Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadith

Deeds are by Intentions

Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, say:

إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى دُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ إِلَى امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ

Verily, deeds are only with intentions. Indeed, every person will get rewarded only for what they intended. Therefore, whoever emigrated for worldly reasons or for a woman, then his emigration is for what he has emigrated to.

[Sahih Bukhari, Book 1, Number 1 ]

________________________________________

Foundation of the Sunnah

Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported: One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the prophet. Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he said, “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.” The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

الْإِسْلَامُ أَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَتُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةَ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ وَتُؤَدِّيَ الزَّكَاةَ الْمَفْرُوضَةَ وَتَصُومَ رَمَضَانَ

Islam is to worship Allah alone without associating anything with Him, to establish the prescribed prayer, to give obligatory charity, and to fast the month of Ramadan.

The man said: “You have spoken rightly,” and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly. Then he said: “Tell me about faith.” The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

أَنْ تُؤْمِنَ بِاللَّهِ وَمَلَائِكَتِهِ وَكِتَابِهِ وَلِقَائِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَتُؤْمِنَ بِالْبَعْثِ الْآخِرِ

Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His meeting (on the Day of Judgment), His messengers, and to believe in the resurrection in the Hereafter.

The man said, “You have spoken rightly. Then tell me about excellence.” The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

أَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ كَأَنَّكَ تَرَاهُ فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ لَا تَرَاهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَرَاكَ

Excellence is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for verily, He sees you.

The man said, “Then tell me about the Hour.” The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

مَا الْمَسْئُولُ عَنْهَا بِأَعْلَمَ مِنْ السَّائِلِ

The one who is asked does not know more than the one asking.

The man said, “Then tell me about its signs.” The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

إِذَا وَلَدَتْ الْأَمَةُ رَبَّهَا فَذَاكَ مِنْ أَشْرَاطِهَا وَإِذَا كَانَتْ الْعُرَاةُ الْحُفَاةُ رُءُوسَ النَّاسِ فَذَاكَ مِنْ أَشْرَاطِهَا وَإِذَا تَطَاوَلَ رِعَاءُ الْبَهْمِ فِي الْبُنْيَانِ

When the slave-girl gives birth to her master is among its signs; when the naked and barefooted will become chiefs of the people is among its signs; when the shepherds of black camels will exult themselves in constructing building is among its signs.

Then he left and I stayed for a time. Then the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

يا عمر أتدري من السائل ؟

O Umar, do you know who the questioner was?

I said, “Allah and His messenger know best.” He said:

فإنه جبريل ، أتاكم يعلمكم دينكم

He was Gabriel, who came to teach the people their religion.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 1 ]

________________________________________

Pillars of Islam

Ibn Umar, the son of Umar ibn Al-Khattab, reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ عَلَى أَنْ يُعْبَدَ اللَّهُ وَيُكْفَرَ بِمَا دُونَهُ وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ وَحَجِّ الْبَيْتِ وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ

Islam is built upon five: worshiping Allah alone and disbelieving in what is worshiped besides him, establishing prayer, paying charity, performing the pilgrimage, and fasting the month of Ramadan.

[Sahih Bukhari, Book 2, Number 8 ]

________________________________________

Divine Providence

Abdullah ibn Masud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and he is the truthful, the trusted, said to us:

إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ يُجْمَعُ خَلْقُهُ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ فِي ذَلِكَ عَلَقَةً مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ يَكُونُ فِي ذَلِكَ مُضْغَةً مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ يُرْسَلُ الْمَلَكُ فَيَنْفُخُ فِيهِ الرُّوحَ وَيُؤْمَرُ بِأَرْبَعِ كَلِمَاتٍ بِكَتْبِ رِزْقِهِ وَأَجَلِهِ وَعَمَلِهِ وَشَقِيٌّ أَوْ سَعِيدٌ فَوَالَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُهُ إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ حَتَّى مَا يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهَا إِلَّا ذِرَاعٌ فَيَسْبِقُ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابُ فَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ فَيَدْخُلُهَا وَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ حَتَّى مَا يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهَا إِلَّا ذِرَاعٌ فَيَسْبِقُ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابُ فَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَيَدْخُلُهَا

Verily, the creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother’s womb for forty days in the form of seed, then he is a clot of blood for another period, then a morsel of flesh for another period, then there is sent to him the angel who blows the breath of life into him and who is commanded regarding four matters: to write down his means of livelihood, his life span, his actions, and whether he is happy or unhappy. By Allah other than whom there is no god, verily, one of you behaves like the people of Paradise until he is but an arm’s length from it, but that which has been written overtakes him, so he behaves like the people of Hellfire and thus he enters it; and one of you behaves like the people of Hellfire until he is but an arm’s length from it, and that which has been written overtakes him, so he behaves like the people of Paradise and thus he enters it.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 33, Number 6390 ]

________________________________________

Innovation and Heresy

Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ فِيهِ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ

Whoever innovates something into this affair of ours which does not belong to it will have it rejected.

