| Hadiths

Bukhari Hadiths 1356
Muslim Hadiths 558

Hadith

1490

Narrated ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him): Once I gave a horse in Allah's Cause (in charity) but that person did not take care of it. I intended to buy it, as I thought he would sell it at a low price. So, I asked the Prophet ﷺ about it. He ﷺ said, "Neither buy, nor take back your alms which you have given, even if the seller were willing to sell it for one Dirham, for he who takes back his alms is like the one who swallows his own vomit.".

Commentary : Giving in charity for the sake of Allah, Exalted be He, is considered one of the best and most rewarding good deeds. It necessitates that when a person gives something in charity hoping for its reward and blessings from Allah alone that he does not wish to have it back again or request that it goes back to his possession.
In this hadeeth, ‘Umar ibn al-Khataab (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that he gave a horse in charity and gifted to a man to use it in fighting in the cause of Allah. However, the man did not look after the horse properly and did not feed him enough or send it to gaze until it has become so weak. ‘Umar wished to buy it because he thought the man will sell it for a low price, so he (may Allah be pleased with him) consulted the Prophet ﷺ about his plan. The Prophet ﷺ ordered him not to proceed with his plan and not to retrieve his charity through buying or any other way, even if it will be sold for one Dirham i.e., he ﷺ told him not to desire it back at all or be tempted by its low price, and only view it as the charity that you have already given away because whoever takes back his charity is like a person who has vomited and then swallowed it! It is for this reason; it is considered so ugly for a person to give something in charity then retrieve it in any way. In another version of the report, in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, it reads: “like a dog who swallows his own vomit” where he ﷺ gave this strong example to show the ugliness of this act and to discourage people from it.
This hadeeth shows us that we are ordered against taking back our charity or gifts, and that if one gives in charity something to a poor person, then the poor person needed to sell it, the charity giver should not buy it from him..

1491

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): Al-Hasan ibn `Alee took a date from the dates given in charity and put it in his mouth. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Kikh, Kikh” so he expels it from his mouth. Then said: “Don't you know that we do not eat a thing which is given in charity?".

Commentary : Allah, Exalted be He, has honored His Prophet Muhmmad ﷺ, purified him, elevated his rank above all His creation, and endowed him with exclusive qualities that befit the state of his prophethood that makes him distinguished from the people. One of these exclusive qualities is that he ﷺ and his household members do not eat from charity.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that al-Hasan, the son of ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib and Faatimah, the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ (may Allah be pleased with all of them) picked a date from the dates given in charity and put it in his mouth. Thereupon, the Prophet ﷺ said to him “kikh, kikh” to encourage him to remove it from his mouth. The Arabs use this phrase to belittle a thing or express that it is despised, and it is often used with children to discourage them from harmful and bad things. Upon hearing it, al-Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) removed it from his mouth and then the Prophet ﷺ informed him that the family of Muhammad ﷺ do not eat a thing which is given in charity due to their honored and elevated status since charity is the dirt of people that they give it away to purify their wealth.
The family of the Prophet ﷺ who are not allowed to take or receive zakat and charity are his offspring, wives, and the descendants of ‘Abdul-Muttalib: the descendants of ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib, the descendants of al-‘Abbaas, the descendants of Ja’far, the descendants of ‘Aqeel, and the descendants of al-Haarith.
This hadeeth shows that children should be raised and trained to comply with the rulings of the religion and avoid that which is forbidden.
It shows that we should explain to children the reason something is not allowed when we order them to avoid it, whenever possible..

1492

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ saw a dead sheep which had been given in charity to a freed slave-girl of Maymoonah, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Why don't you get the benefit of its hide?" They said, "It is dead." He replied, "Only to eat (its meat) is forbidden.".

Commentary : Allah has made all the good provisions lawful for His servants and all that which is impure and evil forbidden, manifesting His Mercy and Compassion in all His legislations.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet ﷺ noticed a dead sheep that had been given in charity to the freed slave-girl of Maymoonah bint al-Haarith, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her). The Prophet ﷺ did not object to indicate that it is permissible to give charity to the freed slaves of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ provided the wife is not from the tribe of Haashim or ‘Abdul-Muttalib like Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her). This is based on the hadeeth recorded in Sunan Aboo Dawood and Sunan al-Nisaa’iee, which reads: “The charity is not permissible for us, and the freed slave of a people is one of them”.
When the Prophet ﷺ noticed the dead sheep, he ﷺ asked: “Why don't you get the benefit of its hide?” and according to the version in Saheeh Muslim, he ﷺ said: “Why did you not take its skin and tan it and get some good out of it?” The skin tanning is a process wherein the skin is cleansed using salt or other materials, then left to dry. They answered the Prophet ﷺ saying that the sheep was not slaughtered in the prescribed way thus it is considered a dead animal that they cannot benefit from. However, the Prophet ﷺ explained to them that it is only forbidden to eat the meat of a dead animal. As for its skin, it is lawful to benefit from it.
This hadeeth indicates that it is permissible to benefit from the skin of dead animals after it is tanned if the animal is from the type of animals whose meat is lawful to consume. It has been said that it includes all animals except dogs and pigs.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to give something in charity to the freed slaves of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ..

1493

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I intended to buy Bareerah (a slave-girl) in order to manumit her and her masters intended to put the condition that her walaa’ would be for them. `Aaishah mentioned that to the Prophet ﷺ who said to her, "Buy her, as the "Wala" is for the manumitter." Once some meat was presented to the Prophet ﷺ and `Aaishah said to him, "This meat was given in charity to Bareerah." He said, "It is an object of charity for her but a gift for us.".

Commentary : Islam obliged people to honor their contracts and fulfill the contractual terms and conditions that people agreed upon so long as their condition neither makes that which is lawful forbidden nor that which is forbidden lawful. If such a condition existed in the agreement, then the condition will have no effect and deemed void and null.
In this hadeeth, ‘Aaishah, the Mother of the Believers, reports that she wanted to buy Bareerah bint Safwaan (may Allah be pleased with her) who was a slave at that time, so she can manumit her. However, her master – it has been said that her master was ‘Utbah ibn Abee Lahab and others said her masters were from the tribe of Banee Hilaal – insisted that he will be entitled to the right to al-walaa’ after she is manumitted. The walaa’ is a legal term that means kinship by emancipation which refers to cases in which a slave is emancipated by his or her owner, and then a kinship is made between the emancipator and the emancipated, and thus, the ex-master would inherit from his freed slaves if they had no heirs. This relationship establishes a form of permanent kinship between the ex-master and the freed slave so the latter will support his ex-master and be treated as a relative. The Arabs before Islam used to sell and gift this right, but Islam made it forbidden because al-walaa’ is deemed like lineage that cannot be revoked. The Prophet ﷺ explained to ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she can buy her and that the condition stipulated has no value since it is an invalid condition because al-walaa’ is for the manumitter.
Then, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported one day her freed slave-girl, Bareerah, received some meat, which was given to her in charity. Then, she gave some of it to the Prophet ﷺ who accepted from her, because while it was given to her in charity, it was given to him as a gift; thus, it was lawful for him eat.
This hadeeth indicates that is permissible to give charity to the freed slaves of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ provided the wife is not from the tribes of Haashim or ‘Abdul-Muttalib like Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her). This is based on the hadeeth recorded in Sunan Aboo Dawood and Sunan al-Nisaa’iee, which reads: “The charity is not permissible for us, and the freed slave of a people is one of them”.
This hadeeth shows that al-Walaa (kinship by emancipation) is for the manumitter, and that it is permissible to give charity to the freed slaves of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ..

1496

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ said to Mu`aath ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) when he sent him to Yemen. "You will come to people from the People of the Book, and when you reach them, invite them to testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. If they obey you in that, then tell them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers to be performed every day and night. And if they obey you in that, then tell them that Allah has enjoined on them alms to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to the poor amongst them. And if they obey you in that, then be cautious! Don't take their best properties (as Zakat) and beware of the supplication of an oppressed person [against you] as there is no screen between his invocation and Allah.”.

