Having Good Manners

[AbuMubarak]

Impartial Search For Truth, Avoiding Bias
And Observing The Accepted Ethics Of Debate

Shaykh Saleh Abdullah bin Humaid

Islamic Principles and Rules of Debate
© Al-Manara 1994

What ensures a straightforward and fruitful debate is a resolute search for truth, not allowing one's own desires or the public's to take control. A sensible person, Muslim or non-Muslim, is expected to seek truth and to avoid error sincerely.

Most of the well-known Muslim scholars were very careful in this regard. Al-Imam al-Shafi`i, for instance, used to say: "I never talked with someone but sincerely wished that Allah keep him, protect him from sin and misdeed and guide him; and I never debated with someone but sincerely wished that we would come upon truth, regardless of whether he or I should be the one to think of it first."

Abu Hamed al-Ghazali says also in this connection: "Cooperation in seeking truth is inherent to religion, but sincerity in the pursuit of truth can be distinguished by certain conditions and signs. A diligent seeker of truth may be compared to one who is looking for his lost camel. It would be immaterial for him if he or another person should be the one to find it. Likewise, a sincere truth-seeker would perceive his partner as a helper rather than an adversary, and would be grateful to him if he should guide him to truth."

In another place of Volume 1 of Al-Ihya al-Ghazali says: "Over-enthusiasm is a mark of corrupted scholars, even when the case they are defending is true. By showing excessive enthusiasm for truth and their contempt of their oppontents, the latter would be stimulated to retaliate and react in the same manner. They would be driven to stand for falsehood and to be true to the label attributed to them. If the champions of truth had spoken kindly to them avoiding publicity and humiliation they would have succeeded in winning them over. But as it is, a person who enjoys a place of prestige is strongly inclined to preserve his position by attracting followers, and the only way to that is to boast and to attack or curse adversaries."

To conclude, a debate must be conducted fairly and calmly, without showing any excitement or roughness, and without compromising the chances of arriving at the truth. Debaters should avoid spiteful argumentation and word play, as such behaviour poisons the atmosphere, arouses hostile attitudes and may well end in deadlock.

http://www.islaam.com/Article.asp?id=574


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Prohibition of Disputation in Religion
Imam al-Barbahaaree

Sharh us-Sunnah
© 1995 Al-Haneef Publications

... If someone comes to debate with you, beware of him. For debating involves argumentation, disputing, seeking to overcome, wrangling and anger. You have been forbidden from all of this. It diverts you both away from the truth. It has not reached us that any of our scholars or people of knowledge argued, debated or disputed. Al-Hasan (al-Basree) said, "The wise man does not argue or seek to overcome with stratagem rather he propagates his wisdom. If it is accepted he praises Allaah and if it is rejected he praises Allaah." [Reported by Abu Nu`aim ibn Hammaad in his Zawaa'id `alaz-Zuhd libnil Mubaarak (no. 30) and Ibn Battah in Ibaanatul-Kubraa (no. 611). Its isnaad is weak, since it contains an unnamed narrator.]

A man came to al-Hasan (al-Basree) and said, "I wish to debate with you about the Religion." Al-Hasan replied, "I know my Religion. If you have lost your Religion go out and look for it." [Reported by al-Aajurree in ash-Sharee`ah (p. 57), al-Laalikaa'ee in as-Sunnah (no. 215) and Ibn Battah (no. 586) and it is saheeh.]

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) heard some people arguing outside his apartment, one of them saying, 'Did not Allaah say so and so?' and the other saying, 'Did not Allaah say so and so?' So he came out angry and said, "Is this what I have ordered you, or is this what I was sent with, that you should set one part of the Book of Allaah against some other parts?" [Reported by Ahmad (2/178, 181 and 196), Ibn Maajah (no. 85), `Abdullaah ibn Ahmad in as-Sunnah (no. 86) and al-Baghawee in Sharhus-Sunnah (1/260). Al-Boosayree declared it saheeh in Zawaa'id Ibn Maajah (1/4) as did al-Albaanee in Sharh `Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah (p. 218)] So he forbade them from argumentation.

Ibn `Umar used to hate disputation as did Maalik ibn Anas and those greater and lesser than him right up to this day.

The Sayings of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, is greater than the sayings of His creation. Allaah, the Most High says: "None dispute in the Aayaat (signs, proofs) of Allaah except those who disbelieve." [Soorah Ghaafir (40):4]

A man asked `Umar ibn al-Khattaab: What is "Those (angels) who gently take out (the souls of the believers)"? [Soorah an-Naazi`aat (79):2]. He said, "If your head were shaved, I would have beheaded you." [Shaving his head was the sign of the Khawaarij. The man who asked `Umar was called Sabeegh. His story is well-known and authentic. It is reported by ad-Daarimee (1/51), Ibn Waddah in al-Bida`h (p.56), al-Aajurree in ash-Sharee`ah (p. 73), al-Laalikaa'ee in as-Sunnah (pp. 634-636) and Ibn Battan (1/414-415)

The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "The Believer does not dispute and I will not intercede on the Day of Resurrection for those who dispute, so leave arguing for its lack of good." [This hadeeth is very weak, as declared by al-Haithumee in Majma` uz-Zawaa'id (1/156, 725). Reported by at-Tabaraanee in al-Kabeer (8/178-179) and al-Aajurree in ash-Sharee`ah (pp. 55-56).

http://www.islaam.com/Article.asp?id=350


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Islamic Manners: Discussions and Debates
Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghudda

Islamic Manners
(c) 2001 Awakening Publications

If you have trouble understanding some of what has been said in meeting, hold your questions until the speaker has finished. Gently, politely, and with proper introduction, ask for clarification. Do not interrupt a person's speech. Never raise your voice with the question, or be blunt to draw attention to yourself. This is contrary to the proper manner of listening, and stirs up contempt. However, this is not the rule if the meeting is for studying and learning. In such a case, asking questions and initiating a discussion is desirable if conducted respectfully and tactfully and only after the speaker finishes. The Khalifah Al-Ma'mun said: "Discussion entrenches knowledge much more than mere agreement."

Al-Haitham ibn Adi, a known scholar, historian, and a member of the court of four Khalifahs: Abu Ja`far al-Mansur, Al-Mahdi, Al-Hadi and Al-Rashid, said: "It is an ill manner to overwhelm someone while speaking and to interrupt them before they end their talk."

If a colleague did not understand an issue and asked a scholar or an elder to explain, you should listen to what is being said. The repeated explanation may give you additional insights to what you already know. Never utter any word belittling your colleague, nor allow your face to betray such an attitude.

When an elder or a scholar speaks, listen attentively. Never busy yourself with a talk or discussion with other colleagues. Do not let your mind wander elsewhere; keep it focused on what is being said.

Never interrupt a speaker. Never rush to answer if you are not very confident of your answer. Never argue about something you do not know. Never argue for the sake of argument. Never show arrogance with your counterparts especially if they hold a different opinion. Do not switch the argument to belittle your opponent's views. If their misunderstanding becomes evident, do not rebuke or scold them. Be modest and kind. A poet once said:

Who could get me a friend
Who if I offend will remain calm
Who would listen intently to what I have to say
When he knows it better than I do

http://www.islaam.com/Article.asp?id=595


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Islamic Manners: The Art of Listening
Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghudda

Islamic Manners
(c) 2001 Awakening Publications

If a person starts telling you, whether in private or public, something that you already knew very well, you should pretend as if you do not know it. Do not rush to reveal your knowledge or to interfere with the speech. Instead, show your attention and concentration. The honorable tab'i Imam Ata ibn Abi Rabah said: "A young man would tell me something that I may have heard before he was born. Nevertheless, I would listen to him as if I had never heard it before."

Khalid ibn Safwan al-Tamimi, who frequented the courts of two Khalifahs: Umar ibn Abdul Aziz and Hisham ibn Abdul Malik, said: "If a person tells you something you have heard before, or news that you already learned, do not interrupt him to exhibit your knowledge to those present. This is rude and ill mannered." The honorable Imam Abdullah ibn Wahab al-Qurashi al-Masri, a companion of Imam Malik, Al-Laith ibn Sad and Al-Thawri, said: "Sometimes a person would tell me a story that I have heard before his parents had wed. Yet, I listened as if I have never heard it before." Ibrahim ibn al-Junaid said: "A wise man said to his son: 'Learn the art of listening as you learn the art of speaking.'" Listening well means maintaining eye contact, allowing the speaker to finish the spech, and restraining your urge to interrupt his speech. Al-Hafiz al-Khatib al-Baghdadi said in a poem:

Never interrupt a talk
Though you know it inside out

http://www.islaam.com/Article.asp?id=592


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Turning Away From Pointless Talk
Imam Al-Bayhaqi

The Seventy-Seven Branches of Faith [Summarized]
The Quilliam Press 1996
© belongs to the translator A. Murad

Allah Most High has said: Successful are the believers, who are humble in their prayers, and who turn away from pointless talk, [23:1-3] and: Those who do not bear witness to what is false, but when they pass by pointless talk, pass by with dignity, [25:72] and: When they hear pointless talk, they turn away from it. [28:55]

"Pointless talk" [laghw] is speech which is futile and irrelevant, and bears no relation to any true purpose. It brings no benefit to the one who utters it, and may well bring him misfortune instead.

Ali (r) related that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "It is part of a man's sound practice of Islam that he leave alone that which is of no concern to him." [At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]

Dhu'l-Nun said, "Whoever loves Allah lives truly, and whoever inclines to anything else damages his mind. A foolish man comes and goes, paying attention to what is nothing, while the intelligent man inspects his own thoughts scrupulously."

http://www.islaam.com/Article.asp?id=238





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"By Al-'Asr (the time). Verily! Man is in loss, Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma'ruf) which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar) which Allah has forbidden), and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allah's Cause during preaching His religion of Islamic Monotheism or Jihad, etc.)." (Quran, 103:1-3)
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[AbuMubarak]

Bismillah Ir-Rahman Ir-Rahim...

As-Salaam-o-Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu!!!

