| Hadiths

Bukhari Hadiths 1356
Muslim Hadiths 558

Hadith

1422

Narrated Ma’n ibn Yazeed (may Allah be pleased with him): My grandfather, my father and I gave the pledge of allegiance to Allah's Messenger ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ got me engaged and then got me married. One day I went to the Prophet ﷺ with a complaint.My father set aside some dinars for charity and gave them to a man in the mosque. I went to that man and took back those dinars. He said: "I had not intended you to be given." So, we went to Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and put forth the matter before him. Heﷺ said to my father, "Yazeed, you have been rewarded for what you intended." And heﷺ said to me, "Ma'n, you are entitled to what you have taken.".

Commentary : Pledging allegiance entails the conclusion of a contract and the making of a covenant, and it is called in Arabic al-Mubaaya’ah (i.e., a word that means sales) as an analogy for making a transaction, as if everyone sold what they owned. On the part of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ; a promise of reward, and on their part of the pledgers: a commitment to obedience.
In this hadeeth, Maʿn ibn Yazeed al-Sulamee (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reports that he, his father, and grandfather al-Akhnas ibn Habeeb (may Allah be pleased with him) pledged their allegiance to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.Later on, the Prophet ﷺ proposed on behalf of Maʿn ibn Yazeed to a woman and asked the woman’s guardian for their approval for her to marry him, who in turn gave her to him (Ibn Yazeed) in marriage.
The narrator related that his father had offered the alms and placed it in the care of a man in the mosque so that he could distribute it to someone deserving of the charity. But then Maʿn went and took it and told his father about it. Afterwards, his father informed him that he had intended this alms money to go to him (Ma’n). It was said: what is meant by the alms here is: that it was a voluntary charity, and not the prescribed alms tax (zakat). The two of them quarrelled and took up the matter to the Prophet ﷺ. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ruled between them [stating] that: Yazeed will be rewarded for what he had intended to give in charity, and that Maʿn owned what he took because he was poor and belonged to the general group of the needy who were allowed to receive the alms from the deputy who is authorised to distribute it.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights that the one who offers alms [and charity] will be rewarded for what he intended, whether it finds the one who is deserving of it or not.
It shows that the son has the right to argue with his father, and it would not be out of disobedience if it was done so appropriately [i.e., with tact].
And lastly, it shows the permissibility of appointing a representative to distribute the alms and charity..

1423

Narrated AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Seven people Allah will place them under His Shade on the Day when there would be no shade but the Shade of His Throne (i.e., on the Day of Resurrection): And they are: a just ruler; a youth who grew up worshipping Allah; a person whose heart is attached to the mosques; two men who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of Allah; a man whom an extremely beautiful woman seduces (for illicit relation), but he (rejects this offer and) says: 'I fear Allah'; a man who gives in charity and conceals it (to such an extent) that the left hand does not know what the right has given; and a man who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes become tearful"..

Commentary : The Day of Resurrection is a crucial day with many terrors. It is the Day on which the sun draws near the heads of the people and its heat intensifies over them. The Messenger of Allahﷺhas given good tidings to us that Allah will place some of His servants under His shade on that day in which no other shade except for His, Exalted Be He.
In this significant hadeeth, the Messenger of Allah ﷺmentions seven kinds [of people] in his nation who will enjoy Allah’s Shade on that day in which no one else will be shaded except for those whom Allah will cover in His shade. What is meant by shade here is: the shadow of the Throne, as it is was explained in other hadeeths; one of which is related in Musnad Ahmad and Sunan al-Tirmidhee; it is reported on the authority of AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said:: “Whoever relieves [someone] from his debtor or erases their debt for him, will be under the shade of the Throne on the Day of Resurrection.” If what is meant [by this] is the shade of the Throne; then it follows that they are under the protection and honour of Allah, The Almighty.
The first of these seven [types] of people is: the just ruler. He is a just ruler over his subjects who preserves their rights, considers their interests, and rules over them with the Sacred Law of Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, and upholds the good in both religious and worldly affairs.
The second is the young man who grows up diligently worshipping his Lord and is committed to obeying His Commands and Prohibitions. The young man is specifically mentioned [here] because worship in youth is harder, more tiresome, and more difficult at this age; due to the many reasons for sin and disobedience, and the prevalence of desires; so, if he clings to worship during those time[s], it indicates the strength of his piety and the greatness of his fear in Allah.
The third is the man whose heart clings to the mosques. He is very fond of and is attached to the mosques. He visits them frequently and spends large amounts of time in them - remaining for the congregational and obligatory prayers and waits for prayer after prayer [to begin], as if his heart was a lantern of the masjid.
The fourth is: two people who love one another for the sake of Allah, and for His Pleasure and obedience, and not for a worldly purpose. They meet for His sake, and maintain this love for Allah, Glory be to Him. The narrator’s statement: “They meet and part ways for His cause” is clear: that their love for Allah is sincere at the times of their meeting and departure.
The fifth: is a man who was asked to engage in illegitimate sexual relations by a beautiful woman of noble descent, lineage, rank, and prestige, and refuses so by saying: ‘I fear Allah.’ It is possible that he only says that verbally; reprimanding her for attempting to commit adultery. Or, he says that in his heart, and his actions confirm that the fear of Allah prevents him from committing what angers Him. The reason women with status and beauty are particularly mentioned is due to the great desires in it. With this act, despite these many temptations, he has achievedthe perfect ranks of obedience and fear of Allah, The Almighty, and these are the characteristics of the righteous.
The sixth is a man who offers voluntary alms and goes to great lengths in concealing it. He covers them from everything, even from himself; so that his left hand does not know what his right one spends. Only, he ﷺ mentioned the right and left to exaggerate the concealment and secrecy in giving charity. He offered them both as examples because the right hand is close to the left, and [both] accompany one another. The meaning of the example given is: If his left hand was an alert man, he would not have known about it [the right hand and its spending]; due to the emphasis in concealing it. And this is the best [form] of charity, and the furthest from hypocrisy. Although it is prescribed to speak publicly about charity and zakat if it is free from showing off, it is intended to urge others to spend, emulate others, and make the rites of Islam known.
And the seventh is the man who remembers Allah with his tongue in seclusion or remembers with his heart: the greatness of Allah The Almighty, his eventual encounter with Him, that he is always standing in His presence, and that he is held accountable for his deeds all while he is alone, and secluded from people; because at that time, he is further away from hypocrisy. It was said: that his heart is free from paying attention to anything other than Allah, so that even if he is among people, his tears will flow out of fear in Allah, The Almighty.
These seven will only attain this grace by sincere devotion to Allah, The Almighty and fighting their desires; for the capable leader who is in power is not able to be just, except by opposing his whims. The young man who prefers to worship Allah over the calls of his youth would not be able to do so, had he not fought his desires. The man whose heart clings to the masjid encourages him to struggle against the inclinations that call him to places of pleasure. The one who secretly offers alms and charity to those on his left side would not have been able to do so had he not overcome his desires. And for those who: are called by a beautiful, noble woman and fear Allah, The Mighty and Majestic and opposed his cravings; and those who remember Allah, The Mighty and Majestic in private, with their eyes overflowing [with tears] out of fear of Him - it was only by opposing their longings that led them to that. Thus, Allah saved them from the swelter, sweat, and hardship of the situation which will manifest on the Day of Resurrection.
Seven types of people have been mentioned in this hadeeth. There are other narrations that relate and add more categories other than those mentioned here; among them is what Imam Muslim narrates from the hadeeth of Aboo al-Yasar, Kaʿb ibn ʿAmr al-Ansaaree (may Allah be pleased with him), who narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever grants a reprieve to the one in dire straits or remits his debt for him, Allah will place him under His protection.” Also: the warrior [who fights for Allah’s sake] and those who aid them, the honest merchant, and whoever assists the slave [in attaining their freedom] as it is mentioned in other narrations and hadeeths; so, this indicates that the number of those mentioned in this hadeeth doesn’t provide a limit [for the number of categories]. Likewise, the mentioning of men in this hadeeth departs from what corresponds to the preponderant position [on the issue]; [as] there is no significance to it; for women are similar to men in what is possible regarding that [i.e., being able to implement characteristics described in this narration], and the provisions of the Sacred Law are general [in applicability] for all those who are legally responsible, both male and female.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights the merits of the seven mentioned categories, and the virtue of the one who remains free from sin and devotes themself in obeying their Lord throughout his life.
It urges us to partake in righteous deeds; because they are the reasons in which the contentment of Allah, May He be Exalted, will be attained in the Hereafter.
And lastly, it highlights that one of the blessings of Allah, The Mighty and Majestic on the Day of Resurrection is being granted refuge under His protection..

1425

Narrated ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said "When a woman feeds (the poor) from her husband's house, without spending too much, she will have her reward, and her husband will be rewarded likewise because he earned it, and she will be rewarded for what she spent. The same applies to the storekeeper, without anything being detracted from their rewards.”.

