Explanation of the Hadith: Three things that elevate ranks, expiate sins, and three that destroy

In this article, an explanation of a great comprehensive hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is presented, in which he ﷺ clearly explained four fundamental matters:

➊ Actions that erase sins (Al-Kaffarat)
➋ Actions that cause elevation in ranks (Ad-Darajat)
➌ Actions that lead to salvation (Al-Munjiat)
➍ Actions that cause destruction (Al-Muhlikat)

This brief yet profoundly meaningful hadith provides a complete reform curriculum for every Muslim. In this article, we will explain each part of this hadith in detail, along with related other hadiths and Quranic verses.

Hadith

Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

(( ثَلَاثٌ کَفَّارَاتٌ ، وَثَلَاثٌ دَرَجَاتٌ ، وَثَلَاثٌ مُنْجِیَاتٌ ، وَثَلَاثٌ مُہْلِکَاتٌ ))

“Three things are expiation for sins, three things are means of elevation in ranks, three things are saving, and three things cause destruction.”

Then the Prophet ﷺ explained them:

❶ Al-Kaffarat

(( فَأَمَّا الْکَفَّارَاتُ : فَإِسْبَاغُ الْوُضُوْءِ فِی السَّبَرَاتِ ، وَانْتِظَارُ الصَّلَاۃِ بَعْدَ الصَّلَاۃِ ، وَنَقْلُ الْأَقْدَامِ إِلَی الْجَمَاعَاتِ ))

“The deeds that serve as expiation for sins are:
➊ Performing complete ablution in severe cold
➋ Waiting for the next prayer after one prayer
➌ Taking steps to pray in congregation”

❷ Al-Darajat

(( وَأَمَّا الدَّرَجَاتُ فَإِطْعَامُ الطَّعَامِ ، وَإِفْشَاءُ السَّلَامِ ، وَالصَّلَاۃُ بِاللَّیْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِیَامٌ ))

“And the deeds that raise ranks are:
➊ Feeding others
➋ Spreading greetings of peace (Salam)
➌ Praying at night while people are asleep”

❸ Al-Manjiyat

(( وَأَمَّا الْمُنْجِیَاتُ فَالْعَدْلُ فِی الْغَضَبِ وَالرِّضَا، وَالْقَصْدُ فِی الْفَقْرِ وَالْغِنَی، وَخَشْیَۃُ اللّٰہِ فِی السِّرِّ وَالْعَلَانِیَۃِ ))

“The deeds that grant salvation are:
➊ Being just in both anger and satisfaction
➋ Practicing moderation in both poverty and wealth
➌ Fearing Allah in both solitude and public”

❹ Al-Muhlikat

(( وَأَمَّا الْمُہْلِکَاتُ فَشُحٌّ مُطَاعٌ ، وَہَوًی مُتَّبَعٌ ، وَإِعْجَابُ الْمَرْءِ بِنَفْسِہ ))

“And the deeds that cause destruction are:
➊ The greed that is obeyed
➋ The desire that is followed
➌ A person’s self-admiration (vanity)”

Translations of the Ahadith

Now below, the correct translation of each Arabic Hadith is given, meaning no part of the translation will be omitted anywhere.

● Translation of the Hadith (with Majesty)

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
“Three things erase sins, three things raise ranks, three things save, and three things destroy a person.”

Then he, peace be upon him, said:
“The expiations for sins are: performing ablution well in severe cold, waiting for the next prayer after one prayer, and going to pray in congregation.
The deeds that raise ranks are: feeding others, spreading greetings of peace, and praying at night while people are asleep.
The deeds that save are: being just in both anger and happiness, practicing moderation in both poverty and wealth, and fearing Allah in both solitude and public.
And the deeds that lead to destruction are: a greed that is followed, a desire that one becomes attached to, and self-admiration.”

Expiations — Deeds that erase sins

The Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, mentioned in the hadith three great deeds that serve as expiations for sins:

➊ Performing complete ablution in severe cold
➋ Waiting for the next prayer after one prayer
➌ Going on foot to the mosque to pray in congregation

These are the deeds about which the angels close to the heavens also converse among themselves and continuously pray for mercy and forgiveness for those who perform these deeds.

