232. Book of I'tikaf

1268. Ibn 'Umar said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to do i'tikaf for the last ten days of Ramadan." [Agreed upon]

1269. 'A'isha reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to do i'tikaf for the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah Almighty caused him to die. Then his wives did i'tikaf after him. [Agreed upon]

1270. Abu Hurayra said, "The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to do i'tikaf for ten days every Ramadan. In the year in which he died he did i'tikaf for twenty days." [al-Bukhari]

233. Book of Hajj

Allah Almighty says, "Hajj to the House is a duty owed to Allah by all mankind – those who can find a way to do it. But if anyone rejects, Allah is Rich beyond need of any being." (3:97)

1271. Ibn 'Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing the prayer, paying the zakat, hajj to the House and fasting Ramadan." [Agreed upon]

1272. Abu Hurayra said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, addressed us and said, 'O people. Allah has made the hajj obligatory for you, so go on hajj.' A man said, 'Every year, Messenger of Allah?' He was silent until the man had said it three times. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, then said, 'If I said yes, it would become obligatory and you would be unable to do it.' Then he said, 'Let me be when I refrain from mentioning something to you. Those before you were destroyed by the quantity of their questions and their disagreement with their Prophets. When I command you to do something, then do it as much as you can. When I forbid you to do something, then leave off doing it.'" [Muslim]

1273. Abu Hurayra said that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked, "What action is the best?" He replied, "Belief in Allah and His Messenger." He was asked, "Then what?" and replied, "Jihad in the way of Allah." He was asked, "And then what?" He replied, "An accepted hajj." [Agreed upon]

1274. Abu Hurayra said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Whoever goes on hajj for Allah alone and does not have sexual intercourse or commit any outrage will return as he was on the day his mother bore him.'" [Agreed upon]

1275. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "From one 'umra to the next is expiation for everything in between them and there is no reward for an accepted hajj other than the Garden." [Agreed upon]

1276. 'A'isha, Umm al-Mu'minin, said, "Messenger of Allah, we see that jihad is the best action so should we not do jihad?" He said, "No. However, the best jihad is an accepted hajj." [al-Bukhari]

1277. 'A'isha reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "There is no day on which Allah frees more slaves from the Fire than the Day of 'Arafat." [Muslim]

1278. Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "An 'umra in Ramadan is equivalent to hajj - or a hajj with me." [Agreed upon]

1279. Ibn 'Abbas reported that a woman said, "Messenger of Allah, Allah has made going on hajj obligatory for His slaves and my father is a very old man and cannot remain firm in his seat when riding. Can I go on hajj for him?" He said, "Yes." [Agreed upon]

1280. Laqit ibn 'Amir reported that he came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, "My father is an old man who cannot do hajj or 'umra nor travel." He said, "Do hajj and 'umra for your father." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1281. As-Sa'ib ibn Yazid said, "I was taken on hajj with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the Farewell Hajj when I was seven years old." [al-Bukhari]

1282. Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, met a group of people at ar-Rawha' and said, "Who are these people?" They said, "Muslims." and then asked, "Who are you?" He said, "The Messenger of Allah." A woman lifted up a child and said, "Can this one go on hajj?" He said, "Yes, and you will have the reward." [Muslim]

1283. Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went on hajj on a camel which was his pack-animal. [al-Bukhari]

1284. Ibn 'Abbas said, "'Ukaz, Majanna and al-Majaz were markets in the time of Jahiliyya and it was considered a sin to trade there during the festival. It was revealed. 'There is nothing wrong in seeking the bounty from your Lord.' (W2:197; H2:198) during the festival of hajj." [al-Bukhari]

Book of Jihad

234. The excellence of Jihad

Allah Almighty says, "But fight the idolaters totally just as they fight you totally, and know that Allah is with the godfearing," (9:36) and the Almighty says, "Fighting is prescribed for you even if it is hateful to you. It may be that you hate a thing when it is good for you and it may be that you love a thing when it is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know." (W2:214; H2:216) The Almighty says, "Go out to fight, whatever your circumstances or desires, and do jihad with your wealth and yourselves in the way of Allah," (9:41) and the Almighty says, "Allah has bought from the believers their selves and their wealth in return for them having the Garden. They fight in the way of Allah, and they kill and are killed. It is a promise binding on Him in the Torah, the Injil and the Qur'an and who is truer to his contract than Allah? Rejoice then in the bargain you have made. That is the great victory." (9:111) The Almighty says, "Those believers who stay behind – other than those forced by necessity – are not the same as those who do jihad in the way of Allah, sacrificing their wealth and themselves. Allah has given those who do jihad with their wealth and themselves a higher rank than those who stay behind. Allah has promised the Best to both, but Allah has preferred those who do jihad over those who stay behind by an immense reward: high ranks conferred by Him as well as forgiveness and mercy. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (4:95-96) The Almighty says, "O you who believe! Shall I direct you to a transaction which will save you from a painful punishment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger and do jihad in the Way of Allah with your wealth and yourselves. That is better for you if you only knew. He will forgive you your wrong actions and admit you into Gardens with rivers flowing under them, and fine dwellings in the Gardens of Eden. That is the Great Victory. And other things you love: support from Allah and imminent victory. Give good news to the believers!" (61:10-13)

1285. Abu Hurayra said that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked, "What action is the best?" He replied, "Belief in Allah and His Messenger." He was asked, "Then what?" and replied, "Jihad in the way of Allah." He was asked, "And then what?" He replied, "An accepted hajj." [Agreed upon]

1286. Ibn Mas'ud said, "I said, 'Messenger of Allah, what action is most loved by Allah Almighty?' He said, 'The prayer at its proper time.' I asked, 'Then what?' He said, 'Then devotion to parents.' He said, Then what?' He said, 'Jihad in the way of Allah.'" [Agreed upon]

1287. Abu Dharr said, "I said, 'Messenger of Allah, what action is best?' He said, 'Belief in Allah and jihad in His way.'" [Agreed upon]

1288. Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A morning spent in the way of Allah or an evening is better than this world and everything it contains." [Agreed upon]

1289. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said, "A man said, 'Messenger of Allah, who is the best of people?' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'A believer who does jihad in the way of Allah with his self and his wealth.' They said, 'Then who?' He said, 'A man who withdraws into a mountain ravine and worships his Allah and spares people from his evil.'" [Agreed upon]

1290. Sahl ibn Sa'd reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Manning the frontier (ribat) for one day in the way of Allah is better than this world and everything in it. The place in the Garden of one of your whips is better than this world and everything in it. Any evening or a morning when a slave goes out in the way of Allah Almighty is better than this world and everything in it." [Agreed upon]

1291. Salman said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "Fighting on the front line (ribat) for a day and a night is better than fasting and praying at night for a month. If a man dies doing it, the actions which he used normally to do go on accruing for him and his provision is bestowed on him and he will be safe from the trials of the grave." [Muslim]

1292. Fadala ibn 'Ubayd reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The actions of every dead person are sealed except for the murabit in the way of Allah. His actions will go on increasing until the Day of Rising. and he will be safe from the trials of the grave." [Abu Dawud]

1293. 'Uthman said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "Fighting on the front line (ribat) in the way of Allah is better than a thousand years doing anything else." [at-Tirmidhi]

1294. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah gives a guarantee to the one who goes out in the way of Allah: 'I will repay anyone who goes out for no other reason than jihad in My way and belief in Me and affirmation of My Messengers either by admitting him into the Garden or returning him to his home from which he left with the reward he has obtained or booty.' By the One in whose hand the soul of Muhammad is, on the Day of Rising every wound which a Muslim receives in the way of Allah will be as it was when it was inflicted. Its colour will be that of blood, but its scent will be that of musk. By the One in whose hand the soul of Muhammad is, if it were not that it would be a source of difficulty for the Muslims, I would never stay behind from any expedition in the way of Allah. But I have not got the means to provide the people with mounts and they do not have the means either and it would be hard for them to stay behind if I went. By the One in whose hand the soul of Muhammad is, I would love to raid in the way of Allah and be killed, and then raid and be killed again, and then raid and be killed again." [Muslim]

1295. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Every one who is wounded will come of the Day of Rising with his wound bleeding. It will be the colour of blood but have the scent of musk." [Agreed upon]

1296. Mu'adh reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "If any Muslim man fights in the way of Allah even for a short time, the Garden becomes mandatory for him. If anyone suffers a wound or some disaster in the way of Allah, it will appear on the Day of Rising pouring blood as it did when it first happened: its colour will be saffron and its scent like musk." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1297. Abu Hurayra said, "One of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah passed by a ravine which had a small spring of sweet water in it and he admired it. He said, 'If only I could withdraw from people and stay in this ravine! But I will not do it until I have asked the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, for permission.' He mentioned it to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and he said, 'Do not do it. The station of one of you in the way of Allah is better than his prayer in his house for seventy years. Would you not like Allah to forgive you and admit you into the Garden? Raid in the way of Allah. If anyone fights in the way of Allah for even a short time, the Garden becomes mandatory for him.'" [at-Tirmidhi]

1298. Abu Hurayra said, "It was said, 'Messenger of Allah, what is equal to jihad in the way of Allah?' He said, 'You will not be able to do it.' They repeated it to him twice or three times, and each time he said, "You will not be able to do it.' Then he said, 'Someone who does jihad in the way of Allah is like someone who fasts and prays at night in obedience to the verses of Allah without slackening in his prayer or his fast until the one doing jihad in the way of Allah returns.'" [Agreed upon]

In the variant of al-Bukhari, "A man said, 'Messenger of Allah, direct me to an action which is equal to jihad.' He said, 'I do not know of one.' Then he said, 'Are you capable, when the person doing jihad sets out, of entering your mosque and then praying without slackening off and fasting without breaking the fast?' He said, 'Who could possibly do that!'"

