“As the Prophet said (Allah bless him and give him peace):‘The most poetic saying spoken by the Arabs is the saying of Labid: “Everything but Allah is surely futile!'”
Book Reference
Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah 247
The Narration
"As the Prophet said (Allah bless him and give him peace): 'The most poetic saying spoken by the Arabs is the saying of Labid: 'Everything but Allah is surely futile!''"
Commentary on the Hadith
This noble hadith from Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah demonstrates the Prophet's approval of poetry that contains profound spiritual truth and affirms the Oneness of Allah. The verse by Labid ibn Rabi'ah, a renowned pre-Islamic poet who later embraced Islam, encapsulates the essential Islamic doctrine of tawhid - that all creation is transient except the Eternal Creator.
The Prophet's endorsement of this specific line shows that when poetry serves to remind people of Allah's majesty and the temporary nature of worldly life, it becomes a means of drawing closer to the Divine. This aligns with the Quranic principle that everything perishes except His Face (28:88).
Scholars explain that the Prophet recognized this verse as the "most poetic" not merely for its literary excellence, but because it conveys the ultimate truth about existence. It serves as a constant reminder that all worldly attachments, achievements, and concerns are ultimately vain unless connected to Allah.
Spiritual Significance
This teaching encourages believers to evaluate all aspects of life through the lens of divine purpose. When we internalize that "everything but Allah is futile," we naturally reorient our priorities toward what is truly everlasting.
The Prophet's appreciation for this poetic expression demonstrates Islam's balanced approach to arts and culture - embracing whatever leads to remembrance of Allah while avoiding what distracts from spiritual development.