| Hadiths

Bukhari Hadiths 1356
Muslim Hadiths 558

Hadith

1490

Narrated ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him): Once I gave a horse in Allah's Cause (in charity) but that person did not take care of it. I intended to buy it, as I thought he would sell it at a low price. So, I asked the Prophet ﷺ about it. He ﷺ said, "Neither buy, nor take back your alms which you have given, even if the seller were willing to sell it for one Dirham, for he who takes back his alms is like the one who swallows his own vomit.".

Commentary : Giving in charity for the sake of Allah, Exalted be He, is considered one of the best and most rewarding good deeds. It necessitates that when a person gives something in charity hoping for its reward and blessings from Allah alone that he does not wish to have it back again or request that it goes back to his possession.
In this hadeeth, ‘Umar ibn al-Khataab (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that he gave a horse in charity and gifted to a man to use it in fighting in the cause of Allah. However, the man did not look after the horse properly and did not feed him enough or send it to gaze until it has become so weak. ‘Umar wished to buy it because he thought the man will sell it for a low price, so he (may Allah be pleased with him) consulted the Prophet ﷺ about his plan. The Prophet ﷺ ordered him not to proceed with his plan and not to retrieve his charity through buying or any other way, even if it will be sold for one Dirham i.e., he ﷺ told him not to desire it back at all or be tempted by its low price, and only view it as the charity that you have already given away because whoever takes back his charity is like a person who has vomited and then swallowed it! It is for this reason; it is considered so ugly for a person to give something in charity then retrieve it in any way. In another version of the report, in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, it reads: “like a dog who swallows his own vomit” where he ﷺ gave this strong example to show the ugliness of this act and to discourage people from it.
This hadeeth shows us that we are ordered against taking back our charity or gifts, and that if one gives in charity something to a poor person, then the poor person needed to sell it, the charity giver should not buy it from him..

1491

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): Al-Hasan ibn `Alee took a date from the dates given in charity and put it in his mouth. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Kikh, Kikh” so he expels it from his mouth. Then said: “Don't you know that we do not eat a thing which is given in charity?".

Commentary : Allah, Exalted be He, has honored His Prophet Muhmmad ﷺ, purified him, elevated his rank above all His creation, and endowed him with exclusive qualities that befit the state of his prophethood that makes him distinguished from the people. One of these exclusive qualities is that he ﷺ and his household members do not eat from charity.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that al-Hasan, the son of ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib and Faatimah, the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ (may Allah be pleased with all of them) picked a date from the dates given in charity and put it in his mouth. Thereupon, the Prophet ﷺ said to him “kikh, kikh” to encourage him to remove it from his mouth. The Arabs use this phrase to belittle a thing or express that it is despised, and it is often used with children to discourage them from harmful and bad things. Upon hearing it, al-Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) removed it from his mouth and then the Prophet ﷺ informed him that the family of Muhammad ﷺ do not eat a thing which is given in charity due to their honored and elevated status since charity is the dirt of people that they give it away to purify their wealth.
The family of the Prophet ﷺ who are not allowed to take or receive zakat and charity are his offspring, wives, and the descendants of ‘Abdul-Muttalib: the descendants of ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib, the descendants of al-‘Abbaas, the descendants of Ja’far, the descendants of ‘Aqeel, and the descendants of al-Haarith.
This hadeeth shows that children should be raised and trained to comply with the rulings of the religion and avoid that which is forbidden.
It shows that we should explain to children the reason something is not allowed when we order them to avoid it, whenever possible..

1492

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ saw a dead sheep which had been given in charity to a freed slave-girl of Maymoonah, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ said, "Why don't you get the benefit of its hide?" They said, "It is dead." He replied, "Only to eat (its meat) is forbidden.".

