a just imam; a young man who grows up worshipping God; a man whose heart is attached to the mosque from the time he leaves it till he returns to it; two men who love one another for God's sake, meeting thus and separating thus; a man who remembers God in solitude, his eyes pouring forth tears; a man who, when accosted by a woman of rank and beauty, says, ‘I fear God’; and a man who gives alms concealing it so that his left hand does not know what his right hand bestows.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

I asked Anas b. Malik whether the humble supplication1 during the prayer was before or after bowing and he replied, “Before it; God’s Messenger observed it after bowing only for a month. He had sent out some people called Qur’an readers, to the number of seventy, on an expedition and they were smitten,2 so for a month God’s Messenger stood in humble supplication after bowing, invoking a curse on their murderers.” 1. The Arabic is qunut, which means 'being obedient’, or 'the act of standing’. It is used of certain supplications in the witr or at other times, but there is some disagreement about when these supplications may be made. The traditions in this chapter deal with the appropriate times. 2. The reference is to an incident at Bi’r Ma'una in 4 A.H. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Zaid b. Thabit said that God’s Messenger made an apartment of reed mats in the mosque and prayed in it for some nights until people gathered round him. One night when they missed his voice and thought he had gone to sleep, some of them began to clear their throats in order that he might come out to them, so he said, “What I have seen you doing has continued to be your practice, so that I have been afraid that it might be prescribed for you, and if it were prescribed for you you would not fulfil it. You people should therefore pray in your houses, for, with the exception of the prescribed prayer, the most excellent prayer a man observes is that which he observes in his house.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He reported God's Messenger as saying, “When Friday comes the angels stand at the door of the mosque recording the people in the order of their arrival. Those who go out in the midday heat1 are treated like him who offers a sacrificial animal, 2 next like one who offers a cow, next a sheep, next a hen, next an egg. Then when the imam comes out they fold up their sheets and listen to the mention of God." 1. The word muhajjir which is used here may mean either one who goes out in the midday heat, or one who goes early. 2. The word is badana, meaning either a she-camel or a cow which is sacrificed. Here it most probably means a she-camel, as other animals are mentioned immediately afterwards. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

I was present at the festival on the day of sacrifice along with God’s Messenger. He had done no more than finish his prayer and give the salutation when he saw the flesh of sacrificial animals which had been sacrificed before he finished his prayer. So he said, “Anyone who has sacrificed before he prayed (or, we prayed) must sacrifice another in place of it." In a version he said: The Prophet prayed on the day of sacrifice, then delivered a sermon, then sacrificed, and he said, “Anyone who has sacrificed before he prayed (or, we prayed) must sacrifice another in place of it, and if anyone has not sacrificed he should do so in God’s name." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Then he prostrated himself for a long time, then departed and the sun had become clear. He preached to the people, and after praising and extolling God he said, “The sun and the moon are two of God’s signs; they are not eclipsed on account of anyone’s death or on account of anyone's birth, so when you see that supplicate God, declare His greatness, pray and give alms." He then said, “O people of Muhammad, I swear by God that no one is more indignant than God when His servant or handmaiden commits fornication. O people of Muhammad, I swear by God that if you knew what I know you would laugh little and weep much." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

She reported the Prophet as saying when the wind was stormy, "O God, I ask Thee for what is good in it, in what it contains and in what it was sent for; and I seek refuge in Thee from what is evil in it, in what it contains and in what it was sent for.” When the sky became black his colour changed and he went out and in, backwards and forwards, but when the rain came his alarm was removed. ‘A’isha noticed that and asked him about it and he replied, “Perhaps, ‘A’isha, it may be as the people of ‘Ad said. When they saw a cloud formation coming towards their valleys they said it was a cloud formation which would give them rain.” A version says that when he saw rain he would say, “Make it a blessing.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira said that when God’s Messenger got up to pray he would say the takbir when standing, then say the takbir when bowing, then say, “God listens to him who praises Him” when coming to an erect position after bowing, then say while standing, “To Thee, our Lord, be the praise,” then say the takbir when getting down for prostration, then say the takbir when he raised his head, then say the takbir when he prostrated himself, then say the takbir when he raised his head. He would do that throughout the whole prayer till he finished it, and he would say the takbir when he got up at the end of two rak'as after adopting the sitting posture. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Hakim b. Hizam said he begged from God’s messenger and he gave him something, later he begged again and when he had given him something he said, “Hakim, this property is green and sweet, and he who receives it with a liberal mind will be blessed in it, but he who receives it with an avaricious mind will not be blessed in it, being like one who eats without being satisfied. And the upper hand is better than the lower one.” * Hakim told that he replied, “Messenger of God, by Him who sent you with the truth, I shall not accept anyone’s bounty after this till I leave the world.” (Bukhari and Muslim.) * The upper hand is that of the giver and the lower hand is that of the receiver. The sentence is equivalent to saying that it is better to give than to receive.

Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari reported God’s messenger as saying that every Muslim must give sadaqa. He was asked how this could apply to one who had nothing and replied that he should work with his hands, gaining benefit for himself thereby, and give sadaqa. He was asked what would happen if he were unable to do this or did not do it, and replied that he should help one who was in need and sad. He was asked what he should do if he did not do that and replied that he should enjoin what is good. He was asked what he should do if he did not do that, and replied that he should refrain from evil, for that would be sadaqa for him. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

When was with Ibn ‘Abbas a man came to him and said, "Ibn ‘Abbas, I am a man whose livelihood comes only from the work of my hands, and I make these representations of things." Ibn ‘Abbas replied that he would tell him only what he had heard from God’s messenger. He had heard him say, ‘‘If anyone makes a representation of anything God will punish him till he blows a spirit into it, and he will never be able to do that." Then when the man gasped and became pale he said to him, “Out upon you ! If you must do so, make representations of these trees and of anything which does not possess a spirit.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Rafi‘ b. Khadij told that he said, “Messenger of God, we shall meet the enemy tomorrow and we have no knives; may we kill animals with canes?”* He replied, “When God’s name is mentioned you may eat what is killed by anything which causes the blood to flow, except tooth and claw. I shall tell you about it. The tooth is a bone and the claw is the knife of the Abyssinians.” We got some camels and sheep as booty, and when one of the camels ran away a man shot an arrow at it and prevented it from escaping, whereupon God’s messenger said, “Among camels there are some which bolt like wild animals, so when any of them get the better of you do thus to them.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone believes in God and His Messenger, observes the prayer and fasts during Ramadan, God will assuredly bring him into paradise whether he has engaged in jihad in God’s path or remained in his land in which he was born.” On being asked whether people should not be given this good news he replied, “In paradise there are a hundred degrees which God has prepared for those who engage in jihad in God’s path, between each pair of which there is a distance like that between heaven and earth; so when you make requests of God ask him for Firdaus, for it is the best and highest part of paradise, above it is the throne of the Compassionate One, and from it the rivers of paradise issue.” Bukhari transmitted it.

He reported God's messenger as saying, “There is no infection, no evil omen, no hama*, and no serpent in a hungry belly*; but flee from one who has tubercular leprosy as you would from a lion." Bukhari transmitted it. * The word means an owl, or a night-bird which frequents graves. The pre-Islamic Arabs believed that when vengeance had not been taken for one who had been killed a bird called hama came forth from the dead and screeched demanding vengeance. ** The word is safar. The pre-Islaraic Arabs used the word as meaning a serpent which bites a man from within when he is hungry and causes the sense of stinging a man feels when hungry. It was also used of a serpent within the belly which was believed to cause a disease more contagious than mange or scab.

