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Guidance for women

Explore family rights, worship and character. Personal circumstances and detailed rulings belong with a qualified scholar.

Read with the evidence

Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and Ibn MājahAuthentic

Indeed, many women have come to the family of Muhammad complaining about their husbands. Those (men) are not the best among you

Narrator in the source: Iyās ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Abi Dhubāb reported: The Messenger of Allah

Iyās ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Abi Dhubāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not strike the female servants of Allah." Then ‘Umar came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: Women have become bold toward their husbands. So the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) permitted striking them. Then many women came to the family of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) complaining about their husbands. So the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, many women have come to the family of Muhammad complaining about their husbands. Those (men) are not the best among you."
Grade in the source
Authentic
Reported by
Narrated by Abu Dāwūd and Ibn Mājah
Original Arabic wording
عَنْ إِيَاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي ذُبَابٍ رَضيَ اللهُ عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا تَضْرِبُوا إِمَاءَ اللَّهِ» فَجَاءَ عُمَرُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ: ذَئِرْنَ النِّسَاءُ عَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِنَّ، فَرَخَّصَ فِي ضَرْبِهِنَّ، فَأَطَافَ بِآلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نِسَاءٌ كَثِيرٌ يَشْكُونَ أَزْوَاجَهُنَّ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَقَدْ طَافَ بِآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ نِسَاءٌ كَثِيرٌ يَشْكُونَ أَزْوَاجَهُنَّ، لَيْسَ أُولَئِكَ بِخِيَارِكُمْ».
Understand this hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade the beating of wives. Then the Commander of the Believers, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him), came and said: O Messenger of Allah, women have become bold toward their husbands, and their manners have worsened. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), thus, permitted beating them in a manner that is not severe if there is a valid reason for it, such as refusing to fulfill the husband's rights or disobedience and the like. Then, after that, women came to the wives of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) complaining that their husbands were beating them severely and misusing this concession. So the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Those men who beat their wives severely are not the best among you.

Lessons from the hadith
  • A clarification of the virtue of treating women kindly, and that being patient with them and overlooking their faults is better than beating them.
  • Allah Almighty made beating the last step in addressing a wife's disobedience, as He said: {As for those women on whose part you fear rebellion, [first] admonish them, [next] forsake them in bed, and [last] hit them. Then if they obey you, do not take further action against them. Indeed, Allah is Most High, All-Great.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 34] These three steps are to be followed in order, not to be applied all at once. One must begin with advice, admonition, and reminders. If that proves effective, then praise be to Allah. If it does not help, then comes separation in bed. And if that still does not result in change, only then may one resort to beating, as a form of discipline, not out of revenge.
  • A man is a caretaker for his household, and he is responsible for raising and disciplining his family with wisdom and good counsel.
  • It is permissible to question or review a scholar regarding his Fatwa (legal opinion), to understand its consequences and outcomes.
  • It is permissible to lodge a complaint with the ruler or a scholar if the complainant suffered harm.
References (original Arabic)

سنن أبي داود (3/ 479) (2146). سنن ابن ماجه (3/ 152) (1985). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (1/ 363). مرقاة المفاتيح، لعلي القاري (5/ 2127).

Al-Bukhari and Muslim with its two versionsAuthentic hadith

If your wife asks your permission to go to the mosque, do not prevent her

Narrator in the source: Ibn ‘Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) ‎reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and ‎blessings be upon him) said: "If your wife asks your permission to go to the mosque, do not prevent her." Bilāl ibn ‘Abdullāh said: "By Allah! We ‎will prevent them." Ibn ‘Umar turned to him and angrily ‎insulted him in an unprecedented manner, saying: "I am telling ‎you that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and ‎blessings be upon him) said so, and you say: 'By Allah! We ‎will prevent them'!"‎ Another version reads: "Do not prevent the ‎female servants of Allah from (going to) the mosques of ‎Allah."‎
Grade in the source
Authentic hadith
Reported by
Al-Bukhari and Muslim with its two versions
Original Arabic wording
عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما عَنِ النَّبيِّ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قَالَ: «إذا اسْتَأذَنَت أَحَدَكُم امرَأَتُه إلى المسجِد فَلا يَمنَعهَا، قال: فقال بلال بن عبد الله: والله لَنَمنَعُهُنَّ، قال: فَأَقبَلَ عليه عبد الله، فَسَبَّهُ سَبًّا سَيِّئًا، ما سَمِعتُه سَبَّهُ مِثلَهُ قَطُّ، وقال: أُخبِرُك عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وتقول: والله لَنَمنَعُهُنَّ؟». وفي لفظ: «لا تَمنَعُوا إِمَاء الله مسَاجِد الله...».
Understand this hadith

