Prophetic Principles for Life

Honour the rights your body and family have over you

Reported by Muslim

Abdullah ibn Amr once fasted every single day and recited the whole Qur'an every night. When the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, heard about it, he sent for him and told him this was too much. He said that Abdullah's wife had a right over him, his guests had a right over him, and his own body had a right over him too.

The Prophet suggested a lighter pattern instead: fasting every other day, and finishing the Qur'an across a week rather than compressing it into a single night. Years later, once he had grown old and weak, Abdullah admitted he wished he had accepted that easier path from the start.

There is a time for everything

Reported by Muslim

Hanzalah once told Abu Bakr that he felt like a hypocrite, because his heart felt fully alive to Paradise and the Fire whenever he sat with the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, yet that feeling faded once he went home to his family and his work. Abu Bakr admitted he felt exactly the same way.

When they brought this worry to the Prophet, he reassured them. He said that if believers stayed at that same peak state at all times, angels would greet them everywhere they went, but our hearts naturally rise and fall. Three times, he repeated the same short answer: there is a time for everything, meaning that a time should be given to worldly matters and a time should be given to worship.

Live in this world like a traveller passing through

Reported by al-Bukhari

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, once held Ibn Umar by the shoulder and told him to live in this world like a stranger, or like someone simply passing through on a journey, without settling in and growing attached to it as though it will last forever.

Ibn Umar took this to heart. He would say that when evening comes, do not assume you will live to see morning, and when morning comes, do not assume you will live to see evening. Make use of your health before sickness comes, and make use of your life before death comes.

True intelligence is self-discipline and accountability

Reported by al-Tirmidhi

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, described the truly intelligent person as one who honestly examines himself, holds himself accountable, and works toward what will benefit him after death.

He described the unwise person very differently: someone who simply follows his own desires and impulses wherever they lead, while still expecting good outcomes and forgiveness from Allah without putting in any real effort.

Consult your own heart and conscience

Reported by Ahmad

A companion named Wabisah came to ask the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, about the difference between righteousness and sin. The Prophet told him to ask his own heart and consult his own conscience.

He explained that righteousness is whatever leaves the soul feeling settled and at peace, while sin is whatever stirs unease and hesitation in the chest, even if other people keep telling you it is fine.

You become like the company you keep

Reported by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and Ahmad

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that a person tends to follow the religion, habits, and outlook of whoever he keeps as a close friend. Because of this, he told us to be thoughtful and careful about who we choose to be close to.

Good character is a sign of prophethood

Reported by al-Tirmidhi

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that good manners, a calm and settled temperament, and moderation together make up one small share, one part in twenty-four, of what the prophets themselves carried. Simple, steady good character is treated here as something genuinely close to prophetic character, not a minor detail.

Guard your tongue and your desires

Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Majah

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, asked his companions what most often leads people into the Fire. When they said Allah and His messenger know best, he answered: the tongue and the private parts, meaning careless speech and unlawful desire.

He then said that what most often leads people into Paradise is taqwa, meaning awareness and mindfulness of Allah, and good character. Two small, easily overlooked habits, in other words, decide a great deal.

True success is faith and contentment

Reported by Muslim

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, described the successful person as someone who has embraced Islam, has been given enough provision to live on, and has been granted contentment by Allah with what he has. Success here is measured by faith and peace of mind, not by how much a person accumulates.

Guard your tongue, stay home, and weep over your sins

Reported by al-Tirmidhi

A companion named Uqbah ibn Amir once asked the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, what leads to salvation. The Prophet gave him three instructions: control your tongue, keep to your home rather than wandering without purpose, and weep over your own sins.

Ease someone else's hardship

Reported by Muslim

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that whoever relieves a believer of one of the hardships of this life, Allah will relieve one of his hardships on the Day of Judgment.

He added that whoever makes things easier for someone struggling, Allah will make things easier for him in this life and the next, and whoever covers up someone's faults, Allah will cover his faults too. Allah keeps helping a person for as long as that person keeps helping others.

Want for others what you want for yourself

Reported by Muslim

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught that a person's faith is not complete until he wants for his brother (or he said: for his neighbour) the very same good he wants for himself. It is a threshold, not a bonus: genuine faith is only reached when the good of the people around us sincerely matters to us the way our own does.

