This chapter centers on taqwa, often translated as piety or God-consciousness: a protective watchfulness that shields the heart from what displeases Allah. It is the quiet quality that, more than lineage or wealth, raises a person in Allah's sight.
Read across these hadith, taqwa appears as the true measure of honour, as a defence against the world's temptations, as something we ask Allah to grant us, and as the standard by which we choose between options and keep our duties. Honour is not in ancestry but in nearness to Allah.
Hadith 69
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وأما الأحاديث فالأول: عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قيل : يا رسول الله من أكرم الناس؟ قال: "أتقاهم". فقالوا: ليس عن هذا نسألك، قال: " فيوسف نبي الله بن نبي الله بن نبي الله بن خليل الله" قالوا: ليس عن هذا نسألك، قال: "فعن معادن العرب تسألوني؟ خيارهم في الجاهلية خيارهم في الإسلام إذا فقهواً : ((متفق عليه)) .
It was asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Who is the most honourable amongst mankind?" He (ﷺ) said, "The most honourable of them is one who is the most pious of them." They said, "We are not asking about this". He said, "Then, the most honourable of men was Yusuf (Joseph), the Prophet of Allah, the son of Allah's Prophet, who was the son of the Prophet of Allah, who was the son of the Khalil of Allah (i.e., Ibrahim (ﷺ))' They said, "We are not asking you about this." He enquired, "Are you then asking me about the classes of the Arabs? The best of them in the Pre- Islamic Period of Ignorance are the best of them in Islam, provided they comprehend the religious knowledge". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Asked who is most honourable, the Prophet pointed to the one most mindful of Allah, then to a line of prophets, then to those with good character who understand their religion. True honour rests on God-consciousness, not birth or status.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 69 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 69
Hadith 70
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
الثاني: عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: " إن الدنيا حلوة خضرة، وإن الله مستخلفكم فيها فينظر كيف تعملون، فاتقوا الدنيا واتقوا النساء؛ فإن أول فتنة بني إسرائيل كانت في النساء" ((رواه مسلم)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The life of the world is sweet and green. Allah makes you generations succeeding one another so that He may try you in respect of your actions. So beware of the beguilements of the world and those of women. The first trial of Banu Israel was through women". [Muslim].
In plain words
The world is alluring, and Allah watches how we handle its temptations across the generations. Stay alert to its seductions rather than being swept away by them.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 70 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 70
Hadith 71
'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say:
الثالث: عن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يقول: "اللهم إني أسألك الهدى والتقى والعفاف والغنى" ((رواه مسلم)).
"Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda wat- tuqa wal-'afafa wal-ghina (O Allah! I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity and self- sufficiency)". [Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet regularly asked Allah for guidance, piety, chastity, and self-sufficiency. These are worth seeking from Allah in our own prayers as the foundations of an upright life.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 71 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 71
Hadith 72
'Adi bin Hatim At-Ta'i (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
الرابع: عن أبي ظريف عدي بن حاتم الطائي رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "من حلف على يمين ثم رأى أتقى لله منها فليأت التقوى" ((رواه مسلم)).
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: "He who has taken an oath (to do something) but found something else better than that (which brings him closer to Allah), then he should do that which is better in piety (and he should expiate for the breaking of oath)". [Muslim].
In plain words
If you have sworn to do something but find a more God-pleasing alternative, choose the better path and make up for breaking the oath. Nearness to Allah should guide our choices.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 72 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 72
Hadith 73
Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
الخامس: عن أبي أمامة صدي بن عجلان الباهلي رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يخطب في حجة الوداع فقال : اتقوا الله ، وصلوا خمسكم، وصوموا شهركم، وأدوا زكاة أموالكم، وأطيعوا أمراءكم، تدخلوا جنة ربكم" ((رواه الترمذي، في آخر كتاب الصلاة وقال : حديث حسن صحيح)).
I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) during the sermon of the Farewell Pilgrimage saying, "Be mindful of your duty to Allah; perform your five daily Salat, observe Saum during the month (of Ramadan), pay the Zakat on your properties and obey your leaders; (if you do so) you will enter the Jannah of your Rubb". [At-Tirmidhi, who categorized it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
In his farewell sermon the Prophet urged mindfulness of Allah, the five prayers, fasting Ramadan, giving zakat, and obeying leaders, linking these to entering Paradise. Faithful, consistent practice is the road to His reward.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 73 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 73