It was narrated from ‘Awn ibn Abi Juhayfah, from his father, that he saw Bilal giving the call to prayer. [He said:] I started watching his mouth as he turned this way and that, this way and that, reciting the adhan..

Commentary : The adhan has been prescribed to alert the people to the beginning of the time for prayer. In order to serve that purpose, the mu’adhdhin should have a loud voice, so that his voice will reach the largest possible number of people.
In this hadith, Abu Juhayfah, Wahb ibn ‘Abdillah al-Suwa’i (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that he saw Bilal ibn Rabah (may Allah be pleased with him) as he was giving the adhan. He saw him turning right and left as he was giving the call to prayer. According to a report narrated by Muslim, he said: I started watching his mouth as he turned this way and that – meaning, right and left – saying, Hayya ‘ala al-salah, hayya ‘ala al-falah. This indicates that the turning referred to in the hadith should only be done when reciting these two phrases; so the mu’adhdhin should turn to his right when saying “Hayya ‘ala al-salah” and to his left when saying “Hayya ‘ala al-falah.” The purpose of turning right and left is to make the voice reach as far as possible, so that the people can hear him.
This hadith indicates that it is prescribed to turn right and left when giving the call to prayer, whilst saying “Hayya ‘ala al-salah” and “hayya ‘ala al-falah.”.

635

It was narrated that Abu Qatadah said: Whilst we were praying with the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), he heard the sound of people coming in. When he finished the prayer, he said: What was that noise? They said: We were rushing to pray. He said: “Do not do that. When you come to prayer, come in a calm and dignified manner, then whatever you catch up with pray, and whatever you miss, make it up.”.

Commentary : Because prayer is a meeting between a person and his Lord, it is appropriate for him to prepare himself for that meeting, and to observe proper etiquette with Allah (may He be glorified and exalted). The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) taught his ummah a great deal about this etiquette, including what is mentioned in this hadith. When the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) heard the sound of people coming in – meaning the sound of their movements and words – whilst he was praying in congregation, he asked them, after he had finished his prayer, about the reason for this movement and noise. They said: We were rushing to catch up with the prayer. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) told them not to rush like that, and advised them to behave in the calm and dignified manner that is required when coming to prayer; he instructed them to be quiet and unhurried, then whatever you catch up with of his prayer, pray it with him, and whatever you miss of his prayer, make it up after the imam says the salaam. Thus you will attain the reward of having prayed in congregation, so there is no need to rush.
This hadith urges the Muslim to be calm and dignified when coming to prayer..

642

It was narrated that Anas ibn Malik said: The iqamah for prayer was given when the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was conversing with a man in a corner of the mosque, and he did not get up to pray until the people had fallen asleep..

Commentary : Prayer is a connection between a person and his Lord, hence he should make sure that there is nothing in his mind or heart to distract him before he starts to pray, because that will help him to focus on his prayer with proper humility (khushu‘).
In this hadith, Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the iqamah for prayer was given whilst the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was talking to a man and having a private conversation with him in a corner of the mosque. The prayer in question was ‘Isha’, as is stated clearly in a report narrated by Muslim. He spoke to him for such a long time that he did not get up to pray until after those who were present in the mosque had fallen asleep, because he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) spoke to that man for so long. Perhaps the conversation was about some religious matter that was urgent and important, otherwise he would not have delayed the prayer for so long that the people fell asleep after such a lengthy wait.
This hadith indicates that it is permissible to give precedence to urgent and important matters, concerning which there is the fear that not doing so may lead to harm, or one could be distracted by them if prayer is offered at the beginning of its time.
It indicates that it is permissible to talk after the iqamah for prayer has been given, and before starting to pray.
It indicates that it is permissible to separate the iqamah and prayer in cases of necessity.
It indicates that it is permissible for two people to converse privately in the presence of a group of others..

644

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I thought of issuing orders that firewood be collected and brought, then issuing orders that the call to prayer be given, and instructing a man to lead the people in prayer, then I would go to some men and burn their houses down with them inside. By the One in Whose hand is my soul, if one of them knew that he would find a bone with meat on it, or the meat from a sheep’s foot, he would attend ‘Isha’.”.

Commentary : Prayer in congregation is one of the practices and rituals of Islam. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) enjoined it and warned against neglecting it and being heedless concerning it. In this hadith, there is a stern warning and threat from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) to the one who stays away from prayer in congregation with no excuse. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) swore an oath, saying: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul.” This is an oath by which the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) often swore. What it means is: By Allah, in Whose hand is my soul; this is an affirmation of the divine attribute of the hand, in a manner that is befitting to Allah’s majesty. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) swore this oath, saying: “I thought of issuing orders that firewood be collected” – that is, I was about to issue orders that firewood – which is dry material from crops and trees – be collected, then issuing orders that the call to prayer be given, and instructing a man to lead the people in prayer; then I would not join the prayer in congregation, doing something different to my instruction to pray. I would go to some people who have stopped praying in congregation and have been praying in their houses, and burn their houses down with them inside. Then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) swore the same oath again, for emphasis, saying: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, if one of them knew that he would find a bone with meat on it, or the meat from a sheep’s foot, he would attend ‘Isha’.” The word translated here as a bone refers to a bone on which there is a little meat left. What is meant is that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was swearing that if those people who stayed away from prayer in congregation with no excuse knew that, if they attended the prayer, they would find some worldly benefit, such as food for example, even if that worldly benefit was of very little significance, they would attend and join the worshippers, because all they cared about was worldly benefit, and they did not care about what would benefit them in the hereafter.
This hadith emphasizes the importance of praying in congregation, and warns against missing it with no excuse.
It indicates that it is permissible for one who is of lower standing to lead the prayer in the presence of one who is of higher standing, if that serves a purpose..

645

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Prayer in congregation is twenty-seven times better than prayer offered on one’s own.”.

Commentary : The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) urged the Muslims to pray in congregation, because of the great virtue that there is in doing so. He spoke of its virtue in many hadiths, including this hadith in which he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) explained the difference between the reward of praying in congregation and the reward of praying on one’s own; praying in congregation is twenty-seven times better than praying on one’s own, so the one who prays in congregation attains the reward of the one who prays on his own, plus a twenty-sevenfold reward. This meaning is indicated by what is mentioned in a report narrated by Muslim from Abu Hurayrah: “Prayer in congregation is equivalent to twenty-five prayers offered on one’s own.” Muslim also narrated: “One prayer offered with the imam is better than twenty-five prayers offered on one’s own.” With regard to the difference of numbers mentioned in the reports, twenty-seven and twenty-five, this difference may be due to differences in the situation of each individual worshipper and the way he performs the prayer. Thus one of them may attain a twenty-fivefold reward, and others may attain a twenty-sevenfold reward, depending on how well they pray, the extent to which they do the movements properly and show proper focus and humility (khushu‘), the number of people present in the congregation and their virtues, the virtue of the location, and other matters.
The salaf or early generations (may Allah be pleased with them) did not stay away from prayer in congregation, and they were keen to do it. One of them – as is narrated in Sahih Muslim from Ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) would be brought to attend the prayer in congregation leaning on two men, having to be supported by them because of his feebleness and weakness, because of what he knew of the virtue of praying in congregation and hoping to attain the reward thereof.
This hadith urges the Muslim to pray in congregation and highlights the virtue of doing so..

650

It was narrated that Umm al-Darda’ said: Abu’l-Darda’ came in, looking angry. I said: What has made you angry? He said: By Allah, I do not recognize anything of the ummah of Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) except the fact that they pray together..

Commentary : Loving the religion of Allah (may He be glorified and exalted), teaching it to the people, being angry and sad when people forget anything of it, and hastening to advise them and remind them, are all obligatory, and every Muslim must do them to the best of his knowledge and ability. The Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) were the keenest of people to do that. In this hadith, Umm al-Darda’ – whose name was Hujaymah; she was the younger Umm al-Darda’ and was a Tabi‘iyyah – narrates that her husband Abu’d-Darda’, whose name was ‘Uwaymir (or ‘Amir) ibn Zayd al-Khazraji, came in one day looking angry. She asked him why he was angry, and he said: By Allah, I do not recognize anything of the ummah of Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) except the fact that they pray together. In other words, he did not recognize anything that they were still adhering to of the teachings of Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) except their praying in congregation. He said that out of sorrow for what he saw of the people falling short in matters of religion. Undoubtedly this is a relative matter; the people of his time still adhered to most of the teachings of Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). Rather Abu’d-Darda’ was saddened by the difference between the Prophet’s era and what followed it, and undoubtedly there was a difference between the two, especially following the emergence of turmoil (fitnah) at the time of ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him). Otherwise, their era was among the three best generations of which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The best of humanity are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them.”
There is no contradiction between what Abu’l-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said and the Prophet’s prohibition on describing people as being doomed, as was narrated in Sahih Muslim from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): “If a man says, The people are doomed, he is the most doomed of them.” The scholars are unanimously agreed that criticizing the one who says that people are doomed only applies to one who says that by way of looking down on people, thinking himself superior to them, and condemning what he sees of their situation, because he does not know what is in people’s hearts. As for the one who says that by way of expressing sorrow at what he sees in himself and in other people of falling short with regard to religious matters, there is nothing wrong with that. Moreover, Abu’l-Darda’ did not say, The people are doomed and have neglected religious matters. Rather he said it by way of comparing his situation at that particular time with the situation of the Sahabah at the time of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had stated that no time would come, but what came after it would be worse. Narrated by al-Bukhari.
This hadith indicates that it is permissible to be angry when there is a change in people’s religious commitment, and it is permissible to denounce evil by expressing anger, if one is not able to do more than that..

