Salamah ibn Al-Akwa‘ (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
Once, while we were sitting in the company of the Prophet ﷺ, a dead man was brought. The Prophet ﷺ was requested to lead the funeral prayer for the deceased. He said, "Did he owe any debts?" People replied in the negative. He said, "Has he left any wealth?" They said, "No." So, he ﷺ led his funeral prayer. Another dead man was brought and people said, "O Allah's Messengerﷺ, lead his funeral prayer." The Prophet ﷺ said, "Did he owe any debts?" They said, "Yes." He ﷺ said, "Has he left any wealth?" They said, ''Three Dinars." So, he ﷺ led the prayer. Then a third dead man was brought and people asked the Prophet ﷺ to lead his funeral prayer. He ﷺ said, "Has he left any wealth?" They said, "No." He ﷺ asked, "Did he owe any debts?" They said, ("Yes! He has to pay) three Diners.' Thereupon, he ﷺ (refused to lead the prayer and) said, "Then pray for your (dead) companion." Aboo Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ!Lead his funeral prayer, and I will pay his debt." So, he ﷺ led the prayer.
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Commentary :
Debts are the due rights of others (i.e., the creditors) that must be fulfilled. It is incumbent on a debtor to clear his liability for any debts that he owes. Given the gravity of incurring debts and dying before their repayment, the Prophet ﷺ did not lead the funeral prayer for anyone who owed debts and did not leave any wealth (inheritance) to repay such debts.
In this hadeeth, Salamah ibn Al-Akwa‘ (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that they were once sitting in the company of the Prophet ﷺ when three dead men were brought on three different occasions. The Prophet ﷺ was requested to lead the funeral prayer for the deceased men. He ﷺ asked whether the first dead man owed any debts, and when people replied in the negative, he ﷺ led his funeral prayer. When he ﷺ asked the same about the second dead man, people replied that he owed a debt, but left three Dinars, which could cover the due debt, and he ﷺ led the prayer. When the third dead man was brought and people asked the Prophet ﷺ to lead his funeral prayer, and he knew that the man owed three Dinars, but did not leave any wealth to repay the debt, he ﷺ (refused to lead the prayer and) said, "Then pray for your (dead) companion." Aboo Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) offered to repay his debt, and then the Prophet ﷺ led his funeral prayer, because the debt was transferred to another person, and thus this dead man’s liability was cleared.
The hadeeth highlights the gravity of incurring debts, and that a debtor’s liability is not cleared by his death until it is repaid, by any given way.
The hadeeth underlines the Laws of Islam’s emphasis on preserving people’s financial rights..

2290

Muhammad ibn ‘Amr Al-Aslamee narrated that that his father Hamzah (may Allah be pleased with them)said that ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) had sent him (i.e., Hamzah) to collect Sadaqah / Zakaah. A man had committed illegal sexual intercourse with his wife’s slave girl. Hamzah took (personal) sureties for the adulterer till they came to ‘Umar, who lashed the adulterer one hundred lashes. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) confirmed their claim (i.e., that the adulterer had already been punished) and excused him because of his ignorance. Jareer Al-Ash‘ath said to Ibn Mas‘ood regarding renegades (i.e., apostates), "Let them repent and take (personal) sureties for them." They repented and their relatives stood sureties for them. According to Hammaad, if somebody stands surety for another person and that person dies, the person giving surety will be released from responsibility. According to Al-Hakam, his responsibilities continues..

Commentary :
The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to implement the Hudood (i.e., plural of Hadd, the corporal punishment determined by the Islamic Laws of Islam) and complied with the divine provisions in all matters and at all times.A manifestation of such compliance was that they sought taking surety and guarantees to preserve people’s financial rights, and to ensure that the rights of Allah or those of people would not be violated.
In this hadeeth, the Companion Hamzah ibn ‘Amr Al-Aslamee (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) once sent him to levy Zakaah/Sadaqah, and it was brought to his attention that a man had committedillicit sexual intercourse (Fornication) with his wife’s slave girl. This hadeeth gives a brief account of the incident which was delineated by Al-Tahaawee in his two books Sharh Ma‘aanee Al-Aathaar and Sharh Mushkil Al-Aathaar. It reads, “‘Umar sent Hamzah (may Allah be pleased with them) to collect Zakaah/Sadaqah. Some money was given to him, and he heard a man saying to his wife, ‘Pay the Zakaah on your freed slave!’ She replied, ‘You should pay the Zakaah on him; he is your son!’” Hamzah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked them about their story and these statements. He was informed that this woman’s husband had committed Fornication with her slave-girl and she gave birth to a boy. The woman freed the son and then he inherited some wealth from his mother, and they said that such wealth was allocated to his son, whom he had with his wife’s slave girl unlawfully. Upon learning these facts, Hamzah (may Allah be pleased with him), said: “I will stone you,” meaning to implement the Hadd of Rajm (i.e., stoning to death) on him, because he was a married adulterer. It was said that his act had been reported to ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and he had already lashed him one hundred lashes and did not believe that he should have been stoned to death.This could be either because the man did not know that it was impermissible for him to have intercourse with his wife’s slave girl, or it is possible that he did not know it was her slave-girl (i.e., he mistaken her for one of his own slave girls). Therefore, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)may have excused himbased on ignorance of the relevant prohibition or on account of doubts.
Hamzah (may Allah be pleased with him) requested (personal) sureties for the adulterer, to act as his guarantee till he verified the matter with ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).
They went to ‘Umar, and Hamzah asked him about it and it turned out that the man had been lashed one hundred lashes. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) confirmed their claim (that the adulterer had already been punished).
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is valid to stand surety for someone by committing oneself to bring the guaranteed person either to fulfill people’s rights, or to appear before the judge. The surety or guarantee in this context is applicable in relation to the implementation of Hudood and Qisaas (i.e., retribution) on part of those who have the ability to bring the perpetrators or the ones who are required to fulfill these rights, such as the leaders and chiefs of tribes and the like..

2291

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, “A man from the Children of Israel asked another one to lend him one thousand Dinars. The second man required witnesses. The former replied, 'Allah is sufficient as a witness.' The second said, 'I demand a surety.' The former replied, 'Allah is sufficient as a surety.' The second said, 'You are right,' and he lent him the money to be repaid within a certain period of time. The debtor went across the sea. When he finished his work, he searched for a conveyance so that he might reach in time for the repayment of the debt, but could not find any. So, he took a piece of wood and made a hole in it, inserted in it one thousand Dinars and a message to the lender and then closed (i.e., sealed) the hole tightly. He took the piece of wood to the sea and said, 'O Allah! You know well that I took a loan of one thousand Dinars from so-and-so. He demanded a surety from me but I told him that You are sufficient as a guarantee and surety and he accepted Your guarantee and surety. He then asked for a witness and I told him that You are sufficient as a witness, and he accepted You as a Witness. No doubt, I tried hard to find a conveyance so that I could repay his money but could not find, so I hand over this money to You.' Saying that, he threw the piece of wood into the sea till it went out far into it, and then he went away. Meanwhile he started searching for a conveyance in order to reach the creditor's country. One day the lender came out of his house to see whether a ship had arrived bringing his money, and all of a sudden, he saw the piece of wood in which his money had been deposited. He took it home to use for fire. When he sawed it, he found his money and the letter inside it. Shortly after that, the debtor came bringing one thousand Dinars to him and said, 'By Allah, I had been trying hard to find a boat so that I could bring you your money, but failed to find one before the one I have come by.' The lender asked, 'Have you sent something to me?' The debtor replied, 'I have told you I could not find a boat other than the one I have come by.' The lender said, 'Allah has delivered the money you sent in the piece of wood on your behalf. So, you may keep your one thousand Dinars and depart guided on the right path.’”.

Commentary :
Whoever incurs a debt with the intention and resolve to repay it, and seeks the help of Allah, Exalted is He, in repaying it, He will bless him with the means to repay it, and satisfy his creditor on his behalf in the Hereafter if he was not able to repay it in this worldly life.
In this hadith, the Prophet ﷺ related to us a wonderful story from which we can deduce great lessons. It is a story of two men from the Children of Israel, one of whom lent the other a thousand Dinars. The lender requested the borrower to bring witnesses testifying to the fact that he borrowed that money from him, but the borrower said: 'Allah is sufficient as a witness.' When the lender requested a surety, to guarantee him and be legally responsible for repaying the debt if the borrower failed to repay it, the borrower replied, 'Allah is sufficient as a surety.' The lender believed him and lent him the money to be repaid within a certain period of time. The debtor went across the sea to fulfil some of his needs. When he finished his work, he searched for a conveyance so that he might go back and reach in time for the repayment of the debt, but could not find any. So, he took a piece of wood, made a hole in it, inserted one thousand Dinars and a message to the lender, and then sealed the hole tightly. He took the piece of wood to the sea, relying solely on Allah, Exalted is He, and trusting Him to deliver the money on his behalf. He implored Allah, Exalted is He, sincerely hoping that it would reach the creditor by His Power. The truthful man sincerely invoked Allah, Exalted is He, and He answered his invocation.
One day the lender came out of his house to see whether a ship had arrived bringing his money. He waited for the borrower to come back and repay the debt as promised. Suddenly, he saw the piece of wood in which his money had been deposited. He took it home to use for fire, to keep his family warm and use it for cooking food. When he sawed it, he found his money and the message inside it. Shortly after that, the debtor came back, apologizing for the delay and bringing one thousand Dinars to him. He explained to him the reason for the delayed repayment. The lender asked him: ‘Have you sent something to me?’ The debtor (borrower) replied, ‘I have told you I could not find a boat other than the one I have come by.’ The lender asked him to go back and informed him that Allah, Exalted is He, delivered the money he had sent in the piece of wood on his behalf. He told him that the piece of wood found its way to him, and he asked him to keep the other one thousand Dinars that he had intended to pay.
This indicates the trustworthiness of both the creditor and debtor, and that each of them was sincere and truthful and honored their commitment, after the creditor accepted Allah, Exalted is He, as a guarantor and witness.
It also highlights that Allah, Exalted is He, rewards kind people who help those in need by preserving their wealth, in addition to the reward stored for them in the Hereafter, as He preserved the lender’s wealth by delivering it to him. These are great virtues granted to those who help those in need with their money (loans), place their trust in Allah, Exalted is He, and display keenness in returning the trusts.
The hadeeth also urges debtors to keenly repay their debts and spare no effort to fulfill people’s financial rights over them.
It also underlines the virtue of reliance on Allah, Exalted is He, and the abundant reward bestowed upon those who rely on Him as due..

