‘Abdullah ibn Hishaam narrated that his mother Zaynab bint Humayd took him to the Prophet ﷺ and said, "O Allah's Messengerﷺ! Take the Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) from him." But he ﷺ said, "He is still too young (for it)," and passed his hand on his (i.e., ‘Abdullah's) head and invoked for Allah's blessing for him. Zuhrah ibn Ma‘bad stated that he used to go with his grandfather, ‘Abdullah ibn Hishaam, to the marketplace to buy foodstuff. Ibn ‘Umar and Ibn Al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with them) would meet him and say to him, "Make us your partners, as the Prophet ﷺinvoked Allah to bless you." So, he would be their partner, and very often he would win a camel's load and send it home.
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Commentary :
The Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) given to the Prophet ﷺ meant an agreement to adhere to Islam and a pledge or covenant to abide by its rulings, and the one given to the Muslim rulers (after the Prophet’s death) meant a contract and covenant (between the ruler and ruled) whereby the ruled commit themselves to obey the ruler provided that it does not constitute disobedience to Allah, Exalted is He, and His Messenger ﷺ and adhere to such obedience.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn Hishaam (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that he met the Prophet ﷺ in his early childhood. It was said that he (may Allah be pleased with him) met the Prophet ﷺ six years before his death. His mother, Zaynab bint Humayd (may Allah be pleased with her) took him (as a newly born infant), went to the Prophet ﷺ, and said to him, “Take the Bay‘ah from him!” The Prophet ﷺ said: “He is still too young,” meaning that he was not an adult and the Bay‘ah is only valid when given by an adult person who knows its relevant religious provisions and implications. Afterward, the Prophet ﷺpassed his hand on ‘Abdullah's head and invoked for Allah's blessing for him. For this reason, whenever ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar and ‘Abdullah ibn Al-Zubayr met ‘Abdullah ibn Hishaam (may Allah be pleased with them) in the marketplaces after he had bought foodstuff, they would say to him: “Make us your partners, as the Prophet ﷺinvoked Allah to bless you.” He would make them partners (may Allah be pleased with them) and would often win a camel's load, as profit, and send it home. This means that he often earned a camel’s load as profits from his sale transactions, by the blessing of the Prophet’s supplication in his favor.
The hadeeth highlights one of the signs of hisﷺ prophethood.
It also underlines the merits of ‘Abdullah ibn Hishaam (may Allah be pleased with him).
It is deduced from the hadeeth that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) worked in the marketplaces to earn a living, and that they keenly sought blessings wherever they were to be found..

2503

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whenever one manumits his share of a jointly owned slave, it is imperative on him to manumit the slave completely if he has sufficient money to pay the rest of his or her price which is to be estimated justly. He should pay his partners their shares and release him or her (i.e., the freed slave).”
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Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, created all people free, and hated that some people should be enslaved to others. Islam was revealed while the system of slavery was in place (and deeply entrenched into people’s financial and social systems), and therefore the Islamic Laws of Islam keenly assigned special care to the emancipation of slaves, and facilitated its means (to free people from their condition of slavery).
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ stated that whoever wanted to manumit his share of a jointly owned male or female slave, should completely manumit him or her if can afford the price, paying the other co-owners the monetary values of their shares, based on the adequate price of the slave. Such a co-owner is required to pay his other co-owners the monetary value of their shares, if he can afford it, to manumit the slave completely to become a free person. Being able to afford it here means having excess wealth beyond his needs and those of his dependents, including their basic needs such as accommodation, clothes, and the like. If he cannot afford it, then the slave will be partially manumitted.
In the same vein, it was narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever manumits his share of a jointly owned slave, it is imperative on him to get that slave manumitted completely by paying the remaining price, and if he cannot afford it, then the price of the slave should be estimated justly, and he is to be allowed to work and earn the amount that will manumit him (without overburdening him).” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]. This means that the partially manumitted slave may work and earn money to pay the rest of the price to free himself completely, provided that he must not be overburdened by work if he is unable to do so.

