Desirability of Seclusion at times of corruption committed by the peopleof the World

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 69
Desirability of Seclusion at times of corruption committed by the people of the
World

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“So flee to Allah (from His Torment to His Mercy – Islamic Monotheism), verily, I (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) am a plain warner to you from Him.” (51:50)

597. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah loves a slave who is pious, free of all wants and the unnoticed.”
[Muslim].

598. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Someone asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “Who is the best man?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) answered, “A believer who strives in the Cause of Allah with his life and his wealth.’‘ The man asked: “Who is the next?” He said, “One who retires into a narrow valley and worships his Rubb.”

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “One who fears Allah and safeguards people against his own mischief.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

599. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best possession of a Muslim will be a herd of sheep with which he retires to the top of a mountain or places where rain is expected to fall (pastures) so as to safeguard with his faith from tribulation.”
[Al-Bukhari].

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

601. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best of people is a man who is holding his horse’s rein in the way of Allah (in Jihad) and is galloping towards the place wherever he hears a call for war or detects a note of danger; he goes on proceeding, seeking martyrdom or death wherever it is expected. And a man who retires with some sheep in a mountainside or a valley. He performs Salat regularly and pays the Zakat, continues worshipping his Rubb, till death overtakes him. He does not interfere in the affairs of the people except for betterment.”
[Muslim].

Abomination of longing for Death

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 67
Abomination of longing for Death

585. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “None of you should wish for death. If he is righteous, perhaps he may add to (his) good works, and if he is a sinner, possibly he may repent (in case he is given a longer life).”
[Al-Bukhari].

     In Muslim, Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported : Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Let none of you wish for death, nor he ask for it before it comes to him, because when he dies, his actions will be terminated; certainly the age of a (true) believer does not add but good.”  

586. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Let none of you wish for death on account of an affliction that befalls him. If he has no alternative, let him pray: `Allahumma ahyine ma kanatil-hayatu khairan li, wa tawaffani idha kanatil-wafatu khairan li (O Allah! Give my life so long as the life is good for me, and take away my life if death is good for me)’.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

587. Qais bin Abu Hazim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went to visit Khabbab bin Aratt (May Allah be pleased with him) during his illness. He had been cauterized in seven places. He said: “Our companions who have died have left (this world) without having enjoyed the pleasures of the world (in order to get a great full reward in the Hereafter) while we have amassed wealth exceeding our needs for which there is no place to keep except in the earth. Had Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) not prohibited us from longing for death, I would have prayed for it.” Then we visited him again and he was building a wall. He said: “There is a reward in store for a Muslim in respect of everything on which he spends except for something he places in the earth (i.e., something exceeding our needs or essentials).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Desirability of visiting the Graves for men, and that they should say

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 66
Desirability of visiting the Graves for men, and that they should say

581. Buraidah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(In the past) I forbade you from visiting graves, but visit them now.”

In another narration Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever wants to visit a graveyard, let him do so, because it reminds us of the Hereafter.”
[Muslim].

582. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her): reported Whenever it was her turn to spend with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), he used to go to the Baqi` (graveyard in Al-Madinah) at the last part of night and say, “May you be safe, O abode of the believing people. What you have been promised has come to you. You are tarried till tomorrow and certainly we shall follow you if Allah wills. O Allah, forgive the inmates of the Baqi`-al-Gharqad.”
[Muslim].

583. Buraidah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to teach them (i.e., the Companions) whenever they came out to visit the graveyard to say: “As-salamu `alaikum ahlad-diyyari minal-Mu’minina wal-Muslimina, wa inna in sha’ Allahu bikum lahiqun. As’alul-laha lana wa-lakumul- `afiyyah  (May you be safe, O inmates of the abodes of the believers and the Muslims, and if Allah pleases, we shall follow you, we pray to Allah for well-being for ourselves and for you).”
[Muslim].

584. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by the graves at Al-Madinah. He turned his face towards them and said, “May you be granted safety, O inmates of the graves. May Allah forgive us and you. You have preceded us, and we are to follow.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

Excellence of a Grateful Rich Man – Riyad-us-Saliheen

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 64 : Excellence of a Grateful Rich Man

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him, and believes in Al-Husna. We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness).” (92:5-7)

“And Al-Muttaqun (the pious and righteous) will be far removed from it (Hell). He who spends his wealth for increase in self-purification. And who has (in mind) no favour from anyone to be paid back. Except to seek the Countenance of his Rubb, the Most High. He surely, will be pleased (when he will enter Jannah).” (92:17-21)

“If you disclose your Sadaqat (alms-giving), it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you. (Allah) will expiate you some of your sins. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.” (2:271)

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

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

572. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Envy is justified in regard to two types of persons only: a man whom Allah has given knowledge of the Qur’an, and so he recites it during the night and during the day; and a man whom Allah has given wealth and so he spends from it during the night and during the day.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

573. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Some of the poor Emigrants came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said to him, “The wealthy have obtained all high ranks and everlasting bliss.” He asked, “How is that?” They replied: “They offer Salat as we do, and observe Saum (fasting) as we do, but they give in Sadaqah (charity) and we do not, and they emancipate slaves and we cannot.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shall I not teach you something whereby you will catch up with those who have preceded you and will get ahead of those who follow you, and no one will surpass you unless he does the same as you do?” They said, “Surely, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Say: Subhan Allah, and Allahu Akbar, and praise Him (by saying Al-hamdu lillah) thirty-three times at the end of every Salat.” They returned to him and said: “Our brothers, the possessors of wealth, having heard what we are doing, have started doing the same.” Messenger of Allah  (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “This is Grace of Allah which He gives to whom He wishes.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Competition in matters of the Hereafter

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

Prohibition of Miserliness – Riyad-us-Saliheen

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 61 : Prohibition of Miserliness

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“But he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient. And belies Al-Husna. We will make smooth for him the path for evil. And what will his wealth avail him when he goes down (in destruction)?” (92:8-11)

“And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, then they are the successful ones.” (64:16)

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

 

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

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Permissibility of Assistance without Greed

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 58
Permissibility of Assistance without Greed

538. Salim, son of Abdullah bin `Umar, from his father Abdullah; from `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would give me some gift, but I would say: “Give it to someone who needs it more than I.” Thereupon he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would say, “Take it when it comes to you without begging and without greed, and add it to your property. Then use it yourself or give it away in charity. As for the rest, do not covet it.” Salim said: `Abdullah bin `Umar would never ask anything from anyone, nor would he refuse accepting it when it was given to him.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Contentment and Self-esteem and avoidance of unnecessary begging ofPeople

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 57
Contentment and Self-esteem and avoidance of unnecessary begging of People

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And no moving (living) creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah.” (11:6)

“(Charity is) for Fuqara (the poor), who in Allah’s Cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land (for trade or work). The one who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. You may know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all.” (2:273)

“And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).” (25:67)

“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them (i.e., provision for themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e., feed themselves or My creatures).” (51:56,57)

522. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Richness is not the abundance of wealth, rather it is self-sufficiency.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

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

524. Hakim bin Hizam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I begged Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he gave me; I begged him again and he gave me. I begged him again and he gave me and said, “O Hakim, wealth is pleasant and sweet. He who acquires it with self-contentment, it becomes a source of blessing for him; but it is not blessed for him who seeks it out of greed. He is like one who goes on eating but his hunger is not satisfied. The upper hand is better than the lower one.” I said to him, “O Messenger of Allah, by Him Who sent you with the Truth I will not, after you, ask anyone for anything till I leave this world.” So Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) would summon Hakim (May Allah be pleased with him) to give his rations, but he would refuse.  Then ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) would call him but he would decline to accept anything. So ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said addressing Muslims: “O Muslims, I ask you to bear testimony that I offer Hakim his share of the booty that Allah has assigned for him but he refuses my offer.” Thus Hakim did not accept anything from anyone after the death of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), till he died.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

