The Aqeedah and Manhaj of AhlusSunnah wal Jamah

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Discharging the Trusts

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Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 25
Discharging the Trusts

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those to whom they are due.” (4:58)

“Truly, We did offer Al-Amanah (the trust or moral responsibility or honesty and all the duties which Allah has ordained) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it (i.e., afraid of Allah’s torment). But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results)”. (33:72)

199. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are three 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 fasts, performs Salat and asserts that he is a Muslim”.

200. Hudhaifah bin Al-Yaman (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) foretold to us two Ahadith. I have seen one (being fulfilled), and I am waiting for the other. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) told us, “Amanah (the trust) descended in the innermost (root) of the hearts of men (that is, it was in their heart innately, by Fitrah, or pure human nature). Then the Qur’an was revealed and they learnt from the Quran and they learned from the Sunnah.” Then the (Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) told us about the removal of Amanah. He said, “The man would have some sleep, and Amanah would be taken away from his heart leaving the impression of a faint mark. He would again sleep, and Amanah would be taken away from his heart leaving an impression of a blister, as if you rolled down an ember on your foot and it was vesicled. He would see a swelling having nothing in it.” He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) then took up a pebble and rolled it over his foot and said, “The people would enter into transactions with one another and hardly a person would be left who would return (things) entrusted to him (and there would look like an honest person) till it would be said: `In such and such tribe there is a trustworthy man.’ And they would also say about a person: `How prudent he is! How handsome he is and how intelligent he is!’ whereas in his heart there would be no grain of Faith.” Hudhaifah bin Al-Yaman (May Allah bepleased with him) added: I had a time when I did not care with whom amongst you I did business, I entered into a transaction, for if he were a Muslim, his Faith would compel him to discharge his obligation to me; and if he were a Christian or a Jew, his guardian (surety) would compel him to discharge his obligation to me. But today I would not enter into a transaction except with so-and-so.
[Al-Bukh ri and Muslim].

201. Hudhaifah and Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with them) reported that they heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Allah will assemble mankind, and the believers will stand till Jannah will be brought near them. They will then go to Adam (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and say, `O our father, ask (Allah (SWT), that Jannah may be opened for us, but he will reply: `There was nothing that put you out of Jannah except your father’s sin. I am not the one to do that, go to my son Ibrahim (Abraham), the beloved man of Allah.’ Then Ibrahim (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when approached, will say: `I am not the one to do that, for I was only a friend; and that is not a lofty status but ask Musa (Moses) to whom Allah spoke.’ They will then go to Musa (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) but he will say: `I am not the one to do that; go to `Isa (Jesus), Allah’s Word and spirit.’ `Isa (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) will say: `I am not the one to do that.’ So they will come to me; and I will stand and be given permission. Amanah and ties of relationship will be sent forth and will stand on the sides of the Sirat (that is, the Bridge set over Hell-fire) right and left, and the first of you will pass like lightning.” I said (that is Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him)” :I ransom you with my father and mother, what is like the movement of lightning?” The Messenger of Allah replied, “Have you not seen how the lightning goes and returns in the twinkling of an eye? Next (group will pass) like the passing of the breeze, next like the passing of a bird, and the next with the speed of a running man, according to the quality of their deeds. (During all this time) your Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) will remain standing on the Bridge saying: `O my Rubb, keep (them) safe, keep (them) safe,’ till men’s deeds are so weak that a man comes who will be able only to crawl. On both sides of the Bridge pronged flesh hooks, placed under command will be hung and will seize those about whom they receive command, some people being lacerated and escaping and others being thrown violently into Hell.” Abu Hurairah added: By Him in Whose Hand Abu Hurairah’s soul is, the pit of Jahannam (Hell) is seventy years in depth.
[Muslim].

202. Abu Khubaib `Abdullah bin Az-Zubair (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: When Az-Zubair, got ready to fight in the battle of Al-Jamal, he called me and said: “My son, whoever is killed today will be either a wrongdoer or a wronged one. I expect that I shall be the the wronged one today. I am much worried about my debt. Do you think that anything will be left over from our property after the payment of my debt? My son, sell our property and pay off my debt.” Az-Zubair then willed one-third of that portion to his sons; namely `Abdullah’s sons. He said, “One-third of the one-third. If any property is left after the payment of debts, one-third (of the one-third of what is left is to be given to your sons.” (Hisham, a subnarrator added: “Some of the sons of `Abdullah were equal in age to the sons of Az-Zubair, e.g., Khubaib and Abbad. `Abdullah had nine sons and nine daughters at that time)”. (The narrator `Abdullah added:) He kept on instructing me about his debts and then said: “My son, should you find yourself unable to pay any portion of my debt then beseech my Master for His help.” By Allah, I did not understand what he meant and asked: “Father, who is your Master?” He said: “Allah.” By Allah! Whenever I faced a difficulty in discharging any portion of his debt; I would pray: “O Master of Zubair, discharge his debt,” and He discharged it. Zubair was martyred. He left no money, but he left certain lands, one of them in Al-Ghabah, eleven houses in Al-Madinah, two in Basrah, one in Kufah and one in Egypt. The cause of his indebtedness was that a person would come to him asking him to keep some money of his in trust for him. Zubair would refuse to accept it as a trust, fearing it might be lost, but would take it as a loan. He never accepted a governorship, or revenue office, or any public office. He fought along with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr, `Umar and `Uthman (May Allah be pleased with them).

`Abdullah added: I prepared a statement of his debts and they amounted to two million and two hundred thousand! Hakim bin Hizam met me and asked me: “Nephew, how much is due from my brother as debt?” I kept it as secret and said: “A hundred thousand.” Hakim said: “By Allah! I do not think your assets are sufficient for the payment of these debts.” I said: “What would you think if the amount were two million and two hundred thousand?” He said: “I do not think that you would be able to clear off the debts. If you find it difficult let me know.”

Az-Zubair (May Allah bepleased with him) had purchased the land in Al-Ghabah for a hundred and seventy thousand. `Abdullah sold it for a million and six hundred thousand, and declared that whosoever had a claim against Az-Zubair (May Allah bepleased with him) should see him in Al-Ghabah. `Abdullah bin Ja`far (May Allah bepleased with him) came to him and said: “Az-Zubair (May Allah bepleased with him) owed me four hundred thousand, but I would remit the debt if you wish.” `Abdullah (May Allah bepleased with him) said: “No.” Ibn Ja`far said: “If you would desire for postponement I would postpone the recovery of it.” `Abdullah said: “No.” Ibn Ja`far then said: “In that case, measure out a plot for me.” `Abdullah marked out a plot. Thus he sold the land and discharged his father’s debt. There remained out of the land four and a half shares. He then visited Mu`awiyah who had with him at the time `Amr bin `Uthman, Al-Mundhir bin Az-Zubair and Ibn Zam`ah (May Allah bepleased with them). Mu`awiyah (May Allah bepleased with him) said: “What price did you put on the land in Al-Ghabah?” He said: “One hundred thousand for a each share. Mu`awiyah inquired: “How much of it is left?” `Abdullah said: “Four and a half shares.” Al-Mundhir bin Az-Zubair said: “I will buy one share for a hundred thousand”. `Amr bin `Uthman said: “I will buy one share for a hundred thousand”. Ibn Zam`ah said: “I will buy one share for a hundred thousand.” Then Mu`awiyah asked: “How much of it is now left?” `Abdullah said: “One and a half share. Mu`awiyah said: “I will take it for one hundred and fifty thousand.” Later `Abdullah bin Ja`far sold his share to Mu`awiyah for six hundred thousand.

