| 2 Hadiths


Hadith
1946
Narrated Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him):Allah's Messengerﷺwas on a journey once and saw a crowd of people, and a man was being shaded (by them). He asked, "What is the matter?" They said, "He (the man) is fasting." The Prophet ﷺsaid, "It is not an act of righteousness to fast on a journey."
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Commentary :
Legal concessionshave been prescribed for those who are not able to abide by the original rulings pertaining to worshipful acts, as a manifestation ofthe divine mercy and kindness conferred by Allah, Exalted is He, on His servants. The status of those who opt for legal concessions must not be undermined, nor should they bereproached for it. Rather, opting for legal concessions in their proper context is held in the same regard as abiding by the original rulings in their proper context,as per the laws of Islam (i.e., none is deemed superior to the other).
In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah Al-Ansaaree(may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Messenger of Allahﷺ was once on a journey, and he saw a crowd of people around a man shading him from the sun. The man was drained of energy because of thirst and fatigue. He ﷺasked, "What is the matter? (What happened to him?)" They explained that he was exhausted because he was fasting while traveling and did not avail himself of the legal concession in this regard. Thereupon, the Prophet ﷺinformed them that his actdid not conform with the due obedience andrighteousness to face such hardship, considering that Allah, Exalted is He,had granted legal concession for a traveler to refrain from fasting, whether it was obligatory of voluntary fasting. The legal concession in this regard was revealed in the Quran; Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {…and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.} [Quran 2:185]. The need to avail oneself of the legal concession and refrain from fasting is further emphasized if the traveler is performing Hajj or participating in Jihaad, because both require physical strength.
The permissibility of fasting while travelling as long as one finds the physical strength to endure ithas been deduced from the following hadeeth. Narrated Aboo Al-Dardaa’ (may Allah be pleased with him): “We set out with Allah's Messengerﷺon one of his journeys on a very hot day, and it was so hot that one had to put his hand over his head to protect himself from the burning sun. None of us was fasting except the Prophet ﷺ and Ibn Rawaahah (may Allah be pleased with him).” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].
This hadeeth highlights that the Laws of Islam is founded on ease and facilitation.  It also urges Muslims to take it easy on themselves with regard to worship and avail of the legal concessions granted to them by Allah, The Exalted.
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1947
Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him):We used to travel with the Prophet ﷺand neither did the fasting persons criticize those who were not fasting, nor did those who were not fasting criticize the fasting ones.
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Commentary :
Concessionsinworship have been prescribedfor those who are not able to abide by the original rulings,as a manifestation ofthe divine mercy and kindness conferred by Allah, Exalted is He, on His servants.
The status of those who opt for these legal concessions must not be undermined, nor should they be reproached for it. Rather, opting for legal concessions in their proper context is held in the same regardas abiding by the original rulings in their proper context as per the laws of Islam (i.e., none is held superior to the other).
In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) related that they used to travel with the Prophet ﷺ and neither did the fasting persons criticize those who were not fasting, availing themselves of the legal concession, nor did those who were not fasting criticize the fasting ones, who chose to abide by the original ruling. Both options are prescribed for the traveler, to best suit the different conditions of people during travel. Whoever is able to fast should do so, and whoever is unable to fast should avail himself of the legal concession,and there is no harm in that.
The legal concession in this regard was revealed in the Quran; Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {…and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.} [Quran 2:185]. The need to avail oneself of the legal concession and refrain from fasting is further emphasized if the traveler is performing Hajj or participating in Jihaad, because both require physical strength.
This hadeeth instructs Muslims not to give in to anger or object to what is permissible and prescribed.
It is also deduced therefrom that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were considerate with one another and knowledgeable of both legal concessions and original rulings.
It is also inferred thathavingknowledge of Laws of Islam provisions prevents disagreement among Muslims..

