2021

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Seek the Night of Al-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan,' on the night when nine or seven or five nights remain out of the last ten nights of Ramadan (i.e., the 21st, the 23rd, and the 25th nights respectively).”.

Commentary : The Night of Al-Qadr is one of the blessed nights of Ramadan; it is a great and blessed night, in which Allah, Exalted is He, states that the Quran was revealed. It has been highly praised and venerated by Allah, Exalted is He, given the fact that it abounds in great bounties and yields abundant rewards, which are described as being equal to those earned by devoting oneself to worship for a thousand months. During that blessed night, many angels descend, and countless bounties and blessings are conferred upon people, and it is free of harm and evil.
In this hadeeth, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded us to seek the Night of Al-Qadr, and strive in worship. He ﷺ underlined that we should seek it inon the night when nine nights remain out of the last ten nights of the month, i.e., the 21st night; when seven nights remain, i.e., the 23rd night; or when five nights remain, namely, the 25th night. The meaning is to seek the Night of Al-Qadr in the odd-numbered nights among the last ten nights of the month, such as: the 21st, the 23rd, and the 25th nights.

It was called the Night of Al-Qadr because of its abundant virtues and great honor, or because the performance of worshipful acts on it yields greater reward.
The wisdom of Allah entailed that its exact date should be hidden from people so that they should strive and keenly devote themselves to worship throughout the last ten nights, and thus perform more worshipful acts and gain greater benefits (rewards).
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2022

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him):
Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, “The Night of Al-Qadr is in the last ten nights of the month (Ramadan), either on the first nine or in the last (remaining) seven nights (of Ramadan).” Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) added, “Seek it on the twenty-fourth night (of Ramadan).”
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Commentary :
The Night of Al-Qadr is one of the great and blessed nights of Ramadan, in which the Quran was revealed. It has been highly praised and venerated by Allah, Exalted is He, given the fact that it abounds in great bounties and yields abundant rewards, which are described as being equal to those earned by devoting oneself to worship for one thousand months. During that blessed night, many angels descend, and countless bounties and blessings are conferred upon people, and it is free of harm and evil.
In this hadeeth, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed us that the Night of Al-Qadr falls in the last ten days of Ramadan, and that we should seek it when nine nights remain out of the last ten nights of Ramadan, i.e., the 29th night; or when seven nights remain, i.e., the 23rd night; or it is unspecified and could be any night of the last seven nights of Ramadan.
It was called the Night of Al-Qadr because of its abundant virtues and great honor, or because the performance of worshipful acts on it yields greater reward.
The wisdom of Allah entailed that its exact date should be hidden from people so that they should strive and keenly devote themselves to worship throughout the last ten nights, and thus perform more worshipful acts and gain greater benefits (rewards).
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2024

‘Narrated Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her):
With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet ﷺ used to tighten his waist belt and used to devote his whole night to worship, and used to wake up his family for the prayers..

Commentary :
The last ten days of Ramadan are the best nights of the whole year and they include the Night of Al-Qadr, which is better (and more rewardable) than one thousand months, as Allah, Exalted is He, states in the Quran. This is why the Prophet ﷺ performed worshipful acts very diligently in these nights, and he urged his family to do the same.
In this hadeeth, ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) explained the situation of the Prophet ﷺ during these ten days, in terms of his diligence in worship and urging his family to follow his example. She (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “In the last ten days of Ramadan,” i.e., starting from the 21st night. Her phrase, “tighten his waist belt,” is a metaphor for keeping away from his wives (i.e., abstaining from sexual relations) and occupying himself with worship. He ﷺused to “devote his whole night to worship, and used to wake up his family for the prayers,” at night, and this is the enjoined encouragement of one’s family to perform voluntary acts of worship, and to exert their utmost in worship at this blessed time.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that maximizing one’s benefit from the blessed times (by devoting oneself to worship) requires resolve, patience, and self-discipline.
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2026

‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, said: “The Prophet ﷺ used to observe I‘tikaaf (i.e., spiritual retreat in the mosque to devote oneself exclusively to worship Allah) in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to observe I‘tikaaf after him..

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ used to strive hard in worship to draw closer to Allah, Exalted is He, all the time, and one such time was the last ten days of Ramadan when he ﷺ used to observe I’tikaaf (i.e., a spiritual retreat in the mosque to devote oneself exclusively to worship), to dedicate himself exclusively to observing fasting, performing prayer, reciting Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), and other worshipful acts, and to seek the Night of Al-Qadr.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to observe I‘tikaaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan, starting from the 21st night till the end of the month. I‘tikaaf means a spiritual retreat in the mosque to draw closer to Allah, Exalted is He, (by devoting oneself exclusively to worship). The Prophet ﷺ used to observe I‘tikaaf during the last ten nights of Ramadan and did not neglect it until he died. After his death, his wives (may Allah be pleased with them) used to observe I‘tikaaf at the mosque in the last ten days of Ramadan. It was narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet ﷺ used to observe I‘tikaaf along with some of his wives. They used to observe I‘tikaaf during his lifetime and after his death. At first, the Prophet ﷺ used to observe I‘tikaaf in the first ten nights of Ramadan, and later on observed it in the middle ten nights of Ramadan. Near the end of his life, he ﷺ observed I‘tikaaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan, seeking the Night of the Qadr.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable for women to observe I‘tikaaf at the mosque provided that the due requirements set by the Laws of Islam are met..

2033

‘Amrah narrated:
‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said, "The Prophet ﷺ used to practice I‘tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadan and I used to pitch a tent for him, and after offering the morning prayer, he used to enter the tent." Hafsah asked the permission of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with them) to pitch a tent for her and she allowed her and she pitched her tent. When Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her) saw it, she pitched another tent. In the morning the Prophet ﷺ noticed the tents. He said, 'What is this?" He was told of the whole situation. Then the Prophet ﷺ said, "Do you think that they intended to do righteousness by doing this?" He ﷺ therefore abandoned I‘tikaaf in that month and observe I‘tikaaf only for ten days in the month of Shawwaal.".

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ used to show diligence in worship to draw closer to Allah, Exalted is He, and a manifestation of such diligence was observing I‘tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadan, to devote himself exclusively to worship, observing fasting, performing prayer, reciting Dhikr, and other worshipful acts. In this hadeeth, ‘Narrated Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet ﷺ used to observe I’tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. I‘tikaaf means a spiritual retreat in the mosque to draw closer to Allah, Exalted is He, (by devoting oneself exclusively to worship) during daytime or night. ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to pitch a small woolen tent for the Prophet ﷺ were he ﷺ observed I’tikaaf. He ﷺ would perform Fajr prayer with the people and then go into the tent. Hafsah asked ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with them) to seek the permission of the Prophet for her to pitch a tent to observe I‘tikaaf and he ﷺ gave her the permission. When Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her) saw her tent, she did the same. In the morning, the Prophet ﷺ saw many tents pitched in the mosque: one for him and three for his wives (‘Aa’ishah, Hafsah, and Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with them), as clarified in other narrations cited in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree). The Prophet ﷺ said, addressing the people who were with him, "Do you think that they intended to do righteousness by doing this?"
It seems that he ﷺ feared that their motive or drive for doing so was rivalry and blameworthy competitiveness triggered by jealousy to be near him, or feared that the rest of women would do the same, overcrowding the mosque so much that it would not accommodate the worshipers, or that their presence in the mosque would be as if he ﷺwas staying in his house rather than the mosque, and that they may preoccupy him from devoting himself exclusively to worship, and thus undermine the very purpose of I‘tikaaf. It is also possible that he ﷺ was jealous over them and disliked their stay in the mosque, given the fact that it accommodated all Muslims, including the Bedouins and hypocrites, and the Prophet’s wives would need to go in and out of their houses, and this would be inconvenient for them. All these reasons would undermine the very essence of I‘tikaaf.
On that occasion, the Prophet ﷺ left his tent and did not observe I‘tikaaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan, so that they would do the same; he ﷺ used to teach His Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) by example. He ﷺ observed I‘tikaaf that year in Shawwaal, making up for the I‘tikaaf that he ﷺwas going to observe in Ramadan.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable to pitch a tent for a worshipper in the mosque to observe I‘tikaaf therein.
It is also inferred that it is permissible for women to observe I‘tikaaf.
The permissibility of cancelling the I‘tikaaf after commencing it is also deduced from the hadeeth, and also that I‘tikaaf does not become obligatory upon holding the intention to observe it or commencing it.
It is also inferred therefrom that it is allowable to give up what is more favorable and better if it secures a benefit or an interest.
It is also deduced that it is permissible to allocate a specific place in the mosque to observe I‘tikaaf, as long as it does not involve overcrowding the mosque and making it difficult for the other worshippers therein.
It is also inferred that when women observe I‘tikaaf, their places should be covered by some sort of cover, to protect their privacy.
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2042

‘AbdullahNarrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):
‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! I vowed in the pre-Islamic period to perform I‘tikaaf in Al-Masjid Al-Haraam for one night." The Prophet ﷺ said, "Fulfill your vow." So, he (may Allah be pleased with him) observed I‘tikaaf there for one night..

Commentary :
A vow is an act of worship and a good deed by means of which one draws closer to Allah, Exalted is He, and it must be devoted exclusively to Him. In the Quran, Allah, Exalted is He, lauded His righteous servants, and promised them reward, making mention of the fulfillment of vows as one of their good qualities. He Says (what means): {They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows.} [Quran 76:7].
In this hadeeth, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he once told the Prophet ﷺ that he had vowed before his conversion to Islam to observe I’tikaaf in Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, the Sacred Mosque in Makkah. I‘tikaaf means a spiritual retreat in the mosque to draw closer to Allah, Exalted is He, (by devoting oneself exclusively to worship) during daytime or night. The Prophet ﷺ commanded him to fulfil his vow and ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) complied and observed I’tikaaf. The Prophet ﷺ commanded ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) to fulfill a vow that he had made before his conversion to Islam in the pre-Islamic time, because he (may Allah be pleased with him) had vowed to do a righteous and prescribed act that does not conflict with the Laws of Islam. However, if someone vows to do something that contravenes Islam, it is impermissible to fulfill such a vow.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible to observe I’tikaaf at night, and it is not conditional upon fasting.
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2047

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
You people say that Aboo Hurayrah relates many narrations from Allah's Messenger ﷺ and you also wonder why the emigrants and Ansaar do not narrate from Allah's Messenger ﷺ as much as Aboo Hurayrah does. My emigrant brothers were busy in the marketplaces while I used to keep the company of Allah's Messenger ﷺ, content with what satisfied my hunger; so, I used to be present when they were absent and I used to remember when they used to forget, and my brothers from the Ansaar used to be busy with their property and I was one of the poor people of Suffah (i.e., homeless men who were sheltered in a place annexed to the Prophet’s Mosque). I used to remember the narrations when they used to forget. No doubt, Allah's Messenger ﷺ once said, "Whoever spreads his garment till I have finished my present speech and then gathers it to himself, will remember whatever I will say." So, I spread my colored garment which I was wearing till Allah's Messenger ﷺ had finished his saying, and then I gathered it to my chest. So, I did not forget any of his narrations!.

