In a dream I seemed to see a piece of silk in my hand, and I did not make for any place in paradise without it flying there with me. I told Hafsa of it, and when she told the Prophet he said, "Your brother is a good man," or, "`Abdallah is a good man." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

The one who most closely resembled God's messenger in deportment, manner of life and conduct was Ibn Umm `Abd[*] from the time he came out of his house till he returned to it, but we did not know how he treated his family when he was alone with them. *i.e., Abdallah b. Masud. Bukhari transmitted it.

My brother and I came from the Yemen and for quite a time we had no idea that `Abdallah b. Mas'ud was other than a member of the Prophet's family because of seeing how frequently he and his mother went in to visit the Prophet. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

`Abdallah b. Mas'ud, Salim client of Abu Hudhaifa, Ubayy b. K a`b and Mu'adh b. Jabal." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

I went to Damascus, and when I had prayed two rak'as I asked God to provide me with a good companion. I then came to some people and sat with them, and an old man came and sat down beside me. When I had asked who was he and was told that he was Abud Darda' I said, "I asked God to provide me with a good companion and He has provided me with you." He asked me who I was, and when I told him I belonged to al-Kufa he said, "Do you not have among you Ibn Umm `Abd who looked after the sandals, cushion and ablution i.e., vessel[1], and the one whom God protected from the devil at the tongue of his Prophet (meaning `Ammar[2])? And do you not have among you the one who was entrusted with the Prophet's secrets which no one but he knew" (meaning Hudhaifa[3])? 1. The suggestion lying behind the words is that one who was in close attendance on the Prophet must have had opportunities of becoming well-versed in fiqh. 2. 'Ammar b. Yasir, who was sent to Kufa by 'Umar in 21 A.H. The meaning is that the Prophet prayed God to protect him from the devil. 3. Hudhaifa b. al-Yaman. Bukhari transmitted it.

Jabir reported God's messenger as saying, "I was shown paradise and saw the wife of Abu Talha and I heard a rustling in front of me, and there was Bilal." Muslim transmitted it.

When six of us were with the Prophet the polytheists said to him, "Drive these people away and let them not have the audacity to address us[1]." I was present, also Ibn Mas'ud, a man of Hudhail, Bilal, and two men whose names I cannot remember. Then what God willed occurred to God's messenger's mind and he thought about it. God most high then sent down, "Do not drive away those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His face[2]." 1. They were clients and poor people despised by Quraish who refused to listen to the Prophet unless he sent them away. 2. i.e., His good pleasure. Quran, 6:52. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Musa told that the Prophet said to him, "You have been given one of the pipes of David[*], Abu Musa." *Literally, "of the family of David." The meaning is that he has a fine voice which bears some resemblance to David's in quality. Bukhari and Muslim.

Ubayy b. Ka'b, Mu'adh b. Jabal, Zaid b. Thabit and Abu Zaid. Anas was asked who Abu Zaid was and replied that he was one of his paternal uncles[*]. *Ibn `Abd al-Barr, Isti'ab, p. 650, says he was Qais b. as-Sakan. Bukhari and Muslim.

We emigrated along with God's messenger seeking the face of God most high, so our reward will come from God. Some of us have passed away not enjoying any of their reward[1],'Abdallah b. Mas'ud among whom was Mus'ab b. `Umair who was killed at the battle of Uhud, for whom only a coarse cloth could be found as a shroud. When we covered his head, his feet appeared and when we covered his feet his head appeared, so the Prophet said, "Cover his head and put some rushes over his feet." Among us there were some for whom their fruit flourished, and they were plucking it[2]. i.e., their reward in this world. Others lived long enough to enjoy worldly prosperity. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir told that he heard the Prophet say, "The Throne shook on account of the death of Sa`d b. Mu'adh." In a version he said, "The Throne of the Compassionate One shook on account of the death of Sa'd b. Mu'adh." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

A silk robe was presented to God's messenger and his companions began to touch it and marvel at its softness, so he said, "Do you marvel at the softness of this? Sa'd b. Mu'adh's headband in paradise is better and softer than it." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Umm Sulaim[*] told that she said, "Messenger of God, Anas is your servant. Make supplication to God for him." He said, "O God, multiply his property and his children, and bless him in what Thou givest him." Anas said, "I swear by God that my property is abundant and that my children and grandchildren exceed the neighbourhood of a hundred in number to-day." *The mother of Anas. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

I have not heard the Prophet say to anyone who walked on the face of the earth that he would be one of the inhabitants of paradise, except 'Abdallah b. Salam. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

