Year: 2014

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 33
Benevolent Treatment towards Orphans, Girls, the Weak, the Poor and the Humble
Persons

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And lower your wings for the believers (be courteous to the fellow-believers)”. (15:88)

“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 Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world.” (18:28)

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

“Have you seen him who denies the Recompense? That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly). And urges not the feeding of Al-Miskin (the poor)”. (107:1-3)

260. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Six of us were with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when the infidels said to him: “Drive these ones away, lest they should begin to venture against us”. The six were, myself, Ibn Mas`ud, a man of the Hudhail tribe, Bilal and two other men whose names I don’t know. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) thought what Allah wished him to think, and Allah revealed: “And turn not away those who invoke their Rubb, morning and afternoon seeking His Face.” (6:52)
[Muslim].

261. `Aidh bin `Amr Al-Muzani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Sufyan passed by Salman, Suhaib and Bilal and some other Companions  (May Allah be pleased with them). They said to him: “Did not the swords of Allah exact their due from the foes of Allah?” Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said to them: “Do you speak like this to the chief of the Quraish and their master?” Then he went to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and related this to him. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Abu Bakr, perhaps you have angered them. If so, you have angered your Rubb”. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) went back to them  and said: “Brothers, did I offend you?” They replied: “No. May Allah forgive you, brother”.
[Muslim].

262. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I will be like this in Jannah with the person who takes care of an orphan”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) raised his forefinger and middle finger by way of  illustration.
[Al-Bukhari].

263. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who takes care of an orphan, whether he is his relative or a stranger, will be in Jannah with me like these two”. The narrator, Malik bin Anas raised his forefinger and middle finger for illustration.
[Muslim].

264. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Miskin (needy) is not the one who can be turned away with a date-fruit or two, or a morsel or two. The true Miskin is one who, despite his poverty, abstains from begging”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 In another narration Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ” A Miskin is not the one who goes round begging from people and who can be turned away with a morsel or two, or a date-fruit or two. A true Miskin is he who does not find enough to suffice him, does not disclose his poverty so that he might be given alms, and does not stand up to beg”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

265. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “One who strives to help the widows and the poor is like the one who fights in the way of Allah.” The narrator said: I think that he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added also: “I shall regard him as the one who stands up (for prayer) without rest and as the one who observes fasts continuously”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

266. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The worst food is the food of the marriage banquet from which those are left out who would like to come; and to which those are invited who refuse to come. He who rejects an invitation disobeys Allah and His Messenger”.
[Muslim].

 In another narration Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The worst food is the food of the marriage banquet to which the rich are invited and from which the poor are left out”.
[Muslim].

267. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever supports two girls till they attain maturity, he and I will come on the Day of Resurrection like this”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) joined his fingers illustrating this.
[Muslim].

268. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: A woman came to me with her two daughters. She asked me (for charity) but she found nothing with me except one date-fruit, so I gave it to her. She accepted it and then divided it between her two daughters and herself ate nothing out of that. She then got up and went out. When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came in, and I narrated to him the story, he said, “He who is involved (in the responsibility) of (bringing up) daughters, and he is benevolent towards them, they would become protection for him against Hell-fire”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

269. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: A poor woman came to me carrying her two daughters. I gave her three date-fruits. She gave a date to each of them and then she took up one date-fruit and brought that to her mouth to eat, but her daughters asked her that also. She then divided between them the date-fruit that she intended to eat. This (kind) treatment of her impressed me and I mentioned that to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who said, ‘Verily, Allah has assured Jannah for her, because of (this act) of her,” or said, “He (SWT) has rescued her from Hell-Fire”.
[Muslim].

270. Abu Shuraih Khuwailid bin `Amr Al-Khuza`i (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Allah, I declare inviolable the rights of two weak ones: the orphans and women”.
[An-Nasa’i].

271. Mus`ab bin Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Sa`d considered himself better than his inferiors, so the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to him, “You are given help and provision because of your weak ones”.
[Al-Bukhari].

272. Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Seek among your weak ones, for you are given provision and help only because of the weak amongst you.”
[Abu Dawud].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 32
Superiority of Poor, Weak and unrenowned Muslims

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“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 Face, and let not your eyes overlook them.” (18:28)

252. Harithah bin Wahb (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Shall I not inform you about the people of Jannah? It is every person who is, modest and humble (before Allah), a person who is accounted weak and is looked down upon but if he adjures Allah, Allah will certainly give him what he desires. Now shall I not inform you about the inmates of Hell? It is every violent, impertinent and proud man”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

253. Sahl bin Sa`d As-Sa`idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man passed by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), so he asked a man who was sitting near him, “What is your opinion about this man?” That man replied: “He is one of the noblest men. By Allah he is certainly a proper person for (a girl) being given in marriage if he seeks to marry, and his recommendation is fit to be accepted if he recommends”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) remained silent. Then another man passed. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) enquired, “What is your opinion about this man?” He replied: “O Messenger of Allah, he is one of the poor Muslims. He is not a proper person (for a girl) to be given in marriage to, and his recommendation would not be accepted if he makes one; if he speaks, he is not to be listened to.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He is better than the former by earthfuls”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

254. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: There was a dispute between the Hell and Jannah. The Hell said: “The haughty and proud are my inmates.” Jannah said: “The modest and the humble are my residents”. Thereupon, Allah the Exalted and Glorious (addressing Jannah) said: “You are My Mercy, through you I shall show mercy to those whom I wish”. (And addressing the Hell), He said: “You are (the means) of My punishment by which I shall punish such of My slaves as I wish and each one of you would have its fill”.
[Muslim].

255. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, there will be brought forth a bulky person whose value to Allah will be less than that of the wing of a mosquito”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

256. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A black woman (or probably a young man) used to clean the mosque. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) missed her (or him) and asked about her (or him). He was told that she (or he) had died. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Why did you not inform me?” (It seemed as if) they (Companions) considered the matter insignificant. Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Show me her (or his) grave.” When it was shown to him, he offered (Janazah-funeral) prayer over it and said, “These graves cover those in them with darkness, and Allah illumines them for the inmates as a result of my supplication for them”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

257. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Many a person with shaggy and dusty hair, dusty and driven away from doors (because of their poverty and shabby clothes) were to swear by Allah (that something would happen), Allah will certainly make it happen”.
[Muslim].

258. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I stood at the gate of Jannah, and (I saw) that the majority of those who entered it are the poor, and the wealthy were kept confined. The inmates of the Fire had been ordered to (enter) the Fire (Hell), and I stood at the gate of Hell and saw that the majority of its inmates are women”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

259. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “None spoke in the cradle but only three (persons), Isa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary), the second one was the companion of Juraij who was a pious person. Juraij took a secluded monastery for worship and confined himself in it. His mother came to him as he was busy in prayer and she called: `Juraij.’ He said: `My Rubb, my mother (is calling me while I am engaged in) my prayer.’ He continued with the prayer. She returned and she came on the next day and he was (still) busy in prayer. She called: `Juraij.’ And he said: `My Rubb, my mother (is calling me while I am engaged) in prayer, and he continued with the prayer,’ and she returned. Then on the next day she again came while he was busy in prayer and called: `Juraij.’ And he said: `My Rubb, my mother (is calling me while I am engaged) in my prayer.’ And he continued with the prayer. She said: `My Rubb, don’t let him die until he has seen the faces of the prostitutes.’ The story of Juraij and that of his meditation and prayer spread amongst Banu Israel. There was a prostitute who had been a beauty personified. She said (to the people): `If you like, I can lure him to evil.’ She presented herself to him but he paid no heed (to her). She came to a shepherd who lived near the temple and she offered herself to him. He (the shepherd) had sexual intercourse with her and so she became pregnant. When she gave birth to a baby she said: `This is from Juraij.’ So they came and asked Juraij to get down and demolished the temple and began to beat him. He asked them what the matter was. They said: `You have committed fornication with this prostitute and she has given birth to a baby from you.’ He said: `Where is the baby?’ They brought him (the baby) and then he said: `Just leave me so that I should perform prayer.’ He performed prayer and when he finished, he lifted the baby in his stomach and asked him: `O boy, who is your father?’ The baby answered: `He is such and such a shepherd.’ So, the people turned towards Juraij, kissed him and touched him (for seeking blessing) and said: `We are prepared to construct your temple with gold.’ He said, `No just, rebuild it with mud as it had been,’ and so they did”. (The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) continued:) “Then there was a baby who was sucking at his mother’s breast when a person dressed in fine garment came on a priceless riding animal’s back. His mother said: `O Allah, make my child like this one.’ He (the babe) left sucking and looked at him, and said: `O Allah, don’t make me like him.’ He then returned to the breast and resumed sucking.’‘ He (Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: As though I can see Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as he is illustrating the scene of his sucking milk with his forefinger in his mouth and sucking that. He (Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)) further reported Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as saying, “There happened to pass by them a slave girl who was being beaten and they were saying: `You have committed fornication and theft.’ She was saying: `Allah is enough for me and He is my Good Protector, and his mother said: `O Allah, don’t make my child like her.’ He left sucking looked at her and said: `O Allah! Make me like her.’ It was followed by a conversation between the mother and the child. She said: `A good looking man happened to pass by and I said: O Allah, make my child like him, and you said: O Allah, don’t make me like him, and there passed a girl while they were beating her and saying: You committed fornication and theft, and I said: O Allah, don’t make my child like her, and you said: O Allah, make me like her.’ The child said: `That man was a tyrant, and I said: O Allah don’t make me like him; and they were saying about the girl: You committed fornication, whereas in fact she had not committed that and they were saying: You have committed theft, whereas she had not committed theft, so I said: O Allah, make me like her”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 27
Reverence towards the Sanctity of the Muslims

