| Hadiths

Bukhari Hadiths 1356
Muslim Hadiths 558

Hadith

2189

Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Prophet ﷺforbade the selling of fruits before they are ripe, and none of them should be sold except for Dinar or Dirham (i.e., money), except the ‘Arayah trees (, the dates of which could be sold for dates).
.

Commentary :
Preventing cheating in sales and avoiding potential disputes between the sellers and the buyers are among the objectives of theLaws of Islam. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ forbade some sales that could lead to cheating and deception, or cause potential disputes between the buyers and sellers.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ forbade selling only the unpicked fruits or dates (rather than the fruits and trees altogether) before they appear fully ripe and ready for consumption, by becomingred or yellow or showing any other sign of ripeness. This is because when the fruits ripen, they become safe from potential loss or defects due to pests that may destroy or reduce the yield. In fact, the prohibition of such a sales transaction serves the best interests of both the buyer and seller. It benefits the seller, because the price paid for the unripe fruits is lower; he could sell them for a higher price if he waited until they are fully ripe. Therefore, hastening to sell the unripe crops may cause him to miss out on obtaining more earnings, and hastening to make small profits (rather than waiting to make big ones) implies a waste of wealth. Moreover, the unripe fruits may go bad and spoil before they ripen, and thus a seller would have unlawfully devoured the wealth of his Muslim brother. It also benefits the buyer, because when he buys the unripe fruits, he may lose his money if the quality of the purchased fruits turns out to be less than what was expected, and thus he would be risking the loss of his money. In addition, there is another benefit accruing to both parties, for the prohibition of this sale eliminates potential disputes and discord that may be caused between them were the sold fruits to go bad and spoil.
The Prophet ﷺ also forbade the sale of dates, after they appear ripe and ready for consumption, for dates. Rather, dates should be sold for Dinar, Dirham, or other trade goods, to avoid falling into Ribaa Al-Fadhl (i.e., excess charged in the event of a barter of specific homogenous commodities of different quality or quantity). It involves the sale of gold for gold, silver for silver, or food for food with excess, and it is deemed prohibited as per the laws of Islam with regard to six categories of commodity, as recorded in Saheeh Muslim. TheProphet ﷺ said: “Gold may be paid for by gold, silver by silver, wheat by wheat, barley by barley, dates by dates, salt by salt, like by like, provided that the payment is made hand to hand. If the exchanged commodities are dissimilar, sell as you wish as long as the payment is made on the spot.”
The Prophet ﷺ later deemed allowable one form of this sale, namely Bay‘ Al-‘Ariyyah or ‘Araayaa (i.e., a sale of unpicked and unripe fruits, usually dates, for an estimated measure of picked and ripe fruits on the ground based on dry measurement). It is a sale whereby the owner of an orchard grants a poor person, who has no palm trees of his own nor cash to buy fresh dates for his household consumption, the (fresh) dates of his palm tree in return for a payment of surplus dry dates. It is a barter of the owner’s fresh dates of one or two palm trees for instance, for an estimated weight of surplus dry dates provided by the poor person, to avail himself of fresh dates like those who could afford buying them. This transaction was deemed allowable because some people had no palm trees or money during the season of fresh dates and wished to feed their dependents therefrom. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ gave them that legal concession, to conduct the sale of ‘Arayah for an estimated weight of dry dates, provided that they were less than five Wasaqs, as narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, and the Wasaq equaled 60 Saa‘s.
The hadeeth highlights how Islam promotes ease and facilitation and eliminates inconvenience for people.

.

2191

Sahl ibn Abee Hathmah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
Allah's Messenger ﷺ forbade the sale of fruits (fresh dates) for dry dates but allowed the sale of fruits on the ‘Ariyyah by estimation and their new owners might eat their fresh dates. Sufyaan (in another narration) said, "I told Yahyaa (a sub-narrator) when I was a mere boy, people of Makkah used to say that the Prophet ﷺ allowed them to conduct the sale of ‘Ariyyah by estimation.' Yahyaa asked, 'How did the people of Makkah know about it?' I replied, 'They narrated it (from the Prophet ﷺ) on the authority of Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him).' On that, Yahyaa kept quiet." Sufyaan said, "I meant that Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) from the people of Al-Madeenah." Sufyaan was asked whether or not there was a reference in Jaabir's narration any prohibition of selling fruits before their benefit is evident (i.e., they become fully ripen and free of any dangers of being spoilt or blighted). He replied that there was none..

Commentary :
Preventing cheating in sales and avoiding potential disputes between the sellers and the buyers are among the objectives of the Laws of Islam. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ forbade some sales that could lead to cheating and deception, or cause potential disputes between buyers and sellers.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ forbade selling only unpicked dates for an estimated equivalent weight of dry dates, known as the Muzaabanah sale (i.e., a sale that involves the exchange of fresh fruits for dry ones, where the quantity of the dry fruits is actually known, by precise measurement, but the quantity of the fresh fruits to be handed over in exchange is estimated while they are in their unpicked state on trees), but excluded one form of such a sale known as Bay‘ Al-‘Ariyyah (i.e., a sale of unpicked and unripe fruits, usually dates, for an estimated amount of picked and ripe fruits on the ground based on dry measurement). It is a sale whereby a poor person buys the unpicked dates of palm trees, after they appear to be ripe and ready for consumption, to eat therefrom whenever he wishes, in return for an estimated payment of dry dates on the ground. This transaction was deemed allowable because some people had no palm trees of their own, or money during the season of fresh dates, and they wished to feed their dependents therefrom.The Prophet ﷺ gave them that legal concession out of his compassion to them. He ﷺ deemed it allowable to conduct this form of that sale for an estimation of their equal weight of dry dates, provided they were less than five Wasaqs, as narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim.A Wasaq equaled 60 Saa‘s.
‘Alee ibn ‘Abdullah - one of the narrators of the hadeeth - told them that Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah narrated this hadeeth to them with two different wordings conveying the same meaning. Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah reported that he said to Yahyaa ibn Sa’eed Al-Ansaaree what had happened with him when he was a little boy, to indicate that he started seeking knowledge at a very young age, and that as a young seeker of knowledge used to debate and discuss with his teachers. Sufyaan said: “People of Makkah used to say that the Prophet ﷺ allowed for them the sale of ‘Arayaa (trees) by estimation.” Yahyaa asked about the supportive hadeeth text on which they relied in this regard, 'How did the people of Makkah know about it?' Sufyaan replied that they narrated such a hadeeth on the authority of Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah Al-Ansaaree(may Allah be pleased with him). On that, Yahyaa kept quiet. In fact, Sufyaan made mention of the narrator of this hadeeth because he, i.e., Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him), belonged to the people of Al-Madeenah. Thus, he underlined that the supportive hadeeth was narrated by the people of Al-Madeenah. The difference between the narration reported by Yahyaa ibn Sa’eed and that reported by the people of Makkah was that Yahyaa ibn Sa’eed limited the relevant legal concession in Bay‘ Al-‘Araayaa to estimation without weighing or measuring, and that the buyer must eat the dates fresh. As for the narration reported on the authority of Sufyaan from the people of Makkah, it did not specify such conditions, and indicated that Bay‘ Al-‘Araayaa was deemed allowable without any of these restrictions or conditions. Yahyaa could have said to Sufyaan that the people of Al-Madeenah held that such-and-such restrictions or conditions were stipulated; therefore,that which is general should be made subject to that which is restricted and specific i.e., applying a specific requirement on that which is general. The specification of the condition of estimation without weighing or measuring in the relevant narration is based on an addition made by a narrator, judged as Haafith (i.e., a title, lit. memorizer of hadeeth, awarded to a Hadeeth scholar after he had memorized thousands of hadeeths along with their chains of narration) by Hadeeth scholars, and therefore is essentially approved.Overall, the most likely correct opinion regarding the specification of being eaten fresh is that it is not a condition for the validity of this sale transaction but was rather mentioned to describe their actual situation.
Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah was asked whether or not there was any reference to the prohibition of selling fruits before their benefit is evident (i.e., becoming fully ripe) in Jaabir's narration, and he replied that there was none, meaning that the hadeeth did not state the prohibition of selling fruits before they ripen and become ready for consumption, although this is true according to another version of that hadeeth reported by other narrators.
.

2193

Zayd ibn Thaabit (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "During the lifetime of Allah's Messenger ﷺ, people used to trade with fruits. When they cut their date-fruits and the purchasers came to receive their rights, a seller would say, 'My dates have gone bad and got rotten; they are blighted with diseases, or afflicted with Qushaam (i.e., a disease which causes the fruit to fall before ripening).' People used to go on complaining of defects in their purchases. Therefore, Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "Do not sell the fruits before their benefit is evident (i.e., they appear to be fully ripe and free of any dangers of being spoilt or blighted), by way of advice, for they disputed too much." [Another version of the hadeeth reads: Zayd ibn Thaabit (may Allah be pleased with him) used not to sell the fruits of his land till Pleiades appeared and one could distinguish the yellow (unripe) fruits from the red (fully ripe) ones..

