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The Prohibition of Backbiting and the Commandment of Guarding one’sTongue

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Chapter 254
The Prohibition of Backbiting and the Commandment of Guarding one’s Tongue

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And backbite not one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful.” (49:12)

“And follow not (O man, i.e., say not or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allah).” (17:36)

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

1511. 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 must either speak good or remain silent.”
[Muslim].

1512. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “Who is the most excellent among the Muslims?” He said, “One from whose tongue and hands the other Muslims are secure.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1513. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever gives me a guarantee to safeguard what is between his jaws and what is between his legs, I shall guarantee him Jannah.”
[Al-Bukhari].

1514. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “A person utters a word thoughtlessly (i.e., without thinking about its being good or not) and, as a result of this, he will fall down into the fire of Hell deeper than the distance between the east and the west.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1515. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man utters a word pleasing to Allah without considering it of any significance for which Allah exalts his ranks (in Jannah); another one speaks a word displeasing to Allah without considering it of any importance, and for this reason he will sink down into Hell.”
[Al-Bukhari].

1516. Abu ‘Abdur-Rahman Bilal bin Al-Harith Al-Muzani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man speaks a good word without knowing its worth, Allah records for him His Good Pleasure till the day he will meet Him; and a man utters an evil word without realizing its importance, Allah records for him His displeasure till the day he will meet Him.”
[Imam Malik and At-Tirmidhi].

1517. Sufyan bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Tell me, of something to which I may remain steadfast.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Say: My Rubb is Allah and then remain steadfast.” Then I said: “O Messenger of Allah! What do you fear most about me?” He took hold of his own tongue and said: “This.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1518. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not indulge in excessive talk except when remembering Allah. Excessive talking without the Remembrance of Allah hardens the heart; and those who are the farthest from Allah are those whose hearts are hard.”
[At-Tirmidhi]

1519. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He whom Allah saves from the evil of that which is between his jaws and the evil of that which is between his legs will enter Jannah.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1520. ‘Uqbah bin `Amir (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), “How can salvation be achieved?” He replied, “Control your tongue, keep to your house, and weep over your sins.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1521. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the son of Adam gets up in the morning, all the limbs humble themselves before the tongue and say: `Fear Allah for our sake because we are with you: (i.e., we will be rewarded or punished as a result of what you do) if you are straight, we will be straight; and if you are crooked, we will become crooked.”’
[At-Tirmidhi].

1522. Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “Inform me of an act which will cause me to enter Jannah and keep me far from Hell.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “You have asked me about a matter of great importance, but it is easy for one for whom Allah makes it easy.” He added, “Worship Allah, associate nothing with Him in worship, offer As-Salat (the prayer), pay the Zakat, observe Saum (fasting) during Ramadan and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House of Allah, if you can afford it.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) further said, “Shall I not guide you to the gates of goodness? Fasting is a screen (from Hell), charity extinguishes (i.e., removes) the sins as water extinguishes fire, and standing in prayers by a slave of Allah during the last third part of the night.” Then he recited: “Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Rubb in fear and hope, and they spend (in charity in Allah’s Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them. No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.” (32:17,18) Then he added, “Shall I tell you of the root of the matter, its pillar and its highest point?” I replied: “Yes! Certainly, O Prophet of Allah.” He said, “The root of this matter (foundation) is Islam, its pillar (mainstay is) As-Salat (the prayer) and its highest point is Jihad (fighting in the Cause of Allah).” Then he asked, “Shall I tell you of that which holds all these things?” I said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” So he took hold of his tongue and said, “Keep this in control.” I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Shall we really be accounted for what we talk about?” He replied, “May your mother lose you! People will be thrown on their faces into the Hell on account of their tongues.”

1523. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do you know what is backbiting?” The Companions said: “Allah and His Messenger know better.” Thereupon he said, “Backbiting is talking about your (Muslim) brother in a manner which he dislikes.” It was said to him: “What if my (Muslim) brother is as I say.” He said, “If he is actually as you say, then that is backbiting; but if that is not in him, that is slandering.”
[Muslim].

