| 2 Hadiths


Hadith
2957
AbooHurayrah(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he heard Allah's Messenger ﷺ saying, "We are the last (i.e., the Muslim Ummah) but will be the foremost to enter Paradise." The Prophet ﷺ added, "He who obeys me, obeys Allah, Exalted is He, and he who disobeys me, disobeys Him. He who obeys the Imaam (i.e., ruler), obeys me, and he who disobeys the Imaam, disobeys me. The Imaam is like a shelter for whose safety Muslims should fight and where they should seek protection. If the Imaam orders people with righteousness and rules justly, then he will be rewarded for that, and if he does the opposite, he will be responsible for that.”
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Commentary :
The religious and worldly affairs of a given community or group of people are not duly governed and put in order except by appointing an Imaam or ruler to shoulder this vital task, by managing people’s affairs, settling their disputes, and obliging people to abide by the obligations and prohibitions. Therefore, the appointment of the Imaam is inevitable, and his obedience is also entailed.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ underlined that Muslims’ obedience to him, i.e., complying with his commands and prohibitions, is entailed by their obedience to Allah, Exalted is He, and compliance with His commands and prohibitions. Similarly, disobeying the Prophet ﷺ implies disobeying Allah, Exalted is He, because the Prophet ﷺ conveyed to us the divine commands and prohibitions.
Moreover, the Prophet ﷺ underlined that Muslims’ obedience to their Imaam or ruler is entailed by their obedience to Allah, Exalted is He, and to the Prophet ﷺ, and their disobedience to him involves disobedience to Allah, Exalted is He, and to the Prophet ﷺ. This general principle applies to all just Muslim rulers. The people of Quraysh and the neighboring Arab tribes did not accept rulers from outside their own people (i.e., other than the chiefs of their tribes). After the advent of Islam, whenever a ruler from a different tribe was appointed over them, they would develop an aversion towards him and some may have defiantly refused to obey him, and therefore, he ﷺ made this statement to edify them on the fact that their obedience to the appointed ruler was entailed by their obedience to the Prophet ﷺ, and to urge them to obey their rulers and governors whom he ﷺ appointed and refrain from defiantly disobeying them.
One of the purposes and benefits gained by appointing the Imaam warranting their obedience is that they serve as shields and a protection, safeguarding Muslims from the harm of their enemies and also from the harm that may be afflicted by some of them on the others. Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "The Imaam is like a shelter for whose safety Muslims should fight and where they should seek protection,” meaning that Muslims fight against the disbelievers, the unjust, and the makers of mischief in general under the leadership of their Imaam, who is a source of protection and strength for them, and to whom they turn for judgment and governance of their affairs. Whenever he commands them to be mindful of Allah, Exalted is He, and establishes justice among them, he earns rewards for fulfilling the rights of Allah over him. However, if his governance is not informed by the enjoined mindfulness of Allah and justice, and he likes and chooses to do so, being inclined to it, such a choice would incur his ruin as he bears the whole sin for it.The commanded person would not bear a sin for it if he were excusedby coercion or the like, otherwise he bears a share of the sin.
In conclusion, obedience to the Imaam is obligatory as long his commands are informed by and in accordance with the Islamic law, otherwise they are not required to obey him, yet they must not rebel against him, to foster the unity of Muslims. Dissension is a reason for the corruption of their religious and worldly affairs, and both the ruler and ruled are bound by what was mentioned at the beginning of the hadeeth, i.e., obedience to Allah, Exalted is He, and His Messenger ﷺ.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that Muslims are enjoined to obey their rulers, and that disobeying them is forbidden.
The hadeeth urges Muslims to patiently endure the unjust rulers and enjoins them to obey them and refrain from rebelling against them.
It is inferred from the hadeeth that Muslims must fight under the leadership of an Imaam or ruler..

2958
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said:
When we reached (Al-Hudaybiyah) in the next year (of the Treaty of Al-Hudaybiyah), not even two men amongst us agreed unanimously as to which was the tree under which we had given the Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance), and that was out of Allah's Mercy. (The sub narrator asked Naafi‘, "For what did the Prophetﷺ take their pledge of allegiance, was it for death?" Naafi‘ replied "No, but he ﷺ took their Bay‘ah for patience.”
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Commentary :
The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) gave the Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) to the Prophet ﷺ in the year when Al-Hudaybiyah Treaty was concluded in 6 A.H., to hear and obey Allah, Exalted is He, and His Messenger ﷺ and not to flee from the battlefield. Quraysh denied the Muslims access to the Sacred House (to perform ‘Umrah), and the Prophet ﷺ concluded Al-Hudaybiyah Treaty with them, and one of its terms was that the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) must return to Al-Madeenah that year without performing ‘Umrah, on the condition that they may return to perform it the following year.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that when the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) returned to Makkah in 7 A.H. to perform ‘Umrah the next year (after the treaty of Hudaybiyah), which was known as ‘Umrat Al-Qadaa’, they reached the place where they had given Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance). They disagreed on the exact location of the tree under which they had given the Bay‘ah. Not even two men amongst them agreed unanimously as to which was the tree under which they had given the Bay‘ah. Perhaps this was a manifestation of Allah's Mercy, lest it would have been a source of Fitnah for some people, being a blessed place that witnessed a significant event (i.e., the Bay‘ah) and the descent of the divine pleasure and tranquility on the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Were the exact location of the tree to be identified and known to people, some ignorant people might have fallen into unprescribed reverence or worship of it. Therefore, the fact that its exact location remained hidden has been a source of mercy from Allah, Exalted is He.
Joowayrirah ibn Asmaa’ asked Naafi‘, the freed slave of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), "For what did the Prophetﷺ take their pledge of allegiance, was it for death?" Naafi‘ replied that the Prophet ﷺ took their Bay‘ah for patience, and not for death in Allah’s Cause. It was narrated in other versions that the Prophet ﷺ took their Bay‘ah for death in Allah’s Cause, and for not fleeing from the battlefield in other versions. The term ‘patience’ incorporates all these meanings because giving the Bay‘ah for death in Allah’s Cause is the same as giving the Bay‘ah not to flee from the battlefield even if it meant their death, and this also entails patience, and therefore the term patience includes the rest of the meanings..

