The Ruling of crying and wailing over a Dead Person

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 153
The Ruling of crying and wailing over a Dead Person

Wailing is unanimously forbidden (Haram) as will be mentioned later on. There are some Ahadith which forbid us from crying over somebody’s death, and which inform us that the dead will be tormented in their graves as a result of their relatives crying over their death. This prohibition applies only to those cases where crying is accompanied with lamenting and wailing. Weeping without these two is, permissible; and the Ahadith in support of this are many, including the following:

925. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited Sa`d bin `Ubadah during his illness. He was accompanied by `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf, Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas and `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with them). The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) began to weep. When his Companions saw this, their tears also started flowing. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do you not hear, Allah does not punish for the shedding of tears or the grief of the heart, but punishes or bestows mercy for the utterances of this (and he pointed to his tongue).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

926. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A grandson (child of the daughter) of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was presented to him while the child was at his last breath. Tears began to flow from the eyes of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Sa`d said to him: “What is this, O Messenger of Allah?’ He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is mercy which Allah has placed in the hearts of his salves. Allah bestows His Mercy on the merciful among His slaves.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

927. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came to his son Ibrahim (May Allah be pleased with him) when he was breathing his last. The eyes of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) began shedding tears. `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf  (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “O Messenger of Allah, you too weep?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Ibn `Auf! It is mercy.” Then he began to weep and said, “The eyes are shedding tears and the heart is grieved, and we will not say except what pleases our Rubb. O Ibrahim! Indeed we are grieved by your departure.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Supplication if one Fears (Harm)

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 173
Supplication if one Fears (Harm)

981. Abu Musa Al-Ashari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), feared mischief from a people, he would supplicate: “Allahumma inna naj`aluka fi nuhurihim, wa na`udhu bika min shururihim (O Allah! We ask You to face them, and seek Your Protection against their evil.”
[Abu Dawud and An-Nasa’i].

Supplications in Funeral Prayers

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 157
Supplications in Funeral Prayers

To pronounce four Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar) in the funeral prayer. After the first Takbir, after saying A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitanir-rajim, recite Surat Al-Fatihah. After the second Takbir, send Salam [Allahumma Salli `ala Muhammadin wa `ala ali Muhammadin kama sallaita `ala Ibrahima wa `ala ali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik `ala Muhammadin wa `ala ali Muhammadin, kama barakta `ala Ibrahima, wa `ala ali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid. Then after the third Takbir, invoke supplication for the deceased and for the Muslims as we will mention later on, in sha’ Allah. After the fourth Takbir, supplicate Allah. (Some of the supplications of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), which are to be recited after the third Takbir are mentioned in the following Ahadith:)

935. Abu `Abdur-Rahman `Auf bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him)  reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) offered a funeral prayer and I memorized his supplication. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prayed: “Allahummaghfir lahu, warhamhu, wa `afihi, wa`fu `anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi` mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-ma’i wath-thalji wal-baradi, wa naqqihi minal-khataya, kama naqqaytath-thawbal-abyada minad-danasi, wa abdilhu daran khairan min darihi, wa ahlan khairan min ahlihi, wa zawjan khairan min zawjihi, wa adkhilhul-Jannata, wa a`idh-hu min `adhabil-qabri, wa min `adhabin-nar [if the dead person is a woman, one should change the ending of certain words in this supplication from hu to ha] (O Allah! Forgive him, bestow mercy upon him, pardon him, accord him a noble provision and make his grave spacious, wash him with water, snow and hail, purify him from sins as You have purified the white garment from soiling, give him a better abode in place of his present one, and a better family in exchange of his present one, and a better spouse in place of his present wife; admit him to Jannah and protect from the trial in the grave and punishment in the Hell).” (After hearing this supplication of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), Abu’ Abdur-Rahman ‘Auf bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I wished I had been that dead man.
[Muslim].

