What is the matter with those people who said such-and-such? But indeed, I pray and sleep, I fast and break the fast, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah does not belong to me

Arabic text

عَنْ أَنَسٍ رضي الله عنه: أَنَّ نَفَرًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ سَأَلُوا أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ عَمَلِهِ فِي السِّرِّ؟ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: لَا أَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ، وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: لَا آكُلُ اللَّحْمَ، وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ: لَا أَنَامُ عَلَى فِرَاشٍ، فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ: «مَا بَالُ أَقْوَامٍ قَالُوا كَذَا وَكَذَا؟ لَكِنِّي أُصَلِّي وَأَنَامُ، وَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ، وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ، فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي».

Translation

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A group from among the Prophet's Companions asked the wives of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about his deeds in private. Some of them said: I will not marry women. Others said: I will not eat meat. Some others said: I will not sleep on a bed. So, he praised Allah and commended Him and said: "What is the matter with those people who said such-and-such? But indeed, I pray and sleep, I fast and break the fast, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah does not belong to me."

Explanation

A group of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asking about his private acts of worship inside his home. When they were informed, it seemed as though they considered it little, so they said: Where are we in comparison to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)? His past and future sins have been forgiven, unlike those who do not know if they have attained forgiveness, so they need to exaggerate in worship in the hope of attaining it. Then some of them said: I will not marry women. Others said: I will not eat meat. Some others said: I will not sleep on a bed. When this reached the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), he became angry and gave a sermon to the people. He praised Allah and commended Him and said: What is the matter with people who said such-and-such? By Allah, I am the most fearful of Allah among you and the most conscious of Him, but I sleep to strengthen myself for standing in prayer, I break my fast to strengthen myself for fasting, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my way, sees perfection in something else, and follows a path other than that of mine does not belong to me.

Benefits

• The Companions' love for goodness and their desire to attain it and to follow the example of their Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
• The tolerance and ease of this Shariah based on its Prophet's practice and guidance.
• Goodness and blessing lie in following the example of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and adhering to his noble conditions.
• The deterrence of overburdening oneself in worship beyond one's capacity, as this is a characteristic of the innovators in religion.
• Ibn Hajar said: Adopting an overburdening approach in worship leads to boredom that can sever its very foundation. Moreover, sticking only to obligatory acts, for example, and neglecting voluntary acts leads to a preference for idleness and a lack of enthusiasm for worship, and moderation is the best in all affairs.
• It indicates the importance of pursuing the conditions of great people to follow their example, and if it is difficult to know about this from men, it is permissible to know about it through women.
• It includes admonition, presenting knowledge-related issues, clarifying rulings to those who are religiously accountable, and clearing the doubts of those who strive hard in religion.
• The command to be lenient in worship while maintaining it along with the obligatory and voluntary acts, so that a Muslim can fulfill the rights of others upon him.
• The Hadīth indicates the merit of marriage and encourages it.

Topics

• Seerah and History
• Prophet's Biography
• Muhammadan Qualities
• Prophet's Guidance