Weekly Hadith

Riyad-as-Saliheen
By Al-Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya bin Sharaf An-Nawawi Ad-Dimashqi
Week=3, Hadith=115 to 152 [38 Hadith, 6/Day] [115] الرابع : عن أنس قَالَ : إنَّ اللهَ تَابَعَ الوَحيَ عَلَى رسولِ الله قَبلَ وَفَاتهِ حَتَّى تُوُفِّيَ أكْثَرَ مَا كَانَ الوَحْيَ عَلَيِّه . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ . الحِكمة في كثرة الوحي عند وفاته ، لتكمل الشريعة فلا يبقى مما يوحى إليه بشيء . قال الله تعالى : ﴿ الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِيناً ﴾ [ المائدة (3) ] . وكان خلقه القرآن يعمل بما فيه . 115. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Allah the Rubb of honour and glory sent Revelation to His Messenger (PBUH) more frequently before his death than at any other time. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

Commentary: During the last days of the Prophet (PBUH) the abundance of Wahy (Revelation) was an indication that he was about to leave this world. [116] الخامس : عن جابر قَالَ : قَالَ رسول الله : « يُبْعَثُ كُلُّ عَبْدٍ عَلَى مَا مَاتَ عَلَيهِ » . رواه مسلم . في هذا الحديث : تحريضٌ للإِنسان على حسن العمل ، وملازمة الهَدْي المحمدي في سائر الأحوال ، والإِخلاص لله تعالى في الأقوال والأعمال ، ليموت على تلك الحالة الحميدة فيُبعث كذلك ، وبالله التوفيق . 116. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Every one will be raised in the condition in which he dies". [Muslim] .

Commentary: This Hadith has a meaning similar to the one quoted at another place which signifies that if a person dies performing good deeds, he will have a good end; and the one who dies in misdeeds, he will come to a bad end. It is, therefore, necessary that one should always avoid disobedience of Divine injunctions, especially in old age and illness because one may fall in the clutches of death at any time . قَالَ الله تَعَالَى : ﴿ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ ﴾ [ البقرة (215) ] . فيجزيكم عليه . وَقالَ تَعَالَى : ﴿ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ يَعْلَمْهُ الله ﴾ [ البقرة (197)] . فلا يُضيِّعه . وَقالَ تَعَالَى : ﴿ فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْراً يَرَهُ ﴾ [ الزلزلة (7) ] . يعني : يرى جزاءه في الآخرة . قال سعيد بن جبير : كان المسلمون يَرَوْن أنهم لا يؤجرون على الشيء القليل إذا أعطوه ، وكان آخرون يَرون أنْ لا يُلامون على الذنب اليسير : الكذبة ، والنظرة ، والغيبة ، وأشباهها . فنزلت : ﴿ فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْراً يَرَهُ * وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرّاً يَرَهُ ﴾ [ الزلزلة (7 ، 8) ] . وَقالَ تَعَالَى : ﴿ مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحاً فَلِنَفْسِهِ ﴾ [ الجاثـية (15)] .والآيات في الباب كثيرة . كقوله تعالى : ﴿ مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحاً مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ ﴾ [ النحل (97) ] وغيرها . وأما الأحاديث فكثيرة جداً وهي غيرُ منحصرةٍ فنذكُرُ طرفاً مِنْهَا : Allah, the Exalted, says:

"... and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allah knows it well." (2:215)

"And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allah knows it." (2:197)

"So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it." (99:7)

"Whosoever does a good deed, it is for his ownself..." (45:15) [117] الأول : عن أبي ذر جُنْدبِ بنِ جُنَادَةَ قَالَ : قُلْتُ : يَا رسولَ الله، أيُّ الأعمالِ أفْضَلُ ؟ قَالَ : « الإيمانُ باللهِ وَالجِهادُ في سَبيلِهِ » . قُلْتُ : أيُّ الرِّقَابِ أفْضَلُ ؟ قَالَ : « أنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أهلِهَا وَأكثَرهَا ثَمَناً » . قُلْتُ : فإنْ لَمْ أفْعَلْ ؟ قَالَ : « تُعِينُ صَانِعاً أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لأَخْرَقَ » . قُلْتُ : يَا رَسُول الله ، أرأيْتَ إنْ ضَعُفْتُ عَنْ بَعْضِ العَمَلِ ؟ قَالَ : « تَكُفُّ شَرَّكَ عَنِ النَّاسِ ؛ فإنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ مِنْكَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ » . مُتَّفَقٌ عليه .« الصَّانِعُ » بالصاد المهملة هَذَا هُوَ المشهور ، وروي « ضائعاً » بالمعجمة : أي ذا ضِياع مِنْ فقرٍ أَوْ عيالٍ ونحوَ ذلِكَ ، « وَالأَخْرَقُ » : الَّذِي لا يُتقِنُ مَا يُحَاوِل فِعلهُ . في هذا الحديث : بيان كثرة طرق الخير ، وأن الإنسان إذا عجز عن خصلة من خصال الخير قدر على الأُخرى ، فإذا عجز عن ذلك كفَّ شرّه عن الناس . وما لا يُدرك كلّه لا يترك جُلُّه . 117. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Which action is the best?" He (PBUH) said, "Faith in Allah and Jihad in the way of Allah." I asked: "Which neck (slave) is best (for emancipation)?" He said, "That which is dearest of them in price and most valuable of them to its masters". I asked: "If I cannot afford (it)?" He said, "Then help a labourer or work for one who is disabled". I asked: "If I cannot do (it)?" He said, "You should restrain yourself from doing wrong to people, because it (serves as) charity which you bestow upon yourself". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

Commentary: This Hadith shows the excellence of Jihad and emancipation of slaves. It also highlights the importance of co-operation and sympathy with others. Similarly, one who refrains from putting others into trouble, his reward for it is no less than that of propitiatory offering and kindness. It also tells that faith in Allah is the basis for the acceptance of good deeds. In fact, conduct is the fruit of one's Faith. Without Faith nothing will be acceptable by Allah. [118] الثاني : عن أبي ذر أيضاً : أنَّ رسول الله قَالَ : « يُصْبحُ عَلَى كُلِّ سُلامَى منْ أَحَدِكُمْ صَدَقةٌ : فَكُلُّ تَسبيحَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ ، وَكُلُّ تَحمِيدةٍ صَدَقَة ، وَكُلُّ تَهْلِيلَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ ، وَكُلُّ تَكبيرَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ ، وَأمْرٌ بِالمعرُوفِ صَدَقةٌ ، ونَهيٌ عَنِ المُنْكَرِ صَدَقةٌ ، وَيُجزئُ مِنْ ذلِكَ رَكْعَتَانِ يَركَعُهُما مِنَ الضُّحَى». رواه مسلم . « السُّلامَى » بضم السين المهملة وتخفيف اللام وفتح الميم : المفصل . قال في القاموس : المفاصل : مفاصل الأعضاء ، الواحد منها كَمَنْزِلٍ . والمِفْصَلُ : كمِنْبَرٍ . اللسان . وفي هذا الحديث : فضيلة التسبيح وسائر الأذكار ، والأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر ، وأنَّ الصدقة تكون بغير المال من جميع أنواع فعل المعروف والإِحسان . وفيه : فضل صلاة الضحى ، وأنها تكفي من صدقات الأعضاء ؛ لأنَّ الصلاة عمل لجميع أعضاء الجسد ، وتنهى عن الفحشاء والمنكر . 118. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When you get up in the morning, charity is due from every one of your joints. There is charity in every ascription of glory to Allah; there is charity in every declaration of His Greatness; there is charity in every utterance of praise of Him; there is charity in every declaration that He is the only true God (worthy of worship); there is charity in enjoining good; there is charity in forbidding evil. Two Rak'ah of Duha (Forenoon prayer) is equal to all this (in reward)". [Muslim] .

Commentary: There are three hundred and sixty joints in a human body. It is these joints which enable him to work and make all kinds of movements. If man's body did not have these joints it would have been impossible for him to sit, stand, lie, move and make use of different organs of his body. Thus every joint is a blessing for which one must express gratitude to Allah. It is yet another Blessing of Allah that He has also told man a very easy way of thanksgiving which can be practised even by the poorest man in the world. This means of thanksgiving is recitation of Tasbih (Subhan Allah), Tahmid (Al-hamdu lillah), Takbir (Allahu Akbar), Tahlil (La ilaha illallah), and to preach virtue and forbid wrong/ unlawful, etc. If one is unable to do even this, then he should perform two Rak'ah prayer at any time between sunrise and sunset. If one wants to enlarge their number, he can increase them to eight with the condition that the eight are divided into four couplets. [119] الثالث : عَنْهُ ، قَالَ : قَالَ النَّبيُّ : « عُرِضَتْ عَلَيَّ أعْمَالُ أُمَّتِي حَسَنُهَا وَسَيِّئُهَا فَوَجَدْتُ في مَحَاسِنِ أعْمَالِهَا الأذَى يُمَاطُ عَنِ الطَّريقِ ، وَوَجَدْتُ في مَسَاوِئِ أعمَالِهَا النُّخَاعَةُ تَكُونُ في المَسْجِدِ لا تُدْفَنُ » . رواه مسلم . في هذا الحديث : التنبيه على فضل كل ما نفع الناس أو أزال عنهم ضررًا . وأنَّ القليل من الخير والشر مكتوب على العبد ، قال الله تعالى : ﴿ فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْراً يَرَهُ * وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرّاً يَرَهُ ﴾ [ الزلزلة (7 ، 8) ] . 119. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The deeds of my people, good and bad, were presented before me, and I found the removal of harmful objects from the road among their good deeds, and phlegm which might be in a mosque left unburied among their evil deeds". [Muslim] .

Commentary:

1. Allah has listed in virtue even the good deed which is for the benefit of people or can save them from loss. What is its opposite, however small it may be, is reckoned as mischief. This Hadith induces one to do good deeds to attain the Pleasure of Allah and prevents one from evil deeds so that one is saved from the displeasure of Allah.

