Etiquette of Supplication: Turning Palms Upwards

عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ السَّكُونِيِّ ثُمَّ الْعَوْفِيِّ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِذَا سَأَلْتُمْ اللَّهَ فَاسْأَلُوهُ بِبُطُونِ أَكُفِّكُمْ وَلَا تَسْأَلُوهُ بِظُهُورِهَا 

Narrated from Malik ibn Yasar as-Sakuni, al-Awfi: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “When you make du'aa (requests) to Allah, do so with the palms of your hands, and not backward.” 

Source: Sunan Abi Daud No: 1271

Grade: Saheeh. 

Lessons: 

1. One of the etiquette of making supplication is embedding within ourselves the highest sincerity and hope that it will be accepted by Allah. 

2. The sincerity when making supplication is represented by the gesture of our hands - that is, turning our palms upwards - as if waiting for a response or gift from above. 

3. Raise the palms at the same level as or higher than our faces, with the utmost sincerity when asking from Allah. One should make sure to not make half-hearted gestures such as resting the hands on the knees or thighs.

Sinning Renders The Heart Uneasy

عَنْ النَّوَّاسِ بْنِ سَمْعَانَ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ الْبِرِّ وَالْإِثْمِ فَقَالَ الْبِرُّ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ وَالْإِثْمُ مَا حَاكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ وَكَرِهْتَ أَنْ يَطَّلِعَ النَّاسُ عَلَيْهِ

An-Nawwas bin Sam'an (RA) narrated, ‘I asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) about virtue and vice. He said, ‘Virtue is a kind disposition and vice is what rankles in your heart and you would disapprove that people should come to know of it.’

(Hadith translation taken from https://sunnah.com/muslim/45/16)

Lessons:

1. Every good deed by a Muslim is a part of praiseworthy conduct (akhlaq) and merits reward from Allah.

2. Evil deeds are a form of immoral conduct and result in sin.

3. Every sin by a Muslim brings the heart unease.

4. Those who sin would be ashamed if their wrongdoings were to be made known to others.

Let us be steadfast in doing good and refrain from sinful acts!

The Reward That Equates Hajj And Umrah

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ صَلَّى الْغَدَاةَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ ثُمَّ قَعَدَ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ كَانَتْ لَهُ كَأَجْرِ حَجَّةٍ وَعُمْرَةٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ تَامَّةٍ

Anas bin Malik narrated that: The Messenger of Allah said, "Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun has risen, then he prays two Rak'ah, then for him is the reward like that of a Hajj and Umrah." He said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'Complete, complete, complete.'"

Narrated by Imam Tirmizi

Grade: Hasan (sound)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Allah gives us the opportunity to accumulate reward by praying in congregation at the masjid. 

2. Whoever performs Fajr (subuh) congregational prayer, then sits reciting the remembrance of Allah (zikir) till sunrise, then conducts 2 rakaat of voluntary prayers (Dhuha or Ishraq prayers), he will be rewarded as if he went to Hajj or Umrah.

3. Rasulullah SAW repeated the word “complete” 3 times, indicating the reward for performing hajj or umrah until completion. 

Let us strive for the reward of performing Hajj and Umrah by consistently performing Fajr congregational prayers in the masjid, then staying for iktikaf and listening to lectures, joining halaqah, reading the Quran, or reciting zikir until the time comes to pray Ishraq or Dhuha before heading back home. Take the chance to perform it once a week, during weekends or holidays.

A Person’s Conduct In Times of Calamity

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَا يَتَمَنَّيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ الْمَوْتَ مِنْ ضُرٍّ أَصَابَهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ لَا بُدَّ فَاعِلًا فَلْيَقُلْ اللَّهُمَّ أَحْيِنِي مَا كَانَتْ الْحَيَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا كَانَتْ الْوَفَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي 

 

Narrated Anas bin Malik: 

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "None of you should wish for death because of a calamity befalling him; but if he has to wish for death, he should say: "O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me.' "

 

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5671 

Hadith translation obtained from: https://sunnah.com/bukhari/75/32 

 

Lessons: 

1.  Every Muslim is urged to persevere in the face of hardship. 

2.  Every hardship that befalls a Muslim will purify them of sin and elevate their status.  

3.  It is forbidden for a person to wish for death in times of calamity. 

4.  Rather, they are recommended to recite the following prayer: 

اللَّهُمَّ أَحْيِنِي مَا كَانَتْ الْحَيَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا كَانَتْ الْوَفَاةُ خَيْرًا لِي 

O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me.