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And whosoever honours the sacred things of Allah, then that is better for him with his Rubb”. (22:30)

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

“And lower your wing for the believers (be courteous to the fellow believers)”. (15:88)

“…if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind”. (5:32)

222. Abu Musa (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The relationship of the believer with another believer is like (the bricks of) a building, each strengthens the other.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) illustrated this by interlacing the fingers of both his hands.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

223. Abu Musa (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever enters our mosque or passes through our market with arrows with him, he should hold them by their heads lest it should injure any of the Muslims”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

224. Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

225. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) kissed his grandson Al-Hasan bin `Ali (May Allah bepleased with them) in the presence of Al-Aqra` bin Habis. Thereupon he remarked: “I have ten children and I have never kissed any one of them.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) looked at him and said, “He who does not show mercy to others will not be shown mercy”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

226. `Aishah (May Allah bepleased with her) reported: Some bedouins came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and asked: “Do you kiss your children?” He said, “Yes”. They then said: “By Allah, we do not kiss them.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “I cannot help you if Allah has snatched kindness from your hearts”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

227. Jarir bin `Abdullah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who is not merciful to people Allah will not be merciful to him.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

228. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you leads the Salat, he should not prolong it because the congregation includes those who are feeble, ill or old”. One version adds: “those who have to attend to work”) While offering prayers alone, you may pray as long as you like”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

229. `Aishah (May Allah bepleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would sometimes abstain from doing something he wished to do, lest others should follow him and it might become obligatory upon them.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

230. `Aishah (May Allah bepleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibited his Companions out of mercy for them, from observing continuous fasting without a break. They said: “But you observe fast continuously”. He replied, “I am not like you. I spend the night while my Rubb provides me with food and drink”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

231. Abu Qatadah Al-Harith bin Rib`i (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I stand up to lead Salat with the intention of prolonging it. Then I hear the crying of an infant and I shorten the Salat lest I should make it burdensome for his mother”.
[Al-Bukhari].

232. Jundub bin Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When anyone offers the Fajr (dawn) prayer, in congregation, he is in the Protection of Allah. So let not Allah call him to account, withdrawing, in any respect, His Protection. Because, He will get hold of him and throw him down on his face in the Hell-fire.’‘
[Muslim]

233. Ibn `Umar (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim. So he should not oppress him nor should he hand him over to (his satan or to his self which is inclined to evil). Whoever fulfills the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs; whoever removes the troubles of his brother, Allah will remove one of his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and whoever covers up the fault of a Muslim, Allah will cover up his fault on the Day of Resurrection”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

234. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Muslim is a brother to a Muslim. He should neither deceive him nor lie to him, nor leave him without assistance. Everything belonging to a Muslim is inviolable for a Muslim; his honour, his blood and property. Piety is here (and he pointed out to his chest thrice). It is enough for a Muslim to commit evil by despising his Muslim brother.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

235. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not envy one another; do not inflate prices by overbidding against one another; do not hate one another; do not harbour malice against one another; and do not enter into commercial transaction when others have entered into that (transaction); but be you, O slaves of Allah, as brothers. A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim; he neither oppresses him nor does he look down upon him, nor does he humiliate him. Piety is here, (and he pointed to his chest three times). It is enough evil for a Muslim to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother-in-faith: his blood, his property and his honour”.
[Muslim].

