Benefits of the Hadith: (Fear the Fire, even if with half a date. Whoever does not find that, then with a good word).
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The Shaykh : And in it is evidence that half a date may save one from the Fire, because when a person gives charity from lawful earnings, even if it is equivalent to a single date, Allah the Mighty and Majestic takes it with His Right Hand and grows it until it becomes like a great mountain, which then stands between him and the Fire. He says in the second part of the hadith, "Whoever does not find that, then with a good word." Is the goodness in the word itself, or in the manner of its delivery? Or in both?
The reader: In both.
The Shaykh : In both. A good word in itself, and good in its delivery. You deliver it with gentleness, softness, a smile, and an open heart. This is also a means of protection from the Fire. And in the hadith is evidence that Allah the Exalted speaks with audible speech and in a comprehensible language, due to His saying, "His Lord will speak to him," with no interpreter between them. Is the speech here real or metaphorical?
The reader: Real.
The Shaykh : Real. They are real. This is what the righteous Salaf and the imams of the Muslims held, that Allah speaks with true speech as He wills. Yes.
The reader: In both.
The Shaykh : In both. A good word in itself, and good in its delivery. You deliver it with gentleness, softness, a smile, and an open heart. This is also a means of protection from the Fire. And in the hadith is evidence that Allah the Exalted speaks with audible speech and in a comprehensible language, due to His saying, "His Lord will speak to him," with no interpreter between them. Is the speech here real or metaphorical?
The reader: Real.
The Shaykh : Real. They are real. This is what the righteous Salaf and the imams of the Muslims held, that Allah speaks with true speech as He wills. Yes.