mother, and took hold of his mother’s hand; whereupon the mother went away with him. —Abu-Hurayrah, AB: TI: NA. fueS13; 3 A woman came to the Prophet, and said, ‘Verily my belly served as a receptacle for this my son, and my breast served as a skin-bag for him (to drink out of), and my bosom served as a refuge for him; and now his father has divorced me, and he (also) desires to take him away from me.’ The Prophet said, “Thou hast a better right to have him so long as thou dost not marry again.’ —Amru b. Shu‘ayb, AB. fe atone The services of a guest at night are binding upon every Muslim;* whoso then alights in the morning in his courtyard, upon him there is a debt: if he please, he may demand, and if he please, he may leave him, —Abu-Karimah, AB. Fane ‘O Prophet of God! there is a man who does not regard in me the right of a guest when I am on a journey, should I then perform my duty to him by receiving him as my guest when he happens to be on the journey?’ ‘Yea,’ ‘said the Prophet, ‘receive him hospitably.’ —Auf b. Malik, TL. Hospitality extends to a guest for three days, after which it becomes sadaqah (alms-giving). Sad 2 _ —Abu-Hurayrah, AB, 74 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD hk a | Whoso believes in God and in the last day, let him honour his guest with all kindness; at the same time it is not lawful for a guest to remain with his host so as to make him sin (by his inability to treat him for a longer period equally hospitably). —Abu-Shurayh, BU: MU: AB: TI: MA, There are two favours (of God) which many among men are foolish (enough) to ignore—health and leisure.
——Ibni ‘Abbas, TI.
It is lying enough for a man to say whatever he hears.
—Abu-Hurayrah, MU.
Verily, in the body there is a piece of flesh: when it is in good condition, the whole body is in good condition; and when it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt: it is the heart. —Nu‘man b. Bashir, BU: MU: AB: TI: NA.
The likeness of the heart is as a feather in a vast plain which the wind turns about violently.1 —Abu-Musa, AH.
The fire (of hell) is veiled by passions, and paradise is veiled by hardships. —Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU.
bree oll The fire (of hell) is nearer to all who are deceitful, 1 Lit., from the back to the belly.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 75 miserly, and reproach men with the benefits conferred upon them. —Abu-Bakr, TI. Lit eetal A man said, ‘O Prophet of God! when is the hour of Judgment (to come)?’ He said, ‘Woe to thee! what hast thou prepared for it?’
prgge] The man said, ‘And tell me about the hour (of Judge- ment, when it is to come).’ The Prophet said, “The man of whom it is questioned has no more knowledge (of it) than the man who questions (him).’
—Yahya b. Ya‘mur, BU: MU: TI.
Whoso leaves (fashionable) garments by way of humility while it is in his power (to wear them), God will call him, on the day of resurrection, at the head of all creation, and reward him exceedingly.
—Mu‘adh b. Anas, TI.
—Anas, BU: MU.
He who humbles himself for (the sake of) God, him will God exalt: he is small in his own mind, and great in the eyes of the people. And he who is proud and haughty, God will render him contemptible, and he is small in the eyes of the people and great in his own mind, so that he becomes more contemptible to them than a dog or a swine. °8 —Umar, BA.
Ye shall find the double-faced, who come to these 76; SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD with one face, and come to the others with another face, to be the worst of men, in the sight of God, on the day of resurrection. —Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU: AB: TI: MA. eel emi He who wears two faces in this world, shall have two tongues of fire on the day of resurrection.
—Ammar b. Yasir, AB: DA.
The signs of a hypocrite are three, although he fasts and prays and thinks that he is a Muslim; when he speaks, he is false; when he promises, he fails; and when he is trusted, he plays false.: There are four qualities which being (found) in any one make him a complete hypocrite; and whoever has oné of these, has one hypocritical quality until he avoids it: perfidy when trusted, lying when speaking, leaving in the lurch when covenanting, and wickedness when quarrell- ing.
—Ibni ‘Umar, BU: MU: AB: TI: NA; cf. ‘Abdu'llah b. ‘Amru, BU: MU, [ pas | I only fear for this my people every hypocrite who speaks wisdom and works tyranny.
—Abu-Hurayrah, “MU.
