| Hadiths

Bukhari Hadiths 1356
Muslim Hadiths 558

Hadith

1422

Narrated Ma’n ibn Yazeed (may Allah be pleased with him): My grandfather, my father and I gave the pledge of allegiance to Allah's Messenger ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ got me engaged and then got me married. One day I went to the Prophet ﷺ with a complaint.My father set aside some dinars for charity and gave them to a man in the mosque. I went to that man and took back those dinars. He said: "I had not intended you to be given." So, we went to Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and put forth the matter before him. Heﷺ said to my father, "Yazeed, you have been rewarded for what you intended." And heﷺ said to me, "Ma'n, you are entitled to what you have taken.".

Commentary : Pledging allegiance entails the conclusion of a contract and the making of a covenant, and it is called in Arabic al-Mubaaya’ah (i.e., a word that means sales) as an analogy for making a transaction, as if everyone sold what they owned. On the part of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ; a promise of reward, and on their part of the pledgers: a commitment to obedience.
In this hadeeth, Maʿn ibn Yazeed al-Sulamee (may Allah be pleased with both of them) reports that he, his father, and grandfather al-Akhnas ibn Habeeb (may Allah be pleased with him) pledged their allegiance to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.Later on, the Prophet ﷺ proposed on behalf of Maʿn ibn Yazeed to a woman and asked the woman’s guardian for their approval for her to marry him, who in turn gave her to him (Ibn Yazeed) in marriage.
The narrator related that his father had offered the alms and placed it in the care of a man in the mosque so that he could distribute it to someone deserving of the charity. But then Maʿn went and took it and told his father about it. Afterwards, his father informed him that he had intended this alms money to go to him (Ma’n). It was said: what is meant by the alms here is: that it was a voluntary charity, and not the prescribed alms tax (zakat). The two of them quarrelled and took up the matter to the Prophet ﷺ. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ruled between them [stating] that: Yazeed will be rewarded for what he had intended to give in charity, and that Maʿn owned what he took because he was poor and belonged to the general group of the needy who were allowed to receive the alms from the deputy who is authorised to distribute it.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights that the one who offers alms [and charity] will be rewarded for what he intended, whether it finds the one who is deserving of it or not.
It shows that the son has the right to argue with his father, and it would not be out of disobedience if it was done so appropriately [i.e., with tact].
And lastly, it shows the permissibility of appointing a representative to distribute the alms and charity..

1423

Narrated AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Seven people Allah will place them under His Shade on the Day when there would be no shade but the Shade of His Throne (i.e., on the Day of Resurrection): And they are: a just ruler; a youth who grew up worshipping Allah; a person whose heart is attached to the mosques; two men who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of Allah; a man whom an extremely beautiful woman seduces (for illicit relation), but he (rejects this offer and) says: 'I fear Allah'; a man who gives in charity and conceals it (to such an extent) that the left hand does not know what the right has given; and a man who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes become tearful"..

Commentary : The Day of Resurrection is a crucial day with many terrors. It is the Day on which the sun draws near the heads of the people and its heat intensifies over them. The Messenger of Allahﷺhas given good tidings to us that Allah will place some of His servants under His shade on that day in which no other shade except for His, Exalted Be He.
In this significant hadeeth, the Messenger of Allah ﷺmentions seven kinds [of people] in his nation who will enjoy Allah’s Shade on that day in which no one else will be shaded except for those whom Allah will cover in His shade. What is meant by shade here is: the shadow of the Throne, as it is was explained in other hadeeths; one of which is related in Musnad Ahmad and Sunan al-Tirmidhee; it is reported on the authority of AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said:: “Whoever relieves [someone] from his debtor or erases their debt for him, will be under the shade of the Throne on the Day of Resurrection.” If what is meant [by this] is the shade of the Throne; then it follows that they are under the protection and honour of Allah, The Almighty.
The first of these seven [types] of people is: the just ruler. He is a just ruler over his subjects who preserves their rights, considers their interests, and rules over them with the Sacred Law of Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, and upholds the good in both religious and worldly affairs.
The second is the young man who grows up diligently worshipping his Lord and is committed to obeying His Commands and Prohibitions. The young man is specifically mentioned [here] because worship in youth is harder, more tiresome, and more difficult at this age; due to the many reasons for sin and disobedience, and the prevalence of desires; so, if he clings to worship during those time[s], it indicates the strength of his piety and the greatness of his fear in Allah.
The third is the man whose heart clings to the mosques. He is very fond of and is attached to the mosques. He visits them frequently and spends large amounts of time in them - remaining for the congregational and obligatory prayers and waits for prayer after prayer [to begin], as if his heart was a lantern of the masjid.
The fourth is: two people who love one another for the sake of Allah, and for His Pleasure and obedience, and not for a worldly purpose. They meet for His sake, and maintain this love for Allah, Glory be to Him. The narrator’s statement: “They meet and part ways for His cause” is clear: that their love for Allah is sincere at the times of their meeting and departure.
The fifth: is a man who was asked to engage in illegitimate sexual relations by a beautiful woman of noble descent, lineage, rank, and prestige, and refuses so by saying: ‘I fear Allah.’ It is possible that he only says that verbally; reprimanding her for attempting to commit adultery. Or, he says that in his heart, and his actions confirm that the fear of Allah prevents him from committing what angers Him. The reason women with status and beauty are particularly mentioned is due to the great desires in it. With this act, despite these many temptations, he has achievedthe perfect ranks of obedience and fear of Allah, The Almighty, and these are the characteristics of the righteous.
The sixth is a man who offers voluntary alms and goes to great lengths in concealing it. He covers them from everything, even from himself; so that his left hand does not know what his right one spends. Only, he ﷺ mentioned the right and left to exaggerate the concealment and secrecy in giving charity. He offered them both as examples because the right hand is close to the left, and [both] accompany one another. The meaning of the example given is: If his left hand was an alert man, he would not have known about it [the right hand and its spending]; due to the emphasis in concealing it. And this is the best [form] of charity, and the furthest from hypocrisy. Although it is prescribed to speak publicly about charity and zakat if it is free from showing off, it is intended to urge others to spend, emulate others, and make the rites of Islam known.
And the seventh is the man who remembers Allah with his tongue in seclusion or remembers with his heart: the greatness of Allah The Almighty, his eventual encounter with Him, that he is always standing in His presence, and that he is held accountable for his deeds all while he is alone, and secluded from people; because at that time, he is further away from hypocrisy. It was said: that his heart is free from paying attention to anything other than Allah, so that even if he is among people, his tears will flow out of fear in Allah, The Almighty.
These seven will only attain this grace by sincere devotion to Allah, The Almighty and fighting their desires; for the capable leader who is in power is not able to be just, except by opposing his whims. The young man who prefers to worship Allah over the calls of his youth would not be able to do so, had he not fought his desires. The man whose heart clings to the masjid encourages him to struggle against the inclinations that call him to places of pleasure. The one who secretly offers alms and charity to those on his left side would not have been able to do so had he not overcome his desires. And for those who: are called by a beautiful, noble woman and fear Allah, The Mighty and Majestic and opposed his cravings; and those who remember Allah, The Mighty and Majestic in private, with their eyes overflowing [with tears] out of fear of Him - it was only by opposing their longings that led them to that. Thus, Allah saved them from the swelter, sweat, and hardship of the situation which will manifest on the Day of Resurrection.
Seven types of people have been mentioned in this hadeeth. There are other narrations that relate and add more categories other than those mentioned here; among them is what Imam Muslim narrates from the hadeeth of Aboo al-Yasar, Kaʿb ibn ʿAmr al-Ansaaree (may Allah be pleased with him), who narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever grants a reprieve to the one in dire straits or remits his debt for him, Allah will place him under His protection.” Also: the warrior [who fights for Allah’s sake] and those who aid them, the honest merchant, and whoever assists the slave [in attaining their freedom] as it is mentioned in other narrations and hadeeths; so, this indicates that the number of those mentioned in this hadeeth doesn’t provide a limit [for the number of categories]. Likewise, the mentioning of men in this hadeeth departs from what corresponds to the preponderant position [on the issue]; [as] there is no significance to it; for women are similar to men in what is possible regarding that [i.e., being able to implement characteristics described in this narration], and the provisions of the Sacred Law are general [in applicability] for all those who are legally responsible, both male and female.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights the merits of the seven mentioned categories, and the virtue of the one who remains free from sin and devotes themself in obeying their Lord throughout his life.
It urges us to partake in righteous deeds; because they are the reasons in which the contentment of Allah, May He be Exalted, will be attained in the Hereafter.
And lastly, it highlights that one of the blessings of Allah, The Mighty and Majestic on the Day of Resurrection is being granted refuge under His protection..