1299. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "One of the best of livelihoods that people can have is that of a man who holds the reins of his horse in the way of Allah, hastening on its back, and whenever he hears the sound of war or alarm, he flies to it looking for either the killing or the death that he will find there, or that of a man among some sheep at the top of one of these mountains or in the bottom of one of these valleys who establishes the prayer and pays the zakat and worships Allah until certainty (death) comes to him. He does not involve himself with people except in a good way." [Muslim]

1300. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "In the Garden there are a hundred degrees which Allah has prepared for those who do jihad in the way of Allah. Between each two degrees is the space between heaven and earth." [al-Bukhari]

1301. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said. "The Garden is mandatory for anyone who is pleased with Allah as Lord, Islam as deen and Muhammad as Messenger." Abu Sa'id was amazed at it and said, "Repeat that to me, Messenger of Allah." and he repeated it to him and then said, "There is something else by which Allah raises the slave a hundred degrees in the Garden, the distance between each of which is as great as the space between heaven and earth." He said, "What is it, Messenger of Allah?" He said, "Jihad in the way of Allah. Jihad in the way of Allah." [Muslim]

1302. Abu Bakr ibn Abi Musa al-Ash'ari said, "I heard my father say when he was in the presence of the enemy, 'The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The gates of the Garden are under the shadow of the swords."' A man of ragged appearance stood up and said, 'Abu Musa, did you really hear the Messenger of Allah say this?' He said, 'Yes.' He returned to his companions and said, 'I give the greeting to you.' Then he broke his sword's scabbard, threw it away and walked with his sword towards the enemy, striking with it until he was killed." [Muslim]

1303. Abu 'Abs 'Abdu'r-Rahman ibn Jabr stated that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The Fire will not touch anyone whose feet become dusty in the way of Allah " [al-Bukhari]

1304. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "No man who weeps out of fear of Allah will enter the Fire until the milk returns to the breast. Dust raised in the way of Allah and the smoke of Hellfire will never be joined together in respect of any slave of Allah." [at-Tirmidhi]

1305. Ibn 'Abbas said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'There are two eyes which the Fire will not touch: an eye which weeps out of fear of Allah and an eye that keeps watch in the way of Allah." [at-Tirmidhi]

1306. Zayd ibn Khalid reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who equips someone for an expedition in the way of Allah has gone on the expedition. Anyone who looks after someone's family has gone on the expedition." [Agreed upon]

1307. Abu Umama reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The best sadaqa is the shade of a tent in the way of Allah, the gift of a servant in the way of Allah or giving a male camel in the way of Allah." [at-Tirmidhi]

1308. Anas reported that a lad from Aslam said, "Messenger of Allah, I want to go on an expedition, but I do not have the wherewithal with which to prepare myself. He said, 'Go to so-and-so. He has made preparations but has fallen ill.' He said, 'The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, greets you and says to give me what you have prepared.' He said, 'Girl, give him what I have prepared and do not hold anything back. By Allah, you should not hold back any of it and it will be a blessing for you.'" [Muslim]

1309. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sent an expedition to the Banu Lihyan of Hudhayl. He said, "Let every two men send one more man, and the reward will be for both of them." [Muslim]

In one variant, "One man out of every two men should go out." Then he said to the one sitting, "Whichever of you looks after the family and property of the one who goes out will have half the reward of the one who goes out."

1310. Al-Bara' said, "A man bristling with armour came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, 'Messenger of Allah, shall I fight or become Muslim?' He said, 'Become Muslim and then fight.' He became Muslim and then fought and was killed.' The Messenger of Allah said, 'His action was little but his reward is great.'" [Agreed upon]

1311. Anas reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "No one will enter the Garden and then want to return to this world, even if he had everything that is on the earth, except for a martyr who wants to return to this world and be killed ten times more because of the honour he experiences."

In one variant, "Because of the excellence of martyrdom he experiences." [Agreed upon]

1312. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah forgives the martyr every wrong action except debt." (In one variant, "Being killed in the way of Allah expiates everything except debt.") [Muslim]

1313. Abu Qatada reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, stood up among them and mentioned that jihad in the way of Allah and belief in Allah were the best actions. A man stood up and said, "Messenger of Allah, tell me, if I am killed in the way of Allah, will that expiate my sins for me?" The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to him, "Yes, if you are killed in the way of Allah and you are steadfast, expecting Allah's reward, advancing and not retreating." Then the Messenger of Allah said, "What did you say?" He said, "Tell me, if I am killed in the way of Allah, will that expiate my sins for me?" The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Yes, if you are killed in the way of Allah and you are steadfast, expecting Allah's reward, advancing and not retreating - except if you have debts. Jibril, peace be upon him, said that to me." [Muslim]

1314. Jabir reported that a man said, "Where will I be, Messenger of Allah, if I am killed?" He said, "In the Garden." He threw away some dates that were in his hand and then fought until he was killed." [Muslim]

1315. Anas said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his Companions advanced so that they reached Badr before the idolaters. Then the idolaters arrived. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'None of you should advance to anything unless I go first.' The idolaters drew near and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Rise up for a Garden whose breadth is that of the heavens and the earth.' 'Umayr ibn al-Humam al-Ansari said, 'Messenger of Allah, a Garden whose breadth is that of the heavens and the earth?' He said, 'Yes.' He said, 'Excellent! excellent!' The Messenger of Allah said, 'What moved you to say, 'Excellent! excellent!'" He said, "By Allah, Messenger of Allah, nothing but the hope that I will be among its people!' He said, 'You are among its people.' He took some dates from his quiver and began to eat some of them. Then he said, "If I live long enough to eat these dates, it will indeed be a long life!" He threw away the dates he had and then fought until he was killed." [Muslim]

1316. Anas said, "Some people came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, saying, 'Send us some men to teach us the Qur'an and the Sunna.' He sent them seventy men of the Ansar who were called "the reciters". They included my uncle Hiram. During the night they used to recite the Qur'an and study and learn. During the day they would fetch water and put it in the mosque and fetch firewood and sell it and use the proceeds to buy food for the people of the Suffa and the poor. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sent them and they were attacked and killed before they had reached the place. They said, 'O Allah, convey from us to our Prophet that we have met You and we are pleased with You and You are pleased with us.' A man came to Hiram, Anas's uncle, from behind and stabbed him with a spear so that it went right through him. Hiram said, 'I have won, by the Lord of the Ka'ba!' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Your brothers have been killed and they said, "O Allah, convey from us to our Prophet that we have met You and we are pleased with You and You are pleased with us."'" [Agreed upon]

1317. Anas said, "My uncle, Anas ibn an-Nadr, missed the fighting at Badr and said, 'Messenger of Allah, I missed the first battle in which you fought the idolaters. If Allah gives me the opportunity to fight the idolaters, Allah will see what I shall do!' On the Day of Uhud, the Muslims were routed and he said, 'O Allah, I apologise to You for what these people have done (i.e. his companions) and I declare myself innocent to You of what those people have done, (i.e. the idolaters).' Then he went forward and Sa'd ibn Mu'adh met him. He said, 'O Sa'd ibn Mu'adh! The Garden, by the Lord of the Ka'ba! I smell its fragrance from below Uhud!' Sa'd said, 'Messenger of Allah, I could not do what he did.'" Anas said, "We found him with about eighty wounds, sword thrusts or spear stabs or arrows. We found that he had been killed and the idolaters had mutilated him. No one could recognise him except for his sister by his fingertips.' Anas said, "We used to think or suppose that this ayat was sent down about him and his like, 'Among the believers there are men who have been true to the contract they made with Allah.' (33:23)" [Agreed upon]

1318. It is related from Samura that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "In the night I dreamt that two men came to me and took me up the tree and had me enter the most beautiful and excellent house and I have never seen a better house than it. They said, 'This house is the house of the martyrs.'" [al-Bukhari]

1319. Anas reported that Umm ar-Rubayyi' bint al-Bara', the mother of al-Haritha ibn Suraqa, came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, "O Messenger of Allah, will you not tell me about Haritha?" He had been killed at the Battle of Badr. "If he is in the Garden, I will be patient. If the case is other than that, I will weep my eyes out for him." He said, "Umm Haritha, there are many gardens within the Garden, and your son has obtained the Highest Paradise." [al-Bukhari]

1320. Jabir ibn 'Abdullah said, "My father was brought to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and he had been mutilated. He was placed before him and I went to uncover his face and some people prevented me.' The Prophet said, 'The angels are still covering him with their wings." [Agreed upon]

1321. Sahl ibn Hunayf reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "If anyone asks Allah Almighty for martyrdom with sincerity, Allah will make him reach the degree of the martyrs, even if he dies in bed." [Muslim]

1322. Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who sincerely seeks martyrdom will be given the reward of it, even if he is not wounded." [Muslim]

1323. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Martyrs only experience the blow which kills them as one of you might experience the prick of a sting." [at-Tirmidhi]

1324. 'Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa reported that during one of the battles in which the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, met the enemy, he waited until the sun declined and then stood up to address the people and said, "O people! Do not be too eager to meet the enemy and ask Allah for well-being. When you do meet them, be steadfast. Know that the Garden lies under the shadow of the swords." Then he said, "O Allah, Sender-down of the Book and Mover of the clouds and Vanquisher of the Companies, defeat them and help us against them!" [Agreed upon]

1325. Sahl ibn Sa'd stated that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Two things will not be rejected - or rarely rejected - the supplication at the time of the call to prayer and in battle when people are pressing against one another." [Abu Dawud]

1326. Anas said, "When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went on a raid, he would say, 'O Allah, You are my Support and my Helper. I move by You and I attack by You, and I fight by You." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1327. Abu Musa reported that when the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, feared a people, he said, "O Allah, we set You against them and we seek refuge with You from their evils." [Abu Dawud]

1328. Ibn 'Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Good will remain tied to the forelocks of horses until the Day of Rising." [Agreed upon]

1329. 'Urwa al-Bariqi stated that the Prophet , may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Good will remain tied to the forelocks of horses until the Day of Rising: the reward and booty." [Agreed upon]

1330. Abu Hurayra reported said that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "If anyone keeps a horse in the way of Allah out of belief in Allah and in confirmation of His promise, its food, water, droppings and urine will be placed in his balance on the Day of Rising." [al-Bukhari]

1331. Abu Mas'ud said, "A man came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, with a haltered camel and said, 'This is for the way of Allah.' The Messenger of Allah said, 'You will have seven hundred camels on the Day of Rising, all haltered.'" [Muslim]

1332. Abu Hammad, and he is called Abu Su'ad or Abu Asad or Abu 'Amir or Abu 'Amr or Abu'l-Aswad or Abu 'Abs 'Uqba ibn 'Amir al-Juhani said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say while he was on the minbar, 'In (the ayat) "Prepare against them all the force you can," "force" means archery, "force" means archery, "force" means archery.'" [Muslim]

1333. 'Uqba ibn 'Amir al-Juhani said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Many lands will be opened up to you and Allah will be enough for you, so none of you should fail to look after his arrows." [Muslim]

