Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): I saw Allah's Messenger ﷺ mounting his ride at Thoo al-Hulayfah and then started saying, "Labbaik" when the Mount stood upright..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would diligently observe the actions of the Prophet ﷺ to learn his traditions and the rites of religion, including the rite of pilgrimage.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that he saw Allah’s Messenger ﷺ mounting his camel when he departed from Thool al-Hulayfah to perform his farewell hajj. The location of Thoo al-Hulayfah is about 13 kms from al-Madeenah and about 408 kms from Makkah and is known today as the Wells of ‘Alee (Arabic: Abaar ‘Alee). It is considered the Meeqaat of al-Madeenah (i.e., the place from which the people of al-Madeenah enter their state of Ihraam) and the farthest of all Meeqaats from Makkah.
He (may Allah be pleased with him) then mentioned that after Allah’s Messenger ﷺ mounted his camel and it stood upright, he ﷺ said the words of Talbiyah aloud. The words of Talbiyah are mentioned in the hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, which Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated. The words are: “Labbayk-Allaahumma labbayk, labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk, inna al-ḥamda, wal ni`matah, laka wal Mulk, laa shareeka lak”, which means: “I am here at Your service, O Allah, I am here at Your service. I am here at Your service, You have no partner, I am here at Your service. Surely the praise, and blessings are Yours, and the dominion. You have no partner.
One of the benefits to learn from this hadeeth is that the Talbiyah should be recited aloud when one begins his Ihraam, and when the mount stands upright, if it was an animal, or when riding the vehicle to start the journey..

1517

Narrated Thumaamah ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Anas: Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) performed the Hajj on a packsaddle, and he was not a miser. Anas related, "Allah's Messenger ﷺ performed Hajj on a packsaddle and the same Mount was carrying his baggage too.".

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would diligently observe the actions of the Prophet ﷺ to learn his traditions and the rites of religion, including the rite of pilgrimage.
In this hadeeth, Thumaamah ibn ‘Abdullah reports that his grandfather, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) performed the Hajj on a packsaddle, and he was not a miser, to indicate that he only did that out of humility and to follow the practice of the Prophet ﷺ. This is because at that time, people used to travel in a howdah, which is a closed compartment put on the back of the camel. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) explained that the Prophet ﷺ performed the Hajj on a packsaddle, which is a kind of a seat put on the camel for the rider and to which loads can be attached. The reason he (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned that his mount carried his baggage too is that the practice of high-status people at that time was to put their baggage on a different camel. This manifested the humbleness and humility of the Prophet ﷺ who travelled on a packsaddle that carried his baggage too.
One of the benefits to learn from this hadeeth is that we should be humble and show humility before Allah, Most High, in our journey for Hajj and to avoid any form of extravagance in this journey.
This hadeeth shows the keen interest of Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) to follow the example of the Prophet ﷺ..

1520

Narrated ‘AAaishah, the Mother of the Believers, (may Allah be pleased with her): I said: "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! We consider Jihaad as the best deed. Should we not fight in Allah's Cause?" He ﷺ said, "The best Jihaad (for women) is performing a Hajj-Mabroor..

Commentary : The kindness of Allah manifests in all forms, and one of which is offering people, both men and women, alternative good deeds that are suitable to their ability and within their capacity.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that she asked o the Prophet ﷺ to allow women fighting in the path of Allah along with men since it is one of the best deeds that a person can do to earn great reward. However, the Prophet ﷺ informed her that the best deed for women is Hajj. He ﷺ explained to her that fighting in the cause of Allah (i.e., Jihaad) is not prescribed for women, and that the best good deed for women and the type of Jihaad that is prescribed for women is performing a Hajj Mabroor i.e., that which has fulfilled all its rulings, is accepted by Allah, free of showing off and sins, and is covered by lawful money.
The reason Hajj is called Jihaad as it involves fighting the desires and endurance of physical and financial hardships.
One of the benefits to learn from this hadeeth is learning that Jihaad (i.e., fighting in the cause of Allah) is not dictated upon women.
It shows that Jihaad is one of the best deeds for women and that Hajj is one of the best deeds for women..

