Hadith 456
'Amr bin 'Auf Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
عن عمرو بن عوف الأنصاري، رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، بعث أبا عبيدة بن الجراح، رضي الله عنه ، إلى البحرين يأتي بجزيتها، فقدم بمال من البحرين ، فسمعت الأنصار بقدوم أبو عبيدة، فوافوا صلاة الفجر مع رسول الله ، صلى الله عليه وسلم فلما صلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، انصرف فتعرضوا له ، فتبسم رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم حين رآهم، ثم قال: “أظنكم سمعتم أن أبا عبيدة قدم بشئ من البحرين؟” فقالوا: أجل يا رسول الله فقال: “أبشروا وأملوا ما يسركم ، فوالله ما الفقر أخشى عليكم، ولكني أخشى أن تبسط الدنيا عليكم كما بسطت على من كان قبلكم، فتنافسوها كما تنافسوها ، فتهلككم كما أهلكتهم” ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent Abu 'Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah (May Allah be pleased with him) to Bahrain to collect (Jizyah). So he returned from Bahrain with wealth. The Ansar got news of it and joined with the Prophet (ﷺ) in the Fajr prayer. When the Prophet (ﷺ) concluded the prayer, they stood in his way. When he saw them, he smiled and said, "I think you have heard about the arrival of Abu 'Ubaidah with something from Bahrain". They said, "Yes! O Messenger of Allah!". He (ﷺ) said, "Rejoice and hope for that which will please you. By Allah, it is not poverty that I fear for you, but I fear that this world will be opened up with its wealth for you as it was opened to those before you; and you vie with one another over it as they did and eventually it will ruin you as it ruined them". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Welcoming wealth back from Bahrain, the Prophet, peace be upon him, warned that it was not poverty he feared for the community but the world opening up and people competing over it until it ruined them. The danger lies not in having wealth but in letting it consume the heart.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 456 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 456
Hadith 457
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي سعيد الخدري، رضي الله عنه ، قال : جلس رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، على المنبر، وجلسنا حوله، فقال: "إن مما أخاف عليكم من بعدي ما يفتح عليكم من زهرة الدنيا وزينتها” ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sat on the pulpit and we sat around him. He said: "What I am concerned most is the flourishment and the beauty of this world will be available to you". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said what worried him most was the beauty and abundance of this world becoming available to people. Comfort and plenty can quietly test faith more than hardship does.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 457 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 457
Hadith 458
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه أن رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: "إن الدنيا حلوة خضرة وإن الله تعالى مستخلفكم فيها، فينظر كيف تعملون، فاتقوا الدنيا واتقوا النساء" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The world is sweet and green (alluring); and verily, Allah is making you to succeed each other, generations after generations in it in order to see how you act. So beware of this world and beware of women". [Muslim].
In plain words
The world is described as sweet and alluring, and we are placed in it as successive generations so Allah may see how we act. It is a reminder that worldly pleasures are a test, and we should be watchful of them.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 458 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 458
Hadith 459
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أنس ، رضي الله عنه، أن النبي، صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال:”اللهم لا عيش إلا عيش الآخرة" ((متفق عليه)) .
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "O Allah, there is no true life but the life of the Hereafter". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet, peace be upon him, prayed acknowledging that the only true and lasting life is the life of the Hereafter. It reorients the heart toward what truly endures beyond this passing world.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 459 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 459
Hadith 460
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه عن رسول الله ، صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “يتبع الميت ثلاثة: أهله وماله وعمله: فيرجع اثنان ويبقى واحد: يرجع أهله وماله ويبقى عمله". ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Three (things) follow a dead person: Members of his family, his property and his deeds. Two of them return; and one remains with him. The people and his wealth return; his deeds remain with him". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Family, wealth, and deeds follow a person to the grave, but family and wealth turn back; only one's deeds remain. It urges us to invest in good actions, the only thing that stays with us.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 460 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 460
Hadith 461
Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه قال: قال رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم : “يؤتى بأنعم أهل الدنيا من أهل النار يوم القيامة، فيصبغ في النار صبغة، ثم يقال: يا ابن آدم هل رأيت خيراً قط؟ هل مر بك نعيم قط؟ فيقول: لا والله يا رب. ويؤتى بأشد الناس بؤساً في الدنياً من أهل الجنة، فيصبغ صبغة في الجنة، فيقال له: يا ابن آدم هل رأيت بؤساً قط؟ هل مربك شدة قط؟ فيقول: لا، والله، ما مر بى بؤس قط، ولا رأيت شدة قط" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Among the inmates of Hell, a person who had led the most luxurious life in this world will be brought up on the Day of Resurrection and dipped in the Fire and will be asked: 'O son of Adam! Did you ever experience any comfort? Did you happen to get any luxury?' He will reply: 'By Allah, no, my Rubb.' And then one of the people of Jannah who had experienced extreme misery in the life of this world will be dipped in Jannah. Then he will be asked: 'O son of Adam! Did you ever experience any misery? Did you ever encounter difficulty?' He will say: "By Allah, no my Rubb, I neither experienced misery nor passed through hardship". [Muslim].