God’s messenger led us in the morning prayer at al-Hudaibiya after rain which had fallen during the night, and when he finished he turned to the people and said, “Do you know what your Lord has said?” On their replying that God and His messsenger knew best he told them that He had said, “This morning there were among my servants one who believes in me and one who disbelieves. The one who said, ‘We have been given rain by God’s grace and mercy' is the one who believes in me and disbelieves in the star, but the one who said, ‘We have been given rain by such and such a rainy star’ is the one who disbelieves in me and believes in the star.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Qatada said God most high created these stars for three purposes; He made them an adornment for the sky, missiles for the devils, and signs by which people find their way. If anyone explains them differently he makes a mistake, squanders what is allotted to him, and occupies himself with something he does not know. Bukhari transmitted it without a full isnad. Razln’s version has, “occupies himself with what does not concern him, what he has no knowledge of, and what prophets and angels are incapable of knowing.” On the authority of ar-Rabi’* there is something to the same effect with the addition, “I swear by God that God has not set in a star anyone’s life, provision, or death. They are only speaking lies against God and attributing causes to the stars.” * Ar-Rabi’ b. Ziyad, Qatada's authority.

He reported God's messenger as saying, "There will be periods of commotion in which the one who sits will be better than the one who stands, the one who stands better than the one who walks and the one who walks better than the one who runs. He who contemplates them will be drawn by them, so he who finds a refuge or shelter should go to it." (Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version by Muslim he said, "There will be a commotion in which he who sleeps will be better than he who is awake, he who wakes will be better than he who stands up and he who stands up better than he who runs, so he who finds a refuge or shelter should go to it." Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn `Abbas reported the Prophet as saying, "At the resurrection you will be assembled barefoot, naked and uncircumcised." He then recited, "As We originated the first creation so shall We restore it -- a promise binding on Us. We shall surely do so,"[1] and continued, "The first to be clothed on the day of resurrection will be Abraham. Then some of my companions will be taken to the left, and when I cry, `My little companions, my little companions!' I shall receive the reply that they have kept going back to infidelity since I left them. I shall then say as the upright servant said, `I was a witness regarding them as long as I remained among them...the Mighty, the Wise'." 2 1. Quran, 21:104. 2. Quran, 5:117 f (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn `Umar reported God's messenger as saying, "Before you will be my pond, the distance between whose sides is like that between Jarba' and Adruh." One of the transmitters said they are villages in Syria three days' journey apart[*]. A version has "Beside it there are vessels as numerous as the stars in the sky. He who comes down to it and drinks of it will never thirst afterwards." *Yaqut, Mu'jam, 1:174, says Adhruh was in the neighbourhood of al-Balqa' and 'Amman and quotes statements that the distance between Adhruh and Jarba', which he calls al-Jarba', was s mile or less. For Jarba' see also 2:45. Mirqat, 5:281. says the tradition really means the distance between Medina and those two villages, and refers to a version by Daraqutni to that effect. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Aba Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "The first party to enter paradise will be in the form of the moon on the night when it is full; then will come those who will be near them, like the brightest shining planet in the sky, their hearts like one man's heart with no disagreement or mutual hatred among them. Every man among them will have two wives from the large-eyed maidens the marrow of whose legs will be visible through the bone and the flesh owing to their slender beauty. They will glorify God morning and evening, they will not become ill, or pass water, or void excrement, or spit, or suffer from catarrh. Their vessels will be of gold and silver, their combs will be of gold, the fuel of their braziers will be aloes, and their sweat will be musk. All will be alike in the form of their father Adam, sixty cubits tall." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Umm Khalid daughter of Sa'id. told that once when the Prophet was brought some garments among which was a small black cloak with a border he said, "Bring me Umm Khalid.'' Then when she was carried to him1 he took the cloak in his hand and put it on her, saying, "Wear it out and make it ragged, then wear it out and make it clear[2].'' It had a green, or a yellow, mark on it, and he said, "This is sanah, which means `beautiful' in the language of the Abyssinians." She said that she began to play with the seal of prophecy and that when her father rebuked her God's messenger said, "Leave her alone." Indicating that she was an infant at the time. Mirqat, 5:378, says this represents a prayer that she might live long. Bukhari transmitted it.