2292

Narrated Sa’eed ibn Jubayr:
Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) said, "Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {And for all, We have made heirs to what is left by parents and relatives.} [Quran 4:33] In this ayah, the Arabic word Mawaaliyaa, means one's heirs. The ayah goes on: {And to those whom your oaths have bound [to you] - give them their share.} [Quran 4:33] Ibn ‘Abbaas said, "When the emigrants came to the Prophet ﷺ in Al-Madeenah, the emigrant would inherit his brother from the Ansaar while the latter's relatives would not inherit him because of the bond of brotherhood which the Prophet ﷺ established between them (i.e., the emigrants and the Ansaar). When the that reads (what means): {And for all, We have made heirs to what is left by parents and relatives,} [Quran 4:33] the ruling was abrogated with the other part of the same ayah that reads (what means: {And to those whom your oaths have bound [to you] - give them their share.} [Quran 4:33] It canceled the bond brotherhood regarding inheritance)." Then he (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The ayah that reads (what means): {And to those whom your oaths have bound [to you] - give them their share,} [Quran 4:33] remained valid regarding cooperation and mutual advice, while the matter of inheritance was excluded and it became permissible to make a bequest to the person who had the right of inheriting before.

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Commentary :
When the Prophet ﷺ migrated to Al-Madeenah and the emigrants followed him, he ﷺ established the bond of brotherhood between the emigrants and Ansaar. A man of the Ansaar would make his emigrant brother a partner in his wealth, house, etc., and when he died, his emigrant brother would inherit him instead of his own (biological) relatives, because of the bond of brotherhood established by the Prophet ﷺ between them. This is the meaning of the ayah that reads (what means): {And to those whom your oaths have bound [to you] - give them their share.} [Quran 4:33]. The Arabic word used in the ayah is ‘Aaqadat meaning those who give made a pledge to those whom you made a pledge, and this was one of the seven approved modes of recitation confirmed by Tawaatur (i.e., collectively contiguous narrations transmitted by a large group of trustworthy narrators on the authority of a large group of trustworthy narrators, generation after generation and so forth, and it is absolutely impossible for them to agree on a lie). According to another mode of recitation, the Arabic word used in the ayah is ‘Aqadat meaning those who made a covenant (i.e., alliances) with you. A man would make a covenant or alliance with another, saying: “My blood is your blood; your revenge is my revenge; your war is my war; I am bound to your peace treaties, and you will inherit me and I will inherit you.” Afterward, the following ayah was revealed; Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {And for all, We have made heirs to what is left by parents and relatives,} [Quran 4:33] meaning that Allah, Exalted is He, made for each of you relatives (heirs), including brothers and cousins on both the mother’s and father’s side who are entitled to inherit. This ayah abrogated the ayah that reads (which means): {And to those whom your oaths have bound [to you] - give them their share.} [Quran 4:33]. Thereafter, only a dead person’s relatives were entitled to inherit him, and those with whom the dead person had made covenants and alliances were no longer entitled to inherit.But such covenants and alliances remained valid regarding support in what is right and permissible, meaning cooperation regarding worldly affairs, and sincerity in compliance withIslam, and this includes cooperating in adhering to the truth, and supporting the wronged people by preventing the oppressor from his acts of injustice. These were some of the due rights of one’s fellow Muslims.It also remained permissible for a Muslim to make a bequest to those who would have inherited him according to the bond of brotherhood, if he wished. As for the distribution of the inheritance after one’s death, only the heirs as per the laws of Islam may inherit him as delineated in the Quran. .

2294

‘Aasim narrated:
I heard Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him), "Have you ever heard that the Prophet ﷺsaid, 'There is no alliance in Islam?' " He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "The Prophet ﷺ made alliance between the people of Quraysh and the Ansaar in my own house."
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Commentary :
In essence, alliance means a contract or covenant made between people in the pre-Islamic era to support one another with regard to everything they did (i.e., irrespective of whether they were right or wrong). Islam canceled such practices, except for the alliances and covenants made to support the truth and prevent the oppressor from his aggression and injustice. It was narrated on the authority of Jubayr ibn Muti‘im (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no alliance in Islam.” [Muslim]. This means that Islam disapproves the alliances that contravene the rules and laws of Islam, like what they used to make in the pre-Islamic era.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee (a Muslim who saw at least one of the Companions) ‘Aasim ibn Sulaymaan Al-Ahwal asked the Companion Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) about this hadeeth, and Anas replied that the Prophet ﷺ made an alliance between the people of Quraysh and the Ansaar in his own house. This refers to the bond of brotherhood that he ﷺ established between the emigrants and Ansaar, which was a faith-based alliance that does not fall under the category of the forbidden alliances, because it did not contravene the fundamentals of the Islamic Laws of Islam. The forbidden alliances as per the laws of Islam are those according to which people in the pre-Islamic era of ignorance supported their allies in all cases, even if they were unjust oppressors, taking revenge againsta whole tribe for the killing of one person, and establishing inheritance rights based on such alliances, and the like. However, other alliances, which do not involve these Laws of Islam violations, are allowable in Islam, including supporting the oppressed, fulfilling the religious duties, and similar acts that are recommended by the Laws of Islam, such as fostering friendship, mutual affection, and honoring covenants..

2297

‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
I do not remember my parents believing in any religion other than the religion of Allah (i.e., Islam). Not a single day passed but Allah's Messenger ﷺvisited us twice, in the morning and evening. When Muslims were persecuted, Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) set out for Ethiopia as an emigrant. When he reached a place called Bark Al-Ghimaad, he met Ibn Al-Daghinnah, the chief of the Qaarah tribe, who asked Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), "Where are you going?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "My people have forced me out of my land; I will wander on the earth and worship my Lord (freely)." Ibn Al-Daghinnah said, "A man like you should not leave his land nor should he be forced out of it; you help the poor earn their living, uphold your ties of kinship, help the weak (and destitute), show hospitality to the guests, and help people at times of hardship. You are in my Jiwaar (i.e., protection); go back and worship your Lord at your home." Ibn Al-Daghinnah went along with Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and took him to the chiefs of Quraysh saying to them, "A man like Aboo Bakr should not leave his land nor should he be forced out of it. Do you turn out a man who helps the poor earn their living, upholds his ties of kinship, helps the weak (and destitute), shows hospitality to the guests, and helps the people at times of hardship?" So, Quraysh approved Ibn Al-Daghinnah's Jiwaar and told Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) that he was secure, and said to Ibn Al-Daghinnah, "Advise Aboo Bakr to worship his Lord in his house and to pray and read whatever he liked, but he should not harm us or do these things publicly, for we fear that our sons and women may follow him." Ibn Al-Daghinnah told Aboo Bakr of all their conditions. Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) continued worshipping his Lord in his house and did not pray or recite Quran aloud except in his house. Later on, Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) had an idea of building a mosque (i.e., a prayer area) in the courtyard of his house. He did so and started praying and reciting Quran therein publicly. Crowds of women and children of the disbelievers started to gatheraround him and watch him astonishingly. Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was a softhearted person and could not help weeping while reciting Quran. This horrified the disbelieving chiefs of Quraysh. They sent for Ibn Al-Daghinnah and when he came, they said, "We have given Aboo Bakr protection on condition that he should worship his Lord in his house, but he has violated that condition and has built a mosque in the courtyard of his house and offered his prayer and recited Quran in public. We are afraid lest he should mislead our women and children! So, go to him and tell him that if he wishes he can worship his Lord in his house only, and if not, then tell him revoke your pledge of protection to him; we do not like to dishonor you by revoking your Jiwaar nor can we tolerate Aboo Bakr's public declaration of Islam (i.e., performing acts of worship in public). ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) added: Ibn Al-Daghinnah came to Aboo Bakr and said, "You know the conditions on which I gave you protection, so you should either abide by those conditions or revoke my Jiwaar, as I do not like to hear the Arabs saying that Ibn Al-Daghinnah gave Jiwaar to a person and his people did not honor it." Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I revoke your Jiwaar and am satisfied with Allah's protection." At that time Allah's Messenger ﷺ was still in Makkah and he said to his Companions, "Your place of emigration has been shown to me. I have seen salty land, planted with date-palms and is situated between two mountains which are the two Harrahs." So, when the Prophet ﷺ told it, some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) migrated to Al-Madeenah, and some of those who had migrated to Ethiopia returned to Al-Madeenah. When Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) prepared for emigration, Allah's Messengerﷺ said to him, "Wait, for I expect to be permitted to emigrate." Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, "May my father be sacrificed for your sake, do you really expect that?" Allah's Messengerﷺreplied in the affirmative. So, Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) postponed his departure in order to accompany Allah's Messenger ﷺand fed two camels which he had with the leaves of Samor trees for four months.
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Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) led a hard life in Makkah, and the disbelievers made it rather harder by persecuting Muslims, confining the call to Islam, torturing Muslims, and using other means of abuse until Allah, Exalted is He, commanded His Messenger ﷺ to migrate to Al-Madeenah.
In this hadeeth, ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) gave a glimpse of her experience during that period. She (may Allah be pleased with her) said that she could not remember her parents, Aboo Bakr and Umm Roomaan (may Allah be pleased with them), believing in any religion other than the religion of Allah (i.e., Islam) and that the Prophet ﷺ used to visit them twice every day, in the morning and in the evening. When Muslims were persecuted by the disbelievers and the Prophet ﷺ gave permission to his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to migrate to Ethiopia, Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) set out for Ethiopia as an emigrant, to join his fellow Muslim brothers who had migrated there. When he (may Allah be pleased with him) reached a place called Bark Al-Ghimaad, a place at a five day's journey (140 km) from Makkah, he met Ibn Al-Daghinnah, the chief of the Qaarah tribe, which was a famous Arab tribe that belonged to Banee Al-Hoon. He asked Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), "Where are you going?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "My people have forced me out of my land and I would wander on the earth and worship my Lord (freely)." Ibn Al-Daghinnah said, "A man like you should not leave his land nor should he be forced out of it; you help the poor earn their living, uphold his ties of kinship, help the weak (and destitute),” meaning providing for the orphans and the helpless. He added: “… show hospitality to the guests,” by providing food and shelter to them, “and help people at times of hardship. You are in my Jiwaar (i.e., protection); go back and worship your Lord at your home." Ibn Al-Daghinnah went along with Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and took him to the chiefs of Quraysh, urging them not to drive someone like Aboo Bakr out of Makkah, given his great qualities and remarkable moral character as highlighted above. So, Quraysh approved Ibn Al-Daghinnah's Jiwaar (i.e., protection) and told Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) that he was secure, and said to Ibn Al-Daghinnah, "Advise Aboo Bakr to worship his Lord in his house, and to pray and read whatever he likes, but he should not harm us,” referring to praying and reciting the Quran aloud, “or do these things publicly, for we fear that our sons and women may follow him." Ibn Al-Daghinnah told Aboo Bakr of all their conditions and he accepted them. He (may Allah be pleased with him) continued worshipping his Lord in his house and did not pray or recite Quran aloud except inside his own house. Later on, Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) thought about building a mosque (i.e., a prayer area) in the courtyard of his house. It can be fairly said that this was the first mosque ever built in Islam. He (may Allah be pleased with him) built it and started praying and reciting Quran therein publicly. Crowds of women and children from the disbelievers gathered around him and watched him astonishingly. Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was a softhearted person and could not help weeping while reciting Quran. This horrified the chiefs of Quraysh, as they knew how tender the hearts of women and young people were, and how vulnerable they would be to incline to Islam. They sent for Ibn Al-Daghinnah and when he came, they said, "We have given Aboo Bakr protection on condition that he should worship his Lord in his house, but he has violated that condition, and has built a mosque in the courtyard of his house and offered his prayer and recited Quran in public. We are afraid lest he mislead our women and children! So, go to him and tell him that if he wishes he can worship his Lord in his house only, and if not, then tell him you will revoke your pledge of protection to him; we do not like to dishonor you by revoking your Jiwaar, nor can we tolerate Aboo Bakr's public declaration of Islam, for fear of our women and children. Thereupon, Ibn Al-Daghinnah went to Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and said, "You know the conditions on which I gave you protection (as approved by Quraysh), so you should either abide by these conditions or revoke my Jiwaar, as I do not like to hear the Arabs saying that Ibn Al-Daghinnah gave Jiwaar to a person and his people did not honor it." Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I revoke your Jiwaar and am satisfied with Allah's protection." This reflects the strength of Aboo Bakr’s faith and certitude in Allah, Exalted is He.
At that time,the Prophet ﷺ was still in Makkah and he told his Companions that he had seen the land of their emigration in a vision, and the Prophet's visionsare part of the divine revelation to them. He ﷺ meant Al-Madeenah and mentioned some of its distinct descriptions, including being a salty land, where only few trees could grow, planted with date-palms and situated between two mountains which are the two Harrahs, meaning lands with black stones. So, when the Prophet ﷺ told them of this vision, some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) migrated to Al-Madeenah, and some of those who had migrated to Ethiopia went to Al-Madeenah as well. Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) prepared for emigration, but Allah's Messengerﷺ said to him, "Wait, for I expect to be permitted to emigrate." Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, "May my father be sacrificed for your sake, do you really expect that?" Allah's Messengerﷺreplied in the affirmative. So, Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) postponed his departure in order to accompany the Prophet ﷺ. He (may Allah be pleased with him)fed two camels which he had, with the leaves of Samor trees, meaning the leaves that trees shed, for four months, to be able to endure the journey. Such tree leaves were good fodder for animals.
The hadeeth highlights the virtues of Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and the striking similarity between his moral character and that of the Prophet ﷺ.
It also underlines the good qualities of the polytheist Arabs in the pre-Islamic era, like honoring covenants and the institution of Jiwaar.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable to migrate from non-Muslim countries to another place were Muslims feel safe and are able to practice their religion freely and openly.
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2300

‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ had given him sheep to distribute between his Companions and a male kid was left (after the distribution). When he informed the Prophet ﷺof it, he said (to him), "Offer it as a sacrifice on your behalf."
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Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ was munificent and generous; he ﷺ openhandedly gave what Allah, Exalted is He, bestowed upon him to the poor and needy.
In this hadeeth, ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ gifted a group of poor Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) sheep and appointed him to distribute the sheep between them. He (may Allah be pleased with him)distributed to the companions and a male kid was left (after the distribution). It was said that a young goat (kid) was one year old. When he (may Allah be pleased with him) informed the Prophet ﷺof it, he said (to him), "Offer it as a sacrifice on your behalf.”
The Prophet ﷺ gave a legal concession to ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allah be pleased with him) to offer a kid as an animal sacrifice, just like he ﷺ did with Aboo Burdah ibn Nayyaar (may Allah be pleased with him) to offer an animal less than one year old as a sacrifice. These were two legal concessions granted to these two Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) in particular and not to anyone else. This is based on the opinion suggesting that the Arabic word used in the hadeeth ‘Atood (kid) means a young goat. However, based on the opinion that the word means a one-year-old goat, Al-Udhiyah of the goats, according to Muslim scholars should be a Thaniyah (i.e., one full year-old and starting the second year).
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible for a principal to appoint an agent to distribute gifts between specified recipients.
It is also inferred that it is permissible to accept gifts and offer gifted animalsas a sacrifice.
The hadeeth also highlights that an agent is required to consult with the principal regarding the disposal of the residue of the gifts to be distributed.
It is also deduced therefrom that a principal delegates the appointed agent to perform specified tasks.
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2301

‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
I had an agreement with Umayyah ibn Khalaf that he would look after my property (or family) in Makkah and I would look after his in Al-Madeenah. When I wrote my name ‘Abd Al-Rahmaan' in the documents, Umayyah said, "I do not know ‘Abd Al-Rahmaan!' Write down to me your name, with which you called yourself in the pre-Islamic period." So, I wrote my name ‘Abdoo ‘Amr instead. On the day (of the battle) of Badr, when all people went to sleep, I went up the hill to protect him. Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with him) saw him (i.e., Umayyah) and went to a gathering of Ansaar and said, "(Here is) Umayyah ibn Khalaf! Woe to me if he escapes!" So, a group of men from the Ansaar went out with Bilaal to follow us (‘Abdul-Rahmaan and Umayyah). Being afraid that they would catch us, I left Umayyah’s son for them to keep them busy, but the Ansaar killed the son and insisted on following us. Umayyah was a fat man, and when they approached us, I told him to kneel down, and he knelt, and I laid myself on him to protect him, but the Ansaar killed him by passing their swords underneath me, and one of them injured my foot with his sword. (The sub narrator said, "‘Abdul-Rahmaan used to show us the trace of the wound on the back of his foot.")
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Commentary :
Fulfillment of covenants is one of the becoming qualities of a true Muslim, and this applies to the covenants made with Muslims and non-Muslims alike. However, it is incumbent upon a Muslim to ensure that his covenants with non-Muslims do not contradict the teachings of Islam, to avoid potential conflict between the two obligations (i.e., honoring his covenants and abiding by the teachings of Islam).
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) made a covenant with Umayyah ibn Khalaf, one of the leaders of the disbelievers in Makkah, to look after his property, family, or both, in Makkah and he would look after his in Al-Madeenah. When he (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote his name ‘Abd Al-Rahmaan' in the documents, Umayyah said, "I do not know ‘Abd Al-Rahmaan!' ‘Abd Al-Rahmaan literally means that slave of Al-Rahmaan, i.e., The Entirely Merciful. He did not acknowledge Al-Rahmaan (Allah) as his Lord and rather worshipped other deities. In fact, Umayyah’s attitude was motivated by (misguided) zeal for his false beliefs. He said to him: “Write down to me your name, with which you called yourself in the pre-Islamic period.” So, he (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote his name ‘Abdoo ‘Amr instead. It is noteworthy that ‘Abd Ar-Rahmaan (may Allah be pleased with him) agreed to write his old name merely to realize the desired benefits of concluding this agreement, and it did not imply his approval or consent to be called the slave of other than Allah, Exalted is He. This was similar to the incident when the Prophet ﷺ approved to erase the Name of Allah ‘Al-Rahmaan’ when writing down the document of the Hudaybiyyah Treaty and wrote instead “In the Name of Allah.”
On the day (of the battle) of Badr, in 2 A.H., between the disbelievers in Makkah and Muslims in Madeenah, Umayyah joined the disbelievers’ army. After the battle ended with the decisive victory of the Muslims, ‘Abd Al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) went up the hill to protect Umayyah, who was neither among the casualties nor the prisoners of war. When all the people went to sleep, he (may Allah be pleased with him)hastened to protect his ally, but Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with him) saw Umayyah, who had severely tortured him in Makkah to force him to convert out of Islam. Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with him) went to a gathering of the Ansaar and informed them of Umayyah ibn Khalaf’s presence, urging them to kill him. He (may Allah be pleased with him) commanded them to chase him and make sure that he did not survive. He (may Allah be pleased with him) said to them: “Woe to me if he escapes!" He (may Allah be pleased with him) earnestly sought killing Umayyah, being one of the leaders of Quraysh and the stubbornest disbelievers. Determined to risk his own life to kill him, Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with him) went after him and ‘Abd Al-Rahmaan in the company of a group of the Ansaar. ‘Abdul-Rahmaan (may Allah be pleased with him) added: “Being afraid that they would catch us, I left Umayyah’s son for them to keep them busy but the Ansaar killed the son and insisted on following us. Umayyah was a fat man,” indicating his slowness, “and when they approached us, I told him to kneel down, and he knelt.” He (may Allah be pleased with him) threw himself on him to protect him from their swords, to honor his covenant with him. However, Bilaal and the Ansaar (may Allah be pleased with them) killed him by passing their swords underneath ‘Abdul-Ramhaan (may Allah be pleased with him), and one of them injured his foot with his sword. ‘Abdul-Rahmaan (may Allah be pleased with him) showed the addressees the trace of the wound on the back of his foot.
It was said that Bilaal and the Ansaar (may Allah be pleased with them) did not honor ‘Abdul-Rahmaan’s covenant and Jiwaar (i.e., protection) for Umayyah because the disbelievers were not allowed any protection on the Battle of Badr. It was also said that this ruling was abrogated with the other hadeeth recorded by Ibn Maajah reading: “The right of giving protection to non-Muslims is extended to the humblest of the believers (and it is incumbent on all Muslims to respect it and give him support).”, and the hadeeth about Umm Haani’ upon the Conquest of Makkah reading: “We have given protection to whom you have granted (protection).” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].
It is deduced from the hadeeth that a Muslim is required to honor and fulfill his covenants; ‘Abdul-Rahmaan (may Allah be pleased with him) was the friend of Umayyah ibn Khalaf back in Makkah, and he honored their covenant.
It is also inferred therefrom that it is becoming of a Muslim to reciprocate a disbeliever for any favors he might have done him, showing him kindness in return and striving to rescue him from death or dangers.
The hadeeth highlights the tit for tat principle and the enjoined equivalent retaliation against the offending party.
It is inferred that no retaliation is required in the event of getting injured while defending a wrongdoer who deserves punishment.
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2304

