Wisdom and lessons from Hadith for every single day of the year. In simple and understandable language. Also how to implement the hadith into one’s daily life and brief definitions of [some] Arabic words. 365 Hadiths in total to cover the entire year.
[Please select the links below to go to the relevant section]
Day 3 – Control Yourself When Enraged
Day 6 – The Prohibition of Pride
Day 7 – The Evil Consequences of The Tongue
Day 9 – Truthfulness leads one to Jannah
Day 10 – Breaker of ties and prolonged life
[More coming soon Insha-Allah]
Day 1: Be Content
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ
“ إِذَا نَظَرَ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى مَنْ فُضِّلَ عَلَيْهِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْخَلْقِ، فَلْيَنْظُرْ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَسْفَلَ مِنْهُ ”.
Narrated Abu Huraira [Allah be pleased with him]:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “If anyone of you looked at a person who was made superior to him in property and (in good) appearance, then look at the one who is inferior to him.
[Sahih Bukhari:6490]
Meaning of selected words
Superior [فُضِّلَ] means, Allah has enriched you with wealth or pleasant appearance [or any blessing of Allah].
Commentary of Hadith
Ibn Mulaqin [804 AH] mentions in his commentary on Sahih Bukhari [al-Tawdih li Sharh al-Jami al-Sahih]:
هذا الحديث جامع لمعاني الخير كما قال الطبري
‘This hadith is all encompassing of all goodness as mentioned by Imam Tabari [310 AH].’
Ibn Mulaqin [Allah bless him] further comments, a summary of what he states is as follows:
- When it comes to matters of worship and religion, then look at those above you. This will push you to continue to increase in good actions and drawing close to Allah.
- Contrary to matters of worship, when it comes to matters of the world, there will always be someone who is lower in status and wealth than you.
– When a person ponders upon this then he will realise the blessings of Allah upon him. [End quote] [Tawdih li Sharh Jami al-Sahi, Volume 29, Page 537, Dar al-Nawadir, First Edition]
Another similar narration mentioned in Sahih Muslim [2963]:
انظرواالى مَنْ هُوَ أَسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ وَلَا تَنْظُرُوا إِلَى من هو فوقكم فهو أجدر أن لاتزدروا نعمة الله عليكم
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
‘Look at those who stand at a lower level than you but don’t look at those who stand at a higher level than you, for that is better-suited that you do not disparage Allah’s favors.’
Wisdom of Hadith
Imam Nawawi [676 AH] states in commentary on Sahih Muslim [al-Minhaj], below is a summary:
- When a person looks at those who are given more than him [in the matters of the world], then he seeks that and belittles what Allah has given him.
- Contrary to the mindset of the above, if a person looks at those who have less than him, he will be grateful to Allah, thank him and praise him for what he has.
- Looking at those who have been given more of this world can lead to competition, which then leads to envy and hatred for one another. [END QUOTE] [al-Minhaj, Imam Nawawi, Volume 18, Page 96]
- The true richness of this world is the richness of the soul (being content with that which he has) [Hadith will soon be mentioned, Insha Allah].
- A person chasing the riches and glamour of this world, will never be satisfied. He will want more and more [Hadith will soon be mentioned, Insha Allah].
Day 2: The Beauty of Modesty
عَنْ أَبِي السَّوَّارِ الْعَدَوِيِّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عِمْرَانَ بْنَ حُصَيْنٍ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم
“ الْحَيَاءُ لاَ يَأْتِي إِلاَّ بِخَيْرٍ ”.
Narrated Abu As-Sawar Al-Adawi:
`Imran bin Husain said: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Haya’ (pious shyness from committing religious indiscretions) does not bring anything except good.“
[Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
[For best view on smaller devices, rotate horizontal]
Word |
Meaning |
Haya’ [الْحَيَاءُ] |
A trait that motivates good deeds, and leaving evil acts. |
Commentary
Ibn Mālik [854 AH] in his commentary on Masābīh summarizes the meaning of this hadith very comprehensively:
الحياء عن فعل ما لا يرضاه الله تعالى خيرٌ كلُّه.
Being shy from committing action which displeases Allah is entirely good. [Abstaining from forbidden actions is always good]
Ibn Al’ān al-Shafi [1057 AH] explains how Haya brings goodness in ‘ الفتوحات الربانية على الأذكار النواوية’:
لحسن ثمرته من القيام بالأوامر واجتناب النواهي
[Due to] the fruits [results] that a person will bear from fulfilling the commands [of Allah] and abstaining from the prohibitions.
Reflections
- Modesty is a beautiful quality.
