Hadith 27

Righteousness and Sin

البر والإثم

الْبِرُّ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ، وَالإِثْمُ مَا حَاكَ فِي صَدْرِك وَكَرِهْت أَنْ يَطَّلِعَ عَلَيْهِ النَّاسُ

Translation

Righteousness is good character, and sin is what wavers in your heart and you dislike for people to see.

Narrated by

al-Nawwas ibn Saman

النواس بن سمعان رضي الله عنه

Source

Sahih Muslim

صحيح مسلم

Explanation

This hadith provides internal criteria for judging actions. Righteousness manifests as good character, while sin creates internal discomfort and a desire to hide.

Key Lessons

  • 1Good character defines righteousness
  • 2The heart recognizes sin
  • 3Conscience is a moral compass
  • 4What you hide from others is suspect