| Hadiths

Bukhari Hadiths 1356
Muslim Hadiths 558

Hadith

2350

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
People say that Aboo Hurayrah narrates too many narrations. In fact, Allah, Exalted is He, knows whether or not I say the truth. They also ask, "Why do not the emigrants and Ansaar narrate as much as he does?" In fact, my emigrant brothers were busy trading in the marketplaces, and my Ansaar brothers were busy with their properties. However, I was a poor man who kept the company of Allah's Messengerﷺ and was content with what filled my stomach (i.e., satisfied my hunger and kept me alive). So, I used to be present while they (i.e., the emigrants and Ansaar) were absent, and I used to remember while they forgot (the hadeeths). One day the Prophet ﷺsaid, "Whoever spreads his sheet till I finish this statement of mine and then gathers it on his chest, will never forget anything of it." So, I spread my covering sheet which was the only garment I had, till the Prophet ﷺ finished his statement and then I gathered it over my chest. By Him Who had sent him (i.e., Allah's Messenger) with truth, since then I did not forget even a single word of that statement, until this day. By Allah, but for two ayaat in Allah's Book, I would never have related any narration (from the Prophet ﷺ). (These two ayaat are): {Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Scripture - those are cursed by Allah and cursed by those who curse, * Except for those who repent and correct themselves and make evident [what they concealed]. Those - I will accept their repentance, and I am the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.} [Quran 2:159-160]
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Commentary :
The transmission of the Sunnah and narrating the hadeeths of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ are solemn and serious responsibilities, and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were remarkably meticulous regarding the narration of hadeeths and the verification of their authenticity. Some Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) related numerous hadeeths and reports while others narrated only few, according to the time during which they kept the company of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and what they heard from him.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) fended off suspicions raised about the fact that he narrated so many hadeeths on the authority of the Prophet ﷺ, and stated the reasons for it. Firstly, he (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “People say that Aboo Hurayrah narrates too many narrations. In fact, Allah, Exalted is He, knows whether or not I say the truth,” meaning that I shall be held accountable before Allah, Exalted is He, if I had deliberately attributed lies to the Prophet ﷺ, and those who thought ill of me shall also be accountable.
He (may Allah be pleased with him) also stated that people wondered why the emigrants and Ansaar did not narrate as many Hadeeths as he did, and clarified that his emigrant brothers were busy with trade in the marketplaces, and the Ansaar with tending to their property. The Arabic word used in the hadeeth is Safq, which literally means handshaking upon concluding business transactions, for people customarily shook hands after concluding sales transactions. He (may Allah be pleased with him) also clarified that the Ansaar were busy taking care of their farms, while he (may Allah be pleased with him) was a poor man who did not engage in trade nor did he own any property. He (may Allah be pleased with him) kept the company of the Prophet ﷺ longer and settled for having enough food to satisfy his hunger and keep him alive! He (may Allah be pleased with him) hardly left the Prophet ﷺ and was always present minded, since he was not preoccupied with any worldly pursuits like his companions. The fact that Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) was not preoccupied with worldly engagements and kept the company of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ longer, were reasons for memorizing and narrating many hadeeths on the authority of the Prophet ﷺ.
Afterward, he (may Allah be pleased with him) stated another reason for narrating many hadeeths on the authority of the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ said once: “Whoever spreads his sheet till I finish this statement of mine and then gathers it on his chest, will never forget anything of it.” Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) hastened to spread his garment, which was all he (may Allah be pleased with him)had. It was a striped or colored garment. He (may Allah be pleased with him) kept it spread till Allah's Messenger ﷺ had finished his saying, and then gathered it to his chest as instructed. He (may Allah be pleased with him) remarked that he did not forget even a single word of his statement on that occasion.
The version of this hadeeth recorded by Muslim reads: “After that day, I never forgot anything he ﷺ said.” Another version complied in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree reads: “After than day, I never forgot anything that I heard from him.” This wording indicates generality, meaning that he (may Allah be pleased with him) did not forget any of his statements after that incident, rather than his statement in that particular occasion as reflected by the apparent indication of his saying, ‘that statement.’ This interpretation is further emphasized by the fact that Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) had complained to the Prophet ﷺ of his weak memory and the Prophet ﷺ did so to relieve him of that problem, and it is also possible that these were two separate incidents.
Afterward, he (may Allah be pleased with him) stated the reason for narrating hadeeths to begin with, being motivated by two ayaat that warn against withholding knowledge. Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means) {Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance after We made it clear for the people in the Scripture - those are cursed by Allah and cursed by those who curse, * Except for those who repent and correct themselves and make evident [what they concealed]. Those - I will accept their repentance, and I am the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.} [Quran 2:159-160].
This is a stern warning against withholding knowledge with which the Prophets of Allah were sent including the clear proofs and guidance that are of benefit to the hearts, after Allah, Exalted is He, had clarified them for His servants in the heavenly revealed books with which he sent His Messengers.
The hadeeth highlights a miracle performed by the Prophet ﷺ and a sign indicating his prophethood.
It urges Muslims to seek knowledge and give it precedence over seeking wealth.
It also underlines the virtues of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him).
It is inferred therefrom that it is allowable for a person to proclaim his good qualities and virtues to dismiss suspicions about himself, but not to praise himself.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that senior Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) engaged in trade and worked to earn their living..