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) ‎reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and ‎blessings be upon him) said: "If your wife asks your permission to go to the mosque, do not prevent her." This is in order not to deprive her of the merit of ‎performing the congregational prayer in the mosque. The ‎Hadīth highlights the ruling on a woman going out to the ‎mosque for prayer, which is permissible. Bilāl, a son of ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar, was present when his ‎father was reporting this Hadīth and said: "By Allah! We ‎will prevent them." Bilāl said so without any intention to ‎object to the legislator, as his objection was just out of his ‎jealousy and desire to protect the women, whose behavior ‎differed from what was common during the Prophet's lifetime, ‎especially regarding the wide use of adornments and the like. ‎However, his father believed that his objection was out of ‎rejection of the Prophet's Sunnah. Therefore, he angrily insulted ‎him in an unprecedented manner out of his anger and ‎zeal for Allah, the Almighty, and His Messenger (‎may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), saying: "I am ‎telling you that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace ‎and blessings be upon him) said so, and you say: 'By Allah! We will prevent them'!"‎

References (original Arabic)

تيسير العلام شرح عمدة الأحكام، للبسام، حققه وعلق عليه وخرج أحاديثه وصنع فهارسه: محمد صبحي بن حسن حلاق، ط10، مكتبة الصحابة، الإمارات - مكتبة التابعين، القاهرة، 1426هـ. تنبيه الأفهام شرح عمدة لأحكام، لابن عثيمين، ط1، مكتبة الصحابة، الإمارات، 1426هـ. عمدة الأحكام من كلام خير الأنام صلى الله عليه وسلم لعبد الغني المقدسي، دراسة وتحقيق: محمود الأرناؤوط، مراجعة وتقديم: عبد القادر الأرناؤوط، ط2، دار الثقافة العربية، دمشق، بيروت، مؤسسة قرطبة، 1408 هـ. صحيح البخاري، تحقيق: محمد زهير بن ناصر الناصر، ط1، دار طوق النجاة (مصورة عن السلطانية بإضافة ترقيم: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي)، 1422هـ. صحيح مسلم، تحقيق: محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي، دار إحياء التراث العربي، بيروت، 1423هـ.

Narrated by BukhariAuthentic hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made a bond of brotherhood between Salmān and Abu Ad-Dardā'. Salmān paid a visit to Abu Ad-Dardā' and found his wife, Um Ad-Dardā', dressed in a shabby manner and asked her why she was in that state. She replied, "Your brother Abu Ad-Dardā' is not interested in (the pleasures of) this world." Later, Abu Ad-Dardā' came and prepared a meal for Salmān. Salmān asked Abu Ad-Dardā' to eat with him, but Abu Ad-Dardā' said: "I am fasting." Salmān said: "I am not going to eat unless you eat." So, Abu Ad-Dardā' ate with him. When it was night, Abu Ad-Dardā' got up to offer (voluntary) night prayer, but Salmān told him to sleep and Abu Ad-Dardā' slept. After sometime, Abu Ad-Dardā' again got up to pray but Salmān told him to sleep. When it was the last hours of the night, Salmān told him to get up then, and both of them offered the prayer. Salmān told Abu Ad-Dardā': "Your Lord has a right on you, your own self has a right on you, and your family has a right on you, so give everyone their due rights." Abu Ad-Dardā' came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and narrated the whole story. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Salmān has spoken the truth."

