Allah Almighty says: {Say: “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.”} [Az-Zumar: 53] He also says: {And do We repay except the ungrateful?} [Saba’: 17] And He says: {Indeed, it has been revealed to us that the punishment will be upon whoever denies and turns away.} [Taha: 48] He also says: {And My mercy encompasses all things.} [Al-A‘rāf: 156]
1) Fear and hope go hand in hand. Whoever fears Allah Almighty and is heedful of Him should also hope for His reward.
2) A believer’s heart should contain both fear and hope. They are to him like a pair of wings to a bird. If one of them prevailed over the other at a time, he should let the other prevail over it at another time, thus maintaining a balance between them.
What is the difference between hope and wishful thinking?
Hope is anticipating something good in the near future while pursuing the proper means for achieving it. So, it is coupled with endeavor, and it prompts one to obey Allah Almighty. Without hope, one would not perform good deeds.
Wishful thinking, on the other hand, is rooted in lethargy and inaction. A wishful thinker would not be diligent in doing things pleasing to his Lord.
412/1 - ‘Ubādah ibn al-Sāmit (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever bears witness that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger; that Jesus is the slave and Messenger of Allah and His word which He communicated to Maryam (Mary) and a spirit from Him; and that Paradise is true and that Hell is true, Allah will certainly admit him into Paradise, regardless of what he has done.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
In a version by Muslim: “Whoever bears witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, Allah will forbid him to Hellfire.”
A spirit from Him: He created him and brought him into existence.
1) None will enter Paradise except a believer whose faith is confirmed by righteous deeds.
2) The highest rank of belief is to be a true servant of Allah Almighty, bearing sincere witness that drives him towards good deeds.
413/2 - Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allah Almighty says: Whoever comes with a good deed will have the reward of ten like it or even more. Whoever comes with an evil deed will be recompensed for one evil deed like it or I will forgive. Whoever draws close to me by one span, I will draw close to him by one cubit. Whoever draws close to me by one cubit, I will draw close to him by one fathom. Whoever comes to me walking, I will come to him running. Whoever meets me with enough sins to fill the earth, not associating anything with me, I will meet him with as much forgiveness.” [Narrated by Muslim]
The Hadīth means: If a servant of Mine draws close to Me through good deeds, I will draw close to Him with My mercy; and if he does more, I will do more. If he comes to me walking, I will go to him running, i.e. I will shower him with My mercy and precede him with it, and I spare him the need to walk a lot to reach his destination. -- And Allah knows best.
Fathom: length of a person’s outstretched arms plus the width of his chest (i.e. distance from tip of middle finger to the tip of the other middle finger when a person stands with his arms outstretched).
1) It urges people to hope for the forgiveness and mercy of Allah Almighty and not despair of His pardon.
2) When a person diligently seeks to please Allah, He will give him rewards many times more than his deeds. This is among the glad tidings for the believers.
“Allah Almighty said... I will draw close to him by one cubit... I will draw close to him by one fathom...”
This is one of the Hadīths comprising attributes of Allah Almighty, which we establish as confirmed by the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and adopted by our righteous predecessors. We do not change the meanings of these attributes or negate them. Blissful are those who adhere to the Sunnah.
414/3 - Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A Bedouin came to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, what are the two imperatives which lead to Paradise or Hellfire?” He said: “Whoever dies without associating partners with Allah will enter Paradise, and whoever dies while associating partners with Him will enter Hellfire.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) Genuine Tawhīd (belief in Allah alone without associating any partners with Him) prevents one from abiding eternally in Hellfire, and it is a means for admission into Paradise.
2) Polytheism (associating partners with Allah) prevents one from entering Paradise, and it is the greatest means for admission into Hellfire and abiding eternally therein.
