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Category: Tauba (Repentance)

Necessity of approaching Allah with Tawbah and supplication in adversity – Imam Ibn Baz

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Bismillaah

Necessity of approaching Allah with Tawbah and supplication in adversity

From ‘Abdul­‘Aziz ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Baz to every Muslim who reads this:

May Allah help us remember Him and take warnings and lessons from the destinies unfolding before our eyes and lead us to sincere Tawbah (repentance to Allah) from all sins and misdeeds. Amen.

As­salamu ‘alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)

Indeed, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) wills with His Deep Wisdom, absolute Proof, and all­ Encompassing Knowledge to test His Servants with prosperity and adversity, poverty and affluence, blessings and calamities, to try their patience and thankfulness.

Anyone who is patient at the time of adversity, thankful at the time of prosperity, humbles themselves and supplicates to Allah upon facing hardships, acknowledges their sins and shortcomings, and asks Allah for His Mercy and Forgiveness, has succeeded and will be granted the blessed end.

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) revealed in His Book:

Alif­ Lâm ­Mîm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings.] Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allâh will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allâh knows all that before putting them to test).

The Fitnah (trial) mentioned in this Ayah (Qur’anic verse) means the test of faith that makes evident the truthful from the liar, the patient and the thankful, as Allah (Exalted be He) says: “And We have made some of you as a trial for others: will you have patience? And your Lord is Ever All­ Seer (of everything)“. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) further says: “and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And to Us you will be returned.”

And He (may He be Praised) says: “And We tried them with good (blessings) and evil (calamities) in order that they might turn (to Allâh’s Obedience)“. The good refers here to the blessings of fertility, prosperity, good health, honor, victory over enemies, and the like, while the evil here are adversities, such as diseases, domination of the enemy, earthquakes, hurricanes, storms, torrential destructive floods, and the like. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: “Evil (sins and disobedience to Allâh) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds), that He (Allâh) may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allâh, and begging His Pardon)“. This means that Allah (may He be Praised) predestined the good and the evil and the occurrence of corruption for people to return to Al-­Haqq (the Truth), to hurry and make Tawbah from what Allah has forbidden them, and hasten to the obedience of Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him).

Kufr (disbelief) and sins are the cause of all afflictions and evil in this world and the Hereafter, while tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah) and Iman (belief) in Him and His Messengers, obedience to Him and His Messengers, holding fast to His Shari‘ah (Islamic law), Da‘wah (calling) people to it, and refuting those who oppose it, are the causes of all good in this world and in the Hereafter. Perseverance on these principles and enjoining and cooperating in them bring honor in this world and the Hereafter, and salvation from every evil and protection from every Fitnah (trial). Allah (may He be Praised) says: “O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allâh, He will help you, and make your foothold firm. And He (may He be Praised) says: Verily, Allâh will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allâh is All ­Strong, All ­Mighty“. Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) enjoin Iqamat­ as­Salât [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salât (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakât and they enjoin Al­Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid Al­ Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islâm has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur’ân as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allâh rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures). He (Exalted be He) also says:

Allâh has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the land, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islâm). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieves after this, they are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh).

And: And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes).

Allah (may He be Praised) explains in many Ayahs that the afflictions and exemplary punishments that befell the preceding nations, such as floods, devastating winds, the mighty shriek, and being swallowed up by the earth, and the like, were nothing more than the result of their Kufr and sins.

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: “So We punished each (of them) for his sins; of them were some on whom We sent Hâsib (a violent wind with shower of stones) [as on the people of Lût (Lot)], and of them were some who were overtaken by As­-Saihah [torment ­ awful cry. (as Thamûd or Shu‘aib’s people)], and of them were some whom We caused the earth to swallow [as Qârûn (Korah)], and of them were some whom We drowned [as the people of Nûh (Noah), or Fir‘aun (Pharaoh) and his people]. It was not Allâh Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves.”

And He (may He be Praised and Exalted) says: “And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.” (See the Qur’ân Verse 35:45).

Allah orders His Servants to turn to Him in sincere Tawbah (repentance to Allah) and supplicate to Him at the time of adversity, as He (may He be Praised) says:

“O you who believe! Turn to Allâh with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)”.

And He (may He be Praised) says:

“And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful He (may He be Praised) “ also says:

“Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad ىلص ملـسو هـيلع اللها). And We seized them with extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss in health (with calamities) so that they might humble themselves (believe with humility). When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not humble themselves (believe with humility)? But their hearts became hardened, and Shaitân (Satan) made fair­ seeming to them that which they used to do.”

In this glorious Ayah, Allah urges His Slaves and awakens in them the desire that, when they face adversities, such as illness, wounds, fighting, earthquakes, winds, storms, and other tribulations, they should humble themselves to Him in need of Him and ask for His Help. This is the meaning of Allah’s Saying: “When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not humble themselves (believe with humility)?” It asks why they (the preceding nations) did not turn to Allah humbly when they were inflicted with torment. Allah then tells that their hard­ heartedness and the handiwork of Satan, making evil deeds pleasing to them, prevented them from Tawbah, supplication, and beseeching forgiveness. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: “But their hearts became hardened, and Shaitân (Satan) made fair­ seeming to them that which they used to do.”

It is authentically reported that the Rightly ­Guided Caliph, Amir Al ­Mu’minin (Commander of the Believers), ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul­‘Aziz (may Allah be merciful to him), when there was an earthquake during his era, wrote to his agents in the different countries and ordered them to tell the Muslims to make Tawbah to Allah, humble themselves to Him, and seek His Forgiveness from their sins.

All you Muslims know the different types of Fitan (trials) and calamities that prevail in our time, among which is the that the Kafirs have power over the Muslims in Afghanistan, the Philippines, India, Palestine, Lebanon, Ethiopia, and other countries. There have also been earthquakes in Yemen and many countries; devastating floods, and violent hurricanes that have destroyed homes, trees, ships, and other properties; avalanches that have brought about incalculable harm; and famines and droughts in a multitude of countries. All this and much more are the different types of punishment that Allah afflicts upon His Servants due to their Kufr and misdeeds, deviation from His Obedience, zeal for this world and its transient pleasures, and turning away from the Hereafter and failing to prepare for it; except those to whom Allah has shown His Mercy.

There is no doubt that all such adversities obligate Allah’s Servants to hasten to make sincere Tawbah to Him (may He be Praised) from all that He prohibited them from, to return to His Obedience, to rule according to the Shari‘ah (Islamic law), to cooperate in righteousness and piety, and advise one another to adhere to the truth and have patience. The moment the Servants repent to their Lord, humble themselves to Him, and hasten to do what pleases Him: Help you one another in Al­Birr and At­Taqwâ (virtue, righteousness and piety) and enjoin one another to do good and forbid one another from evil, Allah will set their affairs aright and ward off the evil of their enemies, grant them authority in the land, give them victory over their enemies, bestow upon them His Blessings, and protect them from His Punishment. Allah, the Truest Speaker, says: “and (as for) the believers, it was incumbent upon Us to help (them)”.

He (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says:

“Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors. And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope. Surely, Allâh’s Mercy is (ever) near unto the good­ doers”.

And He (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says:

“And (commanding you): “Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves the needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)“.

And:

“Allâh has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the land, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islâm). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided)”

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) further says:

“The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al­Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al­Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); they perform As­Salât (Iqâmat­as­Salât), and give the Zakât, and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Allâh will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allâh is All­ Mighty, All­ Wise”.

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) clarifies in these Ayahs that His Mercy, Benevolence, Protection, and all His other Blessings are granted in full and shall continue to be given in the Hereafter to those who fear Him, believe in Him, obey His Messengers, hold fast to His Shar‘iah (Islamic Law), and make Tawbah to Him from their sins.

But for those who shun His Obedience, are too proud to fulfill the Rights owed to Him, and persist in their Kufr and disobedience, Allah (may He be Praised) threatens them with different punishments in this life and the Hereafter, and shall expedite the share of punishment which He has allotted for them (in this world. ed.), as His wisdom dictates, for them to be an example and warning to others. Allah (may He be Praised) says:

“So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened for them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them (in punishment), and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows. So the root of the people who did wrong was cut off. And all the praises and thanks are to Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn, and all that exists).”

O Muslims! Call yourselves to account for your deeds, make Tawbah to your Lord, and seek His Forgiveness. Hasten to obedience and be on your guard against disobedience, and cooperate in righteousness and piety. Do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good. Be just; indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. Make provision of righteous acts before death befalls you. Show mercy to the weak, help the poor, increase your Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah), ask for His Forgiveness, enjoin that which is good and forbid that which is evil that you may receive mercy. Take admonition from what happened to the preceding nations due to their sins and misdeeds. Indeed, Allah accepts the Tawbah of the penitent, shows mercy to the doers of good, and grants a blessed end to the pious.

Allah (may He be Praised) says: So be patient. Surely, the (good) end is for Al-­Muttaqûn (the pious) And He (Exalted be He) says: Truly, Allâh is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him), and those who are Muhsinûn (good­doers). (See the footenote of V.9:120).

We ask Allah with His Most Beautiful Names and Most High Attributes to show mercy to the Muslims, grant them understanding of the Din (religion), give them victory over His and their enemies among the Kafirs and hypocrites, afflicting them with His Wrath that never will be turned back from the wrongdoers. He is the Guardian and the One Who is Capable of doing so.

May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and Companions, and those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Resurrection.

As­salamu ‘alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)

( Part No : 2, Page No: 127 – 133)

Source: English Translations of Collection of “Majmoo al Fatawa of Ibn Baz”, Volume 2. By: Sheikh `Abdul `Aziz Bin `Abdullah ibn `AbdulRahman ibn Bazz (May Allah forgive and reward al-Firdouse to him and his parents). He was The Mufti of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and Chairman of Department of Scholarly Research and Ifta’.

This English Translation is collected from alifta.net, Portal of the general Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta’

Three Characteristics of The True Signs Of Happiness – Dr. Saleh As-Saleh [Audio|En]

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Bismillaah[Text from Imam Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab’s “Four Rules Regarding Shirk”]

From the Introduction of Author Shaykh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhaab (rahimahullah) :

“I ask Allaah, the Most Generous, Lord of the Great Throne to befriend you in this world and the Hereafter, and to make you blessed wherever you may be. 

And (I ask) that He make you from those who when they are given, are thankful; when they are tested, are patient; and when they sin, seek forgiveness (from Allaah). For indeed these three characteristics are the true signs of happiness.“

Listen to the Explanation of Dr. Saleh As-Saleh (rahimahullaah)

[Download Mp3] [Souncloud Audio Link]

Source for the above Audio: Explanation of The Four Rules (Al-Qawaa’id-ul-Arba’ah) – Dr. Saleh as Saleh [Audio Series|En]. Audio Series based on the explanation of Shaykh Uthaymeen rahimahullah

Explanation from Dr. Muhammad Bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan Al-Khumayyis’ explanation of Four Rules Regarding Shirk

Language:

yatawallaaka (He befriend you) meaning that He take you as a friend (walee) through (His) love, granting of success and guidance.

Explanation:

The author has begun by supplicating and asking Allaah, the Most Generous, Lord of the Great Throne, to befriend the one who reads this book in this world and the Hereafter. As for befriending him in this worldly life, then it is by loving him, guiding him, directing him and assisting him. And as for befriending him in the Hereafter, then it is by showing him mercy and forgiveness, protecting him from the Hellfire and admitting him into Paradise. Then he also supplicates that he be blessed wherever he may be, and that Allaah make him fulfill the meaning of servitude, as well as its stations, which are three:

First: Being thankful for His Blessing. This is at the time when He gives it, as Allaah says:

“Work you, O family of Dawood, with thanks!” [Surah Saba: 13]

And Allaah says:

“And if you are grateful, He will be pleased therewith for you.” [Surah Az-Zumar:7]

And He says:

“And give thanks to Me and do not disbelieve.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 152]

Being thankful for Allaah’s Blessing is shown through the heart by way of affirming, acknowledging and showing gratitude. And it is shown through the tongue by way of speaking about the blessing and praising it. And it is shown through the limbs by way of acting in accordance with what pleases Allaah.

Second: Being patient during tribulations, hard times and with the things that one hates, which befall the people as a test and examination from Allaah. What is obligatory in these situations is that one have patience. Patience means suppressing the heart from being displeased and from despairing; suppressing the tongue from complaining; and suppressing the limbs from those acts that negate and contradict patience. Allaah says:

“And bear with patience whatever befalls you.” [Surah Luqmaan: 17]

And He says:

“And give glad tidings to those who are patient.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 155]

Third: Seeking forgiveness after committing a sin. This is since all of the Son of Aadam (i.e. humans) are sinners. But what is obligatory upon mankind when they should fall into sin is to rush to ask for forgiveness and repentance, as Allaah says:

“And those who when they commit some immoral act (i.e. fornication) or wrong themselves with evil, remember Allaah and so seek (His) forgiveness for their sins. And who is it that forgives sins except Allaah? And they do not persist knowingly in what sins they committed (after that).” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 135]

So these are the three characteristics: Being thankful for (Allaah’s) Blessing, being patient during times of tribulation, and seeking forgiveness after committing a sin. Whoever fulfills all of these will no doubt be from those who will experience happiness. In fact, happiness is linked to these three characteristics more than any others. All of them contain the meanings of Tawheed, submission, compliance and acceptance from Allaah.

Related Links: 

 

Al-Inaabah (Turning Repentantly and Obediently) and its Proof – Shaykh Fawzan | Dawud Burbank [Audio|En]

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Bismillaah

Sharh-ul-Usool-ith-Thalaathah : Lesson 23 Part D
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzan | Dawud Burbank [Audio|English]

[Souncloud Audio Link] 

Al-Inaabah (Turning Repentantly and Obediently) and its Proof

Imaam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab (rahimahullaah) said:

And the proof for al-Inaabah (turning repentantly and obediently) is His saying, He the Most High:

وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ 

So turn in repentance and obedience to your Lord and submit to Him [39:54] 20

[20]: Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzan’s Explanation:

Al-Inaabah: it means returning and it has the meaning of at-Tawbah (repenting), and repenting and al-Inaabah have one and the same meaning. However some of the scholars have said al-Inaabah is more specific than at-Tawbah (repenting), meaning it is more emphasized because it, Inaabah is Tawbah (repenting) but along with turning to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, meaning it is a specific repentance, and a person may repent and leave the sin and not return to it, and he may regret it, however his turning to Allaah may be a weak turning. Whereas al-Inaabah then indeed it means turning towards to Allaah the Mighty and Majestic. And therefore He said:

.. وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ

So turn in repentance and obedience to your Lord and submit to Him …

Meaning turn back to Him and turn fully to Him, He the Perfect and Most High.

مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ ..

… before the punishment comes to you and then you will not be helped [39:54]

When the punishment which destroys and annihilates comes, then repentance will not be accepted from those who repent at that time.

فَلَوْلَا كَانَتْ قَرْيَةٌ آمَنَتْ فَنَفَعَهَا إِيمَانُهَا إِلَّا قَوْمَ يُونُسَ لَمَّا آمَنُوا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمْ عَذَابَ الْخِزْيِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا

Except for the people of Yunus when they believed, then we took away from them the humiliating punishment [10:98]

This was an exception, otherwise when the punishment which destroys descends, then repentance is not accepted, and therefore He said:

مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ ..

.. before the punishment comes to you and then you will not be helped [39:54] 

So at-Tawbah (repenting) and al-Inaabah (turning repentantly and obediently), they have an appointed time and they have a limit, so repentance will not be accepted from the person who is experiencing the death rattle, or someone to whom death comes, and the repentance will not be accepted from one whom the punishment which destroys and annihilates descends upon. And repentance will not be accepted when the sun comes out from its place of setting before the establishment of the Hour. Repentance will not be accepted then. So therefore Allaah encourages the servant upon at-Tawbah (repenting) and al-Inaabah (turning repentantly and obediently) before the time limit comes to its end.

مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ

Before the punishment comes to you and then you will not be helped [39:54]

So the witness is His saying:

وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ

Turn to your Lord repentantly and obediently [39:54]

This indicates that al-Inaabah (turning repentantly and obediently) is a type from the types of worship because He said, “to your Lord”. So this shows that it is a type from the types of worship.

—

Listen to the Full Audio Series:
Sharh Usool-ith-Thalaathah – Shaykh Fawzan | Dawud Burbank

Book Study Resources – Three Fundamental Principles

Related Links:

Excellent advice to the one that returns to sins after repenting – By Shaykh ‘Abdullaah al-Bukhaaree

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Question:

What should a servant do when he is tried with a sin and he repents from it with a repentence where these three affairs (conditions) are fulfilled. But (then) he struggles with his heart regarding that sin, only to find that he fell into it (again).

Shaykh ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Abdirraheem al-Bukhaaree:

May Allaah bless you. I say: a sincere tawbah (repentance) requires an effort. Now, there is no command or prohibition – as Imaam ibn al-Qayyim said – except that Shaytaan (the devil) has two incitements regarding it: either to extremism or to negligence. He (i.e. Shaytaan) doesn’t care by which of these two he becomes victorious [over the servant]! The important thing (to him) is that you leave the Straight Path. Also, from his ways is that he doesn’t want you to be steadfast upon tawbah. He doesn’t want this! Because if you – the one he (Shaytaan) led astray and made fall into sin – are steadfast upon sincere tawbah and you adhere to obedience, he (Shaytaan) loses! Right? And this makes him feel very outraged, because he swore by Allaah:

 (Iblees (Shaytaan)) said: “By Your Might, then I will surely mislead them all, except Your sincere slaves amongst them (faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism).”

[38: 82-83]

May Allaah bless you. Shaytaan beautifies the sin, this is why it has been narrated in the two Saheehs:

“Paradise is surrounded by things which are disliked and Hellfire is surrounded by desires (temptations).”

So this affair requires one to strive hard!

As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths.

[29: 69]

So you must show Allaah that you are truthful!! And this is a kind of test: you repent sincerely, and then the soul which commands evil entices you. So then you are in a struggle between your soul which commands evil and your self-reproaching soul. This is a test to see if your repentance is truthful, if your intention is correct and if you are sincere to Allaah in leaving [this sin]. Just as it is obligatory upon you to be sincere to Allaah in [performing] that which is commanded, it is also obligatory upon you to be sincere to Allaah in leaving [the prohibitions]. It is obligatory that you are sincere to Allaah in leaving [sins]!

And beware, O beloved one! From the greatest means that lead to the servant being deprived of succes, is commiting sins.

We supplicate to the One Who is worshipped (Allaah) during every distress, then we forget Him when the distresses are removed.

How can we hope for an answer to our supplications, while we closed its path with sins.

Ibn Mas’ood, may Allaah be pleased with him, said:

“I consider a man to have forgotten the knowledge that he learned because of a sin he commits.”

[Al-Hilyah by Abu Nu’aym]

So a person should beware! This is why the look is an arrow from the arrows of Iblees, so a person should not continue looking, [listening to] whisperings, [listening to] suggestions [of Shaytaan], listening or other than that. So the more a person continues, the more he increases, and it is feared for him that Raan will cover his heart, about which Allaah said:

Nay! But on their hearts is the Raan (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn. [83:14]

We seek refuge with Allaah! So beware! Sins are dangerous, by Allaah, O brothers! Dangerous and significant! And do not belittle [sins] by saying: “This is an insignificant sin,” “Is it from the minor or major sins?” Beware! In al-Bukhaaree on the authority of Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him:

“You people do (bad) deeds (commit sins) which seem in your eyes tinier than hair, while we used to consider those (very deeds) during the life-time of the Prophet as destructive sins.”

Trust me completely: Whenever you are truthful to Allaah in seeking refuge with Him and throwing yourself with humility before Him with repentance and returning back, He will make you steadfast, He will help you, He will give you success and He will take away from you the most evil of evils, the plot of the sinners and the most evil calamities of the day and night. But whenever you continue [listening to] whisperings and suggestions [of Shaytaan], Shaytaan will cause you to backslide. So beware!

