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Forty Hadith Qudsi in English and Arabic
There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger
Forty sayings of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in which he quotes Allah the Exalted.
Translated, annotated, and referenced by Abu Amina Elias
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
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Hadith 1: Mercy over wrath
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________لَمَّا قَضَى اللَّهُ الْخَلْقَ كَتَبَ فِي كِتَابِهِ فَهُوَ عِنْدَهُ فَوْقَ الْعَرْشِ إِنَّ رَحْمَتِي غَلَبَتْ غَضَبِيWhen Allah decreed the creation, he wrote in his Book with him on his Throne: My mercy prevails over my wrath.Source: Sahih Bukhari 3022, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Hadith 2: The Son of Adam’s lies and abuse
Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Allah Almighty has said:
_____________________________________________________________قَالَ اللَّهُ كَذَّبَنِي ابْنُ آدَمَ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ ذَلِكَ وَشَتَمَنِي وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ ذَلِكَ فَأَمَّا تَكْذِيبُهُ إِيَّايَ فَزَعَمَ أَنِّي لَا أَقْدِرُ أَنْ أُعِيدَهُ كَمَا كَانَ وَأَمَّا شَتْمُهُ إِيَّايَ فَقَوْلُهُ لِي وَلَدٌ فَسُبْحَانِي أَنْ أَتَّخِذَ صَاحِبَةً أَوْ وَلَدًاAllah the Exalted said: The son of Adam has lied against me but he has no right to do so, and he has abused me but he has no right to do so. As for his lie, it is his saying that I cannot recreate him as I did before. As for his abuse, it is his saying that I have a son, but I am glorified above taking a wife or a son.Source: Sahih Bukhari 4212, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 3: Allah gives the rain
Zayd ibn Khalid al-Juhaniyy reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, led the morning prayer for us at al-Hudaybiyah following rainfall during the night. When the Prophet finished, he faced the people and said to them:
They said, “Allah and his Messenger know best.” The Prophet said:هَلْ تَدْرُونَ مَاذَا قَالَ رَبُّكُمْDo you know what your Lord has said?
_____________________________________________________________قَالَ أَصْبَحَ مِنْ عِبَادِي مُؤْمِنٌ بِي وَكَافِرٌ فَأَمَّا مَنْ قَالَ مُطِرْنَا بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَرَحْمَتِهِ فَذَلِكَ مُؤْمِنٌ بِي كَافِرٌ بِالْكَوْكَبِ وَأَمَّا مَنْ قَالَ مُطِرْنَا بِنَوْءِ كَذَا وَكَذَا فَذَلِكَ كَافِرٌ بِي مُؤْمِنٌ بِالْكَوْكَبِAllah said: Some of my servants entered the morning as believers in me and others as disbelievers. Whoever said we have been given rain due to the favor and mercy of Allah, he is a believer in me and a disbeliever in the power of the stars. Whoever said we have been given rain due to the rising of this star, he has disbelieved in me and he has put his faith in the stars.Source: Sahih Bukhari 810, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Hadith 4: The Son of Adam curses Time
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Allah the Almighty said:
_____________________________________________________________قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يُؤْذِينِي ابْنُ آدَمَ يَسُبُّ الدَّهْرَ وَأَنَا الدَّهْرُ بِيَدِي الْأَمْرُ أُقَلِّبُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَAllah the Exalted said: The son of Adam abuses me. He curses time and I am time, for in my hand are the night and day.Source: Sahih Bukhari 4549, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Hadith 5: Allah will leave them to their partners
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Allah Almighty said:
_____________________________________________________________أَنَا أَغْنَى الشُّرَكَاءِ عَنْ الشِّرْكِ مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا أَشْرَكَ فِيهِ مَعِي غَيْرِي تَرَكْتُهُ وَشِرْكَهُAllah the Exalted said: Verily, I am independent and in need of no partner. Whoever performs a deed in which he associates something with me, I will leave him to his partner.Source: Sahih Muslim 2985, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 6: Allah knows the hypocrites
Abu Huraira reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say:
_____________________________________________________________إِنَّ أَوَّلَ النَّاسِ يُقْضَى يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ اسْتُشْهِدَ فَأُتِيَ بِهِ فَعَرَّفَهُ نِعَمَهُ فَعَرَفَهَا قَالَ فَمَا عَمِلْتَ فِيهَا قَالَ قَاتَلْتُ فِيكَ حَتَّى اسْتُشْهِدْتُ قَالَ كَذَبْتَ وَلَكِنَّكَ قَاتَلْتَ لِأَنْ يُقَالَ جَرِيءٌ فَقَدْ قِيلَ ثُمَّ أُمِرَ بِهِ فَسُحِبَ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ حَتَّى أُلْقِيَ فِي النَّارِ وَرَجُلٌ تَعَلَّمَ الْعِلْمَ وَعَلَّمَهُ وَقَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ فَأُتِيَ بِهِ فَعَرَّفَهُ نِعَمَهُ فَعَرَفَهَا قَالَ فَمَا عَمِلْتَ فِيهَا قَالَ تَعَلَّمْتُ الْعِلْمَ وَعَلَّمْتُهُ وَقَرَأْتُ فِيكَ الْقُرْآنَ قَالَ كَذَبْتَ وَلَكِنَّكَ تَعَلَّمْتَ الْعِلْمَ لِيُقَالَ عَالِمٌ وَقَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ لِيُقَالَ هُوَ قَارِئٌ فَقَدْ قِيلَ ثُمَّ أُمِرَ بِهِ فَسُحِبَ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ حَتَّى أُلْقِيَ فِي النَّارِ وَرَجُلٌ وَسَّعَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَعْطَاهُ مِنْ أَصْنَافِ الْمَالِ كُلِّهِ فَأُتِيَ بِهِ فَعَرَّفَهُ نِعَمَهُ فَعَرَفَهَا قَالَ فَمَا عَمِلْتَ فِيهَا قَالَ مَا تَرَكْتُ مِنْ سَبِيلٍ تُحِبُّ أَنْ يُنْفَقَ فِيهَا إِلَّا أَنْفَقْتُ فِيهَا لَكَ قَالَ كَذَبْتَ وَلَكِنَّكَ فَعَلْتَ لِيُقَالَ هُوَ جَوَادٌ فَقَدْ قِيلَ ثُمَّ أُمِرَ بِهِ فَسُحِبَ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ ثُمَّ أُلْقِيَ فِي النَّارِVerily, the first of people to have their case judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who was martyred. He will be brought and Allah’s blessings will be made known and he will recognize them. Allah will say: What have you done concerning these blessings? The man will say: I fought in your cause until I was martyred. Allah will say: You have lied because you fought so that it would be said how courageous you are, and it was said. Then Allah will order him to be dragged upon his face into the Hellfire. Another man learned religious knowledge, taught others, and recited the Quran. He will be brought and Allah’s blessings will be made known and he will recognize them. Allah will say: What have you done concerning these blessings? The man will say: I learned religious knowledge, taught others, and I recited the Quran for Your sake. Allah will say: You have lied because you learned religious knowledge so that it would be said you are a scholar and you recited the Quran so that it would be said you are a reciter, and it was said. Then Allah will order him to be dragged upon his face into the Hellfire. Another man was given an abundance from Allah and was given every kind of wealth. He will be brought and Allah’s blessings will be made known and he will recognize them. Allah will say: What have you done concerning these blessings? The man will say: I spent money in every cause upon which You wished it to be spent. Allah will say: You have lied because you spent money so that it would be said how generous you are, and it was said. Then Allah will order him to be dragged upon his face into the Hellfire.Source: Sahih Muslim 1905, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 7: Allah delights in a humble servant
Uqbah ibn Amir reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say:
_____________________________________________________________يَعْجَبُ رَبُّكَ مِنْ رَاعِي غَنَمٍ فِي رَأْسِ شَظِيَّةِ الْجَبَلِ يُؤَذِّنُ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَيُصَلِّي فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ انْظُرُوا إِلَى عَبْدِي هَذَا يُؤَذِّنُ وَيُقِيمُ الصَّلَاةَ يَخَافُ مِنِّي قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لِعَبْدِي وَأَدْخَلْتُهُ الْجَنَّةَYour Lord delights at a shepherd who, on the peak of a mountain, gives the call to prayer and prays. Then Allah the Exalted will say: Look at this servant of Mine, he gives the call to prayer and performs the prayers, for he is in awe of Me. I have forgiven My servant for his sins and have admitted him to Paradise.Source: Sunan An-Nasa’i 666, Grade: Hasan
Hadith 8: Recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah
Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
He repeated these words three times. Someone said to Abu Hurairah, “Even though we are behind the Imam?” He said: Recite it to yourself, for I have heard the Messenger of Allah say:مَنْ صَلَّى صَلَاةً لَمْ يَقْرَأْ فِيهَا بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ فَهِيَ خِدَاجٌ ثَلَاثًا غَيْرُ تَمَامٍA prayer performed by someone who has not recited the foundation of the Quran (surah al-fatihah) during it is deficient, incomplete.
