Fear (of Allah)

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 50
Fear (of Allah)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And fear none but Me”. (2:40)

“Verily, (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) the Grip (punishment) of your Rubb is severe”. (85:12)

“Such is the Seizure of your Rubb when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, (and) severe. Indeed in that (there) is a sure lesson for those who fear the torment of the Hereafter. That is a Day whereon mankind will be gathered together, and that is a Day when all (the dwellers of the heavens and the earth) will be present. And We delay it only for a term (already) fixed. On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His (Allah’s) Leave. Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed. As for those who are wretched, they will be in the Fire, sighing in a high and low tone”. (11:102-106)

“And Allah warns you against Himself (His punishment)”. (3:30)

“That Day shall a man flee from his brother. And from his mother and his father. And from his wife and his children. Every man that Day will have enough to make him careless of others”. (80:34-37)

“O mankind! Fear your Rubb and be dutiful to Him! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour (of Resurrection) is a terrible thing. The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunken, but severe will be the Torment of Allah”. (22:1,2)

“But for him who fears the standing before his Rubb, there will be two Gardens (i.e., in Jannah)”. (55:46)

“And some of them draw near to others, questioning. Saying: `Aforetime, we were afraid (of the punishment of Allah) in the midst of our families. So Allah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire. Verily, we used to invoke Him (Alone and none else) before. Verily, He is Al-Barr (the Most Subtle, Kind, Courteous, and Generous), the Most Merciful.”. (52:25-28)

396. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), the truthful and the receiver of the truth informed us, saying, “The creation of you (humans) is gathered in the form of semen in the womb of your mother for forty days, then it becomes a clinging thing in similar (period), then it becomes a lump of flesh like that, then Allah sends an angel who breathes the life into it; and (the angel) is commanded to record four things about it: Its provision, its term of life (in this world), its conduct; and whether it will be happy or miserable. By the One besides Whom there is no true god! Verily, one of you would perform the actions of the dwellers of Jannah until there is only one cubit  between him and it (Jannah), when what is foreordained would come to pass and he would perform the actions of the inmates of Hell until he enter it. And one of you would perform the actions of the inmates of Hell, until there is only one cubit between him and Hell. Then he would perform the acts of the dwellers of Jannah until he would enter it.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

397. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Hell will be brought on that Day (the Day of Resurrection) with seventy bridles; and with every bridle will be seventy thousand angels, pulling it”.
[Muslim].

398. Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The least tortured man on the Day of Resurrection is one underneath whose feet will be placed two live coal, and his brain will be boiling, and he would think that he is the most tortured, while he is the least tortured”,
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

399. Samurah bin Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Prophet of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Among the people of Hell are there those who will be emersed in fire to their ankels, some to their knees, some to their waists, and some to their throats”.
[Muslim].

400. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as saying, “Mankind will stand before Allah, the Rubb of the worlds (on the Day of Resurrection), some of them will stand submerged in perspiration up to half of their ears”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

401. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) delivered a Khutbah to us the like of which I had never heard from him before. He said, “If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much”. Thereupon those present covered their faces and began sobbing.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) heard of something about his Companions upon which he addressed them and said, “Jannah and (Hell) Fire were shown to me and I have never seen the like of this day in good and in evil. If you were to know what I know, you would laugh little and weep much”. His Companions experienced such suffering on that day that had no equal. They covered their faces and began to weep.
[Al-Bukhari].

402. Al-Miqdad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, the sun will come so close to people that there would be left only a distance of one Meel”. Sulaim bin `Amir said: By Allah, I do not know whether he meant by “Meel”, the mile of the distance measure or the stick used for applying antimony powder to the eye. (Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) is, however, reported to have said:) “The people then will be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds, some up to their ankles, some up to their knees, some up to the waist and some will have the bridle of perspiration (reaching their mouth and nose) and, while saying this Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) pointed to his mouth with his hand”.
[Muslim].

403. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The people will perspire on the Day of Resurrection and their perspiration will be seventy cubits down in the earth and it will reach up to their ears (they will be bridled with it)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

404. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were in the company of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when we heard a bang. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said. “Do you know what this (sound) is?” We said, “Allah and His Messenger know better.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “That is a stone which was thrown into Hell seventy years before and it has just reached its bottom”.
[Muslim].

405. `Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Everyone of you will speak to his Rubb without an interpreter between them. He will look to his right side and will see only the deeds he had previously done; he will look to his left and will see only the deeds he had previously done, and he will look in front of him and will see nothing but Fire (of Hell) before his face. So protect yourselves from Fire (of Hell), even by giving half a date-fruit (in charity)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

406. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I see what you do not see and I hear what you do not hear; heaven has squeaked, and it has right to do so. By Him, in Whose Hand my soul is, there is not a space of four fingers in which there is not an angel who is prostrating his forehead before Allah, the Exalted. By Allah, if you knew what I know, you would laugh little, weep much, and you would not enjoy women in beds, but would go out to the open space beseeching Allah”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

407. Abu Barzah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Man’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earn it and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

408. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) recited, “That Day it (the earth) will reveal its news (about all that happened over it of good or evil).” (99:4). Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) inquired, “Do you know what its news are?” He was told: “Allah and His Messenger know better”. He said, “Its news is that it shall bear witness against every slave man and woman they did on its back. It will say: `You did this and this on such and such day.’ Those will be its news.”
[At-Tirmidhi]

409. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “How can I feel at ease when the Angel of the Trumpet, (Israfil) has put his lips to the Trumpet and is waiting for the order to blow it”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) perceived as if this had shocked his Companions, so he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) told them to seek comfort through reciting: `Hasbunallah wa ni`mal-Wakil [Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of  affairs (for us)]”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

410. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “He who is afraid of the pillage of the enemy, sets out in the early part of the night; and he who sets out early, reaches his destination. Be on your guard that the commodity of Allah is precious. Verily the commodity of Allah is Jannah”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

411. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “The people will be assembled on the Day of Resurrection barefooted, naked and uncircumcised”. I said, “O Messenger of Allah! Will the men and the women be together on that Day; looking at one another?” Upon this Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Aishah, the matter will be too serious for them to look at one another”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Benevolent Treatment towards Orphans, Girls, the Weak, the Poor and theHumble Persons

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“And keep yourself (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) patiently with those who call on their Rubb (i.e., your companions who remember their Rubb with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world.” (18:28)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Giving Counsel

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 22
Giving Counsel

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“(Nuh said) I give sincere advice to you”. (7:62)

“(And Hud said) And I am a trustworthy adviser (or well-wisher) for you”. (7:68)

181. Tamim bin Aus Ad-Dari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Ad-Deen is sincerity”. We said: “For whom?” He replied, “For Allah, His Book, His Messenger and for the leaders of the Muslims and their masses”.
[Muslim].

182. Jarir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I made my covenant with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on the observance of Salat, payment of  Zakat, and giving counsel to Muslim.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

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

Moderation in Worship

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 14
Moderation in Worship

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Ta-Ha. We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) to cause you distress”. (20:1,2)

“Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you”. (2:185)

142.  Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came in when a woman was sitting beside me. He asked me, “Who is she?” I said: “She is the one whose performance of Salat (prayer) has become the talk of the town.” Addressing her, he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(What is this!) You are required to take upon yourselves only what you can carry out easily. By Allah, Allah does not withhold His Mercy and forgiveness of you until you neglect and give up (good works). Allah likes the deeds best which a worshipper can carry out constantly”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

143.  Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to inquire about the worship of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). When they were informed, they considered their worship insignificant and said: “Where are we in comparison with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) while Allah has forgiven his past sins and future sins”. One of them said: “As for me, I shall offer Salat all night long.” Another said: “I shall observe Saum (fasting) continuously and shall not break it”. Another said: “I shall abstain from women and shall never marry”. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came to them and said, “Are you the people who said such and such things? By Allah, I fear Allah more than you do, and I am most obedient and dutiful among you to Him, but still I observe fast and break it; perform Salat and sleep at night and take wives. So whoever turns away from my Sunnah does not belong to me”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

144.  Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Ruined are those who insist on hardship in matters of the Faith.” He repeated this three times.
[Muslim]

145. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The religion (of Islam) is easy, and whoever makes the religion a rigour, it will overpower him. So, follow a middle course (in worship); if you can’t do this, do something near to it and give glad tidings and seek help (of Allah) at morn and at dusk and some part of night”.
[Al-Bukhari].

146.  Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came into the mosque and noticed a rope stretched between two poles. He enquired, “What is this rope for?” He was told: “This is Zainab’s rope. When during her voluntary prayer, she begins to feel tired, she grasps it for support”. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Untie it. You should perform prayers so long as you feel active. When you feel tired, you should go to sleep”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

147.  `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you feels drowsy during prayer, let him lie down till drowsiness goes away from him, because when one of you performs prayers while feeling sleepy, he does not know whether he seeks forgiveness or abuses himself”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

148.  Jabir bin Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I used to perform prayer with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and his Salat was of a moderate length and his Khutbah too was moderate in length.
[Muslim].

149.  Abu Juhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made a bond of brotherhood between Salman and Abud-Darda’. Salman paid a visit to Abud-Darda’ and found Umm Darda’ (his wife) dressed in shabby clothes and asked her why she was in that state. She replied: “Your brother Abud-Darda’ is not interested in (the luxuries of) this world. In the meantime Abud-Darda’ came in and prepared a meal for Salman. Salman requested Abud-Darda’ to eat (with him) but Abud-Darda’ said: “I am fasting.” Salman said: “I am not going to eat unless you eat.” So, Abud-Darda’ ate (with Salman). When it was night and (a part of the night passed), Abud-Darda’ got up (to offer the night prayer) but Salman asked him to sleep and Abud-Darda’ slept. After some time Abud-Darda’ again got up but Salman asked him to sleep. When it was the last hours of the night, Salman asked him to get up and both of them offered (Tahajjud) prayer. Then Salman told Abud-Darda’: “You owe a duty to your Rubb, you owe a duty to your body; you owe a duty to your family; so you should give to every one his due. Abud-Darda’ came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and reported the whole story. Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Salman is right”.
[Al-Bukhari].

150.  `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was informed that I said that I would perform prayers the whole night and observe fasting every day as long as I live. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Is it you who said this?” I said to him, “O Messenger of Allah! I ransom you with my parents, it is I who said that.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You will not be able to do that. Observe fast and break it; sleep and get up for prayer, and observe fast for three days during the month; for every good is multiplied ten times and that will be equal to fasting the whole year.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah! I can do more than that.” He said, “Observe fast one day and leave off the next two days.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah! I have strength to do more than that.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Observe fast every other day, and that is the fasting of Dawud (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and that is the most moderate fasting”.

According to another narration: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “That is the best fasting.” I said, “But I am capable of doing more than this”. Thereupon, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There is nothing better than this.” `Abdullah bin `Amr (May Allah be pleased with them) said (when he grew old): “Had I accepted the three days (fasting during every month) as the Messenger of Allah had said, it would have been dearer to me than my family and my property”.

In another narration `Abdullah is reported to have said: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “O `Abdullah! Have I not been informed that you observe fast during the day and offer prayer all the night.” I replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah!” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Don’t do that. Observe fast for few days and then leave off for few days, perform prayers and also sleep at night, as your body has a right upon you, and your eyes have a right upon you; and your wife has a right upon you; your visitors have a right upon you. It is sufficient for you to observe fast three days in a month, as the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times, so it will be like fasting the whole year.” I insisted (on fasting) and so I was given a hard instruction. I said, “O Messenger of Allah! I have strength.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Observe fast like the fasting of Prophet Dawud (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam); and do not fast more than that.” I said: “How was the fasting of Prophet Dawud?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Half of the year (i.e., he used to fast on every alternate day).”

Afterwards when `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) grew old, he used to say: “Would that I had availed myself of the concession granted to me by Messenger of Allah.”

In another narration `Abdullah is reported to have said: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I have been informed that you observe fast continuously and recite (the whole of the Qur’an) every night.” I said, “Messenger of Allah! It is right, but I covet thereby nothing but good,” whereupon he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Then observe fasts like the fasting of Prophet Dawud (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as he was the most ardent worshipper of Allah; recite the Qur’an once every month.” I said, “O Prophet of Allah! I am capable of doing more than that.” He said, “Then recite it (the complete Qur’an) in every twenty days.” I said, “O Prophet of Allah I am capable of reciting more than that.” He said, “Then recite it once in every ten days.” I said, “O Prophet of Allah! I am capable of reciting more than that.” He said, “Then recite it once in every seven days, but not recite more than that.” The Prophet of Allah also said to me, “You do not know, you may have a longer life”. When I grew old I wished I had availed myself of the concession (granted to me by) the Prophet of Allah.

In another narration `Abdullah is reported to have said: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best fasting with Allah is that of (Prophet) Dawud, and the best prayer with Allah is that of Dawud (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) for he would sleep half of the night and stand for prayer for the third of it and (then) would sleep sixth part of it; he observed fast one day and leave off the other. He would not flee on meeting the enemy”.

