Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyiduna Abu Umamah says: We set out with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in an army. A man passed by a low-lying place where there was also a spring of water. He thought that he should withdraw from the world and settle there; this water and the surrounding greenery would suffice for him. Then he decided: I will go to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and present this matter before him. If he gives permission, fine; otherwise, not. He came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah! I passed by such-and-such a low-lying place; its water and greenery could suffice for my livelihood. I thought I would withdraw from the world and settle there. (What do you think?) The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “I have not been sent with Judaism or Christianity; I have been sent with a gentle and easy Shari’ah. By Him in Whose hand is my soul! Going out in the morning or evening in the path of Allah is better than the world and whatever is in it, and standing in the row before the enemy is better than sixty prayers.”