At-Tayyib (The Good)

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:                                                                                                 

“O people, Allah the Glorious and Exalted, is Tayyib (Good and Pure) and He accepts only that which is Tayyib (good and pure). And Allah commanded has commanded the believers as He Commanded the Messengers by saying:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلرُّسُلُ كُلُواْ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَٱعۡمَلُواْ صَـٰلِحًا‌ۖ إِنِّى بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ۬

‘O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Taiyyibât [all kinds of Halâl (lawful) foods (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.], and do righteous deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you do.‘ (Al-Mu’minun 23:51)

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ڪُلُواْ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا رَزَقۡنَـٰكُمۡ وَٱشۡكُرُواْ لِلَّهِ إِن ڪُنتُمۡ إِيَّاهُ تَعۡبُدُونَ

‘O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah – Islâmic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with.‘( Al-Baqarah 2:172)

 He then mentioned a man who sets out on a very long journey, his hair is disheveled and covered with dust. He raises his hands towards the sky supplicating: ‘O my Rabb, O my Rabb,’ while his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, and his clothes are unlawful and his nourishment is unlawful. How can his supplication be responded to?” [Muslim, the Book of Zakat: 703/2]

THE MEANING OF THIS NAME:

Al-Qadee ‘Eiyad said: “At-Tayyib means the pure from all defects and defaults, it means al-Quddoos (the Pure). Originally, the Tayyib means purification, and soundness from all kinds of evil.” [Sharh Muslim by Imam an-Nawawi]

In Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, it is said: “The Hadith means that Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala), the Exalted, is free from all defects. He does not accept nor should His nearness be sought except with what befits Him (according to this Hadith), with good and lawful money.“ [8/334]

7 IMPACTS OF BELIEVING IN THIS NAME

1- Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) is attributed with being Tayyib (Good) and Pure from evil, defects, defaults and flaws.

• Allaah is the absolute Tayyib (Good), Who is perfect in His goodness. He is Good, His Speech is Good, all His Actions are Good. He is Good in everything; in His Essence, Names, Attributes and Actions.
• All of His Names are good. There is no deficiency or flaw in them.
• He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) is Good in His Attributes. All of His Attributes are Good, free of defects and defaults.

Allaah (‘Azza wa Jall) says in Surat an-Nahl (16:60):

وَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡمَثَلُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰۚ

“And for Allaah is the highest description.“

• He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) is also Good in His Actions. All of Allaah’s Actions are Good. He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) does not do anything excepts good. Therefore, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

والشر ليس اليك

“Evil is not attributed to You.”

There is no evil in Allaah’s Decree or pre-ordainment, because it is based on mercy and wisdom. All of His Actions are good, and all His Laws comprise the good for the benefit of the slaves in this world and the Hereafter. Therefore, they (the laws) are good and suit all times, places and state. [Explanation of the forty Nawawi Hadith by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah)]

Only the good is attributed to Him. Only the good words raise to Him. All the good is from Him and goes to Him; whether in a form of attribute, action or statement. He is the One Who originates it, and to Him it will be raised and its end will be to Him. So all the good words, good actions, good attributes and good Names belong to Him (Subhana wa Ta’ala). No one deserves them except Him.

• He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) is Tayyib (Good and Pure) and does not accept except that which is good. He is the Ilah (the diety) of the good people, and His good slaves will be close to Him, as it is said to the people of Paradise: “Peace be on you, you have become pure, so enter it to abide eternally therein.“ [Surat az-Zumar 39:73]

2- He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) is Tayyib (Good and Pure) and does not accept, except that is which is Tayyib (good and lawful).

Accordingly, it is incumbent upon the slaves to seek His nearness with good and lawful deeds and utterances.

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) says in Surat al-Baqarah (2:267):

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَنفِقُواْ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا ڪَسَبۡتُمۡ وَمِمَّآ أَخۡرَجۡنَا لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَلَا تَيَمَّمُواْ ٱلۡخَبِيثَ مِنۡهُ تُنفِقُونَ وَلَسۡتُم بِـَٔاخِذِيهِ إِلَّآ أَن تُغۡمِضُواْ فِيهِ‌ۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ

“O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it, (though) you would not accept it save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein. And know that Allaah is Rich (Free of all wants), and Worthy of all praise.“

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When one gives a date in charity from honestly earned money, Allaah takes it in His Right Hand and rears it (i.e. enlarges its reward) for that person (who has given it) just as one of you rears his mare or baby camel, until it becomes like a mountain or greater.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) does not accept the charity from dishonest earnings such as Riba (usury, theft, etc.). Allaah accepts charity only if it has been earned in an honest way.

Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah does not accept a Salat without Wudu’ nor a charity from one who steals from the war booty.” [Muslim, Book of Taharah 1/204]

Similarly, Allaah does not accept all the utterances and deeds except those which are righteous and good.

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) says in Surat Fatir (35:10):

إِلَيۡهِ يَصۡعَدُ ٱلۡكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ وَٱلۡعَمَلُ ٱلصَّـٰلِحُ يَرۡفَعُهُۚ 

“To Him ascend (all) the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allaah unless and until they are followed by good deeds).“

It is said that the good words are “La ilaha illa-Allaah” (none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah). It is also said that they are Subhan-Allaah (the glory be to Allaah), wa Al-Hamdulillaah (all praise and thanks are due to Allaah), wa La ilaha illa-Allaah (none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah), wa Allaahu Akbar (Allaah is Most Great).

And it is said that it is the Qur’an. Actually, it is every statement that comprises remembrance of Allaah or is uttered for the sake of Allaah, such as advice and knowledge.

‘Abdullaah (Radia-Allaahu ‘Anhu) narrated in the narration of Tashahhud in the prayer, that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

 و الصلوات و الطيبات التحيا ت لله 

“Attahiyyatu lillaahi (All compliments i.e. all words which imply peace, sovereignty and eternity, are due to Allaah) was-Salawatu (prayers i.e. all supplications which are used to glorify the majesty of Allaah, for He is fully entitled to them, and none but He is worthy of them) wat-Tahiyyatu (and pure wrods i.e. all good and pure words suitable for praising Allaah, not those that are incompatible with His Attributes with which kings are greeted).”

3- Similarly, the good people among the believers in Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala), who follow what pleases Him and fill their hearts with love for Him, do not like except good words, and they do not talk except good talk, as Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) says, describing them in Surat an-Nur (24:26):

ٱلۡخَبِيثَـٰتُ لِلۡخَبِيثِينَ وَٱلۡخَبِيثُونَ لِلۡخَبِيثَـٰتِ‌ۖ وَٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتُ لِلطَّيِّبِينَ وَٱلطَّيِّبُونَ لِلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ‌ۖ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٌ۬ وَرِزۡقٌ۬ ڪَرِيمٌ۬ (٢٦)

“Bad statements are for bad people (or bad women for bad men) and bad people for bad statements (or bad men for bad women). Good statements are for good people (or good women for good men) and good people for good statements (or good men for good women), such (good people) are innocent of (every) bad statement which they say, for them is Forgiveness, and Rizqun Karîm (generous provision i.e.Paradise).“

“Evil words are for evil men, and evil men are (subjected) to evil words. And good words are for good men, and good men are [an object] of good words.* Those (good people) are declared innocent of what they (i.e. slanderers) say. For them is forgiveness and noble provision.“

*Another accepted interpretation is “Evil women are for evil men, and evil men are for evil women. And good women are for good men and good men are for good women.” [Tafseer al-Qurtubi]

4- Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) informed us that He guides the people of Paradise to good words, and guards their tongues from evil talk (or words).

He (Subhana wa Ta’ala) says in Surat al-Hajj (22:24):

وَهُدُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱلطَّيِّبِ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَهُدُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطِ ٱلۡحَمِيدِ (٢٤)

“And they are guided (in this world) unto goodly speech (i.e. Lâ ilâha ill-Allaah, Alhamdu lillâh, recitation of the Qur’ân, etc.) and they are guided to the Path of Him (i.e. Allaah’s religion of Islâmic Monotheism), Who is Worthy of all praises.“

Ibn Kathir (Rahimahullaah) said: “Some scholars of Tafseer said that the good speech refers to the Qur’an; and it was said that it means ‘La ilaha illa-Allaah‘ or words of remembrance prescribed in Islam.“ [Tafseer Ibn Kathir 3/213]

The guidance to good speech is a means of entering Paradise; only those whom Allaah guided to good speech will enter Paradise, and La ilaha illa-Allaah is the key to Paradise.

