The Hadith of Seeking Refuge from the Fire

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned the (Hell) Fire and sought refuge (with Allah) from it, and turned his face to the other side. He mentioned the (Hell) Fire again and took refuge (with Allah) from it and turned his face to the other side. (Shu`ba, the sub-narrator, said, "I have no doubt that the Prophet (ﷺ) repeated it twice.") The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, "(O people!) Save yourselves from the (Hell) Fire even if with one half of a date fruit (given in charity), and if this is not available, then (save yourselves) by saying a good pleasant friendly word." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6023)

Scholarly Commentary on the Prophet's Actions

The Prophet's repeated seeking of refuge from the Fire demonstrates the immense gravity of this matter. His physical turning away signifies the natural human aversion to such punishment and teaches us to cultivate a genuine fear of Allah's wrath. This repetition emphasizes the seriousness with which believers should regard the Hereafter.

The scholars explain that seeking refuge (isti'adha) in this context means asking Allah for protection and safety from the punishment of Hellfire. The Prophet's manner of teaching here combines both verbal supplication and physical demonstration, making the lesson more impactful and memorable for his companions.

The Means of Salvation from the Fire

The half date charity represents the minimum act of goodness that can benefit a believer. Scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that this teaches us no good deed is too small to be offered, and that salvation can be attained through consistent small acts of worship and charity.

The "good pleasant friendly word" refers to any speech that brings benefit, comfort, or kindness to others. This includes greetings of peace, gentle advice, words of encouragement, and avoiding harmful speech. Imam al-Nawawi comments that this demonstrates the immense value of kind speech in Islamic teachings.

Practical Implications for Believers

This hadith teaches that salvation requires active effort. The scholars emphasize that faith must be accompanied by righteous deeds, no matter how small they may seem. The progression from charity to kind words shows that everyone has the capacity to work toward salvation.

The teaching also highlights the accessibility of Islam's path to salvation. Even those with limited means can participate through simple acts of charity or kind speech. This reflects the mercy and practicality of Islamic teachings, making spiritual advancement possible for all believers regardless of their circumstances.