525. Abu Burdah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him)  said: “Six of us accompanied Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in an expedition. We had one camel with us; we rode it in turn. Our feet got injured and my nails also fell out. We wrapped up our feet in rags; and because of this the campaign came to be known as Dhat-ur-Riqa` (the Campaign of Rags).” Abu Burdah (May Allah be pleased with him) says: Abu Musa reported this Hadith but regretted having done so. He said, “Would that I had not mentioned it!” He said so because he disliked to disclose anything concerning his deeds.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

526. `Amr bin Taghlib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Some booty or prisoners of war were brought to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he distributed them, giving some men and neglecting others. Then, he was informed that those whom he had not given a thing were displeased. On this the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) praised Allah and glorified Him and said, “It is a fact that I give to one and overlook another. The one I ignore is dearer to me than the one I give. I give to those in whose hearts I perceive anxiety; others I leave with the richness and contentment that Allah has put in their hearts. One of them is `Amr bin Taghlib.” Upon this `Amr bin Taghlib said, “By Allah I shall not accept a herd of red camels in exchange for what the Prophet said (about me).”
[Al-Bukhari].

527. Hakim bin Hizam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The upper hand is better than the lower one; and begin (charity) with those who are under your care; and the best charity is (the one which is given) out of surplus; and he who wishes to abstain from begging will be protected by Allah; and he who seeks self-sufficiency will be made self-sufficient by Allah.”  
[Al-Bukhari].

528. Abu Sufyan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not be importunate in begging. By Allah! If one of you asks me for something and I give it to him unwillingly, there is no blessing in what I give him.”
[Muslim].

529. `Auf bin Malik Al-Ashja`i (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Seven, eight or nine people, including myself, were with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on an occasion when he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) remarked, “Would you pledge allegiance to Messenger of Allah?” As we had taken oath of allegiance shortly before, we said, “We have already done so, O Messenger of Allah.” He again asked, “Would you not pledge allegiance to Messenger of Allah?” So we stretched out our hands and said, “We have already made our pledge with you, O Messenger of Allah, on what should we make a pledge with you?” He said, “To worship Allah and not to associate anything with Him, to perform the five (daily) Salat and to obey.” Then he added in a low tone, “And not to ask people for anything.” Thereafter, I noticed that some of these people who were present did not ask anyone to pick up even the whip for them if it fell from their hands. [Muslim].

530. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If one of you would keep begging (of people) until he meets Allah (on the Day of Resurrection) his face will be without a shred of flesh.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

531. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: While Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was on his pulpit (in the mosque) delivering a Khutbah (religious talk) about Sadaqah (charity) and begging, he said, “The upper hand is better than the lower hand, the upper hand is the one which gives and the lower hand is the begging one.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

532. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who begs to increase his riches is in fact asking only for a live coal. It is up to him to decrease it or increase it.”
[Muslim].

533. Samurah bin Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Begging is a cut that a person inflicts upon his face; except for asking a ruler, or under the stress of circumstances from which there is no escape.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

534. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who suffers poverty and seeks relief from people, he will not be relieved; but he who seeks relief from Allah Alone, he will be relieved sooner or later.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

535. Thauban (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who guarantees me that he will not beg anything from anyone, I will guarantee him (to enter) Jannah.” I said, “I give you the guarantee.” Then Thauban (May Allah be pleased with him) never begged anything from anyone.
[Abu Dawud].

536. Qabisah bin Al-Mukhariq (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I stood as surety for a debt and came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to seek his help in discharging it. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Wait till we receive charity and I shall give you out of it.’‘ He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added, “O Qabisah, begging is not lawful except for three people. One who has incurred debt (for assuming guarantee), for him begging is permissible till the guarantee is discharged and he should then refrain; a person whose property has been destroyed by a calamity is allowed to beg till he attains self-sufficiency; a person who meets with dire necessity (due to hunger) provided that three men of understanding from his people affirm the genuineness (of his poverty), for him begging is lawful till he attains means of his subsistence. Other than these, O Qabisah, anything received through begging is unlawful, its recipient devours it unlawfully.”
[Muslim].

537. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A needy person is not the one who goes from door to door, begging and is turned away with a morsel or two or with a date or two. But a needy person is the one who does not have enough to live upon, and neither from his appearance it occurs that he is needy and should be given alms, nor does he himself beg anything from others.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 55
Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Verily, the likeness of (this) worldly life is as the water (rain) which We send down from the sky; so by it arises the intermingled produce of the earth of which men and cattle eat: until when the earth is clad in its adornments and is beautified, and its people think that they have all the powers of disposal over it, Our Command reaches it by night or by day and We make it like a clean-mown harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday! Thus, do We explain the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, laws, etc.) in detail for the people who reflect.” (10:24)

“And put forward to them the example of the life of this world: it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is Able to do everything. Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Rubb for rewards and better in respect of hope.” (18:45,46)

“Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. (It is) as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe torment (for the disbelievers-evildoers), and (there is) forgiveness from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure (for the believers-gooddoers). And the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment”. (57:20).

“Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life; but Allah has the excellent return (Jannah with flowing rivers) with Him.” (3:14).

“O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true. So let not this present life deceive you, and let not the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allah.” (35:5).

“The mutual rivalry (for piling up of worldly things) diverts you. Until you visit the graves (i.e., till you die). Nay! You shall come to know! Again nay! You shall come to know! Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge (the end result of piling up, you would not have been occupied yourselves in worldly things)”. (102:1-5).

“And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter is the real life if they but knew”.  (29:64).

457. `Amr bin `Auf Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent Abu `Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah (May Allah be pleased with him) to Bahrain to collect (Jizyah). So he returned from Bahrain with wealth. The Ansar got news of it and joined with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in the Fajr prayer. When the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) concluded the prayer, they stood in his way. When he saw them, he smiled and said, “I think you have heard about the arrival of Abu `Ubaidah with something from Bahrain”. They said, “Yes! O Messenger of Allah!”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Rejoice and hope for that which will please you. By Allah, it is not poverty that I fear for you, but I fear that this world will be opened up with its wealth for you as it was opened to those before you; and you vie with one another over it as they did and eventually it will ruin you as it ruined them”.
[Muslim].

458. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sat on the pulpit and we sat around him. He said: “What I am concerned most is the flourishment and the beauty of this world will be available to you”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

459. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “The world is sweet and green (alluring); and verily, Allah is making you to succeed each other, generations after generations in it in order to see how you act. So beware of this world  and beware of women”.
[Muslim].

460. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “O Allah, there is no true life but the life of the Hereafter”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

461. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Three (things) follow a dead person: Members of his family, his property and his deeds. Two of them return; and one remains with him. The people and his wealth return; his deeds remain with him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

462. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Among the inmates of Hell, a person who had led the most luxurious life in this world will be brought up on the Day of Resurrection and dipped in the Fire and will be asked: `O son of Adam! Did you ever experience any comfort? Did you happen to get any luxury?’ He will reply: `By Allah, no, my Rubb.’ And then one of the people of Jannah who had experienced extreme misery in the life of this world will be dipped in Jannah. Then he will be asked: `O son of Adam! Did you ever experience any misery? Did you ever encounter difficulty?’ He will say: “By Allah, no my Rubb, I neither experienced misery nor passed through hardship”.
[Muslim].

463. Al-Mustaurad bin Shaddad (May allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “This world (i.e., its pleasures and duration) in comparison with the Hereafter is (similar to the amount of water) one gets when he puts his finger in the sea. Let him then see what it returns with”.
[Muslim].

464. Jabir bin `Abdullah (May allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was passing through the bazaar with his Companions on his both sides, when he saw a dead skinny lamb. He held its ear and said, “Who of you would like to have it for a dirham”. They replied, “We do not like to get it for nothing, and what shall we do with it?”. Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Would you like to have it for nothing?”. They replied, “Had it been alive, it would have been defective because it is skinny; but when dead it is of no use”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Truly, the world is more contemptible to Allah than this (the dead lamb) is to you”.
[Muslim].

