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.

Damning Is A Wish

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِذَا قَالَ الرَّجُلُ هَلَكَ النَّاسُ فَهُوَ أَهْلَكُهُمْ

From Abu Hurairah, who narrated that the Prophet SAW said: “When someone says: ‘Damn the people’, then it is actually he who is even more damned than them.” (Hadith narrated in Muslim, No.: 4755) 

Moral:

1. A Muslim must not think ill of and condemn others as the condemnation may return to him.

2. Our outcome is what is thought of in our minds. If the mind focuses on the negative, then the result is negative.

3. A Muslim must always remain hopeful and optimistic towards Allah.

4. A misfortune that has befallen us is not necessarily the work of others. It may even be the result of our own behaviour.

5. To admit to our failings and ignorances is far more important than to condemn and blame others.

6. We must strive to admit to our weakness and improve on it, rather than be mired in escapism by constantly blaming others.

Doing Good

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلَا يُؤْذِي جَارَهُ وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَسْكُتْ

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِ أَبِي حَصِينٍ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ فَلْيُحْسِنْ إِلَى جَارِهِ

The Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) observed, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day does not harm his neighbour, and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day shows hospitality to his guest, and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day speaks good or remains silent.”

Another hadith similar to one narrated (above) by Abu Husain is also reported by Abu Huraira with the exception of these words: He (the Prophet) said, “He should do good to the neighbour.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim 47 b & c

In-book reference: Book 1, Hadith 81 & 82

USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 1, Hadith 76 & 77 (deprecated numbering scheme)

Lessons:

1. Whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment is prohibited from harming their neighbours.

2. Muslims should always be good to their neighbours and should always be hospitable to them.

3. Those who believe in Allah and the Day of Judgment should only speak and write that which is good through any medium, including social media. If not, then being silent is better.

Let us always be good to all our peers, be it in the physical sense or in the digital sense, such as those in social media.

Let us carry ourselves in a manner that is RAHMAH to all

Alleviating The Burden of Others

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَلَقَّتْ الْمَلَائِكَةُ رُوحَ رَجُلٍ مِمَّنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ فَقَالُوا أَعَمِلْتَ مِنْ الْخَيْرِ شَيْئًا قَالَ لَا قَالُوا تَذَكَّرْ قَالَ كُنْتُ أُدَايِنُ النَّاسَ فَآمُرُ فِتْيَانِي أَنْ يُنْظِرُوا الْمُعْسِرَ وَيَتَجَوَّزُوا عَنْ الْمُوسِرِ قَالَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ تَجَوَّزُوا عَنْهُ

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘The angels took away the soul of a person who had lived among people who were before you. They (the angels) said, “Did you do anything good?” He said, “No.” They said, “Try to recall.” He said, “I used to lend to people and order my servants to give respite to one in straitened circumstances and give allowance to the solvent.” Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, said (to the angels), “You should ignore (his failing).”’

Narrated by Muslim in Sahih Muslim, 1560

In-book reference: Book 22, Hadith 32

USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 10, Hadith 3788

Reference: sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. A person who does a good deed, no matter how small, will be judged and rewarded for that deed.

2. Financing a person in need is a good deed that is highly encouraged.

3. Providing financing is a noble deed if done for the purpose of alleviating another’s financial burden. The Prophet said, "Whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden from the burdens of the world, Allah will relieve him of a burden from the burdens on the Day of Judgement. And whoever helps ease a difficulty in the world, Allah will grant him ease from a difficulty in the world and in the Hereafter.” 

Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1930 & Sunan Abi Dawud 4946

4. It is extremely honourable for a creditor to voluntarily extend the repayment period for a debtor who has difficulty paying off the debt. May Allah relieve the creditor’s burden on the Day of Judgment.

5. Seeking debt out of reasons other than necessity is categorically discouraged.

6. Paying off one’s debt with haste is encouraged, to avoid the suspension of one’s deeds from being accepted.

Wishing Well Upon the Departed

عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا حَضَرْتُمْ الْمَرِيضَ أَوْ الْمَيِّتَ فَقُولُوا خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ يُؤَمِّنُونَ عَلَى مَا تَقُولُونَ قَالَتْ فَلَمَّا مَاتَ أَبُو سَلَمَةَ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ قَدْ مَاتَ قَالَ قُولِي اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلَهُ وَأَعْقِبْنِي مِنْهُ عُقْبَى حَسَنَةً قَالَتْ فَقُلْتُ فَأَعْقَبَنِي اللَّهُ مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لِي مِنْهُ مُحَمَّدًا صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ

It was narrated that Umm Salamah said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘When you visit one who is sick or dying, say good things, for the angels say, “Amin” to whatever you say.’ When Abu Salamah died, I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Abu Salamah has died.’ He said: ‘Say: “Allahummaghfir li wa lahu, wa a’qibni minhu ‘uqba hasanah (O Allah, forgive me and him, and compensate me with someone better than him).’” She said: ‘I said that, and Allah compensated me with someone better than him: Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).’”

Narrated in Sunan ibn Majah

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com 

Lessons:

1. Among the etiquette of visiting the sick or attending a funeral is speaking good of the individual or supplicating for him/her.

 الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ (156)

"Who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to him we will return.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 156)

2. A widowed man/woman should pray for good for their spouses. Among the du’a taught by Rasulullah s.a.w was

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلَهُ وَأَعْقِبْنِي مِنْهُ عُقْبَى حَسَنَةً

(O Allah, forgive me and him, and compensate me with someone better than him) 

We should wish the departed well and pray that Allah forgives their sins.

The Zikr That Is Better Than The World And Everything Within It

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَأَنْ أَقُولَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا طَلَعَتْ عَلَيْهِ الشَّمْسُ

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger s.a.w as saying: The uttering of (the words) "Hallowed be Allah, all praise is due to Allah, there is no god but Allah and Allah is the Greatest", is dearer to me than anything over which the sun rises. 

Narrated in Sahih Muslim

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com 

Lessons:

1. The remembrance of Allah is a practice of the highest virtue

2. Rasulullah s.a.w loves those who recite

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Hallowed be Allah, all praise is due to Allah, there is no god but Allah and Allah is the Greatest.

Let’s all live our lives by these four phrases, as they are better than the world and everything within it.

Hardship, Sickness, And Grief Extinguish Sins

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّهُمَا سَمِعَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ مَا يُصِيبُ الْمُؤْمِنَ مِنْ وَصَبٍ وَلَا نَصَبٍ وَلَا سَقَمٍ وَلَا حَزَنٍ حَتَّى الْهَمِّ يُهَمُّهُ إِلَّا كُفِّرَ بِهِ مِنْ سَيِّئَاتِهِ

Abu Sa'id and Abu Huraira reported that they heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Never a believer is stricken with discomfort, hardship or illness, grief or even mental worry that his sins are not expiated for him.

Narrated by Imam Muslim

Grade: sahih (authentic) 

Translation: https://sunnah.com/muslim/45/66 

Lessons:

1. Every discomfort, difficulty, sickness, and grief that befalls a person is none other than a test from Allah.

2. These tests which befall a mu’min will expiate his sins.

Let us be patient in facing all tests, whatever form they may take.

Allah Answers Prayers

عَنْ سَلْمَانَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى حَيِيٌّ كَرِيمٌ يَسْتَحْيِي مِنْ عَبْدِهِ إِذَا رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَرُدَّهُمَا صِفْرًا ‏"‏

Narrated Salman al-Farsi: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your Lord is munificent and generous, and is ashamed to turn away empty the hands of His servant when he raises them to Him."

Narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 1488

In-book reference: Book 8, hadith no. 73

Grade: sahih (authentic) 

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Muslims are obliged to always pray (make du'a) to Allah under all circumstances. 

2. Allah will always grant the du'a and requests of His servants. 

3. Allah will never disappoint His servants. 

Allah decrees:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ 

And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible (Al-Ghafir: 60)

Translation from https://quran.com/40

Let us not be among the arrogant and always make du'a to Allah.

Safety From Hellfire

عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ حُرِّمَ عَلَى النَّارِ كُلُّ هَيِّنٍ لَيِّنٍ سَهْلٍ قَرِيبٍ مِنْ النَّاسِ

Ibn Mas’ud (r.a.) narrated that The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: Shall I not tell you for whom the Hellfire is forbidden? It is every person accessible, polite, and mild.

Grade: hasan (sound) - at-Tirmidhi

(hadith translation taken from https://abuaminaelias.com/allah-loves-gentleness-in-all-things/)

Lessons:

Allah makes the Hellfire forbidden to:

1. Those who strive to make themselves approachable and beneficial to others

2. Those who are gentle and kind to everyone, whether friend or foe

3. Those who make matters easy for others

Let us be amongst those who are foremost in these deeds so Allah s.w.t. may grant us salvation from the Hellfire.