In the latter days there will come forth men who will deceive the world by religion, clothed before men in sheep- skin because of gentleness, their tongues sweeter than sugar, SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 77 and their hearts the hearts of wolves. God says: ‘What! will they not be attentive, or will they falsely impute a crime to Me? I swear by Myself! I will surely raise up from among them a trouble from these (people), leaving the meekest among them in confusion.’ —Abu-Hurayrah, TI.
iy oon | Say not to a hypocrite, ‘Master;’ for verily if he be a master you have angered God.
—Buraydah, AB.
ae th rae Verily, there is in the son of Man a violence of Satan and also a violence of the angel; then as to the violence of Satan, it leads him back to evil and to falsify the truth; and as to the violence of the angel, it leads him to good and to verify the truth; whoso then finds this, let him know that it is from God, and let him thank God; and he who finds the other, let him betake himself to God from Satan. Ibni Mas‘ud, TI.
[Joo ft The Prophet said, “There is not one of you but has a jinn* or an angel appointed over him as his guardian and companion.’ They said, ‘And ‘over you also, O Pro- -phet of God?’ ‘Yes,’ said the Prophet, ‘over me also; but God has helped me against the same, and it is subdued, and bids what is good.’ Anas, BU: MU. Verily Satan flows in man even as blood. —Anas, BU: MU.
78 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD Ye, (O Muslims,) have only been raised up to make (life) easy, and ye have not been raised up to make (life) hard. Pee ey Na a vad I —Abu-Hurayrah, BU: AB: TI: NA.
laaeeo a Whoso sees the weak point of a man, and yet hides it from others, is as one who gives life to a female child that was buried alive. —Ugqbah b. ‘Amir, AB. Ly sa0r gd God will be merciful to the man who uses indulgence when he sells and when he buys, and when he demands payment (of his debtors).
ae pee God pardoned a man, in times of yore, for that he was indulgent when he bought, and he was indulgent when he sold, and he was indulgent when he demanded payment (of his debtors).
Verily, God loves him who is indulgent in buying, and indulgent in selling, and indulgent in demanding pay- ment (of his debtors).
—Jabir, BU.
—Jabir, TI.
Abu Hunaytah, TL There was a'man, before you, to whom the angel (of death) came, that he might take away his soul. ‘The angel asked, ‘Hast thou done any good?’ The man said, ‘I do not know.’ It was said to him, ‘See carefully. The man said, ‘I do not know of anything except that I did business SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 79 with men in the world, and I granted respite to those who were well-off, and I forbore with those who were hardup.’ Whereupon God made him enter into paradise. —Hudhayfah and Abu-Mas‘ud al-Badariy, BU: MU, A man bought the fruit of a garden and worked for it, and lived therein; but at last he found that he was a loser. Then he asked the lord of the garden either to remit to him (part of what he had paid him) or to cancel the contract; but the man swore that he would do neither. The mother of the buyer then came to the Prophet and told him all (that had happened). The Prophet said, “Has he sworn that he would do no good?’ The (former) lord of the garden heard of this, and came to the Prophet, and said, ‘O Prophet of God! it is his (to adopt any course he may choose).’
—Amrah, daughter of ‘Abdu’r-Rahman, MA.
Whoso releases a Muslim (by the legal annulment of a bargain), God will release him from his sin. —Abu-Hurayrah, AB.
If thou hast sold the fruit (of a tree) to thy brother, and a calamity befalls him, then it is not lawful for thee ' to take anything from him. How canst thou take the substance of thy brother without right?
—Jabir, MU.
Actions are only (judged) by intentions.
—Umar, BU: MU: AB: TI: NA.
80 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD Whoso introduces into this our (religious) affair what is not of it, is bad.
‘It is of the greatest sins,’ the Prophet said, ‘that a man use invectives towards his parents.’ They said, “And does a man use invectives towards his parents?” The Pro- phet said, ‘Yes, a man (when he) abuses the father of } (another) man, and he in turn abuses his father; and like- wise (when) he abuses (another’s) mother, and he in turn abuses his mother.’
—A‘ishah, BU: MU.
—Ibni ‘Amru b. al-‘As, BU: MU: AB: TI.
ie ae | “I ask thee, O Prophet! by the glory of God, (to say), with what has God sent thee to us?’ The Prophet said, “With Islam.’ I said, ‘And what are the commandments of Islam?’ He said, “That thou say, ‘I submit myself to God the Most High, and I am solely His;’ and that thou be steadfast in prayer and give alms.”