465. Abu Dharr (May allah be pleased with him) reported: I was walking with the Prophet on the stony ground in Al-Madinah in the afternoon when Uhud Mount came into sight. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Abu Dharr!” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, here I am responding to you”. He said, “If I had as much gold as the weight of Uhud, it would not please me to have a single dinar out of it with me after the passage of three days, but I would hold back something for the repayment of a debt. I would distribute it among the slaves of Allah like this and like this and like this.” And he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) pointed in front of him, and on his right side and on his left side. We then walked a little further and he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “The rich would be poor on the Day of  Resurrection, except he who spent like this and like this and like this,”. and he pointed as he did the first time. “But such persons are few”. Then he said, “Stay where you are till I come back to you”. He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) walked ahead a little further in the darkness of the night and disappeared from my sight. I heard a loud voice. I said (to myself): “The Messenger of Allah might have met (mishap or an enemy)”. I wished I could go after him but I remembered his commanding me to stay till he came back. So I waited for him; and when he came, I made mention of what I had heard. He asked, “Did you hear it?”. I said, “Yes”. Then he said, “It was Jibril (Gabriel), who came to me and said: `He who dies among your Ummah without having associated anything with Allah (in worship) will enter Jannah.’ I said: `Even if he committed illicit sexual intercourse or steals?’ He (Jibril) said: `Even if he has committed illicit sexual intercourse or steals”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

466. Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “If I had gold equal to Mount Uhud (in weight), it would not please me to pass three nights and I have a thing of it left with me, except what I retain for repayment of a debt”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

467. Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Look at those who are inferior to you and do not look at those who are superior to you, for this will keep you from belittling Allah’s Favour to you.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

This is the wording in Sahih Muslim. The narration in Al-Bukhari is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)  said: “When one of you looks at someone who is superior to him in property and appearance, he should look at someone who is inferior to him”.

468. Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with ihm) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “May he be miserable, the worshipper of the dinar and dirham, and the worshipper of the striped silk cloak. If he is given anything, he is satisfied; but if not, he is unsatisfied”.
[Al-Bukhari]

469. Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw seventy of the people of the Suffah and none of them had a cloak. They had either a lower garment or a blanket which they suspended from their necks. Some (cloaks) reached halfway down to the legs and some to the ankles; and the man would manage to keep it in his hand to avoid exposing his private parts.
[Al-Bukhari].

470. Abu Hurairah (May allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “The world is the believer’s prison and the infidel’s Jannah”.
[Muslim].

471. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) took hold of my shoulders and said, “Be in the world like a stranger or a wayfarer”.

Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) used to say: “When you survive till the evening, do not expect to live until the morning; and when you survive until the morning, do not expect to live until the evening; (do good deeds) when you are in good health before you fall sick, and (do good deeds) as long as you are alive before death strikes”.
[Al-Bukhari].

472. Sahl bin Sa`d As-Sa`idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, guide me to such an action which, if I do Allah will love me and the people will also love me.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Have no desire for this world, Allah will love you; and have no desire for what people possess, and the people will love you.”
[Ibn Majah]

473. An-Nu`man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) spoke at length regarding the worldly prosperity that people had achieved and said: “I saw that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would pass his days in hunger and could not get even degraded dates to fill his stomach”.
[Muslim].

474. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) died when my house was void of any edible thing except for a small quantity of barley I had on a shelf and from which I kept eating it for a long time. Then when I measured what was left of it, it soon finished.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

475. `Amr bin Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with him) the brother of Juwairiyah (May Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of believers) reported: (When he died) Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) left neither a dinar nor a dirham nor a male slave nor a female slave, nor anything else except his white riding mule, his weapons and his land which he had given in charity to wayfarers.
[Al-Bukhari].

476. Al-Khabbab bin Al-Aratt (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We emigrated with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) seeking the pleasure of Allah and expecting our reward from Him. Some of us died without enjoying anything of it. Among them was Mus`ab bin `Umair (May Allah be pleased with him), who was killed in the battle of Uhud, leaving only a small coloured sheet of wool (which we used as his shroud). When we covered his head with it, his feet were exposed, and when we covered his feet with it, his head was uncovered. So the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) told us to cover his head and to put some Idhkhir (i.e., fragrant grass) over his feet. Others among us enjoy prosperity.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

477. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Were this world worth a wing of mosquito, He would not have given a drink of water to an infidel.”