1425

Narrated ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said "When a woman feeds (the poor) from her husband's house, without spending too much, she will have her reward, and her husband will be rewarded likewise because he earned it, and she will be rewarded for what she spent. The same applies to the storekeeper, without anything being detracted from their rewards.”.

Commentary : In this hadeeth, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ highlights the great status of charity and encourages people to practise it. He ﷺ clarifies the reward that a woman will receive when she gives in charity from the property of her husband, with his permission, whether his permission was explicit or implicit, if she knew that he would not mind her giving charity from his wealth. He ﷺ particularly mentions that when a woman gives in charity from thefood she keeps in house to those who are poor and needy, with the intention of charity and without that causing any harm to her household or intending to waste her husband’s wealth or causing harm to him, she will be rewarded for this spending. Likewise, her husband and the storekeeper will be rewarded since the former was the one who worked to earn it, and the latter is the one responsible for keeping the food of his master. That is to say, the husband and wife will be rewarded, and the master and his owned storekeeper will be rewarded when the wife or storekeeper does that. It is either each one of them will receive his reward in full and equallyor that each one of them will receive his own reward. The acceptable amount that can be spent in this case is that which the husband or the master usually approves and allows to be given away in charity. His approval can be at the time this happens or when he comes to know about it..

1426

Narrated AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "The best charity is that which is given out of surplus; and begin (charity) with those who are under your care.”.

Commentary : The legal system in Islam has come as a middle point between excess and neglect. One of the areas it covers is almsgiving. It dictates that the best charity - as the Prophet ﷺ reports in this hadeeth - is what a person takes out from his wealth after fulfilling the rights of himself and dependents so that the one giving alms does not become a person in need after offering his charity to someone; for this is the charity which is given out of surplus.
Then he ﷺ instructs us to begin with those who we provide for under our care. This is an indication that the spending on one’s family is better than giving charity to others because charitable almsgiving is voluntary, and adequate support (nafaqah) and maintenance for the family is obligatory. This is from the Prophetic pedagogy, and the order of prioritiesin nafaqahthat we should observe so that a person can meet the requirements necessary for his family and whoever else he is obliged to take care of. Then, he can offer alms and charity in the manner a rich person does.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is it shows that we should give precedence with spending on ourselves and our dependents because caring for them is confined to him alone, unlike the others.
It highlights that a person should not give all of what he owns in charity, and that we should begin with the most important concerns in the matters of religion.
And lastly, it shows thatspendingon one’s family and the person who provides for them is regarded as a charity if the person intended it as such..

1427

Narrated Hakeem ibn Hizaam (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Prophet ﷺ said, "The upper hand is better than the lower one (i.e., the spending hand is better than the receiving hand); and begin (charity) with those who are under your care; and the best charity is that which given out of surplus; and he who abstains from asking others [for his needs] and he who abstains from asking others for money will be made self-sufficient by Allah"..

Commentary : Islam urges almsgiving and spending [on others] for the sake of Allah and clarifies that what Allah has [or them] is more permanent than what a person puts away for himself.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ explains that the upper hand - which is the hand that spends and provides - is better and more beloved to Allah, The Mighty and Majestic than the lower hand - which is the one that requests and takes charity. Then he ﷺ instructs us to begin with ourselves and whatever family and children that we support. So, the best charity is what a person takes out from his wealth after fulfilling the rights of himself and dependents so that the one giving alms does not become a person in need after offering his charity to someone. And where he ﷺsays: This is an indication that the spending on one’s family] is better than charity because charitable almsgiving is voluntary, and adequate support (nafaqah) and maintenance for the family is obligatory. This is from the Prophetic pedagogy, and the order of prioritiesin spending that we should observe so that a person can meet the requirements necessary for his family and whoever else he is obliged to take care of. Then, he can offer alms and charity from the surplus that he still has.
Then,the Messenger of Allahﷺurges for content and self-restraint. Heﷺrelates that whoever forces himself to abstain from begging for anything or asks Allah to keep him in no need of others, Allah then will grant it to him, in that He will make him content, satisfied, and pleased with whatever He has given him.
And “and he who abstains from asking others for money”, that is to say: ‘whoever asks for wealth from Allah, Exalted be He, or he shows that he is not in need of the wealth of people and avoids begging until a person who does not know the realty of his condition considers him to be rich and self-sufficient. Then, “Allah will grant it”, in that He will fill his heart with riches so that he comes rich in his heart because affluence, in reality, is the richness of the soul.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights that we should give precedence with spending on ourselves and our dependents because caring for them is confined to him alone, unlike the others.

It highlights that a person should not give all of what he owns in charity and urges us towards lofty matters, and to abandon the ignoble.
It shows us that we should begin with the most important concerns in legal matters.
And lastly, that spending on one’s family and the person who provides for them is regarded as a charity if the person considered it as such..

1430

Narrated ‘Uqbah ibn al-Haarith (may Allah be pleased with him): Once the Prophet ﷺ offered the `Asr prayer and then hurriedly went to his house and returned immediately. I (or somebody else) asked him (as to what was the matter) and heﷺ said, "I left at home a piece of gold which was from the charity and I disliked letting it remain a night in my house, so I got it distributed.".

Commentary : It is necessary for the believing person to hasten and engage in good deeds because pitfalls may happen and thus hinder him from performing good deeds, and death can strike at any moment, and procrastination is not condemned and not praiseworthy.
In this hadeeth, ʿUqbah ibn al-Haarith (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet ﷺ was with them for the late afternoon prayer (ʿAsr), and right after he ﷺ concluded his prayer, he ﷺ rushed to get up from his place and went to his home. “It did not take him long...”, is an allusion for hurriedly departing from his house. Then, his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked him about what prompted this haste; to which the Prophet ﷺ explained to them that he ﷺ had left a tibr - which is a portion of gold before it is wrought - at his house, and this tibr was for charity. Then he ﷺ related that he disliked letting it remain at his house at night; and for that reason, he ﷺ hurried to divide it up for those who were in need.
It was said: the reason he ﷺhurried to distribute the almsis that he feared that whoever had a right to that piece of tibr would be in need of it, and [by delaying it] his right would have been held back from him that night. The Prophetﷺwas benevolent and merciful to the believers; so, heﷺ clarified the matter to his nation,in order that they follow his example and imitate him ﷺ.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights that the ruler and the scholar ought to hasten to meet the needs of the peopleand responded to them.
And lastly, it shows the permissibility for the imamto leave immediately after the prayer without sitting down [after the prayer]..

1432

Narrated Aboo Moosa al-‘Ash’aree (may Allah be pleased with him): Whenever a needy person would come to the Prophet ﷺ or he ﷺ was asked for help, he ﷺ would turn to those who were present and say, "Make intercession for him, and you will be rewarded; and Allah will carry out whatsoever He wills through His Prophet’s mouth.".

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺwas benevolent and merciful to the people and would hasten in upholding their needs and advocating for the people with truth and justice; to teach his cooperative ummah piety and cognizance of Allah.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Moosa al-Ashʿaree (May Allah be pleased with him) relates that whenever a beggar in need came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺto ask for alms; or, a person with a need came to him and asked of him to fulfil it – he ﷺ would help them with it and say, “Intercede for them, and you will be rewarded,“ that is to say: ‘You will be rewarded by Allah, The Mighty and Majestic for that.’ What is meant by intercession here is: aiding someone else in the matters of this worldly life, and in helping people in whatever is good for them in their worldly affairs. The Muslim should strive to help his fellow brother in his needs and what he asks of him, and intermediate to fulfil it so long as it is good and supports him in his religion and life, and that the need is not a sin or neglects a divine proscription [put forth by] Allah, The Almighty. As for other needs - such as granting relief for the impoverished, helping those who are in debt, and conciliating between two people who are quarrelling - so people should hasten to strive with me in addressing these issues.
Then, he ﷺ said: “and Allah will carry out whatsoever He wills through His Prophet’s mouth,” which means that whatever Allah decreed and foreordained will come to pass; so, if He decrees for a wish to come true, then it will come to pass. And if He decrees for it not to happen; then it will not manifest. Everything is by Allah’s Divine Decree and Foreordainment, and the reward for the mediator does not depend on his fulfilment of the need of the person, for he is rewarded for the mere pursuit of it all.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it encourages mediating and interceding on behalf of people and striving to meet their needs.
And lastly, it confirms Allah’s Divine Decree and Foreordainment..

