Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī Ḥadīth [6492]

Anas bin Mālik (may Allāh be pleased with him) was one of those who lived long, he lived for almost ninety years after the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him). Hence, matters had changed in his time and the conditions of people had become different. Therefore, they trivialized some matters that were considered grave during the time of the companions – may Allāh be pleased with them.

An example is the congregational prayer; none of the companions (may Allāh be pleased with them) would ever stay behind from it except a hypocrite or an excused sick person. However, people became careless with it contrary to the lines of conduct of the companions (may Allāh be pleased with them) during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him). People in our own times are not only careless regarding the congregational prayer; they would not observe the prayer or observer it for a while and leave it off for sometime or put the prayer off its time. For some, these are trivial issues but during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) and the companions, they were regarded as destructive sins.

Likewise cheating; during the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), he said: “Whoever cheats is not of us.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 102] However, we look at the people nowadays and you will discover that cheating is the easiest thing for them. Some of them – and the refuge is with Allāh – consider cheating as a part of smartness in transactions and contracts. They see this as from dexterity, intelligence, and astuteness – we ask Allāh for wellbeing. They do this irrespective of the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) repudiated the cheat.

One of the grievous sins during the time of the companions – may Allāh be pleased with them – was lying. They considered it as one of the destructive sins but most people consider it trivial. Therefore, you find an individual lying with nonchalance despite that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “A man will continue to tell lie, being given to lies until he is registered with Allāh as a liar.” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (6094) and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2606-2607)]

At times, he would lie regarding his affairs that are more precarious; he may deny people’s rights upon him or claim something that does not belong to him and stand against them in court, making declarations under oath. In so doing, he becomes one of those who will meet Allāh while He is angry with him – and the refuge is with Allāh .

Besides, there are many issues considered by the companions to be destructive. However, people later dissented until they became paltrier in their perception, than the strand of hair. This is because every time the faith becomes stronger, the more grievous a sin appears to a person. Conversely, the weaker the faith is, the more trivial a sin becomes in the heart of the individual; he would regard them as things of little importance. He becomes languid regarding the duties without concern because he is weak in faith!

• Reference: [63 (1/506-507), Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn, Dārussalām (Eng)]

The less fear of Allāh, one has the more disobedient he becomes to Him. As the fear of Allāh decreases, one becomes more bold in committing sins. As the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) were intensely fearful of Allāh, they were afraid of commuting even very minor sins.

• Reference: [63 (1/83), Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn, Dārussalām (Eng)]

• Mukhtaṣar Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (2487 (1/153))
• Musnad Aḥmad (12604 (20/54)) ^{[Shu’ayb al-Arna’ūṭ]}
• Musnad Aḥmad (14039 (21/433-434)) ^{[Shu’ayb al-Arna’ūṭ]}
• Musnad Aḥmad (12541 (10/509)) ^{[Aḥmad Shākir]}
• Musnad Aḥmad (13972 (11/336)) ^{[Aḥmad Shākir]}
• Musnad al-Bazzār (7464 (14/38))
• Musnad Abī Ya’lā (4207 (1/1176))
• Musnad Abī Ya’lā (4314 (1/1205))
• Bayhayqī’s Sunan al-Kubrā (20761 (10/316))
• Shu’ab al-Īmān (6871 (9/401))
• Sharḥ as-Sunnah (4202 (14/398))
• Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn (63)
• Silsilah Aḥādīth aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah (3023 (7[1]/52-54))

Grade: Ṣaḥīḥ (Authentic)