That Which Is Light On The Tongue, But Heavy In Scale

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَلِمَتَانِ خَفِيفَتَانِ عَلَى اللِّسَانِ ثَقِيلَتَانِ فِي الْمِيزَانِ حَبِيبَتَانِ إِلَى الرَّحْمَنِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ

‘Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: ‘Two are the expressions which are light on the tongue, but heavy in scale, dear to the Compassionate One:

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ

“Hallowed be Allah and praise is due to Him”; and “Hallowed be Allah, the Great."’

Grade: Sahih

Source: Sahih Muslim 2694

(Hadith translation taken fromhttp://sunnah.com/muslim/48/41)

Lessons:

1.  As a muslim, we are encouraged to increased the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah.

  

2.  Two expressions which are light on the tongue, but heavy in scale and dear to the Compassionate One are:

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ

3.  They are the expressions that forgive one’s sins even as much as the foam of the sea. Other hadith mentioned that:

مَنْ قَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ فِي يَوْمٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ حُطَّتْ خَطَايَاهُ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ مِثْلَ زَبَدِ الْبَحْرِ

“Whoever says, Subhanallahiwabihamdih (Hallowed be Allah and praise is due to Him), one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6405)

Let’s increase our remembrance of Allah.

Asking For Forgiveness And Performing Dhikr After Each Prayer

عَنْ ثَوْبَانُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ إِذَا انْصَرَفَ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ اسْتَغْفَرَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ 

 

Thawban narrated that when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished his prayer, he would ask for forgiveness three times, then he would say: 

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ 

“O Allah, You are As-Salam and from You is all peace, Blessed are You O Possessor of majesty and honour.” 

 

Grade: Sahih (Darussalam) 

Source: Sunan Ibn Majah : 928 

 

(Hadith translation taken from http://sunnah.com/urn/1282760) 

 

Lessons: 

 

 

1.  After finishing a prayer, it is encouraged to ask for forgiveness, dhikr (remembrance) of Allah, and to supplicate. 

 

2.  Whenever Rasulullah SAW finished his prayer, he would ask for forgiveness three times. 

 

3.  Among the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah practiced by Rasulullah SAW after finished a prayer was:

  

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ 

It is encouraged to not quickly get up from the prayer place after salam, before asking for forgiveness and performing dhikr.

Supplication After Prayer And Avoiding Bad Manners

عَنْ وَرَّادٍ كَاتِبِ الْمُغِيرَةِ بْنِ شُعْبَةَ أَنَّ مُعَاوِيَةَ كَتَبَ إِلَى الْمُغِيرَةِ أَنْ اكْتُبْ إِلَيَّ بِحَدِيثٍ سَمِعْتَهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ الْمُغِيرَةُ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ عِنْدَ انْصِرَافِهِ مِنْ الصَّلَاةِ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ قَالَ وَكَانَ يَنْهَى عَنْ قِيلَ وَقَالَ وَكَثْرَةِ السُّؤَالِ وَإِضَاعَةِ الْمَالِ وَمَنْعٍ وَهَاتِ وَعُقُوقِ الْأُمَّهَاتِ وَوَأْدِ الْبَنَاتِ 

 

It was narrated by Warrad, the clerk of Al-Mughira bin Shu`ba : Muawiya wrote to Al-Mughira: "Write to me a narration you have heard from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)." So Al-Mughira wrote to him, "I heard him saying the following after each prayer:  

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 

‘None has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and His are the praise and He is Able to do all things.’ 

He repeated them three times. He also used to forbid idle talk, asking too many questions (in religion), wasting money, preventing what should be given, and asking others for something (except in great need), being undutiful to mothers, and burying one's little daughters (alive). 

 

Grade: Sahih 

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6473 

 

(Hadith translation taken from http://sunnah.com/bukhari/81/62 

 

Lessons: 

 

1. Rasulullah SAW recited the following wirid (repeated expressions from Quran) three times after performing the obligatory prayer:  

 

لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ 

 

2. Rasulullah SAW forbade the following forms of sinful misconduct: 

 

a. Spreading rumours or gossip

 

b. Asking too many questions that do not bring benefit

 

c. Being wasteful in spending

 

d. Being undutiful to mothers  

 

e. Preventing other people from gaining benefit or goodness 

 

f. Burying one's little daughters alive (which was a cultural practice at the time)

 

May Allah keep us away from bad manners and sins.