1433

Narrated Asmaa’ (may Allah be pleased with her): The Prophet ﷺ said to me: Do not withhold it or it will be withheld from you.”.

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ used to guide his nation to lofty words and deeds and would preach to the people depending on their needs.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ says to Asmaa’ bint Abee Bakr (May Allah be pleased with her and her father): ‘Do not withhold [your money]’- where we can see that the verbal noun, al-’Īkaa’ for this verb in Arabic means to tie the head of a container with a wikaa’, which is a rope or string that ties it [i.e., a waterskin or bag]. So, the meaning of this statement is: ‘Don’t hoard away and withhold your money from almsgiving out of fear of it dwindling, otherwise the substance of your sustenance will be cut off from you.’
The reason for this is what is mentioned in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, where Asmaa’ (May Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet ﷺ a question about almsgiving and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I own nothing except that which al-Zubayr has left for me. May I offer the alms?” To which, he ﷺ said: “Offer it, and do not withhold it or it will be withheld from you.” In another agreed upon narration, it is reported that he ﷺ said to her: “Don’t count [it]” - where the Arabic verbal noun, al-Iḥṣaa’, for the verb used here means to have knowledge of the amount of something, whether by weight or quantity. So, the meaning of this statement is: ‘Don’t count what you are giving so that you may be increased by it and let that be a reason for it to be cut off.’ This indicates that almsgiving increases one’s wealth and can be a reason for blessing and increase. Whoever is miserly and does not give alms, Allah will withhold his sustenance from him, and prevent the blessing in his wealth and its growth.
One benefit that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it shows that being miser greed with charity and alms - especially with what is obligatory to give (zakat) - leads to destruction of wealth; so, it’s as if generosity opens the doors of sustenance, [blessing, and growth]..

1434

Narrated Asmaa’ (may Allah be pleased with her): The Prophet ﷺ said to me: Do not withhold it or it will be withheld from you, and give what little you can.”.

Commentary : The Prophetﷺ used to guide his nation to lofty words and deedsand would admonish the people depending on their needs.
In this hadeeth, Asmaa’ bint Abee Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her and her father) came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked him about giving alms. The Prophet ﷺ said to her: “Do not withhold it”, meaning: “Do not store away your wealth or refrain from spending it for the sake of Allah and offering alms with it because that would be a reason for Allah to take away its blessing, increase, and growth from reaching you.
And he ﷺ said: “Give what little you can,” meaning: ‘Spend without rendering yourself poor as long as you are able to, even if it is just a little, and do not hoard and abstain from giving alms out of fear that [your wealth] will dwindle, otherwise the substance of your sustenance will be cut off from you.’
In Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, it is related that Asmaa’ (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet ﷺ a question about almsgiving and said to him: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I own nothing except that which al-Zubayr has left for me. May I offer the alms?” To which, he ﷺ said: “Offer it, and do not withhold it [or it will be withheld] from you.” And in another agreed upon narration, it is reported that he ﷺ said to her: “Do not count [it]” - where the Arabic verbal noun, al-Ihsaa’, for the verb used here means to have knowledge of the amount of something, whether by weight or quantity. So, the meaning of this statement is: ‘Do not count what you are giving so that you may be increased by it and let that be a reason for it [i.e., the blessings] to be cut off.’
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it shows that charity and almsgiving increase wealth, and that generosity opens the doors of sustenance, blessing, and growth.
And that refraining from offering charity and alms - especially with what is obligatory to give (zakat) - leads to destruction of wealth..

1435

Narrated Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him): "`Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, 'Who amongst you remembers the statement of Allah's Messenger ﷺ about afflictions'?' I said, 'I know it as the Prophetﷺ had said it.' `Umar said, 'No doubt, you are bold. How did he say it?' I said, 'A man's afflictions (wrong deeds) concerning his wife, children and neighbours are expiated by (his) prayers, charity, and enjoining good.' (The sub-narrator Sulaymaan added that he said, 'The prayer, charity, enjoining good and forbidding evil.') `Umar said, 'I did not mean that, but I ask about that affliction which will spread like the waves of the sea.' I said, 'O Chief of the Believers! You need not be afraid of it as there is a closed door between you and it.' He asked, 'Will the door be broken or opened?' I replied, 'No, it will be broken.' He said, 'If it is broken, it will never be closed again?' I replied, 'Yes.' " Then we were afraid to ask what that door was, so we asked Masrooq to inquire, and he asked Hudhayfah regarding it. Hudhayfah said, "The door was `Umar. "We further asked Hudhaifa whether `Umar knew what that door meant. Hudhayfah replied in the affirmative and added, "He knew it as one knows that there will be a night before the tomorrow morning, and that I reported to him a hadeeth with no errors.".

Commentary : Trials and afflictions are many; some of them are easy, and others are great. The Prophet ﷺ informed us about many of the trials which will take place to serve as a warning against them and urged us to hasten in grabbing onto the ropes of salvation.
In this hadeeth, Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reports that ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him), during the era of his caliphate, asked the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) that were at his gathering at that time: ‘Which of you remembers the statements of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about the trial?’ Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) thought that ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) was asking about the particulartrial [some will face], so he replied to him by [stating] that he knew the Prophet’s ﷺ words about the trial literally and exactly as he ﷺ had said: which is: that the person will face trials with regards to their family, wealth, children, and neighbours. What is meant by it is: what evil, sorrow, and the like that befalls him in relation to them [i.e., the listed trials], his preoccupation with them while engaging in pious deeds; his negligence in upholding what is required concerning their rights, his shortcomings in matters of the religion, and what [often] tempts him from the [various] lesser misdeeds. Prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and enjoining the good and prohibiting evil expiate these misgivings. That is to say: that these specifictrials are those which afflict the Muslim because of his love for himself, his children, and his wealth, and they are expiated by righteous deeds and acts of worship. However, ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him) did not mean these particular trials, but rather the afflictions which swell and surge like the sea, i.e., by which people will be unsettled, and fight one another. It is the general strife that will afflict all the Muslims.
Then Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) reassured him that if his question was about the general turmoil that will afflict all Muslims with horrors and calamities, and plunge them into wars and [conflicts of] bloodshed among them; then the Muslims today are safe from it, and that there is a strong, locked door between him and this turmoil [being spoken of]; but this door will be broken down, and violence, hardship, and bloodshed will follow. And here, ʿUmar, (may Allah be pleased with him) knew that if this door is broken, it will remain open for blood, and the wars between the Muslims would not end. The TaabiʿeeAbooWaa’il Shaqeeq ibn Salamah reported that they were afraid to ask Hudhayfah about who was the intended person being referred to as the door. So, they appointed Masrooq ibn al-Ajdaʿ to ask him about the matter. Only Masrooq dared to ask him because of his vast knowledge and high rank. Then Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) told them that the door was ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him). The word door [used here] is a metaphor for him.
The taabiʿeenasked Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) about ʿUmar’s knowledge of who was intended by this door [referenced in the hadeeth], in which, if it was broken, would lead to affliction. Then, Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) related that ʿUmar knew that he was the door [being alluded to], “as [one would know] that there is a night before the [following] morning”, that is to say: that his knowledge of that was certain, necessary, evident - just as that there is no doubt that the day you are in precedes the morrow that comes after it. He knew that the barrier between Islam and the affliction was his presence (may Allah be pleased with him); “and that I reported to him a hadeeth with no errors.” So, what ʿUmar understood and knew was only due to what Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) related to him, which was a hadeeth narrated by the Prophet ﷺ, and that it was not based on his own interpretation or opinion. And this was when the stateduring his reign was strong, and the citizens feared and loved him at the same time, and the enemies feared his power and name. But after his rule, strife had appeared, and the forces were divided, as what occurred in the turmoil in which the Caliph, ʿUthmaan ibn ʿAffaan (may Allah be pleased with him) was killed. Then, what came after that [include, but is not limited to the following]: the emergence of the Khawaarij, the fighting between ʿAlee (may Allah be pleased with him) and those who opposed him, and the appearance of [many] deviant sects whose discord has not ceased fighting even till today.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights the merit and virtue of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) and shows that good deeds are an expiation for misdeeds [and sins].
And lastly, it indicates the proper etiquette the taabiʿeen had with those who are high in rank and virtue..