Teaching Our Children To Pray

عَنْ عَمِّهِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ بْنِ سَبْرَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَدِّهِ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلِّمُوا الصَّبِيَّ الصَّلَاةَ ابْنَ سَبْعِ سِنِينَ وَاضْرِبُوهُ عَلَيْهَا ابْنَ عَشْرٍ

Sabrah bin Ma'bad al-Juhni narrated that: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Teach the boy Salat (prayer) when he is seven years old, and beat him (if he does not pray) when he is ten."

Narrated by Tirmizi

Grade: Hasan Sahih (sound) 

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Teach children to pray at a young age. Encourage them to pray together with us and/or in a congregation.

2. The process of teaching children to pray (with utmost patience and determination) can be started at the age of seven. It takes three years to educate and train them to pray, instilling a sense of responsibility.

3. When children have reached 10 years of age and do not pray, we should discipline them accordingly.

4. Love our children and give them a proper upbringing. Three years should be allotted for unconditional love, persuasion, and nurturing. After that, they should be made to understand the repercussions of leaving obligatory prayer.

      

Let us educate our children to perform Salat properly.

Observing The Obligation of Friday Prayers

عَنْ عَبِيدَةَ بْنِ سُفْيَانَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ تَرَكَ الْجُمُعَةَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ تَهَاوُنًا بِهَا طَبَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَى قَلْبِهِ

‘Abidah bin Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:

"Allah's Messenger said: 'Whoever neglects the Friday prayer three times (in a row) without an excuse, then Allah sets a seal upon his heart."

Narrated in Jami` at-Tirmidhi, hadith no. 500

Grade: Hasan (sound)

Source: https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/4/13

Lessons:

1. Friday prayer is an obligation on Muslim men who are muqim (i.e. residents of where the Jum’ah prayers are being conducted and not travellers).

2. Allah will set a seal upon the heart of whoever leaves three Friday prayers serially without any reason legitimate by syarak (Islamic jurisprudence).

Let us uphold our Friday prayers!

Priortising Going To The Mosque Early For The Friday Prayer

نْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَنْ اغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ غُسْلَ الْجَنَابَةِ ثُمَّ رَاحَ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَدَنَةً وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَقَرَةً وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ كَبْشًا أَقْرَنَ وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الرَّابِعَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ دَجَاجَةً وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الْخَامِسَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَيْضَةً فَإِذَا خَرَجَ الْإِمَامُ حَضَرَتْ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الذِّكْرَ

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

Whoever takes bath due to sexual defilement on Friday and goes out (for Friday prayer), is treated like one who offers a camel as sacrifice; he who goes out in the second instance as one who offers a cow; he who goes out in the third instance is treated as one who offers horned cow ; he who goes out in the fourth instance is treated as one who offers hen ; he who goes out in the fifth instance is treated as one who offers an egg. When the Imam comes out (for sermon), the angels too attend to listen to the sermon.

Narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud, hadith no. 35

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation source: https://sunnah.com/abudawud/1/351

Lessons:

1. It is encouraged for Muslim men to expedite going to the mosque for the Friday prayer and to cleanse themselves thoroughly before doing so.

2. The reward for those who come early to the mosque is not the same as those who come later (i.e. those who come early will be rewarded more).

3. The angels write down on their scrolls the names of those who enter the mosque to perform the Friday prayer. The angels stop writing the names and close their scrolls when the imam starts the sermon (khutbah).

Let us prioritise going to the mosque early for Friday prayers and may we always have our name recorded in the angels’ scrolls among those who come early.

Congregational Prayer At The Mosque After The Call To Prayer

عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ سَمِعَ الْمُنَادِيَ فَلَمْ يَمْنَعْهُ مِنْ اتِّبَاعِهِ عُذْرٌ قَالُوا وَمَا الْعُذْرُ قَالَ خَوْفٌ أَوْ مَرَضٌ لَمْ تُقْبَلْ مِنْهُ الصَّلَاةُ الَّتِي صَلَّى

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: 

If anyone hears he who makes the call to prayer and is not prevented from joining the congregation by any excuse--he was asked what an excuse consisted of and replied that it was fear or illness--the prayer he offers will not be accepted from him.