415/4 - Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: While Mu‘ādh was riding behind the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) on the mount, he said: “O Mu‘ādh!” He replied: “At your service, O Messenger of Allah.” He said again: “O Mu‘ādh!” He replied: “At your service, O Messenger of Allah.” three times. He said for the third time: “O Mu‘ādh!” He again replied: “At your service, O Messenger of Allah.” He then said: “There is no one who bears witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, sincerely from his heart, but Allah will forbid him to Hellfire.” He (Mu‘ādh) said: “O Messenger of Allah, shall I inform people about this so that they rejoice?” He said: “Then they will rely upon it.” Mu‘ādh related this just before his death out of fear from sin for concealing knowledge. [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) It shows the merit of Tawhīd and the testimony that “there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”. If a person proclaims it and acts upon it, Allah will forbid Hellfire to him and admit him into Paradise.
2) We should beware of concealing knowledge. A person who teaches people their religion should clarify to them the useful information and concepts, so that they will not misunderstand the religious proofs.
416/5 - Abu Hurayrah or Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (the narrator was unsure, and his doubt is harmless since all the Companions are trustworthy narrators) reported: During the Battle of Tabūk, the people suffered famine, so they said: “O Messenger of Allah, grant us permission to slaughter our camels to eat and use their fat.” The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “You may do that.” Then ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) came and said: “O Messenger of Allah, if you do that, there will be a shortage in riding animals. Instead of that, let them bring the leftovers of their provisions, then supplicate Allah for them to bless it; perhaps Allah will put some blessing therein.” The Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) agreed to that and asked for a leather mat and spread it out. Then he asked them to bring their leftovers. One man brought a handful of corn; another brought a handful of dates; and another brought a piece of bread until an insignificant amount was collected on the leather mat. So the Messenger invoked the blessing of Allah and then said: “Take and fill your containers.” They filled their containers until no container in the army was left unfilled. They ate their fill and there was some food left over. So the Messenger said: “I bear witness that there is no god except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah. No slave will meet Allah believing in these two (testimonies of faith) having no doubt about them and be prevented from Paradise.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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Blessing: increase, growth, abundance of good.
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1) It shows the Companions’ politeness towards the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). They used to seek his permission before doing what they wanted to do. The scholars are the heirs to the Prophets. So, people should be keen to ask their scholars who adhere to the Qur’an and the Sunnah and derive guidance from the righteous predecessors.
2) It urges cooperation between Muslims in all their affairs. The people of faith complement one another through mutual solidarity and support.
3) It highlights the merit of the words of Tawhīd (“I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and messenger”), which is the key to Paradise for those who act upon it and observe the prescribed commands and prohibitions.
417/6 - ‘Itbān ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him), who was one of the Companions who took part in the Battle of Badr, reported: “I used to lead my people, Banu Sālim, in prayer and there was a valley between me (my house) and them. Whenever it rained, it became difficult for me to cross it for going to their mosque. So I went to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and said: ‘I have weak eyesight and the valley between me and my people flows during the rainy season and it becomes difficult for me to cross it. I wish you to come to my house and offer prayer in a place so that I could reserve that as a place for prayer.’ The Messenger said: ‘I will do that.’ So the Messenger and Abu Bakr came to my house the (next) morning after the sun had risen high. The Messenger asked my permission to enter and I admitted him. He did not sit before saying: ‘Where do you like me to offer prayer in your house?’ I pointed to the place where I wanted him to offer prayers. So the Messenger of Allah stood up for the prayer and started the prayer with Takbīr and we aligned in rows behind him; and he offered a two-Rak‘ah prayer and finished them with Taslīm, and we also made Taslīm with him. I detained him for a meal called Khazīrah which I had prepared for him. When the neighbors got the news that the Messenger was in my house, they started coming till a large number of men gathered in my house. One of them said: ‘What is the matter with Mālik, for I do not see him?’ A man replied: ‘He is a hypocrite who does not love Allah and His Messenger.’ Thereupon, the Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘Don’t say that. Haven’t you seen that he testified that there is no god except Allah, seeking only the Countenance of Allah thereby?’ The man replied: ‘Allah and His Messenger know best, but as for us, by Allah, we never saw him but talking and acting in a friendly manner with the hypocrites.’ The Messenger replied: ‘Allah has made forbidden for Hellfire anyone who says “there is no god but but Allah” seeking thereby Allah’s pleasure.’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) Whoever says “there is no god except Allah” seeking thereby the Countenance of Allah Almighty will be forbidden for Hellfire. This indicates the greatness of this noble word of Tawhīd.