Commentary : Preventing cheating in sales and avoiding potential disputes between buyers and sellers are among the objectives of the Laws of Islam. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ forbade some sales that could lead to cheating and deception, or cause potential disputes between the two parties.
In this hadeeth, Narrated Zayd ibn Thaabit (may Allah be pleased with him) that people during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ used to sell the unpicked fruits or dates before they were fully ripe and ready for consumption, as judged by showing signs of ripeness in terms of color or shape. When they cut their date-fruits and the purchasers came to receive their rights, the seller would say, 'My dates have gone rotten, they are blighted with such-and-such diseases; they are afflicted with Qushaam (i.e., a disease which causes the fruit to fall before ripening).' Therefore, when their disputes increased, Allah's Messenger ﷺ forbade selling fruits before their benefit is evident (i.e., they appear to be fully ripe, by means of color or shape or any other sign of ripeness. Then, the fruits would be safe from being spoilt or blighted with pests that may destroy or reduce the yield).
As for his saying, “Do not sell …,” it means that it is prohibited to sell the fruits except after these signs of ripeness are evident.
His saying, “by way of advice, for they disputed too much,” means that they were urged to refrain from buying any unpicked fruits until the whole yield was fully ripe, to avoid potential disputes. It was said that this was an interpretation made by some reporters of the hadeeth and was not part of the Prophet’s saying. This might have been the case in the beginning, and afterward the Prophet ﷺ decisively and explicitly forbade such sales. It was narrated on the authority of Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ forbade the sale of dates until they become fully ripe, as recorded in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim.
Zayd ibn Thaabit (may Allah be pleased with him) used to act upon this prohibition; he (may Allah be pleased with him) did not sell the fruits of his palm trees till Pleiades appeared, marking the beginning of summer, when the wheatear became hot in Hijaaz and fruits became fully ripe. The Laws of Islam-approved criterion is the ripeness of the dates and the appearance of the Pleiades was a mere sign of the season of such ripeness.
.

2198

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah's Messengerﷺ forbade the sale of fruits till they are almost ripe. He (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked what is meant by 'are almost ripe.' He (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, "Till they become red." Allah's Messenger ﷺ further said, "If Allah caused the fruits to go bad and spoil, what right would one have to take the money of his fellow Muslim brother (i.e., the buyer)?"
.

2201

Aboo Sa’eed Al-Khudree and Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated:
Allah's Messenger ﷺ appointed somebody as a governor of Khaybar. That governor brought to him an excellent kind of dates (from Khaybar). The Prophet ﷺasked, "Are all the dates of Khaybar like this (i.e., in terms of quality)?" He replied, "By Allah, no, O Allah's Messengerﷺ! But we barter one Saa‘ of this (type of dates) for two Saa‘s of dates of ours and two Saa‘s of it for three of ours." Allah's Messengerﷺ said, "Do not do so (as that is a kind of Ribaa) but sell the mixed dates (of inferior quality) for money, and then buy fine (high-quality) dates with that money."
.

Commentary : Allah, Exalted is He, has permitted for His servants to earn their living by trade, but deemed Ribaa (i.e., interest, usury) prohibited. Hence, the Prophet ﷺ forbade some commercial transactions lest Muslims should fall into Ribaa, directly or indirectly.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Sa’eed Al-Khudree and Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ appointed Sawaad ibn Ghaziyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) as the governor for Khaybar, a northern area of Al-Madeenah where the fortresses of the Jews were located, and it was conquered after the Pact of Al-Hudaybiyyah on the first of Muharram 7 A.H. Sawaad (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet ﷺ with “Janeeb dates”, high-quality dates, and it was also said that the hadeeth rather referred to Sulb dates. The Prophet ﷺ asked him: "Are all the dates of Khaybar like this (i.e., in terms of quality)?" The man said: “No, Allah, O Messenger of Allah, but we barter one Saa‘ of Janeeb dates for two Saa‘s of dates of ours and two Saa‘s of Janeeb dates for three of ours,” meaning that they exchanged one Saa‘of Janeeb dates for two Saa‘s of low-quality dates, and two Saa‘s of Janeeb dates for three Saa‘s of low-quality dates. The Prophet ﷺ forbade him from doing so and commanded him instead to sell the low-quality dates for Dirhams, and then buy with his money the Janeeb dates, to be done in two separate sale transactions, to avoid falling into Ribaa Al-Fadhl (i.e., excess charged in the event of a barter of specific homogenous commodities of different quality or quantity).
It was deemed prohibited as per the laws of Islam with regard to six categories of commodity, as recorded in Saheeh Muslim. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Gold may be paid for by gold, silver by silver, wheat by wheat, barley by barley, dates by dates, salt by salt, like by like, provided that the payment is made hand to hand. If the exchanged commodities are dissimilar, sell as you wish as long as the payment is made on the spot.”
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is prohibited to take excess of weight or measure in an exchange of a homogenous commodity of a different quality or quantity.
It also highlights that when the Prophet ﷺ forbade something that had lawful alternatives, he ﷺ used to refer to such alternatives.
It is also inferred from the hadeeth that ignorance of a prohibition warrants pardon until one obtains knowledge of it.
.

2207

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him):
Allah's Messengerﷺforbade Muhaaqalah (i.e., a sale in which grains in ears are sold for dry (processed) grain), Mukhaadharah (i.e., the sale of the unripe crops), Mulaamasah (i.e., a sale which become binding on seller if he just touches the object), Munaabadhah (i.e., a sale which is considered complete if one party just throw his garment to another party), and Muzaabanah (i.e., a sale of fresh fruit for an estimated equivalent weight of dried fruit)..

Commentary :
Islam came to eradicate the evil traces of the pre-Islamic era and forbid the sales that contravened the Laws of Islam, involved injustice, and yielded no benefits.
In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) underlined that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade the Muhaaqalah sale, which was the sale of wheat while still in its ear in return for a certain known measure of wheat.
He ﷺ also forbade Mukhaadarah, which referred to the sale of crops before they become ripe and ready for consumption.
He ﷺ also forbade Mulaamasah, which referred to a way of selling practiced before Islam whereby a buyer purchased clothes or otherwise without seeing it properly with the condition that he was disentitled to annul the sale after properly seeing the purchased commodity; whenever he touched it, the sale became binding.
He ﷺalso forbade Munaabadhah, which is an Arabic word derived from the root ‘Na-ba-dha’, denoting throwing. It refers to a way of selling practiced before Islam, whereby a buyer said to a seller, ‘I shall buy whatever garment you throw at me for such-and-such a price”.Thus, throwing the commodity at the buyer became the seller’s consent to conclude the purchase, and the buyer became obliged to buy it.
He ﷺ also forbade Muzaabanah, which is a transaction whereby an owner of fruit trees sold his fruit for an estimated equivalent weight of the dried fruit, such as palm fruit for dates or grapes for raisins. The Prophet ﷺ deemed such transactions forbidden, but excluded one form known as Bay‘ Al-‘Ariyyah (i.e., a sale of unpicked and unripe fruits, usually dates, for an estimated weight of picked and ripe fruit on the ground based on dry measurement).
It was reported that Zayd ibn Thaabit (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet ﷺ gave a legal concession in case of the ‘Ariyyah sale, selling dry dates for fresh ones after measuring them out.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim].
This refers to a sale whereby the owner of an orchard grants a poor person, who has no palm trees of his own nor cash to buy fresh dates for his household consumption, the (fresh) dates of his palm tree in return for a payment of surplus dry dates made by the poor person. It is a barter of the owner’s fresh dates of one or two palm trees, for instance, for an estimated weight of surplus dates that the poor person had left, to avail himself of the fresh dates like those who could afford to buy them. The Prophet ﷺ gave a legal concession to conduct the sale of ‘Arayah for an estimated weight of dry dates, provided that they were less than five Wasaqs, as narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, and the Wasaq equaled 60 Saa‘s.
The hadeeth forbade a number of sales and financial transactions that involved Gharar (i.e., risk and uncertainty) and ambiguity.
.

2212

Hishaam ibn ‘Urwah narrated on the authority of his father, who heard ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) saying, "Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {And whoever, [when acting as guardian], is self-sufficient should refrain [from taking a fee]; and whoever is poor - let him take according to what is acceptable.} [Quran 4:6] This ayah was revealed concerning the guardian of the orphans who looks after them and favorably manages their financial affairs. If such guardian is poor, he may avail himself of the orphan’s wealth within what is just and reasonable, (according to his work).
.

Commentary : Since an (underage) orphan is unable to manage his own financial affairs, it is prescribed to appoint a guardian to shoulder that task on his behalf, to dispose of his financial (and legal) affairs and preserve his wealth. Allah, Exalted is He, commanded the guardian of the orphan to preserve the orphan’s wealth. The Laws of Islam also forbade the guardian from substituting (his) worthless items of wealth for the good and superior items of wealth owned by the orphan under his guardianship.
In this hadeeth,the Mother of Believers ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) explained the meaning of the ayah that reads (what means): {And whoever, [when acting as guardian], is self-sufficient should refrain [from taking a fee]; and whoever is poor - let him take according to what is acceptable.} [Quran 4:6].She (may Allah be pleased with her) stated that it was revealed regarding the orphan's guardian who is entrusted with taking care of him, tending to his needs, and preserving and managing his wealth. The ayah means that if a guardian of an orphan, whose father died before he reached puberty, has personal wealth to fulfill his own needs and dispense with the orphan’s wealth, i.e., not taking fees in return for managing the orphan’s financial affairs on his behalf, he should do so and graciously refrain from taking fees. However, if the guardian is poor, it is allowable for him to avail himself of the orphan’s wealth reasonably, i.e., taking only the fees that he needs without transgressing the proper limits, leading to the loss of the orphan's wealth.
.

