Hadith

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: the Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Hasten to do good deeds before you are overtaken by one of the seven afflictions.” Then (giving a warning) he said: “Are you waiting for poverty which will make you unmindful of devotion, or prosperity which will make you corrupt, or a disease which will disable you, or senility which will make you mentally unstable, or sudden death which will take you all of a sudden, or Ad-Dajjal who is the worst expected, or the Hour; and the Hour will be most grievous and most bitter.” [At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: The Hadith focuses on seven things which hold back man from the virtuous path. Taking in consideration the turning health and the brief span of life to his account, he is, therefore, apt to gather up good deeds for the Hereafter because an untoward situation may confront him any moment and render him unable to do good things to his benefit in the otherworldly life.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 65, Page 189, No 578

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Narrated Abdullah (May Allah be satisfied with him): ‘The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Truthfulness leads to righteousness. Righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes an extremely truthful person. Falsehood leads to wickedness. Wickedness leads to the Hellfire, and a man may keep on telling lies until he is written before Allah as a liar.” (Bukhari)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (1)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 4, Page 141, Number 48

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Narrated by Abu-Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘Allah’s Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor, and whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should entertain his guest generously and whosoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak what is good or keep silent (i.e. abstain from all kinds of evil and dirty talk, e.g. abusing, lying, backbiting etc.).'” (Bukhari)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 236, Page 959, Number 810

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: the Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Among the inmates of Hell, a person who had led the most luxurious life in this world will be brought up on the Day of Resurrection and dipped in the Fire and will be asked: ‘O son of Adam! Did you ever experience any comfort? Did you happen to get any luxury?’ He will reply: ‘By Allah, no, my Rubb (Lord).’ And then one of the people of Jannah who had experienced extreme misery in the life of this world will be dipped in Jannah. Then he will be asked: ‘O son of Adam! Did you ever experience any misery? Did you ever encounter difficulty?’ He will say: “By Allah, no my Rubb, I neither experienced misery nor passed through hardship”. (Muslim)

Commentary: This Hadith also induces one to work for the life of the Hereafter, as the amenities of this world which one strives hard to attain, and for which one violates the injunctions of Shariah, will be forgotten with a glimpse of the Hell-fire. Therefore, the sensible course is that one should adopt a way of life which is full of true faith and good deeds so that one becomes eligible for the eternal blessings and joys of the life of the Hereafter in Jannah.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 55, Page 156, No 462

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (MABH) said: The Prophet (SAWS) said, “The dwellers of Jannah will look at those in the upper abodes above them as you look at a shining star which remains in the eastern or western horizon; such will be the difference in superiority which some of them have over others.’ The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) was asked: “Will those be the dwellings of the Prophets which no one else will be able to reach?’ The Prophet (SAWS) replied, “Yes, but by Him in Whose Hand my soul is! men who believed in Allah and acknowledged the truthfulness of the Messengers will reach them.’ (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Anas (MABH) said: The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said, “In Jannah there is a market to which the people will come every Friday. The northern wind will blow and shower fragrance on their faces and clothes and, consequently, it will enhance their beauty and loveliness.They will then return to their wives who will also have increased in their beauty and loveliness, and their families will say to them: ‘We swear by Allah that you have been increased in beauty and loveliness since leaving us.’ Thereupon they will reply: ‘We swear by Allah that you have also been increased in beauty and loveliness since we left you.’ (Muslim).

Commentary: In Jannah, people will have different grades according to the strength of their Belief (Imane and good deeds) and love of Allah. Some people will be on a position near that of the Prophets. May Allah grant us such lofty places. Amin.

Bazaar refers to a place of gathering, where everything will be available, free of cost. Similarly, Jumu’ah means that people will gather there for a time period equal to that of Jumu’ah, as there will be no sun, nor night and day. Another speciality of Jannah is that the beauty and charm of men and women will go on increasing and so the love and affection between husbands and wives will also keep on progressing and increasing. It will be just the opposite of what happens here in this world.