Commentary : The caller to Allah should be mindful of priorities and adopt a gradual approach in his da’wah work until people can be fully compliant with the orders of Allah, Exalted be He. This was exactly the approach that the Prophet ﷺ followed and taught to his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
This hadeeth highlights one of the fundamental principles of Da’wah where ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet ﷺ sent Mu’aath ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) in a mission to Yemen. This occurred in the 9th year of Hijrah – while others said it was in the 10th year of Hijrah – and the purpose of his mission was to teach people the Quran and the legal rulings of Islam, judge between them, and collect the zakat. He ﷺ said to him: “You will come to people from the People of the Book” as they were Christians at that time. He ﷺ instructed him to start his call to Islam by inviting them to testify that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, because it is the first step to enter Islam and without disbelief is not lifted and a person cannot be considered a Muslim and ordered to fulfill any other obligations in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ then advised him that if they accepted it and uttered the Testimony of Faith, to inform them that Allah has imposed on them five prayers, namely al-Fajr, al-Thoohr, al-‘Asr, al-Maghrib, and al-‘Ishaa’, that they have to perform every day. This is because the five prayers are the most important pillar in Islam after the Testimony of Faith, and the first deed that Muslims will be questioned about in the Day of Judgment. After, the Prophet ﷺ said: “And if they obey you in that, then tell them that Allah has enjoined on them alms to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to the poor amongst them.” The alms mentioned here refers to the zakat, which is a financial obligation that must be paid on all the eligible types of money when one lunar year has passed from the time when the amount was acquired and reached the legislated threshold. The percentage of threshold that is payable as Zakat is a quarter of one-tenth (2.5%) of the total eligible property, which includes cash, livestock, agriculture, merchandise, and buried treasures. The zakat of each kind is calculated according to their respective threshold and percentage that Islam has dictated. The categories of people who are eligible to receive zakat are specified in the Quran. Allah, Most High, says: {Zakat is only for the poor and the needy, for those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts are attracted ˹to the faith˺, for ˹freeing˺ slaves, for those in debt, for Allah’s cause, and for ˹needy˺ travellers. ˹This is˺ an obligation from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.} [Quran 9:60].
The Prophet ﷺ then said to Mu’aath: “if they obey you in that, then be cautious! Do not take their best properties (as Zakat)” i.e., take the zakat from their average property so as they give their zakat with a good heart and do not hold any grudges. The point is that zakat is prescribed in Islam to support those who are poor and needy; thus, it is inappropriate to take from the givers of zakat more than it should be except in the case where they approve it.
After, the Prophet ﷺ advised him to beware of injustice and oppression so that no oppressed person supplicates Allah against him. This indicates that all types of injustice and oppressions are forbidden and the reason this was mentioned after the order of not taking the zakat from the best of their property is to say that such an action is deemed injustice and a form of oppression. After, the Prophet ﷺ explained to him that there is no screen between the invocation of the oppressed and Allah – that is to say, his invocation is answered and never rejected.
One of the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is teaching us that inviting people to monotheism comes first and precedes fighting.
This hadeeth shows that the Ruler should advise his governors and delegates about the rulings that they will need in their mission.
It warns us against injustice and oppression..

1497

Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn Abee Awfa: Whenever a person came to the Prophet ﷺ with his zakat, the Prophet ﷺ would say, "O Allah! Forgive and have mercy upon the family of so and so." My father went to the Prophet ﷺ with his zakat and the Prophet ﷺ said, "O Allah! Forgive and have mercy upon the family of Aboo Awfa.".

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ demonstrated for us the best example in good character and etiquettes. One of his lofty manners and good character was rewarding whoever fulfilled an obligation or did a good deed.
‘Abdullah in Abee Awfa (may Allah be pleased with him) reports in this hadeeth that whenever people would present their zakat to the Prophet ﷺ, he would supplicate for them by saying: “O Allah! Send your blessings upon the family of so and so” i.e., O Allah! Forgive them and have mercy on them. He (may Allah be pleased with him) then proceeded to mention that his father, Aboo Awfa, ‘Alqamah ibn Khaalid ibn al-Haarith al-Aslamee (may Allah be pleased with him) presented his zakat to the Prophet ﷺ who thereupon said: “O Allah! Forgive and have mercy upon the family of Aboo Awfa.” The reason he ﷺ included the family of Aboo ‘Awfa in his supplication is to honor and elevate him.
The Prophet ﷺ prayed for him in compliance with the ayah: {Take, [O Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase and pray for them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.} [Quran 9:103] wherein Allah ordered the Prophet ﷺ to collect the zakat from people and pray for those who give their zakat.
One of the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is learning the permissibility of praying for people other than the Prophets, and that praying for who gives his charity or alms..

1498

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "A man from the Children of Israel asked someone from the Children of Israel to give him a loan of one thousand Dinars. The man agreed and gave it to him. The debtor went on a voyage (when the time for the payment of the debt became due) but he did not find a boat, so he took a piece of wood and bored it and put 1000 diners in it and threw it into the sea. The creditor went out and took the piece of wood to his family to be used as fire-wood." (He then mentioned the rest of the story). And the Prophet ﷺ narrated the narration (and said), "When he sawed the wood, he found his money.”.

Commentary : Whoever takes a loan while intending to repay it, and asks for Allah’s help to repay his debt, Allah will facilitate for him the means to settle his debt, and in the event of his inability to repay it, Allah will compensate the one who gave him the loan until he becomes satisfied with him on the Day of Judgment. However, if a person borrows money and takes loans while intending not to repay his debts, Allah will take away his wealth in this life and punish him in the Hereafter.
The Prophet ﷺ in this hadeeth narrates to us a fascinating story with a great moral about a man from the Children of Israel who borrowed 1000 dinars from another man. According to another version of the hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, it reads: “The man required witnesses so he can lend him the money. The former replied, 'Allah is sufficient as a witness.' The man said, 'I want a guarantee.' The former replied, 'Allah is sufficient as a guarantee.' The second said, 'You are right,' and lent him the one thousand dinars for a certain period.” When the time of repayment of the debt became due, the man was far away so he tried to find a boat to travel back home so he can give the money back to the creditor, but he could not find a boat to take him there. As such, he took a piece of wood and bored it and put 1000 diners in it and threw it into the sea while having full reliance upon Allah to deliver it to the man by His Power and Will. This is explicitly mentioned in the other version of the hadeeth, which reads: “he took a piece of wood and made a hole in it, inserted in it one thousand Dinars and a letter to the lender and then closed (i.e., sealed) the hole tightly. He took the piece of wood to the sea and said, 'O Allah! You know well that I took a loan of one thousand Dinars from so-and-so. He demanded a surety from me, but I told him that Allah's Guarantee was sufficient, and he accepted Your guarantee. He then asked for a witness, and I told him that Allah was sufficient as a Witness, and he accepted You as a Witness. No doubt, I tried hard to find a conveyance so that I could pay his money but could not find, so I hand over this money to You.' Saying that, he threw the piece of wood into the sea till it went out far into it, and then he went away.” Afterwards, while the lender was standing on the other side of the sea, he found that piece of wood floating so he took it home so he could use it for fire to warm up and cook food. When he sawed it, he found the money along with a letter that the debtor penned wherein he explained what happened. According to the lengthier version of the hadeeth, it reads: “One day the lender came out of his house to see whether a ship had arrived bringing his money, and all of a sudden, he saw the piece of wood in which his money had been deposited. He took it home to use for fire. When he sawed it, he found his money and the letter inside it. Shortly after that, the debtor came bringing one thousand Dinars to him and said, 'By Allah, I had been trying hard to get a boat so that I could bring you your money but failed to get one before the one I have come by.' The lender asked, 'Have you sent something to me?' The debtor replied, 'I have told you I could not get a boat other than the one I have come by.' The lender said, 'Allah has delivered on your behalf the money you sent in the piece of wood. So, you may keep your one thousand Dinars and depart guided on the right path.' "
One of the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is that we should endeavor to repay our debts and take all possible means to settle our loans and debts.
This hadeeth highlights the virtue of reliance upon Allah and the good reward that Allah gives to those who rely upon Him..

1499

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "No compensation or retaliation is payable for damage caused by an animal; and no responsibility attaches to anyone who has dug a mine or a well in a place where he is entitled to do so if someone falls in; and buried treasures are subject to one-fifth as zakat.".

Commentary : The legislation system in Islam governs all the interactions, dealing, and transactions that take place between people in order to protect their rights and avert disputes. From the matters that Islam has defined and regulated are retaliations and blood-money. It has defined the cases that requires compensation and the cases where retaliation and compensation are not required.
The Prophet ﷺ explains in this hadeeth that a person is not liable to the damages and harm that his animal caused if it happened while the animal was not under his supervision or whoever is responsible for it at the time. With that said, indemnity is required only if the animal has caused damages to others property while it was at the time with its owner, rider, or any other person who is responsible for it, regardless of whether the damage was caused at night or day, or by whatever body parts. This is also applicable to the case when the animal gets out of control or escapes from its enclosure, without any sort of negligence from the end of the person responsible for managing it. The damages caused in those cases incur no liability whatsoever to the owner of this animal.
If a person digs a well in his own land or an unclaimed land or a land that Muslims do not use as a road or path to walk on, then a person falls into it or it falls over the person who is hired to dig it, then he will not be deemed liable. However, if a person digs a well in the road or path that Muslims use as a road or path to walk on or in a land owned by other without their permission, then someone fell in it or died or was hurt because of it, then he will be held liable.
Likewise, if a person is undergoing pit-open mining in his own land or in an unclaimed land to extract gold, silver, or any other metals, then the hired miners died because of mining accidents or it happens that a person fell in it, then he will not be deemed liable. The scholars stated that if a person conducts mining work in a common land that people use to walk on then a person falls in it and died, then his blood-relatives will be collectively liable for the blood money payments, and he will be liable to the compensation. And, if that which fell in it was not a human being, like a vehicle or an animal, then he will be liable to indemnify their owner for the damages caused.
After, the Prophet ﷺ clarified that the zakat of treasures and riches that are buried, but then people find through excavation is one-fifth. This kind of treasures are known in Islam under the name Al-Rakaaz, which refers to the treasures and riches buried from the time Jahiliyyah (i.e., before Islam) as well as the riches excavated from the earth. The ruling is that the one fifth of the discovered treasures and riches is due upon its excavation, because the requirement of the elapse of one year whilst they are in possession is not applicable in this case.
One of the benefits that we can learn from this hadeeth is knowing the justice of Islamic law, which does not hold people liable for damages not resulting from their own actions or caused by them, and that whoever is not responsible for the harm or damage caused is not held liable too.
This hadeeth clarifies the due zakat on the buried treasures and riches that Muslims discover..