Commentary : Allah has made all the good provisions lawful for His servants and all that which is impure and evil forbidden, manifesting His Mercy and Compassion in all His legislations.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet ﷺ noticed a dead sheep that had been given in charity to the freed slave-girl of Maymoonah bint al-Haarith, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her). The Prophet ﷺ did not object to indicate that it is permissible to give charity to the freed slaves of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ provided the wife is not from the tribe of Haashim or ‘Abdul-Muttalib like Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her). This is based on the hadeeth recorded in Sunan Aboo Dawood and Sunan al-Nisaa’iee, which reads: “The charity is not permissible for us, and the freed slave of a people is one of them”.
When the Prophet ﷺ noticed the dead sheep, he ﷺ asked: “Why don't you get the benefit of its hide?” and according to the version in Saheeh Muslim, he ﷺ said: “Why did you not take its skin and tan it and get some good out of it?” The skin tanning is a process wherein the skin is cleansed using salt or other materials, then left to dry. They answered the Prophet ﷺ saying that the sheep was not slaughtered in the prescribed way thus it is considered a dead animal that they cannot benefit from. However, the Prophet ﷺ explained to them that it is only forbidden to eat the meat of a dead animal. As for its skin, it is lawful to benefit from it.
This hadeeth indicates that it is permissible to benefit from the skin of dead animals after it is tanned if the animal is from the type of animals whose meat is lawful to consume. It has been said that it includes all animals except dogs and pigs.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to give something in charity to the freed slaves of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ..

1493

Narrated ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): I intended to buy Bareerah (a slave-girl) in order to manumit her and her masters intended to put the condition that her walaa’ would be for them. `Aaishah mentioned that to the Prophet ﷺ who said to her, "Buy her, as the "Wala" is for the manumitter." Once some meat was presented to the Prophet ﷺ and `Aaishah said to him, "This meat was given in charity to Bareerah." He said, "It is an object of charity for her but a gift for us.".

Commentary : Islam obliged people to honor their contracts and fulfill the contractual terms and conditions that people agreed upon so long as their condition neither makes that which is lawful forbidden nor that which is forbidden lawful. If such a condition existed in the agreement, then the condition will have no effect and deemed void and null.
In this hadeeth, ‘Aaishah, the Mother of the Believers, reports that she wanted to buy Bareerah bint Safwaan (may Allah be pleased with her) who was a slave at that time, so she can manumit her. However, her master – it has been said that her master was ‘Utbah ibn Abee Lahab and others said her masters were from the tribe of Banee Hilaal – insisted that he will be entitled to the right to al-walaa’ after she is manumitted. The walaa’ is a legal term that means kinship by emancipation which refers to cases in which a slave is emancipated by his or her owner, and then a kinship is made between the emancipator and the emancipated, and thus, the ex-master would inherit from his freed slaves if they had no heirs. This relationship establishes a form of permanent kinship between the ex-master and the freed slave so the latter will support his ex-master and be treated as a relative. The Arabs before Islam used to sell and gift this right, but Islam made it forbidden because al-walaa’ is deemed like lineage that cannot be revoked. The Prophet ﷺ explained to ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she can buy her and that the condition stipulated has no value since it is an invalid condition because al-walaa’ is for the manumitter.
Then, ‘Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported one day her freed slave-girl, Bareerah, received some meat, which was given to her in charity. Then, she gave some of it to the Prophet ﷺ who accepted from her, because while it was given to her in charity, it was given to him as a gift; thus, it was lawful for him eat.
This hadeeth indicates that is permissible to give charity to the freed slaves of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ provided the wife is not from the tribes of Haashim or ‘Abdul-Muttalib like Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her). This is based on the hadeeth recorded in Sunan Aboo Dawood and Sunan al-Nisaa’iee, which reads: “The charity is not permissible for us, and the freed slave of a people is one of them”.
This hadeeth shows that al-Walaa (kinship by emancipation) is for the manumitter, and that it is permissible to give charity to the freed slaves of the wives of the Prophet ﷺ..

1496

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ said to Mu`aath ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) when he sent him to Yemen. "You will come to people from the People of the Book, and when you reach them, invite them to testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. If they obey you in that, then tell them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers to be performed every day and night. And if they obey you in that, then tell them that Allah has enjoined on them alms to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to the poor amongst them. And if they obey you in that, then be cautious! Don't take their best properties (as Zakat) and beware of the supplication of an oppressed person [against you] as there is no screen between his invocation and Allah.”.

