Anas ibn Seereen reported: “We set out to receive Anas ibn Maalik when he returned from Shaam at a place known as 'Ayn-al-Tamr. I saw him praying on the back of his donkey with his face turned in that direction. (Hammam one of the narrators) pointed towards the left of Qiblah, so I said to him: I saw you praying while you are towards the side other than that of Qiblah. Upon this he said: Had I not seen the Messenger of Allah ﷺ doing like this, I would not have done so at all..

Commentary : The Companion’s (may Allah be pleased with them) eagerness towards following the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺwas remarkable; thus, none of them would do an action or deed if the Prophet ﷺ had not done it or encouraged it; especially the prayer whose actions are fixed, and the Prophet ﷺ stipulated them by his words and actions.

In this hadeeth, the taabiʿee, Anas ibn Seereen reports that they had [set out] to receive Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him), who was returning from the region of Shaam; and they met him near ʿAyn al-Tamr - which is a town to the west in the governorate of Anbaar, [which is] the biggest of the governorates in Iraq.

When they saw him, he was praying while he atop of a donkey; and he was facing towards the left of the Qiblah, and not in the direction of the Qiblah [itself]. Upon seeing this, Anas ibn Seereen asked him in a state of awe: ‘I saw you performing the prayer facing in a direction other than the Qiblah?!’ Then, Anas ibn Maalik responded to him by saying: ‘If I had not seen the Messenger of Allah ﷺ praying on top of his mount towards [a direction] other than the Qiblah, I would not have done so. Rather, the Prophet ﷺ would do that for the supererogatory and sunnah - and not for the obligatory prayers; like what is established in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, on the authority of Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them).

Some of the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is knowing the permissibility of performing supererogatory prayers on [any] means of transportation, even if we are [facing in] a direction other than that of the Qiblah.

This narration also elucidates the ease that we have in our acts of worship, especially when it comes to the prayer.
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1101

Narrated Hafs ibn `Asim: Ibn `Umar went on a journey and said, "I accompanied the Prophet ﷺ and he did not offer optional prayers during the journey, and Allah says: {Verily! In Allah's Messenger ﷺ you have a good example to follow.'} (Quran 33.21).

Commentary : The ease and removal of difficulty are some of the characteristics of Islam. The greater the hardship [appears], the greater the alleviation is [in actuality], and the burden is removed. Therefore, Allah, The Mighty and Majestic prescribed the dispensation of shortening the prayers which contain four units while traveling; and the Prophet ﷺ left out the sunnah prayers that are tied and performed either before or after the five obligatory ones while traveling - thus confirming the alleviation [discussed above].

In this hadeeth, the taabiʿee :Hafs ibn ʿAsim ibn ʿUmar ibn al-al-Khaṭṭaab reports that ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) had travelled with his companions, and said: ‘I travelled with the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions during their journey, and I did not see him perform the sunnah prayers that are tied and performed either before or after the five obligatory ones - while traveling.’ Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) said this – as documented in Saheeh Muslim - when he saw some of his companions performing supererogatory prayers after Dhuhr while traveling.

Then, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: ‘Allah, The Mighty and Majestic says: {Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah, you have an excellent example.}- and he recited [the word in the aforementioned ayah]: iswah (example) in Arabic is pronounced with a kasrah[at the beginning of the word], and this is the qiraa’ah [i.e. mode of recitation] of the ten [verified] reciters, except for ʿAsim; he recited it with a dammah : [as] uswah. The meaning here an instruction to follow the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, for it is the perfect example in everything, thus, follow his way and act in accordance with his traditions.

The Prophet ﷺdid not offer the sunnah prayers that are tied and performed either before or after the five obligatory prayersfor all of the prayers while traveling, except the two-unit prayerof Fajr. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not leave them on his travels, and even made them up when he had slept until the sun rose upon him and his Companions during one of his travels; as per the report mentioned in Saheeh Muslim, from a hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah(may Allah be pleased with him). As for the Witr prayer, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would perform the Witr prayer atop [his] camel while traveling – as mentioned in Saheehal-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, from a hadeeth narrated byʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah have pleased with them).

This hadeeth shows the keen eagerness of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to emulate and follow the example of the Prophet ﷺ.
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1102

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: I accompanied God's Messenger, and he prayed two units and nothing more while on a journey. I also accompanied Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman, and they did the same.".

Commentary : Since Islam is a magnanimous religion that embraces tolerance, it is not isolated from alleviating and making ease for the people over matters of the religion and world. One of the many examples of its easiness and accommodation is the dispensation; [which] is a gift from Allah, The Mighty and Majestic - for the purpose of facilitating the performance of the obligatory that Allah has made incumbent upon His servants.

In this hadeeth, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) reports that he had accompanied the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. During his time in his company, he observed that he ﷺ would offer no more than a two-units prayer on the journey. That is to say, heﷺ would shorten the prayers that consist of four units- [which are] Dhuhr, ʿAsr, and ʿIshaa’ - and perform a two-unit prayer [instead]. As for Maghrib, he would perform it like it [always] is done: three units; and did not perform the sunnah prayers that are tied and performed either before or after the five obligatory prayers. Likewise, so did: Abu Bakr, ʿUmar, and ʿUthmaan(may Allah be pleased with them) - each during the time of their caliphate - [all] following the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ while shortening the prayers during [their] travels - and did no more than that.

In a narration in Saheehal-Bukhaaree and SaheehMuslim, Ibn ʿUmar mentioned [the following] about ʿUthmaan(may Allah be pleased with them): ‘[that] he prayed two unitsat the beginning of his caliphate, then performed the full prayers of four prayer units later.’ It has been said that: perhaps Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with f them) intended in this narration [that it was] the rest of ʿUthmaan’s travels (may Allah be pleased with him), other than at Minaa, because he completed the prayers with four prayer units in their entirety at Minaa. And it has [also] been said that: he completed the prayers in their entirety if he was lodgingat a place, and if he was traveling, he would shorten them.

Excluded from this generalisation are the two-units prayer that precedes Fajr. The Messenger of Allah ﷺdid not leave them during his travels and would even make them up when they had slept until the sun rose upon them during one of his travels; like what is mentioned in Saheeh Muslim, from a hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah(may Allah be pleased with him). As well as the Witr prayer, [where] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would perform the Witr prayer atop [his] camel while traveling - like what is mentioned in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and SaheehMusim, from a hadeeth narrated byʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (May Allah have pleased with them).

From the benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is the eagerness of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to emulate the Prophet ﷺ.
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1105

Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) related that Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to perform supererogatory prayers on the back of his mount by head nodding facing any direction." Ibn `Umar used to do the same..

Commentary : The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ were always eager to follow his guidance and way, especially with regards to the prayer, as it is fixed in its description and the manner in which it is performed.

This hadeeth elucidates on the permissibility of performing voluntary prayers on top of one’s riding animal (vehicle), excluding the obligatory prayers. Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform the sunnah and supererogatory prayers- on the back of his ride - which is the camel that he would ride during his travels, and in other instances [as well] - however it was facing. It was not necessary to turn towards the Qiblah. On the contrary, the Qiblah [in this situation] is wherever his riding camel is walking towards. Excluded from that ruling is if one is traveling via a means of transportation where they can turn towards the Qiblah during the journey without much difficulty, like a ship for example. So [in this instance] it would be necessary for him to turn towards the Qiblah.

Ibn ʿUmar described how the Messenger of Allah’s ﷺ bowed and prostratedwhile he was on top of the animal: that he would motion with his head [to perform the bowing and prostration], meaning: lowering it a bit for when the bowing[occurs in the prayer], and he would perform the prostrationlower [than the one done for the bowing] - and it is [done to a] lesser [extent] than the form of the complete prostration.

Then, Saalim ibn ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar reported that his father (may Allah be pleased with him) would perform voluntary prayers atop his riding animal, emulating the Prophet ﷺ.

As for the narration in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree where Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) reports: “I accompanied the Prophet ﷺ and I did not see him perform any supererogatory prayers while traveling.” It refers to the sunnah prayers that are tied and performed either before or after the five obligatory ones. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would not adhere to performing while traveling - excluding the two-units sunnah prayer performed before Fajr, and the Witr prayer.

This narration also elucidates the ease that we have in our acts of worship, especially when it comes to the prayer.
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1106

It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that if the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was in a hurry to travel, he would combine Maghrib and 'Ishaa'..

Commentary : Combining two prayers while traveling is one of the dispensations which Allah has permitted for His believing servants - to grant ease for them and remove any difficulty that may be caused by the incumbency of performing every obligatory prayer within its time.

In this hadeeth, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them) reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would join Maghrib and ʿIshaa’ if the trip was important, and he wanted to hasten the journey. The Prophet ﷺpermitted for the traveller to combine Dhuhr and ʿAsr, and Maghrib and ʿIshaa’ [together] at the time of either of them; and to do the accompanying prayer with it – as mentioned in [the following] hadeeth narrated by Muslim, on the authority of Muʿaadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ joined the Dhuhr and ʿAsr prayers, as well as Maghrib and ʿIshaa’ during the expedition of Tabuk.”

There are two ways to join between two consecutive prayers, depending on what is easier [at the time and situation at hand:

First - Combining by bringing the [second] prayer forward: It is to perform the ʿAsr prayer with Dhuhr, during the time of afternoon prayer (Dhuhr); and ʿIshaa’ with Maghrib during the time for the sunset prayer (Maghrib).

Second - Combining by delaying the [first] prayer: It is to perform the Dhuhr prayer with ʿAsr, during the time of the mid-afternoon prayer (ʿAsr); and Maghrib with ʿIshaa’, during the time for the night prayer (ʿIshaa’).

This is all with shortening the prayers that consist of four units to two while traveling. So, the prayer is shortened and combined, while Maghrib is not shortened, and Fajr is performed separately, and is not joined with any of the others. Likewise, there is no joining between ʿAsr and Maghrib. Whoever combines two prayers, it is necessary for him to not have a long period of time separating the performance of the two prayers, respectively. If there is a long separation between the two, he does not join them, and must pray the [second] prayer during its own time.

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is noting the easiness that the Islamic Law makes for Muslims in their acts of worship..

1108

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him): “Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to combine the Maghrib and the `Ishaa' while travelling.” Alee ibn al-Mubaarak and Harb narrated it too from Yahya from Hafs from Anas..

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ taught us to take the dispensations which Allah has granted us, including the combining and shortening of the prayers while traveling.

In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to join the Maghrib and ʿIshaa’ prayers while traveling; so he ﷺ would perform one of the prayers subsequently after the other, with an iqaamahseparating the two prayers.

There are two ways to join between two consecutive prayers, depending on what is easier [at the time and situation at hand:

First - Combining by bringing the [second] prayer forward: It is to perform the ʿAsr prayer with Dhuhr, during the time of afternoon prayer (Dhuhr); and ʿIshaa’ with Maghrib during the time for the sunset prayer (Maghrib).

Second - Combining by delaying the [first] prayer: It is to perform the Dhuhr prayer with ʿAsr, during the time of the mid-afternoon prayer (ʿAsr); and Maghrib with ʿIshaa’, during the time for the night prayer (ʿIshaa’).

This is all with shortening the prayers that consist of four units to two while traveling. So, the prayer is shortened and combined, while Maghrib is not shortened, and Fajr is performed separately, and is not joined with any of the others. Likewise, there is no joining between ʿAsr and Maghrib. Whoever combines two prayers, it is necessary for him to not have a long period of time separating the performance of the two prayers, respectively. If there is a long separation between the two, he does not join them, and must pray the [second] prayer during its own time.

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is noting the easiness that the Islamic Law makes for Muslims in their acts of worship..

1111

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him): “Allah's Messenger ﷺ would delay the Dhuhr prayer till the time of the 'Asr prayer, and then alight and combine the two prayers, if he wanted to travel before the sun reached its zenith. However, if the sun reached its zenith before he ﷺ moved off, he ﷺ would offer the Dhuhr prayer and then travel.”.

Commentary : Facilitation and easiness are obvious and evident in the Islamic law. Not only is Islam the final religion that Allah has sent for the good of humanity, but also considers the different abilities and natures of human beings; and one of the forms of this easiness is the permissibility of joining the prayers while traveling.

In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that whenever the Prophet ﷺ departed his place, i.e., when he began traveling, or he ﷺ intended to depart during the journey before “the sun reached its zenith” - which is when the sun begins to descend from its apogee in the sky, moving westward, meaning: before the time of Dhuhr began – he ﷺ would delay the Dhuhr prayer until the time for the ‘Asr prayer had entered. Then, he would combine the Dhuhr and ʿAsr prayers during the time for the ‘Asr prayer.

As for Anas’ statement: “[The sun] had begun its decline from its zenith” - meaning: the time for Dhuhr had entered; and he ﷺ performed Dhuhr, then he climbed atop his mount [and continued on the journey]. The apparent meaning of the narration [at this point] indicates that the Prophet ﷺ did not combine the prayer with ʿAsr. However, in a hadeeth narrated by Abu Daawood, on the authority of Muʿaadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him), he reports: “If he departed after the sun began to decline from its zenith, he would combine Dhuhr and ʿAsr, and then resume traveling.”.

There are two ways to join between two consecutive prayers, depending on what is easier [at the time and situation at hand:

First - Combining by bringing the [second] prayer forward: It is to perform the ʿAsr prayer with Dhuhr, during the time of afternoon prayer (Dhuhr); and ʿIshaa’ with Maghrib during the time for the sunset prayer (Maghrib).

Second - Combining by delaying the [first] prayer: It is to perform the Dhuhr prayer with ʿAsr, during the time of the mid-afternoon prayer (ʿAsr); and Maghrib with ʿIshaa’, during the time for the night prayer (ʿIshaa’).

This is all with shortening the prayers that consist of four units to two while traveling. So, the prayer is shortened and combined, while Maghrib is not shortened, and Fajr is performed separately, and is not joined with any of the others. Likewise, there is no joining between ʿAsr and Maghrib. Whoever combines two prayers, it is necessary for him to not have a long period of time separating the performance of the two prayers, respectively. If there is a long separation between the two, he does not join them, and must pray the [second] prayer during its own time.
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1116

Narrated ʿImraanibn Husayn(may Allah be pleased with him): “I asked The Prophet ﷺ about the prayer of a man who performs it while sitting, [but has the ability to stand], so he answered: “The prayer of who prays standing is better; and the reward of who prays sitting is half of that of the one who stands in prayer. The reward of the one who prays while laying down is half of that of the one who prays sitting.”.

Commentary : Standing for those with the ability to do so is one of the pillars of the obligatory prayers. As for the supererogatory prayers, standing is not one of its pillars. It is permissible for the Muslim to perform the supererogatory prayer while sitting, however a person will have a reward commensurate with his hardship [one is enduring when doing so]. Whoever performs any voluntary prayers sitting [while] capable of standing, will have less reward [for doing so] than for the one who prays standing - like what is expounded on in this hadeeth, [when] ʿImraanibn Husayn(may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet ﷺ about the prayer of a man who performs the sunnahand supererogatory prayers while sitting, [but] can stand.

The Prophet ﷺ explained to him that whoever prays standing is better; because standing is more demanding - thus it is greater in reward, and that whoever prays while sitting, his reward is half of that of the one who stands in prayer.

Whoever prays while laying down - meaning being situated on their side on the ground [or other surface] - then their reward is half of that of the one who prays while sitting. This ruling is applicable to the one who is able to perform the prayer while standing, but still choose to pray sitting down or by laying on his side. In this case, he will decrease his reward by doing so. As for the one incapable of standing, it suffices him to sit or lay on their side [while praying] - and their reward is complete [with no decrease].

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is noting the easiness that the Islamic Law makes for Muslims in their acts of worship, and the preference of standing over sitting when performing any supererogatory prayers; and [likewise] the preference of sitting over laying down - if one is capable of doing so.
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1340

Narrated Ibn `Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him):The Prophetﷺ offered the funeral prayer of a man one night after he was buried, he and his Companions stood up (for the prayer). He had asked them about him before standing, saying, "Who is this?" They said, "He is so and so and was buried last night." So, all of them offered the funeral prayer..

Commentary : The Prophetﷺwas always eager to convey the good to his Companions and heﷺ would follow and advise them; and continued to wish for them to have guidance and goodness.

In this hadeeth, ʿAbdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reports that the Prophet ﷺ offered the funeral prayer for a man after he was buried the night before because he did not know about his passing until after he was buried. He ﷺ asked about the man, and said: “Who is this?” And they responded: “He is so-and-so who was buried last night. After, he ﷺ stood up, while his Companions lined up behind him, then they prayed over him after he was buried.

It has been narrated by al-Bukhaaree, on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ passed by a grave which was buried at night. He ﷺ asked: “When was this buried?” And they said: “Last night.” To which, he ﷺ said: “And you did not inform me?!”, that is to say: And you did not let me know? And that was because he ﷺprays for the deceased as a mercy, as it is proven in the authentic hadeeth as well. They said: “We buried himin the depths of the night because we dislike waking you up. Then, he ﷺ stood up and we lined up behind him. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “I was among them.” Then he ﷺ performed the funeral prayer over him. Ibn ‘Abbaas was young at the time, and [the fact that] he prayed with them is an indication of the training the youth had in the precepts of the Sacred Law and being present with the congregations [for communal events]; so that they may become familiar with it and become a habit for them when it becomes necessary for them to implement it.

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is it highlights that the Prophetﷺtook good care of his Companions even after their death.

It shows the permissibility of offering the funeral prayer over the deceased after they have been buried, as well as performing it near a grave.

And lastly, it demonstrates that it is permissible to bury the dead at night.
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1341

Narrated ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): When the Prophet ﷺ became ill, some of his wives talked about a church which they had seen in Abyssinia, and it was called Maariyah. Um Salmah and Um Habeebah (may Allah be pleased with them) had been to Abyssinia, and both of them narrated its (the Church's) beauty and the pictures it contained. The Prophet ﷺ raised his head and said, "Those are the people who, whenever a pious man dies amongst them, make a place of worship at his grave and then they make those pictures in it. Those are the worst creatures in the Sight of Allah..

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ had ordered some of his Companions to migrate to Abyssinia; fleeing [from the oppression of Quraysh] due to their religion while spreading the call of truth [i.e., the Message of Islam]; because the King of Abyssinia, al-Najaashee, was a just man. Umm Salamah and Umm Habeebah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) were among those who had migrated to that region.

In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers, ʿA’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) expounds on what some of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ had witnessed there. The instruction of the Prophet ﷺ to immigrate to that land was so that the honor of Islam is protected. She reports that when the Prophet ﷺ was ill and became sick with the disease which he ﷺ would eventually die from, some of the women spoke about a a church, - which is a place of worship for the Christians - that they had seen in Abyssinia. It was called Maariyah; which is a name attributed to Lady Maryam (peace be upon her) and known name for the church.

Umm Salamah and Umm Habeebah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) spoke about what they had seen of its beauty, and the pictures it contained. Then he ﷺ rose his head and said: ‘Those are the people who, if a righteous man dies among them, will build a place of worship at his grave. Then, they will draw pictures of those who have passed away [and display them] there.’ Rather, they depicted the righteous for the purpose of becoming familiar with them. They mentioned their righteous deeds so that they can strive as they have strived, and they worshipped Allah near their graves. Then, a group of people who came after them were ignorant of what they had intended [by doing the aforementioned actions]. The Shaytan whispered [to them, stating] that their predecessors used to worship these images. So, the Prophet ﷺ warned of things like that, to block the pretext which leads to associating partners with Allah (polytheism). Then he ﷺ relates that those who do this are the worst of creation according to Allah, The Almighty due to what they have done; because it leads to the greatest sin - which is associating partners with Allah, The Almighty.

From the benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights the prohibition against having pictures [of living creatures] in places of worship.

It shows the proscription against building mosques over the graves of the deceased.

It entails the permissibility of relating the wonders and unusual events and matters that one has witnessed.

And lastly, it condemns the one who engages in that which is forbidden.
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1343

Narrated Jaabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺcollected every two martyrs of Uhud in one piece of cloth, then he would ask, "Which of them had (knew) more of the Quran?" When one of them was pointed out for him, heﷺ would put that one first in the grave and say, "I will be a witness on these on the Day of Resurrection." And then he ﷺwould order them to be buried with their blood on their bodies and they were neither washed nor was a funeral prayer offered for them..

Commentary : The Battle of Uhud - which is one of the well-known mountains of al-Madeenah - occurred in the third year after Hijrah and during which very significant events occurred. It was a great test from Allah, The Almighty for His Prophetﷺand the believers.

This hadeeth elaborates on some of the events that happened during the battle, along with some of their legal rulings; as Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reports that when the Prophet ﷺ wanted to shroud those Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) who were martyred in the Battle of Uhud, there was not enough clothes to shroud every one of them in a garment which covered their entire body. He ﷺ would jointwo men in one garment; and this was due to the large number of casualties, and the paucity of garments [available] to shroud them in. To overcome this issue, he ﷺ cut the garments and divided it amongst them. After, they remained in their clothes which they were killed in and were not to be stripped and have their skin touched. It is also possible that what is meant here is that he ﷺ gathered the two of them in one grave.

There are several narrations in which the Prophet ﷺ said that the martyrs to be shrouded in the garments which they were killed in, as it is related by Ahmad in a report that ʿAbdullah ibn Thaʿlabah ibn Suʿayr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said on the Day of Uhud: “Wrap them in their garments.” The reconciliation between the two hadeeths is that whoever is stripped off by the enemy or has been repeatedly stabbed such that his clothes have been cut off, causing some of his body be exposed, then he should be shrouded. As for the martyrs whose clothes remained intact on their bodies, they should be buried with them without being shrouded.

Heﷺwould ask about who was the greatest of them in [their knowledge of] the Quran, so when one of them was pointed out to him, he could put him first into the lahd, which is an opening that is made on the side of the grave, and it is [dug at] an incline from the middle of the grave to its side so that the dead can accommodated and placed into it. And then broken up pieces of clay [are laid down to] cover up the deceased.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered for them to be buried in their blood, and they were not washed, nor prayed over. He ﷺ said: “I will be a witness for these [martyrs] on the Day of Resurrection.” He ﷺ will be an intercessor for these people, and a witness to testify that they fulfilled what they promised Allah due to their faith and struggle for His sake and being obedient to Him and His Messenger ﷺ till they died for it.

It has been mentioned in other hadeeths that the Prophet ﷺ offered the funeral prayer for all of the martyrs of Uhud, as what is related in Saheehal-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, where ʿUqbah ibn ʿAamir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ went out one day, and prayed over the people of Uhud, [like] he would for the dead.” The reconciliation between these two hadeeth is: that his prayer was to indicate that offering the funeral prayers over them is permissible. It has been said that this occurrence was specifically for the martyrs of Uhud, and not a general ruling that is applicable to other cases. It has been established that he ﷺ did not pray over the martyrs who were killed in the battle according to the hadeeth of Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them). Also, the funeral prayer over the dead is an act of intercession for him, and only sinners can be interceded for. The martyrs have all their sins forgiven due to martyrdom, and thus they all come to the Honor, Mercy, and Paradise of Allah. So, their status is too high for them to be prayed over as one would pray over the rest of the deceased Muslims.

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it shows the apparent virtue for the one who recites the Quran, and the people of fiqh (jurisprudence), zuhd(asceticism), and all other virtue follow him.

It highlights the merits and virtues for the martyrs of Uhud, and it shows the state of poverty that the Honorable Companions [endured], and the steadfastness they exhibited in spite of that, out of a desire to spread the call of Islam.

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1344

Narrated ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ once came out and offered the funeral prayer for the martyrs of Uhud, and proceeded to the pulpit and said, "I will precede you, and I will bea witness for you, and I am really looking at my Lake now, and no doubt, I have been given the keys of the treasures of the world. By Allah, I am not afraid that you will worship others along with Allah, but I am afraid that you will envy and fight one another for worldly fortunes.".

Commentary : The Messenger of Allahﷺcame to the people with guidance and the religion of truth as a herald and warner, calling to whom Allah chooses, and a radiant lamp. His Lord provided himﷺ with splendid miracles and clear signs which affirm his truthfulness. He ﷺwas benevolent and merciful to the believers.

In this hadeeth, ʿUqbah ibn ʿAamir (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophetﷺwent out one day and offered the funeral prayer for the people of Uhud, like what he performed for others who have died. And what is meant by them [i.e., the people of Uhud] are the martyrs from the Battle of Uhud, which occurred during the month of Shawwaal in the third year after Hijrah. Uhud is one of the well-known mountains of al-Madeenah. According to Abu Dawood, this was after “eight years [had passed] like a man who bids farewell to the living and dead.”

Then, heﷺwent to his pulpit, ascended it, and addressed the people, saying: ‘I will precede you”: that is to say: ‘I will precede you and be the first to arrive at the Lake (al-hawḍ) on the Day of Resurrection’

“And I will be a witness for you”, what is meant by this is that he I will precede you will bear witness over our deeds, and it is not restricted to martyrdom during battles alone. The attestation of the Prophet ﷺ includes every Muslim - the first and last; so, it's as if he ﷺ remains with all Muslims and did not precede them. Rather, he ﷺ remains after them until he bears witness to the deeds of the last of the believers - for, he ﷺ isupholding their affair in the two abodes [i.e., in this world and the Hereafter] in his life and death.

Then heﷺsaid: “I have been given the keys to the earth’s treasures - or the keys to the earth” - by this, heﷺreferred to the expansion of the Islamic empire, its many conquests, and the outpouring of wealth to it; because whoever conquers a land, it is as if he obtains the keys to its treasures and acquires its riches and wealth.

Then, he ﷺtold the people that he did not fear that they would associate partners with Allah after him. However, heﷺdid fear that the competition for wealth and status would cause them to quarrel amongst themselves, which will lead them to enmity, hatred, and fighting with one another over the world and its blessings - and will a cause of their death and weakness. This is a warning of what is going to occur and what has happened as what The Messenger of Allahﷺrelated; because this world was opened up after him and granted [to its inhabitants], [but] envy, strife, and other matters are known to confirm the truthfulness of his ﷺreport.

His prayer over the dead addressed in this hadeeth could imply that praying for them is permissible. It was said: this occurrence was specifically for the martyrs of Uhud, and not in general. It has been established that he ﷺ didn’t pray over the martyr who was killed in the battle because of what is reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, where Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) narrates [that he ﷺ ] “ordered for them to be buried with their blood [on their bodies], and were not washed, nor prayed over.” Also, the prayer over the dead is an act of intercession for him, and only sinners can be interceded for. The martyrs have their sins forgiven, and they all come to the Honor, Mercy, and Paradise of Allah. So, their status is too high for them to be prayed over as one would pray over the rest of the deceased Muslims.

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it warns against advancing in the world, along with its trials, and dangers.

It mentions an apparent sign that testifies to the truthfulness of hisProphethood.

It confirms the Lakeof the Prophetﷺ,which he will be at on the Day of Resurrection.

And lastly, it highlights that heﷺ did not fear that his nation would commit polytheism, but rather he ﷺfeared that they would quarrel among themselves, and what forms of envy and miserliness would come as a result.
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1346

Narrated Jaabir ibn ‘Abdllah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said: burry them [i.e., the martyers] as they are with their blood on – on the Day of Uhud. And he ﷺ did not wash them..

Commentary : Martyrdom for the sake of Allah has a great standing in Islam. The martyr has several merits; and martyrs who have died in battle have some special legal rulings.

In this hadeeth, some of them are explained, as Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reports that the Prophet ﷺ ordered that the martyrs be buried in their garments with their blood [on them] and did not wash them; in order to preserve the sign of martyrdom on them. The traces of the battle and the blood that occurred therein remained on them. This happened in the Battle of Uhud - which is one of the well-known mountains of al-Madeenah - and that battle happened during the month of Shawwaal in the third year after Hijrah.

It can be inferred from this hadeeth that the martyr is not washed, and that their blood is pure while it remains on them; because if it was considered impure, heﷺwould have ordered that it be removed from the body of the dead before burying them.
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1350

Narrated Jaabir ibn ‘Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ came to `Abdullah ibn Ubay (a hypocrite) after his death and he has been laid in his grave. He ﷺ ordered that he be taken out of the grave, and he was taken out. Then he ﷺ placed him on his knees and threw some of his saliva on him and clothed him in his (the Prophet's) own garment (Qamees). Allah knows better why he did so. `Abdullah bin Ubai had given his garment to al-Abbaas to wear. Abu Haroon said, "Allah's Messenger ﷺ at that time had two shirts and the son of `Abdullah bin Ubai said to him, 'O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! Clothe my father in your shirt which has been in contact with your skin.' Sufyaan added, "Thus people think that the Prophet ﷺ clothed `Abdullah bin Tubal in his shirt in lieu of what he (Abdullah) had done (for Al `Abbaas, the Prophet's uncle.)".

Commentary : ʿAbdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salool was the chief of the hypocrites in al-Madeenah, and he would harborenmity against the Prophetﷺand the Muslims. However, that did not prevent the Prophetﷺfrom rewarding him for some matters.

In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased withboth of them) reports that the Prophet ﷺordered for ʿAbdullah ibn Ubayy, after he had been buried, to be exhumed from his grave. Then heﷺ sat him up on his two knees, dressed him in one of his ﷺgarments, and blew some of his saliva on him.

Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) then says: ‘Allah knows best as to why the Messenger of Allahﷺ had dressed him in his garment. So, either, he ﷺ did that because Ibn Salool was a hypocrite who had clothed al-Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) - who was the paternal uncle of the Prophet ﷺ -with a garment when he was taken as a prisoner on the day of Badr. So, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave him a garment in place of it; lest it remain that he ﷺ would be obliged to owe a disbeliever a favor. With this [in mind], Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah - the narrator of the hadeeth - told that they thought it more likely that the Prophet ﷺ dressed ʿAbdullah in his garment, as a requital for him for when he clothed al-Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) with his own garment.

[Or] perhaps he ﷺ did that because ʿAbdullah, the son of ʿAbdullah ibn Ubayy was a good Muslim; and had requested of the Prophet ﷺ to clothe his dead father with his garment, which had touched his ﷺ skin; so that it would be a mercy for his father. The Prophet ﷺ granted his request in honor of him. And the Prophet ﷺ did this before the [following ayah] was revealed by Allah, The Almighty, [as] He says: {And do not pray [the funeral prayer, O Muḥammad], over any of them who has died - ever - or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient.} [Quran 9:84]. In Saheehal-Bukhaaree and Muslim, it is reported that this ayah with this prohibition was revealed after the Prophet ﷺprayed over ʿAbdullah ibn Ubayy. It is reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree says: On the authority of Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with both of them) that when ʿAbdullah ibn Ubayy passed away, his son came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Please give your garment to shroud him in it, offer his funeral prayer, and ask for Allah’s forgiveness for him.’ Then, the Prophet ﷺ gave him his garment, and said: ‘Inform me when to prayer for him [i.e., the funeral prayer].’ Later, he informed him ﷺ, and when The Prophet ﷺ intended to pray for him, ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) took him by the hand and said: ‘Has Allah not forbid you to pray for the hypocrites?’ To which, he ﷺ responded: ‘I have two choices [i.e., either to ask for forgiveness or not], and Allah says: {Ask forgiveness for them, [O Muḥammad], or do not ask forgiveness for them. If you should ask forgiveness for them seventy times - never will Allah forgive them.} [Quran 9:80].Then he ﷺ performed the funeral prayer over him, and [the following ayah] was revealed afterwards: {And do not pray [the funeral prayer, O Muḥammad], over any of them who has died - ever - or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient.} [Quran 9:84].

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights the permissibility of exhuming the deceased [from their graves] after they have been buried, for a legitimate reason.

It also shows the permissibility of shrouding the deceased in a garment (Qamees).
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1351

Narrated Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him): When the time of the Battle of Uhud approached, my father called me at night and said, "I think that I will be the first amongst the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ to be martyred. I do not leave anyone after me dearer to me than you, except Allah's Messenger's soul and I owe some debt and you should repay it and treat your sisters favorably (nicely and politely)." So, in the morning he was the first to be martyred and was buried along with another (martyr). I did not like to leave him with the other (martyr), so I took him out of the grave after six months of his burial and he was in the same condition as he was on the day of burial, except a slight change near his ear..

Commentary : Martyrs have a lofty standing with Allah, May He be Exalted; and the ones of Uhud had a great position in the hearts of The Prophet ﷺand Muslims, and held great honors with Allah, The Almighty after their death[s].

In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reports that when the time for the Battle of Uhud drew near - which was during the month of Shawwaal in the third year after Hijrah and Uhud is one of the well-known mountains of al-Madeenah- his father, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAmr ibn Haraam (may Allah be pleased with him) summoned him at night and said: ‘I think that I will be amongst the first of the Prophet’s Companions to be martyred.’ It was said: that the reason he thought that was because he had seen it in his dreams. ‘And I do not leave [anyone] after me more precious to me than you, except for the soul of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.’ This is a preference for the Prophet ﷺ,as his love for him was greater than for wealth or children. Then, he informed and urged him to take care of the debts he owed and ordered him to repay it for him. This is from the habit of the righteous, so it is necessary for whoever feels that their life is near an end to make known what rights people have over him and prescribe that they be made up. Then, he urged his son to take care of his sisters, [treat them well], and ensure that their needs are met. It was said: that Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) had nine sisters. It has been said that he had more sisters than that.

Jaabir said: “We woke up in the morning”, [here] he is referring to [waking up] on the day of the battle. And ʿAbdullah ibn Haraam was the first to be killed in the Battle of Uhud. He was buried with another man in a single grave [thereafter]. It was said that the other individual [buried with him] was ʿAmr ibn al-Jamooh (may Allah be pleased with him), who was a friend of his father. However, Jaabir’s soul was not content, and his heart was not settled knowing that his father was buried with others in a single grave. So, he removed him from his grave after six months [had passed]. His [father’s] exhumation from his grave was done with the Prophet’s knowledge and permission, and Jaabir didn’t find any change to the body of his father, ʿAbdullah, after six months had passed since his burial, other than a small place near his ear that had changed [a bit]. This is one of the great honors that Allah has given him.

From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights the strength of ʿAbdullah ibn Haraam’s faith and demonstrates the intensity of his love for the Prophetﷺ; because he did not give preference to anyone over his love for him ﷺ, even if it was his own son.

It shows the permissibility of putting two [dead] men together in a single grave.

It highlights the permissibility of exhuming the deceased from their graves after they have been buried, if there is a legitimate reason [to do so]

And lastly, it shows some of the great honorsʿAbdullah ibn Haraam (may Allah be pleased with him) had, and that Allah preserved his body even after his death.
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1050

Abu al-Aswad reported: Abu Mūsa al-Ash'ari sent for the reciters of the people of Basra. Three hundred men who had recited the Qur'an came to him. He said: "You are the best among the people of Basra and their reciters. So, recite it. And let not hope of a long life delude you, and thus your hearts would harden as the hearts of those before you had hardened. We used to recite a Surah, which we would liken to Barā‘ah in terms of length and toughness, and I was made to forget it. However, I memorized from it: "If the son of Adam had two valleys of wealth, he would seek a third valley, and nothing would fill the inside of the son of Adam except dust". We used to recite a Surah, which we would liken to one of the Musabbihāt, and I was made to forget it. However, I memorized from it: "O you who believe, why do you say what you do not do?" This will be written as a testimony on your necks, and you will be asked about it on the Day of Judgment..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to direct his Companions and advise them to refrain from keenness on worldly life and hope for an extended stay in it. And the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did the same with the Tābi'is.
In this tradition, Abu al-Aswad ad-Dīli informs that Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) sent for the reciters among the people of Basra to come to him and gather there. Basra is a city located in the south of Iraq. "Three hundred men, who had recited the Qur'an" and memorized it "came to him." He advised and directed them, saying: You are the best among the people of Basra and you are the people of the Qur’an among them. Then, he instructed them to read the Qur’an and recite it in the most proper manner, which entails understanding its meanings, reflecting upon its verses, and acting upon its rulings. And he said to them: "And let not hope of a long life delude you and thus your hearts would harden," i.e., do not have high hopes for worldly life and do not wish to stay therein for long, as this corrupts the hearts by dragging them to greed and hardness, and thus they will not soften to Dhikr or derive benefit from admonition or rebuke. As a result, you will have such hardness and aversion within your hearts that had befallen the nations before you due to their hopes for an extended stay in the life of this world. This includes a reference to the verse that reads: {Has the time not yet come for those who believe that their hearts should be humbled at the remembrance of Allah and the truth that has been revealed? They should not be like those who were given the Scriptures before, whose hearts grew hard after the passage after a long period of time, and many of them were evildoers.} [Surat al-Hadīd: 16]
Then, he informed that they used to recite a long Surah of the Qur’an, whose recitation was abrogated, and they would liken it to Surat Barā’ah, which is Surat at-Tawbah, in terms of length and toughness. He further said that he was made to forget it. Then, Abu Mūsa (may Allah be pleased with him) made an exception and informed that he memorized from the meanings of this Surah such words that contain dispraise of attention on worldly life and the love and desire for having a lot of it. He said: "If the son of Adam had two valleys of wealth, he would seek a third valley." A valley is any gap between mountains or hills. "and nothing would fill the inside of the son of Adam except dust", i.e., he continues to be keen on worldly life till he dies, and his inside gets filled with the dust of his grave. The inside may also be intended to refer to the heart, and the meaning is that he does not get bored of the love for wealth. This is because man is naturally inclined to love wealth and has an unquenchable greed for it, and he has no limit to stop except a matter like his own, namely dust.
Then, Abu Mūsa (may Allah be pleased with him) informed that they used to recite a Surah which they would liken to one of the Musabbihāt, which are the Surahs that begin with "subhān, sabbaha, yusabbihu, sabbih ism rabbika" (glory be to, glorified, glorifies, glorify the name of your Lord), and that he was made to forget it; and he memorized from it: "O you who believe, why do you say what you do not do?" This is a question that signifies disapproval and rebuke for those who attribute to themselves good things that they do not do, either in relation to the past, in which case they would be liars, or concerning the future, and this would be a contradiction; both are dispraised. "This will be written as a testimony on your necks and you will be asked about this on the Day of Judgment" i.e., these false statements will be recorded against you, for what you said and did not do is a testimony from you, and you are liable for it, and you will be held accountable, and it will entail an evil recompense on the Day of Judgment.
This abrogation, which Abu Mūsa (may Allah be pleased with him) told about in this Hadīth, is one of the abrogation types: the abrogation of words and recitation. Abrogation is of three types: First: Abrogation of rulings, while words and recitation endure. Second: Its opposite; and that is the abrogation of words and recitation, while the ruling endures. Third: Abrogation of the ruling along with the words and recitation. This is the abrogation which Allah Almighty mentions in the verse that reads: {We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 106] And also in the verses that read: {We will teach you [the Qur’an], so you will not forget*, except what Allah wills.} [Surat al-A‘la: 6-7] These two Surahs are among the Surahs Allah Almighty willed to be forgotten after He revealed them. This is because Allah Almighty does whatever He wills and is Able to do all things He wishes. Indeed, this is all possible. Let not one wrongly assume, because of this and the like of it, that any part of the Qur’an was lost. In fact, this is untrue, as established by the verse that reads: {It is We Who have sent down the Reminder, and it is We Who will preserve it.} [Surat al-Hijr: 9] This is also established by the consensus among the Companions and those after them that the Qur’an, which we are required to recite and act upon its rulings as a form of worship, is the text contained between the two covers of the Mus'haf, without addition or omission.
The Hadīth shows keenness to present advice to the Muslim reciters.
It contains dispraise of the keenness on worldly life and the hope for a long stay therein.
It includes dispraise of lying and bragging about something one did not do.
The Hadīth also mentions that a person's speech is recorded and he will be asked about it on the Day of Judgment.
And it indicates that a believer should be chiefly concerned about working for the Hereafter and he should not be deceived by worldly life and its desires..

