The Aqeedah and Manhaj of AhlusSunnah wal Jamah

AbdurRahman.Org

Islamic Knowledge – Islam, Sunnah, Salafiyyah

Tag: Riyad-us-Saliheen

Istikhara (Seeking Guidance from Allah), and Consultation

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 97
Istikhara (Seeking Guidance from Allah), and Consultation

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

Encouraging Livelihood by (working with) Hands and Abstaining fromBegging

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 59
Encouraging Livelihood by (working with) Hands and Abstaining from Begging

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Then when the (Jumu`ah) Salat (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working).” (62:10)

539. Zubair bin `Awwam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is far better for you to take your rope, go to the mountain, (cut some firewood) carry it on your back, and sell it and thereby save your face than begging from people whether they give you or refuse.”
[Al-Bukhari].

540. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is better for anyone of you to carry a bundle of wood on his back and sell it than to beg of someone whether he gives him or refuses.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

541. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(Prophet) Dawud (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) ate only out of that which he earned through his manual work.”
[Al-Bukhari].

542. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “(Prophet) Zakariyya (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was a carpenter.”
[Al-Bukhari].

543. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No food is better to man than that which he earns through his manual work. Dawud (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), the Prophet of Allah, ate only out of his earnings from his manual work.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Excellence of Conveying Glad Tidings and Congratulations

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 95
Excellence of Conveying Glad Tidings and Congratulations

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“So announce the good news to My slaves. Those who listen to the Word [good advice La ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) and Islamic Monotheism] and follow the best thereof (i.e., worship Allah Alone, repent to Him and avoid Taghut).” (39: 17, 18)

“Their Rubb gives them glad tidings of a Mercy from Him, and that He is pleased (with them), and of Gardens (Jannah) for them wherein are everlasting delights.” (9:21)

“But receive the glad tidings of Jannah which you have been promised! “ (41:30)

“So we gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy.” (37:101)

“And verily, there came Our messengers to Ibrahim (Abraham) with glad tidings.” (11:69)

“And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed [either, because the messengers did not eat their food or for being glad for the destruction of the people of Lut (Lot)]. But We gave her glad tidings of Ishaq (Isaac), and after Ishaq, of Ya`qub (Jacob).” (11:71)

“Then the angels called him, while he was standing in prayer in Al-Mihrab (a praying place or a private room), (saying): `Allah gives you glad tidings of Yahya (John).”’ (3:39)

“(Remember) when the angels said: `O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah gives you the glad tidings of a Word [`Be!’- and he was! i.e., `Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam] from Him, his name will be the Messiah `Isa.” (3:45)

708. `Abdullah bin Abu Aufa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) gave glad tidings to Khadijah (May Allah be pleased with her) about a palace of hollowed pearls in Jannah, free from noise and toil.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

709. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day, I performed my Wudu’ in my house and then set forth with the determination that I would stick to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and spend the whole day with him. I came to the mosque and asked about him. The Companions told that he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had gone in a certain direction. Abu Musa added: I followed him inquiring until I came to Bi’r Aris (a well in the suburb of Al-Madinah). (There) I sat down at the door till he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had relieved himself and performed Wudu’. Then I went to him and saw him sitting on the platform of the well with his shanks uncovered and his legs dangling in the well. I greeted him and returned to the door of the garden, saying to myself, “I will be the doorkeeper of the Messenger of Allah today.” Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) came and knocked at the door. I said; “Who is that?” He said: “Abu Bakr.” I said, “Wait a moment.” Then I went to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, “O Messenger of Allah! Abu Bakr is at the door seeking permission to enter.” He said, “Admit him and give him the glad tidings of Jannah.” I returned and said to Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him): “You may enter and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has given you the glad tidings of (entering) Jannah.” Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) came in and sat down on the right side of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and suspended his legs into the well and uncovered his shanks, as the Messenger of Allah had done. I returned to the door and sat down. I had left my brother at home while he was performing Wudu’ and intending to join me. I said to myself: “If Allah intends good for him (i.e., to be blessed to come at this time and receive the glad tidings of entering Jannah), He will bring him here.” Someone knocked at the door and I said, “Who is it?” He said, “Umar bin Al-Khattab.” I said, “Wait a moment.” Then I proceeded towards Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). I greeted him and said, “Umar is at the door, seeking permission to enter. He said, “Let him in and give him the glad tidings of entering  Jannah.”  I  went  back to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him)  and said to him, “Messenger of Allah has given you permission as well as glad tidings of entering Jannah.” He entered and sat down with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on his left side and dangled his feet into the well. I returned to the door and sat down and said to myself: “If Allah intends good for my brother, He will bring him here.” Someone knocked at the door and I said, “Who is it?” He said, “Uthman bin `Affan.” I said, “Wait a moment.” I went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and informed him about his arrival. He said, “Let him in and give him glad tidings of entering Jannah together with a tribulation which he will have to face.” I came back to him and said, “You may enter; and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) gives you the glad tidings of entering Jannah together with a tribulation that will afflict you.” He got in and saw that the elevated platform round the well was fully occupied. So he sat on opposite side. Sa`id bin Al-Musaiyab (May Allah be pleased with him) a subnarrator has reported: The order in which they sat down indicated the places of their burial.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 Another narration adds: Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) ordered me to guard the door. When `Uthman was told (about the misfortune) he praised Allah then said: “Allahu Musta`an (His help is to be sought).”

(The interpretation of Sa`id bin Al-Musaiyab is that the graves of Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) are by the side of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), in the same position they took when they sat next to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) while the grave of `Uthman is away from their graves, in the public graveyard of Al-Madinah known as Baqi` Al-Gharqad).

710.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were sitting in the company of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and Abu Bakr and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) were also present. All of a sudden the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) got up and left us. When he was late to return to us we began to worry lest he should meet with trouble in our absence. I was the first to be alarmed and set out in search of him until I came to a garden belonging to Banu–Najjar (a section of the Ansar). I went round it looking for an entrance, but failed to find one. However, I saw a stream of water flowing into the garden from a well outside. I drew myself together like a fox and slinked into the place and reached the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). He said, “Is it Abu Hurairah?” I replied in the affirmative. He asked, “What is the matter with you?” I replied, “You were sitting with us and then you left us and delayed for a time. Fearing you had met with some adversities we got alarmed. I was the first to be alarmed. So when I came to this garden, I squeezed myself like a fox and these people are coming behind me.” He (the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) gave me his sandals and said, “O Abu Hurairah! Take these sandals of mine, and whoever you meet outside this garden testifying that La ilaha illallah (There is no true god except Allah), being assured of it in his heart, give him the glad tidings that he will enter Jannah.’‘ (Abu Hurairah then narrated the Hadith in full).
[Muslim].

711. Ibn Shumasah reported: We visited `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with him) when he was in his deathbed. He wept for a long time and turned his face towards the wall. His son said: “O father, did not the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) give you the good news of such and such? Did he not give you glad tidings of such and such?” Then he (`Amr) turned his face towards us and said: “The best thing which you can count upon is the affirmation that: La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah), and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. I have passed through three phases. I remember when I hated none more than I hated the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and there was no other desire stronger in me than that of killing him. Had I died in that state, I would have definitely been one of the dwellers of Fire (Hell). When Allah instilled the love for Islam in my heart, I went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, `Extend your right hand, so that I pledge allegiance to you.’ He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) stretched out his right hand, but I withdrew my hand. He said, `What is the matter, `Amr?’ I said, `I wish to lay down same conditions.’ He asked, `What conditions do you wish to put forward?’ I replied, `To be granted forgiveness.’ He said, `Do you not know that (embracing) Islam wipes out all that has gone before it (previous misdeeds). Verily, emigration wipes out all the previous sins, and the Hajj (pilgrimage) wipes out all the previous sins.‘ Thereafter, no one was dearer to me than Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and none was more respectable than him in my eyes. So bright was his splendour that I could not gather enough courage to look at his face for any length of time. If I were asked to describe his feature, I would not be able to do so because I have never caught a full glimpse of his face. Had I died in that state I could have hoped to be one of the dwellers of Jannah. Thereafter, we were made responsible for many things and in the light of which I am unable to know what is in store for me. When I die, no mourner, nor fire should accompany my bier. When you bury me, throw the earth gently over me and stand over my grave for the space of time within which a camel is slaughtered and its meat is distributed so that I may enjoy your intimacy, and in your presence ascertain what answer can I give to the Messengers of my Rubb (the angels in grave).”
[Muslim].

