Prohibition of Show-off

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 288
Prohibition of Show-off

Allah, the Exalted, says:

And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him).” (98:5)

Do not render in vain your Sadaqah (charity) by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men.” (2:264)

… and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little.” (4:142)

1616. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Almighty Allah says, `I am the One Who is most free from want of partners. He who does a thing for the sake of someone else beside Me, I discard him and his polytheism..”
[Muslim].

1617. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “The first to be judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who had died as a martyr. He will be brought forward. Allah will remind him of the favours He had bestowed upon him and the man will acknowledge them. Then He will ask him: `What did you do to express gratitude for it?’ The man will reply: `I fought for Your Cause till I was martyred.’ Allah will say: `You have lied. You fought so that people might call you courageous; and they have done so.’ Command will then be issued about him and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hell. Next a man who had acquired and imparted knowledge and read the Qur’an will be brought forward, Allah will remind him of the favours He had bestowed upon him and the man will acknowledge them. Then He will ask him: `What did you do to express gratitude for it?’ The man will reply: `I acquired knowledge and taught it, and read the Qur’an for Your sake.’ Allah will say to him: `You have lied. You acquired knowledge so that people might call you a learned (man), and you read the Qur’an so that they might call you a reciter, and they have done so.’ Command will then be issued about him, and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hell. Next a man whom Allah had made affluent and to whom Allah had given plenty of wealth, will be brought forward, Allah will remind him of the favours He had bestowed upon him and the man will acknowledge them. He will ask him: `What did you do to express gratitude for it?’ The man will reply: `I did not neglect any of the ways You liked wealth to be spend liberally for Your sake’. Allah will say to him: `You have lied. You did it so that people might call you generous, and they have done so.’ Command will then be issued about him and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hell.
[Muslim].

1618. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: Some people told me, “We visit our rulers and we tell them things contrary to those which we say when we depart from them.” `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) replied: “In the era of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) we considered this to be an act of hypocrisy.
[Al-Bukhari].

1619. Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who so acts to show off, Allah will disgrace him on the Day of Resurrection, and he who does good deeds so that people (may hold him in high esteem), Allah will expose his hidden evil intentions before the people on the Day of Resurrection.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1620. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A person who acquires (religious) knowledge, which is (normally) acquired to gain the Pleasure of Allah, (for the sole reason) to secure worldly comforts will not even smell the fragrance of Jannah on the Day of Resurrection (i.e., will not enter Jannah).”
[Abu Dawud].

Prohibition of Wearing False Hair, Tattooing and Filling of Teeth

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 296
Prohibition of Wearing False Hair, Tattooing and Filling of Teeth

Allah, the Exalted, says:

They (all those who worship others than Allah) invoke nothing but female deities besides Him (Allah), and they invoke nothing but Shaitan (Satan), a persistent rebel! Allah cursed him. And he [Shaitan (Satan)] said: `I will take an appointed portion of your slaves. Verily, I will mislead them, and surely, I will arouse in them false desires; and certainly, I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allah’…” (4:117-119)

1642. Asma’ (May Allah be pleased with her) said: A woman came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! I have a daughter who had an attack of small pox and her hair fell off. Now I want to celebrate her marriage. Can I get her a wig?” Thereupon the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah has cursed the maker and wearer of a wig.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1643. Humaid bin `Abdur-Rahman (May Allah be pleased wth him) said: I saw Mu`awiyah (May Allah be pleased with him) during the Hajj (pilgrimage) standing on the pulpit. He took from the guard a bunch of hair, and said: “O people of Al-Madinah! Where are your scholars? (Why do they do not prohibit you) I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibiting from using this (false hair) and saying, `The people of Bani Israel were ruined when their women wore such hair.”’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

1644. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) cursed the maker and wearer of a wig and the tattooer and the one who is tattooed.

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1645. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah has cursed those women who practise tattooing and those women who have themselves tattooed, and those women who get their hair removed from their eyebrows and faces (except the beard and the mustache), and those who make artificial spaces between their teeth for beauty, whereby they change Allah’s creation. A woman started to argue with him, saying: “What is all this?” He replied: “Why should I not curse those whom the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) cursed and who are cursed in Allah’s Book? Allah, the Exalted, has said in His Book:

And whatsoever the Messenger  (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).” (59:7)
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Undesirability of Riding a Camel which eats Animals’ waste

Chapter 308
Undesirability of Riding a Camel which eats Animals’ waste

1692. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibited riding a camel which eats dung, or animal or human waste.
[Abu Dawud].

