Hadith 156
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
فالأول : عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "دعوني ماتركتكم: إنما أهلك من كان قبلكم كثرة سؤالهم ، واختلافهم على أنبيائهم، فإذا نهيتكم عن شيء فاجتنبوه، وإذا أمرتكم بأمر فأتوا منه ما استطعتم" ((متفق عليه)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not ask me unnecessarily about the details of the things which I do not mention to you. Verily, the people before you were doomed because they were used to putting many questions to their Prophets and had differences about their Prophets. Refrain from what I forbid you and do what I command you to the best of your ability and capacity". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In plain words
The Prophet asked his followers not to burden him with needless questions, noting that earlier peoples were ruined by excessive questioning and disputing with their prophets. Avoid what he forbade and do what he commanded as far as you are able.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 156 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 156
Hadith 157
'Irbad bin Sariyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
الثاني: عن أبي نجيح العرباض بن سارية رضي الله عنه قال: "وعظنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم موعظة بليغة وجلت منها القلوب وذرفت منها العيون، فقلنا: يا رسول الله كأنها موعظة مودع فأوصنا. قال: "أوصيكم بتقوى الله ، والسمع والطاعة وإن تأمر عليكم عبد حبشي، وإنه من يعش منكم فسيرى اختلافاً كثيراً. فعليكم بسنتي وسنة الخلفاء الراشدين المهديين، عضوا عليها بالنواجذ، وإياكم ومحدثات الأمور فإن كل بدعة ضلالة" ((رواه أبو داود، والترمذي وقال : حديث حسن صحيح)).
One day Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) delivered us a very eloquent Khutbah on account of which eyes shed tears and hearts were full of tears. A man said: "O Prophet of Allah, this is as if it were a parting advice. So advise us". He (ﷺ) said, "I admonish you to fear Allah, to listen and obey even if an Abyssinian slave is appointed as your leader. Because whosoever among you shall live after me, will see much discord. So hold fast to my Sunnah and the examples of the Rightly- Guided Caliphs who will come after me. Adhere to them and hold to it fast. Beware of new things (in Deen) because every Bid'ah is a misguidance". [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi, who categorized it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
In a moving farewell-like sermon, the Prophet urged fearing Allah, obeying rightful leaders, and clinging firmly to his way and that of the rightly guided caliphs, while warning that newly invented practices in religion are misguidance. Hold fast to authentic guidance amid confusion.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 157 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 157
Hadith 158
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
الثالث: عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "كل أمتي يدخلون الجنة إلا من أبى " . قيل: ومن يأبى يا رسول الله قال: " من أطاعني دخل الجنة، ومن عصاني فقد أبى" ((رواه البخاري)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Everyone of my Ummah will enter Jannah except those who refuse". He was asked: "Who will refuse?" He (ﷺ) said, "Whoever obeys me, shall enter Jannah, and whosoever disobeys me, refuses to (enter Jannah)". [Al- Bukhari].
In plain words
Everyone in the Prophet's community will enter Paradise except those who refuse, and refusing means disobeying him. Following the Prophet is the path in, and turning from him is turning away from Paradise.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 158 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 158
Hadith 159
Salamah bin Al-Akwa' (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
الرابع: عن أبي مسلم، وقيل : أبي إياس سلمة بن عمرو بن الأكوع رضي الله عنه ، أن رجلاً أكل عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بشماله فقال: "كل بيمينك" قال: لا أستطيع. قال: " لا استطعت" ما منعه إلا الكبر، فما رفعها إلى فيه . ((رواه مسلم)).
My father said that a person ate in the presence of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) with his left hand. He (ﷺ) said, "Eat with your right hand". He said, "I cannot do that." Thereupon he (the Prophet) said, "May you never do that." It was pride that prevented him from doing it. And he could not raise it (the right hand) up to his mouth afterwards. [Muslim].
In plain words
When a man refused to eat with his right hand out of pride, the Prophet's words left him unable to raise that hand again. It warns against letting arrogance keep one from accepting good guidance.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 159 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 159
Hadith 160
Nu'man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
الخامس: عن أبي عبد الله النعمان بن بشير رضي الله عنهما، قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "لتسون صفوفكم أو ليخالفن الله بين وجوهكم " ((متفق عليه)) . وفي رواية لمسلم: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يسوي صفوفنا حتى كأنما يسوي بها القداح ،حتى إذا رأى أنا قد عقلنا عنه ثم خرج يوما، فقام حتى كاد أن يكبر، فرأى رجلاً بادياً صدره فقال: " عباد الله لتسون صفوفكم أو ليخالفن الله بين وجوهكم".