When `Abdullah bin Az-Zubair (May Allah bepleased with him) finished the debts, the heirs of Az-Zubair (May Allah bepleased with him) asked him to distribute the inheritance among them. He said: “I will not do that until I announce during four successive Hajj seasons: `Let he who has a claim against Az-Zubair come forward and we shall discharge it.”’ He made this declaration on four Hajj seasons and then distributed the inheritance among the heirs of Az-Zubair (May Allah bepleased with him) according to his will. Az-Zubair (May Allah bepleased with him) had four wives. Each of them received a million and two hundred thousand. Thus Az-Zubair’s total property was amounted to fifty million and two hundred thousand.
[Al-Bukhari]

Rights of Neighbors

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Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 39
Rights of Neighbors

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

303. Ibn `Umar and `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Jibril kept recommending treating neighbours with kindness until I thought he would assign a share of inheritance”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

304. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) commanded me thus, “O Abu Dharr! Whenever you prepare a broth, put plenty of water in it, and and give some of it to your neighbours”.
[Muslim].

    In another narration of Muslim, narrated Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him): My friend, (Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) advised me saying, “Whenever you prepare a broth, put plenty of water in it, and give some to your neighbours and then give them out of this with courtesy.”

305. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer.” It was asked, “Who is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “One whose neighbour does not feel safe from his evil”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration of Muslim is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He will not enter Jannah whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct”.

306. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Muslim women! No one of you should consider insignificant (a gift) to give to her neighbour even if it is (a gift of) the trotters of a sheep”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

307. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No one should prohibit his neighbour from placing a peg in his wall”. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) added: Now I see you turning away from this (Sunnah), but by Allah, I shall go on proclaiming it.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

308. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him not harm his neighbour; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him speak good or remain silent”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

309. Abu Shuraih Al-Khuza`i (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be kind to his neighbour; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him either speak good or remain silent”.
[Muslim].

310. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), I have two neighbours, to which of them should I send a present?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “To the one whose door is nearer to you”.
[Al-Bukhari]

311. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best of companions with Allah is the one who is best to his companions, and the best of neighbours to Allah is the one who is the best of them to his neighbour”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

Intercession

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Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 30
Intercession

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Whosoever intercedes for a good cause will have the reward thereof.” (4:85)

246. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever a needy person would come to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), he would turn to those who were present and say, “If you make intercession for him, you will be rewarded, because Allah decreed what He likes by the tongue of His Messenger”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

247. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah bepleased with them), reported in connection with the case of Barirah  (May Allah bepleased with her) and her husband: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to her, “It is better for you to go back to your husband.” She asked: “O Messenger of Allah, do you order me to do so.” He replied, “I only intercede” She then said: “I have no need for him”.
[Al-Bukhari].

 

Reverence towards the Sanctity of the Muslims

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Chapter 27
Reverence towards the Sanctity of the Muslims

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“And whosoever honours the Symbols of Allah, then it is truly from the piety of the heart”. (22:32)

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

“…if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind”. (5:32)

222. Abu Musa (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The relationship of the believer with another believer is like (the bricks of) a building, each strengthens the other.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) illustrated this by interlacing the fingers of both his hands.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

223. Abu Musa (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever enters our mosque or passes through our market with arrows with him, he should hold them by their heads lest it should injure any of the Muslims”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

224. Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

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

226. `Aishah (May Allah bepleased with her) reported: Some bedouins came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and asked: “Do you kiss your children?” He said, “Yes”. They then said: “By Allah, we do not kiss them.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “I cannot help you if Allah has snatched kindness from your hearts”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

227. Jarir bin `Abdullah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who is not merciful to people Allah will not be merciful to him.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

228. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you leads the Salat, he should not prolong it because the congregation includes those who are feeble, ill or old”. One version adds: “those who have to attend to work”) While offering prayers alone, you may pray as long as you like”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

229. `Aishah (May Allah bepleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would sometimes abstain from doing something he wished to do, lest others should follow him and it might become obligatory upon them.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

230. `Aishah (May Allah bepleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibited his Companions out of mercy for them, from observing continuous fasting without a break. They said: “But you observe fast continuously”. He replied, “I am not like you. I spend the night while my Rubb provides me with food and drink”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

231. Abu Qatadah Al-Harith bin Rib`i (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I stand up to lead Salat with the intention of prolonging it. Then I hear the crying of an infant and I shorten the Salat lest I should make it burdensome for his mother”.
[Al-Bukhari].

232. Jundub bin Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When anyone offers the Fajr (dawn) prayer, in congregation, he is in the Protection of Allah. So let not Allah call him to account, withdrawing, in any respect, His Protection. Because, He will get hold of him and throw him down on his face in the Hell-fire.’‘
[Muslim]

233. Ibn `Umar (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim. So he should not oppress him nor should he hand him over to (his satan or to his self which is inclined to evil). Whoever fulfills the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs; whoever removes the troubles of his brother, Allah will remove one of his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and whoever covers up the fault of a Muslim, Allah will cover up his fault on the Day of Resurrection”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

234. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Muslim is a brother to a Muslim. He should neither deceive him nor lie to him, nor leave him without assistance. Everything belonging to a Muslim is inviolable for a Muslim; his honour, his blood and property. Piety is here (and he pointed out to his chest thrice). It is enough for a Muslim to commit evil by despising his Muslim brother.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

235. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not envy one another; do not inflate prices by overbidding against one another; do not hate one another; do not harbour malice against one another; and do not enter into commercial transaction when others have entered into that (transaction); but be you, O slaves of Allah, as brothers. A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim; he neither oppresses him nor does he look down upon him, nor does he humiliate him. Piety is here, (and he pointed to his chest three times). It is enough evil for a Muslim to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother-in-faith: his blood, his property and his honour”.
[Muslim].

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

237. Anas (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed”. A man enquired: “O Messenger of Allah! I help him when he is oppressed, but how can I help him when he is an oppressor?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You can keep him from committing oppression. That will be your help to him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

238. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A believer owes another believer five rights: responding to greetings, visiting him in illness, following his funeral, accepting his invitation, and saying `Yarhamuk-Allah (May Allah have mercy on you),’ when he says `Al-hamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah)’ after sneezing”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

  Muslim’s narration is, “There are six rights of a Muslim upon a Muslim: When you meet him, greet him; when he invites you, respond to him; when he seeks counsel, give him advice; when he sneezes and praises Allah, say to him: `May Allah have mercy on you (Yarhamuk-Allah)’; when he is sick, visit him; and when he dies, follow his funeral”.

239. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) commanded us to observe seven things and forbade us seven. He ordered us to visit the sick; to follow funeral processions; to respond to a sneezer with `Yarhamuk-Allah (May Allah have mercy on you)’ when he says `Al-hamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah),’ to help the oppressed and to help others to fulfill their oaths, to accept invitation and to promote greeting. He forbade us to wear gold rings, to drink in silver utensils, to use Mayathir (silk carpets placed on saddles), to wear Al-Qassiy (a kind of silk cloth) to wear fine silk brocade.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Calling to right guidance and forbidding depravity

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Chapter 20
Calling to right guidance and forbidding depravity

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And invite (men) to (believe in) your Rubb [i.e., in the Oneness (Tauhid) of Allah – (1) Oneness of the Rububiyah of Allah; (2) Oneness of the worship of Allah; (3) Oneness of the Name and Qualities of Allah]. (28:87)

“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)

“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety)”. (5:2)

“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam).” (3:104)

173. Abu Mas`ud `Uqbah bin `Amr Al-Ansari Al-Badri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever guides someone to virtue will be rewarded equivalent to him who practices that good action”.
[Muslim].

174. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If anyone calls others to follow right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those who follow him (in righteousness) without their reward being diminished in any respect, and if anyone invites others to follow error, the sin, will be equivalent to that of the people who follow him (in sinfulness) without their sins being diminished in any respect”.
[Muslim].

175. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said on the day of the Khaibar Battle, “I will give this banner to a person at whose hands Allah will grant victory; a man who loves Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and Allah and His Messenger love him also.” The people spent the night thinking as to whom it would be given. When it was morning, the people hastened to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Every one of them was hoping that the banner would be given to him. He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) asked, “Where is `Ali bin Abu Talib?” They said: “O Messenger of Allah! His eyes are sore.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then sent for him and when he came, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) applied his saliva to his eyes and supplicated. `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) recovered as if he had no ailment at all. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) conferred upon him the banner. `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “O Messenger of Allah, shall I fight against them until they are like us?” Thereupon he (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “Advance cautiously until you reach their open places; thereafter, invite them to Islam and inform them what is obligatory for them from the Rights of Allah, for, by Allah, if Allah guides even one person through you that is better for you than possessing a whole lot of red camels”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

176.  Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A young man from the tribe of Aslam said, “O Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), I wish to fight (in the Cause of Allah) but I do not have anything to equip myself with (for fighting)”. He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “Go to so-and-so, for he had equipped himself (for fighting) but he fell ill.” So he (the young man) went to him and said, “Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sends you his greetings and says that you should give me the equipment that you have provided yourself with.” The man said (to his wife or servant): “O so-and-so, give him the equipment I have collected for myself and do not withhold anything from him. By Allah, if you withhold anything from him, we will not be blessed therein”.
[Muslim].

Superiority of Poor, Weak and unrenowned Muslims

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Chapter 32
Superiority of Poor, Weak and unrenowned Muslims

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“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.” (18:28)

252. Harithah bin Wahb (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Shall I not inform you about the people of Jannah? It is every person who is, modest and humble (before Allah), a person who is accounted weak and is looked down upon but if he adjures Allah, Allah will certainly give him what he desires. Now shall I not inform you about the inmates of Hell? It is every violent, impertinent and proud man”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

253. Sahl bin Sa`d As-Sa`idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man passed by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), so he asked a man who was sitting near him, “What is your opinion about this man?” That man replied: “He is one of the noblest men. By Allah he is certainly a proper person for (a girl) being given in marriage if he seeks to marry, and his recommendation is fit to be accepted if he recommends”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) remained silent. Then another man passed. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) enquired, “What is your opinion about this man?” He replied: “O Messenger of Allah, he is one of the poor Muslims. He is not a proper person (for a girl) to be given in marriage to, and his recommendation would not be accepted if he makes one; if he speaks, he is not to be listened to.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He is better than the former by earthfuls”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

254. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: There was a dispute between the Hell and Jannah. The Hell said: “The haughty and proud are my inmates.” Jannah said: “The modest and the humble are my residents”. Thereupon, Allah the Exalted and Glorious (addressing Jannah) said: “You are My Mercy, through you I shall show mercy to those whom I wish”. (And addressing the Hell), He said: “You are (the means) of My punishment by which I shall punish such of My slaves as I wish and each one of you would have its fill”.
[Muslim].

255. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, there will be brought forth a bulky person whose value to Allah will be less than that of the wing of a mosquito”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

256. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A black woman (or probably a young man) used to clean the mosque. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) missed her (or him) and asked about her (or him). He was told that she (or he) had died. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Why did you not inform me?” (It seemed as if) they (Companions) considered the matter insignificant. Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Show me her (or his) grave.” When it was shown to him, he offered (Janazah-funeral) prayer over it and said, “These graves cover those in them with darkness, and Allah illumines them for the inmates as a result of my supplication for them”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

257. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Many a person with shaggy and dusty hair, dusty and driven away from doors (because of their poverty and shabby clothes) were to swear by Allah (that something would happen), Allah will certainly make it happen”.
[Muslim].

258. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I stood at the gate of Jannah, and (I saw) that the majority of those who entered it are the poor, and the wealthy were kept confined. The inmates of the Fire had been ordered to (enter) the Fire (Hell), and I stood at the gate of Hell and saw that the majority of its inmates are women”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

259. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “None spoke in the cradle but only three (persons), Isa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary), the second one was the companion of Juraij who was a pious person. Juraij took a secluded monastery for worship and confined himself in it. His mother came to him as he was busy in prayer and she called: `Juraij.’ He said: `My Rubb, my mother (is calling me while I am engaged in) my prayer.’ He continued with the prayer. She returned and she came on the next day and he was (still) busy in prayer. She called: `Juraij.’ And he said: `My Rubb, my mother (is calling me while I am engaged) in prayer, and he continued with the prayer,’ and she returned. Then on the next day she again came while he was busy in prayer and called: `Juraij.’ And he said: `My Rubb, my mother (is calling me while I am engaged) in my prayer.’ And he continued with the prayer. She said: `My Rubb, don’t let him die until he has seen the faces of the prostitutes.’ The story of Juraij and that of his meditation and prayer spread amongst Banu Israel. There was a prostitute who had been a beauty personified. She said (to the people): `If you like, I can lure him to evil.’ She presented herself to him but he paid no heed (to her). She came to a shepherd who lived near the temple and she offered herself to him. He (the shepherd) had sexual intercourse with her and so she became pregnant. When she gave birth to a baby she said: `This is from Juraij.’ So they came and asked Juraij to get down and demolished the temple and began to beat him. He asked them what the matter was. They said: `You have committed fornication with this prostitute and she has given birth to a baby from you.’ He said: `Where is the baby?’ They brought him (the baby) and then he said: `Just leave me so that I should perform prayer.’ He performed prayer and when he finished, he lifted the baby in his stomach and asked him: `O boy, who is your father?’ The baby answered: `He is such and such a shepherd.’ So, the people turned towards Juraij, kissed him and touched him (for seeking blessing) and said: `We are prepared to construct your temple with gold.’ He said, `No just, rebuild it with mud as it had been,’ and so they did”. (The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) continued:) “Then there was a baby who was sucking at his mother’s breast when a person dressed in fine garment came on a priceless riding animal’s back. His mother said: `O Allah, make my child like this one.’ He (the babe) left sucking and looked at him, and said: `O Allah, don’t make me like him.’ He then returned to the breast and resumed sucking.’‘ He (Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: As though I can see Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as he is illustrating the scene of his sucking milk with his forefinger in his mouth and sucking that. He (Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)) further reported Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as saying, “There happened to pass by them a slave girl who was being beaten and they were saying: `You have committed fornication and theft.’ She was saying: `Allah is enough for me and He is my Good Protector, and his mother said: `O Allah, don’t make my child like her.’ He left sucking looked at her and said: `O Allah! Make me like her.’ It was followed by a conversation between the mother and the child. She said: `A good looking man happened to pass by and I said: O Allah, make my child like him, and you said: O Allah, don’t make me like him, and there passed a girl while they were beating her and saying: You committed fornication and theft, and I said: O Allah, don’t make my child like her, and you said: O Allah, make me like her.’ The child said: `That man was a tyrant, and I said: O Allah don’t make me like him; and they were saying about the girl: You committed fornication, whereas in fact she had not committed that and they were saying: You have committed theft, whereas she had not committed theft, so I said: O Allah, make me like her”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The Righteous conduct on Regular base

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Chapter 15
The Righteous conduct on Regular base

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah’s Reminder (this Qur’an), and that which has been revealed of the truth, 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)

“And We sent `Isa (Jesus) – son of Maryam (Mary), and gave him the Injeel (Gospel). And We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him, compassion and mercy. But the monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them, but (they sought it) only to please Allah therewith, but that they did not observe it with the right observance.” (57:27)

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

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

And there are Ahadith, one of them is narrated by `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her): Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) liked that act of worship most in the performance of which a person was regular and constant.
[Muslim].

