Pearls of Wisdom of the Salaf

[eesa the kiwi]

The Economic Crisis [Dunya]

It is reported that Ibrāhīm Al-Taymī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
What a great difference there is between you and those people [of the past, the Salaf]! Worldly wealth came to them but they fled from it, whereas the world turns its back on you and you go after it.
Ibn Al-Mubārak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqā`iq article 538.
It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
By Allāh, never was a person given an abundance of worldy wealth and then not feared this might be a plot against him [for his wrongdoing] except a person lacking intelligence and sound opinion. And never has Allāh held back worldy wealth from a person and that person has not thought that a good choice has been made for him except a person who [also] lacks intelligence and sound opinion.
Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Dham Al-Dunyā article 42.

['Abdullah]

Sulaymān b. Mūsā [d119H] – Allah have mercy on him – said:
When you fast, your hearing and sight should also fast, and your tongue should fast by keeping away from lies; and do not harm your servant. Don’t let the day you fast be the same as the day you don’t fast.
Tārīkh Dimishq Vol. 22 p389.

[MazharShafiq]

Allah The Most High says, "O Mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those before you so that you bay become Al-Muttaqoon (i.e. those who have taqwaa)." Al-Baqarah (2):21

And He said, "And I created not the Jinns and men except that they may worship Me (Alone)." Adh-Dhaariyaat (51):56

Allah Ta`aalaa also says in the Qur'aan: "Blessed be He in Whose Hand is the dominion, and He is able to do all things. Who has created death and life, that He may test which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving." Al-Mulk (67):1-2

These verses where revealed to us by Allah in order to inform us of why we are here on the Earth, what we should be doing and where we are heading. Not to benefit Himself, or because He needs our worship. Rather, because we are in need of Him.

Allah Ta`aalaa says, "O mankind! It is you who stand in need (who are poor) of Allah, but Allah is Rich (Free of all needs), Worthy of all praise." Faatir (35):15

What is meant by "to test which of you is best in deed"? Al-Fudayl Ibn `Iyyaad said, "The best deed is that which is most devoted and most proper." He was asked, "How should it be most devoted and most proper?", and he responded, "For if the deed was devoted but was not proper it would not be accepted, and if it was proper but was not devoted it would not be accepted; the devoted is to be for Allah alone, and the proper is to be in compliance with As-Sunnah."

[MazharShafiq]

عن محمد بن أبي عائشة رحمه الله قال

لا تكن ذا وجهين وذا لسانين تظهر للناس أنك تحب الله ويحمدونك وقلبك فاجر.


Muhammad bin Abī ‘Āishah رحمه الله said:


“Do not be one who is two faced or two tongued. You show the people that you love Allaah and they praise you, whilst your heart is wicked.”




٣٦٠/٥ شعب الإمان للبيهقي

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[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that ‘Abdullāh b. Masʿūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

This world (the dunyā) is [only taken as] a home by those who will have no real home [in Jannah], and it is the wealth of those who will have no real wealth, and it is gathered and collected for by those who have no real intelligence.

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Dhamm Al-Dunyā article 16.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Imām Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
To learn a single topic of knowledge and teach it to a Muslim is more beloved to me than having the whole world and giving it in the cause of Allāh.
Al-Khaṭīb Al-Baghdādī, Al-Faqīh wa Al-Mutafaqqih article 53.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Muhammad b. Al-Hanafīyah – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
Whoever has self respect does not give any value to the worldly life (dunyā).

Ibn Al-Jawzī, Sifatu Al-Safwah 2:77.

character, dunyā, zuhdMuhammad Ibn Al-Hanafīyah

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrī – Allāh have mercy on him – once said during the funeral of a man:

May Allāh have mercy on the man who works for the likes of this day; for today you are able to do what these brothers of yours, the residents of these graves, cannot do. So make full use of your health and free time before the day of distress and accounts comes upon you.

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Dhamm Al-Dunyā article 53.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Abū Bakr Al-Maṭū’ī said:
I sat in the circle of Abū ‘Abdillāh Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal for twelve years while he read the Musnad to his children, and I never wrote a single ḥadīth, I only looked at his behavior, character and etiquette.
Ibn Al-Jawzī, Manāqib Aḥmad, article 210.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Imām Aḥmad said, seeing the students of ḥadīth approaching with their ink-pots

:These are the lanterns of Islām.