—Bahz b. Hakim b. Mu‘awiyah b. Jundat al-Qushayriy, from his father, who reports it from his grandfather, NA.
I said, ‘O Prophet of God! tell me a word about Islam that (may be enough for me, and) I may not have to ask any one about it after thee.’ The Prophet said, ‘Say thou, I believe in God; and then keep straight on.’
A man. said, ‘O Prophet of God! which is the best (part) of Islam?’ He said, “That thou give foud (to the SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 81 hungry), and extend greetings to all whom thou knowest and whom thou knowest not.’ —Abni ‘Amru b. al-‘As B: MU: NA. Lie S5m: 1,1 The best of you in (the days of) Ignorance is the best of you in Islam when they understand. —Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU. RE ‘O Prophet of God! what thinkest thou of the de- votions which I have performed in the days of Ignorance, of prayers, and the (freeing of) slaves, and almsgiving? Shall I have any reward for these?” The Prophet said, “Thou hast accepted Islam under the good that thou hast done before.’ —Hakim b. Hizam, BU: MU.
peraae | Every religion has a distinctive virtue, and the dis- tinctive virtue of Islam is modesty.
—Zayd b. Talhah, MA.
Whoso walks with a wrongdoer that he may strengthen him, knowing all the while that he is a wrongdoer, has departed from Islam. —Aus b. Shurahbil, BA. is <2 maa | It is of the beauties of Islam that a man leave off what does not concern him. —Aliy b. al-Husayn, TI: MA. Verily, your blood and your wealth and your property are sacred (and inviolable) even as this day of yours is 6 82 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD sacred in this your city during this month of yours, No criminal shall be charged except for (the evil) that lies against him, and no father shall be charged with regard to his son, nor the son with regard to his father.
Verily, a Muslim is brother to a Muslim; and nothing which belongs to his brother is lawful to a Muslim, un- less what he acquires from him lawfully.
Verily, all usury of (the days of) Ignorance is forbid- den: ye shall only have the capital of your money: wrong not, nor be ye wronged; and the usuary of (my uncle) ‘Abbas, all of it, is cancelled.
Verily, all blood-vengeance of (the days of) Ignorance is forbidden, (and all blood-feud abolished), commencing with the blood shed in (the days of) Ignorance of (my cousin) Harith, son of ‘Abdu’l-Muttalib, who was confided for nursing to the family of Layth, and whom (the tribe of) Hudhayl killed.
Ye shall surely meet your Lord, and He will ask you concerning your works. Take care! ye do not return to unbelief after I am gone, striking oe the necks of one another among you.
Let him who is present deliver (this message) to him who is absent, haply he that is told may remember better than he who has heard it.
o°Sa9 Strive with those who join (other gods with God) with your wealth and your lives and your tongues. —Anas, AB: NA. 0 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 83 The pilgrimage of my people is (also) a jihad* in the way of God.
—Abu-Umamah, AB.
The travels of my people are (also )a jihad in the way of God. —Abu-Umamah, AB. A man said, ‘O Prophet of God! a man desires to do jihad in the way of God, and he also seeks the accidental (goods) of this world, (will he be acceptable to God)?’ The Prophet said, ‘No reward has he.’ This he was asked thrice, and he made the same reply.
When the Prophet sent Mu‘adh as a governor to Yaman, he asked, ‘How wilt thou decide when a cause is set be- fore thee?’ He said, ‘I will decide by the book of God,’ ‘But if thou find nothing (therein)?’ “Then I will decide by the example of the Prophet.’ ‘And if thou find nothing in the example of the Prophet?’ “Then I will exercise my own judgement,! and I will not fail.” The Prophet stroked his breast.* —Abu-Hurayrah, AB.
Whoso decides (a question) without knowledge, it shall be a sin against him; and whoso advises his brother in a matter in which he knows the right to be otherwise, he has defrauded him. —Abu-Hurayrah, AB.
1In admiration of his excellent judgement.
84 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD There is no leader of ten men (or more), but will be brought forward on the day of resurrection with a collar (round his neck) until (his) justice will set him free therefrom, or (his) tyranny will throw him into prison.