651

It was narrated that Abu Musa said: The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The people who will have the greatest reward for prayer are those who have to come from the furthest distance, then the next furthest, and the one who waits for the prayer until he prays with the imam will have a greater reward than the one who prays, then goes to sleep..

Commentary : The reward for an act of worship is connected to the sincerity and effort involved. The greater the effort and the greater the sincerity, the greater the reward will be. In this hadith, the Prophet highlights the virtue of walking to the mosque from far away, and the virtue of waiting to pray in the mosque with the imam. He said: “The people who will have the greatest reward for prayer are those who have to come from the furthest distance.” Then he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) mentioned that the reason why the reward for the prayer in this case is so great is the distance walked; in other words, the long distance and the many steps taken. That is because the hardship involved is greater than in the case of one who is a neighbour of the mosque, in addition to the patience involved in doing this act of worship. Every prayer in which there is difficulty due to the distance walked brings a greater reward and is better than a prayer in which there is no difficulty. This is encouraging and urging the Muslim to pray in congregation, even if the mosque is far away. In Sahih Muslim it is narrated that when Banu Salamah wanted to move closer to the mosque of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), he said to them: “O Banu Salamah, remain in your land and the reward for your steps will be recorded, remain in your land and the reward for your steps will be recorded.” What is meant is: stay where you are, and in return for the steps that you take to the mosque, more reward will be written for you because of having to walk further to reach the mosque.
Similarly, the one who waits for the prayer so that he may pray with the imam in congregation will have a greater reward than the one who prays on his own as soon as the time for the prayer begins, then goes to sleep. Just as distance has an impact of increasing reward, waiting for a longer time also increases reward, because in both cases extra effort is required..

652

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whilst a man was walking on a road, he came across a thorny branch on the road, so he removed it. Allah appreciated his action and forgave him.” Then he said: “The martyrs are five: one who dies of a plague, one who dies of a stomach disease, one who drowns, one who dies beneath a collapsed structure, and the martyr who is killed in Allah’s cause.” And he said: “If the people knew what there is in the call (to prayer) and the first row, and they could find no way except drawing lots, they would draw lots for that. If they knew what there is in coming early for prayer, they would race and compete for it. If they knew what there is in ‘Isha’ and Fajr prayer, they would come to them even if they had to crawl.”.

Commentary : Obeying Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) and fulfilling His commands are a means of attaining high status in this world and the hereafter. Acts of obedience and worship are many and varied, and people’s motivation to do them also varies. Hence people’s rewards and status before Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) also vary.
In this hadith, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) urges the Muslim to do a number of righteous deeds, and he describes the types of martyrs. He (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) begins by urging the Muslim to remove harmful things from the road. He speaks of a man who was walking on a road, and came across a thorny branch that was bothering the people; either this branch was on a tree at the level of their heads, and bothered them, or it was at the level of their feet and bothered them. So he removed it, so as to stop it bothering people. Allah accepted that from him and praised him for it, and his reward was that Allah forgave him his sins in return for removing that branch from the road.
Then the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) mentioned types of martyrs who will have the reward of the martyr. It was said that the martyr (shahid) is so called because the angels witness (yashhaduna) his death, so it is witnessed (mashhud). It was also said that it is testified (mashhud) that Paradise is his; or it is because he is alive and present with Allah; or because he has seen (shahida) what Allah has prepared for him of honours. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) mentioned five types of martyrs here. The first of them is the one who dies of a plague, which is an epidemic or pandemic. The second is the one who dies of a stomach disease, namely diarrhoea; it was also said that he is the one who dies of oedema or swelling of the stomach, or the one who dies of any internal disease. The third is the one who dies by drowning in water. The fourth is the one who dies beneath a collapsed structure, such as a wall and the like. The fifth is the one who is killed in Allah’s cause; this refers to a Muslim who dies striving in jihad against the disbelievers, by any means of fighting them, before the war ends. He is the one who is described as a martyr in this world and the hereafter, and he is the one whose body is not to be washed or shrouded in anything except the clothes in which he was killed, and no funeral prayer is to be offered for him. That is in contrast to the other four types, who are martyrs in the hereafter only, and will have a reward like that of the martyr. In this world, however, they are to be washed and shrouded, and the funeral prayer is to be offered for them, like any other Muslim who dies. These manners of dying are regarded as martyrdom by the grace of Allah (may He be exalted), because of how difficult and painful they are.
Other reports mention other types of martyrs, apart from the five mentioned here, such as the report in al-Sahihayn: “Whoever is killed defending his wealth is a martyr”; and the report in Sunan al-Tirmidhi: “Whoever is killed defending his religion is a martyr, whoever is killed defending his life is a martyr, and whoever is killed defending his wife is a martyr.” And there are others. This indicates that the number mentioned in this hadith does not mean that martyrs are limited to these five. The variation in numbers is connected to variations in the revelation that came to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). It is as if the revelation came down to him on separate occasions, and each time told him about some types of martyrs.
Then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) highlighted the virtue of coming early to the prayer, and the virtue of the first row and coming early to the prayer, and praying ‘Isha’ and Fajr in congregation. He states that if people knew of the virtue and reward of coming early to the prayer, and they knew of the reward of standing in the first row that is immediately behind the imam, then they could find no means of attaining that except by drawing lots for it, they would draw lots, because of what there is in these actions of immense reward. Then the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) urged the Muslims to come early to prayer, and stated that if the Muslims knew of the virtue and reward that there is in coming early to the prayer – whichever prayer it is – they would race and compete for that. Similarly, if the people were aware of the reward that there is for praying ‘Isha’ and Fajr in congregation, they would come to these prayers even if they had to come crawling on their hands and knees, or on their stomachs.
The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) referred to ‘Isha’ prayer here as al-‘atamah (lit. darkness), but it was narrated from him (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) elsewhere that he forbade calling ‘Isha’ al-‘atamah, as is narrated in Sahih Muslim from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): “Do not be influenced by the Bedouin with regard to the name of your prayer; indeed it is ‘Isha’, but they delay milking the camels until it is very dark [yu‘timuna].” It was said concerning this that the prohibition mentioned was not emphatic and did not mean that this is haram, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used this wording on this occasion for a reason, which is that they used to call Maghrib prayer ‘Isha’ and they called ‘Isha’ al-‘atamah, based on the time when they offered the prayer. Hence it was necessary to explain things in their dialect sometimes, so that they would not become confused and misunderstand what the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) meant. It was also said that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used these words in order to explain that there is no blame on a person for using them, but that is contrary to what is more appropriate.
This hadith highlights the virtue of removing a harmful thing from the road, which is the least of the branches of faith.
It also highlights the virtue of coming early to the mosque and of competing to be in the first row.
It highlights the virtue of coming early for prayer.
It highlights the virtue of praying ‘Isha’ and Fajr..

659

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The angels send blessings upon one of you so long as he remains in the place where he prayed, provided that he does not commit sin, [and they say]: O Allah forgive him; O Allah have mercy on him. One of you remains in a state of prayer so long as the prayer is detaining him, and nothing is preventing him from returning to his family except the prayer.”.

Commentary : Being attached to prayer and waiting for it is indicative of a sincere faith in Allah (may He be exalted), and is a means of attaining immense reward with Allah (may He be glorified and exalted). In this hadith, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) highlights the virtue of waiting for the prayer in the mosque. He tells us that the angels pray for forgiveness for the believer, so long as he remains in the place where he prayed, or the place that is prepared for prayer. This meaning includes those who are praying and those who are waiting for the prayer. This reward also includes a woman, if she prays in a place in her house that is allocated for prayer, and sits there waiting for the prayer, if what is keeping her from getting up and going about her business is the prayer. This reward is conditional, and it depends on the one who is waiting for the prayer not committing sin by causing offence to someone by backbiting, insulting or the like. And it was said that what is meant by the word translated here as “committing sin” is invalidating his wudu’, because when wudu’ is invalidated the prayer is also invalidated, so he can no longer be in a state of prayer.
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said that the angels say, praying for forgiveness for the person: “O Allah forgive him; O Allah have mercy on him.” The difference between forgiveness and mercy is that forgiveness is concealment and pardon of sins, whereas mercy is showing kindness and generosity.
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) also highlighted the reward for the one who sits, waiting for the prayer. He stated that the worshipper will have reward throughout the period when he is waiting, so long as what is keeping him there and preventing him from going back to his family is nothing except the prayer. This implies that if his intention changes for any reason, the reward mentioned will cease. The same applies if anything else becomes mixed with his intention.
This hadith highlights the virtue of sitting in one’s place of prayer in a state of purity.
It also encourages the Muslim to be devote his time to obeying and worshipping Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) and doing good, and remaining steadfast in that..

