Kind Treatment towards Parents and establishment of the ties of BloodRelationship

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 40
Kind Treatment towards Parents and establishment of the ties of Blood
Relationship

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“And fear Allah through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship)”. (4:1)

“And those who join that which Allah has commanded to be joined (i.e., they are good to their relatives and do not sever the bond of kinship)”. (13:21)

“And we have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents”. (29:8)

“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)

“And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years- give thanks to Me and to your parents”. (31:14)

312. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) , “Which of the deeds is loved most by Allah?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Salat at its proper time.” I asked, “What next?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Kindness to parents.” I asked, “What next?” He replied, “Jihad in the way of Allah.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

313. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No son can repay (the kindness shown by his father) unless he finds him a slave and buys him and emancipates him”.
[Muslim].

314. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be hospitable to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain good the ties of blood relationship; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, must speak good or remain silent”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

315.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah created all the creatures and when He finished the task of His creation, Ar-Rahm (ties of relationship) said: `(O Allah) at this place I seek refuge with You against severing my ties.’ Allah said: `That I treat with kindness those who treat you with kindness and sever ties with those who sever ties with you.’ It said: `I am satisfied.’ Allah said: `Then this is yours”. Then Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Recite this Ayah if you like: `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).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The words in Al-Bukhari are: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah (SWT) says: `He who maintains good ties with you, I maintain good ties with him; and he who severs your ties, I sever ties with him”.

316. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A person came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and asked, “Who among people is most deserving of my fine treatment?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Your mother”. He again asked, “Who next?” “Your mother”, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied again. He asked, “Who next?” He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said again, “Your mother.” He again asked, “Then who?” Thereupon he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said,” Then your father.”

In another narration: “O Messenger of Allah! Who is most deserving of my fine treatment?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then your nearest, then nearest”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

317. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced, whose parents, one or both, attain old age during his life time, and he does not enter Jannah (by rendering being dutiful to them)”.
[Muslim].

318. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “I have relatives with whom I try to keep the ties of relationship but they sever relations with me; and whom I treat kindly but they treat me badly, I am gentle with them but they are rough to me.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “If you are as you say, it is as if you are feeding them hot ashes, and you will be with a supporter against them from Allah as long as you continue to do so”.
[Muslim].

319. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who desires ample provisions and his life be prolonged, should maintain good ties with his blood relations”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

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

321. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) of Allah and said, “I swear allegiance to you for emigration and Jihad, seeking reward from Allah.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Is any of your parents alive?” He said, “Yes, both of them are alive.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then asked, “Do you want to seek reward from Allah?” He replied in the affirmative. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Go back to your parents and keep good company with them”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In another narration it is reported that a person came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and sought his permission to participate in Jihad. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Are your parents alive?” He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet a(sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(You should) consider their service as Jihad.”

322. `Abdullah bin `Amr Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person who perfectly maintains the ties of kinship is not the one who does it because he gets recompensed by his relatives (for being kind and good to them), but the one who truly maintains the bonds of kinship is the one who persists in doing so even though the latter has severed the ties of kinship with him”.
[Al-Bukhari].

323. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The bond of relationship is suspending from the Throne, and says: `He who keeps good relations with me, Allah will keep connection with him, but whosoever severs relations with me, Allah will sever connection with him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

324. It has been narrated that Maimuna bint Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with her) had set free a slave-girl without the Prophet’s permission. When her turn came (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)  used to visit his wives in turns), she made mention of that to him saying, “Did you know I have set slave-girl free?” He said, “Have you, indeed?” She replied, “Yes”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then remarked, “Had you given her to your maternal uncles, you would have your reward increased”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

325. Asma’ bint Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with her) said: My mother came to me while she was still a polytheist, so I asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), “My mother, who is ill-disposed to Islam, has come to visit me. Shall I maintain relations with her?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Yes, maintain relations with your mother”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

326. Zainab Ath-Thaqafiyah (May Allah be pleased with her) the wife of `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) told the women that they should give Sadaqah (charity), even if it should be some of their jewellery, I returned to `Abdullah bin Mas`ud and said, “You are a man who does not possess much, and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has commanded us to give Sadaqah. So go and ask him if giving to you will serve the purpose; otherwise, I shall give it to someone else.” He asked me that I should better go myself. I went and found a woman of the Ansar at the door of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), waiting to ask a similar question as mine. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was endowed with dignity, and so we could not go in. When Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him) came out to us, we said to him: “Go to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and tell him that there are two women at the door who have come to ask him whether it will serve them to give Sadaqah to their husbands and to orphans who are in their charge, but do not tell him who we are. Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him) went in and asked him, and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked him who the women were. When he told him that they were a woman of the Ansar and Zainab, he asked him which Zainab it was, and when he was told it was the wife of `Abdullah bin Mas`ud, he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “They will have a double reward, one for maintaining the ties of kinship and another for Sadaqah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

327. Abu Sufyan Sakhr bin Harb (May Allah be pleased with him) mentioned Heraclius in a long Hadith and said: Heraclius asked me, “What does this Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) teach you?” I said, “He orders us to worship Allah Alone and not to associate a thing with Him in worship, to discard what our ancestors said, to perform the Salat (prayer), speak the truth, and maintain the ties of kinship”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

328. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You will soon conquer a land where people deal with Qirat.”

