- It is also found in Sahih al-Adab al-Mufrad, no. (773/986), which has recently been published, and in Sahih Zawa'id Ibn Hibban (…/1931), which is currently in print. Similar in meaning are the hadiths commanding the spreading of the greeting of peace; some of them have preceded under nos. (184, 569, and 1493).
The other benefit is derived from the Companions’ regular observance of it: namely, reciting Surat al-Asr. For we believe that they were the furthest of people from introducing into the religion an act of worship through which they would draw near to Allah, unless it had been prescribed by the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, through his words, actions, or tacit approval. And why should this not be so, when Allah praised them in the finest terms, saying:
“The foremost—the first of the Emigrants and the Helpers—and those who followed them in excellence: Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. That is the supreme triumph.” (1)
Ibn Mas'ud and al-Hasan al-Basri said: “Whoever among you wishes to follow an example, let him follow the Companions of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. They had the most virtuous hearts of this ummah, the deepest knowledge, the least affectation, the soundest guidance, and the finest condition. They were a people whom Allah chose for the companionship of His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and for establishing His religion. So acknowledge their virtue and follow in their footsteps, for they were upon the straight guidance.” (2)
2649 — “Whenever we saw a man cursing his brother, we considered him to have entered one of the gates of grave sins.”
Recorded by al-Tabarani in al-Awsat (3/276/1—Majma al-Bahrayn): He narrated to us: