a slave to the whims of his own desires, with no connection to his Lord that might deliver him from the predicament he has brought upon himself. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—then portrayed the true servant of Allah: earnest in seeking His pleasure, distant from what angers Him, patiently bearing the strain and exhaustion of toil. He has no leisure for luxury or the pursuit of delights, nor does he flaunt himself before people so that they might recognize him and grant him prestige, for he seeks neither worldly gain nor social standing by his deeds. Instead, he seeks the Countenance of Allah and the Abode of the Hereafter. His reward, therefore, is Paradise—or at least a tree within it.

Relevance of this hadith to the present chapter: it condemns working for worldly ends while praising work undertaken for the Hereafter.

Lessons derived from the hadith:
1- Censuring deeds done for worldly aims and commending deeds done for the Hereafter.
2- The virtue of humility.
3- The merit of striving in Allah’s path.
4- Rebuke of luxury and indulgence, and praise for ruggedness, manliness, and strength, for such qualities assist a person in striving in the path of Allah.