In another narration `Abdullah is reported to have said: My father helped me marry a noble woman and he used to inquire of his daughter-in-law regarding her husband. She would say: “He is, indeed, a fine man. Since I have come to him, he has neither stepped on my bed nor he has had sexual intercourse with me”. When this state of affairs lasted for some time, my father mentioned the matter to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who directed my father saying, “Send him to me”. I went to him accordingly. He asked me, “How often do you observe fast?” I replied; “Daily”. He asked me, “How long do you take in reading the Noble Qur’an completely.” I said, “Once every night”. Then he narrated the whole story. He (in his old age) would recite one seventh of his nightly recitation to some members of his family during the day to lighten his task at night. Whenever he wished to have a relief from his fast on alternate days, he would give up fasting for a few days and make up deficiency later by observing the number of fasts he had missed. He would not give up the number of fasts altogether because he did not like to abandon what he had settled with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).

151.  Hanzalah Al-Usayyidi (May Allah be pleased with him) who was one of the scribes of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), reported: I met Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) he said: “How are you O Hanzalah?” I said, “Hanzalah has become a hypocrite”. He said, “Far removed is Allah from every imperfection, what are you saying?” I said, “When we are in the company of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he reminds us of Hell-fire and Jannah, we feel as if we are seeing them with our very eyes, and when we are away from Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), we attend to our wives, our children, our business, most of these things (pertaining to life hereafter) slip out of our minds.” Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “By Allah, I also experience the same thing”. So Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) and I went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and I said to him, “O Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), Hanzalah has turned hypocrite.” Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “What has happened to you?” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, when we are in your company, and are reminded of Hell-fire and Jannah, we feel as if we are seeing them with our own eyes, but when we go away from you and attend to our wives, children and business, much of these things go out of our minds.” Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand is my life if your state of mind remains the same as it is in my presence and you are always busy in remembrance (of Allah), the angels will shake hands with you in your beds and in your roads; but Hanzalah, time should be devoted (to the worldly affairs) and time should be devoted (to prayer)”. He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said this thrice.
[Muslim].

152.  Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: While the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was delivering Khutbah (religious talk), he noticed a man who was standing, so he asked about him and was told that he was Abu Israel who had taken a vow to remain standing and not sit, or go into the shade, or speak while observing fasting. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Tell him to speak, to go into the shade, to sit and to complete his fast”.
[Al-Bukhari].

Prohibition of Disobeying Parents and severance of Relations

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 41
Prohibition of Disobeying Parents and severance of Relations

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.” (47:22,23)

“And those who break the Covenant of Allah, after its ratification, and sever that which Allah has commanded to be joined (i.e., they sever the bond of kinship and are not good to their relatives), and work mischief in the land, on them is the curse (i.e., they will be far away from Allah’s Mercy), and for them is the unhappy (evil) home (i.e., Hell).” (13:25)

“And your Rubb has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: `My Rubb! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.”’ (17:23,24)

336. Abu Bakrah Nufai` bin Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shall I not inform you of the biggest of the major sins?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked this question thrice. We said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah. (Please inform us.)”. He said, “Ascribing partners to Allah, and to be undutiful to your parents”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sat up from his reclining position and said, “And I warn you against giving forged statement and a false testimony; I warn you against giving forged statement and a false testimony”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) kept on repeating that warning till we wished he would stop.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

337.  Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(Of the) major sins are: to ascribe partners to Allah, disobey parents, murder someone, and to take a false oath (intentionally)”.
[Al-Bukhari].

338. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is one of the gravest sins to abuse one’s parents.” It was asked (by the people): “O Messenger of Allah, can a man abuse his own parents?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He abuses the father of somebody who, in return, abuses the former’s father; he then abuses the mother of somebody who, in return, abuses his mother”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “One of the major sins is to curse one’s parents”. It was submitted: “O Messenger of Allah! How can a man curse his own parents?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When someone curses the parents of another man who in return abuses the former’s father; and when someone abuses the mother of another man who in return abuses his mother.”

339. Abu Muhammad Jubair bin Mut`im (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Jannah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

340. Abu ‘Isa Al-Mughirah bin Shu`bah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah has forbidden you: disobedience to your mothers, to withhold (what you should give), or demand (what you do not deserve), and to bury your daughters alive. And Allah dislikes idle talk, to ask too many questions (for things which will be of no benefit to one), and to waste your wealth”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

Husband’s rights concerning his Wife

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 35
Husband’s rights concerning his Wife

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore, the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband’s absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g., their chastity and their husband’s property).” (4: 34)

281. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man calls his wife to his bed, and she does not respond and he (the husband) spends the night angry with her, the angels curse her until morning”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

   In another narration: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a woman spends the night away from the bed of her husband, the angels curse her until morning”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

   In another narration: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand is my life, when a man calls his wife to his bed, and she does not respond, the One Who is above the heaven becomes displeased with her until he (her husband) becomes pleased with her”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

282. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is not lawful for a woman to observe (voluntary) fasting without the permission of her husband when he is at home; and she should not allow anyone to enter his house without his permission.”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

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

284. Abu `Ali Talq bin `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire, she must go to him even if she is occupied with the oven”.
[At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i].

285. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If I were to order anyone to prostrate himself before another, I would have ordered a woman to prostrate herself before her husband”.
[At-Tirmidhi]

286. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Any woman dies while her husband is pleased with her, she will enter Jannah”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

287. Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whenever a woman harms her husband in this world (that is without any due right), his wife among the (Houris in Jannah) says: `You must not harm him. May Allah destroy you! He is only a passing guest with you and is about to leave you to come to us”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

288.  Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I am not leaving behind me a more harmful trial for men than women”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Revering the Scholars and Elders, Preferring them to others and raisingtheir Status

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 44
Revering the Scholars and Elders, Preferring them to others and raising their
Status

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Say: `Are those who know equal to those who know not?’ It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e., get a lesson from Allah’s Signs and Verses).” (39:9)

348. Abu Mas`ud `Uqbah bin `Amr Al-Badri Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person who is best versed in the recitation of the Book of Allah, should lead the prayer; but if all those present are equally versed in it, then the one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah; if they are equal in that respect too, then the one who has emigrated (to Al-Madinah) first, if they are equal in this respect also, then the oldest of them. No man should lead another in prayer where the latter has authority, or sit in his house, without his permission”.
[Muslim].

 In another narration in Muslim: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “One who is senior most in accepting Islam, should lead the Salat (prayer)”.

Yet another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man who is well versed in the Book of Allah and can recite it better, should lead the Salat (prayer); if (all those present) are equal in this respect, then the man who is senior most in respect of emigration, if they are equal in that respect too, then the oldest of them should lead the prayer”.
[Muslim].

349. Abu Mas`ud Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would place his hands upon our shoulders when we would form rows for As-Salat (the prayer) and say, “Stand in straight rows and do not differ among yourselves, or else your hearts will differ due to disaccord. Let those be nearest to me who are mature and endowed with understanding (of the religion), then those who are nearest to them in these respects and then those who are nearest to them”.
[Muslim].

350. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Let those be nearest to me in Salat (prayer) who are mature and possess (religious) knowledge, then those who are nearest to them in these respects”. He repeated this three times and then added, “Beware of indulging in the loose talks of the markets (when you are in the mosque)”.
[Muslim].

351. Sahl bin Abu Hathmah Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: `Abdullah bin Sahl and Muhaiyisah bin Mas`ud ¨(May Allah be pleased with them) went to Khaibar during the period of the truce (after its conquest) and they separated to perform their duties. When Muhaiyisah returned to `Abdullah bin Sahl, he found him murdered, drenched in his blood. So he buried him and returned to Al-Madinah. Then `Abdur-Rahman bin Sahl, Huwaiyisah and Muhaiyisah, the two sons of Mas`ud went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and spoke about the case of their (murdered) friend. `Abdur-Rahman, who was the youngest of them all, started talking. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Let those older than you speak first.” So he stopped talking and the (other two) spoke about the case of their (murdered) friend. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Will you take an oath whereby you will have the right to receive the blood money of your murdered man?” And mentioned the rest of the Hadith.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

352. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: After the battle of Uhud, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) arranged the burial of two of the martyrs in one grave. In each case he would ask, “Which one of them had learnt more Qur’an by heart?” Whichever was thus pointed out to him, was placed by him first in the Lahd.
[Al-Bukhari].

353. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with tehm) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It was shown to me in my dream that I was cleaning my teeth with a Miswak and two men came to me, one being older than the other. I gave the Miswak to the younger one, but I was asked to give it to the older, which I did”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

354. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is out of reverence to Allah in respecting an aged Muslim, and the one who commits the Qur’an to memory and does not exaggerate pronouncing its letters nor forgets it after memorizing, and to respect the just ruler”.
[Abu Dawud]

355. `Amr bin Shu`aib (May Allah be pleased with him)on the authority of his father who heard it from his father reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “He is not one of us who shows no mercy to younger ones and does not acknowledge the honour due to our elders”.
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

356. Maimun bin Abu Shabib (May Allah had mercy upon him) reported: A begger asked `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) for charity and she gave him a piece of bread. Thereafter, one well-dressed person asked her for charity and she invited him to sit down and served him food. When she was asked about the reason for the difference in treatment, she said: “Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) instructed us: `Treat people according to their status”.
[Abu Dawud].

357. Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: `Uyainah bin Hisn came to Al-Madinah and stayed with his nephew Al-Hurr bin Qais who was among those who were close to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) and had access to his council. The scholarly persons, whether they were old or young, had the privilege of joining his council and he used to consult them. `Uyainah said to Al-Hurr: “My dear nephew, you have an access to the Leader of the Believers. Will you obtain permission for me to sit with him?” Al-Hurr asked `Umar and he accorded permission. When `Uyainah came into the presence of `Umar, he addressed him thus: “O son of Al-Khattab, you neither bestow much on us nor deal with us justly.” `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) got angry and was about to beat him when Al-Hurr said: “O Leader of the Believers, Allah has said to his Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): `Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e., don’t punish them), [i.e., `Uyainah] (7:199). This is one of the ignorant ones.” By Allah! When al-Hurr recited this, `Umar became quite motionless in his seat. He always adhered strictly to the Book of Allah.
[Al-Bukhari]

358. Abu Sa`id Samurah bin Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was a boy during the lifetime of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and used to commit to my memory what he said, but I do not narrate what I preserved because there were among us people who were older than me.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

359. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a young man honours an older person on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to show reverence to him in his old age”
[At-Tirmidhi].

 

Observing the Sunnah and the manners of its obedience

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 16
Observing the Sunnah and the manners of its obedience

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only a Revelation that is revealed.” (53:3,4)

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

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day…” (33:21)

“But no, by your Rubb, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission”. (4:65)

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

“He who obeys the Messenger  (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)), has indeed obeyed Allah.” (4:80)

“And verily, you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path (i.e., Allah’s Deen of Islamic Monotheism):. (42:52)

“And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) commandment (i.e., his Sunnah — legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among the sects), beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.” (24:63)

“And remember (O you the members of the Prophet’s family, the Graces of your Rubb), that which is recited in your houses of the Verses of Allah and Al-Hikmah (i.e., Prophet’s Sunnah — legal ways, so give your thanks to Allah and glorify His Praises for this Qur’an and the Sunnah).” (33:34)

156.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not ask me unnecessarily about the details of the things which I do not mention to you. Verily, the people before you were doomed because they were used to putting many questions to their Prophets and had differences about their Prophets. Refrain from what I forbid you and do what I command you to the best of your ability and capacity”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

157. `Irbad bin Sariyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) delivered us a very eloquent Khutbah on account of which eyes shed tears and hearts were full of tears. A man said: “O Prophet of Allah, this is as if it were a parting advice. So advise us”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I admonish you to fear Allah, to listen and obey even if an Abyssinian slave is appointed as your leader. Because whosoever among you shall live after me, will see much discord. So hold fast to my Sunnah and the examples of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs who will come after me. Adhere to them and hold to it fast. Beware of new things (in Deen) because every Bid`ah is a misguidance”.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

158. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Everyone of my Ummah will enter Jannah except those who refuse”. He was asked: “Who will refuse?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever obeys me, shall enter Jannah, and whosoever disobeys me, refuses to (enter Jannah)”.
[Al-Bukhari].

159.  Salamah bin Al-Akwa` (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: My father said that a person ate in the presence of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) with his left hand. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Eat with your right hand”. He said, “I cannot do that.” Thereupon he (the Prophet) said, “May you never do that.” It was pride that prevented him from doing it. And he could not raise it (the right hand) up to his mouth afterwards.
[Muslim].

160.  Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Straighten your rows (during Salat) or Allah would create dissension amongst you”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In another narration reported by Muslim, Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to straighten our rows (in Salat), as if he was straightening an arrow with their help until he saw that we had learnt it from him. One day he came out, stood up (for Salat) and was about to say: Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), (marking the beginning of the prayer) when he saw  a man, whose chest was bulging out from the row. He said, “Slaves of Allah, you must straighten your rows or Allah would create dissension amongst you.”