1500

Narrated Aboo Humayd al-Saa’idee (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ appointed a man called Ibn Al-Lutbiyyah, from the tribe of Al-Asd to collect Zakat from the tribe of Sulaym. When he returned, (after collecting the Zakat) the Prophet ﷺ checked the account with him.”.

Commentary : Allah will bring to account the ruler (i.e., the head of state) and all his governors, including whoever is responsible for managing any of the affairs of the Muslims, for the authority they have been entrusted with to look after the affairs of the Muslims. With that said, they should never take advantage of their position and authority for their own benefit and achieve personal gains that would not have been possible without it. They should understand that they will stand before Allah and the whole world on the Day of Judgment and be held accountable for the people they were entrusted to look after.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Humayd al-Saa’idee (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet ﷺ appointed a man from the tribe Al-Asd to collect the zakat from the tribe of Sulaym. The name of this man was ‘Abdullah, a.k.a. Ibn Al-Lutbiyyah, and he was from Banee Lutb, which belonged to the tribe of Al-Azd. It was said that Al-Lutbiyyah was the name of his mother.
After completing his mission, he reported to the Prophet ﷺ the amount of zakat that he collected from them. However, the Prophet ﷺ noticed that he put some items aside arguing that they were given to him as gifts. In response, the Prophet ﷺ took the matter seriously and admonished him and prohibited it. According to the hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ said to him: “Why do not you remain in the house of your father and your mother to see whether gifts would be presented to you!” i.e., the only reason people gave you gifts was because of your job that you have been appointed to do. In the same hadeeth, it mentions that he ﷺ then got up and delivered a sermon in which he ﷺ warned the people from taking from the spoils of war anything before they are distributed, and that is applicable to public money that belongs to the nation of Muslims, if one takes from it anything unlawfully.
One of the benefits of this hadeeth is that public servants should be called to account and to hold them liable for their actions..

1501

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him): Some people from `Uraynah tribe came to al-Madeenah and its climate did not suit them, so Allah's Messenger ﷺ allowed them to go to the herd of camels (given as Zakat) and drink from their milk and urine (as medicine) but they killed the shepherd and drove away all the camels. In response, Allah's Messenger ﷺ sent (men) in their pursuit to catch them, and they were brought, and he had their hands and feet cut, and their eyes were branded with heated pieces of iron, and they were left in al-Harrah (a stony place at al-Madeenah) biting the stones..

Commentary : Treason and betrayal are hideous qualities that sensible people with sound innate nature despise. If they are coupled with murder and theft, it becomes more vice and hideous, and whoever commits such crimes is worthy of receiving the worst and severest punishment.
In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that a group of people from the tribe of ‘Uraynah, which is a part of the tribe of Bajeelah, arrived at al-Madeenah and announced the words of monotheism and embraced Islam before the Prophet ﷺ. However, they disliked staying in al-Madeenah because its weather did not suit them and thus fell sick. Upon seeing this, the Prophet ﷺ allowed them to drink from the milk and urine of the charity camels, which used to gaze outside al-Madeenah. The name of the shepherd of these camels was Yasaar al-Noobee. They went there and followed the direction of the Prophet ﷺ and remained there until they recovered. Thereupon, they converted to disbelief, killed the shepherd and mutilated his body, and then drove away the camels, which were 3-10 in number. After the Companions captured them, the Prophet ﷺ ordered that their feet and hands cut off, their eyes branded with heated pieces of iron, and then to be left in al-Harrah, which is a place in al-Madeenah known of its black stones that appear if they were burnt, biting stones. They were left there in that condition to die, and that was their punishment for their treason and betrayal and a retaliation for their crime when they killed the shepherd.
This hadeeth warns us against the crime of treason and informs us of the painful punishment of those who commit such a crime.
One of the benefits of this hadeeth is that we know punishment is made according to the severity of crime.
It shows that it is permissible to use camel milk and urine as medicine..

1502

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him): I took `Abdullah ibn Aboo Talhah to Allah's Messenger ﷺ to perform Tahneek for him. I saw the Prophet ﷺ and he had an instrument for branding in his hands and was branding the camels of Zakat..

Commentary : During the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, the Muslims would seek mercy, goodness, and blessings from the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that one morning he took ‘Abdullah ibn Aboo Talhah al-Ansaaree (may Allah be pleased with them) who was a newborn infant at the time to the Prophet ﷺ to give him Tahneek, which happens by chewing a piece of date then put a part of its juice in the child's mouth and rub their palates with dates so that the first thing the newborn infant tastes is sweetness. The newborn infant was the half-brother of Anas ibn Maalik from his mother side who was married to Aboo Talhah (may Allah be pleased with them).
The Muslims used to bring their newborn infants to Allah's Messenger ﷺ to rub their palates with the dates he chewed, seeking Allah’s blessings through his salvia, supplications and the touch of his blessed hand. When Anas arrived, he saw the Prophet ﷺ carrying in his hand an iron instrument used to brand animals, and he was branding the camels of zakat. This branding was on the body of camels and not the face because it is forbidden as reported in other reports. The reason they were branded so they be distinguished from other camels and people learn they are from the camels of zakat and would not buy them again – since he ﷺ ordered people not to buy back anything they have given in charity as it will be considered then as if they took back their charity.
One of the benefits of this hadeeth is learning the permissibility of tahneek for newborn infants, and that it is recommended to be conducted by a pious and righteous believer so he would ask Allah to bless him.
It highlights that the ruler should look after the property of zakat and manage them directly.
It shows that it is permissible to brand animals, and it is allowed to put the animal in pain that it can take so long as it is necessary to bring about benefit and goodness..

1503

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ enjoined the payment of one Saa' of dates or one Saa' of barley as Zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ﷺ ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the `Eid prayer.

Commentary : Zakat al-Fitr is one the acts of worship that Allah, Exalted be He, has blessed us with and made a means of purification and compensation to make up for the decrease or loss of reward that may happen to the fasting person during the month of Ramadan. This act of worship has its own rulings and conditions that Allah, Most High, has legislated to feed the needy and poor Muslims.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar reports that the Prophet ﷺ made zakat al-Fitr obligatory upon every Muslim, be they male or female, slave or free, young or adult, who has food that exceeds his needs for one day and night. He ﷺ clarified that Muslims have to pay it on behalf of their dependent household members, because it is associated with fasting and is not linked to the wealth of a person. The Prophet ﷺ specified that zakat al-Fitr has to be one Saa’ of dates or barley and the one Saa’ equals about 5.30 pounds (i.e., approx. 3 kgs). It can be given from other types of food that are common in the country like rice and wheat. The Prophet ﷺ ordered that it has to be given to the poor and needy before leaving to perform the ‘Eid prayer – that is, after Fajr prayer and before leaving homes to pray ‘Eid prayer. This is the best time to give this zakat and it is prescribed to pay it from the sunset of the last day of Ramadan, and to even pay one or two days before the Day of ‘Eid. The deadline to give zakat al-Fitr is the ‘Eid prayer as indicated in this hadeeth. It was said that its deadline is the sunset of the first day of ‘Eid al-Fitr, and if someone pays it after the deadline, it will not qualify as a Zakat al-Fitr, and will only be considered a charity..

1505

Narrated Aboo Sa;eed (may Allah be pleased with him): We would give one Saa’ of barely as zakat al-Fitr..

1508

Narrated Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudree (may Allah be pleased with him): At the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, we used to give it at a rate of one Saa’ of food, or one Saa’ of dates, or one Saa’ of barley, or one Saa’ of raisins. And when Mu’aawiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) became the Caliph and the wheat was (available in abundance) he said, "I believe that one Mudd (of wheat) equals two Mudds (of any of the abovementioned food items)..

Commentary : Zakat al-Fitr is one the acts of worship that Allah, Exalted be He, has blessed us with and made a means of purification and compensation to make up for the decrease or loss of reward that may happen to the fasting person during the month of Ramadan.

