Prohibition of Procrastinating by a Rich Person to Fulfill his Obligation

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 284
Prohibition of Procrastinating by a Rich Person to Fulfill his Obligation

Allah, the Exalted, says:

Verily, Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those, to whom they are due.” (4:58)

Then if one of you entrust the other, let the one who is entrusted discharge his trust (faithfully).” (2:283)

1611. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is an act of oppression on the part of a person to procrastinate in fulfilling his obligation; if the repayment of a debt due to any of you is undertaken by a rich person, you should agree to the substitution.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Prohibition of Carrying tales of the Officers

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 258
Prohibition of Carrying tales of the Officers

Allah, the Exalted, says:

… Do not help one another in sin and transgression.” (5:2)

1539. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “None of my Companions should convey to me anything regarding another because I desire to meet everyone of you with a clean heart.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Prohibition of Listening to Backbiting

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 255
Prohibition of Listening to Backbiting

Allah, the Exalted, says:

And when they hear Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk) they withdraw from it.” (28:55)

And those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allah has forbidden).” (23:3)

Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those ones will be questioned (by Allah).” (17:36)

And when you (Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) see those who engage in a false conversation about Our Verses (of the Qur’an) by mocking at them, stay away from them till they turn to another topic. And if Shaitan (Satan) causes you to forget, then after the remembrance sit not you in the company of those people who are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers).” (6:68)

1528. Abud-Darda’ (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who defends the honour of his (Muslim) brother, Allah will secure his face against the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

1529. `Itban bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said in his long Hadith cited in the Chapter entitled `Hope’ reported: When the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) stood up to offer As-Salat (the prayer) he asked, “Where is Malik bin Ad-Dukhshum?” A man replied: “He is a hypocrite. He does not love Allah and His Messenger.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not say that. Do you not know that he said: La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah),’ seeking His Pleasure. Allah has made the fire of Hell unlawful for him who affirms that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1530. Ka`b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said in his long story about his repentance: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was sitting among the people in Tabuk. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “What happened to Ka`b bin Malik?” A person from the tribe of Banu Salamah said: “O Messenger of Allah! the embellishment of his cloak and an appreciation of his sides have allured him, and he was thus detained.” Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “Woe be upon you! You have passed indecent remarks. O Messenger of Allah! by Allah, we know nothing about him but good.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) remained silent.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Prohibition of Reviling a Muslim without any cause

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 266
Prohibition of Reviling a Muslim without any cause

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

1559. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Reviling a Muslim is Fusuq (disobedience of Allah) and killing him is (tantamount to) disbelief.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1560. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When any Muslim accuses another Muslim of sin or of disbelief, the reproach rebounds upon the one who utters it, if the other person is not deserving of it.”
[Al-Bukhari].

1561. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When two persons indulge in abusing each other, the beginner will be the sinner so long as the oppressed does not transgress the limits.”
[Muslim].

1562. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: A drunkard was brought to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). He said, “Give him a beating.” Then some beat him with their hands, some with their shoes, and some with (a folded) piece of cloth. When he left, someone said to him: “May Allah disgrace you!” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not help Satan overcome him by uttering such words.”
[Al-Bukhari].

1563. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “He who accuses his slave of Zina will receive the punishment (Hadd) of slander on the Day of Resurrection, unless the accusation of Zina was true.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Prohibition of Nursing Rancor and Enmity

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 269
Prohibition of Nursing Rancor and Enmity

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

… humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers ...” (5:54)

Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves.” (48:29)

1567. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not harbour grudge against one another, nor jealousy, nor enmity; and do not show your backs to one another; and become as fellow brothers and slaves of Allah. It is not lawful for a Muslim to avoid speaking with his brother beyond three days.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1568. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The gates of Jannah are opened on Mondays and Thursdays, and then every slave (of Allah) is granted forgiveness if he does not associate anything with Allah in worship. But the person in whose heart there is rancour against his (Muslim) brother, they will not be pardoned and with regard to them it will be said twice: `Hold both of them until they are reconciled with each other.”’
[Muslim].

Prohibition of Arrogance and Oppression

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 279
Prohibition of Arrogance and Oppression

Allah, the Exalted, says:

So ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him [i.e., those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious)].” (53:32)

The way (of blame) is only against those who oppress men and wrongly rebel in the earth without justification; for such there will be a painful torment.” (42:42)

1589. `Iyad bin Himar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, Allah has revealed to me that you should adopt humility. So that no one may wrong another and no one may be disdainful and haughty towards another.”
[Muslim].

1590. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a person says: `People have been ruined, he is the one to be ruined the most.”’
[Muslim]

In another version: “He himself is the most ruined among them.”