 And according to another version: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You will soon conquer Egypt where Al-Qirat is frequently mentioned. So when you conquer it, treat its inhabitants well. For there lies upon you the responsibility because of blood ties or relationship (with them)”.
[Muslim].

329. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When this Verse was revealed: “And warn your tribe (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) of near kindred”. (26:214) Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) called the Quraish; when they gathered, he said to them: “O sons of `Abd Shams; O sons of Ka`b bin Lu’ai, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O sons of Murrah bin Ka`b, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O sons of `Abd Manaf, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O sons of `Abdul-Muttalib, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O Fatimah, rescue yourself from the Fire, for I have no power (to protect you) from Allah in anything except that I would sustain relationship with you”.
[Muslim].

330. Abu Abdullah `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) said: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying openly not secretly, “The family of so-and-so (i.e., Abu Talib) are not my supporters. My supporter is Allah and the righteous believing people. But they (that family) have kinship (Rahm) with whom I will maintain good the ties of kinship”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

331. Abu Ayyub Khalid bin Zaid Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “Direct me to a deed which will admit me to Jannah and take me away from the Fire”. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Worship Allah and associate no partner with Him, perform As-Salat, pay Zakat, and maintain the ties of kinship”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

332. Salman bin `Amir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When you break fast, you should do it with a date-fruit for there is blessing in it, and if you do not find a date-fruit, break it with water for it is pure.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added: “Charity towards a poor person is charity, and towards a relation is both charity and maintaining the ties (of kinship)”.
[Tirmidhi].

333. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I had a wife whom I loved but `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) disliked her. He asked me to divorce her and when I refused, `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and mentioned the matter to him. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked me to divorce her.
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

334. Abud-Darda’ (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to me and said, “I have a wife whom my mother commands me to divorce”. I replied him that I had heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “A parent is the best of the gates of Jannah; so if you wish, keep to the gate, or lose it.”
[At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah].

335. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “A mother’s sister is equivalent to (real) mother (in status)”.
[At-Tirmidhi]

 

Rights of Neighbors

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Urging one’s kith and kin to Obey Allah and refrain from evils

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 38
Urging one’s kith and kin to Obey Allah and refrain from evils

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And enjoin Salat (the prayer) on your family, and be patient in offering them (i.e., the Salat).” (20:132)

“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell), whose fuel is men and stones.” (66:6)

298. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Al-Hasan bin `Ali (May Allah be pleased with them) took one of the dates of the Sadaqah (charity) and put it in his mouth, whereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Leave it, leave it, throw it away. Do you not know that we do not eat the Sadaqah (charity)?”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

299. `Umar bin Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was a boy under the care of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and my hand would wander about in the dish. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me “Mention Allah’s Name (i.e., say Bismillah before you start eating), eat with your right hand and eat from what is near to you”. I always followed this way of eating after this incident.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

300. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “All of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects. The ruler is a guardian and responsible for his subjects; the man is a guardian of his family; the woman is guardian in her husband’s house and responsible for her wards; a servant is guardian of his master’s property and responsible for his ward. So all of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

301. `Amr bin Shu`aib reported on his father’s authority that his grandfather (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Command your children to perform Salat (prayer) when they are seven years old, and beat them for (not offering) it when they are ten, and do not let (boys and girls) sleep together”.
[Abu Dawud].

302. Sabrah bin Ma`bad Al-Juhani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Teach a boy Salat (the prayer) when he attains the age of seven years, and punish him (if he does not offer it) at ten”.
[Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi].

The narration in Abu Dawud is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Order a boy to perform Salat (the prayer) when he is seven years old”.

Spending favorite things for Allah’s sake

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 37
Spending favorite things for Allah’s sake

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

Sustentation of the Members of the Family

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 36
Sustentation of the Members of the Family

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Husband’s rights concerning his Wife

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 35
Husband’s rights concerning his Wife

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their means. Therefore, the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband’s absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g., their chastity and their husband’s property).” (4: 34)

281. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man calls his wife to his bed, and she does not respond and he (the husband) spends the night angry with her, the angels curse her until morning”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

   In another narration: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a woman spends the night away from the bed of her husband, the angels curse her until morning”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

   In another narration: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand is my life, when a man calls his wife to his bed, and she does not respond, the One Who is above the heaven becomes displeased with her until he (her husband) becomes pleased with her”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

282. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is not lawful for a woman to observe (voluntary) fasting without the permission of her husband when he is at home; and she should not allow anyone to enter his house without his permission.”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

283. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “All of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects, the man is a guardian of his family, the woman is a guardian and is responsible for her husband’s house and his offspring; and so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your subjects.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

284. Abu `Ali Talq bin `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man calls his wife to satisfy his desire, she must go to him even if she is occupied with the oven”.
[At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa’i].

285. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If I were to order anyone to prostrate himself before another, I would have ordered a woman to prostrate herself before her husband”.
[At-Tirmidhi]

286. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Any woman dies while her husband is pleased with her, she will enter Jannah”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

287. Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whenever a woman harms her husband in this world (that is without any due right), his wife among the (Houris in Jannah) says: `You must not harm him. May Allah destroy you! He is only a passing guest with you and is about to leave you to come to us”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

288.  Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I am not leaving behind me a more harmful trial for men than women”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Recommendations with regard to Women

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 34
Recommendations with regard to Women

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Benevolent Treatment towards Orphans, Girls, the Weak, the Poor and theHumble Persons

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 33
Benevolent Treatment towards Orphans, Girls, the Weak, the Poor and the Humble
Persons

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

“And keep yourself (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) patiently with those who call on their Rubb (i.e., your companions who remember their Rubb with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world.” (18:28)

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

“Have you seen him who denies the Recompense? That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly). And urges not the feeding of Al-Miskin (the poor)”. (107:1-3)

260. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Six of us were with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when the infidels said to him: “Drive these ones away, lest they should begin to venture against us”. The six were, myself, Ibn Mas`ud, a man of the Hudhail tribe, Bilal and two other men whose names I don’t know. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) thought what Allah wished him to think, and Allah revealed: “And turn not away those who invoke their Rubb, morning and afternoon seeking His Face.” (6:52)
[Muslim].

261. `Aidh bin `Amr Al-Muzani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Abu Sufyan passed by Salman, Suhaib and Bilal and some other Companions  (May Allah be pleased with them). They said to him: “Did not the swords of Allah exact their due from the foes of Allah?” Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said to them: “Do you speak like this to the chief of the Quraish and their master?” Then he went to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and related this to him. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Abu Bakr, perhaps you have angered them. If so, you have angered your Rubb”. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) went back to them  and said: “Brothers, did I offend you?” They replied: “No. May Allah forgive you, brother”.
[Muslim].

262. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I will be like this in Jannah with the person who takes care of an orphan”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) raised his forefinger and middle finger by way of  illustration.
[Al-Bukhari].

263. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who takes care of an orphan, whether he is his relative or a stranger, will be in Jannah with me like these two”. The narrator, Malik bin Anas raised his forefinger and middle finger for illustration.
[Muslim].

264. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Miskin (needy) is not the one who can be turned away with a date-fruit or two, or a morsel or two. The true Miskin is one who, despite his poverty, abstains from begging”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 In another narration Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ” A Miskin is not the one who goes round begging from people and who can be turned away with a morsel or two, or a date-fruit or two. A true Miskin is he who does not find enough to suffice him, does not disclose his poverty so that he might be given alms, and does not stand up to beg”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

265. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “One who strives to help the widows and the poor is like the one who fights in the way of Allah.” The narrator said: I think that he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added also: “I shall regard him as the one who stands up (for prayer) without rest and as the one who observes fasts continuously”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

266. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The worst food is the food of the marriage banquet from which those are left out who would like to come; and to which those are invited who refuse to come. He who rejects an invitation disobeys Allah and His Messenger”.
[Muslim].

 In another narration Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The worst food is the food of the marriage banquet to which the rich are invited and from which the poor are left out”.
[Muslim].

267. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever supports two girls till they attain maturity, he and I will come on the Day of Resurrection like this”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) joined his fingers illustrating this.
[Muslim].

268. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: A woman came to me with her two daughters. She asked me (for charity) but she found nothing with me except one date-fruit, so I gave it to her. She accepted it and then divided it between her two daughters and herself ate nothing out of that. She then got up and went out. When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came in, and I narrated to him the story, he said, “He who is involved (in the responsibility) of (bringing up) daughters, and he is benevolent towards them, they would become protection for him against Hell-fire”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

269. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: A poor woman came to me carrying her two daughters. I gave her three date-fruits. She gave a date to each of them and then she took up one date-fruit and brought that to her mouth to eat, but her daughters asked her that also. She then divided between them the date-fruit that she intended to eat. This (kind) treatment of her impressed me and I mentioned that to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who said, ‘Verily, Allah has assured Jannah for her, because of (this act) of her,” or said, “He (SWT) has rescued her from Hell-Fire”.
[Muslim].

270. Abu Shuraih Khuwailid bin `Amr Al-Khuza`i (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Allah, I declare inviolable the rights of two weak ones: the orphans and women”.
[An-Nasa’i].

271. Mus`ab bin Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Sa`d considered himself better than his inferiors, so the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to him, “You are given help and provision because of your weak ones”.
[Al-Bukhari].

272. Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Seek among your weak ones, for you are given provision and help only because of the weak amongst you.”
[Abu Dawud].