2959
‘Abdullaah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that in the time (of the Battle) of Al-Harrah a person came to him and said, "Ibn Handhalah is taking the Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) from people for death." He (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I will never give a Bay‘ah for such a thing to anyone after Allah's Messenger ﷺ!”
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Commentary :
The Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) is a contract and covenant between the ruler and the ruled, and it is given that name by analogy with financial exchange; the Messenger of Allah ﷺ offers the promise of reward, and the Companion (may Allah be pleased with him) commits himself to obey him. The Sunnah highlighted that the Bay‘ah for death in war should not be given to anyone after the Prophet ﷺ, but rather the Bay‘ah for patience and steadfastness in fighting to the best of one’s ability. A war took place between the Caliph Yazeed and the people of Al-Madeenah who refused to give him the Bay‘ah. ‘Abdullaah bin Handhalah ibn Abee ‘Aamir and other people from Al-Madeenah went to Yazeed in the capital, Damascus, where they saw him unfit for the office, taking into account the killing of Al-Hussayn ibn ‘Alee in Karbala. They returned to Al-Madeenah, toppled Yazeed, ‘Abdullaah bin Handhalah claimed the Caliphate for himself, and the Ansaar gave him the Bay‘ah. They expelled ‘Uthmaan ibn Muhammed ibn AbeeSufyaan, the governor appointed by Yazeed, from Al-Madeenah. Thereupon, Yazeed sent a huge army from the people of Shaam led by Muslim ibn ‘Uqbah, who was known as Musrif ibn ‘Uqbah by the people of Hijaaz, in 63 A.H. A heinous war took place at (the lava field of) Al-Harrah (in the northeastern outskirts of Al-Madeenah) and resulted in an awful death toll. The army declared Al-Madeenah violable for three days, and theirviolent attack became known as the Battle of Al-Harrah, which is an Arabic word that literally means astony tract or lava field whose stones are black, and it refers to the Harrah (an open area with black stones) at the eastern outskirts of Al-Madeenah.
Before the battle began, ‘Abdullah ibn Handhalah wanted to take the Bay‘ah from people for death, and ‘Abdullah ibn Yazeed(may Allah be pleased with him) knew of it, and said, “I would not give the Bay‘ah for death to anyone after the Prophet ﷺ!” He (may Allah be pleased with him) was referring to the Bay‘ah given to the Prophet ﷺ during Al-Hudaybiyah Treaty, when the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) gave him the Bay‘ah for death.
The wisdom behind the Companion’s statement that he would not give the Bay‘ah for death to anyone after the Prophet ﷺ is that the due rights of the Prophet ﷺ over all Muslims entailed that each Muslim should defend him, even if it meant his own death, and it was forbidden for Muslims to flee from the battlefield even if it entailed sacrificing their own lives to protect the Prophet ﷺ, and this is not the case with anyone else after the Prophet ﷺ..