Commentary :
The transmission of the Sunnah and narrating the hadeeths of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ are solemn and serious responsibilities, and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were remarkably meticulous regarding narration of the hadeeths and the verification of their authenticity. Some Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) related numerous hadeeths and reports while others narrated only few, according to the time during which they kept the company of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) used to keep the company of the Prophet ﷺ more often and narrated more hadeeths than other Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). When Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) realized the bewilderment of some of them and their questions about his ability to narrate so many hadeeths on the authority of the Prophet ﷺ, he (may Allah be pleased with him) clarified the reasons for them. He (may Allah be pleased with him) highlighted that he was able to narrate more hadeeths compared to the emigrants and Ansaar, meaning all the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), because his fellow brothers from the emigrants were busy with trade in the marketplaces, while he (may Allah be pleased with him) kept the company of the Prophet ﷺ longer and settled for having enough food to satisfy his hunger and keep him alive! This is why he (may Allah be pleased with him) was present with the Prophet ﷺ most of the time. He (may Allah be pleased with him) used to be present when they were absent and used to remember when they used to forget, because he kept the company of the Prophet ﷺ longer.
On the other hand, the Ansaar were also preoccupied with tending to their property, farms and the like, while he was a poor man, who belonged to the People of Suffah (i.e., homeless men who were sheltered in a place annexed to the Prophet’s Mosque) who did not engage in trade nor had any property to keep him busy. The word Suffah means a shaded place annexed to the Prophet’s Mosque which was home to the strangers and poor homeless Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Therefore, he (may Allah be pleased with him) was always near the Prophet ﷺ and conveniently listened to the discussions of many knowledge-related issues and the hadeeths of the Prophet ﷺ. This is why he (may Allah be pleased with him) used to remember and memorize the hadeeths that they missed out on. Afterward, he (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever spreads his garment till I have finished my present speech and then gathers it to himself, will remember whatever I will say,” meaning that he would be able to memorize whatever he ﷺ said. Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) hastened to spread his garment, which was a striped or colored garment, and kept it spread till Allah's Messenger ﷺ had finished his saying, and then gathered it to his chest. Thus, he (may Allah be pleased with him) did not forget any of his hadeeths or statements in that gathering!
Perhaps one blessing of the Prophet’s ﷺsupplication for him manifested in the fact that he (may Allah be pleased with him) memorized everything he had learned and heard from the Prophet ﷺ during his long stay with him.
The hadeeth highlights an apparent miracle exercised by the Prophet ﷺ.
It also underlines the virtues and merits of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him).
It is deduced from the hadeeth that a Muslim is urged to seek knowledge.
It is also inferred therefrom that it is allowable for a person to proclaim his good qualities and virtues to dismiss suspicions about himself, and not to praise himself.
It is also deduced therefrom that senior Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) engaged in trade and worked to earn their living..

2048

Ibraaheem ibn Sa‘d narrated on the authority of his father narrating on the authority of his grandfather:
‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf said, "When we came to Al-Madeenah as emigrants, Allah's Messenger ﷺ established a bond of brotherhood between me and Sa‘d ibn Al-Rabee‘, who said (to me), 'I am the richest among the Ansaar, so I will give you half of my wealth and you may look at my two wives and whichever of the two you may choose I will divorce her, and when she has completed the prescribed period (before marriage) you may marry her!' ‘Abdul-Rahmaan replied, "I am not in need of all that. Is there any marketplace where trade is practiced?' He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "The marketplace of Qaynuqaa‘." ‘Abdul-Rahmaan went to that market on the following day and brought some dried buttermilk (yogurt) and butter, and then continued to go there regularly. Few days later, ‘Abdul-Rahmaan came having traces of yellow (scent) on his body. Allah's Messenger ﷺ asked him whether he had got married. He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet ﷺ said, 'Whom have you married?' He replied, 'A woman from the Ansaar.' Thereupon, the Prophet ﷺ asked, 'How much did you pay her (as dower)?' He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, '(I gave her) a gold piece equal in weigh to a date stone (or a date stone of gold)! The Prophet ﷺ said, 'Throw a wedding banquet even if with one sheep.'".

Commentary :
The Islamic Laws of Islam urges Muslims to seek self-sufficiency, work to earn their living, and refrain from begging others for money or relying on their charity, because a Muslim is enjoined to preserve his dignity and save face.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that when he migrated to Al-Madeenah, the Prophet ﷺ established a bond of brotherhood between him and Sa‘d ibn Al-Rabee‘ Al-Ansaaree Al-Khazrajee (may Allah be pleased with him), who was one of the leaders chosen during the pledge of Al-‘Aqabah. A bond of brotherhood was a contract between two men (one from the emigrants and the other from the Ansaar) to support and show solidarity to one another just as two blood brothers would do.
Sa‘d offered his brother, ‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with them), half his wealth and asked him to choose one of his wives, so that he would divorce her, and after her ‘Iddah expired he could marry her. However, ‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) rejected the (exceptionally) generous offer and said: “I am not in need of all that. Is there any marketplace where trade is practiced?” He guided him to the marketplace of Qaynuqaa‘, which was named after one of the Jewish tribes in Al-Madeenah.
‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) frequently visited the marketplace and engaged in the trade of dried buttermilk (yogurt) and butter, and continued to work until he earned money. Afterward, he (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet ﷺ having traces of yellow (scent) on his body (i.e., customarily applied to the groom in wedding ceremonies). The Prophet ﷺasked him whether he had got married, and he (may Allah be pleased with him) replied in the affirmative. The Prophet ﷺ said, 'Whom have you married?' He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, 'A woman from the Ansaar.' He (may Allah be pleased with him) married the daughter of Anas ibn Raafi‘, from Banee ‘Abd Al-Ashhal. The Prophet ﷺ asked, 'How much did you pay her (as dower)?' He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, '(I gave her) a gold piece equal in weight to a date stone (or a date stone of gold)! This was equivalent to the weight of three Dirhams and one third.
The Prophet ﷺ commanded him to throw a wedding banquet even with one sheep. A wedding banquet is thrown on the occasion of marriage and may be done with one sheep or more, according to one’s financial ability. If someone cannot afford it, there is no harm in that. The Prophet ﷺ threw a wedding banquet with Saweeq (i.e., a liquid meal made of wheat and barley) and dates for some of his wives.
It was said the establishment of brotherhood bonds between the emigrants and the Ansaar (after the migration to Makkah) had two reasons. First, it conformed with the common practice of forming alliances in the pre-Islamic times with which they were familiar. The Arabs even used to establish inheritance rights based on their alliances. However, the Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no alliance in Islam!” Islam cancelled the practice of forming such alliances, but retained the practice of establishing ‘brotherhood bonds’ because human beings tend to develop an aversion when asked to give up the familiar all of a sudden.
Second, the emigrants came to Al-Madeenah while being in dire need of wealth and accommodation (as they left everything behind). They were graciously hosted by their fellow Muslim brothers from the Ansaar, and therefore Islam confirmed this manifestation of (the enjoined) solidarity by establishing brotherhood bonds between them. After the Battle of Badr, the practice of establishing ‘brotherhood bonds’ was no longer needed, because Muslims started gaining spoils of war.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible to engage in trade, and that it is one of the noblest means of earning lawful wealth.
The hadeeth highlights the incomparable affection, love, and altruism embodied by the emigrants and the Ansaar during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ.
It is also inferred from the hadeeth that a Muslim is urged to throw a wedding banquet on the occasion of marriage.
It is also deduced that it is allowable for a Muslim man to wear perfume at his wedding ceremony.
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2055

Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet ﷺ passed by a fallen date and said, "Were it not for my doubt that this might have been given in charity, I would have eaten it." It was narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) the Prophet ﷺ said, "I found a date fruit fallen on my bed.".

Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, deemed it prohibited for His Prophet ﷺ or his household to avail themselves of charity, even an insignificant amount.
In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that the Prophet ﷺpassed by a fallen date once, and he ﷺ did not know its source or owner. He ﷺ said that he would have eaten it had not he any doubt that it may have been given in charity. Therefore, he ﷺ refrained from eating it to avoid such doubts.
Another version of the hadeeth reads: "I found a date fruit fallen on my bed," meaning he ﷺ refrained from eating a date fruit fallen in his own home lest it was given in charity, because he ﷺ used to distribute the dates offered in charity to the poor; it was possible that some date fruits could have clung to his garment and fallen on his bed or the like, or that he ﷺ was collecting dates given in charity in his house to distribute them and feared that this date belonged to them. Therefore, he ﷺ refrained from eating the it out of his mindfulness of Allah, lest it was given in charity.He would not eat it unless he ﷺ verified that it belonged to the household supply.
The hadeeth highlights the enjoined mindfulness of Allah and abandoning doubtful matters.
It is deduced from it that it is permissible to eat food that is thrown away by the road, because the Prophet ﷺ refrained from eating that date fruit only out of his mindfulness of Allah, lest it was given in charity.
It is also inferred therefrom that a Muslim’s wealth and property that only declared unlawful and inviolable to his fellow Muslims (as per the laws of Islam) is that which has a value.
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2057

‘Narrated Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her):
Some people said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! Meat is brought to us by some people and we are not sure whether the Name of Allah has been mentioned on it or not (at the time of slaughtering the animals)." Allah's Messenger ﷺ said (to them), "Mention the Name of Allah and eat it.".

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺclarified for us the laws and rulings of religion and made clear the precise divine texts and the broadly indicative ones. He ﷺ detailed the rulings regarding food and beveragesand clarified the situations in which one is urged to avoid obsessiveness and doubts lest people should fall into hardship.
In this hadeeth, ‘Narrated Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that a group of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked the Prophet ﷺ about the ruling on eating the meat of an animal when they were not sure whether or not the Name of Allah had been mentioned when it was being slaughtered, because the one who slaughtered it was a recent convert, as stated in the version cited in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree, reading: “…a recent convert to Islam.” Another version reads: “… recent converts from polytheism.”
The Prophet ﷺ clarified to them that there was no harm in eating such meat and that they should simply presume that the Name of Allah had been mentioned upon it during the slaughter. He ﷺ instructed them to mention the Name of Allah upon eating it, as is prescribed when eating any food.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that a Muslim is urged to have good expectations of his fellow Muslims.
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2059

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "A time will come when one will not care much how he gains his wealth, lawfully or unlawfully!".