161.  Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A house in Al-Madinah caught fire at night and the roof and walls fell down upon the occupants. When this was reported to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) he said, “Fire is your enemy; so put it out before you go to bed”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

162. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The similitude of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like a  rain which has fallen on some ground. A fertile part of earth has absorbed water and brought forth much grass and herbs. Another part, which is solid, held the water and Allah benefits men thereby, who  drank and gave others to drink, and used it for irrigation. But some of it has fallen on a portion of sandy land which neither retains the water nor produces herbage. Such is the likeness of the man who understands the religion of Allah and who gets benefit of what Allah has sent me with; he learns and teaches others. It is also the likeness of the man who neither raises his head on that account (meaning he does not benefit from what the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was sent with) nor accepts Allah’s Guidance with which I am sent”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

163.  Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “My parable  and that of yours is like a man who kindled a fire. When it has illuminated all around him, the moths and grasshoppers began to fall therein. He tried to push them away, but they overcame him and jumped into it. I am catching hold of your waists ties (to save you) from fire, but you slip away from my hands”.
[Muslim].

164.  Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) commanded the licking of fingers (after eating) and the cleaning of the dish, saying: “You do not know in what portion the Blessing (of Allah) lies”.
[Muslim].

In another narration, Jabir said: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said,  “When a morsel of any of you falls down, you should pick it up and remove any dirt or dust on it and then eat it; and don’t leave it for Satan; and do not wipe your hand with the towel until you have licked your fingers, for you do not know in what portion of the food the Barakah* (of Allah) lies”.

* Barakah is the abundance of goodness and its continuity.

165. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Resurrection you will be assembled barefooted, naked and uncircumcised”. He then recited: “As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. (It is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it,” and continued: “The first to be clothed on the Day of Resurrection will be (Prophet) Ibrahim. Then some of my Companions will be taken to the left, (i.e., towards Hell-fire) and when I will say, ‘They belong to my Ummah, O my Rubb!’ It would be said: ‘You do not know what they invented after you had left them.’ I shall then say as the righteous slave [i.e., `Isa (Jesus (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)] said: ‘And I was a witness over them while I was amongst them, when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them and You are a Witness to all things. If you punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.’ I shall be told: ‘They continued to turn on their heels since you parted from them”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

166. `Abdullah bin Mughaffal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibited flicking pebbles by the index finger and the thumb; and he said, “It does not kill a game animal nor does it inflict wound on the enemy, but breaks the tooth and gorges the eye”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

  In another narration it is said: A close relative of `Abdullah bin Mughaffal (May Allah be pleased with him) was hitting with pebbles using the index finger and the thumb; he said: “Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has forbidden it saying that it does not kill the game”. He repeated the act and Ibn Mughaffal said to him: “I told you that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had prohibited it but you repeated it. I shall never talk to you.”

167.  `Abis bin Rabi`ah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw `Umar bin Al-Khattab(May Allah be pleased with him) kissing the Black Stone (Al-Hajar Al-Aswad) and saying: “I know that you are just a stone and that you can neither do any harm nor give benefit. Had I not seen Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) kissing you, I would not have kissed you”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

Obedience to the command of Allah is an obligatory duty

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 17
Obedience to the command of Allah is an obligatory duty

Allah, the Exalted, says:

But no, by your Rubb, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” (4:65)

“The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allah (His Words, the Qur’an) and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), to judge between them, is that they say: `We hear and we obey.’ And such are the successful (who will live forever in Jannah).” (24:51)

168.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When it was revealed to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and whether you disclose what is in your own selves or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it,” the Companions of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) felt it hard and severe and they came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and sat down on their knees and said: “O Messenger of Allah, we were assigned some duties which were within our power to perform, such as Salat (prayer), Saum (fasting), Jihad (striving in the Cause of Allah), Sadaqah (charity). Then this (the above mentioned) Verse was revealed to you and it is beyond our power to live up to it.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do you want to say what the people of two Books (Jews and Christians) said before you: ‘We hear and disobey?’ You should rather say: ‘We hear and we obey, we seek forgiveness, our Rubb and unto You is the return.”’ And they said: “We hear and we obey, (we seek) Your forgiveness, our Rubb! And unto You is the return.” When the people recited it and it smoothly flowed on their tongues, then Allah revealed immediately afterwards: “The Messenger (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Rubb, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. (They say), ‘We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers‘ – and they say, ‘We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Rubb, and to You is the return (of all)”. When they did that, Allah abrogated this (Ayah) and Allah the Great revealed: “Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope. He gets reward for that (good) which he has earned, and he is punished for that (evil) which he has earned.” (The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said): “Yes. ‘Our Rubb! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us (Jews and Christians)”. (The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said): “Yes. ‘Our Rubb! Put not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear”. (The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said): “Yes. ‘Pardon us and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. You are our Maula (Patron, Supporter and Protector) and give us victory over the disbelieving people”.

He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said: “Yes”.
[Muslim].

Truthfulness

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 4
Truthfulness

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)”. (9:119)

“…the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds)..”. (33:35)

“…then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them”. (47:21)

54. Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Truth leads to piety and piety leads to Jannah. A man persists in speaking the truth till he is enrolled with Allah as a truthful. Falsehood leads to vice and vice leads to the Fire (Hell), and a person persists on telling lies until he is enrolled as a liar”.’
[Agreed upon].

55. Hasan bin `Ali (May Allah be pleased with them) said: I remember (these words) from Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “Give up what is doubtful to you for that which is not doubtful; for truth is peace of mind and falsehood is doubt”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

56. Abu Sufyan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported, in course of his detailed narration about Heraclius when the latter questioned him about the teachings of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) He said that: He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) told (us): “Worship Allah Alone and do not associate a thing with Him; and give up all that your ancestors said. “He also commands us to perform Salat (prayers), to speak the truth, to observe modesty and to strengthen the ties of kinship.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

57.  Abu Thabit from Sahl bin Hunaif (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “He who asks Allah for martyrdom, Allah will raise him to the high status of the martyrs, even if he dies on his bed”.
[Muslim].

58. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “One of the earlier Prophets who was out on an expedition proclaimed among his people that no man should follow him who had married a woman with whom he wished to cohabit but had not yet done so, or who had built houses on which he had not yet put the roofs, or who had bought sheep or pregnant she-camels and was expecting them to produce young. He, then, went on the expedition and approached the town at the time of the ‘Asr prayer or little before it. He then told the sun that both it and he were under command and prayed Allah to hold it back for them, so it was held back till Allah gave him victory. He collected the spoils and it (meaning fire) came to devour these, but did not. He said that among the people there was a man who stole from the booty. He told them that a man from every tribe must swear allegiance to him, and when a man’s hand stuck to his, he said: “There is thief among you and every individual of your tribe must swear allegiance to me”. (In course of swearing of allegiance,) hands of two or three persons stuck to his hand. He said: “The thief is among you”. They brought him a head of gold like a cow’s head and when he laid it down, the fire came and devoured the spoils. Spoils were not allowed to anyone before us, then Allah allowed spoils to us as He saw our weakness and incapacity and allowed them to us”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

59. Hakim bin Hizam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Both parties in a business transaction have a right to annul it so long as they have not separated; and if they tell the truth and make everything clear to each other (i.e., the seller and the buyer speak the truth, the seller with regard to what is purchased, and the buyer with regard to the money) they will be blessed in their transaction, but if they conceal anything and lie, the blessing on their transaction will be eliminated.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The Struggle (in the Cause of Allah)

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 11
The Struggle (in the Cause of Allah)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely, guide them to Our paths (i.e., Allah’s religion – Islamic Monotheism). And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinun (gooddoers)”. (29:69)

“And worship your Rubb until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e., death)”. (15:99)

“And remember the Name of your Rubb and devote yourself to Him with a complete devotion.” (73:8)

“So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it”. (99:7)

“And whatever good you send before you for yourselves (i.e., Nawafil – non-obligatory acts of worship: prayers, charity, fasting, Hajj and Umrah, etc.), you will certainly find it with Allah, better and greater in reward.” (73:20)

“And whatever you spend in good, surely, Allah knows it well.” (2:273)

95. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah the Exalted has said: ‘I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (prayer or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him. When I love him I become his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks (something) from Me, I give him, and if he asks My Protection (refuge), I protect him”.
[Al-Bukhari].

96.   Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah says: ‘ When a slave of Mine draws near to Me a span, I draw near to him a cubit; and if he draws near to Me a cubit, I draw near to him a fathom. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.”’.
[Al-Bukhari].

97.  Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are two blessings in which many people incur loss. (They are) health and free time (for doing good)”.
[Al-Bukhari]

98.  `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would stand (in prayer) so long that the skin of his feet would crack. I asked him, “Why do you do this while your past and future sins have been forgiven?” He said, “Should I not be a grateful slave of Allah?”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

99.  `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would pray all the night, and would keep his family awake for the prayers. He tied his lower garment (i.e., avoided sleeping with his wives) and devoted himself entirely to prayer and supplication.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

100.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak one, and both are good. Adhere to that which is beneficial for you. Keep asking Allah for help and do not refrain from it. If you are afflicted in any way, do not say: `If I had taken this or that step, it would have resulted into such and such,’ but say only: `Allah so determined and did as He willed.’ The word `if’ opens the gates of satanic thoughts”.
[Muslim].

101.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said. “The (Hell) Fire is surrounded with all kinds of desires and passions, while Jannah is surrounded with adversities.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

102.  Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I offered Salat (Tahajjud – optional night prayer) with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) one night, and he started reciting (Surat) Al-Baqarah. I thought that he would bow at the end of one hundred Verses, but he continued reciting; I, then, thought that he would perhaps recite the whole (Surah) in a Rak`ah, but he proceeded on, and I thought he would perhaps bow on completing (this Surah); he then started (reciting Surat) An-Nisa’; he then started (Surat) Al-`Imran and his recitation was unhurried. And when he recited the Verses which referred to the Glory of Allah, he glorified Him (by saying Subhan Allah – My Rubb, the Supreme is far removed from every imperfection), the Great, and when he recited the Verses that mention supplication, he supplicated, and when he recited the Verses that mention seeking Refuge of the Rubb, he sought (His) Refuge. Then he bowed and said: “My Rubb, the Supreme is far removed from every imperfection (Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim);” his bowing lasted about the same length of  time as his standing (and then on returning to the standing posture after Ruku`) he said: “Allah listened to him who praised Him (Sami` Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd).” Then he stood about the same length of time as he had spent in bowing. He then prostrated himself and said: “My Rubb, the Supreme is far removed from every imperfection (Subhana Rabbiyal-A`la),” and his prostration lasted nearly the same length of time as his standing.
[Muslim].

103.  Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: One night I joined the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in his (optional) Salat. He prolonged the standing so much that I thought of doing something evil. He was asked: “What did you intend to do?” He replied: “To sit down and leave him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

104.  Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Three follow a dead body: members of his family, his possessions and his deeds. Two of them return and one remains with him. His family and his possessions return; his deeds remain with him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

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

106.  Rabi`ah bin Ka`b Al-Aslami (May Allah be pleased with him (a servant of the Messenger of Allah and also one of the people of As-Suffah) said: I used to spend my night in the company of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and used to put up water for his ablutions. One day he said to me, “Ask something of me.” I said: “I request for your companionship in Jannah”. He inquired, “Is there anything else?” I said, “That is all.” He said, “Then help me in your request by multiplying your prostrations”.
[Muslim].

107. Thauban  (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Perform Salah more often. For every prostration that you perform before Allah will raise your position one degree and will remit one of your sins”.
[Muslim].

