brother to a Mu‘min; he withholds him from his losing occupation, and watches him from behind him. —Abu-Hurayrah, TI: AB.
The Mu‘mins are (as) one hand against (all) who are besides them: the meanest of them may receive any one as a neighbour against them (all), and the farthest of them refers to them, and their expeditions refer to those who sit (at home). —Amru b. Shu‘ayb, AB.
The likeness a Mu‘min* is as the likeness of a standing corn which the wind ceases not to blow down; even so trials cease not to fall upon the Mu‘min. ‘The likeness of a hypocrite is as a cypress tree. which bends not unless it is felled. —Abu-Hurayrah, BU: TI; cf. Ka‘b b. Malik, BU: MU.
134 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD The Mu‘min* is the abode of friendship; and there is no good in him who does not befriend nor is befriended. —Abu-Hurayrah, AH: BA.
‘What thinkest thou of a man,’ it was said to the Pro- phet, ‘who works a good work, and people praise him for it, and love him for it?” The Prophet said, “That is the im- mediate good tidings of the Mu‘min.’
—Abu-Dharr, MU.
The Prophet was asked which Mu‘min was the best. ‘The best of them in character,’ was the reply. ‘Which Mu‘min was the most intelligent?’ they asked. ‘He who most frequently remembered death, and prepared himself best for the same ere it alighted upon him,’ said the Pro- phet.
‘Who is the best man?’ it was asked of the Prophet. ‘The Mu‘min who strives with his life! and his wealth in the way of God,’ was the Prophet’s reply. ‘Who is the next (best man)?’ “The man living in a mountainous retreat, who fears God and keeps his evil from men.’
—Abu-Sa‘id, BU: MU: AB: TI: NA. piety By It is not lawful for a Mu‘min* to forsake a Mu‘min for more than three days and if three days pass away, let him meet him, and salute him; then if the other responds, —Anas, RA.
Or, soul.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 135 both share in the merit that they have in the sight of God; but if the other does not, he draws upon himself a sin; and in the hereafter he who leaves his brother for more than three days, shall enter the fire of hell. —Abu-Hurayrah, AB.
The Mu‘min* continues to be in the full liberty of action by virtue of his religion, so long as he does not descend to shed blood which is forbidden.
—Ibni ‘Umar, BU.
No adulterer comits adultery and, while he commits adultery, is also a Mu‘min; and no thief steals and, while he steals, is (also) a Mu‘min; and none drinks an intoxi- cant and, while he drinks it, is (also) a Mu‘min; and no robber robs, (all) men looking on him the while, and while he robs, in (also) a Mu‘min; and none of you cheats and, while he cheats, is (also) a Mu‘min; beware then, beware!
—Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU.
The Prophet spoke about sickness, and said, ‘Verily, when sickness befalls the Mu‘min, and then God relieves him of it, it becomes to him a penance for his sins which ‘are past, and an admonition for him in regard to the future; and when the hypocrite is relieved, he becomes like the camel whose master ties him up and unties him, 1 Another tradition: ‘And none kill, and, while he killis, is (also) a Mu‘min.’ Ibni ‘Abbas, BU.
136 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD and he understands not why he tied him and why he re arr How excellent the affairs of the Mu‘min: his affair, all of it, is good for him; and this is not the case with any one except the Mu‘min; if prosperity attend him, he is thankful (to God), and if adversity fall on him, he per- severes patiently: so it is all good (for him)..
—Suhayb b. Sinan, MU. [nal 2ea The most perfect of Mu‘mins,* in point of faith, is he who is the best among them in manners, and the best among them to his womenfolk.
—Abu-Hurayrah, TI; cf. ‘Aishah, TI. The Mu‘min* dies with his sweat on the brow.
—Buraydah, TI: NA.
He is not a Mu‘min* who eats his fill while his neigh- bour lies hungry by his side. The world is a prison for the Mu‘min and paradise for the Kafir.* —Ibni ‘Abbas, BA.
—Abu-Hurayrah, MU: TI.
