The Aqeedah and Manhaj of AhlusSunnah wal Jamah

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Month: September 2014

Excellence of Simple Living and being Content with Little

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 56
Excellence of Simple Living and being Content with Little

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salat (the prayers) [i.e., made their Salat (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell. Except those who repent and believe (in the Oneness of Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)), and work righteousness. Such will enter Jannah and they will not be wronged in aught.” (19:59,60)

“So he went forth before his people in his pomp. Those who were desirous of the life of the world, said: `Ah, would that we had the like of what Qarun (Korah) has been given! Verily, he is the owner of a great fortune.’ But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: `Woe to you! The reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds’.” (28:79,80)

“Then, on that Day, you shall be asked about the delights (you indulged in, in this world)!” (102:8)

“Whoever desires the quick-passing (transitory enjoyment of this world), We readily grant him what We will for whom We like. Then, afterwards, We have appointed for him Hell; he will burn therein disgraced and rejected (far away from Allah’s Mercy).” (17:18)

491. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The family of Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never ate to the fill the bread of barley for two successive days until he died.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: Never did the family of Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) eat to the fill, since their arrival to Al-Madinah, the bread of wheat for three successive nights until his death.

492. `Urwah from `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported that she used to say to Urwah (May Allah be pleased with him): “O son of my sister, by Allah, I used to see the new moon, then the new moon, then the new moon, i.e., three moons in two months, and a fire was not kindled in the house of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). “I (`Urwah) said, “O my aunt, what were your means of sustenance?” She said; “Dates and water. But it (so happened) that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had some Ansar neighbours who had milch animals. They used to send Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) some milk of their (animals) and he gave that to us to drink.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

493. Abu Sa`id Maqburi reported: Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said that he happened to pass by some people who had a roast lamb before them. They invited him, but he declined, saying: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) left the world without having eaten his fill with barley bread.”
[Al-Bukhari].

494. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) neither ate on a dining cloth, nor ate soft bread throughout his life.
[Al-Bukhari].

One narration adds: He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never even saw a Samit lamb.

495. An-Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I have seen your Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he did not find enough of even the inferior quality of dates to eat and fill his belly.
[Muslim].

496. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had never seen bread made out of fine flour throughout his life, since Allah commissioned him until his death. He was asked, “Did you not have sieves at the time of the Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never saw a sieve.” He was asked, “How did you manage to eat barley bread made of unsieved flour?” He said, ”We used to ground it and then blew away the husk, and what remained we kneaded into dough.”
[Al-Bukhari].

497. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) went out (of his house) one day, or one night, and there he met Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) also. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “What made you leave your houses at this hour?” They said, “It is hunger, O Messenger of Allah.”    He said, “By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, what made you leave, made me also leave, so come along!” And he went along with them to a man from the Ansar, but they did not find him in his house. When the wife of that man saw the Prophet, she said, “You are most welcome.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to her, “Where is so-and-so?” She said, “He went to fetch some fresh water for us.” In the meantime, the Ansari came back, saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and his two companions and said: “Praise be to Allah, today no one has more honourable guests than I.” He then went out and brought them a bunch of date fruit, having dates, some still green, some ripe, and some fully ripe, and requested them to eat from it. He then took his knife (to slaughter a sheep). Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to him, “Do not kill a milch sheep.” So he slaughtered a sheep for them. After they had eaten and drunk to their fill, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them), “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, you will certainly be questioned about this treat on the Day of Resurrection. Hunger brought you out of your homes, and you do not return to your homes till you have been blessed with this treat.”
[Muslim].

498. Khalid bin `Umar Al-`Adawi reported: `Utbah bin Ghazwan, the governor of Basrah, delivered a Khutbah. He praised Allah, glorified Him, then said: “Amma b`adu, verily, the world has been given the news of its end and is running to meet its end swiftly. Nothing is left out of it but a very little amount. Similar to the remainder in a dish whose owner is collecting it to drink; and you are going to move to an abode which knows no end, and you should proceed there with the good before you, for we have been informed (by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) that a stone would be thrown at one side of the Hell and it would travel down for seventy years but would not reach its bottom. By Allah, it will be filled (with men and jinn). Do you find it strange? We have been informed (i.e., by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) that the distance between two shutters of the gate of Jannah is forty years (distance). And a day would come when it would be fully packed; I was the seventh amongst the seven who had been with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and we had nothing to eat but the leaves of the tree until the sides of our mouth were injured. We found a sheet which we tore into two and divided between myself and Sa`d bin Malik. I made the lower garment with half of it and so did Sa`d. Today, there is none amongst us who has not become the governor of a city, and I seek refuge with Allah that I should consider myself great while I am insignificant to Allah.”
[Muslim].

499. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) showed us a sheet and a thick lower garment and said to us Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was wearing them when he died.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

500. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: By Allah, I am the first Arab who shot an arrow in the Cause of Allah. We fought along with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when our food was only the leaves of Hublah and Samur trees (wild trees) until one of us would defecate like the droppings of sheep.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

501. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: “O Allah, make the provisions of family of Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) bare subsistence.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

502. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: By Allah other than Whom there is none worthy of worship, I used to press my stomach against the earth owing to my hunger; I would tie a stone over it. One day, I was sitting on the way they usually take when the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by me. When he saw me he smiled at me and knew my condition and my feelings. He called me and I replied, “At your service, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Follow me.” So I followed him. Having arrived at home, he sought permission and entered. He allowed me in and I, too, entered. He found milk in a bowl and asked, “Where is this from?” He was told that it was a gift for him from so-and-so. He called me and I responded: “At your service, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Go to the people of As-Suffah and usher them in.” He Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) explained: The people of As-Suffah were guests of Islam; they had no family, no property and no relations. When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to receive something in charity, he would send it to them without taking anything from it. When he received a present, he would send for them and share it with them. On this occasion, I disliked to give them anything. I said to myself: “This meagre quantity of milk will not be enough for all the people of As-Suffah! I am more deserving of it than anyone else. By drinking it I may attain some strength. When they come, he will order me to give it to them. I do not expect that anything will be left for me from this milk.” As there was no alternative but to obey Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). I went and called them. They came and sought permission which was granted. They took their seats. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) called me and I responded, “At your service, O Messenger of Allah.” He then said, “Take the milk and give it to them.” I took the bowl and gave it to one man who drank his fill and returned it to me, and I gave it to the next and he did the same. I went on doing this till the bowl reached Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). By that time all had taken their fill. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) took the bowl, put it on his hand, looked at me, smiled and said, “Abu Hirr.” I said, “At your service, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Now you and I are left.’‘ I said, “That is true, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Sit down and drink.” I drank, but he went on saying, “Drink some more.” I said, “By Him Who has sent you with the Truth, I have no room for it.” He said, “Then give it to me.’‘ So I gave him the bowl. He praised Allah, uttered the Name of Allah and drank the remainder.
[Al-Bukhari].