108. `Abdullah bin Busr Al-Aslami (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best of people is one whose life is long and his conduct is good”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

109. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: My uncle Anas bin An-Nadr (May Allah be pleased with him) was absent from the battle of Badr and he said: “O Messenger of Allah! I was absent from the first battle you fought against the pagans, and if Allah let me participate in a battle against the pagans, Allah will see what I do.” So he encountered the day of  Uhud Battle. The Muslims left the positions (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) told them to keep) and were defeated, he said: “O Allah! excuse these people (i.e., the Muslims) for what they have done, and I am clear from what the pagans have done“. Then he went forward with his sword and met Sa`d bin Mu`adh (fleeing) and said to him: “By the Rubb of the Ka`bah! I can smell the fragrance of Jannah from a place closer than Uhud Mount“. Sa`d said: “O Messenger of Allah, what he did was beyond my power”. Anas said: “We saw over eighty wounds on his body caused by stabbing, striking and shooting of arrows and spears. We found that he was killed, and mutilated by the polytheists. Nobody was able to recognize him except his sister who recognized him by the tips of his fingers.” Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “We believe that the Ayah `Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah [i.e., they have gone out for Jihad (holy fighting), and showed not their backs to the disbelievers]…’ (33:23), refers to him and his like”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

110. Abu Mas`ud `Uqbah bin `Amr Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) said: When the Ayah enjoining Sadaqah (charity) was revealed,* we used to carry loads on our backs to earn something that we could give away in charity. One person presented a considerable amount for charity and the hypocrites said: “He has done it to show off.” Another one gave away a few Sa` of dates and they said: “Allah does not stand in need of this person’s dates”. Thereupon, it was revealed:

“Those who defame such of the believers who give charity (in Allah’s Cause) voluntarily, and such who could not find to give charity (in Allah’s Cause) except what is available to them…” (9:79)
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

* This is the A’yah in which Allah says! “Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and suppliate Allah for them...” (9:103)

111. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious, said; ‘O My slaves, I have prohibited Myself injustice; and have made oppression unlawful for you, so do not oppress one another. O My slaves, all of you are liable to err except the one whom I guide on the Right Path, so seek guidance from Me so that I will guide you to the Right Path. O My slaves, all of you are hungry except the one whom I feed, so ask food from Me, I will feed you. O My slaves, all of you are naked except those whom I clothe, so ask clothing of Me and I shall clothe you. O My slaves, you commit sins night and day and I forgive all sins, so seek My forgiveness and I shall forgive you. O My slaves, you can neither do Me any harm nor can you do Me any good. O My slaves, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and jinn of you to be as pious as the most pious heart of any man of you, that would not increase My domain a thing. O My slaves, were the first of you, and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any man of you, that would not decrease My domain in a thing. O My slaves, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to stand in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more than a needle decrease the sea if put into it. O My slaves, it is but your deeds that I reckon for you and then recompense you for, so let him who finds good (i.e., in the Hereafter) praise Allah and let him who finds other than that blame no one but himself.”’.
[Muslim].

Watchfulness

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 5
Watchfulness

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Who sees you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) when you stand up (alone at night for Tahajjud prayers). And your movements among those who fall prostrate (to Allah in the five compulsory congregational prayers)”. (26:218,219)

“And He is with you (by His Knowledge) wheresoever you may be”. (57:4)

“Truly, nothing is hidden from Allah, in the earth or in the heaven”. (3:5)

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

“Allah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal”. (40:19)

60. ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with them) said: Once we were sitting in the company of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when there appeared a man dressed in very white clothes and having extraordinary black hair. No signs of fatigue of journey appeared on him and he was known to none of us. He sat down facing the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) leaning his knees against the knees of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and placing both of his palms over his two thighs and said, “O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)! Tell me about Islam”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)replied, “Islam is to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) is the Messenger of Allah; that you observe Salat (prayers), pay Zakat, observe Saum (fasting) of Ramadan and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) of the House, provided you have resources of making journey to it.” He replied: “You have spoken the truth”. We were surprised to see that he had asked him and confirmed the correctness of the answers. He then enquired: “Tell me about Iman”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said. “It is to believe in Allah, and His Books, and His Messengers and the Last Day and that you believe in foreordainment, its bad and good consequences.” He said, “You have spoken the truth.” He then enquired: “Tell me about Ihsan.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is to worship Allah as if you are seeing Him; and although you do not see Him, He sees  you”. He enquired: “Inform me about the Hour (i.e., the Day of Resurrection)”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “I have no more knowledge thereof than you”. He said, “Inform me about some of its signs”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “They are – that a bondswoman gives birth to her own master, and that you will find the barefooted, naked, poor shepherds competing one another in the construction of higher buildings”. Then he departed. The Messenger of Allah kept silent for a while then he said to me, “O `Umar! Do you know who the questioner was?” I replied, “Allah and His Messenger know better”. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He was Jibril (Gabriel); he came to you to teach you your religion”.
[Muslim].

61. Abu Dharr and Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with them) reported that: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Fear Allah wherever you are, do good deeds after doing bad ones, the former will wipe out the latter, and behave decently towards people”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

62 Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: One day, I was riding behind the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he said, “O boy! I will instruct you in some matters. Be watchful of Allah (Commandments of Allah), He will preserve you. Safeguard His Rights, He will be ever with you. If you beg, beg of Him Alone; and if you need assistance, supplicate to Allah Alone for help. And remember that if all the people gather to benefit you, they will not be able to benefit you except that which Allah had foreordained (for you); and if all of them gather to do harm to you, they will not be able to afflict you with anything other than that which Allah had pre-destined against you. The pens had been lifted  and the ink had dried up”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

 Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Safeguard the Commandments of Allah, you will find Him before you. Remember Him in prosperity and He will remember you in adversity. Be sure that which you miss, was not to hit you; and what hits you, was never to miss you. Remember that the Help of Allah is obtained with patience, and relief emerges after distress, prosperity follows adversity, and hardship is followed by ease”.

63. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: You indulge in (bad) actions which are more insignificant to you than a hair while we considered them at the time of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to be great destroying sins“.
[Al-Bukhari].

64. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘Verily, ‘Allah, the Exalted, becomes angry, and His Anger is provoked when a person does what Allah has declared unlawful”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

65. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said that: He heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “There were three men among the Banu Israel, one leper, one bald and one blind. Allah wanted to test them. He therefore, sent to them an angel who came to the leper and asked him what he would like best. He replied: “A good colour, a good skin and to be rid of what makes me loathsome to people”. He (the angel) rubbed him and his loathsomeness vanished and he was given a good colour and a good skin. He then asked him what type of property he would like best. The leper replied that he would like camels – [or perhaps he said cattle, for Ishaq (one of the subnarrator of the Hadith) was uncertain, either said: ‘Camels,’ or: ‘Cattle’]. He was given a pregnant she-camel. The angel invoked for Allah’s Blessing on it. The angel then went to the bald man and asked him what he would like best and he replied: “Good hair and to be rid of what makes me loathsome to people”. The angel ran his hand over him and he was given good hair. He then asked him what property he would like best. He replied that he would like cattle, so he was given a pregnant cow. The angel invoked Allah’s Blessing on it. The angel then went to the blind man and asked him what he would like best, and he replied: “I wish that Allah restore my sight to me so that I may see people.” Thereupon the angel ran his hand over him and Allah restored his sight. The angel then asked what property he would like best. He replied that he would like sheep, so he was given a pregnant ewe. Flocks and herds were produced for the three men, the first having a valley full of camels, the second one, a valley full of cows and the third one full of sheep. Then the angel came in the form of a leper, to the one who had been a leper, and said: “I am a poor man and my resources have been exhausted in my journey, and my only means of reaching my destination are dependent on Allah and then on you, so I ask you by Him Who gave you the good colour, the good skin and the property, for a camel by which I may get to my destination”. He replied: “I have many dues to pay.” The angel then said: “I think I recognize you. Were you not a leper whom people found loathsome and a poor man to whom Allah gave property?” He replied: “I inherited this property through generations”. The angel said: “If you are telling a lie, may Allah return you to your former condition”. The angel went in the form of a bald man to the one who had been bald, and said the same as he had said to the former and received a similar reply. So he said: “If you are telling a lie, may Allah return you to your former condition”. The angel then went to the one who had been blind and said: “I am a poor traveller and my resources have been exhausted in my journey. My only means of reaching my destination are dependant on Allah and then on you, so I ask you by Him Who restored your eyesight for a sheep by which I may get to the end of my journey”. He replied: “Yes, I was blind. Allah restored my eyesight, so take what you wish and leave what you wish. I swear by Allah that I shall not argue with you today to return anything you take, as I give it for Allah’s sake”. The angel said: “Keep your property. You have all simply been put to a test, and Allah is pleased with you and displeased with both of your companions”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

66. Shaddad bin Aus (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A wise man is the one who calls himself to account (and refrains from doing evil deeds) and does noble deeds to benefit him after death; and the foolish person is the one who subdues himself to his temptations and desires and seeks from Allah the fulfillment of his vain desires”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

67. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is from the excellence of (a believer’s) Islam that he should shun that which is of no concern to him”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

68. `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No man shall be asked for the reason of  beating his wife”.
[Abu Dawud].

Pondering over the Great Creation of Allah, The passing away of Life ofthe World, the Horrors of the Day of Requital and Laxity of One’s Nafs

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 9
Pondering over the Great Creation of Allah, The passing away of Life of the
World, the Horrors of the Day of Requital and Laxity of One’s Nafs

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“I exhort you to one (thing) only: that you stand up for Allah’s sake in pairs and singly, – and reflect (within yourselves the life history of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam))”. (34:46)

“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, (saying): ‘Our Rubb! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners)”. (3:190,191)

“Do they not look at the camels, how they are created? And at the heaven, how it is raised? And at the mountains, how they are rooted (and fixed firm)? And at the earth, how it is spread out? So remind them (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)), you are only a one who reminds”. (88:17-21)

“Have they not travelled through the earth, and seen..”. (47:10)

Ayat of the Qur’an and Ahadith on the subject are many. See for example Hadith No. 66 mentioned before.

Piety

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 6
Piety

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared”. (3:102)

“So, keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can…” (64:16)

This second Verse explains the meaning of the first one.

“O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth”. (33:70)

“… And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine…” (65:2,3)

“If you obey and fear Allah, He will grant you Furqan [(a criterion to judge between right and wrong), or   (Makhraj, i.e., a way for you to get out from every difficulty)], and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you; and Allah is the Owner of the great bounty”. (8:29)

69. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: It was asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Who is the most honourable amongst mankind?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most honourable of them is one who is the most pious of them.” They said, “We are not asking about this”. He said, “Then, the most honourable of men was Yusuf  (Joseph), the Prophet of Allah, the son of  Allah’s Prophet, who was the son of  the Prophet of Allah, who was the son of the Khalil of Allah (i.e., Ibrahim (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) They said, “We are not asking you about this.” He enquired, “Are you then asking me about the classes of the Arabs? The best of them in the Pre-Islamic Period of  Ignorance are the best of them in Islam, provided they comprehend the religious knowledge”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

70. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The life of the world is sweet and green. Allah makes you generations succeeding one another so that He may try you in respect of your actions. So beware of the beguilements of the world and those of women. The first trial of Banu Israel was through women”.
[Muslim].

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

72. `Adi bin Hatim At-Ta’i (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) say: “He who has taken an oath (to do something) but found something else better than that (which brings him closer to Allah), then he should do that which is better in piety (and he should expiate for the breaking of oath)”.
[Muslim].

73. Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) during the sermon of the Farewell Pilgrimage saying, “Be mindful of your duty to Allah; perform your five daily Salat, observe Saum during the month (of Ramadan) , pay the Zakat on your properties and obey your leaders; (if you do so) you will enter the Jannah of your Rubb”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

Uprightness and Steadfastness

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 8
Uprightness and Steadfastness

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“So stand (ask Allah to make) you (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) firm and straight (on the religion of Islamic Monotheism) as you are commanded…” (11:112)

“Verily, those who say: `Our Rubb is Allah (Alone),’ and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): ‘Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Jannah which you have been promised! We have been your friends in the life of this world and are (so) in the Hereafter. Therein you shall have (all) that your inner-selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you ask. An entertainment from (Allah), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”’ (41:30-32)

“Verily, those who say: `Our Rubb is (only) Allah,’ and thereafter stand firm and straight (on the Islamic Faith of Monotheism), on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. Such shall be the dwellers of Jannah, abiding therein (forever), – a reward for what they used to do.” (46:13,14)

85. Sufyan bin `Abdullah  (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me something of Islam which I will not ask anyone else about it.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Say, `I believe in Allah’ and then be steadfast”.
[Muslim].

86. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Follow the Right Path of Faith strictly, and be steadfast; and keep in mind that none of you can achieve salvation through his (good) actions.” Someone asked, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Not even me, unless Allah grants me His Mercy and Grace”.
[Muslim].

Sincerity and Significance of Intentions and all Actions, Apparent andHidden

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 1
Sincerity and Significance of Intentions and all Actions, Apparent and Hidden

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him.” (22:37)

“Say (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) ): Whether you hide what is in your breasts or reveal it, Allah knows it“. (3:29)

1. Narrated ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him), reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The deeds are considered by the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention. So whoever emigrated for Allah and His Messenger, his emigration will be for Allah and His Messenger; and whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration would be for what he emigrated for.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

2. Narrated ‘A`ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “An army will raid the Ka`bah and when it reaches a desert land, all of them will be swallowed up by the earth.” She asked; “O Messenger of Allah! Why all of them?” He answered, “All of them will be swallowed by the earth but they will be raised for Judgement according to their intentions.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

3. A`ishah  (May Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There is no emigration after the conquest (of Makkah) but only Jihad [(striving and fighting in the cause of Allah) will continue] and good intention.* So if you are summoned to fight, go forth.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

*. Intention according to An-Nawawi: It means that goodness which ceased to continue by the cessation of emigration can still be obtained by Jihad and by intending accomplishing good deeds.

4.  Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleasedwith them) reported: We accompanied the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in an expedition when he said, “There are some men in Al-Madinah who are with you wherever you march and whichever valley you cross. They have not joined you in person because of their illness.” In another version he said: “They share the reward with you.”
[Muslim].

