Prohibition of Appointing an Aspirant Person to a Public Office ofAuthority

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 83
Prohibition of Appointing an Aspirant Person to a Public Office of Authority

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

Indignation against the Transgression of Divine Laws

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 77
Indignation against the Transgression of Divine Laws

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fulfillment of Promises

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 86
Fulfillment of Promises

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Secrecy of Private Matters (Guarding Secrets)

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 85
Secrecy of Private Matters (Guarding Secrets)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

Appointment of Pious Governors, Advisors and Judges

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 82
Appointment of Pious Governors, Advisors and Judges

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Friends of that Day will be foes one to another except Al-Muttaqun: (i.e., pious and righteous persons).” (43:67)

678. Abu Sa`id and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah neither raised up any Prophet nor did He authorize any person with ruling power but for whom there were two types of entourage: one enjoins upon him to do good and incites him to carry it out, and the other enjoins evil and goads him; and the protected (from the bad entourage) is the one whom Allah protects.”
[Al-Bukhari].

679. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When Allah desires good for a ruler, He appoints for him a sincere adviser who will remind him if he forgets and helps him if he remembers. When Allah wishes for him the contrary, He appoints for him a bad adviser who will not remind him if he forgets, nor will he help him if he remembers.”

Listening Attentively

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 90
Listening Attentively

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

Modesty and Courtesy towards the Believers

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 71
Modesty and Courtesy towards the Believers

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers.” (5:54)

“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [he is one of the Muttaqun (the pious)].” (49:13)

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

“And the men on Al-a`raf (the wall) will call unto the men whom they would recognise by their marks, saying: `Of what benefit to you were your great numbers (and hoards of wealth), and your arrogance (against Faith)?’ Are they those, of whom you swore that Allah would never show them mercy. (Behold! It has been said to them): `Enter Jannah, no fear shall be on you, nor shall you grieve.”’ (7:48,49)

602. `Iyad bin Himar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah has revealed to me that you should humble yourselves to one another. One should neither hold himself above another nor transgress against another.”
[Muslim].

603. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Wealth does not diminish by giving Sadaqah (charity). Allah augments the honour of one who forgives; and one who serves another seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will exalt him in ranks.”
[Muslim].

604. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) passed by some children and greeted them (by saying As-salamu `alaikum to them). Then he said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to do the same.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

605. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A slave-girl of Al-Madinah would take hold of the hand of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and take him wherever she desired.
[Al-Bukhari].

606. Al-Aswad bin Yazid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) was asked: “What did Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to do inside his house?” She answered: “He used to keep himself busy helping members of his family, and when it was the time for Salat (the prayer), he would get up for prayer.”
[Al-Bukhari].

607. Tamim bin Usaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) while he was delivering a Khutbah and said: “O Messenger of Allah, a stranger (meaning himself) has come to inquire about his Deen. He is quite ignorant about his Deen.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) interrupted his Khutbah and turned to me. Then a chair was brought for him and he sat on it. He started instructing me what Allah had taught him. Then he resumed his Khutbah and completed it.
[Muslim].

608. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) finished eating his food, he would lick his three fingers (i.e., the forefinger, the middle finger and the thumb). He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If anyone of you drops a morsel, he should remove anything harmful from it and then eat it. He should not leave it for Shaitan.” He commanded us to clean out the dish saying, “You do not know in what portion of your food the blessing lies.”
[Muslim].

609. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Every Prophet has tended sheep.” He was asked: “And did you?” He replied: “Yes, I tended them for a few carats for the Makkans.”
[Al-Bukhari].

610. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “If I am invited to a meal consisting of a sheep’s foot or shoulder, I would respond and I would accept as a gift a shoulder or a foot of a sheep.”
[Al-Bukhari].

611. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had a she-camel called Al-`Adba’ which would not allow any other camel to surpass her. A bedouin came riding his camel which outstripped it. The Muslims were much grieved at this. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) perceived it and said, “It is Allah’s Way that he lowers whatever raises itself in the world.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Competition in matters of the Hereafter

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 63
Competition in matters of the Hereafter

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Let (all) those strive who want to strive (i.e., hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allah).” (83:26)

569. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A drink was brought to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he drank some of it. On his right was a boy and on his left were elderly people. He said to the boy, “Would you permit me to give the rest of this drink to these on my left?” The boy said, “O Messenger of Allah, I would certainly not give preference to anyone in anything that might come to me from you.” So he handed over the rest of the drink to him.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

570. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “While Ayyub (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) the Prophet was taking a bath, naked, a large number of gold locusts fell on him. He tried to collect them in a piece of cloth, when he heard his Rubb (Allah) calling him: `O Ayyub ! Have I not sufficed you to care for what you see (the worldly possessions)?’ Ayyub (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: `Indeed by Your Power, but I can never do away with Your Blessings.”’
[Al-Bukhari].

