(27) Chapter: Reverence towards the Sanctity of the Muslims

Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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". Commentary: The bond of brotherhood among the Muslims has been further strengthened by the list in this Hadith about the rights of Muslims on one another.

(28) Chapter: Covering Faults of the Muslims

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Every one of my followers will be forgiven except those who expose (openly) their wrongdoings. An example of this is that of a man who commits a sin at night which Allah has covered for him, and in the morning, he would say (to people): "I committed such and such sin last night,' while Allah had kept it a secret. During the night Allah has covered it up but in the morning he tears up the cover provided by Allah Himself." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: We learn from this Hadith that commission of a sin due to human frailties on which one is ashamed but does not like to express is something which might hopefully be forgiven by Allah. In fact, its remission after penitence is almost sure. But to commit a sin openly is totally different because, firstly, the heart of such a person is deprived of the fear of Allah. Secondly, he has no respect and regard for Divine injunctions. Thirdly, such a person usually does not repent his sins. Fourthly, he makes a declaration of breach of Divine injunctions which amounts to inviting His wrath and punishment.

(28) Chapter: Covering Faults of the Muslims

Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When a slave-girl commits fornication and this fact of fornication has become evident, she must be given the penalty of (fifty) lashes without hurling reproaches at her; if she does it again, she must be given the penalty but she should not be rebuked. If she does it for the third time, he should sell her, even for a rope woven from hair (i.e., something worthless)". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: If a slave-girl is guilty of fornication, she is liable to a punishment of fifty stripes, and this punishment can be given by her master. This Hadith is, in fact addressed to the master of such a slave-girl. The order that one should not censure and reproach her is perhaps based on the consideration that she may abstain from such a sin in future because politeness often proves more effective than reproach. If politeness proves ineffective and she commits that sin again then that slave-girl should be sold for cheap.

(28) Chapter: Covering Faults of the Muslims

Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: A man who had drunk wine was brought to the Prophet (ﷺ) and he asked us to beat him; some struck him with their hands, some with their garments (making a whip) and some with their sandals. When he (the drunkard) had gone, some of the people said: "May Allah disgrace you!" He (the Prophet (ﷺ)) said, "Do not say so. Do not help the devil against him". [Al-Bukhari]. Commentary: To imprecate a Muslim virtually amounts to helping Satan against him, because the latter is avowed to mislead people and to expose man to humiliation in this world and the Hereafter. Such people who believe that no Hadd punishment is fixed for drinking take support from this Hadith. They hold that its punishment is discretionary which can be increased or decreased according to the circumstances. But other learned men who hold that its Hadd is forty stripes argue that the incident quoted in this Hadith relates to the period when its Hadd had not been fixed. When the Prophet (PBUH) ordered the punishment of forty stripes for it then it became its prescribed Hadd. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) followed it during the period of his caliphate. `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) also applied it in the early years of his caliphate but subsequently raised its punishment to eighty stripes. The `Ulama' who maintain the punishment of forty stripes contend that the original Hadd was forty stripes and the additional forty stripes comprised discretionary punishment for which the Head of a state has full authority. If he feels, he can add discretionary punishment to the Hadd. The nature of this additional punishment depends on his discretion. The latter opinion seems to be more correct that Hadd is fixed for drinking and its punishment is not based on discretion. The Hadd for it is forty stripes but this Hadd can be increased by adding discretionary punishment to it. Allah knows best.

(29) Chapter: Fulfillment of the needs of the Muslims

Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who removes from a believer one of his difficulties of this world, Allah will remove one of his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and he who finds relief for a hard-pressed person, Allah will make things easy for him on the Day of Resurrection; he who covers up (the faults and sins) of a Muslim, Allah will cover up (his faults and sins) in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah supports His slave as long as the slave is supportive of his brother; and he who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allah makes that path easy, leading to Jannah for him; the people who assemble in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah, learning it and teaching, there descends upon them the tranquillity, and mercy covers them, the angels flock around them, and Allah mentions them in the presence of those near Him; and he who lags behind in doing good deeds, his noble lineage will not make him go ahead." [Muslim] Commentary: Besides other advantages mentioned in this Hadith, we learn the following from it: 1. It is an act of great merit to relieve a Muslim from his financial difficulty. 2. To strive for attaining religious knowledge is a highly meritorious act. 3. To recite the Noble Qur'an, make arrangement for its study and teaching, and hold meetings for the understanding and elucidation of the message of the Noble Qur'an are acts of great distinction and reward.