The Hand Which Gives Is Better Than That Which Takes

عَنْ حَكِيمِ بْنِ حِزَامٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنْ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى وَابْدَأْ بِمَنْ تَعُولُ وَخَيْرُ الصَّدَقَةِ عَنْ ظَهْرِ غِنًى وَمَنْ يَسْتَعْفِفْ يُعِفَّهُ اللَّهُ وَمَنْ يَسْتَغْنِ يُغْنِهِ اللَّهُ

Hakim ibn Hizam narrated that The Prophet(pbuh) said: ‘The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e. he who gives in charity is better than he who takes it). One should begin by giving to his dependents. And the best charity is that, which is given by a wealthy person (from the money which is left over after his expenses). And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will provide for him and save him from asking others; Allah will make him self-sufficient.’

Grade: Saheeh (authentic) - Imam al-Bukhari

Lessons: 

1.  To give is better than to beg and receive from others.

2.  Spending in charity should be directed towards one’s closest family members first.

3. The best charity is that which is given out after one’s basic needs are fulfilled. 

4. One should make effort to provide for himself and refrain from scrounging.

5. Allah will provide and suffice the needs of those who work to provide sustenance for themselves.

Let us be of those who love to give and spend in charity!

Salvation From The Calamities of The Hereafter

وعن أبي قتادة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ ‏من سره أن ينجيه الله من كرب يوم القيامة، فلينفس عن معسر أو يضع عنه‌‏ 

Abu Qatadah (r.a.) reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: He who likes Allah to deliver him from the calamities of the Day of Resurrection, let him either give respite to a debtor or grant him remission (of loans) in straitened circumstances.

Grade: sahih (authentic) - Imam Muslim

(Hadith translation taken from https://sunnah.com/riyadussaliheen/12/85)

Lessons:

1. Giving respite and remission of loans to debtors in distressed situations are noble deeds that may save us from the punishment of the Hereafter

2. Allah loves that we give ease to those that are in hardship

Let us be of those with ‘rahmah’ by always helping those in need.

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)!

Fortunate Is He Who Is Protected From Trials

عَنْ الْمِقْدَادِ بْنِ الْأَسْوَدِ قَالَ ايْمُ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ السَّعِيدَ لَمَنْ جُنِّبَ الْفِتَنَ إِنَّ السَّعِيدَ لَمَنْ جُنِّبَ الْفِتَنِ إِنَّ السَّعِيدَ لَمَنْ جُنِّبَ الْفِتَنُ وَلَمَنْ ابْتُلِيَ فَصَبَرَ فَوَاهًا

Narrated Al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad:

I swear by Allah, I heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) say, “Happy is he who is protected from trials, happy is he who is protected from trials, happy is he who is protected from trials. But how fine is he who is afflicted and shows endurance.”

Narrated by Abu Daud

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com 

Lessons:

1. A content person is one who is protected from hardship and trials (including favours of Allah that lead to heedlessness).

2. We are obligated to avoid all that which causes harm. 

3. Content is the one who shows perseverance when tested by afflictions. 

4. When tribulation befell in the time of the Tabi’een (those succeeding the Companions of the Prophet s.a.w.), Thalq ibn Habib was asked on how to overcome trials. He said, “Seek refuge from them with taqwa (consciousness of Allah)!”

He was asked in return, “Explain to us, what do you mean by that?”

He answered, “That you obey Allah upon a light from Him, hoping for His mercy. And that you abandon evil deeds upon a light from Him, fearing His punishment.”

Let us seek refuge in Allah from trials that nullify our deeds and let us always be patient with misfortunes that befall us.

Fasting, The Dhuha Prayer, And The Witr Prayer

عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ قَالَ أَوْصَانِي حَبِيبِي صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِثَلَاثٍ لَنْ أَدَعَهُنَّ مَا عِشْتُ بِصِيَامِ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ وَصَلَاةِ الضُّحَى وَبِأَنْ لَا أَنَامَ حَتَّى أُوتِرَ

Narrated Abu Darda':

“My beloved Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) instructed me in three (acts), and I would never abandon them for as long as I live: Three days of fasting every month, the dhuha (forenoon) prayer, and that I should not sleep till I have observed the witr prayer.”

Narrated by Muslim

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) instructed us to adhere to some supererogatory (sunat) acts of worship.

2. He enjoined upon us three acts:

a. Three days of voluntary fasting every month

b. Performing the dhuha (forenoon) prayer every day

c. Performing the witr prayer before going to bed every night

Let's try our best to carry out all three recommended acts.

Three Things Follow The Deceased

سَمِعَ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَتْبَعُ الْمَيِّتَ ثَلَاثَةٌ فَيَرْجِعُ اثْنَانِ وَيَبْقَى مَعَهُ وَاحِدٌ يَتْبَعُهُ أَهْلُهُ وَمَالُهُ وَعَمَلُهُ فَيَرْجِعُ أَهْلُهُ وَمَالُهُ وَيَبْقَى عَمَلُهُ

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.) said, "When carried to his grave, a person is followed by three, two of which return (after his burial) and one which remains with him. His relatives, his possessions, and his deeds follow him; his relatives and his possessions return, while his deeds remain with him."

Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. When a son of Adam dies, what follows him are his relatives, his possessions, and his deeds.

2. After entering the grave, two that follow the deceased will return: his family members and relatives will go home, resuming life as usual. His wealth and property will be distributed among inheritors. 

3. Only his deeds remain by his side. Blessed is the deceased if he had performed a multitude of virtuous deeds during his lifetime – the deeds will be his companion and aid in the grave.

Let us increase our good deeds while we are still in good shape and health, for it will be our provision in the Hereafter.

Prayer To Avoid Four Afflictions

أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ يَقُولُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُول اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْأَرْبَعِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لَا يُسْمَع

Abu Hurairah told that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said: [O Allah, I seek refuge with You from four things: From knowledge that is of no benefit, from a heart that does not fear (You), from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not heard].

Narrated in Sunan Ibn Majah, no. 3837

In-book reference: Book 34, hadith no. 11

Grade: Hasan (sound) 

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. A Muslim should consistently make prayer (du’a) to gain good in life.

2. Among the prayers taught by the Prophet (s.a.w.) is to ask Allah to be protected from these four adversities:

a. Knowledge of no value

b. A heart that does not fear Allah

c. Desire (nafsu) that is never fulfilled

d. Unanswered prayers 

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ الْأَرْبَعِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لَا يُسْمَع

Let us pray to always obtain knowledge that brings good, to have consciousness of Allah (taqwa), to always be content, and to have our prayers always fulfilled.

Learning For Worldly Gain

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ عِلْمًا مِمَّا يُبْتَغَى بِهِ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَا يَتَعَلَّمُهُ إِلَّا لِيُصِيبَ بِهِ عَرَضًا مِنْ الدُّنْيَا لَمْ يَجِدْ عَرْفَ الْجَنَّةِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَعْنِي رِيحَهَا

Abu Hurairah narrated: 

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘Whoever acquires knowledge by which the pleasure of Allah (should be) sought, but he only acquires it for the purpose of worldly gain, he will not smell the fragrance of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection.’

Narrated in Sunan Ibn Majah, hadith no. 260

Grade: Hasan (sound)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Learning is an obligation on every Muslim.

2. Acquiring knowledge should be with the aim of seeking Allah’s pleasure.

3. A person who learns merely for the sake of worldly gain, such as for rank and position, will not enter Paradise. 

We should make sincere our intentions when learning, for the sake of pleasing Allah.

Teachers And Their Perpetual Reward

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِذَا مَاتَ الْإِنْسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عَنْهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ ثَلَاثَةٍ إِلَّا مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: ‘When a man dies, his acts come to an end except for three: recurring charity, knowledge (by which people) benefit, and a pious son who prays for him.’

Narrated in Sahih Muslim, hadith no. 1631

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Every Muslim is hopeful upon the good deeds done during his lifetime to be his witness in death and in the Hereafter.

2. There are three things left behind by a Muslim that will continue to gain him reward even after death: 

a. Charity given in the form of wakaf (endowments), donations, gifts, and others. The giver will continuously be rewarded for as long as his charity benefits the creation of Allah, i.e. human beings, animals, and/or plants. 

b. Knowledge, whether concerning the religious or the worldly sciences, that benefits life. This includes information from books, articles, and even electronic mediums such as social media. The one from whom knowledge originates will be rewarded for as long as what was conveyed is practiced and utilised.

c. The righteous among his children who always pray for his mercy and forgiveness.

Congratulations to all teachers. May Allah grant all that is good to educators, from those taking care of little ones in nurseries, to those who teach religion in mosques and madrasahs, to those who lecture in universities. May their efforts become the charity that brings them reward even after they have passed.

