The Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned the Fire and turned his face aside and asked for Allah's protection from it, and then again he mentioned the Fire and turned his face aside and asked for Allah's protection from it and said, "Protect yourselves from the Hell-Fire, even if with one half of a date, and he who cannot afford that, then (let him do so) by (saying) a good, pleasant word."
The Context and Significance
This profound narration from Sahih al-Bukhari, specifically in the Book "To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)" under hadith reference 6563, demonstrates the Prophet's profound concern for his ummah's salvation. His physical turning away while mentioning the Fire indicates the severity of its torment and his deep aversion to it, teaching us through action the proper attitude toward divine punishment.
The Nature of the Protection Sought
The Prophet's repeated seeking of protection (isti'adha) from the Fire is not merely verbal but reflects the heart's state of fear and hope. Scholars explain that this teaches the necessity of constant spiritual vigilance, as the seeker of protection acknowledges their weakness and complete dependence on Allah's mercy against a punishment they cannot endure.
The Practical Means of Salvation
The instruction to protect oneself from Hellfire "even with one half of a date" establishes the principle that no good deed is too small to be offered. Classical commentators emphasize that this refers to charity (sadaqah), showing that giving what one can afford - no matter how modest - becomes a barrier against the Fire through Allah's infinite wisdom and generosity.
The Universality of the Path
For those unable to give material charity, the Prophet provides the alternative of "a good, pleasant word." Scholars interpret this as encompassing all forms of kind speech: greetings of peace, remembering Allah, speaking truth, enjoining good, forbidding evil, and even abstaining from harmful speech. This makes the path to salvation accessible to every believer regardless of their worldly means.
The Comprehensive Wisdom
This hadith collectively addresses the protection of one's wealth through charity and one's tongue through good speech. The scholars note that these two acts safeguard the primary means through which people typically enter Hellfire - misuse of wealth and speech. Thus, the Prophet provides a complete prescription for spiritual safety through the simplest of means available to every Muslim.