Commentary : In this hadeeth, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ highlights the great status of charity and encourages people to practise it. He ﷺ clarifies the reward that a woman will receive when she gives in charity from the property of her husband, with his permission, whether his permission was explicit or implicit, if she knew that he would not mind her giving charity from his wealth. He ﷺ particularly mentions that when a woman gives in charity from thefood she keeps in house to those who are poor and needy, with the intention of charity and without that causing any harm to her household or intending to waste her husband’s wealth or causing harm to him, she will be rewarded for this spending. Likewise, her husband and the storekeeper will be rewarded since the former was the one who worked to earn it, and the latter is the one responsible for keeping the food of his master. That is to say, the husband and wife will be rewarded, and the master and his owned storekeeper will be rewarded when the wife or storekeeper does that. It is either each one of them will receive his reward in full and equallyor that each one of them will receive his own reward. The acceptable amount that can be spent in this case is that which the husband or the master usually approves and allows to be given away in charity. His approval can be at the time this happens or when he comes to know about it..

1426

Narrated AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "The best charity is that which is given out of surplus; and begin (charity) with those who are under your care.”.

Commentary : The legal system in Islam has come as a middle point between excess and neglect. One of the areas it covers is almsgiving. It dictates that the best charity - as the Prophet ﷺ reports in this hadeeth - is what a person takes out from his wealth after fulfilling the rights of himself and dependents so that the one giving alms does not become a person in need after offering his charity to someone; for this is the charity which is given out of surplus.
Then he ﷺ instructs us to begin with those who we provide for under our care. This is an indication that the spending on one’s family is better than giving charity to others because charitable almsgiving is voluntary, and adequate support (nafaqah) and maintenance for the family is obligatory. This is from the Prophetic pedagogy, and the order of prioritiesin nafaqahthat we should observe so that a person can meet the requirements necessary for his family and whoever else he is obliged to take care of. Then, he can offer alms and charity in the manner a rich person does.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is it shows that we should give precedence with spending on ourselves and our dependents because caring for them is confined to him alone, unlike the others.
It highlights that a person should not give all of what he owns in charity, and that we should begin with the most important concerns in the matters of religion.
And lastly, it shows thatspendingon one’s family and the person who provides for them is regarded as a charity if the person intended it as such..

1427

Narrated Hakeem ibn Hizaam (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Prophet ﷺ said, "The upper hand is better than the lower one (i.e., the spending hand is better than the receiving hand); and begin (charity) with those who are under your care; and the best charity is that which given out of surplus; and he who abstains from asking others [for his needs] and he who abstains from asking others for money will be made self-sufficient by Allah"..

Commentary : Islam urges almsgiving and spending [on others] for the sake of Allah and clarifies that what Allah has [or them] is more permanent than what a person puts away for himself.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ explains that the upper hand - which is the hand that spends and provides - is better and more beloved to Allah, The Mighty and Majestic than the lower hand - which is the one that requests and takes charity. Then he ﷺ instructs us to begin with ourselves and whatever family and children that we support. So, the best charity is what a person takes out from his wealth after fulfilling the rights of himself and dependents so that the one giving alms does not become a person in need after offering his charity to someone. And where he ﷺsays: This is an indication that the spending on one’s family] is better than charity because charitable almsgiving is voluntary, and adequate support (nafaqah) and maintenance for the family is obligatory. This is from the Prophetic pedagogy, and the order of prioritiesin spending that we should observe so that a person can meet the requirements necessary for his family and whoever else he is obliged to take care of. Then, he can offer alms and charity from the surplus that he still has.
Then,the Messenger of Allahﷺurges for content and self-restraint. Heﷺrelates that whoever forces himself to abstain from begging for anything or asks Allah to keep him in no need of others, Allah then will grant it to him, in that He will make him content, satisfied, and pleased with whatever He has given him.
And “and he who abstains from asking others for money”, that is to say: ‘whoever asks for wealth from Allah, Exalted be He, or he shows that he is not in need of the wealth of people and avoids begging until a person who does not know the realty of his condition considers him to be rich and self-sufficient. Then, “Allah will grant it”, in that He will fill his heart with riches so that he comes rich in his heart because affluence, in reality, is the richness of the soul.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights that we should give precedence with spending on ourselves and our dependents because caring for them is confined to him alone, unlike the others.

It highlights that a person should not give all of what he owns in charity and urges us towards lofty matters, and to abandon the ignoble.
It shows us that we should begin with the most important concerns in legal matters.
And lastly, that spending on one’s family and the person who provides for them is regarded as a charity if the person considered it as such..

1430

Narrated ‘Uqbah ibn al-Haarith (may Allah be pleased with him): Once the Prophet ﷺ offered the `Asr prayer and then hurriedly went to his house and returned immediately. I (or somebody else) asked him (as to what was the matter) and heﷺ said, "I left at home a piece of gold which was from the charity and I disliked letting it remain a night in my house, so I got it distributed.".

Commentary : It is necessary for the believing person to hasten and engage in good deeds because pitfalls may happen and thus hinder him from performing good deeds, and death can strike at any moment, and procrastination is not condemned and not praiseworthy.
In this hadeeth, ʿUqbah ibn al-Haarith (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet ﷺ was with them for the late afternoon prayer (ʿAsr), and right after he ﷺ concluded his prayer, he ﷺ rushed to get up from his place and went to his home. “It did not take him long...”, is an allusion for hurriedly departing from his house. Then, his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked him about what prompted this haste; to which the Prophet ﷺ explained to them that he ﷺ had left a tibr - which is a portion of gold before it is wrought - at his house, and this tibr was for charity. Then he ﷺ related that he disliked letting it remain at his house at night; and for that reason, he ﷺ hurried to divide it up for those who were in need.
It was said: the reason he ﷺhurried to distribute the almsis that he feared that whoever had a right to that piece of tibr would be in need of it, and [by delaying it] his right would have been held back from him that night. The Prophetﷺwas benevolent and merciful to the believers; so, heﷺ clarified the matter to his nation,in order that they follow his example and imitate him ﷺ.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights that the ruler and the scholar ought to hasten to meet the needs of the peopleand responded to them.
And lastly, it shows the permissibility for the imamto leave immediately after the prayer without sitting down [after the prayer]..

1432

Narrated Aboo Moosa al-‘Ash’aree (may Allah be pleased with him): Whenever a needy person would come to the Prophet ﷺ or he ﷺ was asked for help, he ﷺ would turn to those who were present and say, "Make intercession for him, and you will be rewarded; and Allah will carry out whatsoever He wills through His Prophet’s mouth.".

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺwas benevolent and merciful to the people and would hasten in upholding their needs and advocating for the people with truth and justice; to teach his cooperative ummah piety and cognizance of Allah.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Moosa al-Ashʿaree (May Allah be pleased with him) relates that whenever a beggar in need came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺto ask for alms; or, a person with a need came to him and asked of him to fulfil it – he ﷺ would help them with it and say, “Intercede for them, and you will be rewarded,“ that is to say: ‘You will be rewarded by Allah, The Mighty and Majestic for that.’ What is meant by intercession here is: aiding someone else in the matters of this worldly life, and in helping people in whatever is good for them in their worldly affairs. The Muslim should strive to help his fellow brother in his needs and what he asks of him, and intermediate to fulfil it so long as it is good and supports him in his religion and life, and that the need is not a sin or neglects a divine proscription [put forth by] Allah, The Almighty. As for other needs - such as granting relief for the impoverished, helping those who are in debt, and conciliating between two people who are quarrelling - so people should hasten to strive with me in addressing these issues.
Then, he ﷺ said: “and Allah will carry out whatsoever He wills through His Prophet’s mouth,” which means that whatever Allah decreed and foreordained will come to pass; so, if He decrees for a wish to come true, then it will come to pass. And if He decrees for it not to happen; then it will not manifest. Everything is by Allah’s Divine Decree and Foreordainment, and the reward for the mediator does not depend on his fulfilment of the need of the person, for he is rewarded for the mere pursuit of it all.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it encourages mediating and interceding on behalf of people and striving to meet their needs.
And lastly, it confirms Allah’s Divine Decree and Foreordainment..

1433

Narrated Asmaa’ (may Allah be pleased with her): The Prophet ﷺ said to me: Do not withhold it or it will be withheld from you.”.

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ used to guide his nation to lofty words and deeds and would preach to the people depending on their needs.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ says to Asmaa’ bint Abee Bakr (May Allah be pleased with her and her father): ‘Do not withhold [your money]’- where we can see that the verbal noun, al-’Īkaa’ for this verb in Arabic means to tie the head of a container with a wikaa’, which is a rope or string that ties it [i.e., a waterskin or bag]. So, the meaning of this statement is: ‘Don’t hoard away and withhold your money from almsgiving out of fear of it dwindling, otherwise the substance of your sustenance will be cut off from you.’
The reason for this is what is mentioned in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, where Asmaa’ (May Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet ﷺ a question about almsgiving and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I own nothing except that which al-Zubayr has left for me. May I offer the alms?” To which, he ﷺ said: “Offer it, and do not withhold it or it will be withheld from you.” In another agreed upon narration, it is reported that he ﷺ said to her: “Don’t count [it]” - where the Arabic verbal noun, al-Iḥṣaa’, for the verb used here means to have knowledge of the amount of something, whether by weight or quantity. So, the meaning of this statement is: ‘Don’t count what you are giving so that you may be increased by it and let that be a reason for it to be cut off.’ This indicates that almsgiving increases one’s wealth and can be a reason for blessing and increase. Whoever is miserly and does not give alms, Allah will withhold his sustenance from him, and prevent the blessing in his wealth and its growth.
One benefit that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it shows that being miser greed with charity and alms - especially with what is obligatory to give (zakat) - leads to destruction of wealth; so, it’s as if generosity opens the doors of sustenance, [blessing, and growth]..