The Demise of Knowledge

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ انْتِزَاعًا يَنْتَزِعُهُ مِنْ الْعِبَادِ وَلَكِنْ يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ بِقَبْضِ الْعُلَمَاءِ حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ يُبْقِ عَالِمًا اتَّخَذَ النَّاسُ رُءُوسًا جُهَّالًا فَسُئِلُوا فَأَفْتَوْا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ فَضَلُّوا وَأَضَلُّوا

'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al-'As reported: 

I heard Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.) saying, "Allah does not take away knowledge, by taking it away from (the hearts of) people, but takes it away by the death of the religious learned men till when none of the (religious learned men) remain, people will take as their leaders ignorant persons who, when consulted, will give their verdict without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the people astray."

Narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari, hadith no. 100

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Ulama’ (religious learned men) are the successors to the Messengers of Allah (peace be upon them).

2. There will come a time when Allah takes away knowledge through the death of ulama’. 

3. The demise of ulama’ will cause men to take the ignorant as leaders, who will be asked for legal Islamic opinions and will consequently give them without knowledge, misguiding others and being themselves misguided.

Let us strive to be a knowledgeable people and ensure our appointed leaders are among the knowledgeable as well. May we neither misguide others nor be misguided ourselves.

Allah's Creation In The Heavens, On Earth, And In The Sea Pray For Educators

عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ الْبَاهِلِيِّ قَالَ ذُكِرَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ رَجُلَانِ أَحَدُهُمَا عَابِدٌ وَالْآخَرُ عَالِمٌ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَضْلُ الْعَالِمِ عَلَى الْعَابِدِ كَفَضْلِي عَلَى أَدْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ وَأَهْلَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرَضِينَ حَتَّى النَّمْلَةَ فِي جُحْرِهَا وَحَتَّى الْحُوتَ لَيُصَلُّونَ عَلَى مُعَلِّمِ النَّاسِ الْخَيْرَ

Narrated Abu Umamah Al-Bahili: 

Two men were mentioned before the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), one of them a worshiper, and the other a scholar. So, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, 'The superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like my superiority over the least of you.' Then, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, 'Indeed Allah, His Angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth - even the ant in its hole, even the fish - say Salat upon the one who teaches the people to do good.'

Narrated by Tirmidzi

Grade: Hasan (sound)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. The status of the scholar is higher than that of the worshipper.

2. All of Creation in the heavens and on earth and even the fish in the sea pray for good unto educators who teach their knowledge and guide others to be better Muslims.

3. Fudhail bin Iyadh said, ‘A knowledgeable person (alim) who acts upon his knowledge and teaches it to others will be called with great honour by the angels in the heavens.’

Let us be educators even by as simple an act as giving advice and through various platforms, including social media.

Seekers of Knowledge Gain The Favour of The Angels

عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنَ عَسَّالٍ الْمُرَادِيَّ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ مَا مِنْ خَارِجٍ خَرَجَ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ فِي طَلَبِ الْعِلْمِ إِلَّا وَضَعَتْ لَهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَجْنِحَتَهَا رِضًا بِمَا يَصْنَعُ

Safwan bin 'Assal Al-Muradi said: 

I heard the Messenger of Allah say, ‘There is no one who exits his home in order to seek knowledge but that the angels lower their wings in approval of his action.’

Narrated by Ibnu Majah

Grade: Hasan Sahih (sound)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.

2. Muslims who leave their homes for the sake of seeking knowledge will have the favour of the angels. Rasulullah (ﷺ) taught us a supplication to gain beneficial knowledge:

عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَقُولُ إِذَا صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ حِينَ يُسَلِّمُ 

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلًا

It was narrated from Umm Salamah that when the Prophet (ﷺ) performed the fajar prayer (morning prayer), when he gave the salam, he would say, ‘O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, goodly provision, and acceptable deeds.’

Narrated by Ibnu Majah 

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَرِزْقًا طَيِّبًا وَعَمَلًا مُتَقَبَّلًا

Let’s instill compassion in ourselves by persistently seeking knowledge. Allocate time to attend gatherings of knowledge such as halaqah, katibah, daurah, kuliah, talks, tazkirah, seminars and conventions. 

May the angels constantly spread their wings over us and may we be showered with the blessings of Allah.

Making Matters Easy For Others

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ‏:‏ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَاحِدِ بْنُ زِيَادٍ، قَالَ‏:‏ حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ قَالَ‏:‏ حَدَّثَنِي طَاوُسٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ‏:‏ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ عَلِّمُوا وَيَسِّرُوا، عَلِّمُوا وَيَسِّرُوا، ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ، وَإِذَا 

غَضِبْتَ فَاسْكُتْ، مَرَّتَيْنِ‏.

Ibn 'Abbas said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ' Teach and make it easy. Teach and make it easy' three times. He went on, 'When you are angry, be silent' twice."

Narrated in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Book 57 Hadith 5

Grade: sahih (Al-Albani)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1) In teaching and educating others, we should use the simplest methods possible for people to understand what is conveyed, keeping in mind their age and educational background.

2) Effective teaching and education is that performed with compassion and care.

3) We should be patient with the behaviour of the one being taught.

4) Refrain from anger towards others. If anger arises in ourselves, we should practice being patient and keeping silent.

Let us make things easy for others when teaching them and refrain from anger.

Facilitating Others In Religion

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ يَسِّرُوا وَلَا تُعَسِّرُوا وَبَشِّرُوا وَلَا تُنَفِّرُوا

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Facilitate things for people (concerning religious matters), and do not make it hard for them and give them good tidings and do not make them run away (from Islam).”

Narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book 3 Hadith 11

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Human beings are attracted to things that are easy and those that make them happy and contented.

2. In teaching others, use wisdom and foresight - this can lead to them being happy in practising the religion.

3. Be compassionate in carrying out ‘amar ma’ruf nahi mungkar’ (enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong) so that it will be easily accepted by others.

4. Use a variety of interesting methods and a gradual approach when teaching, as everything conveyed in a simple manner from the start will attract one’s curiosity and increase their love towards the knowledge learned. 

5. Let not our character be the reason others are repelled from the good messages we try to convey.

Let’s spread good vibes in calling people to the deen!

The Path To Obtaining Nearness To Allah And His Love

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ 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

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Verily Allah ta’ala has said: ‘Whosoever shows enmity to a wali (friend) of Mine, then I have declared war against him. And My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than the religious duties I have obligated upon him. And My servant continues to draw near to me with nafl (supererogatory) deeds until I Love him. When I Love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him; and were he to seek refuge with Me, I would surely grant him refuge.’”

Narrated in Al-Bukhari, Hadith 25

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. The wali of Allah are those who are devoted and sincere in doing righteous deeds, with faith and God-consciousness (taqwa), in line with the Quran and Sunnah.

2. Those who inflict pain on a God-conscious believer should be aware that they incur the wrath of Allah.

3. Carrying out obligatory religious duties is the act of faith most loved by Allah.

4. Refraining from evil deeds is part of one’s obligatory religious duties.

5. Drawing near to Allah by carrying out nafl (supererogatory) deeds will enable one to achieve the love of Allah even more.

6. According to Ibn Rajab, whoever strives to draw closer to Allah with obligatory and nafl deeds, their rank in the sight of Allah will be elevated. When they speak, they speak because of Allah. When they see, they see because of Allah.

7. Among the additional favours granted to the wali of Allah is that when they ask for something, Allah will grant it to them. 

Let us strive to increase our righteous deeds, with sincerity and piety, so as to be included among His wali.

Completing Ablution Leads To Expiation of Previous Sins

أَنَّ حُمْرَانَ مَوْلَى عُثْمَانَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ عُثْمَانَ بْنَ عَفَّانَ - رضى الله عنه - دَعَا بِوَضُوءٍ فَتَوَضَّأَ فَغَسَلَ كَفَّيْهِ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ مَضْمَضَ وَاسْتَنْثَرَ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى إِلَى الْمِرْفَقِ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ يَدَهُ الْيُسْرَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ مَسَحَ رَأْسَهُ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُمْنَى إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ الْيُسْرَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَوَضَّأَ نَحْوَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا ثُمَّ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ نَحْوَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا ثُمَّ قَامَ فَرَكَعَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ لاَ يُحَدِّثُ فِيهِمَا نَفْسَهُ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ وَكَانَ عُلَمَاؤُنَا يَقُولُونَ هَذَا الْوُضُوءُ أَسْبَغُ مَا يَتَوَضَّأُ بِهِ أَحَدٌ لِلصَّلاَةِ

Humran, the freed slave of 'Uthman, said, “Uthman b. 'Affan called for ablution water and this is how he performed the ablution: he washed his hands thrice, he then rinsed his mouth and cleaned his nose with water (three times), he then washed his face three times, then washed his right arm up to the elbow three times, then washed his left arm like that, then wiped his head, then washed his right foot up to the ankle three times, then washed his left foot like that, and then said, ‘I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) perform ablution like this ablution of mine.’ Then, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘He who performs ablution like this ablution of mine and then stands up (for prayer) and offers two rak'ahs of prayer without saying anything in between, all his previous sins will be expiated.’” Ibn Shihab said, “Our scholars remarked, ‘This is the most complete ablution performed for prayer.’”