1334. 'Uqba ibn 'Amir al-Juhani reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who is taught shooting and then abandons it is not one of us - or he has rebelled." [Muslim]

1335. 'Uqba ibn 'Amir al-Juhani said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "Allah will admit three men into the Garden on account of one arrow: the one who made it, making sure it was made well, the one who shot it and the one who handed it over. So shoot and ride. I prefer your shooting to your riding. Anyone who abandons shooting after having been taught it, out of aversion to it, has abandoned a blessing. (or he said, 'been ungrateful for.')" [Abu Dawud]

1336. Salama ibn al-Akwa' said, "The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, passed by a group who were shooting against one another and said, 'Shoot, Banu Isma'il! Your ancestor was an archer.'" [al-Bukhari]

1337. 'Amr ibn 'Abasa said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'If anyone shoots an arrow in the way of Allah, it is equivalent to freeing a slave.'" [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1338. Abu Yahya Khuraym ibn Fatik reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "If anyone spends anything in the way of Allah, it is written for him as seven hundred." [at-Tirmidhi]

1339. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "No slave fasts one day in the way of Allah without Allah putting his face seventy years' journey away from the Fire on account of that day." [Agreed upon]

1340. Abu Umama reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "If anyone fasts a day in the way of Allah, Allah will put a ditch between him and the Fire whose width is the same as the space between heaven and earth." [at-Tirmidhi]

1341. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who dies without going on an expedition and without having thought of himself as going on an expedition has died with a characteristic of hypocrisy." [Muslim]

1342. Jabir said, "We were with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, on an expedition and he said, 'In Madina there are men who have been with you whatever distance you have travelled and whatever valley you crossed. Only illness prevented them from coming."

One variant, "A valid excuse prevented them from coming."

One variant has, "Without their sharing with you in the reward." [al-Bukhari]

1343. Abu Musa reported that a bedouin came to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, "Messenger of Allah, one man fights for booty, one man fights to be remembered and one man fights to be shown his place."

In one variant, "He fights for bravery and fights out of rage."

In one variant, "One fights in anger. Which one is in the way of Allah? The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'The one who fights so that the word of Allah be uppermost is in the way of Allah.'" [Agreed upon]

1344. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'There is no expedition, or raid, on which a man goes and in which he takes booty and is safe without sending ahead two-thirds of his reward. But on the raid or expedition during which he does not take booty and is wounded, he will have his full reward." [Muslim]

1345. Abu Umama reported that a man said, "Messenger of Allah, give me permission to travel." The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Travel of my community is jihad in the way of Allah, the Mighty and Exalted."

1346. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Returning is the same as setting out on the expedition." [Abu Dawud]

1347. As-Sa'ib ibn Yazid said, "When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, returned from the expedition of Tabuk, the people met him and I met him with the children at Thaniyyatu'l-Wada'." [Abu Dawud]

In al-Bukhari, he said, "We went with the children to Thaniyyatu'l-Wada' to meet the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace."

1348. Abu Umama reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "If someone does not raid nor equip a raider nor look after the family of someone on an expedition, Allah will inflict a calamity on him before the Day of Rising." [Abu Dawud]

1349. Anas reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Fight against the idolaters with your wealth, selves and tongues." [Abu Dawud]

1350. Abu 'Amr, and it is said Abu Hakim, an-Nu'man ibn Muqarrin said, "I was present with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, when he did not fight at the beginning of the day, but delayed fighting until the sun declined and the winds blew and help descended." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1351. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Do not desire to meet the enemy. Ask Allah for well-being. When you meet them, be steadfast." [Agreed upon]

1352. Abu Hurayra and Jabir reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "War is deception." [Agreed upon]

235. Chapter: On the clarification of those who are martyrs in respect of the reward of the Next World, but who are washed and prayed over, which is the not the case with those killed fighting the unbelievers

1353. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "There are five categories of martyr: someone killed by the plague, someone killed by an abdominal disease, someone who drowns, someone who is killed by a collapsing building and the martyr killed fighting in the way of Allah." [Agreed upon]

1354. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whom do you consider to be the martyrs among you." They said, "Messenger of Allah, anyone who is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr." He said, "The martyrs among my people will then be few." They said, "Then who are they, Messenger of Allah?" He said, "Anyone who is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr. Anyone who dies in the way of Allah is a martyr. Anyone who dies of the plague is a martyr. Anyone who dies of a stomach illness is a martyr. Anyone who drowns is a martyr." [Muslim]

1355. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As said, "The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Anyone who is killed defending his property is a martyr.'" [Agreed upon]

1356. Abu'l-A'war Sa'id ibn Zayd ibn 'Amr ibn Nufayl, one of the ten who were promised the Garden, who said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Anyone who is killed defending his property is a martyr. Anyone who is killed defending his life is a martyr. Anyone who is killed defending his deen is a martyr. Anyone who is killed defending his family is a martyr." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1357. Abu Hurayra said, "A man came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, 'Messenger of Allah, what is your opinion about a man who comes wanting to seize my property?' He said, 'Do not give him your property.' He said, 'What is your opinion if he fights me?' He said, 'Then fight him.' He said, 'What is your opinion if he kills me?' He said, 'Then you will be a martyr.' He said, 'What is your opinion if I kill him?' He said, 'Then he will be in the Fire.'" [Muslim]

236. Chapter: On the excellence of freeing slaves

Allah says, "But he has not braved the steep ascent. What will convey to you what the steep ascent is? Freeing a slaveÉ" (90:11-13)

1358. Abu Hurayra said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to me, 'If anyone frees a Muslim slave, for every limb of his, Allah will free one of his own limbs from the Fire until he is set free by his setting free of the slave." [Agreed upon]

1359. Abu Dharr said, "I said, 'Messenger of Allah, what action is the best?' He said, 'Belief in Allah and jihad in His way.' I said, 'What is the best kind of setting free?' He said, 'That of the person most valued in the eyes of his people and the one with the highest price.'" [Agreed upon]

237. Chapter: On the excellence of being good to slaves

Allah Almighty says, "Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him. Be good to your parents and relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to neighbours who are related to you and neighbours who are not related to you, and to companions and travellers and your slaves." (4:36)

1360. Al-Ma'rur ibn Suwayd said, "I saw Abu Dharr when he was wearing a cloak and his slave was wearing a similar cloak. I asked him about that and he mentioned that in the time of the Messenger of Allah he had once exchanged insults with a man and had abused him by insulting his mother. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "You are a man who still has some of the Jahiliyya in you. They are your brothers whom Allah has placed under your authority. Anyone who has authority over his brother should feed him from what he eats and clothe him from what he wears and should not oblige his brothers to do what is too much for them. If you ask that of them, then give them a hand." [Agreed upon]

1361. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When a servant of one of you brings him food, if he does not sit with him, he should at least give him a morsel or two - or a bite or two. He is the one who prepared it." [al-Bukhari]

238. Chapter: On the excellence of a slave who fulfils the right he owes Allah and the right of his masters

1362. Ibn 'Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When a slave gives good advice to his master and worships his Lord well, he has his reward twice over." [Agreed upon]

1363. Abu Hurayra said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'A virtuous owned slave has two rewards.' By the One who has the soul of Abu Hurayra in His hand, were it not for jihad in the way of Allah, the hajj, and devotion to my mother, I would like to die as a slave." [Agreed upon]

1364. Abu Musa al-Ash'ari reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A slave who worships his Lord well and gives his master the right which he owes him, and good advice and obedience has two rewards." [al-Bukhari]

1365. Abu Musa reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Three people will have a double reward: a man of the People of the Book who believes both in his Prophet and in Muhammad, a slave who fulfils his duty to both Allah and his master, and a man who has a slave-girl whom he teaches adab (i.e. good manners) so that she has good adab and educated her in the best possible way and then frees her and marries her. He has two rewards." [Agreed upon]

239. Chapter: The excellence of worship in times of violent turbulence, which is confusion, civil strife and the like

1366. Ma'qil ibn Yasar reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Worship in a time of violent turbulence is like emigration to me." [Muslim]

240. Chapter: On the excellence of being generous in buying and selling, taking and giving, settling debts and accounts well, giving slightly more in the measure and weighing, and the prohibition against being stingy. The excellence of granting a delay to the wealthy and the one in hardship, or cancelling the debt

Allah says, "Whatever good you do, Allah knows it," (W2:213; H2:215) and the Almighty says, "'My people! give full measure and full weight, with justice; do not diminish people's goods" (W11:84; H11:85) The Almighty says, "Woe to the stinters! Those who, when they take a measure from people, exact full measure, but when they give them a measure or weight, hand over less than is due. Do such people not realise that they will be raised up on a Terrible Day, the Day mankind will stand before the Lord of all the worlds?" (83:1-6)

1367. Abu Hurayra reported that a man came to ask the Prophet to pay a debt he owed him and spoke rudely to him. The Companions made for him but the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Let him be. Anyone with a right is allowed speak." Then he said, "Give him one the right age for the one he is owed." They said, "Messenger of Allah, we can only find an older, more valuable one." He said, "Give to him. The best of you is he who is most generous in settlement." [Agreed upon]

1368. Jabir reported the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "May Allah show mercy to a man who is generous when he sells, when he buys and when he asks for settlement." [al-Bukhari]

1369. Abu Qatada said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "Whoever wants Allah to save him from the calamity of the Day of Rising should give more time to someone in financial difficulties or absolve him." [Muslim]

1370. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "There was a man who used give people credit. He used to say to his slave, "When you come to someone in difficulties, give him more time, perhaps Allah will excuse us.' Then he met Allah and He did excuse him."[Agreed upon]

1371. Abu Mas'ud al-Badri reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A man among those before you underwent the reckoning and no good at all was found for him except that, being a wealthy man, he used to do business with people and used to order his employees to make allowances for anyone in difficulties. So Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, said, 'We have more right to do that than you,' and they pardoned him." [Muslim]

1372. Hudhayfa said, "One of the slaves of Allah Almighty to whom Allah gave money will be brought before Him, and He will say to him, "What did you do in the world?" He will say - and they cannot conceal anything from Allah - "O my Lord, You gave me wealth and I used to do business with people. Part of my character was excusing others. I used to be easy with those who were wealthy and give time to pay to those in difficulties.' Allah Almighty will say, 'I have more right to do that than you. Pardon My slave.'" 'Uqba ibn 'Amr and Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari said: "This is how we heard it from the mouth of the Messenger of Allah." [Muslim]