Ibn al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said: “Shirk id the greatest kind of Dhulm (oppression) in the Sight of Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala); He forbade Paradise for its people (i.e. people of Shirk). A slave that commits Shirk will not enter Paradise; only the people of Tawheed will enter it. Tawheed is the key to gate of Paradise. Whoever does not have the key, it will not be opened for him. Also, if he brings the key which has no teeth, he will not be able to open the gate. The teeth of the key are: Salat, Sawm, Zakat, Hajj, Jihad (fighting in Allaah’s Cause), enjoining the Ma’ruf (good) and forbidding the Munkar (evil), truthfulness, discharging the trust, joining relations with kith and kin, dutifulness to parents, etc.

If any slave had a good key of Tawheed, and installed/set in it the teeth of commands, he will come on the Day of Judgement to the gate of Paradise which will not open except with this key. Nothing will prevent him from opening the gate of Paradise except having sins which are not forgiven or their (sins’) evil consequences have not yet been removed by repentance and forgiveness in this life. He will be held back from entering Paradise until he is purified.

 And if these sins are not purified by the distresses and calamities of the Day of Resurrection and its dreads, then he should enter Hell-Fire in order to be purified from all his sins, after which he will enter Paradise. Paradise is the abode of the good people, and no one enters it except the good (Tayyib).

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) says in Surat an-Nahl (16:32):

ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ طَيِّبِينَ‌ۙ يَقُولُونَ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ (٣٢)

“Those whose lives the angels take while they are in a pious state (i.e. pure from all evil, and worshipping none but Allaah Alone) saying (to them): Salâmun ‘Alaikum (peace be on you) enter you Paradise, because of that (the good) which you used to do (in the world).”“

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) says in Surat az-Zumar (39:73):

وَسِيقَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ رَبَّہُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا‌ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتۡ أَبۡوَٲبُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمۡ خَزَنَتُہَا سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ طِبۡتُمۡ فَٱدۡخُلُوهَا خَـٰلِدِينَ (٧٣)

“And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salâmun ‘Alaikum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein.”“

“However, the Hell-Fire is the abode of evil speech and deeds, evil food and drink, and it is the abode of the evil people. Allaah (‘Azza wa Jall) will put the wicked (disbelievers, polytheists and doers of the evil deeds) one on another, heap them together and cast them into Hell-Fire.” [Al-Wabil as-Sayyib minal-Kalim at-Tayyib]

5- Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) described the end of the believers in the Hereafter as being good. Their lives are good, their dwellings are good, their food and drinks are good.

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) says in Surat at-Tawbah (9:72):

وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا وَمَسَـٰكِنَ طَيِّبَةً۬ فِى جَنَّـٰتِ عَدۡنٍ۬‌ۚ وَرِضۡوَٲنٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ أَڪۡبَرُ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ (٧٢)

“Allaah has promised the believers -men and women, – Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of ‘Adn (Eden Paradise). But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allaah. That is the supreme success.“

Allaah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) says in Surat an-Nahl (16:97):

مَنۡ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا مِّن ذَڪَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٌ۬ فَلَنُحۡيِيَنَّهُ ۥ حَيَوٰةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬‌ۖ وَلَنَجۡزِيَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡرَهُم بِأَحۡسَنِ مَا ڪَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ (٩٧)

“Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter). “

Allaah (‘Azza wa Jall) says in Surat al-Insan (76:21):

وَسَقَٮٰهُمۡ رَبُّہُمۡ شَرَابً۬ا طَهُورًا (٢١)

“and their Lord will give them a pure drink.“

6- According to the aforementioned meanings and points, it is incumbent upon the believer to seek nearness to Allaah by all the good deeds, utterances and beliefs.

Ibn Rajab (Rahimahullaah) said: “Allaah is Pure and free of all defects and flaws. He accepts only the deeds that are good and pure from all the nullifiers of Islam such as Riya’ (show-off), self-conceit, etc., and accepts only the wealth that is good and lawful. “

• ‘Adiy ibn Hatim (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mentioned the Hell-Fire and sought refuge from it and said: “Let each one of you save himself from the Hell-Fire, even by giving half a date-fruit (in charity). And if you do not find a half date-fruit, the (you can do it by saying) a good, pleasant word (to your Muslim brother).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The good word includes giving advice to others, teaching them what they ignore and guiding them to what benefits them in this world and the Hereafter.

