Save Your Ship (Hadith No. 2170)

Bismillah.

Volume 3, Book 44, Number 673:
Narrated An-Nu’man bin Bashir (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “The example of the person abiding by Allah’s order and restrictions in comparison to those who violate them is like the example of those persons who drew lots for their seats in a boat. Some of them got seats in the upper part, and the others in the lower. When the latter needed water, they had to go up to bring water (and that troubled the others), so they said, ‘Let us make a hole in our share of the ship (and get water) saving those who are above us from troubling them. So, if the people in the upper part left the others do what they had suggested, all the people of the ship would be destroyed, but if they prevented them, both parties would be safe.”

This is the result of not fulfilling Allah’s command:

“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:104] 

If the people on upper level don’t do anything to stop those on the lower level from digging a hole, they’ll all drown, equally guilty.

Enjoining what is good (al-ma’roof) and forbidding what is evil (al-munkar) is one of the most important Islamic duties, indeed it is the noblest and most sublime. This is the task of the Prophets and Messengers (peace be upon them all), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allaah after the (coming of) Messengers” [al-Nisaa’ 4:165] 

Allaah has made the Muslim ummah the best nation ever raised up for mankind, in order to do this important task, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):  

“You (true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah) are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allaah” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:110] 

If the ummah fails to do its duty of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, wrongdoing and corruption will spread throughout the ummah, and it will deserve the curse of Allaah. For Allaah cursed those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved because they failed in this important duty. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawood (David) and ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allaah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds.

They used not to forbid one another from Al-Munkar (wrong, evildoing, sins, polytheism, disbelief) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do [al-Maa’idah 5:78] 

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Borrowing Money (Hadith No. 2069)

Bismillah.

Ahadith 2063 – 2066 (below) are repeats. Related posts are linked.

Volume 3, Book 40, Number 566 :
Narrated by Zaid bin Thabit (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) permitted selling the dates of the ‘Araya for ready dates by estimating the amount of the former (as they are still on the trees).

Volume 3, Book 40, Number 567 :
Narrated by Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) forbade the sales called Al-Mukhabara, Al-Muhaqala and Al-Muzabana and the selling of fruits till they are free from blights. He forbade the selling of the fruits except for money, except the ‘Araya.

Volume 3, Book 40, Number 568 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) allowed the sale of the dates of the ‘Araya for ready dates by estimating the former which should be estimated as less than five Awsuq or five Awsuq. (Dawud, the sub-narrator is not sure as to the right amount.)

Volume 3, Book 40, Number 569 :
Narrated by Rafi ‘bin Khadij and Sahl bin Al Hathma (radiallaahu `anhumaa)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) forbade the sale of Muzabana, i.e. selling of fruits for fruits, except in the case of ‘Araya; he allowed the owners of ‘Araya such kind of sale.

Kitaab-ul-Musaaqaat [Book of Distribution of Water] ends here.

Kitaabun fil-Istiqraadh [Book of Loans & Bankruptcy] starts today..

Ahadith 2067 – 2068 (below) are also repeats, talking about the permissibility of buying stuff on credit. Related posts are linked.

Volume 3, Book 41, Number 570 :
Narrated by Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (radiallaahu `anhu)
While I was in the company of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) in one of his Ghazawat, he asked, “What is wrong with your camel? Will you sell it?” I replied in the affirmative and sold it to him. When he reached Medina, I took the camel to him in the morning and he paid me its price.

Volume 3, Book 41, Number 571 :
Narrated by Al-Amash
When we were with Ibrahim, we talked about mortgaging in deals of Salam. Ibrahim narrated from Aswad that ‘Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) had said, “The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) bought some foodstuff on credit from a Jew and mortgaged an iron armor to him.“

Today’s Hadith:

Volume 3, Book 41, Number 572 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Whoever takes the money of the people with the intention of repaying it, Allah will repay it on his behalf, and whoever takes it in order to spoil it, then Allah will spoil him.”