_____________________________________________________________قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى قَسَمْتُ الصَّلَاةَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي نِصْفَيْنِ وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ فَإِذَا قَالَ الْعَبْدُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى حَمِدَنِي عَبْدِي وَإِذَا قَالَ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَثْنَى عَلَيَّ عَبْدِي وَإِذَا قَالَ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ قَالَ مَجَّدَنِي عَبْدِي وَقَالَ مَرَّةً فَوَّضَ إِلَيَّ عَبْدِي فَإِذَا قَالَ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ قَالَ هَذَا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ فَإِذَا قَالَ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ قَالَ هَذَا لِعَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَAllah the Exalted said: I have divided prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves, and My servant shall have what he has asked for. When the servant says: Praise be to Allah Lord of the Worlds, Allah says: My servant has praised Me. And when he says: The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, Allah says: My servant has extolled Me. And when he says: Master of the Day of Judgment, Allah says: My servant has glorified Me, – and on one occasion He said: My servant has submitted to My power. And when he says: You alone we worship, You alone we ask for help, Allah says: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he has asked for. And when he says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom you have favored, not those who went astray, Allah says: This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he has asked for.Source: Sahih Muslim 395, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 9: The first action to be judged is prayer
Huraith Ibn Qabisa reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا يُحَاسَبُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ صَلَاتُهُ فَإِنْ صَلُحَتْ فَقَدْ أَفْلَحَ وَأَنْجَحَ وَإِنْ فَسَدَتْ فَقَدْ خَابَ وَخَسِرَ فَإِنْ انْتَقَصَ مِنْ فَرِيضَتِهِ شَيْءٌ قَالَ الرَّبُّ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ انْظُرُوا هَلْ لِعَبْدِي مِنْ تَطَوُّعٍ فَيُكَمَّلَ بِهَا مَا انْتَقَصَ مِنْ الْفَرِيضَةِ ثُمَّ يَكُونُ سَائِرُ عَمَلِهِ عَلَى ذَلِكَThe first actions for which a servant of Allah will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayers. If they are in order, then he will have prospered and succeeded; but if they are lacking, then he will have failed and lost. If there is something defective in his obligatory prayers then the Lord the Exalted will say: See if My servant has any extra prayers which can complete what is defective in his obligatory prayers. Then the rest of his actions will be judged in the same way.Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 413, Grade: Hasan
Hadith 10: The virtue of fasting
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
قَالَ اللَّهُ كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ إِلاَّ الصِّيَامَ، فَإِنَّهُ لِي، وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ.Allah the Exalted said: All the deeds of the children of Adam are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.
The Messenger of Allah said further:
_____________________________________________________________وَالصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ، وَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ، فَلاَ يَرْفُثْ وَلاَ يَصْخَبْ، فَإِنْ سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ، أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ إِنِّي امْرُؤٌ صَائِمٌ. وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ، لِلصَّائِمِ فَرْحَتَانِ يَفْرَحُهُمَا إِذَا أَفْطَرَ فَرِحَ، وَإِذَا لَقِيَ رَبَّهُ فَرِحَ بِصَوْمِهِFasting is a shield. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid intimate relations with his wife and arguments. If somebody should fight or argue with him, he should say: I am fasting. By Him in whose hand is my soul, the unpleasant smell coming from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast and the other when he meets his Lord, for then he will be pleased due to his fasting.Source: Sahih Bukhari 1805, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Hadith 11: The virtue of charity
Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Allah Almighty said:
_____________________________________________________________أَنْفِقْ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ أُنْفِقْ عَلَيْك Spend on charity, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.Source: Sahih Bukhari 5037, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Hadith 12: The virtue of leniency
Abu Mas’ud al-Ansari reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________حُوسِبَ رَجُلٌ مِمَّنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ فَلَمْ يُوجَدْ لَهُ مِنْ الْخَيْرِ شَيْءٌ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ كَانَ يُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ وَكَانَ مُوسِرًا فَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ غِلْمَانَهُ أَنْ يَتَجَاوَزُوا عَنْ الْمُعْسِرِ قَالَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ نَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِذَلِكَ مِنْهُ تَجَاوَزُوا عَنْهُA man from the time before you was called to account and nothing good was found with him except that he was easy-going in his business with people and he would order his servants to be lenient with those in difficult circumstances. Allah the Exalted said: We are more worthy of such actions, so pardon his sins.Source: Sahih Muslim 1561, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 13: Protect yourself from Hellfire by even half of a date
Adi ibn Hatim reported: I was with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and there came to him two men: one of them was complaining of poverty, while the other was complaining of robbery. The Messenger of Allah said:
أَمَّا قَطْعُ السَّبِيلِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَأْتِي عَلَيْكَ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ الْعِيرُ إِلَى مَكَّةَ بِغَيْرِ خَفِيرٍ وَأَمَّا الْعَيْلَةُ فَإِنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَا تَقُومُ حَتَّى يَطُوفَ أَحَدُكُمْ بِصَدَقَتِهِ لَا يَجِدُ مَنْ يَقْبَلُهَا مِنْهُ ثُمَّ لَيَقِفَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ اللَّهِ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهُ حِجَابٌ وَلَا تَرْجُمَانٌ يُتَرْجِمُ لَهُ ثُمَّ لَيَقُولَنَّ لَهُ أَلَمْ أُوتِكَ مَالًا فَلَيَقُولَنَّ بَلَى ثُمَّ لَيَقُولَنَّ أَلَمْ أُرْسِلْ إِلَيْكَ رَسُولًا فَلَيَقُولَنَّ بَلَى فَيَنْظُرُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ فَلَا يَرَى إِلَّا النَّارَ ثُمَّ يَنْظُرُ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ فَلَا يَرَى إِلَّا النَّارَ فَلْيَتَّقِيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَبِكَلِمَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍAs for the obstruction of the roads, it will not be long until a caravan will travel to Mecca without any guard. As for poverty, the Hour will not be established until one of you goes out looking to give charity but will find no one to accept it. Each one of you will stand in front of Allah without a barrier or interpreter between him and Allah. Allah will ask: Did I not give you wealth? He will say yes. Allah will ask: Did I not send you a messenger? He will say yes. Then he will look to his right and see nothing but Hellfire, and he will look to his left and see nothing but Hellfire. Thus, let one of you protect himself from the Hellfire by giving even half of a date in charity, and if you do not have it then say a kind word.Source: Sahih Bukhari 1347, Grade: Sahih
