Abu Ayyub al-Ansari told him that a bedouin came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, while he was travelling. He asked, "Tell me what will bring me near to the Garden and keep me far from the Fire." He replied, "Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, perform the prayer, pay zakat, and maintain ties of kinship."
Ties of Kinship
From Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 49, this noble hadith transmitted by Abu Ayyub al-Ansari contains profound guidance for every seeker of divine proximity. The Bedouin's question addresses the ultimate purpose of creation - seeking nearness to Paradise and distance from Hellfire.
The Foundation of Tawhid
The Prophet's initial response, "Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him," establishes the foundation of all righteous deeds. Without pure monotheism (tawhid), no act of worship finds acceptance before the Almighty. This echoes Allah's declaration in the Qur'an: "Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills" (4:48).
Pillars of Islam
The instruction to "perform the prayer" and "pay zakat" represents the practical manifestation of faith. Prayer is the pillar of religion, while zakat purifies wealth and nurtures social solidarity. These obligations connect the servant vertically with the Creator and horizontally with creation.
The Weight of Kinship
The command to "maintain ties of kinship" (silat ar-rahim) holds particular significance in this narration. Scholars note that while the first three injunctions concern rights of Allah, maintaining kinship ties addresses human relations rooted in divine wisdom. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains that silat ar-rahim encompasses kindness, visitation, financial support, and avoiding harm to relatives.
Spiritual Consequences
Imam al-Nawawi emphasizes that maintaining kinship ties brings abundant provision and prolonged life, while severing them leads to spiritual poverty and divine displeasure. The Prophet's inclusion of this duty alongside fundamental pillars demonstrates its elevated status in the sacred law.
Comprehensive Guidance
This concise response from the Messenger of Allah provides a complete roadmap to salvation: correct belief manifested through prescribed worship and perfected through noble character. The wisdom of presenting these four elements together shows how Islam integrates creed, ritual, and social ethics into a unified path to divine pleasure.