Riyadh Al-Salehin | Episode (8) | Chapter on patience (3)

0:00 *Riyadh al-Salihin* (The Meadows of the Righteous)

0:03 From the words of the Master of the Messengers,

0:06 Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

0:09 Chapter on Patience.

0:16 On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him),

0:19 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

0:24 "Allah Almighty says:

0:26 'My faithful servant has no reward from Me

0:29 When I take his dearest friend from among the people of the world

0:32 And he anticipates My reward with patience,

0:34 Except Paradise.'"

0:36 Narrated by al-Bukhari.

0:38 *Safi* (dearest friend)

0:42 Means a beloved companion,

0:43 So called because one gives him sincere affection and pure love.

0:47 *Thumma ihtasaba* (and anticipates My reward)

0:49 Means he stores up its reward with Allah Almighty,

0:52 Which reflects patience and submission to Allah's decree.

0:56 Key points of benefit from the hadith:

0:59 Among the greatest calamities that befall a person

1:03 Is the loss of loved ones.

1:05 No matter what good deeds a disbeliever performs,

1:08 He has no reward for them with Allah

1:11 Due to his lack of faith,

1:13 “Say: O My bondmen who believe! Observe your duty to your Lord. For those who do good in this world there is good, and Allah's earth is spacious. Verily the steadfast will be paid their wages without stint.” (39:10)

1:17 Whereas the ultimate end for the believer is entry into Paradise.

1:20 On the authority of 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her),

1:26 She asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about the plague,

1:31 So he informed her

1:33 That it was a punishment sent by Allah Almighty upon whomsoever He willed,

1:39 But Allah Almighty made it a mercy for the believers.

1:44 There is no servant who is afflicted by the plague,

1:47 Remains in his land patiently seeking Allah's reward,

1:51 Knowing that nothing will befall him except what Allah has decreed for him,

1:56 Except that he will have a reward like that of a martyr.

2:00 Narrated by al-Bukhari.

2:04 The plague (*ta'un*) is a painful pustule that usually breaks out in the armpits,

2:10 Accompanied by intense heat, dark discoloration around it,

2:13 Palpitations of the heart, and vomiting.

2:16 *Muhtasiban* (seeking Allah's reward)

2:18 Means hoping for recompense and reward from Allah Almighty.

2:22 Key points of benefit from the hadith:

2:26 The plague originated as a punishment and torment upon past nations.

2:31 It demonstrates Allah Almighty's mercy toward this Ummah

2:34 And the special favor He has bestowed upon it,

2:36 As Allah turned what was a punishment for others

2:40 Into a mercy for this Ummah.

2:42 Reward for afflictions such as anxiety, grief, distress, and harm

2:47 Is exclusive to the people of faith, to the exclusion of others.

2:51 The reward of a martyr is not limited to one who dies in battle;

2:55 Rather, it encompasses many types of people,

2:59 Including one who dies of the plague,

3:01 One who dies of an abdominal ailment, one who drowns,

3:03 Or a woman who dies in childbirth.

3:05 These are among those whom Islam counts in the ranks of martyrs.

3:09 They are not treated with the worldly rulings of a battlefield martyr,

3:12 But they attain the heavenly reward of martyrs.

3:15 If a plague breaks out in a land while a servant is in it,

3:20 It is impermissible for him to leave it;

3:23 Rather, he must remain steadfast there,

3:25 Seeking Allah's reward, content with Allah's decree and predestination.

3:29 Islam's keenness to contain malignant and contagious diseases

3:33 To prevent their spread

3:35 Represents the core principle of medical quarantine.

3:38 Calling upon the afflicted person to exercise patience and remain in his town

3:42 Does not contradict adopting preventive measures and seeking medical treatment.

3:47 On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), he said:

3:52 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:

3:57 "Allah Almighty said:

4:01 'If I afflict My servant in his two beloved things and he remains patient,

4:05 I shall compensate him for them with Paradise.'"

4:08 He meant his two eyes.

4:10 Narrated by al-Bukhari.

4:15 Key points of benefit from the hadith:

4:17 The two eyes are among the most beloved human organs to a person.

4:21 Whomever Allah loves, He afflicts with trials

4:23 In order to ward off evil from him,

4:25 Expiate his sins,

4:28 Or raise his status in Paradise.