Al-Khaṭīb Al-Baghdādī, Al-Jāmi’ li-Akhlāq Al-Rāwī, articles 508, 509, 512 .

[eesa the kiwi]

Al-Hasan al-Basree, raHimahullaah, said:

"Whoever learns something in the name of Allaah, seeking that which is with Him, he will win. And whoever learns something for other than Allaah, he will not reach the goal, nor will his acquired knowledge bring him closer to Allaah." [Related by Ibn ul Jawzee]

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

It has reached me that when Allāh the Mighty and Majestic blesses a people and gives them some good he asks them to be grateful. If they are grateful, He is all-able to give them more. But if they are ungrateful, He is all-able to turn His blessings into a punishment.


Al-Bayhaqī, Shu’ab Al-Imān article 4536.

[MazharShafiq]

According to ‘Abdu’llah ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be well pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “May Allah brighten a man who listened from us something and then passed it on to others exactly as he heard it because many a person to whom something is transmitted retains better than the person who first heard it.” [Related by at-Tirmidhi in as-Sunan, vol. 5, p. 34 # 2657; and Ibn Maja in as-Sunan, vol. 1, p. 85

[MazharShafiq]

According to ‘Abdu’llah ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be well pleased with him), Allah’s Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “May Allah keep him enjoying and rejoicing who heard something from me, remembered it and kept it well in his mind and then narrated it (to others).” [Reported by al-Imam ash-Shafi‘i in al-Musnad (p. 240) and ar-Risala (p. 401 # 1102); and at-Tabarani in al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir, vol. 2, p. 126

[MazharShafiq]

According to Abu Qarsafa (may Allah be well pleased with him), Allah’s Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) said: “Whatever you hear from me, narrate it to others and never say anything but truth. And whoever will fabricate a lie on me for him a house will be built in Hell.” [Reported by at-Tabarani in Turuq Hadith man Kadhaba ‘Alayya, p. 146 # 155; and in al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir, vol. 3, p. 18

[eesa the kiwi]

Ignorance and the Sword

It is reported that Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:One who acts without knowledge is like one who travels off the path; and the one who acts without knowledge corrupts more than he rectifies. So seek knowledge in a way that does not harm your worship, and seek to worship [Allāh] in a way that does not harm [your seeking of] knowledge. For verily, there were people (the Khawārij extremists) who sought to worship [Allāh] but abandoned knowledge until they attacked the Ummah of Muḥammad – Allāh’s praise and peace be upon him – with their swords. But if they had sought knowledge, it would not have directed them to do what they did.

Quoted by Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr, Jāmi’ Bayān Al-‘Ilm wa Faḍlihi article 905.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Imām Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

Al-Shāfi’ī saw me sitting in his circle, and there was some ink on my shirt I was trying to hide. He said, “Young man, why are you hiding it? Having ink on ones clothes is a sign of lofty conduct: to the sight it is black, but to the insight it is white (with the light of knowledge).”

It is reported that ‘Abdullāh b. Al-Mubārak – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

Ink on the clothes is the perfume of the scholars.

– Some put this in verse (from Arabic):

The ink-pot’s ink is the perfume of men
As saffron is the perfume of women
So the former befits the garments of those men
As the latter the garments of wives

It is reported that Imām Aḥmad said, seeing the students of ḥadīth approaching with their ink-pots:

These are the lanterns of Islām.

Al-Khaṭīb Al-Baghdādī, Al-Jāmi’ li-Akhlāq Al-Rāwī,

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Qatādah – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

Whoever has been given wealth, beauty, garments or knowledge and then is not humble will have severe repercussions on the Day of Resurrection.

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-Tawāḍuʿ Wa Al-Khumūl ḥadīth 90.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. ʿAbbās – Allāh be pleased with them – said:

Wear what you wish and eat what you wish, as long as you avoid two practices: extravagance and haughtiness.

Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf ḥadīth 26601.

['Abdullah]

Chosen Opportunities from Allah
It is reported from Ka’b Al-Aḥbār – Allāh have mercy on him – that he said:
Allāh chose from the months the month of Ramaḍān, from all the lands He chose Makkah, from the nights He chose Laylatu Al-Qadr (The Night of Decree), and chose the times for prayers; so a believer is always between two good deeds: one he has done and the other he is waiting to do.
Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyah Al-Awliyā` Vol.2 p458.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that the son of Al-Fuḍayl b. ‘Ayyāḍ – Allāh have mercy on him – said to his father:
Father! How sweet (beautiful) the speech of the Companions is! [Al-Fuḍayl] said, “Son, do you know why it was so sweet?” He replied, “No father, I do not.” He said, “Because they sought Allāh the Exalted when they spoke.”

