Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once (addressed the Sahaabah [radhiyallahu ‘anhum] and) said, “Who will take these words (of advice) from me and practise upon them, or teach them to one who will practise upon them?” Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) says, “I replied, ‘I will, O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then held my hand and counted five (qualities). He said,
– ‘Safeguard yourself from all haraam, you will be the greatest worshipper among the people.
– Be pleased (and content) with that (sustenance and wealth) which Allah Ta‘ala has allotted for you, you will be the wealthiest of people.
– Show your neighbour kindness, you will be a (perfect) believer.
– Love for people that which you love for yourself, you will be a (perfect) Muslim.
– Do not laugh abundantly, for abundant laughter causes the death of the (spiritual) heart.’”
(Sunan Tirmizi #2305)
In the blessed hadeeth mentioned above, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) encouraged the Ummah to inculcate five special qualities into their lives.
The first quality is the quality of abstaining from all haraam, evil and sin. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned that the one who refrains from sins will be counted from among the greatest worshippers. The reason is that Allah Ta‘ala has commanded one to fulfil the commands of sharee‘ah and refrain from the prohibitions of sharee‘ah. Hence, one will become sinful through either not fulfilling the obligations of sharee‘ah, or through committing the prohibited actions.
Therefore, the person who fulfils the commands of Allah Ta‘ala (e.g. he fulfils the rights of Allah Ta‘ala such as salaah, fasting, etc. and he fulfils the rights of the creation e.g. the rights of parents, children, wives, etc.) and he also refrains from sins (e.g. he protects his eyes and other limbs from sins, refrains from haraam business dealings and relationships, etc.) – then such a person will be regarded among the greatest worshippers in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala on account of him upholding the commands of Allah Ta‘ala in his life at all times.
The second quality is that of contentment. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned that the one who inculcates contentment will be the wealthiest of people. In another hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Being wealthy is not attained through possessing abundant goods. Rather, being wealthy is (acquiring) the wealth of the heart (i.e. contentment).” (Saheeh Bukhaari #6446)
In the eyes of the world, a poor person is a person who does not possess enough wealth, while a wealthy person is one who possesses enough wealth. Accordingly, if a person possesses millions, far in excess of his actual needs, yet he feels that it is never enough for him due to which he continues to hanker after the world, then he will be regarded as ‘poor’, as he lacks the true wealth of contentment. On the contrary, if a person possess little wealth, but he is content with what Allah Ta‘ala has given him, then he will be regarded as ‘wealthy’, as his heart is pleased with the decree of Allah Ta‘ala at all times.
Hence, Sayyiduna Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) once advised his son saying, “O my beloved son! When you seek wealth, then seek it with contentment, for the one who does not have contentment – no amount of money will be enough for him.” (Tareekh Dimashq vol. 20 pg. 363)
The third and fourth qualities – to treat the neighbour with kindness and to love for others that which we love for ourselves – both revolve around huqooqul ‘ibaad (fulfilling the rights of the creation), as well as having a clean heart for each and every person.
As for the final quality – not laughing excessively – then Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned that this leads to the death of the spiritual heart. In other words, when one becomes engaged in entertainment, vain pursuits, laughing and joking with friends in trying to amuse oneself, then one becomes unmindful of Allah Ta‘ala, the Aakhirah and the obligations of Deen, and this ultimately leads to the heart becoming hard. Once the heart becomes hard and begins to spiritually die, then one no longer finds any motivation, drive or enthusiasm for good deeds, ‘ibaadah, righteousness and piety.
Hence, we should avoid getting involved in vain pursuits of amusement and entertainment, and turn our focus towards Allah Ta‘ala and the Aakhirah. In this regard, we should set aside a few moments daily to ponder over death and the stages of the Hereafter which are to come.
The five special qualities mentioned by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in this hadeeth are like five priceless pearls.
May Allah Ta‘ala bless us to inculcate these important qualities into our lives, aameen.