1054

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās reported that: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Successful is the one who accepts Islam and is provided with mere subsistence and Allah makes him content with what He has given him.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to admonish his Companions, advise them, and encourage them to aim at sublime matters, so that the worldly life would be in their hands, not in their hearts, and what they gained thereof would help them in acts of worship.
This Hadīth contains guidance from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to his Ummah that a person should not tire himself in seeking more than mere subsistence, for what is commendable in sustenance is the amount that enables a person to perform worship and for which he should work as much as needed. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that success is attained and gained by a person who embraces Islam rightly, for he gets rid of Kufr (disbelief) and Shirk (polytheism), which is the sin that Allah does not forgive, and he is provided with mere subsistence, no more or less, and what makes him self-sufficient and saves him from necessities and wants. This means lawful sustenance, for no success comes with unlawful sustenance. And his words: "and Allah makes him content with what He has given him," i.e., Allah grants him contentment with the mere subsistence he has; so, he does not aspire to pursue more than that.
The Hadīth shows that success and triumph are attained by embracing Islam for the sake of Allah and being pleased with what Allah gives him.
It demonstrates the merit of contentment, and that it is one of the means of success..

1056

‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) distributed some wealth, and I said: "By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, there are other than those more deserving of it than them?" He said: "They gave me the choice that they either ask of me importunately or regard me as a miser, and I am not a miser.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the most generous and bountiful among the people. He would give like one who fears no poverty. This was to teach his Ummah and serve certain Shar‘i purposes that were probably not known or grasped at the time by anyone other than him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
In this Hadīth, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) says The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) distributed some wealth among the people, and he gave some people, whereas ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) held that others were more deserving of being given than them. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified to him why he gave to them and not those who were more deserving to be given than them. This is because those he gave were people of ignorance and lying. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said that they begged in an importunate manner due to their weak faith and drove him, by their very importunate attitude, to either give them what they asked for or they would describe him as a miser and defame him, while in fact, he is not a miser. Hence, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave to them and protected his honor by his giving, lest they might lie about him. Miserliness is not part of his character (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and he gave to them to appease them and win their friendliness. Similarly, he said in a Hadīth of the Two Sahīh Collections: "Indeed, the worst people in rank in the sight of Allah is the one whom people leave or abandon for fear of his discourteousness." Thus, he endured their rudeness and treated them forbearingly to win their friendliness and protect himself from being described as a miser, a trait that does not befit him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
The Hadīth indicates that we can appease the people of ignorance and harshness and win their friendliness, if this achieves a good interest.
It also shows that patience and forbearance were part of the Prophet's character.
The Hadīth demonstrates and directs a person to spend out of his money to protect his honor and himself from the people of ignorance..

1060

Rāfi‘ ibn Khadīj reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave to Abu Sufyān ibn Harb, Safwān ibn Umayyah, ‘Uyaynah ibn Hisn, and Al-Aqra‘ ibn Hābis, to every one of them, one hundred camels, and gave to ‘Abbās ibn Mirdās less than that. Thereupon, ‘Abbās ibn Mirdās said: You allot the share of my booty and that of Al-‘Ubayd between ‘Uyaynah and Al-Aqra‘ Both Badr and Hābis in no way surpassed Mirdās in the assembly I am in no way inferior to any one of these two. And he whom you lower today will not be elevated He said: So, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) completed one hundred camels for him. [And in a version]: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) divided the spoils of the battle of Hunayn and gave Abu Sufyān ibn Harb one hundred camels... And he narrated the same Hadīth, with the addition: And he gave ‘Alqamah ibn ‘Ulāthah one hundred. [And in a version]: He did not mention poetry..

Commentary : This Hadīth reveals a part of how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to win people's hearts to Islam by giving them money, each according to the strength of Īmān in his heart or his tenderness, and how he was considerate of the circumstances of each one of them.
The circumstances surrounding this Hadīth: After the battle of Hunayn, which took place in the eighth Hijri year between the Muslims and the two tribes of Hawāzin and Thaqīf, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) divided the spoils he seized from this battle between the Muslims, preferring some of them over others. He gave some of them a hundred camels and others less than that. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave a hundred camels to Abu Sufyān ibn Harb, the Quraysh leader, Safwān ibn' Umayyah, who had embraced Islam after the Conquest of Makkah and was one of the Quraysh notables during Jāhiliyyah and Islam, 'Uyaynah ibn Hisn al-Fazāri, who had embraced Islam before the Conquest of Makkah and was marked by the typical roughness of desert dwellers, and Al-Aqra' ibn Hābis at-Tamīmi, who had come to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and partook in the Conquest of Makkah, and he was an arbitrator during Jāhiliyyah; he gave each one of these persons a hundred camels. On the other hand, he gave ‘Abbās ibn Mirdās less than a hundred. So, ‘Abbās ibn Mirdās became angry and said these poetic verses: "You allot the share of my booty and that of Al-‘Ubayd between ‘Uyaynah and Al-Aqra‘" Booty: the spoils. Al-‘Ubayd: the name of the horse of ‘Abbās ibn Mirdās. The meaning: Do you give the booty which I took part in seizing from Hunayn with my weapon and horse to ‘Uyaynah ibn Hisn and Al-Aqra‘ ibn Hābis and the like of them, by giving them more than me?! By his words "Both Badr and Hābis", he meant the grandfather of ‘Uyaynah and the father of Al-Aqra‘. ‘Uyaynah is the son of Hisn ibn Hudhayfah ibn Badr, and Al-Aqra‘ is the son of Hābis. And his words: "in no way surpassed Mirdās in the assembly". Surpass means: is higher than. Assembly: the meeting place of the clans and tribes. "I am in no way inferior to any one of these two" The meaning: My father was not inferior to theirs, neither am I inferior to them. He seemed to have been gripped with fear that his status might be lowered. Therefore, he said: "And he whom you lower today" by decreasing his share of the booty "will not be elevated", i.e., the people will not elevate him after this day.
So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave him a hundred camels like the others who were given a hundred, so as to win his heart and dispel the thought of inferiority or that he might be lower in rank than others.
The Hadīth shows how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would win the hearts of some people with money for an apparent interest.
The ruler may prefer some over others if he sees a certain benefit in doing so.
It is permissible to recite poetry and is permissible to listen to it..

1064

Abu Sa‘īd reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned a people who would be among his Ummah, who would emerge out of the dissension of people. Their distinctive mark would be shaven heads. He said: "They would be the worst creatures - or among the worst creatures. The nearer of the two groups, the truth would kill them." The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave an example of them, or he said: "A man throws an arrow at the prey - Or he said: at the target - and looks at the arrowhead and finds no trace, and he looks at the body and finds no trace. Then, he looks at the grip and finds no trace." He said: Abu Sa‘īd said: "And you killed them, O people of Iraq.".