In this hadeeth, Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudree (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that Zakat al-Fitr that the Muslims, during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ and the reign of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs, would give was one Saa’ of food i.e., dates wheat, barely or raisins. However, during the reign of Mu’aawiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) the levant wheat became available in abundance and thus its price dropped. Mu’aawiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I believe that one Mudd (of wheat) equals two Mudds of any of the abovementioned food items. A one Mudd equals the weight of double handfuls, and the one Saa’ equals 4 Mudds. Accordingly, a one Mudd equals between 509 grams at minimum and 1072 grams at maximum, and a one Saa’ equals between 2036 grams at minimum and 4288 grams at maximum.
Because of this, Mu’aawiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) proposed that people would give half of a Saa’ of levant wheat which would amount to the weight of one Saa’ of dates or barely.
This hadeeth is clear evidence that during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ the Muslims never give one half of a Saa’ of wheat, and that this happened afterwards. With that said, we know that the one Saa’ of food is the obligation of Zakat al-Fitr, and that Mu’aawiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) exerted his efforts to conclude the ruling, but his view cannot stand before the textual evidence.
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1513

Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): Al-Fadl was riding behind Allah's Messenger ﷺ and a woman from the tribe of Khath'am came to the Prophet ﷺ. Al-Fadl started looking at her and she started looking at him, thus, the Prophet ﷺ turned Al-Fadl's face to the other side. The woman said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! The obligation of Hajj enjoined by Allah on His servants has become due on my father and he is old and weak, and he cannot sit firm on the Mount. Can I perform Hajj on his behalf?" The Prophet ﷺ replied, "Yes, you can." That happened during the Farewell Hajj (of the Prophet ﷺ )..

Commentary : Pilgrimage is the fifth pillar of Islam, which is an obligatory act of worship that requires departing that which we are accustomed to and familiar with in this life to manifest our submission to the Lord of worlds. There is no reward for whoever performs this pillar and gives it its due right except Paradise.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that his brother, Al-Fadl ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) was riding behind the Prophet ﷺ on the same mount when a woman from Khath’am, which is one of the tribes of Yemen, came to the Prophet ﷺ asking him about pilgrimage. While she was there, Al-Fadl started looking at her and the woman started looking at him. Upon seeing this, the Prophet ﷺ turned Al-Fadl’s face to the other side so he does not look at her and so she stops looking at him. The Prophet ﷺ did not order her to stop looking at him too, although the prohibition applies to both men and women according to the Statement of Allah, Most High {˹O Prophet!˺ Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments except what normally appears} [Quran 24:30-31]. It was said the reason he ﷺ did not order her to stop looking at him too was that because she did not intend looking at him because she was talking to the Prophet ﷺ while Al-Fadl happened to be behind him, so she looked at him. It is also possible that the Prophet ﷺ only turned Al-Fadls’ face because that would not allow the woman to see his face i.e., he turned his face away so he no longer can look at her which accordingly would make the woman unable to see his face too. It is also possible that when the Prophet ﷺ turned Al-Fadl’s face away, the woman understood that she should not look at him too, so she stopped looking at him.
The woman asked the Prophet ﷺ about the ruling of performing pilgrimage on behalf of her father who was too old that cannot sit form on the mount. It is possible that she meant that by the time he managed to meet the conditions of pilgrimage, he was very old and too weak to perform it. The Prophet ﷺ allowed her to do it on his behalf. It is said that her father was Husayn ibn ‘Awf al-Khath’amee.
One of the conditions for performing pilgrimage on behalf of another is that the person has already performed Hajj for himself. Otherwise, his Hajj would count for him and not for the other person. It is narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ heard a man saying, Labbayka ‘an Shubrumah (Here I am (O Allah, for Hajj) on behalf of Shubrumah). He ﷺ said: “Have you performed Hajj on your own behalf?” He said: No. He ﷺ said: “Perform Hajj on your own behalf, then on behalf of Shubrumah.” This hadeeth is recorded in Sunan Aboo Dawood.
One of the benefits that we can learn from this hadeeth is learning the permissibility of appointing others to perform Hajj when one is suffering from a state of permanent physical incapability.
This hadeeth teaches us to be kind and dutiful to parents, look after their needs by repaying their debt, servicing them, and spending on them, and all that sort of things that are pertaining to worldly affairs and religion. It also teaches us that the condition of ability to perform Hajj is fulfilled when the there is someone who can do it on our behalf.
It highlights the humility and humbleness of the Prophet ﷺ and the rank of Al-Fadl ibn al-Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father).
We learn from this hadeeth that we are not allowed to look at foreign women (i.e., women that we are allowed to marry), and that we should lower our gaze.
It shows that the scholar should exert his best efforts to stop the wrongdoing so long as it does not lead to a great wrongdoing than that which is committed.
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1007

‘Ā’ishah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Every one of the children of Adam has been created with three hundred and sixty joints. He who proclaims the greatness of Allah praises Allah, declares Allah's oneness, glorifies Allah, seeks forgiveness from Allah, and removes a stone, or a thorn, or a bone from people's path, and enjoins Ma'rūf (what is good) and forbids Munkar (what is wrong), to the number of those three hundred and sixty joints, will walk that day having saved himself from Hellfire.".

Commentary : Allah created humankind in the best form, prepared for them the circumstances and conditions for life, guided and directed them, and gave them innumerable favors. All this entails gratitude and praise to Allah. But how could that possibly be equal to Allah's favors?! However, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) directed us in this Hadīth to an act that pleases our Lord, Exalted be He. He told us that Allah Almighty created all children of Adam in one form. He informed us that people's body is created with "three hundred and sixty joints". The joint is the place at which two bones are joined in the body. And this is one of the things for which thanks should be given. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) directed us to some forms of worship that save those who perform them from Hellfire. He said: "He who proclaims the greatness of Allah", extolling Him or saying: Allāhu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest); "praises Allah, declares Allah's oneness" by saying: Lā Ilāha Illa Allah (there is no god but Allah); "glorifies Allah", declaring Him far exalted above such attributes that do not befit Him, this is to say: Subhān Allah (glory be to Allah); "and removes", i.e., turns away and puts aside "a stone, a thorn, or a bone from people's path". The word 'or' aims at diversification. The intended meaning is to remove all harmful objects with the intention to remove harm in pursuit of Allah's reward. This also applies to enjoining Ma'rūf (good) and forbidding Munkar (evil). Ma‘rūf: It is a term that comprises all that is known to be a form of obedience to Allah Almighty and benevolence to people. "Munkar": 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.
So, if anyone performs these aforementioned good acts and the like to the number of three hundred and sixty joints, he will walk on earth having saved and turned himself away from the fire of the Hereafter.
In a Hadīth by Muslim, Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Sufficient instead of all that are two Rak‘ahs which he offers in the forenoon", i.e., it is sufficient instead of the charities due on the joints to offer the Duha prayer, which comprises two Rak‘ahs. This is because prayer is an act that uses all the body parts and includes all that has been mentioned, of charities and other deeds.
The Hadīth points out that the creation of man requires praise and gratitude to Allah.
It indicates that there are numerous areas of goodness that lead to salvation from Hellfire.
It shows that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) directed his Ummah to all goodness and what involves obedience to their Lord, as well as gratitude and praise to Him, Exalted be He.
The Hadīth urges the performance of good deeds in a continued and persistent manner..

1013

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The earth will vomit long pieces of its liver like columns of gold and silver, and the murderer will come and say: It was for this that I committed murder; the breaker of kinship ties will come and say: It was for this that I broke the kinship ties; and the thief will come and say: It was for this that my hands were cut off. Then, they will leave it and will not take anything from it.".

Commentary : Intense love for money may be a cause for killing and severing kinship ties, but one day, it will be valueless. One of the minor signs of the Hour, which is yet to happen, is that the earth will bring out its hidden treasures.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs us that a day will come when the earth will throw pieces of its liver. i.e., it will bring out the pieces and treasures buried in its bowels. What is inside the earth is called liver by way of likening it to the liver in the abdomen of camels and other animals. In fact, this is the dearest among the things hidden therein, just as the liver is the tastiest among the contents of the abdomen of camels and the most beloved among them to the Arabs. "like columns of gold and silver". He likened them to columns for their massive size and abundance. "and the murderer will come and say: It was for this", i.e., for the like of this and because of this, I killed the soul forbidden by Allah to be killed. The one who broke kinship ties due to his intense keenness on wealth will come, look at what the earth brought out, and say: It was for this that I broke the ties with my relatives. I did not uphold the ties with them and denied them their rights. And the thief will come and say: It is for the like of wealth that I stole and so my hands were cut off as a legal punishment. Then, after they looked and said what they said, they would leave the treasure thrown by the earth, as it would be abundant and become like dust, and they would be in no need for it and have no desire for collecting wealth or because it would be of no avail then, as the Hour would be imminent and hopes for staying in worldly life would be dashed..

1015

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah is good and accepts only what is good. And Allah commanded the believers with what He commanded the messengers. He says: {O messengers, eat from the lawful things and act righteously, for I am All-Knowing of what you do} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 51]. And He says: {O you who believe, eat of the good things We have provided for you.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 172]" He then mentioned a person who travels for so long that his hair is disheveled, and he is covered with dust, and he lifts his hands toward the sky (saying), "O Lord, O Lord," but his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful, and he has been nourished by the unlawful. So, how could that be answered?!.

