Get Rewarded for NOT Doing Good Deeds (Hadith No. 2635)

Bismillah.

We have established in past posts that fasting while traveling is permissible, but Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to avoid it. And we all know this one:

Narrated ‘Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was asked, “What deeds are loved most by Allah?” He said,

“The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few.”

[Bukhari, Vol. 8, Book 76, Number 472]

Now read this.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 239 :
Narrated by Ibrahim Abu Isma’il As-Saksaki
I heard Abu Burda (radiallaahu `anhu) who accompanied Yazid bin Abi Kabsha on a journey. Yazid used to observe fasting on journeys. Abu Burda (radiallaahu `anhu) said to him, “I heard Abu Musa (radiallaahu `anhu) several times saying that Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, ‘When a slave falls ill or travels, then he will get reward similar to that he gets for good deeds practiced at home when in good health.”

Isn’t this like the coolest thing ever? There are so many things we end up not doing because of sickness or travel and feel guilty for leaving them. But worry not, my friend, you have been relieved of this burden. If there’s something you do continuously when at home and in good health, you’ll be rewarded for it even if you don’t do it due to sickness or travel.

I usually end up missing or shortening the adhkaar after Salah when down with fever or headache etc.. The daily reading of Quran gets disturbed while traveling.. We all miss our Sunnah prayers in long journeys anyway.. So remember this hadith next time you’re feeling unwell or out of town and relax, for the kiraaman kaatibeen are at work even if you’re not!. :)

This Is Why You Can’t Judge Anyone (Hadith No. 2542)

Bismillah.

Let’s do an exercise. Pause and think about the most pious person you know of. Think about the good that they do, the devoutness in their worship, the unfailing motivation they’re blessed with.. What comes to mind when you think of their result in the Hereafter? Hold that thought.

Now think of a person who’s the least practicing in your circle. The person who struggles with the daily prayers, the one who can barely read Quran, the one who has ‘issues’ with his/her faith. What do you think about their result? And stop right there!

Did you instantly brand the first one as Jannati and the other one Jahannami? If yes, know that you can be completely wrong. The first one can end up in Hell despite all their good and worship. And it’s because of the following hadith:

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 147 :
Narrated by Sahl bin Sad As-Sa’idi (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and the pagans faced each other and started fighting. When Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) returned to his camp and when the pagans returned to their camp, somebody talked about a man amongst the companions of Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) who would follow and kill with his sword any pagan going alone. He said, “Nobody did his job (i.e. fighting) so properly today as that man.” Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Indeed, he is amongst the people of the (Hell) Fire.” A man amongst the people said, “I shall accompany him (to watch what he does)” Thus he accompanied him, and wherever he stood, he would stand with him, and wherever he ran, he would run with him. Then the (brave) man got wounded seriously and he decided to bring about his death quickly. He planted the blade of the sword in the ground directing its sharp end towards his chest between his two breasts. Then he leaned on the sword and killed himself. The other man came to Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and said, “I testify that you are Allah’s Apostle.” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) asked, “What has happened?” He replied, “(It is about) the man whom you had described as one of the people of the (Hell) Fire. The people were greatly surprised at what you said, and I said, ‘I will find out his reality for you.’ So, I came out seeking him. He got severely wounded, and hastened to die by slanting the blade of his sword in the ground directing its sharp end towards his chest between his two breasts. Then he eased on his sword and killed himself.” when Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “A man may seem to the people as if he were practicing the deeds of the people of Paradise while in fact he is from the people of the Hell) Fire, another may seem to the people as if he were practicing the deeds of the people of Hell (Fire), while in fact he is from the people of Paradise.”

So no matter what you see in people, do not judge them based on their appearances. Always hope for the best, yes, make dua for their success in this world and the next, but never say for sure that such and such will go to Paradise and so and so to Hell. That is for Allah alone to decide. He knows the apparent and the hidden and He is the best of all judges.

A Charitable Life (Hadith No. 2536)

Bismillah.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 141 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Charity is obligatory everyday on every joint of a human being. If one helps a person in matters concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, all this will be regarded charity. A good word, and every step one takes to offer the compulsory congregational prayer, is regarded as charity; and guiding somebody on the road is regarded as charity.”