Condemnation of Double-faced People

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 259
Condemnation of Double-faced People

Allah, the Exalted, says:

They may hide (their crimes) from men, but they cannot hide (them) from Allah; for He is with them (by His Knowledge), when they plot by night in words that He does not approve. And Allah ever encompasses what they do.” (4:108)

1540. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “People are like ores. Those who were excellent in the Days of Ignorance are excellent in Islam provided they acquire the knowledge and understanding of the religion. You will find the best people in it (Islam) those who had a deep hatred (for leadership). You will find the worst among the people a double-faced person who appears to some people with one face and to others with another face.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1541. Muhammad bin Zaid reported: Some people said to my grandfather, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (May Allah be pleased with them): We visit our rulers and tell them things contrary to what we say when we leave them. `Abdullah bin `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) replied: “In the days of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), we counted this act as an act of hypocrisy.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Ascertainment of what one Hears and Narrates

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 262
Ascertainment of what one Hears and Narrates

Allah, the Exalted, says:

And follow not (O man, i.e., say not or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge.” (17:36)

Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).” (50:18)

1547. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is enough for a man to prove himself a liar when he goes on narrating whatever he hears.”
[Muslim].

1548. Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who relates from me something which he deems false is one of the liars.”
[Muslim]

1549. Asma’ (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “I have a co-wife. “Is there any harm for me if I give her the false impression of getting something from my husband which he has not in fact given me?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The one who creates a false impression of receiving what one has not been given is like one who wears two garments of falsehood.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Some cases where it is permissible to Backbite

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 256
Some cases where it is permissible to Backbite

1531. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: A man sought permission for audience with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). He said, “Give him permission but he is a bad member of his tribe.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1532. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I do not think that so-and-so understands anything of our Faith.
[Al-Bukhari]

Al-Bukhari said: Al-Laith bin Sa`d, who is one of the narrators of this Hadith, said: The two men mentioned by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in this Hadith were hypocrites (i.e., they revealed Faith and concealed disbelief).

1533. Fatimah bint Qais (May Allah be pleased with her) said: I came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said to him: “Muawiyah and Abul-Jahm sent me a proposal of marriage.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Muawiyah is destitute and he has no property, and Abul-Jahm is very hard on women.”
[Bukhari and Muslim].

1534. Zaid bin Al-Arqam (May Allah be pleased with him) said: We set out on a journey along with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and we faced many hardships. `Abdullah bin Ubaiy (the chief of the hypocrites at Al-Madinah) said to his friends: “Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) until they desert him.” He also said: “If we return to Al-Madinah, the more honourable (meaning himself, i.e., Abdullah bin Ubaiy) will drive out therefrom the meaner (meaning Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)).” I went to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and informed him about that and he sent someone to `Abdullah bin Ubaiy. He asked him whether he had said that or not. Abdullah took an oath that he had not done anything of that sort and said that it was Zaid who carried a false tale to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Zaid said: I was so much perturbed because of this until this Verse was revealed verifying my statement:

When the hypocrites come to you (O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)), they say: `We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.’ Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed.” (63:1) Then the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) called the hypocrites in order to seek forgiveness for them from Allah, but they turned away their heads.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1535. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan, said to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): Abu Sufyan is a niggardly man and does not give me and my children adequate provisions for maintenance unless I take something from his possession without his knowledge. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to her, “Take from his possessions on a reasonable basis that much which may suffice for you and your children.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Justification of Cursing the Wrongdoers without Specifying one of them

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 265
Justification of Cursing the Wrongdoers without Specifying one of them

Allah, the Exalted, says:

No doubt! the Curse of Allah is on the Zalimun (polytheists, wrongdoers, oppressors).” (11:18)

“Then a crier will proclaim between them: `The Curse of Allah is on the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers).”’ (7:44)

It has been authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “Curse of Allah is upon those women who wear false hair, and those women who prepare such.” And he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Curse of Allah is upon the one who eats Riba (usury).” And he also cursed the painters of pictures of living objects. And he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Curse of Allah is upon him who make changes in land boundaries (to deprive others).” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) also said, “Curse of Allah is upon the thief who steals (even) an egg.” He also said, “Curse of Allah is upon the one who curses his parents.” And: “Curse of Allah is upon the one who sacrifices an animal for other than Allah.” And he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Who invents heresies in religion here (Al-Madinah), and upon those who supported him, is the Curse of Allah and the angels and all the people.” And he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Allah! Curse be upon Ri`l, Dhakwan and Usaiyyah, the three tribes of Arab who are disobedient to Allah and His Messenger.” He also said, “Curse of Allah is upon the Jews who turned the graves of their Prophets into places of worship.” And he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) cursed those men who imitate women and those women who imitate men.