153. `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Should anyone fall asleep at night and fail to recite his portion of the Qur’an, or a part of it, if he recites it between the Fajr prayer and the Zuhr prayer, it will be recorded for him as though he had recited it during the night”.
[Muslim].

154. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) 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].

155.  `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) missed the optional night Salat (Tahajjud) due to pain or any other reason, he would perform twelve Rak`ah during the day time.
[Muslim].

Spending favorite things for Allah’s sake

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Chapter 37
Spending favorite things for Allah’s sake

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness – here it means Allah’s reward, i.e., Jannah), unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love.” (3:92)

“O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it.” (2:267)

297. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) was the richest among the Ansar of Al-Madinah and possessed the largest property from palm-trees, and among his possessions what he loved most, was his garden known as Bairuha’ which was opposite the mosque, and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) often visited it and drank from its fresh water. When this Ayah was revealed: “By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness – here it means Allah’s reward, i.e., Jannah), unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love,” (3:92), Abu Talhah came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “Allah says in His Book: `By no means shall you attain Al-Birr, unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love,‘ and the dearest of my property is Bairuha’ so I have given it as Sadaqah (charity) for Allah’s sake, and I anticipate its reward with Him; so spend it, O Messenger of Allah, as Allah guides you.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Well-done! That is profit earning property. I have heard what you have said, but I think you should spend it on your nearest relatives.” So Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) distributed it among nearest relatives and cousins.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Assistance towards righteousness and piety

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Chapter 21
Assistance towards righteousness and piety

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety)”. (5:2)

“By Al-`Asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss. Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth [i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma`ruf) which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar) which Allah has forbidden], and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allah’s Cause during preaching His religion of Islamic Monotheism or Jihad)”. (103:1-3)

177.  Khalid Al-Juhani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who equips a warrior in the way of Allah (will get the reward of the one who has actually gone for Jihad); and he who looks after the family of a warrior in the way of Allah will get the reward of the one who has gone for Jihad”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

178. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent a detachment to Banu Lahyan tribe and remarked, “Let one of every two men get ready to advance, and both will earn the same reward”.
[Muslim].

179. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came across a party of mounted men at Ar-Rauha and asked them, “Who are you?” They answered: “We are Muslims, and who are you?” He said, “I am the Messenger of Allah.’‘ A woman from among them lifted a boy up to him and asked: “Can this one go on Hajj?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Yes, and you will have the reward.”
[Muslim].

180. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The honest Muslim trustee who carries out duties assigned to him (in another narration he said, “Who gives”), and he gives that in full, with his heart overflowing with cheerfulness, to whom he is ordered, he is one of the two givers of charity”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Chastisement for one who enjoins good and forbids evil but acts otherwise

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Chapter 24
Chastisement for one who enjoins good and forbids evil but acts otherwise

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Enjoin you Al-Birr (piety and righteousness and every act of obedience to Allah) on the people and you forget (to practise it) yourselves, while you recite the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah)]! Have you then no sense?”. (2:44)

“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)

“(Shu`aib said:) I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you.” (11:88)

198. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and will be cast into Hell, and his intestines will pour forth and he will go round them as a donkey goes round a millstone. The inmates of Hell will gather round him and say: `What has happened to you, O so-and-so? Were you not enjoining us to do good and forbidding us to do evil?’ He will reply: `I was enjoining you to do good, but was not doing it myself; and I was forbidding you to do evil, but was doing it myself”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Unlawfulness of Oppression and Restoring Others Rights

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Chapter 26
Unlawfulness of Oppression and Restoring Others Rights

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“There will be no friend, nor an intercessor for the Zalimun (polytheists and the wrongdoers), who could be given heed to.” (40:18)

“And for the Zalimun (wrongdoers, polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) there is no helper.” (22:71)

203. Jabir bin `Abdullah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Beware of injustice, for oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection; and beware of stinginess because it doomed those who were before you. It incited them to shed blood and treat the unlawful as lawful.”
[Muslim]

204. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Resurrection Day, the rights will be paid to those to whom they are due so much so that a hornless sheep will be retaliated for by punishing the horned sheep which broke its horns”.
[Muslim].

205. Ibn `Umar (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: We were talking about the Farewell Pilgrimage without knowing what was it when Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was also present. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) stood up and recited the Praise and Glorification of Allah. He then gave a detailed account of Ad-Dajjal and said, ‘Every Prophet sent by Allah had warned his people against his mischief. Nuh (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) )warned his nation and so did all the Prophets after him. If he (i.e., Ad-Dajjal) appears among you, his condition will not remain hidden from you. Your Rubb is not one-eyed, but Ad-Dajjal is. His right eye is protruding like a swollen grape. Listen, Allah has made your blood, and your properties as inviolable as of this day of yours (i.e., the Day of Sacrifice), in this city of yours (i.e., Makkah), in this month of yours (i.e., Dhul -Hijjah). Listen, have I conveyed Allah’s Message to you?’‘ The people replied in affirmative. There upon he said, “O Allah, bear witness.” And he repeated it thrice. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) concluded: “Do not revert after me as infidels killing one another”.
[Al-Bukhari].

206. `Aishah (May Allah bepleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever usurps unlawfully even a hand span of land a collar measuring seven times (this) land will be placed around his neck on the Day of Resurrection”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

207.  Abu Musa (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, Allah gives respite to the oppressor. But when He seizes him, He does not let him escape.” Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) recited, “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”. (11:102).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

208. Mu`adh (May Allah bepleased with him) reported that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent me (as a governor of Yemen) and instructed me thus: “You will go to the people of the Book. First call them to testify that `there is no true god except Allah, that I am (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) the Messenger of Allah.’ If they obey you, tell them that Allah has enjoined upon them five Salat (prayers) during the day and night; and if they obey you, inform them that Allah has made Zakat obligatory upon them; that it should be collected from their rich and distributed among their poor; and if they obey you refrain from picking up (as a share of Zakat) the best of their wealth. Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier  between it and Allah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

209. Abu Humaid bin Sa`d As-Sa`idi (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) employed a man from the tribe of Al-Azd named Ibn Lutbiyyah as collector of Zakat. When the employee returned (with the collections) he said: “(O Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)!) This is for you and this is mine because it was presented to me as gift.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) rose to the pulpit and praised Allah and extolled Him. Then he said, “I employ a man to do a job and he comes and says: `This is for you and this has been presented to me as gift’? Why did he not remain in the house of his father or the house of his mother and see whether gifts will be given to him or not? By Allah in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, if any one of you took anything wrongfully, he will bring it on the Day of Resurrection, carrying it on (his back), I will not recognize anyone of you, on the Day of Resurrection with a grunting camel, or a bellowing cow, or a bleating ewe.” Then he raised his hands till we could see the whiteness of his armpits. Then he said thrice, “O Allah ! have I conveyed (Your Commandments)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

210. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who has done a wrong affecting his brother’s honour or anything else, let him ask his forgiveness today before the time (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) when he will have neither a dinar nor a dirham. If he has done some good deeds, a portion equal to his wrong doings will be subtracted from them; but if he has no good deeds, he will be burdened with the evil deeds of the one he had wronged in the same proportion”.
[Al-Bukhari].

211. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the Muslims are safe; and a Muhajir (Emigrant) is the one who refrains from what Allah has forbidden”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

212. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: A man named Kirkirah, who was in charge of the personal effects of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed away and the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He is in the (Hell) Fire.” Some people went to his house looking for its cause and found there a cloak that he had stolen. [Al-Bukhari]

213. Abu Bakrah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Time has completed its cycle and has come to the state of the day when Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year consists of twelve months of which four are inviolable; three of them consecutive – Dhul-Qa`dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram and Rajab, the month of Mudar (tribe), which comes between Jumada and Sha`ban. What month is this?” We said, “Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) know better”. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) remained silent for some time until we thought that he would give it a name other than its real name. Then asked, “Is it not (the month of) Dhul-Hijjah?”. We replied in the affirmative. He asked, “Which city is this?”. We replied: “Allah and His Messenger know better”. He remained silent until we thought that he would give it another name. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Is it not Al-Baldah (Makkah)?” We said: “Yes”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “What day is this?”. We said: “Allah and His Messenger know better.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) remained silent until we thought that he would give it another name. He asked, “Is it not the day of An-Nahr (the sacrifice)?”. We replied in the affirmative. Thereupon he said, “Your blood, your property and your honour are inviolable to you all like the inviolablity of this day of yours, in this city of yours and in this month of yours. You will soon meet your Rubb and He will ask you about your deeds. So do not turn to disbelief after me by striking the necks of one another. Behold! Let him who is present here convey (this message ) to him who is absent; for many a person to whom a message is conveyed has more retentive memory than the one who hears it.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) again said, “Have I conveyed the message to you? Behold! Have I conveyed the Commandments (of Allah) to you.” We submitted: “Yes”. He then said, “O Allah, bear witness (to this)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

214. Abu Umamah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah decrees the (Hell) Fire and debars Jannah for the one who usurps the rights of a believer by taking a false oath.” One man asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Even if it should be for an insignificant thing?” He said, “Even if it be a stick of the Arak tree (i.e., the tree from which Miswak sticks are taken)”.
[Muslim].

215. `Adi bin `Umairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever among you is appointed by us to a position and he conceals from us even a needle or less, it will amount to misappropriation and he will be called upon to restore it on the Day of Resurrection”. (`Adi bin `Umairah added:) A black man from the Ansar stood up – I can see him still – and said: “O Messenger of Allah, take back from me your assignment.” He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “What has happened to you?” The man replied: “I have heard you saying such and such.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I say that even now: Whosoever from you is appointed by us to a position, he should render an account of everything, big or small, and whatever he is given therefrom, he should take and he should desist from taking what is unlawful”.
[Muslim].

216.  `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: On the day (of the battle) of Khaibar, some Companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came and remarked: “So-and-so is a martyr and so-and-so is a martyr”. When they came to a man about whom they said: “So-and-so is a martyr,” the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) declared, “No. I have seen him in Hell for a mantle (or cloak) which he has stolen”.
[Muslim].

217. Abu Qatadah Al-Harith bin Rib`i (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Faith in Allah and striving in His Cause (Jihad) are the deeds of highest merit.” A man stood up said: “O Messenger of Allah! Tell me if I am killed in the Cause of Allah, will all my sins be forgiven?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Yes, if you are killed in the Cause of Allah while you are patient, hopeful of your reward and marching forward not retreating.” Then the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to him, “Repeat what you have said.” The man said: “Tell me if I am killed in the Cause of Allah, will all my sins be remitted?”. He replied, “Yes, if you are martyred while you are patient, hopeful of your reward and march forward without retreating, unless, if you owe any debt, that will not be remitted. Angel Jibril told me that”.
[Muslim].

218. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do you know who is the bankrupt?” They said: “The bankrupt among us is one who has neither money with him nor any property”. He said, “The real bankrupt of my Ummah would be he who would come on the Day of Resurrection with Salat, Saum and Sadaqah (charity), (but he will find himself bankrupt on that day as he will have exhausted the good deeds) because he reviled others, brought calumny against others, unlawfully devoured the wealth of others, shed the blood of others and beat others; so his good deeds would be credited to the account of those (who suffered at his hand). If his good deeds fall short to clear the account, their sins would be entered in his account and he would be thrown in the (Hell) Fire”.
[Muslim].

219. Umm Salamah (May Allah bepleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, I am only a human and the claimants bring to me (their disputes); perhaps some of them are more eloquent than others. I judge according to what I hear from them). So, he whom I, by my judgment, (give the undue share) out of the right of a Muslim, I in fact give him a portion of (Hell) Fire”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

220. Ibn `Umar (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A believer continues to guard his Faith (and thus hopes for Allah’s Mercy) so long as he does not shed blood unjustly”.
[Al-Bukhari].

221.  Khaulah bint `Thamir (May Allah bepleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Many people misappropriate (acquire wrongfully) Allah’s Property (meaning Muslims’ property). These people will be cast in Hell on the Day of Resurrection”.
[Al-Bukhari].

Sustentation of the Members of the Family

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Chapter 36
Sustentation of the Members of the Family

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“The father of the child shall bear the cost of the mother’s food and clothing on a reasonable basis”. (2:233)

“Let the rich man spend according to his means, and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him”. (65:7)

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

289. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A dinar you spend in Allah’s way, or to free a slave, or as a charity you give to a needy person, or to support your family, the one yielding the greatest reward is that which you spend on your family”.
[Muslim].

290. Thauban bin Bujdud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most excellent dinar is one that a person spends on his family, and the dinar which he spends on his riding-animal in the way of Allah (in Jihad), and the dinar he spends on his companions in the way of Allah”.
[Muslim].

291. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), “Would I be rewarded for what I spend on Abu Salamah’s sons? For I can’t let them go here and there (to beg people).” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Spend on them and you will be rewarded for what you spend on them”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

292. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in a Hadith included in the chapter of Intention, that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whatever you spend seeking thereby the Pleasure of Allah, will have its reward, even the morsel which you put in the mouth of your wife”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

293. Abu Mas`ud Al-Badri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When someone spends on his family seeking his reward for it from Allah, it is counted as a charity from him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

294. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Neglecting one’s own dependents is a reason enough for a man to commit a sin”.
[Abu Dawud]

The narration in Muslim is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is enough sin for a person to hold back the due of one whose provision is in his hand”.

295. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Two angels descend every morning, and one says: `O Allah, give him who spends something, in place of what he spends.’ The other one says: `O Allah, give destruction to him who withholds”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

296. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The upper hand is better than the lower one (i.e., the spending hand is better than the receiving hand); and begin (charity) with those who are under your care; and the best charity is that which given out of surplus; and he who asks (Allah) to help him abstain from the unlawful and the forbidden, Allah will fulfill his wish; and he who seeks self-sufficiency will be made self-sufficient by Allah”.
[Al-Bukhari].