Taking this and numerous other narrations about charity and its rewards, I’ve come to the conclusion that a Muslim’s life is a charitable life. A lot of the small good deeds that we do, even without thinking, are counted as charity. Why is that a big deal, you ask? What’s the difference between getting rewarded for a regular ‘good deed’ and a ‘charity’? Well it’s simple, charity brings enormous rewards, as discussed in some of the previous posts:

“If one gives in charity what equals one date-fruit from the honestly-earned money — and Allah accepts only the honestly-earned money — Allah takes it in His right (hand) and then enlarges its reward for that person (who has given it); as anyone of you brings up his baby horse, so much so that it becomes as big as a mountain.” [Vol. 2, Book 24, No. 491]

You don’t have to be a billionaire supporting various causes, charities and trusts to be charitable. You just need to be a humble Muslim, helping others with your words and deeds being your nature. :)

In words of Talib al-Habib:

Shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the Earth
Let your kindness come like rain that cares not whom it falls upon
And let ocean deep your wisdom be,
Your heart a lantern spreading peace
Give yourself in love of Him, be like al-Habib
(Al-Habib)

Lazying Around (Hadith No. 2535)

Bismillah.

Hadith no. 2534 (below) is a repeat. Read it here.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 139 :
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu)
I went along with the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) to Khaibar so as to serve him. (Later on) when the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) returned he, on seeing the Uhud mountain, said, “This is a mountain that loves us and is loved by us.” Then he pointed to Medina with his hand saying, “O Allah! I make the area which is in between Medina’s two mountains a sanctuary, as Abraham made Mecca a sanctuary. O Allah! Bless us in our Sa’ and Mudd (i.e. units of measuring).”

Today’s Hadith:

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 140 :
Narrated by Anas (radiallaahu `anhu)
We were with the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) (on a journey) and the only shade one could have was the shade made by one’s own garment. Those who fasted did not do any work and those who did not fast served the camels and brought the water on them and treated the sick and (wounded). So, the Prophet said, “Today, those who were not fasting took (all) the reward.”

Don’t miss out on the small good deeds just because you’re part of a bigger one. And don’t be lazy just because you’re fasting. :)

The Good in Horses (Ahadith 2497 – 2500)

Bismillah.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 102 :
Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Good will remain (as a permanent quality) in the foreheads of horses till the Day of Resurrection.”

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 103 :
Narrated by Ursa bin Alga (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Good will remain (as a permanent quality) in the foreheads of horses till the Day of Resurrection.”
And narrated Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu): Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “There is a blessing in the fore-heads of horses.”

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 104 :
Narrated by ‘Urwa Al-Bariqi (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Good will remain (as a permanent quality) in the foreheads of horses (for Jihad) till the Day of Resurrection, for they bring about either a reward (in the Hereafter) or booty (in this world).”

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 105 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “If somebody keeps a horse in Allah’s Cause motivated by his faith in Allah and his belief in His Promise, then he will be rewarded on the Day of Resurrection for what the horse has eaten or drunk and for its dung and urine.”

These ahadith are pretty self-explanatory. Horses bring good in this dunya and the aakhirah, if kept for the sake of Allah, in terms of booty and rewards respectively.

Among other things, horses are extremely beautiful. I, for one, am quite obsessed these days. [Somebody get me a horse!]
Allah has made horses beautiful for us, as He mentions in the Quran:

And at another place:

وَالْخَيْلَ وَالْبِغَالَ وَالْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً ۚ وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

“And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know.” [16:8]

We come to know from history (in the Quran) that Prophet Sulayman, the son of Dawud, also had a special place in his heart for horses. Allah mentions it:

وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُودَ سُلَيْمَانَ ۚ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ
إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْعَشِيِّ الصَّافِنَاتُ الْجِيَادُ
فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّي حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ
رُدُّوهَا عَلَيَّ ۖ فَطَفِقَ مَسْحًا بِالسُّوقِ وَالْأَعْنَاقِ

And to David We gave Solomon. An excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah]. [Mention] when there were exhibited before him in the afternoon the poised [standing] racehorses. And he said, “Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good [things] over the remembrance of my Lord until the sun disappeared into the curtain [of darkness].”[He said], “Return them to me,” and set about striking [their] legs and necks.” [38: 30-33]

Ibn Kathir comments:

Allah tells us that he gave Sulayman to Dawud as a Prophet, as He says elsewhere:

﴿وَوَرِثَ سُلَيْمَـنُ دَاوُودَ﴾

(And Sulayman inherited Dawud) (27:1). meaning, he inherited prophethood from him. Dawud had other sons besides Sulayman, for he had one hundred free wives.