[Sahih Bukhari, Book 49, Number 861 ]

In another narration, the Prophet said:

مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ

Whoever performs a deed that is not in accordance with our matter will have it rejected.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 18, Number 4266 ]

________________________________________

Lawful and Unlawful are Clear

Numan ibn Bashir reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, say:

الْحَلَالُ بَيِّنٌ وَالْحَرَامُ بَيِّنٌ وَبَيْنَهُمَا مُشَبَّهَاتٌ لَا يَعْلَمُهَا كَثِيرٌ مِنْ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ اتَّقَى الْمُشَبَّهَاتِ اسْتَبْرَأَ لِدِينِهِ وَعِرْضِهِ وَمَنْ وَقَعَ فِي الشُّبُهَاتِ كَرَاعٍ يَرْعَى حَوْلَ الْحِمَى يُوشِكُ أَنْ يُوَاقِعَهُ أَلَا وَإِنَّ لِكُلِّ مَلِكٍ حِمًى أَلَا إِنَّ حِمَى اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ مَحَارِمُهُ أَلَا وَإِنَّ فِي الْجَسَدِ مُضْغَةً إِذَا صَلَحَتْ صَلَحَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ وَإِذَا فَسَدَتْ فَسَدَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ أَلَا وَهِيَ الْقَلْبُ

That which is lawful is plain and that which is unlawful is plain and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which not many people know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah’s sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it be whole, all the body is whole and which, if it be diseased, all of it is diseased. Truly it is the heart.

[Sahih Bukhari, Book 2, Number 50 ]

________________________________________

Religion is Sincerity

Tamim Al-Dari reported: The Prophet, peace be upon him, said three times:

إِنَّ الدِّينَ النَّصِيحَةُ إِنَّ الدِّينَ النَّصِيحَةُ إِنَّ الدِّينَ النَّصِيحَةُ‏‏

Verily, the religion is sincerity.

We said, “To whom?” He said:

لِلَّهِ وَكِتَابِهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَأَئِمَّةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَعَامَّتِهِمْ وَأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَامَّتِهِمْ

To Allah and His Book, and His messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 98]

________________________________________

Fighting in Defense of Islam

Abdullah ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُقَاتِلَ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَشْهَدُوا أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلاَةَ، وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ، فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ عَصَمُوا مِنِّي دِمَاءَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ إِلاَّ بِحَقِّ الإِسْلاَمِ، وَحِسَابُهُمْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ‏

I have been ordered to Jihad (hard work or fight against the devil) against people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah and until they perform the prayers and pay Jakat (Purification of the wealth by giving the poor people their rightful share), and if they do so they will have gained protection from me for their lives and property, unless [they do acts that are punishable] in accordance with Islam, and their reckoning will be with Allah the Almighty.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 33]

In another narration, the Prophet said:

أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُقَاتِلَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

I have been commanded to fight the idolaters…

[Sunan An-Nasa’i, Book of Unlawfulness of Bloodshed, Number 3966, Sahih ]

Ibn Taymiyah comments on this Hadith:

مراده قتال المحاربين الذين أذن الله في قتالهم، لم يرد قتال المعاهدين الذين أمر الله بوفاء عهدهم‏

It refers to fighting those who are waging war, whom Allah has permitted us to fight. It does not refer to those who have a covenant with us, whom Allah commands us to fulfill our covenant.

[Majmu Al-Fatawa 19/20]

________________________________________

Avoid Excessive Questioning

Abu Huraira reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, say:

مَا نَهَيْتُكُمْ عَنْهُ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ وَمَا أَمَرْتُكُمْ بِهِ فَافْعَلُوا مِنْهُ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ فَإِنَّمَا أَهْلَكَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ كَثْرَةُ مَسَائِلِهِمْ وَاخْتِلَافُهُمْ عَلَى أَنْبِيَائِهِمْ

Avoid what I have forbidden for you, and do what I have commanded you as much as you are able. Verily, the people before you were destroyed only because of their excessive questioning and contradicting their prophets.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 30, Number 5818 ]

In another narration, the Prophet said:

اتْرُكُونِي مَا تَرَكْتُكُمْ فَإِذَا حَدَّثْتُكُمْ فَخُذُوا عَنِّي فَإِنَّمَا هَلَكَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ بِكَثْرَةِ سُؤَالِهِمْ وَاخْتِلَافِهِمْ عَلَى أَنْبِيَائِهِمْ

Leave me with what I have left you. When I narrate a saying to you, then take it from me. Indeed, the people before you were destroyed only because of their excessive questioning and disagreeing with their prophets.

[Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book of Knowledge, Number 2679, Sahih ]

________________________________________

Allah is Pure and Accepts Only Pure

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ طَيِّبٌ لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا طَيِّبًا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ أَمَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِمَا أَمَرَ بِهِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ فَقَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنْ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ وَقَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ

ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ الرَّجُلَ يُطِيلُ السَّفَرَ أَشْعَثَ أَغْبَرَ يَمُدُّ يَدَيْهِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ وَمَطْعَمُهُ حَرَامٌ وَمَشْرَبُهُ حَرَامٌ وَمَلْبَسُهُ حَرَامٌ وَغُذِيَ بِالْحَرَامِ فَأَنَّى يُسْتَجَابُ لِذَلِكَ

O people, verily, Allah is pure and He accepts only what is pure. Verily, Allah has commanded the believers with that which He commanded His Messengers. He said: O Messengers, eat from good things and work righteousness, for indeed I am knowing of what you do(23:51); and He said: O you who believe, eat from good things with which We have provided you (2:172).”

Then he mentioned the case of a man who, having traveled very far, becomes disheveled and dusty and he raises his hands to the sky, saying, “O Lord! O Lord!” while his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful, and he is nourished with the unlawful, so how can he be answered?

