On the authority of Abu Dharr, Jundub ibn Junadah, and Abu Abdul Rahman Mu’adh ibn jabal (May Allah be pleased with both of them) from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who said: “Fear Allah wherever you are. And follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will wipe it out. And behave towards the people with good behaviour”.
Reported in Tirmidhi who said it is a hasan hadeed. And in some copies (of Sunan Tirmidhi, it says) hasan sahih.
Brief Commentary:
- This hadith focuses on taqwah (piety) and is very comprehensive, as it speaks at 3 different levels, how we are with Allah, with ourselves, and with others
- Piety has the same meaning as wiqayah (protection), so it is a barrier between you and the punishment of Allah and protects you
- Piety is a comprehensive word which involves fulfilling the obligations, not doing the prohibitions, avoiding the doubtful, fulfilling the recommended, and not doing the disliked
- Piety is not just a mere feeling in the heart, but also an action of the limbs
- Piety in the Qur’an is mentioned with 3 meanings:
- Fear [Al-Baqarah:281]
- Obedience and worship [Aal-Imran:102]
- Purifying the heart from sins [Al-Noor:52]
- Piety also entails not just leaving sins, but also leaving those things which are halal and may lead to haram
- Piety is very similar to the concept of wara’ discusses in hadith 11. Piety has wara’ in it, but not all piety is wara’
- We need to have piety with regards to shirk and kufr, by having sound knowledge
- We need to have piety with regards to major sins, by knowing the consequences of what we will commit
- We need to have piety with regards to lesser sins and always make tawbah
- We need to have piety all the time and every time, in secret and in public
- Virtues of piety:
- It is the advice of Allah to the early nations, and ours [Al-Nisaa’ 131]
- It is the advice of the prophet (peace be upon him) to his nation as found in many ahadith
- It is the advice of the prophets (peace be upon them) and the righteous to their people [Al-Shu’raa’:106,124,142,161,177}
- It is the best of clothing [Al-A’raaf:26]
- It is the best form of sustenance [Al-Baqarah:197}
- Attributes of the pious:
- They believe in the unseen [Al-Baqarah:2-3]
- They are the most truthful in speech, actions, and belief [Al-Tawbah:119}
- They are people with the most veneration of Allah’s laws [Al-Hajj:32]
- They are people who seek justice the most [Al-Ma’idah:8]
- They like to forgive, pardon, and hold their anger [Aal-Imaran:134]
- They leave that which is halal out of fear of falling into haram (as discussed in hadith 11)
- Benefits of piety:
- You will be able to get guidance from the Qur’an
- Allah will make seeking knowledge easier for you
- You will get help and guidance from Allah
- Allah will give you His loyalty and support
- Allah will protect you from evil
- Allah will protect your children after your death
- Allah will give you the criterion to know right from wrong
- Allah, and His angels will love you
- Allah will find beneficial and suitable solutions for your problems
- It creates ease for you
- Allah only accepts from the people of piety
Benefits and Action points to take from this part of the hadith:
- Read back on the commentary of hadith 11 to remind yourself of the concept of wara’
- Try to achieve piety and it can be done by thoroughly concentrating and trying to achieve the five points below:
- Love Allah
- Know that Allah is watching over you and behave upon this knowledge
- Know the evils of your sins and the consequences of doing them
- Know the way to control your soul which leads you to desires
- Know the ways that Shaytan uses to misguide you and avoid them
Hadith Commentary 