Reference  : Sunan Abi Dawud 551

In-book reference  : Book 2, Hadith 161

English translation  : Book 2, Hadith 551

Grade: dhaif (weak)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. It is the responsibility of every Muslim who hears the azan (call to prayer) to immediately head to the mosque for congregational prayer.

2. Two categories of people who are excused from congregational prayer are those who are ill and those who have khauf (i.e. are in fear).

3. According to Ibnu Qudamah in Al-Mughniyy, khauf is divided into three: fear for the safety of oneself, for the safety of his property, and for the safety of his family.

4. According to Imam an-Nawawi, congregational prayer is a fardhu kifayah (collective obligation) decreed upon males who are sane, baligh (of age to discern between right and wrong), have clothes which cover aurat, and have no other valid excuse.

Even The Blind Are Not Excused From Praying At The Mosque

عَنْ أَبِي رَزِينٍ عَنْ ابْنِ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ ضَرِيرُ الْبَصَرِ شَاسِعُ الدَّارِ وَلِي قَائِدٌ لَا يُلَائِمُنِي فَهَلْ لِي رُخْصَةٌ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ فِي بَيْتِي قَالَ هَلْ تَسْمَعُ النِّدَاءَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ لَا أَجِدُ لَكَ رُخْصَة

Narrated Amr ibn Za'dah, Ibn Umm Maktum:

Ibn Umm Maktum asked the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, “Messenger of Allah, I am a blind man, my house is far away (from the mosque), and I have a guide who does not follow me. Is it possible that permission be granted to me for saying prayer in my house?” He asked, “Do you hear summons (azan)?” He said, “ Yes.” He (the Messenger) said, “I do not find any permission for you.”

Reference  : Sunan Abi Dawud 552

In-book reference  : Book 2, Hadith 162

Grade : Hasan Sahih (sound)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. It is preferable that fardhu (obligatory) prayers for men be performed at the mosque.

2. A person is exempted from going to the mosque if he is ill.

3. However, the Prophet (ﷺ) told Ibn Umm Maktum (a blind man) to perform congregational prayer at the mosque as the azan was still within earshot, considering him still able.

We who are not disabled have no reason not to attend congregational prayers.

The Reward of Qiamullial For Those Who Sleep

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَا مِنْ امْرِئٍ تَكُونُ لَهُ صَلَاةٌ بِاللَّيْلِ فَيَغْلِبُهُ عَلَيْهَا نَوْمٌ إِلَّا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَهُ أَجْرَ صَلَاتِهِ وَكَانَ نَوْمُهُ ذَلِكَ صَدَقَةً 

From Aishah, may Allah (SWT) be pleased with her, who said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "There is no man who habitually prays at night, then sleep overwhelms him, but Allah (SWT) will record for him the reward of his prayer, and his sleep is a charity given to him."

Narrated in Sunan an-Nasa'i, Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith no. 1785

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Performing nighttime prayers (qiamullail) is a highly encouraged practice. 

2. A person who is accustomed to qiamullail but then misses it due to accumulating tiredness will still receive the reward of having prayed at night, and the sleep becomes Allah’s gift to him.

Let us habitualise ourselves with waking up in the middle of the night and performing qiamullail in following the Prophet’s sunnah, even if just for one raka’at.

Closing Off Qiamullial With The Witir Prayer

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ مَا تَرَى فِي صَلَاةِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ مَثْنَى مَثْنَى فَإِذَا خَشِيَ الصُّبْحَ صَلَّى وَاحِدَةً فَأَوْتَرَتْ لَهُ مَا صَلَّى وَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ اجْعَلُوا آخِرَ صَلَاتِكُمْ وِتْرًا فَإِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَمَرَ بِهِ

Abdullah bin Umar RA said, "While the Prophet (ﷺ) was on the pulpit, a man asked him how to offer the night prayers. He replied, 'Pray two rakat at a time and then two and then two and so on, and if you are afraid of the dawn (the approach of the time of the Fajr prayer) pray one raka and that will be the witr for all the rakat which you have offered.'" Ibn Umar said, "The last rak`at of the night prayer should be odd, for the Prophet (ﷺ) ordered it to be so."