2. The Hadith enjoins cleanliness of mosques and forbids throwing of anything there which violates its sacredness, i.e., spitting. If any such dirty thing is found there, it must be removed immediately. [120] الرابع : عَنْهُ : أنَّ ناساً قالوا : يَا رَسُولَ الله ، ذَهَبَ أهلُ الدُّثُور بالأُجُورِ ، يُصَلُّونَ كَمَا نُصَلِّي ، وَيَصُومُونَ كَمَا نَصُومُ ، وَيَتَصَدَّقُونَ بِفُضُولِ أمْوَالِهِمْ ، قَالَ : « أَوَلَيسَ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللهُ لَكُمْ مَا تَصَدَّقُونَ بِهِ : إنَّ بِكُلِّ تَسْبِيحَةٍ صَدَقةً ، وَكُلِّ تَكبيرَةٍ صَدَقَةً ، وَكُلِّ تَحمِيدَةٍ صَدَقَةً ، وَكُلِّ تَهْلِيلَةٍ صَدَقَةً ، وَأمْرٌ بالمَعْرُوفِ صَدَقَةٌ ، وَنَهيٌ عَنِ المُنْكَرِ صَدَقَةٌ ، وفي بُضْعِ أَحَدِكُمْ صَدَقَةٌ » قالوا : يَا رسولَ اللهِ ، أيَأتِي أَحَدُنَا شَهْوَتَهُ وَيَكُونُ لَهُ فِيهَا أجْرٌ ؟ قَالَ : « أرَأيتُمْ لَوْ وَضَعَهَا في حَرامٍ أَكَانَ عَلَيهِ فِيهَا وِزرٌ ؟ فكذَلِكَ إِذَا وَضَعَهَا في الحَلالِ كَانَ لَهُ أَجْرٌ » . رواه مسلم .« الدُّثُورُ » بالثاء المثلثة : الأموال وَاحِدُهَا : دثْر . في هذا الحديث : فضل التنافس في الخير ، والحرص على العمل الصالح ، وجبر خاطر من لا يقدر على الصدقة ، ونحوها ، وترغيبه فيما يقوم مقامها من التسبيح والتحميد والتهليل والتكبير . وفيه : أنَّ فعل المباحات إذا قَارنَهُ بنيَّة صالحة يؤجر عليه العبد . 120. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Some people said to Messenger of Allah (PBUH): "O Messenger of Allah, the rich have taken away (all the) reward. They observe Salat (prayers) as we do; and give Sadaqah (charity) out of their surplus wealth." Upon this he (the Prophet (PBUH)) said, "Has Allah not prescribed for you (a course) following which you can (also) give Sadaqah? In every declaration of the glorification of Allah (i.e., saying Subhan Allah) there is a Sadaqah, and in every Takbir (i.e., saying Allahu Akbar) is a Sadaqah, and in every celebration of praise (saying Al-hamdu lillah) is a Sadaqah, and in every declaration that He is One (La ilaha illallah) is a Sadaqah, and in enjoining of good is a Sadaqah, and in forbidding evil is a Sadaqah, and in man's sexual intercourse (with his wife) there is a Sadaqah." They (the Companions) said: "O Messenger of Allah, is there reward for him who satisfies his sexual need among us?" He said, "You see, if he were to satisfy it with something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to satisfy it legally, he should be rewarded". [Muslim] .

Commentary: This Hadith highlights two important points. Firstly, the enthusiasm of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) for surpassing each other in good actions. Secondly, it tells that virtue has a vast meaning in Islam and it includes every action which is done with good intention, provided it does not involve disobedience of Allah. So much so that it covers even natural activities of man which fall in the category of Mubah (that which is permissible and may be omitted without fear of sin) and one is rewarded for them. Not only that, one is rewarded even for abstaining from a sin on the condition that the abstention is for the obedience of Allah. Then abstention rises to the level of an act of obedience and is rewarded likewise. [121] الخامس : عَنْهُ ، قَالَ : قَالَ لي النَّبيّ : « لا تَحْقِرنَّ مِنَ المَعرُوفِ شَيئاً وَلَوْ أنْ تَلقَى أخَاكَ بِوَجْهٍ طَليقٍ » . رواه مسلم . في هذا الحديث : الحثُّ على فعل المعروف قليلاً كان أو كثيرًا ، بالمال ، أو الخُلُق الحسن . 121. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face". [Muslim] .

Commentary: We learn from this Hadith that meeting somebody cheerfully is also a virtue for two reasons. Firstly, it is a sign of good manners. Secondly, it creates affection and friendship among the Muslims which is a meritorious act. [122] السادس : عن أبي هريرةَ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُول الله : « كُلُّ سُلامَى مِنَ النَّاسِ عَلَيهِ صَدَقَةٌ ، كُلَّ يَومٍ تَطلُعُ فِيهِ الشَّمْسُ : تَعْدِلُ بَينَ الاثْنَينِ صَدَقةٌ ، وتُعِينُ الرَّجُلَ في دَابَّتِهِ ، فَتَحْمِلُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَوْ تَرفَعُ لَهُ عَلَيْهَا مَتَاعَهُ صَدَقَةٌ ، وَالكَلِمَةُ الطَيِّبَةُ صَدَقَةٌ ، وبكلِّ خَطْوَةٍ تَمشيهَا إِلَى الصَّلاةِ صَدَقَةٌ ، وتُميطُ الأذَى عَنِ الطَّريقِ صَدَقَةٌ » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ . ورواه مسلم أيضاً من رواية عائشة رَضي الله عنها ، قَالَتْ : قَالَ رَسُول الله : « إنَّهُ خُلِقَ كُلُّ إنْسان مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ عَلَى سِتِّينَ وثلاثمئة مفْصَل ، فَمَنْ كَبَّرَ اللهَ ، وحَمِدَ الله ، وَهَلَّلَ اللهَ ، وَسَبَّحَ الله ، وَاسْتَغْفَرَ الله ، وَعَزَلَ حَجَراً عَنْ طَريقِ النَّاسِ ، أَوْ شَوْكَةً ، أَوْ عَظماً عَن طَريقِ النَّاسِ ، أَوْ أمَرَ بمَعْرُوف ، أَوْ نَهَى عَنْ منكَر ، عَدَدَ السِّتِّينَ والثَّلاثِمئَة فَإنَّهُ يُمْسِي يَومَئِذٍ وقَدْ زَحْزَحَ نَفسَهُ عَنِ النَّارِ » . السُّلاَمَى : المِفْصل . فيصبح على ابن آدم كل يوم ثلاثمئة وستون صدقة بعدد مفاصله . فمن أتى بعددها من الطاعات الفعلية والقولية فقد أدّى شكر الله فيها . 122. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Every day the sun rises charity (Sadaqah) is due on every joint of a person: you administer justice between two men is a charity; and assisting a man to mount his beast, or helping him load his luggage on it is a charity; and a good word is a charity; and every step that you take (towards the mosque) for Salat (prayer) is a charity and removing harmful things from the road is a charity". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

In Muslim, it is reported on the authority of 'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) that Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Everyone of the children of Adam has been created with three hundred and sixty joints; so he who declares the Glory of Allah (i.e., saying Allahu Akbar), praises Allah (i.e., Al-hamdu lillah), declares Allah to be One (i.e., La ilaha illallah), glorifies Allah, and seeks forgiveness from Allah (i.e., Astaghfirullah), and removes stone, or thorn, or bone from people's path, and enjoins good and forbids evil, to the number of those three hundred and sixty, will walk that day having rescued himself from Hell".

Commentary: This Hadith also tells that even a person who does not have the capacity to pay Sadaqah (charity, alms, propitiatory offerings, etc.) can also pay it in the manner prescribed above and earn its reward. Moreover, he can also pay alms for the joints in his body. [123] السابع : عَنْهُ ، عن النَّبيّ قَالَ : « مَنْ غَدَا إِلَى المسْجِد أَوْ رَاحَ ، أَعَدَّ اللهُ لَهُ في الجَنَّةِ نُزُلاً كُلَّمَا غَدَا أَوْ رَاحَ » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ .« النُّزُلُ » : القوت والرزق وما يُهيأُ للضيف . في هذا الحديث : فضل المشي إلى صلاة الجماعة في المسجد . 123. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "He who goes to the mosque at dawn or dusk (for Salat), Allah prepares a hospitable abode for him in Jannah, every time when he walks to it or comes back from it". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

Commentary: This Hadith induces us to go to the mosque and perform Salat in congregation. [124] الثامن : عَنْهُ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُول الله : « يَا نِسَاءَ المُسْلِمَاتِ ، لا تَحْقِرنَّ جَارَةٌ لِجَارَتِهَا وَلَوْ فِرْسِنَ شاةٍ » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ . قَالَ الجوهري : الفرسِن منَ البَعيرِ كالحَافِرِ مِنَ الدَّابَةِ قَالَ : وَرُبَّمَا اسْتُعِيرَ في الشَّاةِ . في هذا الحديث : الحث عى صلة الجارة ولو بظلف شاة ، وفي معناه الحديث الآخر : « إذا طبختَ مرقةً فأكْثِر ماءَها ، وتعاهد جيرانك » . 124. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: O Muslim women, never belittle any gift you give your neighbour even if it is a hoof of a sheep". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

Commentary: This Hadith enjoins that any gift presented sincerely by a neighbour should not be treated as humble, however ordinary it may be, because in spite of being of small worth it has a high value with Allah. [125] التاسع : عَنْهُ ، عن النَّبيّ ، قَالَ : « الإيمانُ بِضْعٌ وَسَبعُونَ أَوْ بِضعٌ وسِتُونَ شُعْبَةً : فَأفْضَلُهَا قَولُ : لا إلهَ إلا اللهُ ، وَأَدْنَاهَا إمَاطَةُ الأذَى عَنِ الطَّريقِ ، والحياءُ شُعبَةٌ مِنَ الإيمان » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ .« البِضْعُ » من ثلاثة إِلَى تسعة بكسر الباء وقد تفتح . وَ« الشُّعْبَةُ » : القطعة . شعب الإيمان : هي الأعمال الشرعية ، وهي تتفرع عن أعمال القلب وأعمال اللسان ، وأعمال البدن . 125. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Iman has over seventy branches, the uppermost of which is the declaration: 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah'; and the least of which is the removal of harmful object from the road, and modesty is a branch of Iman." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

Commentary:

1. This Hadith tells us that from the standpoint of practice, Faith has several stages. It also tells that Faith and practice are inseparable.