All these Ahadith are authentic, and are reported by Al-Bukhari or Muslim or by them both. These Ahadith will be cited under their respective chapters, In sha’ Allah.

Superiority of Auliya’ and their Marvels

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 253
Superiority of Auliya’ and their Marvels

Allah, the Exalted, says:

No doubt! Verily, the Auliya’ of Allah [i.e., those who believe in the Oneness of Allah and fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve. Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and used to fear Allah much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds). For them are glad tidings, in the life of the present world (i.e., through a righteous dream seen by the person himself or shown to others), and in the Hereafter. No change can there be in the Words of Allah. This is indeed the supreme success.” (10: 62-64)

And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you. So eat and drink.” (19: 25,26)

Every time he (Zakariya) entered Al-Mihrab to (visit) her, he found her supplied with sustenance. He said: `O Maryam (Mary)! From where have you got this?’ She said, `This is from Allah.’ Verily, Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit.” (3:37)

“(The young men said to one another): `And when you withdraw from them, and that which they worship, except Allah, then seek refuge in the Cave; your Rubb will open a way for you from His Mercy and will make easy for you your affair (i.e., will give you what you will need of provision, dwelling). And you might have seen the sun, when it rose, declining to the right from their Cave, and when it set, turning away from them to the left…” (18:16,17)

1503. `Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Companions of As-Suffah were poor people. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever has food enough for two people, should take a third one (from among them), and whoever has food enough for four persons, should take a fifth or sixth (or said something similar).” Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) took three people with him while Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) took ten. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) took his supper with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and stayed there till he offered the `Isha’ prayers. After a part of the night had passed, he returned to his house. His wife said to him: “What has detained you from your guests?” He said: “Have you not served supper to them?” She said: “They refused to take supper until you come.” [Abdur-Rahman (Abu Bakr’s son) or the servants] presented the meal to them but they refused to eat. I (the narrator) hid myself out of fear. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) (my father) rebuked me. Then he said to them: “Please eat. By Allah! I will never eat the meal.” `Abdur-Rahman added: Whenever we took a morsel of the meal, the meal grew from underneath more than that morsel we had till everybody ate to his satisfaction; yet the remaining food was more than what was in the beginning. On seeing this, Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) called his wife and said: “O sister of Banu Firas! What is this?” She said: “O pleasure of my eyes! The food has increased thrice in quantity.” Then Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) started eating. He said: “My oath not to take the meal was because of Satan.” He took a morsel handful from it and carried the rest to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). That food remained with him. In those days there was a treaty between us and the pagans and when the period of that treaty elapsed, he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) divided us into twelve groups and every group was headed by a man. Allah knows how many men were under the command of each leader. Anyhow, all of them ate of that meal.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

    There are some more narrations in both Al-Bukhari and Muslim with very minor differences in wordings and in details.

1504. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There were Muhaddithun (the recipients of Divine inspiration) among the nations before you. If there is any of such Muhaddith among my followers, he must be `Umar.
[Al-Bukhari].

     In Muslim, this Hadith is narrated by `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her), and in both these narrations Ibn Wahb has said that the meaning of Muhaddithun is recipients of Divine inspiration.

1505.  Jabir bin Samurah (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The inhabitants of Kufah complained to `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) against Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) and `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) appointed `Ammar (May Allah be pleased with him) as Governor of Kufah in his place. Their complaint was that he did not even conduct As-Salat (the prayers) properly. `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) sent for Sa`d and said to him: “O Abu Ishaq, the people claim that you do not offer the Salat properly.” Sa`d replied: “By Allah! I observe Salat according to the Salat of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and I make no decrease in it. I prolong Qiyam (standing) in the first two Rak`ah in Maghrib and `Isha’ prayers and shorten in the last ones.” `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “This is what I thought of you, O Abu Ishaq!” Then he sent with him a man (or some men) to Kufah to investigate the matter about him (from the people of Kufah). The inquiry was conducted in every mosque and all the people in these mosques praised him; but in the mosque of the Banu `Abs, a man, with the name of Usamah bin Qatadah and surname Abu Sa`dah, stood up and said, “Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas did not participate in Jihad and he did not distribute the spoils equitably and did not judge justly.” On this Sa`d said: “I shall make three supplications in respect of him: O Allah! If this slave of Yours is a liar and seeker of notoriety, please prolong his life and lengthen his period of adversity and afflict him with trials.” (And so did it happen.) Thereafter, when the man was asked about his condition he would say, “I am an old man afflicted with trials and overtaken by the curses of Sa`d.”