Ibn Ka‘b ibn Maalik narrated on the authority of his father (may Allah be pleased with them):
We had some sheep which used to graze at Sala‘. One of our slave girls saw a sheep dying and she broke a stone and slaughtered the dying sheep with it. My father said to people, "Do not eat its meat till I ask the Prophet ﷺ about it (or till I send somebody to ask him)." So, he asked or sent somebody to ask the Prophet ﷺ and he ﷺ permitted them to eat it. ‘Ubaydullaah (a sub-narrator) said, "I admire that girl, for though she was a slave-girl, she boldly slaughtered the sheepherself!”
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Commentary :
Islam preserves people’s wealth and protects it against loss and destruction, and therefore it deems it allowable to slaughter a dying edible animal (i.e., whose consumption is permitted by the Laws of Islam) when sudden death approaches it, using any sharp object that cuts its throat and sheds its blood, to preserve wealth from loss.
In this hadeeth, Ka’b ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) related that they had sheep grazing at Sala‘, a mountain in Al-Madeenah located 500 m or less to the west of the Prophet’s Mosque. The slave girl who was shepherding the sheep noticed that one was dying. She broke a stone and slaughtered the sheep with it. When Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him)learned of the incident, he commanded his family to refrain from eating its meat till he asked the Prophet ﷺ about it or sent somebody to ask him. So, he asked or sent somebody to ask the Prophet ﷺ and he ﷺ permitted them to eat it.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that an appointed agent is urged to rectify what he believes to have gone wrong, strive to perform the required task, and do what serves the best interests of the principal.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible to use a stone to slaughter animals provided that it is sharp, cuts the throat, and splashes out blood.
It is also inferred therefrom that it is allowable to eat the meat of a dying edible animal if it was slaughtered while it was still alive..

2309

Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah(may Allah be pleased with them) narrated:
I was accompanying the Prophet ﷺ on a journey and was riding a slow camel that was lagging behind the others. The Prophet ﷺpassed by me and asked, "Who is this?" I replied, "Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah." He asked, "What is the matter, (why are you late)?" I replied, "I am riding a slow camel." He ﷺ asked, "Do you have a stick?" I replied in the affirmative. He ﷺ said, "Give it to me." When I gave it to him, he ﷺ beat the camel and rebuked it. Then that camel surpassed the others thenceforth. The Prophet ﷺsaid, "Sell it to me." I replied, "It is (a gift) for you, O Allah's Messengerﷺ.” He ﷺ said, "Sell it to me. I have bought it for four Dinars and you can keep on riding it till Al-Madeenah." When we approached Al-Madeenah, I started going (towards my house). The Prophet ﷺ said, "Where are you going?" I said, "I have married a widow." He ﷺ said, "Why have not you married a virgin with whom you could play?" I said, "My father died and left daughters, so I decided to marry a widow (, an experienced woman to look after them)." He ﷺ said, "Well done." When we reached Al-Madeenah, Allah's Messengerﷺ said, "O Bilaal, pay him (the price of the camel) and give him extra money." Bilaal gave me four Dinars and one Qiraat (i.e., a unit of measurement) extra. (A sub-narrator said): Jaabir added, "The extra Qiraat of Allah's Messengerﷺ never parted from me." The Qirat was always in Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah's purse.
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Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ was endowed with a great moral character,reflected in his gracious manners, one of which was that whenever he ﷺ travelled with his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), he ﷺ used to pace himself with the slowest rider in his company, out of his kindness. He ﷺ also used to offer the weak a ride and urge those who were lagging behind to catch up.
In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah(may Allah be pleased with them) related that he was with the Prophet ﷺ once on a journey back to Al-Madeenah – it was said that this incident took place during the conquest of Makkah - and he was riding a slow camel. The Prophet ﷺ passed by him while he was in this condition. The Prophet ﷺ asked, "Who is this?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah." He ﷺ asked, "What is the matter, (why are you late)?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied that he was late due to his slow camel. He ﷺ asked, "Do you have a stick?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied in the affirmative, and he ﷺ asked him to give it to him. When he (may Allah be pleased with him) gave it to him, he ﷺ beat the slow camel and urged it to move faster. Then that camel surpassed the others, leading the way, by the blessing of the Prophet ﷺ. He ﷺ asked Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) to sell him this camel, and he (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "It is (a gift) for you, O Allah's Messenger ﷺ.” However, the Prophet ﷺ refused to take it as a gift and insisted on buying it. He ﷺ bought it for four (gold) Dinars provided that he (may Allah be pleased with him) may keep on riding it till they reached Al-Madeenah, and then the Prophet ﷺ would take it into his possession.
When they approached Al-Madeenah, Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) hastened towards his house. The Prophet ﷺ asked him, "Where are you going?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) informed him that he had married a widow, indicating that she was previously married. The Prophet ﷺ asked, "Why have you not married a virgin with whom you could play?" The Prophet ﷺ was asking him about the reason for choosing to marry a previously married woman rather than a virgin, who would most likely be more emotionally attached to her first husband, urging her to strive in making him happy and the like of good qualities that warrants the preference of marrying a virgin. Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) told him that he had sisters placed under his guardianship after his father’s death, and they needed someone to take care of them and tend to their needs, and a virgin would not be able to shoulder such a task. Therefore, he (may Allah be pleased with him) decided to marry a widow, an experienced woman to look after them. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Well done,” commending his act. It is deduced from this hadeeth that a Muslim should carefully choose a good wife that would be good for him and his dependents.
When they reached Al-Madeenah, Allah's Messenger ﷺ commanded Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with him) to pay him the price of the camel and give him extra money. Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with him) gave him four Dinars and one Qirat extra. Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with him) was responsible for managing the Prophet’s expenses. It was said that a Qirat equaled one-tenth of a Dinar or otherwise. Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) added, "The extra Qirat of Allah's Messenger ﷺ never parted from me." He (may Allah be pleased with him) kept that Qirat and did not dispose of it. ‘Attaa’ ibn Abee Rabaah said: “That Qirat was always in Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah's purse.”
The hadeeth highlights the Prophet’s gracious humbleness and kindness with his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), checking on them and serving their best interests.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that it is better to marry a virgin rather than a previously married woman.
The hadeeth underlines the virtues of Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him), his compassion to his sisters, and putting their best interests first before his own.
It is also inferred that a woman should take care of her husband’s family and tend to the needs of his siblings (dependents).
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2311

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
Allah's Messenger ﷺdeputed me to keep Zakaah (Al-Fitr) of Ramadan. A comer came and started taking handfuls of the foodstuff (of the Zakaah funds) stealthily. I took hold of him and said, "By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Messenger ﷺ.” He said, "I am needy and have many dependents, and I am in great need." I released him, and in the morning Allah's Messengerﷺasked me, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! The person complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so, I pitied him and let him go." Allah's Messenger ﷺsaid, "Indeed, he told you a lie and he will be coming again." I believed that he would show up again as Allah's Messengerﷺ had told me that he would return. So, I waited for him watchfully. When he (showed up and) started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught hold of him again and said, "I will definitely take you to Allah's Messenger ﷺ.He said, "Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again." I pitied him and let him go. In the morning, Allah's Messengerﷺ asked me, "What did your prisoner do?" I replied, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free." Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "Verily, he told you a lie and he will return." I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff, I caught hold of him and said, "I will surely take you to Allah's Messenger ﷺas it is the third time you promise not to return, yet you break your promise and come." He said, "(Forgive me and) I will teach you some words with which Allah, Exalted is He, will benefit you." I asked, "What are they?" He replied, "Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat Al-Kursee (Quran 2:255) till you finish the whole ayah. (If you do so), Allah, Exalted is He, will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no devil will come near you till morning. " So, I released him. In the morning, Allah's Messenger ﷺ asked, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I replied, "He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will benefit me, so I let him go." Allah's Messenger ﷺasked, "What are they?" I replied, "He said to me, 'Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat Al-Kursee from the beginning to the end.' He further said to me, '(If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no Satan will come near you till morning.' (Aboo Hurayrah or another sub-narrator) added that they (the Companions) were very keen to do good deeds. The Prophet ﷺ said, "He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Aboo Hurayrah?" It was narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), "No." He ﷺ said, "It was Satan."
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Commentary : Ayat Al-Kursee (Quran 2:255) is one of the greatest ayaat of the Quran, and this hadeeth highlights some of its virtues. It was narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ appointed him to keep and guard the Zakaat Al-Fitr funds. Zakaat Al-Fitr is due before ‘Eid Al-Fitr, and they used to pay it in the form of wheat, dates, and other foodstuff. A man came to him and started taking handfuls of the foodstuff (of the Zakaah) stealthily. Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) seized him and said, "By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Messenger ﷺ.” He said, "I am needy and have many dependents, and I am in great need." He (may Allah be pleased with him) released him, and in the morning, Allah's Messengerﷺasked me, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! The Prophet ﷺ knew of what had happened through divine revelation. It was narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the man complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so he pitied him and let him go. Allah's Messenger ﷺinformed him that he was lying and that he would be coming again. Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) knew that the Prophet ﷺ spoke the truth and believed him. He (may Allah be pleased with him) believed that he would show up again as Allah's Messengerﷺ had told him that he would. So, he (may Allah be pleased with him) waited for him watchfully to guard the foodstuff. When he showed up and did the same, and he (may Allah be pleased with him) pitied him and let him go again. He informed Allah's Messengerﷺ of what had happened and again he ﷺ told him that the man would come back. Therefore, he (may Allah be pleased with him) watchfully waited for him for the third time, and he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff. He (may Allah be pleased with him) caught hold of him and said, "I will surely take you to Allah's Messenger ﷺ,as this is the third time you promised not to return, yet you broke your promise and came." He said, "(Forgive me and) I will teach you some words with which Allah, Exalted is He, will benefit you." He then told him to recite Ayat Al-Kursee (Quran 2:255) till he finished the whole ayah whenever he went to bed. Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursee extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.} [Quran 2:255]. In this ayah, Allah, Exalted is He, describes Himself as the only One worthy of worship; none but Him deserves to be worshiped. He is All-Living; to Him belongs the perfect life that was not preceded by non-existence, nor will it be followed with death. He is Self-Sufficient and stands in no need of anything or anyone, and He disposes of the affairs of all the creation, bestowing upon them their Rizq (provisions). All the creation stands in dire need of Allah, Exalted is He. His perfect Life and Self-Sufficiency entails that neither drowsiness nor sleep should overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. None can intercede with Him except by His permission. He knows all the affairs of the created beings, the past and future ones, and all but Him do not know anything unless He imparts knowledge to them by His will. Given His greatness and vast dominance, His Kursee (i.e., the place of His Feet) encompasses the heavens and the earth. Despite their vastness and greatness, their preservation does not tire Him; it is rather an effortless task for Him. He is the Most High, the Most Great, who is far Exalted above His creation. He is The Most High with His perfect Essence, dominion, and attributes. To Him belongs absolute and perfect grandeur in terms of Essence and Omnipotence.
Satan further said to him, '(If you do so), Allah, Exalted is He, will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no devil will come near you till morning. Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) informed the Prophet ﷺ of it and he ﷺ said: "He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar,” and this is a very beautiful conclusion, because when he (may Allah be pleased with him) affirmed his truthfulness in this regard, it gave an illusion of praise, and therefore he ﷺ corrected such an impression with a wording that indicates exaggerated untruthfulness, reflected in the Arabic intensive adjective Kadhoob (i.e., habitual liar).
Afterward, the Prophet ﷺ clarified to Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that this prisoner to whom he was talking these three nights was Satan.
The hadeeth highlights the virtues of Ayat Al-Kursee (Quran 2:255) and that it protects those who recite it from the devils.
It is also deduced therefrom that an appointed agent is only entitled to dispose of what is delegated property with the permission of the owner of the property (i.e., principal).
It is also inferred that the Jinn appear to people in human form and talk with them.
It is also deduced that the maximum number of pardonable mistakes is three.
It is also inferred that Satan harms whoever fails to recite Dhikr (i.e., remembrance of Allah) before sleep.
It is also deduced that whoever is appointed to preserve something is called Wakeel (i.e., trustee).
The hadeeth also underlines that the Jinn may steal and deceive.
It also highlights that it is allowable to seek knowledge from those who did not act on their knowledge..