2. It also makes evident the importance and excellence of bashfulness because it induces a person to good deeds and deters him from evils. [126] العاشر : عَنْهُ : أنَّ رَسُول الله ، قَالَ : « بَينَما رَجُلٌ يَمشي بِطَريقٍ اشْتَدَّ عَلَيهِ العَطَشُ ، فَوَجَدَ بِئراً فَنَزَلَ فِيهَا فَشربَ ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فإذَا كَلْبٌ يَلْهَثُ يأكُلُ الثَّرَى مِنَ العَطَشِ ، فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ : لَقَدْ بَلَغَ هَذَا الكَلْبُ مِنَ العَطَشِ مِثلُ الَّذِي كَانَ قَدْ بَلَغَ مِنِّي فَنَزَلَ البِئْرَ فَمَلأَ خُفَّهُ مَاءً ثُمَّ أمْسَكَهُ بفيهِ حَتَّى رَقِيَ ، فَسَقَى الكَلْبَ ، فَشَكَرَ الله لَهُ ، فَغَفَرَ لَهُ » قالوا : يَا رَسُول اللهِ ، إنَّ لَنَا في البَهَائِمِ أَجْراً ؟ فقَالَ : « في كُلِّ كَبِدٍ رَطْبَةٍ أجْرٌ » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ . وفي رواية للبخاري : « فَشَكَرَ اللهُ لَهُ ، فَغَفَرَ لَهُ ، فأدْخَلَهُ الجَنَّةَ » وفي رواية لهما : « بَيْنَما كَلْبٌ يُطِيفُ بِرَكِيَّةٍ قَدْ كَادَ يقتلُهُ العَطَشُ إِذْ رَأَتْهُ بَغِيٌّ مِنْ بَغَايَا بَنِي إسْرَائِيل ، فَنَزَعَتْ مُوقَها فَاسْتَقَتْ لَهُ بِهِ فَسَقَتْهُ فَغُفِرَ لَهَا بِهِ » . « المُوقُ » : الخف . وَ« يُطِيفُ » : يدور حول « رَكِيَّةٍ » : وَهِي البئر . في هذا الحديث : فضْل الإِحسان إلى الحيوان ، وأنه سبب لمغفرة الذنوب ودخول الجنة . 126. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "While a man was walking on his way he became extremely thirsty. He found a well, he went down into it to drink water. Upon leaving it, he saw a dog which was panting out of thirst. His tongue was lolling out and he was eating moist earth from extreme thirst. The man thought to himself: 'This dog is extremely thirsty as I was.' So he descended into the well, filled up his leather sock with water, and holding it in his teeth, climbed up and quenched the thirst of the dog. Allah appreciated his action and forgave his sins". The Companions asked: "Shall we be rewarded for showing kindness to the animals also?" He (PBUH) said, "A reward is given in connection with every living creature". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

In the narration of Al-Bukhari, the Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said: "Allah forgave him in appreciation of this act and admitted him to Jannah".

Another narration says: "Once a dog was going round the well and was about to die out of thirst. A prostitute of Banu Israel happened to see it. So she took off her leather sock and lowered it into the well. She drew out some water and gave the dog to drink. She was forgiven on account of her action".

Commentary:

1. This Hadith emphasizes the importance of kindness to every creature, even animals, because Allah is pleased with such kindness.

2. Allah's Quality of mercy and forgiveness is immensely vast. If He wants He may forgive a person even on a minor good action done by him. [127] الحادي عشر : عَنْهُ ، عن النَّبيّ ، قَالَ : « لَقدْ رَأيْتُ رَجُلاً يَتَقَلَّبُ في الجَنَّةِ في شَجَرَةٍ قَطَعَهَا مِنْ ظَهْرِ الطَرِيقِ كَانَتْ تُؤذِي المُسْلِمِينَ ». رواه مسلم . وفي رواية : « مَرَّ رَجُلٌ بِغُصْنِ شَجَرَةٍ عَلَى ظَهرِ طَرِيقٍ ، فَقَالَ : وَاللهِ لأُنْحِيَنَّ هَذَا عَنِ المُسْلِمينَ لا يُؤذِيهِمْ ، فَأُدخِلَ الجَنَّةَ » .وفي رواية لهما : « بَيْنَمَا رَجُلٌ يَمْشي بِطَريقٍ وَجَدَ غُصْنَ شَوكٍ عَلَى الطريقِ فأخَّرَه فَشَكَرَ اللهُ لَهُ ، فَغَفَرَ لَهُ » . في هذا الحديث : فضيلة كل ما نفع المسلمين وأزال عنهم ضررًا ، وأنَّ ذلك سبب للمغفرة ودخول الجنة . 127. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "I saw a man going about in Jannah (and enjoying himself) as a reward for cutting from the middle of the road, a tree which was causing inconvenience to the Muslims". [Muslim] .

Another narration says: "A man who passed by a branch of a tree leaning over a road and decided to remove it, saying to himself, 'By Allah! I will remove from the way of Muslims so that it would not harm them.' On account of this he was admitted to Jannah".

According to the narration in Al-Bukhari and Muslim: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "While a man was walking, he saw a thorny branch on the road, so he removed it and Allah appreciated his action and forgave him".

Commentary: The act of saving people from harm and loss is greatly liked by Allah, no matter how small it is. Allah is greatly pleased if a person removes from the passage something that causes harm to people. On the contrary, persons who restrict or obstruct passages and thereby create inconvenience for the passers-by, as is usually done with great audacity on marriage parties, or create trouble for people by encroachment, do in fact incur Allah's displeasure. But our moral sense has been so blunted that rather than feeling any compunction, we do such things boastfully forgetting that 'Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.' We have now become so low that we take pride in going against our religious teachings and practices thus incurring Allah's displeasure. Is there any further stage of moral turpitude and revolt against Him?. [128] الثاني عشر : عَنْهُ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُول الله : « مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ فَأَحْسَنَ الوُضُوءَ ، ثُمَّ أَتَى الجُمعَةَ فَاسْتَمَعَ وَأنْصَتَ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْن الجُمُعَةِ وَزِيادَةُ ثَلاثَةِ أيَّامٍ ، وَمَنْ مَسَّ الحَصَا فَقَدْ لَغَا » . رواه مسلم . معنى المغفرة له ما بين الجمعتين وزيادة ثلاثة أيام : أنَّ الحسنةَ بعشر أمثالها. وفي الحديث الآخر : إشارة إلى الحث على إقبال القلب والجوارح على الخطبة ، واجتناب العبث . 128. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who performs his Wudu' perfectly and comes to Jumu'ah prayer and listens (to the Khutbah) silently, the sins which he has committed since the previous Friday plus three more days (i.e., 10 days) will be forgiven for him. One who distracts himself with pebbles during the Khutbah will not get the (Jumu'ah) reward". [Muslim] .

Commentary: This Hadith brings into prominence the following five important points:

1. It induces one to take full care in ablutions, that is to say, it should be strictly performed according to Sunnah.

2. The excellence of Jumu'ah (Friday prayer), which is obligatory for every sane, adult, healthy and resident Muslim, whether he lives in a town or village. The Friday prayer is performed in the mosque in congregation. It has two Rak'ah at the time of noon prayer and is preceded by Khutbah of Imam (who leads the prayer). It is not performed individually at home.

3. Whoever does one good act will get ten-times reward in return. According to this principle, one who performs a Friday prayer, his minor sins relating the Rights of Allah which are committed by him in ten days are forgiven.

4. Silence during the Khutbah is a must, otherwise, one loses the reward of Jumu'ah prayer.

5. It is also necessary for a Khatib to deliver a brief Khutbah. [129] الثالث عشر : عَنْهُ : أنَّ رَسُول الله قَالَ : « إِذَا تَوَضَّأ العَبْدُ المُسْلِمُ ، أَو المُؤمِنُ فَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ خَرَجَ مِنْ وَجْهِهِ كُلُّ خَطِيئَةٍ نَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا بِعَينهِ مَعَ المَاءِ ، أَوْ مَعَ آخِرِ قَطْرِ المَاءِ ، فَإِذا غَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ خَرَجَ مِنْ يَدَيهِ كُلُّ خَطِيئَة كَانَ بَطَشَتْهَا يَدَاهُ مَعَ المَاءِ ، أَوْ مَعَ آخِرِ قَطْرِ المَاءِ ، فَإِذَا غَسَلَ رِجْلَيهِ خَرَجَتْ كُلُّ خَطِيئَةٍ مشتها رِجْلاَهُ مَعَ المَاء أَوْ مَعَ آخِرِ قَطْرِ المَاءِ حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ نَقِيّاً مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ » . رواه مسلم . في هذا الحديث : فضل الوضوء ، وأنه يمحو خطايا الجوارح ويكفر الذنوب . 129. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When a Muslim or a believer washes his face (in the course of Wudu'), every sin he has committed with his eyes is washed away from his face along with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought is erased from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet walked is washed away with water, or with the last drop of water, with the result that he comes out cleansed of all sins". [Muslim] .

Commentary: This Hadith mentions the excellence of Wudu'. Obviously a person who performs Wudu' five times daily would be free from sins. Thus, Wudu' is a means of both outward and inward cleanliness. [130] الرابع عشر : عَنْهُ ، عن رَسُول الله قَالَ : « الصَّلَوَاتُ الخَمْسُ ، وَالجُمُعَةُ إِلَى الجُمُعَةِ ، وَرَمَضَانُ إِلَى رَمَضَانَ مُكَفِّراتٌ لِمَا بَيْنَهُنَّ إِذَا اجْتُنِبَتِ الكَبَائِرُ » . رواه مسلم . في هذا الحديث : سعة رحمة الله تعالى ، وأنَّ المدوامة على الفرائض تكفر الصغائر من الذنوب ، وقال الله تعالى : ﴿ الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبَائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَالْفَوَاحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَاسِعُ الْمَغْفِرَةِ ﴾ [ النجم (32) ] . 130. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The five (daily) Salat (prayers), and from one Jumu'ah prayer to the (next) Jumu'ah prayer, and from Ramadan to Ramadan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals); provided the major sins are not committed". [Muslim] .

Commentary: If a Muslim saves himself from major sins and does not neglect his obligations to people, then he remains free from sins by means of the 'Ibadah (worship) stated above. [131] الخامس عشر : عَنْهُ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُول الله : « ألا أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى مَا يَمْحُو اللهُ بِهِ الخَطَايَا وَيَرْفَعُ بِهِ الدَّرَجَاتِ ؟ » قَالُوا : بَلَى ، يَا رسولَ اللهِ ، قَالَ : « إِسْبَاغُ الوُضُوءِ عَلَى المَكَارِهِ ، وَكَثْرَةُ الخُطَا إِلَى المَسَاجِدِ ، وَانْتِظَارُ الصَّلاةِ بَعْدَ الصَّلاةِ فَذلِكُمُ الرِّبَاطُ » . رواه مسلم . إسباغ الوضوء : استيعاب أعضائه بالغسل . وسُمِّيت هذه الثلاث رباطًا ؛ لأنَّ أعدى عدو للإنسان نفسه ، وهذه الأعمال تسدُّ طرق الشيطان والهوى عن النفس ، فإن جهاد النفس هو الجهاد الأكبر . 131. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Should I not direct you to something by which Allah obliterates the sins and elevates (your) ranks." They said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah". He said, "Performing Wudu' properly, even in difficulty, frequently going to the mosque, and waiting eagerly for the next Salat (prayer) after a Salat is over; indeed, that is Ar-Ribat". [Muslim] .