- Whomsoever Allah wants good for, is adorned by it [A person can achieve this quality either naturally or by diligent effort].
- It leads to an excellent standard of character.
- This quality becomes a means of abstaining from evil and sins.
The pinnacle of Haya is being modest to Allah. Which is, a person protects his thoughts [from evil thoughts], his stomach [from impure consumption and doubtful sources] and ponders upon the afterlife.
Wisdom of Hadith
- This Hadith diverts our attention to the importance and virtue of Haya’.
- It encourages to have this trait in all circumstances.
- To differentiate between Haya’ and shyness which [shyness] is blameworthy at certain times.
- This hadith alludes to the fact that some qualities at times can be good and at other times harmful, however Haya’ is profitable at all times.
Implementing Hadith
- Be eager upon contemplating [about Allah and the afterlife] in solitude. Surely this type of contemplation will create in the soul, the quality of being modest to Allah.
Day 3: Control Yourself When Enraged
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ
لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بِالصُّرَعَةِ إِنَّمَا الشَّدِيدُ الَّذِي يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ الْغَضَبِ
6114 صحيح البخاري كتاب الأدب باب الحذر من الغضب
2609 صحيح مسلم كتاب البر والصلة والآداب باب فضل من يملك نفسه عند الغضب
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The strongest are not the best wrestlers. Verily, the strongest are those who control themselves when angry.’’
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6114, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2609
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
[For best view on smaller devices, rotate horizontal]
Word |
Meaning |
الصُّرَعَةِ |
A person when wrestles another, slams and overpowers the other. |
Wisdom of Hadith
Imam Baydawi [685 AH] in ‘ تحفة الأبرار شرح مصابيح السنة’ states:
أن القوي في الحقيقة ليس من يصارع الرجال ويغلب عليهم، بل القوي من يقاوم نفسه، ويغلب عليها، بحيث يملكها حينما تكون أكثر تمردا وأشد تفرعنا، وذلك عند الغضب.
‘The strong person in reality is not the one who wrestles others and overpowers them, rather the strong person is the one who can control himself and overpower his anger. Such that he can control himself at the time when his mind is severely furious and uncontrollable, and this is at the time of anger.’
[3/276]
Wisdom of Hadith
Ibn Mulaqin [804 AH] explains the harms of anger and states in his commentary of Sahih Bukhari titled ‘التوضيح لشرح الجامع الصحيح’:
لأن الغضب يئول إلى التقاطع، ومنع ذي الرفق, وَرُبَّمَا آلَ إِلَى أَنْ يُؤْذِي الْمَغْضُوب عَلَيْهِ فَيُنْتَقَص ذَلِكَ مِنْ الدِّين
‘Anger leads to breaking of family ties and prevents kindness’. Also it can lead him to harm the person who he is angry with, as a result it harms his religion.’
[28/489]
Wisdom of Hadith
Hafidh Ibn Hajar [852 AH] references a hadith [in Fathul al-Bari] mentioned by Imam Tabrani [360 AH], from Sufyan Ibn Abdullah al-Thaqafi:
وقد ذكر الحافظ ابن حجر ﵀ في فتح الباري (١٠/٥٢٠) كلاما مهما في في شرح حديث لا تغضب، فقال: فِي الطَّبَرَانِيِّ مِنْ حَدِيث سُفْيَان بْن عَبْد اللَّه الثَّقَفِيّ «قُلْت يَا رَسُول اللَّه قُلْ لِي قَولًا أَنْتَفِع بِهِ وَأَقْلِلْ، قَالَ: لا تَغْضَب، وَلَك الْجَنَّة
‘I said O’ Messenger of Allah, tell me a statement that I can benefit from and is easy.’ He said: ‘Don’t get angry, and for you is Jannah’. [Fathul Bari – 520/10]
Reflections
- This hadith means that a strong person in reality is not who overpowers others, rather a strong person is he who controls himself and overpowers his anger and rage.
Implementing Hadith
- Recite Ta’awwuz [أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم] at the time of rage:
إني لأعلم كلمة لو قالها لذهب ذا عنه أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
“I know a word (sentence) the saying of which will cause him to relax if this man says it. ‘I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the outcast.’” [Sahih Bukhari:6115]
- Reflect when a person reaches this state, what if Allah is angry with me like this on the day of Judgement.
