‘Uqba b. ‘Amir said that God’s Messenger ordered him to recite al-Mu'awwidhat* after every prayer. * Suras 113 and 114 are commonly called al-Mu'awwidhatan, this being the dual. Although al-Masabih has the dual, the Mishkat has the plural. In the notes to the Damascus edition it is suggested that suras 109 and 112 may be added, but it is more probable that the Mishkat has used the plural in error. Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Baihaqi, in [Kitab] ad-da‘awat al-kabir, transmitted it.

Abul Malih expressed his disapproval of payment for the skins of beasts of prey.* *The source of this tradition is not mentioned, but the editor of the Damascus edition of the Mishkat says Tirmidhi appended it in a note.

Talq b. ‘Ali* reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When any of you breaks wind during prayer, he must withdraw, perform ablution, and repeat the prayer.” * This is a mistake in the text of the Mishkat. The name is ‘Ali b. Talq. Cf. Abu Dawud, Salat, 186. Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Tirmidhi transmitted it with something added and something omitted.

Ibrahim b. ‘Abd ar-Rahman al-‘Udhri reported God's messenger as saying, "In every successive century those who are reliable authorities will preserve this knowledge, rejecting the changes made by extremists, the plagiarisms of those who make false claims for themselves, and the interpretations of the ignorant.”* *The source is lacking. The editor of the Damascus edition of the Mishkat says the tradition is given by Baihaqi in al-Madkhal.

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “Many a one who fasts gets nothing from his fasting but thirst, and many a one who prays during the night gets nothing from his night prayers but wakefulness.” Darimi transmitted it. The tradition of Laqit b. Sabira has been mentioned in the chapter on how to perform ablution. [in another part of the Mishkat]

Al-Irbad b. Sariya declared that God’s messenger got up and said, “Does any of you, while reclining on his couch, imagine that God has prohibited only what is to be found in the Qur’an? By God, I have commanded, exhorted and prohibited various matters as numerous as what is found in the Qur’an, or more numerous. God has not permitted you to enter the houses of the people of the Book without permission, or dishonour their women, or eat their fruits, when they give you what is imposed on them.” ^{1 1} The source from which this tradition comes is omitted. The editor of Damascus edition of the Mishkat notes that it comes from Abu Dawud. It is Abu Dawud Kitab al-kharaj wal imara wal fai’ bab 33.

`Ubada b. as-Samit reported God's messenger as saying, "In paradise there are a hundred stages between each two of which there is a distance like that between heaven and earth. Al-Firdaus from which issue the four rivers of paradise is the highest of them, and above it is the Throne; so, when you make request from God ask Him for al-Firdaus." Tirmidhi transmitted it. I have not found it in the two Sahihs or al-Humaidi's book[*]. *In Masabih as-sunna the source of each individual tradition is not given but those in section 1 are all called sahih and come from Bukhari or Muslim, or from both. One therefore does not expect to find a tradition from Tirmidhi in section 1. It occurs in his collection in Sifat al janna, 4. In Masabih as-sunna it does not say that this tradition comes from 'Ubada, but the Mishkat is correct in attributing it to him. There is one like it from Abu Huraira in Bukhari, jihad, 4, but the wording is not identical.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s messenger as saying, “Pass on information from me, even if it is only a verse of the Qur’an; and relate traditions from the Bani Isra'il, for there is no restriction; but let him who deliberately lies against me come to his abode in hell.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Samura b. Jundub and al-Mughira b. Shu'ba reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone relates a tradition from me thinking that it is false, he is one of the liars.” Muslim transmitted it.

Mu'awiya reported God’s messenger as saying, “When God wishes good for anyone He instructs him in the religion. I am only a distributor; God gives.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, “Men are of different origins just as gold and silver are; the best among them in the pre-Islamic period are the best among them in Islam when they are versed in the religion.” Muslim transmitted it.

a man to whom God has given property, empowering him to dispose of it on what is right; and a man to whom God has given wisdom who acts according to it and teaches it.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

sadaqa which continues to be supplied, or knowledge from which benefit continues to be reaped, or the prayers of a good son for his dead father.” Muslim transmitted it.

He also reported God’s messenger as saying, “ If anyone removes one of the anxieties of this world from a believer, God will remove one of the anxieties of the day of resurrection from him; if one smooths the way for one who is destitute, God will smooth the way for him in this world and the next; and if anyone conceals the faults of a Muslim, God will conceal his faults, in this world and the next. God helps a man as long as he helps his brother. If anyone pursues a path in search of knowledge, God will thereby make easy for him a path to paradise. No company will gather in a mosque to recite God’s Book and study it together without calmness descending on them, mercy covering them, the angels surrounding them, and God mentioning them among those who are with Him. But he who is made slow by his actions will not be speeded by his genealogy.” Muslim transmitted it.