Commentary : This Hadīth is one of the Hadīths that constitute the principles of Islam and the foundations of rulings. In it, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs his Ummah about the reasons for accepting supplications and that Allah is good and exalted above imperfections and He loves what is lawful and good. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) tells us that Allah is 'good' and exalted above imperfections and defects, and He possesses the perfect attributes and does not accept charity or other deeds unless they are free from the Shar‘i defects and evil intentions. And he said that Allah commanded the believers with what He commanded His messengers, delivering to them the same speech; He commanded them to eat what is lawful and act righteously. Allah says in His Qur'an: {O messengers, eat from the lawful things and act righteously, for I am All-Knowing of what you do.} [Surat al-Mu’minūn: 51] This call is addressed to all prophets, yet not at the same time, for they were sent at different times; rather, each of them was addressed at his time. This indicates that the legalization of good things is old legislation and that monasticism, and the abandonment of pleasures are objectionable. It also gives an indication that eating good things is conducive to righteous deeds whereby one seeks closeness to Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty commands the believers, saying: {O you who believe, eat of the good things We have provided for you.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 172] Meaning: O you who believe, eat of His lawful and pleasant things.
Then, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned a person who travels for so long and frequently embarks on journeys; he travels for acts of worship, such as Hajj, ‘Umrah, Jihad, the pursuit of knowledge, and other areas of goodness. So, his hair becomes disheveled and scattered due to his long travel and fatigue, as he fails to tidy or comb his hair. Moreover, the color of his skin and clothes becomes dusty. In this state of his disheveled hair, dustiness, fatigue, and exhaustion, he raises his hands toward the sky in supplication - and raising one's hands toward the sky is one of the reasons that make a supplication readily answered - and says repeatedly: "O Lord, O Lord." It indicates that supplication with the word 'Lord' influences it being answered. So, it combined four reasons for making a supplication readily answered: Long travel, dull clothes and appearance, raising the hands toward the sky, and importunately asking Allah by repeatedly mentioning His lordship.
Yet his food, drink, and clothing are obtained through unlawful earning, and he has been nourished by the unlawful. His words "and he has been nourished by the unlawful" after the words "but his food is unlawful" is either because the fact that his food is unlawful does not necessitate that he has been nourished by it, or this points out that both conditions do equally apply to him; i.e., when he spends as an adult and when he was provided for as a child. In both conditions, the unlawful reaches his abdomen. So, by his words "but his food is unlawful," he pointed to his condition as an adult, and by his words "and he has been nourished by the unlawful," he pointed to his condition as a child.
So, the unlawful money was a reason for not answering his supplication. As the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "So, how" i.e., for what reason "could that" i.e., the man or because of his mentioned condition "be answered?!" The question here denotes unlikelihood.
The Hadīth urges us to spend money out of lawful money and prohibits otherwise.
It indicates that drink, food, clothing, and the like should be lawful, pure, and subject to no suspicion.
It also exhorts us to close the door to unlawful earning and block the means to the unlawful, by declaring it as a reason for not answering supplications..

1017

Jarīr reported: We were with Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the early morning when there came to him some people barefooted and nude, clad in striped woolen rags, or covered with cloaks, with swords hanging down from their necks. Most of them, rather all of them, belonged to the Mudar tribe. The Prophet's face changed when he saw them starving. Then, he went into his house and came out, then he commanded Bilāl to call the Adhān. So, he called the Adhān and the Iqāmah, and he prayed and then delivered a sermon, saying: {O people, fear your Lord Who created you from a single soul} to the rest of the verse: {for Allah is ever Watchful over you} [Surat an-Nisā’: 1]. And the verse in Surat al-Hashr: {O you who believe, fear Allah, and let every soul consider what it has sent forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah} [Surat al-Hashr: 18]. A man gave charity from his Dinar, from his Dirham, from his clothes, from Sā‘ of his wheat, and from Sā‘ of his dates, until he said: "Be it half a date." He said: Then, a man from the Ansār came with a bundle which was difficult for him to hold in his hand. He said: Thereafter, the people came successively until I saw two heaps of food and clothes. I noticed that the Messenger's face was glowing like gilded silver. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam, he will have its reward and the reward of those who act upon it after him without anything being diminished from their rewards. And whoever introduces an evil practice in Islam will shoulder its sin and the sins of those who act upon it, without diminishing in any way their sins." [In a version]: We were with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the early morning... and the rest is the same. It includes- He said: Then, he performed the Zhuhr prayer and then delivered a sermon. [In a version]: I was sitting with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when there came to him some people who were clad in woolen rags... and they narrated the Hadīth and its story. And it included- He offered the Zhuhr prayer and then ascended a small pulpit. He praised Allah, extolled Him, and then said: To proceed; indeed, Allah revealed in His Book: {O people, fear your Lord} to the rest of the verse. [In a version]: Some nomad Arabs came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), dressed in woolen clothes. He saw their dismal condition, as they were in severe want, and he narrated a similar Hadīth..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was a wise mentor, and he was considerate of the conditions of the people around him. He would teach them what was suitable for them in every situation. This includes urging them to give charity to the poor and needy.
In this Hadīth, Jarīr ibn ‘Abdullāh al-Bajali (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that they were with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the early part of the morning, "when there came to him some people barefooted," a barefooted person is one who does not wear leather socks, sandals, shoes, or any footwear, 'nude' as if they were mostly naked and wearing some clothes that concealed their private parts while leaving the rest of the body uncovered, "clad in striped woolen rags:" torn and worn clothes. The clothes were striped, made of wool, and were black and white in color, as if taking after the color of a tiger, i.e., they were wearing torn striped clothes. He expressed that by the word 'clad' because they wrapped the clothes around their bodies, making themselves inside them, or because they tore them from the middle and entered therein. Or they were wearing 'cloaks', which is a type of clothing. All these indications point to their severe poverty. Another feature of them is that they were hanging swords around their necks. They all belonged to Mudar, a major Arab tribe. In a version: They were Bedouins, and those are the Arabs who live in the desert. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw them in that state, his face changed and signs of sadness appeared on him, given the severe poverty he observed in them. He entered his house and then went out for the Zhuhr prayer when its time came, as related in another version; so, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanded his muezzin Bilāl ibn Rabāh (may Allah be pleased with him) to call the Adhān. So, he called the Adhān for the prayer and then the Iqāmah. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) led his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) in prayer. After finishing the prayer, he ascended the pulpit and delivered a sermon. In another version: "He ascended a small pulpit and praised Allah and extolled Him. Then, he said: to proceed," a phrase to separate between parts of speech when the speaker wants to shift from one topic to another. The meaning: I say after the previous testimony of faith and praise of Allah Almighty. Then, he recited the verse that reads: {O people, fear your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and created from it its mate, and from both of them created countless men and women. Fear Allah in Whose name you ask one another, and be mindful of your kinship ties, for Allah is ever Watchful over you.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 1] This is the first verse of Surat an-Nisā’, wherein Allah Almighty calls out to His servants and commands them to fear Him, by observing His commands and prohibitions, for He is the One Who created them from a single soul, namely their father Adam, and created from Adam his wife Eve, their mother, and from both of them, He created so many people, males and females, all over the world. Then, He, Exalted be He, commands them again to fear Him, stressing the significance of this for the Muslim. He is the One in Whose name if one of you asks another for something, he will grant his request. Likewise, extol Him by obeying His commands to you, and beware of cutting the kinship ties that connect you together. Indeed, Allah is ever Watchful over you, and nothing of your deeds escapes Him; rather, He records them and recompenses you accordingly.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) recited to them the verse that reads: {O you who believe, fear Allah, and let every soul consider what it has sent forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.} [Surat al-Hashr: 18] Allah Almighty directs the call in this verse to the believers, and after He, Exalted be He, commands them to fear Him, He invites them to perform the righteous deeds that will preserve them in the Hereafter.
Then, in his sermon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) advised and urged them to give charity, saying: "A man gave charity" is an informative statement that gives the sense of command, meaning: Let a man give charity according to his ability "from his Dinar," which is gold, or "from his Dirham," which is silver, or "from his clothes," or "from Sā‘ of his wheat," or "from a Sā‘ of his dates." This falls under giving food in charity. A Sā‘ is a kind of measure that was used during the Prophet's time. Here it is not meant as a specific measure but urging them to give charity from what is possible. "until he said: be it half a date."
Jarīr (may Allah be pleased with him) said that a man from the Ansār - the people of Madīnah - came with 'a bundle' - which is a tied sack containing Dirhams or Dinars - that was difficult for him to hold in his hand, given its heaviness due to numerous coins therein. Thereafter, the people came successively and gave charity one after another, until Jarīr ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) saw "two heaps." A heap refers to a lot of things placed one on top of the other. "of food and clothes;" they were probably singled out, with no mention of money, because food and clothes were the dominant elements. This was until he noticed that the Messenger's face was glowing in joy and pleasure, like "gilded silver," which is more profound in indicating the beauty and brightness of the face. The meaning: The Prophet's face became cheerful so much so that it glowed and brightened in pleasure and joy over the Muslims' readiness to obey Allah and His Messenger, give from their money, fulfill the needs of those needy people, show compassion towards their brothers, and cooperate in righteousness and piety.
Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever introduces a good practice in Islam," i.e., he introduces a praiseworthy way that is confirmed by one of the fundamental principles of the religion, or which becomes a motive and reason for promoting something established in the Shariah; and others follow his example in it. So, he will obtain the reward for doing this act, as well as the reward of those who do it after he has introduced this practice, without anything, large or small, being diminished from their rewards. Indeed, this reward is for prompting them to do this act, not for the act itself. This points to the Prophet's praise of the Ansāri man who came with the bundle, shows his merit, and encourages his act. "And whoever introduces an evil practice in Islam," i.e., he does a reprehensible act and produces an unpraiseworthy way that is not supported by any of the fundamental principles of the religion, and he begins to engage in it before others, and so others follow his example in this regard; hence, he will incur the sin for doing it and the sin of those who do it after him, without anything being diminished from their sins.
The Hadīth urges that a person hasten to do good first, so that others can follow his example. It also warns that he shouldn't be the first to do evil, lest his example be followed by others.
It encourages the doing of good whose reward is repeated by virtue of imitation and warns against evil whose sin is repeated because of imitation.
It shows the Prophet's mercy towards his Ummah..

