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

Mu'adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whenever a woman harms her husband in this world (that is without any due right), his wife among the (Houris in Jannah) says: 'You must not harm him. May Allah destroy you! He is only a passing guest with you and is about to leave you to come to us". [At-Tirmidhi]. Commentary: The Islamic Shari`ah commands men to treat their wives with kindness. In the same spirit it commands wives to be obedient to their husbands. She can hurt the feelings of her husband by using indecent language, immodest conduct, immoral actions and making unfair demands which are beyond his means. It is very common among women to tease and trouble their husbands by these three practices, except for pious women.

(38) Chapter: Urging one's kith and kin to Obey Allah and refrain from evils

'Amr bin Shu'aib reported on his father's authority that his grandfather (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Command your children to perform Salat (prayer) when they are seven years old, and beat them for (not offering) it when they are ten, and do not let (boys and girls) sleep together". [Abu Dawud]. Commentary: This Hadith highlights the following points: 1. The importance of the prescribed five daily Salat (prayers). 2. When warranted by the situation, it is permissible to beat children for their proper upbringing and education. But this should not be in any case violent and aggressive. It should rather be done in a manner that the child does not suffer any physical injury and receives the right type of training. It is an absurd theory that children should be given a free hand, and leave alone the corporal punishment, they should not even be rebuked on doing something wrong. Suitable punishment is essential for their proper training and education. 3. Muslim jurists have written that like Salat, other injunctions of Shari`ah should also be instilled in the minds of children, and if possible, they should also be given practical training for their performance. For instance, they should be made to observe Saum (fast) occasionally in accordance with their age and capacity during the month of Ramadan, so that the importance of obligation of fasting is impressed on their minds in an early age. This exercise will prove very fruitful when they attain maturity. They will then be conscious that for a Muslim, fasting in the month of Ramadan is compulsory like the five daily Salat. 4. A child generally does not attain maturity at the age of ten years, but nevertheless he does acquire some sense. It is, therefore, necessary that rather than putting children in one bed they are provided separate beds once they reach the age of 10, especially children of the opposite sex.

(38) Chapter: Urging one's kith and kin to Obey Allah and refrain from evils

Sabrah bin Ma'bad Al-Juhani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Teach a boy Salat (the prayer) when he attains the age of seven years, and punish him (if he does not offer it) at ten". [Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi]. The narration in Abu Dawud is: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Order a boy to perform Salat (the prayer) when he is seven years old" Commentary: Obviously only such teachers and parents can persuade the children to perform Salat who are themselves very strict about it. In the early period of Islam, one could not even think of a Muslim who ignored it. It is very unfortunate indeed that in the present-day Muslim societies, a large majority of Muslims are careless about this fundamental religious duty. In such a state of affairs who would instruct and persuade them to perform this religious obligation of the first order?

(39) Chapter: Rights of Neighbors

'Abdullah bin 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The best of companions with Allah is the one who is best to his companions, and the best of neighbours to Allah is the one who is the best of them to his neighbour". [At-Tirmidhi]. Commentary: Companion is a common word which covers companions in journey and stay. Muslims are ordained to treat all of them nicely. But one's neighbour has precedence over others. Nice treatment to him is the best means to attain a distinctive place with Allah.

(40) Chapter: Kind Treatment towards Parents and establishment of the ties of Blood Relationship

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I had a wife whom I loved but 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) disliked her. He asked me to divorce her and when I refused, 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) went to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and mentioned the matter to him. Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked me to divorce her. [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud]. Commentary: If parents' order to divorce one's wife is based on the principles of Shari`ah and morality, it must be obeyed, as is evident from this Hadith. If their order is founded on other factors, then one should try to convince them politely so that they agree with one's view on the issue. Here Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) loved his wife for love's sake, but his father `Umar bin Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) disliked her basing his decision on religious grounds. This is why the Prophet (PBUH) ordered Ibn `Umar to obey his father.

