“That represents his good deeds* which are kept increasing for him.” Bukhari transmitted it. * ‘Uthman had died after the battle of Badr, but this vision is taken as showing that his good deeds were still increasing. This is said to mean their reward. Cf. Mirqat, iv, 545.

When the Prophet prayed he turned his face to us and asked, “Who among you had a vision last night?” If one of us had had one he told it and he would interpret it as God willed. One day he asked us, “Has any of you had a vision?” and when we replied that we had not he said: “But last night I saw two men who came to me, took me by the hand and brought me out to a holy land. I saw a man sitting and a man standing with a hooked piece of iron in his hand which he was inserting into the other man's jaw and cleaving it till it reached the back of his neck, and doing the same with the other jaw. This jaw was recovering, and then he would do the same again. I asked what this was and they told me to come away. So we went on till we came to a man who was lying on his back over whom a man was standing with a stone the size of his hand, or a rock, with which he was pounding his head. When he struck him the stone rolled away and he went after it to get it, and did not return to this man till his head was healed and restored to its former condition. He then went back to him and struck him. I asked what this was and they told me to come away. So we went on till we came to a hole like an oven, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, under which there was a fire. It contained naked men and women who when the fire rose mounted till they almost came out, but who returned into it when it subsided. I asked what this was and they told me to come away. So we went on till we came to a river of blood in the middle of which a man was standing and on the bank of which there was a man with some stones in front of him. The man who was in the river came forward and when he wanted to come out the other threw a stone into his mouth and sent him back where he came from; and as often as he tried to come out he threw a stone into his mouth and he returned to where he came from. I asked what this was and they" told me to come away. So we went on till we reached a green garden containing a huge tree at the foot of which were an old man and some boys and near which there was a man in front of whom there was a fire which he was kindling. My two companions took me up the tree and brought me into a house in the middle of the tree more beautiful than any I had seen in which were old men, youths, women and boys. They then took me out of it and brought me up the tree and took me into a more beautiful and more excellent house in which were old men and youths. Telling ...

“A believer’s vision is a forty-sixth part of prophecy. It flutters over a man as long as he does not talk about it, but when he talks about it it settles.” And I think he said, “Talk only to a friend or one with sound judgment." Tirmidhi transmitted it. In Abu Dawud’s version he said, The vision flutters over a man as long as it is not interpreted, but when it is interpreted it settles.” And I think he said, “Tell it only to one who loves him or one who has judgment.”

“I was shown him in a dream wearing white clothes, and if he had been one of the inhabitants of hell he would have been wearing different clothing.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ibn Khuzaima b. Thabit quoted his paternal uncle Aba Khuzaima as saying he had had a dream in which he prostrated himself on the Prophet's forehead. When he told him he lay down for him and said, “Verify your vision,” so he prostrated himself on his forehead. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

“We came to a luxuriant garden containing all kinds of Spring blossom in the middle of which there was a man who was so tall that I could scarcely see his head, so high it went up into the sky; and around the man there were more children than I had ever seen. I asked my companions who this was and who these were, but they told me to come away. So we went on and came to a huge garden than which I had never seen any larger or more beautiful. They told me to go up into it, and when we had done so we came to a city built of gold and silver bricks. When we came to the gate of the city we asked that it should be opened, and when that was done and we had entered we were met by men half of whose frame was like the most beautiful you could see while the other half was like the most ugly you could see. There was a river opposite flowing with water as white as pure milk, and my companions told them to go and plunge into that river. They did so and returned to us having had that ugliness removed from them and having become most beautiful in appearance." In the exposition of this addition he mentioned, “The tall man who was in the garden was Abraham and the children who were around him were all who had been born and had died following the true religion." Some Muslims asked God’s messenger about the children of the polytheists, and he replied that they were there too. He continued: “The people who, were half beautiful and half ugly were people Who had mixed a good deed with another which was evil and had been forgiven by God." Bukhari transmitted it.

“The worst lie is when a man pretends to have seen what he has not seen." Bukhari transmitted it,

“The truest vision comes a little before daybreak.” Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it.

Umm Sharik told that God’s messenger ordered geckos to be killed, saying the gecko blew on Abraham.¹ 1. Al-Qur’an 21:68 speaks of Abraham being put into a fire. In this tradition it is said that the gecko blew on the fire to stir it up. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Sa‘d b. Abu Waqqas told that God’s messenger ordered geckos to be killed, calling them noxious little creatures. Muslim transmitted it.

