Foreword

have you ever seen suffering? Have you ever experienced hardship in your life?’ He will reply, ‘By God, no. I have never suffered. I have never undergone hardship.’ * HADITH OF MUSLIM ON THE AUTHORITY OF ANAS IBN MALIK. * THAT IS, JUST ONE MOMENT IN HELL WOULD SUFFICE TO MAKE AN EVIL PERSON FORGET ALL THE ENJOYMENT HE MAY HAVE HAD IN LIFE, WHILE THE MERE SIGHT OF PARADISE WOULD BE ENOUGH TO MAKE A RIGHTEOUS MAN FORGET ALL THE SUFFERING HE MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE LIFE OF THIS WORLD. 48 According to Mu’adh ibn Jabal, when the Prophet appointed him governor of Yemen, he said, ‘Abstain from luxuries, for those who live luxurious lives are no servants of God.’ HADITH OF AHMAD IBN HANBAL.