1436

Narrated Hakeem ibn Hizaam (may Allah be pleased with him): “I said to Allah's Messenger ﷺ, "Before embracing Islam I used to do good deeds with the intention of drawing myself nearer to Allah like giving in charity, slave-manumitting, and the keeping of good relations with my kin. Shall I be rewarded for those deeds?" The Prophet ﷺ replied, "You became Muslim with all those good deeds (without losing their reward).".

Commentary : Verily, Allah, Glory be to He, has bestowed His bounty and favours upon His servants with whatever rewards and recompense He wills,Indeed,Allah is the Lord of infinite bounty.
In this hadeeth, Hakeem ibn Hizaam (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that he asked the Prophet ﷺ about the ruling of things that he performed in the service of Allah in the period of ignorance before Islam; some of which include: almsgiving, manumitting slaves, and maintaining good relations with kin: Will he be rewarded for those deeds? The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied to him: ‘You embraced Islam with the acceptance of your previous good deeds from the past.” So, the Prophet ﷺ clarified that if the disbeliever becomes Muslim and dies upon Islam and had performed some righteous and good deeds before reverting - such as giving alms, freeing slaves, and maintaining good relations with family and relatives - then he will be rewarded for the good he did while being a disbeliever, as it is proven that every sin will be erased off him. So, he will return like his mother had bore him, [wholesome and] free of sins and misdeeds.
This is the apparent meaning of his statement: “You embraced Islam with the acceptance of what preceded [you] in goodness”: [showing] that if the disbeliever embraces Islam and dies as a Muslim, then he will be rewarded for what good he did while he was in a state of disbelief. It was said: that its meaning may have several other meanings; one of which is: that you have acquired a beautiful temperament, and benefit from it in Islam, and that habit is a preparing and assisting you to do good and righteous deeds. Another interpretation is: that it is not unlikely that he will be increased by his good deeds which he performs in Islam [i.e., as a Muslim]. And his rewards multiplied for what beautiful deeds he had done previously; so, if the disbeliever used to do good deeds, then it will be easier for him [to partake in them again in the future]. So, it is not unlikely that the rewards will increase for this.
One benefit that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it indicates that the good deeds of a disbeliever - if he embraces and passes away with Islam - will be counted for him in the Hereafter. And if he dies in a [state] of disbelief, then [all of his good deeds] will be deemed in vain and wasted..

1438

Narrated AbooMoosa (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "A trustworthy Muslim treasurer who carries out the orders of his master and pays fully what he has been ordered to give with a good heart and pays to that person to whom he was ordered to pay, is regarded as one of the two charitable persons.".

Commentary : The one who guides to the good and partakes in it will attain a great reward and recompense as the one who [actually] does it. One of the best types of goodness and pious deeds is almsgiving, and for everyone who participates in taking out alms [and distributing it to others] will be rewarded as if they, themselves, have offered the alms if they fulfil the conditions that are complied with in that [matter], as what this hadeeth clarifies; where the Prophetﷺmentions that the Muslim treasurer who is responsible to his master for his vaults and entrusted to preserve and store food, wealth, and other things. If this treasurer, who honours his duty towards his master and whoever entrusts him to safeguard their money, was ordered to take out the alms and distribute it, then he would give out in full, with a good heart, to those deserving of it; he would have obtained a reward similar to the one who donated the alms [directly], as if he had offered it the alms himself, [instead of just distributing it].

He ﷺ stipulated that the reward is given to the treasurer if he gives the alms complete [and in full], and that he does this while being kind, and not be envious of the one who gave it to him [i.e., the donation to distribute]; lest he loses the intention and misses the reward, which are necessary, so he be eligible for the reward. This reward will not be offered to the treasurer who abuses the authority that was given to him and thus withhold the alms that the owner of wealth approved, according to his whims, or if he gives it to them with an unpleasant heart. Sometimes he gives them the alms with a kind of reproach and reprimand. This is something which should not be done because it does not correspond to the legitimate purpose of almsgiving and doing the good to which was entrusted to them. Not to mention the loss of their rewards and blessings with Allah, The Almighty.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it serves as an indication for the merits of trustworthiness and fulfilling what one had been entrusted with and not to be negligent in that.
And lastly, it highlights the evidence of cooperation in righteousness and piety is decreed for those who aid [and participate in the process]] is similar to what is decreed for the one who did [the act themselves], and this is the grace of Allah that He bestows upon whomever He wills..

1442

Narrated AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "Every morning, two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, 'O Allah! Compensate every person who spends [in Your Cause],' and the other angel says, 'O Allah! Bring destruction to [the wealth of] every miser.' ".

Commentary : The treasures and bounties of Allah - May He be Glorified - never deplete. He has urged His servants to spend and offer goodness, and not to calculate or take into account the amount in what they spent [in charity], and has promised them with a recompense of blessing, and that they will be requited with a great reward for spending on His behalf.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ urged for offering alms and spending on charitable causes and clarified the beautiful reward for [doing] that. And he ﷺ warned of the miser and withholding [one’s wealth] and shows its bad outcome. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ reports that every day when the servant awakes, until the Hour of the Resurrection; Allah sends down two venerable angels from the heavens. One of them supplicates for Allah to give back to the almsgiver who spends on charitable and righteous causes, in return for what he spent and gave. And the other angel will supplicate for Allah to give to the withholding miser the ruination of his wealth, or [to] destroy him and for his wealth to vanish. It is well-known that the supplications of the angels are answered; so, this is a promise of ease for the one who spends for charitable purposes, and a threat of difficulty for the miser who withholds and hoards his wealth.
It was said that: praiseworthy spending is what is put forward in acts of worship (zakat), and that which is spent on dependants, guests, and voluntary charity; and that it is done so out of kindness and comes from a wholesome and lawful earning. But the one who refrains from spending his wealth in that which is recommended in religion is not worthy of this supplication [i.e., the one offered by the first angel] since reprehensible greediness overcomes him, in such a matter that he will not be pleasant with taking out from his wealth the right [of others] which is incumbent upon him, even if he takes it out and offers it. Also, the supplication for the one who spends is general, in that Allah will compensate him for it in this world or in the Hereafter. As for the supplication which calls for ruin, it is possible that it means to destroys the source of the wealth, or the owner of the wealth himself. What is meant by it is that [his] righteous deeds will vanish due to being preoccupied with others [and his vain self-interests].
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it urges us to spend in what is mandatory, such as spending on one’s family, and maintaining good relations with kin and kith; and voluntary and obligatory contributions are included in this.
And lastly, it shows us that the miser who withholds [and hoards his money] deserves to have his wealth ruined..

1443

Narrated AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard the Prophet ﷺ say, "The example of an almsgiver and a miser is like the example of two persons who have two iron cloaks on them from their breasts to their collar bones, and when the almsgiver wants to give in charity, the cloak becomes capacious till it covers his whole body to such an extent that it hides his fingertips and covers his footprints (obliterates his tracks). And when the miser wants to spend, it (the iron cloak) sticks and every ring gets stuck to its place and he tries to widen it, but it did not become wide.” The part of the two iron clocks is also narrated through al-Hasan ibn Muslim from Ta’woos. Handhalah related from Ta’woos that it is two gardens (instead of two cloaks). Al-Layth said: Ja’far narrated to me from Ibn Hirmiz that he heard AbooHurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) say that the Prophet ﷺ mentioned “two gardens.”.