Also, it includes good speech accompanied with a smile and cheerful face, which brings joy to the hearts of others.

Also, it includes the remembrance of Allaah, praising Him, mentioning His Laws, etc.

Every speech which brings one closer to Allaah, and through which people will get some benefit, is considered a good word.

• The believer should also take care of what he eats and drinks. Jundub ibn ‘Abdullaah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Let everyone of you try not to enter into his stomach except which is good (and lawful), because the first thing that is putrefied in the human is his belly.” [At-Tabarani and authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib no. 2444]
• The believer also should seek good, lawful earnings, and spend from it. Allaah does not accept, except that which is good and lawful.
• The believer should be good in all his states. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr bin al-Aas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said that he heard Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying: “By Him in whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the believer is like the bee; it eats from what is good and produces what is good.” [Ahmad and authenticated by al-Albani in as-Sahiha no. 2288]

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) compared the believer with the bee because of his abundant good and benefits, and because of the abundance of faith, guidance, light, piety, blessing, mercy, kindness, justice, etc.. that Allaah has put in his heart. The heart of the believer is one of the best hearts. “There is no heart in this Dunya (world) like the heart of a believer in its great and abundant goodness.” [Majmoo’ al-Fatawa]

• The believer does not speak except that which is good.
• He abandons all kinds of evil talk as the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “A true believer is not involved in taunting or frequently cursing (others) or in indecency or abusing.” [At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih at-Tirmidhi 2/370]
• The believer only performs good deeds which are in accordance with the Islamic laws, such as worshipping Allaah alone and none else, preferring Allaah’s pleasures over his own desires, performing all acts that are loved by Him, and being good to his creation (as much as he can).
• The believer is attributed with good qualities such as forbearance, mercy, patience, loyalty, kindness, soundness of the heart towards other, humbleness, etc.
• He only chooses food that is good and lawful; marriages which are good; friends who are good. His soul is good, his body is good, his conduct his good, his action is good, his speech is good, his food is good, his drink is good, his clothes are good, and his end will be good.

Ibn Majah narrated from Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“The dying person is attended by the angels. If he was a righteous man, they say, ‘Come forth, O’ good soul which was in a good body. Come forth praiseworthy and receive the glad tidings of rest and provision, and a Lord that is not angry.’ They continue to say this until it comes out, then they take it up to heaven. they ask for it to be open, and it is asked, ‘Who is this?’ They say, ‘So and so’. Then it is said, ‘Welcome to the good soul which was in a good body. Enter praiseworthy and receive the glad tidings of rest and provision, and a Lord Who is not angry.’ They continue to say this until they take him to the heaven in which is Allaah, may He be Blessed and Exalted. But if it was an evil man, they say, ‘Come forth, O’ evil soul which was in an evil body. Come forth blameworthy and receive the tidings of a boiling fluid and dirty discharges of wounds and other torments of similar kind, altogether!’ (cf. 38:57-58) They continue to say this until it comes forth, then they take it up to the heaven. They ask for the heaven to be open for it, and it is asked, ‘Who is this?’ They say, ‘So and so’. It is said, ‘There is no welcome for the evil soul which was in an evil body. Go back blameworthy.’ So the gates are not opened for it, and it is send down from the heaven and goes back to the grave..” [Reported by Ahmad and authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih Ibn Majah no. 3437]

Whoever has a good heart, performs good deeds and speak good words, Allaah will reward him abundantly and will grant him continuous success and great reward.

7- For the prayer (supplication) to be granted, honest income is essential. Allaah accepts charity only if it has been earned in an honest way. Moreover, before any pious action, honest income is essential; otherwise good actions will also go to waste.

Sources:

📚  An-Nahj al-Asma Fii Sharh Asma’ Allaah ul-Husna by Shaikh Muhammad an-Najdi.

 📚  Al-Asma al-Husna was-Sifat Al-Ulaa by Abdul Hadi Wahbah.

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