It is not fit for a Mu‘min to disgrace himself. ‘And how should he disgrace himself?’ it was asked. ‘It is by exposing himself to a trouble which he has not the street (to bear),” was the Prophet’s reply. —Hudhayfah, TIs SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 137 fy Ble J No being is killed wrongfully but a part of the blood thereof falls upon the first son of Adam, for, verily, he was the first who set the example of killing. —Ibni Mas‘ud, BU: MU. The first thing that will be decided between men on the day of resurrection is blood-shedding.: —Abdu‘llah b. Mas‘ud BU: MU. It is easy for God to suffer the world to pass away than the killing of a Muslim* man. —Abdu’llah b. ‘Amru, TI: NA; Bara b. ‘Azib, IB. If the people of the heaven and the earth united to shed the blood of a Mu‘min,* God would certainly overthrow them (all) into the fire (of hell). —Abu-Sa‘id and Abu-Hurayrah, TI.
Whoso assists in the murder of a Mu‘min by (so much as) half a word, between his eyes shall be written (on the day of resurrection), ‘He is despaired of the mercy of God.’ —Abu-Hurayrah, IB. [bee | Whoso kills one with whom he has a covenant, shall never find the fragrance of paradise. —‘Abdu'‘llah b, ‘Amru, BU.
I said, ‘O Prophet of God! what thinkest thou? if I meet a man from among the Kafirs,* and we fight with 138 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD each other, and he strikes with the sword one of my hands and cuts it, and then takes refuge in a tree, and says, “I submit to God,” shall I kill him after that he has declared it?’ The Prophet said, ‘Kill him not.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! but he has cut off one of my hands.’ The Prophet said, ‘Do not kill him, for if thou do kill him, he will certainly be in thy place before thou dost kill him, and thou wilt certainly be in his place before he’said the word The murdered man will come on the day of resurrec- tion with the murderer, his forelock and his head in his hand, and veins of the throat running with blood. He will say, ‘O my Lord! (this man) killed me;’ and he will take him near the Throne (of God).
—Ibni ‘Abbas, TI: NA: IB.
Hearkening and obedience are (enjoined) upon every Muslim man in regard to what he may like or hate, so long as he is not commanded to sin; but when he is com- manded to sin, then there is no hearkening and no obedience. —Ibni ‘Umar, BU: MU.
When a servant (of God) accepts Islam.* and his Islam proves good, God writes down for him all the good he has done in the past, and blots out from him all the evil he has done in the past; and after that the reward for every good act (done by him )is (reckoned as) ten like SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 139 it to seven hundred, and every evil is (rewarded) only with its like, unless that God passes it over. —Abu-Sa‘id al-Khudriy, BU: NA; Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU. All Muslims are sacred to Muslims: they are brothers and helpers to one another.
A Muslim is brother to a Muslim: he forsakes him not, nor speaks to him what is false, nor wrongs him. And, verily, one of you is a mirror to his brother; so if he sees anything hurtful in him, let him point it to him with his fingers.
—Bahz b. Hakim, NA.
—Abu-Hurayrah, TI.
A Muslim is brother to a Muslim: let him not wrong him, nor forsake him, nor despise him. It is evil enough for man to despise his brother Muslim, Everthing that belongs to a Muslim—his wealth, his blood, and _ his honour—is sacred to a Muslim. ‘Take care! let there be no commercial transaction against one another amongst you; but be ye all servants of God and brothers to one another. It is by no means lawful for a Muslim to leave his brother alone for more than three days.
—Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU: AB: TI: MA.
It is not lawful for a Muslim to break with his brother for more than three nights, turning aside from each other when they meet; and the better of the two is he who first begins the salutation. —Abu-Ayyub, BU: MU: TI: AB: MA.
140 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD A Muslim is he from whose tongue and hands the Muslims are safe; and a Mu‘min is he in whom mankind have an asylum for their blood and their wealth, —Abu-Hurayrah, TI: NA; cf. ‘Abdullah b. ‘Amru, BU: MU. es eee | A Muslim has a four-fold duty towards a Muslim: to return his salutation, to visit him while sick, to follow his bier, and to respond to his call. —Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU: AB: TI: NA, O company of those who have accepted Islam* by the tongue, but into whose hearts faith has not entered! hurt not the Muslims, nor disgrace them, nor disclose their shame; for whoso follows up the disclosure of his brother Muslim, God will follow up his disclosure; and whose dis- closure God will follow up, He will certainly expose him, athough he be in the midst of his dwelling.