2213

Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
Allah's Messengerﷺ gave preemption (to a partner) in every joint property, but if the boundaries of the property were demarcated or the ways and streets were fixed, then there was no pre-emption.
.

Commentary : The Islamic Laws of Islam fosters whatever preserves people’s interests and perpetuates their mutual amiability, especially partners. Therefore, the Laws of Islam grants the right of Shuf‘ah or pre-emption to a partner and co-owner of a joint property, if the other partner or co-owner wishes to sell his share, according to specific rules and conditions.
In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah underlined that the Prophet ﷺ affirmed the right of Shuf‘ah or pre-emption in any jointly owned property that is dividable, such as: real estate, land, and the like, but was not divided. The term Shuf‘ah refers to the right of purchasing before others the share of one’s partner and co-owner. If a co-owner is selling his share in a jointly owned house or land for example, the other co-owner has more right to buy this share for the same price. The right of pre-emption is established for any property, be it real estate or land, which is not divided up, but each share is well-defined. If the shares are well-defined and each co-owner knows his share, and ‘the boundaries of the joint property were demarcated or the ways and streets were fixed,’ the right of pre-emption is not established for any of them, and each is entitled to sell his share to whomever he wishes.
.

2217

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Prophet ﷺ Ibraaheem (Abraham) migrated with Sarah and entered a village\townwhere there was a king or a tyrant. (The king) was told that Ibraaheem had entered (the village\town) accompanied by a woman who was one of the most charming women. So, the king sent for Ibraaheem and asked, 'O Ibraaheem! Who is this lady accompanying you?' He replied, 'She is my sister, meaning his sister in faith.' Then Ibraaheem returned to her and said, 'Do not contradict my statement, for I have informed them that you are my sister. By Allah, there are no true believers on this land except you and I.' Then Ibraaheem sent her to the king. When the king tries to approach her, she got up, performed ablution, prayed and said, 'O Allah! If I have believed in You and Your Messengerand have guarded my private parts from everybody except my husband, then please do not let this pagan overpower me.' On that, the king had a seizure and started moving his legs violently. Seeing the king’s condition, Sarah said, 'O Allah! If he should die, people will say that I have killed him.' The king regained his powerand proceeded towards her but she got up again and performed ablution, prayed and said, 'O Allah! If I have believed in You and Your Messenger and have guarded my private parts from all men except my husband, then please do not let this pagan overpower me.' The king again had a seizure and started moving his legs violently. On seeing that state of the king, Sarah said, 'O Allah! If he should die, people will say that I have killed him.' The king got either two or three seizures, and after recovering from the last one he said, 'By Allah! You have sent a devil to me! Take her to Ibraaheem and give her a slave-girl.' So, she came back to Ibraaheem and said, 'Allah humiliated the pagan and gave us a slave-girl for service."
.

Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, defends those who believe in Him, and supports them by His grace and kindness, granting them victory over their enemies if they duly relied on Him and declared their utter weakness, powerlessness, and need for His help, support, and strength. Prophet Ibraaheem (Abraham) and his wife Sarah duly relied on Allah, Exalted is He.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ related the story of Ibraaheem Al-Khaleel (i.e., the close friend of Allah) when he travelled with his wife Sarah, who was a charming woman endowed with a remarkable beauty, to a town ruled by a tyrant king. Upon hearing of her beauty, the king summoned Prophet Ibraaheem and asked him about Sarah. Prophet Ibraaheem said: “She is my sister,” meaning his sister in faith. Prophet Ibraaheem did not tell him that she was his wife because he realized that this tyrant wanted Sarah for his own evil intentions. Knowing his reputation, Prophet Ibraaheem knew that he would be reluctant to harm a man’s sister, but would not hesitate to harm his wife! It was also said that he knew that the king would have killed him, taken her away from him, or forced him to divorce her. Afterward, Ibraaheem said to her: “Do not contradict my statement,’ meaning ‘if this king asked you about me, do not say that I am your husband.’ He clarified to her that he was truthful, because she was essentially his sister in faith. He made an oath that there were no true believers in that land except him and her. His intention was to opt for Tawriyyah (i.e., indirect speech; when a speaker says something that has an apparent meaning that the listener would understand, and another hidden meaning that the speaker intends) to spare himself and his wife the evil of this tyrant had he known that she was his wife. His saying “There are no true believers in this land except you and I,” does not contradict the ayah that reads (what means): {And Lut believed him.} [Quran 29:26]. This is because Prophet Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) meant that there were no true believers in that town except them, and Prophet Lut was not there with them.
Then, Ibraaheem sent her to the king. The version of the hadeeth recorded in Saheeh Muslim reads: “… Ibraaheem stood in prayer,” meaning that he hastened to stand before his Lord in prayer (to seek His help and protection for his wife). When the king approached her, she got up, performed ablution, prayed and said, ‘O Allah! If I have believed in You and Your Messenger,’ meaning Prophet Ibraaheem. In fact, she was not doubtful of her belief in him, but mentioned it as an assumption to humble herself. She added: “… and have guarded my private parts from everybody’, meaning guarded herself against sin, ‘and enjoyed that which is lawful with my husband, … do not let this pagan overpower me.’ On that, the king had a seizure,’ meaning he suffered from shortness of breath, was nearly suffocated, his snorting could be heard, ‘and started moving his legs violently,’ out of pain. Seeing the condition of the king, Sarah said, 'O Allah! If he should die, people will say that I have killed him.' Allah, Exalted is He, relieved him of the pain, but after regaining his power, he approached her again! She got up again, performed ablution, recited the same supplication, and he again had a seizure. On seeing that state of the king, Sarah supplicated Allah, Exalted is He, to save him lest people would accuse her of killing him, and He relieved him. The king got either two or three seizures, and after recovering from the last one he said, 'By Allah! You have sent a devil to me!’Before Islam, people venerated the Jinn, and attributed to them all supernatural events and actions, and such seizures, which were similar to an epileptic seizure, fit the profile.
He added, ‘Take her to Ibraaheem and give her a slave-girl,’ meaning Hajar, the mother of Prophet Ismaa’eel (Ishmael).
So, she came back to Ibraaheem and said, 'Allah humiliated the pagan and gave us a slave-girl for service.’
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable to opt for Tawriyyah and that indirect speech is a safe way to avoid lies.
It is also inferred therefrom the permissibility of beseeching Allah, Exalted is He, by means of one’s good deeds, the greatest of which is one’s faith in Him.
The hadeeth also underlines the protection and help of Allah, Exalted is He, for whoever implores Him sincerely, and that He answers sincere supplications with miracles to foster the supplicant’s faith, and reinforce his belief, submission, and reliance on Allah, Exalted is He.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that a gift given by a disbeliever is valid, and that it is permissible to accept it.
It is also inferred that it is allowable to accept a gift offered by unjust kings.
.

2219

Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that his father said: ‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf said to Suhayb, 'Fear Allah and do not ascribe yourself to somebody other than your father.' Suhayb (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, 'I would not like to say it even if I were given a great fortune, but I say I was kidnapped in my childhood.’”
.

Commentary : Islam assigned a special care and attention to lineages, commanded their preservation and protection, and prescribed laws and legislations to protect them from potential mixing of progeny. One of these laws and legislationsis the prohibition of affiliating oneself to other than his biological father.
In this hadeeth, the Companion ‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf warned Suhayb Al-Roomee (may Allah be pleased with them) against attributing himself to other than his biological father, after reminding him to fear Allah, Exalted is He. Suhayb (may Allah be pleased with him) used to attribute himself to Sinaan ibn Maalik ibn ‘Abd ‘Amr ibn ‘Aqeel, affiliating himself all the way to Al-Nimr ibn Qaasit, and saying that his mother belonged to the Banee Tameem tribe. In fact, he (may Allah be pleased with him) was a non-Arab because he (was captured by the Romans in his early childhood, and) grew up among the Romans, and learned their language.
‘Abdul-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf forbade Suyahb (may Allah be pleased with them) from doing so, assuming that he was attributing himself to other than his real father, being a violation of the Laws of Islam. However, Suhayb (may Allah be pleased with him) explained to him that he was not attributing himself to other than his real father and said, ‘I would not like to say it even if I were given a great fortune, but I say I was kidnapped in my childhood.’ His father worked for the Persian king Khosrau, who appointed him as a governor of Al-Ubullah (Apologou), located in present-day Mosul in Iraq. The Romans raided the city and captured Suhayb (may Allah be pleased with him). He was captured by the Romans in his early childhood and learned their language. He was then bought and brought to Makkah by a man from Kalb tribe, and was then bought and freed by ʻAbdullah ibn Judʻaan.
.

2223

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): It was once brought to the attention of ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that a certain man sold Khamr (i.e., intoxicants). Furiously, ‘Umar said, "May Allah curse so-and-so! Does not he know that Allah's Messengerﷺsaid, 'May Allah curse the Jews; Allah, Exalted is He, had forbidden them from eating the fat of animals but they melted it and sold it."
.

