Thread by @PenAbdull

Thread: Hadith on Boasts: Earth swallows man for boasting in fine clothes. Today we boast of our riches and wealth

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَيْنَا رَجُلٌ فِيمَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ خَرَجَ فِي بُرْدَيْنِ أَخْضَرَيْنِ يَخْتَالُ فِيهِمَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ الْأَرْضَ فَأَخَذَتْهُ وَإِنَّهُ لَيَتَجَلْجَلُ فِيهَا إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ أحمد11356

Abu Sa’id reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A man before you left his house wearing two green mantles, boasting in them. Allaah commanded the earth to take him. Verily, he will be buried in it until the Day of Resurrection.” Musnad of Ahmad

The above hadith has been declared Authentic by Shaykh Shu'aib al-Arnaut in Takhreej al-Musnad, hasan by ibn Katheer in his Tafseer.

Alhamdulillaah! As Muslims we are always guided by excellent principles found in both the Qur'an and Sunnah. Nothing of our lives have been left unattended to. In fact, we ourselves have not been left unattended. Allaah says "Does Man think that he will be left neglected" Q75:36

Allaah does not like the arrogant, boastful ones. As He says: "And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allaah likes not each arrogant boaster." Q 31:18

Are we comfortable with Allaah not liking us? The worst thing ever

Humility is a mark of honor and the station of those who show gratitude to Allaah and who recognize that whatever they have is not by their might or power and that it has been given to them as a test from Allaah.

Allaah also says: "Indeed, He does not like the arrogant." Qur'an 16:23

Of we examine the statement above we will realize that it begins with an emphatic word "Indeed". Brothers and Sisters, Allaah does like us being arrogant and boastful of the wealth he has tested us with.

We all are guilty of this evil and demonic attitude of wanting to impress others with the wealth that has been given to us as a trust by Allaah. Our wealth is not ours but a trust, how then does it fit in to be proud and arrogant over what we have been made trustees....

"Believe in Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees. And such of you as believe and spend (in Allah's Way), theirs will be a great reward." Qur'an 57:7

There is no gain in vanity.

Social media has turned us to puppets and slaves to materialism. A Muslim is a humble person.

For wearing clothes, the Prophet (SAW) taught us to say this: "all praise belongs to Allaah, the one who clothed me with this (cloth) and gave it to me without any power and ability from me." Don't boast of things you acquired not by your power nor ability. Praise Allaah instead!

Hence, if we are repeatedly asked to remind ourselves that even the clothes we wear are not by our power and ability what more of things like cars and houses. We must be humble or Allaah will disgrace us as He disgraced Qaroon.

This is how to deal with wealth

"But seek, with that (wealth) which Allaah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of legal enjoyment in this world, and do good as Allaah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land." Qur'an 28:77

Just like many of us today, Allaah says of Qaroon, "He said, "I was only given it because of knowledge I have." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in accumulation [of wealth]? Qur'an 28:78

Many wished they had the cars others displayed. Allaah says:
"So he went forth before his people in his pomp. Those who were desirous of the life of the world, said: "Ah, would that we had the like of what Qarun has been given? Verily! He is the owner of a great fortune."Q28:79

The reaction of the people of knowledge

"But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: "Woe to you! The Reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe & do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are patient." Qur'an 28:80

What is the end of those tested with wealth and are arrogant and boastful?

"So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place. Then he had no group or party to help him against Allaah, nor was he one of those who could save themselves." Qur'an 28:81

What was the reaction of those who wished they had the wealth Qaroon displayed?

"And those who had desired his position the day before, began to say: "Know you not that it is Allah Who enlarges the provision or restricts it to whomsoever He pleases of His slaves. Had it not been that Allah was Gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us up."

If today we are arrogant and boastful of the wealth that Allaah has enlarged for us, we should also remember that He also can restrict that wealth tomorrow. Safety lies in being humble. Vanity is not from the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW

I end on this note

"That home of the Hereafter (i.e. Paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqun (pious)." Qur'an 28:83