Anger Control

Sulayman ibn Sard said: "I was sitting with the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and two men were slandering one another. One of them was red in the face, and the veins on his neck were standing out. The Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
"I know a word which, if he were to say it, what he feels would go away. If he said," I seek refuge with Allah from the Shaytaan," what he feels (i.e. his anger) would go away.""

[Al-Bukhari, al-Fath, 6/337]

Messenger of Allah (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said:

"If any of you becomes angry, let him keep silent."

[Imam Ahmad, al-Musnad,1/329]

Abu Darr narrated that the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"If any of you becomes angry and he is standing, let him sit down, so his anger will go away; if it does not go away, let him lie down."

[Musnad Ahmad,5/152 & Saheeh al Jaami,no.694]

[AbuMubarak]

Manners

According to Quran and Sunnah



www.muttaqun.com

The Importance of Manners


Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #271, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ahmad, and Ibn Hibban.

...Abu Darda' reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, "Nothing is weightier on the Scale of Deeds than one's good manners."

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #286 and Ahmad

Abu Huraira, r.a., said, "I heard Abu al Qasim (the Prophet saaws), say, 'The best among you in Islam are those with the best manners, so long as they develop a sense of understanding.' "

Hadith - At-Tabaraanee collected it, and Albani authenticated it in Silsilatul-AHaadeethis-Saheehah (#432).

The Prophet (saaws) said: "The most beloved of Allah's servants to Allah are those with the best manners."

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Muslim, and Tirmidhi

... 'Abd Allah ibn 'Amr said, "The Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, was never obscene or coarse. Rather, he used to tell us that the best among us were those with the best manners."

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Muslim and Ahmad

... Anas said, "I served the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, for ten years. During that time, he never once said to me as much as 'Oof' if I did something wrong. He never asked me, if I had failed to do something, 'Why did you not do it?,' and he never said to me, if I had done something wrong, 'Why did you do it?' "

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners # 285, Hakim, and Abu Dawud

... Abu Huraira, r.a., said that the Prophet of Allah, saaws, said, "If one has good manners, one may attain the same level of merit as those who spend their nights in prayer."

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners # 290, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad

... Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet of Allah (saaws) said, "And what is most likely to send people to Paradise? Being conscious of Allah and good manners."

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners # 296, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Darimi, Abu 'Awanah, Hakim, and Ibn Hibban.

... Nawas ibn Sam'an reported that the Prophet of Allah, saaws, was asked about doing good and evil. He replied, "Doing good is having good manners. Doing evil is what troubles you inside and what you would not like others to know about."

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #360, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, and Hakim

The Prophet of Allah, saaws, said, "He who does not show mercy to our young or show esteem for our elders is not one of us."



The sin of finding faults in others


Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #313, Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, and Hakim

... 'Abd Allah reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, "A believer is not a fault-finder and is not abusive, obscene, or course."

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #329

... Ibn 'Abbas said, "If you wish to mention the faults of your friend, mention your own faults first."

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #330

... Ibn 'Abbas said on the following verse of the Qur'an, "Nor defame one another" (49:11), "Do not spend your time finding fault with one another."

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #545

Jubayr ibn Nufayr reported that Mu'adh ibn Jabal said, "If you love someone, do not quarrel with him and do not annoy him. Do not ask others about him, for the one you ask might be his enemy and thus tell you things about him that are not true and thus break you apart."

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #889 and Ibn Hibban

'Amr ibn al 'As said, "...I am amazed at one who spots an impurity in the eye of another but is unable to detect it in his/her own eye, or who attempts to remove a grudge from another's heart while making no attempt to remove grduges from his/her own heart. I have never blamed anyone for the confidences of mine that they have betrayed. How could I, when already they have given me reason for pause?"

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #1295

Bilal ibn Sa'd al Ash'ari reported that Mu'awiyah wrote to Abu Darda' "Write to the wrongdoers of Damascus." So he asked, "What do I have to do with the wrongdoers of Damascus? How will I know them?" Abu Darda's son, Bilal said, "I will write to them," which he did. Then Abu Darda' said [to Bilal], "How did you know to whom to write? You could not have known they were wrongdoers unless you were one of them. Begin with yourself!" So he did not address the letter in anyone's name.*

*i.e. he didn't single out a specific person as a wrongdoer, but spoke about wrongdoings in general, to come as a reminder (of Quran and Sunnah) to the people.



Group Conversations


Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, and Ibn Majah

'Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, "If they are three, two of them should not carry on a conversation from which the third is excluded, for surely that will be distressing to him."

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners, Abu Dawud. Ibn Hibban classified the hadith as authentic.

Ibn 'Umar reported the same from the Prophet, upon him be peace. Except that in the end, he added, "We asked, 'If they are four?' He, upon him be peace, said, 'Then there is no harm.' "



Beware of Suspicion


Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ahmad, and Ibn Hibban

Abu Huraira, r.a., reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, "Be careful of suspicion, for it is the most mistaken of all speech. Do not spy on others, compete* among yourselves, envy one another, or despise one another. Rather, be servants of Allah and brothers!"

*There is nothing wrong with healthy competition, particularly in doing good deeds. This hadith refers to competion that destroys team play and equality, etc.)

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #1294

'Abd Allah said, "Sometimes a victim of robbery will become so suspicious [of everyone around him] that he will become worse than the thief."*

*In other words, his suspicions will lead him to doubt everyone until he has destroyed every one of his relationships.

It is permissible to call over a person and inform them of the facts, so that they will not be suspicious, as we see in the following hadith (narration).

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #1293, Muslim and Abu Dawud

Anas reported that a man passed by while the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, was with one of his wives. The Prophet called the man and said, 'O So and so. This is my wife, so and so." The man replied, What I might have thought about another, I would never think about you." The Prophet, upon him be peace, said, "Shaytan [satan] will circulate through a person just like blood circulates [through one's veins]."



Give Gifts


Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #594, also related by Abu Ya'la and by Nasa'i in al Kuna.

Abu Huraira, r.a., reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, "Give gifts to one another, and you will love one another."

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Muslim, Nasa'i and Tirmidhi

Ibn Abi Mas'ud al Badri reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, "Anyone who spends money on his family and seeks blessings for doing so will find it counted as sadaqah (charity) on his behalf."



Have a sense of shame/shyness

(not being shy from doing good, but shyness from doing wrong)


Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban, and Ahmad

Abu Mus'ud reported that the Prophet of Allah, saaws, said, "Among the well-known wisdom of the prophets is the saying, 'If you have no shame, then do as you please.' "

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Muslim, Nasa'i, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Tabarani

Abu Huraira, r.a., reported that the Prophet, saaws, said, "... Having a sense of shame is one branch of faith."

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Muslim and Ibn Majah

'Abd Allah ibn Abi 'Atabah said that he heard Abu Sa'id say, "The Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, was shyer than a virgin in her shift. Whenever he disliked something, we could see it on his face."



The sin of Pride


Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #550

Abu Huraira, r.a., reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, "Whoever eats with his servant, or rides a donkey in the marketplace, or who ties up his goat and milks it will no be guilty of the sin of pride.

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #556, Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi

Abu Huraira, r.a., reported that a handsome man went to the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, and said, "I love beauty, and I have been given what you see, even to the extent of my hating to be bested. Is that pride?" The Prophet replied, "No. Rather, pride is to disdain the truth and to treat others with contempt."



The sin of flattering or praising a person


(Flattering or praising is not just to say something kind about a person. Praising is to glorify especially by the attribution of perfections. Flattering is to praise excessively especially from motives of self-interest.)


Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ahmad, Abu 'Awanah, and Ibn Hibban.

Abu Bakr reported that a man was mentioned in the presence of the Prophet, saaws, and another praised the man. The Prophet, saaws, said, "Woe to you, for you have broken your friend's neck!" The Prophet saaws repeated this several times and then said, "If any of you simply must praise another, let him/her say, 'I think the person is this way or that...' if you genuinely think the person to be that way. The Final Reckoner is Allah, and no one can tell Allah anything about anyone."

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #337, Bayhaqi, and similar version by Ibn Majah.

Aslam reported that he heard 'Umar say, "Praise is slaughter." One of the narrators added, "That is, if you accept it."

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #338, Nasa'i, Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban, and Hakim

Abu Huraira, r.a., reported that the Prophet of Allah, saaws, said, "What a fine man Abu Bakr is. What a fine man 'Umar is. What a fine man Abu 'Ubaydah is. What a fine man Usayd ibn Hudayr is. What a fine man Thabit ibn Hudayr is. What a fine man Mu'adh ibn 'Amr ibn al Jumuh is. What a fine man Mu'adh ibn Jabal is." He said, "What a foul man so and so is. What a foul man is so and so."

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari and Muslim

'A'ishah reported that a man requested an audience with the Prophet, saaws. The Prophet said, "What a foul tribesman that one is." But when the man entered, the Prophet was cordial and pleasant to him. When the man left, another asked permission to meet with him. The Prophet said, "What a good tribesman that one is." But when he entered, the Prophet was not nearly as cordial with him as he had been with the first. When he left, 'A'ishah asked, "You said what you did about the first man, yet you met him cordially. And you said what you did about the second one, and yet you were reserved with him." The Prophet said, "O 'A'ishah, the worst kind of people are those whose vulgarity must be avoided."

Hadith Bukhari's Book of Manners #340, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Abu 'Awanah.

"The Prophet of Allah, saaws, ordered us to throw dust in the faces of those who flatter."

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #341 and Ibn Hibban

'Ata ibn Abi Rabah reported that when a man praised another in the presence of Ibn 'Umar, Ibn 'Umar began tossing dust in the direction of his face, saying, "The Prophet of Allah, saaws, said, 'If ever you encounter those who flatter, throw dust in their faces.' "

Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #762 and Bayhaqi

'Adi ibn Artah said, "If ever one of the Companions of the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, was praised, he would say, 'O Alolah, do not take me to task for what they say and forgive me for what they do not know about."



Regarding Fraud and Deceit


Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #420, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Hakim, and Tahawi

Abu Huraira, r.a., reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, "A believer is frank and decent, whereas a wrongdoer is deceitful and blameworthy."



Praying for Good Manners


Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #308 and Bayhaqi

... 'Abd Allah ibn 'Amr reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, used very often to pray in the following manner, "O Allah! I ask You for good health, for trust, for self-control, for good manners, and to be satisfied with the divine decree."




