Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him):(The people of) Banoo Salamah intended to move out near the mosque of the Prophet, but he ﷺdisliked to see Madeenah vacated and said, "O the people of Banoo Salamah! Do not you think that you will be rewarded for your footsteps which you take towards the mosque?" So, they stayed at their old places.
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Commentary :
Al-Madeenah is one of the best, most honored, and purified lands on earth, and the Prophet ﷺ loved it, and keenly sought to populate and fortify it. In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) related that when Banoo Salamah, from the Ansaar, wanted to move out of their houses to settle in the outskirts of Al-Madeenah near the Prophet’s Mosque, he ﷺ disliked that some parts of Al-Madeenah should be deserted. He ﷺ said to them: "O people of Banoo Salamah! Do you not think that you will be rewarded for your footsteps which you take towards the mosque?" It means, ‘Do you notaspire to the rewards earned for walking to the (distant) mosque?’ He ﷺ informed them of the abundant rewards earned by walking to a mosque at a distance away from one’s house, urging them to stay in their houses. The Prophet’s words mean, “Stay in your houses to earn greater rewards for your long-distance walking to my mosque.” He ﷺ encouraged them to stay in their houses and aspire to the rewards for each step they took to the mosque, devoting their effort sincerely to Allah, The Exalted. Upon hearing the Prophet’s words, they decided to stay in their houses as advised.
The Prophet’s intention was that Banoo Salamah should remain in their houses so that the various regions of Al-Madeenah would remain populated so that the Muslim populationin Al-Madeenah wouldincrease to instill terror in the hearts of the hypocrites and polytheists. He ﷺ did not explicitly say so to Banoo Salamah, and settled for highlighting the obvious benefit to urge them to comply and motivate them to remain in their houses.
The hadeeth also underlines the virtues of building and populating Al-Madeenah and urges Muslims to walk to the mosques..

1888

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "There is a garden from the gardens of Paradise between my house (room) and my pulpit, and my pulpit is on my Lake Fount (Al-Kawthar).”
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Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, has favored some lands and places over others, and one such place is the Noble Rawdhah at the Prophet's mosque.
In this hadeeth, he ﷺ informed us of the virtues of this blessed place, the area between his house (room), where he ﷺ was buried, and his pulpit in the mosque. He ﷺ stated that it is one of the gardens of Paradise. The Arabic word ‘Rawdhah’ means a garden with fertile soil where plants grow,fresh water flows, and beauty manifests. The meaning is that the Noble Rawdhah at the Prophet's mosque is a blessed place where the divine mercy descends and people taste bliss by attending the gatherings of Thikr (remembrance of Allah) and performing prayer in that particular place, especially during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ. It could also mean that this particular place is an actual garden of Paradise, like the Black Stone, and shall be moved back to it on the Day of Resurrection. This meaning is further supported by his words at the conclusion of the hadeeth reading: “and my pulpit is on my Lake-Fount (Al-Kawthar),” meaning that his pulpit is located at the bank of his lake-fount (Al-Kawthar), with which Allah shall honor him on the Day of Resurrection, or that he will have a pulpit by Al-Kawthar to stand upon and call upon people.
The hadeeth also highlights the virtues of Al-Madeenah and urges Muslims to reside therein..

1889

`Narrated Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her):When Allah's Messenger ﷺ reached al-Madeenah, Aboo Bakr and Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with them) became ill. Whenever Aboo Bakr's fever got worse, he would recite (this poetic verse): "Everybody is staying alive with his People, yet death is nearer to him than His shoelaces." Meanwhile whenever fever deserted Bilaal, he would recite: "I wish I could stay overnight in a valley wherein I would be surrounded by Ithkhir and Jaleel (kinds of goodsmelling grass). Would that one day I could drink the water of the Majanna and would that (the two mountains of) Shaamah and Tafeel would appear to me!" The Prophet ﷺ said, "O Allah! Curse Shaybah ibn Rabee`ah and `Utbah ibn Rabee`ah and Umaiyah ibn Khalaf as they turned us out of our land to the land of epidemics." Allah's Messenger ﷺ then said, "O Allah! Make us love Al-Madeenah as we love Makkah or even more than that. O Allah! Give blessings in our Saa‘ and our Mudd (measures symbolizing food) and make the climate of Al-Madeenah suitable for us and divert its fever towards Al-Juhfah." ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) added: “When we reached Al-Madeenah, it was the unhealthiest of land, and the valley of Bathaan used to flow with impure colored water.”.