Warning against persecution of the Pious, the Weak and the Indigent

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Chapter 48
Warning against persecution of the Pious, the Weak and the Indigent

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

389. Jundub bin Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who performs the Fajr (dawn) prayer comes under the Protection of Allah, so beware lest Allah questions you about what you owe Him. For if He questions anyone of you and he falls short of fulfilling the duty which he owes Him, He will requite and then throw upon his face into the Hell-fire”.
[Muslim].

Enjoining Good and forbidding Evil

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Chapter 23
Enjoining Good and forbidding Evil

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma`ruf (i.e., Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.” (3:104)

“You (true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and his Sunnah) are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma`ruf (i.e., Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden)”. (3:110)

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

“The believers, men and women, are Auliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma`ruf (i.e., Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e., polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden)”. (9:71)

“Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawud (David) and `Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds. They used not to forbid one another from the Munkar (wrong, evildoing, sins, polytheism, disbelief) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do”. (5:78,79)

“And say: `The truth is from your Rubb.’ Then whosoever wills, let him believe; and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve”. (18:29)

“Therefore proclaim openly (Allah’s Message – Islamic Monotheism) that which you are commanded…” (15:94)

“We rescued those who forbade evil, but with a severe torment. We seized those who did wrong because they used to rebel against Allah’s Command (disobey Allah)”. (7:165)

184. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever amongst you sees an evil, he must change it with his hand; if he is  unable to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is unable to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest form of Faith”.
[Muslim].

185. Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Never a Prophet had been sent before me by Allah to his people but he had, among his people, (his) disciples and companions, who followed his ways and obeyed his command. Then there came after them their successors who proclaimed what they did not practise, and practised what they were not commanded to do. And (he) who strove against them with his hand is a believer; he who strove against them with his heart is a believer; and he who strove against them with his tongue is a believer ; and beyond that there is no grain of Faith”.
[Muslim].

186. `Ubadah bin As-Samit (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We swore allegiance to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to hear and obey; in time of difficulty and in prosperity, in hardship and in ease, to endure being discriminated against and not to dispute about rule with those in power, except in case of evident infidelity regarding which there is a proof from Allah. We swore allegiance to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to say what was right wherever we were, and not to fear from anyone’s reproach.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

187. Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The likeness of the man who observes the limits prescribed by Allah and that of the man who transgresses them is like the people who get on board a ship after casting lots. Some of them are in its lower deck and some of them in its upper (deck). Those who are in its lower (deck), when they require water, go to the occupants of the upper deck, and say to them : `If we make a hole in the bottom of the ship, we shall not harm you.’ If they (the occupants of the upper deck) leave them to carry out their design they all will be drowned. But if they do not let them go ahead (with their plan), all of them will remain safe”.
[Al-Bukhari].

188. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You will have rulers some of whom you approve and some of whom you will disapprove. He who dislikes them will be safe, and he who expresses disapproval will be safe, but he who is pleased and follows them (will be indeed sinful)”. His audience asked: “Shall we not fight them?” He replied, “No, as long as they establish Salat amongst you”.
[Muslim].

189. Zainab  (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came to visit me one day frightened and he ü said, “La ilaha illallah (There is no true God but Allah). Woe to the Arabs because of an evil which has drawn near! Today an opening of this size has been made in the barrier restraining Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog people).” And he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made a circle with his thumb and index finger. I said, “O Messenger of Allah! Shall we perish while still there will be righteous people among us?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Yes, when wickedness prevails”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

190. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Beware of sitting on roads (ways).” The people said: “We have but them as sitting places.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If you have to sit there, then observe the rights of the way”. They asked, “What are the rights of the way?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “To lower your gaze (on seeing what is illegal to look at), and (removal of harmful objects), returning greetings, enjoining good and forbidding wrong”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

191. `Abdullah bin `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saw a man wearing a gold ring. So he (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) pulled it off and threw it away, saying, “One of you takes a live coal, and puts it on his hand.” It was said to the man after Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had left: “Take your ring (of gold) and utilize it,” whereupon he said: “No, by Allah, I would never take it when Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has thrown it away”.
[Muslim].

192. Abu Sa`id Al-Hasan Basri reported: `Aidh bin `Amr (the Companion) (May Allah be pleased with him) visited `Ubaidullah bin Ziyad (the ruler) and said to him: “Son, I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `The worst shepherds (rulers) are those who deal harshly in respect of supervision. Beware, Don’t be one of them!”’ Ibn Ziyad said to him, “Sit down, you are but husk from among the Companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).” `Aidh bin `Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) retorted: “Was there any husk among them? Surely, husk came after them and among others than them”.
[Muslim].

193. Hudhaifah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand my life is, you either enjoin good and forbid evil, or Allah will certainly soon send His punishment to you. Then you will make supplication and it will not be accepted”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

194. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best type of Jihad (striving in the way of Allah) is speaking a true word in the presence of a tyrant ruler.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

195. Abu `Abdullah Tariq bin Shihab (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: A person asked the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) (when he had just put his foot in the stirrup): “What is the highest form of Jihad?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Speaking the truth in the presence of a tyrant ruler”.
[An-Nasa’i].

196. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The first defect (in religion) which affected the Children of Israel in the way that man would meet another and say to him: `Fear Allah and abstain from what you are doing, for this is not lawful for you.’ Then he would meet him the next day and find no change in him, but this would not prevent him from eating with him, drinking with him and sitting in his assemblies. When it came to this, Allah led their hearts into evil ways on account of their association with others.” Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) recited, “Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawud (David) and `Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds. They used not to forbid one another from the Munkar (wrong, evildoing, sins, polytheism, disbelief) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do. You see many of them taking the disbelievers as their Auliya’ (protectors and helpers). Evil indeed is that which their own selves have sent forward before them; for that (reason) Allah’s wrath fell upon them and in torment will they abide. And had they believed in Allah and in the Prophet (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) and in what has been revealed to him, never would they have taken them (the disbelievers) as Auliya’ (protectors and helpers); but many of them are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” (5:78-81)

Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) continued: “Nay, by Allah, you either enjoin good and forbid evil and catch hold of the hand of the oppressor and persuade him to act justly and stick to the truth, or, Allah will involve the hearts of some of you with the hearts of others and will curse you as He had cursed them”.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

The wording in At-Tirmidhi is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the Children of Israel became sinful, their learned men prohibited them but they would not turn back. Yet, the learned men associated with them and ate and drank with them. So, they were cursed at the tongues of Dawud and `Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), because they were disobedient and were given to transgression.” At this stage Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who was reclining on a pillow sat up and said, “No, By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, there is no escape for you but you persuade them to act justly.”

197. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: “O you people! You recite this Verse: `O you who believe! Take care of your ownselves. If you follow the (right) guidance [and enjoin what is right (Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbid what is wrong (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden)] no hurt can come to you from those who are in error.’ (5:105) But I have heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “When people see an oppressor but do not prevent him from (doing evil), it is likely that Allah will punish them all.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Making Judgment of people keeping in view their evident actions andleaving their hidden Actions to Allah (swt)

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Chapter 49
Making Judgment of people keeping in view their evident actions and leaving
their hidden Actions to Allah (swt)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-As-Salat), and give Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (9:5)

390. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I have been commanded (by Allah) to fight people until they testify that there is no true god except Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and perform Salat and pay Zakat. If they do so, they will have protection of their blood and property from me except when justified by Islam, and then account is left to Allah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

391. Abu Abdullah bin Tariq bin Ashyam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who professes La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah), and denies of everything which the people worship besides Allah, his property and blood become inviolable, and it is for Allah to call him to account”.
[Muslim].