Commentary : The caller to Allah should be mindful of priorities and adopt a gradual approach in his da’wah work until people can be fully compliant with the orders of Allah, Exalted be He. This was exactly the approach that the Prophet ﷺ followed and taught to his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
This hadeeth highlights one of the fundamental principles of Da’wah where ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet ﷺ sent Mu’aath ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) in a mission to Yemen. This occurred in the 9th year of Hijrah – while others said it was in the 10th year of Hijrah – and the purpose of his mission was to teach people the Quran and the legal rulings of Islam, judge between them, and collect the zakat. He ﷺ said to him: “You will come to people from the People of the Book” as they were Christians at that time. He ﷺ instructed him to start his call to Islam by inviting them to testify that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, because it is the first step to enter Islam and without disbelief is not lifted and a person cannot be considered a Muslim and ordered to fulfill any other obligations in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ then advised him that if they accepted it and uttered the Testimony of Faith, to inform them that Allah has imposed on them five prayers, namely al-Fajr, al-Thoohr, al-‘Asr, al-Maghrib, and al-‘Ishaa’, that they have to perform every day. This is because the five prayers are the most important pillar in Islam after the Testimony of Faith, and the first deed that Muslims will be questioned about in the Day of Judgment. After, the Prophet ﷺ said: “And if they obey you in that, then tell them that Allah has enjoined on them alms to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to the poor amongst them.” The alms mentioned here refers to the zakat, which is a financial obligation that must be paid on all the eligible types of money when one lunar year has passed from the time when the amount was acquired and reached the legislated threshold. The percentage of threshold that is payable as Zakat is a quarter of one-tenth (2.5%) of the total eligible property, which includes cash, livestock, agriculture, merchandise, and buried treasures. The zakat of each kind is calculated according to their respective threshold and percentage that Islam has dictated. The categories of people who are eligible to receive zakat are specified in the Quran. Allah, Most High, says: {Zakat is only for the poor and the needy, for those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts are attracted ˹to the faith˺, for ˹freeing˺ slaves, for those in debt, for Allah’s cause, and for ˹needy˺ travellers. ˹This is˺ an obligation from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.} [Quran 9:60].
The Prophet ﷺ then said to Mu’aath: “if they obey you in that, then be cautious! Do not take their best properties (as Zakat)” i.e., take the zakat from their average property so as they give their zakat with a good heart and do not hold any grudges. The point is that zakat is prescribed in Islam to support those who are poor and needy; thus, it is inappropriate to take from the givers of zakat more than it should be except in the case where they approve it.
After, the Prophet ﷺ advised him to beware of injustice and oppression so that no oppressed person supplicates Allah against him. This indicates that all types of injustice and oppressions are forbidden and the reason this was mentioned after the order of not taking the zakat from the best of their property is to say that such an action is deemed injustice and a form of oppression. After, the Prophet ﷺ explained to him that there is no screen between the invocation of the oppressed and Allah – that is to say, his invocation is answered and never rejected.
One of the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is teaching us that inviting people to monotheism comes first and precedes fighting.
This hadeeth shows that the Ruler should advise his governors and delegates about the rulings that they will need in their mission.
It warns us against injustice and oppression..

1497

Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn Abee Awfa: Whenever a person came to the Prophet ﷺ with his zakat, the Prophet ﷺ would say, "O Allah! Forgive and have mercy upon the family of so and so." My father went to the Prophet ﷺ with his zakat and the Prophet ﷺ said, "O Allah! Forgive and have mercy upon the family of Aboo Awfa.".

