| Hadiths

Bukhari Hadiths 1356
Muslim Hadiths 558

Hadith

1984

Muhammad ibn ‘Abbaad said:
I asked Jaabir, "Did the Prophet ﷺ forbid fasting on Fridays?" He replied, "Yes." (Other narrators added, "If he intends to fast only that day.").

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺexplained the Laws of Islam rulings on voluntary fasting, and clarified the appropriate way to fast some days, including Fridays.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee (a Muslim who saw at least one of the Companions) Muhammad ibn ‘Abbaad asked Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah(may Allah be pleased with them): “Did the Prophet ﷺ forbid voluntary fasting on Fridays only?” He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied in the affirmative. It is noteworthy that the prohibition in this regard does not apply to the one who habitually fasts on alternate days, for example, and one of these fasts happens to coincide with Friday, or someone who vows to fast on the day when a sick loved one would be blessed with recovery and it coincided with Friday. Fasting on Friday is not prohibited in these cases. It is also prescribed to fast on Fridays if one fasts the day before or after it as well, as stated in the hadeeth narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) and compiled in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim.
The wisdom behind forbidding fasting on Friday is that it is a day of supplication, remembrance of Allah, and worship. A Muslim devotes his day to performing Ghusl, going early to the mosque, waiting for the Friday prayer, listening to the Khutbah, and reciting Dhikr (i.e. remembrance of Allah) abundantly afterward, because Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed.} [Quran 62:10].These are examples of the worshipful acts performed on that blessed day. Therefore, it is deemed forbidden to fast on that day to be inducive to performing these acts energetically and joyfully, and enjoying their performance without boredom or tedium. This is similar to the prohibition of fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah for a pilgrim. The Sunnah for a pilgrim is to refrain from fasting on that blessed day for the same wisdom. When a person fasts a day before or after Friday as well, this compensates for any inactivity or negligence that may occur in the performance of his duties on Friday. It is also possible that the wisdom behind the Prophet’s ﷺprohibition of fasting on Friday was for fear that people would continue to observe fasting on Fridays habitually and it would be deemed obligatory on them, as he ﷺ feared observing night prayer regularly lest it be deemed obligatory on Muslims. He ﷺ also feared that Muslims would venerate Fridays in the same manner the Jews and Christians venerated Saturdays and Sundays, giving up work and copying their unprescribed manner of veneration. Therefore, he ﷺ ordered that Muslims should refrain from fasting on Fridays, believing that blocking the ways leading to unfavorable results is better and more rewardable than completing the days that he ﷺ had intended to fast for the sake of Allah, Exalted is He. It could also be because Friday is a day of ‘Eid (i.e., ritual celebration) for Muslims.
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1985

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying, "None of you should fast on Friday unless he fasts a day before or after it.".

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺexplained the Laws of Islam rulings on voluntary fasting, and clarified the appropriate way to fast some days, including Fridays.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) clarified that the Prophet ﷺ forbid singling out Fridays for voluntary fasting, unless one fasts one day before or after it (i.e., Thursday or Saturday).
It is noteworthy that the prohibition in this regard does not apply to the one who habitually fasts on alternate days, for example, and one of these fasts happens to coincide with Friday, or someone who vows to fast on the day when a sick loved one would be blessed with recovery and it coincided with Friday. Fasting on Friday is not prohibited in these cases.
The wisdom behind forbidding fasting on Friday is that it is a day of supplication, remembrance of Allah, and worship. A Muslim devotes his day to performing Ghusl, going early to the mosque, waiting for the Friday prayer, listening to the Khutbah, and reciting Dhikr (i.e., remembrance of Allah) abundantly afterward. This is because Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed.} [Quran 62:10]. These are examples of the worshipful acts performed on that blessed day. Therefore, it is deemed forbidden to fast on that day to be inducive to performing these acts energetically and joyfully, and enjoying their performance without boredom or tedium. This is similar to the prohibition of fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah for the pilgrim. The Sunnah for a pilgrim is to refrain from fasting on that blessed day for the same wisdom. When a person also fasts a day before or after Friday, this compensates for any inactivity or negligence that may occur in the performance of one’s duties on Friday. It is also possible that the wisdom behind the Prophet’s prohibition of fasting on Friday was for fear that people would continue to observe fasting on Fridays habitually, and that it would be deemed obligatory on them, as he ﷺ feared observing night prayer regularly lest it would be deemed obligatory on Muslims. He ﷺ also feared that Muslims would venerate Fridays in the same manner the Jews and Christians venerated Saturdays and Sundays, giving up work and copying their unprescribed manner of veneration. Therefore, he ﷺ ordered that Muslims should refrain from fasting on Fridays, believing that blocking the ways leading to unfavorable results is better and more rewardable than completing the days that he ﷺ had intended to fast for the sake of Allah, Exalted is He. It could also be because Friday is the day of ‘Eid (i.e., ritual celebration) for Muslims.
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1986

Aboo Ayyoob narrated on the authority of Juwayriyah bint Al-Haarith (may Allah be pleased with them):
The Prophet ﷺ visited her (Juwayriyah) on a Friday and she was fasting. He ﷺ asked her, "Did you fast yesterday?" She said, "No." He ﷺ said, "Do you intend to fast tomorrow?" She said, "No." He ﷺ said, "Then break your fast." Through a different chain of narration, Aboo Ayyoob (may Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have said, "He ﷺ ordered her and she broke her fast.".

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺexplained the Laws of Islam rulings on voluntary fasting, and clarified the appropriate way to fast some days, including Fridays.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers Juwayriyah bint Al-Haarith (may Allah be pleased with her) related that the Prophet ﷺ once visited her on a Friday while she was fasting. He ﷺasked her, "Did you fast yesterday (Thursday)?" She replied in the negative and stated that she had not fasted. He ﷺ further asked, "Do you intend to fast tomorrow?" She replied in the negative as well, and therefore he ﷺ commanded her to break her fast.
It is noteworthy that the prohibition in this regard does not apply to the one who habitually fasts on alternate days, for example, when this fast happens to coincide with Friday, or someone who vowed to fast on the day when a sick loved one would be blessed with recovery and it coincided with Friday. Fasting on Friday is not deemed disliked in these cases.
The wisdom behind forbidding fasting on Friday is that it is a day of supplication, remembrance of Allah, and worship. A Muslim devotes his day to performing Ghusl, going early to the mosque, waiting for the Friday prayer, listening to the Khutbah, and reciting Dhikr (i.e., remembrance of Allah) abundantly afterward, because Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed.} [Quran 62:10]. These are examples of the worshipful acts performed on that blessed day. Therefore, it is deemed forbidden to fast on that day to be inducive to performing these acts energetically and joyfully, and enjoying their performance without boredom or tedium. This is similar to the prohibition of fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah for a pilgrim. The Sunnah for a pilgrim is to refrain from fasting on that blessed day for the same wisdom. When a person fasts one day before or after Friday as well, this compensates for any inactivity or negligence that may occur in the performance of his duties on Friday. It is also possible that the wisdom behind the Prophet’s ﷺprohibition of fasting on Friday was for fear that people would continue to observe fasting on Fridays habitually and it would be deemed obligatory on them, as he ﷺ feared to observe night prayer regularly lest it would be deemed obligatory on Muslims. He ﷺ also feared that Muslims would venerate Fridays in the same manner the Jews and Christians venerated Saturdays and Sundays, giving up work and copying their unprescribed manner of veneration. Therefore, he ﷺ ordered that Muslims should refrain from fasting on Fridays, believing that blocking the ways leading to unfavorable results is better and more rewardable than completing the days that he ﷺ had intended to fast for the sake of Allah, Exalted is He. It could also be because Friday is the day of ‘Eid (i.e., ritual celebration) for Muslims.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible to break voluntary fasting..

1987

‘Alqamah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
I asked ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), "Did Allah’s Messenger use to choose some special days (for good doing)?" She (may Allah be pleased with her) replied, "No, the (good) deeds (and worshipful acts) of the Prophet ﷺ were constant (and regular). Who amongst you could endure what he ﷺ used to endure? ".