When I was sitting in the mosque of Medina a man entered with the mark of humility on his face and the people said this would be one pf the inhabitants of paradise. He prayed two rak'as, which he performed briefly, and when he went out, I followed him and said, "When you entered the mosque the people said this would be one of the inhabitants of paradise." He replied, "I swear by God that it is unfitting for anyone to say something he does not know; but I shall explain the matter to you. In the time of God's messenger, I had a vision which I told to him. I seemed to see myself in a garden (whose extent and verdure he mentioned) in the midst of which there was an iron pillar the bottom of which was in the earth and the top in the sky with a handle at the top. I was told to ascend it, and when I replied that I was unable a servant came to me, raised my clothing behind me, and I ascended till I reached the top of it. I then seized the handle and was told to hold tight, and when it was in my hand I awoke. I told it to the Prophet and he said, `That garden is Islam, that pillar is the pillar of Islam, and that handle is the surest handle[*], so you will keep to Islam till you die'." [Qais said] that man was `Abdallah b. Salam. *Cf. Quran, 2:256; 31:22. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Thabit b. Qais b. Shammas was the eloquent one among the Ansar, and when the verse came down, "You who believe, do not raise your voices above the Prophet's voice...[*]" Thabit stayed in his house and kept away from the Prophet. The Prophet asked Sa`d b. Mu'adh, "What is the matter with Thabit? Is he ill?" Sa'd went to him and mentioned what God's messenger had said and Thabit replied, "This verse was sent down, and you know that I am the one among you who has the loudest voice above that of God's messenger, so I am one of those who will go to hell." When Sa'd mentioned that to the Prophet he said, "No, he is one of those who will go to paradise." *Quran, 49:2. Muslim transmitted it.

When we were sitting with the Prophet sura al-Jum u'a[1] came down. Then when the words "and others of them who have not yet joined them"[2] came down, the people asked God's messenger who they were. Salman al-Farisi was among us, and placing his hand on Salman the Prophet said, "If faith were in the Pleiades some of these men would attain it." 1. Quran; 62 2. Verse 3 (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He reported God's messenger as saying, "0 God, make these little servants of Thine (meaning Abu Huraira) and his mother dear to Thy servants the believers, and make the believers dear to them." Muslim transmitted it.

A'idh b. `Amr told that Abu Sufyan and some men came to Salmon, Suhaib and Bilal who said, "God's swords have not got their due from the neck of God's enemy[1]." Abu Bakr then said, "Do you say this to the shaikh and master of Quraish?" He went to the Prophet and told him and he said, "Perhaps you have angered them, Abu Bakr, and if you have done so you have angered your Lord." He therefore went to them and said, "Have I angered you[2], my brethren?'' They replied, "No, God forgive you, dear brother." 1. i.e., Abu Sufyan. 2. Mirqat, 5:625. prefers this meaning although there is no interrogative particle. Muslim transmitted it.

Anas reported the Prophet as saying, "The sign of faith is love of the Ansar and the sign of hypocrisy is hatred of the Ansar." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Al-Bara' told that he heard God's messenger say, "Only a believer loves the Ansar and only a hypocrite hates them, so he who loves them is loved by God and he who hates them is hated by God." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas told that when God gave His messenger the property of Hawazin which He gave him, and he began to give men from Quraish a hundred camels, some of the Ansar said, "God forgive God's messenger! He is giving to Quraish and leaving us out, yet our swords are dripping with their blood[*]." When God's messenger was told what they had said he sent for the Ansar and collected them in a tent of skin, letting no one else accompany them. Then when they had gathered God's messenger came to them and asked, "What is this I have heard about you?" Their learned ones replied, "Those of us whose opinion is worth considering, messenger of God, have said nothing, but some of our young people have said, `God forgive God's messenger. He is giving to Quraish and leaving the Ansar out, yet our swords are dripping with their blood'." God's messenger said, "I am giving to people who were recently infidels to win them over. Are you not pleased that some people should go off with the property and that you should return to your dwellings with God's messenger?'" They replied, "Certainly, messenger of God, we are pleased." *After the defeat of Hawazin at Hunain in S A.H. the spoils were stored at al-Ji'rana and siege was laid to at-Ta'if. After about a fortnight the siege was raised and the army returned to al-Ji'rana where the spoils were distributed. (Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "Were it not for the Hijra I would be one of the Ansar[*]. If the people were to go in a wadi and the Ansar were to go in a different wadi (or mountain road) I would go in the wadi (or mountain-road) of the Ansar. The Ansar are an inner garment and mankind.an upper garment. After I am gone you will see selfish appropriation [of worldly goods], but show endurance till you meet me at the Pond." *This most probably indicates that the dignity of having emigrated is the highest, but that the position of being helpers of the emigrants comes next. Bukhari transmitted it.