`Abdul-Malik bin `Umair (a subnarrator) said: I saw this man with eyebrows hung over his eyes as a result of his old age and he walked aimlessly, following young girls and winking at them.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1506. `Urwah bin Az-Zubair (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Arwa bint Aus brought a suit against Sa`id bin Zaid bin `Amr bin Nufail (May Allah be pleased with him). She complained to Marwan bin Al-Hakam that he had wrongfully taken possession of a portion of her land. Sa`id said: “How can I take a portion out of her land while I have heard a denunciation from the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).” Marwan asked him: “What did you hear from the Messenger of Allah?” He said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `He who takes a span of land unjustly will be made to wear seven earths round his neck on the Day of Ressurection’.” Marwan said to him: “I don’t seek proof from you after this.” Sa`id supplicated: “O Allah! If she is a liar, deprive her of her eye sight and cause her to die in her land.” `Urwah said: “She did not die till she became blind. While she was walking in her land (concerning which the dispute arose) she fell down into a pit and died.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

      In another narration of Muslim, Muhammad bin Zaid bin `Abdullah bin `Umar said that he had seen Arwa blind, feeling for on the walls with her hand and saying: “I am ruined by the curse of Sa`id.” Later she fell in a well in the same disputed land and died.

1507. Jabir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with them) said: My father called me on the evening before (the battle of) Uhud and said: “I perceive that I shall be among the first from among the Companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) to be martyred, and after him you are the dearest to me. I am under the burden of debt. Pay it and treat your sisters well.” Next morning he was among the first to be killed, so I buried him along with another in the same grave. Thereafter, I did not like that I should leave him with another in the grave. So I dug up his corpse after six months and he was in the same condition in which he was on the day when I buried him, except that there was a scratch on his ear. Then I buried him in a separate grave.
[Al-Bukhari].

1508. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Two Companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) left his home in a very dark night with something like lights in front of them; when they separated, each of them had one light in front of him till they arrived home.
[Al-Bukhari].

Other narrations reported in Al-Bukhari say that the two men were Usaid bin Hudhair and `Abbad bin Bishr (May Allah be pleased with them).

1509. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent an espionage mission of ten men under the leadership of `Asim bin Thabit Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him). They proceeded till they reached Al-Had’ah, a place between `Usfan and Makkah and the news of their arrival reached a section of the tribe of Hudhail, called Banu Lihyan. About one hundred men, who were all archers, hurried to follow their tracks. When `A   sim and his companions came to know of their pursuers, they took refuge in a safe place. The infidels encircled them and said to them: “Come down and surrender, and we promise and guarantee you that we will not kill anyone of you.” `Asim bin Thabit (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “By Allah! I will not come down to be under the protection of disbelievers. O Allah! convey this news to our Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).” Then the infidels shot arrows at them till they killed `Asim. Three men came down relying on their promise and covenant. They were Khubaib, Zaid bin Ad-Dathinah and another man. When the disbelievers captured them, they tied them up with the strings of their bows. The third of the captives said: “This is the beginning of first betrayal. By Allah! I will not go with you. I have a good example in these (martyrs).” So they dragged him and tried to compel him to accompany them, but he refused. At last they killed him. They took Khubaib and Zaid bin Ad-Dathina with them and sold them as slaves in Makkah. This incident took place after the battle of Badr.

Khubaib was bought by the sons of Al-Harith bin `Amir bin Naufal bin `Abd Manaf. It was Khubaib who had killed Al-Harith in the battle of Badr. Khubaib remained a prisoner with those people for a few days till the sons of Al-Harith resolved to kill him.

When Khubaib (May Allah be pleased with him) got wind of this plot, he borrowed a razor from one of Al-Harith’s daughters in order to remove his pubic hair. Her little son crawled towards Khubaib because of her carelessness. Later on, she saw her son on his thigh and the razor was in his hand. She got scared so much that Khubaib noticed the agitation on her face and said: “Are you afraid that I will kill him? No, I will never do that.” She later remarked (after Al-Khubaib got martyred): “By Allah! I never saw a prisoner better than Khubaib.” She added: “By Allah! I saw him once eating of a bunch of grapes in his hand while he was chained and there was no such fruit at that time in Makkah. Probably it was a boon which Allah bestowed upon Khubaib.”

When they took him out of the Haram of Makkah to kill him outside its boundaries, Khubaib requested them to let him offer two Rak`ah of voluntary prayer. They allowed him and he offered two Rak`ah prayer. Then he said: “Had I not apprehended that you would think that I was afraid of death, I would have prolonged the prayer. O Allah! Count their number; slay them one by one and spare not one of them.” He then recited these poetic verses:

`I do not care how they kill me as long as I get martyred in the Cause of Allah as a Muslim. I received my death for Allah’s sake. If Allah so desires, He will bless, the amputated limbs of the torn body.’

