.140 --> 00:00:38.170 "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would spend consecutive nights hungry, 00:00:38.170 --> 00:00:42.170 and his household could find no dinner, 00:00:42.170 --> 00:00:46.299 and most of their bread was barley bread." 00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:48.299 Related by al-Tirmidhi. 00:00:48.299 --> 00:00:53.939 *Tawiyan* means having an empty stomach, having eaten nothing. 00:00:53.939 --> 00:00:57.539 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:00:57.539 --> 00:01:01.859 An illustration of his asceticism (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 00:01:01.859 --> 00:01:03.859 his taking only little of worldly comforts, 00:01:03.859 --> 00:01:06.859 and his patience during its hardships. 00:01:06.859 --> 00:01:11.379 The great virtue of the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him), 00:01:11.379 --> 00:01:14.379 in enduring hardships alongside him 00:01:14.379 --> 00:01:17.379 without expressing discontent with their condition. 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:21.859 A demonstration of the austere life they lived, 00:01:21.859 --> 00:01:27.859 for they did not live merely to eat and enjoy themselves as cattle enjoy themselves; 00:01:27.859 --> 00:01:33.859 rather, they lived as callers to Islam, guardians of Tawhid, and custodians of the Sunnah, 00:01:33.859 --> 00:01:38.859 so Allah elevated their renown and subdued their enemies. 00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:44.299 On the authority of Fadalah ibn 'Ubayd (may Allah be pleased with him): 00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:47.299 When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:01:47.299 --> 00:01:50.299 used to lead the people in prayer, 00:01:50.299 --> 00:01:55.299 men would collapse from their standing positions in prayer due to extreme hunger— 00:01:55.299 --> 00:01:58.359 and they were the People of the Suffah— 00:01:58.359 --> 00:02:00.359 to the extent that the bedouins would say, 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:03.359 "These are madmen." 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:07.359 When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) finished his prayer, 00:02:07.359 --> 00:02:10.389 he turned to them and said: 00:02:10.389 --> 00:02:14.389 "If you only knew what is stored for you with Allah Almighty, 00:02:14.389 --> 00:02:19.740 you would wish to be granted even more destitution and need." 00:02:19.740 --> 00:02:22.129 Related by al-Tirmidhi. 00:02:22.129 --> 00:02:24.129 *Al-Khasasah* 00:02:24.129 --> 00:02:27.699 means destitution and severe hunger. 00:02:27.699 --> 00:02:30.699 *Yakhirru* means falls down. 00:02:30.699 --> 00:02:34.699 *Min qamatihim* means from their standing position. 00:02:34.699 --> 00:02:38.759 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:02:38.759 --> 00:02:41.759 When in deprivation, a person should 00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:44.759 look toward the reward stored for them, 00:02:44.759 --> 00:02:49.270 rather than pining over what they missed of their worldly desires. 00:02:49.270 --> 00:02:54.270 An illustration of the livelihood of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 00:02:54.270 --> 00:02:58.270 and the asceticism and austerity they adhered to, 00:02:58.270 --> 00:03:01.780 along with patience and absence of complaint. 00:03:01.780 --> 00:03:04.780 Not all assumptions based on analogy are correct; 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:08.780 the bedouins assumed they collapsed due to madness 00:03:08.780 --> 00:03:12.780 because they analogized what they saw to what they previously knew, 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:20.330 which shows that mere external resemblance is not a valid basis for sound analogy. 00:03:20.330 --> 00:03:22.330 Whoever judges by outward appearances 00:03:22.330 --> 00:03:26.330 is not to be punished or blamed once they observe matters firsthand. 00:03:26.330 --> 00:03:32.939 The keenness of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to comfort the hearts of his Companions 00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:37.939 regarding the hurtful remarks they heard. 00:03:37.939 --> 00:03:44.860 On the authority of Abu Karimah al-Miqdam ibn Ma'dikarib (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:03:44.860 --> 00:03:49.860 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: 00:03:49.860 --> 00:03:54.930 "No human fills a vessel worse than his stomach. 00:03:54.930 --> 00:03:59.090 It is sufficient for the son of Adam to have a few mouthfuls to keep his back straight. 00:03:59.090 --> 00:04:04.120 But if it must be, then a third for his food, 00:04:04.120 --> 00:04:08.120 a third for his drink, and a third for his breath." 00:04:08.120 --> 00:04:10.340 Related by al-Tirmidhi. 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:14.699 *Ukaylat* means small morsels. 00:04:14.699 --> 00:04:19.500 *Bi-hasb* means sufficient to sustain him. 00:04:19.500 --> 00:04:22.720 *Sulbuhu* means his back. 00:04:22.720 --> 00:04:25.720 *La mahalah* means if it is inevitable. 00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:29.300 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:04:29.300 --> 00:04:34.579 This hadith is a foundational principle encompassing all the principles of medicine. 