4:30 Thus, if he responds to trial with acceptance,

4:33 His desired spiritual attainment is fulfilled.

4:35 Paradise is the greatest compensation,

4:37 For the enjoyment of eyesight perishes with the end of this world,

4:41 Whereas the enjoyment of Paradise is everlasting.

4:45 The magnitude of reward is proportionate to the level of hardship.

4:50 On the authority of 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah, he said:

4:54 Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said to me,

4:58 "Shall I not show you a woman from the people of Paradise?"

5:02 I said, "Yes, indeed."

5:04 He said:

5:05 "This black woman

5:08 Came to the Prophet (peace be upon him)

5:11 And said,

5:12 'I suffer from epileptic fits,

5:14 And my body becomes uncovered during them,

5:16 So pray to Allah Almighty for me.'

5:19 He said,

5:20 'If you wish, be patient and you will have Paradise;

5:24 And if you wish, I will pray to Allah Almighty to cure you.'

5:28 She said,

5:29 'I will be patient.'

5:31 Then she said,

5:32 'Indeed, my body becomes uncovered,

5:34 So pray to Allah that I do not become uncovered.'

5:38 So he prayed for her."

5:40 Agreed upon.

5:44 *Usra'u* comes from epilepsy (*sar'*),

5:46 Which can occur due to demonic possession or neurological conditions.

5:49 *Atakashshafu*

5:51 Means part of my body becomes exposed during the seizure.

5:54 Key points of benefit from the hadith:

5:57 Patience during worldly affliction leads to inheriting Paradise.

6:02 Treating illnesses through supplication

6:05 And sincere reliance on Allah Almighty

6:08 Is effective alongside taking prescribed medication.

6:11 Choosing the ideal resolve (*'azimah*) is better than resorting to concessions (*rukhsah*)

6:15 For one who finds in himself the strength to endure it,

6:19 As it yields an abundance of additional reward.

6:22 The permissibility of foregoing medical treatment.

6:25 The profound modesty of the female Companions (may Allah be pleased with them),

6:29 As this woman's greatest fear was

6:32 That any part of her body might be exposed.

6:36 On the authority of Abu 'Abd al-Rahman

6:39 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him), he said:

6:43 It is as though I am looking at the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)

6:47 Relating the story of a prophet among the prophets

6:50 (May Allah's blessings and peace be upon them),

6:53 Whose people beat him until they made him bleed,

6:56 While he was wiping the blood from his face and saying:

7:00 "O Allah, forgive my people, for they do not know."

7:05 Agreed upon.

7:08 *Yahki nabiyyan*

7:11 Means he describes a prophet among the prophets.

7:14 Key points of benefit from the hadith:

7:18 The patience of the prophets and their endurance of harm

7:21 For the sake of conveying their message to mankind,

7:24 So that they might attain Allah's pleasure and mercy.

7:27 It is from the noble character of the prophets

7:29 To meet ignorance with forgiveness and pardon,

7:33 Not retaliating against the ignorant in kind,

7:37 Nor praying against them,

7:39 But rather seeking guidance for them and striving earnestly for it.

7:43 Following the exemplary character of the Prophet (peace be upon him)

7:47 In enduring harm,

7:49 For his forehead was wounded and blood flowed from his face on the Day of Uhud.

7:53 Corrupt people and disbelievers

7:56 Do not counter argument with argument;

7:59 Rather, they resort to violence, torture, and denial.

8:03 The virtue of not hastening punishment upon opponents and enemies of the truth.

8:08 On the authority of Abu Sa'id and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them),

8:14 From the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said:

8:18 "No fatigue, illness,

8:22 Anxiety, sorrow,

8:24 Harm, or distress afflicts a Muslim,

8:26 Even the prick of a thorn,

8:29 Except that Allah expiates some of his sins thereby."

8:32 Agreed upon.

8:34 *Wasab* means sickness.

8:37 *Nasab* means exhaustion.

8:41 *Adha* (harm) is everything that causes discomfort to the soul.

8:46 *Yushakuha* means it pricks him and pierces his body.

8:51 Key points of benefit from the hadith:

8:54 Harmful afflictions that strike the believer absolve him of sins.