Day 4: Brotherhood in faith
عَنْ أَنَسٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ
لا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ
[صحيح البخاري كتاب الإيمان باب من الإيمان أن يحب لأخيه ما يحب لنفسه]
Anas ibn Malik reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “None of you will have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 13]
Meanings of selected words:
[For best view on smaller devices, rotate horizontal]
| Word | Meaning |
| لا يُؤْمِنُ [None of you will have faith] | This word does not negate faith, rather it negates the perfection of faith. [In order for a person to complete his faith, he must have this quality of loving for his brother that which he loves himself]. |
Commentary of Hadith
The below commentary is summarised from [زاد المسلم فيما اتفق عليه البخاري ومسلم]:
- This hadith teaches that a person can not reach the pinnacle and perfection of faith, until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
- ‘Brother’ in this hadith refers to brother and sister in faith, as the verse of the Quran suggests:
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌۭ
The believers are but one brotherhood [49:10]
- Also from faith is to despise for his brother what he despises himself.
- This hadith also applies to the general people as the hadith mentions:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم اتَّقِ الْمَحَارِمَ تَكُنْ أَعْبَدَ النَّاسِ وَارْضَ بِمَا قَسَمَ اللَّهُ لَكَ تَكُنْ أَغْنَى النَّاسِ وَأَحْسِنْ إِلَى جَارِكَ
تَكُنْ مُؤْمِنًا وَأَحِبَّ لِلنَّاسِ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ تَكُنْ مُسْلِمًا
Be on guard against the unlawful and you shall be the most worshiping among the people, be satisfied with what Allah has alloted for you and you shall be the richest of the people, be kind to your neighbor and you shall be a believer, love for the people what you love for yourself and you shall be a Muslim.
[Sunan Tirmidhi: 2305]
[An example is you love faith [Iman] for the people] [end quote]
Qadhi Iyadh al-Maliki [544 AH] states in [إِكمَالُ المُعْلِمِ بفَوَائِدِ مُسْلِم]: ‘A person loves for his brother from the matters of obedience [to Allah] and permissible things, that which likes himself’. He also states:
وبذله المعروف لهم، ومودته الخير لجميعهم وصرف الضر عنهم
‘To spend from the good on them, to desire goodness for all of them and to divert harm from them’.
[End Quote]
This hadith includes both, the matters of this world and the hereafter, as Allah says:
على ذلك فالحديث يتناول أمر الدنيا، وأما الآخرة
فقد قال، تعالى: ﴿وَفِي ذَلِكَ فَلْيَتَنَافَسِ الْمُتَنَافِسُون﴾ [المطففين: ٢٦].
حكاه السنوسى ١/ ١٤٧
Ibn Battal al-Maliki [449 AH] states in his commentary on Sahih Bukhari:
وقال بعض الناس: المراد بهذا الحديث كف الأذى والمكروه عن الناس
Some scholars state: ‘The meaning of this hadith is that you prevent harm and detested things from the people.’
[End Quote]
This hadith directs you to expanding and widening your heart for your brothers in faith. So do not be eager to gain the best things and not them, rather you love for them that which you love for yourself from the new and good things.
Lessons of Hadith
- This hadith does not mean a person is not a believer if he does not love for his brother what he loves for himself. Rather, he has not reached the pinnacle and perfection of faith, until he brings this quality in his life.
- Brotherhood in faith is a great pillar in faith and is required for the perfection of one’s faith.
- This quality directs us towards preferring others over ourselves, which is also mentioned in the Quran. Regarding the companions [Allah bless them all]:
وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌۭ ۚ
They give ˹the emigrants˺ preference over themselves even though they may be in need. [59:9]
- Absence of this quality results in deficiency of faith!
- To love each other for the sake of Allah [brotherhood in faith].
- The muslim ummah is like one body [hadith coming Insha Allah].
- Religion and faith is wishing good for one another [hadith coming insha Allah].
Wisdoms of Hadith
- Forbidden in faith is envy, which is that a favour is removed from someone whilst wishing the same favour for himself.
- Bringing this quality into one’s life is a cure for envy.
- This hadith is an evidence for both: how to increase and perfect one’s faith [wanting good for your brother] and how faith decreases and becomes incomplete [not wanting good for your brother].
Implementing the Hadith
- Making supplication [Dua] to Allah for your muslim brother.
- Wishing and desiring good for your brothers in faith.
- Giving charity can help inculcate this noble trait.
- Spending time with the pious and sitting in their gatherings.
- Reciting the Quran and other related literature, pondering over its meanings.
Day 5 – True Elevation
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ
‘مَا تَوَاضَعَ أَحَدٌ لِلَّهِ إِلاَّ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ’
[صحيح مسلم كتاب البر والصلة والآداب باب استحباب العفو والتواضع]
Abu Huraira [Allah bless him] reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
“No one humbles himself for the sake of Allah but that Allah raises his status.”
[Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2588]
Commentary
A common conception is that if others perceive that he is more enriched than others with regards to the materialistic things of this world, the people will then love him, and this will be a means of his status being raised.
However, the reality is that it will be a means of dislike and his status being lowered in their eyes.
True elevation [in status] is to humble oneself and lower the wings of humility. If Allah has favoured you with something, then surely Allah has favoured him over you with other things. Therefore, be satisfied and content with what Allah has given you and do not look down on anyone.
Here our Noble Messenger of Allah [peace be upon him] informs us that a person who displays humility for Allah, Allah will soon raise his status in this world by becoming loved by the people. With regards to the afterlife, Allah will bestow upon him great rewards and recompense him with the best of rewards.
Lessons of Hadith
- Humility is a great quality, and whoever intends for his status to be raised by Allah, then display humility towards the people.
- This Noble Hadith indicates that a proud person, Allah will recompense him contrary to that of his intention. Which is that the proud person, whereas he was seeking for his status to be raised, rather he has attained disgrace and anger from Almighty Allah.
- Pride is a quality that is detested, in contrast to humility, which is praiseworthy.
Wisdom of Hadith
Imam Baihaqi [458 AH] quotes a statement of Imam Shafi [204 AH]:
أرفع الناس قدرًا من لا يرى قدره وأكبر الناس فضلًا من لا يرى فضله
[شعب الإيمان: ٨٢٦٣]
‘The most exalted people are those who do not see their worth, and the best of people are those who do not see their virtue’.
[Imam Baihaqi in Shubal Iman: 8263]
Humility is a means of a person’s status being raised in this world and the hereafter. Also it is a sign of a person’s sincerity in his faith, as Ibn Rajab in al-Jami al-Hikam states:
‘There are many people who have a pleasant appearance, abundant wealth and fame yet their heart is empty of piety. There are also people who don’t have any of that, yet their heart is filled with piety, so they become honoured by Allah.’
Implementing Hadith
- Anyone who is older than you, then display humility towards them, and anyone who is younger than you then speak softly with them and deal with them gently.
- Sitting with the poor and loving them. In a Hadith it states:
أَحِبُّواْ الْفُقَرَاءَ وَجَالِسُوهُمْ
[صَحَّحَهُ الإِمَامُ الذَّهَبيُّ في التَّلْخِيص، رَوَاهُ الحَاكِمُ في المُسْتَدْرَكِ بِرَقْم: ٧٩٤٧]
‘Love the poor and sit with them.’
[Mustadrak al-Hakim: 7947]
Day 6 – The Prohibition of Pride
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ
“ لاَ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مَنْ كَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ مِنْ كِبْرٍ ” .
[ صحيح مسلم كتاب الإيمان باب تحريم الكبر وبيانه 91]
It is narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) related:
‘He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride shall not enter Paradise.’
[Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 91]
Definition
The linguistic definition of كِبْر [pride] is:
[For best view on smaller devices, rotate horizontal]
It is a belief that you are better than others |
كِبْر |
Commentary
In this hadith is a severe warning, the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم warned those that have pride, that they will not enter paradise, until they remove this detested quality.
Pride is a detested quality, on the outset it seems that this quality will bring about people honoring him and loving him. However, the reality is that this quality will bring about people detesting him and despising him. This is because he thinks that others are inferior in comparison to him.
Rather to incline hearts towards him, then he should lower the wings of humility, be courteous and gentle with people.
Finally, as a rule it is not permissible to tell a person [due to his pride] that ‘you are in the fire’. This is because this hadith is a hadith of warning, warning people of this loathsome quality. Rather a person should advise and warn them. Who enters paradise and the fire, is known only to Allah.
Wisdom of Hadith
The definition of pride is mentioned by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:
الْكِبَرُ بَطَرُ الْحَقِّ وَغَمْطُ النَّاسِ
‘Pride is to disregard the truth and to look down upon people.’
So two qualities are mentioned in the above statement:
- Rejecting the truth.
- Believing you are better than others.
Indeed believing you are better than others is the quality of the devil. Allah recalls the words of the rebellious Shaytaan:
قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِى مِن نَّارٍۢ وَخَلَقْتَهُۥ مِن طِينٍۢ
He [the devil] stated, “I am better than he is: You created me from fire and him from clay.” [7:12]
The Shaitan believed himself to be better than Adam [Allah bless him], due to his creation being from fire and that of Adam [Allah bless him] from being from clay. This pride led him to disobey Allah and not follow his commands.
