سنن نسائی · Hadith 2575

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم said: “Shall I not tell you of the best of the people in status?” We said: “Yes, Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم!” He said: “A man who rides his horse in the cause of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, until he dies or is killed. Shall I not tell you of the one who comes after him (in status)?’’ We said: “Yes, Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم!” He said: “A man who withdraws to a mountain pass and establishes Salah, and pays Zakah, and keeps away from the evil of people. Shall I not tell you of the worst of people?” We said: “Yes, Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم!” He said: “The one who asks for the sake of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, but does not give (when he is asked) for His sake.” (Hasan)

Translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan · Reviewed by Islamic University of Madinah · Published March 2020