Affairs of This Life & the Hereafter

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

From the Musnad of Imam Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal (r.a.), Sayyidina Abu Sulayman Khalid ibn al-Walid (r.a.) narrated the following hadits.  A Bedouin came one day to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and said to him, “Ya Rasulullah!  I have come to ask you a few questions about the affairs of this life and the hereafter.” 

“Ask what you wish,” said Rasulullah (s.a.w). 

He asked, “I would like to be the most learned of men.” 

Rasulullah (s.a.w) replied, “Recognise Allah, and you will be the most learned of men.” 

He asked, “I wish to be the richest man in the world.” 

Rasulullah (s.a.w) replied, “Be contented, and you will be the richest man in the world.” 

“I would like to be the most just man.” 

“Desire for others what you desire for yourself, and you will be the most just of men.” 

“I want to be the best of men.” 

“Do good to others and you will be the best of men.” 

“I wish to be the most Favoured by Allah.” 

“Engage much in Allah’s praise, and you will be most Favoured by Him.” 

“I would like to complete my faith.” 

“If you have good manners you will complete your faith.” 

“I wish to be among those who do good.” 

“Adore Allah as if you see Him.  If you do not see Him, He Sees you.  In this way, you will be among those who do good.” 

“I wish to be obedient to Allah.” 

“If you observe Allah’s Commands you will be obedient.” 

“I would like to be free from all sins.” 

“Bathe yourself from impurities and you will be free from all sins.” 

“I would like to be raised on the Day of Judgement in the light.” 

“Do not wrong yourself or any other creature, and you will be raised on the Day of Judgement in the light.” 

“I would like Allah to Bestow His Mercy on me.” 

“If you have mercy on yourself and others, Allah will Grant you Mercy on the Day of Judgement.” 

“I would like my sins to be very few.” 

“If you seek the Forgiveness Allah as much as you can, your sins will be very few.” 

“I would like to be the most honourable man.” 

“If you do not complain to any fellow creature, you will be the most honourable of men.” 

“I would like to be the strongest of men.” 

“If you put your trust in Allah, you will be the strongest of men.” 

“I would like to enlarge my provision.” 

“If you keep yourself pure, Allah will Enlarge your provision.” 

“I would like to be Loved by Allah and His Messenger.” 

“If you love what Allah and His Messenger love, you will be among their Beloved ones.” 

“I wish to be Safe from Allah’s Wrath on the Day of Judgement.” 

“If you do not loose your temper with any of your fellow creatures, you will be safe from the wrath of Allah on the Day of Judgement.” 

“I would like my prayers to be Answered.” 

“If you avoid forbidden actions, your prayers will be Answered.” 

“I would like for Allah to not disgrace me on the Day of Judgement.” 

“If you guard your chastity, Allah will not disgrace you on the Day of Judgement.” 

“I would like Allah to Provide me with a Protective Covering on the Day of Judgement.” 

“Do not uncover your fellow creatures’ faults, and Allah will Provide you with a Covering Protection on the Day of Judgement.” 

“What will save me from sins?” 

“Tears, humility and illness.” 

“What are the best deeds in the Eye of Allah?” 

“Gentle manners, modesty and patience.” 

“What are the worst evils in the Eye of Allah?”

“A hot temper and miserliness.” 

“What assuages the Wrath of Allah in this life and in the hereafter?” 

“Concealed charity and kindness to relatives.” 

And finally he asked, “What extinguishes Hell’s fires on the Day of Judgement?” 

And Rasulullah (s.a.w.) responded, “Patience in adversity and misfortunes.”