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2505

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet ﷺ (along with his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) reached Makkah in the morning of the fourth of Thoo al-Hijjah assuming Ihraam (i.e., ritual state of consecration) for Hajj only. So, when we ﷺ arrived at Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ ordered us to change our intentions of the Ihraam for ‘Umrah and that we could end our Ihraam after performing the ‘Umrah and could go to our wives (for sexual intercourse). People began talking about that. Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said surprisingly, "Shall we go to Minaa while semen is dribbling from our male organs?" Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) moved his hand while saying so (i.e., used hand gesture to emphasize his astonishment). When this news reached the Prophet ﷺ,he delivered a sermon and said, "I have been informed that some people were saying such-and-such; By Allah, I fear Allah, Exalted is He, more than you do, and I am more obedient to Him than you. If I had known what I know now, I would not have brought the Hadiy (i.e., animal sacrifice in Hajj) with me and had the Hadiy not been with me, I would have ended my Ihraam." At that Suraaqah ibn Maalik stood up and asked "O Allah's Messengerﷺ!Is this permission for us only or is it forever?" The Prophet ﷺ replied, "It is forever." In the meantime, ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib (may Allah be pleased with him) came from Yemen and was saying ‘Labbayka’ for what the Prophet ﷺhas intended. According to another man, ‘Alee was saying ‘Labbayka’ for Hajj similar to Allah's Messenger’s. The Prophet ﷺtold him to retain his Ihraam and let him share the Hadiy with him.
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Commentary : Hajj Al-Tamatu‘ means that a pilgrim assumes Ihraam (i.e., ritual state of consecration) for ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj (i.e., Shawwaal, Dhul-Qi‘dah and Thoo al-Hijjah), ends his Ihraam, and then reassumes it to perform Hajj on the same year. This means that he reaches Makkah during the months of Hajj, assumes Ihraam, performs ‘Umrah, ends his Ihraam, and he would be no longer bound by the restrictions that apply to the one in a state of Ihraam until the beginning of Hajj rituals. (On the eighth day of Thoo al-Hijjah, he reassumes Ihraam for Hajj and carries out all of its obligations).
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) stated that the Prophet ﷺ, along with his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), reached Makkah in 10 A.H., and assumed Ihraam for Hajj, i.e., that which came to be known later as Farewell Hajj. They entered Makkah on the morning of the fourth of Thoo al-Hijjah, intending to perform Hajj only, and did not intend on performing ‘Umrah as well. However, the Prophet ﷺ ordered his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), who hadnot brought along the Hadiy, i.e., sacrificial animals: camels, cows, sheep, or goats, slaughtered in thesanctuary during Hajj, to change their intentions to Ihraam for ‘Umrah and end their Ihraam after performing Tawaaf (i.e.,circumambulation around the Ka‘bah) and Sa‘y (i.e., going back and forth between Mounts Al-Safaa and Al-Marwah) by shaving or cutting their hair. Afterward, they would be no longer in a state of Ihraam and it would be lawful to them to go to their wives (for sexual intercourse) until the time of Hajj. People began talking about this, perceiving it as very odd. The version recorded in Saheeh Muslim reads: “It was something inconceivable for them”, because people in the pre-Islamic era believed that it was invalid to perform ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj, and even perceived it as a heinous misdeed. Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) exclaimed, "Shall we go to Minaa while semen is dribbling from our male organs?" His question indicated that he (may Allah be pleased with him) disliked performing Hajj Al-Tamatu‘ because it involved engaging in sexual intercourse (after ending the state of Ihraam) until the time of Hajj. Minaa is a valley located near Al-Haram in Makkah where pilgrims stay during the Day of Tarwiyyah (i.e.,the 8th day of Thoo al-Hijjah) and Days of Tashreeq (i.e.,the 11th, 12th and 13th days of Thoo al-Hijjah) to throw the pebbles.
Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) further emphasized his disapproval of it by a hand gesture to indicate the semen dribbling from the male organs. When this news reached the Prophet ﷺ,he delivered a sermon stating that he ﷺ feared Allah, Exalted is He, more than those who perceived the performance of ‘Umrah during the months of Hajj as a heinous misdeed, but he ﷺ commanded them to do so, knowing that there was no sin involved in this act. He ﷺ added: “If I had known what I know now, I would not have brought the Hadiy (i.e., animal sacrifice in Hajj) with me,” meaning that if he ﷺ had known the permissibility of performing ‘Umrah during the Hajj months, he would not have brought along the Hadiy to Makkah, and would have intended to perform Hajj Al-Tamatu‘, to act contrary to the belief and practice of the people in the pre-Islamic era. He ﷺ added: “… and had the Hadiy not been with me, I would have ended my Ihraam,” meaning to end his state of Ihraam, because retaining the Ihraam impedes the change of intention from performing Hajj to ‘Umrah and then ending the state of Ihraam after performing it. What the Prophet ﷺ came to know referred to his knowledge of the hardship and inconvenience faced by his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) for changing their intention from performing Hajj to ‘Umrah on their own while he ﷺ did not, so much that they hesitated to do so, and even argued with him about it first! At that, Suraaqah ibn Maalik ibn Ju‘sham (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up and asked the Prophet ﷺ, "O Allah's Messengerﷺ!Is this permission for us only or is it forever?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet ﷺ whether it was a special command for them in that particular incident, or a general ruling that applied to all Muslims henceforth. The Prophet ﷺ replied that Hajj Al-Tamatu‘ has been prescribed for all Muslims henceforward unto the Day of Judgment.
Afterward, Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) stated that ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib (may Allah be pleased with him) came from Yemen, since the Prophet ﷺ had sent him as a judge and Zakaah collector before the Farewell Hajj. He (may Allah be pleased with him) came to Makkah and assumed the state of Ihraam. The Prophet ﷺ asked him whether he (may Allah be pleased with him) had intended to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah, and he (may Allah be pleased with him) said that he had held the same intention as the Prophet ﷺ. He ﷺ had intended to perform Hajj Al-Qiraan (i.e.,a pilgrim assumes Ihraam for both ‘Umrah and Hajj, or he assumes Ihraam first for ‘Umrah, then makes his intention for Hajj before his Tawaaf for Hajj). The Prophet ﷺ commanded him to retain his Ihraam and let him share the Hadiy with him.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is permissible to assume Ihraam without specifying the type of Hajj a pilgrim is intending to perform, and that he may specify his intention later to perform Hajj only, Hajj Al-Tamatu‘, or Hajj Al-Qiraan.
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2512