Commentary: Ribat means staying on the frontier of an Islamic country, for security and defense purposes. Thus, it is a continuous process of Jihad. Continuous good deeds and 'Ibadah have been compared with Ribat. Performing full ablution in Makarih (where severe unpleasantness and hard labour is involved) is quite difficult. For instance, in winter it is very cumbersome to properly wash all the organs of the body but a Muslim does it to please Allah. Thus, its reward will be more in proportion to the labour. Similarly, the nearness of a mosque is in many respect very useful but its being far from the house is better in this respect that the greater distance one has to cover for going to the mosque, the higher the reward for going there will be. Those who live close to the mosque do not have this credit. [132] السادس عشر : عن أبي موسى الأشعرِيِّ قَالَ : قَالَ رسولُ الله : « مَنْ صَلَّى البَرْدَيْنِ دَخَلَ الجَنَّةَ » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ .« البَرْدَانِ » : الصبح والعصر . وجه تخصيصهما بالذكر عن سائر الصلوات : أنَّ وقت الصبح يكون عند لذّة النوم ، ووقت العصر يكون عند الاشتغال ، وأنَّ العبد إذا حافظ عليهما كان أشد محافظة على غيرهما . 132. Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who observes the Fajr and 'Asr (prayers) will enter Jannah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

Commentary: Muslims are enjoined to take special care of two of the five prescribed Salat, namely Fajr and 'Asr because they occur during very comfortable hours. Their excellence, and inducement on them, have been mentioned here for the reason that there is greater possibility of laziness and negligence in these two Salat. It is very difficult indeed to rise for Salat-ul-Fajr (the dawn prayer). Similar is the case of Salat-ul-'Asr (the afternoon prayer). It is the time when a person is very busy in winding up his daily affairs and thus there is serious risk of losing this Salat on this account. One who observes these two at their stated time, can easily secure the other three without much effort. This endeavour on his part to secure Salat will be a very effective means for him to enter Jannah. [133] السابع عشر : عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُول الله : « إِذَا مَرِضَ العَبْدُ أَوْ سَافَرَ كُتِبَ لَهُ مِثْلُ مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ مُقِيماً صَحِيحاً » . رواه البخاري . في هذا الحديث : عظيم فضل الله ، وأنَّ من كان له عمل دائم فتركه لعذر صحيح ، أنه يكتب له مثل عمله . 133. Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When a slave of Allah suffers from illness or sets on a journey, he is credited with the equal of whatever good works he used to do when he was healthy or at home". [Al-Bukhari] .

Commentary: This Hadith refers to the actions which a Muslim should take to gain the Blessings of Allah and acceptance of his prayers by Him, because one is duty-bound to fulfil all his obligations in all circumstances. [134] الثامن عشر : عن جَابرٍ قَالَ : قَالَ رسولُ الله : « كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ » رواه . البخاري ، ورواه مسلم مِنْ رواية حُذَيفة . في هذا الحديث : أن كل ما يفعل الإنسان من أعمال البرَّ والخير فهوصدقة يُثاب عليها . 134. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "Every good deed is charity". [Al-Bukhari] .

Muslim has reported the same on the authority of Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him).

Commentary: We come to know from this Hadith that whatever good action and deed is done by a Muslim, he gets a reward of Sadaqah on it. The word Ma'ruf stands here for every virtue and noble deed. Renunciation of evils is also a virtue (Mar'uf). [135] التاسع عشر : عَنْهُ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُول الله : « مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَغْرِسُ غَرْساً إلا كَانَ مَا أُكِلَ مِنْهُ لَهُ صَدَقَةً ، وَمَا سُرِقَ مِنهُ لَهُ صَدَقَةً ، وَلا يَرْزَؤُهُ أَحَدٌ إلا كَانَ لَهُ صَدَقَةً » . رواه مسلم . وفي رواية لَهُ : « فَلا يَغْرِسُ المُسْلِمُ غَرْساً فَيَأْكُلَ مِنْهُ إنْسَانٌ وَلا دَابَّةٌ وَلا طَيْرٌ إلا كَانَ لَهُ صَدَقة إِلَى يَومِ القِيَامةِ » . وفي رواية لَهُ : « لا يَغرِسُ مُسْلِمٌ غَرساً ، وَلا يَزرَعُ زَرعاً ، فَيَأكُلَ مِنهُ إنْسَانٌ وَلا دَابَةٌ وَلا شَيءٌ ، إلا كَانَتْ لَهُ صَدَقَةً » .وروياه جميعاً من رواية أنس . قوله : « يَرْزَؤُهُ » أي ينقصه . في هذا الحديث : سعة كرم الله تعالى ، وأنَّه يثيب على ما بعد الحياة ، كما يثيب عليه في الحياة ، وأنَّ ما أخذ من الإنسان بغير عمله فهو صدقة له. 135. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When a Muslim plants a tree, whatever is eaten from it is charity from him and whatever is stolen is charity and whatever is subtracted from it is charity". [Muslim] .

Another narration says: "If a Muslim plants a tree, or sows a field and men and beasts and birds eat from it, all of it is charity from him".

Commentary: This Hadith highlights the importance of gardening and agriculture. It is also one of the merits of these two occupations that if someone patiently bears the loss that he suffers due to pilferage or theft of their produce, he is rewarded for it. [136] العشرون : عَنْهُ ، قَالَ : أراد بنو سَلِمَةَ أَن يَنتقِلوا قرب المسجِدِ فبلغ ذلِكَ رسولَ الله ، فَقَالَ لهم : « إنَّهُ قَدْ بَلَغَني أنَّكُمْ تُرِيدُونَ أنْ تَنتَقِلُوا قُربَ المَسجِد ؟ » فقالُوا : نَعَمْ ، يَا رَسُول اللهِ قَدْ أَرَدْنَا ذلِكَ . فَقَالَ : « بَنِي سَلِمَةَ ، دِيَارَكُمْ تُكْتَبْ آثَارُكُمْ ، ديَارَكُمْ تُكْتَبْ آثَارُكُمْ » . رواه مسلم . وفي روايةٍ : « إنَّ بِكُلِّ خَطوَةٍ دَرَجَةً » . رواه مسلم . ورواه البخاري أيضاً بِمَعناه مِنْ رواية أنس . وَ« بَنُو سَلِمَةَ » بكسر اللام : قبيلة معروفة مِنَ الأنصار ، وَ« آثَارُهُمْ » : خطاهُم . في هذا الحديث : أنَّ المشي إلى المسجد من الحسنات التي تُكتب لصاحبها . ويشهد له قوله تعالى : ﴿ وَنَكْتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُوا وَآثَارَهُمْ ﴾ [ يس (12) ] . 136. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The tribe Banu Salimah wanted to move nearer to the mosque. On learning this Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to them, "I heard that you intend to move nearer to the mosque". They said, "That is so, O Messenger of Allah, we do want to do that". He said, "O Banu Salimah, keep to your homes, your steps (to the mosque) are recorded". [Muslim] .

Another narration says: "There is for every step (towards the mosque) a degree (of reward) for you". [Muslim] .

Commentary:

1. The more labour a good deed involves, the greater the proportion of reward for it will be.

2. No matter how great the distance of the mosque from one's house may be, one must go to it to perform Salat with congregation. [137] الحادي والعشرون : عن أبي المنذِر أُبيِّ بنِ كَعْب ، قَالَ : كَانَ رَجُلٌ لا أعْلَمُ رَجلاً أبْعَدَ مِنَ المَسْجِدِ مِنْهُ ، وَكَانَ لا تُخْطِئُهُ صَلاةٌ ، فَقيلَ لَهُ أَوْ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ : لَوِ اشْتَرَيْتَ حِمَاراً تَرْكَبُهُ في الظَلْمَاء وفي الرَّمْضَاء ؟ فَقَالَ : مَا يَسُرُّنِي أنَّ مَنْزِلي إِلَى جَنْبِ المَسْجِدِ إنِّي أريدُ أنْ يُكْتَبَ لِي مَمشَايَ إِلَى المَسْجِدِ وَرُجُوعِي إِذَا رَجَعْتُ إِلَى أهْلِي فَقَالَ رَسُول الله : « قَدْ جَمَعَ اللهُ لَكَ ذلِكَ كُلَّهُ » . رواه مسلم . وفي رواية : « إنَّ لَكَ مَا احْتَسَبْتَ » . « الرَّمْضَاءُ » : الأرْضُ التي أصابها الحر الشديد . في هذا الحديث : دليل على فضل تكثير الخطا إلى الذهاب إلى المسجد ، وأنه يكتب له أجر ذهابه إلى المسجد ورجوعه إلى أهله . 137. Ubayy bin Ka'b (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: There was a man, and I do not know of any other man whose house was farther than his from the mosque, and he never missed Salat (in congregation). It was said to him (or I said to him): "If you buy a donkey you could ride it in the dark nights and in the burning sand." He said: "I do not like my house to be by the side of the mosque, for I (eagerly) desire that my steps towards the mosque and back from it should be recorded when I return to my family." Upon this Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Allah has granted you all the rewards for you". [Muslim] .

Another narration says: "You will get the reward for what you have anticipated".

Commentary: This Hadith brings into focus the fervent zeal of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) for reward of good deeds in the Hereafter. It also tells that one gets reward for actions according to one's intentions. If we see the matter of Salat from this angle, we find that location of mosque at a long distance from a Muslim's house is a blessing for him. [138] الثاني والعشرون : عن أبي محمد عبدِ اللهِ بنِ عمرو بن العاصِ رَضي الله عنهما ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُول الله : « أرْبَعُونَ خَصْلَةً : أعْلاَهَا مَنيحَةُ العَنْزِ ، مَا مِنْ عَامِلٍ يَعْمَلُ بِخَصْلَة مِنْهَا ؛ رَجَاءَ ثَوَابِهَا وتَصْدِيقَ مَوْعُودِهَا ، إلا أدْخَلَهُ اللهُ بِهَا الجَنَّةَ » . رواه البخاري .« المَنيحَةُ » : أنْ يُعْطِيَهُ إِيَّاهَا لِيَأكُلَ لَبَنَهَا ثُمَّ يَرُدَّهَا إِلَيْهِ . قوله : « أربعون خصلة » . أي : من البِرّ دون منيحة العنز ، كالسلام ، وتشميت العاطس ، وإماطة الأذى عن الطريق ، ونحوذلك من أعمال الخير ، قال الله تعالى : ﴿ فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْراً يَرَهُ ﴾ [ الزلزلة (7) ] . 138. Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "There are forty kinds of virtue; the uppermost of them is to lend a (milch) she-goat (to someone in order to benefit from it and then return it). He who practices any of these virtues expecting its reward and relying on the truthfulness of the promise made for it, shall enter Jannah." [Al-Bukhari] .

