Year: 2014

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 281
Prohibition of two Holding Secret Counsel to the Exclusion of Conversing
together a Third

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Secret counsels (conspiracies) are only from Shaitan (Satan).” (58:10)

1598. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “In the presence of three people, two should not hold secret counsel, to the exclusion of the third.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

   In Abu Dawud, Abu Salih related: I asked Ibn `Umar: “What if there are four people.” He said, “There is no harm in that.”

Malik reported in Al-Muwatta that `Abdullah bin Dinar related: Ibn `Umar and I were together in Khalid bin `Uqbah’s house which was situated in the market place. A man came to consult Ibn `Umar. None besides me was present. Ibn `Umar called another man in and we became four and said to me and the man he had called: Move away a bit because I have heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “The two people should not hold secret counsel together excluding the third.”

1599. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When three of you are together, two of you must not converse privately ignoring the third till the number increases, lest the third should be grieved.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 278
Prohibition of Recounting of Favors

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“O you who believe! Do not render in vain your Sadaqah (charity) by reminders of your generosity or by injury.” (2:264)

“Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury.” (2:262)

1588. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) observed: “There are three (types of) people to whom Allah will neither speak on the Day of Resurrection nor look at them nor purify them, and they will have a painful chastisement.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) repeated it three times. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) remarked: “They are ruined. Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?” Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “One who lets down his lower garments (below his ankels) out of arrogance, one who boasts of his favours done to another; and who sells his goods by taking a false oath.”
[Muslim].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 277
Prohibition of the Treachery and Breaking one’s Covenant

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“O you who believe! Fulfill (your) obligations.” (5:1)

“And fulfill (every) covenant. Verily! The covenant will be questioned about.” (17:34)

1584. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever possesses these four characteristics is a sheer hypocrite; and anyone who possesses one of them possesses a characteristic of hypocrisy till he gives it up. These are: when he is entrusted with something, he proves dishonest; when he speaks, he tells a lie; when he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous; and when he quarrels, he behaves in very imprudent, evil, insulting manner.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1585. Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn `Umar and Anas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “For every one who breaks his covenant, there will be a (huge) flag on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said: `This flag proclaims a breach of covenant by so-and-so.”’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1586. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Every one who breaks a covenant will have a flag by his buttocks on the Day of Resurrection. It will be raised higher according to the nature of his breach. Behold, there will be no greater a sin with respect to breaking the covenant than that of a ruler who breaks his covenant with the Muslim masses.”
[Muslim].

1587. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, says: `I will contend on the Day of Resurrection against three (types of) people: One who makes a covenant in My Name and then breaks it; one who sells a free man as a slave and devours his price; and one who hires a workman and having taken full work from him, does not pay him his wages.”’
[Al-Bukhari].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 276
Prohibition of Deceiving others

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, bear on themselves the crime of slander and plain sin.” (33:58)

1579. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who takes up arms against us is none of us; and he who cheats us is none of us.”
[Muslim].

 Another narration of Muslim is: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) happened to pass by a heap of corn. He thrust his hand in that (heap) and his fingers felt wetness. He said to the owner of that heap of corn, “What is this?” He replied: “O Messenger of Allah! These have been drenched by rainfall.” He remarked, “Why did you not place this (the drenched part of the heap) over the corn so that people might see it? He who deceives is not of us.”

1580.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not practise Najsh (to cheat).”
[Muslim].

1581. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibited the practice of Najsh.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1582. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: A man mentioned to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) that he was often deceived in dealings. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to him, “When you enter into a transaction you should say: “There should be no deception.”’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1583. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who deceives another’s wife or his slave is none of us.”
[Abu Dawud].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 275
Prohibition of Deriding one’s Lineage

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, bear on themselves the crime of slander and plain sin.” (33:58)

1578. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Two matters are signs of disbelief on the part of those who indulge in them: Defaming and speaking evil of a person’s lineage, and wailing over the dead.”
[Muslim].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 274
Prohibition of Rejoicing over another’s Trouble

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion).” (49:10)

“Verily, those who like that (the crime of) illegal sexual intercourse should be propagated among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in the Hereafter.” (24:19)

1577. Wathilah bin Al-Asqa` (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not express pleasure at the misfortune of a (Muslim) brother lest Allah should bestow mercy upon him and make you suffer from a misfortune.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 273
Prohibition of Despising Muslims

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group; it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor let (some) women scoff at other women; it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it to insult one’s brother after having Faith [i.e., to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: `O sinner’, or `O wicked’]. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zalimun (wrongdoers).” (49:11)

“Woe to every slanderer and backbiter.” (105:1)

1574. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is enough evil for a Muslim to look down upon his (Muslim) brother.”
[Muslim].

