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.

Advertisement

Treating Children Fairly (Ahadith 2257 – 2258)

Bismillah.

One of the most well-known ways in which parents favour some of their children over others is with regard to giving, which is something that is forbidden according to the laws of Allah. Among the bad effects that result from this kind of favouritism is that it causes children to be disobedient towards their parents, so that they do not all treat their parents with the same level of respect and kindness. Our Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) drew attention to that and clearly stated that favouritism in giving is wrongdoing and unfair.

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 759:
Narrated An-Nu’man bin Bashir (radiallaahu `anhu):
that his father took him to Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and said, “I have given this son of mine a slave.” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) asked, “Have you given all your sons the like?” He replied in the negative. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Take back your gift then.”

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 760:
Narrated ‘Amir:
I heard An-Nu’man bin Bashir (radiallaahu `anhu) on the pulpit saying, “My father gave me a gift but ‘Amra bint Rawaha (my mother) said that she would not agree to it unless he made Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) as a witness to it. So, my father went to Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and said, ‘I have given a gift to my son from ‘Amra bint Rawaha, but she ordered me to make you as a witness to it, O Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)!’ Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) asked, ‘Have you given (the like of it) to everyone of your sons?’ He replied in the negative. Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, ‘Be afraid of Allah, and be just to your children.’ My father then returned and took back his gift.”

Just as Allah, may He be exalted, has forbidden this favouritism among children in giving, He has also forbidden something else, namely making a bequest to any one of them. He has forbidden making a bequest to an heir (one who automatically inherits according to sharee‘ah). All these rulings are in the best interests of the family and lay the foundations for family unity, not division.

Read more on this here.

Fair Dealing (Hadith No. 1788)

Bismillah.

Volume 3, Book 34, Number 293:

Narrated Hakim bin Hizam (radiallaahu `anhu):

Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “The seller and the buyer have the right to keep or return goods as long as they have not parted or till they part; and if both the parties spoke the truth and described the defects and qualities (of the goods), then they would be blessed in their transaction, and if they told lies or hid something, then the blessings of their transaction would be lost.”

The seller must disclose any faults in the item which may make it less desirable and reduce its price. There is abundant shar’i evidence to this effect. It was narrated that Wahb ibn ‘Aamir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “The Muslim is the brother of (another) Muslim. It is not permissible for a Muslim to sell something to his brother in which there is a fault without disclosing it to him.” Narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawood; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel (1321).

And it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah have mercy on him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) passed by a man who was selling some foodstuff. He put his hand in it and found that it was wet. He said: “Whoever deceives us is not one of us.” Narrated by Muslim (101).

I know for a fact that very little people do this. If someone’s out to sell his product, he’d like to hide the defects knowingly in order to get a bigger price than its worth. Only a believer would do this because he knows that these few extra bucks won’t do him much good if he lost Allah’s pleasure because of his unfair dealing.
Jannah is your real business. Strive to crack that deal. ;)