Action Items for the uttaqun:

Be sure your good manners are sincere before your Lord.
It is okay to speak about a person saying he is good or fine, but not to excessively lavish with flatter or praise.
Remember... Allah, subhana watala, sees everything we do!

Zaid Vicaruddin

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[Ruqayyah]

Humility
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.


In English, the word "humility" comes from the Latin root word which means "ground." Humility, or being humble, means that one is modest, submissive and respectful, not proud and arrogant. You lower yourself to the ground, not elevate yourself above others. In prayer, by prostrating ourselves to the ground, we acknowledge our utmost lowliness and humility before the Lord of the Worlds.

In the Qur'an, Allah uses several Arabic words which convey the meaning of "humility." Among these are "tada'a" and "khasha'a." A few selected examples:

Tada'a

Before thee We sent messengers to many nations, and We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity, that they call Allah in humility. When the suffering reached them from Us, why then did they not call Allah in humility? On the contrary, their hearts became hardened, and Satan made their sinful acts seem alluring to them. (Al-Anaam 6:42-43)

Call on your Lord with humility and in private, for Allah loves not those who transgress beyond bounds. Do not mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing in your hearts, for the Mercy of Allah is always near to those who do good. (Al-Araf 7:55-56)

Khash'a

Successful indeed are the believers, those who humble themselves in their prayers... (Al-Muminoon 23:1-2)

Has not the time arrived for the believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed to them... (Al-Hadid 57:16)

Humility is equivalent to submission to Allah. We should abandon all selfishness and pride in our human power, and stand humbled, meek, and submissive as servants of Allah above all else.

Among the Jahliyya Arabs (before Islam), this was unheard of. They followed the rules of no one except themselves, and preserved their personal honor above all else. They would humble themselves to no one, neither a man nor a God. They were proud of their absolute independence, their human power; they had limitless self-confidence and refused to bow down to any authority. A man was lord of himself. Indeed, these qualities are what made someone a "real man." Humility and submissiveness were considered weak - not a quality of a noble man. The Jahliyya Arabs had a fierce, passionate nature and would scorn anything which might make them humbled or humiliated in any way, or feel like their personal dignity and status were being degraded.

Islam came and demanded of them, before anything else, to submit themselves wholly to the one and only Creator, and abandon all pride, arrogance, and feelings of self-sufficiency. Many among the pagan Arabs felt that this was an outrageous demand - to stand as equals with each other, in submission to Allah alone. For many, these feelings did not pass - indeed we still see them today in much of the world's people, and astughfirillah, sometimes in ourselves. Human presumptuousness, insolence, arrogance, elevated self-worth, are around us everywhere. We have to fight it in our own hearts.

Indeed, the sin of Iblis (Satan) was his arrogant refusal to humble himself to the will of Allah. He believed himself of elevated status - better than any other creation - and he continues to whisper to us, encouraging our pride, arrogance, love of wealth and status. We must always remember that we are nothing - we have nothing - except what Allah blesses us with. We can do nothing of our own power.

If we are arrogant and proud in this life, Allah will put us in our place and teach us humility in the next life, by giving us a humiliating punishment.

Serve Allah, and join not any partners with Him; and do good - to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are of kin, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the way-farer you meet, and what your right hands possess. For Allah loves not the arrogant, the vainglorious, not those who are greedy, enjoin greediness in others, hide the bounties which Allah has bestowed on them; for We have prepared, for those who resist faith, a punishment that steeps them in contempt... a humiliating punishment. (An-Nisa 4:36-37)

Woe to each sinful imposter. He hears the signs of Allah rehearsed to him, yet is obstinate and lofty, as if he had not heard them. Then announce to him a chastisement grievous! And when he learns something of Our Signs, he takes them in jest. For such there will be a humiliating punishment. (Al-Jathiya 45:7-9)

Those who oppose the commands of Allah and His Messenger will be humbled to dust, as were those before them, for We have already sent down clear signs. And the unbelievers will have a humiliating chastisement... (Al-Mujadila 58:5)

Allahumma, please shelter us from the humiliating fire of Hell, and help us to always remember Your favors. Help us to be always thankful to You, and humble unto You, for You alone are the Sustainer, the all-Mighty.


Rukaya

[AbuMubarak]

except for a few blurbs, this is the type of thread, every muslim should read and absorb

[Atiyah]

Surat 49 Al-Hujarat Ayat 11
O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former. Nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it to insult one's brother after having Faith (i.e. to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as : "O sinner", or "O wicked"). And Whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zalimun (wrongdoers).

Narrated Ibn Umar (ra): The Prophet (saw) said at Mina, " Do you know what day is today?" They (the people) replied, Allah and His Messenger know better."He said, "Today is 10th of Dhul-Hijja, the sacred (forbidden) day. Do you know what town is this?" They (the people) replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better," He said, "This is the sacred (forbidden) town (Makkah- a sanctuary). And do you know which month is this?" They (the people) replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better." He said, This is the Sacred month." He added, Allah has made your blood, your properties and your honour sacred to one another (ie Muslims) like the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours , in this town of yours. Sahih Al- Bukhari

Surat 49 Al-Hujarat Ayat 12

O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions; indeed some suspiciions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentenance, Most Merciful.

Narrated Abu Hurairah (ra): Allah's Messenger (saw) said, "Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales; and do not look for others' faults, and do not indulge in spying on one another, and do not practice Najsh (to offer a high price for something in order to allure another customer who is interested in the thing), and do not be jealous of one another and do not hate one another, and do not desert(stop talking to) one another. And O Allah's worshippers! Be Brother's!

Sahih Al- Bukhari

My reason for posting this is so that we can all remember what some our duties are to our fellow muslims. I know that sometimes we are all guilty of these things but we have to remember what it is that Allah and His Messenger say's about this. How is it that we can be so nice to the Kufar but when it comes to our fellow Muslim brothers and Sisters we have such problems. We can't look at them let alone speak to them. We hold so much emnity in our hearts towards them for stupid things, we feel that we are better than them because we feel we have more taqwa then them. I say feel because only Allah knows what is in our hearts, we can only hope that what we say is in our hearts is the truth. If we truly love Allah and His Messenger how is it that we treat one another in the manner in which we treat each other. It says that you do not truly believe until you want for your brother what you want for yourselves. And as we all know we only feel this way sometimes and with somethings. I ask Allah to strengthen this Ummah and to allow us to act according to what it is He says and not according to our nafs.

ameen

[Ruqayyah]

Spreading kindness in the home.

‘Aa’ishah (ra) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (saw) said: ‘When Allaah – may He be glorified – wills some good towards the people of a household, He introduces kindness among them.’” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad in al-Musnad, 6/71; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 303). According to another report: “When Allaah loves the people of a household, He introduces kindness among them.” (Reported by Ibn Abi al-Dunya and others; Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 1704). In other words, they start to be kind to one another. This is one of the means of attaining happiness in the home, for kindness is very beneficial between the spouses, and with the children, and brings results that cannot be achieved through harshness, as the Prophet (saw) said: “Allaah loves kindness and rewards it in such a way that He does not reward for harshness or for anything else.” (Reported by Muslim, Kitaab al-Birr wa’l-Sillah wa’l-Aadaab, no. 2592).

Helping one’s wife with the housework.

Could I please remind Muslimah's that whilst it is a sunnat and therefore rewarding for the husband to help in the home, it is obligitorary for the wife to take care of the home and children. Men are encouraged to help, but we must remember that often our husbands are tired from work done outside the home, and should not be 'nagged' into performing a sunnat, which is infact our farz. A pleasing smile is more effective, and will earn you more reward than a nagging tongue;)-Rukaya

Many men think that housework is beneath them, and some of them think that it will undermine their status and position if they help their wives with this work.

The Messenger of Allaah (saw), however, used to “sew his own clothes, mend his own shoes and do whatever other work men do in their homes.” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad in al-Musnad, 6/121; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4927).

This was said by his wife ‘Aa’ishah (ra), when she was asked about what the Messenger of Allaah (saw) used to do in his house; her response described what she herself had seen. According to another report, she said: “He was like any other human being: he would clean his clothes, milk his ewe and serve himself.” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad in al-Musnad, 6/256; al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, 671). She (ra) was also asked about what the Messenger of Allaah (saw) used to do in his house, and she said, “He used to serve his family, then when the time for prayer came, he would go out to pray.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, 2/162).

If we were to do likewise nowadays, we would achieve three things:

We would be following the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)

We would be helping our wives

We would feel more humble, not arrogant.

Some men demand food instantly from their wives, when the pot is on the stove and the baby is screaming to be fed; they do not pick up the child or wait a little while for the food. Let these ahaadeeth be a reminder and a lesson.


Resisting bad manners in the home.

Every member of the household is bound to have some bad characteristics, such as lying, backbiting, gossiping and so on. These bad characteristics have to be resisted and opposed.

Some people think that corporal punishment is the only way to deal with such things. The following hadeeth is very educational on this topic: from ‘Aa’ishah (ra) who said: “If the Messenger of Allaah (saw) came to know that one of his household had told a lie, he would try to ignore him until he repented.” (See al-Musnad by Imaam Ahmad, 6/152. The text of the hadeeth is also in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 4675).

It is clear from the hadeeth that turning away and forsaking a person by not speaking to them, rather than resorting to punishment, is effective in such circumstances, and may be more effective than physical punishment, so let parents and caregivers think about this.

“Hang up the whip where the members of the household can see it.” (Reported by Abu Na’eem in al-Hilyah, 7/332; al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, no. 1446).

Hinting at punishment is an effective means of discipline, so the reason for hanging up a whip or stick in the house was explained in another report, where the Prophet (saw) said: “Hang up the whip where the members of the household can see it, for this is more effective in disciplining them.” (Reported by al-Tabaraani, 10/344-345; al-Silsilat al-Saheehah, no. 1447)

Seeing the means of punishment hanging up will make those who have bad intentions refrain from indulging in bad behaviour, lest they get a taste of the punishment. It will motivate them to behave themselves and be good-mannered. Ibn al-Anbaari said: “There is nothing to suggest that it should be used for hitting, because the Prophet (saw) did not command anyone to do that. What he meant was: keep on disciplining them.”

