Leading an Abstemious Life and refraining from the Doubtful

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 68
Leading an Abstemious Life and refraining from the Doubtful

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“…you counted it a little thing, while with Allah it was very great.” (24:15)

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

588. An-Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “What is lawful is clear and what is unlawful is clear, but between them are certain doubtful things which many people do not know. So he who guards against doubtful things keeps his religion and his honour blameless. But he who falls into doubtful things falls into that which is unlawful, just as a shepherd who grazes his cattle in the vicinity of a pasture declared prohibited (by the king); he is likely to stray into the pasture. Mind you, every king has a protected pasture and Allah’s involved limits is that which He has declared unlawful. Verily, there is a piece of flesh in the body, if it is healthy, the whole body is healthy,  and if it  is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Verily, it is the heart.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

589. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) found a dry date-fruit lying in the way and said, “Had it not been for fear of being from charity I would have eaten it.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

590. An-Nawwas bin Sam`an (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Piety is good manner, and sin is that which creates doubt and you do not like people to know of it.”
[Muslim].

591. Wabisah bin Ma`bad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he asked me, “Have you come to inquire about piety?” I replied in the affirmative. Then he said, “Ask your heart regarding it. Piety is that which contents the soul and comforts the heart, and sin is that which causes doubts and perturbs the heart, even if people pronounce it lawful and give you verdicts on such matters again and again.”
[Ahmad and Ad-Darmi].

592. `Uqbah bin Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he had married a daughter of Abu Ihab bin `Aziz and a woman came to him and said she had suckled both `Uqbah and the woman whom he had married, to which he replied: “I am not aware that you suckled me, and you did not inform me.” So he (`Uqbah) rode to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in Al-Madinah and put the matter before him. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “How can you continue (to be her husband) after what you have been told?” `Uqbah (May Allah be pleased with him) therefore divorced her and she married another man.
[Al-Bukhari].

593. Hasan bin `Ali (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I have retained these words of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), “Leave what causes you doubt and turn to what does not cause you doubt.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

594. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) had a slave who brought him his earnings and Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) would eat from it. One day he brought him something and when Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) had eaten some of it, the slave asked him whether he knew where he had got that (food) from, Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) asked what it was, and he replied: I acted as a soothsayer for a man in the pre-Islamic period, and not being good at it, I deceived him; today he met me and he rewarded me for that soothsaying what you have eaten. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) put his hand in his mouth and vomited up all that he had eaten.
[Al-Bukhari].

595. Nafi` (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) fixed the payment amounting to four thousand dirhams for each of the early Emigrants, but for his son, he fixed only three thousand five hundred. He was asked: “He is also an (early) Emigrant, why have you fixed a lesser sum for him?” He said: “It was his father who took him along with him. He is not like one who emigrated by himself.”
[Al-Bukhari].

596. `Atiyyah bin `Urwah As-Sa`di (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No one will attain complete righteousness until he abandons (certain) unobjectionable (but doubtful) things so as to remain on his guard against something objectionable.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

Excellence of mixing with People and attending their social activities

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 70
Excellence of mixing with People and attending their social activities

Imam An-Nawawi says: Remember! Mixing with people in the way I have mentioned earlier is most desirable. This was the way of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and other Prophets of Allah, the Righteous Caliphs (May Allah be pleased with them), the followers of the Companions, scholars and pious people. The majority of the followers of the Companions and their followers adopted it. Imam Ash-Sha-fi`i, Imam Ahmad and the majority of other jurists followed it.

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

The Quranic Verses on the subject are many and well-known.

Istikhara (Seeking Guidance from Allah), and Consultation

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

Excellence of meeting with a smiling Countenance and Politeness in Speech

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 88
Excellence of meeting with a smiling Countenance and Politeness in Speech

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you.” (3:159)

693. `Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Guard yourselves against the Fire (of Hell) even if it be only with half a date-fruit (given in charity); and if you cannot afford even that, you should at least say a good word.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

694. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is also charity to utter a good word.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

695. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not disdain a good deed, (no matter how small it may seem) even if it is your meeting with your (Muslim) brother with a cheerful face.”
[Muslim].

Prohibition of Appointing an Aspirant Person to a Public Office ofAuthority

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

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

Indignation against the Transgression of Divine Laws

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Assistance towards righteousness and piety

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
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].

Unlawfulness of Oppression and Restoring Others Rights

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
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].