1524. Abu Bakrah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Delivering the sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage on the day of Sacrifice at Mina, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily your blood, your property and your honour are as sacred and inviolable as the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours and in this town of yours. Verily! I have conveyed this message to you.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

1525. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: I said to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “Such and such thing of Safiyyah (May Allah be pleased with her) is sufficient for you.” (She means to say that she was a woman with a short stature). He said, “You have indeed uttered a word which would pollute the sea if it were mixed in it.” She further said: I imitated a person before him and he said, “I do not like that I should imitate someone even (if I am paid) in return such and such.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

1526. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “During the Mi`raj (the Night of Ascension), I saw a group of people who were scratching their chests and faces with their copper nails. I asked, `Who are these people, O Jibril?’ Jibril replied: `These are the people who ate flesh of others (by backbiting) and trampled people’s honour.”’
[Abu Dawud].

1527. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “The blood, honour and property of a Muslim is inviolable for another Muslim.”
[Muslim].

Prohibition of Rejoicing over another’s Trouble

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Chapter 274
Prohibition of Rejoicing over another’s Trouble

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

Prohibition of Breaking ties and Relationships

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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].

The Excellence of Kind Attitude towards Slaves

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Chapter 237
The Excellence of Kind Attitude towards Slaves

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

1360.  Al-Ma`rur bin Suwaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) wearing a nice gown, and his slave was also wearing one similar to it. I asked him about it, and he said that he had exchanged harsh words with a person during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and put him to shame by making a reference to his mother. That person came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and made mention of that to him. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah said, “You are a person who has remnants of the `Days of Ignorance’ in you. Your slaves are your brothers. Allah has placed them under your authority. He who has his brother under him, should feed him from whatever he eats, and dress him with whatever he wears, and do not burden them (assign burdensome task to them) beyond their capacity; and if you burden them then help them.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1361.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When your servant brings food for you and you do not seat him with you, you should at least give him a morsel or two out of it because he has prepared it himself.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Supplication before going to Bed

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Chapter 249
Supplication before going to Bed

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth.” (3:190,191)

1458.  Hudhaifah and Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate when he went to bed at night: “Bismik-Allahumma ahya wa amut (With Your Name, O Allah, I expire and return to life).”
[Al-Bukhari].

1459. `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me and to Fatimah (May Allah be pleased with her) (Ali’s wife and the Prophet’s daughter), “When you go to bed, recite: Takbir (Allahu Akbar) thirty-three times and Tasbih (Subhan-Allah) thirty-three times and Tahmid (Al-hamdu lillah) thirty-three times.”

Another narration is: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Recite Tasbih thirty-four times.”

Another narration is: The Messenger of Allah(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Recite Takbir thirty-four times.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1460. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When any of you goes to bed, he should shake off (or dust off) his bedsheet because he does not know what might have fallen on it after he had left it. Then he should recite: `Bismika Rabbi wada`tu janbi, wa bika arfa`uhu, in amsakta nafsi farhamha, wa in arsaltaha fahfazha bima tahfazu bihi `ibadakas-salihin [With Your Name, my Rubb, I place my side (upon the bed) and with Your Grace I will raise it up. If You withhold my soul (cause me to die), have mercy on it but if You let it go (let me live), guard it against which You guarded Your pious slaves].”’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1461. `A   ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) went to bed, he would blow upon his hands recite Al-Mu`awwidhat; and pass his hands over his body.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1462. Al-Bara` bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whenever you intend to go to bed, perform Wudu’ as is done for Salat (prayer); and then lie down on the right side and recite: `Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilaika, wa fawwadtu amri ilaika, wal-ja’tu zahri ilaika, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilaika, la malja’a wa la manja minka illa ilaika, amantu bikitabik-alladhi anzalta, wa binabiyyik-alladhi arsalta [O Allah! I have submitted myself to You. I have turned my face to You, entrusted my affairs to You and relied completely on You out of desire for and fear of You (expecting Your reward and fearing Your punishment). There is no resort and no deliverer from (hardships) except You. I affirm my faith in Your Book which You have revealed, and in Your Prophet whom You have sent].’ If you die during the night, you will die in the true religion. Let these words be your last words at night.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1463. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) went to his bed, he would say: “Al-hamdu lillah-illadhi at`amana wa saqana, wa kafana wa awana, fakam mimman la kafiya lahu wa la mu’wiya (Praise is due to Allah Who has fed us, provided us drink, satisfied us and gave us protection. Many are those who have no one to provide for them, or give them shelter).”
[Muslim].