Commentary :
Love for one’s homeland, an emotional attachment to it, and nostalgia for it are part of the innate human nature thatis not denounced by Islam, but israther channeled in the right direction that serves the religion of Allah and raises its banner high.
In this hadeeth, the Mother of the Believers ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) informed us of the situation when the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) migrated to Al-Madeenah. Aboo Bakr and Bilaal ibn Rabaah (may Allah be pleased with them) got a fever, and each of them put his emotions into words according to his certitude in Allah and knowledge of the anticipated consequences.
Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) found solace in reciting the following poetic verse (which means): “Everybody is staying alive in the company of his people, yet death is nearer to him than his shoe laces.” Meaning that when everyone wakes up, he is greeted with ‘good morning,’ or ‘may Allah bless your morning,’ and similar greetings exchanged by people and their loved ones, while death may suddenly befall them and they may depart this worldly life in the evening, indicating the proximity of death from all human beings, whether they are sick or healthy.
On the other hand, whenever fever desertedBilaal (may Allah be pleased with him), he would raise his voice and recite some poetic verses. The Arabic expression “Yarfa‘ ‘Aqeeratah” means to raise one’s voice. It was said that a man once had his leg amputated; he raised his amputated leg, placed it over the other leg, and shouted of the top of his voice. Afterward, whenever a person shouted of the top of his voice as such, the Arabs used this expression to describe his act. He(may Allah be pleased with him) used to recite somepoetic verses, expressing longing and hopeto return to Makkah, where he relished sound health. He wished to spend one night in the valley of Makkah to quench his longing for it in the well of Majannah, a well near ‘Ukaath few miles away from Makkah in the direction of the Dhahraan area, where the Arabs had a marketplace in the pre-Islamic era. He (may Allah be pleased with him)wished he could go there to enjoy the view of the Ithkhir and Jaleel (kinds of pleasantly scented grass), which grew back in Makkah, and see Shaamah and Tafeel, two adjacent mountains southwest of Makkah, about 90 km away from it.
He (may Allah be pleased with him)would say, "Would that I could stay overnight in a valley wherein I would be surrounded by Ithkhir and Jaleel. Would that one day I could drink from the water of the Majannah, and that the two mountains Shaamah and Tafeel would appear to me!"
Afterward, Bilaal (may Allah be pleased with him) supplicated against the polytheists who drove them away from Makkah to a land afflicted with epidemics and diseases. He said: "O Allah! Curse Shaybah ibn Rabee`ah and `Utbah ibn Rabee`ah and Umaiyah ibn Khalaf as they turned us out of our land to the land of epidemics." These were the chiefs of the polytheists and their leaders in Makkah.
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw what had befallen his Companions of fever and epidemic, he ﷺ feared that they might hate Al-Madeenah, because people are innately averted from what they hate. Therefore, he ﷺ supplicated Allah, Exalted is He, to instill the love of Al-Madeenah within their hearts, and make them love it even more than they loved Makkah, and to bless Al-Madeenah and its Saa‘ and Mudd.
The Saa’ equals four Mudds, and the Mudd is the measure of two open medium-sized handfuls. The Mudd approximately equals 509 grams at the lowest estimate, and 1072 grams in the highest estimate. The Saa’, on the other hand, equals tobetween 2036 and 4288 grams. In another hadeeth, cited in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, he ﷺ supplicated Allah, Exalted is He, to confer upon Al-Madeenah twice the blessings conferred upon Makkah.
He ﷺ asked Allah, Exalted is He, to relieve Al-Madeenah of the epidemic and transfer it to Juhfah, which was an abode of polytheism inhabited by non-Muslims then, so that they would be preoccupied by it and distracted from helping the disbelievers. Juhfah is located between Makkah and Al-Madeenah, at a distance of 190 km from Makkah. Allah, Exalted is He, answered the Prophet’s supplication and blessed people’s livelihoods in Al-Madeenah, and instilled its love in the hearts of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions, and this love remained apparent until death befell them. One of the manifestations of this love was that whenever the Prophet ﷺ returned from any of his travels back to Al-Madeenah, he ﷺ urged his riding animal to move faster upon seeing the houses of Al-Madeenah, out of his deep love for it, as narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree.
The Mother of the Believers ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) added that when they went to Al-Madeenah, it was the unhealthiest land, afflicted with epidemic diseases, to the extent that the valley of Bathaan, to the south of Al-Madeenah near the Prophet’s Mosque, used to flow with impure colored water that was often stagnant, causing fever and spreading epidemics.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable for a Muslim to ask his Lord to bless him with well-being and recovery when ailments befall him, just like he asks Him for sustenance and victory, and that such supplications and desires do not imply blaming Allah or rejecting His decrees.
It is also inferred that it is permissible to supplicate Allah against the wrongdoers and the disbelievers. The hadeeth also highlights the significance of care for good health conditions, fresh air, and pure water, and warns against stagnant and colored water. It also underlines the permissibility of reciting, quoting, and listening to poetry.
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1890

Zayd ibn Aslam narrated on the authority of his father (may Allah be pleased with them):`Umar said, O Allah! Grant me martyrdom in Your cause, and let my death be in Al-Madeenah of Your Messenger.".