Commentary : The charity and alms which a person takes from his wealth for righteous purposes after upholding the rights of himself and his dependents so that the one giving alms does not become a person in need after offering his charity to someone, is one of the best acts of obedience, and greatest pious deeds which is pleasing to Allah, The Almighty. It has laudable consequences in this world and in the Hereafter, whereas miserliness and greed are the opposite of the aforementioned; so, their consequences are disastrous in this world and the Hereafter.
In this hadeeth, The Prophet ﷺ gave a parable regarding the miser and charitable almsgiver, where he ﷺ likens them to two men wearing jubbahs, woven of iron. The jubbah is similar to the cloak, which is worn over other clothes. This garment (as worn by the two men presented in the example of the Prophet ﷺ) went from their breast [down] to where are the two bones at the top of the chest that point towards the side[s] of the mouth, located between the gap of the upper chest and neck [i.e., collarbones]. This is a reference as to how small the jubbah was for [both] the charitable person and miser. So, the one who spends charitably is given a gift when the jubbah worn by him became long and abundant (due to his almsgiving); i.e., it increased in size and length upon him, or “became plentiful over his skin,” and immersed his body “to the point that it covers his fingertips,” meaning: that it became long and flowed over him until it covered his entire body.
“And eliminates his tracks”, i.e., it erases the steps that he takes [as he walks]. This is an explanation for the incredible length of the garment on its owner. As for the miser, every time he refrains from giving alms and stops spending, his jubbah will tighten on him until every ring clings to his skin. He will try to stretch it out with his hand while it is very tight, but it will not widen to release its grip.
What is intended by this parable that if the generous are devoted to almsgiving, his chest will be widened by it, and his soul will become pleasant; and will thus amplify in his spending [and giving charity]. And the miser, if he talks to himself about almsgiving, will become stingy. Then his chest will narrow, and his hands will be clenched. It was said: it means that if the one who spends does so charitably, the alms will expiate his sins and wipe them away, just as the jubbah when it enshrouded him abundantly, concealed him, and safeguarded him [from harm]. The miser does not even obey himself in offering charity, so his offenses will remain uncovered and exposed.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights that every time the one who offers alms extends his hand with goodness, Allah extends His grace to him so that He will repay him multiple times over what he spent for His sake. And every time the miser clenches his hands, Allah constricts him, and fills his heart with the fear of becoming poor, and despair of recovering that which he spent..

1445

Narrated AbooMoosa (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said: Every Muslim has to give in charity." The people asked, "O Allah's Prophet! If someone has nothing to give, what will he do?" He said, "He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns)." The people further asked, "What should he do if he cannot find even that?" He replied, "He should help the needy who appeal for help." The people then asked, "What should he do if he cannot do that?" He replied, "Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds and this will be regarded as charitable deeds.".

Commentary : The charity and alms which a person takes from his wealth for righteous purposes after upholding the rights of himself and his dependents is one of the best acts of obedience, and greatest pious deeds which is pleasing to Allah, The Almighty. Charity doesn’t only [come in the form] of money. Rather, it can [include] helping [others] to do good and preventing evil as well; as what is shown in this hadeeth, where the Prophet ﷺ clarifies that it is incumbent upon every Muslim to offer charity voluntarily because charity without the obligatory zakat is a mandatory duty of every Muslim to offer it as a recommended act [of worship], regardless of his circumstances and conditions. So, whoever is poor and does not own any money to give in charity, let him work with his own hands until he is able to acquire [enough] to benefit himself, by spending it on himself [for his needs], his family, and those who depend on him, and whatever is extra is offered in charity to others.
If he does not find any money to offer in charity, then he assists anyone who is troubled and in need - which is the one who is helpless or oppressed. Likewise, everyone who has experienced a calamity and seeks help for it.
“And if he does not find [them]”, that is to say: if he is not able to help anyone with their need[s], then let him perform righteous deeds, perform physical, supererogatory physical acts of worship, [such as]: prayer, fasting, reciting the Quran, and more. Let him [also] abstain from sin, and avoid that which is prohibited, [like]: backbiting, slander, lying, and spread ant evil or harm to the servants (Muslims); because doing the good and abstaining from evil has the reward of almsgiving.
From the other benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is that it highlights that charity is required of every Muslim, whether they be rich or poor, each one according to their best of ability.
And that if good deeds are accompanied with a good intention, it can take the place of almsgiving with regards to the rewards, especially for those who are not able to offer alms.
It shows that charity that is given by those who are able to do so is better than all other deeds restricted to the person who is doing it.
It provides a proof for who stated that refraining from an action is considered a deed that people will be judged about it.
It shows the merits of earning a living because of what potentials it offers in helping and offering oneself to others [in service].
And lastly, it shows us that the doors that open to goodness are many, and the path to pleasing Allah is not absent..

196

Anas ibn Malek narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I will be the first intercessor in Paradise. Not a prophet among prophets has followers like me. There is a prophet who was believed by only one man from his nation.".

Commentary : The Prophet's merits are abundant and supreme. He was sent to all people including Jews and Christians so all must believe and follow him. This hadith mentions some of his merits such as he will be the first to enter Paradise after Allah accepts his intercession to open it, as in Imam Muslim's narration. Later his intercession will be accepted for two types of people: (1) The disobedient to be admitted to Paradise, and (2) Those who entered Paradise but got lower ranks. Imam Ahmad narrated that the Prophet said, “I will be the first to enter Paradise on the Day of Resurrection and I am not boasting. When I come to the gate of Paradise and take its ring, they will ask, 'Who is this?' I will answer, 'Muhammad.' They will open it for me. I will enter and see the Mighty facing me. I will prostrate to Him and He will say, 'O Muhammad, raise your head, speak so you will be responded, say so your requests will be accepted, and intercede so your intercession will be granted.' I will raise my head and say, 'O God, my nation, my nation.' He will say, 'Go to your nation. Whoever you find in his heart a weight of barley grain of faith, admit him to Paradise.' So I will accept. Whoever I find that in his heart, I will admit him to Paradise.” In addition, he will have the most followers on that day in comparison with other prophets. It indicates that having more followers means having a supreme followed one. Allah dignifies this nation for dignifying his Prophet. No nation will be like his nation on the Day of Resurrection, for it will form half of Paradise's people as in the two Sahihs' narration or even two-thirds as Imam Ahmad, Tirmedhy, and Ibn Maja reported. Moreover, he confirmed that there was a prophet who was only believed by one man from his nation. Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It clarifies the Divine dignity of the Prophet, and (2) It proves the Prophet's intercession on the Day of Judgement..

196

Anas ibn Malek narrated, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “I will be the first to intercede in (allowing people to enter) Paradise and have the most followers in comparison with other prophets.”.

Commentary : The Prophet's merits are great and supreme. He was sent to all people including Jews and Christians so all people must believe and follow him. In this hadith, he mentioned some of his virtues such as he will be the first one to enter Paradise and intercede for people to be admitted to Paradise as in Muslim's narration. Afterward, he will be granted the right to intercede for those who committed sins to enter Paradise or those who entered lower ranks to raise their ranks. In Ahmad's narration, he said, “I will be the first to enter Paradise on the Day of Resurrection and it is no boast. When I come to the gate of Paradise and take its ring, they will ask, 'Who is this?' I will answer, 'Muhammad.' They will open it for me. I will enter and see the Mighty facing me. I will prostrate to Him and He will say, 'O Muhammad, raise your head, speak so you will be responded, say so your requests will be accepted, and intercede so your intercession will be granted.' I will raise my head and say, 'O God, my nation, my nation.' He will say, 'Go to your nation. Whoever you find in his heart a weight of barley grain of faith, admit him to Paradise.' So I will accept. Whoever I find that in his heart, I will admit him to Paradise.” In addition, he will have the most followers on that day in comparison with other prophets. It means that having more followers means having a supreme followed one. Allah dignifies this nation for dignifying his Prophet. No nation will be like his nation on the Day of Resurrection, for it will form half of Paradise's people as in the two Sahihs. Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It clarifies the divine dignity of the Prophet Muhammad, (2) It proves his right of intercession, and (3) It confirms the virtue of having many followers to the straight path, for the one being followed is given his followers' rewards..

197

Anas ibn Malek narrated, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘I will come to the gate of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection and ask to open it. The keeper will ask, ‘Who are you?’ I will say, ‘Muhammad.’ He will say, ‘It is just you for whom I have been ordered to open before anyone else.’”.

