"I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! What is the means to salvation?' He said:'That you control your tongue, suffice yourself your house, and cry over your sins.'"
Chapters On Zuhd - Jami' at-Tirmidhi
Hadith Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2406
The Three Pillars of Salvation
The Prophet ﷺ, in his profound wisdom, distilled the path to salvation into three essential practices that encompass both outward conduct and inward state.
Controlling the Tongue
The tongue is the gateway to either salvation or destruction. Controlling it means restraining it from falsehood, backbiting, slander, vain talk, and all that displeases Allah. The believer's tongue should be occupied with remembrance of Allah, recitation of Quran, and speaking truth and goodness.
Being Content with One's Home
This means finding sufficiency in what Allah has provided and avoiding excessive worldly pursuits. It encourages focusing on one's spiritual development rather than chasing worldly status and possessions. The home becomes a place of worship and protection from fitnah.
Crying Over One's Sins
Genuine remorse and tears for transgressions are signs of living faith. This weeping stems from fear of Allah's punishment and hope in His mercy. It softens the heart, leads to sincere repentance, and purifies the soul from the stains of disobedience.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam al-Ghazali notes that these three encompass the entire religion: controlling the tongue protects rights of others, being content protects from worldly distractions, and crying over sins maintains proper relationship with the Creator. Together they lead to comprehensive spiritual safety.