Excellence of Simple Living and being Content with Little

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 56
Excellence of Simple Living and being Content with Little

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Al-Bukhari].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Forgiveness of the Ignorant

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 75
Forgiveness of the Ignorant

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Condemnation of Pride and Self-Conceit

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 72
Condemnation of Pride and Self-Conceit

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“And walk not on earth with conceit and arrogance.” (17:37)

“And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant boaster.” (31:18)

“Verily, Qarun (Korah) was of Musa’s (Moses) people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Remember when his people said to him: `Do not exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah). Verily, Allah likes not those who exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah…(up to)… So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place.” (28:76-81)

612. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who has, in his heart, an ant’s weight of arrogance will not enter Jannah.” Someone said: “A man likes to wear beautiful clothes and shoes?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah is Beautiful, He loves beauty. Arrogance means ridiculing and rejecting the Truth and despising people.”
[Muslim].

613. Salamah bin Al-Akwa` (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man 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.” Thereupon he (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “May you never be able to do that.” It was arrogance that prevented him from doing it, and he could not raise it (the right hand) up to his mouth afterwards.
[Muslim].

614. Harithah bin Wahab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shall I not inform you about the inmates of Hell? It is every violent, impertinent and proud person.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

615. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There was a dispute between Hell and Jannah, and Hell said: `The haughty and proud are in me.’ The Jannah said: `In me are the weak and the humble.’ Thereupon Allah, the Exalted, judged between them saying: `You the Jannah are My Mercy, and through you I shall show mercy to those whom I wish.’ (And addressing the Hell) He said: `You are My punishment to punish whom I wish amongst My slaves, and each one of you will have its fill.”’
[Muslim].

616. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not look at him who trails his lower garment out of pride.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

617. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are three (types of) people to whom Allah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, nor look at them, and they will have a painful punishment. These are: An aged man who commits Zina (illicit sexual act), a ruler who lies, and a proud poor person.”
[Muslim].

618. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, says: `Honour is My Izar and Pride is My Cloak. Whoever vies with Me regarding one of them, shall be tormented.”’
[Muslim].

619. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “While a man was walking, dressed in clothes admiring himself, his hair combed, walking haughtily when Allah caused the earth to swallow him. Now he will continue to go down in it (as a punishment) until the Day of Resurrection.”
[Muslim].

620. Salamah bin Al-Akwa` (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Man continues to display haughtiness and arrogance until he is recorded among the arrogant and will be therefore afflicted with what afflicts them.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

Excellence of Generosity and Spending in a Good cause with Reliance on Allah – Riyad-us-Saliheen

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 60 : Excellence of Generosity and Spending in a Good cause with Reliance on Allah

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it.” (34:39)

“And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves, when you spend not except seeking Allah’s Countenance. And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.” (2:272)

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

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

545. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Who of you loves the wealth of his heir more than his own wealth?” The Companions said: “O Messenger of Allah! There is none of us but loves his own wealth more.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “His wealth is that which he has sent forward, but that which he retains belongs to his heir.”
[Al-Bukhari].

546. `Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Protect yourself from Hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

547. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never said `no’ to anyone who asked him for anything.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

548. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Everyday two angels descend and one of them says, `O Allah! Compensate (more) to the person who gives (in charity)’; while the other one says, `O Allah! Destroy the one who withholds (charity, etc)”.
[Al-Bukhari ].

549. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, says, `Spend, O son of Adam, you will also be spent upon.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

550. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), “Which act in Islam is the best?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “To feed (the poor and the needy) and to greet those whom you know and those you do not know.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

551. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are forty kinds of virtue, the highest of which is to gift a (milch) she goat. He who practises any of these virtues, expecting its reward (from Allah) and believing on the verity of the promise made for it, will enter Jannah.”
[Al-Bukhari].

552. Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O son of Adam, if you spend the surplus, it will be better for you; and if you retain it, it will be bad for you. You will not be reprimanded for keeping what is enough for your need. Begin with those who are your dependents, and the upper hand (i.e., the one that spends in the way of Allah) is better than the lower hand (i.e., the one that receives charity.)”
[Muslim].

553. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked a thing by one who is about to accept Islam but he would give it. A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he gave him a herd of sheep scattered between two mountains. When he returned to his people, he said to them: “O my people! Embrace Islam because Muhammad gives like one who has no fear of poverty.” Some people would embrace Islam only for worldly gains, but soon Islam becomes dearer to them than the world with all what it contains.
[Muslim].

554. `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) distributed some wealth and I said to him, “O Messenger of Allah! Do you not think that there are other people who are more deserving than these whom you gave.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “They had, in fact, left no alternative for me except either they should beg of me importunately or they would regard me as a miser; but I am not a miser.”
[Muslim].

555. Jubair bin Mut`im (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: While I was walking with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on his return from the battle of Hunain, a few bedouins caught hold of him and began to demand their shares. They forced him to a tree and someone snatched away his cloak (which got entangled in that thorny tree). The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Give my cloak back to me. Were I to have camels equal to the number of these trees, I would have distributed them all among you, and you would not have found me a miser, or a liar, or a coward.”
[Al-Bukhari].

556. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Wealth is not diminished by giving (in charity). Allah augments the honour of one who forgives; and one who displays humbleness towards another seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah exalts him in ranks.”
[Muslim].

557. Abu Kabshah `Amr bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I swear by Allah for three (qualities) which I am going to tell you about. Remember them well:

(1) The wealth of a man will not diminish by Sadaqah (charity).

(2) Allah augments the honour of a man who endures an oppression patiently.

(3) He who opens a gate of begging, Allah opens a gate of poverty (or he said a word similar to it).”

He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) also said, “Remember well what I am going to tell you: The world is for four kinds of people. (1) One upon whom Allah has bestowed wealth and knowledge and so he fears his Rubb in respect to them, joins the ties of blood relationship and acknowledges the Rights of Allah on him (and fulfills them); this type will have the best position (in Jannah). (2) One upon whom Allah has conferred knowledge but no wealth, and he is sincere in his intention and says: `Had I possessed wealth, I would have acted like so-and-so.’ If that is his intention, his reward is the same as that of the other. (3) One whom Allah has given wealth but no knowledge and he squanders his wealth ignorantly, does not fear Allah in respect to it, does not discharge the obligations of kinship and does not acknowledge the Rights of Allah. Such a person will be in the worst position (in the Hereafter). (4) One upon whom Allah has bestowed neither wealth nor knowledge and he says: `Had I possessed wealth, I would have acted like so-and-so (i.e., he would squander his wealth).’ If this is his intention, both will have equal sin.”  
[At-Tirmidhi].

558. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had slaughtered a sheep and distributed major portions of its meat. Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Is there anything left?” She replied, “Nothing, except the shoulder.” Thereupon he said, “All of it is left except its shoulder.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

559. Asma’ bint Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “Do not hoard; otherwise, Allah will withhold from you.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

560. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “The case of a miserly man and a generous man who gives in charity is similar to that of two persons who are clad in armour from their breasts up to their collar bones. When the generous man gives in charity, his armour expands so much as to cover his fingertips and toes. When the miser intends to spend something the armour contracts and every ring of it sticks to the place where it is (sinks into his flesh). He tries to loosen it but it does not expand.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

561. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who gives in charity the value of a date which he legally earned, and Allah accepts only that which is pure, Allah accepts it with His Right Hand and fosters it for him, as one of you fosters his mare, until it becomes like a mountain.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

562. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “While a man was walking through a barren land, he heard a voice coming out of a cloud saying: `Irrigate the garden of so-and-so.’ Thereupon the cloud drifted in a certain direction and discharged its water over a rocky plain. The streamlets flowed into a channel. This man followed the channel until it reached a garden and he saw the owner of the garden standing in its center, working with his spade spreading the water (changing the course of the water). He asked him: “O slave of Allah, what is your name?” He told his name, which was the same that he heard from the cloud. The owner of the garden then asked him: “O slave of Allah, why did you ask my name?” He replied: “I heard a voice from a cloud which poured down this water saying: `Irrigate the garden of so-and-so.’ I would like to know what do you do with it.” He said: “Now that you asked me, I will tell you. I estimate the produce of the garden and distribute one-third of it in charity, I spend one-third on myself and my family and invest one-third back into the garden.”
[Muslim].