Commentary :
Islam urges Muslims to seek lawful provision and ensure that they obtain wealth from lawful sources only. It underlines the reward for that act, and also warns against availing oneself of what is unlawful, in all its forms and in all facets of life.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ foretold that the Muslims’ situation would change and there would come a time when religiosity would be weakened, consciences and inner moral characters would be corrupted, and people would greedily vie with one another to accumulate more wealth, caring less about its sources, whether it was acquired through lawful or unlawful means! They would not bother ensuring that their wealth was acquired from lawful means only, such as permissible sales or working and earning a living. They would not mind gaining wealth from unlawful means such as theft, embezzlement, Ribaa (i.e., interest, usury), gambling, bribery, etc. Their ultimate aim and sole purpose would be acquiring wealth and raising money without verifying the lawfulness of the means of its acquisition.
The hadeeth includes a stern warning against acquiring wealth from unlawful means.
It also highlights the Prophet’s forecast of people’s situation at the end of time, and this falls under the category of disapproval, admonition, and warning. The hadeeth also underlines one of the Prophet’s miracles, foretelling future events..

2060

Aboo Al-Minhaal narrated:
I used to practice money exchange, and I asked Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib and Zayd ibn Arqam about it, and they said: “We engaged in trade during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ and we asked about practicing money exchange (currency trading). He ﷺ replied, 'If the exchange is hand to hand, there is no harm in it; otherwise, it is not permissible.’".

Commentary :
Islam warns against falling into Ribaa (i.e., interest-based-loans, usury, etc.) in all its forms, because it involves devouring people's money unlawfully, and wipes out the blessing of one’s wealth.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi‘ee Aboo Al-Minhaal ‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn Mut‘im Al-Bunaanee stated that he asked Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib and Zayd ibn Arqam about the ruling on money exchange, like exchanging gold or Dinars for silver or Dirhams, and vice versa, or selling gold for gold, or silver for silver. They told him that they had engaged in trade during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, encountered such transactions, and asked him about the ruling on money exchange or currency trading. He ﷺ clarified that if the exchange is done hand to hand, there is no harm in that, as long as the Taqaabudh requirement (i.e., reciprocal taking possession of the purchased commodity and its monetary equivalent by the buyer and seller respectively in the contracting session) is fulfilled. However, if the exchange or receipt when selling one currency for another currency or gold is delayed, it is prohibited (i.e., the exchange must be hand to hand).
It is deduced from the hadeeth that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to work in trade and earn their living.
The hadeeth also urges Muslims to keenly investigate the lawfulness and unlawfulness of work dealings and business transactions.
It is also deduced that Taqaabudh (or immediate hand-to-hand exchange) is required in transactions that involve Ribaa Al-Fadhl (i.e., exchange or sale transactions in trade which effectively result in the charging of ‘interest’ through the exchange of the same commodity, but of a different quality or quantity).
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2062

‘Ubayd ibn ‘Umayr narrated: Aboo Moosaa sought permission to enter ‘Umar’s house, but was not given permission, because ‘Umar was busy, and therefore Aboo Moosaa left. When ‘Umar finished his task he said, "Did not I hear the voice of ‘Abdullah ibn Qays? Let him come in." ‘Umar was told that he had left. So, he sent for him and on his arrival, he (Aboo Moosaa) said, "We were ordered to do so (i.e., to leave if not admitted after seeking permission thrice). ‘Umar told him, "Bring a witness to prove your statement!" Aboo Moosaa went to the Ansaar's meeting places and asked them. They said, "None amongst us will witness to this except the youngest of us, Aboo Sa’eed Al-Khudree. Aboo Moosaa then took Aboo Sa’eed Al-Khudree (to ‘Umar) and ‘Umar said, surprisingly, "Has this command of Allah's Messenger ﷺ been hidden from me?" (Then he (may Allah be pleased with him) added), "I was preoccupied with trading in marketplaces!".

Commentary :
The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to comply with the Prophet’s ﷺcommands and adhere to the Islamic etiquettes, and they (may Allah be pleased with them) left the most wonderful legacy attesting that.
In this hadeeth, the Tabi’ee (Follower) ‘Ubayd ibn ‘Umayr stated that Aboo Moosaa, ‘Abdullah ibn Qays Al-Ash’aree (may Allah be pleased with him) sought permission thrice to enter ‘Umar’s house, as recorded in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim. However, the Caliph ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was busy and did not give him permission to enter, and therefore he left. When ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) finished his task, he ordered that Aboo Moosaa (may Allah be pleased with him) should be given permission to enter, but he was told that he had left. ‘Umar summoned Aboo Moosaa (may Allah be pleased with them) and inquired about his reason for leaving instead of waiting to be given permission to enter. Aboo Moosaa told him that he was acting upon the command of the Prophet ﷺ in this regard. It has been narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim that the Prophet ﷺ said: “When one of you seeks permission thrice to enter and it is not granted to him, he should go back.” Upon hearing the hadeeth, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was shocked that such etiquette should have missed him, while he (may Allah be pleased with him) accompanied the Prophet ﷺ in residence and travel! He (may Allah be pleased with him) feared that Aboo Moosaa (may Allah be pleased with him) might have been confused and therefore asked him to bring a witness to testify to the authenticity of this act of Sunnah so that people would not take lightly the attribution of a statement or an act to the Prophet ﷺ. Aboo Moosaa (may Allah be pleased with him) went to the Ansaar’s meeting place and asked them to testify with him that this hadeeth was authentically attributed to the Prophet ﷺ. Since this matter was well-known and quite common among the Ansaar, they sent with Aboo Moosaa a young Companion Aboo Sa’eed Al-Khudree to ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), and he testified as to the authenticity of the relevant hadeeth. Upon knowing that and learning of the authentic hadeeth on that act of Sunnah, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) attributed the reason for his lack of knowledge of it to his preoccupation with trade and spending a lot of time in the marketplaces. The Arabic word ‘Safq’ used in the hadeeth means handshakes upon concluding sales transactions.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that Muslims are required to investigate the authenticity of any statement before attributing it to the Prophet ﷺ.
It is also inferred that when a Companion (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “We were commanded”, it meant that the Prophet ﷺ commanded them.
The hadeeth also highlights that senior Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) engaged in trade and worked to earn their living.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) complied with the Prophet’s command and accepted it upon verifying its authenticity.
It is also inferred therefrom that even a knowledgeable scholar (like ‘Umar) may be ignorant of some knowledge issues that may be known to someone else who is less knowledgeable!
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2066

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "If a woman spends something (i.e., in charity) from her husband's earnings without his permission, he will get half the reward.".

Commentary :
In this hadeeth, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ highly praised spending in charity and emphasized its reward, urging Muslims to spend more in charity. He ﷺ also underlined the reward earned by both the husband and wife when she spends in charity from her husband's earnings without his explicit consent, while knowing his tacit approval of such disposal of his wealth; or in the case that such act of disposal is customarily pardoned and approved. An example is when she offers in charity an insignificant amount of food or money. However, if she spends a significant amount of food or money in charity without his explicit consent and such an act is not customarily pardoned and approved, she earns no reward for her act and rather bears a sin for it.
If she spends in charity seeking to earn the pleasure of Allah, Exalted is He, the husband is credited with half the reward. She would earn the reward for spending in charity, and her husband would be credited with the reward for earning this money. It has also been said that the hadeeth rather means that the husband gets an equal share in the reward of spending charity; each gets half the reward, since whoever guides someone to a good deed receives a reward similar to that of its doer (i.e.,without his reward being diminished in any respect), and this entails having equal shares of the reward.
It is said that the money spent in charity, for which a husband gets half the reward when his wife spends, should be surplus to the enjoined maintenance on one’s household and children, after fulfilling their needs without extravagance or squandering.
It has also been said that the hadeeth refers to the case when a husband gives an allowance to his wife to provide for herself and her household. If she spends from such money without his knowledge, the reward is shared by them both; she gets the reward of spending in charity and he gets the reward for earning this money, and because he is also rewarded for the money he spends on his family in general. The wife gets the reward because this money was taken from the enjoined maintenance for her (and her household).
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2067

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him):
I heard Allah's Messenger ﷺ saying, "Whoever desires to have his Rizq (i.e., provisions) and life span expanded (i.e., blessed), should uphold ties of kinship.".

Commentary :
Upholding ties of kinship is one of the best acts of worship by means of which a person draws closer to his Lord, who commanded it, and warned against cutting it off. He even deems severing ties of kinship a cause to incur His punishment, and its upholding as a good deed warranting reward.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ stated the virtues and merits of upholding ties of kinship in this worldly life. The reference to ties of kinship incorporates all one’s relatives bonded by kinship ties, whether they are heirs or non-heirs, and the obligation of upholding ties of kinship is further emphasized the closer in kinship a relative.
He ﷺ stated that upholding ties of kinship is rewarded with having one’s Rizq (provision) blessed, and whoever wishes to earn such reward should uphold ties of kinship. He ﷺ also stated that such a good deed is rewarded with having one’s lifespan blessed, meaning to guide him to acts of worship and obedience, preoccupying his time with what benefits him in the Hereafter, and guarding him against wasting his life in other futile activities. It could also mean that his good remembrance would live longer after his death. It has also been said that there are two ends to one’s life on earth; one end is unconditional and only known to Allah and the second is conditional. Allah, Exalted is He, commands an angel to write down the lifespan of a given person, and it is said that he also writes: “If he upholds ties of kinship, he shall live until such-and-such time!” The angel does not have knowledge of whether or not this person’s lifespan shall be extended; this is only Known to Allah, Exalted is He.
Muslims are urged to uphold ties of kinship in countless religious texts. Upholding ties of kinship can be done by visiting one’s relatives when they are sick, checking in on them, paying them visits, talking nicely to them, helping them do what is good and righteous, spending in charity for the poor among them, offering gifts to the rich ones, and the like of what is customarily considered a means to uphold ties of kinship. It is noteworthy that ties of kinship are not merely upheld with those who uphold ties of kinship with us. The Prophet ﷺ said: “A person who perfectly upholds ties of kinship is not the one who does it to reciprocate or recompense those relatives (for being kind and good to them), but the one who truly upholds ties of kinship is the one who persistently upholds them even though such relatives have severed ties of kinship with him.” [Al-Bukhaaree].
It is deduced from the hadeeth that some good deeds may have lasting impacts and keep the doer’s good memory alive after his death, and may cause his lifespan to be blessed, beyond his actual lifespan..