2312

Aboo Sa’eed Al-Khudree (may Allah be pleased with him):
Once Bilaal brought Barni (i.e., a kind of dates) to the Prophet ﷺ and he ﷺasked him, "From where have you brought these?" Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "I had some inferior type of dates and exchanged two Saa‘s of it for one Saa‘ of Barni dates in order to give it to the Prophet ﷺ to eat them." Thereupon the Prophet ﷺsaid, "Beware! Beware! This is definitely Ribaa! This is definitely Ribaa! Do not do so, but if you want to buy (a superior kind of dates) sell the inferior dates for money and then buy the superior kind of dates with that money."
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Commentary :
Dealing with Ribaa (i.e., interest, usury) is one of the gravest major sins, and the Laws of Islam has deemed unlawful every sale that is not free of all suspicions of Ribaa, and has deemed permitted all lawful sales that do not involve Ribaa. People in the Pre-Islamic era engaged in sales transactions that heavily involved Ribaa, but Islam rectified these sales and eliminated the traces of Ribaa.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Sa’eed(may Allah be pleased with him) related that Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with him) once brought Barni, one of the finest kinds of date. The Prophet ﷺasked him about the source of these dates and he (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, “I had some inferior dates and exchanged two Saa‘s of them for one Saa‘ of Barni dates in order to give it to the Prophet ﷺ to eat them.” Thereupon, the Prophet ﷺsaid, "Beware! Beware!” The Arabic word used in the hadeeth is Uwwah, a word used to indicate pain and sadness. The Prophet ﷺ used this word to indicate his pain upon hearing of such an act and that Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with him) did not know that his act was sheer Ribaa. In fact, this kind of Ribaa is known as Ribaa Al-Fadhl (i.e., excess charged in the event of a barter of specific homogenous commodities of different quality or quantity). The Prophet ﷺ advised him about the way to avoid Ribaa in this transaction. He ﷺ said: “Do not do so, but if you want to buy (a superior kind of dates) sell the inferior dates for money and then buy the superior kind of dates with that money.” This means that one should sell the poor-quality dates for money, and then buy with it the fine dates that he wants, to avoid charging excess in the event of a barter of homogenous commodities, and thus avoid Ribaa.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that Ribaa Al-Fadhl is prohibited.
The hadeeth also highlights that the ruler or leader should assign care to people’s religious affairs, edify those who lack religious knowledge on their religion, and guide them to the way to avail themselves of that which is lawful. Moreover, a follower should also assign care to his leader.
It is inferred therefrom that any transaction that involves Ribaa is invalid.
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2313

‘Amr narrated:
Concerning the Waqf (i.e., endowment) of ‘Umar: It was not sinful of a trustee (of the Waqf) to eat or provide his friends from it, provided he had no intention of collecting fortune (for himself). Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was the manager of the trust of ‘Umar and he used to give presents from it to those with whom he used to stay at Makkah.
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Commentary :
A trustee of someone’s property is enjoined to preserve it and forbidden from wasting and destroying it. The Laws of Islam clarified the permissible ways in which a trustee may avail himself of the (endowed) property entrusted to him.
In this report, the Taabi’ee (a Muslim who saw at least one of the Companions) ‘Amr ibn Dinaar stated regarding the Waqf endowed by ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), that that a trustee or administrator of the Waqf bears no sin for availing himself of the property under his care reasonably, and availing his friends of it, provided that he does not hold the intention of collecting a fortune for himself.
‘AbdullahIbn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) managed the Waqf of his father and used to offer gifts from it to those with whom he used to stay at Makkah. It was said that they were the family of ‘Abdullah, Khaalid ibn Usayd ibn Abee Al-‘Aas. Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) offered these gifts from the endowed property in compliance with the specified condition; he (may Allah be pleased with him) either availed his friends of it, which is allowable, or preserved his own share (i.e., fees) to gift it to his friends.
It is noteworthy that this is different from the case when one is entrusted with someone’s wealth, other than Waqf, and he disposes of it without the principal’s permission, which is impermissible.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that when someone endows a property for the benefit of a specific category of beneficiaries and his own son happens to fit the profile, he is considered one of the specified beneficiaries (and may avail himself of it).
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2320

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated:
Allah's Messenger ﷺsaid, "There is none amongst Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a (rewardable) charitable act for him."
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Commentary :
A Muslim is rewarded for any beneficial action he performs.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ highlighted the virtue of planting and cultivating lands, and that whenever a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and a bird, person, animal, or any living creature that lives on land and in the water, eats therefrom,he would earn a reward for that. The hadeeth made mention of the Muslim in particular, as he would often hold the intention of providing his fellow Muslims with these plants and food to gain physical strength to worship Allah, Exalted is He, and because only a Muslim would earn rewards for such an act. A non-Muslim does not earn rewards for his good and charitable acts and the ultimate reward he may receive is being subjected to lesser punishments (on the Day of Resurrection). He may also receive his reward in the worldly life in the form of worldly gains.
The hadeeth underlines the merits of planting and cultivating lands.
It also urges Muslims to populate the earth, and to make it a better place for people to live, or for the benefit of the coming generations, for the service of whom he earns rewards.

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2321

Aboo Umaamah Al-Baahilee (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
I saw a plowshare and some agricultural equipment and said: "I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying: "There is no house in which such equipment enter except that Allah, Exalted is He, will cause humiliation to enter it."
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Commentary :
It is unbecoming of a Muslim to so preoccupy himself with his worldly affairs that he neglects his religious duties. His keenness to secure worldly gains must not surpass his keenness to prepare himself for the Hereafter. When Aboo Umamaah (may Allah be pleased with him) saw a plowshare, a tool used for cultivation, and some agricultural equipment, he (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet ﷺ had said: “There is no house in which such equipment enters except that Allah, Exalted is He, will cause humiliation to enter it.” This means that when such equipment enters a house, preoccupying its people from preparing themselves for the Hereafter and driving them to neglect their religious duties, including partaking in Jihaad, prayer, and Dhikr, Allah, Exalted is He, would afflict them with humiliation.
It is noteworthy that there is contradiction between this hadeeth and the hadeeths reported about the merits of plowing and cultivating. This hadeeth is interpreted as to refer to the one who preoccupies himself with cultivation, causing him to neglect his religious duties and obligations that he is enjoined to observe! Whoever devotes himself entirely to plowing and cultivating lands, neglecting his other loftier pursuits, will be afflicted with humiliation.
The reference to humiliation here means their commitments to pay the taxes charged by the governors for their land. In the beginning, only Ahl Al-Dhimmah (i.e., free non-Muslim subjects living under Muslim rule) worked in cultivation and agriculture, and therefore the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) disliked to take this line of career. It was also said that this hadeeth urges Muslims to aspire to loftier pursuits, and seek other superior means to earn a living.
The apparent meaning of the hadeeth’s wording seemingly indicates that working in cultivation and agriculture begets humiliation, and this is not true. Rather, engaging in cultivation, agriculture, and tending to one’s property are all recommended and rewardable acts, being of benefit topeople, but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said this hadeeth to warn the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) against preoccupying themselves with professions from partaking in Jihaad. Had they given up Jihaad, the disbelievers would have overpowered them, and this would have been the ultimate humiliation that may befall Muslims, to be overpowered by the disbelievers and lose their wealth, womenfolk, and children to them, and ultimately their lives!
It was also said that the hadeeth referred to those settled near enemy borders in particular. If these Muslims preoccupied themselves with cultivation rather than chivalry and horse-riding (i.e., military preparations for Jihaad), their enemies would belittle their strength and dominatethem. Therefore, it is becoming of such people to keenly master chivalry and horse-riding (in preparation for Jihaad),and they should be aided with the needed supplies and equipment by their fellow Muslims.
The hadeeth warns against preoccupying oneself with worldly pursuits from preparing oneself for the Hereafter.

.

833

‘Ā’ishah reported: 'Umar made a mistake. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has only forbidden seeking the rising of the sun and its setting..