660

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “There are seven whom Allah will shade with His shade on the Day when there will be no shade but His: a just ruler; a young man who grows up worshipping Allah; a man whose heart is attached to the mosque; two men who love one another for the sake of Allah, meeting and parting on that basis; a man who is called (to sin) by a woman of status and beauty, but he says, ‘I fear Allah’; a man who gives charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand is giving; and a man who remembers Allah when he is alone and his eyes fill with tears.”.

Commentary : The Day of Resurrection will be a difficult day, filled with terrors, on which the sun will come close to people’s heads and its heat will grow intense. But the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) has given us the glad tidings that Allah has slaves whom He will shade with His shade on that Day on which there will be no shade except His.
In this hadith, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) mentions seven types of people in this ummah who will be blessed with His shade on that Day on which no one will find any shade except those whom Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) will shade with His shade. What is meant by shade here is the shade of the Throne, as is explained in other hadiths, including the report narrated by Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) , according to which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever grants respite to the one who owes him money, or lets him off, will be in the shade of the Throne on the Day of Resurrection.” As what is meant is the shade of the Throne, this implies that they will be in the care of Allah (may He be exalted) and honoured by Him. The first of these seven is the just ruler; this is a ruler who treats his subjects justly, protects their rights, takes care of their interests, and judges between them according to the law of Allah (may He be glorified and exalted). Thus he takes care of their religious and worldly interests. The second is a young man who grows up striving in worshipping his Lord, committed to obeying Him and His commands and prohibitions. The young man is singled out for mention, because worship is harder or more difficult for young people, as the inclination to commit sin is very powerful in their case, and they are overwhelmed by physical desires. But if a young person persists in worship at that age, it is indicative of his being very mindful of Allah and having great fear of Him. The third is a man whose heart is attached to the mosques, so he loves the mosques very much, frequents them and stays in the mosque for a long time, always attending prayers in congregation and obligatory prayers, waiting for prayer after prayer. It is as if his heart is one of the lamps of the mosque. The fourth is two men, each of whom loves the other for the sake of Allah (may He be exalted), seeking His pleasure and obeying Him, and not for any worldly purpose, so they meet one another on this basis and continue to love one another for His sake. The apparent meaning of the phrase “meeting and parting on that basis” is that their love for the sake of Allah is sincere when they meet and when they part. The fifth is a man who is pursued for immoral purposes by a beautiful woman of noble lineage, high status and wealth, but he says, “I fear Allah.” It may be that he utters these words out loud, to deter her from shameful deeds, or he says that to himself in his heart and confirms it by his actions, meaning that fear of Allah prevents him from committing an action that would incur His wrath. The woman of status and beauty is singled out for mention because such a woman is very desirable, and by taking this stance despite all these temptations, this man is able to attain the highest level of obeying and fearing Allah (may He be exalted); this is the character of those who are strong and true in faith (siddiqin). The sixth is a man who gives voluntary charity and goes to extremes in concealing his charity from people, from everything and from his own self, to the extent that his left hand does not know what is right hand is spending. The right hand and left hand are mentioned to emphasize how much he conceals his charity. This likeness is given because the right hand is close to the left and they are always together. What this likeness means is that if his left hand was a man who is alert and notices everything, it would still not be able to find out about it, because he goes to such great lengths to conceal his charity. This is the best approach when giving charity, and is furthest removed from showing off, even though it is permissible to give charity and zakah openly if you are confident that showing off can be avoided, and the intention is to encourage others to also spend in charity, and to set an example for others to follow, and to openly practice the teachings of Islam. The seventh is a man who remembers Allah when he is on his own, either by uttering words of dhikr verbally or by remembering the greatness of Allah (may He be exalted), and the meeting with Him, when he will stand before Him and be brought to account for his deeds, and he remembers that when he is on his own, away from other people, because at that time he is furthest removed from showing off. It was also said that the phrase translated here as “when he is alone” refers to total focus, not paying attention to anyone other than Allah, even if he is amongst people, so his tears flow out of fear of Allah (may He be exalted).
These seven people only attained this blessing by being sincerely devoted to Allah (may He be exalted) and going against their whims and desires. That is because the ruler who has power cannot be just except by going against his whims and desires. The young man who gives precedence to worshipping Allah over the impulses of youth would not be able to do that without going against his whims and desires. With regard to the man whose heart is attached to the mosque, what makes him do that is going against the whims and desires that call him to places of entertainment and leisure. With regard to the giver who hides his charity from his left hand, if he did not suppress his whims and desires, he would not be able to do that. With regard to the one who is called to sin by a beautiful woman of high standing, but he fears Allah (may He be glorified in exalted) and goes against his whims and desires, and the one who remembers Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) when he is on his own and his eyes flow with tears out of fear of Him, only attain this status [of being shaded by Allah’s shade on the Day of Resurrection] by going against their whims and desires. Therefore Allah will save them from the heat, sweat and hardship of the standing on the Day of Resurrection.
This hadith mentions seven types of people, and there are other reports which mention other types in addition to those who are mentioned here. One of these hadiths is that which was narrated by Imam Muslim from Abu’l-Yasar Ka‘b ibn ‘Amr al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him), according to which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The one who gives respite to a debtor who is in difficulty, or waives the debt, Allah will shade him with His shade.” This blessing will also be granted to: the warrior and those who help him, the honest trader, and the one who helps a slave who has a contract of manumission to pay off what he owes to his master, as is narrated in other reports and hadiths. This indicates that the number of those who will be shaded by Allah’s shade is not limited to these seven.
This hadith highlights the virtue of the seven types of people mentioned here, and the virtue of one who is saved from sin and focuses on obeying his Lord all his life.
It also urges the Muslim to do acts of worship and obedience, because they are means of attaining the pleasure of Allah (may He be exalted) in the hereafter.
It also indicates that one of the blessings that Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) will bestow on the Day of Resurrection is shelter beneath His shade..

661

It was narrated that Humayd said: Anas ibn Malik was asked: Did the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) acquire a ring? He said: Yes. One night he delayed ‘Isha’ prayer until halfway through the night, then he turned to us after he had prayed and said: “The people prayed and went to sleep, but you have been in a state of prayer all the time you have been waiting.” [Anas] said: It is as if I can see the glimmering of his ring..

Commentary : Islam permits men to wear rings, so long as they are not made of gold. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had a ring made of silver. In this hadith, that is mentioned along with an explanation of some of the rulings on ‘Isha’ prayer and the virtue of waiting for the prayer. Humayd al-Tawil narrates that Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked: Did the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) acquire a ring? He said: Yes. Then Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that he saw the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) wearing his ring one night. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had delayed ‘Isha’ prayer on that night until halfway through the night, which is the best time [for ‘Isha’ prayer] for those who are able to do that. When the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had finished the prayer at that time, he turned to face those who had prayed with him and said: Other people have prayed ‘Isha’, either at home or in a mosque where they usually pray in congregation, and gone to sleep, whilst you were gaining the reward of prayer throughout this time that you were waiting to pray, until half way through the night. So it is as if you were praying throughout the time that you were waiting.
Then Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that he saw the glimmering of the silver of the ring of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) as he was addressing them. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) acquired a ring when he began to send letters to the kings and rulers, and he was told that they would not accept any letter that did not bear a seal. So he had a ring made of silver, on which were engraved the words “Muhammad Rasulullah (Muhammad the Messenger of Allah)”, as is narrated in al-Sahihayn.
This hadith highlights the virtue of delaying ‘Isha’ prayer until almost half way through the night.
It also highlights the virtue of waiting for prayer after prayer..

662

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah, that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever goes to the mosque and comes back, Allah will prepare his place and provision in Paradise every time he goes and comes back.”.

Commentary : The mosques are the best places on earth, and the more a person’s heart is attached to the mosques, and he finds comfort and ease there, and is keen to pray Jumu‘ah and to pray in congregation, and to remember Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) in the mosques, the greater his reward will be and the higher his status in this world and the hereafter.
In this hadith, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) highlights the virtue of going to the mosques, and mentions the immense reward that is prepared for the one who has the habit of going to the mosque. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) says: “Whoever goes to the mosque and comes back, Allah will prepare his place and provision in Paradise every time he goes and comes back.”
What is meant is one who is always going to the mosque for the purpose of worship, foremost among which is prayer. It was said that what is meant by the phrase, “Whoever goes to the mosque and comes back” is that he goes and comes back from the mosque all the time; in other words, whoever has the habit of going to the mosque, Allah will prepare for him his place and provision in Paradise every time he goes to the mosque. Thus his going to the mosque is a cause of preparation of his place in Paradise. This is encouragement to attend the prayers in congregation, and to regularly attend the mosque for prayer, because if Allah has prepared his place and provision in Paradise simply for going to the mosque and coming back, what do you think will be prepared for him, and what kind of blessings will he receive for praying in congregation, seeking the reward thereof from Allah and showing sincerity to Allah (may He be exalted) in doing that?.