Narrated in Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Book 8, Hadith 472

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Rasulullah (ﷺ) taught the way to perform nighttime prayers (qiamullail): two raka’at at a time. Each pair of raka’at should be ended with tasleem (the salaam given to end prayer) before standing to pray again.

2. If the time for Fajar (subuh) prayers is approaching, it is advisable to perform one raka’at of the witir prayer. 

3. The witir prayer is made as a closing prayer for all sunnah (supererogatory) prayers performed at night, done with at least one raka’at. 

Let’s try to perform qiamullail every night for at least one raka’at.

Worthless Acts of Worship

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَمْ مِنْ صَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ صِيَامِهِ إِلَّا الْجُوعُ وَكَمْ مِنْ قَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ قِيَامِهِ إِلَّا السَّهَرُ

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There are people who fast and get nothing from their fast except hunger, and there are those who pray (at night) and get nothing from their prayer but a sleepless night.”

Narrated in Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 7, Hadith 1690

Grade: Hasan (sound)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Fasting and prayer are forms of worship that draw servants closer to Allah. 

2. They should be performed thoroughly and with sincerity.

 

3. Imperfection and insincerity will cause fasting to be nothing but hunger and thirst and prayer to be nothing but tiredness.

May these acts of worship be performed in the best way possible and with utmost sincerity.

Awakening Family Members For Qiamullial

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُصَلِّي وَأَنَا رَاقِدَةٌ مُعْتَرِضَةً عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ فَإِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يُوتِرَ أَيْقَظَنِي فَأَوْتَرْتُ

Narrated `Aisha: The Prophet (ﷺ) used to pray while I was sleeping across in his bed in front of him. Whenever he wanted to pray witr, he would wake me up and I would pray witr.

Narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, Book 8, Hadith S512

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Waking up at night to perform prayer (qiamullail) emulates the practice of Rasulullah (ﷺ).

2. Rasulullah (ﷺ) woke his family members up as well to perform qiamullail.

Let’s wake our family members for qiamullail, even if for just one raka’at. May our nighttime prayers become an essential part of our lives.

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!

Giving In Charity From A Husband’ 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 Benefits of Qiamullial

عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ عَلَيْكُمْ بِقِيَامِ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنَّهُ دَأَبُ الصَّالِحِينَ قَبْلَكُمْ وَهُوَ قُرْبَةٌ إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ وَمَكْفَرَةٌ لِلسَّيِّئَاتِ وَمَنْهَاةٌ لِلْإِثْمِ 

Abi Umamah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Hold fast to Qiyam al-Lail, for it is the practice of the righteous before you, and indeed Qiyam al-Lail is a means of nearness to Allah, a means of prevention from sin, an expiation for bad deeds, and a barrier for the body against disease.”

Narrated by at-Tirmizhi

Grade: Hasan sahih (sound)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Nighttime prayers qiamullail is the practice of the righteous. 

2. It is a means of getting near to Allah.

3. It can erase one’s sins or bad deeds.

4. Qiamullail can prevent a Muslim from engaging in sin. 

Let’s set aside some time after Isya’ prayers and Fajr (subuh) prayers for qiamullail so that we may be counted among the righteous.

The Residents of Paradise

وَأَهْلُ الْجَنَّةِ ثَلَاثَةٌ ذُو سُلْطَانٍ مُقْسِطٌ مُتَصَدِّقٌ مُوَفَّقٌ وَرَجُلٌ رَحِيمٌ رَقِيقُ الْقَلْبِ لِكُلِّ ذِي قُرْبَى وَمُسْلِمٍ وَعَفِيفٌ مُتَعَفِّفٌ ذُو عِيَالٍ 

"The inmates of Paradise are three: he who wields authority who is just, fair, and truthful and has been guided with taufiq (by Allah), he who is merciful and kind-hearted towards his relatives and to every pious Muslim, and he who does not stretch his hand (i.e. beg from others) despite being impoverished.”

Narrated in Sahih Muslim, hadith no. 2685

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Reflections:

1. Among those who will reside in heaven are:

a. A just ruler or leader who is always generous and mindful of Allah in carrying out his responsibilities

b. A person who treats his relatives and other Muslims with gentleness and kindness, and

c. A person pure of heart who keeps himself from seeking charity despite being poor.

