Reminders from the Sunnah
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Beacons upon the Path |
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Allâh’s Mercy Abű Hurayrah radiallâhu ’anhu related that the Messenger of Allâh sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam said: “Allâh created mercy in one-hundred parts and sent down to earth only one part. Because of this one part there is mutual love amongst creation, so much so that an animal will lift up its hoof from its young one, fearing that it might harm it. Allâh has reserved the rest of this mercy to favour His believing servants on the Day of Judgement.” [1] ’Umar ibn al-Khattâb radiallâhu ’anhu related: Once there was a women who was frantically searching for someone amongst the prisoners of war who had been brought to the Prophet sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam. When she found a child amongst the prisoners, she took it and pressed it against her chest for it to suckle. At that point the Prophet sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam turned to his Companions and said: “Do you think that this woman will ever allow her child to be thrown into a fire?” They said: By Allâh! As far as it lies within her power, she will never allow the child to be thrown into a fire.” The Prophet sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam then said: “Indeed, Allâh is kinder to His servants than this woman is to her child.” [2] Brotherhood ’Abdullâh ibn ’Umar radiallâhu ’anhu relates that the Prophet sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam mounted the pulpit and said in a loud voice: “O you who have accepted Islâm with your tongues, but in whose heart îmân (faith) has not yet entered! Do not annoy the Muslims, nor revile them, nor seek out their faults. For whosoever seeks out the fault of his brother Muslim, Allâh will seek out his faults. He whose faults are sought out by Allâh, then Allâh will expose him, even if he is inside his house.” [3] ’Ubâdah ibn as-Sâmit radiallâhu ’anhu related that the Prophet sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam said: “Whosoever seeks forgiveness for the believing men and the believing women, Allâh will record for that person - equivalent to every believing man and believing woman - a good deed.” [4] The Best Islâm ’Amr ibn ’Abasah radiallâhu ’anhu said: I came to the Messenger of Allâh sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam and said: O Messenger of Allâh! Who is with you in this matter? He said: “A free man and a slave.” [5] I asked: What is Islâm? He replied: “Good speech and serving food.” I asked: What is îmân (faith)? He replied: “Sabr (patience) and excellence.” I asked: What Islâm is the most excellent? He replied: “The one from whose hands and tongue other Muslims are safe.” I asked: Whet îmân is most excellent? |
He replied: “Good character.” I asked: What Prayer is most excellent? He replied: “Standing in humility and recitation for a long while. ” I asked: Which hijrah (migration) is most excellent: He replied: “That you leave that which your Lord hates. ” I asked: What Jihâd is most excellent? He replied: “ That in which one’s steed is injured and one’s blood is shed. ” I asked: What hour is most excellent? He replied: “The last half of the night. ” [ 6] Comprehensive Advice Abű Jarî Jâbir ibn Salîm said: I have seen a man whose opinion is followed, he does not say anything except that they take it. I said: Who is this? They said: This is the Messenger of Allâh sallallâhu ’alayhi wa sallam. I said (twice): ’Alaykus-Salâm (upon you be Allâh’s prayers) O Messenger of Allâh. He said: “Do not say ’alaykus-salâm, for that is the greeting of the dead, rather say: as-salâmu ’alayka. ” I said: Are you the Messenger of Allâh? He said: “I am Allâh’s Messenger, whom if an affliction touches you and you were to invoke Him, He removes it. And if a year of famine comes upon you and you invoke Him, He causes the crops to sprout for you. And if you were in a water-less desert and your she-camel strays and you invoke Him, He returns it to you. ” I said: Give me advice. He said: “Do not abuse anyone. ” After that, I did not abuse any free man, slave, camel or sheep. He said: “Do not look down upon any good work, and when you speak to your brother then be cheerful to him by your face, and that is from goodness. Raise your izâr (lower garment) half way up your shin, if you are averse to this, then just above your ankles. Beware of letting the izâr hang down, for it is from pride, and Allâh does not like pride. And if a man abuses and shames you for a thing which finds in you, then do not shame him for a thing you find in him; be will bear the evil consequences for it. ” [7] References 1. Related by al-Bukhârî (4/223-224) and Muslim (8/96-97). |
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