Hayatus Sahabah - The Lives of the Sahabah - Part 3

THE LIVES OF THE SAHABAH @,EM (Vol-3) 48 1
stands at the peak of salvation and honour while lying stands at the peak of
destruction and devastation. Listen well! Always speak the truth and you will be
known for it, practise it and you will be amongst its worthy bearers. Always
return trusts to those who have entrusted goods with you. Join ties with those
family members who have severed them and be gracious to those who deprive
you. Fulfil the pledges you undertake with people, ensure that you exercise
justice when passing judgement and never boast about your ancestors before
each other. Never call each other names, never make fun of each other and never
make each other angry. Assist the poor, the oppressed, those in debt, those
striving in the path of Allaah, the beggars and slaves and always show mercy to
widows and orphans. Make Salaam common amongst you and reply to the
Salaam of those who greet you, using the same words or words that are better.
(He then recited the verse:)
Assist each other in good works (virtue andpiety) and Taqwa and do
not assist each other iii sin and transgression (oppression and
injustice). Fear (thepunrshment 04 Allaah! Most surely Allaah is severe
in punishment. {Surah Maa'idah, verse 2)
Entertain guests, be good to your neighbour, visit the ill, accompany funeral
processions and, 0 servants of Allaah, behave like brothers.
Furthermore, I wish to add that this world has turned its back and bid farewell,
whereas the Aakhirah has arrived and is straining its eyes to look. Today (this
world) is the time for the race while tomorrow it will be seen who has gone
ahead. The winner will have Jannah while at the other end is Jahannam. Behold!
You are passing through days of respite which are followed by your death that is
approaching very fast. Therefore, whoever does good decd., sincerely for Allaah
during the days of respite before his death, has really done well and will have
what he hopes for. On the other hand, whoever is neglectful of do~n good will
be at a loss for good deeds, will have shattered hopes and will actually come to
harm because of his hopes. You must do good deeds with hope of reward as well
as in fear (for punishment). If you are overcome with hope, then be grateful to
Allaah and couple it with fear. Then, if you are overcome with fear, remember
Allaah and couple it with hope because Allaah has announced that men shall
have Jannah in return for their good deeds and will have an increase (in
bounties) for their gratitude.
I have never seen a place like Jannah yet its seeker is asleep. I have also not seen
a place like Jahannam, yet the one who ought to be running away from it is also
asleep. I have also not seen anyone earn as much as the one who earns for the
day when treasures will be accumulated, when secrets will be exposed and when
all major sins are collected together. Take note of the fact that whoever does not
benefit from the truth will still be harmed by falsehood and the one whom