1949
Narrated Naafi‘ narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)recited the ayah: "They had a choice either to fast or to feed a poor person for every day and said that the ayah was abrogated.
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Commentary :
Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam, and the Quranand the Sunnah have clarified all its general provisions. The obligation of fasting in Islam has gone through gradual legislative stages, and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) reported to us the key features of these stages.
In this report, Naafi’,the freed slave of ‘AbdullahIbn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him),from the Taabi‘oon, informed us that ‘Abdullah(may Allah be pleased with him)recited the words of Allah, Exalted is He, (which mean): {And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day].} [Quran 2:184].However, he (may Allah be pleased with him) recited it as “feeding poor persons [each day],” in the plural rather than, “feeding a poor person [each day],”which is one of the approved ten modes of recitation confirmed by Tawaatur (i.e., by collectively contiguous narrations transmitted by a large group of trustworthy narrators, generation after generation, and it is absolutely impossible for them to agree on a lie). It means thatwhoever is unable to fastmust feed one poor person for each missed fast day. At the early legislative stages, it was prescribed for a Muslim to pay this ransom and refrain from fasting in Ramadan, even if he was physically able to fast. Then, Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) clarified that the ayahabout the ransom was abrogated and the relevant ruling was abrogated as well, yet it remained in the Quran (its wording was not abrogated). The ruling was abrogated by the ayah that reads (what means): {So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it.} [Quran 2:185].Thus, whoever was able to fast became obliged to observe fasting during Ramadan.
On the other hand, Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) held a different opinion in this regard. It has been narrated on the authority of ‘Ataa’ ibn Aboo Rabaah, from the Taabi‘oon, that he heard ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) reciting the ayahthat reads (what means): {And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day].} [Quran 2:184]. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “This ayah was not abrogated. It rather refers to the old people who cannot endure fasting; it is allowable for them to pay the prescribed ransom instead, feeding one poor person for each fast day.”
He (may Allah be pleased with him) held that the ruling pertaining to the ransom was not abrogated, but rather that it was applicable to old people who were unable to fast.
The hadeeth affirms the abrogation of some ayaat of the Quran.
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1950
‘Aa’ishah(may Allah be pleased with her)said:
Sometimes I missed some fast days of Ramadan, but could not fast in lieu of them (i.e., make up for them) except in the month of Sha‘baan." Yahya, a sub-narrator said: "She (may Allah be pleased with her)used to be busy serving the Prophet ﷺ.”
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Commentary :
Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. The Quran and the Sunnah haveclarified all its general provisions. For instance, the Sunnah clarified that if a woman gets her period in Ramadan, it is incumbent on her to refrain from fastinguntil her periodends and she attains ritual purity.Furthermore, she is required to make up for the missed fast days later on. ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her)stated that she would sometimes miss out fast days of Ramadan due to menstruation or for other valid excusesand could not make up for them except in the month of Sha’baan of the following year.
Yahya ibnSa’eed Al-Ansaaree, one of the narrators of hadeeth,clarified that what was preventing her from making up for the missed fast days earlier was that she (may Allah be pleased with her) was busy with the service of the Prophet ﷺ,meaning that she (may Allah be pleased with her)keenly ensured that she could always fulfill the Prophet’s right to sexual enjoyment with her. This was the attitude of all the Prophet’s wives, being keen on keeping him happy and satisfied. They would even abstain from seeking his permission to observe fastingfor fear that he ﷺmight have wanted to engage in sexual intercourse with one of them on that day, but would give her the permission to fast, giving precedence to her wish over his desire and need.As for the month of Sha‘baan, he ﷺ used to observe fasting almost all month long,and therefore they would conveniently have the chance to make up for the missed fast days or feel free to ask for his permission to observe fasting,since there would be no other available time to make up for those fast days. This falls under the category of availing oneself of a legal concession orthe less strict scholarly view, because a woman is given the choice to make up for the missed fast days at any time during the year till the following Ramadan.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that honoring and fulfilling the husband’s rights over his wife is given precedenceover other rights, time-bound religious obligations aside.
It also highlights the ease and facilitation fostered by Islamin making up for the missed fast days of Ramadanfor- an excuse which is acceptable in the Laws of Islam.
It is also inferred from the hadeeth that it is allowable for a Muslim to delay making up for the missed fast days of Ramadan for a valid excuse or for no excuse at all.
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1952
‘Narrated Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her):Allah's Messengerﷺsaid, "Whoever died and he ought to have fasted (the missed fast days of Ramadan) then his guardians must fast (i.e., make up for them) on his behalf."
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Commentary :
Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. The Quran and the Sunnah haveclarified all its general provisions, and the noble Companions(may Allah be pleased with them)have reported thatfor us.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺmade it clear that if a person dies before making up for the missed obligatory fasting, whether due to avow, expiation, or missed fast days of Ramadan,even though he was able to fast,, his guardian, i.e., any of his relatives, whether he\she was among his heirs or not, should make up for the missed obligatory fast days on his behalf, and it wouldbe sufficient in terms of clearing the dead person’s liability from the obligation in this regard.
However, if someone dies before making up for the missed obligatory fasting for a valid excuse, e.g., a disease that befell him until his death, he shall bear no sin for that and his guardians are not required to make up for the missed fast days, given the general indication of the ayah reading (that which means): {…and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.} [Quran 2:185].
In this ayah, Allah, Exalted is He, enjoins upon the person to make up for the missed fast days on other days. If a sick person dies before recovery, he is cleared from the obligation of making up for the missed fast days and the ransom (feeding a poor person for each missed fast day), because feeding these poor people is an alternative to fasting. If fasting is no longer deemed obligatory, the same goes for feeding as well.
However, if someone does not make up for the missed fast days out of neglect, without having a valid excuse, and dies, it is not incumbent on his guardians to make up for the missed fast days, and it is not valid if they did, because the prescribed time window for making up for the missed fasting has expired.
This hadeeth alsoteaches us keenness in fulfilling the rights of Allah, Exalted is He, over us, and urges us to maintain ties of kinship.
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1953
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): A man cameto the Prophet ﷺand said, "O Allah's Messenger!My mother died and she ought to have fasted one month (for her missed Ramadan). Shall I fast on her behalf?" The Prophet ﷺreplied in the affirmative and said, "The debt owed to Allah is more deserving (of being paid off)."
In another narration a woman is reported to have said, "My sister died..." Narrated Ibn `Abbas: A woman said to the Prophet ﷺ: “My mother died and she had vowed to fast but she did not fast.” In another narration Ibn ‘Abbaas is reported to have said, "A woman said to the Prophet ﷺ, "My mother died while she ought to have fasted for fifteen days."
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Commentary :
Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam.The Quran and the Sunnah haveclarified all its general provisions, and the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)have reported that for us.
In this hadeeth, ‘AbdullahNarrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that a man came to the Prophet ﷺand told him that his mother had died before making up for a missed month of fasting, whether it was the obligatory fasting of Ramadan, or an obligatory fasting due to a vow or expiation.He asked if it would be sufficient for him to make up for the missed fasting on her behalf? (Will it clear her liability from this obligation?) The Prophet ﷺ repliedin the affirmative and instructed him tomake up for the missed fasting on her behalf, upon which her liability would be cleared.Afterwards, he ﷺ drew an analogy between the repayment of the dead person’s debts andhow this clears his liability, andthe repayment of the debts owed to Allah, Exalted is He, i.e., the missed fasting. He ﷺ added: “The debt owed to Allah, Exalted is He, is more deserving of being repaid,” and it is more deserving of being repaid and more likelyto be accepted.
Some versions of the hadeeth, like the one cited in Saheeh Muslim, state that a woman came to the Prophet ﷺ asking him the same regarding her mother. It is possible that these were two different incidents.
If a person dies before making up for missed obligatory fasting, and he was able to make up for it, but did not until death befell him, his guardian, i.e., any of his relatives (whether he\she was among his heirs or not), may make up for the missed obligatory fast days on his behalf.This would be sufficient in terms of clearing the dead person’s liability from the obligation.Otherwise, he may feed a poor person for each missed fast day instead.
However, if someone dies before making up for the missed obligatory fasting for a valid excuse, e.g., a disease that befell him until his death, he shall bear no sin for that, and his guardians are not required to make up for the missed fast days, given the general indication of the ayah’s wording, which reads (what means): {…and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days.} [Quran 2:185]. In this ayah, Allah, Exalted is He,stated thatit is obligatory on such a person to make up for the missed fast days on other days. If a sick person dies before attaining recovery, his liability is cleared from the obligation of making up for the missed fast days and the ransom (feeding a poor person for each missed fast day), because feeding poor people here is an alternative to fasting. If fasting is no longer deemed obligatory, the same goes for feeding the poor as well.
The hadeeth encourages us to show keenness in fulfilling the rights of Allah, Exalted is He, over us, and in showing the enjoined dutifulness towards parents after their death.
The permissibility of acting upon Qiyaas (i.e., legal analogy) is also inferred from the hadeeth.
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1955
Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn Aboo Awfaa(may Allah be pleased with him):We were once in the company of the Prophet ﷺ on a journey and he ﷺwas fasting. When the sun set, he ﷺaddressed somebody: "O so-and-so, get up and mix some Saweeq with water (i.e., prepare barley beverage\ liquid meal) for us." He replied, "O Allah's Messenger! Will you wait till it is evening?" The Prophet ﷺsaid, "Get down and mix Saweeq with water for us." He replied, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! If you wait till the evening!" The Prophet ﷺ said again, "Get down and mix Saweeq with water for us." He replied, “It is still daytime!” The Prophet ﷺsaid again, "Get down and mix Saweeq with water for us." He finally got down and mixed Saweeq for them. The Prophet ﷺ drank it and then said, "When you see night falling from this side, i.e., indicating sunset, a fasting person should (hasten to) break his fast.".