All mankind are equal before Allah and only through piety can a person get closer to Allah.
Allah states:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ شُعُوبًۭا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۭ ١٣
O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware. [49:13]
This is also echoed by the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in his final sermon:
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over a white, except by piety and good action.
[Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 105]
DAY 7 – The Evil Consequences of the Tongue
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ: إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَتَكَلَّمُ بِالْكَلِمَةِ مَا يَتَبَيَّنُ مَا فِيهَا، يَهْوِي بِهَا فِي النَّارِ أَبْعَدَ مَا بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ
Narrated Abu Huraira [Allah bless him]:
That he heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “A slave of Allah may utter a word without thinking whether it is right or wrong, he may slip down in the Fire as far away a distance equal to that between the east.“
[Sahih Bukhari: 6477, Sahih Muslim 2988]
Commentary
One of the reasons why a person will enter the hellfire will be due to his tongue [speech]. We find in a Hadith when Muadh Ibn Jabal [Allah bless him] asked the Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] that will people enter the hellfire due to their speech. The Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] said: ‘Will the people enter the hellfire except for their tongues? Meaning one of the main reasons a person will enter the hellfire is due to their tongues.
Doesn’t the loathsome sin of backbiting occur except only with the tongue? Doesn’t lying which is a quality of Nifaq [Hypocrisy] occur except only with the tongue? Doesn’t slandering, gossiping and deceiving occur except only with the tongue?
Dear reader, your greatest enemy is the tongue! It is of the utmost importance that we be cautious regarding our tongue. If a person is watchful regarding his speech then this will be a means of being saved from abundant sin. However if a person speaks without being vigilant regarding it, then this can be a means of entering the hellfire, and we seek the protection of Allah from that.
Ponder over this Hadith! A statement said out of joke or jest or any other reason, could be a means of entering the hellfire. Our Noble Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] has beautifully advised us that we should speak good or remain silent.
مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌۭ ١٨
Not a single word is uttered by one but there is a watcher near him, ready (to record).
[Everything we say is being recorded by the Angels. The Angel to the right records all the righetous actions whereas the Angel on the left records all the evil actions]
Wisdom of Hadith
- We learn from this hadith that even a statement said out of joke, if it entails sin [such as lying, mockery] could lead a person to the hellfire. Hence, we should be extremely careful regarding our speech!
- The importance of pondering and thinking regarding our speech. Any speech which includes sin as mentioned in another narration causes the displeasure of Allah.
Day 8: 4 Loathsome Qualities
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ مُنَافِقًا خَالِصًا وَمَنْ كَانَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ كَانَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنَ النِّفَاقِ حَتَّى يَدَعَهَا إِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ وَإِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَإِذَا عَاهَدَ غَدَرَ وَإِذَا خَاصَمَ فَجَرَ
34 صحيح البخاري كتاب الإيمان آية المنافق ثلاث
58 صحيح مسلم كتاب الإيمان باب بيان خصال المنافق
Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There are four signs that make someone a pure hypocrite and whoever has them has a characteristic of hypocrisy until he abandons it: when he makes a covenant he is treacherous, when he speaks he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he argues he is wicked.”
[Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 34, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 58, Riyad 1584]
In the above hadith, four qualities are outlined, which are:
- Deceitful
- Lying
- Betrayal
- Quarrelsome/Insulting
These are from the loathsome qualities, and anyone who has any of them then this is a sign of hypocrisy [Nifaq]. Whoever has all four of these traits, as the Hadith mentions, then this is a sign of pure hypocrisy. Allah protect us!
Therefore, it is incumbent upon us that we protect ourselves from it, and we cleanse it from our hearts.
al-Hafidh Ibn al-Arabi [543 AH] states in ‘Ahkam al-Quran’ regarding Nifaq:
النِّفَاقُ فِي الْقَلْبِ هُوَ الْكُفْرُ، وَإِذَا كَانَ فِي الْأَعْمَالِ فَهُوَ مَعْصِيَةٌ
‘Nifaq in the heart is disbelief, and if it is in a person’s actions, then this is disobedience’. [2/550]
He [Allah bless him] further explains
فَقَالَتْ طَائِفَةٌ: إنَّ ذَلِكَ إنَّمَا هُوَ لِمَنْ يُحَدِّثُ بِحَدِيثٍ يَعْلَمُ كَذِبَهُ، وَيَعْهَدُ بِعَهْدٍ لَا يَعْتَقِدُ الْوَفَاءَ بِهِ، وَيَنْتَظِرُ الْأَمَانَةَ لِلْخِيَانَةِ فِيهَا. [2/550]
A group of people have stated: This is for the one who speaks whilst knowing he is a liar, he makes a covenant and has no intention of being loyal to the covenant, and he awaits for Amanah [trust] so that he can be treacherous and deceitful. [End Quote]
This is of course contrary to a person who speaks whilst not knowing it is not the truth, in this and other cases when one is sincere, then this is not blameworthy.
