a Muslim and a disbeliever whom he killed, provided that the Muslim thereafter acts uprightly and strives to do what is right. Nor will dust in Allah’s cause and the scorching heat of Hell come together within a believer, nor faith and envy in a servant’s heart.”

Al-Nasā’ī also narrated it through Jarīr, from Suhayl, from Safwān ibn Abī Yazīd, from al-Qa‘qā‘ ibn al-Lajlāj (*), from Abū Hurayrah, who reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Dust in Allah’s cause and the smoke of Hell will never come together within a servant, nor will avarice and faith ever come together in a servant’s heart.” . . . (1)

Consider how he mentioned avarice in the well-known narrations and envy in the other—the former wording being more comprehensive—and how he linked generosity and courage in the hadith. Likewise, he said in another hadith:

“The worst qualities in a person are avarice that torments him and cowardice that robs him of his nerve.”

Thus, he praised courage in Allah’s cause and condemned avarice. Similar to this is his saying:

“There is a kind of proud bearing that Allah loves: a man’s proud bearing in battle and when giving charity.”

The point intended by citing the hadith is His statement:

“And whoever is protected from the avarice of his own soul—it is they who are successful.”

He thus confines success to those protected from the avarice of their own souls. The avaricious person is one who does not like doing good, harms himself, and resents the blessings bestowed on others.