Outward Virtue — Inner Obligation

Sayyiduna Uthman Radi Allahu Anhu said
"There are four things, the outward of which is a virtue, but the inner is an obligation.

Being in the company of the righteous is a virtue,
Imitating them is an obligation.

Reciting the Quran is a virtue,
Acting upon its commands is an obligation.

Visiting the graves is a virtue,
Preparation for the time one will enter it is an obligation.

Visiting a sick person is a virtue,
Asking him for advice is an obligation.

Translated from
Al istidaad li ibn Hajr Al Asqalaani Alayhirrahmah

Maulana Mohammed Shakeel Qadiri Ridawi