"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The dust in the cause of Allah and the smoke of Hell will never be combined in the nostrils of a Muslim, and stinginess and faith will never be combined in a Muslim man's heart.'"
Hadith Text & Reference
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The dust in the cause of Allah and the smoke of Hell will never be combined in the nostrils of a Muslim, and stinginess and faith will never be combined in a Muslim man's heart.'"
Source: Sunan an-Nasa'i 3114 | The Book of Jihad
Meaning & Context
This profound hadith establishes two fundamental spiritual principles through powerful imagery. The first part addresses the ultimate fate of those who engage in jihad, while the second concerns the essential qualities of a believer's heart.
"Dust in the cause of Allah" refers to the physical hardship endured during military expeditions and striving in Allah's path. "Smoke of Hell" symbolizes the punishment awaiting disbelievers and sinners. Their incompatibility means one who truly strives for Allah will be protected from Hellfire.
Scholarly Commentary
Al-Imam al-Suyuti explains that this hadith contains two separate yet connected declarations. The first assures that those who bear the hardships of jihad - the dust, fatigue, and sacrifice - will be rewarded with Paradise and saved from Hell.
Ibn al-Athir notes that "dust in the cause of Allah" encompasses all forms of legitimate jihad - both military and spiritual striving. The "nostrils" symbolize the entire being, indicating complete incompatibility between the two states.
Regarding the second part, Al-Qadi 'Iyad states that faith requires generosity of spirit and wealth, while stinginess (bukhl) contradicts the very nature of iman which demands spending in Allah's cause and helping others.
Spiritual Implications
This teaching emphasizes that true faith manifests in both external action (jihad) and internal qualities (generosity). The believer's identity cannot accommodate opposites - one cannot claim faith while being stingy, nor can one truly strive in Allah's path and end in Hell.
The hadith serves as both a warning against hypocrisy and an encouragement toward sincere worship and sacrifice. It reminds Muslims that faith must permeate all aspects of life - from battlefield to marketplace - and that spiritual states have tangible consequences in the Hereafter.