In a Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 2347, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, advised that his true friend is the one who possesses the following characteristics.
The first characteristic is that they strive and obtain only what they require in order to fulfill their necessities and the necessities of their dependents while avoiding excessiveness, waste and extravagance. One can adopt this attitude when they strive to use the blessings they have been granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted. This has been outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
The next characteristic mentioned in the main Hadith is that they have a good share in the prayer. This means they establish their obligatory prayers by fulfilling them correctly with all their conditions and etiquettes, such as offering them on time. This also includes establishing the voluntary prayers which are based on the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, such as the voluntary night prayer. This is in fact the best prayer after the obligatory prayers according to a Hadith found in Sunan An Nasai, number 1614. A good share in the prayer also includes offering the obligatory prayers with the congregation at a Mosque when possible. It is sad to see how many Muslims live in proximity of a Mosque yet still do not join the congregation, even when they are free from work.
The next characteristic mentioned in the main Hadith under discussion is that this muslim obeys Allah, the Exalted, in public and in private. This involves fulfilling His commands, refraining from His prohibitions and by facing destiny with patience according to the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. This will ensure one uses the blessings they have been granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted. Doing so in private indicates a person’s sincerity to Allah, the Exalted, meaning, they only perform righteous deeds for His sake. This is the one who firmly remembers that no matter where they are, the inner and outer aspects of their being is constantly being observed by Allah, the Exalted. If one persists on this belief they will adopt excellence of faith, which is mentioned in a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 99. It means they act, such as performing the prayer, as if they can observe Allah, the Exalted, watching them. This attitude encourages righteous deeds and prevents sins.
The next characteristic mentioned in the main Hadith is that they avoid obtaining any type of fame or social honor. According to a Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 2376, this desire is more destructive to a muslim’s faith than the destruction two hungry wolves would cause to a herd of sheep. A person’s craving for fame and status is arguably more destructive to one’s faith than their craving for wealth. A person will even spend their beloved wealth on obtaining fame and prestige.
It is rare for someone to obtain status and fame and still remain firm on the correct path whereby they prioritise preparing for the hereafter over enjoying the material world. In fact, a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 6723, warns that a person who seeks status in society, such as leadership, will be left to deal with it themself but the one who receives it without asking for it will be aided by Allah, the Exalted, in remaining obedient to Him. Another Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 7148, warns that people will be keen to obtain status and authority but it will be a great regret for them on the Day of Judgment.
This is a dangerous craving as it forces one to strive intensely to obtain it and then strive further in order to hold on to it even if it encourages them to commit oppression and other sins.
The worse type of craving for status is when one obtains this through religion. A Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 2654, warns that this person will go to Hell.
Seeking repute also causes one to act in order to please people instead of acting to please Allah, the Exalted. This person will be told to gain the reward for their deeds on Judgement Day from the people they acted for, which will not be possible. This has been warned in a Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 3154.
Seeking repute also causes one to adopt negative characteristics, such as being two-faced, in order to please everyone. This leads to many sins and this person will ultimately be disgraced publicly by Allah, the Exalted. The very people which they aimed to please will criticize and hate them, even if they conceal this from them.
The final thing mentioned in the main Hadith is that their death comes quickly, their mourners are few and the inheritance they leave behind is small.
Their death comes suddenly so that they are taken to the mercy of Allah, the Exalted, quickly and in order to protect them from the difficulties of a slow and prolonged death.
Their mourners are few, as they avoided seeking social honor and preferred to remain anonymous, as they feared showing off their righteous deeds to others. But the few mourners they do have are far better than the many the rich and famous have. Their few mourners are sincere in their sadness and genuinely supplicate to Allah, the Exalted, for their forgiveness whereas the many mourners of the rich and famous do not behave in this manner.
The inheritance they leave behind is small, as they directed the vast majority of their blessings towards the hereafter, by using them in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted. They understood that anything they left behind would fall into the hands of others who would enjoy the blessings while they, the deceased, will be held accountable for obtaining it. It is why a Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 2379, warns that a person’s family and wealth abandons them at their grave and only their deeds accompany them in their lonely grave. Therefore, they concentrate on obtaining righteous deeds by using their blessings correctly and avoid misusing them thereby committing sins. Even though, they leave little behind as inheritance they in fact take a lot with them to the hereafter in order to support themself in their moment of need. Chapter 59 Al Hashr, verse 18:
“O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow…”
Finally, they may not leave much worldly things behind, such as wealth and properties, but they do leave behind a huge legacy of goodness, such as ongoing charity and useful knowledge, which continues to benefit them even after their death. This has been indicated in a Hadith found in Jami At Tirmidhi, number 1376.
To conclude, those who claim to love the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, must support this verbal claim with actions. Claims without actions have little value in both worldly and religious matters. One of these proofs is to adopt these characteristics which lead to his friendship. The one who befriends the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, will be granted his company in the hereafter. Chapter 4 An Nisa, verse 69:
“And whoever obeys Allāh and the Messenger – those will be with the ones upon whom Allāh has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.”
Prophetic Advice on Noble Character Complete Set eBook & Backup Link: READ & READ
حدیث – اعلیٰ کردار کے بارے میں نبوی نصیحت: READ & READ
الحديث – وصية نبوية في مكارم الأخلاق: READ & READ
Hadis – Nasihat Nabi tentang Akhlak Mulia: READ & READ
Hadith – Consejos Proféticos Sobre El Carácter Noble: READ & READ
হাদিস – মহৎ চরিত্রের উপর নবীর উপদেশ: READ & READ
Over 400 Free eBooks: https://shaykhpod.com/books/
Backup Sites for eBooks: https://shaykhpodbooks.wordpress.com/books/
https://shaykhpodbooks.wixsite.com/books
https://archive.org/details/@shaykhpod
PDFs of All English Books & Backup Links/ تمام کتابیں / সব বই / جميع الكتب/ Semua Buku / Todos Los Libros: READ & READ & READ & READ
AudioBooks, Blogs, Infographics, English & Urdu Podcasts: https://shaykhpod.com/
Anonymously Follow WhatsApp Channel for Daily Blogs, eBooks, Pics and Podcasts: FOLLOW
Subscribe to Receive Daily Blogs & Updates Via Email: https://shaykhpod.com/subscribe
#Allah #ShaykhPod #Islam #Quran #Hadith #Imaan #Prophet #Muhammad #Sunnah #Piety #Taqwa #Faith #Giving #Withholding
ShaykhPod 