He also reported God’s messenger as saying, “The first person to be judged on the day of resurrection will be a man who died as a martyr. He will be brought forward, and after God has reminded him of the favour He showed him and the man acknowledges it, He will ask, ‘What did you do to show gratitude for it?’ The man will reply, ‘I fought for Thy cause till I was martyred.’ God will say, ‘You lie. You fought that people might call you courageous, and they have done so.’ Command will then be issued about him, and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into hell. Next a man who has acquired and taught knowledge and read the Qur’an will be brought forward, and after God has reminded him of the favour He showed him and the man acknowledges it, He will ask, ‘What did you do to show gratitude for it?’ The man will reply, ‘I acquired and taught knowledge and read the Qur’an for Thy sake.’ God will say, 'You lie. You acquired knowledge that people might call you learned, and you read the Qur’an that they might call you a reader, and they have done so.’ Command will then be issued about him, and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into hell. Next a man whom God has made affluent and whom He has given all kinds of property will be brought forward, and after God has reminded him of the favour He showed him and the man acknowledges it, He will ask, ‘What did you do to show gratitude for it?’ The man will reply, ‘I have not neglected to give liberally for Thy sake to all the causes approved by Thee for this purpose.’ God will say, ‘You lie. You did it that people might call you generous, and they have done so.’ Command will then be issued about him, and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into hell.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s messenger as saying, “God does not take away knowledge by removing it from men, but takes it away by taking away the learned, so that when He leaves no learned man, men will take ignorant men as leaders. Causes will be presented to them and they will pass judgement without knowledge, erring and leading others into error.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Shaqiq said that ‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud used to exhort the people every Thursday. A man said, “ I wish, Abu ‘Abd ar-Rahman [This is Ibn Mas`ud’s kunya], that you would give us a daily exhortation.” He replied, “My dislike of wearying you prevents me from that, so I am considerate in my exhortations to you as God’s messenger was to us for fear of causing us aversion.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas said that when the Prophet made a statement he repeated it three times so that it would be understood, and that when he met a company and gave them a salutation he did it three times. Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari told of a man who came to the Prophet and said, “My camel has become jaded, so give me a mount.” On his replying that he had none, a man said, “Messenger of God, I can guide him to one who will give him a mount.” God’s messenger then said, “He who guides to what is good will have a reward equivalent to that of him who does it.” Muslim transmitted it.

One early morning when they were with God’s messenger some people came to him who were scantily clad, wearing striped woollen garments,* with swords over their shoulders; most, nay all of them, belonging to Mudar. God’s messenger showed signs of anger on his face because of the poverty-stricken state in which he saw them, and went in. After a little he came out and gave orders to Bilal who uttered the call to prayer and announced that the time to begin prayer had come. When the Prophet had prayed, he delivered an address in which he said, “ ‘Fear your Lord, people, who created you from one soul . . . God watches over you.’[Qur’an, iv, 1] ‘Fear God, and let a soul look to what it has sent forward for the morrow. [Ibid., lix, 18] Let a man give sadaqa from his dinars and dirhams, his clothing, his sa‘ of wheat and sa‘ of dates, even if it is only half a date.” Jarir said: One of the Ansar brought a purse which was almost too big for his hand to hold, indeed it was too big. Then people came one after the other till I saw two mounds of food and clothing, with the result that I saw the face of God’s messenger glowing as if it were golden. He then said, “If anyone establishes a good sunna in Islam he will have a reward for it and the equivalent of the rewards of those who act upon it after him, without theirs being diminished in any respect; but he who establishes a bad sunna in Islam will bear the responsibility of it and the responsibility of those who act upon it after him, without theirs being diminished in any respect.” Muslim transmitted it. *[The text has an-nimar au al-'aba, thus giving an alternative word. This is not indicated in the translation above.]

Ibn Mas'ud reported God’s messenger as saying, “No life is taken unjustly without a portion of its blood being laid at the door of Adam’s first son, because he was the first to introduce murder.” (Bukhari and Muslim). We shall mention the tradition from Mu'awiya, “A section of my people will continue .. .”* in the chapter on the reward of this people, if God will. *Book XXV, Chap. xli. The wording is slightly different.

Kathir b. Qais told how, when he was sitting with Abu Darda' in the mosque of Damascus, a man came to him and said, “Abu Darda', I have come to you from the town of the Messenger for a tradition I have heard that you relate from God's messenger. I have come for no other purpose.” He replied that he had heard God’s messenger say, “ If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge God will cause him to travel on one of the roads of paradise, the angels will lower their wings from good pleasure with one who seeks knowledge, and the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and the fish in the depth of the water will ask forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout man is like that of the moon on the night when it is full over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the prophets who leave neither dinar nor dirham, leaving only knowledge, and he who accepts it accepts an abundant portion.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it, Tirmidhi calling Him Qais b. Kathir.