973

‘Ā’ishah reported: When Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqās died, the wives of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent a message to bring his bier into the mosque so that they should offer prayer over him, which they did. It was placed in front of their rooms, and they offered prayer over him. It was brought out of the Door of Funerals, which was towards the side of Maqā‘id, and news reached them that the people criticized that, saying: It is not appropriate for a bier to be taken into the mosque! This was conveyed to ‘Ā’ishah, and she said: "How quick people are in criticizing what they have no knowledge about! They criticized us that a bier should be brought into the mosque, whereas the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not offer prayer over Suhayl ibn Baydā’ except deep inside the mosque.".

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were the keenest among people on following the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and they would probably correct one another when it came to unclear matters or confusing to them.
In this Hadīth, the Mother of the Believers ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) says when the Companion Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqās (may Allah be pleased with him) died, and he passed away in his palace in the region of Al-‘Aqīq, ten miles away from Madīnah, in 55 A.H., according to the famous view, and he was carried on the shoulders of men so as to be buried in the Baqī‘, the graveyard of the people of Madīnah, which happened during the caliphate of Mu‘āwiyah ibn Abi Sufyān (may Allah be pleased with him), and Marawān ibn Al-Hakam was the then-governor of Madīnah. The Prophet's wives sent word to those who were carrying him and asked them to bring the bier - in reference to the deceased person - to the Prophet's Mosque so that the Mothers of the Believers, the Prophet's wives, could offer prayer over him. In a version by Muslim, it was ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who asked for that. The bier was brought into the mosque and placed in front of the rooms of the Mothers of the Believers, who offered the funeral prayer over him. After the prayer was finished, he was taken out of the Door of Funerals, i.e., the door of the mosque that was prepared for the passing of funerals; or because the funerals would often pass through this door - given its closeness to the direction of the Baqī‘ - it was called as such. It was located near "the Maqā‘id", which was situated behind the eastern wall of the Prophet's Mosque, east of the noble chamber, where the Imām would stand up to offer the funeral prayer, the Prophet's grave would lay to his right. It was said: "The Maqā‘id" is a place at the door of the mosque reserved for sitting for the fulfillment of needs, performing ablution, and taking rest. And it was said: It was a stone near the house of ‘Uthmān (may Allah be pleased with him) upon which he used to sit. It was also said: It was stairs. News reached ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the people criticized the entry of the bier into the mosque for the funeral prayer. That is because they would usually offer the funeral prayer outside the mosque, in an open space. Thereupon, ‘Ā’ishah said in wonder: "How quickly people are criticizing what they have no knowledge about!" i.e., how quickly they forgot the Sunnah. It was said: How quick they are in maligning and finding faults. It was also said: How quick they are in denying what they do not know, namely the ruling on bringing the bier into the mosque. Therefore, they criticized us for bringing the bier into the mosque. Then, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) cited the Prophet's action as evidence, saying: "Whereas the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not offer prayer for Suhayl ibn Baydā,’" i.e., for his funeral. Suhayl (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of those who engaged in the two immigrations—to Abyssinia and Madinah—and he participated in the battles of Badr and ’Uhud. He (may Allah be pleased with him) died after the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) returned from the battle of Tabuk, 9 A.H. "except deep inside the mosque" and within it. This proves that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did offer the funeral prayer in the mosque, even if a few times, but this points to permissibility.
In the Hadīth: The merit of the knowledge of ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her)
And in it: Offering the funeral prayers inside the mosque and outside it
And in it: Offering the funeral prayer by women
And in it: The Sunnah should not be abandoned because some people deny it out of ignorance; rather, it should be demonstrated to the people and taught to those who are ignorant about it..

974

‘Ā’ishah reported, saying: "Should I not tell you about the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and me?" We said: 'Yes.' [In a version] from Muhammad ibn Qays ibn Makhramah ibn al-Muttalib that he said one day: "Should I not tell you about me and my mother?" He said: "We thought he meant his mother who gave birth to him." He said: "‘Ā’ishah said: 'Should I not tell you about me and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)?' We said: 'Yes.' She said: 'When it was my turn and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was to spend the night with me, he turned and put down his mantle and took off his shoes and placed them near his feet. Then, he spread the end of his Izār (lower garment) on his bed and lay down until he thought that I had gone asleep. He took hold of his mantle slowly and put on his shoes slowly, and opened the door and went out and then closed it gently. I put on my head cover and my veil and tightened my Izār, and then went out following his steps until he reached the Baqī‘. He stood there for a long time. He then lifted his hands three times, and then returned and I also returned. He hastened his steps, and I also hastened my steps. He ran and I ran too. He came (to the house), and I also came (to the house). I, however, preceded him and entered (the house), and as I lay down in bed, he entered and said: 'What is the matter with you, O ‘Ā’ishah; you are out of breath and your abdomen is heightened?' I said: 'Nothing.' He said: 'Either you tell me or the Gentle and the All-Aware will inform me.' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother be redeemed for you.' Then, I told him everything. He said: 'So, you were the darkness that I saw in front of me?' I said: 'Yes.' He struck me on the chest, and it was painful, and he then said: 'Did you think that Allah and His Messenger would be unfair to you?' I said: 'Whatever people conceal, Allah knows it. Yes.' He said: 'Jibrīl came to me when you saw me. He called me and he concealed it from you. I responded to his call, but I too concealed it from you, as he would never come to you while you are undressed. I thought that you had gone asleep, and I did not like to awaken you, fearing that you might be afraid of being left alone. Jibrīl said to me: 'Your Lord commands you to go to the inhabitants of the Baqī‘ and seek forgiveness for them.'’ I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what should I say to them?' He said: 'Say: Peace be upon the inhabitants of this place among the believers and Muslims. May Allah have mercy upon those of us who went before and those who will go later, and we will join you, Allah Willing.’’”.

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was compassionate and merciful towards his Ummah. He used to supplicate for the Muslims while they were alive and dead, and he would teach those who asked what was beneficial to them. His wives (may Allah be pleased with them) were among the people with the most knowledge of his conditions at home.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Muhammad ibn Qays ibn Makhramah ibn al-Muttalib relates that he heard the Mother of the Believers ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrate to the people one day about some situation between her and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). In an exciting manner, she said to those around her: "Should I not tell you about the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and me?" i.e., information related to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Sunnah in his dwelling and house. People listened to her and replied in the affirmative that she should narrate to them, and in the same interesting manner in another version: Muhammad ibn Qays one day said to his companions: "Should I not tell you about me and my mother?" The people thought he meant his mother who had given birth to him. Yet, he meant our Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the Mother of the Believers ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), as Allah Almighty says: {The Prophet has a greater claim over the believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 6] Then, he mentioned that she (may Allah be pleased with her) told him that when it was her night in which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would stay with her, he turned to his bed in which he would lie down. It was said: He departed from the mosque after the ‘Ishā’ prayer and turned back to his bed, took off his clothing and shoes, and placed them near his legs so that he could put them on when he got up to leave. He spread his Izār - the garment that covers his lower body - over the bed and slept on it. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) lay down in bed to sleep, but he only remained in this state of lying down for as long as he thought that ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) had lain down and slept. He took his garment gently and calmly, lest she might get up from her sleep. And he wore his shoes, also in a calm and gentle way. He opened the door, went out of the house, and closed the door calmly and gently, without making a sound. He did all that in a subdued and calm manner out of compassion toward her, lest he awaken her, and thus he would leave her awake, and she might feel solitude and loneliness in the darkness of night.
‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with him) sensed the departure of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and she wore her garment from above her head, covered her head with a veil, and used her Izār as a cover whereby she concealed her face. Then, she went after the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to know where he was about to go. She found that he had left and headed towards the Baqī‘, the graveyard of the people of Madīnah located on the eastern side of the Prophet's Mosque. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stood up in the Baqī‘ to supplicate for its people. He stood for a long time and then raised his hands supplicating for them three times. When a supplication is repeated, it is more likely to be accepted. After he had finished, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) left the Baqī‘ and headed home. ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) left her place before she could be seen by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) quickened his steps, and so did ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). He ran moderately at a pace faster than walking. So, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) jogged. Thereupon, he increased the intensity of his running, and ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) increased the intensity of her running as well.
‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reached there ahead of him and entered the house. Once she lay down in her sleeping place, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered after her. He asked her: "What is the matter with you, O ‘Ā’ishah?!" He called her name with a shortened form out of gentleness and cordiality. "you are out of breath," which happens to a person when he walks fast or talks in a nervous way. "and your abdomen is heightened?" What is the reason behind the disturbance of your body and your breathlessness? She informed him that there was nothing in her that caused that. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to her: "Either you tell me" about the reason for your disturbance and breathlessness, "or the Al-Latīf (the Gentle)," the Compassionate towards His servants "and the Al-Khabīr (the All-Aware)" the Knower of their conditions, apparent and hidden "will inform me" about the reason for your disturbance and breathlessness. ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) replied: "O Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother be redeemed for you," may my parents be redeemed to protect you from any harm. She told him about the reason and that she walked after him to find out where he was going. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) understood and knew that she was the person he saw while returning. So, he said to her: "So, you were the darkness," i.e., the person that I saw in front of me when I returned from the Baqī‘? She said: Yes. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pushed her hard, or struck her on her chest with his fist, causing pain to her. Then, he said to her: "Did you think that Allah and His Messenger would be unfair to you?" i.e., that Allah and His Messenger would wrong you. The meaning: Did you think that I have wronged you by giving you your day and turning to someone else? The mention of Allah is a preparation and prelude for the mention of His Messenger. He is not meant by the word 'unfairness'. His mention affords respect to the Messenger and indicates that the Messenger would not do anything without permission from Allah Almighty.
Confirming the Prophet's statement, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "Whatever people conceal," i.e., anything a person conceals and hides from others, "Allah knows it," for He is the One Who knows the innermost thoughts. This seems to be an acknowledgment by her of this thinking.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed her about the reality of what he did and his leaving at that time, namely that Jibrīl (peace be upon him), the angel in charge of the revelation, came to him when ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) saw the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) get up from his bed. So, Jibrīl (peace be upon him) called out to him from outside the room and hid his call from ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) so that she would not hear it. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) answered him and responded to his call and hid his response from ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). Then, he clarified to her the reason for this concealment, saying that Jibrīl (peace be upon him) called out to him from outside the room because he would not enter the room of ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) when she was undressed. Also, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told her that upon leaving, he thought that she had slept; so, he disliked awakening her and feared she might feel gloomy if he had left her awake alone in the darkness of the night.
Then, when he went out to Jibrīl (peace be upon him), he said to him: "Your Lord commands you to go to the dwellers of the Baqī‘ graveyard and seek forgiveness for them," i.e., supplicate and ask Allah Almighty to forgive their sins. Whereupon, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked: "'O Messenger of Allah, what should I say to them" if I want to visit them? This applies to the people of the graves in general. In other words: What dhikr and supplication should I say when I visit the graves? So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught her to say: "Peace be upon the dwellers of these dwellings among the believers and Muslims;" the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) called the place of the graves a dwelling and dwellings, for they are gathered therein like the living people in houses. "May Allah have mercy upon those of us who went before," i.e., those who died before us. "of us," the community of believers. "and those who will go later," i.e., those who will die later, after us. "and we will join you, Allah willing," in dying while being Muslims. His statement "Allah willing" does not denote doubt; rather, it was for seeking blessing and complying with Allah's command to him: {And never say about anything, “I will surely do this tomorrow*," without adding: "if Allah wills"} to the rest of the verse. [Surat al-Kahf: 23-24]
In the Hadīth: Prolonging and repeating supplication
And in it: Raising one's hands in supplication
And in it: Supplication while standing is more perfect than supplication while sitting in the graveyards
And in it: The Prophet's leniency and mercy
And in it: What should be said upon entering the graveyards
And in it: Greeting the dead is like greeting the living.
And in it: Supplicating for Allah's mercy upon the living and the dead
And in it: Demonstrating women's innate disposition of jealousy
And in it: A husband disciplining his wife by striking her with his hand and the like, even if this causes pain to her
And in it: Visiting the graves by women.

