بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

This is because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Many a person with dishevelled hair and covered with dust is turned away from the doors (whereas) were he to swear by Allah (about something), Allah will fulfil it”. [1]

Imam An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

This type of person is one whom the people drive away from their doors in humiliation, but he is someone that if he were to swear by Allah about something, Allah will make it happen as an honour for him- by answering his request and safeguarding him from sin with regards to his oath. This is due to his great station in the sight of Allah [The Exalted], even though he is someone despised in the sight of the people. It is said that the meaning of [الْقَسَمِ in this hadeeth is (الدُّعَاءُ – supplication) and (إِبْرَارُهُ ) means (إِجَابَتُهُ -the response to the supplication)]. [2]

This person is a close friend among the close friends of Allah and were he to swear by Allah (about something), Allah would make it happen due to his high status in the sight of Allah, even though he is driven away from the doors. If he intercedes (for someone), his intercession will not be accepted; if he is absent, he is not missed, but he is a great one in the sight of Allah. Do not scoff at a believer whatever his status is, for indeed a believer is noble in the sight of Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, The Most High. A believer has a station, rights and status in the sight of Allah. [3]

We ask Allah not to allow us to be deceived by the good opinions people hold about us, as Imam Al-Qahtaanee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said

“And You (Allah) have placed love for me within the hearts….And the affection from You is through mercy and kindness….And You have spread – amongst the people – good about me… And conceal my acts of disobedience from their eyes…And you have made my good mention amongst the people common (or widespread)…until you made them all my brothers….By Allaah, if they knew the repugnance of my secret affairs (or inner self)….The one who meets me would have refused to give me Salaams…And they would have turned away from me and loath my companionship…And I would have brought disgrace upon myself after being honoured…But you conceal my faults and deficiencies…And you dealt with my sins and transgression with forbearance (i.e. gave me the opportunity to repent)…So all praise and commendations- by way of my thoughts, limbs, and tongue- is Yours…. [4]

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[1] Sahih Muslim. Number 2662. Kitaab Al-Bir Was-Silah Wal Aadab

[2] An Excerpt from “Sharh Saheeh Muslim” 15/144’ publisher: Dar Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah’ 1st ed. (1421AH- Year 2000)

[3] An Excerpt from “It’haaf at-Tullaab Bi-Sharh Mandhumah Al-Aadab. 101-102

[4] Refer to first lines of Al-Qahtaanee’s Nuniyyah