1025

‘Umayr, the freed slave of Ābi al-Lahm, reported: My master commanded me to cut some meat into strips. Meanwhile, a poor man came to me, and I gave him some of it to eat. My master came to know about it, and he beat me. I went to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and mentioned that to him. So, he summoned him and said: "Why did you beat him?" He said: "He gives away my food without me commanding him to do so." He said: "The reward is divided between you.".

Commentary : Islam is the religion of virtuous morals and sublime manners with all people, even servants who serve others in return for wages and slaves and bondmen; Islam enjoined kindness to them and helped liberate them from slavery and servitude.
In this Hadīth, ‘Umayr, the freed slave of Ābi al-Lahm (may Allah be pleased with him), relates that that his owner and master commanded him to cut some meat and dry it in the sun, a common practice among the Arabs. Qadd: is a lengthwise cutting. Some versions contain: "to Aqdur meat" i.e., to cook a pot of meat.
Meanwhile, a poor, needy person came to him, and he gave him a part of the meat without permission from his master. When his master learned about what he spent and gave in charity, he beat him as a discipline for his wrong act of disposing of someone else's property without their permission. ‘Umayr (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and related to him what happened. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent for his owner to come to him. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked him: "Why did you beat him?" By this, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) first sought clarification about the beating and its cause. The man, the owner of the money and the slave's master, cited the reason that he gave out from his food without his permission. So, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "The reward is divided between you," i.e., do not beat him for that, because the reward obtained for the charity he gave from your property is divided between the two of you if you agree to that and make it permissible for your servant to give such things that are usually tolerated; so, you will have the reward for charity. This is not intended as approval that a slave may give from his master's property without his permission. Rather, he disliked the master's attitude as he beat him for something that turned out to be good. So, he urged the master to seize the reward and pardon him. This constitutes teaching and guidance for Ābi al-Lahm, not approval of the slave's action.
His statement: "The reward is divided between you" does not mean that the reward of one of them is shared with the other; thus the reward of the money itself is divided between the two of them. Rather, it means that each of them has a reward. In other words, this charity which the slave gives out with the permission of his master entails a reward for the amount of money and for the deed. Thus, it is divided between them: this person takes the share of his money, and this person takes the share of his deed. So, the owner of the money does not compete with the performer of the deed over the share of his deed, neither does the performer of the deed compete with the owner of the money over the share of his money.
The Hadīth mentions that the slave and the master are rewarded for the charity given by the slave: the master is rewarded for his money, and the slave is rewarded for his deed.
It indicates that a master can discipline his slave if he acts wrongly..

1025

‘Umayr, the freed slave of Ābi al-Lahm, reported: I was a slave, and I asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "May I give charity from the money of my masters?" He said: "Yes, and the reward will be half and half between you.".

Commentary : Islam urges noble manners and forbids evil ones. Noble manners include spending and giving charity to the poor and upholding kinship ties.
In this Hadīth, ‘Umayr, the freed slave of Ābi al-Lahm, relates that he was a slave at the early stage of Islam, and as he was a slave, not possessing money and could not dispose of his master's money. So, he asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about giving charity from his master's money to the poor and needy. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) replied to him: "Yes, and the reward will be half and half between you" i.e., yes, you have the right to give charity from the money of your masters, and the reward of charity will be divided between you. So, Allah will give the reward to the servant who gives charity for his deed and will give the reward to the owner of the money for his money.
What appears from the narrations of this Hadīth is that the reward is divided between both of you if the master agrees to that and permits his servant to give charity out of his money in the first place. It is not intended that the slave may give without the approval of his master.
The reward being divided between them does not mean that the reward of one of them is shared with the other; thus the reward of the money itself is divided between the two of them. Rather, it means that each of them has a reward. In other words, this charity that the slave gives out with the permission of his master entails a reward for the amount of money and for the deed. Thus, it is divided between them: this person takes the share of his money, and this person takes the share of his deed. So, the owner of the money does not compete with the performer of the deed over the share of his deed, neither does the performer of the deed compete with the owner of the money over the share of his money.
The Hadīth indicates that we should ask the people of knowledge about things that cause unease within our minds.
It also points out that people should take care of their slaves and servants and comfort them by allowing them to give charity from their money, with their permission.
And it mentions that the slave and the master are rewarded for the charity given by the slave: the master is rewarded for his money, and the slave is rewarded for his deed..

1028

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Who amongst you is fasting today?" Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I am." He said: "Who amongst you followed a funeral procession today?" Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I did." He said: "Who amongst you fed a needy person today? Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I did." He said: "Who amongst you visited a sick person today? Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I did." Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "They are not combined in a man except that he will enter Paradise.".

Commentary : One of the features of Prophetic guidance and education was that he used to draw people's minds and attention to his subject by asking a question. In this way, those present would become attentive. This is because every question by him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had a certain significance and objective, which would be known after the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified and revealed the purpose behind his question.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) directs us to some virtues that lead those in whom they are combined to enter Paradise. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked a question to his Companions who were in his gathering. "Who amongst you is fasting today? Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I am." He answered by saying "I am" by way of giving specific information, not as a form of self-pride, as people say when they are boastful. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) followed this question with other questions to proceed with clarifying the causes of entering Paradise. He said: "Who amongst you followed a funeral procession today?" by offering the funeral prayer and following the funeral procession till the deceased person is buried. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: "I did." So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked: "Who amongst you fed a needy person today? And he made him satiated and gave him the food he needed. A needy person is the one who cannot find sufficient sustenance. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: "I did." So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked: "Who amongst you visited a sick person today?" Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: "I did." So, regarding all the traits and acts the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked about, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) replied that he did all of them. Thus, all these honorable deeds were combined in one day for Abu Bakr as-Siddīq (may Allah be pleased with him). This indicates the keenness of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) to do all kinds of virtuous deeds, seek their areas, and seize their times, as if he had nothing but pursuing them and seeking to get their rewards.
So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said that if these four acts are combined and done in one day by someone, he will enter Paradise. It probably means that he will enter Paradise without reckoning or recompense for his bad deeds; otherwise, the mere Imān (faith) is sufficient for entering Paradise, even if the sinner is punished in Hellfire for his sins; his ultimate outcome is entering Paradise, so long as he is a believer in Tawhīd (monotheism); or it means: He will enter Paradise from any gate he wills, and Allah knows best.
The Hadīth shows the merit of righteous deeds, including fasting, charity, feeding the needy, and visiting the sick, and that they are traits and acts that lead to entering Paradise.
It points out that Abu Bakr as-Siddīq (may Allah be pleased with him) possessed virtues, and this is part of his noble characteristics (may Allah be pleased with him).
It demonstrates how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to check on his Companions and direct them to do various kinds of good deeds..

1036

Abu ’Umāmah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O son of Adam, indeed if you spend your surplus wealth, it is good for you; and if you withhold it, it is bad for you. You are not blameworthy regarding the subsistence. Begin with your dependents. And the upper hand is better than the lower hand.".

Commentary : This Hadīth contains a Prophetic instruction to people not to withhold and amass wealth, and it directs them to spend and give and not to beg of others. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says: "O son of Adam"; this is a call from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to all children of Adam, though his instruction is particularly addressed to his Muslim Ummah. To spend your excessive wealth and give it in charity for the sake of Allah is "good for you" in this world and the Hereafter for its enduring reward. But to withhold this surplus and deny it to others is "bad for you" in the sight of Allah and the sight of people because if someone withholds it from fulfilling a duty, he deserves the punishment for that. If he withholds it from doing something commendable, this diminishes his reward, and he misses a benefit for himself in the Hereafter, and this is all bad.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) determines that a person is not to blame for withholding the money sufficient for him and his dependents and which enables him to spend on his family, lest they may beg people. Subsistence is the provision that suffices a person and makes him in no need for begging others, along with contentment, and it does not exceed one's needs.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) instructs us to begin with our dependents, such as ourselves and our wives and children. Indeed, the best charity is what a person gives out of his wealth after fulfilling the rights of himself and his dependents so that the giver of charity will not become needy after giving charity to others. His statement "begin with your dependents" is evidence that spending on one's family is better than giving charity, for charity is voluntary, whereas spending on one's family is obligatory. This all falls under the Prophetic education to be abstinent and content, prioritize spending to provide for his family and dependents sufficiently and give charity when financially stable.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) determines an instructive rule, saying: "And the upper hand", which spends, "is better than the lower hand" i.e., which begs or takes.
The Hadīth directs us to spend our excessive money on charitable and good purposes.
It determines the order of priority in spending, giving, and charity, and we should begin with what is more important and then what is next in importance..