Commentary : The five obligatory prayers have definite times; however, the supererogatory and voluntary prayer is permissible at any time except that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has forbidden praying at certain times. Out of their extreme keenness to carry out obligations and the acts of Sunnah, avoid prohibitions, and maintain the trust of reporting the Shariah, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to correct each other's mistakes and comment on one another.
In this Hadīth, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) says: "'Umar made a mistake," referring to 'Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) in reporting the absolute prohibition of prayer after 'Asr. She reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had only forbidden "seeking the rising of the sun and its setting." i.e., he forbade intentionally and deliberately praying when the sun rises or sets but did not forbid praying in general after dawn or after ‘Asr. It is said: Rather, the prohibition of prayer during these two times is not a mistake, and ‘Ā’ishah's opinion was based on her own deduction and interpretation. As for the Hadīth text narrated by ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), others from the Companions also narrated it, and more than one understood it the way ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) understood it.
The reason behind the prohibition of prayer during these two times is that the sun rises and sets along with the devil's horn and because some of the disbelievers used to prostrate to the sun and offer prayer to it during these two times. Hence, he forbade praying during them to oppose those disbelievers. Other narrations were reported about permitting prayer at sunrise and sunset, as mentioned in the Two Sahīh Collections: "Whoever catches up with one Rak'ah before the sun rises, he has caught up with the Morning prayer..." When combined with this Hadīth, it is understood that the prohibition refers to the voluntary and supererogatory prayer during such times. As for the one who could not catch up with the prayer at the beginning of its time for a valid excuse, he is permitted to pray at the end of its time and to catch up with the prayer before sunrise and before sunset. Or perhaps the prohibition refers to the act of seeking the rising and setting of the sun on purpose, as for the one who does not do this on purpose - like the one who wakes up from his sleep or the one who remembers after being forgetful - it is permissible for him to pray and there is no blame on him.
The Hadīth warns against keenness on praying at the time when the sun rises and sets..

835

Abu Salamah reported that he asked 'Ā’ishah about the two prostrations that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray after 'Asr, she said: "He used to pray them before 'Asr, but then he got distracted or forgot them, so he prayed them after 'Asr; then, he continued observing them, for whenever he offered a prayer, he would stick to observing it.".

Commentary : Prayer is the best matter, and a Muslim is allowed to offer voluntary prayer at any time of night or day except for the times in which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited voluntary prayer, namely after dawn until sunrise and after 'Asr until sunset.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi'i Abu Salamah ibn' Abdur-Rahmān ibn' Awf reports that he asked the Mother of the Believers, 'Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), about the two Rak'ahs (unit of prayer) that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pray after 'Asr, and why he prayed them, or whether the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed them regularly or not. Thereupon, 'Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "He used to pray them before 'Asr," i.e., as a supererogatory and Sunnah Qabliyyah (before the obligatory prayer) of the 'Asr prayer. "Then, he got distracted from them or forgot them," being doubtful about the reason why he did not pray them before 'Asr that time. "Then, he continued observing them" after that, "as whenever he offered a prayer, he would continue observing it" regularly.
In the Two Sahīh Collections, the reason why he did not pray the two Rak'ahs before 'Asr is mentioned, as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said while talking to' Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her): "O Daughter of Abu' Umayyah, you asked about the two Rak'ahs after 'Asr. Some people of 'Abdul-Qays came to me and distracted me from the two Rak'ahs after Zhuhr, so those are the two (Rak'ahs I was praying)." This indicates that the two Rak‘ahs were offered to make up for the missed Sunnah Ba‘diyyah (after the obligatory prayer) of Zhuhr and not to make up for the missed two Rak‘ahs before ‘Asr..

836

Mukhtār ibn Fulful reported: I asked Anas ibn Mālik about the voluntary prayer after ‘Asr, and he said: "'Umar used to strike hands for a prayer (offered) after 'Asr, and we used to offer two Rak'ahs after sunset before the Maghrib prayer during the time of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)." I asked him, "Did the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) observe them?" He said: "He used to see us observing them, but he neither commanded nor forbade us.".

Commentary : Prayer is one of the best acts that bring closeness to Allah Almighty; hence, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen on it as a means of drawing closer to Allah Almighty.
This Hadīth emphasizes the Muslims' keenness to learn the religion. The Tābi‘i Mukhtār ibn Fulful narrates that he asked Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) about offering voluntary prayer after the ‘Asr prayer. Anas informed him that during the Caliphate of 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), he used to strike hands for praying after 'Asr, which is an indirect reference to his prohibition of such a prayer because he did not see the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) doing this. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with him) used to follow the Prophet's example in everything; so, whenever he did something, they would race to do it, and whenever he abandoned something, they would leave it. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to forbid praying after ‘Asr for fear of offering a prayer during the prohibited time, namely at sunset. Then, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: And we used to offer two Rak‘ahs after sunset before the Maghrib prayer during the time of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), i.e., between the Adhān (call to prayer) and the Iqāmah (second call to prayer). Mukhtār ibn Fulful asked him: Did the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) observe them? Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) replied saying: He used to see us observing them, but he neither commanded nor forbade us, which denotes his approval of the permissibility of this voluntary prayer.
The Hadīth encourages the act of offering supererogatory prayers.
It also points out the Prophet's approval of offering prayer before Maghrib..

840

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh reported: I witnessed the prayer of fear with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). We stood in two rows behind the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the enemy was between us and the Qiblah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said takbīr and we all did. He then bowed and we all bowed. He then raised his head from bowing, and we all did. He then prostrated with the row behind him, while the back row stood in the face of the enemy. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) completed the prostration and the row behind him stood, the back row prostrated and then stood up. Then, the back row moved to the front and the front row moved to the back. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) bowed and we all bowed. He then raised his head from bowing, and we also raised our heads. Then, he and the row behind him, which was back in the first Rak‘ah, prostrated, whereas the back row stood in the face of the enemy. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the row behind him finished the prostration, the back row prostrated. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ended the prayer with taslīm and we all did the same. Jābir said: ''As those guards of yours do with their leaders.'.

Commentary : The prayer of fear is the prayer whose time comes when the Muslims are engaged in fighting the enemy. Since prayer is the greatest among the practical pillars of Islam, it does not cease to be due under any condition, even during war.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reports on one of the ways of performing the prayer of fear during war, as he witnessed the prayer of fear with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The entire army was lined up behind him in two successive rows, with the enemy standing between them and the Qiblah. This indicates that everyone will face the enemy, whether those who stand for prayer or those who stand for guarding. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commenced the prayer and said the takbīr of ihrām, and the whole army said takbīr with him. Then, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) bowed after the recitation, and they all bowed. Then, he raised his head from Rukū‘, and they all raised their heads. Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prostrated, and the row behind him prostrated, whereas the back row remained standing to guard those who were prostrating in front of them. They stood in the face of the enemy and opposite them, lest the enemy might attack while they were prostrating. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) finished the two prostrations, and the row behind him, that prostrated the first time, stood up, the back row came down to prostrate. Then, when they finished the prostration, they stood up. Then, the back row stepped forward and stood in the place of the first row—after becoming equal to them in terms of standing behind the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the second Rak'ah—and the first row stepped back. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) bowed after the standing and recitation, and the entire army bowed. Then he raised his head from Rukū‘, and the entire army raised their heads. Then he came down to prostrate, and so did the row behind him, who stood in the back in the first Rak'ah, whereas the back row got up and stood in the face of the enemy to guard those who were prostrating. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the row behind him finished the prostration, the back row came down to prostrate, and after they finished the prostration and tashahhud, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made taslīm, and all worshipers made taslīm after him, for they completed their prayer.
Then, Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) said to those around him: ''As those guards of yours have a certain protocol with their leaders," i.e., the servants of the ruler who are assigned to protect and guard him, their prayer is like the prayer the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when he faced the enemy.
Numerous ways are reported for performing the prayer of fear, and this is one of the versions about the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in this regard. He performed it on different days and in diverse ways in which he sought what is more cautious for prayer and more effective for guarding. This prayer has different forms, but they are all consistent in intent.
In the Hadīth: Demonstrating the manner and form of the prayer of fear
And in it: Demonstrating the significance of congregational prayer, as its performance was prescribed in the state of fear. So, it is more appropriate for a person who is safe and secure to observe it.
And in it: Taking precautions against the enemy at the time of the battle by all means
And in it: The religion enjoins the acts of worship that preserve a person before Allah in the Hereafter and enjoins the pursuit of means that preserve a person in worldly life
And in it: It shows the ease of the Shariah for those accountable to perform prayer.

853

Abu Burdah ibn Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari related: ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar said to me: "Did you hear your father narrating from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the hour on Friday?" I said: "Yes, I heard him say: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'It is between the time when the Imām sits down and the end of the prayer.''".

Commentary : Out of His wisdom, Allah Almighty favored some creatures over others and favored some places over others, like favoring Makkah over all other places; and He favored some times over others, like favoring Friday over other days of the week.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu Burdah ibn Abi Mūsa al-Ash‘ari informs that ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him: Did you hear your father - that is Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) - narrating from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the hour of Friday. By this, he meant the hour when supplications are answered - about which Al-Bukhāri and Muslim narrated a Hadīth - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There is a time on Friday at which no Muslim asks Allah for what is good except that He will grant it to him." So, Allah responds to he who supplicates and asks of Him by granting him his request or better than that, averting affliction or evil from him, or keeping it in store for him until the Day of Judgment. Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) meant to ask about its specific time, as to which part of the day it is exactly. In response, Abu Burdah told him that he heard a Hadīth regarding this from his father (may Allah be pleased with him), in which he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "It is between the time when the Imām sits down" on the pulpit after ascending it. And it was said: When he sits down between the two sermons - until the Friday prayer is finished.
There is a difference of opinion over the specification of this hour, with numerous views involved. The strongest among these views are two: First: What is mentioned in the Hadīth: It is between the time when the Imām sits down and the end of the prayer. Second: It is from after the ‘Asr until sunset, in the latter time of Friday.
In the Hadīth: Demonstrating the time of the hour of answered supplications on Friday
And in it: We are urged to look for the time of answered supplications on Friday and utilize them..

854

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best day the sun has risen upon is Friday: on it Adam was created, on it he was admitted into Paradise, and on it he was driven out of it. The Hour will not come except on Friday.".