▣ Hadith about the mutual conversation of angels

(( أَتَانِی اللَّیْلَۃَ رَبِّیْ تَبَارَکَ وَتَعَالٰی فِیْ أَحْسَنِ صُوْرَۃٍ ۔ قَالَ : أَحْسِبُہُ فِی الْمَنَامِ ۔ فَقَالَ : یَا مُحَمَّدُ ! ہَلْ تَدْرِیْ فِیْمَ یَخْتَصِمُ الْمَلَأُ الْأَعْلٰی ؟ ))

…

(( یَا مُحَمَّدُ ! ہَلْ تَدْرِیْ فِیْمَ یَخْتَصِمُ الْمَلَأُ الْأَعْلَی؟ ))

…

(( وَالْکَفَّارَاتُ : الْمُکْثُ فَی الْمَسَاجِدِ بَعْدَ الصَّلَوَاتِ ، وَالْمَشْیُ عَلَی الْأَقْدَامِ إِلَی الْجَمَاعَاتِ ، وَإِسْبَاغُ الْوُضُوْءِ فِی الْمَکَارِہِ ))

…

(( وَمَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِکَ عَاشَ بِخَیْرٍ وَمَاتَ بِخَیْرٍ ، وَکَانَ مِنْ خَطِیْئَتِہٖ کَیَوْمِ وَلَدَتْہُ أُمُّہُ ))

Translation

“My night, my Lord, the Blessed and Exalted, came to me in the best form (the narrator says that I think it was in a dream), and said: O Muhammad! Do you know what the high-ranking angels are discussing?
I said: No.

Allah placed His hand between my two shoulders, whose coolness I felt in my chest, and granted me knowledge of all things in the heavens and the earth. Then Allah again said: O Muhammad! Do you know what the high-ranking angels are conversing about?
I said: Yes… about expiations and ranks.”

And the expiations are:
— Sitting in the mosque after prayers
— Taking steps towards the congregation
— Performing ablution properly in severe pain or cold

Then He said: Whoever consistently performs these actions will live a life of goodness and will die in goodness, and on that day he will be purified from his sins as on the day his mother gave birth to him.”

▣ The supplication that Allah taught the Messenger ﷺ

(( اَللّٰہُمَّ إِنِّی أَسْأَلُکَ فِعْلَ الْخَیْرَاتِ، وَتَرْکَ الْمُنْکَرَاتِ، وَحُبَّ الْمَسَاکِیْنَ، وَإِذَا أَرَدْتَّ بِعِبَادِکَ فِتْنَۃً فَاقْبِضْنِی إِلَیْکَ غَیْرَ مَفْتُونٍ ))

Translation

“O Allah! I ask You for the ability to do good deeds, the ability to abandon evil, and love for the poor, and when You intend a trial for Your servants, take me up to Yourself before I fall into that trial.”

▣ Expiations not only erase sins but also increase good deeds

Hadith of Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him)

(( أَلَا أَدُلُّکُمْ مَا یُکَفِّرُ اللّٰہُ بِہِ الْخَطَایَا وَیَزِیْدُ بِہِ فِی الْحَسَنَاتِ ؟ ))

…

(( إِسْبَاغُ الْوُضُوْءِ عَلَی الْمَکَارِہِ، وَکَثْرَۃُ الْخُطَا إِلَی ہٰذِہِ الْمَسَاجِدِ، وَانْتِظَارُ الصَّلَاۃِ بَعْدَ الصَّلَاۃِ ))

…

(( اَللّٰہُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَہُ، اَللّٰہُمَّ ارْحَمْہ ))

Translation

“Shall I not tell you the deeds by which Allah erases sins and increases good deeds?
(These are three deeds:)
— Performing ablution well in severe cold or difficult times
— Taking many steps towards the mosques
— Waiting for the next prayer after one prayer

And the person who prays in the mosque and then sits waiting for the next prayer, the angels keep praying for him:
‘O Allah! Forgive him, O Allah! Have mercy on him’”

▣ Preparing for Jihad through Expiations

Hadith of Abu Huraira (RA)