663

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn Malik ibn Buhaynah that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) saw a man praying two rak‘ahs after the iqamah for prayer had been given. When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) finished praying, the people surrounded him [that man] and the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to him: “Did you pray Fajr with four rak‘ahs? Did you pray Fajr with four rak‘ahs?”.

Commentary : Putting priorities in order, and giving precedence to what is more important and to obligatory prayers over supererogatory prayers is indicative of wisdom and a good understanding of religion. In this hadith, ‘Abdullah ibn Buhaynah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) saw a man praying two rak‘ahs after the iqamah had been given for Fajr prayer. It was said that this man was ‘Abdullah ibn Buhaynah, the narrator of this hadith. So the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) spoke to him about that. “When the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) finished praying, the people surrounded him [that man]” That is, they gathered around him and asked him what the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had said to him. So he told them that he had rebuked him by saying to him, “Did you pray Fajr with four rak‘ahs?” That was because the man had ignored the obligatory prayer that was about to begin, and started with a supererogatory prayer, as if he regarded the obligatory prayer and the supererogatory prayer as being equal and as being the same thing, so it was as if he had prayed Fajr with four rak‘ahs. This indicates that it is not permissible to begin a supererogatory prayer after the iqamah has been given for an obligatory prayer, because the obligatory prayer takes precedence over the supererogatory prayer, and catching up with the opening takbir (takbirat al-ihram) with the imam is better than offering a supererogatory prayer. In Sahih Muslim it is narrated that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When the iqamah for prayer is given, there is no prayer except the obligatory prayer,” meaning the prayer that is currently due.
This hadith indicates that it is not allowed to begin a supererogatory prayer after the iqamah for prayer has been given..

673

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: If the dinner of one of you is served and the iqamah is given for prayer, let him start with dinner and let him not rush until he has finished it. Dinner would be served for Ibn ‘Umar and the iqamah will be given for prayer, and he would not go to pray until he had finished eating, even though he would be hearing the recitation of the imam..

Commentary : Prayer is a connection between a person and his Lord, in which he stands before Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) with humility and beseeching Him, hoping for the mercy of Allah and fearing His punishment. Hence he should make sure that there is nothing in his mind or heart to distract him before he starts to pray, so that he will not lose anything of his reward, and so that he may attain reward from Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) in full, with nothing detracted from it.
In this hadith, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) explains that if the serving of food coincides with the time of ‘Isha’ and the iqamah for the prayer, the individual should start with dinner and not rush to go to pray until he has finished eating. Food would be served to Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) – whether that was dinner or any other meal – whilst the iqamah was being given for Maghrib or any other prayer, and he would not go and pray until he had finished eating, even if the imam started to pray. He would continue eating even though he could hear the recitation of the imam in the prayer. This was indicative of Ibn ‘Umar’s deep understanding of religion, because it is part of a person’s deep understanding to attend to his needs so that he will be able to focus on his prayer with no worldly matters to distract him, and he will be able to stand before the Lord (may He be glorified and exalted) and offer his prayer in the most perfect manner.
This hadith encourages the Muslim to free himself from worldly distractions whilst praying.
It highlights the virtue of giving precedence to attaining proper focus and humility in prayer over the virtue of praying when the time for the prayer begins, even if one misses out on praying in congregation, provided that one does not make that a habit..

676

It was narrated that al-Aswad said: I asked ‘A’ishah: What did the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) do in his house? She said: He used to be at the service of his family, then when the time for prayer came, he would go out to pray..

Commentary : The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) instructed men to treat women well, and he urged them to show kindness to them. He (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was the best example to this ummah, so he was the best, most compassionate and kindest of people when dealing with his family and in his treatment of them. One example of that is what the Mother of the Believers ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) speaks of in this hadith. When she (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked about how the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was in his house, and what he used to do, she said: He was at the service of his family, meaning that he would help them with the tasks that they did. That includes the fact that he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) – as is narrated in Musnad Ahmad – used to look after himself, milk his sheep, patch his clothes, and mend his sandals. And when the time for prayer came, he would go out to pray with no delay. This was by way of teaching the ummah so that they might emulate their Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), who did whatever he could and did whatever household tasks he was able to do, and would look after himself in some cases. This indicates that there is nothing contrary to dignity in doing such things, whilst also being keen to fulfil obligatory duties to Allah. This is a way of achieving balance between all the duties and obligations that life may place on a man’s shoulders.
This hadith indicates that one should go to pray when the time for prayer comes, and not be distracted by engaging in any worldly matters, whether one is an imam or member of the congregation.
It indicates that leaders and people of virtue and prominence may take care of their own affairs, and that this is one of the actions of the righteous, following the example of their leader (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)..

1361

Nāfi‘ ibn Jubayr reported: Marwān ibn al-Hakam addressed the people and made mention of Makkah and its inhabitants and inviolability. Still, he did not mention Madīnah and its inhabitants or inviolability. Thereupon, Rāfi‘ ibn Khadīj called him and said: "What is it that I hear you making mention of Makkah and its inhabitants and its inviolability, but you did not make mention of Madīnah and its inhabitants and its inviolability, while the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) declared what is between its two lava fields as inviolable?! And this is with us on Khawlāni parchment. If you wish, I can make you read it." He said: Marwān became silent and then said: "I heard part of that.".

Commentary : Allah Almighty has given Makkah and Madīnah greater status than other places and positions. Allah rendered Makkah a sanctuary for Abraham (Ibrāhīm) (peace be upon him) and made it a safe town. Likewise, He rendered Madīnah a sanctuary for the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
This Hadīth points out that Madīnah is sacred like Makkah. This version has a story. Marwān ibn al-Hakam - the then-governor of Madīnah - addressed the people and mentioned Makkah and its people and its inviolability but did not mention Madīnah and its people and its inviolability. Its inviolability means that everything becomes secure therein, even animals, which may not be hunted, and trees, which may not be cut down, and that no one may do anything in it that contradicts the religion of Allah or commit a crime, an act of injustice, or a sin for which a legal punishment is prescribed. So, it is forbidden to hunt in Madīnah as it is forbidden in the sanctuary of Makkah, but he who hunts in Madīnah faces no punishment, for it is not a place for the rituals, unlike Makkah.
So, Rāfi‘ ibn Khadīj (may Allah be pleased with him) called him and said: "What is it that I hear you making mention of Makkah and its inhabitants and sacredness, but you did not make mention of Madīnah and its inhabitants and its inviolability, while the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) declared what is between its two lava fields as inviolable?!" He meant that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) declared all of Madīnah inviolable. Madīnah lies between two lava fields, eastern and western. A lava field is a land covered with black stones as if it was burned. The eastern lava field is called "Harrat Wāqim", and it now contains Qubā' and the Wāqim fortress. The western lava field is "Harrat Wabarah", and it contains the mosque called the Mosque of the Two Qiblahs. Its borders from the south and north are between the two mountains' Ayr and Thawr. The Prophetic Sanctuary falls between Mount' Ayr from the south, 8.5km away from the Prophet's Mosque, and Mount Thawr from the north, 8km away from the Prophet's Mosque. An official committee in Saudi Arabia has demarcated the Madīnah sanctuary, and the Madīnah Regional Municipality has put architectural signs in the form of arches like those of the Prophet's Mosque, in many places demonstrating these borders.
Then, Rāfi‘ (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "And this is with us" written "on Khawlāni parchment", which is skin attributed to Khawlān, a village in Yemen. Perhaps this skin is characterized by strength and durability suitable for keeping such things. Then, Rāfi‘ said to him: "If you wish, I can make you read it", i.e., if you want to verify this matter by reading the text by yourself, I will enable you to read it. Thereupon, Marwān kept silent and then acknowledged that, saying: "I heard part of that," i.e., the Hadīth in which the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) declared Madīnah inviolable.
The Hadīth demonstrates the status of Madīnah.
It indicates that a knowledgeable person should alert others if they make a mistake or forget or overlook a Shar‘i ruling..

1363

Sa‘d reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I declare inviolable what is between the two lava plains of Madīnah, so its thorn trees must not be cut down and its game must not be killed." He also said: "Madīnah is best for them if they only knew. No one leaves it out of dislike for it except that Allah will replace him with someone better, and no one remains therein despite its hardships and distress except that I shall be an intercessor or a witness for him on the Day of Judgment." [Another narration reads]: And no one intends to harm the people of Madīnah except that Allah will cause him to melt in fire like the melting of lead or the dissolution of salt in water..

