What is the authenticity of the hadith: “The thing I fear most for my ummah (the Muslim community) is hawa (following one’s desires)”?
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Question:
The listener, 'Imad from Aleppo, the Syrian Arab Republic, sent a question asking for an explanation of the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): “The thing I fear most for my ummah (the Muslim community) is hawa (following one’s desires) and long hope.”
Answer:
I do not know its authenticity, but it is something to be feared for the Muslim: the fear of following hawa (following one’s desires) and long hope. This is what is feared for the Muslim. If a person is overcome by his hawa (following one’s desires), it leads him into prohibitions and sins. Allah the Exalted said: [Surah Sad: 26], and He the Exalted said: [Surah al-Qasas: 50].
Likewise, long hope emboldens him to commit sins. He says, “I will repent later,” prolonging his hope, and he becomes bold in committing sins, hoping that he will live a long time—in his opinion—until he repents. But his term may come upon him suddenly, and repentance may be cut off from him. There is no power and no strength except with Allah.
Therefore, it is recommended (mustahabb) for the believer to have short hope and to be cautious. Yes, Allah is the One to be sought for help.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
The listener, 'Imad from Aleppo, the Syrian Arab Republic, sent a question asking for an explanation of the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): “The thing I fear most for my ummah (the Muslim community) is hawa (following one’s desires) and long hope.”
Answer:
I do not know its authenticity, but it is something to be feared for the Muslim: the fear of following hawa (following one’s desires) and long hope. This is what is feared for the Muslim. If a person is overcome by his hawa (following one’s desires), it leads him into prohibitions and sins. Allah the Exalted said:
do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah
وَلا تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوَى فَيُضِلَّكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِBut if they do not respond to you - then know that they only follow their [own] desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah
فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا لَكََ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يَتَّبِعُونَ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنِ اتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ بِغَيْرِ هُدًى مِنَ اللَّهِLikewise, long hope emboldens him to commit sins. He says, “I will repent later,” prolonging his hope, and he becomes bold in committing sins, hoping that he will live a long time—in his opinion—until he repents. But his term may come upon him suddenly, and repentance may be cut off from him. There is no power and no strength except with Allah.
Therefore, it is recommended (mustahabb) for the believer to have short hope and to be cautious. Yes, Allah is the One to be sought for help.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.