2353

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
Allah's Messenger ﷺ said, "Do not withhold superfluous water, for that will prevent people from grazing their cattle."
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Commentary :
Eliminating harm is one of the universal principles of the Islamic Laws of Islam. Islam enacted laws and legislations, and established guidelines that protect a Muslim from harm, and from inflicting it on others.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ forbade harming others by denying them water that is in excess of one’s need. He ﷺ said: “Do not withhold superfluous water, for that will prevent people from grazing their cattle.” The Arabic word used in the hadeeth is Kala’ meaning dry or wet grass. The hadeeth means that when one digs up a well in an uncultivated land where grass grows around or near his well, making it a suitable pasture for grazing animals, and there is no other source of water available, the shepherds would essentially need access to this well when grazing their animals. The owner of such a well must not prevent them from accessing the well, and thereby deliberately deny them access to the pasture. The Prophet ﷺ forbade a Muslim from denying others access to his surplus water beyond his needs. He is also forbidden from selling such surplus water to those shepherds, because if he sells them the water that is necessary for grazing their animals, it would be the same as selling them the grass to graze their cattle, and he does not own such grass. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Excess water must not be sold…” [Muslim]. This means that one must not deny others his surplus water when they do not another source of water available to them, because this implies harming Muslims, and harm must be eliminatedas per the laws of Islam.
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2358

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
Allah's Messengerﷺ said, "There are three categories of people at whom Allah, Exalted is He, will not look on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they will be subjected to a severe punishment. They are: -1. A man who possessed superfluous water on a way and he withheld it from travelers. -2. A man who gave a Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) to a ruler only for worldly benefits. If the ruler gives him something, he gets satisfied, and if he withholds something from him, he gets dissatisfied. -3. And a man who displayed his goods for sale after ‘Asr prayer and dishonestly said, 'By Allah, None but Him is worthy of worship, I have been given so much for my goods,' and somebody believes him (and buys them). The Prophet ﷺ then recited the ayah that reads (what means): {Indeed, those who exchange the covenant of Allah and their [own] oaths for a small price will have no share in the Hereafter, and Allah will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment.} [Quran 3:77]
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Commentary :
Inflicting harm on people is a reprehensible act in this worldly life, and it incurs utter loss and ruin on the doer in the Hereafter.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ stated that there are three categories of people at whom Allah, Exalted is He, will not look on the Day of Resurrection, out of His mercy, kindness, and compassion, nor will He purify them from sins by conferring on them His forgiveness, and He shall not praise them, but will rather pour out His wrath on them and subject them to a severe punishment for their heinous acts.
These three categories are as follows:
“1- A man who possessed superfluous water on a way and he withheld it from travelers,” meaning that such a person withholds surplus water (beyond his needs) from a traveler who is in dire need of water to quench his own thirst or that of an animal whose killing is not enjoined by the Laws of Islam.
“2- A man who gave a Bay‘ah (i.e., pledge of allegiance) to a ruler,” to hear and obey him, but not in compliance with the commands of Allah, Exalted is He, and His Messenger ﷺ, but rather to gain, “…worldly benefits. If the ruler gives him something, he gets satisfied, and if the ruler withholds something from him, he gets dissatisfied.” This person deserved such severe punishment because his act constitutes insincerity towards the Muslim ruler, which entails insinceritytowards the ruled as well, because it would cause Fitnah (i.e., dissension), especially if this was done by community leaders whom people tend to follow.
“3- And man who displayed his goods for sale after ‘Asr prayer and dishonestly said, 'By Allah, None but Him is worthy of worship, I have been given so much for my goods,' and somebody believes him (and buys them).” Such a seller made a false oath by the name of Allah, Exalted is He, merely to sell his goods. In general, it is prohibited to make a false oath at all times, but the hadeeth particularly referred to making false oaths after ‘Asr prayer, at the end of the day, because traders often fall into such a sin at the end of the day, trying to sell the rest of their goods. It was also said that the gravity of such sin is further emphasized after ‘Asr prayer because it is the time when the recording Angels of the night descend to earth and those of the morning ascend to the heavens to present people’s deeds to Allah, Exalted is He. Afterward, the Prophet ﷺ recited the ayah that reads (what means): {Indeed, those who exchange the covenant of Allah and their [own] oaths for a small price will have no share in the Hereafter, and Allah will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment.} [Quran 3:77]. The ayah refers to an exchange; these people exchange material gains for the covenant they had made with Allah, Exalted is He, to believe in the Prophet ﷺ and fulfill the trusts. The reference to oaths in this ayah means the false ones that they took to affirm their statements or actions. The intended meaning is that they trade their covenants with Allah and oaths with fleeting worldly gains and desires such as money, material benefits, and other worldly gains. The price was described here as being ‘small’, to indicate its insignificance, for it was traded for breaching the covenant with Allah and taking false oaths. Therefore, it is fundamentally insignificant, no matter how significant it seemed from a worldly perspective, compared to winning the pleasure of Allah, Exalted is He, and fulfilling his covenants with Him. Then Allah, Exalted is He, stated the punishment designated for those who commit such a major sin. He Says (what means): {…will have no share in the Hereafter, and Allah will not speak to them or look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them; and they will have a painful punishment.} [Quran 3:77].
The fact that only these three categories of people were mentioned in the hadeeth does not suggest that no other categories of people shall incur the same punishment, such as: the ones who commit the sin of Isbaal (i.e., making one's clothes longer than normal out of conceit), the ones who remind others of their favors to them, as reported in the hadeeth narrated on the authority of Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) and recorded in Saheeh Muslim, as well as an adulterous old man, an untruthful king, and an arrogant poor man, as recorded in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him).
The hadeeth affirms the attribute of Speech with respect to Allah, Exalted is He, in a manner that befits His Majesty, without Tashbeeh or Tamtheel (i.e., likening Allah to His creation), or Takyeef (i.e., trying to describe "how" an Attribute is, e.g., to say: How is Allah's Speech?). The fact that Allah, Exalted is He, shall not speak to these categories of people, nor shall He look at them essentially means that He shall speak with and look at others.