1464. Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) intended to go to sleep, he would place his right hand under his (right) cheek and supplicate: “Allahumma qini `adhabaka yauma tab`athu `ibadaka (O Allah! Guard me against Your punishment on the Day when You will resurrect Your slaves).”
[At-Tirmidhi].

In a narration in Abu Dawud, Hafsah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: Before going to sleep the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would recite this Du`a three times.

The Excellence of Observing Saum on the Day of ‘Arafah, ‘Ashura’ andTasu’a (i.e., 9th of Muharram)

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The Excellence of Observing Saum on the Day of ‘Arafah, ‘Ashura’ and Tasu’a
(i.e., 9th of Muharram)

1250. Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked about the observance of Saum (fasting) on the day of `Arafah. He said, “It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year and the current year.”
[Muslim].

1251. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) observed Saum (fasting) on the day of `Ashura’ and commanded us to fast on this day.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1252. Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked about observing As-Saum (the fast) on the tenth day of Muharram, and he replied, “It is an expiation for the sins of the preceding year.”
[Muslim].

1253. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If I remain alive till the next year, I shall also observe fast on the ninth of Muharram.”
[Muslim].

The Merit of the Dutiful Slave

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The Merit of the Dutiful Slave

1362.   Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When a slave is sincere to his master and worships Allah well, He will have a double reward.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1363.   Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The faithful and diligent slave will have a double reward.” (Abu Hurairah added:) By Him in Whose Hand the soul of Abu Hurairah is! but for Jihad in the Cause of Allah, and Hajj and kindness to my mother, I would have preferred to die as a slave.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1364.   Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A slave who worships his Rubb (Allah) well and discharges efficiently and faithfully the duties which are assigned to him by his master, will have a double reward.”
[Al-Bukhari].

1365.   Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Three kinds of people will have a double reward: A man from the People of the Book who believes in his Prophet and (also) believes in Muhammad; a slave who discharges properly the duties towards Allah and towards his master; and a man who possesses a slave-girl and teaches her manners, educates her well, and frees her and then marries her.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Issues regarding Supplications, their Virtues and Supplications of theProphet

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Issues regarding Supplications, their Virtues and Supplications of the Prophet
(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And your Rubb said: `Invoke Me, [i.e., believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation).”’ (40:60)

“Invoke your Rubb with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors.” (7:55)

“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor).” (2:186)

“Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls on Him, and Who removes the evil?” (27:62)

1465. An-Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Du`a (supplication) is worship.”
[Abu Dawud].

1466. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) liked comprehensive supplications or (Al-Jawami` – i.e., supplications with very few words but comprehensive in meanings), and discarded others.
[Abu Dawud].

1467.  Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The supplication most often recited by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was: “Allahumma atina fid-dunya hasanatan, wa fil-akhirati hasanatan, wa qina `adhab-annar (O our Rubb! give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the punishment of the Fire).”’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In the narration of Muslim it is added that whenever Anas supplicated, he used to beseech Allah with this Du`a.

1468. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: “Allahumma inni as’alukal-huda, wat-tuqa, wal-`afafa, wal-ghina (O Allah! I beseech You for guidance, piety, chastity and contentment).”
[Muslim].

1469. Tariq bin Ashyam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever a man entered the fold of Islam, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would show him how to perform Salat and then direct him to supplicate: “Allahumm-aghfir li, warhamni, wa-hdini, wa `afini, warzuqni (O Allah! Forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, guard me against harm and provide me with sustenance and salvation).”’
[Muslim].

In another narration Tariq said: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said to him: “O Messenger of Allah! What shall I say if I want to pray to my Rubb?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Say: `Allahumma-ghfir li, warhamni, wa `afini, warzuqni (O Allah! Forgive me, have mercy on me, protect me and provide me with sustenance).’ Surely, this supplication is better for you in this life and in the Hereafter.”

1470. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) supplicated: “Allahumma musarrifal-qulubi, sarrif qulubana `ala ta`atika (O Allah! Controller of the hearts, direct our hearts to Your obedience).”
[Muslim].

