Blog Archives
Patience (Ahadith 2770 – 2776)
Bismillah.
Long time, I know. Let’s get to it.
To recap, we’re currently on Book 53 of Sahih al-Bukhari: Kitaab-ul-Khumus [Book of One-fifth of Booty for the Cause of Allah]. Lots of dry fiqh involved that most of us can hardly relate to, so I’ve tried to (and intend to) keep it light and breezy, touching moral and social aspects here and there. Picking up right where I left it in the last post. Not sure why I don’t feel like writing full sentences anymore. Did I ever, though? Enough of my banter, let’s do this.
Volume 4, Book 53, Number 373 :
Narrated by ‘Amr bin Taghlib (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) gave (gifts) to some people to the exclusion of some others. The latter seemed to be displeased by that. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “I give to some people, lest they should deviate from True Faith or lose patience, while I refer other people to the goodness and contentment which Allah has put in their hearts, and ‘Amr bin Taghlib is amongst them.” ‘Amr bin Taghlib (radiallaahu `anhu) said, “The statement of Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) is dearer to me than red camels.” Narrated Al-Hasan: ‘Amr bin Taghlib told us that Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) got some property or some war prisoners and he distributed them in the above way (i.e. giving to some people to the exclusion of others).
Volume 4, Book 53, Number 374 :
Narrated by Anas (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “I give to Quraish people in order to let them adhere to Islam, for they are near to their life of Ignorance (i.e. they have newly embraced Islam and it is still not strong in their hearts.”
Volume 4, Book 53, Number 375 :
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu)
When Allah favored His Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) with the properties of Hawazin tribe as Fai (booty), he started giving to some Quarries men even up to one-hundred camels each, whereupon some Ansari men said about Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam), “May Allah forgive His Apostle! He is giving to (men of) Quraish and leaves us, in spite of the fact that our swords are still dropping blood (of the infidels)” When Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was informed of what they had said, he called the Ansar and gathered them in a leather tent and did not call anybody else along, with them. When they gathered, Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) came to them and said, “What is the statement which, I have been informed, and that which you have said?” The learned ones among them replied,” O Allah’s Apostle! The wise ones amongst us did not say anything, but the youngsters amongst us said, ‘May Allah forgive His Apostle; he gives the Quarish and leaves the Ansar, in spite of the fact that our swords are still dribbling (wet) with the blood of the infidels.’ ” Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) replied, I give to such people as are still close to the period of Infidelity (i.e. they have recently embraced Islam and Faith is still weak in their hearts). Won’t you be pleased to see people go with fortune, while you return with Allah’s Apostle to your houses? By Allah, what you will return with, is better than what they are returning with.” The Ansar replied, “Yes, O Allah’s Apostle, we are satisfied’ Then the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said to them.” You will find after me, others being preferred to you. Then be patient till you meet Allah and meet His Apostle at Al-Kauthar (i.e. a fount in Paradise).” (Anas (radiallaahu `anhu) added:) But we did not remain patient.
Volume 4, Book 53, Number 376 :
Narrated by Jubair bin Mutim (radiallaahu `anhu)
That while he was with Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) who was accompanied by the people on their way back from Hunain, the bedouins started begging things of Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) so much so that they forced him to go under a Samura tree where his loose outer garment was snatched away. On that, Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) stood up and said to them, “Return my garment to me. If I had as many camels as these trees, I would have distributed them amongst you; and you will not find me a miser or a liar or a coward.”
Volume 4, Book 53, Number 377 :
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu)
While I was walking with the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) who was wearing a Najrani outer garment with a thick hem, a bedouin came upon the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and pulled his garment so violently that I could recognize the impress of the hem of the garment on his shoulder, caused by the violence of his pull. Then the bedouin said, “Order for me something from Allah’s Fortune which you have.” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) turned to him and smiled, and ordered that a gift be given to him.
Volume 4, Book 53, Number 378 :
Narrated by ‘Abdullah (radiallaahu `anhu)
On the day (of the battle) of Hunain, Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) favored some people in the distribution of the booty (to the exclusion of others); he gave Al-Aqra’ bin Habis one-hundred camels and he gave ‘Uyaina the same amount, and also gave to some of the eminent Arabs, giving them preference in this regard. Then a person came and said, “By Allah, in this distribution justice has not been observed, nor has Allah’s Pleasure been aimed at.” I said (to him), “By Allah, I will inform the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) (of what you have said), “I went and informed him, and he said, “If Allah and His Apostle did not act justly, who else would act justly. May Allah be merciful to Moses, for he was harmed with more than this, yet he kept patient.”