1066

Zayd ibn Wahb al-Juhani reported that he was in the army led by ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that set out to fight the Kharijites. ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O people, I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'There would arise within my Ummah a people who would recite the Qur’an, and your recitation would be nothing compared to their recitation, your prayer would be nothing compared to their prayer, and your fast would be nothing compared to their fast. They would recite the Qur’an thinking that it supports them, whereas it is against them. Their prayer does not get beyond their collarbones. They would pass through Islam as an arrow passes through the prey. If the army that is to encounter them were to know what had been decreed for them by the tongue of their Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), they would completely rely upon that and cease to work. The sign of this is that there would be among them a man with an upper arm and without an arm, and the head of his upper arm would be like the nipple of the breast on which there would be some white hairs.' So, will you go to Mu‘āwiyah and the people of the Levant and leave them behind among your children and your property?! By Allah, I hope they are those people, for they have shed inviolable blood and raided the animals of the people. So, go forth in the name of Allah." Salamah ibn Kuhayl said: Zayd ibn Wahb made me alight at a place, till we crossed a bridge. When we encountered them - and ‘Abdullāh ibn Wahb ar-Rāsibi was the leader of the Kharijites on that day - he said to them: "Throw the spears and draw out your swords from their sheaths, for I fear that they would appeal to you as they appealed to you on the day of Harūrā'." They went back and threw their spears and drew out their swords, and people fought against them with their spears and they were killed on top of one another. Only two men were killed from among the people on that day. Then, ‘Ali (Allah be pleased with him) said: "Search for the Mukhdaj (the maimed one) among them." They searched but did not find him. So, ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) himself stood up till he came upon people who had been killed on top of one another. He said: "Move them away from one another." So, they found him near the ground. Thereupon, he proclaimed Takbīr and then said: "Allah told the truth, and His Messenger conveyed it." He said: Then, ‘Abīdah as-Salmāni stood before him and said: "O Commander of the Believers, by Allah, other than Whom there is no god, did you hear this Hadīth from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)?" He said: "Yes, by Allah, other than Whom there is no god." He repeated the request for an oath from him three times, and he swore each time..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) warned us against religious innovations and extremism, for it leads to the corruption of societies. Extremism, along with the lack of proper understanding of the religion, may result in considering the Muslim communities as people of religious innovations and Kufr (disbelief) and lead to revolt against the rulers unjustly.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Zayd ibn Wahb al-Juhani relates that he was with ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) in the army that marched toward the Kharijites. This happened in 38 A.H., in the battle of Nahrawān, located nearly 35km southeast of Baghdad, Iraq. They were those who criticized ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) for the arbitration over his fighting against Mu‘āwiyah (may Allah be pleased with him), and they fought him and declared the Muslims as disbelievers and regarded the shedding of their blood as lawful. ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) addressed his army to make them firm and urge them to fight and display patience in doing so. He informed that he heard the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) point out some traits of the Kharijites, mentioning that they would be a people within the Muslim Ummah, and they would "recite the Qur'an," i.e., recite it a lot. They would also perform prayer and observe fast often, to the extent that if people compared their condition to the condition of others, they would regard the worship of others as nothing next to them. "They would recite the Qur'an thinking that it supports them", i.e., it provides an argument for them in proving their claims, whereas this is not the case in reality; instead, it serves as an argument against them with Allah Almighty. In the Two Sahīh Collections, in a Hadīth reported by Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him): "It does not get beyond their collarbones." Likewise, their prayer does not get beyond their collarbones. Prayer here probably refers to the recitation in prayer. The collarbone is the bone that extends from the neck cavity to the shoulder. They do not understand the Qur’an, draw benefit from its recitation, ponder its verses, or reflect upon its meanings. So, they do not reach their hearts through reflection and Khushū‘ (humility and focus) and do not ascend to heaven. Therefore, they obtain no reward for them. "They would pass through" i.e., they would depart from Islam quickly and not get attached to anything in it, just as an arrow passes through prey, i.e., like a powerful and fast arrow that penetrates the target and passes through prey, due to its power and speed, entering from one side and coming out from the opposite one; and it leaves no trace of blood or flesh. Then, they would not go back to the religion, as the arrow does not go back to its place in the bow.
Then, ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) states that if the army that would kill and defeat them were to know the reward and recompense that their Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed them about and determined for them, they would abandon work and solely rely upon this glad tiding which was given to them for killing the Kharijites.
The distinctive mark of those Kharijites is "that there would be among them a man with an upper arm", which extends from the shoulder to the elbow, "and without an arm", which extends from the elbow to the hand. And the head of his upper arm would be like "the nipple of the breast", and there would also be some white hairs on the top of his upper arm.
Then, ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) expressed criticism of the army in the form of questioning: Do you want to go to Mu‘āwiyah and the people of the Levant and fight them and leave those Kharijites behind to stay among your women and children and loot your property?! The meaning: This is not proper and should not happen. By this, he intended to urge them to fight the Kharijites first before marching toward Mu‘āwiyah and the people of the Levant.
Then, ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) swore, saying: "By Allah, I hope they are those people" who are amongst us, revolted against us, and departed from obedience to us, "the people" whom the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) described to us. Indeed, they went to extremes in shedding the blood of Muslims, and it is blood whose shedding is forbidden. They killed 'Abdullāh ibn Khabbāb and the mother of his child. "and they raided the animals of the people", i.e., they raided people's property and stole their grazing livestock. Then, ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "So, go forth in the name of Allah", i.e., with the blessing of the name of Allah, seek help from Him and put your trust in Him. This indicates that actions should begin with the mention of Allah.
Salamah ibn Kuhayl al-Hadrami al-Kūfi - one of the Hadīth narrators - informs that the Tābi‘i Zayd ibn Wahb mentioned to him the locations of their travel to fight the Kharijites, one by one, until they reached the bridge at which the fighting took place - the bridge of Dizjān. This is also mentioned in As-Sunan Al-Kubra Collection of An-Nasā’i. A bridge is a structure built over water for crossing on it. This is the bridge of Nahrawān, where the Kharijites gathered.
Zayd ibn Wahb related that when the two armies encountered each other for fighting, the leader of the Kharijites on that day was ‘Abdullāh ibn Wahb ar-Rāsibi, who said to the Kharijites: Throw the spears and draw out your swords from their sheaths. He wanted the two armies to start fighting. Thus, there would be no possible alternative to fighting, such as a truce or appeal, which means that they would ask and adjure them by Allah, and this might cause some of his companions to leave him, and, as a result, his army would become weaker. Confrontation with spears puts the two armies at a distance from each other, and this carries the possibility that some of them may feel pity upon seeing the blood and call for the cessation of fighting. On the other hand, fighting with the swords breaks out quickly and ends with defeating one of the two armies. Ibn Wahb hoped that he would be victorious in this battle. "as they appealed to you on the day of Harūrā’." This is a village near Kufa, after which a sect of the Khrijites was named, as their first gathering took place there, "the day" here refers to the day in which the Kharijites gathered, numbering eight thousand - and a different number was also mentioned - and they alighted at Harūrā’. Their leaders were ‘Abdullāh ibn al-Kawwā’ al-Yashkuri and Shabath at-Tamīmi. ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) sent his cousin ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) to them. He debated with them, and as a result, many of them came back with him. Then, ‘Ali went out to them, appealed to them, and engaged in a discussion with them. Consequently, they obeyed him and entered Kufa along with him.
When the Kharijites listened to ‘Abdullāh ibn Wahb, they obeyed him and "threw their spears" i.e. they threw them away and engaged in fighting against the army of ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) with swords. So, this opinion led to victory for the Muslims and ‘Ali's army, the preservation of their blood, and their empowerment. "and people fought against them with their spears" i.e., the companions of ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) stabbed them with their spears like trees. The Arabic text uses a verb derived from 'shajar', which means trees. So, the companions of ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) threw the spears at them before they could reach them. Then, they engaged in battle with them and killed so many of them; only two men were killed on the side of ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). His words "they were killed on top of one another" mean that they were piled upon one another due to the large number of them who were killed, forming heaps.
Then, after the end of the battle, ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered them to search for "the Mukhdaj" man, i.e., his body is incomplete. This is the man described at the beginning of the Hadīth. They searched for him but could not find him. So, 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) himself rose and moved to a heap of dead bodies from the Kharijites. He ordered that they be separated from one another, and they found underneath them the man he was looking for dead. Thereupon, 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) proclaimed Takbīr in wonder at seeing the Mukhdaj man with the description given by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Then, he said after the Takbīr: "Allah", Exalted be He, "told the truth" in what He revealed to His Prophet; "and His Messenger conveyed" His message to us and to the people, in truth.
Then, Zayd ibn Wahb al-Juhani informed that the Tābi‘i ‘Abīdah as-Salmāni called out to ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): "O Commander of the Believers", and he adjured him by Allah, other than Whom there is no god, to tell him whether he heard this Hadīth from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). In response, ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) swore, saying: "Yes, by Allah, other than Whom there is no god" i.e., yes, I heard it from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). "He repeated the request for an oath from him three times". He asked him to swear to let this be heard by the people present and affirm that to them, and in order to reveal to them the miracle informed by the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and show them that ‘Ali and his Companions are the worthier among the two groups in claiming the truth, and that they are rightful in fighting them.
The Hadīth points to the danger of ignorance in religion and dogmatic thinking.
It mentions the great reward of killing the Kharijites.
It warns against extremism in religion and affectation in worship.
Those who revolt against the just rulers should be fought against.
The Hadīth mentions some traits of the Kharijites.
It shows the merit of ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him).
An oath may be requested for verifying something unfamiliar, so as to affirm it to those who hear about it..

1067

Abu Dharr reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Verily, there is from my Ummah after me - or there would be from my Ummah after me - a people who would recite the Qur’an, but it would not go beyond their throats, and they would pass through the religion as an arrow passes through the prey, and then they would not come back to it; they are the worst among the creation and the creatures.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed the Companions about many of the trials that took place during their generation and that would take place after their generation. One of the trials they witnessed during their time was the trial of the Kharijites.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made reference to that. He mentioned people who would be in his Ummah after him; among their characteristics is that they "would recite the Qur'an, but it would not go beyond their throats." They recite the Qur'an but do not get affected by it, understand it, or act upon its verses. So, they will not be recompensed for that by rewards, and their recitation does not go beyond their tongues, so no good deed is accepted from them. This is not something required; instead, it is required to ponder and reflect upon the Qur'an as it influences the heart. This all means that Imān (faith) did not settle firmly in their hearts. "they would pass through the religion as an arrow passes through the prey, and then they would not come back to it", i.e., they come out of the religion like the coming out of a fast arrow, which hits the prey and enters and comes out of it with a high speed, without any trace of the prey sticking to it; this is due to its quick coming out of the target. The "ramiyyah" (prey) is the animal that is hunted and hit with an arrow after getting chased. This is a description of the Kharijites, who do not obey the rulers and revolt against them and declare people as disbelievers on account of major sins that are below Shirk (polytheism) and Kufr (disbelief). They kill the people of Islam and leave the people of idols (disbelievers). After all that, they do not return to the religion again, as they do not repent or reconsider their matter. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) remarked: "They are the worst among the creation and the creatures." It is said: "Khalq" (creation) refers to humankind, and "khaliqah" (creatures) refers to animals. It is also said: They both have the same meaning. So, this refers to all creation. They are the worst among all creation because they fight the best people, thus corrupting the land after it was in good condition.
The Hadīth includes one of the Prophet's prophecies, as he told about something that would happen after his death, and it did happen as he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed.
It warns against misunderstanding the Qur’an and not pondering its verses, goals, and objectives; and it points out that this causes corruption on earth.
It also indicates that one of the consequences of poor reflection upon the verses of Allah is to depart from the religion..

1068

Sahl ibn Hanīf reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A people will go astray toward the east, with shaven heads.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen on teaching his Ummah and warning them against trials. A true Muslim ponders the Prophet's statements and teachings and tries his best to save himself and his Muslim community from falling into misleading trials.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that there will emerge a group of people who will deviate from the true and correct path and go astray in the darkness of religious innovations and misguidance. They will never be guided to the truth; they will be lost and follow the wrong paths. They will emerge from the east, which refers to the direction of the sunrise. Those people who go astray from the true path are described as having shaven heads, which indicates their abandonment and renouncement of worldly life. The intended meaning is that shaving their heads was a habit that they persistently engaged in and for which they were known. This trait was mentioned with regard to the Kharijites, that they are marked by shaving their heads, until it became a slogan for them, by which they were identified.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) warns his Ummah in this Hadīth against the trial of going astray in misguidance and tells us about the signs of deviation.
One of the signs of deviation and misguidance is leading a life of false asceticism..

