The Book of Miscellany

Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 76

Endurance of Afflictions

باب احتمال الأذى

This short chapter is about ihtimal al-adha, bearing the harm that comes from others, especially from family who repay kindness with coldness. Its single hadith answers a very human complaint: what do I do when I keep doing right by people who keep doing wrong by me?

The Prophet's reply reframes the whole situation. Patience in maintaining the bond is not a loss; it places the burden on those who break it and earns the constant support of Allah for the one who keeps reaching out.

Hadith 647

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

وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رجلاً قال‏:‏ يا رسول الله إن لى قرابة أصلهم ويقطعونى، وأحسن إليهم ويسيئون إلى، وأحلم عنهم ويجهلون على‏!‏ فقال‏:‏ “لئن كنت كما قلت فكأنما تسفهم المل ولا يزال معك من الله تعالى ظهير عليهم ما دمت على ذلك” ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏ وقد سبق شرحه في “باب صلة الأرحام”‏.‏

A man said to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "I have relatives with whom I try to maintain good relationship but they sever relations with me; whom I treat kindly but they treat me badly, with whom I am gentle but they are rough to me." He (ﷺ) replied, "If you are as you have said, then it is as though you are feeding them hot ashes and you will not be without a supporter against them from Allah, as long as you do so." [Muslim].

In plain words

A man whose relatives repaid his kindness with coldness was told that patiently continuing to do good leaves the wrong on them, and Allah keeps supporting him as long as he keeps it up. Stay good even when others do not.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 647 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 647