Then the son of Al-Harith killed him. It was Khubaib who set the tradition for any Muslim sentenced to death in captivity to offer two Rak`ah of voluntary prayer. On that day the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) informed his Companions of the martyrdom of Khubaib. Later on, when some disbelievers from Quraish were informed that `Asim had been martyred, they sent some people to fetch a significant part of his body to ascertain his death. (This was because) `Asim had killed one of their chiefs. So Allah sent a swarm of wasps, resembling a shady cloud, to hover over the body of `Asim and to shield him from their messengers, and thus they could not cut off anything from his body.
[Al-Bukhari].

1510. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I never heard `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) relating anything that he conceived it to be so-and-so, but that it proved to be as he had conceived it.

[Al-Bukhari].

Prohibition of Chastisement with Fire

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 283
Prohibition of Chastisement with Fire

1609. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent us on an expedition and said to us, “If you find so-and-so (he named two persons belonging to the Quraish) commit them to the fire.” When we were on the verge of departure, he said to us, “I ordered you to burn so-and-so, but it is Allah Alone Who punishes with the fire. So if you find them put them to death.”
[Al-Bukhari].

1610. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in a journey when he drew apart (to relieve nature). In his absence, we saw a red bird which had two young ones with it. We caught them and the red mother bird came, beating the earth with its wings. In the meantime the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) returned and said, “Who has put this bird to distress on account of its young? Return them to her.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) also noticed a mound of ants which we had burnt up. He asked, “Who has set fire to this?” We replied: “We have done so.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “None can chastise with fire except the Rubb of the fire.”
[Abu Dawud].

Prohibition of Deriding one’s Lineage

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 275
Prohibition of Deriding one’s Lineage

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

1578. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Two matters are signs of disbelief on the part of those who indulge in them: Defaming and speaking evil of a person’s lineage, and wailing over the dead.”
[Muslim].

Prohibition of Cursing one Particular Man or Animal

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 264
Prohibition of Cursing one Particular Man or Animal

1551. Abu Zaid Thabit bin Ad-Dahhak Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him( (he is one of those who gave their pledge of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) under the Tree) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who swears by a religion other than that of Islam, is like what he has professed. He who kills himself with something, will be tormented with it on the Day of Resurrection. A person is not bound to fulfill a vow about something which he does not possess. Cursing a believer is like murdering him.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1552. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “It does not befit a Siddiq (righteous Muslim) to frequently curse others.”
[Muslim]

1553. Abud-Darda’ (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Those who frequently resort to cursing (people) would neither be accepted as witnesses nor as intercessors on the Day of Resurrection.
[Muslim].

1554. Samurah bin Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not curse one another, invoking Curse of Allah or Wrath of Allah or the fire of Hell.’
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

1555. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A true believer is not involved in taunting, or frequently cursing (others) or in indecency or abusing.
[At-Tirmidhi].

1556. Abud-Darda’ (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a person curses somebody or something, the curse goes up to heaven and the gates of heaven get closed. Then it comes down to the earth and its gates get closed. Then it turns right and left, and if it does not find an entrance to go anywhere, it returns to the person or thing that was cursed; if he or it deserves to be cursed; otherwise it returns to the person who uttered it.
[Abu Dawud].

1557. `Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with him) said: We were with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) on a journey and there was a woman from the Ansar riding a she-camel. She abused and invoked curse upon it. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) heard it and said, “Off load the she-camel and set it free because it has been cursed.”
[Muslim].

1558. Abu Barzah Nadlah bin `Ubaid Al-Aslami (May Allah be pleased with him) said: A young woman was riding a she-camel on which there was the luggage of people. Suddenly she saw the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). The pass of the mountain became narrow for her people (because of fear). The young woman said to the she-camel: “Go ahead.” When it did not move, she said, “O Allah! Curse it.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The she-camel that has been cursed should not accompany us.
[Muslim].

Prohibition of two Holding Secret Counsel to the Exclusion of Conversingtogether a Third

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 281
Prohibition of two Holding Secret Counsel to the Exclusion of Conversing
together a Third

Allah, the Exalted, says:

Secret counsels (conspiracies) are only from Shaitan (Satan).” (58:10)

1598. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “In the presence of three people, two should not hold secret counsel, to the exclusion of the third.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

   In Abu Dawud, Abu Salih related: I asked Ibn `Umar: “What if there are four people.” He said, “There is no harm in that.