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Hadith 14: The virtue of remembranceAbu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى مَلَائِكَةً سَيَّارَةً فُضُلًا يَتَتَبَّعُونَ مَجَالِسَ الذِّكْرِ فَإِذَا وَجَدُوا مَجْلِسًا فِيهِ ذِكْرٌ قَعَدُوا مَعَهُمْ وَحَفَّ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا بِأَجْنِحَتِهِمْ حَتَّى يَمْلَئُوا مَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَإِذَا تَفَرَّقُوا عَرَجُوا وَصَعِدُوا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ قَالَ فَيَسْأَلُهُمْ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ مِنْ أَيْنَ جِئْتُمْ فَيَقُولُونَ جِئْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِ عِبَادٍ لَكَ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُسَبِّحُونَكَ وَيُكَبِّرُونَكَ وَيُهَلِّلُونَكَ وَيَحْمَدُونَكَ وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ قَالَ وَمَاذَا يَسْأَلُونِي قَالُوا يَسْأَلُونَكَ جَنَّتَكَ قَالَ وَهَلْ رَأَوْا جَنَّتِي قَالُوا لَا أَيْ رَبِّ قَالَ فَكَيْفَ لَوْ رَأَوْا جَنَّتِي قَالُوا وَيَسْتَجِيرُونَكَ قَالَ وَمِمَّ يَسْتَجِيرُونَنِي قَالُوا مِنْ نَارِكَ يَا رَبِّ قَالَ وَهَلْ رَأَوْا نَارِي قَالُوا لَا قَالَ فَكَيْفَ لَوْ رَأَوْا نَارِي قَالُوا وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَكَ قَالَ فَيَقُولُ قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَهُمْ فَأَعْطَيْتُهُمْ مَا سَأَلُوا وَأَجَرْتُهُمْ مِمَّا اسْتَجَارُوا قَالَ فَيَقُولُونَ رَبِّ فِيهِمْ فُلَانٌ عَبْدٌ خَطَّاءٌ إِنَّمَا مَرَّ فَجَلَسَ مَعَهُمْ قَالَ فَيَقُولُ وَلَهُ غَفَرْتُ هُمْ الْقَوْمُ لَا يَشْقَى بِهِمْ جَلِيسُهُمْVerily, Allah the Exalted has caravans of angels who have no other work but to follow gatherings of remembrance. When they find such gatherings in which there is remembrance, they sit with them and some of them surround the others with their wings until the space between them and the heaven is covered. When they disperse, they ascend to the heaven and Allah the Exalted asks them, although he is best informed about them: From where have you come? They say: We came from your servants on earth who were glorifying you, declaring your greatness and oneness, praising you and asking from you. Allah says: What do they ask from me? They say: They ask for your Paradise. Allah says: Have they seen my Paradise? They say no. Allah says: What if they were to see my Paradise? They say: They seek your protection. Allah says: From what do they seek my protection? They say: From your Hellfire, our Lord. Allah says: Have they seen my Hellfire? They say no. Allah says: What if they were to see my Hellfire? They say: They ask for your forgiveness. Allah says: I will pardon them, give them what they request, and grant them protection. They say: Our Lord, there is one among them, a simple servant who happened to pass by and sit there alongside them. Allah says: I will also grant him pardon, for whoever sits with these fellows will not suffer misery.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 6045, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Hadith 15: The virtue of repentance
Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي وَأَنَا مَعَهُ حَيْثُ يَذْكُرُنِي وَاللَّهِ لَلَّهُ أَفْرَحُ بِتَوْبَةِ عَبْدِهِ مِنْ أَحَدِكُمْ يَجِدُ ضَالَّتَهُ بِالْفَلَاةِ وَمَنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ شِبْرًا تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذِرَاعًا وَمَنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ ذِرَاعًا تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ بَاعًا وَإِذَا أَقْبَلَ إِلَيَّ يَمْشِي أَقْبَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ أُهَرْوِلُAllah the Exalted says: I am as my servant expects me and I am with him as he remembers me. If he remembers me in himself, then I will remember him in myself. If he mentions me in a gathering, then I will mention him in a greater gathering. When he draws near to me by the span of his hand, I draw near him by the length of a cubit. When he draws near me by the length of a cubit, I draw near him by the length of a fathom. When he comes to me walking, I will come to him running.Source: Sahih Bukhari 6970, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Hadith 16: The virtue of good intentions
Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الْحَسَنَاتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ ثُمَّ بَيَّنَ ذَلِكَ فَمَنْ هَمَّ بِحَسَنَةٍ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حَسَنَةً كَامِلَةً وَإِنْ هَمَّ بِهَا فَعَمِلَهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عِنْدَهُ عَشْرَ حَسَنَاتٍ إِلَى سَبْعِ مِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ إِلَى أَضْعَافٍ كَثِيرَةٍ وَإِنْ هَمَّ بِسَيِّئَةٍ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حَسَنَةً كَامِلَةً وَإِنْ هَمَّ بِهَا فَعَمِلَهَا كَتَبَهَا اللَّهُ سَيِّئَةً وَاحِدَةًVerily, Allah has recorded good and bad deeds and He made them clear. Whoever intends to perform a good deed but does not do it, then Allah will record it as a complete good deed. If he intends to do it and does so, then Allah the Exalted will record it as ten good deeds up to seven hundred times as much or even more. If he intends to do a bad deed and does not do it, then Allah will record for him one complete good deed. If he does it then Allah will record for him a single bad deed.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 6126, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Hadith 17: Prohibition of oppression
Abu Dharr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, relates from his Lord that Allah said:
_____________________________________________________________يَا عِبَادِي إِنِّي حَرَّمْتُ الظُّلْمَ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَجَعَلْتُهُ بَيْنَكُمْ مُحَرَّمًا فَلَا تَظَالَمُواO my servants, I have forbidden oppression for myself and have made it forbidden among you, so do not oppress one another.يَا عِبَادِي كُلُّكُمْ ضَالٌّ إِلَّا مَنْ هَدَيْتُهُ فَاسْتَهْدُونِي أَهْدِكُمْO my servants, all of you are astray except for those I have guided, so seek guidance from me and I will guide you.يَا عِبَادِي كُلُّكُمْ جَائِعٌ إِلَّا مَنْ أَطْعَمْتُهُ فَاسْتَطْعِمُونِي أُطْعِمْكُمْO my servants, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food from me and I will feed you.يَا عِبَادِي كُلُّكُمْ عَارٍ إِلَّا مَنْ كَسَوْتُهُ فَاسْتَكْسُونِي أَكْسُكُمْO my servants, all of you are naked except for those I have clothed, so seek clothing from me and I will clothe you.يَا عِبَادِي إِنَّكُمْ تُخْطِئُونَ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَأَنَا أَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا فَاسْتَغْفِرُونِي أَغْفِرْ لَكُمْO my servants, you sin by night and day and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness from me and I will forgive you.يَا عِبَادِي إِنَّكُمْ لَنْ تَبْلُغُوا ضَرِّي فَتَضُرُّونِي وَلَنْ تَبْلُغُوا نَفْعِي فَتَنْفَعُونِيO my servants, you will not be able to cause harm to me and you will not be able to cause benefit to me.يَا عِبَادِي لَوْ أَنَّ أَوَّلَكُمْ وَآخِرَكُمْ وَإِنْسَكُمْ وَجِنَّكُمْ كَانُوا عَلَى أَتْقَى قَلْبِ رَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ مِنْكُمْ مَا زَادَ ذَلِكَ فِي مُلْكِي شَيْئًاO my servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you, to become as pious as the most pious heart of anyone of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything.يَا عِبَادِي لَوْ أَنَّ أَوَّلَكُمْ وَآخِرَكُمْ وَإِنْسَكُمْ وَجِنَّكُمْ كَانُوا عَلَى أَفْجَرِ قَلْبِ رَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ مَا نَقَصَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ مُلْكِي شَيْئًاO my servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you, to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of anyone of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything.يَا عِبَادِي لَوْ أَنَّ أَوَّلَكُمْ وَآخِرَكُمْ وَإِنْسَكُمْ وَجِنَّكُمْ قَامُوا فِي صَعِيدٍ وَاحِدٍ فَسَأَلُونِي فَأَعْطَيْتُ كُلَّ إِنْسَانٍ مَسْأَلَتَهُ مَا نَقَصَ ذَلِكَ مِمَّا عِنْدِي إِلَّا كَمَا يَنْقُصُ الْمِخْيَطُ إِذَا أُدْخِلَ الْبَحْرَO my servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you, to rise up in one place and make a request of me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have any more than a needle would decrease the sea if put into it.