(40) Chapter: Kind Treatment towards Parents and establishment of the ties of Blood Relationship

Abud-Darda' (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to me and said, "I have a wife whom my mother commands me to divorce". I replied him that I had heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "A parent is the best of the gates of Jannah; so if you wish, keep to the gate, or lose it." [At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]. Commentary: The word "Walid,'' applies to mother as well as father. As the word "Walidain'' is a dual form and covers mother and father both; similarly the noun "father'', also applies to both. This Hadith also stresses that obedience of parents and submission to their order must have preference over the love for the wife as long as this order of theirs is fair and just.

(44) Chapter: Revering the Scholars and Elders, Preferring them to others and raising their Status

'Amr bin Shu'aib (May Allah be pleased with him)on the authority of his father who heard it from his father reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "He is not one of us who shows no mercy to younger ones and does not acknowledge the honour due to our elders". [At- Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud]. Commentary: The words "he is not one of us'' here mean that he is not following the way of the Prophet (PBUH). To show compassion to youngster means showing kindness and generosity to them. On the same principle, it is essential for the young that they respect the elders, the learned and the pious.

(45) Chapter: Visiting the Pious Persons, loving them and adoption of their company

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "Whosoever visits an ailing person or a brother of his to seek the Pleasure of Allah, an announcer (angel) calls out: 'May you be happy, may your walking be blessed, and may you be awarded a dignified position in Jannah". [At- Tirmidhi]. Commentary: This Hadith highlights the merit of visiting the sick and Muslim to gain the Pleasure of Allah.

(46) Chapter: Excellence and Etiquette of Sincere love for the sake of Allah

Mu'adh (bin Jabal) (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah, the Exalted, has said: 'For those who love one another for the sake of My Glory, there will be seats of light (on the Day of Resurrection), and they will be envied by the Prophets and martyrs". [At- Tirmidhi]. Commentary: This Hadith tells us that Allah will grant an exalted position to such people who love one another for His sake. "They will be envied by the Prophets and martyrs'' does not mean that they will be granted a place higher than even the Prophets because the highest position will be granted to the Prophets, as these are the best of Allah's creation. These words simply draw our attention to the superiority and the exalted position those who love one another for Allah's sake will have on the Day of Resurrection.

(46) Chapter: Excellence and Etiquette of Sincere love for the sake of Allah

Abu Karimah Al-Miqdad bin Ma'dikarib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When a man loves his brother (for Allah sake) let him tell him that he loves him". [At- Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud]. Commentary: The wisdom behind informing someone that one loves him for the sake of Allah, is to make him aware of the regard shown to him so that this will turn into mutual affection and will, therefore, promote cooperation with each other.

(50) Chapter: Fear (of Allah)

Abu Barzah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Man's feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earn it and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out." [At-Tirmidhi]. Commentary: 1. This Hadith first of all highlights the importance and value of this transitory life, every breath of which is invaluable. Not a moment of it should, therefore, be wasted in the disobedience of Allah because one shall also be made to account for it. 2. Man shall also be answerable for his knowledge. Here, we find an inducement for acquiring religious knowledge because that alone is beneficial for him. He should make use of his knowledge for winning the pleasure of Allah. If he does not do that then he must think about the justification for not doing so. He must also think how he would be facing Allah on the Day of Resurrection. 3. The question in respect of wealth raised in this Hadith clearly shows that one should earn wealth by legitimate means only and spend it strictly in a lawful manner. If he takes to unfair means of income or squanders it, he will be sinful and required to account for the violation of the Divine injunctions. 4. One should protect his body from everything that is unlawful and force himself to submit to the Divine injunctions. When he is asked to account for neglecting them, it will be difficult for him to escape the consequences of accountability. In short, this Hadith makes one conscious of the accountability so that one keeps it all the time in view so that he will be saved from humiliation on the Day of Resurrection. How nice would it really be if one bears the accountability of the Day of Resurrection always in mind!

