The Aqeedah and Manhaj of AhlusSunnah wal Jamah

AbdurRahman.Org

Islamic Knowledge – Islam, Sunnah, Salafiyyah

Year: 2014

Permissibility of Assistance without Greed

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 58
Permissibility of Assistance without Greed

538. Salim, son of Abdullah bin `Umar, from his father Abdullah; from `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would give me some gift, but I would say: “Give it to someone who needs it more than I.” Thereupon he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would say, “Take it when it comes to you without begging and without greed, and add it to your property. Then use it yourself or give it away in charity. As for the rest, do not covet it.” Salim said: `Abdullah bin `Umar would never ask anything from anyone, nor would he refuse accepting it when it was given to him.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Contentment and Self-esteem and avoidance of unnecessary begging ofPeople

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 57
Contentment and Self-esteem and avoidance of unnecessary begging of People

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And no moving (living) creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah.” (11:6)

“(Charity is) for Fuqara (the poor), who in Allah’s Cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land (for trade or work). The one who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. You may know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all.” (2:273)

“And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).” (25:67)

“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them (i.e., provision for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e., feed themselves or My creatures).” (51:56,57)

522. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Richness is not the abundance of wealth, rather it is self-sufficiency.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

523. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Successful is the one who has entered the fold of Islam and is provided with sustenance which is sufficient for his needs, and Allah makes him content with what He has bestowed upon him.”.
[Muslim].

524. Hakim bin Hizam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I begged Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he gave me; I begged him again and he gave me. I begged him again and he gave me and said, “O Hakim, wealth is pleasant and sweet. He who acquires it with self-contentment, it becomes a source of blessing for him; but it is not blessed for him who seeks it out of greed. He is like one who goes on eating but his hunger is not satisfied. The upper hand is better than the lower one.” I said to him, “O Messenger of Allah, by Him Who sent you with the Truth I will not, after you, ask anyone for anything till I leave this world.” So Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) would summon Hakim (May Allah be pleased with him) to give his rations, but he would refuse.  Then ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) would call him but he would decline to accept anything. So ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said addressing Muslims: “O Muslims, I ask you to bear testimony that I offer Hakim his share of the booty that Allah has assigned for him but he refuses my offer.” Thus Hakim did not accept anything from anyone after the death of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), till he died.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

525. Abu Burdah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him)  said: “Six of us accompanied Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in an expedition. We had one camel with us; we rode it in turn. Our feet got injured and my nails also fell out. We wrapped up our feet in rags; and because of this the campaign came to be known as Dhat-ur-Riqa` (the Campaign of Rags).” Abu Burdah (May Allah be pleased with him) says: Abu Musa reported this Hadith but regretted having done so. He said, “Would that I had not mentioned it!” He said so because he disliked to disclose anything concerning his deeds.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

526. `Amr bin Taghlib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Some booty or prisoners of war were brought to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he distributed them, giving some men and neglecting others. Then, he was informed that those whom he had not given a thing were displeased. On this the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) praised Allah and glorified Him and said, “It is a fact that I give to one and overlook another. The one I ignore is dearer to me than the one I give. I give to those in whose hearts I perceive anxiety; others I leave with the richness and contentment that Allah has put in their hearts. One of them is `Amr bin Taghlib.” Upon this `Amr bin Taghlib said, “By Allah I shall not accept a herd of red camels in exchange for what the Prophet said (about me).”
[Al-Bukhari].

527. Hakim bin Hizam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The upper hand is better than the lower one; and begin (charity) with those who are under your care; and the best charity is (the one which is given) out of surplus; and he who wishes to abstain from begging will be protected by Allah; and he who seeks self-sufficiency will be made self-sufficient by Allah.”  
[Al-Bukhari].

528. Abu Sufyan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not be importunate in begging. By Allah! If one of you asks me for something and I give it to him unwillingly, there is no blessing in what I give him.”
[Muslim].

529. `Auf bin Malik Al-Ashja`i (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Seven, eight or nine people, including myself, were with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on an occasion when he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) remarked, “Would you pledge allegiance to Messenger of Allah?” As we had taken oath of allegiance shortly before, we said, “We have already done so, O Messenger of Allah.” He again asked, “Would you not pledge allegiance to Messenger of Allah?” So we stretched out our hands and said, “We have already made our pledge with you, O Messenger of Allah, on what should we make a pledge with you?” He said, “To worship Allah and not to associate anything with Him, to perform the five (daily) Salat and to obey.” Then he added in a low tone, “And not to ask people for anything.” Thereafter, I noticed that some of these people who were present did not ask anyone to pick up even the whip for them if it fell from their hands. [Muslim].

530. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If one of you would keep begging (of people) until he meets Allah (on the Day of Resurrection) his face will be without a shred of flesh.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

531. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: While Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was on his pulpit (in the mosque) delivering a Khutbah (religious talk) about Sadaqah (charity) and begging, he said, “The upper hand is better than the lower hand, the upper hand is the one which gives and the lower hand is the begging one.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

532. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who begs to increase his riches is in fact asking only for a live coal. It is up to him to decrease it or increase it.”
[Muslim].

533. Samurah bin Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Begging is a cut that a person inflicts upon his face; except for asking a ruler, or under the stress of circumstances from which there is no escape.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

534. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who suffers poverty and seeks relief from people, he will not be relieved; but he who seeks relief from Allah Alone, he will be relieved sooner or later.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

535. Thauban (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who guarantees me that he will not beg anything from anyone, I will guarantee him (to enter) Jannah.” I said, “I give you the guarantee.” Then Thauban (May Allah be pleased with him) never begged anything from anyone.
[Abu Dawud].

536. Qabisah bin Al-Mukhariq (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I stood as surety for a debt and came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to seek his help in discharging it. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Wait till we receive charity and I shall give you out of it.’‘ He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added, “O Qabisah, begging is not lawful except for three people. One who has incurred debt (for assuming guarantee), for him begging is permissible till the guarantee is discharged and he should then refrain; a person whose property has been destroyed by a calamity is allowed to beg till he attains self-sufficiency; a person who meets with dire necessity (due to hunger) provided that three men of understanding from his people affirm the genuineness (of his poverty), for him begging is lawful till he attains means of his subsistence. Other than these, O Qabisah, anything received through begging is unlawful, its recipient devours it unlawfully.”
[Muslim].

537. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A needy person is not the one who goes from door to door, begging and is turned away with a morsel or two or with a date or two. But a needy person is the one who does not have enough to live upon, and neither from his appearance it occurs that he is needy and should be given alms, nor does he himself beg anything from others.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 55
Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Verily, the likeness of (this) worldly life is as the water (rain) which We send down from the sky; so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat: until when the earth is clad in its adornments and is beautified, and its people think that they have all the powers of disposal over it, Our Command reaches it by night or by day and We make it like a clean-mown harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday! Thus, do We explain the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, laws, etc.) in detail for the people who reflect.” (10:24)

“And put forward to them the example of the life of this world: it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is Able to do everything. Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Rubb for rewards and better in respect of hope.” (18:45,46)

“Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. (It is) as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers-evildoers), and (there is) forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers-gooddoers). And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment”. (57:20).

“Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life; but Allah has the excellent return (Jannah with flowing rivers) with Him.” (3:14).

“O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true. So let not this present life deceive you, and let not the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allah.” (35:5).

“The mutual rivalry (for piling up of worldly things) diverts you. Until you visit the graves (i.e., till you die). Nay! You shall come to know! Again nay! You shall come to know! Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge (the end result of piling up, you would not have been occupied yourselves in worldly things)”. (102:1-5).

“And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter is the real life if they but knew”.  (29:64).

457. `Amr bin `Auf Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent Abu `Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah (May Allah be pleased with him) to Bahrain to collect (Jizyah). So he returned from Bahrain with wealth. The Ansar got news of it and joined with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in the Fajr prayer. When the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) concluded the prayer, they stood in his way. When he saw them, he smiled and said, “I think you have heard about the arrival of Abu `Ubaidah with something from Bahrain”. They said, “Yes! O Messenger of Allah!”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Rejoice and hope for that which will please you. By Allah, it is not poverty that I fear for you, but I fear that this world will be opened up with its wealth for you as it was opened to those before you; and you vie with one another over it as they did and eventually it will ruin you as it ruined them”.
[Muslim].

458. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sat on the pulpit and we sat around him. He said: “What I am concerned most is the flourishment and the beauty of this world will be available to you”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

459. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “The world is sweet and green (alluring); and verily, Allah is making you to succeed each other, generations after generations in it in order to see how you act. So beware of this world  and beware of women”.
[Muslim].

460. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “O Allah, there is no true life but the life of the Hereafter”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

461. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Three (things) follow a dead person: Members of his family, his property and his deeds. Two of them return; and one remains with him. The people and his wealth return; his deeds remain with him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

462. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Among the inmates of Hell, a person who had led the most luxurious life in this world will be brought up on the Day of Resurrection and dipped in the Fire and will be asked: `O son of Adam! Did you ever experience any comfort? Did you happen to get any luxury?’ He will reply: `By Allah, no, my Rubb.’ And then one of the people of Jannah who had experienced extreme misery in the life of this world will be dipped in Jannah. Then he will be asked: `O son of Adam! Did you ever experience any misery? Did you ever encounter difficulty?’ He will say: “By Allah, no my Rubb, I neither experienced misery nor passed through hardship”.
[Muslim].

463. Al-Mustaurad bin Shaddad (May allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “This world (i.e., its pleasures and duration) in comparison with the Hereafter is (similar to the amount of water) one gets when he puts his finger in the sea. Let him then see what it returns with”.
[Muslim].

464. Jabir bin `Abdullah (May allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was passing through the bazaar with his Companions on his both sides, when he saw a dead skinny lamb. He held its ear and said, “Who of you would like to have it for a dirham”. They replied, “We do not like to get it for nothing, and what shall we do with it?”. Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Would you like to have it for nothing?”. They replied, “Had it been alive, it would have been defective because it is skinny; but when dead it is of no use”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Truly, the world is more contemptible to Allah than this (the dead lamb) is to you”.
[Muslim].

465. Abu Dharr (May allah be pleased with him) reported: I was walking with the Prophet on the stony ground in Al-Madinah in the afternoon when Uhud Mount came into sight. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Abu Dharr!” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, here I am responding to you”. He said, “If I had as much gold as the weight of Uhud, it would not please me to have a single dinar out of it with me after the passage of three days, but I would hold back something for the repayment of a debt. I would distribute it among the slaves of Allah like this and like this and like this.” And he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) pointed in front of him, and on his right side and on his left side. We then walked a little further and he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “The rich would be poor on the Day of  Resurrection, except he who spent like this and like this and like this,”. and he pointed as he did the first time. “But such persons are few”. Then he said, “Stay where you are till I come back to you”. He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) walked ahead a little further in the darkness of the night and disappeared from my sight. I heard a loud voice. I said (to myself): “The Messenger of Allah might have met (mishap or an enemy)”. I wished I could go after him but I remembered his commanding me to stay till he came back. So I waited for him; and when he came, I made mention of what I had heard. He asked, “Did you hear it?”. I said, “Yes”. Then he said, “It was Jibril (Gabriel), who came to me and said: `He who dies among your Ummah without having associated anything with Allah (in worship) will enter Jannah.’ I said: `Even if he committed illicit sexual intercourse or steals?’ He (Jibril) said: `Even if he has committed illicit sexual intercourse or steals”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

466. Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “If I had gold equal to Mount Uhud (in weight), it would not please me to pass three nights and I have a thing of it left with me, except what I retain for repayment of a debt”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

467. Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Look at those who are inferior to you and do not look at those who are superior to you, for this will keep you from belittling Allah’s Favour to you.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

This is the wording in Sahih Muslim. The narration in Al-Bukhari is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)  said: “When one of you looks at someone who is superior to him in property and appearance, he should look at someone who is inferior to him”.

468. Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with ihm) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “May he be miserable, the worshipper of the dinar and dirham, and the worshipper of the striped silk cloak. If he is given anything, he is satisfied; but if not, he is unsatisfied”.
[Al-Bukhari]

469. Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw seventy of the people of the Suffah and none of them had a cloak. They had either a lower garment or a blanket which they suspended from their necks. Some (cloaks) reached halfway down to the legs and some to the ankles; and the man would manage to keep it in his hand to avoid exposing his private parts.
[Al-Bukhari].

470. Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “The world is the believer’s prison and the infidel’s Jannah”.
[Muslim].

471. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) took hold of my shoulders and said, “Be in the world like a stranger or a wayfarer”.

Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) used to say: “When you survive till the evening, do not expect to live until the morning; and when you survive until the morning, do not expect to live until the evening; (do good deeds) when you are in good health before you fall sick, and (do good deeds) as long as you are alive before death strikes”.
[Al-Bukhari].

472. Sahl bin Sa`d As-Sa`idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, guide me to such an action which, if I do Allah will love me and the people will also love me.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Have no desire for this world, Allah will love you; and have no desire for what people possess, and the people will love you.”
[Ibn Majah]

473. An-Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) spoke at length regarding the worldly prosperity that people had achieved and said: “I saw that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would pass his days in hunger and could not get even degraded dates to fill his stomach”.
[Muslim].

474. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) died when my house was void of any edible thing except for a small quantity of barley I had on a shelf and from which I kept eating it for a long time. Then when I measured what was left of it, it soon finished.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

475. `Amr bin Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with him) the brother of Juwairiyah (May Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of believers) reported: (When he died) Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) left neither a dinar nor a dirham nor a male slave nor a female slave, nor anything else except his white riding mule, his weapons and his land which he had given in charity to wayfarers.
[Al-Bukhari].

476. Al-Khabbab bin Al-Aratt (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We emigrated with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) seeking the pleasure of Allah and expecting our reward from Him. Some of us died without enjoying anything of it. Among them was Mus`ab bin `Umair (May Allah be pleased with him), who was killed in the battle of Uhud, leaving only a small coloured sheet of wool (which we used as his shroud). When we covered his head with it, his feet were exposed, and when we covered his feet with it, his head was uncovered. So the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) told us to cover his head and to put some Idhkhir (i.e., fragrant grass) over his feet. Others among us enjoy prosperity.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

477. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Were this world worth a wing of mosquito, He would not have given a drink of water to an infidel.”

[At-Tirmidhi].

478. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily! The world is accursed and what it contains is accursed, except remembrance of Allah and those who associate themselves with Allah; and a learned man, and a learning person.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

479. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do not crave for property lest you should be absorbed in the desire of worldly life.”
[At-Tirmidhi]

480. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: We were repairing our thatchy hut when Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by and asked us, “What are you doing?” We said, “The thatch had gone weak and we are repairing it.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I see the sure thing (death) approaching sooner than this.”
[Abu Dawud].

481. Ka`b bin `Iyad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, there is a Fitnah (trial) for every nation and the trial for my nation (or Ummah) is wealth.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

482. `Uthman bin `Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There is no right for the son of adam except in these (four) things: A house to live in, a cloth to cover therewith his private parts, bread and water.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

483.  `Abdullah bin Ash-Shikhkhir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) while he was reciting (Surat At-Takathur 102):

“The mutual rivalry (for hoarding worldly things) preoccupy you. Until you visit the graves (i.e., till you die). Nay! You shall come to know! Again nay! You shall come to know! Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge (the end result of hoarding, you would not have been occupied in worldly things). Verily, you shall see the blazing Fire (Hell)! And again, you shall see it with certainty of sight! Then (on that Day) you shall be asked about the delights (you indulged in, in this world)!” (102:1-8)

(After reciting) he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Son of adam says: `My wealth, my wealth.’ Do you own of your wealth other than what you eat and consume, and what you wear and wear out, or what you give in Sadaqah (charity) (to those who deserve it), and that what you will have in stock for yourself.”
[Muslim].

484. `Abdullah bin Mughaffal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! By Allah, I love you.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Think about what you are saying.” The man repeated thrice, “I swear by Allah that I love you.” He (Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “If you love me, you should be ready for acute poverty; because poverty comes to those who love me, faster than a flood flowing towards its destination.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

485. K`ab bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Two hungry wolves sent in the midst of a flock of sheep are no more destructive to them than a man’s greed for wealth and fame is to his Deen.”

[At-Tirmidhi]

486. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) slept on a straw mat and got up with the marks left by it on his body. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “O Messenger of Allah! Would that you make us spread out a soft bedding for you.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “What have I to do with the world? I am like a rider who had sat under a tree for its shade, then went away and left it.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

487. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The poor will enter Jannah five hundred years before the rich.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

488. Ibn `Abbas and `Imran bin Al-Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I looked into Jannah and saw that most of its dwellers are the poor; and I looked into Hell and saw that most of its inmates were women.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

489. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I stood at the gate of Jannah and saw that most of those who enter it were poor, whereas the rich were held back; but those who were destined to go to Hell were ordered to be sent there (immediately).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

490. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most truthful statement a poet has ever made is the saying of Labid: Everything besides Allah is vain.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

Excellence of Good Hopes

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 52
Excellence of Good Hopes

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“(And the man who believed said:) `… and my affair I leave it to Allah. Verily, Allah is the All-Seer of (His) slaves.’ So Allah saved him from the evils that they plotted (against him)”. (40:44,45)

440. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah says: `I am just as My slave thinks of Me when he remembers Me.’ By Allah! Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than one of you who unexpectedly finds in the desert his lost camel. `He who comes closer to Me one span, I come closer to him a cubit; and he who comes closer to Me a cubit, I come closer to him a fathom; and if he comes to Me walking, I come to him running”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

441. Jabir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying three days before his death: “Let none of you die unless he has good expectations from Allah”.
[Muslim].

442. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, has said: `O son of adam, I forgive you as long as you pray to Me and hope for My forgiveness, whatever sins you have committed. O son of  ‘Adam, I do not care if your sins reach the height of the heaven, then you ask for my forgiveness, I would forgive you. O son of  ‘Adam, if you come to Me with an earth load of sins, and meet Me associating nothing to Me, I would match it with an earthload of forgiveness.”’
[At-Tirmidhi].

Fear (of Allah)

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 50
Fear (of Allah)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And fear none but Me”. (2:40)

“Verily, (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) the Grip (punishment) of your Rubb is severe”. (85:12)

“Such is the Seizure of your Rubb when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, (and) severe. Indeed in that (there) is a sure lesson for those who fear the torment of the Hereafter. That is a Day whereon mankind will be gathered together, and that is a Day when all (the dwellers of the heavens and the earth) will be present. And We delay it only for a term (already) fixed. On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His (Allah’s) Leave. Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed. As for those who are wretched, they will be in the Fire, sighing in a high and low tone”. (11:102-106)

“And Allah warns you against Himself (His punishment)”. (3:30)

“That Day shall a man flee from his brother. And from his mother and his father. And from his wife and his children. Every man that Day will have enough to make him careless of others”. (80:34-37)

“O mankind! Fear your Rubb and be dutiful to Him! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour (of Resurrection) is a terrible thing. The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be the Torment of Allah”. (22:1,2)

“But for him who fears the standing before his Rubb, there will be two Gardens (i.e., in Jannah)”. (55:46)

“And some of them draw near to others, questioning. Saying: `Aforetime, we were afraid (of the punishment of Allah) in the midst of our families. So Allah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire. Verily, we used to invoke Him (Alone and none else) before. Verily, He is Al-Barr (the Most Subtle, Kind, Courteous, and Generous), the Most Merciful.”. (52:25-28)

396. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), the truthful and the receiver of the truth informed us, saying, “The creation of you (humans) is gathered in the form of semen in the womb of your mother for forty days, then it becomes a clinging thing in similar (period), then it becomes a lump of flesh like that, then Allah sends an angel who breathes the life into it; and (the angel) is commanded to record four things about it: Its provision, its term of life (in this world), its conduct; and whether it will be happy or miserable. By the One besides Whom there is no true god! Verily, one of you would perform the actions of the dwellers of Jannah until there is only one cubit  between him and it (Jannah), when what is foreordained would come to pass and he would perform the actions of the inmates of Hell until he enter it. And one of you would perform the actions of the inmates of Hell, until there is only one cubit between him and Hell. Then he would perform the acts of the dwellers of Jannah until he would enter it.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

397. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Hell will be brought on that Day (the Day of Resurrection) with seventy bridles; and with every bridle will be seventy thousand angels, pulling it”.
[Muslim].

398. Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The least tortured man on the Day of Resurrection is one underneath whose feet will be placed two live coal, and his brain will be boiling, and he would think that he is the most tortured, while he is the least tortured”,
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

399. Samurah bin Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Prophet of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Among the people of Hell are there those who will be emersed in fire to their ankels, some to their knees, some to their waists, and some to their throats”.
[Muslim].

400. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as saying, “Mankind will stand before Allah, the Rubb of the worlds (on the Day of Resurrection), some of them will stand submerged in perspiration up to half of their ears”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

401. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) delivered a Khutbah to us the like of which I had never heard from him before. He said, “If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much”. Thereupon those present covered their faces and began sobbing.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) heard of something about his Companions upon which he addressed them and said, “Jannah and (Hell) Fire were shown to me and I have never seen the like of this day in good and in evil. If you were to know what I know, you would laugh little and weep much”. His Companions experienced such suffering on that day that had no equal. They covered their faces and began to weep.
[Al-Bukhari].

402. Al-Miqdad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, the sun will come so close to people that there would be left only a distance of one Meel”. Sulaim bin `Amir said: By Allah, I do not know whether he meant by “Meel”, the mile of the distance measure or the stick used for applying antimony powder to the eye. (Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) is, however, reported to have said:) “The people then will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to the waist and some will have the bridle of perspiration (reaching their mouth and nose) and, while saying this Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) pointed to his mouth with his hand”.
[Muslim].

403. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The people will perspire on the Day of Resurrection and their perspiration will be seventy cubits down in the earth and it will reach up to their ears (they will be bridled with it)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

404. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were in the company of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when we heard a bang. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said. “Do you know what this (sound) is?” We said, “Allah and His Messenger know better.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “That is a stone which was thrown into Hell seventy years before and it has just reached its bottom”.
[Muslim].

405. `Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Everyone of you will speak to his Rubb without an interpreter between them. He will look to his right side and will see only the deeds he had previously done; he will look to his left and will see only the deeds he had previously done, and he will look in front of him and will see nothing but Fire (of Hell) before his face. So protect yourselves from Fire (of Hell), even by giving half a date-fruit (in charity)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

406. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I see what you do not see and I hear what you do not hear; heaven has squeaked, and it has right to do so. By Him, in Whose Hand my soul is, there is not a space of four fingers in which there is not an angel who is prostrating his forehead before Allah, the Exalted. By Allah, if you knew what I know, you would laugh little, weep much, and you would not enjoy women in beds, but would go out to the open space beseeching Allah”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

407. Abu Barzah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Man’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earn it and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

408. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) recited, “That Day it (the earth) will reveal its news (about all that happened over it of good or evil).” (99:4). Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) inquired, “Do you know what its news are?” He was told: “Allah and His Messenger know better”. He said, “Its news is that it shall bear witness against every slave man and woman they did on its back. It will say: `You did this and this on such and such day.’ Those will be its news.”
[At-Tirmidhi]

409. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “How can I feel at ease when the Angel of the Trumpet, (Israfil) has put his lips to the Trumpet and is waiting for the order to blow it”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) perceived as if this had shocked his Companions, so he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) told them to seek comfort through reciting: `Hasbunallah wa ni`mal-Wakil [Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of  affairs (for us)]”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

410. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “He who is afraid of the pillage of the enemy, sets out in the early part of the night; and he who sets out early, reaches his destination. Be on your guard that the commodity of Allah is precious. Verily the commodity of Allah is Jannah”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

411. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “The people will be assembled on the Day of Resurrection barefooted, naked and uncircumcised”. I said, “O Messenger of Allah! Will the men and the women be together on that Day; looking at one another?” Upon this Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Aishah, the matter will be too serious for them to look at one another”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Making Judgment of people keeping in view their evident actions andleaving their hidden Actions to Allah (swt)

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 49
Making Judgment of people keeping in view their evident actions and leaving
their hidden Actions to Allah (swt)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-As-Salat), and give Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (9:5)

390. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I have been commanded (by Allah) to fight people until they testify that there is no true god except Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and perform Salat and pay Zakat. If they do so, they will have protection of their blood and property from me except when justified by Islam, and then account is left to Allah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

391. Abu Abdullah bin Tariq bin Ashyam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who professes La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah), and denies of everything which the people worship besides Allah, his property and blood become inviolable, and it is for Allah to call him to account”.
[Muslim].

392. Al-Miqdad bin Al-Aswad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said, “Tell me, O Messenger of Allah, if I meet an infidel, and we fight together, and he cuts off my hands with his sword, then hides from me behind a tree and (then) says he has submitted himself to Allah. Shall I kill him after he has said it?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Do not kill him.” I submitted, “But O Messenger of Allah, he cut off one of my hands and only then he said it.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then replied, “Do not kill him, for if you do so, he will be in the position in which you were before you killed him (i.e., he will be considered a Muslim and thus his life will be inviolable), and you will be in the position in which he was before he made his testimony (i.e., your life will not be inviolable, for his heirs can ask for Qisas)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

393. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent us to Huraqat, a tribe of Juhainah. We attacked that tribe early in the morning and defeated them, (then) a man from the Ansar and I caught hold of a man (of the defeated tribe). When we overcame him, he said: `La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah).’ At that moment, the Ansari spared him, but I attacked him with my spear and killed him. By the time we went back to Al-Madinah, news had already reached Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). He said to me, “O Usamah, did you kill him after he professed La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah)?’‘ I said, “O Messenger of Allah! He professed it only to save his life.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) repeated, “Did you kill him after he had professed La ilaha illallah?” He went on repeating this to me until I wished I had not embraced Islam before that day (so that I would have not committed this sin).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Did you kill him in spite of his professing La ilaha illallah?” I said, “O Messenger of Allah! He said out of fear of our arms.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Why did you not cut his heart open to find out whether he had done so sincerely or not?” He continued repeating it until I wished that I had embraced Islam only that day.