يَا عِبَادِي إِنَّمَا هِيَ أَعْمَالُكُمْ أُحْصِيهَا لَكُمْ ثُمَّ أُوَفِّيكُمْ إِيَّاهَا فَمَنْ وَجَدَ خَيْرًا فَلْيَحْمَدْ اللَّهَ وَمَنْ وَجَدَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ فَلَا يَلُومَنَّ إِلَّا نَفْسَهُO my servants, it is only your deeds that I record for you and then recompense for you, so let him who finds good praise Allah and let him who finds other than that blame no one but himself.Source: Sahih Muslim 2577, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 18: Give in charity and find Allah with him
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَقُولُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ مَرِضْتُ فَلَمْ تَعُدْنِي قَالَ يَا رَبِّ كَيْفَ أَعُودُكَ وَأَنْتَ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ قَالَ أَمَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ عَبْدِي فُلَانًا مَرِضَ فَلَمْ تَعُدْهُ أَمَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّكَ لَوْ عُدْتَهُ لَوَجَدْتَنِي عِنْدَهُ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ اسْتَطْعَمْتُكَ فَلَمْ تُطْعِمْنِي قَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَكَيْفَ أُطْعِمُكَ وَأَنْتَ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ قَالَ أَمَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّهُ اسْتَطْعَمَكَ عَبْدِي فُلَانٌ فَلَمْ تُطْعِمْهُ أَمَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّكَ لَوْ أَطْعَمْتَهُ لَوَجَدْتَ ذَلِكَ عِنْدِي يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ اسْتَسْقَيْتُكَ فَلَمْ تَسْقِنِي قَالَ يَا رَبِّ كَيْفَ أَسْقِيكَ وَأَنْتَ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ قَالَ اسْتَسْقَاكَ عَبْدِي فُلَانٌ فَلَمْ تَسْقِهِ أَمَا إِنَّكَ لَوْ سَقَيْتَهُ وَجَدْتَ ذَلِكَ عِنْدِيAllah the Exalted will say on the Day of Resurrection: O son of Adam, I was sick but you did not visit me. He will say: O my Lord, how can I visit you when you are the Lord of the worlds? Allah will say: Did you not know that my servant was sick and you did not visit him, and had you visited him you would have found me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food but you did not feed me. He will say: My Lord, how can I feed you when you are the Lord of the worlds? Allah will say: Did you not know that my servant asked you for food but you did not feed him, and had you fed him you would have found me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for drink but you did not provide for me. He will say: My Lord, how can I give you drink when you are the Lord of the worlds? Allah will say: My servant asked you for a drink but you did not provide for him, and had you given it to him you would have found me with him.Source: Sahih Muslim 2569, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 19: Condemnation of arrogance
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الْكِبْرِيَاءُ رِدَائِي وَالْعَظَمَةُ إِزَارِي فَمَنْ نَازَعَنِي وَاحِدًا مِنْهُمَا قَذَفْتُهُ فِي النَّارِAllah the Almighty said: Pride is my cloak and greatness is my garment, so whoever competes with me regarding these two will be thrown into the Hellfire.Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 4090, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 20: The virtue of reconcilation
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________تُفْتَحُ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ يَوْمَ الِاثْنَيْنِ وَيَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ فَيُغْفَرُ لِكُلِّ عَبْدٍ لَا يُشْرِكُ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا إِلَّا رَجُلًا كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ أَخِيهِ شَحْنَاءُ فَيُقَالُ أَنْظِرُوا هَذَيْنِ حَتَّى يَصْطَلِحَا أَنْظِرُوا هَذَيْنِ حَتَّى يَصْطَلِحَا أَنْظِرُوا هَذَيْنِ حَتَّى يَصْطَلِحَاThe gates of Paradise are opened on Monday and Thursday. Allah forgives every servant who does not associate anything with him except a man with hatred between himself and his brother. It will be said: Delay these two until they reconcile, delay these two until they reconcile.Source: Sahih Muslim 2565, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 21: Allah will oppose sinners
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________قَالَ اللَّهُ ثَلَاثَةٌ أَنَا خَصْمُهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ رَجُلٌ أَعْطَى بِي ثُمَّ غَدَرَ وَرَجُلٌ بَاعَ حُرًّا فَأَكَلَ ثَمَنَهُ وَرَجُلٌ اسْتَأْجَرَ أَجِيرًا فَاسْتَوْفَى مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُعْطِ أَجْرَهُAllah said: There are three whom I will oppose on the Day of Resurrection: a man who gives his word by me but proves treacherous, a man who sells a free person and consumes the price, and a man who employs a worker and receives a completed job but he does not pay him his wages.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 2114, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 22: Fear none but Allah
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
They said, “O Messenger of Allah, how can any one of us belittle himself?” The Prophet said:لَا يَحْقِرْ أَحَدُكُمْ نَفْسَهُLet not one of you belittle himself.
_____________________________________________________________يَرَى أَمْرًا لِلَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فِيهِ مَقَالٌ ثُمَّ لَا يَقُولُ فِيهِ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَقُولَ فِي كَذَا وَكَذَا فَيَقُولُ خَشْيَةُ النَّاسِ فَيَقُولُ فَإِيَّايَ كُنْتَ أَحَقَّ أَنْ تَخْشَىHe finds a matter regarding Allah about which he should speak up but he does not. Allah the Exalted will say to him on the Day of Resurrection: What prevented you from speaking up about such a matter? He will say: It was out of fear of the people. Allah will say: Rather, it is I who deserved to be feared.Source: Sunan Ibn Majah 4008, Grade: Hasan
Hadith 23: The virtue of love for the sake of Allah
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________أَيْنَ الْمُتَحَابُّونَ بِجَلَالِي الْيَوْمَ أُظِلُّهُمْ فِي ظِلِّي يَوْمَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلِّيVerily, Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection: Where are those who love each other for the sake of my glory? Today, I will shelter them in my shade on a day when there is no shade but mine.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2566, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 24: When Allah loves or hates a servant
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْدًا دَعَا جِبْرِيلَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أُحِبُّ فُلَانًا فَأَحِبَّهُ قَالَ فَيُحِبُّهُ جِبْرِيلُ ثُمَّ يُنَادِي فِي السَّمَاءِ فَيَقُولُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ فُلَانًا فَأَحِبُّوهُ فَيُحِبُّهُ أَهْلُ السَّمَاءِ قَالَ ثُمَّ يُوضَعُ لَهُ الْقَبُولُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَإِذَا أَبْغَضَ عَبْدًا دَعَا جِبْرِيلَ فَيَقُولُ إِنِّي أُبْغِضُ فُلَانًا فَأَبْغِضْهُ قَالَ فَيُبْغِضُهُ جِبْرِيلُ ثُمَّ يُنَادِي فِي أَهْلِ السَّمَاءِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبْغِضُ فُلَانًا فَأَبْغِضُوهُ قَالَ فَيُبْغِضُونَهُ ثُمَّ تُوضَعُ لَهُ الْبَغْضَاءُ فِي الْأَرْضِWhen Allah loves a servant, He calls Gabriel and says: Verily, I love this person so you should love him. Then Gabriel loves him and makes an announcement in the heavens, saying: Allah loves this person and you should love him. Thus, the dwellers of the heavens love him and he is honored in the earth. When Allah is angry with a servant, He calls Gabriel and says: I have resentment for this person, so you should resent him. Then Gabriel is resentful towards him and makes an announcement in the heavens, saying: Verily, Allah is resentful with this person, so you should resent him. Thus, they become resentful with him and he is hated in the earth.
Source: Sahih Muslim 2637, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 25: The loyal friends of Allah
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَالَ مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ عَبْدِي بِشَيْءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ بِهِ وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِي يُبْصِرُ بِهِ وَيَدَهُ الَّتِي يَبْطِشُ بِهَا وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِي يَمْشِي بِهَا وَإِنْ سَأَلَنِي لَأُعْطِيَنَّهُ وَلَئِنْ اسْتَعَاذَنِي لَأُعِيذَنَّهُ وَمَا تَرَدَّدْتُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ تَرَدُّدِي عَنْ نَفْسِ الْمُؤْمِنِ يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَأَنَا أَكْرَهُ مَسَاءَتَهُAllah Almighty said: Whoever shows hostility to a friend of mine, then I have declared war upon him. My servant does not grow closer to me with anything more beloved to me than the duties I have imposed upon him. My servant continues to draw near me with extra works until I love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hands with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask something from me, I would surely give it to him. If he were to ask me for refuge, I would surely grant it to him. I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death and I hate to disappoint him.Source: Sahih Bukhari 6137, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 26: The virtue of humility
Abu Umamah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
The Prophet rapped his hands and he said:إِنَّ أَغْبَطَ أَوْلِيَائِي عِنْدِي لَمُؤْمِنٌ خَفِيفُ الْحَاذِ ذُو حَظٍّ مِنْ الصَّلَاةِ أَحْسَنَ عِبَادَةَ رَبِّهِ وَأَطَاعَهُ فِي السِّرِّ وَكَانَ غَامِضًا فِي النَّاسِ لَا يُشَارُ إِلَيْهِ بِالْأَصَابِعِ وَكَانَ رِزْقُهُ كَفَافًا فَصَبَرَ عَلَى ذَلِكَVerily, the most admired ally of mine is a believer of simple means and given to prayer, who has been excellent in the worship of his Lord and has obeyed him in secret, who was obscure among the people and not famous, whose sustenance was barely sufficient yet he bore this patiently.