Show mercy to receive mercy

Reported by al-Bukhari

Jarir ibn Abdullah reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, tied our own compassion directly to Allah's mercy: the one who shows no mercy to people is himself denied Allah's mercy. It is stated as a fact, not a warning of a mere possibility.

Believers are like one body

Reported by al-Bukhari

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that believers, in their mercy, love, and compassion for one another, resemble a single body. When one part of the body is in pain, the whole body responds together, unable to sleep and running a fever.

Do not celebrate someone else's misfortune

Reported by al-Tirmidhi

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, warned against openly showing pleasure at a fellow believer's misfortune. He said that Allah may respond by showing that person mercy and relieving him, while testing you with a similar hardship in his place.

Show mercy to the young, honour the old

Reported by al-Tirmidhi

Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that whoever does not show mercy to our young, respect our elders, and encourage what is right while discouraging what is wrong, is not acting as one of us should.

A believer reflects and protects another believer

Reported by Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, described a believer as a mirror for his brother, and each believer as a brother to the other, guarding his interests and standing up for him even when he is not present.

In a separate report, the Prophet said that when you notice something harmful in your brother, like a flaw a mirror reflects back, you should point it out and help him address it, rather than staying silent.

The best of us are safe to be around

Reported by al-Tirmidhi

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, once asked a group of companions if he should tell them who among them is best and who is worst. He explained that the best person is the one whose good is expected and whose harm people do not need to fear, while the worst is the opposite: someone whose good is not expected and whose harm people do need to fear.

Faith shows in how we treat neighbours and guests

Reported by Muslim

Abu Shurayh reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should be good to his neighbour, should be generous and welcoming to guests, and should either say something good or stay silent. Each of these is presented as a direct sign of real faith.

No one is superior because of skin colour

Reported by Ahmad

Abu Dharr reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, told him plainly that he is not better than anyone of any skin colour, lighter or darker, except through taqwa, meaning genuine mindfulness of and devotion to Allah. Worth in Islam is measured by character and devotion, not by race or colour.

This world only has weight through remembering Allah

Reported by al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that this present, temporary life, the dunya, is, on its own, cut off from Allah's mercy, along with everything in it, except for the remembrance of Allah, whatever pleases Him, and those who teach or seek sacred knowledge.

Safety, health, and daily bread are true wealth

Reported by al-Tirmidhi

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that whoever wakes up feeling safe where he lives, healthy in his body, and with enough food for that day, is, in effect, as wealthy as someone who owns everything the world contains.

A grateful heart is the best of both worlds

Reported by al-Tabarani

Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that whoever is given four things has been given the best of this life and the next: a heart that is grateful, a tongue occupied with remembering Allah, a body that stays patient through hardship, and a spouse who stays faithful and trustworthy with both herself and the household's wealth.

Provision comes through the people around us

Reported by al-Tirmidhi, al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud, al-Nasa'i, and Ahmad (multiple narrations)

Anas ibn Malik reported that two brothers lived at the time of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him: one worked to support the household, the other spent his time in the Prophet's company. When the working brother complained about him, the Prophet told him that he was perhaps being provided for and supported because of his brother, not despite him.

On another occasion, a companion named Sa'd began to feel he was better than people of lower status than him. The Prophet told him plainly that believers are helped and given provision only through the weak and humble people among them, so we should seek closeness to such people rather than distance from them.

Only what you use or give away is truly yours

Reported by Muslim

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that a person calls something my wealth, my wealth, but really only three parts of it are his: what he eats and uses up, what he wears until it wears out, and what he gives in charity, which he keeps for himself as a lasting reward. Everything beyond that is simply left behind for other people.

Eat in moderation, do not overfill yourself

Reported by Ibn Majah

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that no one fills a container worse than his own stomach, and that a few bites are enough to keep a person's back straight and steady. If someone must eat more than that, he should still reserve about a third of his stomach for food, a third for drink, and a third for breathing space.

Do right because it is right, not because others do

Reported by al-Tirmidhi

Hudhayfah reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, told his companions not to be blind followers who simply mirror whatever people around them do, going along with good when others do good and going along with wrong when others do wrong.

Instead, he said we should train ourselves to join in when people do good, but to never join in when people do wrong, no matter how many others are doing it.

Stop wrongdoing before it sinks everyone

Reported by al-Bukhari

Numan ibn Bashir reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, compared people who keep within Allah's limits, and people who cross them, to passengers on a ship, some on the upper deck and some on the lower deck.

