Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Miqdad bin Aswad narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to throw dust on the faces of those who excessively praise others.

Ibrahim narrates that Hammam bin Harith said: A person was praising Hazrat Uthman, so Hazrat Miqdad, supporting himself, sat on his knees; he was a stout man. Then he began to throw pebbles towards the mouth of the one praising. Upon this, Hazrat Uthman asked him: What happened to you? He replied: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When you see those who praise others, throw dust into their mouths.

Hazrat Muawiyah narrates that I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say: "Refrain from praising one another, for it is akin to slaughtering."

Ibrahim Taimi's father narrates that we were sitting with Hazrat Umar bin Khattab when a man entered. He greeted you with salam, then one of the people praised him to his face. Upon this, Hazrat Umar said to that person: "You have destroyed this man, may Allah destroy you! Are you praising his religion in front of him?"

Hazrat Aslam narrates that I heard Hazrat Umar saying: Praising is akin to slaughtering.

Hazrat Abu Al-Ahwas narrates that Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When any of you wishes to make a request for a need, he should make a light request. He should not do such that he comes to a man and praises him to his face, but ignores him behind his back, because that man cannot withhold anything from him.

Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakrah narrates that his father, Hazrat Abu Bakrah, said: Someone praised a person in the presence of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. Upon this, the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said several times to the one who praised, "Woe to you, you have cut your companion's neck." Then he, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "If any of you must praise his brother, there is no harm, but he should say: 'I think so-and-so is such, and I do not declare anyone pure before Allah.'"

Hazrat Asim says that I asked Hazrat Ghaneem: Is it disliked for a person to mention the praise of his brother in his presence? He replied: Yes! I asked: What if that person is not present? He replied: It used to be said that you should not praise your brother.

Hazrat Tawus narrates that Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: I do not consider anyone pure and clean after the Noble Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Hazrat Ata bin Abu Rabah narrates that a man was mentioning the praise of someone in the presence of Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them). So Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) began to throw dust on his face with his fingers, and said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When you see those who praise others, throw dust into their mouths."

Hazrat Hammam narrates that a man came and praised Hazrat Usman to his face. Upon this, Hazrat Miqdad bin Aswad picked up some soil and put it in the man's mouth. And he said that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, had instructed that when you meet those who praise excessively, throw dust in their faces.

Ibrahim's father, Hazrat Yazid bin Sharik, narrates that we were sitting with Hazrat Umar when someone praised another person to his face. When that person left, Hazrat Umar said: "You have destroyed the man; may Allah destroy you as well."