Malik reported in Al-Muwatta that `Abdullah bin Dinar related: Ibn `Umar and I were together in Khalid bin `Uqbah’s house which was situated in the market place. A man came to consult Ibn `Umar. None besides me was present. Ibn `Umar called another man in and we became four and said to me and the man he had called: Move away a bit because I have heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “The two people should not hold secret counsel together excluding the third.”

1599. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When three of you are together, two of you must not converse privately ignoring the third till the number increases, lest the third should be grieved.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Prohibition of Deceiving others

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 276
Prohibition of Deceiving others

Allah, the Exalted, says:

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

1579. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who takes up arms against us is none of us; and he who cheats us is none of us.”
[Muslim].

 Another narration of Muslim is: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) happened to pass by a heap of corn. He thrust his hand in that (heap) and his fingers felt wetness. He said to the owner of that heap of corn, “What is this?” He replied: “O Messenger of Allah! These have been drenched by rainfall.” He remarked, “Why did you not place this (the drenched part of the heap) over the corn so that people might see it? He who deceives is not of us.”

1580.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not practise Najsh (to cheat).”
[Muslim].

1581. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibited the practice of Najsh.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1582. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: A man mentioned to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) that he was often deceived in dealings. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to him, “When you enter into a transaction you should say: “There should be no deception.”’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1583. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who deceives another’s wife or his slave is none of us.”
[Abu Dawud].

Condemnation and Prohibition of Falsehood

Chapter 260
Condemnation and Prohibition of Falsehood

Allah, the Exalted, says:

And follow not (O man, i.e., say not or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge.” (17:36)

Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).” (50:18)

1542. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Truth leads to piety and piety leads to Jannah. A man persists in speaking the truth till he is recorded with Allah as a truthful man. Falsehood leads to transgression and transgression leads to the Hell-fire. A man continues to speak falsehood till he is recorded with Allah as a great liar.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1543. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever possesses these four characteristics, is a sheer hypocrite; and anyone who possesses one of them, possesses a characteristic of hypocrisy till he gives it up. (These are:) When he talks, he tells a lie; when he makes a covenant, he acts treacherously; and when he quarrels, he utters foul language.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1544. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who narrates a dream which he has not seen will be put to trouble to join into a knot two barley seeds which he will not be able to do; and he who seeks to listen to the talk of a people (secretly) will have molten lead poured into his ears on the Day of Resurrection; and he who makes a picture (of people or other creatures with a soul, such as animals and insects) will be (severely punished), and he will be asked to infuse spirit therein, which he will not be able to do.
[Al-Bukhari].

1545. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as saying: “The worst of lies is to pretend to have seen something which he has not seen.
[Al-Bukhari].