1373. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who grants a respite to someone in difficulty or absolves him, on the Day of Rising Allah will give him shade under the shade of His throne on a day when there is no shade but His shade." [at-Tirmidhi]

1374. Jabir reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, bought a camel from him for [two uqiyyas and a dirham or two dirhams] and he weighed it out for him and then gave extra." [Agreed upon]

1375. Abu Safwan Suwayd ibn Qays said, "Makhrama al-'Abdi and I brought some clothes from Hajar and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came to us and bargained with us over some trousers. I had a weigher who was paid to weigh. The Prophet* said to the weigher, 'Weigh and give more.'" [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

Book of Knowledge

241. Chapter: the excellence of knowledge

Allah says, "Say: 'My Lord! increase me in knowledge," (W20:111; H20:114) and He says, "Say: 'Are they the same – those who know and those who do not know?" (W39:10; H39:9) The Almighty says, "Allah will raise in rank those of you who believe and those who have been given knowledge," (58:11) and the Almighty says, "Only those of His slaves with knowledge have fear of Allah." (35:28)

1376. Mu'awiya stated that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When Allah desires good for someone, He gives him correct understanding in the deen." [Agreed upon]

1377. Ibn Mas'ud reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "You can only have envy for two things: for a man to whom Allah has given wealth which he spends in the way of the truth, and for a man to whom Allah has given wisdom and he acts by it and teaches it." [Agreed upon]

1378. Abu Musa reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The metaphor of the guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is the abundant rain which strikes the earth. Some of it is fertile and accepts the water and brings forth plants and grass in abundance. Some of it is hard and holds the water enabling Allah to let people make use of it. They drink from it, water their animals and irrigate. Some of the land it strikes is level and barren and does not retain the water nor produce plants. The first is a metaphor for someone who understands the deen of Allah and benefits from that with which Allah has sent me and learns and teaches. The last is a metaphor for someone who pays no attention to it for the sake of the Allah and does not accept the guidance with which I have been sent." [Agreed upon]

1379. Sahl ibn Sa'd reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to 'Ali, "By Allah, for Allah to guide one man by you is better for you than red camels." [Agreed upon]

1380. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Transmit from me, even if it is only an ayat, and you may relate from the Children of Israel without harm. Anyone who deliberately tells a lie regarding me will take his seat in the Fire." [al-Bukhari]

1381. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah will make the path to the Garden easy for anyone who travels a path in search of knowledge." [Muslim]

1382. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who calls others to guidance will have the same reward as those who follow him, without that decreasing their reward in any way." [Muslim]

1383. Abu Hurayra is that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When the son of Adam dies, his actions are cut off except for three - an on-going sadaqa and knowledge which brought benefit and a virtuous son who makes supplication for him." [Muslim]

1384. Abu Hurayra said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'This world is cursed, and everything in it is cursed, except for the remembrance of Allah Almighty and obedience to Him, and a scholar or a teacher.'" [at-Tirmidhi]

1385. Anas stated that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who goes out in search of knowledge is in the way of Allah until he returns." [at-Tirmidhi]

1386. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A believer will not have his fill of good until he reaches the Garden." [at-Tirmidhi]

1387. Abu Umama reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah and His angels and the people of the heavens and the earth, even the ants in their rocks and the fish, pray for blessings on those who teach people good." [at-Tirmidhi]

1388. Abu'd-Darda' said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Allah will make the path to the Garden easy for anyone who travels a path in search of knowledge. Angels spread their wings for the seeker of knowledge out of pleasure for what he is doing. Everyone in the heavens and everyone in the earth ask forgiveness for a man of knowledge, even the fish in the water. The superiority of the man of knowledge to the man of worship is like the superiority of the moon to all the planets. The men of knowledge are the heirs of the Prophets. The Prophets bequeath neither dinar nor dirham; they bequeath knowledge. Whoever takes it has taken an ample portion.'" [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1389. Ibn Mas'ud said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'May Allah bless a man who hears something from me and transmits it as he heard it. Many a person to whom something is transmitted retains more than the person who first heard it.'" [at-Tirmidhi]

1390. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who is asked for knowledge and conceals it, will be bridled with a bridle of Fire on the day of Rising." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1391. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who learns knowledge which should be learned for the sake of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, only to obtain by it goods of this world, will not experience the scent of the Garden on the Day of Rising." [Abu Dawud]

1392. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Allah will not take away knowledge from His servants, but knowledge will be taken away as the men of knowledge are taken away until there is not a single man of knowledge left. Then people will take ignorant men for their leaders who will be asked something and give a fatwa (decision) without any knowledge. They will go astray and lead others astray.'" [Agreed upon]

Book of Praise of Allah and Thankfulness to Him

242. Chapter: On the excellence of praise and thankfulness

Allah Almighty says, "Remember Me – I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and do not be ungrateful," (W2:151; H2:152) and the Almighty says, "If you are grateful, I will certainty give you increase." (W14:9; H14:7) The Almighty says, "Say: 'Praise be to Allah,'" (W17:110; H17:111) and the Almighty says, "The end of their call is: 'Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.'" (10:10)

1393. Abu Hurayra reported that on the Night Journey, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was brought two glasses, one of wine and one of milk. He looked at them and took the milk. Jibril said, 'Praise be to Allah, the One who has guided you to the natural way. If you had taken the wine, your community would have erred.'" [Muslim]

1394. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Every matter of importance which is not begun with, 'Praise be to Allah' is defective." [Abu Dawud and others]

1395. Abu Musa al-Ash'ari reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When the son of a slave of Allah dies, Allah Almighty says to His angels, 'Have you taken My slave's son?' They say, 'Yes.' He says, 'Did you take the darling of his heart?' They say, 'Yes.' He says, 'What did My slave say?' They will say, 'He praised You and said "To Allah we return."' Allah Almighty says, 'Build a house for My slave in the Garden and call it the House of Praise.'" [at-Tirmidhi]

1396. Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah is pleased with a slave of His who eats something and praises Him for it and drinks something and praises Him for it." [Muslim]

Book on the Prayer on the Messenger of Allah

243. Chapter: On the prayer on the Messenger of Allah

Allah Almighty says, "Allah and His angels call down blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe! call down blessings on him and ask for complete peace and safety for him." (33:56)

1397. 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As reported the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, says, "Anyone who says a prayer on me, Allah will pray on him ten times on account of it." [Muslim]

1398. Ibn Mas'ud stated that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The nearest of people to me on the Day of Rising will be the one who blesses me the most." [at-Tirmidhi]

1399. Aws ibn Aws reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The best of your days is the Day of Jumu'a, so do a lot of prayers on me during it. Your prayer is shown to me." They said, "Messenger of Allah, how will our prayer be shown to you when you have become dust?" He said, "Allah has forbidden the earth (to consume) the bodies of the Prophets." [Abu Dawud]

1400. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "May humiliation be the lot any man who, when I am mentioned in his presence, does not pray for blessing on me." [at-Tirmidhi]

1401. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Do not make my grave a place of celebration. Pray over me. Your prayer reaches me wherever you are." [Abu Dawud]

1402. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "No one greets me without Allah returning my spirit to me so that I can return the greeting to him." [Abu Dawud]

1403. 'Ali reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A miser is someone who, when I am mentioned in his presence, does not pray for blessing on me." [at-Tirmidhi]

1404. Fadala ibn 'Ubayd said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, heard a man making supplication in his prayer without glorifying Allah Almighty or praying for blessing on the Prophet. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'This one was in a hurry.' Then he called him and said to him - or to someone else - "When one of you prays, he should begin by glorifying his Lord, glory be to Him! and praising Him, and then pray for blessing on the Prophet. Then he should ask for anything else he wants afterwards.'" [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1405. Abu Muhammad Ka'b ibn 'Ujra said, "The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came out to us and we said, 'Messenger of Allah, we know how to greet you, but how should we bless you?' He said, 'Say, "O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah, grant blessing to Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You granted blessing to the family of Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious."'" [Agreed upon]

1406. Abu Mas'ud al-Badri said, "Once the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, came to us while we were in the assembly of Sa'd ibn 'Ubada. Bashir ibn Sa'd said to him, 'Allah Almighty has commanded us to bless you, Messenger of Allah. How shall we bless you?' The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was silent until we wished that he had not asked him. Then the Messenger of Allah said, 'Say, 'O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed the family of Ibrahim. Grant blessing to Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You granted blessing to the family of Ibrahim. You are the Praiseworthy, the Glorious,' and the greeting is the way you have been taught.'" [Muslim]

1407. Abu Humayd as-Sa'idi said, "They said, 'O Messenger of Allah, how should we bless you?' He said, 'Say, "O Allah, bless Muhammad and his wives and descendants as You blessed Ibrahim. Grant blessing to Muhammad and his wives and descendants as You granted blessing to Ibrahim. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious."'" [Agreed upon]

Book of Dhikr

244. Chapter: On the excellence of dhikr and encouraging it

Allah says, "And remembrance of Allah is greater still" (29:45) and the Almighty says, "Remember Me – I will remember you. Give thanks to Me and do not be ungrateful," (W2:151; H2:152) and the Almighty says, "Remember your Lord in yourself humbly and fearfully, without loudness of voice, morning and evening. Do not be among the heedless." (7:205) The Almighty says, "Remember Allah much so that hopefully you will be successful," (62:10) and He says, "Muslim men and women - (to) men and women who remember Allah much: Allah has prepared forgiveness for them and an immense reward." (33:35) Allah says, "O you who believe! Remember Allah, much, and glorify Him in the morning and the evening." (33:41-42)

1408. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Two words are light on the tongue, heavy in the balance, beloved to the Merciful: 'Glory be to Allah and by His praise. Glory be to Allah, the Immense.'" [Agreed upon]

1409. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "I prefer saying, 'Glory be to Allah and praise belongs to Allah. There is no god but Allah. Allah is greater' to everything the sun rises on." [Muslim]

1410. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who says, 'There is no god but Allah alone with no partner. His is the kingdom and His is the praise, and He has power over everything' a hundred times a day, has the same reward as if he had freed ten slaves, and a hundred good deeds are written for him and a hundred bad deeds are effaced from him and he has protection from Shaytan on that day until evening. No one will do anything better than he does except a man who does it more than he did." He said, "Anyone who says, 'Glory be to Allah and by His praise' a hundred times a day will have his sins fall away, even if they are like the froth of the sea." [Agreed upon]