(50) Chapter: Fear (of Allah)

Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "How can I feel at ease when the Angel of the Trumpet, (Israfil) has put his lips to the Trumpet and is waiting for the order to blow it". He (ﷺ) perceived as if this had shocked his Companions, so he (ﷺ) told them to seek comfort through reciting: 'Hasbunallah wa ni'mal-Wakil [Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)]". [At-Tirmidhi]. Commentary: 1. This Hadith tells us about the fear of Allah and the fright of the Hereafter entertained by the Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions. It has a lesson for us that how, in spite of being innocent and having the assurance of the forgiveness of Allah, they were always fearful of Allah and the horrors of the Day of Resurrection. As against them, we are immersed in sins, neglect and violate the Divine injunctions day and night but even then we have neither the fear of Allah nor the fright of the Day of Resurrection. 2. In the event of fear and anxiety one should seek the help of Allah and frequently recite the Verse of the Noble Qur'an "Hasbunallahu wa ni`mal Wakil'' [Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).]'' (3:173)

(50) Chapter: Fear (of Allah)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "He who is afraid of the pillage of the enemy, sets out in the early part of the night; and he who sets out early, reaches his destination. Be on your guard that the commodity of Allah is precious. Verily the commodity of Allah is Jannah". [At-Tirmidhi]. Commentary: Imam At-Taibi has stated that the Prophet (PBUH) mentioned this example for travellers to the Hereafter, because Satan is sitting on this passage and man's self and his false desires are his helpers. If a person is wide-awake in his travel and exercises caution in his activities, he is not only saved from the vices of Satan, but his own false desires also do not stand in his way. The Prophet (PBUH) also pointed out that the way to the Hereafter is very hard and littered with great impediments and obstructions and it is by no means easy to traverse it. Jannah is an invaluable gift and unless man gives the sacrifice of his life and wealth, he will not become eligible for entering it. "Allah has purchased the lives and properties of Muslims for Jannah". (Tuhfatul Ahwadhi). This Hadith encourages us to observe obedience of our Rubb and to spare no effort to desist from all acts of disobedience in order to achieve the lofty goal of entering Jannah, by Allah's Leave.

(52) Chapter: Excellence of Good Hopes

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah, the Exalted, has said: 'O son of adam, I forgive you as long as you pray to Me and hope for My forgiveness, whatever sins you have committed. O son of 'Adam, I do not care if your sins reach the height of the heaven, then you ask for my forgiveness, I would forgive you. O son of 'Adam, if you come to Me with an earth load of sins, and meet Me associating nothing to Me, I would match it with an earthload of forgiveness."' [At- Tirmidhi]. Commentary: 1. What it really means is that if sins of a Muslim, committed in ignorance and carelessness, become so numerous that in stacks touch the heights of skies, he should not lose hope in Allah's Mercy. If he repents wholeheartedly for his sins, makes penitence for them and begs Allah's forgiveness, he will certainly find Allah's Mercy open for him. 2. Shirk (polytheism) is an absolutely unpardonable sin. All other sins, how many and how grave they may be, can be forgiven by Allah. He will pardon them if He likes and send the sinful persons straight to Jannah, or keep them for a while in Hell and then shift them to Jannah. In any case, the punishment of Hell will not be eternal for them, as it is for the Mushriks (polytheist).

(54) Chapter: Excellence of Weeping out of Fear from Allah (swt)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "One who weeps out of fear of Allah, will not enter the Hell till milk returns back in the udder; and the dust raised on account of fighting in the path of Allah and the smoke of Hell will never exist together". [At- Tirmidhi]. Commentary: 1. A person who has such a fear of Allah that he weeps on account of it, cannot be disobedient to Allah. Obviously, his life will generally be spent in obedience of Allah and strict abstinence from sins. It is very true to say that it is as impossible for such a person to go to Hell as the return of milk to the udders. 2. Similarly, Jihad is a highly meritorious act for a Muslim. A Mujahid, who fights for the sake of Allah, is perfectly safe from Hell because the dust that falls on this way on him, cannot mix with the smoke of Hell.

