Hadith 184
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
فالأول: عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "من رأى منكم منكرًا فليغيره بيده ، فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه، فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه وذلك أضعف الإيمان" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Whoever amongst you sees an evil, he must change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is unable to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest form of Faith". [Muslim].
In plain words
When you see wrong, stop it with your hand if you can, speak against it if you cannot, and at the least reject it in your heart. The Prophet calls that last response the weakest level of faith.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 184 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 184
Hadith 185
Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
الثاني: عن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "ما من نبي بعثه الله في أمة قبلي إلا كان له من أمته حواريون وأصحاب يأخذون بسنته ويقتدون بأمره، ثم إنها تختلف من بعدهم خلوف يقولون مالا يفعلون ويفعلون ما لا يؤمرون، فمن جاهدهم بيده فهو مؤمن، ومن جاهدهم بقلبه فهو مؤمن، ومن جاهدهم بلسانه فهو مؤمن ، وليس وراء ذلك الإيمان حبة خردل" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Never a Prophet had been sent before me by Allah to his people but he had, among his people, (his) disciples and companions, who followed his ways and obeyed his command. Then there came after them their successors who proclaimed what they did not practise, and practised what they were not commanded to do. And (he) who strove against them with his hand is a believer; he who strove against them with his heart is a believer; and he who strove against them with his tongue is a believer; and beyond that there is no grain of Faith". [Muslim].
In plain words
Communities can drift after their founders into preaching one thing while doing another. Whoever resists that wrong, by hand, tongue, or at least in the heart, still holds faith, and beyond that there is none left.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 185 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 185
Hadith 186
'Ubadah bin As-Samit (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
الثالث: عن أبي الوليد عبادة بن الصامت رضي الله عنه قال: “بايعنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على السمع والطاعة في العسر واليسر والمنشط والمكره، وعلى أثرةٍ علينا، وعلى أن لا ننازع الأمر أهله إلا أن تروا كفرًا بواحًا عندكم من الله تعالى فيه برهان ، وعلى أن نقول بالحق أينما كنا لا نخاف في الله لومة لائم" ((متفق عليه)) . المنشط والمكره بفتح ميميهما: أي: في السهل والصعب. والأثرة : الاختصاص بالمشترك، وقد سبق بيانها. بواحًا بفتح الباء الموحدة بعدها واو ثم ألف ثم حاء مهملة: أي ظاهر لا يحتمل تأويلا.
We swore allegiance to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to hear and obey; in time of difficulty and in prosperity, in hardship and in ease, to endure being discriminated against and not to dispute about rule with those in power, except in case of evident infidelity regarding which there is a proof from Allah. We swore allegiance to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to say what was right wherever we were, and not to fear from anyone's reproach. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
This pledge to the Prophet means listening and obeying through hardship and ease, not quarrelling over leadership unless clear disbelief appears, and speaking the truth everywhere without fearing anyone's criticism.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 186 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 186
Hadith 187
Nu'man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
الرابع: عن النعمان بن بشير رضي الله عنهما عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "مثل القائم على حدود الله والواقع فيها كمثل قوم استهموا على سفينة، فصار بعضهم أعلاها وبعضهم أسفلها، وكان الذين في أسفلها إذا استقوا من الماء مروا على من فوقهم فقالوا: لو أنا خرقنا في نصيبنا خرقًا ولم نؤذ من فوقنا ، فإن تركوهم وما أرادوا هلكوا وهلكوا جميعًا، وإن أخذوا على أيديهم نجوا ونجوا جميعا" ((رواه البخاري)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The likeness of the man who observes the limits prescribed by Allah and that of the man who transgresses them is like the people who get on board a ship after casting lots. Some of them are in its lower deck and some of them in its upper (deck). Those who are in its lower (deck), when they require water, go to the occupants of the upper deck, and say to them: 'If we make a hole in the bottom of the ship, we shall not harm you.' If they (the occupants of the upper deck) leave them to carry out their design they all will be drowned. But if they do not let them go ahead (with their plan), all of them will remain safe". [Al- Bukhari].