—Abu-Hurayrah; DA: cf. Abu Umamah, BA.
The most beloved of men in the sight of God, on the day of resurrection, and the nearest to Him, in regard to seat, shall be the just leader and the most hateful of men, in the sight of God, on the day of resurrection, and the farthest removed from him in regard to seat, shall be the tyrannical leader. —Abu-Sa‘ld, TI.
Whoso has been made a guardian over the affairs of men in anything, and then shuts his door against the Muslims, or those who have been wronged, or those who stand in need (of his help), God will shut the doors of His mercy against him in his (time of) need and poverty, when he shall stand most in need of him.
Verily the just shall be near God on pulpits of light, on the right hand of the Merciful (God): those who are just in the exercise of their authority, and to their people, and to those over whom they are made guardians, —‘Abdu'llah b. al-‘As, MU: NA. There are three classes of judges: one who recognizes SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 85 the right, and decides accordingly—this man goes to para- dise; the other who recognizes the right but goes in for wrong in his decision—this man goes to hell; and the third who decides the cases of men in ignorance—he also goes to hell.; —Buraydah, AB.
When the judge strives (to know the right), and finds it out, he has two rewards; and if he strives but makes a mistake, yet has he one reward. —Amru b. al-‘As, BU: MU: AB.
het eae When a judge gives judgement, and considers well, and hits on the right thing, he has two rewards; and when he gives judgement and considers well, but makes a mistake, yet has he one reward. —Abdu’Hah b. ‘Amru and Abu-Huarayrah, BU: MU.
God is with the judge so long as he is not doing wrong; but when he does wrong, God leaves him, and Satan takes His place. —Ibni Abu-Aufa, TI.
[oan] When two parties come to thee for decision, do not decide before thou hast heard the words of the other as ' thou hast heard the words of the one; for it is most proper that the fact should be evident to thee.
Let no one judge between two parties in a suit when he is in a rage.
—‘Aliy, AB: TI.
—Abu-Bakr, BU: MU. AB: TI: NA, 86 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD ek a The Prophet decided that both parties in a suit should sit before the judge. —Ibnu’z-Zubayr, AB.
The Prophet decided a cause between two men; when they were about to leave, the defendant said, ‘God is enough for me, and (He is) a good guardian!’ ‘The Pro- phet said, “Verily God reproaches weakness, and upon thee lies to be wide awake; if yet there be a matter in which thou canst not help, say thou, ‘God is enough for me, and (He is) a good guardian.’ ”’ —Auf b. Malik, AB. Leotiis | I am only a man: and ye bring your disputes to me; it may be that one of you has a better way of bringing home his own argument than the other, and I decide in his favour in accordance with what I have heard; but he in whose favour I (so) decide a thing in respect of the right of his brother, it is for him only a part of the fire of hell. Let him then (who will), follow it up, or let him foregs it..
—Ummi Salamah, BU: MU: TI: AB: NA: MA. foe 7e A man, of those who have been before you, purchased a landed property from another man: the man who pur- chased the landed property found in the land a water-jug in which was gold. ‘Then he said to the man who sold (it), “Take thy gold, for I have only bought thy land, and have not bought of thee (thy) gold.’ The seller said, ‘I SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 87 have sold to thee the land and what is therein.’ Then they went for judgement to another man who said, ‘Have ye any issue?’ One of them said, ‘I have a lad.’ The other said, ‘I have a girl.’ “Then,’ said the man, ‘Marry the lad to the girl, and spend thereof upon them, and bestow (upon them).’
—Hammam b. Munabbih, BU.
Kae God is kind, and loves kindness.
—A‘ishah, MU.
He who is devoid of kindness is devoid of (all) good. —Jarir, MU.
O ‘A‘ishah! upon thee is (enjoined) kindness. Be- ware of harshness and impudence! Verily there is no kindness in a thing but adorns it, and there is nothing from which it is taken out, but becomes hateful.
—A‘ishah, MU.
God desires not kindness in the people of a house but He also benefits them (thereby), and deprives them not of it but He also harms them (thereby).
—‘A‘ishah, BA. [ aes] He who is given his portion of kindness is given his portion of the good of this world and the hereafter, and he who is denied his portion of goodness is denied his portion of good of this world and the hereafter.