Commentary : The Prophet (ﷺ) has great virtues. He is the master of Prophet Adam’s sons. Allah has sent him to all people, including Jews and Christians. It is obligatory for anyone to believe his prophethood and message. In this hadith, he mentioned that he would knock at Paradise’s gate on the day of Judgement and ask to get in. The keeper asked him about his identity. The Prophet (ﷺ) answered, “Muhammad.” He answers with his proper name that people and angels know. The keeper would say when hearing the Prophet’s name (ﷺ), “It is just you for whom I have been ordered to open before anyone else.” Thus, the Prophet informed us that he would be the first one to enter Paradise. This is a divine honor to our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) by giving him the priority of entering Paradise and even its highest levels..

202

Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-'As ﷺ narrated that the Prophet ﷺ recited Prophet Ibrahim's saying in the Quran, "O my Lord! They have indeed led astray many among mankind. But whoso follows me, he, verily, is of me." (Ibrahim: 36) and Prophet Jesus' saying in the Quran, "If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, only You, are the All‑Mighty, the All‑Wise." (Al-Ma'idah: 118) then raised his hands, wept, and said, "O Allah, my nation, my nation!" Allah, the Almighty, said, "O Gabriel, go to Muhammad (and Allah knows best) and ask him, 'What makes you weep?'" Gabriel came and asked him, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed him about what he asked Allah (and Allah knows best). Thus, Allah said, "O Gabriel, go to Muhammad and say to him, 'Verily, We will please you with regard to your nation and not displease you.'".

Commentary : The Prophet (ﷺ) was compassionate and merciful, so he used to frequently and deeply supplicate Allah not to perish his nation as the previous nations, as in this report. In this hadith, he recited Prophet Ibrahim's supplication to his nation in the Quran, "O my Lord! They have indeed led astray many among mankind. But whoso follows me, he, verily, is of me." (Ibrahim: 36) Prophet Ibrahim means that whoever follows me and abandons worshipping idols, he is one of my followers who deserves forgiveness and mercy. Whoever disobeys and continues worshipping idols, it is up to Allah. If He Wills, He guides him and if He Wills, He goes him astray. Allah does not forgive those dying while being polytheists as He said, "Verily, Allah does not forgive that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives, except that, anything else to whom He wills; and whoever sets up partners with Allah (in worship), he has indeed invented a tremendous sin." (An-Nisa’: 48) Then, he recited Prophet Jesus' saying in the Quran, "If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, only You, are the All‑Mighty, the All‑Wise." (Al-Ma'idah: 118) Afterward, the Prophet (ﷺ) wept and supplicated Him, "O Allah, my nation, my nation!" Due to his deep love for his nation, he asked Allah's mercy, kindness, and goodness to them. Although Allah knows all that the breasts conceal, he sent Gabriel to ask the Prophet (ﷺ) about the reason for his weeping. It was said that this was to show the Prophet's prestige and honor. Gabriel asked the Prophet (ﷺ) who informed him about what he asked Allah. Thus, Allah asked Gabriel to inform the Prophet (ﷺ) that He would please and grant him what he asked and not displease him with regard to his nation, as Allah said, "And verily, your Lord will give you (all good) so that you shall be well‑pleased." (Ad-Duha: 5) This is one of the best glad tidings to Muslim nation. On the other hand, this hadith explains the Quranic verse, "Verily, there has come to you a Messenger from amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you; for the believers full of pity, kind, and merciful." (At-Tawbah: 128). Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It clarifies the Prophet's kindness and supplication to his nation, (2) It shows the Prophet’s supreme prestige with Allah Who promised to please him with regard to his nation, and (4) It includes a great glad tiding to the Muslim nation..

203

Anas narrated that a man asked, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, where is my father?” The Prophet ﷺ answered, “In Hell.” When the man turned away, the Prophet ﷺ called him and said, “Verily, my father and your father are in Hell.”.

Commentary : It is established in Islam that if a person dies while being a disbeliever, he will enter Hell. Some people frequently asked the Prophet useless questions until he fed up. As a result, he used to rebuke them and others to help them stop this kind of question. In this hadith, Anas ibn Malik narrated that a man asked, "O Messenger of Allah, where is my father?” He asked whether his father was in Paradise or Hell. The Prophet replied, "In Hell.” This is because the man’s father died while being a disbeliever. When the man turned away, the Prophet called him and said, "Verily, my father and your father are in Hell.” It is due to the Prophet's good behavior and treatment of his companions. When he noticed the man’s sadness, he wanted to console him to find contentment, for if there had been a son who wanted to benefit his disbelieved father, the Prophet would have been the first one to do so. It was the revelation that informed the Prophet of his own father's destiny. This is because whoever died before the Prophet's message of Islam and followed the Arabs’ practice of worshiping idols was one of the people of Hell. As a matter of fact, the people of that period received the call of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and other prophets. In addition, some of them followed his message and lived with Jews and Christians, so they knew about prophets and the necessity of faith, but the majority intentionally disobeyed and associated others in worshipping Allah. Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) If a person dies while being a disbeliever, he will enter Hell, and his close relatives will not benefit him, and (2) It clarifies the Prophet’s good treatment and honorable character..

211

Abu Saeed Al-Khudry narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Verily, the least tormented one of the people of Hell is who will wear two shoes of fire so his brain will boil due to the heat of his shoes.”.

Commentary : The severe punishment of Allah is inconceivable. The torment of the sinners mentioned in the Quran and Prophetic tradition just illustrates a picture of this severity and requires every human being to fear it on the Day of Resurrection. In this hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) confirmed that the least tormented one in Hell is the one who would wear two shoes of fire. Allah said, "... will have cut out for them garments of fire." (Al-Hajj: 19) Although he is the least tormented one in Hell, his brain will boil due to just the heat of his shoes. Some said that all of his body is tormented while others said it is just his feet, out of kindness. It was said that it is the Prophet's uncle Abu Taleb, for the Prophet's saying, when his uncle was mentioned, as in the two Sahihs, “My intercession may benefit him on the Day of Resurrection so that he may be placed in a shallow part of fire reaching only up to his ankles and causing his brain to boil.” The hadith included him and other ones who would be punished likewise. The hadith refers that the people of Hell are those abiding in it forever such as the disbelievers. This does not include the believers who committed major sins, as in the hadith reported in Bukhari and Muslim that Allah will say to the least tormented one in Hell, “I asked you a much easier thing than this, that is, not to worship others besides Me, but you refused and insisted to worship others besides Me.” Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It shows the severity of Hell's torment to the extent that the least torment one will wear two shows causing his brain to boil and (2) It warns us against Hell and urges us to do what keeps us away from it..

214

Aisha narrated, "I said, 'O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Ibn Jud'an used to establish ties of relationship and fed the poor. Will it benefit him?'" He answered, "It will not benefit him, for he did not ever say, 'O my God, forgive my sins on the Day of Recompense.’”.

Commentary : Believing in Allah is a prerequisite to getting His pleasing, entering Paradise, and being saved from Hell. Therefore, Allah, the Almighty, has sent people His messengers to call them to believe in Him and abandon all forms of disbelief and polytheism. In this hadith, Aisha narrated that she asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about one of her relatives, Abdullah ibn Jud'an. He was a Qureish leader from the tribe of Banu Tamim ibn Murrah during the pre-Islamic ignorant times before the Prophet's mission. It was called so, for it was full of ignorant practices. At that time, Ibn Jud'an used to establish ties of relationship, feed the poor, and follow lots of manners that Islam would encourage later. She was wondering if these righteous acts would benefit him in the hereafter and save him from Allah's punishment of the polytheists due to his disbelief. The Prophet (ﷺ) told her that all of his works would not benefit him, for he never believed in neither Allah nor the Last Day. A disbeliever will not get a reward in the hereafter for his righteous acts, for he nullified them by his disbelief. This is an indication that if he had embraced Islam, these acts would have benefitted him. As for his acts’ reward in this worldly life, Imam Muslim reported that Anas ibn Malek narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah does not unjustly prevent a believer from even a good deed’s reward. He is rewarded in this world and in the Hereafter. As for the disbeliever, he is given a reward for the good deeds he did for the sake of Allah in the world and when he comes to Hereafter, there is no rewards for him.” Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It clarifies the virtue of faith, the prerequisite for accepting righteous deeds, (2) It shows the terrible results of disbelief which nullifies the reward of the righteous deeds..