In another narration, the Prophet said:عُجِّلَتْ مَنِيَّتُهُ قَلَّتْ بَوَاكِيهِ قَلَّ تُرَاثُهُDeath will come early to him. His mourners and inheritors will be few.
_____________________________________________________________عَرَضَ عَلَيَّ رَبِّي لِيَجْعَلَ لِي بَطْحَاءَ مَكَّةَ ذَهَبًا قُلْتُ لَا يَا رَبِّ وَلَكِنْ أَشْبَعُ يَوْمًا وَأَجُوعُ يَوْمًا فَإِذَا جُعْتُ تَضَرَّعْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَذَكَرْتُكَ وَإِذَا شَبِعْتُ شَكَرْتُكَ وَحَمِدْتُكَMy Lord offered to make the valley of Mecca into gold for me. I said: O Lord, let me be filled one day and hungry another day. When I am hungry, I will humble myself before you. When I am filled, I will be grateful and praise you.
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2347, Grade: Hasan
Hadith 27: The virtue of martyrdom
Masruq reported: We asked Abdullah ibn Mas’ud about this verse:
Abdullah said: We asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, about this verse and he said:وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَDo not think those who are killed in the way of Allah are dead. Rather, they are alive with their provision in the presence of their Lord.
Surat Ali Imran 3:169
_____________________________________________________________أَرْوَاحُهُمْ فِي جَوْفِ طَيْرٍ خُضْرٍ لَهَا قَنَادِيلُ مُعَلَّقَةٌ بِالْعَرْشِ تَسْرَحُ مِنْ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ شَاءَتْ ثُمَّ تَأْوِي إِلَى تِلْكَ الْقَنَادِيلِ فَاطَّلَعَ إِلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ اطِّلَاعَةً فَقَالَ هَلْ تَشْتَهُونَ شَيْئًا قَالُوا أَيَّ شَيْءٍ نَشْتَهِي وَنَحْنُ نَسْرَحُ مِنْ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ شِئْنَا فَفَعَلَ ذَلِكَ بِهِمْ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا أَنَّهُمْ لَنْ يُتْرَكُوا مِنْ أَنْ يُسْأَلُوا قَالُوا يَا رَبِّ نُرِيدُ أَنْ تَرُدَّ أَرْوَاحَنَا فِي أَجْسَادِنَا حَتَّى نُقْتَلَ فِي سَبِيلِكَ مَرَّةً أُخْرَى فَلَمَّا رَأَى أَنْ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ حَاجَةٌ تُرِكُواThe souls of martyrs are alive in the bodies of green birds who have their nests in chandeliers hanging from the Throne of the Almighty. They eat the fruits of Paradise from wherever they wish and they nestle among these chandeliers. Once their Lord cast a glance at them and he said: Do you want anything? They said: What more could we desire? We eat the fruit of Paradise from wherever we wish. Their Lord asked them the same question three times. When they saw that they will continue to be asked, they said: O Lord, we wish that you could return our souls to our bodies so that we could be martyred in your way once again. When Allah saw that they had no needs, he left them to enjoy.Source: Sahih Muslim 1887, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 28: Condemnation of suicide
Jundub ibn Abdullah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________كَانَ فِيمَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ رَجُلٌ بِهِ جُرْحٌ فَجَزِعَ فَأَخَذَ سِكِّينًا فَحَزَّ بِهَا يَدَهُ فَمَا رَقَأَ الدَّمُ حَتَّى مَاتَ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى بَادَرَنِي عَبْدِي بِنَفْسِهِ حَرَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَThere was a man among those before you who had a wound. He was in such anguish that he took a knife and he slit his hand with it and the blood did not cease to flow until he died. Allah the Almighty said: My servant has taken the initiative over me by himself, so I have forbidden Paradise for him.Source: Sahih Bukhari 3276, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 29: The virtue of patience with death
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى مَا لِعَبْدِي الْمُؤْمِنِ عِنْدِي جَزَاءٌ إِذَا قَبَضْتُ صَفِيَّهُ مِنْ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ احْتَسَبَهُ إِلَّا الْجَنَّةُAllah the Exalted says: I have nothing to give to my faithful servant except Paradise if I cause his dear friend to die and he remains patient.Source: Sahih Bukhari 6060, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 30: Whoever loves to meet Allah
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
مَنْ أَحَبَّ لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ لِقَاءَهُ وَمَنْ كَرِهَ لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ كَرِهَ اللَّهُ لِقَاءَهُWhoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him. Whoever hates to meet Allah, Allah hates to meet him.
Aishah said, “O Prophet of Allah, is it because of the dislike of death? For all of us dislike death.” He said:
_____________________________________________________________لَيْسَ كَذَلِكِ وَلَكِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا بُشِّرَ بِرَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانِهِ وَجَنَّتِهِ أَحَبَّ لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ فَأَحَبَّ اللَّهُ لِقَاءَهُ وَإِنَّ الْكَافِرَ إِذَا بُشِّرَ بِعَذَابِ اللَّهِ وَسَخَطِهِ كَرِهَ لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ وَكَرِهَ اللَّهُ لِقَاءَهُIt is not like this, rather when a believer is given the glad tidings of the mercy of Allah, His pleasure, and Paradise, then he loves to meet Allah and Allah loves to meet him. When a disbeliever is given news of the punishment at the hand of Allah and hardship to be imposed by Him, he hates to meet Allah and Allah hates to meet him.Source: Sahih Muslim 157, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 31: Never say Allah will not forgive someone
Jundub reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________أَنَّ رَجُلاً قَالَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لِفُلاَنٍ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى قَالَ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَتَأَلَّى عَلَىَّ أَنْ لاَ أَغْفِرَ لِفُلاَنٍ فَإِنِّي قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لِفُلاَنٍ وَأَحْبَطْتُ عَمَلَكَA man said: By Allah, Allah will not forgive this person! Allah the Exalted said: Who is he who swore by me that I will not forgive someone? I have forgiven him and nullified your good deeds.Source: Sahih Muslim 2621, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 32: The virtue of fearing Allah
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________أَسْرَفَ رَجُلٌ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ أَوْصَى بَنِيهِ فَقَالَ إِذَا أَنَا مُتُّ فَأَحْرِقُونِي ثُمَّ اسْحَقُونِي ثُمَّ اذْرُونِي فِي الرِّيحِ فِي الْبَحْرِ فَوَاللَّهِ لَئِنْ قَدَرَ عَلَىَّ رَبِّي لَيُعَذِّبُنِي عَذَابًا مَا عَذَّبَهُ بِهِ أَحَدًا قَالَ فَفَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ بِهِ فَقَالَ لِلأَرْضِ أَدِّي مَا أَخَذْتِ فَإِذَا هُوَ قَائِمٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَا حَمَلَكَ عَلَى مَا صَنَعْتَ فَقَالَ خَشْيَتُكَ يَا رَبِّ أَوْ قَالَ مَخَافَتُكَ فَغَفَرَ لَهُ بِذَلِكَA man had indulged himself in sin, so when death approached he enjoined his sons saying: When I die you should burn me, pulverize me, and scatter me to the winds over the sea. By Allah, if Allah is capable he will punish me in such a way as he has not punished anyone else. So they did that to him and when he stood before his Lord, Allah said to him: Why compelled you to do what you did? The man said: Fear and awe of you, O Lord. Thus, Allah forgave him due to that.Source: Sahih Bukhari 7067, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Hadith 33: The virtue of continuous repentance
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________أَذْنَبَ عَبْدٌ ذَنْبًا فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي فَقَالَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى أَذْنَبَ عَبْدِي ذَنْبًا فَعَلِمَ أَنَّ لَهُ رَبًّا يَغْفِرُ الذَّنْبَ وَيَأْخُذُ بِالذَّنْبِ ثُمَّ عَادَ فَأَذْنَبَ فَقَالَ أَيْ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي فَقَالَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى عَبْدِي أَذْنَبَ ذَنْبًا فَعَلِمَ أَنَّ لَهُ رَبًّا يَغْفِرُ الذَّنْبَ وَيَأْخُذُ بِالذَّنْبِ ثُمَّ عَادَ فَأَذْنَبَ فَقَالَ أَيْ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي فَقَالَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى أَذْنَبَ عَبْدِي ذَنْبًا فَعَلِمَ أَنَّ لَهُ رَبًّا يَغْفِرُ الذَّنْبَ وَيَأْخُذُ بِالذَّنْبِ اعْمَلْ مَا شِئْتَ فَقَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَكَA servant committed a sin and he said: O Allah, forgive my sin! Allah the Exalted said: My servant has committed a sin and he knows he has a Lord who forgives sins and holds him accountable. Then the servant returned to his sin and he said: O Allah, forgive my sin! Allah said: My servant has committed a sin and he knows he has a Lord who forgives sins and holds him accountable. Then the servant returned to his sin and he said: O Allah, forgive my sin! Allah said: My servant has committed a sin and he knows he has a Lord who forgives sins and holds him accountable, so do what you will for I have forgiven you.Source: Sahih Bukhari 7068, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Hadith 34: Allah will always forgive the repentant
Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنَّكَ مَا دَعَوْتَنِي وَرَجَوْتَنِي غَفَرْتُ لَكَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ فِيكَ وَلَا أُبَالِي يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ لَوْ بَلَغَتْ ذُنُوبُكَ عَنَانَ السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ اسْتَغْفَرْتَنِي غَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَلَا أُبَالِي يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنَّكَ لَوْ أَتَيْتَنِي بِقُرَابِ الْأَرْضِ خَطَايَا ثُمَّ لَقِيتَنِي لَا تُشْرِكُ بِي شَيْئًا لَأَتَيْتُكَ بِقُرَابِهَا مَغْفِرَةًAllah the Exalted said: O son of Adam, if you call upon me and place your hope in me, I will forgive you without any reservation. O son of Adam, if you have sins piling up to the clouds and then ask for my forgiveness, I will forgive you without any reservation. O son of Adam, if you come to me with enough sins to fill the earth and you meet me without associating a partner with me, I will come to you with enough forgiveness to fill the earth.
