Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (رحمه الله)
Subject: Good Conduct and Maintaining Relations
"عن النواس بن سمعان الأنصاري قال سألت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن البر والاثم فقال: البر حسن الخلق والإثم ما حاك فى صدرك و كرهت أن يطلع عليه الناس."
[Sahih, Narrated by Muslim, 5253]
Narrated by Nawwas bin Sam'aan (رضي الله عنه):
He said, "I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about virtue and sin. He (ﷺ) replied, 'Virtue is good character, and sin is what causes hesitation in your heart, and you dislike that people should come to know of it.'"
"عن أبى ثعلبة الخشني يقول قلت يا رسول الله أخبرني بما يحل لي ويحرم على قال فصعد النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم وصوب فى النظر. فقال البر ما سكنت إليه النفس واطمأن إليه القلب والإثم ما لم تسكن إليه النفس ولم يطمئن إليه القلب وإن أفتاك المفتون وقال لا تقرب لحم الحمار الأهلي ولا ذا ناب من السباع."
[Sahih: Narrated by Ahmad, 17742]
Narrated by Abu Tha'laba al-Khushani (رضي الله عنه):
He said, "I asked, 'O Messenger of Allah! Inform me about what is lawful for me and what is unlawful for me.' The Prophet (ﷺ) looked at me and then said, 'Virtue is that which your soul feels at ease with and your heart finds comfort in. And sin is that which unsettles your soul and causes uneasiness in your heart, even if those giving fatwa declare it lawful.' He also added, 'Do not approach the meat of domestic donkeys or predators with fangs.'"
Subject: Good Conduct and Maintaining Relations
Definition of Good and Evil
Virtue: Good Conduct
✿ Narration 1:"عن النواس بن سمعان الأنصاري قال سألت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن البر والاثم فقال: البر حسن الخلق والإثم ما حاك فى صدرك و كرهت أن يطلع عليه الناس."
[Sahih, Narrated by Muslim, 5253]
Narrated by Nawwas bin Sam'aan (رضي الله عنه):
He said, "I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about virtue and sin. He (ﷺ) replied, 'Virtue is good character, and sin is what causes hesitation in your heart, and you dislike that people should come to know of it.'"
Virtue: Inner Peace and Contentment
✿ Narration 2:"عن أبى ثعلبة الخشني يقول قلت يا رسول الله أخبرني بما يحل لي ويحرم على قال فصعد النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم وصوب فى النظر. فقال البر ما سكنت إليه النفس واطمأن إليه القلب والإثم ما لم تسكن إليه النفس ولم يطمئن إليه القلب وإن أفتاك المفتون وقال لا تقرب لحم الحمار الأهلي ولا ذا ناب من السباع."
[Sahih: Narrated by Ahmad, 17742]
Narrated by Abu Tha'laba al-Khushani (رضي الله عنه):
He said, "I asked, 'O Messenger of Allah! Inform me about what is lawful for me and what is unlawful for me.' The Prophet (ﷺ) looked at me and then said, 'Virtue is that which your soul feels at ease with and your heart finds comfort in. And sin is that which unsettles your soul and causes uneasiness in your heart, even if those giving fatwa declare it lawful.' He also added, 'Do not approach the meat of domestic donkeys or predators with fangs.'"
Key Lessons from the Narrations
- Definition of Virtue (البر):
- Virtue is not limited to specific deeds but is deeply connected to good character, inner tranquility, and actions that bring peace to the heart and soul.
- Definition of Sin (الإثم):
- Sin creates uneasiness in the heart and is associated with feelings of guilt or hesitation.
- Even if others justify it or provide a religious ruling (fatwa), sin remains something that the conscience resists and the soul cannot accept.
- Practical Guidance:
- Avoid what unsettles your inner peace, irrespective of external approvals.
- The prohibition against consuming the meat of domestic donkeys and fang-bearing predators highlights the importance of adhering to clear lawful boundaries set by Islamic teachings.