Naming Animals (Ahadith 2502 – 2504)

Bismillah.

Hadith no. 2501 (below) is a repeat. Read it here.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 106 :
Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin Abi Qatada
(from his father) Abu Qatada (radiallaahu `anhu) went out (on a journey) with Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) but he was left behind with some of his companions who were in the state of Ihram. He himself was not in the state of Ihram. They saw an opener before he could see it. When they saw the opener*, they did not speak anything till Abu Qatada (radiallaahu `anhu) saw it. So, he rode over his horse called Al-Jarada and requested them to give him his lash, but they refused. So, he himself took it and then attacked the opener and slaughtered it. He ate of its meat and his companions ate, too, but they regretted their eating. When they met the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) (they asked him about it) and he asked, “Have you some of its meat (left) with you?” Abu Qatada (radiallaahu `anhu) replied, “Yes, we have its leg with us.” So, the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) took and ate it.

*I honestly think this is a typo, unless “opener” really means wild donkey in some form of English. In the other version of this hadith (linked above), the word “onager” is used in translation – more appropriate in my opinion. I left the word be in case I’m wrong.

Secondly, this hadith is included in this chapter because it mentions the name of Abu Qatada’s (radiallaahu `anhu) horse: Al-Jaradah. It means “locust” in Arabic. Not sure why he named his horse “locust”. Something to do with his color or nature, I presume? :D

Today’s Ahadith:

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 107 :
Narrated by Sahl (radiallaahu `anhu)
In our garden there was a horse belonging to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) called Al-Luhaif or Al-Lukhaif.

Not sure what “Al-Luhaif” or “Al-Lukhaif” means, but I love the sound of it! That horse must have had a personality.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 108 :
Narrated by Mu’adh (radiallaahu `anhu)
I was a companion rider of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) on a donkey called ‘Ufair. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) asked, “O Mu’adh! Do you know what Allah’s right on His slaves is, and what the right of His slaves on Him is?” I replied, “Allah and His Apostle know better.” He said, “Allah’s right on His slaves is that they should worship Him (Alone) and should not worship any besides Him. And slave’s right on Allah is that He should not punish him who worships none besides Him.” I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Should I not inform the people of this good news?” He said, “Do not inform them of it, lest they should depend on it (absolutely).”

‘Ufair.. hmm. I think it’s connected to the word “ifreet” (عِفْرِيتٌ) used in the Quran meaning “a strong one” [27:39]. They seem to have the same root word “ع ف ر”, and “‘Ufair” is a more endearing or a smaller version of the original due to its formation, like “Husayn” for “Hasan”, and “Umayr” for “Umar”. Grammar 101! You can totally skip this part. I just like doing the analysis for myself. :P

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 109 :
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu)
Once there was a feeling of fright in Medina, so the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) borrowed a horse belonging to us called Mandub (and he rode away on it). (When the Prophet returned) he said, “I have not seen anything of fright and I found it (i.e. this horse) very fast.”

“Mandub” means “envoy/deputy/representative” in Arabic. Interesting name for a horse, eh?

So what I’m taking from this is, one, you can name animals; and two, give them good meaningful names while you’re at it.

Got a pet with an interesting name? Do share!

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Peacemaking (Hadith No. 2354)

Bismillah.

Ahadith 2349 – 2353 are repeats. See linked text for related posts.

Volume 3, Book 48, Number 851 :
Narrated by An-Nu’man bin Bashir (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “The example of the person abiding by Allah’s orders and limits (or the one who abides by the limits and regulations prescribed by Allah) in comparison to the one who do wrong and violate Allah’s limits and orders is like the example of people drawing lots for seats in a boat. Some of them got seats in the upper part while the others in the lower part ; those in the, lower part have to pass by those in the upper one to get water, and that troubled the latter. One of them (i.e. the people in the lower part) took an axe and started making a hole in the bottom of the boat. The people of the upper part came and asked him, (saying), ‘What is wrong with you?’ He replied, “You have been troubled much by my (coming up to you), and I have to get water.’ Now if they prevent him from doing that they will save him and themselves, but if they leave him (to do what he wants), they will destroy him and themselves.”