Hitting is not the way to discipline; it is not to be resorted to, except when all other means are exhausted, or when it is needed to force someone to do obligatory acts of obedience, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… As to those women on whose part you fear ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful)…” [al-Nisa’ 4:34] – in that order. There is also the hadeeth: “Order your children to pray when they are seven years old, and hit them if they do not do so when they are ten.” (Sunan Abi Dawood, 1/334; see also Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 1/266).

As for hitting unnecessarily, this is aggression. The Messenger of Allaah (saw) advised a woman not to marry a man because he always had his stick on his shoulder, i.e., he used to beat his wives. On the other hand, there are those who think that they should never use this method of discipline at all, following some kaafir educational theories; this is also a mistaken opinion that goes against the sharee’ah.


by Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

[AbuMubarak]

http://wings.buffalo.edu/sa/muslim/isl/hadith1.html
This compiliation has been edited by the author in August 1996 in order to be compatible with the HTML code. The original file was a Wordperfect 5.1 for MS-DOS file. It was converted to Word 7.0 and to then to HTML. The intention of launching this compilation on the Internet was pre-supposed, however this was not done until now (August 1996). Taking advantage of HTML coding/tags, navigation is made easier here as I have created links to/from the endnotes and also to/from the table of contents. This file is also available as a Word 7.0 the Msa @ Suny Buffalo website.

I hope you will enjoy browsing/reading this compilation as much as I enjoyed making it presentable. Thank you for your time and attention.

Oslo, Norway
26 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1417
11 August 1996

[ Table of Contents ] [ Introduction ] [ Introduction to hadiths ]


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TABLE OF CONTENTS
[1] [2] [3]
Note
Introduction
Introduction to ahadith
FAITH (IMAN)
MAJOR SINS AND SIGNS OF HYPOCRISY
KNOWLEDGE
SUPPLICATIONS (DUA)
REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH
THOSE WHO ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BEG
SPENDING
HOARDING
INSOLVENCY AND RESPITE
USURY
MARRIAGE
RIGHTS OF WIVES
DIVORCE
THE OFFICES OF RULER AND QADI (QAZI)
THE CONDUCT OF A QADI (QAZI)
CASES AND DEPOSITIONS
RETALIATION
PRESCRIBED PUNISHMENTS
CARE ABOUT WEAPONS
HOSPITALITY
MANNERS OF EATING
MANNERS OF DRINKING
VISITING THE SICK
[ 1] [2] [3]
SALUTATIONS
STANDING UP
GOODNESS AND THE CEMENTING OF RELATIONSHIP
GUARDING AGAINST SLANDER AND ABUSE
BOASTING AND PARTY-SPIRIT
GENTLENESS MODESTY AND GOOD CHARACTER
TENDERNESS AND MERCY TOWARDS PEOPLE
LOVE FOR THE SAKE OF GOD
CIRCUMSPECTION AND DELIBERATION IN AFFAIRS
THE EXCELLENCE OF THE POOR AND THE PROPHET'S LIVELIHOOD
HOPE AND AVIDITY
HYPOCRISY AND OSTENTATION
ANGER AND PRIDE
TRUST IN GOD AND ENDURANCE
OPPRESSION
MANNERS OF TRAVELLING
THE PROPHET'S (PEACE AND BLESSINGS OF ALLAH BE UPON HIM ) CHARACTER
HALAL AND HARAM
SLAUGHTERING
INTOXICANTS
CLOTHING AND ADORNMENT
ETHICS
SAHIH AL-BUKHARI (THE BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE)
MARRIAGE
THE BOOK OF BELIEF (FAITH)
THE SPLITTING OF THE MOON IN TWO PIECES
AL-MIRAJ
WOMEN IN ISLAM
[1] [2] [3]
THE PRAYER (SALAT)
ALMSGIVING (ZAKAT)
STATUS OF WOMAN IN ISLAM
THE TRUE QUALITY OF A GOOD WIFE
HOW ESSENTIAL IS HIJAB (VEIL)
WEALTH AND WOMEN ARE A GREAT TRIAL
HUSBAND-WIFE SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP
ACQUISITION OF AND IMPARTING DEENI KNOWLEDGE
TAKING SPECIAL CARE TO FULFIL THE RIGHTS OF MUSLIMS
FASTING
HAJJ
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
ABSTAINING FROM SIN
RECITING AND TEACHING THE QUR'AN MAJEED



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Introduction


Knowledge of ahadith is essential in an effort to understand Islam. They contain rules and regulations, when implemented, would give cause to a better understanding of everyday life. This is applicable, to the individual of a society and also to the society as a whole. The messages within the ahadith are for the benefit of both, individual and society.

Among many missions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), one was to set a pattern of conduct. The conduct of the Last Messenger (peace be upon him) can be found in the voluminous sahihs. We should make an attempt to abide by these rules.

It is unnecessary to mention that research of Islam is beyond the scope of a single individual, a task unattainable in a man's lifetime, not to say, impossible. To narrow my scope, I had decided to restrict myself to ahadith (even this is a large area of study within Islam). I decided on making a small collection of ahadith. This decision resulted in a minor project that essentially consisted of reading diverse Islamic literature and reading different aspects of Islam. I could, of course, have bought one of many voluminous compilations of ahadith, but I was convinced that I would learn more by finding and compiling them myself and indeed it has been a most fruitful experience. During the compilation, I was becoming aware of the meaning and importance of ahadith and soon realised that others too could benefit from this compilation. With this in mind I was determined to share this collection with my fellow Muslims.

All ahadith in this collection have been, so to say, copied from my source (NOTE A) .Every hadith is followed by the Arabic source it can be found in (e.g. Bukhari, Muslim) along with the source I have written it from (e.g. Sayings of Muhammad by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad). If the reader feels uncertain about a particular hadith she/he can easily trace it to my source.

All the footnotes in the ahadith are not my insertions, but the author's of my sources. The titles which are given to the ahadith are also titles found in my source, they too, are not my insertions. The same applies for brackets ( ( ) or [] ) found within some ahadith. (These comments do not apply to the titles marked as "Introduction" and "Introduction to Ahadith") The ahadith are all randomly compiled. The ahadith have been written down as I have encountered them in relevant literature.

Since I have used different literature, there have come cases where two authors use the same title, e.i. "marriage" hence the title will appear twice. This is not to be regarded as a misprint. There is no personal preference as to the choice of authors of my sources. I have obtained these books from different libraries and local mosques.

A problem which was encountered was when two authors wrote on the same subject matter, but from different sahihs, both sahihs had their own wordings but giving the same meaning. I have tried to keep these sort of ahadith to a minimal as I wished to have as many diverse topics as possible. Faith, knowledge, marriage, sex, divorce, rights of wives/husbands and hospitality are a couple of areas covered in this compilation.

I have, to the very best of my abilities, tried to be as careful as possible when writing from the source, this in order not to endanger the real meaning of the hadith, nor to give cause to misinterpretations. As far as spellings are concerned, I have thoroughly checked it. The spellings of Arabic names and places have been written exactly as I have encountered them in the source.

One of my sources, "Hayaat-ul-Muslimeen" written by, Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi, has consistently used the term "Rasulullah" when addressing Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). The Arabic term, "sallallahu alayhi wasallam" has also been used throughout the book. For the ease of non-Muslim readers, I have replaced the Arabic "Rasulullah" by "Muhammad" and "sallallahu alayhi wasallam" by "may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him." I have treated similarly the terms "radiallahu anhu" and "radiallahu anha." They have been replaced by "Allah be pleased with him" and "Allah be pleased with her." I have used the term "peace be upon him" throughout the compilation as most authors have used similar attributes. The same author has also mentioned the narrators' Arabic names for most ahadith, I have done likewise.

Considering the fact that I am a computer science student (August, 1993), with access to Internet, I thought this would serve as a most remarkable media for distribution of this collection. It is recommended, to those readers who have the possibilities, to print out the file and (NOTE B) send a copy to the local mosques who might wish to include this compilation in their library etc. If mosques have the possibilities to print copies of this collection and have it distributed among the visitors/guests to the mosques, it would be appreciated. Thus the collection will not only be restricted to people with network access. The more people who read it, the more it will benefit and also the one who passes on the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) will also be rewarded by Allah. There is no doubt about this. This compilation is dedicated to the loving memories of my maternal grandfather with whom I spent my first years of a precious life.


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Introduction to Ahadith
It goes without saying that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has left us with two powerful sources for the improvement of the individual, the society and for the nations, those are: the Holy Quran and ahadith. The Quran was revealed to the Last Messenger (peace be upon him) through the angel Gabriel. The ahadith show us the diversities a single person can have, and the ways these diversities may be used to produce an optimal performance, where the performance is exemplary for future generations. This was one of the main tasks of the Last Messenger (peace be upon him), to guide humanity on the right path.

Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a son, a husband, a father, an advisor, a warrior, a leader, a judge and most important of all, he was the Seal of the Prophets - the last messenger of Allah. A man with such a character and such a vast field of responsibility is indeed deserving of biographical study, and through the ages, biographical researches have been carried out. The collection of ahadith is the result of these researchers. The study of ahadith is a science itself. To mention some branches within the study of ahadith, there is the science of Asma'ul Rijal (the science of study of the life-history of 500,000 narrators), the science of Mustalih al-Hadith (the science of classifying a hadith as authentic or weak), the science of Gharib al-hadith (the study of the linguistic origins of the difficult words used in ahadith). I have mentioned only three different sciences though this list can extend to over 100. This again indicates the immense importance of ahadith and the importance of understanding them.

The main source of ahadith can be found in six sahihs (NOTE C) These six sahihs are:

Sahih al-Bukhari
(d. 256 A.H. = 870 A.D.)

Sahih Muslim
(d. 261 A.H. = 875 A.D.)

Sunan Ibn Majah
(d. 273 A.H. = 887 A.D.)

Sunan Abu Dawud
(d. 275 A.H. = 888 A.D.)

Jami al-Tirmidhi
(d. 279 A.H. = 892 A.D.)