—Ibni ‘Umar, TI.
ir ales A Muslim is brother to a Muslim: he wrongs him not, nor gives him over; and whoso shall remove the wants of a brother, God will remove his wants; and whoso relieves a Muslim from a distress, God will relieve him from the distress of the day of resurrection; and whoso hides the fault of a Muslim, God will hide his faults on the day of resurrection; and whoso walks with a wronged person, so as to establish him in his rights, God will establish his SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 141 feet on the sirat* on the day of resurrection when (other) men’s feet shall stumble. —Ibni ‘Umar, AB: RA. [2 Gan al It is not allowed to a Muslim to frighten a Muslim.
There is no Muslim who forsakes a Muslim in a place where his sacred claims are damaged and wherein his good fame is injured but God will forsake him in a place wherein he will long for His help; and there is no Muslim who helps a Muslim in a place wherein his good fame is injured and wherein his sacred claims are damaged, but God will help him in a place wherein he will long for His help. —Jabir, AB.
t oeTh<] There is no Muslim who averts (anything) from the good fame of his brother but has a right over God that He should avert from him the fire of hell on the day of resurrection. —Abu-Darda‘, BG.
The blood of the ‘Muslims corresponds with one another’s, and the meanest of them performs their obli ‘gations, and the farthest of them refers to them, and they are (as) one hand against (all) besides them. | —Aliy, AB: NA; Ibni ‘Abbas, IB.
The Muslim who mixes with men and steadfastly perseveres under the injuries inflicted by them, is better than 142 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD he who does not mix nor steadfastly perseveres under the injuries inflicted by them. —Yahya b. Waththab, TI; Ibni ‘Umar, TI: IB.
feast ny ‘O Prophet of God! what is it that is unlawful (for men) to withhold from (each other)?’ it was asked of the Prophet. ‘Water,’ said the Prophet. The man said, ‘What else?’ The prophet said, ‘Salt.’ “What again?’ ‘Fire,’ was the reply. ‘What again?’ ‘Whatever good thou doest is good for thee,’ replied the Prophet. —Buhaysah Fuzariyah, AB.
The first two contending parties (that will come), before God on the day of resurrection will be two neigh- ‘By God! he believes not,’ the Prophet repeated thrice. ‘And who believes not?’ it was asked. He said, ‘He whose neighbours are not secure from the calamities (inflicted by him).” —Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU. He shall not enter paradise whose neighbouts are not secure from the calamities (inflicted by him). —Anas, BU: Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU. Gabriel (the angel of revelation) failed not to enjoin upon me the duty of neighbours towards one another, so- much-so that I imagined that God was also going to ap~ SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 143: point the neighbours as heirs of the deceased, —A‘ishah, BU: MU: AB: TI; Ibni ‘Umar, BU: MU. Lan045. al A man said, ‘O Prophet of God! how am I to know when I do (a thing), whether it be good or evil?’ The Prophet said, “When thou dost hear thy neighbours say, “Thou hast done good;” thou has done good;” and when thou dost hear them say, “Thou hast done evil,’ thou hast done evil.’ —Ibni Mas‘ud, IB..
A man said, ‘O Prophet of God! such-and-such a wo- man is reputed for her frequent prayers and fastings and almsgivings, but she offends her neighbours by her tongue.’ The Prophet said, ‘She will be in the fire (of hell).”. The man said, ‘Such-and-such a woman is reputed less for her fastings and almsgivings and prayers, and she gives but little in sadaqah,* but she does not offend her neighbours by her tongue.’ The Prophet said, ‘She will be in para- dise.’ —Abu-Hurayrah, AH: BA. Ye people! there is no oath in Islam which was no oath in (the days of) Ignorance, and verily Islam only Whoso takes an enforced oath falsely, let him find his seat in the fire (of hell). —Imran b. Husayn, AB.
