3 Prophetic Gems for Self-Development and Success
A Muslim is always seeking to prepare and
develop the self — spiritually, behaviorally, psychologically, and morally —
while also striving to improve practical skills.
The Noble Quran guides the believer in regulating his behavior with others, and the
Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is full of guidance
that elevates the Muslim to the highest level of humanity, cultivating in him
noble manners and refined understanding.
In the following lines, we will highlight
three prophetic traditions that, if understood and applied, can transform one’s
entire life into an act of worship:
First Concept: “speak
good or remain silent”
Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet (peace
be upon him) said: “He who believes in Allah and the
Last Day, let him be hospitable to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and
the Last Day, let him maintain good the ties of blood relationship; and he who
believes in Allah and the Last Day, must speak good or remain silent.”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) negated the perfection of faith from those who lack
these qualities — among them: “speak good or remain silent.”
Some people trap themselves in falsehood, false testimony, or lies under the
excuse that they cannot speak the truth for certain reasons. Yet, the Prophet (peace
be upon him) provided a way out: if one cannot utter a
word of truth, then silence suffices. Do not speak falsehood or support it,
especially when one is unable or too weak to oppose it.
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-‘As reported that
the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The Muslim is
he from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe, and the Emigrant is he who
abandons what God has prohibited.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Guarding the tongue from sin is one of the
greatest deeds after performing prayer on time. Abdullah ibn Mas`ud said: “I
asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): ‘O Messenger of Allah, which deeds are the best?’ He
said: ‘Prayer
done on time.’ I said: ‘Then what?’ He said: ‘To prevent harm to people from your
tongue.’” (At-Tabarani)
Many people utter words in jest, mockery,
or humor that may cause their downfall in the Fire. Mu‘adh ibn Jabal once
asked: “O Messenger of Allah, will we be held accountable for what we say?” The
Prophet (peace
be upon him) replied: “May your mother be bereaved of you,
O Mu‘adh! Is there anything that throws people into the Hellfire upon their
faces except the harvests of their tongues? You will remain safe as long as you
are silent, but once you speak, it will be recorded for or against you.”
(Ahmad)
Excessive speech can lead a person to major
sins unknowingly — such as false testimony, backbiting, slander, cursing,
accusing chaste women, false oaths, lying, and breaking promises — which are
signs of hypocrisy.
Among the best forms of good speech is the
remembrance of Allah, especially the testimony of faith. Abu Huraira reported
that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “no one will
ever say sincerely, “There is no god but God” without the gates of heaven being
opened for it so that it may come to the Throne, as long as he avoids major sins.”
(At-Tirmidhi)
In another authentic narration, Abu Huraira
asked: “O Messenger of Allah, Who will be the luckiest person who will gain
your intercession on the Day of Resurrection?” He (peace
be upon him) said: “O Abu Huraira! I have thought that
none will ask me about this Hadith before you, as I know your longing for the
(learning of) Hadiths. The luckiest person who will have my intercession on the
Day of Resurrection will be the one who said, 'None has the right to be
worshipped but Allah,' sincerely from the bottom of his heart.” (Al-Bukhari)
Second Concept:
Focusing on Oneself Instead of Others
Curiosity is a human tendency that drives
people to pry into others’ lives, seek their news, and comment on matters that
do not concern them. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A sign of man's good observance of Islam (his
piety) is to keep away from that which does not concern him.” (At-Tirmidhi)
This hadith encompasses a wide range of
Islamic manners and moral principles:
1. Abandoning all that is unlawful, doubtful,
disliked, or useless, including idle talk that wastes time and
brings no benefit. Doing so is a sign of sound faith.
2. Engaging in good speech instead of bad or
vain talk. Abdullah reported: “A man came to the
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, Shall we be punished
for what we did in the Prelslamic Period of ignorance?’ The Prophet (peace
be upon him) said: ‘Whoever does good in Islam will not
be punished for what he did in the Pre-lslamic Period of ignorance and whoever
does evil in Islam will be punished for his former and later (bad deeds).’”
(Agreed upon)
3. Valuing time and using it beneficially. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Two blessings which many people squander: Good
health and free time.” (Al-Bukhari)
4. Avoiding involvement in others’ affairs
protects one from sin. It prevents enmity and
suspicion, which often lead to backbiting and false accusations — acts that
harden the heart and distance it from Allah.
Third Concept: Avoiding Anger
Abu Huraira reported that a man said to
the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Advise me.”
He said: “Do
not get angry.”
He repeated the request several times, and each time the Prophet (peace
be upon him) said: “Do not get angry.” (Al-Bukhari)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) praised the person who controls himself in anger,
saying: “The strong man is not the good wrestler; but the strong man is he who
controls himself when he is angry.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The Quran commends those who restrain anger
and pardon others: “Those who …, control their
anger and pardon others.”
(Ali ‘Imran 3:134)
Sahl ibn Mu‘adh ibn Anas al-Juhani reported
from his father that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The one who suppresses anger and has the power to
give effect to it, will be called out by Allah, the Exalted, to the forefront
of the creatures on the Day of Resurrection and he will be asked to choose any
of the virgins (Hur) of his liking.” (Abu Dawud and
At-Tirmidhi)
Ways to overcome anger include:
- Seeking refuge with Allah from Shaytan.
- Remembering the virtue of patience and
self-control.
- Reflecting on the harm that results from anger.
- Changing one’s posture or performing ablution.
- Remembering one’s weakness before Allah and one’s
need for His forbearance.
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