976

Abu Hurayrah reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) visited the grave of his mother and wept and caused those around him to weep. Then, he said: "I sought permission from my Lord to ask forgiveness for her, but I was not permitted, and I sought permission from Him to visit her grave, and I was permitted. So, visit the graves, for they remind of death.".

Commentary : Mentioning death and visiting the dead and the graves remind one of the Hereafter and the inevitable end for every human. This motivates one to work. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to visit those buried in the Baqī‘ cemetery.
In this Hadīth, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates the story of the Prophet's visit to the grave of his mother and the lessons it offers. The grave of the Prophet's mother was in Al-Abwā’, located between Makkah and Madīnah, 67km away from Rābigh, north of the region of Makkah. During Jāhiliyyah and the early period of Islam, it belonged to the dwellings of Banu Damrah, from the tribe of Kinānah. Today, it belongs to the dwellings of Banu ‘Amr ibn Harb. This visit took place during the year of the Conquest of Makkah, 8 A.H. The reason behind the Prophet's visit to her grave was to seek strong admonition and reminder by watching her grave. This is supported by his statement at the end of the Hadīth: "So, visit the graves, for they remind of death." It was said: The Prophet's visit to her grave, despite her being a disbeliever, was meant to teach the Ummah the rights due to one's parents and relatives. He did not fail to fulfill her rights although she was a disbeliever. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw the grave of his mother, he wept, and those around him wept for his weeping.
So, clarifying the reason for his weeping, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I sought permission from my Lord to ask forgiveness for her" - by supplicating for the pardon and elimination of sins - "but I was not permitted" because she was a disbeliever, and it is not permissible to ask for Allah's forgiveness for the disbelievers, for Allah will never forgive them. Allah Almighty says: {Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him but forgives anything less than that for whom He wills.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 48] The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said that he sought permission to visit the grave of his mother, and Allah Almighty permitted him to do that. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "So, visit the graves, for they," i.e., the graves or visiting the graves" remind of death." Remembrance of death softens the believing hearts, particularly when it is associated with the meanings of elimination, resurrection, questioning, and standing before Allah.
In the Hadīth: It is prohibited to ask for Allah's forgiveness for anyone who dies in a religion other than Islam.
And in it: Visiting non-Muslim parents
And in it: Visiting the graves reminds of death and the Hereafter.
And in it: Weeping during the visit to the graves.

977

Buraydah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I have forbidden you from receptacles; indeed, receptacles - or a receptacle - do not make something lawful or unlawful, and every intoxicant is unlawful.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was concerned about the Muslims and what served their interests and welfare, and he would probably enjoin something or prohibit it at a certain time and under certain circumstances for some purpose and then change the command or prohibition after the end of the circumstances for another purpose.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says: "I have forbidden you from receptacles," i.e., I have forbidden you before that from some receptacles and vessels which were used for keeping food and drink. These receptacles whose use was forbidden by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) include the following: Ad-Dubbā’: The pumpkin, after withering and becoming dry, is used as a receptacle. An-Naqīr: The hole and empty space made in the trunks of palm trees. Al-Muzaffat: What is smeared with the asphalt. Al-Hantam: The green jars among the pottery made of mud, blood, and hair. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade them to block the means to what is unlawful, lest intoxication may happen because of them, for these receptacles help in this process; so, the drink may turn into wine while they do not know, and thus they will fall into what Allah prohibited.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "indeed, receptacles - or a receptacle - do not make something lawful or unlawful." A receptacle is a container or vessel. The meaning: These vessels were not prohibited per se, but they were prohibited due to their effect on the drink placed therein, which hastens its transformation into wine. This indirectly indicates that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) permitted the use of these receptacles which he used to prohibit; but if what is in them turns into wine, it is prohibited to drink it.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "and every intoxicant is unlawful," i.e., the rule governing whether a vessel is lawful or unlawful is that every drink that covers the mind and causes its loss is unlawful. This statement by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) constitutes a key principle in prohibiting the consumption of all intoxicants that cover the mind, with all their different forms and types.
In the Hadīth: Demonstrating Islam's care about the soundness and attentiveness of the mind, for it is the basis of accountability..

977

Buraydah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I forbade you from visiting graves, but you may visit them, and I forbade you from the meat of sacrificial animals after three days, but you may keep it as long as you wish, and I forbade you from wine except in a water-skin, but you may drink it from all kinds of water-skins, yet you must not drink anything intoxicating.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was concerned about the Muslims and what served their interests and welfare, and he would probably enjoin something or prohibit it at a particular time and under certain circumstances for some reason and then change the command or prohibition after the end of the circumstances for another reason.
This is one of the Hadīths that combine abrogating and abrogated rulings. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I forbade you from visiting graves, but you may visit them," i.e., I earlier forbade you from visiting graves, for they were not too far from the era of Jāhiliyyah and the worship of idols and the supplication to idols. So, they were prohibited from visiting graves for fear they might say or do any of the things they used to say or do in Jāhiliyyah and for fear that this might be a means leading to the worship of those buried in the graves. But now Islam has become strong, and the foundations of polytheistic visits have been demolished. So, you may visit them, for this inspires softness of the heart, reminds of death and decay, etc., which prompts one to do good and prepare for this day.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that he had initially forbidden the Muslims to store the meat of sacrificial animals for more than three days. This prohibition was for the sake of the poor and needy who came to Madīnah when famine hit the desert. As a result, the desert dwellers entered Madīnah. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited the Muhājirūn and the Ansār from storing the meat of sacrificial animals for more than three nights so that they should instead give to those poor and needy people. Then, he gave them the new command, saying: "but you may keep it as long as you wish" i.e., you may store their meat for the period you want. Or the intended meaning: Keep the meat that remains after you have given out what is due to the poor.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told that he had earlier forbidden the Muslims from drinks prepared in certain containers. This refers to such sweet fruits as raisins, dried dates, figs, or others, that are soaked in water till they turn into wine. He excluded from those vessels the water-skin vessel, which is a leather container that does not make water hot; therefore, the drink does not become intoxicating in a short time. By contrast, other vessels make water hot and turn the drink into an intoxicant. Hence, he allowed them to consume drinks in any container, unless they become intoxicating. He said: "But you may drink it from all kinds of water-skins, yet you must not drink anything intoxicating." The meaning: Drink all kinds of drinks put in vessels and containers, provided that the drink is not intoxicating. Consequently, what is prohibited is intoxicants, not the utensils or vessels themselves.
The Hadīth indicates that a Muslim may store the meat of sacrificial animals for as long as he wishes.
It enjoins visiting graves for reminder and admonition.
It forbids the drinking of intoxicants..

978

Jābir ibn Samurah reported: A man who killed himself with a broad-headed arrow was brought to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), but he did not offer the funeral prayer for him..

Commentary : The preservation of life is one of the supreme objectives of the Islamic Shariah, and killing a person unjustly is one of the gravest major sins. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen to deter the Muslim from killing himself.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the bier of one of the Muslim men who had killed himself with a broad-headed arrow, was brought to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), but the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not offer the funeral prayer for him by himself, by way of deterring people from acting like the dead person. However, the Companions offered the funeral prayer for him. Likewise, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) initially refrained from offering the funeral prayer for a debtor, to deter them from taking borrowing lightly and neglecting repayment. He commanded his Companions to offer the funeral prayer for him. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Pray for your companion." Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim.
In the Hadīth: The graveness of killing people.

982

Abu Hurayrah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No Zakah is payable on the slave except Zakat al-Fitr.".

Commentary : Zakah is an obligation Allah Almighty ordained upon the rich to be given back to the poor. Allah Almighty and His Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) specified all details and rulings related to this obligation so that the rich would not be wronged and the poor's rights would not be lost.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says: "No Zakah is payable on the slave except Zakat al-Fitr" i.e., Zakah on personal property is not payable on slaves and slavegirls who serve their owners and are not retained for trade; this is because Zakah is due upon growing wealth, which grows and increases by earning. As for slaves, they are used in the service of their masters and owners. As regards them, their owners either pay only Zakat al-Fitr on their behalf, which is a Sā‘ of food for each slave, or, in case they are slaves with whom their owner does business, he should pay Zakah on the commodities and profits of his trade, if they reach the Nisāb (the minimum Zakatable amount) and witness the passage of one lunar year.
The Hadīth shows Allah's mercy toward His servants, as He pardoned the Zakah on slaves..