Narrator in the source: أبو جحيفة وهب بن عبدالله

Abu Juhayfa Wahab ibn ‘Abdullāh reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made a bond of brotherhood between Salmān and Abu Ad-Dardā'. Salmān paid a visit to Abu Ad-Dardā' and found his wife, Um Ad-Dardā', dressed in a shabby manner and asked her why she was in that state. She replied: "Your brother Abu Ad-Dardā' is not interested in (the pleasures of) this world." Later, Abu Ad-Dardā' came and prepared a meal for Salmān. Salmān asked Abu Ad-Dardā' to eat with him, but Abu Ad-Dardā' said: "I am fasting." Salmān said: "I am not going to eat unless you eat." So, Abu Ad-Dardā' ate with him. When it was night, Abu Ad-Dardā' got up to offer (voluntary) night prayer, but Salmān told him to sleep and Abu Ad-Dardā' slept. After sometime, Abu Ad-Dardā' again got up to pray but Salmān told him to sleep. When it was the last hours of the night, Salmān told him to get up then, and both of them offered the prayer. Salmān told Abu Ad-Dardā', "Your Lord has a right on you, your own self has a right on you, and your family has a right on you, so give everyone their due rights." Abu Ad-Dardā' came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and narrated the whole story. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Salmān has spoken the truth."
Grade in the source
Authentic hadith
Reported by
Narrated by Bukhari
Original Arabic wording
عن أبي جحيفة وهب بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه قال: آخى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بين سلمان وأبي الدرداء، فزار سلمان أبا الدرداء فرأى أم الدرداء مُتَبَذِّلَةً، فقال: ما شأنُكِ؟ قالت: أخوك أبو الدرداء ليس له حاجة في الدنيا، فجاء أبو الدرداء فصنع له طعاما، فقال له: كل فإني صائم، قال: ما أنا بآكل حتى تأكل فأكل، فلما كان الليل ذهب أبو الدرداء يقوم فقال له: نم، فنام، ثم ذهب يقوم فقال له: نم. فلما كان من آخر الليل قال سلمان: قم الآن، فصليا جميعا فقال له سلمان: إن لربك عليك حقا، وإن لنفسك عليك حقا، ولأهلك عليك حقا، فأعطِ كل ذي حق حقه، فأتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فذكر ذلك له فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : «صدق سلمان».
Understand this hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) established a bond of brotherhood between Salmān and Abu Ad-Dardā'. Salmān visited Abu Ad-Dardā' and noticed that his wife was not dressed the way a married woman should be dressed (i.e. she dressed shabbily). He asked her about the reason and she answered that his brother, Abu Ad-Dardā', had no interest in the (the pleasures) of the world including his wife and food and everything else. When Abu Ad-Dardā' arrived, he prepared a meal for Salmān and presented it to him while Abu Ad-Dardā' himself was fasting. So, Salmān ordered him to break his fast because he knew that his brother was always fasting. Abu Ad-Dardā' complied with his command. When Abu Ad-Dardā' wished to stay up to pray voluntary night prayer, Salmān ordered him to sleep until it was the last third of the night when they both got up and prayed. Salmān wished thereby to show Abu Ad-Dardā' that a person should not burden himself with continuous fasting and night prayer. Rather, he should pray and fast in a moderate manner that earns him the reward without causing exhaustion and suffering. He should also take care to give his family their due rights including his time, care and companionship.

References (original Arabic)

الجامع المسند الصحيح (صحيح البخاري), تأليف: محمد بن إسماعيل البخاري, تحقيق: محمد زهير بن ناصر الناصر, دار طوق النجاة ترقيم محمد فؤاد عبدالباقي, ط 1422. نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين, تأليف: مصطفى الخن ومصطفى البغا ومحي الدين مستو وعلي الشربجي ومحمد لطفي, مؤسسة الرسالة, ط 14 عام 1407 - 1987. شرح رياض الصالحين لا بن عثيمين, تأليف: محمد بن صالح العثيمين, الناشر: مدار الوطن بإشراف المؤسسة, ط عام 1425. بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين, تأليف: سليم بن عيد الهلالي, دار ابن الجوزي.

Narrated by Al-BukhāriAuthentic

Verily, some of what reached people from the speech of the early prophets: If you feel no shame, then do whatever you wish

Narrator in the source: Abu Mas‘ūd reported: The Prophet، أبو مسعود عقبة بن عمرو الأنصاري البدري

Abu Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Verily, some of what reached people from the speech of the early prophets: If you feel no shame, then do whatever you wish."
Grade in the source
Authentic
Reported by
Narrated by Al-Bukhāri
Original Arabic wording
عَنْ أَبي مَسْعُودٍ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ مِمَّا أَدْرَكَ النَّاسُ مِنْ كَلاَمِ النُّبُوَّةِ الأُولَى: إِذَا لَمْ تَسْتَحْيِ فَاصْنَعْ مَا شِئْتَ».
Understand this hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that among the teachings of the early prophets that were circulated among people and passed from one generation to another until reaching the early generation of this Ummah: Consider what you want to do and do it if it is not something to feel ashamed of; but leave it if it is something you feel ashamed of. Modesty prevents committing villainous deeds, and one who has no share of modesty will indulge in all types of immoral and evil deeds.