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2363

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
Allah's Messengerﷺ said, "While a man was walking, he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, 'This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So, he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him." People asked, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! Is there a reward for serving animals?" He ﷺreplied, "Yes, there is a reward for serving any living being."
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Commentary :
Allah, Exalted is He, enjoined Muslims to show mercy to all creatures, and decreed that Islam should be the religion of mercy, kindness, and benevolence. Given the significant care and attention assigned to this fundamental Islamic principle, Muslims are enjoined to show mercy to all living beings, including animals, and are promised abundant rewards for it.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “While a man was walking,” the apparent indication of the hadeeth’s wording is that this man belonged to the previous nations; “he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting.” It means that the dog was out of breath or sticking his tongue out due to excessive thirst, “and eating mud because of excessive thirst,” meaning that it was licking dust out of thirst. “The man said, 'This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So, he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog.” The Prophet ﷺstated that this man took off his shoe, held it in his hand, went down the well, filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth, and climbed up and watered the dog, to indicate the difficulties he had to face in the process.The same goes for the reference to holding the shoe with his own teeth to bring water to this thirsty dog. Therefore, “Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him." Allah, Exalted is He, knew of his act and rewarded it by forgiving his sins. The version recorded by Al-Bukhaaree reads: “Allah thanked him for his (good) deed, forgave him, and admitted him to Paradise.” The Prophet ﷺ used the verb ‘thank’ to denote reward, because thanking or appreciation is a form of reward.
When the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) heard the story, they asked the Prophet ﷺ whether or not one earns reward for serving animals. He ﷺ replied, "Yes, there is a reward for serving any living being,” meaning that showing mercy and kindness to any living being is a rewardable act in Islam. The Arabic word used in the hadeeth, ‘Kabid,’ literally means ‘liver’ and is used to refer to every living being because the liver needs water to live, otherwise an animal would die. The hadeeth means that doing any merciful act or act of kindness to an animal, by serving it water or food or protecting it from heat or coldn, whether or not it is owned by the doer, others, or is not owned by anyone, is a good act for which Allah, Exalted is He, will reward the doer.
The hadeeth urges Muslims to show kindness to people, because if one earns the forgiveness of Allah, Exalted is He, for serving water to a thirsty dog, this essentially means serving water to a thirsty person is even more rewardable.
It also underlines the virtues of serving water to others,and that it is a great means to draw closer to Allah, Exalted is He.
It also discourages Muslims from abusing or harming animals.
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2367

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, I will drive some people away from my Hawdh (i.e.,Basin) on the Day of Resurrection as strange camels are expelled from a private trough.”.

Commentary :
One of the distinct blessings that Allah, Exalted is He, shall confer on His Prophet ﷺ on the Day of Resurrection, is His Hawdh (basin) from which he ﷺ shall serve water to the righteous and steadfast Muslims on that difficult day.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ swore by the name of Allah, saying: “By Him in Whose Hands my soul is,” and he ﷺ usually used this wording in his oaths. It means, ‘By Him in Whose Hand my life lies.” It affirms the fact that Allah, Exalted is He, has a Hand, in a manner that befits His Majesty. He ﷺ said: “I will drive some people away,” meaning the apostates, hypocrites, or those who had committed religious innovations and distorted the religion of Islam after the Prophet’s death, “from my Hawdh (i.e., Basin) on the Day of Resurrection as strange camels are expelled from a private trough,” meaning like a shepherd would drive away a strange camel, denying it access to water when his camels are drinking therefrom.
The hadeeth affirms the existence of the Prophet’s Hawdh.
It is also deduced from the hadeeth that it is allowable to swear by the name of Allah, Exalted is He, to affirm one’s statement without a prior request to take an oath or a necessity warranting it.