2960
Yazeed ibn Ubayd narrated:
Salamah said, "I gave the Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) of Al-Ridwaan to Allah's Messenger ﷺ and then I moved to the shade of a tree. When the number of people around the Prophetﷺdiminished, he said, 'O Ibn Al-Akwa‘! Will you not give to me the Bay‘ah?' I replied, 'O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! I have already given to you the Bay‘ah.' He ﷺ said, ‘Give it again.' So, I gave the Bay‘ah for the second time." I asked 'O Aboo Muslim! For what did you give him the Bay‘ah on that day?" He replied, "We gave him the Bay‘ah for death."
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Commentary :
The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) gave the Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) to the Prophet ﷺ in the year of Al-Hudaybiyah treaty in 6 A.H. Allah, Exalted is He, praised the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) who gave the Bay‘ah and stated (in the Quran) that He was pleased with them, and the Prophet ﷺ testified to the fact that they shall enter Paradise.
In this hadeeth, Salamah ibn Al-Akwa‘ (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he gave the Bay‘ah of Al-Ridwaan beneath the tree in Al-Hudaybiyah to Allah's Messenger ﷺ and then moved to the shade of another tree. Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) is a contract and covenant between the ruler and the ruled, and it is given that name by analogy with the financial exchange; the Messenger of Allah ﷺ offers the promise of reward, and the Companion (may Allah be pleased with him) commits himself to obey him in return. When the number of people around the Prophet ﷺ diminished, he ﷺ said, “O Ibn Al-Akwa‘! Will you not give to me the Bay‘ah?”  He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, “O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! I have already given to you the Bay‘ah.” He ﷺ said, “Give it again.” He (may Allah be pleased with him) gave the Bay‘ah for the second time, and the Prophet ﷺ wanted him to emphasize his Bay‘ah, given his knowledge of Salamah’s courage, striving in support of Islam, and steadfastness. Therefore, he ﷺ commanded him to give the Bay‘ah for the second time to be added to his virtues (and rewards).
The Taabi‘ee (Follower) Yazeed ibn ‘Ubayd asked Salamah ibn Al-Akwa‘ (may Allah be pleased with him), “O Aboo Muslim,” i.e., his nickname, “For what did you give him the Bay‘ah on that day?” He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "We gave him the Bay‘ah for death,” meaning that they pledged not to flee from the battlefield, even if it cost them their lives.
Other narrations have reported that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) pledged allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ for patience, not death, and other narrations stated that they pledged not to flee from the battlefield. The term ‘patience’ incorporates all these meanings, because giving the Bay‘ah for death in Allah’s Cause is the same as giving the Bay‘ah not to flee from the battlefield even if it meant death, and this also entails patience, and therefore the term patience includes the rest of the meanings.This pledge indicates that they would adhere to endurance and steadfastness on the battlefield and would not flee until they triumphed over their enemy or died trying.
The hadeeth urges Muslims to adhere to patience and steadfastness on the battlefield.
It also highlights the Companions’ great love for the Prophet ﷺ.
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2964
‘Abdullaah(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
Today, a man came to me and asked me a question which I did not know how to answer! He said, "Tell me, if a wealthy active man, well-equipped with arms, goes out on military expeditions with our chiefs, and orders us to do such things as we cannot do (should we obey him?)" I replied, "By Allah, I do not know what to reply to you, except that we, were in the company of the Prophetﷺ and he used to order us to do a thing once only till we finished it. No doubt everyone among you will remain in a good state as long as he obeys Allah. If one is in doubt as to the permissibility of something, he should ask somebody who would satisfy him, but soon will come a time when you will not find such a man. By Him, except Whom none has the right to be worshipped. I see that the example of what has passed of this life (to what remains thereof) is like a pond whose fresh water has been used up and nothing remains but muddy water."
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Commentary :
People’s obedience to the Imaam or ruler, or their deputies, is one of the most important means to rectify and put their religious and worldly affairs in orderand is required for fostering the unity of the Muslim community. The Islamic law clearly identified the defining lines that that determine the limits of people’s obedience to the Imaam and ruler.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood(may Allah be pleased with him)narrated that someone asked him a question which he did not know how to answer. The man asked, "Tell me, if a wealthy active man, well-equipped with arms,” meaning that he is energetic and hastens to follow his pursuits and is well-equipped for war, “goes out on military expeditions with our chiefs,” meaning for Jihaad in Allah’s Cause, “and orders us to do such things as we cannot do,” meaning that this ruler or commander strictly imposed on them what they could not bear, “(should we obey him?)"
Ibn Mas’ood(may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "By Allah, I do not know what to reply to you.” It was said that the reason Ibn Mas’ood(may Allah be pleased with him) refrained from issuing his Fatwaa (i.e., scholarly opinion) at first was because if an Imaam (i.e., ruler) appoints a group of fighters to partake in Jihaad or perform any given task, such responsibilities entrusted to them became individual obligations required of them.So, if any of these appointed people sought the Fatwaa of a scholar that such anImaamcan strictly impose obligations beyond people’s capabilities based on his personal whims, the Fatwaa would seem objectionable. Also, advising the complainer to obey the Imaam as enjoined may be objected to by the fact that rulers may grow corrupt during corrupt times. On the other hand, if the complainer is advised that it is permissible to rebel against such anImaam and defiantly disobey him, this Fatwaa could lead to Fitnah (i.e., dissension). Therefore, the right thing to do in such a situation was to refrain from issuing a Fatwaa. However, it seems that Ibn Mas‘ood(may Allah be pleased with him) retreated from this stance and then advised the man that he was obliged to obey his Imaam provided that his commands conformed with the enjoined mindfulness of Allah, Exalted is He, as inferred from Ibn Mas’ood’s statement. He (may Allah be pleased with him) added: “By Allah, I do not know what to reply to you except that we were in the company of the Prophetﷺ and he used to order us to do a thing once only till we finished it. No doubt everyone among you will remain in a good state as long as he obeys Allah, Exalted is He.” This indicated the Companions’ swift response (and obedience) to the Prophet’s commands. Whenever he ﷺ commanded them to do anything and emphasized it, they hastened to comply with his command without the need for repeating it.
By doing so, Ibn Mas‘ood(may Allah be pleased with him) prudently issued his Fatwaa, advising this man that obedience to the Imaam was obligatory provided that his commands conformed with the enjoined mindfulness of Allah, Exalted is He. This entails that such an Imaam must not command them to avail themselves of any given legal concession in a situation where adherence to the original Islamic ruling is urged (as per the Islamic law) or the other way around. Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.} [Quran 2:286].
Afterward, Ibn Mas‘ood(may Allah be pleased with him) clarified that a Muslim is safe as long as he adheres to the enjoined mindfulness of Allah, Exalted is He. He (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “If one is in doubt as to the permissibility of something, he should ask somebody who would satisfy him,” meaning to give him a satisfying answer supported by evident truth to eliminate his doubts, and this urges a Muslim to refrain from doing anything about which he harbors doubts before asking those endowed with knowledge. Afterward, Ibn Mas‘ood(may Allah be pleased with him) bemoaned the fact that people would be deprived of knowledge by the death of their scholars as times and the Muslims’ situation would change by the passage of time and the distance from the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ. At such times, people would not find someone to issue a Fatwaa in accordance with the truth, to relieve the hearts from doubts and misconceptions. Ibn Mas‘ood(may Allah be pleased with him) sadly added, “…but soon will come a time when you will not find such a man. By Him except Whom none has the right to be worshipped, I see that the example of what has passed of this life (to what remains thereof) is like a pond whose fresh water has been used up and nothing remains but muddywater.” In his statement, he (may Allah be pleased with him) likened the remaining period of the worldly life to a pond whose fresh water is used up and nothing remained but muddy water mixed with impurities and litter.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that a scholar should not hasten to issue his Fatwaa regarding matters that seem objectionable to him.
It is also inferred that the army commanders should not overburden the Muslim fighters, lest it should imperil some of them to disobedience. Rather, they should conveniently make things easier for them to the best of their abilities, consult with them, and keep them posted on latest updates that inform the way of handlingtheir affairs.
It is also inferred from the hadeeth that whenever a person doubts something, he must not pass his judgment on it based on such doubts. Rather, he is required to inquire and investigate the matter further and seek the light of guidance from the people of knowledge, if any, otherwise he is required to act upon the fundamentals of the Islamic law, and apply Qiyaas (i.e., legal analogy) and Ijtihaad (i.e., personal reasoning)..

