Riyad as-Salihin, 454

Ibrahim bin 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf reported:

Food was brought to 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf (May Allah be pleased with him) when he was observing Saum (fast) and he said: "Mus'ab bin 'Umair (May Allah be pleased with him) was martyred and he was better than me, but only one sheet was available to shroud him. It was so small that when his head was covered; his feet remained uncovered and if his feet were covered, his head remained uncovered. Then the bounties of this world have been bestowed upon us generously. I am afraid that the reward of our good deeds have been awarded to us in this world." On this he began to sob and left the food untouched. [Al- Bukhari].

وعن إبراهيم بن عبد الرحمن بن عوف أن عبد الرحمن بن عوف، رضي الله عنه ، أتي بطعام وكان صائما، فقال‏:‏ قتل مصعب بن عمير رضي الله عنه، وهو خير مني، فلم يوجد له ما يكفن به إلا بردة إن غطى بها رأسه بدت رجلاه، وإن غطى بها رجلاه بدا رأسه، ثم بسط لنا من الدنيا ما بسط -أو قال‏:‏ أعطينا من الدنيا ما أعطينا -قد خشينا أن تكون حسناتنا عجلت لنا‏.‏ ثم جعل يبكي حتى ترك الطعام‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 454

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) It is recommended to remember the lives of the righteous people, for this helps one proceed on the path to Paradise. 2) When a person mentions his companions and fellow Muslims, he should mention their good actions and attributes, and he should ask Allah’s forgiveness for them and avoid saying about them what would upset them. 3) In terms of worship, a person should compare himself to those better than him, and in terms of worldly affairs, he should compare himself to those below him. In this way, he will always be keen to do more good deeds and show gratitude to his Lord.

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