But, the fact that the servant always talks to himself (i.e. reviews himself), that he is aware that Allaah always watches over him in all of his deeds and movements and that he seeks nearness to Him by staying away from sins: this is a proof of his truthfulness, with the permission of Allaah. This heat that you feel because of this struggle in the inside, will result in coldness, certainty and security for you, if you are truthful to Allaah. This is why Allaah, the Majestic and Most High, says:

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allaah, and be with those who are truthful (in words and deeds). [9:119]

Being truthful in words and deeds is a must! In words and deeds! And from the greatest of this, is that we are truthful to Allaah when we seek His forgiveness and when we return back to Him, the Majestic and Mighty! Is this clear, O brothers? So beware of continuing! Strive against your soul!

Trust me completely: it is only a small amount of days. The Prophet – sallal-Laahu ‘alayhi wa sallam – said, as mentioned in as-Saheeh:

“Victory is only an hour of patience.”

This Shaytaan requires struggle (Jihaad)! Right? He requires a great struggle! You have to struggle against him night and day! And the Prophet – sallal-Laahu ‘alayhi wa sallam – has informed us:

“When any one of you goes to sleep, Shaytaan ties three knots at the back of his neck, and says: “You have a long night, so sleep.””

So Shaytaan is with you! And he wages war against you from every place! It is not possible for you to be saved from him, except by seeking refuge with Allaah. This is why Allaah commanded you to seek help from Him and to seek refuge with Him:

Say: “I seek refuge with (Allaah) the Lord of the daybreak.” [113:1]

Say: “I seek refuge with (Allaah) the Lord of mankind.” [114:1]

And the noble, merciful Prophet – the one whom Allaah sent as a mercy to mankind – advised you, guided you, directed you and clarified to you the Path of salvation, which is adhering to the Sunnah:  the adhkaar (supplications) for the morning and the evening [1], the adhkaar for entering and leaving the toilet, sleeping, eating, drinking, etc.

Review yourself! I say: review yourself and examine yourself: are you from those who are steadfast upon the Sunnah or negligent regarding it? How should you call yourself to account except in this way? And praise and thank Allaah that you are alive! Praise and thank Allaah that you are alive! And I have mentioned this to the students and brothers, here or in a previous lesson – I don’t know.

How should this (calling oneself to account) happen? You have a notebook and a pen with you, and you want to know? Call yourself to account before you are called to account! You have a notebook with you [and you write]: Bismillaahi ar-Rahmaani ar-Raheem. Today, saturday or sunday. We start from Fajr; did you wake up before Fajr or after Fajr? [Mention this] to yourself, not in the radio! Did I wake up in time? Did I catch the Sunnah of Fajr or not? Of course before this [you mention]: have I prayed witr or not? Yes/no. Did I pray Fajr in congregation? Yes. Did I catch Takbeeratul-Ihraam? Yes/no. Have I said the adhkaar after the prayer [2]? Yes/no. The adhkaar for the morning and the evening? Yes/no. Did I recite my (daily) part of the Qur’aan? Etc, etc etc. Did I backbite? Have I commited something prohibited? Write down! You will see in the end of the day that you have [written] pages! Yes, no, yes, no… Review [yourself]!Yes: I stay upon the truth. No: review it the next day; are you still upon this or have you left it?

O brothers, this affair is significant! It is not trivial!

..in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years. [70:4]

Anyway, it is a must that we prepare an answer for this Day! We ask Allaah to be kind and gentle to us and you, to give us and you a good ending and to make us all steadfast upon Islaam and Sunnah. And may Allaah raise the rank of the Messenger of Allaah, his family and his Companions and grant them peace.

[1] Authentic adhkaar for the morning and the evening

[2] Authentic adhkaar to be said after the obligatory prayer

Source: http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=127432

Translated by: Yâsîn Abû Ibrâhîm

Verified by: Raha Batts

Seeking Knowledge is the Foundation for the Correctness of your Repentance – Shaykh Ahmad ash-Shihhee

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The following is posted from : Magnificent Points of Advice for those who have turned to the Way of the Salaf – Abu ‘Abdillaah Ahmad bin Muhammad Ash-Shihhee. This book was read to Allaamaah Rabee’ al-Madkhalee who gave some good instructions regarding it.

AUTHOR: Abu ‘Abdillaah Ahmad bin Muhammad ash-Shihhee
SOURCE: His book “Al-Wasaayah as-Saniyyah Lit-Taa’ibeena ilaas-Salafiyyah” (pg. 34-39)
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

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The Second Advice: Seeking Knowledge is the Foundation for the Correctness of your Repentance

So knowledge is the foundation for the correctness of your repentance. This is due to two reasons:

First: For the most part, the misconceptions (you had prior to your repentance) will remain attached to your heart and your mind. So if you do not correct it with beneficial knowledge, you will find yourself accompanied by these misconceptions in your statements, actions and circumstances. Rather, you will find them mixed into your Da’wah (calling to the Way of Allaah), as is the condition of many of those who have leaped from (just) making their repentance to (being active in) the field of Da’wah. So they have begun calling to the Salafee Da’wah, however this call is mixed with the Ikhwaanee misconceptions of gathering people together (regardless of Creed) or the Qutubee misconceptions of making takfeer (declaring Muslims disbelievers) or the Surooree misconceptions of partisanship (hizbiyyah)! So the image displayed is Salafiyyah, but the taste and the smell derived from it is something else!

Therefore, their call turns into a Salafiyyah, which consists of particular standards that can have their roots traced back to the misconceptions they had propr to their repentance, which still accompany them and which they have not yet corrected. So you find this person calling to leadership in Da’wah (i.e. that there should be one leader for organizing all the Da’wah in a land).

And that one rejects some of the principles of the Salafee Da’wah, claiming that they cause the hearts to be hardened! Or that they cause the brotherly ties to be broken! And this one agrees with the Qutubee ideologies!

And that one calls to Hizbiyyah (partisanship)!

And this one carries ideas of instigation and provocation (of the masses)!

And that one pitches the tent for gathering the people together (regardless of differences)!

All of this is done using the name of Salafiyyah, so to Allaah we turn for help! Verily to Allaah we belong and to Him we will return.

Second: Or perhaps you are carried away by the strong current of a misconception, such that your path and road towards repenting to Salafiyyah has changed course. So now you have become confused on this road or you begin calling to it, thinking that it is the truth when it is in fact misguidance!

How many games do these individuals who claim to have knowledge and stand for Salafiyyah play with the youth who seek to repent to Allaah?

And this is due to nothing else except for their lack of seeking knowledge and their lack of asking questions from the people of knowledge from Ahlus-Sunnah walJamaa’ah.

So, O repentant brother, may Allaah grant you success, you must seek beneficial knowledge, because it is that which will correct your repentance and set your path straight. With knowledge, you will free yourself from the misconceptions and the dangers, and you will save yourself from the hunting nets and snares, by the Will and Permission of Allaah.

As for the evidences that indicate the virtue of knowledge and those who possess it, then they are many and well known. I will mention from them, for the purpose of reminding:

Allaah’s saying:

“Allaah bears witness that there is none that has the right to be worshipped but He. And so do the angels, and those having knowledge. (He is always) maintaining His creation with Justice. None has the right to be worshipped but He, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 18]

And His saying:

“It is only those who have knowledge amongst His slaves that fear Allaah.” [Surah Faatir: 28]

And His saying:

“Allaah will raise in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been given knowledge.” [Surah Al-Mujaadilah: 11]

And Allaah’s saying, reminding of the blessing He bestowed on His Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) due to what He sent down to him from the Book (Qur’aan) and the Hikmah (Sunnah) and protecting him from people misleading him:

“Had not the Grace of Allaah and His Mercy been upon you (O Muhammad), a party of them would certainly have made a decision to mislead you, but (in fact) they mislead none except their own selves, and no harm can they do to you in the least. Allaah has sent down to you the Book (Qur’aan) and the Hikmah (Sunnah), and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allaah unto you.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 113]

So, O repentant brother, when you come to know the importance and virtue of knowledge, and the danger of neglecting it, then know that the first thing you should start with from the various branches of knowledge is:

Begin by Learning the Fundamentals of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah

Expiating Oneself and Repenting from Backbiting – Imam Nawawi

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Know that it is required upon everyone that commits a sin to rush towards repenting from it.

Repentance with regard to the rights of Allaah must meet three conditions:

1. One must stop committing that sin immediately,
2. He must feel remorse and sorrow for having done it, and
3. He must resolve to not return to committing that sin again.

Repentance with regard to the rights of humans must meet these same three conditions (listed above), as well as a fourth one, which is:

4. Taking back any oppression that was inflicted on someone or asking for his forgiveness or absolvment from that.

So it is obligatory on a person who has committed backbiting to seek repentance according to these four conditions, because backbiting involves the rights of people, so he must seek the forgiveness of the person he has backbitten.

Is it sufficient for one to just say: “I have backbit you, so please absolve me from (this) sin” or must he inform him also of what he said about him?

There are two views on this according to the Shaafi’ee scholars:

The First: His clarifying what he said (when backbiting) is a condition. So if he is absolved without informing him of what he said, the pardon is not valid, just as if he were to absolve him from (stealing) unidentifiable money.

The Second: His informing him (of what he said) is not a condition, because this is something that one will not be able to tolerate and thus forgive. So his knowing (exactly what was said) is not a condition, contrary to the example of the (stolen) money.

The first opinion is the strongest, since people have the ability to grant forgiveness for certain types of backbiting but not other types.

And if the one who has been backbitten is either dead or absent, then one is excused from seeking to be absolved from it. However, the scholars say: He should supplicate much for that person and ask forgiveness for him, as well as do many good deeds.

Know that it is preferable for the one who has been backbitten to absolve the backbiter from his sin, but it is not an obligation on him to do so. This is because it is giving away and forfeiting one’s right, so the choice is his. However, it is strongly recommended (muta’akkidah) for him to absolve him so that his Muslim brother can be free from the harm of this sin and so that he can be successful in receiving Allaah’s great reward of Forgiveness and Love. Allaah, the Most High, says:

“Those who repress their anger and pardon people. Verily, Allaah loves the good doers.” [Surah Aali ‘Imraan: 134]

The proper way he should take in making himself allow the pardoning is by reminding himself that: “This matter has already happened and there is no way to remove it now. So it is not right for me to make him miss his chance of getting reward and absolving my Muslim brother.”

Allaah says:

“And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives (others), that is truly from the things recommended by Allaah.” [Surah Ash-Shooraa: 43]

And He says:

“Show forgiveness!” [Surah Al-A’raaf: 199]

The ayaat similar to what we mentioned above are many. And in the authentic hadeeth, the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه و سلم said:

“And Allaah remains in the assistance of (His) servant so long as the servant remains in the assistance of his (fellow) brother.” [Saheeh – Reported by Muslim (2699)]

Ash-Shaafi’ee (rahimahullaah) said: “Whosoever is sought to be pleased, yet is not pleased is a devil.”

The people of the past would recite:

“It was said to me: Such and such person has spoken badly of you And when a youth sets out to humiliate, it is a shame So I said: He has come to us and issued an excuse The blood-money (i.e. recompense) for a sin – to us – is the apology.”

So what we have mentioned here concerning the encouragement for one to absolve and forgive a person from backbiting is what is correct. As for what has been reported on Sa’eed bin Al-Musayyib that he said: “I will not forgive the one who has oppressed me” and on Ibn Sireen that he said: “I will not forbid it on him and then make it allowable for him, because Allaah has made backbiting forbidden on him and I will never make permissible what Allaah has made forbidden” then it is either unauthentic or erroneous.

This is since a person that pardons someone is not making something forbidden permissible. Rather, he is only forfeiting a right that is established for him. The texts of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah indicate clearly that it is recommended to forgive and forfeit one’s rights, which are specific to this case. Or perhaps Ibn Sireen’s words can be taken to mean: “I will never permit myself to be backbitten.” This would be correct, for indeed if a person says: “I seek my honor back from the one who backbitten me”, he is not allowing for it to be done. Rather, he is forbidding everyone from backbiting him, just as he forbids others from being backbitten.

As for the hadeeth: “Are you not able to be like Abu Damdam – when he would go out from his home, he would say: ‘I am giving my honor away in charity for the people.’” Meaning: I will not seek justice from those who oppress me whether in this world or the Hereafter. This is useful in removing a transgression that existed before the absolvement, but as for what occurs after it, there must be a new absolvement made after that. And with Allaah lies the success.

Posted from al-ibaanah e-Book: Guarding the Tongue : Imaam an-Nawawee

This Post URL / Link :  http://wp.me/p1VJ3-97w

Repentance: Its Meaning and Conditions – Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan [Video|Ar-En Subtitles]

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Repentance: Its Meaning and Conditions – Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan حفظه الله
Translated by: Aboo ‘Abdil-Fattaah Salaah bin Bernard Brooks
al-Masjid al-Awwal Pittsburgh, PA
http://firstmuslimmosque.com/2014/03/…
Video Courtesy : Bilaal Naheem @ Manhaj ul-Haqq

How Sins can Cause you to Enter Paradise – Imam Ibn a Qayyim

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By Shaykh ul –Islaam Ibn Qayyim aj-Jawzeeyah as-Salafi -Rahimullaah-
Translated by Umm Yahya

Shamsuddeen Muhammad bin Abee Bakr Ibn Qayyim aj-Jawzeeyah (d.751 A.H.) -Rahimullaah- said:

‘Indeed a slave commits a sin and enters Paradise through committing it and he performs a good deed and enters the Hellfire through performing it.’

It was asked ‘How is this (possible)?’

Ibn Qayyim -Rahimullaah- answered:

‘A sin is committed and thus does not cease to be before his eyes (causing him to be) fearful of it, concerned about it frightened and weeping due to his regret of doing it. Feeling ashamed due to this action before his Lord The Most High, with his head lowered between his hands, and his heart broken and despondent due to it.

Therefore that sin will be more beneficial to him than numerous acts of obedience could be. As a consequence these previously mentioned matters are the cause for this slave of Allaah’s happiness and success until that sin will be a reason for him to enter Paradise.

A slave of Allaah performs a good deed and he continues to view it as if he has performed a favour for his Lord and is egotistic due to that good deed, and he is conceited, vain and arrogant due to the sin. So he says I did such and such action (boasting) causing to him to inherit the characteristic of pride, haughtiness and adopting an overbearing attitude.

This becomes the reason for his destruction.

Thus if Allaah Ta’ala intends good for the needy slave He trials him with something in order to bring him down and to lower his neck in humiliation and to decrease his importance to himself. However if Allaah intended for him (the slave) anything other than good He (Allaah) would have left him alone and his vanity and pride and this is the deception which necessitates his destruction.’

[Taken from: ‘al-Waabil as-Sayyib min Kalim at-Tayyib’ By Ibn al-Qayyim page 15]

Repentance – Imaam Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen

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AUTHOR: Imaam Muhammad bin Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen
SOURCE: Sifat Salaat-in-Nabee (pages 49-51)
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

Repentance: Means turning back from disobeying Allaah to obeying Him.

Repentance: Is beloved to Allaah, as He says:

“Verily, Allaah loves those who repent and those who purify themselves.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 222]

Repentance: Is an obligation on every believer.

Allaah says:

“O you who believe! Turn to Allaah in sincere repentance!” [Surah At-Tahreem: 8]

Repentance: Is from the means of attaining success.

Allaah says:

“And O believers, all of you, repent to Allaah in order that you may be successful.” [Surah An-Noor: 31]

Success is when someone gets what he is looking for and is saved from what he is running from.

Through Sincere Repentance: Allaah forgives sins no matter how big they are and no matter how many they are.

Allaah says:

“Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (because of sins), do not despair from the mercy of Allaah. Verily, Allaah forgives all sins. Verily, He is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Surah Az-Zumar: 53]

O my brother who has fallen into sins, do not despair from the mercy of your Lord, for indeed the door to repentance is open until the sun rises from the west. The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Verily, Allaah extends His hand out at night in order to accept the repentance of the sinner by day. And He extends His hand out during the day in order to accept the repentance of the sinner by night, until (the day) when the sun will rise from its west.” [Reported by Muslim]

And how many people have repented to Allaah from numerous and enormous sins and Allaah has accepted their repentance?

Allaah says:

“And those who do not supplicate to another god along with Allaah, nor do they kill a person that Allaah has made forbidden (to kill) except with just cause, nor do they commit fornication. And whoever does this shall receive the punishment. The torment will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection and he will abide therein in disgrace. Except those who repent and believe and do righteous deeds, for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds. And Allaah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Surah Al-Furqaan: 68-70]

Sincere Repentance: Must meet five conditions (in order to be accepted), which are:

1. Sincerity to Allaah, the Most High: This is by the person doing it only for the sake of Allaah and seeking His reward and salvation from His punishment.

2. Remorse: for the sin that was committed, such that he is sad he did it and wishes he had never done it.

3. Ceasing: to commit the sin immediately. If the sin was against Allaah, then he should (1) stop doing it if it was an unlawful act, or (2) hasten to do it if it was an obligation that he abandoned doing. And if the sin was against a created being (such as humans), then he should hasten to free himself from it, whether by returning it back to him or seeking his forgiveness and pardon.

4. Determination: to not go back to doing that sin again in the future.

5. The repentance should not occur before the time when its acceptance is terminated, either by death or by the sun rising from the west. Allaah says: “Repentance is of no effect for those who commit sins constantly until when death faces one of them, he says: Verily I repent now.” The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever repents before the sun rises from its west, Allaah will accept his repentance.” [Reported by Muslim]

O Allaah, grant us the sincere repentance and accept it from us, verily You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

Written by Muhammad As-Saalih Al-‘Uthaimeen 4/17/1406

Repentance

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

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

1- To desist from committing it.

2- To feel sorry for committing it.

3- To decide not to recommit it.

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

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

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

Allah, the, Exalted says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sahih Muslim : Book 37: The Book Pertaining to Repentance and Exhortation to Repentance (Kitab Al-Tauba)

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Translation of Sahih Muslim, Book 37:

The Book Pertaining to Repentance and Exhortation to Repentance (Kitab Al-Tauba)

Chapter 1: EXHORTATION FOR REPENTANCE

Book 037, Number 6610:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: I live in the thought of My servant and I am with him as he remembers Me. (The Holy Prophet) further said: By Allah, Allah is more pleased wth the repentance of His servant than what one of you would do on finding the lost camel in the waterless desert. When he draws near Me by the span of his hand. I draw near him by the length of a cubit and when he draws near Me by the length of a cubit. I draw near him by the length of a fathom and when he draws near Me walking I draw close to him hurriedly.

Book 037, Number 6611:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant when he turns penitently towards Him than one of you would be on finding the lost camel.

Book 037, Number 6612:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira through another chain of transmitters.

Book 037, Number 6613:

Harith b. Suwaid said: I went to see ‘Abdullah to inquire about his health as he was sick and he narrated to us a hadith of Allahs Messenger (may peace be upon him). He heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His believing servant than a person who loses his riding beast carrying food and drink. He sleeps (being disappointed of its recovery) and then gets up and goes in search for that, until he is stricken with thirst. then comes back to the place where he had been before and goes to sleep completely exhausted placing his head upon his hands waiting for death. And when he gets up, lot there is before him his riding beast and his provisions of food and drink. Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than the recovery of this riding beast along with the provisions (of food and drink).

Book 037, Number 6614:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of A’mash through another chain of transmitters.

Book 037, Number 6615:

‘Abdullah reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah is more pleased with the repentance of a believing man. The rest of the hadith is the same.

Book 037, Number 6616:

Nu’man b. Bashir reported: Allah is more pleased with the repentance of a believing servant than of a person who set out on a journey with a provision of food and drink on the back of his camel. He went on until he came to a waterless desert and he felt like sleeping. So he got down under the shade of a tree and was overcome by sleep and his camel ran away. As he got up he tried to see (the camel) standing upon a mound. but did not find it. He then got upon the other mound, but could not see anything. He then climbed upon the third mound but did not see anything until he came back to the place where he had been previously. And as he was sitting (in utter disappointment) there came to him the camel, till that (camel) placed its nosestring in his hand. Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than the person who found (his lost camel) in this very state. Simak reported that Sha’bi was of the opinion that Nu’min traced it to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him). Simak, however, did not hear that himself.