Commentary : Allah, Exalted is He, deemed Khamr (i.e., intoxicants) forbidden, and the Prophet ﷺ made it clear that the prohibition of Khamr included the prohibition of selling, buying, and carrying it, and the same goes for cunning circumventions of the Laws of Islam ruling, by changing its name and the like.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas stated that it was brought to the attention of the Caliph ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with them) that a man sold Khamr, and the man was Samrah ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him), as recorded in Saheeh Muslim. There are three different opinions regarding how Samrah (may Allah be pleased with him) sold Khamr. First, it was said that he (may Allah be pleased with him) took it from some people who belonged to the People of the Book (i.e., Jews and Christians) as Jizyah, or obtained it as part of his share in the spoils of war or the like, and he sold it to them, believing that it was permissible. Second, it is possible that he (may Allah be pleased with him) sold (grape) juice to someone who used to make Khamr for people. Grape juice or grapes may be referred to as Khamr, for they are used to manufacture it. Third, it is also possible that he (may Allah be pleased with him) made grape vinegar and sold it, mistakenly believing it to be permissible. Upon knowing that, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was furious and said, "May Allah curse so-and-so,’ meaning ‘may Allah destroy him.’ He (may Allah be pleased with him) did not intend to actually invoke the curse of Allah on him, but this expression was commonly used by the Arabs for reproach. He (may Allah be pleased with him) added: ‘Does not he know that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, 'May Allah curse the Jews; Allah, Exalted is He, had forbidden them from eating the fat of animals,’ meaning dead animals or cows and sheep; Allah, Exalted is He Says (what means): {and of the cattle and the sheep We prohibited to them their fat,} [Quran 6:146],“but they melted it and sold it.” They melted their fat and sold it to cunningly circumvent the divine command. Accordingly, they incurred the curse of Allah, Exalted is He. This is because Allah, Exalted is He, deemed Khamr ritually impure and unlawful. Therefore, it is impermissible to sell, buy, or avail oneself of its price, just like other ritually impure and unlawful objects, such as: dead animals, blood, stool, and urine. This is why the hadeeth likened the one who sells Khamr and avails himself of its price to the Jews who sold the forbidden fat and availed themselves of its price, even though it was prohibited for them to consume such fat and it was deemed ritually impure, just like Khamr and dead animals as per the laws of Islam. Therefore, those who sell Khamr and avail themselves of its price are likened to the Jews who sold fat and availed themselves of its price.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that the means and ways leading to what is deemed unlawful as per the laws of Islam are declared unlawful as well.
It is also inferred therefrom the that it is permissible to draw analogies between similar situations.
It is also deduced that when the Laws of Islam deems something unlawful, the same ruling applies to its price.
.

2225

Sa’eed ibn Abee Al-Hasan said: “While I was with Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) a man came and said, "O father of ‘Abbaas! I earn my living by making these images." Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) said, "I will tell you only what I heard from Allah's Messenger ﷺ.I heard him saying, 'Whoever makes an image will be punished by Allah till he brings it back to life, and he will never be able to do so!’ Hearing this, that man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale. Thereupon, Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) said to him, "What a pity! If you insist on taking image-making as a profession, I advise you to make images of trees and any other unanimated objects.”
.

Commentary : A Muslim is urged to consume only lawful earnings and keenly seek lawful means of earning a living; a body that has been nourished with what is unlawful deserves to be thrown into Hellfire, as the Prophet ﷺ said.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee (a Muslim who saw at least one of the Companions)Sa’eed ibn Abee Al-Hassan related that a man went to ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them), asking him about the lawfulness of his profession through which he earned a living, and he used to make statues and images. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) told him that he would only answer him with what he had heard from the Prophet ﷺ, 'Whoever makes an image will be punished by Allah till he brings it back to life, and he will never be able to do so!’ Allah, Exalted is He, will command the makers of statues and images, to bring back to life the animated beings in their images and statues. These image makers will be punished until they do as commanded, and obviously, they would never be able to bring them back to life! Thus, they would continue to receive such punishment endlessly. Upon hearing that, the man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale, out of fear of such severe punishment. Thereupon, Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) said to him, ‘What a pity!’ The Arabic word used in the hadeeth is ‘Wayhaka,’ which literally means ‘Woe to you’, and may be translated as ‘What a pity’ or ‘May Allah be Merciful to you.’ It was commonly used to remark on a situation of a person who inadvertently incurs a disaster. He (may Allah be pleased with them) added: “If you insist on taking image-making as a profession, I advise you to make images of trees and any other unanimated objects,” for making such images is permissible.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is prohibited to make images of animated things and take it as a profession to earn a living.
.

2227

It was narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah says, 'I shall be the opponent of three persons on the Day of Resurrection: -1. One who makes a covenant in My Name, but proves treacherous. -2. One who sells a free person (as a slave) and consumes the price, -3. And one who employs a laborer and gets the full work done by him but does not pay him his wages.' "
.

Commentary : Islam regulates the interactions and transactions between people to preserve their rights, and establish justice in the Muslim community. It sternly warns against unlawful interactions and transactions, urges Muslims to avoid them, and underlines their evil consequences.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ stated that Allah, Exalted is He, said that there are three categories of people who commit evil deeds warranting His wrath on the Day of Resurrection, and this is a stern warning, because whoever has Allah, Exalted is He, as his opponent will inevitably incur utter loss.
The first category is those who make a covenant or swear an oath by the Name of Allah, and then break it. Allah, Exalted is He, commanded Muslims to honor and fulfill their covenants and oaths; He Says (what means): {And fulfill [every] covenant. Indeed, the covenant is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.} [Quran 17:34]. Moreover, the Prophet ﷺ said: “Every perfidious one will have a standard on the day of resurrection by which he will be recognized.” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].
The second category includes those who knowingly sell a free Muslim man as a slave, and consume the earnings, meaning availing oneself of such money. The hadeeth made reference to ‘consumption’ in particular because this is the most fundamental way of availing oneself of the earnings, and the need to satisfy one’s hunger may force a person to commitprohibitions and violations of the Laws of Islam. The sin is grave when a Muslim man knowingly sells a free Muslim man as a slave, because all Muslims are held on an equal standing in terms of inviolability and sanctity, and a Muslim has rights over his fellow Muslims: to support him, refrain from doing injustice to him, be sincere to him, and abstain from handing him over to an oppressor. The worst act of injustice to be done to a fellow Muslim is to enslave him or imperil him to such a fate. Whoever sells a free Muslim as a slave, has deprived him of his right to dispose of what Allah, Exalted is He, has deemed lawful to him and forced him into a life of humiliation and slavery; this is why it is a serious sin.
The third category comprises the employers who hire workers to perform certain tasks, and after the work is done, they refuse to pay them the due wages, because such workers had trusted the employers’ honesty. If the employer betrays his trust, Allah, Exalted is He, punishes him Himself, and because the employer availed himself of the worker’s service in return for no compensation; he has unlawfully devoured his wealth. This is one of the worst and most grievous acts of injustice.
It is noteworthy that mentioning the three categories in this hadeeth does not mean that Allah, Exalted is He, will not be the opponent of all wrongdoers, but He wanted to lay a special emphasis on these three categories, given the fact that they all share the heinous trait of treachery, being one of the worst, immoral qualities.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that Islam declares selling a free person a serious crime and major sin, because such stern warnings are only associated with major sins.
It is also inferred therefrom that boldly swearing false oaths, breaking covenants and oaths, and denying a hired worker’s wages are grave sins.
.

2234

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying, "If a slave-girl of yours commits Fornication and her sin is proved, she should be lashed, and after that nobody should blame her, and if she commits Fornication the second time, she should be lashed and nobody should blame her after that, and if she commits the offense for the third time and her sin is proved, she should be sold even for a hair rope (i.e., for a very cheap price). "
.

Commentary : The Hadd (i.e., the corporal punishment determined by the Islamic Laws of Islam) for Fornication (i.e., illicit sexual intercourse) prescribed for a slave woman is half of the Hadd prescribed for a free woman. Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {But once they are sheltered in marriage (i.e., married), if they should commit adultery, then for them is half the punishment for free [unmarried] women.} [Quran 4:25].
A perpetrator of Fornication is subjected to the prescribed Hadd each time (s)he commits Fornication.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ commands the owner of a slave-girl, who commits Fornication and her sin is verified by means of evidence, pregnancy, or confession, to subject her to the prescribed Hadd, i.e., 50 lashes, and she should not be rebuked or blamed afterward for her sin from which she had repented, because the application of the Hadd expiates her sin. If she commits Fornication again, she should be subjected to the Hadd again, and should not be rebuked or blamed for her sin afterward as well. If she commits Fornication for a third time, her master is urged to sell her even for a hair rope (i.e., for a very cheap price), after subjecting her to the Hadd ofFornication. It was not mentioned in the third time because it is understood from the previous references. He is urged to sell her for any price, no matter how low it is. This is meant as to stress that he is strongly advised to sell her and indicate that is not considered a waste of money, because she has become dissolute and rectifying her conduct would be a difficult task. Moreover, a pious Muslim is urged to refrain from keeping the company of dissolute sinners and to keep away from them. Therefore, he is urged to sell such a slave-girl so she would (have a chance for a new beginning in which she would) adhere to chastity with her new master or she would be deterred by his status, kindness, or generosity towards her, or he may marry her off to someone or the like.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that a master is entitled to subject his slave to the prescribed Hadd.
It is also inferred therefrom that a sinner must not be blamed or rebuked for his sin, especially if he was subjected to the prescribed Hadd.
.