Reciting "Subhanallah (Hallowed be Allah)" Is Rewarded Two-Fold

عَنْ مُصْعَبِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ أَيَعْجِزُ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَكْسِبَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ أَلْفَ حَسَنَةٍ فَسَأَلَهُ سَائِلٌ مِنْ جُلَسَائِهِ كَيْفَ يَكْسِبُ أَحَدُنَا أَلْفَ حَسَنَةٍ قَالَ يُسَبِّحُ مِائَةَ تَسْبِيحَةٍ فَيُكْتَبُ لَهُ أَلْفُ حَسَنَةٍ أَوْ يُحَطُّ عَنْهُ أَلْفُ خَطِيئَةٍ

Mus'ab b. Sa'd reported that his father told him that he had been in the company of Allah's Messenger (pbuh) that he said:

"Is one amongst you powerless to obtain one thousand virtues every day?" 

Amongst those who had been sitting there, one asked, "How can one amongst us obtain one thousand virtues every day?" 

He said, "Recite: 'Subhanallah (Hallowed be Allah)' one hundred times, for (by reciting it) one thousand virtues are recorded and one thousand vices are blotted out.

Grade: Sahih

Source: Sahih Muslim 2698

Translation: Adapted from http://sunnah.com/muslim/48/47

Lessons:

1. Dzikr (remembrance of Allah) is a commandment of Islam.

2. Reciting 'Subhanallah (Hallowed be Allah)' is one practice which gains an individual reward and eliminates sin.

3. One who recites 'Subhanallah' one hundred times a day will acquire a thousand merits and will have a thousand of his sins absolved.

Let us regularly recite 'Subhanallah'

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَنْ قَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ فِي يَوْمٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ حُطَّتْ خَطَايَاهُ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ مِثْلَ زَبَدِ الْبَحْرِ

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "Whoever says 'Subhanallah wa bihamdih (Hallowed be Allah, and all praise is for Allah' one hundred times a day, he will be forgiven of all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea."

Grade: Sahih

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 6405

Translation: sunnah.com

Cleaning Body Hair Every 40 Days

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَنَسٌ وُقِّتَ لَنَا فِي قَصِّ الشَّارِبِ وَتَقْلِيمِ الْأَظْفَارِ وَنَتْفِ الْإِبِطِ وَحَلْقِ الْعَانَةِ أَنْ لَا نَتْرُكَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً

Anas reported:

A time limit has been prescribed for us for clipping the moustache, cutting the nails, plucking hair under the armpits, and shaving the pubes that it should not be neglected for more than forty nights.

Hadith translation taken from sunnah.com

Grade: sahih (authentic) – Imam Muslim 

Lessons:

1. All Muslims need to be vigilant of their neatness and cleanliness. 

2. Muslims must ensure their hygiene by taking these self-care actions every 40 days:

a. Clipping the moustache

b. Plucking hair under the armpits

c. Shaving the pubes

d. Cutting the nails

Let’s be clean and neat all the time!

Ten Acts In Accordance With Fitrah (Nature)

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَشْرٌ مِنْ الْفِطْرَةِ قَصُّ الشَّارِبِ وَإِعْفَاءُ اللِّحْيَةِ وَالسِّوَاكُ وَاسْتِنْشَاقُ الْمَاءِ وَقَصُّ الْأَظْفَارِ وَغَسْلُ الْبَرَاجِمِ وَنَتْفُ الْإِبِطِ وَحَلْقُ الْعَانَةِ وَانْتِقَاصُ الْمَاءِ قَالَ زَكَرِيَّاءُ قَالَ مُصْعَبٌ وَنَسِيتُ الْعَاشِرَةَ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ الْمَضْمَضَةَ

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: Ten are the acts according to fitrah (nature): clipping the moustache, letting the beard grow, using the tooth-stick, cleansing the nose (Al-Istinshaq) with water, cutting the nails, washing the finger joints, plucking the hair under the armpits, shaving the pubes, and cleansing one's private parts (after easing or urinating) with water. The narrator said: I have forgotten the tenth, but it may have been rinsing the mouth. 