Book 037, Number 6617:

Al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: What is your opinion about the delight of a person whose camel loaded with the provisions of food and drink is lost and that moves about with its nosestring trailing upon the waterless desert in which there is neither food nor drink, and lie wanders about in search of that until he is completely exhausted and then accidentally it happens to pass by the trunk of a tree and its nosestring gets entangled in that and he finds it entangled therein? He (in response to the question of the Holy Prophet) said: Allah’s Messenger, he would feel highly delighted. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said. By Allah, Allah is more delighted at the repentance of His servant than that person (as he finds his lost) camel.

Book 037, Number 6618:

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Allah is more pleased with the repentance of a servant as he turns towards Him for repentance than this that one amongst you is upon the camel in a waterless desert and there is upon (that camel) his provision of food and drink also and it is lost by him, and he having lost all hope (to get tbat) lies down in the shadow and is disappointed about his camel and there he finds that camel standing before him. He takes hold of his nosestring and then out of boundless joy says: 0 Lord, Thou art my servant and I am Thine Lord. He commits this mistake out of extreme delight.

Book 037, Number 6619:

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than if one of you gets up and he finds his camel missing in a waterless desert (and then he accidentally finds it). This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Anas b. Malik through another chain of transmitters.

Chapter 2: THE OBLITERATION OF SINS WITH THE HELP OF SEEKING FORGIVENESS PROM ALLAH

Book 037, Number 6620:

Abu Sirma reported that when the time of the death of Abu Ayyub Ansari drew near, he said: I used to conceal from you a thing which I heard from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and I heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as sayirig: Had you not committed sins, Allah would have brought into existence a creation that would have committed sin (and Allah) would have forgiven them.

Book 037, Number 6621:

Abu Ayyub Ansari reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: If you were not to commit sins, Allah would have swept you out of existence and would have replaced you by another people who have committed sin, and then asked forgiveness from Allah, and He would have granted them pardon.

Book 037, Number 6622:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if you were not to commit sin, Allah would sweep you out of existence and He would replace (you by) those people who would commit sin and seek forgiveness from Allah, and He would have pardoned them.

Chapter 3: THE EXCELLENCE OF CONSTANT REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH AND MEDITATION IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE HEREAFTER AND PERMISSION OF ABANDONING IT AT TIMES AND ATTENDING TO THE AFFAIRS OF THE WORLD

Book 037, Number 6623:

Hanzala Usayyidi, who was amongst the scribes of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him). reported: I met Abu Bakr. He said: Who are you? He (Hanzala) said: Hanzala has turned to be a hypocrite. He (Abu Bakr) said: Hallowed be Allah, what are you saying? Thereupon he said: I say that when we are in the company of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) we ponder over Hell-Fire and Paradise as if we are seeing them with our very eyes and when we are away from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) we attend to our wives, our children, our business; most of these things (pertaining to After-life) slip out of our minds. Abu Bakr said: By Allah, I also experience the same. So I and Abu Bakr went to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said to him: Allah’s Messenger, Hanzala has turned to be a hypocrite. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: What has happened to you? I said: Allah’s Messenger, when we are in your company, we are reminded of Hell-Fire and Paradise as if we are seeing them with our own eyes, but whenever we go away from you and attend to our wives, children and business, much of these things go out of our minds. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if your state of mind remains the same as it is in my presence and you are always busy in remembrance (of Allah), the Angels will shake hands with you in your beds and in your paths but, Hanzala, time should be devoted (to the worldly affairs) and time (should be devoted to prayer and meditation). He (the Holy Prophet) said this thrice.

Book 037, Number 6624:

Hanzala reported: We were in the company of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and he delivered to us a sermon and made a mention of Hell-Fire. Then I came to my house and began to laugh with my children and sport with my wife. (Hanzala) further reported: I went out and met Abu Bakr and made a mention of that to him. Thereupon he said: I have done the same as you have mentioned. So we went to see Allah’s Messenger (way peace be upon him) and said to him: Allah’s Messenger, Hanzala has turned to he a hypocrite. And he (the Holy Prophet) said Show respite. And then I narrated to him the story, and Abu Bakr said: I have done the same as he has done. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Hanzala, there is a time for worldly affairs and a time for (worship and devotion), and if your state of mind is always the same as it is at the time of remembrance of Allah, the Angels would shake hands with you and would greet you on the path by saying: As-Salamu-Alaikum.

Book 037, Number 6625:

Hanzala Taimi Ufayyidi, the scribe of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him), reported: We were in the presence of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and he brought to our minds the problems pertaining to Paradise and Hell-Fire. The rest of the hadith is the same.

Chapter 4: THE MERCY OF ALLAH PREDOMINATES HIS WRATH

Book 037, Number 6626:

Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When Allah created the creation as He was upon the Throne, He put down in His Book: Verily, My mercy predominates My wrath.

Book 037, Number 6627:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: My mercy excels My wrath.

Book 037, Number 6628:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When Allah created the creation, He ordained for Himself and this document is with Him: Verily, My mercy predominates Mv wrath.

Book 037, Number 6629:

Abu Huraira reported: I heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah created mercy in one hundred parts and He retained with Him ninety-nine parts, and He has sent down upon the earth one part, and it is because of this one part that there is mutual love among the creation so much so that the animal lifts up its hoof from its younc, one, fearing that it might harm it.

Book 037, Number 6630:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah created one hundred (parts of mercy) and He distributed one amongst His creation and kept this one hundred excepting one with Himself (for the Day of Resurrection).

Book 037, Number 6631:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There are one hundred (parts of) mercy for Allah and He has sent down out of these one part of mercy upon the jinn and human beings and the insects and it is because of this (one part) that they love one another, show kindness to one another and even the beast treats its young one with affection, and Allah has reserved ninetynine parts of mercy with which He would treat His servants on the Day of Resurrection.

Book 037, Number 6632:

Salman Farisi reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Verily, there are one hundred (parts of) mercy for Allah, and it is one part of this mercy by virtue of which there is mutual love between the people and ninety-nine reserved for the Day of Resurrection.

Book 037, Number 6633:

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Mu’tamir, reported on the authority of his father.

Book 037, Number 6634:

Salman reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Verily, Allah created, on the same very day when He created the heavens and the earth, one hundred parts of mercy. Every part of mercy is coextensive with the space between the heavens. and the earth and He out of this mercy endowed one part to the earth and it is because of this that the mother shows affection to her child and even the beasts and birds show kindness to one another and when there would be the Day of Resurrection, Allah would make full (use of Mercy).

Book 037, Number 6635:

‘Umar b. Khattab reported that there were brought some prisoners to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) amongst whom there was also a woman, who was searching (for someone) and when she found a child amongst the prisoners, she took hold of it, pressed it against her chest and provided it suck. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Do you think this woman would ever afford to throw her child in the Fire? We said: By Allah, so far as it lies in her power, she would never throw the child in Fire. ‘ Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Allah is more kind to His servants than this woman is to her child.

Book 037, Number 6636:

‘Ala’ reported on the authority of his father who reported on the authority of Abu Huraira that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: If a believer were to know the punishment (in Hell) none would have the audacity to aspire for Paradise (but he would earnestly desire to be rescued from Hell), and if a non-believer were to know what is there with Allah as a mercy. none would have been disappointed in regard to Paradise.

Book 037, Number 6637:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that a person who had never done any good deed asked the members of his family to burn his dead body when he would die and to scatter half of its ashes over the land and half in the ocean. By Allah, if Allah finds him in His grip, He would torment him with a torment with which He did not afflict anyone amongst the people of the world; and when the person died, it was done to him as he had commanded (his family) to do. Allah commanded the land to collect (the ashes scattered on it) and He commanded the ocean and that collected (ashes) contained in it. Allah questioned him why he had done. that He said: My Lord, it is out of Thine fear that I have done it and Thou art well aware of it, and Allah granted him pardon:.

Book 037, Number 6638:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that a person committed sin beyond measure and when he was going to die, he left this will: (When I die), bum my dead body and then cast them (the ashes) to the wind and in the ocean. By Allah, if my Lord takes hold of me, He would torment me as He has not tormented anyone else. They did as he had asked them to do. He (the Lord) said to the earth: Return what you have taken. And he was thus restored to his (original form). He (Allah) said to him: What prompted you to do this? He said: My Lord, it was Thine fear or Thine awe, and Allah pardoned him because of this. Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that a woman was thrown into Hell-Fire because of a cat whom she had tied and did not provide it with food. nor did she set it free to cat insects of the euth until it died inch by inch. Zuhri said: (These two ahidith) show that a person rhould neither feel confident (of getting into Paradise) because of his deeds, nor should he lose (all hopes) of getting into Paradise.

Book 037, Number 6639:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that a servant transgressed the litnit in committing sins. The rest of the hadith is the same but there is no mention of the story of the cat in it and in the hadith transmitted on the authority of Ziibaidl (the words are):” Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said to everything which had taken a part of lies ashes to return what it had taken.”

Book 037, Number 6640:

Abu Sa’id Khudri reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said that a person amongst the earlier nations before you was conferred property and children by Allah, He said to his children: ‘You must do as I command you to do, otherwise I will make others besides you as my inheritors. As I die, burn my body and blow my ashes in the wind as I do not find any merit of mine which would please Allah, and if Allah were to take hold of me, He would punish me. He took a pledge from them and they did as he commanded thein to do. Allah said: What prompted you to do this? He said: My Lord. Thine fear, and Allah did not punish him at all.

Book 037, Number 6641:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Shu’ba with the chain of transmitters but with a slight variation of wording and Qatada explained the word” lam yasiru” as:” I find no good in store for rxie in the eye of Allah.”

Chapter 5: REPENTANCE IS ACCEPTED SO LONG AS ONE REPENTS AFTER COMMITTING SINS

Book 037, Number 6642:

Abu Huraira reported from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) that his Lord, the Exalted and Glorious, thus said. A servant committed a sin and he said: O Allah, forgive me my sins, and Allah (the Exalted and Glorious) said: My servant commited a sin and then he came to realise that he has a Lord Who forgives the sins and takes to account (the sinner) for the sin. He then again committed a sin and said: My Lord, forgive me my sin, and Allah, the Exalted and High, said: My servant committed a sin and then came to realise that he has a Lord Who would forgive his sin or would take (him) to account for the sin. He again committed a sin and said: My Lord, forgive me for my sin, and Allah (the Exalted and High) said: My servant sas committed a sin and then came to realise that he has a Lord Who forgives the sins or takes (him) to account for sin. 0 servant, do what you like. I have granted you forgiveness.

‘Abd al-A’la said: I do not know whether he said thrice or four times to do” what you desire”. The hadlth has been narrated on the authority of ‘Abd al-A’la b. Hammad with the same chain of transmitters.

Book 037, Number 6643:

Abu Huraira reported lie heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that a servant committed a sin. The rest of the hadith is the same, but there is a slight variation of wording.

Book 037, Number 6644:

Abu Mu’sa reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, Stretches out His Hand during the night so that the people repent for the fault committed from dawn till dusk and He stretches out His Hand daring the day so that the people may reprint for the fault committed from dusk to dawn. (He would accept repentance) before the sun rises in the west (before the Day of Resurrection). A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of Shu’ba with the same chain of transmitters.

Chapter 6: ALLAH’S SENSE OF HONOUR, AND HIS PROHIBITION OF THE ABOMINABLE ACTS

Book 037, Number 6645:

‘Abdullah reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Nothing is more loveable to Allah than His praise as He has praised Himself and no one is more self-respecting than Allah Himself and it As because of this that He has prohibited abominable acts.

Book 037, Number 6646:

‘Abdullah reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: None is more self-respectidg than Allah and it is because of this that He has prohibited abominable acts-both visible and invisible-and none loves His praise more than Allah Himself.

Book 037, Number 6647:

‘Abdullah b. Mas’ud reported it directly from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) that he said: None is more self-respecting than Allah and it is because of this that He has prohibited abominable acts-both visible and invisible and nothing is loved by Allah more than the praise of His Ownself and it is because of this that He has praised Himself.

Book 037, Number 6648:

Abdullah b. Mas’ud reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: None loves one’s own praise more than Allah, the Exalted and Glurious, does. It is because of this that He has praised Himself, and none is more self-respecting than Allah and it is because of this that He has prohibited abominable acts and there is none who is more anxious to accept the apologies of the people than Allah Himself and it is because of this that He has revealed the Book and sent the Messengers.

Book 037, Number 6649:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah is self-respecting and a believer is also self-respecting and the respect of Allah is injured if a believer does what He has forbidden him to do.

Book 037, Number 6650:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Asma’ daughter of Abu Bakr, through another chain of transmitters.

Book 037, Number 6651:

Abu Salama reported from Abu Huraira that he narrated that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon hin) said: There is none more self-respecting than Allah, the Exalted and Glorious There is no mention of the narration of Asma’.

Book 037, Number 6652:

Asma’ reported that Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: There is none more self-respecting than Allah, the Exalted and Glorious.

Book 037, Number 6653:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him ) as saying: A believer is self-respecting and Allah is extremely self-respecting.

Book 037, Number 6654:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Shu’ba through another chain of transmitters.

Chapter 7: THE WORDS OF ALLAH” THE GOOD DEEDS TAKE AWAY THE EVIL DEEDS”

Book 037, Number 6655:

‘Abdullah b. Mas’ud reported that a person kissed a woman and he came to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) and made a mention of that to him. It was (on this occasion) that this verse was revealed:” And observe prayer at the (two) ends of the day and in the first hours of the night. Surely, good deeds take away evil deeds. That is a reminder for the mindful” (xi. 115). That person said: Allah’s Messenger, does it concern me only? He (the Holy Prophet) said: It concerns every one of my Unimah, who acts according to it.

Book 037, Number 6656:

Ibn Mas’ud reported that a person came to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and told him that he had kissed a woman or touched her with his hand or did something like this. He inquired of him about its expiation. It was (on this occasion) that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, revealed this verse (as mentioned above).

Book 037, Number 6657:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Sulaiman Taimi with the same chain of transmitters that a person had taken liberty with a woman less than fomication. He came to ‘Umar b. Khattab and he took it to be a serious offence. Then he came to Abu Bakr and he also took it to be a serious offence. Then he came the Allahs Apostle (may peace be upon him) and he made a mention of this to him. The rest of the hadith is the same.

Book 037, Number 6658:

‘Abdullah reported that a person came to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) and said: Allah’s Messenger, I sported with a woman in the outskirts of Medina, and I have committed an offence short of fornication. Here I am (before you), kindly deliver verdict about me which you deem fit. Unar said: Allah concealed your fault. You had better conceal it yourself also. Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him), however, gave no reply to him. The man stood up and went away and Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) sent a person after him to call him and be recited this verse:” And observe prayer at the ends of the day and in the first hours of the night. Surely, good deeds take away evil deeds. That is a reminder for the mindful” (xi. 115). A person amongst the people said: Allah’s Apostle, does it concern this marn only? Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: No, but the people at large.

Book 037, Number 6659:

This hadith has been transmitted by Abu al-Ahwas and in this (these words are) also found: Mu’adh said: Allah’s Messenger, does it concern this particular case or to all of us? And he (the Holy Prophet) said: Of course, to all of you.

Book 037, Number 6660:

Anas reported that a person came to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: Allah’s Messenger, I have committed an offence which deserves imposition of haad, so impose it upon me according to the Book of Allah. Thereupon he said: Were you not present with us at the time of prayer? He said: Yes. Thereupon he said: You have been granted pardon.

Book 037, Number 6661:

Abu Umama reported: We were sitting in the mosque in the company of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him). A person came there and said: Allah’s Messenger, I have committed an offence which deserves the imposition of hadd upon me, so impose it upon me. Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) kept silent. He repeated it and said: Allah’s Messenger, I have committed an offence which deserves the imposition of hadd upon me, so impose it upon me. He (the Holy Prophet) kept silent, and it was at this time that Iqama was pronounced for prayer (and the prayer was observed). And when Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) had concluded the payer that person followed Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him). Abu Umama said: I too followed Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) after he had concluded the prayer, so that I should know what answer he would give to that person. That person remained attached to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: Allah’s Messenger, I have committed an offence which deserves imposition of hadd upon me, so impose it upon me. Abu Umama reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said to him: Didn’t you see that as you got out of the house, you performed ablution perfectly well. He said: Allah’s Messenger, of course. I did it. He again said to him: Then you observed prayer along with us. He said: Allah’s Messenger, yes, it is so. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said to him: Verily, Allah has exempted you from the imposition of hadd, or he said. From your sin.

Book 037, Number 6662:

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There was a person before you who had killed ninety-nine persons and then made an inquiry about the learned persons of the world (who could show him the way to salvation). He was directed to a monk. He came to him and told him that he had killed ninety-nine persons and asked him whether there was any scope for his repentance to be accepted. He said: No. He killed him also and thus completed one hundred. He then asked about the learned persons of the earth and he was directed to a scholar, and he told him that he had killed one hundred persons and asked him whether there was any scope for his repentance to be accepted. He said: Yes; what stands between you and the repentance? You better go to such and such land; there are people devoted to prayer and worship and you also worship along with them and do not come to the land of yours since it was an evil land (for you). So he went away and he had hardly covered half the distance when death came to him and there was a dispute between the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment. The angels of mercy said: This man has come as a penitant and remorseful to Allah and the angels of punishment said: He has done no good at all. Then there came another angel in the form of a human being in order to decide between them. He said: You measure the land to which he has drawn near. They measured it and found him nearer to the land where he intended to go (the land of piety), and so the angels of mercy took possession of it. Qatada said that Hasan told him that it was said to them that as death approached him, he crawled upon his chest (and managed) to slip in the land of mercy.

Book 037, Number 6663:

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that a man killed ninety-nine persons and then he began to make an inquiry whether there was any way left for him for repentance. He came to a monk and asked him about that, and he said: There is no chance for repentance for you. He killed the monk also and then began to make an inquiry and moved from one village to another village where there lived pious persons, and as he had covered some distance, he was overtaken by death, but he managed to crawl upon his chest (to the side nearer to the place where the pious men lived). He died and then there was a dispute between the angels of mercy and the angels of punishment and (when it was measured) he was found to be nearer to the village where pious persons were living equal to the Space of a span and he was thus included among them.

Book 037, Number 6664:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Qatida with the same chain of transmitters but (with this variation of wording):” Allah commanded the earth (from where) he wanted to come out to move itself away and to the other earth (where he wanted to go) to draw nearer.”

Chapter 8: THROWING OF NON-BELIEVERS IN HELL-FIRE FOR BELIEVERS AS DIVINE GRACE AND MERCY

Book 037, Number 6665:

Abu Musa’ reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: When it will be the Day of Resurrection Allah would deliver to every Muslim a Jew or a Christian and say: That is your rescue from Hell-Fire.

Book 037, Number 6666:

Abu Burda reported on the authority of his father that Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: No Muslim would die but Allah would admit in his stead a Jew or a Christian in Hell-Fire. ‘Umar b. Abd al-‘Aziz took an oath: By One besides Whom there is no god but He, thrice that his father had narrated that to him from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him).

Book 037, Number 6667:

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of ‘Aun b. Utba.

Book 037, Number 6668:

Abu Burda reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There would come people amongst the Muslims on the Day of Resurrection with as heavy sins as a mountain, and Allah would forgive them and He would place in their stead the Jews and the Christians. (As far as I think), Abu Raub said: I do not know as to who is in doubt. Abu Burda said: I narrated it to ‘Umar b. ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, whereupon he said: Was it your father who narrated it to you from Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him)? I said: Yes.

Book 037, Number 6669:

Safwan b. Muhriz reported that a person said to Ibn ‘Umar: How did you hear Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying something about intimate conversation? He said: I heard him say: A believer will be brought to his Lord, the Exalted and Glorious, on the Day of Resurrection and He would place upon him His veil (of Light) and make him confess his faults and say: Do you recognise (your faults)? He would say: My Lord, I do recognise (them). He (the Lord) would say: I concealed them for you in the world. And today I forgive them. And he would then be given the Book containing (the account of his) good deeds. And so far as the non-believers and hypocrites are concerned, there would be general announcement about them before all creation telling them that these (people, i. e. non-believers and hypocrites) told a lie about Allah.

