Adab al-Mufrad

Benefits and Issues:
➊ Ghayrah (protective jealousy) is part of human nature, and at times it is praiseworthy, such as a man having ghayrah over his own family and dependents. If he does not, he becomes a dayyuth (one who lacks protective jealousy). However, at times it is blameworthy and punishable, as mentioned in this hadith, because a woman has the right to accept or reject a marriage proposal from whomever she wishes, and she may do so even without a specific reason.

➋ This hadith also teaches us about the dangerous consequences of ghayrah, as it can involve a person in sins such as backbiting, envy, malice, and hatred, to the extent that a person may even commit the heinous act of murder.

➌ Murder is a major sin (kabirah), but if someone commits it, the door of repentance (tawbah) remains open for him, provided he sincerely wishes to repent. Repentance means that he feels regret and shame for what he has done. However, it should be remembered that the blood money (diyah) must be paid in any case, unless the heirs forgive him.

➍ From this, it is understood that even if the gravest of sins is committed, one should not despair of Allah, but should immediately seek forgiveness. Allah, out of His boundless mercy, will forgive.

➎ A scholar should never cause the questioner to despair, but rather should show him the best path of repentance and guide him to such an action that will serve as expiation for his sin. For if he becomes hopeless, it is possible that he will fall into further rebellion and sin, as in the incident of the killer of one hundred men from Bani Israel: after killing ninety-nine people, when he asked someone, that person replied, “There is no repentance for you,” so he killed him as well. (Bukhari)

➏ Righteous deeds (a‘maal salihah) erase sins, as Allah the Exalted says: “Indeed, good deeds remove bad deeds.” [] However, among the scholars, there is a difference of opinion regarding whether major sins (kabirah) are also erased, or whether a separate repentance is required for them. From the answer of Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhuma, it is understood that merely performing good deeds also erases major sins, because the person who does righteous deeds is certainly remorseful over his sin, and remorse itself is repentance, and performing good deeds is also a form of repentance.

➐ From this, it is understood that showing good conduct towards one’s mother is also among those deeds that serve as expiation for major sins.

➑ From the statement of Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhuma: “Lā a‘lamu...” (“I do not know...”), his humility and modesty are evident. He did not say, “There is no deed greater than this,” but rather said, “I do not know of any deed like this.” Scholars should adopt this manner and avoid claiming perfection.