8:59 Even the smallest worldly trial that befalls a servant

9:03 Serves as an expiation for him.

9:05 A servant should not combine upon himself

9:08 Both the suffering of harm and the loss of spiritual reward.

9:11 The truly afflicted person is one deprived of reward.

9:14 A calamity accompanied by discontent and panic becomes two calamities:

9:18 A physical affliction

9:20 And the calamity of forfeiting reward.

9:23 Indeed, a discontented person may even incur sin.

9:28 On the authority of Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him), he said:

9:32 I entered upon the Prophet (peace be upon him)

9:35 While he was suffering from a severe fever.

9:37 I said,

9:38 "O Messenger of Allah,

9:40 You are suffering from a very intense fever."

9:43 He said,

9:44 "Yes, indeed;

9:47 No Muslim is afflicted with harm—

9:50 A prick of a thorn or anything worse—

9:53 Except that Allah expiates his evil deeds thereby

9:56 And removes his sins from him, just as a tree sheds its leaves."

10:01 Agreed upon.

10:03 *Wa'ak*

10:04 Refers to the severe heat of fever.

10:06 And it is said:

10:07 *Humma*

10:10 Is the intensity

10:11 Of a feverish affliction.

10:14 Key points of benefit from the hadith:

10:17 Attaining spiritual reward through various trials when accompanied by patience.

10:21 The most severely tested of people

10:23 Are the prophets,

10:25 Because they are distinguished by perfect patience and complete faith,

10:29 And because Allah Almighty made them role models and exemplars for humanity.

10:34 The more severe sickness and harm become for a believing servant,

10:38 The more Allah multiplies his reward and expiation of sins,

10:42 until all his sins are completely wiped away.

10:46 The strong can bear what the weak cannot,

10:50 so the believer is tested in proportion to his religious commitment and certainty.

10:54 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said

10:59 that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

11:03 "He for whom Allah wills good, He afflicts him."

11:07 Related by al-Bukhari.

11:09 Scholars have vocalized "is afflicted" (*yusab minhu*)

11:14 as meaning:

11:16 that an affliction is directed at him affecting his body, his wealth, or his loved ones.

11:21 Among the lessons of the hadith:

11:25 A believer is never free of an illness, a shortage, or an abasement.

11:29 Tribulation is a mark of Allah's love for His servant,

11:33 serving to elevate his station, raise his rank,

11:36 and expiate his sins.

11:40 On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said

11:43 that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

11:47 "None of you should ever wish for death because of any harm that has befallen him;

11:52 but if he must do so, let him say:

11:56 'O Allah, keep me alive as long as life is good for me,

12:01 and take my soul when death is good for me.'"

12:05 Agreed upon.

12:07 Harm (*al-durr*)

12:11 refers to the misfortune that befalls a person in his body, his family, or his wealth.

12:16 Among the lessons of the hadith:

12:20 The prohibition of wishing for death.

12:22 An explicit prohibition has also been reported in the hadith of Khabbab ibn al-Aratt (may Allah be pleased with him)

12:27 in Sahih al-Bukhari,

12:29 where he was cauterized seven times and said:

12:31 "Were it not that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)

12:35 forbade us from praying for death,

12:37 I would have prayed for it."

12:39 However, if a servant fears falling into trials that corrupt faith

12:43 and fears harm to his religion,

12:46 it is permissible for him to utter that supplication.

12:48 Yet it must be done as the Messenger (peace be upon him) taught us in this hadith.

12:54 There is no doubt that the life of a believer is better for him,

12:58 because once he dies, his good deeds come to an end.

13:02 As Muslim related from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him),

13:06 the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

13:10 "None of you should wish for death,

13:13 nor pray for it before it comes to him;

13:17 for when one of you dies, his good deeds cease,

13:21 and an increase in a believer's lifespan brings nothing but good."

13:25 Consigning matters and surrendering completely to Allah Almighty regarding the choice between life and death:

13:31 a human being does not know from where good will reach him,

13:35 for his life alongside afflictions and hardships may well be better for him,

13:40 or his death may be better for him by shielding him from sins.

13:45 Thus, the believer must entrust his entire affair to Allah.