392. Al-Miqdad bin Al-Aswad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said, “Tell me, O Messenger of Allah, if I meet an infidel, and we fight together, and he cuts off my hands with his sword, then hides from me behind a tree and (then) says he has submitted himself to Allah. Shall I kill him after he has said it?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Do not kill him.” I submitted, “But O Messenger of Allah, he cut off one of my hands and only then he said it.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then replied, “Do not kill him, for if you do so, he will be in the position in which you were before you killed him (i.e., he will be considered a Muslim and thus his life will be inviolable), and you will be in the position in which he was before he made his testimony (i.e., your life will not be inviolable, for his heirs can ask for Qisas)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

393. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent us to Huraqat, a tribe of Juhainah. We attacked that tribe early in the morning and defeated them, (then) a man from the Ansar and I caught hold of a man (of the defeated tribe). When we overcame him, he said: `La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah).’ At that moment, the Ansari spared him, but I attacked him with my spear and killed him. By the time we went back to Al-Madinah, news had already reached Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). He said to me, “O Usamah, did you kill him after he professed La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah)?’‘ I said, “O Messenger of Allah! He professed it only to save his life.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) repeated, “Did you kill him after he had professed La ilaha illallah?” He went on repeating this to me until I wished I had not embraced Islam before that day (so that I would have not committed this sin).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Did you kill him in spite of his professing La ilaha illallah?” I said, “O Messenger of Allah! He said out of fear of our arms.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Why did you not cut his heart open to find out whether he had done so sincerely or not?” He continued repeating it until I wished that I had embraced Islam only that day.

394. Jundub bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) dispatched a contingent of the Muslims to a tribe of the polytheists. The two sides met (in combat) at one place. A man among the polytheists was so dashing that, whenever he intended to kill a man from Muslims, he killed him. Amongst the Muslims, too, was a man looking forward to (an opportunity of) his (polytheist’s) unmindfulness. He (the narrator) said: We talked that he was Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him). When he raised his sword, he (the soldier of the polytheists) uttered: “La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah).” But he (Usamah bin Zaid) killed him. When the good news of victory reached Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) he asked him (about the events of the battle), and he informed him about the man (Usamah) and what he had done. He (Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) sent for him and asked him why he had killed him. He (Usamah) said, “O Messenger of Allah, he struck the Muslims and killed such and such of them.” And he named some of them. (He continued): “I attacked him and when he saw the sword he said: `La ilaha illallah.”’ Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Did you kill him?” He (Usamah) replied in the affirmative. The Messenger of Allah then remarked, “What would you do with regard to (the utterance): La ilaha illallah, when it comes (before you) on the Day of Resurrection?” He (Usamah) said, “O Messenger of Allah! Beg forgiveness for me”. He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “What would you do with regard to (the utterance): La ilaha illallah, when it comes (before you) on the Day of Resurrection?” He (Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) added nothing to it but kept repeating, “What would you do with regard to (the utterance): La ilaha illallah, when it comes (before you) on the Day of Resurrection?”.
[Muslim].

395. `Abdullah bin `Utbah bin Mas`ud reported: I heard `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported saying: “In the lifetime of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) some people were called to account through Revelation. Now Revelation has discontinued and we shall judge you by your apparent acts. Whoever displays to us good, we shall grant him peace and security, and treat him as a near one. We have nothing to do with his insight. Allah will call him to account for that. But whosoever shows evil to us, we shall not grant him security nor shall we believe him, even if he professed that his intention is good.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Recommendations with regard to Women

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Chapter 34
Recommendations with regard to Women

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“… and live with them honourably”. (4:19)

“You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire, so do not incline too much to one of them (by giving her more of your time and provision) so as to leave the other hanging (i.e., neither divorced nor married). And if you do justice, and do all that is right, and fear Allah by keeping away from all that is wrong, then Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (4:129)

273. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Take my advice with regard to women: Act kindly towards women, for they were created from a rib, and the most crooked part of a rib is its uppermost. If you attempt to straighten it; you will break it, and if you leave it alone it will remain crooked; so act kindly toward women”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In another narration of Al-Bukhari and Muslim, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “A woman is like a rib, if you attempt to straighten it, you will break it; and if you benefit from her, you will do so while crookedness remains in her”.

In another narration of Muslim, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Woman has been created from a rib and will in no way be straightened for you; so if you want to benefit from her, you will benefit from her while crookedness remains in her. If you attempt to straighten her, you will break her, and breaking her is divorcing her”.

274. `Abdullah bin Zam`ah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) giving a speech when he mentioned the she-camel (of Prophet Salih) and the man who had killed her. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “When the most wicked man among them went forth (to kill the she-camel).’ (91:12) signifies that a distinguished, wicked and most powerful chief of the people jumped up to kill the she-camel.” Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made mention of women and said, “Some of you beat your wives as if they were slaves, and then lie with them at the end of the day”.

Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) admonished them against laughing at another’s passing of wind, saying, “Why does any of you laugh at another doing what he does himself”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

275. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A believer must not hate (his wife) believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics he will be pleased with another”.
[Muslim].

276. `Amr bin Al-Ahwas Al-Jushami (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he had heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying on his Farewell Pilgrimage, after praising and glorifying Allah and admonishing people, “Treat women kindly, they are like captives in your hands; you do not owe anything else from them. In case they are guilty of open indecency, then do not share their beds and beat them lightly but if they return to obedience, do not have recourse to anything else against them. You have rights over your wives and they have their rights over you. Your right is that they shall not permit anyone you dislike to enter your home, and their right is that you should treat them well in the matter of food and clothing”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

277. Mu`awiyah bin Haidah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “What right can any wife demand of her husband?” He replied, “You should give her food when you eat, clothe her when you clothe yourself, not strike her on the face, and do not revile her or separate from her except in the house”.
[Abu Dawud].

278. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The believers who show the most perfect Faith are those who have the best behaviour, and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

279. Iyas bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not beat Allah’s bondwomen.” When `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and complained saying: “The women have become very daring towards their husbands,” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) gave permission to beat them. Then many women went to the family of the Messenger of Allah (wives) complaining of their husbands, and he (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “Many women have gone round Muhammad’s family complaining of their husbands. Those who do so, that is, those who take to beating their wives, are not the best among you”.
[Abu Dawud].

280. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The world is but a (quick passing) enjoyment; and the best enjoyment of the world is a pious and virtuous woman”.
[Muslim].

