A conversation about life and Hereafter between The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and a Bedouin.
A companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Khalid bin Waleed narrated the following:
One day A Bedouin came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said to him,
“O, Messenger of Allah! I’ve come to ask you a few questions about the affairs of this life and the Hereafter.”
The Prophet responded:
“Ask what you wish!”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like to be the most learned of men.”
The Prophet PBUH answered,
“Fear Allah; you will be the most learned of men.”
The Bedouin said,
“I wish to be the richest man in the world.”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“Be contented, and you will be the richest man in the world.”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like to be the justest man.”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“Desire for others what you desire for yourself, and you will be the most just of men.”
The Bedouin said,
“I want to be the best of men.”
The Prophet Muhammad Answered,
“Do good to others; you will be the best of men.”
The Bedouin said,
“I wish to be the most favored by Allah.”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“Engage much in Allah’s praise, and he will most favor you.”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like to complete my faith.”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“If you have good manners, you will complete your faith.”
The Bedouin said,
“I wish to be among those who do good.”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“Adore Allah as if you see Him. If you don’t see Him, Know that He sees you. In this way, you will be among those who do good.”
The Bedouin said,
“I wish to be obedient to Allah.”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“If you observe Allah’s commands, you will be obedient.”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like to be free from all sins.”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“Bathe yourself from impurity, and you will be free from all sins.”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like to be raised on the Day of Judgment in the light.”
The Prophet PBUH answered,
“Don’t wrong yourself or any other creature; you will be raised in the light on the Day of Judgment.”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like Allah to bestow His mercy on me.”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“If you have mercy on yourself and others, Allah will grant you mercy on the Day of Judgment.”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like my sins to be very few.”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“If you seek the forgiveness of Allah as much as you can, your sins will be very few.”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like to be the most honorable man.”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“If you do not complain to any fellow creature, you will be the most honorable of men.”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like to be the strongest of men.”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“If you trust Allah, you will be the strongest of men.”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like to enlarge my provision.”
The Prophet answered,
“If you keep yourself pure, Allah will enlarge your provision.”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like to be loved by Allah and His messenger.”
The Prophet answered,
“If you love what Allah and His messenger love, you will be among their beloved ones.”
The Bedouin said,
“I wish to be safe from Allah’s wrath on the Day of Judgment.”
The Prophet answered,
“If you do not lose your temper with any of your fellow creatures, you will be safe from the wrath of Allah on the Day of Judgment.“
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like my prayers to be responded to.”
The Prophet answered,
“If you avoid forbidden actions, your prayers will be responded to.”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like Allah not to disgrace me on the Day of Judgment.”
The Prophet answered,
“If you guard your chastity, Allah will not disgrace you on the Day of Judgment.”
The Bedouin said,
“I’d like Allah to provide me with a protective covering on the Day of Judgment.”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“Do not uncover your fellow people’s faults, and Allah will provide you with a covering protection on the Day of Judgment.”
The Bedouin said, “
What will save me from sins?”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“Tears, humility, and illness.”
The Bedouin said,
“What are the best deeds in the eyes of Allah?”
The Prophet PBUH answered,
“Gentle manners, modesty, and patience.“
The Bedouin said,
“What are the worst evils in the eyes of Allah?”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“Hot temper and miserliness.”
The Bedouin said,
“What alleviates the wrath of Allah in this life and the Hereafter?”
The Prophet answered,
“Concealed charity and kindness to relatives.”
The Bedouin said,
“What extinguishes hell’s fires on the Day of Judgment?”
The Prophet Muhammad answered,
“Patience in adversity and misfortunes.”
(Related by Imam IbnHambal)