In plain words
On the Day of Resurrection, the briefest taste of the Fire makes a life of luxury forgotten, and the briefest taste of Paradise erases a lifetime of hardship. It puts the comforts and trials of this world in perspective against what is to come.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 461 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 461
Hadith 462
Al-Mustaurad bin Shaddad (May allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن المستورد بن شداد رضي الله عنه ، قال: قال رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم:”ما الدنيا في الآخرة، إلا مثل ما يجعل أحدكم أصبعه في اليم، فلينظر بم يرجع؟" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "This world (i.e., its pleasures and duration) in comparison with the Hereafter is (similar to the amount of water) one gets when he puts his finger in the sea. Let him then see what it returns with". [Muslim].
In plain words
This world compared to the Hereafter is like the drop of water clinging to a finger dipped in the sea. It invites us to weigh how little we are chasing against how much lies beyond.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 462 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 462
Hadith 463
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (May allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن جابر، رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم، مر بالسوق والناس كنفتيه، فمر بجدى أسك ميت، فتناوله، فأخذ بأذنيه، ثم قال: "أيكم يحب أن يكون هذا له بدرهم؟ " فقالوا: ما نحب أنه لنا بشئ ومانصنع به؟ ثم قال: “أتحبون أنه لكم؟ قالوا: والله لو كان حياً كان عيباً؛ أنه أسك. فكيف وهو ميت _! فقال: "فوالله للدنيا أهون على الله من هذا عليكم" ((رواه مسلم)). ('قوله: كنفتيه أي: على جانبيه. و الأسك الصغير الأذن.')
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was passing through the bazaar with his Companions on his both sides, when he saw a dead skinny lamb. He held its ear and said, "Who of you would like to have it for a dirham". They replied, "We do not like to get it for nothing, and what shall we do with it?". Then he (ﷺ) asked, "Would you like to have it for nothing?". They replied, "Had it been alive, it would have been defective because it is skinny; but when dead it is of no use". Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Truly, the world is more contemptible to Allah than this (the dead lamb) is to you". [Muslim].
In plain words
Holding a worthless dead lamb that no one would even take for free, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said the world is worth even less to Allah than that. It is a striking image of how little the world truly weighs.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 463 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 463
Hadith 464
Abu Dharr (May allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي ذر رضي الله عنه ، قال كنت أمشى مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في حرة بالمدينة ، فاستقبلنا أحد فقال: "يا أبا ذر" قلت: لبيك يا رسول الله. فقال: "ما يسرني أن عندي مثل أحد هذا ذهبا تمضى علي ثلاثة أيام وعندي منه دينار، إلا شئ أرصده لدين، إلا أن أقول له به في عباد الله هكذا، وهكذا وهكذا" عن يمينه وعن شماله ومن خلفه، ثم سار فقال: "إن الأكثرين هم الأقلون يوم القيامة إلا من قال بالمال هكذا وهكذا وهكذا" عن يمينه وعن شماله ومن خلفه" وقليل ما هم" ثم قال لى "مكانك لا تبرح حتى آتيك" ثم انطلق في سواد الليل حتى توارى، فسمعت صوتا قد ارتفع ، فتخوفت أن يكون أحد عرض للنبى، صلى الله عليه وسلم، فأردت أن آتيه فذكرت قوله: "لا تبرح حتى آتيك" فلم أبرح حتى أتانى، فقلت : لقد سمعت صوتاً تخوفت منه، فذكرت له، فقال: "وهل سمعته؟" قلت: نعم، قال: "ذاك جبريل أتانى فقال: من مات من أمتك لا يشرك بالله شيئاً دخل الجنة، قلت: وإن زنى وإن سرق؟ قال: وإن زنى وإن سرق" ((متفق عليه وهذا لفظ البخاري)).