Lessons from the hadith
  • Modesty is the core of noble morals.
  • Modesty is from the prophets' traits and it has been reported from them.
  • Modesty is what makes a Muslim engage in whatever brings beauty and adornment and abandon whatever causes defilement and disgrace.
  • An-Nawawi said: The command here indicates permissibility, i.e., if you want to do something, then do it if it does not cause you to feel ashamed before Allah and people; otherwise, do not do it. This is the keystone of Islam. This means that one should feel ashamed of abandoning what is commanded, namely the obligatory and the recommended, and should feel ashamed of doing what is prohibited, namely the unlawful and the disliked. As for what is permissible, one is allowed to feel ashamed of doing or abandoning it. The Hadīth, thus, includes the five rulings. It is said: The command here is meant as a threat, meaning: If modesty is taken from you, then do whatever you want, and Allah will recompense you for it. It is said: It is an order meant to be a statement, i.e., whoever does not feel shame does whatever he wants.
References (original Arabic)

صحيح البخاري (8/ 29) (6120). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (2/ 1252). تطريز رياض الصالحين، لفيصل آل مبارك (ص1045). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (6/ 656).

Other wordings in the source

Verily, some of what reached people from the speech of the early prophets: If you feel no shame, then do whatever you wish

Abu Mas‘ūd ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amr al-Ansāri al-Badri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: "Verily, some of what reached people from the speech of the early prophets: If you feel no shame, then do whatever you wish."

Authentic · Narrated by Al-Bukhāri

Explanation and references for this wording

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that among the teachings of the early prophets that were circulated among people and passed from one generation to another until reaching the early generation of this Ummah: Consider what you want to do and do it if it is not something to feel ashamed of; but leave it if it is something you feel ashamed of. Modesty prevents committing villainous deeds, and one who has no share of modesty will indulge in all types of immoral and evil deeds.

صحيح البخاري (8/ 29) (6120). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (2/ 1252). تطريز رياض الصالحين، لفيصل آل مبارك (ص1045). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (6/ 656).

Source: HadeethEnc.com ↗
Agreed uponAuthentic

When Allah intends good for someone, He grants him the understanding of the religion

Narrator in the source: Mu‘āwiyah reported: I heard the Prophet say:

Mu‘āwiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "When Allah intends good for someone, He grants him the understanding of the religion. Indeed, I am only a distributor, and Allah is the Giver. This Ummah will continue to follow Allah's laws, not being harmed by those who oppose them, until Allah's command comes to pass."
Grade in the source
Authentic
Reported by
Agreed upon
Original Arabic wording
عن معاوية رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: «مَنْ يُرِدِ اللهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ، وَإِنَّمَا أَنَا قَاسِمٌ، وَاللهُ يُعْطِي، وَلَنْ تَزَالَ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةُ قَائِمَةً عَلَى أَمْرِ اللهِ، لَا يَضُرُّهُمْ مَنْ خَالَفَهُمْ، حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ أَمْرُ اللهِ».
Understand this hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that when Allah wills to do good to someone, He endows him with the understanding of His religion. He also states that he is only a distributor who distributes the sustenance, knowledge, and other things that Allah Almighty gave him, and that the true Giver is Allah, and all else are mere causes that can only bring benefit with Allah's permission. He adds that this Ummah will continue to hold onto Allah's laws and not be harmed by those who oppose them until the Hour comes.

Lessons from the hadith
  • The Hadīth shows the greatness and merit of the Shar‘i knowledge and its learning and urges us to seek it.
  • Adherence to the truth must exist within this Ummah. If one group forsakes it, another will follow it.
  • Understanding of the religion is part of Allah's intention of goodness for His servants.
  • The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) only gives according to Allah's Command and His Will, and he himself possesses nothing.
References (original Arabic)

صحيح البخاري (1/ 25) (71). صحيح مسلم (2/ 718) (1037). توضيح الأحكام من بلوغ المرام، للبسام (7/ 485). منحة العلام في شرح بلوغ المرام، لعبد الله الفوزان (10/ 324). فتح ذي الجلال والإكرام، لابن عثيمين (6/ 424). سبل السلام بشرح بلوغ المرام، للصنعاني (2/ 688).