144 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD Whoso takes an oath (for something), and then sees good otherwise, let him make his oath void, and do that which is better. —Abu-Hurayrah, MU: TI: MA, The Prophet heard ‘Umar swearing by his father,-and said, ‘Verily God forbids you to swear by your forefathers; and whoso would swear, let him swear by God the Most High, or keep quiet.’
—Ibni ‘Umar, BU: MU: AB: TI: NA: MA.
Whoso takes an oath against the substance of a Mus- lim man without right, shall meet God, and He will be angry with him. j —Ibni Mas‘ud, BU: MU: TI: AB.
Whoso takes out the right of a Muslim man by swear- ing (falsely), God will disallow paradise to him, and force him into the fire (of hell). They said, ‘And though it be a small thing?’ ‘Although it be the lopped off branch of a thorny tree,’ said the Prophet..
God is more worthy that men should be ashamed of Him rather than of other men.
No obedience is (due) to a creature in respect of a sin against the Creator.
—Bahz b. Hakim, AB: TI.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 145 There is no obedience due to sinful commands: ob- edience is only in regard to what is reasonable.
—‘Aliy, BU: MU.
A Mujahid* is he who does Jihad* with his own self in obeying God; and a Muhajir* is he who flies (all) crimes and sins.
—Fudalah, BA.
A Muhajir* is he who flees what God has forbidden. —Ibni ‘Amru b. al-‘As, BU: MU: AB: NA.
a ae A man delivered a homily, and said, ‘Whoso obeys God and His apostle goes aright, and whoso rebels against them both is seduced.’ The Prophet said, “Thou art a bad speaker; say thou, ‘And whoso rebels against God and His apostle is seduced.’
—Adiy b. Hatim, MU: AB: NA. a Say not, ‘What God and so-and-so _please;’ but say, ‘What God pleases and then so-and-so pleases.’ —Hudhayfah, AB.
Whoso is solicitous for the pleasure of God amidst the wrath of men God will suffice him against the victuals of men; and whoso is solicitous for the pleasure of men amidst the wrath of God, God will give him into the charge of men. —Mu‘awiyah, TI.
10 146 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD O young man! guard (thyself), God will keep thee safe; keep (His commandments), and thou shalt find Him before thee; know God in affluence, He will know thee in distress; when thou askest, ask of God; and when thow askest help, ask help of God; for, verily, if (all) creatures unite to benefit thee in anything which God does not decree for thee, they have no power over that; and if they unite to injure thee in anything, which God does not decree for thee, they have no power over that; pens are dried, and scrolls have been rolled up; and if thou art able to work for God with pleasure in the certainty, then work on; and if thou art not able, then verily there is much good in patiently bearing what thou art averse to; and know that verily with patience there is help, and that with sorrow there is joy, and that with difficulty comes ease.
—Ibni ‘Abbas, TI: AH: RA.
He is not of us who is not merciful to our younger people, nor honours the old among us.
—Anas, TI. PR ey No young man honours an old man because of his age, but God will also make others honour him in his age.
—Anas, TI.
Seize the five opportunities before the five (calami- ties): thy youth before thy weakness from old age; thy SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 147 health before thy sickness: thy richness before thy poverty; thy leisure before thy business; thy life before thy death.’ —Amru b. Maymun al-Audiy, TI.
Verily, God has ordained certain ordinances: lose not sight thereof; and He has prescribed certain bounds: trans- gress not these; and He has forbidden certain things: draw not near to them; and He has left certain things (without mentioning them), not that He has forgotten them: wrangle not therein. —Abu-Tha‘labah Khusnanniy, RA.
A man complained to the Prophet of his own hard- heartedness. The Prophet said, ‘Stroke the head of the orphan, and feed the poor.’ —Abu-Hurayrah, AH.
I and he who takes charge of an orphan, whether his own or of others, shall be in paradise like this—pointing with his forefinger and the middle finger leaving but little space between the two. —Sahl b. Sa‘d, BU: AB: TI.
Whoso takes an orphan from among the Muslims, to feed him and to give him drink, God will certainly make him enter into paradise, unless he has committed a sin which shall not be pardoned. —Ibni ‘Abbas, TI.