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

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
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].

Sustentation of the Members of the Family

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
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

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
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].

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

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
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

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
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].

Enjoining Good and forbidding Evil

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
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].

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

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
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

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
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

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 29
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

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 12
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].

Visiting the Pious Persons, loving them and adoption of their company

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 45
Visiting the Pious Persons, loving them and adoption of their company

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And (remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his boy-servant: `I will not give up (travelling) until I reach the junction of the two seas or (until) I spend years and years in travelling”’ (up to) “… Musa (Moses) said to him (Khidr): `May I follow you so that you teach me something of that knowledge (guidance and true path) which you have been taught (by Allah)?”. (18:60-66)

“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 Pleasure.” (18:28)

360. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: After the death of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) : “Let us visit Umm Aiman (May Allah be pleased with her) as Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to visit her”. As we came to her, she wept. They (Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said to her, “What makes you weep? Do you not know that what Allah has in store for His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) is better than (this worldly life)?” She said, “I weep not because I am ignorant of the fact that what is in store for Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) (in the Hereafter) is better than this world, but I weep because the Revelation has ceased to come”. This moved both of them to tears and they began to weep along with her.
[Muslim].

361. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man set out to visit a brother (in Faith) in another town and Allah sent an angel on his way. When the man met the angel, the latter asked him, “Where do you intend to go?” He said, “I intend to visit my brother in this town.” The angel said, “Have you done any favour to him?” He said, “No, I have no desire except to visit him because I love him for the sake of Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious.” Thereupon the angel said, “I am a messenger to you from Allah (to inform you) that Allah loves you as you love him (for His sake)”
[Muslim].

362. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Whosoever visits an ailing person or a brother of his to seek the Pleasure of Allah, an announcer (angel) calls out: `May you be happy, may your walking be blessed, and may you be awarded a dignified position in Jannah”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

363. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “The similitude of good company and that of bad company is that of the owner of musk and of the one blowing the bellows. The owner of musk would either offer you some free of charge, or you would buy it from him, or you smell its pleasant fragrance; and as for the one who blows the bellows (i.e., the blacksmith), he either burns your clothes or you smell a repugnant smell”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

364. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A woman is married for four things: for her wealth, for her lineage, for her beauty or for her piety. Select the pious, may you be blessed!”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

365. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to Jibril (Gabriel), “What prevents you from visiting us more frequently?” Thereupon was revealed the Ayah: “(The angels say:) `And we (angels) descend not except by the Command of your Rubb. To Him belongs what is before us and what is behind us, and what is between those two”.  (19:64)
[Al-Bukhari].

366. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Keep only a believer for a companion and let only a pious eat your food”.
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

367. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Man follows his friend’s religion, you should be careful who you take for friends”.
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

368. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A person will be summoned with the one whom he loves”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked; “What about a person who loves a people but cannot be with them?” (i.e., either he cannot attain their lofty position of righteousness or that he has not met with them in this life). He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “A person will be in the company of those whom he loves”.

369. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A bedouin came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said to him, “When will be the Hour (i.e., the Day of Resurrection)?” He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “What preparation have you made for it?” He said, “Only the love of Allah and His Messenger.” Then Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You will be with those whom you love.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The narration in Muslim is: The man replied: “I have made no significant preparation with regard to Salat (prayer), Saum (fasting) and Sadaqah (charity) but I love Allah and His Messenger”.

370. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! What do you think of a man who loves some people but does not go any nearer to their position?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “A man will be with those whom he loves”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

371. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “People are like gold and silver; those who were best in Jahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance) are best in Islam, if they have religious understanding; and the souls are like recruited soldiers, they get mixed up with those similar with them in qualities and oppose and drift away from those who do not share their qualities”.
[Muslim].