It is narrated by Bukhari from Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him): We were coming back from the battle of Tabuk with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he remarked, “There are people whom we left behind in Al-Madinah who accompanied us in spirit in every pass and valley we crossed. They remained behind for a valid excuse.”

5.  Ma`n bin Yazid bin Akhnas (May Allah be pleased with them) (he, his father and his grandfather, all were Companions) reported: My father set aside some dinars for charity and gave them to a man in the mosque. I went to that man and took back those dinars. He said: “I had not intended you to be given.” So we went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and put forth the matter before him. He said to my father, “Yazid, you have been rewarded for what you intended.” And he said to me, “Ma`n, you are entitled to what you have taken.”
[Al-Bukhari].

6. Abu Ishaq Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) (one of the ten who had been given the glad tidings of entry into Jannah) narrated: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited me in my illness which became severe in the year of Hajjat-ul-Wada` (Farewell Pilgrimage). I said, “O Messenger of Allah, you can see the pain which I am suffering and I am a man of means and there is none to inherit from me except one daughter. Should I give two-thirds of my property in charity?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No”. I asked him, “Then half?” He said, “No”. Then I asked, “Can I give away one-third”. He said, “Give away one-third, and that is still too much. It is better to leave your heirs well-off than to leave them poor, begging people. You will not expend a thing in charity for the sake of Allah, but you will be rewarded for it; even the morsel of food which you feed your wife”. I said, “O Messenger of Allah, would I survive my companions?” He said, “If you survive others and accomplish a thing for the sake of Allah, you would gain higher ranking and standing. You will survive them … your survival will be beneficial to people (the Muslim) and harmful to others (the enemies of Islam). You will survive others till the people will derive benefit from you, and others would be harmed by you.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) further said, “O Allah, complete for my Companions their emigration and do not cause them to retract.” Sa`d bin Khaulah was unfortunate. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) lamented his death as he died in Makkah.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

7. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah does not look at your figures, nor at your attire but He looks at your hearts and accomplishments”.
[Muslim].

8. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that Messenger of Allah  (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked about who fights in the  battlefield out of valour, or out of  zeal, or out of  hypocrisy, which of this is considered as fighting in the cause of Allah? He said: “He who fights in order that the Word of Allah remains the supreme, is considered as fighting in the cause of Allah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

9. Abu Bakrah Ath-Thaqafi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “When two Muslims are engaged in a combat against each other with their sword’s and one is killed, both are doomed to Hell”. I said, “O Messenger of Allah! As to the one who kills, it is understandable, but why the slain one?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied: “He was eager to kill his opponent”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

10. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “The reward for Salat performed by a person in congregation is more than 20 times greater than that of the Salat performed in one’s house or shop. When one performs Wudu’ perfectly and then proceeds to the mosque with the sole intention of performing Salat, then for every step he takes towards the mosque, he is upgraded one degree in reward and one of his sins is eliminated until he enters the mosque, and when he enters the mosque, he is considered as performing Salat as long as it is the Salat which prevents him (from leaving the mosque); and the angels keep on supplicating Allah for him as long as he remains in his place of prayer. They say: ‘O Allah! have mercy on him; O Allah! forgive his sins; O Allah! accept his repentance’. This will carry on as long as he does not pass wind“.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

11. `Abdullah bin `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:  Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said that Allah, the Glorious, said: “Verily, Allah (SWT) has ordered that the good and the bad deeds be written down. Then He explained it clearly how (to write): He who intends to do a good deed but he does not do it, then Allah records it for him as a full good deed, but if  he carries out his intention, then Allah the Exalted, writes it down for him as from ten to seven hundred folds, and even more. But if he intends to do an evil act and has not done it, then Allah writes it down with Him as a full good deed, but if he intends it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

12. `Abdullah bin `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated that: He heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as saying: “Three men, amongst those who came before you, set out until night came and they reached a cave, so they entered it. A rock fell down from the mountain and blocked the entrance of the cave. They said: `Nothing will save you from this unless you supplicate to Allah by virtue of a righteous deed you have done.’ Thereupon, one of them said: `O Allah! I had parents who were old, and I used to offer them milk before any of my children or slaves. One day, I went far away in search of grazing and could not come back until they had slept. When I milked as usual and brought the drink I found them both asleep. I hated to disturb them and also disliked to give milk to my children before them. My children were crying out of hunger at my feet but I awaited with the bowl in my hand for them to wake up. When they awoke at dawn, they drank milk. O Allah! If  I did so to seek Your Pleasure, then deliver us from the distress caused by the rock’. The rock moved slightly but they were unable to escape. The next said: `O Allah! I had a cousin whom I loved more than any one else (in another version he said: as a man can love a woman). I wanted to have sexual intercourse with her but she refused. Hard pressed in a year of famine, she approached me. I gave her one hundred and twenty dinars on condition that she would yield herself to me. She agreed and when we got together (for sexual intercourse), she said: Fear Allah and do not break the seal unlawfully. I moved away from her in spite of the fact that I loved her most passionately; and I let her keep the money I had given her. O Allah! If I did that to seek Your Pleasure, then, remove the distress in which we are.’ The rock moved aside a bit further but they were still unable to get out. The third one said: `O Allah! I hired some labourers and paid them their wages except one of them departed without taking his due. I invested his money in business and the business prospered greatly. After a long time, he came to me and said: O slave of Allah! Pay me my dues. I said: All that you see is yours – camels, cattle, goats and slaves. He said: O slave of Allah! Do not mock at me. I assured him that I was not joking. So he took all the things and went away. He spared nothing. O Allah! If  I did so seeking Your Pleasure, then relieve us of our distress.’ The rock slipped aside and they got out walking freely”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Patience and Perseverance

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 3
Patience and Perseverance

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“O you who believe! Endure and be more patient..”. (3:200)

“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient)”.  (2:155)

“Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.” (39:10)

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

“Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly, Allah is with As-Sabirun (the patient).” (2:153)

“And surely, We shall try you till We test those who strive hard (for the Cause of Allah) and As-Sabirun (the patient)” (47:31)

There are numerous Verses of the Noble Qur’an inculcating patience and extolling it.

25. Abu Malik Al-Harith bin Asim Al-Ash`ar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Wudu’ is half of Salah; the utterance of  (Al-hamdu lillah – all praise belongs to Allah) fills the Scales of good actions; the utterance of (Subhan Allah wa Al-hamdu lillah) (Allah is far removed from every imperfection and all praise belongs to Allah) fills the space between the heavens and the earth, and Salat (prayer) is light; and charity is the proof of Faith; and endurance is light, and the Qur’an is a plea in your favour or against you. Every person departs; he either ransoms it or puts it into perdition”.
[Muslim].

26. Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: Certain people of the Ansar asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he gave them; then they again asked him and he gave them until all what he possessed was exhausted. Then the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whatever wealth I have, I will not withhold from you. Whosoever would be chaste and modest; Allah will keep him chaste and modest and whosoever would seek self-sufficiency, Allah will make him self-sufficient; and whosoever would be patient, Allah will give him patience, and no one is granted a gift better and more comprehensive than patience”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

27. Abu Yahya Suhaib bin Sinan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him”.
[Muslim].

28. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the last illness of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made him unconscious, Fatimah (May Allah be pleased with her) exclaimed: “Ah, the distress of my dear father.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There will be no distress for your father after today”. When he died she said: “My father, Allah has called you back and you have responded to His Call. O father! Garden of Firdaus is your abode. O father! We announce to Jibril your death.” When he was buried, she said: “Are you satisfied now that you put earth over (the grave of) Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)?”
[Al-Bukhari]

29. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated: The daughter of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent for him as her child was dying, but the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) returned the messenger and sent her good wishes saying, “Whatever Allah takes away or gives, belongs to Him, and everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in this world), and so she should be patient and anticipate Allah’s reward.” She again sent for him adjuring him for the sake of Allah to come. The Messenger of Allah, accompanied with Sa`d bin `Ubadah, Mu`adh bin Jabal, Ubayy bin Ka`b, Zaid bin Thabit and some other men went to see her. The child was lifted up to the Messenger of Allah while his breath was disturbed in his chest. On seeing that, the eyes of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) streamed with tears. Sa`d said, “O Messenger of Allah! What is this?” He replied, “It is compassion which Allah has placed in the hearts of His slaves, Allah is Compassionate only to those among His slaves who are compassionate (to others)”.

  Another version says: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah shows compassion only to those among His slaves who are compassionate”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

30. Suhaib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There lived a king before you and he had a court magician. As he (the magician) grew old, he said to the king: `I have grown old, so send me a young boy in order to teach him magic.’ The king sent him a young boy to serve the purpose. And on his way (to the magician) the young boy met a monk to whom he listened to and liked it. It became his habit that on his way to the magician, he would meet the monk and sit there and would come to the magician (late). The magician used to beat him because of this delay. He complained about this to the monk who said to him: ‘When you feel afraid of the magician, say: Members of my family detained me. And when you fear your family, say: The magician detained me.’ It so happened that there came a huge beast and it blocked the way of the people, and the young boy said: ‘I will know today whether the magician or the monk is better.’ He picked up a stone and said: `O Allah, if the way of the monk is dearer to You than the way of the magician, bring about death to the animal so that the people be able to move about freely.’ He threw that stone at it and killed it and the people began to move about freely. He then came to the monk and told him the story. The monk said: `Son, today you are superior to me. You have come to a stage where I feel that you would be soon put to a trial, and in case you are put to a trial, do not reveal me.’ That young boy began to heal those born blind and the lepers and he, in fact, began to cure people from all kinds of illnesses. When a courtier of the king who had gone blind heard about him, he came to him with numerous gifts and said, `If you cure me, all these things will be yours.’ He said, `I myself do not cure anyone. It is Allah, the Exalted, Alone Who cures; and if you affirm faith in Allah, I shall also supplicate to Allah to cure you.’ This courtier affirmed his faith in Allah and Allah cured him. He came to the king and sat by his side as he used to sit before. The king said to him, `Who restored your eyesight?’ He said, `My Rubb.’ Thereupon he said, ‘Do you have another lord besides me?’ He said, `My Rubb and your Rubb is Allah.’ So the king kept torturing him untill he revealed the young boy. The young boy was thus summoned and the king said to him, ‘O boy, it has been conveyed to me that you have become so much proficient in your magic that you cure the blind and the lepers and you do such and such.’ Thereupon he said, `I do not cure anyone; it is Allah Alone Who cures,’ and the king took hold of him and began to torture him until he revealed of the monk. The monk was summoned and it was said to him: `You should turn back from your religion.’ But he refused. The king sent for a saw, placed it in the middle of his head and cut him into two parts that fell down. Then the courtier of the king was brought forward and it was said to him: `Turn back from your religion.’ He, too, refused, and the saw was placed in the midst of his head and he was torn into two parts. Then the boy was sent for and it was said to him: `Turn back from your religion.’ He refused. The king then handed him over to a group of his courtiers, and said to them: `Take him to such and such mountain; make him climb up that mountain and when you reach its peak ask him to renounce his Faith. If he refuses to do so, push him to his death.’ So they took him and made him climb up the mountain and he said: `O Allah, save me from them in any way you like,’ and the mountain began to shake and they all fell down (dead) and that young boy came walking to the king. The king said to him, `What happened to your companions?’ He said, `Allah has saved me from them.’ He again handed him to some of his courtiers and said: `Take him and carry him in a boat and when you reach the middle of the sea, ask him to renounce his religion. If he does not renounce his religion throw him (into the water).’ So they took him and he said: `O Allah, save me from them.’ The boat turned upside down and they all drowned except the young boy who came walking to the king. The king said to him, `What happened to your companions?’ He said, `Allah has saved me from them,’ and he said to the king: `You cannot kill me until you do what I command you to do.’ The king asked, `What is that?’ He said, `Gather all people in one place and tie me up to the trunk of a tree, then take an arrow from my quiver and say: With the Name of Allah, the Rubb of the boy; then shoot me. If you do that you will be able to kill me.’ `The king called the people in an open field and tied the young boy to the trunk of a tree. He took out an arrow from his quiver, fixed in the bow and said, `With the Name of Allah, the Rubb of the young boy,’ he then shot the arrow and it hit the boy’s temple. The young boy placed his hand upon the temple where the arrow had hit him and died. The people then said: `We believe in the Rubb of this young boy.’ The king was told: `Do you see what you were afraid of, by Allah it has taken place; all people have believed.’ The king then commanded that trenches be dug and fire lit in them, and said: `He who would not turn back from his (the young boy’s) religion,  throw him in the fire’ or `he would be ordered to jump into it.’ They did so till a woman came with her child. She felt hesitant in jumping into the fire. The child said to her: `O mother! Endure (this ordeal) for you are on the Right Path”.
[Muslim].

31. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by a woman who was crying over a grave and said, “Fear Allah and be patient.” She said, “Away from me! My calamity has not befallen you and you are not aware of it.” The woman was later told that it was the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) (who had advised her). She came to his door where she found no doorkeeper. She said, “(I am sorry) I did not know you.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Patience is (becoming) only at the first (stroke) of grief”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration in Muslim says: The woman was crying over her son.

32. 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 other than Jannah for a believing slave of Mine who remains patient for My sake when I take away his beloved one from among the inhabitants of the world”.
[Al-Bukhari].

33. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) about pestilence and he said, “It is a punishment which Allah sends upon whomsoever He wills, but Allah has made it as a mercy to the believers. Anyone who remains in a town which is plagued with pestilence maintaining patience expecting the reward from Allah, and knowing that nothing will befall him other than what Allah has foreordained for him, he would receive a reward of Shaheed”.
[Al-Bukhari].

34. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Allah, the Glorious and Exalted said: `When I afflict my slave in his two dear things (i.e., his eyes), and he endures patiently, I shall compensate him for them with Jannah.”.
[Al-Bukhari].

35. `Ata’ bin Abu Rabah reported: Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) asked him whether he would like that he should show him a woman who is from the people Jannah. When he replied that he certainly would, he said, “This black woman, who came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, `I suffer from epilepsy and during fits my body is exposed, so make supplication to Allah for me.’ He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied: ‘If you wish you endure it patiently and you be rewarded with Jannah, or if you wish, I shall make supplication to Allah to cure you?‘ She said, ‘I shall endure it.’ Then she added: `But my body is exposed, so pray to Allah that it may not happen.’ He (Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) then supplicated for her”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

36. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I can still recall as if I am seeing the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) resembling one of the Prophets whose people scourged him and shed his blood, while he wiped blood from his face, he said: “O Allah! Forgive my people, because they certainly do not know”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

37. Abu Sa`id and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Never a believer is stricken with a discomfort, an illness, an anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn but Allah will expiate his sins on account of his patience”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

38. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I visited the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he was suffering fever. I said, “You seem to be suffering greatly, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Yes, I suffer as much as two persons.” I said, “Is that because you have a double reward?” He replied that that was so and then said, “No Muslim is afflicted by a harm, be it the pricking of a thorn or something more (painful than that), but Allah thereby causes his sins to fall away just as a tree sheds its leaves”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

39.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “He whom Allah intends good, He makes him to suffer from some affliction”.
[Al-Bukhari].

40. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Let not one of you wish for death because of a misfortune which befalls him. If  he cannot help doing so, he should say: ‘O Allah, keep me alive as long as You know that life is better for me, and make me die when death is better for me”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

41. Khabbab bin Al-Aratt (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We complained to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) regarding the persecution inflicted upon us by the disbelievers while he was lying in the shade of the Ka`bah, having made a pillow of his cloak. We submitted: “Why do you not supplicate for our prevalence (over the opponents)?”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Among those people before you, a man would be seized and held in a pit dug for him in the ground and he would be sawed into two halves from his head, and his flesh torn away from his bones with an iron comb; but, in spite of this, he would not wean away from his Faith. By Allah, Allah will bring this matter to its consummation until a rider will travel from San`a’ to Hadramout fearing none except Allah, and except the wolf for his sheep, but you are in too much of a hurry”.
[Al-Bukhari].

Another narration is: He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had placed his cloak under his head and we had been tortured by the polytheists.

42. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: After the battle of Hunain, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) favoured some people in the distribution of spoils (for consolation). He gave Al-Aqra` bin Habis and `Uyainah bin Hisn a hundred camels each and showed favour also to some more honourable persons among the Arabs. Someone said: “This division is not based on justice and it was not intended to win the Pleasure of Allah.” I said to myself: “By Allah! I will inform Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) of this.” I went to him and informed him. His face became red and he said, “Who will do justice if Allah and His Messenger do not?” Then he said, “May Allah have mercy on (Prophet) Musa (Moses); he was caused more distress than this but he remained patient.” Having heard this I said to myself: “I shall never convey anything of this kind to him in future”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

43. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When Allah intends good for His slave, He punishes him in this world, but when He intends an evil for His slave, He does not hasten to take him to task but calls him to account on the Day of Resurrection.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

44. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One of the sons of Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) was ailing. Abu Talhah went out and the boy died in his absence. When he came back, he inquired, “How is the boy?”. Umm Sulaim, the mother of the boy, replied, “Better than before”. Then she placed his evening meal before him and he ate it; and thereafter slept with her. At last, she said to him: “Arrange for the burial of the boy”. In the morning, Abu Talhah went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and informed him of the event. He enquired, “Did you sleep together last night?” Abu Talhah replied in the affirmative, on which the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) supplicated, “O Allah bless them.” Thereafter, she gave birth to a boy. Abu Talhah said to me: “Take up the boy and carry him to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)”;  and he sent some dates with him. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) enquired, “Is there anything with him?” He said; “Yes, some dates”. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) took a date, chewed it and put it in the mouth of the baby and rubbed the chewed date around the baby’s gum and named him `Abdullah.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The narration in Bukhari adds: Ibn `Uyainah relates that a man from the Ansar told him that he had seen nine sons of this `Abdullah, every one of whom had committed the Noble Qur’an to memory.

The narration of Muslim says: The son of Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) who was born of Umm Sulaim died. She (Umm Sulaim) said to the members of the family: “Do not tell Abu Talhah about his son until I mention it to him myself.” Abu Talhah came (home) and she gave him supper. He ate and drank. She then beautified herself the best way she ever did and he slept with her. When she saw that he was satisfied after sexual intercourse with her, she said, “O Abu Talhah! If some people borrow something from another family and then (the members of the family) ask for its return, would they refuse to give it back to them.” He said, “No”. She said, “Then hope reward for your son”. Abu Talhah got angry, and said; “You left me uninformed until I stained myself (with sexual intercourse) and then you told me about my son. “He went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and informed him about the matter. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “May Allah bless the night you spent together!” He (the narrator) said: She conceived. (One day) Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was in the course of a journey and she was along with him. When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to come back to Al-Madinah from a journey, he would not enter it (during the night). When the people came near Al-Madinah, she felt labour pains. He (Abu Talhah) remained with her and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) proceeded on. Abu Talhah said: “O Rubb, You know that I love to go along with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he goes out and enter along with him when he enters, and I have been detained as You see.” Umm Sulaim then said: “O Abu Talhah, I do not feel (so much pain) as I was feeling earlier, so we better proceed on. So we proceeded on and she felt the labour of delivery as they reached (Al-Madinah). She gave birth to a male child. My mother said to me: “O Anas, none should suckle him until you go to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) tomorrow  morning.” The next morning I carried the baby with me to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and narrated the rest of the story.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

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

46. Sulaiman bin Surad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was sitting with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when two men began to quarrel and curse each other and the face of one of them turned red and the veins of his neck were swollen (from rage). Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I know of a word, if he were to utter that, his rage would vanish and that is: A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitan nir-rajim (I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed).” So they (Companions) said to him: “The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) tells you to utter: ‘I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed”.
[Al-Bukhariand Muslim].

47. Mu`adh bin Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The one who suppresses anger and has the power to give effect to it, will be called out by Allah, the Exalted, to the forefront of the creatures on the Day of  Resurrection and he will be asked to choose any of the virgins (Hur) of his liking”.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

48. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man asked the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) for an advice and he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not get angry”. The man repeated that several times and he replied, “Do not get angry”.
[Al-Bukhari].

49. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Muslim, male or female, continues to remain under trial in respect of his life, property and offspring until he faces Allah, the Exalted, with no sin record”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

50. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: ‘Uyainah bin Hisn came to Al-Madinah and stayed with his nephew Hurr bin Qais who was among those whom Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) showed favour to. The knowledgeable people (Qurra’), whether they were old or young, had the privilege of joining Umar’s council and he used to consult them. ‘Uyainah said to Hurr: “My nephew, the Leader of the Believers shows favour to you. Will you obtain permission for me to sit with him?” Hurr asked `Umar and he accorded permission. When `Uyainah came into the presence of `Umar, he addressed him thus: “O son of Khattab, you neither bestow much on us nor deal with us justly.” `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) got angry and was about to beat him up when Hurr said: “O Leader of the Believers, Allah said to His Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): ‘ Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e., don’t punish them).’ (7:199) This one is from the ignorants. When Hurr recited this, `Umar became quite motionless in his seat. He always adhered strictly to the Book of Allah.
[Al-Bukhari].

51. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You will see after me favouritism and things which you will disapprove of.” They submitted: “What do you order us to do (under such circumstances)?” He replied, “Discharge your obligations and ask your rights from Allah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

52. Usaid bin Hudhair (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: A person from among the Ansar said, “O Messenger of Allah! You appointed such and such person and why do you not appoint me?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “After me you will see others given preference to you, but you should remain patient till you meet me at the Haud (Al-Kauthar in Jannah)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

53. `Abdullah bin Abu Aufa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) at one time when he confronted the enemy, and was waiting for the sun to set, stood up and said, “O people! Do not long for encountering  the enemy and supplicate to Allah to grant you security. But when you face the enemy, show patience and steadfastness; and keep it in mind that Jannah lies under the shade of the swords.” Then he invoked Allah, saying, “O Allah, Revealer of the Book, Disperser of the clouds, Defeater of the Confederates, put our enemy to rout and help us in over-powering them”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Hastening to do Good Deeds

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 10
Hastening to do Good Deeds

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“So hasten towards all that is good”. (2:148)

“And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Rubb, and for Jannah as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqun (the pious)”. (3:133)

87. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Be prompt in doing good deeds (before you are overtaken) by turbulence which would be like a part of the dark night. A man would be a believer in the morning and turn to disbelief in the evening, or he would be a believer in the evening and turn disbeliever in the morning, and would sell his Faith for worldly goods.”
[Muslim].

88. `Uqbah bin Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Once I performed the ‘Asr prayer in Al-Madinah behind the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) got up quickly after finishing the prayer with Taslim, and stepping over the people, went to one of the rooms of his wives. The people were startled at his haste, and when he came out and saw their astonishment at his urgency he said, “I recalled that there was left with me some gold which was meant for charity; I did not like to keep it any longer, so I gave orders that it should be distributed”.
[Al-Bukhari].

    In another narration, Messenger of Allah said, “I had left some gold for Sadaqah in the house, and did not wish to keep it overnight”.

89. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man, said to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) during the battle of Uhud: “Tell me where I shall be if I am killed”. When he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied that he would be in Jannah, the man threw away some dates which he had in his hand and fought until he was killed.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

90. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: There came a man to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, which charity is the most rewardable?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “That you should give charity (in a state when you are) healthy and stingy and fear poverty, hoping to become rich (charity in such a state of health and mind is the best). And you must not defer (charity to such a length) that you are about to die and would be saying: ‘This is for so-and-so, and this for so-and-so.’ Lo! It has already come into (the possession of) so-and-so”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

91. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) took up a sword on the day of the battle of Uhud and said, “Who will take this sword from me?” Everyone stretched forth his hand saying: “I will take it; I will take it”. He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “Who will take it with its full responsibility (i.e., to use it to fight Allah’s enemies with it)?” The Companions hesitated. Abu Dujanah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “I shall take it;” and with it he cracked the skulls of the pagans.
[Muslim].

92. Az-Zubair bin `Adi said: We went to Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) and complained to him of suffering at the hands of Al-Hajjaj. He replied: “Show endurance, for no time will come but will be followed by one worse (than the present one) till you meet your Rubb. I heard this from your Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)“.
[Al-Bukhari].

93. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions.” Then (giving a warning) he said, “Are you waiting for such poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion; or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or disease as will disable you, or such senility as will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected absent, or the Hour, and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

94. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: On the day of the battle of Khaibar, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I shall hand over this banner to one who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah will give us victory through him.” `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “I had never longed for leadership but that day I expected that I might be called for. However, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) called `Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) and handed the banner to him and said, “Go forth and do not turn around till Allah bestows victory upon you”. (On hearing this) `Ali proceeded a little and then halted and without turning around inquired in a loud voice: “O Messenger of Allah, for what shall I fight them?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Go on fighting till they affirm that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. If they admit that, their lives and their properties will be secured, subject to their obligations according to Islam, and they will be answerable to Allah”.
[Muslim].

