While I was riding behind the Prophet (ﷺ) as a companion rider and there was nothing between me and
him except the back of the saddle, he said, "O Mu`adh!" I replied, "Labbaik O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! And
Sa`daik!" He proceeded for a while and then said, "O Mu`adh!" I said, "Labbaik and Sa`daik, O
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" He then proceeded for another while and said, "O Mu`adh bin Jabal!" I replied,
"Labbaik, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and Sa`daik!" He said, "Do you know what is Allah's right on His
slaves?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." He said, "Allah's right on his slaves is that
they should worship Him and not worship anything besides Him." He then proceeded for a while, and
again said, "O Mu`adh bin Jabal!" I replied. "Labbaik, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and Sa`daik." He said, "Do
you know what is (Allah's) slaves' (people's) right on Allah if they did that?" I replied, "Allah and His
Apostle know better." He said, "The right of (Allah's) slaves on Allah is that He should not punish
them (if they did that).
Narrated by Narrated Mu`adh bin Jabal:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) engages in a profound conversation with Mu`adh bin Jabal while they are riding together. The Prophet emphasizes the importance of worshiping Allah alone and the consequences of doing so. This dialogue highlights the foundational belief in monotheism and the relationship between Allah and His servants, stressing the significance of sincere worship.
Modern Application
In contemporary life, this principle encourages individuals to focus on their spiritual practices, such as daily prayers and remembrance of Allah. By prioritizing worship and avoiding distractions, one can cultivate a deeper connection with their faith.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Worship of Allah Alone because it emphasizes the exclusive worship of Allah as a fundamental principle in Islam.
I said not to them except what You commanded me - to worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. And I was a witness over them as long as I was among them; but when You took me up, You were the Observer over them, and You are, over all things, Witness.
So to that [religion of Allah] invite, [O Muhammad], and remain on a right course as you are commanded and do not follow their inclinations but say, "I have believed in what Allah has revealed of the Qur'an, and I have been commanded to do justice among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. For us are our deeds, and for you your deeds. There is no [need for] argument between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to Him is the [final] destination."
Say, [O Muhammad], "My Lord has ordered justice and that you maintain yourselves [in worship of Him] at every place [or time] of prostration, and invoke Him, sincere to Him in religion." Just as He originated you, you will return [to life] -
This hadith is #6261 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Mu`adh bin Jabal:.