987

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Any owner of gold or silver who does not pay what is due on them, on the Day of Resurrection, plates of fire will be heated for him in the fire of Hell, and his side, forehead, and back will be seared with them. When they cool down, they will be heated again and the same process will be repeated during a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years long until judgment is established among the slaves and he will see his path, either to Paradise or to Hellfire." It was said: "O Messenger of Allah, what about camels?" He said: "Any owner of camels who does not pay what is due on them, and part of what is due on them is to milk them on the day they are taken to water, when the Day of Resurrection comes, he will be made to lie down on a vast smooth plain, and they (the camels) will come, more numerous than they have ever been without even a single young one missing thereof. They will trample him with their hooves and bite him with their mouths; as often as the first of them passes over him, the last of them will be made to return and pass over him in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years, until judgment is established among the slaves and he sees his path, either to Paradise or to Hellfire." It was said: "O Messenger of Allah, what about cows and sheep?" He said: "Any owner of cows or sheep who does not pay what is due on them, when the Day of Resurrection comes, he will be made to lie down on a vast smooth plain and they will come without any of them missing. There will be none among them with twisted horns, without horns, or with a broken horn; they will gore him with their horns and trample him with their hooves; as often as the first of them passes over him, the last of them will be made to return and pass over him in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years, until judgment is established among the slaves and he will see his path, either to Paradise or to Hellfire." It was said: "O Messenger of Allah, what about horses?" He said: "Horses are of three types: for a man they are a burden, for another man they are a shield, and for a third man they are a source of reward. The one for whom they are a burden is the person who rears them in order to show off, for vainglory, and to oppose the Muslims; so they are a burden for him. The one for whom they are a shield is the person who keeps them for the sake of Allah and then does not forget the right of Allah concerning their backs and their necks, and so they are a shield for him. The one for whom they bring reward is the person who keeps them in a meadow and pasture for the sake of Allah in order to be used for the interest of the people of Islam. Whatever they eat from that meadow or pasture will be recorded for him as good deeds, and even their dung and urine will be recorded for him as good deeds. They will not break their halter and prance a course or two except that Allah will record their hoof marks and their dung as good deeds for him. And their owner does not take them past a river from which they drink, though he did not intend thereby to quench their thirst, except that Allah will record for him the amount they drink as good deeds." It was said: "O Messenger of Allah, what about donkeys?" He said: "Nothing has been revealed to me in regard to donkeys except this unique comprehensive verse: {So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it*. And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.} [Surat az-Zalzalah: 7-8]".

Commentary : Wealth is the adornment of worldly life. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) outlined the rights due on those who own ample wealth - of Zakah and charity - and demonstrated the merit and reward they will gain in return for that. He also clarified the punishment for those who do not fulfill these rights.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that anyone who owns wealth, including gold and silver, and hoards it without fulfilling the rights due on them, by paying the Zakah and fulfilling Allah's rights therein, this wealth will certainly take the form of plates of iron on the Day of Judgment. It was said: of the same metal he hoards; they will be heated in the fire of Hell and his side, forehead - alluding to his face - and back will be seared with them. They will be placed on his body to torment him. This accords with the verse that reads: {On the Day when their treasures will be heated up in the Fire of Hell, and their foreheads, sides and backs will be branded therewith. [They will be told]: "This is what you hoarded for yourselves; so, taste [the punishment of] what you used to hoard."} [Surat at-Tawbah: 35] So, He made the gold, silver, and wealth the very things that will be heated up in the fire of Hell on the Day of Judgment. What they hoarded and withheld its rights will be kindled in Hellfire. When its heat becomes intense, it will be placed on their foreheads, sides, and backs, and it will be said to them, rebukingly: This is your wealth, which you collected but did not fulfill. So, taste the outcome and evil consequences of what you used to collect and not fulfill its rights.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that whenever their heat subsides, they will be heated again, and he will be tormented therewith again. This is meant to point to the continuity and permanence of the punishment. This punishment will be inflicted upon him on the Day of Judgment, the measure of which is fifty thousand years, which is the length of the day of reckoning. He will continue to receive punishment for all this period until Allah judges between all humankind. Then, after this punishment, the owner of the wealth will know his fate and recompense. Either Allah will show mercy to him and admit him to Paradise, by His grace, or he will endure in the punishment of Hellfire as a just recompense for his evil deed.
After demonstrating the condition and recompense of he who hoards gold and silver, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about the wealth of camels as to what should be done with it and about the punishment of one who does not fulfill the right and Zakah due on it. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) warned camel owners about not paying the Zakah due on them and not giving charity from any wealth derived from them. Part of these rights concerning camels is to milk them and give charity from their milk, especially when they go to drink from the reservoirs of wells and the like, as camels drink every three or four days; so, their milk is to be given to those who need it or to the passers-by, and so on. This is because milking on this day is better for the she-camel and more kind to the needy. It was the habit of the poor and needy to come to that place where camels arrive for drinking, in order to take from their milk; so, if anyone does not fulfill these rights, his recompense on the Day of Judgment will be that he will be made to sit and lie down on his face before these camels, "on a vast smooth plain," which will be broader for the camels, and so they will trample him without hindrance. The camels will come and be created again with a larger number than they were in his possession, and in the best condition, and they will come in their entirety, with none missing, even the young of the she-camel will come with them. "They will trample him with their hooves and bite him with their mouths," i.e., they will walk over him. A hoof is like a foot for humans. Every time they walk and pass over him up until the last camel among them, they will return and pass over him beginning with the last camel, which will now be the first. This means that they will keep walking over him nonstop, on the Day of Judgment, the measure of which is fifty thousand years, until Allah judges between the slaves; and he will know his fate, either to Paradise or to Hellfire, like the former person, the owner of silver and gold.
The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about the other types of wealth, namely cows and sheep, in case their owner does not fulfill their Shar‘i rights; what is his recompense? The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told them that if any owner of cows or sheep does not give what is due on them, his recompense on the Day of Judgment will be that he will be made to sit and lie down on his face for these cows and sheep in a vast level place, which will be broader for the cows and sheep. So, they will come in their most complete number in worldly life; "There will be none among them with twisted horns," i.e., none of the cows or sheep will have twisted horns; rather, their horns will be level and extended. So, they will be stronger and more severe in hitting; "without horns," i.e., none of the cows or sheep will be without horns; rather, they will all have horns. And they will include no cow or sheep with broken horns. These animals will all walk upon their owner, hitting him with their horns and heads and trampling him with their hooves and feet. Hooves are the protruding bones at the tips of the feet of cows and sheep. Every time the first of them passes over him, the last of them will be made to return and pass over him on the Day of Judgment, the measure of which is fifty thousand years, until Allah judges between the slaves. And he will know his fate, either to Paradise or to Hellfire.
So, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): What should we do with horses, and what is due regarding them? In response, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Horses are of three types," i.e., their owners fall under three categories in terms of reward and recompense. First: "for a man they are a burden," i.e., they bring him sins and misdeeds. Such is the man who keeps and raises them to show off among people by their substantial number, value, and good appearance, and by riding them. They may also be intended for hostility and war against the people of Islam and engaging in war against them. So, they incur burdens and sins for their owner. Second: "for another man they are a shield," i.e., they shield him and make him in no need to beg people in this life. Such is the man who keeps, raises, and fosters them for charitable purposes for himself and for others. In a version by Al-Bukhāri: "who keeps them for earning his living and to be free from asking others," like trading in them or utilizing them for his interests and the benefits of his land and so on, even if he does not offer them for Jihad in the cause of Allah and war; and he does not neglect the right of Allah in them; rather, he fulfills the rights due on him regarding them; one of these is to extend their benefits to people, by lending them to those who need them. Third: "and for a third man they are a source of reward," i.e., they bring reward for their owner. Such is the one who devotes them for serving the people of Islam, spreading the religion, and conducting Jihad for His cause. Part of his preservation of them is that he fosters them "in a meadow and pasture," i.e., in gardens and groves where they pasture and eat. Every time they eat or drink from that garden or grove, a reward is recorded for him with Allah Almighty and as many virtuous deeds as the number of dungs they excrete are recorded for him. Dung is the excrement and waste coming out of the abdomens of animals. This indicates the extreme keenness to count the reward, for if honorable deeds are recorded according to the number of dung and urine, so what about other things?!
It was said: Dung and urine are recorded as good deeds because the continuity of their lives lies in them, though their origin, before the transformation, mostly come from their owner's money.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out the additional rewards for their owners due to their foot marks and the movements they make. So, he said that "they will not break their halter," i.e., any of their ropes; "and prance a course or two," i.e., they run quickly, go off, and ascend a high land or a mountain or two; "except that Allah will record their hoof marks," i.e., the number of their steps, "and their dung as good deeds for him. And their owner does not take them past a river from which they drink, though he did not intend thereby to quench their thirst, except that Allah will record for him the amount they drink as good deeds." The intended meaning: All the times of their life and all their movements, eating, and drinking are recorded for their owner as rewards and good deeds, by the grace and bounty of Allah.
Then, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked him: What is due regarding the local donkeys which are used for ploughing and servicing the land? The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) replied that nothing was revealed to him about donkeys and what is due regarding them, "except this unique comprehensive verse," i.e., it is unparalleled, and it contains all meanings of good and evil deeds, including the obligatory or supererogatory acts of worship. It is the words that read: {So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.} [Surat az-Zalzalah: 7-8] An atom is a small ant or fine dust that floats in the air and can be seen in light. The meaning: The effect of every deed, good or evil, even if it is so little, will be seen, and the person will be held accountable for it before Allah Almighty. So, if he helps someone to ride them, he will be rewarded, and if he rides them to commit a sin, he will be punished.
In the Hadīth: It intimidates and deters us from hoarding wealth and failing to give what is due to Allah therein.
And in it: It demonstrates the harsh punishment for withholding the Zakah.
And in it: It demonstrates the duty of paying Zakah on silver and gold, and on camels, cows, and sheep, with the relevant conditions.
And in it: It shows the merit of horses and the goodness and blessings lying in their forelocks, if they are used for righteous purposes.
And in it: It encourages the doing of good, no matter how small or light in weight it may be..

988

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh al-Ansāri reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "There is no owner of camels who does not pay what is due on them except that they will come on the Day of Judgment with a greater number than they ever were, and he will be made to sit on a level expanse, and they will trample on him with their forelegs and hooves. And no owner of cows who does not pay what is due on them except that they will come on the Day of Judgment with a greater number than they ever were, and he will be made to sit on a level expanse, and they will gore him with their horns and trample him with their forelegs. And no owner of sheep who does not pay what is due on them except that they will come on the Day of Judgment with a greater number than they ever were, and he will be made to sit on a level expanse. They will gore him with their horns and trample him with their cloven hooves, and none among them will be without horns or with broken horns. And no owner of a treasure who does not pay its due on it except that his treasure will come on the Day of Judgment like a bald snake and will pursue him with its mouth open, and when it comes near him, he will run away from it, and it will call him: 'Take your treasure which you concealed, for I am in no need for it.' When he sees that there is no way out, he will put his hand in its mouth, and it will gnaw it like a he-camel." Abu az-Zubayr said: I heard ‘Ubayd ibn ‘Umayr say: A man said: "O Messenger of Allah, what is due on camels?" He said: "Milking them near water, and lending their bucket, lending their males and their females, and providing them as a ride in the cause of Allah.".