Commentary :
The best good deeds in the sight of Allah, Exalted is He, are those performed regularly, even if few in number.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee (a Muslim who saw at least one of the Companions) ‘Alqamah ibn Qays Al-Nakh‘ee asked the Mother of the Believers ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with him) whether the Prophet ﷺ used to single out certain days of the month for special good deeds and worshipful acts that he would not perform on other days. ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with him) replied in the negative and stated that the Prophet ﷺ used to perform good deeds and worshipful acts regularly and constantly. The Arabic word used in the hadeeth is ‘Deemah’, which linguistically denotes continuous rain that does not cease and is accompanied by stillness, with no thunder or lightning. The word has later been used in reference to other meanings as well. In her statement, ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) likened his performance of good deeds and worshipful acts to a continuous and constant rain, then she remarked that the Prophet ﷺ was able to endure and perform more acts of worship than anyone else, in terms of quality (i.e., the perfection of their performance), quantity, observing Khushoo‘ (i.e.,the state of the heart when it stands before its Lord in full submission, humbleness, and absolute concentration), obedience, humbleness, and Ikhlaas (i.e., devotion of one’s intentions and deeds exclusively and sincerely to Allah). A Muslim is enjoined to strive hard in performing worshipful acts and voluntary good deeds to the best of his ability, and observe them regularly.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that the acts of worship and good deeds may be performed on any given day, and that they are not restricted to specific days, except for those blessed days to which the Laws of Islamhas assigned special virtues and merits.
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1989

Maymoonah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:
People doubted whether or not the Prophet ﷺ was fasting on the day of `Arafat, so I sent milk while he was standing at ‘Arafaah Mount, he ﷺdrank it and the people were looking at him..

Commentary :
Fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah for a non-pilgrim abounds in good, but for a pilgrimit is better to refrain from fasting on that day, to preserve his physical strength to be able to perform the prescribed duties, since Hajj involves striving and endurance of hardship.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers, Maymoonah bint Al-Haarith (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, informed us that people had doubts about the Prophet’s fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah during the Farewell Hajj. Some said that he ﷺ observed fasting and others said he ﷺ did not. He ﷺ performed Farewell Hajj in 10 A.H. To eliminate all doubts, Maymoohah (may Allah be pleased with her) sent a cup of milk to the Prophet ﷺ while he was standing on ‘Arafah Mount to know with certainty whether or not he ﷺ was fasting. The Prophet ﷺ drank the milk as people were looking at him, and thus they all knew with certainty that he ﷺ was not fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah, and learned the prescribed act for a pilgrim.
It has been narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim that Umm Al-Fadhl bint Al-Haarith (may Allah be pleased with her) was the one who sent him the milk. It is possible that there were several cups of milk sent to the Prophet ﷺ on that occasion or that she and Maymoonah (may Allah be pleased with them) sent it together, and the reports referred to them both, being sisters. It is possible that Maymoonah (may Allah be pleased with her) sent the Prophet ﷺ that milk at the request of her sister Umm Al-Fadhl (may Allah be pleased with them) to verify the Prophet’sﷺ fasting, or it was the other way around.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that the Prophet ﷺ used to clarify ambiguous situations for people when needed, out of his concern, mercy, and compassion for them.
It is also inferred therefrom that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) showed keenness in knowing the correct act of Sunnah for different matters.
It is also deduced therefrom that witnessing an event firsthand is more decisive than any given authentic report.
The permissibility of eating and drinking in assemblies and while standing could be inferred from the hadeeth.
The hadeeth also urges us to follow the example of the Prophet ﷺ and underlines the permissibility of resorting to strategies to know a religious ruling without explicit and direct questions. It also highlights the acumen of Maymoonah (may Allah be pleased with her).
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1993

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
Two fasts and two kinds of sale are deemed forbidden: fasting on the day of ‘Eid Al-Fitr and ‘Eid Al-Ad-haa and the two kinds of sale are: Mulaamasah and Munaabadhah. (i.e., two kinds of sale used to be practiced in the days of pre-Islamic period of ignorance; Mulaamasah means when you touch something displayed for sale you have to buy it, while Munaabadhah means when the seller throws something to you, you have to buy it.).

Commentary :
Islam has laid down Laws of Islam rulings governing worshipful acts and transactions. It prescribes rulings pertaining to fasting, prayer, and other acts of worship, and also prescribes legislations to preserve people’s wealth. It is incumbent on a Muslim to abide by the divine commands and avoid the prohibitions set by the Laws of Islam.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that the Prophet ﷺ forbade fasting on two days: ‘Eid Al-Fitr, because fasting people celebrate the breaking (end) of their fast after the month of Ramadan, and the second is the Day of Nahr, the tenth of Thoo al-Hijjah, because it is the day when the pilgrims perform Hajj rituals and offer animal sacrifices. Allah, Exalted is He, has bestowed His hospitality (i.e., prescribing the refrainment from fasting) on His servants in these two days, and therefore whoever fasts on those days would be rejecting His hospitality.
Likewise, the Prophet ﷺ forbade two sales: Mulaamasah, which is an Arabic word derived from the root ‘La-ma-sa’, meaning touching. It refers to a way of selling practiced before Islam, and it means that when a buyer touches something displayed for sale, he has to buy it at the price decided by the seller. The second forbidden sale is: Munaabadhah, which is an Arabic word derived from the root ‘Na-ba-dha’, meaning renunciation. It also refers to a way of selling practiced before Islam, and it means that when a buyer throws something to the seller, the buyer has to buy it at the price decided by the seller. Both sales were conducted by people during the pre-Islamic era, and Islam forbade them, because they involve fraud and deception of the contracting parties (or one of them).
The hadeeth also highlights the utility of the Laws of Islam to keep away from causes of discord and dissension among Muslims, forbidding certain transactions that were commonly practiced by people in the pre-Islamic era of ignorance.
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1997

‘Urwah narrated on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah, and on the authority of Saalim narrating it on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):“Nobody was allowed to fast on the days of Tashreeq except those who could not afford the Hady (i.e., Hajj sacrificial animal).”.

Commentary :
The days of Tashreeq are the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth days of Thoo al-Hijjah, and they are blessed days bestowed by Allah, Exalted is He, upon Muslims, and He decreed that they should be taken as days of ‘Eid (i.e., ritual celebration).
In this hadeeth, ‘Aa’ishah and Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ did not prescribe fasting on the days of Tashreeq, i.e., three days after ‘Eid Al-Ad-haa, except for those who cannot afford to offer the Hady (i.e., Hajj sacrificial animal). This means that he ﷺ did not prescribe fasting on those days except for a pilgrim performing Hajj Al-Tamatu‘ (i.e., a pilgrim assumes Ihraam for ‘Umrah only, during the months of Hajj, which means that when he reaches Makkah, he makes Tawaaf and Sa‘y for ‘Umrah. Then he shaves or clips his hair. On the eighth day of Thoo al-Hijjah, the pilgrim assumes Ihraam again for Hajj only and carries out all of its requirements) or Hajj Al-Qiraan (i.e.,a pilgrim assumes Ihraam for both ‘Umrah and Hajj, or he assumes Ihraam first for ‘Umrah, then makes his intention for Hajj before his Tawaaf for Hajj) and cannot afford to offer the Hady. This means that a pilgrim cannot find it in Makkah sanctuary, either due to unavailability, or lack of its price, e.g., if it is sold at more than twice its normal price, or because it is available, but its owner would not sell it. In all of these cases, a pilgrim is declared unable to offer the Hady and should opt for fasting, whether or not he finds its price back in his country. He may fast on the Days of Tashreeq as part of the ten days that he has to fast. Allah, Exalted is He, Says (that which means): {And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home].} [Quran 2:196].
The Arabic word Hady incorporates all sacrificial animals that are slaughtered in the sanctuary, including: camels, cows, sheep, and goats.
In the prohibition of fasting on these days and the command to eat and drink therein lies a good wisdom, namely, that Allah, Exalted is He, knew the hardships of travelling, the fatigue of pilgrims in the state of Ihraam (i.e., ritual state of consecration), and the striving against the ‘self’ when performing Hajj rituals, and therefore He legislated for them a rest afterward to stay in Mina on the Day of Nahr and three days after it, and commanded them to eat from their Hady. These pilgrims are the guests of Allah, Exalted is He, and He is offering them hospitality out of His grace and mercy. Muslims in different parts of the world share such hospitality with the pilgrims, since they also strive in worship and show diligence in the first ten days of Thoo al-Hijjah, observing fasting, reciting Dhikr (i.e., remembrance of Allah), performing worshipful acts, and drawing closer to Allah by offering sacrificial animals. The also share in the forgiveness and ritual celebration, and all Muslims celebrate the hospitality of Allah, Exalted is He, by enjoying eating and drinking during the days of Tashreeq. They eat from His sustenance, and express gratitude to Him for His bounty. Since it is not appropriate for a generous host to let his guests go hungry, they are forbidden from fasting on these days.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that the Islamic Laws of Islam promotes ease and facilitation, and that hardship begets ease..