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Straighten your rows (during Salat) or Allah would create dissension amongst you". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. In another narration reported by Muslim, Nu'man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to straighten our rows (in Salat), as if he was straightening an arrow with their help until he saw that we had learnt it from him. One day he came out, stood up (for Salat) and was about to say: Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), (marking the beginning of the prayer) when he saw a man, whose chest was bulging out from the row. He said, "Slaves of Allah, you must straighten your rows or Allah would create dissension amongst you."
In plain words
The Prophet was earnest about straightening the prayer rows, warning that disorder in the ranks can breed discord among hearts. Order and unity in worship reflect and protect unity among believers.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 160 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 160
Hadith 161
Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
السادس: عن أبي موسى رضي الله عنه قال: احترق بيت بالمدينة على أهله من الليل، فلما حدث رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بشأنهم قال "إن هذه النار عدو لكم، فإذا نمتم فاطفئوها عنكم" ((متفق عليه)) .
A house in Al- Madinah caught fire at night and the roof and walls fell down upon the occupants. When this was reported to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) he said, "Fire is your enemy; so put it out before you go to bed". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Fire is a danger in the home, so put it out before sleeping. The Prophet gave plain, caring guidance to protect people from harm.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 161 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 161
Hadith 162
Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
السابع: عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "إن مثل ما بعثني الله به من الهدى والعلم كمثل غيث أصاب أرضاً فكانت منها طائفة طيبة، قبلت الماء فأنبتت الكلأ والعشب الكثير، وكان منها أجادب أمسكت الماء، فنفع الله بها الناس فشربوا منها وسقوا وزرعوا. وأصاب طائفة منها أخرى ، إنما هي قيعان لا تمسك ماء ولا تنبت كلأ. فذلك مثل من فقه في دين الله، ونفعه بما بعثنى الله به، فعلم وعلم، ومثل من لم يرفع بذلك رأساً، ولم يقبل هدى الله الذي أرسلت به" ((متفق عليه)) . فقه بضم القاف على المشهور، وقيل: بكسرها، أي: صار فقيهاً.
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The similitude of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like a rain which has fallen on some ground. A fertile part of earth has absorbed water and brought forth much grass and herbs. Another part, which is solid, held the water and Allah benefits men thereby, who drank and gave others to drink, and used it for irrigation. But some of it has fallen on a portion of sandy land which neither retains the water nor produces herbage. Such is the likeness of the man who understands the religion of Allah and who gets benefit of what Allah has sent me with; he learns and teaches others. It is also the likeness of the man who neither raises his head on that account (meaning he does not benefit from what the Prophet (ﷺ) was sent with) nor accepts Allah's Guidance with which I am sent". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet likened his guidance to rain falling on different soils: some absorb it and flourish, some hold it for others' benefit, and some neither soak it up nor grow anything. People differ in how they receive and pass on what he taught.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 162 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 162
Hadith 163
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
الثامن: عن جابر رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "مثلي ومثلكم كمثل رجل أوقد ناراً فجعل الجنادب والفراش يقعن فيها وهو يذبهن عنها وأنا آخذ بحجزكم عن النار، وأنتم تفلتون من يدي" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "My parable and that of yours is like a man who kindled a fire. When it has illuminated all around him, the moths and grasshoppers began to fall therein. He tried to push them away, but they overcame him and jumped into it. I am catching hold of your waists ties (to save you) from fire, but you slip away from my hands". [Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet compared himself to a man holding people back from a fire they keep rushing into like moths. He cares deeply for our safety and warns us from harm, yet many still pull away toward what destroys them.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 163 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 163
Hadith 164
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
التاسع: عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، أمر بلعق الأصابع والصحفة وقال: "إنكم لا تدرون في أيها البركة" ((رواه مسلم)). وفي رواية له: " إذا وقعت لقمة أحدكم . فليأخذها فليمط ماكان بها من أذى، وليأكلها، ولا يدعها للشيطان، ولا يمسح يده بالمنديل حتى يلعق أصابعه، فإنه لا يدري في أي طعامه البركة". وفي رواية له: "إن الشيطان يحضر أحدكم عند كل شيء من شأنه حتى يحضره عند طعامه، فإذا سقطت من أحدكم اللقمة فليمط ما كان بها من أذى ، فليأكلها، ولا يدعها للشيطان".