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ supplicated Allah, Exalted is He, to instill the love of Al-Madeenah within his heart and the hearts of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). He ﷺ said: “O Allah! Make us love Al-Madeenah as we love Makkah or even more than that.” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].
Allah, Exalted is He, answered his supplication and Al-Madeenah became the most beloved land to his Companions(may Allah be pleased with them). They lived therein and did not wish to die elsewhere.
In this report, Aslam, the freed slave of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with them), stated that ‘Umar used to supplicate Allah, Exalted is He, to bless him with martyrdom and to cause him to die in Al-Madeenah. Allah, Exalted is He, answered his supplication and caused him to die as a martyr. He (may Allah be pleased with him) was killed at the hands of Aboo Lu’lu’ah Al-Majoosi, may Allah punish him proportionally, while he (may Allah be pleased with him) was performing Fajr Prayer in 23 A.H. Thus, he earned the reward of martyrdom, because a disbelieving Zoroastrian killed him out of his resentment against Islam, and against ‘Umar’sdiligence and sincerity in governing the affairs of the Muslims. He (may Allah be pleased with him) was killed in the Cause of Allah, and Allah caused him to die in Al-Madeenah as he wished, and he(may Allah be pleased with him) was buried in the land that he loved the most, next to his beloved friend andProphet ﷺ and his close friend Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). May Allah be pleased with ‘Umar and all the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
This hadeeth highlights the merits of ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him)..

1892

Narrated Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):The Prophet ﷺ observed the fast on the 10th of Muharram (‘Ashooraa’)and ordered (Muslims) to fast on that day, but when the fasting of the month of Ramadan was prescribed, the fasting of ‘Ashooraa’ was abandoned. ‘Abdullah(may Allah be pleased with him) did not observe fasting on that day unless it coincided with his routine fasting by chance..

Commentary :
The Day of ‘Aashooraa’ is the tenth day of the sacred month of Muharram and it is one of the blessed days. On that day, Allah, Exalted is He, saved His Prophet Moses (peace be upon him)s from Pharaoh and his army. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ venerated this day, fasted on it, and commanded Muslims to fast, to express gratitude to Allah, The Exalted.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) informed us that the Prophet ﷺ fasted on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ and commanded his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to fast. Other narrations have been reported regarding the reasons why the Prophet ﷺ fasted the Day of ‘Aashooraa’, one of which was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): “When the Prophet ﷺ came to Al-Madeenah, he found (the Jews) fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ (i.e., 10th of Muharram). They used to say: "This is a great day on which Allah, Exalted is He, saved Prophet Moosaa and drowned the people of Pharaoh. Moosaa observed the fast on this day, as a sign of gratitude to Allah." The Prophet ﷺ said, "I am closer to Moosaa than they!" So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it.”
Another narration was reported by Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “That was a day on which the people of pre-Islamic days used to observe fast. So, he amongst you who likes to observe fast should do so, and he who does not like it should abandon it.” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].
Narrations have been reported about the virtues of fasting on that day, stating that it expiates the sins committed in the preceding year, like the hadeeth narrated on the authority of Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him)that has been cited in Saheeh Muslim.
Moreover, Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that when the obligatory fasting on Ramadan was prescribed in 2 A.H., people abandoned fasting the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ as an obligatory act of worship, but some Muslims observed fasting on it voluntarily.
Naafi‘, the freed slave of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), underlined that Ibn ‘Umar did not observe fasting on that day in particular unless it happened to coincide with days when he regularly fasted. He(may Allah be pleased with him) refrained from fasting on that day in particular fearing that people might mistakenly assume that it was obligatory, or that it would be venerated in the same (unprescribed) manner it was venerated in the pre-Islamic era.
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1896

Narrated Sahl (may Allah be pleased with him):The Prophet ﷺ said, "There is a gate in Paradise called Al-Raiyyaan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasting?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.".

