You have asked about something grave, but it is easy for whomever Allah makes it easy for

Chapter: Restraining one's tongue during times of tribulation

Differing grades 3 scholars’ grades Sunan Ibn Majah 3973

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ الْعَدَنِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ أَبِي النَّجُودِ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فِي سَفَرٍ فَأَصْبَحْتُ يَوْمًا قَرِيبًا مِنْهُ وَنَحْنُ نَسِيرُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَخْبِرْنِي بِعَمَلٍ يُدْخِلُنِي الْجَنَّةَ وَيُبَاعِدُنِي مِنَ النَّارِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏

"‏ لَقَدْ سَأَلْتَ عَظِيمًا وَإِنَّهُ لَيَسِيرٌ عَلَى مَنْ يَسَّرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ تَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ لاَ تُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَتُقِيمُ الصَّلاَةَ وَتُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ وَتَصُومُ رَمَضَانَ وَتَحُجُّ الْبَيْتَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَلاَ أُدُلُّكَ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ وَالصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِئُ الْخَطِيئَةَ كَمَا يُطْفِئُ النَّارَ الْمَاءُ وَصَلاَةُ الرَّجُلِ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ‏‏{تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ‏}‏ حَتَّى بَلَغَ ‏‏{جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ}‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكَ بِرَأْسِ الأَمْرِ وَعَمُودِهِ وَذُرْوَةِ سَنَامِهِ الْجِهَادُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكَ بِمِلاَكِ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ بَلَى ‏.‏ فَأَخَذَ بِلِسَانِهِ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ تَكُفُّ عَلَيْكَ هَذَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّا لَمُؤَاخَذُونَ بِمَا نَتَكَلَّمُ بِهِ قَالَ ‏"‏ ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ يَا مُعَاذُ وَهَلْ يَكُبُّ النَّاسَ عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ فِي النَّارِ إِلاَّ حَصَائِدُ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ ‏"

Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said: O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an action that lets me enter Paradise and keep me away from Hellfire. He said:

"You have asked about something grave, but it is easy for whomever Allah makes it easy for. Worship Allah, without associating anything with Him, offer the prayer, pay Zakah, fast Ramadan, and perform Hajj. Then, he said: Shall I not guide you to the gates of goodness? Fasting is a shield, charity extinguishes sins as water extinguishes fire, and a man's prayer in the middle of night. Then, he recited: {Their sides forsake their beds} until he reached {what they used to do.} Then he added: Shall I tell you of the essence of the matter, its pillar, and its peak? I replied: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: The essence of this matter is Islam, its pillar is the prayer, and its peak is Jihad. Then he said: Shall I tell you of what holds all these things? I said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He took hold of his tongue and said: Keep this under control. I asked: O Prophet of Allah, shall we be held accountable for what we say? He replied: May your mother lose you! What else can cast people on their faces—or on their noses—except the harvest of their tongues?!"

Reported by Ibn Majah (No. 3973), At-Tirmidhi (No. 2616) and Ahmad (No. 21008, 21014, 21051, 21054, 21087, 21116).

Explanation

Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I was on a journey in the company of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). One morning, I was close to him when we were on the move, so I said: O Messenger of Allah, inform me of a deed that admits me to Paradise and keeps me far from Hellfire. He said: You have asked me about a deed that is hard for people to perform, but it is, indeed, easy and simple for whomever Allah makes it easy. Perform the obligations of Islam.

First: Worship Allah alone and do not associate anything with Him.

Second: Establish the five obligatory prayers every day and night, namely Fajr, Zhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, and ''Ishā'—along with observing their conditions, pillars, and obligatory acts.

Third: Pay the obligatory Zakah, which is an obligatory financial act of worship due on every type of property that has reached the limit prescribed by the Shariah, and it is to be given to those entitled to it.

Fourth: Fast Ramadan, which is abstaining from food, drink, and other fast invalidators as a form of worship from the break of dawn to sunset.

Fifth: Make Hajj to the House by heading for Makkah to perform the rituals as a means of worshiping Allah Almighty.

Then he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Shall I inform you of the path leading to the gates of goodness? Follow these obligations with voluntary acts of worship.

First: Voluntary fast, which prevents from falling into sins by breaking the lust and enfeebling the power.

Second: Voluntary charity extinguishes the sin after being committed, eliminates it, and erases its traces.

Third: Tahjjud prayer during the last third of the night, then he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) recited Allah's statement: {They forsake their beds}, i.e., they leave their beds {invoking their Lord} in prayer, Dhikr, recitation of the Qur’an, and supplication {with fear and hope, and spend out of what We have provided for them. No soul knows what delights are kept hidden for them}, i.e., the bliss that will provide them with ultimate comfort on the Day of Judgment and in Paradise {as a reward for what they used to do.}

Then he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Shall I inform you of the essence of the religion, its pillar upon which it is founded, and its peak?

Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: The head of the matter is: Islam, i.e., the two testimonies of faith by which one attains the essence of the religion. Its pillar is: the prayer, since there is no Islam without prayer as there is no house without a pillar. So, whoever prays, his religion is enhanced and elevated. Its peak and climax are attained through Jihad and the exertion of effort in fighting against the enemies of the religion to make the word of Allah supreme.

Then he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Shall I tell you what controls and perfects the aforementioned? He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of his tongue and said: Control this and do not speak about what does not concern you. Mu‘ādh said: Does our Lord hold us accountable and responsible and punish us for what we speak?!

He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: May your mother lose you! This is not meant as a supplication against him; rather, it is one of the Arabs' common expressions that is meant to draw attention to something that one is supposed to be aware of and to know. Then he said: What else can cast people and throw them on their faces in Hellfire other than the harvest of their tongues speaking words of disbelief, accusing of immorality, insult, backbiting, talebearing, false accusation, etc.?!

Lessons

The Companions' keenness on acquiring knowledge; hence, they used to ask the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) frequently about it.
The Companions' good understanding of the religion, as they knew that deeds are a means of entering Paradise.
The question posed by Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him) is of great significance because it is in reality the secret of life and existence. The goal of every existent being in this world from mankind or the jinn is either Paradise or Hellfire, and this is the reason why such a question has great significance.
Admittance to Paradise is contingent on fulfilling the five pillars of Islam, which are: the two testimonies of faith, prayer, Zakah, fasting, and Hajj.
The head of the religion, the most precious mission, and the most important duty is belief in the oneness of Allah by worshiping Him alone with no partner.
As a token of Allah's mercy towards His slaves, He opened for them the gates of goodness to take provision from the causes leading to rewards and forgiveness of sins.
The merit of drawing closer to Allah by performing voluntary acts of worship after performing the obligatory ones.
Prayer, in relation to Islam, is like the pillar upon which a tent is set up, and without prayer, there is no Islam just as a tent collapses with the collapse of its pillar.
It is obligatory to restrain the tongue from whatever negatively affects man's religion.
Restraining, controlling, and curbing the tongue is the basis of all goodness.

Explanation in Arabic

قال معاذٌ رضي الله عنه: كنتُ مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في سَفَر، فأصبحت يومًا قريبًا منه ونحن نسير، فقلت: يا رسول الله أَخْبِرني بعمل يُدخلني الجنة ويباعدني عن النار، قال: لقد سألتني عن عمل عظيم فِعْلُه على النفوس، وإنه لَهَيِِّنٌ سَهْلٌ على مَن يَسَّرَه الله عليه؛ أَدِّ فرائض الإسلام:

الأول: تعبد الله وحده ولا تشرك به شيئًا.

الثاني: تُقيم الصلوات الخمس المفروضات في اليوم والليلة: الفجر، والظهر، والعصر، والمغرب، والعشاء، بشروطها وأركانها وواجباتها.

الثالث: تُخرِج الزكاة المفروضة، وهي عبادة مالية واجبة في كل مال بلغَ قدرًا مُحددًا في الشرع، تعطى لمستحقيها.

الرابع: تصوم رمضان، وهو الإمساك عن الأكل والشرب وغيرهما من المفطرات بنية التعبد، من طلوع الفجر إلى غروب الشمس.

الخامس: تحج البيت بقَصْد مكة لإقامة المناسك، تعبُّدًا لله عز وجل.

ثم قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: أَلَا أُعَرِّفُك على الطريق المُوصِلة لأبواب الخير؟ وذلك بإتْبَاع تلك الفرائض بالنوافل:

أولًا: صوم التطوع، وهو مانع من الوقوع في المعاصي وذلك بكسر الشهوة، وإضعاف القوة.

ثانيًا: صدقة التطوع تطفئ الخطيئة بعد اقترافها وتُذْهِبُها وتَمحو أثرَها.

ثالثًا: صلاة التهجد في ثلث الليل الآخر، ثم قرأ صلى الله عليه وسلم قوله تعالى: {تتجافى جنوبهم} أي: تتباعد {عن المضاجع} أي: المراقد {يدعون ربهم} بالصلاة والذكر والقراءة والدعاء، {خوفا وطمعا ومما رزقناهم ينفقون، فلا تعلم نفس ما أخفي لهم من قرة أعين} أي ما تَقَرُّ به أعينُهم يوم القيامة وفي الجنة من نعيم، {جزاء بما كانوا يعملون}.

ثم قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: أَلَا أُخْبِرُك بأصل الدين؟ وعموده الذي يعتمد عليه؟ وذروة سنامه؟

قال معاذ رضي الله عنه: بلى يا رسول الله.

قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: رأس الأمر: الإسلام وهو الشهادتان، وبهما يصبح مع الإنسان أصل الدين. وعموده: الصلاة، فلا إسلام بلا صلاة، كما أنه لا يكون البيت بلا عمود، فمن صلى قوي دينه وارتفع؛ وذروة سنامه وارتفاعه بالجهاد وبذل الجَهد في قتال أعداء الدين لإعلاء كلمة الله.