00:04:34.579 --> 00:04:38.060 Had people applied these words, 00:04:38.060 --> 00:04:41.060 they would have been spared illnesses and ailments. 00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:44.420 The recommendation to eat sparingly 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:47.420 and to be content with small amounts of food. 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:51.930 The best portion a believer can eat fills a third of his stomach, 00:04:51.930 --> 00:04:53.930 drink for another third, 00:04:53.930 --> 00:04:56.930 and leave a third for breathing. 00:04:56.930 --> 00:05:00.339 An excess of food causes lethargy, 00:05:00.339 --> 00:05:03.339 harms health, and induces excessive sleep. 00:05:03.339 --> 00:05:06.339 As for taking little nourishment, 00:05:06.339 --> 00:05:09.339 it brings about tenderness of the heart, sharpness of intellect, 00:05:09.339 --> 00:05:13.339 humility of the soul, and the subsiding of whim and anger. 00:05:13.339 --> 00:05:16.589 On the authority of Abu Umamah, 00:05:16.589 --> 00:05:22.589 Iyas ibn Tha'labah al-Ansari al-Harithi (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:05:22.589 --> 00:05:26.620 The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be blessings of Allah be upon him) 00:05:26.620 --> 00:05:29.620 mentioned the worldly life one day in his presence, 00:05:29.620 --> 00:05:32.620 whereupon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:05:32.620 --> 00:05:35.660 "Will you not listen? 00:05:35.660 --> 00:05:37.660 Will you not listen? 00:05:37.660 --> 00:05:40.660 Simple living is part of faith! 00:05:40.660 --> 00:05:43.660 Simple living is part of faith!" 00:05:43.660 --> 00:05:46.720 That is, rough and simple living. 00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:49.939 Related by Abu Dawud. 00:05:49.939 --> 00:05:52.939 *Al-Badhadhah* means a modest, simple appearance 00:05:52.939 --> 00:05:55.939 and renouncing luxurious garments. 00:05:55.939 --> 00:05:57.939 As for *al-taqahhula*, 00:05:57.939 --> 00:06:01.939 it refers to a man with dried, weathered skin from a rugged life 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:03.939 and renouncing luxury. 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:08.100 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:06:08.100 --> 00:06:11.100 The recommendation to redirect the conversation of a gathering 00:06:11.100 --> 00:06:14.100 whenever the talk becomes burdened by worldly pleasures, 00:06:14.100 --> 00:06:17.100 its desires, and its adornments, 00:06:17.100 --> 00:06:21.639 turning hearts away from the remembrance of Allah Almighty. 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:25.639 Encouraging humility and taking little of this world; 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:29.639 that is, doing so inspires high resolve for worship and obedience. 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:34.149 It is not to be understood from the hadith that hygiene should be neglected, 00:06:34.149 --> 00:06:37.149 for Islam has strongly encouraged it, 00:06:37.149 --> 00:06:41.339 and it is among the requisites of faith. 00:06:41.339 --> 00:06:47.339 On the authority of Abu 'Abdullah, Jabir ibn 'Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: 00:06:47.339 --> 00:06:51.339 "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) dispatched us, 00:06:51.339 --> 00:06:55.339 and placed Abu 'Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) in command over us, 00:06:55.339 --> 00:06:58.339 to intercept a caravan belonging to Quraysh. 00:06:58.339 --> 00:07:01.339 He provided us with a leather bag of dates, 00:07:01.339 --> 00:07:03.430 finding nothing else to give us. 00:07:03.430 --> 00:07:07.430 Abu 'Ubaydah would give each of us a single date at a time." 00:07:07.430 --> 00:07:11.430 It was asked: "What did you do with it?" 00:07:11.430 --> 00:07:16.430 He replied: "We would suck on it just as a child does, 00:07:16.430 --> 00:07:19.430 then drink water after it, 00:07:19.430 --> 00:07:22.430 and it would suffice us for the entire day until nightfall. 00:07:22.430 --> 00:07:25.430 We also used to strike down leaves with our sticks, 00:07:25.430 --> 00:07:28.430 then moisten them with water and eat them." 00:07:28.430 --> 00:07:32.560 He said: "Then we proceeded to the seashore, 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:37.620 and there appeared to us on the shore something like a huge sand dune. 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:43.620 When we approached it, we found it to be a sea creature called al-'Anbar (the sperm whale). 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:46.689 Abu 'Ubaydah said: 'It is carrion.' 00:07:46.689 --> 00:07:49.689 Then he said: 'No, 00:07:49.689 --> 00:07:53.689 rather, we are the emissaries of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 00:07:53.689 --> 00:07:55.689 and we are in the cause of Allah, 00:07:55.689 --> 00:07:57.689 and you have been compelled by necessity, 00:07:57.689 --> 00:07:59.689 so eat!' 00:07:59.689 --> 00:08:01.689 We remained eating from it for a month, 00:08:01.689 --> 00:08:03.689 being three hundred men, 00:08:03.689 --> 00:08:05.689 until we grew stout. 