Commentary :
Islam assigns great virtue to fasting and the honor of Allah conferred upon those who observe fasting is unmatched. They refrain from all intake of food, water, beverages, and from sexual activity, and in return Allah, Exalted is He, confers upon them His abundant rewards, and distinguishes them with a special divine bestowal.
In this hadeeth, Sahl ibn Sa‘d Al-Ansaaree(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ stated that Allah, Exalted is He, allocated a gate in Paradise especially for those who observed obligatory fasting and often observed voluntary fasting, or those who keenly assigned a special care to fasting compared to other worshipful acts. This gate is called “Al-Rayyaan,” which is derivedfrom a root that means quenching thirst. The name conveniently suits the situation of these people because it is their reward for enduring thirst and hunger. The name referred to quenching thirst rather than satiating hunger because thirst is harder to endure compared to hunger.
Only those who observed fasting will enter Paradise through this gate, to hasten to quench their thirst. This would be a manifestation of their honor and a special bestowal for them, so that they would not have to crowd with others to enter Paradise, for such crowding may cause thirst in and of itself. It should be noted, though, that there shall be no crowding at the gates of Paradise because they shall be vast and there shall be no harm, distress, or hardship therein. This is an honor conferred by Allah, Exalted is He, on them, to elevate their status, and distinguish them from others. The angels will call upon them: “Where are those who observed fasting?” They shall stand up and enter Paradise from it, and then the gate will be closed; none will enter Paradise through it except those who observed fasting. The Prophet ﷺ repeatedly stated that no one else shall enter Paradise through that gate for the sake of emphasis (on their special honor)..

1897

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "Whoever gives two items of wealth in charity for Allah's Cause, will be called from the gates of Paradise and will be addressed, 'O slaves of Allah! This is good.' So, whoever was amongst the people who observed prayer, will be called from the gate of the prayer; and whoever was amongst the people who used to participate in Jihaad, will be called from the gate of Jihaad; and whoever was amongst those who used to observe fasting, will be called from the gate of Al-Rayyaan; whoever was amongst those who used to give in charity, will be called from the gate of charity." Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Let my parents be sacrificed for you, O Allah's Messenger! No distress or need will befall the one who will be called from those gates! Will anyone be called from all these gates?" The Prophet ﷺ replied, "Yes, and I hope you will be one of them.".

Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, urged His servants to hasten to perform good deeds, and promised them abundant rewards in this worldly life and the Hereafter. In this hadeeth, Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) informed us that the Prophet ﷺ stated that whoever spends in charity two items of wealth, e.g., two cows, two Dirhams, two loaves of bread, or two garments, will earn such reward. It may also mean whoever spends them in charity on two consecutive occasions. His saying “in Allah’s Cause” means, ‘while aspiring to His reward,’ and this is more general than Jihaad and other worshipful acts. Whoever does so, the angels will call upon him on the Day of Resurrection from the gates of Paradise, welcoming him to enter it. They will say: “Oh servant of Allah, this is good,” meaning, ‘the good deed that you have done is more virtuous than all worldly pleasures.’ The Arabic word ‘khayr’ (lit. good) used in the hadeeth means in this context ‘virtuous’ rather the comparative adjective ‘better’, even if the wording may imply otherwise, and the wisdom is to urge the listener to seek entering Paradise through that gate. It could also mean that this gate through which you are asked to enter Paradise is good, meaning that therein lies all that is good, and the statement denotes honoring them.
Allah, Exalted is He, allocated a special gate in Paradise for each worshipful act. So, those who devote themselves to performing voluntary prayers after performing the obligatory ones shall be called upon to enter Paradise through the gate of prayer, and they will enter it, and the same goes for all other acts of worship, such as Jihaad and charity. Likewise, the angels shall receive those who devotedly observed fasting frequently at the gate of Al-Rayyaan, calling upon them to enter through it. This gate is called “Al-Rayyaan,” which is derivedfrom a root that means quenching thirst because whoever enters Paradise through it will never experience thirst again. The name conveniently suits the situation of these people because it is their reward for enduring thirst and hunger. The name refers to quenching thirst rather than satiating hunger because thirst is harder to endure compared to hunger.
His saying: “Whoever was amongst those who used to give in charity will be called from the gate of charity,” is not a repetition of the same meaning denoted by his saying: “Whoever spends two items of wealth” at the beginning of the hadeeth, because spending even an insignificant item of wealth in charity is better than the great worldly pleasures, and this applies to all the gates of Paradise, but it is stated here in particular for further emphasis.
Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Let my parents be sacrificed for you, O Allah's Messenger! No distress or need will befall the one who will be called from those gates!” This is because such a person shall taste bliss in Paradise. It could also mean that whoever shall be called upon to enter Paradise through some of these gates will not need to be called upon to enter it through other ones; it is adequate to be called upon to enter Paradise through one gate!
Afterwards, Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: “Will anyone be called from all of these gates?” The Prophet ﷺ replied, "Yes, and I hope you will be one of them." He ﷺ replied that some believers will be called upon to enter from all those gates as they will have performed numerous and various worshipful acts. He ﷺ added: “I hope you will be one of them.” He (may Allah be pleased with him) had devotedly performed all worshipful acts for which Allah, Exalted is He, allocated gates in Paradise. It was narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ asked once: ‘Who among you is fasting today?’ Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, ‘I am.’ He ﷺ asked, ‘Who among you followed a funeral today?’ Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘I did.’ He ﷺ further asked, ‘Who among you presented food to a needy person today?’ Again, Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘I did.’ He ﷺ asked, ‘Who among you visited a patient (to inquire about his health and check on them) today?’ Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, ‘I did.’ Upon this, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ remarked: ‘Those (good deeds) never meet in a person but that he would be admitted to Paradise.’” [Muslim].