372. Usair bin `Amr (Ibn Jabir) reported: When delegations from Yemen came to the help of (the Muslim army at the time of Jihad)  `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) would ask them, “Is there Owais bin `Amir amongst you?” (He continued searching him) until he met Owais (May Allah be pleased with him). He said, “Are you Owais bin `Amir?” He said, “Yes”. `Umar asked, “Are you from the Qaran branch of the tribe of Murad?” He said, “Yes”. He `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) again said, “Did you suffer from leucoderma and then you were cured from it but for the space of a dirham?” He said, “Yes”. He `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “Is your mother still alive?” He said, “Yes”. He `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `There would come to you Owais bin `Amir with the reinforcement from the people of Yemen. He would be from Qaran (the branch) of Murad. He had been suffering from leucoderma from which he was cured but for a spot of a dirham. He has a mother to whom he is very dutiful. If he were to take an oath in the Name of Allah, Allah would fulfill his oath. And if it is possible for you, ask him to ask forgiveness for you.’ So, ask forgiveness for me”. He Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) did so. `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) then said, “Where do you intend to go?” He said, “To Kufah.” He `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “Let me write a letter for you to its governor,” whereupon he Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “I love to live amongst the poor people”. The following year, a person from among the elite (of Kufah) performed Hajj and he met `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him). `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) asked him about Owais (May Allah be pleased with him). He said, “I left him in a state with meagre means of sustenance in a decayed house.” (Thereupon) `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `There would come to you Owais bin `Amir of Qaran, a branch (of the tribe) of Murad, along with the reinforcement of the people of Yemen. He had been suffering from leucoderma which would have been cured but for the space of a dirham. He has a mother to whom he is very dutiful. Were he to swear, trusting Allah, for something, Allah would fulfill his oath. If you can ask him to pray for forgiveness for you, do so”. This man went to Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) and asked him to pray for forgiveness for him. Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) said to him, “You have just returned from a blessed journey, it is you who should pray for forgiveness for me; and did you meet `Umar?” The man said, “Yes”. `Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) then prayed for forgiveness for him. People became aware of the high status of Owais (May Allah be pleased with him) and he set out following his course.
[Muslim].

  Another narration is: A delegation from Kufah came to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him). Among them was one who used to make fun of Owais (May Allah be pleased with him). `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) enquired, “Is there anyone among you who is from Qaran?” So this man stepped forward. Then `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `A man will come to you from Yemen named Owais. He will have left in the Yemen only his mother. He was suffering from leucoderma and prayed to Allah to be cured of it. So he was cured except for a space of the size of a dinar or a dirham. Whoever of you should meet him should ask him to pray for forgiveness for him.”’

Another narration is: `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `The best one of the next generation (At-Tabi`un) is a man called Owais, he will have a mother and he will be suffering from leucoderma. Go to him and ask him to pray for forgiveness for you”.
[Muslim].

373. `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I sought permission of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to perform `Umrah. He granted me leave and said, “Dear brother! Do not forget us in your supplications”. (`Umar added): This is something I would not exchange for the whole world.

Another narration is: He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Include us, my dear brother, in your supplications.” [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, who categorized the Hadith as Hasan Sahih. Sheikh Salim Al-Hilali in his book “Bahjatun-Nazireen, Sharh Riyad-us-Saliheen” classifies it as “Da`if”, the reason being that `Asim bin `Abdullah is “weak” in narration].

374. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to visit Quba’, either mounted or on foot and would offer two Rak`ah prayer in the mosque there.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to visit the mosque at Quba’ every Saturday (i.e., every week) either mounted or on foot, and Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) used to do the same thing.

Combining Hope and Fear (of Allah)

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 53
Combining Hope and Fear (of Allah)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers.” (7:99)

“Certainly  no  one  despairs  of Allah’s Mercy, except the people who disbelieve.” (12:87)

“On the Day (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) when some faces will become white and some faces will become black…” (3:106)

“Verily, your Rubb is Quick in Retribution (for the disobedient, wicked) and certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (for the obedient and those who beg Allah’s forgiveness).” (7:167)

“Verily, the Abrar (pious and righteous) will be in Delight (Jannah). And verily, the Fujjar (the wicked, disbelievers, sinners and evildoers) will be in the blazing Fire(Hell).” (82:13,14)

“Then as for him whose balance (of good deeds) will be heavy, he will live a pleasant life (in Jannah). But as for him whose balance (of good deeds) will be light, he will have his home in Hawiyah (pit, i.e., Hell)”. (101:6-9)

443. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a believer had full knowledge of the chastisement of Allah, none would covet His Jannah; and were an infidel to know the Mercy Allah has, none would despair of His Jannah”.
[Muslim].

444. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah  (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a dead body is placed on a bier and men carry it on their shoulders, if the deceased was pious, it (the corpse) will say: `Take me in haste’; but if he was not, it will say (to its bearers): `Woe to it. Where are you taking it?’ Everything except man hears its voice. Had a human being heard its voice, he would have surely died”.
[Al-Bukhari].

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