Commentary : Out of His wisdom, Allah Almighty favored some of His creations over others. This includes favoring some days over others, like the day of ‘Arafah, the Night of Decree, and Friday; each time of them has a different merit than others.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that the best day among the days of the week upon which the sun rises is Friday. One of the characteristics of this day is that Allah Almighty created Adam, the father of humanity (peace be upon him). Allah Almighty made him dwell in Paradise, and on this day, Adam and his wife were driven out of Paradise, and he descended to earth for viceregency thereon. His departure from it is the departure of someone who will return to it, for Paradise is originally his dwelling, as Allah Almighty says: {Dwell in Paradise, you, and your wife.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 35] The day Adam (peace be upon him) came out of Paradise is the day he assumed viceregency on earth and came down to it. The Hour - i.e., the Day of Judgment - will not come except on Friday between dawn and sunrise.
It was said that the mention of these important events and these few issues, which took place on Friday, is not meant for mentioning the merit of this day, since what happened on Friday, like driving Adam out and the coming of the hour, is not regarded as meritorious; rather, this is intended to highlight the significance of the events that took place on it, like the beginning and end of creation. It was also said: Rather, these are merits because the departure of Adam from Paradise is a reason for producing these progeny and huge descendants and the existence of the messengers, the prophets, and the pious people. Also, the events of the Hour enjoy great significance, for they constitute a reason for Allah to hasten His promise to the believers and His threat to the disbelievers, the appearance of the recompense of the prophets, the people of the truth, the pious persons, and others, and the display of their honor and noble statue. On the Day of Judgment, the banners of the Muslims will go high in confirmation of their Imān (faith).
In the Hadīth: The superiority of Friday to the other days.

856

Abu Hurayrah and Hudhayfah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah diverted from Friday those who were before us. For the Jews there was Saturday, and for the Christians there was Sunday. And Allah brought us and guided us to Friday. He made Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and they, likewise, will come after us on the Day of Judgment. We are the last among the people in this world and the first ones on the Day of Judgment for whom judgment will be passed before all creation." In a version: among whom judgment will be passed. [And in a version]: We were guided to Friday, and Allah diverted from it those who were before us..

Commentary : Out of His wisdom, Allah Almighty favored some of His creation over others. This includes favoring some days over others, like the day of ‘Arafah, the Night of Decree, and Friday; each time of them has a different merit than the others.
In this Hadīth, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that Allah Almighty diverted from Friday and from holding it in high regard to the nations who came before us. This was because they opposed their prophets. The Jews chose Saturday, claiming that Allah had finished the creation on Saturday. And the Christians chose Sunday, claiming that Allah Almighty began the creation on it. Then, Allah brought the Ummah of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), who believed in him and acknowledged his message, so Allah guided us to Friday and directed us, out of His bounty and mercy, to extolling and worshiping Him on it. "So He made Friday" an Eid for the Muslims, "Saturday" an Eid for the Jews, "and Sunday" an Eid for the Christians.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that the Jews and the Christians will come after this Ummah of Muhammad on the Day of Judgment, as they came after them in the order of days. So, they will be after them in terms of the reckoning, the judgment, and entering Paradise. Although this Ummah existed in this world later than the previous communities, they will be ahead of them in the Hereafter, in that they will be the first to be resurrected and reckoned and the first to be judged among the people, to enter Paradise. In a version: "among whom judgment will be passed" instead of "for whom judgment will be passed," i.e., judgment will be passed among them with regard to their rights.
In the Hadīth: Allah Almighty honored this Ummah and preferred it over the other nations that came before it..

857

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever takes a bath and then comes to the Friday prayer, and then prays as much as is written for him, and then keeps silent until the Imām finishes the sermon, and then prays along with him, his sins between that time and the next Friday will be forgiven, with an addition of three days.".

Commentary : Friday is a momentous day, and it is the best of the days of the week. On it, the Muslims gather for the prayer. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urged us to purify ourselves and beautify our appearance on this day, especially at the time of the Friday prayer.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that if a person takes a bath, pouring water all over his body - the bath on Friday is affirmed regarding every male adult Muslim who is obligated to perform the Friday prayer - and then goes to the mosque and attends it early before the Imām ascends the pulpit, and he offers supererogatory prayers as much as is predestined for him and as Allah wills him to pray, performing two Rak‘ahs at a time, as reported about the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the supererogatory prayer; and then he keeps silent until the Imām finishes the sermon, and then prays the two-Rak‘ah Friday prayer with him, his reward will be that Allah will forgive his sins from this time in which he performs the Friday prayer to the similar time the next Friday, in addition to three days. Thus, a good deed is multiplied ten times, as Friday becomes equivalent to ten days.
The intended meaning here is that Allah forgives the minor sins; as for the major sins, they require full repentance. In Sahīh Muslim Collection, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The five prayers, and the Friday prayer to the next Friday prayer, and Ramadan to the next Ramadan are expiations of the sins committed in between them, so long as major sins are avoided."
The etiquettes reported in the Sunnah in relation to Friday include applying perfume, wearing the best clothes for the Friday prayer, going to the mosque early, and not passing through the rows.
In the Hadīth: The merit of taking a bath on Friday
And in it: Urging the performance of supererogatory prayers before the Imām ascends the pulpit on Friday
And in it: We are urged to listen to the sermon.

858

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah reported: We used to pray with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), then return and give rest to our Nawādih (camels used for carrying water). Hasan said: I said to Ja'far: What time was that? He replied: At the sun's decline, its zenith..

Commentary : Allah Almighty has set an appointed time for prayer; thus, a Muslim is not allowed to offer the prayer before or delay it after its time except with a valid excuse.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reports that people used to pray - referring to the Friday prayer as clarified by another version of Muslim - with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Then, after finishing the prayer, they would return from the mosque to their houses, where they would rest and give rest to their Nawādih, the plural of Nādih, which is the camel used for carrying water. It is said: "Rawāh" (from which "nurīh" (give rest) is derived) means returning with the livestock from the pasture.
Then, Hasan ibn' Ayyāsh - one of the Hadīth narrators - reported that he asked his Shaykh, Ja'far ibn Muhammad, about this hour when the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to offer the Friday prayer. Ja‘far informed him that the time of prayer was the time of the sun's decline, which is the time when the sun moves from the middle of the sky, and it is a sign of the beginning of the Zhuhr prayer or the Friday prayer. It is possible that his question was about the time of their return, and in this case, their prayer would be before the sun's decline.
The Hadīth indicates exaggeration in hastening the Friday prayer and that they used to delay their lunch and siesta on that day until after the Friday prayer because they were recommended to go early to this prayer. So, if they got distracted by anything of this before the Friday prayer, they would fear missing it or missing the chance of going there early..

860

Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ reported: We used to perform the Friday prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) after the sun had passed the meridian, and then we would return and try to find "al-Fay'' (the shadow)..

Commentary : The Friday sermon is one of the rites of religion and it has a profound impact on the lives of Muslims, as everyone, young and old, attends it, listens to the preacher, and learns the matters of their religion.
In this Hadīth, Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘(may Allah be pleased with him) says that they used to perform the Friday prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) "after the sun had passed the meridian," which happens when the sun moves from the middle of the sky. Then, they would return and try to find "al-Fay,’'' the place on which the sun ray falls and then goes away and leaves behind a shadow.
In a version of the Two Sahīh Collections it is reported by Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ (may Allah be pleased with him), and the wording here is by Muslim: "When the walls had no shadow for us to take shelter in it." This is because they used to go for Friday prayer early and return before the walls had shadows in which they could take shelter, as the heat was severe in Madīnah and they would look for places having shadows to sit there and take rest.
In the Hadīth: The keenness to perform prayer at its earliest time.

862

Jābir ibn Samurah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to deliver the Khutbah (sermon) while standing. He would then sit down, stand up, and give the Khutbah while standing. Whoever informs you that he used to deliver the Khutbah while sitting has, indeed, lied. By Allah, I prayed more than two thousand prayers with him..

Commentary : The Friday Khutbah is one of the religion's rituals, and it greatly impacts Muslims' lives. It is attended by the young and the old, who all listen to the Khatīb (preacher) and learn the affairs of their religion.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that he used to offer the Friday prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He used to see him delivering the Friday Khutbah while standing on the pulpit. After the first Khutbah, he would then sit for a short while on the pulpit. Then, he would get up and deliver the Khutbah while standing, preaching to people and teaching them their religion. Jābir ibn Samurah, then, said to the Tābi‘i Simāk ibn Harb: "Whoever informs you that he used to deliver the Khutbah while sitting has, indeed, lied," i.e., made a mistake, as the Arabs used to say to the one who made a mistake: He lied. "By Allah, I prayed with him more than two thousand prayers," which confirms the great extent of his knowledge and memorization of the manner adopted by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in his prayers and sermons, including delivering his Khutbah on Friday while standing.
The Hadīth clarifies the Prophet's guidance in delivering the Friday sermon..

864

Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah reported: He entered the mosque while ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn ’Umm al-Hakam was delivering a Khutbah (sermon) while sitting, so he said: Look at this deceitful person; he is delivering a sermon while sitting, whereas Allah Almighty says: {When they see some merchandise or amusement, they rush towards it and leave you standing.} [Surat al-Jumu‘ah: 11].

Commentary : Enjoining good and forbidding evil are the characteristics of the Islamic nation and among its best merits and causes of its superiority over other nations. The most entitled among people to this, and the first ones addressed with this in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, are the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu ‘Ubaydah ‘Āmir ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd narrates that Ka‘b ibn ‘Ujrah (may Allah be pleased with him) entered the mosque, referring to the mosque of Kūfah, a city in Iraq, to offer the Friday prayer. He found ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn ’Umm al-Hakam - nephew of Mu‘āwiyah ibn Abi Sufyān ibn Harb whom Mu‘āwiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) assigned as the ruler of Kūfah in 58 AH, then after a year or more, he was dismissed - preaching to people while sitting on the pulpit, not standing as known in the Friday sermon. Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) condemned this saying: "Look at this deceitful person," because he was angry at the one who had violated the Prophet's Sunnah, "he is preaching while sitting," not doing what the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did and not following his example, although the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) adopted this practice persistently. Allah Almighty says: {Indeed, you have an excellent example in the Messenger of Allah.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 21] Allah Almighty also says: {Whatever the Messenger gives you, accept it.} [Surat al-Hashr: 7] Moreover, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Pray as you saw me pray." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri] Hence, his example should be followed when it comes to prayer and the delivery of the Friday sermon.
Then, he supported his words with a verse from Allah's Book, in which Allah Almighty says: {When they see some merchandise or amusement, they rush towards it and leave you standing.} [Surat al-Jumu‘ah: 11] Here, Allah mentioned that His Prophet was standing while delivering the Friday sermon.
The Hadīth draws the preacher's attention to standing while delivering the Khutbah.
It also calls the scholars' attention to enjoining good and forbidding evil.
The Hadīth sheds light on how the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to intensely get angry with whoever violated the Sunnah, even if it was someone who must be obeyed and respected from among the rulers, for no obedience is due to a creature when it comes to disobeying the Creator..