[Sahih Muslim, Book 5, Number 2214 ]

________________________________________

Leave Doubts

Al-Hasan ibn Ali, the grandson of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, reported: I memorized from the Messenger of Allah his saying:

دَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ إِلَى مَا لَا يَرِيبُكَ فَإِنَّ الصِّدْقَ طُمَأْنِينَةٌ وَإِنَّ الْكَذِبَ رِيبَةٌ

Leave what makes you doubt to what does not make you doubt; verily, truth brings tranquility but falsehood brings doubts.

[Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book of Resurrection, Number 2518, Sahih]

________________________________________

Minding Your Own Business

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

مِنْ حُسْنِ إِسْلَامِ الْمَرْءِ تَرْكُهُ مَا لَا يَعْنِيهِ

It is part of a person’s excellence in Islam that he leaves what does not concern him.

[Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book of Asceticism, Number 2317, Hasan ]

________________________________________

Love Good for All Creation

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

لا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ

None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.

[Sahih Bukhari, Book 2, Number 15]

In another narration, the Prophet said:

وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَا يُؤْمِنُ عَبْدٌ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ مِنْ الْخَيْرِ

By Him in whose Hand is my soul, a servant does not believe until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself of goodness.”

[Musnad Ahmad, Number 12734, Sahih ]

In another narration, the Prophet said:

لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِلنَّاسِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ وَحَتَّى يُحِبَّ الْمَرْءَ لَا يُحِبُّهُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ

None of you has faith until he loves for the people what he loves for himself, and until he loves a person only for the sake of Allah the Exalted.

[Musnad Ahmad, Number 13463, Hasan ]

In another narration, the Prophet said:

وَتُحِبُّ لِلنَّاسِ مَا تُحِبُّ أَنْ يُؤْتَى إِلَيْكَ وَتَكْرَهُ لَهُمْ مَا تَكْرَهُ أَنْ يُؤْتَى إِلَيْكَ

Love for people what you would love for yourself, and hate for people what you would hate for yourself.

[Musnad Ahmad, Number 15453, Hasan ]

In another narration, the Prophet said:

مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُزَحْزَحَ عَنْ النَّارِ وَيَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَلْتُدْرِكْهُ مَنِيَّتُهُ وَهُوَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَيَأْتِي إِلَى النَّاسِ مَا يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُؤْتَى إِلَيْهِ

Whoever would love to be delivered from the Fire and entered into Paradise, then let him die with faith in Allah and the Last Day, and let him treat the people the way he would love to be treated.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 20, Number 4546 ]

An-Nawawi comments on this Hadith:

الأولى أن يحمل ذلك على عموم الأخوة حتى يشمل الكافر والمسلم فيحب لأخيه الكافر مايحب لنفسه من دخوله في الإسلام

كما يحب لأخيه المسلم دوامه على الإسلام ولهذا كان الدعاء بالهداية للكافر مستحباً

والمراد بالمحبة إرادة الخير والمنفعة ثم المراد المحبة الدينية لا المحبة البشرية

It is better to interpret this as brotherhood in general, such that it includes the disbeliever and the Muslim. So he should love for his brother, the disbeliever, what he loves for himself which is his entering Islam, just as he should love for his brother Muslim that he remains in Islam. For this reason, it is recommended to supplicate for the disbeliever to be guided. The meaning of love here is an intention for good and benefit, and this meaning is religious love, not human love.

[Sharh Arba’een An-Nawawi, Hadith Number 13]

Ibn Rajab comments on this Hadith:

أهل المحبة لله نظروا بنور الله وعطفوا على أهل معاصي الله مقتوا أعمالهم وعطفوا عليهم ليزيلوهم بالمواعظ عن فعالهم وأشفقوا على أبدانهم من النار ولا يكون المؤمن مؤمنا حقا حتى يرضى للناس ما يرضاه لنفسه وإن رأى في غيره فضيلة فاق بها عليه فيتمنى لنفسه مثلها فإن كانت تلك الفضيلة دينية كان حسنا

Some of the righteous predecessors said: The people who love Allah look by the light of Allah, and they are compassionate with those who disobey Allah. They hate their actions but show mercy to them so that through their admonitions they might leave their actions. They are afraid that the Hellfire will consume their bodies. The believer will not truly be a believer until he is pleased for people to have what he is pleased for himself. If he sees in someone else some merit by which they excel him, then he wishes the like of it for himself. If that merit is related to the religion then it is good.

[Ibn Rajab, Jami’ Ulum wal-Hikam]

________________________________________

Legal Punishment

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

لَا يَحِلُّ دَمُ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ يَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَّا بِإِحْدَى ثَلَاثٍ الثَّيِّبُ الزَّانِي وَالنَّفْسُ بِالنَّفْسِ وَالتَّارِكُ لِدِينِهِ الْمُفَارِقُ لِلْجَمَاعَةِ

It is unlawful to shed the blood of a Muslim person who testifies that there is no God but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah except in one of three cases: the married person who commits adultery, legal retaliation for murder, and a person who leaves their religion and divides the community.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 16, Number 4152 ]

In another narration, the apostate is described as:

وَرَجُلٌ خَرَجَ مُحَارِبًا لِلَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ

A man who goes out for war against Allah and His Messenger.