Volume 4, Book 53, Number 379 :
Narrated by Asma bint Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhaa)
I used to carry the date stones on my head from the land of Az-Zubair (radiallaahu `anhu) which Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) had given to him, and it was at a distance of 2/3 of a Farsakh from my house. Narrated Hisham’s father: The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) (gave Az-Zubair a piece of land from the property of Bani An-Nadir (gained as war booty).
Most of these ahadith have been covered before and you’re probably familiar with them so I’ve put them all together in one post. Today’s angle is based on this statement of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) in number 378:
“If Allah and His Apostle did not act justly, who else would act justly. May Allah be merciful to Moses, for he was harmed with more than this, yet he kept patient.”
We all know the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) to be extremely patient and restrained. Imagine how hurt he must have felt to say these words out loud. It’s one thing to not have your people believe in the message you brought, but to have your fellow comrades, supporters and brothers doubt your decisions after everything you’ve been through together.. it must’ve hurt.
People still continue to throw such allegations at him, “he bribed people to accept Islam”, for example (see number 374). Would he really bribe someone and come out in public to tell everyone he bribed them for such and such reason? Really? His reasons were not personal, any monetary assistance he gave to people was to help strengthen Islam, be it on an individual level as regards one’s faith, or on a much broader level helping leaders bring their tribes towards the truth.
Patience. It’s what he urged the Ansar to when he told them others will be preferred over them. It’s what he preached and practiced all his life. It’s what we must hold on to if we wish to succeed in the trials of this life. People will say things, do things to hurt you and bring you down. Just remember, patience. No one’s had it easy.
Ghulool and its Punishment (Ahadith 2704 – 2705)
Bismillah.
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 307 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) got up amongst us and mentioned Al Ghulul, emphasized its magnitude and declared that it was a great sin saying, “Don’t commit Ghulul for I should not like to see anyone amongst you on the Day of Resurrection, carrying over his neck a sheep that will be bleating, or carrying over his neck a horse that will be neighing. Such a man will be saying: ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Intercede with Allah for me,’ and I will reply, ‘I can’t help you, for I have conveyed Allah’s Message to you Nor should I like to see a man carrying over his neck, a camel that will be grunting. Such a man will say, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Intercede with Allah for me, and I will say, ‘I can’t help you for I have conveyed Allah’s Message to you,’ or one carrying over his neck gold and silver and saying, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Intercede with Allah for me,’ and I will say, ‘I can’t help you for I have conveyed Allah’s Message to you,’ or one carrying clothes that will be fluttering, and the man will say, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Intercede with Allah for me.’ And I will say, ‘I can’t help you, for I have conveyed Allah’s Message to you.”
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 308 :
Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr (radiallaahu `anhu)
There was a man who looked after the family and the belongings of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and he was called Karkara. The man died and Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “He is in the ‘(Hell) Fire.” The people then went to look at him and found in his place, a cloak he had stolen from the war booty.
Ghulool means breaching of a trust (khiyaanah). The term comes from the Quran directly when Allah addressed this issue by revealing the ayah:
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِيٍّ أَن يَغُلَّ ۚ وَمَن يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
“It is not [attributable] to any prophet that he would act unfaithfully [in regard to war booty]. And whoever betrays, [taking unlawfully], will come with what he took on the Day of Resurrection. Then will every soul be [fully] compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.” [Aal Imraan: 161]
Ibn Kathir comments:
Allah said,
﴿وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِىٍّ أَنْ يَغُلَّ﴾
(It is not for any Prophet to illegally take a part of the booty,)
Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and Al-Hasan said that the Ayah means, “It is not for a Prophet to breach the trust.” Ibn Jarir recorded that, Ibn `Abbas said that, this Ayah,
﴿وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِىٍّ أَنْ يَغُلَّ﴾
(It is not for any Prophet to illegally take a part of the booty,) was revealed in connection with a red robe that was missing from the spoils of war of Badr. Some people said that the Messenger of Allah might have taken it. When this rumor circulated, Allah sent down,
﴿وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِىٍّ أَنْ يَغُلَّ وَمَن يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ﴾
(It is not for any Prophet to illegally take a part of the booty, and whosoever is deceitful with the booty, he shall bring forth on the Day of Resurrection that which he took.)