2236

Narrated Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard Allah's Messengerﷺ in the year of the Conquest of Makkah, saying, "Allah and His Messenger made unlawful the trade of Khamr, dead animals, pigs and idols." People asked, "O Allah's Messengerﷺ! What about the fat of dead animals, for it was used for greasing boats and varnishing hides; and people use it for lights?" He ﷺ said, "No, it is lawful." Allah's Messengerﷺ further said, "May Allah curse the Jews, for Allah deemed the fat (of animals) unlawful to them, yet they melted the fat and sold it and consumed its price."
.

Commentary : Allah, Exalted is He, deemed lawful that which is good, and deemed unlawful that which is evil, with regards to food, beverages, earnings, trade, and so on.
In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah(may Allah be pleased with him) informed us that in 8 A.H., during which Makkah was conquered, the Prophet ﷺ prohibited the sale of intoxicants in all its forms, dead animals,some birds, pigs, and idols, i.e., three-dimensional statues, because they are a means leading to Shirk (i.e., associating partners to Allah in worship), whether by imitating Him in creation or worshipping such idols like people did in the pre-Islamic era. People informed the Prophet ﷺ that the fat of dead animals was used for greasing boats and varnishing hides; people would use it for lights. The Prophet ﷺ informed them that this was strictly prohibited because Allah, Exalted is He, deemed dead animals unlawful in His Book. Afterward, the Prophet ﷺ said: “May Allah curse the Jews,” meaning, may Allah destroy and curse them, “for Allah deemed the fat (of animals) unlawful to them,’ meaning the fat of dead animals or that of cattle and sheep; Allah, Exalted is He Says (what means): {and of the cattle and the sheep We prohibited to them their fat,} [Quran 6:146]. “Yet they melted the fat and sold it and consumed its price,” to cunningly circumvent their divine law. Therefore, they incurred the curse of Allah, Exalted is He. This serves as a warning against circumventing the prohibitions like the Children of Israel did.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that the means leading to what is prohibited are declared prohibited as well.
It is also inferred therefrom that when something is deemed unlawful as per the laws of Islam, its price is deemed unlawful accordingly.
.

1108

‘Umar ibn Abi Salamah reported that he asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "Can a fasting person kiss?" The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "Ask her" (’Umm Salamah). So, she informed him that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would do that. Thereupon, he said: "O Messenger of Allah, Allah forgave your past and future sins for you." Whereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "Indeed, by Allah, I am the most heedful and fearful of Allah among you.".

Commentary : Fasting has specific rulings that a Muslim must know and act upon. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) demonstrated its obligatory elements, Sunnahs, and disliked things verbally and physically.
In this Hadīth, ‘Umar ibn Abi Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him), the foster son of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), relates that he asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "Can a fasting person kiss" his wife or a woman lawful for him during the daytime of Ramadan without his fast being invalidated due to that? Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "Ask this" i.e., ’Umm Salamah, who is the mother of ‘Umar ibn Abi Salamah (may Allah be pleased with them). So, she informed him that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would kiss his wives while he was fasting. Thereupon, he said: "O Messenger of Allah, Allah forgave your past and future sins for you" i.e., this is one of your peculiar traits and you are not blameworthy in what you do, for Allah forgave your past and future sins. In response, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "Indeed, by Allah, I am the most heedful and fearful of Allah among you" i.e., I am the most knowledgeable among you of what I do in heedfulness of Allah Almighty and the most fearful among you of His punishment. So, how would you think of me, or see it as possible, that I may engage in something prohibited?! This denotes criticism of those who thought he might fall short in worship due to reliance upon the forgiveness of his sins.
It is said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) referred 'Umar ibn Abi Salamah (may Allah be pleased with him), concerning this question, to his mother, whereas during Jāhiliyyah, a person would not allude to the son or brother of his wife that he kissed or approached her intimately. And indeed, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is more exalted with regard to refraining from that. But, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) wanted to point out that their refrainment from that during Jāhiliyyah was frivolous behavior on their part and unrelated to the Shariah. So, he referred him to his mother.
The Hadīth indicates that kissing during the fast is not part of the peculiar traits of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)..

1110

‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: that a man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), asking him for a Fatwa while she was hearing from behind the door, he said: "O Messenger of Allah, the prayer becomes due upon me while I am Junub (ritually impure); should I fast?" The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The prayer also becomes due upon me while I am Junub, and I observe fast." He said: "You are not like us, O Messenger of Allah, for Allah forgave your past and future sins for you." Thereupon, he said: "By Allah, I hope I am the most fearful of Allah among you and the most knowledgeable among you of the things I should be heedful of.".

Commentary : Fasting has specific rulings that a Muslim must know and act upon. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) demonstrated its obligatory elements, Sunnahs, and disliked things by words and deeds.
In this Hadīth, the Mother of the Believers ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) relates that a man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asking him about something relating to the purification of the fasting person from Janābah (major ritual impurity). Meanwhile, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) was behind the door, hearing. The man told the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) that the Fajr prayer would sometimes become due while he was Junub; so, should he observe fast while in this state of Janābah and take a bath after that? Janābah refers to the state after someone ejaculates semen or engages in sexual intercourse. It is called such because of Ijtināb (avoidance) of prayer and worship till getting purified from it. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "The prayer also becomes due upon me while I am Junub, and I observe fast." He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) responded to him by action, for it is more profound than saying: Take a bath and observe fast. This demonstrates the legitimacy of fasting by a Junub person before he bathes. This is because the occurrence of Janābah before Fajr does not prevent the intention of fasting or make it invalid. The man said: "You are not like us, O Messenger of Allah, for Allah forgave your past and future sins for you" i.e., this is one of your peculiar traits, and you are not to blame for what you do. In the version by Abu Dāwūd: "So, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got angry." Indeed, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) got angry because this man regarded that as a peculiar trait for him without knowledge, though the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed him about his action in response to his question. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "By Allah, I hope I am the most fearful of Allah among you", i.e., that I am the most fearful among you of His punishment, "and the most knowledgeable among you of the things I should be heedful of" i.e., that I am the most knowledgeable among you of that by which I heed Allah Almighty. The hope of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would surely materialize, by consensus. This involves criticism of those who attribute to him neglect in worship for reliance upon the forgiveness of his sins..

1114

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) left for Makkah during the year of the Conquest, in Ramadan, and he fasted until he reached Kurā‘ al-Ghamīm, and so the people fasted. Then, he called for a cup of water, which he elevated so that the people could see it, and then he drank. Afterwards, it was said to him: Some of the people fasted. Thereupon, he said: "Those are the disobedient ones, those are the disobedient ones." [Another version adds]: It was said to him: Fasting has become too difficult for the people, and indeed they are watching you to see what you will do. So, he called for a cup of water after ‘Asr..

Commentary : Jihad and being in a battle are among the situations that require all the meanings of good health and strength, particularly upon encountering the enemy. A traveler is given a dispensation not to fast, so that he can have the strength to travel. And there is a greater reason for refraining from fasting during Jihad, as it needs more strength.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) set out during the year of the Conquest, in 8 A.H., intending to conquer Makkah, during Ramadan. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the army with him were fasting, until he reached "Kurā‘ al-Ghamīm", the name of a place between Makkah and Madīnah. Al-Ghamīm: a valley 8 miles (nearly 13km) opposite ‘Usfān, and 64km away from Makkah on the way to Madīnah. It is known today as Barqā’ al-Ghamīm. Al-Kurā‘: a black mountain connected to it.
When he arrived there, he called for a cup of water and raised it to his mouth until the people looked at him. In a version: "Fasting has become too difficult for the people, and indeed they are watching you to see what you will do" in terms of fasting or breaking the fast. "So, he called for a cup of water after ‘Asr." This version clarifies that fasting exhausted the people and they were waiting for the Prophet's order regarding this matter. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) called for water after ‘Asr and drank from it, so that the people would follow his example and break their fast. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sought leniency and ease for them, in line with the verse that reads: {But if anyone is ill or on a journey, he should make up for those days. Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship for you.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 185] Allah Almighty informs that, by breaking the fast during travel, He wants to facilitate things for His servants.
Thereafter, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was told that some of the people fasted. Thereupon, he said: "Those are the disobedient ones; those are the disobedient ones." This is because when he gives a command, it must be observed. He would sometimes give commands by his statements and sometimes by his actions. So, when he broke the fast, this constituted a command, indicated by his very condition, aimed at giving a dispensation, so that he could draw strength from breaking the fast and be able to engage in the Jihad he set out for. When those people renounced his action, they were extremely wrong. If they thought that their observance of the fast was better than the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) breaking the fast, this sufficed as an error and lack of understanding on their part. And if they were not aware that their breaking of the fast would make them more capable of Jihad, this was a poor understanding from them. Hence, they were labeled as disobedient because, by doing so, they violated the Shariah and were not flexible to accept it. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) repeated his statement "those are the disobedient ones" for emphasis.
The Hadīth mentions going to battle in Ramadan and the legitimacy of breaking the fast during its daytime, lest the army would be too weak to engage in the war.
It indicates the Prophet's complete mercy and compassion toward his Ummah.
It demonstrates the necessity of following the Prophet's commands and that whoever disobeys him, due to any standpoint, becomes a disobedient person.
It shows the leniency of Islam and the ease of its obligations, as it sanctions breaking the fast for travelers.
As it points to the permissibility of breaking the fast during the daytime for a person who intends to fast from the night if something unexpected occurs to him..

