In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam Be upon His Messenger Muhammad, to proceed:
On the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (radhiyallaahu `anhu), the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said:
" The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allaah than the weak believer, while there is good in both. Guard over that which benefits you, seek Allaah`s assistance,
wa laa t`ajiz (don`t lend yourself to things devoid of benefit, and this could carry many meanings), and if something befalls you, then don`t say `If only I would have done such and such,` rather say,, `Qaddarallaahu wa ma shaa` fa`al` (Allaah ordained (this) and He does what He wills), for verily the phrase `If I would have` makes way for the work of Shaytaan."
What are the characteristics of the "strong believer"?
Imaam An-Nawawee (may Allaah have mercy on him): "The intended meaning of strength here is a firm will and a desire to work for the Hereafter. So the one being described as a strong believer is more bold and stern against the enemy in Jihaad, quicker to go out (to fight) and searching for it (Jihaad), more firm in the way he enjoins the good and forbids the evil, (more firm) in his patience with the harm he faces throughout all of that, and stronger in the way he carries out difficult tasks for Allaah`s Sake. He loves to pray, to fast, make thikr, and perform the rest of the acts of worship, and he is more active in seeking after these affairs, and he keeps a closer watch over his performance of them." [Sharh Muslim v.9, p.341, Daar Al-Ma`rifah printing].
So the meaning of strength in his statement (sallallaahu `alayhe wa sallam), `The strong believer...` is strength in eemaan, since the word `strong` refers to the word `believer`, someone who has eemaan. Similarly, one who would say `a strong man` if he was refering to his manhood and masculinity. Along the same line, the strong believer is strong in his eemaan, because the strong believer has the strength to carry out what Allaah ordered him to do, and to increase upon that by doing extra good deeds however Allaah likes. As for the weak believer, his eemaan is weak, and that hinders him from performing his duties and avoiding what is prohibited, so he is always falling short." [Sharh Riyaadhis-Saaliheen, v.3, p.91-2]
To summarize :
If one looks at the text of the hadeeth itself, he will find something very interesting. Notice that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhe wasallam) started by saying, "The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allaah than the weak believer, while there is good in both..." and then it may seem like the subject of the hadeeth shifts to something else.
Rather, this hadeeth is an encouragement to be a strong believer from the begining to the end! Yes, after informing us about the superiority of the strong believer, the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhe wasallam) detailed some ways to become a strong believer, giving us four pieces of advice, all of them related to eemaan:
1. Guard over what benefits you.
2. Seek Allaah`s assistance.
3. Don`t lend yourself to things devoid of benefit.
4. Say "Qaddarllaahu wa ma shaa` fa`al" through calamities.
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