Continuation of the explanation of the hadith: “There was a man in Damascus from among the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) called Sahl ibn al-Hanaziliyyah”

The Shaykh : As for the hadith mentioned by your brother, it contains lessons in the story of Ibn al-Hanaziliyyah (may Allah be pleased with him), who was a man who loved to be alone. He would do nothing but pray, then glorify Allah, then attend to his family. This means he did not like to waste his life with people in idle talk, gossip, and empty words that have no benefit. He would pray, glorify Allah, and be with his family. One day, he passed by Abu al-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him), who was sitting with his companions, and Abu al-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: “Say a word that will benefit us and not harm you”, meaning: give us a word or tell us a word that will benefit you and not harm you. Ibn al-Hanaziliyyah mentioned that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) sent out a raiding party, and then the raiding party returned. A raiding party means a small army, fewer than four hundred men, who go to fight the disbelievers if they do not submit to Islam. They came to the Prophet (may the prayers and peace of Allah be upon him), and one of them sat in the place where the Messenger (may the prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) used to sit and began to talk about the raiding party and what they had done. He mentioned a man who was an archer, shooting and saying, “Take it, and I am al-Ghulam al-Ghafari,” boasting. There is no harm in a person boasting in war in front of the enemy. For this reason, it is permissible for a person, when facing enemies, to walk with a swagger, to strut in his walk, and to place ostrich feathers on his turban, and the like of what is considered a source of pride, because this angers the enemies. And anything that angers the disbelievers is a source of honor for you with Allah the Exalted and a reward. Even speech that angers the disbeliever and humiliates him is honor for you with Allah the Exalted and a reward. This al-Ghulam al-Ghafari was boasting, saying, “Take it,” meaning take the shot, and I am al-Ghulam al-Ghafari. Some of those present said, “His reward is nullified because he boasted,” and this is correct, for Allah does not love every arrogant boaster, except in war. The other said, “There is no harm in that.” So they began to argue, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came out while they were disputing. He said, “Glory be to Allah,” meaning exalting Allah the Exalted from every defect and shortcoming, for Allah the Exalted is perfect in all His attributes, perfect in every aspect. There is no shortcoming in His knowledge, no shortcoming in His power, no shortcoming in His wisdom, and no shortcoming in His majesty. All His attributes (Exalted and Majestic is He) are perfect in all aspects. He said, “Glory be to Allah,” meaning how can you dispute over this? meaning: Allah combines the good of religion and the world. He is praised as a brave archer, and he is rewarded with Allah the Exalted, and there is no harm in this. And when 'Amir ibn al-Akwa' (may Allah be pleased with him) caught up with the people during the time of the Messenger (may the prayers and peace of Allah be upon him), he used to say: “Take it, and I am Ibn al-Akwa', and today is the day of the suckling”. So there is no harm in a person boasting in a state of war about himself, his strength, his tribe, and the like. And the rest of the words on the hadith will come, if Allah wills.