Chapter 332: About Dislike of Praising the One

Translation: 1037. Narrated Abu-Ma'amar; ' A man stood up and praised an emir. Al Miqdad started throwing dust at his face saying; The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered us to pour dust at the faces of those who extol people 36. (At-Termizi).

Translation: 36 The apparent meaning of the Hadith is to throw dust at the face of the one who praises as Al Miqdad has done. The scholars have different opinions regarding this subject. Some scholars said; ' Give them money to prevent them from disparaging you. Money in such a case would equal dust because one's honor is more valuable. Some others said; ' Give them very little money whose value would equal dust (nothing). ' A third group say; ' Give them nothing except dust to prevent them from extolling people that makes one proud. This is based on the statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about selling the dogs: " If he came to ask for the dog's price, fill his palm with dust. " This is the most proper opinion besides interpreting the Hadith per its apparent meaning i.e. as Al Miqdad has interpreted it.

Al Khattabi said: ' The meant here are those who took extolling the people a means of earning their living. As to those who praise others for good deeds they do to encourage others to emulate them, such people are not classified under this category

Imam Al-Ghazali said; ' Extolling people has six defects; four for the extoller and two for the extolled. The four related to the extoller are; he would exaggerate in extolling, thus, he would lie, he would show love while he has not love, hence he would be a hypocrite, he would say what he is not assured of, hence he would be

Translation: 1038. Narrated Abu-Huraira; " The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered us to pour dust in the mouths of the extollers. " (At-Termizi).