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection
MAPH: May Allah be pleased with him

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Hadith 1: Chapter 372, Page 549, No 1887
Hadith 2: Chapter 372, Page 550, No 1889

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Narrated Abu-Horaira (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “There was a merchant who used to lend the people, and whenever his debtor was under straitened circumstances, he would say to his employees: Grant him a period of grace so that Allah will forgive us.’ So, Allah forgave him.” (Bukhari)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 221, Page 868, Number 749

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Narrated Abu-Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘A man came to the Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) and asked: “O Allah’s Messenger which charity is the most superior in reward?” He replied: “The charity that you give while you are healthy, niggardly and afraid of poverty and wishing to become wealthy. Do not delay it to the time of approaching death and then say: ‘Give so much to so and so, and so much to so and so.’ (And it already belongs to such and such (his heirs)).”‘ (Bukhari)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (1)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 12, Page 205, Number

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales. Do not look for others faults. Do not spy one another, and do not practice Najsh (means to offer a high price for something in order to allure another customer who is interested in the thing). Do not be jealous of one another and do not nurse enmity against one another. Do not sever ties with one another. Become the slaves of Allah, and be brothers to one another as He commanded. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He should neither oppress him nor humiliate him. The piety is here! The piety is here! While saying so he pointed towards his chest. “It is enough evil for a Muslim to look down upon his Muslim brother. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in Faith: his blood, his wealth and his honor. Verily, Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your hearts and your deeds.” (Muslim)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 271, Page 453, No 1570

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said, “Be prompt in doing good deeds (before you are overtaken) by turbulence which would be like a part of the dark night. A man would be a believer in the morning and turn to disbelief in the evening, or he would be a believer in the evening and turn disbeliever in the morning, and would sell his Faith for worldly goods.” (Muslim)

Commentary: This Hadith tells that the Day of Resurrection will be preceded by a long chain of calamities. Because of the rush of these calamities, religion and Faith will loose their value in people.There will be a race for wealth, so much so that people would not hesitate to compromise their religion and Faith to acquire wealth. People will rapidly change their faces. This is what actually happening. In this situation true believers are exhorted to adhere strictly to Faith and perform noble deeds without delay.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 10, Page 34, No 87

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Hanzalah Al-Usayyidi (MAPH) who was one of the scribes of Messenger of Allah (SAWS), reported: I met Abu Bakr (MAPH) 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 (SAWS) 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 (SAWS), 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 (SAWS) and I said to him, “O Messenger of Allah (SAWS), Hanzalah has turned hypocrite.” Thereupon Messenger of Allah (SAWS) 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 (SAWS) 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 (SAWS)) said this thrice. (Muslim).

Another translation of this hadith is similar but finishes like this: But Hanzala! One hour for the Hereafter, and one hour for the things of this world (and he (the Prophet (SAWS))) repeated this three times.

Commentary: This Hadith also tells us about the continence and piety of the Companions of the Prophet (SAWS) 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.

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection
MAPH: May Allah be satisfied with him

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 14, Page 54, No 151

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

‘Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with them) said: Once we were sitting in the company of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) when there appeared a man dressed in very white clothes and having extraordinary black hair. No signs of fatigue of journey appeared on him and he was known to none of us. He sat down facing the Prophet (SAWS) leaning his knees against the knees of the Prophet (SAWS) and placing both of his palms over his two thighs and said, “O Muhammad (SAWS)! Tell me about Islam”. He (SAWS) replied, “Islam is to testify that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah, and that Muhammad (SAWS) is the Messenger of Allah; that you observe Salat (prayers), pay Zakat, observe Saum (fasting) of Ramadan and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) of the House, provided you have resources of making journey to it.” He replied: “You have spoken the truth”. We were surprised to see that he had asked him and confirmed the correctness of the answers. He then inquired: “Tell me about Iman (faith)”. He (SAWS) said. “It is to believe in Allah, and His Books, and His Messengers and the Last Day and that you believe in fore-ordainment, its bad and good consequences.” He said, “You have spoken the truth.” He then inquired: “Tell me about Ihsan.” He (SAWS) said, “It is to worship Allah as if you are seeing Him; and although you do not see Him, He sees you”. He inquired: “Inform me about the Hour (i.e., the Day of Resurrection)”. He (SAWS) replied, “I have no more knowledge thereof than you”. He said, “Inform me about some of its signs”. He (SAWS) said, “They are -that a bonds-woman gives birth to her own master, and that you will find the barefooted, naked, poor shepherds competing one another in the construction of higher buildings”. Then he departed. The Messenger of Allah kept silent for a while then he said to me, “O ‘Umar! Do you know who the questioner was?” I replied, “Allah and His Messenger know better”. The Prophet (SAWS) said, “He was Jibreel (the Angel Gabriel); he came to you to teach you your religion”. (Muslim).