Sunan al-Nisai
(d. 303 A.H. = 915 A.D.)



A.H. = After Hegira A.D. = Anno Domini

"In preparing their collections, these Traditions obviously used a critical technique to decide what they would include and what they should reject. Bukhari, for example, examined 600,000 traditions of which he excepted only 7,397. There purpose was to assemble a body of traditions which would serve as a rule of life for practising Muslims, so their primary interest was in selecting such traditions as would give clear guidance concerning what Muslims belief and practice should be, what things were permissible and approved, and what were not permissible and disapproved."
(Shariah: The Islamic Law. by Abdur Rahman I. Doi:54)

It should be quite evident from the above cited paragraph that the task of compiling ahadith was by no means simple. Although the most painstaking techniques had been employed to decide which ahadith should be included and which should be rejected there were found grounds for classification of ahadith. The ahadith are therefore classified in the following manner:

1.Sahih: These are the genuine Traditions so declared after applying all tests.
2.Hasan: These are the fair Traditions although inferior in the matter of authenticity to the Sahih.
3. Daif: These are the weak traditions which are not so very reliable."
(Ibid:57).

Before I proceed, I wish to explain the meanings of isnad and matn as the understanding of these words is considered profitable for the reader. A hadith consists of two parts. The chain of transmitters comprises one part while the message within the hadith completes it. The former is known as isnad while the latter is matn. Continuing with the classification of ahadith, the daif ahadith are divided further:

a The Mu'allaq Traditions: These are those Traditions in which one or two transmitters are omitted in the beginning of the Isnad.
b. The Maqtu Traditions: These are those Traditions which are reported by a Tabi'i, a man of second category after the Prophet.
c. The Munqati Traditions: These are the broken Traditions.
d. The Mursal Traditions: These are the incomplete Traditions in the Isnad of which a companion (Sahabi) is omitted, e.g. A Tabi'i says, the Prophet said....
e. The Musahhaf Traditions: These are the traditions which have a mistake in words or letters of the Isnad or the Matn e.g. Hasan is written as Hashan.
f. The Shadh Traditions: These are the traditions with a reliable chain of reporters but their meanings are contrary to other similarly attested Traditions narrated by the majority of the contemporary transmitters.
g. The Maudu Traditions: These are the fabricated and untrue Traditions."
(Ibid:57).

I have now presented a very short introduction to the background of ahadith. I would most strongly recommend the interested reader to read the book "Shariah: The Islamic Law" by Abdur Rahman I. Doi. It is a book which I have used extensively and found most interesting and informative. The same author has also published a book which is titled "Non-Muslims under Shariah", another informative book which I would recommend.

Lastly I would like to thank the people concerned in providing me with the facility for distributing this collection. Without their help, time, and effort, I am quite certain that this work would not have come to the notice of so many people in so many places. May Allah give them peace and bless them all. Amen.

Comments or questions/queries can be forwarded to this email address tayyabr@hotmail.com Include the word "HADITHS" in the "Subject: " field of your email when using the above mentioned address. Thank you.

A Muslim and Pakistani student
Oslo, Norway


Wa akhiro dawaana unilhamdolillah Rabb-i-il alaamin.

Ramdhan 1414
January 1994.


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FAITH (IMAN)
1. Islam is based on five things: the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is His servant and messenger, the observance of the prayer, the payment of Zakat, the pilgrimage, and the fast during Ramadan.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

2. The Muslim is he from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe, and the Emigrant is he who abandons what God has prohibited.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

3. None of you believes till I am dearer to him than his father, his child and all mankind.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad)

4. He who is not trustworthy has no Faith, and he who does not keep his Covenant has no religion.
(Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

5. What is Faith? When your good deed pleases you and your evil deed grieves you, you are a believer. What is Sin? When a thing disturbs (the peace of) your heart, give it up.
(Ahmad).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

MAJOR SINS AND SIGNS OF HYPOCRISY
6. The major sins are associating other objects of worship with God, disobedience to parents, murder, and deliberate perjury.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

7. There are three signs of a hypocrite: when he speaks he speaks lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he is trusted he betrays his trust.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

8. Avoid the seven noxious things.(1) Associating anything with God, (2) magic,(3) killing one whom God has declared inviolate without a just cause, (4) devouring usury, (5) consuming the property of an orphan, running back from the battlefield and, (7) slandering chaste women who are believers but indiscreet.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

9. Four characteristics constitute anyone who possesses them a sheer hypocrite, and anyone who possesses one of them possesses a characteristic of hypocrisy till he abandons it: when he is trusted he betrays his trust, when he talks he lies, when he makes a covenant he acts treacherously and when he quarrels he abuses.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

KNOWLEDGE
10. When a man dies no further reward is recorded for his actions, with three exceptions: Sadqa which continues to be supplied, or knowledge from which benefit continues to be reaped, or the prayers of a good son to his dead father.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

11. If anyone removes (one of the) anxieties of this world from a believer, God will remove (one of the) anxieties from him on the Day of Resurrection; if one smoothes the way for one who is destitute, God will smooth the way for him in this world and the next; and if anyone conceals the faults of a Muslim, God will conceal his faults in this world and the next. God helps a man as long as he helps his brother. If anyone pursues a path in search of knowledge God will thereby make easy for him a path to paradise.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

12. He who goes out in search of knowledge is in God's path till he returns.
(Tirmidhi, Darimi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

13. The search of knowledge is an obligation laid on every Muslim.
(Ibn Majah, Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

14. The one who would have the worst position in God's sight on the Day of Resurrection would be a learned man who did not profit from his learning.
(Darimi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

SUPPLICATIONS(DUA)

15. A man is granted supplication provided he does not ask for anything sinful or for breaking ties of relationship.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

16. You have two characters which God likes; gentleness and deliberation.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

17.Nothing but supplication averts the decree, and nothing but righteousness increases life.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH
18.People will not sit remembering God without the angels surrounding them, mercy covering them, peace descending on them.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

19.He who remembers his Lord and he who does not are like the living and dead.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

20.Hadhrat Jaabir (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The distinguishing factor between kufr and Imaan is the deliberate neglect of Salaat."
(Muslim).
(Hayaat-ul-Muslimeen. by Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi).

21.He who does a good deed will have ten times the amount of blessings, and I [God] shall give more, but he who does an evil deed will have an equivalent reward of evil, or I shall grant forgiveness. If anyone draws the length of a span near Me, I shall draw the length of a cubit near him, and if anyone draws the length of a cubit near Me, I shall draw the length of a fathom near him. If anyone comes to Me walking I shall come to him at a run, and if anyone meets me with sins of the size of the earth, but has not associated anything with Me, I shall meet him a similar amount of forgiveness.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

22.Hadhrat Jaabir (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Salaat is the key to Jannat."
(Darami).
(Hayaat-ul-Muslimeen. by Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi).

23.Hadrhat Abdulah Ibn Qart (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The first act about which one will be questioned on the Day of Qiyammah will be Salaat. If Salaat is found to be proper, other acts will pass as proper. But, if Salaat is found there to be despoiled, then all other acts too will fail."
(Tibrani, Ausat).
(Hayaat-ul-Muslimeen. by Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi).

24.Hadhrat Hanzalah (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that he heard Muhammad say: "Whoever guards the five Salaat while believing that the Salaat is the Right of Allah, will enter Jannat."
(Ahmad).
(Hayaat-ul-Muslimeen. by Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi).

25.Hadhrat Bareedah (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The subject of pledge which exists between the people and us (the Ambiyaa) is Salaat. Thus, whoever neglects Salaat has become a kaafir (i.e. in terms of practical life, not in terms of Imaan)."
(Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Nisai, Ibn Majah).
(Hayaat-ul-Muslimeen. by Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi).

26.A time will come to mankind when man will not care whether what he gets comes from a lawful or an unlawful source.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

27.Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Will there remain any impurity on a person who baths five times a day in a river flowing in front of his house?" The people said: "No impurity will remain on him." Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "This is the effect of the five Salaat. By means of it, Allah Ta'ala purifies the performer of all sins."
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Hayaat-ul-Muslimeen. by Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi).

28.Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan Bin Amr Bin Al-A's (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Salaat on the Day of Qiyaamah, will be a light, a proof and a means of salvation for the one who guarded it. He who neglects Salaat, will have no light, no proof and no salvation (from the direction of Salaat) He (the one who neglects Salaat) will be in the company of Qaroon, Fir'oun, Haamaan and Ubay Ibn Khalf on the Day of Qiyaamah."
(Ahmad, Darami, Baihaqi, Shu'bul Imaan).
(Hayaat-ul-Muslimeen. by Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi).

29.No body which has been nourished with what is unlawful will enter paradise.
(Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

30.Flesh which has grown out of what is unlawful will not enter paradise, but hell is more fitting for all flesh which has grown out of what is unlawful.
(Ahmad, Darimi, Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

31.The truthful and trusty merchant is associated with the prophets, the upright and the martyrs.
(Tirmidhi, Darimi, Daraqutni).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

32.If anyone buys a garment for ten dirhams among which one is unlawfully acquired, God most high will not accept prayer from him as long as he wears it.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

THOSE WHO ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BEG
33.He who begs the property of others to increase his own is asking only for live coals, so let him ask little as much.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

34.It is better for one of you to take a rope, bring a load of firewood on his back, and sell it, God thereby preserving his self respect, than that he should beg from people whether they give him anything or refuse him.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

35.If anyone guarantees me that he will not beg from people, I will guarantee him paradise.
(Abu Dawud, Nasa'i).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

SPENDING
36.If you spend (to help others), O son of Adam! I [God] shall spend on you.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

37.It is better for a man to give a dirham as Sadqa during his lifetime than to give a hundred at the time of his death.
(Abu Dawud).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

38.Do not consider any act of kindness insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

39.Sadqa given to a poor man is just Sadqa, but when given to a relative it serves a double purpose, being both Sadqa and a connecting link.
(Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Nasai, Ibn Majah, Darimi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

HOARDING
40.If anyone keeps goods till the price rises, he is a sinner.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

41.He who brings goods for sale is blessed with good fortune, but he who keeps them till the price rises is accursed.
(Ibn Majah, Darimi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

