Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī Ḥadīth [69] – Prophetic Guidance Regarding Da’wah

Although, in making things easy, this point automatically comes that one should not put (others) in difficulty, yet it is possible that a person might be making things easy but sometimes also puts (others) in difficulty. Therefore, it was emphasized separately that one should not put (others) in difficulty. Similarly, is the case of “Give glad tidings and do not repel.” In the beginning of education, putting (the student) in difficulty can become a reason for the student to run away, therefore, one should teach gradually and start with easy things. Similarly, in forbidding from sins, one should also keep in mind kindness, so that the advice may be accepted.

• Reference: [69 (1/265-266), Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Darul Andulus, Pakistan (Ur)]

Translated by ‘Imrān (Germany)

The meaning is that one should not make things difficult for people in any way. Try to create every possible ease. Do not make undue hardship in religious matters and turn people away from Islām, lest they become fed up and turn away from Islām itself. Where Islām has provided ease, unnecessary hardship is tantamount to alienating people. For example, forcing people to offer seventeen rak’āt of ‘ishā’ prayer. Many people leave the prayer because of this, so this is like making them disillusioned with Islām.

• Reference: [473 (1/440), Al-Adab al-Mufrad, Ansarus Sunnah Publications, Lahore (Ur)]

Translated by ‘Imrān (Germany)

It contains the order to be easy in affairs and gentle with people, endearing īmān to them, rather than being harsh so that the hearts are not alarmed. This should be given greater consideration when it has to do with an individual who has just accepted Islām or children who are encouraged to do good deeds. Similarly, one should not be hard upon himself in doing good deeds so that he is not worn-out which may lead to the complete abandonment of the deed. It prohibits unnecessarily raising alarms and worst still, when they are false..

• Reference: [473 (1/315), Al-Adab al-Mufrad, Dakwah Corner Publications (Eng)]

The author (may Allāh shower blessings on him) mentioned this ḥadīth under the chapter of clemency, leniency and gentleness in his book, Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn. He reported on the authority of Anas bin Mālik (may Allāh be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Make things easy, and do not make them difficult, cheer up the people by conveying glad tidings to them, do not scare them”; these are four statements.

The first is: “Make things easy” – that is, tread the path of ease and gentleness, be it in your actions or dealings with others. Hence, from the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is to choose the easier of two choices so long it does not entail sin; otherwise, he is the farthest from sins. [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (6126); and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2327)]

So, you should choose the easiest alternative in all your affairs – in your acts of worship and your interaction with people because Allāh – the Mighty and Sublime – desires ease from us and for us: “Allāh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you.” (2:185)

For instance, if there are two paths leading to the masjid, one is challenging because it is filled with pebbles, stones and thorns, while the other path is stress-free. The best thing for you is to take the easier route. And if you have access to two sources of water in the cold season, one of the sources is cold, which may hurt you, while the other is warm, which will make you feel good. Thus, the most appropriate thing is to avail yourself of the warm water because it is stress-free and more beneficial. So also, if it is possible for you to perform Ḥajj by car or camel, while travelling by car is easier, then performing Ḥajj by car is better.

Therefore, the important point is that the easier alternative is preferred so long as it does not entail sin. The mother of the believers, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allāh be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) would not have to choose from two options except the easier so long as it does not entail a sin.

But if an act of worship cannot be carried out except with difficulty and you cannot free yourself from this effort, implement it with the difficulty. Then the rewards will be increased for you. Thus, perfecting ablution in the cold is one of the acts with which Allāh ranks and expiates sins. But a person choosing a difficult option in the presence of an easier option is working contrary to what is preferred. The most appropriate is to seek the easier alternatives in all circumstances.

Consider the act of fasting, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said regarding it: “People will not cease to attain felicity so far they hasten to breaking their fast” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (1957); and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (1098)]. In another ḥadīth he (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “Delay the pre-dawn meal” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (576); and Musnad Aḥmad (12739)], why? Because delaying the pre-dawn meal makes one stronger to carry on with the fast than if one were to take the meal earlier; and hastening to break the fast is easier and gentler on the soul especially during the period of longer days and severe thirst.

This among other evidential happenings all show that taking the easier options is better, so be easy on your soul.

Likewise, when engaging in deeds; if you realize that carrying out a particular deed is easier to attaining an objective, do not trouble yourself by doing others which are important but not essential. Rather, you should perform the easier deeds in all situations. Therefore, this is the principle: Adopting the easier and simpler option is healthier for the soul and better in the sight of Allāh.

“And do not make things difficult” – That is, do not tread the path of hardship in your acts of worship, dealings with others or any matter. This is prohibited, so do not make things difficult.

Hence, when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) saw a man standing in the sun, he enquired about him. They said: ‘O Messenger of Allāh, he was fasting – he made a vow to fast while standing in the sun’. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) forbade him from that and said to him: “Do not stand in the sun” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (6704) ], because that brings about difficulty for the man and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) has said: “Do not make tings difficult”.