1434

Narrated Asmaa’ (may Allah be pleased with her): The Prophet ﷺ said to me: Do not withhold it or it will be withheld from you, and give what little you can.”.

Commentary : The Prophetﷺ used to guide his nation to lofty words and deedsand would admonish the people depending on their needs.
In this hadeeth, Asmaa’ bint Abee Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her and her father) came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked him about giving alms. The Prophet ﷺ said to her: “Do not withhold it”, meaning: “Do not store away your wealth or refrain from spending it for the sake of Allah and offering alms with it because that would be a reason for Allah to take away its blessing, increase, and growth from reaching you.
And he ﷺ said: “Give what little you can,” meaning: ‘Spend without rendering yourself poor as long as you are able to, even if it is just a little, and do not hoard and abstain from giving alms out of fear that [your wealth] will dwindle, otherwise the substance of your sustenance will be cut off from you.’
In Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, it is related that Asmaa’ (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet ﷺ a question about almsgiving and said to him: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I own nothing except that which al-Zubayr has left for me. May I offer the alms?” To which, he ﷺ said: “Offer it, and do not withhold it [or it will be withheld] from you.” And in another agreed upon narration, it is reported that he ﷺ said to her: “Do not count [it]” - where the Arabic verbal noun, al-Ihsaa’, for the verb used here means to have knowledge of the amount of something, whether by weight or quantity. So, the meaning of this statement is: ‘Do not count what you are giving so that you may be increased by it and let that be a reason for it [i.e., the blessings] to be cut off.’
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it shows that charity and almsgiving increase wealth, and that generosity opens the doors of sustenance, blessing, and growth.
And that refraining from offering charity and alms - especially with what is obligatory to give (zakat) - leads to destruction of wealth..

1435

Narrated Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him): "`Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, 'Who amongst you remembers the statement of Allah's Messenger ﷺ about afflictions'?' I said, 'I know it as the Prophetﷺ had said it.' `Umar said, 'No doubt, you are bold. How did he say it?' I said, 'A man's afflictions (wrong deeds) concerning his wife, children and neighbours are expiated by (his) prayers, charity, and enjoining good.' (The sub-narrator Sulaymaan added that he said, 'The prayer, charity, enjoining good and forbidding evil.') `Umar said, 'I did not mean that, but I ask about that affliction which will spread like the waves of the sea.' I said, 'O Chief of the Believers! You need not be afraid of it as there is a closed door between you and it.' He asked, 'Will the door be broken or opened?' I replied, 'No, it will be broken.' He said, 'If it is broken, it will never be closed again?' I replied, 'Yes.' " Then we were afraid to ask what that door was, so we asked Masrooq to inquire, and he asked Hudhayfah regarding it. Hudhayfah said, "The door was `Umar. "We further asked Hudhaifa whether `Umar knew what that door meant. Hudhayfah replied in the affirmative and added, "He knew it as one knows that there will be a night before the tomorrow morning, and that I reported to him a hadeeth with no errors.".

Commentary : Trials and afflictions are many; some of them are easy, and others are great. The Prophet ﷺ informed us about many of the trials which will take place to serve as a warning against them and urged us to hasten in grabbing onto the ropes of salvation.
In this hadeeth, Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reports that ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him), during the era of his caliphate, asked the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) that were at his gathering at that time: ‘Which of you remembers the statements of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about the trial?’ Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) thought that ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) was asking about the particulartrial [some will face], so he replied to him by [stating] that he knew the Prophet’s ﷺ words about the trial literally and exactly as he ﷺ had said: which is: that the person will face trials with regards to their family, wealth, children, and neighbours. What is meant by it is: what evil, sorrow, and the like that befalls him in relation to them [i.e., the listed trials], his preoccupation with them while engaging in pious deeds; his negligence in upholding what is required concerning their rights, his shortcomings in matters of the religion, and what [often] tempts him from the [various] lesser misdeeds. Prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and enjoining the good and prohibiting evil expiate these misgivings. That is to say: that these specifictrials are those which afflict the Muslim because of his love for himself, his children, and his wealth, and they are expiated by righteous deeds and acts of worship. However, ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) did not mean these particular trials, but rather the afflictions which swell and surge like the sea, i.e., by which people will be unsettled, and fight one another. It is the general strife that will afflict all the Muslims.
Then Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) reassured him that if his question was about the general turmoil that will afflict all Muslims with horrors and calamities, and plunge them into wars and [conflicts of] bloodshed among them; then the Muslims today are safe from it, and that there is a strong, locked door between him and this turmoil [being spoken of]; but this door will be broken down, and violence, hardship, and bloodshed will follow. And here, ʿUmar, (may Allah be pleased with him) knew that if this door is broken, it will remain open for blood, and the wars between the Muslims would not end. The TaabiʿeeAbooWaa’il Shaqeeq ibn Salamah reported that they were afraid to ask Hudhayfah about who was the intended person being referred to as the door. So, they appointed Masrooq ibn al-Ajdaʿ to ask him about the matter. Only Masrooq dared to ask him because of his vast knowledge and high rank. Then Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) told them that the door was ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him). The word door [used here] is a metaphor for him.
The taabiʿeenasked Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) about ʿUmar’s knowledge of who was intended by this door [referenced in the hadeeth], in which, if it was broken, would lead to affliction. Then, Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) related that ʿUmar knew that he was the door [being alluded to], “as [one would know] that there is a night before the [following] morning”, that is to say: that his knowledge of that was certain, necessary, evident - just as that there is no doubt that the day you are in precedes the morrow that comes after it. He knew that the barrier between Islam and the affliction was his presence (may Allah be pleased with him); “and that I reported to him a hadeeth with no errors.” So, what ʿUmar understood and knew was only due to what Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) related to him, which was a hadeeth narrated by the Prophet ﷺ, and that it was not based on his own interpretation or opinion. And this was when the stateduring his reign was strong, and the citizens feared and loved him at the same time, and the enemies feared his power and name. But after his rule, strife had appeared, and the forces were divided, as what occurred in the turmoil in which the Caliph, ʿUthmaan ibn ʿAffaan (may Allah be pleased with him) was killed. Then, what came after that [include, but is not limited to the following]: the emergence of the Khawaarij, the fighting between ʿAlee (may Allah be pleased with him) and those who opposed him, and the appearance of [many] deviant sects whose discord has not ceased fighting even till today.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights the merit and virtue of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) and shows that good deeds are an expiation for misdeeds [and sins].
And lastly, it indicates the proper etiquette the taabiʿeen had with those who are high in rank and virtue..

1436

Narrated Hakeem ibn Hizaam (may Allah be pleased with him): “I said to Allah's Messenger ﷺ, "Before embracing Islam I used to do good deeds with the intention of drawing myself nearer to Allah like giving in charity, slave-manumitting, and the keeping of good relations with my kin. Shall I be rewarded for those deeds?" The Prophet ﷺ replied, "You became Muslim with all those good deeds (without losing their reward).".

Commentary : Verily, Allah, Glory be to He, has bestowed His bounty and favours upon His servants with whatever rewards and recompense He wills,Indeed,Allah is the Lord of infinite bounty.
In this hadeeth, Hakeem ibn Hizaam (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that he asked the Prophet ﷺ about the ruling of things that he performed in the service of Allah in the period of ignorance before Islam; some of which include: almsgiving, manumitting slaves, and maintaining good relations with kin: Will he be rewarded for those deeds? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied to him: ‘You embraced Islam with the acceptance of your previous good deeds from the past.” So, the Prophet ﷺ clarified that if the disbeliever becomes Muslim and dies upon Islam and had performed some righteous and good deeds before reverting - such as giving alms, freeing slaves, and maintaining good relations with family and relatives - then he will be rewarded for the good he did while being a disbeliever, as it is proven that every sin will be erased off him. So, he will return like his mother had bore him, [wholesome and] free of sins and misdeeds.
This is the apparent meaning of his statement: “You embraced Islam with the acceptance of what preceded [you] in goodness”: [showing] that if the disbeliever embraces Islam and dies as a Muslim, then he will be rewarded for what good he did while he was in a state of disbelief. It was said: that its meaning may have several other meanings; one of which is: that you have acquired a beautiful temperament, and benefit from it in Islam, and that habit is a preparing and assisting you to do good and righteous deeds. Another interpretation is: that it is not unlikely that he will be increased by his good deeds which he performs in Islam [i.e., as a Muslim]. And his rewards multiplied for what beautiful deeds he had done previously; so, if the disbeliever used to do good deeds, then it will be easier for him [to partake in them again in the future]. So, it is not unlikely that the rewards will increase for this.
One benefit that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it indicates that the good deeds of a disbeliever - if he embraces and passes away with Islam - will be counted for him in the Hereafter. And if he dies in a [state] of disbelief, then [all of his good deeds] will be deemed in vain and wasted..

1438

Narrated AbooMoosa (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "A trustworthy Muslim treasurer who carries out the orders of his master and pays fully what he has been ordered to give with a good heart and pays to that person to whom he was ordered to pay, is regarded as one of the two charitable persons.".