[Sunan Abu Dawud no. 53]

Reference: sunnah.com

May we be steadfast in maintaining our cleanliness!

The Loss of Trustworthiness And The Day of Judgment

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ بَيْنَمَا النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي مَجْلِسٍ يُحَدِّثُ الْقَوْمَ جَاءَهُ أَعْرَابِيٌّ فَقَالَ مَتَى السَّاعَةُ فَمَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُحَدِّثُ فَقَالَ بَعْضُ الْقَوْمِ سَمِعَ مَا قَالَ فَكَرِهَ مَا قَالَ وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَلْ لَمْ يَسْمَعْ حَتَّى إِذَا قَضَى حَدِيثَهُ قَالَ أَيْنَ أُرَاهُ السَّائِلُ عَنْ السَّاعَةِ قَالَ هَا أَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَإِذَا ضُيِّعَتْ الْأَمَانَةُ فَانْتَظِرْ السَّاعَةَ قَالَ كَيْفَ إِضَاعَتُهَا قَالَ إِذَا وُسِّدَ الْأَمْرُ إِلَى غَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ فَانْتَظِرْ السَّاعَة

Narrated Abu Huraira:

While the Prophet (pbuh) was saying something in a gathering, a Bedouin came and asked him, "When will the Hour (Doomsday) take place?" Allah's Messenger (pbuh) continued his talk, so some people said that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) had heard the question, but did not like what that Bedouin had asked. Some of them said that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) had not heard it. When the Prophet (pbuh) finished his speech, he said, "Where is the questioner, who inquired about the Hour (Doomsday)?" The Bedouin said, "I am here, O Allah's Apostle." Then the Prophet (pbuh) said, "When trustworthiness is lost, then wait for the Hour (Doomsday)." The Bedouin said, "How will that be lost?" The Prophet (pbuh) said, "When power or authority comes in the hands of unfit persons, then wait for the Hour (Doomsday.)" 

Grade: sahih (authentic) – Imam al-Bukhari 

Lessons:

1. Doomsday (Yaum al-Qiyamah) is the end of this world

2. One of the signs of Doomsday is when trustworthiness is lost

3. Trustworthiness is a value in faith. When one has lost his honesty, is drawn to worldly goodness, and involves himself in sins and evils, the value of faith will fade

4. Trustworthiness is lost when administration and the power of authority are put in the hands of those unqualified 

5. According to Al-Munawi, the day of the Hereafter is close when the work of amar maaruf (enjoining good) and nahi munkar (prohibiting evil) is in the hands of those who are dishonest, fragile, and weak in their religious practices, thus causing ignorance to be widespread

Let’s be honest as a sign of imaan!

Fulfilling The Prophet's (PBUH) Commandments

عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا أَخْبَرَهُ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو سُفْيَانَ أَنَّ هِرَقْلَ قَالَ لَهُ سَأَلْتُكَ مَاذَا يَأْمُرُكُمْ فَزَعَمْتَ أَنَّهُ أَمَرَكُمْ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالصِّدْقِ وَالْعَفَافِ وَالْوَفَاءِ بِالْعَهْدِ وَأَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ قَالَ وَهَذِهِ صِفَةُ نَبِيّ

Narrated Abdullah bin Abbas: Abu Sufyan told me that Heraclius said to him, ‘When I inquired you what he (i.e. Prophet Muhammad) ordered you, you replied that he ordered you to establish the prayer, to give charity, to keep from bad deeds, to keep promises and to pay back trusts.’ Then Heraclius added, ‘These are really the qualities of a prophet.’

- Saheeh Bukhari 2681 -

Grade: Saheeh (authentic)

Lessons: 

1.  Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the best role model for humankind.

2.  The Prophet (pbuh) taught and preached to his nation to enjoin good and forbid evil.

3.  The deeds commanded by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) told to Heraclius by Abu Sufyan were:

a. To carry out the solah (prayer)

b. To pay zakah (alms or obligatory charity)

c. To restrain oneself from bad deeds

d. To keep one’s promises

e. To fulfill one’s duties

Let us be make the best of ourselves by following the examples manifested by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)!