This was also recorded by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, who said “Hasan Gharib”. This Ayah exonerates the Messenger of Allah of all types of deceit and treachery, be it returning what was entrusted with him, dividing the spoils of war, etc.
Allah then said,
﴿وَمَن يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لاَ يُظْلَمُونَ﴾
(and whosoever is deceitful with the booty, he shall bring forth on the Day of Resurrection that which he took. Then every person shall be paid in full what he has earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.)
This Ayah contains a stern warning and threat against Ghulul ﴿stealing from the booty﴾, and there are also Hadiths, that prohibit such practice. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Malik Al-Ashja`i said that the Prophet said,
«أَعْظَمُ الْغُلُولِ عِنْدَ اللهِ ذِرَاعٌ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ، تَجِدُون الرَّجُلَيْنِ جَارَيْنِ فِي الْأَرْضِ أو فِي الدَّارِ فَيَقْطَعُ أَحَدُهُمَا مِنْ حَظِّ صَاحِبِه ذِرَاعًا، فَإِذَا اقْتَطَعَهُ، طُوِّقَهُ مِنْ سَبْعِ أَرَضِينَ إِلى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَة»
(The worst Ghulul (i.e. stealing) with Allah is a yard of land, that is, when you find two neighbors in a land or home and one of them illegally acquires a yard of his neighbor’s land. When he does, he will be tied with it from the seven earths until the Day of Resurrection.)
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Humayd As-Sa`idi said, “The Prophet appointed a man from the tribe of Al-Azd, called Ibn Al-Lutbiyyah, to collect the Zakah. When he returned he said, `This (portion) is for you and this has been given to me as a gift.’ The Prophet stood on the Minbar and said,
«مَا بَالُ الْعَامِلِ نَبْعَثُهُ فَيَجِي فَيَقُولُ: هَذَا لَكُمْ، وَهَذَا أُهْدِيَ لِي، أَفَلَا جَلَسَ فِي بَيْتِ أَبِيهِ وَأُمِّهِ فَيَنْظُرُ أَيُهْدَى إِلَيْهِ أَمْ لَا؟ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ، لَا يَأْتِي أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ مِنْهَا بِشَيْءٍ إِلَّا جَاءَ بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلى رَقَبَتِهِ، إِنْ كَانَ بَعِيرًا لَهُ رُغَاءٌ، أَوْ بَقَرَةٌ لَهَا خُوَارٌ، أَوْ شَاةٌ تَيْعَر»
ثم رفع يديه حتى رأينا عفرة إبطيه، ثم قال:
«اللَّهُمَّ هَلْ بَلَّغْت»
ثلاثًا.
(What is the matter with a man whom we appoint to collect Zakah, when he returns he said, `This is for you and this has been given to me as a gift.’ Why hadn’t he stayed in his father’s or mother’s house to see whether he would be given presents or not By Him in Whose Hand my life is, whoever takes anything from the resources of the Zakah (unlawfully), he will carry it on his neck on the Day of Resurrection; if it be a camel, it will be grunting; if a cow, it will be mooing; and if a sheep, it will be bleating. The Prophet then raised his hands till we saw the whiteness of his armpits, and he said thrice, `O Allah! Haven’t I conveyed Your Message.’)”
Hisham bin `Urwah added that Abu Humayd said, “I have seen him with my eyes and heard him with my ears, and ask Zayd bin Thabit.” This is recorded in the Two Sahihs .
In the book of Ahkam of his Sunan, Abu `Isa At-Tirmidhi recorded that Mu`adh bin Jabal said, “The Messenger of Allah sent me to Yemen, but when I started on the journey, he sent for me to come back and said,
«أَتَدْرِي لِمَ بَعَثْتُ إِلَيْكَ؟ لَا تُصِيبَنَّ شَيْئًا بِغَيْرِ إِذْنِي، فَإِنَّهُ غُلُول»
(Do you know why I summoned you back Do not take anything without my permission, for if you do, it will be Ghulul.)
﴿وَمَن يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ﴾
(and whosoever deceives his companions over the booty, he shall bring forth on the Day of Resurrection that which he took).
«لِهذَا دَعَوْتُكَ فَامْضِ لِعَمَلِك»
(This is why I summoned you, so now go and fulfill your mission.)” At-Tirmidhi said, “This Hadith is Hasan Gharib.”
