رسول الله صلی الله علیه و آله و سلم: لا تَنظُروا إلی کثرَةِ صَلاتِهِم وَ صَومِهِم، وَ کثرَةِ الحَجِّ، وَ المَعروفِ، وَ طَنطَنَتِهِم بِاللَّیلِ، وَلکنِ انظُروا إلی صِدقِ الحَدیثِ وَ أداءِ الأمانَةِ.

The Prophet Muhammad (S): Do not look at people’s ample prayers, fasting, hajj, good deeds and vigil; rather, look at their truthfulness and fulfilment of trust. (al-Amali, p.303, session fifty)

Exposition:

The Prophet (s) says, “do not look at people’s amlpe prayers and fasting". That is, one must not consider this as a complete criterion to discern an individual as a believer or a righteous person. Are these not criteria? Is it the same whether these items are present or absent? Of course not. Undoubtedly, they are criteria; but, they are not ultimate ones. Indeed, they are not sufficient. It is not enough for someone to say many prayers, to say recommended prayers, to perform recommended fasting, and the like. They are not enough to prove someone as a righteous believer.

Someone may go to Mecca every year, do good deeds, pay alms, hold mourning ceremonies. Other hear his voice of worship in midnight or his voice while reciting the Quran during the day time. Do not look at these. What is, then needed to consider one as a believer or a rightteous person?

The Prophet says, “These two thing are the criteria: truthfulness and trusteeship". These two features are signs of one’s faith. Of course it is not enough to have these two characteristics when one does not say prayers, does not fast, or does not go to (hajj) pilgrimage. Both the above practices and the two characteristics are necessary.

Book: Hadith Of Life, Published by: Tahseen.