2) It opens the door of hope for the believer who performs good deeds and is diligent in it.
3) A Muslim is required to accept the invitation of his fellow Muslim. This is one of the rights of Muslims upon one another.
418/7 - ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “Some captives of war were brought to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) amongst whom there was a woman who was running (searching for her child). When she saw a child among the captives, she took hold of him, pressed him against her belly, and breastfed him. Thereupon, the Messenger said: ‘Do you think this woman would ever throw her child in the fire?’ We said: ‘No, by Allah.’ He said: ‘Allah is more merciful to His slaves than this woman is to her child.’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) Allah Almighty is more merciful to His servants than a mother to her child. Hence, He legislated for them what makes them win His mercy and avoid His punishment.
2) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would make use of incidents to give instructions and advice to people, along with giving examples. Thus, they can gain knowledge in the most proper way. He was the most excellent teacher indeed.
3) In all situations and times, a person should be attached to Allah alone.
419/8 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When Allah created the creation, He wrote in a book, which is with Him over the Throne, ‘Verily, My mercy prevails over My anger.’”
In another version: “Verily, My mercy has overcome My anger.” And in another version: “Verily, My mercy has preceded My anger.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) It affirms the highness of Allah Almighty above His creation, while He is established over His Throne. {The Most Merciful rose over the Throne.}
2) It affirms for Allah Almighty the attributes of mercy and anger, in a manner that befits Him, without asking how or negating the attributes. It also affirms that the mercy of Allah is closer to His servants than His anger.
420/9 - He also reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “Allah divided mercy into one hundred parts. He retained with Him ninety-nine parts and sent down to earth one part. From this one part, creatures show mercy towards each other, so much so that an animal lifts its hoof away from its youngster lest it should hurt it.”
In another version: “Allah has one hundred mercies, out of which He has sent down only one for jinn, mankind, animals, and vermin, through which they have compassion for one another; and through it, wild animals care for their young. Allah has retained ninety-nine mercies to grant mercy to His servants on the Day of Resurrection.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
Muslim also narrated it via Salmān al-Fārisi (may Allah be pleased with him) who reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Verily, Allah has one hundred mercies; by virtue of one of which the creation are mutually merciful, and (the remaining) ninety-nine are reserved for the Day of Resurrection.”
In another version: “Verily, Allah created, on the same day when He created the heavens and the earth, one hundred parts of mercy. Every part of mercy fills the space between the heavens and the earth, and He, out of this mercy, endowed one part to the earth and out of this mercy the mother shows affection to her child and even the beasts and birds show kindness to one another, and when the Day of Resurrection comes, He will make full use of His mercy.”
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1) The mercy which Allah Almighty put within the hearts of His creation is part of His overall mercy.
2) It gives the believers glad tidings about the vast mercy of their Lord. If all the compassion that exists among them is the result of only one part of His mercy, then what about a hundred parts of mercy on the Day of Judgment!
421/1 - He also reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “A slave committed a sin and he said: ‘O Allah, forgive my sin,’ and Allah Almighty said: ‘My slave committed a sin and then he realized that he has a Lord who forgives the sin and punishes for the sin.’ He then again committed a sin and said: ‘My Lord, forgive my sin,’ and Allah Almighty said: ‘My slave committed a sin and then realized that he has a Lord who forgives the sin and punishes for the sin.’ He again committed a sin and said: ‘My Lord, forgive my sin,’ and Allah Almighty said: ‘My slave has committed a sin and then realized that he has a Lord who forgives the sin and punishes for the sin. I have granted forgiveness to my slave. Let him do whatever he likes.’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
His statement “Let him do whatever he likes” means: as long as he does the same, i.e. sinning and then repenting. Indeed, repentance erases the sins committed before it.
1) It shows the grace and mercy of Allah towards His servants, as long as they believe that He is the Disposer of their affairs. This indicates the merit of Tawhīd.
2) True repentance expiates sins. So, whenever a person commits a sin, let him repent from it.