936. Abu Hurairah, Abu Qatadah, and Abu Ibrahim Al-Ash-hali (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) offered a funeral prayer and said: “Allahummaghfir lihaiyina wa maiyitina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarina wa unthana, wa shahidina wa gha’ibina. Allahumma man ahyaiytahu minna, fa’ahyihi `alal-Islam, wa man tawaffaiytahu minna, fatawaffahu `alal-Iman. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu, wa la taftinna ba`dahu (O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, our present and our absent, our young and our old, our male and our female. O Allah, whosoever of us You keep alive, keep him alive (faithful) to IslÀm, and whosoever of us You cause to die, let him die having Iman. O Allah, do not deprive us of our reward (for being patient) and do not subject us to trials after his death.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

937. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “When you pray over the dead, make a sincere supplication for him.”
[Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah].

938. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)  reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) supplicated in course of funeral prayer: “Allahumma Anta Rabbuha, wa Anta khalaqtaha, wa Anta hadaytaha lil-Islam, wa Anta qabadta ruhaha, wa Anta a`lamu bisirriha wa `alaniyyatiha, ji’naka shufa`a’a lahu [if the dead person is a man, or laha if the dead person is a woman], faghfir lahu [or laha, if it is a woman] (O Allah, You are its Rubb; You created it; You guided it to Islam; You have taken its life back and You know best its insight and outer condition. We have come as intercessors, so forgive him).”
[Abu Dawud].

939. Wathilah bin Al-Asqa` (May Allah be pleased with him)  reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) led the funeral prayer of a Muslim man in our presence, and I heard him saying “Allahumma inna [name of the dead person] fi dhimmatika wa habli jiwarika, faqihi fitnatal-qabri; wa `adhaban-Nari, wa Anta ahlul-wafa’i wal-hamdi; Allahumma faghfir lahu warhamhu, innaka Antal-Ghafur-ur-Rahim [If the dead person is a woman, one can change hu in some words here with ha] [O Allah, (so-and-so son of so-and-so) is in Your Protection and inside the surroundings of Your Refuge. Safeguard him from the trial of the grave and the punishment of the Hell. You keep Your Promise and You deserve to be praised. O Allah! Forgive him and be merciful to him. Indeed, You are the Forgiving, the Merciful].”
[Abu Dawud].

940. `Abdullah bin Abu Aufa (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: While offering the funeral prayer of one of his daughters, he recited four Takbir, and after the fourth Takbir he continued standing for a time equal to an interval between two Takbir, praying for her and seeking Allah’s forgiveness for her.” Then he said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to do so.”

 Another narration is: He (Abdullah) recited four Takbir and remained standing in prayer for some time till we thought that he would recite the fifth Takbir. Then he gave Salam on the right and on the left. When he turned aside, we asked him about it. He replied: “I would add nothing to what I saw the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) doing,” or he said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to do so.”
[Al-Hakim].

 

Seeking Permission to enter by telling one’s Name

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 141
Seeking Permission to enter by telling one’s Name

874. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in the course of his famous Hadith pertaining to Al-Isra’ (the Ascension) that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Then Jibril (Gabriel) ascended along with me to the nearest heaven and requested for the gate to be opened. He was asked: `Who is there?’ He replied: `Jibril.’ He was asked: `Who is with you?’ He said: `Muhammad.’ Then he ascended to the second heaven and requested for the opening of the gate. He was asked: `Who is there?’ He said: `Jibril.’ He was asked: `Who is with you?’ He replied: `Muhammad.’ In the same way he ascended to the third, fourth and all the heavens (i.e., until the seventh). At all of the gates he was asked: `Who is there?’ He replied: Jibril.”’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

875. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I stepped out one night and saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) walking by himself. I began to walk in the moonlit night. He turned round and saw me and asked, “Who is there?” I replied: “Abu Dharr.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

876. Umm Hani (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I went to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who was taking a bath while Fatimah was screening him. He asked, “Who is there?” I replied: “I am Umm Hani.’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

877. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and knocked at the door (to seek permission). He asked, “Who is there?” I said: “I”. He repeated, ” I, I?!” as if he disliked it.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Good Words to be Uttered before a dying Person and his Family

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 152
Good Words to be Uttered before a dying Person and his Family

920. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her): The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When you visit a sick or a dying person, you should utter good words because the angels say `Amin’ at what you say.” She added: When Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) died, I came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, Abu Salamah has died.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) directed me to supplicate thus: “Allahummaghfir li wa lahu, wa a`qibni minhu `uqba hasanatan [O Allah, forgive me and him, and bestow upon me a better future (give me a better substitute)].” So I supplicated as he directed, and Allah gave me a man who was better for me than Abu Salamah (i.e., the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)). (The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) married Umm Salamah afterwards.)
[Muslim].

921. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When a person suffers from a calamity and utters: `Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji`un. Allahumma ujurni fi musibati, wakhluf li khairan minha (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. O Allah! Compensate me in my affliction, recompense my loss and give me something better in exchange for it), then Allah surely compensates him with reward and better substitute.” Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: When Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) died, I repeated the same supplication as the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had commanded me (to do). So Allah bestowed upon me a better substitute than him (I was married to Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)).
[Muslim].

922. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man’s child dies, Allah, the Exalted, asks His angels, `Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?’ and they reply in the affirmative. He (SWT) then asks, `Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’ and they reply in the affirmative. Thereupon He asks, `What did my slave say?’ They say: `He praised You and said: Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return).’ Allah says: `Build a house for my slave in Jannah and name it Baitul-Hamd (the House of Praise).”’
[At-Tirmidhi].

923. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah, the Exalted, says: `I have no reward except Jannah for a believing slave of Mine who shows patience and anticipates My reward when I take away his favourite one from the inhabitants of the world.”’
[Al-Bukhari].

924. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A daughter of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent a message to him that her son was at his last breath, and requested him to come to her. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent back the informer saying: “To Allah belongs what He takes and what He gives, and everything has a limited period (in this world). So ask her to endure patiently, and expect the reward of Allah.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Excellence of Hand shaking at the time of Meeting

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 143
Excellence of Hand shaking at the time of Meeting

885. Abu Khattab Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked Anas: “Did the Companions of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) use to shake hands?” He said: “Yes.”
[Al-Bukhari].

886. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the people of Yemen came, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The people of Yemen have visited you. They are the first to introduce the tradition of handshaking.”
[Abu Dawud].

887. Al-Bara’ (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Two Muslims will not meet and shake hands without having their sins forgiven (by Allah ) before they depart.”
[Abu Dawud].

888. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man asked: “O Messenger of Allah! When a man meets a brother or a friend, should he bow to him?” He said, “No.” The man asked whether he should embrace and kiss him? The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “No.” He asked whether he should hold his hand and shake it? The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Yes.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

889. Safwan bin `Assal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A Jew asked his companion to take him to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam); and when they came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), they asked him about the nine clear signs (given to Prophet Musa). Safwan narrated the long Hadith which concludes: They kissed the hands and feet of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “We testify that you are a Prophet.”
[At-Tirmidhi] (Unapproved Hadith).

890. In a narration of Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) at the end of the narration of the Hadith ) he said: “We came near the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and kissed his hand.”
[Abu Dawud] (Weak Hadith).

891. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Zaid bin Harithah came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he was in my house. Zaid knocked at the door. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) rose to receive him, trailing his garment. He embraced and kissed him.
[At-Tirmidhi].

892. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “Do not belittle any good deed, even your meeting with your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face.”
[Muslim].