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded the licking of fingers (after eating) and the cleaning of the dish, saying: "You do not know in what portion the Blessing (of Allah) lies". [Muslim]. In another narration, Jabir said: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When a morsel of any of you falls down, you should pick it up and remove any dirt or dust on it and then eat it; and don't leave it for Satan; and do not wipe your hand with the towel until you have licked your fingers, for you do not know in what portion of the food the Barakah* (of Allah) lies". * Barakah is the abundance of goodness and its continuity.
In plain words
The Prophet taught licking the fingers and cleaning the plate after eating, and picking up a fallen morsel after removing any dirt, since blessing may lie in any part of the food. It teaches gratitude and not wasting provision.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 164 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 164
Hadith 165
Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
العاشر: عن ابن عباس، رضي الله عنهما، قال: قام فينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بموعظة فقال: "يا أيها الناس إنكم محشورون إلى الله تعالى حفاة عراة غرلاً {كما بدأنا أول خلق نعيده وعداً علينا إنا كنا فاعلين} ((الأنبياء: 103)) ألا وإن أول الخلائق يكسى يوم القيامة إبراهيم ، صلى الله عليه وسلم، ألا وإنه سيجاء برجال من أمتي ، فيؤخذ بهم ذات الشمال؛ فأقول: يارب أصحابي؛ فيقال: إنك لا تدري ما أحدثوا بعدك، فأقول كما قال العبد الصالح: {وكنت عليهم شهيداً ما دمت فيهم} إلى قوله: { العزيز الحكيم} ) ((المائدة : 117،118)) فيقال لي : إنهم لم يزالوا مرتدين على أعقابهم منذ فارقتهم" ((متفق عليه)). (46)
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "On the Day of Resurrection you will be assembled barefooted, naked and uncircumcised". He then recited: "As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. (It is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it," and continued: "The first to be clothed on the Day of Resurrection will be (Prophet) Ibrahim. Then some of my Companions will be taken to the left, (i.e., towards Hell-fire) and when I will say, 'They belong to my Ummah, O my Rubb!' It would be said: 'You do not know what they invented after you had left them.' I shall then say as the righteous slave [i.e., 'Isa (Jesus (ﷺ)] said: 'And I was a witness over them while I was amongst them, when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them and You are a Witness to all things. If you punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.' I shall be told: 'They continued to turn on their heels since you parted from them". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
People will be raised bare and as they were first created, and some who altered the religion after the Prophet will be turned away. It is a sober reminder to stay true to authentic faith.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 165 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 165
Hadith 166
'Abdullah bin Mughaffal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
الحادي عشر: عن أبي سعيد عبد الله بن مغفل، رضي الله عنه ، قال: نهى رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الخذف وقال: "إنه لا يقتل الصيد، ولا ينكأ العدو، وإنه يفقأ العين، ويكسر السن" ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prohibited flicking pebbles by the index finger and the thumb; and he said, "It does not kill a game animal nor does it inflict wound on the enemy, but breaks the tooth and gorges the eye". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet forbade flicking pebbles, since it catches no game and harms no enemy but can break a tooth or injure an eye. He steered people away from a pointless habit that risks harm.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 166 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 166
Hadith 167
'Abis bin Rabi'ah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن عابس بن ربيعة قال: رأيت عمر بن الخطاب ، رضي الله عنه ، يقبل الحجر -يعنى الأسود- ويقول:إني أعلم أنك حجر ما تنفع ولا تضر، ولولا أني رأيت رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم، يقبلك ما قبلتك. ((متفق عليه)) .
I saw 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) kissing the Black Stone (Al-Hajar Al-Aswad) and saying: "I know that you are just a stone and that you can neither do any harm nor give benefit. Had I not seen Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) kissing you, I would not have kissed you". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Umar kissed the Black Stone while openly saying it is just a stone that brings neither harm nor benefit, doing so only because the Prophet did. It shows that acts of worship are followed because the Prophet did them, not from any power in the object itself.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 167 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 167