Let’s strive to embrace the characteristics of the inhabitants of paradise.

The Supplementary Prayers That The Prophet Never Missed

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ لَا يَدَعُ أَرْبَعًا قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ الْغَدَاةِ

Narrated 'Aishah:

The Prophet (ﷺ) never omitted four rak'ahs before the noon prayer, and two rak'ahs before the dawn prayer.

Narrated in Sunan Abi Dawud, hadith 1253

Grade: Sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Rasulullah ﷺ would always perform four rak’ahs of supplementary prayer before Zuhur prayers.

 

2. He would also always pray two rak’ahs before the Subuh prayer.

Let’s follow in his footsteps and perform supplementary prayers before these two obligatory prayers.

A House In Paradise For 12 Rak’ahs A Day

عَنْ أُمِّ حَبِيبَةَ قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ صَلَّى فِي يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ ثِنْتَيْ عَشْرَةَ رَكْعَةً بُنِيَ لَهُ بَيْتٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ أَرْبَعًا قَبْلَ الظُّهْرِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَهَا وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءِ وَرَكْعَتَيْنِ قَبْلَ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ

Umm Habibah narrated that Allah's Messenger (S) sad:

"Whoever prays twelve rak'ah in a day and a night, a house will be built for him in Paradise: four rak'ah before Zuhur, two rak'ah after it, two rak'ah after Maghrib, two rak'ah after Isha, and two rak'ah before the Fajr prayer."

Narrated in Jami` at-Tirmidhi, hadith 415

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. In addition to praying five obligatory times a day, Muslims are encouraged to perform supplementary prayers.

2. Allah will build a house in Paradise for those who pray 12 supplementary rak’ahs in a single day and night.

3. The 12 rak’ahs are 4 before Zohor, 2 after Zohor, 2 after Maghrib, 2 after Isya’ and 2 before Subuh.

The Mukmin As A Single Entity

عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي تَوَادِّهِمْ وَتَرَاحُمِهِمْ وَتَعَاطُفِهِمْ مَثَلُ الْجَسَدِ إِذَا اشْتَكَى مِنْهُ عُضْوٌ تَدَاعَى لَهُ سَائِرُ الْجَسَدِ بِالسَّهَرِ وَالْحُمَّى ‏"‏  

 

Nu'man b. Bashir reported Allah's Messenger (SAW) as saying: The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole-body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever.  

 

Reference: Sahih Muslim 2586 a 

https://sunnah.com/muslim/45/84 

 

Lessons: 

 

1. Mukmin are like kin to one another. 

 

2. They are likened to parts of the same human body – some make up the feet, hands, teeth, and others. 

 

3. If one part of the body (such as the tooth) aches, the other parts feel the pain too. 

 

Let’s care for our kin like how we care for our own body.

Act of Kindness

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ سُمَىٍّ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ بَيْنَا رَجُلٌ يَمْشِي فَاشْتَدَّ عَلَيْهِ الْعَطَشُ، فَنَزَلَ بِئْرًا فَشَرِبَ مِنْهَا، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِكَلْبٍ يَلْهَثُ، يَأْكُلُ الثَّرَى مِنَ الْعَطَشِ، فَقَالَ لَقَدْ بَلَغَ هَذَا مِثْلُ الَّذِي بَلَغَ بِي فَمَلأَ خُفَّهُ ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَهُ بِفِيهِ، ثُمَّ رَقِيَ، فَسَقَى الْكَلْبَ فَشَكَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ، فَغَفَرَ لَهُ ‏"‌‏.‏ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، وَإِنَّ لَنَا فِي الْبَهَائِمِ أَجْرًا قَالَ ‏"‏ فِي كُلِّ كَبِدٍ رَطْبَةٍ أَجْرٌ ‏"‌‏.‏ تَابَعَهُ حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ وَالرَّبِيعُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ‏.‌‏ 

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, 'This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So, he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?" He replied, "Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate.".  

Reference: Sahih Bukhari 2363 

https://sunnah.com/bukhari/42/11 

 

Lesson: 

 

1. All Muslims are encouraged to do good deeds towards all beings. 

 

2. A Muslim that does good deeds to animals, such as giving a drink to a dog in thirst, will receive a good reward.  

 

3. Some of the rewards that await a Muslim who treats other beings kindly are the forgiveness of that Muslim’s sins by Allah. 