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
Allah's Messengerﷺ said, "A mortgaged animal can be used for riding as long as it is fed and the milk of the milch animal can be drunk according to what one spends on it. The one who rides the animal or drinks its milk should provide the expenditures."
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Commentary :
Islam regulates the contracts and financial transactions between people to ensure that their wealth and interests are well-preserved, so that they should not wrong one another.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺoutlined the Laws of Islam ruling on mortgaged animals. A mortgage is a loan with a property guarantee or security. For example, a creditor takes a mortgaged property as a guarantee or security for a loan. If the debtor fails to repay the debt, the creditor takes back his loan from the mortgaged property. The Prophet ﷺunderlined that when an animal is mortgaged, its owner is allowed to use it for riding, but he must payfees for it. Moreover, he may drink from the milk of the mortgaged animal in exchange for feeding it and providing its needs during the period it is kept by him.
His saying, “The one who rides the animal or drinks its milk should provide the expenditures,” means that the mortgagee or anyone else keeping it with him as a trust, is allowed to ride and milk it as long as he provides the expenditures for its needs.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that a mortgagee is allowed to avail himself of the mortgaged property in return for providing the needed expenditures.
It is also inferred therefrom that a mortgagee may avail himself of the mortgaged property that does not need expenditure, such as clothes and lands..

2514

Ibn Abee Mulaykah narrated:
I wrote a letter to Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) and he wrote to me that the Prophet ﷺhad given the verdict that the defendant had to take an oath.
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Commentary :
Islam has laid out foundations and rules that govern the litigation process to ensure that people would not wrong one another.
This hadeeth highlights a fundamental principle in the litigation process, namely that an oath is required of a defendant, whereas the provision of evidence is required of the plaintiff (i.e., the onus of proof is upon a claimant, and taking an oath is incumbent on those who deny). This means that when two parties dispute, and one of them claims that the other owes him money, the claimant (plaintiff) is obligated to bring forth evidence substantiating his claim. If he fails to bring forth evidence to prove it, the defendant is only required to take an oath to deny what the plaintiff claimed against him.
The wisdom behind requesting the plaintiff to support his claim with evidence, and the defendant to deny it by an oath is that the plaintiff’s stance is weak, because his claim is contrary to the outward appearance, and therefore he is requested to provide a strong argument, namely, a proof to substantiate his claim. On the other hand, the defendant’s stance is stronger, because the basic principle is that his liability is cleared from any given accusations (unless proven otherwise with supportive evidence). Therefore, a defendant is only required to present a weak argument, namely, an oath, because an oath-taker brings benefit for himself and wards off harm, and this reflects the great wisdom of the Laws of Islam in this regard..