Narrated in Sahih Muslim, Book 2 Hadith 5

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. One should strive to make ablution (wudhu’) as how Rasulullah s.a.w. had shown to the Companions (Sahabat).

2. Complete wudhu’ consists of:

a. Washing both hands up to the wrists thrice

b. Rinsing the mouth and nose thrice each

c. Washing the face thrice

d. Washing the right arm up to the elbow thrice, followed by the same for the left elbow

e. Wiping the head

f. Washing the right foot up to the ankle thrice, followed by the same for the left foot

3. Whoever performs wudhu’ like the above and offers two rak’ahs of prayer without saying anything in between (i.e. focusses on performing the prayer and nothing else), his previous sins will be expiated.

Let us strive to perform our ablution thoroughly.

Ablution Washes Away Sins Committed By Parts of The Body

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِذَا تَوَضَّأَ الْعَبْدُ الْمُسْلِمُ أَوْ الْمُؤْمِنُ فَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ خَرَجَ مِنْ وَجْهِهِ كُلُّ خَطِيئَةٍ نَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا بِعَيْنَيْهِ مَعَ الْمَاءِ أَوْ مَعَ آخِرِ قَطْرِ الْمَاءِ فَإِذَا غَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ خَرَجَ مِنْ يَدَيْهِ كُلُّ خَطِيئَةٍ كَانَ بَطَشَتْهَا يَدَاهُ مَعَ الْمَاءِ أَوْ مَعَ آخِرِ قَطْرِ الْمَاءِ فَإِذَا غَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ خَرَجَتْ كُلُّ خَطِيئَةٍ مَشَتْهَا رِجْلَاهُ مَعَ الْمَاءِ أَوْ مَعَ آخِرِ قَطْرِ الْمَاءِ حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ نَقِيًّا مِنْ الذُّنُوبِ

Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, “When a Muslim’s bondsman or a believer washes his face (in the course of ablution), every sin he observed with his eyes will be washed away from his face along with the water or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought will be effaced from his hands with the water or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have walked will be washed away with the water or with the last drop of water with the result that he comes out pure from all sins.”

Narrated in Sahih Muslim, no 244

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation from sunnah.com [https://sunnah.com/muslim/2/44]

Lessons:

1. A Muslim who washes parts of their body (face, hands, and feet) in the course of ablution will also wash away the (minor) sins committed by those parts.

2. It is recommended to perfect one’s ablution by praying to Allah and hoping that He absolves the sins committed by parts of the face which are associated with the senses, such as the eyes and mouth, as well as sins committed using the hands and feet.

Let us perform ablution to the best of our ability and pray that it washes away our sins.

The Areas of Ablution Will Radiate On The Day of Judgement

عَنْ نُعَيْمٍ الْمُجْمِرِ قَالَ رَقِيتُ مَعَ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَلَى ظَهْرِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَتَوَضَّأَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ أُمَّتِي يُدْعَوْنَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ غُرًّا مُحَجَّلِينَ مِنْ آثَارِ الْوُضُوءِ فَمَنْ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يُطِيلَ غُرَّتَهُ فَلْيَفْعَلْ

Narrated Nu`am Al-Mujmir: Once I went up the roof of the mosque, along with Abu Huraira. He performed ablution and said, "I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, ‘On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be known as ghurran muhajjalin (radiant and beautiful) by virtue of the traces of ablution, and whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so (i.e. by performing ablution regularly).' "

Narrated in Sahih Bukhari, no 136

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation from sunnah.com [https://sunnah.com/bukhari/4/2]

Lessons:

1. Every Muslim is encouraged to always be in a state of ablution.

2. Those who regularly perform ablution will be resurrected on the Day of Judgement with radiant faces as a result of the ablution they used to perform in this world.

3. It is recommended to exceed the area of ablution so as to maximise its coverage because we shall then be resurrected in the hereafter with the radiance of those parts. The greater the area that is washed, the greater the area that shines.

Let us work on our ablution, perfecting it, and let us always strive to be in the state of ablution.

The Amount of Water To Be Used In Ablution

عَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَتَوَضَّأُ بِالْمُدِّ وَيَغْتَسِلُ بِالصَّاعِ إِلَى خَمْسَةِ أَمْدَادٍ 

Anas said: The Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) performed ablution with one Mudd and took baths with a Saa' up to five Mudds.

Narrated in Sahih Muslim, no 325b

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation from sunnah.com [https://sunnah.com/muslim/3/59]

Lessons:

1. Islam teaches us to conserve water when performing ablution

2. One Mudd is roughly equivalent 750 ml of water. One Saa’ is roughly equivalent to 3 liters of water. 

3. The Prophet SAW would perform ablution with only 750ml of water and bathe with roughly 3 liters (a tradition that we should follow to conserve water).

4. Al Marwazi RH said: When Imam Ahmad performs ablution, almost no water falls onto the ground/the area in which he performs ablution.

Let us be vigilant of our water usage. If there is a limit to the amount needed for ablution and to bathe, then what more for any other purpose. Conserve water!

Obtaining Forgiveness For Sins By Performing Ablution

عَنْ حُمْرَانَ ابْنِ أَبَانَ ، أَنَّ عُثْمَانَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ دَعَا بِوُضُوْءٍ ، فَذَكَرَ صِفَةَ وُضُوْءِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ مِثْلَ وُضُوْئِيْ هَذَا ، ثُمَّ قَامَ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ لاَ يُحَدِّثُ فِيْهِمَا نَفْسَهُ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ.

Narrated Humran: Uthman RA asked (for a tumbler of water) to perform ablution (and when it was brought) he demonstrated how the Prophet performed ablution. After that, Uthman said, ‘I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) performing ablution like this of mine, and he said, “If anyone performs ablution like that of mine and offers a two-raka’at prayer during which he does not think of anything else (not related to the present prayer), then his past sins will be forgiven.”’

Narrated in Sahih Bukhari, no 164

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com [https://sunnah.com/bukhari/4/30]

Lessons:

1. Perform ablution as best as possible.

2. Those who perfect their ablution and follow it with two raka’ats of prayer will have their past sins forgiven.

Let’s perfect our ablution and habitualise performing two raka’ats of prayer thereafter.

Du'a Will Be Granted By Glorifying Allah And Making Salawat

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا رِشْدِينُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هَانِئٍ الْخَوْلاَنِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي عَلِيٍّ الْجَنْبِيِّ، عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ، قَالَ بَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَاعِدًا إِذْ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَصَلَّى فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهَ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ عَجِلْتَ أَيُّهَا الْمُصَلِّي إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ فَقَعَدْتَ فَاحْمَدِ اللَّهَ بِمَا هُوَ أَهْلُهُ وَصَلِّ عَلَىَّ ثُمَّ ادْعُهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَجُلٌ آخَرُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَصَلَّى عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ أَيُّهَا الْمُصَلِّي ادْعُ تُجَبْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ رَوَاهُ حَيْوَةُ بْنُ شُرَيْحٍ عَنْ أَبِي هَانِئٍ الْخَوْلاَنِيِّ وَأَبُو هَانِئٍ اسْمُهُ حُمَيْدُ بْنُ هَانِئٍ وَأَبُو عَلِيٍّ الْجَنْبِيُّ اسْمُهُ عَمْرُو بْنُ مَالِكٍ ‏.‏

Fadalah bin Ubaid narrated:

“While the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was seated, a man entered and performed Salat, and he said: ‘O Allah, forgive me, and have mercy upon me.’ The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘You have rushed, O praying person. When you perform Salat and then sit, then praise Allah with what He is deserving of, and send Salat upon me, then call upon Him.’ Then, another man performed Salat after that, so he praised Allah and sent Salat upon the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said to him: ‘O praying person! Supplicate, and you shall be answered.’”

Jami at-Tirmidhi 3476, Book 48, Hadith 107

Grade: Hasan (Darussalam)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Starting a dua’a by thanking and praising Allah is part of the etiquette of making dua’a.

2. This is followed by sending blessings and salutations (i.e. salawat) upon the Prophet (ﷺ).

3. When a Mukmin’s dua’a begins with praises to Allah before salawat upon His messenger (ﷺ), all his dua’a (supplications) will be answered. 

Let’s start our du’a by glorifying Allah and sending salawat upon our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) before praying for whatever we desire. Similarly, du’a should be ended by salawat and then praises to Allah.

Du'a Will Be Answered By Reciting Salawat

كُلُّ دُعَاءٍ مَحْجُوبٌ حَتَّى يُصَلِّى عَلَى النَّبِّيِّ

“Every du’a remains unanswered until one sends blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ)”

As-Saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 4523

Grade: Sahih (authentic) 

Translation adapted from Islam: Questions And Answers - The Heart Softeners (Part 2), p. 41

Lessons:

1. Sending salawat (salutations upon the Prophet) is among the signs that we truly love the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).