Narrated by MuslimAuthentic

Whoever relieves a believer from one of the hardships of this world, Allah will relieve him from one of the hardships of the Day of Judgment

Narrator in the source: Abu Hurayrah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever relieves a believer from one of the hardships of this world, Allah will relieve him from one of the hardships of the Day of Judgment. Whoever makes things easy for someone in difficulty, Allah will make things easy for him in this world and the Hereafter. Whoever covers a Muslim, Allah will cover him in this world and the Hereafter. Allah is in the aid of the slave as long as the slave is in the aid of his brother. Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. No group of people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them to those near Him. And whoever is slowed down by his deeds will not be hastened forward by his lineage."
Grade in the source
Authentic
Reported by
Narrated by Muslim
Original Arabic wording
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ نَفَّسَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ كُرْبَةً مِنْ كُرَبِ الدُّنْيَا نَفَّسَ اللهُ عَنْهُ كُرْبَةً مِنْ كُرَبِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ، وَمَنْ يَسَّرَ عَلَى مُعْسِرٍ يَسَّرَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ، وَمَنْ سَتَرَ مُسْلِمًا سَتَرَهُ اللهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ، وَاللهُ فِي عَوْنِ الْعَبْدِ مَا كَانَ الْعَبْدُ فِي عَوْنِ أَخِيهِ، وَمَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللهُ لَهُ بِهِ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ، وَمَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِي بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللهِ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللهِ وَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِلَّا نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمِ السَّكِينَةُ، وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ، وَحَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ، وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ، وَمَنْ بَطَّأَ بِهِ عَمَلُهُ لَمْ يُسْرِعْ بِهِ نَسَبُهُ».
Understand this hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified that the reward a Muslim receives from Allah is of the same nature as the actions he performs for other Muslims. Whoever relieves, alleviates, removes, or eliminates a hardship and a difficulty from a believer in this world, Allah will reward him by relieving him from one of the hardships of the Day of Judgment. And whoever facilitates and makes things easy for someone in difficulty and removes his difficulty, Allah will make it easy for him in this world and the Hereafter. And whoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, such as knowing what should not be exposed of slips and errors, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and the Hereafter. Allah supports His slave as long as the slave supports his brother in his religious and worldly interests. Support could be through supplication, physical action, money, etc. Whoever walks in pursuit of religious knowledge, doing it for the sake of Allah Almighty, Allah will facilitate for him a path to Paradise. No group of people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that tranquility and solemnity descend upon them, the mercy of Allah envelops and encompasses them, the angels surround them, and Allah praises them in the presence of those near Him. It is enough of an honor that Allah mentions the slave in the highest assembly. The one whose good deeds are insufficient will not be elevated to the rank of those with righteous deeds. Hence, he should not rely upon his noble lineage and the merit of his forefathers while neglecting the performance of good deeds.

Lessons from the hadith
  • Ibn Daqīq al-‘Īd said: This is a great Hadīth, comprising various types of knowledge, rules, and etiquettes. It highlights the merit of fulfilling the needs of Muslims and benefiting them in whatever way is possible, whether through knowledge, wealth, assistance, offering useful advice, giving counsel, or other means.
  • Encouraging the act of making things easy for the one in difficulty.
  • A Muslim is encouraged to help other Muslims, as Allah Almighty helps the one who helps his brother in proportion to his help.
  • Among the ways of concealing a Muslim’s faults is: to refrain from seeking out his shortcomings. One of the predecessors is reported to have said: I met people who had no faults, yet they spoke about the faults of others, so people started mentioning their faults. And I met people who had faults but refrained from mentioning the faults of others, so their faults were forgotten.
  • It is not a requirement of concealing the faults of others to neglect the prohibition of evil and not to change it. Rather, it should be changed and concealed at the same time, and this applies to those who are not known for corruption or persistence in transgression. As for one who is known for such behavior, it is not recommended to conceal his faults; instead, his affair should be referred to those in authority, provided that this does not lead to greater harm. This is because concealing his faults encourages him in his corruption and emboldens him to harm others, as well as emboldening others from among the wicked and stubborn.
  • Encouraging the act of seeking knowledge, reciting, and studying the Qur’an.
  • An-Nawawi said: This is evidence of the merit of gathering to recite the Quran in the mosque... and similar gatherings in a school, a garrison, or the like also attain this merit, Allah willing.
  • Allah has made the recompense contingent upon deeds, not upon lineages.
References (original Arabic)

صحيح مسلم (4/ 2074) (2699). التحفة الربانية، لإسماعيل الأنصاري (ص82). الأحاديث الأربعون النووية وعليها الشرح الموجز المفيد، لعبد الله المحسن (ص69). شرح الأربعين النووية ، لابن عثيمين (ص355).

