Explore Zujajah

Read. Reflect. Return.

Heart-Softening Narrations

Hadith 5094

Chapter on Showing Off and Seeking Reputation

In this book

Current reading

Heart-Softening Narrations

Chapter on Showing Off and Seeking Reputation

Zujajat al-Masabih 5094Volume 4

English

Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he went out one day to the mosque of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and found Muadh ibn Jabal sitting by the grave of the Prophet, weeping. He asked: “What makes you weep?” Muadh replied: “Something I heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) makes me weep. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘Indeed, even a little showing off 1 is polytheism 2, and whoever shows enmity to a friend 3 of Allah has challenged Allah to battle. Verily, Allah loves the righteous, the pure, and the inconspicuous, those who, when absent, are not missed, and when present, are neither invited nor honored. Their hearts are lamps of guidance, emerging from every dark and dusty trial 4.’”
Possible references (unverified, pending editorial review)
  • Candidate: Sunan Ibn Majah 3989 (unverified) 96% confidence

Confidence and text similarity are not editorial verification.

Commentary and footnotes (8)

Note 1

even a little showing off is polytheism

(1) His statement: “even a little showing off is polytheism” indicates that hardly anyone, even the strong, is safe from it, so how much more the weak? Thus, it is among the reasons for weeping. Another reason is harming the friends of Allah, most of whom are inconspicuous, as in the sacred Hadith: “My friends are under My domes; none know them but Me.” A person is rarely free from harsh words toward brethren, which leads to disobedience. It seems this is what he meant by “whoever shows enmity,” etc.

Note 2

showing off

(2) His statement: “showing off” – the precise meaning is that showing off (riyaa) is derived from sight, meaning actions done to be seen by people, not sufficing with Allah’s sight alone. Reputation (sum‘ah) is derived from hearing, meaning actions or words done to be heard by people, not sufficing with Allah’s hearing. Sometimes, each term is used in place of the other, or they are combined for emphasis or to specify their distinct meanings. Their opposite is sincerity in actions for Allah, aiming for salvation. (As stated in Al-Mirqat)

Note 3

friend

(3) His statement: “friend” – scholars differ on defining a friend of Allah. The theologians say a friend is one who holds correct belief based on evidence and performs lawful deeds. This is supported by some eminent scholars who said: “If scholars are not friends of Allah, then Allah has no friends.” Al-Ghazali said a friend is one granted insight into some unseen matters without being tasked with reforming people. Both views have issues, as most friends of Allah, especially among the righteous predecessors, showed no miracles or unveiled states, unlike some later generations. The closest definition is Al-Qushayri’s: a friend is either a “protected” one, whom Allah preserves and guards continuously, or an “active” one, who persistently worships and obeys Allah without interspersing disobedience. Both qualities are conditions for friendship. His words suggest that “or” indicates variety, hinting at the attracted wayfarer (murad) in the first and the wayfaring seeker (murid) in the second, as Allah indicated: Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself those who turn to Him (Ash-Shura: 13). (As stated in Al-Mirqat)

Note 4

from every dark and dusty trial

(4) His statement: “from every dark and dusty trial” means being free from every difficult issue or severe affliction. Al-Tayyibi said: It is a metaphor for the humility of their dwellings, which are dark and dusty due to lacking means for illumination or cleanliness. (As stated in Al-Mirqat)

Note 1

قوله

(۱) قوله: إن يسير الرياء شرك وقلما يسلم منه الأقوياء فكيف الضعفاء، فهو من جملة أسباب البكاء، وسبب آخر أذى الأولياء، وغالبهم أخفياء كما في الحديث القدسي: «أوليائي تحت قبائي، لا يعرفهم غيري»، والإنسان لا يخلو عن بذاذة اللسان مع الإخوان مما يجر إلى العصيان. وكأنه أراد هذا المعنى بقوله: «ومن عادى» إلخ.

Note 2

قوله

(۲) قوله: الرياء والتحقيق أن الرياء مأخوذ من الرؤية فهو ما فعل ليراه الناس، ولا يكتفي فيه برؤية الله سبحانه. والسمعة بالضم مأخوذ من السمع فهو ما يفعل، أو يقال ليسمعه الناس، ولا يكتفى فيه بسمعه تعالى، ثم يستعمل كل منهما موضع الآخر، وقد يجمع بينهما تأكيدا، أو لإرادة أصل المعينين تفصيلا، وضدهما الإخلاص في العمل الله على قصد الخلاص. كذا في «المرقاة».

Note 3

قوله

(۳) قوله: وليا: اختلفوا في تعريف الولي، فقال المتكلمون الولي من كان آتيا بالاعتقاد الصحيح المبني على الدليل وبالأعمال الشرعية، أي كذلك، ويؤيده ما قاله بعض الكبراء: إنه إن كان العلماء ليسوا بأولياء فليس الله ولي. وقال الغزالي له الولي من كوشف ببعض المغيبات ولم يؤمر بإصلاح الناس، وفي كل منهما نظر؛ إذ أكثر الأولياء، لا سيما من السلف الصالحين لم يظهر عليهم كرامة وكشف حالة بخلاف بعض الخلف المتأخرين، فالأقرب في معناه ما ذكره القشيري من أن الولي إما فعيل بمعنى المفعول، وهو من تولى الله حفظه وحراسته، على التوالي أو بمعنى الفاعل أي من يتولى عبادة الله وطاعته، ويتوالى عليها من غير تخلل معصية، وكلا الوصفين شرط في الولاية، انتهى كلامه. وفيه إشعار بأن «أو» للتنويع، وإيماء في الأول إلى المجذوب السالك المعبر عنه بالمراد، وفي الثاني إلى السالك المجذوب المعبر عنه بالمريد، وقد أشار إليهما سبحانه في قوله: اللهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ ) (الشورى: (۱۳). كذا في «المرقاة».

Note 4

قوله

(٤) قوله: من كل غبراء مظلمة : أي من عهدة كل مسألة مشكلة أو بلية معضلة. وقال الطيبي : كناية عن حقارة مساكنهم، وإنها مظلمة مغبرة لفقدان أداة ما يتنوّر ويتنظف به. كذا في «المرقاة».