42.If anyone withholds grain for forty days thereby desiring a high price, has renounced God and God has renounced him.
(Razin).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

43.The man who withholds goods is evil. If God lowers prices he is grieved, and if He raises then he is happy. (Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

INSOLVENCY AND RESPITE
44.He who grants a respite to one who is in straightened circumstances or who remits his debt, will be saved by God from the anxieties of the Day of Resurrection.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

45.If anyone accepts others belongings meaning to pay back, God will pay back for him, but if anyone accepts them meaning to squander them, God will on that account destroy his property.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

46.Every fault but a debt will be forgiven to a martyr.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

47.A believer's soul is attached to his debt till it is paid.
(Shafi'i, Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Darimi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

USURY
48.Gold is to be paid by gold, silver by silver, wheat by wheat, barley by barley, dates by dates and salt by salt, like for like, payment being made on the spot. If anyone gives more or asks for more, he has dealt in usury. The receiver and the giver are equally guilty.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

49.A time is coming to mankind when only the receiver of usury will remain and if he does not receive it, some of its vapour will reach him.
(Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Nasai, Ibn Majah).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

50.A dirham which a man knowingly receives in usury is more serious (a crime) than thirty-six acts of fornication.
(Ahmad, Daraqutni).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

51.When a man makes a loan to another, he must not accept a present.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

52.Even though usury be much it leads in the end to penury.
(Ibn Majah, Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

MARRIAGE
53.Young men, those of you who can support a wife should marry, for it keeps you from looking at strange women and preserves you from immorality, but those who cannot, should devote themselves to fasting, for it is a means of suppressing sexual desire.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

54.The whole world is to be enjoyed, but the best thing in the world is a pious woman.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

55.When a man marries, he has fulfilled half of the religion, so let him fear Go regarding the remaining half.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

56.After fear of God, a believer gains nothing better for him than a good wife who obeys him if he gives her a command, pleases him if he looks at her, is true to him if he adjures her to do something, and is sincere towards him regarding her person and his property if he is absent.
(Ibn Majah.)
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

RIGHTS OF WIVES
57.When a woman observes the five time of prayers, fasts during Ramadan, preserves her chastity, and obeys her husband, she may enter by any of the gates of paradise she wishes.
(Abu Nu'aim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

58.A believer must not hate his wife, and if he is displeased with one bad quality in her, then let him be pleased with one that is good in her.
(Muslim).
(Ideal Woman in Islam by. Imran Muhammad).

59.Among the believers who show most perfect faith are those who have best disposition and are kindest to their families.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

DIVORCE
60.If any woman asks her husband for divorce without some strong reason, the odour of paradise will be forbidden for her.
(Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Darimi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

61.The lawful thing God hates most is divorce.
(Abu Dawud).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

62.God has created nothing on the face of the earth more dearer to Him than emancipation, and God has created nothing on the face of the earth more hateful to Him than divorce.
(Daraqutni).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

THE OFFICES OF RULER AND QADI (QAZI)
63.The one who will be dearest to God and nearest to Him in the station on the Day of Resurrection will be a just imam and the one who will be most hateful to God on the Day of Resurrection, and will receive the severest punishment will be a tyrannical imam.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

64.A creature is not to be obeyed when it involves disobedience to the Creator.
(Sharra-as-Sunna).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

65.Do not ask for any high office, for if you are given it after asking, you will be left to discharge it yourself; if you are given it without asking you will be helped to discharge it.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

66.He who has been ruler over ten people, will be brought in the Day of Resurrection, shackled till justice loosens his chains or tyranny brings him to destruction.
(Darimi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

67.The most excellent jihad is when one speaks a true word in the presence of a tyrannical ruler.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

68.As you will be so will you have rulers put over you.
(Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

THE CONDUCT OF A QADI (QAZI)
69.No judge must give judgement between two people when he is angry.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

70.If anyone who seeks the office of Qadi among Muslims till he gets it and his justice prevails over tyranny, will go to paradise; but the man whose tyranny prevails over justice will go to hell.
(Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

71.God is with the Qadi as long as he is not tyrannical, but when he is tyrannical, He departs from him and the devil attaches himself to him.
(Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

CASES AND DEPOSITIONS
72.If anyone swears a firm oath, acting wickedly thereby, and appropriates by it property belonging to a Muslim, God will be very angry when he meets Him on the Day of Resurrection.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad)

. 73.The man who is most hateful to God is the one who quarrels and disputes most. (Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

74.If anyone claims what is not his, he does not belong to us, and let him come to his seat in hell. (Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

RETALIATION
75.A believer will continue to find ample scope in his religion as long as he does not kill anyone unlawfully. (Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

76.Shedding of blood will be the first matter about which judgement will be given on the Day of Resurrection.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

77.If anyone kills a man who had made a covenant (anyone who belongs to a Non-Muslim community with whom a treaty of peace has been made, or a member of protected communities) will not experience the fragrance of paradise.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

78.God may forgive every sin, except in the case of one who dies a polytheist, or one who purposely kills a believer.
(Abu Dawud, Nasai).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

79.The passing away of the world would mean less to God than the murder of a Muslim man.
(Tirmidhi, Nasai).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

80.He who throws himself from a mountain and kills himself will be thrown down in the fire of hell and remain in it for ever and ever; he who sips poison and kills himself will have his poison in his hand will sip it for ever and ever in the fire of hell.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

PRESCRIBED PUNISHMENTS
81.An unmarried man who commits fornication, should receive hundred lashes and be banished for a year.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

82.If you find anyone doing as Lot's people did, kill the one who does it and the one to whom it is done.
(Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

83.Fornication will not appear among any people without their being punished by famine, and bribery will not appear among any people without their being punished by terror.
(Ahmad).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

84.God Who is glorious will not look at a man who has intercourse with a man or a woman through the anus.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

CARE ABOUT WEAPONS
85.None of you must point a weapon at his brother for he does not know whether the devil may draw it out while it is in his hand as a result of which he will fall into a pit of hell.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

86.If anyone points a piece of iron at his brother, the angels curse him till he puts it down, even if he is his brother who has the same father and mother.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

87.I [Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)] forbade that a sword which has been drawn should be handed to anyone.
(Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

HOSPITALITY
88.He who believes in God and the Last Day should honour his guest; he who believes in God and the Last Day should not annoy his neighbours; and he who believes in God and the Last Day should say what is good or keep silent.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

89.It is part of the Sunna that a man should accompany his guest to the door of the house.
(Ibn Majah, Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

90.He who believes in God and the Last Day should honour his guest. Provisions for the road are what will serve for a day and night; hospitality extends for three days; what goes beyond that is Sadqa; and it is not allowable that a guest should stay till he makes himself encumbrance.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

91.Eat together and not separately, for the blessings is associated with the company.
(Ibn Majah).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

MANNERS OF EATING
92.Mention God's name, eat with your right hand and eat from what is next to you.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

93.When any of you eats, he should eat with his right hand and when he drinks he should drink with his right hand.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

94.I do not eat reclining.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

95.The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never expressed disapproval of food; if he desired it he ate it and if he disliked it he left it alone.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

MANNERS OF DRINKING
96.God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to breathe three times in the course of a drink.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

97.The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade that a man should drink standing.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

98.The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade breathing or blowing into a vessel.
(Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

99.Do not leave a fire burning in your houses while you are asleep.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

VISITING THE SICK
100.Feed the hungry, visit the sick and free the captive.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

101.When you visit an invalid tell him to make a supplication for you, for his supplication is like of the angels.
(Ibn Majah).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

102.A Muslim has five duties towards another Muslim; to return a salutation, visit the sick, follow funerals, accept an invitation and say 'God have mercy on you' when one sneezes.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

SALUTATIONS
103.There are six good qualities which one believer should display to another; he should visit him when he is ill, be present when he dies, accept his invitation when he gives one, salute him when he meets him, say 'God have mercy on you' when he sneezes and act sincerely towards him whether he is absent or present.
(Nasai).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

104.One who is riding should salute one who is walking, one who is walking should salute one who is sitting and a small company should salute a large one.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

105.The God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) passed a mixed company of Muslims, polytheists who worshipped idols and Jews and he gave them a salutation.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

106.Those who are nearest to God are they who are first to give a salutation.
(Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

107.When you go into your family, sonny, give a salutation. It will be a blessing both to you and to your family.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

STANDING UP
108.A man must not make another get up from his place and then occupy it himself, but you should spread out and make room.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

109.If anyone gets up from where he has been sitting and comes back, he has no right to it.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

110.It is not allowable for a man to come in between two people without their permission.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

GOODNESS AND THE CEMENTING OF RELATIONSHIP
111.One who cuts ties of relationship will not enter paradise.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

112.The Lord's good pleasure results from a father's good pleasure, and the Lord's displeasure results from the father's displeasure.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

113."Messenger of God, who is most deserving of friendly care from me?" He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied, "Your mother." He asked who came next, and He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied, "Your mother." He asked who came next and He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied, "Your mother." He asked who came next and He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied, "Your father."
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

114."What rights can parents demand from their children?" He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied, "They are your paradise and your hell."
(Ibn Majah).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

115.By Him in Whose hand my soul is, a man does not believe till he likes for his brother what he likes for himself.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

116.Those who are merciful have mercy shown them by the Compassionate One, if you show mercy to those who are in the earth, He Who is in heaven will show mercy to you.
(Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

117.A Muslim is a Muslim's brother; he does not wrong him or abandon him. If anyone cares for his brother's need, God will care for his need; if anyone removes his brother's anxiety, God will remove from him one of the anxieties of the Day of Resurrection; and if anyone conceals a Muslim's secret, God will conceal his secret on the Day of Resurrection.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

118.He does not belong to us who does not show mercy to our young ones and respect to our old ones, who does not recommend what is reputable and prohibit what is disreputable.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

119.The best house among the Muslims is the one which contains an orphan who is well treated, and the worst house among the Muslims is the one which contains an orphan who is badly treated.
(Ibn Majah).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

120.The believer is not the one who eats his fill when the neighbour beside him is hungry.
(Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

121.All creatures are God's children, and those dearest to God are the ones who treat His children kindly.
(Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

122.Touch an orphan's head and feed the poor.
(Ahmad).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad)