(31) Chapter: Making Peace among People

Making Peace among People Allah, the Exalted, says: "There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders Sadaqah (charity in Allah's Cause), or Ma`ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind.'' (4:114) "...and making peace is better.'' (4:128) "So fear Allah and adjust all matters of difference among you.'' (8:1) "The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers.'' (49:10) Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "On every joint of man, there is charity, on everyday when the sun rises: doing justice between two men is charity, and assisting a man to ride an animal or to load his luggage on it is charity; and a good word is charity, every step which one takes towards (the mosque for) Salat is charity, and removing harmful things from the way is charity". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: Almighty Allah has made human body flexible, that is to say, its parts have joints which enable him to make all kinds of movements. If human beings did not have these joints, it would not have been possible for its different parts to make movements which they do. Had it been so, one would not have been able to use various parts of his body as he likes. Thus, these joints are a valuable gift from Allah for which one should always be grateful to Him. In all, a person has three hundred and sixty joints in his body, as has already been stated in a Hadith narrated earlier. According to some Ahadith, two Rak`ah of Duha prayer (optional forenoon prayer) has been regarded sufficient for this purpose, while in others, it has been stated that if one cannot do anything else for expressing gratefulness to Allah, he should refrain from harming others as it is a form of Sadaqah.

(32) Chapter: Superiority of Poor, Weak and unrenowned Muslims

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "On the Day of Resurrection, there will be brought forth a bulky person whose value to Allah will be less than that of the wing of a mosquito". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith means that manifestation of power and splendour, which are considered so important for people in this world, will be of no value to Allah. In the Hereafter, Allah will judge a person by his Faith, devotion and piety. It is, therefore, essential that one should concentrate on the reformation of his own heart and mind.

(32) Chapter: Superiority of Poor, Weak and unrenowned Muslims

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Many a person with shaggy and dusty hair, dusty and driven away from doors (because of their poverty and shabby clothes) were to swear by Allah (that something would happen), Allah will certainly make it happen". [Muslim].

(32) Chapter: Superiority of Poor, Weak and unrenowned Muslims

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "None spoke in the cradle but only three (persons), Isa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary), the second one was the companion of Juraij who was a pious person. Juraij took a secluded monastery for worship and confined himself in it. His mother came to him as he was busy in prayer and she called: 'Juraij.' He said: 'My Rubb, my mother (is calling me while I am engaged in) my prayer.' He continued with the prayer. She returned and she came on the next day and he was (still) busy in prayer. She called: 'Juraij.' And he said: 'My Rubb, my mother (is calling me while I am engaged) in prayer, and he continued with the prayer,' and she returned. Then on the next day she again came while he was busy in prayer and called: 'Juraij.' And he said: 'My Rubb, my mother (is calling me while I am engaged) in my prayer.' And he continued with the prayer. She said: 'My Rubb, don't let him die until he has seen the faces of the prostitutes.' The story of Juraij and that of his meditation and prayer spread amongst Banu Israel. There was a prostitute who had been a beauty personified. She said (to the people): 'If you like, I can lure him to evil.' She presented herself to him but he paid no heed (to her). She came to a shepherd who lived near the temple and she offered herself to him. He (the shepherd) had sexual intercourse with her and so she became pregnant. When she gave birth to a baby she said: 'This is from Juraij.' So they came and asked Juraij to get down and demolished the temple and began to beat him. He asked them what the matter was. They said: 'You have committed fornication with this prostitute and she has given birth to a baby from you.' He said: 'Where is the baby?' They brought him (the baby) and then he said: 'Just leave me so that I should perform prayer.' He performed prayer and when he finished, he lifted the baby in his stomach and asked him: 'O boy, who is your father?' The baby answered: 'He is such and such a shepherd.' So, the people turned towards Juraij, kissed him and touched him (for seeking blessing) and said: 'We are prepared to construct your temple with gold.' He said, 'No just, rebuild it with mud as it had been,' and so they did". (The Prophet (ﷺ) continued:) "Then there was a baby who was sucking at his mother's breast when a person dressed in fine garment came on a priceless riding animal's back. His mother said: 'O Allah, make my child like this one.' He (the babe) left sucking and looked at him, and said: 'O Allah, don't make me like him.' He then returned to the breast and resumed sucking." He (Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: As though I can see Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as he is illustrating the scene of his sucking milk with his forefinger in his mouth and sucking that. He (Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)) further reported Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying, "There happened to pass by them a slave girl who was being beaten and they were saying: 'You have committed fornication and theft.' She was saying: 'Allah is enough for me and He is my Good Protector, and his mother said: 'O Allah, don't make my child like her.' He left sucking looked at her and said: 'O Allah! Make me like her.' It was followed by a conversation between the mother and the child. She said: 'A good looking man happened to pass by and I said: O Allah, make my child like him, and you said: O Allah, don't make me like him, and there passed a girl while they were beating her and saying: You committed fornication and theft, and I said: O Allah, don't make my child like her, and you said: O Allah, make me like her.' The child said: 'That man was a tyrant, and I said: O Allah don't make me like him; and they were saying about the girl: You committed fornication, whereas in fact she had not committed that and they were saying: You have committed theft, whereas she had not committed theft, so I said: O Allah, make me like her". [Al- Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith tells us of three babies who spoke in the cradle. All the three babies were from Banu Israel and their story is mentioned in Sahih Muslim in the story of Ashab-ul-Ukhdud. This Hadith proves the following points: 1. When a person is called by his parents while he is engaged in voluntary prayer, he should give priority to the call of parents. 2. A true Muslim has to pass sometimes through great trials. He must face them with patience and steadfastness because ultimately Almighty Allah helps the true believers. 3. One must avoid copying haughty people no matter how attractive their appearance is. One should try to emulate the virtuous people because true success lies in their conduct.