—A‘ishah, BG.
88 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD The last thing which the Prophet enjoined upon me at the time I placed my f@t on the stirrups, was: ‘O Mu‘adh! behave towards the people with kindness.’1 —Mu‘adh, MA. li Seen | The most perfect of Mu‘mins, in point of faith, is he who is the best in disposition; and the best of you is he who is the best among you to his people.? —Abu-Hurayrah, AB: TI.
The best of you is he who is the best to his people.” —A‘ishah, TI. Dobe ad No mercy descends upon the peeple among whom there is one who disregards all ties of blood. —Abdu'llah b. Abu-Anfa, BA. Verily, it is of the best (parts) of goodness for a man to be good to those who bore love to his parent after that he (or she) is gone. —Ibni ‘Umar, MU. [oor ct Ties of blood are a branch of the (mercy of the) Merciful (God); and God says: ‘Whoso doth regard thee, him will I regard, and whoso doth cut thee asunder, him will I cut asunder.’ —Abu-Hurayrah, BU. This was the parting injunction of the Prophet to Mu‘adh as he was departing for Yaman as its governor. 2 Or, wife.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 89 _ The ties of blood are suspended from the Throne (of God), and say, ‘Whoso dothiregard us, him will God regard, and whoso doth cut us asunder, him will God cut asunder.’ —A‘ishah, BU: MU. Daan 4] No sin is more worthy of an instant reprisal in this. world as also disgrace in the hereafter than rebellion and cutting off the ties of kinship.
eee ra Whoso desires for himself an increase of provision and a long term (of life), let him regard all ties of blood. —Anas, BU: MU.
—Abu-Bakarah, AB: TI.
oe al Whoso desires that God Almighty should extend to: him provision, and lengthen his life, let him fulfil his duty to his kinsmen. —Abu-Hurayrah, BU: TI.
ila I said, ‘O Prophet of God! whom should I be good to?’ The Prophet said, “To thy mother, and to thy father, and to thy sister, and to thy brother, and to thy master who has ransomed thee (from captivity). ‘These are duties ‘incumbent, and relations binding.’ —Kulayb b. Mania‘ah, from his grand-father Kulayb al-Hanafiy, AB. The rights of the elder brother upon the younger of them are like the rights of the parent upon his or her child. —Sa‘id b. al-As, BA.
90 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD Know your relations, so that ye may fulfil your duty to your kinsmen; and your duty towards your kinsmen is love for your family which will increase your wealth and lengthen your life.
—Abu-Hurayrah, TI. ae ee | A man said, ‘O Prophet of God!’ have relatives whom I regard although they disregard me, and I do good to them though they do evil to me, and I am mild to them though they are brutal to me.’ The Prophet said, ‘If thou art as thou dost say, it is as though thou dost give them pills of hot ashes, and thou shalt continue to have with thee (a helper) from God to back thee up against them, so long as thou dost act thereon.’
—Abu-Hurayrah, MU.
He does not regard (the ties of blood) who does corresponding (acts of goodness), but he does indeed re- gard who regards (the ties) when his ties are disregarded.
—Ibni ‘Umar, BU No one who cuts asunder the ties of blood shall enter paradise.: —Jubayr b. Mut‘im, BU: MU.
Alms bestowed upon a poor man has one merit, and that spent upon a relattive has a two-fold merit. —Salman b. ‘Amir, NA.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 91 Of all the dinars which thou dost expend in the way of God, and in (freeing) the necks (of men from servi- tude), and for the poor, and for thy people, the greatest in (point of) reward is that which thou dost expend upon thy own people. —Abu-Hurayrah, MU.
I said, ‘O Prophet of God! shall I have any reward ror what I spend upon the children of Abu-Salamah when they are only my children?’ The Prophet said, ‘Spend apon them, for thou shalt have the regard of what thou dost spend upon them.’ —Ummi Salamah, BU: MU.
el ad | Almsgiving to a poor man has one merit, and. that to him who is related by blood has two, namely, that of charity and gift.
—Sulayman b. ‘Amir, TI: NA. IB: AH: DA.