Commentary : Allah Almighty has granted Makkah and Madīnah a special position that excels other places and positions on account of the Islamic sacred sites found therein, like the Sacred House in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madīnah.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says: "I declare inviolable what is between the two lava plains of Madīnah," i.e., it is a safe sanctuary, so everything therein should be safe. "Two lava plains": Lava plain, i.e., lava field, which is an area of land with black rocks as if burnt with fire. Madīnah - may Allah increase its honor - is located between two lava fields on the east and the west. The eastern lava field (Harrat Wāqim) now has Qubā’ and Wāqim Fort, whereas the western lava field is Harrat Wabarah, which has a mosque called Masjid Al-Qiblatayn. Its borders from the south and north are between the two mountains ‘Ayr and Thawr. The Prophetic Sanctuary falls between Mount ‘Ayr from the south, which is 8.5 kilometers away from the Prophet's Mosque, and Mount Thawr from the north, which is 8 kilometers away from the Prophet's Mosque. An official committee in Saudi Arabia has demarcated the Madīnah sanctuary, and the Madīnah Regional Municipality has put architectural signs in the form of arches, like those of the Prophet's Mosque, in many places demonstrating these borders.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) then clarified what is prohibited within these borders, as it is prohibited to cut down thorn trees, i.e., all trees having thorns, and it is prohibited to hunt animals and birds therein, as they are protected within these borders.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) then informed us of some of the merits of Madīnah, saying: "Madīnah is best for them if they only knew," referring to people who would leave Madīnah, i.e., Madīnah is best for those leaving it from such countries for whose sake they are leaving it. Then, he clarified that anyone who leaves and abandons it from among its dwellers out of dislike for it, i.e., out of aversion or unwillingness to get a reward for living there, Allah will replace him with someone better in Madīnah, whether a child born there or someone moving from another city and settling therein.
Then he added that anyone who remains steadfast, patiently enduring its hardships, i.e., straitened circumstances and hunger, "and distress", i.e., its difficulties, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) will be an intercessor or a witness for him on the Day of Judgment. The meaning of this may be: the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) will be a witness for some of the people of Madīnah and an intercessor for the rest of them; or he will be an intercessor for the sinners and a witness for the obedient ones; or a witness for those who die during his lifetime and an intercessor for those who die after him; or maybe "or" here is used in the sense of "and", i.e., he will be an intercessor and a witness for them. This is an exclusive merit in addition to the intercession for the sinners or for the worlds on the Day of Judgment and in addition to his testimony to the entire Ummah.
In another narration, he said: "And no one intends to harm the people of Madīnah except that Allah will cause him to melt in fire like the melting of lead or the dissolution of salt in water," i.e., this will happen to him in the Hereafter. This could also mean: Whoever has ill will towards it during the Prophet's lifetime, or in this worldly life, Muslims will be spared of his harm and his plot will fade away just as the lead fades away in fire. Thus, Allah will not grant him a respite and will not grant him authority; rather, He will soon eliminate him.
The Hadīth stresses the importance of Madīnah and its great inviolability.
It also points out how Allah Almighty hastens to inflict His severe punishment on whoever intends to harm Madīnah and its people..

1364

‘Āmir ibn Saad reported: Saad rode to his castle in Al-‘Aqīq and found a slave cutting down the trees or beating them. So, he took all his belongings. When Saad returned, the people of the slave came to him and talked to him about giving back to their slave or to them what he had taken from their slave. Thereupon, he said: "Allah forbid that I should give back anything which the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has given me as a spoil!" He refused to return anything to them..

Commentary : Allah Almighty has given Makkah and Madīnah greater status than other places and positions. Allah rendered Makkah a sanctuary for Abraham (peace be upon him) and made it a safe town. Likewise, He rendered Madīnah a sanctuary for the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i ‘Āmir ibn Saad ibn Abi Waqqās informs that Saad ibn Abi Waqqās (may Allah be pleased with him) rode to his castle in Al-‘Aqīq, a place as close to Madīnah as Al-Baqī 'is close to it, situated nearly 20km away from the Prophet's Mosque. Al-‘Aqīq means: what was ripped by the flood a long time ago. He found a slave cutting trees from the sanctuary of Madīnah or beating them. In other words, he was beating the tree leaves or throwing stones at them. So, Saad (may Allah be pleased with him) took all his belongings, i.e., he took the clothes he was wearing and other things which would be taken from a killed person among the disbelievers, which include his horse, weapon, money, etc. The people of the slave came and asked him to return to their slave or to them what he had taken from their slave. He declined that, citing the Prophet's instruction regarding anyone who does so within the sanctuary of Madīnah. He said: Allah forbid that I should give back anything which the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) has given me as a spoil, i.e., booty with his permission to anyone who sees someone hunting or cutting trees that he may take his belongings. So, he refused to return what he had taken from them. This is all intended to show extreme rejection and deterrence, and it is also because he considered this act worthy of criticism and firm response so that this issue could spread among the people so that they would refrain from hunting and cutting trees in Madīnah..

1373

Abu Hurayrah reported: When the people saw the first fruits, they would bring them to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) received them, he would say: "O Allah, bless for us our fruits, bless for us our Madīnah, bless for us our Sā‘, and bless for us our Mudd. O Allah, indeed Abraham is Your slave, friend, and Prophet, and indeed I am Your slave and Prophet; and he supplicated You regarding Makkah, and I supplicate You regarding Madīnah with the same supplication he made to You for Makkah and the like of it along with it." He said: Then, he would call the youngest child and give these fruits to him..

Commentary : Allah Almighty has endowed some places in the world with particular blessings which He has not given to other places. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to supplicate Allah to bless Madīnah and its people and fruits and to fill it with goodness and blessing, as Abraham, the friend of Allah (peace be upon him), supplicated for Makkah.
In this Hadīth, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that when the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) "saw the first fruits", which is the first produce and the first fruits to become ripe in their farms, they would bring them to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) as a gift to him, or they would do that out of a desire for the Prophet's supplication and to notify him of the fruits becoming ripe and the Zakah related to them. When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) received them, he would supplicate for them, saying: "O Allah, bless for us our fruits" with growth, increase, and continuity. Then, he would supplicate for Madīnah, saying: "bless for us our Madīnah", i.e., in its essence in terms of its opulence and the opulence of its people and so on. Blessing is intended to refer to blessing in this world and the Hereafter. Then, he supplicated with regard to the Sā‘ and Mudd of Madīnah, saying: "bless for us our Sā ', and bless for us our Mudd", i.e., bless for us what is measured in our Sā 'and bless for us what is measured in our Mudd, making what is in it more sufficient than what lies elsewhere. The Sā‘ of Madīnah is a measure that consists of four Mudds, and a Mudd equals one pound and a third among the people of Hejaz and two pounds elsewhere.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) supplicated for Madīnah as Abraham (peace be upon him) supplicated for Makkah; he said: "O Allah, indeed Abraham is Your slave, friend, and Prophet, and indeed I am Your slave and Prophet; and he supplicated You regarding Makkah" by saying: {So make the people’s hearts incline towards them, and provide for them fruits, so that they may be grateful.} [Surat Ibrāhīm: 37] Meaning, provide the people of Makkah with fruits by bringing them from other lands so that they may show gratitude for this blessing. Certainly, Allah answered his supplication and made it a safe sanctuary to which all different fruits are brought.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "And I supplicate You regarding Madīnah with the same supplication he made to You for Makkah and the like of it along with it," i.e., with the double of what Abraham (peace be upon him) supplicated for. Thus, Madīnah should have double the blessing in the fruits.
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would give these fruits he received to the youngest child present, and he probably gave them to children in particular because they have a greater desire, want, and longing for them.
The Hadīth demonstrates the Prophet's noble manners, great compassion and mercy, and gentle attitude toward the old and young.
It shows the Prophet's love for Madīnah..

1374

Abu Sa‘īd, the freed slave of Al-Mahri, reported: they suffered distress and hardship in Madīnah, and he came to Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri and said to him: "I have a lot of dependents, and we are enduring hardship. I have, therefore, made up my mind to take my dependents to some rural land." Abu Sa‘īd said: "Do not do that; stick to Madīnah, for indeed we came out with the Prophet of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) - I think he said:- until we reached 'Usfān, and he stayed there for some nights. The people said: 'By Allah, we are here for nothing, whereas our children are unprotected, and we do not feel secure about them.' This was conveyed to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and he said: 'What is this that was conveyed to me from your speech?! - I do not know what he said: By the One by Whom I swear, or by the One in Whose Hand my soul is - I made up my mind, or if you will - I do not know which of that he said - that I should command my she-camel be prepared for proceeding and I will not untie any of its knots until I come to Madīnah.' Then, he said: 'O Allah, indeed Abraham declared Makkah as sacred and rendered it a sanctuary, and I declare Madīnah as sacred and a sanctuary between its two mountains. Thus, no blood is to be shed on it, no weapon is to be carried therein for fighting, and the leaves of trees are not to be beaten off except for fodder. O Allah, bless us in our city; O Allah, bless us in our Sā '; O Allah, bless us in our Mudd; O Allah, bless us in our Sā '; O Allah, bless us in our Mudd; O Allah, bless us in our city; O Allah, give with the blessing two more blessings. By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, there is no ravine or mountain path in Madīnah which two angels do not guard until you reach there.' Then, he said to the people: 'Proceed,' We proceeded and came to Madīnah. By the One in Whose name we take oath - or in Whose name oath is taken - we had hardly put down our camel saddles upon entering Madīnah that we were attacked by Banu ‘Abdullāh ibn Ghatafān, and nothing prevented them from doing it before that.".

