Abu Bakr once said that he heard the Messenger of God asking, “If there were a river at his doorstep and one took bath in it five times a day, could there remain any dirt on his body?” His companions said that no dirt would remain in his body. He then said that it was like the five prayers by which God destroys one’s sins completely. (Muslim, 1971, Hadith No. 1410, p.325) Once the Prophet quoted, “Faith is naked, its dress is piety, its adornment is modesty and its fruit is knowledge.” He advised people to avoid envy as envy devoured good deeds as fire devoured fuel. He indicated that every believer was like a mirror image of his fellow believer and hence should strive to help him in distress.
On another occasion the Prophet said, “The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rainwater and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah’s religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge), which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophet) and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah’s guidance that is revealed through me (He is like that barren land.)” (Bukhari, 1971, Vol.1, Hadith No.79, p.67)
An-Nu’man bin Bashir reported that the Prophet once told the story of a person who set out on a journey with a provision of food and drink on the back of his camel. On the way, in the desert he felt like sleeping. So he got down under the shade of a tree and slept. But his camel ran away. After sometime he got up to find that his camel was missing. He climbed a nearby mound and searched in vain. Then he claimed a second one but could not find it. Then he tried to find the camel by climbing a third mound. Finally in utter disgust, frustration and tiredness he returned to the original place where he slept. As he was sitting there he saw his camel coming towards him. How happy the person would be, who lost and found his camel in spite of his great difficulties. Then the Prophet said that God would be more pleased and happier to find his slave coming back to him in repentance. (Muslim, 1971, Hadith No.6616, p.1434)
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