Commentary: Loaning of anything to someone for temporary benefit, without loosing the right of its ownership, is a meritorious act. [139] الثالث والعشرون : عن عَدِي بنِ حَاتمٍ قَالَ : سمعت النَّبيّ يقول : « اتَّقُوا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بشقِّ تَمْرَةٍ » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ . وفي رواية لهما عَنْهُ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُول الله : « مَا مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إلا سَيُكَلِّمُهُ رَبُّهُ لَيْسَ بَينَهُ وَبَيْنَهُ تَرْجُمَانٌ ، فَيَنْظُرُ أَيْمَنَ مِنْهُ فَلا يَرَى إلا مَا قَدَّمَ ، وَيَنْظُرُ أَشْأَمَ مِنْهُ فَلا يَرى إلا مَا قَدَّمَ ، وَيَنظُرُ بَيْنَ يَدَيهِ فَلا يَرَى إلا النَّار تِلقَاءَ وَجْهِهِ ، فَاتَّقُوا النَّارَ وَلَو بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ ، فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَبِكَلِمَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ » . في هذا الحديث : الحضُّ على الزيادة من صالح العمل ، والتقليل من سيء العمل ، وأنَّ الصدقة حجاب عن النار ، ولو قَلَّت بمال ، أو كلام . 139. 'Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (PBUH) saying, "Protect yourself from (Hell) Fire, by giving of half of a date (in charity)". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

In another narration 'Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported Messenger of Allah (PBUH) as saying: "Allah will surely speak with everyone of you without an interpreter. He (the man) will look at his right side and will see nothing but (the deeds) which he had done before, and he will look to his left side and will see nothing but (the deeds) which he had done before. Then he will look in front of him and will find nothing but Hell-fire facing him. So protect (yourselves) from (Hell) Fire, by giving in charity even half a date; and if he does not finds it, then with a kind word".

Commentary: This Hadith brings into prominence the following three points:

1. The horror of the Day of Resurrection when one will have to stand before Allah to account for all his actions which will then be lying at his both hands.

2. Everyone should spend according to his capacity in the way of Allah in the form of Sadaqah and alms. In this way, good manners like polite conversation, etc., can also become a means of his salvation.

3. One's actions alone would help him on the Day of Resurrection. [140] الرابع والعشرون : عن أنس قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُول الله : « إنَّ اللهَ لَيَرْضَى عَنِ العَبْدِ أنْ يَأكُلَ الأَكْلَةَ ، فَيَحمَدَهُ عَلَيْهَا ، أَوْ يَشْرَبَ الشَّرْبَةَ ، فَيَحْمَدَهُ عَلَيْهَا » . رواه مسلم . وَ« الأَكْلَةُ » بفتح الهمزة : وَهيَ الغَدْوَةُ أَو العَشْوَةُ . في هذا الحديث : بيان فضل الحمد عند الطعام والشراب ، وهذا من كرم الله تعالى ، فإنه الذي تفضَّل عليك بالرزق ، ورضي عنك بالحمد . 140. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Allah will be pleased with His slave who praises Him (i.e., says Al-hamdu lillah) when he eats and praises Him when he drinks". [Muslim] .

Commentary: If a person expresses his gratitude to Allah for food, which besides being a source of nourishment is enjoyable for him, he gets a reward for it and thus even eating can become rewardable too. [141] الخامس والعشرون : عن أَبي موسى عن النَّبيّ ، قَالَ : « عَلَى كلّ مُسْلِمٍ صَدَقَةٌ » قَالَ : أرأيتَ إنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ ؟ قَالَ : « يَعْمَلُ بِيَدَيْهِ فَيَنْفَعُ نَفْسَهُ وَيَتَصَدَّقُ » قَالَ : أرأيتَ إن لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ ؟ قَالَ : « يُعِينُ ذَا الحَاجَةِ المَلْهُوفَ » قَالَ : أرأيتَ إنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ ، قَالَ : « يَأمُرُ بِالمعْرُوفِ أوِ الخَيْرِ » قَالَ : أرَأيْتَ إنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ ؟ قَالَ : « يُمْسِكُ عَنِ الشَّرِّ ، فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ . في هذا الحديث : الحثُّ على اكتساب ما تدعو إليه حاجة الإنسان من طعام ، وشراب ، وملبس ، ليصون به وجهه عن الناس ، واكتساب ما يتصدق به ليحصل له الثواب الجزيل . وفيه : فضل إعانة المحتاج والمضطر ، والله في عون العبد ما كان العبد في عون أخيه . وفيه : فضل الأمر بالمعروف والخير . وفيه : أنَّ الإمساك عن الشرّ صدقةٌ . 141. Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Giving in charity is an obligation upon every Muslim". It was said (to him): "What about one who does not find (the means) to do so?" He (PBUH) said, "Let him work with his hands, thus doing benefit to himself and give in charity." It was said to him: "What if he does not have (the means) to do so?" He (PBUH) said, "Then let him assist the needy, the aggrieved." It was said: "What about if he cannot even do this?" He (PBUH) said, "Then he should enjoin good." He was asked: "What if he cannot do that?" He (the Prophet (PBUH)) said, "He should then abstain from evil, for verily, that is a charity from him". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

Commentary: This Had قَالَ الله تَعَالَى : ﴿ طه * مَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَى ﴾ [ طـه (1 ، 2) ] . أي : لتتعب الاقتصادُ : التوسُّط في العبادة إبقاء للنفس ، ودفعًا للملل ؛ لأنَّ النفس كالدابة إذا رَفق بها صاحبها حصل مراده ، وإن أتعبها انقطعت . قال الضحاك : لما أنزل الله القرآن على رسوله قام به هو وأصحابه فقال المشركون من قريش : ما أُنزل هذا القرآن على محمد إلا ليشقى . فأنزل الله تعالى : ﴿ طه * مَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَى * إِلَّا تَذْكِرَةً لِّمَن يَخْشَى ﴾ [ طـه (1 : 3) ] . قال قتادة : لا والله ما جعله شقاء ، ولكن جعله رحمة ونورًا ودليلاً إلى الجنة . قال مجاهد : هي كقوله : ﴿ فَاقْرَؤُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنْهُ ﴾ [ المزمل (20) ] . وكانوا يعلقون الحبال بصدورهم في الصلاة . وَقالَ تَعَالَى : ﴿ يُرِيدُ اللهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ ﴾ [ البقرة (185) ] . نزلت هذا الآية في جواز الفطر في السفر ، وهي عامة في جميع أمور الدين كما قال تعالى : ﴿ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ ﴾ [ الحج (78) ] . Worship

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"Ta-Ha. We have not sent down the Qur'an unto you (O Muhammad (PBUH)) to cause you distress". (20:1,2)

"Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you". (2:185) [142] وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها : أنَّ النَّبيّ دخل عَلَيْهَا وعِندها امرأةٌ ، قَالَ : « مَنْ هذِهِ ؟ » قَالَتْ : هذِهِ فُلاَنَةٌ تَذْكُرُ مِنْ صَلاتِهَا . قَالَ : « مهْ ، عَلَيْكُمْ بِمَا تُطِيقُونَ ، فَواللهِ لا يَمَلُّ اللهُ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا » وكَانَ أَحَبُّ الدِّينِ إِلَيْهِ مَا دَاوَمَ صَاحِبُهُ عَلَيهِ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ .وَ« مهْ » : كَلِمَةُ نَهْي وَزَجْر . ومَعْنَى « لا يَمَلُّ اللهُ » : لا يَقْطَعُ ثَوَابَهُ عَنْكُمْ وَجَزَاء أَعْمَالِكُمْ ويُعَامِلُكُمْ مُعَامَلةَ المَالِّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا فَتَتْرُكُوا ، فَيَنْبَغِي لَكُمْ أنْ تَأخُذُوا مَا تُطِيقُونَ الدَّوَامَ عَلَيهِ لَيدُومَ ثَوابُهُ لَكُمْ وَفَضْلُهُ عَلَيْكُمْ . قال ابن الجوزي : إنما أحَبَّ العمل الدائمَ ؛ لأنَّ مداوم الخير ملازم للخدمة . وقال المصنف : بدوام القليل تستمر الطاعة ، بالذكر ، والمراقبة والإخلاص ، والإقبال على الله . 142. Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) came in when a woman was sitting beside me. He asked me, "Who is she?" I said: "She is the one whose performance of Salat (prayer) has become the talk of the town." Addressing her, he (PBUH) said, "(What is this!) You are required to take upon yourselves only what you can carry out easily. By Allah, Allah does not withhold His Mercy and forgiveness of you until you neglect and give up (good works). Allah likes the deeds best which a worshipper can carry out constantly". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

Commentary:

1. This Hadith prohibits 'Ibadah (worship) beyond one's capacity lest one gets tired and stops it altogether. One should be, therefore, moderate in this respect.

2. Allah likes that good action which is done regularly, even if it is a small one. Any good deed which is done continuously, will also have an everlasting reward. On the contrary, a good deed which is done for a short period will have a short return. [143] وعن أنس قَالَ : جَاءَ ثَلاثَةُ رَهْطٍ إِلَى بُيُوتِ أزْوَاجِ النَّبيّ ، يَسْأَلُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَةِ النَّبيّ ، فَلَمَّا أُخْبِروا كَأَنَّهُمْ تَقَالُّوهَا وَقَالُوا : أَيْنَ نَحْنُ مِنَ النَّبيِّ قدْ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَا تَأخَّرَ . قَالَ أحدُهُم : أمَّا أنا فَأُصَلِّي اللَّيلَ أبداً . وَقالَ الآخَرُ : وَأَنَا أصُومُ الدَّهْرَ وَلا أُفْطِرُ . وَقالَ الآخر : وَأَنا أعْتَزِلُ النِّسَاءَ فَلا أتَزَوَّجُ أبَداً . فجاء رسولُ الله إليهم ، فَقَالَ : « أنْتُمُ الَّذِينَ قُلْتُمْ كَذَا وَكَذَا ؟ أَمَا واللهِ إنِّي لأخْشَاكُمْ للهِ ، وَأَتْقَاكُمْ لَهُ ، لَكِنِّي أصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ ، وأُصَلِّي وَأَرْقُدُ ، وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّساءَ ، فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ . الخشية : خوفٌ مقرون بمعرفة . قال الله تعالى : ﴿ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ ﴾ [ فاطر (28) ] . وكان النبي يفطر ليتقوَّى على الصوم ، وينام ليتقوَّى على القيام ، ويتزوَّج لكسر الشهوة وإعفاف النفس . وفي الحديث : النهي عن التعمُّق في الدين والتشبه بالمبتدعين . 143. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (PBUH) to inquire about the worship of the Prophet (PBUH). When they were informed, they considered their worship insignificant and said: "Where are we in comparison with the Prophet (PBUH) while Allah has forgiven his past sins and future sins". One of them said: "As for me, I shall offer Salat all night long." Another said: "I shall observe Saum (fasting) continuously and shall not break it". Another said: "I shall abstain from women and shall never marry". The Prophet (PBUH) came to them and said, "Are you the people who said such and such things? By Allah, I fear Allah more than you do, and I am most obedient and dutiful among you to Him, but still I observe fast and break it; perform Salat and sleep at night and take wives. So whoever turns away from my Sunnah does not belong to me". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

Commentary:

1. This Hadith deals with the following five points:

a) Moderation in worship.

b) Obligation to marry.

c) Inducement for following in the Prophet's footsteps.

d) Prohibition from observing Saum (fasts) all the time.

e) Prohibition of keeping awake all the night for Nawafil prayers.