Abu-Talhah, a wealthy man of the Ansar,* had a beautiful garden at Madinah which he valued above all his possessions. This was situated opposite the Mosque, and the Prophet used to go into it and drink pure water therein. When Abu-Talhah heard the recital of the Qur- an, Surah iii. 92,1 he offered the garden, his dearest pos- session, as a sadaqah* to be used in the service of God, adding, ‘And dispose of it. ‘O Prophet of God! in what- 1“Ye shall never attain to goodness until ye expend (in alms) of what ye love.”
92 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD ever way God shows thee.’ The Prophet said, “Well done? that is a profitable possession, and I have heard what thou hast said; but I see that thou shouldst dispose of it among (thy) kinsmen.’ Abu-Talhah said, “Then I will do (that), O Prophet of God!’ Abu-Talhah then distributed this. among his kinsmen and the children of his uncle.
—Anas, BU: MU.
I said, ‘O Prophet of God! what thinkest thou? I go to the son of my uncle asking of him, and he does not give me, nor regards in me (the ties of blood); and them he wants from me, and comes to me, and asks of me,. whereas I have taken an oath that I would not give him (anything), nor regard in him (the ties of blood).’ The Prophet bade me do that which was better, and to expiate ‘for my oath. —Abu’l-Ahwas ‘Auf b. Malik, from his faher, NA: IB. Measure your corn: therein is a blessing for you. —Miqdam b. Ma‘dikarib, BU- (Ay 4 The Prophet of God would say to those who measured out and weighed (corn, etc.), ‘Ye have been put in charge of an affair owing to (the neglect of) which those who were before you were destroyed.’ —Ibni ‘Abbas, TI. ic Be Measure out when thou dost sell (anything), and measure when thou dost buy. —Uthman, BU.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 95 frid09.]
The Prophet of God passed by the market-place to a heap of corn, and thrust his hand into it; then his fingers felt damp. He said, ‘What is this, O master of corn?’ The man said, ‘O Prophet of God! rain fell upon it.’ The Prophet said, “Why dost thou not then keep (the wet portion of) it above the (dry) corn, so that men may see it? He who deceives us, is not of us.’
Ei tOy 7 Whoso walks in the path seeking knowledge therein, God will thereby make easy to him the path of paradise. —Abu-Hurayrah, MU.
—Abu-Hurayrah, MU.
fi an ] Whoso goes forth in search of knowledge, engages him- self in the cause of God until he returns (home). —Anas, TI: DA. Whoso seeks knowledge, it will be an atonement for him for what is past. —Anas, TI; Sakhbarah al-Azdiy, TI: DA. Whoso seeks after knowledge and attains it, shall have a double reward, and if he attains not it (yet) shall he have one reward. —Wathilah b. Asqa‘, DA.
Do ye know who is the most beneficent? God is the most beneficent, then, of the children of Man, I am the most beneficent, and after me the most beneficent among them is the man who acquires knowledge and spreads it: 94 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD he will come on the day of resurrection as a chief by himself. —Anas b. Malik, BA.
The Prophet of God passed by two gatherings in his Mosque, and said, ‘Both of them are (working) for good, but one of them is superior to the other. As to the one, they call upon God and ‘eagerly (strive) after Him; so if He please, He may give them, and if He please He may withhold (His provision) from them; and as to the other, they learn wisdom or knowledge, and teach the ignorant; so these are superior; and I am only raised up as a teacher.’
The Prophet of God was asked about two men who were of the children of Israel, one of them a learned man who observed the appointed prayers, and then sat down, and taught men good, and the other who fasted (all) day (long) and stood up (to pray all) night (long), which of them was'superior. The Prophet said: “The superio- rity of this learned man who observed the appointed prayers and then sat down and taught men good, over the worshipper who fasted (all) day (long) and stood up (to pray all) night (long) is as my superiority over the least among you.’ —Hasan, DA.
Verily, God Almighty, and His angels, and those who inhabit the heavens, even the ants in their holes and the fishes in their waters, bless the good teachers of mankind.
