📖Sunan an-Nasa’i 3057
It was narrated that Abu Al-Aliyah said:
“Ibn Abbas said: “On the morning of Al-Aqabah, while he was on his mount, the Messenger of Allah said to me: “Pick up (some pebbles) for me.” So I picked up some pebbles for him that were the size of date stones or fingertips, and when I placed them in his hand he said: “Like these. And beware of going to extremes in religious matters, for those who came before you were destroyed because of going to extremes in religious matters.”
- This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa’i 3057 narrates an incident that took place during the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) journey to Al-Aqabah. On the morning of the journey, while on his mount, the Prophet asked Ibn Abbas to pick up some pebbles for him, which were the size of date stones or fingertips. When Ibn Abbas handed him the pebbles, the Prophet instructed him to use similar ones. The second part of the hadith emphasizes the importance of avoiding extremism in religious matters. The Prophet warns us to beware of going to extremes in religious matters, as those who came before us were destroyed because of their extremism. This means that Muslims should always strive to maintain a balanced approach to their faith, avoiding any form of excessiveness or extremism. This hadith teaches us several lessons. Firstly, it emphasizes the importance of being attentive to the Prophet’s instructions and following his example. Secondly, it highlights the significance of moderation in religious matters, which is essential for preserving the harmony and balance of the faith. Lastly, the hadith reminds us of the consequences of extremism, which can lead to destruction and ruin. As Muslims, we must strive to follow the example of the Prophet and maintain a balanced approach to our faith, avoiding any form of extremism or excessiveness.
