باب توقير العلماء والكبار وأهل الفضل وتقديمهم على غيرهم، ورفع مجالسهم، وإظهار مرتبتهم
A healthy community gives people their proper place. This chapter is about tawqir, the respect owed to those who carry knowledge, those advanced in age, and those entrusted with authority. Again and again the Prophet (peace be upon him) puts the most learned and the eldest forward, whether leading prayer, speaking in a gathering, or being buried after battle.
The thread running through these hadith is that rank in Islam is measured by knowledge, faith, and the dignity of age, not by wealth or noise. Watch how honouring an elder, deferring to the more knowledgeable, and treating each person according to their standing are presented as acts of reverence for Allah Himself.
Hadith 348
Abu Mas'ud 'Uqbah bin 'Amr Al-Badri Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي مسعود عقبة بن عمرو البدري الأنصاري رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "يؤم القوم أقرؤهم لكتاب الله، فإن كانوا في القراءة سواء، فأعلمهم بالسنة، فإن كانوا في السنة سواء، فأقدمهم هجرة، فإن كانوا في الهجرة سواء، فأقدمهم سنًا، ولا يؤمن الرجل الرجل في سلطانه، ولا يقعد في بيته على تكرمته إلا بإذنه" ((رواه مسلم)). وفي رواية له: "فأقدمهم سلمًا" بدل "سنًا" : أو إسلامًا. وفي رواية: يؤم القوم أقرؤهم لكتاب الله، وأقدمهم قراءة، فإن كانت قراءتهم فيؤمهم أقدمهم هجرة، فإن كانوا في الهجرة سواء، فليؤمهم أكبرهم سنًا".
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The person who is best versed in the recitation of the Book of Allah, should lead the prayer; but if all those present are equally versed in it, then the one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah; if they are equal in that respect too, then the one who has emigrated (to Al-Madinah) first, if they are equal in this respect also, then the oldest of them. No man should lead another in prayer where the latter has authority, or sit in his house, without his permission". [Muslim]. In another narration in Muslim: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "One who is senior most in accepting Islam, should lead the Salat (prayer)". Yet another narration is: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A man who is well versed in the Book of Allah and can recite it better, should lead the Salat (prayer); if (all those present) are equal in this respect, then the man who is senior most in respect of emigration, if they are equal in that respect too, then the oldest of them should lead the prayer". [Muslim].
In plain words
Leading the prayer goes first to the one most learned in the Quran, then in the Sunnah, then the earliest to emigrate, then the eldest, and not without permission in another's place of authority.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 348 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 348
Hadith 349
Abu Mas'ud Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يمسح مناكبنا في الصلاة ويقول: "استووا ولا تختلفوا، فتختلف قلوبكم، ليلني منكم أولو الأحلام والنهى، ثم الذين يلونهم" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would place his hands upon our shoulders when we would form rows for As-Salat (the prayer) and say, "Stand in straight rows and do not differ among yourselves, or else your hearts will differ due to disaccord. Let those be nearest to me who are mature and endowed with understanding (of the religion), then those who are nearest to them in these respects and then those who are nearest to them". [Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet (peace be upon him) called for straight, orderly prayer rows and placed those of maturity and understanding nearest him, honouring knowledge and standing.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 349 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 349
Hadith 350
'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن عبد الله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "ليلني منكم أولو الأحلام والنهى، ثم الذين يلونهم" ثلاثًا "وإياكم وهيشات الأسوق" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Let those be nearest to me in Salat (prayer) who are mature and possess (religious) knowledge, then those who are nearest to them in these respects". He repeated this three times and then added, "Beware of indulging in the loose talks of the markets (when you are in the mosque)". [Muslim].