Note that the key point here is intention. No matter how impossible the circumstances are, if you intend to repay your debt, Allah will help you with it. Some of us have experienced such miracles, and some of us have witnessed them.. how out of nowhere someone comes to help the indebted, or for some reason the lender waives off the debt etc. If this is not Allah’s help, then what is? Remember the incident about the man from Bani Israel who borrowed a thousand dinars and couldn’t find the lender at the time of repayment? Read the full story:

Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu), the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said,

An Israeli man asked another Israeli to lend him one thousand Dinars. The second man required witnesses. The former replied, ‘Allah is sufficient as a witness.’ The second said, ‘I want a surety.’ The former replied, ‘Allah is sufficient as a surety.’ The second said, ‘You are right,’ and lent him the money for a certain period. The debtor went across the sea. When he finished his job, he searched for a conveyance so that he might reach in time for the repayment of the debt, but he could not find any. So, he took a piece of wood and made a hole in it, inserted in it one thousand Dinars and a letter to the lender and then closed (i.e. sealed) the hole tightly. He took the piece of wood to the sea and said. ‘O Allah! You know well that I took a loan of one thousand Dinars from so-and-so. He demanded a surety from me but I told him that Allah’s Guarantee was sufficient and he accepted Your guarantee. He then asked for a witness and I told him that Allah was sufficient as a Witness, and he accepted You as a Witness. No doubt, I tried hard to find a conveyance so that I could pay his money but could not find, so I hand over this money to You.’ Saying that, he threw the piece of wood into the sea till it went out far into it, and then he went away. Meanwhile he started searching for a conveyance in order to reach the creditor’s country. One day the lender came out of his house to see whether a ship had arrived bringing his money, and all of a sudden he saw the piece of wood in which his money had been deposited. He took it home to use for fire. When he sawed it, he found his money and the letter inside it. Shortly after that, the debtor came bringing one thousand Dinars to him and said, ‘By Allah, I had been trying hard to get a boat so that I could bring you your money, but failed to get one before the one I have come by.’ The lender asked, ‘Have you sent something to me?’ The debtor replied, ‘I have told you I could not get a boat other than the one I have come by.’ The lender said, ‘Allah has delivered on your behalf the money you sent in the piece of wood. So, you may keep your one thousand Dinars and depart guided on the right path.’
[Bukhari, Vol 3, Book 37, No. 48]

Animal Rights.. Again! (Hadith No. 2062)

Bismillah.

Volume 3, Book 40, Number 565 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “One of the rights of a she-camel is that it should be milked at a place of water.”

Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) being the role model that he was, showed us and told us how to live our lives – how to worship Allah, how to behave, how to treat others, how to eat, sleep, drink etc. He even told us how to treat animals – being kind to them and showing mercy upon them. He said (authenticity of narration unknown):

“Fear God in regards to these animals who can not speak their will.  If you ride them, treat them accordingly (by making them strong and fit for that), and if you [plan to] eat them, treat them accordingly (by making them fat and healthy).” (Abu Dawud)

Patience: The Foundation of Faith (Hadith No. 2061)

Bismillah.

Volume 3, Book 40, Number 564 :
Narrated by Anas (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) decided to grant a portion of (the uncultivated land of) Bahrain to the Ansar. The Ansar said, “(We will not accept it) till you give a similar portion to our emigrant brothers (from Quraish).” He said, “(O Ansar!) You will soon see people giving preference to others, so remain patient till you meet me (on the Day of Resurrection).

“Allaah has made patience like a horse that never gets tired, an army that can never be defeated and a strong fortress that can never be breached. Patience and victory are twin brothers, for victory comes with patience, relief comes with distress and ease comes with hardship. Patience is of more help to the one who has it than men, as it helps without any need for equipment or numbers and its relationship to victory is like that of the head to the body.”

