Chapter
Disapproval of praising a person to his face when it may lead to vanity or other harm, and its permissibility when no such danger is feared.

1788 – Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) heard a man commending another and lavishing praise upon him. He said, “You have ruined him—or smashed the man’s back!” Agreed upon.

Excessive praise (iṭrāʾ) means going to extremes in lauding someone.

1789 – Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man was mentioned in the Prophet’s presence and another spoke well of him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Woe to you! You have cut your companion’s neck,” repeating it several times. Then he added, “If one of you must praise, let him say: ‘I think he is such-and-such, if he truly believes that about him; Allah is his Reckoner, and I do not declare anyone pure before Allah.’” Agreed upon.

1790 – Hammām b. al-Hārith narrated that al-Miqdād (may Allah be pleased with him) once saw a man praising ʿUthmān (may Allah be pleased with him). Al-Miqdād knelt on his knees and began throwing small stones in the man’s face. ʿUthmān asked, “What is the matter with you?” He replied, “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘When you see those who shower praise, fling dust in their faces.’” Muslim collected it.