Description of The Arrogant On The Day of Judgment

عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَدِّهِ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ يُحْشَرُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَمْثَالَ الذَّرِّ فِي صُوَرِ الرِّجَالِ يَغْشَاهُمْ الذُّلُّ مِنْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَيُسَاقُونَ إِلَى سِجْنٍ فِي جَهَنَّمَ يُسَمَّى بُولَسَ تَعْلُوهُمْ نَارُ الْأَنْيَارِ يُسْقَوْنَ مِنْ عُصَارَةِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ طِينَةَ الْخَبَالِ

Amr bin Shu'aib narrated from his father, from his grandfather from the Prophet (s.a.w) who said: "The proud will be gathered on the Day of Judgement resembling tiny ants in the image of men. They will be covered with humiliation everywhere, they will be dragged into a prison in Hell called Bulas, submerged in the Fire of Fires, drinking the drippings of the people of the Fire (which is called), thinatul khabal - filled with derangement."

Reference: At Tirmidhi 2416

Grade: Hasan (sound)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Pride and arrogance are characteristics of Iblis (the Devil), who saw himself as nobler than and condescended upon Prophet Adam (peace be upon him).

2. The arrogant will be gathered in the Hereafter resembling tiny ants in the image of men and will be covered with humiliation everywhere and drink from the fluids of the dwellers of Hellfire.

3. This description in the hadith above alludes to the lowly and unenviable status of those who harbour pride and arrogance in themselves.

Let us be compassionate individuals and shun arrogance from within ourselves. Pride and arrogance will only lead us to place ourselves above and humiliate others.

Do Not Hate One Another

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ تَبَاغَضُوا، وَلاَ تَحَاسَدُوا، وَلاَ تَدَابَرُوا، وَكُونُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ إِخْوَانًا، وَلاَ يَحِلُّ لِمُسْلِمٍ أَنْ يَهْجُرَ أَخَاهُ فَوْقَ ثَلاَثِ لَيَالٍ ‏"‌‏. 

 

Narrated Anas bin Malik: 

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Do not hate one another, nor be jealous of one another; and do not desert one another, but O Allah's worshipers! Be Brothers! And it is unlawful for a Muslim to desert his brother Muslim (and not to talk to him) for more than three nights." 

 

Grade: Sahih 

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 6076 

https://sunnah.com/bukhari/78/104 

 

Lessons: 

1. Muslims are prohibited from hating one another. 

 

2. Jealousy and envy towards the blessings of others should be avoided. 

 

3. Animosity between Muslims are forbidden because Muslims are the kin of one another. 

 

4. Those who quarrel should not do so for more than three days.

A Mukmin Is Like A Date Tree

مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ مَثَلُ النَّخْلَةِ , مَا أَخَذْتَ مِنْهَا مِنْ شَيْءٍ نَفَعَكَ 

 

The analogy of a Mukmin is like a date tree. You will gain benefit regardless of what you take (extract) from it.  

 

(HR Tabrani in al-Mu’jamul Kabir 12 (no. 1351))  

 

Lessons: 

 

1. A mukmin should take heed of the example of the date tree. All of its components are beneficial; its fruits are nutritious, its trunks are used for construction (in those days) and its leaves (fronds) are used for roofing. 

 

2. An example of a mukmin’s patience and perseverance should be like the date tree in its sturdiness during strong winds. You will rarely find a fallen date tree when compared to other trees during strong winds, due to the tree having firm roots. This is a great comparison of how a mukmin should have strong iman (faith) rooted in his heart, to persevere during hard times.  

 

3. Dates are also known to taste better when more ripe; thus a mukmins’ quality of amal (good deeds) should also improve as he ages. 

 

4. The dates two forms are also full of benefits; a ruthab (juicy date) is widely eaten as a plain fruit or mixed into sweets, and a tamr (dry date) is also consumed as a plain fruit or in sweets, but has also been used for making traditional remedies. Thus a mukmin should also be full of benefits in all his forms.