2515

Aboo Wa’il narrated:
‘Abdullah (ibn Mas‘ood) said, "Whoever took a false oath in order to (unlawfully) take someone else's property will meet Allah, Exalted is He, while He is angry with him." Allah, Exalted is He, revealed the following ayah to confirm it; it reads (which means): {Indeed, those who exchange the covenant of Allah and their [own] oaths for a small price will have no share in the Hereafter, and Allah will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment.} [Quran 3:77]
Al-Ash‘ath ibn Qays came to us and asked as to what Aboo ‘Abd Al-Rahmaan (i.e. Ibn Mas‘ood) was telling you." We related the story to him. On that, he (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "He has told the truth. This ayah was revealed about me. I had some dispute with another man regarding a well and we took the case before Allah's Messengerﷺ and he said (to me), "Produce two witnesses (to support your claim); otherwise, the defendant has the right to take an oath (to refute your claim).' I said, 'The defendant would not mind to take a false oath." Allah's Messengerﷺ then said, 'Whoever took a false oath in order to (unlawfully) take someone else's property will meet Allah, Exalted is He, while He is angry with him.' On that occasion, Allah, Exalted is He, revealed the following ayah to confirm that (which means): {Indeed, those who exchange the covenant of Allah and their [own] oaths for a small price will have no share in the Hereafter, and Allah will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment.} [Quran 3:77] Al-Ash‘ath then recited the ayah.
(See Hadeeth No. 546)
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Commentary :
Inflicting harm on people is a reprehensible act in this worldly life, and it incurs on the doer loss and ruin in the Hereafter.
In this narration, ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ood (may Allah be pleased with him) made such a statement; the apparent indication of the narration suggests that it is a Mawqoof report (i.e., stopped at the level of the Companion), meaning Ibn Mas‘ood’s statement. However, it has also been narrated as a Marfoo‘ hadeeth (i.e., directly attributed to the Prophet ﷺ), recorded in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim. This is further supported by the narration reported by Al-Ash‘ath ibn Qays (may Allah be pleased with him) that whoever swears a false oath to (unlawfully) take someone’s wealth, will meet Allah, Exalted is He, while He is Angry with him. The Anger of Allah, Exalted is He, is not similar to the anger of His creation in the slightest. He Says (what means): {There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.} [Quran 42:11].To confirm this meaning, Allah, Exalted is He, revealed the ayah that reads (what means): {Those who exchange}, because the two parties of a sales transaction exchange a commodity for money, {the covenant of Allah},meaning the covenant they made to believe in the Prophet ﷺ and fulfill the trusts, {and their [own] oaths for a small price}, meaning their false oaths that they take to affirm desired statements or actions. The intended meaning is that they trade their covenants with Allah and oaths for the fleeing worldly gains and desires such as money, benefits, and other worldly gains. The price was described here as being ‘small’, to indicate its insignificance, for it was traded for breaching the covenant with Allah and taking a false oath. Therefore, it is fundamentally insignificant, no matter how significant it seemed from a worldly perspective, compared to winning the pleasure of Allah, Exalted is He, and fulfilling one’s covenants with Him. Afterward, Allah, Exalted is He, stated the punishment designated for the one who commits such a major sin. He Says (what means): {…will have no share in the Hereafter, and Allah will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment.} [Quran 3:77]. It means, ‘They shall have no share in the bliss that shall be tasted by the believers in the Hereafter and Allah, Exalted is He, will not speak to them about what would please them, but would rather say to them what will cause distress and disappointment to them. The ayah goes on, {or look at them on the Day of Resurrection}, meaning that He will not mercifully look at them, {nor will He purify them}, from sins and misdeeds by conferring upon them His forgiveness, nor shall He commend them like His righteous servants. Rather, He shall be angry with them and punish them for breaching their covenant with Him, {and they will have a painful punishment}, because of what they had committed.
Afterward, the Taabi’ee (a Muslim who saw at least one of the Companions) Aboo Waa’il Shaqeeq ibn Salamah said that Al-Ash‘ath ibn Qays (may Allah be pleased with him)came to them and asked as to what Aboo ‘Abd Al-Rahmaan (i.e. Ibn Mas‘ood) (may Allah be pleased with him) was telling them. They related the story to him. On that, he (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "He has told the truth. This ayah was revealed about me. I had some dispute with another man,” named Ma‘daan ibn Al-Aswad ibn Ma‘dee Karib Al-Kindee, regarding the ownership of a well. They brought the case before Allah's Messengerﷺ and he said to Al-Ash‘ath (may Allah be pleased with him), "Produce two witnesses (to support your claim),” because he (may Allah be pleased with him) was the one who claimed the ownership of the well and it was in the possession of and under the disposal of the other man. He ﷺ added: “… otherwise, the defendant has the right to take an oath (to refute your claim).”' Al-Ash‘ath (may Allah be pleased with him) said, 'The defendant would not mind to take a false oath.’ He (may Allah be pleased with him) meant that the defendant may indifferently take a false oath, and this indicates that Al-Ash‘ath had no evidence to support his claim. Afterward, he (may Allah be pleased with him) related the same hadeeth narrated by Ibn Mas‘ood (may Allah be pleased with him). It was recorded by Aboo Daawood that Al-Kindee, i.e., the defendant, was about to take the oath, when Allah's Messengerﷺ then said, 'Whoever took a false oath in order to (unlawfully) take someone else's property will meet Allah, Exalted is He, while He is Angry with him.' On that, he said: “It is his property.”
It is deduced from the hadeeth that the litigants may talk to each other.
It is also inferred therefrom that the burden of proof is upon the claimant (plaintiff), and an oath is obligated upon the defendant if he denies.
It also highlights the prohibition of unlawfully taking people’s wealth.
Furthermore, it underlines the reason of revelation for the ayaat on oaths in Aal ‘Imraan (chapter no. 3).
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2517

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever frees a Muslim slave, Allah, Exalted is He, will save all the parts of his body from the Hellfire as he has freed the body-parts of the slave." Sa’eed ibn Marjanah said that he narrated that Hadeeth to ‘Alee ibn Al-Husayn and he freed his slave for whom ‘Abdullah ibn Ja‘far had offered him ten thousand Dirhams or one-thousand Dinars.
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Commentary :
The Islamic Laws of Islam lauds and strongly encourages the manumission of slaves. Therefore, many rulings were prescribed to facilitate and encourage the manumission of slaves.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ underlined some virtues of the manumission of slaves. He ﷺ stated that whoever freed a Muslim male or female slave owned by him or others by paying its price and manumitting him or her, Allah, Exalted is He, would deliver him from Hellfire after deserving it; Allah would save all the parts of his body from the Hellfire, one by one, as he had freed the body-parts of the slave (and released him from slavery).
The hadeeth urges Muslims to free their Muslim slaves, and underlines the great reward of such an act..