1999

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):Fasting for those who perform Hajj Al-Tamattu‘ (in lieu of the Hady which they cannot afford) may be performed up to the day of ‘Arafah, and if one did not offer Hady and has not fasted (before the ‘Eid) should fast of the days of Mina. (11th, 12th, and 13th of Thoo al-Hijjah)..

Commentary :
One type of Hajj is Hajj Al-Tamattu‘, which means that a pilgrim assumes the state of Ihraam (i.e., ritual state of consecration) with the intention of performing ‘Umrah (i.e., lesser pilgrimage) during the months of Hajj - which are Shawwaal, Dhul-Qa‘dah, and Thoo al-Hijjah - then ends his state of Ihraam, and reassumes it ontheDay of Tarwiyah (i.e., the 8th of Thoo al-Hijjah) to perform Hajj that same year.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar and the Mother of the Believers ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with them) informed us that whoever intends to perform Hajj Al-Tamattu‘ must fast the three days before the Day of ‘Arafah, and refrain from fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah, because the Sunnah for a pilgrim is to refrain from fasting on this day. A pilgrim performing Hajj Al-Tamattu‘ is required to offer the Hady (i.e., Hajj sacrificial animal) on the Day of Nahr (i.e., the 10th Day of Thoo al-Hijjah), meaning, the camels, cows, sheep, and goats that are slaughtered in the Sanctuary of Makkah. If a pilgrim cannot find a Hady in Makkah or cannot afford it, e.g., if it is sold for more than twice its normal price, or because it is available, but its owner refuses to sell it, a pilgrim, in all these scenarios, cannot offer the Hady and therefore must opt for fasting, whether or not he can afford buying the Hady in his country. He is required to fast three days in Hajj, and seven when he returns to his country, a total of ten days. If he cannot not find a Hady and did not fast before the Day of ‘Arafah, he may fast on the Days of Tashreeq, which are the days a pilgrim spends in Mina to cast the pebbles at the Jamrah (Pillar) of Al-‘Aqabah after the Day of ‘Eid, and they are: the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth of Thoo al-Hijjah.
The hadeeth highlights that the Laws of Islam promotes ease and facilitation pertaining toHajj rituals..

2003

Humayd ibn ‘Abdul-Rahmaan narrated that he heard Mu‘aawiyah ibn Abee Sufyaan on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ during the year he performed Hajj, saying on the pulpit, "O people of Al-Madeenah! Where are your religious scholars? I heard Allah's Messenger ﷺ saying, 'This is the day of ‘Aashooraa’. Allah, Exalted is He, has not enjoined its fasting on you but I am fasting it. You have the choice either to fast or not to fast (on this day).' ".

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ used to instruct his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to fast on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ before the obligation of fasting on Ramadan was prescribed due to the virtue of that day.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee (a Muslim who saw at least one of the Companions) Humayd ibn ‘Abdul-Rahmaan stated that the Caliph Mu‘aawiyah ibn Abee Sufyaan (may Allah be pleased with him) ascended the pulpit of the Prophet’s Mosque in Al-Madeenah once while visiting to perform Hajj. The first Hajj he performed was after assuming the Caliphate in 44 A.H., and the last one was in 57 A.H. The day coincided with the Day of ‘Aashooraa’, the tenth day of Muharram. It seems that he remained longer in Makkah or Al-Madeenah until the Day of ‘Aashooraa’. On that day, he said: “O people of Al-Madeenah, where are your scholars?!” He (may Allah be pleased with him) said so because he had heard that some people were deeming fasting on that day either obligatory, forbidden, or disliked. He (may Allah be pleased with him) summoned the scholars to edify them on the correct ruling in this regard, or to familiarize himself with the different information they might have had on that matter, or to rebuke them upon seeing or hearing of someone adopting a different opinion on that mater. Mu‘aawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) informed them that he heard the Prophet ﷺ say: “This is the Day of ‘Aashooraa’. Allah, Exalted is He, has not enjoined its fasting on you but I am fasting it.”
He ﷺ wanted to inform them that fasting on that day was not deemed obligatory on them.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ informed His Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) that he was fasting and gave them the choice either to fast voluntarily or refrain from fasting, and those who did not fast would not bear any sin for that because it was not incumbent to observe fasting on that day.
This hadeeth is an affirmation of the virtue of fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ singled it out for fasting, commanded Muslims to observe fasting on that particular day, urged them to do so, and told them that he ﷺ was fasting it. All this wasonly so that they would follow his example and to highlight the merits of fasting on that blessed day. Verily, he ﷺ is the best example for us to follow.
It is noteworthy that this hadeeth does not contradict the one narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her)stating: “The Prophet ﷺ had ordered to observe fast (on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’) before the fasting in Ramadan was deemed obligatory, but when this became obligatory, it (fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’) became optional; whoever wished fasted on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’, and whoever wished did not observe fasting (on that day).”
Moreover, Mu‘aawiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) reverted to Islam after the Conquest of Makkah; this means that he had heard this hadeeth after his conversion to Islam, in 9 or 10 A.H., after the relevant ruling was abrogated (when the obligation of fasting on Ramadan was prescribed). Therefore, the meaning of the relevant report would be, “It is not prescribed to fast on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ after the obligatory fasting on Ramadanhas been prescribed.” He (may Allah be pleased with him) may also mean that the following ayah does not apply to fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’; Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fastingas it was decreed upon those before you.} [Quran 2:183].
It has been reported in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Aboo Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ expiates the sins committed in the previous year. Furthermore, it has also been reported in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When the next year comes, Allah willing, we will observe fast on the 9th day of Muharram as well,” meaning that he ﷺ would fast on the 9th and the 10th of Muharram. He ﷺ prescribed fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ as a voluntary act of worship.
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2004

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet ﷺ came to Al-Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’. He ﷺ asked them about that. They replied, "This is a blessed day, on which Allah rescued Banee Israa’eel (Children of Israel) from their enemy. So, Prophet Moosaa fasted this day." The Prophet ﷺ said, "I have more claim over Moosaa than you!" So, the Prophet ﷺ fasted on that day and ordered (Muslims) to fast (on that day)..