Commentary : Wealth is the adornment of worldly life. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) outlined the rights obligatory for those with ample wealth - of Zakah and charity - and demonstrated the merit and reward they would gain in return. He also clarified the punishment for those who do not fulfill these rights.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) demonstrates to us that if anyone does not pay Zakah on the cattle he possesses, they will come on the Day of Judgment with a more significant number than they were in his ownership, for they may undergo different conditions with him; sometimes lean, sometimes fat, and occasionally young, and at other times old. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed us that they would come in the best condition in which they were with their owner. If they are camels or cows and he does not pay the Zakah due on them, they would trample him with their legs and gore him with their horns, and the camels would hit him with their hooves. A hoof is the pliant part at the end of the foot of the camel. Such a man would be made to sit for them against his will. "on a level expanse" (in Arabic Qā‘ Qarqar): Qā‘: an area of level ground, and water from the sky goes over it and it holds it. Qarqar: is also a vast plain. This indicates that the place can hold any number of animals. So, all that he possessed would come to this place, and he would be punished with his wealth, which he did not pay what was due to Allah. Likewise, if they are sheep and he does not pay the Zakah due on them, they would gore him with their horns and trample him with their cloven hooves, which exist in cows, sheep, and antelopes, within their forelegs. These animals would come in their complete strength, and none of them would come without having horns or with broken horns.
If the person who withholds what is due on wealth is the owner of a treasure, which refers to a collected fortune inside the earth or above it, and he does not pay the Zakah on it, his treasure would come in the form of "a bald snake". When a snake is bald, i.e., with no hair on its head, this is due to its excessive poison and prolonged age, or this refers to a snake whose head turned white because of the poison. Allah would punish the owner of the treasure with this snake, which would pursue him with its mouth open. When the snake approached the punished person, he would flee and run away from it. Then, the snake would address the treasure owner, saying: "Take your treasure which you concealed, for I do not need it." As this man saw that he had no way of escaping from this snake, he would extend his hand and enter it inside its mouth, and the snake would "gnaw it" - gnaw means: eating and chewing vigorously - "like a he-camel", given its powerful gnawing.
Then, ‘Ubayd ibn ‘Umayr informs that a man asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "What is due on camels?" i.e., the usual and customary right among the Arabs towards the poor and destitute, by way of solace and generosity. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said that camels should be milked upon coming to the water, and the poor people who are present should be given to drink from their milk. He associated milking with the place of water because it is easier for the poor to go to such places and this is kinder to cattle. It is also because their milk becomes abundant there. "and lending their bucket", which is to give their vessels, where they are milked, or they drink, to others so that they can utilize them in case of need; "lending their males", and in a version by Muslim: "lending their males for breeding"; this is when the male copulates with the female to make it pregnant - without taking a wage for that. "and their females"; Minhah, in Arabic, is an ewe or a she-camel. Its owner gives it to someone to drink from its milk and returns it when it ceases to flow. "and providing them as a ride in the cause of Allah", which is to give them to those who ride them in the battle to spread Allah's religion or for any charitable purpose. This version indicates that these four acts are obligatory. This Hadīth is probably taken to apply to the time of need, the duty of providing solace, and the state of necessity, as was the condition during the early phase of Islam. Thus, the Hadīth means that once these rights exist, become due, and are not fulfilled, this stern warning applies to the person who refrains from observing them.
The Hadīth mentions the punishment for those who do not pay Zakah.
It is enjoined to give Zakah on cattle.
It indicates that if a person does not show gratitude for a specific blessing and fulfill Allah's rights, it will cause misfortune and evil consequences for him on the Day of Judgment.
It is also indicated in the Hadīth that Allah Almighty will resurrect the very camels, cows, and sheep whose Zakah was not paid to punish those who withheld Zakah..

989

Jarīr ibn ‘Abdullāh reported: Some people from among the Bedouins came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "Some people from among the Zakah collectors come to us and treat us unjustly." Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Make your Zakah collectors pleased." Jarīr said: Ever since I heard this from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), no Zakah collector left me without being pleased with me..

Commentary : Islam regulated the matters of the religion and demonstrated how to perform the obligations and pillars. This includes its clarification of the rulings of Zakah, how to collect it, and the relevant requirements and etiquettes, so that this obligation can be fulfilled with willing hearts.
In this Hadīth, Jarīr ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that a group of Bedouins - those who live in the desert - came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in Madīnah and said: "Some people from among the Zakah collectors" who estimate people's wealth and take the due Zakah therefrom, "come to us and treat us unjustly," i.e., they take more than the amount required of us. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Make your Zakah collectors pleased." This means: Make them pleased by giving what is due, treating them gently, and refraining from opposing them. In a version narrated by Abu Dāwūd, they said: "O Messenger of Allah, even if they wrong us?" He said: "Make your Zakah collectors pleased, even if you are wronged." This statement is based on the presumed occurrence of injustice, not on its actual occurrence, and on the fact that if the Zakah collectors act justly, this is for themselves, and if they act unjustly, it is against themselves; whereas the property owner can lodge a complaint or clarify to him that this is not due to you; rather, what is due to you is such and such.
Then, Jarīr (may Allah be pleased with him) said that no Zakah collector had left him without being pleased with him, out of tolerance towards him and in compliance with the command of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
Meanwhile, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered the Zakah collectors to refrain from injustice and to avoid the most precious items of people's property. In a Hadīth narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim and reported by Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him), he said to them: "So, do not take the most precious items of their property. And beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah." Thus, both the Zakah collector and the Zakah payer should observe the limits set by Allah.
In the Hadīth: The necessity of paying the Zakah in all conditions.
And in it: Pleasing the Zakah collectors by paying the Zakah willingly and avoiding procrastination in its estimation
And in it: The keenness of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to comply with the commands of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)..

992

Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays reported: While I was in the company of a group from Quraysh, Abu Dharr passed by as he was saying: "Give glad tidings to the hoarders of the wealth of branding in their backs that would come out of their sides, and branding from the direction of their napes that would come out of their foreheads." He said: Then, he turned aside and sat down. He said: I said: "Who is this?" They said: "This is Abu Dharr." He said: I rose and went to him and said: "What is the thing which I heard you say a while ago?" He said: "I only said something which I heard from their Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)." He said: I said: "What do you say about this gift?" He said: "Take it, for indeed it is a help today. But if it is a price for your religion, leave it.".

Commentary : Lawfully earned money is a favor from Allah Almighty, and it includes rights to the beggar and the destitute, and due upon it is Zakah and charity, which purifies it, grows it, and increases its blessing. Some people, however, act stingily and hoard wealth; as a result, their wealth brings them evil consequences in this world and the Hereafter.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays informs that while he was in a group and company from Quraysh, in Madīnah, the Companion Abu Dharr al-Ghifāri (may Allah be pleased with him) passed by as he was saying: "Give glad tidings to the hoarders of wealth of branding in their backs." Glad tidings are given about pleasant incidents. So, he said it mockingly. Hoarding refers to wealth whose Zakah was not paid. However, if its Zakah is paid, this is not deemed hoarding, whether the wealth is large or little. The punishment for the hoarders on the Day of Judgment is that their backs will be branded with something that will emerge from their sides, and they will be branded from the back side of their heads with something that will emerge from their foreheads.
Then, after expressing these words, Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) went away, turned aside, and sat down. Thereupon, Al-Ahnaf asked: Who is this person who spoke earlier? They said: This is Abu Dharr, the Companion of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). So, Al-Ahnaf went to him and asked him: What is the meaning of the statement you made a short while ago? Is this your speech or something you heard from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)? Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) informed him that he had heard what he said from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Then, Al-Ahnaf asked him: "What do you say about this gift?" i.e., what do you think about the gifts we receive from the caliphs and governors? It is as if Al-Ahnaf feared the warning uttered by Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) regarding those who hoard wealth and do not spend it in the way of Allah. Abu Dharr replied to him: "Take it, for indeed it is a help today" i.e., take it if it will help you fulfill your needs. However, if this gift is a bribe, so that you remain silent and do not criticize wrong acts and sell your religion, then leave it and do not take it if you cannot obtain it except in an unlawful way. Do not care about it, for the religion's soundness is more important than acquiring worldly gains.
The Hadīth demonstrates the stern warning to those who do not pay Zakah on their wealth.
It warns against gifts by the rulers if they cause people to be silent and not speak the truth, or buy their religion and consciences and make them speak falsehood..

994

Thawbān reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The most excellent Dinar (money) a man spends is the Dinar he spends on his dependents, and a Dinar he spends on his riding animal in the cause of Allah, and a Dinar he spends on his companions in the cause of Allah." Abu Qilābah said: He began with the dependents. Then, Abu Qilābah said: Who could obtain a greater reward than a man who spends on young dependents and saves them from want, or Allah benefits them through him and makes them self-sufficient?!.

Commentary : Spending in the cause of Allah is one of the best areas of benevolence. Such spending has numerous forms that are valued based on their respective worth and preferred over one another according to the relevant conditions and circumstances.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) demonstrates forms and areas of spending and arranges them in accordance with the relevant conditions, if a number of areas of spending converge at the same time. He said that the Dinar entailing the greatest reward is the one a person spends on his dependents and those he is obliged to provide for, such as his wife, children, and servants, if he seeks the Countenance of Allah thereby. In a version of the Two Sahīh Collections: "When a Muslim spends on his family seeking reward for it (from Allah), it counts for him as charity." So, it clarifies that if he seeks a reward for it from Allah, it counts as charity for him. This is because spending money on them is a duty, and he incurs a sin if he neglects them. Therefore, this entails a greater reward than if he spends on people other than his dependents and forsakes his dependents. The word 'Dinar' here is general and it comprises all money used for spending, and this applies to the contemporary currencies with their different kinds.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned spending on a person's riding animal which is prepared for war in the cause of Allah. He said: "and a Dinar he spends on his riding animal" which is garrisoned "in the cause of Allah," i.e., he prepared it to be ridden in battle and other similar endeavors. "and a Dinar he spends on his companions" while they are fighting "in the cause of Allah;" so, he spends on his comrades in battle. It was said: "in the cause of Allah" means every act of piety.
At the end of the Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu Qilābah ‘Abdullāh ibn Zayd, the narrator of the Hadīth, said: "He began with the dependents," i.e., the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) regarded a man's spending on his dependents as the worthiest of all spending. Then, Abu Qilābah said: "Who could obtain a greater reward than a man who spends on young dependents and saves them from want, or Allah benefits them through him and makes them self-sufficient?!" This is the opinion of Abu Qilābah regarding spending and the prioritization of the mentioned categories. He held that the best and most worthy spending is the one spent on young dependents and children who cannot earn their living. So, this spending saves them from begging people and makes them self-sufficient and away from humiliation and disgrace. This accords with a Hadīth narrated by Muslim, in which Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "and a Dinar you spend on your family; the greatest in reward is the one you spend on your family."
The Hadīth shows numerous areas of spending for benevolence, goodness, and charity.
It also demonstrates that spending on one's dependents is one of the greatest areas of spending.
As it indicates that spending on Jihad in the cause of Allah is one of the greatest areas of spending, such as preparing the equipment and men for Jihad..

