Adab al-Mufrad

Benefits and Issues:
➊ The noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum), out of respect for the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), would feel hesitant to ask him questions; however, simple-minded Bedouins would ask questions without hesitation, and the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), due to their simplicity, would overlook their shortcomings and deficiencies. In this hadith as well, the question of a Bedouin is mentioned.

➋ Most of the questions of the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) were based on salvation in the Hereafter, as can be known by studying the books of hadith. Attaining Paradise by being successful in the Hereafter has been declared a great success in the Noble Qur’an, which is why the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to this Bedouin Companion that apparently your question is of two words, but in these two words you have asked very great questions. This is because all the deeds of a Muslim revolve around entering Paradise. If Paradise is attained, then all deeds are purposeful, and if Paradise is not attained, then all efforts are in vain. A Muslim should have knowledge of such deeds that become a means of entering Paradise.

➌ The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: Freeing a slave or assisting someone in gaining freedom are such deeds that become a means of entering Paradise. In the concept of “freeing the neck” (fakk al-raqabah), it is also included that if a person is burdened by debt, then his debt should be paid off; similarly, if someone is caught in a calamity, assisting him is also included in its meaning. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stated this in circumstances where the trade of slaves was common. By declaring the freeing of slaves as a means of attaining Paradise, he gave a lesson in the freedom of humanity. Today, those who propagate against this, claiming that Islam maintained slavery and did not abolish it, should also consider these statements of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). It was in no way possible to abolish outright a law of slavery that had existed for centuries, but the command and encouragement in Islam to free slaves as expiation, for attaining Paradise, and on many other occasions, is clear evidence that Islam desires the freedom of people. Then, the practice of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself and the Companions (radi Allahu anhum), who freed thousands of slaves, is a manifest proof of the truth of Islam.

➍ Allah, the Exalted, has placed financial differences and superiority among people for the running of the worldly system, but those who have been given more have been encouraged to spend on those with less wealth. There are many types of wealth: some possess money, some have grain and produce, and some have wealth in the form of livestock. Since this questioner was a Bedouin and certainly had livestock, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) encouraged him that you can also attain Paradise by giving your milk-giving animal to someone in need, either permanently or temporarily. The gift of a milk-giving cow, goat, or she-camel is called “manihah.”

➎ Showing kindness and compassion to relatives is also a means of attaining Paradise. Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has established the chapter heading of showing kindness to an oppressive relative, whereas in the hadith, there is no mention of “oppressive.” Shaykh al-Albani (rahimahullah) says that I have understood that the author has derived this meaning from the statement of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), “showing kindness to a relative,” because this is not an easy task. A relative is either just and righteous or oppressive and evil, so the author, considering the second type, has established this heading. This is also supported by the fact that after this, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “If you are not able to do this,” obviously, showing good conduct to a just and righteous person is not difficult; the real issue is showing good conduct to an oppressive and evil relative. (Sharh Sahih al-Adab al-Mufrad: 1/84)

➏ Enjoining good (amr bil-ma’ruf) and forbidding evil (nahi ‘an al-munkar) also makes the path to Paradise easy. The success of Muslims depends on this, and in one hadith, it has been declared a cause for the acceptance of supplication. (Sahih Jami’ al-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2169) Man is very forgetful. If he is continuously encouraged towards good and the evil of bad deeds is explained to him, he remains on the right path, and the one who fulfills this duty benefits at least in that his own reformation continues.

➐ The final act of goodness and attaining Paradise is that if a person does not have the ability or strength for any of the above-mentioned matters, then he should control his tongue. He should not use it unnecessarily. By this, he will remain safe from sins. And most of a person’s sins are related to his tongue.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
((Aktharu khataya ibn Adam fi lisanihi)) (Sahih al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib, Hadith: 2872)
“Most of the sins of the son of Adam are related to his tongue.”