223

Abu Malek Al-Hareth ibn ‘Asem Al-Ash'ary narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "Purity is half of faith, al-hamdulillah fills the scale, and subhanallah and al-hamdulillah fill what is between the heavens and Earth. Prayer is a light, charity is proof, and patience is illumination. The Quran is proof for or against you. All people go out early in the morning and sell themselves, either setting themselves free or ruining themselves.".

Commentary : This is a great hadith and one of the Islamic foundations in which the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned all that concerns a Muslim in his life and the afterlife. The Prophet (ﷺ) confirmed that purification is half of faith. It means one of the two following meanings: (1) All Islamic aspects aim to purify a Muslim inwardly from evil attributes and outwardly from impurities as in purification, or (2) The word faith means prayer as in Allah's saying, "And Allah would never make your faith be lost." (Al-Baqarah: 143) So, the hadith means that purification is half of prayer which is not accepted without it. Moreover, the Prophet (ﷺ) added that the saying of al-hamdulillah (all praise is due to Allah) will fill one's scale on the Day of Resurrection with reward when Allah weighs all people's deeds. It is a real scale to weigh their deeds, which does not resemble the worldly scales. It is one of the matters of the unseen world that we all must believe in. Al-hamdulillah means to acknowledge that Allah, alone, deserves all types of gratitude. The Prophet (ﷺ) added that subhanallah (glory be to Allah) meant to describe Allah with the complete perfection he deserves and negate all that contradict this perfection. These two sentences fill what is between heaven and Earth, for they contain praising Allah, negating all that contradicts His perfection, and showing the servant's need for his Creator. Moreover, the Prophet (ﷺ) added that prayer is a light. This means one of the following possibilities: (1) It is a light on a Muslim's face in this life and in his way in the afterlife, unlike those who do not pray, (2) It guides a servant to the straight path and makes him away from sins, immorality, and indecency, or (3) It means all the above-mentioned possibilities, for it is a light in his heart, face, grave, and hereafter. Moreover, the Prophet (ﷺ) added that charity is proof of a Muslim's truthful faith, unlike a hypocrite who does not give charity, for he does not believe. Then, the Prophet (ﷺ) added that patience is a shining light. It is a light with heat and burning power like the sun, unlike the moon. He mentioned this similarity, for patience was a difficult attribute that required struggling oneself in preventing prohibited desires and whims. The recommended patience is during three cases: (1) Patience in obeying Allah, (2) Patience in avoiding disobeying Him, and (3) Patience during calamities and hardships. Thus, patience will be a light for us throughout the straight way. Then, the Prophet (ﷺ) showed one's stand with the Quran in the hereafter. He confirmed that it would be proof for a person if he kept reciting and acting upon it in this life. On the other hand, it would be proof against him when he left reciting or acting upon it. The Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned that all people went out early in the morning and sold themselves, either setting themselves free from Hell by obeying Allah or ruining themselves in Hell by obeying their whims and the devil. Thus, hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It shows the virtue of purification and its reward, (2) It mentions some sayings and deeds of faith that set the believers free from Hell, (3) It clarifies that a person will be held accountable for his actions, so he is free to choose the way he wants to himself..

224

Mus'ab ibn Sa'd narrated, "Abdullah ibn Omar visited Ibn 'Amer when he was sick. Ibn 'Amer said to him, 'O Ibn Omar, will you not supplicate Allah to me?' Ibn Omar replied, 'I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, 'No prayer is accepted without ablution and no charity is accepted due to ghulul (taking spoils before authorized distribution). You were the governor of Al-Basrah.'".

Commentary : The Prophet's companions used to advise people on religious and worldly matters in accordance with people’s cases and abilities. The caliph Uthman ibn Affan appointed Abdullah ibn Amer ibn Kuraiz a ruler over Basra after Abu Musa Al-Ash’ary in 29 H. Later, Uthamn appointed him over Basra and Fares after Othman ibn Abi Al-'As. Later, the caliph Mu'aweya ibn Abi Sufyan appointed him a ruler over Basra and then dismissed him after three years. Afterward, Abdullah lived in Medina until he died in 57 or 58 H. In this hadith, Abdullah ibn Omar visited Ibn 'Amer when he was sick. Ibn 'Amer asked him to supplicate Allah to him, for the Prophet's companion Abdullah ibn Omar was one of the righteous persons at that time. So, Ibn 'Amer was keen to ask for his supplication during this hardship. Abu Nu'aim narrated in his Mustakhraj, "When Abdullah ibn Omar visited Ibn 'Amer during his illness, people were praising Ibn 'Amer but Ibn Omar kept silent. Ibn Amer said to him, ‘O Abu Abdderrhman, what does prevent you from saying (alike)?’ Ibn Omar wisely answered, ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say, 'No prayer is accepted without ablution and no charity is accepted due to ghulul (taking spoils before authorized distribution).’” Ablution is a prerequisite to make prayer accepted and charity is not accepted if it is taken from spoils before authorized distribution. Generally, this hadith includes taking illegal money. Ibn Omar meant that Allah did not accept charity from illegal sources and Ibn 'Amer used to illegally take people's properties during his rule over some cities. Ibn Omar wanted to scold him for his old sins and urge him to repent to Allah although Ibn ‘Amer was dismissed in 29 H. and died in 57 or 58 H. Ibn Omar wanted to urge other rulers to perform righteous deeds and fear Allah. He also wanted to warn them against oppression and negligence. Ibn Omar scolded him although the Prophet (ﷺ), his companions, and the righteous ones after them used to supplicate Allah for people of sins. In the Two Sahihs, Abu Hurairah narrated, "Tufail ibn Amr Ad-Daousy and his companions came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, the tribe of Daous disobeyed and refused so supplicate Allah against them.' Someone said, 'Daous will be destroyed.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'O Allah, guide the tribe of Daous and let them come.’” Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It urges Muslims to visit the patient, (2) It confirms the scholars' advice to rulers with wisdom and good words, (3) It contains the virtue of ablution, (4) It contains the virtue of giving charity from legal properties, (5) It shows the legitimacy of asking righteous people for supplication to Allah, (6) It clarifies Ibn Omar's deep keenness in enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, without flattery, and (7) It indicates that having illegal properties prevents accepting one's supplication..

227

Humran, the servant of Uthman, narrated, "I heard Uthman - when he was in the courtyard of the mosque and asked for water to perform ablution after the caller to prayer came to him - said, 'By Allah, I am narrating to you a hadith. If there had not been a verse in the Book of Allah, I would have never narrated it to you. I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying, 'If a Muslim properly performs ablution and offers prayer, Allah will forgive him the sins committed to the next prayer.'" In another narration, "If a Muslim properly performs ablution and offers obligatory prayer ...".

Commentary : The Prophet's Companions used to teach and convey Prophetic clear guidance to people. In this hadith, Human, the servant of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, narrated, “I heard Uthman - when he was in the courtyard of the mosque and asked for water to perform ablution after the caller to (afternoon) prayer came to him - said, 'By Allah, I am narrating to you a hadith. If there had not been a verse in the Book of Allah, I would have never narrated it to you.’” The verse he meant was Allah’s saying, "Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs and the guidance, which We have sent down, after We have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allah and cursed by the cursers." (Al-Baqarah: 159) It means that Allah will expel them from His mercy and people ask Him to expel them from His mercy as well. It was only this verse that encouraged Uthman to narrate this Prophetic hadith although he preferred not to narrate it temporarily, for he was afraid that people may have been deceived by their little obedience to Allah. In the end, he decided to narrate it and confirmed that he heard the Prophet saying, “If a Muslim properly performs ablution and offers prayer, Allah will forgive him the sins committed to the next prayer." The prayer mentioned here is the obligatory one and the sins mentioned here are the minor, for repentance is a prerequisite to forgive the major sins. Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) Caliph Uthman was keen to teach people goodness, (2) It warns against concealing Islamic knowledge, (3) It urges people to learn and properly abide by ablution's etiquette and conditions, (4) It stressed on the virtue of properly performing ablution, and (5) The legitimacy of swearing without being asked to swear..

228

Amr ibn Saeed ibn Al-'As said, "I was with Uthman who asked for ablution water and said, 'I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying, 'When the time for a prescribed prayer is due and a Muslim properly performs its ablution, submissiveness, and bowing, it will be an expiation for his past sins as long as he did not commit a major sin. This applies for all times.’”.