Prohibition of Breaking ties and Relationships

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 280
Prohibition of Breaking ties and Relationships

Allah, the Exalted, says:

The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers.” (49:10)

But do not help one another in sin and transgression.” (5:2)

1591. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not desert (stop talking to) one another, do not nurse hatred towards one another, do not be jealous of one another, and become as fellow brothers and slaves of Allah. It is not lawful for a Muslim to stop talking to his brother (Muslim) for more than three days.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

1592. Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is not lawful for a Muslim to desert (stop talking to) his brother beyond three nights, the one turning one way and the other turning to the other way when they meet, the better of the two is one who is the first to greet the other.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1593. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “People’s deeds are presented before Allah on Mondays and Thursdays, and then every slave (of Allah) is granted forgiveness (of minor sins) if he does not associate anything with Allah in worship. But the person in whose heart there is rancour against his brother, will not be pardoned. With regard to them, it is said twice: `Hold these two until they are reconciled‘.”
[Muslim].

1594. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as saying, “The Satan has despaired of being worshipped by those who engage in prayer in the Arabian Peninsula but (has not lost hope) in creating dissension among them.
[Muslim].

1595. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is not lawful for a Muslim to forsake his (Muslim) brother beyond three days; and whosoever does so for more than three days, and then dies, will certainly enter the Hell.”
[Abu Dawud].

1596. Abu Khirash Hadrad bin Abu Hadrad Al-Aslami (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Whosoever forsakes his brother for a year is like one who sheds his blood.”
[Abu Dawud].

1597. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is not permissible for a believer to forsake his (Muslim) brother for more than three days. If three days have passed, he should meet him and greet him; and if other responds to it they will both share the reward; but if he does not respond, he will bear his sin and the one who (has taken the initiative to) greet (the other) will be absolved of the sin of forsaking (one’s brother in Faith).”
[Abu Dawud].

Some cases where it is permissible to Backbite

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 256
Some cases where it is permissible to Backbite

1531. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: A man sought permission for audience with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). He said, “Give him permission but he is a bad member of his tribe.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1532. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I do not think that so-and-so understands anything of our Faith.
[Al-Bukhari]

Al-Bukhari said: Al-Laith bin Sa`d, who is one of the narrators of this Hadith, said: The two men mentioned by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in this Hadith were hypocrites (i.e., they revealed Faith and concealed disbelief).

1533. Fatimah bint Qais (May Allah be pleased with her) said: I came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said to him: “Muawiyah and Abul-Jahm sent me a proposal of marriage.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Muawiyah is destitute and he has no property, and Abul-Jahm is very hard on women.”
[Bukhari and Muslim].

1534. Zaid bin Al-Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him) said: We set out on a journey along with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and we faced many hardships. `Abdullah bin Ubaiy (the chief of the hypocrites at Al-Madinah) said to his friends: “Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) until they desert him.” He also said: “If we return to Al-Madinah, the more honourable (meaning himself, i.e., Abdullah bin Ubaiy) will drive out therefrom the meaner (meaning Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)).” I went to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and informed him about that and he sent someone to `Abdullah bin Ubaiy. He asked him whether he had said that or not. Abdullah took an oath that he had not done anything of that sort and said that it was Zaid who carried a false tale to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Zaid said: I was so much perturbed because of this until this Verse was revealed verifying my statement:

When the hypocrites come to you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)), they say: `We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.’ Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed.” (63:1) Then the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) called the hypocrites in order to seek forgiveness for them from Allah, but they turned away their heads.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1535. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan, said to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): Abu Sufyan is a niggardly man and does not give me and my children adequate provisions for maintenance unless I take something from his possession without his knowledge. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to her, “Take from his possessions on a reasonable basis that much which may suffice for you and your children.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Prohibition of Deriding one’s Lineage

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

Prohibition of Calumny

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 257
Prohibition of Calumny

Allah, the Exalted, says:

A slanderer, going about with calumnies.” (68:11)

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

1536. Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person who goes about with calumnies will never enter Jannah.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1537. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by two graves and said, “Both of them (the persons in these graves) are being tortured, and they are not being tortured for a cardinal sin. But indeed they are great sins. One of them used not to save himself from being soiled with his urine, and the other one used to go about with calumnies (among the people to rouse hostilities, e.g., one goes to a person and tells him that so-and-so says about him such and such evil things).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1538. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shall I tell you what `Al-`Adhu’ (falsehood and slandering) is? It is calumny which is committed among the people.”
[Muslim].

Prohibition of Deceiving others

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Condemnation of Double-faced People

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 259
Condemnation of Double-faced People

Allah, the Exalted, says:

They may hide (their crimes) from men, but they cannot hide (them) from Allah; for He is with them (by His Knowledge), when they plot by night in words that He does not approve. And Allah ever encompasses what they do.” (4:108)

1540. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “People are like ores. Those who were excellent in the Days of Ignorance are excellent in Islam provided they acquire the knowledge and understanding of the religion. You will find the best people in it (Islam) those who had a deep hatred (for leadership). You will find the worst among the people a double-faced person who appears to some people with one face and to others with another face.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1541. Muhammad bin Zaid reported: Some people said to my grandfather, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them): We visit our rulers and tell them things contrary to what we say when we leave them. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) replied: “In the days of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), we counted this act as an act of hypocrisy.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Prohibition of the Treachery and Breaking one’s Covenant

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Falsehood that is Permissible

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

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

Prohibition of Recounting of Favors

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

Prohibition of Giving False Testimony

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prohibition of Arrogance and Oppression

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 279
Prohibition of Arrogance and Oppression

Allah, the Exalted, says:

So ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him [i.e., those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious)].” (53:32)

The way (of blame) is only against those who oppress men and wrongly rebel in the earth without justification; for such there will be a painful torment.” (42:42)

1589. `Iyad bin Himar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, Allah has revealed to me that you should adopt humility. So that no one may wrong another and no one may be disdainful and haughty towards another.”
[Muslim].