Chapter 9: PERTAINING TO THE REPENTANCE OF KA’B B. MALIK AND HIS COMPANIONS

Book 037, Number 6670:

Ibn Shihab reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) made an expedition to Tabuk and he (the Holy Prophet) had in his mind (the idea of threatening the) Christians of Arabia in Syria and those of Rome. Ibn Shihab (further) reported that ‘Abd al-Rahman b. ‘Abdullah b. Ka’b informed him that Abdullah b. Ka’b who served as the guide of Ka’b b. ‘Malik as he became blind that he heard Ka’b b. Malik narrate the story of his remaining behind Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) from the Battle of Tabuk. Ka’b b. Malik said: I never remained behind Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) from any expedition which he undertook except the Battle of Tabuk and that of the Battle of Badr. So far as the Battle of Badr is concerned, nobody was blamed for remaining behind as Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and the Muslims (did not set out for attack but for waylaying) the caravan of the Quraish, but it was Allah Who made them confront their enemies without their intention (to do so). I had the honour to be with Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) on the night of ‘Aqaba when we pledged our allegiance to Islam and it was more dear to me than my participation in the Battle of Badr, although Badr was more popular amongst people as compared with that (Tabuk). And this is my story of remaining back from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) on the occasion of the Battle of Tabuk. Never did I possess means enough and (my circumstances) more favourable than at the occasion of this expedition. And, by Allah, I had never before this expedition simultaneously in my possession two rides. Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) set out for this expedition in extremely hot season; the journey was long and the land (which he and his army had to cover) was waterless and he had to confront a large army, so he informed the Muslims about the actual situation (they had to face), so that they should adequately equip themselves for this expedition, and he also told them the destination where he intended to go. And the Muslims who accompanied Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) at that time were large in numbers but there was no proper record of them. Ka’b (further) said: Few were the persons who wanted to absent themselves, and were under the impression that they could easily conceal themselves (and thus remain undetected) until revelations from Allah, the Exalted and Glorious (descended in connection with them).

And Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) set out on an expedition when the fruits were ripe and their shadows had been lengthened. I had weakness for them and it was during this season that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) made preparations and the Muslims too along with them. I also set out in the morning so that I should make preparations along with them but I came back and did nothing and said to myself: I have means enough (to make preparations) as soon as I like. And I went on doing this (postponing my preparations) until people were about to depart and it was in the morning that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) set out and the Muslims too along with him, but I made no preparations. I went early in the morning and came back, but I made no decision. I continued to do so until they (the Muslims) hastened and covered a good deal of distance. I also made up my mind to march on and to meet them. Would that I had done that but perhaps it was not destined for me. After the departure of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as I went out amongst people, I was shocked to find that I did not find anyone like me but people who were labelled as hypocrites or the people whom Allah granted exemption because of their incapacity and Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) took no notice of me until he had reached Tabuk. (One day as he was sitting amongst the people in Tabuk) he said: What has happened to Ka’b b. Malik? A person from Banu’ Salama said: Allah’s Messenger, the (beauty) of his cloak and his appreciation of his sides have allured him and he was thus detained. Mua’dh b. Jabal said: Woe be upon that what you contend. Allah’s Messenger, by Allah, we know nothing about him but good. Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him), however, kept quiet. It was during that time that he (the Holy Prophet) saw a person (dressed in all white (garment) shattering the illusion of eye (mirage).

Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: May he be Abu Khaithama and, lo, it was Abu Khaithama al-Ansari and he was that person who contributed a sa’ of dates and was scoffed at by the hypocrites. Ka’b b. Malik farther said: When this news reached me that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) was on his way back from Tabuk I was greatly perturbed. I thought of fabricating false stories and asked myself how I would save myself from his anger on the following day. In this connection, I sought the help of every prudent man from amongst the members of my family and when it was said to me that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) was about to arrive, all the false ideas banished (from my mind) and I came to the conclusion that nothing could save me but the telling of truth, so I decided to speak the truth and it was in the morning that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) arrived (in Medina). And it was his habit that as he came back from a journey he first went to the mosque and observed two Rak’ahs of nafl prayer (as a mark of gratitude) and then sat amongst people. And as he did that, those who had remained behind him began to put forward their excuses and take an oath before him and they were more than eighty persons. Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) accepted their excuses on the very face of them and accepted their allegiance and sought forgiveness for them and left their secret (intentions) to Allah, until I presented myself to him. I greeted him and he smiled and there was a tinge of anger in that. He (the Holy Prophet) then said to me: Come forward. I went forward until I sat in front of him. He said to me: What kept you back? Could you not afford to go in for a ride? I said: Allah’s Messenger, by Allah, if I were to sit in the presence of anybody else from amongst the worldly people I would have definitely saved myself from his anger on one pretext (or the other) and I have also the knack to fall into argumentation, but, by Allah, I am fully aware of the fact that if I were to put forward before you a false excuse to please you Allah would definitely provoke your wrath upon me, and if I speak the truth you may be annoyed with me, but I hope that Allah would make its end well and, by Allah, there is no valid excuse for me. By Allah, I never possessed so good means, and I never had such favourable conditions for me as I had when I stayed behind you (failed to join the expedition).

Thereupon, Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: This man told the truth, so get up until Allah gives a decision in your case. I stood up and some people of Banu’ Salama followed me in hot haste, and they said to me: By Allah, we do not know about you that you committed a sin prior to this. You, however, showed inability to put forward an excuse before Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as those who stayed behind him have put forward excuses. It would have been enough for the forgiveness of your sin that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) would have sought forgiveness for you. By Allah, they continued to incite me until I thought of going back to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and contradict myself. Then I said to them: Has anyone else also met the same fate? They said: Yes, two persons have met the same fate as has fallen to you and they have made the sane statement as you have made, and the same verdict has been delivered in their case as it has been delivered in your case. I said: Who are they? They said: Murara b. ar-Rabi’a ‘Amiri and Hilal b. Umayya al-Waqafi. They made a mention of these two pious persons to me who had participated in the Battle of Badr and there was an example for me in them. I went away when they named these two persons. Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) forbade the Nluslims to talk with three of us from amongst those (persons) who had stayed behind him. The people began to avoid us and their attitude towards us underwent a change and it seemed as if the whole atmosphere had turned (hostile) against us and it was in fact the same atmosphere ot which I was fully aware and in which I had lived (for a fairly long time). We spent fifty nights in this very state and my two friends confined themselves withen their houses and spent (most of the) time in weeping, but as I was young and strong amongst them I got (out of my house), participated in congregational prayers, moved about in the bazar; but none spoke to me. I came to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as he sat amongst (people) after the prayer, greeted him and asked myself whether his lips stirred in response to my greetings (or not).

Then I observed prayer beside him and looked at him with stealing glances and when I attended to my prayer, he looked at me and when I cast a glance at him he turned away his eyes from me. And when the harsh treatment of the Muslims towards me extended to a (considerable) length of time, I walked until I climbed upon the wall of the garden of Abu Qatada, and he was my cousin, and I had the greatest love for him. I greeted him but, by Allah, he did not respond to my greetings. I said to him: Abu Qatada, I adjure you by Allah, arn’t you well aware of the fact that I love Allah and His Messenger (may peace be upon him) the most. He kept quiet. I again repeated saying: I adjure you by Allah. arn’t you well aware of the fact that I love Allah and His Messenger (may peace be upon him) the most. He kept quiet. I again adjured him, whereupon he said: Allah and the Messenger (may peace be upon him) are best aware of it. My eyes began to shed tears and I came back climbing down from the wall and as I was walking in the bazar of Medina a Nabatean from amongst the Nabateans of Syria, who had come to sell foodgrains in Medina, asked people to direct him to Ka’b b. Malik. People gave him the indication by pointing towards me. He came to me and delivered to me a letter of the King of Ghassan and as I was a scribe I read that letter and it was written like this:” Coming to my point, it has been conveyed to us that your friend (the Holy Prophet) is subjecting you to cruelty and Allah has not created you for a place where you are to be degraded and where you cannot find your right place, so you come to us that we should accord you honour. As I read that letter I said: This is also a calamity, so I burnt it in the oven. When out of the fifty days, forty days had passed and Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) received no revelation, there came the messenger of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) to me and said: Verily, Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) has commanded you to remain separate from your wife. I said: Should I divorce her or what (else) should I do? He said: No, but only remain separate from her and don’t have sexual contact with her.

The same message was sent to my companions. So I said to my wife: You better go to your parents and stay there with them until Allah gives the decision in my case. The wife of Hilal b. Umayya came to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: Allah’s Messenger, Hilal b. Umayya is a senile person, he has no servant. Do you disapprove of my serving him? He said: No, but don’t go near him. She said: By Allah, he has no such instinct in him. By Allah, he spends his time in weeping from that day to this day. Some of the members of my family said to me: Were you to seek permission from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) in regard to your wife as he has granted permission to the wife of Hilal b. Umayya to serve him. I said: I would not seek permission from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him), for I cannot say what Allah’s Apostle may say in response to seeking my permission. Moreover, I am a young man. It was in this state that I spent ten more nights and thus fifty nights had passed that (people) had observed boycott with us. It was on the morning of the fiftieth night that I observed my dawn prayer and was sitting on one of the roofs of our houses. And I was in fact sitting in that very state which Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, has described about us in these words:” Life had become hard for myself and the earth had compressed despite its vastness,” that I heard the noise of an announcer from the peak of the hill of Sal’ saying at the top of his voice: Ka’b b. Malik, there is glad tidings for you. I fell down in prostration and came to realise that there was (a message of) relief for me. Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) had informed the people of the acceptance of our repentance by Allah as he offered the dawn prayer. So the people went on to give us glad tidings and some of them went to my friends in order to give them the glad tidings and a person galloped his horse and came from the tribe of Aslam and his horse reached me more quickly than his voice. And when he came to me whose sound I heard, he gave me the glad tidings. I took off my clothes and clothed him with them because of his bringing good news to me and, by Allah, I possessed nothing else (in the form of clothes) than these two on that occasion, and I asked one to lend me two clothes and dressed myself in them.

I came to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and on my way I met groups of people who greeted me because of (the acceptance of) repentance and they said: Here is a greeting for you for your repentance being accepted by Allah. (I moved on) until I came to the mosque and Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) had been sitting there amongst persons. So Talha b. ‘Ubaidullah got up and rushed towards me and he shook hands with me and greeted me and, by Allah, no person stood up (to greet me) from amongst the emigrants except he. Ka’b said that he never forgot (this good gesture of) Talha. Ka’b further said: I greeted Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) with Assalam-o-‘Alaikam and his face was glistening because of delight, and he said: Let there be glad tidings and blessings for you, the like of which (you have neither found nor you will find, as you find today) since your mother gave your birth. I said: Allah’s Messenger. is this acceptance of repentance from you or from Allah? He said: No, (it is not from ma), it is from Allah, and it was common with Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) that as he was happy his face brightened up and it looked like a part of the moon and it was from this that we recognised it (his delight). As I sat before him, I said: Allah’s Messenger, am I allowed to give in charity my wealth for Allah’s sake and for the sake of His Messenger (may peace be upon him)? Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Keep some property with you as it is better for you. I said: I shall keep with me that part (of my property) which fell to my lot (on the occasion of the expedition of) Khaibar. I said: Allah’s Messenger, verily, Allah has granted me salvation because of truth and, therefore, (I think) that repentance implies that I should not speak anything but truth as long as I live. He said: By Allah, I do not know whether anyone amongst the Muslims was put to more severe trial than I by Allah because of telling the truth. And since I made a mention of this to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) up to this day I have not told any lie and, by Allah, I have decided not to tell a lie and I hope that Allah would save me (from trials) for the rest of my life and Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, revealed these verses:”

Certainly, Allah has turned in Mercy to the Prophet and the emigrants and the helpers who followed him in the hour of hardship after the hearts of a part of them were about to deviate; then He turned to them in mercy. Surely, to them He is Compassionate, Merciful and (He turned in Mercy) to the three who were left behind until the earth despite its vastness became strait for them and their souls were also straitened to them.” And this revelation reached up to the (words):” O you who believe, develop God consciousness, and be with the truthful” (ix. 117-118). Ka’b said: By Allah, since Allah directed me to Islam there has been no blessing more significant for me than this truth of mine which I spoke to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and if I were to tell a lie I would have been ruined as were ruined those who told lies, for in regard to those who told lies Allah used harshest words used for anyone as He descended revelation (and the words of Allah are):” They will swear by Allah to you when you return to them so that you may leave them alone. So leave them alone. Surely, they are unclean and their resort is Hell, recompense for what they earned. They will swear to you that you may be pleased with them but if you are pleased with them, yet surely Allah is not pleased with the transgressing people” (ix. 95-96). K’ab said that the matter of us three persons was deferred as compared with those who took an oath in the presence of Allahs Messenger (may peace be upon him) and he accepted their allegiance and sought forgiveness for them and Allah did not give any decision in regard to us. It was Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, Who gave decisions in our case, three who remained behind. (The words of the Qur’an)” the three who were left behind” do not mean that we remained back from Jihad but these imply that He kept our matter behind them who took oath and presented excuse before Him. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters.

Book 037, Number 6671:

‘Abdullah b. K’ab, who was his (Ka’b’s) guide as he became blind, reported that he heard from Ka’b b. Malik the story of his staying behind Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) from the expedition of Tabuk. The rest of the hadith is the same (but with this variation) that in the narration transmitted on the authority of Yunus (the words are): When Allah’s Messenger (may. peace be upon him) intended to set on an expedition he kept It as a secret, but. be did not do so in thic. expedition. And in the narration transmitted on the authority of Muhammad b. Abdullah b. Muslim, there is no mention of Abu Khaithana (Allah be pleased with him) and no mention of his meeting with Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him).

Book 037, Number 6672:

It is reported on the authority of Abdullah b. K’ab and he was the guide of Ka’b as he lost his eyesight and he was the greatest scholar amongst his people and he retained in his mind many ahadith of the Companions of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him). He said: I heard my father Ka’b b. Malik, and he fas one of those three whose repentance was accepted (by Allah). He transmitted that He never lagged behind Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) from any expedition that he undertook except two expeditions; the rest of the hadith is the same, and in the tradition narrated through another chain of transmitters the words are:” That Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) set out on an expedition with a large number of persons more than ten thousand and this could not be recorded in the census register.”

Chapter 10: HADITH PERTAINING TO THE LIE ABOUT (HADRAT) ‘A’ISHA SIDDIQA (ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HER) AND ACCEPTING OF REPENTANCE OF THOSE WHO BROUGHT FALSE ALLEGATION ABOUT HER

Book 037, Number 6673:

Sa’id b. Musayyib, ‘Urwa b. Zubair, ‘Alqama b. Waqqas and ‘Ubaidullah b. Abdullah b. ‘Utba b. Mas’ud–all of them reported the story of the false allegation against ‘A’isha, the wife of Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him). And they (the slanderers) said what they had to say, but Allah exonerated her of this charge and all of them reported a part of the hadith and some of them who had better memories reported more and with better retention, and I tried to retain this hadith (listening) from every one of them that they reported to me and some of them attested the other. (The sumaried substance of the false allegation is this): ‘A’isha said: Whenever Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) intended to set out on a journey he cast lots amongst his wives and he took one with him in whose favour the lot was cast. It so happened that he cast lots amongst us while setting out on a battle and it was cast in my favour, so I set out along with Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him). This relates to the period when the revelation concerning the commands of veil had been made. I was carried in a haudaj and I was brought down where we had to stay. In short, when we set out for return journey from the expedition and our caravan was near Medina, Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) commanded one night to march forward. I also got up when the command for the march was given and moved on until I went out of the encampments of the army and after relieving myself I came to my place. I touched my chest and found that my necklace which had been made of the stones of zafar had been broken. I retraced my steps and tried to search my necklace and this detained me there. The group of people who saddled my ride and placed my haudaj carrying me upon the camels marched on. They were under the impression that I was in it. The women in those days were light of weight and they did not wear much flesh, as they ate less food; so they did not perceive the weight of my haudaj as they placed it upon the camel as I was a young girl at that time. So they drove the camel and Eet out and I found my necklace after the army had marched. I came to my place and there was none to call and none to respond (the call).

I waited at my place under the impression that when the people would riot find me they would come back. So I kept sitting at my place. I was overpowered by sleep and slept. Safwan b. Mu’attal Sulami Dhakwini, who had lagged behind the army because of taking rest came to my place walking in the latter part of the night and he saw the body of a person who was asleep. He came to me and recognised me as he had seen rue before it was enjoined to observe purda. I got ap by his voice as he recited Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un [we are for Allah and to Him we have to return. ] and I covered my head with my headdress. By Allah, he did not speak to me a word and I did not hear a word from him except Inna lillahi. He made his camel kneel down and I amounted the camel as he pressed tLe camel’s foreleg and he moved on leaning the camel by the nose string on which I was riding until we came to the army where it had encamped for rest because of extreme heat. Woe be upon those who harboured doubts about me and the most notorious among them was ‘Abdullah b. Ubayy, the great hypocrite. We came to Medina and I fell sick for a month. The people had been deliberating over the statements of those who had brought these calumnies against me. I was absolutely unaware of anything concerning that. This, however, caused doubt in my mind that I did not see Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him.) treating me with such kindness with which he treated me as I fell ill before this. The Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) would coome and greet me with Assalam-o-‘Alaikum and only ask me how I was. This caused doubt in my mind, but I was unaware of the evil. I wept outside despite my failing health and there went along with me Umm Mistah and she said the daughter of Abu Rhm b. Muttalib b. ‘Abd Manaf and his mother was the daughter of Sakhr b. ‘Amir, the sister of the mother of Abu Bakr Sidiq and his son was Mistah b. Uthatha b. ‘Abbad b. Muttalib. I and the daughter of Abu Rahm set towards the direction of my house. Something got into the head dress of Umm Mistah and she said: Woe be upon Mistah. And I said. Woe be upon what you say. Do you curse people who had participated in Badr? She said: Innocent woman, have you not heard what he said? I said: What did he say? She conveyed to me the statement of those who had brought false allegations against me. So my illness was aggravated.

I went to my house and Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) came to me and he greeted me and then said: How is that woman? I said: Do you permit me to go to the (house) of my parents? She (further) said: I had at that time made up my mind to confirm this news from them. Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) permitted me. So I came to (the house of) my parents and said to my mother: Mother, do you know what the people are talking about? She said: My daughter, you should not worry. By Allah, if there is a handsome woman who is loved by her husband and he has co-wives also they talk many a thing about her. I said: Hallowed be Allah, what are the people talking about? I wept during the whole night until it was morning and I did not have a wink of sleep and I wept even in the morning. As the revelation was delayed (in regard to this matter), so Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) called ‘Ali ibn Abi ‘Talib and Usama b. Zaid in order to seek their advice in regard to the separation of his wife. Usama b. Zaid told Allah’s Messenger (may peace be apen him) about the innocence of his wives and what he knew about his love for them. He said: Allah’s Messenger, they are your wives and we know nothing else about thembut goodness. And as for ‘Ali b. Abu Talib, he said: Allah has not put any unnecessary burden upon you (in regard to your wives). There are a number of women besides her and if you ask that maidservant (Barira) she will tell you the truth. So, Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) called Bailra and said: Barira, did you see anything in ‘A’isha which can cause doubt about her? Barira said: By Him Who sent thee with the truth, I have seen nothing objectionable in her but only this much that she is a young girl and she goes to sleep while kneading the flour and the lamb eats that. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) mounted the pulpit and sought vindication against ‘Abdullah b. Ubayy b. Salul, and he further said: Who would exonerate me from imputations of that person who has troubled (me) in regard to my family? By Allah, I find nothing in my wife but goodness and the person whom the people have mentioned in this connection is, according to my knowledge, a thoroughly pious person, and he did never get into my house but along with me. Sa’d b. Mu’adh stood up and said: Allah’s Messenger, I defend your honour against him. If he belong to the tribe of Aus we would strike his neck and if he belongs to the tribe of our brother Khazraj and you order us we would comply with your order.