Bribe-like Gifts (Hadith No. 2267)
Bismillah.
Ahadith 2259 – 2266 (below) are repeats. See linked text for related posts.
Volume 3, Book 47, Number 761:
Narrated Az-Zuhari:
Ubaidullah bin ‘Abdullah told me that ‘Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) had said, “When the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) became sick and his condition became serious, he requested his wives to allow him to be treated in my house, and they allowed him. He came out leaning on two men while his feet were dragging on the ground. He was walking between Al-‘Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu) and another man.” ‘Ubaidullah said, “When I informed Ibn ‘Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu) of what ‘Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) had said, he asked me whether I knew who was the second man whom ‘Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) had not named. I replied in the negative. He said, ‘He was ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (radiallaahu `anhu).”
Volume 3, Book 47, Number 762:
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “One who takes back his gift (which he has already given) is like a dog that swallows its vomit.“
Volume 3, Book 47, Number 763:
Narrated Asma (radiallaahu `anhaa):
Once I said, “O Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! I have no property except what has been given to me by Az-Zubair (radiallaahu `anhu) (i.e. her husband). May I give in charity?” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Give in charity and do not withhold it; otherwise Allah will withhold it back from you.“
Volume 3, Book 47, Number 764:
Narrated Asma (radiallaahu `anhaa):
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Give (in charity) and do not give reluctantly lest Allah should give you in a limited amount; and do not withhold your money lest Allah should withhold it from you.”
The following two ahadith are new but the topics found in them have been covered before.
Volume 3, Book 47, Number 765:
Narrated Kurib, the freed slave of Ibn ‘Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu):
that Maimuna bint Al-Harith (radiallaahu `anhaa) told him that she manumitted a slave-girl without taking the permission of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam). On the day when it was her turn to be with the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam), she said, “Do you know, O Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam), that I have manumitted my slave-girl?” He said, “Have you really?” She replied in the affirmative. He said, “You would have got more reward if you had given her (i.e. the slave-girl) to one of your maternal uncles.”
Volume 3, Book 47, Number 766:
Narrated Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
Whenever Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) wanted to go on a journey, he would draw lots as to which of his wives would accompany him. He would take her whose name came out. He used to fix for each of them a day and a night. But Sauda bint Zam’a (radiallaahu `anhaa) gave up her (turn) day and night to ‘Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) in order to seek the pleasure of Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) (by that action).
Volume 3, Book 47, Number 767:
Narrated Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
I said, “O Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! I have two neighbors; which of them should I give a gift to?” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “(Give) to the one whose door is nearer to you.“
Volume 3, Book 47, Number 768:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu):
That he heard As-Sa’b bin Jaththama Al-Laithi (radiallaahu `anhu), who was one of the companions of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam), saying that he gave the meat of an onager to Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) while he was at a place called Al-Abwa’ or Waddan, and was in a state of Ihram. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) did not accept it. When the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) saw the signs of sorrow on As-Sa’b’s (radiallaahu `anhu) face because of not accepting his present, he said (to him), “We are not returning your present, but we are in the state of Ihram.”
Today’s Hadith:
Volume 3, Book 47, Number 769:
Narrated Abu Humaid Al-Sa’idi (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) appointed a man from the tribe of Al-Azd, called Ibn ‘Utbiyya for collecting the Zakat. When he returned he said, “This (i.e. the Zakat) is for you and this has been given to my as a present.” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Why hadn’t he stayed in his father’s or mother’s house to see whether he would be given presents or not? By Him in Whose Hands my life is, whoever takes something from the resources of the Zakat (unlawfully) will be carrying it on his neck on the Day of Resurrection; if it be a camel, it will be grunting; if a cow, it will be mooing; and if a sheep, it will be bleating.” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) then raised his hands till we saw the whiteness of his armpits, and he said thrice, “O Allah! Haven’t I conveyed Your Message (to them)?”
Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: This hadeeth indicates that it is obligatory for the person who is employed by the state to do the job for which he has been appointed, and he has no right to take any gift that has to do with his work. If he takes it then he should put it in the bayt al-maal (public treasury), and it is not permissible for him to take it for himself because of this saheeh hadeeth, and because that is a means that leads to evil and betraying trust.
From Fataawa ‘Ulama’ al-Balad al-Haraam, p. 655
Ahmad and al-Bayhaqi narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Gifts given to workers (employees) are ghulool (lit. stolen war booty)” i.e., a betrayal. This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 7021.
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