I was walking with the Prophet on the stony ground in Al-Madinah in the afternoon when Uhud Mount came into sight. Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "O Abu Dharr!" I said, "O Messenger of Allah, here I am responding to you". He said, "If I had as much gold as the weight of Uhud, it would not please me to have a single dinar out of it with me after the passage of three days, but I would hold back something for the repayment of a debt. I would distribute it among the slaves of Allah like this and like this and like this." And he (ﷺ) pointed in front of him, and on his right side and on his left side. We then walked a little further and he (ﷺ) said: "The rich would be poor on the Day of Resurrection, except he who spent like this and like this and like this,". and he pointed as he did the first time. "But such persons are few". Then he said, "Stay where you are till I come back to you". He (the Prophet (ﷺ)) walked ahead a little further in the darkness of the night and disappeared from my sight. I heard a loud voice. I said (to myself): "The Messenger of Allah might have met (mishap or an enemy)". I wished I could go after him but I remembered his commanding me to stay till he came back. So I waited for him; and when he came, I made mention of what I had heard. He asked, "Did you hear it?". I said, "Yes". Then he said, "It was Jibril (Gabriel), who came to me and said: 'He who dies among your Ummah without having associated anything with Allah (in worship) will enter Jannah.' I said: 'Even if he committed illicit sexual intercourse or steals?' He (Jibril) said: 'Even if he has committed illicit sexual intercourse or steals". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said he would not wish to keep gold as heavy as a mountain beyond a few days but would give it all away, and warned that few of the rich spend like this. Generosity, not hoarding, is what brings true wealth in the Hereafter. He also relayed the glad news that whoever dies without associating partners with Allah will enter Paradise.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 464 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 464
Hadith 465
Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "لو كان لي مثل أحد ذهباً، لسرنى أن لا تمر على ثلاث ليال وعندي منه شئ إلا شئ أرصده لدين" ((متفق عليه))
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "If I had gold equal to Mount Uhud (in weight), it would not please me to pass three nights and I have a thing of it left with me, except what I retain for repayment of a debt". [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said he would not wish to keep gold as heavy as a mountain for even three nights, except what was set aside for a debt. It shows a heart unattached to wealth and eager to give it away.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 465 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 465
Hadith 466
Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم انظروا إلى من هو أسفل منكم ولا تنظروا إلى من هو فوقكم فهو أجدر أن لا تزدروا نعمة الله عليكم" ((متفق عليه وهذا لفظ مسلم)). وفي رواية البخاري: "إذا نظر أحدكم إلى من فضل عليه في المال والخلق، فلينظر إلى من هو أسفل منه". وفي رواية البخاري: "إذا نظر أحدكم إلى من فضل عليه في المال والخلق، فلينظر إلى من هو أسفل منه".
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Look at those who are inferior to you and do not look at those who are superior to you, for this will keep you from belittling Allah's favour to you." This is the wording in Sahih Muslim. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. The narration in Al-Bukhari is: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "When one of you looks at someone who is superior to him in property and appearance, he should look at someone who is inferior to him".
In plain words
Look to those who have less than you, not those who have more, so you do not belittle Allah's blessings on you. This simple habit protects the heart from envy and feeds gratitude.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 466 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 466
Hadith 467
Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with ihm) reported:
وعنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: “تعس عبد الدينار والدرهم والقطيفة والخميصة؛ إن أعطى رضي؛ وإن لم يعط لم يرض" ((رواه البخاري)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "May he be miserable, the worshipper of the dinar and dirham, and the worshipper of the striped silk cloak. If he is given anything, he is satisfied; but if not, he is unsatisfied". [Al-Bukhari]
In plain words
The Prophet, peace be upon him, described the wretchedness of one who becomes a slave to money and luxury, pleased only when given and angry when denied. It warns against letting possessions rule one's contentment.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 467 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 467
Hadith 468
Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه، رضي الله عنه، قال: لقد رأيت سبعين من أهل الصفة، ما منهم رجل عليه رداء، إما إزار وأما كساء، قد ربطوا في أعناقهم، فمنها ما يبلغ نصف الساقين، ومنها ما يبلغ الكعبين، فيجمعه بيده كراهية أن ترى عورته” ((رواه البخاري)).
