Sunan Abi Dawud
Sunan Abi Dawud 4089
My father told me that he was a companion of Abu Darda'. There was in Damascus a man from the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ), called Ibn al-Hanzaliyyah. He was a recluse and rarely met the people. He remained engaged in prayer. When he was not praying he was occupied in glorifying Allah and exalting Him until he went to his family. Once he passed us when we were with AbudDarda'.
AbudDarda' said to him: Tell us a word which benefits us and does not harm you.
He said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent out a contingent and it came back. One of the men came and sat in the place where the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to sit, and he said to a man beside him: Would that you saw us when we met the enemy and so-and-so attacked and cut through a lance.
He said: Take it from me and I am a boy of the tribe Ghifar. What do you think about his statement?
He replied: I think his reward was lost. Another man heard it and said: I do not think that there is any harm in it. They quarrelled until the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard it, and he said: Glory be to Allah! There is no harm if he is rewarded and praised. I saw that AbudDarda' was pleased with it and began to raise his hand to him and say: Did you hear it from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)?
He said: Yes. He continued to repeat it to him so often that I thought he was going to kneel down. He said: On another day he again passed us.
AbudDarda' said to him: (Tell us) a word which benefits us and does not harm you.
He said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to us: One who spends on (the maintenance of) horses (for jihad) is like the one who spreads his hand to give alms (sadaqah) and does not withhold it. He then passed us on another day.
AbudDarda' said to him: (Tell us) a word which benefits us and does no harm to you.
He said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Khuraym al-Asadi would be a fine man were it not for the length of his hair, which reaches the shoulders, and the way he lets his lower garment hang down. When Khuraym heard that, he hurriedly, took a knife, cut his hair in line with his ears and raised his lower garment half way up his legs. He then passed us on another day.
AbudDarda' said to him: (tell us) a word which benefits us and does not harm you.
He said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: You are coming to your brethren; so tidy your mounts and tidy your dress, until you are like a mole among the people. Allah does not like obscene words or deeds, or do intentional committing of obscenity.
Abu Dawud said: Similarly, Abu Nu'aim narrated from Hisham. He said: Until you will be like a mole among the people.
Overview & Central Theme
This hadith, transmitted by Abu Darda' (may Allah be pleased with him) in the chapter of Clothing (Kitab Al-Libas), encapsulates a profound prophetic paradigm where outward appearance and inward spirituality are harmonized. The central theme is the Islamic ethic of moderation, neatness, and dignified presentation, especially in social contexts, coupled with the rejection of extremism in asceticism. The narrative, revolving around Ibn al-Hanzaliyyah—a recluse devoted to prayer—highlights that true devotion does not negate the responsibility of maintaining a presentable and respectable appearance. The Prophet ﷺ corrects both the overzealous ascetic who neglects grooming and the one who sees no harm in sloppiness, establishing a balanced path (wasatiyyah) where one is "like a mole among the people"—distinct yet not ostentatious, clean yet not extravagant. This teaching underscores that Allah loves beauty and dislikes obscenity, both in speech and in one's public demeanor.
Context & Linguistic Insights
The hadith unfolds in Damascus, where Abu Darda' (a companion known for his wisdom) repeatedly encounters Ibn al-Hanzaliyyah, a man of seclusion and constant prayer. The phrase "Tell us a word which benefits us and does not harm you" reflects Abu Darda's eagerness to extract prophetic wisdom from a companion who rarely mixed with people. The first anecdote involves a soldier boasting of his bravery, leading to a dispute over whether his reward was lost due to pride—a lesson on sincerity (ikhlas) in deeds. The second narration extols spending on horses for jihad as akin to continuous charity, emphasizing material sacrifice in Allah's path. The third and most pertinent to clothing is the Prophet's critique of Khuraym al-Asadi's long hair and trailing lower garment (isbal), which he immediately corrected—demonstrating swift obedience. Linguistically, "al-wafrah" (hair reaching the shoulders) and "isbal" (letting the garment hang below the ankles) are key terms; the latter is explicitly prohibited for men due to arrogance. The final instruction, "tidy your mounts and tidy your dress, until you are like a mole among the people," uses the simile of a mole (khal) on the skin—a small, distinct, and attractive mark—signifying that a believer should be noticeable for cleanliness and neatness, not for extravagance or neglect. The phrase "Allah does not like obscene words or deeds, or intentional committing of obscenity" (al-fahsh wa al-tafahhush) links outward appearance with moral character, as both reflect the inner state of the servant.
Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits
Daily Life & Spiritual Application
In our daily lives, this hadith calls us to a holistic excellence (ihsan) that marries the inner and outer dimensions of faith. When preparing for gatherings—whether at the mosque, workplace, or family visits—we should ensure our clothes are clean, our hair is tidy, and our overall appearance is dignified, avoiding both negligence and vanity. This is not mere superficiality but an act of worship, as it honors the blessings of Allah and respects the community. For men, this includes trimming hair, keeping beards neat, and avoiding garments that trail below the ankles—not as a mere legal formality, but as a symbol of humility and obedience. For women, it manifests in modest, elegant dress that reflects dignity. Moreover, the hadith warns against obscene speech and behavior, urging us to purify our tongues and actions, as they are inseparable from our outward presentation. Let us also reflect on the soldier's story: we must check our intentions (niyyah) in every deed, seeking Allah's reward alone, not praise. Finally, the example of Khuraim al-Asadi—who immediately implemented the Prophet's advice—teaches us to respond to divine guidance with swift, unhesitating action, transforming our appearance and conduct to align with the prophetic model, thus becoming "like a mole among the people"—distinct in virtue, radiant in modesty, and beloved for our character.