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

Following the Funeral, and Matters relating to Illness and Death

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 144
Following the Funeral, and Matters relating to Illness and Death

894. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has ordered us to visit the sick, to follow the funeral (of a dead believer), respond to the sneezer (i.e., by saying to him: Yarhamuk-Allah after he says: Al-hamdu lillah), to help those who vow to fulfill it, to help the oppressed, to accept the invitation extended by the inviter; and to promote greetings (i.e., saying As-Salamu `Alaikum).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

895. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Every Muslim has five rights over another Muslim (i.e., he has to perform five duties for another Muslim): to return the greetings, to visit the sick, to accompany funeral processions, to accept an invitation, to respond to the sneezer [i.e., to say: `Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah bestow His Mercy on you),’ when the sneezer praises  Allah].”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

896. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious will say on the Day of Resurrection: `O son of Adam, I was ill but you did not visit Me.’ He would say: `O my Rubb, how could I visit you and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ Thereupon He would say: `Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine was ill but you did not visit him? Did you not realize that if you had visited him (you would have known that I was aware of your visit to him, for which I would reward you) you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked food from you but you did not feed Me.’ He would submit: `My Rubb, how could I feed You and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ He would say: `Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine asked you for food but you did not feed him? Did you not realize that if you had fed him, you would certainly have found (its reward) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked water from you but you did not give it to Me.’ He would say: `My Rubb, how could I give You (water) and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ Thereupon He would say: `Such and such a slave of Mine asked you for water to drink but you did not give it to him. Did you not realize that if you had given him to drink you would have found (its reward) with Me?”’   
[Muslim].

897. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Visit the sick, feed the hungry, and (arrange for the) release of the captive.”
[Al-Bukhari].

898. Thauban (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who visits his brother in Faith, will remain engaged in picking the fresh fruits from the garden of Jannah till he returns.”
[Muslim].

899. `Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When a Muslim visits a sick Muslim at dawn, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till dusk. If he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till the morning; and he will have (his share of) reaped fruits in Jannah.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

900. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A young Jewish boy who was in the service of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) fell ill. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) went to visit him. He sat down by his head and said to him, “Embrace Islam.” The little boy looked at his father who was sitting beside him. He said: “Obey Abul-Qasim (i.e., the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)).” So he embraced Islam and the Prophet ü stepped out saying, “Praise be to Allah Who has saved him from Hell-fire.”
[Al-Bukhari].

 

About Speedy Repayment of the Debts of a Deceased Person and Preparationof Burial

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 159
About Speedy Repayment of the Debts of a Deceased Person and Preparation of
Burial

943. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The soul of the deceased believer remains pending on account of the debt till it (the debt) is repayed.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

944. Hussain bin Wahwah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When Talhah bin Al-Bara’ (May Allah be pleased with him) fell ill, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came to visit him and said, “Verily, I think that Talhah is about to die. So inform me when he is dead and make haste (in burying him). Indeed, it is improper for the corpse of a Muslim to be kept lying unburied among his family members.”
[Abu Dawud].

 

Supplication at the time of Riding

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 170
Supplication at the time of Riding

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“… and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride. In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the Favour of your Rubb when you mount thereon, and say: `Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts). And verily, to Our Rubb we indeed are to return!”’ (43:12-14)

972. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) mounted his camel for setting out on a journey, he would recite: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest),” thrice. Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would supplicate: “Subhanal-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha, wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun. Allahumma inna nas’aluka fi safarina hadh al-birra wat-taqwa, wa minal-`amali ma tarda. Allahumma hawwin `alaina safarana hadha, watwi `anna bu`dahu. Allahumma Antas-Sahibu fissafari, wal-Khalifatu fil-ahli. Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min wa`ta’is-safari, wa kaabatil-manzari, wa suil-munqalabi fil-mali wal-ahli wal-waladi (Far removed from imperfection is the One Who has made this subservient to us, for we have no power to subjugate it, and certainly to our Rubb shall we return. O Allah, we ask You during this journey of ours for righteousness, piety and such deeds as are pleasing to You. O Allah, make easy for us this journey of ours and make the distance short for us. O Allah, You are our Companion during the journey and the Guardian of the family and the property in our absence. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the hardships of travelling, unhappiness connected with ghastly scenes and evil turns in property and family).” When he returned, he recited this supplication making addition of these words: “Ayibuna, ta’ibuna, `abiduna, li-Rabbina hamidun (We are those who return; those who repent; those who worship and those who praise our Rubb).”
[Muslim].