In plain words
Those of maturity and religious knowledge should stand nearest in prayer, a point the Prophet (peace be upon him) stressed by repeating it, along with leaving marketplace chatter out of the mosque.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 350 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 350
Hadith 351
Sahl bin Abu Hathmah Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي يحيى وقيل: أبي محمد سهل بن أبي حَثْمة -بفتح الحاء المهملة وإسكان الثاء المثلثة -الأنصاري رضي الله عنه قال: انطلق عبد الله ابن سهل ومحيصة بن مسعود إلى خيبر وهي صلح، فتفرقا، فأتى محيصة إلى عبد الله بن سهل وهو يتشحط في دمه قتيلاً، فدفنه، ثم قدم المدينة فانطلق عبد الرحمن بن سهل ومحيصة وحويصة ابنا مسعود إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، فذهب عبد الرحمن يتكلم فقال: " كبر كبر" وهو أحدث القوم، فسكت، فتكلما فقال: "أتحلفون وتستحقون قاتلكم؟ وذكر تمام الحديث. ((متفق عليه)) .
'Abdullah bin Sahl and Muhaiyisah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with them) went to Khaibar during the period of the truce (after its conquest) and they separated to perform their duties. When Muhaiyisah returned to `Abdullah bin Sahl, he found him murdered, drenched in his blood. So he buried him and returned to Al-Madinah. Then `Abdur-Rahman bin Sahl, Huwaiyisah and Muhaiyisah, the two sons of Mas`ud went to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and spoke about the case of their (murdered) friend. `Abdur-Rahman, who was the youngest of them all, started talking. Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Let those older than you speak first." So he stopped talking and the (other two) spoke about the case of their (murdered) friend. Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Will you take an oath whereby you will have the right to receive the blood money of your murdered man?" And mentioned the rest of the Hadith. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
When a younger man began to speak about a serious matter, the Prophet (peace be upon him) had the elders speak first, showing the respect due to age.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 351 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 351
Hadith 352
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن جابر رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يجمع بين الرجلين من قتلى أحد يعني في القبر، ثم يقول: أيهما أكثر أخذًا للقرآن؟" فإذا أشير له إلى أحدهما قدمه في اللحد. ((رواه البخاري)).
After the battle of Uhud, the Prophet (ﷺ) arranged the burial of two of the martyrs in one grave. In each case he would ask, "Which one of them had learnt more Qur'an by heart?" Whichever was thus pointed out to him, was placed by him first in the Lahd. [Al- Bukhari].
In plain words
Burying the fallen of Uhud, the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave precedence to whoever had learned more of the Quran, honouring knowledge even in death.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 352 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 352
Hadith 353
'Abdullah bin 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with tehm) reported:
وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: " أراني في المنام أتسوك بسواك، فجاءني رجلان، أحدهما أكبر من الآخر، فناولت السواك الأصغر، فقيل لي: كبر، فدفعته إلى الأكبر منهما" ((رواه مسلم والبخاري تعليقًا)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It was shown to me in my dream that I was cleaning my teeth with a Miswak and two men came to me, one being older than the other. I gave the Miswak to the younger one, but I was asked to give it to the older, which I did". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
In a dream the Prophet (peace be upon him) was directed to give the miswak to the older of two men first, illustrating that elders are given precedence.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 353 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 353
Hadith 354
Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي موسى رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "إن من إجلال الله تعالى إكرام ذي الشيبة المسلم، وحامل القرآن غير الغالي فيه، والجافي عنه وإكرام ذي السلطان المقسط" ((حديث حسن رواه أبو داود)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "It is out of reverence to Allah in respecting an aged Muslim, and the one who commits the Qur'an to memory and does not exaggerate pronouncing its letters nor forgets it after memorizing, and to respect the just ruler". [Abu Dawud, who classified it as Hadith Hasan].
In plain words
Part of revering Allah is honouring an aged Muslim, one who carries the Quran with care, and a just ruler.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 354 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 354
Hadith 355
'Amr bin Shu'aib (May Allah be pleased with him)on the authority of his father who heard it from his father reported:
وعن عمرو بن شعيب، عن أبيه ، عن جده رضي الله عنهم قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "ليس منا من لم يرحم صغيرنا، ويعرف شرف كبيرنا" ((حديث صحيح رواه أبو داود والترمذي، وقال الترمذي: حديث حسن صحيح)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "He is not one of us who shows no mercy to younger ones and does not acknowledge the honour due to our elders". [At- Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud, who both classified it as Hadith Sahih].
