Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 73
باب حسن الخلق
This chapter gathers the Prophet's teaching on husn al-khuluq, beautiful character, and shows it lived out in his own person. Khuluq is the settled disposition of the soul, the inner shape from which our dealings with people flow. The central claim is striking: good character is among the very heaviest things on the Scale and can lift a believer to the rank of one who fasts by day and prays by night.
Watch how the chapter blends description and definition. Anas describes a man gentler than silk who never once rebuked him in ten years; the Prophet defines virtue as noble conduct and sin as what unsettles the heart. The repeated measure of a person here is not ritual alone but how they treat others, especially their families, and the tongue and private conduct are singled out as what most often ruins it.
Hadith 620
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أحسن الناس خلقاً ((متفق عليه)).
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was the best of all the people in behaviour. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Among all people, the Prophet had the finest character and conduct.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 620 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 620
Hadith 621
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه قال: ما مسست ديباجاً ولاحريراً ألين من كف رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، ولا شممت رائحة قط أطيب من رائحة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ولقد خدمت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عشر سنين، فما قال لي قط :أف، ولا قال لشئ فعلته: لم فعلته؟ ولا لشئ لم أفعله: ألا فعلت كذا؟ ((متفق عليه)).
I never felt any piece of velvet or silk softer than the palm of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), nor did I smell any fragrance more pleasant than the smell of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). I served him for ten years, and he never said 'Uff' (an expression of disgust) to me. He never said 'why did you do that?' for something I had done, nor did he ever say 'why did you not do such and such' for something I had not done. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Anas, who served the Prophet for ten years, recalled his gentleness and never being scolded, a portrait of beautiful, patient character.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 621 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 621
Hadith 622
Sa'b bin Jaththamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن الصعب بن جثامة رضي الله عنه قال: أهديت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حماراً وحشياً فرده علي، فلما رأى ما في وجهي قال: “إنا لم نرده عليك إلا لأنا حرم” ((متفق عليه))
I presented a wild ass to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as a gift but he returned it to me. When he perceived signs of despair on my face, he said, "I have declined to accept it because I am in the state of Ihram." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet returned a gift of game but, seeing the giver's disappointment, kindly explained he declined only because he was in the state of ihram, showing care for the man's feelings.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 622 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 622
Hadith 623
Nawwas bin Sam'an (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن النواس بن سمعان رضي الله عنه قال: سألت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن البر والإثم فقال: “البر حسن الخلق، والإثم: ما حاك في نفسك وكرهت أن يطلع عليه الناس” ((رواه مسلم)).
I asked Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about virtue and sin, and he said, "Virtue is noble behaviour, and sin is that which creates doubt and you do not like people to know about it." [Muslim].
In plain words
Goodness is noble character, while sin is what troubles your conscience and what you would not want others to know about you.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 623 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 623
Hadith 624
'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنهما قال: لم يكن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فاحشاً ولا متفحشاً. وكان يقول: “إن من خياركم أحسنكم أخلاقاً” ((متفق عليه)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not indulge in loose talk nor did he like to listen to it. He used to say, "The best of you is the best among you in conduct." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet avoided coarse and indecent speech, teaching that the best people are those with the best conduct.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 624 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 624
Hadith 625
Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبى الدرداء رضي الله عنه: أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “ما من شئ أثقل في ميزان المؤمن يوم القيامة من حسن الخلق، وإن الله يبغض الفاحش البذي” ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language." [At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
Nothing will weigh heavier on a believer's scale on the Last Day than good character, while Allah dislikes foul and abusive speech.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 625 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 625
Hadith 626
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: سئل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن أكثر ما يدخل الناس الجنة؟ قال: “تقوى الله وحسن الخلق” وسئل عن أكثر ما يدخل الناس النار، قال: “الفم والفرج”. ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about the deed which will be foremost to lead a man to Jannah. He replied, "Fear of Allah and the good conduct." Then he was asked about indulgence which will admit a man to Hell (Fire) and he answered, "The tongue and the genitals." [At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
Asked what most leads people to Paradise, the Prophet answered mindfulness of Allah and good character; and what most leads to the Fire, he named the tongue and the private parts.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 626 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 626
Hadith 627
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “أكمل المؤمنين إيماناً أحسنهم خلقاً وخياركم خياركم لنسائهم”. ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The most perfect man in his faith among the believers is the one whose behaviour is most excellent; and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives." [At- Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
The most complete believers in faith are those with the best character, and the best of people are those who treat their wives best.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 627 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 627
Hadith 628
'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: “ إن المؤمن ليدرك بحسن خلقه درجة الصائم القائم” ((رواه أبو داود)).
I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: "A believer will attain by his good behaviour the rank of one who prays during the night and observes fasting during the day." [Abu Dawud].
In plain words
Through good character a believer can reach the same high rank as someone who spends nights in prayer and days in fasting.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 628 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 628
Hadith 629
Abu Umamah Al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبى أمامه الباهلى رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “أنا زعيم ببيت في ربض الجنة لمن ترك المراء، وإن كان محقاً، وببيت في وسط الجنة لمن ترك الكذب، وإن كان مازحاً، وببيت في أعلى الجنة لمن حسن خلقه” ((حديث صحيح رواه أبو داود بإسناد صحيح)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "I guarantee a house in Jannah for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a home in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even for the sake of fun; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah for one who has good manners." [Abu Dawud].
In plain words
The Prophet promised homes in Paradise for one who avoids arguing even when right, who never lies even in jest, and who has good character.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 629 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 629
Hadith 630
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن جابر رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “إن من أحبكم إلي، وأقربكم منى مجلساً يوم القيامة أحاسنكم أخلاقاً، وإن أبغضكم إلي وأبعدكم مني يوم القيامة، الثرثارون والمتشدقون والمتفيهقون” قالوا: يا رسول الله قد علمنا “الثرثارون والمتشدون” فما المتفيهقون؟ قال: “المتكبرون” ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)). "الثرثار": هو كثير الكلام تكلفاً. "والمتشدق": المتطاول على الناس بكلامه، ويتكلم بملء فيه تصافحاً وتعظيماً لكلامه؛ “والمتفيهق” :أصله من الفهق، وهو الامتلاء، وهو الذى يملأ فمه بالكلام، ويتوسع فيه ويغرب به تكبراً واتفاعاً، وإظهاراً للفضيلة على غيره. وروى الترمذي عن عبد الله بن المبارك رحمه الله في تفسير حسن الخلق قال: هو طلاقة الوجه، وبذل المعروف، وكف الأذى.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The dearest and nearest among you to me on the Day of Resurrection will be one who is the best of you in manners; and the most abhorrent among you to me and the farthest of you from me will be the pompous, the garrulous, and Al-Mutafaihiqun." The Companions asked him: "O Messenger of Allah! We know about the pompous and the garrulous, but we do not know who Al-Mutafaihiqun are." He replied: "The arrogant people." [At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan].
In plain words
Dearest to the Prophet on the Day of Resurrection are those best in character, while the most distant are the boastful, the long-winded, and the arrogant.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 630 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 630