Commentary :
It is known that all good lies in following the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ and sheer evil lies in introducing religious innovations.Being one of the loftiest worshipful acts and best means to draw closer to Allah, Exalted is He, it is incumbent upon a Muslim to follow the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ regarding fasting, and he ﷺ urged the fasting people to hasten in breaking their fasts.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn Aboo Awfaa(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that they went once on a journey with the Prophet ﷺwhen he was fasting. After sunset, heﷺ commanded a man to mix some Saweeq with water(i.e., prepare a liquid meal bymixing roasted barley flour with milk or water), for them to break their fast.The man thought that it was early to break the fast then, and therefore said to the Prophet ﷺ: “O Messenger of Allah! If you wait till the evening,”meaning to wait longer to ensure that the time of sunset had come. However, the Prophet ﷺ repeated his command twice and the man gave him the same answer! On the third time, the man said to the Prophet ﷺ: “It is still daytime!” He thought that the sun had not yet set because he could still see daylightand assumed that the fast day had not ended yet.It is possible that he saw strongdaylight due to the clear sky, so he thought that the sun had not set, or perhaps he assumed that the sunlight was merely blocked by a mountain or clouds or the like. Had he understood that sunset had already taken place,he would not have been reluctant to comply with the Prophet’s ﷺcommand, which would have constituted disobedience. Rather, he merely wanted to investigate the matter further to be on the safe side and ensure that he had abided by the relevant Laws of Islamruling. On the fourth time, the man did as he was ordered by the Prophet ﷺ, whodrank the barley meal and then instructed people that whenever the sun sets and they can see night falling from the east, marking the end of the day and the beginning of the night, a fasting person should break his fast.
A fasting person is urged to hasten to break his fast directly after sunset so as not to increasedaytime at the expense of nighttime, and because it is more convenient and kinder for the fasting person, andimplies availing oneself of the relevant legal concession and expressing more gratitude to Allah for His blessings.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable toreminda scholar of what he might have forgotten, and the practice of refrainingfrom doing so after the third time.
It is also inferred that it is permissible to observe fasting while travelling, and that it is betterand more virtuous than refrainment from fasting, as long as it does not cause apparent hardship for the fasting person.
In addition, it is deduced from the hadeeth that a religious command has more (authoritative) weight than sensory judgment (and conclusions), and that the Laws of Islam must be given precedence over intellectual judgment..

