27/12/2016
ābir b. Abdullah reported that the Prophet (salla Allah alayhi wa sallam) said, "Jibrīl came to me and [advised me. He] said: O Muḥammad! Live as you wish, but you shall [eventually] die. And love whoever you wish, but you shall [eventually] be separated from him. And do whatever you wish, but you shall [eventually] be held to account for it. And know that the honor of a believer is in his standing in prayer at night, and his dignity is in his self-sufficiency from other people" [Reported in al-Ṭabaranī with an authentic chain].
From this Hadith, we benefit:
- that Jibrīl himself would come and advise the Prophet (salla Allah alayhi wa sallam) and share wisdoms with him. So too all of us should wish to benefit others and share what we know of truth to them.
- Life, love and deeds: all of these we feel we have control over them, but they are are temporary, and we will have to account for them on Judgment Day.
- Of the greatest of deeds, and one that draws us closest to Allah, is the night prayer (tahajjud). Truly the one who prays at night must necessarily master many other good deeds, such as the regular prayers, and dhikr, and Quran recitation, and charity. Hence why it is so emphasized.
- Of the ways to humiliate oneself in this world is to always ask favors and be a burden unto others. The one who strives to be self-sufficient and asks others as little as possible will gain dignity and honor amongst the people.
May Allah make us of those who benefit from this angelic advice to our Prophet (salla Allah alayhi wa sallam).