(54) Chapter: Excellence of Weeping out of Fear from Allah (swt)

Abu Umamah Sudaiy bin 'Ajlan Al-Bahili (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Nothing is dearer to Allah than two drops and two marks: A drop of tears shed out of fear of Allah and a drop of blood shed in Allah's way. Regarding the two marks, they are: Marks left in the Cause of Allah and a mark left in observing one of the obligatory act of worship of Allah, the Exalted". [At-Tirmidhi]. Commentary: This Hadith mentions the merits of the following: 1. Weeping out of fear of Allah. 2. The blood which flows in the way of Allah. 3. The marks of injuries which are left on the bodies of those who take part in Jihad. 4. The marks of wounds received in the performance of obligations. The Ahadith on the subject are many. Al-`Irbad bin Sariyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day Messenger of Allah (PBUH) delivered us a very eloquent Khutbah on account of which eyes shed tears and hearts became softened. [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]. Commentary: Even in the relevant chapter, the author has only given a reference of this Hadith and not its full text. This has, however, been stated in chapter 16, bearing the title "Observing the Sunnah and the manners of its obedience".

(55) Chapter: Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life

Sahl bin Sa'd As-Sa'idi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "O Messenger of Allah, guide me to such an action which, if I do Allah will love me and the people will also love me." He (ﷺ) said, "Have no desire for this world, Allah will love you; and have no desire for what people possess, and the people will love you." [Ibn Majah] Commentary: "Zuhd'' (ascetism) does not mean renunciation of the world and obligations of life. What it really means is that one should be contented with what he possess and rid himself of greed. Islam neither permits renunciation of the world nor does it condemn genuine struggle to acquire wealth and riches. Therefore, involvement in worldly affairs and struggle for lawful means of livelihood are not against Zuhd. A person who is contented with the lawful means of income is a distinguished person as all his activities are exalted to the level of worship. Similarly, unconcern with the wealth and riches of others and ignoring them is a part of Zuhd and contentment. One additional advantage of it is that such a person wins the love and respect of the people because he who begs people, rather than Allah, has to suffer disgrace and is disliked by the people. The case of begging from Allah is just the opposite. The more a person begs Him, the more pleased He will be with him. In fact, He is displeased if someone does not beg Him. This has been exquisitely stated in an Arabic verse, the meaning of which is: "Do not stretch your hands before anyone for your needs, but beg from Him (Allah) whose door is always open"."If a person does not beg Him (Allah), He is displeased, while if one begs someone He becomes furious".

(55) Chapter: Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life

Sahl bin Sa'd (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Were this world worth a wing of mosquito, He would not have given a drink of water to an infidel." [At- Tirmidhi]. Commentary: This Hadith makes it clear that the world and its wealth and riches has no significance to Allah. Thus, it should not have much significance to the believers. It should be considered a means to reform the Afterlife, or a place of trial.

(55) Chapter: Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Verily! The world is accursed and what it contains is accursed, except remembrance of Allah and those who associate themselves with Allah; and a learned man, and a learning person." [At-Tirmidhi]. Commentary: 1. This Hadith does not mean that this world is totally condemned. What it really means is that such things of this world are cursed which take a person away from Allah and make him careless about his obedience. Thus, anything of this world can be good and evil. For instance, worldly goods are auspicious if one acquires them through lawful means and spends them in a permissible manner, otherwise, they are condemnable. Similar is the case of other things of this world. 2. That knowledge is good which brings one closer to Allah and is a source of benefit for mankind, otherwise, it is also condemnable. 3. This Hadith also brings into prominence the distinction of men of learning, especially scholars of religious disciplines.

(55) Chapter: Excellence of Leading an Ascetic Life, and Virtues of Simple Life

'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Do not crave for property lest you should be absorbed in the desire of worldly life." [At- Tirmidhi] Commentary: The word "Dai`ah'' translated here as "property'' means land, industry, agriculture or business. One should not be so engrossed in them to the extent that, they become the sole purpose of one's life and all one's efforts are exhausted to acquire them, thus forgetting all about the Hereafter. To the extent of one's genuine needs and selfsufficiency, making and maintaining of property, land, industry, agriculture and commerce come in permissible acts. None of them is forbidden provided the means employed for making and maintaining them are fair and do not distract one's attention from Allah and the Hereafter.