394. Jundub bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) dispatched a contingent of the Muslims to a tribe of the polytheists. The two sides met (in combat) at one place. A man among the polytheists was so dashing that, whenever he intended to kill a man from Muslims, he killed him. Amongst the Muslims, too, was a man looking forward to (an opportunity of) his (polytheist’s) unmindfulness. He (the narrator) said: We talked that he was Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him). When he raised his sword, he (the soldier of the polytheists) uttered: “La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah).” But he (Usamah bin Zaid) killed him. When the good news of victory reached Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) he asked him (about the events of the battle), and he informed him about the man (Usamah) and what he had done. He (Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) sent for him and asked him why he had killed him. He (Usamah) said, “O Messenger of Allah, he struck the Muslims and killed such and such of them.” And he named some of them. (He continued): “I attacked him and when he saw the sword he said: `La ilaha illallah.”’ Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Did you kill him?” He (Usamah) replied in the affirmative. The Messenger of Allah then remarked, “What would you do with regard to (the utterance): La ilaha illallah, when it comes (before you) on the Day of Resurrection?” He (Usamah) said, “O Messenger of Allah! Beg forgiveness for me”. He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “What would you do with regard to (the utterance): La ilaha illallah, when it comes (before you) on the Day of Resurrection?” He (Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) added nothing to it but kept repeating, “What would you do with regard to (the utterance): La ilaha illallah, when it comes (before you) on the Day of Resurrection?”.
[Muslim].

395. `Abdullah bin `Utbah bin Mas`ud reported: I heard `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported saying: “In the lifetime of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) some people were called to account through Revelation. Now Revelation has discontinued and we shall judge you by your apparent acts. Whoever displays to us good, we shall grant him peace and security, and treat him as a near one. We have nothing to do with his insight. Allah will call him to account for that. But whosoever shows evil to us, we shall not grant him security nor shall we believe him, even if he professed that his intention is good.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Warning against persecution of the Pious, the Weak and the Indigent

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 48
Warning against persecution of the Pious, the Weak and the Indigent

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression. And repulse not the beggar.” (93:9,10)

389. Jundub bin Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who performs the Fajr (dawn) prayer comes under the Protection of Allah, so beware lest Allah questions you about what you owe Him. For if He questions anyone of you and he falls short of fulfilling the duty which he owes Him, He will requite and then throw upon his face into the Hell-fire”.
[Muslim].

Excellence and Etiquette of Sincere love for the sake of Allah

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 46
Excellence and Etiquette of Sincere love for the sake of Allah

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) is the Messenger of Allah. And those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking bounty from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e., of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurat (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, and becomes thick and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers, that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allah has promised those among them who believe (i.e., all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e., Jannah).’‘ (48:29)

“And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, – love those who emigrate to them…” (59:9)

375. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are three qualities whoever has them, will taste the sweetness of Iman: To love Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) more than anyone else; to love a slave (of Allah) only for (the sake of) Allah; and to abhor returning to infidelity after Allah has saved him from it as he would abhor to be thrown into the fire (of Hell)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

376. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Seven are (the persons) whom Allah will give Shade of His Thrown on the Day when there would be no shade other than His Throne’s Shade: A just ruler; a youth who grew up worshipping Allah; a man whose heart is attached to mosques; two persons who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of Allah; a man whom an extremely beautiful woman seduces (for illicit relation), but he (rejects this offer by saying): `I fear Allah’; a man who gives in charity and conceals it (to such an extent) that the left hand does not know what the right has given; and a person who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes well up”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

377. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah, the Exalted, will say: `Where are those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory? Today I shall shelter them in My Shade when there will be no shade except Mine”.
[Muslim].

378. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another. May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other. Promote greeting amongst you (by saying As-salamu `alaikum to one another)”.
[Muslim].

379. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man set out to visit a brother (in Faith) in another town and Allah sent an angel on his way. When the man met the angel, the latter asked him, “Where do you intend to go?” He said, “I intend to visit my brother in this town”. The angel said, “Have you done any favour to him?” He said, “No, I have no desire except to visit him because I love him for the sake of Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious.” Thereupon the angel said, “I am a messenger to you from Allah (to inform you) that Allah loves you as you love him (for His sake)”.
[Muslim].

380. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said about the Ansar: “Only a believer loves them, and only a hypocrite hates them. Allah loves him who loves them and Allah hates him who hates them”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

381. Mu`adh (bin Jabal) (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, has said: `For those who love one another for the sake of My Glory, there will be seats of light (on the Day of Resurrection), and they will be envied by the Prophets and martyrs”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

382. Abu Idris Al-Khaulani (May Allah had mercy upon him) reported: I once entered the mosque in Damascus. I happened to catch sight of a young man who had bright teeth (i.e., he was always seen smiling). A number of people had gathered around him. When they differed over anything they would refer it to him and act upon his advice. I asked who he was and I was told that he was Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) The next day I hastened to the mosque, but found that he had arrived before me and was busy in performing Salat. I waited until he finished, and then went to him from the front, greeted him with Salam and said to him, “By Allah I love you.” He asked, “For the sake of Allah?” I replied, “Yes, for the sake of Allah”. He again asked me, “Is it for Allah’s sake?” I replied, “Yes, it is for Allah’s sake.” Then he took hold of my cloak, drew me to himself and said, “Rejoice,! I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `Allah, the Exalted, says: My love is due to those who love one another for My sake, meet one another for My sake, visit one another for My sake and spend in charity for My sake”.
[Malik].

383. Abu Karimah Al-Miqdad bin Ma`dikarib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man loves his brother (for Allah sake) let him tell him that he loves him”.
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

384. Mu`adh (bin Jabal) (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) held my hand and said, “O Mu`adh, By Allah, I love you and advise you not to miss supplicating after every Salat (prayer) saying: `Allahumma a`inni `ala dhikrika wa shukrika, wa husni `ibadatika,’ (O Allah, help me remember You, expressing gratitude to You and worship You in the best manner)”.
[Abu Dawud and An-Nasa’i].

385. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man was with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when another man passed by and the former said: “O Messenger of Allah! I love this man (for Allah’s sake)”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Have you informed him?” He said, “No”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then said, “Tell him (that you love him)”. So he went up to the man and said to him, “I love you for the sake of Allah;” and the other replied, “May Allah, for Whose sake you love me, love you.”
[Abu Dawud].

Visiting the Pious Persons, loving them and adoption of their company

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 45
Visiting the Pious Persons, loving them and adoption of their company

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And (remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his boy-servant: `I will not give up (travelling) until I reach the junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travelling”’ (up to) “… Musa (Moses) said to him (Khidr): `May I follow you so that you teach me something of that knowledge (guidance and true path) which you have been taught (by Allah)?”. (18:60-66)

“And keep yourself (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) patiently with those who call on their Rubb (i.e., your companions who remember their Rubb with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Pleasure.” (18:28)

360. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: After the death of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) : “Let us visit Umm Aiman (May Allah be pleased with her) as Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to visit her”. As we came to her, she wept. They (Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said to her, “What makes you weep? Do you not know that what Allah has in store for His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) is better than (this worldly life)?” She said, “I weep not because I am ignorant of the fact that what is in store for Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) (in the Hereafter) is better than this world, but I weep because the Revelation has ceased to come”. This moved both of them to tears and they began to weep along with her.
[Muslim].

361. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man set out to visit a brother (in Faith) in another town and Allah sent an angel on his way. When the man met the angel, the latter asked him, “Where do you intend to go?” He said, “I intend to visit my brother in this town.” The angel said, “Have you done any favour to him?” He said, “No, I have no desire except to visit him because I love him for the sake of Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious.” Thereupon the angel said, “I am a messenger to you from Allah (to inform you) that Allah loves you as you love him (for His sake)”
[Muslim].

362. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Whosoever visits an ailing person or a brother of his to seek the Pleasure of Allah, an announcer (angel) calls out: `May you be happy, may your walking be blessed, and may you be awarded a dignified position in Jannah”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

363. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “The similitude of good company and that of bad company is that of the owner of musk and of the one blowing the bellows. The owner of musk would either offer you some free of charge, or you would buy it from him, or you smell its pleasant fragrance; and as for the one who blows the bellows (i.e., the blacksmith), he either burns your clothes or you smell a repugnant smell”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

364. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A woman is married for four things: for her wealth, for her lineage, for her beauty or for her piety. Select the pious, may you be blessed!”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

365. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to Jibril (Gabriel), “What prevents you from visiting us more frequently?” Thereupon was revealed the Ayah: “(The angels say:) `And we (angels) descend not except by the Command of your Rubb. To Him belongs what is before us and what is behind us, and what is between those two”.  (19:64)
[Al-Bukhari].

366. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Keep only a believer for a companion and let only a pious eat your food”.
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

367. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Man follows his friend’s religion, you should be careful who you take for friends”.
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

368. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A person will be summoned with the one whom he loves”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked; “What about a person who loves a people but cannot be with them?” (i.e., either he cannot attain their lofty position of righteousness or that he has not met with them in this life). He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “A person will be in the company of those whom he loves”.

369. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A bedouin came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said to him, “When will be the Hour (i.e., the Day of Resurrection)?” He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “What preparation have you made for it?” He said, “Only the love of Allah and His Messenger.” Then Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You will be with those whom you love.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The narration in Muslim is: The man replied: “I have made no significant preparation with regard to Salat (prayer), Saum (fasting) and Sadaqah (charity) but I love Allah and His Messenger”.

370. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! What do you think of a man who loves some people but does not go any nearer to their position?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “A man will be with those whom he loves”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

371. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “People are like gold and silver; those who were best in Jahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance) are best in Islam, if they have religious understanding; and the souls are like recruited soldiers, they get mixed up with those similar with them in qualities and oppose and drift away from those who do not share their qualities”.
[Muslim].

372. Usair bin `Amr (Ibn Jabir) reported: When delegations from Yemen came to the help of (the Muslim army at the time of Jihad)  `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) would ask them, “Is there Owais bin `Amir amongst you?” (He continued searching him) until he met Owais (May Allah be pleased with him). He said, “Are you Owais bin `Amir?” He said, “Yes”. `Umar asked, “Are you from the Qaran branch of the tribe of Murad?” He said, “Yes”. He `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) again said, “Did you suffer from leucoderma and then you were cured from it but for the space of a dirham?” He said, “Yes”. He `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “Is your mother still alive?” He said, “Yes”. He `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `There would come to you Owais bin `Amir with the reinforcement from the people of Yemen. He would be from Qaran (the branch) of Murad. He had been suffering from leucoderma from which he was cured but for a spot of a dirham. He has a mother to whom he is very dutiful. If he were to take an oath in the Name of Allah, Allah would fulfill his oath. And if it is possible for you, ask him to ask forgiveness for you.’ So, ask forgiveness for me”. He Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) did so. `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) then said, “Where do you intend to go?” He said, “To Kufah.” He `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “Let me write a letter for you to its governor,” whereupon he Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “I love to live amongst the poor people”. The following year, a person from among the elite (of Kufah) performed Hajj and he met `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him). `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) asked him about Owais (May Allah be pleased with him). He said, “I left him in a state with meagre means of sustenance in a decayed house.” (Thereupon) `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `There would come to you Owais bin `Amir of Qaran, a branch (of the tribe) of Murad, along with the reinforcement of the people of Yemen. He had been suffering from leucoderma which would have been cured but for the space of a dirham. He has a mother to whom he is very dutiful. Were he to swear, trusting Allah, for something, Allah would fulfill his oath. If you can ask him to pray for forgiveness for you, do so”. This man went to Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) and asked him to pray for forgiveness for him. Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) said to him, “You have just returned from a blessed journey, it is you who should pray for forgiveness for me; and did you meet `Umar?” The man said, “Yes”. `Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) then prayed for forgiveness for him. People became aware of the high status of Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) and he set out following his course.
[Muslim].

  Another narration is: A delegation from Kufah came to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him). Among them was one who used to make fun of Owais (May Allah be pleased with him). `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) enquired, “Is there anyone among you who is from Qaran?” So this man stepped forward. Then `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `A man will come to you from Yemen named Owais. He will have left in the Yemen only his mother. He was suffering from leucoderma and prayed to Allah to be cured of it. So he was cured except for a space of the size of a dinar or a dirham. Whoever of you should meet him should ask him to pray for forgiveness for him.”’

Another narration is: `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `The best one of the next generation (At-Tabi`un) is a man called Owais, he will have a mother and he will be suffering from leucoderma. Go to him and ask him to pray for forgiveness for you”.
[Muslim].

373. `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I sought permission of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to perform `Umrah. He granted me leave and said, “Dear brother! Do not forget us in your supplications”. (`Umar added): This is something I would not exchange for the whole world.

Another narration is: He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Include us, my dear brother, in your supplications.” [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, who categorized the Hadith as Hasan Sahih. Sheikh Salim Al-Hilali in his book “Bahjatun-Nazireen, Sharh Riyad-us-Saliheen” classifies it as “Da`if”, the reason being that `Asim bin `Abdullah is “weak” in narration].

374. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to visit Quba’, either mounted or on foot and would offer two Rak`ah prayer in the mosque there.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to visit the mosque at Quba’ every Saturday (i.e., every week) either mounted or on foot, and Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) used to do the same thing.

Revering the Scholars and Elders, Preferring them to others and raisingtheir Status

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 44
Revering the Scholars and Elders, Preferring them to others and raising their
Status

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Say: `Are those who know equal to those who know not?’ It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e., get a lesson from Allah’s Signs and Verses).” (39:9)

348. Abu Mas`ud `Uqbah bin `Amr Al-Badri Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person who is best versed in the recitation of the Book of Allah, should lead the prayer; but if all those present are equally versed in it, then the one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah; if they are equal in that respect too, then the one who has emigrated (to Al-Madinah) first, if they are equal in this respect also, then the oldest of them. No man should lead another in prayer where the latter has authority, or sit in his house, without his permission”.
[Muslim].

 In another narration in Muslim: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “One who is senior most in accepting Islam, should lead the Salat (prayer)”.

Yet another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man who is well versed in the Book of Allah and can recite it better, should lead the Salat (prayer); if (all those present) are equal in this respect, then the man who is senior most in respect of emigration, if they are equal in that respect too, then the oldest of them should lead the prayer”.
[Muslim].

349. Abu Mas`ud Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would place his hands upon our shoulders when we would form rows for As-Salat (the prayer) and say, “Stand in straight rows and do not differ among yourselves, or else your hearts will differ due to disaccord. Let those be nearest to me who are mature and endowed with understanding (of the religion), then those who are nearest to them in these respects and then those who are nearest to them”.
[Muslim].

350. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Let those be nearest to me in Salat (prayer) who are mature and possess (religious) knowledge, then those who are nearest to them in these respects”. He repeated this three times and then added, “Beware of indulging in the loose talks of the markets (when you are in the mosque)”.
[Muslim].

351. Sahl bin Abu Hathmah Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: `Abdullah bin Sahl and Muhaiyisah bin Mas`ud ¨(May Allah be pleased with them) went to Khaibar during the period of the truce (after its conquest) and they separated to perform their duties. When Muhaiyisah returned to `Abdullah bin Sahl, he found him murdered, drenched in his blood. So he buried him and returned to Al-Madinah. Then `Abdur-Rahman bin Sahl, Huwaiyisah and Muhaiyisah, the two sons of Mas`ud went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and spoke about the case of their (murdered) friend. `Abdur-Rahman, who was the youngest of them all, started talking. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Let those older than you speak first.” So he stopped talking and the (other two) spoke about the case of their (murdered) friend. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Will you take an oath whereby you will have the right to receive the blood money of your murdered man?” And mentioned the rest of the Hadith.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

352. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: After the battle of Uhud, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) arranged the burial of two of the martyrs in one grave. In each case he would ask, “Which one of them had learnt more Qur’an by heart?” Whichever was thus pointed out to him, was placed by him first in the Lahd.
[Al-Bukhari].

353. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with tehm) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It was shown to me in my dream that I was cleaning my teeth with a Miswak and two men came to me, one being older than the other. I gave the Miswak to the younger one, but I was asked to give it to the older, which I did”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

354. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is out of reverence to Allah in respecting an aged Muslim, and the one who commits the Qur’an to memory and does not exaggerate pronouncing its letters nor forgets it after memorizing, and to respect the just ruler”.
[Abu Dawud]

355. `Amr bin Shu`aib (May Allah be pleased with him)on the authority of his father who heard it from his father reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “He is not one of us who shows no mercy to younger ones and does not acknowledge the honour due to our elders”.
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

356. Maimun bin Abu Shabib (May Allah had mercy upon him) reported: A begger asked `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) for charity and she gave him a piece of bread. Thereafter, one well-dressed person asked her for charity and she invited him to sit down and served him food. When she was asked about the reason for the difference in treatment, she said: “Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) instructed us: `Treat people according to their status”.
[Abu Dawud].

357. Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: `Uyainah bin Hisn came to Al-Madinah and stayed with his nephew Al-Hurr bin Qais who was among those who were close to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) and had access to his council. The scholarly persons, whether they were old or young, had the privilege of joining his council and he used to consult them. `Uyainah said to Al-Hurr: “My dear nephew, you have an access to the Leader of the Believers. Will you obtain permission for me to sit with him?” Al-Hurr asked `Umar and he accorded permission. When `Uyainah came into the presence of `Umar, he addressed him thus: “O son of Al-Khattab, you neither bestow much on us nor deal with us justly.” `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) got angry and was about to beat him when Al-Hurr said: “O Leader of the Believers, Allah has said to his Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): `Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e., don’t punish them), [i.e., `Uyainah] (7:199). This is one of the ignorant ones.” By Allah! When al-Hurr recited this, `Umar became quite motionless in his seat. He always adhered strictly to the Book of Allah.
[Al-Bukhari]

358. Abu Sa`id Samurah bin Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was a boy during the lifetime of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and used to commit to my memory what he said, but I do not narrate what I preserved because there were among us people who were older than me.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

359. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a young man honours an older person on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to show reverence to him in his old age”
[At-Tirmidhi].

 

Showing reverence to the Family of Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 43

Showing reverence to the Family of Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs (evil deeds and sins) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)), and to purify you with a thorough purification.” (33:33)

“And whosoever honours the Symbols of Allah, then it is truly from the piety of the heart.” (22:32)

346. Yazid bin Haiyan reported: I went along with Husain bin Sabrah and `Amr bin Muslim to Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be pleased with them) and, as we sat by his side, Husain said to him, “Zaid, you acquired great merits, you saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), listened to him talking, fought by his side in (different) battles, and offered Salat (prayer) behind him. Zaid, you have indeed earned great merits. Could you narrate to us what you heard from Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)?” Zaid said, “By Allah! I have grown old and have almost spent up my age and I have forgotten some of the things which I remembered in connection with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), so accept what I narrate to you, do not compel me to narrate what I fail to narrate”. He then said, “One day Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) stood up to deliver a Khutbah at a watering place known as Khumm between Makkah and Al-Madinah. He praised Allah, extolled Him, and exhorted (us) and said, `Amma Ba`du. O people, I am a human being. I am about to receive a messenger (the angel of death) from my Rubb and I will respond to Allah’s Call, but I am leaving with you two weighty things: the first is the Book of Allah, in which there is right guidance and light, so hold fast to the Book of Allah and adhere to it.’ He exhorted (us to hold fast) to the Book of Allah and then said, `The second is the members of my household, I remind you (to be kind) to the members of my family. I remind you (to be kind) to the members of my family. Husain said to Zaid, “Who are the members of his household, O Zaid? Aren’t his wives the members of his family?” Thereupon Zaid said, “His wives are the members of his family. (But here) the members of his family are those for whom Zakat is forbidden”.  He asked, “Who are they?” Zaid said, “Ali and the offspring of `Ali, `Aqil and the offspring of `Aqil and the offspring of Ja`far and the offspring of `Abbas.” Husain asked, “For all of them the acceptance of Zakat is forbidden?” Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “Yes”.

[Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I am leaving behind me two weighty things. One of them is the Book of Allah; that is the strong rope of Allah. Whosoever holds firmly to it, will be the guided, and whosoever leaves it goes astray”.

347. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Show reverence to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) by honouring the members of his family.”

[Al-Bukhari].

Excellence in doing Good to the Friends of Parents and other Relatives

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 42
Excellence in doing Good to the Friends of Parents and other Relatives

341. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The finest act of goodness is that a person should treat kindly the loved ones of his father”.
[Muslim].

342. `Abdullah bin Dinar reported: `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) met a bedouin on his way to Makkah, he greeted him, offered him to mount the donkey he was riding and gave him the turban he was wearing on his head. Ibn Dinar said to him: “May Allah make you pious! Bedouins can be satisfied with anything you give them (i.e., what you have given the bedouin is too much). Upon this, `Abdullah bin `Umar said, the father of this man was one of `Umar’s friends whom he loved best, and I heard Messenger of Allah saying, “The finest act of goodness is the good treatment of someone whom one’s father loves”.

Another narration goes: When `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) set out to Makkah, he kept a donkey with him to ride when he would get tired from the riding of the camel, and had a turban which he tied round his head. One day, as he was riding the donkey, a bedouin happened to pass by him. He (`Abdullah bin `Umar) said, “Aren’t you so-and-so?” The bedouin said, “Yes”. He (`Abdullah bin `Umar) gave him his donkey and his turban and said, “Ride this donkey, and tie this turban round your head”. Some of his companions said, “May Allah forgive you, you gave to this bedouin the donkey which you enjoyed to ride for change, and the turban which you tied round your head”.`Abdullah bin `Umar said,”I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `The finest act of goodness is the kind treatment of a person to the loved ones of his father after his death,‘ and the father of this person was a friend of `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him).
[Muslim].

343. Abu Usaid Malik bin Rabi`ah As-Sa`idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were sitting with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when a man of Banu Salamah came to him and asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Is there any obedience to parents left that I can show to them after their death?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Yes, to pray for them, to supplicate for their forgiveness, to fulfill their promises after their death, to maintain the ties of kinship which cannot be maintained except through them, and honour their friends.”
[Abu Dawud].

344. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I never felt jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as much as I did of Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her), although I have never seen her, but the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to mention her very often. Whenever he slaughtered a sheep, he would cut it into pieces and send them to the women friends of Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her). When I sometimes said to him: “You treat Khadijah in such a way as if there is no woman on earth except her”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would say, “Khadijah was such and such (commending her and speaking well of her), and I had children from her”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: And if he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) slaughtered a sheep, he would send meat to the friends of Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) as a present as much as would suffice them.

Another narration is: When a sheep was slaughtered, he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would say, “Send this meat to Khadijah’s friends.” Once, Halah bint Khuwailid (May Allah be pleased with her), sister of Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her), sought permission of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to enter. He recognized and recalled to his mind the manner of Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) and was deeply moved. He said, “O Allah, she must be Halah bint Khuwailid”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

345. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I set out along with Jarir bin `Abdullah Al-Bajali (May Allah be pleased with him) on a journey and he served me. I said to him: “Don’t do that.” Thereupon, he said, “I have seen the Ansar doing this with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and I swore by Allah, whenever I accompany anyone of the Ansar, I would serve him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

Prohibition of Disobeying Parents and severance of Relations

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 41
Prohibition of Disobeying Parents and severance of Relations

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.” (47:22,23)

“And those who break the Covenant of Allah, after its ratification, and sever that which Allah has commanded to be joined (i.e., they sever the bond of kinship and are not good to their relatives), and work mischief in the land, on them is the curse (i.e., they will be far away from Allah’s Mercy), and for them is the unhappy (evil) home (i.e., Hell).” (13:25)

“And your Rubb has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: `My Rubb! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.”’ (17:23,24)

336. Abu Bakrah Nufai` bin Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shall I not inform you of the biggest of the major sins?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked this question thrice. We said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah. (Please inform us.)”. He said, “Ascribing partners to Allah, and to be undutiful to your parents”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sat up from his reclining position and said, “And I warn you against giving forged statement and a false testimony; I warn you against giving forged statement and a false testimony”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) kept on repeating that warning till we wished he would stop.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

337.  Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(Of the) major sins are: to ascribe partners to Allah, disobey parents, murder someone, and to take a false oath (intentionally)”.
[Al-Bukhari].

338. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is one of the gravest sins to abuse one’s parents.” It was asked (by the people): “O Messenger of Allah, can a man abuse his own parents?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He abuses the father of somebody who, in return, abuses the former’s father; he then abuses the mother of somebody who, in return, abuses his mother”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “One of the major sins is to curse one’s parents”. It was submitted: “O Messenger of Allah! How can a man curse his own parents?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When someone curses the parents of another man who in return abuses the former’s father; and when someone abuses the mother of another man who in return abuses his mother.”

339. Abu Muhammad Jubair bin Mut`im (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Jannah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

340. Abu ‘Isa Al-Mughirah bin Shu`bah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah has forbidden you: disobedience to your mothers, to withhold (what you should give), or demand (what you do not deserve), and to bury your daughters alive. And Allah dislikes idle talk, to ask too many questions (for things which will be of no benefit to one), and to waste your wealth”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

Kind Treatment towards Parents and establishment of the ties of BloodRelationship

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 40
Kind Treatment towards Parents and establishment of the ties of Blood
Relationship

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess”. (4:36)

“And fear Allah through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship)”. (4:1)

“And those who join that which Allah has commanded to be joined (i.e., they are good to their relatives and do not sever the bond of kinship)”. (13:21)

“And we have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents”. (29:8)

“And your Rubb has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: `My Rubb! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young”. (17:23,24)

“And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years- give thanks to Me and to your parents”. (31:14)

312. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) , “Which of the deeds is loved most by Allah?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Salat at its proper time.” I asked, “What next?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Kindness to parents.” I asked, “What next?” He replied, “Jihad in the way of Allah.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

313. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No son can repay (the kindness shown by his father) unless he finds him a slave and buys him and emancipates him”.
[Muslim].

314. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be hospitable to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain good the ties of blood relationship; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, must speak good or remain silent”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

315.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah created all the creatures and when He finished the task of His creation, Ar-Rahm (ties of relationship) said: `(O Allah) at this place I seek refuge with You against severing my ties.’ Allah said: `That I treat with kindness those who treat you with kindness and sever ties with those who sever ties with you.’ It said: `I am satisfied.’ Allah said: `Then this is yours”. Then Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Recite this Ayah if you like: `Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight”. (47:22,23).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The words in Al-Bukhari are: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah (SWT) says: `He who maintains good ties with you, I maintain good ties with him; and he who severs your ties, I sever ties with him”.

316. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A person came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and asked, “Who among people is most deserving of my fine treatment?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Your mother”. He again asked, “Who next?” “Your mother”, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied again. He asked, “Who next?” He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said again, “Your mother.” He again asked, “Then who?” Thereupon he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said,” Then your father.”

In another narration: “O Messenger of Allah! Who is most deserving of my fine treatment?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then your nearest, then nearest”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

317. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced, whose parents, one or both, attain old age during his life time, and he does not enter Jannah (by rendering being dutiful to them)”.
[Muslim].

318. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “I have relatives with whom I try to keep the ties of relationship but they sever relations with me; and whom I treat kindly but they treat me badly, I am gentle with them but they are rough to me.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “If you are as you say, it is as if you are feeding them hot ashes, and you will be with a supporter against them from Allah as long as you continue to do so”.
[Muslim].

319. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who desires ample provisions and his life be prolonged, should maintain good ties with his blood relations”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

320. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) was the richest among the Ansar of Al-Madinah and possessed the largest property; and among his possessions what he loved most was his garden known as Bairuha’ which was opposite the mosque, and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) often visited it and drank from its fresh water. When this ayah was revealed: “By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness – here it means Allah’s reward, i.e., Jannah), unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love,” (3:92). Abu Talhah came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and said: “Allah says in His Book: `By no means shall you attain Al-Birr, unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love,‘ and the dearest of my property is Bairuha’ so I have given it as Sadaqah (charity) for Allah’s sake, and I anticipate its reward with Him; so spend it, O Messenger of Allah, as Allah guides you”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Well-done! That is profitable property. I have heard what you have said, but I think you should spend it on your nearest relatives.” So Abu Talhah distributed it among his nearest relatives and cousins.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

321. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) of Allah and said, “I swear allegiance to you for emigration and Jihad, seeking reward from Allah.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Is any of your parents alive?” He said, “Yes, both of them are alive.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then asked, “Do you want to seek reward from Allah?” He replied in the affirmative. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Go back to your parents and keep good company with them”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In another narration it is reported that a person came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and sought his permission to participate in Jihad. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Are your parents alive?” He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet a(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(You should) consider their service as Jihad.”

322. `Abdullah bin `Amr Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person who perfectly maintains the ties of kinship is not the one who does it because he gets recompensed by his relatives (for being kind and good to them), but the one who truly maintains the bonds of kinship is the one who persists in doing so even though the latter has severed the ties of kinship with him”.
[Al-Bukhari].

323. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The bond of relationship is suspending from the Throne, and says: `He who keeps good relations with me, Allah will keep connection with him, but whosoever severs relations with me, Allah will sever connection with him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

324. It has been narrated that Maimuna bint Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with her) had set free a slave-girl without the Prophet’s permission. When her turn came (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)  used to visit his wives in turns), she made mention of that to him saying, “Did you know I have set slave-girl free?” He said, “Have you, indeed?” She replied, “Yes”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then remarked, “Had you given her to your maternal uncles, you would have your reward increased”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

325. Asma’ bint Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with her) said: My mother came to me while she was still a polytheist, so I asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), “My mother, who is ill-disposed to Islam, has come to visit me. Shall I maintain relations with her?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Yes, maintain relations with your mother”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

326. Zainab Ath-Thaqafiyah (May Allah be pleased with her) the wife of `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) told the women that they should give Sadaqah (charity), even if it should be some of their jewellery, I returned to `Abdullah bin Mas`ud and said, “You are a man who does not possess much, and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has commanded us to give Sadaqah. So go and ask him if giving to you will serve the purpose; otherwise, I shall give it to someone else.” He asked me that I should better go myself. I went and found a woman of the Ansar at the door of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), waiting to ask a similar question as mine. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was endowed with dignity, and so we could not go in. When Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him) came out to us, we said to him: “Go to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and tell him that there are two women at the door who have come to ask him whether it will serve them to give Sadaqah to their husbands and to orphans who are in their charge, but do not tell him who we are. Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him) went in and asked him, and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked him who the women were. When he told him that they were a woman of the Ansar and Zainab, he asked him which Zainab it was, and when he was told it was the wife of `Abdullah bin Mas`ud, he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “They will have a double reward, one for maintaining the ties of kinship and another for Sadaqah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

327. Abu Sufyan Sakhr bin Harb (May Allah be pleased with him) mentioned Heraclius in a long Hadith and said: Heraclius asked me, “What does this Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) teach you?” I said, “He orders us to worship Allah Alone and not to associate a thing with Him in worship, to discard what our ancestors said, to perform the Salat (prayer), speak the truth, and maintain the ties of kinship”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

328. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You will soon conquer a land where people deal with Qirat.”

 And according to another version: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You will soon conquer Egypt where Al-Qirat is frequently mentioned. So when you conquer it, treat its inhabitants well. For there lies upon you the responsibility because of blood ties or relationship (with them)”.
[Muslim].

329. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When this Verse was revealed: “And warn your tribe (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) of near kindred”. (26:214) Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) called the Quraish; when they gathered, he said to them: “O sons of `Abd Shams; O sons of Ka`b bin Lu’ai, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O sons of Murrah bin Ka`b, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O sons of `Abd Manaf, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O sons of `Abdul-Muttalib, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O Fatimah, rescue yourself from the Fire, for I have no power (to protect you) from Allah in anything except that I would sustain relationship with you”.
[Muslim].

330. Abu Abdullah `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) said: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying openly not secretly, “The family of so-and-so (i.e., Abu Talib) are not my supporters. My supporter is Allah and the righteous believing people. But they (that family) have kinship (Rahm) with whom I will maintain good the ties of kinship”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

331. Abu Ayyub Khalid bin Zaid Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “Direct me to a deed which will admit me to Jannah and take me away from the Fire”. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Worship Allah and associate no partner with Him, perform As-Salat, pay Zakat, and maintain the ties of kinship”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

332. Salman bin `Amir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When you break fast, you should do it with a date-fruit for there is blessing in it, and if you do not find a date-fruit, break it with water for it is pure.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added: “Charity towards a poor person is charity, and towards a relation is both charity and maintaining the ties (of kinship)”.
[Tirmidhi].

333. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I had a wife whom I loved but `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) disliked her. He asked me to divorce her and when I refused, `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and mentioned the matter to him. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked me to divorce her.
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

334. Abud-Darda’ (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to me and said, “I have a wife whom my mother commands me to divorce”. I replied him that I had heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “A parent is the best of the gates of Jannah; so if you wish, keep to the gate, or lose it.”
[At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah].

335. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “A mother’s sister is equivalent to (real) mother (in status)”.
[At-Tirmidhi]

 

Rights of Neighbors

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 39
Rights of Neighbors

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess.” (4:36)

303. Ibn `Umar and `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Jibril kept recommending treating neighbours with kindness until I thought he would assign a share of inheritance”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

304. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) commanded me thus, “O Abu Dharr! Whenever you prepare a broth, put plenty of water in it, and and give some of it to your neighbours”.
[Muslim].

    In another narration of Muslim, narrated Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him): My friend, (Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) advised me saying, “Whenever you prepare a broth, put plenty of water in it, and give some to your neighbours and then give them out of this with courtesy.”

305. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer.” It was asked, “Who is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “One whose neighbour does not feel safe from his evil”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration of Muslim is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He will not enter Jannah whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct”.

306. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Muslim women! No one of you should consider insignificant (a gift) to give to her neighbour even if it is (a gift of) the trotters of a sheep”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

307. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No one should prohibit his neighbour from placing a peg in his wall”. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) added: Now I see you turning away from this (Sunnah), but by Allah, I shall go on proclaiming it.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

308. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him not harm his neighbour; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him speak good or remain silent”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

309. Abu Shuraih Al-Khuza`i (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be kind to his neighbour; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him either speak good or remain silent”.
[Muslim].

310. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), I have two neighbours, to which of them should I send a present?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “To the one whose door is nearer to you”.
[Al-Bukhari]

311. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best of companions with Allah is the one who is best to his companions, and the best of neighbours to Allah is the one who is the best of them to his neighbour”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

Urging one’s kith and kin to Obey Allah and refrain from evils

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 38
Urging one’s kith and kin to Obey Allah and refrain from evils

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And enjoin Salat (the prayer) on your family, and be patient in offering them (i.e., the Salat).” (20:132)

“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell), whose fuel is men and stones.” (66:6)

298. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Al-Hasan bin `Ali (May Allah be pleased with them) took one of the dates of the Sadaqah (charity) and put it in his mouth, whereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Leave it, leave it, throw it away. Do you not know that we do not eat the Sadaqah (charity)?”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

299. `Umar bin Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was a boy under the care of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and my hand would wander about in the dish. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me “Mention Allah’s Name (i.e., say Bismillah before you start eating), eat with your right hand and eat from what is near to you”. I always followed this way of eating after this incident.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

300. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “All of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects. The ruler is a guardian and responsible for his subjects; the man is a guardian of his family; the woman is guardian in her husband’s house and responsible for her wards; a servant is guardian of his master’s property and responsible for his ward. So all of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

301. `Amr bin Shu`aib reported on his father’s authority that his grandfather (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Command your children to perform Salat (prayer) when they are seven years old, and beat them for (not offering) it when they are ten, and do not let (boys and girls) sleep together”.
[Abu Dawud].

302. Sabrah bin Ma`bad Al-Juhani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Teach a boy Salat (the prayer) when he attains the age of seven years, and punish him (if he does not offer it) at ten”.
[Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi].

The narration in Abu Dawud is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Order a boy to perform Salat (the prayer) when he is seven years old”.

Spending favorite things for Allah’s sake

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 37
Spending favorite things for Allah’s sake

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness – here it means Allah’s reward, i.e., Jannah), unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love.” (3:92)

“O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it.” (2:267)

297. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) was the richest among the Ansar of Al-Madinah and possessed the largest property from palm-trees, and among his possessions what he loved most, was his garden known as Bairuha’ which was opposite the mosque, and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) often visited it and drank from its fresh water. When this Ayah was revealed: “By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness – here it means Allah’s reward, i.e., Jannah), unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love,” (3:92), Abu Talhah came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “Allah says in His Book: `By no means shall you attain Al-Birr, unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love,‘ and the dearest of my property is Bairuha’ so I have given it as Sadaqah (charity) for Allah’s sake, and I anticipate its reward with Him; so spend it, O Messenger of Allah, as Allah guides you.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Well-done! That is profit earning property. I have heard what you have said, but I think you should spend it on your nearest relatives.” So Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) distributed it among nearest relatives and cousins.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Sustentation of the Members of the Family

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 36
Sustentation of the Members of the Family

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“The father of the child shall bear the cost of the mother’s food and clothing on a reasonable basis”. (2:233)

“Let the rich man spend according to his means, and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him”. (65:7)

“And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it”. (34:39)

289. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A dinar you spend in Allah’s way, or to free a slave, or as a charity you give to a needy person, or to support your family, the one yielding the greatest reward is that which you spend on your family”.
[Muslim].

290. Thauban bin Bujdud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most excellent dinar is one that a person spends on his family, and the dinar which he spends on his riding-animal in the way of Allah (in Jihad), and the dinar he spends on his companions in the way of Allah”.
[Muslim].

291. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), “Would I be rewarded for what I spend on Abu Salamah’s sons? For I can’t let them go here and there (to beg people).” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Spend on them and you will be rewarded for what you spend on them”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

292. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in a Hadith included in the chapter of Intention, that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whatever you spend seeking thereby the Pleasure of Allah, will have its reward, even the morsel which you put in the mouth of your wife”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

293. Abu Mas`ud Al-Badri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When someone spends on his family seeking his reward for it from Allah, it is counted as a charity from him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

294. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Neglecting one’s own dependents is a reason enough for a man to commit a sin”.
[Abu Dawud]

The narration in Muslim is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is enough sin for a person to hold back the due of one whose provision is in his hand”.

295. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Two angels descend every morning, and one says: `O Allah, give him who spends something, in place of what he spends.’ The other one says: `O Allah, give destruction to him who withholds”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

296. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The upper hand is better than the lower one (i.e., the spending hand is better than the receiving hand); and begin (charity) with those who are under your care; and the best charity is that which given out of surplus; and he who asks (Allah) to help him abstain from the unlawful and the forbidden, Allah will fulfill his wish; and he who seeks self-sufficiency will be made self-sufficient by Allah”.
[Al-Bukhari].

Husband’s rights concerning his Wife

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 35
Husband’s rights concerning his Wife

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore, the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband’s absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g., their chastity and their husband’s property).” (4: 34)

281. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man calls his wife to his bed, and she does not respond and he (the husband) spends the night angry with her, the angels curse her until morning”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

   In another narration: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a woman spends the night away from the bed of her husband, the angels curse her until morning”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

   In another narration: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand is my life, when a man calls his wife to his bed, and she does not respond, the One Who is above the heaven becomes displeased with her until he (her husband) becomes pleased with her”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

282. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is not lawful for a woman to observe (voluntary) fasting without the permission of her husband when he is at home; and she should not allow anyone to enter his house without his permission.”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

283. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “All of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects, the man is a guardian of his family, the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her husband’s house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

284. Abu `Ali Talq bin `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire, she must go to him even if she is occupied with the oven”.
[At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i].

285. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If I were to order anyone to prostrate himself before another, I would have ordered a woman to prostrate herself before her husband”.
[At-Tirmidhi]

286. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Any woman dies while her husband is pleased with her, she will enter Jannah”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

287. Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whenever a woman harms her husband in this world (that is without any due right), his wife among the (Houris in Jannah) says: `You must not harm him. May Allah destroy you! He is only a passing guest with you and is about to leave you to come to us”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

288.  Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I am not leaving behind me a more harmful trial for men than women”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Recommendations with regard to Women

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 34
Recommendations with regard to Women

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“… and live with them honourably”. (4:19)

“You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire, so do not incline too much to one of them (by giving her more of your time and provision) so as to leave the other hanging (i.e., neither divorced nor married). And if you do justice, and do all that is right, and fear Allah by keeping away from all that is wrong, then Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (4:129)

273. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Take my advice with regard to women: Act kindly towards women, for they were created from a rib, and the most crooked part of a rib is its uppermost. If you attempt to straighten it; you will break it, and if you leave it alone it will remain crooked; so act kindly toward women”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In another narration of Al-Bukhari and Muslim, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “A woman is like a rib, if you attempt to straighten it, you will break it; and if you benefit from her, you will do so while crookedness remains in her”.

In another narration of Muslim, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Woman has been created from a rib and will in no way be straightened for you; so if you want to benefit from her, you will benefit from her while crookedness remains in her. If you attempt to straighten her, you will break her, and breaking her is divorcing her”.

274. `Abdullah bin Zam`ah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) giving a speech when he mentioned the she-camel (of Prophet Salih) and the man who had killed her. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “When the most wicked man among them went forth (to kill the she-camel).’ (91:12) signifies that a distinguished, wicked and most powerful chief of the people jumped up to kill the she-camel.” Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made mention of women and said, “Some of you beat your wives as if they were slaves, and then lie with them at the end of the day”.

Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) admonished them against laughing at another’s passing of wind, saying, “Why does any of you laugh at another doing what he does himself”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

275. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A believer must not hate (his wife) believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics he will be pleased with another”.
[Muslim].

276. `Amr bin Al-Ahwas Al-Jushami (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he had heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying on his Farewell Pilgrimage, after praising and glorifying Allah and admonishing people, “Treat women kindly, they are like captives in your hands; you do not owe anything else from them. In case they are guilty of open indecency, then do not share their beds and beat them lightly but if they return to obedience, do not have recourse to anything else against them. You have rights over your wives and they have their rights over you. Your right is that they shall not permit anyone you dislike to enter your home, and their right is that you should treat them well in the matter of food and clothing”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

277. Mu`awiyah bin Haidah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “What right can any wife demand of her husband?” He replied, “You should give her food when you eat, clothe her when you clothe yourself, not strike her on the face, and do not revile her or separate from her except in the house”.
[Abu Dawud].

278. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The believers who show the most perfect Faith are those who have the best behaviour, and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

279. Iyas bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not beat Allah’s bondwomen.” When `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and complained saying: “The women have become very daring towards their husbands,” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) gave permission to beat them. Then many women went to the family of the Messenger of Allah (wives) complaining of their husbands, and he (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “Many women have gone round Muhammad’s family complaining of their husbands. Those who do so, that is, those who take to beating their wives, are not the best among you”.
[Abu Dawud].

280. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The world is but a (quick passing) enjoyment; and the best enjoyment of the world is a pious and virtuous woman”.
[Muslim].

AbdurRahman.Org : Islamic Knowledge – Islam, Sunnah, Salafiyyah