Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 88

Excellence of Meeting with a Smiling Countenance and Politeness in Speech

باب استحباب طيبب الكلام وطلاقته الوجه عند اللقاء

Here Buruja meets a gentle and liberating teaching: goodness is never out of reach. The chapter gathers sayings that place a kind word and a warm face on the same scale as charity, so that no one can say they had nothing to give.

Watch how the bar is set deliberately low so that everyone clears it. Half a date, a good word, a cheerful greeting to your brother, these are named as real protection from the Fire and as charity in their own right. The point is that the smallest sincere kindness counts, and none should be looked down upon.

Hadith 692

'Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن عدي بن حاتم رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏اتقوا النار ولو بشق تمرة فمن لم يجد فبكلمة طيبة‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Guard yourselves against the Fire (of Hell) even if it be only with half a date-fruit (given in charity); and if you cannot afford even that, you should at least say a good word." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

Shield yourself from the Fire even with half a date given in charity, and if you cannot manage even that, then with a kind word. No one is too poor to do some good.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 692 In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 13

Hadith 693

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي هريرة أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏والكلمة الطيبة صدقة‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ وهو بعض حديث تقدم بطوله‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It is also charity to utter a good word." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim]. It is part of a narration that has preceded in its entirety.

In plain words

Even speaking a good word counts as a form of charity. Kindness with the tongue is a real act of giving.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 693 In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 14

Hadith 694

Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي ذر رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال لي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏ "‏لا تحقرن من المعروف شيئاً، ولو أن تلقى أخاك بوجه طلق‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do not disdain a good deed, (no matter how small it may seem) even if it is your meeting with your (Muslim) brother with a cheerful face." [Muslim].

In plain words

Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face. The smallest sincere kindness has worth.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 694 In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 15