GUARDING AGAINST SLANDER AND ABUSE
123.If anyone guarantees me what is between his jaws and what is between his legs (i.e. he should not commit fornication), I shall guarantee him paradise.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

124.Reviling a Muslim is disobedience to God, and fighting with him is infidelity.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

125.It is not fitting for an eminently truthful man to be a reviler.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad)

126.A mischief maker will not enter paradise.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahma

127.Adhere to truth, for truth leads to good deeds and good deeds leads him who does them to paradise. Falsehood is wickedness and wickedness leads to hell.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad

128.The great liar is not the one who puts things right between people, says what is good, and promotes what is good.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

129.Woe to him who tells things, speaking falsely, to make people laugh thereby! Woe to him! Woe to him!
(Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Darimi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

130.Do you know the thing which most commonly brings people into paradise? It is fear to God and good character. Do you know what most commonly brings people to hell? It is the hollow things; the mouth and the private parts.
(Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

131.Sufyan bin Abdullah ath Thaqafi told when he asked God's messenger what he feared most for him, he took hold of his tongue and said, "This."
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

132.None of my companions must tell me anything about anyone, for I like to come out to you with no ill-feelings.
(Abu-Dawud).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

133.Coarse talk does not come into anything without disgracing it, and modesty does not come into anything without adorning it.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

134.If you guarantee me six things on your part, I shall guarantee you paradise: speak the truth when you talk, keep a promise when you make it, when you are trusted with something fulfil your trust, avoid sexual immorality, lower your eyes and restrain your hand from injustice.
(Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

BOASTING AND PARTY-SPIRIT
135.The one who is most honourable in God's estimation is the pious.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

136.Do not eulogize me as the Christians eulogized the son of Mary, I am just His servant, so say, 'God's servant and His messenger.'
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

137.God has revealed to me that you must be humble, so that no one boasts over another, or oppresses another.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

138.Wathila b. al-Asqa told that he asked God's messenger what party spirit was and he replied. "You help your people in wrongdoing.
(Abu Dawud).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

DISCARDING AND SEVERING OF THE BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP
139.It is not allowable for a man to keep apart from his brother for more than three days, the one turning away and the one turning away when they meet. The better of the two is the one who is first to give a greeting.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

140.Avoid envy, for envy devours good deeds just as fire devours fuel.
(Abu Dawud).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

141.Accursed is he who harms a believer, or acts deceitfully towards him.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

142.To harbour good thoughts (about a brother) is a part of well-conducted worship.
(Ahmad).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

GENTLENESS MODESTY AND GOOD CHARACTER
143.He who is deprived of gentleness is deprived of good.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

144.Righteousness is good character, and sin is that which revolves in your heart and which you do not want people to know.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

145.I have been sent to perfect good character.
(Muwatta, Ahmad).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

146.Among the best of you [are they] who have the best character.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

147.Modesty is part of faith and faith is in paradise, but obscenity is part of hardness of heart and hardness of heart is in hell.
(Ahmad, Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

148.O God as Thou hast made my form beautiful so make my character beautiful.
(Ahmad).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

149.The believers whose faith is most perfect are those who have the best character.
(Abu Dawud, Darimi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

TENDERNESS AND MERCY TOWARDS PEOPLE
150.God will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy to others.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

151."If anyone cares for two girls till they grow up, he and I will come on the Day of Resurrection thus," and he joined fingers.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

152."I and the one who takes responsibility for an orphan, whether his own kin or of others, will be in paradise thus," and he pointed his forefinger and the middle finger with a slight space between them.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

153."Believers are to one another like a building whose parts support one other." He then interlaced his fingers.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

LOVE FOR THE SAKE OF GOD
154.A good or bad companion is like one who carries musk and one who blows the bellow. The one who carries musk may give you some, or you may buy some from him, or you may feel a fragrance from him; but the one who blows the bellows might burn your clothing, or you may feel a bad smell from him.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

CIRCUMSPECTION AND DELIBERATION IN AFFAIRS
155.A believer is not stung twice from the same hole.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

156.You have two characters which God likes; gentleness and deliberation.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

157. For one who does not stumble and no sage who does not have experience.
(Ahmad, Tirmidhi).


(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

158.Consider how a matter will turn out; than if you think its issue will be good carry on with it, but if you fear going astray hold back
(Sharra-as-Sunna).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

159. A good way of acting, a good manner of conduct and moderation are twenty-fifth part of prophecy.
(Abu Dawud).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

160. When a man tells something and then departs it is trust. (What he told should be treated confidential).
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

THE EXCELLENCE OF THE POOR AND THE PROPHET'S LIVELIHOOD
161. When one of you looks at someone who is superior to him in property and appearance, he should look at someone who is inferior to him.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

162. Seek me among you weak ones, for you are given provision from God, God will be satisfied with few good deeds from him.
(Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

163. God loves His poor, believing servant who refrains from begging and yet has children. (Ibn Majah).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

164. O God, grant me life as a poor man, cause me to die as a poor man, and resurrect me in the company of the poor.
(Tirmidhi, Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

165. Abu Dharr said: My friend ordered me to observe seven things. He ordered me to love the poor and be near them; he ordered me to consider my inferior and not consider my superior; he ordered me to join ties of relationship even when relatives are at a distance; he ordered me not to ask anyone for anything; he ordered me to speak the truth even when it is bitter; he ordered me not to fear for God's sake reproach anyone may cast on me; and he ordered me to repeat often, "There is no might and no power except in God," for these words are a part of the treasure under the throne.
(Ahmad).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

HOPE AND AVIDITY
166. The son of Adam becomes decrepit, but two things remain young in him: avidity for property and avidity for life.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

167. When you go into your family, sonny, give a salutation. It will " The first thing which effects the well-being of this people is firm belief and asceticism, and the first thing which affects its corruption is niggardliness and (useless) hope. (Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

168. God loves the pious rich man who is inconspicuous.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

HYPOCRISY AND OSTENTATION
169. God does not look at your forms and possessions, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

170. When a man prays publicly in a good manner and prays secretly in a good manner, God most high says, "This is My servant indeed."
(Ibn Majah).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

ANGER AND PRIDE
171.The strong man is not the good wrestler; the strong man is only the one who controls himself when he is angry.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

172. He is a bad man who is proud and puts on airs and forgets the Most Great and Sublime One.
(Tirmidhi, Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

173.He who has in his heart as much faith as a grain of mustard seed will not enter hell, and he who has in his heart as much pride as a grain of mustard seed will not enter paradise.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

174.When one of you becomes angry while standing, he should sit down. If the anger leaves him, well and good; otherwise he should lie down.
(Ahmad, Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

175.Abu Huraira reported God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as telling that Moses' son Imran said, "My Lord, who is the greatest of Thy servant in Thy estimation?" and received the reply, "The one who forgives when he is in a position of power.
(Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

TRUST IN GOD AND ENDURANCE
176.Seventy thousand of my people will enter paradise without being taken to account. They are those who do not use spells or take omens, but put their trust in their Lord.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

177.The strong believer is better and dearer to God than the weaker believer. In all that is good be eager for what benefits you, seek help in God, and be not too weak to do so.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

178.Abu Dharr reported God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as saying he knew a verse which would suffice men if they would but apply it, "For him who fears God He will appoint a way out and He will give him provision from an unimagined source.
(Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Darimi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

179.Young man, if you are mindful about God He will be mindful of you, and if you are mindful of God you will find Him before you. When you ask for anything ask it from God, and if you seek help seek in God. Know that if the people were to unite to do you some benefit they could benefit you only with what God had recorded for you and that if they were to unite to do you some injury they could injure you only with what God had recorded for you. The pens are withdrawn and the pages are dry.
(Ahmad, Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

OPPRESSION
180.God grants a respite to the oppressor, but when He finally seizes him, He will not let him escape.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

181.Beware of the plea of the oppressed, for he asks God most high only for his due, and God does not keep one who has a right from receiving what is due.
(Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

182.If anyone walks with an oppressor to strengthen, knowing that he is an oppressor, he has gone forth from Islam.
(Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

183.Do not be a people without a will of your own saying: If others treat well you will also treat well and if they do wrong we will do wrong; but accustom yourselves to do good if people do good and do not do wrong if they do evil.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

184.Oppression will produce excessive darkness on the Day of Resurrection.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

185.He who has done a wrong affecting his brother's honour, or anything else, must ask for his forgiveness for it now before he will have neither dinar or dirham. If he has any good deed to his credit it would be out of his credit that the measure of his wrongdoing would be deducted, but if he has done no good deeds it will be taken from the other's evil deeds and laid upon him.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

MANNERS OF TRAVELLING
186.If people knew what I know about the dangers of being alone, no rider would travel alone at night.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

187.God's messenger, Muhammad, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not come to his family during the night, but was accustomed to enter only in the morning or in the evening.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

188. God's messenger, Muhammad, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to arrive from a journey only in the daytime during the forenoon, and that when he arrived he went first to the mosque where he prayed two Raka's, after which he sat in it and gave audience to the people.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

189. God's messenger, Muhammad, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to keep to the rear when travelling and urge on the weak. He would take some up behind him and would make supplication for them all.
(Abu Dawud).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

190. The Lord of the people on a journey is their servant, (NOTE 1) and he who precedes them in service will not be preceded by them on account of any deed but martyrdom.
(Baihaqi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

THE PROPHET'S (PEACE AND BLESSINGS OF ALLAH BE UPON HIM ) CHARACTER
191. Anas said: I served the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) for ten years and he never said to me, "Shame!" or "Why you do such and such?" or "Why did you not do such and such."
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

192. Jabir said that when God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked for anything, he never said, "No."
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

193. A'isha said: God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to patch his sandals, sew his garments and conduct himself as anyone of you did in his house. (Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

194. Anas told that when a man had asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) for enough sheep to fill the valley between two mountains and had been given them, went to his people and said, "Accept Islam, my people, for I swear By God that Muhammad gives gifts to such an extent that there is no fear of poverty.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