(( أَلَا أَدُلُّکُمْ عَلٰی مَا یَمْحُو اللّٰہُ بِہِ الْخَطَایَا وَیَرْفَعُ بِہِ الدَّرَجَاتِ ؟ ))

…

(( إِسْبَاغُ الْوُضُوْءِ عَلَی الْمَکَارِہِ ، وَکَثْرَۃُ الْخُطَا إِلَی الْمَسَاجِدِ ، وَانْتِظَارُ الصَّلَاۃِ بَعْدَ الصَّلَاۃِ ، فَذَلِکُمُ الرِّبَاطُ، فَذَلِکُمُ الرِّبَاطُ، فَذَلِکُمُ الرِّبَاطُ ))

Translation

“Shall I not tell you the deeds by which Allah erases sins and raises ranks?
(These are three deeds:)
— Performing ablution well in difficult times
— Taking many steps towards the mosques
— Waiting for the next prayer after one prayer

Then He said: This is Ribat (preparation for Jihad), this is Ribat, this is Ribat.”

▣ Hadith: Sins Leaving the Body

(( مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ فَأَحْسَنَ الْوُضُوْءَ ، خَرَجَتْ خَطَایَاہُ مِنْ جَسَدِہٖ حَتّٰی تَخْرُجَ مِنْ تَحْتِ أَظْفَارِہ ))

Translation
“The person who performs ablution properly, his sins leave his body, even from under his nails.”

▣ Hadith: Previous Sins Forgiven by Complete Ablution

(( مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ ہٰکَذَا غُفِرَ لَہُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِہٖ ، وَکَانَتْ صَلَاتُہُ وَمَشْیُہُ إِلَی الْمَسْجِدِ نَافِلَۃً ))

Translation
“Whoever performs ablution like my ablution, his previous sins are forgiven, and his prayer and walking towards the mosque are counted as voluntary worship.”

▣ Hadith: Faces of Those with Ablution Will Shine on the Day of Judgment

(( أَنْتُمُ الْغُرُّ الْمُحَجَّلُوْنَ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ مِنْ إِسْبَاغِ الْوُضُوْءِ ، فَمَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْکُمْ فَلْیُطِلْ غُرَّتَہُ وَتَحْجِیْلَہ ))

Translation
“Due to performing complete ablution, you will rise on the Day of Judgment with shining faces and bright hands and feet, so whoever is able should increase his brightness.”

▣ Every Step Taken Towards the Mosque Elevates One’s Rank

(( صَلَاۃُ الرَّجُلِ فِیْ جَمَاعَۃٍ تَزِیْدُ عَلیٰ صَلاَتِہٖ فِیْ بَیْتِہٖ وَصَلاَتِہٖ فِیْ سُوْقِہٖ بِضْعًا وَّعِشْرِیْنَ دَرَجَۃ ))

…

(( فَلَمْ یَخْطُ خُطْوَۃً إِلَّا رُفِعَ لَہُ بِہَا دَرَجَۃٌ ، وَحُطَّ عَنْہُ بِہَا خَطِیْئَۃٌ ))

Translation
“The prayer of a person in congregation is more than twenty degrees superior to his prayer at home or in the market.
And when a Muslim comes to the mosque with proper ablution and with the sole intention of praying, he is elevated one degree at every step and one sin is erased.”

▣ Prayer of Angels for the One Sitting Waiting for Prayer

(( وَالْمَلَائِکَۃُ یُصَلُّوْنَ عَلیٰ أَحَدِکُمْ مَادَامَ فِیْ مَجْلِسِہِ الَّذِیْ صَلّٰی فِیْہِ
یَقُوْلُوْنَ : اَللّٰہُمَّ ارْحَمْہُ ، اَللّٰہُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَہُ ، اَللّٰہُمَّ تُبْ عَلَیْہ ))

Translation
“And as long as he remains seated in his place waiting for the prayer, the angels continuously pray for him:
‘O Allah! Have mercy on him.
O Allah! Forgive him.
O Allah! Accept his repentance.’”

✦ Repeatedly Going to the Mosque — Special Hospitality in Paradise

Hadith

(( مَنْ غَدَا إِلَی الْمَسْجِدِ أَوْ رَاحَ ، أَعَدَّ اللّٰہُ لَہُ فِی الْجَنَّۃِ نُزُلًا ، کُلَّمَا غَدَا أَوْ رَاحَ ))

Translation
“Whoever goes to the mosque in the morning or evening, Allah prepares hospitality for him in Paradise, every time he goes — morning or evening.”