1411. Abu Ayyub al-Ansari reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who says, 'There is no god but Allah alone with no partner. His is the kingdom and His is the praise. He has power over everything' ten times, it is as if he had set free four slaves of the descendants of Isma'il. [Agreed upon]

1412. Abu Dharr said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Shall I not tell you the words most beloved to Allah? The words most beloved to Allah are 'Glory be to Allah and by His praise.'" [Muslim]

1413. Abu Malik al-Ash'ari said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Purity is half of belief and "Praise be to Allah" fills up the balance. "Glory be to Allah and praise belongs to Allah" fills up the space between the heavens and the earth.'" [Muslim]

1414. Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas said, "A desert Arab came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, 'Teach me some words which I can say.' He said, 'Say: "There is no god but Allah alone without partner. Allah is indeed most great, and praise be to Allah abundantly. Glory be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. There is no power nor strength except by Allah, the Mighty, the Wise.'"' He said, 'Those are for my Lord. What about me?' He said, "Say: O Allah, forgive me and show mercy to Me and guide me and provide for me.'" [Muslim]

1415. Thawban said, "When the Messenger of Allah , may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to finish his prayer, he asked forgiveness three times and said, 'O Allah, You are Peace and peace is from You. You are blessed, O Possessor of majesty and nobility.'" Al-Awza'i, one of the transmitters of the hadith, was asked, "How was the asking forgiveness?" He said, "You say, 'I ask Allah's forgiveness. I ask Allah's forgiveness.'" [Muslim]

1416. Al-Mughira ibn Shu'ba reported that when the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, finished the prayer and said the salam, he would say, "There is no god but Allah alone with no partner. The kingdom and praise belong to Him and He has power over everything. O Allah, none can withhold what You give nor give what You withhold and the fortune of anyone who has one is of no avail against You.'" [Agreed upon]

1417. 'Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr reported that he used to say after every prayer when he said the salam, "There is no god but Allah alone with no partner. The kingdom and praise belong to Him and He has power over everything. There is no power nor strength except by Allah. There is no god but Allah. We worship Him alone. He has blessing and He has excellence and he has excellent praise. There is no god but Allah, making the deen sincerely His, even if the unbelievers dislike it." Ibn az-Zubayr said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say 'There is no god but Allah' with them after every obligatory prayer." [Muslim]

1418. Abu Hurayra reported that the poor of the Muhajirun came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, "The wealthy have appropriated the high degrees and abiding bliss." He said, "How is that?" He said, "They pray as we pray and they fast as we fast, but they give sadaqa and we do not give sadaqa and they set free slaves and we do not set free slaves." The Messenger of Allah said, "Shall I inform you of something by which you will overtake those who have preceded you and precede those who come after you and no one will be better than you unless he does the same as you do?" They said, "By all means, Messenger of Allah." He said, "You should say 'Glory be to Allah,' 'Praise be to Allah,' and 'Allah is greater' thirty-three times after every prayer." The poor Muhajirun then returned to the Messenger of Allah and said, "Our brothers who possess property heard about what we were doing and they have done the same." The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "That is a favour which Allah gives to anyone He wills." [Agreed upon]

1419. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who says after every prayer, 'Glory be to Allah' thirty-three times, 'Praise belongs to Allah' thirty-three times and 'Allah is greater' thirty-three times and says to complete the hundred, 'There is no god but Allah alone with no partner. He has the kingdom and He has the praise and He has power over everything,' will be forgiven his sins, even if they are like the foam of the sea." [Muslim]

1420. Ka'b ibn 'Ujra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Those who say – or do – the following glorification after every obligatory prayer will not be disappointed – thirty-three times 'Glory be to Allah', thirty-three times 'Praise belongs to Allah,' and thirty-three times 'Allah is greater.'" [Muslim]

1421. Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas is that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to seek refuge after the prayers with these words: 'O Allah, I seek refuge with You from cowardice and miserliness, and I seek refuge with You from being returned to the weakest state of life [i.e. senility]. I seek refuge with You from the temptation of this world and I seek refuge with You from the trial of the grave.'" [al-Bukhari]

1422. Mu'adh reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, took him by the hand and said, "Mu'adh, by Allah, I love you." He said, "Mu'adh, I advise you not to fail to say after every prayer, 'O Allah, help me to remember You and thank You and worship You well.'" [Abu Dawud]

1423. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When one of you says the tashahhud , he should seek refuge with Allah from four things. He should say, 'O Allah. I seek refuge with You from the punishment of Hellfire, from the punishment of the grave, from the trials of life and death and from the evil of the trial of the Dajjal." [Muslim]

1424. 'Ali said, "When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did the prayer, the last thing he said between the tashahhud and the salam was, 'O Allah, forgive me my past and future wrong actions, what I conceal and what I make public and what I have been extravagant in. You are the One who advances and the One who defers. There is no god but You.'" [Muslim]

1425. 'A'isha said, "In his ruku' and sajda the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say often, 'Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and with Your praise. O Allah, forgive me!'" [Agreed upon]

1426. 'A'isha stated that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say in his bowing and prostration, "Glorious, Holy, Lord of the angels and the Spirit." [Muslim]

1427. Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "As for ruku', exalt the Lord, the Mighty and Exalted, in it, and as for prostration, exert yourself in supplication, and it is proper that you be answered in it." [Muslim]

1428. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The closest that a slave of Allah comes to his Lord is while he is prostrating, so make a lot of supplication then." [Muslim]

1429. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say in his prostration, "O Allah, forgive me all my sins, great and small, first and last, open and secret." [Muslim]

1430. 'A'isha said, "One night I missed the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and felt for him. He was bowing - or prostrating - and said, 'Glory be to You and by Your praise. There is no god but You.'

In one variant, "I put my hand on the inside of his feet and he was in the mosque. They were upright and he was saying, 'O Allah, I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your anger, and Your pardon from Your punishment. I seek refuge in You from You. I cannot reckon Your praise. You are as You praised Yourself.'"" [Muslim]

1431. Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas said, "We were with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and he said, 'Are any of you able to earn a thousand good deeds every day?' One of those who was sitting there asked him, 'How can someone earn a thousand good deeds?' He said, 'Glorifying a hundred times is written as a thousand good deeds or a thousand errors fall away from him.'"" [Muslim]

1432. Abu Dharr reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ""Sadaqa is owed by every joint you have. Every glorification is sadaqa. Every praise is sadaqa. Every 'la ilaha illa'llah' is sadaqa. Every takbir is sadaqa. Commanding the right is sadaqa. Forbidding the wrong is sadaqa. Praying two rak'ats in the forenoon (Duha) covers all these."" [Muslim]

1433. Umm al-Mu'minin Juwayriyya bint al-Harith reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, left her one morning to pray Subh while she was in her place of prayer. Then he returned after the sun was well risen and she was still sitting there. He said, "You are still in the state you were when I left you?" She said, "Yes." The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "I recited four words three times. If they were to be weighed against everything you have recited today they would outweigh it: 'Glory be to Allah and by His praise in number as great as His creation and His own pleasure, the weight of His Throne and the ink of His words.'"" [Muslim]

In one of the variants of Muslim, "Glory be to Allah in number as great as His creation. Glory be to Allah according to His own pleasure. Glory be to Allah by the weight of His Throne. Glory be to Allah according to the ink of His words."

In the variant of at-Tirmidhi, "Shall I teach you some words you can say? 'Glory be to Allah in number as great as His creation. Glory be to Allah in number as great as His creation. Glory be to Allah in number as great as His creation. Glory be to Allah according to His own pleasure. Glory be to Allah according to His own pleasure. Glory be to Allah according to His own pleasure. Glory be to Allah by the weight of His Throne. Glory be to Allah by the weight of His Throne. Glory be to Allah by the weight of His Throne. Glory be to Allah according to the ink of His words. Glory be to Allah according to the ink of His words. Glory be to Allah according to the ink of His words.'"

1434. Abu Musa al-Ash'ari reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The metaphor of someone who remembers his Lord and someone who does not remember Him is that of the living and the dead." [al-Bukhari]

Muslim related it and said, "The metaphor of a house in which Allah is mentioned and a house in which Allah is not mentioned is that of the living and the dead."

1435. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah Almighty says, 'I am in My slave's opinion of Me and I am with Him when He remembers Me. When he remembers Me in himself, I mention him in Myself. If he mentions Me in an assembly, I mention him in a better assembly than them.'" [Agreed upon]

1436. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The 'mufarridun' have outstripped." They said, "Who are the 'mufarridun', Messenger of Allah?" He said, "The men and women who remember Allah often."[Muslim]

1437. Jabir said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'The best dhikr is 'There is no god but Allah.'" [at-Tirmidhi]

1438. 'Abdullah ibn Busr reported that a man said, "Messenger of Allah, the laws of Islam are too much for me. Tell me something I can cling to." He said, "Your tongue should remain moist with the remembrance of Allah." [at-Tirmidhi]

1439. Jabir stated that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Anyone who says, 'Glory be to Allah and by His praise,' has a palm-tree planted for him in the Garden." [at-Tirmidhi]

1440. Ibn Mas'ud reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "I met Ibrahim on my Night Journey. He said, 'O Muhammad, convey the greeting from me to your community and tell them that the Garden has good soil and sweet water. It is vast and its plants say, "Glory be to Allah. Praise be to Allah. There is no god but Allah. Allah is greater." [at-Tirmidhi]

1441. Abu'd-Darda' reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Shall I inform you of the best of your actions and the purest of your property and the highest of your degrees and what is better for you than spending gold and silver and better for you than encountering the enemy and striking their necks and their striking your necks?" They said, "Yes, indeed!" He said, "Remembrance of Allah Almighty." [at-Tirmidhi]

1442. Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas reported that, together with the Messenger of Allah, he visited a woman and in front of her were some date-stones - or pebbles - which she was using to glorify Allah. He said, 'Shall I inform you what is easier for you than this - or better?' He said, 'Glory be to Allah by the number of things He has created in the heaven and glory be to Allah by the number of things He has created in the earth and glory be to Allah by the number of things in between them and glory be to Allah by the number of things He has created. Then say, "Allah is greater" in the same way and "Praise be to Allah" in the same way, and "There is no god but Allah" in the same way and "There is no power nor strength except by Allah" in the same way.'" [at-Tirmidhi]

1443. Abu Musa said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Shall I direct you to one of the treasures of the Garden? I said, 'Yes, Messenger of Allah.' He said, 'There is no power nor strength except by Allah.'" [Agreed upon]

