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.

Advertisement

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!. :)

Better than the Whole Wide World (Hadith No. 2537)

Bismillah.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 142 :
Narrated by Sahl bin Sad As-Sa’di (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “To guard Muslims from infidels in Allah’s Cause for one day is better than the world and whatever is on its surface, and a place in Paradise as small as that occupied by the whip of one of you is better than the world and whatever is on its surface; and a morning’s or an evening’s journey which a slave (person) travels in Allah’s Cause is better than the world and whatever is on its surface.”

I have one question to ask: what’s stopping you? What’s stopping you from going out in Allah’s Cause, to travel for his sake, to make a sacrifice for him? It doesn’t have to be qitaal (fighting) only, it can be learning the Deen, calling people to it, welfare etc. What’s stopping you from getting what’s better than the whole wide world?

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. :)