Isti’azah To Control Anger

حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَدِيُّ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنَ صُرَدٍ، رَجُلاً مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ اسْتَبَّ رَجُلاَنِ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَغَضِبَ أَحَدُهُمَا، فَاشْتَدَّ غَضَبُهُ حَتَّى انْتَفَخَ وَجْهُهُ وَتَغَيَّرَ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ إِنِّي لأَعْلَمُ كَلِمَةً لَوْ قَالَهَا لَذَهَبَ عَنْهُ الَّذِي يَجِدُ ‏"‌‏.‏ فَانْطَلَقَ إِلَيْهِ الرَّجُلُ فَأَخْبَرَهُ بِقَوْلِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَالَ تَعَوَّذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ‏.‏ فَقَالَ أَتُرَى بِي بَأْسٌ أَمَجْنُونٌ أَنَا اذْهَبْ‏ 

 

Narrated Sulaiman bin Surad: 

A man from the companions of the Prophet (SAW) said, "Two men abused each other in front of the Prophet (SAW) and one of them became angry and his anger became so intense that his face became swollen and changed. The Prophet (SAW) said, "I know a word the saying of which will cause him to relax if he does say it." Then a man went to him and informed him of the statement of the Prophet (SAW) and said, "Seek refuge with Allah from Satan." On that, the angry man said, 'Do you find anything wrong with me? Am I insane? Go away!" 

 

Grade: Sahih 

 

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 6048 

https://sunnah.com/bukhari/78/78 

 

Lessons: 

 

1. Anger is influenced by Satan. Imam al-Ghazali said that one feels anger because his nerves are “pulled” by Satan. 

 

2. When a person is angry, he loses his rationality. If he does not control his anger, his actions can make it appear like he has lost his mind. 

 

3. When angry, Rasulullah (SAW) teaches us to say: “أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم”, which means: “I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the Accursed”. 

Allah mentions: 

وَإِمَّا یَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّیۡطَـٰنِ نَزۡغࣱ فَٱسۡتَعِذۡ بِٱللَّهِۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِیعُ ٱلۡعَلِیمُ

“And if there comes to you from Satan an evil suggestion, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” 

[Al-Fussilat, 41:36] 

 

4. We must always seek Allah’s protection from the Syaitan that continually seeks to influence us to express our anger.

Exemplary Traits of A Mukmin

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ يَأْخُذُ عَنِّي هَؤُلَاءِ الْكَلِمَاتِ فَيَعْمَلُ بِهِنَّ أَوْ يُعَلِّمُ مَنْ يَعْمَلُ بِهِنَّ فَقَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ فَقُلْتُ أَنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَعَدَّ خَمْسًا وَقَالَ اتَّقِ الْمَحَارِمَ تَكُنْ أَعْبَدَ النَّاسِ وَارْضَ بِمَا قَسَمَ اللَّهُ لَكَ تَكُنْ أَغْنَى النَّاسِ وَأَحْسِنْ إِلَى جَارِكَ تَكُنْ مُؤْمِنًا وَأَحِبَّ لِلنَّاسِ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ تَكُنْ مُسْلِمًا وَلَا تُكْثِرْ الضَّحِكَ فَإِنَّ كَثْرَةَ الضَّحِكِ تُمِيتُ الْقَلْبَ 

 

Al-Hasan narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: "Who will take these statements from me, so that he may act upon them, or teach one who will act upon them?" So Abu Hurairah said: "I said: 'I shall O Messenger of Allah!' So he (s.a.w) took my hand and enumerated five (things), he said: "Be on guard against the unlawful and you shall be the most worshiping among the people, be satisfied with what Allah has alloted for you and you shall be the richest of the people, be kind to your neighbor and you shall be a believer, love for the people what you love for yourself and you shall be a Muslim. And do not laugh too much, for indeed increased laughter kills the heart." 