 

Let’s find the opportunity and time to do good deeds.

Doing Good Deeds To Neighbours

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَا زَالَ يُوصِينِي جِبْرِيلُ بِالْجَارِ حَتَّى ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ سَيُوَرِّثُهُ 

Narrated `Aisha: The Prophet (SAW) said "Gabriel continued to recommend me about treating the neighbours kindly and politely so much so that I thought he would order me to make them as my heirs. 

 

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 6014 

https://sunnah.com/bukhari/78/45 

 

Lesson: 

 

1. Muslims are commanded to do good to their neighbours. 

 

Narrated by Abu Hurairah r.a: The Prophet (SAW) said, “He will not enter Paradise whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct.”  

   (Sahih Muslim 46) 

   (Hadith translation obtained from sunnah.com) 

 

2. There are many ways of doing good to neighbours, such as not hurting them (through careless words or actions), always offering them help and assistance, congratulating them upon hearing good news, and giving them words of condolence to offer sympathy for a loss or an unfortunate event. 

 

3. Neighbours are our closest “relatives”. They are regarded as a part of our family. 

 

4. One of the signs of contentment in life is through presence of good neigbours.  

One hadith is narrated as below: 

 

اربع من السعادة, المراة الصالحة والمسكن الواسع والجار الصالح والمركب الهنيء واربع من الشقاوة الجار الشوء والمراةالسوء والمسكن الضيق والمركب السوء أربعٌ من السعادةِ : المرأةُ الصالحةُ ، و المسكنُ الواسعُ ، و الجارُ الصالحُ ، و المركبُ الهنيءُ . وأربعٌ من الشقاءِ : المرأةُ السوءُ ، و الجارُ السوءُ ، و المركبُ السوءُ ، و المسكنُ السوءُ 

 

Narrated by Sa’ad Abi Waqas: “Four things are part of happiness: a righteous spouse, a spacious dwelling, a righteous neighbour, and a comfortable mount. Four things are part of misery: a bad neighbour, a bad spouse, a restrictive dwelling, and a bad mount” 

 

(Sahih Ibn Hibban 4122) 

(Hadith translation obtained from abuaminaelias.com) 

 

Let’s please our neighbours and do good to them.

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)

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.

Person Most Loved By Allah

أَحَبُّ النَّاسِ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى أَنْفَعُهُمْ لِلنَّاسِ

 

“The person most loved by Allah is he who offers the most benefit to others.” (Narrated by Tobrani)

Moral:

1. Let us be among those most loved by Allah.

2. The requisite to become the most loved by Allah is to shape ourselves as persons who give the most benefit to others.

3. Wherever we may be, let’s make a concerted effort to touch and influence others with our kindness that our loss will be felt. 

Let’s spread MERCY to benefit all.

Planting Is Charity

عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَغْرِسُ غَرْسًا أَوْ يَزْرَعُ زَرْعًا فَيَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ إِنْسَانٌ أَوْ طَيْرٌ أَوْ بَهِيمَةٌ إِلَّا كَانَتْ لَهُ صَدَقَةٌ

From the Prophet S.A.W, who spoke: “No Muslim plants a plant or sows a seed and (its harvest) is consumed by a person, bird, or livestock except that that becomes a charity for him.” (Narrated in Tirmizi, No.: 1303)

Moral:

1. Any form of good deed by a Muslim will be rewarded in the sight of Allah.

2. A Muslim who plants a tree which bears fruit to be eaten by others or animals will be rewarded for his deed.

3. Whatever contribution from a Muslim which benefits others, including non-Muslims and animals, will be a charity attributed to him.

Let’s contribute what we can to get that fixed deposit reward in the Hereafter.

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!

The Neighbour To Whom Good Should First Be Done

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ لِي جَارَيْنِ بِأَيِّهِمَا أَبْدَأُ قَالَ بِأَدْنَاهُمَا بَابًا

‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said, ‘I asked, “O Apostle of Allah! I have two neighbours. To which of them should I do good first?” He replied, “Begin with the one whose door is nearer to you.”’