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺ demonstrated for us the best example in good character and etiquettes. One of his lofty manners and good character was rewarding whoever fulfilled an obligation or did a good deed.
‘Abdullah in Abee Awfa (may Allah be pleased with him) reports in this hadeeth that whenever people would present their zakat to the Prophet ﷺ, he would supplicate for them by saying: “O Allah! Send your blessings upon the family of so and so” i.e., O Allah! Forgive them and have mercy on them. He (may Allah be pleased with him) then proceeded to mention that his father, Aboo Awfa, ‘Alqamah ibn Khaalid ibn al-Haarith al-Aslamee (may Allah be pleased with him) presented his zakat to the Prophet ﷺ who thereupon said: “O Allah! Forgive and have mercy upon the family of Aboo Awfa.” The reason he ﷺ included the family of Aboo ‘Awfa in his supplication is to honor and elevate him.
The Prophet ﷺ prayed for him in compliance with the ayah: {Take, [O Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase and pray for them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.} [Quran 9:103] wherein Allah ordered the Prophet ﷺ to collect the zakat from people and pray for those who give their zakat.
One of the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is learning the permissibility of praying for people other than the Prophets, and that praying for who gives his charity or alms..

1498

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet ﷺ said, "A man from the Children of Israel asked someone from the Children of Israel to give him a loan of one thousand Dinars. The man agreed and gave it to him. The debtor went on a voyage (when the time for the payment of the debt became due) but he did not find a boat, so he took a piece of wood and bored it and put 1000 diners in it and threw it into the sea. The creditor went out and took the piece of wood to his family to be used as fire-wood." (He then mentioned the rest of the story). And the Prophet ﷺ narrated the narration (and said), "When he sawed the wood, he found his money.”.

Commentary : Whoever takes a loan while intending to repay it, and asks for Allah’s help to repay his debt, Allah will facilitate for him the means to settle his debt, and in the event of his inability to repay it, Allah will compensate the one who gave him the loan until he becomes satisfied with him on the Day of Judgment. However, if a person borrows money and takes loans while intending not to repay his debts, Allah will take away his wealth in this life and punish him in the Hereafter.
The Prophet ﷺ in this hadeeth narrates to us a fascinating story with a great moral about a man from the Children of Israel who borrowed 1000 dinars from another man. According to another version of the hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, it reads: “The man required witnesses so he can lend him the money. The former replied, 'Allah is sufficient as a witness.' The man said, 'I want a guarantee.' The former replied, 'Allah is sufficient as a guarantee.' The second said, 'You are right,' and lent him the one thousand dinars for a certain period.” When the time of repayment of the debt became due, the man was far away so he tried to find a boat to travel back home so he can give the money back to the creditor, but he could not find a boat to take him there. As such, he took a piece of wood and bored it and put 1000 diners in it and threw it into the sea while having full reliance upon Allah to deliver it to the man by His Power and Will. This is explicitly mentioned in the other version of the hadeeth, which reads: “he took a piece of wood and made a hole in it, inserted in it one thousand Dinars and a letter to the lender and then closed (i.e., sealed) the hole tightly. He took the piece of wood to the sea and said, 'O Allah! You know well that I took a loan of one thousand Dinars from so-and-so. He demanded a surety from me, but I told him that Allah's Guarantee was sufficient, and he accepted Your guarantee. He then asked for a witness, and I told him that Allah was sufficient as a Witness, and he accepted You as a Witness. No doubt, I tried hard to find a conveyance so that I could pay his money but could not find, so I hand over this money to You.' Saying that, he threw the piece of wood into the sea till it went out far into it, and then he went away.” Afterwards, while the lender was standing on the other side of the sea, he found that piece of wood floating so he took it home so he could use it for fire to warm up and cook food. When he sawed it, he found the money along with a letter that the debtor penned wherein he explained what happened. According to the lengthier version of the hadeeth, it reads: “One day the lender came out of his house to see whether a ship had arrived bringing his money, and all of a sudden, he saw the piece of wood in which his money had been deposited. He took it home to use for fire. When he sawed it, he found his money and the letter inside it. Shortly after that, the debtor came bringing one thousand Dinars to him and said, 'By Allah, I had been trying hard to get a boat so that I could bring you your money but failed to get one before the one I have come by.' The lender asked, 'Have you sent something to me?' The debtor replied, 'I have told you I could not get a boat other than the one I have come by.' The lender said, 'Allah has delivered on your behalf the money you sent in the piece of wood. So, you may keep your one thousand Dinars and depart guided on the right path.' "
One of the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is that we should endeavor to repay our debts and take all possible means to settle our loans and debts.
This hadeeth highlights the virtue of reliance upon Allah and the good reward that Allah gives to those who rely upon Him..