Al-Bayhaqī, Shu’ab Al-īmān 2:299

[eesa the kiwi]

‘Umar Ibn ‘Abdil-‘Azeez (rahimahullah) said:“

Taqwaa is not fasting by day and standing for prayers by night. But taqwaa is to desert/leave what Allah has forbidden and to fulfill what He has commanded - and whoever puts forth goodness after that, then that is khair upon khair.”

(Jaami’ ‘Uloom Wal Hikam, by Ibn Rajb p. 170)

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Imām Muḥammad b. Sīrīn – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

There were people who abandoned knowledge and sitting with the scholars, and [instead] took to their chambers and prayed until their skin dried [from exertion in worship]. Thereafter they began to contradict the Sunnah and thus were destroyed. By Allāh, never does a person act without knowledge, except that he spoils and corrupts more than he fixes and rectifies.

Al-Aṣbahānī, Al-Targhīb wa Al-Tarhīb 3:98

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Imām ‘Abdullāh b. Al-Mubārak – Allāh have mercy on him – was asked:
“Who are the [best] people?”
He replied, “The scholars.”
He was asked, “Who are the [real] kings?”
He replied, “the ascetics.”
He was asked, “And who are the dregs [of society]?”
He replied, “Those who use their religion as a means of devouring [wealth].”
He was asked, “Who are the rabble?”
He replied, “Khuzaymah b. Khāzim and his companions.”
And he was asked, “And who is the low person?”
He replied, “The one who talks about the rise in prices to his guest.”
Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-‘Ilm 2:181.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
The believer does the best deeds yet is most fearful [that his deeds will not be accepted]. If he were to spend a mountain of wealth [in charity], he would not feel sure [of the reward] until he sees it. The more righteous and pious he becomes, the more he fears. But the hypocrite (munāfiq) says, ‘There are so many people, I will be forgiven, no problem.’ So he does wrong and evil deeds, yet holds foolish wishes about Allāh.
Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` 4:586.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyād – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
Two things harden the heart, too much talking and too much food.
Ibn Hibbān Al-Bustī, Rawdatu Al-‘Uqalā` p45, Matba’ah Al-Sunnah Al-Muhammadīyah 1949.

[eesa the kiwi]

Is-haaq ibn Abi Israaeel said: I heard Sufyaan ibn `Uyainah (rahimahullah) saying:

“There is no blessing, which Allaah bestowed upon His slaves, better than what He taught them about “Laa ilaaha illAllaah” (There is no deity worthy of being worshiped except Allaah). For verily “Laa ilaaha illAllaah” for them in the Hereafter will be like how water is for the people of the Dunyaa.”

Tahdheeb Al-Kamaal by Al-Mizzee (11/191)]

[eesa the kiwi]

Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (radi Allah) would write to his governors during his caliphate and say:

“The most important of your affairs in my view is prayer; whoever prays regularly has protected his faith, but whoever neglects it, is bound to be more negligent in other issues of faith.”

(At-Taareeqah Al-Hakamiyah, p.240)

[eesa the kiwi]

Umar b. Al-Khattāb – Allāh be pleased with him – said:
Verily, the followers of opinion are the enemies of the Sunan (the teachings of Allāh’s Messenger as passed down in hadith): they were unable to preserve them and their meanings escaped them, and when asked [questions] they were too embarrassed to say ‘We don’t know,’ so they opposed the Sunan with their opinions.
Ibn Abī Zamanīn, Uṣūl Al-Sunnah article 8; Al-Lālakā`ī, Sharḥ Uṣūl I’tiqād Ahl Al-Sunnah article 201 et al.

[eesa the kiwi]

A Treatment for Egotism

It is reported that Imām Al-Shāfi’ī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
If you fear becoming deluded and impressed by your deeds then remember whose pleasure you are seeking, and the joy (Paradise) in which you want to be, and what punishment you fear. Whoever thinks about these things will diminish his deeds.
Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` 10:42.

