Responsibilities of the one who stands on the road

Hadith Lesson of the Week

Narrator:

Abû Sa’id Al-Khudrî Radhiallahu anhu

Collection:

Bukharî & Muslim

Commentary By:

Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf

Narrated Abû Sa’id Al-Khudrî Allâh's Messenger Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Beware! Avoid sitting on the roads(ways).” The people said: “There is no way out of it as these are our sitting places where we have talks.” Allâh’s Messenger Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said, “If you have to sit there, then observe the rights of the way.” They asked, “What are the rights of the way?” He said, “They are the lowering of your gazes (on seeing what is illegal to look at), refraining from harming people (removal of obstruction), returning greetings, enjoining good and forbidding evil.” (Al-Bukharî and Muslim)

Lesson from the Hadîth:

1.
This Hadîth tells us that it is unfair to sit on roads and passages in such a style which causes inconvenience to men and women who pass through them. It is really very unfortunate that now we do not care about such things at all.

2. If closing of passages is indispensable at all, then it is essential to fulfil the requirements mentioned in the Hadîth to justify the needful.

3. Some other Islâmic etiquette mentioned in this Hadîth have also been stated in other Ahadîth. For instance, politeness of speech, sharing of someone's burden, helping the oppressed and the troubled, guiding the wayward person to the right path, answering (in the prescribed manner) one who sneezes, etc.

Source:

Riyâdh-us-Saliheen by Al-Imâm Abu Zakariyya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi

http://www.islamsa.org.za