Commentary: This Hadith is known as ‘Hadith Jibril’. It mentions the basics of Islam the details of which are known to every Muslim. Al-Qadr (Divine foreordainment) means that Allah already knows and had recorded everything that will happen until the Day of Resurrection. Now whatever happens is in accordance with that knowledge and writing. What is meant by its good and bad consequences can be illustrated by saying that tranquillity, prosperity and abundance of crops come in the category of good consequences. Famine, calamities and troubles, etc., fall in the list as evil consequences. But we regard them good or bad according to our own understanding; otherwise, every action of Allah has some wisdom and expedience which are known to Him Alone.

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 5, Page 25, No 60

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Once the Prophet (SAWS) was speaking to us when, a bedouin came and asked him: “When will the Last Day be?” The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) continued his talk. Some of those present thought that he had heard him but disliked the interruption and the other said that he had not heard him. When the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) concluded his speech he asked, “Where is the one who inquired about the Last Day?” The man replied: “Here I am.” The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) replied, “When the practice of honouring a trust is lost, expect the Last Day.” He asked: “How could it be lost?” He replied, “When the government is entrusted to the undeserving people, then wait for the Last Day.” (Al-Bukhari)

Commentary: Here a very important sign of the nearness of the Day of Judgement has been mentioned: The affairs of the world will be in the hands of wicked and undeserving people. The sinners and wicked people will become the leaders of the world. The preaching pulpits would also be occupied by people who would be greedy and ignorant.They will be devoid of piety and abstinence.

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 370, Page 532, No 1837

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Narrated Abdullah ibn Masoud (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘I visited Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) while he was suffering from a high fever. I said: “O Allah’s Messenger (SAWS)! You have a high fever”. He said: “Yes. I have as much fever as two men of you.” I said: “Is it because you will have a double reward?” He said: “Yes. It is so. No Muslim is afflicted with any harm, even if it were the prick of a thorn, but that Allah expiates his sins because of it, as a tree sheds its leaves.”‘ (Bukhari)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 140, Page 639, Number 469

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-As (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Four are the qualities which, when found in a person, make him a sheer hypocrite, and one who possesses one of them, possesses one characteristic of hypocrisy until he abandons it. These are: When he is entrusted with something, he betrays trust; when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he acts treacherously; and when he argues, he behaves in a very imprudent, insulting manner.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 86, Page 220, No 690

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

An-Nawwas bin Sam’an (MAPH) reported: The Prophet (SAWS) said: “Piety is good manner, and sin is that which creates doubt and you do not like people to know of it.” [Muslim]

Wabisah bin Ma’bad (MAPH) reported: “I went to Messenger of Allah (SAWS) and he asked me: “Have you come to inquire about piety?” I replied in the affirmative. Then he said: “Ask your heart regarding it. Piety is that which contents the soul and comforts the heart, and sin is that which causes doubts and perturbs the heart, even if people pronounce it lawful and give you verdicts on such matters again and again.” [Ahmad and Ad-Darmi]

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection
MAPH: May Allah be pleased with him

Commentary:
Islam lays much importance on courteous behavior and also explains and stresses its different aspects. To meet people cheerfully, to avoid causing trouble to them, rather to try to make things convenient and comfortable to them, to do social service, to extend co-operation to others in good things and to be generous, and to like for others also that you like for yourself, are all forms of moral behaviour that are counted as virtues in Islam. All that is bad and vicious is considered by Islam as sinful. This Hadith describes two signs of sin. First, man should feel scruples in committing it. Second, one does not like others being informed about it. The Hadith further tells us that human nature (fitra) leads man to correct conclusions and keeps away from evils, provided it has not been deformed by the environment and bad company.

There are two points about the 2nd Hadith. First, it is one of the miracles of the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) who discovered the nature of the question before it was put to him. Second, man’s heart is the biggest guide to him and he, therefore, should keep his heart illuminated with the light of Faith so as to continue receiving guidance from it.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Hadith 1: Chapter 68, Page 193, No 590
Hadith 2: Chapter 68, Page 193, No 591

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Narrated Abu-Huraira (May Allah be satisfied with him): ‘The Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “He that relieved his brother from a worldly distress Allah will relieve him from distress in the Hereafter, he that veiled a defect of a Muslim Allah will veil him in life and in the Hereafter, and he that eased (the state of) an insolvent (brother) Allah would ease (his state) in life and in the Hereafter. Allah will support him that supports his brother. He that took a way searching for knowledge Allah will facilitate a way to Paradise for him. There is no group of people who sit in a mosque reciting Allah’s Book and studying it among themselves except that tranquility will descend on them, mercy will overshadow them, and the Angels will encircle them. And he whose deed caused him to lag behind his affinity will not bring him forward.”