It is deduced from the hadeeth that the angels love the devout people and rejoice at meeting them.
It is also inferred that a Muslim is urged to spend more in charity; the more the merrier, and that it is required of Muslims to wish for good in this worldly life and the Hereafter. The hadeeth also underlines the virtues of Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), and the merits of those who combine the qualities of goodness. It is also deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible to praise someone to his face as long as it is not feared that it would not usher him into conceit and similar diseases of the heart..

1899

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hellfire are closed and the devils are chained.".

Commentary :
The month of Ramadan is the month of forgiveness and deliverance from Hellfire, during which Allah, Exalted is He,has made easy the material and moral means to attain forgiveness, and the performance of good deeds, including: fasting, night prayer, Zakaah, and the like.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ informed us that when the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of heaven are actually opened to celebrate this holy month, to welcome it in the exalted assembly [of angels], to note its abundant virtues and honor, and to inform the angels of its arrival. It could also mean that the gates of Paradise are opened as suggested by the mention of the closing of Hellfire’s gates afterward. Some versions of the hadeeth cited in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim have been reported to that effect. As it starts, the gates of Hellfire are closed before those who observe fasting; this means that should anyone, who observes fasting, die while fulfilling the due rights (of the sacred month) and observing his religious duties, will be saved from Hellfire in that month of Ramadan. The devils are also chained, and this means that they are tied up with chains and prevented from corrupting Muslims in the same way they do at other times. All these virtues are due to the special honor conferred by Allah, Exalted is He, on this month during which He bestows His divine mercy and forgiveness on His servants.
The reference to the ‘devils’ here means the rebellious devils among the Jinn, the most hostile and aggressive ones, as stated in some versions of the hadeeth narrated by Al-Tirmithee and Al-Nasaa’i, and not all the devils. This explains why some evil deeds and sins are still committed by some people during the month of Ramadan. Based on the opinion suggesting that all the devils are chained during the month of Ramadan, it could mean that they are chained and prevented from harming those who observe fasting, complying with its conditions and etiquettes. However, the devils are not chained and prevented from harming those who fail to observe such conditions and etiquettes. Moreover, the chained devils may still harm people, in proportion to the perfection of their fasting, but their harm is lesser and weaker compared to at other times. Whoever perfects his fasting will be shielded from the devils in a way that would not apply to those who fail to perfect their fasting. It is noteworthy that the chaining of all the devils does not necessarily mean that no evil deeds would be committed during the sacred month of Ramadan, because there are other causes for sins, such as the evil-enjoining self and the devils among human beings.
The hadeeth also underlines the virtues of Ramadan, and it serves as supportive evidence on the existence of Paradise and Hellfire and that they have gates that are opened and closed. It also proves the existence of devils, and that they have physical bodies that can be tied up with chains. It also highlights the greatness of Allah's Kindness towards His servants and His Generosity.
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1900

Narrated Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):I heard Allah's Messenger ﷺ saying, "When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwaal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it) then regard the month of Ramadan as of 30 days.".

Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, decreed that the sighting of the new moon (crescent) should be used to determine the timings of the lunar months. The sighting of the crescent marks the end of a lunar month and the beginning of another. Based on that sighting, many religious obligations are determined, such as fasting and Hajj.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ underlined that Muslims must not observe fasting in the month of Ramadan except after sighting the new moon after the sunset of the twenty-ninth day of Sha‘baan, and also must not end their fasting (at the end of the month) except after sighting the crescent of the month of Shawwaal after sunset on the twenty-ninth day of Ramadan. If the sighting of the new moon is not possible because of clouds, or for any given reason, the month will be considered thirty days, because the maximum length of a lunar month is thirty days, and thus it is proved with certainty that the month has begun or ended.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that it is not allowable to rely on meansother than the sighting of the new moon to determine the beginning and end of lunar months, such as the astronomical calculation.
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1903

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e., Allah will not accept his fasting.)"
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Commentary :
Among the wisdoms behind fasting and its great aims are to attain Taqwa (mindfulness of Allah), tame sexual urges, and discipline the ‘self’ (i.e., practice self-restraint). The ultimate purpose of fasting is notto abstain from eating and drinking only, but rather to discipline, refine, and reform the ‘self’.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ warned those who perceive fasting as mere refrainment from eating and drinking, and do not abstain from lying, deviation from the truth, and following falsehood and doubtful matters, that Allah, Exalted is He, does not accept their refrainment from eating and drinking. However, this does not mean commanding those who observe fasting and fall into sin to give up fasting, but rather it serves as a warning against false speech and acting upon it, and it also emphasizes the gravity of committing these sins while fasting, as it causes the decrease in the rewards of one of the best (and most rewardable) worshipful acts. How should someone abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual activity, and yet let his rewards diminish because of false speech and acting upon it! It is narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “There are people who fast and get nothing from their fast except hunger.” [Sunan Ibn Maajah].
This hadeeth urges the fasting person to give up evil deeds and forbidden acts.
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1904

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messengerﷺsaid, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from Hellfire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person: one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."
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Commentary :
Islam assigns great virtues to fasting and the honor conferred by Allah upon those who observe fasting is unmatched. They refrain from all intake of food, water, beverages, and from sexual activity, and in return Allah, Exalted is He, confers upon them His abundant rewards, and distinguishes them with a special divine bestowal.
In this hadeeth, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed us that Allah, Exalted is He, said: “All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them,” meaning that the doer aspires to some worldly gains when performing them,“except for fasting; it is exclusively devoted to Me, and none knows its reward except Me. I shall give the doer its allocated reward and only I knows the amount of such reward and its multiplication.” As for other worshipful acts, their designated rewards and their multiplication are known by people; their rewards may be multiplied until seven hundred times, except for fasting. Allah, Exalted is He, multiplies the reward of fasting as He sees fit, with no maximum limit.
Another version of this hadeeth reads: “Every (good) deed of the son of Adam would be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allah, Exalted is He, has said: ‘With the exception of fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it.’” [Muslim].
Since the reward of fasting is only known to Allah, Exalted is He, He did not entrust it to His angels, but rather grants it Himself, and this indicates its greatness and significance.
Then, the Prophet ﷺ stated that fasting is a protection and shield against sins and misdeeds in the worldly life and against Hellfire in the Hereafter.
He ﷺalso forbade the fasting person from engaging in obscene speech and using foul language, and also forbade him from shouting and quarreling.
Should anyone should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting,’ to urge his opponent to stop or to evoke this meaning within his heart to restrain his anger. The prohibition in this hadeeth is meant as an emphasis on the prohibition in this regard during fasting; the one who is not fasting is also enjoined to do the same.
Then, the Prophet ﷺ swore by saying: “By Him in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad,” because to Allah, Exalted is He,belongs our souls. The Prophet ﷺ often swore by Allah, Exalted is He, with this wording. In this hadeeth, he ﷺ swore to the fact that the unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person, which is generally due to an empty stomach, is better and nicer in the sight of Allah on the Day of Resurrection than the smell of musk, which is the best fragrance. The superiority of fasting compared to other worshipful acts is indicated because it is attributed directly to Allah, Exalted is He, (“With the exception of fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it.”),qualifying it to have one of the most refined statuses.
The smell of the mouth is declared better than musk in the sight of Allah because fasting is a secret between a servant and his Lord, and only He knows if it is accepted or rejected. Therefore, Allah, Exalted is He, rendered the smell of the fasting person’s mouth a manifest indication on the Day of Resurrection, to highlight his honor and refined praiseworthy status.
Afterwards, the Prophet ﷺ informed us that the fasting person who fulfills the due rights of fasting, by carrying out its obligations and recommended acts, will taste two great joys: one in this worldly life, and the other in the Hereafter. As for the first, he rejoices when he breaks the fast, because he quenches his thirst and satisfies his hunger whenever it is deemed allowable, and this joy is normal in this context. It could also mean that he would rejoice at the completion of his fasting and the conclusion of his worshipful act. People’s joy varies according to their different statuses in this regard. As for the second joy, he tastes it upon meeting his Lord (on the Day of Judgment); he would rejoice at his fasting, meaning that he would rejoice at receiving its reward, or meeting his Lord, or having his fasting accepted and earning its abundant reward.
Perfecting fasting entails guarding one’s tongue against committing sins such as: lying and obscene and false speech, guarding one’s stomach by abstaining from eating and drinking, and guarding his private parts by refraining from sexual activity. This means that a fasting person should not utter what may undermine his fasting and should only confine himself to good and useful speech, and the same goes for his actions. This is the prescribed fasting, which is not limited to the refrainment from eating and drinking. It has been narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and evil actions and does not abandon foolishness, Allah is not in need of his leaving food and drink (i.e., Allah will not accept his fasting).” [Al-Bukhaaree]. He ﷺ also said: “There are people who fast and get nothing from their fast except hunger.” [Sunan Ibn Maajah].
Correct fasting requires guarding oneself against sins along with the refrainment from eating and drinking. The consumption of food or beverages invalidates the fasting, and similarly committing sins undermines the rewards and outcomes of fasting, as if the person has not observed fasting to begin with.
The hadeeth urges the fasting person to give up evil deeds and prohibitions.
Also deduced from it the affirmation of the Hand ofAllah, Exalted is He, as befits His majesty.
It is also serves as evidence on the affirmation of the Speech of Allah, Exalted is He, and that He speaks wherever He wills to whomever He wills with whatever He wills, and that His words are not limited to the Holy Quran.
It is also inferred from the hadeeth that acts of worship differ in terms of reward.
It may also be deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible to swear an oath to confirm one’s statement, even if the listener does not deny it.
Finally, it underlines that whoever worships Allah, Exalted is He, and seeks His pleasure in this worldly life, yet his actions result in unpleasant outcomes in this worldly life, they are loved by Allah, Exalted is He, and regarded as ‘good’ in His sight, being the outcome of obedience to Him and seeking after His pleasure.
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1907