1471. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Seek refuge in Allah against the turmoils, attacks of misfortunes, and evil of judgement and joys of the enemies.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1472. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to say: “Allahumm-aslih li diniyalladhi huwa `ismatu amri, wa aslih li dunyaya-llati fiha ma`ashi, wa aslih li akhirati-llati fiha ma`adi, waj`alil-hayata ziyadatan li fi kulli khair, waj`alil-mauta rahatan li min kulli sharrin (O Allah, make my religion easy for me by virtue of which my affairs are protected, set right for me my world where my life exists, make good for me my Hereafter which is my resort to which I have to return, and make my life prone to perform all types of good, and make death a comfort for me from every evil).”
[Muslim].

1473. `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “Recite: `Allahumma-hdini wa saddidni (O Allah! Direct me to the Right Path and make me adhere to the Straight Path).” Another narration is: `Allahumma inni as’aluk-alhuda was-sadad (I beg You for guidance and uprightness).”
[Muslim].

1474. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: “Allahumma inni a`udhu bika minal-ajzi wal-kasali, wal-jubni wal-harami, wal-bukhli, wa a`udhu bika min `adhabil-qabri, wa a`udhu bika min fitnatil-mahya wal-mamat [O Allah! I seek refuge in You from helplessness (to do good), indolence, cowardice, senility, and miserliness; and I seek Your Protection against the torment of the grave and the trials of life and death].” Another narration adds: “wa dala`id-daini wa ghalabatir-rijal (And from the burden of indebtedness and the tyranny of men).”
[Muslim].

1475. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I requested the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to teach me a supplication which I could recite in my Salat (prayer). Thereupon he said, “Recite: `Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran, wa la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta, faghfir li maghfiratan min `indika, warhamni, innaka Antal-Ghafur-ur-Rahim (O Allah! I have considerably wronged myself. There is none to forgive the sins but You. So grant me pardon and have mercy on me. You are the Most Forgiving, the Most Compassionate).”’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1476. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: “Allahumm-aghfir li khati‘ati, wajahli, wa israfi fi amri, wa ma Anta a`lamu bihi minni. Allahumm-aghfir li jiddi wa hazli, wa khata’i wa `amdi, wa kullu dhalika `indi. Allahumm-aghfir li ma qaddamtu wa ma akhkhartu, wa ma asrartu, wa ma a`lantu, wa ma Anta a`lamu bihi minni. Antal-Muqaddimu, wa Antal-Mu’akhkhiru; wa Anta `ala kulli shai’in Qadir (O Allah! Forgive my errors, ignorance and immoderation in my affairs. You are better aware of my faults than myself. O Allah! Forgive my faults which I committed in seriousness or in fun deliberately or inadvertently. O Allah! Grant me pardon for those sins which I committed in the past and I may commit in future, which I committed in privacy or in public and all those sins of which You are better aware than me. You Alone can send whomever You will to Jannah, and You Alone can send whomever You will to Hell-fire and You are Omnipotent).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1477. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate (in these words): “Allahumma inni audhu bika min sharri ma `amiltu, wa min sharri ma lam a`mal (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evil of that which I have done and the evil of that which I have not done).”
[Muslim].

1478. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate thus: “Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min zawali ni`matika, wa tahawwuli `afiyatika, wa fuja’ati niqmatika, wa jami`i sakhatika (O Allah! I seek refuge in You against the declining of Your Favours, passing of safety, the suddenness of Your punishment and all that which displeases You).”
[Muslim].

1479. Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would supplicate: “Allahumma inni a`udhu bika minal-`ajzi wal-kasali, wal-bukhli wal-harami, wa `adhabil-qabri. Allahumma ati nafsi taqwaha, wa zakkiha Anta khairu man zakkaha, Anta waliyyuha wa maulaha. Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min `ilmin la yanfau`, wa min qalbin la yakhsha`u, wa min nafsin la tashba`u, wa min da`watin la yustajabu laha` [O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the inability (to do good), indolence, cowardice, miserliness, decrepitude and torment of the grave. O Allah! Grant me the sense of piety and purify my soul as You are the Best to purify it. You are its Guardian and its Protecting Friend. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the knowledge which is not beneficial, and from a heart which does not fear (You), and from desire which is not satisfied, and from prayer which is not answered].”
[Muslim].

