“I came to Safwan bin `Assal Al Muradi to ask him about wiping over the Khuff, so he said: ‘What has brought you, O Zirr?’ So I said: ‘The desire for knowledge.’ So he said: ‘Indeed, the angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge, out of pleasure with what he is seeking.’ So I said: ‘Indeed there is some doubt in my chest concerning wiping over the Khuff after defecation and urination, and you were a man from the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ), so I came to you to ask you: Have you heard him (ﷺ) mention anything concerning that?’ He said: ‘Yes, he (ﷺ) used to order us, that when we were travelers’ - or - ‘in travel, to not remove our Khuff for three days and nights except, from sexual impurity, but not from defecation, urination, and sleep.’” He said: “Have you heard him (ﷺ) mention anything concerning love?” He said: “Yes. We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on a journey when a Bedouin with a loud voice called upon him (saying): ‘O Muhammad!’ So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) responded to him with a voice similar to him (saying): ‘Come.’ So we said to him: ‘Lower your voice for you are with the Prophet (ﷺ), and you have been prohibited from this.’ He said: ‘By Allah, I will not lower (my voice).’ The Bedouin said: ‘A man loves a people but he is not with them (in terms of deeds)?’ He (ﷺ) said: ‘A man is with whomever he loves on the Day of Judgement.’” So he did not cease talking with us, until he mentioned a gate in the direction of the west with the width of seventy years journey - or a rider would travel its width - for forty or seventy years.” Sufyan (one of the narrators) said: “In the direction of Ash-Sham, Allah created it the Day He created the heavens and the earth, open - that is, for repentance. It shall not be locked until the sun rises through it.”
Narrated by Zirr bin Hubaish said:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasizes the value of seeking knowledge, stating that angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge. This teaching highlights the honor and importance of education in Islam. Additionally, the hadith discusses the significance of love and companionship, indicating that individuals will be with those they love on the Day of Judgment.
Modern Application
This hadith serves as an inspiration for individuals to pursue knowledge actively. In today's context, it encourages lifelong learning and the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and loved ones, fostering a supportive community.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Seeking Knowledge because it emphasizes the honor given to those who seek knowledge and the connection between love and companionship.
And he said, "Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good [things] over the remembrance of my Lord until the sun disappeared into the curtain [of darkness]."
And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves."
Until, when he comes to Us [at Judgement], he says [to his companion], "Oh, I wish there was between me and you the distance between the east and west - how wretched a companion."