1521

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and [during which] does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins, then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.".

Commentary : Performing Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, which is an obligatory act of worship that requires departing our habits, desires, and routines to comply and submit to Allah’s Command. Allah has promised whoever fulfills the rights of this superior act of worship an immense reward.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ explains that a person will return from Hajj pure from all sins just like anew born if the following conditions are met. First, he should perform Hajj while hoping to attain Allah’s reward alone. Second, he should perform Hajj without intending by it flaunting or soliciting praise from others. Third, he “does not have sexual relations” from entering the state of Ihraam to the end of Hajj. The Arabic word used to describe this is rafath which refers intercourse and intimate actions that lead to it. It was said that rafath refers to words that are vice, abusive, and filthy. Fourth, he should not commit any sin, be it minor or major, or any act that makes him disobedient to Allah. The reason this condition is mentioned, although it is forbidden in all times, is to emphasize its prohibition particularly during Hajj and highlight its ugliness to show that Hajj and sins do not mix together. Whoever performs Hajj and fulfills all these requirements will have all his sins wiped out and return from it just like a newborn, pure and free of all sins.
This hadeeth highlights the high rank and virtue of Hajj and that fulfilling the conditions of Hajj, that are mentioned in this hadeeth, will expiate all sins, be they minor or major, except sins that involve rights of others..

1523

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): The people of Yemen used to come for Hajj and used not to bring enough provisions with them and used to say that they depend on Allah. On their arrival in Makkah, they used to beg the people. Thereafter, Allah, Most High, revealed, {And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the fear of Allah.} (Quran 2.197)..

Commentary : Islam teaches and orders the Muslim to rely upon Allah and to attach his heart to Him alone because everything that takes place on earth or in the heavens is subject to His will and decree. However, reliance upon Allah does not contradict taking the means to achieve the desired end. In fact, it is incumbent upon each and every Muslim to look for the means through which they can achieve their objective.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports the reason behind the revelation of the ayah: {And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the fear of Allah.} – that is being: the people of Yemen used to travel to Makkah to perform Hajj without taking with them enough provisions and supplies, justifying that by saying they are fully relying upon Allah. However, after their arrival to Makkah, they would ask people for food and drink, which proves that they were not fully relying upon Allah rather relying on what people would offer them. This is because reliance upon Allah means detachment from all causes while taking the means leading to the desired end. Thereupon, Allah, Most High, revealed the ayah: {And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is the fear of Allah.} i.e., take enough supplies from food and drink to help perform Hajj and know that the best thing you can rely upon in all your affairs is piety and fearing Him.
This hadeeth teaches us that refraining from asking people for help is from piety, and that reliance upon Allah cannot be true when a person asks others for help. This is because reliance upon Allah means to never ask help from anyone except Him.
It admonishes begging and asking people and encourages us to refrain from begging and asking others..

1524

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) saying: I heard the Prophet ﷺsaying in the valley of Al-`Aqeeq: "Tonight, a messenger came to me from my Lord and asked me to pray in this blessed valley and to assume Ihraam for Hajj and `Umrah together. ".

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would follow the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ in all his affairs and conditions. They described all his actions while he was travelling and residing and clarified to the people the actions that are meant for others to follow and the actions that are just mere habits.
In this hadeeth, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that he heard the Prophet ﷺ, during his journey to perform his farewell hajj, saying that a messenger came to him from Allah i.e., this revelation was either through the archangel Gabriel or a vision in his dream – since the dreams of all Prophets are true and a divine revelation – telling him to pray in this blessed valley, namely the valley of al-Aqeeq. This incident occurred in the valley of al-Aqeeq, which is located near al-Baqee’, which is about 20 km away from the Prophet’s Mosque. The meaning of the word al-‘Aqeeq is the land that water flows through it. It was said that the prayer referred to in the hadeeth is the two units of Ihraam.
The valley was described as blessed because the people of al-Madeenah rejoice whenever water pours out from it as it indicates a heavy rainfall.
The part “assume Ihraam for Hajj and `Umrah together” means assuming the ‘Umrah and Hajj in one go. It is possible that it was intended to mean assuming Ihraam for ‘Umrah be as a part of the Hajj. According to the latter, the Prophet ﷺ would enter the state of Ihraam for Hajj alone at first and assumed his Ihraam for ‘Umrah afterwards.
It was said that this true dream and the compliance of the Prophet ﷺ to the divine order that he ﷺ received- that is to assume Ihraam for ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj abrogated the customs of people that were practiced before Islam who did not allow people to perform ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj.
This hadeeth proves the virtue of the valley of ‘Aqeeq and that it is a blessed place and a source of benefit to people.
It shows that the dreams of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ are truthful and divine, and that it is permissible to couple Hajj with ‘Umrah..