He said: “And give glad tidings”: That is, make giving glad tidings your watchword, to yourselves and others. That is, when you perform an act, cheer yourself and give glad tidings to your soul. When you carry out a good deed, tell yourself that it will be accepted from you if you fear Allāh – the Mighty and Sublime – in it, because Allāh – the Mighty and Sublime – says: “Verily, Allāh accepts only from those are al-Muttaqīn” (5:27) And when you make supplication to Allāh, give glad tidings to your soul that Allāh – the Mighty and Sublime – will grant it because He – the Mighty and Sublime – has said: “And your Lord said: ‘Invoke me, [i.e., believe in My Oneness (Islāmic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation)’” (40:60)

Hence, one of the salaf said: Give glad tidings of acceptance to whoever is granted ability to supplicate because Allāh said: “And your Lord said: ‘Invoke me, [i.e., believe in My Oneness (Islāmic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation)’” (40:60)

So, you should give glad tidings to yourself in everything you do.

And the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) dislikes pessimism but loves optimism strengthens this [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (5754); and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2223)]. When a man shows optimism, he becomes energetic and happy thereby achieving goodness. However, if he is pessimistic, he becomes troubled, and it bears down heavily on his soul. He will be bored and tired of himself, and would not have audacity to act; he will be acting as if he is being forced. So, give tidings to your soul and other souls. If a person comes to you lamenting about his deeds, in a state of fear, give him glad tidings and fill him with happiness.

This is more important when visiting a sick person. When you visit a sick, give him glad tidings by communicating get well messages to him. Remind him that no condition is permanent, and what is required of one is to remain patient, hope for rewards from Allāh and he will be rewarded based on that, and similar statements that can make him happy. Give him tidings by saying for instance: ‘You look good today’, and similar statements. By uttering such words, you will make him happy and fill him with good thoughts. So, make this your way of life in your dealings with yourself and others. Always make use of glad tidings, and you will yourself and others with happiness. This is what is good.

“And do not scare people away”: That is, do not scare people away from righteous deeds, nor from the correct path; rather, you should encourage them to tread the path. More importantly, do not scare them away in matters of worship.

An example of that is an imām elongating the prayer more than what is stipulated by the sunnah. Mu’ādh bin Jabal (may Allāh be pleased with him) used to observe ‘ishā’ prayer with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) and would go back to lead his people in that same prayer. One day, he began the prayer and recited a long chapter of the Qurān, so a man broke off from the congregation and prayed individually. Later the man was accused of hypocrisy. So, the man went to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him). Then Mu’ādh came to the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) who said to him: “Are you a source of fitnah (for the people), O Mu’ādh” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (705); and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (465)]

And he (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said to another man (who did the like of what Mu’ādh did): “Verily there are among you those who scare people away (from the religion), so whoever among you leads the people in ṣalāh should be lenient” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (704); and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (466)]

So, it is not good to cause people to forsake the religion. Do not scare people, rather be gentle with them, even in the act of calling to Allāh – the Mighty and Sublime. Do not call to Allāh – the Mighty and Sublime – in a scary manner. If you notice a person with a mistake, do not say: ‘O fellow, you have contradicted (the sharī’ah), you have committed a sin, you are so…’ such statements will scare them away and increase their excessiveness in sins.

However, you should call them with simplicity and tenderness so that they would come to you and accept what you are calling them to. In doing this, you are complying with the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) in his statement: “Make things easy, and do not make them difficult, cheer up the people by conveying glad tidings to them, do not scare them”.

So, consider this ḥadīth, my brother, as your principal wealth: “Make things easy, and do not make them difficult, cheer up the people by conveying glad tidings to them, do not scare them”. Strive towards Allāh – the Mighty and Sublime – upon this basis and tread this path, interact with the slaves of Allāh – the Mighty and Sublime – on that, and you will achieve a lot of goodness.

Allāh alone grants success.

• Reference: [637 (3/632-637), Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn, Dārussalām (Eng)]

• Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (6125)
• Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (1734)
• Musnad Aḥmad (12333 (19/341-342)) ^{[Shu’ayb al-Arna’ūṭ]}
• Musnad Aḥmad (13175 (20/409)) ^{[Shu’ayb al-Arna’ūṭ]}
• Musnad al-Bazzār (7376 (13/523))
• Musnad Abī Dāwūd Ṭayālisī (2199 (2/518))
• Musnad Abī Ya’lā (4172 (1/1167))
• Musnad Abī ‘Awānah (6554-6557 (4/214-215))
• Musnad Shihāb (624 (1/365))
• Ṣaḥīḥ at-Targhīb (2674 (3/17))
• Nasā’ī’s Sunan al-Kubrā (5859 (5/383-384))
• Sharḥ as-Sunnah (2474 (10/66-67))
• Ḥilyatul Awliyā’ (3/84)
• Kanzul ‘Ummāl (5429 (3/49))
• Majma’ al-Zawā’id (214 (1/348-349))
• Al-Musnad al-Jāmi’ (1225 (2/283))
• Tuḥfatul Ashrāf (1694 (1/720-721))
• Al-Adab al-Mufrad (473)
• Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ (3723)
• Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn (637)
• Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmi’ (8086 (2/1344))
• Silsilah Aḥādīth aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah (3/142)
• Talkhīṣ al-Jāmi’ al-Kāmil (7596 (3/202), 12811 (5/246), & 14703 (6/34))

Grade: Ṣaḥīḥ (Authentic)