1590. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a person says: `People have been ruined, he is the one to be ruined the most.”’
[Muslim]

In another version: “He himself is the most ruined among them.”

Prohibition of Abusing the Deceased without a valid Legal reason approvedby Shari’ah

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

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

Prohibition of two Holding Secret Counsel to the Exclusion of Conversingtogether a Third

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

Prohibition of Envy

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 270
Prohibition of Envy

Allah, the Exalted, says:

Or do they envy men (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and his followers) for what Allah has given them of His Bounty?” (4:54)

1569.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Beware of envy because envy consumes (destroys) the virtues just as the fire consumes the firewood,” or he said “grass.”
[Abu Dawud].

Prohibition of Cruelty

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 282
Prohibition of Cruelty

Allah, the Exalted, says:

And do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful.” (4:36)

1600. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A woman was punished in Hell because of a cat which she had confined until it died. She did not give it to eat or to drink when it was confined, nor did she free it so that it might eat the vermin of the earth.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

1601.  Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I happened to pass by some lads of the Quraish who had tied a bird at which they have been shooting arrows. Every arrow that they missed came into the possession of the owner of the bird. No sooner had they seen Ibn `Umar, they dispersed. Thereupon, Ibn `Umar said: “Who has done this? May Allah curse him who has done so. Verily, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has cursed anyone who makes a live thing the target (of one’s marksmanship).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1602. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) forbade animals being tied (as targets).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1603. Abu Ali Suwaid bin Muqarrin (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I was the seventh child of Banu Muqarrin and we had only one slave-girl. When the youngest of us once happened to slap her (on the face) the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) ordered us to set her free.
[Muslim].

1604. Abu Mas`ud Al-Badri (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I was beating my slave with a whip when I heard a voice behind me which said: “Abu Mas`ud! Bear in mind…” I did not recognize the voice for the intense anger I was in. Abu Mas`ud added: As he came near me, I found that he was the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who was saying, “Abu Mas`ud! Bear in mind that Allah has more dominance upon you than you have upon your slave.” Then I said: “I will never beat any slave in future.”

Another narration is: The whip dropped from my hand in awe of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).

Still another narration is: I said: “He is free for the sake of Allah.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If you had not done this, you would have been singed by the Fire.”
[Muslim].

1605.  Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The expiation for beating or slapping a slave on the face for something he has not done is to set him free.”
[Muslim].

1606. It has been narrated that Hisham bin Hakim bin Hizam (May Allah be pleased with them) happened to pass by some (non-Arab) farmers of Syria who had been made to stand in the sun, and olive oil was poured on their heads. He said: “What is the matter?” He was told that they had been detained for the non-payment of Jizyah. (Another narration says that they were being tortured for not having paid Al-Kharaj). Thereupon Hisham said: “I bear testimony to the fact that I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `Allah will torment those who torment people in the world.”’ Then he proceeded towards their Amir and reported this Hadith to him. The Amir then issued orders for their release.
[Muslim].

1607. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saw an ass which had been branded on the face. He disapproved of it. Upon this Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said, “By Allah, I shall not brand (the animal) but on a part at a distance from the face.” Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) then commanded branding on the hips; he was the first person to brand the animals on hips.
[Muslim].

1608. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: An ass with a brand on the face happened to pass before the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Thereupon he said, “May Allah curse the one who has branded it (on the face).”
[Muslim].

Another narration in Muslim is: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibited us from hitting across the face and branding on the face (of an animal).

Prohibition of Spying on Muslims and to be Inquisitive about Others

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

And spy not.” (49:12)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prohibition of Chastisement with Fire

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 283
Prohibition of Chastisement with Fire

1609. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent us on an expedition and said to us, “If you find so-and-so (he named two persons belonging to the Quraish) commit them to the fire.” When we were on the verge of departure, he said to us, “I ordered you to burn so-and-so, but it is Allah Alone Who punishes with the fire. So if you find them put them to death.”
[Al-Bukhari].

1610. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in a journey when he drew apart (to relieve nature). In his absence, we saw a red bird which had two young ones with it. We caught them and the red mother bird came, beating the earth with its wings. In the meantime the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) returned and said, “Who has put this bird to distress on account of its young? Return them to her.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) also noticed a mound of ants which we had burnt up. He asked, “Who has set fire to this?” We replied: “We have done so.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “None can chastise with fire except the Rubb of the fire.”
[Abu Dawud].