1957
Sahl ibn Sa‘d(may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "People will remain on the right path as long as they hasten to break their fast.".

Commentary :
It is known that all good lies in following the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ and sheer evil lies in introducing religious innovations. Being one of the loftiest worshipful acts and best means to draw closer to Allah, Exalted is He, it is incumbent upon a Muslim to follow the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ regarding fasting, and he ﷺ urged the fasting people to hasten in breaking their fasts.
In this hadeeth, Sahl ibn Sa‘d Al-Ansaaree(may Allah be pleased with them) related that the Messenger of Allahﷺ stated that the Muslims will remain on the right path of truth and divine guidance, adhering to the Sunnah, complying with the limits of the Laws of Islam without altering or distorting it,as long as they hasten to break their fast directly after sunset.
Hastening to break the fast at sunset is good for the fasting people because it helpspreserve theirphysical strength and relieves them of hardship. Moreover, this conforms to the Sunnah and contravenes extremism and religious innovations. It also shows the difference between the two times in terms of the relevant Laws of Islam ruling.
This hadeeth highlights the blessing of following the Sunnah, that people would remain on the right path as long as they adhered to it, that corruption iscontingent on changing the Sunnah, and that contravening the Sunnah in this regard is a visible sign ofcorruption and disorder..

1959
Aboo Usaamah narrated on the authority of Hishaam ibn ‘Urwah narrating on the authority of Faatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) that Asmaa’ bint Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them) said, "We broke our fast during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ on a cloudy day and then the sun appeared." Hishaam was asked, "Were they ordered to fast in lieu of that day?" He replied, "It had to be made up for (i.e., making up for it is inevitable)." Ma‘mar said, "I heard Hishaam saying, "I do not know whether they fasted in lieu of that day or not.".

Commentary :
Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. The Quran and the Sunnah have clarified all its general provisions, and the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)have reported that for us.
In this hadeeth, Asmaa’ bint Aboo Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that they once broke their fast during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ on a cloudy day, when sunlight was blocked by the clouds, and they thought that the sun had set due to the darkness. Therefore, they ended their fast, because Muslims are commanded to break the fast immediately upon sunset. Afterward, the clouds cleared and the sun reappeared, and they realized that they had ended their fast before sunset.
Hishaam ibn ‘Urwah, the narrator of the hadeeth, was asked: “Were they ordered to make up for that day?” He replied that they must have made up for it, because it is incumbent on a fasting person to complete his fast until night (sunset), and they ate during the day. Ma‘mar ibn Rasheed said in his narration: “He heard Hishaam say, ‘I do not know whether they had made up for it or not.’ He doubted whether or not they made up for that fast day. However, Muslim scholars held that if a person breaks his fast during an obligatory fasting day, thinking that the sun had set, and then came to know that it had not, it is obligatory on him to refrain from eating, drinking, and sexual activity (i.e., resume fasting) until sunset and to make up for that fast day. Another scholarly view suggested that it is not incumbent on him to make up for it.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that if a Mukallaf (i.e., competent for religious duties) acts upon his own personal reasoning and arrives at a wrong conclusion, he bears no sin for that, because Muslims who are competent for religious duties are required to act upon outward realities that they believe to be most likely true as per the laws of Islam..