503. Muhammad bin Sirin (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “I would fall in swoon between the pulpit of (the mosque of) Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and the chamber of `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) and every passer-by would put his foot on my neck thinking I was insane. I was not insane but I was awfully hungry.”
[Al-Bukhari].

504. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) died, his armour was mortgaged with a Jew for thirty Sa` (measures) of barley.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

505. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) mortgaged his armour for a quantity of barley, and I took to him some barley bread and rancid fat. I heard him saying: “The family of Muhammad never possessed a measure of wheat from dawn to dusk although they were nine houses (to feed).”

[Al-Bukhari].

506. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw seventy of the people of As-Suffah and none of them had a cloak. They had either a lower cloth or a blanket which they suspended from their necks. Some reached half way down to the legs and some to the ankles, and one of them would manage to keep it in his hand to avoid exposing his private parts.
[Al-Bukhari].

507. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The mattress of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was a piece of tanned skin stuffed with palm fibres.
[Al-Bukhari].

508. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: We were once sitting in the company of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when a man from the Ansar came and greeted. As he was leaving, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to him, “O brother of the Ansar, how is my brother Sa`d bin `Ubadah?” He replied, “He is well.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Which of you is desirous of visiting him?” Having said this he got up and we followed him. We were ten and odd in number and we had neither shoes nor light boots nor caps nor shirts. We walked on foot through the barren plain till we came to the residence of Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him). His people made way and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) along with those who accompanied him went up to him.
[Muslim].

509. `Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best of you, are my contemporaries, then those who follow them, then those who will come after them. (`Imran said, I do not know if he said this twice or thrice). Then, they will be followed by those who will testify but will not be called upon to testify; they will betray the trust, and will not be trusted. They will make vows but will not fulfill them, and obesity will prevail among them.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

510. Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O son of Adam, if you spend the surplus, it will be better for you; and if you retain it, it will be evil for you. You will not be reprimanded for storing what is enough for your need. First of all spend upon those who are your dependents.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

511. `Ubaidullah bin Mihsan Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever begins the day feeling family security and good health; and possessing provision for his day is as though he possesed the whole world.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

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

513. Fadalah bin `Ubaid Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) say: “Happiness is due to him who is guided to Islam and possesses provision that suffices him for his day and remains content.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

514. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) went to bed hungry for several successive nights, nor did his family have a thing for supper for many consecutive nights; and their bread was mostly of barley.
[At-Tirmidhi].

515. Fadalah bin `Ubaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) led Salat, some people would fall down from their standing posture out of extreme hunger. They were of the people of As-Suffah. The nomad Arabs would say that they were insane. After concluding Salat, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would turn to them and say, “If you were to know what is in store for you with Allah, the Exalted, you would wish to augment your starvation and lack of provisions.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

516. Miqdad bin Ma`dikarib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) say: “No man fills a container worse than his stomach. A few morsels that keep his back upright are sufficient for him. If he has to, then he should keep one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for his breathing.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

517. Abu Umamah bin Tha`labah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Companions of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) mentioned the life of the world before him. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do you not hear? Do you not hear? Simplicity (in life) is part of Faith, simplicity is part of Faith.”
[Abu Dawud].

518. Jabir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent us in an expedition under the command of Abu `Ubaidah (May Allah be pleased with him) to intercept a caravan of the Quraish. He provided us with a bag of dates, apart from which he found nothing for us. Abu `Ubaidah (May Allah be pleased with him) gave each of us one date (every day). He (the narrator) was asked: “What did you do with that?” He said: We sucked that just like a baby and then drank water over that, and it was sufficient for us for the day until night. We beat off leaves with the help of our sticks, then drenched them with water and ate them. We then went to the seaside, when there appeared before us something like a big mound. We came near it and we found that it was a beast called Al-Anbar. Abu ‘Ubaidah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “It is dead (so it useless for us).” He then said: “No (but it does not matter), we have been sent by Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in the way of Allah and you are hard-pressed (on account of the scarcity of food), so you can eat that.” We, three hundred in number, stayed there for a month until we fattened up (having plenty to eat of that fish). He (Jabir) said: I saw how we extracted pitcher after pitcher full of fat from the cavity of its eye, and sliced from it compact piece of meat equal to a bull or almost like a bull. Abu ‘Ubaidah (May Allah be pleased with him) called thirteen men from us and he made them sit in the cavity of its eye, and he held one of its ribs and raised it erect and then saddled the biggest of the camels we had with us and it passed through it (the arched rib), and we carried large pieces of meat for use in our journey. When we came back to Al-Madinah we went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and told him about that, whereupon he said, “That was a sustenance Allah had brought forth for you. Do you have any piece of meat left with you, for us to eat.” Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said: We sent to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) some of that (meat) and he ate it.
[Muslim].

519. Asma’ bint Yazid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The sleeves of the shirt of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) reached his wrists.
[At-Tirmidhi].

520. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: On the day of the battle of Al-Khandaq (the Trench), we were digging the trench when a very hard boulder came in our way. The Companions went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and told him about it. He said, “I will go down the trench to see it.” He stood up and it was noticed that he had tied a stone over his stomach due to intense hunger. We had not tasted anything for three days. He took up a spade and struck the hard rock with it and it turned into sand. I sought his permission to go home, (after reaching home I) said to my wife, “I have seen the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in a state that I am unable to endure. Have you got anything in the house?” She said, “I have a small quantity of barley and a lamb.” I slaughtered the lamb, ground the barley and put the meat in the cooking pot. Then I went to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). In the meantime the flour had been kneaded and the meat in the pot was nearly cooked. I said to him, “O Messenger of Allah, I have some food, will you come along with one or two Companions?” He asked, “How many men should go there?” I told him the number. He said, “It will be better if they are more in number. Tell your wife not to remove the pot from the hearth nor the bread from the oven till I arrive.” Then he said to the Muhajirun and the Ansar: “Let us go (to eat).”  They all rose (and went with him). I went to my wife and said, “Bless you, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), the Muhajirun, the Ansar and the whole company are coming.” She said, “Did he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) ask you?” I replied in the affirmative. (When they arrived) Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to his Companions, “Enter, but do not crowd in.” Then he started breaking up the bread and putting meat on it. He would take from the pot and the oven then would cover them up, approach his Companions and hand it over to them. He would then go back and uncover the pot and the oven. He continued to break up the bread and put meat on it till all had eaten to their fill and still some of the food remained. Then he said to my wife, “Eat from it, and send it as a present, for the people have been afflicted with severe hunger.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Jabir said: When the trench was being dug, I noticed the signs of hunger on the face of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). I returned to my wife and said to her, “Have you got anything in the house? I have seen the signs of severe hunger on the face of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).” She brought out a bag which contained a Sa` (a measure that equals approximately 3kg.) of barley. We had a lamb which was reared in the home. I slaughtered the lamb and she ground the flour for baking bread. I then cut the meat and put it in the cooking pot. When I was returning to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), my wife said to me, “Do not embarass me before Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions.” (She said this because she thought that the food would not be enough for everyone, for how can very little food cater for a thousand people?) When I came to him, I said to him in a low tone, “O Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), we have slaughtered a small lamb and have ground a Sa` of barley. Please accompany me with a few of your Companions.” Thereupon he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) announced in a loud voice, “O people of the Trench, Jabir has arranged a feast for you, so all of you are welcome.” And addressing me he said, “Do not take the pot off the fire, nor bake the kneaded flour till I arrive.” So I came home and he came ahead of the people. My wife said, “It will be a matter of disgrace for you (because there is not enough food).” I said, “I did only what you told me.” She brought out the kneaded flour and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) spat into it, and invoked the blessing of Allah on  it, and then he spat into the cooking pot and invoked the blessing of Allah on it. Then he said, “Call another woman to help bake bread and let her take out from the cooking pot, but do not take it off the fire.” There were about a thousand guests. All of them ate till they left the food and went off. Our pot still bubbled as before and the dough was being baked as before.

521. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) said to (to his wife) Umm Sulaim(May Allah be pleased with her), “I noticed some weakness in the voice of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and I feel it was due to hunger. Have you got any food?” She said, “Yes.” So she brought out barley loaves, took off her head covering, in a part of which she wrapped these loaves and then put them beneath my mantle and covered me with a part of it. She then sent me to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). I set forth and found Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sitting in the mosque in the company of some people. I stood near them whereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Has Abu Talhah sent you?” I said, “Yes.” Thereupon he said to those who were with him to get up (and follow him). He went forth and so did I, ahead of them until I came to Abu Talhah and informed him. Abu Talhah said, “O Umm Sulaim, here comes Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) along with the people and we do not have enough (food) to feed them.” She said, “Allah and His Messenger know better.” Abu Talhah went out (to receive him) until he met Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and he came forward along with him until they both (Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) came in. Then Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Umm Sulaim, bring forth what you have with you.” So she brought the bread. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) commanded that the bread be broken into small pieces and after Umm Sulaim (May Allah be pleased with her) had squeezed clarified butter out of a butter container and made it just like soup. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) recited over it what Allah wished him to recite. He then said, “Allow ten guests to come in.” They ate until they had their fill. They then went out. He (Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) again said, “Allow ten (more to come in)”, and he (the host) ushered them in. They ate to their fill. Then they went out. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) again said, “Allow ten (more),” until all the people ate to their fill. They were seventy or eighty persons.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 Another narration is: Anas said: When all had eaten, the remaining food was collected. It was as much as there was in the beginning.

Yet another narration is: Anas said: The groups of ten people ate by turn. After eighty persons had eaten, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and the family of that house ate, and there was still a quantity left over.

Another narration is: Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I visited Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) one day, and found him sitting in the company of his Companions, with a belt tied over his waist. I asked, “Why has Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) tied the belt on his waist?” I was told, “Due to hunger.” I went to Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) the husband of Umm Sulaim (May Allah be pleased with her) and said, “O father, I have seen Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) with a belt tied over his waist. I asked one of his Companions about the reason of it and he said that it was on account of severe hunger.” Abu Talhah  (May Allah be pleased with him) went to my mother and asked, “Have you got anything?” She said, “Yes. I have a piece of bread and some dry dates. Were Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to come alone, we could feed him his fill, but if he comes along with others, there would not be enough food.” Anas then narrated the Hadith in full.

 

Istikhara (Seeking Guidance from Allah), and Consultation

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 97
Istikhara (Seeking Guidance from Allah), and Consultation

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And consult them in the affairs.” (3:159)

“And who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation.” (42:38)

718. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to teach us the Istikharah (seeking guidance from Allah) in all matters as he would teach us a Surah of the Qur’an. He used to say: “When one of you contemplates entering upon an enterprise, let him perform two Rak`ah of optional prayer other than Fard prayers and then supplicate: “Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi `ilmika, wa astaqdiruka bi qudratika, wa as-‘aluka min fadlikal-`azim. Fainnaka taqdiru wa la aqdiru, wa ta`lamu wa la a`lamu, wa Anta `allamul-ghuyub. Allahumma in kunta ta`lamu anna hadhal-`amra (and name what you want to do) khairun li fi dini wa ma`ashi wa `aqibati amri, (or he said) `ajili amri ajilihi, faqdurhu li wa yassirhu li, thumma barik li fihi. Wa in kunta ta`lamu anna hadhal `amra (and name what you want to do) sharrun li fi dini wa ma`ashi wa `aqibati amri, (or he said) wa `ajili amri wa ajilihi, fasrifhu `anni, wasrifni `anhu, waqdur liyal-khaira haithu kana, thumma ardini bihi.” (O Allah, I consult You through Your Knowledge, and I seek strength through Your Power, and ask of Your Great Bounty; for You are Capable whereas I am not and, You know and I do not, and You are the Knower of hidden things. O Allah, if You know that this matter (and name it) is good for me in respect of my Deen, my livelihood and the consequences of my affairs, (or he said), the sooner or the later of my affairs then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. But if You know this matter (and name it) to be bad for my Deen, my livelihood or the consequences of my affairs, (or he said) the sooner or the later of my affairs then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and grant me power to do good whatever it may be, and cause me to be contented with it). And let the supplicant specify the object.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Excellence of Conveying Glad Tidings and Congratulations