Commentary : The one who guides to the good and partakes in it will attain a great reward and recompense as the one who [actually] does it. One of the best types of goodness and pious deeds is almsgiving, and for everyone who participates in taking out alms [and distributing it to others] will be rewarded as if they, themselves, have offered the alms if they fulfil the conditions that are complied with in that [matter], as what this hadeeth clarifies; where the Prophetﷺmentions that the Muslim treasurer who is responsible to his master for his vaults and entrusted to preserve and store food, wealth, and other things. If this treasurer, who honours his duty towards his master and whoever entrusts him to safeguard their money, was ordered to take out the alms and distribute it, then he would give out in full, with a good heart, to those deserving of it; he would have obtained a reward similar to the one who donated the alms [directly], as if he had offered it the alms himself, [instead of just distributing it].

He ﷺ stipulated that the reward is given to the treasurer if he gives the alms complete [and in full], and that he does this while being kind, and not be envious of the one who gave it to him [i.e., the donation to distribute]; lest he loses the intention and misses the reward, which are necessary, so he be eligible for the reward. This reward will not be offered to the treasurer who abuses the authority that was given to him and thus withhold the alms that the owner of wealth approved, according to his whims, or if he gives it to them with an unpleasant heart. Sometimes he gives them the alms with a kind of reproach and reprimand. This is something which should not be done because it does not correspond to the legitimate purpose of almsgiving and doing the good to which was entrusted to them. Not to mention the loss of their rewards and blessings with Allah, The Almighty.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it serves as an indication for the merits of trustworthiness and fulfilling what one had been entrusted with and not to be negligent in that.
And lastly, it highlights the evidence of cooperation in righteousness and piety is decreed for those who aid [and participate in the process]] is similar to what is decreed for the one who did [the act themselves], and this is the grace of Allah that He bestows upon whomever He wills..

1442

Narrated AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Every morning, two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, 'O Allah! Compensate every person who spends [in Your Cause],' and the other angel says, 'O Allah! Bring destruction to [the wealth of] every miser.' ".

Commentary : The treasures and bounties of Allah - May He be Glorified - never deplete. He has urged His servants to spend and offer goodness, and not to calculate or take into account the amount in what they spent [in charity], and has promised them with a recompense of blessing, and that they will be requited with a great reward for spending on His behalf.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ urged for offering alms and spending on charitable causes and clarified the beautiful reward for [doing] that. And he ﷺ warned of the miser and withholding [one’s wealth] and shows its bad outcome. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ reports that every day when the servant awakes, until the Hour of the Resurrection; Allah sends down two venerable angels from the heavens. One of them supplicates for Allah to give back to the almsgiver who spends on charitable and righteous causes, in return for what he spent and gave. And the other angel will supplicate for Allah to give to the withholding miser the ruination of his wealth, or [to] destroy him and for his wealth to vanish. It is well-known that the supplications of the angels are answered; so, this is a promise of ease for the one who spends for charitable purposes, and a threat of difficulty for the miser who withholds and hoards his wealth.
It was said that: praiseworthy spending is what is put forward in acts of worship (zakat), and that which is spent on dependants, guests, and voluntary charity; and that it is done so out of kindness and comes from a wholesome and lawful earning. But the one who refrains from spending his wealth in that which is recommended in religion is not worthy of this supplication [i.e., the one offered by the first angel] since reprehensible greediness overcomes him, in such a matter that he will not be pleasant with taking out from his wealth the right [of others] which is incumbent upon him, even if he takes it out and offers it. Also, the supplication for the one who spends is general, in that Allah will compensate him for it in this world or in the Hereafter. As for the supplication which calls for ruin, it is possible that it means to destroys the source of the wealth, or the owner of the wealth himself. What is meant by it is that [his] righteous deeds will vanish due to being preoccupied with others [and his vain self-interests].
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it urges us to spend in what is mandatory, such as spending on one’s family, and maintaining good relations with kin and kith; and voluntary and obligatory contributions are included in this.
And lastly, it shows us that the miser who withholds [and hoards his money] deserves to have his wealth ruined..

1443

Narrated AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard the Prophet ﷺ say, "The example of an almsgiver and a miser is like the example of two persons who have two iron cloaks on them from their breasts to their collar bones, and when the almsgiver wants to give in charity, the cloak becomes capacious till it covers his whole body to such an extent that it hides his fingertips and covers his footprints (obliterates his tracks). And when the miser wants to spend, it (the iron cloak) sticks and every ring gets stuck to its place and he tries to widen it, but it did not become wide.” The part of the two iron clocks is also narrated through al-Hasan ibn Muslim from Ta’woos. Handhalah related from Ta’woos that it is two gardens (instead of two cloaks). Al-Layth said: Ja’far narrated to me from Ibn Hirmiz that he heard AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) say that the Prophet ﷺ mentioned “two gardens.”.

Commentary : The charity and alms which a person takes from his wealth for righteous purposes after upholding the rights of himself and his dependents so that the one giving alms does not become a person in need after offering his charity to someone, is one of the best acts of obedience, and greatest pious deeds which is pleasing to Allah, The Almighty. It has laudable consequences in this world and in the Hereafter, whereas miserliness and greed are the opposite of the aforementioned; so, their consequences are disastrous in this world and the Hereafter.
In this hadeeth, The Prophet ﷺ gave a parable regarding the miser and charitable almsgiver, where he ﷺ likens them to two men wearing jubbahs, woven of iron. The jubbah is similar to the cloak, which is worn over other clothes. This garment (as worn by the two men presented in the example of the Prophet ﷺ) went from their breast [down] to where are the two bones at the top of the chest that point towards the side[s] of the mouth, located between the gap of the upper chest and neck [i.e., collarbones]. This is a reference as to how small the jubbah was for [both] the charitable person and miser. So, the one who spends charitably is given a gift when the jubbah worn by him became long and abundant (due to his almsgiving); i.e., it increased in size and length upon him, or “became plentiful over his skin,” and immersed his body “to the point that it covers his fingertips,” meaning: that it became long and flowed over him until it covered his entire body.
“And eliminates his tracks”, i.e., it erases the steps that he takes [as he walks]. This is an explanation for the incredible length of the garment on its owner. As for the miser, every time he refrains from giving alms and stops spending, his jubbah will tighten on him until every ring clings to his skin. He will try to stretch it out with his hand while it is very tight, but it will not widen to release its grip.
What is intended by this parable that if the generous are devoted to almsgiving, his chest will be widened by it, and his soul will become pleasant; and will thus amplify in his spending [and giving charity]. And the miser, if he talks to himself about almsgiving, will become stingy. Then his chest will narrow, and his hands will be clenched. It was said: it means that if the one who spends does so charitably, the alms will expiate his sins and wipe them away, just as the jubbah when it enshrouded him abundantly, concealed him, and safeguarded him [from harm]. The miser does not even obey himself in offering charity, so his offenses will remain uncovered and exposed.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights that every time the one who offers alms extends his hand with goodness, Allah extends His grace to him so that He will repay him multiple times over what he spent for His sake. And every time the miser clenches his hands, Allah constricts him, and fills his heart with the fear of becoming poor, and despair of recovering that which he spent..

1445

Narrated AbooMoosa (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said: Every Muslim has to give in charity." The people asked, "O Allah's Prophet! If someone has nothing to give, what will he do?" He said, "He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns)." The people further asked, "What should he do if he cannot find even that?" He replied, "He should help the needy who appeal for help." The people then asked, "What should he do if he cannot do that?" He replied, "Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds and this will be regarded as charitable deeds.".

Commentary : The charity and alms which a person takes from his wealth for righteous purposes after upholding the rights of himself and his dependents is one of the best acts of obedience, and greatest pious deeds which is pleasing to Allah, The Almighty. Charity doesn’t only [come in the form] of money. Rather, it can [include] helping [others] to do good and preventing evil as well; as what is shown in this hadeeth, where the Prophet ﷺ clarifies that it is incumbent upon every Muslim to offer charity voluntarily because charity without the obligatory zakat is a mandatory duty of every Muslim to offer it as a recommended act [of worship], regardless of his circumstances and conditions. So, whoever is poor and does not own any money to give in charity, let him work with his own hands until he is able to acquire [enough] to benefit himself, by spending it on himself [for his needs], his family, and those who depend on him, and whatever is extra is offered in charity to others.
If he does not find any money to offer in charity, then he assists anyone who is troubled and in need - which is the one who is helpless or oppressed. Likewise, everyone who has experienced a calamity and seeks help for it.
“And if he does not find [them]”, that is to say: if he is not able to help anyone with their need[s], then let him perform righteous deeds, perform physical, supererogatory physical acts of worship, [such as]: prayer, fasting, reciting the Quran, and more. Let him [also] abstain from sin, and avoid that which is prohibited, [like]: backbiting, slander, lying, and spread ant evil or harm to the servants (Muslims); because doing the good and abstaining from evil has the reward of almsgiving.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights that charity is required of every Muslim, whether they be rich or poor, each one according to their best of ability.
And that if good deeds are accompanied with a good intention, it can take the place of almsgiving with regards to the rewards, especially for those who are not able to offer alms.
It shows that charity that is given by those who are able to do so is better than all other deeds restricted to the person who is doing it.
It provides a proof for who stated that refraining from an action is considered a deed that people will be judged about it.
It shows the merits of earning a living because of what potentials it offers in helping and offering oneself to others [in service].
And lastly, it shows us that the doors that open to goodness are many, and the path to pleasing Allah is not absent..