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ used to instruct his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to fast on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ before fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory, due to the virtues of that blessed day.
In this hadeeth, ‘AbdullahNarrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ migrated from Makkah to Al-Madeenah, and on the following year he ﷺ found the Jews in Al-Madeenah fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’, i.e., the tenth day of Muharram. He ﷺ asked them about the reason for it, and they stated that it was a blessed day when Allah, Exalted is He, rescued Prophet Moosaa (Moses) and the children of Israel from their enemy, Pharaoh, and caused him and his troops to drown in the sea. Therefore, Prophet Moosaa observed fasting on that day (to express gratitude to Allah), and when the Prophet ﷺ learned of that, he ﷺ stated that he had more claim over Moosaa than the Jews, being his fellow brother and Messenger of Allah and because he ﷺ was more obedient to Allah and adhered to the truth more earnestly than them. Therefore, he ﷺ had more right to express gratitude to Allah, Exalted is He, for saving Prophet Moosaa.This is why he ﷺ fasted on that day and commanded the Muslims to fast it, because we, Muslims, are more entitled to love and follow the example of Prophet Moosaa than the Jews, since they distorted the divine law revealed to him, while we are the true adherents of the religion of Allah, Islam, which is the very religion with which all the Prophets of Allah were sent.
In addition, Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the act of Sunnah in this regard is to observe fasting on the 9th and 10th days of Muharram, to be different from the Jews who fasted only on the 10th of Muharram, and this was narrated in Saheeh Muslim. Moreover, it has been reported on the authority of Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that fasting on that day expiates the sins committed during the previous year, and this has also been cited in Saheeh Muslim.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible to observe fasting to express gratitude to Allah, Exalted is He, for relief from an adversity or anguish, or the facilitation of a desired attainment..

2005

Aboo Moosaa (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Day of ‘Aashooraa’ was considered as a ‘Eid (i.e., ritual celebration) by the Jews. So, the Prophet ﷺ ordered, "I urge you (Muslims) to fast on this day.".

Commentary :
Fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ has great virtues and merits, and the righteous predecessors (i.e., early Muslim generations) keenly fasted that day, following the example of the Prophet ﷺ, while contravening the Jews in the manner of their fasting.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Moosaa Al-Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Jews used to venerate the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ and take it as a festival, and therefore the Prophet ﷺ commanded Muslims to observe fasting on that day.
The apparent meaning of this narration is that the motive behind the Prophet’s command to fast on that day was out of his keenness to contravene the Jews, observing fasting on the days when they refrained from fasting and refraining from fasting on the days when they fasted, because the days of ‘Eid must not be fasted. The hadeeth narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them), cited in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, indicates that the reason for his fasting was the approval of the reason for which they fasted on that day, i.e., expressing gratitude to Allah for saving Prophet Moosaa. However, the Jews’ veneration of that day and their belief in it as a day of ‘Eid did not necessitate that they refrained from fasting on it. Perhaps fasting on that day was a manifestation of veneration prescribed by their divine law. This was explicitly stated in another narration reported by Al-Bukhaaree on the authority of Aboo Moosaa (may Allah be pleased with him) reading: “… and saw the Jews venerating and fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’.” The version narrated in Saheeh Muslim reads: “People of Khaybar observed fast on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ and took it as ‘Eid.”
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the act of Sunnah in this regard is to observe fasting on the 9th and 10th days of Muharram, to be different from the Jews who fasted only on the 10th of Muharram, and this was narrated in Saheeh Muslim. Moreover, it has been reported on the authority of Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that fasting on that day expiates the sins committed during the previous year, as has also been recorded in Saheeh Muslim.
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2006

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him):
I never saw the Prophet ﷺ seeking to fast on a day that he favored more than another except this day, the Day of ‘Aashooraa’, and this month, meaning the month of Ramadan..

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ used to observe many acts of worship and obedience regularly, one of which was fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’. He ﷺ observed fasting on that day to express gratitude to Allah, Exalted is He, for rescuing his brother Moosaa (Moses) fromPharaoh.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) related that he did not see the Prophet ﷺ intently and keenly seeking to fast on a day except the Day of ‘Aashooraa’, favoring it over other days of the year and singling it out for fasting.
It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them), as cited in Saheeh Muslim, that the act of Sunnah in this regard is to fast on the ninth day of Muharram along with the Day of ‘Aashooraa’, to act contrary to the Jews. Moreover, it has also been authentically reported in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Aboo Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ expiates the sins committed during the previous year.
This implies that the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ is the best day to observe fasting, Ramadan aside. However, Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) attributed that conclusion to his own knowledge and opinion, and his statement does not refute the other narrations reported by other Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) in this regard. For instance, a Marfoo‘ hadeeth (i.e., directly attributed to the Prophet ﷺ) was reported in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Aboo Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) stating that fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ atones for the sins committed during the previous year, and that fasting on the day of ‘Arafah expiates the sins committed during two years: the previous and following ones. The apparent indication of the hadeeths is that fasting on the day of ‘Arafah is better (i.e., more virtuous and rewardable) than fasting the Day of ‘Aashooraa’. It has been said that the wisdom behind this is that the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ is attributed to Prophet Moosaa, while the day of ‘Arafah is attributed to the Prophet ﷺ, and therefore fasting it is deemed better (i.e., more virtuous and rewardable).
Likewise, the Prophet ﷺ was keen to fast the month of Ramadan, because it is obligatory, and due to the great bounties bestowed upon the fasting people during that blessed month, including: the divine mercy, deliverance from Hellfire, forgiveness of sins, and the Night of Al-Qadr, which is better and superior to one thousand months (i.e., equivalent to 83 years and 4 months).
In fact, Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) made mention of the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ and Ramadan in his statement, even though fasting in the first is optional and in the second is obligatory, because the common feature here is the abundant reward. The meaning of “seeking,” is that he ﷺ intended to fast it, aspiring to obtain its reward..

2010

‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Abdul-Qaari said: "I went out in the company of ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) one night in Ramadan to the mosque and found people praying in different groups. A man was praying alone or a man praying with a little group behind him. So, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, 'In my opinion, I would better gather these (people) under the leadership of one Qaari, Quran reciter (i.e., let them pray in congregation!)'. So, he (may Allah be pleased with him) made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubay ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him). Then, on another night I went again in his company and people were praying behind their reciter. On that, ‘Umar remarked, 'What an excellent Bid‘ah (i.e., innovation) this is; but the prayer which they do not perform, but sleep at its time is better than the one they are offering.' He (may Allah be pleased with him) meant that performing night prayer in the last part of the night. (In those days) people used to pray in the early part of the night.".

Commentary :
The Caliph ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) was keen to revive acts of Sunnah, eradicate religious innovations, and fight whatever triggered disunity and dissention among Muslims. The Prophet ﷺ commanded Muslims to adhere to the practices of the rightly guided Caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them).
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee (a Muslim who saw at least one of the Companions) ‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Abdul-Qaari, who was appointed by ‘Umar as the head of the Public Treasury, related that he went to the Prophet’s Mosque with ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with them) one night in Ramadhan, to find some people praying night prayer in different congregations. Some prayed individually, and others prayed in small congregations, small groups of three to ten. Therefore, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) thought about organizing Taraaweeh prayer (i.e., night prayer in Ramadan) in congregation for all Muslims, because it is more stimulating for the worshippers, and so that the they would not disturb each other when praying in small congregations.
He (may Allah be pleased with him)formed this view based on the actions of the Prophet ﷺ and his tacit approval of such an act when he ﷺ once led Muslims in congregation on one night of Ramadan. This was stated in a hadeeth narrated on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), that the Prophet ﷺ went out in the middle of the night and prayed in the mosque and some men prayed behind him. In the morning, people spoke about it and then a large number of them gathered and prayed behind him (on the second night). On the next morning the people again talked about it and on the third night the mosque was full with a large number of people. Allah's Messenger ﷺ came out and led them in prayer. On the fourth night the Prophet’s Mosque was overcrowded with people and could not accommodate them all, but the Prophet ﷺ came out (only) for Fajr prayer. When Fajr prayer was finished, he recited Tashah-hud and said (addressing the people): “Know that your presence was not hidden from me but I was afraid lest the night prayer should be enjoined on you and you might not be able to carry it on.”
‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) intended to organize congregational Taraaweeh prayers at the mosque and appointed Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him) as the Imaam, because he was one of the best Companions in the recitation and memorization of the Quran. When he (may Allah be pleased with him) went out on another night and found them praying in one congregation behind Ubayy ibn Ka‘b (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: “What an excellent Bid‘ah (i.e., innovation) this is,” because it was a good and righteous act, urging Muslims to pray in congregation as recommended. Even if it was not done during the reign of Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) him, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ held congregational Taraaweeh prayers. He ﷺ refrained from holding such congregational Taraaweeh prayers regularly lest it be deemed obligatory on Muslims and they would not have endured it.
His saying, “What an excellent Bid‘ah (i.e., innovation) this is” indicates that this practice has its basis and origin is the Sunnah, and it is not a religious innovation as per the laws of Islam that is labelled as misguidance, rather it is described as an innovation, in the linguistic sense of the word (i.e., being an unprecedented rather than an unprescribed act). The fact that ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and ‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Abdul-Qaari went to the Prophet’s Mosque once to find people praying Taraaweeh in congregation, indicates that ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) did not regularly pray with them, and perhaps he (may Allah be pleased with him) believed that performing Taraaweeh prayers individually at home was better (and more rewardable), especially at the end of the night.This is why he (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that people used to perform Taraaweeh prayers at the beginning of the night, but it would be better for them to sleep for a while, and then wake up at the end of the night to perform them.
The hadeeth urges Muslims to perform night prayers at the end of the night.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible to perform night prayer in congregation.
It also highlights that a ruler should check on the ruled and keenly foster their interests, with regard to their religious or worldly affairs..