2518

Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I asked the Prophet ﷺ, "What is the best deed?" He ﷺ replied, "To believe in Allah, Exalted is He, and to fight for His Cause." I then asked, "What is the best kind of manumission (of slaves)?" He ﷺ replied, "The manumission of the most expensive slave and the most beloved by his master." I said, "If I cannot afford to do that, what should I do?" He ﷺ said, "Help an artisan or do good for an unskilled laborer." I said, "If I cannot do that, what should I do?" He ﷺ said, "Refrain from harming others for this will be regarded as a charitable deed for your own good."
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Commentary :
Given the keenness of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) on performing acts of obedience and what brought them closer to earning the pleasure of Allah, Exalted is He, they (may Allah be pleased with them) often asked the Prophet ﷺ about the best good deeds that would bring them closer to Allah, Exalted is He. The answers of the Prophet ﷺ differed according to the different characters and situations of the inquirers, and what was more beneficial to them.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Dharr Jundub ibn Junaadah Al-Ghifaaree (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet ﷺ, “What is the best deed?” He (may Allah be pleased with him) was asking about the most rewardable and beneficial good deeds, and the Prophet ﷺ replied with the most fundamental of all good deeds, namely, the belief in Allah, Exalted is He. Such belief means the decisive affirmation, absolute recognition, and full confession of the existence of Allah, Exalted is He, His Lordship, Divinity, Names and Attributes, and the fact that none but Him is worthy of worship, and the acceptance of all that the Prophet ﷺ told about his Lord, and the religion of Islam. Such belief is the best of all good deeds, and the greatest in the sight of Allah, Exalted is He, in terms of reward, because it is a precondition for the validity of all acts of worship, including: prayer, Zakaah, fasting, and others. He ﷺ then made mention of Jihaad, which is striving and fighting in the Cause of Allah to uphold His word, only for His sake rather than any other purpose. Jihaad is the best good deed, second to the belief in Allah, Exalted is He, and His Messenger ﷺ because it involves sacrificing one’s life for the sake of Allah, Exalted is He.
Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) then asked, "What is the best kind of manumission (of slaves)?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) wanted to know the best (most rewardable) manumission of slaves, and he ﷺ replied, "The manumission of the most expensive slave and the most beloved by his master," meaning the slaves whose prices are the highest and who are the most valuable and beloved to their owners.
Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "If I cannot afford to do that, what should I do?" He (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet ﷺ about any other ways to earn such great rewards if he could not afford the manumission of slaves. He ﷺ replied, "Help an artisan or do good for an unskilled laborer,” meaning to help an artisan do his work or do good for an unskilled laborer who has not mastered his craft.
AbooDharr (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, "If I cannot do that, what should I do?" He ﷺ informed him of a simple act of which no one is incapable, namely to refrain from harming others. The least thing a Muslim is required to do is to abstain from harming others, to ensure his own safety and that of others. He ﷺ said, "Refrain from harming others, for this will be regarded as a charitable deed for your own good.”
The hadeeth highlights the diversity and abundance of good deeds that a Muslim may perform.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that the best (and most rewardable) good deed ever is having a sound belief in Allah, Exalted is He.
It is inferred therefrom that the reward of an action is related to its benefit..

2521

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever manumits a slave owned by two masters, should manumit him completely (not partially) if he is rich after having its price evaluated."
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Commentary :
The Islamic Laws of Islamhas assigned a special care to the manumission of slaves, urged Muslims to free their slaves, and facilitated its means (to ultimately free people from their condition of slavery). Therefore, it prescribes many laws and regulations encouraging and facilitating the manumission of slaves.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ enjoins whoever wanted to manumit his share of a jointly owned slave, to completely manumit him or her if he can afford the price of the other shares, based on the adequate price of the slave. Such a co-owner of the jointly owned male or female slave is obliged to pay the other co-owners the monetary value of their shares, if he can afford it, tomanumit the slave completely and so that he becomes a free person. Being able to afford it here means having excess wealth beyond his needs and those of his dependents, including their basic needs such as accommodation, clothes, and the like. If he is financially able to do so, he is enjoined to fairly assess the price of the slave and pay the other co-owners the monetary value of their shares, tomanumit the slave completely.
If he cannot afford it, then the slave will be partially manumitted.
In the same vein, it was narrated that on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “(Whoever manumits his share of a jointly owned slave, it is imperative for him to get that slave manumitted completely by paying the remaining price), and if he cannot afford it, then the price of the slave should be estimated justly, and he is to be allowed to work and earn the amount that will manumit him (without overburdening him).” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]. This means that the partially manumitted slave may work and earn money to pay the rest of the price to free himself completely, provided that he must not be overburdened by work if he is unable to do so.
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2525