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Chapter 95
Excellence of Conveying Glad Tidings and Congratulations

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“So announce the good news to My slaves. Those who listen to the Word [good advice La ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) and Islamic Monotheism] and follow the best thereof (i.e., worship Allah Alone, repent to Him and avoid Taghut).” (39: 17, 18)

“Their Rubb gives them glad tidings of a Mercy from Him, and that He is pleased (with them), and of Gardens (Jannah) for them wherein are everlasting delights.” (9:21)

“But receive the glad tidings of Jannah which you have been promised! “ (41:30)

“So we gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy.” (37:101)

“And verily, there came Our messengers to Ibrahim (Abraham) with glad tidings.” (11:69)

“And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed [either, because the messengers did not eat their food or for being glad for the destruction of the people of Lut (Lot)]. But We gave her glad tidings of Ishaq (Isaac), and after Ishaq, of Ya`qub (Jacob).” (11:71)

“Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in Al-Mihrab (a praying place or a private room), (saying): `Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya (John).”’ (3:39)

“(Remember) when the angels said: `O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word [`Be!’- and he was! i.e., `Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam] from Him, his name will be the Messiah `Isa.” (3:45)

708. `Abdullah bin Abu Aufa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) gave glad tidings to Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) about a palace of hollowed pearls in Jannah, free from noise and toil.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

709. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day, I performed my Wudu’ in my house and then set forth with the determination that I would stick to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and spend the whole day with him. I came to the mosque and asked about him. The Companions told that he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had gone in a certain direction. Abu Musa added: I followed him inquiring until I came to Bi’r Aris (a well in the suburb of Al-Madinah). (There) I sat down at the door till he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had relieved himself and performed Wudu’. Then I went to him and saw him sitting on the platform of the well with his shanks uncovered and his legs dangling in the well. I greeted him and returned to the door of the garden, saying to myself, “I will be the doorkeeper of the Messenger of Allah today.” Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) came and knocked at the door. I said; “Who is that?” He said: “Abu Bakr.” I said, “Wait a moment.” Then I went to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! Abu Bakr is at the door seeking permission to enter.” He said, “Admit him and give him the glad tidings of Jannah.” I returned and said to Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him): “You may enter and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has given you the glad tidings of (entering) Jannah.” Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) came in and sat down on the right side of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and suspended his legs into the well and uncovered his shanks, as the Messenger of Allah had done. I returned to the door and sat down. I had left my brother at home while he was performing Wudu’ and intending to join me. I said to myself: “If Allah intends good for him (i.e., to be blessed to come at this time and receive the glad tidings of entering Jannah), He will bring him here.” Someone knocked at the door and I said, “Who is it?” He said, “Umar bin Al-Khattab.” I said, “Wait a moment.” Then I proceeded towards Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). I greeted him and said, “Umar is at the door, seeking permission to enter. He said, “Let him in and give him the glad tidings of entering  Jannah.”  I  went  back to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him)  and said to him, “Messenger of Allah has given you permission as well as glad tidings of entering Jannah.” He entered and sat down with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on his left side and dangled his feet into the well. I returned to the door and sat down and said to myself: “If Allah intends good for my brother, He will bring him here.” Someone knocked at the door and I said, “Who is it?” He said, “Uthman bin `Affan.” I said, “Wait a moment.” I went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and informed him about his arrival. He said, “Let him in and give him glad tidings of entering Jannah together with a tribulation which he will have to face.” I came back to him and said, “You may enter; and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) gives you the glad tidings of entering Jannah together with a tribulation that will afflict you.” He got in and saw that the elevated platform round the well was fully occupied. So he sat on opposite side. Sa`id bin Al-Musaiyab (May Allah be pleased with him) a subnarrator has reported: The order in which they sat down indicated the places of their burial.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 Another narration adds: Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) ordered me to guard the door. When `Uthman was told (about the misfortune) he praised Allah then said: “Allahu Musta`an (His help is to be sought).”

(The interpretation of Sa`id bin Al-Musaiyab is that the graves of Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) are by the side of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), in the same position they took when they sat next to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) while the grave of `Uthman is away from their graves, in the public graveyard of Al-Madinah known as Baqi` Al-Gharqad).

710.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were sitting in the company of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) were also present. All of a sudden the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) got up and left us. When he was late to return to us we began to worry lest he should meet with trouble in our absence. I was the first to be alarmed and set out in search of him until I came to a garden belonging to Banu–Najjar (a section of the Ansar). I went round it looking for an entrance, but failed to find one. However, I saw a stream of water flowing into the garden from a well outside. I drew myself together like a fox and slinked into the place and reached the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). He said, “Is it Abu Hurairah?” I replied in the affirmative. He asked, “What is the matter with you?” I replied, “You were sitting with us and then you left us and delayed for a time. Fearing you had met with some adversities we got alarmed. I was the first to be alarmed. So when I came to this garden, I squeezed myself like a fox and these people are coming behind me.” He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) gave me his sandals and said, “O Abu Hurairah! Take these sandals of mine, and whoever you meet outside this garden testifying that La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah), being assured of it in his heart, give him the glad tidings that he will enter Jannah.’‘ (Abu Hurairah then narrated the Hadith in full).
[Muslim].

