What is the meaning of the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), "Paradise is closer to one of you than the strap of his sandal, and the Fire is the same"? What is the lesson in the expression "the strap of the sandal"?
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The questioner : The honorable Shaykh, regarding the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih al-Bukhari 6488 What is the lesson, O Shaykh, in the expression "sandals" or "the strap of the sandal," and why did he not say, for example, "the cloak" or "the outer garment"?
The Shaykh : Yes, it appears, and Allah knows best, that this is a proverb that was common among the Arabs. Listen to the saying of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him):
"We all spend the morning in our homes, and death *** is closer than the strap of his sandal"
And this is something used as a proverb, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) followed this well-known usage among the Arabs.
Paradise is nearer to any of you than the Shirak (leather strap) of his shoe, and so is the (Hell) Fire.
الجنة أقرب إلى أحدكم من شراك نعله والنار كذلكThe Shaykh : Yes, it appears, and Allah knows best, that this is a proverb that was common among the Arabs. Listen to the saying of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him):
"We all spend the morning in our homes, and death *** is closer than the strap of his sandal"
And this is something used as a proverb, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) followed this well-known usage among the Arabs.