Whoso strokes the head of an orphan, not stroking it 148 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD but for God, shall have merits for each of the hairs over which his hand passes; and whoso does good to an orphan- girl or to an orphan-boy who is with him, I and he shall be in paradise like these two—putting together his two fingers. —Abu-Umamah, TI: AH.
The best house of the Muslims is the house in which there is an orphan who is best dealt with, and the worst house of the Muslims is the house in which an orphan is badly dealt with. —Abu-Hurayrah, IB.
[fe OUlrey ‘Whoso receives an orphan hospitably, entertaining him with his food and his drink, God will certainly give him paradise unless he has committed a sin which is not pardoned; and whoso brings up three daughters or like them three sisters, and gives them a liberal education, and is merciful to them, so that God makes them independent, God will certainly give him paradise. A man said, ‘O Prophet of God! and what if they are two?’ ‘The Prophet said, ‘Although they be two or even one.’ —Ibni ‘Abbas, BG. Pei eek Ty Paradise is nearer to one of you than the noose of your sandals; and the fire (of hell) likewise. —Ibni Mas‘ud, BU. God says: ‘I have prepared for My servants the right- eous what no eye has seen, nor has ear heard, nor has SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 149 it occurred into the heart of man (to conceive).’* —Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU.
God said to paradise, “Thou art only My mercy: I will show mercy: by thee to him whom I please of My servants;’ and He said to the fire (of hell), “Thou art only My torment: I will torment by thee whom I please of My servants.’ —Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU.
OR 7 The prophets shall be in paradise, and those who bear witness (to the truth)! shall be in paradise, and the children shall be in paradise, and the female children who have been buried alive shall be in paradise.
The parent is the central gate of paradise; if thou please, destroy the gate or preserve the same. —Abu-Darda, TI.
A man said, ‘O Prophet of God! what are the rights of parents over their children?’ He said, “They are thy paradise and thy hell.’ —Abu-Umamah, IB.
The pleasure of God is in the pleasure of the parent and the displeasure of God is in the displeasure of the parent. —Ibni ‘Umar, TI.
2 Or, martyrs.
150 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD ‘May his nose be rubbed in the dirt!’ the Prophet repeated thrice. It was said, ‘Whose nose?’ The Prophet said, ‘His who finds his parents or any one of them in old age, and yet enters not into paradise (by being dutiful to them).’ —Abu-Hurayrah, MU: TTI.
Verily, the best of all goodness is that a man show kindness to the people who bore love to his parent after he or she is gone. —Ibni ‘Umar, MU: AB: TI.
God pardons any sin which He pleases except dis- obedience to parents; and verily He hurries on (the punishment of those who do it) in this life (even) before (their) death. —Abu-Bakarah, BA.
I said, ‘O Prophet of God! whom should I be (spe- cially) good to?’ The Prophet said, “To thy mother.’ This he repeated thrice. ‘Then,’ said the Prophet, ‘to thy father, then to him who is near of kin, one after the other.’
—Bahz b. Hakim, from his father, who reports it from his grandfather Mu‘awiyah b. Haydat al-Qushayriy, AB: TI.
A man came and said, ‘O Prophet of God! who is the most worthy among men to be associated with kindness!’ The Prophet said, “Thy mother.’ This he repeated thrice; then,’ he said, ‘thy father.’ —Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 151 A man came to the Prophet, and said, I have fallen into a great sin; will (my) repentance avail me?’ The Prophet said, ‘Is thy mother (living)? He _ said, ‘No.’ The Prophet said, ‘Is there a sister of (thy) mother (living)? He said, ‘Yes.’ “Then,’ said the Prophet, ‘be good to her.’ —Ibni ‘Umar, TI. Pi O85—s | The sister of a mother is in the place of mother. —Bara‘ b. ‘Azib, TI. A man came, and said, ‘O Prophet of God! I desire to do battle (for the cause of God), and I have come to consult thee.’ The Prophet said, ‘Is thy mother (living)?’ The man said, ‘Yes.’ The Prophet said, “Then attend upon her, for verily, paradise is near her feet.’ —Mu‘awiyah b. Janimah, NA. A man from among the people of Yaman fled to the Prophet of God. The Prophet said, ‘(Who) are thy (people) in Yaman?’ He said, ‘My parents.’ The Pro- phet said, ‘Have they given thee permission?’ He said, ‘No.’ “Then,” said the Prophet, ‘go back to them, and ask permission of them: and if both give thee permission, of them: and if both give thee permission, then do Jihad, otherwise be dutiful to them both.’