1531

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): When these two towns were conquered, the people went to `Umar (may allah be pleased with him) and said, "O the Chief of the Believers! The Prophet ﷺ specified Qarn as the Meeqaat for the people of Najd, and it is beyond our way, and it is difficult for us to pass through it." He (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Take as your Meeqaat a place situated opposite to Qarn on your usual way. So, he fixed Dhaat ‘Irq (as their Meeqaat).".

Commentary : The Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out known places to serve as it refers to the boundary from which pilgrims and those who wish to perform ‘Umrah must enter the state of Ihraam. These places are called in Arabic Meeqaat.
In this hadeeth, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) explains that if there is no Meeqaat on a person’s route, then they should enter into ihraam when they come in line with the nearest Meeqaat to it. This clarification was offered by ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) after the conquest of al-Koofah and al-Basrah, which are two famous cities in Iraq. Some people from them visited ‘Umar and mentioned to him that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ specified Qarn, as a Meeqaat for the people of Najd but it was not within their route to Makkah and taking that route to pass by its Meeqaat would make them experience difficulty. The Qarn refers to Qarn al-Manaazil, alias, al-Sayl al-Kabeer, the closest Meeqaat to Makkah, which is situated about 78 kms away from Makkah. Upon hearing their complaint, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) allowed them to take their usual route to Makkah and to enter into the state of Ihraam from a place that is in line with the closest Meeqaat to them, and to take that place as their Meeqaat. He (may Allah be pleased with him) specified Dhaat ‘Irq as their Meeqaat, which is a village that is approximately 100 kms far from Makkah.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to enter into the state of Ihraam from a point that is in line with the Meeqaat if it is difficult for one to take the route of the said Meeqaat..

1532

Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them): Allah's Messenger ﷺ made his camel kneel down I.e., halt at the stony ground of Thool al-Hulayfah and prayed there. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) used to do the same too..

Commentary : ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was known for his strong keenness on observing the actions of the Prophet ﷺ, to follow his example in all his affairs and conditions during his travelling and times of residence.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar reports that the Prophet ﷺ made his camel to kneel down to rest at a place in Thool al-Hulayfah, which is a water area that is known for its small pebbles that the people of al-Madeenah know it by the name of al-Mu’arris. Thool al-Hulayfah is a town located 10 km from al-Madeenah, in the spot where the Mosque of Thool al-Hulayfah was built, and it is the Meeqaat of the residents of al-Madeenah and those who pass through it on their way to perform ‘Umrah or Hajj.
This incident took place when the Prophet ﷺ was on his way back from Makkah to al-Madeenah, as he used to sleep over there. He stationed there and prayed in that place, and Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) imitated the Prophet ﷺ in this regard, every time he travelled between Makkah and al-Madeenah, out of his love and keen interest in following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Saheeh al-Bukhaaree contains many reports manifesting the keen interest of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) in finding all the places on this route in which the Prophet ﷺ prayed so he could pray there too.
One of the benefits of this hadeeth is learning that the Prophet ﷺ used to pray in Thool al-Hulayfah.
This hadeeth highlights the keenness of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) on finding and following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ..

1533

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to go (for Hajj) via the Tree route and return via Mua’rras route. Whenever Allah's Messenger ﷺ went to Makkah, he used to offer the prayer in the Mosque of the Tree; and on his return, he used to offer the prayer at Thoo al-Hulayfah in the middle of the valley and pass the night there till morning..