✦ Virtue of Congregational Prayer — Increase of 27 Times in Rank

It is proven from the Hadiths of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that congregational prayer is twenty-seven times superior to praying alone.

This virtue transforms the entire process of ablution, walking to the mosque, and waiting for the prayer into a series of blessings.

Ranks — Deeds that Elevate One’s Status

The Noble Prophet ﷺ mentioned three deeds in a Hadith that raise a person’s rank:

➊ Feeding food (إطعام الطعام)
➋ Spreading peace (افشاء السلام)
➌ Night prayer (قيام الليل)

These three deeds not only elevate ranks in the Hereafter but also cause love, connection, mercy, and piety in this world.

❖ First Deed: Feeding Food (إطعام الطعام)

Feeding others is an extremely great virtue in Islam. The Noble Prophet ﷺ declared this act as a path to Paradise on numerous occasions.

▣ Hadith: Spreading Peace and Feeding Food — A Means of Love

(( وَالَّذِیْ نَفْسِی بِیَدِہِ لَا تَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّۃَ حَتّٰی تُؤْمِنُوْا ، وَلَا تُؤْمِنُوْا حَتّٰی تَحَابُّوْا ، أَوَلَا أَدُلُّکُمْ عَلٰی شَیْئٍ إِذَا فَعَلْتُمُوْہُ تَحَابَبْتُمْ ؟ أَفْشُوا السَّلَامَ بَیْنَکُمْ ))

Translation
“By the One in Whose hand is my soul! You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I tell you about something which, if you do, will cause love to grow among you? Spread peace (salaam) among yourselves.”

▣ Hadith: Feeding the Food and Night Prayer — Entering Paradise in Peace

(( یَا أَیُّہَا النَّاسُ! أَفْشُوْا السَّلَامَ، وَأَطْعِمُوْا الطَّعَامَ، وَصِلُوا الْأَرْحَامَ، وَصَلُّوْا بِاللَّیْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِیَامٌ، تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّۃَ بِسَلَامٍ ))

Translation
“O people! Spread peace, feed people, maintain kinship ties, and pray at night when people are asleep — (if you do these) you will enter Paradise in peace.”

▣ Hadith: The Transparent Palaces of Paradise — For Whom?

(( إِنَّ فِیْ الْجَنَّۃِ غُرَفًا یُرٰی ظَاہِرُہَا مِنْ بَاطِنِہَا، وَبَاطِنُہَا مِنْ ظَاہِرِہَا، أَعَدَّہَا اللّٰہُ لِمَنْ أَطْعَمَ الطَّعَامَ، وَأَلَانَ الْکَلَامَ، وَتَابَعَ الصِّیَامَ، وَصَلَّی بِاللَّیْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِیَامٌ ))

Translation
“There are rooms in Paradise whose inside can be seen from the outside and the outside can be seen from the inside. Allah Almighty has prepared them for those who feed others, speak gently, fast continuously, and pray at night when people are asleep.”

❖ Second Action: Spreading the Greeting of Peace (Ifsha’ al-Salam)

Salam increases love, purifies the heart, and eliminates arrogance. The virtue of salam in hadith is so great that it is considered a completion of faith.

▣ Increasing the Words of Salam Increases Good Deeds

Hazrat Imran bin Husain (RA) narrates:
A man said: As-salamu alaykum — The Prophet ﷺ said: “Ten good deeds.”
Another said: As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah — The Prophet ﷺ said: “Twenty good deeds.”
A third said: As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh — The Prophet ﷺ said: “Thirty good deeds.”

Translation
The Holy Prophet ﷺ said that the more you increase the words of salam, the more the reward increases — 10, then 20, then 30 good deeds.

❖ Third Practice: Qiyam al-Layl (Night Prayer)

At night, when people are asleep in heedlessness, the servants of Allah stand before their Lord. This worship is a great means of closeness to Allah for the believers.