 

Reference: Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 2305 

https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/36/2 

 

Lessons: 

 

1. To be counted among those who worship, ensure that we do not commit that which is haram (forbidden). 

2. To become rich, we need to be satisfied with what Allah has granted us.

3. Be kind towards your neighbours to be a mukmin (a believer).

4. Have as much love for other believers as you have love for yourself, and you will be a Muslim.

5. Avoid excessive laughter for excessive laughter kills the heart.

Doing Good To Ones Parents

عَنْ أَبِي أُسَيْدٍ مَالِكِ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ السَّاعِدِيِّ قَالَ بَيْنَا نَحْنُ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذْ جَاءَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي سَلَمَةَ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَلْ بَقِيَ مِنْ بِرِّ أَبَوَيَّ شَيْءٌ أَبَرُّهُمَا بِهِ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِمَا قَالَ نَعَمْ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَيْهِمَا وَالِاسْتِغْفَارُ لَهُمَا وَإِنْفَاذُ عَهْدِهِمَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِمَا وَصِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ الَّتِي لَا تُوصَلُ إِلَّا بِهِمَا وَإِكْرَامُ صَدِيقِهِمَا 

 

Narrated AbuUsayd Malik ibn Rabi'ah as-Sa'idi: While we were with the Messenger of Allah! (ﷺ) a man of Banu Salmah came to Him and said: Messenger of Allah is there any kindness left that I can do to my parents after their death? He replied: Yes, you can invoke blessings on them, forgiveness for them, carry out their final instructions after their death, join ties of relationship which are dependent on them, and honour their friends. (HR ABU DAUD No: 4476) 

 

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 5142 

https://sunnah.com/abudawud/43/370 

 

Lessons: 

 

It is a duty of a child to always do good towards their parents even if they have passed away. This can be done by: 

a. Making doa (supplications) for both of them, and asking Allah to forgive both of them 

b. Carrying out their final instructions (i.e. their will) 

c. Maintaining ties of relationship (silaturrahim) with their close friends 

d. Honouring their friends 

 

Let us be kind and gracious towards our parents even when they have passed away.

Having Ihsan Towards Other Creations

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الْإِحْسَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَإِذَا قَتَلْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الْقِتْلَةَ وَإِذَا ذَبَحْتُمْ فَأَحْسِنُوا الذِّبْحَةَ وَلْيُحِدَّ أَحَدُكُمْ شَفْرَتَهُ وَلْيُرِحْ ذَبِيحَتَهُ 

 

Shaddad bin Aws narrated: that the Prophet (SAW) said: "Indeed Allah has decreed Ihsan in everything. So when you kill, then do the killing well, and when you slaughter, then do the slaughtering well. Let one of you sharpen his blade, and let him comfort his animal (before slaughtering)." 

 

Reference: Hadith 17, Hadith Arbain Imam Nawawi 

https://sunnah.com/nawawi40/17 

 

Lessons: 

 

1. It is obligatory for Muslims to do good to all of Allah’s creations 

2. Having Ihsan is not confined to only other Muslims or even to non-Muslims, but towards all of Creation 

3. Doing good towards animals include sharpening the knife before slaughtering the animal (i.e. to ensure as quick and as painless a death as possible) 

  

Let us always display Rahmah towards all of Allah’s creations.

Being Merciful Towards Others

 أَنَّ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَبَّلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْحَسَنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ وَعِنْدَهُ الْأَقْرَعُ بْنُ حَابِسٍ التَّمِيمِيُّ جَالِسًا فَقَالَ الْأَقْرَعُ إِنَّ لِي عَشَرَةً مِنْ الْوَلَدِ مَا قَبَّلْتُ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدًا فَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَنْ لَا يَرْحَمُ لَا يُرْحَمُ 

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (SAW) kissed Al-Hasan bin Ali while Al-Aqra' bin HAbis at-Tamim was sitting beside him. Al-Aqra said, "I have ten children and I have never kissed anyone of them," Allah's Messenger (SAW) cast a look at him and said, "Whoever is not merciful to others will not be treated mercifully." 

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5997 

https://sunnah.com/bukhari/78/28  

Lessons:  

1. Being kind towards others is a trait which is enjoined upon every Muslim

2. One of the ways to have mercy and love children is to kiss them as the Prophet (SAW) kissed his grandson Saidina Hassan.

3. Love our family members fully. 

4. Whoever does not have mercy towards others will not be treated mercifully by Allah.  

Let us have mercy on our children, and love our family members and others around us.