245. Chapter: On remembering Allah Almighty standing, sitting and lying down, and while in a state of major impurity, minor impurity and while menstruating - except for the Qur'an which is not lawful for someone in a state of major impurity or menstruating

Allah says, "In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are Signs for people of intelligence: those who remember Allah standing, sitting and lying on their sides." (3:190-191)

1444. 'A'isha said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to remember Allah Almighty in all states." [Muslim]

1445. Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "If one of you comes to his wife and says, 'In the name of Allah. O Allah, protect us from Shaytan and protect any child You grant us from Shaytan,' and a child is decreed for them, Shaytan will not harm it." [Agreed upon]

246. Chapter: What one says when going to sleep and waking up

1446. Hudhayfa and Abu Dharr reported that when the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, retired to his bed, he said, "In Your name, O Allah, I live and I die." When he woke up he said, "Praise be to Allah who gave me life and He made me die and to Him is the gathering." [al-Bukhari]

247. Chapter: on the excellence of circles of dhikr, and the recommendation to join them and the prohibition against parting from them without excuse

Allah says, "Restrain yourself patiently with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, desiring His Face. Do not turn your eyes from them." (18:28)

1447. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah Almighty has angels who travel the highways and by-ways seeking out the people of dhikr. When they find people remembering Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, they call out to one another, 'Come to what you hunger for!' and they enfold them with their wings stretching up to the lowest heaven. Their Lord - who knows best - asks them, 'What are My slaves saying?' They say, 'They are glorifying You, proclaiming Your greatness, praising You and magnifying You.' He says, 'Have they seen Me?' They say, 'No, by Allah, they have not seen You.' He says, 'How would it be if they were to see Me?' [extra 'He said's deleted] They say, 'If they were to see You, they would worship You even more intensely and magnify You even more intensely and glorify You even more intensely.' He says, 'What are they asking for?' They say, 'They are asking You for the Garden.' He says, 'Have they seen it?' They say, 'No, by Allah, O Lord, they have not seen it.'" He says, 'How would it be if they were to see it?' They say, 'If they were to see it, they would yearn for it even more strongly and seek it even more assiduously and would have an even greater desire for it.' He says, 'What are they seeking refuge from?' 'They are seeking refuge from the Fire.' He says, 'Have they seen it?' He says, 'How would it be if they were to see it?' They say, 'If they were to see it, they would flee from it even harder and have an even greater fear of it.' He says, 'I testify to you that I have forgiven them.' One of angels says, 'Among them is so-and-so who is not one of them. He came to get something he needed.' He says, 'They are sitting and the one sitting with them will not be disappointed.'" [Agreed upon]

In the variant of Muslim from Abu Hurayra is that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Allah also has angels who travel about seeking out gatherings of dhikr. When they find a gathering in which there is dhikr, they sit with them and cover one another with their wings until they fill up the space between them and the lowest heaven. When they separate, they rise and ascend to the heaven. Allah, the Mighty and Majestic - and He knows best - asks them, 'Where did you come from?' They say, 'We came from some of Your slaves in the earth who were glorifying You, proclaiming Your greatness, saying, 'There is no god but Allah,' praising You and supplicating You.' He said, 'What are they asking Me for?' They say, 'They are asking You for Your Garden.' He said, 'Have they seen My Garden?' They say, 'No, O Lord.' He says, 'How would it be if they were to see My Garden?' They say, 'They are seeking Your protection.' They say, 'From Your Fire, O Lord.' He says, 'Have they seen My Fire?' They say, 'No.' He says, 'How would it be if they were to see My Fire?' They say, 'And they are asking Your forgiveness.' He says, 'I have forgiven them and given them what they ask and I have granted them protection from what they seek protection from.' They say, 'O Lord, a certain slave is among them who just happened to be passing and sat down with them.' He says, 'I have forgiven him. They are such people that the one who sits with them will not be disappointed.'"

1448. Abu Hurayra and Abu Sa'id reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "No people sit remembering Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, without the angels surrounding them and mercy covering them and tranquillity descending on them and Allah mentioning them to those who are with Him." [Muslim]

1449. Abu Waqid al-Harith ibn 'Awf reported that once when the Messenger of Allah may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was sitting in the mosque with some people, three people arrived. Two of them came up to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the other left. The two stood before the Messenger of Allah. One of them saw a place in the gathering and sat in it. Another sat behind the assembly. The third turned around and left. When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, finished, he said, "Shall I tell you about those three people? One of them betook himself to Allah and so Allah took him in His mercy. The second was shy about causing overcrowding and so Allah was shy with him [so He would not punish him]. The other turned away, so Allah turned away [His mercy] from him." [Agreed upon]

1450. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said, "Mu'awiya went out to a circle in the mosque and said, 'What is it that has caused you to sit here?' They said, 'We have sat down to remember Allah.' He said, 'By Allah, is that the only thing that has made you sit together?' They said, 'We have sat down for that reason alone.' He said, 'I did not make you swear out of any suspicion of you. No one who had a similar position to mine in respect of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, has related less hadith than I have. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went out to a circle of his Companions and said, "What is it that has caused you to sit together?" They said, "We have sat down to remember Allah and praise Him for He has guided us to Islam and been gracious to us." He said, "By Allah, is that the only thing that has made you sit together?" They said, "By Allah, we have sat for that reason alone." He said, "I did not make you swear out of any suspicion of you, but Jibril came to me and reported to me that the angels are boasting about you."'" [Muslim]

248. Chapter: On dhikr morning and evening

Allah says, "Remember your Lord in yourself humbly and fearfully, without loudness of voice, morning and evening (âsâl). Do not be among the heedless," (7:205) and linguists say that âsâl is the plural of asîl and is the time between 'Asr and Maghrib. Allah says, "Glorify your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting," (W20:128; H20:130) and He says, "Glorify your Lord with praise in the evening ('ashi) and the early morning." (40:55) and linguists says that 'ashi is between the decline of the sun and its setting. The Almighty says, "In houses which Allah has permitted to be built and in which His name is remembered, there are men who proclaim His glory morning," (W24:26; H24:36-37) and the Almighty says, "We subjected the mountains to glorify with him in the evening and at sunrise." (W38:17; H38:18)

1451. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "On the Day of Rising no one will bring anything better than someone who says in the morning and evening, 'Glory be to Allah and by His praise' a hundred times except someone who says the same as he says or more." [Muslim]

1452. Abu Hurayra said, "A man came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, 'Messenger of Allah, what agony I suffered last night from a scorpion which stung me yesterday!' He said, 'If you had said in the evening, "I seek refuge with the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created," it would not have harmed you." [Muslim]

1453. Abu Hurayra stated that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say in the morning, "O Allah, by You we start the day and by You we end it, by You we live and by You we die and to You is the gathering." In the evening he would say. "O Allah, by You we end the day, by You we live and by You we die and to You is the gathering." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1454. Abu Hurayra reported that Abu Bakr as-Siddiq said, "Messenger of Allah, tell me some words I can say in the morning and in the evening." He said, "Say, 'O Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the Unseen and the Visible, Lord and Master of everything. I bear witness that there is no god but You. I seek refuge from you from the evil of my self and from the evil of Shaytan and his shirk.'" He said, "Say it in the morning and in the evening and when you go to bed." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1455. Ibn Mas'ud said, "In the evening, the Prophet of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'We have reached the evening and the kingdom has reached the evening by Allah. Praise belongs to Allah. There is no god but Allah alone with no partner," The transmitter said, "I think that he also said, 'His is the kingdom and His is the praise. He has power over everything. Lord, I ask you for the good of what is in this night and the good of what comes after it, and I seek refuge with You from the evil of what is in this night and the evil of what comes after it. Lord, I seek refuge with You from laziness and the evil of pride. Lord, I seek refuge with You from punishment in the Fire and punishment in the grave.'" In the morning, he also said, "We have reached the morning and the kingdom has reached the morning by Allah." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1456. 'Abdullah ibn Khubayb said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to me, 'Recite, "Say: He is God, One," and the suras of seeking refuge in the evening and the morning three times, it will be enough to protect you in respect of everything.'" [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1457. 'Uthman ibn 'Affan reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "No slave of Allah says in the morning every day and the evening every night, 'In the name of Allah by whose name nothing in the earth or the heaven can be harmed. He is the Hearing, the Knowing,' three times without that ensuring that nothing will harm him." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

249. Chapter: On what to say when going to sleep

Allah Almighty says, "In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are signs for people of intelligence: those who remember Allah, standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth." (3:190-191)

1458. Hudhayfa and Abu Dharr reported that when the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went to bed, he said, "In Your name, O Allah, I live and die." [al-Bukhari]

1459. 'Ali stated that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to him and Fatima, "When you retire to your bed, - or when you take yourselves to bed - say 'Allah is greater' thirty-three times, glorify Allah thirty-three times, praise Him thirty-three times." One variant has, "Glorify Allah thirty-four times," and one variant, "Say 'Allah is greater' thirty-four times." [Agreed upon]

1460. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "When one of you retires to bed, he should wipe over his bed with the inside of his wrapper. He does not know what might have been on it after him. Then he should say, 'By Your name, my Lord, I have lain on my side and I have raised it up by You. If You keep my soul, show mercy to it. If You release it, then protect it in the way You protect Your virtuous slaves.'" [Agreed upon]

1461. 'A'isha reported that when the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went to bed, he would spit into his hands and recite the two suras of refuge and wipe his body with them." [Agreed upon]

In one of their variants, "When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, retired to bed every night he would put his palms together and then spit into them and recite into them, 'Say: He is Allah, One,' 'Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of daybreak,' and 'Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of people,' and then wipe as much of his body as he could with them. He would begin with his head and face and then the rest of his body. He would do that three times." [Agreed upon]

1462. Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to me, 'When you go to your bed, do wudu' as you do for the prayer and then lie down on your right side and said, 'O Allah, I have surrendered my soul to You and I have entrusted my affair to You and I have sought refuge in You out of desire for You and fear of You. There is no shelter nor place of safety from You except with You. I have believed in Your Book which You sent down and Your Prophet whom You sent.' Then if you die, you will die in the natural harmonious form of man. Make them the last thing that you say." [Agreed upon]

1463. Anas reported that when the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, retired to his bed, he said, "Praise be to Allah who has fed us and given us to drink and given us enough and given us a refuge. How many people there are who have no one to give them enough nor any refuge!" [Muslim]

1464. Hudhayfa reported that when the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, wanted to lie down, he would place his right hand under his cheek and then say, 'O Allah, protect me from Your punishment on the Day when You raise up Your slaves.'" [at-Tirmidhi]

Abu Dawud related it from Hafsa.