711. Ibn Shumasah reported: We visited `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with him) when he was in his deathbed. He wept for a long time and turned his face towards the wall. His son said: “O father, did not the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) give you the good news of such and such? Did he not give you glad tidings of such and such?” Then he (`Amr) turned his face towards us and said: “The best thing which you can count upon is the affirmation that: La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah), and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. I have passed through three phases. I remember when I hated none more than I hated the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and there was no other desire stronger in me than that of killing him. Had I died in that state, I would have definitely been one of the dwellers of Fire (Hell). When Allah instilled the love for Islam in my heart, I went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, `Extend your right hand, so that I pledge allegiance to you.’ He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) stretched out his right hand, but I withdrew my hand. He said, `What is the matter, `Amr?’ I said, `I wish to lay down same conditions.’ He asked, `What conditions do you wish to put forward?’ I replied, `To be granted forgiveness.’ He said, `Do you not know that (embracing) Islam wipes out all that has gone before it (previous misdeeds). Verily, emigration wipes out all the previous sins, and the Hajj (pilgrimage) wipes out all the previous sins.‘ Thereafter, no one was dearer to me than Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and none was more respectable than him in my eyes. So bright was his splendour that I could not gather enough courage to look at his face for any length of time. If I were asked to describe his feature, I would not be able to do so because I have never caught a full glimpse of his face. Had I died in that state I could have hoped to be one of the dwellers of Jannah. Thereafter, we were made responsible for many things and in the light of which I am unable to know what is in store for me. When I die, no mourner, nor fire should accompany my bier. When you bury me, throw the earth gently over me and stand over my grave for the space of time within which a camel is slaughtered and its meat is distributed so that I may enjoy your intimacy, and in your presence ascertain what answer can I give to the Messengers of my Rubb (the angels in grave).”
[Muslim].

Honoring the Guest

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Chapter 94
Honoring the Guest

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Has the story reached you, of the honoured guests [three angels; Jibril (Gabriel) along with another two] of Ibrahim (Abraham)? When they came in to him and said: `Salam (peace be upon you),’ He answered: `Salam (peace be upon you),’ and said: `You are a people unknown to me.’ Then he turned to his household, and brought out a roasted calf [as the property of Ibrahim (Abraham) was mainly cows]. And placed it before them, (saying): `Will you not eat?”’ (51: 24-27)

“And his (Lut’s) people came rushing towards him, and since aforetime they used to commit crimes (sodomy), he said: `O my people! Here are my daughters (i.e., the women of the nation), they are purer for you (if you marry them lawfully). So fear Allah and degrace me not with regard to my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man? ”’ (11:78)

706. Abu Hurairah (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 show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain good relation with kins; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day,  let him speak good or remain silent.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

707. Abu Shuraih Khuwailid bin `Amr Al-Khuza`i (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, should accommodate his guest according to his right.” He was asked: “What is his right, O Messenger of Allah?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied: “It is (to accommodate him) for a day and a night, and hospitality extends for three days, and what is beyond that is charity.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In Muslim it is added: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is not permissible for a Muslim to stay so long with his brother till he makes him sinful.” He was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, how can he make him sinful?” He replied, “He prolongs his stay with him till nothing is left with the host to entertain him (guest).”

Excellence of Walking Solemnly (Towards the Mosque) to perform As-Salat(The Prayer) and other Religious Duties

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Chapter 93
Excellence of Walking Solemnly (Towards the Mosque) to perform As-Salat (The
Prayer) and other Religious Duties

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

704. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When the Iqamah are pronounced, do not come to it running, you should walk calmly with tranquillity to join the congregation. Then join in what you catch for and complete what you miss.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

  In Muslim it is added: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “For when one of you is walking for Salat, he is, in fact, engaged in Salat.”

705. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I accompanied the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) while we were returning from `Arafat. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) heard behind him a loud noise of beating and of driving the camels forcibly. He pointed towards it with his whip and said, “O people! Proceed calmly. No virtue lies in rushing.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

Dignity and Tranquility

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Chapter 92
Dignity and Tranquility

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And the (faithful) slaves of the Most Gracious (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness.” (25:63)

703. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I have never seen Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) laughing so heartily that his uvula could be seen. He used to smile only.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Brevity in Preaching

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Chapter 91
Brevity in Preaching

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Invite (mankind, O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) to the way of your Rubb (i.e., Islam) with wisdom (i.e., with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’an) and fair preaching.” (16:125)

699. Shaqiq bin Salamah reported: Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) used to preach to us once every Thursday. A man said to him: “O Abu `Abdur-Rahman, we love your talk and we wish that you preach us every day.” He said: “There is nothing to prevent me from doing so, but I don’t lest I bore you. I follow the same method in preaching to you that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) adopted in preaching to us for fear of boredom.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

700. `Ammar bin Yasir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Prolonging Salat (prayer) and shortening the Khutbah (religious talk) indicate the religious knowledge of the person. Make your Salat long and your sermon short.”
[Muslim].

701. Mu`awiyah bin Al-Hakam As-Sulami (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: While I was in Salat with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), a man in the congregation sneezed and I responded with: `Yarhamuk-Allah (Allah have mercy on you).’ The people stared at me with disapproving looks. So I said: “May my mother lose me. Why are you staring at me?” Thereupon, they began to strike their thighs with their hands. When I saw them urging to me to remain silent, I became angry but restrained myself. When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) concluded his Salat. I have never before seen an instructor who gave better instruction than he, may my father and mother be sacrificed for him. He neither remonstrated me, nor beat me, nor abused me. He simply said,“It is not permissible to talk during Salat because it consists of glorifying Allah, declaring His Greatness as well as recitation of the Qur’an,” or he said words to that effect.” I said: “O Allah’s Messenger, I have but recently accepted Islam,  and Allah has favoured us with Islam. There are still some people among us who go to consult soothsayers.” He said, “Do not consult them.” Then I said: “There are some of us who are guided by omens.” He said, “These things which come to their minds. They should not be influenced by them.”
(Muslim).

702. `Irbad bin Sariyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) delivered a very effective speech, as a result, eyes shed tears and hearts became softened. A man said: “O Prophet of Allah! It sounds as if this is a farewell speech, so advise us.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I admonish you to fear Allah, and to listen and obey even if a black slave has been appointed as your leader. For whoever among you lives after me will see much discord. So hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs who will come after me. Adhere to them and hold fast to them. Beware of Bid`ah (in religion) because every Bid`ah is a misguidance.”
[Abu Da wud and At-Tirmidhi].