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (1)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 29, Page 294, Number 151

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Verily Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious will say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘O son of Adam, I was ill but you did not visit Me.’ He would say: ‘O my Rubb (Lord), how could I visit You and You are the Rubb of the worlds? Thereupon Allah would say: ‘Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine was ill but you did not visit him? Did you not realize that if you had visited him (you would have known that I was aware of your visit to him, for which I would reward you) you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked food from you but you did not feed Me.’ He would submit: ‘My Rubb, how could I feed You and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ Allah would say: ‘Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine asked you for food but you did not feed him? Did you not realize that if you had fed him, you would certainly have found (its reward) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked water from you but you did not give it to Me.’ He would say: ‘My Rubb, how could I give You (water) and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ Thereupon Allah would say: ‘Such and such slave of Mine asked you for water to drink but you did not give it to him. Did you not realize that if you had given him to drink you would have found (its reward) with Me?'” (Muslim)

Commentary: The person who is more beneficial to the slaves of Allah is loved most by Allah. Allah likes it very much if somebody serves His creatures and treats them well. Allah will give him the best reward for it. Here, one has been urged in an effective and eloquent way to visit the sick and treat the needy nicely by offering food and drink.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 144, Page 272, No 896

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Narrated Abu-Huraira (May Allah be satisfied with him): ‘A nomad came to the Prophet (SAWS) and said: “Tell me of a deed that will admit me into Paradise.” The Prophet (SAWS) said: “Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory zakat and fast in the month of Ramadhan.” The nomad said: “By Him in Whose Hands my soul (life) is I will not do more than this.” When he (the nomad) left, the Prophet (SAWS) said: “Whoever wants to see a man from the rightful dwellers of Paradise, then he may look at this man.”‘ (Bukhari)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 200, Page 788, Number 651

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu Hurairah (MAPH) reported,

that Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) said: “Who is fasting today?”

Abu Bakr (MAPH) said: It is I.

He (Allah’s Messenger) (SAWS) (again) said: Who has followed a funeral procession today?

Abu Bakr (MAPH) said: It is I.

He (Allah’s Messenger) (SAWS) again said: Who amongst you has served food to the needy today?

Abu Bakr (MAPH) said: It is I.

He (Allah’s Messenger) (SAWS) (again) said: Who amongst you has today visited the sick?

Abu Bakr (MAPH) said: It is I.

Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) said: “Any person that has done these four things in one day will enter Paradise.” (Muslim)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection
MAPH: May Allah be pleased with him

Sahih Muslim
Book 31,
Hadith No 5880

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “Iman has over seventy branches, the uppermost of which is the declaration: ‘None has the right to be worshiped 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: This Hadith tells us that from the standpoint of practice, Faith has several stages. It also tells that Faith and practice are inseparable. It also makes evident the importance and excellence of bashfulness because it induces a person to good deeds and deters him from evils.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 13, Page 46, No 125

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A Bedouin came to Messenger of Allah (SAWS) and said to him, “When will be the Hour (i.e., the Day of Resurrection)?” He (the Prophet (SAWS)) said, “What preparation have you made for it?” He said, “Only the love of Allah and His Messenger.” Then Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said, “You will be with those whom you love.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

The narration in Muslim is: The man replied: “I have made no significant preparation with regard to Salat (prayer), Saum (fasting) and Sadaqah (charity) but I love Allah and His Messenger”.

Say: “If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Koran 3.31)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 45, Page 122, No 369

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “A woman is married for four things: for her wealth, for her lineage, for her beauty or for her piety. Select the pious, may you be blessed!”. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Commentary:
Mentioned in this Hadith are the various reasons why we choose our wife. Another Hadith tells us that he who marries his wife for her money or her family will finally become their slave. Whoever marries ONLY for her beauty will find all his troubles will come from this beauty. But he who chooses his wife for her chastity will be at peace which is the fundamental basis of life. But this does not mean that a woman cannot be chaste and at the same time beautiful and from a good family. Only a pious woman is in the true sense faithful and obedient to her husband who has himself good conduct. Such a couple not only lead a happy life but its future generation is also brought up on the right lines with the help of such a woman, otherwise you risk spoiling the future generations. For this reason, while selecting a wife, one should give preference to religion over all other qualities.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 45, Page 121, No 364

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Miqdad bin Ma’dikarib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (SAWS) say: “No man fills a container worse than his stomach. A few morsels that keep his back upright are sufficient for him. If he has to, then he should keep one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for his breathing.” (At-Tirmidhi).