2967
Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
I participated in a battle along with Allah's Messenger ﷺ. The Prophetﷺ met me (on the way) while I was riding a camel of ours used for irrigation and it had got so tired that it could hardly walk. The Prophetﷺ asked me, "What is wrong with the camel?" I replied, "It has got tired." So. Allah's Messenger ﷺ came from behind it and rebuked it and prayed for it so it started surpassing the other camels and going ahead of them. Then he ﷺ asked me, "How do you find your camel (now)?" I replied, "I find it quite well, now as it has received your blessings." He ﷺ said, "Will you sell it to me?" I felt shy (to refuse his offer) though it was the only camel for irrigation we had. So, I said, "Yes." He ﷺ said, "Sell it to me then." I sold it to him on the condition that I should keep on riding it till I reached Al-Madeenah. Then, I said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! I am a bridegroom," and requested him to allow me to go home. He ﷺ allowed me, and I set out for Al-Madeenah before the people till I reached Al-Madeenah, where I met my uncle, who asked me about the camel and I informed him all about it and he blamed me for that. When I took the permission of Allah's Messenger ﷺ, he asked me whether I had married a virgin or a matron and I replied that I had married a matron. He ﷺ said, "Why had not you married a virgin who would have played with you, and you would have played with her?" I replied, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! My father died (or was martyred) and I have some young sisters, so I felt it not proper that I should marry a young girl like them who would neither teach them manners nor serve them. So, I have married a matron so that she may serve them and teach them manners." When Allah's Messenger ﷺ arrived in Al-Madeenah, I took the camel to him the next morning and he gave me its price and gave me the camel itself as well.
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Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ was keenly considerate of his Companions’ different conditions, at times of ease and hardship, and in happiness and sadness. He ﷺ would console the distressed, help those in need, rejoice at their happiness, and advise every person with what best suited his situation.
In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah(may Allah be pleased with them) related that he was with the Prophet ﷺ once on a journey back to Al-Madeenah – it was said that this incident took place during the conquest of Makkah - and he was riding a slow camel. The Arabic word used in the hadeeth is Naadih, meaning a camel used to carry water for drinking or irrigation. The Prophet ﷺpassed by him while he was in this condition, his camel exhausted and almost unable to walk any farther. The Prophet ﷺ asked, "What is wrong with the camel?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied that he was late due to his slow camel. He ﷺ beat the slow camel with a stick or whip, urging it to move faster, and supplicated Allah, Exalted is He, to grant it strength and blessing. The camel surpassed the others thenceforth, leading the way (by the blessing of the Prophet ﷺ). He ﷺasked me, "How do you find your camel (now)?"  He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "I find it quite well, now as it has received your blessings."
He ﷺasked Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him) to sell him this camel, and he (may Allah be pleased with him) felt shy and replied, "It is (a gift) for you, O Allah's Messenger ﷺ,” although it was his only camel. He (may Allah be pleased with him) agreed to sell it to the Prophet ﷺon the condition that he (may Allah be pleased with him) should keep on riding it till they reached Al-Madeenah.
Afterward, Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him) informed the Prophet ﷺ that he was a bridegroom, and this highlights his merits, for he (may Allah be pleased with him) partook in Jihaad despite being a newlywed! He (may Allah be pleased with him) sought permission to go faster to his bride. When he (may Allah be pleased with him) reached Al-Madeenah, he met his maternal uncle, named Tha‘labah ibn Ghanamah, who asked about the camel and found out that he had sold it to the Prophet ﷺ. When he (may Allah be pleased with him) informed him all about it, he blamed him for that, because Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him) had no other camel to carry water thereon. When he (may Allah be pleased with him) sought the Prophet’s permission to go ahead of them, he ﷺ asked him whether he (may Allah be pleased with him) had married a virgin or a previously married woman. He (may Allah be pleased with him) informed the Prophet ﷺ that he had married a matron, meaning a previously married woman, and her name was SuhaylahbintMu‘awwdh Al-Awsiyyah(may Allah be pleased with her). The Prophet ﷺ asked, "Why have you not married a virgin who would have played with you, and you would have played with her?" The Prophet ﷺ was asking him about the reason for choosing to marry a previously married woman rather than a virgin, who would most likely be more emotionally attached to her first husband, encouraging her to strive in making him happy and the like of good qualities that warrants the preference of marrying a virgin to a matron. Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him) told him that his father was martyred in the Battle of Uhud, and left young sisters under his guardianship, and they needed someone to take care of them and tend to their needs. He (may Allah be pleased with him) believed that a virgin would not be able to shoulder such a task. He (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I felt it not proper that I should marry a young girl like them who would neither teach them manners nor serve them.” Therefore, he (may Allah be pleased with him) decided to marry a matron, an experienced woman to look after and raise them properly.
When the Prophet ﷺ reached Al-Madeenah, Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him) went to the mosque with the camel and he ﷺ gave him the price, the camel itself, and his share of the spoils of war like the others, as recorded in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree. This reflects the Prophet’s gracious generosity with his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
The hadeeth highlights the Prophet’s gracious humbleness and kindness with his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), checking on them and serving their best interests.
It underlines the virtues of Jaabir(may Allah be pleased with him), his compassion towards his sisters, and putting their best interests first before his own.
It is also inferred from the hadeeth that a woman should take care of her husband’s family and tend to the needs of his siblings (dependents)..