▣ Qiyam al-Layl — The Habit of the Righteous

(( عَلَیْکُمْ بِقِیَامِ اللَّیْلِ، فَإِنَّہُ دَأْبُ الصَّالِحِیْنَ قَبْلَکُمْ، وَہُوَ قُرْبَۃٌ إِلَی رَبِّکُمْ، وَمُکَفِّرٌ لِلسَّیِّئَاتِ، وَمَنْہَاۃٌ لِلْآثَامِ ))

Translation
“Make Qiyam al-Layl obligatory upon yourselves, for it was the practice of the righteous before you. It grants you closeness to your Lord, serves as an expiation for sins, and is a means to prevent sins.”

❖ Example of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) — Four Excellent Deeds in One Day

The Prophet ﷺ asked:
“Who among you fasted today?”
Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said: I did.
“Who attended the funeral?”
Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said: I did.
“Who fed a poor person?”
Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said: I did.
“Who visited a sick person?”
Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه said: I did.

Then the Prophet ﷺ said:

(( مَا اجْتَمَعْنَ فِی امْرِیٍٔ إِلَّا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّۃَ ))

Translation
“Whoever combines these four deeds in one day will surely enter Paradise.”

Al-Munjiyat — Saving Deeds

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that there are three deeds that save a person from destruction in this world and the Hereafter:

➊ العدل فی الغضب و الرضا — Justice in both anger and happiness
➋ القصد فی الفقر و الغنی — Moderation in both poverty and wealth
➌ خشیت اللہ فی السر والعلانیۃ — Fear of Allah in both solitude and public

These three qualities perfect a person’s morals, character, dealings, and worship, and protect him from becoming oppressive, uncontrollable, lustful, and heedless.

➊ Justice and fairness in both anger and contentment

When a person is angry, he often crosses limits, and when he is happy, he goes beyond bounds.
The command of Shariah is that a person should maintain justice in every condition — neither oppress during severity nor give anyone more than their due in happiness.

▣ Verse: Even enmity should not prevent justice

﴿ یَا أَیُّہَا الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوا کُونُوا قَوَّامِیْنَ لِلّٰہِ شُہَدَاءَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا یَجْرِمَنَّکُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلٰی أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا اعْدِلُوا ہُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوٰی ﴾

Translation
“O you who have believed! Stand firmly for Allah as witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.”

▣ Verse: The right of parents, relatives, and even against oneself in justice

﴿ یَا أَیُّہَا الَّذِیْنَ آمَنُوا کُونُوا قَوَّامِیْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُہَدَاءَ لِلّٰہِ وَلَوْ عَلٰی أَنْفُسِکُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَیْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِیْنَ … ﴾

Translation
“O you who have believed! Be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not your desire, lest you not be just.”

▣ Verse: Allah loves those who do justice

﴿ وَأَقْسِطُوا إِنَّ اللّٰہَ یُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِیْنَ ﴾

Translation
“And do justice; indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.”

▣ Hadith: A pulpit of light for those who do justice

(( إِنَّ الْمُقْسِطِیْنَ عِنْدَ اللّٰہِ عَلٰی مَنَابِرَ مِن نُّوْرٍ عَنْ یَمِیْنِ الرَّحْمٰنِ… ))

Translation
“Indeed, those who judge with justice will be on pulpits of light near the Most Merciful on the right side. These are the people who act justly in their decisions, among their family, and among their subordinates.”

➋ Moderation in both poverty and wealth (Al-Qasd)

Islam neither permits extravagance nor stinginess.
Whether a person is poor or wealthy — moderation is necessary in both conditions.

▣ Verse: Neither extravagance nor stinginess in spending

﴿ وَالَّذِیْنَ إِذَا أَنْفَقُوا لَمْ یُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ یَقْتُرُوا وَکَانَ بَیْنَ ذَلِکَ قَوَامًا ﴾

Translation
“And when they spend, they do not waste extravagantly nor are they stingy, but their spending is between that (i.e., with moderation).”

