Ahadith

ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAmr (r.a) narrated: ‘The Prophet (sa) remained behind us on a journey we had made. Then he reached us when we were late in offering Prayer [and it was almost time for the next Prayer] while we were performing ablution. We were not thoroughly washing our feet, so he loudly called out to us: “Woe to the heels from the fire”, twice or thrice’.

Ibn ʿUmar (r.a) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (sa) said: ‘Among trees there is one whose leaves do not fall off. It is similar to a Muslim. Can you tell me what tree it is?’ People began to contemplate the trees of the deserts. ʿAbd Allāh [ibn ʿUmar] said: ‘It occurred to me that it was the date tree but I felt hesitant [to answer].’ Then they asked: ‘Tell us what it is, O Messenger of Allāh?’ He replied: ‘It is the date tree.’

Ibn ʿUmar (r.a) narrated that the Prophet (sa) said: ‘Among trees there is one whose leaves do not fall off. It is similar to a Muslim. Can you tell me what tree it is?’ People began to contemplate the trees of the deserts. ʿAbd Allāh [ibn ʿUmar] said: ‘It occurred to me that it was the date tree.’ Then they asked: ‘Tell us what it is, O Messenger of Allāh (sa).’ He replied: ‘It is the date tree.’

Anas ibn Mālik (r.a) related: ‘Once we were sitting with the Prophet (sa) in the mosque, when a man on a camel entered. He made the camel kneel in the mosque and then tied it. He then asked the people: “Which of you is Muḥammad?” At that time, the Prophet (sa) was reclining among them, so we said: “This man of white complexion here who you see reclining.” The man said to him: “O son of ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib!” And the Prophet said to him: “I am paying attention to what you are saying.” Then the man said: “I will be asking you some questions, and I may be firm in my approach, so please do not take offence.” He [the Prophet (sa)] said: “Ask whatever you like.” So, he asked: “I ask you in the name of your Lord and the Lord of those before you, has Allāh sent you to all mankind?” He replied: “By Allāh, yes indeed.” Then he asked: “I beseech you by Allāh [to tell me], has Allāh commanded you that we should offer five Prayers during the day and night?” He [the Prophet (sa)] replied: “By Allāh, yes.” He asked: “I ask by Allāh, has Allāh commanded you that we should fast in this month every year?” He [the Prophet (sa)] replied: “By Allāh, yes.” He asked: “I beseech you by Allāh, has Allāh commanded you to collect charity from the wealthy among us to distribute it among the poor among us?” And the Prophet replied: “By Allāh, yes indeed.” The man then concluded: “I have believed in what you have brought and I am a representative of those whom I have left behind among my people. I am Ḍimām ibn Thaʿlabah, hailing from the tribe of Banū Saʿd ibn Bakr”.’ Anas (r.a) narrated: ‘Although we were forbidden in the Qurʾān to ask the Prophet [too many] questions, we still found it gratifying when a discerning individual from the desert would approach him with inquiries, and we listened to their exchanges. Once, a man from among the people of the desert came and said: “Your messenger came to us and told us that you claim that Allāh, the Mighty, the Majestic, has sent you.” He [the Prophet (sa)] replied: “He has spoken the truth.” Then he [the man] asked: “So who has created the heavens?” He [the Prophet (sa)] replied: “Allāh, the Exalted, the Mighty.” He asked: “And who created the earth and the mountains?” He replied: “Allāh, the Exalted, the Mighty.” He asked: “And who made in it the means of benefit?” He replied: “Allāh, the Exalted.” Then He asked: “So [I beseech you] by Him Who created the heavens and created the earth and set the mountains in place and created beneficial things within them, has Allāh sent you?” He replied: “Yes.” He [the man] said: “Your messenger said that five Prayers are compulsory for us, as are alms (Zakāh) out of our wealth.” He [Prophet (sa)] said: “He has spoken the truth.”He said: “So [I beseech you] by Him Who has sent you, has Allāh given you this commandment?” He replied: “Yes.” He said: “Your messenger conveyed that we are obligated to fast for a month every year.” He replied: “He has spoken the truth.” He said: “So [I beseech you] by Him Who has sent you, has Allāh commanded you to do this?” He replied: “Yes.” He said: “And your messenger conveyed that pilgrimage to the House [the Kaʿbah] is obligatory for those who have the means.” He replied: “He has spoken the truth.” He said: “So [I beseech you] by Him Who has sent you, has Allāh given you this commandment?” He replied: “Yes.” He [the man] said: “By Him Who has sent you with the truth, I shall do neither more nor less [than these commandments].” The Prophet (sa) said: “If he has spoken the truth, he will surely enter Paradise”.’

ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbbās (r.a) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (sa) sent a man with a letter and ordered him to deliver it to the Governor of Baḥrain. The Governor of Baḥrain forwarded it to Chosroes, but upon reading it, he tore it into pieces. [Ibn Shihāb continued]: ‘I believe that Ibn al-Musayyab said: “Thus the Messenger of Allāh (sa) prayed against them, that they be utterly torn apart”.’

Anas ibn Mālik (r.a) narrated: ‘The Prophet (sa) wrote a letter, or he intended to write a letter. It was said to him: “They [the intended recipients] do not read a letter unless it is sealed.” So, he had a silver ring made with ‘Muḥammad Rasūl Allāh’ [Muḥammad, the Messenger of Allāh] inscribed on it. It is as if I can still see its glimmer in his hand.’ So, I [Shuʿbah, a sub-narrator] said to Qatādah [another narrator]: ‘Who said that the inscription was “Muḥammad Rasūl Allāh”?’ He said: ‘Anas (r.a).’

Abū Wāqid al-Laithī narrated: ‘The Messenger of Allāh (sa) was seated in the mosque surrounded by people. At that moment, three men arrived: two approached the Messenger of Allāh (sa) while the third went away.’ He [Abū Wāqid al-Laithī] added: ‘Then the two kept standing before the Messenger of Allāh (sa) and one of the two found a place in the gathering and sat down, while the other sat behind the assembly. Meanwhile, the third person turned away and left. When the Messenger of Allāh (sa) finished [his speech], he said: “Shall I tell you about these three individuals? The first sought refuge with Allāh, and Allāh granted him refuge. The second felt shy, and Allāh, in turn, was shy of him [i.e. he recognised his shyness and had mercy on him]. As for the third, he turned away, so Allāh turned away from him”.’

Abū Bakrah (r.a) narrated, mentioning the Prophet (sa): ‘While he was sitting on his camel and a man was holding its halter or its rein, he said: “Which day is this?” We remained silent, assuming he was going to give it a name different to the one it had. He said: “Is not this the Day of Sacrifice?” We affirmed: “Yes.” Next, he asked: “Which month is this?” Again, we remained silent, assuming he was going to give it a name different to the name it had. He said: “Is not this Dhū al-Ḥijjah?” We said: “Yes.” He declared: “Verily, your blood and your property and your honour are sacred to one another, just as this day of yours is sacred, in this month of yours, in this city of yours. Let those who are present convey this to those who are absent, for it is possible that one who is present may convey it to someone who understands better than him”.’

Ibn Masʿūd (r.a) narrated: ‘The Prophet (sa) would carefully select specific days to give us advice, fearing it might become tedious for us.’