A Saying of the Prophet Mohammad

A Saying of the Prophet Mohammad

1986 6 June 31-32 A Saying of the Prophet Mohammad (460) Abu Huraira * reported the Prophet as saying:

“There are three things that are especially pleasing to God: that you should worship Him, ascribing no partners unto Him; that you should all cling to the rope of God and not be divided among yourselves; and that you should have a benevolent attitude towards those whom God has put in charge of your affairs. And three things cause Him immense displeasure: idle talk, asking too many questions and wasting money.”

(Sahih Muslim)

Worshipping God means concentrating one’s entire attention on Him. One who truly worships God feels empty if there is no place in his life for God. To ascribe partners to God, on the other hand, is to make something besides God the focus of one’s attention. To forsake all forms of false worship, and to serve one God alone, is the essence of Islam. When one does this, one becomes a selfless soul; one thinks of others before oneself. Those who have developed such qualities will remain united among themselves; they will not split up, into sects. In the same way, Muslims should have a benevolent, co-operative attitude towards those who are in positions of responsibility; they should not set themselves up as rivals to their leaders. There is another saying of the Prophet, contained in the same Sahih Muslim’s collection, which tells us that religion is to wish everyone well, including one’s leaders. People usually try to unseat, by protest and rioting, leaders in whom they have found some fault. They even attach the label of Islam to their campaigns. But this is not the Islamic way. What one should do, as a good Muslim, when one sees some fault in a leader, is seek to persuade him, in an affectionate and benevolent manner, to change his ways.

God prefers his servants to be more concerned with actions than with words. That is why idle talk and prattle causes Him great displeasure. It is usually people of a neglectful nature who ask unnecessary questions. There are some questions that have to be asked, but there are many on the contrary that people could answer themselves were only they to make the effort and be mentally alert. Likewise there are ways of spending money which are extravagant and ways which are constructive. Those who are careless and selfish in their expenditure are worse than animals in God’s sight. They certainly cannot expect Him to shower them with His mercy.

The words of the Prophet are as applicable today as they were when he spoke them. But is there anyone who will listen?

* One of the most constant attendants of the Prophet, and has related more traditions of the sayings and doings of the Prophet than any other individual.