Condemning Whims and Desires

The noble Prophet (ﷺ) directs us to one of the principles of medicine, namely, to protect our health by eating little. Rather, a person should only eat the amount that maintains his survival and enables him to do the necessary activities. The worst vessel to be filled is the stomach, given the numberless ruinous diseases that result from fullness, sooner or later, and outwardly or inwardly. Then, the Messenger (ﷺ) said: If a person must fill his stomach, let him eat as much as one-third, another one-third for drinking, and another one-third for breathing, so that he does not suffer difficulty and harm and laziness in performing the duties Allah has imposed on him concerning his religion and worldly life.

1. We should not eat and drink much. This is a principle that combines all principles of medicine, given the numerous illnesses and maladies that result from satiety.
2. The purpose behind eating is to maintain one's health and strength, which are necessary for the soundness of life.
3. Filling the stomach with food results in physical and religious harmful effects. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Beware of gluttony, for it harms the body and causes laziness toward the prayer."
4. Eating, in terms of its ruling, falls into various categories: Obligatory: that which preserves life, and neglecting it would lead to harm. Permissible: what goes beyond the obligatory amount without fear of harm. Disliked: what carries a risk of harm. Prohibited: what is known to cause harm. Recommended: what aids a person in worshiping and obeying Allah. This is summarized in the Hadīth in three levels: 1. Filling the stomach. 2. A few bites or morsels that keep the back straight. 3. His saying: "One-third for his food, one-third for his drink, and one-third for his breath." And all of this applies when the type of food itself is lawful.
5. The Hadīth is a principle from among the principles of medicine. Since the science of medicine revolves around three foundations—preservation of strength, dietary regulation, and elimination—the Hadīth encompasses the first two of them, as in the statement of Allah Almighty: {Eat and drink, but do not waste, for He does not like the wasteful.} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 31]
6. The Hadīth demonstrates the perfection of this Shariah, as it includes people's interests concerning their religion and worldly life.
7. The sciences of Shariah include the principles of medicine and various types of it, like what is reported on honey and the black seed.
8. The rulings of the Shariah contain wisdom and are based on the principle of warding off evils and bringing about benefits.

سنن الترمذي (4/ 188) (2380). سنن ابن ماجه (4/ 448) (3349). مسند أحمد (28/ 422) (17186). فتح الباري لابن حجر (9/ 528). جامع العلوم والحكم في شرح خمسين حديثا من جوامع الكلم، لابن رجب (2/ 467). التحفة الربانية في شرح الأربعين حديثًا النووية، لإسماعيل الأنصاري (ص100). فتح القوي المتين في شرح الأربعين وتتمة الخمسين، لعبد المحسن العباد (ص148).

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that he did not leave behind a more harmful trial and test for men than women. In the case of a man's wife, he may follow her in things contrary to the Shariah, and in the case of an unrelated woman, he may associate with her and meet her privately, which leads to evil consequences.

1. A Muslim should beware of the trial of women and block every means leading to such temptation.
2. A believer should hold fast to Allah and turn to Him for safety from trials.

صحيح البخاري (7/ 8) (5096). صحيح مسلم (4/ 2097) (2740). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (373). فتح الباري لابن حجر (9/ 138).

Except for those whom Allah has protected, everyone ends up fornicating. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned examples of fornication. The eyes fornicate, i.e. when a man looks at a woman, even if not lustfully, who is not from his Mahrams, this is one kind of fornication. The ears fornicate by listening to and enjoying the voice of a woman. The hands fornicate by touching. The feet fornicate by going to a place of immorality, or following a woman that one unlawfully desires. The heart fornicates by being inclined to women. The genitals prove that when they commit real fornication. If they do not fornicate, then this will be disapproval of other organs’ fornication. From this, men should learn to be cautious not to get attached to women, listen to their voice, see them, touch them, pursue them, nor think of their seduction. These are types of fornication which every chaste and sensible man would resist.