1120

Qaz‘ah reported: I came to Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) and he was surrounded by people, and when they dispersed, I said to him: "I am not going to ask you about what these people were asking." I asked him about fasting during travel. He said: We traveled with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to Makkah while we were fasting. We halted at a place. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You have neared your enemy and breaking the fast will give you greater strength." This was a dispensation. So, some of us continued to observe the fast and some of us broke it. Then, we stopped at another place, and he said: "You are going to encounter the enemy in the morning and breaking the fast will give you greater strength; so, break the fast." This was stressful; so, we broke the fast. Then, he said: I saw us observing the fast with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) during travel after that..

Commentary : Traveling and encountering the enemy are among the things that require physical strength to endure hardships and difficulties. This Hadīth demonstrates some of the dispensations and determinations related to travel by observing the fast therein or breaking it, and the dispensations and determinations upon encountering the enemy in the month of Ramadan and during fasting. The Tābi‘i Qaz‘ah ibn Yahya al-Basri says that he came to Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) "and he was surrounded by people" i.e., a lot of people were around him learning and benefiting from his narration of Hadīths. When the people dispersed and departed, he said to Abu Sa‘īd (may Allah be pleased with him): I will not ask you about the matters people ask you about. He probably meant that his question was not addressed by Abu Sa‘īd (may Allah be pleased with him) before that or no one in this gathering asked him about it. He asked him about the ruling on fasting during travel and the involved dispensations or determinations. Demonstrating their conditions during travel along with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), Abu Sa‘īd (may Allah be pleased with him) informed him that they began their journey from Madīnah for the Conquest of Makkah while fasting during the month of Ramadan. When they stopped at some place for rest, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told them that they came near the enemy and the war, and that breaking the fast would give them greater strength, as encountering the enemy requires strength, and breaking the fast achieves this purpose more than fasting. This indicates that maintaining strength by refraining from fasting is better for someone expecting to face the enemy.
His statement: "This was a dispensation" means that they did not take this statement as denoting a binding command for breaking the fast or asking for that firmly. Rather, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) noted that breaking the fast is more appropriate for those apprehensive of weakness. So, some of them observed the fast and some others broke it.
Then, they halted at another place for rest. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: "You are going to encounter the enemy in the morning" i.e., you will attack them in the morning. "and breaking the fast will give you greater strength; so, break the fast." Abu Sa‘īd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "This situation was stressful" i.e., they took his command to break the fast as denoting emphasis and necessity. So, they all broke the fast. This shows that the Companions would understand the objectives of the Prophet's discourse.
Then, Abu Sa‘īd (may Allah be pleased with him) said that they would later fast along with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) during travel, which indicates that the prohibition to observe fasting during their travel for the Conquest of Makkah did not abrogate the permissibility of fasting. Indeed, this is linked to ability and casual circumstances and whether there arises a need for breaking the the fast during travel..

1133

Al-Hakam ibn al-A‘raj reported: I came to Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) while he was using his garment as a pillow near Zamzam and said to him: "Tell me about the fasting of ‘Āshūrā’." He said: "When you see the crescent of Muharram, then count and observe the fast on the ninth day." I said: "Is this how the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to fast it?" He said: 'Yes.'.

Commentary : The day of ‘Āshūrā’ is the tenth day of Muharram. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen on fasting the day of ‘Āshūrā’ and he would urge others to fast it. Its fasting was obligatory before Ramadan, and when the fasting of Ramadan was ordained upon the Muslims, only the fasting of Ramadan became the obligatory one, and the fasting of ‘Āshūrā’ became optional; whoever wished could fast it, and whoever wished could leave it.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Al-Hakam ibn al-A‘raj says that he came to ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) while he was putting his garment and clothing underneath his head near the well of Zamzam inside the Sacred Mosque in Makkah. He asked Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) about the fasting of the day of ‘Āshūrā’: When should it be observed? Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: When you see the crescent of the month of Muharram and its beginning is verified, start to count the days until you reach the ninth day and observe the fast on it. In other words: Fast the ninth day along with the tenth one. This does not mean that the tenth day should be neglected and only the ninth day should be fasted. Thereupon, Al-Hakam ibn ‘Abbās asked: Did the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) use to fast the ninth day? In reply, Ibn ‘Abbās said: Yes, referring to the Hadīth narrated by Muslim about the Prophet's intention to fast the ninth day along with the tenth one. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If I live to the next year, I will fast the ninth day", lest it would resemble the Jews in fasting the tenth day only. On the merit of fasting this day, a Hadīth narrated in the Sahīh Muslim Collection mentions that it expiates the sins of the preceding year..

1134

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) fasted the day of ‘Āshūrā’ and commanded that it be fasted, they said: "O Messenger of Allah, this is a day on which the Jews and the Christians extol." So, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When the next year comes, Allah Willing, we will fast the ninth day." He said: Before the next year came, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) passed away..

Commentary : The day of ‘Āshūrā’ is the tenth day of Muharram, and the Quraysh used to fast it. When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madīnah, he fasted it as a usual practice and commanded that it be fasted. Its fasting was obligatory before Ramadan, and when the fasting of Ramadan was ordained upon the Muslims, only the fasting of Ramadan became the obligatory one, and the fasting of ‘Āshūrā’ became optional; whoever wished could fast it, and whoever wished could leave it.
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) says that when the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) fasted the day of ‘Āshūrā’ and enjoined his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to fast it, they said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, this is a day on which the Jews and the Christians extol" by fasting too. This is because it is a day in which Allah saved Moses (Mūsa) (peace be upon him) from Pharaoh and his soldiers. Indeed, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) mentioned that to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) because it was known that he would mostly intend to differ from the Jews and the Christians. In response, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), as narrated in the Two Sahīh Collections, said: "We are more entitled to Moses than them. So, fast it" i.e., by agreeing with him in gratitude to Allah Almighty and feeling happy for his salvation. This is because the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) accords with him over the basis of the religion. As for the Jews, they engaged in distortion, change, and alteration. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) fasted it and commanded the people to fast it. On the merit of fasting this day, a Hadīth narrated in the Sahīh Muslim Collection mentions that it expiates the sins of the preceding year.
Then, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) determined to fast the ninth day along with the tenth one to differ from the People of the Book in their observance of fasting on the tenth day only. Ibn ‘Abbās said that before the following year came, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had passed away.
The Hadīth points out that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to differ from the Jews and the Christians.
It demonstrates the significance of the day of ‘Āshūrā’ and how the Muslims value it highly..

1139

Ziyād ibn Jubayr reported: A man came to Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: "I made a vow to fast a day and it happened to coincide with a day of Ad'ha, or Fitr." Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "Allah Almighty enjoined the fulfillment of vows, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade fasting this day.".

Commentary : A vow means that a person obligates himself to do something which the Shariah does not ordain upon him. For example, he says: Upon me is a sacrifice or fasting such and such a day, if Allah cures this ill person of mine. So, it takes the form of stipulating a condition to Allah Almighty.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Ziyād ibn Jubayr relates that a man came to ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and told him that he made a vow to fast a certain day, and this vowed day happened to coincide with the day of Eid al-Ad'ha, or the day of Eid al-Fitr. So, he asked him about what he should do: fast it or not? In response, Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Allah Almighty enjoined the fulfillment of vows," which occurs in the verse that reads: {and fulfill their vows.} [Surat al-Hajj: 29] "and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade fasting this day" i.e., fasting the two days of the two Eids. He forbade fasting these two days because they are days of festivity, play, joy, and eating and drinking. Also, Eid al-Fitr is the day of breaking the fast of Ramadan. As for the day of Eid al-Ad'ha, this is intended to enable the Muslim to eat from his sacrificial animal, if he has sacrificed. Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) seemed to have refrained from giving a Fatwa on this issue, considering the conflict between the proofs he had. This was done by way of Tawarru‘ (caution) from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and he was known for it. And it is said: Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) clarified to him the general ruling and the specific one. So, he should do both things, namely, to not fast the day of Eid, in compliance with the prohibition by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and to fast a day in place of it, given Allah's command to fulfill vows.
The Hadīth contains the command to fulfill vows.
It is prohibited to fast the two days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Ad'ha..

1141

Nubayshah al-Hudhali reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Days of Tashrīq are days of eating and drinking." [Another version adds: "and remembrance of Allah."].