Listening Attentively

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Chapter 90
Listening Attentively

698. Jarir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked me on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage to tell the people to keep silent, then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not revert to disbelief after me, chopping the heads of one another.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Excellence of meeting with a smiling Countenance and Politeness in Speech

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Chapter 88
Excellence of meeting with a smiling Countenance and Politeness in Speech

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you.” (3:159)

693. `Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Guard yourselves against the Fire (of Hell) even if it be only with half a date-fruit (given in charity); and if you cannot afford even that, you should at least say a good word.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

694. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is also charity to utter a good word.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

695. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not disdain a good deed, (no matter how small it may seem) even if it is your meeting with your (Muslim) brother with a cheerful face.”
[Muslim].

Safeguarding and Perpetuating Good Habits

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Chapter 87
Safeguarding and Perpetuating Good Habits

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Verily, Allah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allah).” (13:11)

“And be not like her who undoes the thread which she has spun, after it has become strong.” (16:92)

“… lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e., Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened?’‘ (57:16)

“But that they did not observe it with the right observance.” (57:27)

692. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “O `Abdullah! Do not be like so-and-so; he used to get up at night for optional prayer but abandoned it later.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Fulfillment of Promises

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Chapter 86
Fulfillment of Promises

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“And fulfill the Covenant of Allah (Bai`ah: pledge for Islam) when you have covenanted.” (16:91)

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

“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.” (61:2,3)

689. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Three are the signs of a hypocrite: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration adds the words: “Even if he observes Saum (fasts), performs Salat (prayer) and claims to be a Muslim.”

690. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Four are the qualities which, when found in a person, make him a sheer hypocrite, and one who possesses one of them, possesses one characteristic of hypocrisy until he abandons it. These are: When he is entrusted with something, he betrays trust; when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he acts treacherously; and when he argues, he behaves in a very imprudent, insulting manner.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

691. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “When the revenues of Bahrain will arrive, I shall give you such and such and such.” He passed away before the revenues were received. When they arrive during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him), he ordered to be announced: “Anyone whom Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) promised or owed anything, should come to him.” I went to him and said: “Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had said to me such and such.” He took a double handful out of the money and gave it to me. I counted it and found that it was five hundred dirham. Then Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said to me: “Take twice as much more of that amount.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Secrecy of Private Matters (Guarding Secrets)

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Chapter 85
Secrecy of Private Matters (Guarding Secrets)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

685. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most evil of the people to Allah on the Day of Resurrection will be the man who consorts with his wife and then publicizes her secret.”
[Muslim].

686. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: My father `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: When (his daughter) Hafsah (May Allah be pleased with her) became a widow, I met `Uthman bin `Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) and offered Hafsah for marriage to him. `Uthman said: “I shall think over the matter.” I waited for a few days and then `Uthman met me and said: “It occurred to me that I should not marry at present.” Then I met Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) and said to him: “If you are willing, I shall marry my daughter Hafsah to you.” Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) remained silent and did not utter any word to me in reply. I grew more angry with him than with `Uthman. I had waited for only a few days when Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked for her hand in marriage and I married her to him. Thereafter, I met Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) who said, “Perhaps you were angry with me when you offered Hafsah to me and I said nothing in reply.” I said, “Yes, that is so.” He said, “Nothing stopped me to respond to your offer except that I knew that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had mentioned her and I could not disclose the secret of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Had Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) left her, I would have accepted her.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

687. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: On one occasion all the wives of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) were with him when his daughter, Fatimah (May Allah be pleased with her) who walked after the style of his father, came there. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) welcomed her saying, “Welcome, O my daughter”, and made her sit on his right side, or on his left side and then whispered something to her at which she wept bitterly. When he perceived her grief, he talked secretly to her again and she smiled (with happiness). I said to her: “Messenger of Allah (PBUH chose you from amongst all his wives to speak secretly to you and yet you cried.” When he left, I asked her, “What did Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) say to you?” She said, “I will not divulge the secret of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).” When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed away, I said to her: “I adjure you by the right I have in respect of you to tell me what Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had told you.” She said: “Now (when Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has died), I will tell you. When he whispered to me the first time, he told me, `Jibril (Gabriel) used to listen to my recitation of the Qur’an and then recite it back to me once or twice a year, and this time he has done it twice; and so I perceive that my death is approaching. Then be mindful of your duty to Allah and be patient and steadfast, for I shall be an excellent predecessor for you.‘ On this I wept as you saw. When he perceived my distress he talked to me secretly the second time and said, `O Fatimah, are you not pleased that you will be the chief among the believing women or of this Ummah?’ This made me smile as you saw.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

688. Thabit (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came to me while I was playing with the boys. He greeted us and sent me on an errand. This delayed my return to my mother. When I came to her, she asked, “What detained you?” I said; “Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent me on an errand.” She asked, “What was it?” I said, “It is a secret.” My mother said; “Do not disclose to anyone the secret of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).” Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said to Thabit (May Allah be pleased with him): By Allah, were I to tell it to anyone I would have told you.
[Muslim].

Exaltation of Modesty

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Exaltation of Modesty

681. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by a man of the Ansar who was admonishing his brother regarding shyness. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Leave him alone, for modesty is a part of Iman.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

682. `Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shyness does not bring anything except good.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In a narration of Muslim: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “All of shyness is good.”

683. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Iman has sixty odd or seventy odd branches. The uppermost of all these is the Testimony of Faith: `La ilaha illallah’ (there is no true god except Allah) while the least of them is the removal of harmful object from the road. And shyness is a branch of Iman.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

684. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was even shier than a virgin behind her veil. When he saw something which he disliked, we could perceive it on his face.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Prohibition of Appointing an Aspirant Person to a Public Office ofAuthority

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Prohibition of Appointing an Aspirant Person to a Public Office of Authority

680. Abu Musa Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I called on the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) with two of my cousins. One of them said to him: “O Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), appoint me governor of some land over which Allah has given you authority.” The other also requested for something of the same nature. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Allah we do not appoint someone to this post who seeks it or someone who contends for it.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Undesirability of Aspiring for Office

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Undesirability of Aspiring for Office

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“That home of the Hereafter (i.e., Jannah), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqun (the pious and righteous persons).” (28:83)

674. `Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “Do not ask for position of authority. If you are granted this position without asking for it, you will be helped (by Allah) in discharging its responsibilities; but if you are given it as a result of your request, you will be left alone as its captive. If you take an oath to do something and then find a better alternative, you should adopt the latter and expiate for your oath.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

675. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “O Abu Dharr, I see that you are weak and I like for you what I like for myself. Do not rule over (even) two persons, and do not manage an orphan’s property.”
[Muslim].

676. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “Why do you not appoint me to an (official) position?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) patted me on the shoulder with his hand and said, “O Abu Dharr, you are a weak man and it is a trust and it will be a cause of disgrace and remorse on the Day of Resurrection except for the one who takes it up with a full sense of responsibility and fulfills what is entrusted to him (discharges its obligations efficiently).”
[Muslim].

677. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You will covet for getting a position of authority, but remember that it will be a cause of humiliation and remorse on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Al-Bukhari]

Obligation of Obedience to the Ruler in what is Lawful and Prohibition ofObeying them in what is Unlawful

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Obligation of Obedience to the Ruler in what is Lawful and Prohibition of
Obeying them in what is Unlawful

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority.” (4:59)

663. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is obligatory upon a Muslim to listen (to the ruler) and obey whether he likes it or not, except when he is ordered to do a sinful thing; in such case, there is no obligation to listen or to obey.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

664. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Whenever we took a pledge of allegiance to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to hear and obey, he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would say to us, “As far as you are capable of.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

665. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “One who withdraws his hand from obedience (to the Amir) will find no argument (in his defense) when he stands before Allah on the Day of Resurrection; and one who dies without having sworn allegiance will die the death of one belonging to the Days of Ignorance.’‘
[Muslim].

Another narration is: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who dies having defected from obedience (to the Amir) and discards his association with the main body of the (Muslim) community, dies the death of one belonging to the Days of Jahiliyyah.”

666. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Hear and obey even if an Abyssinian slave whose head is like a raisin is placed in authority over you.”
[Al-Bukhari].

667. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is obligatory upon you to listen and obey the orders of the ruler in prosperity and adversity, whether you are willing or unwilling, or when someone is given undue preference to you.”
[Muslim].

668. `Abdullah bin `Amr (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: We accompanied Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on a journey. We halted at a place to take a rest. Some of us began to set right their tents, others began to graze their animals while others were engaged in competing with one another in archery when an announcer of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) announced that people should gather for Salat. We gathered around the Messenger of Allah and he ((sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) addressed us, saying, “Every Prophet before me was under obligation to guide his followers to what he knew was good for them and to warn the evil thing which he knew. As for this Ummah, it will have sound state and in its early stage of existence; but the last phase of its existence, will be faced with trials and with things you do not recognize. There will be tremendous trials, one after the other, and to each the believer will say, `That is it’. Whenever a trial arrives the believer will say: `This is going to bring about my destruction.’ When this passes, another calamity will approach and he will say: `This surely is going to be my end.’ Whosoever wishes to be removed from the Fire (Hell) and admitted to Jannah should die with faith in Allah and the Last Day; and he should treat others as he wishes to be treated. He who swears allegiance to an Imam, he should give him the pledge in ratification and the sincerity of his heart. He should obey him to the best of his capacity. If another man comes forward as a claimant (when one has already been installed), behead the second.”
[Muslim].

669. Wa’il bin Hujr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Salamah bin Yazid Al-Ju`f (May Allah be pleased with him) asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “O Prophet of Allah! Tell us, what you command us to do if there arises over us rulers who demand of us what is due to them and refuse us what is due to us.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) turned away from him, but he repeated the same question. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Listen to them and obey them. They are responsible for their obligations and you are accountable for yours.”
[Muslim].

670. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There will be discrimination after my death and there will be other matters that you will disapprove.” He was asked: “O Messenger of Allah! What do you command us to do when we are encountered with such happenings?” He answered, “Give what is due from you and supplicate to Allah for your rights.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

671. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever obeys me, obeys Allah; and he who disobeys me, disobeys Allah; and whosoever obeys the Amir (leader), in fact, obeys me; and he who disobeys the Amir, in fact, disobeys me.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

672. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a person notices in his ruler what he dislikes, he should show patience because he who departs from the (Muslim) community a cubit, dies like those who died in the Days of Ignorance.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

673. Abu Bakrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “He who insults the rulers Allah will insult him.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

The Just Ruler

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The Just Ruler

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Verily, Allah enjoins Al-`Adl (justice) and Al-Ihsan (performing duties in a perfect manner).” (16:90)

“And be equitable. Verily! Allah loves those who are the equitable.” (49:9)

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

* The Shade of Allah to which this Hadith refers to is the shade of His Throne.

660. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The just will be seated upon pulpits of light.” Those who are fair with regards to their judgement and their family and those who are under them.”
[Muslim].

661. `Auf bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best of your rulers are those whom you love and who love you, and those who supplicate Allah in your favour and you supplicate Allah in their favour. The worst of your rulers are those whom you hate and who hate you; and whom you curse and who curse you.” It was asked (by those who were present): “Should not we oppose them?” He said, “No, as long as they establish Salat; as long as they establish Salat in your midst.”
[Muslim].

662. `Iyad bin Himar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The people of Jannah will be of three kinds: A just successful ruler, a man who shows mercy to his relatives, and a pious believer who has a large family and refrains from begging.”
[Muslim].

Obligation of Rulers to show Kindness to their Subjects

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Chapter 78
Obligation of Rulers to show Kindness to their Subjects

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And be kind and humble to the believers who follow you.” (26:215)

“Verily, Allah enjoins Al-`Adl (justice) and Al-Ihsan (performing duties in a perfect manner), and giving (help) to kith and kin, and forbids Al-Fahsha’ evil deeds and Al-Munkar (all that is prohibited) and Al-Baghy (oppression). He admonishes you, that you may take heed.” (16:90)

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

654. Abu Ya`la Ma`qil bin Yasar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Any slave whom Allah makes him in charge of subjects and he dies while he is not sincere to them, Allah will make Jannah unlawful for him.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who does not look after his subjects with goodwill and sincerity, will be deprived of the fragrance of Jannah.”