2974
Tha‘labah ibn Abee Maalik Al-Quradhee narrated:
When Qays ibn Sa‘d Al-Ansaaree, who used to carry the flag of the Prophet ﷺ, intended to perform Hajj, he combed his hair.
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Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ was a great commander, and he used to divide the army into coherent groups and used to assign a flag or banner for each people or tribe to fight beneath, teaching Muslims the organization of worldly affairs related to war and politics, as he ﷺ taught us our religious matters and worshipful acts, such as prayer, Zakat, Hajj, and the like.
In this hadeeth, Tha‘labah ibn AbeeMaalik Al-Quradhee (scholars held different opinions as to whether or not he was a Companion) narrated that when Qays ibn Sa‘d Al-Ansaaree(may Allah be pleased with him), who used to carry the flag of the Prophet ﷺ assigned to the tribe of Khazraj from the Ansaar, intended to perform Hajj, he combed his hair. The flag here refers to the banner of the army’s division. It was said that the banner was the sign of the commander that followed him wherever he went on the battlefield. The Prophet ﷺ used to assign a flag or banner to the chief of each tribe. The banner of the emigrants was assigned to ‘Alee (may Allah be pleased with him) and the banner of the Ansaar was assigned to Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubaadah, and his son Qays(may Allah be pleased with them) held it after him. Whenever Qays(may Allah be pleased with him) wanted to perform Hajj, he (may Allah be pleased with him) cleaned and combed his hair, before assuming Ihraam (i.e., ritual state of consecration), to keep his hair kempt for the longest period of time.
The version compiled by Al-Bayhaqee in Al-Sunan Al-Kubraa and Al-Tabaraanee reads: “He (may Allah be pleased with him) combed his hair on one side of his head; a young boy stood and copied him. Qays(may Allah be pleased with him) noticed that his example had been followed; he assumed Ihraam without combing the rest of his hair,” to avoid unbecoming luxury, since unkemptness is preferred for a person in a state of Ihraam. His servant’s act (i.e., copying him) does not count as a deed on his part, yet the two scenarios are possible; he may have commanded his young servant to copy him or chosen to do so out of prudence and mindfulness of Allah, Exalted is He.
The hadeeth underlines the virtues of Qays ibn Sa‘d(may Allah be pleased with him).
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible to comb one’s hair before assuming Ihraam.
It is inferred therefrom that it is allowable to use flags and banners in war..