1960
Al-Rubay‘ bint Mu‘awwidh (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:
"The Prophet ﷺ sent a messenger to the village of the Ansaar in the morning of the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ (10th of Muharram) to announce: 'Whoever has eaten something should not eat but complete the fast, and whoever is observing fast should complete it.' She (may Allah be pleased with her) further said, "Since then we used to fast on that day regularly and also make our boys fast. We used to make toys of wool for the boys and if anyone of them cried for food, he was given those toys till it was time to break the fast.".

Commentary :
The Day of ‘Aashooraa’ is a blessed day, on which Allah, Exalted is He, saved His Prophet Moosaa from Pharaoh and his army. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ fasted it, and commanded Muslims to fast as well, to express their gratitude to Allah, Exalted is He.
In this hadeeth, Al-Rubay‘ bint Mu‘awwidh (may Allah be pleased with her)related that the Prophet ﷺ once sent his messengers on the morning of the Day of ‘Aashooraa’, the tenth of Muharram, to the villages of Al-Madeenah. They called out to the people, “Whoever has eaten something should not eat, but complete the fast, and whoever is observing fast should complete it.”
Then, she (may Allah be pleased with her) stated that since then they used to fast on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ regularly and also made their young boys fast. They used to make them toys of dyed wool and if anyone of them cried for food, he was given those toys to be distracted by them till it was time to break the fast, to encourage and train young children in performing worshipful acts.
It has been reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim that the Prophet ﷺ deemed fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ optional after the obligatory fasting ofRamadan was prescribed. It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he ﷺ said: “That was a day on which the people of pre-Islamic days used to observe fast. So, heamongst you who likes to observe fast should do so, and he who does not like it should abandon it.” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].
He ﷺ commanded them to fast on it as a voluntary act of worship.
The merits of this blessed day have been reported in many texts of the Sunnah. For instance, it has been narrated that fasting it expiates the sins committed in the previous year, as narrated on the authority of Aboo Qataadah (may Allah be pleased with him) and recorded in Saheeh Muslim.
The permissibility of training young children in fasting can be inferred from the hadeeth.
It is also deduced therefrom that when any of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) says, “We used to do such-and-such during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ,” such a report is considered Marfoo‘ (i.e., a Hadeeth that is directly attributed to the Prophet ﷺ), because the fact that he ﷺ did not disapprove their act serves as a tacit approval of it on his part, otherwise he ﷺ would have forbidden them from such an act.
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1968
Aboo Juhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ established a bond of brotherhood between Salmaan and Aboo Al-Dardaa’ (may Allah be pleased with them). Salmaan once paid a visit to his brother Aboo Al-Dardaa’ and found his wife, Umm Al-Dardaa’, dressed in shabby clothes. He inquired about her state, and she replied, “Your brother Aboo Al-Dardaa’ is not interested in (the luxuries of) this worldly life!” In the meantime, Aboo Al-Dardaa’ came and prepared a meal for Salmaan, who requested Aboo Al- Dardaa’ to eat (with him), but he said, "I am fasting." Thereupon, Salmaan said, “I am not going to eat unless you eat with me!” So, Aboo Al-Dardaa’ ate (with Salmaan). When it was night and (a part of the night passed), Aboo Al-Dardaa’ got up (to offer night prayer), but Salmaan told him to sleep and Aboo Al-Dardaa’ complied. After sometime, Aboo Al-Dardaa’ again got up but Salmaan told him to sleep longer. When it was the last hours of the night, Salmaan told him to get up then, and both of them offered night prayer. Salmaan told Aboo Al-Dardaa’ (may Allah be pleased with them), "Your Lord has a right on you, your self has a right on you, and your family has a right on you; give everyone who has a right over you his due right!" Aboo Al-Dardaa’ went to the Prophet ﷺ and reported to him the whole story. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Salmaan has spoken the truth.".

Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, did not enjoin Muslims to devote their lives exclusively to worship; monasticism is not prescribed in Islam, contrary to the Christians who invented monasticism and added it to their religion.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Juhayfah,Wahab ibn ‘Abdullah Al-Suwaa’i (may Allah be pleased with him)narrated that the Prophet ﷺ established a bond of brotherhood between Salmaan Al-Faarsi and Aboo Al-Dardaa’ ‘Umayr ibn Qays Al-Ansaaree(may Allah be pleased with them). It is noteworthy that this was a different kind of brotherhood bond than the one that was first established by the Prophet ﷺ between the emigrants and Al-Ansaar after the migration to Al-Madeenah, which entitled brothers to inherit from each other at first and was abrogated later on. Rather, it was more of a moral bond. One day, Salmaan Al-Faarisi visited his brother Aboo Al-Dardaa’ (may Allah be pleased with them) and found his wife Umm Al-Dardaa’, Khayrah bint Aboo Hadrid Al-Aslameeyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) wearing shabby clothes, of the type usually worn by women while carrying out the household chores, instead of wearing fancy clothes and beautifying herself for her husband. Salmaan inquired about her state and she replied, “Your brother Aboo Al-Dardaa’ is not interested in (the luxuries of) this worldly life!” Her statement was meant as a euphemism for his refrainment from approaching her; she felt bashful to say it explicitly. This visit took place before the obligation of Hijaab was prescribed for Muslim women.  Afterward, Aboo Al-Dardaa’ came and prepared some food for Salmaan, who asked Aboo Al-Dardaa’ to join him and eat with him, but he informed him that he was fasting. However, Salmaan insisted that he should join him and said: “I am not going to eat unless you eat with me!” Therefore, Aboo Al-Dardaa’ ate with Salmaan, whose aim was to forbid Aboo Al-Dardaa’ from overburdening himself with worship to the extent of harming his wife! Aboo Al-Dardaa’ complied and ate with Salmaan (may Allah be pleased with them).
Salmaan spent the night with them. When a part of the night passed, Aboo Al-Dardaa’ got up to offer night prayers, but Salmaan commanded him to sleep and Aboo Al-Dardaa’ complied. After sometime, Aboo Al-Dardaa’ got up again but Salmaan commanded him to sleep longer. When it got to the last hours of the night, Salmaan told him to get up then, and both of them offered night prayer. Salmaan advised Aboo Al-Dardaa’ (may Allah be pleased with them) and clarified to him that Allah, Exalted is He, had a right over him, his body and health had rights over him, and his family and children had rights over him; such as showing kindness and intimacy to his wife, tending to the needs of his wife and children, and teaching them what benefits them in this worldly life and the Hereafter. He then commanded Aboo Al-Daraa’ to give everyone who had a right over him his due right.
Later on, Aboo Al-Dardaa’ went to the Prophet ﷺ and reported to him the whole story. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Salmaan has spoken the truth."
This hadeeth serves as evidence for the fact that a person should not overburden himself with fasting and night prayer (beyond his abilities), but should rather pray and perform night prayer moderately to attain the desired benefit (gain reward) and avoid fatigue, difficulty, and hardship.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible to establish bonds of brotherhood between Muslims, and that it is allowable to visit one’s friends and brothers in faith and spend the night in their houses.
The permissibility of talking to a non-Mahram (marriageable) woman for a valid need and offering advice to one’s fellow Muslim brothers can also be inferred from the hadeeth.
The hadeeth also highlights the virtues of performing night prayer in the last hours of the night.
Furthermore, it is also deduced therefrom that it recommended acts may be deemed forbidden for someone if it is feared that they may cause boredom and tedium, and lead him to neglect the enjoined fulfillment of the rights due over him.
The hadeeth underlines that it is disliked to overburden oneself with worship.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable to break a voluntary fast for a need and interest.
It is also inferred therefrom that it is permissible for a woman to beautify herself for her husband.
Finally, the hadeeth also highlights the merits of Salmaan Al-Faarisi (may Allah be pleased with him), since the Prophet ﷺ approved his act and stated that he spoke the truth.
.

1969
‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to fast till one would say that he would never stop fasting (on that month), and he would refrain from fasting till one would say that he would never fast (on that month). I never saw Allah's Messenger ﷺ fasting for a whole month except the month of Ramadan, and did not see him fast in any month more than he fasted in the month of Sha‘baan..

Commentary :
Perseverance in performing righteous deeds regularly leads a servant of Allah to attain divine mercy and deliverance from the Hellfire. The Prophet ﷺ was the optimal role model in this regard. He ﷺ persevered in performing acts of worship and acts of obedience regularly; one of such acts was voluntary fasting, which is not bound to a specific time.
In this hadeeth, ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) informed us that the Prophet ﷺ sometimes observed fasting most of a month, so much that they thought that he ﷺ was going to fast the whole month, and sometimes refrained from fasting on a month so much that they thought that he ﷺ was not going to observe fasting on that month at all. He ﷺ did not fast an entire month except Ramadan, because it is obligatory, and it was mentioned in the hadeeth to emphasize this fact. The only month he ﷺ fasted in full was Ramadan, so that voluntary fasting in any other month would not be mistakenly believed to be obligatory. He ﷺ observed fasting most of Sha‘baan, but did not fast it in full lest people should mistakenly assume that it was obligatory, and to distinguish it from the obligatory fasting ofRamadan. He ﷺ often fastedin Sha‘baan in particular because deeds are presented to Allah, Exalted is He, in the month of Sha‘baan, and he ﷺ loved to have his deeds presented to Him while he ﷺ was fasting.
Furthermore, people often neglect that month, being in between two significant months, i.e., Rajab and Ramadan, as stated in a hadeeth cited by Al-Nasaa’i and Ahmad.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that the voluntary acts of worship are not bound to specific times, but may be performed at any time based on the willingness and ability of the doers.
The hadeeth also highlights the virtues of Sha’baan, and encourages Muslims to fast during it more often. It is also deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable to observe voluntary fasting on only one or a few days each month. .