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2369

It was narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺsaid, "There are three types of people whom Allah will neither talk to, nor look at, on the Day of Resurrection. (They are): -1. A man who falsely takes an oath that he has been offered for his goods so much more than what he is given, -2. a man who takes a false oath after ‘Asr prayer to devour a Muslim's property unlawfully, and -3. a man who withholds his superfluous water. Allah will say to him, "Today I will withhold My Grace from you as you withheld the superfluity of what you had not created."
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Commentary :
Inflicting harm on people is a reprehensible act in this worldly life and it incurs utter loss and ruin on the doer in the Hereafter.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ said that there are three categories of people at whom Allah, Exalted is He, will not look on the Day of Resurrection, out of His mercy, kindness, and compassion, nor will He speak with them with what would please them. Another version of the hadeeth compiled by Al-Bukhaaree reads: “… nor shall He purify them and for them shall be a severe punishment,” meaning that He shall not purify them from sins by bestowing on them His forgiveness, nor shall He praise them, but will rather pour out His wrath on them and subject them to a severe punishment for their heinous acts.
These three categories are as follows:
The first is a vendor who makes a false oath that he had bought his commodity for a higher price than he actually paid, so as to resell it for higher than the actual price, and the buyer believes him and buys it for a higher price because of his false oath.
The second is a man who makes a false oath after ‘Asr prayer in order to devour a Muslim person's wealth unlawfully.
In general, it is prohibited to make a false oath at all times, but the hadeeth highlights the gravity of making a false oath after ‘Asr prayer in particular, because it is the time when the recording Angels of the day and night meet (when the Angels of the evening descend to earth and those of the morning ascend to the heavens to present people’s deeds to Allah, Exalted is He). Such a time is the conclusion of the day, and a person's deeds are judged according to the concluding and final ones.
The third category includes a man who withholds his superfluous water beyond his needs. The version recorded in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, specifically mentioned withholding water from a ‘traveler or passer-by,’ because he is in more need of water to quench his thirst or that of an animal whose killing is not enjoined by the Laws of Islam in his company. Allah, Exalted is He, will say to him, "Today I will withhold My Grace from you as you withheld the superfluity of what you had not created.” This is because he did not exert any effort to originate this water to withhold the excess of it from others. Rather, Allah, Exalted is He, caused rain to descend from the sky and no human being has power or control over it. As that man denied people the grace of Allah, Exalted is He, in the worldly life, He will deny him His grace on the Day of Judgment.
The fact that only these three categories of people were mentioned in the hadeeth does not suggest that no other categories of people shall incur the same punishment, such as: the ones who commit the sin of Isbaal (i.e., making one's clothes longer than normal out of conceit), the ones who remind others of their favors to them, as reported in the hadeeth narrated on the authority of Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) and recorded in Saheeh Muslim, as well as an adulterous old man, an untruthful king, and an arrogant poor man, as recorded in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him).
The hadeeth affirms the divine attribute of Speech with respect to Allah, Exalted is He, in a manner that befits His Majesty, without Tashbeeh or Tamtheel (i.e., likening Allah to His creation), or Takyeef (i.e., trying to describe "how" an Attribute is, e.g., to say: How is Allah's Speech? It is like this and that). The fact that Allah, Exalted is He, shall not speak to these categories of people, nor shall He look at them essentially means that He shall speak with and look at others.
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2371

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
Allah's Messengerﷺ said, "Horses may be a source of reward to some people, a shelter to others (i.e., means of earning a living), or a burden to others. Those to whom horses may be a source of reward is those who keep them to be used in Allah's Cause (i.e., prepare them for Jihaad) and tie them by a long rope in a pasture (or a garden). They will get a reward equal to what their long rope allows them to eat in the pasture or the garden, and if the horses break free from their rope and cross one or two hills, then all their footsteps and dung will be counted as good deeds for their owner; and if they pass by a river and drink from it, then that will also be regarded as a good deed for their owner even if he has had no intention of watering them then. Horses are a shelter from poverty to the second category of people who keep horses for earning a living so as not to ask others for money, and at the same time fulfill Allah's right (i.e., Zakaah) (from the wealth they earn through using them in trading etc.,) and do not overburden them. Those who keep horses merely out of pride, for showing off, and as a means of harming Muslims, their horses will be a source of sins to them." When Allah's Messenger ﷺwas asked about donkeys, he replied, "Nothing particular was revealed to me regarding them except the general unique ayah which is applicable to everything. Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, * And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.} [Quran 99:7-8]."
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Commentary :
Wealth is a blessing that Allah, Exalted is He, has bestowed upon human beings, and horses are among the most precious items of wealth and the dearest to their owners.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ stated the different conditions of horse owners; horses may be a source of reward for their owner, a shelter or shield against poverty for others, or a source of burden and sin for others.
As for the horse owners for whom horses are sources of reward, they keep them for the purpose of Jihaad in the Cause of Allah. They tie them with a long rope in a vast area ofdense pasture. They will get a reward equal to what its long rope allows them to eat from the pasture, and if the horses break free from their ropes and cross one or two hills, and it is also said that it means, ‘if they run for one or two rounds,’ then all their marks or footsteps and dung will be counted as good deeds for their owner. If they pass by a river and drink from it, it will also be regarded as a good deed for their owner, even if he has had no intention of watering them then.
As for the second category, horses are a shelter and shield against poverty for those who keep them as a means of earning a living so as not to beg people for money, and at the same time fulfill Allah's right by paying the due Zakaah on it, which is only due on these horses if they are intended for trade. Or the owner of these horses does not overburden them with carrying weight more than they can handle or ride them to fight in the cause of Allah .In these cases, horses serve as a shelter or shield against poverty for this category.
The third category includes the owners whose horses are a source of burden or sin. They tie them to boast about them, outwardly pretending to obey Allah, Exalted is He, but inwardly harboring enmity towards Muslims. In this case, these horses become a source of sin for such owners.
When Allah's Messenger ﷺwas asked about donkeys, as to whether keeping them yields equal rewards, he ﷺ replied that nothing in particular was revealed to him regarding them except the general unique ayah which is applicable to everything. Allah, Exalted is He, Says (what means): {So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, * And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.} [Quran 99:7-8].The meaning is that if the donkey owners keep them with the intention of doing good, they would certainly be rewarded, and if not, they would miss out on such a reward.
The hadeeth highlights the virtues of keeping horses and the great benefits and blessings tied to their forelocks, if they are used to perform acts of obedience to Allah, Exalted is He.
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2372