422/11 - He also reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “By the One in Whose hand my soul is, if you were not to commit sins, Allah would replace you with people who would commit sins and then seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty, who would then forgive them.” [Narrated by Muslim]
423/12 - Abu Ayyūb Khālid ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “Were you not to commit sins, Allah would bring into existence a creation who would commit sins and ask for forgiveness and He would forgive them.” [Narrated by Muslim]
1) It gives hope about the mercy of Allah, who opens the door to repentance and pursuit of forgiveness.
2) If a person constantly repents and asks his Lord for forgiveness, being humble before Him, that is indeed one of the pious and dear acts to Allah Almighty. Blissful are those who continue to knock on the door of heaven through repentance and supplication.
The Hadīth gives hope and glad tidings of forgiveness for those who sin and then repent. Let no one be deluded and think that the Hadīth encourages the perpetration of sins.
424/13 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Abu Bakr and ‘Umar were also present with us among a group of men. Meanwhile the Messenger of Allah got up and left us. We waited long for his return then got worried about his safety and got up (to look for him). I was the first to get up and went out to look for the Messenger until I came to a garden which belonged to the Ansār... (in the last part of the Hadīth, he said:) Then, the Messenger said to me: “Go and whoever you come across outside this garden who testifies that there is no god except Allah, being certain of it in his heart, give him glad tidings of entering Paradise.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) It shows how much the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) loved the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and were concerned about his safety during his lifetime. After his death, those who believe and follow him are concerned about the safety and soundness of his Sunnah so they defend it. This is also considered concern about the Prophet’s safety.
2) It is recommended to give hope and glad tidings to the believers.
3) Tawhīd is the key to entering Paradise. So, let a person be careful to maintain the soundness of his Tawhīd.
425/14 - ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) recited the verse in which Prophet Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) is quoted as saying: {My Lord, indeed they have led astray many among the people. So whoever follows me - then he is of me.} [Ibrāhīm: 36] And the verse in which Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) is quoted as saying: {If You should punish them – indeed they are Your servants but if You forgive them – indeed it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.} [Al-Mā’idah: 118] Then, he raised his hands and said, “O Allah, my Ummah, my Ummah,” and wept. Thereupon, Allah Almighty said: “O Gabriel, go to Muhammad and ask him why he is weeping, and your Lord knows best.” Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to him, and the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) informed him about what he had said. So, Allah Almighty said: “O Gabriel, go to Muhammad and say: ‘Verily, We will please you with regard to your Ummah and will not hurt you.’” [Narrated by Muslim]
1) It shows the Prophet’s compassion towards his Ummah and his care about their interests. This is how every Muslim should behave: caring about people and not making things hard for them, in imitation of the Prophet’s example.
2) It opens the door of hope for this Ummah that will be shown mercy, if they act uprightly, in honor of their Prophet.
426/15 - Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was riding behind the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) on a donkey, and he said: “O Mu‘ādh, do you know what the right of Allah upon His servants is, and what the right of the servants upon Allah is?” I said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said: “The right of Allah upon His servants is that they worship Him and not associate any partners with Him. And the right of the servants upon Allah is that He should not punish those who do not associate partners with Him.” I said: “O Messenger of Allah, shall I give this good news to people?” He said: “No, lest they rely upon it.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) It gives glad tidings to the believers of the mercy of Allah to those who act rightly and sincerely. But if they are idle and lethargic, this would be no more than wishful thinking.
2) Negating that a person associates partners with Allah indicates his sincerity and Tawhīd. Hence, the believer should be keen on maintaining the soundness of his Tawhīd.
427/16 - Al-Barā’ ibn ‘Āzib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When a Muslim is questioned in his grave, he will testify that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and that is what is meant by the verse: {Allah will keep firm those who believe with a word that stands firm in this world and in the Hereafter.} [Ibrāhīm: 27] [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
1) It points out Allah’s mercy towards His servants in this world and in the Hereafter. If a person fulfills Tawhīd and applies it in his life, Allah will reward him by making him firm in this world, in the grave, and on the Day of Judgment.
2) The best means whereby we can interpret the Qur’an is the Prophet’s statements.