Commentary : Allah Almighty endowed some places of the world with particular blessings that He did not give to other places, and He made some places locations for evils and trials and some others locations for goodness and blessings. The Prophet's Madīnah has been endowed with abundant goodness and blessing.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu Sa‘īd, the freed slave of Al-Mahri, who was living in Madīnah, relates that they suffered distress and hardship due to poverty and lack of provisions, he complained to Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) about his condition and that he had "a lot of dependents," i.e., the members of one's household and those he supports; and he wants to leave Madīnah and go to some rural land where there are plants and fertility. In response, Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) enjoined him to stick to Madīnah and not leave it. Clarifying the reason behind that, he mentioned that they went out of Makkah along with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) until they reached 'Usfān, a village lying 80km to the northwest of Makkah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stayed in it for nights and days. The people said: "We are here for nothing," i.e., business or work, or anything related to war. "whereas our children are unprotected," i.e., without men or any means of protection. We left them behind, and "we do not feel secure about them"; rather, we fear for them that the enemy may attack them while we are away. These words reached the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and he asked them: "What is this that was conveyed to me from your speech" regarding your dependents and families?! Then Abu Sa‘īd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I do not know what he said"; Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) was doubtful about the oath taken by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), whether he said: "By the One by Whom I swear, or by the One in Whose Hand my soul is"; the latter is the form the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would mostly use for swearing. Also, Abu Sa‘īd was in doubt about whether the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I made up my mind, or if you will", meaning he resolved and intended to do something, but he did not actually do it, or he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) left the matter to them; and that is: to command his she-camel be saddled and prepared for riding and travel and he would ride it and proceed and not untie any of the knots of the luggage loaded on it till he reaches Madīnah. This indicates that they alighted in 'Usfān for rest and to let their animals rest. Had it not been for that, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would have hastened to Madīnah nonstop, which shows the Prophet's intense love for Madīnah.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, indeed Abraham declared Makkah as sacred and rendered it a sanctuary", i.e., he proclaimed its sacredness and informed people that it is a sanctuary because Allah made it sacred. "And I declare Madīnah as sacred"; the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) rendered it "a sanctuary between its two mountains." In another version by Muslim: "I declare what is between the two lava fields of Madīnah as sacred." A lava field is called Al-Harrah. Madīnah lies between two lava fields, eastern and western. A lava field is a land covered with black stones as if it was burned. Madīnah is bordered by Mount Thawr, behind' Uhud, from the north and Mount Ayr from the south. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) meant that he declared all of Madīnah as sacred. An official committee in Saudi Arabia has demarcated the Madīnah sanctuary, and the Madīnah Regional Municipality has put architectural signs in the form of arches like those of the Prophet's Mosque, in many places demonstrating these borders.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that his declaration of Madīnah as sacred means: "that no blood is to be shed in it", i.e., nobody is to be unjustly killed therein. The unjust shedding of blood is forbidden everywhere, but shedding it in Makkah and Madīnah is more severely forbidden. "no weapon is to be carried for fighting" except for self-defense and the like. And no tree should be cut off except for fodder. Fodder is a name for grass, hay, barley, and the like, and it is intended to refer to the food of animals.
Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) supplicated for them to have the blessing in their foods. He said: "O Allah, bless us in our city; O Allah, bless us in our Sā '; O Allah, bless us in our Mudd", i.e., bless the food measured by the two of them. Also, the supplication probably means that blessing should lie in the very measure, and thus, a Mudd in it be sufficient in a way not found elsewhere. The Sā‘ of Madīnah is a measure that consists of four Mudds, and a Mudd equals one pound and a third according to the people of Hejaz and two pounds elsewhere. Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) repeated his supplication: "O Allah, bless us in our Sā '; O Allah, bless us in our Mudd; O Allah, bless us in our city." And he added: "O Allah, give with the blessing two more blessings", supplicating Allah, the Exalted and Glorified, to increase and multiply the blessings and favors for the people of Madīnah. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) swore by Allah in Whose Hand lies the soul of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and all humankind: "There is no ravine or mountain path in Madīnah which is not guarded by two angels", i.e., they protect it by the command of Allah Almighty until the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and those with him returned to Madīnah. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) enjoined his Companions to prepare for travel. So, they got prepared and proceeded toward Madīnah.
Then Abu Sa‘īd (may Allah be pleased with him) swore by Allah Almighty - by Whom every Muslim swears - that once they unloaded their luggage from their animals as they entered Madīnah, Banu' Abdullāh ibn Ghatafān raided Madīnah, those are people who used to be called Banu' Abd al-‘Uzza during Jāhiliyyah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) called them Banu' Abdullāh, and then the Arabs called them Banu Muhawwalah due to Tahwīl (the change) of their name. The meaning: In their absence, Madīnah was guarded, as informed by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). No apparent cause prevented those people from raiding Madīnah before the return of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions, except that Allah Almighty and His angels guarded it.
There is no contradiction in this Hadīth between the Prophet's supplication for Madīnah to be blessed and the fact that some of its people endured hardship, as there is no conflict between the existence of hardship in it and the existence of blessing and no harm done if it is lacking with regard to some people. It is said: What appears to be more correct is that the blessing in it lies in the obtainment of sustenance, and the Mudd in it is sufficient for such an amount that needs three Mudds elsewhere. So, the hardship can be endured in getting the Mudd, and the blessing is represented by multiplying the sustenance therein.
The Hadīth mentions that Allah blessed the people of Madīnah with their fruits and foods and placed blessings in their measures.
It demonstrates the Prophet's intense love for Madīnah and how he would yearn for it whenever he went out until he returned.
It points out the merit of Madīnah and that it was guarded during the Prophet's lifetime and numerous guards were stationed in all ravines, by way of increasing the honor of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)..

1375

Sahl ibn Hunayf reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed with his hand to Madīnah and said: "It is a safe sanctuary.".

Commentary : Allah Almighty endowed some places of the world with particular blessings that He did not give to other places, and He made some places' locations for evils and trials and others' locations for goodness and blessings. The Prophet's Madīnah has been endowed with abundant goodness and blessing.
In this Hadīth, the noble Companion Sahl ibn Hunayf (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed with his hand to Madīnah and then said: "It is a safe sanctuary." So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) declared it - as in another version by Muslim -: "inviolable throughout the area between its two mountain paths, that no blood should be shed in it, no weapon should be carried in it for fighting, and no leaves should be beaten off trees except for fodder." Fodder is a name for grass, hay, barley, etc. In another version in the Sahīh Muslim Collection: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I declare inviolable the area between the two lava fields of Madīnah, that its large thorn trees should not be cut down or its game be killed." The meaning: It is forbidden to cut down its trees or kill its game. Its sanctuary lies between its two lava fields, the eastern and the western. A lava field is a land covered with black stones as if it was burned. Madīnah is bordered by Mount Thawr to the north, behind ’Uhud, and by Mount ‘Ayr to the south..

1377

Yuhannas, the freed slave of Az-Zubayr, reported that while sitting with 'Abdullāh ibn Umar at the time of the trial, one of his freed female slaves came and greeted him. She said: "I want to leave, O 'Abu' Abdur-Rahmān. The time has become harsh for us." Thereupon, 'Abdullāh said to her: "Stay, O you Lakā ', for indeed I have heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'No one patiently endures its hunger and hardship except that I will be a witness or intercessor for him on the Day of Judgment.'".

Commentary : Allah, the Exalted and Glorified, endowed some places of the earth with particular blessings that He did not give to other places, and He made some of them locations for evils and trials and others for goodness and blessings. The Prophet's Madīnah has been endowed with abundant goodness, blessing, and merit.
In this Hadīth, Yuhannas, the freed slave of Az-Zubayr - or the freed slave of Mus‘ab ibn az-Zubayr - relates that while he was sitting in the company of ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him), "one of his freed female slaves came and greeted him", a greeting of farewell, as she wanted to leave Madīnah. This was at a time in which some tribulations occurred among the Muslims, involving fighting and the like. He was apparently referring to the trial of Al-Harrah, which took place during the reign of Yazīd ibn Mu‘āwiyah. She said: "I want to leave" Madīnah, "O ‘Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmān", the surname of ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). And she said: "The time has become harsh for us." This demonstrates the reason behind her desire to depart from Madīnah. She meant that famine had become severe at this time because of the trial. Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) disapproved of that and urged her to stay in Madīnah, given the merit of doing so. He said: "Stay, O you Lakā '". The word 'Lakā" is used to refer to a vile person, a slave, a fool who does not benefit from the speech of others, or a child. Ibn' Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) addressed her by this word in a friendly manner and to express disapproval of her desire to depart from Madīnah, for one should not leave it due to difficulty and hardship.
Then, he clarified to her why he enjoined her to stay in Madīnah, and this is because he heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "No one patiently endures its hunger and hardship except that I will be a witness or intercessor for him on the Day of Judgment." The intended meaning is that he will be a witness for some of the people of Madīnah and an intercessor for the rest of them; or an intercessor for the disobedient and a witness for the obedient; or a witness for those who die during his lifetime and an intercessor for those who die after him; or the word 'or' here means 'and', in which case the meaning will be that he will be an intercessor and witness for him. This is an additional characteristic besides the intercession for sinners or humankind on the Day of Judgment and besides his testimony over the entire Ummah.
The Hadīth urges dwelling in Madīnah.
It points out the merit of patiently enduring hardship and hunger in Madīnah.
It demonstrates the Prophet's favor upon the people of Madīnah..

