Riyad as-Salihin, 677
Abu Sa'id and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah neither raised up any Prophet (ﷺ) nor did He authorize any person with ruling power but for whom there were two types of entourage: one enjoins upon him to do good and incites him to carry it out, and the other enjoins evil and goads him; and the protected (from the bad entourage) is the one whom Allah protects." <b>[Al-Bukhari]</b>.
-عن أبي سعيد وأبي هريرة رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : “ما بعث الله من نبي، ولا استخلف من خليفة إلا كانت له بطانتان بطانة تأمره بالمعروف وتحضه عليه، وبطانة تأمره بالشر وتحضه عليه، والمعصوم من عصم الله” ((رواه البخارى)).
References1 variant
- In-Book Reference
- Introduction, Hadith 677
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br>
1) A person is either a caller to Allah Almighty, commanding and encouraging the right and forbidding and warning of the wrong, or a caller to the devil and his allies. Let a wise person see which way to choose!<br>
2) Whoever seeks light from knowledge and faith and applies the Shariah of Allah, Allah will guide him, out of His grace, and protect him from his own evil and from the plots of Satan and his allies.<br>
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<b>Benefit:</b><br>
In relation to the circumstances surrounding this Hadith, it is reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) visited Abu al-Haytham al-Tihān al-Ansāri and ate and drank in his house. When they finished, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) asked him: “Do you have a servant?” He replied: “No.” The Prophet said: “If we get captives of war, come to us.” Only two captives were subsequently brought to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and Abu al-Haytham went to him. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Choose one of them.” He said: “O Messenger of Allah, choose for me.” Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Indeed, a person consulted is a person given a trust. Take this one, for I have seen him pray, and treat him kindly.” His wife said: “You will not be able to fulfill the Prophet's instruction regarding him except by setting him free.” He said: “He is free.” Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allah never sent any prophet nor did He assign anyone with authority except that he has two entourages...”<br>
So, the Hadith literally pertains to the entourages of prophets and caliphs, yet it was said in connection to family affairs. This is because when the family is good, society becomes good, and so does the entire Ummah. So, a man should carefully choose a righteous wife, who will be a good entourage that encourages him to do what is right and discourages him from doing what is wrong. And Allah knows best.