236. Anas (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No one of you shall become a true believer until he desires for his brother what he desires for himself”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

237. Anas (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed”. A man enquired: “O Messenger of Allah! I help him when he is oppressed, but how can I help him when he is an oppressor?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You can keep him from committing oppression. That will be your help to him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

238. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A believer owes another believer five rights: responding to greetings, visiting him in illness, following his funeral, accepting his invitation, and saying `Yarhamuk-Allah (May Allah have mercy on you),’ when he says `Al-hamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah)’ after sneezing”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

  Muslim’s narration is, “There are six rights of a Muslim upon a Muslim: When you meet him, greet him; when he invites you, respond to him; when he seeks counsel, give him advice; when he sneezes and praises Allah, say to him: `May Allah have mercy on you (Yarhamuk-Allah)’; when he is sick, visit him; and when he dies, follow his funeral”.

239. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) commanded us to observe seven things and forbade us seven. He ordered us to visit the sick; to follow funeral processions; to respond to a sneezer with `Yarhamuk-Allah (May Allah have mercy on you)’ when he says `Al-hamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah),’ to help the oppressed and to help others to fulfill their oaths, to accept invitation and to promote greeting. He forbade us to wear gold rings, to drink in silver utensils, to use Mayathir (silk carpets placed on saddles), to wear Al-Qassiy (a kind of silk cloth) to wear fine silk brocade.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 18
Prohibition of heresies in religion

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“So after the truth, what else can there be, save error?”. (10:32)

“We have neglected nothing in the Book”. (6:38)

“(And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)”. (4:59)

“And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path”. (6:153)

“Say (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e., accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins”. (3:31)

169. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If anyone introduces in our matter something which does not belong to it, will be rejected”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The narration in Muslim says: “If anybody introduces a practice which is not authenticated by me, it is to be rejected”.

170.  Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) delivered a Khutbah, his eyes would become red, his tone loud and he showed anger as if he were warning us against an army. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would say, “The enemy is about to attack you in the morning and the enemy is advancing against you in the evening”. He would further say, “I am sent with the final Hour like these two fingers of mine.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) held up his index finger and the middle finger together to illustrate. He used to add: “To proceed, the best speech is the Book of Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), the worst practice is the introduction of new practices in Islam and every Bid`ah is a misguidance”. He would also say, “I am, in respect of rights, nearer to every believer than his own self. He who leaves an estate, it belongs to his heirs, and he who leaves a debt, it is my responsibility to pay it off.’‘ [Muslim].

Same Hadith as reported by `Irbad bin Sariyah (May Allah be pleased with him) has already been recorded in the previous chapter regarding safeguarding the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).
(See Hadith number 158)

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 53
Combining Hope and Fear (of Allah)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers.” (7:99)

“Certainly  no  one  despairs  of Allah’s Mercy, except the people who disbelieve.” (12:87)

“On the Day (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) when some faces will become white and some faces will become black…” (3:106)

“Verily, your Rubb is Quick in Retribution (for the disobedient, wicked) and certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (for the obedient and those who beg Allah’s forgiveness).” (7:167)

“Verily, the Abrar (pious and righteous) will be in Delight (Jannah). And verily, the Fujjar (the wicked, disbelievers, sinners and evildoers) will be in the blazing Fire(Hell).” (82:13,14)

“Then as for him whose balance (of good deeds) will be heavy, he will live a pleasant life (in Jannah). But as for him whose balance (of good deeds) will be light, he will have his home in Hawiyah (pit, i.e., Hell)”. (101:6-9)

443. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a believer had full knowledge of the chastisement of Allah, none would covet His Jannah; and were an infidel to know the Mercy Allah has, none would despair of His Jannah”.
[Muslim].

444. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah  (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a dead body is placed on a bier and men carry it on their shoulders, if the deceased was pious, it (the corpse) will say: `Take me in haste’; but if he was not, it will say (to its bearers): `Woe to it. Where are you taking it?’ Everything except man hears its voice. Had a human being heard its voice, he would have surely died”.
[Al-Bukhari].

445. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Jannah is nearer to you than your shoelace, and so is the (Hell) Fire”.
[Al-Bukhari].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 51
Hope in Allah’s Mercy

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Say: O `Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”. (39:53)

“And never do We requit in such a way except those who are ungrateful (disbelievers)”. (34:17)

‘(Say:) `Truly, it has been revealed to us that the torment will be for him who denies (believes not in the Oneness of Allah, and in His Messengers), and turns away (from the truth and obedience of Allah)”. (20:48)

“And My Mercy embraces all things”. (7:156)

412. `Ubadah bin As-Samit (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who bears witness that there is no true god except Allah, alone having no partner with Him, that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger, that `Isa (Jesus) is His slave and Messenger and he (Jesus) is His Word which He communicated to Maryam (Mary) and His spirit which He sent to her, that Jannah is true and Hell is true; Allah will make him enter Jannah accepting whatever deeds he accomplished”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration in Muslim is: the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever testifies that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Allah (SWT) saves him from the Fire (of Hell)”.

413. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Almighty, says: `Whosoever does a good deed, will have (reward) ten times like it and I add more; and whosoever does an evil, will have the punishment like it or I will forgive (him); and whosoever approaches Me by one span, I will approach him by one cubit; and whosoever approaches Me by one cubit, I approach him by one fathom, and whosoever comes to Me walking, I go to him running; and whosoever meets Me with an earth-load of sins without associating anything with Me, I meet him with forgiveness like that”.
[Muslim]

414. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A bedouin came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and asked him, “O Messenger of Allah, what are the two imperatives which lead to Jannah or Hell”.  He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “He who dies without associating anything with Allah will enter Jannah, and he who dies associating partners with Allah will enter the Fire”.
[Muslim]

415. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Mu`adh bin Jabal was riding on the beast with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), when he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to  him, “O Mu`adh!” Mu`adh replied, “Here I am responding to you, and at your pleasure, O Messenger of Allah.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) again called out, “O Mu`adh.” He (again) replied, “Here I am responding your call, and at your pleasure.” He (Messenger of Allah) addressed him (again), “O Mu`adh!” He replied, “Here I am responding to you, and at your pleasure, O Messenger of Allah.” Upon this he (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “If anyone testifies sincerely that there is no true god except Allah, and Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, truly from his heart, Allah will safeguard him from Hell.” He (Mu`adh) said, “O Messenger of Allah, shall I not then inform people of it, so that they may have glad tidings.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Then they will rely on it alone (and thus give up good works altogether).” Mu`adh (May Allah be pleased with him) disclosed this Hadith at the time of  his death, to avoid sinning for concealing.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

416. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) or may be Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: On the day of the battle of Tabuk, the Muslims were hard pressed by hunger and they asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “O Messenger of Allah, grant us permission to slaughter our camels to eat and use their fat”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) accorded permission. On this `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) came and said: “O Messenger of Allah, if it is done, we shall suffer from lack of transportation. I suggest you pool together whatever has been left and supplicate Allah to bless it.” Allah will bestow His Blessing upon it. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) agreed and called for leather mat and had it spread out, and asked people to bring the provisions left over. They started doing it. One brought a handful of corn, another brought a handful of dates, a third brought a piece of bread; thus some provisions were collected on the mat. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) invoked blessings, and then said, “Now take it up in your vessels”. Everyone filled his vessel with food, so that there was not left a single empty vessel in the whole camp. All of them ate to their fill and there was still some left over. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Any slave who meets Allah, testifying there is no true god except Allah, and that I am His Messenger, without entertaining any doubt about these (two fundamentals), will not be banished from entering Jannah.”
[Muslim].

417. `Itban bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported, who was with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in the battle of Badr: I used to lead my people at Bani Salim in Salat (prayer) and there was a valley between me and those people. Whenever it rained, it became difficult for me to cross it for going to their mosque. So I went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “I have weak eyesight and the valley between me and my people flows during the rainy season and it becomes difficult for me to cross it. I wish you to come to my house and offer Salat at a place so that I could reserve that as a Musalla (place for prayer).” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I will do so”. So Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) came to my house the (next) morning after the sun had risen high. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked my permission to enter and I admitted him. He did not sit before saying, “Where do you want us to offer Salat in your house?’‘ I pointed to the place where I wanted him to offer prayers. So Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) stood up for the prayer and started the prayer with Takbir and we aligned in rows behind him; and he offered two Rak`ah prayer and finished them with Taslim, and we also performed Taslim with him. I detained him for a meal called Khazirah which I had prepared for him. (Khazirah is a special type of dish prepared from barley flour and meat soup). When the neighbours got the news that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was in my house, they started coming till a large number of men gathered in my house. One of them said, “What is wrong with Malik, for I do not see him?” One of them replied, “He is a hypocrite and does not love Allah and His Messenger”. On that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Don’t say this. Haven’t you seen that he testified that there is no true god except Allah,’ for Allah’s sake only.” The man replied, “Allah and His Messenger know better, but by Allah, we never saw him but helping and talking with the hypocrites.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “No doubt, whosoever testifies that there is no true god except Allah, seeking by so professing the pleasure of Allah only, Allah will safeguard him against (Hell) Fire.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

418. `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Some prisoners were brought to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) amongst whom there was a woman who was running (searching for her child). When she saw a child among the captives, she took hold of it, pressed it against her belly and gave it a suck. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do you think this woman would ever throw her child in fire?” We said, “By Allah, she would never throw the child in fire.” Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah is more kind to his slave than this woman is to her child”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

419. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When Allah created the creatures, He wrote in the Book, which is with Him over His Throne: `Verily, My Mercy prevailed over My Wrath”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(Allah wrote) `My Mercy dominated My Wrath”.