2. Sending salawat is also part of the etiquette of making du’a.

3. The basis for du’a being answered is sending salawat.

Let us increase salawat in du’a! An adage of the wise goes, “one always utters what one loves”.

Performing Ablution Before Going To Sleep

مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ "‏ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ بَاتَ عَلَى طُهُورٍ ثُمَّ تَعَارَّ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَسَأَلَ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا مِنْ أَمْرِ الدُّنْيَا أَوْ مِنْ أَمْرِ الآخِرَةِ إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It was narrated from Mu’adh bin Jabal that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“There is no person who goes to bed in a state of purity, then wakes up at night, and asks Allah for something in this world or the Hereafter, but it will be given to him.”

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3881

In-book reference: Book 34, Hadith 55

English translation: Vol. 5, Book 34, Hadith 3881

Grade: Hasan (sound)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Among the etiquette of retiring to bed for a Muslim to observe is performing ablution (wudhu').

2. A Muslim who sleeps in a state of purity and then wakes up to ask Allah for something in this life or in the Hereafter will have his/her supplication (du'a) granted.

Perform wudhu' before going to sleep and wake up at night to get closer to Allah. Let's seize the opportunity to make du'a for this life and for the Hereafter during the best time to call to our Creator.

Prayer As The Divider Between Faith And Disbelief

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى التَّمِيمِيُّ، وَعُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ جَرِيرٍ، قَالَ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ جَابِرًا، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ إِنَّ بَيْنَ الرَّجُلِ وَبَيْنَ الشِّرْكِ وَالْكُفْرِ تَرْكَ الصَّلاَةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Abi Sufyan narrated that Jabir heard that the Apostle (may peace and blessings be upon him) saying, “Verily between man and polytheism (shirk) and unbelief (kufur) is the negligence of prayer.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim 82a

In-book reference: Book 1, Hadith 153

USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 1, Hadith 146 (deprecated numbering scheme)

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Prayer (solat) is one of the pillars of religion. Whosoever performs the solat, he establishes his religion. Whosoever abandons the solat, he demolishes his religion.

2. The difference between a Muslim and disbeliever is solat.

3. Allah throws those who deliberately abandon solat into the hell Saqar.

Surah Mudatsir: 42-43 

مَا سَلَڪَكُمۡ فِى سَقَرَ (٤٢) قَالُواْ لَمۡ نَكُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُصَلِّينَ (٤٣)

"What has caused you to enter Hell?" (42) They will say: "We were not of those who used to offer the Salât (prayers)." (43)

- Translation by Dr. Mohsin, Quran Explorer

4. According to Imam Nawawi, those who abandon solat  by rejecting or denying the obligation/legislation of salah, are considered disbelievers.

5. If a person abandons solat due to laziness or negligence, but still attest to the obligation of performing salah, Imam Malik and As-Syafiee decreed that the person is not a disbeliever, but regarded as a fasiq (one who transgresses boundaries set by Allah). That person shall be advised to repent. If the person refuses to, then he could be sentenced to death according to hudud.

Let us take care of our solat, which is the difference between a believer (mu’min) and a disbeliever (kafir).

The Best Deed Is Prayer Early In Its Time

عَنْ عَمَّتِهِ أُمِّ فَرْوَةَ، وَكَانَتْ، مِمَّنْ بَايَعَتِ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَىُّ الأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ ‏ "‏ الصَّلاَةُ لأَوَّلِ وَقْتِهَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Umm Farwah - and she was one of those who gave pledge of allegiance to the Prophet - narrated:

"The Prophet was asked, 'Which deed is the best?' So he said, 'Salat (prayer) in the beginning of its time.'"

Reference: Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 170

In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 22

English translation: Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 170

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. A priority for Muslims is to conduct prayer (solat) at the beginning of its allotted time.

 

2. Establishing solat should be hastened and Muslims should not be negligent in this matter. Illness and death are unpredictable; it would be very regrettable to have put off solat when the time to pray has come and then passed away doing so.

3. Those who neglect solat will be thrown into the hell Wail.

Al-Maun:4-5  

 فَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلۡمُصَلِّينَ (٤) ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَن صَلَاتِہِمۡ سَاهُونَ (٥)

So woe unto those performers of Salât (i.e. the hypocrites), (4) Those who delay their Salât (prayer from their stated fixed times), (5)

- Translation by Dr. Mohsin, Quran Explorer

Saidina Abbas explained : Wail is a valley between two mountains in Hell. It is a dwelling place for those who delay salat.

Let us make solat early on in prayer times.

Giving In Charity From A Husband's Property

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِذَا أَنْفَقَتْ الْمَرْأَةُ مِنْ طَعَامِ بَيْتِهَا غَيْرَ مُفْسِدَةٍ فَلَهَا أَجْرُهَا وَلِلزَّوْجِ بِمَا اكْتَسَبَ وَلِلْخَازِنِ مِثْلُ ذَلِك

Narrated `Aisha:The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘When a woman gives in charity from her house meals in Allah's Cause without spoiling her husband's property, she will get a reward for it, and her husband will also get the reward for his earnings and the storekeeper will get a reward likewise.’

- Saheeh Bukhari 1441 -

Grade: Saheeh (authentic)

Lessons: 

1.  It is obligatory upon a wife to preserve her husband’s property.

2.  Any charity carried out by a wife using her husband’s wealth (for instance preparing food for guests), both will be rewarded on the condition that the husband’s wealth is not spoiled.

3.  The husband will be rewarded for the charity performed by his wife using a portion of his wealth.

A husband should be grateful and tolerant when his property is used by his wife to help the needy!

The Guarantee of Paradise

عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَنْ يَضْمَنْ لِي مَا بَيْنَ لَحْيَيْهِ وَمَا بَيْنَ رِجْلَيْهِ أَضْمَنْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةَ

Narrated Sahl bin Sa`d: 

Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, ‘Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him.’

Grade: Sahih

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 6474

https://sunnah.com/bukhari/81/63

Lessons:

1. The Messenger (pbuh) guaranteed paradise those among his people who guarded two body parts:

a. The mouth that it does not utter that which is of arrogance, lies, backbiting, and curses.

b. The sex organs that they do not trespass unto unlawful sex acts: extra-marital sex, homosexuality, sodomy, bisexuality, and so on.

May we guard these two important parts of ours that can guarantee us a place either in paradise or in hell

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.

The Zikir With The Rewards of Freeing A Hundred Slaves

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَنْ قَالَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ فِي يَوْمٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ كَانَتْ لَهُ عَدْلَ عَشْرِ رِقَابٍ وَكُتِبَتْ لَهُ مِائَةُ حَسَنَةٍ وَمُحِيَتْ عَنْهُ مِائَةُ سَيِّئَةٍ وَكَانَتْ لَهُ حِرْزًا مِنْ الشَّيْطَانِ يَوْمَهُ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى يُمْسِيَ وَلَمْ يَأْتِ أَحَدٌ أَفْضَلَ مِمَّا جَاءَ بِهِ إِلَّا أَحَدٌ عَمِلَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَمَنْ قَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ فِي يَوْمٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ حُطَّتْ خَطَايَاهُ وَلَوْ كَانَتْ مِثْلَ زَبَدِ الْبَحْرِ

Abu Hurairah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, “He who utters

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

'There is no god but Allah, the One, having no partner with Him. Sovereignty belongs to Him and all the praise is due to Him, and He is Potent over everything' one hundred times every day, he is rewarded akin to emancipating a hundred slaves, and a hundred virtues are recorded to his credit, and a hundred vices are blotted out from his scroll, and that is a safeguard for him against Satan on that day till evening and no one brings anything more excellent than this, except one who has done more than this (i.e. one who utters these words more than one hundred times and does more good acts).

And he who utters

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ

                                               

'Hallowed be Allah, and all praise is due to Him' one hundred times a day, his sins are obliterated even if they are equal to the extent of the foam of the ocean."

Narrated in Sahih Muslim, no. 2691

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

The benefits gained by one who recites the following zikir a hundred times each day:

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

1. The reward of freeing a hundred slaves

2. A hundred virtues (merits) recorded to his credit

3. A hundred vices removed from his record

4. Protection from the devil till the evening

Let’s recite zikir!

Having Love For Other Beings

عن أبي موسى الأشعري أنه سمع النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يقول : " لَنْ تُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّى تَرْحَمُوا " . قَالُوا : يَا رَسُولُ الله ، كُلُّنَا رَحِيم . قال : " إِنَّهُ لَيسَ بِرَحْمَةِ أَحَدِكُمْ صَاحِبَهُ ، وَلَكِنَّهَا رَحْمَةَ النَّاسِ رَحْمَةَ الْعَامَّةِ 

From Abi Musa al-Asyari who heard Rasulullah (ﷺ) say, “You do not have belief until you have love for others.” The Companions said, “O Rasulullah! We are all among those who bear love.” The Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Verily, what is meant is not (just) the love between companions, but (also) that for humankind and all other beings.” 

