Perfecting One’s
Islam, Īmān, Hijrah, and Jihād
Fadālah Ibn ‘Ubayd al-Ansārī (radiyallāhu ‘anh)
reported that Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa
sallam) said during the Farewell Hajj, “Shall I
not inform you who the Muslim is? The Muslim
is he from whose tongue and hand the Muslims
are safe. The mu’min is he whom the people
trust with their wealth and lives. The muhājir is
he who abandons misdeeds and sins. And the
mujāhid is he who exerts himself in obedience
to Allah.” [Sahīh: Reported by Imām Ahmad]
‘Amr Ibn ‘Abasah (radiyallāhu ‘anh) came to
Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and
said, “O Rasūlullāh, who is with you upon this
matter?” He replied, “A freeman [Abū Bakr] and
a slave [Bilāl].” He asked, “What is Islam?” He
replied, “Saying good words and feeding the
poor.” He asked, “What is Īmān?” He replied,
“Patience and kindness.” He asked, “What Islam
is best?” He replied, “He from whose tongue and
hand the Muslims are safe.” He asked, “What
Īmān is best?” He replied, “Good character.” He
asked, “What hour is best?” He replied, “The
last portion of the night.” [Part of a hadīth
reported by Imām Ahmad with a weak isnād;
the individual replies have supporting ahādīth.]
38 HIKMAH