Still another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(Allah wrote) `My Mercy surpasses My Wrath”.

420. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah has divided mercy into one hundred parts; and He retained with Him ninety-nine parts, and sent down to earth one part. Through this one part creatures deal with one another with compassion, so much so that an animal lifts its hoof over its young lest it should hurt it”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah has one hundred mercies, out of which He has sent down only one for jinn, mankind, animals and insects, through which they love one another and have compassion for one another; and through it, wild animals care for their young. Allah has retained ninety-nine mercies to deal kindly with His slaves on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 Another narration in Muslim is reported: by Salman Al-Farisi: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah has hundred mercies, out of which one mercy is used by his creation for mutual love and affection. Ninety-nine mercies are kept for the Day of Resurrection.”

 Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah created one hundred units of mercy on the Day He created the heavens and the earth. Each one of them can contain all that is between the heaven and the earth. Of them, he put one on earth, through which a mother has compassion for her children and animals and birds have compassion for one another. On the Day of Resurrection, He will perfect and complete His Mercy”. (That is He will use all the hundred units of mercy for his slaves on that Day).

421. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious said: `A slave committed a sin and he said: O Allah, forgive my sin,’ and Allah said: `My slave committed a sin and then he realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives the sins and punishes for the sin.’ He then again committed a sin and said: `My Rubb, forgive my sin,’ and Allah (SWT) said: `My slave committed a sin and then realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives his sin and punishes for the sin.’ He again committed a sin and said: `My Rubb, forgive my sin,’ and Allah (SWT) said: `My slave has committed a sin and then realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives the sin or takes (him) to account for sin. I have granted forgiveness to my slave. Let him do whatever he likes”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The last sentence “let him do..”. means, as long he keeps asking for forgiveness after the commission of sins, and repents, Allah will forgive him because repentance eliminates previous sins”. (Editor’s Note)

422. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, were you not to commit sins, Allah would replace you with a people who would commit sins and then seek forgiveness from Allah; and Allah would forgive them”.
[Muslim].

423. Abu Ayyub Khalid bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Were you not to commit sins, Allah would create people who would commit sins and ask for forgiveness and He would forgive them”.
[Muslim].

424. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were sitting with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) were also there among the audience. In the meanwhile Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) got up and left us. We waited long for his return: When we were worried about his safety, and got scared, we got up. I, therefore, went out to look for Messenger of Allah and came to a garden which belonged to the Ansar. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me “Go and give glad tidings of Jannah to anyone who testifies `La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah),’ being whole-heartedly certain of it”
[Muslim].

425. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) recited the Words of Allah, the Exalted, and the Glorious, about Ibrahim (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who said: “O my Rubb! They have led astray many among mankind. But whosoever follows me, he verily, is of me”. (14:36) and those of `Isa (Jesus) (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who said: “If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You, are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise”. (5:118). Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) raised up his hands and said, “O Allah! My Ummah, my Ummah,” and wept; Allah, the Exalted, said: “O Jibril (Gabriel)! Go to Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and ask him: `What makes you weep?” So Jibril came to him and asked him (the reason of his weeping) and the Messenger of Allah informed him what he had said (though Allah knew it well). Upon this Allah said: “Jibril, go to Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and say: `Verily, We will please you with regard to your Ummah and will never displease you”.
[Muslim].

426. Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was riding a pillion with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on a donkey. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Mu`adh, do you know what is the right of Allah upon His slaves, and what is the Right of His slaves upon Allah?” I said: “Allah and His Messenger know better”. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah’s Right upon His slaves is that they should worship Him Alone and associate nothing with Him; and His slaves’ right upon Him is that He should not punish who does not associate a thing with Him.” He (Mu`adh) added: I said to the Messenger of Allah: “Shall I give the glad tidings to people?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not tell them this good news for they will depend on it alone”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

427. Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a believer is questioned in the grave, he testifies that, `there is no true god except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.‘ About him the Words of Allah, the Exalted, are: `Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the firm statement (The Testimony of Faith) in this world and the Hereafter)”.  (14:27)
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

428. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When an infidel accomplishes any good deed, he is rewarded for it in this world; and in the case of a Muslim, Allah stores up his good acts for him in the Hereafter and provides him with subsistence in this life due to his obedience.”