Narrated `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them):Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "The (lunar) month is 29 nights (i.e., days), and you should not fast till you see the moon, and if the sky is overcast, then complete Sha‘baan as thirty days.".

Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, decreed that the sighting of the new moon (crescent) should be usedto determine the timings of the lunar month. The sighting of the crescent marks the end of one lunar month and the beginning of another. Based on this sighting, many religious obligations are determined, such as fasting and Hajj.
In this hadeeth, ‘AbdullahIbn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)related that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ told them that the month may be twenty-nine or thirty days, and that both scenarios arepossible and valid, but determining the timings to observe or break fasting requires the sighting of the moon, and this is the meaning of his saying: “Do not fast until you see the moon,” meaning, ‘do not fast until you see the crescent after sunset of the twenty-ninth day of Sha‘baan.’ He ﷺ added: “If the sky is overcast, then complete Sha‘baan as thirty days.” If the crescent is not seen for some reason - such as clouds and the like - then the month of Sha‘baan is thirty days.
It is inferred from the hadeeth that it is not allowable to rely on means other than the sighting of the new moon to determine the beginning and end of lunar months, such as astronomical calculation.

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1908

Narrated Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them): The Prophet ﷺ said, "The month is like this and this," (at the same time he showed the fingers of both his hands thrice) and left out one thumb on the third time.
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Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, decreed that the sighting of the new moon (crescent) should be usedto determine the timings of the lunar months. The sighting of the crescent marks the end of one lunar month and the beginning of another. Based on this sighting, many religious obligations are determined, such as fasting and Hajj.
In this hadeeth, ‘AbdullahIbn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ told them that the lunar months generally alternate between 29 and 30 days. He ﷺ said: “The (lunar) month (may be) thus and thus,” holding up his hands with all their fingers twice, but at the third time withdrawing or folding his left thumb (indicating that the month might consist of twenty-nine days). The use of sign language is the best way to explain the correct meaning, because it is more tangible and leaves no possibility of incorrect assumptions.
To sum up, determining the end of the current lunar month and the beginning of the following month requires the sighting of the crescent; if the crescent is sighted on the eve of the twenty-ninth day, then the month will have ended, and that night will be the first night of the new month, and if the crescent is not sighted for some reason - such as clouds and the like - then the month is thirty days.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable to use sign language to explain an intended meaning.
It is also inferred that it is not allowable to rely on means other than the sighting of the new moon to determine the beginning and end of lunar months, such as astronomical calculation.