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 5155

In-book reference: Book 43, Hadith 383

Lessons:

1. It is obligatory to be good to our neighbours.

2. The neighbour that we should prioritise in doing good to is the one who is closest to our home.

Let us acquaint ourselves with our neighbours!

Doing Good Deeds, No Matter How Small

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَا يَحْقِرَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ شَيْئًا مِنْ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَلْيَلْقَ أَخَاهُ بِوَجْهٍ طَلِيقٍ وَإِنْ اشْتَرَيْتَ لَحْمًا أَوْ طَبَخْتَ قِدْرًا فَأَكْثِرْ مَرَقَتَهُ وَاغْرِفْ لِجَارِكَ مِنْهُ

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Let one of you not consider any good to be insignificant. If he has nothing, then let him meet his brother with a smiling face. If you buy some meat or cook something in a pot, then increase its broth, and serve some of it to your neighbour."

Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1833

In-book reference: Book 25, Hadith 49

English translation: Vol. 3, Book 23, Hadith 1833

Lessons:

1. Carry out good deeds no matter how small they are.

2. Even putting on a smile or a cheerful face counts as a good deed.

3. Cook extra food to share with neighbours even if to share just the broth or gravy.

The Chief Form of Repentence

عَنْ شَدَّادُ بْنُ أَوْسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ سَيِّدُ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ أَنْ تَقُولَ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ قَالَ وَمَنْ قَالَهَا مِنْ النَّهَارِ مُوقِنًا بِهَا فَمَاتَ مِنْ يَوْمِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُمْسِيَ فَهُوَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَمَنْ قَالَهَا مِنْ اللَّيْلِ وَهُوَ مُوقِنٌ بِهَا فَمَاتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصْبِحَ فَهُوَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ

Shaddad bin Aus (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The best supplication for seeking forgiveness (Sayyidul Istighfar) is to say: 

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

‘(O Allah! You are my Lord. None has the right to be worshipped except You. You created me, and I am Your slave, and I abide by Your covenant and my promise to You as much as I am able. I seek refuge in You from the evil that I have committed. I acknowledge the favours that You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins. Pardon me, for none but You has the power to pardon)' 

He who supplicates in these terms during the day with firm belief in it and dies on the same day (before the evening), he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah; and if anyone supplicates in these terms during the night with firm belief in it and dies before the morning, he will be one of the dwellers of Jannah.”

Narrated in Sahih Bukhari, no. 6306

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. No Muslim is exempt from making errors and mistakes.

2. We are instructed to always make istighfar so that all of our sins are forgiven.

3. The best supplication for seeking Allah’s forgiveness is:

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

4. The believer who recites the supplication mentioned above with conviction during the day or the night and dies, will enter Jannah.

Permissible Envy

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَا حَسَدَ إِلَّا فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ رَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ مَالًا فَسُلِّطَ عَلَى هَلَكَتِهِ فِي الْحَقِّ وَرَجُلٌ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْحِكْمَةَ فَهُوَ يَقْضِي بِهَا وَيُعَلِّمُهَا

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Envy is permitted only in two cases: (1) A man whom Allah gives wealth, and he disposes of it rightfully, and (2) a man to whom Allah gives knowledge which he applies and teaches it."

Narrated by Imam Bukhari

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com 

Lessons:

1. Envy and jealousy are permitted only in two cases:

a) towards person to whom Allah gives wealth which he disposes of rightfully, on the path of truth.

b) towards a person to whom Allah gives knowledge which is practiced and taught to others.

2. It is forbidden to envy people who have been given advantages and favours (ni’mah) from Allah and it is forbidden to try to eliminate those advantages and favours from them.

Avoiding Anger

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا قَالَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَوْصِنِي قَالَ لَا تَغْضَبْ فَرَدَّدَ مِرَارًا قَالَ لَا تَغْضَبْ

Narrated Abu Huraira: A man said to the Prophet (ﷺ), "Advise me! "The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not become angry and furious." The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet (ﷺ) said in each case, "Do not become angry and furious."

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 6116

In-book reference: Book 78, Hadith 143

USC-MSA web (English) reference: Vol. 8, Book 73, Hadith 137

(deprecated numbering scheme)

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Lessons:

1. The Prophet reminded the man to be cautious of being angry and repeated himself several times, showing its importance.