When we were with God's messenger on the day of the Conquest he said, "Those who enter Abu Sufyan's house will be safe, and those who lay aside their arms will be safe." The Ansar then said "The man has been seized by pity for his tribe and love for his city." Learning of this by divine inspiration God's messenger said, "You have said the man has been seized by pity for his tribe and love for his city. It is not so. I am God's servant and messenger who have emigrated to God and to you and shall live and die among you." They replied, "We swear by God that we said it only because we were anxious to have God and His messenger to ourselves." He said, "God and His messenger acknowledge that you are telling the truth and excuse you." Muslim transmitted it.

Anas told that when the Prophet saw some boys and women coming from a wedding he stood up and said, "You are indeed among the people dearest to me; you are indeed among the people dearest to me," the reference being to the Ansar. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He told that Abu Bakr and al-`Abbas came upon a gathering of the Ansar who were weeping, and when they asked what was making them weep they replied, "We recalled the meetings the Prophet had with us[1]." One of them[2] went in to the Prophet and told him of that and he came out having tied the border of his garment round his head, mounted the pulpit, a thing he did not do after that day, praised and extolled God most high, then said, "I recommend the Ansar to your care, for they are my intimates and confidants, they have fulfilled what was due from them , and the reward due to them remains, so accept the excuse of those of them who do well and overlook those of them who do ill." 1. Mirqat, 5:618, explains this as meaning that they were afraid such meetings would cease if God decreed the Prophet's death. 2. i.e., Abu Bakr and al-Abbas. Bukhari transmitted it.

The people will become many and the Ansar few till they will be in the same position among mankind as salt in food; so if any of you has some position of authority in which he can injure some people and benefit others he should accept the excuse of those of them who do well and overlook those of them who do ill." Bukhari transmitted it.

Zaid b. Arqam reported God's messenger as saying, "O God, forgive the Ansar, the sons of the Ansar, and the sons of the Ansar's sons. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Usaid reported God's messenger as saying, "The best of the tribes of the Ansar are the B. an-Najjar, then the B. 'Abd al-Ashhal, then the B. al-Harith b. al-Khazraj, then the B. Sa'ida, and there is good in all the tribes of the Ansar." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

God's messenger sent az-Zubair, al-Miqdad and me (a version having Abu Marthad instead of al-Miqdad) and said, "Go till you come to the meadow of Khakh[1], for there is a woman there travelling on a camel who has a letter which you must take from her." We went off racing one another on our horses till we came to the meadow, and when we found the woman there, we said, "Bring out the letter." She declared that she had no letter, so we said, "You must bring out the letter or strip off your clothes." She then brought it out from her tresses and we took it to the Prophet. It was addressed from Hatib b. Abu Balta'a, to some of the polytheists in Mecca giving them some information about God's messenger. He asked, "What is this, Hatib?" and he replied, "Messenger of God, do not be hasty with me. I have been a man attached as an ally to Quraish and not one of themselves, while those of the Emigrants who are with you have relationship to them by which they guard their property and family in Mecca. As I did not have that advantage by being of their stock, I wanted to give them some help for which they might guard my relations. I am not guilty of unbelief or apostasy from my religion, or of pleasure in infidelity after accepting Islam." God's messenger said, "He has told you the truth," and `Umar said, "Messenger of God, let me cut off this hypocrite's head." But God's messenger replied, "He was present at Badr, and how do you know [he deserves this]? Perhaps God has looked with pity on those who were present at Badr and said, `Do what you wish,1 for paradise is guaranteed to you.'" A version has "You have been forgiven." God most high then sent down, "You who believe, do not take my enemies and yours as friends[2]." This place was on the way from Medina to Mecca, presumably nearer Medina than Mecca. Mirqat, 5:630, says this refers to a small or large amount of good deeds and supererogatory acts. The address is in the plural. Quran; 60:1. (Bukhari and Muslim)

Rifa'a b. Rafi' told that Gabriel came to the Prophet and said, "How do you consider among you those who were present at Badr?" He replied, "Among the most excellent of the Muslims," or words to that effect. He said, "It is like that with the angels who were at Badr." Bukhari transmitted it.

Hafsa reported God's messenger as saying, "I hope that, if God will, no one who was present at Badr and al-Hudaibiya may enter hell." She asked if God most high had not said, "There is no one of you who will not go down to it[1]," and he replied, "Have you not heard Him say, 'Then We shall rescue those who are pious?[2]" A version has "If God will, not one of those who were present at the tree and swore allegiance under it will enter hell." 1. Quran; 19:4 2. Quran; 19:72 Muslim transmitted it.