- The first of these detested qualities is being deceitful, which is when he is entrusted with something, he proves to be untrustworthy. Allah says:
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِتَحْكُمَ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِمَآ أَرَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَلَا تَكُن لِّلْخَآئِنِينَ خَصِيمًۭا ١٠٥
Indeed, We have sent down the Book to you ˹O Prophet˺ in truth to judge between people by means of what Allah has shown you. So do not be an advocate for the deceitful. [4:105]
2. The second is lying:
إِنَّمَا يَفْتَرِى ٱلْكَذِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْكَـٰذِبُونَ ١٠٥
No one fabricates lies except those who disbelieve in Allah’s revelations, and it is they who are the ˹true˺ liars. [16:105]
3. The third is breaking promises:
فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَـٰقَهُمْ لَعَنَّـٰهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَـٰسِيَةًۭ ۖ يُحَرِّفُونَ ٱلْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَاضِعِهِۦ ۙ وَنَسُوا۟ حَظًّۭا مِّمَّا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۚ وَلَا تَزَالُ تَطَّلِعُ عَلَىٰ خَآئِنَةٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا مِّنْهُمْ ۖ فَٱعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَٱصْفَحْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ١٣
But for breaking their covenant We condemned them and hardened their hearts. They distorted the words of the Scripture and neglected a portion of what they had been commanded to uphold. You ˹O Prophet˺ will always find deceit on their part, except for a few. But pardon them and bear with them. Indeed, Allah loves the good-doers. [5:13]
4. The fourth is being quarrelsome and insulting:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌۭ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَآءٌۭ مِّن نِّسَآءٍ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهُنَّ ۖ وَلَا تَلْمِزُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَلَا تَنَابَزُوا۟ بِٱلْأَلْقَـٰبِ ۖ بِئْسَ ٱلِٱسْمُ ٱلْفُسُوقُ بَعْدَ ٱلْإِيمَـٰنِ ۚ وَمَن لَّمْ يَتُبْ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ ١١
O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. [49:11]
Wisdom of Hadith
- Our religion is not that you only concern yourself with worship, and you overlook improving your character [Akhlaq]. Rather our religion consists of both worship and excellent character.
Implementing the Hadith
- Focus on improving our character and purifying ourselves from all detestable qualities. Making sure that we speak nothing but the truth, fulfill our promises and avoid bad language at all times.
Day 9: Truthfulness leads one to Jannah
Hadith
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالصِّدْقِ فَإِنَّ الصِّدْقَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْبِرِّ وَإِنَّ الْبِرَّ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَمَا يَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ يَصْدُقُ وَيَتَحَرَّى الصِّدْقَ حَتَّى يُكْتَبَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ صِدِّيقًا وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَالْكَذِبَ فَإِنَّ الْكَذِبَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْفُجُورِ وَإِنَّ الْفُجُورَ يَهْدِي إِلَى النَّارِ وَمَا يَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ يَكْذِبُ وَيَتَحَرَّى الْكَذِبَ حَتَّى يُكْتَبَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ كَذَّابًا ” .
It is obligatory for you to tell the truth, for truth leads to virtue and virtue leads to Paradise, and the man who continues to speak the truth and endeavours to tell the truth is eventually recorded as truthful with Allah, and beware of telling of a lie for telling of a lie leads to obscenity and obscenity leads to Hell-Fire, and the person who keeps telling lies and endeavours to tell a lie is recorded as a liar with Allah.
[Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim]
Commentary
We learn from the teachings of The Prophet ﷺ that whenever he commands a matter, implicitly we understand that the opposite is forbidden. Likewise when he ﷺ forbids a matter, implicitly we understand that the opposite is allowed.
However, in this noble Hadith he ﷺ commands us to speak the truth and at the same time clearly mentions the prohibition of lying, without leaving us to work it out.
This illustrates to us the importance of speaking the truth and the evil of lying.
Undoubtedly, speaking the truth leads one to goodness and piety, and due to this goodness and piety, it will eventually lead the one who is decorated in these two amazing qualities to Jannah.
Vice versa, lying leads one to sin and evil, and due to this lying and evil, it will eventually lead the one who has these qualities to hell-fire. We seek the protection of Allah from this!