Book of Supplications

250. Chapter: On the excellence of supplication

Allah says, "And your Lord says, 'Call on Me: and I will answer you,'" (40:60) and He says, "Call on your Lord humbly and secretly. He does not love those who overstep the limits." (W7:54; H7:55) He says, "If My slaves ask you about Me, I am near. I answer the call of the caller when he calls on Me," (W2:185; H2:186) and the Almighty says, "He Who responds to the oppressed when they call on Him and removes their distress." (W2:64; H27:62)

1465. An-Nu'man ibn Bashir reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Supplication is worship itself." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1466. 'A'isha reported said that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to prefer comprehensive supplications and abandoned other kinds." [Abu Dawud]

1467. Anas said, "A frequent supplication of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was, 'O Allah! Give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire.' (W2:199: H2:201)" [Agreed upon]

1468. Ibn Mas'ud reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say, "O Allah, I ask You for guidance, fearful awareness, chastity and self-sufficiency." [Muslim]

1469. Tariq ibn Ashyam said, "When a man became Muslim, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, taught him the prayer and then commanded him to make supplication with these words, 'O Allah, forgive me and show mercy to me. Guide me, give me well being and provide for me.'" [Muslim]

In a variant of his from Tariq is that he heard the Prophet when a man came to him and said, "Messenger of Allah, what do I say when I ask of my Lord?" He said, "Say, 'O Allah, forgive me and show mercy to me. Give me well being and provide for me.' These words are sufficient for you for this world and the Next."

1470. 'Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "O Allah who turns the hearts, turn our hearts to obedience to You." [Muslim]

1471. Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Seek refuge with Allah from severe trials, lasting distress, an evil destiny and the curses of enemies." [Agreed upon]

In a variant, "Sufyan said, 'I am not sure whether I myself added one of them.'"

1472. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say, 'O Allah, put right for me my deen in which lies the protection of my affair and put right for me this world in which lies my livelihood and put right for me the Next World in which is my future. Make life increase in every good thing for me and make death a rest for me from every evil thing.'" [Muslim]

1473. 'Ali said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to me, 'Say: 'O Allah, guide me and put me right.'" [Muslim]

1474. Anas said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say, 'O Allah, I seek refuge with You from incapacity, laziness, cowardice, senility and miserliness. I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave and I seek refuge with You from the trials of life and death.'" [Muslim]

One variant has, "From heavy debts and the oppression of men.".

1475. Abu Bakr as-Siddiq reported that he said to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, "Teach me a supplication which I can make in my prayer." He said, "Say: 'O Allah, I have wronged myself a great deal and none forgives wrong actions except You, so grant me Your forgiveness and be merciful to me. You are the Ever-Forgiving, the All-Merciful." [Agreed upon]

In one variant, "And in my house." It is related as "much wronged" and "greatly wronged." They should be joined: much and greatly.

1476. Abu Musa reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to supplicate Allah using this supplication, "O Allah, forgive me my error and my ignorance and my extravagance in my affair and what You know of me. O Allah, forgive me my seriousness, my jest, my inadvertence and my deliberateness. All of that is with You. O Allah, forgive me my past and future wrong actions, what I conceal and what I make public and what You know of me. You are the One who advances and defers. You have power over everything." [Agreed upon]

1477. 'A'isha said, "One of the supplications of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was, 'O Allah, I seek refuge with you from the evil of what I have done and the evil of what I have left undone.'" [Muslim]

1478. Ibn 'Umar reported that one of the supplications of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was, "O Allah, I seek refuge with you from Your blessing to me vanishing and Your gift of well-being being altered and the sudden arrival of Your revenge and all Your anger." [Muslim]

1479. Zayd ibn Arqam said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say, 'O Allah, I seek refuge with You from incapacity, laziness, miserliness, senility and the punishment of the grave. O Allah, give my soul Godfearing and purify it. You are the best of those who purify. You are its Master and Guardian. O Allah, I seek refuge with You from knowledge which does not bring benefit and from a heart which is not fearful and from a self which is not content and from a supplication which is not answered.'" [Muslim]

1480. Ibn 'Abbas stated that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say, "O Allah, I have submitted myself to You and I have believed in You. In You I have put my trust and to You I turn. I argue by You and take You as arbitrator. Forgive me my past and future wrong actions and what I keep secret and what I make known. You are the One who puts forward and defers. There is no god but You."

Some of the transmitters add, "There is no power nor strength except by Allah." [Agreed upon]

1481. 'A'isha reported that the Prophet used to make supplication with these words, "O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the trial of the Fire and the punishment of the Fire and from the evil of wealth and poverty." [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1482. Ziyad ibn 'Ilaqa reported from his uncle, Qutba ibn Malik, that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "O Allah, I seek refuge with you from disliked things in respect of character, actions and erroneous opinions." [at-Tirmidhi]

1483. Shakal ibn Humayd said, "I said, 'Messenger of Allah, teach me a supplication,' He said, 'Say: "O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the evil of my hearing, the evil of my sight, from the evil of my tongue, from the evil of my heart and from the evil of my private parts."'" [Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

1484. Anas reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say, "O Allah, I seek refuge with You from white leprosy, madness, leprosy and all evil defects." [Abu Dawud]

1485. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say, "O Allah, I seek refuge with You from hunger. It is a bad bed-fellow. I seek refuge with You from treachery. It is an evil inward characteristic." [Abu Dawud]

1486. 'Ali reported that a slave with a contract to buy his freedom came to him and said, "I am unable to fulfil my freedom-contract. Please help me. He said, 'Shall I teach you some words which the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, taught me? Even if you had a debt the size of a mountain, Allah would pay it for you. Say: "O Allah, give me enough of You have made lawful to suffice me from what You have made unlawful, and enrich me by Your bounty giving me independence from all other than You."'" [at-Tirmidhi]

1487. 'Imran ibn al-Husayn reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, taught his father Husayn two phrases which he used when supplicating: "O Allah, inspire me to be rightly guided and protect me from the evil of myself." [at-Tirmidhi]

1488. Al-'Abbas ibn 'Abdu'l-Muttalib said, "I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me something I can ask of Allah Almighty.' He said, 'Ask Allah for well-being.' I stayed away some days and then I came again and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, teach me something I can ask of Allah Almighty.' He said to me, 'O 'Abbas, O uncle of the Messenger of Allah, ask Allah for well-being in this world and in the Next.'" [at-Tirmidhi]

1489. Shahr ibn Hawshab said, "I said to Umm Salama, 'O Mother of the believers! What was the most frequent supplication of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, when he was with you?' She said, 'His most frequent supplication was, "O Turner of the hearts, make my heart firm in Your deen!"'" [at-Tirmidhi]

1490. Abu'd-Darda' reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "One of the supplications of Da'ud, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,was, 'O Allah, I ask You for Your love and love for those who love You and for actions which will bring Your love to me. O Allah, make Your love more beloved to me than myself, my family and cold water.'" [at-Tirmidhi]

1491. Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Keep reciting 'O Possessor of Majesty and Nobility.'" [at-Tirmidhi, and an-Nasa'i related it from Rabi'a ibn 'Amir]]

1492. Umama said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, made many supplications which we did not remember at all. We said, 'Messenger of Allah, you have made many supplications which we do not remember at all.' He said, 'Shall I tell something which will contain all of them for you? You should say. "O Allah, I ask You for the good for which Your Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked You and I seek refuge from the evil from which Your Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sought refuge. You are the One who is asked for help and it is only You who can transmit it. There is no power nor strength except by Allah."'" [at-Tirmidhi]

1493. Ibn Mas'ud said, "One of the supplications of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was, 'O Allah, I ask You for what makes Your mercy mandatory and for what brings about Your forgiveness and for safety from every sin and for booty from every act of piety and for the triumph of gaining the Garden and for safety from the Fire.'" [al-Hakim]

251. Chapter: on the excellence of supplication for those who are absent

Allah says, "And those who have come after them say: 'Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith," (59:10) and He says, "Ask forgiveness for your wrongdoing, and for the men and women who believe." (W47:20; H47:19) The Almighty says, reporting from Ibrahim, "Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and the believers on the Day the Reckoning takes place." (W14:43; H14:41)

1494. Abu'd-Darda' reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "There is no Muslim slave who supplicates for his brother in his absence without an angel saying, 'And for you the same.'" [Muslim]

1495. Abu'd-Darda' reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say, "A supplication which a Muslim man makes secretly for his brother is answered. At his head is a guardian angel. Whenever he makes supplication for good for his brother, the angel who guards him says, 'Amen, and for you the same.'" [Muslim]

252. Chapter: Various matters concerning supplication

1496. Usama ibn Zayd reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever has something good done for him and says to the one who did it, 'May Allah repay your with good,' has made full repayment." [at-Tirmidhi]

1497. Jabir reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Do not curse each other and do not curse your children and do not curse your property lest it should coincide with a time from Allah in which gifts that are asked for are granted." [Muslim]

1498. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The closest that a slave of Allah is to his Lord is while he is prostrating, so make a lot of supplication then." [Muslim]

1499. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Each of you will be answered as long as he does not become over-impatient, saying, 'I called on my Lord and He did not answer me.'" [Agreed upon]

In a variant of Muslim, "The slave continues to be answered, provided he does not pray for a wrong action or severance of kin, as long as he does not become over-impatient." It was said, "Messenger of Allah, what is over-impatience?" He said, "He says, 'I prayed and I prayed and I did not find Him answering me,' so he stops short at that and ceases making supplication."

1500. Abu Umama said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked, 'What supplication is the most likely to be heard?' He said, 'That in the last part of the middle of the night and after the obligatory prayers." [at-Tirmidhi]

1501. 'Ubada ibn as-Samit reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "There is no Muslim on the earth who supplicates to Allah Almighty with a supplication without Allah granting it to him, or turning away the like of it in evil from him, as long as he does not supplicate for anything wrong or severance from his kin." A man of the people said, "We do it a great deal." He said, "Allah has more (than you could ever ask for)." [at-Tirmidhi]

Al-Hakim has it from the variant of Abu Sa'id where he added, "Or the like of it is stored up for him as a reward."