2989
Narrated AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him):
Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "There is a (required) Sadaqah (i.e., charity) to be given for every joint of the human body (as a sign of gratitude to Allah) every day the sun rises. To judge justly between two persons is regarded as Sadaqah, and to help a man concerning his riding animal by helping him ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, is also regarded as Sadaqah, and (saying) a good word is also Sadaqah, and every step taken on one's way to offer the obligatory prayer (in the mosque) is also Sadaqah and to remove a harmful thing from the way is also Sadaqah.”
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Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, decreed that all acts of goodness a person performs to fulfill his own rights over himself in terms of worship, and the rights of others in terms of acts of kindness, should be counted as Sadaqah (i.e., charity) as an expression of gratitude to Allah, Exalted is He, for health and wellbeing.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ stated that there is a (compulsory) Sadaqah to be given for every joint of the human body (as a sign of gratitude to Allah, Exalted is He) every day the sun rises, by performing acts of obedience and righteous deeds every day. This is done by using these joints in performing acts of obedience and worship. The bone structure of the human body is one of the greatest blessings bestowed by Allah, Exalted is He, upon His servant. Therefore, one should offer Sadaqah for each joint in his body to express gratitude to Allah, Exalted is He, for such a blessing. However, it is not incumbent to do so; it is adequate for a person to carry out the obligations and avoid the prohibitions.
Afterward, the Prophet ﷺ listed some acts of obedience that are counted as Sadaqah, which one may perform to express gratitude to Allah, Exalted is He, for the blessing of his joints. He ﷺ stated: “To judge justly between two persons is regarded as Sadaqah,” or reconcile between disputing people. Reconciliation is a good act, yet if he knew that one of them was rightfully entitled to the disputed item or right, he must establish justice. Another example of Sadaqah is to help a man concerning his riding animal, or any other means of transportation, by helping him ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it. The Arabic word used in the hadeeth is Akheeh, lit., his brother, and it refers to one’s fellow Muslims in general, since all Muslims are brothers in faith. A Muslim is required to wish for his fellow Muslims what he wishes for himself, and exchange with them acts of kindness and charity. Another example listed in the hadeeth is good speech, in fulfillment of the rights of Allah, Exalted is He, such as Tasbeeh (i.e., saying 'SubhaanAllaah,’ Glory be to Allah), Takbeer (i.e., saying ‘Allaahu Akbar,’ Allah is the Greatest), and Tahleel (i.e., saying 'La ilaahaillaAllaah,’ none is worthy of worship but Allah), or in fulfillment of people’s rights such as embodying good morals in one’s interactions with people. Another example is every step taken on one's way to offer the compulsory prayer (in the mosque), regardless of the distance, and to remove harmful objects from the people’s way.
It was narrated on the authority of AbooDharr(may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “… and two Rak‘ahs which one prays in the forenoon will suffice.” [Muslim]. This means that performing the Duhaa prayer is sufficient asSadaqah for each joint, because the prayer is performed by the whole body and it incorporates all the listed acts of Sadaqah and more.
The hadeeth underlines the numerosity of the acts of goodness and obedience that count as Sadaqah devoted to Allah, Exalted is He.
It urges Muslims to perform acts of obedience regularly.
It also underlines the grace of Allah, Exalted is He, conferred upon His servants by guiding them to perform righteous deeds and then rewarding them for them. .

2990
 ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated:
Allah's Messenger ﷺ forbade people from traveling to a hostile country carrying (copies of) the Quran..

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ taught his nation to pursue good in all their affairs, and an example of this is urging Muslims to honor and preserve the Quran and protect it from any form of harm or whatever undermines its sanctity.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ forbade Muslims from traveling to a hostile country carrying written copies of the Quran. The wisdom behind the prohibition is the fear that enemies may disrespect it or violate its sanctity. In the version recorded by Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ said: “lest the enemy should seize it,” and violate its sanctity. .

2991
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Prophetﷺ reached Khaybar in the morning, while people were coming out carrying their spades over their shoulders. When they saw him, they said, "This is Muhammad and his army! Muhammad and his army!" So, they took refuge in the fort. The Prophetﷺraised both his hands and said, "Allahu Akbar, Khaybar is ruined, for when we approach a nation (i.e., enemy to fight) then miserable is the morning of the warned ones." Then we found some donkeys which we (killed and) cooked: The announcer of the Prophetﷺ announced: "Allah, Exalted is He, and His Messenger ﷺ forbid you to eat donkey's meat." So, all the pots including their contents were turned upside down.
.

