📖Sahih al-Bukhari 43
Narrated ‘Aisha: Once the Prophet (ﷺ) came while a woman was sitting with me. He said, “Who is she?” I replied, “She is so and so,” and told him about her (excessive) praying. He said disapprovingly, “Do (good) deeds which is within your capacity (without being overtaxed) as Allah does not get tired (of giving rewards) but (surely) you will get tired and the best deed (act of Worship) in the sight of Allah is that which is done regularly.”
This hadith, from Sahih al-Bukhari (Volume 1, Book 12, Hadith 43), narrated by Aisha, the wife of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), conveys several meanings and lessons:
- Moderation in worship: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised the woman mentioned in the hadith to engage in deeds of worship that are within her capacity, without burdening herself excessively. This teaches us the importance of balance and moderation in our acts of worship. While it is commendable to strive for good deeds and increase our worship, it is equally important not to overburden ourselves and risk burnout or neglecting other essential responsibilities.
- Consistency and regularity: The Prophet stated that the best deed in the sight of Allah is the one that is done regularly. This emphasizes the significance of consistency in performing acts of worship. Consistency helps to establish a routine of devotion and enables a person to maintain a steady connection with Allah. Regularly performing even small acts of worship is more beloved to Allah than sporadic or occasional intense efforts.
- Allah’s infinite rewards: The Prophet mentioned that Allah does not get tired of granting rewards for good deeds. This reminds us of the boundless mercy and generosity of Allah. It reassures us that our efforts in worship are never in vain and that Allah will reward us abundantly for every sincere act of obedience, no matter how small. It also encourages us to have hope and trust in Allah’s promise of reward.
- Avoiding religious show-off: The hadith indirectly warns against the danger of engaging in excessive acts of worship for the purpose of displaying one’s piety to others. By advising the woman to focus on deeds within her capacity, the Prophet emphasizes the importance of sincerity and intention in worship. It reminds us to prioritize our relationship with Allah over seeking validation or recognition from people.
Overall, this hadith highlights the importance of balancing our acts of worship, maintaining consistency, having sincere intentions, and understanding the infinite rewards of Allah. It encourages us to approach our worship with moderation, while emphasizing the significance of regularity and the intention behind our actions.