نزهة المتقين، تأليف: مصطفى الخن، الناشر: مؤسسة الرسالة، الطبعة الأولى: 1397 هـ الطبعة الرابعة عشر 1407 هـ. كنوز رياض الصالحين، تأليف: حمد بن ناصر العمار ، الناشر: دار كنوز أشبيليا، الطبعة الأولى: 1430 هـ. بهجة الناظرين، تأليف: سليم بن عيد الهلالي، الناشر: دار ابن الجوزي ، سنة النشر: 1418 هـ- 1997م. صحيح مسلم، تأليف: مسلم بن الحجاج النيسابوري، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي الناشر: دار إحياء التراث العربي – بيروت. رياض الصالحين، تأليف: محيي الدين يحيى بن شرف النووي ، تحقيق: د. ماهر بن ياسين الفحل ، الطبعة: الأولى، 1428 هـ. صحيح البخاري، تأليف: محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري، تحقيق: محمد زهير الناصر، الناشر: دار طوق النجاة الطبعة: الأولى، 1422هـ. شرح رياض الصالحين، تأليف: محمد بن صالح العثيمين، الناشر: دار الوطن للنشر، 1426 هـ.

In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that he fears two things for his Ummah: the Qur’an and milk. As for milk, some people seek it in pastures and plantations, follow their desires and pleasures, and stay away from the cities, where the Friday prayer and the congregational prayers are held. Then they neglect the prayers in their pursuit of milk. As for the Qur’an, the hypocrites learn it, not to benefit from it or comply with it, but to argue with the believers by means of it in order to falsify the truth that they believe in. Neither milk nor the Qur’an are subjects of fear or damage in themselves. However, they are mentioned metaphorically in relation to things that are pertinent to them. Allah knows best.

-مسند الإمام أحمد بن حنبل، تحقيق: شعيب الأرنؤوط - عادل مرشد، وآخرون، نشر: مؤسسة الرسالة، الطبعة: الأولى، 1421هـ - 2001م. -سلسلة الأحاديث الصحيحة وشيء من فقهها وفوائدها، تأليف محمد ناصر الدين الألباني، الناشر: مكتبة المعارف للنشر والتوزيع، الرياض، الطبعة: الأولى، لمكتبة المعارف. -مختار الصحاح، لزين الدين أبو عبد الله محمد بن أبي بكر بن عبد القادر الحنفي الرازي، تحقيق: يوسف الشيخ محمد، نشر: المكتبة العصرية - الدار النموذجية، بيروت – صيدا، لطبعة: الخامسة، 1420هـ / 1999م. -النهاية في غريب الحديث والأثر، لابن الأثير، نشر: المكتبة العلمية - بيروت، 1399هـ - 1979م، تحقيق: طاهر أحمد الزاوى - محمود محمد الطناحي. -الفتح الرباني لترتيب مسند الإمام أحمد بن حنبل الشيباني ومعه بلوغ الأماني من أسرار الفتح الرباني, أحمد بن عبد الرحمن بن محمد البنا الساعاتي, دار إحياء التراث العربي, الطبعة: الثانية.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave a warning to those who seek knowledge to show off in front of the scholars and demonstrate that they are also scholars like them; to argue with foolish and feeble-minded people; or to be given prominence and precedence over others in gatherings. Whoever does that becomes worthy of Hellfire due to his showing off and lack of sincerity in seeking knowledge for Allah's sake.

1. The Hadīth warns with fire those who seek knowledge to brag about it or use it for arguing with the foolish or achieving prominence in gatherings, and so on.
2. It is important that we have a sincere intention as we seek knowledge and teach it to others.
3. The intention is the basis of deeds and by which the reward is given.

سنن ابن ماجه (1/ 170) (254)، مرشد ذوي الحجا والحاجة (2/378)، مشارق الأنوار الوهاجة ومطالع الأسرار البهاجة في شرح سنن الإمام ابن ماجه (4/ 482).

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that Allah Almighty gave a parable likening Islam to a straight extended path that has no crookedness. On the two sides of this path there are two walls surrounding it. These two walls are the limits set by Allah, and within them there are open doors, which are Allah's prohibitions. On these doors, there are curtains that do not allow passersby to see who is inside. There is a caller at the beginning of this path who directs people and says to them: Walk on this path and do not deviate from it towards the sides. This caller is the Book of Allah. There is another caller above the path. When anyone walking on the path wants to open any of the curtains above these doors a little bit, he forbids him saying: Woe unto you; do not open it! If you open it, you will pass through, and you will not be able to prevent yourself from entering. This caller is Allah's admonishment in the heart of every Muslim.