Nubaisha reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone eats from a dish and licks it, the dish will ask forgiveness for him.” Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a gharib tradition.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone spends the night with grease on his hand which he has not washed away, he can blame only himself if some trouble comes to him.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “By Him in whose hand my soul is, were it not that men among the believers are not satisfied with remaining behind me when I cannot get mounts for them, I would not stay behind when an expedition goes out in God’s path. By Him in whose hand my soul is, I wish I could be killed in God’s path and brought to life, then be killed and brought to life, then be killed and brought to life, then be killed.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Sahl b. Sa'd reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Being stationed on the frontier in God’s path for a day is better than the world and what is on it.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A morning or an evening expedition in God’s path is better than the world and what it contains.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Salman al-Fairisi told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “Being stationed for a day and a night on the frontier in God’s path is better than fasting a month and spending its nights in prayer. If one dies he will be rewarded for the deeds he was doing, he will be given his provision, and will be safe from him who tests him.”* * Al-fattan. There is some doubt as to the reference here. It may be the devil, this name being used because he tempts people to sin; or it may mean the one who examines men in the grave. Munkar and Nakir are called fattana'l-qabr, the two who test men in the grave. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu ‘Abs reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No man whose feet become dusty in God’s path will be touched by hell.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “An infidel and the one who killed him will never be brought together in hell.”* * The meaning is probably that one who kills an infidel in the course of jihad will on that account have his sins forgiven, and will therefore not go to hell where the infidel inevitably goes. Muslim transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “One of the best types of subsistence is that of a man who grasps his horse’s rein in (God’s path and races on its back, making for the places where being killed and dying are liable to take place as often as he hears a terrible shout or a cry for help; or of a man with a few sheep on one of these highlands or down in one of these wadis who observes prayer, pays the zakat and worships his Lord till death* comes. Such a one is in a good condition among men.” * Al-yaqin, the certainty. Muslim transmitted it.

Zaid b. Khalid reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who equips a fighter in God’s path has taken part in the fighting, and he who looks after a fighter's family when he is away has taken part in the fighting." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Buraida reported God's Messenger as saying, “The respect to be shown by those who stay at home to the women of those who are engaged in jihad is to be like that shown to their mothers. If any man among those who stay at home is entrusted with the oversight of his family by one who is engaged in jihad and betrays him, he will be set up for him* on the day of resurrection and he may take what he wants from his good deeds. So what do you think?” *i.e. the betrayer for the man he has betrayed. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari told that a man brought a she-camel with a rope through its nose-ring and said, “This is to be devoted to God’s path." God’s Messenger replied to him, “On the day of resurrection you will get for it seven hundred she-camels each with a rope through its nose-ring.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id told that God’s Messenger sent an expedition to the B. Lihyan who were a section or Hudhail, saying that one out of every two men should be sent but that both should share the reward. Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir b. Samura reported God’s Messenger as saying, “This religion will not cease to endure with a company of the Muslims fighting on its behalf till the last hour comes.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No one is wounded in God's path, and God knows best those who are wounded in His path, without coming on the day of resurrection with his wound spouting blood, the colour being that of blood but the fragrance that of musk.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No one who enters paradise will want to return to the world and have anything in the earth except the martyr. He will wish to return to the world and be killed ten times because of the honour he sees.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

We asked 'Abdallah b. Mas'ud about this verse, “Do not consider those who have been killed in God’s path to be dead; nay, they are alive in the presence of their Lord and are being supplied with provision" (Al-Qur’an; 3:169). He replied that he had asked about that, and the Prophet said, "Their spirits are in the crops of green birds which have lamps suspended from the Throne, which go where they wish in paradise and then return to those lamps. Their Lord looks down on them and asks whether they desire anything, and they ask in reply what they could wish when they can go where they like in paradise. He does that with them three times, and when they see that they will not be left alone without asking something, they tell their Lord that they wish Him to return their spirits to their bodies so that they may be killed in His path once again. Then when He sees that they lack nothing they are left without further questioning." Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Qatada told that God's Messenger got up among them and mentioned to them that jihad in God’s path and faith in God are the most excellent works. A man rose and asked, "Tell me, Messenger of God, if I am killed in God’s path will my sins be covered up?" He replied, "Yes, if you are killed in God's path while showing endurance, seeking your reward from God, advancing and not retreating." Then God’s Messenger said, "What did you say?”* He replied, "Tell me, if I am killed in God’s path will my sins be covered up?" God's Messenger said, "Yes, while you are showing endurance, seeking your reward from God, advancing and not retreating; but this does not include a debt, for Gabriel told me that." *Mirqat iv, 176 quotes Tibi to explain the request to repeat his question when a reply had already been given. The purpose is said to be to make the exception at the end of the second reply. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr b. al-'As reported the Prophet as saying. "Being killed in God’s path will cover up everything but debt." Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, "God most high will cheerfully welcome two men one of whom kills the other. They will enter paradise, one having fought in God’s path and been killed, and the slayer, after receiving God's pardon, having died as a martyr."* * The man who had fought and killed a Muslim later became a Muslim himself and was killed in the course of jihad. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Sahl b. Hunaif reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone asks God for martyrdom with a genuine purpose God will bring him to the dwellings of the martyrs, even if he dies on his bed.” Muslim transmitted it.

Anas told that ar-Rubaiyi‘ daughter of al-Bara’, who was the mother of Haritha b. Suraqa, came to the Prophet and said, “Prophet of God, will you not tell me about Haritha? (He had been killed at the battle of Badr, being struck by a random arrow.) If he is in paradise I shall show endurance, but if he has met another fate I shall exert myself in weeping for him.” He replied, “Mother of Haritha, in paradise there are gardens, and your son has attained to al-Firdaus, the highest.” Bukhari transmitted it.