Narrated by Tabrani

Grade: Hasan (sound)

Lessons: 

1. The love between fellow believers is closely related to their faith in Allah.

2.  We must have love not only for fellow Muslims, but also non-Muslims and other living beings.

3. The ability to love is Allah’s gift to every creature, man or animal. It is instinctual for humans to have compassion for others, including the elderly and the young.

4. Ibn Qayyim once said, “To love is to be charitable and kind to others, and to love is the willingness to bring good to them and deter them from harm.”

 

5. Allah loves those who love other beings. Rasulullah (ﷺ) said: 

إنما ير حم الله من عباده الرحماء

"Allah is merciful only to those of His slaves who are merciful (to others).” 

Narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim

Let’s be compassionate and accord others their right to be loved.

The Signs of A Pure Hypocrite

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ مُنَافِقًا خَالِصًا وَمَنْ كَانَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ كَانَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْ النِّفَاقِ حَتَّى يَدَعَهَا إِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ وَإِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَإِذَا عَاهَدَ غَدَرَ وَإِذَا خَاصَمَ فَجَرَ

'Abdullah bin 'Amr reported that The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up: 

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays. 

2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie. 

3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous. 

4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil, and insulting manner."

Narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari 34 (Book 2, Hadith 27)

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com 

Reflections:

1. A person with all four traits of hypocrisy bears the mark of a true hypocrite, whereas a person with one of the four traits is only associated with hypocrisy, until he lets go of said trait.

2. The four traits of a hypocrite are:

a. Whenever he is entrusted with a matter, he betrays that trust.

 

b. Whenever he speaks, he lies.

c. Whenever he makes a promise or an oath, he breaks it.

d. Whenever he quarrels, he is excessive and demeaning.

May Allah protect us from possessing these traits of hypocrisy.

Those Spurned By Allah On The Day of Judgement

عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ ثَلَاثَةٌ لَا يُكَلِّمُهُمْ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَلَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ قَالَ فَقَرَأَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ثَلَاثَ مِرَارًا قَالَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ خَابُوا وَخَسِرُوا مَنْ هُمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ الْمُسْبِلُ وَالْمَنَّانُ وَالْمُنَفِّقُ سِلْعَتَهُ بِالْحَلِفِ الْكَاذِبِ

Narrated by Abu Dharr - The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 

"There are three (types of) people to whom Allah will neither speak on the Day of Resurrection nor look at them nor purify them, and they will have a painful chastisement." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) repeated it three times. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) remarked: "They are ruined. Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?" Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "One who lets down his lower garments (below his ankles) out of arrogance, one who boasts of his favours done to another (due to riya’), and one who promotes and sells his goods by taking a false oath."

Narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com 

Reflections:

1. Every deed by the son of Adam will be held accountable by Allah. 

There will be those that enjoy the reward and pleasure of Heaven, and

there will be those that suffer the torment of Hell. 

 

2. Allah will not take notice of nor will He sanctify the following three groups of people: 

a. Men who practice isbal (lengthening of clothing until it covers the ankle) as a means of showing off, displaying pride, and/or exercising arrogance

b. Those who do good deeds and later mention and boast the performed deed to others (driven by riya’)

c. Those who practice commerce by making false claims in order to convince, influence, and mislead customers into buying their products

3. Allah gives warning on the act of mentioning one’s good deeds to others; the act erases the good deeds. 

From the Quran, 

(یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُبۡطِلُوا۟ صَدَقَـٰتِكُم بِٱلۡمَنِّ وَٱلۡأَذَىٰ كَٱلَّذِی یُنفِقُ مَالَهُۥ رِئَاۤءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا یُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡیَوۡمِ ٱلۡـَٔاخِرِۖ فَمَثَلُهُۥ كَمَثَلِ صَفۡوَانٍ عَلَیۡهِ تُرَابࣱ فَأَصَابَهُۥ وَابِلࣱ فَتَرَكَهُۥ صَلۡدࣰاۖ لَّا یَقۡدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَیۡءࣲ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا یَهۡدِی ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِینَ)

“O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.” 

(Al-Baqarah: 264, Sahih International)

Forbidden Acts

عَنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ بْنِ شُعْبَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم: إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ عُقُوقَ الأُمَّهَاتِ، وَوَأْدَ الْبَنَاتِ،وَمَنْعًا وَهَاتِ، وَكَرِهَ لَكُمْ قِيلَ وَقَالَ، وَكَثْرَةَ السُّؤَالِ، وَإِضَاعَةَ الْمَالِ ‏"‌‏.‏

Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu`ba:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah has forbidden for you to be undutiful to your mothers, to bury your daughters alive, to not pay the rights of others (e.g. charity) and to beg of men. And Allah has hated for you gossip, and that you talk too much about others, and that you ask too many questions (in disputed religious matters) and to waste wealth (by extravagance)."

Narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith no. 2408

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Reflections:

The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade every Muslim from committing the following offences:

1. Disobeying parents

2. Burying daughters alive (an archaic Arabic practise) 

3. Believing and spreading rumours, especially from unvalidated and questionable sources, such as word-of-mouth and social media

4. Asking numerous questions with no intention of benefiting oneself or others, and

5. Wasting and splurging of wealth.

Let’s make sure to be dutiful to both our parents, to have love for children, to validate the news and information we hear, to reduce unnecessary querying, and to be prudent in spending our wealth.

Traits of A Mu’min

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَيْسَ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِالطَّعَّانِ وَلَا اللَّعَّانِ وَلَا الْفَاحِشِ وَلَا الْبَذِيءِ

Abdullah reported that the Prophet said, “The believer is not a slanderer, nor does he curse others, nor is he immoral or shameless.”

Narrated by Tirmizi

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Reflections:

The mu’min (those with iman) are those who avoid the following:

1. Committing verbal abuse

2. Humiliating and insulting others

3. Exhibiting bad behaviour, and

4. Hurting others.

Let’s avoid acts of disgrace, insult, and abuse (both physical and verbal) regardless of how small they may seem, as these acts are not practised by a mu’min.

To Strive To Be The Most Virtuos of Muslims

عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيُّ الْإِسْلَامِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ مَنْ سَلِمَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَيَدِهِ

Narrated by Abu Musa:

"The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, 'Which of the Muslims is the most virtuous?' He said, 'The one whom the Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hand.'" 

Narrated in Sahih Bukhari

Grade: sahih (authentic) 

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Reflections:

1. Islam calls for its people to possess noble character. 

2. It is demanded of Muslims to be mindful of their words and avoid foul speech, such as back-biting, insulting others, and slander. 

3. Thus, the scope of “one whom the Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hand” includes not only physical harm, but also verbal acts and acts in writing.

4. Imam al-Khaththabi rahimahullah explained in detail on the meaning of the hadith and specifically highlighted the context of “the most virtuous of Muslims” as Muslims that not only fulfill the rights of Allah, but the rights of other Muslims as well. 

Let's be mindful of our speech and actions.

The Sin of Those Who Initiate Abusing Others

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْمُسْتَبَّانِ مَا قَالَا فَعَلَى الْبَادِئِ مَا لَمْ يَعْتَدِ الْمَظْلُومُ

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

When two people indulge in hurling (abuses) upon one another, it would be the first one who would be the sinner so long as the oppressed does not transgress limits.

Narrated in Sahih Muslim, hadith no. 2587

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Reflections:

1. Islam forbids the act of disgracing and insulting others.

2. When two persons are involved in a confrontation, the sin of verbal abuse shall be borne by the initiator so long as the receiver does not respond in kind. 

3. Those who are patient with insults will be rewarded by Allah.

Let’s spread RAHMAH by avoiding verbally abusing and insulting others.

Reviling Others, An Act of Shaytan

عن عياض بن حمار قال قُلْتُ: يا رسولَ اللهِ الرَّجُلُ يشتُمُني مِن قومي وهو دوني أعليَّ مِن بأسٍ أنْ أنتصِرَ منه ؟ قال: ( المُستبَّانِ شيطانانِ يتهاتَرانِ ويتكاذَبانِ )

Narrated 'Iyad ibn Himar: 

I said, 'O Messenger (ﷺ) of Allah, a man from my people insults me when he is without me. Do I incur any wrong action if I answer him back (to win from him)?' He (ﷺ) replied, 'Two men who revile one another are two shaytan who accuse one another (of wrong-doing) and lie to each other.' 

Narrated in Sahih Ibn Hibban

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Reflections:

1.  One who is insulted and disgraced is reminded that he should be patient. 

2.  The Prophet Rasulullah (ﷺ) mentions that two people in an argument that involves insults are indeed shaytan.

3.  Those who habitually in engage in verbal abuse will amass sins when they disparage and demean others and also are prone to telling lies.

