only what he has sent ahead. Then he will look before him, and the Fire will confront him. Whoever among you can protect himself from the Fire, even with half a date, let him do so. If he has nothing to give, then let him do so with a kind word.”

In the Sunan collections, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Do not belittle any act of kindness, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face, or pouring water from your bucket into the vessel of someone drawing water.”

The Sunan collections also report that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The heaviest thing placed in the Balance is good character.”

It is also related that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to Umm Salamah:

“O Umm Salamah, good character secures the good of this world and the Hereafter.”

Patience encompasses enduring harm, restraining anger, pardoning people, resisting one’s desires, and abandoning arrogant exultation and insolence. As Allah Most High says:

“If We let man taste mercy from Us and then withdraw it from him, he becomes utterly despairing and ungrateful.”

“But if We let him taste prosperity after hardship has touched him, he will surely say, ‘My troubles have gone.’ Indeed, he is exultant and boastful.”

“Except for those who are patient and do righteous deeds: they will have forgiveness and a great reward.”

He said to His Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“Be forgiving, enjoin what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.”

And Allah Most High says:

“Hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous.”

“Those who spend in prosperity and adversity, restrain their anger, and pardon others—and Allah loves those who do good.”

And Allah Most High says:

“Good and evil are not equal. Repel evil with that which