The Forty Hadiths of al-Nawawi
On the authority of Abu Dharr Jundub ibn Junadah
And Abu 'Abd al-Rahman Mu'adh ibn Jabal
May Allah be pleased with them both
On the authority of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who said:
"Fear Allah wherever you may be,
Follow up a bad deed with a good one, and it will wipe it out,
And treat people with good character."
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi,
Who said it is a hasan sahih hadith.
This hadith encompasses the foundations of a Muslim's righteousness
In three great pieces of advice:
Being mindful of Allah in private and in public,
Hastening toward repentance and righteous deeds
After falling into error,
And treating people well with noble character.
It is a comprehensive methodology for rectifying a person's relationship
With their Lord, with their own self, and with others.
The hadith trains the Muslim to maintain constant God-consciousness,
To never despair after committing a sin,
And to strive to spread goodness through love and good character,
Which achieves the happiness of the individual and the righteousness of society.