In plain words
Picture passengers on a ship: if those below are allowed to bore a hole for their own water, everyone drowns. Stopping someone's harmful act protects the whole group, while ignoring it sinks all together.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 187 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 187
Hadith 188
Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
الخامس: عن أم المؤمنين أم سلمة هند بنت أبي أمية حذيفة رضي الله عنها، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: " إنه يستعمل عليكم أمراءُ فتعرفون وتنكرون فمن كره فقد برئ، ومن أنكر فقد سلم، ولكن من رضي وتابع” قالوا: يا رسول الله ألا نقاتلهم؟ قال: "لا ، الإمام أقاموا فيكم الصلاة" ((رواه مسلم)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "You will have rulers some of whom you approve and some of whom you will disapprove. He who dislikes them will be safe, and he who expresses disapproval will be safe, but he who is pleased and follows them (will be indeed sinful)". His audience asked: "Shall we not fight them?" He replied, "No, as long as they establish Salat amongst you". [Muslim].
In plain words
Under leaders whose conduct you dislike, the one who rejects the wrong inwardly or openly stays clear of blame, but the one who is pleased and joins in shares the fault. The Prophet did not call for fighting them while prayer is upheld.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 188 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 188
Hadith 189
Zainab (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
السادس: عن أم المؤمنين أم الحكم زينب بنت جحش رضي الله عنها أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم دخل عليها فزعا يقول: "لا إله إلا الله، ويل للعرب من شر قد اقترب، فتح اليوم من ردم يأجوج ومأجوج مثل هذه” وحلق بأصبعيه الإبهام والتي تليها. فقلت: يا رسول الله أنهلك وفينا الصالحون؟ قال: "نعم إذا كثر الخبث" ((متفق عليه)) .
The Prophet (ﷺ) came to visit me one day frightened and he (ﷺ) said: "La ilaha illallah (There is no true God but Allah). Woe to the Arabs because of an evil which has drawn near! Today an opening of this size has been made in the barrier restraining Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog people)." And he (ﷺ) made a circle with his thumb and index finger. I said, "O Messenger of Allah! Shall we perish while still there will be righteous people among us?'' He (ﷺ) replied, "Yes, when wickedness prevails". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet warned that great trouble can draw near, and that even with righteous people present, ruin can reach a community once wickedness becomes widespread. A sober call to take evil seriously.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 189 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 189
Hadith 190
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
السابع: عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "إياكم والجلوس في الطرقات" فقالوا : يا رسول الله ما لنا من مجالسنا بد؛ نتحدث فيها! فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "فإذا أبيتم إلا المجلس فأعطوا الطريق حقه" قالوا: وما حق الطريق يا رسول الله؟ قال: "غض البصر وكف الأذى ورد السلام، والأمر بالمعروف ، والنهي عن المنكر" ((متفق عليه)) .
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Beware of sitting on roads (ways)." The people said: "We have but them as sitting places." Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "If you have to sit there, then observe the rights of the way". They asked, "What are the rights of the way?" He (ﷺ) said, "To lower your gaze (on seeing what is illegal to look at), and (removal of harmful objects), returning greetings, enjoining good and forbidding wrong". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
If you sit by the roadside, give the road its due: lower your gaze, remove what harms passersby, return greetings, and encourage good while discouraging wrong. Public space carries its own responsibilities.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 190 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 190
Hadith 191
'Abdullah bin 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
الثامن : عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم رأى خاتمًا من ذهب في يد رجل، فنزعه فطرحه وقال: " يعمد أحدكم إلى جمرة من نار فيجعلها في يده !" فقيل للرجل بعد ما ذهب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : خذ خاتمك؛ انتفع به. قال: لا والله لا آخذه أبدًا وقد طرحه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم. ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saw a man wearing a gold ring. So he (the Prophet (ﷺ)) pulled it off and threw it away, saying, "One of you takes a live coal, and puts it on his hand." It was said to the man after Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had left: "Take your ring (of gold) and utilize it," whereupon he said: "No, by Allah, I would never take it when Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) has thrown it away". [Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet's firm reaction to the gold ring shows that correcting a wrong can be plain and direct. The man's refusal to take it back afterward shows how deeply he honoured that guidance.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 191 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 191
Hadith 192
Abu Sa'id Al-Hasan Basri reported:
التاسع: عن أبي سعيد الحسن البصري أن عائذ بن عمرو رضي الله عنه دخل على عبيد الله بن زياد فقال: أي بني، إني سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "إن شر الرعاء الحطمة” فإياك أن تكون منهم. فقال له : اجلس فإنما أنت من نخالة أصحاب محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم ، فقال: وهل كانت لهم نخالة، إنما كانت النخالة بعدهم وفي غيرهم ! ((رواه مسلم)).
