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Unique Virtue of `Uthman ibn `Affan (Hadith No. 2756)
Bismillah.
Volume 4, Book 53, Number 359 :
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu)
‘Uthman (radiallaahu `anhu) did not join the Badr battle because he was married to one of the daughters of Allah’s Apostle and she was ill. So, the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said to him. “You will get a reward and a share (from the war booty) similar to the reward and the share of one who has taken part in the Badr battle.”
Read this hadith in Arabic here.
This hadith is part of another longer narration which comes in Book 57 of Bukhari:
Narrated ‘Uthman (the son of Muhib):
An Egyptian who came and performed the Hajj to the Kaba saw some people sitting. He inquired, “Who are these people?” Somebody said, “They are the tribe of Quraish.” He said, “Who is the Shaikh among them?” The people replied, “He is ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar.” He said, “O Ibn Umar! I want to ask you about something; please tell me about it. Do you know that ‘Uthman fled away on the day (of the battle) of Uhud?” Ibn ‘Umar said, “Yes.” The (Egyptian) man said, “Do you know that ‘Uthman was absent on the day (of the battle) of Badr and did not join it?” Ibn ‘Umar said, “Yes.” The man said, “Do you know that he failed to attend the Ar Ridwan pledge and did not witness it (i.e. Hudaibiya pledge of allegiance)?” Ibn ‘Umar said, “Yes.” The man said, “Allahu Akbar!” Ibn ‘Umar said, “Come, let me explain to you. As for his flight on the day of Uhud, I testify that Allah has excused him and forgiven him; and as for his absence from the battle of Badr, it was due to the fact that the daughter of Allah’s Apostle was his wife and she was sick then. Allah’s Apostle said to him, “You will receive the same reward and share (of the booty) as anyone of those who participated in the battle of Badr.’ As for his absence from the Ar-Ridwan pledge of allegiance, had there been any person in Mecca more respectable than ‘Uthman (to be sent as a representative). Allah’s Apostle would have sent him instead of him. No doubt, Allah’s Apostle had sent him, and the incident of the Ar-Ridwan pledge of Allegiance happened after ‘Uthman had gone to Mecca. Allah’s Apostle held out his right hand saying, ‘This is ‘Uthman’s hand.’ He struck his (other) hand with it saying, ‘This (pledge of allegiance) is on the behalf of ‘Uthman.’ Then Ibn ‘Umar said to the man, ‘Go now with this with you.’
[Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 57, Number 48]
Not taking part in the battle of Badr and still getting a share in its booty and reward was a virtue unique to Uthman (radiallaahu `anhu). He had the intention to go and fight but Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) asked him to stay and look after his wife, Ruqayyah (radiallaahu `anhaa). She died before the army returned victorious. So on one hand, the Prophet was happy about the win over Quraysh, he grieved the loss of his daughter.
Words of wisdom.
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.
One for the Volunteers (Hadith No. 2531)
Bismillah.
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 136 :
Narrated by ‘Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was vigilant one night and when he reached Medina, he said, “Would that a pious man from my companions guard me tonight!” Suddenly we heard the clatter of arms. He said, “Who is that? ” He (the new comer) replied, ” I am Sad bin Abi Waqqas and have come to guard you.” So, the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) slept (that night).
Volunteering: an altruistic activity intended to promote goodness or improve human quality of life. [Wikipedia]
Why volunteer? According to a very good HelpGuide article, volunteering has the following benefits:
- connects you to others
- good for your mind and body
- can advance your career
- brings fun and fulfillment to your life
While I agree with all of the above, I believe them to be secondary benefits of volunteering, primary being:
- pleasure of Allah
- reward in Hereafter
Because volunteering is a “good deed”, if done sincerely for Allah’s sake and not to show off or achieve any of the “secondary benefits”, Allah rewards us for it.
هَلْ جَزَاءُ الْإِحْسَانِ إِلَّا الْإِحْسَانُ
“Is the reward for good [anything] but good?” [55:60]
To be honest, keeping that sincerity in check is one tough job when others praise you for your hard work, or when things get rough with the very people you work with. Allah tests us in different situations to measure the level of our “Ihsan” so He can reward us for it accordingly.
If you’re a volunteer, keep at it; and if you’re not, start today! There’s always someone you can help for free (read: reward). :)
Being Held Back (Ahadith 2486 – 2487)
Bismillah.