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ had travel habits, one of which were that he ﷺ would stop in a place near al-Madeenah waiting for other travelers so they could travel together in one group. From his other travel habits was that he ﷺ would spend a night in a place near al-Madeenah so he ﷺ could enter al-Madeenah in the morning. The Prophet ﷺ also used to pray in every place he stayed at during his journey.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the travel routes that the Prophet ﷺ used to take in his journey to perform ‘Umrah and Hajj were as follows: (i) he ﷺ would take the Tree path, which is located near Masjid Thoo al-Hulayfah, when he departs al-Madeenah On his way back, he ﷺ would take the Mu’rras route, which is a level land at Thoo al-Hulayfah. The Arabic word al-Mu’arras is derived from the word Ta’rees, which means arriving at a place towards the end of the night. From this meaning, the place was given this name because the Prophet ﷺ would arrive there at the last part of the night and stay there till morning. In this place, he ﷺ used to pray too. Thooal-Hulayfah is a town located about 10 kms from al-Madeenah and it is considered the Meeqaat of the residents of al-Madeenah and those who travel through it.
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) continues to say that whenever the Prophet ﷺ would travel to Makkah for the purpose of performing ‘Umrah or Hajj, he would pray at the Tree Mosque at Thoo al-Hulayfah. And, on his way back, he ﷺ would come to the valley of Thoo al-Hulayfah towards the end of the night. He ﷺ would pray there and spend the night there and then head towards al-Madeenah in the morning so travelers do not surprise their families of their arrival at night.
There are a number of reports that are recorded in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that specify the places at which the Prophet ﷺ prayed during his travels. It was said that none of these places and mosques are known today except the Mosque of Thoo al-Hulayfah and the mosques in al-Rawhaa’.
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1535

Narrated Saalim ibn ‘Abdullah from his father (may Allah be pleased with him): "The Prophet ﷺ said that while resting in the bottom of the valley at Mu’arras in Thoo a-Hulayfah, he ﷺ had been addressed in a dream: 'You are verily in a blessed Bat-haa’.' "
Saalim made us to dismount from our camels at the place where `Abdullah used to dismount, aiming at the place where Allah's Messenger ﷺ had rested, and it was at the same place where the Mosque was built afterwards, in the bottom of the valley in between them (the residence) and the road..

Commentary : ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was so keen to know the places in which the Prophet ﷺ prayed during his travels. He (may Allah be pleased with him) would pray in these places out of his love for the Prophet ﷺ and hoping for the barakah (abundance and blessings) from these places which the Prophet ﷺ blessed by praying in them.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that in one occasion, the Prophet ﷺ had a true dream during his stay at Thoo al-Hulayfah. He ﷺ used to spend the night in the bottom of the valley at al-Mu’arras in Thoo al-Hulayfah where he would spend the night and pray. The Arabic word al-Mu’arras is derived from the word Ta’rees, which means arriving at a place towards the end of the night. From this meaning, the place was given this name because the Prophet ﷺ would arrive there at the last part of the night and stay there till morning. The place where he ﷺ used to stay, rest, and pray is near Masjid Thoo al-Hulayfah.
The angel described the land as blessed and Bat-haa’, which is a term used for every place that formed after a flood, leveled by a water stream, and containing pebbles or stones. The blessed land mentioned in the hadeeth refers to the valley of al-Aqeeq. This event took place during the journey of the Prophet ﷺ to Makkah to perform the Farewell Hajj, as mentioned in one hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree. Thoo al-Hulayfah is a town that is about 10 KM from al-Madeenah, and it is considered the Meeqaat of the people of al-Madeenah and those who travel through it.
Then, Moosa ibn ‘Uqbah, one of the narrators of this hadeeth, stated that Saalim ibn ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar made him and the people with him dismount from their camels at the place where `Abdullah used to dismount, aiming at the place where Allah's Messenger ﷺ had rested and prayed. All this so he could follow the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ did not pray at the Mosque that was erected afterwards, but rather at the same place where the Mosque was built afterwards, as indicated by Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).
Ibn ‘Umar followed the footsteps of the Prophet ﷺ, so, every time he travelled between Makkah and al-Madeenah, he would imitate the Prophet ﷺ and rest and pray in the same places where the Prophet ﷺ rested and prayed. There are many reports in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree showing how keen he was to find all the places wherein the Prophet ﷺ prayed on this route.
This hadeeth shows the virtue of the valley of al-‘Aqeeq and its abundant blessings..