1480. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: “Allahumma laka aslamtu, wa bika amantu, wa `alaika tawakkaltu, wa ilaika anabtu, wa bika khasamtu, wa ilaika hakamtu. Faghfir li ma qaddamtu, wa ma akh-khartu, wa ma asrartu wa ma a`lantu, Antal-Muqaddimu, wa Antal-Mu`akhkhiru, la ilaha illa Anta (O Allah! to You I submit, in You I affirm my faith, in You I repose my trust, to You I turn in repentance and with Your Help I contend my adversaries and from You I seek judgement. O Allah! Grant me forgiveness for the faults which I made in past and those ones I may commit in the future, those which I committed secretly or openly. You Alone send whomever You will to Jannah, and You Alone send whomever You will to Hell-fire. There is none worthy of worship except You).” Another narration adds: “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no strength to resist evil and no power to do good except through Allah).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1481. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: “Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min fitnatin-nari, wa `adhabin-nari, wa min sharril-ghina wal-faqri (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the trials and the torment of the Fire and from the evils of wealth and poverty).”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

1482. Ziyad bin `Ilaqah reported: My uncle Qutbah bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: “Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min munkaratil-akhlaqi, wal-a`mali, wal-ahwa`i (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from undesirable manners, deeds, and aspirations).”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1483. Shakal bin Humaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah, teach me a prayer.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Say: Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min sharri sam`i, wa min sharri basari, wa min sharri lisani, wa min sharri qalbi, wa min sharri maniyyi (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the evils of my hearing, the evils of my seeing, the evils of my tongue; the evils of my heart and the evils of passions).”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

1484. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: “Allahumma inni a`udhu bika minal-barasi, wal-jununi, wal-judhami, wa sayyi’il-asqami’ (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from leucoderma, insanity, leprosy and evil diseases).”
[Abu Dawud].

1485. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: “Allahumma inni a`udhu bika minal-ju`i, fa-innahu bi’sad-daji`u; wa a`udhu bika minal-khiyanati, fa-innaha bi’satil-bitanah’ [O Allah! I seek refuge in You from hunger; surely, it is the worst companion. And I seek refuge in You from treachery; surely, it is a bad inner trait].”
[Abu Dawud].

1486. `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A slave who had made a contract with his master to pay for his freedom, came to me and said: “I am unable to fulfill my obligation, so help me.” He said to him: “Shall I not teach you a supplication which the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) taught me? It will surely prove so effective that if you have a debt as large as a huge mountain, Allah will surely pay it for you. Say: `Allahumm-akfini bihalalika `an haramika, wa aghnini bifadlika `amman siwaka (O Allah! Grant me enough of what You make lawful so that I may dispense with what You make unlawful, and enable me by Your Grace to dispense with all but You).”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1487. `Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) taught my father two statements to recite in his Du`a. These are: “Allahumma al-himni rushdi, wa a`idhni min sharri nafsi (O Allah! Inspire in me guidance and deliver me from the evils within myself).”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1488. Abul-Fadl Al-`Abbas bin `Abdul-Muttalib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to teach me a supplication. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Beg Allah for safety (from all evils in this world and in the Hereafter).” I waited for some days and then I went to him again and asked him: “O Messenger of Allah Teach me to supplicate something from Allah.” He said to me, “O Al-`Abbas, the uncle of Messenger of Allah! Beseech Allah to give you safety (Al-a’fiyah ) in this life and in the Hereafter.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1489. Shahr bin Haushab reported: I asked Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her), “O Mother of the Believers! Which supplication did the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) make frequently when he was in your house?” She said: “He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) supplicated frequently: `Ya muqallibal-qulubi, thabbit qalbi `ala dinika (O Controller of the hearts make my heart steadfast in Your religion).”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1490. Abud-Darda’ (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “One of Prophet Dawud’s supplications was: `Allahumma inni as’aluka hubbaka, wa hubba man yuhibbuka, wal-`amalalladhi yuballighuni hubbaka. Allahumm-aj`al hubbaka ahabba ilayya min nafsi, wa ahli, wa minal-ma’il-baridi (O Allah! I ask You for Your Love, the love of those who love You, and deeds which will cause me to attain Your Love. O Allah! Make Your Love dearer to me than myself, my family and the cold water).”’
[At-Tirmidhi].

