Following the Sunnah!

Abu Khaithama narrated to us, saying: Hushaim reported to us, saying: Sayaar reported to us from Jareer Ibn Hayyaan that he said:

“A man traveled to Egypt just for this one hadeeth and he did not stop his journey to settle down, until he returned back to his home. (The hadeeth was) ‘Whosoever conceals (the faults of) his brother in this world, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Judgment.’“

Abu Khaithama reported to us, saying: Muhammad Ibn Khaazim reported to us, saying: Al-A’amash reported to us from Shimr from Sa’eed Ibn Jubair on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas (RA), that he said:

“Indeed, every creature, even the fish in the sea, asks forgiveness for the one who educates people about the good (i.e. Islaam).”

Abu Khaithama narrated to us, saying: ‘Abd-ur-Rahmaan Ibn Mahdee reported to us, saying Bishr
Ibn Mansoor reported to us from Thawr from ‘Abd-ul-‘Azeez Ibn Adh-Dhibyaan that he said:
‘Isa Ibn Maryam said:
‘Whosoever learns, then knows, then acts, then this is considered something grand in the kingdom
of the heavens.”

Hazrat Isa (Jesus son of Mary) (peace be upon him) has said: “This world is a bridge: cross it, but do not build on it.”

In other words, it is the existence in the Hereafter which is the actual REALITY and objective for which this world acts as the bridge or means to transport one from the cradle to the inevitable grave where one is bound to spend some time. Since this world is a temporary station, it doesn’t make sense to live in extravagance. Therefore it becomes imperative to study and gain enough knowledge about the conditions prevailing in the grave so that adequate preparations could be made and when one reaches the moment of truth one will not feel lonely, deserted or confused.

On the authority of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), who said:

One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journey were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down in front of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), with his knees touching against the Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs he said, “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.”

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Islam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform prayers, to give zakat, to fast in Ramadhan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so.”

He said, “You have spoken rightly”; and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly. He [the man] then said, “Tell me about iman.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “It is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny (qadr), both the good and the evil of it.”

He said, “You have spoken rightly.” He [the man] said, “Then tell me about ihsan.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “It is to worship Allah as though you see Him, and if you do not see Him, then (knowing that) truly He sees you.”

He said, “Then tell me about the Hour.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner.”

He said, “Then tell me about its signs.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, and that you will see barefooted, naked destitute shepherds competing in constructing lofty buildings.”

Then he [the man] left, and I stayed for a time. Then he [the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)] said, “O Umar, do you know who the questioner was?” I said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “It was Jibril, who came to teach you your religion.” (Muslim)

Abu-Darda (RA) reported: Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said. “He who follows a path in quest of knowledge, Allah will make the path of Jannah easy for him. The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the oceans seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout worshipper is like the full moon to the rest of the stars (in brightness). The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who bequeath neither dinar nor dirham (wealth) but only that of knowledge; and he who acquires it, has in fact acquired an abundant portion.” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)

Abu Mas’ud Uqbah bin Amr Al-Badri (RA) reported: A man came to the Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said; “I join the morning Salaat late because of so-and-so who leads it and prolongs it.” (Abu Mas’ud said); I have never seen the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) so angry while giving a speech as he was on that day. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,”Some of you create hatred among the people against faith. Whoever leads Salaat, should make it brief (while still following the etiquette’s and requisites of Salaat) because the congregation includes old men and youngsters and those who have some urgent work to do.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Note: First, there is allowance for a genuine complaint regarding some public inconvenience. Second, a believer is supposed to be passionately uncompromising on religious precepts. Third, the Imam (leader) should refrain from prolonging Salaat and be considerate of the congregation standing behind him. But a brief recitation of the Quran or prayer does not imply a disregard of the example of the Prophet and the adjustment of different postures in Salaat. In no way should it be a haste and heedless Salaat as unfortunately offered by majority of men. They have little regard for the example of the Prophet in offering Salaat. What a pity! Fourth, one may be exempted from offering congregational Salaat for a valid religious excuse. Fifth, the Imam should eschew an attitude which may foment people’s aversion to worship.

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ” The most perfect man in his faith among the believers is the one whose behaviour is most excellent; and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives.” (Tirmidhi – Hasan Sahih)

Note: This hadith brings into light the corollary of faith and complaisant manners. We may put it in this way that the degree of a man’s excellent behaviour determines the degree of faith. Or the sublimity of faith calls for the sublimity of morals. Similarly, a man who is polite and courteous to his wife will be considered as the best.

Hadhrat Ibn Mas’ood (RA) narrates that he heard the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying: “At the approach of the hour of a salaat, an angel is deputed to proclaim, ‘Arise, O Children of Adam! and extinguish the fire that you have kindled (by committing sins) to burn yourselves.’ So, the people rise up, perform wudhu (ablution) and offer their Zuhr prayer. This causes forgiveness for their sins committed since daybreak. The same is repeated at Asr, Maghrib, and Ishaa. After Ishaa people go to bed, but there are some who busy themselves in good, while some in evil deeds.”

Hadhrat Salmaan (RA) says, “After Ishaa the people get divided into three groups. There are some for whom the night is a source of blessing and gain. They are those who spend it in the worship of Allah, while other people are asleep. For them the night brings great reward from their Lord. There are others who turn their night into a burden and curse for themselves, for they indulge in various dark deeds in the dead of night. To them the night brings woe and misery. There is the third group of people who go to bed immediately after Ishaa; they neither gain nor lose.”

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (RA) reported: Mu’awiyah (RA) came to an assembly in the mosque and asked them: “What has made you sit together?” They replied, “We are sitting here to remember Allah.” He said, “I adjure you by Allah to tell me whether nothing else has made you sit together.” They replied: ” By Allah! We are sitting only to remember Allah.” Then he said, “I did not adjure because I suspected you. No one of my rank in the eyes of Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is the narrator of so few traditions as I am. The fact is that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went out to a circle of his Companions and said, ‘What has made you sit there?’ When they replied that they are sitting together to remember Allah and to praise Him for guiding them to Islam and bestowing favors on them, he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘I adjure you by Allah to tell me that nothing else has made you sit together.’ On their reply that there was no other purpose, he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘I did not adjure you because I suspected you, but Jibril ((Gabriel) peace be upon him) came to me and told me that Allah was talking proudly of you to the angels.'” (Muslim) 

Note: This Hadith mentions the merits of the meetings which are held for the remembrance of Allah as well as the distinction of those who participate in them, so much so, that Allah mentions them to the angels. Shouldn’t we strive to be so blessed that Allah remembers us to the angels?