1973
Humayd narrated that he asked Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) about the fasting of the Prophet ﷺ. He (may Allah be pleased with him) said "Whenever I liked to see the Prophet ﷺ fasting in any given month, I could see that, and whenever I liked to see him not fasting, I could see that too, and if I liked to see him praying in any given night, I could see that, and if I liked to see him sleeping, I could see that, too." Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) further said, "I never touched silk or velvet softer than the hand of Allah's Messenger ﷺ and never smelled musk or perfumed smoke more pleasant than the smell of the Messenger ﷺ.".

Commentary :
Perseverance in performing righteous deeds regularly leads a servant of Allah to attain divine mercy and deliverance from the Hellfire. The Prophet ﷺ was the optimal role model in this regard. He ﷺ preserved in performing worshipful acts and acts of obedience regularly, and among such acts were voluntary fasting and night prayer.
Humayd, from the Taabi‘oon (Followers), informed us in this hadeeth that he asked Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) about the fasting of the Prophet ﷺ, and he replied that whenever he wished to see the Prophet ﷺ observing fasting or refraining from it on any given day of the month, he could, and whenever he wished to see him performing night prayers or sleeping at any given time of the night, he could. This means that he ﷺ used to observe fasting often on some days of the month and refrain from fasting on others, and used to divide his night between sleep to get rest (i.e., fulfill the rights of his body over him) and worship (i.e., fulfill the rights of Allah, Exalted is He, over him).
Afterward, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him)described some of the distinct physical qualities of the Prophet ﷺ. He said that he never touched silk or velvet softer than the hand of Allah's Messenger ﷺ and never smelled musk or perfumed smoke (i.e., ‘Abeer, which is a blend of beautiful and sweet scents) more pleasant than his smell. He ﷺ was endowed with the most perfect moral and physical qualities, and Allah, Exalted is He, singled him out for these distinct qualities so that his perfected outward appearance would mirror and further refine his perfected inner character.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that the Prophet ﷺ adhered to moderation in worship; he ﷺ did not observe fasting all year long, nor did he pray all night long, so as not to overburden himself and his nation with worship, lest they should follow his example in this regard,which would be unfair to them (i.e., since they cannot stand what he ﷺ could).
The hadeeth also highlights some distinct physical qualities of the Prophet ﷺ and that he ﷺ was endowed with a pleasant outward appearance (and good looks). 
The hadeeth encourages Muslims to perform night prayer and observe voluntary fasting.
.

1982
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Prophet ﷺ paid a visit to Umm Sulaym once and she placed before him dates and ghee. The Prophet ﷺsaid, "Put the ghee and dates in their respective containers for I am fasting." Then, he ﷺ stood somewhere in her house and offered voluntary prayer and then invoked Allah, Exalted is He, to bless Umm Sulaym and her family with all that is good. Then Umm Sulaym said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! I have a special request (today)." He ﷺ said, "What is it?" She replied, "(Please invoke Allah for) your servant Anas." Thereupon, he ﷺ did not leave anything good in the worldly life or the Hereafter which he did not invoke (Allah to bestow) on me and said, “O Allah! Bless him (i.e., Anas) with abundant wealth and offspring!”
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) added: “Therefore, I was one of the richest among the Ansaar and my daughter Umaynah told me that when Al-Hajjaaj came to Basrah, more than 120 of my offspring had been buried..

