Sunan an-Nasai 4198 — Sincerity at the Heart of Religion

Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4198

This an-nasihah hadith repeats the Prophet’s clear statement that religion is sincerity. The companions ask, “To whom?” and the Messenger of Allah names five: Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the imams of the Muslims, and their common folk. That list keeps sincerity from becoming a vague slogan. It has a direction and reaches every level named in the narration. It includes the believer’s relation to Allah and revelation, loyalty to the Messenger, honest concern for leaders, and goodwill toward ordinary Muslims. Because the text itself is concise, its strength is in remembering the complete list rather than adding claims that are not stated. Readers searching for the meaning of “ad-deen an-nasihah” can use this narration as a direct summary of where sincere religious concern should be directed.