2015

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):
Some men amongst the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ were shown in their dreams that the Night of Al-Qadr was in the last seven nights of Ramadan. Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "It seems that all your dreams agree that (the Night of Al-Qadr) is in the last seven nights, and whoever wants to seek it (i.e., the Night of Al-Qadr) should seek it in the last seven (nights of Ramadan).”.

Commentary :
The Night of Al-Qadr is one of the great and blessed nights of Ramadan, in which Allah, Exalted is He, states that the Quran was revealed. It has been highly praised and venerated by Allah, Exalted is He, given the fact that it abounds in great bounties and yields abundant rewards, which are described as being equal to those earned by devoting oneself to worship for one thousand months. During that blessed night, many angels descend, and many bounties and blessings are conferred upon people, and it is free of harm and evil.
In this hadeeth, ‘AbdullahIbn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) related that many of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) saw in a dream that the Night of Al-Qadr falls in the last seven nights of Ramadan. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "It seems that all your dreams agree that (the Night of Al-Qadr) is in the last seven nights, and whoever wants to seek it (i.e., the Night of Al-Qadr)…”, meaning by means of performing prayer, reciting the Quran and supplications, and diligently devoting himself to worship, “… should seek it in the last seven (nights of Ramadan).” It is possible that he ﷺ meant the last seven nights of Ramadan, starting from the 23rd night, or the last seven nights are after the twentieth night, which includes the 21st, the 23rd, and the 25th nights.
It was called the Night of Al-Qadr because of its abundant virtues and great honor, or because the performance of worshipful acts in it yields greater reward.
The wisdom of Allah entailed that its exact date should be hidden from people so that they should strive and keenly devote themselves to worship throughout the last ten nights, and thus perform more worshipful acts and gain greater benefits (rewards).
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2017

‘Narrated Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her):
Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "Seek the Night of Al-Qadr in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.".

Commentary : 114270.

Tareq ibn Shehab narrated, “Marwan was the first one to deliver a sermon before the Eid prayer. A man stood up and said, ‘Prayer should precede sermon.’ He (Marwan) said, ‘It has been done away with.’ Abu Saeed remarked, ‘This man has performed what he should do. I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying, ‘Whoever among you sees something abominable should modify it with his hand, if he is not able to do it, then (he should modify it) with his tongue, and if he is not able to do it, then (he should modify it) with his heart, which is the least level of faith.’”.

Commentary : Allah honors and prefers the Muslim nation to other nations, for it enjoins goodness, forbids evil, and gently advises people, the qualities that transform any society into a virtuous one. This hadith related that the first person who delivered the Eid speech before performing the prayer was Marwan ibn Al-Hakam, the governor of Medina assigned by Caliph Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufian. He became the caliph in the year of 64 after Prophetic immigration. It was mistakenly narrated that the first person did that was Omar, Othman, Muawiyah, or Abdullah ibn Az-Zubeir. On the contrary, it was proven that the Prophet ﷺ and his four Caliphs used to pray before delivering the Eid speech as Ibn Abbas narrated in the two Sahihs, “I witnessed the Eid with the Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr, Omar, and Othman. They all prayed before the speech." In the narration of Bukhari, Marwan mentioned why he did that. He said, "People do not sit to listen to our speech after the prayer, so I delivered it before the prayer." Most of the people used to leave after the prayer and only some listened to Marwan's speech. He may have done that thinking that it was something in which he could follow his own opinion. Once he changed the Prophet's tradition, one of the attendees came and denounced his behavior. That person may have been Abu Masoud as in Imam Abderazzaq's narration but it was narrated in Sahih Bukhari that he was Abu Saeed himself, this hadith's narrator. Perhaps, this situation happened more than once and that every time Marwan was contradicted by someone. On the other hand, if it happened once, it would be possible that Abu Saeed first denounced Marwan's behavior, as in Bukhari's narration, then Abu Masoud. Marwan's response, "It has been done away with" may mean that: (1) People used to leave, for they were in a hurry, or (2) He left the proven tradition of praying before delivering the speech on purpose. Abu Saeed approved the man’s denouncing Marwan and said, "This man has performed what he should do." He denounced the evil with his tongue, for he could not change the ruler's behavior by his hands. Then Abu Saeed narrated the Prophet's hadith. The hadith states that if a person sees something evil and corrupting, he has to change it with his hand provided that his knowledge and ability. If he cannot change it with his hands, he has to wisely and kindly remind people about its prohibition. Changing the reality may be achieved by gentleness and wisdom away from swords. If he is unable to change it by word or tongue, he has to denounce it with his heart and resolve that if he were able to remove it, he would do it. Denouncing evil with one's heart is the lowest reaction that a believer has to bring, so the Prophet ﷺ said as in Ibn Masoud's narration in Sahih Muslim, "Beyond that, there is no faith even as the extent of a mustard seed." This hadith shows that there are two conditions of the obligation of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil: (1) Knowledge of whether that action is good or evil, for the ignorant person cannot determine that, and (2) The ability to do so, for it is enough for the unable person to hate the evil with his heart. Abu Saeed's comment confirmed that Marwarn was the first one to display that behavior, for if the Prophet ﷺ or his companions showed that behavior, Abu Saeed would not call it evil as in his comment. Moreover, Abu Saeed held Marwan to prevent him from delivering the speech but the latter insisted on doing so. This hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It urges us to gradually enjoin the goodness and forbid the evil, each based on his ability, (2) It confirms the legitimacy of opposing rulers' behavior if they accept advice in public and this does not lead to another evil, (3) It clarifies that denouncing evil is a part of faith, (4) It shows that one's faith is subject to increase and decrease, (5) It stresses that Islam's rites cannot be changed or reordered. Once rulers try to do so, they have to be opposed as long as a person is able to do so and his denouncing will not lead to a greater evil..

Abdullah ibn Masoud narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah has not sent a prophet to a nation before me but he (a prophet) had disciples and companions following his way and obeying his command. Afterward, there came successors who said what they did not practice and practiced what they were not commanded to do. Whoever strove against them with his hand was a believer, whoever strove against them with his tongue was a believer, and whoever strove against them with his heart was a believer. There is no faith beyond that even to the extent of a mustard seed.” Abu Rafi' said, “I narrated this hadith to Abdullah ibn Umar but he disapproved of the narration. When Ibn Masoud came and stayed at Qanat, Abdullah ibn Umar asked me to accompany him to visit him (Ibn Masoud) during his illness. I went with him and asked Ibn Masoud about the Hadith when we sat (before him). He narrated it in the same as I narrated it to Ibn Umar.”.