1499

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "No compensation or retaliation is payable for damage caused by an animal; and no responsibility attaches to anyone who has dug a mine or a well in a place where he is entitled to do so if someone falls in; and buried treasures are subject to one-fifth as zakat.".

Commentary : The legislation system in Islam governs all the interactions, dealing, and transactions that take place between people in order to protect their rights and avert disputes. From the matters that Islam has defined and regulated are retaliations and blood-money. It has defined the cases that requires compensation and the cases where retaliation and compensation are not required.
The Prophet ﷺ explains in this hadeeth that a person is not liable to the damages and harm that his animal caused if it happened while the animal was not under his supervision or whoever is responsible for it at the time. With that said, indemnity is required only if the animal has caused damages to others property while it was at the time with its owner, rider, or any other person who is responsible for it, regardless of whether the damage was caused at night or day, or by whatever body parts. This is also applicable to the case when the animal gets out of control or escapes from its enclosure, without any sort of negligence from the end of the person responsible for managing it. The damages caused in those cases incur no liability whatsoever to the owner of this animal.
If a person digs a well in his own land or an unclaimed land or a land that Muslims do not use as a road or path to walk on, then a person falls into it or it falls over the person who is hired to dig it, then he will not be deemed liable. However, if a person digs a well in the road or path that Muslims use as a road or path to walk on or in a land owned by other without their permission, then someone fell in it or died or was hurt because of it, then he will be held liable.
Likewise, if a person is undergoing pit-open mining in his own land or in an unclaimed land to extract gold, silver, or any other metals, then the hired miners died because of mining accidents or it happens that a person fell in it, then he will not be deemed liable. The scholars stated that if a person conducts mining work in a common land that people use to walk on then a person falls in it and died, then his blood-relatives will be collectively liable for the blood money payments, and he will be liable to the compensation. And, if that which fell in it was not a human being, like a vehicle or an animal, then he will be liable to indemnify their owner for the damages caused.
After, the Prophet ﷺ clarified that the zakat of treasures and riches that are buried, but then people find through excavation is one-fifth. This kind of treasures are known in Islam under the name Al-Rakaaz, which refers to the treasures and riches buried from the time Jahiliyyah (i.e., before Islam) as well as the riches excavated from the earth. The ruling is that the one fifth of the discovered treasures and riches is due upon its excavation, because the requirement of the elapse of one year whilst they are in possession is not applicable in this case.
One of the benefits that we can learn from this hadeeth is knowing the justice of Islamic law, which does not hold people liable for damages not resulting from their own actions or caused by them, and that whoever is not responsible for the harm or damage caused is not held liable too.
This hadeeth clarifies the due zakat on the buried treasures and riches that Muslims discover..

1500

Narrated Aboo Humayd al-Saa’idee (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ appointed a man called Ibn Al-Lutbiyyah, from the tribe of Al-Asd to collect Zakat from the tribe of Sulaym. When he returned, (after collecting the Zakat) the Prophet ﷺ checked the account with him.”.

