| On the authority of Abu
Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger
of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
"Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said:
'Truly of those devoted to Me the one I most favour is a believer
who is of meager means and much given to prayer, who has been particular
in the worship of his Lord and has obeyed Him inwardly (1), who
was obscure among people and not pointed out, and whose sustenance
was just sufficient to provide for him yet he bore this patiently.'"
Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) rapped
his hand and said: "Death will have come early to him, his
mourners will have been few, his estate scant."
(1) i.e. he has not been ostentatious in his obedience.
[At-Tirmidhi (also by Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Ibn Majah). Its chain
of authorities is sound.]
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