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah does not wrong a believer a good deed because he is given blessings for it in this world and will be rewarded for it in the Hereafter. But the infidel is given in the world the reward for good deeds, he has performed for the sake of Allah and when he comes to the Hereafter, there is no good deed for which he can be rewarded”.
[Muslim].

429.  Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The five daily Salat (prayers) are like a great river running by your door in which you take a bath five times a day.”
[Muslim].

430. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Any Muslim dies and forty men who do not associate anything with Allah (in worship), perform his funeral prayer, Allah makes them intercede for him”.
[Muslim]

431. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: There were, about forty of us with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in a camp when he said, “Aren’t you pleased that you will constitute one-fourth of the inhabitants of Jannah?” We said, “Yes”. He again said, “Aren’t you pleased that you will constitute one-third of the inhabitants of Jannah?“. We said: “Yes.” Upon this he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad’s soul is, I hope that you will constitute one-half of the inhabitants of Jannah; and the reason is that only Muslims will be admitted into Jannah; and you are no more compared to the polytheists than as a white hair on the skin of a black ox, or a black hair on the skin of a white ox.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

432. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will deliver to every Muslim, a Jew or a Christian and say: `This is your ransom from Hell-fire.”’

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There would come people amongst the Muslims on the Day of Resurrection with sins as heavy as a mountain, and Allah would forgive them”.
[Muslim].

433. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “A believer will be brought close to his Rubb on the Day of Resurrection and enveloping him in His Mercy, He (SWT) will make him confess his sins by saying: `Do you remember (doing) this sin and this sin?’ He will reply: `My Rubb, I remember.’ Then He (SWT) will say: `I covered it up for you in the life of world, and I forgive it for you today.’ Then the record of his good deeds will be handed to him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

434. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man kissed a woman and he came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and made a mention of that to him. It was (on this occasion) that this Ayah was revealed:

“And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-As-Salat), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e., the five compulsory Salat (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e., small sins)”. (11:114)

That person said, “O Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), does it concern me only?”. He (Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “It concerns the whole of my Ummah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

435. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have committed a sin liable of ordained punishment. So execute punishment on me”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) did not ask him about it, and then came the (time for) Salat (prayers). So he performed Salat with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) finished Salat, the man stood up and said: “O Messenger of Allah! I have committed a sin. So execute the Ordinance of Allah upon me”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Have you performed Salat with us?” “Yes”, he replied. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, Allah has forgiven you”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

436. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah is pleased with His slave who eats a meal and praises Him for it; and takes a drink and praises Him for it”.
[Muslim].

437. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, stretches His Hand during the night so that those who commit sins by day may repent, and He stretches His Hand in the day so that those who commit sins by night may repent. He keeps doing so until the sun rises from the West”.
[Muslim].