2. Anger is the root of many bad deeds, and refraining oneself from it is the root of many good deeds.

3. Anger leads to forbidden and regrettable acts. This includes injuring others, bad-mouthing and slander, swearing, enmity, marriage troubles and divorce, and even murder. 

4. Imam Ahmad interpreted good manners as eschewing anger.  When Ibnu Murabak was asked, “What are good manners summarised in one word?”, he answered, “Restraining anger.”

Let's be merciful and try our best to control our anger.

Avoiding Negative Presumptions

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِيَّاكُمْ وَالظَّنَّ فَإِنَّ الظَّنَّ أَكْذَبُ الْحَدِيثِ وَلاَ تَحَسَّسُوا وَلاَ تَجَسَّسُوا وَلاَ تَنَافَسُوا وَلاَ تَحَاسَدُوا وَلاَ تَبَاغَضُوا وَلاَ تَدَابَرُوا وَكُونُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ إِخْوَانًا ‏"‏

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

Avoid suspicion, for suspicion is the gravest lie in talk and do not be inquisitive about one another and do not spy upon one another and do not feel envy with the other, and nurse no malice, and nurse no aversion and hostility against one another. And be fellow-brothers and servants of Allah.

Narrated in Sahih Muslim, no. 2563 (Book 45, Hadith 35)

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation adapted from sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. Islam teaches us to refrain from making negative presumptions about others.

Allah says in the Quran:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱجۡتَنِبُواْ كَثِيرً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعۡضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثۡمٌ۬‌ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُواْ وَلَا يَغۡتَب بَّعۡضُكُم بَعۡضًا‌ۚ

“O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other.” (Al-Hujurat: 12)

Translation adapted from quran.com

2. Suspicions, or negative presumptions, are sins.

3. Avoid fault-finding and criticising others.

4. Do not envy one another. Do not hate one another. 

5. All Muslims are brothers (and sisters). And Muslims have rights on their Muslim brothers and sisters. It is our duty to preserve these rights between one another.

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.

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.

The Amazing Believer

عَنْ صُهَيْبٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَجَبًا لِأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لِأَحَدٍ إِلَّا لِلْمُؤْمِنِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ وَإِنْ

أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ

Shuhaib reported that Rasulullah s.a.w. said: Strange are the ways of a believer, for there is good in every affair of his. And this is not the case with anyone except in the case of a believer, for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is good for him in it. And if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is good for him in it.

Narrated in Sahih Muslim

Grade: sahih (authentic)

Translation: https://sunnah.com/muslim/55/82

Lessons:

1. A believer is always accepting of whatever fate befalls him.

2. A believer will always be grateful for every good that befalls him. Gratitude can be shown through the following ways:

a. Heeding Allah and being humble

b. Expressing one’s love for Allah

c. Acknowledging that all good is none other than from Allah and praising Allah

d. Ensuring that Allah's favours are used only in ways that please Allah

3. A believer endures any hardship or mishap with patience and acceptance.

4. Ibn Qayyim once mentioned that half of faith (iman) is patience while the other half is gratitude (shukr).

Let us strive to be among the extraordinary believers.

The Zikir With The Reward 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, “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 Virtous 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.

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

Sinning Renders The Heart Uneasy

عَنْ النَّوَّاسِ بْنِ سَمْعَانَ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ الْبِرِّ وَالْإِثْمِ فَقَالَ الْبِرُّ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ وَالْإِثْمُ مَا حَاكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ وَكَرِهْتَ أَنْ يَطَّلِعَ النَّاسُ عَلَيْهِ

An-Nawwas bin Sam'an (RAA) narrated, ‘I asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) about virtue and vice. He said, ‘Virtue is a kind disposition and vice is what rankles in your heart and you would disapprove that people should come to know of it.’

(Hadith translation taken from https://sunnah.com/muslim/45/16)

Lessons:

1. Every good deed by a Muslim is a part of praiseworthy conduct (akhlaq) and merits reward from Allah.

2. Evil deeds are a form of immoral conduct and result in sin.

3. Every sin by a Muslim brings the heart unease.

4. Those who sin would be ashamed if their wrongdoings were to be made known to others.

Let us be steadfast in doing good and refrain from sinful acts!

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!

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!