Commentary : Islam is the religion of tolerance and ease. It provides much space to the Muslims, so that they can be generous to themselves and their families in eating and drinking during the Eid days.
In this Hadīth, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says: "The Days of Tashrīq," are the 11th, 12th, and 13th days of Dhul-Hijjah. They were called as such because in these days people used to cure the meat of sacrificial animals and spread them in the sun to dry, which is known as Tashrīq in Arabic. This was their practice during their era. But, nowadays, the meat of sacrificial animals and offerings is available. They are "days of eating and drinking;" so, people should eat, drink, and not observe fasting therein. They should also remember Allah, supplicate to Him, and show gratitude to Him for the sustenance and guidance He has bestowed upon them.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade fasting during the Days of Tashrīq. For example, in a Hadīth narrated by Al-Bukhāri in his Sahīh Collection, Ibn ‘Umar and ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: "No permission was given for fasting during the Days of Tashrīq except for someone who cannot afford the sacrificial animal," i.e., to the performer of Tamattu‘ or Qirān Hajj who cannot afford the sacrificial animal. This represents flexibility for the people.
In the prohibition of fasting these days and the command to eat and drink lies a good reason. Since Allah Almighty knows that those who come to His House undergo hardships during travel, tiredness because of Ihrām, and self-struggle while performing the rituals, He prescribed rest for them after that, by staying at Mina on the Day of Nahr and three subsequent days. And He ordered them to eat from the meat of sacrificial animals out of His kindness and mercy towards them, for they are the guests of Allah Almighty therein. He also included the people of other countries with them, for they join them in undergoing hardships for the sake of Allah Almighty, like the hard work they endure during the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, as they observe fasting, remember Allah, and worship diligently, and in seeking closeness to Allah by slaughtering sacrifices and in the attainment of forgiveness. So, they join them in their Eids, and everyone shares rest by eating and drinking. Thus, all Muslims become the guests of Allah Almighty during these days, eating from His sustenance and showing gratitude to Him for His grace. And since it does not befit the Most Generous to let His guests go hungry, they were forbidden to fast these days..

1142

Ka‘b ibn Mālik reported: that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent him and Aws ibn al-Hadathān during the days of Tashrīq to announce that none will enter Paradise except a believer, and the days of Mina are days of eating and drinking..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to clarify to the Muslims the matters of the religion and give them good news that would gladden them due to the great rewards for the deeds in Islam. He would also demonstrate to them the ease of the religion and how it cares about people's conditions.
In this Hadīth, Ka‘b ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent him along with Aws ibn al-Hadathān during the days of Tashrīq, which are the three days that follow the day of Nahr (slaughter), namely the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah. They were given this name because of people's Tashrīq (cutting into long narrow strips) of the meat of sacrificial animals, as they would cut the meat into strips and leave them to dry in the sun. This was their situation in the early stage of Islam. They are also known as the days of Mina. He commanded them to announce to the pilgrims in the Sacred Precincts that "none will enter Paradise except a believer" i.e., none will enter Paradise except those who believe in Allah, testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and act according to this Īmān. This gives glad tidings to the believers and motivates people to complete the pillars of Īmān so that they can win Paradise. And it warns those who did not embrace Islam, and so that the pilgrims will return to their countries and warn the polytheists among their people.
He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) instructed them to announce to the people that the days of Mina are days of eating and drinking. These are the days in which the pilgrims stay in the valley of Mina - located nearly 6km away from the Sacred Mosque - to throw the pebbles. They are the appointed days which Allah mentions in the verse that reads: {And remember Allah during the appointed days. But whoever hastens to depart [Mina] on the second day, there is no sin upon him; and whoever delays [until the third], there is no sin upon him for those who fear Allah.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 203] During these days, the meat of ’Ud'hiyah (sacrificial animals by non-pilgrims on Eid al-Ad'ha) and Hady (sacrificial animals by pilgrims) is abundantly available. So, let the people eat and drink and mention Allah's name for His provision and guidance to them.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade fasting the days of Tashrīq. In a Hadīth narrated in the Sahīh Al-Bukhāri Collection, Ibn ‘Umar and ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reported: It was not permitted to fast on the days of Tashrīq except for those who could not afford the Hady (sacrifice).
The Hadīth mentions that Paradise was prepared for the believers only.
It shows merit for Ka‘b ibn Mālik and Aws ibn al-Hadathān (may Allah be pleased with both of them) and a commendable act by them..

1144

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not single out the night of Friday from among the nights for performing Qiyām al-Layl. And do not single out Friday from among the days for fasting, unless it coincides with the days one of you regularly fasts.".

Commentary : Acts of worship are among the Tawqīfi matters all of whose actions must be taken from the Shariah, with no addition or omission. And none of them may be singled out for specific times unless it is prescribed in the Shariah.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbids that the night of Friday be singled out for Qiyām involving prayer and Dhikr apart from the other nights of the week. He also forbade that Friday be singled out for fasting apart from the other days of the week, unless this coincides with a certain fast a Muslim usually observes, such as when he fasts every other day, and the day he fasts coincides with Friday, or he makes a vow and its time happens to coincide with Friday, or other things that oblige him to observe fasting. In the Two Sahīh Collections: "None of you should fast on Friday unless he fasts a day before or after it." So, he should fast on Thursday or Saturday along with it. It is said: The prohibition of singling out Friday and its night for these acts aims at differing from the Jews and the Christians, for the Jews hold that Saturday should be singled out for fasting, out of reverence to it, and the Christians hold that Sunday should be singled out for fasting, out of reverence to it, and its night for Qiyām al-Layl. Since Friday occupies a status within this Ummah like the status of these two days within the two groups, it is recommended that our practice be different from theirs in the way of revering this day..

1148

Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, my mother passed away and she took an oath to fast, should I fast on her behalf?" He said: "Tell me, if there was a debt due on your mother and you settled it, would it be valid on her behalf?" She replied: 'Yes.' He said: "So, fast on behalf of your mother.".

Commentary : A vow is an act of worship and piety that should not be devoted to anyone other than Allah. In His glorious Book, Allah Almighty praised His pious servants and promised them the reward. Among their attributes which He mentioned is their fulfillment of vows. He says: {They fulfill their vows.} [Surat al-Insān: 7]
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that a woman came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asking him about her mother who had made a vow to fast and died before fulfilling her vow: Is it valid for her to fast on behalf of her mother? The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to her: "Tell me, if there was a debt due on your mother and you settled it, would it be valid on her behalf?" This is an affirmative question. She replied: 'Yes, it settles on her behalf.' He said: "So, fast on behalf of your mother." The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) likened fasting due upon a woman who died and left a debt, which must be paid because it is a right to human beings, whereas the vow is a right to Allah Almighty. So, the fulfillment of His right, Exalted be He, is more significant and proper than the fulfillment of the right of humans, for Allah is more worthy of fulfillment. It is narrated in some narrations by Al-Bukhāri and in the Two Sahīh Collections that ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever dies while some fast is due on him, his guardian should fast on his behalf." Walī (guardian): It refers to one's male relatives such as the fathers and sons. If the guardian does not observe the fast on his behalf, he should feed a poor person in return for each day of the fast. Thereby, the deceased person's duty is fulfilled, as the guardian's discharge of this duty is tantamount to his own discharge of it. This applies if the deceased person was able to fulfill the duty at its time or later but failed to do so. But if he dies before being able to make up for the missed fast - like the case of a person whose illness lingers until he dies - then there is nothing due on him, and his guardians are not required to fast or feed the poor on his behalf.
In the Hadīth: It is permissible to fast on behalf of the dead.
And in it: It is permissible to fulfill vows on behalf of the dead.
And in it: Giving parables and analogical comparisons to make the topic clearer and more profound to those who hear it.
And in it: Showing kindness to one's parents by the fulfillment of their vows and debts..

1149

Buraydah reported: While I was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), a woman came to him and said: "I gave a maidservant to my mother in charity, and she died." He said: "Your reward became due, and the inheritance has returned her to you." She said: "O Messenger of Allah, a month of fasting was due on her; shall I fast on her behalf?" He said: "Fast on her behalf." She said: "She never performed Hajj; shall I perform Hajj on her behalf?" He said: "Perform Hajj on her behalf." [In a version]: Fast two months..