(33) Chapter: Benevolent Treatment towards Orphans, Girls, the Weak, the Poor and the Humble Persons

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who takes care of an orphan, whether he is his relative or a stranger, will be in Jannah with me like these two". The narrator, Malik bin Anas raised his forefinger and middle finger for illustration. [Muslim] Commentary: The Islamic system of welfare and economic security is not restricted to relatives only. It includes every orphan and needy. If Muslims put this system into practice, there will be no need for insurance - a system which is based on usury. May Allah enable the Muslims to adopt the teachings of Islam so that they will be relieved of the curse of the system of usury.

(33) Chapter: Benevolent Treatment towards Orphans, Girls, the Weak, the Poor and the Humble Persons

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A Miskin (needy) is not the one who can be turned away with a date-fruit or two, or a morsel or two. The true Miskin is one who, despite his poverty, abstains from begging". [Al- Bukhari and Muslim]. In another narration Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, " A Miskin is not the one who goes round begging from people and who can be turned away with a morsel or two, or a date-fruit or two. A true Miskin is he who does not find enough to suffice him, does not disclose his poverty so that he might be given alms, and does not stand up to beg". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith throws light on a very important problem relating to beggars who go door to door begging. They are, in fact, not poor because they accumulate a lot of wealth through small amounts which they collect every day. The real needy and poor are those who are not well-to-do, but their appearance and dress hide their poverty. Their self-respect does not permit them to make a request for help. The real purport of this Hadith is that it is the latter category of poor people, with a sense of self-respect, who should be given preference in financial help over the professional beggars because it is they who are really poor.

(33) Chapter: Benevolent Treatment towards Orphans, Girls, the Weak, the Poor and the Humble Persons

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "One who strives to help the widows and the poor is like the one who fights in the way of Allah." The narrator said: I think that he (ﷺ) added also: "I shall regard him as the one who stands up (for prayer) without rest and as the one who observes fasts continuously". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: Here the words `widow' and `poor' have been mentioned for example only while they cover the whole range of indigent, invalid and needy people. Efforts for their care, support and welfare has been regarded equivalent to Jihad. Islam has done full justice in supporting the helpless individuals and the entire poor class of the society by elevating the status of those who undertake this noble task to the level of Mujahidun. It makes it clear that worship is not restricted to prayers and fasting only but also covers every good deed. Thus, those who are always mindful of the weak and the poor and constantly strive for their welfare are engaged in perpetual worship.

(33) Chapter: Benevolent Treatment towards Orphans, Girls, the Weak, the Poor and the Humble Persons

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The worst food is the food of the marriage banquet from which those are left out who would like to come; and to which those are invited who refuse to come. He who rejects an invitation disobeys Allah and His Messenger". [Muslim]. In another narration Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The worst food is the food of the marriage banquet to which the rich are invited and from which the poor are left out". [Muslim]. Commentary: Our rich class has made Walimah (marriage banquet given by the bridegroom) a highly luxurious affair and a means of displaying wealth and richness. This excessive exaggeration of a simple feast has brought in its wake many religious, moral and social evils. In its present form, it is sheer extravagance and wastage which are satanic acts and those who do it are brothers of Satan. It is such a big loss and serious threat that if our rich class is left with any sense of religion, it should immediately abandon this extravagance which is escalating day by day. Its moral disadvantage is that one invites in this function only men of his own status and not the the poor, whereas the fact is that it is the latter who deserve to be invited because of their need, and not the former. Good manners also warrant that the needy should be given priority over the affluent. Its social disadvantage is that display of wealth on such occasions creates a sense of deprivation in the poor segments of society while what Islam teaches is the uplift, material and moral help, consolation and encouragement and respectable treatment of the poor. Instead of holding sumptuous feasts on Walimah, if the Muslims shift to one or two simple food items and invite the poor along with their friends and relatives, they not only save themselves from all the three evils mentioned above, but also prevent themselves from the accountability in the Hereafter; otherwise they will suffer loss in both the worlds. This Hadith exhorts the Muslims to participate in the Walimah ceremony but it is the kind of feast which is simple and in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