[Sunan Abu Dawud, Book of Legal Punishment, Number 4353, Sahih]

________________________________________

Good Manners with Neighbors and Guests

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ جَارَهُ وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ

Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak goodness or be silent; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his neighbor; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 78]

________________________________________

Do Not Become Angry

Abu Huraira reported: A man said to the Prophet, “Counsel me.” The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

لَا تَغْضَبْ

Do not become angry.

The man repeated his request several times, and he kept saying:

لَا تَغْضَبْ

Do not become angry.

[Sahih Bukhari, Book 73, Number 137]

________________________________________

Excellence in All Things

Shaddad ibn Aws reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الْإِحْسَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَإِذَا قَتَلْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الْقِتْلَةَ وَإِذَا ذَبَحْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الذَّبْحَ وَلْيُحِدَّ أَحَدُكُمْ شَفْرَتَهُ فَلْيُرِحْ ذَبِيحَتَهُ

Verily Allah has prescribed excellence in all things. Thus, if you kill, kill well; and if you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 21, Number 4810 ]

________________________________________

Fear Allah Wherever You Are

Abu Dharr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

اتَّقِ اللَّهِ حَيْثُمَا كُنْتَ وَأَتْبِعْ السَّيِّئَةَ الْحَسَنَةَ تَمْحُهَا وَخَالِقِ النَّاسَ بِخُلُقٍ حَسَنٍ

Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good one and it will wipe it out, and behave well towards people.

[Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book 25, Number 1987, Sahih]

________________________________________

Be Mindful of Allah

Abdullah ibn Abbas reported: One day I was behind the Prophet, peace be upon him, and he said to me:

يَا غُلَامُ إِنِّي أُعَلِّمُكَ كَلِمَاتٍ احْفَظْ اللَّهَ يَحْفَظْكَ احْفَظْ اللَّهَ تَجِدْهُ تُجَاهَكَ إِذَا سَأَلْتَ فَاسْأَلْ اللَّهَ وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْأُمَّةَ لَوْ اجْتَمَعَتْ عَلَى أَنْ يَنْفَعُوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَنْفَعُوكَ إِلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ لَكَ وَلَوْ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَضُرُّوكَ بِشَيْءٍ لَمْ يَضُرُّوكَ إِلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ رُفِعَتْ الْأَقْلَامُ وَجَفَّتْ الصُّحُفُ

O boy! I will teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you. When you ask, ask from Allah; and when you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if the entire creation were to gather together to benefit you, then would not benefit you except if Allah willed. And if the entire creation gathered together to harm you, they would not harm you except if Allah willed. The pens have been raised and the pages dried.

[Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book 35, Number 2516, Sahih]

________________________________________

Shame

Abu Mas’ud Uqbah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

إِنَّ مِمَّا أَدْرَكَ النَّاسُ مِنْ كَلَامِ النُّبُوَّةِ إِذَا لَمْ تَسْتَحْيِ فَافْعَلْ مَا شِئْتَ

Verily, among the words people obtained from the first prophecy are: if you feel no shame, then do as you wish.

[Sahih Bukhari, Book 56, Number 690 ]

________________________________________

Uprightness

Sufyan b. Abdulla al-Thaqafi reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, to tell me something about Islam which I would not need to ask anybody afterwards. He said:

قُلْ آمَنْتُ بِاللَّهِ فَاسْتَقِمْ ‏‏

Say, “I believe in Allah,” and thereafter remain steadfast.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 62 ]

________________________________________

Essentials of Salvation

Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allah, “Do you think that if I perform the obligatory prayers, fast in Ramadan, treat as lawful that which is lawful and treat as forbidden that which is forbidden, and do nothing further, I shall enter Paradise?” The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

نَعَمْ

Yes.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 9]

In another narration, the Prophet said:

مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ إِلَى هَذَا

He who is pleased to see a man from the people of Paradise should look to him.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 14 ]

________________________________________

Purification is Half of Faith

Abu Malik Al-Ashari reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

الطُّهُورُ شَطْرُ الْإِيمَانِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ تَمْلَأُ الْمِيزَانَ وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ تَمْلَآَنِ أَوْ تَمْلَأُ مَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالصَّلَاةُ نُورٌ وَالصَّدَقَةُ بُرْهَانٌ وَالصَّبْرُ ضِيَاءٌ وَالْقُرْآنُ حُجَّةٌ لَكَ أَوْ عَلَيْكَ كُلُّ النَّاسِ يَغْدُو فَبَايِعٌ نَفْسَهُ فَمُعْتِقُهَا أَوْ مُوبِقُهَا

Purity is half of faith and the praise of Allah fills the scale, glorification and praise fill up what is between the heavens and the earth, and prayer is a light, and charity is proof (of sincere faith), and patience is illumination, and the Quran is a proof for you or against you. All people go out early in the morning and sell themselves, either setting themselves free or destroying themselves.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 2, Number 432]

Allah Has Forbidden Oppression

Abu Dharr Al-Ghafari reported: Among the sayings the Prophet, peace be upon him, relates from his Lord is that Allah Almighty said:

يَا عِبَادِي إِنِّي حَرَّمْتُ الظُّلْمَ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَجَعَلْتُهُ بَيْنَكُمْ مُحَرَّمًا فَلَا تَظَالَمُوا يَا عِبَادِي كُلُّكُمْ ضَالٌّ إِلَّا مَنْ هَدَيْتُهُ فَاسْتَهْدُونِي أَهْدِكُمْ يَا عِبَادِي كُلُّكُمْ جَائِعٌ إِلَّا مَنْ أَطْعَمْتُهُ فَاسْتَطْعِمُونِي أُطْعِمْكُمْ يَا عِبَادِي كُلُّكُمْ عَارٍ إِلَّا مَنْ كَسَوْتُهُ فَاسْتَكْسُونِي أَكْسُكُمْ يَا عِبَادِي إِنَّكُمْ تُخْطِئُونَ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَأَنَا أَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا فَاسْتَغْفِرُونِي أَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ يَا عِبَادِي إِنَّكُمْ لَنْ تَبْلُغُوا ضَرِّي فَتَضُرُّونِي وَلَنْ تَبْلُغُوا نَفْعِي فَتَنْفَعُونِي يَا عِبَادِي لَوْ أَنَّ أَوَّلَكُمْ وَآخِرَكُمْ وَإِنْسَكُمْ وَجِنَّكُمْ كَانُوا عَلَى أَتْقَى قَلْبِ رَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ مِنْكُمْ مَا زَادَ ذَلِكَ فِي مُلْكِي شَيْئًا يَا عِبَادِي لَوْ أَنَّ أَوَّلَكُمْ وَآخِرَكُمْ وَإِنْسَكُمْ وَجِنَّكُمْ كَانُوا عَلَى أَفْجَرِ قَلْبِ رَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ مَا نَقَصَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ مُلْكِي شَيْئًا يَا عِبَادِي لَوْ أَنَّ أَوَّلَكُمْ وَآخِرَكُمْ وَإِنْسَكُمْ وَجِنَّكُمْ قَامُوا فِي صَعِيدٍ وَاحِدٍ فَسَأَلُونِي فَأَعْطَيْتُ كُلَّ إِنْسَانٍ مَسْأَلَتَهُ مَا نَقَصَ ذَلِكَ مِمَّا عِنْدِي إِلَّا كَمَا يَنْقُصُ الْمِخْيَطُ إِذَا أُدْخِلَ الْبَحْرَ يَا عِبَادِي إِنَّمَا هِيَ أَعْمَالُكُمْ أُحْصِيهَا لَكُمْ ثُمَّ أُوَفِّيكُمْ إِيَّاهَا فَمَنْ وَجَدَ خَيْرًا فَلْيَحْمَدْ اللَّهَ وَمَنْ وَجَدَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ فَلَا يَلُومَنَّ إِلَّا نَفْسَهُ

O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one another. O My servants, all of you are astray except for those I have guided, so seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you. O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food of Me and I shall feed you. O My servants, all of you are naked except for those I have clothed, so seek clothing of Me and I shall clothe you. O My servants, you sin by night and by day, and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness of Me and I shall forgive you. O My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm Me, and you will not attain benefiting Me so as to benefit Me. O my servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to become as pious as the most pious heart of any one man of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any one man of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything. O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more than a needle decreases the sea if put into it. O My servants, it is but your deeds that I reckon up for you and then recompense you for, so let him who finds good praise Allah, and let him who finds other than that blame no one but himself.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Number 6246 ]

________________________________________

Many Ways to Give Charity

Abu Dharr reported: Some people from the companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him, came to the Prophet and said, “O Messenger of Allah, the rich have taken the rewards. They perform prayer as we pray, they fast as we fast, and they give charity from their extra wealth.” He said:

أَوَ لَيْسَ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ مَا تَصَّدَّقُونَ إِنَّ بِكُلِّ تَسْبِيحَةٍ صَدَقَةً وَكُلِّ تَكْبِيرَةٍ صَدَقَةً وَكُلِّ تَحْمِيدَةٍ صَدَقَةً وَكُلِّ تَهْلِيلَةٍ صَدَقَةً وَأَمْرٌ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ صَدَقَةٌ وَنَهْيٌ عَنْ مُنْكَرٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَفِي بُضْعِ أَحَدِكُمْ صَدَقَةٌ

Has not Allah made for you ways to give charity? In every glorification of Allah there is charity; and in every declaration of His greatness there is charity; and in praise of Him is charity; and in every declaration of His oneness there is charity; and enjoining good is charity and forbidding evil is charity; and in a man’s intimate relations with his wife is charity.

They said, “O Messenger of Allah, is there a reward for one who satisfies his passions?” He said:

أَرَأَيْتُمْ لَوْ وَضَعَهَا فِي حَرَامٍ أَكَانَ عَلَيْهِ فِيهَا وِزْرٌ فَكَذَلِكَ إِذَا وَضَعَهَا فِي الْحَلَالِ كَانَ لَهُ أَجْرًا

You see if he were to devote himself to something forbidden it would be a sin; likewise, if he were to devote himself to something lawful, he will have a reward.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 5, Number 2198 ]

________________________________________

Charity Due Upon Every Joint

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

كُلُّ سُلَامَى مِنْ النَّاس عَلَيْهِ صَدَقَةٌ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ تَطْلُعُ فِيهِ الشَّمْسُ يَعْدِلُ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ صَدَقَةٌ

There is charity due upon every joint of the human body; every day on which the sun rises there is a reward of charity for the one who establishes justice among people.