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3540, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 35: The virtue of night prayer
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الْآخِرُ فَيَقُولُ مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ وَمَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ وَمَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُOur Lord descends to the heaven on the last third of every night, and he says: Who is calling upon me that I may answer him? Who is asking from me that I may give him? Who is seeking my forgiveness that I may forgive him?Source: Sahih Bukhari 1094, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
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Hadith 36: The Greater IntercessionAnas ibn Malik reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
يَجْتَمِعُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَيَقُولُونَ لَوْ اسْتَشْفَعْنَا إِلَى رَبِّنَا فَيَأْتُونَ آدَمَ فَيَقُولُونَ أَنْتَ أَبُو النَّاسِ خَلَقَكَ اللَّهُ بِيَدِهِ وَأَسْجَدَ لَكَ مَلَائِكَتَهُ وَعَلَّمَكَ أَسْمَاءَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَاشْفَعْ لَنَا عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ حَتَّى يُرِيحَنَا مِنْ مَكَانِنَا هَذَا فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ وَيَذْكُرُ ذَنْبَهُ فَيَسْتَحِي ائْتُوا نُوحًا فَإِنَّهُ أَوَّلُ رَسُولٍ بَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ فَيَأْتُونَهُ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ وَيَذْكُرُ سُؤَالَهُ رَبَّهُ مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَيَسْتَحِي فَيَقُولُ ائْتُوا خَلِيلَ الرَّحْمَنِ فَيَأْتُونَهُ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ ائْتُوا مُوسَى عَبْدًا كَلَّمَهُ اللَّهُ وَأَعْطَاهُ التَّوْرَاةَ فَيَأْتُونَهُ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ وَيَذْكُرُ قَتْلَ النَّفْسِ بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ فَيَسْتَحِي مِنْ رَبِّهِ فَيَقُولُ ائْتُوا عِيسَى عَبْدَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولَهُ وَكَلِمَةَ اللَّهِ وَرُوحَهُ فَيَقُولُ لَسْتُ هُنَاكُمْ ائْتُوا مُحَمَّدًا صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَبْدًا غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ فَيَأْتُونِي فَأَنْطَلِقُ حَتَّى أَسْتَأْذِنَ عَلَى رَبِّي فَيُؤْذَنَ لِي فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُ رَبِّي وَقَعْتُ سَاجِدًا فَيَدَعُنِي مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ يُقَالُ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ وَسَلْ تُعْطَهْ وَقُلْ يُسْمَعْ وَاشْفَعْ تُشَفَّعْ فَأَرْفَعُ رَأْسِي فَأَحْمَدُهُ بِتَحْمِيدٍ يُعَلِّمُنِيهِ ثُمَّ أَشْفَعُ فَيَحُدُّ لِي حَدًّا فَأُدْخِلُهُمْ الْجَنَّةَ ثُمَّ أَعُودُ إِلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتُ رَبِّي مِثْلَهُ ثُمَّ أَشْفَعُ فَيَحُدُّ لِي حَدًّا فَأُدْخِلُهُمْ الْجَنَّةَ ثُمَّ أَعُودُ الرَّابِعَةَ فَأَقُولُ مَا بَقِيَ فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا مَنْ حَبَسَهُ الْقُرْآنُ وَوَجَبَ عَلَيْهِ الْخُلُودُThe believers will gather on the Day of Resurrection and they will say: Would that someone intercede for us with our Lord! They will go to Adam and say: You are the father of humanity, Allah created you with his hand, the angels prostrated for you, and he taught you the names of all things, so intercede for us with your Lord that we may be relieved of this place! Adam will say: It is not fitting for me. Then he will remember his sin and he will feel ashamed and will say: Go to Noah, for he was the first Messenger that Allah sent to the people of the earth. They will go to him and Noah will say: It is not fitting for me. Then he will remember his request for his Lord to do that of which he had no knowledge and he will feel shame and will say: Go to the intimate friend of the Merciful, Abraham. They will go to him and Abraham will say: It is not fitting for me, so go to Moses, the servant to whom Allah spoke directly and to whom he revealed the Torah. They will go to him and Moses will say: It is not fitting for me. Then he will remember when he killed a man without right and he will feel ashamed in front of his Lord and will say: Go to Jesus, the servant of Allah and his Messenger, his word, and his spirit. They will go to him and Jesus will say: It is not fitting for me, so go to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, the servant who was forgiven for his past and future sins. So they will come to me and I will proceed until I ask my Lord for permission and I will be granted permission. When I see my Lord, I will prostrate for him and he will let me remain in that state as long as he wills and then I will be addressed: Raise your head and ask for your request will be granted, speak and your saying will be heard, intercede and your intercession will be accepted. I will raise my head and praise Allah with a supplication he will teach me and I will intercede. He will fix a limit for me who will be admitted into Paradise. I will come back to Allah again and when I see my Lord, the same will happen. I will intercede and Allah will fix a limit for me who will be admitted into Paradise. I will come back a third and fourth time and it will be said: None will remain in the Hellfire except those whom the Quran has imprisoned and are destined to remain therein forever.Source: Sahih Bukhari 4206, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
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Hadith 37: The wonders of ParadiseAbu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
Then the Prophet said:قَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْدَدْتُ لِعِبَادِي الصَّالِحِينَ مَا لَا عَيْنٌ رَأَتْ وَلَا أُذُنٌ سَمِعَتْ وَلَا خَطَرَ عَلَى قَلْبِ بَشَرٍAllah said: I have prepared for my righteous servants what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no heart has perceived.