428/17 - Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When a disbeliever does a good deed, he is rewarded for it in this world. As for the believer, Allah Almighty saves his good deeds to reward him in the Hereafter and provides him with sustenance in this life as a consequence of his obedience.”
In another version: “Allah does not wrong a believer with regard to a good deed; he is given blessings for it in this world and will be rewarded for it in the Hereafter. But the disbeliever is given in this world the reward for the good deeds he has done for the sake of Allah, and when he comes to the Hereafter, there will be no good deed for which he can be rewarded.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) It points out how Allah Almighty deals justly with His servants, as He recompenses their deeds in full, even the wicked disbelievers. Verily, He loves justice and is pleased with it.
2) The disbeliever is recompensed for his good deeds in this world. The believer, on the other hand, is rewarded for his good deeds both in this world and in the Hereafter. Indeed, this is a source of good news and hope for the believers.
429/18 - Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The five prayers are like a great river running by your door in which you wash yourselves five times every day.” [Narrated by Muslim] --
1) Prayer expiates sins. This indicates Allah’s mercy towards His believing servants, as He legislates for them acts of worship whereby they can erase their sins.
2) If Allah Almighty enables a person to perform the five prayers persistently, this is a good sign for him indicating that he may be one of those whose sins will be forgiven.
430/19 - Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “No Muslim man dies, and forty men who associate no partners with Allah, offer the funeral prayer for him except that Allah will accept their intercession for him.” [Narrated by Muslim]
1) It establishes intercession by the believers, if the deceased is entitled to that. Their intercession for him is that Allah Almighty forgives his sins.
2) It encourages increasing the number of participants in the funeral prayer in hope that the deceased would be forgiven, out of Allah’s grace.
3) It shows the merit of Tawhīd and its people and the disavowal of polytheism and its people.
431/20 - Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “There were about forty of us with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in a tent when he said: ‘Would it please you to be one-fourth of the inhabitants of Paradise?’ We said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘Would it please you to be one-third of the inhabitants of Paradise?’ We said: ‘Yes.’ Thereupon, he said: ‘By the One in Whose hand Muhammad’s soul is, I hope that you would be one-half of the inhabitants of Paradise; for none shall enter Paradise except a Muslim soul, and you, compared to the polytheists, are no more than a white hair on the skin of a black ox, or a black hair on the skin of a red ox.’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) The believers from the Ummah of Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) are the majority of the inhabitants of Paradise, which indicates the status of this Ummah in the sight of Allah Almighty.
2) The believers are few in number compared to the disbelievers. A wise believer would not weigh things on the basis of the number of its followers, but he knows the truth according to whether it accords with the Shariah of Allah and the practice of the early followers of Islam.
3) Gradation and repetition of giving glad tidings time after time, which inspires renewal of gratitude time after time.
432/21 - Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “On the Day of Judgment, Allah will deliver to every Muslim a Jew or a Christian and say: ‘This is your ransom from Hellfire.’”
In another version: “On the Day of Judgment, some Muslims will come with sins as huge as mountains, and Allah will forgive it for them.” [Narrated by Muslim]
His statement “Allah will deliver to every Muslim a Jew or a Christian and say: ‘This is your ransom from Hellfire’” is explained by another Hadīth reported by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), which reads: “Everyone has a place in Paradise and a place in Hellfire. When the believer enters Paradise, the disbeliever takes his place in Hellfire, for he deserves that on account of his disbelief.”
“Your ransom” means you were in danger of entering Hellfire and this is your ransom, because Allah Almighty predestined that a certain number fills Hellfire, and when the disbelievers enter it due to their sins and disbelief, they are like a ransom on behalf of Muslims. And Allah knows best.
1) Allah Almighty honors this (Muslim) nation due to their belief in Him and their role as a witness over other nations.
2) The low status of the Jews and Christians, for they distorted the speech of Allah and killed His messengers, and so they will be like offerings whereby Muslims will be ransomed.