438.  Abu Najih `Amr bin `Abasah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: In the Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance, I used to think that people who used to worship idols, were deviated and did not adhere to the true religion. Then I heard of a man in Makkah who was preaching a message. So I mounted my camel and went to him. I found that (this man who was) Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) remained hidden because of the persecution by his people. I had entered Makkah stealthily and when I met him I asked him, “Who are you?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I am a Prophet.” I asked; “What is a Prophet?” He said, “Allah has sent me (with a message)”. I asked, “With what has He sent you?” He said, “He sent me to strengthen the ties of kinship, to destroy idols so that Allah alone should be worshipped and nothing should be associated with Him”. I asked, “Who has followed you in this?” He said, “A freeman and a slave”. (At that time only Abu Bakr and Bilal (May Allah be pleased with her) were with him). I said, “I shall follow you”. He said, “You can not do that now. Do you not see my situation and that of the people? Go to your people, and when you hear that my cause has prevailed, come to me”. So I went back to my people, and while I was with my people, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) emigrated to Al-Madinah. I continued to ask people about him till some of my people visited Al-Madinah. On their return, I asked them, “How is that man who has arrived in Al-Madinah faring?” They said, “People are hastening to him. His own people had planned to kill him but did not succeed.” Then I went to Al-Madinah and came to him and said, “O Messenger of Allah, do you recognize me?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Yes, you are the one who met me in Makkah.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me of that which Allah has taught you and of which I am unaware. Tell me about Salat first.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Perform the Fajr (morning) Salat, then stop Salat until the sun has risen up to the height of a lance, for when it rises, it rises up between the horns of the devil, and the infidels prostrate themselves before it at that time. Then perform Salat, for Salat is witnessed and angels attend it, until the shadow becomes equal to the length of its object; then stop Salat, for at that time Jahannam (Hell) is heated up. Then pray when the shadow becomes longer, for the prayer is witnessed and angels attend it, until you perform `Asr prayer; then stop Salat till sun sets, for it sets between the horns of a devil. At that time the infidels prostrate themselves before it.” I then asked the Messenger of Allah to tell me about Wudu’, and he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a person begins the Wudu’ and washes his mouth and nose, the sins committed by his face, mouth and nostrils are washed out. Then when he washes his face as commanded by Allah, the sins of his face are washed out with the water from the sides of his beard. Then when he washes his hands up to elbows, the sins of his hands are washed out through his fingers with water. Then he passes his wet hands over his head and the sins of the head are washed out through the ends of his hair with water. Then he washes his feet up to the ankles, the sins of his feet are washed out through his toes with water. Then, if he stands up for Salat and praises Allah, glorifies Him, proclaims His Greatness as He deserves and devotes his heart wholly to Allah, he emerges sin free as the day he was born”.

When `Amr bin `Abasah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated this Hadith to Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) a Companion of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), the latter said to him, “Watch what you are saying. O `Amr bin `Abasah, a man will be getting all of this in one shot?” `Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) replied, “O Abu Umamah, I have attained old age, my bones have become dry, my death is approaching and there is no need for me to tell lies concerning Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Had I not heard this from the Messenger of Allah only once, twice, thrice (and he counted up to seven) I would never have reported it. Indeed I have heard this frequently”.
[Muslim].

439. Abu Mu sa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When Allah intends to show mercy to a people, He collects their Prophet before them and makes him a herald to happiness for them in the Hereafter; and when He intends to destroy a people, He punishes them while their Prophet is alive, and destroys them while he is alive and watches them and makes him witness their destruction because they disbelieved in him and disobeyed his commands”.
[Muslim].

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 29
Fulfillment of the needs of the Muslims

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“… and do good that you may be successful”. (22:77).

244. Ibn `Umar (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Muslim is a brother of (another) Muslim, he neither wrongs him nor does hand him over to one who does him wrong. If anyone fulfills his brother’s needs, Allah will fulfill his needs; if one relieves a Muslim of his troubles, Allah will relieve his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and if anyone covers up a Muslim (his sins), Allah will cover him up (his sins) on the Resurrection Day”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

245. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who removes from a believer one of his difficulties of this world, Allah will remove one of his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and he who finds relief for a hard-pressed person, Allah will make things easy for him on the Day of Resurrection; he who covers up (the faults and sins) of a Muslim, Allah will cover up (his faults and sins) in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah supports His slave as long as the slave is supportive of his brother; and he who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allah makes that path easy, leading to Jannah for him; the people who assemble in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah, learning it and teaching, there descends upon them the tranquillity, and mercy covers them, the angels flock around them, and Allah mentions them in the presence of those near Him; and he who lags behind in doing good deeds, his noble lineage will not make him go ahead.”
[Muslim]

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 28
Covering Faults of the Muslims

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

240. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah will cover up on the Day of Resurrection the defects (faults) of the one who covers up the faults of the others in this world”.
[Muslim].

241. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Every one of my followers will be forgiven except those who expose (openly) their wrongdoings. An example of this is that of a man who commits a sin at night which Allah has covered for him, and in the morning, he would say (to people): “I committed such and such sin last night,’ while Allah had kept it a secret. During the night Allah has covered it up but in the morning he tears up the cover provided by Allah Himself.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

242. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a slave-girl commits fornication and this fact of fornication has become evident, she must be given the penalty of (fifty) lashes without hurling reproaches at her; if she does it again, she must be given the penalty but she should not be rebuked. If she does it for the third time, he should sell her, even for a rope woven from hair (i.e., something worthless)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

243. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: A man who had drunk wine was brought to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he asked us to beat him; some struck him with their hands, some with their garments (making a whip) and some with their sandals. When he (the drunkard) had gone, some of the people said: “May Allah disgrace you!” He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “Do not say so. Do not help the devil against him”.
[Al-Bukhari].