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ used to honor his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and visit them from time to time, to check on their conditions and supplicate Allah, Exalted is He, to bless them and their families and bestow upon them all that is good, as stated in this hadeeth.
Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ once visited his mother Umm Sulaym (may Allah be pleased with them) and that she served him some dates and ghee to show hospitality to him. However, he ﷺ apologized and informed her that he was observing voluntary fasting, and asked her to put the dates and ghee back in their containers. Afterwards, he ﷺstood somewhere in her house, offered a two-Rak‘ah voluntary prayer and then invoked Allah, Exalted is He, to bless her and her family with all that is good. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) often asked the Prophet ﷺ to pray in their homes and supplicate Allah, Exalted is He, for them. Then, Umm Sulaym (may Allah be pleased with her) informed the Prophet ﷺ that she had a special request. He ﷺ inquired about her request and she told him that she wanted him to supplicate Allah, Exalted is He, in favor of her son Anas, who was the Prophet’s ﷺservant. Thereupon, he ﷺ supplicated Allah, Exalted is He, to bless him with abundant wealth and offspring.
The version of the hadeeth cited in Saheeh Muslim reads: “He ﷺ he invoked blessings for me (that I should be blessed with) all that is good and this was what he ﷺ (said) at the end of what be supplicated for me: “O Allah, grant him wealth and progeny, and confer blessings (upon him) in (each one) of them.’” [Muslim].
The Prophet’s ﷺsupplication was answered as indicated by the words of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) when he said: “I was one of the richest people from the Ansaar and my daughter Umaynah told me that when Al-Hajjaaj ibn Yusuf Al-Thaqfi came to Basrah, in 75 A.H., more than 120 of my descendants (i.e., the children of my sons and daughters) had been buried.” Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) was about eighty years old at that time, and he died in 93 A.H. when he was nearly a hundred years old!
It is inferred from the hadeeth that being blessed with abundant wealth and offspring could be an aspect of the goodness, blessing, and prosperity conferred upon a servant of Allah, Exalted is He. He ﷺ would not have supplicated Allah for Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) except with what was good for him with regards to his religiosity and worldly affairs.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable to supplicate Allah, Exalted is He, for abundant wealth and offspring.
The hadeeth also highlights the Prophet’s ﷺhumbleness and kindness towards his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and it is deduced therefrom that a ruler may visit the ruled to check on their conditions.
The hadeeth also emphasizes the merits of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him).
Among other lessons inferred from the hadeeth are the following: putting one’s child before oneself (i.e., Umm Sulaym asked the Prophet ﷺ to supplicate Allah for Anas rather than herself), and kindness in presenting requests. It is also deduced that the death of a great number of his descendants does not contradict the fact that the Prophet’s ﷺsupplications to bless him with abundant offspring was answered.
The hadeeth also emphasizes the permissibility of showing hospitality to guests and honoring them.
It is also inferred therefrom that it is allowable to turn down a gift as long as it would not cause hardship for the gift-giver, and that he should explain the reason to him.
The hadeeth urges Muslims to preserve food and refrain from wasting.
It also shows that if a guest will not eat from the food served to him by the host, he should considerately supplicate Allah, Exalted is He, in his favor to make him feel better.
Finally, it also encourages Muslims to supplicate Allah, Exalted is He, for all that is good in the worldly life and the Hereafter, because all good lies in the Hands of Allah, Exalted is He, and to proclaim and celebrateHis blessings bestowed upon us..

1983
Mutarrif narrated on the authority of ‘Imraan ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him):
That the Prophet ﷺ asked him (‘Imraan) or asked a man and ‘Imraan was listening, "O Aboo so-and-so! Have you fasted the last days of this month?" (The narrator thought that he ﷺ said, "the month of Ramadan"). The man replied, "No, O Allah's Messenger ﷺ!" The Prophet ﷺ said to him, "When you finish your fasting (of Ramadan) fast two days (in Shawwaal)." Through another chain of narration, ‘Imraan said, "The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘(Have you fasted) the last days of Sha‘baan?’".

Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ used to fast more often in the month of Sha’baan, and he ﷺ urged his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to fast during it.
In this hadeeth the Companion ‘Imraan ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet ﷺ asked him once - or he asked another man while ‘Imraan was listening. Mutarrif ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Al-Shikhkheer, one of the narrators of the hadeeth, it was unsure. He ﷺ said: "O Aboo so-and-so! Have you fasted the last days of this month?" The Arabic word used in the hadeeth is ‘Sarar’ meaning the last days of the month, and the word linguistically denotes the concealment of the moon during these days, i.e., the twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth, and thirtieth nights (if the month is thirty days). It has also been said that the word refers to the three ‘white’ days in the middle of the month, namely, the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth of the lunar month.
He ﷺ commanded him to make up for those fast days after ‘Eid Al-Fitr and the end of the Ramadan fast, to observe the acts of worship he habitually performed, because the most endeared deed to Allah, Exalted is He, is the one performed regularly.
Aboo Al-Nu’maan Muhammad ibn Al-Fadhl Al-Sadoosi (the narrator of the hadeeth) said: “I think he said: ‘He ﷺ meant Ramadan.’” However, the mention of Ramadan here is a mistake in the narration because it is incumbent on Muslims to fast duringRamadan. It could also be in reference to the time when he ﷺ made that statement and not the fasting that the addressee did not observe, conforming to the version of the hadeeth cited in Saheeh Muslim reading: “Fast for two days instead of (one fast) when you have completed (the fast of) Ramadan.” The question was about fasting on the last days of Sha‘baan. If the intended meaning of the hadeeth’s wording is the last days of the month, this means that this hadeeth seemingly contradicts the authentic hadeeth reported about the prohibition of fasting one or two days before Ramadan. This can be explained by the assumption that this man habitually fasted the last days of the lunar month, and abstained from fasting them merely for fear of the reported prohibition of fasting one or two days before Ramadan. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ made it clear to him that the prohibition in this regard does not apply to habitual or vowed fasting on these days, but rather that what is prohibited is singling them out for fasting.
It is deduced from this hadeeth that it is permissible to make up for missed voluntary fasting.
The hadeeth also shows that the Prophet ﷺ used to advise his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and urge them to perform acts of obedience..

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..