1. Islam is the true religion, and it is the straight path that leads us to Paradise.
2. We must abide by the limits set by Allah and observe what He declared lawful and unlawful. Whoever takes these things lightly will be ruined.
3. The Hadīth points out the great merit of the Qur’an and urges us to act upon it, which yields guidance, light, and success.
4. It is Allah's mercy towards His servants and the sense of admonition He has put within their hearts that prevent them from falling into ruinous sins.
5. Out of His mercy, Allah put barriers that prevent His servants from falling into sins.
6. Giving parables is a method of education, which is intended to make the meaning clearer and easier to understand.

سنن الترمذي (4/ 539) (2859)، مسند أحمد (29/ 181، 183) (17634)، جامع العلوم والحكم (2/161)، فيض القدير (4/253)، التنوير شرح الجامع الصغير (7/100)، الفتح الرباني لترتيب مسند الإمام أحمد بن حنبل الشيباني (1/ 83).

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) recited this verse: {It is He Who has sent down to you the Book. In it are definite verses, which are the foundation of the Book, while others are ambiguous. Those with deviant hearts follow the ambiguous verses, seeking discord and seeking their [false] interpretation. But no one knows their [true] interpretation except Allah. And those who are well-grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it. It is all from our Lord." None will take heed except people of understanding.} Allah Almighty says in this verse that it is He Who sent down the Qur’an to His Prophet and that it contains clear verses that give specific unambiguous rulings; these serve as the foundation and points of reference of the Book, and they are to be referred to when differences arise. And it contains other verses that may give a number of potential meanings, over which people may get confused or they may think there is a contradiction between one of those verses and another verse. Then, Allah points out how people deal with those verses. Those whose hearts are deviated from the truth abandon the definite verses and turn to the ambiguous ones, thereby seeking to create misconceptions and mislead people. On the other hand, those well-grounded in knowledge know these ambiguous verses and refer them to the definite ones, believing in them and that they are from Allah Almighty and that they cannot be confusing or contradictory. But no one remembers this or takes heed from it except the people of sound minds. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told the Mother of the Believers ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that, if she saw those who follow the ambiguous verses, then indeed they are the ones named by Allah in the verse that reads: {Those with deviant hearts}; so, beware of them and do not listen to them.

1. The definite verses of the Qur’an are those verses whose meanings are apparent and clear; whereas the ambiguous verses are those verses with a number of potential meanings and so they require consideration and understanding.
2. The Hadīth warns against associating with the people of deviation and religious innovations and those who raise ambiguous issues with the aim of misleading people and casting doubts into their hearts.
3. The concluding part of the verse {None will take heed except people of understanding} is an indirect reference to the deviant people and praise for those well-grounded in knowledge. In other words, he who does not take heed and admonition and follows his vain inclination is not one of the people of understanding.
4. Following the ambiguous verses causes deviation of the heart.
5. The ambiguous verses whose meanings may not be understood should be referred to the definite verses.
6. Allah Almighty has made some of the Qur’an definite and some of it ambiguous as a test for people to distinguish the people of faith from the people of misguidance.
7. Part of the wisdom behind making some of the Qur’an's verses ambiguous is to show the superiority of scholars to others and to highlight the limitations of people's minds, so that they may submit to their Creator and acknowledge their own deficiencies.
8. The Hadīth highlights the merit of being well-grounded in knowledge and the necessity of steadfastness in it.
9. The Qur’an's exegetes have two views on the pause after the word 'Allah' in the verse that reads: {But no one knows their [true] interpretation except Allah. And those who are well-grounded in knowledge.} In the case of those who advocate the pause after the word 'Allah', the 'interpretation' here refers to knowing the reality and essence of it and such matters that cannot be realized like the spirit, the Hour, and other things whose knowledge Allah kept exclusively to Himself. Those well-grounded in knowledge believe in it and leave its realities to Allah, and thus they submit and become safe. On the other hand, those who advocate the continuity of recitation and not taking a pause after the word 'Allah' hold that the 'interpretation' here means explanation and clarification. Thus, Allah Almighty knows it, and so do the people well-grounded in knowledge, who believe in them and refer them to the definite verses.