`Uqba b. `Amir told that God's messenger prayed eight years after the battle of Uhud over those who were slain there like one who was bidding farewell to the living and the dead. He then mounted the pulpit and said, "I am one who goes before you and I shall be a witness to you. Your appointed place is the Pond at which I am looking while I am where I am just now. I have been given the keys of the treasures of the earth, and I do not fear for you that you should become polytheists after I am gone, but I fear lest you should long for worldly things (some adding, and fight), and perish like your predecessors." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Nafi` told that two men came to Ibn `Umar during the civil war. of Ibn az-Zubair and said, "The people have done what you see, and you are `Umar's son and the companion of God's messenger, so what prevents you from going forth[1]?" He replied, "What prevents me is the fact that God has made it unlawful for me to shed my brother Muslim's blood." They asked if God most high had not said, "And fight with them till there is no dissension[2]," to which Ibn `Umar replied, "We have fought till there was no dissension and the religion was God's, but you want to fight so that there may be dissension and the religion may pertain to someone other than God." i.e., in revolt. Quran; 2:193, 8:39 Bukhari transmitted it.

Imran b. Husain reported God's messenger as saying, "The best of my people are my generation, then their immediate followers, then their immediate followers. After them there will be people who give testimony without being asked, who will be treacherous and not to be trusted, who will make vows which they do not fulfil, among whom fatness[*] will appear." A version has "They will swear oaths without being asked to do so." *Mirqat 5:520 f., gives various explanations of this, including unjustified pride, unjustified claims to nobility, acquisition of wealth, elaborate food and drink, neglect of religious duties. It is obviously some unsatisfactory characteristic which is intended. The various meanings suggested might be combine by treating it as meaning fine living which leads to neglect of religion. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

I was standing among some people who made supplication to God for `Umar when he had been placed on his couch[*], and a man behind me who had put his elbow on my shoulder was saying, "God have mercy on you! I hope God may place you along with your two companions, because I often heard God's messenger say, `I, Abu Bakr and `Umar were...', `I, Abu Bakr and `Umar did... `I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar went off...' `I, Abu Bakr and `Umar entered...', `I, Abu Bakr and `Umar went out...'" Ibn `Abbas said that when he turned round, he saw it was `Ali b. Abu b. Talib. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

`Abdallah b. `Umar told that when God's messenger sent out a force in charge of which he appointed Usama b. Zaid and some people criticised his appointment, he said, "If you criticise his appointment you have done the same before about his father's appointment[*]. I swear by God that he was worthy of the office of commander, that he was one of those who were dearest to me, and that this man is one of those who are dearest to me after his time." *The reference is to Zaid b. Haritha who was killed when leading the troops at Mu'ta. (Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version by Muslim there is something to the same effect at the end of which come the words "I commend him to you, for he is one of your upright ones."

Jabir bin ’Abdullah (RAA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H.) said, “Every act of goodness is (considered as) Sadaqah.” Related by Al-Bukhari.

’Abdur Rahman bin 'Auf (RAA) narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H.) took the Jizyah from the Magians of Hajar.’ Related by Al-Bukhari.

The Prophet (SAW) said, "A people who make a woman their ruler will never be successful." [Reported by al-Bukhari].

The Prophet (SAW) said, "A man must not be alone with a woman except in the presence of a Mahram." [al-Bukhari reported it].

"He gave the land in Sadaqah (as an endowment) that must not be sold or gifted, but its produce must be spent (as Sadaqah)."

Ḥasbunallāhu wa ni`mal-wakīl. Allah is sufficient for us and the best of those on whom to depend. Reference: Al-Bukhari, 5/172.

"And perform ablution for every Salat (prayer)". Abu Dawud and others transmitted a similar narration.

'Then [(Allah's Messenger (SAW)] emigrated and it was prescribed as four, but prayer while travelling was left according to the original prescription (of two Rak'at).'

Subḥānallāh! (Glory is to Allah). Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 1/210, 390, 414 and Muslim 4/1857.

Ibn 'Abbas (RAA) narrated that The Messenger of Allah said, “He who changes his religion (i.e. apostates) kill him.” Related by Al-Bukhari.

’Ali (RAA) narrated that They (the Muslims and the polytheists) engaged in duel combat on the Day of Badr. Related by Al-Bukhari and Abu Dawud reported it as part of a long hadith.