13:49 On the authority of Abu 'Abdullah Khabbab ibn al-Aratt (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

13:56 "We complained to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

14:00 while he was leaning against a cloaked cushion in the shade of the Ka'bah.

14:04 We said, 'Will you not seek help for us? Will you not pray for us?'

14:10 He replied, 'Among those before you, a man would be seized,

14:15 a pit would be dug for him in the ground, and he would be placed in it;

14:19 then a saw would be brought and placed upon his head, cutting him in two halves,

14:24 and iron combs would scrape his flesh down to the bone,

14:29 yet none of that would turn him away from his religion!

14:32 By Allah, Allah will surely bring this matter to full fruition,

14:36 until a rider travels from Sana'a to Hadramawt

14:40 fearing none but Allah, or the wolf for his sheep;

14:44 but you are being hasty.'"

14:47 Related by al-Bukhari.

14:49 In another narration:

14:51 "while he was reclining on a cloak,

14:53 and we had suffered severe persecution from the polytheists."

14:59 A cloak (*al-burdah*) is a striped outer garment.

15:02 "Leaning against" (*mutawassidan*) means he placed the cloak beneath his head.

15:07 "Turn him away" (*yasudduhu*) means prevents him.

15:10 "This matter" refers to the religion of Islam.

15:13 "The rider" denotes the traveler.

15:16 Among the lessons of the hadith:

15:20 Praising steadfast patience when enduring torture for one's religion.

15:23 The vulnerable gain strength from the supplication and counsel of the strong.

15:28 The permissibility of praying against the disbelievers and requesting such prayers.

15:32 The permissibility of mentioning the persecution one suffers at the hands of the disbelievers,

15:37 which does not constitute unlawful complaining.

15:39 The permissibility of citing examples from the believers of previous nations,

15:43 and that doing so is more impactful in illustrating steadfast patience;

15:46 for the soul finds comfort and resolve when it sees that others suffered alike and stood firm.

15:52 This is the great benefit of emulating righteous predecessors.

15:55 The believer remains steadfast in his creed,

15:59 even if sawn asunder with saws.

16:01 Tribulation is an inescapable companion of faith at all times,

16:05 as Allah Almighty said:

16:07 “Do men imagine that they will be left (at ease) because they say, We believe, and will not be tested with affliction?” (29:2)

16:14 “Lo! We tested those who were before you. Thus Allah knoweth those who are sincere, and knoweth those who feign.” (29:3)

16:18 "Allah will surely make known those who are truthful, and He will surely make known the liars."

16:24 Enmity toward faith is ancient;

16:27 for the people of disbelief, defiance, and disobedience

16:30 “And they observe toward a believer neither pact nor honour. These are they who are transgressors.” (9:10)

16:34 follow this path of the wicked criminals.

16:36 The future belongs to Islam;

16:38 Allah will grant victory to His religion, with the honor of the mighty or the abasement of the humbled:

16:43 an honor with which Allah exalts Islam and its people,

16:47 and a humiliation by which He debases disbelief and its people.

16:50 As Allah Almighty said:

16:52 "It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth

16:56 to cause it to prevail over all religion, even though the polytheists dislike it."

17:02 The Prophet's foretelling (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

17:05 of future events and their subsequent realization,

17:09 as Islam indeed spread

17:11 and peace and security prevailed;

17:14 this serves as clear proof of his prophethood and truthfulness (peace and blessings be upon him).

17:19 Islam is the religion of peace and security;

17:22 wherever Islam takes root, its rulings are implemented, and its legal limits established,

17:27 safety, security, tranquility, and peace prevail.

17:31 But when people alter this state,

17:33 “Allah coineth a similitude: a township that dwelt secure and well content, its provision coming to it in abundance from every side, but it disbelieved in Allah's favours, so Allah made it experience the garb of dearth and fear because of what they used to do.” (16:112)

17:39 man is naturally drawn to immediate outcomes,

17:41 having been created of haste;

17:44 so when good is delayed, his patience runs out

17:47 and his chest grows constricted,

17:49 forgetting that every appointed term has a decreed time,

17:53 and that Allah does not hasten for the haste of His creation.

17:57 *Riyad al-Salihin*.

Riyadh Al-Salehin | Episode (8) | Chapter on patience (3)

Transcript