Volume 3, Book 48, Number 852 :
Narrated by Um Al-Ala
That when the Ansar drew lots as to which of the emigrants should dwell with which of the Ansar, the name of Uthman bin Mazun (radiallaahu `anhu) came out (to be in their lot). Um Al-Ala further said, “Uthman stayed with us, and we nursed him when he got sick, but he died. We shrouded him in his clothes, and Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) came to our house and I said, (addressing the dead ‘Uthman), ‘O Abu As-Sa’ib! May Allah be merciful to you. I testify that Allah has blessed you.’ The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said to me, “How do you know that Allah has blessed him?” I replied, ‘I do not know O Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! May my parents be sacrificed for you.’ Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, ‘As regards Uthman, by Allah he has died and I really wish him every good, yet, by Allah, although I am Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam), I do not know what will be done to him.’ Um Al-Ala added, ‘By Allah I shall never attest the piety of anybody after him. And what Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said made me sad.” Um Al-Ala further said, “Once I slept and saw in a dream, a flowing stream for Uthman. So I went to Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and told him about it, he said, ‘That is (the symbol of) his deeds.”

Volume 3, Book 48, Number 853 :
Narrated by Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa)
Whenever Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) intended to go on a journey, he used to draw lots among his wives and would take with him the one on whom the lot fell. He also used to fix for everyone of his wives a day and a night, but Sauda bint Zam’a (radiallaahu `anhaa) gave her day and night to ‘Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa), the wife of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) intending thereby to please Allah’s Apostle. [See no. 766 in this post.]

Volume 3, Book 48, Number 854 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “If the people knew what is the reward of making the call (for the prayer) and (of being in) the first row (in the prayer), and if they found no other way to get this privilege except by casting lots, they would certainly cast lots for it. If they knew the reward of the noon prayer, they would race for it, and if they knew the reward of the morning (i.e. Fajr) and Isha prayers, they would present themselves for the prayer even if they had to crawl to reach there.

Book of Witnesses [Kitaab-ush-Shahaadaat] ends here.

Book of Peacemaking [Kitaab-us-Sulh] starts today..

Volume 3, Book 49, Number 855 :
Narrated by Sahl bin Sad (radiallaahu `anhu)
There was a dispute amongst the people of the tribe of Bani ‘Amr bin ‘Auf. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) went to them along with some of his companions in order to make peace between them. The time for the prayer became due but the Prophet did not turn up; Bilal (radiallaahu `anhu) pronounced the Adhan (i.e. call) for the prayer but the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) did not turn up, so Bilal (radiallaahu `anhu) went to Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu) and said, “The time for the prayer is due and the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) is detained, would you lead the people in the prayer?” Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu) replied, “Yes, if you wish.” So, Bilal (radiallaahu `anhu) pronounced the Iqama of the prayer and Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu) went ahead (to lead the prayer), but the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) came walking among the rows till he joined the first row. The people started clapping and they clapped too much, and Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu) used not to look hither and thither in the prayer, but he turned round and saw the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) standing behind him. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) beckoned him with his hand to keep on praying where he was. Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu) raised his hand and praised Allah and then retreated till he came in the (first) row, and the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) went ahead and lead the people in the prayer. When the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) finished the prayer, he turned towards the people and said, “O people! When something happens to you during the prayer, you start clapping. Really, clapping is (permissible) for women only. If something happens to one of you in his prayer, he should say: ‘Subhan Allah’, (Glorified be Allah), for whoever hears him (saying so) will direct his attention towards him. O Abu Bakr! What prevented you from leading the people in the prayer when I beckoned to you (to continue)?” Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu) replied, “It did not befit the son of Abu Quhafa to lead the prayer in front of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam).

Today’s Hadith:

Volume 3, Book 49, Number 856 :
Narrated by Anas (radiallaahu `anhu)
It was said to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) “Would that you see Abdullah bin Ubai.” So, the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) went to him, riding a donkey, and the Muslims accompanied him, walking on salty barren land. When the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) reached ‘Abdullah bin Ubai, the latter said, “Keep away from me! By Allah, the bad smell of your donkey has harmed me.” On that an Ansari man said (to ‘Abdullah), “By Allah! The smell of the donkey of Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) is better than your smell.” On that a man from ‘Abdullah’s tribe got angry for ‘Abdullah’s sake, and the two men abused each other which caused the friends of the two men to get angry, and the two groups started fighting with sticks, shoes and hands. We were informed that the following Divine Verse was revealed (in this concern):– “And if two groups of Believers fall to fighting then, make peace between them.” (49.9)

There is an apparent problem with this hadith that the scholars have reconciled in different ways.

Problem: this ayah was not revealed after this incident because it took place in the very beginning in Madinah, and Surah al-Hujuraat was revealed in the later stages. Furthermore, the people of Abdullah ibn Ubayy were not Muslims yet and that is why the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) went to them – to give da’wah, and the ayah talks about “two Muslim groups”.