433/22 - Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “A believer will be brought close to his Lord on the Day of Judgment and He will envelop him in His mercy and make him confess his sins. Allah will say: ‘Do you remember (doing) this sin and that sin?’ He will reply: ‘My Lord, I remember.’ Then He will say: ‘I covered it up for you in the life of the world, and I forgive it for you today.’ Then the record of his good deeds will be handed to him.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) Allah Almighty takes care of the believers and protects them, and He conceals their faults in the worldly life and in the Hereafter.
2) A believer does not lie, for lying is a trait of the hypocrites, whereas truthfulness is a trait of the believers.
One of the Beautiful Names of Allah is "Al-Sittīr" (the Concealing). He loves that the faults of the believers be concealed. So, blissful are those who help cover up the faults of their fellow Muslims.
The name "‘Abd al-Sattār" has become common among people, but it is a wrong name, because Al-Sittīr is one of the Names of Allah whereas Al-Sattār is not. We should adhere to what is reported in the Shariah texts. Indeed, the Names of Allah should be taken exactly as they are reported. {Say: “Are you more knowing or is Allah?”}
434/23 - Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man kissed a woman, and he came to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and informed him of the matter. Thereupon, Allah Almighty revealed the following verse: {And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds.} [Hūd: 114] The man asked: “Is this for me, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “For my entire Ummah.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) Prayer is the best act of worship to be performed by the believers, and the best thing about which they should advise one another.
2) It opens the door of hope to the entire Ummah of Muhammad. If a person commits a sin, let him offer a prayer after that to expiate the sin. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “... and follow the sin with a good deed and it will wipe it out.”
435/24 - Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, I committed a sin liable to a legal punishment, so inflict it upon me.” It was prayer time, so he offered the prayer along with the Messenger. When the prayer was over, he said: “O Messenger of Allah, I committed a sin liable to a legal punishment, so apply the punishment stated in the Book of Allah to me.” He asked: “Have you offered the prayer with us?” He said: “Yes.” He said: “You have been forgiven.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
His statement “I committed a sin liable to a legal punishment”; actually means a sin that entails a discretionary punishment, not a fixed legal punishment, such as the punishment for adultery and drinking alcohol, for these punishments are not absolved by prayer, and it is not permissible for a ruler to abandon carrying them out.
1) If a person performs the prayer in the proper prescribed manner, following the Prophet’s example inwardly and outwardly, then this act of worship expiates his sins, even if they are great.
2) Allah is merciful to His servants, as He has opened to them the doors to expiation of sins, one of which is prayer.
436/25 - He also reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allah is pleased with one who eats some food and then praises Him for it, or who drinks some drink and then praises Him for it.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) When a person praises Allah Almighty each time he eats or drinks, this is a kind of hope on the part of this person towards his Lord.
2) In his food and drink, a believer seeks the pleasure of Allah Almighty and to be able to worship Him.
437/26 - Abu Mūsa (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Allah Almighty stretches His hand during the night so that the sinners of the day may repent, and He stretches His hand in the day so that the sinners of the night may repent. He keeps doing so until the sun rises from the west.” [Narrated by Muslim]
1) The door of repentance is open. Whoever knocks on that door, it will be opened for him.
2) Allah is merciful to His servants, as He accepts the repentance of sinners and guides them to it.