1546. Sumurah bin Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) very often used to ask his Companions, “Do any one of you has seen a dream?” So dreams would be narrated to him by those whom Allah willed to relate. One day he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Last night I had a vision in which two men (angels) came to me and woke me up and said to me, `Proceed!’ I set out with them and we came across a man lying down, and behold, another man was standing over his head, holding a big rock. Behold, he was throwing the rock at the man’s head, smashing it. When he struck him, the stone rolled away and he went after it to get it, and no sooner had he returned to this man, his head was healed and restored to its former condition. The thrower (of the rock) then did the same as he had done before. I said to my two companions, `Subhan-Allah! Who are these?’ They said: `Proceed, proceed.’ So we proceeded and came to a man lying in a prone position and another man standing over his head with an iron hook, and behold, he would put the hook in one side of the man’s mouth and tear off that side of his face to the back (of the neck), and similarly tear his nose from front to back, and his eyes from front to back. Then he turned to the other side of the man’s face and did just as he has done with the first side. He had hardly completed that (second) side when the first returned to its normal state. I said to my two companions, `Subhan-Allah! Who are these?’ They said, `Proceed, proceed.’ So we proceeded and came across something like a Tannur (a kind of baking oven, a pit usually clay-lined for baking bread).” I (the narrator) think the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “In that oven there was much noise and voices.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added, “We looked into it and found naked men and women, and behold, a flame of fire was reaching to them from underneath, and when it reached them they cried loudly. I asked, `Who are these?’ They said to me, `Proceed, proceed.’ And so we proceeded and came across a river.” I (the narrator) think he said, “– red like blood.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added, “And behold, in the river there was a man swimming, and on the bank there was a man who had collected many stones. Behold, while the other man was swimming, he went near him. The former opened his mouth and the latter (on the bank) threw a stone into his mouth whereupon he went swimming again. Then again he (the former) returned to him (the latter), and every time the former returned, he opened his mouth, and the latter threw a stone into his mouth, (and so on) the performance was repeated. I asked my two companions, `Who are these?’ They replied, `Proceed, proceed.’ And we proceeded till we came to a man with a repulsive appearance, the most repulsive appearance you ever saw a man having! Beside him there was a fire, and he was kindling it and running around it. I asked my two companions, `Who is this (man).’ They said to me, `Proceed, proceed!’ So we proceeded till we reached a garden of deep green dense vegetation, having all sorts of spring colours. In the midst of the garden there was a very tall man, and I could hardly see his head because of his great height, and around him there were children in such a large number as I have never seen! I said to my two companions, `Who is this?’ They replied, `Proceed, proceed.’ So we proceeded till we came to a majestic, huge garden, greater and better than any garden I have ever seen! My two companions said to me, `Ascend up’ and I ascended up.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added, “So we ascended till we reached a city built of gold and silver bricks, and we went to its gate and asked (the gatekeeper) to open the gate, and it was opened; and we entered the city and found in it men with one side of their bodies as handsome as the most handsome person you have ever seen, and the other side as ugly as the ugliest person you have ever seen! My two companions ordered those men to throw themselves into the river. Behold, there was a river flowing across (the city), and its water was like milk in whiteness. Those men went and threw themselves in it and then returned to us after the ugliness (of their bodies) had disappeared, and they came in the best shape.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) further added, “My two companions said to me: `This place is the `Adn Jannah, and that is your place.’ I raised up my sight, and behold, there I saw a palace like a white cloud! My two companions said to me, `That palace is your place,’ I said to them, `May Allah bless you both! Let me enter it.’ They replied, `As for now, you will not enter it, but you shall enter it (one day).’ I said to them, `I have seen many wonders tonight. What does all that mean which I have seen?’ They replied, `We will inform you: As for the first man you came upon, whose head was being smashed with the rock, he is the symbol of the one who studies the Qur’an and then neither recites it nor acts on its orders, and sleeps, neglecting the enjoined prayers. As for the man you came upon, whose sides of mouth, nostrils and eyes were torn off from front to back, he is the symbol of the man who goes out of his house in the morning and tells lies that are spread all over the world. And those naked men and women whom you saw in a construction resembling an oven, they are the adulterers and the adulteresses. And the man who was given a stone to swallow is the eater of Ar-Riba (usury), and the bad-looking man whom you saw near the fire, kindling it and going around it, is Malik, the gatekeeper of Hell, and the tall man you saw in the garden is (Prophet) Abraham, and the children around him are those who died upon Al-Fitrah (the Islamic Faith of Monotheism).”’ The narrator added: Some Muslims asked the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) , “O Messenger of Allah! What about the children of Al-Mushrikun (i.e., polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam))?” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “And also the children of Al-Mushrikun.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added: “My two companions added, `The men you saw half handsome and half ugly were these people who had mixed an act that was good with another that was bad, but Allah forgave them‘.”

Another narration of Al-Bukhari is: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “One night two men came to me and took me to a blessed land.” (The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) told of the same incident as above) and said, “After a while of walking we came upon a pit like an oven, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom with fire raging in it. When the flames rose up (the people in it) also rose up till they were about to come out; and when the fire subsided they, too, would go down with it. In it were naked men and women.” (The remainder of the Hadith is the same as the above Hadith except that at the end of it, the Messenger of Allah said: “We came upon a river of blood in the middle of which there was a man standing, and at the bank of the river there was a man with plenty of stones before him...” In this narration we also find: “They made me climb the tree and they made me enter an abode so beautiful the like of which I have never seen before. There (I saw) old men and youth.” In this narration we also find: “`The first house you entered was the abode of the believers in general, and the other house was the abode of the martyrs. I am Jibril (Gabriel), and this is Mika’il. Raise your head.’ I looked up and saw something like clouds. They said to me, `That is your abode.’ I said, `Shall I enter it?’ They said, `You have not completed your term of life yet. When you do, you will certainly enter it.”’
[Al-Bukhari]

Prohibition of Spying on Muslims and to be Inquisitive about Others

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 271
Prohibition of Spying on Muslims and to be Inquisitive about Others

Allah, the Exalted, says:

And spy not.” (49:12)

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

1570. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales. Do not look for other’s faults. Do not spy one another, and do not practise Najsh (means to offer a high price for something in order to allure another customer who is interested in the thing). Do not be jealous of one another and do not nurse enmity against one another. Do not sever ties with one another. Become the slaves of Allah, and be brothers to one another as He commanded. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He should neither oppress him nor humiliate him. The piety is here! The piety is here!” While saying so he pointed towards his chest. “It is enough evil for a Muslim to look down upon his Muslim brother. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in Faith: his blood, his wealth and his honour. Verily, Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your hearts and your deeds.”