In plain words
A person who shows no mercy to the young and no respect to elders falls short of the way of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 355 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 355
Hadith 356
Maimun bin Abu Shabib (May Allah had mercy upon him) reported:
وعن ميمون بن أبي شبيب رحمه الله أن عائشة رضي الله عنه الإمام مر بها سائل، فأعطته كسرة، ومر بها رجل عليه ثياب وهيئة، فأقعدته، فأكل فقيل لها في ذلك: ؟ فقالت: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "أنزلوا الناس منازلهم" ((رواه أبو داود)). لكن قال ميمون لم يدرك عائشة.
A begger asked 'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) for charity and she gave him a piece of bread. Thereafter, one well-dressed person asked her for charity and she invited him to sit down and served him food. When she was asked about the reason for the difference in treatment, she said: "Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) instructed us: 'Treat people according to their status". [Abu Dawud].
In plain words
Aisha gave more to a well-mannered guest than to a passing beggar, acting on the teaching to treat people according to their standing.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 356 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 356
Hadith 357
Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: قدم عيينة بن حصن، فنزل على ابن أخيه الحر بن قيس، وكان من النفر الذين يدنيهم عمر رضي الله عنه ، وكان القراء أصحاب مجلس عمر ومشاورته، كهولاً كانوا أو شبانًا ، فقال عيينة لابن أخيه: يا ابن أخي لك وجه عند هذا الأمير، فاستأذن لي عليه، فاستأذن له، فأذن له عمر رضي الله عنه ، فلما دخل: قال هي يا ابن الخطاب: فوالله ما تعطينا الجزل، ولا تحكم فينا بالعدل، فغضب عمر رضي الله عنه حتى هم أن يوقع به، فقال له الحر: يا أمير المؤمنين إن الله تعالى قال لنبيه صلى الله عليه وسلم {خذ العفو وأمر بالعرف وأعرض عن الجاهلين} وإن هذا من الجاهلين. والله ما جاوزها عمر حين تلاها عليه، وكان وقافًا عند كتاب الله تعالى. ((رواه البخاري)).
'Uyainah bin Hisn came to Al-Madinah and stayed with his nephew Al-Hurr bin Qais who was among those who were close to 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) and had access to his council. The scholarly persons, whether they were old or young, had the privilege of joining his council and he used to consult them. 'Uyainah said to Al-Hurr: "My dear nephew, you have an access to the Leader of the Believers. Will you obtain permission for me to sit with him?" Al-Hurr asked 'Umar and he accorded permission. When 'Uyainah came into the presence of 'Umar, he addressed him thus: "O son of Al-Khattab, you neither bestow much on us nor deal with us justly." 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) got angry and was about to beat him when Al-Hurr said: "O Leader of the Believers, Allah has said to his Prophet (ﷺ): 'Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e., don't punish them), [i.e., 'Uyainah] (:199). This is one of the ignorant ones." By Allah! When al-Hurr recited this, 'Umar became quite motionless in his seat. He always adhered strictly to the Book of Allah. [Al-Bukhari]
In plain words
Al-Hurr calmed Umar's anger by reciting a verse on forgiveness, showing how the learned were honoured and their counsel heeded.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 357 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 357
Hadith 358
Abu Sa'id Samurah bin Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي سعيد سمرة بن جندب رضي الله عنه قال: لقد كنت على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم غلامًا ، فكنت أحفظ عنه، فما يمنعني من القول إلا أن ههنا رجالاً أسن مني. ((متفق عليه)) .
I was a boy during the lifetime of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and used to commit to my memory what he said, but I do not narrate what I preserved because there were among us people who were older than me. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Out of respect, Samurah held back from narrating what he had memorised as a boy because older people were present, showing deference to elders.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 358 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 358
Hadith 359
Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "ما أكرم شاب شيخًا لسنه إلى قيض الله له من يكرمه عند سنه" ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث غريب)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "If a young man honours an older person on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to show reverence to him in his old age" [At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Gharib].
In plain words
Whoever honours an older person for their age will, in turn, have Allah appoint someone to honour them in their own old age.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 359 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 359