_____________________________________________________________فَاقْرَءُوا إِنْ شِئْتُمْ فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَا أُخْفِيَ لَهُمْ مِنْ قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍNo soul knows what joy for them has been kept hidden. (32:17)
Source: Sahih Bukhari 3072, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Hadith 38: Gabriel observes Paradise and Hell
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________لَمَّا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَالنَّارَ أَرْسَلَ جِبْرِيلَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ فَقَالَ انْظُرْ إِلَيْهَا وَإِلَى مَا أَعْدَدْتُ لِأَهْلِهَا فِيهَا قَالَ فَجَاءَهَا وَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا وَإِلَى مَا أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لِأَهْلِهَا فِيهَا قَالَ فَرَجَعَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ فَوَعِزَّتِكَ لَا يَسْمَعُ بِهَا أَحَدٌ إِلَّا دَخَلَهَا فَأَمَرَ بِهَا فَحُفَّتْ بِالْمَكَارِهِ فَقَالَ ارْجِعْ إِلَيْهَا فَانْظُرْ إِلَى مَا أَعْدَدْتُ لِأَهْلِهَا فِيهَا قَالَ فَرَجَعَ إِلَيْهَا فَإِذَا هِيَ قَدْ حُفَّتْ بِالْمَكَارِهِ فَرَجَعَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ وَعِزَّتِكَ لَقَدْ خِفْتُ أَنْ لَا يَدْخُلَهَا أَحَدٌ قَالَ اذْهَبْ إِلَى النَّارِ فَانْظُرْ إِلَيْهَا وَإِلَى مَا أَعْدَدْتُ لِأَهْلِهَا فِيهَا فَإِذَا هِيَ يَرْكَبُ بَعْضُهَا بَعْضًا فَرَجَعَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ وَعِزَّتِكَ لَا يَسْمَعُ بِهَا أَحَدٌ فَيَدْخُلَهَا فَأَمَرَ بِهَا فَحُفَّتْ بِالشَّهَوَاتِ فَقَالَ ارْجِعْ إِلَيْهَا فَرَجَعَ إِلَيْهَا فَقَالَ وَعِزَّتِكَ لَقَدْ خَشِيتُ أَنْ لَا يَنْجُوَ مِنْهَا أَحَدٌ إِلَّا دَخَلَهَاWhen Allah created Paradise and Hellfire, he sent Gabriel to Paradise saying: Observe it and what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants. Gabriel came to it and observed it and what Allah had prepared therein for its inhabitants. He returned to Allah and he said: By your glory, no one will hear of it without entering it. Allah ordered that it be surrounded by hardship and he said: Return to it and observe what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants. Gabriel returned and found that it was surrounded by hardship. He returned to Allah and he said: By your glory, I fear that no one will enter it. Allah said: Go to the Hellfire and observe it and what I have prepared therein for its inhabitants. Gabriel found that it was in layers, one above the other. He returned to Allah and he said: By your glory, no one who hears of it will enter it. Allah ordered that it be surrounded by desires and he said: Return to it. Gabriel returned and he said: By your glory, I fear that no one will escape it.
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2560, Grade: Sahih
Hadith 39: Paradise and Hellfire dispute each other
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
_____________________________________________________________تَحَاجَّتْ الْجَنَّةُ وَالنَّارُ فَقَالَتْ النَّارُ أُوثِرْتُ بِالْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ وَالْمُتَجَبِّرِينَ وَقَالَتْ الْجَنَّةُ مَا لِي لَا يَدْخُلُنِي إِلَّا ضُعَفَاءُ النَّاسِ وَسَقَطُهُمْ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى لِلْجَنَّةِ أَنْتِ رَحْمَتِي أَرْحَمُ بِكِ مَنْ أَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِي وَقَالَ لِلنَّارِ إِنَّمَا أَنْتِ عَذَابِي أُعَذِّبُ بِكِ مَنْ أَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِي وَلِكُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُمَا مِلْؤُهَا فَأَمَّا النَّارُ فَلَا تَمْتَلِئُ حَتَّى يَضَعَ رِجْلَهُ فَتَقُولُ قَطْ قَطْ فَهُنَالِكَ تَمْتَلِئُ وَيُزْوَى بَعْضُهَا إِلَى بَعْضٍ وَلَا يَظْلِمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ أَحَدًا وَأَمَّا الْجَنَّةُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يُنْشِئُ لَهَا خَلْقًاThe Hellfire and Paradise disputed each other. Hellfire said: The arrogant and the tyrants will dwell in me. Paradise said: What is the matter with me that only the meek and humble of the people will enter me? Allah said to Paradise: You are my mercy with which I show mercy to those of my servants whom I will. Allah said to Hellfire: You are punishment with which I punish those of my servants whom I will, and both of you will be full. As for Hellfire, it will not be filled until Allah puts His foot over it and Hellfire will say: Enough! Enough! All of its parts will be filled together and Allah will not wrong any of his creatures. As for Paradise, Allah will create a new creation with which to fill it.Source: Sahih Bukhari 4569, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Hadith 40: The ultimate reward in Paradise
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَقُولُ لِأَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ فَيَقُولُونَ لَبَّيْكَ رَبَّنَا وَسَعْدَيْكَ وَالْخَيْرُ فِي يَدَيْكَ فَيَقُولُ هَلْ رَضِيتُمْ فَيَقُولُونَ وَمَا لَنَا لَا نَرْضَى يَا رَبِّ وَقَدْ أَعْطَيْتَنَا مَا لَمْ تُعْطِ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ فَيَقُولُ أَلَا أُعْطِيكُمْ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَيَقُولُونَ يَا رَبِّ وَأَيُّ شَيْءٍ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَيَقُولُ أُحِلُّ عَلَيْكُمْ رِضْوَانِي فَلَا أَسْخَطُ عَلَيْكُمْ بَعْدَهُ أَبَدًاVerily, Allah will say to the people of Paradise: O people of Paradise! They will say: We are at your service, our Lord, all goodness is in Your hand! Allah will say: Are you satisfied? They will say: Why should we not be satisfied when You have given us what you have not given to any other creation? Allah will say: Shall I not give you something better than that? They will say: O Lord, what could possibly be better than that? Allah will say: I will bestow upon you My pleasure and I will never be displeased with you afterwards.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 6183, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best
Protection of civilian non-combatants in Islam
There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger
By Abu Amina Elias
In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
The term “civilians” (al-madanīyīn) is a modern legal category, broadly accepted by Muslims and non-Muslims, referring to non-military persons and non-combatants that are protected from attack by international treaties and law. Some Muslim extremists have attempted to delegitimize this legal term on the grounds that it is not found in classical Islamic law. However, we will find that the concept of civilian protection is firmly established in the scripture and classical writings.
In principle, new terminologies are permissible in Islam as long as they accurately represent the underlying concept.
Ibn Al-Qayyim writes:
Objecting to the legal category of “civilians” merely because it was not used in the past is not a valid argument against it. Rather, it is a positive development that Muslims and non-Muslims have agreed on mutually beneficial legal meanings. The modern law of civilian protection fulfills the purpose of Islamic law, and this is one way in which the non-Muslims have come closer to Islamic values.وَالِاصْطِلَاحَاتُ لَا مُشَاحَّةَ فِيهَا إِذَا لَمْ تَتَضَمَّنْ مَفْسَدَةًThere is nothing wrong with new terminology as long as it does not include corruption.
Source: Madārij al-Sālikīn 3/286
Allah has only allowed Muslims to fight in response to aggression. All categories of people who do not actively engage in an unjust war are immune from attack.
Allah said:
Ibn Abbas commented on this verse, saying:وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَFight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Verily, Allah does not love transgressors.
Surat al-Baqarah 2:190
Umar ibn Abdul Aziz described the categories of protected people, saying:لَا تَقْتُلُوا النِّسَاءَ وَلَا الصِّبْيَانَ وَلَا الشَّيْخَ الْكَبِيرَ وَلَا مَنْ أَلْقَى إِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ وَكَفَ يَدَهُ فَإِنْ فَعَلْتُمْ هَذَا فَقَدَ اعْتَدَيْتُمْDo not kill women, or children, or old men, or whoever comes to you with peace and he restrains his hand from fighting, for if you did that you would certainly have transgressed.
Source: Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī 2:190
Among the worst of sinners are those who fought and killed people who never started the fight.إِنَّ ذَلِكَ فِي النِّسَاءِ وَالذُّرِّيَّةِ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَنْصِبْ لَكَ الْحَرَبَ مِنْهُمْThis refers to women, children, and whoever is not waging war against you among them.