Signs of Allah’s love for His slaves and the efforts for its Achievement

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Chapter 47
Signs of Allah’s love for His slaves and the efforts for its Achievement

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“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. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”’ (3:31)

“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, fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (5:54)

386. 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 treats with hostility 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 (voluntary prayers or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) until I love him, (so much so that) I become his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me something, I will surely give him, and if he seeks My Protection (refuge), I will surely protect him”.
[Al-Bukhari]

387. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When Allah loves a slave, calls out Jibril and says: `I love so-and-so; so love him’. Then Jibril loves him. After that he (Jibril) announces to the inhabitants of heavens that Allah loves so-and-so; so love him; and the inhabitants of the heavens (the angels) also love him and then make people on earth love him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 Another narration of Muslim is: Messenger of Allah, (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “When Allah loves a slave, He calls Jibril (Gabriel) and says: `I love so-and-so; so love him.’ And then Jibril loves him. Then he (Jibril) announces in the heavens saying: Allah loves so-and-so; so love him; then the inhabitants of the heavens (the angels) also love him; and then people on earth love him. And when Allah hates a slave, He calls Jibril and says: `I hate so-and-so, so hate him.’ Then Jibril also hates him. He (Jibril) then announces amongst the inhabitants of heavens: `Verily, Allah hates so-and-so, so you also hate him.’ Thus they also start to hate him. Then he becomes the object of hatred on the earth also”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

388. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah, (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) appointed a man in charge of an army unit who led them in Salat (prayer); he always concluded his recitation with Surat Al-Ikhlas: “Say (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)): ‘He is Allah, (the) One. Allah-us-Samad (Allah – the Self-Sufficient). He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none equal or comparable to Him.”’ (112:1-4) Upon their return to Al-Madinah, they mentioned this to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), who said, “Ask him why he does so?” He was asked and he said, “This Surah contains the Attributes of Allah, the Gracious, and I love to recite it. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then told them, “Tell him that Allah loves him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Excellence of Good Hopes

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Chapter 52
Excellence of Good Hopes

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“(And the man who believed said:) `… and my affair I leave it to Allah. Verily, Allah is the All-Seer of (His) slaves.’ So Allah saved him from the evils that they plotted (against him)”. (40:44,45)

440. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah says: `I am just as My slave thinks of Me when he remembers Me.’ By Allah! Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than one of you who unexpectedly finds in the desert his lost camel. `He who comes closer to Me one span, I come closer to him a cubit; and he who comes closer to Me a cubit, I come closer to him a fathom; and if he comes to Me walking, I come to him running”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

441. Jabir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying three days before his death: “Let none of you die unless he has good expectations from Allah”.
[Muslim].

442. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, has said: `O son of adam, I forgive you as long as you pray to Me and hope for My forgiveness, whatever sins you have committed. O son of  ‘Adam, I do not care if your sins reach the height of the heaven, then you ask for my forgiveness, I would forgive you. O son of  ‘Adam, if you come to Me with an earth load of sins, and meet Me associating nothing to Me, I would match it with an earthload of forgiveness.”’
[At-Tirmidhi].

Fulfillment of the needs of the Muslims

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Fulfillment of the needs of the Muslims

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“… and do good that you may be successful”. (22:77).

244. Ibn `Umar (May Allah bepleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Muslim is a brother of (another) Muslim, he neither wrongs him nor does hand him over to one who does him wrong. If anyone fulfills his brother’s needs, Allah will fulfill his needs; if one relieves a Muslim of his troubles, Allah will relieve his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and if anyone covers up a Muslim (his sins), Allah will cover him up (his sins) on the Resurrection Day”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

245. Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who removes from a believer one of his difficulties of this world, Allah will remove one of his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and he who finds relief for a hard-pressed person, Allah will make things easy for him on the Day of Resurrection; he who covers up (the faults and sins) of a Muslim, Allah will cover up (his faults and sins) in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah supports His slave as long as the slave is supportive of his brother; and he who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allah makes that path easy, leading to Jannah for him; the people who assemble in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah, learning it and teaching, there descends upon them the tranquillity, and mercy covers them, the angels flock around them, and Allah mentions them in the presence of those near Him; and he who lags behind in doing good deeds, his noble lineage will not make him go ahead.”
[Muslim]

Urging towards increasing Good Actions in later part of Life

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Urging towards increasing Good
Actions in later part of Life

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Did We not give you lives long enough, so that whosoever would receive admonition, – could receive it? And the warner came to you.” (35:37)

Ibn `Abbas and others said that “long enough” in the Verse means sixty years. The Hadith which follows supports this. Others said it means eighteen years; Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Al-Kalbi and Masruq said it means forty years, it has also been reported by Ibn Abbas and others that whenever the people of Al-Madinah turned forty years of age, they would devote themselves completely to worship. “Long enough” in the Verse has also been interpreted to mean the age of puberty. Ibn `Abbas and the majority of Muslim scholars said that the “warner” in the Verse refers to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). `Ikrimah bin `Umaiyyah and others interpreted this word as the grayness or whiteness of hair”. Allah knows better.

112.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah excuses and grants forgiveness to a person until he attains the age of sixty years”.
[Al-Bukhari].

113. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) used to make me sit with the noble elderly men who had participated in the battle of Badr. Some of them disliked it and said to `Umar: “Why do you bring in this boy to sit with us when we have sons like him?” `Umar replied: “Because of the status he has, which you already know about (i.e., belongs to the source of knowledge and the house of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)).” One day, `Umar called me and seated me in the gathering of those people; and I think that he called me just to show them (of my religious knowledge). `Umar then questioned them (in my presence). “How do you interpret the ayah of Allah: `When there comes the Help of Allah (to you, O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) against your enemies) and the Conquest (of Makkah).”‘ Someone said that when Allah’s Help and the Conquest (of Makkah) came to us, we were called upon to celebrate the Praise of Allah and ask for His forgiveness. Some others remained silent and did not utter a word. Thereupon `Umar asked me: “Ibn `Abbas! Do you say the same.” I replied: “No”. He said: “What do you say then?” I replied: “That is the sign of the Prophet’s death about which he had been informed. Allah, the Exalted, says:

‘When there comes the help of Allah (to you, O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) against your enemies) and the Conquest (of Makkah)’.

So declare the remoteness of your Rubb from every imperfection, and ask for His forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives”.

On that `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “I do not know anything about it other than what you have said”.
[Al-Bukhari]

114.  ‘ Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: After the revelation of (the Surah) “When the Help of Allah comes (to you, O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) against your enemies) and the Conquest (of Makkah)” (110:1), Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to recite in every prayer: “Subhanaka Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahum-maghfir li (Far removed You are from every imperfection, our Rubb, and all praise is for You, forgive me, O Allah)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) recited frequently in bowing and prostration: “Subhanaka Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahum-maghfir li. (Far removed You are from every imperfection, our Rubb, and all praise is for You, forgive me, O Allah)”. He elucidated that it has been commanded in the Noble Qur’an to recite: “So glorify the Praises of your Rubb, and ask for His forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives”. (V.110:1) And he (the Messenger of Allah) acted upon it.

According to the narration in Muslim, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) frequently recited these words just before he passed away: “Subhanaka Rabbana wa bihamdika. Astaghfiruka wa atubu ilaika.” I (`Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) asked him: “O Messenger of Allah! What are these new words which I hear from you repeatedly.” He replied, “A sign has been appointed for me relating to my people that I should repeat these words at the sight of that sign”. Then he recited Surat An-Nasr.

Another narration in Muslim related from `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) often recited, “Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him; I seek forgiveness of Allah and turn to Him in repentance.” I said to him: “O Messenger of Allah, I hear you recite frequently: `O Allah, You are free from every imperfection our Rubb and all praise is for You; I seek forgiveness of Allah and turn to Him in repentance.”’ He replied, “My Rubb has informed me that I would soon see a sign regarding my people, whenever I see it, I repeat this statement more often (of His Glorification and Praise and beg pardon of Him and turn to Him). Now I have witnessed the sign. The revelation of Surat An-Nasr and the victory is the conquest of Makkah.”

“When there comes the Help of Allah (to you, O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) against your enemies) and the Conquest (of Makkah). And you see that the people enter Allah’s religion (Islam) in crowds. So glorify the Praises of your Rubb, and ask His forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives.” (110:1-3)

115.  Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah the Rubb of honour and glory sent Revelation to His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) more frequently before his death than at any other time.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

116.  Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Every one will be raised in the condition in which he dies”.
[Muslim].

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