Purity is half of faith, al-hamdulillāh (praise be to Allah) fills the Scale, and subhān Allah wa al-hamdulillāh (glory and praise be to Allah) fills what is between the heavens and the earth

Purity is half of faith, al-hamdulillāh (praise be to Allah) fills the Scale, and subhān Allah wa al-hamdulillāh (glory and praise be to Allah) fills what is between the heavens and the earth

Abu Mālik al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Purity is half of faith, al-hamdulillāh (praise be to Allah) fills the Scale, and subhān Allah wa al-hamdulillāh (glory and praise be to Allah) fills what is between the heavens and the earth. Prayer is light, charity is proof, patience is radiance, and the Qur’an is an argument either for you or against you. Every person goes out in the morning and sells his soul; he either saves it from doom or throws it into destruction."

[Sahih/Authentic.] [Muslim]

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that outward purification is attained by ablution and washing up, and it is required for prayer. And saying "al-hamdulillāh" fills the Scale. This is to praise Allah and ascribe the attributes of perfection to Him. This will be weighed on the Day of Judgment and fill the Scale of deeds. Saying "subhān Allah wa al-hamdulillāh" - which exalts Allah far above all deficiencies and ascribes to Him the complete perfection that befits His majesty, along with loving and extolling Him - fills what is between the heavens and the earth. "Prayer is light" for a person within his heart, on his face, in his grave, and on the Day of Judgment. "Charity is proof" and evidence for the sincerity of a believer's faith and it sets him apart from the hypocrite, who refrains from giving charity because he does not believe in the reward promised in return for it. "Patience is radiance," by refraining from exasperation and indignation, is radiance, which is light that comes with heat and burning, like the light of the sun. This is because patience is difficult and requires self-struggle and restraining oneself from one's desires. So, a patient person continues to have light and adhere to guidance and the right path. Patience is shown in observing Allah's commands, avoiding His prohibitions, and enduring afflictions and different forms of hardships in this world. And "the Qur’an is proof either for you," by reciting and acting upon it, or "against you," for abandoning it, without application or recitation. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that all people work and go about, and they get up from their sleep and go out for their different activities. Some of them hold onto obedience to Allah and thus save themselves from Hellfire. And some others deviate from that and commit sins, which ruin them by leading them to Hellfire.

Benefits

Purity is of two kinds: outward purity, which is attained by ablution and washing up, and inward purity, which is attained by Tawhīd (monotheism), faith, and righteous deeds.

It points out the significance of observing the prayer, as it is light for people in this world and on the Day of Judgment.

Charity is evidence of the sincerity of faith.

It is important for a person to act upon the Qur’an and believe in it, so that it will be proof for him, not against him.

If a person does not preoccupy himself with worship, he will preoccupy it with sin.

Everyone must work, and one either saves his soul with obedience to Allah or destroys it with sins.

Patience needs endurance and the pursuit of Allah's reward, and it involves hardship.

Categories

Branches of Faith, Branches of Faith, Benefits of Remembering Allah, Benefits of Remembering Allah, Purification of Souls, Purification of Souls, Excellence of Ablution, Excellence of Ablution, Virtue of Prayer, Virtue of Prayer