[At-Tirmidhi].

478. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily! The world is accursed and what it contains is accursed, except remembrance of Allah and those who associate themselves with Allah; and a learned man, and a learning person.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

479. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do not crave for property lest you should be absorbed in the desire of worldly life.”
[At-Tirmidhi]

480. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: We were repairing our thatchy hut when Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by and asked us, “What are you doing?” We said, “The thatch had gone weak and we are repairing it.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I see the sure thing (death) approaching sooner than this.”
[Abu Dawud].

481. Ka`b bin `Iyad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, there is a Fitnah (trial) for every nation and the trial for my nation (or Ummah) is wealth.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

482. `Uthman bin `Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There is no right for the son of adam except in these (four) things: A house to live in, a cloth to cover therewith his private parts, bread and water.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

483.  `Abdullah bin Ash-Shikhkhir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) while he was reciting (Surat At-Takathur 102):

“The mutual rivalry (for hoarding worldly things) preoccupy you. Until you visit the graves (i.e., till you die). Nay! You shall come to know! Again nay! You shall come to know! Nay! If you knew with a sure knowledge (the end result of hoarding, you would not have been occupied in worldly things). Verily, you shall see the blazing Fire (Hell)! And again, you shall see it with certainty of sight! Then (on that Day) you shall be asked about the delights (you indulged in, in this world)!” (102:1-8)

(After reciting) he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Son of adam says: `My wealth, my wealth.’ Do you own of your wealth other than what you eat and consume, and what you wear and wear out, or what you give in Sadaqah (charity) (to those who deserve it), and that what you will have in stock for yourself.”
[Muslim].

484. `Abdullah bin Mughaffal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! By Allah, I love you.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Think about what you are saying.” The man repeated thrice, “I swear by Allah that I love you.” He (Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “If you love me, you should be ready for acute poverty; because poverty comes to those who love me, faster than a flood flowing towards its destination.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

485. K`ab bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Two hungry wolves sent in the midst of a flock of sheep are no more destructive to them than a man’s greed for wealth and fame is to his Deen.”

[At-Tirmidhi]

486. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) slept on a straw mat and got up with the marks left by it on his body. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “O Messenger of Allah! Would that you make us spread out a soft bedding for you.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “What have I to do with the world? I am like a rider who had sat under a tree for its shade, then went away and left it.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

487. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The poor will enter Jannah five hundred years before the rich.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

488. Ibn `Abbas and `Imran bin Al-Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I looked into Jannah and saw that most of its dwellers are the poor; and I looked into Hell and saw that most of its inmates were women.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

489. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I stood at the gate of Jannah and saw that most of those who enter it were poor, whereas the rich were held back; but those who were destined to go to Hell were ordered to be sent there (immediately).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

490. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most truthful statement a poet has ever made is the saying of Labid: Everything besides Allah is vain.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

Excellence of Good Hopes

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 52
Excellence of Good Hopes

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

Fear (of Allah)

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And fear none but Me”. (2:40)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 49
Making Judgment of people keeping in view their evident actions and leaving
their hidden Actions to Allah (swt)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 48
Warning against persecution of the Pious, the Weak and the Indigent

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

Excellence and Etiquette of Sincere love for the sake of Allah

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 46
Excellence and Etiquette of Sincere love for the sake of Allah

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) is the Messenger of Allah. And those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking bounty from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e., of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurat (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, and becomes thick and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers, that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allah has promised those among them who believe (i.e., all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e., Jannah).’‘ (48:29)

“And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, – love those who emigrate to them…” (59:9)

375. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are three qualities whoever has them, will taste the sweetness of Iman: To love Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) more than anyone else; to love a slave (of Allah) only for (the sake of) Allah; and to abhor returning to infidelity after Allah has saved him from it as he would abhor to be thrown into the fire (of Hell)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

376. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Seven are (the persons) whom Allah will give Shade of His Thrown on the Day when there would be no shade other than His Throne’s Shade: A just ruler; a youth who grew up worshipping Allah; a man whose heart is attached to mosques; two persons who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of Allah; a man whom an extremely beautiful woman seduces (for illicit relation), but he (rejects this offer by saying): `I fear Allah’; a man who gives in charity and conceals it (to such an extent) that the left hand does not know what the right has given; and a person who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes well up”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

377. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah, the Exalted, will say: `Where are those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory? Today I shall shelter them in My Shade when there will be no shade except Mine”.
[Muslim].

378. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another. May I inform you of something, if you do, you love each other. Promote greeting amongst you (by saying As-salamu `alaikum to one another)”.
[Muslim].

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

380. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said about the Ansar: “Only a believer loves them, and only a hypocrite hates them. Allah loves him who loves them and Allah hates him who hates them”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

381. Mu`adh (bin Jabal) (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, has said: `For those who love one another for the sake of My Glory, there will be seats of light (on the Day of Resurrection), and they will be envied by the Prophets and martyrs”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

382. Abu Idris Al-Khaulani (May Allah had mercy upon him) reported: I once entered the mosque in Damascus. I happened to catch sight of a young man who had bright teeth (i.e., he was always seen smiling). A number of people had gathered around him. When they differed over anything they would refer it to him and act upon his advice. I asked who he was and I was told that he was Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) The next day I hastened to the mosque, but found that he had arrived before me and was busy in performing Salat. I waited until he finished, and then went to him from the front, greeted him with Salam and said to him,By Allah I love you.” He asked, “For the sake of Allah?” I replied, “Yes, for the sake of Allah”. He again asked me, “Is it for Allah’s sake?” I replied, “Yes, it is for Allah’s sake.” Then he took hold of my cloak, drew me to himself and said, “Rejoice,! I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `Allah, the Exalted, says: My love is due to those who love one another for My sake, meet one another for My sake, visit one another for My sake and spend in charity for My sake”.
[Malik].

383. Abu Karimah Al-Miqdad bin Ma`dikarib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man loves his brother (for Allah sake) let him tell him that he loves him”.
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

384. Mu`adh (bin Jabal) (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) held my hand and said, “O Mu`adh, By Allah, I love you and advise you not to miss supplicating after every Salat (prayer) saying: `Allahumma a`inni `ala dhikrika wa shukrika, wa husni `ibadatika,’ (O Allah, help me remember You, expressing gratitude to You and worship You in the best manner)”.
[Abu Dawud and An-Nasa’i].

385. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man was with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when another man passed by and the former said: “O Messenger of Allah! I love this man (for Allah’s sake)”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Have you informed him?” He said, “No”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then said, “Tell him (that you love him)”. So he went up to the man and said to him, “I love you for the sake of Allah;” and the other replied, “May Allah, for Whose sake you love me, love you.”
[Abu Dawud].

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

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“And keep yourself (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) patiently with those who call on their Rubb (i.e., your companions who remember their Rubb with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Pleasure.” (18:28)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Showing reverence to the Family of Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 43

Showing reverence to the Family of Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs (evil deeds and sins) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)), and to purify you with a thorough purification.” (33:33)

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

346. Yazid bin Haiyan reported: I went along with Husain bin Sabrah and `Amr bin Muslim to Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be pleased with them) and, as we sat by his side, Husain said to him,Zaid, you acquired great merits, you saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), listened to him talking, fought by his side in (different) battles, and offered Salat (prayer) behind him. Zaid, you have indeed earned great merits. Could you narrate to us what you heard from Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)?” Zaid said, “By Allah! I have grown old and have almost spent up my age and I have forgotten some of the things which I remembered in connection with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), so accept what I narrate to you, do not compel me to narrate what I fail to narrate”. He then said, “One day Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) stood up to deliver a Khutbah at a watering place known as Khumm between Makkah and Al-Madinah. He praised Allah, extolled Him, and exhorted (us) and said, `Amma Ba`du. O people, I am a human being. I am about to receive a messenger (the angel of death) from my Rubb and I will respond to Allah’s Call, but I am leaving with you two weighty things: the first is the Book of Allah, in which there is right guidance and light, so hold fast to the Book of Allah and adhere to it.’ He exhorted (us to hold fast) to the Book of Allah and then said, `The second is the members of my household, I remind you (to be kind) to the members of my family. I remind you (to be kind) to the members of my family. Husain said to Zaid, “Who are the members of his household, O Zaid? Aren’t his wives the members of his family?” Thereupon Zaid said, “His wives are the members of his family. (But here) the members of his family are those for whom Zakat is forbidden”.  He asked, “Who are they?” Zaid said, “Ali and the offspring of `Ali, `Aqil and the offspring of `Aqil and the offspring of Ja`far and the offspring of `Abbas.” Husain asked, “For all of them the acceptance of Zakat is forbidden?” Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “Yes”.

[Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I am leaving behind me two weighty things. One of them is the Book of Allah; that is the strong rope of Allah. Whosoever holds firmly to it, will be the guided, and whosoever leaves it goes astray”.

347. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Show reverence to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) by honouring the members of his family.”

[Al-Bukhari].

Excellence in doing Good to the Friends of Parents and other Relatives

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 42
Excellence in doing Good to the Friends of Parents and other Relatives

341. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The finest act of goodness is that a person should treat kindly the loved ones of his father”.
[Muslim].

342. `Abdullah bin Dinar reported: `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) met a bedouin on his way to Makkah, he greeted him, offered him to mount the donkey he was riding and gave him the turban he was wearing on his head. Ibn Dinar said to him: “May Allah make you pious! Bedouins can be satisfied with anything you give them (i.e., what you have given the bedouin is too much). Upon this, `Abdullah bin `Umar said, the father of this man was one of `Umar’s friends whom he loved best, and I heard Messenger of Allah saying, “The finest act of goodness is the good treatment of someone whom one’s father loves”.

Another narration goes: When `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) set out to Makkah, he kept a donkey with him to ride when he would get tired from the riding of the camel, and had a turban which he tied round his head. One day, as he was riding the donkey, a bedouin happened to pass by him. He (`Abdullah bin `Umar) said, “Aren’t you so-and-so?” The bedouin said, “Yes”. He (`Abdullah bin `Umar) gave him his donkey and his turban and said, “Ride this donkey, and tie this turban round your head”. Some of his companions said, “May Allah forgive you, you gave to this bedouin the donkey which you enjoyed to ride for change, and the turban which you tied round your head”.`Abdullah bin `Umar said,”I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `The finest act of goodness is the kind treatment of a person to the loved ones of his father after his death,‘ and the father of this person was a friend of `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him).
[Muslim].

343. Abu Usaid Malik bin Rabi`ah As-Sa`idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were sitting with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when a man of Banu Salamah came to him and asked, “O Messenger of Allah! Is there any obedience to parents left that I can show to them after their death?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Yes, to pray for them, to supplicate for their forgiveness, to fulfill their promises after their death, to maintain the ties of kinship which cannot be maintained except through them, and honour their friends.”
[Abu Dawud].

344. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I never felt jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as much as I did of Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her), although I have never seen her, but the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to mention her very often. Whenever he slaughtered a sheep, he would cut it into pieces and send them to the women friends of Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her). When I sometimes said to him: “You treat Khadijah in such a way as if there is no woman on earth except her”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would say, “Khadijah was such and such (commending her and speaking well of her), and I had children from her”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: And if he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) slaughtered a sheep, he would send meat to the friends of Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) as a present as much as would suffice them.

Another narration is: When a sheep was slaughtered, he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would say, “Send this meat to Khadijah’s friends.” Once, Halah bint Khuwailid (May Allah be pleased with her), sister of Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her), sought permission of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to enter. He recognized and recalled to his mind the manner of Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) and was deeply moved. He said, “O Allah, she must be Halah bint Khuwailid”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

345. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I set out along with Jarir bin `Abdullah Al-Bajali (May Allah be pleased with him) on a journey and he served me. I said to him: “Don’t do that.” Thereupon, he said, “I have seen the Ansar doing this with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and I swore by Allah, whenever I accompany anyone of the Ansar, I would serve him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

Prohibition of Disobeying Parents and severance of Relations

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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