1072

‘Abdul-Muttalib ibn Rabī‘ah ibn al-Hārith reported: Rabī‘ah ibn al-Hārith and Al-‘Abbās ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib got together and said: "By Allah, if we sent these two young men - I and Al-Fadl ibn al-‘Abbās - to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and they spoke to him, he would put them in charge of these Zakah funds, and they would pay as the people pay and get a share as the people get." He said: As they were talking about that, 'Ali ibn Abi Tālib came and stood before them, and they mentioned it to him. Thereupon, ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib said: "Do not do this, for, by Allah, he would not do that." Rabī‘ah ibn al-Hārith turned to him and said: "By Allah, you are only doing this out of jealousy toward us. By Allah, you became the son-in-law of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), but we felt no jealousy toward you." 'Ali said: "Send them." So, they set out, and 'Ali lay on the bed. He said: When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered the Zhuhr prayer, we went ahead of him to his room and stood near it till he came, took hold of our ears, and then said: "Take out what you keep within yourselves." Then, he entered, and we entered his place. He was on that day in the house of Zaynab bint Jahsh. He said: We urged each of us to speak. Then, one of us spoke, saying: "O Messenger of Allah, you are the most righteous and the best of people in upholding kinship ties. We have reached the marriageable age. We have come so that you may put us in charge of some of these Zakah funds, and we would submit them to you as the people submit and get a share as they get." He said: He kept silent for a long time until we wished to speak with him. He said: Zaynab pointed to us from behind the curtain, telling us not to talk to him. He said: Then, he said: "Zakah does not befit the family of Muhammad, for it is the impurities of people. Call Mahmiyah to me - and he was in charge of the Khums funds - and Nawfal ibn al-Hārith ibn' Abdul-Muttalib." They both came to him, and he said to Mahmiyah: "Marry your daughter to this young man", i.e., Al-Fadl ibn' Abbās. He married her to him. And he said to Nawfal ibn al-Hārith: "Marry your daughter to this young man", i.e., me. He married her to me. And he said to Mahmiyah: "Pay such and such from the Khums funds as a dowry on behalf of both of them.".

Commentary : Allah Almighty honored His Prophet and the believing members of his household and purified them of all filth and impurities. An example is that Zakah is forbidden for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his household. They may not take from it or accept it.
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdul-Muttalib ibn Rabī‘ah ibn al-Hārith (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that Rabī‘ah ibn al-Hārith, the Prophet's cousin, met with his uncle Al-‘Abbās ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib, the Prophet's uncle, and they said: By Allah, if we sent these two young men - meaning: 'Abdul-Muttalib ibn Rabī‘ah and Al-Fadl ibn' Abbās (may Allah be pleased with them) - to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and they talked to him, and he appointed them as Zakah collectors, and they would submit as the people submit and get a share like the people, as a wage for the Zakah work. They wanted this money to help them get married, as they reached the marriageable age and could not afford marriage, as narrated in the version by Abu Dāwūd. As Al-‘Abbās and Rabī‘ah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) were talking and discussing this matter, ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him), also a cousin of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), came and stood before them. They mentioned to him what they were discussing and told him about what they intended to do. So, ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) forbade them from doing that and swore that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would not agree to their request in this regard. Thereupon, Rabī‘ah turned to ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and said to him tough words and swore that he did not forbid them from sending the two young men and asking the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to put them in charge of Zakah funds except because of jealousy toward them and his desire to be the only one among them with closeness to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Then, he swore by Allah to ‘Ali that he won the relationship with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) by marriage - meaning his marriage to his daughter Fātimah (may Allah be pleased with her) - and they felt no jealousy toward him because of that. When ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) heard that from him, he asked them to send them so that they could be certain about his advice to them. "and ‘Ali lay on the bed." In another version by Muslim: "'Ali threw his cloak and lay on it, and he said: I am the father of Hasan, and I am the Qarm (chief). By Allah, I would not move from my place till your sons return to you with the reply to that for which you sent them to the Messenger of Allah the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)." Qarm: the stud among animals. It refers to a master and chief who possesses knowledge and wise judgment. He (may Allah be pleased with him) meant: I spoke what I said to you from knowledge, and I would not move from my place, and I would wait for the reply they would come with from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). He knew that the reply would be as he told them.
So, ‘Abdul-Muttalib and Al-Fadl (may Allah be pleased with both of them) left and headed to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). 'Abdul-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed the Zhuhr prayer, they went ahead of him to the room he would enter after the prayer, and that was the room of the Mother of the Believers Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her). They waited for him at the door till the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came, took hold of their ears by way of jesting, and then said: "Take out what you keep within yourselves" i.e., the talk you harbor within your chests. Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) entered his room, and they entered after him so as to proceed with their talk and let him hear them. Each of them wanted the other to start the talk with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in awe of him. Then, one of them talked. He said to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "O Messenger of Allah, you are the most benevolent of all people", i.e., the best among people in benevolence and doing good to others. "and the best of people in upholding kinship ties" i.e., you are most keen on maintaining the ties of kinship. "We have reached the marriageable age." Thus, they presented the reason for their following requests. "We have come so that you may put us in charge of" collecting "some of these Zakah funds", which are to be calculated and taken from money owners and kept and given to you and distributed to the due recipients. "and we would submit to you as the people submit" i.e., we would transfer the Zakah funds and hand them over to you like others. "and get a share as they get" as a wage for the Zakah work. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent for so long that they wanted to repeat their speech and request. Meanwhile, Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her) began to point to them with her garment or hand from behind the curtain to not talk to him. After his long silence, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made clear to them that Zakah may not be given to the household of Muhammad, i.e., it is forbidden for him and his family, whether it is given for work or because of poverty, destitution, or some other reason. "for it is the impurities of people", i.e., it purifies their wealth from the sin of hoarding and their souls from the sin of stinginess. Or it is the impurities of people because it expiates for sins, removes afflictions, and acts as a ransom for the person in this regard. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered them to call Mahmiyah ibn Jaz’ ibn ‘Abd Yaghūt az-Zubaydi (may Allah be pleased with him) to him. He was a man from Banu Asad, and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had put him in charge of the Khums (one-fifth of the spoils), and to call Nawfal ibn al-Hārith ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib, the brother of Rabī‘ah ibn al-Hārith. Mahmiyah and Nawfal came and appeared before the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered Mahmiyah ibn Jaz' to marry his daughter to Al-Fadl ibn' Abbās, which Mahmiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) did. And he ordered Nawfal ibn al-Hārith to marry his daughter to Rabī‘ah ibn al-Hārith. Both of them (may Allah be pleased with both of them) complied. Mahmiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) was in charge of the Prophet's expenses from the Khums. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered him to pay an amount which he specified for him as a dowry on behalf of each of them to his wife. The Khums refers to the share of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the spoils, as revealed in the verse that reads: {Know that whatever spoils you obtain, one-fifth belongs to Allah and the Messenger, his close relatives, the orphans, the needy and the [stranded] travelers.} [Surat al-Anfāl: 41]
The Hadīth indicates that Zakah funds are to be paid to the ruler and the authority holder.
It shows the Prophet's modesty and cheerfulness and how he would jest with and show compassion toward the young.
Words of praise may be said before asking for something.
The Hadīth mentions that it is forbidden to give Zakah to the household of Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
It indicates that the Prophet's household were not employed for the collection of charity and Zakah.
It also shows that a person should seek to obtain the wherewithal for marriage.
It demonstrates a father's interest in helping his son get married to maintain his chastity.
The Hadīth also points out the merit of ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), as he was more knowledgeable about this matter than those Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
And it shows the extreme politeness of Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her) as she pointed to the two young men not to repeat the speech to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)..

1087

Kurayb reported: that ’Umm al-Fadl sent him to Mu‘āwiyah in the Levant. He said: I came to the Levant and fulfilled her errand. Then, the crescent of Ramadan was sighted while I was in the Levant. I saw the crescent on the night of Friday. Then, I came to Madīnah at the end of the month. ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) asked me about the sighting of the moon and said: "When did you see the crescent?" I said: "We saw it on the night of Friday." He said: "Did you see it yourself?" I said: "Yes, and the people saw it and fasted and so did Mu‘āwiyah." He said: "But we saw it on the night of Saturday; so, we will continue fasting until we have completed thirty days, or we see it." I said: "Will you not be content with the sighting of Mu‘āwiyah and his fasting?" He said: "No, this is what the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) enjoined upon us." Yahya ibn Yahya was doubtful about whether it is "Will we not be content?" or "Will you not be content?".

