"When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) delivered a sermon, his eyes would turn red, he would raise his voice and he would speak with intensity, as if he were warning of an (enemy) army, saying, 'They will surely attack you in the morning, or they will surely attack you in the evening!' He would say: 'I and the Hour have been sent like these two,' and he would hold his index and middle finger. Then he would say: 'The best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The most evil matters are those that are newly-invented, and every innovation (Bid'ah) is a going astray.' And he used to say: 'Whoever dies and leaves behind some wealth, it is for his family, and whoever leaves behind a debt or dependent children, then they are both my responsibility.'"
Narrated by It was narrated that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said:
Context
This hadith describes the intense demeanor of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) during his sermons, emphasizing his urgency in conveying important messages to the community. He draws a parallel between his mission and the impending arrival of the Hour, urging listeners to adhere to the guidance of Islam and avoid innovations. The takeaway is the importance of sincerity and seriousness in religious teachings.
Modern Application
In today's context, this principle highlights the need for leaders and speakers to communicate with passion and clarity, ensuring that their messages resonate with their audience. Engaging effectively can inspire others to follow the teachings of Islam.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Community and Prophetic Conduct because it illustrates the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) approach to leading and guiding his community with sincerity and seriousness.
And warn them, [O Muhammad], of the Approaching Day, when hearts are at the throats, filled [with distress]. For the wrongdoers there will be no devoted friend and no intercessor [who is] obeyed.
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers - so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.
Say, [O Muhammad], "O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of Allah to you all, [from Him] to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death." So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided.
Say, "Obey Allah and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away - then upon him is only that [duty] with which he has been charged, and upon you is that with which you have been charged. And if you obey him, you will be [rightly] guided. And there is not upon the Messenger except the [responsibility for] clear notification."
And obey Allah and obey the Messenger and beware. And if you turn away - then know that upon Our Messenger is only [the responsibility for] clear notification.
This hadith is #4124 from Sunan Ibn Majah, in the Book of The Book of the Sunnah. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said:.