Then Sa’d b. ‘Ubada stood up. He was chief of the Khazraj tribe. He was otherwise a pioas man but he had some what tribal partisanship in him and he said to Sa’d b. Mu’adh: By the everlasting existence of Allah. you are not stating the fact, you will not be able to kill him and you will not have the power to do so. Thereupon, Usaid b. Hudair stood up, and he was the first cousin of Sa’d b. Mu’adh and said to Sa’d b. ‘Ubada: By the everlasting existence of Allah, you are not stating the fact. We would kill him. You are a hypocrite and so you argue in defence of the hypocrites, and thus both the tribes Aus and Khazraj were flared up, until they were about to fall upon one another and Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) kept standing upon the pulpit and Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) tried to subside their anger until they became silent and thus there was silence. ‘A’isha further reported: I spent the whole day in weeping and even the night and could not have a wink of sleep even next night. My parents thought that this constant weeping of mine would break my heart. I wept and they sat beside me. In the meanwhile a woman of the Ansar came to see me. I permitted her to see me and she also began to weep. And we were in this very state that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) came and he greeted me and then sat down. He had never sat with me since a month when this rumour was afloat, and there was no revelation (to clarity) my case. Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) recited Tashahhud (there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Apostle) and then said: Coming to the point, ‘A’isha, this is what has reached me about you and if you are innocent, Allah would Himself vindicate your honour, and if accidentally there has been a lapse on your part sock forgiveness of Allah; He will pardon thee for when a servant makes a confession of his fault and turns (to Him) penitently, Allah also turns to him (mercifully) accepting his repentance.

When Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) talked, my tears dried up and not even a single drop of tear was perceived by me (rolling out of my eyes). I said to my father: You give a reply to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) on my behalf. He said: By Allah, I do not know what I should say to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him). I then said to my mother: Give a reply to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) on my behalf, but she said: By Allah, I do not know what I should say to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him). I was a small girl at that time and I had not read much of the Qur’an (but I said): By Allah, I perceive that you have heard about this and it has settled down in your mind and you have taken it to be true, so if I say to you that I am quite innocent, and Allah knows that I am innocent, you would never believe me to be true, and if I confess to (the alleged) lapse before you, whereas Allah knows that I am completely innocent (and I have not committed this sin at all), in that case You will take me to be true and, by Allah, I, therefore, find no other alternative for me and for you except that what the father of Yousuf said:, (My course is) comely patience. And Allah it is Whose help is to be sought for in that (predicament) which ye describe” (xii 18). After this I turned my face to the other side and lay down on my bed. By Allah, I was fully aware of this fact that I was innocent but I did not expect that Allah would descend Wahy Matlu (Qur’anic Wahy) in my case as I did not think myself so much important that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, would speak in this matter in words to be recited. I only hoped that Allah would in vision give an indication of my innocence to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) during his sleep. And, by Allah, Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) had not moved an inch from where he had been sitting and none from the members of my family had gone that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, descended revelation upon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) there and then and he felt the burden which he used to feel at the time of receiving revelation. He began to perspire because of the burden of words of Allah as they descended upon him even during the winter season and there fell the drops of his sweat like silvery beads. When this state of receiving revelation was over, the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) smiled and the first words which he spoke to me were that he said: ‘A’isha, there is glad tidings for you. Verily, Allah has vindicated your honour, and my mother who had been standing by me said: Get up (and thank him, i. e. the Holy Prophet). I said: By Allah, I shall not thank him and laud him but Allah Who has descended revelation vindicating my honour. She (‘A’isha) said: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, revealed:” ‘Verily, those who spread the slander are a gang among you” (and) ten (subsequent) verses in regard to my innocence. She further said: Abu Bakr used to give to Mistah (some stipend) as a token of kinship with him and for his poverty and he (Abu Bakr) said: By Allah, now I would not spend anything for him. ‘A’isha said: It was upon this that Allah the Exalted and Glorious revealed this verse:” And let not those who possess dignity and ease among you swear to give to the near of the kin” up to” Yearn ye not that Allah may forgive you?” Hibban b. Musa’ said that ‘Abdullah b. Mubarak used to say: It is a verse contained in the Book which most (eminently) brightens the hope.

Abu Bakr said: By Allah, I wish that Allah should pardon me. I shall never stop this stipend. So he continued to give him the stipend which he had withdrawn. ‘A’isha said that Allah’s Messenger (way peace be upon him) asked Zainab, daughter of Jahsh, the wife of Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him), about me what she knew or what she had seen in me, and she said: Allah’s Messenger, I shall not say anything without hearing (with my ears) and seeing with my eyes. By Allah, I find nothing in her but goodness. (And she stated this in spite of the fact) that she was the only lady who amongst the wives of Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) used to vie with me but Allah saved her in bringing false allegation against me because of her God-consciousness. Her sister Hamna bint Jahsh, however, opposed her and she was undone along with others.

Book 037, Number 6674:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri through other chains of transmitters but with a slight variation of wording. In the hadith transmitters on the authority of ‘Urwa, there is an addition of these words:” ‘A’isha did not like that Hassan should be rebuked in her presence and she used to say: It was he who wrote this verse also:” ‘Verily, my father and my mother and my honour, those are all meant for defending the honour of Muhammad against you.” And ‘Urwa further reported that ‘A’isha said: By Allah, the person, about whom the allegation was trade used to say: Hallowed be Allah, by One, in Whose hand is my life, I have never unveiled any woman, and then he die, & as a martyr in the cause of Allah, and in the narration transmitted on the authority of Ya’qub b. Ibrahim., the word is Mu’irin and in the narration transmitted on the’authority of ‘Abd al-Razzaq it is Mughirin. ‘Abd b. Humaid said: I said to ‘Abd al-Razzaq: What does this word Mughirin mean? And he said: Al- waghra means intense heat.

Book 037, Number 6675:

‘A’Isha reported: When I came under discussion what the people had to say about me, Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) stood up for delivering an address and he recited tashahhud (I bear witness to the fact that iheie is no god but Allah) and praised Allah, lauded Him what He rightly deserves and then said: Coming to the point. Give me an advice about them who have brought false charge about my family. By Allah, I know no evil in the members of my family and the person in connection with whom the false charge is being levelled, I know no evil in him too. And he never entered my house but in my presence and when I was away on a journey, he remained with me even in that. The rest of the hadith is the same but with this change that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) came to my house and asked my maidservant and she said: By Allah, I know no fault in her but this that she sleeps, and goat comes and eats the kneaded flour. Some of the Companions (of the Holy Prophet) scolded her and said: State the fact before Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and they even made a pointed reference (to this incident). She said: gallowed be Allah. By Allah, I know about her as does the jeweller know about the pure piece of gold. And when this news reached the person in connection with whom the allegation was made he said: Hallowed be Allah. By Allah, I have never unveiled any woman. ‘A’isha said: He fell as a martyr in the cause of Allah, and there is this addition in this hadith that the people who had brought false allegation amongst them were Mistah and Hamna and Hassan. And so far as the hypocrite ‘Abdullah b. Ubayy is concerned, he was one who tried his best to gather the false news and then gave them the wind. And he was in fact a fabricator and there was Hamna, daughter of Jahsh with him.

Chapter 11: THE EXONERATION OF THE SLAVEGIRL OF ALLAH’S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) FROM A FALSE CHARGE

Book 037, Number 6676:

Anas reported that a person was charged with fornication with the slavegirl of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him). Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said to ‘Ali: Go and strike his neck. ‘Ali came to him and he found him in a well making his body cool. ‘Ali said to him: Come out, and as he took hold of his hand and brought him out, he found that his sexual organ had been cut. Hadrat ‘Ali refrained from striking his neck. He came to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) and said: Allah’s Messenger, he has not even the sexual organ with him.

Sahih Muslim : Book 35: The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness (Kitab Al-Dhikr)

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Translation of Sahih Muslim, Book 35:

The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness (Kitab Al-Dhikr)


INTRODUCTION

Supplication is in fact not only the spontaneous outpourings of man’s heart before his Lord, but it is an expression of his sense of nearness to Him, of His Might and Power, of his confidence in His mercy, grace and blessings. If one were to know how much a man supplicates, and what he supplicates about, and how he supplicates, one would be able to see how much spirituality is there in his soul. When a man without any witness speaks with Allah, the soul stands unveiled before its Creator. The higher the note he strikes in his outpouring, the higher is the quality of the faith that is imprinted upon his soul, and serves as a background to all his thought and activity. Thus to understand the spirit of any religion and appraise its value to life and society, supplications serve as the key. The Prophet (may peace be upon him) was a great believer in supplication and prayer. He made supplications to his Lord with zeal and fervour, rarely to be found in the religious literature of the world. One who cares to read them cannot but be overwhelmed with the depth of feelings with which the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) approaches his Lord, his intense love for the Great Master, his deep faith in His unbounded Favours, his unshakeable confidence in His Divine Mercy and unflinching faith in His Might and Power, and his sense of deep humility before Him. These are in fact the multi-coloured threads with which is woven the delicate pattern of the Prophet’s (may peace be upon him) supplications. In Islam the supplication which a Muslim has been instructed to make whether singly or in congregation, whether at the appointed hour of ritual prayer or at any sudden call or urge to His Lord, reflects the one single attitude of submission, humility and closeness to God. Whatever is the state of spiritual elevation of the supplication he is made to keep this fact constantly in his mind that he is a humble servant of the Lord. That is the reason why most of the supplications in Islam open with an invocation of the Divine Being; either the personal name of God, i. e. Allah, is used or the descriptive title of His Attributes are called out in order to make the worshipper conscious of his own weak and dependent self before his Master. In Islam man seeks to move God to help and grant him what he desires, and at the same time he seeks unconsciously to work upon himself through the realisation of what God means to him, to strengthen, to renew and to refresh his own inner life.

While the expression of dependence and trust is in reality a prerequisite of supplication in Islam, it covers the whole range of human life with all its needs, longings and problems. Supplication finds expression in a deep and urgent longing for self preservation and deliverance from the oppressive situation, forgiveness of sins, elevation of the soul, goodness of the worldly life and that of the Hereafter. This consciousness of one’s absolute dependence upon Him, which pervades the entire stock of the Prophet’s (may peace be upon him) supplications, shows man’s attitude of perfect resignation before the Mighty Will of the Master, but this resignation has nothing of the spirit of despondence and despair in it; it rather illuminates hope out of conviction that the Being Who is the Lord of man’s fate can also help him and save him even in the most trying circumstances.

The supplications of Muhammad (may peace be upon him) eminently combine in themselves the mystical and the religious traits. While the Muslim supplicates, he, like a mystic, beholds undisturbed with concentrated gaze one Supreme Spiritual Reality Who is the Embodiment and Repository of all values. But, unlike mystics, he, in the hour of contemplation in supplication, does not lose himself but realises himself to be a humble servant of God and therein lies his spiritual strength and unwavering confidence in God.

The one more distinguishing feature of the supplications taught by Muhammad (may peace be upon him) is that these are all permeated with the spirit of social fellowship. They do not urge man to stand face to face with God in absolute loneliness, isolated from all other human beings. Herein the suppliant begs his Lord with the full consciousness of human brotherhood and with a feeling that the distress which vexes him is not his only, it is that of his brethren. The graces of God and the salvation for which he longs are also the longings of all believers, nay, of the entire humanity. There is no doubt a deep touch of intimate personal and individual contact with God in these supplications, but this contact is not of the nature of a non-Muslim mystic in which the soul is supposed to be unified with God losing all its individual identity. Here the soul has a communion with Allah with full consciousness of man’s own self, his social surroundings and responsibilities. That is why most of the supplications have been expressed in the form” We” and Us”.


Chapter 1: EXHORTATION FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH, THE EXALTED

Book 035, Number 6471:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, thus stated: I am near to the thought of My servant as he thinks about Me, and I am with him as he remembers Me. And if he remembers Me in his heart, I also remember him in My Heart, and if he remembers Me in assembly I remember him in assembly, better than his (remembrance), and if he draws near Me by the span of a palm, I draw near him by the cubit, and if he draws near Me by the cubit I draw near him by the space (covered by) two hands. And if he walks towards Me, I rush towards him.

Book 035, Number 6472:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of A’mash with the same chain of transmitters, but there is no mention of these words:” He draws near Me by the space of a hand, I draw near him by the space (covered) by two hands.”

Book 035, Number 6473:

Hammam b. Munabbih reported so many ahadith from Abu Huraira and one out of them is this that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said that Allah thus stated: When My servant draws close to me by the span of a palm, I draw close to him by the space of a cubit, and when he draws close to Me by the space of a cubit, I draw close to him by the space (covered) by two hands, and when he draws close to Me by the space (covered by) two hands, I go in hurry towards him.

Book 035, Number 6474:

Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) was travelling along the path leading to Mecca that he happened to pass by a mountain called Jumdan. He said: Proceed on, it is Jumdan, Mufarradun have gone ahead. They (the Companions of the Holy Prophet) said: Allah’s Messenger, who are Mufarradun? He said: They are those males and females who remember Allah much.


Chapter 2: THE NAMES OF ALLAH, THE EXALTED, AND THE MERIT OF ONE WHO ENUMERATES THEM

Book 035, Number 6475:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There are ninety-nine names of Allah; he who commits them to memory would get into Paradise. Verily, Allah is Odd (He is one, and it is an odd number) and He loves odd number. And in the narration of Ibn ‘Umar (the words are):” He who enumerated them.”

Book 035, Number 6476:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: Verily, there are ninety-nine names for Allah, i. e. hundred excepting one. He who enumerates them would get into Paradise. And Hammam has made this addition on the authority of Abu Huraira who reported it from Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) that he said:” He is Odd (one) and loves odd number.”


Chapter 3: SUPPLICATION SHOULD BE MADE WITH CONVICTION AND WILL

Book 035, Number 6477:

Anas reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When one of you makes supplication, he should supplicate with a will and should not say: O Allah, confer upon me if Thou likest, for there is none to coerce Allah.

Book 035, Number 6478:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When one of you makes a supplication (to his Lord) one should not say: O Allah, grant me pardon, if Thou so likest, but one should beg one’s (Lord) with a will and full devotion, for there is nothing so great in the eye of Allah which He cannot grant.

Book 035, Number 6479:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: None of you should say to Allah (like this): O Allah, grant me mercy, if thou so likest. The supplication (of his) should (be permeated with) conviction (that it would be accepted by the Lord), for Allah is the Doer of (everything) He likes to do, and there is none to force Him (to do or not to do this or that).


Chapter 4: IT IS NOT SOMETHING APPRECIABLE TO MAKE REQUEST FOR DEATH FROM THE LORD WHEN ONE IS IN TROUBLE

Book 035, Number 6480:

Anas (b. Malik) reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying. None of you should make a request for death because of the trouble in which he is involved, but if there is no other help to it, then say: O Allah, keep me alive as long as there is goodness in life for me and bring death to me when there is goodness in death for me.

Book 035, Number 6481:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Anas through another chain of transmitters, but with a small variation of wording.

Book 035, Number 6482:

Nadr b. Anas reported, as when Anas was alive, that he said: Had Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) not stated this..” None should make a request for death,” I would have definitely done that.

Book 035, Number 6483:

Abu Hazim reported: I visited Khabbab who bad seven cauteries on his stomach and he s aid: Had Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) not forbidden us to call for death, I would have done so.

Book 035, Number 6484:

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Isma’il through other chains of narrators.

Book 035, Number 6485:

Hammam b. Munabbih said: Abu Huraira narrated to us ahadith from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and out of these one is that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: None amongst you should make a request for death, and do not call for it before it comes, for when any one of you dies, he ceases (to do good) deeds and the life of a believer is not prolonged but for goodness.


Chapter 5: HE WHO LOVES TO MEET ALLAH, ALLAH ALSO LOVES TO MEET HIM, AND HE WHO DISLIKES TO MEET ALLAH, ALLAH ALSO ABHORS TO MEET HIM

Book 035, Number 6486:

Ubida b. Samit reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who loves to meet Allah, Allah also loves to meet him, and he who dislikes to meet Allah, Allah also abhors to meet him.

Book 035, Number 6487:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of ‘Ubada b. Samit through another chain of transmitters.

Book 035, Number 6488:

A’isha reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: He who loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him, and he who dislikes to meet Allah, Allah abhors to meet him. I (‘A’isha) said: Allah’s Apostle, so far as the feeling of aversion against death is concerned, we all have this feeling. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: It is not that (which you construe), but (this) that when a believer (at the time of death) is given the glad tidings of the mercy of Allah, His Pleasure, and of Paradise, he loves to meet Allah, and Allah also loves to meet him, and when an unbeliever is given the news of the torment at the Hand of Allah, and Hardship to be imposed by Him, he dislikes to meet Allah and Allah also abhors to meet him.

Book 035, Number 6489:

This hadith has been reported on the authority of Qatida with the same chain of transmitters.

Book 035, Number 6490:

‘A’isha reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who loves to meet Allah, Allah also loves to meet him, and who dislikes to meet Allah, Allah abhors to meet him. There is death before (one is able to) meet Allah.

Book 035, Number 6491:

A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of A’isha through another chain of transmitters.

Book 035, Number 6492:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who loves meeting Allah, Allah loves to meet him, and he who dislikes to meet Allah, Allah abhors to meet him. I (Shuraih b. Hani, one of the narrators) came to A’isha and said to her: Mother of the faithful, I heard Abu Huraira narrate from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) which, if it is actually so, is a destruction to us. Thereupon she said: Those are in fact ruined who are ruined at the words of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him). What are (the words which in your opinion would cause your destruction)? He said that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) had stated: He who loves to meet Allah, Allah too loves to meet him, and he who dislikes to meet Allah, Allah too abhors to meet him, and there is none amongst us who dons not hate death. Thereupon she said: Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) has in fact stated this, but it does not mean what you construe, but it implies (the time) when one loses the lustre of the eye, and there is rattling in the throat, shudder in the body and convulsion in fingers (at the time of death). (It is about this time) that it has been said: He who loves to meet Allah, Allah would love to meet him, and he who dislikes to meet Allah, Allah would abhor to meet him

Book 035, Number 6493:

This hadith has been reported on the authority of Mutarrif with the same chain of transmitters.

Book 035, Number 6494:

Abu Musa reported Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who loves to meet Allah, Allah too loves to meet him, and he who dislikes to meet Allah, Allah abhors to meet him.


Chapter 6: MERIT OF REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH AND CALLING HIM, AND NEARNESS TO ALLAH, THE EXALTED

Book 035, Number 6495:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him as saying that Allah thus stated: I live in the thought of My servant as he thinks of Me and with him as he calls Me.

Book 035, Number 6496:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, said: When My servant draws close to Me by the span of a palm, I draw close to him by the cubit and when he draws close to Me by the cubit, I draw close to him by the space (covered) by two hands, and when he draws close to Me by the space (covered) by two hands, I go in hurry towards him.

Book 035, Number 6497:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Mu’tamar from his father with the same chain of transmitters, with a slight variation of wording.

Book 035, Number 6498:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, thus stated: I live in the thought of My servant as he thinks about Me, and I am with him, as he remembers Me And if he remembers Me in his heart, I also remember him in My Heart, and if he remembers Me in assembly I remember him in the assembly, better than he (does that), and if he draws near Me by the span of a palm I draw near him by the cubit, and if he draws near Me by the cubit I draw near him by the space (covered by) two hands. And it he walks towards Me, I rush towards him.

Book 035, Number 6499:

Abu Dharr reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, stated:” He who comes with goodness, there are in store for him ten like those and even more than those: ‘And he who comes with vice, ‘ it is only for that that he is called to account. I even forgive him (as I like) and he who draws close to Me by the span of a palm I draw close to him by the cubit, and he who draws close to Me by the cubit I draw close to him by the space (covered) by two hands, and he who walks towards Me I rush towards him, and he who meets Me in the state that his sins fill the earth, but not associating anything with Me, I would meet Him with the same (vastness) of pardon (on My behalf).” This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Waki’.

Book 035, Number 6500:

A hadith like this has been transmitted on the authority of A’mash with the same chain of transmitters and he (further) said: There is for him ten like that (the good he performed) or more than that.


