The Prohibition Of Despising Other Muslim

The Prohibition Of Despising Other Muslim

By Al-Imam An-Nawawi (rahimahullāh)

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and Thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of al-ā’lamīn. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Messenger

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group; it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor let (some) women scoff at other women; it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it to insult one's brother after having Faith [i.e., to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: 'O sinner', or 'O wicked']. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zalimun (wrongdoers)." (Al-Hujurat 49:11)

"Woe to every slanderer and backbiter." (Al-Fil 105:1)

1574. Abu Hurairah (radiyallāhu`anhu) said: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "It is enough evil for a Muslim to look down upon his (Muslim) brother."

[Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith has already been mentioned (Hadith No. 1571). Its meanings are evident and need no elaboration.

1575. Ibn Mas'ud (radiyallāhu`anhu) said: The Prophet (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "The haughty, even with pride equal to a mustard seed in his heart, will not enter Jannah." A man enquired: "What about that a person likes fine dress and fine shoes?" He said: "Allah is Beautiful and likes beauty. Pride amounts to disclaiming truth out of self-esteem, and despising people ."

[Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith has already been mentioned (Hadith No. 216). Imam An-Nawawi has interpreted the words "Batar-ul-Haq" as "Daf'-ul-Haq" that is to evade the truth and return it to the person who says it, which practically means evasion. To dress well does not come in the category of pride, as people generally consider it. In fact, pride constitutes what is mentioned in this Hadith.

1576. Jundub bin 'Abdullah (radiyallāhu`anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "Once someone said: 'By Allah! Allah will not forgive such and such (a person).' Thereupon Allah, the Exalted and the Glorious, said: 'Who is he who takes an oath in My Name that I will not grant pardon to so-and-so? I have granted pardon to so-and-so and rendered your good deeds fruitless."'

[Muslim].

Commentary: Some people become self-conceited as a result of their excessive worship to the point that they start disparaging and making low estimates of their fellow Muslims and their deeds, little knowing that Allah, Glorious is He, is of vast forgiveness. They do not realize that if Allah so wills, He can destroy all their deeds and consign them to Hell and send the other people who have been disparaged and underestimated to Jannah. Therefore, one should never become proud of his piety nor should one consider others of little value or good deeds, as only Allah Alone knows what is inside our hearts.

And Allāh Almighty Knows best.

 [The Book Of The Prohibition Of Despising Other Muslim, Chapter # 273, Riyad-Us-Saliheen, Compiled By Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi]