The Excellence and Obligation of the Payment of Zakat

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 216
The Excellence and Obligation of the Payment of Zakat

Allah, the Exalted, says:

And perform Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat.” (2:43)

“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat, and that is the right religion.” (98:5)

Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it.” (9:103)

1206.  Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(The structure of) Islam is built on five (pillars): Testification of `La ilaha illallah’ (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), that Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) is his slave and Messenger, the establishment of Salat, the payment of Zakat, the pilgrimage to the House of Allah (Ka`bah), and Saum during the month of Ramadan.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1207.  Talhah bin `Ubaidullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A person with dishevelled hair, one of the people of Najd, came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). We heard the humming of his voice but could not fully understand what he was saying, till he approached close to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Then I came to know that he was asking about Islam. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “There are five (obligatory) Salat during the day and the night.” He said: “Am I obliged to perform any other (Salat) besides these?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No, but whatever you observe voluntarily.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added, “There is the Saum of Ramadan.” The inquirer asked: “Am I obliged to do anything besides this?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No, but whatever you do out of your own free will. You may observe voluntary fasting.” And the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) told him about the Zakat (obligatory charity). The inquirer asked: “Am I obliged to pay anything besides this?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No, but whatever you pay voluntarily out of your own free will.” That man turned back saying: “By Allah! I will neither make any addition to this nor will I decrease anything from it.” (Upon hearing this) the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) remarked, “He is successful if he proves truthful (to what he is saying).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1208. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) appointed Mu`adh (May Allah be pleased with him) as governor of Yemen, and at the time of his departure, he instructed him thus: “First of all, call the people to testify `La ilaha illallah’ (there is no true god except Allah) and that I (Muhammad) am the Messenger of Allah, and if they accept this (declaration of Faith), then tell them that Allah has enjoined upon them five Salat during the day and night; and if they obey you, tell them that Allah has made the payment of Zakat obligatory upon them. It should be collected from their rich and distributed among their poor.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1209. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I have been commanded to fight people till they testify `La ilaha illallah’ (there is no true god except Allah) that Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) is his slave and Messenger, and they establish Salat, and pay Zakat; and if they do this, their blood (life) and property are secured except when justified by law, and it is for Allah to call them to account.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1210. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed away, Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) was appointed as his successor (caliph). Amongst the Arabs some men apostatised. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) resolved to fight them. `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) said to Abu Bakr: “How can you fight them when the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has declared: `I have been commanded to fight people till they testify La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah); and if they do it, their blood (life) and property are secured except when justified by law, and it is for Allah to call them to account.” Upon this Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “By Allah, I would definitely fight him who makes distinction between Salat and the Zakat, because it is an obligation upon the rich to pay Zakat. By Allah I will fight them even to secure the piece of rope which they used to give to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).” `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “I realized that Allah opened the heart of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) for fighting those who refused to pay Zakat, and I fully recognized that Abu Bakr ¨(May Allah be pleased with him) was right.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1211. Abu Ayyub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “Direct me to a deed which may admit me to Jannah.” Upon this he (the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “Worship Allah and never associate anything with Him in worship, establish Salat, pay Zakat, and strengthen the ties of kinship.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1212. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A bedouin came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! Direct me to a deed by which I may be entitled to enter Jannah.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Worship Allah, and never associate anything with Him, establish Salat, pay the Zakat which has been enjoined upon you, and observe Saum of Ramadan.” He (the bedouin) said: “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I will never add anything to these (obligations).” When he turned his back, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who wants to see a man from the dwellers of Jannah, let him look at him (bedouin).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1213. Jarir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I pledged allegiance to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to establish Salat, to pay the Zakat and to have the welfare of every Muslim at heart.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1214. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Any person who possesses gold or silver and does not pay what is due on it (i.e., the Zakat); on the Day of Resurrection, sheets of silver and gold would be heated for him in the fire of Hell and with them his flank, forehead and back will be branded. When they cool down, they will be heated again and the same process will be repeated during the day the measure whereof will be fifty thousand years. (This would go on) until Judgement is pronounced among (Allah’s) slaves, and he will be shown his final abode, either to Jannah or to Hell.” It was asked, “How about someone who owns camels and does not pay what is due on him (i.e., their Zakat)?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “In the same way the owner of camels who does not discharge what is due in respect of them (their due includes their milking on the day when they are taken to water) will be thrown on his face or on his back in a vast desert plain on the Day of Resurrection and they will trample upon him with their hoofs and bite him with their teeth. As often as the first of them passes him, the last of them will be made to return during a day the measure whereof will be fifty thousand years, until Judgement is pronounced among (Allah’s) slaves, he will be shown his final abode either to Jannah or to Hell.” It was (again) asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what about cows (cattle) and sheep?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If anyone who possesses cattle and sheep and does not pay what is due on them (i.e., their Zakat); on the Day of Resurrection, he will be thrown on his face in a vast plain desert. He will find none of the animals missing with twisted horns, without horns or with a broken horn, and they will gore him with their horns and trample upon him with their hoofs. As often as the first of them passes him, the last of them will be made to return to him during a day the measure whereof will be fifty thousand years, until Judgement is pronounced among (Allah’s) slaves; and he will be shown his final abode either to Jannah or to Hell.” It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what about the horses?” Upon this he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The horses are of three types. One, which is a burden for the owner; another which is a shield, and another one which makes its owner entitled to reward. The one for whom these are a burden is the person who rears them for show or for pride or for causing injury to the sentiments of the Muslims. They will be a cause of torment for their owners. The one for whom these are a shield is the person who rears them for the sake of Allah but does not forget the Right of Allah concerning their backs and their necks (i.e., he lets a needy ride on them), and so they are a shield for him. Those which bring reward to the one who rears them in pastures and gardens are the ones that are used in the Cause of Allah (Jihad) by the Muslims. Whatever they eat from the meadows and the gardens will be recorded on his behalf as good deeds so much so that their droppings and urine will be counted for an equal number of good deeds for him. Even when they break their tying rope and every height from which they climb and every hoofprint which they leave will be counted as a good deed on behalf of the owner. When their owner leads them through a stream from which they drink, though he does not intend to quench their thirst, yet Allah would record for him the quantity (of water) of what they would drink on his behalf as good deeds.” It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what about the donkeys?” Upon this he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Nothing has been revealed to me in regard to the donkeys in particular except this one Verse of a comprehensive nature:So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant) shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant) shall see it.”’ (99: 8,9).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Desirability of returning Home soon after the Accomplishment of a Task

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 175
Desirability of returning Home soon after the Accomplishment of a Task

984. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Travelling is a torment because it deprives a traveller of his food, drink and sleep. So when one of you has accomplished his purpose of journey, let him return home quickly.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Haste in Burial

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 158
Haste in Burial

941. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Hurry up with the dead body (for its burial), for if it is pious, you are speeding it to goodness and if it is otherwise, you are laying an evil off your necks.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

942. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a dead body is placed on a bier and men carry it on their shoulders, if he was a pious man, it (corpse) says: `Take me in haste.’ But if he was not righteous, it says to its bearers: `Woe to it. Where are you taking it?’ Everything except man hears its voice. Had a human being heard its voice, he would have surely fallen into swoon.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Glorification of Allah by a Traveler while Ascending and Descending

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 171
Glorification of Allah by a Traveler while Ascending and Descending

975. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When we ascended (a height) we would proclaim: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest),” and when we descended (from the height) we would proclaim: “Subhan Allah (Allah is free from imperfection).”’
[Al-Bukhari].

976. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and his army ascended a height, they would proclaim: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest),” and when they climbed down, they would proclaim: “Subhan Allah (Allah is free from imperfection).”
[Abu Dawud].

977.  Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) returned from Hajj or `Umrah and ascended a height or hill, he would recite thrice: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest).” Then he would say, “La ilaha ill-allahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa `ala kulli shay’in Qadeer. Ayibuna ta’ibuna `abiduna li-Rabbina hamidun. Sadaq-Allahu wa`dahu, wa nasara `abdahu, wa hazamal-ahzaba wahdahu [None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, Who has no partner, to Whom the sovereignty belongs, to Whom all praise is due, and Who is Able to do all things. We are those who return (in safety), feel penitence, worship Allah, prostrate before our Rubb and praise Him. Allah has fulfilled His Promise, helped His slave (i.e., Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) and He Alone vanquished the Clans].”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

978. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said: “O Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), I intend to set out on a journey, so counsel me.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Fear Allah, and ascending towards the raised ground, you should recite: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest).” When the man turned away, he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Allah! Shorten the distance for him and make the journey easy for him.” [At-Tirmidhi].

979. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We accompanied the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in a journey, and when we climbed up a height, we proclaimed aloud: “La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah)” and “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest).” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) admonished us saying, “O people, take it easy. He Whom you are calling is not deaf or absent. He is with you (i.e., by His Knowledge), He is Hearing and He is Near.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Supplication if one Fears (Harm)

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 173
Supplication if one Fears (Harm)

981. Abu Musa Al-Ashari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), feared mischief from a people, he would supplicate: “Allahumma inna naj`aluka fi nuhurihim, wa na`udhu bika min shururihim (O Allah! We ask You to face them, and seek Your Protection against their evil.”
[Abu Dawud and An-Nasa’i].

Participation in Funeral Prayer and Procession and the dislike of WomenParticipating in the Funeral Procession

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 155
Participation in Funeral Prayer and Procession and the dislike of Women
Participating in the Funeral Procession

929. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever follows the funeral procession and offers the funeral prayer for it, will get a reward equal to one Qirat, and whoever attends it till burial, will get a reward equal to two Qirat.” It was asked, “What are two Qirat?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Equal to two huge mountains.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

930. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever attends the funeral of a Muslim believing and hoping for the reward from Allah and remains with it until the prayer is offered over it and the burial is completed, he will return with a reward of two Qirat; each Qirat is equivalent to Mount Uhud; and whosoever offers his prayer over it and returns before its burial, he will come back with one Qirat.”
[Al-Bukhari].

931.  Umm Atiyyah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: We (womenfolk) were prohibited from accompanying a funeral procession, but we were not compelled (not to do so).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

The Desirability of undertaking a Journey in a Group and appointing aLeader

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 167
The Desirability of undertaking a Journey in a Group and appointing a Leader

958. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Were people to know of what I know about the dangers of travelling alone, no rider would travel alone at night.”
[Al-Bukhari].

959. `Amr bin Shu`aib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A single rider is (accompanied with) Satan and two riders are (accompanied with) two Satans. Three riders form a group.”
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

960. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When three persons set out on a journey, they should appoint one of them as their leader.”
[Abu Dawud].

961. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best number of companions is four; the best detachment is four hundred and the best army is four thousand; and twelve thousand men will not be defeated as a result of smallness of number.”
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

The Excellence of Reciting the Qur’an

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 180
The Excellence of Reciting the Qur’an

991. Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Read the Qur’an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Muslim].

992. An-Nawwas bin Sam`an (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “The Qur’an and its people who applied it, will be brought on the Day of Resurrection preceded with Surat Al-Baqarah and Surat Al-`Imran arguing on behalf of those who applied them.”
[Muslim].

993. `Uthman bin `Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.”
[Al-Bukhari].

994. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Qur’an will be with the honourable and obedient scribes (angels) and he who recites the Qur’an and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have a double reward.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

995. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The believer who recites the Qur’an is like a citron whose fragrance is sweet and whose taste is delicious. A believer who does not recite the Qur’an is like a date-fruit which has no fragrance but has a sweet taste. The hypocrite who recites the Qur’an is like a colocynth whose fragrance is so sweet, but its taste is bitter. The hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an is like basil which has no fragrance and its taste is bitter.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

996. `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, Allah elevates some people with this Qur’an and abases others.”
[Muslim].

997. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Envy is justified in regard to two types of persons only: a man whom Allah has given knowledge of the Qur’an, and so he recites it during the night and during the day; and a man whom Allah has given wealth and so he spends from it during the night and during the day.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

998. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man was reciting Surat Al-Kahf, and a horse was tied with two ropes beside him. As he was reciting, a cloud overshadowed him, and as it began to come nearer and nearer, the horse began to trample voilently. The man came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in the morning and mentioned the incident to him. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “That was tranquillity which descended as a result of the recitation of the Qur’an.

999. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a ten-fold reward. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1000. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who does not memorize any part from the Qur’an he is like the ruined house.
[At-Tirmidhi].

1001. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The one who was devoted to the the Qur’an will be told on the Day of Resurrection: `Recite and ascend (in ranks) as you used to recite when you were in the world. Your rank will be at the last Ayah you recite.”’
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

 

Supplication for the Sick

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 145
Supplication for the Sick

901. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When a person complained to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) about an ailment or suffered from a sore or a wound, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would touch the ground with his forefinger and then raise it (Sufyan bin `Uyainah, the narrator, demonstrated this with his forefinger) and would recite: `Bismil-lahi, turbatu ardina, biriqati ba`dina, yushfa bihi saqimuni, bi ‘idhni Rabbina’ (With the Name of Allah, the dust of our ground mixed with the saliva of some of us would cure our patient with the permission of our Rubb.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

902. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: When the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited any ailing member of his family, he would touch the sick person with his right hand and would supplicate: “Allahumma Rabban-nasi, adhhibil-ba’sa, washfi, Antash-Shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uka, shifaan la yughadiru saqaman [O Allah! the Rubb of mankind! Remove this disease and cure (him or her)! You are the Great Curer. There is no cure but through You, which leaves behind no disease].”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

903. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said to Thabit (May Allah had Mercy upon him) Should I not perform Ruqyah (i.e., recite supplication or Quranic Ayat and blow) over you, such supplication as was practised by the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)?” He said: “Please do so.” Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) supplicated: “Allahumma Rabban-nasi, mudh-hibal-ba’si, ishfi Antash-Shafi, la shafiya illa Anta, shifa’an la yughadiru saqaman [O Allah! the Rubb of mankind! Take away this disease and cure (him or her). You are the Curer. There is no cure except through You. Cure (him or her), a cure that leaves no disease].”
[Al-Bukhari].

904. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited me during my illness and supplicated, “O Allah! Cure Sa`d. O Allah! Cure Sa`d. O’ Allah! Cure Sa`d.”
[Muslim].

905. Abu `Abdullah bin Abul-`as (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I complained to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) about a pain I had in my body. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Place your hand where you feel pain and say: `Bismillah (With the Name of Allah)’ three times; and then repeat seven times: `A`udhu bi`izzatillahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa `uhadhiru (I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that afflicts me and that which I apprehend).”’
[
Muslim].

906. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who visits a sick person who is not on the point of death and supplicates seven times: As’alullahal-`Azima Rabbal-`Arshil-`Azimi, an yashfiyaka (I beseech Allah the Great, the Rubb of the Great Throne, to heal you), Allah will certainly heal him from that sickness.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

907. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited a bedouin who was sick. Whenever he visited an ailing person, he would say, “La ba’sa, tahurun in sha’ Allah [No harm, (it will be a) purification (from sins), if Allah wills].”
[Al-Bukhari].

908. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)! Do you feel sick?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Yes.” Jibril supplicated thus (i.e., he performed Ruqyah): “Bismillahi arqika, min kulli shay’in yu’dhika, min sharri kulli nafsin aw `ayni hasidi, Allahu yashfika, bismillahi arqika. [With the Name of Allah. I recite over you (to cleanse you) from all that troubles you, and from every harmful mischief and from the evil of the eyes of an envier. Allah will cure you; and with the Name of Allah, I recite over you].”
[Muslim].

909. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a person says: `La ilaha illallahu wallahu Akbar (There is no true god except Allah and Allah is Greatest)’, his Rubb responds to him and affirms: `(Yes!) There is no true god except I, and I am the Greatest.’ When he says: `La ilaha illallahu Wahdahu la sharika Lahu (There is no true god except Allah, the One, He has no partner).’ Allah (SWT) affirms: `(Yes!) There is no true god except I. I have no partner.’ When he says: `La ilaha illallahu Lahul mulku wa Lahul-hamdu (the sovereignty belongs to Him and all the praise is due to Him).’ He (SWT) affirms: `(Yes!) There is no true god except I, Mine is the praise and to Me belongs the sovereignty.’ When he says: `La ilaha illallahu wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa Billah (There is no true god except Allah, and there is no might and power but with Allah).’ He (SWT) affirms: `(Yes!) There is no true god except I, and there is no might and power but with Me.”’ The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added, “He who recites this during his illness and dies, will not be touched by the Fire (Hell).”
[At-Tirmidhu].

Excellence of Greeting on Arrival and Departure

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 139
Excellence of Greeting on Arrival and Departure

869. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you arrives in a gathering, he should offer Salam to those who are already there, and he should also do so when he intends to depart. The first act of greeting is not more meritorious than the last.”
[Abu Dawud].

About Speedy Repayment of the Debts of a Deceased Person and Preparationof Burial

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 159
About Speedy Repayment of the Debts of a Deceased Person and Preparation of
Burial

943. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The soul of the deceased believer remains pending on account of the debt till it (the debt) is repayed.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

944. Hussain bin Wahwah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When Talhah bin Al-Bara’ (May Allah be pleased with him) fell ill, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came to visit him and said, “Verily, I think that Talhah is about to die. So inform me when he is dead and make haste (in burying him). Indeed, it is improper for the corpse of a Muslim to be kept lying unburied among his family members.”
[Abu Dawud].

 

Supplication to be made soon after a Person’s Death

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 151
Supplication to be made soon after a Person’s Death

919. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) when his eyes were open soon after he died. He closed them (the eyes) for him and said, “When the soul is taken away, the sight follows it.” Some members of his family began to weep. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do not supplicate for yourselves anything but good, for the angels say `amin’ to what you say.” Then he ü said, “O Allah! Forgive Abu Salamah, raise his rank among those who are rightly-guided and grant him a successor from his descendants who remain behind. Grant him pardon and us, too. O Rubb of the worlds. Make his grave spacious for him and give him light in it.”
[Muslim].

 

Excellence of Participation in Funeral Prayers in Large Numbers andFormation of Three Rows or More

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 156
Excellence of Participation in Funeral Prayers in Large Numbers and Formation of
Three Rows or More

932. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a group of Muslims numbering a hundred perform funeral prayer over a dead person, and all of them ask Allah’s forgiveness for him, their prayer for him will be accepted.”
[Muslim].

933. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a Muslim dies and forty people, who do not associate anything with Allah in worship, participate in the funeral prayer over him, Allah will accept their intercession for him.”
[Muslim].

934. Marthad bin `Abdullah Al-Yazni reported: When Malik bin Hubairah (May Allah be pleased with him) offered a funeral prayer and found a small number of participants, he would divide them into three rows and would say that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If three rows of men offer funeral prayer over anyone, his entry into Jannah will become certain.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Excellence of Hand shaking at the time of Meeting

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 143
Excellence of Hand shaking at the time of Meeting

885. Abu Khattab Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked Anas: “Did the Companions of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) use to shake hands?” He said: “Yes.”
[Al-Bukhari].

886. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the people of Yemen came, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The people of Yemen have visited you. They are the first to introduce the tradition of handshaking.”
[Abu Dawud].

887. Al-Bara’ (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Two Muslims will not meet and shake hands without having their sins forgiven (by Allah ) before they depart.”
[Abu Dawud].

888. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man asked: “O Messenger of Allah! When a man meets a brother or a friend, should he bow to him?” He said, “No.” The man asked whether he should embrace and kiss him? The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “No.” He asked whether he should hold his hand and shake it? The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Yes.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

889. Safwan bin `Assal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A Jew asked his companion to take him to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam); and when they came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), they asked him about the nine clear signs (given to Prophet Musa). Safwan narrated the long Hadith which concludes: They kissed the hands and feet of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “We testify that you are a Prophet.”
[At-Tirmidhi] (Unapproved Hadith).

890. In a narration of Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) at the end of the narration of the Hadith ) he said: “We came near the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and kissed his hand.”
[Abu Dawud] (Weak Hadith).

891. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Zaid bin Harithah came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he was in my house. Zaid knocked at the door. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) rose to receive him, trailing his garment. He embraced and kissed him.
[At-Tirmidhi].

892. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “Do not belittle any good deed, even your meeting with your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face.”
[Muslim].

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

Good Words to be Uttered before a dying Person and his Family

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 152
Good Words to be Uttered before a dying Person and his Family

920. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her): The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When you visit a sick or a dying person, you should utter good words because the angels say `Amin’ at what you say.” She added: When Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) died, I came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, Abu Salamah has died.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) directed me to supplicate thus: “Allahummaghfir li wa lahu, wa a`qibni minhu `uqba hasanatan [O Allah, forgive me and him, and bestow upon me a better future (give me a better substitute)].” So I supplicated as he directed, and Allah gave me a man who was better for me than Abu Salamah (i.e., the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)). (The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) married Umm Salamah afterwards.)
[Muslim].

921. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When a person suffers from a calamity and utters: `Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji`un. Allahumma ujurni fi musibati, wakhluf li khairan minha (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. O Allah! Compensate me in my affliction, recompense my loss and give me something better in exchange for it), then Allah surely compensates him with reward and better substitute.” Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: When Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) died, I repeated the same supplication as the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had commanded me (to do). So Allah bestowed upon me a better substitute than him (I was married to Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)).
[Muslim].

922. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man’s child dies, Allah, the Exalted, asks His angels, `Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?’ and they reply in the affirmative. He (SWT) then asks, `Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’ and they reply in the affirmative. Thereupon He asks, `What did my slave say?’ They say: `He praised You and said: Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return).’ Allah says: `Build a house for my slave in Jannah and name it Baitul-Hamd (the House of Praise).”’
[At-Tirmidhi].

923. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah, the Exalted, says: `I have no reward except Jannah for a believing slave of Mine who shows patience and anticipates My reward when I take away his favourite one from the inhabitants of the world.”’
[Al-Bukhari].

924. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A daughter of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent a message to him that her son was at his last breath, and requested him to come to her. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent back the informer saying: “To Allah belongs what He takes and what He gives, and everything has a limited period (in this world). So ask her to endure patiently, and expect the reward of Allah.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Seeking Permission to enter by telling one’s Name

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 141
Seeking Permission to enter by telling one’s Name

874. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in the course of his famous Hadith pertaining to Al-Isra’ (the Ascension) that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Then Jibril (Gabriel) ascended along with me to the nearest heaven and requested for the gate to be opened. He was asked: `Who is there?’ He replied: `Jibril.’ He was asked: `Who is with you?’ He said: `Muhammad.’ Then he ascended to the second heaven and requested for the opening of the gate. He was asked: `Who is there?’ He said: `Jibril.’ He was asked: `Who is with you?’ He replied: `Muhammad.’ In the same way he ascended to the third, fourth and all the heavens (i.e., until the seventh). At all of the gates he was asked: `Who is there?’ He replied: Jibril.”’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

875. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I stepped out one night and saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) walking by himself. I began to walk in the moonlit night. He turned round and saw me and asked, “Who is there?” I replied: “Abu Dharr.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

876. Umm Hani (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I went to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who was taking a bath while Fatimah was screening him. He asked, “Who is there?” I replied: “I am Umm Hani.’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

877. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and knocked at the door (to seek permission). He asked, “Who is there?” I said: “I”. He repeated, ” I, I?!” as if he disliked it.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Prohibition of Disclosing the Physical defects of the Deceased

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 154
Prohibition of Disclosing the Physical defects of the Deceased

928. Abu Rafi` Aslam (May Allah be pleased with him), the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who washes a dead body and conceals what he notices of physical defects, he will be forgiven forty times.”
[Al-Hakim].

 

Following the Funeral, and Matters relating to Illness and Death

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 144
Following the Funeral, and Matters relating to Illness and Death

894. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has ordered us to visit the sick, to follow the funeral (of a dead believer), respond to the sneezer (i.e., by saying to him: Yarhamuk-Allah after he says: Al-hamdu lillah), to help those who vow to fulfill it, to help the oppressed, to accept the invitation extended by the inviter; and to promote greetings (i.e., saying As-Salamu `Alaikum).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

895. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Every Muslim has five rights over another Muslim (i.e., he has to perform five duties for another Muslim): to return the greetings, to visit the sick, to accompany funeral processions, to accept an invitation, to respond to the sneezer [i.e., to say: `Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah bestow His Mercy on you),’ when the sneezer praises  Allah].”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

896. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious will say on the Day of Resurrection: `O son of Adam, I was ill but you did not visit Me.’ He would say: `O my Rubb, how could I visit you and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ Thereupon He would say: `Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine was ill but you did not visit him? Did you not realize that if you had visited him (you would have known that I was aware of your visit to him, for which I would reward you) you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked food from you but you did not feed Me.’ He would submit: `My Rubb, how could I feed You and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ He would say: `Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine asked you for food but you did not feed him? Did you not realize that if you had fed him, you would certainly have found (its reward) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked water from you but you did not give it to Me.’ He would say: `My Rubb, how could I give You (water) and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ Thereupon He would say: `Such and such a slave of Mine asked you for water to drink but you did not give it to him. Did you not realize that if you had given him to drink you would have found (its reward) with Me?”’   
[Muslim].

897. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Visit the sick, feed the hungry, and (arrange for the) release of the captive.”
[Al-Bukhari].

898. Thauban (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who visits his brother in Faith, will remain engaged in picking the fresh fruits from the garden of Jannah till he returns.”
[Muslim].

899. `Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When a Muslim visits a sick Muslim at dawn, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till dusk. If he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till the morning; and he will have (his share of) reaped fruits in Jannah.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

900. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A young Jewish boy who was in the service of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) fell ill. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) went to visit him. He sat down by his head and said to him, “Embrace Islam.” The little boy looked at his father who was sitting beside him. He said: “Obey Abul-Qasim (i.e., the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)).” So he embraced Islam and the Prophet ü stepped out saying, “Praise be to Allah Who has saved him from Hell-fire.”
[Al-Bukhari].

 

Permissibility of expressing feelings of agony in Serious Illness

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 149
Permissibility of expressing feelings of agony in Serious Illness

914. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I visited the Prophet ({PBUH) while he was suffering. I said: “(O Messenger of Allah!) You suffer too much.’ He said, “Yes, I suffer as much as two men of you.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

915. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came to visit me when I had a severe pain. I said: “I am suffering from such trouble as you are observing. I am a wealthy man and the only heir of mine is my daughter.” (Then Sa`d narrated the whole incident).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

916. Al-Qasim bin Muhammad reported `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: “Oh, my head.” (It was hurting due to pain.) Thereupon the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Rather it is I who says: `Oh, my headache.”’ (Then Al-Qasim narrated the complete narration).
[Al-Bukhari].

Saying ‘Al-Hamdulillah’ on Sneezing, its reply and Manners relating toSneezing and Yawning

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 142
Saying ‘Al-Hamdulillah’ on Sneezing, its reply and Manners relating to Sneezing
and Yawning

878. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah likes sneezing and dislikes yawning. When any one of you sneezes and says `Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah)’, it becomes obligatory upon every Muslim who hears him to respond with `Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah have mercy on you)’. Yawning is from the devil. When one of you feels like yawning, he should restrain it as much as possible, for the devil laughs when one of you yawns.”
[Al-Bukhari].

879. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you sneezes he should say: `Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah),’ and his brother or his companion should say to him: `Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah have mercy on you).’ When he says this he should reply: `Yahdikum-ullah wa yuslihu balakum (may Allah guide you and render sound your state of affairs).”’
[Al-Bukhari].

880. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you sneezes and praises Allah (i.e., says Al-hamdu lillah), you should invoke Allah’s Mercy upon him (i.e., say Yarhamuk-Allah); but if he does not praise Allah, you should not make a response.” [Muslim].

881. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When two men sneezed in the presence of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), he responded to one with “Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah have mercy on you)” and did not respond to the other. The latter said to him: “You invoked a blessing on this man but did not do so in my case.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “He praised Allah (i.e., he said `Al-hamdu lillah’) but you did not.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

882. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sneezed, he would cover his mouth with his hand or a piece of cloth, suppressing the sound this way.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

883. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Jews used to intentionally sneeze in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) hoping that he would say to them: `Yarhamukum-ullah (may Allah have mercy on you),’ but he would respond with: “Yahdikum-ullahu wa yuslihu balakum (may Allah guide you and render sound your state of affairs).”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

884. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one yawns, he should put his hand over his mouth, otherwise the devil will enter.”
[Muslim].