995

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A Dinar you spend in the cause of Allah, a Dinar you spend on (freeing) a slave, a Dinar you give in charity to a needy person, and a Dinar you spend on your family; the greatest in reward is the one you spend on your family.".

Commentary : In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) demonstrates the areas of spending and goodness, their varying rewards, and which of them should be given precedence over others in case of the inability to do all of them. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that the best spending is a Dinar you spend in the cause of Allah, i.e., in the battle, or in the general sense: in the way of goodness; a Dinar you spend to free someone from captivity or a slave from slavery; and a Dinar you spend on your family, like your wife and children and those you are obliged to spend on. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) points out that the greatest of all these types of spending in terms of reward is the Dinar you spend on your family, provided that one intends it for the sake of Allah Almighty. In a version in the Two Sahīh Collections: "When a Muslim spends on his family seeking reward for it (from Allah), it counts for him as charity." So, it clarifies that if he seeks a reward for it from Allah, it counts as charity for him. This is because spending money on them is a duty, and he incurs a sin if he neglects them. Therefore, this entails a greater reward than if he spends on people other than his dependents, forsaking his dependents.
In the Hadīth: There are numerous areas of spending in righteousness, goodness, and charity.
And in it: Spending on one's dependents is one of the greatest areas of spending.
And in it: Spending on Jihad in the cause of Allah is one of the greatest areas of spending, such as preparing the equipment and men for Jihad..

996

Khaythamah reported: A household manager of ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr came in while we were sitting with him. Ibn ‘Amr said: "Did you give the slaves their sustenance?" He said: 'No.' Thereupon, he said: "Go and give them, for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'It is enough sin for a man to withhold sustenance from those whom he should provide for.'".

Commentary : The Shariah cares about the rights of all people, even slaves, and even animals and cattle, as it obliges their owners to spend on them and observe their rights. How perfect the Shariah is! How comprehensive, upright, just, and complete the Shariah is!
In this Hadīth, Khaythamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān, one of the Tābi‘īs, informs that as they were sitting with ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him), one of his household managers came to him. ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him: "Did you give the slaves their sustenance?" Sustenance is the food that sustains the strength of one's body. He said: No, I did not give them their sustenance. So, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) commanded him to quickly go and give them the food. Then, he clarified the reason behind that, saying that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is enough sin for a man," i.e., it is sufficient for a man as a means of incurring sins and misdeeds. "to withhold sustenance from those whom he should provide for," i.e., those he is obliged to spend on, like his family, dependents, and slaves. This means that if a person committed no other sin than withholding sustenance from those whom he should provide for, this would be enough as a sin for him that would make him worthy of entering Hellfire.
In the Hadīth: We are enjoined to spend money on those whom we are obligated to provide for..

1006

Abu Dharr reported: Some of the Prophet's Companions said to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "O Messenger of Allah, the wealthy people have taken all the rewards. They pray as we pray and fast as we fast, but they give charity from their excess wealth." He said, "Has Allah not given you something to give as charity? Every utterance of ‘Subhān Allah' (glory be to Allah) is charity; every utterance of ‘Allāhu akbar' (Allah is the Greatest) is charity; every utterance of ‘Alhamdulillāh' (praise be to Allah) is charity; every utterance of ‘Lā ilāha illa Allah' (there is no god but Allah) is charity; commanding the right is charity; forbidding the wrong is charity; and there is charity in sexual intercourse." They said, "O Messenger of Allah, does one of us satisfy his desire and get rewarded for that?" He replied, "What if he satisfies it unlawfully? Will he not incur a sin? Likewise, if he satisfies it lawfully, he will get a reward.".

Commentary : Due to their extreme keenness on performing righteous deeds and their fervent desire to do good, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would grieve over the honorable deeds they could not do while others were able to do them. So, the poor would feel sad because they missed the financial charity of which the rich were capable and would feel sad over their failure to join Jihad because they could not afford its equipment. Allah Almighty says: {Nor is there any blame on those who came to you asking you for mounts to take them along, and you said, "I can find no mounts for you," they turned away with their eyes overflowing with tears out of grief that they had nothing to spend.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 92]
In this Hadīth, the noble Companion Abu Dharr al-Ghifāri (may Allah be pleased with him) says that a group of poor people from among the Prophet's Companions said to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "O Messenger of Allah, the wealthy people have taken all the rewards," i.e., people of great wealth exclusively obtain more reward from Allah Almighty and take it instead of us, by giving charity out of their money. "They pray as we pray and fast as we fast, but they give charity from their excess wealth." This is a complaint driven by positive greed, not envy or objection to Allah Almighty. They, however, asked for some bounty that would distinguish them from those to whom Allah gave wealth and so they gave their surplus money in charity. In response, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) directed them to certain types of charity of which they were capable. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Has Allah not given you something to give as charity?!" "Every utterance of ‘Subhān Allah' is charity," i.e., saying "glory be to Allah" is recorded as a reward of charity. "every utterance of ‘Allāhu akbar' is charity," i.e., saying "Allah is the Greatest." "every utterance of ‘Alhamdulillāh' is charity," i.e., saying "praise be to Allah." "every utterance of ‘Lā ilāha illa Allah' is charity," i.e., saying "there is no god but Allah." "commanding the right is charity;" it is recorded for him as a reward. "Ma‘roof" (the right): It is a term that refers to all that is known to be obedience to Allah Almighty and kindness to people. "forbidding the wrong" is recorded as a reward of 'charity' for the one who forbids it. "Munkar" (the wrong): It is every reprehensible deed or word that leads to disobedience to Allah Almighty, and it is a term that refers to all kinds of evil. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told them that if a man approaches his wife - alluding to the copulation and sexual intercourse between a man and his wife - this counts as charity. They said in wonder: "O Messenger of Allah, does one of us satisfy his desire and get rewarded for that?!" In response, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "What if he satisfies it unlawfully? Will he not incur a sin?" i.e., if he commits adultery and satisfies his desire unlawfully, will he incur a sin and be subject to a penalty? Likewise, if he satisfies it lawfully, he will obtain a reward, for permissible things turn into acts of obedience by virtue of sincere intentions.
In a version narrated by Muslim and reported by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): "So, the poor among the Muhājirūn (immigrants) returned to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: 'Our brethren, the possessors of wealth, have heard about what we did, and they have done the same.' Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'This is Allah’s favor He bestows upon whom He wills.'"
In the Hadīth: If a man suffices himself by what is lawful and makes himself in no need for what is unlawful, he gets rewarded for that.
And in it: Demonstrating that every type of goodness is charity
And in it: Showing the merit of glorifying Allah and all other dhikrs, commanding the right, and forbidding the wrong, and recalling the proper intention in doing permissible things
And in it: A knowledgeable person may cite evidence for some unknown questions.
And in it: Giving parables and analogical comparisons to make the topic clearer and more profound to those who hear it.

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Seek the Night of Al-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan,' on the night when nine or seven or five nights remain out of the last ten nights of Ramadan (i.e., the 21st, the 23rd, and the 25th nights respectively).”.

‘Narrated Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her):
With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet ﷺ used to tighten his waist belt and used to devote his whole night to worship, and used to wake up his family for the prayers..

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "A time will come when one will not care much how he gains his wealth, lawfully or unlawfully!".

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "If a woman spends something (i.e., in charity) from her husband's earnings without his permission, he will get half the reward.".

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him):
I heard Allah's Messenger ﷺ saying, "Whoever desires to have his Rizq (i.e., provisions) and life span expanded (i.e., blessed), should uphold ties of kinship.".

Buraydah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I have forbidden you from receptacles; indeed, receptacles - or a receptacle - do not make something lawful or unlawful, and every intoxicant is unlawful.".

Jābir ibn Samurah reported: A man who killed himself with a broad-headed arrow was brought to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), but he did not offer the funeral prayer for him..

Abu Hurayrah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No Zakah is payable on the slave except Zakat al-Fitr.".

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Seek the Night of Al-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan,' on the night when nine or seven or five nights remain out of the last ten nights of Ramadan (i.e., the 21st, the 23rd, and the 25th nights respectively).”.

‘Narrated Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her): With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet ﷺ used to tighten his waist belt and used to devote his whole night to worship, and used to wake up his family for the prayers..

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) The Prophet ﷺ said, "A time will come when one will not care much how he gains his wealth, lawfully or unlawfully!".

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) The Prophet ﷺ said, "If a woman spends something (i.e., in charity) from her husband's earnings without his permission, he will get half the reward.".

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard Allah's Messenger ﷺ saying, "Whoever desires to have his Rizq (i.e., provisions) and life span expanded (i.e., blessed), should uphold ties of kinship.".

Buraydah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I have forbidden you from receptacles; indeed, receptacles - or a receptacle - do not make something lawful or unlawful, and every intoxicant is unlawful.".

Jābir ibn Samurah reported: A man who killed himself with a broad-headed arrow was brought to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), but he did not offer the funeral prayer for him..

Abu Hurayrah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No Zakah is payable on the slave except Zakat al-Fitr.".

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Seek the Night of Al-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan,' on the night when nine or seven or five nights remain out of the last ten nights of Ramadan (i.e., the 21st, the 23rd, and the 25th nights respectively).”.

‘Narrated Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her):
With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet ﷺ used to tighten his waist belt and used to devote his whole night to worship, and used to wake up his family for the prayers..

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "A time will come when one will not care much how he gains his wealth, lawfully or unlawfully!".

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "If a woman spends something (i.e., in charity) from her husband's earnings without his permission, he will get half the reward.".

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him):
I heard Allah's Messenger ﷺ saying, "Whoever desires to have his Rizq (i.e., provisions) and life span expanded (i.e., blessed), should uphold ties of kinship.".