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 91 :
Narrated by Anas (radiallaahu `anhu)
We returned from the Ghazwa of Tabuk along with the Prophet. (See Hadith No. 92 below).
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 92 :
Narrated by Anas (radiallaahu `anhu)
While the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was in a Ghazwa he said, “Some people have remained behind us in Medina and we never crossed a mountain path or a valley, but they were with us (i.e. sharing the reward with us), as they have been held back by a (legal) excuse.”
This is from the Bounty and Grace of Allah, that He rewards those who yearn to do good but are held back due to genuine reasons. Only Allah knows that if they were given the opportunity, they wouldn’t be doing anything else.
Always Say InshaAllah! (Hadith No. 2467)
Bismillah.
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 74 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Once Solomon, son of David said, ‘(By Allah) Tonight I will have sexual intercourse with one hundred (or ninety-nine) women each of whom will give birth to a knight who will fight in Allah’s Cause.’ On that a companion of his said inshaAllah (i.e. if Allah wills) but he (Solomon) did not say, ‘Allah willing.’ Therefore only one of those women conceived and gave birth to a half-man. By Him in Whose Hands Muhammad’s life is, if he had said, “Allah willing’, (he would have begotten sons) all of whom would have been knights striving in Allah’s Cause.”
وَلَا تَقُولَنَّ لِشَيْءٍ إِنِّي فَاعِلٌ ذَٰلِكَ غَدًا
إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ ۚ وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ وَقُلْ عَسَىٰ أَن يَهْدِيَنِ رَبِّي لِأَقْرَبَ مِنْ هَٰذَا رَشَدًا
And never say of anything, “Indeed, I will do that tomorrow”, except [when adding], “If Allah wills.” And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, “Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct.” [18:23-24]
When Allah’s Messenger (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) declared Allah’s Oneness and proclaimed to be the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) and revelation of Divine Message. The disbelievers of Makkah sent some men to Jewish rabbis in al-Medina and said: “Ask them (the rabbis) about Muhammad (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam), and describe him to them, and tell them what he is saying.
They are the people of the first Book, and they have more knowledge of the Prophets than we do.’ So they set out for al-Madina, they asked the Jewish rabbis about the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam). They described him to them and told them some of his teachings.
The rabbis said: ‘Ask him about three things which we will tell you to ask, if he answers them then he is a Prophet who has been sent (by Allah); if he does not, then he is saying things that are not true, in which case how you will deal with him will be up to you. Ask him about some young men in ancient times, what was their story? For there is a strange and wondrous tale. Ask him about a man who traveled a great deal and reached the east and the west of the earth. What was his story? And ask him about he Ruh (soul or spirit) what is it?
If he tells you about these things, then he is a Prophet, so follow him, but if he does not tell you, then he is a man who is making things up, so deal with him as you see fit.’ So, the men came back to Makkah and said: ‘O people! We have come to you with a decisive solution which will put an end to the problem between you and Muhammad (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam). The Jewish rabbis told us to ask him about some matters,’ and they told them what they were. Then they came to the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) and said: ‘O Muhammad (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) tell us,’ and they asked him about the things they had been told to ask.
The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: “I will tell you tomorrow about what you have asked me.” But he (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) did not say, ‘If Allah Wills.’
Allah Messenger (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) never spoke anything except with revelation. So, he waited for the revelation from Allah but fifteen days passed away without any revelation concerning those matter which the disbelievers asked, neither did Jibreel (alaihis-salaam) come to him. The people of Makkah started to doubt him and said: ‘Muhammad (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) promised to tell us the next day and now fifteen days have gone by and he has not told us anything in response to the questions we asked.’
The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam) felt sad because of the delay in revelation and was grieved by what the people of Makkah were saying about him.
Then Jibreel (alaihis-salaam) came with the revelation of Soorah al-Kahf, which contained answers to the questions and also the above mentioned verse explaining the correct etiquette when determining to do something in the future.
Determining to do something in the future should always be attributed to the Will of Allah, Who is the Knower of the Unseen and Who Alone Knows what was and what is yet to happen and what is not to be.
Taken from AlQuranClasses.com
An interesting story on the subject: Radwan Goes to Buy a Horse
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