Chapter 7: THE DISAPPROVAL OF SUPPLICATION IN WHICH A REQUEST IS MADE TO ALLAH FOR PUNISHMENT OF ONE’S (MISDEEDS) IN THE WORLD

Book 035, Number 6501:

Anas reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) visited a person from amongst the Muslims in order to inquire (about his health) who had grown feeble like the chicken. Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Did you supplicate for anything or beg of Him about that? He said: Yes. I used to utter (these words): Impose punishment upon me earlier in this world, what Thou art going to impose upon me in the Hereafter. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Hallowed be Allah, you have neither the power nor forbearance to take upon yourself (the burden of His Punishment). Why did you not say this: O Allah, grant us good in the world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the torment of Fire. He (the Holy Prophet) made this supplication (for him) and he was all right.

Book 035, Number 6502:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Humaid with the same chain of transmitters, but with a slight variation of wording.

Book 035, Number 6503:

Anas reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) visited a person from amongst his Companions who had grown as feeble as the chicken. The rest of the hadith is the same, but with this variation that he (the Holy Prophet) said: You have not power enough to undergo the torment imposed by Allah. And there is no mention of: He supplicated Allah for him and He cured him.

Book 035, Number 6504:

This hadith had been transmitted on the authority of Anas through another chain of narrators.


Chapter 8: MERITS OF THE ASSEMBLIES IN WHICH ALLAH IS REMEMBERED

Book 035, Number 6505:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying Allah has mobile (squads) of angels, who have no other work (to attend to but) to follow the assemblies of Dhikr and when they find such assemblies in which there is Dhikr (of Allah) they sit in them and some of them surround the others with their wings till the space between them and the sky of the world is fully covered, and when they disperse (after the assembly of Dhikr is adjourned) they go upward to the heaven and Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, asks them although He is best informed about them: Where have you come from? They say: We come from Thine servants upon the earth who had been glorifying Thee (reciting Subhan Allah), uttering Thine Greatness (saying Allah o-Akbar) and uttering Thine Oneness (La ilaha ill Allah) and praising Thee (uttering al-Hamdu Lillah) and begging of Thee. Be would say: What do they beg of Me? They would say: They beg of Thee the Paradise of Thine. He (God) would say: Have they seen My Paradise? They said: No, our Lord. He would say: (What it would be then) if they were to see Mine Paradise? They (the angels) said: They seek Thine protection. He (the Lord) would say: Against what do they seek protection of Mine? They (the angels) would say: Our Lord, from the Hell-Fire. He (the Lord) would say: Have they seen My Fire? They would say: No. He (the Lord) would say: What it would be if they were to see My Fire? They would say: They beg of Thee forgiveness. He would say: I grant pardon to them, and confer upon them what they ask for and grant them protection against which they seek protection. They (the angels) would again say: Our Lord, there is one amongst them such and such simple servant who happened to pass by (that assembly) and sat there along with them (who had been participating in that assembly). He (the Lord) would say: I also grant him pardon, for they are a people the seat-fellows of whom are in no way unfortunate.


Chapter 9: THE MERIT OF THIS (SUPPLICATION):” O ALLAH, GRANT US THE GOOD IN THE WORLD AND GOOD IN THE HEREAFTER AND SAVE US FROM THE TORMENT OF HELL”

Book 035, Number 6506:

Qatada asked Anas which Supplication Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) frequently made. He said: The supplication that he (the Holy Prophet made very frequently is this:” O Allah, grant us the good in this world and the good in the Hereafter and save us from the torment of Hell-Fire.” He (Qatada) said that whenever Anas had to supplicate he made this very supplication, and whenever he (intended) to make another supplication he (inserted) this very supplication in that.

Book 035, Number 6507:

Anas reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate (in these words):” Our Lord, grant us the good in this world and the good in the Hereafter and save us from the torment of Hell Fire.”


Chapter 10: THE MERIT OF PRONOUNCING TAHLIL, TASBIH AND SUPPLICATION

Book 035, Number 6508:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who uttered these words:” There is no god but Allah, the One, having no partner with Him. Sovereignty belongs to Him and all the praise is due to Him, and He is Potent over everything” one hundred times every day there is a reward of emancipating ten slaves for him, and there are recorded hundred virtues to his credit, and hundred vices are blotted out from his scroll, and that is a safeguard for him against the Satan on that day till evening and no one brings anything more excellent than this, except one who has done more than this (who utters these words more than one hundred times and does more good acts) and he who utters:” Hallowed be Allah, and all praise is due to Him,” one hundred times a day, his sins are obliterated even if they are equal to the extent of the foam of the ocean.

Book 035, Number 6509:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who recites in the morning and in the evening (these words):” Hallowed be Allah and all praise is due to Him” one hundred times, he would not bring on the Day of Resurrection anything excellent than this except one who utters these words or utters more than these words.

Book 035, Number 6510:

‘Amr b. Maimun reported: He who uttered:” There is no god but Allah, the One, having no partner with Him, His is the Sovereignty and all praise is due to Him and He is Potent over everything” ten times, he is like one who emancipated four slaves from the progeny of Isma’il. Rabi’ b. Khuthaim narrated a hadith like this. Sha’bi reported: I said to Rabi’: From whom did you hear it? He said: From ‘Amr b. Maimun. I came to ‘Amr b. Maimun and said to him: From whom did you hear this hadith? He said: from Ibn Abi Laila. I came to Ibn Abi Laila and said to him: From whom did you hear this hadith? He said: From Abu Ayyub Ansari, who narrated from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him).

Book 035, Number 6511:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Two are the expressions which are light on the tongue, but heavy in scale, dear to the Compassionate One:” Hallowed be Allah and praise is due to Him” ;” Hallowed be Allah, the Great.”

Book 035, Number 6512:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The uttering of (these words):” Hallowed be Allah; all praise is due to Allah, there is no god but Allah and Allah is the Greatest,” is dearer to me than anything over which the sun rises.

Book 035, Number 6513:

Mu’sab b. Sa’d reported on the authority of his father that a desert Arab came to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said to him: Teach me the words which I should (often) utter. He said: Utter,” There is no god but Allah, the One, having no partner with Him. Allah is the Greatest of the great and all praise is due to Him. Hallowed be Allah, the Lord of the worlds, there is no Might and Power but that of Allah, the All-Powerful and the Wise.” He (that desert Arab) said: These all (glorify) my Lord. But what about me? Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: You should say:” O Allah, grant me pardon, have mercy upon me, direct me to righteousness and provide me sustenance.” Musa (one of the narrators) said: I think he also said:” Grant me safety.” But I cannot say for certain whether he said this or not. Ibn Abi Shaiba has not made a mention of the words of Musa in his narration.

Book 035, Number 6514:

Abu Malik Ashaja’i reported on the authority of his father that whenever a person embraced Islam, Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) instructed him to recilte:” O Allah, grant me pardon, have mercy upon me, direct me to the path of righteousness and provide me sustenance.”

Book 035, Number 6515:

Abu Malik reported on the authority of his father that when a person embraced Islam, Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to teach him how to observe prayer and then commanded him to supplicate in these words:” O Allah, grant me pardon, have mercy upon me, direct me to the path of righteousness, grant me protection and provide me sustenance.”

Book 035, Number 6516:

Abu Malik reported on the authority Of his father that he heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying to the person who bad come to him and asked him as to how he should beg his Lord, that he should utter these words:” O Allah, grant me pardon, have mercy upon me, protect me, provide me sustenance,” and he collected his fingers together except his thumb and said: It is in these words (that there is supplication) which sums up for you (the good) of this world and that of the Hereafter.

Book 035, Number 6517:

Mus’ab b. Sa’d reported that his father told him that he had been in the company of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) that he said: Is one amongst you powerless to get one thousand virtues every day. Amongst those who had been sitting there, one asked: How one amongst us can get one thousand virtues every day? He said: Recite:” Hallowed be Allah” one hundred times for (by reciting them) one thousand virtues are recorded (to your credit) and one tbousand vices are blotted out.


Chapter 11: THE MERIT OF AN ASSEMBLY FOR THE RECITATION OF THE QUR’AN OR FOR TIIE DHIKR (REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH)

Book 035, Number 6518:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who alleviates the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the world, Allah would alleviate his suffering from the sufferings of the Day of Resurrection, and he who finds relief for one who is hard pressed, Allah would make things easy for him in the Hereafter, and he who conceals (the faults) of a Muslim, Allah would conceal his faults in the world and in the Hereafter. Allah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant is at the back of his brother, and he who treads the path in search of know- ledge, Allah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those persons who assemble in the house among the houses of Allah (mosques) and recite the Book of Allah and they learn and teach the Qur’an (among themselves) there would descend upon them the tranquillity and mercy would cover them and the angels would surround them and Allah makes a mention of them in the presence of those near Him, and he who is slow-paced in doing good deeds, his (high) descent does not make him go ahead.

Book 035, Number 6519:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira through another chain of transmitters but with a slight variation of wording.

Book 035, Number 6520:

Agharr Abi Muslim reported: I bear witness to the fact that both Abu Huraira and Abu Sa’id Khudri were present when Allah’s Messenger may peace be upon him) said: The people do not sit but they are surrounded by angels and covered by Mercy, and there descends upon them tranquillity as they remember Allah, and Allah makes a mention of them to those who are near Him. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Shu’ba with the same chain of transmitters.

Book 035, Number 6521:

Abu Sa’id Khudri reported that Mu’awiya went to a circle in the mosque and said: What makes you sit here? They said: We are sitting here in order to re- member Allah. He said: I adjure you by Allah (to tell me whether you are sitting here for this very purpose)? They said: By Allah, we are sitting here for this very purpose. Thereupon, he said: I have not demanded you to take an oath, because of any allegation against you and none of my rank in the eye of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) is the narrator of so few ahadith as I am. The fact is that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) went out to the circle of his Companions and said: What makes you sit? They said: We are sitting here in order to remember Allah and to praise Him for He guided us to the path of Islam and He conferred favours upgn us. Thereupon he adjured by Allah and asked if that only was the purpose of their sitting there. They said: By Allah, we are not sitting here but for this very purpose, whereupon he (the Messenger) said: I am not asking you to take an oath because of any allegation against you but for the fact that Gabriel came to me and he informed me that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, was talking to the angels about your magnificence.


Chapter 12: EXCELLENCE OF SEEKING FORGIVENESS FROM ALLAH AND SEEKING THAT VERY MUCH

Book 035, Number 6522:

Al-Agharr al-Muzani, who was one amongst the Companions (of the Holy Prophet) reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: There is (at times) some sort of shade upon my heart, and I seek forgiveness from Allah a hundred times a day.

Book 035, Number 6523:

Al-Agharr al-Muzani who was from amongst the Companions of Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) reported that Ibn ‘Umar stated to him that Allah’s Messenger (may peace ‘be upon him) said: O people, seek repentance from Allah. Verily, I seek repentance from Him a hundred times a day.

Book 035, Number 6524:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Shu’ba with the same chain of transmitters.

Book 035, Number 6525:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as say- ing: He who seeks repentance (from the Lord) before the rising of the sun from the west (before the Day of Resurrection), Allah turns to him with Mercy.


Chapter 13: EXCELLENCE OF REMEMBERING ALLAH IN A LOW VOICE

Book 035, Number 6526:

Abu Musa reported: We were along with Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) on a journey when the people began to pronounce Allah-o-Akbar in a loud voice. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: O people, sh mercy to yourselves for you are not calling One Who is deaf or absent. Verily, you are calling One Who is All-Hearing (and) Near to you and is with you. Abu Musa told that he had been behind him (the Holy Prophet) and reciting:” There is neither might nor power but that of Allah.” He (the Holy Prophet), while addressing ‘Abdullah b. Qais, said: Should I not direct you to a treasure from amongst the treasurers of Para- dise? I (‘Abdullah b. Qais) said: Allah’s Messenger, do it, of course. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Then recite:” There is no might and no power but that of Allah.”

Book 035, Number 6527:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of ‘Asim with the same chain of transmitters.

Book 035, Number 6528:

Abu Musa reported that he (and his other companions) were climbing upon the hillock along with Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and when any person climbed up, he pronounced (loudly):” There is no god but Allah, Allah is the Greatest.” Thereupon Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: Verily, you are not supplicating One Who is deaf or absent. He said: Abu Musa or Abdullah b Qais, should I not direct you to the words (which form) the treasure of Paradise? I said: Allah’s Messenger, what are these? He said:” There is no might and no power but that of Allah.”

Book 035, Number 6529:

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Abu Musa with a slight variation of wording.

Book 035, Number 6530:

Abu Musa reported: We were along with Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) on a journey; the rest of the hadith is the same as transmitted by A’sim.

Book 035, Number 6531:

Abu Musa, reported. We were along with Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) in an expedition. The rest of the hadith is the same (and there is an addi- tion of these words in that):” He (the Holy Prophet) said: He Whom you are sup- plicating is nearer to every one of you than the neck of his camel.” And there is no mention of these words:” There is no might and no power but that of Allah.”

Book 035, Number 6532:

Abu Musa Ash’ari reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said to him: Should I not direct you to the words from the treasures of Paradise, or he said: Like a treasure from the treasures of Paradise? I said: Of course, do that. Thereupon he said:” There is no might and no power but that of Allah.”

Book 035, Number 6533:

Abu Bakr reported that he said to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him): Teach me a supplication which I should recite in my prayer. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Recite:” O Allah, I have done great wrong to myself.” According to Qutaiba (the words were: ) much (wrong) -there is none to forgive the sins but Thou only, say:” Grant me pardon from Thyself, have mercy upon me for Thou art much Forgiving and Compassionate.” This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of ‘Amr b. al-‘As that Abu Bakr Siddiq said to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him): Allah’s Messenger. teach me a supplication which I should make in my prayer and in my house. The rest of the hadith is the same except with this variation that he said: Much wrong (Zulman Kathira).


Chapter 14: SUPPLICATION FOR THE SAFEGUARD OF ONE’S SELF AGAINST THE EVIL OF THE TURMOIL

Book 035, Number 6534:

‘A’isha reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to make these supplications:” O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from the trial of Hell-Fire; and from the torment of Hell-Fire; and from the trial of the grave and torment of the grave; and from the evil of the trial of the affluence and from the evil of the trial of poverty and I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of the turmoil of the Dajjal. O Allah, wash away my sins with snow and hail water, purify my heart from the sins as is purified the white garment from the dirt, and keep away at a distance the sins from me as yawns the distance between the East and the West; O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from sloth, from senility, from sin, and from debt.”

Book 035, Number 6535:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham with the same chain of transmitters.

Book 035, Number 6536:

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to say:” O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from incapacity, from indolence, from cowardice, from senility, from miserliness, and I seek refuge in Thee from the torment of the grave and from trial of the life and death.”

Book 035, Number 6537:

Anas reported from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) (this suppli- cation) but with this variation that these words are not found in that supplication:” From the trial of life and death.”

Book 035, Number 6538:

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) used to seek refuge in Allah from such things as mentioned in the above-mentioned hadith and from ‘miserliness” too.

Book 035, Number 6539:

Anas reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace he upon him) wed to make this supplication:” O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from miserliness, from sloth and from decrepitude.”


Chapter 15: SEEKING OF REFUGE IN ALLAH FROM THE EVIL OF DESTINY AND FROM THE SEVERITY OF CALAMITY

Book 035, Number 6540:

Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) used to seek refuge (in Allah) from the evil of destiny and from falling into the hand of calamity and from the mockery of (triumphant) enemies and from the hardship of misery. Abu Sufyan reported: I am in doubt that I have made an addition of one word in this supplication.

Book 035, Number 6541:

Khaula bint Hakim Sulamiyya reported: I heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When anyone lands at a place, and then says:” I seek refuge in the Perfect Word of Allah from the evil of what He has created,” nothing would harm him until he marches from that stopping place.

Book 035, Number 6542:

Khaula bint Hakim Sulamiyya reported: I heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When any one of you stays at a place, he should say:” I seek refuge in the Perfect Word of Allah from the evil of that He created.” Nothing would then do him any harm until he moves from that place. Abu Huraira reported that a person came to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said:” Allah’s Messenger, I was stung by a scorpion during the night. Thereupon he said: Had you recited these words in the evening:” I seek refuge in the Perfect Word of Allah from the evil of what He created,” it would not have done any harm to you.

Book 035, Number 6543:

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Abu Huraira with a slight variation of wording.


Chapter 16: SUPPLICATION AT THE TIME OF SLEEPING AND GOING TO BED

Book 035, Number 6544:

Al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib reported that Allah’s, Messenger (may peace be upon said: When you go to bed, perform ablution as is done for prayer; then lie down pn the right side and recite:” O Allah, I turn my face towards Thee and entrust my affair to Thee. I retreat unto Thee for protection with hope in Thee and fear of Thee. There is no resort and no deliverer (from hardship) but Thou only. I affirm my faith in Thine books which Thou revealed and in Thine Apostles whom Thou sent.” Make this as the last word of yours (when you go to sleep) and in case you die during that night, you would die upon Fitra (upon Islam). And as I repeated these words in order to commit them to memory, I said:” I affirm my faith in Thy Messenger (Rasul) whom Thou sent.” He said: Say:” I affirm my faith in the Apostle (Nabi) whom Thou sent.”

Book 035, Number 6545:

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib with a slight variation of wording and there is this addition in the hadith transmitted on the authority of Husain:” In case you get up in the morning, you will get up with bliss.”

Book 035, Number 6546:

Al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib reported that Allah’s Messenger (in may peace be upon him) commanded a person (in these words): When you go to bed during night, you should say:” O Allah, I surrender myself to Thee and entrust my affair to Thee, with hope in Thee and fear of Thee. There is no resort and no deliverer (from hardship but Thou). I affirm my faith in the Book which Thou revealed and in the Messengers whom Thou sent.” If you die in this state you would die on Fitra, and Ibn Bashshdr did not make a mention of” night” in this hadith.

Book 035, Number 6547:

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said to a person: O, so and so, as you go to your bed; the rest of the hadith is the same but with this variation of wording that he said:” Thine Apostle whom Thou sent.” If you die that night you would die on Fitra and if you get up in the morning you would get up with a bliss.

Book 035, Number 6548:

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) commanded a person (in these words) and there is no mention of this:” if you get up in the morning you would get up with a bliss.”

Book 035, Number 6549:

Al-Bara’ reported that whenever Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) went to bed, he said:” O Allah, it is with Thine Name that I live and it is with Thine Name that I die.” And when he got up he used to say:” Praise is due to Allah, Who gave us life after our death (sleep) and unto Thee is resurrection.”

Book 035, Number 6550:

Abdullah b. ‘Umar commanded a person that as he went to bed, he should say:” O Allah, Thou created my being and it is for Thee to take it to its ultimate goal. And its death and life is due to Thee, and if Thou givest it life, safeguard it; and if Thou bringst death, grant it pardon. O Allah, I beg of Thee safety.” A person said to him: Did you hear it from Umar? Thereupon he said: (I have heard from one) who is better than Umar, viz. from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him). Ibn Nafi, reported this on the authority of Abdullah b. Harith but he did not make mention of this” that he heard it himself”.

Book 035, Number 6551:

Suhail reported that Abu Salih used to command us (in these words): When any one of you intends to go to sleep, he should lie on the bed on his right side and then say:” O Allah. the Lord of the Heavens and the Lord of the Earth and Lord of the Magnificent Throne, our Lord, and the Lord of evervthina, the Splitter of the grain of corn and the datestone (or fruit kernal), the Revealer of Torah and Injil (Bible) and Criterion (the Holy Qur’an), I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of every- thing Thou art to sieze by the forelock (Thou hast perfect control over it). O Allah, Thou art the First, there is naught before Thee, and Thou art the Last and there is naught after Thee, and Thou art Evident and there is nothing above Thee, and Thou art Innermost and there is nothing beyond Thee. Remove the burden of debt from us and relieve us from want.” Abu Salih used to narrate it from Abu Huraira who narrated it from Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him).

Book 035, Number 6552:

Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to command us that as we go to our bedo, we should utter the words (as mention- ed above) and he also said (these words):” From the evil of every animal, Thou hast hold upon its forelock (Thou bast full control over it).”

Book 035, Number 6553:

Abu Huraira reported that Fatima (the daughter of the Holy Prophet) came to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) and asked for a servant. He said to her: Say:” O Allah, the Lord of the seven heavens” ; the rest of the hadith is the same.