1037

Mu‘āwiyah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Whoever Allah wills to do good to, He makes him well-versed in the religion." And I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Indeed, I am a treasurer, so whoever I give something willingly will be blessed for him, and whoever I give something due to his begging and covetousness is like one who eats and is not satiated.".

Commentary : Allah Almighty is Forbearing and Merciful toward His servants, and He loves good for them. And our Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the best-natured person among people, and he taught us abstinence and contentment.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that when Allah wants to do a lot of good and a great benefit to someone, He makes him well-versed in religion. He grants him the Shar‘i knowledge and awareness of the matters of his religion until he gains a proper understanding of it and becomes knowledgeable about the truth, acting upon it and calling others to it with insight and guidance. This is the goodness to which no other goodness in this existence comes close in terms of its merit, honor, and high status, for it is the legacy of the prophets, who left behind no other legacy.
Goodness is particularly linked to having a good understanding of the religion and not merely hearing and bearing the Fiqh, for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), in a Hadīth narrated by Abu Dāwūd and others, said: "May Allah brighten (his face) a man who hears a Hadīth from us, memorizes it, and passes it on to others, for a bearer of Fiqh may convey it to someone who has better understanding than him, and there may be a bearer of Fiqh who is not a Faqīh." A person who hears a Hadīth and narrates it may not be a scholar or Faqīh, but he memorizes the Sunnah and passes it on to others who are capable of comprehension and deduction. A Faqīh in religion is one who can deal with the texts and understand them properly, and thus, things become clear to him, and he can see the way. This type of knowledge leads the one who possesses it to fear Allah, adhere to His obedience, and avoid His prohibitions. Fiqh in religion is attained by contemplating the texts of the Qur’an and the Sunnah and knowing the treasures, creeds, rulings, and wisdom contained therein.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, I am a treasurer", i.e., a trustee and preserver of what Allah Almighty gave me. The real Giver is Allah Almighty, not me. I only distribute what I have in the way Allah commanded me. Verily, all matters happen according to His will and determination, Exalted be He, whereas people are directed slaves of Allah. "So, whoever I give something" without him asking for it; rather, I give it to him "willingly, it will be blessed for him," i.e., the benefits of this taken money will increase, and it will see greater growth. "and whoever I give something due to his begging and covetousness", i.e., as for a person who asks for something while coveting it and being keen to obtain it, he is "like one who eats and is not satiated", i.e., the more he takes from it, the greater his desire for it becomes, and he becomes covetous, belittles what he possesses, and aspires to have more. As a result, Allah Almighty does not bless what he has taken by begging, while the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) disliked his importunateness. This demonstrates the evil outcome of begging without a valid excuse.
The Hadīth points out the merit of knowledge and acquiring knowledge of the religion.
It urges abstinence and contentment and forbids begging without necessity..

1037

Mu‘āwiyah ibn Abi Sufyān (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Beware of Hadīths, except those Hadīths during the reign of ‘Umar, for indeed ‘Umar used to make people fearful of Allah Almighty.".

Commentary : Transmitting the Prophet's Sunnah and narrating Hadīths from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is a great matter and serious responsibility. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were keen on the accuracy and authenticity of these narrations.
In this tradition, Caliph Mu‘āwiyah ibn Abi Sufyān (may Allah be pleased with him) warns his subjects and those around him about the excessive narrating of Hadīths from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) without verification of the reports or differentiation between the Sunnah and Prophetic Hadīths and other reports, lest they might engage in lying about the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Indeed, lying about the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is a sin that is more grave than lying about others. Mu‘āwiyah's warning to the people was during his reign, given the prevalent transmission of reports about the People of the Book and the contents that were found in their books after their countries were conquered. So, he feared that their statements could be mixed with the statements of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Yet, he excluded the time and reign of 'Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him), saying: "Beware of Hadīths, except those Hadīths during the reign of ‘Umar" i.e., unless you accept and narrate the Hadīths that were known, widely acted upon, and acknowledged during the time of ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). And more worthy among them are those Hadīths that were narrated by ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) himself.
Then, clarifying why he excluded Hadīths that were during the reign of ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: "For indeed 'Umar used to make people fearful" by his strength and firmness, as he used to punish those who committed mistakes and beat them with his small staff in order to defend and preserve the rights of Allah Almighty and the matters of His religion, lest the Hadīths of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) might be subject to distortion and alteration. Therefore, Mu‘āwiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) urged the people to refer to the Hadīths that were narrated during that era, given that it was marked by great meticulousness in the narration of Hadīths. This is because 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to emphasize to his subjects the seriousness of transmitting reports from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). For example, he would require witnesses for Hadīths. So, he regulated this matter, and the people feared his authority and prohibition of hurried narration of Hadīths. As a result, the sound Hadīths were verified, and the Sunan became widely known and distinguished from other texts during his time (may Allah be pleased with him).
This does not limit the meticulousness in the narration of Hadīths to the reign of 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) only, but it also existed during the Prophet's lifetime and after that, till the era of Hadīth compilation, as Allah Almighty caused to exist those who revised the Hadīths of His Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and distinguished the sound ones from others and verified the narrations and those who transmitted them, based on precise and strict rules. Mu‘āwiyah's attitude shows his keenness during his time in examining and distinguishing the Prophet's statements from others.
The Hadīth points out the merit of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) with regard to preserving the Sunnah during his caliphate.
The ruler should urge his subjects to seek knowledge and try to verify and distinguish the sound from the unsound..

1038

Mu‘āwiyah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not be importunate in asking, for by Allah, if one of you asks me for something and I give it to him while I am reluctant, there will be no blessing in what I give him.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen to teach and educate the Muslims to be well-mannered and to ask for things with dignity in all matters. This is intended to keep the relationships between the Muslims good and free from such ill feelings as hatred, anger, and the like, which may exist due to importunate and persistent asking.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) directs us not to ask for something in an immoderate or importunate manner, needlessly and unjustifiably. Allah Almighty says: {They do not ask people importunately.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 273] Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) explained why he forbade importunate asking. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) swore in an emphatic way that if anyone importunately asks him for something and he grants his request, while the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is actually reluctant to give that thing to him, because he only gives it to him to avert his bad attitude, the result is that Allah Almighty will not bless him in what he has taken by persistent and importunate asking. This demonstrates the evil outcome of importunate asking.
The Hadīths reported from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) indicate that blessing will exist in the given money if it is given willingly and taken kindly.
It urges abstinence and kindness and prohibits asking for something without necessity..

1041

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He who asks people for their wealth to increase his own only asks for live coals; so, let him ask for a little or much.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen to teach the Muslims and educate them to be well-mannered and to ask for anything in a good and dignified way.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that if a person asks people to give him from their wealth to increase his own wealth without truly being in need, the result of such asking is that this money will become live coals in the Hereafter with which he will be burned. This is also indicated by another version in Sunan Ibn Mājah: "he only asks for the live coals of Hell." Seeking to increase one's wealth is called live coals because live coals come because of it. This is similar to the verse that reads: {Indeed, those who consume the orphans’ property unjustly, only consume fire into their bellies} to the rest of the verse. [Surat an-Nisā’: 10]
After this intimidation and clarification, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "so, let him ask for a little or much," i.e., let the beggar take a little of these live coals, or let him take much of it. This command was said by way of threatening, warning, and deriding.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) left it to the beggar whether he wants to ask for a little or much, seeking to deter him from that. Begging is self-humiliating, and Allah Almighty does not like it for the believer. A Muslim should be self-respecting.
The Hadīth warns against devouring people's property unjustly.
It shows disapproval of begging people without necessity.
It also demonstrates the penalty for he who begs of people often.
The Hadīth indicates that the Day of Judgment is the day of full recompense, be it a reward or punishment..