1380

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Anti-Christ (Al-Masīh ad-Dajjāl) will come from the east with the intention to attack Madīnah until he will alight behind' Uhud, and then the angels will dissuade his face toward the Levant, and there he will be destroyed.".

Commentary : The Prophet's Madīnah possesses great merits, and Allah Almighty has protected it from evils and ills and the Anti-Christ, preventing him from entering it, as He also protects Makkah from him by virtue of the Prophet's supplication for it.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that the Anti-Christ will be keen on going to the Prophet's Madīnah, and his primary goal and intention behind entering it will be to destroy and ruin it. "he will alight behind' Uhud", i.e., he will reach the area behind Mount' Uhud, the well-known mountain lying on the outskirts of Madīnah from the north and situated 4 or 5km away from the Prophet's Mosque. In his story in which he met the Anti-Christ, Tamīm ad-Dāri narrated that he said to him: "and I will travel in the land and not leave any town except that I will stay in it for forty nights, except for Makkah and Taybah (Madīnah), as both of them are forbidden for me. Each time I try to enter one of them, an angel with a sword in his hand unsheathed will confront me and bar my way, and there are angels to guard every passage leading to it." [Narrated by Muslim] But, the angels who guard Madīnah will direct him toward the Levant, which nowadays includes Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon. The Anti-Christ will come to the Levant, and there he will be destroyed, as Jesus the son of Mary (‘Īsa the son of Mariyam) (peace be upon both of them) will descend at the white minaret in eastern Damascus, placing his hands on the wings of two angels. Then, he will pursue him and find him at the gate of Ludd, where the Messiah, the son of Mary, will kill him. as related in another Hadīth narrated by Muslim and others.
The Anti-Christ was called Masīh because one of his eyes is Mamsūh (effaced); he is one-eyed. He is a person from the children of Adam, and his emergence is one of the major signs of the Day of Judgment. Allah will afflict His servants through him and enable him to do things of which only Allah Almighty is capable: bringing the dead person he will kill back to life, the emergence of worldly flourishment and abundance along with him, his paradise and fire, his two rivers, the treasures of earth going after him, and his command to the sky to rain and it will rain and to the earth to produce plants and it will produce plants. All this will happen by the will and power of Allah Almighty. He will come on this day from the east. In a Hadīth narrated by At-Tirmidhi, Abu Bakr as-Siddīq (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Ant-Christ will emerge from a land in the east called Khurāsān," which is located in the east of Iraq..

1381

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A time will come for the people when a man will invite his cousin and relative: 'Come to prosperity, come to prosperity.' But Madīnah is better for them if they only knew. By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, none amongst them will go out with a dislike for it except that Allah will make someone better succeed him therein. Indeed, Madīnah is like a bellows, which expels the impurities. The Last Hour will not come until Madīnah banishes its evils just as a bellows eliminates the impurities of iron.".

Commentary : The Prophet's Madīnah is a blessed spot on earth. Allah rid it of impurities and chose it to be the place of Hijrah for the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), the incubator of his mission and the foundation of his state.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that a time will come for the people when a man will call his cousin and relative, saying: "Come to prosperity", i.e., leave Madīnah and hasten to prosperity. By this, he meant that countries would be conquered by the Muslims, and thus, there would be abundant fortunes. Consequently, many of those who left the Hejaz and the Arab land would be inclined to the fortunes they found in these conquered countries and would take them as a homeland and invite their relatives in Madīnah to come to them, given the difficult living there. But in reality, staying in Madīnah is better for them as it is the sanctuary of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his refuge and the place where divine revelation and blessings descended if they only knew the religious benefits and results of staying in it, compared to which the worldly transient and fleeting fortunes they find in living elsewhere would seem trivial. Or the meaning: If they only had any knowledge, i.e., Would that they were among the people of knowledge - by way of emphasis and rebuke.
Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) took an oath, saying: "By the One in Whose Hand my soul is", and this is swearing by Allah, Who possesses the life and soul, "none amongst them will go out" i.e., none of those who live in it will abandon and leave it, disliking and being disinterested in it, or disinterested the reward for dwelling in it, except that Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, will make a better person than him will succeed him - who will be born in Madīnah or move to it from another place. Then the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned that it banishes evil people from it, and they do not bear to live therein. Only the righteous believers bear to stay in it. Indeed, it does not leave in it anyone in whose heart there is wickedness and corruption. Rather, it distinguishes him from people with sincere hearts and drives him out, as fire separates bad iron from good one. A bellows is the leather by which the blacksmith blows into the fire. The Hour will not occur until Madīnah banishes its evils just as a bellows eliminates the impurities of iron. The impurities of iron are the dirt and filth extricated therefrom by fire. It is said: It is meant to refer here to some of the hypocrites who lived during the lifetime of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Otherwise, many righteous and virtuous people left Madīnah after the Prophet's lifetime, and some wicked and evil people remained therein. It is also said That Madīnah banishes its evils, which probably applies to the time of the Dajjāl and may also apply to different eras.
The Hadīth demonstrates some merits of Madīnah.
It includes one of the signs proving the Prophet's prophethood..

1385

Jābir ibn Samurah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Indeed, Allah Almighty named Madīnah Tābah.".

Commentary : The Prophet's Madīnah is a blessed spot on earth. Allah has purified it from filth and has chosen it to be the Prophet's destination of Hijrah (immigration), the incubator of his call, and the basis of his state.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that one of the names by which Allah Almighty called Madīnah is 'Tābah'. The meaning is that Allah Almighty named it in the Preserved Tablet or commanded His Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to name it as such in response to the hypocrites concerning its name as Yathrib. Tābah is derived from At-Tīb, which means good scent, or from something Tayyib (good) or something Tāhir (pure), for it has been purified from Shirk (polytheism). It is said: Because it is Tayyibah (good) for those who dwell in it. And it is said: Because living in it is Tayyib (good). It is also said: Because its soil and air are Tayyib. He who stays in it finds a good scent in its soil and walls that can hardly be found elsewhere.
Madīnah used to be called Yathrib before the Prophet's Hijrah to it. In the Two Sahīh Collections, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I have been commanded to go to a town which will devour all towns. People call it Yathrib, but it is Madīnah." He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) seemed to have disliked the name Yathrib, for it comes from "Tathrīb", which means censure and punishment, or from "Tharb", which means corruption, and because it was the name used in Jāhiliyyah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to change bad names. Also, Allah Almighty calls it Madīnah in several Qur'anic verses. When something has numerous names, this denotes its greatness.
As for calling it "Yathrib" in the Qur'anic verse that reads: {And [remember] when a group of them said: "O people of Yathrib, you cannot withstand [the enemy attack], so go back"} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 13], this is taken as a quotation of the words of the hypocrites whose hearts had sickness..

1386

Abu Hurayrah reported that Abu al-Qāsim (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever intends to do harm to the people of this city - meaning Madīnah - Allah will make him dissolve just as salt dissolves in water.".

Commentary : Prophetic Madīnah is a blessed spot on earth. Allah has purified it from filth and has chosen it to be the Prophet's destination in his Hijrah (emigration), the incubator of his call, and the basis of his state.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that Allah Almighty defends Madīnah and its righteous believing dwellers. So, whoever intends to do harm to the people of Madīnah and is determined to hurt them, Allah will make him dissolve as salt dissolves in water, and this will be in the Hereafter as mentioned in Sahīh Muslim: "No one intends evil for the people of Madīnah except that Allah will make him melt in fire like the melting of lead;" so He made the punishment in Hellfire. This could also mean: Whoever has ill will towards it during the Prophet's lifetime, Muslims will be spared his harm, and his plot will fade away just as salt fades away in water. This could also be in reference to whoever has an ill will towards it generally in this life, so Allah will not grant him a respite and will not grant him authority; rather, He will soon eliminate him..

1398

Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān reported: ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Abi Sa‘īd al-Khudri passed by me, and I said to him: What did you hear your father say about the mosque that was founded on piety? He said: I heard my father say: I entered upon the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the house of one of his wives and I said: O Messenger of Allah, which of the two mosques is the one founded on piety? He said: He took a handful of pebbles and threw them on the ground and then said: It is this very mosque of yours, i.e., the Madīnah Mosque. I said: I bear witness that this is how I heard your father make mention of it..