On the day of al-Hudaibiya, our numbers were one thousand four hundred, and the Prophet said to us, "To-day you are the best people on the earth." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn Mas'ud reported the Prophet as saying, "When I am gone copy those two of my companions, Abu Bakr and `Umar, follow the guidance of `Ammar, and hold fast to the injunction of Ibn Umm `Abd.'' Hudhaifa's version has "Believe what Ibn Mas'ud tells you" Instead of "Hold fast to the injunction of Ibn Umm `Abd." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

`Ali reported God's messenger as saying, "If I were to appoint anyone as commander without [need for] consultation I would appoint Ibn Umm `Abd." Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

I came to Medina and asked God to grant me a good companion to sit with and He granted me Abu Huraira. I sat with him and told him I had asked God to grant me a good companion to sit with and that he suited me. He asked where I came from and I replied that I belonged to al-kafa and had come desiring and seeking good. He then said, "Do you not have among you Sa'd b. Malik whose prayers are answered, Ibn Mas'ud who looked after God's messenger's water for ablution and his sandals, Hudhaifa who was God's messenger's confidant, `Ammar to whom God gave protection from the devil at the tongue of His Prophet, and Salman who was a believer in the two Books?" meaning the Injil and the Quran. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "Abu Bakr is a fine man, `Umar is a fine man, Abu `Ubaida b. al-Jarrah is a fine man, Usaid b. Hudair is a fine man, Thabit b. Qais b. Shammas is a fine man, Mu'adh b. Jabal is a fine man, Mu'adh b. 'Amr b. al-Jamah is a fine man." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

'Ali, `Ammar and Salman." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

`Ali told that when `Ammar asked permission to come in to see the Prophet he said, "Let him come in. Welcome to the very good man!" Tirmidhi transmitted it.

`A'isha reported God's messenger as saying, "`Ammar is not given a choice between two things without choosing the more difficult and the lesser[*].'' *Cf. Tirmidhi, Manaqib, 34. The editions of Cairo, 1875 and 1931-34, do not contain the word translated 'lesser,' and instead of ashaddahuma (the more difficult of them) they have asaddahuma (the more upright of them). Tirmidhi adds that this is a hasan gharib tradition. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Anas told that when Sa'd b. Mu'adh's bier was carried the hypocrites said, "How light his bier is[*]!" that being because of his decision regarding the B. Quraiza. When the Prophet was told of that he said, "The angels were carrying it." *This was said to show how they despised him because of his decision regarding the B. Quraiza. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

"The sky has not covered and the earth has not carried anyone more truthful than Abu Dharr." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Dharr reported God's messenger as saying, "The sky has not covered and the earth has not carried anyone who speaks more truthfully or is more faithful in keeping his word than Abu Dharr. He resembles Jesus, son of Mary," i.e., in asceticism. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

When Mu'adh b. Jabal was on his deathbed he said, "Seek knowledge from four people, front `Uwaimir Abud Darda', from Salman, from Ibn Mas'ud, and from `Abdallah b. Salam who was a Jewish convert to Islam, for I heard God's messenger say he would be the tenth, to enter paradise." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Hudhaifa told that when the people expressed a desire that God's messenger should name a successor he said, "If I were to name a successor and you were to disobey him you would be punished, but believe what Hudhaifa tells you and recite what `Abdallah[*] recites to you." *i.e., Ibn Masud. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

There is no one who will be overtaken by trial regarding whom I do not fear it except Muhammad b. Maslama, for I heard God's messenger say, "Trial will not harm you." ... transmitted it. The name of the collection of traditions is omitted. The tradition is in Abu Dawud, sunna, 12.

`A'isha told that when the Prophet saw a lamp in az-Zubair's house he said, "I think, `A'isha, that Asma'[*] must have given birth to a child. Do not give it a name till I do so." He named him `Abdallah and with his own hand rubbed his palate with a moistened date. *Wife of Az Zubair and sister of A'isha. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

`Abd ar-Rahman b. Abu `Amira told that the Prophet said of Mu'awiya, "O God, make him a guide who is rightly guided and guide others by him." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

`Uqba b. `Amir reported God's messenger as saying, "The people accepted Islam, but `Amr b. al-`As had faith[*]." *Some accepted Islam outwardly, possibly through fear, but `Amr was a genuine believer. Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition whose isnad is not strong.

God's messenger met me and said, "How is it, Jabir, that I see you downcast?" I replied, "My father has died a martyr, leaving children and a debt." He asked, "Shall I not give you good news of what God has caused your father to meet?" and when I replied, "Certainly, messenger of God," he said, "God has never spoken to anyone but from behind a veil, but He brought your father to life and spoke to him face to face saying, `My servant, if you express a wish to Me, I shall grant it.' He replied, `0 my Lord, my wish is that Thou shouldest grant me life and let me be killed for Thy sake a second time but the Lord who is blessed and exalted said, `I have already said that they will not return'." Then came down, "You must not consider those who have been killed in God's path to be dead...[*]" *Quran; 3:169 Tirmidhi transmitted it.