I saw seventy of the people of the Suffah and none of them had a cloak. They had either a lower garment or a blanket which they suspended from their necks. Some (cloaks) reached halfway down to the legs and some to the ankles; and the man would manage to keep it in his hand to avoid exposing his private parts. [Al- Bukhari].
In plain words
The account recalls the poor Companions of the Suffah, so lacking in clothing that some had only a small cloth to cover themselves. It is a humble portrait of those who held little of the world yet stayed near the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 468 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 468
Hadith 469
Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "الدنيا سجن المؤمن وجنة الكافر" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The world is the believer's prison and the infidel's Jannah". [Muslim].
In plain words
This world is the believer's prison and the unbeliever's paradise. Even with restraint and trials here, the believer's true reward and freedom await in the Hereafter.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 469 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 469
Hadith 470
'Abdullah bin 'Umar (May allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن ابن عمر، رضي الله عنهما، قال: أخذ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بمنكبي، فقال: "كن في الدنيا كأنك غريب، أو عابر سبيل" . وكان ابن عمر، رضي الله عنهما، يقول: إذا أمسيت، فلا تنتظر الصباح، وإذا أصبحت لا تنتظر المساء، وخذ من صحتك لمرضك ومن حياتك لموتك. ((رواه البخاري)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) took hold of my shoulders and said, "Be in the world like a stranger or a wayfarer". Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) used to say: "When you survive till the evening, do not expect to live until the morning; and when you survive until the morning, do not expect to live until the evening; (do good deeds) when you are in good health before you fall sick, and (do good deeds) as long as you are alive before death strikes". [Al- Bukhari].
In plain words
The Prophet, peace be upon him, advised living in the world like a stranger or a traveller passing through, and Ibn Umar urged seizing each day for good deeds before sickness or death. We should hold the world lightly and act while we still can.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 470 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 470
Hadith 471
Sahl bin Sa'd As-Sa'idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي العباس سهل بن سعد الساعدى، رضي الله عنه، قال: جاء رجل إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: يا رسول الله دلني على عمل إذا عملته أحبني الله، واحبني الناس، فقال: “ازهد في الدنيا يحبك الله، وازهد فيما عند الناس يحبك الناس” ((حديث حسن رواه ابن ماجه وغيره بأسانيد حسنة)).
A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "O Messenger of Allah, guide me to such an action which, if I do Allah will love me and the people will also love me." He (ﷺ) said, "Have no desire for this world, Allah will love you; and have no desire for what people possess, and the people will love you." [Ibn Majah, Hadith Hasan].
In plain words
Asked how to earn the love of both Allah and people, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: turn from desiring the world, and Allah will love you, and turn from coveting what others have, and people will love you. Contentment frees the heart and softens relationships.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 471 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 471
Hadith 472
An-Nu'man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن النعمان بن بشير، رضي الله عنهما، قال: ذكر عمر ابن الخطاب، رضي الله عنه، ما أصاب الناس من الدنيا، فقال: لقد رأيت رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم، يظل اليوم يتلوى ما يجد من الدقل ما يملأ به بطنه. ((رواه مسلم)). الدقل بفتح الدال المهملة والقاف: ردئ التمر.
'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) spoke at length regarding the worldly prosperity that people had achieved and said: "I saw that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would pass his days in hunger and could not get even degraded dates to fill his stomach". [Muslim].
In plain words
Umar recalled that the Prophet, peace be upon him, would spend his days in hunger, unable even to find poor-quality dates to satisfy himself. It reflects the Prophet's simple, undemanding way of living.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 472 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 472
Hadith 473
'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن عائشة، رضي الله عنها، قالت: توفي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وما في بيتي من شئ يأكله ذو كبد إلا شطر شعير في رف لي، فاكلت منه حتى طال علي، فكلته ففنى، ((متفق عليه)) شطر شعير" شئ من شعير، كذا فسره الترمذي.