Firm Belief and Perfect Reliance on Allah

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 7
Firm Belief and Perfect Reliance on Allah

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And when the believers saw Al-Ahzab (the Confederates), they said: ‘This is what Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger   (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) had spoken the truth, and it only added to their Faith and to their submissiveness (to Allah)”. (33:22)

“Those (i.e., believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said, `Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.’ But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: `Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)’. So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty”. (3:173,174)

“And put your trust (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) in the Ever Living One Who dies not.” (25:58)

“And in Allah (Alone) let the believers, put their trust.” (14:11)

“… Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah…” (3:159)

“And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him”. (65:3)

“The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts; and when His Verses (this Qur’an) are recited unto them, they (i.e., the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Rubb (Alone).” (8:2)

74. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I was shown the past nations. I saw a Prophet who had a very small group (less than ten in total) with him, another Prophet who was accompanied by only one or two men and some did not have even one. Suddenly I was shown a huge crowd and I thought that they were my Ummah, but I was told: ‘This is Musa (Moses) and his people, but look towards the other side.’ I looked and beheld a great assemblage. I was told: ‘These are your people and amongst them there are seventy thousand who shall enter Jannah without being taken to account or torment”. Then the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) stood up and went into his apartment, and the Companions began to guess who may be those people who would enter Jannah without any accounting or torment. Some said: “Probably, they are the ones who kept company with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)”. Others said: “Probably, they are the ones who have been born as Muslims and have never associated anyone with Allah in worship”. Then Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came out and asked, “What are you discussing?” So they told him. He then said, “They are those who do not make Ruqyah (blowing over themselves after reciting the Qur’an or some prayers and supplications the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to say) nor seek it, nor perceive omens (i.e., they are not pessimistic) but keep trust in their Rubb (Allah).” On this ‘Ukashah bin Mihsan stood up and asked: “Pray to Allah to make me one of them.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You are one of them.” Then another man stood up and asked the same thing. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) answered, “‘Ukashah has surpassed you”.
[Al-Bukhari and Mulsim].

75. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate: “O Allah! To You I have submitted, and in You do I believe, and in You I put my trust, to You do I turn, and for You I argued. O Allah, I seek refuge with You through Your Power; there is none worthy of worship except You Alone; that You safeguard me against going astray. You are the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists; the One Who never dies, whereas human beings and jinn will all die”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

76. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: When (Prophet) Ibrahim (Abraham) was thrown into the fire, he said: “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and, He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” So did Messenger of Allah Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he was told: “A great army of the pagans had gathered against him, so fear them”. But this (warning) only increased him and the Muslims in Faith and they said: “Allah (Alone) is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)“.
[Al-Bukhari].

77. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A group of people (both men and women) whose hearts will be like the hearts of birds, will enter Jannah”.
[Muslim].

  It has been interpreted that such people are those who put their trust in Allah; another interpretation is that these people are tender-hearted.

78. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went in an expedition along with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in the direction of  Najd. When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) returned, I also returned with him. Then the mid-day sleep overtook us in a valley full of prickly shrubs. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) got down and the people scattered around seeking shade under the trees. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) hang up his sword on the branch of a tree. We were enjoying a sleep when Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) called us, and lo! There was a desert Arab bedouin near him. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “This man brandished my sword over me while I was asleep. I woke up and saw it in his hand unsheathed. He asked: `Who will protect you from me?’ I replied: ‘Allah’ – thrice”. He did not punish him and sat down.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

  In another narration, Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said: We accompanied Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in the campaign of Dhat-ur-Riqa`. We left Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to take rest under a shady tree. One of the polytheists came to him. The sword of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was hanging on a tree. He drew it and said: “Are you afraid of me?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No”. Then he said: “Who will then protect you from me?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Allah”.

 And in a narration of Abu Bakr Al-Isma`ili, the polytheist asked: “Who will protect you from me?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Allah.” As soon as he said this, the sword fell down from his hand and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) catching the sword, asked him, “Who will protect you from me.” He said, “Please forgive me.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On condition you testify that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and that I am His Messenger.” He said, “No, but I promise you that I shall not fight against you, nor shall I be with those who fight with you”. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) let him go. He then went back to his companions and said: “I have come to you from one of the best of mankind“.

79. `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “If you all depend on Allah with due reliance, He would certainly give you provision as He gives it to birds who go forth hungry in the morning and return with full belly at dusk”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

80. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) said: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked me to recite whenever I go to bed: “Allahumma aslamtu nafsi ilaika, wa wajjahtu wajhi ilaika, wa fawwadtu amri ilaika, wal-ja’tu zahri ilaika, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilaika, la malja wa la manja minka illa ilaika. Amantu bikitabikal-ladhi anzalta, wa nabiyyikal-ladhi arsalta (O Allah! I have submitted myself to You, I have turned my face to You, entrusted my affairs to You; and committed my back to You out of desire for You and fear of You; expecting Your reward and fearing Your punishment). There is no refuge and no place of safety from You but with You. I believe in the Book You have revealed and in the Prophet You have sent.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said that if anyone recited these words and died that night, he would die in the true religion. In case he remains alive till morning, he will obtain good.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

  In another narration: He reported Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as saying: “If you go to bed, perform the Salat Wudu’, lie down on your right side and say [the above Du`a (supplication)] and let these words be your last”.

81. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah bepleased with him) said: When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and I were in the cave of Thaur and I saw the feet of the polytheists who were above us at the mouth of the cave (on the eve of the Emigration), I submitted: “O Messenger of Allah! If one of them were to look down below his feet, he would see us”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two whose third is Allah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

82. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)  stepped out of his house, he would say, “Bismillah, tawakkaltu `alallah. Allahumma inni a`udhu bika an adilla aw udalla, aw azilla aw uzalla, aw azlima aw uzlama, aw ajhala aw yujhala `alayya”. “[I go forth. (I begin with the Name of Allah, I trust in Allah; O Allah! I seek refuge in You from leaving or being led astray, or against slipping or being caused to slip; or doing injustice or being done injustice; or doing wrong or having wrong done to me)]”.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi reported it. According to At-Tirmidhi, this Hadith is classified as Hasan Sahih. Its wording is from Abu Dawud].

83. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever says (upon leaving his house): `Bismillah, tawakkaltu `alallah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah [I begin with the Name of Allah; I trust in Allah; there is no altering of conditions but by the Power of Allah],’ it will be said to him: ‘You are guided, defended and protected.’ The devil will go far away from him”.
[Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i].

  Abu Dawud reported it with this addition: “One devil will say to another: ‘How can you deal with a man who has been guided, defended and protected?”.

84. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: There were two brothers in the days of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). One of them used to attend the Prophet’s circle (to acquire knowledge) and the other used to earn their living). Once the latter complained to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) against the former (for not earning his living). He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Perhaps you are being provided because of him”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

Repentance

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 2
Repentance

Scholars said: It is necessary to repent from every sin. If the offense involves the Right of Allah, not a human, then there are three condition to be met in order that repentance be accepted by Allah:

1- To desist from committing it.

2- To feel sorry for committing it.

3- To decide not to recommit it.

Any repentance failing to meet any of these three conditions, would not be sound.

But if the sin involves a human’s right, it requires a fourth condition, i.e., to absolve onself from such right. If it is a property, he should return  it to its rightful owner. If it is slandering or backbiting, one should ask the pardon of the offended.

One should also repent from all sins. If he repents from some, his repentance would still be sound according to the people of sound knowledge. He should, however, repent from the rest. Scriptural proofs from the Book and the Sunnah and the consensus of the scholars support the incumbency of repentance.

Allah, the, Exalted says:

“And all of you beg Allah to forgive you, O believers, that you may be successful”. (24:31)

“Seek the forgiveness of your Rubb, and turn to Him in repentance”. (11:3)

“O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance!”. (66:8)

13. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “By Allah, I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him more than seventy times a day.”
[Al-Bukhari].

14. Al-Agharr bin Yasar Al-Muzani (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Turn you people in repentance to Allah and beg pardon of  Him. I turn to Him in repentance a hundred times a day”.
[Muslim].

15 Anas bin Malik Al-Ansari (MayAllah be pleased with him) the servant of the Messenger of Allah narrated: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, Allah is more delighted with the repentance of His slave than a person who lost his camel in a desert land and then finds it (unexpectedly)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 In another version of Muslim, he said: “Verily, Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than a person who has his camel in a waterless desert carrying his provision of food and drink and it is lost. He, having lost all hopes (to get that back), lies down in shade and is disappointed about his camel; when all of a sudden he finds that camel standing before him. He takes hold of its reins and then out of boundless joy blurts out: ‘O Allah, You are my slave and I am Your Rubb’.He commits this mistake out of extreme joy”.

16. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah, the Exalted, will continue to stretch out His Hand in the night so that the sinners of the day may repent, and continue to stretch His Hand in the daytime so that the sinners of the night may repent, until the sun rises from the west”.
[Muslim].

17.  Abu Hurairah  (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will forgive him”.
[Muslim].

18. `Abdullah bin `Umar bin Al-Khattab  (May Allah be pleased with them) reported that: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah accepts a slave’s repentance as long as the latter is not on his death bed (that is, before the soul of the dying person reaches the throat)”.
[At-Tirmidhi, who categorised it as Hadith Hasan].

19. Zirr bin Hubaish reported: I went to Safwan bin `Assal  (May Allah be pleased with him) to inquire about wiping with wet hands over light boots while performing Wudu’. He asked me, “What brings you here, Zirr?” I answered: “Search for knowledge”. He said, “Angels spread their wings for the seeker of knowledge out of  joy for what he seeks”. I told him, “I have some doubts in my mind regarding wiping of wet hands over light boots in the course of performing Wudu’ after defecation or urinating. Now since you are one of the Companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), I have come to ask you whether you heard any saying of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) concerning it?”. He replied in the affirmative and said, “He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) instructed us that during a journey we need not take off our light boots for washing the feet up to three days and nights, except in case of major impurity (after sexual intercourse). In other cases such as sleeping, relieving oneself or urinating, the wiping of wet hands over light boots will suffice.” I, then, questioned him, “Did you hear him say anything about love and affection?” He replied, “We accompanied the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in a journey when a bedouin called out in a loud voice, `O Muhammad.’ The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied him in the same tone, `Here I am.‘ I said to him (the bedouin), `Woe to you, lower your voice in his presence, because you are not allowed to do so.’ He said, `By Allah! I will not lower my voice,’ and then addressing the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) he said, `What about a person who loves people but has not found himself in their company.’ Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, `On the Day of Resurrection, a person will be in the company of those whom he loves.‘ The Messenger of Allah then kept on talking to us and in the course of his talk, he mentioned a gateway in the heaven, the width of which could be crossed by a rider in forty or seventy years”.

  Sufyan, one of the narrators of this tradition, said: “This gateway is in the direction of Syria. Allah created it on the day He created the heavens and the earth. It is open for repentance and will not be shut until the sun rises from that direction (i.e., the West) (on Doomsday)”.
[At-Tirmidhi, who categorised it as Hadith Hasan Sahih]

20. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Prophet of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “There was a man from among a nation before you who killed ninety-nine people and then made an inquiry about the most learned person on the earth. He was directed to a monk. He came to him and told him that he had killed ninety-nine people and asked him if there was any chance for his repentance to be accepted. He replied in the negative and the man killed him also completing one hundred. He then asked about the most learned man in the earth. He was directed to a scholar. He told him that he had killed one hundred people and asked him if there was any chance for his repentance to be accepted. He replied in the affirmative and asked, `Who stands between you and repentance? Go to such and such land; there (you will find) people devoted to prayer and worship of Allah, join them in worship, and do not come back to your land because it is an evil place.’ So he went away and hardly had he covered half the distance when death overtook him; and there was a dispute between the angels of mercy and the angels of torment. The angels of mercy pleaded, ‘This man has come with a repenting heart to Allah,’ and the angels of punishment argued, ‘He never did a virtuous deed in his life.’ Then there appeared another angel in the form of a human being and the contending angels agreed to make him arbiter between them. He said, `Measure the distance between the two lands. He will be considered belonging to the land to which he is nearer.’ They measured and found him closer to the land (land of piety) where he intended to go, and so the angels of mercy collected his soul”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 In another version: “He was found to be nearer to the locality of the pious by a cubit and was thus included among them”. Another version says: “Allah commanded (the land which he wanted to leave) to move away and commanded the other land (his destination) to draw nearer and then He said: “Now measure the distance between them.’ It was found that he was nearer to his goal by a hand’s span and was thus forgiven”. It is also narrated that he drew closer by a slight movement on his chest.

