The Hadith
Abu Malik al-Ashari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
“Purification is half of faith.
‘All praise is due to Allah’ fills the scale.
‘Glory be to Allah and praise be to Allah’ fill what is between the heavens and the earth.
Prayer is light.
Charity is proof.
Patience is illumination.
The Qur’an is either a proof for you or against you.
All people go out in the morning and sell themselves, either freeing themselves or destroying themselves.”
Reference
Reported by Muslim.
Explanation (From Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan)
In this hadith the Prophet mentioned several acts of worship and righteous deeds and explained their virtues.
The Prophet said:
“Purification is half of faith.”
This includes purification from minor and major impurity, and inward purification from sins and evil deeds. Shaykh al-Fawzan explains that what is apparent is that ‘half of faith’ includes both types of purification, and neither one by itself is sufficient. Prayer, one of the greatest acts of worship, also requires purification.
The Prophet then said:
“‘All praise is due to Allah’ fills the scale.”
This shows the great reward and virtue of remembering Allah and praising Him.
He also said:
“‘Glory be to Allah and praise be to Allah’ fill what is between the heavens and the earth.”
This indicates the tremendous reward for glorifying and praising Allah.
The Prophet then said:
“Prayer is light.”
Prayer guides a person and keeps him away from wrongdoing.
He also said:
“Charity is proof.”
Charity is a sign of a person’s faith because it shows sincerity and willingness to spend in the path of Allah.
The Prophet then said:
“Patience is illumination.”
Patience helps a person endure hardship and remain steadfast upon obedience to Allah.
The Prophet also said:
“The Qur’an is either a proof for you or against you.”
If a person follows the guidance of the Qur’an it will be a proof in his favor, but if he neglects it or acts contrary to it, it will be a proof against him.
The Prophet concluded by saying:
“All people go out in the morning and sell themselves, either freeing themselves or destroying themselves.”
This means that people act throughout their day, and their actions determine whether they save themselves through obedience to Allah or destroy themselves through disobedience.
References
The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith: Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan. Dar Makkah International.
Verified on 2026-10-21 against: The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith (Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan), Hadith 23.