Book 035, Number 6554:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as say- ing: When any one of you goes to bed, he should take hold of the hem of his lower garment and then should clean (his bed) with the help of that and then should recite the name of Allah for he himself does tiot know what he left behind him on his bed, and when he intends to lie on bed, he should lie on his right side and utter these words:” Hallowed be Allah, my Lord. It is with Thine (grace) that I place my side (upon the bed) and it is with Thee that I take it up (after sleep), and in case Thou withholdst my being (if thou causest me to die), then grant pardon to my being, and if Thou keepst (this process of breathing on), then protect it with that with which Thou protected Thine pious servants.”

Book 035, Number 6555:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ubaidullah b. Umar with the same chain of transmitters and he said: Then utter:” My Lord. with Thine name I place my side and if Thou keepest me alive have mercy upon myself”

Book 035, Number 6556:

Anas reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When you go to bed, say:” Praise is due to Allab Who fed us, provided us drink, sufficed us and provided us with shelter, for many a people there is none to suffice and none to provide shelter.”


Chapter 17: REFUGE FROM THE EVIL OF WHAT ONE HAS DONE AND WHAT ONE HAS NOT DONE

Book 035, Number 6557:

Farwa’ b. Naufal Ashja’i reported: I asked: ‘A’isha, in what words did Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) supplicate Allah? She said that he used to utter:” I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of what I did and from the evil of what I did not.”

Book 035, Number 6558:

Farwa’ b. Naufal reported: I asked ‘A’isha about the supplication that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) made. She said that he used to say:” O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of what I have done and from the evil of what I have not done.”

Book 035, Number 6559:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Muhammad b. ja’far through another chain of transmitters.

Book 035, Number 6560:

Farwa’ b. Naufal reported on the authority of ‘A’isha that Allah’s Mes- senger (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate (in these words):” O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of what I did and from the evil of what I did not.”

Book 035, Number 6561:

Ibn ‘Abbas reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to say:” O Allah, it is unto Thee that I surrender myself. I affirm my faith in Thee and repose my trust in Thee and turn to Thee in repentance and with Thy help fought my adversaries. O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee with Thine Power; there is no god but Thou, lest Thou leadest me astray. Thou art ever-living that dieth not, while the Jinn and mankind die.”

Book 035, Number 6562:

Abu Huraira reported that when Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) set out on a journey in the morning, he used to say:” A listener listened to our praising Allah (for) His goodly trial of us. Our Lord! acompany us, guard us and bestow upon us Thy grace. I am seeker of refuge in Allah from the Fire.”

Book 035, Number 6563:

Abu Musa Ash’ari reported on the authority of his father that Allahs Apostle (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate in these words:” O Allah, forgive me my faults, my ignorance, my immoderation in my concerns. And Thou art better aware (of my affairs) than myself. O Allah, grant me forgiveness (of the faults which I committed) seriously or otherwise (and which I committed inadvertently and de- liberately. All these (failings) are in me. O Allah, grant me forgiveness from the fault which I did in haste or deferred, which I committed in privacy or in public and Thou art better aware of (them) than myself. Thou art the First and the Last and over all things Thou art Omnipotent.”

Book 035, Number 6564:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Shu’ba with the same chain of transmitters.

Book 035, Number 6565:

Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate (in these words):” O Allah, set right for me my religion which is the safeguard of my affairs. And set right for me the affairs of my world wherein is my living. And set right for me my Hereafter on which depends my after-life. And make the life for me (a source) of abundance for every good and make my death a source of comfort for me protecting me against every evil.”

Book 035, Number 6566:

Abdullah reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate (in these words):” O Allah. I beg of Thee the right guidance, safeguard against evils, chastity and freedom from want.”

Book 035, Number 6567:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Ishaq with the same chain of transmitters but with a slight variation of wording.

Book 035, Number 6568:

Zaid b. Alqam reported: I am not going to say anything but only that which Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upgn him) used to say. He used to supplicate:” O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from incapacity, from sloth, from cowardice, from miserliness, decrepitude and from torment of the grave. O Allah, grant to my soul the sense of righteousness and purify it, for Thou art the Best Purifier thereof. Thou art the Protecting Friend thereof, and Guardian thereof. O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from the knowledge which does not benefit, from the heart that does not entertain the fear (of Allah), from the soul that does not feel contented and the supplication that is not responded.”

Book 035, Number 6569:

Abdullah b. Mas’ud reported that when it was evening Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate:” We entered upon evening and the whole Kingdom of Allah also entered upon evening and praise is due to Allah. There is no god but Allah, the One Who has no partner with Him.” Hasan said that Zubaid reported to him that he memorised it from Ibrahim in these very words.” His is the Sovereignty and Praise is due to Him, and He is Potent over everything. O Allah, I beg of Thee the good of this night and I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of this night and the evil which follows it. O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from sloth, from the evil of vanity. O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from torment in the Hell-Fire and from torment in the grave.”

Book 035, Number 6570:

Abdullah reported that when it was evening Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate:” We have entered upon evening and so, too, the whole Kingdom of Allah has entered upon evening. Praise is due to Allah. There is no god but Allah, the One having no partner with Him.” He (the narrator) said: I think that he also uttered (in this supplication these words):” His is tne Sovercignty and to Him is praise due and He is Potent over everything. My Lord, I beg of Thee good that lies in this night and good that follows it and I seek refuge in Thee from the evil that lies in this night and from the evil of that which follows it. My Lord, I seek refuge in Thee from sloth, from the evil of vanity. My Lord, I seek refuge in Thee from torment of the Hell-Fire and from torment of the grave.” And when it was morning he said like this:” We entered upon morning and the whole Kingdom of Allah enter ed upon morning.”

Book 035, Number 6571:

Abdullah reported that when it was evening Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate:” We have entered upon evening and so has the Kingdom of Allah entere d upon evening; praise is due to Allah, there is no god but Allah the One, and there is no partner with Him. O Allah, I beg of Thee the blessing of this night and the blessing of that which lies in it. I seek refuge in Thee from the evil of it and what lies in it. O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from sloth, from decrepitude, from the evil of vanity, from trial of the world, and from torment of the grave.” Zubaid, through another chain of transmitters, has narrated on the authority of Abdullah directly this addition:” There is no god but Allah, the One, there is no partner with Him, His is the Sovereignty and to Him is praise due and He is Potent over everything.”

Book 035, Number 6572:

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Abu Huraira that Allah’s Messenge; (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate thus:” There is no god but Allah, the One Who conferred upon His armies the honour of victory and helped His servant rout the clans; there is nothing after that.”

Book 035, Number 6573:

‘Ali reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said to him: Say,” O Allah, direct me to the right path and make me adhere to the straight path,” and when you make a mention of right guidance, keep in mind the right path and when you consider of the straight (path), keep in mind the straightness of the arrow.

Book 035, Number 6574:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of ‘Asim b. Kulaib with the same chain of transmitters that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said to me: Say:” O Allah, I beg of Thee righteousness and adhering to the straight path.”


Chapter 18: THE RECITING OF SUBHAN ALLAH IN THE MORNING AND AT THE TIME OF SLEEPING

Book 035, Number 6575:

Juwairiya reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) came out from (her apartment) in the morning as she was busy in observing her dawn prayer in her place of worship. He came back in the forenoon and she was still sitting there. He (the Holy Prophet) said to her: You have been in the same seat since I left you. She said: Yes. Thereupon Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: I recited four words three times after I left you and if these are to be weighed against what you have recited since morning these would outweigh them and (these words) are:” Hallowed be Allah and praise is due to Him according to the number of His creation and according to the pleasure of His Self and according to the weight of His Throne and according to the ink (used in recording) words (for His Praise).”

Book 035, Number 6576:

Juwairiya reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) happened to pass by her as she was observing her dawn prayer; or after she had observed her dawn prayer. The rest of the hadith is the same but with this variation that he said:” Hallowed be Allah according to the number of His creation, hallowed be Allah according to the pleasure of His Self, hallowed be Allah according to the weight of His Throne, hallowed be Allah according to the ink used in recording His words.”

Book 035, Number 6577:

It is reported on the authority of Ali that Fatima had corns in her hand because of working at the hand-mill. There had fallen to the lot of Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) some prisoners of war. She (Fatima) came to the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) but she did not find him (in the house). She met A’isha and informed her (about her hardship). When Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) came, she ( A’isha) informed him about the visit of Fatima. ABah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) came to them (Fitima and her family). They had gone to their beds. ‘Ali further (reported): We tried to stand up (as a mark of respect) but Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Keep to your beds, and he sat amongst us and I felt coldness of his feet upon my chest. He then said: May I not direct you to something better than what you have asked for? When you go to your bed, you should recite Takbir (Allah-o-Akbar) thirty-four times and Tasbih (Subhdn Allah) thirty-three times and Tahmid (al-Hamdu li-Allah) thirty-three times, and that is better than the servant for you.

Book 035, Number 6578:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Shu’ba with the same chain of transmitters but. with a slight variation of wording.

Book 035, Number 6579:

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Ibn Abi Laili but with this addition:” Ali said: Ever since I heard this (supplication) from Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him), I never abandoned it. It was said to him, Not even in the night of Siffin (battle of Siffin)? He sad: Yes, not even in the night of Siffin,”

Book 035, Number 6580:

Abu Huraira reported that Fatima came to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) and asked for a servant and told him of the hardship of household work. He said: You would not be able to get a servant from us. May I not direct you to what is better than the servant for you? Recite Subhaana Allah thirty-three times, al- Hamdu li-Allah thirty-three times and Allah-o-Akbar thirty-four times as you go to bed. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Suhail with the same chain of transmitters.


Chapter 19: THE EXCELLENCE OF SUPPLICATING AT THE TIME OF THE CROWING OF THE COCK IN THE MORNING

Book 035, Number 6581:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as say- ing. When you listen to the crowing of the cock, ask Allah for His favour as it sees Angels and when you listen to the braying of the donkey, seek refuge in Allah from the Satan for it sees Satan.


Chapter 20: SUPPLICATION DURING THE TIME OF TROUBLE

Book 035, Number 6582:

Ibn ‘Abbas reported that Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate during the time of trouble (in these words):” There is no god but Allah, the Great, the Tolerant, there is no god but Allah, the Lord of the Magnificent Throne There is no god but Allah, the Lord of the Heaven and the earth, the Lord of the Edifying Throne.”

Book 035, Number 6583:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham with the same chain of transmitters.

Book 035, Number 6584:

Ibn Abbas reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) used to supplicate (with these words) and he (uttered these words) at the time of trouble; the rest of the hadith is the same except with this difference that insted of saying:” The Lord of heaven and the earth,” he said:” The Lord of the heaven and that of the earth.”

Book 035, Number 6585:

Ibn ‘Abbas reported this hadith through another chain of transmitters with a sliglit variation of wording.


Chapter 21: THE MERIT OF SUBHAN ALLAH WA BI HAMDIHI

Book 035, Number 6586:

Abu Dharr reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) was asked as to which words were the best. He said: Those for which Allah made a choice for His Angels and His servants (and the words are):” Hallowed be Allah and praise is due to Him.”

Book 035, Number 6587:

Abu Dharr reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Should I not inform you about the words liked most by Allah? I said: Allah’s Mes- senger, do inform me about the words liked most by Allah. He said: Verily, the words liked most by Allah are:” hallowed be Allah and praise is due to Him.”


Chapter 22: EXCELLENCE OF SUPPLICATING FOR THE MUSLIMS BEHIND THEIR BACK (IN THEIR ABSENCE)

Book 035, Number 6588:

Abu Dharr reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother behind his back (in his absence) that the Angels do not say: The same be for you too.

Book 035, Number 6589:

Umm Darda’ reported: My husband reported that he heard Allah’s Mes- senger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who supplicates for his brother behind his back (in his absence), the Angel commissioned (for carrying supplication to his Lord) says: Amen, and it is for you also.

Book 035, Number 6590:

Safwan (and he was Ibn ‘Abdullah b. Safwan, and he had been married to Umm Darda’) reported: I visited Abu Darda’s house in Syria. I did not find him there but Umm Darda’ (was present at the house). She said: Do you intend to perform Hajj during this year? I said: Yes. She said: Do supplicate Allah for blessings upon us, for Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon hiin) used to say: The supplication of a Muslim for his brother at his back (in his absence) is responded so long as he makes a supplica- tion for blessings for his brother and the commissioned Angel says: Amen, and says: May it be for you too I I went to the bazar and met Abfi Dardi’ and he narrated like this from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him).

Book 035, Number 6591:

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Safwan b. ‘Abdullah b. Safwan with the same chain of transmitters.


Chapter 23: EXCELLENCE OF RECITING AL-HAMDU LI-ALLAH AFTER EATING AND DRINKING

Book 035, Number 6592:

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Allah is pleased with His servant who says: Al-Hamdu lillah While taking a morsel of food tnd while drinking.


Chapter 24: SUPPLICATION IS GRANTED IF THE SUPPLICANT DOES NOT SHOW IMPATIENCE

Book 035, Number 6593:

Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: The supplication of every one of you is granted if he does not grow impatient and says: I supplicated but it was not granted.

Book 035, Number 6594:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The supplication of one of you is granted if he does not grow impatient and say- I supplicated my Lord but it was not granted.

Book 035, Number 6595:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The supplication of the servant is granted in case he does not supplicate for sin or for severing the ties of blood, or he does not become impatient. It was said: Allah’s Messenger, what does:” If he does not grow impatient” imply? He said: That he should say like this: I supplicated and I supplicated but I did not find it being responded. and theu he becomes frustrated and abandons supplication.

[ Index Page ]

Ramadhaan: The Month Of Repentance – Abu Muhammad Al-Maghribee [Audio|En]

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Taken from one of the works of our noble sheikh Abdur-Razzaaq al-Badr, hafidhahullah

Listen / Download Mp3 Here (Time 56:50)
[audio https://salafiaudio.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/ramadhaan-the-month-of-repentance-abu-muhammad-al-maghribee.mp3]

Posted from: http://followthesalaf.com

Repentance – Ad-Dawah ilAllaah Magazine

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Source: Ad-Dawah ilaLlaah Magazine Vol 1 , Issue 1

The word Tawbah (Repentance) in Arabic literally means ‘to return’. In an Islamic context, it refers to the act of leaving what Allaah has prohibited and returning to what He has commanded.

The subject of repentance is one which concerns all people who believe in God, and is vital one for the Muslims to understand because our salvation in the hereafter is dependent on our repentance to Allaah, as is shown by Allaah’s order:

“AND TURN YOU ALL TOGETHER IN REPENTANCE TO ALLAAH O BELIEVERS, THAT YOU MAY BE SUCCESSFUL” [An-Noor (24):31]

In Soorah al-Baqarah, Allaah tells us:

“SURELY ALLAAH LOVES THOSE WHO TURN UNTO HIM IN REPENTANCE AND LOVES THOSE WHO PURIFY THEMSELVES.” [2:222]

This shows how pleasing our repenting is to Allaah. Also, the Prophet, Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam gave us an example of just how pleasing to Allaah our repenting is an authentic hadeeth in which he, (Sallalaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said:

“Allaah is more delighted with the repentance of His servant than one of you would be, who suddenly finds his camel laden with supplies after losing it in a barren land” (1)

Try to imagine your joy if you were to suddenly retrieve everything you ever possessed after losing all hope of recovering what you had lost. Then think that Allaah’s delight is even greater than this when His slave repents to Him. So much so, that if man stopped repenting to Allaah, He would replace us with another creation that would turn to Him for forgiveness. The Prophet (Sallalaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said:

“If you did not commit sins, Allaah would sweep you out of existence and replace you by another people who would commit sins, ask for Allaah’s forgiveness and He would forgive them.” (2)

The problem with many of us today, is that we don’t fear Allaah, which means that we don’t think twice about disobeying Him and therefore falling into sin, which we give no real tought to. So perhaps we should think about the statement which Ibn Mas’ood (3) radi Allaahu ‘anhu, made: “A believer sees his sins as if he were sitting under a mountain which he is affraid may fall on him, whereas the wicked person considers his sins as flies passing over his nose and he just drives them away like this (and he moved his hand over his nose in illustration).” (4)

NEVER DESPAIR

Someone might say, ‘I want to repent but my sins are too many.’ But Allaah says:

“SAY: O MY SLAVES WHO HAVE TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THEMSELVES! DESPAIR NOT FOR THE MERCY OF ALLAAH, VERILY ALLAAH FORGIVES ALL SINS. TRULY HE IS OFT FORGIVING, MOST MERCIFUL.” [Az-Zumar (39):53]

Therefore, we should never lose hope or stop asking for Allaah’s forgiveness. Its importance is shown to us in a hadeeth in which the Prophet (Sallalaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said:

“O people! Turn to Allaah in repentance and seek His forgiveness, for surely I make repentance a hundred times every day.” (5)

Repentance is such a great act of worship that doing it can totally erase our sins altoghether, as the Prophet, Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “One who repents from sin is like one without sin.” (6)

ONLY ALLAAH CAN FORGIVE SINS

Forgiveness for our sins is not something that comes automatically, it is something that must be sought sincerely and with consciousness. Also we should remember that it is only through Allaah’s Mercy that anyone will ever enter Paradise. The Prophet (Sallalaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) advised: “Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and rejoice, for no one’s good deeds will put him in Paradise.” The Companions asked, “Not even you O Messenger of Allaah?” He replied. “Not even me unless Allaah bestows His pardon and mercy on me.” (7)

Therefore in Islaam, salvation rests on faith (which includes), good actions and hope in Allaah’s mercy, all combined in truly unique manner which is not found in any other religion or system.

Furthermore, it is only Allaah who can forgive our sins and He is not in need of any intercessor. The proof for this is in a du’aa (supplication) which the Prophet (Sallalaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) taught his closest Companion Abu Bakr(8):

“O Allaah, truly I have wronged myself and none can forgive sins except you.” (9)

Therefore it is a complete waste of time asking forgiveness from the people such as “saints”, pious people or even the Prophet (Sallalaahu Alaihi wa Sallam). Allaah say in reply to people who do such things:

“VERILY, THOSE YOU CALL UPON BESIDES ALLAAH, ARE ONLY SLAVES LIKE YOURSELVES.” [a;-A’raaf (7):194]

It is important that we never despair of Allaah’s Mercy – no sin is too great to repent for… or too little for that matter. As one of the salaf (Pious predecessors) said: “Do not look at the insignifance of your sins, but consider the greatness of The One you are disobeying.” (10)

NOTES:

1. Narrated by Anas and collected in the hadeeth collection of al-Bukhaaree (eng. trans. vol.8 p.214 no.321) & Muslim (eng. trans. vol.4 p.1434 no.6611)
2. Marrated by Aboo Ayyoob & Aboo Hurayrah & collected by Muslim (eng. trans. vol.4 pp.1436-7 nos.6620-2).
3. ABDULLAAH IBN MAS’OOD (d. 32H) was one of the earliest six to embrace Islaam. Amongst the virtuous things that the Prophet (Sallalaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said about him, was his saying: “Affirm that which Ibn Mas’ood informs you.” [Saheeh – Ahmad & Others].
4. Collected by al-Bukhaaree (eng. trans. vol.8 p.214 no.320).
5. Reported by al-Aghaar ibn Yasaar & collected in Saheeh Muslim (eng. trans. vol.4 p.1418 no.6523).
6. HASAN – Reported by Abu ‘Ubaidah ibn ‘Abdullaah & collected by Ibn Majah Authenticated by al-Albaanee
7. Reported by Aboo Hurayrah & ‘Aa’ishah & collected by al-Bukhaaree (eng. trans. vol.8 p.315 no.474).
8. ALL of Ahl-us-Sunnah are agreed on the fact that Abu Bakr, radi Allaahu anhu was the most superior amongst all the Companions. The Prophet, said, “There is no one of greater help to me than Abu Bakr & he assisted me with his person, his property & he married his daughter [Aa’ishah] to me.” [HASAN – at-Tabaraanee]. He was appointed Khaleefah after the death of the Prophet & died two years after him at the age of 63.
9. The full text of this du’aa can be found in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (vol.1 p.442 no.776), Muslim (vol.4 pp.1419-20 no.6533), at-Tirmidhee & Ibn Majah.
10. Collected in al-Baihaqee’s ‘Sh’abul Eemaan’ (5/430).