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1909

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Start fasting on seeing the crescent (of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing the crescent (of Shawwaal), and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it), complete thirty days of Sha‘baan."
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Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, decreed that the sighting of the new moon (crescent) should be usedto determine the timing of the lunar months. The sighting of the crescent marks the end of one lunar month and the beginning of another. Based on that sighting, many religious obligations are determined such as fasting and Hajj.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ commanded us to fast Ramadan upon sighting the new moon after sunset on the twenty-ninth day of Sha’baan, and break the fast when the crescent moon is sighted after sunset on the twenty-ninth day of Ramadan. This means that the lunar month may be twenty-nine or thirty days, and both scenarios are possible and valid. However, determining the times of fasting and breaking the fast depends on the sighting of the new moon. If the crescent moon of Ramadan is not sighted for any given reason, such as clouds and the like, we are commanded to complete thirty days of Sha’baan; likewise, if the crescent moon of Shawwaal is not sighted, we should complete thirty days of fasting in Ramadan..

1912

Narrated Aboo Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him):The Prophet ﷺ said, “The two months of ‘Eid i.e., Ramadan and Thoo al-Hijjah, do not decrease (in terms of reward).”.

Commentary :
If a person complies with the divine commands, and diligently strives to abide by the divine will of Allah, and to earn His pleasure to the best of his ability, Allah, Exalted is He, will not deprive him of the full reward and will even grant him more rewards, out of His grace and generosity.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Bakrah Naafi‘ ibn Al-Haarith (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet ﷺ informed us that the reward of two months will not be diminished, even if the number of their days decreases. These months are Ramadan and Thoo al-Hijjah. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned them in particular because the obligatory fasting and pilgrimage are performed on these two months.
The month of Ramadan is described as a month of ‘Eid, because it is followed by ‘Eid Al-Fitr. This hadeeth eliminates any doubts that may find their way into the hearts of those who fasted twenty-nine days (because they know that their rewards shall not be diminished).
The hadeeth also highlights the virtues of the month of Ramadan and Thoo al-Hijjah..

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

| Hadiths

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "There is a garden from the gardens of Paradise between my house (room) and my pulpit, and my pulpit is on my Lake Fount (Al-Kawthar).”
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Zayd ibn Aslam narrated on the authority of his father (may Allah be pleased with them):`Umar said, O Allah! Grant me martyrdom in Your cause, and let my death be in Al-Madeenah of Your Messenger.".

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hellfire are closed and the devils are chained.".

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e., Allah will not accept his fasting.)"
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Narrated `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them):Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "The (lunar) month is 29 nights (i.e., days), and you should not fast till you see the moon, and if the sky is overcast, then complete Sha‘baan as thirty days.".

Narrated Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them): The Prophet ﷺ said, "The month is like this and this," (at the same time he showed the fingers of both his hands thrice) and left out one thumb on the third time.
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Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Start fasting on seeing the crescent (of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing the crescent (of Shawwaal), and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it), complete thirty days of Sha‘baan."
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Narrated Aboo Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him):The Prophet ﷺ said, “The two months of ‘Eid i.e., Ramadan and Thoo al-Hijjah, do not decrease (in terms of reward).”.

‘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.".

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.".

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.".

‘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.".

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "There is a garden from the gardens of Paradise between my house (room) and my pulpit, and my pulpit is on my Lake Fount (Al-Kawthar).” .

Zayd ibn Aslam narrated on the authority of his father (may Allah be pleased with them):`Umar said, O Allah! Grant me martyrdom in Your cause, and let my death be in Al-Madeenah of Your Messenger.".

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hellfire are closed and the devils are chained.".

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e., Allah will not accept his fasting.)" .

Narrated `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them):Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "The (lunar) month is 29 nights (i.e., days), and you should not fast till you see the moon, and if the sky is overcast, then complete Sha‘baan as thirty days.".

Narrated Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them): The Prophet ﷺ said, "The month is like this and this," (at the same time he showed the fingers of both his hands thrice) and left out one thumb on the third time. .

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Start fasting on seeing the crescent (of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing the crescent (of Shawwaal), and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it), complete thirty days of Sha‘baan." .

Narrated Aboo Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him):The Prophet ﷺ said, “The two months of ‘Eid i.e., Ramadan and Thoo al-Hijjah, do not decrease (in terms of reward).”.

‘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.".

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.".

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.".

‘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.".

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "There is a garden from the gardens of Paradise between my house (room) and my pulpit, and my pulpit is on my Lake Fount (Al-Kawthar).”
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Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e., Allah will not accept his fasting.)"
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Narrated Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them): The Prophet ﷺ said, "The month is like this and this," (at the same time he showed the fingers of both his hands thrice) and left out one thumb on the third time.
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Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Start fasting on seeing the crescent (of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing the crescent (of Shawwaal), and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it), complete thirty days of Sha‘baan."
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