—Abu-Umamah, TI: Makhul, DA.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 95 Whoso walks in the path seeking knowledge thereby, God will make him walk in the paths of paradise; and verily, the angels spread out their wings out of pleasure for the seeker after knowledge; and verily those who are in the heavens and the earth, and fishes also in the midst of water, all ask pardon for him; and, verily, the excellence of a learned man over a mere worshipper, is as the excel- lence of the full moon over the stars. And, verily, the learned men are the inheritors of the prophets; for verily, the prophets’ heritage are not dinars,* nor dirhams,* but the heritage of knowledge; whoso then receives this, he has received ample good fortune. Abu-Darda‘, AB: TI: Kathir b. Qays, TI: AB: IB: AH: DA.
There are two avaricious people who are never con- tented; the avaricious man given to knowledge is never contented therewith, and the avaricious man given to the world is never contented with it. —Anas b. Malik, BA.
None deserve to be envied except two men: he whom God has given judgement,! and who decides according to . the same, and who teaches it to others; and the man whom God has given wealth and who spends it usefully. —Ibni Mas‘ud, BU: MU.
A man who understands (religion) is harder on Satan 2 Or, wisdom.
96 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD than a thousand worshippers. —Ibni ‘Abbas, TI: IB. frij422 if] The best of men is he who understands religion; if people stand in need of his (services), he benefits them, and if they have no need of him, remains independent.
—‘Aliy, RA The excellence of a learned man above a mere wor- shipper is as my excellence above the average man among you. —Abu-Umamah, TI; Makhul, DA.
To. acquire knowledge is binding upon al] Muslims, men and women, and the placing of knowledge with the undeserving is as the hanging of jewels and pearls and gold round the neck of the swine.
Lie teen S The likeness of knowledge from which no benefit is derived is as the likeness of a treasure from which nothing is expended in the way of God.
—Anas, IB: BA.
—Abu-Hurayrah, AH: DA. ee cee The word of science is a stray (thing) of the wise, so wherever he may find it, it is his by right. —Abu-Hurayrah, TI: IB. The calamity of knowledge is forgetfulness, and wast- ing it is to speak of it to him who is not fit for it. —A‘mash, DA.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 7 The very worst of the worst are the bad learned men, and verily the best of the best are the best of the learned men. —Ahwas b. Hakim, DA.
Linhtd<-.} Verily, the worst of men in the sight of God in respect of rank on the day of resurrection shall be the learned man who profited not by his knowledge.
—Abu-Darda‘, DA. et ig Verily, God has revealed to me, (saying,) Whoso goes about in search of knowledge, I will speed him on to the path of the garden (of bliss); and he whose eyes I may have snatched away, I will recompense him for the same with the garden (of bliss); and superiority in knowledge is better than superiority in worship; and the root of religion is abstinence. —A‘ishah, BA.
fiasalee.| Whoso shall seek knowledge to show himself bold against the learned and to do mischief therewith to the simple-minded folk, and to turn the attention of the people towards him, God will make him enter into the fire (of hell).
—Ka'‘b b. Malik, TI: Ibni ‘Umar, IB.
Verily, God does not take away knowledge from men, but takes it by taking away the learned; so that when no learned men remain, men take the ignorant for their heads: 7 98 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD they refer their causes to them, and they decide without knowledge, erring themselves and leading (others) into error. —Ibni ‘Amru b. al-‘As, BU: MU: TI.
The man who is questioned about knowledge, and hides it (knowingly), shall be bridled with a bridle of fire on the day of resurrection.
—Abu-Hurayrah, AB: TI: AH; Anas, IB- [ aoa It is not fit for him who has anything of knowledge to waste himself.
—Umar, BU. aes: at Learn your duties and teach men their duties.
—Abu-Hurayrah, TI Verily, the best thing is what ye eat of your own earning.
—‘A‘ishah, AB: NA: IB. ly ASTax' Never has any one eaten a better thing than what he eats of the work of his hand.
