‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar told that the Prophet used to say, “Everything has a polish, and the polish for hearts is rememberance of God. Nothing is more calculated to resuce from God’s punishment than remembrance of God.” He was asked whether this did not apply also to jihad in God’s path, and said, “Not even if one should ply his sword till it is broken.”
Malik said he heard God’s messenger used to say, “The one who makes mention of God among those who are negligent is like one who goes on fighting after others have fled; the one who makes mention of God among those who are negligent is like a green branch upon a withered tree; (A version has, “Like a green tree amidst the trees”); the one who makes mention of God among those who are negligent is like a lamp in a dark house; the one who makes mention of God among those who are negligent will be shown by God during his lifetime his resting-place in paradise; and the one who makes mention of God among those who are negligent will be forgiven as many sins as the number of those who have the faculty of speech (fasih) and those who are destitute of it (a'jam)” Fasih refers to human beings and a'jam to animals.