Commentary : The Prophets' calls are of common features. All were resisted by some or lots of their people. All were followed by some of their people who afterward conveyed their calls. Over decades and centuries, people began to gradually move away from the truth. The one adhering to this truth had to resist them as much as he could. In this hadith, the Prophet ﷺ confirmed that all Prophets that Allah had sent had disciples and companions following their ways and obeying their commands. Afterward, there came successors and hypocrites who said what they did not practice and practiced what they were not commanded to do while claiming and complimenting themselves on following their prophet's guidance. On the contrary, they were committing and spreading corruption. Every believer has to strive against those people based on his ability. Whoever strives against and tries to remove their evil with his hand or tongue is a believer. Moreover, whoever hates their evil with his heart is a believer, for he wishes he had been able to remove these evils with his hand or tongue but he was unable to do so. There is no faith beyond that even to the extent of a mustard seed, for if one does not hate the evil even if with his heart but pleases it, it is an approval of disbelief. This hadith shows that there are two conditions of the obligation of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil with hands or tongue: (1) Knowledge of whether that action is good or evil, for the ignorant person cannot determine that, and (2) The ability to do so, for it is enough for the unable person to hate the evil with his heart. Striving against evils by one's hands is only for those being able to change them without a conflict such as those in charge and rulers. Striving against evils by one’s tongue is by showing and calling for the truth. Striving against evils by one's heart is by rejecting, hating, and displeasing them. Abu Rafi' said, “I narrated this hadith to Abdullah ibn Omar but he disapproved of the narration.” Ibn Omar’s disapproval may be interpreted that he wanted to check the authenticity of the hadith, for one may unwillingly increase, decrease, or even distort his own narrations. He did not mean to accuse Abu Rafi’, for all people were vulnerable to forget. Ibn Omar knew that Abu Rafi’ was a great companion with a high level of justice and honesty. When Ibn Masoud came to Medina, Ibn Omar commanded Abu Rafi’ to go with him to visit Ibn Masoud. When they sat with him, Abu Rafi’ asked Ibn Masoud about this hadith, so Ibn Masoud narrated it to him just as Abu Rafi’ had narrated it to Ibn Omar. Abu Rafi’ did that to make sure of the hadith context and defend his narration. Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It includes one of the signs of the Prophet’s prophethood, (2) It stresses the necessity of enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, according to people’s conditions, (3) It clarifies the virtue of the Prophet’s companions, for they presented his properties and selves for the sake of this religion, (4) It shows that changing the evil is part of the Islamic faith, and (5) It refers that one’s faith increases and decreases..

Jaber ibn Abdullah narrated, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘Hearts’ callousness and sternness is in the East while faith is among the people of the Hijaz.’”.

Commentary : People vary in faith, piety, behavior, and even the degrees of their evil acts. The Prophet used to teach us people's various attributes so that we can deal with them in the proper way they deserve. In this hadith, he informed us that we find people of hard hearts, lack of understanding, and refusing the truth due to disbelief in the East. A narration in the two Sahihs reported by Abu Masoud Uqbah ibn Amr clarified that they are the people of Rabi’a and Mudar. This was during the era of the Prophet ﷺ. They were hard people due to the harsh conditions they were living in. It was said that he may have meant all areas of the East: Middle, Near, and Far. After the Prophet's death, these two tribes had many trials such as: (1) Many people disbelieved once again, and (2) Some claimed prophethood as Museilemah, the Liar. The Prophet meant that they were subject to obey the devil and disbelieve the Islamic message. On the other hand, he informed us that we find deep faith, tranquillity, and comfort in the people of Hijaz, i.e. Mecca, Medina, and their environs. It is called "hijaz," for some potential reasons: (1) It separates Najd from Sara, (2) It separates Ghaur from Levant, or (3) It is surrounded by mountains. Finally, this hadith confirms the virtue of the people of Hijaz over other people..

Abu Hurairah narrated, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘You will not enter Paradise until you believe and you will not believe until you love one another. May I tell you something you can do to make you love one another? Spread the greetings of salam (peace) among you.’”.

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ used to teach his companions and nation the virtues of righteous deeds that display a feeling of affection among them and raise their ranks in the Hereafter. He also warned us against reasons for hatred and disharmony. Spreading the greetings of peace is one of the causes of love and harmony among Muslims. In this hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ clarified that only believers will enter Paradise and added that love among believers is part of the perfect faith. He said, "You will not enter Paradise until you believe." He means that our faith is neither complete nor benefits us until we love one another. Then he guides us to the best attributes for getting that kind of love in Muslim society which is to declare, act upon, and spread peace among Muslims. Peace is the greeting that Allah, the Almighty, has prescribed for His servants. Once a Muslim passes by another Muslim, relative or stranger, he greets him with peace. Allah made spreading peace a reason for love and affection among Muslims, which is a reason for getting a perfect faith and prevailing the word of Islam. On the other hand, hatred and conflict are reasons for spreading division among Muslims. The form of that greeting as in the narration of Abu Daoud and others is to say, “Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.” Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits such as: (1) The command to spread the greeting of peace among Muslims, for it spreads love and safety among them and (2) It is proof that love is a reason for the perfect faith..

Tamim Ad-Dary narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, "Religion is sincerity." They said, "To whom?" He said, "To Allah, to his Book, to his Messenger, to the leaders of Muslims and their common folk.".

Commentary : Sincere advice is one of the features of our true religion. Muslims should advise each other in a good manner, and without making a greater evil than the benefit they want to achieve. This should be with loving and knowing the rights of the one who is advised in the society for his being a Muslim. This hadith clarifies the methods of this supreme behavior. The Prophet ﷺ clarified that sincere advice is Islam's essence and a means for its spreading. It is to say or do something that contains goodness for a person(s) sincerely. It is to seek goodness for the one who is advised. Moreover, it is a comprehensive term with various meanings. The Prophet's companions asked him to whom they offer it, so he answered, "To Allah, to his Book, to his Messenger, to the leaders of Muslims and their common folk." As for one's dealing with Allah, it means glorifying His command, showing mercy on His creation, calling people to believe in Him, and avoiding any acts of polytheism while worshiping him only. As for one's dealing with the Quran, it means to believe that it is Allah's word, deeply love and glorify it, recite it as it should be recited, face those distorting its authentic interpretations, ratify its stories, ponder over its lessons and miracles, act upon its rules, spread its knowledge, and call people to believe in it. As for one's dealing with the Messenger, it means to believe, follow, obey his commands, and avoid what he forbade. Moreover, it means to be loyal to those who are loyal to him and hate those who hate him. In addition, it means glorifying him, spreading his teachings, and facing people's accusations against him. As for one's dealing with leaders of Muslims, it means helping them in what is right, obeying them in goodness, gently reminding them if they neglect something, and avoiding disobeying them unless we see them doing an act of clear disbelief that Allah obviously showed in his religion, which is conditional on ability and avoiding having greater harms. The Muslim's leaders may include the scholars as well. As for one's dealing with Muslim scholars, it means accepting what they narrated and thinking well of them. As for one's dealing with common Muslim folk, it means gently teaching them Islam's laws, providing them with what is beneficial, having mercy on them, respecting them, avoiding cheating or envying them, loving for them what one loves for himself, hating for them what one hates for himself, and defending their properties and honor. Finally, this hadith contains the following lessons: (1) It confirms that advising people is the essence of Islam, and (2) It urges people to advise all people types, from the ruler to lay people..

Abu Hurairah narrated, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, 'There are three signs of a hypocrite ... even if he fasted, prayed, and claimed he is a Muslim.'".

Commentary : Hypocrisy has two types: (1) Doctrinal: It expels the person from Islam, for he shows Islam and conceals disbelief and (2) Practical: It does not expel the person from Islam, for he just imitates the hypocrites in their morals, which is a major sin. This hadith identifies some attributes of hypocrites by clarifying the second type of hypocrisy. This hadith is part of another hadith in which the Prophet ﷺ informed that a hypocrite has three signs: (1) He used to tell lies and fabricate unrealistic stories. Lying is to say something contrary to reality. Its greatest form is to lie to Allah, the Almighty, and His Messenger ﷺ. It also includes lying in one's acts, so the hypocrite is a liar, for he shows faith but conceals disbelief inwardly. The Prophet ﷺ indicated that lying sometimes is permissible for some overriding interests. Bukhari and Muslim narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, “He is not a liar who reconciles between people, so he conveys or says goodness.” Islam urges us to reconcile between people even if it is achieved by lying to settle quarrels and avoid feelings of hatred and enmity, (2) He used to break his promises willingly, and (3) He used to betray people's trust. He loses, betrays, and uses their trust. The Prophet ﷺ informed that whoever used to act upon these three attributes is a hypocrite even if he performs the practical acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, etc. This hadith clarifies that these qualities belong to hypocrites so whoever behaves like that resembles hypocrites. It does not mean he is a hypocrite who shows Islam and conceals disbelief, for the Prophet ﷺ did not mean that he is a hypocrite who will be eternally in the lowest degree of Hell..