2. There is neither virtue nor reward for making innovations in religion. All the blessings and rewards lie only in the obedience and following the conduct of the Prophet (PBUH). [144] وعن ابن مسعود : أنّ النَّبيّ ، قَالَ : « هَلَكَ المُتَنَطِّعُونَ » . قالها ثَلاثاً . رواه مسلم . « المُتَنَطِّعونَ » : المتعمقون المتشددون في غير موضِعِ التشديدِ . المتنطَّع : المتكلَّف في العبادة بما يشق فعله ولا يلزمه ، والخائضُ فيما لا يعنيه وفيما لا يبلغه عقله . 144. Ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Ruined are those who insist on hardship in matters of the Faith." He repeated this three times. [Muslim]

Commentary: This Hadith shows disgust against exercises which many Sufis have introduced in religion which deviate from the conduct of the Prophet (PBUH) and encourage self-violence. Similarly, such people who are hypocritical and make unnecessary probe into religious matters also fall in this category and are usually far from the teachings and practice of the Prophet (PBUH). [145] عن أَبي هريرةَ عن النَّبيّ قَالَ : « إنَّ الدِّينَ يُسْرٌ ، وَلَنْ يُشَادَّ الدِّيْنُ إلا غَلَبَهُ ، فَسَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا وَأبْشِرُوا ، وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالغَدْوَةِ وَالرَّوْحَةِ وَشَيءٍ مِنَ الدُّلْجَةِ » . رواه البخاري . وفي رواية لَهُ : « سَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا ، وَاغْدُوا وَرُوحُوا ، وَشَيءٌ مِنَ الدُّلْجَةِ ، القَصْدَ القَصْدَ تَبْلُغُوا » . قوله : « الدِّينُ » : هُوَ مرفوع عَلَى مَا لَمْ يسم فاعله . وروي منصوباً وروي « لن يشادَّ الدينَ أحدٌ » . وقوله : « إلا غَلَبَهُ » : أي غَلَبَهُ الدِّينُ وَعَجَزَ ذلِكَ المُشَادُّ عَنْ مُقَاوَمَةِ الدِّينِ لِكَثْرَةِ طُرُقِهِ . وَ« الغَدْوَةُ » : سير أولِ النهارِ . وَ« الرَّوْحَةُ » : آخِرُ النهارِ . وَ« الدُّلْجَةُ » : آخِرُ اللَّيلِ . وهذا استعارة وتمثيل ، ومعناه : اسْتَعِينُوا عَلَى طَاعَةِ اللهِ بِالأَعْمَالِ في وَقْتِ نَشَاطِكُمْ وَفَرَاغِ قُلُوبِكُمْ بِحَيثُ تَسْتَلِذُّونَ العِبَادَةَ ولا تَسْأَمُونَ وتبلُغُونَ مَقْصُودَكُمْ ، كَمَا أنَّ المُسَافِرَ الحَاذِقَ يَسيرُ في هذِهِ الأوْقَاتِ ويستريح هُوَ وَدَابَّتُهُ في غَيرِهَا فَيَصِلُ المَقْصُودَ بِغَيْرِ تَعَب ، واللهُ أعلم . معنى الحديث : لا يتعمق أحد في الأعمال الدينية ، ويترك الرفق إلا عجز وانقطع عن عمله كله أو بعضه ، فتوسطوا من غير إفراط ، ولا تفريط ، وقاربوا إن لم تستطيعوا العمل بالأكمل ، فاعملوا ما يقرب منه ، وأبشروا بالثواب على العمل الدائم وإنْ قل ، واستعينوا على تحصيل العبادات بفراغكم ونشاطكم ، قال الله تعالى : ﴿ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَانصَبْ * وَإِلَى رَبِّكَ فَارْغَبْ ﴾ [ الشرح (7 ، 8) ] . 145. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The religion (of Islam) is easy, and whoever makes the religion a rigour, it will overpower him. So, follow a middle course (in worship); if you can't do this, do something near to it and give glad tidings and seek help (of Allah) at morn and at dusk and some part of night". [Al-Bukhari] .

Commentary: Besides moderation in worship, this Hadith enjoins that such times should be fixed for worship when one is fresh so that one feels pleasure in performing it. But this principle is for optional and voluntary prayers only. Obligatory Salat are to be performed at the prescribed times only. [146] وعن أنس قَالَ : دَخَلَ النَّبيُّ المَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا حَبْلٌ مَمْدُودٌ بَيْنَ السَّارِيَتَيْنِ ، فَقَالَ : « مَا هَذَا الحَبْلُ ؟ » قالُوا : هَذَا حَبْلٌ لِزَيْنَبَ ، فَإِذَا فَتَرَتْ تَعَلَّقَتْ بِهِ . فَقَالَ النَّبيُّ : « حُلُّوهُ ، لِيُصلِّ أَحَدُكُمْ نَشَاطَهُ فَإِذَا فَتَرَ فَلْيَرْقُدْ » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ . في هذ الحديث : الحث على الاقْتِصاد في العبادة ، والنهي عن التعمُّق فيها ، والأمر بالإقبال عليها بنشاط ، وجواز تنفُّل النساء في المسجد إذا أمنت الفتنة . 146. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) came into the mosque and noticed a rope stretched between two poles. He enquired, "What is this rope for?" He was told: "This is Zainab's rope. When during her voluntary prayer, she begins to feel tired, she grasps it for support". The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Untie it. You should perform prayers so long as you feel active. When you feel tired, you should go to sleep". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .

Commentary: This Hadith deals with the following three points:

1. It forbids undue strictness and taking support of anything in the course of Salat.

2. If wrong can be corrected by hand, it must be stopped immediately.

3. One should be moderate in 'Ibadah and select such times for optional and voluntary prayers when one feels real pleasure in them. [147] وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها : أنَّ رَسُول الله قَالَ : « إِذَا نَعَسَ أَحَدُكُمْ وَهُوَ يُصَلِّي فَلْيَرْقُدْ حَتَّى يَذْهَبَ عَنْهُ النَّومُ ، فإِنَّ أحدكم إِذَا صَلَّى وَهُوَ نَاعِسٌ لا يَدْرِي لَعَلَّهُ يَذْهَبُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ فَيَسُبُّ نَفْسَهُ » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ . في هذا الحديث : أمر الناعس في الصلاة أنْ ينصرف منها ، يعني : بعدما يتمها خفيفة . 147. 'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When one of you feels drowsy during prayer, let him lie down till drowsiness goes away from him, because when one of you performs prayers while feeling sleepy, he does not know whether he seeks forgiveness or abuses himself". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] . [148] وعن أَبي عبد الله جابر بن سمرة رضي الله عنهما ، قَالَ : كُنْتُ أصَلِّي مَعَ النَّبيِّ الصَّلَوَاتِ ، فَكَانتْ صَلاتُهُ قَصْداً وَخُطْبَتُهُ قَصْداً . رواه مسلم .قوله : « قَصْداً » : أي بين الطولِ والقِصرِ . في هذا الحديث : استحباب القصد في الصلاة ، والخطبة وجميع الأمور . 148. Jabir bin Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I used to perform prayer with the Prophet (PBUH) and his Salat was of a moderate length and his Khutbah too was moderate in length. [Muslim] .

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that Imam should neither lengthen the Salat nor give a long Khutbah in the congregational Salat because both of these things are not according to the practice of the Prophet (PBUH). [149] وعن أبي جُحَيْفَة وَهْب بنِ عبد اللهِ قَالَ : آخَى النَّبيُّ بَيْنَ سَلْمَانَ وَأَبي الدَّرْداءِ ، فَزارَ سَلْمَانُ أَبَا الدَّرداءِ فَرَأى أُمَّ الدَّرداءِ مُتَبَذِّلَةً ، فَقَالَ : مَا شَأنُكِ ؟ قَالَتْ : أخُوكَ أَبُو الدَّردَاءِ لَيْسَ لَهُ حَاجَةٌ في الدُّنْيَا ، فَجاءَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ فَصَنَعَ لَهُ طَعَاماً ، فَقَالَ لَهُ : كُلْ فَإِنِّي صَائِمٌ ، قَالَ : مَا أنا بِآكِلٍ حَتَّى تَأكُلَ فأكل ، فَلَمَّا كَانَ اللَّيلُ ذَهَبَ أَبُو الدَّردَاءِ يَقُومُ فَقَالَ لَهُ : نَمْ ، فنام ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ يَقُومُ فَقَالَ لَهُ : نَمْ . فَلَمَّا كَانَ من آخِر اللَّيلِ قَالَ سَلْمَانُ : قُم الآن ، فَصَلَّيَا جَمِيعاً فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلْمَانُ : إنَّ لِرَبِّكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقّاً ، وَإِنَّ لِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيكَ حَقّاً ، وَلأَهْلِكَ عَلَيكَ حَقّاً ، فَأعْطِ كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ ، فَأَتَى النَّبيَّ فَذَكَرَ ذلِكَ لَهُ فَقَالَ النَّبيُّ : « صَدَقَ سَلْمَانُ » . رواه البخاري . في هذا الحديث : مشروعية المؤاخاة في الله ، وزيارة الإخوان ، والمبيت عندهم ، وجواز مخاطبة الأجنبية للحاجة ، والنصح للمسلم ، وتنبيه من غفل ، وفضل قيام آخر الليل ، وجواز النهي عن المستحبات إذا خشي أنَّ ذلك يفضي إلى السآمة والملل ، وتفويت الحقوق المطلوبة ، وكراهية الحمل على النفس في العبادة ، وجواز الفطر من صوم التطوع للحاجة والمصلحة . 149. Abu Juhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) made a bond of brotherhood between Salman and Abud-Darda'. Salman paid a visit to Abud-Darda' and found Umm Darda' (his wife) dressed in shabby clothes and asked her why she was in that state. She replied: "Your brother Abud-Darda' is not interested in (the luxuries of) this world. In the meantime Abud-Darda' came in and prepared a meal for Salman. Salman requested Abud-Darda' to eat (with him) but Abud-Darda' said: "I am fasting." Salman said: "I am not going to eat unless you eat." So, Abud-Darda' ate (with Salman). When it was night and (a part of the night passed), Abud-Darda' got up (to offer the night prayer) but Salman asked him to sleep and Abud-Darda' slept. After some time Abud-Darda' again got up but Salman asked him to sleep. When it was the last hours of the night, Salman asked him to get up and both of them offered (Tahajjud) prayer. Then Salman told Abud-Darda': "You owe a duty to your Rubb, you owe a duty to your body; you owe a duty to your family; so you should give to every one his due. Abud-Darda' came to the Prophet (PBUH) and reported the whole story. Prophet (PBUH) said, "Salman is right". [Al-Bukhari] .

