My father told me that he was a companion of Abu Darda'. There was in Damascus a man from the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ), called Ibn al-Hanzaliyyah. He was a recluse and rarely met the people. He remained engaged in prayer. When he was not praying he was occupied in glorifying Allah and exalting Him until he went to his family. Once he passed us when we were with AbudDarda'.
AbudDarda' said to him: Tell us a word which benefits us and does not harm you.
He said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent out a contingent and it came back. One of the men came and sat in the place where the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to sit, and he said to a man beside him: Would that you saw us when we met the enemy and so-and-so attacked and cut through a lance.
He said: Take it from me and I am a boy of the tribe Ghifar. What do you think about his statement?
He replied: I think his reward was lost. Another man heard it and said: I do not think that there is any harm in it. They quarrelled until the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard it, and he said: Glory be to Allah! There is no harm if he is rewarded and praised. I saw that AbudDarda' was pleased with it and began to raise his hand to him and say: Did you hear it from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)?
He said: Yes. He continued to repeat it to him so often that I thought he was going to kneel down. He said: On another day he again passed us.
AbudDarda' said to him: (Tell us) a word which benefits us and does not harm you.
He said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to us: One who spends on (the maintenance of) horses (for jihad) is like the one who spreads his hand to give alms (sadaqah) and does not withhold it. He then passed us on another day.
AbudDarda' said to him: (Tell us) a word which benefits us and does no harm to you.
He said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Khuraym al-Asadi would be a fine man were it not for the length of his hair, which reaches the shoulders, and the way he lets his lower garment hang down. When Khuraym heard that, he hurriedly, took a knife, cut his hair in line with his ears and raised his lower garment half way up his legs. He then passed us on another day.
AbudDarda' said to him: (tell us) a word which benefits us and does not harm you.
He said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: You are coming to your brethren; so tidy your mounts and tidy your dress, until you are like a mole among the people. Allah does not like obscene words or deeds, or do intentional committing of obscenity.
Abu Dawud said: Similarly, Abu Nu'aim narrated from Hisham. He said: Until you will be like a mole among the people.
Narrated by Narrated Qays ibn Bishr at-Taghlibi:
Context
This hadith recounts the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) guidance on maintaining proper appearance and conduct when interacting with others. It emphasizes the importance of being presentable and respectful, especially when approaching fellow believers, which fosters a sense of community and mutual respect.
Modern Application
When getting dressed for an event or meeting, this hadith serves as a reminder to present oneself neatly and appropriately. It encourages individuals to consider how their appearance affects their interactions and the impressions they leave on others.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Conduct and Clothing Etiquette because it underscores the importance of maintaining a respectable appearance and behavior when engaging with others.
And among them are those who abuse the Prophet and say, "He is an ear." Say, "[It is] an ear of goodness for you that believes in Allah and believes the believers and [is] a mercy to those who believe among you." And those who abuse the Messenger of Allah - for them is a painful punishment.
It was not [proper] for the people of Madinah and those surrounding them of the bedouins that they remain behind after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allah or that they prefer themselves over his self. That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allah, nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good.
Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, "Indeed, my father invites you that he may reward you for having watered for us." So when he came to him and related to him the story, he said, "Fear not. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people."
No good is there in much of their private conversation, except for those who enjoin charity or that which is right or conciliation between people. And whoever does that seeking means to the approval of Allah - then We are going to give him a great reward.
This hadith is #4090 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Clothing (Kitab Al-Libas). It is graded Da'if and narrated by Narrated Qays ibn Bishr at-Taghlibi:.