Commentary : Allah will bring to account the ruler (i.e., the head of state) and all his governors, including whoever is responsible for managing any of the affairs of the Muslims, for the authority they have been entrusted with to look after the affairs of the Muslims. With that said, they should never take advantage of their position and authority for their own benefit and achieve personal gains that would not have been possible without it. They should understand that they will stand before Allah and the whole world on the Day of Judgment and be held accountable for the people they were entrusted to look after.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Humayd al-Saa’idee (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet ﷺ appointed a man from the tribe Al-Asd to collect the zakat from the tribe of Sulaym. The name of this man was ‘Abdullah, a.k.a. Ibn Al-Lutbiyyah, and he was from Banee Lutb, which belonged to the tribe of Al-Azd. It was said that Al-Lutbiyyah was the name of his mother.
After completing his mission, he reported to the Prophet ﷺ the amount of zakat that he collected from them. However, the Prophet ﷺ noticed that he put some items aside arguing that they were given to him as gifts. In response, the Prophet ﷺ took the matter seriously and admonished him and prohibited it. According to the hadeeth in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ said to him: “Why do not you remain in the house of your father and your mother to see whether gifts would be presented to you!” i.e., the only reason people gave you gifts was because of your job that you have been appointed to do. In the same hadeeth, it mentions that he ﷺ then got up and delivered a sermon in which he ﷺ warned the people from taking from the spoils of war anything before they are distributed, and that is applicable to public money that belongs to the nation of Muslims, if one takes from it anything unlawfully.
One of the benefits of this hadeeth is that public servants should be called to account and to hold them liable for their actions..

1501

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him): Some people from `Uraynah tribe came to al-Madeenah and its climate did not suit them, so Allah's Messenger ﷺ allowed them to go to the herd of camels (given as Zakat) and drink from their milk and urine (as medicine) but they killed the shepherd and drove away all the camels. In response, Allah's Messenger ﷺ sent (men) in their pursuit to catch them, and they were brought, and he had their hands and feet cut, and their eyes were branded with heated pieces of iron, and they were left in al-Harrah (a stony place at al-Madeenah) biting the stones..

Commentary : Treason and betrayal are hideous qualities that sensible people with sound innate nature despise. If they are coupled with murder and theft, it becomes more vice and hideous, and whoever commits such crimes is worthy of receiving the worst and severest punishment.
In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that a group of people from the tribe of ‘Uraynah, which is a part of the tribe of Bajeelah, arrived at al-Madeenah and announced the words of monotheism and embraced Islam before the Prophet ﷺ. However, they disliked staying in al-Madeenah because its weather did not suit them and thus fell sick. Upon seeing this, the Prophet ﷺ allowed them to drink from the milk and urine of the charity camels, which used to gaze outside al-Madeenah. The name of the shepherd of these camels was Yasaar al-Noobee. They went there and followed the direction of the Prophet ﷺ and remained there until they recovered. Thereupon, they converted to disbelief, killed the shepherd and mutilated his body, and then drove away the camels, which were 3-10 in number. After the Companions captured them, the Prophet ﷺ ordered that their feet and hands cut off, their eyes branded with heated pieces of iron, and then to be left in al-Harrah, which is a place in al-Madeenah known of its black stones that appear if they were burnt, biting stones. They were left there in that condition to die, and that was their punishment for their treason and betrayal and a retaliation for their crime when they killed the shepherd.
This hadeeth warns us against the crime of treason and informs us of the painful punishment of those who commit such a crime.
One of the benefits of this hadeeth is that we know punishment is made according to the severity of crime.
It shows that it is permissible to use camel milk and urine as medicine..

1502

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him): I took `Abdullah ibn Aboo Talhah to Allah's Messenger ﷺ to perform Tahneek for him. I saw the Prophet ﷺ and he had an instrument for branding in his hands and was branding the camels of Zakat..