Safeguarding and Perpetuating Good Habits

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 87
Safeguarding and Perpetuating Good Habits

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Verily, Allah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allah).” (13:11)

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

“… 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)

“But that they did not observe it with the right observance.” (57:27)

692. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with him) 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].

Exaltation of Modesty

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 84
Exaltation of Modesty

681. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by a man of the Ansar who was admonishing his brother regarding shyness. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Leave him alone, for modesty is a part of Iman.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

682. `Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Shyness does not bring anything except good.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In a narration of Muslim: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “All of shyness is good.”

683. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Iman has sixty odd or seventy odd branches. The uppermost of all these is the Testimony of Faith: `La ilaha illallah’ (there is no true god except Allah) while the least of them is the removal of harmful object from the road. And shyness is a branch of Iman.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

684. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was even shier than a virgin behind her veil. When he saw something which he disliked, we could perceive it on his face.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Prohibition of Miserliness – Riyad-us-Saliheen

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 61 : Prohibition of Miserliness

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

 

The Just Ruler

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 79
The Just Ruler

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Verily, Allah enjoins Al-`Adl (justice) and Al-Ihsan (performing duties in a perfect manner).” (16:90)

“And be equitable. Verily! Allah loves those who are the equitable.” (49:9)

659. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Seven are (the persons) whom Allah will give protection with His Shade* on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade (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 mosque; two persons who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of Allah; a man whom a beautiful and high ranking woman seduces (for illicit relation), but he (rejects this offer by saying): `I fear Allah’; a person who gives a charity and conceals it (to such an extent) that the left hand might not know what the right has given; and a person who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes well up.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

* The Shade of Allah to which this Hadith refers to is the shade of His Throne.

660. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The just will be seated upon pulpits of light.” Those who are fair with regards to their judgement and their family and those who are under them.”
[Muslim].

661. `Auf bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best of your rulers are those whom you love and who love you, and those who supplicate Allah in your favour and you supplicate Allah in their favour. The worst of your rulers are those whom you hate and who hate you; and whom you curse and who curse you.” It was asked (by those who were present): “Should not we oppose them?” He said, “No, as long as they establish Salat; as long as they establish Salat in your midst.”
[Muslim].

662. `Iyad bin Himar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The people of Jannah will be of three kinds: A just successful ruler, a man who shows mercy to his relatives, and a pious believer who has a large family and refrains from begging.”
[Muslim].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Endurance of Afflictions

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 76
Endurance of Afflictions

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“(Those) who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-MuhsinÃn (the good-doers).” (3:134)

“And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.” (42:43)

648. 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 maintain good relationship but they sever relations with me; whom I treat kindly but they treat me badly, with whom I am gentle but they are rough to me.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “If you are as you have said, then it is as though you are feeding them hot ashes and you will not be without a supporter against them from Allah, as long as you do so.”
[Muslim].

Selflessness and Sympathy

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 62
Selflessness and Sympathy

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And give them (Emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that.” (59:9)

“And they give food, in spite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to the poor, the orphan, and the captive.” (76:8)

564. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said; “I am hard pressed by hunger.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent a word to one of his wives who replied: “By Him Who has sent you with the Truth, I have nothing except water.” Then he sent the same message to another (wife) and received the same reply. He sent this message to all of them (i.e., his wives) and received the same reply. Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Who will entertain this (man) as guest?” One of the Ansar said: “O Messenger of Allah, I will.” So he took him home and said to his wife: “Serve the guest of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).”