'He (saws) struck the earth with the palms of his hands, blew in them and wiped his face and hands with them.

The Prophet (SAW) held a wedding feast for one of his wives with two Mudd of barley. [Reported by al-Bukhari].

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "Pray as you have seen me praying." [Reported by al-Bukhari].

"and he used to them one by one."

Sami`allāhu liman ḥamidah. Allah hears whoever praises Him. Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 2/282.

Allāhumma ṣayyiban nāfi`a. O Allah, (bring) beneficial rain clouds. Reference: Al-Bukhari, cf. Al-Asqalani, Fathul-Bari 2/518.

I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) reciting Sūrat-al-Fatḥ on his she-camel on the day of the Conquest of Mecca. Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5034 In a similar report, Abdullah bin Mughaffal said: I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) reciting (Qur'an) while he was riding on his she camel or camel which was moving, carrying him. He was reciting Sūrat Fatḥ or part of Sūrat Fatḥ very softly and in an attractive, moving tone. Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5047

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) asked him whether he would like that he should show him a woman who is from the people Jannah. When he replied that he certainly would, he said, "This black woman, who came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said, 'I suffer from epilepsy and during fits my body is exposed, so make supplication to Allah for me.' He (PBUH) replied: 'If you wish you endure it patiently and you be rewarded with Jannah, or if you wish, I shall make supplication to Allah to cure you?' She said, 'I shall endure it.' Then she added: 'But my body is exposed, so pray to Allah that it may not happen.' He (Prophet (PBUH)) then supplicated for her".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

I heard the Prophet (PBUH) saying, "Protect yourself from (Hell) Fire, by giving of half of a date (in charity)".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In another narration 'Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported Messenger of Allah (PBUH) as saying: "Allah will surely speak with everyone of you without an interpreter. He (the man) will look at his right side and will see nothing but (the deeds) which he had done before, and he will look to his left side and will see nothing but (the deeds) which he had done before. Then he will look in front of him and will find nothing but Hell-fire facing him. So protect (yourselves) from (Hell) Fire, by giving in charity even half a date; and if he does not finds it, then with a kind word".

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Giving in charity is an obligation upon every Muslim". It was said (to him): "What about one who does not find (the means) to do so?" He (PBUH) said, "Let him work with his hands, thus doing benefit to himself and give in charity." It was said to him: "What if he does not have (the means) to do so?" He (PBUH) said, "Then let him assist the needy, the aggrieved." It was said: "What about if he cannot even do this?" He (PBUH) said, "Then he should enjoin good." He was asked: "What if he cannot do that?" He (the Prophet (PBUH)) said, "He should then abstain from evil, for verily, that is a charity from him".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Straighten your rows (during Salat) or Allah would create dissension amongst you".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In another narration reported by Muslim, Nu'man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to straighten our rows (in Salat), as if he was straightening an arrow with their help until he saw that we had learnt it from him. One day he came out, stood up (for Salat) and was about to say: Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), (marking the beginning of the prayer) when he saw a man, whose chest was bulging out from the row. He said, "Slaves of Allah, you must straighten your rows or Allah would create dissension amongst you."

Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "A believer owes another believer five rights: responding to greetings, visiting him in illness, following his funeral, accepting his invitation, and saying 'Yarhamuk-Allah (May Allah have mercy on you),' when he says 'Al-hamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah)' after sneezing".

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Muslim's narration is, "There are six rights of a Muslim upon a Muslim: When you meet him, greet him; when he invites you, respond to him; when he seeks counsel, give him advice; when he sneezes and praises Allah, say to him: 'May Allah have mercy on you (Yarhamuk-Allah)'; when he is sick, visit him; and when he dies, follow his funeral".

"When the most wicked man among them went forth (to kill the she-camel).' (91:12) signifies that a distinguished, wicked and most powerful chief of the people jumped up to kill the she- camel." Then he (PBUH) made mention of women and said, "Some of you beat your wives as if they were slaves, and then lie with them at the end of the day".

Then he (PBUH) admonished them against laughing at another's passing of wind, saying, "Why does any of you laugh at another doing what he does himself"

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].