865

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah reported that they heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Either some people stop abandoning the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and then they will be among the heedless.".

Commentary : The Friday prayer is of great significance in Islam. Allah Almighty made it obligatory for non-traveling men to go out for it when the Muezzin makes the Adhān, calling for it, and He urged them to attend this prayer and warned against neglecting it. An example is this Hadīth in which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Either some people stop abandoning the Friday prayers," i.e., they abandon and fail to perform it out of negligence and laziness, without an excuse. If they do not comply and attend the Friday prayer, Allah will seal their hearts, by putting a seal and cover over them, and deny them His grace and bounty and place in them ignorance, roughness, and hardness. "and then they will be among the heedless" away from doing the deeds that benefit them and leaving what harms them. Thus, they will be among those overtaken by heedlessness, as they forgot Allah, and so He forgot them. This serves as a strong deterrent against the abandonment and neglect of the Friday prayer..

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Jābir ibn Samurah reported: I used to perform the prayers with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and his prayer was moderate in length and his sermon was moderate in length..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to enjoin the facilitation of worship and not going into hardship in performing it, and he would set an example of this through his own practice, so that every Muslim would imitate him.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that he would persistently perform the obligatory prayers - the five prayers and the Friday prayer - with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and his prayer was moderate in length, suitable for the young and old and not hard for anyone. He would do that to avoid making the prayer too long for people.
As for the Muslim-narrated Hadīth in which ‘Ammār ibn Yāsir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The lengthiness of a man’s prayer and the shortness of his sermon are a sign of his proper understanding; so, make the prayer long and the sermon short." The intended meaning here is that prayer should be long compared to the sermon, not so long in a way that proves hard for the worshipers.
In the Hadīth: We are urged not to prolong the sermon and the five prayers..

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Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh reported: When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) delivered a sermon, his eyes would turn red, his voice would become louder, and his anger would become more intense, as if he were warning of an army, saying: "They will attack you in the morning, or they will attack you in the evening." And he would say: "I and the Hour have been sent like these two," holding his index and middle fingers. Then, he would say: "To proceed: Indeed, the best speech is the Book of Allah; the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad; the evilest matters are those that are newly invented; and every innovation is misguidance." He would then say: "I am nearer to every believer than himself. So, whoever leaves behind some wealth, it is for his family, and whoever leaves behind a debt or dependent children, then they are both my responsibility." [In a version]: In the Prophet's sermon on Friday, he would praise Allah, laud Him, and then he would subsequently speak, as his voice went loud; then, he narrated the same Hadīth..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was an eloquent preacher, and he would say what moves people, admonishes them, gives them glad tidings, and warns them. He would also use the tools of rhetorical effects, such as raising and lowering the voice and using the movement of the hand and the body, as well as other things in which preachers should follow his example.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) informs about what the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to do in the Friday sermon. He says that when he delivered a sermon to the people and reminded them of the promise and warning, and the commands and prohibitions, "his eyes would turn red," i.e., their redness would become greater than usual. "his voice would become louder, and his anger would become more intense," which means that he would interact with the topic of the sermon; hence, this would happen to him. By intense anger, he meant to describe his condition as a person in anger, and this was probably because some of them were found to disobey his commands and prohibitions, and some were neglectful of their duties. This is how a preacher's condition should be - consistent with the topic he speaks about. He should not enjoin something while his outward appearance denotes the opposite. "as if he were warning of an army," alluding to the loudness of his voice (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) among them. The warner of an army is a person who watches the enemy and informs the people about their condition so that they can get prepared. So, the Prophet's admonition was given in this manner, due to his care about the people and his desire to warn them of the Hereafter and their lack of preparedness for it. Thus, it was as if he was warning them of the emergence of an attacking army that would come to them in the morning or in the evening.
One of the statements the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to make in his sermons: "I have been sent and the Hour is like these two," joining his two fingers: the forefinger and the middle finger, i.e., the period between the Prophet's time and the coming of the Day of Judgment is short like the distance between the forefinger and the middle finger. He is the last Prophet before the Hour. So, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is one of the signs of the imminence of the Hour. After his mission, the time remaining for the coming of the Hour is less than the time that passed.
At the start of the sermon, he used to say: "To proceed;" is a phrase to separate between parts of speech when the speaker wants to shift from one topic to another. The meaning: I say after the previous testimony of faith and praise of Allah Almighty. "Indeed, the best speech is the Book of Allah;" there is no speech except that the speech of Allah is better than that. The speech of Allah means the noble Qur'an. "the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad;" guidance is the way of life and manner. There is no way and path except that the path of the Prophet is better than that. So, his path, way of life, and manner - including Tawhīd, rulings, and acts of worship - should be followed. "the most evil matters," i.e., the ugliest religious matters, not the worldly ones. "are those that are newly invented," i.e., inventions and innovations that have no basis in the Shariah that attests to their validity and permissibility. These are called Bida‘ (innovations). "and every innovation is misguidance," i.e., and every invention in the religion in a way not done by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions is misguidance and deviation and departure from the Prophet's path; it is not part of the guidance and the right course he came with.
In one of the Prophet's statements in his sermons, he said: "I am nearer to every believer than himself," i.e., I am the most entitled among people to him regarding all matters of worldly life and the Hereafter. As Allah Almighty says: {The Prophet has a greater claim over the believers than their own selves.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 6] He is the most compassionate of all people towards them. Their souls call them to ruin, while he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) calls them to salvation.
He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that if any Muslim dies and leaves behind some wealth, his inheritors and relatives - i.e., his inheriting relatives - are more entitled to this wealth, which they take as an inheritance; and if anyone leaves behind a debt or dependents - children, wife, and those who cannot provide for themselves - the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has a greater claim to him, repaying his debt and supporting those children and women he left behind. This stems from the Prophet's good character, his support of the Muslims, and his keenness that they should not be neglected.
And in a version: "In the Prophet's sermon on Friday, he would praise Allah and laud Him," i.e., he would begin it with praise and laudation. Part of what was reported from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in Khutbat al-Hājah (the sermon of need) which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught his Companions is to say: "Praise be to Allah. We praise Him and seek His help. Whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray, and whoever Allah leads astray, none can guide. I testify that there is no god but Allah, alone, with no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger." This praise and laudation is valid to say at the start of every sermon.
In the Hadīth: We are urged to follow the Prophet's guidance in the sermon.
And in it: A preacher should interact with the topic while addressing the sermon to influence the people.
And in it: Beginning the sermon with praise and lauding Allah.

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths

‘Aasim narrated:
I heard Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him), "Have you ever heard that the Prophet ﷺsaid, 'There is no alliance in Islam?' " He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "The Prophet ﷺ made alliance between the people of Quraysh and the Ansaar in my own house."
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‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ had given him sheep to distribute between his Companions and a male kid was left (after the distribution). When he informed the Prophet ﷺof it, he said (to him), "Offer it as a sacrifice on your behalf."
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Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated:
Allah's Messenger ﷺsaid, "There is none amongst Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a (rewardable) charitable act for him."
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Aboo Umaamah Al-Baahilee (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
I saw a plowshare and some agricultural equipment and said: "I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying: "There is no house in which such equipment enter except that Allah, Exalted is He, will cause humiliation to enter it."
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‘Ā’ishah reported: 'Umar made a mistake. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has only forbidden seeking the rising of the sun and its setting..

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah reported: We used to pray with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), then return and give rest to our Nawādih (camels used for carrying water). Hasan said: I said to Ja'far: What time was that? He replied: At the sun's decline, its zenith..

Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ reported: We used to perform the Friday prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) after the sun had passed the meridian, and then we would return and try to find "al-Fay'' (the shadow)..

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah reported that they heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Either some people stop abandoning the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and then they will be among the heedless.".

Jābir ibn Samurah reported: I used to perform the prayers with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and his prayer was moderate in length and his sermon was moderate in length..

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths

‘Aasim narrated: I heard Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him), "Have you ever heard that the Prophet ﷺsaid, 'There is no alliance in Islam?' " He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "The Prophet ﷺ made alliance between the people of Quraysh and the Ansaar in my own house." .

‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ had given him sheep to distribute between his Companions and a male kid was left (after the distribution). When he informed the Prophet ﷺof it, he said (to him), "Offer it as a sacrifice on your behalf." .

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated: Allah's Messenger ﷺsaid, "There is none amongst Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a (rewardable) charitable act for him." .

Aboo Umaamah Al-Baahilee (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I saw a plowshare and some agricultural equipment and said: "I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying: "There is no house in which such equipment enter except that Allah, Exalted is He, will cause humiliation to enter it." .

‘Ā’ishah reported: 'Umar made a mistake. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has only forbidden seeking the rising of the sun and its setting..

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah reported: We used to pray with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), then return and give rest to our Nawādih (camels used for carrying water). Hasan said: I said to Ja'far: What time was that? He replied: At the sun's decline, its zenith..

Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ reported: We used to perform the Friday prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) after the sun had passed the meridian, and then we would return and try to find "al-Fay'' (the shadow)..

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah reported that they heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Either some people stop abandoning the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and then they will be among the heedless.".

Jābir ibn Samurah reported: I used to perform the prayers with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and his prayer was moderate in length and his sermon was moderate in length..

‘Aasim narrated:
I heard Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him), "Have you ever heard that the Prophet ﷺsaid, 'There is no alliance in Islam?' " He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "The Prophet ﷺ made alliance between the people of Quraysh and the Ansaar in my own house."
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‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ had given him sheep to distribute between his Companions and a male kid was left (after the distribution). When he informed the Prophet ﷺof it, he said (to him), "Offer it as a sacrifice on your behalf."
.

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated:
Allah's Messenger ﷺsaid, "There is none amongst Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a (rewardable) charitable act for him."
.

Aboo Umaamah Al-Baahilee (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
I saw a plowshare and some agricultural equipment and said: "I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying: "There is no house in which such equipment enter except that Allah, Exalted is He, will cause humiliation to enter it."
.