Another narration is: The Ansari asked his wife: “Have you got anything?” She answered: “Nothing, except a little food for the children.” He said: “Keep them busy with something, and when they ask for food put them to sleep. When the guest enters, extinguish the light and give him the impression that we are also eating.” So they sat down and the guest ate and they passed the night hungry. When he came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in the morning, he said to him, “Allah admired what you did with your guest last night.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

565. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The food for two suffices for three; and the food for three suffices for four persons.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In Muslim, Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The food for one person suffices for two; the food for two suffices for four, and the food fof four suffices for eight persons.”

566. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Once we were on a journey with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when a rider came and began looking right and left. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever has an extra mount should offer it to him who is without it, and whoever has surplus food should give it to him who has nothing;” and he continued mentioning other properties until we thought that none of us had any right to surplus of his own property.
[Muslim].

567. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A woman brought a woven piece of cloth to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said to him: “I have woven this sheet with my own hands for you to wear.” He accepted it as he was in need of it. He later came out wearing it as a lower garment. Someone said: “How nice it is! Kindly give it to me.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Very well.” He remained in our company for some time, then he went back, folded it and sent it to the man. The people said (to that man): “You did not do well. Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) wore it and he was in need of it, and you asked him for it when you are well aware that he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never refuses a request.” He said: “I swear by Allah that I did not ask it for wearing. I asked him for it so that it might be my shroud after my death.” Sahl (the narrator of this Hadith) said: And in fact it was used as his shroud.
[Al-Bukhari].

568. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the Ash`ariyun run short of food in the Jihad or when they are at home in Al-Madinah, they collect all the provisions they have in a sheet and then divide it equally among themselves. They are of me and I am of them.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Undesirability of Aspiring for Office

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 81
Undesirability of Aspiring for Office

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“That home of the Hereafter (i.e., Jannah), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqun (the pious and righteous persons).” (28:83)

674. `Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “Do not ask for position of authority. If you are granted this position without asking for it, you will be helped (by Allah) in discharging its responsibilities; but if you are given it as a result of your request, you will be left alone as its captive. If you take an oath to do something and then find a better alternative, you should adopt the latter and expiate for your oath.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

675. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “O Abu Dharr, I see that you are weak and I like for you what I like for myself. Do not rule over (even) two persons, and do not manage an orphan’s property.”
[Muslim].

676. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “Why do you not appoint me to an (official) position?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) patted me on the shoulder with his hand and said, “O Abu Dharr, you are a weak man and it is a trust and it will be a cause of disgrace and remorse on the Day of Resurrection except for the one who takes it up with a full sense of responsibility and fulfills what is entrusted to him (discharges its obligations efficiently).”
[Muslim].

677. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You will covet for getting a position of authority, but remember that it will be a cause of humiliation and remorse on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Al-Bukhari]

Bidding Farewell and Advising on the Eve of Departure for a Journey orother Things

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 96
Bidding Farewell and Advising on the Eve of Departure for a Journey or other
Things

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And this (submission to Allah, Islam) was enjoined by Ibrahim (Abraham) upon his sons and by Ya`qub (Jacob) (saying), `O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam (as Muslims – Islamic Monotheism).’ Or were you witnesses when death approached Ya`qub (Jacob)? When he said unto his sons, `What will you worship after me?’ They said, `We shall worship your Ilah (God – Allah) the Ilah (God) of your fathers, Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma`il (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac). One Ilah (God), and to Him we submit (in Islam)’.” (2:132,133)