Jarir narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, "If any slave escapes from his masters, he becomes an infidel till he returns to them.”.

Commentary : Islam regulated the relations between masters and slaves. It called for kindly treating slaves and urged masters to emancipate them. It also encouraged slaves to care for Allah's and their masters' rights, for their masters bought them so it does not make sense that their properties may be wasted. Islam makes obeying masters, for the sake of Allah, is one of the greatest acts of worship. In this hadith, Jarir ibn Abdullah narrated that if any slave flees from his masters, he is a disbeliever. It may mean that he denies his master's rights or behaves like disbelievers do. It may also mean that his behavior leads to disbelief. It does not mean the literal meaning of disbelief. It means that he disbelieves Allah's graces by fleeing from his master until he returns to him willingly or unwillingly. Allah neither pleases him nor accepts his righteous deeds until his return, repentance, and righteousness. The complete narration of this hadith is that Mansour ibn Abdurrahman (the hadith narrator on the authority of Amer Ash-Sha’by) said after his narration, "By Allah, it is a Prophetic hadith, but I hate that it may be narrated on my authority here in Basra.” This means that Mansour traced back this hadith to the companion but he then swore that it was the Prophet's hadith to let his knowledgeable companions know about that. He feared that his transmitted narration to the Prophet may have spread in Basra which was full of Kharijites and Mutazilites who believed that one would eternally remain in Hell due to his sins. The former added that he is a disbeliever, depending on the apparent meaning of this hadith. Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) The slave’s fleeing from his masters is a major sin that contradicts the faith's requirements of obeying them and (2) Muslim predecessors cautioned against the wrong concepts that people of heresies may deduce from the Islamic texts that may apparently support their heresies..

Jarir ibn Abdullah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, "If a slave escapes (from his master), not a single prayer will be accepted from him.”.

Commentary : The slave’s obedience to his master according to the obedience of Allah, the Almighty, is one of the greatest acts of worship. Allah organized the relations between masters and slaves. He urged masters to gently deal with them and recommended them to set them free. On the other hand, he encouraged slaves to preserve Allah's and their masters' rights. A master buys his slave with his money, so he has the right not to waste his money. In this hadith, the Prophet ﷺ confirmed that if a slave escapes from his master, "not a single prayer will be accepted from him.” This is because the slave is completely owned by his master so if he escapes, his master misses some benefits. It was said that the hadeeth refers to a slave who considers escaping lawful so he becomes a disbeliever and neither his prayer nor any other acts of worship are accepted from him. The Prophet ﷺ exclusively mentioned prayer for its greatness and virtue. It was said that the hadeeth is general and that rejecting his worship does not necessitate its invalidity. The escaped slave's prayer (who does not think that escaping is lawful) is correct, for he fulfils its pillars, but it is still unaccepted because it is associated with disobeying his master. There is no contradiction in that, for rejecting his worship means losing the reward but its validity means he is neither required to re-perform it nor he may be punished as the one used to abandon the prayer. Finally, this hadith confirms that a slave's escaping from his master is a great sin which contradicts faith's requirements commanding him to obey his master..

Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "A person who believes in Allah and the Last Day never bears a grudge against the Ansar.".

Commentary : The Ansar, the people of Medina from the Prophet's companions before his immigration, reached a high rank in Islam for their great effort in supporting Islam, sheltering the Messenger and his immigrant companions, loving him, and his love for them. They used to present all that they had for him to the extent that lots of people became their enemies due to Islam. As a result, the Prophet ﷺ urged all Muslims to love them. Moreover, he made loving them a sign of one's truthful and perfect faith and hating them is a sign of one's hypocrisy and lack of faith. In this hadith, the Prophet ﷺ informed that a person who believes in Allah and the Last Day never bears a grudge against the Ansar, for whoever knows their right, initiative to support and spread Islam, and fighting against all people in defending the prophet will definitely love them out of necessity, which is a sign of his sincere faith. On the other hand, if one hates them, it is a sign of hypocrisy and corrupted intention. Because these great people with those supreme attributes are loved by only believers and hated by only hypocrites. Whoever loves them is loved by Allah and whoever hates them is hated by Allah as in the hadith narrated in the two Sahihs. Finally, this hadith contains some lessons: (1) It shows the Ansar’s virtues, (2) It confirms that loving them is a sign of one's sincere faith while hating them is a sign of corruption or lack of faith, and (3) It calls every Muslim to give Medina's people their rights..

Ali said, "By Him Who split up the seed and created something living, it is the illiterate Prophet's promise ﷺ that he gave me that none but a believer would love me and none but a hypocrite would bear grudge against me.".

Commentary : Ali ibn Abi Taleb had great status with the Prophet ﷺ for the following reasons: (1) His father, Abu Taleb, used to support and defend the Prophet against Qureish disbelievers, (2) He is the husband of Fatema, the Prophet's daughter, his most beloved daughters, and (3) The father of Prophet's grandsons, Al-Hasan and Al-Husein. In this hadith, Ali swore in Allah Who split up the seed, placed it in the soil, and created the plant by His power. He swore in Allah Who created the men and souls. His saying, "It is the Prophet's promise ..." means a covenant. His saying, "illiterate ..." is the attribute with which the Prophet was described in the previous books and in two places in the Quran: (1) "Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel." {Al-A'raaf: 157) and (2) "So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words." {Al-A'raaf: 158) It was the Prophet's promise to Ali that he had a virtue that all believers would love him, but hypocrites would hate him. It means that if one loves and knows Ali's prestige, his closeness to the Prophet, the Prophet's love for him, and his support of Islam, it is proof of his authentic faith and truthfulness as he is doing what Allah and his Prophet please. On the contrary, if one hates him, it is proof of his hypocrisy and evil intention. It is an additional recommendation for Ali, for the Prophet ﷺ recommended us to care about his companions and follow their methods. Also, he guided us to give a high prestige to his rightly guided caliphs, including Ali. It is neither proof of Ali's specific guardianship, nor his caliphate after the Prophet's death. It may have been the Prophet's appreciation for Alai and call for Muslims to give him his considerable prestige and avoid belittling him after the Prophet's death. On the other hand, it was a sign of prophethood, for the Prophet knew that some people would go to extremes when dealing with Ali after the Prophet's death whether they would love him exaggeratedly or belittle him. As a result, he confirmed the believers' hearts would love Ali and the hypocrites' hearts would hate him..

Abdullah ibn Omar narrated, “The Messenger of Allah said, “O Women, give charity and frequently ask Allah for forgiveness, for I saw you form the majority of Hell.” A wise woman from them asked, “O Messenger of Allah, why will we form the majority of Hell?” He answered, “You frequently curse and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen someone lacking in discernment and religion more overwhelming a wise man than you.” She asked, “What is the lack of discernment and religion?” He answered, “As for the lack of discernment, the testimony of two women is equal to a man’s one. She does not pray for some days and breaks fast in the month of Ramadan. This is the lack of religion.”.

