Pearls of The Blessed Messenger of Allaah (2)
Pearls from the blessed Messenger of Allah (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ)
عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَنَا
زَعِيمٌ بِبَيْتٍ فِي رَبَضِ الْجَنَّةِ
لِمَنْ تَرَكَ الْمِرَاءَ وَإِنْ كَانَ مُحِقًّا، وَبِبَيْتٍ فِي وَسَطِ الْجَنَّةِ لِمَنْ
تَرَكَ الْكَذِبَ وَإِنْ كَانَ مَازِحًا
وَبِبَيْتٍ فِي أَعْلَى الْجَنَّةِ لِمَنْ حَسَّنَ خُلُقَهُ»
Abu Omaamahرضي الله عنه) ) narrated that the Prophet (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) said: “I am a guarantor of a house in the outskirts of Paradise for that one who leaves off disputes and arguments even though he may be right (in that argument); a house in the middle of Paradise for that one who leaves off lying even though he may be joking; a house in the highest part of Paradise for that one who has beautified his character”. (Abu Dawood, Hadeeth No.4800, Page 318, Maktabah Rahmaniyya)
In this beautiful narration, the Prophet (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) has promised a place for any Muslim who:
1. Gives up arguing even though he may be rightful in that argument.
2. Gives up lying and making false statements, even though he may be telling a joke.
3. Beautifies and perfects his character.
The reason the Prophet ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) has given such a guarantee is because of the fact that in all of these scenarios, a high level of submission, restraint and humility (of oneself) is needed which must be done only for the sake of Allah.
Man’s carnal desires are always to overpower and dominate, and by giving up arguments and lying, he crushes the nafs and inner ego.
Allaamah Muhammad Shamsul Haq (رحمة الله عليه) has mentioned that by giving up arguments, one’s carnal desires are broken in this way, the nafs will not be raised in esteem on account of him becoming dominant in an argument due to his superiority.
The only way one can truly perfect his character is by humbling himself to the will of Allah, which will be achieved in these scenarios.
As the Prophet (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ) said in another narration: «مَنْ تَوَاضَعَ لِلَّهِ رَفَعَهُ» “whoever humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah will elevate him”.(Al M’ujamul Awsat Hadeeth No. 8307, page 172, Publisher Darul Harmain).