712. Yazid bin Haiyan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went along with Husain bin Sabrah and `Amr bin Muslim to Zaid bin Arqam (May Allah be pleased with them) and, as we sat by his side, Husain said to him: “O Zaid, you acquired great merits that you saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), listened to his talk, fought by his side in (different) battles, and offered Salat behind him. You have in fact earned great merits, Zaid! Could you then tell us what you heard from the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)?” He said: “O my cousin! By Allah! I have grown old and have almost spent up my age and I have forgotten some of the things which I remembered in connection with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), so accept what I narrate to you, and what I fail to narrate, do not compel me to narrate that.” He then said: “One day Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) stood up to deliver a Khutbah at a watering place known as Khumm between Makkah and Al-Madinah. He praised Allah, extolled Him and delivered the Khutbah and exhorted (us) and said, `Amma Ba`du (now then)! O people, certainly I am a human being. I am about to receive a messenger (the angel of death) from my Rubb and I, in response to Allah’s Call, but I am leaving among you two weighty things: the Book of Allah in which there is right guidance and light, so hold fast to the Book of Allah and adhere to it.’ He exhorted (us) (to hold fast) to the Book of Allah and then said, `The second are the members of my household, I remind you (of your duties) to the members of my family.”’

713. Malik bin Al-Huwairith (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when we were all young men of nearly equal age. We stayed with him for twenty days. He was extremely kind and considerate. He perceived that we missed our families so he asked us about those we left behind, and we informed him. Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Go back to your families, stay with them, teach them (about Islam) and exhort them to do good. Perform such Salat (prayer) at such a time and such Salat at such a time. When the time for Salat is due, one of you should announce Adhan (call for prayer) and the oldest among you should lead Salat.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

714. `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I sought permission of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to perform `Umrah, and he granted me leave and said, “Brother, do not forget us in your supplications.” I would not exchange these words of his for the whole world.

Another narration is: He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Include us, my brother, in your supplications.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

715. Salim bin `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: When a man was to set out on a journey, `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) would say to him: “Draw near so that I may bid farewell to you as Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to bid farewell to us. (The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to say: “`Astaudi`ullaha dinaka, wa amanataka, wa khawatima `amalika’ (I entrust Allah with your Deen, your trust and your last deeds).”
[At-Tirmidhi].

716. `Abdullah bin Yazid Al-Khatmi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) intended to bid farewell to his army he would say: “Astau-di’ullaha dinakaum, wa amanatakum, wa khawatima `amalikum (I entrust Allah with your Deen, your trust and your last deeds).”
[Abu Dawud].

717. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! I intend to go on a journey, so supplicate for me.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “May Allah grant you the provision of piety.” The man said: “Please supplicate more for me.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “May He forgive your sins!” The man repeated: “Please supplicate more for me.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “May He facilitate for you the doing of good wherever you are.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

Indignation against the Transgression of Divine Laws

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 77
Indignation against the Transgression of Divine Laws

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Leading an Abstemious Life and refraining from the Doubtful

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 68
Leading an Abstemious Life and refraining from the Doubtful

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 55
Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[At-Tirmidhi].

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[At-Tirmidhi]

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

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

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

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

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

 

Prohibition of Appointing an Aspirant Person to a Public Office ofAuthority

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 83
Prohibition of Appointing an Aspirant Person to a Public Office of Authority

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

Forgiveness of the Ignorant

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 75
Forgiveness of the Ignorant

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e., don’t punish them).” (7:199)

“So overlook (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)), their faults with gracious forgiveness.” (15:85)

“Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?” (24:22)

“And who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers)” (3:134)

“And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.” (42:43)

643. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) “Have you ever experienced a day harder than the day of the battle of Uhud?” He replied, “Indeed, I experienced them (dangers) at the hands of your people (i.e., the disbelievers from amongst the Quraish tribe). The hardest treatment I met from them was on the Day of `Aqabah when I went to Ibn `Abd Yalil bin `Abd Kulal (who was one of the chiefs of Ta’if) with the purpose of inviting him to Islam, but he made no response (to my call). So I departed with deep distress. I did not recover until I arrived at Qarn ath-Tha`alib. There, I raised my head and saw a cloud which had cast its shadow on me. I saw in it Jibril (Gabriel) (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who called me and said: `Indeed, Allah, the Exalted, heard what your people said to you and the response they made to you. And He has sent you the angel in charge of the mountains to order him to do to them what you wish.’ Then the angel of the mountains called me, greeted me and said: `O Muhammad, Allah listened to what your people had said to you. I am the angel of the mountains, and my Rubb has sent me to you so that you may give me your orders. (I will carry out your orders). If you wish I will bring together the two mountains that stand opposite to each other at the extremities of Makkah to crush them in between.”’ But Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I rather hope that Allah will raise from among their descendants people as will worship Allah the One, and will not ascribe partners to Him (in worship).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

644. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) never hit anything with his hand neither a servant nor a woman but of course, he did fight in the Cause of Allah. He never took revenge upon anyone for the wrong done to him, but of course, he exacted retribution for the sake of Allah in case the Injunctions of Allah about unlawful acts were violated.
[Muslim].

645. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was walking with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who was wearing a Najrani cloak with a very thick border when a bedouin happened to meet him. He took hold of the side of his cloak and drew it violently. I noticed that the violence of jerk had bruised the neck of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). The bedouin said: “O Muhammad! Give me out of Allah’s wealth that you possess.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) turned to him and smiled and directed that he should be given something.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

646. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I can see the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) look like one of the Prophets of Allah whose people beat and made him bleed while he was wiping the blood from his face and supplicating: “O Allah, forgive my people because they know not.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

647. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The strong man is not the one who wrestles, but the strong man is in fact the one who controls himself in a fit of rage.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

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

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Excellence of mixing with People and attending their social activities

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 70
Excellence of mixing with People and attending their social activities

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

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

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

Brevity in Preaching

AbdurRahman.org's avatar by
Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 91
Brevity in Preaching

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Invite (mankind, O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) to the way of your Rubb (i.e., Islam) with wisdom (i.e., with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’an) and fair preaching.” (16:125)

699. Shaqiq bin Salamah reported: Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) used to preach to us once every Thursday. A man said to him: “O Abu `Abdur-Rahman, we love your talk and we wish that you preach us every day.” He said: “There is nothing to prevent me from doing so, but I don’t lest I bore you. I follow the same method in preaching to you that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) adopted in preaching to us for fear of boredom.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

700. `Ammar bin Yasir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Prolonging Salat (prayer) and shortening the Khutbah (religious talk) indicate the religious knowledge of the person. Make your Salat long and your sermon short.”
[Muslim].

701. Mu`awiyah bin Al-Hakam As-Sulami (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: While I was in Salat with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), a man in the congregation sneezed and I responded with: `Yarhamuk-Allah (Allah have mercy on you).’ The people stared at me with disapproving looks. So I said: “May my mother lose me. Why are you staring at me?” Thereupon, they began to strike their thighs with their hands. When I saw them urging to me to remain silent, I became angry but restrained myself. When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) concluded his Salat. I have never before seen an instructor who gave better instruction than he, may my father and mother be sacrificed for him. He neither remonstrated me, nor beat me, nor abused me. He simply said,“It is not permissible to talk during Salat because it consists of glorifying Allah, declaring His Greatness as well as recitation of the Qur’an,” or he said words to that effect.” I said: “O Allah’s Messenger, I have but recently accepted Islam,  and Allah has favoured us with Islam. There are still some people among us who go to consult soothsayers.” He said, “Do not consult them.” Then I said: “There are some of us who are guided by omens.” He said, “These things which come to their minds. They should not be influenced by them.”
(Muslim).

702. `Irbad bin Sariyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) delivered a very effective speech, as a result, eyes shed tears and hearts became softened. A man said: “O Prophet of Allah! It sounds as if this is a farewell speech, so advise us.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I admonish you to fear Allah, and to listen and obey even if a black slave has been appointed as your leader. For whoever among you lives after me will see much discord. So hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs who will come after me. Adhere to them and hold fast to them. Beware of Bid`ah (in religion) because every Bid`ah is a misguidance.”
[Abu Da wud and At-Tirmidhi].

AbdurRahman.Org : Islamic Knowledge – Islam, Sunnah, Salafiyyah