So dear reader, abstaining from lying is an extremely important matter. To the extent that even when joking, one should abstain from lying. The Prophet ﷺ explained this matter to us:
بَهْزِ بْنِ حَكِيمٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ “ وَيْلٌ لِلَّذِي يُحَدِّثُ فَيَكْذِبُ لِيُضْحِكَ بِهِ الْقَوْمَ وَيْلٌ لَهُ وَيْلٌ لَهُ ”
[Sunan Abu Dawud: 4990]
‘’He who tells a lie in order to amuse people will be afflicted with loss.” He then used the expression ‘’May loss be upon him!’’ thrice.
To conclude, it is necessary we hold firm to the path of truthfulness, and that we seek the company of the truthful ones both in faith and action. Also, we abstain from lying and from the company of those who will have a negative impact upon us.
Wisdoms of Hadith
- One of the most virtuous ways in which a person reaches a lofty stage in paradise is al-Sidq (Being true in faith, action and speaking the truth).
- One of the most evil ways in which a person falls to the depths of the fire is lying.
- Speaking the truth has benefits in this world and the hereafter. As for this world, it saves a person from difficulty and harm, just like we learn from the incident of Kab Ibn Ahbar [] [See: ]. As for the hereafter, Allah says:
قَالَ ٱللَّهُ هَـٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٌۭ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًۭا ۚ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ١١٩
Allah will declare, “This is the Day when ˹only˺ the truthful will benefit from their Truthfulness. Theirs are Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there forever and ever. Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. That is the ultimate triumph.” [5:119]
- The qualities of al-Sidq [truthfulness] is:
They are truthful and sincere in their beliefs which is believing in:
- The oneness of Allah.
- The last day.
- The Angels.
- The Divine Scriptures.
- The Prophets [].
They also give they wealth to:
- Their Relatives.
- The Orphans.
- The Poor.
- The ‘Needy’ travelers.
- The Beggars.
- Freeing Captives.
They worship Allah by:
- Establishing Prayer.
- Fulfilling their Zakah.
Also they fulfill their oaths and finally their are patient during times of:
- Suffering
- Adversity
- Expeditions
These are the ones who are truthful and from al-Sidq, just like Almighty Allah says:
۞ لَّيْسَ ٱلْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلْبِرَّ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَـٰهَدُوا۟ ۖ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ فِى ٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلْبَأْسِ ۗ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ ١٧٧
Righteousness is not in turning your faces towards the east or the west. Rather, the righteous are those who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the prophets; who give charity out of their cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the poor, ˹needy˺ travellers, beggars, and for freeing captives; who establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and keep the pledges they make; and who are patient in times of suffering, adversity, and during battle. It is they who are true ˹in faith˺, and it is they who are mindful ˹of Allah˺. [2:177]
Day 1: Breaker of Kinship and Prolonged Life
لا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ قَاطِعٌ
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The one who severs ties of kinship will not enter Paradise.”
[Sahih Muslim: 2556, Sahih Bukhari: 5984]
What we will cover Insha Allah:
- The definition of who is a قتات [Breaker of family ties].
- The difference between قتات and نميمة.
- The difference between نميمة and غيبة
- Meaning of extended lifespan
- Lessons from the Hadith
Definition
| Term | Definition |
قتات |
One goes to a person and tells him that so-and-so says about him such and such evil things, with the intention of causing animosity between them.This is called ‘نميمة’.[We will Insha Allah mention the slight difference between قتات and نميمة soon]. |
[For smaller devices, tilt device horizontal for better view of table]
E.g An example of نميمة is Person A hears something from Person B, which is Person B said a negative statement regarding Person C, whilst Person C is not present. Person A then goes and tells Person C that Person B said this with the intention of causing animosity between the two.
Commentary
This is an important matter due to the fact that The Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed us that Jannah will be forbidden for him. Also several verses of The Noble Quran also highlight the importance of maintaining family ties, and the one breaks it can lead to severe consequences:
ٱلَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مِيثَـٰقِهِۦ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَـٰسِرُونَ ٢٧
“Those who break the covenant of Allah after contracting it and sever that which Allah has ordered to be joined and cause corruption on earth. It is they who are the losers.”
[Surah Al-Baqarah – 2:27]
Qadhi Iyadh [544 AH] states: ‘القتات’ [one who breaks family ties] and ‘النمام’ is the same in terms of terminology, however the only difference is:
- ‘النمام’ is one that is present when he hears the statement and then imparts it [with the intention of causing animosity between the two].