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):
That he used to give his verdict regarding the male or female slaves owned by more than one master, one of whom may manumit his share of the slave. Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say in such a case, "The manumitter should manumit the slave completely if he has sufficient money to pay the rest of the price of that slave (which is to be justly estimated) and the other shareholders are to take the price of their shares and the slave is freed (released from slavery)." Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) this verdict on the authority of the Prophet.ﷺ
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Commentary :
The Islamic Laws of Islam assigned a special care to the manumission of slaves, urged Muslims to free their slaves and facilitated its means (to ultimately free people from their condition of slavery). Therefore, it prescribes many laws and regulations encouraging and facilitating the manumission of slaves.
In this hadeeth, Naafi‘, the freed slave of ‘AbdullahIbn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to issue his Fatwaa (i.e., give a scholarly opinion), narrating it on the authority of the Prophet ﷺ, regarding jointly owned male or female slaves when one of the co-owners wants to manumit his share. Regardless of having a big or small share, it is obligatory on the co-owner to completely manumit him or her if can afford the price of the other shares. Such a master of the jointly owned male or female slave is enjoined to pay the other co-owners the monetary value of their shares, if he can afford it, tomanumit the slave completely so that he becomes a free person. Being able to afford it here means having excess wealth beyond his needs and those of his dependents, including their basic needs such as accommodation, clothes, and the like. If he is financially able to do so, he is required to fairly assess the price of the slave and pay the other masters the monetary value of their shares, tomanumit the slave completely and release him from slavery.
In the same vein, it was narrated that on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “(Whoever manumits his share of a jointly owned slave, it is imperative for him to get that slave manumitted completely by paying the remaining price), and if he cannot afford it, then the price of the slave should be estimated justly, and he is to be allowed to work and earn the amount that will manumit him (without overburdening him).” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]. This means that the partially manumitted slave may work and earn money to pay the rest of the price to free himself completely, provided that he must not be overburdened by work if he is unable to do so.
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2528

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah, Exalted is He, has accepted my invocation to forgive what whispers in the hearts of my followers, unless they put it to action or verbalize it." (See hadeeth No. 657 Vol. 8)
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Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, bestowed His abundant grace on Muslims, as reflected in the provisions of the Laws of Islam that promote ease and facilitation, the multiplication of their rewards, the forgiveness of sins, and pardoning the mistakes and faults of Muslims on many occasions, out of His grace and mercy.
This hadeeth highlights a manifestation of the divine mercy conferred on this nation, as the Prophet ﷺ stated that Allah, Exalted is He, pardoned Muslims and relieved them of the accountability and punishment regarding their sinful inner thoughts. They shall not be held accountable for sinful inner thoughts as long as they do not verbalize them or act upon them. This is a manifestation of the divine grace conferred on Muslims.

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2531

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
On my way to the Prophet ﷺ, I was reciting a poetic verse (which means): 'What a long tedious tiresome night! Nevertheless, it has saved us from the land of Kufr (disbelief).' I had a slave who ran away from me on the way. When I went to the Prophet ﷺ and gave the Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) for embracing Islam, the slave showed up while I was still with the Prophet ﷺ who remarked, "O Aboo Hurayrah! Here is your slave!" I said, "I manumit him for Allah's Sake," and so I freed him.
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Commentary : The Islamic Laws of Islam assigned a special care to the manumission of slaves, facilitated its causes, and lauded those who took the initiative to free their slaves, promising them abundant reward. This is why the Companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) and the righteous people in all times and places hastened to emancipate their slaves.
In this hadeeth, It was narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that when he went to the Prophet ﷺ from Yemen to Al-Madeenah, to proclaim his Islam, and this took place in 7 A.H., he (may Allah be pleased with him) recited the following poetic verse (which means): 'What a long tedious tiresome night! Nevertheless, it has saved us from the land of Kufr (disbelief).'
In this poetic verse, Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) described the toil and hardship that he had endured during his long night journey, but it paid off as it saved him from disbelief by proclaiming his Islam to the Prophet ﷺ.
He (may Allah be pleased with him) added: “I had a slave who ran away from me on the way. When I went to the Prophet ﷺ and gave the Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) for embracing Islam, the slave showed up while I was still with the Prophet ﷺ. The Bay‘ah here indicated the proclamation of one’s commitment to adhere to Islam and comply with its rulings and provisions.
After he (may Allah be pleased with him) gave the Bay‘ah to the Prophet ﷺ, his slave showed up. The Prophet ﷺ remarked, "O Aboo Hurayrah! Here is your slave!" It is possible that he (may Allah be pleased with him) had described him to the Prophet ﷺ and he ﷺ recognized him or that such information was imparted to him through divine revelation. It was narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), "I manumit him for Allah's Sake," and so he freed him.
Another version recorded by Al-Bukhaaree reads: “He is for the Sake of Allah (i.e., free).” It is deduced from this hadeeth that when a master says about his slave, “He is for the sake of Allah,” or “He is free,” or any other statement that indicates his manumission, without explicitly saying that he was releasing him from slavery, while holding the intention of manumission, the slave is declared free as per the laws of Islam.
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2535