'Aidh bin 'Amr (the Companion) (May Allah be pleased with him) visited 'Ubaidullah bin Ziyad (the ruler) and said to him: "Son, I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, 'The worst shepherds (rulers) are those who deal harshly in respect of supervision. Beware, Don't be one of them!"' Ibn Ziyad said to him, "Sit down, you are but husk from among the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ)." 'Aidh bin 'Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) retorted: "Was there any husk among them? Surely, husk came after them and among others than them". [Muslim].
In plain words
A Companion warned a ruler that the harshest leaders are the worst, urging him not to become one of them. Truth can be spoken even to those in power, and sincerity is not silenced by insult.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 192 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 192
Hadith 193
Hudhaifah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
العاشر: عن حذيفة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: " والذي نفسي بيده لتأمرن بالمعروف، ولتنهون عن المنكر، أو ليوشكن الله أن يبعث عليكم عقابًا منه، ثم تدعونه فلا يستجاب لكم" ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my life is, you either enjoin good and forbid evil, or Allah will certainly soon send His punishment to you. Then you will make supplication and it will not be accepted". [At-Tirmidhi, who categorized it as Hadith Hasan].
In plain words
The Prophet warns that if people abandon encouraging good and forbidding evil, punishment may follow and their later prayers may go unanswered. Speaking up is part of guarding the whole community.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 193 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 193
Hadith 194
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
الحادي عشر: عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "أفضل الجهاد كلمة عدل عند سلطان جائر" ((رواه أبو داود، والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The best type of Jihad (striving in the way of Allah) is speaking a true word in the presence of a tyrant ruler." [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, who categorized it as Hadith Hasan].
In plain words
Among the highest forms of striving is to speak a word of truth before an unjust ruler. Courage in the face of power, for the sake of what is right, carries great weight.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 194 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 194
Hadith 195
Abu 'Abdullah Tariq bin Shihab (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
الثاني عشر: عن أبي عبد الله طارق بن شهاب البجلي الأحمسي رضي الله عنه أن رجلاً سأل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، وقد وضع رجله في الغرز: أي الجهاد أفضل؟ قال: “كلمة حق عند سلطان جائر" ((رواه النسائي بإسناد صحيح)).
A person asked the Prophet (ﷺ) (when he had just put his foot in the stirrup): "What is the highest form of Jihad?" He (ﷺ) said, "Speaking the truth in the presence of a tyrant ruler". [An-Nasa'i, with a sound chain].