[eesa the kiwi]

Salmān Al-Fārsī – Allāh be pleased with him – once visited a sick friend. When he entered upon him he said:
Have glad tidings, for verily Allāh makes the illness of a believer an expiation [for his sins] and a cause of being pleased, whereas the illness of a sinner is like a camel that has been tied by its owners, then released by them: it knows not why it was tied up nor why it was released.
Al-Bukhārī, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad in the Chapter on the Expiation [of sins through] illness. Graded ṣaḥīḥ by Shaykh Al-Albānī in Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Adab Al-Mufrad.

[eesa the kiwi]

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala says:

“So compete in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allaah; then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ”
[Al Maidah 5:48].

Hasan Al Basri rahimahullah said:

"Whoever competes with you in religious commitment, compete with him, and whoever competes with you in worldly matters, give it up to him".

[Ihya Uloom Deen 4/369]

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that ‘Awn b. ‘Abdillāh – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
Those before you used to give to their worldly affairs what was left over from their pursuit of the hereafter. But today, you give to the matters of the hereafter the left-overs from your pursuit of worldly affairs.
Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyat Al-Awliyā` 10:242.

[eesa the kiwi]

A Morning with the Salaf

It is reported that Imām Al-Awzā’ī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
At the time of Fajr, or a while before it, the Salaf would be as if birds were sitting on their heads: (still ) concentrating on themselves [and their worship], so much so that even if one of their closest friends came to them after having been parted from them, they would not notice him. They would remain in this state until just before sunrise. Then, they would meet each other and sit in the circles. The first thing they would discuss is the matter of their afterlife and what would become of them in the hereafter. Then they would begin the circles of Quran and Fiqh study.
Ibn ‘Asākir, Tārīkh Dimishq 35:184, 185.

[eesa the kiwi]

Two Days and Two Nights like no others

It is reported that Anas b. Mālik – Allāh be pleased with him – said:
There are two days and two nights the likes of which no one has ever heard of before: the Day on which you will receive the news about Allāh the Exalted: whether you will receive His punishment or His mercy, the Day you will be given your book (of deeds): either in your right hand or your left, that [first] night you will spend alone in your grave, a night like no other you have spent, and that night on the morning of which will be the Day of Resurrection, after which there will be no more night.
Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-‘Ilm article 19.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Al-Sha’bī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:Allāh the Exalted distinguished Abū Bakr Al-Ṣiddīq – Allāh be pleased with him – with four qualities He did not distinguish anyone else with: He called him Al-Ṣiddīq (the true believer), and He never named anyone else Al-Ṣiddīq; [Abū Bakr] was the companion of Allāh’s Messenger – praise and peace of Allāh be upon him – in the cave, and his companion during the Migration (Al-Hijrah); and Allāh’s Messenger – praise and peace of Allāh be upon him – told him to lead the prayer in the presence of the rest of the Muslims.Abu Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-‘Ilm article 2815.

[eesa the kiwi]

Ibn Mubarak: "One is learned as long as he seeks knowledge, as soon as he thinks himself a scholar, he become ignorant"


[al-Mujaalasah p. 56]

[eesa the kiwi]

Troubled Times [corrupt scholars]

Mālik b. Dīnār – Allāh have mercy on him – once said:
Verily you are in greatly troubled times. Only one with true insight knows the times you live in. Verily you are in a time of [people] boasting and being proud. ^[1] Their tongues are swollen in their mouths, and they seek worldly gain through the deeds of the hereafter. So be warned against them for yourselves, lest they catch you in their nets. O scholar, you are a scholar yet you devour [wealth] with your knowledge. O scholar, you are a scholar yet you boast with your knowledge. O scholar, you are a scholar yet you seek to amass [wealth] with your knowledge. O scholar, you are a scholar yet you transgress [against others] with your knowledge. If you had truly sought this knowledge for Allāh, it would have been seen on you and in your deeds.
[1] The word in some reports is tafākhur (boasting and being proud) but in some other versions, other somewhat ambiguous words are found in its place.
Abū Bakr Al-Ājurrī, Kitāb Al-‘Ālim Al-Jāhil article 73 et al.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Abū Hurayrah – Allāh be pleased with him – used to say about the house in which the Qur’ān is recited:
It becomes spacious for its inhabitants, the good of it becomes plentiful, the angels come to it and the devils leave it. And the house in which the Qur’ān is not recited becomes cramped for its inhabitants, has little good in it, and the devils come to it.
Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf articles 30645, 30647 and 30650.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Abū Hurayrah – Allāh be pleased with him – used to say:
Whoever does not think that his speech is part of his deeds and that his character is part of his religion will be destroyed without even realizing.
Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā Dham Al-Kadhib wa Ahlī article 94.