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah's Messengerﷺ forbade the selling or donating the Walaa’ (lit., loyalty, meaning to maintain a relationship of patronage without pondage with one’s manumitter) of a freed slave.
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Commentary :
The bond of Walaa’ (lit., loyalty, meaning to maintain a relationship of patronage without bondage with one’s manumitter)between a freed slave and his or her manumitter has been recognized by the Laws of Islam,and considered a strong relationship and bond like that of blood.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ forbadeselling or donating (the rights resulting from) the bond of Walaa’. The due rights established by theWalaa’ bond are established by the manumission of the slave. In the pre-Islamic era, people used to transfer (the rights that are established by virtue of) the Walaa’ bond by means of sale or otherwise, but the Islamic Laws of Islam forbade it. When someone manumitted a slave, the freed slave maintained a relationship of patronage without bondage with his or her manumitter, and certain financial rights were established by virtue of this bond, the most important of which was the right of inheritance. Whenever the freed slave died, leaving behind no eligible heirs, his or her manumitter inherited him by virtue of their Walaa’ relationship, which was held similar to that of a blood bond in terms of the relevant financial rights. This is why the Prophet ﷺ forbade selling such rights for a payment or donating it to other than the actual manumitter, because the bond of Walaa’ was held similar to the blood bond;it may not be sold or donated. Moreover, another reason is that freedom (manumission) is one of the greatest favors; a manumitter offers the freed slave the greatest favor by releasing him or her from slavery, and earns the rights of Walaa’ in return, because it is associated with his favor for the freed slave, and it cannot be transferred to anyone other than the manumitter.
The hadeeth highlights that Islam preaches compassion and mercy for slaves; the Laws of Islam exclusively grants the manumitter the rights of Walaa’ and forbids transferring them to anyone else by means of sale or otherwise.
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2537

Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him):
Some men of the Ansaar asked for the permission of Allah's Messenger ﷺ and said, "Allow us to give up the ransom from our nephew Al-‘Abbaas. The Prophet ﷺ said (to them), "Do not leave (even) a Dirham (of his ransom).”.

Commentary :
Al-‘Abbaas ibn ‘Abd Al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him), the maternal uncle of the Prophet ﷺ, partook in the Battle of Badr with the polytheists of Quraysh and was taken prisoner by the Muslims. The Prophet ﷺ demanded ransom for the release of the prisoners of war, and Al-‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) paid the ransom for himself.
In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that some men from the Ansaar wanted to return the ransom paid by Al-‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) out of reverence for the Prophet ﷺ. They said to the Prophet ﷺ, “Allow us to give up the ransom from our nephew Al-‘Abbaas.” They referred to him as their ‘nephew’ because they were the maternal relatives of his father ‘Abd Al-Muttalib, because the mother of ‘Abd Al-Muttalib was Salmaa bint ‘Amr ibn Uhayhah who belonged to Banee Al-Najjaar. They did not wish to say, ‘Allow us to give up the ransom for your maternal uncle,’ and rather referred to him as their nephew, to indicate that they were asking the Prophet ﷺ for a favor rather than doing him a favor!
However, the Prophet ﷺ refused and rather said (to them), "Do not leave (even) a Dirham (of his ransom).” He ﷺ did not allow them to give up any part of his ransom lest there should be favoritism in Islam, and Al-‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) was rich. The ransom was taken from him and distributed to the eligible recipients of the spoils of war.
The hadeeth highlights the Prophet’s keenness on serving the best interests of Muslims and his love for them.