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) died when my house was void of any edible thing except for a small quantity of barley I had on a shelf and from which I kept eating it for a long time. Then when I measured what was left of it, it soon finished. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
After the Prophet's passing, Aishah had almost nothing to eat but a little barley, which lasted a long while until she measured it and it quickly ran out. The account reflects the great simplicity of the Prophet's household.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 473 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 473
Hadith 474
'Amr bin Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with him) the brother of Juwairiyah (May Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of believers) reported:
وعن عمرو بن الحارث أخي الجويرية بنت الحارث أم المؤمنين، رضي الله عنهما، قال: ما ترك رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم، عند موته ديناراً ولا درهماً، ولا عبداً، ولا امة، ولا شيئا إلا بغلته البيضاء التى كان يركبها، وسلاحه، وأرضا جعلها لابن السبيل صدقة" ((رواه البخاري)).
(When he died) Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) left neither a dinar nor a dirham nor a male slave nor a female slave, nor anything else except his white riding mule, his weapons and his land which he had given in charity to wayfarers. [Al- Bukhari].
In plain words
When he passed away, the Prophet, peace be upon him, left no money or slaves, only his mule, his weapons, and land he had already given in charity. His life closed with almost no worldly possessions.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 474 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 474
Hadith 475
Al-Khabbab bin Al-Aratt (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن خباب بن الأرت، رضي الله عنه، قال: هاجرنا مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم نلتمس وجه الله تعالى؛ فوقع أجرنا على الله، فمنا من مات ولم يأكل من أجره شيئا، منهم مصعب بن عمير، رضي الله عنه، قتل يوم أحد، وترك نمرة، فكنا إذا غطينا بها رأسه، بدت رجلاه، وإذا غطينا به رجليه، بدا رأسه، فأمرنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن نغطى رأسه، ونجعل على رجليه شيئاً من الإذخر، ومنا من أينعت له ثمرته، فهو يهديها. ((متفق عليه)). النمرة : كساء ملون من صوف. وقوله: أينعت أي: نضجت وأدركت. وقوله يهديها وهو بفتح الياء وضم الدال وكسرها، لغتان؛ أي: يقطفها ويجتنيها، وهذه استعارة لما فتح الله تعالى عليهم من الدنيا وتمكنوا فيها.
We emigrated with Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) seeking the pleasure of Allah and expecting our reward from Him. Some of us died without enjoying anything of it. Among them was Mus'ab bin 'Umair (May Allah be pleased with him), who was killed in the battle of Uhud, leaving only a small coloured sheet of wool (which we used as his shroud). When we covered his head with it, his feet were exposed, and when we covered his feet with it, his head was uncovered. So the Prophet (ﷺ) told us to cover his head and to put some Idhkhir (i.e., fragrant grass) over his feet. Others among us enjoy prosperity. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Companions who emigrated for Allah's pleasure differed in fate: some, like Mus'ab, died with barely a sheet to be buried in, while others later lived in plenty. It reflects on sincerity, sacrifice, and how worldly fortune varies.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 475 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 475
Hadith 476
Sahl bin Sa'd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن سهل بن سعد الساعدى، رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم : " لو كانت الدنيا تعدل عند الله جناح بعوضة ما سقى كافرا منها شربة ماء" ((رواه الترمذي . وقال حديث حسن صحيح))
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Were this world worth a wing of mosquito, He would not have given a drink of water to an infidel." [At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
If the world were worth even a mosquito's wing to Allah, He would not give an unbeliever a sip of water from it. The point is how little the whole world weighs in Allah's sight.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 476 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 476
Hadith 477
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هُرَيْرَة رضي اللَّه عنه ، قال : سمعتُ رسولَ اللَّه صَلّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وسَلَّم يقول ألا إن الدنيا ملعونة، ملعون ما فيها، إلا ذكر الله تعالى، وما والاه، وعالماً ومتعلماً". ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)). ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Verily! The world is accursed and what it contains is accursed, except remembrance of Allah and those who associate themselves with Allah; and a learned man, and a learning person." [At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan].
In plain words
The world and what it holds are cursed, except the remembrance of Allah, what draws one near to Him, and those who teach and learn. What gives the world value is using it for Allah and for knowledge.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 477 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 477
Hadith 478
'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن عَبْدِ اللَّه بنِ مسعودٍ ، رضي اللَّه عنه ، قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم " لا تتخذوا الضيعة فترغبوا في الدنيا" . ((رواه الترمذي وقال : حديثٌ حسنٌ )).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Do not crave for property lest you should be absorbed in the desire of worldly life." [At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan].