896

Anas reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed for rain pointing the back of his hands to the sky..

Commentary : It was part of the Prophet's practice to implore Allah Almighty and show humility to Him in all his worship, particularly in supplication. This includes his practice in the Istisqā’ prayer (rain-seeking prayer), his display of humbleness to his Lord at the time of afflictions, like famine, and during supplication for the removal of affliction.
In this Hadīth, Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that "the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed for rain," i.e., supplicated and asked for water and rainfall from Allah Almighty at the time of famine and drought. "pointing the back of his hands to the sky," i.e., the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) turned his hands and pointed their backs towards the sky, contrary to his usual practice in supplication, as he would point his palms. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did that with optimism that the situation may change to the opposite, likewise when he turned his apparel upside down for seeking rain, as authenticated in the Two Sahih Collections.
It is reported in the Two Sahīh Collections that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to raise his hands in supplication until the whiteness of his armpit would be visible due to his extreme earnestness in supplicating, imploring, and begging Allah Almighty, for earnestly imploring Allah Almighty and supplicating to Him is one of the greatest means for removing affliction and hardship..

898

Anas reported: It rained while we were with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) lifted his garment so the rain fell on him. We said: O Messenger of Allah, why did you do this? He said: Because it has recently been with its Almighty Lord..

Commentary : Allah has created the creation and has made some of His creatures, like rainwater, a cause of benefit and blessing for human beings. Allah Almighty says: {And We send down from the sky blessed rain, with which We cause to grow gardens and grain for harvest.} [Surat Qāf: 9] Allah Almighty also says: {And We send down from the sky pure water.} [Surat al-Furqān: 48]
In this Hadīth, Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that once it rained when they were with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), who removed and lifted his garment revealing part of his body to be wetted with the rainwater falling from the sky. They asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "Why did you do this?" A question asked by the Companions to know and learn the rationale behind the Prophet's act, as it was a new act practised by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) during rainfall, and all his acts are a Sunnah to be followed. His answer to their question was by mentioning the reason, saying: "Because it has recently been with its Almighty Lord," i.e., it has descended from between the sky and earth, as Allah Almighty says: {And clouds between the sky and earth.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 164] Its Lord has recently formed it, and it is sustenance and mercy. Allah Almighty has called it "mercy", "blessed", and "pure" and has made it a means of life and a means for avoiding punishment.
The Hadīth highlights the act of revealing the body - apart from the ‘Awrah (must-cover body parts) - during the fall of rain to fall on the body directly.
It also indicates that the less qualified person should ask the more qualified one about what he sees him doing if he does not know it to learn it and, thus, apply it and teach it to others..

904

Jābir reported: The sun eclipsed during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on the very day Ibrāhīm, the Prophet's son, died. The people said that it eclipsed on account of Ibrāhīm's death. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stood up and led the people in prayer, performing six bowings and four prostrations. He started by making Takbīr (saying: Allāhu Akbar). He then recited and lengthened the recitation, then bowed nearly as long as he stood, then raised his head from Rukū '(bowing) and recited, but it was a shorter recitation than the first one. He then bowed nearly as long as he stood, then raised his head from Rukū 'and recited, but it was a shorter recitation than the second one. Then, he bowed nearly as long as he stood, then raised his head from Rukū '. Then, he fell into prostration and made two prostrations. Then, he stood up and again made three bowings, each of which was shorter than the preceding one and longer than the following one. His Rukū 'was nearly the same length as his Sujūd (prostration). Then, he stepped back, and the rows behind him stepped back as well until we reached the extreme - [another version reads]: until he reached the women. Then, he stepped forward, and the people stepped forward along with him until he stood in his place. When he finished, the sun was bright. He said: O people, the sun and the moon are but two of Allah's signs, and they are not eclipsed on account of anyone's death - [another version reads]: on account of a human's death. So, when you see anything of this, offer prayer until darkness disappears. There is nothing of what you have been promised except that I saw it in this prayer of mine. Hellfire was brought, and that was when you saw me stepping back for fear of being affected by its heat, and I saw therein the owner of the curved staff dragging his intestines in the Fire. He used to steal the pilgrim with his curved staff. If he became aware, he would say: It got (accidentally) entangled in my curved staff, but if he was unaware of that, he would take that away. I also saw the cat owner who tied it without feeding it or letting it eat from the vermin of the earth until it died out of hunger. Then, Paradise was brought, and that was when you saw me stepping forward until I stood in my place, and I stretched my hand wanting to catch some of its fruits so you may see it, but it seemed to me that I should not do so. Nothing you have been promised except that I saw in this prayer of mine..

Commentary : The sun and the moon are two of Allah's great signs. Their rotation and their succession denote the perfection of Allah's making. The occurrence of lunar and solar eclipses entails fear of their obliteration and the occurrence of the Day of Judgment, which necessitates returning to Allah and resorting to Him through prayer and supplication, and this was the usual practice and the habit of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) narrates that the sun eclipsed during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) on the day his son Ibrāhīm, whose mother was Māriyah al-Qibtiyyah, died. He was born in 8 AH and died in 10 AH when he was eighteen months old. A solar eclipse occurs when all the sunlight or part of it disappears. People started saying that it eclipsed on account of the death of Ibrāhīm, the Prophet's son, which was a common belief among them during the pre-Islamic era of ignorance. On seeing the solar eclipse, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stood up and led the people in a two-Rak'ah prayer with three bowings and two prostrations. His recitation in his first standing was longer than in the second one, and his recitation in the second standing was longer than in the third one, and his bowing was nearly as long as his standing.
During the prayer, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stepped back. The rows behind him stepped back as well, i.e., he was moving backwards, and the men's rows behind him were moving backwards like him while maintaining their status in prayer until reaching the women's rows behind them. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) moved forward, and the people moved forward along with him until he returned to his first place. Then, he finished the prayer and "the sun was bright," i.e., it returned to its former state and became bright and luminous again. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), then, said: "O people, the sun and the moon are but two of Allah's signs," i.e., two signs with which He frightens His slaves, "and they are not eclipsed on account of anyone's death". Another version reads: "On account of a human's death". They are two subservient creatures that have no control over anything and have no ability to ward anything off themselves. This includes a reply to what some people mistakenly thought about the solar eclipse taking place because of the death of Ibrāhīm, the Prophet's son. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified to them that the solar eclipse is not caused by the death of any of the people on earth. "So, when you see anything of this," i.e., the eclipse, "offer prayer until the darkness goes away," i.e., the sun, and reappears when the eclipse is being removed. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), then, said to them: "There is nothing of what you have been promised," i.e., nothing of what you have been promised to witness of Paradise, Hellfire, and other situations of the Day of Judgment "except that I saw it in this prayer of mine". Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified to them the reason why he stepped back while praying and said: "Hellfire was brought," i.e. brought forward, "and that was when you saw me stepping back, for fear of being affected by its heat," i.e., its flame and its heat, and I saw in the fire the owner of the Mihjan (curved staff). Mihjan: a staff with a crooked top, and it is said: a long wood with a jagged piece of iron on the top; and the owner of the curved staff was dragging his Qusb, i.e., dragging his intestines, which were extending out of his belly, in the Fire. He used to steal the pilgrims' belongings with his curved staff in worldly life. If his act were noticed and detected, he would say: This stolen thing got accidentally entangled in my curved staff, and if his act went unnoticed and unknown and nobody saw him, he would get away with what he stole with his curved staff.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also informed them that he saw in Hellfire, the owner of the cat, i.e., a woman from the children of Israel who locked up a cat and tied it without feeding it or letting it eat from the vermin of the earth, i.e., its pests and insects, until the cat died out of hunger.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) then informed them that Paradise was brought to him, and that was when they saw him returning to the first position from which he stepped back, stretching his hand, wanting to take one of its fruits so that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would look at it. Then, it seemed to him that he should not do so. Once again, he confirmed and repeated what he had previously said that nothing of what they had been promised to witness of Paradise, Hellfire, and other situations of the Day of Judgment except that he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw in this prayer of his.
It is said: The famous opinion regarding the manner of the Eclipse prayer is that it is two Rak‘ahs, and in each Rak‘ah, there are two incidents of standing, two recitations, and two bowings, and as for Sujūd, there are two prostrations like in other Rak‘ahs, whether the eclipse lasts for a long time or not.
What causes the solar and lunar eclipse is the fact that the moon is a dark body that derives its light from the sunlight, like a mirror that reflects the light falling upon it, making the viewer imagine that it is luminous, and the same applies to the earth. According to the universal law that Allah has set, the earth sometimes falls between the sun and the moon, blocking the sunlight from the whole or part of the moon, and the moon sometimes falls between the sun and the earth, blocking the sunlight from the vision of the people living on a particular area of the earth. Because of this, the people on earth witness the solar and lunar eclipse phenomenon.
The Hadīth clarifies the manner of performing the Eclipse prayer and the fact that it is to be performed in a congregation.
It also emphasizes the act of hastening to obey Allah Almighty on the occurrence of what results in fear and caution and seeking to ward off the affliction by remembering Allah Almighty, glorifying Him, and offering Him various acts of obedience.
It also sheds light on the Prophet's evident miracle and how he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to advise his Ummah, teach them what is beneficial to them, and warn them against what is harmful to them.
It also includes a warning against torturing animals.
It points out that Paradise and Hellfire are two places that currently exist..