▣ Verse: Neither stinginess nor extravagance

﴿ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ یَدَکَ مَغْلُولَۃً إِلٰی عُنُقِکَ وَلَا تَبْسُطْہَا کُلَّ الْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُوْمًا مَّحْسُوْرًا ﴾

Translation
“And do not keep your hand tied to your neck (i.e., be stingy), nor stretch it out completely (i.e., be extravagant), lest you be blamed and become exhausted.”

➌ Fear of Allah in private and public (Khashyat Allah)

The truthfulness of faith is proven only when a person fears in solitude just as he fears in front of everyone.

▣ Verse: Allah is always watching

﴿ إِنَّ اللّٰہَ کَانَ عَلَیْکُمْ رَقِیبًا ﴾

 Translation
“Indeed, Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.”

▣ Verse: Those who fear Allah in secret

﴿ إِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ یَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّہُمْ بِالْغَیْبِ لَہُمْ مَغْفِرَۃٌ وَّأَجْرٌ کَبِیْرٌ ﴾

 Translation
“Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and great reward.”

▣ Hadith: Under the shade of Allah’s Throne is the person who remembered Allah in solitude while crying

(( وَرَجُلٌ ذَکَرَ اللّٰہَ خَالِیًا فَفَاضَتْ عَیْنَاہُ ))

 Translation
“And the person who remembered Allah in private and his eyes shed tears — (he is among the seven fortunate ones whom Allah will grant shade under His Throne on the Day of Resurrection).”

Al-Muhlikat — Actions that cause destruction

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

(( فَشُحٌّ مُطَاعٌ ، وَہَوًی مُتَّبَعٌ ، وَإِعْجَابُ الْمَرْءِ بِنَفْسِہ ))

“The cause of destruction is three things:
➊ The greed which is obeyed
➋ The desire which is followed
➌ A person’s self-admiration (vanity)”

These three moral diseases deprive a person of faith, intellect, and humanity all three.

➊ Shuhh — Greed which is obeyed

The meaning of Shuhh is:
◈ Such greed that a person demands what he does not have
◈ Such stinginess that a person does not give even what he has
◈ In matters of wealth, greed + miserliness both combine in the worst form

This is why the Prophet ﷺ declared it the most destructive first.

▣ Hadith: Greed caused the destruction of previous nations

(( اِتَّقُوا الظُّلْمَ فَإِنَّ الظُّلْمَ ظُلُمَاتٌ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ ، وَاتَّقُوا الشُّحَّ فَإِنَّ الشُّحَّ أَہْلَکَ مَنْ کَانَ قَبْلَکُمْ، حَمَلَہُمْ عَلٰی أَنْ سَفَکُوا دِمَاءَہُمْ، وَاسْتَحَلُّوا مَحَارِمَہُمْ ))

Translation
“Avoid oppression, for oppression will be the darkness on the Day of Resurrection.
And also avoid greed, for greed is what destroyed the people before you — greed made them willing to shed the blood of people and forced them to make their sanctities lawful.”

▣ Hadith: Greed leads a person to stinginess, severing ties, and sins

(( إِیَّاکُمْ وَالشُّحَّ ، فَإِنَّمَا ہَلَکَ مَنْ کَانَ قَبْلَکُمْ بِالشُّحِّ ، أَمَرَہُمْ بِالْبُخْلِ فَبَخِلُوا ، وَأَمَرَہُمْ بِالْقَطِیْعَۃِ فَقَطَعُوا ، وَأَمَرَہُمْ بِالْفُجُورِ فَفَجَرُوا ))

Translation
“Beware of greed, for the people before you were destroyed because of the same greed.
Greed commanded them to be stingy, so they became stingy,
Greed commanded them to sever ties, so they cut off relations,
And greed commanded them to commit immorality (sins), so they fell into sins.”

▣ Hadith: Faith and greed cannot coexist in one heart

(( لَا یَجْتَمِعُ الشُّحُّ وَالْإِیْمَانُ فِی قَلْبِ عَبْدٍ أَبَدًا ))

Translation
“Faith and greed can never coexist in the heart of a servant.”

▣ Verse: Those who are saved from their inner greed — they are the successful ones

﴿ وَمَنْ یُّوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِہ فَأُولٰئِکَ ہُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ ﴾

Translation
“And whoever is saved from the greed of his own self — those are the successful ones.”