Commentary : Piety means fearing Allah and being heedful of Him in all deeds, and abiding by His commands, prohibitions, and rulings in all aspects of life. The Muslim must adopt piety and must seek to attain it. Allah Almighty commended piety and the pious people in the Qur’an.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn ‘Awf reports that ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Abi Sa‘īd al-Khudri passed by him, so he asked him: What did you hear your father, Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) say in relation to what is meant by the mosque that was founded on piety, which Allah Almighty described in His statement: {A mosque that was founded on piety from the first day}? [Surat at-Tawbah: 108] That is to say, it was founded and built on fearing Allah and obeying Him from the very beginning.
He told him that Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) entered upon the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when he was in the house of one of his wives and asked him: "Which of the two mosques is the one founded on piety?" The "two mosques" refer to Qubā’ Mosque and the Madīnah Mosque, which was built by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) took a handful of small pebbles from the ground and threw them on the ground, then he answered the question of Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) saying: "It is this very mosque of yours," i.e., the Madīnah Mosque. This is meant as a form of exaggeration in clarifying that it is the Madīnah Mosque.
Thereupon, Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān said to ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Abi Sa‘īd: "I bear witness that this is how I heard your father," i.e., Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), "make mention of it," i.e., he had mentioned to me the like of what you mentioned to me about it.
The Hadīth clarifies the merit of the Prophet's Mosque and the fact that it was founded on piety..

1403

Jābir reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw a woman, so he came to his wife Zaynab, while she was tanning a Manī’ah (piece of leather), and satisfied his need. Then, he came out to his Companions and said: "The woman advances in the shape of a devil and retires in the shape of a devil. So, when any of you sees a woman, he should come to his wife, for that will repel what he feels in his heart." [In another version]: He did not mention: "retires in the shape of a devil.".

Commentary : Islam has protected women from all evil, and the Shariah has commanded women to avoid Tabarruj (impermissible exposure of adornment), so as not to arouse desires and become a cause of tempting others.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reports that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw a woman, as if he saw her all of a sudden. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went to his wife, Zaynab bint Jahsh, to satisfy his human lust and maintain his chastity. Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her) was tanning a piece of leather, i.e., rubbing it. "Manī’ah": it is the leather once put in tannin. He did this only to clarify to people and guide them to what they should do, as he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught them with his acts and words. As for what he felt in his heart, he is not to be blamed for it, and it does not negatively affect his status. It is a requirement of human nature and lust. It must not be thought that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did this out of a whim or for being overcome by lust, far be it from him. Rather, he did this by way of legislation and to set an example and to ward off what is expected to happen.
Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The woman advances in the shape of a devil and retires in the shape of a devil" referring to personal desires and inviting others to be tempted by her, given the natural inclination for women that Allah Almighty has instilled in men and the pleasure they get by looking at women and at whatever is related to them. The woman is, thus like the devil who calls to evil through his whispering and through making evil appealing to them. This is because her advance calls men to look stealthily at her just like the devil that calls to evil and whispering. The same applies to her turning back because the gaze is the heart's guide, so when she turns back, she attracts a man's gaze and he tries to take backdoors to reach her, as seeing her from all directions is a cause of corruption.
Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "So, when any of you sees a woman," i.e., likes and admires her, because seeing something that arouses one's amazement, leads to admiring it. Another version by Muslim reads: "When any of you admires a woman and his heart is captivated by her, he should go to his wife and have sexual intercourse with her." Here he said: "He should come to his wife," i.e., and have sexual intercourse with her. "For that will repel what he feels in his heart," i.e., his sexual intercourse with his wife will repel what he feels in his heart and will satiate his lust and calm him down.
The Hadīth indicates that there is nothing wrong with one asking his wife for sexual intercourse during daytime or at any other time, even if she is preoccupied with something that could be postponed because a man might be overcome by lust and the delay might cause him harm in his body, or in his heart and sight.
It also denotes how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught his Companions the way of ridding the devil's whispers by going for what is lawful instead of what is unlawful..

1405

Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) allowed the Mut‘ah marriage (temporary marriage) for three days in the year of Awtās, then he forbade it..

Commentary : Islam has established the legal marriage system to protect the progeny and people's honor. It has forbidden all means of enjoying women that were widespread in the pre-Islamic era of ignorance, which do not protect women's rights.
In this Hadīth, Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) permitted and allowed his Companions to enter into Mut‘ah marriage for three days and that was when it became so hard for them to stay unmarried in the Battle of Awtās, which took place in the same year after the Conquest of Makkah, i.e., 8 AH. The Mut‘ah marriage is a fixed-term marriage, with the word "tamattu‘" (enjoyment) verbally stated, in return for an amount of money. Awtās is a valley in Tā’if where the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) distributed the spoils of Hunayn and Awtās. Then, he forbade the Mut‘ah marriage after those three days and made it permanently forbidden until the Day of Judgment.
The Mut‘ah marriage was known during the early stages of Islam and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not forbid them from it during their travels, given their need for it. However, he forbade them from it during their stay and residence in their countries. The ruling of the Mut‘ah marriage passed through various phases, as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade them from it more than once, then he ordered them to engage in it at various times until he made it permanently forbidden. Forbidding the Mut‘ah marriage was reported in many narrations, which point out that the prohibition was in the Conquest of Makkah, which is the most famous opinion, or in the Battle of Awtās, or in the Battle of Khaybar, or during the Prophet's last days in the Farewell Hajj. It was a permanent prohibition and not a temporary one, thus leaving no room for any difference of opinion among the jurists and the leading scholars of the Ummah. Only some of the Shiites hold a different opinion whose opinion does not count..

1405

‘Atā’ reported: Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh came for ‘Umrah. We came to his abode, and the people asked him about certain matters, and then they mentioned Mut'ah. Thereupon, he said: "Yes, we engaged in Mut'ah during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and Abu Bakr and 'Umar.".

Commentary : Islam has established the Shar‘i marriage system to protect progeny and honor. It has forbidden all means of enjoying women that were widespread in Jāhiliyyah (the pre-Islamic era of ignorance), which do not protect their rights.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i ‘Atā’ ibn Abi Rabāh informs that Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) came to Makkah to perform ‘Umrah, and some of the Tābi‘is came to him in his dwelling and began to ask him about religious matters and seek his Fatwas on them. This was the attitude of the Tābi‘is; they were keen on receiving knowledge from the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Then, they asked him about Mut‘ah marriage, in which a man enjoys a woman in return for compensation agreed upon by them and for a specified period, and the marriage ends with the elapse of this period. In response, Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Yes, we engaged in Mut‘ah during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and Abu Bakr and ‘Umar," i.e., during the reign of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and during the reign of ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). In another version by Muslim: "We used to engage in Mut'ah in return for a handful of dates and flour during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and Abu Bakr, until 'Umar forbade it in the case of 'Amr ibn Hurayth." 'Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) married a woman by Mut'ah marriage during the reign of 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and she got pregnant from him. The statement of Jābir and the action of 'Amr (may Allah be pleased with both of them) are taken to indicate that the Prophet's prohibition of such marriage did not reach them.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) permitted the Mut'ah marriage in the beginning and then forbade it later during the battle of Khyber until the Day of Judgment, and he declared it unlawful during the Farewell Hajj, as narrated by Al-Bukhāri, Muslim, and others. In a Hadīth in the Two Sahīh Collections, ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade the Mut‘ah marriage of women as well as eating the flesh of domestic donkeys. In the Sahīh Muslim Collection: Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) allowed the Mut‘ah marriage for three days in the year of Awtās, and then he forbade it..

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths

It was narrated from ‘Awn ibn Abi Juhayfah, from his father, that he saw Bilal giving the call to prayer. [He said:] I started watching his mouth as he turned this way and that, this way and that, reciting the adhan..

It was narrated that Anas ibn Malik said: The iqamah for prayer was given when the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was conversing with a man in a corner of the mosque, and he did not get up to pray until the people had fallen asleep..

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Prayer in congregation is twenty-seven times better than prayer offered on one’s own.”.

It was narrated that Umm al-Darda’ said: Abu’l-Darda’ came in, looking angry. I said: What has made you angry? He said: By Allah, I do not recognize anything of the ummah of Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) except the fact that they pray together..

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah, that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever goes to the mosque and comes back, Allah will prepare his place and provision in Paradise every time he goes and comes back.”.

It was narrated that al-Aswad said: I asked ‘A’ishah: What did the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) do in his house? She said: He used to be at the service of his family, then when the time for prayer came, he would go out to pray..

Sahl ibn Hunayf reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed with his hand to Madīnah and said: "It is a safe sanctuary.".

Jābir ibn Samurah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "Indeed, Allah Almighty named Madīnah Tābah.".

Abu Hurayrah reported that Abu al-Qāsim (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever intends to do harm to the people of this city - meaning Madīnah - Allah will make him dissolve just as salt dissolves in water.".

Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) allowed the Mut‘ah marriage (temporary marriage) for three days in the year of Awtās, then he forbade it..