Commentary: This Hadith dissuades us from overeating as this affects one’s health. Most illnesses come from overeating. When there is too much demand put on the stomach, we no longer digest correctly the foods that are crammed in beyond capacity. When the stomach is malfunctioning, it doubles the work of the liver and pancreas. This therefore leads to hepatism and everything that follows as constipation, hemorrhoids, intestinal spasms, gallstones etc … This can also cause diabetes due to deficiency of the pancreas. This finally causes obesity which is the main cause of arteriosclerosis and heart diseases. So by stating this basic principle of food hygiene, the Prophet (SAWS) has already stated in a few words half of medicinal science. The people who eat less are the people who live longer and are sick less often.

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 56, Page 169, No 516

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Shaddad bin Aus (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “A wise man is the one who calls himself to account (and refrains from doing evil deeds) and does noble deeds to benefit him after death; and the foolish person is the one who subdues himself to his temptations and desires and seeks from Allah the fulfillment of his vain desires”.

Commentary: This Hadith highlights the importance of the accountability of one’s self. Mere desires which are not coupled with practical efforts are of no avail because Allah grants reward on good deeds and not on yearnings and desires which are not supported by noble actions.

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 5, Page 27, No 66

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Narrated Abu-Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘Allah’s Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) asked: “Do you know what is slandar?” They replied: “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said: “It is saying something about your brother that he dislikes.” Someone asked: “Suppose that what I said about my brother was true?” He replied: “If what you have said about him is true you have backbitten him, and if it is not true you have slandered him.”‘ (Muslim)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 236, Page 962, Number 815

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Omar ibn Al-Khattab (May Allah be satisfied with him) said: I heard Allah’s Messenger (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) saying: “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will be rewarded according to what he intended. So whoever emigrates for worldly benefits or for to marry woman, his emigration will be for what he emigrated for.” (Agreed upon)

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (1)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 1, Page 70, Number 1

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection) said: “The strong man is not one who is good at wrestling, but the strong man is one who controls himself in a fit of rage.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 3, Page 20, No 45

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Narrated Abdullah ibn Masoud (may Allah be pleased with him); ‘The Prophet (SAWS) said: “He in whose heart is an atom’s weight of haughtiness will not enter Paradise and he in whose heart is an atom’s weight of Faith will not enter Fire.” A man rose up and said; ‘I like to wear a tidy garment and good footwear?’ The Prophet (SAWS) said: “Indeed, Allah is Good and loves what is good. Haughtiness is denying right and disdaining people.” (At-Termizi)

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous) (Abridged)
By Imam An Nawawi Vol. (2)
Publisher: Dar Al-Manarah
ISBN: 977.6005.23.3
Chapter 254, Page 1017, Number 874

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) saying: “Say, if there were a river at the door of one of you in which he takes a bath five times a day, would any soiling remain on him?” They replied: “No soiling would be left on him.” The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “That is the five (obligatory) Salat (prayers). Allah obliterates all sins as a result of performing them.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Chapter 187, Page 309, No 1042

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Mus’ab bin Sa’d bin Abu Waqqas (MAPH) reported: Sa’d considered himself better than his inferiors, so the Prophet (SAWS) said to him: “You are given help and provision because of your weak ones”. (Al-Bukhari)

Abu-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: “Seek among your weak ones, for you are given provision and help only because of the weak amongst you.” (Abu Dawud).

Commentary: These Hadiths exhorts the resourceful people not to look down upon the poor and resourceless people of the society and not to consider themselves superior to others. They should learn to respect the weak and co-operate with them because may be Almighty, Allah, is providing them because of the poor.

SAWS: May Allah exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection
MAPH: May Allah be pleased with him

Riyaadiss-Saliheen (The Meadows of the Righteous)
By Imam An Nawawi
Hadith 1: Chapter 33, Page 93, No 271
Hadith 2: Chapter 33, Page 94, No 272