Riyadh Al-Salehin | Episode (41) | Chapter on covering the private parts of Muslims, chapter on meeting the needs of Muslims, and chapter on intercession

0:00 *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.

0:09 Chapter: Concealing the Faults of Muslims and the Prohibition of Disclosing Them Without Necessity.

0:18 Allah Almighty said: "Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread among those who believe..."

0:28 “Lo! those who love that slander should be spread concerning those who believe, theirs will be a painful punishment in the world and the Hereafter. Allah knoweth. Ye know not.” (24:19)

0:33 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

0:41 "No servant conceals the faults of another servant in this world except that Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection."

0:48 Reported by Muslim.

0:51 Among the lessons of the hadith: whoever conceals the faults of a servant in this world, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection,

1:00 either by forgiving his sins so that He does not question him about them, or by not exposing him before the assembled witnesses.

1:09 Recompense is of the same nature as the deed.

1:12 Whoever sees a sin or mistake in his brother ought to conceal it for him and offer him sincere advice,

1:19 but not in the presence of onlookers.

1:24 The Muslim is the mirror of his fellow Muslim.

1:27 Allah, Glorified and Exalted, is Modest and Concealing, and He loves modesty and concealment.

1:33 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

1:38 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say:

1:43 "All of my Ummah will be forgiven except those who publicize their sins.

1:47 And part of publicizing sins is that a man commits an act by night,

1:52 and awakens in the morning while Allah has concealed it for him,

1:56 yet he says: 'O so-and-so, last night I did such-and-such.'

2:02 He spent the night while his Lord concealed him, yet in the morning he uncovers the veil of Allah from himself."

2:08 Agreed upon.

2:12 "Forgiven" (*mu'afa*) means safe from the tongues and harm of the people.

2:18 "Those who publicize" (*al-mujahirun*) are those who openly proclaim sins,

2:22 speaking of them boastfully.

2:26 Among the lessons of the hadith:

2:29 Openly proclaiming a sin is itself a transgression distinct from the sin itself,

2:33 because it involves belittling the majesty of Allah and entails a form of defiance.

2:39 Openly proclaiming sins spreads immorality among the believers.

2:45 Whoever Allah conceals in this world,

2:48 Allah will conceal in the Hereafter and will not disgrace.

2:52 This is part of the vastness of Allah's mercy toward His servants.

2:56 In open proclamation of sin, there are five offenses:

2:59 First: the sin itself.

3:02 Second: mentioning it after committing it, or committing it in the presence of others.

3:08 Third: uncovering the veil of Allah that He had lowered over him.

3:15 Fourth: stirring the inclination toward evil in whoever hears of his sin or witnesses his deed.

3:22 Fifth: enticing others toward it, urging them to it, and providing the means for it.

3:29 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him),

3:34 from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who said:

3:38 "If an enslaved woman commits illegal sexual intercourse and her sin becomes clear,

3:42 let her master administer the prescribed legal punishment (*hadd*) and not rebuke her.

3:46 Then if she commits it a second time, let him administer the prescribed punishment and not rebuke her.

3:53 Then if she commits it a third time, let him sell her, even for a rope of woven hair."

3:59 Agreed upon.

4:01 *Al-Tathrib* means reproach and rebuking.

4:04 "Let him administer the prescribed legal punishment"

4:08 means: let him carry out upon her the prescribed punishment for illegal intercourse,

4:11 which is fifty lashes—half the prescribed punishment of a free woman.

4:15 *Yutharrib* means to harshly chastise.

4:18 Among the lessons of the hadith:

4:22 Promptness in parting ways with sinners and ceasing to associate with them.

4:27 Rebuking is an addition beyond the prescribed legal punishment;

4:32 thus, one should not transgress the limits set by Allah.

4:35 Whoever has had the prescribed legal punishment applied to him is not to be punished further by rebuke and blame;

4:40 rather, such censure is only appropriate for one who committed it before the matter is brought to the ruler.

4:46 The obligation of disclosing defects when selling an enslaved man or woman who has committed illegal sexual intercourse.

4:51 This is recognized from the statement of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him):

4:56 "Let him sell her, even for a rope of woven hair."

4:59 For had he not disclosed her defect,

5:02 the buyer would not have depreciated her value to such a low extent.

5:06 The permissibility of a seller disliking something for himself yet accepting it for another,

5:12 on condition of full disclosure and clarification.

5:15 The permissibility of the master applying the prescribed legal punishment to his enslaved servant.

5:20 Showing compassion to sinners so as to bring them back to righteousness,

5:24 and not scolding them,

5:26 but rather guiding them to the truth through gracious exhortation.

5:31 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

5:36 A man who had drunk wine was brought to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

5:42 He said: "Beat him."

5:45 Abu Hurayrah said:

5:47 Among us were those who struck him with their hands,

5:49 those who struck him with their sandals,

5:51 and those who struck him with their garments.

5:53 When he departed, some of the people said:

5:56 "May Allah disgrace you!"

5:58 He said: "Do not say that;

6:02 do not help Satan against him."

6:05 Reported by al-Bukhari.

6:07 "May Allah disgrace you"

6:11 means: may Allah subdue you and cast you far away.

6:14 Among the lessons of the hadith:

6:17 The prescribed legal punishment for drinking wine

6:20 is carried out by striking with hands, palm stalks, and sandals.

6:24 Prescribed legal punishments are both deterrents and expiations;

6:27 whoever has the prescribed punishment carried out against him,

6:29 it serves as an expiation for him.

6:31 A Muslim ought not to assist Satan against one who has fallen short regarding the duty owed to Allah.

6:39 Muslims must be keen to return the disobedient to the path of truth and righteousness.

6:45 The committer of a major sin does not become an unbeliever on account of it,

6:49 because of the established prohibition against cursing him,

6:51 and the instruction to pray for him.

