Abu Ruzayn (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "The example of a believer is like a bee which does not eat but good and does not produce but good."  (1)

The point of similarity in the Hadith is:

The smartness, harmlessness, tininess, benefit, going at night, abstaining from dirt, self-dependence, and its obedience to its prince. There are some matters which stop bees from fulfilling their work such as darkness, clouds, the wind, smoke, water, and fire. Likewise a believer has some matters which prevent him from fulfilling his mission such as the darkness of negligence, cloud of doubt, the wind of sedition, the smoke of prohibition, and the fire of desires. (2)

Lessons gained from the Hadith:

1- The Hadith shows the merit of a believer where he does not eat but good and does not do anything that harms people but what avails them.

2- A believer is beneficial to all the people who deal or contact with him; so when you accompany, consult, sit with him, he will benefit you, and all his actions are useful.

This shows the wisdom behind the Prophet's instruction: "Do not befriend but a believer and let only pious people eat your food." (3)

The nature of a believer and the requisite of his faith are to be beneficial to the people.

3- The one who does not pay attention to his lawful sources of food, drink, and earnings or he says some words and does some actions which may harm others that will be a proof to his weak faith.

(1) Sahih Ibn Hibban, 1/274, No. (246) and Al Jami` As-Saghir and its addition, 1/ 1079, No. (10786). The Hadith was graded as authentic by Sheikh Al Albany See: "Sahih Al Jami`" No. (5847).

(2) Faydul-Qadir of Al Munawy, 5/ 512.

(3) Reported by Abu Dawud 2/675, No. (4823), At-Tirmidhy 4/ 600, No. (2395) and Al Albany graded it as good. See: "Sahih Al Jami`" No. (7341).

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