Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī Ḥadīth [6412]

The author – may Allāh shower blessings on him – said from what he reported from ibn ‘Abbās (may Allāh be pleased with him and his father) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “There are two blessings regarding which man people loose: good health and free time.” Meaning that, man people incur loss through there two forms of favor; that is to say, they are overwhelmed by them: sound health and free time. This is because when the individual is healthy he will be able to carry out what Allāh orders him to do and shun what He has forbidden him from, since he is healthy, delighted, and calm. Likewise, free time; when he has what is enough for him, sufficient; he becomes entirely free.

So, when a person is free and healthy, he becomes careless a lot. A good chunk of our time is squandered without benefit; we are healthy, secured, and free, but we still waste much of our time! However, we will not appreciate this loss in this world; man will only recognize it when his appointed time comes and on the Day of Resurrection.

The evidence for that is Allāh’s statement:
“Until when death comes to one of them he says: My Lord! Send me back. So that I may do good in that which I left behind…” (23: 99-100)

Allāh – the Mighty and Sublime – also says in Suratul Munafiqun:
“… (do good) before death comes to one of you, and he says: My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while, then I should give the poor-due and be among the righteous” (63: 10)

And Allāh the Exalted says:
“And Allāh grants respite to none when his appointed time comes. And Allāh is All-Aware of what you do.” (63: 11)

The reality is that a great deal of these periods comes to nothing for us as we do neither benefit from it nor extend benefit to any servant of Allāh. But we will not regret this until our appointed time comes; an individual would to be given a chance even if it were a minute in order to seek rectification but that unfortunately will not happen.

However, a person may not lose these two favors – sound health and free time – with death; he may lose them before he dies. Perhaps, he may fall sick and become unable to establish what Allāh has made obligatory for him. He is already sick, his heart hardens, and he becomes weary. He may as well become preoccupied with seeking sustenance for himself and his dependents until he misses many acts of obedience.

Therefore, it is necessary for the intelligent to take advantage of the opportunity of good health and free time for obedience to Allāh, the Mighty and Sublime, as much as he is able to. For instance, if he is given to reading the Qurān let him increase in recitation, and if he is not learned in recitals, let him engage in much remembrance of Allāh, the Mighty and Sublime. If it is not possible for him, he should command good and forbid evil or extend assistance and goodness within his ability to his brothers, and so, no benefit will be missen. The reasonable individual is the one who takes advantage of the opportunity of sound and free time.

This contains proof that Allāh’s favors vary, and that some are superior to others. And the greatest favor Allāh – the Exalted – grants any servant is the favor of Islām; a favor which Allāh has deprived many people. Allāh – the Exalted – says:

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islām as your religion.” (5: 3)
When the individual finds that Allāh has favored him with Islām and opened his heart to it, then this is the greatest favor.

Secondly is the favor of intellect. When a person sees a mentally derailed who cannot manage his affairs and would often harm himself and family – he thanks Allāh for this great favor; it is indeed a great favor.

Then thirdly is the favor of safety in the lands; and it among the outstanding favors. We will cite an example of serious heart wrecking things our own fathers and grandfathers experienced in this land. We heard that when one of them goes out for the fajr prayer, he arms himself with his sword because of the fear that someone may attack him. Then we also mention the gulf war that just took place last year; how greatly people were gripped by fear! People began to cover their windows with wax owing to fear of what might be released against them. The people were gripped in serious fear and anxiety. So, nothing compares with the favor of safety except the blessings of Islām and intellect.

Fourthly, among the favors Allāh has granted us – especially in this land – is easy sustenance; it comes to us through different means. We are in tremendous comfort – and all praise belongs to Allāh; the houses are filled with provisions, an individual would have what suffices for two, three or even more. This is also part of favors and it is incumbent on us to be thankful to Allāh for these great favors.

We should uphold being obedient to Allāh that He may bestow more favors upon us as He – the Exalted – says:
“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed: If you give thanks, I will give you more; but if you are thankless, verily My punishment is indeed severe.” (14: 7)

• Reference: [97 (2/65-68), Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn, Dārussalām (Eng)]

1) Al-Ghabn in Arabic means loss. What it really signifies is to sell something of one’s own on less than its due price, or to buy something on its double or triple price. In both cases one is a loser. When a person comes to know about such a loss, he repents and feels sorry for it. This loss coupled with regret is called al-Ghabn. In aḥādīth, man has been compared with trader, and health and leisure enjoyed by him with merchandise. One who uses his merchandise with care, gains profit while he who wastes it, that is to say, uses it carelessly, will be a loser on the Day of Resurrection.
2) The majority of people do not take proper care of both these things, with the result that one wastes the time in useless activities and spends the physical strength and energy in the disobedience of Allāh. One will have to face severe consequences of it on the Day of Resurrection when he will be brought into account for everything.
 

• Reference: [97 (1/114-115), Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn, Dārussalām (Eng)]

(1) Health and free time are two blessings of Allāh’s blessings. The Qurān says: “Then you will surely be asked that Day about pleasure.” (102: 8), so a believer should prepare his answer for that.
(2) The way to give these blessings the right they deserve is to use them to worship Allāh as much as possible. Ibn al-Jawzī, may Allāh have mercy on him, said that sometimes a person is healthy but has no free time due to societal obligations. And sometimes a person may have free time but no health. And if such a person has free time and health and falls into laziness in matters of obedience to Allāh, then that person is at a loss. In summary, worldly life is the cultivation for the hereafter, i.e. whatever you invest here, the result will benefit you in the hereafter. Whoever served Allāh when he had health and free time deserves to be followed in it in the hope of surpassing him. And whoever spends such in disobedience to Allāh is at a loss. For after health comes sickness, and after leisure comes occupation. And if one is spared from these two, then old age is already waiting for him. (Tanqīḥ ar-Rawāt 4/7)

• Reference: [2749 (2/457), Sunan ad-Dārimī, Ansarus Sunnah Publications (Ur)]

• Mukhtaṣar Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (2451 (4/136))
• Sunan at-Tirmidhī (2304)
• Sunan ibn Mājah (4170)
• Sunan ad-Dārimī (2707 (2/237))
• Musnad Aḥmad (2340 (4/177-178)) ^{[Shu’ayb al-Arna’ūṭ]}
• Musnad Aḥmad (3207 (5/277-278)) ^{[Shu’ayb al-Arna’ūṭ]}
• Musnad Aḥmad (2340 (3/69)) ^{[Aḥmad Shākir]}
• Musnad Aḥmad (3207 (3/377)) ^{[Aḥmad Shākir]}
• Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn (97)
• Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmi’ (6778 (2/1147))

Grade: Ṣaḥīḥ (Authentic)