صحيح البخاري (6/ 33) (4547)، صحيح مسلم (4/ 2053) (2665)، فتح الباري (8/211)، شرح النووي على مسلم (16/217)، النهاية في غريب الحديث والأثر (ص 407، 465)، فتح الودود في شرح سنن أبي داود (4/415)، تحفة الأبرار شرح مصابيح السنّة (1/129)، البحر المحيط الثجاج في شرح صحيح الإمام مسلم بن الحجاج (41/ 559).

The Commander of the Believers, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him), was in his assembly, and with him was a group of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), so he said to them: Who among you heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mention the trials? Some people said: We heard him mention the trials. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Perhaps you mean the trial and test a man faces within his household: with his wife and children, due to his excessive love for them, his miserliness towards them, his being preoccupied with them to the detriment of much goodness, or his negligence in fulfilling their rights, disciplining them, and educating them. Likewise, the trial of a man with his neighbor and similar matters—perhaps this is what you mean? They said: Yes. He said: Those are trials that require accountability, and among them are sins that can be hoped to be expiated by good deeds, such as prayer, fasting, and charity. But who of you heard the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mention the public trials due to their great severity and extensive prevalence, shaking people like the waves of the sea in turmoil? The people kept silent, and Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamān (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said: I heard him. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) rejoiced and said to him: May Allah bless your father for bringing someone like you; speak. Hudhayfah said: He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Trials appear and cling to the surface and sides of a person's heart, just as the straw mat clings to the side of one lying on it. The heart is deeply impacted by how tightly the trials adhere to it. These trials are repeated and recur, one after another. Any heart they enter, that embraces them and allows them to mix within it, as a drink permeates a body, becomes marked with a black spot. And any heart that rejects them is marked with a white spot until hearts become of two kinds: a white heart, firm in its bond of faith, free from defects, and unaffected by trials, like a smooth, polished rock upon which nothing sticks—such a heart is unharmed by any trial until it meets Allah. The other heart is a heart that has turned black from the trials, like a tilted or overturned pitcher that cannot hold water. Similarly, this heart does not retain any good or wisdom. It does not acknowledge what is right, nor does it denounce what is evil, except for what it desires and craves. Hudhayfah said to ‘Umar: These trials will not emerge during your lifetime, and between you and them is a closed door that is about to be broken. ‘Umar asked: Will it be broken completely? If it were opened, perhaps it would have been restored. Hudhayfah replied: No, it will be broken. And that door is a man who will be killed or die. What I have mentioned is a true and confirmed report, not from the scriptures of the People of the Book, nor from the opinion of any scholar, but from the Hadīth of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).

1. The danger of public trials lies in the bloodshed, the loss of wealth, and the disappearance of security therein.
2. If the personal trials are related to religion, the person will be blamed, as they are either religious innovations or sins. But if they are related to worldly matters, they are a test and trial for the person, and he must be patient.
3. The heart is affected by the trials that are presented to it, and the successful one is the one whom Allah guides to remain steadfast on guidance.
4. An-Nawawi said: The author of At-Tahrīr said: The meaning of the Hadīth: When a person follows his desires and commits sins, darkness enters his heart with every sin he commits. When this happens, he becomes misled, and the light of Islam is removed from him. The heart is like a jug; if it is turned upside down, whatever is inside it pours out, and nothing can enter it after that.
5. ‘Umar's words to Hudhayfah: (La aba lak) mean: Be serious in this matter, and prepare yourself like one who has no helper.
6. The merit of ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and that he is a closed door between the people and trials.

صحيح مسلم (1/ 128-129) (144). النهاية في غريب الحديث والأثر (606) (649) (471) (521) (340) (139). شرح النووي على مسلم (2/ 171).