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to ask the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) for Fatwas on many of their acts of worship and dealings, and he would give them Fatwas and clarify the right aspects to them.
In this Hadīth, Buraydah ibn al-Husayb al-Aslami (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that as he was sitting with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) one day, a woman came to him and told him that she gave a maidservant - a female slave - as charity to her mother during her lifetime, and she transferred her to her ownership through this charity. Then, her mother died and left behind this maidservant as part of her overall wealth, and her sole inheritor was her daughter. So, does she have the right to take the maidservant back to her ownership through inheritance, or not? So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to her: "Your reward became due," i.e., your reward is established with Allah by upholding the ties with your mother and giving charity to her, and the maidservant was brought back to you by the inheritance from your mother, a reason in which you have no part. So, this does not detract from the reward for charity, and it is not regarded as retracting the charity or gift, because this is not optional.
Then, the questioner said that a month of fasting was due on her mother - and in a version: "two months" - and asked whether she could fast on her behalf. He did not point out whether this was the fasting of Ramadan, a vow, or an expiation. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to her: "Fast on her behalf," i.e., make up for the days missed by your mother on her behalf, for this is a debt due upon her, and the debt of Allah is more worthy of being repaid. According to a version in the Two Sahīh Collections, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) likened the fasting due on a deceased person to a debt, which is payable, for this is a right to human beings; whereas the due fasting - be it related to Ramadan, a vow, or an expiation - is a right to Allah Almighty. So, the fulfillment of Allah's right is more significant and worthy than the fulfillment of the right of human beings; indeed, Allah is more entitled to repayment, as related in some versions by Al-Bukhāri. And in a Hadīth in the Two Sahīh Collections, ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever dies while some fast is still due on him, his heir should fast on his behalf." Heirs here refer to male relatives, such as fathers and sons. If the heir does not observe the missed fast on his behalf, he may feed one poor person in return for each day of a missed fast. Thus, this obligation ceases to be due on the deceased person. The observance of this missed fast by the heir is tantamount to the deceased person himself making up for this fast. This applies in case the deceased person was able to observe the fast or make up for it, yet he did not do that. As for someone who dies before being able to make up for the missed fast - like a person who remains ill until he dies - there is nothing due on him, and their heirs should not observe the missed fast, or feed poor people, on his behalf.
Then, the woman informed him that her mother died while she had never performed Hajj. This seems to indicate that she was able to perform Hajj, and so it was due on her. This is because Hajj ceases to be due on anyone who is not able to perform it. But she did not perform Hajj. So, is it valid to perform Hajj on her behalf? The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to her: "Perform Hajj on her behalf." Perhaps it can be understood from the Prophet's permission to her to perform Hajj on behalf of her mother that the woman had already performed Hajj for herself and then she wanted to perform Hajj on behalf of her mother, based on a Hadīth narrated by Abu Dāwūd, in which Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) heard a man say: "Labbayk on behalf of Shubrumah." He said: "Who is Shubrumah?" He said: "A brother of mine," or "a relative of mine." He said: "Did you perform Hajj for yourself?" He said: 'No.' Thereupon, he said: "Perform Hajj for yourself and then perform Hajj on behalf of Shubrumah." And in the Sahīh Collection of Ibn Khuzaymah: "This is for you, and then perform Hajj on behalf of Shubrumah." If Hajj becomes due on someone and he dies before performing it, and then someone else performs Hajj on his behalf, he is absolved of this obligation. It is likely in light of the bounty and grace of Allah that if an heir performs Hajj on behalf of a deceased person, Allah will forgive the deceased person by virtue of that, give him a reward for it, or not punish him for his negligence.
The Hadīth indicates that if a person gives something in charity and then inherits it, he has the right to take and dispose of it, without his reward diminishing because of that.
It points out that fasting can be observed on behalf of a deceased person.
It also demonstrates that Hajj can be performed on behalf of a deceased person.
The Hadīth indicates that a person can show kindness to his parents by fulfilling their vows and debts..

1150

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If one of you is invited for food while he is fasting, let him say: 'I am fasting.'".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen on maintaining good relations, harmony, and continuous cordiality among the Muslims. Hence, he made the acceptance of an invitation a due right among the Muslims, so that they stay connected and get together.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says: "If one of you is invited to food," i.e., any food, be it a banquet or something else, "while he is fasting" on a supererogatory basis, or making up for a missed fast, or in fulfillment of a vow, he should apologize. Specifically, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) directed the fasting person to clarify his condition: "let him say: 'I am fasting'" in an apology to the inviting person and to inform him that he is fasting and cannot eat from his food.
This is also meant to notify his fellow Muslim who invited him that his abstention is only because of fasting, not that he did not want to eat from his food. It was the habit of the Arabs that if they held evil intentions toward someone, they would not eat from his food. It is narrated in the Sahīh Muslim Collection that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If one of you is invited, let him answer the invitation. If he is fasting, let him supplicate (for the inviter); if he is not fasting, let him eat."
In the Hadīth: There is nothing wrong with revealing voluntary acts of worship - like prayer and fasting - if there is a need for that..

1151

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Every action of the son of Adam is multiplied, and a single good deed is worth ten to seven hundred times. Allah Almighty said: 'Except for fasting, for indeed it is for Me, and I will give reward for it. He leaves his desires and food for My sake.' For the fasting person, there are two moments of joy: a moment of joy when he breaks his fast, and a moment of joy when he meets his lord. Verily, the Khulūf (unpleasant smell) coming from his mouth is more fragrant with Allah than the smell of musk.".

Commentary : Fasting is one of the most beloved acts of worship to Allah and the most sublime acts of piety whereby a servant seeks closeness to his Almighty Lord. Thus, its reward is immense, and its merit is great. The honor afforded by Allah for the fasting people is ceaseless, for they deprive themselves of food, drink, and sexual relations, and so Allah Almighty gives them from His vast bounty and prefers them over others.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentions that the reward for every act of goodness, righteousness, and worship performed by a Muslim gets multiplied, with a good deed being rewarded tenfold, up to seven hundred fold. Allah Almighty says: {Whoever comes with a good deed will be rewarded tenfold.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 160] Allah Almighty also says: {The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain that sprouts seven ears, each ear bearing a hundred grains. And Allah gives multiple [rewards] for whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 261]
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that Allah Almighty said: "Except for fasting, for indeed it is for Me," i.e., fasting is excluded from these acts whose rewards are multiplied, for the reward of fasting can only be estimated by Allah Almighty. This is because fasting is a secret between a servant and his Lord. "and I will give reward for it," i.e., Allah Almighty is the One Who undertakes this reward and recompense, for the reward of fasting can only be enumerated by Allah, Exalted be He. He did not leave that to His angels. Rather, He undertook the giving of reward for it by Himself, and when Allah undertakes something by Himself, this denotes the immensity of this reward and recompense. This is because the fasting person abandons what his soul desires and the pleasures of food, drink, and copulation which are made lawful by Allah Almighty, in obedience to Allah, Exalted be He, and in pursuit of His love and approval.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stated that the fasting person has two moments of joy: The First Joy: "a moment of joy when he breaks his fast;" this joy occurs in the worldly life after he ends and breaks the fast and completes the worship, hoping for Allah's reward and bounty. The second joy occurs when he dies and obtains the reward and recompense.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) swears that "the Khulūf (unpleasant smell) coming from his mouth" - the unusual foul smell that remains, after eating, in the mouth of a fasting person - "is more fragrant," i.e., better to Allah than the smell of musk. There is a difference of opinion regarding the Khulūf being more fragrant to Allah than the smell of musk. It means that it is more fragrant to Allah than the smell of musk to you; or it means that Allah Almighty will reward him in the Hereafter until his smell becomes more fragrant than the smell of musk; or that the person with the Khulūf will obtain a reward better than the smell of musk; or that the Khulūf is more rewardable than musk, which is recommended during Fridays and Eids; or that the angels find the Khulūf more pleasant than the smell of musk.
The Hadīth points out the reward and merit of fasting..

1154

‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), reported: One day the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: "O ‘Ā’ishah, do you have something (to eat)?" I said: "O Messenger of Allah, there is nothing with us." Thereupon, he said: "Then, I am fasting." She said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went out, and a gift was given to us - or some visitors came in. When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came back, I said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, a gift was given to us - or some visitors came in - but I have saved something for you." He said: "What is it?" I said: "Hays." He said: "Bring it." So, I brought it to him, and he ate. Then, he said: "I woke up in the morning while fasting." Talhah said: I narrated this Hadīth to Mujāhid and he said: "This is like a man giving charity out of his wealth. He may spend it if he wills or withhold it if he wills.".

Commentary : This Hadīth reveals one aspect of the Prophet's guidance in intending to fast, if a person did not find food, and breaking the fast if he found food. This stems from the leniency, ease, and flexibility of Islam. ‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), relates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) one day asked her while being in her house in the morning, according to the version by An-Nasā’i: "O ‘Ā’ishah, do you have anything?" He meant food for him to eat, as related in the wording by Abu Dāwūd. She replied to him that she had no food. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), intending to fast, said: "Then, I am fasting," i.e., I am observing fast and abstaining from food. This indicates the legitimacy of intending to observe supererogatory fasting during the daytime, in case one has not eaten or drunk anything since the Adhān of Fajr.
Then, ‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), said that after the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went out in a state of fasting, a gift of food was given to them - the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would eat from gifted food, unlike food given as charity - or some visitor came to them and brought a gift of food.
When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came back to the house of ‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), she told him about that and said that she hid part of the food for him to eat, as she knew he wanted to eat. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked her about the kind of food. She said: "Hays", which is a food made from a mixture of butter with dried dates. It is said: Flour or dried milk is added to it. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked her to bring it for him to eat therefrom. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ate from it after having the intention to fast. Therefore, he said after eating: "I woke up in the morning fasting." This was supererogatory fasting. This is a teaching from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to the Muslims so that they can follow his example.
Talhah ibn Yahya, who narrated the Hadīth from ‘Ā’ishah bint Talhah, said: I narrated this Hadīth narrated by ‘Ā’ishah bint Talhah to Mujāhid ibn Jabr al-Makki, the erudite Imām, and he said: "This is like a man giving charity out of his wealth. He may spend it if he wills or withhold it if he wills," i.e., the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did that because he had free choice regarding supererogatory fasting. This is like a man who intends to give charity from his wealth. If he wills, he can go ahead and give it to the one to whom he intended to give it, and if he wills, he can withhold it and not give it out.
The Hadīth indicates that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) could break the supererogatory fasting at any time of the day.
It shows that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) possessed little of worldly things because he adopted an ascetic approach to the transient worldly pleasures and preferred the bliss of the Hereafter with Allah.
It also suggests that if a person allocates part of his wealth for charity and then reconsiders and decides not to give charity, there is nothing wrong with that..

Book of Hadith