Another narration is: “Do not feel envy against one another; do not nurse enmity; do not spy on one another and do not cheat one another. Be Allah’s slaves, brethren to one another.”

Another narration is: “Do not have estranged relations with one another. Do not nurse enmity and do not feel envy against one another. O Allah’s worshippers! Be brothers!

Another narration is: “Do not estrange mutual relations and do not intervene into the transaction which is likely to be settled with another person.”
[Muslim].

1571. Muawiyah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “If you find faults with Muslims, you will corrupt them.”
[Abu Dawud].

1572. It has been reported that a man was brought before Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) because his beard was giving out smell of wine. Ibn Mas`ud said: “We have been prohibited from spying (on Muslims) and finding faults (with them). But we can take to task only and only if the sin is overt.
[Abu Dawud].

Prohibition of Despising Muslims

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 273
Prohibition of Despising Muslims

Allah, the Exalted, says:

O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group; it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor let (some) women scoff at other women; it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it to insult one’s brother after having Faith [i.e., to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: `O sinner’, or `O wicked’]. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zalimun (wrongdoers).” (49:11)

Woe to every slanderer and backbiter.” (105:1)

1574. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is enough evil for a Muslim to look down upon his (Muslim) brother.”
[Muslim].

1575. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The haughty, even with pride equal to a mustard seed in his heart, will not enter Jannah.” A man enquired: “What about that a person likes fine dress and fine shoes?” He said: “Allah is Beautiful and likes beauty. Pride amounts to disclaiming truth out of self-esteem, and despising people                                                                                               .”
[Muslim].

1576. Jundub bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Once someone said: `By Allah! Allah will not forgive such and such (a person).’ Thereupon Allah, the Exalted and the Glorious, said: `Who is he who takes an oath in My Name that I will not grant pardon to so-and-so? I have granted pardon to so-and-so and rendered your good deeds fruitless.”’
[Muslim].

Prohibition of Cruelty

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 282
Prohibition of Cruelty

Allah, the Exalted, says:

And do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful.” (4:36)

1600. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A woman was punished in Hell because of a cat which she had confined until it died. She did not give it to eat or to drink when it was confined, nor did she free it so that it might eat the vermin of the earth.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

1601.  Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I happened to pass by some lads of the Quraish who had tied a bird at which they have been shooting arrows. Every arrow that they missed came into the possession of the owner of the bird. No sooner had they seen Ibn `Umar, they dispersed. Thereupon, Ibn `Umar said: “Who has done this? May Allah curse him who has done so. Verily, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has cursed anyone who makes a live thing the target (of one’s marksmanship).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1602. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) forbade animals being tied (as targets).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1603. Abu Ali Suwaid bin Muqarrin (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I was the seventh child of Banu Muqarrin and we had only one slave-girl. When the youngest of us once happened to slap her (on the face) the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) ordered us to set her free.
[Muslim].

1604. Abu Mas`ud Al-Badri (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I was beating my slave with a whip when I heard a voice behind me which said: “Abu Mas`ud! Bear in mind…” I did not recognize the voice for the intense anger I was in. Abu Mas`ud added: As he came near me, I found that he was the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who was saying, “Abu Mas`ud! Bear in mind that Allah has more dominance upon you than you have upon your slave.” Then I said: “I will never beat any slave in future.”

Another narration is: The whip dropped from my hand in awe of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).

Still another narration is: I said: “He is free for the sake of Allah.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If you had not done this, you would have been singed by the Fire.”
[Muslim].

1605.  Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The expiation for beating or slapping a slave on the face for something he has not done is to set him free.”
[Muslim].

1606. It has been narrated that Hisham bin Hakim bin Hizam (May Allah be pleased with them) happened to pass by some (non-Arab) farmers of Syria who had been made to stand in the sun, and olive oil was poured on their heads. He said: “What is the matter?” He was told that they had been detained for the non-payment of Jizyah. (Another narration says that they were being tortured for not having paid Al-Kharaj). Thereupon Hisham said: “I bear testimony to the fact that I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, `Allah will torment those who torment people in the world.”’ Then he proceeded towards their Amir and reported this Hadith to him. The Amir then issued orders for their release.
[Muslim].

1607. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saw an ass which had been branded on the face. He disapproved of it. Upon this Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said, “By Allah, I shall not brand (the animal) but on a part at a distance from the face.” Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) then commanded branding on the hips; he was the first person to brand the animals on hips.
[Muslim].

1608. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: An ass with a brand on the face happened to pass before the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Thereupon he said, “May Allah curse the one who has branded it (on the face).”
[Muslim].

Another narration in Muslim is: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibited us from hitting across the face and branding on the face (of an animal).