In plain words
Asked about the greatest striving, the Prophet again named speaking the truth before a tyrant. The bravest effort is often not on a battlefield but in an honest word said where it is hardest.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 195 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 195
Hadith 196
'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
الثالث عشر: عن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "إن أول ما دخل النقص على بني إسرائيل أنه كان الرجل يلقى الرجل فيقول: يا هذا اتق الله ودع ما تصنع فإنه لا يحل لك، ثم يلقاه من الغد وهو على حاله، فلا يمنعه ذلك أن يكون أكيله وشريبه وقعيده، فلما فعلوا ذلك ضرب الله قلوب بعضهم ببعض" ثم قال: {لعن الذين كفروا من بني إسرائيل على لسان داود وعيسى ابن مريم ذلك بما عصوا وكانوا يعتدون. كانوا لا يتناهون عن منكر فعلوه لبئس ما كانوا يفعلون. ترى كثيرًا منهم يتولون الذين كفروا لبئس ما قدمت لهم أنفسهم } إلى قوله: {فاسقون} ((المائد: 78،81)) ثم قال: " كلا، والله لتأمرن بالمعروف ولتنهون عن المنكر، ولتأخذن على يد الظالم ولتأطرنه على الحق أطرا، ولتقصرنه على الحق قصرا، أو ليضربن الله بقلوب بعضكم على بعض، ثم ليلعننكم كما لعنهم" ((رواه أبو داود، والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)). هذا لفظ أبي داود، ولفظ الترمذي: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: لما وقعت بنو إسرائيل في المعاصي نهتهم علماؤهم فلم ينتهوا، فجالسوهم في مجالسهم وواكلوهم وشاربوهم، فضرب الله قلوب بعضهم ببعض، ولعنهم على لسان داود وعيسى ابن مريم ذلك بما عصوا وكانوا يعتدون فجلس رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، وكان متكئًا فقال: لا والذي نفسي بيده حتى تأطروهم على الحق أطرا . قوله: تأطروهم أي تعطفوهم. ولتقصرنه أي لتحبسنه.
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The first defect (in religion) which affected the Children of Israel in the way that man would meet another and say to him: 'Fear Allah and abstain from what you are doing, for this is not lawful for you.' Then he would meet him the next day and find no change in him, but this would not prevent him from eating with him, drinking with him and sitting in his assemblies. When it came to this, Allah led their hearts into evil ways on account of their association with others." Then he (ﷺ) recited, "Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawud (David) and 'Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds. They used not to forbid one another from the Munkar (wrong, evildoing, sins, polytheism, disbelief) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do. You see many of them taking the disbelievers as their Auliya' (protectors and helpers). Evil indeed is that which their own selves have sent forward before them; for that (reason) Allah's wrath fell upon them and in torment will they abide. And had they believed in Allah and in the Prophet (Muhammad (ﷺ)) and in what has been revealed to him, never would they have taken them (the disbelievers) as Auliya' (protectors and helpers); but many of them are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)." (:-) Then he (ﷺ) continued: "Nay, by Allah, you either enjoin good and forbid evil and catch hold of the hand of the oppressor and persuade him to act justly and stick to the truth, or, Allah will involve the hearts of some of you with the hearts of others and will curse you as He had cursed them". [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, who categorized it as Hadith Hasan]. The wording in At-Tirmidhi is: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When the Children of Israel became sinful, their learned men prohibited them but they would not turn back. Yet, the learned men associated with them and ate and drank with them. So, they were cursed at the tongues of Dawud and 'Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), because they were disobedient and were given to transgression." At this stage Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who was reclining on a pillow sat up and said, "No, By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, there is no escape for you but you persuade them to act justly."
In plain words
An earlier people began to slide when they would correct one another's sins yet keep socialising as if nothing was wrong. The Prophet warns that tolerating evil without restraining it can harden hearts and bring on collective punishment.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 196 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 196
Hadith 197
Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
الرابع عشر: عن أبي بكر الصديق، رضي الله عنه ، قال: يا أيها الناس إنكم لتقرءون هذه الآية: {يا أيها الذين آمنوا عليكم أنفسكم لا يضركم من ضل إذا اهتديتم} ((المائدة : 105)) وإني سمعت رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم، يقول: “إن الناس إذا رأو الظالم فلم يأخذوا على يديه أوشك أن يعمهم الله بعقاب منه" ((رواه أبو داود، والترمذي، والنسائي بأسانيد صحيحة)).
"O you people! You recite this Verse: 'O you who believe! Take care of your ownselves. If you follow the (right) guidance [and enjoin what is right (Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbid what is wrong (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden)] no hurt can come to you from those who are in error.' (:105) But I have heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: "When people see an oppressor but do not prevent him from (doing evil), it is likely that Allah will punish them all." [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].
In plain words
Abu Bakr explains a verse people misread as license to ignore others: the Prophet said that when people watch an oppressor and do nothing to stop him, Allah may punish them all. Caring for oneself includes confronting wrong.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 197 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 197