195. Anas said: God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was one of the men in character. One day he sent me to do something, and I said, "I swear by God that I will not go." But in my heart I felt I should go to do what God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has commanded me, so I went out and came upon some boys who were playing in the street. All of a sudden God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who had come up behind caught me by the back of the neck, and when I looked at him he was laughing. He said, "Did you go where I ordered you, little Anas?" "Yes, I am on my way, messenger of God." (Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

196. Abu Huraira told that when God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked to invoke curse on the polytheists he replied, "I was not sent as one given to cursing; I was sent only as a mercy."
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

197. Al-Aswad told that he asked A'isha what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) use to do in his house, she replied that he used to engage himself in Mihna i.e. the service of his family, and when the time for prayer came, he went out to prayer.
(Bukhari).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

198. Jabir b. Samura said God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was far from talkative. (He spoke only when he had a good reason for doing so).
(Sharra-as-Sunna).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

199.If anyone of you sees something objectionable, he should change it with his hand, but if he cannot, he should change it with his tongue, and if he cannot he should do it in his heart, that being the weakest form of faith.
(Muslim).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

200. Anas told that when God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) shook hands with a man, he did not withdraw his hand till the other did so, and he was not seen to put forward his knees in front of one with whom he was sitting.
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

201. Hind, son of Khadija from her former husband, says about the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Kind of heart, he was nice and sweet-tempered. He never liked to displease or cause offence to anybody. He thanked even for trifling favours. He took whatever food was placed before him, without making any adverse remark. He never got angry for anything concerning his own person, nor did he think of taking revenge or letting down anybody, but if anyone opposed what was just and right, he used to get sore and helped the right cause with all his might." I [Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)] forbade that a sword which has " It is not allowable for a man to keep apart from his brother for more than three days, the one turning away and the on"
(Tirmidhi). (Muhammad The Ideal Prophet. by Sayyid Suliman Nadwi).

202.Abdullah b. al-Harith b. Jaz said he had not seen no one more given to smiling than God's messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
(Tirmidhi).
(Sayings of Muhammad. by Prof. Ghazi Ahmad).

203. Verily the creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother's belly for forty days in the form of a seed, then he is a clot of blood for a like period, then a morsel of flesh for a like period, then there is sent to him the angel who blows the breath of life into him and who is commanded about four matters (NOTE 2) to write down his means of livelihood, his life span, his actions, and whether happy or unhappy. By Allah, other than Whom there is no god, verily one of you behaves like the people of Paradise until there is but an arm's length between him and it, and that which has been written overtakes him and so he behaves like the people of Hell-fire and thus enters it; and one of you behaves like the people of Hell-fire until there is but an arm's length between him and it, and that which has been written overtakes him and so he behaves like the people of Paradise and thus enters it.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

204.Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended. Thus he whose migration (NOTE 3) was for Allah and His Messenger, and he whose migration was to achieve some worldly benefit or to take some woman in marriage was for that he for which he migrated.
(Bukhari).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

205.He who innovates something in which this matter of ours that is not of it will have it rejected.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

206.He who does an act which our matter is not [in agreement] with, will have it rejected.
(Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

207. The believers whose faith " None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

208. There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.
(Ibn Majah and Daraqutni).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

209.Hazrat Umar (Allah be pleased with him) said: One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked and sat down by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Resting his knees against his and placing the palm of his hands on his thigh, he said: O Muhammad, tell me about Islam. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform the prayers, to pay the zakat (NOTE 4) , to fast in Ramadan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House (NOTE 5) if you are able to do so. He said: You have spoken rightly, and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken right. He said: Then tell me about iman (NOTE 6) . The Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him ) said: It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers and the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny, both the good and evil thereof. He said: You have spoken rightly. He said: Then tell me about ihsan (NOTE 7) , The Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him ) said: It is to worship Allah as though you are seeing Him, and while you see Him not yet truly He sees you. He said then tell me about the Hour (NOTE 8) , The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner. He said: Tell me about its signs. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The slave-girl will give birth to her mistress (NOTE 9) and that you will see the barefooted naked, destitute herdsmen competing in constructing lofty buildings. Then he took himself off and I stayed for a time. Then the Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon) said: O Umar, do you know who the questioner was? I said: Allah and hid Messenger know best. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: It was Gabriel, who came to you to teach you your religion.
(Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

210.That which is lawful is plain and that which is unlawful is plain and between the two if them are doubtful matters about which not many people know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honour, but he who falls into doubtful matters falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around the sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah's sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if diseased, all of it is diseased. Truly it is the heart.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

211.What I have forbidden to you, avoid; what I have ordered you [to do], do as much of it as you can. It was only their excessive questioning and their disagreeing with their Prophets that destroyed those who were before you.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

212.Leave that which makes you in doubt for that which does not make you doubt.
(Tirmidhi, Nasai).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

213.Part of someone's being a good Muslim is his leaving alone that which does not concern him.
(Tirmidhi).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

214.Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will wipe it out, and behave well towards people.
(Tirmidhi).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

215.Purity is half of faith. Al-hamdu lillah [Praise be to Allah] fills the scales, and Subhana 'llah [How far is Allah from every imperfection] and Al-hamdu lillah [Praise be to Allah] fill that which is between heaven and earth. Prayer is light; charity is a proof; patience is illumination; and the Quran is an argument for or against you. Everyone starts his day and is a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or bringing about its ruin.
(Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

216.I have been ordered to fight (NOTE 10) against people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and until he perform the prayers and pay the zakat, and if they do so, they will have gained protection from me for their lives (NOTE 11) and property, unless [they do acts that are punishable] in accordance with Islam, and their reckoning will be with Allah the Almighty.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

217.Verily Allah has prescribed proficiency in all things. Thus, if you kill, kill well; and if you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters.
(Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

218.There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.
(Ibn Majah and Daraqutni).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

219. Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah has commanded the Messengers, and the Almighty has said: "O ye Messengers! Eat of the good things and do right." (NOTE 12) And Allah has said: "O ye who believe ! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you." (NOTE 13) Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned [the case of] a man who, having journeyed far, is dishevelled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky [saying]: O Lord! O Lord! - while his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered!
(Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

220.Among the words people obtained from the First Prophecy (NOTE 14) are: If you feel no shame, then do as you wish. (NOTE 15)
(Bukhari).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

221.None of you [truly] believes until his inclination is in accordance with what I ((Muhammad), may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him ) have brought.
(Kitab al-Hujja).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

222.Righteousness is good morality, and wrongdoing is that which wavers in your soul and which you dislike people finding out about.
(Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

223.Allah the Almighty has laid down religious duties, so do not neglect them; He has set boundaries, so do not overstep them; He has prohibited some things, so do not violate them; about some things He was silent out of compassion for you, not forgetfulness, so seek not after them.
(Daraqutni)
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

224.Each person's every joint must perform a charity every day they comes up: to act justly between two people is a charity; to help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it is a charity; a good word is a charity; every step you take to prayers (i.e. on your way to the mosque) is a charity and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

225.The blood of a Muslim may not be legally spilt other than in one of three [instances]: the married person commits adultery; a life for life; and one who forsakes his religion and abandons the community.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

226.Were people to be given in accordance with their claim, men would claim the fortunes and lives (NOTE 16) of [other] people, but the onus of proof is on the claimant and the taking of an oath is the incumbent upon him who denies.
(Al-Baihaqi).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

227.Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "A man who harms a Muslim and deceives him, is accursed."
(Tirmidhi).
(Hayaat-ul-Muslimeen. by Mohammad Ashraf Ali Thanvi).

228.Allah has pardoned for me my people for [their] mistakes and [their] forgetfulness and for what they have done under duress.
(Ibn Majah, Baihaqi).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

229.Allah has written down the good deeds and the bad ones. Then He explained it [by saying that] he who has intended a good deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as from ten good deeds to seven hundred times, or many times over. But if he has intended a bad deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed.
(Bukhari, Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by . Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

230.Do not envy one another; do not inflate prices one to another; do not hate one another; do not turn away from one another; and do not undercut one another, but be you. O servants of Allah, brothers. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim: he neither oppresses him nor does he fail him, he neither lies to him nor does he hold him in contempt. Piety is right here-and the Prophet (peace be upon him) pointed to his breast three times. It is evil enough for a man to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. The whole of a Muslim for another is inviolable: his blood, his property and his honour.
(Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

231.Some of the Companions (NOTE 17) of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to the Prophet:(peace be upon him) O Messenger of Allah, the affluent have made off with the rewards: they pray as we pray, they fast as we fast, and they give away in charity the superfluity of their wealth. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Has not Allah made things for you to give away in charity? Truly every tasbiha (NOTE 18) is a charity every takbira (NOTE 19) is a charity, every tahmida (NOTE 20) is a charity and every tahlia (NOTE 21) is a charity; to enjoin a good action is a charity, to forbid an evil action is a charity and in a sexual act each of you there are a charity. They said: O Messenger of Allah, when one of us fulfils his sexual desire will he have some reward for that? The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Do you [not] think that were he to act upon it unlawfully he wold be sinning? Likewise, if he has acted upon it lawfully he will have a reward.
(Muslim).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

232.Allah the Almighty has said: Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I shall be at war with him. My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have imposed upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hands with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him; and were he to ask me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.
(Bukhari).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

233.The son of Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) use to say: At evening do not expect [to live till] morning, and at morning do not expect [to live till] evening. Take from your health for your illness and from your life for your death (NOTE 22).
(Bukhari).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

234.A man came to the Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him ) and said: O Messenger of Allah, direct me to an act which, if I do it, [will cause] Allah to love me and people to love me. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Renounce the world and Allah will love you, and renounce what people possess and people will love you.
(Ibn Majah).
(Forty Hadith translated by. Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies).

HALAL AND HARAM

[AbuMubarak]

Good Character
Imam Al-Bayhaqi

The Seventy-Seven Branches of Faith
The Quilliam Press, © 1990, 1996



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This includes suppressing one’s anger, and being gentle and humble. Allah Most High has said: Surely, you are of tremendous nature, [68:4] and: Those who suppress their anger, and forgive other people – assuredly, Allah loves those who do good. [3:134]

Bukhari and Muslim relate that `Abdallah ibn `Amr, radhiallahu `anhu, said, "The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam, was never immoderate or obscene. He used to say, ‘Among those who are most beloved to me are those who have the finest character.’"