1536

Narrated Safwaan ibn Ya’la: Ya'la said to 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), "Notify me so I can see the Prophet ﷺ when he receives revelation." While the Prophet ﷺ was at al-Ji'raanah (in the company of some of his Companions), a person came and asked, "O Allah's Messenger! What is your verdict regarding that person who assumes Ihraam for 'Umrah and is scented with perfume?" The Prophet ﷺ kept quiet for a while, and then he started to receive revelation. 'Umar beckoned Ya'la. So, he came and saw that Allah's Messenger ﷺ was shaded with a sheet. Ya'la put his head in and saw that the face of Allah's Messenger ﷺ was red, and he was breathing heavily. When the state of the Prophet ﷺ was over, he ﷺ asked, "Where is the person who asked about 'Umrah?" Then that person was brought, and the Prophet ﷺ said, "Wash the perfume off your body thrice and take off the cloak and do the same in 'Umrah as you do in Hajj."
I said to ‘Ataa’: Were the three times ordered because he ﷺ wanted to ensure it is cleaned well? He said: Yes..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen to know the different conditions of the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee, Safwaan ibn Ya’la ibn Umayyah reports that his father Ya’la ibn Umayyah (may Allah be pleased with him) asked ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) to show him the Prophet ﷺ when he ﷺ receives revelation so that he can know what happens to the Prophet ﷺ.
One day, the Prophet ﷺ was in al-Ji’raanah, which is a place located between Makkah and al-Taa’if and considered the Meeqaat of the people of Makkah that is located about 20 km in the northeast of Makkah. While he ﷺ was there, a man asked him about the ruling of a man who has entered the state of ihram and then scented his body and clothes with perfume. The Prophet ﷺ kept quiet and did not answer him right away. Thereupon, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) signaled with his hand to Ya’la (may Allah be pleased with him) to come to see how the revelation descends upon the Prophet ﷺ. When he arrived, he saw the Prophet ﷺ having a garment over his head to shade him from the sun. He (may Allah be pleased with him) put his head in and saw the face of the Prophet ﷺ was red and his breathes are heavy and audible. After the revelation ended, he ﷺ calmed down and the condition he experienced faded away gradually. Then, he ﷺ answered the man who asked the question that he should wash the perfume off his body three times. And he ﷺ ordered him to remove his cloak, which is a long loose outer garment with wide sleeves that is worn over clothes, because it is a sewn garment, and it is scented with perfume that should be washed off too. According to another version of the hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, it reads: “came to him a man wearing a cloak having a trace of yellowish perfume.” The Prophet ﷺ then ordered him to do the same in ‘Umrah and Hajj i.e., that which are not allowed in Hajj and Umrah are the same.
After narrating the hadeeth, ‘Abdul Malik ibn Jurayj asked his Shaykh ‘Attaa ibn Abee Rabaah if the Prophet ﷺ ordered washing the clothes thrice out of extra cleanliness. To which, ‘Ataa conformed it.
This hadeeth teaches us that it is not allowed to wear clothes that have traces of perfume, be it in colour or smell. As for perfuming the body before entering the state of ihram, then it is allowed as proven in the authentic hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukahaaree and Saheeh Muslim: It is narrated on the authority of ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she put some perfume on the body of the Prophet ﷺ before he has entered the state of Ihraam.”
This hadeeth shows that the person who enters the state of Ihraam should exert extra effort to ensure the perfume is removed.
It shows that the Sunnah is based on revelation just as the Quran is a revelation, and that the Sunnah may contain rulings that are not mentioned in the Quran.
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1537