Two men, one learned and the other devout, were mentioned to God’s messenger, who then said, “The superiority of the learned man over the devout man is like mine over the most contemptible among you,” adding, “God, His angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in its hole and even the fish invoke blessings on him who teaches men what is good.” Tirmidhi transmitted it. Darimi transmitted it from Makhul in mursal form, but did not mention the two men. He said, “The superiority of the learned man over the devout man is like mine over the most contemptible among you.” Then he recited this verse, “Only those of His servants who are learned fear God," (35:28) ¹ then went on with the tradition to the end.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s messenger as saying, “ People will follow you, and men will come to you from all regions of the earth seeking understanding about the religion; so when they come to you, give them good counsel.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, “A word which contains wisdom is the stray beast* of the wise man, so wherever he finds it he is most entitled to it.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying that this is a gharib tradition and that Ibrahim b. al-Fadl the transmitter is declared to be weak in tradition. *i.e. something to be sought.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s messenger as saying, “One faqih has more power over the devil than a thousand devout men.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “The search for knowledge is an obligation laid on every Muslim, but he who commits it to those who are unworthy of it is like one who puts necklaces of jewels, pearls and gold on swine.” Ibn Majah transmitted it. Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman up to the word “Muslim”, saying that this is a tradition whose text is well known but whose isnad is weak, it being transmitted by many ways all of which are weak.

good behaviour and knowledge of religion.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who goes out in search of knowledge is in God’s path till he returns.” Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it.

Sakhbara al-Azdi reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone seeks knowledge, it will be an atonement for past sins.” Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying that this is a tradition whose isnad is weak, and that Abu Dawud the transmitter is declared to be weak.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s messenger as saying, “A believer will never be satisfied with the good he hears till he reaches paradise.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who is asked about something he knows and conceals it will have a bridle of fire put on him on the day of resurrection.” Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted it from Anas.

Ka'b b. Malik reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone seeks knowledge to use it in vying with the learned, or disputing with the foolish, or to attract men’s attention to himself, God will bring him into hell.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted it from Ibn ‘Umar.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone acquires knowledge of things by which God’s good pleasure is sought, but acquires it only to get some worldly advantage, he will not experience the ‘arf, i.e. the odour, of paradise on the day of resurrection.” Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

sincere action for God’s sake, good counsel to Muslims, and hold- ing fast to their community, for their invitation includes those who are beyond them.” Shafi‘i transmitted it, also Baihaqi in al-Madkhal. Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it from Zaid b. Thabit, but Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud did not mention, “There are three things on account of which no rancour enters..." to the end.

Ibn Mas'ud said that he heard God’s messenger saying, “God brighten a man who hears something from us and conveys it to others as he heard it, for many a one to whom it is brought retains it better than the one who heard it.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, and Darimi transmitted it from Abu Darda'.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s messenger as saying, “Be on your guard about tradition from me, except what you know; for he who lies about me deliberately will certainly come to his abode in hell.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted it from Ibn Mas'ud and Jabir, but did not mention, “ Be on your guard about tradition from me, except what you know.”

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s messenger as saying, “Let him who interprets the Qur’an in the light of his opinion come to his abode in hell.” A version has, “Let him who interprets the Qur’an without knowledge come to his abode in hell.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Jundub reported God’s messenger as saying, “ If anyone interprets the Qur’an in the light of his own opinion and is right, he has erred.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Disputation about the Qur’an is infidelity.” Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

they set parts of God’s Book against others, whereas God's Book was sent down only to be consistent; so do not use parts to falsify others. Speak about as much of it as you know, but where you are ignorant entrust it to him who knows.” Ahmad and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud reported God's messenger as saying, “The Qur'an was sent down in seven modes. Every verse in it has an external and an internal meaning, and every interdiction has a source of reference.” Baghawi transmitted it in Sharh as-sunna.

a precise verse, or an established sunna, or a firm obligatory duty. Anything else is an extra.” Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘Auf b. Malik al-Ashja‘i reported God’s messenger as saying, "Only a ruler, or one put in charge, or one who is presumptuous gives instruction."* Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Darimi transmitted it from ' Amr b. Shu'aib from his father from his grandfather. A version has, "Or a hypocrite” instead of "one who is presumptuous”. *The word used here is yaqussu, which may be translated as given above, but which may also be translated as “inflicts punishment.”

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone is given a legal decision ignorantly, the sin rests on the one who gave it; and if anyone advises his brother, knowing that right guidance lies in another direction, he has deceived him.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Mu'awiya said that the Prophet forbade the discussion of thorny questions. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, "Learn the things which are made obligatory and the Qur’an, and teach them to people, for I shall die.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Darda’ told how God’s messenger, on an occasion when they were with him, turned his eyes to the sky and said, "This is a time when knowledge will be snatched away from men, so that they will be unable to acquire any.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira transmitted [from the Prophet], "The time is approaching when men will urge on their camels in search of knowledge, but will find no one more learned than the learned man of Medina.” Tirmidhi transmitted it. and in his Jami' he quotes Ibn ‘Uyaina as saying that Malik b. Anas was meant, and the same view is expressed by ‘Abd ar-Razzaq. Ishab b. Musa said he heard Ibn ‘Uyaina say that he was al-‘Umari the ascetic, whose name was ‘Abd al-‘Aziz b. ‘Abdallah.

He also reported among the material he knew to come from God’s messenger that he said, "At the beginning of every century God will send one who will renew its religion for this people.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.