Those on the lower deck, wanting water, considered drilling a hole in their own section so they would not have to bother the people above them. If the people above simply let them do it, everyone drowns together, but if they step in and stop them, everyone is saved together.

Four qualities that make up for any worldly loss

Reported by Ahmad

Abdullah ibn Amr reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that if a person has four qualities, honesty in speech, keeping the trusts placed in him, good character, and moderation in how he eats and earns, then it does not matter what else in this life passes him by.

This life is a fast train toward the Hereafter

Reported by al-Bukhari

Ali ibn Abi Talib said that this worldly life is rapidly pulling away from us while the akhirah, our eternal life after death, is rapidly drawing closer. Every place has its own people, so he urged believers to belong to the people of the akhirah rather than the people of this passing world.

He added that today is the time for action, with no reckoning yet, while tomorrow will bring the reckoning, with no more chance left to act.

Never stop hoping for Allah's forgiveness

Reported by al-Tirmidhi

Anas reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, related that Allah says: as long as a person calls on Him and hopes in Him, Allah keeps forgiving him, no matter how many sins he has piled up, and it does not trouble Allah at all. Even if a person's sins were to reach the sky and he then asked forgiveness, Allah would forgive him.

Allah also says that even if someone came to Him with sins that filled the whole earth, but met Him without ascribing any partner to Him, Allah would meet him with forgiveness that fills the earth in return.

Allah is as close as you turn toward Him

Reported by Muslim

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, related that Allah says He is exactly as His servant expects Him to be, and that He is present with a person the moment that person remembers Him. Remembering Allah quietly within yourself brings His remembrance of you in return, and remembering Him among others brings His remembrance of you among a far better gathering.

Allah also says that the more a person takes even a small step toward Him, the more He moves toward that person in return, and faster still.

Let go of this world to gain Allah's love

Reported by Ibn Majah (and other collections, with sound chains)

A man once asked the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, for one action that would make Allah and other people love him. The Prophet told him to practise zuhd, meaning deliberate detachment from this world, so Allah would love him, and to let go of craving what other people possess, so people themselves would come to love him too.

Allah is too generous to send you away empty

Reported by al-Tirmidhi

Salman al-Farisi reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said Allah is so kind and generous that He is shy to let a servant raise his hands to Him in dua, meaning a personal request or prayer, and then send him away with nothing.

Abu Hurayrah added that the Prophet said Allah becomes displeased with the person who never asks Him for anything at all. Asking Allah for what we need is treated here as exactly what He wants from us, not as a weakness.

Draw closer to Allah through what He loves

Reported by al-Bukhari

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, related that Allah warns He will oppose anyone who shows hostility toward someone He loves. He said the most beloved way a servant can draw near to Him is by doing what He has made obligatory, and that a servant keeps drawing even closer through nawafil, meaning extra, voluntary acts of worship, until Allah loves him.

Once Allah loves that servant, his hearing, his sight, his hands, and his feet all become guided by that closeness, and Allah answers what he asks for and protects him when he seeks refuge.

The last third of the night is a special time

Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim (agreed upon)

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that every night, in the last third of the night, Allah draws near to the lowest heaven and asks: who is calling on Me so that I may answer, who is asking Me so that I may give, and who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive.

Allah's patience with us is greater than we realise

Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim (agreed upon)

Abu Musa al-Ash'ari reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said no one is more patient with the insults he hears than Allah is. People even attribute a son to Him, yet He still continues to grant them good health and provide for them.

Worship Allah alone, without mixing in anything else

Reported by Muslim

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, related that Allah says He has no need for any partner in worship. If someone performs a deed while mixing shirk into it, meaning associating anything else alongside Allah in that deed, Allah leaves that entire deed to whatever else was associated with it, and does not accept it for Himself.

Trust Allah the way a bird trusts the morning

Reported by al-Tirmidhi

Umar reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, pointed to how birds live: they set out each morning with empty stomachs and come home each evening having eaten their fill. He said that Allah provides for us in exactly this way, if we place complete, active trust in Him, a state called tawakkul, relying on Him while still doing our own part.

Loving to meet Allah is loved in return

Reported by Muslim

Ubadah ibn al-Samit reported that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him, and whoever dislikes meeting Allah, Allah dislikes meeting him.