Source: Tafsīr al-Ṭabarī 2:190
Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
Abu Shuraih reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:إِنَّ أَعْدَى النَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّهِ مَنْ قَتَلَ فِي الْحَرَمِ أَوْ قَتَلَ غَيْرَ قَاتِلِهِ أَوْ قَتَلَ بِذُحُولِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِVerily, the worst transgressors to Allah are those who kill in the sacred mosque, those who kill whoever did not fight him, or those who kill with the vindictiveness of ignorance.
Source: Musnad Aḥmad 6643, Grade: Sahih
A minority of jurists from the classical period held the opinion that all unbelievers may be killed due to their unbelief, except for women and children who were taken as slaves. Terrorists who act in the name of Islam use a similar logic to justify their crimes. In fact, the majority of scholars rejected this opinion even in the medieval era.إِنَّ مِنْ أَعْتَى النَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مَنْ قَتَلَ غَيْرَ قَاتِلِهِVerily, the most tyrannical of people to Allah the Exalted is he who kills those who did not fight him.
Source: Musnad Aḥmad 15943, Grade: Sahih
Ibn Taymiyyah writes:
The majority of scholars have held that life itself is one of the values of the Sharia that must be protected. All of the law is towards the end of preserving life, as people have an inherent right to life by default.وَإِنْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ يَرَى إبَاحَةَ قَتْلِ الْجَمِيعِ لِمُجَرَّدِ الْكُفْرِ إلَّا النِّسَاءَ وَالصِّبْيَانَ لِكَوْنِهِمْ مَالًا لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْأَوَّلُ هُوَ الصَّوَابُ لِأَنَّ الْقِتَالَ هُوَ لِمَنْ يُقَاتِلُنَا إذَا أَرَدْنَا إظْهَارَ دِينِ اللَّهِSome jurists are of the opinion that all of them may be killed on the mere ground that they are unbelievers, but they make an exception for women and children since they constitute property for Muslims. However, the first opinion is the correct one because we may only fight those who fight us when we want to make Allah’s religion victorious.
Source: al-Siyāsah al-Shar’īyah 1/165
An examination of the practice of the Prophet and his companions will reveal a consistent concern for protecting those who do not engage in warfare, explicitly stating that the reason they are protected is because they do not fight.
Rabah ibn Rabi reported: We were with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, during an expedition. He saw some people gathered around something, so he sent a man and he said, “Go and see for what they have gathered.” The man returned and he said, “It was a woman who has been killed.” The Prophet said:
Khalid ibn Al-Waleed was in the advanced guard, so the Prophet sent a man to him saying:مَا كَانَتْ هَذِهِ لِتُقَاتِلَShe was not fighting.
In another narration, the Prophet said:لَا يَقْتُلَنَّ امْرَأَةً وَلَا عَسِيفًاDo not kill women or workers.
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 2669, Grade: Sahih
Zaid ibn Wahb reported: Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, decreed:لَا تَقْتُلَنَّ ذُرِّيَّةً وَلَا عَسِيفًاDo not kill children or workers.
Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 2842, Grade: Sahih
Al-Awza’i, may Allah have mercy on him, said:لا تَغُلُّوا وَلا تَغْدِرُوا وَلا تُمَثِّلُوا وَلا تَقْتُلُوا وَلِيدًا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ فِي الْفَلاحِينَ الَّذِينَ لا يَنْصُبُونَ لَكُمُ الْحَرْبَDo not steal the spoils, do not be treacherous with the enemy, do not mutilate the dead, do not kill children, and fear Allah regarding the farmers who do not wage war against you.
Source: Sunan Sa’īd ibn Mansūr 2466
Ibn Qudamah writes:لَا يُقْتَلُ الْحَرَّاثُ إِذَا عُلِمَ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنَ الْمُقَاتِلَةِDo not kill those who work the fields if it is known that they are not combatants.
Source: Aḥkām Ahl al-Dhimmah 1/165
In all of these texts and others, clear categories of non-hostiles are described as entitled to protection from attack. The classical jurists classified these people into categories of women, children, workers, old men, priests, and so on. In our times, the term “civilian” is the legal category that includes all of these people.وَلَنَا قَوْلُ عُمَرَ وَأَنَّ أَصْحَابَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَمْ يَقْتُلُوهُمْ حِينَ فَتَحُوا الْبِلَادَ وَلِأَنَّهُمْ لَا يُقَاتِلُونَ فَأَشْبَهُوا الشُّيُوخَ وَالرُّهْبَانَWe adhere to the saying of Umar. The companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, did not kill farmers when they liberated the lands because they do not fight. In this, they resemble old men and priests.
Source: al-Mughnī 7617
Civilians should be protected even if they engage in other forms of injustice. Any type of injustice that is less than warfare must be countered with less than warfare. The only justification for fighting and killing anyone is out of necessary self-defense.
Ibn Taymiyyah writes:
Moreover, when terrorists plot attacks against civilian or “soft” targets, they frequently employ methods of deception and treachery in order to get close to their victims. Such acts of betrayal are completely rejected by Islam.فأما الباغي من غير قتال فليس في النص أن الله أمر بقتاله بل الكفار إنما يقاتلون بشرط الحراب كما ذهب اليه جمهور العلماء وكما دل عليه الكتاب والسنةAs for the oppressor who does not fight, then there are no texts in which Allah commands him to be fought. Rather, the unbelievers are only fought on the condition they wage war, as mentioned by the majority of scholars and as is evident in the Book and Sunnah.
Source: al-Nubūwāt 1/140
Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
Malik reported: Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, wrote to a commander in an army he had dispatched, saying:إِذَا جَمَعَ اللَّهُ الأَوَّلِينَ وَالآخِرِينَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يُرْفَعُ لِكُلِّ غَادِرٍ لِوَاءٌ فَقِيلَ هَذِهِ غَدْرَةُ فُلاَنِ بْنِ فُلاَنٍWhen Allah gathers together the earlier and later generations on the Day of Resurrection, he will raise a banner for every treacherous person and it will be announced that this is the treachery of this person, the son of this person.
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5823, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
And Ibn Abbas said:إِنَّهُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ رِجَالًا مِنْكُمْ يَطْلُبُونَ الْعِلْجَ حَتَّى إِذَا أَسْنَدَ فِي الْجَبَلِ وَامْتَنَعَ قَالَ رَجُلٌ مَطْرَسْ يَقُولُ لَا تَخَفْ فَإِذَا أَدْرَكَهُ قَتَلَهُ وَإِنِّي وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَا أَعْلَمُ مَكَانَ وَاحِدٍ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ إِلَّا ضَرَبْتُ عُنُقَهُI have heard that it is the habit of some of your men to chase an unbeliever until he takes refuge in a high place. Then a man tells him in Persian not to be afraid and when he comes down they kill him. By him in whose hand is my soul, if I knew a man had done that once I would strike his neck.
Muslims are obligated to uphold all agreements and promises with the enemy, even if it leads to a tactical disadvantage. Truth and justice, rather than cunning, are the strongest weapons against any foe.مَا خَتَرَ قَوْمٌ بِالْعَهْدِ إِلَّا سَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ الْعَدُوَّPeople do not betray their covenants except that Allah will let their enemies overpower them.
Source: al-Muwaṭṭa 951
Muhammad ibn Surqah reported: A man said to ‘Atā, may Allah be pleased with him, “A man was captured by the Daylamites and they said: We will send you back if you give us a covenant and a pledge that you will return with some wealth for us. If he does not go back to them himself and he is not found, then what do you order him to do?” ‘Atā said:
The man said, “But they are people of idolatry!” ‘Atā said:يَذْهَبُ إِلَيْهِمْHe should go back to them.
The man said, “But they are people of idolatry!” ‘Atā said:يَفِي بِالْعَهْدِHe should fulfill the covenant.
Then he recited the verse:يَفِي بِالْعَهْدِ لَهُمْHe should fulfill their covenant.
In sum, it is incumbent upon Muslims to respect and honor civilian protection in the modern context. Such legal terminology is based upon the clear categories of people whom the Prophet declared immune from attack. Terrorism, in this sense, is a major violation of Islamic law that will make those who commit it into the worst sinners among humanity.إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْئُولًاVerily, the covenant will be questioned. (17:34)
Source: Muṣannaf ‘Abd al-Razzāq 9714
Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best.
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