A spacious house is part of the Muslim’s happiness

Q) Is a small house part of the Muslim’s misery?

A) Praise be to Allaah.

A spacious house is part of the Muslim’s happiness, as it says in the hadeeth narrated by Ahmad (15409) from Naafi’ ibn ‘Abd al-Haarith (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Part of a man’s happiness includes a good neighbour, a comfortable mount, and a spacious abode.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 3029.

Al-Haakim and Abu Na’eem narrated from Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Four things are part of happiness: a righteous wife, a spacious abode, a good neighbour and a comfortable mount. And four things are part of misery: a bad wife, a bad neighbour, a bad mount and a small abode.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 887.

What is meant here is that they are part of worldly happiness, not spiritual happiness. Happiness may be general or specific. General happiness refers to happiness in both realms (this world and the Hereafter), and specific happiness refers to whatever it is limited to.

The one who is blessed with goodness in the things mentioned will have a good life, and be happy in his life, because these are things which give comfort to the body and heart, and make life more comfortable.

What is meant by misery here is distress, as in the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“So let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you will be distressed”

[Ta-Ha 20:117].

The one who suffers with a bad wife, a bad house and a bad mount will be distressed most of the time; if the house is too small then he will feel under pressure, worried and distracted.

It is prescribed to ask one’s Lord for a spacious house, because of the report narrated by al-Tirmidhi (3500) from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said du’aa’ one night and said: “O Allaah, forgive me my sin, make my house spacious and bless me in that which You provide to me.” classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (1265).

We ask Allaah to bless us with happiness in both realms.

And Allaah knows best.



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