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Authentic hadith article

Shall I not tell you of something better in degree than fasting, prayer, and charity?

AuthenticNarrated by Abu Dāwūd and At-TirmidhiHadeethEnc #66252
Arabic hadith text

عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:

عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِأَفْضَلَ مِنْ دَرَجَةِ الصِّيَامِ وَالصَّلاَةِ وَالصَّدَقَةِ؟» قَالُوا: بَلَى، قَالَ: «صَلاَحُ ذَاتِ البَيْنِ، فَإِنَّ فَسَادَ ذَاتِ البَيْنِ هِيَ الحَالِقَةُ».

English translation

Abu ad-Dardā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

Abu ad-Dardā’ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Shall I not tell you of something better in degree than fasting, prayer, and charity?" They said: Yes. He said: "Reconciling between people, for discord among them is the shaver."

Explanation

Explanation of the hadith

The Prophet (ﷺ) asked his Companions: Shall I tell you of something that brings a greater reward than frequently performing voluntary fasting, prayer, and charity? They said: Yes. He said: It is reconciling between those in conflict, for disputes lead to division, estrangement, hatred, and turning away from one another. The enmity that results from discord is a trait that destroys and eradicates both religion and worldly life, just as a razor completely removes hair.

Lessons

Benefits from the hadith

  1. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to ask his Companions questions and arouse their eagerness to know the answer.
  2. At-Tībi said: This Hadīth encourages and urges reconciliation between people and the avoidance of causing discord, for reconciliation is a means of holding fast to the rope of Allah and preventing division among Muslims. Discord, on the other hand, is a breach in the religion; thus, whoever strives to mend it and remove its corruption attains a rank higher than that of one who fasts, prays, and is occupied only with his own personal worship.
Topics
Muslim SocietyActs of Heart

Related concept articles

Worship · Prayer · Zakat and charity · Fasting · Knowledge · Community · Peace and reconciliation · Prophethood