Among the further benefits derived from this ḥadīth are the following:

• It confirms Allah’s bounty and the fact that He answers the supplication of His ally, for He says: “If he asks of Me, I give to him; and if he seeks My protection, I surely grant him refuge.”

The compiler placed this narration in the chapter on striving against the soul, because the self must be disciplined—first to establish the obligations and then to perform the recommended acts. We ask Allah to aid us in remembering Him, thanking Him, and worshipping Him in the best manner.

97 – Third ḥadīth: Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them both) related that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Two blessings about which many people are cheated are health and free time.” Reported by al-Bukhārī.

[Explanation]

The author—may Allah have mercy on him—cited the narration from Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them): the Prophet ﷺ said, “Two blessings about which many people are cheated are health and free time.” That is, with respect to these two favors many people incur a loss—they are out-traded, so to speak. The two are health and leisure. When a person enjoys good health he is able to do what Allah has commanded and to abstain from what Allah has forbidden, for his body is sound, his chest is open, and his heart is at ease. Likewise, when he possesses free time—because he has a shelter and sufficient provision—he is unencumbered.