Commentary : Allah made crescents a means for counting months and years. By sighting the crescent, one month begins and another ends. Based on this sighting, many obligations are determined, like fasting and Hajj.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Kurayb ibn Abi Muslim says that ’Umm al-Fadl Lubābah bint al-Hārith, the wife of Al-‘Abbās ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib and the mother of ‘Abdullāh ibn al-‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with them), sent him to Mu‘āwiyah ibn Abi Sufyān (may Allah be pleased with him), who was then the caliph of Muslims. Kurayb went to the Levant and finished her errand. Then, the crescent of the month of Ramadan appeared while he was in the Levant. The crescent was sighted on the night of Friday. There are over 1,120km between the Levant and Madīnah, the center of the caliphate during the era of Mu‘āwiyah ibn Abi Sufyān, from which the state was run, and which was followed by all the Muslim provinces.
Then, Kurayb said that he went back to Madīnah once again at the end of the month of Ramadan. ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him about the journey and the fulfillment of his mother's errand. Then, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned the crescent and asked him: When did you see the crescent in the Levant? Kurayb told him that they saw it on the night of Friday. Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) further asked: "Did you see it" with your own eyes? In response, Kurayb said: Yes, and the people also saw it, and they fasted and so did Mu‘āwiyah (may Allah be pleased with him). Thereupon, Ibn ‘Abbās said: "But we saw it on the night of Saturday," i.e., one night after it was sighted in the Levant. Therefore, we will continue to fast until we complete the thirty days of the month or see the crescent before that with the month being 29 days. This results from the different sightings of crescents from different places. So, Kurayb asked Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him): Will you - or he said: will we - not be content with the sighting by the people of the Levant of the crescent of Ramadan at its beginning, and with them is Caliph Mu‘āwiyah ibn Abi Sufyān (may Allah be pleased with him)? Thus, you fast with their fasting at the start of the month and break your fast with their break of the fast. In reply, Ibn ‘Abbās said: 'No' i.e., we are not content with their sighting. Rather, we observe the fast or complete the month according to our sighting. He probably said that given the great distance between Hejaz and the Levant which allows for different crescent sightings. Also, news could not reach Madīnah from the Levant on the same night. Hence, they comply with the Prophet's command to observe the fast and break the fast based on sighting the crescent. In a Hadīth narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Fast when you see it and break your fast when you see it, and if the weather is cloudy, complete it as thirty." This does not exclusively pertain to the people of a certain region; rather, it is addressed to all Muslims.
The Hadīth indicates that we must rely on sighting the crescents to know the beginnings and ends of the lunar months.
It also points out that the people of each region should fast based on their sighting of the crescent..

1088

Abu al-Bakhtari reported: We saw the crescent of Ramadan while we were at Dhāt ‘Irq. So, we sent a man to Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) to ask him about that. In response, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah has deferred it till it is seen, but if the weather is cloudy, then complete the period.".

Commentary : Allah made crescents a means for counting months and years. By sighting the crescent, one month begins and another ends. Based on this sighting, many obligations are determined, like fasting and Hajj.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu al-Bakhtari Sa‘īd ibn Fayrūz at-Tā’i informs that they saw the crescent of Ramadan one day while they were at a place called Dhāt ‘Irq. This is the locational Miqāt of the pilgrims of the people of Iraq. It lies 42 miles (100km) to the northeast of Makkah. They sent a man to ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) to ask him about the crescent of Ramadan and the related rulings, especially if the weather is too cloudy for the people to see it. Thereupon, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, Allah has deferred it till it is seen," i.e., indeed, Allah extended the period of sighting the crescent till the people could see it. If it is not possible to see it until the end of the twenty-ninth day of the month, and you cannot see it for one reason or another, like the clouds being in the way, you should observe the complete period of the month of Sha'bān as thirty days. This also applies to all Hijri lunar months. This does not exclusively pertain to the people of a certain region; rather, it is addressed to all Muslims.
The Hadīth indicates that we should ask the people of knowledge about obscure and confusing matters.
It also points out that we should leave doubt to certainty when the crescent is hidden by completing the month as thirty days..

1094

Samurah ibn Jundub reported: I heard Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Do not be misled with regard to your Suhūr by the Adhān of Bilāl or the whiteness of the horizon that grows long in this way until it spreads this way.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) defined the time in which a fasting person should refrain from eating during the month of Ramadan; that is the time of "al-Fajr as-Sādiq" (the true dawn). He pointed out that a Muslim may eat and drink till the Adhān of the real dawn.
In its meaning, this Hadīth is linked to other versions which demonstrate that there were two Adhāns for Fajr during the Prophet's lifetime: The first Adhān was proclaimed by Bilāl ibn Rabāh (may Allah be pleased with him). This is the one about which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not be misled with regard to your Suhūr by the Adhān of Bilāl or the whiteness of the horizon that grows long in this way." This teaches the Muslims that they may eat and drink when they hear the Adhān of Bilāl, for it was only intended to give notice that the time of Fajr was approaching. The Adhān of Bilāl was proclaimed at the time when the whiteness of the horizon grows long in the sky. And it was meant to make the sleeping person wake up and alert the one standing in prayer. It was followed by the second Adhān, which was proclaimed by Ibn ’Umm Maktūm. Upon hearing it, the people would abstain from food and drink and start fasting.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) directed the people to the sign of the true dawn. He commanded them to eat and drink till "it spreads this way" i.e., until dawn appears extended on the horizon..

1096

‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is the Suhūr (pre-dawn) meal.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to urge and enjoin the Muslims to have the Suhūr meal, given the blessing it contains for the fasting person.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says: "The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is the Suhūr (pre-dawn) meal," i.e., the Suhūr meal - for he who wants to observe fasting, obligatory, or supererogatory - differentiates between the nature of our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book - the Jews and the Christians. This is because Allah made permissible for us some of what He has prohibited for them. So, our difference from them in this regard represents gratitude for this favor. They do not have a Suhūr meal, while we are enjoined to have it. The best time for this meal is the time of Sahar, which comes shortly before the rise of the true dawn.
This meal is stressed because at this time most people will probably be sleeping, and sleep and its enjoyment may overcome and distract them from the significance of this meal. Then, as a result of abandoning this meal, they will be weakened in undertaking their activities during the daytime.
The Hadīth urges us to have the Suhūr meal.
It shows the Prophet's keenness on being distinguished and different from the People of the Book in the acts of worship common between us and them..

1099

‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: Sometimes I missed some fasts of Ramadan and I would not be able to make up for them except in Sha‘bān; due to being busy with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), or because of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). [And in a version]: That is because of the status of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). [And in a version]: Being busy with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is not mentioned in the Hadīth..

Commentary : The Shariah urges and encourages us to use the dispensations, particularly if they entail something that may lead to a certain harm or hardship.
In this Hadīth, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) says: "Sometimes I missed some fasts of Ramadan," i.e., days of fasting in Ramadan were due upon me, for I did not fast them due to things that happen to women, like menstruation, illness, etc. "and I would not be able to make up for them except in Sha‘bān," i.e., she could not make up for these days throughout the year except in Sha‘bān. "due to being busy with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), or because of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)." She used to keep herself prepared and ready for his affairs (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and for pleasing him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) at all times. This shows her extreme politeness and love for him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and it indicates the great rights of the husband upon one's wife.
The Hadīth indicates the legitimacy of delaying the fast of Ramadan until the next Sha‘bān.
It also demonstrates the flexibility provided in the acts of worship and religious obligations.
The Hadīth also shows the significance of the rights of the husband and being busy with obeying him and tending to his affairs..

1104

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: As the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was performing prayer during Ramadan, I came and stood by his side. Then, another man came and stood likewise till we became a group. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) perceived that we were behind him, he lightened the prayer. Then, he went to his abode and performed such a prayer that he would not perform with us. In the morning, we asked him, "Did you perceive us during the night?" He said: "Yes, it was this that prompted me to do what I did." He said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) began to observe Wisāl (continuous Qiyām and fasting) at the end of the month, and some men among his Companions began to observe Wisāl. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "What about those men who observe Wisāl?! You are not like me. By Allah, if the month were lengthened for me, I would observe Wisāl in a way that would make those who act with exaggeration abandon their exaggeration!".

Commentary : Acts of worship must be performed exactly as the Shariah prescribed them. We were commanded to fear Allah as much as we can, without overburdening ourselves or adopting a strict approach in religion, for people differ in terms of their abilities and capacities, and lest people become bored of worship and the religious injunctions.
In this Hadīth, Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) informs the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) once performed a supererogatory prayer in Ramadan during a night in the mosque. Meanwhile, he came and stood on his right side, praying with him. Then, another man came and also stood to pray with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Then, people continued to come and pray behind the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) till they became "Raht" (a group), which is less than ten persons or more, up to forty men. When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) perceived they were praying behind him, he began to lighten the prayer to facilitate the matter and make it easy for them. This contrasts with his usual performance of Qiyām al-Layl when he prayed alone. After he made Taslīm ending the prayer, he entered "his abode" i.e., his house, where he performed a long prayer the like of which he did not perform with him. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) informed that in the morning after that night, they said to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "Did you perceive us?" i.e., did you feel our presence during that night when we prayed behind you? He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Yes' i.e., I perceived you praying behind me. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: "it was this that prompted me to do what I did", i.e., it was what you did as you prayed behind me that drove me to lighten the prayer, go to my house and pray there, and refrain from coming out to you, lest it may be made obligatory for you. Indeed, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is the most lenient and merciful among people toward his Ummah.
Then, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) told that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) began to observe Wisāl, performing Qiyām all night long and observing fast day and night without breaking it. This Wisāl was at the end of the month of Ramadan. So, some men among his Companions began to observe Wisāl and act like him, thinking that the Prophet's prohibition was meant for discouraging, not unlawfulness. As a result, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got angry and disapproved of them, as Wisāl was not prescribed for the Ummah. Rather, it is one of his peculiar traits (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: "What about those men who observe Wisāl" of fasting?! "You are not like me", i.e., in this matter, you are not like me. Rather, you are required to do what is easier for you. It is authentically reported in the Two Sahīh Collections that he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would spend the night with his Lord so Allah would provide him with food and drink. This stems from the Prophet's complete compassion and mercy toward his Ummah and his fear that they might get bored of worship and fall short of some tasks of the religion. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) swore to them: "By Allah, if the month were lengthened for me" i.e., if the days of the month of Ramadan increased, as they sighted the crescent one or two days after their observance of Wisāl, according to a Hadīth narrated in the Two Sahīh Collections and reported by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him). "I would observe Wisāl," i.e., he would continue this Wisāl of his, "in a way that would make those who act with exaggeration", those who overburden themselves, adopt a strict approach, and oblige themselves to do things that were not prescribed for them, "abandon their exaggeration." i.e., so that they would abandon it because of tiredness and hardship, and thus they would themselves be sure of the leniency of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) toward them when he prohibited them from Wisāl. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would indeed increase Wisāl for them to deter and punish them for their lack of compliance with his command (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
The Hadīth points out the Prophet's leniency toward his Ummah and that he would not burden them with things beyond their capacity.
It warns of exaggeration in the acts of worship.
And it warns against overburdening oneself with supererogatory acts of worship..

Book of Hadith

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