Zayd ibn Khaalid (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
A man came to Allah's Messengerﷺ and asked about Al-Luqatah (i.e., lost and found item of wealth). The Prophet ﷺ said, "Identify (the detailed description of) its container and its tying material and then make a public announcement of it (i.e., to identify the owner) for one year and if its owner shows up and claims it, give it to him; otherwise utilize it as you like." The man said, "What about a lost sheep?" The Prophet ﷺ said, “Take it, for it is for you, your brother, or the wolf.” The man said "What about a lost camel?" The Prophet ﷺ said, "Why should you take it; it has got its water-container (i.e., its stomach) and its hooves, can reach the places of water, and can eat the trees till its owner finds it?”
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Commentary :
One of the higher objectives of the Laws of Islam is to preserve people’s wealth and protect it from robbery, theft, and loss, or from someone taking it when it is lost.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ underlined the religious ruling on the Luqtah (i.e., lost and found item of wealth) and the lost animal. Zayd ibn Khaalid Al-Juhanee (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man, named ‘Umayr Aboo Maalik, asked the Prophet ﷺ about the Luqtah and how to dispose of it. In Islamic terminology, Luqtah means a lost and found item of wealth, and belongings that are respected and recognized by the Laws of Islam (as wealth) and owned by a human being, or items of wealth that are not secured (i.e., locked up in a secure place), or self-secured (e.g., able to defend itself and escape like camels or birds), or not possible to stealby nature (e.g. immovable property). He ﷺ said: "Identify (the description of) its container,” where it is kept, “and its tying material.” The Arabic word used in the hadeeth is Wikaa’ meaning string or rope with which its container is tied. He ﷺ commanded the person who finds the Luqtah to identify its detailed description, leaving no room for doubt, to be able to recognize its owner and verify his truthfulness, and so that it would not get mixed with his own property. He ﷺ added: “… and then make a public announcement of it for one year,” meaning in gatherings and places where he believes its owner might be found. “If its owner shows up and claims it,” before or after publicly announcing it, “give it to him; otherwise utilize it as you like." If its owner does not show up, it belongs to the one who found it and he is entitled to use it freely, but should keep it as a trust. Whenever its owner is found, it should be returned to him.
Afterward, the man asked the Prophet ﷺ about the lost animal and he ﷺ said, "It is for you,” if you publicly announce it and could not find its owner, “your brother,” meaning another person who would pick it up, “or the wolf,” meaning that it may remain lost and would be devoured by wolves. A lost sheep becomes the property of the one who finds it as long as he publicly announces it and its owner does not show up to claim it.
Then the man asked about a lost camel. The Prophet ﷺ exclaimed, "Why should you take it?” The version recorded in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim reads: “The Prophet ﷺ was annoyed so much that his cheeks became red.” It was said that he ﷺ got angry because of the inquirer’s lack of knowledge and misunderstanding; he failed to realize the meaning of the Prophet’s statement and made a wrong analogy. Luqtah means an item of wealth that is misplaced and lost from its owner and he does not know its place, but this does not apply to a lost camel; it may walk for days and find its way back to its usual place or a place where it would be found by its owner.
The Prophet ﷺ underlined the reason by saying, “… as it has got its water-container (i.e., its stomach),” meaning that if it finds a well, it will drink enough water to survive until it finds another well, or it rather means that camels can endure thirst better than any other animal. The Prophet ﷺ added: “… and its hooves,” which refers to its ability to walk long distances and find water in deserted places. He ﷺ likened it to a traveler who has a waterbag and shoes. He ﷺ added, “… and it can reach the places of water and can eat the trees till its owner finds it,” or it find its way to him. This is the difference between sheep and camels, the latter is endowed with the strength to survive until its owner finds it, whereas sheep perish whenever they go astray from the shepherd and are separated from the herd.
The hadeeth highlights how Islam assigns care and attention to all affairs that are of concern to people, and become part of their lives directly or indirectly..

2378

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "One of the rights of a she-camel is that it should be milked at a place of water."
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Commentary :
It was customary for the needy and poor people to go to the places where camels were brought to drink, to avail themselves of their milk.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ urged the camel owners not to deprive the poor and needy of their milk. He ﷺ said: “One of the rights of a she-camel,” meaning the customary rights of the poor and needy in the she-camels as recognized by Arabs, “is that it should be milked at a place of water,” to offer some of the she-camels’ milk to them. They specified the places of water to make it easier and more convenient for the poor and needy to access them, compared to going to the owners’ houses, and it is also better to milk the she-camels after they are watered to produce more milk.
However, this does not mean that it is obligatory on the owners of the she-camels to milk them in the places of water, but it was rather customary, and the Laws of Islam graciously deemed it recommended for the benefit of the poor.
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2379

‘AbdullahIbn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say "If somebody buys date-palms after they have been pollinated, the fruits will belong to the seller unless the buyer stipulates the contrary. If somebody buys a slave having some property, the property will belong to the seller unless the buyer stipulate that it should belong to him.".