00:08:05.689 --> 00:08:11.689 I remember us scooping fat from its eye socket using large earthenware jugs, 00:08:11.689 --> 00:08:15.689 and cutting meat chunks from it as large as a bull, or the size of a bull. 00:08:16.689 --> 00:08:21.750 Abu 'Ubaydah took thirteen men from our group 00:08:21.750 --> 00:08:24.750 and seated them inside its eye socket. 00:08:24.750 --> 00:08:28.750 He then took one of its ribs and set it upright, 00:08:28.750 --> 00:08:31.750 saddled the largest camel we had, 00:08:31.750 --> 00:08:33.750 and it passed beneath it without touching. 00:08:33.750 --> 00:08:37.750 We also stocked strips of its cured meat for provisions. 00:08:37.750 --> 00:08:39.779 When we arrived in Medina, 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:43.779 we came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:45.779 and mentioned that to him, 00:08:45.779 --> 00:08:47.779 whereupon he said: 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:50.779 'It was a provision that Allah brought forth for you. 00:08:50.779 --> 00:08:54.779 Do you have any of its meat with you to feed us?' 00:08:54.779 --> 00:08:59.820 So we sent some of it to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:02.100 and he ate it." 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:04.360 Related by Muslim. 00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:05.360 *Al-Jirab* 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:08.360 is a well-known leather container. 00:09:08.360 --> 00:09:10.710 His saying *al-khabat* 00:09:10.710 --> 00:09:12.710 refers to well-known tree leaves 00:09:12.710 --> 00:09:14.710 that camels eat. 00:09:14.710 --> 00:09:15.870 *Al-Kathib* 00:09:15.870 --> 00:09:17.870 is a dune of sand. 00:09:17.870 --> 00:09:19.940 *Al-Waqb* 00:09:19.940 --> 00:09:21.940 is the eye socket. 00:09:21.940 --> 00:09:22.940 *Al-Qilal* 00:09:22.940 --> 00:09:24.940 are large clay jars. 00:09:24.940 --> 00:09:26.029 *Al-Fidar* 00:09:26.029 --> 00:09:28.259 are large pieces or chunks of meat. 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:30.259 *Rahala al-ba'ir* 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:32.259 means placing the saddle upon the camel. 00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:34.289 *Al-Washa'iq* 00:09:34.289 --> 00:09:38.289 is meat cut into strips to be dried and cured. 00:09:38.289 --> 00:09:40.289 And Allah knows best. 00:09:40.289 --> 00:09:43.120 *'Ir* 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:45.120 refers to a camel caravan 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:48.149 carrying food provisions. 00:09:48.149 --> 00:09:49.149 *Al-'Anbar* 00:09:49.149 --> 00:09:52.860 is a massive sea creature (whale). 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:54.860 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:09:54.860 --> 00:09:59.139 The permissibility of taking the property of combatant disbelievers. 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:05.590 A miracle of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) regarding the sufficiency of food, 00:10:05.590 --> 00:10:11.590 where a single date sustained a Companion for an entire day. 00:10:11.590 --> 00:10:19.039 A demonstration of the Companions' asceticism and detachment from worldly comforts (may Allah be pleased with them), 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:23.490 and their endurance of hunger and austere living. 00:10:23.490 --> 00:10:27.490 The Companions' endurance of hardships for the sake of spreading Islam 00:10:27.490 --> 00:10:31.490 and striving in the cause of Allah to raise His banner. 00:10:31.490 --> 00:10:34.129 The permissibility of independent legal reasoning (ijtihad), 00:10:34.129 --> 00:10:36.129 and the subsequent permissibility of revising it; 00:10:36.129 --> 00:10:40.129 for Abu 'Ubaydah initially forbade them from eating the sea creature, 00:10:40.129 --> 00:10:44.129 then revised his reasoning and instructed them to eat from it. 00:10:44.129 --> 00:10:51.610 Allah Almighty's care and guardianship over the Companions of His Messenger (peace be upon him), 00:10:51.610 --> 00:10:53.610 and His honoring them, 00:10:53.610 --> 00:10:56.610 by providing them with wholesome sustenance 00:10:56.610 --> 00:10:59.610 when He knew their pressing need and sincerity. 00:10:59.610 --> 00:11:02.120 What dies in the sea is permissible to eat, 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:09.049 as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ate from it. 00:11:09.049 --> 00:11:13.049 On the authority of Asma' bint Yazid (may Allah be pleased with her), who said: 00:11:13.049 --> 00:11:19.139 "The sleeve of the shirt of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) reached to the wrist." 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:23.940 Related by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi. 00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:25.940 *Al-Rusgh* (spelled with sad), 00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:28.940 which can also be pronounced *al-rusgh* with sin, 00:11:28.940 --> 00:11:33.549 is the joint between the hand and the forearm. 00:11:33.549 --> 00:11:35.549 Among the lessons of the hadith: 00:11:35.549 --> 00:11:39.940 Encouragement toward modesty in clothing and avoiding excessively long garments, 00:11:39.940 --> 00:11:42.940 as it may lead to arrogance and ostentation, 00:11:42.940 --> 00:11:45.940 or hinder a person's mobility. 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:50.669 *Riyad al-Salihin*.