GLOSSARY

AS DA’WAH ILALLAAH: The Call to Allaah

AHL US-SUNNAH WAL JAMAA’AH: A title used by the people who hold firmly to the SUNNAH of the Prophet in the way of the Companions of the Prophet and their sucessors (al Jamaa’ah). It is a name which distinguishes the people of truth from the people of innovation.

HASAN: Good; an authentic hadeeth – not as good as a ‘saheeh’ hadeeth, but neverless authentic.

RADEEALLAAHU ANHU/ANHA.ANHUM: May Allaah be pleased with him/her/them. Usually said after mentioning the name of a Companion(s).

SAHEEH: Authentic; the highest category of authenticity of hadeeth.

A Cry for Help : Turn to Repentance : Shaykh bin Baaz

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Al-Istiqaamah Magazine, Issue No.6 – Dhul-Qa’dah 1417H / March 1997

[Q]: I am a young man, nineteen years of age, and have involved myself in a great deal of sin. Even to the extent that I do not pray most of my Prayers in the mosque, and I have never completely fasted the month of Ramadaan in my entire life. Besides these, I have committed other sins as well. I have vowed to repent many times before, however, after doing so I lapse back into these same sins. The youths of my area are just as bad, as are the friends that I associate with. And Allaah knows that I have transgressed against myself and that whenever I repent, I return back to the same sins. I hope that you may direct me to a path that will bring me closer to my Lord and distance me from these evil actions of mine.

[A]: Allaah – the Might and Majestic – says: “Say O My Slaves who have transgressed against their own souls! Do not despair of Allaah’s mercy. Indeed Allaah forgives all sins, Truly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Soorah az-Zumar 39:53]. There is a consensus from the Scholars that this noble aayah (verse) was revealed for the taa’ibeen (those who repent). So whoever sincerely repents from his sins, then Allaah will forgive him all his sins, as occurs in the saving of Allaah – the Most Perfect – : “O you who Believe! Turn to Allaah in sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord may remove from you your sins and admit you into Paradise beneath which rivers flow.” [Soorah at-Tahreem 66:8]. So in this aayah (verse), Allaah has made the removal of sins and entry into Paradise dependant upon sincere repentance.

And sincere repentance is conditional upon: [i] abandoning the sin and keeping away from it, [ii] having regret and remorse for committing the sin, [iii] truly intending not to commit the sin again, [iv] remembering the greatness of Allaah and hoping for His reward, whilst fearing His punishment. Another condition for sincere repentance is that if due to transgression, the wealth or property of someone has been stolen or usurped, then it must be returned or forgiveness must be sought from the one whose wealth, blood or honour has been taken. However, if the honour of a person has been violated and the situation is such that it is not possible to seek that persons forgiveness, then plenty of du’aa (supplication) should be made for his welfare and he should be spoken good of in those places where he had previously been backbitten, since good deeds wipe away bad ones. Allaah – the Most Perfect – said: “Turn you all in repentance to Allaah, O Believers, in order that you may be successful.” [Soorah an-Noor 24:31]. So in this aayah (verse) Allaah the Mighty and Majestic – linked success with tawbah (repentance) and points to the fact that the repentant person will reach success and happiness, and if such a person were to follow up this repentance with eemaan (faith) and doing righteous actions, then Allaah would efface his evil actions and change them to good actions, as Allaah the Most Perfect – said after mentioning the sins of Shirk (directing worship that is due only for Allaah to other than Allaah), taking a life without just cause and fornication and adultery-: “And whoever does this, will receive the punishment, The punishment will be doubled for him on the Day of Judgement and he will live therein in disgrace. Except for those who repent, have eemaan (faith) and do righteous actions. For them Allaah will change their evil deeds into good ones, and Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Soorah al-Furqaan 25:68-70]

And from the causes of tawbah (repentance) are humility and submissiveness to Allaah – the Most Perfect – and asking Allaah for guidance and ability, and that acceptance of one’s repentance is considered as a Favour from Allaah, as Allaah – the Most Perfect – said: ‘‘Call upon Me and I will respond to your supplication.” [Soorah Ghaafir 40:60] And He – the Mighty and Majestic – said: “And when My servant asks you concerning Me, say to them that I am indeed near, And I respond to the supplication of the one who supplicates to Me.” [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:186]. Also, from the causes of tawbah is choosing good companionship and friendship and following them in righteous conduct, whilst staying clear of bad companionship. It is authentically related from Allaah’s Messenger sallaallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that he said: “A person is upon the way of life of his friend, so let one of you look to whom he keeps as a friend.”2

And the Prophet sallaallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam also said: “The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of a seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows. As for the seller of musk, then either he will grant you some, or at the very least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows, then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him.”3

1. Al-Fataawaa (1/251-253)
2. Hasan: Related by Abu Dawood (no.4812) and others, from Abu Hurayrah radiallaahu ‘anhu. Imaam an-Nawawee authenticated it in Riyaadus-Saaliheen (no.174).
3. Related by al-Bukhaaree (4/323) and Muslim (no.2628), from Abu Moosaa al-Asharee radiallaahu ‘anhu.

 

Repentance (Tawba) : Dr. Saleh as-Saleh [Audio & Transcribed Text]

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Bismillaahir Rahmanir Raheem.

Listen / Download Mp3 Here (Time 52:58)

Khutbatul Haajah…

The one who forgives the sins, alhamdulillaah! The one who accepts the repentance. I testify that Allaah alone deserves to be worshipped, subhanahu wa ta’ala. He is the most Generous and He is the o­ne who bestows upon us at-Taubah, repentance. Repentance is the task of the entire life. It is the beginning and the end of slave worship. It is the first station of the station of slavery to Allaah. It is its middle and it is its end. Our need for it is very great because we sin a lot and we become negligent concerning the right of Allaah upon us. Day and night we go through heedlessness. So we need that which polishes the hearts & purifies it from the accumulation of sins and disobedience and their stains. Tauba is to abandon the sin knowing its ugliness. With regards to doing it we should be determined not to return to indulge in it out of love, sincerity and hope for reward from Allaah fearing the punishment and that to be before examining death and before the sun rises from the West. This is the Tauba. Allaah opens its doors and promises to accept it irrespective of how major or how many sins there may be. Allaah says: ‘Turn ye unto obedience and repentance with true faith to your Lord and submit to Him in Islaam before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped.’

Allaah says: ‘And it is He who accepts repentance from His slaves and forgives sins and He knows what you do.’

Allaah says : ‘And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allaah’s forgiveness, he will find Allaah Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful – subhanahu wa ta’ala.

And He said concerning the Christians in (Surah Maidah 5: 73–74) urging them to repent : Surely, disbelievers are those who said: “Allaâh is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” But there is no ilâh (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but o­ne Ilâh (God -Allâah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them.’

Then he urged them to repent to Him and said: ‘Will they not repent to Allâh and ask His Forgiveness? For Allâh is Oft­ Forgiving, Most Merciful.’

How many of us use this verse when we give Dawah to the Christians in particular when they nullify what Allaah nullifies from trinity. How many of us think about verse 74? ‘Will they not repent to Allâaah and ask His Forgiveness? For Allâh is Oft­ Forgiving, Most Merciful.Giving them hope, giving them glad tidings that Allaah forgives this great error of theirs.

And Allaah spoke concerning the people of the Ditch Surah Burooj (85:10) – ‘Verily, those who put into trial the believing men and believing women (by torturing them and burning them), and then do not turn in repentance, (to Allâah), will have the torment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the burning Fire.’

Al Hasan al Basri (Rahimahullah) said : Look to this great generosity of Allaah. They killed His friends whilst He calls them to repent and ask His forgiveness.’

Allaah warns us none should despair of His Mercy in (Surah Zumar : 39-53) – Say: “O ‘Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâah, verily Allâah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) commented saying : ‘anyone who despairs the slaves of Allaah after the revelation of the above verse, then he has denied the Book of Allaah.’

As to the merits of Tauba,  its secrets & its blessings, then these are numerous and diverse.

Tauba calls to success. Tauba leads to happiness. Tauba expiates sins & if it is perfected it changes the sins into good deeds. And when a slave turns in repentance to Allaah it is o­ne of the most beloved acts of worship to Allah and Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala is pleased with the tauba of those asking for it.

The Prophet (sal allaahu alaiyhi wa sallam) said in the hadith reported by Bukhari & Muslim : ‘A believer sees his sins as if he is sitting under a mountain which he is afraid may fall o­n him. Whereas an evil, wicked doer considers his sins as flies passing over his nose and he just drives them away.’

Ibn Masud added Allaah’s Messenger (sal allaahu alaiyhi wa sallam) said: Allaah is more pleased with the repentance of his slave than a man who encamps at a place where his life is jeopardized. But he has his riding animal carrying his food and water. He then rests his head and sleeps for a short while and wakes to find his riding animal gone. He starts looking for it and suffers from severe heat and thirst or what Allaah wished him to suffer from. He then says: ‘I will go back to my place.’ He returns and sleeps again. Then when he wakes up, he raises his head to find his riding animal standing beside him. So imagine his happiness. Allaah said in the beginning here that Allaah is more pleased with the repentance of his slave than the situation of pleasure that this person experiences after he was saved from death. Such pleasure was not mentioned concerning other worships, (meaning other than the tauba) and know that this pleasure has a profound influence o­n the status of the o­ne who repents and o­n his heart.

From the merits of Tauba is that : through its great influence o­n the stations of uboodiyah, brings forth love, kindness, softness, mildness, gratitude to Allaah, praise of Him, being pleased with Him, enjoying his many blessings. And from its merits ‘humbleness.’ – humility of the heart, submissiveness to Allaah. And this is more beloved to Allaah than many of the apparent actions. Although the apparent actions may be more in quantity and quality than the slavery of repentance. Why? Because humility & humbleness is the spirit of worship and its essence. That’s why Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala is with the broken hearts, the humble o­nes to Him, & that’s why He subhanahu wa ta’ala is most near to His slave when he is in the position of humbleness & humility – and that is the prostration. Because this is the station of humility. And this may be the secret behind the response of Allaah to the invocation of the oppressed, the invocation of the traveler & to the invocation of the fasting person. Because of the humility in their hearts. The anguish of the oppressed causes the broken heart. Similarly the traveler finds broken heartedness (humility) when he travels to strange places. Similarly in a fasting person, it breaks the animalistic drive for lust & desires as Imaam Ibn Qayyim (rahimahullah) discussed. Despite the greatness of tauba and its great blessings there are however mistakes made by many people regarding tauba. And that is due to ignorance or negligence and his heedlessness.

From these mistakes:

1)Delaying repentance : In this case the person should repent for his sins & from his delay in repenting.

2)Paying no attention to Tauba: paying no attention to those sins the person may not know that he had committed. Because there are secret sins that are hidden & there are sins that the person is ignorant of. There is no salvation from this except through a general tauba : from that which he knows & from that which he doesn’t know. And that’s why the Prophet (salallaahu alaiyhi wa sallam) said that shirk in this ummah is more hidden & concealed than the creeping of ants.

Abu Bakr (may Allaah be pleased with him) asked Prophet (salallaahu alaiyhi wa sallam) how we could we rid ourselves from this. He (salallaahu alaiyhi wa sallam) said: reciting

Supplication for fear of shirk : (Quoted by Bukhari)

‘O Allaah, I take refuge in You lest I should commit shirk with You knowingly and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly.’

3)From the mistakes is to abandon tauba fearing that o­ne may return to the sin again or fearing from criticism by others or fearing to go to a lower rank & losing prestige & fame. This is a mistake that should be avoided. Thus the person should be determined to repent. And if he returns to the same sin, let him renew the tauba o­ne more time & so o­n if it recurs. And let him realize that if he repents Allaah will compensate him with good for that which he abandoned.

4)Widening the extent of the sin depending o­n the Mercy of Allaah and this is grave error. Why because, we know ‘Yes’ that Allaah is the Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful but we also know that He is severe in punishment. Allaah says: and never will his wrath be turned back from the people who are criminals, sinners etc. So the person has to remember this as well.

5)Repentance of the liars: those who abandon the sins temporarily due to sickness, accidents or other reasons, due to fear or hoping for some prestige. Whenever they get the opportunity, they return to the sins. This is the tauba of the kazzabeen – the repentance of the liars. It is not a true tauba. Not including of course in this the type of people who may think of committing a sin (his self invites/incites him to commit a sin) or that shaytaan deceived him & made him commit it. Then he regrets it and he repents. This is a true repentance. Also NOT included are thoughts — as long as they are thoughts and not materialized into action.

6)The delusion concerning the respite (an interval of rest or relief / a period of temporary delay) which Allaah gives to the wrongdoers. This turns people off from tauba. And that’s why the Prophet (salallaahu alaiyhi wa sallam) said: that if you see Allaah giving His slaves from the bounties in this life whilst he is sinning, He gives him what he likes – then this is a gradual attraction to punishment. Then the Prophet (salallaahu alaiyhi wa sallam) recited the saying of Allaah from Surah al-An’am:44 ‘So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened to them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them to punishment, and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows. (This is reported by Imaam Ahmed & the men of narration are trustworthy.)

Anyone who does evil will be recompensed for. And maybe that the sinner thinks his body is safe & then thinks that there is no punishment while his heedlessness concerning the fact that he will be punished if he does not repent in itself is a punishment. Ibn al-Jawzi (rahimahullaah) said: What is incumbent upon the intellectual (a person who has sound intellect) is to be cautious concerning his sins because its fire is under the ashes, and may be that the punishment is delayed due to the clemency of Allaah & may be it comes speedily. A person of sound intellect, when he commits a sin will hasten to repent.

7)From the mistakes concerning repentance is the despair from the Mercy of Allaah & the despair from repentance. Some people when they indulge in excessive sins and they repent o­nce or twice, then they return to the sin o­nce more & thereafter they return to the sin over and over again, they despair from the Mercy of Allaah. And this is a grave error. Because none despairs from the mercy of Allaah except the disbelievers.

We ask Allaah subhanahu wa ta’ala to assist us to be from those who repent sincerely to Him and may He, the Most High accept our repentance. Walhamdulillaahi rabbil Aalameen.

May Allaah reward the sister who Transcribed from the Audio 

Performing Tawbah from envy : Nur Ala Al-Darb Fatwas

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Source : Nur `Ala Al-Darb Fatwas , alifta.net

Q62: I would like to perform Tawbah (repentance to Allah) from envying others. I am trying to get rid of this quality as hard as I can, but Satan often tempts me to do this through jealousy. If I become jealous of my colleagues or other women, I begin to envy them. A friend told me, “Suppress your jealousy and envy inside your heart, and don’t talk about it, so Allah will not punish you for it.”

A62: Yes, it is true, if you feel something you should try to struggle against yourself and suppress your feelings, and do not do anything contrary to the Shari`ah.

– Do not try to harm the person that you envy, whether by actions or by words.

– Ask Allah to remove this from your heart so it will not harm you.

– If one person envies another, but they do not act upon it, it will not harm them if they do not harm the person they envy, take their blessing from them, or speak ill about them. If it is something that is in their mind and they suppress it, it will not cause them any harm. However, they should be careful to avoid saying or doing anything to harm the person they envy. It was narrated the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,Avoid envy, as envy devours good deeds just as a fire devours fuel.

– Envy is a malicious thing that harms the one who feels it before it harms others.

– Believers should beware of this and ask Allah for protection. They should supplicate to Allah to remove this from their hearts, until there is nothing left of it. And, whenever they feel anything like it, they should struggle against themselves to suppress it and keep it inside their hearts, without hurting the person they envy, whether by actions or by words. And may Allah help us all!

The Story of the Sincerity and Tawbah of Ka’b ibn Maalik – Shaykh Usaamah al-Utaybee [Audio|Ar-En]

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The Sincerity and Tawbah of Ka’b ibn Maalik (radhi Allaahu Anhu)
Shaykh Usaamah al-Utaybee (hafidhahullaah)
[Audio|Arabic-English]

Explanation of Hadeeth : Riyaadh us Saaliheen of Imaam an-Nawawi
Read the Story Here : The Story of Ka’b Ibn Maalik (rahimahullaah)

Listen / Download Mp3 Here (Time 93:10)

Source:Posted from http://www.mpubs.org with permission.
Visit Unity Upon Tawheed Bahamas Seminar 2012 with Shaykh Abu ‘Umar Usamah al-’Utaybi

Repenting from all sins but keeping the ill-gotten money (like in the case of new Muslim) – Permanent Committee

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Repenting from all sins but keeping the ill-gotten money

Q 6: A person used to abandon Salah (prayer), drink alcohol and commit vile deeds. He has a lot of ill-gotten money. He then turned to Allah with sincere repentance with regard to all the sins mentioned above except the ill-gotten money. Should he get rid of such ill-gotten money? Or will he be treated like a new Muslim who is not asked about the source of his wealth?

A: on turning to Allah with sincere repentance with regards to the ill-gotten money, it is obligatory for one to get rid of such evil money. In case he is not able to define the ill-gotten money, he can give out what he thinks to clear himself from such guilt. This is to be followed if his sins have not caused him to leave Islam.

On committing sins that make a person leave Islam such as the abandonment of Salah, according to the most preponderant opinion of scholars, even if such a person does not deny its obligation, repentance can be realized by performing Salah and embracing Islam again. This is because Islam wipes out all that has gone before it. Also, one is not obliged to get rid of the money he got before adopting Islam. This is because Allay (Exalted be He) says about the disbelievers, Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief), their past will be forgiven. As mentioned in the Sahih (Authentic Book of Hadith), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Islam wipes out all that has gone before it (previous misdeeds). And penitence also wipes out all that has gone before it.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’

Member     Member     Deputy Chairman     Chairman
Bakr Abu Zayd     Salih Al-Fawzan     `Abdul-`Aziz Al Al-Shaykh     `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

Source : alifta.com

Salat-ul-Tawbah (Prayer of Repentance) – Shaykh Ibn Baaz

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Q: When I was a young man, I committed some sins. Alhamdu lillah [All praise is due to Allah], for having guided me to make Tawbah (repentance to Allah). However, I still have doubts about whether Allah has accepted my Tawbah or not. Kindly enlighten me regarding Salat-ul-Tawbah (Prayer of Repentance). May Allah reward you with the best!

A: Alhamdu lillah, Tawbah wipes out all one’s past sins. Therefore, you should give up your doubts that Allah has turned your Tawbah away. Rather, you have to expect good from your Lord and have firm belief that He has accepted your heartfelt Tawbah. This is based on the Ayah (Qur’anic verse) in which Allah says:

وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful
(Surah Al-Nur, 24: 31)

In the above Ayah, Allah has made success contingent upon making Tawbah. Anyone who turns in Tawbah to Allah, will achieve success. Allah (Glorified be He) says:

وَإِنِّي لَغَفَّارٌ لِّمَن تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا ثُمَّ اهْتَدَىٰ

And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, (till his death). (Surah Ta­Ha, 20: 82)

Allah is the Ever-Truthful Who never breaks His Promises.

Allah (Glorified be He) also says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ

O you who believe! Turn to Allâh with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) (Surah Al-Tahrim, 66: 8)

In the above Ayah Allah’s Promise, as indicated by the words “It may be …”, should be understood to mean that He will surely fulfill His Promise.

Therefore, you have to expect good from Allah and assume that He has accepted your Tawbah provided that you are sincere and full of remorse for committing these past sins. You also have to be determined not to return to doing them again. You have to be aware of incitements of Satan. In one Hadith Qudsy (Revelation from Allah in the Prophet’s words) Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“I am near to the thought of My Servant as he thinks about Me.”

Therefore, you ought to have firm belief that Allah has accepted your Tawbah. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

Let none of you die without expecting good from Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) (Related by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith)

As for Salat-ul-Tawbah, it was authentically reported on the authority of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

Anyone who commits a sin, performs Wudu’ (ablution) properly, and then offers two Rak’ahs (units of Prayer) wherein he asks Allah to forgive his sins, Allah will accept his Tawbah. (Related by Ahmad)

May Allah grant us success!

Source : Ibn Baaz fatwas from alifta.com

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