Commentary : During the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, the Muslims would seek mercy, goodness, and blessings from the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that one morning he took ‘Abdullah ibn Aboo Talhah al-Ansaaree (may Allah be pleased with them) who was a newborn infant at the time to the Prophet ﷺ to give him Tahneek, which happens by chewing a piece of date then put a part of its juice in the child's mouth and rub their palates with dates so that the first thing the newborn infant tastes is sweetness. The newborn infant was the half-brother of Anas ibn Maalik from his mother side who was married to Aboo Talhah (may Allah be pleased with them).
The Muslims used to bring their newborn infants to Allah's Messenger ﷺ to rub their palates with the dates he chewed, seeking Allah’s blessings through his salvia, supplications and the touch of his blessed hand. When Anas arrived, he saw the Prophet ﷺ carrying in his hand an iron instrument used to brand animals, and he was branding the camels of zakat. This branding was on the body of camels and not the face because it is forbidden as reported in other reports. The reason they were branded so they be distinguished from other camels and people learn they are from the camels of zakat and would not buy them again – since he ﷺ ordered people not to buy back anything they have given in charity as it will be considered then as if they took back their charity.
One of the benefits of this hadeeth is learning the permissibility of tahneek for newborn infants, and that it is recommended to be conducted by a pious and righteous believer so he would ask Allah to bless him.
It highlights that the ruler should look after the property of zakat and manage them directly.
It shows that it is permissible to brand animals, and it is allowed to put the animal in pain that it can take so long as it is necessary to bring about benefit and goodness..

1503

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Messenger ﷺ enjoined the payment of one Saa' of dates or one Saa' of barley as Zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ﷺ ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the `Eid prayer.

Commentary : Zakat al-Fitr is one the acts of worship that Allah, Exalted be He, has blessed us with and made a means of purification and compensation to make up for the decrease or loss of reward that may happen to the fasting person during the month of Ramadan. This act of worship has its own rulings and conditions that Allah, Most High, has legislated to feed the needy and poor Muslims.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar reports that the Prophet ﷺ made zakat al-Fitr obligatory upon every Muslim, be they male or female, slave or free, young or adult, who has food that exceeds his needs for one day and night. He ﷺ clarified that Muslims have to pay it on behalf of their dependent household members, because it is associated with fasting and is not linked to the wealth of a person. The Prophet ﷺ specified that zakat al-Fitr has to be one Saa’ of dates or barley and the one Saa’ equals about 5.30 pounds (i.e., approx. 3 kgs). It can be given from other types of food that are common in the country like rice and wheat. The Prophet ﷺ ordered that it has to be given to the poor and needy before leaving to perform the ‘Eid prayer – that is, after Fajr prayer and before leaving homes to pray ‘Eid prayer. This is the best time to give this zakat and it is prescribed to pay it from the sunset of the last day of Ramadan, and to even pay one or two days before the Day of ‘Eid. The deadline to give zakat al-Fitr is the ‘Eid prayer as indicated in this hadeeth. It was said that its deadline is the sunset of the first day of ‘Eid al-Fitr, and if someone pays it after the deadline, it will not qualify as a Zakat al-Fitr, and will only be considered a charity..

1505

Narrated Aboo Sa;eed (may Allah be pleased with him): We would give one Saa’ of barely as zakat al-Fitr..

1508

Narrated Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudree (may Allah be pleased with him): At the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, we used to give it at a rate of one Saa’ of food, or one Saa’ of dates, or one Saa’ of barley, or one Saa’ of raisins. And when Mu’aawiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) became the Caliph and the wheat was (available in abundance) he said, "I believe that one Mudd (of wheat) equals two Mudds (of any of the abovementioned food items)..

Commentary : Zakat al-Fitr is one the acts of worship that Allah, Exalted be He, has blessed us with and made a means of purification and compensation to make up for the decrease or loss of reward that may happen to the fasting person during the month of Ramadan.

In this hadeeth, Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudree (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that Zakat al-Fitr that the Muslims, during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ and the reign of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs, would give was one Saa’ of food i.e., dates wheat, barely or raisins. However, during the reign of Mu’aawiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) the levant wheat became available in abundance and thus its price dropped. Mu’aawiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I believe that one Mudd (of wheat) equals two Mudds of any of the abovementioned food items. A one Mudd equals the weight of double handfuls, and the one Saa’ equals 4 Mudds. Accordingly, a one Mudd equals between 509 grams at minimum and 1072 grams at maximum, and a one Saa’ equals between 2036 grams at minimum and 4288 grams at maximum.
Because of this, Mu’aawiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) proposed that people would give half of a Saa’ of levant wheat which would amount to the weight of one Saa’ of dates or barely.
This hadeeth is clear evidence that during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ the Muslims never give one half of a Saa’ of wheat, and that this happened afterwards. With that said, we know that the one Saa’ of food is the obligation of Zakat al-Fitr, and that Mu’aawiyyah (may Allah be pleased with him) exerted his efforts to conclude the ruling, but his view cannot stand before the textual evidence.
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1513