The Disappearance of Honesty

عَنْ ابْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يُهْلِكَ عَبْدًا نَزَعَ مِنْهُ الْحَيَاءَ فَإِذَا نَزَعَ مِنْهُ الْحَيَاءَ لَمْ تَلْقَهُ إِلَّا مَقِيتًا مُمَقَّتًا فَإِذَا لَمْ تَلْقَهُ إِلَّا مَقِيتًا مُمَقَّتًا نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ الْأَمَانَةُ فَإِذَا نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ الْأَمَانَةُ لَمْ تَلْقَهُ إِلَّا خَائِنًا مُخَوَّنًا فَإِذَا لَمْ تَلْقَهُ إِلَّا خَائِنًا مُخَوَّنًا نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ الرَّحْمَةُ فَإِذَا نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ الرَّحْمَةُ لَمْ تَلْقَهُ إِلَّا رَجِيمًا مُلَعَّنًا فَإِذَا لَمْ تَلْقَهُ إِلَّا رَجِيمًا مُلَعَّنًا نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ رِبْقَةُ الْإِسْلَامِ 

 

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘When Allah wants to destroy a person, He takes away modesty from him, you will only see him with the wrath of Allah upon him, and he will be hated by people. When you only see him with the wrath of Allah upon him, and hated by people, then honesty will be taken away from him, and when honesty is taken away from him, you will only see him as a traitor who is called such by others. When you only see him as a traitor who is called such by others, then mercy will be taken away from him, and when mercy is taken away from him, you will only see him as rejected and accursed, and when you only see him as rejected and accursed, then the bond of Islam will be taken away from him.’ 

 

(Hadith translation taken from https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah/36/129) 

 

Lessons: 

 

1. One should preserve one’s modesty, as modesty forges the bond of Islam. 

 

2. When one loses one’s modesty, other attributes follow suit: 

 

a) he will be hated by others 

b) he loses trustworthiness 

c) he will be rid of mercy 

d) he becomes among the accursed 

e) eventually, he loses the bond of Islam 

 

Let us preserve our faith by preserving our modesty!

The Most Worthy Are Those Who Salute Most

 عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بن مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ عَلَيَّ صَلاةً.

From ‘Abdullah Bin Masoud who said: The Messenger (pbuh) said: ‘Indeed, those who are nearest to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who salute most often for me.’

Lessons:

1. Increasing salutations upon the Prophet is of noble deed

2. Those who are most worthy to be with the Messenger on the Day of Resurrection are those who salute him most

عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ قَالَ أَتَانَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَنَحْنُ فِي مَجْلِسِ سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَشِيرُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ أَمَرَنَا اللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَنَّ نُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَكَيْفَ نُصَلِّي عَلَيْكَ قَالَ فَسَكَتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَتَّى تَمَنَّيْنَا أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَسْأَلْهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قُولُوا اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي الْعَالَمِينَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ وَالسَّلَامُ كَمَا قَدْ عَلِمْتُم

From AbiMas’ud al-Ansari who said: We were sitting in the company of Sa’id b. ‘Ubida when the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) came to us. Bashir b. S’ad said: Allah has commanded us to bless you Messenger of Allah! But how should we bless you? He (the narrator) said: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) kept quiet (and we were so much perturbed over his silence) that we wished we had not asked him. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) then said: (For blessing me) say: 

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي الْعَالَمِينَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

“O Allah, bless Muhammad and the members of his household as Thou didst bless the members of Ibrahim’s household. Grant favours to Muhammad and the members of his household as Thou didst grant favours to the members of the household of Ibrahim in the world. Thous art indeed Praiseworthy and Glorious”; and salutations as you know” (Sahih Muslim No: 405)

(Hadith translation taken from Sunnah.com)

Increase Salutations and Blessings Upon The Messenger (PBUH) In Supplication

 عَنْ الطُّفَيْلِ بْنِ أُبَيِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا ذَهَبَ ثُلُثَا اللَّيْلِ قَامَ فَقَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ جَاءَتْ الرَّاجِفَةُ تَتْبَعُهَا الرَّادِفَةُ جَاءَ الْمَوْتُ بِمَا فِيهِ جَاءَ الْمَوْتُ بِمَا فِيهِ قَالَ أُبَيٌّ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أُكْثِرُ الصَّلَاةَ عَلَيْكَ فَكَمْ أَجْعَلُ لَكَ مِنْ صَلَاتِي فَقَالَ مَا شِئْتَ قَالَ قُلْتُ الرُّبُعَ قَالَ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنْ زِدْتَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ قُلْتُ النِّصْفَ قَالَ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنْ زِدْتَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَالثُّلُثَيْنِ قَالَ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنْ زِدْتَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ قُلْتُ أَجْعَلُ لَكَ صَلَاتِي كُلَّهَا قَالَ إِذًا تُكْفَى هَمَّكَ وَيُغْفَرُ لَكَ ذَنْبُكَ