905

‘Urwah reported: Do not say: Kasafat ash-Shams (the sun eclipsed); instead, say: Khasafat ash-Shams (the sun blackened)..

Commentary : In this tradition, the Tābi‘i Muhammad ibn Muslim az-Zuhri narrates that the Tābi‘i ‘Urwah ibn az-Zubayr (may Allah have mercy upon him) used to believe that the correct thing to say is: Khasafat ash-Shams, and that it is incorrect to say: Kasafat ash-Shams. The Qur’an reads: {And the moon is darkened, and the sun and the moon are brought together.} [Surat al-Qiyāmah: 8-9] It is said: Khusūf (occultation) covers everything, but Kusūf (eclipse) covers some, and it is for the sun.
Both words - Kusūf and Khusūf - were mentioned in authentic Hadīths about the sun, and the scholars' famous usage of these words is using "Kusūf" for the sun and "Khusūf" for the moon.
What ‘Urwah said is his personal opinion, and it is linguistically acceptable to say: the sun and the moon "kasafat", "kusifa", "inkasafa", "khasafa", "khusifa", and "inkhasafa".
What causes the solar and lunar eclipse is the fact that the moon is a dark body that derives its light from the sunlight, like a mirror that reflects the light falling upon it, making the viewer imagine that it is luminous, and the same applies to the earth. Had it not been for the universal law that Allah has set that the earth sometimes falls between the sun and the moon, blocking the sunlight from the whole or part of the moon, and the moon sometimes falls between the sun and the earth, blocking the sunlight from the vision of the people living on a particular area of the earth, the phenomenon of the solar and lunar eclipse would not have occurred to the people on earth..

909

Ibn ‘Abbās reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed when there was an eclipse. He recited and then bowed. He again recited and again bowed. He again recited and again bowed and again recited and again bowed and then prostrated. He said: The second Rak'ah was similar to this..

Commentary : This Hadīth is one of the authentic narrations reported from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) concerning the manner of performing the Solar Eclipse prayer. All the narrations describe one of the Prophet's states what he used to do at the time of such a calamity and how he used to offer prayer to Allah Almighty until the distress would be relieved. 'Abdullah ibn' Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reports the manner of the Prophet's prayer when the sun eclipsed and when its light totally or partially disappeared from the earth. He reported that when the sun eclipsed, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed two Rak'ahs (units of prayer), reciting four times in each Rak'ah and bowing four times and prostrating two times in each Rak'ah. These two prostrations would come after the fourth bowing.
What is reported here about the manner of the Eclipse prayer is that it is a two-Rak‘ah prayer, and each Rak‘ah has four bowings and two prostrations.
It is said: The famous opinion regarding the manner of the Eclipse prayer is that it is two Rak‘ahs, and in each Rak‘ah, there are two incidents of standing, two recitations, and two bowings. As for Sujūd, there are two prostrations like in other Rak‘ahs, whether the eclipse lasts for a long time or not.
What causes the solar and lunar eclipse is the fact that the moon is a dark body that derives its light from the sunlight, like a mirror that reflects the light falling upon it, making the viewer imagine that it is luminous, and the same applies to the earth. According to the universal law that Allah has set, the earth sometimes falls between the sun and the moon, blocking the sunlight from the whole or part of the moon, and the moon sometimes falls between the sun and the earth, blocking the sunlight from the vision of the people living on a particular area of the earth. Because of this, the people on earth witness the solar and lunar eclipse phenomenon..

913

‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Samurah reported: I was shooting my arrows during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when an eclipse of the sun took place. I, therefore, threw them away and said: I must see how the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) acts during the solar eclipse today. When I came to him, he was raising his hands while supplicating, saying Takbīr: Allāhu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), Tahmīd: Alhamdulillāh (praise be to Allah), and Tahlīl: La ilāha illallāh (there is no god but Allah) until the sun became bright. Then, he recited two Surahs and prayed two Rak'ahs (units of prayer)..

916

Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Prompt those of you who die to say: There is no god but Allah.".

Commentary : This Hadīth shows the Prophet's care for his Ummah and his keenness to direct them to every word and deed that benefits them, even at the time of death. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered that the Muslims prompt those of them who die to say the word of Tawhīd. "Lā ilāha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah). They should say it to anyone suffering the throes of death and repeat it near him so that he may say it. Thus, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) directs his Ummah to the significance of the word of Tawhīd in life and at the time of death. This is because it is this word that makes the blood of anyone who utters it inviolable in this word. If a person who is at the doorstep of the Hereafter says it, it is hoped that it will protect him from the punishment of the Hereafter, as it protected him from the worldly punishment, and for it to be the last speech he says in this world, and because, "he whose last words are 'there is no god but Allah' will enter Paradise." Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and reported by Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him).
Prompting a person who dies to say this word is something recommended; however, it is disliked pressing him and keep saying it to him in a successive manner, lest he may get bored due to the tough condition and hardship he is suffering, and thus he may dislike that in his heart and utter improper words.
In the Hadīth: We should be around the person who dies so as to remind him, keep his company, and fulfill his rights..

918

Umm Salamah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "No Muslim suffers a calamity and says what Allah commanded him: {We belong to Allah, and to Him we will return} [Surat al-Baqarah: 156], O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than that in exchange for it, except that Allah will give him something better than that in exchange." When Abu Salama died, I said: "Which of the Muslims is better than Abu Salamah? His family was the first to immigrate to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)." I then said the words, and Allah gave me the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in exchange. She said: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent Hātib ibn Abi Balta‘ah to deliver me the message of marriage with him. I said to him: "I have a daughter, and I am jealous." He said: "As for her daughter, we will supplicate to Allah to make her in no need for her, and I will supplicate to Allah to make the jealousy go away.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach his Ummah to be resigned to Allah Almighty if a calamity strikes them and to resort to His power and strength, Exalted be He, for He is the One Who predestined everything and from Whom compensation comes.
In this Hadīth, Umm Salamah, the mother of the believers (may Allah be pleased with her), says that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No Muslim suffers a calamity," this refers to any disaster whatsoever, great, or small, involving something unpleasant that happens to someone in himself, his family, his wealth, etc. "and says what Allah commanded him: {We belong to Allah, and to Him we will return.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 156]" In other words, we and all that is attributed to us do belong to Allah by way of ownership and creation, and we will return to Him in the Hereafter. This statement should be accompanied by patience and a lack of despondency. Then, the afflicted person should supplicate, saying: "O Allah, reward me," i.e., grant me the reward and recompense "for my affliction, and give me something better than that in exchange for it," i.e., give me a substitute for what I lost due to this affliction and make the substitute better than the lost thing.
Whoever says that his reward is that Allah will give him something better in exchange for what he lost in this affliction of his. Another version by Muslim has this addition: "except that Allah will give the reward for his affliction." Allah will record his reward for that.
Then, Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) mentioned that when her husband Abu Salamah ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abd al-Asad al-Makhzūmi (may Allah be pleased with him) died, she seemed to have remembered the Prophet's instruction, but she thought to herself or uttered it in wonder: "Which of the Muslims is better than Abu Salamah?!" She wondered at how to apply the Prophet's statement "except that Allah will give him something better than that in exchange" to her disaster, given her reverence for Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him). At the root of her wonder lay her belief that none was better than Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him), and she would not expect that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) might marry her, for he was outside this general categorization. Then, clarifying why Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) was meritorious, she said that "his family was the first to immigrate to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)." So, he was the first to immigrate along with his family and dependents. After her wonder, she complied with the command of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him); "I then said the words," i.e., the phrase "we belong to Allah, and to Him we will return" and the subsequent supplication. So, she said that Allah Almighty gave her the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in exchange, by making her his wife. Thus, he constituted better compensation for her than her husband Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him).
Then, Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned how she was engaged to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and what she asked for. She said that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent Hātib ibn Abi Balta‘ah (may Allah be pleased with him) to propose marriage to her on his behalf. Apologizing to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) out of fear that she may not fulfill his rights, she said that she had a daughter, namely Zaynab bint Abi Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), who was young at the time and still under her care. She also stated that she was very jealous. These two things have their effect on the discharge of marital duties, leading to non-fulfillment of them. Also, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had other wives before her, and her extreme jealousy would make her unable to get together with the other wives. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "As for her daughter, we will supplicate to Allah to make her in no need for her," i.e., to make the daughter in no need for her mother as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would take care of her, or that she would find someone to take care of her from among her relatives, or that Allah will make her in no need for suckling from her mother, as the girl was an infant. "and I will supplicate to Allah to make the jealousy go away." By virtue of the blessing of the Prophet's supplication, jealousy went away from her heart, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) married her.
In the Hadīth: We are enjoined to endure afflictions patiently and avoid despondency.
And in it: We should turn to Allah with supplication at the time of disasters, for the compensation comes from Him.
And in it: A believer must comply with the Prophet's commands, even if the wisdom behind them is not clear to him..