Another man (who had come to the Prophet with a similar purpose) said, ‘I have left my parents weeping.’
—Abu-Sa‘id, AB.
152 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD The Prophet said, “Go back to them, and make them both laugh, even as thou hast made them weep,’ —Ibni ‘Amru b. al-‘As. AB: NA.
A man asked permission of the Prophet (to take part) in a Jihad. ‘The Prophet asked, ‘Are thy parents living?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ The Prophet said, “Then go and do Jihad (strive had) for them.’
—Ibni ‘Amru b. al-‘As, BU: MU: AB: TI: NA.
A man came, and said, ‘O Prophet of God! I would engage with thee to fly (my country for the sake of religion) and to do Jihad,* and I seek reward from God (alone).” ‘Is any one of thy parents living?’ asked the Prophet. “Yes.” the man said, ‘both of them are living. The Prophet said, ‘Wouldst thou then have (thy). reward from God?”
He said ‘Yes’ “Then,’ said the Prophet, ‘go back to thy parents, and associate kindly with them.’
[ sO9le | I saw the Prophet distributing meat in Ji‘ranah, when a woman came up to him, and he spread his mantle for her, and she sat upon it. I said, “Who is she?’ They said, ‘She is the Prophet’s mother who gave him suck.’
—Abu-Tufayl, AB.
ae Py My mother came to me (to see me) while she was yet of those who joined (other gods with God). Then I asked for the decision of the Prophet of God, saying, ‘My mother is come to (see) me, although she is averse ; SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 15 (to our faith); should I then show affection to my mother?” The Prophet said, ‘Yes, thou must show affection to thy mother.’ —Asma‘, daughter of Abu-Bakr, BU: MU: AB. es Ea A man said, ‘O Prophet of God; I have wealth and children, and my father is in want of my wealth.’ The Prophet said, ‘Both thou and thy wealth are of thy father,” Verily, your children are the best (part) of your earnings; so eat of the earnings of your children.’
No child can repay his parent better than he who finds him (a captive in the hands of another) and then buys him off and sets him free.
—Abu-Hurayrah, MU: AB: TI.
A man of the tribe of Salamah came to the Prophet, and said, ‘O Prophet of God! can I still do any good to my parents after they are dead?’ He said, “Yes; by prayers for them, and asking pardon for them, and fulfilling their covenants after them, and regarding the ties of blood in respect of those who are only related through them, and _by honouring their true friends.’
—Abu-Usayd Malik b. Rabi‘ah a’s-Sa‘idiy, AB: IB. The best of you is he who wards off evil from his race, so long as he does not sin. —Suraqah b. Malik b. Ja‘shum, AB- 154 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD I said, ‘O Prophet of God! what is patriotism?’ ‘The Prophet said, “That thou assist thy people in spite of (their) wrongdoing. —Wathilah b. al-Asqa‘, AB.
I said, ‘O Prophet of God! is it (part) of patriotism that a man love his people?” The Prophet said, ‘No; but it is (part) of patriotism that a man help his people in ‘spite of (their) wrongdoing.
—Ubadah b. Kathir a’sh-Shamiy, from Fusaylah, from her father, IB: AH.
He is not of us who calls (men) to patriotism, and he is not of us who fights for patriotism, and he is not of us who dies for patriotism.
weeloe Do not give credit to the people of the book, nor yet call them liars, but say ye, “We believe in God, and what has been sent down to us, and what has been sent down to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and what was given to Moses and Jesus, and what was given to the (other) prophets from their Lord —we make no distinction betwen any of them—and to Him we submit.’!