[Nitro Zeus]

It is reported that Abū Hurayrah – Allāh be pleased with him – used to say:
Whoever does not think that his speech is part of his deeds and that his character is part of his religion will be destroyed without even realizing.
Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā Dham Al-Kadhib wa Ahlī article 94.

Greetings essa,

I would like to inform you about the term Salafi which you have used. I used to think that Salafi Islam is the oldest sect of Islam. But after I have googled about it. I find very shocking news. I have found that Salafi Islam is a movement that came from Egypt in 17 century and now that movement is corrupted just like Wahhabi.

So, I don't think it would be a good idea to say "the way of Salafi", because it would actually mean to say the way of Wahhabi. Which I'm preaty sure that Wahhabi is an intolerant and corrupted sect.

So practically, the modern day Salafi is Wahhabi based on my understanding. So, watch out for the Wahhabis and the term Salafi.

[eesa the kiwi]

Greetings essa,

I would like to inform you about the term Salafi which you have used. I used to think that Salafi Islam is the oldest sect of Islam. But after I have googled about it. I find very shocking news. I have found that Salafi Islam is a movement that came from Egypt in 17 century and now that movement is corrupted just like Wahhabi.

So, I don't think it would be a good idea to say "the way of Salafi", because it would actually mean to say the way of Wahhabi. Which I'm preaty sure that Wahhabi is an intolerant and corrupted sect.

So practically, the modern day Salafi is Wahhabi based on my understanding. So, watch out for the Wahhabis and the term Salafi.

The salaf are the first three generations of Islam. These quotes are from them.

[eesa the kiwi]

The Best of then and Now

It is reported that Mujāhid – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
Those who strive and exert themselves (al-mujtahid) amongst you today are like those who used to play around amongst those before you.
Wakī’ b. Al-Jarrāh, Al-Zuhd article 221.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that ‘Alī b. Abī Tālib wrote to Salmām Al-Farsī – Allāh be pleased with them both – saying:

The likeness of this worldly life (dunyā) is that of a snake: soft to the touch, it will kill you with its poison. So turn away from what impresses you of it, since what stays with you is so little. And do not be concerned about it, since you are certain about its parting. And be most happy in it when you are most heedful of it; for every time its companion takes solace in one of its delights, it gives way to one of its woes.Was-Salām.


Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Kitāb Al-Zuhd article 164.

[eesa the kiwi]

This life in brief

It is reported that some people asked ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib – Allāh be pleased with him – to describe this worldly life (the dunyā). He said:
Do you want a long description or a brief one? They replied, “a brief one.” He said, “Its permissible things (ḥalāl) [lead to] accounts being taken from you, and its forbidden things (ḥarām) [lead to the] Fire.
Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Dham Al-Dunyā article 17.

[eesa the kiwi]

Abd Al-Raḥmān b. Mahdī reports:
I entered upon Mālik b. Anas when a man was asking him about the Qur`ān. [Imām Mālik] said, “Perhaps you are a companion of Amr b. ‘Ubayd. May Allāh curse ‘Amr, for he was the one who innovated this bid’ah of Kalām . If Kalām was knowledge, the Companions and their Followers would have spoken it, like they spoke about the regulations and laws [of Islam]. But [Kalām] is falsehood that leads to falsehood.”
Abul-Faḍl Al-Muqri`Al-Rāzī, Aḥādīth fī Dham Al-Kalām wa Ahlihī p96.
Al-Harawī, Dham Al-Kalām wa Ahlihī no.874.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that ‘Abdullāh b. Mas’ūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

"This world (the dunyā) is [only taken as] a home by those who will have no real home [in Jannah], and it is the wealth of those who will have no real wealth, and it is gathered and collected for by those who have no real intelligence."

[Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Dhamm Al-Dunyā article 16]

[eesa the kiwi]

True Goodness

It is reported that ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib – Allāh be pleased with him – said:
Goodness is not in your wealth and offspring being plentiful; true goodness is when your [good] deeds are plenty and you have great understanding and forbearance, and when you compete to worship your Lord. If you do good you praise Allāh and thank Him, and if you sin you beg Allāh’s forgiveness. There is no good in this life except with two types of men: A man who sins but then corrects himself through repentance, and a man who strives and hastens to get [the good] of the hereafter.
Ibn ‘Asākir, Al-Tawbah article 13.