Commentary :
The conquest of Khaybar took place in 7 A.H. between Muslims and Jews. Khayber was a village inhabited by Jews and located (153 km) away from Al-Madeenah to the north on the route to Damascus. The Jews gathered therein, so the Prophet ﷺ wanted to secure Al-Madeenah from their evil.
In this hadeeth, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophetﷺ reached Khaybar in the morning, while its people were coming out carrying their spades (and ploughs) over their shoulders, on the way to their farms. When they saw the Prophet ﷺ, they said, "This is Muhammad and his army! Muhammad and his army!" The Arabic word used in the hadeeth isKhamees, meaning army, which consists of five divisions:  front, rear, left, right, and center. So, they took refuge in the fort. The Prophetﷺraised both his hands and said, "Allahu Akbar, Khaybar is ruined, for when we approach a nation (i.e., enemy to fight) then miserable is the morning of the warned ones,” the Prophet ﷺ repeated it thrice, being upbeat and optimistic about conquering Khaybar, seeing the spades and ploughs. During this battle, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) seized some domestic donkeys, which were used by farmers for cultivation and as riding mounts. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) slaughtered these donkeys and cooked their meat without the knowledge and permission of the Prophet ﷺ. When he ﷺ knew of it, the announcer of the Prophetﷺ announced: "Allah, Exalted is He, and His Messenger ﷺ forbid you from eating donkey's meat." Immediately, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) complied and refrained from eating such meat; all the pots including their contents were turned upside down, in compliance with the Prophet’s command.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is prohibited to eat the meat of domestic donkeys.
It is also inferred therefrom that it is allowable to recite Takbeer (i.e., saying ‘Allaahu Akbar,’ Allah is the Greatest) when Muslims are blessed with victory and conquest.
The hadeeth highlights the Companions’ immediate compliance with the Prophet’s commands and prohibitions..

2993
Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
Whenever we went up a place we would say, "Allahu--Akbar (i.e., Allah is the Greatest)", and whenever we went down a place we would say, "Subhan Allah (i.e., Glory be to Allah).”
.

Commentary :
It is becoming of a Muslim to mention Allah, Exalted is He, constantly and evoke the Greatness of his Lord in all his conditions and at all times. The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did so. In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah(may Allah be pleased with him) stated that whenever they went upwards on their way, they would say, "Allahu Akbar (i.e., Allah is the Greatest)," and whenever they went downwards, they would say, "Subhaan Allah (i.e., Glory be to Allah).” This is because reciting Takbeer is suitable to ascending to an elevated place, to remind oneself that Allah, Exalted is He, is the Most Hight and Greatest, and to evoke His Kibriyaa’ (Pride/Grandeur), and Tasbeehis suitable for descending to a lower place, to remind oneself of the fact that Allah, Exalted is He, is Free of all aspects of imperfection, because He is the Most High and the Greatest and also because Tasbeeh means deeming Allah, Exalted is He, above all aspects of imperfection and attributes of lowliness. It was also said that reciting Tasbeeh when passing through valleys and lower places is inferred from the story of Prophet Yunus (Jonah). Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {And had he not been of those who exalt Allah. * He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected.} [Quran 37:143-144]. Allah, Exalted is He, rescued him as a reward for reciting Tasbeeh inside the whale’s belly. The Prophet ﷺ followed his example and recited Tasbeeh while passing through the valleys, imploring Allah, Exalted is He, to rescue (and safeguard) him (from any potential harm). .

2996
IbraaheemAbooIsma‘eel Al-Saksakee narrated:
I heard AbooBurdah who accompanied Yazeed ibn AbeeKabshah on a journey. Yazeed used to observe fasting on journeys. AbooBurdah said to him, "I heard AbooMoosaa several times saying that Allah's Messenger ﷺ had said, 'When a servant of Allah falls ill or travels, he will get reward similar to that he gets for good deeds practiced at home when in good health."
.

Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, favors His pious servants with more rewards for their good deeds in different circumstances, at times of good health and sickness, and in free time and at times of preoccupation.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi‘ee (Follower) IbraaheemAbooIsma‘eel Al-Saksakee narrated that AbooBurdah ibn AbooMoosaa Al-Ash‘aree and Yazeed ibn AbeeKabshah, who were Taabi‘een (Followers) as well, went on a journey with him. Yazeed used to observe fasting on journeys. AbooBurdah said to him, "I heard AbooMoosaa Al-Ash‘aree(may Allah be pleased with him) several times saying that Allah's Messenger ﷺ had said, 'When a servant of Allah falls ill or travels, he will get reward similar to what he gets for good deeds practiced at home when in good health.’” This means that whoever used to perform any given worshipful act or good deed, such as voluntary prayer, fasting, and the like, regularly and then happened to travel or fall sick and this prevented him from these deeds, Allah, Exalted is He, shall grant him rewards equal to them.
It was said that this also applies to the obligatory worshipful acts as well; when a Muslim is unable to perform some or all of them due to sickness, Allah, Exalted is He, shall grant him equal rewards for such worshipful acts. When a sick person performs the obligatory prayer while sitting down because he is unable to pray while standing, he earns equal rewards to the one who performs the prayer in a standing position.
The hadeeth highlights the great grace bestowed by Allah, Exalted is He, on His servants.
It also underlines the virtues of performing voluntary (and obligatory) worshipful acts and good deeds while being in good health and in his residence (not travelling) to earn equal rewards whenever he travels or falls sick (and becomes unable to perform them)..