At-Tufail bin Ubayy bin Ka'b[may Allah be pleased with him] narrated from his father who said:

"When a third of the night had passed, the Messenger of Allah(PBUH) stood and said: 'O you people! Remember Allah! Remember Allah! The Rajifah is coming, followed by the Radifah, death and what it brings is coming, death and what it brings is coming!'" 

Ubayy said: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Indeed I send salutations and blessings (salawat) upon you. How much salawat should I make for you (in my prayer supplication)?' He said: 'As you wish.'" [He said:] "I said: 'A fourth?' He said: 'As you wish. But if you add more it would be better for you.' I said: 'Then half?' He said: 'As you wish. And if you add more it would be better [for you].'" [He said:] "I said: 'Then two-thirds? 'He said: 'As you wish, but if you add more it would be better for you.' I said: 'Should I make all of my supplication a salawat for you?' He said: 'Then your problems would be solved, and your sins would be forgiven.'"

Grade: Hasan saheeh (Sunan Tirmidhi)

Lessons:

1.  The Prophet’s (PBUH) companions [may Allah be pleased with them] are the best examples for us to follow. 

2.  Ubayy bin Ka’ab [may Allah be pleased with him] was one of the companions who invoked a great deal of salutations and blessings upon The Prophet (PBUH) in his supplications. 

3.  Among the etiquette of supplication is sending salutations and blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) at the beginning and at the end of one’s supplication.

4.  The more salutations one recites, the better. 

5.  One can recite salutations for a portion or the whole of one’s supplication.

6.  Allah will suffice all needs and forgive all of (minor) sins of a mukmin (faithful, righteous muslim) who makes his entire supplication as salutations upon The Prophet (PBUH).

Let us increase sending salutations and blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) in our supplication.

Let Us All Say Our Salutations

 عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَهُ بِهَا عَشْرَ حَسَنَاتٍ

From Abu Hurairah who said: The Messenger (pbuh) said: ‘Whoever sends salutation upon me one time, Allah has written ten goodnesses for it in return.’ (Ahmad, 12/520, no. 7561)

Lessons:

1. That which is required from every Muslim is, among other things, to increase salutations upon the Prophet (pbuh)  

2. A salutation is rewarded with 10 goodnesses and deeds

Let us all increase our salutations upon the Messenger (pbuh)!

The simplest recital of the salutation is as narrated in Hadith An-Nasae’i No: 1292

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّد

O Allah, put bless on Prophet Muhammad and the members of his household.

The Believer Is Like A Bee

 إِنَّ مَثَلَ الْمُؤْمِنِ لَكَمَثَلِ النَّحْلَةِ أَكَلَتْ طَيِّبًا وَوَضَعَتْ طَيِّبًا وَوَقَعَتْ فَلَمْ تُكْسَرْ وَلَمْ تَفْسُدْ

“Verily, the parable of a believer is like a bee: it consumes only goodness, it produces goodness, and it lands softly lest a branch breaks or becomes damaged." (Narrated by Ahmad) 

Moral:

1. A believer must always strive for good deeds wherever and with whomever he is.

2. A believer should become an agent for change wherever he finds himself to be.

3. Let us be like the bee that is responsible for aiding the natural process of pollination, and at the same time is capable of producing sweet honey. We must always strive to be of benefit to others.

4. Let us strive to leave an admirable legacy of kindness wherever we are, like the bee that leaves honey.

It must be remembered that the quality of honey produced by the bee is greatly determined by its source. We must therefore ensure our sources are likewise pure and decent: the educator who taught us, the knowledge we gain, the values that define us, the companions who are alongside us, and the group or society that we choose to be in.