﴿نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ﴾

(How excellent a servant! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)!) This is praise for Sulayman, because he was very much obedient, worshipping Allah much and always turning to Allah in repentance.

﴿إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْعَشِىِّ الصَّـفِنَـتُ الْجِيَادُ ﴾

(When there were displayed before him, in the afternoon, well trained horses of the highest breed.) means, these well trained horses were shown to Sulayman, peace be upon him, in his capacity as king and ruler. Mujahid said, “They were the kind of horses which stand on three legs and raise the fourth, and they were swift horses.” This was also the view of several others among the Salaf. Abu Dawud recorded that `A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “The Messenger of Allah came back from the campaign of Tabuk or Khaybar, and there was a curtain covering her room. The wind came and lifted the curtain, revealing some toys belonging to `A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her. The Prophet said:

«مَا هَذَا يَا عَائِشَةُ؟»

(What is this, O `A’ishah) She, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “My toys.” Among them he saw a horse with two wings made of cloth. He said:

«مَا هَذَا الَّذِي أَرَى وَسَطَهُنَّ؟»

(What is this that I see in the midst of them) She, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “A horse.” The Messenger of Allah said,

«مَا هَذَا الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ؟»

(And what is this on it) She, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “Wings.” The Messenger of Allah said,

«فَرَسٌ لَهُ جَنَاحَانِ؟»

(A horse with two wings) She, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “Did you not hear that Sulayman, peace be upon him, had a horse that had wings” She, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “The Messenger of Allah smiled so broadly that I could see his molars.”

﴿فَقَالَ إِنِّى أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِى حَتَّى تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ ﴾

(He said: “I did love the good (i.e., horses) instead of remembering my Lord” till the time was over, and (the sun) had hidden in the veil (of night)) More than one of the Salaf and scholars of Tafsir mentioned that he was so busy looking at the horses that he missed the time of `Asr prayer. He did not miss it deliberately, but because of forgetfulness, as happened to the Prophet on the day of Khandaq, when he was too busy to pray `Asr and he prayed it after the sun had set. This was recorded in the Two Sahihs with more than one chain of narration, including the report from Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, who said, “On the day of Khandaq, `Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, came after the sun had set and started cursing the disbelievers of the Quraysh. He said, `O Messenger of Allah, I could not pray `Asr until the sun had almost set.’ The Messenger of Allah said,

«وَاللهِ مَا صَلَّيْتُهَا»

(By Allah, I did not pray it either.)” He (Jabir) said, “So we got up and went to Buthan. Allah’s Prophet performed ablution for the prayer and we too performed ablution. He prayed `Asr after the sun had set, then he prayed Maghrib after that.”

﴿رُدُّوهَا عَلَىَّ فَطَفِقَ مَسْحاً بِالسُّوقِ وَالاٌّعْنَاقِ ﴾

(Then he said: “Bring them (horses) back to me.” Then he began to pass his hand over their legs and their necks.) Al-Hasan Al-Basri said, “He said, `No, by Allah, you will not keep me from worshipping my Lord again,’ then he ordered that they should be slaughtered.” This was also the view of Qatadah. As-Suddi said, “Their necks and hamstrings were struck with swords.” `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “He began patting the horses’ heads and legs out of love for them.” This is the view that was favored by Ibn Jarir. He said, “Because he would not punish an animal by cutting its hamstrings or destroy his own wealth for no other reason than that he had been distracted from his prayer by looking at it, and it was not the animals’ fault. ” This view which Ibn Jarir thought more correct is subject to further review, because such action may have been permissible according to their law, especially since he got angry for the sake of Allah for being distracted by these horses until the time for prayer had lapsed. Then, since he dispensed with them for the sake of Allah, Allah compensated him with something better, the wind which blew gently by his order wherever he willed. Its morning lasted a month’s (journey), and its afternoon lasted a month’s (journey). This was faster and better than horses.