The Book of Miscellany

Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 63

Competition in matters of the Hereafter

باب التنافس فى أمور الآخرة والإستكثار مما يتبرك به

Here the theme is healthy competition, but for the right prize. People naturally race one another for wealth and status; this chapter redirects that drive toward nearness to Allah and His blessings. The Arabic tanafus is a striving where you want the good thing badly, yet without resenting that someone else has it.

The two hadith pair a young boy who would not trade away even a sip received from the Prophet's hand with the Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) reaching for divine blessings he could never have enough of. Together they show that the things worth being eager for are Allah's gifts and closeness to His Messenger.

Hadith 568

Sahl bin Sa'd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن سهل بن سعد رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أتي بشراب، فشرب منه وعن يمينه غلام، وعن يساره الأشياخ، فقال للغلام‏:‏” أتأذن لى أن أعطي هؤلاء‏؟‏” فقال الغلام لا والله يا رسول الله، لا أؤثر منك أحداً، فتله رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فى يده ‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏ “تله” بالتاء المثناه، فوق ، أى وضعه، وهذا الغلام هو ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما‏.‏

A drink was brought to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he drank some of it. On his right was a boy and on his left were elderly people. He said to the boy, "Would you permit me to give the rest of this drink to these on my left?" The boy said, "O Messenger of Allah, I would certainly not give preference to anyone in anything that might come to me from you." So he handed over the rest of the drink to him. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

Offered the leftover drink the Prophet had touched, a young boy would not give up his turn to anyone, treasuring even a small share that came from the Prophet's hand.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 568 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 568

Hadith 569

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه ، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ “بينما أيوب عليه السلام يغتسل عريانا، فخر عليه جراد من ذهب، فجعل أيوب يحثي فى ثوبه فناداه ربه عز وجل يا أيوب ألم أكن أغنيتك عما ترى‏؟‏‏!‏ قال‏:‏بلى وعزتك، ولكن لا غنى بى عن بركتك، ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "While Ayyub (ﷺ) the Prophet was taking a bath, naked, a large number of gold locusts fell on him. He tried to collect them in a piece of cloth, when he heard his Rubb (Allah) calling him: 'O Ayyub ! Have I not sufficed you to care for what you see (the worldly possessions)?' Ayyub (ﷺ) said: 'Indeed by Your Power, but I can never do away with Your Blessings."' [Al- Bukhari].

In plain words

When given more than enough, the Prophet Ayyub still reached for Allah's blessing, saying he could never have his fill of what Allah bestows, showing eagerness for divine gifts above worldly needs.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 569 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 569