Patience is the foundation of the believer’s faith which has no other foundation. The one who has no patience has no faith, and if he has any, then it is only a little faith and it is very weak, and such a person worships Allaah as it were upon the edge (i.e. in doubt): if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him he turns back on his face (i.e. reverts to disbelief after embracing Islam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter (cf. al-Hajj 22:11). All he gets from them is a losing deal.

The best life is attained by the blessed through patience, and they rise to the highest degrees through their gratitude. So they fly on the wings of patience and gratitude to gardens of delight (i.e., Paradise). That is the bounty of Allaah that He bestows upon whomsoever He will, and Allaah is the Owner of Great Bounty.  End quote from ‘Uddat al-Saabireen by Ibn al-Qayyim, p. 3-5.

‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: Allaah has not bestowed any blessing upon His slaves then taken it away and replaced it with patience, but what He has compensated them with is better than what He has taken away.

Taken from IslamQA.

Dangers of Alcohol (Hadith No. 2060)

Bismillah.

Hadith no. 2057 (below) is a repeat. Read it here.

Volume 3, Book 40, Number 560 :
Narrated by Zaid bin Khalid (radiallaahu `anhu)
A man came to Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and asked about Al-Luqata (a fallen thing). The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Recognize its container and its tying material and then make a public announcement about it for one year and if its owner shows up, give it to him; otherwise use it as you like.” The man said, “What about a lost sheep?” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “It is for you, your brother or the wolf.” The man said “What about a lost camel?” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Why should you take it as it has got its water-container (its stomach) and its hooves and it can reach the places of water and can eat the trees till its owner finds it?”

Ahadith 2058-2059 (below) are repeats. Read them here.

Volume 3, Book 40, Number 561 :
Narrated by Az-Zubair bin Al ‘Awwam (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “No doubt, one had better take a rope (and cut) and tie a bundle of wood and sell it whereby Allah will keep his face away (from Hell-fire) rather than ask others who may give him or not.”

Volume 3, Book 40, Number 562 :
Narrated by Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “No doubt, you had better gather a bundle of wood and carry it on your back (and earn your living thereby) rather than ask somebody who may give you or not.”

Today’s Hadith:

Volume 3, Book 40, Number 563 :
Narrated by Husain bin Ali (radiallaahu `anhu)
Ali bin Abi Talib (radiallaahu `anhu) said: “I got a she-camel as my share of the war booty on the day (of the battle) of Badr, and Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) gave me another she-camel. I let both of them kneel at the door of one of the Ansar, intending to carry Idhkhir on them to sell it and use its price for my wedding banquet on marrying Fatima (radiallaahu `anhaa). A goldsmith from Bam Qainqa’ was with me. Hamza bin ‘Abdul-Muttalib (radiallaahu `anhu) was in that house drinking wine and a lady singer was reciting: “O Hamza! (Kill) the (two) fat old she camels (and serve them to your guests).” So Hamza (radiallaahu `anhu) took his sword and went towards the two she-camels and cut off their humps and opened their flanks and took a part of their livers.” (I said to Ibn Shihab, “Did he take part of the humps?” He replied, “He cut off their humps and carried them away.”) ‘Ali (radiallaahu `anhu) further said, “When I saw that dreadful sight, I went to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and told him the news. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) came out in the company of Zaid bin Haritha (radiallaahu `anhu) who was with him then, and I too went with them. He went to Hamza (radiallaahu `anhu) and spoke harshly to him. Hamza looked up and said, ‘Aren’t you only the slaves of my forefathers?’ The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) retreated and went out. This incident happened before the prohibition of drinking.”

This Hadith shows:

• we should help out our relatives and friends in need – Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) gave an extra camel to Ali (radiallaahu `anhu) so he could make some money for the wedding banquet.
• the dangers and disadvantages of alcohol consumption – the person loses control of his mind and tongue etc. How do you expect him/her to behave in a respectful manner? And this is one of the reasons it’s unlawful to drink alcohol in Islam. Read more on it here.