➋ Following the desires of the self — (Hawaa Mutaba’)

Greed is an inner disease, and following the desires of the self is its practical form.
A person whose intellect is dominated by the self becomes an animal, indeed the Qur’an says “worse than animals.”

▣ Verse: He who has made his desire his god

﴿ أَرَأَیْتَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ إِلٰہَہُ ہَوَاہُ أَفَأَنْتَ تَکُونُ عَلَیْہِ وَکِیلًا ۝ أَمْ تَحْسَبُ أَنَّ أَکْثَرَہُمْ یَسْمَعُونَ أَوْ یَعْقِلُونَ ۚ إِنْ ہُمْ إِلَّا کَالْأَنْعَامِ بَلْ ہُمْ أَضَلُّ سَبِیلًا ﴾

Translation
“Have you seen the one who has taken his desire as his god?
Can you be responsible for him?
Do you think most of them hear or understand?
They are like cattle, rather, they are more astray!”

▣ Verse: Following desire is the greatest misguidance

﴿ وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ اتَّبَعَ ہَوَاہُ بِغَیْرِ ہُدًی مِنَ اللّٰہِ ﴾

Translation
“And who is more astray than one who abandons the guidance of Allah and follows his own desire?”

▣ Verse: He who restrains desire — Paradise is his abode

﴿ وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّہ وَنَہَی النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْہَوَی ۝ فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّۃَ ہِیَ الْمَأْوَی ﴾

Translation
“And he who feared standing before his Lord and restrained his soul from desire — Paradise will be his abode.”

➌ Self-admiration — (إعجابُ المرءِ بنفسه)

This is the most dangerous disease.
The first to commit it was Iblis — who refused to prostrate before Adam (peace be upon him).

▣ Verse: The Destruction of Iblis — Due to Arrogance

﴿ أَنَا خَیْرٌ مِنْہُ ﴾

Translation
“I am better than him.”
This was the very phrase that made him rejected forever.

﴿ فَاخْرُجْ مِنْہَا فَإِنَّکَ رَجِیمٌ ﴾

Translation
“So get out from it, for indeed, you are expelled.”

❖ The Fate of the Arrogant Owner of the Garden — Surah Al-Kahf

Allah Almighty had given countless blessings, but arrogance ruined him.

﴿ أَنَا أَکْثَرُ مِنْکَ مَالًا وَأَعَزُّ نَفَرًا ﴾

Translation
“I am more wealthy than you and have more power.”

Then see the outcome:

﴿ وَأُحِیطَ بِثَمَرِہ فَأَصْبَحَ یُقَلِّبُ کَفَّیْہِ عَلٰی مَا أَنْفَقَ فِیہَا… ﴾

Translation
“And his garden was encompassed (i.e., destroyed), and he began to turn his hands over what he had spent on it. The garden was overturned upon its trellises, and he said: ‘I wish I had not associated anyone with my Lord.’ No group other than Allah could help him, nor could he help himself.”

❖ Hadith: Punishment for Arrogance — Buried in the Earth

(( بَیْنَمَا رَجُلٌ یَمْشِی فِی حُلَّۃٍ تُعْجِبُہُ نَفْسُہُ، مُرَجِّلٌ جُمَّتَہُ، إِذَا خَسَفَ اللّٰہُ بِہ فَہُوَ یَتَجَلْجَلُ إِلٰی یَوْمِ الْقِیَامَۃ ))

Translation
“A man dressed in beautiful clothes, with his long hair styled, was walking arrogantly when Allah caused him to sink into the earth — he will continue sinking into the earth until the Day of Judgment.”

✦ Conclusion

◈ We should include these four parts in our daily lives.
◈ Sins will be cleansed through expiations,
◈ Good deeds and status will be elevated through ranks,
◈ Protection from trials and misguidance will come through amulets,
◈ Faith will be safeguarded by avoiding deadly things.

◈ Justice, moderation, and fear of Allah are the highest examples of human character.
◈ Greed, lust, and arrogance are the roots of moral destruction.

We pray that Allah, the Lord of Glory, grants us the ability to perform all those deeds which are means of salvation and success,
and protects us from every act that causes destruction and ruin.
Ameen, O Lord of the Worlds.