1502. Ibn 'Abbas stated that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to say in affliction, 'There is no god but Allah, the Immense, the Forbearing. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the Throne, the Immense. There is no god but Allah, the Lord of the heavens and the Lord of the earth and the Lord of the Throne, the Generous." [Agreed upon]

253. Chapter: The miracles of the friends of Allah and their excellence

Allah says, "Yes, the friends of Allah will feel no fear and will know no sorrow: those who believe and are godfearing, there is good news for them in the life of this world and in the Next World. There is no changing the words of Allah. That is the great victory!" (10:62-64) The Almighty says, "'Shake the trunk of the palm towards you and fresh, ripe dates will drop down onto you. Eat and drink.'" (W19:24-25; H19:25-26) and He says, "Every time Zakariyya visited her in the Upper Room, he found food with her. He said, 'Maryam, how did you get this?' She said, 'It is from Allah. Allah provides for whoever He wills without reckoning.'" (3:37) The Almighty says, "'When you have separated yourselves from them and everything they worship except Allah, take refuge in the cave and your Lord will unfold His mercy to you and bring about the best for you in your affair.' You would have seen the sun, when it rose, inclining away from their cave towards the right, and, when it set, leaving them behind on the left." (18:16-17)

1503. Abu Muhammad 'Abdu'r-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr as-Siddiq stated that the People of the Suffa were poor people and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, 'Whoever has food for two should invite a third. If he has enough for four, he should invite a fifth or a sixth,' or as he said. Abu Bakr took three and the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, took ten. Abu Bakr went to eat with the Prophet and stayed until after 'Isha' had been prayed and then went back again and stayed until the Prophet had eaten. Then Abu Bakr returned home after as much of the night had passed as Allah willed and his wife said to him, 'What kept you from your guests?' He said, 'Haven't you given them their meal?' She said, 'They refused to eat until you came. They were offered food and they refused it.' I went away and hid. Abu Bakr called out, 'O Ghunthar!' and derided me and abused me. Then he said, 'Eat and may you have no welcome,' adding, 'By Allah, I will never eat it!' By Allah, with every mouthful of it we took, more appeared underneath - until they were full and there was more food than there had been in the first place. Abu Bakr looked at it and there was as much as there had been or more and he said to his wife, 'Sister of the Banu Firas! What is this?' She said, 'No, apple of my eye, there is now three times as much as there was before.' So Abu Bakr ate from it and said, 'That was from Shaytan,' meaning his oath. Then he ate a mouthful of it and took the dish to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and it remained with him until the morning. There had been a treaty between us and some people and it had come to an end, so he divided us up into twelve men, each of whom had a group with him - only Allah knows how many there were with each man - and everyone of them ate from it!"

In one variant, "Abu Bakr swore that he would not eat and his wife swore that she would not eat and the guest - or guests - swore that he - or they - would not eat until he ate. Abu Bakr said, 'This was from Shaytan' and he called for food. He ate and they ate. Every time they lifted a morsel more than it appeared underneath. He said, 'Sister of the Banu Firas! What is this?' She said, 'Apple of my eye, there is more than there was before we started eating.' They ate and he sent it to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and mentioned that he ate from it."

In one variant, "Abu Bakr said to 'Abdu'r-Rahman, 'Look after your guests. I am going to the Prophet. Make sure they have been served before I come back.' 'Abdu'r-Rahman went and brought them what they had. He said, 'Eat.' They said, 'Where is the master of the house?' He said, 'Eat.' They said, 'We will not eat until the master of the house comes.' He said, 'Accept our hospitality. If he comes and you have not eaten, he will think it terrible.' They refused." 'Abdu'r-Rahman said, "I knew that he would be angry with me, so when he came, I got out of the way. He said, 'What have you done?' They told him and he said, ''Abdu'r-Rahman!' I was silent. He said, ''Abdu'r-Rahman!' I was still silent. He said, 'O Ghunthar! I swear to you if you hear my voice you had better come!' I came out and I said, 'Ask your guests.' They said, 'He spoke the truth. He brought it to us.' He said, 'You waited for me! By Allah, I will not eat it tonight!' The others said, 'By Allah, we will not eat it until you eat it!' He said, 'Bother you! Why don't you accept our hospitality from us? Bring the food!' It was brought and he put his hand down and said, 'In the name of Allah. The first was from Shaytan.' He ate and they ate." [Agreed upon]

1504. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "In the nations before you there were people who were spoken to (by Allah). If there was to be such a man among my community, it would be 'Umar." [al-Bukhari. Muslim transmits it from 'A'isha.]

1505. Jabir ibn Samura said, "The people of Kufa complained about Sa'd, i.e. ibn Abi Waqqas to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab and he dismissed him and appointed 'Ammar over them. One of their complaints was that he did not do the prayer correctly. 'Umar sent to him and said, 'Abu Ishaq! These people claim that you do not do the prayer correctly.' Abu Ishaq said, 'By Allah, I prayed with them the prayer of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, without diminishing it. When I prayed 'Isha' I made the first two rak'ats long and the last two short.' 'Umar said, 'That is what one would have expected of you, Abu Ishaq.' He sent a couple of men with him to Kufa to ask the people of Kufa about him and they asked about him in every mosque they visited. Everyone praised his correctness until they came to the mosque of the Banu 'Abs. One of their men called Usama ibn Qatada with the kunya of Abu Sa'da, stood up and said, 'Since you ask us under oath, Sa'd did not himself go out on military expeditions, he did not divide the booty equally nor was he just in giving judgement.' Sa'd said, 'By Allah, I pray for three things. O Allah, if this slave of Yours is a liar, and has got up just to show off, then make him live long, be poor long and expose him to trials.' After that whenever he was asked, the man would say, 'I am an old man tested and afflicted by the prayer of Sa'd.'"

'Abdu'l-Malik ibn 'Umayr ar-Rawi said from Jabir ibn Samura, "I saw him later and his eyebrows were hanging down over his eyes due to old age. He would accost young girls in the streets and pinch them." [Agreed upon]

1506. 'Urwa ibn az-Zubayr reported that Sa'id ibn Zayd ibn 'Umar ibn Nufayl had litigation instigated against him by Arwa bint Aws before Marwan ibn al-Hakam. She claimed that he had taken some of her land. Sa'id said, "Would I take any of her land after what I heard from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?" He said, "What did you hear from the Messenger of Allah?" He said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'Anyone who wrongfully takes a hand's width of land will wear it round his neck down through seven earths.'" Marwan said to him, "I will not ask you for evidence after this." Sa'id said, "O Allah, if she is lying, make her lose her eyesight and kill her in her land!" He said, "She did not die before her eyesight had gone, and while she was walking in her land, she fell into a pit and died." [Agreed upon]

A variant of Muslim from Muhammad ibn Zayd ibn 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar has something to the same effect and says that he saw her blind, groping for the wall, saying, "The invocation of Sa'id has struck me." She passed by a well in the house regarding which she had litigated and fell into it and it became her grave.

1507. Jabir ibn 'Abdullah said, "When Uhud was near, my father called me in the night and said, 'I think that I will be among the first of the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to be slain. I do not leave after me anyone dearer to me than you except for the soul of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. I have debts, so repay them and treat your sisters well.' In the morning, he was the first to be killed and was buried together with someone else in a grave. I was not happy to leave him with the other person, so six months later I took him out and he was as he had been on the day I put him in, except for a small place on his ear." [al-Bukhari]

1508. Anas stated that two of the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, left the Prophet on a dark night with something like two lamps in front of them. When they parted, one of these things accompanied each of them until he reached his home." [al-Bukhari]

In some variants the two men were Usayd ibn Hudayr and 'Abbad ibn Bishr.

1509. Abu Hurayra said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sent out ten men on a scouting expedition and put 'Asim ibn Thabit al-Ansari in command of them. They proceeded until they reached Had'a, which is between 'Usfan and Makka. Their presence was reported to a branch of Hudhayl called the Banu Lihyan. About a hundred men, who were all archers, set out after them. They followed their tracks. When 'Asim and his companions perceived them, they took cover. The people surrounded them and said, 'Come down and give yourselves up! You have protection and assurance that we will not kill any of you!' 'Asim ibn Thabit said, 'O people! As for me, I will not come down into the protection of an unbeliever! O Allah, inform Your Prophet about us!' They shot at them with arrows and killed 'Asim. A group of three came down, accepting the offer of protection and security. They included Khubayb al-Ansari, Zayd ibn Dathina, and another man. When they had them in their power, they undid their bow-strings and tied them up. Then the third man said, 'This is the beginning of treachery! By Allah, I will not accompany you! There is a good example in these!' i.e. those who had been killed. They dragged him and tried to persuade him to accompany them. He refused, so they killed him. They took Khubayb and Zayd ibn Dathina and sold them in Makka after the Battle of Badr. The sons of al-Harith ibn 'Amir ibn Nawfal ibn 'Abdu Manaf bought Khubayb. Khubayb was the man who had killed al-Harith in the Battle of Badr. So Khubayb remained a prisoner with them until they agreed on killing him. He asked to borrow a razor from one of the daughters of al-Harith with which to shave his private parts and she lent it to him. A son of hers went right up to him when she was not paying attention. She found him sitting on his knee and the razor was in his hand. She was so alarmed that Khubayb noticed it and said, 'Are you afraid that I will kill him? I would never do that.' She said, 'By Allah, I never saw a better prisoner than Khubayb. By Allah, one day I found him eating from a bunch of grapes he had in his hand, when he was shackled in irons and there was no fruit in Makka.' She used to say, 'It was provision from Allah which He gave to Khubayb.' When they brought him out of the Haram to kill him in profane land, Khubayb said to them, 'Let me pray two rak'ats.' They let him pray two rak'ats. Then he said, 'By Allah, were it not that you might think that I was afraid, I would have made them longer. O Allah, reckon them one by one, every one of them and kill them one by one and do not spare any of them!' He then said:

'I do not care what manner death I die

        if I am slain as a Muslim!

That is for the sake of Allah, and if He wills,

       He can bless the joints of a torn limb!'"

"It was Khubayb who made the sunna for every Muslim man who is killed in detention to pray two rak'ats. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, informed his Companions about them on the day they fell. When they were informed that 'Asim ibn Thabit had been killed, some of the unbelievers of Quraysh were sent to bring part of him that could be recognised. He had killed one of their great men on the Day of Badr. Allah sent over 'Asim a swarm of bees like a cloud and it protected him from their messengers and they could not cut off any part of him." [al-Bukhari]

1510. Ibn 'Umar said, "I never heard 'Umar say about anything, 'I think it is like such-and-such,' without the thing being as he had thought it was." [al-Bukhari]