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Commentary:
The purpose of this Hadith seems to be that one should neither pay serious attention to one who
praises nor reward him for it. If one can throw grit in his face, that should also be done. One should at least avoid
such persons who are in the habit of praising people unnecessarily.
Imam An-Nawawi has stated that these Ahadith are in prohibition of praise while there are many in favour of it.
`Ulama' are of the opinion that the two points of view can be reconciled. If the one who is praised has perfect Faith
and confidence and is endowed with the gift of knowledge by Allah and has control over his self and thereby he is
not likely to go astray by praise, then praising him is neither unlawful nor disgusting. But if he is vulnerable to
praise then praising him in his presence is abhorred. Ahadith in prohibition of praise support this point of view.
While one of the Ahadith, which are in favour of praise, relates to the occasion when the Prophet (May Allah be
pleased with him) said to Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him): "
I hope that you will also be
among them
,'' that is "
You will be one of hose who will be called from every gate of Jannah.
'' (See, Sahih Al-
Bukhari, Kitab Fada'il As-Sahabah). Another Hadith on the issue relates to the event when the Prophet (PBUH) said
to Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him): "
You are not one of them.
'' What it signified was that "
You are not
one of those who keep their trousers below their ankles out of sheer pride.
'' (See, Sahih Al-Bukhari, Manaqib Abu
Bakr). He said to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him): "
When Satan sees you going on some way, he leaves it
and proceeds to some other direction
.'' (Al-Bukhari, Manaqib `Umar)
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