(34) Chapter: Recommendations with regard to Women

Recommendations with regard to Women Allah, the Exalted, says: "... and live with them honourably". (4:19) "You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire, so do not incline too much to one of them (by giving her more of your time and provision) so as to leave the other hanging (i.e., neither divorced nor married). And if you do justice, and do all that is right, and fear Allah by keeping away from all that is wrong, then Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'' (4:129) Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Take my advice with regard to women: Act kindly towards women, for they were created from a rib, and the most crooked part of a rib is its uppermost. If you attempt to straighten it; you will break it, and if you leave it alone it will remain crooked; so act kindly toward women". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. In another narration of Al-Bukhari and Muslim, Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "A woman is like a rib, if you attempt to straighten it, you will break it; and if you benefit from her, you will do so while crookedness remains in her". In another narration of Muslim, Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Woman has been created from a rib and will in no way be straightened for you; so if you want to benefit from her, you will benefit from her while crookedness remains in her. If you attempt to straighten her, you will break her, and breaking her is divorcing her". Commentary: The words (Istawso bi' nisa') mean, take care of your wives. Whatever is the formation of the words of the Hadith, it stresses the importance of kind treatment to wives because woman is not only weaker than man by nature, but also less intelligent. On account of his being more intelligent and having greater patience, man should be more forgiving in his dealing with her. The secret of a pleasant family life lies in this advice of the Prophet (PBUH) with its emphasis on kind treatment to wives.

(34) Chapter: Recommendations with regard to Women

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A believer must not hate (his wife) believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics he will be pleased with another". [Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith also contains a very wise counsel for a happy married life. It tells us that every person has certain good qualities as well as some shortcomings. Man has been advised here to overlook the shortcomings that he does not like in his wife and appreciate her good qualities. Similarly, a woman is advised to ignore the shortcomings of her husband and admire his good qualities.

(34) Chapter: Recommendations with regard to Women

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The believers who show the most perfect Faith are those who have the best behaviour, and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives". [At-Tirmidhi].

(35) Chapter: Husband's rights concerning his Wife

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When a man calls his wife to his bed, and she does not respond and he (the husband) spends the night angry with her, the angels curse her until morning". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. In another narration: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When a woman spends the night away from the bed of her husband, the angels curse her until morning". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. In another narration: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand is my life, when a man calls his wife to his bed, and she does not respond, the One Who is above the heaven becomes displeased with her until he (her husband) becomes pleased with her". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: This Hadith makes it abundantly clear that obedience of the husband is compulsory on the wife. If, in the absence of any lawful reason, she refuses to obey the orders of her husband, she will be liable to the Wrath and Curse of Allah until she returns to obedience. This Hadith has a stern warning for those women who do not care for the displeasure of their husbands because of their bad temperament, stubbornness and habit of dominating their husbands.

(35) Chapter: Husband's rights concerning his Wife

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "It is not lawful for a woman to observe (voluntary) fasting without the permission of her husband when he is at home; and she should not allow anyone to enter his house without his permission.". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Commentary: It lays down a principle for a wife that performing Nawafil (voluntary acts of worship) at the cost of the husband rights is not permissible.

(35) Chapter: Husband's rights concerning his Wife

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "If I were to order anyone to prostrate himself before another, I would have ordered a woman to prostrate herself before her husband". [At-Tirmidhi]

(36) Chapter: Sustentation of the Members of the Family

Sustentation of the Members of the Family Allah, the Exalted, says: "The father of the child shall bear the cost of the mother's food and clothing on a reasonable basis". (2:233) "Let the rich man spend according to his means, and the man whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him. Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him". (65:7) "And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah's Cause), He will replace it". (34:39) Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A dinar you spend in Allah's way, or to free a slave, or as a charity you give to a needy person, or to support your family, the one yielding the greatest reward is that which you spend on your family". [Muslim]. Commentary: A Muslim is ordained to spend first of all on the need of his wife and children and their food and clothes. There is greater reward for him in this because these expenses are obligatory on him while spending on other items is in the nature of Nawafil. Obviously, one cannot forego the former for the latter.