Commentary :
Islam regulates the contracts and business transactions conducted by people to ensure preservation of their wealth and interests, and that no party would wrong the other.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ made it clear that whoever buys date palms after they have been pollinated, the fruits will belong to the seller, meaning that he is entitled to access the palm trees to irrigate, take care of them, or pick the fruits.The buyer has no right to deny him access, because he is entitled to his right and cannot exercise it without having access to the palm trees. The hadeeth goes on: “… unless the buyer stipulates the contrary,” and the seller agrees to it and thus the seller would not have any right to access the palm trees.
The same applies to the case when somebody buys a slave who has some property. The property will belong to the seller who sold the slave, because a slave does not own anything as per the laws of Islam, unless the buyer stipulates that the whole of this property or a specific part of it should belong to him.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that the conditions stipulated in sales contracts are binding as long as they do not entail deeming lawful what is unlawful or deeming unlawful what is lawful.
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2381

Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah(may Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ forbade the sales called Al-Mukhaabarah (i.e., a sharecropping agreement whereby a plot of land is rented for part of its yield, or the cultivation of a sowed land in return for a specific portion of its produce, and the rent is paid in kind from the land's produce), Al-Muhaaqalah (i.e., a sale transaction in which grains in ears, before or as they are harvested from a field in their unprocessed state, are sold for dry processed grain), and Al-Muzaabanah (i.e., a sale that involves the exchange of fresh fruits for dry ones, where the quantity of the dry fruits is actually known by precise measurement, but the quantity of the fresh fruits to be handed over in exchange is estimated while they are in their unpicked state, on trees) and the selling of fruits till they are free from blights. He ﷺ forbade the selling of the fruits except for money, except the ‘Araayaa (i.e., palm trees assigned by their owner for the needy, donating their fruit to themin return for an estimated weight of picked and ripe dates based on dry measurement).
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Commentary :
Islam assigned significant care and attention to the preservation of people's wealth, and keenly ensured that it must not be wasted. Therefore, it forbade some types of transaction, which outwardly seem to be (valid) sale transactions, but inwardly involve unlawfully devouring others’ wealth, or those involve Gharar (i.e., risk and uncertainty) and ambiguity, which may incur harm on the seller or the buyer.
In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah(may Allah be pleased with them) stated that the Prophet ﷺ forbade Mukhaabarah, which referred to a sharecropping agreement whereby a landlord hires a worker (farmer) to cultivate the land in return for a fixed share of the crops like one-third or one-fourth, produced by a specified part of the land. It was reported that the prohibition in this regard was abrogated; the Prophet ﷺ made an agreement with the people of Khaybar to cultivate the palm trees in return for half the date fruits, as recorded in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).
He ﷺ also forbade the Muhaaqalah sale, which is a transaction in which grains in ear, before or as they are harvested from a field in their unprocessed state, are sold for dry processed grain, because it involves ambiguity since the wheat is still in ear.
He ﷺ also forbade Muzaabanah, which is a transaction that involves the exchange of fresh fruits for dry ones, where the quantity of the dry fruits is actually known by precise measurement, but the quantity of the fresh fruits to be handed over in exchange is estimated while they are in their unpicked state (on trees), or grapes for raisins. The Prophet ﷺ deemed such transactions forbidden, because they involved ambiguity of the measure and weight of the fruits.
He ﷺ also forbade selling only the unpicked fruits (rather than the fruits or dates and trees or palm trees) before they ripen, by showing signs of ripeness in terms of color or shape, because after the fruits ripen, they become safe from pests that may spoil or reduce the yield.
He ﷺ also forbade the sales of plat tree fruits after they ripen for dates, to avoid taking excess in the event of a barter of foodstuff, which is Ribaa (i.e., interest, usury, etc.). Rather, the fruits should be sold for Dinars or Dirhams (i.e., money), or contemporary fiatmoney.
He ﷺ excluded one form of Muzaabanah transaction known as Bay‘ Al-‘Ariyyah (i.e., a sale of unpicked fully ripen dates (rutab) for an estimated weight of picked dates on the ground based on dry measurement). This transaction involves selling unpicked dates to a poor person to eat therefrom whenever he wishes in return for an estimated measure of dates. The transaction was deemed allowable because some (poor) people would have no palm trees or money during the season of fresh dates and wished to feed their dependents fresh dates, and therefore the Prophet ﷺ gave them that legal concession to conduct the sale of ‘Araayah for an estimated weight of dry dates, provided that they were less than five Wasaqs, as narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, and the Wasaq equaled 60 Saa‘s.
The hadeeth highlights how the Laws of Islam promotes ease and facilitation and eliminates inconvenience for people.
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2387

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺsaid, “Whoever takes the money of the people with the intention of repaying it, Allah, Exalted is He, will repay it on his behalf, and whoever takes it in order to destroy it, then Allah will destroy him.”
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Commentary :
Islam warns against unlawfully devouring people’s wealth, and urges Muslims to deem themselves above such a sinful act and keenly display graciousness when repaying debts.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ underlined the merits of a debtor who intends to repay his debts and sternly warns against taking loans while intending to devour the creditor’s wealth unlawfully and refrain from repayment. He ﷺ clarified that whoever takes people’s wealth by virtue of loans or any other business transactions with the sincere intention to repay them, Allah, Exalted is He, will facilitate his affairs and bless him with the means to repay it or handsomely compensate his creditor in the Hereafter if the debtor fails to repay it in the worldly life. On the other hand, if someone takes people’s wealth by virtue of loans or any other business transactions with the intention to waste or refrain from repaying it, Allah, Exalted is He, shall destroy his wealth, by rendering it of no real benefit in the worldly life, as a punishment for his evil intention and he shall also face the consequences of refrainment from repayment in the Hereafter.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that a good intention is an effective means to be blessed with Rizq (i.e., provision), have one’s needs fulfilled, and relish relief of distress, and that an evil intention is a cause for ruin and loss. .