1491. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Recite frequently: `Ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram! (O You, Possessor of glory and honour).”’
[At-Tirmidhi].

1492. Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made many supplications which we did not memorize. We said to him: “O Messenger of Allah! You have made many supplications of which we do not remember anything.” He said, “Shall I tell you a comprehensive prayer? Say: `Allahumma inni as’aluka min khairi ma sa’alaka minhu nabiyyuka Muhammadun sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam. Wa `a`udhu bika min sharri mas-ta`adha minhu nabiyyuka Muhammadun sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam. Wa Antal-Musta`anu, wa `alaikal-balaghu, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (O Allah, I beg to You the good which Your Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) begged of You; and I seek refuge in You from the evil where from Your Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sought refuge. You are the One from Whom help is sought and Your is the responsibility to communicate (the truth). There is no power or strength except with Allah the Exalted, the Great.”’
[At-Tirmidhi]

1493. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One of the supplications of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was: “Allahumma inni as’aluka mujibati rahmatika, wa `aza’ima maghfiratika, was-salamata min kulli ithmin, wal-ghanimata min kulli birrin, wal-fawza bil-jannati, wannajata mina-nar (O Allah! I beg You for that which incites Your Mercy and the means of Your forgiveness, safety from every sin, the benefit from every good deed, success in attaining Jannah and deliverance from Fire).”
[Al-Hakim].

The Desirability of Fasting six Days in the Month of Shawwal

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The Desirability of Fasting six Days in the Month of Shawwal

1254. Abu Ayyub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who observes As-Saum (the fasts) in the month of Ramadan, and also observes As-Saum for six days in the month of Shawwal, it is as if he has observed As-Saum for the whole year.”
[Muslim].

The Excellence of Worship in the time of Tribulations

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The Excellence of Worship in the time of Tribulations

1366.   Ma`qil bin Yasar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The reward of worship performed at a time of trials is equal in reward to an emigration to me.”
[Muslim].

The Excellence of Supplicating in one’s Absence

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The Excellence of Supplicating in one’s Absence

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And those who came after them say: `Our Rubb! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith.”’ (59:10)

“And ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women”. (47:19)

“Our Rubb! Forgive me and my parents, and (all) the believers on the Day when the reckoning will be established.” (14: 41)

1494. Abud-Darda’ (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Whenever a Muslim supplicates for his (Muslim) brother in his absence, the angels say: `May the same be for you too‘.”
[Muslim].

1495. Abud-Darda’ (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The supplication of a Muslim for his (Muslim) brother in his absence will certainly be answered. Everytime he makes a supplication for good for his brother, the angel appointed for this particular task says: `A   meen! May it be for you, too‘.”
[Muslim].

The Desirability of Observing Saum (Fasting) on Monday and Thursday

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The Desirability of Observing Saum (Fasting) on Monday and Thursday

1255. Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said, “That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I received Revelation.”
[Muslim].

1256. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Deeds of people are presented (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays. So I like that my actions be presented while I am fasting.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1257. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her)u reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to observe fast on Mondays and Thursdays.
[At-Tirmidhi].

Virtues of Knowledge which is Learnt and Taught for the sake of Allah

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Virtues of Knowledge which is Learnt and Taught for the sake of Allah

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And say: `My Rubb! Increase me in knowledge.” (20:114)

“Are those who know equal to those who know not?”’ (39:9)

“Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge.” (58:11)

“It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah.” (35:28)

1376. Mu`awiyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah said, “When Allah wishes good for someone, He bestows upon him the understanding of Deen.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1377. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Envy is permitted only in two cases: A man whom Allah gives wealth, and he disposes of it rightfully, and a man to whom Allah gives knowledge which he applies and teaches it.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1378. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me are like abundant rain which fell on a land. A fertile part of it absorbed the water and brought forth profuse herbage and pasture; and solid ground patches which retained the water by which Allah has benefited people, who drank from it, irrigated their crops and sowed their seeds; and another sandy plane which could neither retain the water nor produce herbage. Such is the similitude of the person who becomes well-versed in the religion of Allah and receives benefit from the Message entrusted to me by Allah, so he himself has learned and taught it to others; such is also the similitude of the person who has stubbornly and ignorantly rejected Allah’s Guidance with which I have been sent.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

1379. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him), “By Allah, if a single person is guided by Allah through you, it will be better for you than a whole lot of red camels.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1380. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Convey from me even an Ayah of the Qur’an; relate traditions from Banu Israel, and there is no restriction on that; but he who deliberately forges a lie against me let him have his abode in the Hell.”
[Al-Bukhari].