[Sahih Bukhari, Book 49, Number 870 ]

________________________________________

Righteousness is Good Character

Al-Nawwas ibn Samaan reported: The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

الْبِرُّ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ وَالإِثْمُ مَا حَاكَ فِي صَدْرِكَ وَكَرِهْتَ أَنْ يَطَّلِعَ عَلَيْهِ النَّاسُ

Righteousness is to have good character and sin is what festers in your heart and you hate for people to know about it.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Number 6195 ]

In another narration, the Prophet said:

اسْتَفْتِ نَفْسَكَ اسْتَفْتِ قَلْبَكَ يَا وَابِصَةُ ثَلَاثًا الْبِرُّ مَا اطْمَأَنَّتْ إِلَيْهِ النَّفْسُ وَاطْمَأَنَّ إِلَيْهِ الْقَلْبُ وَالْإِثْمُ مَا حَاكَ فِي النَّفْسِ وَتَرَدَّدَ فِي الصَّدْرِ وَإِنْ أَفْتَاكَ النَّاسُ وَأَفْتَوْكَ

Consult your soul, consult your heart, O Wabisa. Righteousness is what is satisfying to your soul and your heart. Sin is what wavers in your soul and causes hesitancy in your chest, even if the people give you a judgment, and again give you a judgment.”

[Sunan Ad-Darimi, Book of Trade, Number 2533, Hasan]

________________________________________

Upholding the Sunnah

Al-‘Irbad ibn Sariyah reported: One day after prayer the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, admonished us such that the eyes wept and hearts shuddered. A man said, “Indeed, this is a farewell speech, so what do you order us, O Messenger of Allah?” He said:

أُوصِيكُمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَالسَّمْعِ وَالطَّاعَةِ وَإِنْ عَبْدٌ حَبَشِيٌّ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ يَعِشْ مِنْكُمْ يَرَى اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَمُحْدَثَاتِ الْأُمُورِ فَإِنَّهَا ضَلَالَةٌ فَمَنْ أَدْرَكَ ذَلِكَ مِنْكُمْ فَعَلَيْهِ بِسُنَّتِي وَسُنَّةِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ الْمَهْدِيِّينَ عَضُّوا عَلَيْهَا بِالنَّوَاجِذِ

I enjoin you to fear Allah, and to listen and obey your leaders even if he is a slave from Ethiopia. Indeed, whoever lives among you will see many differences. Beware of newly invented matters, for indeed they are misguidance. So whoever sees that must uphold my precedent (sunnah) and the precedent of the upright successors who are guided; bite onto it with you molar teeth.

[Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book, Number 2676, Sahih]

________________________________________

Virtuous Deeds

Mu’adh ibn Jabal reported: I was with the Prophet, peace be upon him, and we woke up one day and I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me about a deed that will enter me into Paradise and keep me away from the Fire.” He said:

لَقَدْ سَأَلْتَنِي عَنْ عَظِيمٍ وَإِنَّهُ لَيَسِيرٌ عَلَى مَنْ يَسَّرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ تَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكْ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَتُقِيمُ الصَّلَاةَ وَتُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ وَتَصُومُ رَمَضَانَ وَتَحُجُّ الْبَيْتَ

You have asked about an enormous matter, yet it is easy for whom Allah makes it easy. Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him; establish the prayer; give the charity; fast the month of Ramadan; and perform pilgrimage to the House.

Then he said:

أَلَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ الْخَيْرِ الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ وَالصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِئُ الْخَطِيئَةَ كَمَا يُطْفِئُ الْمَاءُ النَّارَ وَصَلَاةُ الرَّجُلِ مِنْ جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ

Shall I not tell you about the gates of goodness? Fasting is a shield ; charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire; and the prayer of a man in the late night.

Then he recited:

تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنْ الْمَضَاجِعِ حَتَّى بَلَغَ يَعْمَلُونَ

They arise from their beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend from what We have provided them, and no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do.

[Surah As-Sajda 32:16-17]

Then he said:

أَلَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِرَأْسِ الْأَمْرِ كُلِّهِ وَعَمُودِهِ وَذِرْوَةِ سَنَامِهِ

Shall I not tell you about the head of the matter and its peak?

I said, “Of course, O Messenger of Allah.” He said:

رَأْسُ الْأَمْرِ الْإِسْلَامُ وَعَمُودُهُ الصَّلَاةُ وَذِرْوَةُ سَنَامِهِ الْجِهَادُ

The head of the matter is Islam; its pillar is the prayer; and struggle (jihad) is its peak.

Then he said:

أَلَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِمَلَاكِ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ

Shall I not tell you how to achieve all of this?

I said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah,” and he took hold of his tongue and said:

كُفَّ عَلَيْكَ هَذَا

Restrain this.

I said, “O Prophet of Allah, will what we say be held against us?” He said:

ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ يَا مُعَاذُ وَهَلْ يَكُبُّ النَّاسَ فِي النَّارِ عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ أَوْ عَلَى مَنَاخِرِهِمْ إِلَّا حَصَائِدُ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ

May your mother be bereaved of you, O Mu’adh! Is there anything that topples people onto their faces in the Hellfire except the harvest of their tongues?

[Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book of Faith, Number 2616, Sahih]

________________________________________

Duties, Limits, and Allah’s Merciful Silence

Abu Tha’laba Al-Khushani reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ فَرَضَ فَرَائِضَ فَلَا تُضَيِّعُوهَا ، وَحَدَّ حُدُودًا فَلَا تَعْتَدُوهَا ، وَسَكَتَ عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ رَحْمَةً لَكُمْ غَيْرَ نِسْيَانٍ فَلَا تَبْحَثُوا عَنْهَا

Verily, Allah has made duties obligatory, so do not neglect them; and He has set limits, so do not transgress them; and He has remained silent concerning things as mercy for you, not out of forgetfulness, so do not search them out.

[Sunan Al-Daraqutani, Number 4316, Hasan ]

________________________________________

Renounce the World and Allah Will Love You

Sahl ibn Sa’ad Al-Sa’di reported: A man came to the Prophet and said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me about a deed I can do which will make Allah and the people love me.” The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

ازْهَدْ فِي الدُّنْيَا يُحِبَّكَ اللَّهُ وَازْهَدْ فِيمَا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ يُحِبُّوكَ

Renounce the world and Allah will love you, and renounce what people possess and the people will love you.

[Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Asceticism, Number 4102, Hasan ]

________________________________________

No Being Harmed or Harming Others

Sa’d bin Malik Al-Khudari reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, made a decree:

لاَ ضَرَرَ وَلاَ ضِرَارَ

Do not be harmed or harm others.

[Sunan ibn Majah, Book 13, Number 2340, Da'eef ]

________________________________________

Burden of Proof is Upon the Claimant

Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

لَوْ يُعْطَى النَّاسُ بِدَعْوَاهُمْ لَادَّعَى رِجَالٌ أَمْوَالَ قَوْمٍ وَدِمَاءَهُمْ وَلَكِنَّ الْبَيِّنَةَ عَلَى الْمُدَّعِي وَالْيَمِينَ عَلَى مَنْ أَنْكَرَ

If people were given in accordance with their claims, then men would claim the wealth and lives of other people; rather, the burden of proof is on the claimant, and the taking of an oath is an obligation upon him who denies the claim.

[Al-Bayhaqi, Sunan Al-Kubra, Number 20604, Hasan ]

________________________________________

Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَرًا فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِقَلْبِهِ وَذَلِكَ أَضْعَفُ الْإِيمَانِ

Whoever among you sees something wrong should change it with his hands. If he is unable to do so, then with his tongue. If he is unable to do so, then at least hate it in his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.

[Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 79 ]

Al-Barbahari comments on this Hadith:

والأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر باليد واللسان والقلب بلا سيف

Enjoining good and forbidding evil is with the hand, the tongue, and the heart, not with the sword.

[Sharh As-Sunnah 129]

Ibn Rajab comments on this Hadith:

التغيير باليد لا يستلزم القتال وقد نص على ذلك أحمد أيضًا في رواية صالح فقال التغيير باليد ليس بالسيف والسلاح

قال أحمد لا يتعرض إلى السلطان فإن سيفه مسلول

Changing something with one’s hand does not necessarily entail fighting, and Ahmad also stated that in a version narrated from him by Salih. He said, “Changing things with one’s hand is not done with swords or weapons…” Ahmad said, “Do not oppose the ruler, because his sword is unsheathed.”

[Ibn Rajb, Jami' Ulum wal-Hikam]

________________________________________

Manners of Brotherhood

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

لَا تَحَاسَدُوا وَلَا تَنَاجَشُوا وَلَا تَبَاغَضُوا وَلَا تَدَابَرُوا وَلَا يَبِعْ بَعْضُكُمْ عَلَى بَيْعِ بَعْضٍ وَكُونُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ إِخْوَانًا الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَلَا يَخْذُلُهُ وَلَا يَحْقِرُهُ التَّقْوَى هَاهُنَا وَيُشِيرُ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ بِحَسْبِ امْرِئٍ مِنْ الشَّرِّ أَنْ يَحْقِرَ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ كُلُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ حَرَامٌ دَمُهُ وَمَالُهُ وَعِرْضُهُ

Do not envy, and do not outbid each other, and do not hate, and do not turn away, and do not outsell each other, and be servants of Allah as brothers. The Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not wrong him or humiliate him or look down upon him. Righteousness is here, and he pointed to his chest three times. It is sufficient evil for a person to look down upon his brother Muslim. All of the Muslim is sacred to another Muslim: his life, his wealth, and his honor.”

[Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Number 6219 ]

________________________________________

Allah Helps Him Who Helps His Brother

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

مَنْ نَفَّسَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ كُرْبَةً مِنْ كُرَبِ الدُّنْيَا نَفَّسَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ كُرْبَةً مِنْ كُرَبِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَمَنْ يَسَّرَ عَلَى مُعْسِرٍ يَسَّرَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ وَمَنْ سَتَرَ مُسْلِمًا سَتَرَهُ اللَّهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ وَاللَّهُ فِي عَوْنِ الْعَبْدِ مَا كَانَ الْعَبْدُ فِي عَوْنِ أَخِيهِ وَمَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهِ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَمَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِي بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللَّهِ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِلاَّ نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَحَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ وَمَنْ بَطَّأَ بِهِ عَمَلُهُ لَمْ يُسْرِعْ بِهِ نَسَبُهُ

He who relieves the hardship of a believer in this world, Allah will relieve his hardship on the Day of Judgment. He who makes easy what is difficult, Allah will make it easy for him in the world and the Hereafter. He who conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in the world and the Hereafter. Allah helps the servant so long as he helps his brother. He who travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy a path to Paradise. A people do not gather together in the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying together, except that tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will cover them, angels will surround them, and Allah will mention them to those with Him. And he who is slow to good deeds will not be hastened by his lineage