438/27 - Abu Nujayh ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasa Al-Sulami (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: In the Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance, I used to think that people who worshiped idols were deviated and did not adhere to a true religion. Then, I heard of a man in Makkah who was preaching a message. So I mounted my camel and went to him. I found that (this man who was) the Messenger of Allah remained hidden because of the persecution by his people. I had entered Makkah stealthily and when I met him, I asked him: “Who are you?” He said: “I am a Prophet.” I asked: “What is a Prophet?” He said: “Allah has sent me (with a message).” I asked: “With what has He sent you?” He said: “He sent me to uphold the ties of kinship and to destroy idols so that Allah alone should be worshiped and nothing should be associated with Him.” I asked: “Who has followed you in this?” He said: “A freeman and a slave.” On that day, Abu Bakr and Bilāl (may Allah be pleased with them) were with him. I said: “I shall follow you.” He said: “You can not do that now. Do you not see my situation and that of the people? Go back to your people, and when you hear that my cause has prevailed, come to me.” So I went back to my people, and while I was with my people, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) migrated to Madīnah. I continued to ask people about him till some of my people visited Madīnah. On their return, I asked them: “How is that man who has arrived in Madīnah faring?” They said: “People are hastening to him. His own people had planned to kill him but did not succeed.” Then, I went to Madīnah and came to him and said: “O Messenger of Allah, do you recognize me?” He said: “Yes, you are the one who met me in Makkah.” I said: “O Messenger of Allah, tell me of what Allah has taught you and of which I am unaware. Tell me about prayer.” He replied: “Perform the Fajr prayer and then stop prayer until the sun has risen up to the height of a lance, for when it rises, it rises up between the horns of the devil, and the disbelievers prostrate themselves before it at that time. Then, perform prayer, for prayer is witnessed and angels attend it, until the shadow becomes equal to the length of its object. Then, stop prayer, for at that time Hell is heated up. Then, pray when the shadow becomes longer, for the prayer is witnessed and angels attend it, until you perform the ‘Asr prayer. Then, stop prayer till the sun sets, for it sets between the horns of a devil. At that time, the disbelievers prostrate themselves before it.” I said: “O Prophet of Allah, what about ablution? Tell me about it.” He said: “When one of you begins ablution, rinses his mouth and sniffs water into his nostrils, the sins committed by his face, mouth, and nostrils are washed out. Then, when he washes his face as commanded by Allah, the sins of his face are washed out with the water from the tips of his beard. Then, he washes his hands up to the elbows and the sins of his hands are washed out with the water from his fingertips. Then, he passes his wet hands over his head and the sins of the head are washed out with the water from the ends of his hair. Then, he washes his feet up to the ankles and the sins of his feet are washed out with the water from his toes. Then, if he stands up for prayer and praises Allah, glorifies Him, proclaims His greatness as He deserves and devotes his heart wholly to Allah, he emerges sin-free as the day his mother gave birth to him. When ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah reported this Hadīth to Abu Umāmah, one of the Prophet’s Companions, the latter said to him: “Watch what you are saying, O ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah; a man will be getting all of this in one shot?” ‘Amr replied: “O Abu Umāmah, I have attained old age, my bones have become dry, my death is approaching, and there is no need for me to tell lies about Allah and His Messenger. Had I not heard this from the Messenger of Allah only once, twice, thrice (and he counted up to seven), I would never have reported it. But indeed I have heard it more than that.” [Narrated by Muslim]
-- The Prophet’s words “between the horns of the devil” mean: the two sides of his head. The meaning intended here is that the devil and his allies move and hold sway at that time. -- -- --
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“I shall follow you”: I will declare my Islam and stay with you in Makkah.
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1) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) began his Da‘wah secretly. Then, Allah Almighty bestowed His favor upon him and his Companions and empowered them in the land, as a reward for their patience over the harm and affliction they suffered. This is a great lesson for the Muslim preachers that they should not hasten the victory of Allah.
2) It shows the merit of Abu Bakr and Bilāl (may Allah be pleased with both of them), as they were among the earliest front-runners.
3) It is prohibited to imitate the disbelievers, even unintentionally. A person who prays when the sun rises or sets may not intend to imitate the disbelievers. Nonetheless, prayer at that time is forbidden.
4) It points out the virtue of ablution and that it expiates sins and misdeeds. This is a source of hope for the believers who purify themselves frequently.
439/28 - Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If Allah wills to show mercy to a people, He takes the soul of their prophet before them, thus making him a forerunner and an intercessor for them. Whereas, if He wills to destroy a people, He punishes them whilst their prophet is alive, witnessing their destruction, thus, consoling him by their destruction as they disbelieved in him and disobeyed his orders.” [Narrated by Muslim]
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1) Allah is gentle and kind to this Ummah of Muhammad - may Allah increase them in honor - as He caused their Prophet to die before them.
2) The prophets cared about their peoples and were keen to look after them and set their affairs right.
3) The punishment and destruction of the disbelievers is a kind of victory for the path of the prophets (peace be upon them) and their followers.