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). :)

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Farming in Paradise? (Hadith No. 2035)

Bismillah.

Ahadith 2028 – 2034 (below) are related to sharecropping (already covered).

Volume 3, Book 39, Number 531 :
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu)
Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) expelled the Jews and the Christians from Hijaz. When Allah’s Apostle had conquered Khaibar, he wanted to expel the Jews from it as its land became the property of Allah, His Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam), and the Muslims. Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) intended to expel the Jews but they requested him to let them stay there on the condition that they would do the labor and get half of the fruits. Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) told them, “We will let you stay on thus condition, as long as we wish.” So, they (i.e. Jews) kept on living there until ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) forced them to go towards Taima’ and Ariha’.

Volume 3, Book 39, Number 532 :
Narrated by Rafi bin Khadij
My uncle Zuhair (radiallaahu `anhu) said, “Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) forbade us to do a thing which was a source of help to us.” I said, “Whatever Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said was right.” He said, “Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) sent for me and asked, ‘What are you doing with your farms?’ I replied, ‘We give our farms on rent on the basis that we get the yield produced at the banks of the water streams (rivers) for the rent, or rent it for some Wasqs of barley and dates.’ Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, ‘Do not do so, but cultivate (the land) yourselves or let it be cultivated by others gratis, or keep it uncultivated.’ I said, ‘We hear and obey.’

Volume 3, Book 39, Number 533 :
Narrated by Jabir (radiallaahu `anhu)
The people used to rent their land for cultivation for one-third, one-fourth or half its yield. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Whoever has land should cultivate it himself or give it to his (Muslim) brother gratis; otherwise keep it uncultivated.” Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Whoever has land should cultivate it himself or give it to his (Muslim) brother gratis; otherwise he should keep it uncultivated.”

Volume 3, Book 39, Number 534 :
Narrated by ‘Amr
When I mentioned it (i.e. the narration of Rafi ‘bin Khadij: no. 532) to Tawus, he said, “It is permissible to rent the land for cultivation, for Ibn ‘Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu) said, ‘The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) did not forbid that, but said: One had better give the land to one’s brother gratis rather than charge a certain amount for it.’ “

Volume 3, Book 39, Number 535 :
Narrated by Nafi
Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) used to rent his farms in the time of Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman, and in the early days of Muawiya (radiallaahu `anhum). Then he was told the narration of Rafi ‘bin Khadij that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) had forbidden the renting of farms. Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) went to Rafi’ and I accompanied him. He asked Rafi who replied that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) had forbidden the renting of farms. Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) said, “You know that we used to rent our farms in the life-time of Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) for the yield of the banks of the water streams (rivers) and for certain amount of figs.

Volume 3, Book 39, Number 536 :
Narrated by Salim
Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) said, “I knew that the land was rented for cultivation in the life-time of Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam).” Later on Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) was afraid that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) had forbidden it, and he had no knowledge of it, so he gave up renting his land.

Volume 3, Book 39, Number 537 :
Narrated by Hanzla bin Qais
Rafi bin Khadij said, “My two uncles told me that they (i.e. the companions of the Prophet) used to rent the land in the life-time of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) for the yield on the banks of water streams (rivers) or for a portion of the yield stipulated by the owner of the land. The Prophet forbade it.” I said to Rafi, “What about renting the land for Dinars and Dirhams?” He replied, “There is no harm in renting for Dinars-Dirhams. Al-Laith said, “If those who have discernment for distinguishing what is legal from what is illegal looked into what has been forbidden concerning this matter they would not permit it, for it is surrounded with dangers.”

Today’s Hadith:

Volume 3, Book 39, Number 538 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
Once the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was narrating (a story), while a Bedouin was sitting with him. “One of the inhabitants of Paradise will ask Allah to allow him to cultivate the land. Allah will ask him, ‘Are you not living in the pleasures you like?’ He will say, ‘Yes, but I like to cultivate the land.’ ” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) added, “When the man (will be permitted he) will sow the seeds and the plants will grow up and get ripe, ready for reaping and so on till it will be as huge as mountains within a wink. Allah will then say to him, ‘O son of Adam! Take here you are, gather (the yield); nothing satisfies you.’ ” On that, the bedouin said, “The man must be either from Quraish (i.e. an emigrant) or an Ansari, for they are farmers, whereas we are not farmers.” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) smiled (at this).

This just goes to show how hard it is for us humans to let go of our habits! Admit it, it’s funny!

On a serious note, this also shows that you will be in Paradise what you are now. Your habits/activities will go with you.. would you be happy being what you are for eternity? #FoodForThought

Ramadan: Such Excellence! (Hadith No. 1623)

Bismillah.

Volume 3, Book 31, Number 128:

Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):

Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Allah said, ‘All the deeds of Adam’s sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.’ Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’ By Him in Whose Hands my soul is’ The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting.”

How many virtues of fasting/Ramadan have you come across up till now? There are 13 in this post and several others. Can you share some rare ones?

Can Good Bring Forth Evil? (Hadith No. 1243)

Bismillah.

Volume 2, Book 24, Number 544:

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri (radiallaahu `anhu):

Once the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) sat on a pulpit and we sat around him. Then he said, “The things I am afraid of most for your sake (concerning what will befall you after me) is the pleasures and splendors of the world and its beauties which will be disclosed to you.” Somebody said, “O Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! Can the good bring forth evil?” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) remained silent for a while. It was said to that person, “What is wrong with you? You are talking to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) while he is not talking to you.” Then we noticed that he was being inspired divinely. Then the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) wiped off his sweat and said, “Where is the questioner?” It seemed as if the Prophet liked his question. Then he said, “Good never brings forth evil. Indeed it is like what grows on the banks of a water-stream which either kill or make the animals sick, except if an animal eats its fill the Khadira (a kind of vegetable) and then faces the sun, and then defecates and urinates and grazes again. No doubt this wealth is sweet and green. Blessed is the wealth of a Muslim from which he gives to the poor, the orphans and to needy travelers. (Or the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said something similar to it) No doubt, whoever takes it illegally will be like the one who eats but is never satisfied, and his wealth will be a witness against him on the Day of Resurrection.”

Why was the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) afraid about pleasures, splendors and beauties of this world being disclosed to us believers? Simple. These things are trials. Temptations, very hard to resist. One goes through a major test of Imaan while dealing with them. You falter, you lose. So Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam), being our well-wisher, was worried about us being afflicted with trials. One more reason to love him (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)!

Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) gives an example of an animal who eats a lot, and from everywhere. It eats so much that it either dies because of overeating or becomes really sick – harms itself.
Then there’s another animal who eats according to need, utilizes it, digests and gets rid of it. Remains healthy and fit.

Contentedness is the word. We need to learn to lead a balanced lifestyle. To not go blindly after wealth – the beauties and temptations of this world. To not forget the difference between haraam and halaal – harmful and beneficial – while fulfilling the desire to acquire and accumulate wealth. Because the person who acquires it from everywhere and anywhere harms himself. Whereas the person who takes from this world as per need, utilizes it, and then takes again according to need, is the one who actually benefits. He does not harm himself by taking the haraam route. He gives of his wealth in charity that purifies it. He’s contented with what he has. So he does not take others’ share by force, lest that wealth becomes witness against him on the Day of Judgement. He’s fit and healthy. He’s the one we should strive to become like. He’s the one Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) praised.