919

’Umm Salamah reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: When you visit a sick or dead person, say good things, for the angels say "Amen" to whatever you say. She said: When Abu Salamah died, I came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah, Abu Salamah died. He said: Say: O Allah, forgive me and him and compensate me with someone better than him. She said: So, I said this, and Allah compensated me with someone better for me than him; Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach his Ummah to resign to Allah Almighty if a calamity strikes them and to resort to His power and strength, Exalted be He, for He is the One Who predestined everything and from Whom compensation comes.
In this Hadīth, the Mother of the Believers ’Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When you visit a sick or dead person, say good things." The command here is meant to discipline and teach people what to say when visiting a dead person, i.e., a dying person or a sick person on his deathbed. Supplication is to be made for the ill person, asking Allah to cure him, and for the dead person, asking Allah to have mercy on him and forgive him. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) justified this saying that the angels who are present with the afflicted person - like the angel of death and his aids, or other angels in general - say "Amen" to whatever is said by the people who are present. They say: Āmīn, which means: O Allah, answer the supplication. The angels' supplication is readily answered; hence, one must not supplicate with something that could harm him or others.
Then, ’Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that when her husband Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) died - and he was her husband before the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) - she went to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and informed him of the death of her husband Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) expressing her pain and grief about him, not telling the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) of her husband's death, for it was reported in Sahīh Muslim Collection that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) attended the death of Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him).
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) guided and advised her to supplicate Allah, resign to Him, and ask Him for a compensation better than him by saying: "O Allah, forgive me and him," asking forgiveness for her sins and those of her departed one. "And compensate me with someone better than him," i.e., grant me a good compensation and a better substitute. She then reported that Allah Almighty answered her supplication and granted her a better substitute, as the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) married her.
The Hadīth clarifies that the angels are present with the sick person and say "Amen" to whatever supplication is made by people therein..

920

’Umm Salamah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered upon Abu Salamah while his eyes were fixedly open, so he closed them and then said: When the soul is taken away, the sight follows it. Some people from his family clamored, so he said: Do not supplicate for yourselves except with what is good, for the angels say "Amen" to whatever you say. Then, he added: O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah and raise his degree among rightly guided people, be his successor in his descendants who remain. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the worlds, make his grave spacious for him and grant him light therein. [Another version quoted]: a similar Hadīth; however, he said: Be his successor in his legacy; and he said: O Allah, make his grave wide for him, and did not say: Make his grave spacious for him..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was a teacher and a mentor as he used to teach Muslims and educate them on adopting patience during the calamity of a close or a dear person's death. He taught us what to say, what supplication to recite, and how we should avoid screaming and indecent words when someone is dying.
This Hadīth represents a practical incident, as the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was there with Abu Salamah ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abd al-Asad al-Makhzūmi (may Allah be pleased with him) when he was on his deathbed. ’Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) - the wife of Abu Salamah at that time - narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered upon Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) - as it was the Prophet's habit to visit the sick - "while his eyes were fixedly open," i.e., his eyes were kept wide open after his soul had departed to its Creator, and he remained with his eyes fixed. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), thus, realized that he had died. So, he closed Abu Salamah's eyes to avoid appearing ugly. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When the soul is taken away, the sight follows it." Perhaps this was the cause for closing his eyes as if he was saying: I closed his eyes because when the soul leaves the body, the sight follows it in leaving, so it is useless to keep his eyes open, or it could be a clarification of the cause why his eyes were open. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) closed the eyes of Abu Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him) and made that statement, the attendees became certain about his death. "Some people from his family clamored," i.e., some people from Abu Salamah's family cried loudly and wailed. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade them from saying anything indecent and ordered them to say what is good and supplicate with what is good, and said: "Do not supplicate for yourselves except with what is good." This refers to forbidding them from clamoring as if they said: O woe to us! What a disaster! So, he forbade them from this, not crying out for destruction, death, and similar things, which was a pre-Islamic practice; rather, saying good things like invoking forgiveness and mercy upon the dead person and saying the Prophet's supplication, which will be mentioned later, for Abu Salamah. Moreover, one should supplicate for himself with what is good and say what the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) advised us to say: "Allāhumma ajirni fi musībati wakhluf li khayran minha (O Allah, reward me for my calamity and give me something better in place of it), after saying: We belong to Allah, and to Him we will return.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) justified this by saying that the angels say "Amen" to supplication, whether for good or evil. They say: Āmīn (O Allah, answer this supplication), which is likely to make the supplication accepted as the angels' supplication is undoubtedly answered. Hence, it is not permissible to supplicate for what could bring him or others any harm. What is meant by the "angels" here is the Angel of death and his aids, or the angels in general who are present when someone is dying. This is part of how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) disciplines and teaches his Ummah what to say when someone dies.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) supplicated for Abu Salamah saying: "O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah," i.e., erase his sins and misdeeds. "And raise his degree among those who are rightly guided," i.e., O Allah, let him be with those whom You have previously guided to Islam and to emigrate to the best among people; or it means: O Allah, let him be with those whom You have guided and who obtained the high degrees in Paradise. And " be his successor in his descendants," i.e., be his successor in managing his affairs and maintaining the interests of his family and children and do not leave them to anyone but You. Another version reads: "Be his successor in his legacy," which he left behind after his death, "who remain," i.e., who remain among the living. "And make his grave spacious for him," which was interpreted by the version that reads: "O Allah, make his grave wide for him," i.e., make his grave extremely wide, which is part of the believer's delight in the grave since the grave is either widened or narrowed for its dweller. "And grant him light therein," i.e., in his grave and ward off the darkness from him, which is another aspect of the bliss that the believer experiences.
The Hadīth shows that the dead person's eyes should be closed.
It also guides to adopt patience and say what is good when the calamity of death strikes.
It also clarifies that supplication should be made for the dead person, his family, and his descendants concerning the Hereafter and worldly affairs.
It also signifies that the dead person finds joy or torment in his grave.
Moreover, it teaches what Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and supplication should be said at the moment of dying, saying what is good and making Istirjā ', which is saying: Inna lillāhi wa inna ilayhi rāj‘ūn (We belong to Allah, and Him we will return), besides supplicating for whoever will succeed him. So, it is a must to follow the Prophet's example.
It also points out the presence of angels with the sick and dead person and that they say "Amen" to whatever supplication is made therein.
Finally, it clarifies that the angels' supplication is answered and not rejected..

921

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Did you not see when a person dies, his eyes become fixedly open?" They said: 'Yes.' He said: "This is when his eyesight follows his soul.".

Commentary : This Hadīth contains clarification and explanation by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about a general condition, namely the staring of the eyes of dying people after the departure of their souls. In explanation of this condition, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said that the eyesight follows the soul. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them): "Did you not see when a person dies, his eyes become fixedly open?" i.e., his eyesight goes upwards and does not turn back, and it remains open and wide. This question denotes affirmation of the condition that people know to happen upon death. They replied to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) that this is what actually occurs. So, he said: "This is when his eyesight follows his soul," i.e., he looks at his soul as it ascends to heaven with the angels. Muslim narrated in his Sahīh Collection that Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to Abu Salamah while his eyes were fixedly open, and he closed them. This is to prevent the appearance of the deceased person from turning ugly. So, his eyes must be closed after the departure of the soul, as the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) closed the eyes of Abu Salamah..

922

’Umm Salamah reported: When Abu Salamah died, I said: A stranger and in a strange land, I shall, indeed, weep for him in a manner which would be talked of. I was prepared to weep for him when a woman from the Sa‘īd (upper side of the city) came intending to assist me. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) received her and said: Do you want to let the devil enter a house from which Allah has driven him out?! Twice. So, I stopped weeping and did not weep..

