Excellence of meeting with a smiling Countenance and Politeness in Speech

1.
`Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

“Guard yourselves against the Fire (of Hell) even if it be only with half a date-fruit (given in charity); and if you cannot afford even that, you should at least say a good word.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith highlights the point that Sadaqah has great benefits and even in its minimum scope and quantity it can ensure our safety against Hell-fire. We are told that if we do not have even a single date or half of it to give to a needy person, we can manage to have the same benefit by talking to him in a compassionate tone, provided we have Faith in our heart.

2.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said,

“It is also charity to utter a good word.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: In Islam, it is not spending money alone that counts as charity; talking to somebody in a decent way also comes in the same context. Now, one can feel the importance Islam gives to moral values and good manners. This saying of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) is part of a long Hadith mentioned earlier.

3.

Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

“Do not disdain a good deed, (no matter how small it may seem) even if it is your meeting with your (Muslim) brother with a cheerful face.”
[Muslim].

Commentary: Every deed approved by the Shari`ah is considered good and rewarding. Howsoever seemingly small people may consider it, it must not be looked at from a highbrow angle. Even to meet people cheerfully is one of the Islamic virtues, though it may appear quite insignificant to some people.

Ref:

http://muhammad.net/riyad-us-saleheen-mainmenu-68/51-book-one-the-book-of-good-manners/348-chapter-88-excellence-of-meeting-with-a-smiling-countenance-and-politeness-in-speech.html

Covering Faults of the Muslims (from Riyad-us-Saleheen)

1. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Allah will cover up on the Day of Resurrection the defects (faults) of the one who covers up the faults of the others in this world”. [Muslim] Commentary: Covering up the shortcomings and faults of people is an excellent manner. That is why this quality is very much liked by Almighty Allah. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will give a matching reward to that man who has such a quality, which means that Allah will forgive his sins and will not call him to account for his sins. If at all He will do so, He will not do it publicly so that he is not embarrased before others. Then Allah may forgive him or send him to Hell for a short while. 2. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Every one of my followers will be forgiven except those who expose (openly) their wrongdoings. An example of this is that of a man who commits a sin at night which Allah has covered for him, and in the morning, he would say (to people): “I committed such and such sin last night,’ while Allah had kept it a secret. During the night Allah has covered it up but in the morning he tears up the cover provided by Allah Himself.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: We learn from this Hadith that commission of a sin due to human frailties on which one is ashamed but does not like to express is something which might hopefully be forgiven by Allah. In fact, its remission after penitence is almost sure. But to commit a sin openly is totally different because, firstly, the heart of such a person is deprived of the fear of Allah. Secondly, he has no respect and regard for Divine injunctions. Thirdly, such a person usually does not repent his sins. Fourthly, he makes a declaration of breach of Divine injunctions which amounts to inviting His wrath and punishment. Ref: http://muhammad.net/riyad-us-saleheen-mainmenu-68.html ————————————————————— worship The CREATOR, not the created… —————————————————————