 

Safeguarding and Perpetuating Good Habits

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 87
Safeguarding and Perpetuating Good Habits

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

Excellence of Conveying Glad Tidings and Congratulations

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 95
Excellence of Conveying Glad Tidings and Congratulations

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dignity and Tranquility

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 92
Dignity and Tranquility

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

Brevity in Preaching

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 91
Brevity in Preaching

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

Undesirability of Aspiring for Office

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 81
Undesirability of Aspiring for Office

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

Istikhara (Seeking Guidance from Allah), and Consultation

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 97
Istikhara (Seeking Guidance from Allah), and Consultation

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

Clemency, Tolerance and Gentleness

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 74
Clemency, Tolerance and Gentleness

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“…who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers).” (3:134)

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

“The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e., Allah orders the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly) then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient – and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter, i.e., Jannah and of a high moral character) in this world.” (41:34,35)

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

632. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to Ashaj Abdul-Qais (May Allah be pleased with him), “You possess two qualities that Allah loves. These are clemency and tolerance.”
[Muslim].

633. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah is Forbearer and loves forbearance in all matters.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

634. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah is Forbearer and He loves forbearance, and rewards for forbearance while He does not reward severity, and does not give for any thing besides it (forbearance).”
[Muslim]

635. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whenever forbearance is added to something, it adorns it; and whenever it is withdrawn from something, it leaves it defective.”
[Muslim].

636. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A bedouin urinated in the mosque and some people rushed to beat him up. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Leave him alone and pour a bucket of water over it. You have been sent to make things easy and not to make them difficult.”
[Al-Bukhari].

637. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Make things easy and do not make them difficult, cheer the people up by conveying glad tidings to them and do not repulse (them).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

638. Jarir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who is deprived of forbearance and gentleness is, in fact, deprived of all good.”
[Muslim].

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

640. Abu Ya`la Shaddad bin `Aus (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily Allah has prescribed Ihsan (kindness) for everything. So when you kill, you must make the killing in the best manner; when you slaughter, make your slaughter in the best manner. Let one of you sharpen his knife and give ease to his animal (in order to reduce his pain).”
[Muslim].

641. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was given a choice between two matters, he would (always) choose the easier as long as it was not sinful to do so; but if it was sinful he was most strict in avoiding it. He never took revenge upon anybody for his own sake; but when Allah’s Legal Bindings were outraged, he would take revenge for Allah’s sake.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

642. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shall I not tell you whom the (Hell) Fire is forbidden to touch? It is forbidden to touch a man who is always accessible, having polite and tender nature.”
[At-Tirmidhii].

Good Conduct

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 73
Good Conduct

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And verily, you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) are on an exalted (standard of) character.” (68:4)

“The Jannah is prepared for those)… who repress anger, and who pardon men.” (3:134)

621. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was the best of all the people in behaviour.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

622. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I never felt any piece of velvet or silk softer than the palm of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), nor did I smell any fragrance more pleasant than the smell of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). I served him for ten years, and he never said `Uff’ (an expression of disgust) to me. He never said `why did you do that?’ for something I had done, nor did he ever say `why did you not do such and such’ for something I had not done.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

623. Sa`b bin Jaththamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I presented a wild ass to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as a gift but he returned it to me. When he perceived signs of despair on my face, he said, “I have declined to accept it because I am in the state of Ihram.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

624. Nawwas bin Sam`an (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) about virtue and sin, and he said, “Virtue is noble behaviour, and sin is that which creates doubt and you do not like people to know about it.”
[Muslim].

625. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) did not indulge in loose talk nor did he like to listen to it. He used to say, “The best of you is the best among you in conduct.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

626. Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

627. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked about the deed which will be foremost to lead a man to Jannah. He replied, “Fear of Allah and the good conduct.” Then he was asked about indulgence which will admit a man to Hell (Fire) and he answered, “The tongue and the genitals.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

628. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most perfect man in his faith among the believers is the one whose behaviour is most excellent; and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

629. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “A believer will attain by his good behaviour the rank of one who prays during the night and observes fasting during the day.”
[Abu Dawud].

630. Abu Umamah Al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I guarantee a house in Jannah for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a home in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even for the sake of fun; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah for one who has good manners.”
[Abu Dawud].

631. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The dearest and nearest among you to me on the Day of Resurrection will be one who is the best of you in manners; and the most abhorrent among you to me and the farthest of you from me will be the pompous, the garrulous, and Al-Mutafaihiqun.” The Companions asked him: “O Messenger of Allah! We know about the pompous and the garrulous, but we do not know who Al-Mutafaihiqun are.” He replied: “The arrogant people.”
[At-Tirmidhi].