—Abu-Hurayrah, BU. Pgs es 7 Birth is wealth, and beneficence is piety. —Samurah, TI.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 155 [i WOR: <] Fear God wherever thou art; follow an evil action by a good action; it will blot it, and meet men with a good character. —Abu-Dharr, TI.
Thou art not god, O Abu-Dharr! because of (thy) red or black complexion, but thou art more excellent because of (thy) piety.
—Abu-Dharr, AH.
‘Verily, God laoks not to your figures, nor to your bodies, but He looks into your hearts and to your works of piety. Then pointing to his breast, the Prophet said, “Herein lies piety.’ This he repeated thrice.
—Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU: AB: TI: MA.
No servant (of God) reaches to piety until he leaves aside that about which there is no prohibition, for fear of this being doubtful.
‘Which people are the most honourable?’ it was asked of the Prophet. “The most honourable of them, in the ' sight of God, is the most pious of them,’ was the Prophet's reply.
—Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU.
God says: ‘O son of man! be thou at leisure for My service: I will fill thy breast with independence, and I 156 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD will make up thy poverty; and if thou do (it) not, I wilk fill thy hands with business, and will not make up thy poverty.’ —Abu-Hurayran, IB: AH. When the Prophet sent me to Yaman, he came out with me to enjoin upon me (my duties). I was riding and he walked with my saddle-beast. When be had done he said, ‘O Mu‘adh! it may be that thou shalt not meet me after this my year, and it may be that thou wilt pass by this my Mosque and my _ grave.’ Whereupon I wept sorrowfully at the separation of the Prophet. The Pro-— phet turned his face to al-Madinah, and said, ‘Verily, the nearest to me, among men are the pious, whoever they be, and wherever they be.’ —Mu‘adh b. Jabal, Ah. Lieto The Prophet loved to pray in the garden. —Mu‘adh b. Jabal, TI: AH. The earth, all of it, is a place of worship except the grave-yard and baths. —Abu-Sa‘id al-Khudriy, AB: TI: DA. Kodllsid All earth is made a place of prayer for me and (equal- ly) pure: any man of my people may pray anywhere he finds the time of prayer. —JNabir, A; cf. Abu-Dharr,, BU: MU. [i Fazink The most beloved of all soil in the sight of God, are SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 157 the places of worship; and the worst of all soil, in the sight of God, are the market-places. —Abu-Huvrayrah, MU. Le AL Sas} Say a part of your prayer in your homes. —Ibni ‘Umar, BU: MU: AB: TI: NA, Tr Pe Say your prayers in your houses, and make not these (your) graves. —Ibni ‘Umar, BU: MU. aid | Whoso comes to this my place of prayer, let him not come but for good works which he may learn or which he may teach; for he will be in the grade of the Mujahid* in the service of God; and whoso comes for a purpose be- side that, he will be in the grade of a man who looks for provisions besides this. —Abu-Hurayrah, IB: BA. ryt | When any of your women ask leave of you to (go) to the place of worship, do not hinder her, —Ibni ‘Umar, BU: MU: AB: MA. et lZ i] When ye hear of plague in any part of the land, go mot into it; and if it happens to be raging in a part of the land while ye are in it, then go not out therefrom. —Usamah, BU: MU: TI: MA.
[ chee] We were with the Prophet in a gathering, when he said, ‘Do ye not pledge with me that ye shall not join any- 158 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD thing with God, nor steal, nor commit adultery nor kill a being which God has forbidden unless by right, nor come with a calumny which ye have invented between your hands and your feet, nor rebel against me in what shall be reasonable?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ The Prophet said, “Whoso then among you shall fulfil it, his reward (devolves) upon God the Most High.’ —Ubadah b. a’s-Samit, BU: MU: TI: NA.
O ‘A‘ishah! turn not the poor away (from thy door) without giving him something although it be a date. O ‘A‘ishah! love the poor, and let them come near thee; God will bring thee nearer to Himself on the day of resurrection. --Anas, TI.
faZ2O as] He who strives for the (well-being of) poor widows and the poor, is like him who strives in the cause of God, or like him who fasts all day and stands up (to pray) all night.