Narrated by MuslimAuthentic

Religion is sincerity

Narrator in the source: Tamīm ad-Dāri reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:، أبو رقية تميم بن أوس الداري

Tamīm ad-Dāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Religion is sincerity." We said: "To whom?" He said: "To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the Muslim leaders and their common folk."
Grade in the source
Authentic
Reported by
Narrated by Muslim
Original Arabic wording
عن تميم الداري رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَةُ» قُلْنَا: لِمَنْ؟ قَالَ: «لِلهِ وَلِكِتَابِهِ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَامَّتِهِمْ».
Understand this hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that the religion rests upon sincerity and truthfulness, to be observed as Allah ordained, in a perfect manner without shortcomings or deception. It was said to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): To whom should sincerity be? He said: First: Sincerity should be to Allah Almighty: by performing deeds sincerely for His sake, not associating partners with Him, believing in His lordship, divinity, names, and attributes, venerating His command, and calling people to believe in Him. Second: Sincerity should be to His Book, namely the noble Qur’an: by believing that it is His speech and the last book revealed by Him and that it superseded all the legislations before it - and by revering it, reciting it correctly, acting upon its definite verses and accepting its ambiguous ones, defending it against the misinterpretation of those who seek to distort it, heeding its lessons and admonitions, spreading its knowledge, and calling people to it. Third: Sincerity should be to His Messenger Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): by believing that he is the last Messenger, believing him in all that he came with, observing his commands and prohibitions, worshiping Allah only according to what he came with, venerating and revering him, spreading his call, disseminating his Shariah, and negating the accusations leveled against him. Fourth: Sincerity should be to the leaders of the Muslims: by helping them in what is right, not fighting them over power, and hearing and obeying them in what is pleasing to Allah. Fifth: Sincerity should be to the Muslims: by showing kindness to them, calling them to Allah, averting harm from them, wishing good for them, and cooperating with them in righteousness and piety.

Lessons from the hadith
  • The Hadīth commands us to be sincere to everyone.
  • Sincerity occupies great status in the religion.
  • The religion comprises beliefs, words, and deeds.
  • An aspect of sincerity is to rid oneself of deception toward the one to whom sincerity is addressed and to wish good for him.
  • The Hadīth highlights the Prophet's good approach to teaching, as he would briefly mention something and then explain it in detail.
  • First things first. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) began with sincerity to Allah, then to His Book, then to His Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), then to the leaders of the Muslims, and then to the common Muslims.
References (original Arabic)

صحيح مسلم (1/ 74) (55). التحفة الربانية في شرح الأربعين حديثا النووية (ص21). شرح الأربعين النووية، لابن عثيمين (ص115). شرح النووي على مسلم (2/ 37).

Other wordings in the source

Religion is sincerity

Abu Ruqayyah Tamīm ibn Aws ad-Dāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Religion is sincerity." We said: "To whom?" He said: "To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the Muslim leaders and their common folk."

Authentic · Narrated by Muslim

Explanation and references for this wording

The Prophet (ﷺ) informed that the religion rests upon sincerity and truthfulness, to be observed as Allah ordained, in a perfect manner without shortcomings or deception. It was said to the Prophet (ﷺ): To whom should the sincerity be? He said: First: Sincerity should be to Allah Almighty: by performing deeds sincerely for His sake, not associating partners with Him, believing in His lordship, divinity, names, and attributes, revering His command, and calling people to believe in Him. Second: Sincerity should be to His Book, namely the Noble Qur’an: by believing that it is His speech and the last book revealed by Him and that it abrogated all the legislations before it—and by revering it, reciting it correctly, acting upon its definite verses and accepting its ambiguous ones, defending it against the misinterpretation of those who seek to distort it, taking lessons from its admonitions, spreading its knowledge, and calling people to it. Third: Sincerity should be to His Messenger Muhammad (ﷺ): by believing that he is the last Messenger, believing him in all that he came with, observing his commands and prohibitions, worshiping Allah only according to what he came with, venerating and revering him, spreading his call, disseminating his Shariah, and negating the false accusations from him. Fourth: Sincerity should be to the leaders of the Muslims: by helping them in what is right, not disputing with them over power, and hearing and obeying them in what is pleasing to Allah. Fifth: Sincerity should be to the Muslims: by showing kindness to them, calling them to Allah, averting harm from them, wishing good for them, and cooperating with them in righteousness and piety.