2388

Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
Once, while I was in the company of the Prophet ﷺ, he saw the mountain of Uhud and said, "I would not like to have this mountain turned into gold for me unless nothing of it, not even a single Dinar remains of it with me for more than three days (i.e., I will spend all of it in Allah's Cause), except that Dinar which I will keep for repaying debts." Then he ﷺ said, "Those who are rich in this worldly life would have little reward in the Hereafter except those who spend their money here and there (in Allah's Cause), and they are few in number." Then he ﷺ ordered me to stay at my place and went not far away. I heard a voice and intended to go to him but I remembered his order, "Stay at your place till I return." On his return I said, "O Allah's Messenger ﷺ!(What was) that noise which I heard?" He ﷺ said, "Did you hear anything?" I said, "Yes." He ﷺ said, "Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) came and said to me, 'Whoever amongst your followers dies, worshipping none along with Allah, will enter Paradise.'" I said, "Even if he did such-and-such things (i.e., even if he stole or committed Fornication)" He (Angel Jibreel) said, "Yes."
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Commentary :
Wealth is one of the trials put by Allah, Exalted is He, to His servants (as tests), and the refrainment from striving in pursuit of much wealth safeguards one from its evil temptations. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ did not like wealth much and used to generously spend it in charity whenever he acquired it.
In this hadeeth, Aboo Dharr ibn Jundub ibn Junaadah Al-Ghaffaaree (may Allah be pleased with him) related that he was once in the company of the Prophet ﷺ when he saw the mountain of Uhud, a mountain north of Al-Madeenah about 4 km from the Prophet's Mosque. He ﷺ said that he would not like to have this mountain turned into gold for him unless nothing of it, not even a single Dinar of it remained with him for more than three days, except a Dinar which he would keep for repaying his debts.
Afterward, he ﷺ stated that those who acquire abundant wealth in this worldly life will earn fewer rewards in the Hereafter, except those who spend their wealth in Allah's Cause. He ﷺ was then walking with Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him). He ﷺ ordered Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) to stay at his place until he ﷺ came back, and went not far away. Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) heard a voice and intended to go to him but remembered his order, "Stay at your place till I return." In compliance with the Prophet’s command, Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) remained, and when he ﷺ returned, he said, “O Allah's Messenger ﷺ! (What was) that noise which I heard?” He ﷺ said, “Did you hear anything?” Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Yes.” He ﷺ told him that it was Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) bearing the glad tidings that whoever amongst his followers dies, worshipping none besides Allah, Exalted is He, will enter Paradise. The Prophet ﷺ asked Angel Jibreel, “Even if he did such-and-such things (i.e., even if he stole or committed Fornication)?” Angel Jibreel said, "Yes." This means that whoever dies while adhering to Tawheed, worshipping none but Allah, Exalted is He, shall enter Paradise, even if he shall be subjected to any punishment in Hellfire before entering it; he shall not abide in Hellfire endlessly.
The hadeeth urges Muslims to assign care and attention to the gravity of incurring debts and the obligation of repayment, and encourages them to spend in charity.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that the Prophet ﷺ displayed the highest degree of the enjoined renouncement of worldly pleasures, so much that he ﷺ disliked to keep any worldly gains for himself and wished to spend them all in charity for those who deserve them, and keep only what suffices the fulfillment of others’ financial rights.
The hadeeth highlights the politeness of Aboo Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) with the Prophet ﷺ and his thoughtfulness and compassion for Him, keenly ensuring his safety and that nothing should happen to him that may slightly harm him. This is a manifestation of the enjoined thoughtfulness towards elders. Moreover, a young person should not invade the privacy of the elders when they are alone, nor should he spy on them, sit with them, or keep their company except with their permission.
It is also inferred therefrom that young people are enjoined to comply with the elders’ orders rather than doing what defiantly contravenes their instructions, even if it seemed the sound opinion to ward off an evil, until it is verified, and then warding off the certain evil should be given precedence.
The hadeeth also underlines the divine grace conferred upon the nation of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that a perpetrator of major sins who dies while adhering to Tawheed shall not be perpetuated in Hellfire, abiding therein endlessly.
It is also inferred therefrom that a follower may ask whom he follows about what benefits him with regard to his religious affairs, or adds to his knowledge, or helps him obtain any other benefits, and that a student may ask his teacher to verify the correctness of his own knowledge on a given matter against what he has learned and seemed contradictory.
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2396

Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah(may Allah be pleased with them) said:
When my father died, he owed a Jew thirty Awsuq (i.e., plural of Wasaq, which equaled 60 Saa‘s, approximately 130 kg). I requested him to give me respite for repaying but he refused. I requested Allah's Messengerﷺ to intercede with the Jew. Allah's Messenger ﷺwent to the Jew and asked him to accept the fruits of my trees in place of the debt but the Jew refused. Allah's Messenger ﷺ entered the garden of the date-palms, wandering among the trees and ordered me (saying), "Pluck (the fruits) and give him his due." So, I plucked the fruits for him after the departure of Allah's Messenger ﷺ and gave his thirty Awsuq, and still had seventeen Awsuq extra for myself.” Narrated Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him): I went to Allah's Messengerﷺ to inform of what had happened, but found him praying ‘Asr prayer. After the prayer I told him about the extra fruits which remained. Allah's Messenger ﷺtold me to inform (‘Umar) Ibn Al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) of it. When I went to ‘Umar and told him about it, ‘Umar said, "When Allah's Messengerﷺ walked in your garden, I was sure that Allah would definitely bless it."
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Commentary :
A Muslim is enjoined to strive to fulfill the needs of his Muslim brothers, especially those who explicitly ask for his help. He should (hasten to their help and) stand by them until their need is fulfilled.
In this hadeeth, Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with them) related that his father ‘Abdullah ibn Haraam (may Allah be pleased with him) had died in the Battle of Uhud while owing a debt of thirty Awsuq (i.e., plural of Wasaq, which equaled 60 Saa‘s, approximately 130 kg) to a Jewish man. It was said that the man’s name was Aboo Al-Shahm. A Wasaq equals 60 Saa‘s, the Saa’ equals four Mudds, and the Mudd is the measure of two open medium-sized handfuls. Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Jewish creditor to give him respite until he was able to repay the debt, but he refused. Therefore, Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet ﷺ to intercede for him with the Jewish creditor, and the Prophet ﷺ asked him to take the dates of Jaabir’s palm trees against the debt, but he refused. The Prophet ﷺ entered Jaabir’s garden, wandered among the trees, and verified that the dates were not enough to repay the debt. He ﷺ said to Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him): "Pluck (the fruits) and give him his due." He (may Allah be pleased with him) plucked the dates for him after the departure of Allah's Messenger ﷺ and gave the thirty Awsuq that his late father owed, and still had seventeen Awsuq extra for himself, by the blessing of the Prophet ﷺ.
Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) went to Allah's Messengerﷺ to inform him of what had happened and how his palm trees were blessed, but found the Prophet ﷺ praying ‘Asr prayer. After the prayer, he (may Allah be pleased with him) told him about the extra dates which remained. Allah's Messenger ﷺtold him to inform (‘Umar) Ibn Al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) of it. When he went to ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) and told him about it, ‘Umar said, "When Allah's Messengerﷺ walked in your garden, I was sure that Allah, Exalted is He, would definitely bless it.” The Prophet ﷺ named ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) in particular because he showed interest in Jaabir’s story.
It is deduced from the hadeeth that a ruler may personally fulfill the needs of the ruled and intercede with one of them for another.
The hadeeth includes a clear sign on the Prophet’s ﷺprophethood, performing a miracle by blessing a small quantity of fruits to be enough to repay all the due debts and have some extra fruits left.
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2399

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "I am closer to the believers than their own selves in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, and if you like, you can read Allah's Statement (which means): {The Prophet is worthier of the believers than themselves.} [Quran 33:6] So, if a true believer dies and leaves behind some property, it will be for his inheritors (from the father's side), and if he owed debts to be paid or needy offspring, then they should come to me as I am the guardian of the deceased."
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Commentary :
The Prophet ﷺ was sent to usher people out of the darkness (of misguidance) into the light (of divine guidance). He ﷺ was a mercy bestowed on the worlds, and was exceptionally kind to the elderly and merciful to the young. He ﷺ thoughtfully cared for the distressed, assigned care and attention to all those around him, and identified with their feelings.
In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ underlined that he ﷺ was closer to all the believers, meaning worthier of them, than their own selves, with regards to all their worldly and religious affairs. Hisﷺstatement conforms with the ayah that reads (which means): {The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves.} [Quran 33:6]. He ﷺ was kinder to people than their own selves; their self-enjoined selves ushered them into what incurredtheir own destruction, while he ﷺ called them to their deliverance. The Prophet ﷺ did not mention in this hadeeth the due rights he ﷺ has over the believers with regard to such proximity. In return, the believers are required to give precedence to obeying the Prophet ﷺ over their own desires, even if it is difficult for them, and to love him more than they love themselves. It was narrated on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), as recorded in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, that the Prophet ﷺ said: “None of you truly believes until he loves me more than his own father, child, and all people.”
He ﷺ stated that if a Muslim dies and leaves behind wealth, he will be inherited by his own heirs and relatives on his father’s side, meaning that his heirs are worthier of inheriting his estate. However, whoever dies while owing debts or leaving behind dependents, i.e., young children, wife and those who need financial support, the Prophet ﷺ is closer to him than all people. He ﷺ committed himself to repay his debts and provide for his dependents!
In the beginning, the Prophet ﷺ refrained from leading the funeral prayer for a deceased person if he owed unpaid debts, unless someone repaid them or he had left wealth to repay them, because these debts are other people’s rights that must be fulfilled. It is noteworthy that it was not incumbent on the Prophet ﷺ to refrain from leading the funeral prayer for an indebted deceased person(he ﷺ was not enjoined to do so), but he ﷺ refrained from it to urge people to repay their debts, lest they would miss out on having him lead their funeral prayer. After the conquests and the riches bestowed upon Muslims by Allah, Exalted is He, and the gravity of incurring debts was emphasized within the hearts and minds of Muslims, the Prophet ﷺ used to repay the debts of the deceased who left behind no wealth. We implore Allah, Exalted is He, to send His peace and blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, and reward him handsomely for his care and love for us; Allah is the Al-Forgiving and Especially Merciful.
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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..

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