1575. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The haughty, even with pride equal to a mustard seed in his heart, will not enter Jannah.” A man enquired: “What about that a person likes fine dress and fine shoes?” He said: “Allah is Beautiful and likes beauty. Pride amounts to disclaiming truth out of self-esteem, and despising people                                                                                               .”
[Muslim].

1576. Jundub bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Once someone said: `By Allah! Allah will not forgive such and such (a person).’ Thereupon Allah, the Exalted and the Glorious, said: `Who is he who takes an oath in My Name that I will not grant pardon to so-and-so? I have granted pardon to so-and-so and rendered your good deeds fruitless.”’
[Muslim].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 272
Prohibition of Suspicion

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins.” (49:12)

1573. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 271
Prohibition of Spying on Muslims and to be Inquisitive about Others

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And spy not.” (49:12)

“And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, bear on themselves the crime of slander and plain sin.” (33:58)

1570. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales. Do not look for other’s faults. Do not spy one another, and do not practise Najsh (means to offer a high price for something in order to allure another customer who is interested in the thing). Do not be jealous of one another and do not nurse enmity against one another. Do not sever ties with one another. Become the slaves of Allah, and be brothers to one another as He commanded. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He should neither oppress him nor humiliate him. The piety is here! The piety is here!” While saying so he pointed towards his chest. “It is enough evil for a Muslim to look down upon his Muslim brother. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in Faith: his blood, his wealth and his honour. Verily, Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your hearts and your deeds.”

Another narration is: “Do not feel envy against one another; do not nurse enmity; do not spy on one another and do not cheat one another. Be Allah’s slaves, brethren to one another.”

Another narration is: “Do not have estranged relations with one another. Do not nurse enmity and do not feel envy against one another. O Allah’s worshippers! Be brothers!”

Another narration is: “Do not estrange mutual relations and do not intervene into the transaction which is likely to be settled with another person.”
[Muslim].

1571. Muawiyah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “If you find faults with Muslims, you will corrupt them.”
[Abu Dawud].

1572. It has been reported that a man was brought before Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) because his beard was giving out smell of wine. Ibn Mas`ud said: “We have been prohibited from spying (on Muslims) and finding faults (with them). But we can take to task only and only if the sin is overt.
[Abu Dawud].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 267
Prohibition of Abusing the Deceased without a valid Legal reason approved by
Shari’ah

1564. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not abuse the dead, because they have attained that which they had forwarded (i.e., their deeds, good or bad).”
[Al-Bukhari].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 263
Prohibition of Giving False Testimony

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And shun lying speech (false statements).” (22:30)

“And follow not (O man, i.e., say not or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge.” (17:36)

“Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).” (50:18)

“Verily, your Rubb is Ever Watchful (over them).” (89:14)

“And those who do not witness falsehood…” (25:72)

1550. Abu Bakrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shall I not inform you of one of the gravest of the cardinal sins?” We said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah!” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “To join others as partners with Allah in worship and to be undutiful to one’s parents.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sat up from his reclining position (in order to stress the importance of what he was going to say) and added, “I warn you making a false statement and giving a false testimony. I warn you against making a false statement and giving a false testimony.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) kept on repeating this (warning) till we wished he should stop.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 261
Falsehood that is Permissible

The learned compiler of this book has put forth some arguments to prove that it is lawful to tell a lie under the stress of circumstances. An example of this is the case of a Muslim who hides himself or his money from a tyrant who is bent on killing him or taking his money from him. If one knows the whereabouts of this Muslim or his money and is asked about it, it is permissible to lie in this case to save a Muslim’s life or his property, but it is better to give an equivocal answer, that is one which is not clear or definite in meaning, and that can be interpreted in more than one way in order to shun lying altogether. The sum and substance of discussion has been derived from the narration ascribed to Umm Kulthum (May Allah be pleased with her). She said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A liar is not the one who tries to bring about a reconciliation between the people and speaks good to avert dispute or to convey good.”
[Al-Bukhari].