All land is the land of God, and the creatures are (all) the creatures of God: whoso quickens a dead land, he is the best entitled to it.; .. —Urwah, AB.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 99 ie 3! Whoso quickens a dead land, it is his, there is no right of expropriation (against him). —‘Urwah b. Zubayr, AB: TI: MA. Whoso cultivates and inhabits a land which its owner is not able (to do) and has left to die,’ shall have it. —Samurah b. Jundub, MA. [ aah j Whoso cultivates and inhabits a land which is no- body’s, shall have the best right to it. —‘A’ishah, BU. lipete | Whoso wrongs any one in respect of a span of land, will have on the day of resurrection a collar about his neck of the weight of seven earths. —Abu-Salamah b. ‘Abdu’r-Rahman, BU: MU; cf. Ibni ‘Umar, BU. trees | The liberal man is near to God, near paradise, near (the hearts of) men, farther from the fire (of hell); and the miser is farther from God, farther from paradise, farther from (the hearts of) men, near the fire (of hell); and an ignorant liberal man is more beloved of God than a nig- gardly worshipper. —Abu-Hurayrah, TI. [aes | By Him in whose hand my soul is! ye shall by no means enter paradise until ye believe, and ye shal] by no 2To lie waste or uncultivated.
100 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD means believe until ye love one another. —Abu-Hurayrah, MU: AB: TI. Shall I tell you of a thing which when ye do, ye will love one another? Extend greetings among yourselves. —Abu-Hurayrah, MU. God says: Those who love one another for My sake, shall have pulpits of light on the day of resurrection: the prophets and martyrs shall envy them. —Mu‘adh b. Jabal. TT.
There are some among the servants of God who are neither prophets nor martyrs, but whom the prophets and martyrs will yet envy on the day of resurrection because of the position they shall have from God: these are the people who love others, not their kin only, for the mercy that they expect from God. And by God! their faces shall shine with light, and they shall be in the light of God; they shall not fear when all (other) men shall fear, nor shall they grieve when all (other) men shall grieve.
—Umar b. al-Khattab, AB. Lute. | The best of actions is to love for the sake of God, and to hate for the sake of God. —Abu-Dharr, AB.
Thy love for a thing makes (thee) blind and deaf. —Abu-Darda‘ AB.
A man shall be raised up on the day of resurrection SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 101 with him whom he loves in this world. —Abu-Dharr, AB; Safwan b. ‘Assal, TI. [aoe *] A man came and said, ‘O Prophet of God what dost thou say to a man who loves a people but is not affiliated with them?’ The Prophet said, ‘A man shall be with him whom he loves.’
—Ibni Mas‘ud, BU: MU. pe asee | One day as the Prophet was performing (his) ablution, his companions washed themselves with his ablutionary (water); the Prophet said to them, ‘What makes you do this?” They said, “The love of God and His apostle.’ The Prophet said, ‘Rather let him who rejoices to love God and His apostle, or who loves God and His apostle, be truthful and sincere in what he speaks when he speaks, and let him restore his trust when he is trusted and let him be good to those who are his neighbours.’
When the Prophet sent me as governor of Yaman, he said, ‘Beware of leading a luxurious life, for verily the ser- vants ( of God) never lead a luxurious life.’
—Mu'‘adh b. Jabal, AH.
When a servant (of God) tells a lie, (his) angel goes away from him to the distance of a mile, because of the internal commotions of what he brings. —Ibni_‘Umar, TI.
= ay SA~N\O\IIY va wolsl ise +0 WOHIS DIIVd — | fe G > Y Wal yoo? ey - 102 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD It is a grievous act of perfidy that thou speak some- thing new to thy brother which he may believe although thou dost speak a lie.
Woe to him who tells something new, and tells lies, so that he may thereby make (his) people laugh! woe to him! woe to him!
—Bahz b. Hakim, TI: AB: AH: DA.
One day when the Prophet was sitting in our house, my mother called me, saying, ‘Come, I will give (thee) something.’ The Prophet said, ‘What dost thou desire to give him?’ She said, ‘I desire to give him some dried dates.’ The Prophet said to her, “Take care! if thou do not give him something, a lie shall be written down against thee.’
In the latter days there will be impostors, liars, who will come to you with stories which ye have never heard, neither ye nor your forefathers. Beware then, beware! let them not lead you astray, nor let them put you into trouble.
—Abu-Hurayrah, MU.
Whoso honours the man who invents (a lie), he has already assisted in the demolition of Islam.* —Ibrahim b. Maysarah, BA.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 103 He is not a liar who reconciles two men, and speaks good, and adds good from himself.
—Ummi Kulthum, daughter of ‘Uqbah, BU; MU: AB: TI.
The likeness of the child of Man is as having nine and ninety troubles, and even if (all) troubles miss him there comes to him weakness from old age, until he dies.