973. `Abdullah bin Sarjis (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) proceeded on a journey, he would seek refuge in Allah from the hardships of the journey, and against deviation after guidance, and against the supplication of the oppressed, and occurrences of unpleasant events in the family and property. He would say: “Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min wa`tha’is-safari, wa kaabatil-munqalabi, wal-hauri ba`dal-kauni, wa da`watil-mazlumi, wa suil-manzari fil-ahli wal-mal.”
[Muslim].

974. `Ali bin Rabi`ah reported: In my presence, a beast was brought to `Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) for riding. When he put his foot in the stirrup, he said: “Bismillah (With the Name of Allah).” When he had settled himself on its back he recited: “Al-hamdu lillahil-ladhi sakh-khara lana hadha, wa ma kunna lahu muqrinin, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqalibun. (All praise belongs to Allah Who has made this subservient to us, for we had not the strength to overpower it; and to our Rubb shall we return).” He then recited thrice: “Alhamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah),” and then three times: “Allahu Abkar (Allah is Greatest).” Then he said: “Subhanaka inni zalamtu nafsi faghfir li, innahu la yaghfirudh-dhunuba illa Anta (You are far removed from imperfection I have wronged myself, so forgive me, because none but You can forgive sins).” Then he smiled. It was asked: “Why have you smiled, O Amir Al-Mu’minin (Leader of the Believers)?” He replied: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) doing as I have done. I (i.e., Ali) asked him (the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) the reason for smiling. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, `Your Rubb, Glorious is He, is pleased when His slave seeks His forgiveness. He (the slave) has firm faith that none except Allah Alone can forgive sins)’.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Helping a Companion

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 169
Helping a Companion

969. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: While we were travelling with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), a rider came and began to stare on the right and on the left. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who has an extra mount should hand it over to one who has none, and he who possesses surplus provision, should give it to him who is without provision.” He named various kinds of possessions until we began to think (realize) that none of us had any right to anything surplus.
[Muslim].

970. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made up his mind to go in an expedition, he would say to us, “O Muhajirin and the Ansar! There are among you such people who have no property and no kinsfolk. Let everyone of you take along with him two or three men. None of us had a spare animal we took rides by turn.” So I took two or three men with me and I rode my camel by turn equally with them.
[Abu Dawud].

971. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to lag behind while travelling and urge the weak to walk quickly. He used to take up someone behind him and make supplication for him.
[Abu Dawud].

Prohibition of Disclosing the Physical defects of the Deceased

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 154
Prohibition of Disclosing the Physical defects of the Deceased

928. Abu Rafi` Aslam (May Allah be pleased with him), the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who washes a dead body and conceals what he notices of physical defects, he will be forgiven forty times.”
[Al-Hakim].

 

The Desirability of undertaking a Journey in a Group and appointing aLeader

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 167
The Desirability of undertaking a Journey in a Group and appointing a Leader

958. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Were people to know of what I know about the dangers of travelling alone, no rider would travel alone at night.”
[Al-Bukhari].

959. `Amr bin Shu`aib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A single rider is (accompanied with) Satan and two riders are (accompanied with) two Satans. Three riders form a group.”
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

960. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When three persons set out on a journey, they should appoint one of them as their leader.”
[Abu Dawud].

961. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best number of companions is four; the best detachment is four hundred and the best army is four thousand; and twelve thousand men will not be defeated as a result of smallness of number.”
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

Supplication for the Sick

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 145
Supplication for the Sick

901. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When a person complained to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) about an ailment or suffered from a sore or a wound, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would touch the ground with his forefinger and then raise it (Sufyan bin `Uyainah, the narrator, demonstrated this with his forefinger) and would recite: `Bismil-lahi, turbatu ardina, biriqati ba`dina, yushfa bihi saqimuni, bi ‘idhni Rabbina’ (With the Name of Allah, the dust of our ground mixed with the saliva of some of us would cure our patient with the permission of our Rubb.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

902. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: When the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited any ailing member of his family, he would touch the sick person with his right hand and would supplicate: “Allahumma Rabban-nasi, adhhibil-ba’sa, washfi, Antash-Shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uka, shifaan la yughadiru saqaman [O Allah! the Rubb of mankind! Remove this disease and cure (him or her)! You are the Great Curer. There is no cure but through You, which leaves behind no disease].”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

903. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said to Thabit (May Allah had Mercy upon him) Should I not perform Ruqyah (i.e., recite supplication or Quranic Ayat and blow) over you, such supplication as was practised by the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)?” He said: “Please do so.” Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) supplicated: “Allahumma Rabban-nasi, mudh-hibal-ba’si, ishfi Antash-Shafi, la shafiya illa Anta, shifa’an la yughadiru saqaman [O Allah! the Rubb of mankind! Take away this disease and cure (him or her). You are the Curer. There is no cure except through You. Cure (him or her), a cure that leaves no disease].”
[Al-Bukhari].

904. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited me during my illness and supplicated, “O Allah! Cure Sa`d. O Allah! Cure Sa`d. O’ Allah! Cure Sa`d.”
[Muslim].

905. Abu `Abdullah bin Abul-`as (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I complained to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) about a pain I had in my body. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Place your hand where you feel pain and say: `Bismillah (With the Name of Allah)’ three times; and then repeat seven times: `A`udhu bi`izzatillahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa `uhadhiru (I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that afflicts me and that which I apprehend).”’
[
Muslim].

906. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who visits a sick person who is not on the point of death and supplicates seven times: As’alullahal-`Azima Rabbal-`Arshil-`Azimi, an yashfiyaka (I beseech Allah the Great, the Rubb of the Great Throne, to heal you), Allah will certainly heal him from that sickness.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

907. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited a bedouin who was sick. Whenever he visited an ailing person, he would say, “La ba’sa, tahurun in sha’ Allah [No harm, (it will be a) purification (from sins), if Allah wills].”
[Al-Bukhari].

908. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)! Do you feel sick?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Yes.” Jibril supplicated thus (i.e., he performed Ruqyah): “Bismillahi arqika, min kulli shay’in yu’dhika, min sharri kulli nafsin aw `ayni hasidi, Allahu yashfika, bismillahi arqika. [With the Name of Allah. I recite over you (to cleanse you) from all that troubles you, and from every harmful mischief and from the evil of the eyes of an envier. Allah will cure you; and with the Name of Allah, I recite over you].”
[Muslim].

909. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a person says: `La ilaha illallahu wallahu Akbar (There is no true god except Allah and Allah is Greatest)’, his Rubb responds to him and affirms: `(Yes!) There is no true god except I, and I am the Greatest.’ When he says: `La ilaha illallahu Wahdahu la sharika Lahu (There is no true god except Allah, the One, He has no partner).’ Allah (SWT) affirms: `(Yes!) There is no true god except I. I have no partner.’ When he says: `La ilaha illallahu Lahul mulku wa Lahul-hamdu (the sovereignty belongs to Him and all the praise is due to Him).’ He (SWT) affirms: `(Yes!) There is no true god except I, Mine is the praise and to Me belongs the sovereignty.’ When he says: `La ilaha illallahu wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa Billah (There is no true god except Allah, and there is no might and power but with Allah).’ He (SWT) affirms: `(Yes!) There is no true god except I, and there is no might and power but with Me.”’ The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added, “He who recites this during his illness and dies, will not be touched by the Fire (Hell).”
[At-Tirmidhu].