21. Abdullah bin Ka`b, who served as the guide of Ka`b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) when he became blind, narrated: I heard Ka`b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) narrating the story of his remaining behind instead of  joining Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he left for the battle of Tabuk. Ka`b said: “I accompanied Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in every expedition which he undertook excepting the battle of Tabuk and the battle of Badr. As for the battle of Badr, nobody was blamed for remaining behind as Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and the Muslims, when they set out, had in mind only to intercept the caravan of the Quraish. Allah made them confront their enemies unexpectedly. I had the honour of being with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on the night of `Aqabah when we pledged our allegiance to Islam and it was dearer to me than participating in the battle of Badr, although Badr was more well-known among the people than that. And this is the account of my staying behind from the battle of Tabuk. I never had better means and more favourable circumstances than at the time of this expedition. And by Allah, I had never before possessed two riding-camels as I did during the time of this expedition. Whenever Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) decided to go on a campaign, he would not disclose his real destination till the last moment (of departure). But on this expedition, he set out in extremely hot weather; the journey was long and the terrain was waterless desert; and he had to face a strong army, so he informed the Muslims about the actual position so that they should make full preparation for the campaign. And the Muslims who accompanied Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) at that time were in large number but no proper record of them was maintained.” Ka`b (further) said: “Few were the persons who chose to remain absent believing that they could easily hide themselves (and thus remain undetected) unless Revelation from Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious (revealed relating to them). And Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) set out on this expedition when the fruit were ripe and their shade was sought. I had a weakness for them and it was during this season that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and the Muslims made preparations. I also would set out in the morning to make preparations along with them but would come back having done nothing and said to myself: ‘I have means enough (to make preparations) as soon as I like’. And I went on doing this (postponing my preparations) till the time of departure came and it was in the morning that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) set out along with the Muslims, but I had made no preparations. I would go early in the morning and come back, but with no decision. I went on doing so until they (the Muslims) hastened and covered a good deal of distance. Then I wished to march on and join them. Would that I had done that! But perhaps it was not destined for me. After the departure of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) whenever I went out, I was grieved to find no good example to follow but confirmed hypocrites or weak people whom Allah had exempted (from marching forth for Jihad). Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made no mention of me until he reached Tabuk. While he was sitting with the people in Tabuk, he said, `What happened to Ka`b bin Malik?’ A person from Banu Salimah said: “O Messenger of Allah, the (beauty) of his cloak and an appreciation of  his finery have detained him.’ Upon this Mu`adh bin Jabal (MatAllah be pleased with him) admonished him and said to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “By Allah, we know nothing about him but good.’ Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), however, kept quiet. At that time he (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) saw a person dressed in white and said, `Be Abu Khaithamah.‘ And was Abu Khaithamah Al-Ansari was the person who had contributed a Sa` of dates and was ridiculed by the hypocrites.” Ka`b bin Malik further said: “When the news reached me that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was on his way back from Tabuk, I was greatly distressed. I thought of fabricating an excuse and asked myself how I would save myself from his anger the next day. In this connection, I sought the counsels of every prudent member of my family. When I was told that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was about to arrive, all the wicked ideas vanished (from my mind) and I came to the conclusion that nothing but the truth could save me. So I decided to tell him the truth. It was in the morning that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) arrived in Al-Madinah. It was his habit that whenever he came back from a journey, he would first go to the mosque and perform two Rak`ah (of optional prayer) and would then sit with the people. When he sat, those who had remained behind him began to put forward their excuses and take an oath before him. They were more than eighty in number. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) accepted their excuses on the very face of them and accepted their allegiance and sought forgiveness for them and left their insights to Allah, until I appeared before him. I greeted him and he smiled and there was a tinge of anger in that. He then said to me, ‘Come forward’. I went forward and I sat in front of him. He said to me, `What kept you back? Could you not afford to go in for a ride?’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, by Allah, if I were to sit before anybody else, a man of the world, I would have definitely saved myself from his anger on one pretext or the other and I have a gifted skill in argumentation, but, by Allah, I am fully aware that if I were to put forward before you a lame excuse to please you, Allah would definitely provoke your wrath upon me. In case, I speak the truth, you may be angry with me, but I hope that Allah would be pleased with me (and accept my repentance). By Allah, there is no valid excuse for me. By Allah, I never possessed so good means, and I never had such favourable conditions for me as I had when I stayed behind.’ Thereupon, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘This man spoke the truth, so get up (and wait) until Allah gives a decision about you.’ I left and some people of  Banu Salimah followed me. They said to me, `By Allah, we do not know that you committed a sin before. You, however, showed inability to put forward an excuse before Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) like those who stayed behind him. It would have been enough for the forgiveness of your sin that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would have sought forgiveness for you.’ By Allah, they kept on reproaching me until I thought of going back to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and retract my confession. Then I said to them, ‘Has anyone else met the same fate?’ They said, ‘Yes, two persons have met the same fate. They made the same statement as you did and the same verdict was delivered in their case.’ I asked, `Who are they?’ They said, ‘Murarah bin Ar-Rabi` Al-`Amri and Hilal bin Umaiyyah Al-Waqifi.’ They mentioned these two pious men who had taken part in the battle of Badr and there was an example for me in them. I was confirmed in my original resolve. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibited the Muslims to talk to the three of us from amongst those who had stayed behind. The people began to avoid us and their attitude towards us changed and it seemed as if the whole atmosphere had turned against us, and it was in fact the same atmosphere of which I was fully aware and in which I had lived (for a fairly long time). We spent fifty nights in this very state and my two friends confined themselves within their houses and spent (most of their) time weeping. As I was the youngest and the strongest, I would leave my house, attend the congregational Salat, move about in the bazaars, but none would speak to me. I would come to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as he sat amongst (people) after the Salat, greet him and would ask myself whether or not his lips moved in response to my greetings. Then I would perform Salat near him and look at him stealthily. When I finish my Salat, he would look at me and when I would cast a glance at him he would turn away his eyes from me. When the harsh treatment of the Muslims to me continued for a (considerable) length of time, I walked and I climbed upon the wall of the garden of Abu Qatadah, who was my cousin, and I had a great love for him. I greeted him but, by Allah, he did not answer to my greeting. I said to him, `O Abu Qatadah, I adjure you in the Name of Allah, are you not aware that I love Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)?’ I asked him the same question again but he remained silent. I again adjured him, whereupon he said, `Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) know better.’ My eyes were filled with tears, and I came back climbing down the wall.

As I was walking in the bazaars of Al-Madinah, a man from the Syrian peasants, who had come to sell food grains in Al-Madinah, asked people to direct him to Ka`b bin Malik. People pointed towards me. He came to me and delivered a letter from the King of Ghassan, and as I was a scribe, I read that letter whose purport was: `It has been conveyed to us that your friend (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) was treating you harshly. Allah has not created you for a place where you are to be degraded and where you cannot find your right place; so come to us and we shall receive you graciously.’ As I read that letter I said: ‘This is too a trial,’ so I put it to fire in an oven. When forty days had elapsed and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) received no Revelation, there came to me a messenger of the Messenger of Allah and said, `Verily, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has commanded you to keep away from your wife.’ I said, `Should I divorce her or what else should I do?’ He said, `No, but only keep away from her and don’t have sexual contact with her.’ The same message was sent to my companions. So, I said to my wife: ‘You better go to your parents and stay there with them until Allah gives the decision in my case.’ The wife of Hilal bin Umaiyyah came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, Hilal bin Umaiyyah is a senile person and has no servant. Do you disapprove if I serve him?’ He said, `No, but don’t let him have any sexual contact with you.‘ She said, ‘By Allah, he has no such desire left in him. By Allah, he has been in tears since (this calamity) struck him.’ Members of my family said to me, `You should have sought permission from Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in regard to your wife. He has allowed the wife of Hilal bin Umaiyyah to serve him.’ I said, ‘I would not seek permission from Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) for I do not know what Messenger of Allah might say in response to that, as I am a young man’. It was in this state that I spent ten more nights and thus fifty days had passed since people boycotted us and gave up talking to us. After I had offered my Fajr prayer on the early morning of the fiftieth day of this boycott on the roof of one of our houses, and had sat in the very state which Allah described as: `The earth seemed constrained for me despite its vastness’, I heard the voice of a proclaimer from the peak of the hill Sal` shouting at the top of his voice: ‘O Ka`b bin Malik, rejoice.’ I fell down in prostration and came to know that there was (a message of) relief for me. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had informed the people about the acceptance of our repentance by Allah after he had offered the Fajr prayer. So the people went on to give us glad tidings and some of them went to my companions in order to give them the glad tidings. A man spurred his horse towards me (to give the good news), and another one from the tribe of Aslam came running for the same purpose and, as he approached the mount, I received the good news which reached me before the rider did. When the one whose voice I had heard came to me to congratulate me, I took off my garments and gave them to him for the good news he brought to me. By Allah, I possessed nothing else (in the form of clothes) except these garments, at that time. Then I borrowed two garments, dressed myself and came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) On my way, I met groups of people who greeted me for (the acceptance of) repentance and they said: ‘Congratulations for acceptance of your repentance.’ I reached the mosque where Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was sitting amidst people. Talhah bin `Ubaidullah got up and rushed towards me, shook hands with me and greeted me. By Allah, no person stood up (to greet me) from amongst the Muhajirun besides him.” Ka`b said that he never forgot (this good gesture of) Talhah. Ka`b further said: “I greeted Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) with `As-salamu `alaikum’ and his face was beaming with pleasure. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, `Rejoice with the best day you have ever seen since your mother gave you birth. ‘I said: `O Messenger of Allah! Is this (good news) from you or from Allah?’ He said, `No, it is from Allah.‘ And it was common with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) that when ever he was happy, his face would glow as if it were a part of the moon and it was from this that we recognized it (his delight). As I sat before him, I said, I have placed a condition upon myself that if Allah accepts my Taubah, I would give up all of my property in charity for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)!’ Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, `Keep some property with you, as it is better for you.’ I said, ‘I shall keep with me that portion which is in Khaibar’. I added: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Verily, Allah has granted me salvation because of my truthfulness, and therefore, repentance obliges me to speak nothing but the truth as long as I am alive.” Ka`b added: “By Allah, I do not know anyone among the Muslims who has been granted truthfulness better than me since I said this to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). By Allah! Since the time I made a pledge of this to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), I have never intended to tell a lie, and I hope that Allah would protect me (against telling lies) for the rest of my life. Allah, the Exalted, the Glorious, revealed these Verses:

‘Allah has forgiven the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), the Muhajirun (Muslim Emigrants who left their homes and came to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (Muslims of Al-Madinah) who followed him (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) in the time of distress (Tabuk expedition), after the hearts of a party of them had nearly deviated (from the Right Path), but He accepted their repentance. Certainly, He is unto them full of kindness, Most Merciful. And (He did forgive also) the three who did not join [the Tabuk expedition and whose case was deferred (by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) for Allah’s Decision] till for them the earth, vast as it is, was straitened and their ownselves were straitened to them, and they perceived that there is no fleeing from Allah, and no refuge but with Him. Then, He forgave them (accepted their repentance), that they might beg for His Pardon [repent (unto Him)]. Verily, Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful. O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in word and deeds).” (9:117,118).

 Ka`b said: “By Allah, since Allah guided me to Islam, there has been no blessing more significant for me than this truth of mine which I spoke to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and if I were to tell a lie I would have been ruined as were ruined those who had told lies, for Allah described those who told lies with the worst description He ever attributed to anybody else, as He sent down the Revelation:

They will swear by Allah to you (Muslims) when you return to them, that you may turn away from them. So turn away from them. Surely, they are Rijsun [i.e., Najasun (impure) because of their evil deeds], and Hell is their dwelling place – a recompense for that which they used to earn. They (the hypocrites) swear to you (Muslims) that you may be pleased with them, but if you are pleased with them, certainly Allah is not pleased with the people who are Al-Fa’siqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)”. (9:95,96)

 Ka`b further added: “The matter of the three of us remained pending for decision apart from the case of those who had made excuses on oath before Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he accepted those, took fresh oaths of allegiance from them and supplicated for their forgiveness. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) kept our matter pending till Allah decided it. The three whose matter was deferred have been shown mercy. The reference here is not to our staying back from the expedition but to his delaying our matter and keeping it pending beyond the matter of those who made their excuses on oath which he accepted”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

 Another version adds: “Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) set out for Tabuk on Thursday. He used to prefer to set out on journey on Thursday.” Another version says: “Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to come back from a journey in the early forenoon and went straight to the mosque where he would perform two Rak`ah prayer. Afterwards he would seat himself there”.

22.  Imran bin Al-Husain Al-Khuza`i (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A woman from the tribe Juhainah came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) while she was pregnant from (Zina) adultery and said to him: “O Messenger of Allah! I have committed an offense liable to Hadd (prescribed punishment), so exact the execution of the sentence.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) called her guardian and said to him, “Treat her kindly. Bring her to me after the delivery of the child.” That man complied with the orders. At last the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) commanded to carry out the sentence. Her clothes were secured around her and she was stoned to death. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) led her funeral prayers. `Umar submitted: “O Messenger of Allah! She committed Zina and you have performed funeral prayer for her?” He replied, “Verily, she made repentance which would suffice for seventy of the people of Al-Madinah if it is divided among them. Can there be any higher degree of  repentance than that she sacrificed her life voluntarily to win the Pleasure of Allah, the Exalted?”.
[Muslim].

23. Ibn ‘Abbas and Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a son of Adam were to own a valley full of gold, he would desire to have two. Nothing can fill his mouth except the earth (of the grave). Allah turns with mercy to him who turns to Him in repentance”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

24. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, smiles at two men, one of them killed the other and both will enter Jannah. The first is killed by the other while he is fighting in the Cause of Allah, and thereafter Allah will turn in mercy to the second and guide him to accept Islam and then he dies as a Shaheed (martyr) fighting in the Cause of Allah.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]