Commentary: This Hadith highlights the following points:

1. Although the performance of voluntary prayers (Nawafil) is highly meritorious, it should not be done at the cost of obligations for, in this case, they loose their merits and are disliked by Allah.

2. The right time for Tahajjud (optional prayers at night) is the last third part of the night. The reason being that in the first two portions of the night, one should take rest and perform his conjugal duties.

3. Voluntary fasting can be broken (for valid reasons) without any expiation.

4. It is permissible to establish fraternity on the basis of Deen, and when this is established, the families so affiliated can associate with each other.

5. Muslims must provide right guidance to each other.

6. In case of need, it is permissible to speak to an unknown woman while observing the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) in this regard, such as lowering the gaze and be as brief as possible. [150] وعن أَبي محمد عبدِ اللهِ بنِ عَمْرو بن العاصِ رضي الله عنهما ، قَالَ : أُخْبرَ النَّبيُّ أنِّي أقُولُ : وَاللهِ لأَصُومَنَّ النَّهَارَ ، وَلأَقُومَنَّ اللَّيلَ مَا عِشْتُ . فَقَالَ رسولُ الله : « أنتَ الَّذِي تَقُولُ ذلِكَ ؟ » فَقُلْتُ لَهُ : قَدْ قُلْتُهُ بأبي أنْتَ وأمِّي يَا رسولَ الله . قَالَ : « فَإِنَّكَ لا تَسْتَطِيعُ ذلِكَ فَصُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ ، وَنَمْ وَقُمْ ، وَصُمْ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ ثَلاثةَ أيَّامٍ ، فإنَّ الحَسَنَةَ بِعَشْرِ أمْثَالِهَا وَذَلكَ مِثلُ صِيامِ الدَّهْرِ » قُلْتُ : فَإِنِّي أُطيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذلِكَ ، قَالَ : « فَصُمْ يَوماً وَأَفْطِرْ يَوْمَيْنِ » قُلْتُ : فَإنِّي أُطِيقُ أفضَلَ مِنْ ذلِكَ ، قَالَ : « فَصُمْ يَوماً وَأفْطِرْ يَوماً فَذلِكَ صِيَامُ دَاوُد ، وَهُوَ أعْدَلُ الصيامِ » .وفي رواية : « هُوَ أفْضَلُ الصِّيامِ » فَقُلْتُ : فَإِنِّي أُطيقُ أفْضَلَ مِنْ ذلِكَ ، فَقَالَ رسولُ الله : « لا أفضَلَ مِنْ ذلِكَ » ، قال : وَلأنْ أكُونَ قَبِلْتُ الثَّلاثَةَ الأَيّامِ الَّتي قَالَ رَسُول الله أحَبُّ إليَّ مِنْ أهْلي وَمَالي .وفي رواية : « أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أنَّكَ تَصُومُ النَّهَارَ وتَقُومُ اللَّيلَ ؟ » قُلْتُ : بَلَى ، يَا رَسُول الله ، قَالَ : « فَلا تَفْعَلْ : صُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ ، وَنَمْ وَقُمْ ؛ فإنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقّاً ، وَإِنَّ لِعَيْنَيكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقّاً ، وَإِنَّ لِزَوْجِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقّاً ، وَإِنَّ لِزَوْرِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقّاً ، وَإنَّ بِحَسْبِكَ أنْ تَصُومَ في كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلاثَةَ أيَّامٍ ، فإنَّ لَكَ بِكُلِّ حَسَنَةٍ عَشْرَ أمْثَالِهَا ، فَإِنَّ ذلِكَ صِيَامُ الدَّهْر » فَشَدَّدْتُ فَشُدِّدَ عَلَيَّ ، قُلْتُ : يَا رَسُول الله ، إنِّي أجِدُ قُوَّةً ، قَالَ : « صُمْ صِيَامَ نَبيِّ الله دَاوُد وَلا تَزد عَلَيهِ » قُلْتُ : وَمَا كَانَ صِيَامُ دَاوُد ؟ قَالَ : « نِصْفُ الدَّهْرِ » فَكَانَ عَبدُ الله يقول بَعدَمَا كَبِرَ : يَا لَيتَنِي قَبِلْتُ رُخْصَة رَسُول الله .وفي رواية : « أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أَنَّكَ تَصُومُ الدَّهرَ ، وَتَقْرَأُ القُرآنَ كُلَّ لَيْلَة ؟ » فقلت : بَلَى ، يَا رَسُول الله ، وَلَمْ أُرِدْ بذلِكَ إلا الخَيرَ ، قَالَ : « فَصُمْ صَومَ نَبيِّ اللهِ دَاوُد ، فَإنَّهُ كَانَ أعْبَدَ النَّاسِ ، وَاقْرَأ القُرْآنَ في كُلِّ شَهْر » قُلْتُ : يَا نَبيَّ اللهِ ، إنِّي أُطِيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذلِكَ ؟ قَالَ : « فاقرأه في كل عشرين » قُلْتُ : يَا نبي الله ، إني أطيق أفضل من ذلِكَ ؟ قَالَ : « فَاقْرَأهُ في كُلِّ عَشْر » قُلْتُ : يَا نبي اللهِ ، إنِّي أُطيقُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذلِكَ ؟ قَالَ : « فاقْرَأهُ في كُلِّ سَبْعٍ وَلا تَزِدْ عَلَى ذلِكَ » فشدَّدْتُ فَشُدِّدَ عَلَيَّ وَقالَ لي النَّبيّ : « إنَّكَ لا تَدرِي لَعَلَّكَ يَطُولُ بِكَ عُمُرٌ » قَالَ : فَصِرْتُ إِلَى الَّذِي قَالَ لي النَّبيُّ . فَلَمَّا كَبِرْتُ وَدِدْتُ أنِّي كُنْتُ قَبِلتُ رُخْصَةَ نَبيِّ الله .وفي رواية : « وَإِنَّ لِوَلَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقّاً » .وفي رواية : « لا صَامَ مَنْ صَامَ الأَبَدَ » ثلاثاً .وفي رواية : « أَحَبُّ الصِيَامِ إِلَى اللهِ تَعَالَى صِيَامُ دَاوُد ، وَأَحَبُّ الصَّلاةِ إِلَى اللهِ تَعَالَى صَلاةُ دَاوُدَ : كَانَ ينام نصف الليل ، ويقوم ثلثه ، وينام سدسه ، وكان يصوم يوماً ويفطر يوماً ، وَلا يَفِرُّ إِذَا لاقَى » .وفي رواية قال : « أنْكَحَني أَبي امرَأةً ذَاتَ حَسَبٍ وَكَانَ يَتَعَاهَدُ كنَّتَهُ - أي : امْرَأَةَ وَلَدِهِ - فَيَسْأَلُهَا عَنْ بَعْلِهَا . فَتقُولُ لَهُ : نِعْمَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ رَجُلٍ لَمْ يَطَأْ لَنَا فِرَاشاً ، وَلَمْ يُفَتِّشْ لَنَا كَنَفاً مُنْذُ أتَيْنَاهُ . فَلَمَّا طَالَ ذلِكَ عَلَيهِ ذَكَرَ ذلك للنَّبيِّ ، فَقَالَ : « القِنِي بِهِ » فَلَقيتُهُ بَعد ذلك ، فَقَالَ : « كَيْفَ تَصُومُ ؟ » قُلْتُ : كُلَّ يَومٍ ، قَالَ : « وَكَيْفَ تَخْتِمُ ؟ » قُلْتُ : كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ ، وَذَكَرَ نَحْوَ مَا سَبَقَ ، وَكَانَ يَقْرَأُ عَلَى بَعْضِ أهْلِهِ السُّبُعَ الَّذِي يَقْرَؤُهُ ، يَعْرِضُهُ مِنَ النَّهَارِ ليَكُونَ أخفّ عَلَيهِ باللَّيلِ ، وَإِذَا أَرَادَ أنْ يَتَقَوَّى أفْطَرَ أيَّاماً وَأحْصَى وَصَامَ مِثْلَهُنَّ كرَاهِيَةَ أنْ يَترُكَ شَيئاً فَارَقَ عَلَيهِ النَّبيَّ . كل هذِهِ الرواياتِ صحيحةٌ ، مُعظمُها في الصحيحين ، وقليل مِنْهَا في أحدِهِما . في هذا الحديث : دليل على أنَّ أفضل الصيام صوم يوم وإفطار يوم وكراهة الزيادة على ذلك . قال الخطابي : محصل قصة عبد الله بن عمرو : أنَّ الله تعالى لم يتعبد عبده بالصوم خاصة ، بل تعبّده بأنواعٍ من العبادات ، فلو استفرغ جهده لقصَّر في غيره ، فالأَوْلى الاقتصاد فيه ليتبقى بعض القوة لغيره . قال الحافظ : وفي قصة عبد الله بن عمرو من الفوائد : بيان رفق رسول الله بأمته ، وشفقته عليهم ، وإرشاده إياهم إلى ما يصلحهم ، وحثّه إياهم على ما يطيقون الدوام عليه ، ونهيهم عن التعمُّق في العبادة لما يخشى من إفضائه إلى الملل أو ترك البعض ، وقد ذم الله تعالى قومًا لا زموا العبادة ثم فرطوا فيها . وفيه : جواز الإخبار عن الأعمال الصالحة ، والأوراد ، ومحاسن الأعمال ، ولا يخفى أنَّ محل ذلك عند أمن الرياء . انتهى ملخصًا . 150. 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) was informed that I said that I would perform prayers the whole night and observe fasting every day as long as I live. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Is it you who said this?" I said to him, "O Messenger of Allah! I ransom you with my parents, it is I who said that." Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "You will not be able to do that. Observe fast and break it; sleep and get up for prayer, and observe fast for three days during the month; for every good is multiplied ten times and that will be equal to fasting the whole year." I said, "O Messenger of Allah! I can do more than that." He said, "Observe fast one day and leave off the next two days." I said, "O Messenger of Allah! I have strength to do more than that." Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Observe fast every other day, and that is the fasting of Dawud (PBUH) and that is the most moderate fasting".

