While I was riding behind the Prophet (ﷺ) as a companion rider and there was nothing between me and him except the back of the saddle, he said, "O Mu`adh!" I replied, "Labbaik O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! And Sa`daik!" He proceeded for a while and then said, "O Mu`adh!" I said, "Labbaik and Sa`daik, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" He then proceeded for another while and said, "O Mu`adh bin Jabal!" I replied, "Labbaik, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and Sa`daik!" He said, "Do you know what is Allah's right on His slaves?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." He said, "Allah's right on his slaves is that they should worship Him and not worship anything besides Him." He then proceeded for a while, and again said, "O Mu`adh bin Jabal!" I replied. "Labbaik, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and Sa`daik." He said, "Do you know what is (Allah's) slaves' (people's) right on Allah if they did that?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." He said, "The right of (Allah's) slaves on Allah is that He should not punish them (if they did that).
The Hadith of Mu'adh ibn Jabal
From the Book: To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)
Author: Sahih al-Bukhari | Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 6500
Context and Setting
This profound exchange occurred during a journey, with Mu'adh riding directly behind the Prophet ﷺ. The intimate setting - with "nothing between me and him except the back of the saddle" - indicates the special nature of this teaching moment. The Prophet's repeated calling of Mu'adh by name demonstrates his deliberate emphasis on this fundamental doctrine.
Allah's Right Upon His Servants
The first divine right established is Tawhid - worshiping Allah alone without associating partners with Him. This constitutes the foundation of Islamic creed and the very purpose of creation. As Allah states in the Qur'an: "I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me" (51:56). This exclusive worship encompasses all aspects of life - belief, speech, and actions.
The Servants' Right Upon Allah
The magnificent promise that follows pure Tawhid is Allah's commitment not to punish those who fulfill His right. This demonstrates Allah's infinite mercy and justice. Scholars explain this encompasses salvation from eternal punishment for those who die upon Tawhid, though minor sins may still require purification. This reciprocal relationship highlights the perfect balance between divine rights and divine mercy.
Spiritual Implications
This hadith tenderizes hearts by revealing the profound simplicity of salvation: pure monotheism guarantees divine protection. It removes excessive complexity while emphasizing the gravity of shirk (associating partners with Allah). The Prophet's gradual revelation, with pauses between questions, allowed each truth to settle deeply in Mu'adh's heart - a teaching methodology we should emulate.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes that this hadith contains the essence of Islam - the rights of the Creator and the created. The fulfillment of Allah's right (Tawhid) automatically secures the servant's right (salvation). This doesn't negate the necessity of other obligations but establishes the foundational principle upon which all other acts of worship depend for acceptance.