Riyad as-Salihin - On it being disliked to exaggerate in speech and to be affected in eloquence, and to use unusual languages and fine points in Arabic when speaking to the common people

Riyad as-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous)

by Imam Nawawi

328. Chapter: On it being disliked to exaggerate in speech and to be affected in eloquence, and to use unusual languages and fine points in Arabic when speaking to the common people

1736. Ibn Mas'ud reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Those who go to excess are destroyed." He said it three times. [Muslim]

1737. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah hates an eloquent man who enunciates over-carefully with his tongue as the cow seeks out morsels." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1738. Jabir ibn 'Abdullah reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Those I love most and those sitting nearest to me on the Day of Rising will be those of you with the best character. Those most hateful to me and the furthest of you from me on the Day of Rising will be the pompous, the braggarts and the arrogant." [at-Tirmidhi]