A narration in Muslim is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A ruler who, having control over the affairs of the Muslims, does not strive diligently for their betterment and does not serve them sincerely, will not enter Jannah with them.”

655. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I heard the the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) supplicating in my house: “O Allah! Treat harshly those who rule over my Ummah with harshness, and treat gently those who rule over my Ummah with gentleness.”
[Muslim].

656. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The Banu Isra’il were ruled by the Prophets. When one Prophet died, another succeeded him. There will be no Prophet after me. Caliphs will come after me, and they will be many.” The Companions said: “O Messenger of Allah, what do you command us to do?” He said, “Fulfill the pledge of allegiance to which is sworn first (then swear allegiance to the others). Concede to them their due rights and ask Allah that which is due to you. Allah will call them to account in respect of the subjects whom He had entrusted to them.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

657. `Aidh bin `Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I visited `Ubaidullah bin Ziyad and said to him: “Dear son, I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `The worst of rulers are those who treat their subjects harshly. Beware, lest you should be one of them.”’
[Al-Bukhari].

658. Abu Maryam Al-Azdi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said to Mu`awiyah (bin Abu Sufyan) (May Allah be pleased with them): I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “If Allah invests to someone the affairs of the Muslims and he (i.e., the ruler) ignores their rights, denies their access to him and neglects their needs, Allah will not answer his prayer or realize his hopes and will act towards him with indifference on the Day of Resurrection.” So Mu`awiyah appointed a person to keep a vigil on the necessities of the people and to fulfill them.
[Abu Dawud and  At-Tirmidhi].

Indignation against the Transgression of Divine Laws

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Chapter 77
Indignation against the Transgression of Divine Laws

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“If you help (in the Cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.” (47:7)

649. Abu Mas`ud `Uqbah bin `Amr Al-Badri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “I join the morning Salat late because of so-and-so who leads it and prolongs it.” (Abu Mas`ud said): I have never seen the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) so angry while giving a speech as he was on that day. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Some of you create hatred among the people against faith. Whoever leads Salat (the prayer), should make it brief because the congregation includes old men and youngsters and those who have some urgent work to do.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

650. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) returned once from a journey, and saw a curtain which I had hung along a platform with some pictures on it. The colour of his face changed. He tore it up and said, “O `Aishah, the most tormented people on the Day of Resurrection are those who contend with Allah in terms of creation.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

651. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Quraish were much worried about the case of a Makhzumiyah woman who had committed theft and wondered who should intercede for her with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) (so that she would not get punished for her crime). Some said Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) was his beloved and so he may dare do so. So Usamah(May Allah be pleased with him) spoke to him about that matter and the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to him, “Do you intercede when one of the legal punishments ordained by Allah has been voilated?” Then he got up and addressed the people saying, “The people before you were ruined because when a noble person amongst them committed theft, they would leave him, but if a weak person amongst them committed theft, they would execute the legal punishment on him. By Allah, were Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, to commit the theft, I would have cut off her hand.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

652. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) noticed spittle in the mosque in the direction of the Qiblah. The signs of disgust were perceived on his face. Then, he stood up and scraped it away with his own hand and said, “When you stand in Salat, you hold communion with your Rubb and He is between you and the Qiblah. Let no one therefore cast out his spittle in that direction, but only to his left or under his foot.” Then he caught hold a corner of his sheet, spat into it and folded it up and said, “Or he should do like this.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Forgiveness of the Ignorant

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Forgiveness of the Ignorant

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e., don’t punish them).” (7:199)

“So overlook (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)), their faults with gracious forgiveness.” (15:85)

“Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?” (24:22)

“And who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers)” (3:134)

“And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.” (42:43)

643. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) “Have you ever experienced a day harder than the day of the battle of Uhud?” He replied, “Indeed, I experienced them (dangers) at the hands of your people (i.e., the disbelievers from amongst the Quraish tribe). The hardest treatment I met from them was on the Day of `Aqabah when I went to Ibn `Abd Yalil bin `Abd Kulal (who was one of the chiefs of Ta’if) with the purpose of inviting him to Islam, but he made no response (to my call). So I departed with deep distress. I did not recover until I arrived at Qarn ath-Tha`alib. There, I raised my head and saw a cloud which had cast its shadow on me. I saw in it Jibril (Gabriel) (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who called me and said: `Indeed, Allah, the Exalted, heard what your people said to you and the response they made to you. And He has sent you the angel in charge of the mountains to order him to do to them what you wish.’ Then the angel of the mountains called me, greeted me and said: `O Muhammad, Allah listened to what your people had said to you. I am the angel of the mountains, and my Rubb has sent me to you so that you may give me your orders. (I will carry out your orders). If you wish I will bring together the two mountains that stand opposite to each other at the extremities of Makkah to crush them in between.”’ But Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I rather hope that Allah will raise from among their descendants people as will worship Allah the One, and will not ascribe partners to Him (in worship).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

644. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never hit anything with his hand neither a servant nor a woman but of course, he did fight in the Cause of Allah. He never took revenge upon anyone for the wrong done to him, but of course, he exacted retribution for the sake of Allah in case the Injunctions of Allah about unlawful acts were violated.
[Muslim].

645. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was walking with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who was wearing a Najrani cloak with a very thick border when a bedouin happened to meet him. He took hold of the side of his cloak and drew it violently. I noticed that the violence of jerk had bruised the neck of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). The bedouin said: “O Muhammad! Give me out of Allah’s wealth that you possess.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) turned to him and smiled and directed that he should be given something.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

646. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I can see the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) look like one of the Prophets of Allah whose people beat and made him bleed while he was wiping the blood from his face and supplicating: “O Allah, forgive my people because they know not.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

647. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The strong man is not the one who wrestles, but the strong man is in fact the one who controls himself in a fit of rage.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

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