2998
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated on the authority of the Prophetﷺ the following Hadeeth (No. 242). The Prophetﷺ said, "If people (only) knew what I know about traveling alone, then nobody would travel alone at night."
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Commentary :
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ warns against travelling and walking alone at night. He ﷺ stated that if people knew what he ﷺ knew about the risks and harms that may befall a person when traveling or riding his mount alone at night, nobody would travel alone at night. This statement aims to discourage Muslims from traveling or walking alone at night.It imperils a person to the danger of being robbed, and were he to die during such a time, there would be no one to wash and shroud his dead body and perform the funeral prayer over him. It is also possible that the Prophet ﷺ said so out of his fear and compassion for the one traveling or walking alone at night lest he should be harmed by the devils, for they come out at night and may harm people by taking human form, scaring them, or targeting them with their whisperings. .

3004
Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated on the authority of the Prophetﷺ the following Hadeeth (No. 242). The Prophetﷺ said, "If people (only) knew what I know about traveling alone, then nobody would travel alone at night."
.

Commentary :
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ warns against travelling and walking alone at night. He ﷺ stated that if people knew what he ﷺ knew about the risks and harms that may befall a person when traveling or riding his mount alone at night, nobody would have travelled alone at night. This statement aims to discourage Muslims from traveling or walking alone at night.It imperils a person to the danger of being robbed, and were he to die during such time, there would be no one to wash and shroud his dead body and perform the funeral prayer over him. It is also possible that the Prophet ﷺ said so out of his fear and compassion for the one traveling or walking alone at night, lest he should be harmed by the devils, for they come out at night and may harm people by taking human form, scaring them, or targeting them with their whisperings. .

3005
Aboo Basheer Al-Ansaaree(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he was in the company of Allah's Messenger ﷺon some of his journeys. (The sub-narrator ‘Abdullaah adds, "I think that Aboo Basheer (may Allah be pleased with him) also said, 'And the people were at their sleeping places.") Allah's Messenger ﷺ sent a messenger ordering: "There shall not remain any necklace of string or any other kind of necklace round the necks of camels except it is cut off."
.

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ was compassionate and kind towards people; he ﷺ commanded them to do whatever would benefit them with regard to their religious and worldly affairs and corrected their erroneous actions to which they were accustomed and which would undermine their beliefs or worldly benefits.
In this hadeeth, AbooBasheer Al-Ansaaree(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he was in the company of Allah's Messenger ﷺon one of his journeys. People were at their sleeping places and tents. Allah's Messenger ﷺ sent a messenger, i.e., his freed slave Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him), commanding them that there shall not remain any necklace of string or any other kind of necklace round the necks of camels except it is cut off.
These necklaces referred to the bells, horseshoes, and the like, and strings were similar toa bow’s strings, which were attached to the camels’ necks (used as amulets) to ward off envy and the evil eye. They were commanded to cut off these necklaces and strings, because they can neither avert nor hinder the decrees of Allah, Exalted is He. It was also said that he ﷺ forbade attaching such strings to the animals’ necks, because they are harmed by them; they may get attached to trees or the like and cause the poor animal to suffocate and die, and they may also suffocate the animal when running extremely fast; or because they attached bells to them. AbooHurayrah(may Allah be pleased with him)narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “The angels do not go along with a travelling company in which there is a dog or a bell.” [Muslim].
The hadeeth urges Muslims to perfect their belief in Tawheed (i.e., unique Oneness of Allah, Exalted is He) and eliminate all traces of Shirk (i.e., associating partners with Allah) and all means leading to it..

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.".

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, Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned a group who would be among his Ummah, meaning the Ummah of those who became Muslims. They are Muslims and would emerge at a time of dissension and discord arising among the Muslims. "Their distinctive mark would be shaven heads", i.e., one of their distinguishing signs is that they shave their heads and remove their hair, or the hair of their heads in particular. This indicates their renouncement of worldly embellishments. They are the most evil creatures, or he said: "among the worst creatures". This is because they are the people who cause evil and corruption among the people in the land. When fighting between them and the people broke out, the closer group to the truth among the two conflicting groups would kill them. Their first emergence occurred during the caliphate of ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him), and he, along with those with him, fought against them.
"The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave an example of them, or he said, "meaning that he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) likened them, with regard to their departure from the religion, to a man who shoots an arrow at the prey. "Or he said: at the target", i.e., the object shot at, which includes prey and other things. When he throws an arrow at the prey and examines the arrowhead - which is the sharpened, pointed, solid tip of the arrow - he finds no trace of blood on it. Then, the archer examines it more carefully so that he may find what he seeks. So, he looks at the body and finds no trace of blood. And he looks at "the grip", in which the bowstring is placed, and does not find any trace of blood. So, they come out of the religion like a fast arrow that hits the prey, enters it, and comes out so fast that no trace from the prey can stick to it, given its incredible speed. Likewise, they quickly enter the religion and adopt an approach of strictness in it, and they do not take anything from it; instead, they are quick to depart from it.
Abu Sa‘īd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "And you killed them, O people of Iraq", referring to the battle of Nahrawān, 38 A.H., in which ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) fought and defeated them.
The Hadīth contains one of the signs of the Prophet's prophethood, as he informed us about the trials that would take place after his death, which happened as he told.
It warns against following the misguided group(s) that is out of the fold of Islam.
It also demonstrates the distinguishing signs and marks of the Kharijites..

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..