Commentary : This Hadīth shows how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) disciplined and taught his Ummah and how keen he was on keeping Muslims away from the devil's temptation, especially when being stricken by the calamity of the death of a relative or a dear and precious person. The Mother of the Believers ’Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that "when Abu Salamah died", i.e., 'Abdullah ibn' Abd al-Asad al-Makhzūmi (may Allah be pleased with him), who was her first husband and who emigrated from Makkah to Madīnah,' Umm Salamah said to herself: "A stranger and in a strange land," i.e., he was from the people of Makkah and died in Madīnah as a stranger far from his relatives and homeland and having none to weep for him except her, so, there were two calamities: that of being far away from one's country and that of death. She intended this sentence to justify the act of weeping copiously. Hence, she swore to weep and wail for him in such an intense manner that would cause people to talk about it and wonder at it because of its intensity. Such were her thoughts because wailing and gathering for that purpose was a pre-Islamic practice, and that was before she learned that wailing is prohibited. Then, ’Umm Salamah reported that she was prepared and ready to cry by having the intention and the determination to do so and preparing the causes of grief, and meanwhile, a woman who wanted to assist her, i.e., assist her with weeping and wailing, came. This woman who wanted to help' Umm Salamah was from the "Sa‘īd" in the 'Awāli region of Madīnah. "Sa‘īd" originally meant the dust on the earth's surface. The 'Awāli today is the region located in the eastern and south-eastern sides of Madīnah on a line extending from Baqī 'to Harrat Wāqim eastwards and parallel to Qubā' Mosque southwards.
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), thus, received this woman to advise her and forbid her from doing this. After knowing what she intended to do, he said to her: O woman, do you want by your help with the sin to be a cause for letting the devil enter with his actions and deception, which Allah has driven him out and has kept him far from tempting its dwellers?! The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) repeated his advice for the woman twice to confirm such a prohibition. Another probable meaning is: He drove the devil out of this house and kept him far from tempting its dwellers twice, referring by "twice" to the act of soundly embracing Islam by Abu Salamah and his good act of emigration. Or the first time could be referring to the day he embraced Islam, and the second time refers to the day he left this world as a Muslim. Another probability is intending the repetition, i.e., Allah has driven him out time and again, as Allah Almighty says: {Then look again and again.} [Surat al-Mulk: 4] It is also said: Perhaps the first time refers to his emigration from Makkah to Abyssinia and the second time refers to his emigration to Madīnah, as he is one of those who made the two emigrations.
This is a manifestation of the Prophet's good education and discipline of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), as he clarified to the woman that if she did that, she would let the devil enter a house from which Allah has driven him out, and this is a serious harm and an evil act. Moreover, he did not just forbid her; instead, he explained to her the disadvantages of this evil act and the resulting damages, harms, and punishments, which makes it more likely to be accepted.
On hearing the Prophet's words,' Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) was deterred from crying and stopped. She refrained from crying in such a dispraised manner, accompanied by lamenting and wailing.
The Hadīth shows that weeping for the dead accompanied by wailing is from the devil's acts.
It also points out how a Muslim must comply with the commands and prohibitions of the Shariah once he knows them.
It also clarifies that assistance in wailing is counted as assistance in sin.
Moreover, it sheds light on the merit of the house of Abu Salamah and ’Umm Salamah, as Allah Almighty has driven the devil out from it, and he could not overpower them through temptation and misguidance.
As it shows that forbidding evil should be carried out wisely by clarifying the harmful consequences..

925

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar reported: We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when a man from the Ansār (Supporters) came and greeted him. The Ansāri man then turned back. So, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: O brother of the Ansār, how is my brother Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubādah? He said: Good. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), then said: Who among you would visit him? He stood up, and we stood up along with him. There were more than ten of us. We were wearing neither shoes, leather socks, caps, or shirts. We walked on swampy ground until we came to him. His people around him made way for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and those of his Companions who came along with him..

Commentary : This Hadīth shows how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught his Ummah. He was keen on establishing good relations among Muslims through visits and communication, especially visiting the sick. 'Abdullah ibn' Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) narrates that some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were sitting with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and this was the Companions' habit with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), i.e., gathering around him to teach and guide them. During this session, a man from the Ansār - people of Madīnah - came to him and greeted the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and those who were present, which is the etiquette of Islam in extending the greeting of peace to all. After greeting the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), the Ansāri man wanted to leave. So, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said in a pleasant way: "O brother of the Ansār, how is my brother Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubādah?" Sa'd (may Allah be pleased with him) was the chief of the Khazraj, and he was sick then. Here, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was teaching Muslims to ask after each other in case of being absent or falling sick. His saying: "O brother of the Ansār", is a call by the brotherhood of Islam and a call for the man to show that he was from the Ansār, besides the act of honoring Sa'd ibn' Ubādah as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) called him: "My brother". Answering the Prophet's question, the man said: He is "good," i.e., no worry about him, as he is still alive and is likely to recover from his sickness, which is a polite thing to say and is said as a form of being optimistic that the patient will recover and be healthy once again.
Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged his Companions to visit him, saying: "Who among you would visit him?" This was how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) practically taught Muslims, as he got up along with his Companions to visit Sa'd ibn' Ubādah (may Allah be pleased with him), and they were "bid'at 'ashr" (more than ten), and "bid '" is: from three to ten. At this time, those who were present from among the Companions were suffering from indigence and poverty to the extent that 'Abdullah ibn' Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "We were wearing neither Ni‘āl (shoes)", plural of "Na‘l", which is the shoe, "nor Khifāf (leather socks)", plural of "Khuff", which is footwear made of thin leather. In other words, they had nothing to wear on their feet. "Nor Qalānis (caps)", plural of "Qalansuwah", which is something worn on the head, "nor Qumus (shirts)", plural of "Qamīs", which is a sewn undergarment having two sleeves, or that which is made either of cotton or linen and this means that they were wearing Izār (lower garment) and Ridā' (upper garment). They went walking on foot to the house of Sa'd ibn' Ubādah (may Allah be pleased with him) "on such swampy ground," which is the earth that is highly saline and nothing grows therein except some trees, i.e., they were wearing nothing on their feet to protect them from the harm of such ground. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) reached the house of Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him), Sa‘d's people, family, and kinfolk moved from around him to give the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessing be upon him) and his Companions who came to visit him the chance to proceed and get close to him, which is part of the visit etiquettes and honoring guests.
The Hadīth encourages asking after the absent and the sick and shows how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to ask after his Companions.
It prompts us to visit the sick and communicate with them.
It points out the indigence and poverty of some of the Companions and how far they were from lavish in their clothes and their appearance.
It sheds light on honoring the guest who comes to visit by making room for him.
It shows that whoever has no shoes may walk barefoot..

929

[Ibn ‘Abbās reported:] So, I stood up and entered upon ‘Ā’ishah and informed her of what Ibn ‘Umar had said. Thereupon, she said: No, by Allah, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) never said: The dead person is punished because of anyone's weeping; however, he said: Allah increases the punishment of the disbeliever because of his family's weeping. Verily, Allah is the One {Who makes people laugh and weep} [Surat an-Najm: 43], {No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another.} [Surat Fātir: 18] [Another version reads:] When the words of ‘Umar and Ibn ‘Umar were conveyed to ‘Ā’ishah, she said: You are conveying to me the words of these two who are neither liars nor suspected of lying, but one may mishear..

Commentary : In this Hadīth, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) says: I entered upon ‘Ā’ishah and informed her of what Ibn ‘Umar had said, i.e., that he had heard the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Indeed, the dead person is punished because of his family's weeping." After that, she said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) never said: "The dead person is punished because of anyone's weeping," however, he said: "Allah increases the punishment of the disbeliever because of his family's weeping," i.e., he is punished on account of his family's weeping over him, and if you wish, you may recite. Verily, Allah is the One {Who makes people laugh and weep}. [Surat an-Najm: 43] This means: man's weeping and laughter, his sadness and delight are all from Allah. {No bearer of burden will bear the burden of another.} [Surat an-Najm: 38], which means: On the Day of Judgment, every soul will bear only the sins it had committed.
Another version reads: "When the words of ‘Umar and Ibn ‘Umar were conveyed to ‘Ā’ishah, she said: You are conveying to me the words of these two who are neither liars nor suspected of lying, but one may mishear," i.e., they have misheard this. Some scholars are of the opinion that what is meant by punishing the dead person due to the weeping of those who are alive is, in case such weeping was a regular habit of the deceased person and his own choice..

931

‘Urwah reported: The words of Ibn' Umar: The dead person is punished because of his family's weeping over him, were mentioned to 'Ā’ishah, who said: May Allah have mercy upon Abu' Abdur-Rahmān; he heard something but did not memorize it. A Jew's funeral passed before the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and they were weeping over him. So, he said: You are weeping, and he is being punished..

Commentary : No matter how grave it is, every calamity includes a reward for whoever patiently endures its severity, and the same applies to the catastrophe of death that entails losing people and dear ones. One of the habits of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance was to request in one's will that people should weep and wail over his death in opposition to all traditions and revealed laws. Islam has, indeed, forbidden this and has threatened to punish the one who does this deliberately and persistently. It has clarified that such an act brings pain and torment to the one who makes a will with it or approves it.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i ‘Urwah ibn az-Zubayr reports that it was mentioned to ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said: "The dead person is punished because of his family's weeping over him," i.e., he is punished in his grave because those who are alive from among his family are weeping over him, besides doing other things of the pre-Islamic habits. A group of scholars interpreted this to be referring to whoever makes a will with it, or if this is their habit, and he does not forbid them by advising them before his death not to say or do something evil. This was a famous practice among the Arabs. So, if one thinks they will likely do this and does not advise them to refrain from it, then he is asking them to do it, and he becomes like one who does not forbid evil despite having the ability to do so. However, if he advises them to refrain from such an act and they disobey him, then Allah is far more Generous to punish him for that.
Upon hearing this, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "May Allah have mercy upon Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmān, he heard something but did not memorize it," because this Hadīth had a reason and it was not as understood by Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), or he mistakenly thought the Hadīth to have a general indication including all the dead people. Therefore, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported the reason behind this Hadīth, saying: "A Jew's funeral passed before the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)", and his family members were weeping over him. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You are weeping" after his death, addressing the dead person's family, "and he is being punished". An agreed-upon version reads: Thereupon, she said: "He missed the point; the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had only said: Indeed, he is punished for his sins and misdeeds, and his family members are weeping over him right now," i.e., his family members are weeping over him while he is being punished for his sins. So, the reason for his punishment is not his family's weeping over him; rather, it is his misdeeds and sins.
Allah Almighty says: {No bearer of burden will bear the burden of another.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 164] This means: no soul bears the sin of another soul.
The Hadīth highlights the status of ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) in terms of understanding and knowledge.
It also corrects the wrong concepts that some people have by using evidence and means of persuasion..

Book of Hadith