Superiority of Poor, Weak and unrenowned Muslims

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 32
Superiority of Poor, Weak and unrenowned Muslims

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And keep yourself (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) patiently with those who call on their Rubb (i.e., your companions who remember their Rubb with glorification, praising in prayers, and other righteous deeds) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them.” (18:28)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Making Peace among People

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 31
Making Peace among People

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders Sadaqah (charity in Allah’s Cause), or Ma`ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind.” (4:114)

…and making peace is better.” (4:128)

“So fear Allah and adjust all matters of difference among you.” (8:1)

“The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers.” (49:10)

248. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On every joint of man, there is charity, on everyday when the sun rises: doing justice between two men is charity, and assisting a man to ride an animal or to load his luggage on it is charity; and a good word is charity, every step which one takes towards (the mosque for) Salat is charity, and removing harmful things from the way is charity”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

249. Umm Kulthum bint `Uqbah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘The person who (lies) in order to conciliate between people is not a liar, when he conveys good or says (something) good”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The narration in Muslim added: She said, “I never heard him (she meant the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) giving permission of lying in anything except in three (things): war, conciliating between people and the conversation of man with his wife and the conversation of a woman with her husband”.

250. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) heard the voices of altercation of two disputants at the door; both the voices were quite loud. One was asking the other to make his debts little (so that he could pay them) and was pleading with him to show leniency to him, whereupon the (other one) said: “By Allah, I will not do that”. Then there came Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to them and said, “Where is he who swore by Allah that he would not do good?” He said: “O Messenger of Allah, it is me. Now he may do as he desires”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

251. Sahl bin Sa`d As-Sa`idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: There was some quarrel among the members of Banu `Amr bin `Auf. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) went with some of his Companions to bring about peace between them and he was detained. The time for Salat approached and Bilal (May Allah be pleased with them) went to Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) and said to him: “Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has got late and it is the time for Salat. Will you lead Salat?” He said: “Yes, if you desire”. Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him) proclaimed the Adhan and then pronounced Iqamah. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) stepped forward and commenced As-Salat. (He recited Takbir and the people followed him). In the meantime, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) arrived and, passing through the rows, took his stand in the first row. The people started clapping. It was the habit of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) that whenever he started praying, he would never look round. He paid no heed (to the clapping). When the clapping increased, he turned round and saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) beckoned him to continue performing Salat. But Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) raised his hands and praised Allah. Then he retreated, taking his steps backwards. When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saw that, he went ahead and led Salat. When he finished Salat, he faced the congregation and said, “Why do you clap when something happens during the Salat. Clapping is only for women. If something happens in the course of Salat you should say, Subhan Allah. It is bound to attract attention. And you, Abu Bakr, what prevented you from carrying on with Salat, after I beckoned to do so?” He said, “It was not becoming for the son of Abu Quhafah to lead Salat in the presence of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Intercession

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

 

Reverence towards the Sanctity of the Muslims

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 27
Reverence towards the Sanctity of the Muslims

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Giving Counsel

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 22
Giving Counsel

Allah, the Exalted, says:

The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion)”. (49:10)

“(Nuh said) I give sincere advice to you”. (7:62)

“(And Hud said) And I am a trustworthy adviser (or well-wisher) for you”. (7:68)

181. Tamim bin Aus Ad-Dari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Ad-Deen is sincerity”. We said: “For whom?” He replied, “For Allah, His Book, His Messenger and for the leaders of the Muslims and their masses”.
[Muslim].

182. Jarir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I made my covenant with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on the observance of Salat, payment of  Zakat, and giving counsel to Muslim.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

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

Prohibition of heresies in religion

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 18
Prohibition of heresies in religion

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“So after the truth, what else can there be, save error?”. (10:32)

“We have neglected nothing in the Book”. (6:38)

“(And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)”. (4:59)

“And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path”. (6:153)

“Say (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e., accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins”. (3:31)

169. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If anyone introduces in our matter something which does not belong to it, will be rejected”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The narration in Muslim says: “If anybody introduces a practice which is not authenticated by me, it is to be rejected”.

170.  Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) delivered a Khutbah, his eyes would become red, his tone loud and he showed anger as if he were warning us against an army. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would say, “The enemy is about to attack you in the morning and the enemy is advancing against you in the evening”. He would further say, “I am sent with the final Hour like these two fingers of mine.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) held up his index finger and the middle finger together to illustrate. He used to add: “To proceed, the best speech is the Book of Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), the worst practice is the introduction of new practices in Islam and every Bid`ah is a misguidance”. He would also say, “I am, in respect of rights, nearer to every believer than his own self. He who leaves an estate, it belongs to his heirs, and he who leaves a debt, it is my responsibility to pay it off.’‘ [Muslim].