Explanations:

1. Anas (radiallaahu `anhu) gives this ayah as evidence instead of stating the reason for its revelation. Read its tafsir for details.
2. There were some Muslims among Ibn Ubayy’s people and Allah was referring to them in this ayah, because his hypocrisy wasn’t exposed yet.
3. Anas (radiallaahu `anhu) uses the word “ballaghanaa” (بلغنا) while narrating this hadith which means “it reached us”.. so it’s unclear whom it came from and how sound the report was.

Whichever one it is, Allah knows best. But it’s definitely intriguing!

P.S. what a disrespectful way to talk to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam): “Keep away from me! By Allah, the bad smell of your donkey has harmed me.” -_-

Donkey Meat (Hadith No. 2154)

Bismillah.

Hadith no. 2153 (below) is a repeat. Read it here.

Volume 3, Book 43, Number 656:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “The Hour will not be established until the son of Mary (i.e. Jesus) descends amongst you as a just ruler, he will break the cross, kill the pigs, and abolish the Jizya tax. Money will be in abundance so that nobody will accept it (as charitable gifts).

Today’s Hadith:

Volume 3, Book 43, Number 657:
Narrated Salama bin Al-Akwa (radiallaahu `anhu):
On the day of Khaibar the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) saw fires being lighted. He asked, “Why are these fires being lighted?” The people replied that they were cooking the meat of donkeys. He said, “Break the pots and throw away their contents.” The people said, “Shall we throw away their contents and wash the pots (rather than break them)?” He said, “Wash them.”

Al-Bukhaari (5527) and Muslim (1936) narrated that Abu Tha’labah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade the meat of domesticated donkeys. 

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Most of the scholars believe that the meat of domesticated donkeys is haraam. Ahmad said: Fifteen of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) regarded it as makrooh (in the sense of being haraam). Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said: There is no difference of opinion among the Muslims scholars today concerning the fact that it is haraam. End quote from al-Mughni (9/324).

Did you know? It is permissible to eat the meat of onagers (“wild donkeys”) and it is haraam to eat the meat of domesticated donkeys. The first is permitted because of the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (5492) and Muslim (1196) from Abu Qataadah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who hunted an onager and brought a piece of it to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he ate some of it, and he said to his companions: “It is halaal, eat it.” 

With regard to domesticated donkeys, their meat was permitted at first, then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) declared it to be haraam on the day of Khaybar.

Horses: Reward, Shelter, Burden (Hadith No. 2056)

Bismillah.

Volume 3, Book 40, Number 559 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Keeping horses may be a source of reward to some (man), a shelter to another (i.e. means of earning one’s living), or a burden to a third. He to whom the horse will be a source of reward is the one who keeps it in Allah’s Cause (prepare it for holy battles) and ties it by a long rope in a pasture (or a garden). He will get a reward equal to what its long rope allows it to eat in the pasture or the garden, and if that horse breaks its rope and crosses one or two hills, then all its foot-steps and its dung will be counted as good deeds for its owner; and if it passes by a river and drinks from it, then that will also be regarded as a good deed for its owner even if he has had no intention of watering it then. Horses are a shelter from poverty to the second person who keeps horses for earning his living so as not to ask others, and at the same time he gives Allah’s right (i.e. Zakat) (from the wealth he earns through using them in trading etc.,) and does not overburden them. He who keeps horses just out of pride and for showing off and as a means of harming the Muslims, his horses will be a source of sins to him.” When Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was asked about donkeys, he replied, “Nothing particular was revealed to me regarding them except the general unique verse which is applicable to everything: “Whoever does goodness equal to the weight of an atom (or small ant) shall see it (its reward) on the Day of Resurrection.”

In today’s time, this can be applied to cars, more or less. You use them for good, you’re rewarded for all the money you spend on their fuel, washes, oil changes, repairs etc. You use them to fulfill your needs/earn a living, you’re protected from poverty. You use them to show off – hoard them as collectibles in your garage – they’ll be a burden on you on the Day of Judgement.
Of course, this is my own derivation from the hadith. Not quoting any scholar.

Did you know? There is no zakah on horses.

Head of a Donkey (Hadith No. 660)

Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 11, Number 660:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, “Isn’t he who raises his head before the Imam afraid that Allah may transform his head into that of a donkey or his figure (face) into that of a donkey?”

Isn’t he afraid? There was a man we get to know about, who challenged this Hadith. He raised his head before the Imaam intentionally during prayer, and Allah turned his face into that of a donkey (or somewhat similar to it). Later on, he repented. [Can’t find a historic reference for this incidence. Let me know if you can help with it. Jzk.]

Anyway, the lesson here is: ‘follow’ your Imaam. Wait for him to make his move, and then repeat after him. During Salah, wait for the Imaam to say his takbeer, change his position, and then change yours. ‘Kay? :)

Wassalam.