In plain words
The Prophet, peace be upon him, warned against craving wealth, lest it pull a person deep into love of worldly life. Guarding the heart from that craving keeps faith steady.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 478 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 478
Hadith 479
'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص، رضي الله عنهما، قال: مر علينا رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم ، ونحن نعالج خصاً لنا فقال: " ما هذا؟" فقلنا: قد وهي، فنحن نصلحه، فقال: " ما أرى الأمر إلا أعجل من ذلك". رواه أبو داود، والترمذي بإسناد البخاري ومسلم، وقال الترمذي: ((حديث حسن صحيح)).
We were repairing our thatchy hut when Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed by and asked us, "What are you doing?" We said, "The thatch had gone weak and we are repairing it." He (ﷺ) said, "I see the sure thing (death) approaching sooner than this." [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmdhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
Seeing them repairing a flimsy hut, the Prophet, peace be upon him, gently noted that death is closer than even that frail structure. It is a reminder not to grow too absorbed in worldly comforts when life is short.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 479 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 479
Hadith 480
Ka'b bin 'Iyad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن كعب بن عياض، رضي الله عنه، وقال سمعت رسول الله، صلى الله عليه وسلم ، يقول: " إن لكل أمة فتنة، وفتنة أمتى المال" ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Verily, there is a Fitnah (trial) for every nation and the trial for my nation (or Ummah) is wealth." [At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
Every community faces a trial, and the trial of this community is wealth. It warns that prosperity itself can be the test that draws people away from Allah.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 480 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 480
Hadith 481
'Uthman bin 'Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي عمرو، ويقال: أبو عبد الله: ويقال: أبو ليلى، عثمان ابن عفان، رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: " ليس لابن آدم حق في سوى هذه الخصال: بيت يسكنه، وثوب يواري عورته، وجلف الخبز، والماء" ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث صحيح)) . ((قال الترمذي: سمعت أبا داود سليمان بن سالم البلخى يقول: سمعت النضر بن شميل يقول: الجلف: الخبز ليس معه إدام. قال غيره: هو غليظ الخبز. وقال الهروي: المراد به هنا وعاء الخبز؛ كالجوالق والخرج، والله أعلم)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "There is no right for the son of adam except in these (four) things: A house to live in, a cloth to cover therewith his private parts, bread and water." [At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Sahih].
In plain words
The Prophet, peace be upon him, named the basic things a person truly needs: shelter, clothing to cover oneself, and bread and water. It points the heart toward contentment with life's essentials.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 481 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 481
Hadith 482
'Abdullah bin Ash-Shikhkhir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن عبد الله بن الشخير " بسكر الشين والخاء المشددة المعجمتين" رضي الله عنه، أنه قال: أتيت النبي ، صلى الله عليه وسلم، وهو يقرأ: { ألهاكم التكاثر} قال: " يقول ابن آدم: مالي، وهل لك يا ابن آدم من مالك إلا ما أكلت فأفنيت، أو لبست فأبليت، أو تصدقت فأمضيت؟ !" ((رواه مسلم)).
I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) while he was reciting (Surat At-Takathur 102): "The mutual rivalry (for hoarding worldly things) preoccupy you. Until you visit the graves (i.e., till you die). Nay! You shall come to know! Again nay! You shall come to know! Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge (the end result of hoarding, you would not have been occupied in worldly things). Verily, you shall see the blazing Fire (Hell)! And again, you shall see it with certainty of sight! Then (on that Day) you shall be asked about the delights (you indulged in, in this world)!" (102:-) (After reciting) he (ﷺ) said, "Son of adam says: 'My wealth, my wealth.' Do you own of your wealth other than what you eat and consume, and what you wear and wear out, or what you give in Sadaqah (charity) (to those who deserve it), and that what you will have in stock for yourself." [Muslim].
In plain words
Reciting the warning against endless rivalry for worldly things, the Prophet, peace be upon him, asked what we truly own beyond what we eat, wear out, or give in charity. What we keep for ourselves passes, but what we give away lasts.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 482 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 482
Hadith 483
'Abdullah bin Mughaffal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن عبد الله بن مغفل، رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رجل للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يارسول الله، والله إنى لأحبك، فقال: " انظر ماذ تقول؟" قال: والله إنى لأحبك، ثلاث مرات، فقال: " إن كنت تحبنى فأعد للفقر تجفافاً، فإن الفقر أسرع إلى من يحبنى من السيل إلى منتهاه" ((رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن)). 'التجفاف بكسر التاء المثناه فوق وإسكان الجيم وبالفاء المكررة، وهو شىء يلبسة الفرس، ليتقي به الأذى، وقد يلبسة الإنسان.'