According to another narration: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "That is the best fasting." I said, "But I am capable of doing more than this". Thereupon, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "There is nothing better than this." 'Abdullah bin 'Amr (May Allah be pleased with them) said (when he grew old): "Had I accepted the three days (fasting during every month) as the Messenger of Allah had said, it would have been dearer to me than my family and my property".

In another narration 'Abdullah is reported to have said: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to me, "O 'Abdullah! Have I not been informed that you observe fast during the day and offer prayer all the night." I replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Don't do that. Observe fast for few days and then leave off for few days, perform prayers and also sleep at night, as your body has a right upon you, and your eyes have a right upon you; and your wife has a right upon you; your visitors have a right upon you. It is sufficient for you to observe fast three days in a month, as the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times, so it will be like fasting the whole year." I insisted (on fasting) and so I was given a hard instruction. I said, "O Messenger of Allah! I have strength." Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Observe fast like the fasting of Prophet Dawud (PBUH); and do not fast more than that." I said: "How was the fasting of Prophet Dawud?" He (PBUH) said, "Half of the year (i.e., he used to fast on every alternate day)."

Afterwards when 'Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) grew old, he used to say: "Would that I had availed myself of the concession granted to me by Messenger of Allah."

In another narration 'Abdullah is reported to have said: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "I have been informed that you observe fast continuously and recite (the whole of the Qur'an) every night." I said, "Messenger of Allah! It is right, but I covet thereby nothing but good," whereupon he (PBUH) said, "Then observe fasts like the fasting of Prophet Dawud (PBUH) as he was the most ardent worshipper of Allah; recite the Qur'an once every month." I said, "O Prophet of Allah! I am capable of doing more than that." He said, "Then recite it (the complete Qur'an) in every twenty days." I said, "O Prophet of Allah I am capable of reciting more than that." He said, "Then recite it once in every ten days." I said, "O Prophet of Allah! I am capable of reciting more than that." He said, "Then recite it once in every seven days, but not recite more than that." The Prophet of Allah also said to me, "You do not know, you may have a longer life". When I grew old I wished I had availed myself of the concession (granted to me by) the Prophet of Allah.

In another narration 'Abdullah is reported to have said: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The best fasting with Allah is that of (Prophet) Dawud, and the best prayer with Allah is that of Dawud (PBUH) for he would sleep half of the night and stand for prayer for the third of it and (then) would sleep sixth part of it; he observed fast one day and leave off the other. He would not flee on meeting the enemy".

In another narration 'Abdullah is reported to have said: My father helped me marry a noble woman and he used to inquire of his daughter-in-law regarding her husband. She would say: "He is, indeed, a fine man. Since I have come to him, he has neither stepped on my bed nor he has had sexual intercourse with me". When this state of affairs lasted for some time, my father mentioned the matter to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) who directed my father saying, "Send him to me". I went to him accordingly. He asked me, "How often do you observe fast?" I replied; "Daily". He asked me, "How long do you take in reading the Noble Qur'an completely." I said, "Once every night". Then he narrated the whole story. He (in his old age) would recite one seventh of his nightly recitation to some members of his family during the day to lighten his task at night. Whenever he wished to have a relief from his fast on alternate days, he would give up fasting for a few days and make up deficiency later by observing the number of fasts he had missed. He would not give up the number of fasts altogether because he did not like to abandon what he had settled with Messenger of Allah (PBUH).

Commentary: This Hadith brings the following two things into focus:

1. Besides mentioning the continence and ardour for worship of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH), it tells us of the teachings of the Prophet of Allah to adopt moderation and fulfill the lawful needs of life as well as religion.

2. It also presents a model of the chastity, modesty and bashfulness of the Sahabiyat (women who embraced Islam and saw the Prophet (PBUH)). It tells how patiently they bore the indifference of their husbands. In the instance quoted in the above mentioned Hadith, the politeness with which the wife of Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) answered her father-in-law when he inquired her about the treatment of her husband is a model of decency and modesty. [151] وعن أبي رِبعِي حنظلة بنِ الربيعِ الأُسَيِّدِيِّ الكاتب أحدِ كتّاب رَسُول الله ، قَالَ : لَقِيَنِي أَبُو بَكر فَقَالَ : كَيْفَ أنْتَ يَا حنْظَلَةُ ؟ قُلْتُ : نَافَقَ حَنْظَلَةُ ! قَالَ : سُبْحَانَ الله مَا تَقُولُ ؟! قُلْتُ : نَكُونُ عِنْدَ رَسُول الله يُذَكِّرُنَا بالجَنَّةِ وَالنَّارِ كأنَّا رَأيَ عَيْنٍ فإِذَا خَرَجْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِ رَسُول الله عَافَسْنَا الأَزْواجَ وَالأَوْلاَدَ وَالضَّيْعَاتِ نَسينَا كَثِيراً ، قَالَ أَبُو بكر : فَوَالله إنَّا لَنَلْقَى مِثْلَ هَذَا ، فانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وأبُو بَكْر حَتَّى دَخَلْنَا عَلَى رَسُول الله . فقُلْتُ : نَافَقَ حَنْظَلَةُ يَا رَسُول اللهِ ! فَقَالَ رَسُول الله : « وَمَا ذَاكَ ؟ » قُلْتُ : يَا رَسُول اللهِ ، نَكُونُ عِنْدَكَ تُذَكِّرُنَا بِالنَّارِ والجَنَّةِ كأنَّا رَأيَ العَيْن فإِذَا خَرَجْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِكَ عَافَسْنَا الأَزْواجَ وَالأَوْلاَدَ وَالضَّيْعَاتِ نَسينَا كَثِيراً . فَقَالَ رَسُول الله : « وَالَّذِي نَفْسي بِيَدِهِ ، لَوْ تَدُومُونَ عَلَى مَا تَكُونونَ عِنْدِي ، وَفي الذِّكْر ، لصَافَحَتْكُمُ الملائِكَةُ عَلَى فُرُشِكُمْ وَفي طُرُقِكُمْ ، وَلَكِنْ يَا حَنْظَلَةُ سَاعَةً وسَاعَةً » ثَلاَثَ مَرَات . رواه مسلم . قولُهُ : « رِبْعِيٌّ » بِكسر الراء . وَ« الأُسَيِّدِي » بضم الهمزة وفتح السين وبعدها ياء مكسورة مشددة . وقوله : « عَافَسْنَا » هُوَ بِالعينِ والسينِ المهملتين أي : عالجنا ولاعبنا . وَ« الضَّيْعاتُ » : المعايش . قوله : « ساعة وساعة » ، أي : ساعة لأداء العبودية ، وساعة للقيام بما يحتاجه الإنسان . قال بعض العارفين : الحال التي يجدونها عند النبي وفي الذكر مواجيد ، والمواجيد تجيء وتذهب ، وأما المعرفة ، فهي ثابتة لا تزول . وفي حديث أبي ذر المشهور : « وعلى العاقل أنْ يكون له ساعات ، ساعة يناجي فيها ربه ، وساعة يحاسب فيها نفسه ، وساعة يفكَّر فيها في سمع الله إليه ، وساعة يخلو فيها لحاجته من مطعم ومشرب » . وبالله التوفيق . 151. Hanzalah Al-Usayyidi (May Allah be pleased with him) who was one of the scribes of Messenger of Allah (PBUH), reported: I met Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) he said: "How are you O Hanzalah?" I said, "Hanzalah has become a hypocrite". He said, "Far removed is Allah from every imperfection, what are you saying?" I said, "When we are in the company of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and he reminds us of Hell-fire and Jannah, we feel as if we are seeing them with our very eyes, and when we are away from Messenger of Allah (PBUH), we attend to our wives, our children, our business, most of these things (pertaining to life hereafter) slip out of our minds." Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) said, "By Allah, I also experience the same thing". So Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) and I went to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and I said to him, "O Messenger of Allah (PBUH), Hanzalah has turned hypocrite." Thereupon Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "What has happened to you?" I said, "O Messenger of Allah, when we are in your company, and are reminded of Hell-fire and Jannah, we feel as if we are seeing them with our own eyes, but when we go away from you and attend to our wives, children and business, much of these things go out of our minds." Thereupon Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "By Him in Whose Hand is my life if your state of mind remains the same as it is in my presence and you are always busy in remembrance (of Allah), the angels will shake hands with you in your beds and in your roads; but Hanzalah, time should be devoted (to the worldly affairs) and time should be devoted (to prayer)". He (the Prophet (PBUH)) said this thrice. [Muslim] .

Commentary: This Hadith also tells us about the continence and piety of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) with reference to the natural instinct of man to think differently in different situations. This condition has nothing to do with Nifaq (hypocrisy). Islam is the Deen of Fitrah (pure nature) and takes the middle course in everything, and combines the benefits of this world and those of the Hereafter. It also satisfies the needs of the body as well as that of the soul. [152] وعنِ ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما ، قَالَ : بينما النَّبيُّ يخطب إِذَا هُوَ برجلٍ قائم فسأل عَنْهُ ، فقالوا : أَبُو إسْرَائيلَ نَذَرَ أنْ يَقُومَ في الشَّمْسِ وَلا يَقْعُدَ ، وَلا يَسْتَظِل ، وَلا يَتَكَلَّمَ ، وَيَصُومَ ، فَقَالَ النَّبيّ : « مُرُوهُ ، فَلْيَتَكَلَّمْ ، وَلْيَسْتَظِلَّ ، وَلْيَقْعُدْ ، وَلْيُتِمَّ صَوْمَهُ » . رواه البخاري . في هذا الحديث : دليل على أنَّ من تقرَّب إلى الله تعالى بعمل لم يتعبده الله به ، أنه لا يلزمه فعله ، وإنْ نذره . ومن نذر عبادة مشروعة لزمه فعلها . وفي الحديث الآخر : « من نذر أنْ يطيع الله فليطعه ، ومن نذر أن يعصي الله فلا يعصه » . 152. Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: While the Prophet (PBUH) was delivering Khutbah (religious talk), he noticed a man who was standing, so he asked about him and was told that he was Abu Israel who had taken a vow to remain standing and not sit, or go into the shade, or speak while observing fasting. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Tell him to speak, to go into the shade, to sit and to complete his fast". [Al-Bukhari] .

Commentary:

1. This Hadith makes it abundantly clear that one cannot attain the Pleasure of Allah by means of self-invented methods. It can only be achieved by ways and means prescribed in the Qur'an and Sunnah.

2. One should never vow for anything which is smeared with sin or which is not permitted by Deen. An instance of this is quoted in the above mentioned Hadith.

3. The majority of 'Ulama' (scholars) who do not think the expiation of such vows necessary, quote this Hadith in support of their view. They argue that the Prophet (PBUH) has not prescribed expiation in such cases as is evident from this Hadith.