May we not be considered as shaytan. Let’s avoid the sin of abusing and insulting others.

He Who Is Enraged Is Alike A Madman Possessed By Shaytan

عَنْ عَدِيِّ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ صُرَدٍ قَالَ كُنْتُ جَالِسًا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَرَجُلَانِ يَسْتَبَّانِ فَأَحَدُهُمَا احْمَرَّ وَجْهُهُ وَانْتَفَخَتْ أَوْدَاجُهُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنِّي لَأَعْلَمُ كَلِمَةً لَوْ قَالَهَا ذَهَبَ عَنْهُ مَا يَجِدُ لَوْ قَالَ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ الشَّيْطَانِ ذَهَبَ عَنْهُ مَا يَجِدُ فَقَالُوا لَهُ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ تَعَوَّذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ الشَّيْطَانِ فَقَالَ وَهَلْ بِي جُنُونٌ

Narrated Sulaiman bin Surd:

While I was sitting in the company of the Prophet, two men abused each other and the face of one of them became red with anger, and his jugular veins swelled (i.e. he became furious). On that the Prophet said, "I know a word, the saying of which will cause him to relax, if he does say it. If he says 'I seek refuge with Allah from Satan', then all his anger will go away." Somebody said to him, "The Prophet has said, 'Seek refuge with Allah from Satan."' The angry man said, "Am I mad?"

Sahih (Sahih al-Bukhari 3282)

Translation from sunnah.com

Reflections:

1.  Islam disallows fighting and disputes with one another.

2.  Those who fight and dispute are prone to engaging in insults.

3.  One who disputes can easily be influenced by shaytan and consequently lose self-control, akin to a madman. This leads to spewing forth insults, ridicule, and slander (either written or verbal), without thinking of the negative repercussions to oneself or others.

4.  One who is in a state of anger will frequently not only have a raised and rough voice, but the face will also be reddish and the veins of the neck will bulge.

5.  In moments of anger, the Prophet (ﷺ) taught us to recite the isti’azah in order to fend off shaytan and to cool off the anger: 

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ الشَّيْطَانِ

6.  We are reminded to read isti’azah when reciting the Quran – what more when we are engaging in other activities.

فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيم

So when you recite the Qur'an, [first] seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy]. (al-Nahl: 98, Sahih International)

Let us seek Allah’s protection from shaytan, especially in moments of anger.

Prohibition of Reviling Other Muslims

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ سِبَابُ الْمُسْلِمِ فُسُوقٌ، وَقِتَالُهُ كُفْرٌ ‏"‌‏.‏ تَابَعَهُ غُنْدَرٌ عَنْ شُعْبَةَ‏.‏

Narrated `Abdullah:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Abusing a Muslim is Fusuq (i.e., an evil-doing), and killing him is Kufr (disbelief).”

Narrated in Sahih Bukhari, hadith no. 6044

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Reflections:

1.  Insulting a fellow Muslim is considered the act of a fasiq (a person who engages in fusuq).

2.  Declaring war against other Muslims is considered an act of kufr.

3.  A Mu’min will not ridicule, label, and call others with bad names. Allah forbids the Mu’minin (those with iman or belief) from insulting and ridiculing each other:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَومٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَى أَن يَكُونُوا خَيْراً مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَاء مِّن نِّسَاء عَسَى أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْراً مِّنْهُنَّ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا بِالْأَلْقَابِ بِئْسَ الاِسْمُ الْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ الْإِيمَانِ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ

“O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” (Al Hujuraat :11, Sahih International)

4.  Imam at-Thabari said of the above Quranic verse in Jami’ul Bayan, “This prohibition includes any and all forms of insults and ridicule. It is not acceptable for a Mu’min to insult another Mu’min for his poverty, past sins, or for other reasons.”

5.  The habit of insulting others comes from arrogance and pride of oneself, that one is better than others.

Let’s avoid the evil habit and sin of abusing and insulting others.

Allah Answers Prayers

عَنْ سَلْمَانَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى حَيِيٌّ كَرِيمٌ يَسْتَحْيِي مِنْ عَبْدِهِ إِذَا رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَرُدَّهُمَا صِفْرًا ‏"‏

Narrated Salman al-Farsi: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Your Lord is munificent and generous, and is ashamed to turn away empty the hands of His servant when he raises them to Him."

Narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 1488

In-book reference: Book 8, hadith no. 73

Grade: sahih (authentic) 

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Muslims are obliged to always pray (make du'a) to Allah under all circumstances. 

2. Allah will always grant the du'a and requests of His servants. 

3. Allah will never disappoint His servants. 

Allah decrees:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ 

And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible (Al-Ghafir: 60)

Translation from https://quran.com/40

Let us not be among the arrogant and always make du'a to Allah.

The Supplication Angels Say 'Amen' To

عَنْ صَفْوَانَ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ صَفْوَانَ  عَنْ أُمَّ الدَّرْدَاءِ فَقَالَتْ أَتُرِيدُ الْحَجَّ الْعَامَ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَتْ فَادْعُ اللَّهَ لَنَا بِخَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَقُولُ دَعْوَةُ الْمَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ لِأَخِيهِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَيْبِ مُسْتَجَابَةٌ عِنْدَ رَأْسِهِ مَلَكٌ مُوَكَّلٌ كُلَّمَا دَعَا لِأَخِيهِ بِخَيْرٍ قَالَ الْمَلَكُ الْمُوَكَّلُ بِهِ آمِينَ وَلَكَ بِمِثْلٍ 

قَالَ فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَى السُّوقِ فَلَقِيتُ أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ فَقَالَ لِي مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ يَرْوِيهِ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏. 

Safwan (and he was Ibn 'Abdullah b. Safwan, and he had been married to Umm Darda') reported: 

I visited Abu Darda's house in Syria. I did not find him there but Umm Darda' (was present at the house). She said, "Do you intend to perform Hajj this year?" 

I said, "Yes." 

She said, "Make du'a to ALLAH for blessings upon us, for verily the Prophet (pbuh) has said, 'A prayer of a man for his brother behind his back (in his absence), will have the prayer responded to by the angel commissioned by his head. So long as he prays for blessings for his brother, the angel will say, "Amin, and for you the same." ' " 

I then went to the market and met Abu Darda' and he narrated like this from the Prophet (pbuh).

 

https://sunnah.com/muslim/48/121 

Grade: Sahih 

Lesson: 

1.  Among the best times for supplication is during travel. 

 

2.  Supplicating to ALLAH for a friend from afar without his/her knowledge results in angels saying, 'Amen' to that supplication.  

3.  The angels supplicate to ALLAH for people who supplicate to Him for others with the same prayer.  

Let us supplicate and pray to ALLAH to bless our friends. The angels will pray for the same for us.

Do Not Supplicate For Something Evil or The Cutting of Ties of The Womb

عَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَدْعُو بِدُعَاءٍ إِلَّا آتَاهُ اللَّهُ مَا سَأَلَ أَوْ كَفَّ عَنْهُ مِنْ السُّوءِ مِثْلَهُ مَا لَمْ يَدْعُ بِإِثْمٍ أَوْ قَطِيعَةِ رَحِمٍ 

From Jabir RA who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah said: “There is none who utters a supplication, except that Allah gives him what he asked, or prevents evil from him that is equal to it – as long as he does not supplicate for something evil, or the cutting of ties of the womb.” (HR Tirmizi No: 3303)  

Status: Hasan 

 

Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3381 

http://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/48/12 

 

Lessons: 

 

1. Allah SWT grants one's supplication either in the form of what is asked or in the form of preventing evil from him on two conditions:  

 

a.  One does not supplicate for something evil

 

b.  One does not ask to cut ties with his kindred

 

Let us stay away from supplicating for evil among fellow Muslims. Instead, let’s increase supplicating for goodness and strengthening of ties among kin.

Deter The Devil By Remembering Allah Upon Entering The Home And Eating

عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ إِذَا دَخَلَ الرَّجُلُ بَيْتَهُ فَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ عِنْدَ دُخُولِهِ وَعِنْدَ طَعَامِهِ قَالَ الشَّيْطَانُ لَا مَبِيتَ لَكُمْ وَلَا عَشَاءَ وَإِذَا دَخَلَ وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْ اللَّهَ عِنْدَ دُخُولِهِ قَالَ الشَّيْطَانُ أَدْرَكْتُمْ الْمَبِيتَ فَإِذَا لَمْ يَذْكُرْ اللَّهَ عِنْدَ طَعَامِهِ قَالَ أَدْرَكْتُمْ الْمَبِيتَ وَالْعَشَاءَ 

It was narrated from Jabir bin ‘Abdullah that he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say: 

“When a man enters his house, and remembers Allah when he enters and when he eats, Satan says: ‘You have no place to stay and no supper.’ If he enters his house and does not remember Allah upon entering, Satan says: ‘You have found a place to stay.’ And if he does not remember Allah when he eats, (Satan) says: ‘You have found a place to stay and supper.’” 