A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "O Messenger of Allah! By Allah, I love you." He (ﷺ) said, "Think about what you are saying." The man repeated thrice, "I swear by Allah that I love you." He (Prophet (ﷺ)) said, "If you love me, you should be ready for acute poverty; because poverty comes to those who love me, faster than a flood flowing towards its destination." [At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan].
In plain words
When a man declared his love for the Prophet, peace be upon him, he was told to be ready for poverty, which comes swiftly to those who love him. Loving the Prophet means being prepared to bear hardship for that love.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 483 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 483
Hadith 484
K'ab bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن كعب بن مالك، رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " ما ذئبان جائعان أرسلا في غنم بأفسد لها من حرص المرء على المال والشرف، لدينه" ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Two hungry wolves sent in the midst of a flock of sheep are no more destructive to them than a man's greed for wealth and fame is to his Deen." [At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
Two hungry wolves loose among sheep do less harm than a person's greed for wealth and status does to his faith. It warns how destructive ambition for money and fame can be to one's religion.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 484 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 484
Hadith 485
'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن عبد الله بن مسعود، رضي الله عنه، قال: نام رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، على حصير، فقال وقد أثر في جنبه. قلنا: يا رسول الله لو اتخذنا لك وطاء! فقال: " مالي وللدنيا؟ ما أنا في الدنيا إلا كراكب استظل تحت شجرة ثم راح وتركها”. ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) slept on a straw mat and got up with the marks left by it on his body. Ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said, "O Messenger of Allah! Would that you make us spread out a soft bedding for you." He (ﷺ) replied, "What have I to do with the world? I am like a rider who had sat under a tree for its shade, then went away and left it." [At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
The Prophet, peace be upon him, slept on a rough mat that marked his body, and when offered better bedding said he was like a rider resting briefly under a tree before moving on. The world is only a short stop on the way to the Hereafter.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 485 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 485
Hadith 486
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة، رضي الله عنه، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: " يدخل الفقراء الجنة قبل الأغنياء بخمسمائة عام" ((رواه الترمذي وقال: جديث صحيح)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The poor will enter Jannah five hundred years before the rich." [At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Sahih].
In plain words
The poor will enter Paradise ahead of the rich. Having little in this world can mean a lighter, swifter path on the Day of Resurrection.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 486 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 486
Hadith 487
Ibn 'Abbas and 'Imran bin Al-Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن ابن عباس، وعمران بن الحصين، رضي الله عنهم، عن النبي ، صلى الله عليه وسلم " قال " اطلعت في الجنة فرأيت أكثر أهلها الفقراء، واطلعت في النار فرأيت أكثر أهلها النساء" ((متفق عليه من رواية ابن عباس)). ((ورواه البخاري أيضاً من رواية عمران بن الحصين)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I looked into Jannah and saw that most of its dwellers are the poor; and I looked into Hell and saw that most of its inmates were women." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said most of the people of Paradise he saw were the poor. It is consolation and encouragement for those who have little in this life.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 487 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 487
Hadith 488
Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن أسامة بن زيد، رضي الله عنهما، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "قمت على باب الجنة، فكان عامة من دخلها المساكين. وأصحاب الجد محبوسون، غير أن أصحاب النار قد أمر بهم إلى النار" ((متفق عليه)). و(( الجد:الحظ والغنى. وقد سبق بيان هذا الحديث في باب فضل الضعفة)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I stood at the gate of Jannah and saw that most of those who enter it were poor, whereas the rich were held back; but those who were destined to go to Hell were ordered to be sent there (immediately)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
At the gate of Paradise the Prophet, peace be upon him, saw that most entering were the poor, while the rich were held back to account. It is a gentle warning that wealth brings extra reckoning, and comfort to those with little.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 488 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 488
Hadith 489
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة، رضي الله عنه، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: "أصدق كلمة قالها شاعر كلمة لبيد: ألا كل شئ ما خلا الله باطل" . ((متفق عليه)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The most truthful statement a poet has ever made is the saying of Labid: Everything besides Allah is vain." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet, peace be upon him, praised the poet's line that everything besides Allah is empty and passing. The lasting truth is that only Allah endures, so the heart should cling to Him.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 489 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 489