Explanation
All of these narrations fall under the theme of hope, yet true hope must rest upon deeds. Hope that is not supported by action is nothing more than a wish from which the servant gains nothing. For this reason the Prophet ﷺ said, “The intelligent one is he who holds himself to account and works for what comes after death, while the incapable one follows his desires and merely entertains vain hopes about Allah.” Thus, only deeds give reality to hope.

The compiler (may Allah have mercy on him) cited the ḥadith of Muʿādh ibn Jabal. Muʿādh was riding behind the Prophet ﷺ on a donkey when the Prophet asked him, “Do you know what Allah’s right over His servants is, and what the servants’ right over Allah is?” Muʿādh replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.”

From this we learn an important etiquette for the seeker of knowledge: when asked about something, he should say, “Allah knows best,” and refrain from speaking without knowledge.

The Prophet then explained, “Allah’s right over the servants is that they worship Him and associate nothing with Him; the servants’ right over Allah is that He will not punish anyone who does not associate anything with Him.” In other words, He will not punish the one who worships Him without committing shirk, for the negation of shirk implies sincerity and true monotheism (tawḥīd), and sincerity and tawḥīd are realized only through worship.

Muʿādh said, “O Messenger of Allah, should I not convey this good news to the people?” He replied, “Do not inform them, lest they come to rely on it alone.”