Glorification of Allah by a Traveler while Ascending and Descending

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 171
Glorification of Allah by a Traveler while Ascending and Descending

975. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When we ascended (a height) we would proclaim: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest),” and when we descended (from the height) we would proclaim: “Subhan Allah (Allah is free from imperfection).”’
[Al-Bukhari].

976. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and his army ascended a height, they would proclaim: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest),” and when they climbed down, they would proclaim: “Subhan Allah (Allah is free from imperfection).”
[Abu Dawud].

977.  Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) returned from Hajj or `Umrah and ascended a height or hill, he would recite thrice: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest).” Then he would say, “La ilaha ill-allahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa `ala kulli shay’in Qadeer. Ayibuna ta’ibuna `abiduna li-Rabbina hamidun. Sadaq-Allahu wa`dahu, wa nasara `abdahu, wa hazamal-ahzaba wahdahu [None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, Who has no partner, to Whom the sovereignty belongs, to Whom all praise is due, and Who is Able to do all things. We are those who return (in safety), feel penitence, worship Allah, prostrate before our Rubb and praise Him. Allah has fulfilled His Promise, helped His slave (i.e., Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) and He Alone vanquished the Clans].”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

978. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said: “O Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), I intend to set out on a journey, so counsel me.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Fear Allah, and ascending towards the raised ground, you should recite: “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest).” When the man turned away, he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Allah! Shorten the distance for him and make the journey easy for him.” [At-Tirmidhi].

979. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We accompanied the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in a journey, and when we climbed up a height, we proclaimed aloud: “La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah)” and “Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest).” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) admonished us saying, “O people, take it easy. He Whom you are calling is not deaf or absent. He is with you (i.e., by His Knowledge), He is Hearing and He is Near.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Etiquette of offering Greetings

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 133
Etiquette of offering Greetings

857. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘A rider should greet a pedestrian; a pedestrian should greet one who is sitting; and a small group should greet a large group (of people).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The narration in Al-Bukhari adds: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The young should greet the elderly.”

858. Abu Umamah Sudaiy bin `Ajlan Al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person nearest to Allah is one who is the first to offer greeting.”
[Abu Dawud].

The narration in At-Tirmidhi is: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked: “O Messenger of Allah! When two persons meet, who should greet the other first?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The person nearest to Allah (i.e., one who is more obedient and therefore closer to Allah will say: As-Salam first.”

Excellence of using the right Hand for Performing various good Acts

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 99
Excellence of using the right Hand for Performing various good Acts

Allah, the Exalted, says:

Then as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand will say: `Take, read my Record!”’ (69:19)

“So those on the Right Hand (i.e., those who will be given their Records in their right hands) how (fortunate) will those be on the Right Hand! (As a respect for them, because they will enter Jannah). And those on the Left Hand (i.e., those who will be given their Record in their left hands) how (unfortunate) will those be on the Left Hand! (As a disgrace for them, because they will enter Hell).” (56:8,9)

721. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) liked to use his right hand in all matters: in combing his hair and wearing his shoes.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

722. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah was used to using his right hand for performing Wudu’ and for eating his food whereas he was used to using his left hand in his toilet and for other similar purposes.
[Abu Dawud]

723. Umm `Atiyyah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) instructed us at the time of washing the dead body of his daughter Zainab (May Allah be pleased with her) to begin with her right side, and from the parts that are washed in Wudu’.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

724. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When any of you puts on his shoes, he should put on the right one first; and when he takes them off, he should begin with the left. Let the right shoe be the first to be put on and the last to be taken off.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

725. Hafsah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to use his right hand for eating, drinking and wearing his clothes and used to use his left hand for other purposes.
[Abu Dawud].

726. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When you wear your clothes or perform your Wudu’, begin with your right side.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

727. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) went to Mina, he came to Jamrat-ul-`Aqabah and threw pebbles at it. After that, he went to his lodge in Mina and sacrificed. Then he called for a barber and pointed his right side to him, said, “Shave from here.” Then he pointed his left side and said, “Take (hair) from here.” Then he distributed his hair among the people.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

   Another narration is: After the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had thrown pebbles at Jamrah and sacrificed an animal, he turned the right side of his head towards the barber who shaved it for him. Then he called Abu Talhah Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) and gave his hair to him. Then he turned his head  to the left side and asked the barber to shave it. He gave the hair to Abu Talhah and told him, “Distribute it among the people.”

Permission to Drink while in a standing Posture

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 114
Permission to Drink while in a standing Posture

767. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I served Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) Zamzam water to drink and he drank it while he was standing.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

768. An-Nazzal bin Sabrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: `Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) arrived at Bab Ar-Rahbah (in Kufah) and drank water in a standing posture. Then he said: “I saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) doing what you have seen me doing.”
[Al-Bukhari].

769. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: During the lifetime of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) we would eat while walking and would drink while standing.
[At-Tirmidhi].

770. `Amr bin Shu`aib on the authority of his father and grandfather reported: that they saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) drink standing, and sitting.
[At-Tirmidhi].

The last three Ahadith point out the permissibility of eating and drinking while walking or standing or sitting, but drinking in the sitting position remains the best.

771. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) forbade us from drinking while standing. Qatadah reported: “We asked him: `What about eating?”’ He said: “That is even worse, (or may be he said) more detestable.”

 Another narration is: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) reprimanded us for drinking while standing.
[Muslim].

772. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “None of you should drink standing; and if any one forgets, he must vomit.”
[Muslim].

Response to an Invitation extended to a Man observing Saum (Fasting)

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 102
Response to an Invitation extended to a Man observing Saum (Fasting)

738. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When any of you is invited to a meal, he should accept the invitation. If he is observing Saum (fasting), he should supplicate for the betterment of the host and if he is not fasting, he should eat.”
Muslim].

Words to be used for offering Greetings

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 132
Words to be used for offering Greetings

It is recommended for the one offering greetings to say: `As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu’. The reply is `Wa `Alaikum us-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.’

851. `Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “As-Salamu `Alaikum (may you be safe from evil). Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Ten (meaning the man had earned the merit of ten good acts).” Another one came and said: “As-Salamu `Alaikum wa Rahmatullah (may you be safe from evil, and Mercy of Allah be upon you).” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Twenty.” A third one came and said: “As-Salamu `Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (may you be safe from evil, and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be upon you).” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) responded to his greeting and the man sat down. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Thirty.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

852. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “This is Jibril (Gabriel) who is conveying you greetings of peace.” I responded: “Wa `Alaihis-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu (may he be safe from evil, and the Mercy of Allah and His Blessings be upon him).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

853. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to repeat his words thrice so that the meaning thereof would be fully understood, and whenever he came upon a gathering of people, he would greet them. He would repeat Salam thrice.
[Al-Bukhari].

854. Al-Miqdad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in course of a long Hadith: We used to reserve for the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) his share of the milk, and he would come at night and offer greetings in such a manner as did not disturb those asleep and was heard only by those who were awake. In fact, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came and offered greetings as usual.
[Muslim].

855. Asma’ bint Yazid (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed through the mosque one day and there was a group of women (about ten of them) sitting in the mosque. He raised his hand to offer greetings.
[At-Tirmidhi].

856. Abu Juraiy Al-Hujaimi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “Alaikas-Salamu ya Rasulallah! (Upon you be peace, O Messenger of Allah)!” He said, “Do not say: `Alaikas-Salamu (Upon you be peace).’ This is the Salam to the dead.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Prohibition of Criticizing Food

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 101
Prohibition of Criticizing Food

736. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never found fault with food. If he had inclination to eating it, he would eat; and if he disliked it, he would leave it.
Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

737. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked for sauce and was told that there was nothing except vinegar. He asked for it and began to eat from it saying, “How excellent is vinegar when eaten as sauce! How excellent is vinegar when eaten as Udm!”
Muslim].