Narrated Sa’eed ibn al-Jubayr that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to put oil on his body..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and the Taab’ieen were so keen on following the Sunnah and learning the rites and acts of worship from the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, Sa’eed ibn Jubayr, the known Taabi’ee, reports that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) would put oil after entering the state of Ihraam for Hajj and ‘Umrah, and he would not wear perfume. According to a narration recorded in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): “used to oil himself with a sort of oil that had no pleasant smell.” Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) explained himself by saying: “I do not like to enter upon the state of Ihram shaking off the perfume” according to the hadeeth recorded in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim. He (may Allah be pleased with him) used to do it because he thought that wearing any substance of obvious pleasant smell is not allowed before and during the state of Ihraam. All the while, it is established authentic that ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) put musk on the Prophet ﷺ before entering the state of ihram although musk is known of being the most pleasant scent of all perfumes.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to oil one’s hair before entering the state of Ihraam..

1538

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): It is as if I still see the glistening of perfume where the hair was parted on Allah's Messenger's ﷺ head while being in the state of Ihraam..

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ clarified all the rulings and etiquettes of Hajj and ‘Umrah in words and actions and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) transmitted to us all what they heard and observed from him ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ loved pleasant scents and perfumes so much such that he ﷺ liked to wear so much perfume all the time. It was one of the few worldly pleasures that were made close to his heart.
In this hadeeth, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reports how she envisioned the Prophet ﷺ and his actions so much such that it is as if she could see the traces and glistening of the perfume he had on the sides of his head when he was in state of Ihraam. It is reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim that the Prophet ﷺ would wear the best perfume he would have, which indicates that the Prophet ﷺ used to put as much perfume as possible only before wearing the clothes of ihram, entering the state of Ihraam, and reciting the talbiyah.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to wear perfume before entering the state of Ihraam..

1539

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) – the wife of the Prophet ﷺ: I used to scent Allah's Messenger ﷺ when he wanted to assume Ihraam and also on finishing Ihraam before the circumambulation around the Ka`bah..

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ clarified all the rulings and etiquettes of Hajj and ‘Umrah in words and actions, and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) transmitted to us all what they heard and observed from him ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reports that she used to perfume Allah’s Messenger ﷺ with a pleasant scent before he ﷺ would enter the state of Ihraam for Hajj or ‘Umrah, and after the first stage of exiting Ihraam in Hajj, after stoning Jamrat al-‘Aqabah, and shaving the head and before the farewell tawaaf. This is because after the first stage of exiting Hajj, all that was not allowed during the state of Ihraam becomes allowed except intercourse. This is noted in the narration recorded in Sunan al-Nisaa’iee, which reads: “"I put perfume on the Messenger of Allah for his Ihram when he entered Ihram, and for his exiting Ihram when he had stoned Jamrat Al-‘Aqabah, before he circumambulated the House.'' There is nothing wrong with wearing perfume at that point of time since what is required is not to wear perfume during the state of Ihraam.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to wear perfume before assuming the state of Ihraam and after exiting Ihraam.
It shows how the wife looks after her husband and scents him.
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1540

Narrated Saalim from his father (may Allah be pleased with him): "I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ raising his voice in the Talbiyah with his hair matted.”.

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ clarified all the rulings and etiquettes of Hajj and ‘Umrah in words and actions, and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) transmitted to us all what they heard and observed from him ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that he saw the Prophet ﷺ raising his voice in the words of Talbiyah, saying: “Labbayka Allahumma Labayk, Labbayaka Laa Shareeka Laka Labbayk, Inna al-Hamda wal Ni’mata Laka wal Mulk, Laa Shareeka Lak,” with his hair stuck together. The term used to describe the condition of Allah’s Messenger hair is talbeed, which means, braiding the hair then sticking the hair together with gum and the like, which holds the hair together and keeps it from getting dirty or dusty and keep it away from lice, which is needed while being in the state of Ihraam. The talbeed of hair takes place after taking the bath and before wearing the clothes of Ihraam.
This hadeeth highlights the importance of beauty and cleanliness in Islam.
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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

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