Gardens of the Righteous — Page 36
36. GARDENS OF THE RIGHTEOUS servant of His should praise Him when he eats and should praise Him when he drinks (Muslim). 141. Abu Musa Ash'ari relates that the Holy Prophet said: Charity is incumbent upon every Muslim. He was asked: If a person should have nothing?. He answered: He should work with his hands to his own benefit and also give alms. If he is not able to work? He should help a needy helpless one. If he cannot do even that? He should urge others to goodness. If he lacks that also? He should restrain himself from doing evil. That too is charity (Bokhari and. Muslim). 14. . On Moderation in Worship. Allah, the Exalted, has said: 53. We have not sent down the Quran to thee that thou may be distressed (20. 3). 54. Allah desires ease for you and desires not hardship for you (2. 186). 142. Ayesha relates that the Holy Prophet came in when there was a woman with her. He asked: Who is she? I said: She is the one whose salat is much talked about. Addressing her he said: Now wait a moment. You are required to do only that much which you can carry out easily. Allah does not tire of you until you tire of Him. Allah likes that spiritual exercise best which a worshipper can carry out diligently (Bokhari and Muslim). 143. Anas relates: Three persons inquired from the wives of the Holy. Prophet about his practice in the matter of worship. When they were told they felt this would not be enough in their case and said: There is no comparison between the Holy Prophet and us. He has been forgiven in advance. One of them declared: I shall always spend the whole night in voluntary Prayer. The second announced: I shall observe a fast every day without interruption. The third said:. I shall keep away from women and shall never marry. The Holy Prophet arrived and asked them: Did you say this and this? Now, I fear God more than you do and am more mindful of my duty to Him than you are, but I observe a fast and also abstain from fasting, and I perform voluntary Prayer at night and also sleep, and I consort with my wives. He who turns away from my practice is not of me (Bokhari and Muslim). 144. Ibn Mas'ud relates that the Holy Prophet said: Ruined are those who insist on hardship in matters of the faith. He repeated it three times (Muslim). 145. Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet said: The commandments of the faith are easy. Whoever imports hardship into them is vanquished by them. So be moderate, and perform in proportion to your strength and cheerfully, and seek Allah's help morn and eve and during a