1381. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah makes the way to Jannah easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge.”
[Muslim].

1382. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who calls others to follow the Right Guidance will have a reward equal to the reward of those who follow him, without their reward being diminished in any respect on that account.”
[Muslim].

1383. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous decendant who prays for him (for the deceased).”
[Muslim].

1384. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The world, with all that it contains, is accursed except for the remembrance of Allah that which pleases Allah; and the religious scholars and seekers of knowledge.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1385. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who goes forth in search of knowledge is considered as struggling in the Cause of Allah until he returns.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1386. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A believer never satisfies doing good until he reaches Jannah.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1387. Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The superiority of the learned over the devout worshipper is like my superiority over the most inferior amongst you (in good deeds).” He went on to say, “Allah, His angels, the dwellers of the heaven and the earth, and even the ant in its hole and the fish (in water) supplicate in favour of those who teach people knowledge.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1388. Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who follows a path in quest of knowledge, Allah will make the path of Jannah easy to him. The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depth of the oceans seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout worshipper is like that of the full moon to the rest of the stars (i.e., in brightness). The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who bequeath neither dinar nor dirham but only that of knowledge; and he who acquires it, has in fact acquired an abundant portion.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

1389. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “May Allah freshen the affairs of a person who hears something from us and communicates it to others exactly as he has heard it (i.e., both the meaning and the words). Many a recepient of knowledge understands it better than the one who has heard it.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1390. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who is asked about knowledge (of religion) and conceals it, will be bridled with a bridle of fire on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

1391. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who does not acquire knowledge with the sole intention of seeking the Pleasure of Allah but for worldly gain, will not smell the fragrance of Jannah on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Abu Dawud].

1392. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people, but He takes it away by taking away (the lives of) the religious scholars till none of the scholars stays alive. Then the people will take ignorant ones as their leaders, who, when asked to deliver religious verdicts, will issue them without knowledge, the result being that they will go astray and will lead others astray.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The Excellence of As-Saum (The Fast) during the first ten Days ofDhul-Hijjah

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Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 226
The Excellence of As-Saum (The Fast) during the first ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah

1249. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are no days during which the righteous action is so pleasing to Allah than these days (i.e., the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah).” He was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Not even Jihad in the Cause of Allah, except in case one goes forth with his life and his property and does not return with either of it.”
[Al-Bukhari].

 

The Desirability of Observing Three Days of Fasting in Every Month

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Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 230
The Desirability of Observing Three Days of Fasting in Every Month

1258. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: My friend (the Messenger of Allah) (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) directed me to observe fast for three days in every month, to perform two Rak`ah (optional) Duha prayer at forenoon and to perform the Witr prayer before going to bed.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1259. Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: My friend (the Messenger of Allah) (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) directed me to observe Saum (fasting) for three days in every month, to perform two Rak`ah (optional) Duha prayer at forenoon, and to perform the Witr prayer before going to bed.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1260. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Observing Saum (fasting) on three days of every month is equivalent to a full month’s fasting.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1261. Mu`adhah Al-`Adawiyah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her). Did the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) use to observe three days of Saum (fasting) in every month?” She replied, “Yes.” I asked, “On which days in the month did he observed fast?” She replied that he did not mind on which days of the month he observed fast.
[Muslim].

1262. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If you want to observe Saum on three days in a month, then fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of the (lunar) month.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1263. Qatadah bin Milhan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) directed us to observe Saum (fasting) on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of the (lunar) month.
[Abu Dawud].

1264. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: It was the practice of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to not to omit fast on `bright days’ whether he was staying at a place or on a journey.
[An-Nasa’i].

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