[Sahih Muslim, Book 35, Number 6518 ]

________________________________________

Recording of Good and Bad Deeds

Ibn Abbas reported: Among the sayings of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, that he relates from his Lord is:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الْحَسَنَاتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ ثُمَّ بَيَّنَ ذَلِكَ فَمَنْ هَمَّ بِحَسَنَةٍ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حَسَنَةً كَامِلَةً وَإِنْ هَمَّ بِهَا فَعَمِلَهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عِنْدَهُ عَشْرَ حَسَنَاتٍ إِلَى سَبْعِ مِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ إِلَى أَضْعَافٍ كَثِيرَةٍ وَإِنْ هَمَّ بِسَيِّئَةٍ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حَسَنَةً كَامِلَةً وَإِنْ هَمَّ بِهَا فَعَمِلَهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ سَيِّئَةً وَاحِدَةً

Verily, Allah has recorded good and bad deeds and He made them clear. Whoever intends to perform a good deed but does not do it, then Allah will record it as a complete good deed, but if he intends to do it and does so, then Allah the Exalted will record it as ten good deeds up to seven hundred times as much or even more; if he intends to do a bad deed and does not do it, then Allah will record for him one complete good deed, but if he does it then Allah will record for him a single bad deed.”

[Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 237 ]

________________________________________

Loyal Friends of Allah

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَالَ مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ عَبْدِي بِشَيْءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ بِهِ وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِي يُبْصِرُ بِهِ وَيَدَهُ الَّتِي يَبْطِشُ بِهَا وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِي يَمْشِي بِهَا وَإِنْ سَأَلَنِي لَأُعْطِيَنَّهُ وَلَئِنْ اسْتَعَاذَنِي لَأُعِيذَنَّهُ وَمَا تَرَدَّدْتُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ تَرَدُّدِي عَنْ نَفْسِ الْمُؤْمِنِ يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَأَنَا أَكْرَهُ مَسَاءَتَهُ

Verily, Allah Almighty said: Whoever shows hostility to a friend of mine, then I have declared war upon him. My servant does not grow closer to me with anything more beloved to Me than the duties I have imposed upon him. My servant continues to draw near me with extra works until I love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hands with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask something from me, I would surely give it to him; and if he were to ask me for refuge, I would surely grant it to him.

[Sahih Bukhari, Book 76, Number 509 ]

________________________________________

Pardon for Honest Mistakes

Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَجَاوَزَ عَنْ أُمَّتِي الْخَطَأَ وَالنِّسْيَانَ وَمَا اسْتُكْرِهُوا عَلَيْهِ

Verily, Allah has pardoned my nation for their mistakes, their forgetfulness, and what they are coerced into doing.

[Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Divorce, Number 2043, Sahih]

________________________________________

Be in the World as a Stranger

Abdullah ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, took hold of my shoulder and said:

كُنْ فِي الدُّنْيَا كَأَنَّكَ غَرِيبٌ، أَوْ عَابِرُ سَبِيلٍ

Be in the world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer.

[Sahih Bukhari, Book 76, Number 425 ]

Ibn Umar used to say:

إِذَا أَمْسَيْتَ فَلاَ تَنْتَظِرِ الصَّبَاحَ، وَإِذَا أَصْبَحْتَ فَلاَ تَنْتَظِرِ الْمَسَاءَ، وَخُذْ مِنْ صِحَّتِكَ لِمَرَضِكَ، وَمِنْ حَيَاتِكَ لِمَوْتِكَ

At evening do not expect to live till morning, and at morning do not expect to live till evening. Take from your health for your illness and from your life for your death.

________________________________________

Desire and Islam

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

لَنْ يَسْتَكْمِلَ مُؤْمِنٌ إِيمَانَهُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ هَوَاهُ تَبَعًا لِمَا جِئْتُكُمْ بِهِ

A believer will never perfect his faith until his desires follow what I have brought to you.

[Al-Bayhaqi, Al-Madkhal As-Sunnah Al-Kubra, Number 150, Hasan]

________________________________________

Door of Repentance is Always Open

Anas reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, say:

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنَّكَ مَا دَعَوْتَنِي وَرَجَوْتَنِي غَفَرْتُ لَكَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ فِيكَ وَلَا أُبَالِي يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ لَوْ بَلَغَتْ ذُنُوبُكَ عَنَانَ السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ اسْتَغْفَرْتَنِي غَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَلَا أُبَالِي يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنَّكَ لَوْ أَتَيْتَنِي بِقُرَابِ الْأَرْضِ خَطَايَا ثُمَّ لَقِيتَنِي لَا تُشْرِكُ بِي شَيْئًا لَأَتَيْتُكَ بِقُرَابِهَا مَغْفِرَةً

Allah, Blessed and Exalted, says: son of Adam, however much you call upon Me and place your hopes in Me, I will forgive you without any reservation. Son of Adam, if you have sins piling up to the clouds and then ask My forgiveness, I will forgive you without any reservation. son of Adam, if you come to me with enough mistakes to fill the Earth, and meet Me without associating anything as a partner with Me, I will come to you with enough forgiveness to fill the earth.

[Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book 45, Number 3540, Hasan]