Grade: Sahih 

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3887 

Hadith translation obtained from: https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah/34/61 

 

Lessons:

1.  It is Muslim etiquette to be in remembrance of Allah in every action. 

2.  Those who remember Allah are shunned by the Devil. 

3. Whoever remembers Allah upon entering their home deters the Devil from it. 

4.  Whoever remembers Allah while eating deters the Devil as if he recited the Basmalah (recitation of the Allah's name). 

5.  Whoever enters a home without remembering Allah, the Devil will also enter their home. Whoever eats without remembering Allah, the Devil will share his meal. 

Let us ensure to remember Allah upon entering our homes and when eating.

Supplications For Cloudy And Rainy Weather

عَنْ الْمِقْدَامِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ أَخْبَرَتْهُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ إِذَا رَأَى سَحَابًا مُقْبِلًا مِنْ أُفُقٍ مِنْ الْآفَاقِ تَرَكَ مَا هُوَ فِيهِ وَإِنْ كَانَ فِي صَلَاتِهِ حَتَّى يَسْتَقْبِلَهُ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أُرْسِلَ بِهِ فَإِنْ أَمْطَرَ قَالَ  

اللَّهُمَّ صَيِّبًا نَافِعًا مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلَاثَةً وَإِنْ كَشَفَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَلَمْ يُمْطِرْ حَمِدَ اللَّهَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ 

Aishah narrated that when the Prophet (ﷺ) saw a cloud approaching from any horizon, he would stop what he was doing, even if he was praying, and turn to face it, then he would say: 

“Allahumma inna na’udhu bika min sharri ma ursila bihi (O Allah, we seek refuge with You from the evil of that with which it is sent).” Then if it rained he would say: “Allahumma sayyiban nafi’an (O Allah, a beneficial rain),” two or three times. And if Allah dispelled it and it did not rain, he would praise Allah for that. 

Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)  

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3889 

Hadith translation obtained from: https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah/34/63  

Lessons: 

1.  Everything that happens, be it cloudy or rainy weather, happens because Allah wills it to happen. 

2.  Rasulullah SAW taught us a prayer to recite when we see gloomy weather approaching: 

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا أُرْسِلَ بِهِ 

O Allah, we seek refuge with You from the evil of that with which it is sent. 

3.  Rasulullah SAW also taught us a prayer to recite it is raining: 

اللَّهُمَّ صَيِّبًا نَافِعًا 

O Allah, (make it) a beneficial rain 

Let us practice these prayers when the weather is cloudy and rainy.

Three Causes of Unanswered Prayers

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ لَا يَزَالُ يُسْتَجَابُ لِلْعَبْدِ مَا لَمْ يَدْعُ بِإِثْمٍ أَوْ قَطِيعَةِ رَحِمٍ مَا لَمْ يَسْتَعْجِلْ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا الِاسْتِعْجَالُ قَالَ يَقُولُ قَدْ دَعَوْتُ وَقَدْ دَعَوْتُ فَلَمْ أَرَ يَسْتَجِيبُ لِي فَيَسْتَحْسِرُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ وَيَدَعُ الدُّعَاءَ 

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: 

The supplication of the servant is granted in case he does not supplicate for sin or for severing the ties of blood, or he does not become impatient. 

It was said: Allah's Messenger, what does: "If he does not grow impatient" imply? 

He said: That he should say like this: I supplicated and I supplicated but I did not find it being responded, and then he becomes frustrated and abandons supplication. 

Reference: Sahih Muslim 2735

Hadith translation obtained from: https://sunnah.com/muslim/48/127  

Lessons: 

1.  Allah answers every prayer except in three instances: 

a.  Praying to commit sin 

b.  Praying to sever ties of kinship 

c.  Showing impatience in having prayers answered 

2.  An impatient person will tend to become frustrated that their prayers has yet to be answered and tends to abandon prayer altogether.

Let us frequently pray and avoid conditions which invalidate our prayers.

Those Who Travel Or Fall Ill Are Rewarded

أَبَا بُرْدَةَ بْنَ أَبِي مُوسَى وَاصْطَحَبَ هُوَ وَيَزِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي كَبْشَةَ فِي سَفَرٍ وَكَانَ يَزِيدُ يَصُومُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو بُرْدَةَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا مُوسَى مِرَارًا يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا مَرِضَ الْعَبْدُ أَوْ سَافَرَ كُتِبَ لَهُ مِنْ الْأَجْرِ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ مُقِيمًا صَحِيحًا 

 

Abu Burda bin Abu Musa accompanied Yazid bin Abi Kabsha on a journey. Yazid used to observe fasting on journeys. Abu Burda said to him, ‘I heard Abu Musa several times saying that the Messenger (pbuh) said, “When a slave falls ill or travels, then he will get reward similar to that he gets for good deeds practiced at home when in good health.”’ 

 

Grade: Sahih (Bukari, hadith 2996) 

Hadith translation from sunnah.com 

 

Lessons: 

 

1. Always perform acts of worship especially when we are in good health and not travelling  

 

2. An ill person who cannot perform good deeds due to his illness will still be rewarded if he performed those deeds during times of good health. (For example, an individual constantly attends the Maghrib lecture but cannot go because of his illness – The Angels still write down his reward as if he attended) 

 

3. Allah still gives rewards to those who travel. An example would be non-compulsory fasting performed when not traveling. An individual who does not fast because of his travels will still get rewarded. 

 

Let us perform good deeds when we are healthy and not traveling. May Allah still bless us if we cannot perform them when we are sick or travelling

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.

Reciting Three Surah (Chapters) Before Bed

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا أَوَى إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ نَفَثَ فِي كَفَّيْهِ بِقُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ وَبِالْمُعَوِّذَتَيْنِ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ يَمْسَحُ بِهِمَا وَجْهَهُ وَمَا بَلَغَتْ يَدَاهُ مِنْ جَسَدِهِ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَلَمَّا اشْتَكَى كَانَ يَأْمُرُنِي أَنْ أَفْعَلَ ذَلِكَ بِهِ 

 

Narrated `Aisha: Whenever Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) went to bed, he used to recite Surat-al-Ikhlas, Surat-al-Falaq and Surat-an- Nas and then blow on his palms and pass them over his face and those parts of his body that his hands could reach. And when he fell ill, he used to order me to do like that for him. 

 

Grade: Sahih 

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5748 

 

(Hadith translation taken from http://sunnah.com/bukhari/76/63) 

 

Lessons: 

 

1.  Rasulullah (ﷺ) taught that in a Muslim’s actions, there is adab (etiquette) to be observed. This includes when one goes to bed. 

 

2.  Among the adab before going to bed is reciting the the surah al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and an-Nas and then blowing on the palms and passing them over the face and those parts of the body that the hands can reach.  

3.  It is permissible to recite these surah for other people and have them pass their own hands over their bodies, as in the case of children and the sick, for example.

 

4.  These three surah are recited three times each and become protection from evil creatures. 

 

إقراء قل هو الله أحد , والمعوذتين حين تمسي و حين تصبح , ثلاث مرات تكفيك من كل شيء 

"Recite Surat Al-Ikhlas and Al- Mu'awwidhatain (Surat Al-Falaq and Surat An-Nas) three times at dawn and dusk. It will suffice you in all respects." 

Grade: Sahih 

Source: Abu Dawud and at-Tirmizi

http://sunnah.com/riyadussaliheen/16/49 

 

Let’s practice the sunnah of Rasulullah (ﷺ) before going to bed by reciting these three surah.

Surah Al-Ikhlas: Equal To One-Third of The Qur'an

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ أَيَعْجِزُ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَقْرَأَ ثُلُثَ الْقُرْآنِ فِي لَيْلَةٍ فَشَقَّ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَقَالُوا أَيُّنَا يُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الصَّمَدُ ثُلُثُ الْقُرْآنِ 

 

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: The Prophet (ﷺ) said to his companions, "Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Qur'an in one night?" This suggestion was difficult for them so they said, "Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)?" Allah Apostle replied: " Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures need.' (Surat Al-Ikhlas 112.1--to the End) is equal to one third of the Qur'an." 

 

Grade: Sahih 

Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 5015 

 

(Hadith translation taken from http://sunnah.com/bukhari/66/37) 

 

Lessons: 

 

1.  Reciting the Qur’an should be habitual for every Muslim, because it serves as guidance and gives shafa’ah (intercession). 

 

2.  Reciting Surah al-Ikhlas once is equal to the value of one-third of the Qur’an.  

 

3.  When one recites Surah Al-Ikhlas for three times, it is akin to reciting the whole Qur'an. 

 

Let us make reciting Surah al-Ikhlas our daily practice.