1042

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "For one of you to go out early to gather firewood and carry it on his back so that he can give charity from it and be free of the need to people is better for him than asking a man who may give to him or refuse. Indeed, the upper hand is more virtuous than the lower hand, and begin with your dependents." [In a version]: "By Allah, for one of you to go out early in the morning to gather firewood and carry it on his back and sell it for its equivalent.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen on teaching and educating Muslims to be well-mannered and to ask for things with dignity in all matters. This is intended to keep the relationships between the Muslims good and free from ill feelings such as hatred, anger, and the like, which may exist due to importunate and persistent asking.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) teaches us that if a poor man goes out in the early morning and gathers firewood and carries it on his back and then sells it and earns money, and from this money he gives charity and becomes in no need for begging from people - even though this involves hardship - is better, nobler and more honorable and merciful for him "than to ask a man" and beg from others. "Who may give to him or refuse?" Giving and withholding are alike; both are humiliating. If he refuses to give to him, he makes him heartbroken and sad; and if he gives to him, this counts as a favor bestowed upon him.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urged abstinence, saying: "the upper hand", which gives, is more virtuous and dearer in the sight of Allah Almighty "than the lower hand", which begs and takes charity.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) instructs us to begin with our dependents, including ourselves and our wives and children. Indeed, the best charity is what a person gives out of his wealth after fulfilling the rights of himself and his dependents so that the giver of charity does not become in need after giving charity to others. His statement "begin with your dependents" shows that spending on one's family is better than giving charity, for charity is voluntary, whereas spending on one's family is obligatory. This all falls under the Prophetic education to be abstinent and content and prioritize spending so that a person should sufficiently provide for his family and dependents and then give charity when financially stable.
The Hadīth urges us to eat from the earnings of our labor and to earn money by permitted means, like collecting firewood, and it urges us to give charity..

1043

‘Awf ibn Mālik al-Ashja‘i reported: We were with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and we were nine, eight, or seven. He said: "Will you not give the pledge of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah?" We said: "We have already given you the pledge of allegiance, O Messenger of Allah." Then, he said: "Will you not give the pledge of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah?" We said: "We have already given you the pledge of allegiance, O Messenger of Allah." Then, he said: "Will you not give the pledge of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah?" He said: We extended our hands and said: "We have already given you the pledge of allegiance, O Messenger of Allah. So, for what should we give you the pledge of allegiance?" He said: "To worship Allah and not associate any partners with him; to establish the five prayers; to obey; (and he said in a low tone) and to not ask people for anything. Indeed, I saw some of those men so much so that if the whip fell from one of them, he would not ask anyone to hand it to him.".

Commentary : Mubāya‘ah is to give the pledge of allegiance to adhere to Islam and be committed to abide by its rulings. It was called Mubāya‘ah because each one of those involved in it would extend his hand to his companion, and as it involves the Mu‘āwadah (compensation), as Allah Almighty says: {Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their wealth, and in return they will have Paradise.} [Surat at-Tawbah: 111] This was a deal with Allah Almighty.
In this Hadīth, ‘Awf ibn Mālik al-Ashja‘i (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that he was with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) within a group of the Companions, who had recently given the pledge of allegiance to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). They numbered nine, eight, or seven. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked them to give him the pledge of allegiance, beginning his speech with words that drew their attention and aroused their minds, saying: "Will you not give the pledge of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah?" This is intended to urge them to give the pledge of allegiance to him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He said, "give the pledge of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah," and did not say, "give the pledge of allegiance to me," to notify that the motive for this pledge is the message. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) repeated his question "Will you not give the pledge of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah?" three times to exert emphasis on that. So, they extended their hands after the third time to give the pledge of allegiance, in compliance with the Prophet's command. When they wanted to give the pledge of allegiance to him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), they said: "We have already given you the pledge of allegiance, O Messenger of Allah." They said that thinking he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) may have forgotten that they had previously given him the pledge of allegiance, as they had done so only recently. Hence, they wanted to remind him of that. Or they sought clarification over what kind of pledge of allegiance was required of them now? This is indicated by their words "for what?" i.e., what are the things over which we should "give you the pledge of allegiance?" In response, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "To worship Allah" alone, to obey Him, and not to associate any partners with him, major or minor Shirk and the apparent or hidden one. The second thing is to give the pledge of allegiance over establishing the obligatory "five prayers" along with their requirements and pillars. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said "in a low tone," i.e., he did not say these words as loudly as he said the previous ones. These words are about not asking people for anything. Thus, he urged self-restraint and presenting one's needs to Allah alone and not asking any person for anything. It seems that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) uttered the prohibition about asking people in a low voice so as to direct this to some people and not others and not to make it applicable to everyone, for this cannot be applicable to all, because asking is unavoidable, self-restraint is necessary, richness is sure to exist, and poverty is certainly there. Allah Almighty predestined all of these. So, people are necessarily divided into two categories.
The prohibited asking is that which pertains to worldly matters. This does not include asking about knowledge and religious matters, as Allah Almighty says: {Ask the people of knowledge, if you do not know.} [Surat an-Nahl: 43]
This is all spiritual education and psychological discipline for the Muslims that they should ask of their Lord alone, which achieves self-restraint for themselves. By this, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) exhorts noble manners and avoidance of bearing favors from others, and he teaches patience over unpleasant things, not asking people for things, and self-respect.
Then, ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Indeed, I saw some of those men", referring to the Companions who gave the pledge of allegiance to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in that gathering, "that when the whip fell from one of them, he would not ask anyone to hand it to him," i.e., some of them took the prohibition to mean asking in general. So, if anything fell from them, they would not ask anyone to hand it over to them. Even if something fell from one of them while riding a mount, he would get off and pick it up and not ask anyone to hand it to him, in compliance with the pledge of allegiance he gave to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). This shows their care and complete observance of the things over which they gave the pledge of allegiance, even regarding such simple matters.
The Hadīth turns people away from asking others and urges them to keep away from all such things that are called asking, even if a little.
It also points to the adoption of general rules, for they were prohibited from asking, and so they took the prohibition to be generally applicable..

1044

Qabīsah ibn Mukhāriq al-Hilāli reported: I became a guarantor for a payment, and I came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to beg him regarding it. He said: "Wait until the Zakah comes to us, and we will order it to be given to you. He said: Then, he said: "O Qabīsah, begging is only lawful for one of three: a man who has become a guarantor for a payment; begging is lawful for him until he gets it, after which he must stop (begging); a man who has been stricken by a catastrophe and it destroys his property; begging is lawful for him until he gets what makes ends meet - or he said: what provides a sufficient subsistence; and a man who has been smitten by poverty, about whom three wise members of his people confirm by saying: So and so has been smitten by poverty; begging is lawful for him until he gets what fulfills basic needs - or he said: what provides a sufficient subsistence - after which he must stop (begging). Any other reason for begging - O Qabīsah - brings unlawful gains, and one who engages in it consumes it as an unlawful gain.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen to teach and educate the Muslims to be well-mannered and to ask for things in a good and self-respecting way, regarding all matters. This is intended to keep the relationship among the Muslims a good one that does not involve hatred or the like.
This Hadīth clearly shows a practical aspect of this Prophetic education, and it has an illustrative introduction that demonstrates the reason that obliged and forced the Companion Qabīsah ibn Mukhāriq (may Allah be pleased with him) to ask for help from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Qabīsah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I became a guarantor for a payment," i.e., I became responsible for a debt. Payment here refers to what a person bears, takes as a debt, and pays it for the purpose of reconciliation, like reconciling between two tribes, and so on. If a guarantor asks someone to help him with the required payment, this is not regarded as detracting from his status; rather, it is considered to be a source of honor and pride. Therefore, this man asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to help him with this payment of his, according to their tradition. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) responded to him positively, by way of helping in what is good. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked him to wait until the Zakah of people came to him, and then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would give him therefrom, for indeed begging was lawful for him and he deserved to be given out of the Zakah. This is because he incurred a debt for something not sinful, and he was one of those in debt who are mentioned in the verse of Zakah.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified to him the types of persons for whom it is lawful to beg of people; As for the first type: It is he who incurred a debt for the purpose of reconciliation among people. He asks people for money so that he can pay off that debt. So, he takes the amount that is needed from the Zakah money, after which he should desist and refrain from asking and begging.
The second type of people for whom begging is lawful: "a man who has been stricken by a catastrophe;" a catastrophe is a blight that befalls fruits and property and eliminates them. So, if a person is hit by a heavenly blight and it eliminates his fruits or property, it becomes lawful for him to beg until he gets what fulfills his basic needs and subsistence. "Qiwām" and "Sidād" refer to such things that bring self-sufficiency and fulfill needs.
The third type of people for whom begging is lawful: A man who has been stricken by severe poverty, and it becomes so clear and apparent that three wise and rational persons from his people give testimony and say: "So and so has been smitten by poverty." He restricted that to rational people to point out that mindfulness is required for testimony. Hence, testimony should not be accepted from simple-minded people. And he determined they should be from his people because they are more aware of his condition.
Those are the people for whom begging is lawful, as related in the Hadīth. Begging for other reasons brings unlawful gains, and he who engages in it consumes unlawful gains. Indeed, unlawful gains eliminate blessing. Consuming here means benefiting in general.
His statement "and one who engages in it consumes it as an unlawful gain" signifies that a person who consumes an unlawful gain does not find a doubt that renders it permissible for himself; rather, he consumes it as an unlawful gain and a forbidden thing.
The Hadīth prohibits begging from people except for an urgent necessity.
It demonstrates the types of people for whom begging is lawful and clarifies the compelling reasons for that.
It also indicates that whoever takes people's property unjustly indeed consumes an unlawful gain and forbidden thing..

Book of Hadith