143 – Twenty-third: ʿAdī ibn Ḥātim (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet ﷺ say, “Guard yourselves from the Fire, even if only with half a date.” (1) Agreed upon.

In another wording recorded by both of them, he said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared, “Each one of you will speak to his Lord, with no interpreter between them. He will look to his right (2) and see nothing but what he has sent ahead; he will look to his left and see nothing but what he has sent ahead; he will look before him and will see only the Fire confronting him (3). So guard yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date; and whoever cannot find that, then with a kind word.”

144 – Twenty-fourth: Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah is indeed pleased with a servant who, when he eats a morsel of food, praises Him for it, or when he drinks a draught, praises Him for it.” Related by Muslim.

Al-aklah, with a fatḥah on the hamzah, refers to a single meal—whether breakfast or supper.

145 – Twenty-fifth: Abū Mūsā (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Charity is required from every Muslim.” He was asked, “What if he finds nothing to give?” He replied, “Let him work with his hands, benefit himself, and then give in charity.” He was asked, “What if he cannot?” He said, “Then let him help a person in desperate need.” He was asked, “What if he cannot?” He said, “Then let him enjoin what is right.” He was asked, “What if he does not do that?” He said, “Then let him refrain from evil, for that is charity.” Agreed upon.

Chapter 14: Moderation in Acts of Obedience

Allah the Exalted says: “Ta Ha. We have not sent down the Quran to you that you might be distressed” (Ta Ha 20:1), and He says: “Allah intends ease for you and does not intend hardship for you” (Al-Baqarah 2:185).