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2541

Ibn ‘Awn narrated:
I wrote a letter to Naafi‘ and he wrote in reply to my letter that the Prophet ﷺ had attacked Banee Mustaliq without a prior warning while they were heedless and their cattle were being watered at the places of water. Their fighting men were killed and their women and children were taken as captives; the Prophet ﷺ got Juwayriyah on that day. Naafi‘ said that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) had told him the above narration and that Ibn ‘Umar was in that army.
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Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He,has prescribed Jihaad to support His religion, and this religious obligation shall remain binding until the Day of Resurrection, and nothing will abrogate it. A group of the believers shall continue to adhere to the truth (i.e., by upholding the obligation of Jihaad) and will be supported by Allah, Exalted is He, to strive for what is right, and will be granted triumph.
In this hadeeth, ‘AbdullahIbn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺhad attacked Banee Mustaliq, a branch of Khuzaa‘ah tribe, in 5 A.H., and the battle came to be known as Banee Al-Mustaliq or Al-Muraysee‘, the name of the well where the battle took place.
Upon hearing that they were preparing to attack Muslims, the Prophet ﷺ proactively attacked them without prior warning while they were heedless, although the basic principle is that Muslims must warn enemies before attacking them, but since the call of Islam had become widespread at that point and people were well-informed of Islam, this sufficed and there was no need for a prior warning. Being heedless to the Muslims’ attack, their cattle were being watered at the places of water; they did not take any precautions. The Prophet ﷺ fought them; their fighting men were killed and their women and children were taken as captives. The Prophet ﷺ got Juwayriyah bint Al-Haarith (may Allah be pleased with her) on that day and married her. Her father was the chief of his people. It was said that she was among the share of Thaabit ibn Qays (may Allah be pleased with him) and she bought her freedom through Mukaatabah (i.e., a contract of manumission between a master and a slave whereby the slave is required to pay a certain sum of money during a specific time period in exchange for freedom). The Prophet ﷺ approved her Mukaatabah and married her. Out of courtesy to the Prophet ﷺ, Muslims freed the captives from her people, the Prophet’s in-laws. There was no woman whose blessing shined on her people like her (i.e., they regained their freedom because of her).
It is deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable to attack enemy fighters without prior warning.
It is also inferred therefrom that it is allowable to take Arab captives as prisoners of war and retain ownership of them,as is the case with non-Arab captives.
It is also deuced that only the adult enemy fighters may be killed during battles, and that women and children may not be killed, and may be only seized as prisoners of war.
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1361

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

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

1363

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

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

1364

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

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

1373

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

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

1374

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

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

1375

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

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

1377

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

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

1380

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

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

1381

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

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

1385

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

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

1386

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

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

1398

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

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

1403

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

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

1405

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

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

1405

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

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

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths

Ibn Abee Mulaykah narrated:
I wrote a letter to Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) and he wrote to me that the Prophet ﷺhad given the verdict that the defendant had to take an oath.
.

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever manumits a slave owned by two masters, should manumit him completely (not partially) if he is rich after having its price evaluated."
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Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah, Exalted is He, has accepted my invocation to forgive what whispers in the hearts of my followers, unless they put it to action or verbalize it." (See hadeeth No. 657 Vol. 8)
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Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah's Messengerﷺ forbade the selling or donating the Walaa’ (lit., loyalty, meaning to maintain a relationship of patronage without pondage with one’s manumitter) of a freed slave.
.

Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him):
Some men of the Ansaar asked for the permission of Allah's Messenger ﷺ and said, "Allow us to give up the ransom from our nephew Al-‘Abbaas. The Prophet ﷺ said (to them), "Do not leave (even) a Dirham (of his ransom).”.

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

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

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

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

Book of Hadith

| Hadiths

Ibn Abee Mulaykah narrated: I wrote a letter to Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) and he wrote to me that the Prophet ﷺhad given the verdict that the defendant had to take an oath. .

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever manumits a slave owned by two masters, should manumit him completely (not partially) if he is rich after having its price evaluated." .

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) The Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah, Exalted is He, has accepted my invocation to forgive what whispers in the hearts of my followers, unless they put it to action or verbalize it." (See hadeeth No. 657 Vol. 8) .

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah's Messengerﷺ forbade the selling or donating the Walaa’ (lit., loyalty, meaning to maintain a relationship of patronage without pondage with one’s manumitter) of a freed slave. .

Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him): Some men of the Ansaar asked for the permission of Allah's Messenger ﷺ and said, "Allow us to give up the ransom from our nephew Al-‘Abbaas. The Prophet ﷺ said (to them), "Do not leave (even) a Dirham (of his ransom).”.

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

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

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

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

Ibn Abee Mulaykah narrated:
I wrote a letter to Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them) and he wrote to me that the Prophet ﷺhad given the verdict that the defendant had to take an oath.
.

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever manumits a slave owned by two masters, should manumit him completely (not partially) if he is rich after having its price evaluated."
.

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah, Exalted is He, has accepted my invocation to forgive what whispers in the hearts of my followers, unless they put it to action or verbalize it." (See hadeeth No. 657 Vol. 8)
.

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah's Messengerﷺ forbade the selling or donating the Walaa’ (lit., loyalty, meaning to maintain a relationship of patronage without pondage with one’s manumitter) of a freed slave.
.

Narrated Anas (may Allah be pleased with him):
Some men of the Ansaar asked for the permission of Allah's Messenger ﷺ and said, "Allow us to give up the ransom from our nephew Al-‘Abbaas. The Prophet ﷺ said (to them), "Do not leave (even) a Dirham (of his ransom).”.