- ‘القتات’ is one who hears the statement but the person speaking does not know he is there, he then imparts the message [with the intention of causing animosity between the two].
The meaning of the statement of the Prophet ﷺ ‘He will not enter Jannah’ is interpreted as the one who makes ‘نميمة’ permissible. This is despite knowing it is prohibited.
Another interpretation is he will not initially enter Jannah but will spend some time in the hellfire. We seek the protection of Allah from the hellfire. Ameen.
Another point of discussion is, is نميمة the same as غيبة [backbiting]? The correct view is that there is a difference between the two. The difference is:
- نميمة is to impart a statement which he heard from a person to someone else with the intention of causing animosity, without his pleasure, whether the person knows he is there or not.
- غيبة is to mention something regarding your brother which he dislikes however the intention of causing animosity is not there.
There are various Ahadith in encouraging the maintenance of family ties. Which is being good to your family and relatives by spending on them or giving them ‘Salaam’ [greetings], which is keeping a connection with them and anything that is similar to it.
It is mentioned in authentic Ahadith, that one who maintains family ties will have a prolonged life. For example the statement of The Prophet ﷺ:
مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُبْسَطَ لَهُ فِي رِزْقِهِ، وَيُنْسَأَ لَهُ فِي أَثَرِهِ، فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ
[صحيح البخاري, كتاب الأدب, باب مَنْ بُسِطَ لَهُ فِي الرِّزْقِ بِصِلَةِ الرَّحِمِ]
Narrated Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه :
Allah ‘s Apostle ﷺ said, “Whoever loves that he be granted more wealth and that his lease of life be prolonged then he should keep good relations with his Kith and kin.”
[Sahih Bukhari: 5986, Sahih Muslim: 2557]
The meaning of the above hadith regarding a prolonged life is as follows:
- He will have Barakah in his life due to the reason of having ‘Tawfique’ [divine ability] in obedience to Almighty Allah and spending his life in that which will benefit him in the Akhirah, at the same time his righteous actions being protected from loss.
- Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani [852 AH] explains the hadith by stating that he will have a ‘prolonged life’, due to beneficial knowledge which he left behind, Sadaqah al-Jariyah [ongoing charity], and pious children that pray for him, this is after he has passed away, so it is as though he is still alive. [This explanation explains ‘prolonged life’ in a metaphorical sense].
From this explanation is the statement of al-Khalil Ibrahim [عليهم السلام]
وَٱجْعَل لِّى لِسَانَ صِدْقٍۢ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ ٨٤
Bless me with honorable mention among later generations. [26:84]
Also a Hadith in ‘Mu’jam al-Awsat’ from Imam Tabrani [360 AH] from Abu Darda [رضي الله عنه] that he was present with The Prophet ﷺ when someone said:
ذُكرَ عندَ رسولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ منَ وصل رحِمَه أنسِئَ لَهُ في أجلِهِ فقالَ إنَّهُ ليسَ زيادةً في عمرِهِ قالَ اللَّهُ تعالى فإذا جاءَ أجلهم الآيةَ ولَكنَّ الرَّجلَ تَكونُ لَهُ الذُّرِّيَّةُ الصّالحةُ يدعونَ لَهُ من بعدِهِ.
[المعجم الأوسط, رقم: ٣٣٤٩]
‘Whoever maintains family ties, their lifespan will be extended.’ The Prophet ﷺ replied: ‘This is not [the meaning] of increase in his lifespan. For Almighty Allah says
فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةًۭ ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ ٣٤
When their time arrives, they can neither delay it for a moment, nor could they advance it.’
However [the meaning is] a person has pious progeny that supplicate for him after he has passed away.
[Mu’jam al-Awsat: 3349]
3. That which is apparent to the Angels in ‘Lawhil-Mahfudh’ [The preserved tablet], which is: A person’s lifespan is 60 years, however if he maintains family ties then it increases by another 40 years. Surely Almighty Allah has complete knowledge in what occurs in it. This is the meaning of the verse:
يَمْحُوا۟ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيُثْبِتُ ۖ وَعِندَهُۥٓ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٣٩
Allah eliminates and confirms what He wills, and with Him is the Master Record. [13:39]
[Based on Zad al-Muslim, pg:1491-1492]
Lessons:
- Maintaining family ties is not just a social obligation but also a religious duty with serious consequences if neglected.
- Islam promotes unity, mercy, and forgiveness within families.
- To earn Allah’s pleasure and ultimately Paradise, one must strive to keep relationships intact and reconcile when conflicts arise. [A believer’s true purpose in life is the pleasure of Allah].
