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What is the meaning of Al-Harith Al-Muhasibi's saying: "Three things are rare, or non-existent: a beautiful face accompanied by chastity, good character accompanied by religiosity, and good brotherhood accompanied by trustworthiness"?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The narration about Al-Harith was transmitted by a group, and its intent is to highlight the rarity of finding someone who combines uprightness with the worship of Allah and the fulfillment of people's rights. A person who is susceptible to corruption is more prone to it. Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said: "Beauty in appearance and voice, if not accompanied by the fear of Allah, is otherwise only blameworthy." Ibn Rajab added in "Jami' Al-Ulum wa Al-Hikam" that combining the rights of Allah with the rights of people is exceedingly rare, and only the perfect among the Prophets and the truthful (Siddiqin) can achieve it. On the other hand, striving to gain the affection of brethren and exhibiting good character may lead to neglecting Allah's right to enjoin good and forbid evil, and to blameworthy compromise. The Companions and their followers urged giving sincere advice to one's brother and helping him, as Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned: "Offer your brother sincere advice, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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