صحيح مسلم (1/ 74) (55). التحفة الربانية في شرح الأربعين حديثا النووية (ص21). شرح الأربعين النووية، لابن عثيمين (ص115). شرح النووي على مسلم (2/ 37).

Source: HadeethEnc.com ↗
Narrated by Al-BukhāriAuthentic

Convey from me even if one verse, and narrate from the Children of Israel, and there is no sin in doing that. And whoever intentionally tells a lie about me, let him occupy his seat in Hellfire

Narrator in the source: ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas reported that the Prophet

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Convey from me even if one verse, and narrate from the Children of Israel, and there is no sin in doing that. And whoever intentionally tells a lie about me, let him occupy his seat in Hellfire."
Grade in the source
Authentic
Reported by
Narrated by Al-Bukhāri
Original Arabic wording
عن عبد الله بن عمرو رضي الله عنهما أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «بَلِّغُوا عَنِّي وَلَوْ آيَةً، وَحَدِّثُوا عَنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَلَا حَرَجَ، وَمَنْ كَذَبَ عَلَيَّ مُتَعَمِّدًا فَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ».
Understand this hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commands us to convey knowledge from him, from the Qur’an or the Sunnah, even if it is something short, like a verse from the Qur’an or a Hadīth, provided that a person should have knowledge of what he conveys and invites people to it. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) points out that there is no sin in narrating about the Children of Israel and the events that happened to them, in a way that does not run counter to our Shariah. Then, he warns against telling lies about him and states that whoever intentionally lies about him should occupy his dwelling in Hellfire.

Lessons from the hadith
  • This hadith encourages us to convey the Shariah of Allah and indicates that a person should pass on what he learns and understands, even if it is something little.
  • It is obligatory to seek knowledge of the Shariah, so that we can worship Allah and convey His religion in a correct way.
  • We are obligated to ascertain the authenticity of any Hadīth before we convey and spread it, lest we fall under this stern warning.
  • We are urged to be truthful and cautious in our speech, lest we fall into telling lies, particularly when it comes to the Shariah of Allah Almighty.
References (original Arabic)

صحيح البخاري (4/ 170) (3461). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (2/ 464). نزهة المتقين، لمصطفى الخن وغيره (2/ 951). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (5/ 429).

Narrated by MuslimAuthentic

Whoever guides to a good deed will get the same reward as the doer of that deed

Narrator in the source: Abu Mas‘ūd al-Ansāri

Abu Mas‘ūd al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "My camel has become exhausted, so give me a mount." He replied: "I do not have any." Someone said: "O Messenger of Allah, I can guide him to one who will give him a mount." Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever guides to a good deed will get the same reward as the doer of that deed."
Grade in the source
Authentic
Reported by
Narrated by Muslim
Original Arabic wording
عن أبي مسعود الأنصاري رضي الله عنه قال: جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ: إِنِّي أُبْدِعَ بِي فَاحْمِلْنِي، فَقَالَ: «مَا عِنْدِي»، فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، أَنَا أَدُلُّهُ عَلَى مَنْ يَحْمِلُهُ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ دَلَّ عَلَى خَيْرٍ فَلَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ فَاعِلِهِ».
Understand this hadith

A man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said that his camel had become exhausted and asked for a mount to carry him. But the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said he had no mount to give him. So, a man who was present said: O Messenger of Allah, I will guide him to someone who will give him a mount. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told that man that he will also have a reward like the donor himself because he guided the person who needed a mount to him.

Lessons from the hadith
  • We are urged to guide others to goodness.
  • Encouragement of goodness is one of the causes of solidarity and integration within Muslim society.
  • The Hadīth shows the great bounty of Allah.
  • It gives a general rule that applies to all acts of goodness.
  • If a person cannot grant the request of someone in need, he should guide him to someone else.
References (original Arabic)

صحيح مسلم (3/ 1506) (1893). شرح النووي على مسلم (11/ 166). توضيح الأحكام من بلوغ المرام، للبسام (7/ 349). فتح ذي الجلال والاكرام بشرح بلوغ المرام، لابن عثيمين (6/ 298).

Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Mājah, and AhmadAuthentic

May Allah brighten the person who hears something from us and conveys it as he heard it, for perhaps the one to whom it is conveyed is more mindful than the hearer

Narrator in the source: ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd reported that the Messenger of Allah

‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: "May Allah brighten the person who hears something from us and conveys it as he heard it, for perhaps the one to whom it is conveyed is more mindful than the hearer."
Grade in the source
Authentic
Reported by
Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Mājah, and Ahmad
Original Arabic wording
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «نَضَّرَ اللَّهُ امْرَأً سَمِعَ مِنَّا شَيْئًا فَبَلَّغَهُ كَمَا سَمِعَ، فَرُبَّ مُبَلِّغٍ أَوْعَى مِنْ سَامِعٍ».
Understand this hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prayed for brightness, joy, and beauty in this world, and that Allah grants the person the radiance, bliss, and bloom of Paradise in the Hereafter for whoever hears his Hadīth and memorizes it to convey it to others. Perhaps the one to whom the Hadīth is conveyed understands it better, has deeper insight, and is more capable of deriving rulings than the one who originally transmitted it. The first excels in memorization and transmission, while the second excels in understanding and deduction.

Lessons from the hadith
  • Encouraging the memorization of the Prophetic Sunnah and its conveyance to people.
  • Highlighting the merit of the people of Hadīth and the honor of seeking such knowledge.
  • The merit of scholars, who are the people of deduction and understanding.
  • The merit of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), as they are the ones who heard the Hadīth of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and conveyed it to us.
  • Al-Munāwi said: He clarified here that comprehension is not a condition for the Hadīth narrator; rather, memorization is a condition. However, understanding and reflection are required from the jurist.
  • Ibn ‘Uyaynah said: No one who seeks Hadīth except that there is brightness in his face because of this Hadīth.
  • Memorization, according to the scholars of Hadīth, is of two types: memorization of the heart and mind, and memorization through writing in books and lines. Both types are included in the supplication mentioned in the Hadīth.
  • People vary in their level of understanding, for perhaps the one to whom knowledge is conveyed is better at understanding than the hearer, and perhaps the one carrying the knowledge of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) is not himself a jurist.
References (original Arabic)

سنن الترمذي (4/ 394) (2657). سنن ابن ماجه (1/ 157) (232). مسند أحمد (7/ 221) (4157). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (2/ 476). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (5/ 446). فيض القدير شرح الجامع الصغير، لعبدالرؤوف المناوي (3/ 206). كنوز رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (16/ 496). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (2/ 956).

Narrated by MuslimAuthentic

When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a pious child who supplicates for him

Narrator in the source: Abu Hurayrah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say:

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a pious child who supplicates for him."
Grade in the source
Authentic
Reported by
Narrated by Muslim
Original Arabic wording
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ: «إِذَا مَاتَ الْإِنْسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عَنْهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ ثَلَاثَةٍ: إِلَّا مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ، أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ، أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ».
Understand this hadith

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that the deeds of a person come to a halt when he dies. No good deeds are recorded for him after death, except for these three things, as he was the cause behind them: First: Charity whose reward is enduring, permanent, and ceaseless, like endowment, building mosques, digging wells, etc. Second: Knowledge from which people draw benefits, like authoring books of knowledge or teaching knowledge to someone, who in turn disseminates this knowledge after his teacher's death. Third: A pious, believing child who supplicates for his parents.

Lessons from the hadith
  • The scholars unanimously agreed that the rewards that reach a person after his death include ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, supplication, and Hajj, as mentioned in other Hadīths.
  • He singled out these three things in the Hadīth because they represent the foundations of goodness and they are mostly the things virtuous people want to endure after their passing.
  • Any beneficial knowledge will bring reward, but at the top and pinnacle of it is the Shar‘i knowledge and the sciences that support it.
  • Knowledge is the most beneficial of these three, because knowledge benefits the person who learns it, preserves the Shariah, and benefits people in general. Plus, it is more comprehensive and inclusive as people learn from your knowledge that exists during your lifetime and endures after your death.
  • The Hadīth encourages us to raise righteous children, as they are the ones who will benefit their parents in the Hereafter, and an example of their benefit is that they supplicate for them.
  • It encourages kindness to parents after their death, which is also a form of righteousness from which the child benefits.
  • Supplication benefits a deceased person even if the supplicant is not his child. But, a person's child is specifically mentioned because he is mostly the one who continues to supplicate for his parents until he dies.
References (original Arabic)

صحيح مسلم (3/ 1255) (1631)، البحر المحيط الثجاج في شرح صحيح الإمام مسلم بن الحجاج (28/ 413).