Commentary : The Prophet (ﷺ) used to encourage people to perform acts of worship by mentioning their reward, for it is Allah's grace that he makes performing these acts, with caring about their conditions, a reason for forgiveness. In this hadith, Amr ibn Saeed ibn Al-'As narrated that when he was with Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, Uthman asked for ablution water and told him that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When the time for a prescribed prayer is due and a Muslim properly performs its ablution, submissiveness, and bowing, it will be an expiation for his past sins as long as he did not commit a major sin. This applies for all times." Submissiveness in prayer means that all Muslim's limbs are facing Allah and recalling His greatness. Also, the above-mentioned sins are the minor ones, for forgiving the major sins necessitate repentance. The major sins are those sins that are called in the Quran, the authentic Sunnah, or consensus major sins, necessitate severe punishment, or its doer was cursed or highly reprehensible. This favor from Allah is general and applied to all times, not confined to a specific time. Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It clarifies the virtue of frequently persevering the acts of worship, which is a reason for forgiving minor sins, and (2) It confirms the virtue of ablution and submissiveness in prayer..

231

Humran ibn Aban narrated, “I used to fetch water of ablution for Uthman. There was not a day that he did not take a bath with a small quantity of water. Uthman said, ‘The Messenger of Allah ﷺ told us after completing this prayer, (one of the narrators called Mes'ar said, ‘I think it afternoon prayer.’) ‘I do not know whether I should tell you something or keep quiet.’ We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, if it is good, tell us about it, and if it is otherwise, Allah and His Prophet ﷺ know best.’ So, he said, ‘If a Muslim purifies in a complete way as enjoined upon him by Allah and offers these five prayers, they will expiate what (sins) committed between them.’”.

Commentary : Due to Allah’s grace, He makes performing acts of worship a reason for forgiveness. Thus, the Prophet ﷺ used to encourage people to perform them, by mentioning its reward. In this hadith, Humran ibn Aban, the servant of Othman ibn Affan, narrated that he used to fetch water of ablution for Othman. There was not a day that Othman did not take a bath with a small quantity of water. He was keen to purify himself, out of cleanliness and seeking great rewards mentioned in this hadith. Then, Othman narrated that one day the Prophet ﷺ finished the afternoon prayer and gave his companions the choice between speaking to them or keeping silent to draw their attention for knowledge. They replied, “If it is good, tell us about it, and if it is otherwise, Allah and His Prophet ﷺ know best.” Their response indicates their high good manners with the Prophet ﷺ. He told them that if a Muslim completely performs ablution and offers the five prayers at their appointed times - as in other narrations -, they will expiate what (sins) committed between them. In another narration in Sahih Muslim, he said, “Unless the major sins are committed.” Thus, the above-mentioned forgiveness is applied to the minor, not the major sins which Allah may forgive or punish its doer. Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It shows the virtue of ablution, (2) It clarifies the virtue of regularly offering the acts of worship, which is a reason for forgiveness, and (3) It confirms the legitimacy of a ruler’s preaching to people, for Othman was then the caliph..

232

Uthman ibn Affan narrated, "I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying, 'Whoever properly performs ablution for prayer, walks to (attend) the obligatory prayer, and prays with the people, with the congregation, or in the mosque, Allah will forgive him his sins.'".

Commentary : Prayer is the pillar of Islam that has a great reward. As a result, mere walking to perform prayer in a mosque is a reason for forgiving one’s sins and raising his ranks in Paradise. Similarly, Allah makes ablution and prayer reasons for purifying people from the effects of their sins. Also, he promises that performing acts of worship based on their conditions is a reason for forgiveness. In this hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) said that whoever properly and perfectly performs ablution then walks to perform an obligatory prayer with people, with the congregation, or in the mosque, Allah will forgive his sins. The repeated "or" may be due to a narrator's doubt so the hadith means that a Muslim performs an obligatory prayer with people in a mosque and if they finished it, he would perform it alone in the mosque. Also, it may mean that a Muslim performs an obligatory prayer with people whether in a mosque or somewhere else, so the hadith focusses on performing it with people. As a result, Allah will forgive all of his sins. On the other hand, it was proven in the Quranic and Prophetic texts that it is the minor, not the major sins that will be forgiven, for forgiving major sins necessitates repentance, decisive intention not to commit them again along with some other prerequisites. Finally, the hadith contains the following benefits: (1) Encouragement to properly and perfectly perform ablution, and (2) The virtue of congregational prayer and its great reward..

233

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, "The five (daily) prayers, the periods from one Friday prayer to the (next) Friday prayer, and from Ramadan to Ramadan expiate the (sins) committed in between provided that one shuns the major sins.".

Commentary : People are created weak, overcome by themselves and devils through committing sins. Allah grants them things that expiate their sins on condition that they avoid major sins, such as performing acts of worship with their prerequisites. In this hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) confirmed that performing the five daily prayers, performing Friday's prayer to the next one, and fasting Ramadan month to the next one expiate the sins committed in between provided that one shuns the major sins. Repentance is a prerequisite to expiate them. The major sin is the sin that the Quran, the Sunnah, or the scholars' consensus: (1) Stipulated as a major sin, (2) Mentioned a severe punishment or a specific penalty of its doer, and (3) Deeply dispraised or cursed its doer. Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It shows Allah's comprehensive mercy, his grace of forgiveness, and his great reward for small acts of worship, and (2) It confirms the virtue of prayer and fasting in expiating sins..

234

Uqbah ibn Amer narrated, "We were entrusted with the task of caring about camels. On my turn, I took them back in the evening after grazing them in the pastures, I found the Messenger of Allah ﷺ standing and addressing people. I heard him saying, "If any Muslim performs ablution properly, then performs two rak'ahs with his face and heart (inwardly and outwardly), Paradise will be guaranteed for him." I said, "What a fine thing is this!" Someone in front of me said, "The words before them were better." When I cast a glance, I saw that it was 'Umar who said, "I have seen that you have just come." He narrated, "If anyone amongst you performs ablution properly, then says, 'I testify that there is no god worthy of worship, but Allah and that Muhammad is the servant and messenger of Allah, the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, so he can enter by whichever of them he wishes." In another narration, "Whoever performs ablution and says, 'I testify that there is no god worthy of worship, but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.".

Commentary : Allah’s mercy and reward may be for the simplest acts of worship. Thus, simple acts like ablution, prayer, fasting, charity, and others are means to purify people and forgive their sins on the condition that they avoid the major sins. In this hadith, Uqbah ibn Amer narrated that the companions were alternatively responsible for grazing camels outside Medina, for they did not have servants for this task. After finishing his tiring task, Uqbah went to the Prophetic Mosque and found the Prophet (ﷺ) standing and addressing people, "If any Muslim performs ablution properly, then performs two rak'ahs with his face and heart (outwardly and inwardly), Paradise will be guaranteed for him." His words, "... with his face and heart ..." meant to be sincere and submissive and avoid turning face or making heart busy with thoughts other than prayer details. As a result, the reward is Paradise. Uqbah was astonished by this simple act of worship with the glad tiding and supreme reward. Uqbah lately came to the speech, so he did not hear the speech from the beginning. Omar commented on Uqbah’s opinion, "The words before them were better." Omar told him what he (Uqbah) missed of the Prophetic words, "If anyone amongst you performs ablution properly, then says, 'I testify that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is the servant and messenger of Allah, the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, so he can enter by whichever of them he wishes." Finally, this hadith contains the following benefits: (1) It clarifies Allah’s great reward. He limitlessly rewards his servants for their simple acts of worship, (2) The virtue of ablution and supplications said afterward, (3) It clarifies the virtue of the two rak'ahs after ablution and urges people to perform them as described in the hadith, (4) It illustrates the companions' keenness to learn and spread the Prophetic knowledge, (5) It stresses that sincerity, devotion to worship, and avoiding worldly concerns are the spirit of worship, (6) It shows the virtue of the two testimonies of monotheism, (7) It describes supreme attributes of the Companions like humility, serving themselves, grazing their camels in spite of their prestige with Allah, (8) It shows the legitimacy of cooperation in the matters of living..

Book of Hadith