He told that God’s Messenger and his companions went off and reached Badr before the polytheists, and when the polytheists arrived he said, “Rise to go to a garden whose breadth is as great as the heavens and the earth.” ‘Umair b. al-Humam thereupon said, “Bravo, bravo!” and when God’s Messenger asked him what had made him say that, he replied, “Nothing, I swear by God, Messenger of God, but a hope that I might be among its inhabitants.” He told him that he would be among them. He then took some dates out of his quiver and began to eat them, but after a little said, “If I live till I eat my dates it will mean a long life.” So he threw away the dates he had and then fought with the enemy till he was killed. Muslim transmitted it.

'Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Whom do you reckon to be the martyr among you?” His hearers replied, “The one who is killed in God’s path is the martyr, Messenger of God.” He said, “The martyrs among my people would then be few. He who is killed in God’s path is a martyr, he who dies in God’s path is a martyr, he who dies of plague is a martyr, and he who dies of a disease in the belly is a martyr.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No war-like party or body of troops will go out to fight, gain booty and return safe without getting beforehand two-thirds of their rewards,* and no war-like party or body of troops will be disappointed of their hopes and be smitten without getting their rewards in full.” * The suggestion is made that the two-thirds are a safe return and booty which they get in this world, the remaining third being reward in the next. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who dies without having fought, or having felt it to be his duty will die guilty of a kind of hypocrisy.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Musa told that a man came to the Prophet and said, “One man fights for booty, one for the reputation of fighting, and one for his degree [of bravery] to be seen; which of them is in God’s path?” He replied, “The one who fights that God’s word may have preeminence is in God’s path.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas told that when God’s Messenger returned from the expedition to Tabuk and approached Medina he said, “In Medina there are people who did not fail to be with you wherever you went and whatever wadi you crossed.” A version has, “Who have not failed to share your reward.” On their expressing surprise that that should be true when they were still in Medina, he said, “While they are still in Medina, being kept back by a valid excuse.” Bukhari transmitted it, and Muslim transmitted it on Jabir’s authority.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr told that a man came to God’s Messenger and asked his permission to take part in jihad. He asked him if his parents were still alive, and when he replied that they were, he told him to exert himself* on their behalf. *The point is not so clear in English as in Arabic. Jihad, while being the word for fighting against infidels, also means to strive or to exert oneself in general. The man wished to take part in jihad, and when the Prophet heard that his parents were still alive he said fa-fihima fa-jahid (exert yourself on their behalf.) (Bukhari and Muslim.) A version has, “Return to your parents and look after them well.”

Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet as saying on the day of the Conquest of Mecca, “There is no emigration after the Conquest, but only jihad and some good intention; so when you are summoned to fight, go forth.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Imran b Husain reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A section, of my people will continue to fight for the right and overcome their opponents till the last of them fight with the antichrist." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Umama reported the Prophet as saying, “He who does not join a war-like expedition, or equip a warrior, or look well after a warrior’s family when he is away, will be smitten by God with a sudden calamity before the day of resurrection.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Anas reported the Prophet as saying, “Use your property, your persons and your tongues in striving with the polytheists." Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If you greet all and sundry, provide food, and strike the pates of enemies, you will be made heirs of paradise." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

Fadala b. ‘Ubaid reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Everyone who dies will have fully completed his actions, except one who is on the frontier in God’s path, for his deeds will be made to go on increasing for him till the day of resurrection, and he will be safe from the trial in the grave." Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Darimi transmitted it on the authority of ‘Uqba b. ‘Amir.

Mu'adh b. Jabal told of his hearing God’s Messenger say, “If anyone fights in God’s path as long as the time between two milkings of a she- camel* paradise will be assured for him; if anyone is wounded in God’s path or suffers a misfortune, it will come on the day of resurrection as copious as possible, its colour saffron and its odour musk; and if anyone suffers from ulcers while in God's path, he will have on him the stamp of the martyrs." * This refers particularly to the practice of milking a camel, then leaving it for a little to suckle its young, after which it is milked again. The period between the two milkings therefore indicates a very short time. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Khuraim b. Fatik reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone makes a contribution towards God's path, seven hundred times as much will be recorded to his credit." Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Abu Umama reported God's Messenger as saying, “The best sadaqat are the shade of a large tent in God's path, the gift of a servant in God’s path, or providing in God’s path a she-camel old enough to be covered by a stallion." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No one who weeps from fear of God will go into hell till the milk returns to the udder, and no servant of God will experience both dust in God’s path and the smoke of jahannam." Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Nasa'i added in another version, “ever in a Muslim’s nostrils." In another by him he added, “ever in the belly of a servant of God; and stinginess and faith will never be combined in the heart of a servant of God."

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God's Messenger as saying, “There are two eyes which will never be touched by hell, an eye which weeps from fear of God and an eye which spends the night on guard in God’s path." Tirmidhi transmitted it.