—Safwan b. Sulaym, MU: AB: MA. oayZ ii] He who endeavours (to relieve) the needy, the deso- late, and the poor, is as one who endeavours in the service of God, is as one who stands up (to pray all night) and does not relax and rest, and as one who fasts and breaks (it) not.’
—Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU. He is not a poor man who goes about for a mouthful SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 159 or two of food or a few dried date, but he is the poor man who finds not wherewith to make himself independent, nor is he understood (to be so) in order that people might give him alms, nor does he stand begging of men. —Abu-Hurayrah, BU: MU: AB: NA: MA.
[ eae") The Prophet sent Mu‘adh as a governor to Yaman, saying, “Thou shalt go to the people of the book, and the first thing to which thou shouldst invite them is the service of God; and when they have known God, then inform them that God has enjoined upon them to give alms (zakat), which shall be taken from the rich among them and re- turned to the poor among them; and when they obey that (commandment), then take from them. And fear the prayer of the wronged, for verily there is no veil between him and God. —Ibni ‘Abas, BU: MU: AB: TI: NA.
Pa far 3) The worst of feasts are the marriage feasts in which the rich are invited and the poor left out. —A‘raj. BU: MU: AB: MA. Eden es] Calling (upon God) is prayer. —Nu‘man b. Bashir,TI. AB: NA: IB: AH.
teeieo. | Let every one of you ask of his Lord all that he wants. : —Anas, TI.
A man came to the Prophet begging of him a rule of conduct. The Prophet said, ‘When thou standest up to 160 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD \ to pray, pray the prayer of him who has taken leave (of all), and speak not a word which thou mayest have to repent of to-morrow, and gather despair in regard to what is in the hands of men.’ —Abu-Ayyub al-Ansariy, AH. fi Fae] Ask forgiveness and security of God; for, verily, none has been given anything better than security after certainty {of faith).
—Abu-Bakr, TI: IB, Ask, and thou shalt be given it; ask, and thou shalt be given it..
—Ibni Mas‘ud, TI. eee The leaving off of prayer (makes the difference) be- tween infidelity and faith.
—Jabir, TI. lsd olivd The leaving off of prayer (makes the difference) be- tween man and polytheism.
—Jabir, MU: AB. BE bs ey Between the servant (of God) and infidelity stands the leaving off of prayer.
—Jabir, MU: AB: TI.
The covenant which is between us and the infidels is prayer; whose then leaves it, he (truly) disbelieves. —Buraydah, TI: NA: IB: AH.
SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD 161 [rc BS4> J The key of paradise is prayer, and the key of prayer is cleanliness. —Jabir, AH.
ta] God does not accept a prayer without purity, nor a Sadaqah* out of embezzled money. —Ibni ‘Umar, MU: TI.
fc feu,. | Verily, prayer profits because of what it brings down, and what it does not bring down. Enjoin prayer upon yourselves, O servants of God! —Ibni ‘Umar, TI: Mu‘adh b. Jabal, AH.
Briar | Shall I inform you of a work which will raise you to degrees of excellence, and will purify you in the sight of your King, and is better for you than the giving of coins and gold, and is better for you than that ye meet your enemies and strike off their necks?—It is the remembrance of God. —Abu-Darda‘, TI: MA, [oa'738ee J No prayer of a servant of God is unanswered so long as he prays not for sin or to cut off the ties of kinship, —Abu-Hurayrah, MU.
Your Lord is bashful and mighty: He is ashamed of (His) servant when he lifts up his hands (in prayer) to Him to return them empty. —Salman, TI: AB: BA.
11 162 SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD Ask God of His grace; for verily God loves that He should be asked; and the best of prayers is persevering patienly for its fulfilment.
[e Tadoy God does not cease to come up to a servant (of His) while he is at his prayer so long as he does not turn his attention otherwise; then does God withdraw and turn —Ibni Mas‘ud TI.
aside. —Abu-Dharr, AB: NA.
[Pcpa2a*] Ree ye straight on, although ye shall by no means. compute exactly; and know that the best of your works is prayer.
—Thauban, IB: MA: AHs DA.