6:53 Chapter: Fulfilling the Needs of the Muslims.

7:00 Allah Almighty said:

7:04 “O ye who believe! Bow down and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord, and do good, that haply ye may prosper.” (22:77)

7:08 On the authority of Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both),

7:13 the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

7:17 "A Muslim is the brother of a fellow Muslim:

7:20 he does not wrong him, nor does he surrender him to harm.

7:23 Whoever attends to the need of his brother,

7:25 Allah will attend to his need.

7:28 Whoever relieves a Muslim of a distress,

7:31 Allah will relieve him of one of the distresses of the Day of Resurrection.

7:36 And whoever conceals the faults of a Muslim,

7:39 Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection."

7:42 Agreed upon.

7:45 And on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him),

7:48 from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who said:

7:52 "Whoever relieves a believer of one of the distresses of this world,

7:57 Allah will relieve him of one of the distresses of the Day of Resurrection.

8:02 Whoever makes matters easy for one in financial hardship,

8:05 Allah will make matters easy for him in this world and the Hereafter.

8:09 Whoever conceals the faults of a Muslim,

8:11 Allah will conceal his faults in this world and the Hereafter.

8:15 Allah continues to aid the servant

8:18 as long as the servant aids his brother.

8:21 Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge therein,

8:26 Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.

8:31 No people assemble in one of the houses of Allah Almighty,

8:36 reciting the Book of Allah

8:38 and studying it together among themselves,

8:41 except that tranquility descends upon them,

8:44 mercy envelops them,

8:46 the angels surround them,

8:49 and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him.

8:52 And whoever is slowed down by his deeds

8:55 will not be hastened forward by his lineage."

8:58 Reported by Muslim.

9:00 "Relieves" (*naffasa*) means removes and alleviates.

9:05 "Makes matters easy for one in financial hardship"

9:07 means by absolving him of the debt,

9:09 giving charity to him,

9:11 or granting him respite until a time of ease.

9:14 "Seeking" (*yaltamisu*) means pursuing.

9:18 "Studying it together" (*yatadarasunahu*)

9:20 means reciting it and learning it.

9:23 "Slowed down" (*batta'a*) means fell short.

9:26 Among the lessons of the hadith:

9:30 Helping the afflicted and relieving distress are acts of drawing near to Allah

9:35 and a means to Allah's mercy for His servant on the Day of Resurrection.

9:40 It is recommended to make things easy for someone in financial distress;

9:43 and in this lies the virtue of giving a goodly loan among Muslims.

9:47 A servant's assistance to his Muslim brother

9:50 is a cause for Allah's assistance to the servant.

9:53 Eagerness to pursue sacred knowledge,

9:57 which leads to the pleasure of Allah Almighty,

10:01 and by which we will enter Paradise, if Allah wills.

10:05 The most virtuous of sciences

10:07 is caring for the Book of Allah Almighty:

10:10 reciting and teaching its recitation,

10:12 learning and teaching it,

10:14 and understanding its fiqh and pondering its meanings.

10:17 Everlasting happiness is attained through righteous deeds,

10:21 not through ancestral status or noble lineage.

10:24 Chapter: Intercession.

10:29 Allah Almighty said:

10:32 “Whoso interveneth in a good cause will have the reward thereof, and whoso interveneth in an evil cause will bear the consequence thereof. Allah overseeth all things.” (4:85)

10:39 On the authority of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:

10:45 Whenever a petitioner seeking some need

10:49 came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him),

10:52 he would turn to those sitting with him and say:

10:56 "Intercede, and you will be rewarded,

10:58 and Allah will decree through the tongue of His Prophet whatever He loves."

11:03 Agreed upon.

11:05 And in one narration: "whatever He wills."

11:08 Among the lessons of the hadith:

11:12 Encouragement to strive toward fulfilling a Muslim's need,

11:16 whether the need ends up being fulfilled or not.

11:19 It contains an incentive to do good by direct action

11:23 and to facilitate it through every available means.

11:26 Nothing occurs except what Allah wills.

11:29 There is no intercession regarding the prescribed legal punishments of Allah Almighty

11:33 once the matter has reached the ruler.

11:39 And on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both),

11:42 regarding the story of Barirah and her husband,

11:45 he said:

11:46 The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to her:

11:50 "If only you would take him back."

11:52 She said:

11:53 "O Messenger of Allah,

11:55 are you commanding me?"

11:57 He said:

11:58 "I am only interceding."

12:00 She said:

12:01 "I have no need of him."

12:04 Reported by al-Bukhari.

12:07 Among the lessons of the hadith:

12:11 Barirah

12:12 was the freed slave-woman of 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her);

12:15 she was emancipated while married to her husband, Mughith.

12:20 He loved her with an overwhelming love,

12:22 whereas she did not love him.

12:24 So the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) interceded with her on his behalf.

12:29 When she inquired of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)

12:33 and it became clear to her

12:35 that he was not commanding her with an obligation she could not refuse,

12:39 but rather it was a request leaving her the choice,

12:42 she chose for herself,

12:44 and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not rebuke her.

12:49 When an enslaved woman is emancipated

12:51 while married to an enslaved husband,

12:54 she had the option to annul the marriage.

12:58 Intercession is not a binding command;

13:00 rather, it is a benevolent mediation

13:03 and an appeal to fulfill a Muslim's need.

13:07 The leader's intercession is not an order,

13:12 and it is permissible to decline an intercessor's request,

13:14 without this reflecting negatively upon either the one declining or the intercessor.

13:19 Riyad al-Salihin.

Riyadh Al-Salehin | Episode (41) | Chapter on covering the private parts of Muslims, chapter on meeting the needs of Muslims, and chapter on intercession

Transcript