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ used to preach to women just as he did to men, ask them to protect themselves against evilness, and frequently remind them of rectify their faults. In this hadith, Abdullah ibn Omar narrated that after the Prophet ﷺ delivered his speech on the day of eid, he preached to women only, as in the narration in the Two Sahihs that Abu Saeed Al-Khudry reported that the Prophet ﷺ commanded them to give charity and ask Allah for forgiveness. He justified this matter by the fact that he knew that most of the people of Hell were women. Giving charity is a means to increase good deeds and avoid Allah's anger and punishment. When hearing so, a wise woman asked about the reason. He showed two reasons: (1) They used to frequently curse those who did not deserve it. Cursing is to supplicate Allah to expel someone from his mercy, which was a habit of women before Islam and (2) They used to be ungrateful to their husbands. He explained it in another narration in the Two Sahihs when he addressed men, "If you treated one of them kindly forever, but she later saw something (disliked) from you, she would say, 'I never saw any good from you.'" She may be ungrateful to her husband while he treats her kindly. This continuous deliberate behavior enlarges this sin to be a major one. His help, protection, sacrifice, and care should be met with her gratitude and appreciation. Allah commands us to thank whoever gives us a favor. How is it the case with a woman's husband who gives her all that he owns throughout his entire life?! Then, he ﷺ described them with three attributes: (1) A woman has the ability to affect her wise husband's decision whether it is right or wrong. What about the unwise husband? (2) A lack of discernment: This is because a man's testimony is equivalent to two women's testimony. Allah said, "... so that if one of them (two women) errs, the other can remind her." (Al-Baqarah: 282), (3) A lack of religion: This is because she does not pray for some days and breaks fast in the month of Ramadan due to her menstruation. The Prophet ﷺ did not mean to blame them for these attributes with which Allah created them but wanted to warn men against the tricks that women sometimes use. Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) A person has the right to discuss the scholar and others if he does not understand his words, (2) Encouragement of charity acts, frequent seeking of Allah’s forgiveness, and all other acts of obedience, (3) One's righteous deeds eliminate his evil deeds, (4) Some Islamic texts may call something disbelief but do not mean the disbelief in Allah such as disbelief in marital life, benevolence, grace, and truth..

Abu Hurairah narrated, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘When a son of Adam recites a verse mentioning prostration then he prostrates, the devil withdraws weeping and saying, ‘Woe to him! - in another narration, ‘Woe to me!’ - The son of Adam has been commanded to prostrate, has done so, and will be rewarded with Paradise but I have been commanded to prostrate, have refused, and will be punished with Hell.’ In another narration, ‘ … have disobeyed, and will be punished with Hell.’”.

Commentary : There are Quranic verses that one is prescribed to prostrate after reciting them, which the Prophet's noble tradition specified. It is an act of worship and a reward for those who prostrate. In this hadith, the Prophet ﷺ informed that when a Muslim prostrates after reciting this type of verse, the devil withdraws weeping due to the reward that a Muslim gets for his obedience and prostration. He is crying and saying, "Woe to him!" In another narration, "Woe to me!" It means, "Oh, my sorrow, oh my doom." He regrets his previous disobedience to Allah. The son of Adam has been commanded to prostrate, has done so, and will be rewarded with Paradise due to his obedience. On the other hand, Satan has been commanded to prostrate but has refused. In another narration, "I have disobeyed, and will be punished with Hell." He deserved to enter Hell for disobeying Allah's command. Allah says, "And [mention] when We said to the angels, 'Prostrate before Adam;' so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant ..." (Al-Baqarah: 34) He is deeply sad for some reasons: (1) His failure in luring the son of Adam to commit sins, (2) His committing a fatal sin of being arrogant to Allah's command, and (3) Muslim's being deserved to enter Paradise for his obedience, while Satan is condemned to be expelled from Allah’s mercy. Blessed are those believers whose hearts become fearful when Allah is mentioned, their faith increases when Allah's verses are recited to them, and those who trust in their God. As for what a Muslim can say during this prostration, he can say the same supplications he says during the prostration of prayer, such as glorification. Finally, this hadith contains the following lessons: (1) The virtue of prostration which is a reason for entering Paradise and (2) A Quran reciter is permissible to prostrate after reciting a verse of prostration..

Gaber said, "I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying, 'Verily, between a man and polytheism and unbelief is the abandonment of prayer.'".

Commentary : Prayer is an obligatory act for every assigned Muslim. It is the second pillar of Islam and the greatest practical pillar after monotheism testimony. In this hadith, the Messenger ﷺ strongly warned against abandoning it and confirmed that between a man and polytheism is to abandon prayer. If he abandons it out of denial of its obligation, he is unanimously a disbeliever but if he abandons it out of negligence or laziness, he is a disbeliever according to the opinion of many scholars and the consensus of the Prophet's companions. If he sometimes performs and neglects it, he is also included in the description mentioned in the hadith, which is consistent with Allah's sayings, "But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil. Except those who repent, believe and do righteousness; for those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged at all." (Maryam: 59, 60) In this verse, Allah condemned those neglecting prayer either abandoning it completely, abandoning some of its pillars and conditions, neglecting its duties, or performing it after its appointed times, etc. He condemned those being busy with their own whims and desires and preferring them to Allah's obedience and Paradise. Thus, he deserves to be punished except those who rectify their mistakes, struggle in the path of truth, regularly perform prayer, refrain from following their whims. They will enter Paradise and be saved from Hell. One has to caution against abandoning or neglecting this great worship. On the other hand, polytheism and disbelief may be used in the same sense, which is disbelief in Allah, the Almighty. There may be a distinction between them, so polytheism is specific to worshipping idols while acknowledging Allah, the Creator, like the infidels of Qureish. In this meaning, disbelief is more general than polytheism. Finally, this hadith deeply warns against abandoning or neglecting prayer..

Abdullah narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "None will enter Hell as long as he has the weight of a mustard seed of faith in his heart and none will enter Paradise as long as he has the weight of a mustard seed of arrogance in his heart.”.

Commentary : Faith is a reason for salvation from Hell and winning Paradise while arrogance is an attribute that refers to corrupted hearts and a reason for entering Hell. In this hadith, the Prophet ﷺ informed that a Muslim will neither enter Hell nor even remain there forever if his heart has the weight of a mustard seed of faith. Mustard is a plant with very small black fruits. It is a linguistic usage referring to smallness. It is Allah's great blessing that he will save the believers for their faith, even if He holds them accountable for their deeds first and admits them to Paradise by His grace and mercy. Afterward, the Prophet informed that a Muslim will not enter Paradise if his heart has the weight of a mustard seed of arrogance. Arrogance is to give oneself a high prestige that it does not deserve and belittle people. Allah is the only one that deserves this attribute. Mentioning the infinitesimal mustard seed indicates that even the slightest amount of arrogance in a Muslim's heart is a reason for not initially entering Paradise until he is held accountable for this arrogance which may necessitate punishment. Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It is proof that faith increases and decreases in hearts and (2) It forbids arrogance..

Abdullah narrated, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, 'He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of arrogance will not enter Paradise.' A man said, 'Verily, a person loves that his dress should be fine and his shoes should be fine.' The Prophet said, 'Verily, Allah is beautiful and likes beauty. Arrogance is to reject the truth and despise people.'".

Commentary : Arrogance is an attribute that indicates the corruption of hearts, which Islam forbade because it means self-aggrandizement while despising others. It is only Allah who deserves to be proud, for everyone else is His servant. In this hadith, the Prophet ﷺ explained the severe consequences of arrogance and dispelled some people’s misconceptions related to good appearance. He told us that Allah would not admit anyone to Paradise if his heart had the weight of an atom (or dust particle) of arrogance. This indicates that even the slightest bit of arrogance in one's heart is a reason for not initially entering Paradise. He should be reckoned first then will be punished or forgiven. One of the Prophet's companions thought that arrogance includes beautifying one’s clothing and appearance. So, he asked the Prophet ﷺ if a person loves that his clothes should be fine, is this considered arrogance? The Prophet ﷺ replied, "Verily, Allah is beautiful and likes beauty." He confirmed that Allah loved this manner as long as it did not lead to despising people. One's caring for his appearance is an indication of Allah's blessings upon him. Then the Prophet ﷺ clarified that the intended meaning of arrogance is to reject the truth and look down on people. So, this bad manner leads to oppress and disdain people. As a result, he will not initially enter Paradise but be punished for this great sin. Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It is forbidden to be arrogant and reject the truth, (2) Islam allows beautifying oneself by wearing beautiful clothes and shoes, (3) It proves that the name “the Beautiful” is one of Allah's names..

Book of Hadith