ثم قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: ألا أخبرك بإحكام وإتقان ما مضى؟ فأخذ صلى الله عليه وسلم بلسانه، وقال: امنع هذا ولا تَكَلَّمَ بما لا يَعنيك. قال معاذ: هل يؤاخِذُنا ويحاسبنا ربُّنا ويعاقبنا بكل ما نتكلَّم به؟!

قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: فَقَدَتْك أمُّك! وليس المراد به الدعاء عليه، ولكنها من كلام العرب لِتَنبيهه إلى أَمر كان ينبغي أن ينتبه له ويعرفه، ثم قال: وهل يُلقِي الناسَ ويُسقِطُهم على وجوههم في النار إلا حصائد ألسنتهم من الكفر والقذف والشتم والغيبة والنميمة والبهتان ونحوها.

حرص الصحابة رضي الله عنهم على العِلْم، ولهذا يَكثُرُ منهم سؤال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عنه.
فقه الصحابة رضي الله عنهم لعلمهم أنَّ الأعمال سبب لدخول الجنة.
السؤال الذي صَدَر من معاذ رضي الله عنه سؤال عظيم؛ لأنه في الحقيقة هو سِرُّ الحياة والوجود، فكل موجود في هذه الدنيا من بني آدم أو من الجنّ غايته إما الجنة وإما النار، فلذلك كان هذا السؤال عظيمًا.
ترتُّب دخوله الجنة على الإتيان بأركان الإسلام الخمسة، وهي: الشهادتان والصلاة والزكاة والصيام والحج.
رأس الدين وأغلى المُهمّات وأعلى الواجبات توحيد الله، بعبادته وحده لا شريك له.
رحمة الله بعباده أنْ فتح لهم أبواب الخير ليتزوَّدوا من أسباب الأجر ومغفرة الذنوب.
فضل التقرب بالنوافل بعد أداء الفرائض.
الصلاة من الإسلام بمنزلة العمود الذي تقوم عليه الخَيْمَة، يَذهب الإسلام بذهابها، كما تسقط الخيمة بسقوط عمودها.
وجوب حفظ اللسان عما يضر الإنسان في دينه.
كَفُّ اللسان وضبطُه وحَبسُه هو أصل الخير كله.

Classical commentary

Al-Sindi — Hashiyat al-Sindi on Sunan Ibn Majah

قَوْله ( يُدْخِلنِي ) مِنْ الْإِدْخَال وَهُوَ بِالرَّفْعِ صِفَة الْعَمَل وَإِسْنَاد الْإِدْخَال إِلَى الْعَمَل مَجَاز أَوْ بِالْجَزْمِ عَلَى أَنَّهُ جَزَاء شَرْط مَحْذُوف أَيْ إِنْ عَمِلْته يُدْخِلنِي الْجَنَّة أَوْ لِأَنَّهُ جَوَاب الْأَمْر لِأَنَّهُ تَرَتَّبَ عَلَى فِعْل الْعَمَل الْمُتَرَتِّب عَلَى الْإِخْبَار فَتَرَتُّبه عَلَى الْإِخْبَار إِشَارَة إِلَى سُرْعَة الِامْتِثَال بَعْد الْإِطْلَاع عَلَى حَقِيقَة الْحَال وَعَطْف يُبَاعِدنِي مِنْ النَّار عَلَى يُدْخِلنِي الْجَنَّة يُفِيد أَنَّ مُرَاده دُخُول الْجَنَّة مِنْ غَيْر سَابِقَة عَذَاب ( عَظِيمًا ) أَيْ أَمْرًا مُسْتَعْظَم الْحُصُول لِصُعُوبَتِهِ عَلَى النُّفُوس إِلَّا عَلَى مَنْ سَهَّلَ اللَّه عَلَيْهِ ( تَعْبُد اللَّه ) خَبَر بِمَعْنَ…

Scholars’ grades

The 3 scholars cited do not give the same grade: each one is shown below.

Scholar	Grade	Applies to	Work
Al-Albanid. 1420 AH	AuthenticSahih	The hadith	No. 3973
Zubair Ali Zaid. 1435 AH	Good (hasan)Hasan	The hadith	No. 3973
Muhammad Fu'ad Abd al-Baqid. 1388 AH	AuthenticSahih	The hadith	No. 3973

Grades of other versions (2)

AuthenticAl-Albani صحيح — صحيح ابن ماجه (3224)
Authentic chainالسفاريني الحنبلي إسناده صحيح — شرح كتاب الشهاب (52)

Other versions

Differing grades Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2616

You have asked me about a great matter, which is, indeed, easy for whomever Allah makes it easy

I was on a journey in the company of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). One morning I was close to him when we were on the move, so I said: O Messenger of Allah, inform me of a deed that admits me to Paradise and keeps me far from Hellfire. He said: "You have asked me about…

تَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَتُقِيمُ الصَّلاَةَ وَتُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ وَتَصُومُ رَمَضَانَ وَتَحُجُّ الْبَيْتَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَلاَ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ الْخَيْرِ الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ…

Narrated by Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal Explained

Not graded Musnad Ahmad 21008