Narrated ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): Al-Fadl was riding behind Allah's Messenger ﷺ and a woman from the tribe of Khath'am came to the Prophet ﷺ. Al-Fadl started looking at her and she started looking at him, thus, the Prophet ﷺ turned Al-Fadl's face to the other side. The woman said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! The obligation of Hajj enjoined by Allah on His servants has become due on my father and he is old and weak, and he cannot sit firm on the Mount. Can I perform Hajj on his behalf?" The Prophet ﷺ replied, "Yes, you can." That happened during the Farewell Hajj (of the Prophet ﷺ )..

Commentary : Pilgrimage is the fifth pillar of Islam, which is an obligatory act of worship that requires departing that which we are accustomed to and familiar with in this life to manifest our submission to the Lord of worlds. There is no reward for whoever performs this pillar and gives it its due right except Paradise.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that his brother, Al-Fadl ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) was riding behind the Prophet ﷺ on the same mount when a woman from Khath’am, which is one of the tribes of Yemen, came to the Prophet ﷺ asking him about pilgrimage. While she was there, Al-Fadl started looking at her and the woman started looking at him. Upon seeing this, the Prophet ﷺ turned Al-Fadl’s face to the other side so he does not look at her and so she stops looking at him. The Prophet ﷺ did not order her to stop looking at him too, although the prohibition applies to both men and women according to the Statement of Allah, Most High {˹O Prophet!˺ Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments except what normally appears} [Quran 24:30-31]. It was said the reason he ﷺ did not order her to stop looking at him too was that because she did not intend looking at him because she was talking to the Prophet ﷺ while Al-Fadl happened to be behind him, so she looked at him. It is also possible that the Prophet ﷺ only turned Al-Fadls’ face because that would not allow the woman to see his face i.e., he turned his face away so he no longer can look at her which accordingly would make the woman unable to see his face too. It is also possible that when the Prophet ﷺ turned Al-Fadl’s face away, the woman understood that she should not look at him too, so she stopped looking at him.
The woman asked the Prophet ﷺ about the ruling of performing pilgrimage on behalf of her father who was too old that cannot sit form on the mount. It is possible that she meant that by the time he managed to meet the conditions of pilgrimage, he was very old and too weak to perform it. The Prophet ﷺ allowed her to do it on his behalf. It is said that her father was Husayn ibn ‘Awf al-Khath’amee.
One of the conditions for performing pilgrimage on behalf of another is that the person has already performed Hajj for himself. Otherwise, his Hajj would count for him and not for the other person. It is narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ heard a man saying, Labbayka ‘an Shubrumah (Here I am (O Allah, for Hajj) on behalf of Shubrumah). He ﷺ said: “Have you performed Hajj on your own behalf?” He said: No. He ﷺ said: “Perform Hajj on your own behalf, then on behalf of Shubrumah.” This hadeeth is recorded in Sunan Aboo Dawood.
One of the benefits that we can learn from this hadeeth is learning the permissibility of appointing others to perform Hajj when one is suffering from a state of permanent physical incapability.
This hadeeth teaches us to be kind and dutiful to parents, look after their needs by repaying their debt, servicing them, and spending on them, and all that sort of things that are pertaining to worldly affairs and religion. It also teaches us that the condition of ability to perform Hajj is fulfilled when the there is someone who can do it on our behalf.
It highlights the humility and humbleness of the Prophet ﷺ and the rank of Al-Fadl ibn al-Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father).
We learn from this hadeeth that we are not allowed to look at foreign women (i.e., women that we are allowed to marry), and that we should lower our gaze.
It shows that the scholar should exert his best efforts to stop the wrongdoing so long as it does not lead to a great wrongdoing than that which is committed.
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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..

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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..

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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..

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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