Same Hadith as reported by `Irbad bin Sariyah (May Allah be pleased with him) has already been recorded in the previous chapter regarding safeguarding the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).
(See Hadith number 158)

The Righteous conduct on Regular base

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 15
The Righteous conduct on Regular base

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah’s Reminder (this Qur’an), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e., Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened?” (57:16)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Urging towards increasing Good Actions in later part of Life

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 12
Urging towards increasing Good
Actions in later part of Life

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Excellence of Weeping out of Fear from Allah

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 54
Excellence of Weeping out of Fear from Allah (Azza wa Jal)

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And they fall down on their faces weeping and it increases their humility.” (17:109)

“Do you then wonder at this recitation (the Qur’an)? And you laugh at it and weep not”. (53:59-60)

446. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me: “Recite the Qur’an to me”. I said, “O Messenger of Allah! Shall I recite the Qur’an to you, when it has been revealed to you?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “I love to hear it recited by others”. So I recited to him a portion from Surat An-Nisa’. When I reached the Ayah:

“How (will it be) then, when We bring from each nation a witness and We bring you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) as a witness against these people?”. (4:41)

He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Enough for now”. When I looked at him I saw his eyes were shedding tears.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

447. 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. In the course of the Khutbah, he said: “If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much”. Thereupon those present covered their faces and began to sob.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

448. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “One who weeps out of fear of Allah, will not enter the Hell till milk returns back in the udder; and the dust raised on account of fighting in the path of Allah and the smoke of Hell will never exist together”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

449. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Seven people Allah will give them His Shade on the Day when there would be no shade but the Shade of His Throne (i.e., on the Day of  Resurrection): And they are: a just ruler; a youth who grew up with the worship of Allah; a person whose heart is attached to the mosques, two men 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 and) says: `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 man who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes become tearful”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

450. `Abdullah bin Ash-Shikhkhir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I came to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he was performing prayers. He was sobbing and his chest sounded like a boiling kettle.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

451. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to Ubayy bin Ka`b (May Allah be pleased with him), “Allah (SWT) has ordered me to recite to you Surat-Al-Baiyyinah (98): `Those who disbelieve …”

Ubayy (May Allah be pleased with him) asked, “Did He name me?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied in the affirmative. Whereupon Ubayy (May Allah be pleased with him) began to weep.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

452. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: After the death of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), Abu Bakr said to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them): “Let us visit Umm Aiman (May Allah be pleased with him) 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 them) 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 reply moved both of them to tears and they began to weep along with her.
[Muslim].

453. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: When the illness of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) became serious, he was asked about the leading of Salat  and he said, “Ask Abu Bakr to lead Salat.” Whereupon, `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said; “Abu Bakr is very tender hearted. He is bound to be overcome by weeping when he recites the Qur’an.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) repeated, “Ask him (Abu Bakr) to lead Salat”.

In another narration: `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: “When Abu Bakr stands in your place, he will not be able to recite the Noble Qur’an to the people on account of weeping.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

454. Ibrahim bin `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf  reported: Food was brought to `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf (May Allah be pleased with him) when he was observing Saum (fast) and he said: “Mus`ab bin `Umair (May Allah be pleased with him) was martyred and he was better than me, but only one sheet was available to shroud him. It was so small that when his head was covered; his feet remained uncovered and if his feet were covered, his head remained uncovered. Then the bounties of this world have been bestowed upon us generously. I am afraid that the reward of our good deeds have been awarded to us in this world.” On this he began to sob and left the food untouched.
[Al-Bukhari].

455. Abu Umamah Sudaiy bin `Ajlan Al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Nothing is dearer to Allah than two drops and two marks: A drop of tears shed out of fear of Allah and a drop of blood shed in Allah’s way. Regarding the two marks, they are: Marks left in the Cause of Allah and a mark left in observing one of the obligatory act of worship of Allah, the Exalted”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

456. Al-`Irbad bin Sariyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) delivered us a very eloquent Khutbah on account of which eyes shed tears and hearts became softened.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Combining Hope and Fear (of Allah)

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hope in Allah’s Mercy

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 51
Hope in Allah’s Mercy

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Say: O `Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”. (39:53)

“And never do We requit in such a way except those who are ungrateful (disbelievers)”. (34:17)

‘(Say:) `Truly, it has been revealed to us that the torment will be for him who denies (believes not in the Oneness of Allah, and in His Messengers), and turns away (from the truth and obedience of Allah)”. (20:48)

“And My Mercy embraces all things”. (7:156)

412. `Ubadah bin As-Samit (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who bears witness that there is no true god except Allah, alone having no partner with Him, that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger, that `Isa (Jesus) is His slave and Messenger and he (Jesus) is His Word which He communicated to Maryam (Mary) and His spirit which He sent to her, that Jannah is true and Hell is true; Allah will make him enter Jannah accepting whatever deeds he accomplished”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration in Muslim is: the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever testifies that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Allah (SWT) saves him from the Fire (of Hell)”.

413. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Almighty, says: `Whosoever does a good deed, will have (reward) ten times like it and I add more; and whosoever does an evil, will have the punishment like it or I will forgive (him); and whosoever approaches Me by one span, I will approach him by one cubit; and whosoever approaches Me by one cubit, I approach him by one fathom, and whosoever comes to Me walking, I go to him running; and whosoever meets Me with an earth-load of sins without associating anything with Me, I meet him with forgiveness like that”.
[Muslim]

414. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A bedouin came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and asked him, “O Messenger of Allah, what are the two imperatives which lead to Jannah or Hell”.  He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “He who dies without associating anything with Allah will enter Jannah, and he who dies associating partners with Allah will enter the Fire”.
[Muslim]

415. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Mu`adh bin Jabal was riding on the beast with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), when he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to  him, “O Mu`adh!” Mu`adh replied, “Here I am responding to you, and at your pleasure, O Messenger of Allah.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) again called out, “O Mu`adh.” He (again) replied, “Here I am responding your call, and at your pleasure.” He (Messenger of Allah) addressed him (again), “O Mu`adh!” He replied, “Here I am responding to you, and at your pleasure, O Messenger of Allah.” Upon this he (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “If anyone testifies sincerely that there is no true god except Allah, and Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, truly from his heart, Allah will safeguard him from Hell.” He (Mu`adh) said, “O Messenger of Allah, shall I not then inform people of it, so that they may have glad tidings.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Then they will rely on it alone (and thus give up good works altogether).” Mu`adh (May Allah be pleased with him) disclosed this Hadith at the time of  his death, to avoid sinning for concealing.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

416. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) or may be Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: On the day of the battle of Tabuk, the Muslims were hard pressed by hunger and they asked Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “O Messenger of Allah, grant us permission to slaughter our camels to eat and use their fat”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) accorded permission. On this `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) came and said: “O Messenger of Allah, if it is done, we shall suffer from lack of transportation. I suggest you pool together whatever has been left and supplicate Allah to bless it.” Allah will bestow His Blessing upon it. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) agreed and called for leather mat and had it spread out, and asked people to bring the provisions left over. They started doing it. One brought a handful of corn, another brought a handful of dates, a third brought a piece of bread; thus some provisions were collected on the mat. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) invoked blessings, and then said, “Now take it up in your vessels”. Everyone filled his vessel with food, so that there was not left a single empty vessel in the whole camp. All of them ate to their fill and there was still some left over. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Any slave who meets Allah, testifying there is no true god except Allah, and that I am His Messenger, without entertaining any doubt about these (two fundamentals), will not be banished from entering Jannah.”
[Muslim].

417. `Itban bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported, who was with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in the battle of Badr: I used to lead my people at Bani Salim in Salat (prayer) and there was a valley between me and those people. Whenever it rained, it became difficult for me to cross it for going to their mosque. So I went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “I have weak eyesight and the valley between me and my people flows during the rainy season and it becomes difficult for me to cross it. I wish you to come to my house and offer Salat at a place so that I could reserve that as a Musalla (place for prayer).” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I will do so”. So Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) came to my house the (next) morning after the sun had risen high. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked my permission to enter and I admitted him. He did not sit before saying, “Where do you want us to offer Salat in your house?’‘ I pointed to the place where I wanted him to offer prayers. So Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) stood up for the prayer and started the prayer with Takbir and we aligned in rows behind him; and he offered two Rak`ah prayer and finished them with Taslim, and we also performed Taslim with him. I detained him for a meal called Khazirah which I had prepared for him. (Khazirah is a special type of dish prepared from barley flour and meat soup). When the neighbours got the news that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was in my house, they started coming till a large number of men gathered in my house. One of them said, “What is wrong with Malik, for I do not see him?” One of them replied, “He is a hypocrite and does not love Allah and His Messenger”. On that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Don’t say this. Haven’t you seen that he testified that there is no true god except Allah,’ for Allah’s sake only.” The man replied, “Allah and His Messenger know better, but by Allah, we never saw him but helping and talking with the hypocrites.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “No doubt, whosoever testifies that there is no true god except Allah, seeking by so professing the pleasure of Allah only, Allah will safeguard him against (Hell) Fire.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

418. `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Some prisoners were brought to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) amongst whom there was a woman who was running (searching for her child). When she saw a child among the captives, she took hold of it, pressed it against her belly and gave it a suck. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do you think this woman would ever throw her child in fire?” We said, “By Allah, she would never throw the child in fire.” Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah is more kind to his slave than this woman is to her child”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

419. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When Allah created the creatures, He wrote in the Book, which is with Him over His Throne: `Verily, My Mercy prevailed over My Wrath”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(Allah wrote) `My Mercy dominated My Wrath”.

Still another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(Allah wrote) `My Mercy surpasses My Wrath”.

420. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah has divided mercy into one hundred parts; and He retained with Him ninety-nine parts, and sent down to earth one part. Through this one part creatures deal with one another with compassion, so much so that an animal lifts its hoof over its young lest it should hurt it”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah has one hundred mercies, out of which He has sent down only one for jinn, mankind, animals and insects, through which they love one another and have compassion for one another; and through it, wild animals care for their young. Allah has retained ninety-nine mercies to deal kindly with His slaves on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 Another narration in Muslim is reported: by Salman Al-Farisi: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah has hundred mercies, out of which one mercy is used by his creation for mutual love and affection. Ninety-nine mercies are kept for the Day of Resurrection.”

 Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah created one hundred units of mercy on the Day He created the heavens and the earth. Each one of them can contain all that is between the heaven and the earth. Of them, he put one on earth, through which a mother has compassion for her children and animals and birds have compassion for one another. On the Day of Resurrection, He will perfect and complete His Mercy”. (That is He will use all the hundred units of mercy for his slaves on that Day).

421. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious said: `A slave committed a sin and he said: O Allah, forgive my sin,’ and Allah said: `My slave committed a sin and then he realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives the sins and punishes for the sin.’ He then again committed a sin and said: `My Rubb, forgive my sin,’ and Allah (SWT) said: `My slave committed a sin and then realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives his sin and punishes for the sin.’ He again committed a sin and said: `My Rubb, forgive my sin,’ and Allah (SWT) said: `My slave has committed a sin and then realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives the sin or takes (him) to account for sin. I have granted forgiveness to my slave. Let him do whatever he likes”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The last sentence “let him do..”. means, as long he keeps asking for forgiveness after the commission of sins, and repents, Allah will forgive him because repentance eliminates previous sins”. (Editor’s Note)

422. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, were you not to commit sins, Allah would replace you with a people who would commit sins and then seek forgiveness from Allah; and Allah would forgive them”.
[Muslim].

423. Abu Ayyub Khalid bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Were you not to commit sins, Allah would create people who would commit sins and ask for forgiveness and He would forgive them”.
[Muslim].

424. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were sitting with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) were also there among the audience. In the meanwhile Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) got up and left us. We waited long for his return: When we were worried about his safety, and got scared, we got up. I, therefore, went out to look for Messenger of Allah and came to a garden which belonged to the Ansar. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me “Go and give glad tidings of Jannah to anyone who testifies `La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah),’ being whole-heartedly certain of it”
[Muslim].

425. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) recited the Words of Allah, the Exalted, and the Glorious, about Ibrahim (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who said: “O my Rubb! They have led astray many among mankind. But whosoever follows me, he verily, is of me”. (14:36) and those of `Isa (Jesus) (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who said: “If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You, are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise”. (5:118). Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) raised up his hands and said, “O Allah! My Ummah, my Ummah,” and wept; Allah, the Exalted, said: “O Jibril (Gabriel)! Go to Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and ask him: `What makes you weep?” So Jibril came to him and asked him (the reason of his weeping) and the Messenger of Allah informed him what he had said (though Allah knew it well). Upon this Allah said: “Jibril, go to Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and say: `Verily, We will please you with regard to your Ummah and will never displease you”.
[Muslim].

426. Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was riding a pillion with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on a donkey. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Mu`adh, do you know what is the right of Allah upon His slaves, and what is the Right of His slaves upon Allah?” I said: “Allah and His Messenger know better”. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah’s Right upon His slaves is that they should worship Him Alone and associate nothing with Him; and His slaves’ right upon Him is that He should not punish who does not associate a thing with Him.” He (Mu`adh) added: I said to the Messenger of Allah: “Shall I give the glad tidings to people?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not tell them this good news for they will depend on it alone”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

427. Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a believer is questioned in the grave, he testifies that, `there is no true god except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.‘ About him the Words of Allah, the Exalted, are: `Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the firm statement (The Testimony of Faith) in this world and the Hereafter)”.  (14:27)
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

428. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When an infidel accomplishes any good deed, he is rewarded for it in this world; and in the case of a Muslim, Allah stores up his good acts for him in the Hereafter and provides him with subsistence in this life due to his obedience.”

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah does not wrong a believer a good deed because he is given blessings for it in this world and will be rewarded for it in the Hereafter. But the infidel is given in the world the reward for good deeds, he has performed for the sake of Allah and when he comes to the Hereafter, there is no good deed for which he can be rewarded”.
[Muslim].

429.  Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The five daily Salat (prayers) are like a great river running by your door in which you take a bath five times a day.”
[Muslim].

430. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Any Muslim dies and forty men who do not associate anything with Allah (in worship), perform his funeral prayer, Allah makes them intercede for him”.
[Muslim]

431. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: There were, about forty of us with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in a camp when he said, “Aren’t you pleased that you will constitute one-fourth of the inhabitants of Jannah?” We said, “Yes”. He again said, “Aren’t you pleased that you will constitute one-third of the inhabitants of Jannah?“. We said: “Yes.” Upon this he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad’s soul is, I hope that you will constitute one-half of the inhabitants of Jannah; and the reason is that only Muslims will be admitted into Jannah; and you are no more compared to the polytheists than as a white hair on the skin of a black ox, or a black hair on the skin of a white ox.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

432. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will deliver to every Muslim, a Jew or a Christian and say: `This is your ransom from Hell-fire.”’

Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There would come people amongst the Muslims on the Day of Resurrection with sins as heavy as a mountain, and Allah would forgive them”.
[Muslim].

433. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “A believer will be brought close to his Rubb on the Day of Resurrection and enveloping him in His Mercy, He (SWT) will make him confess his sins by saying: `Do you remember (doing) this sin and this sin?’ He will reply: `My Rubb, I remember.’ Then He (SWT) will say: `I covered it up for you in the life of world, and I forgive it for you today.’ Then the record of his good deeds will be handed to him”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

434. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man kissed a woman and he came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and made a mention of that to him. It was (on this occasion) that this Ayah was revealed:

“And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-As-Salat), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e., the five compulsory Salat (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e., small sins)”. (11:114)

That person said, “O Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), does it concern me only?”. He (Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) said, “It concerns the whole of my Ummah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

435. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have committed a sin liable of ordained punishment. So execute punishment on me”. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) did not ask him about it, and then came the (time for) Salat (prayers). So he performed Salat with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) finished Salat, the man stood up and said: “O Messenger of Allah! I have committed a sin. So execute the Ordinance of Allah upon me”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Have you performed Salat with us?” “Yes”, he replied. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, Allah has forgiven you”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

436. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah is pleased with His slave who eats a meal and praises Him for it; and takes a drink and praises Him for it”.
[Muslim].

437. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, stretches His Hand during the night so that those who commit sins by day may repent, and He stretches His Hand in the day so that those who commit sins by night may repent. He keeps doing so until the sun rises from the West”.
[Muslim].

438.  Abu Najih `Amr bin `Abasah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: In the Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance, I used to think that people who used to worship idols, were deviated and did not adhere to the true religion. Then I heard of a man in Makkah who was preaching a message. So I mounted my camel and went to him. I found that (this man who was) Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) remained hidden because of the persecution by his people. I had entered Makkah stealthily and when I met him I asked him, “Who are you?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I am a Prophet.” I asked; “What is a Prophet?” He said, “Allah has sent me (with a message)”. I asked, “With what has He sent you?” He said, “He sent me to strengthen the ties of kinship, to destroy idols so that Allah alone should be worshipped and nothing should be associated with Him”. I asked, “Who has followed you in this?” He said, “A freeman and a slave”. (At that time only Abu Bakr and Bilal (May Allah be pleased with her) were with him). I said, “I shall follow you”. He said, “You can not do that now. Do you not see my situation and that of the people? Go to your people, and when you hear that my cause has prevailed, come to me”. So I went back to my people, and while I was with my people, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) emigrated to Al-Madinah. I continued to ask people about him till some of my people visited Al-Madinah. On their return, I asked them, “How is that man who has arrived in Al-Madinah faring?” They said, “People are hastening to him. His own people had planned to kill him but did not succeed.” Then I went to Al-Madinah and came to him and said, “O Messenger of Allah, do you recognize me?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Yes, you are the one who met me in Makkah.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me of that which Allah has taught you and of which I am unaware. Tell me about Salat first.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Perform the Fajr (morning) Salat, then stop Salat until the sun has risen up to the height of a lance, for when it rises, it rises up between the horns of the devil, and the infidels prostrate themselves before it at that time. Then perform Salat, for Salat is witnessed and angels attend it, until the shadow becomes equal to the length of its object; then stop Salat, for at that time Jahannam (Hell) is heated up. Then pray when the shadow becomes longer, for the prayer is witnessed and angels attend it, until you perform `Asr prayer; then stop Salat till sun sets, for it sets between the horns of a devil. At that time the infidels prostrate themselves before it.” I then asked the Messenger of Allah to tell me about Wudu’, and he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a person begins the Wudu’ and washes his mouth and nose, the sins committed by his face, mouth and nostrils are washed out. Then when he washes his face as commanded by Allah, the sins of his face are washed out with the water from the sides of his beard. Then when he washes his hands up to elbows, the sins of his hands are washed out through his fingers with water. Then he passes his wet hands over his head and the sins of the head are washed out through the ends of his hair with water. Then he washes his feet up to the ankles, the sins of his feet are washed out through his toes with water. Then, if he stands up for Salat and praises Allah, glorifies Him, proclaims His Greatness as He deserves and devotes his heart wholly to Allah, he emerges sin free as the day he was born”.

When `Amr bin `Abasah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated this Hadith to Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) a Companion of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), the latter said to him, “Watch what you are saying. O `Amr bin `Abasah, a man will be getting all of this in one shot?” `Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) replied, “O Abu Umamah, I have attained old age, my bones have become dry, my death is approaching and there is no need for me to tell lies concerning Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Had I not heard this from the Messenger of Allah only once, twice, thrice (and he counted up to seven) I would never have reported it. Indeed I have heard this frequently”.
[Muslim].

439. Abu Mu sa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When Allah intends to show mercy to a people, He collects their Prophet before them and makes him a herald to happiness for them in the Hereafter; and when He intends to destroy a people, He punishes them while their Prophet is alive, and destroys them while he is alive and watches them and makes him witness their destruction because they disbelieved in him and disobeyed his commands”.
[Muslim].

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

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 47
Signs of Allah’s love for His slaves and the efforts for its Achievement

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Say (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to mankind): `If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e., accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”’ (3:31)

“O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is the Grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (5:54)

386. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, has said: `I will declare war against him who treats with hostility a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (voluntary prayers or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) until I love him, (so much so that) I become his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me something, I will surely give him, and if he seeks My Protection (refuge), I will surely protect him”.
[Al-Bukhari]

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

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

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