[eesa the kiwi]

The Sunnah vs. What People Do

It is reported that:

ʿAbdullāh b. Al-Ḥasan used to often sit with Rabīʿah. One day they were revising and studying various practices from the Sunnah when a man in the gathering said, “[But] this is not what is practiced [by the people].” ʿAbdullah said, “So if the ignorant become so numerous that they become the rulers and judges, will they then be a proof over the Sunnah?” Rabīʿah said, “I bear witness that these are the words of the sons of the Prophets.”

Al-Khaṭīb Al-Baghdādī, Al-Faqīh wa Al-Mutafaqqiharticle 384.

['Abdullah]

Will Allah Punish Me for Praying? [Bidah]
Imām Sa’īd b. Al-Musayyib – Allāh have mercy on him – once saw a man praying more than two rak’ah after sunrise the beginning of Fajr, making many bows and prostrations, and so he forbade him. The man said, “O Abu Muḥammad, is Allāh going to punish me for praying?” Sa’īd said, “No, but He will punish you for contradicting the Sunnah.”
Al-Bayhaqī, As-Sunan Al-Kubraa 2:466. graded ṣaḥīḥ by Shaykh Al-Albānī. See Irwā Al-Ghalīl 2:236.

Shaykh Al-Albānī writes:

This is one of the superb answers given by Sa’īd b. Al-Musayyib – Allāh have mercy on him. It is a strong weapon against heretics (mubtadi’ah) who recommend many different types of religious innovation in the name of them being dhikr and prayer. They then criticize the followers of the Sunnah for criticizing them, and accuse them of censuring dhikr and prayer, when in fact [Ahl Al-Sunnah] are only criticizing the contravention of the Sunnah in matters such as dhikr and prayer.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is narrated that ‘Uthmān b. ʿAffān – Allāh be pleased with him – said in a sermon:
Son of Adam! Know that the angel of death who has been assigned to you has not ceased to pass you and move on to others, ever since you have been in this world. But it is as if he is about to pass someone else and move on to target you, so be careful and prepare for him (by correcting your deeds). And do not forget him, for he does not forget you. And know o son of Adam, if you are heedless about yourself and do not prepare, no one else will prepare for you. You must meet Allah the Mighty and Majestic, so take for yourself and do not leave it to someone else. Peace be on you.
Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-ʿIlm 2: 73, 74.

[eesa the kiwi]

The Integrity of a Man and his Prayer

It is reported that Abū Al-‘Āliyah – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
I would travel for days to a man to hear [knowledge/ḥadīth ] from him, and the first thing I would check about him is his prayer: if he performed it properly I would stay and hear [knowledge] from him, but if he neglected it, I would return without hearing from him, and I would say, ‘He will be even more neglectful of other matters.’
Al-Khaṭīb Al-Baghdādī, Al-Riḥlah fī Ṭalab Al-Ḥadīth article 22; Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` 4:209.

[eesa the kiwi]

The Age of Knowledge

It is reported that Ayyūb Al-Sakhtiyānī was asked:Is knowledge today greater or lesser [in amount]? He replied, “There is more speech today, but there was more knowledge in the past.”

Al-Fasawī, Al-Ma’rifah wa Al-Tārīkh 2:136.

['Abdullah]

An Insult with a Gift [Backbiting]
It is reported that ‘Abd Al-Rahmān b. Mahdī – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “If it were not for the fact I hate that Allah is disobeyed, I would have wished that no one remain in this city except that he had spoken ill of me and backbitten me; for what is nicer than a good deed a man finds in his records on the Day of Resurrection without having done a thing or even having known?”
Abū Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyā` 4:45.
Notes
This is a reference to a person who has been backbitten receiving good deeds on the Day of Judgment from the person who backbit him and didn’t repent and make amends, as mentioned in some narrations from the Prophet – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. The narration reminds us of the dire consequences of backbiting others: your good deeds may go to them if you don’t repent and make up for what you have done. It also provides assurance for those who have been backbitten: if left wronged in this life, they will be given good deeds in the hereafter as compensation and justice will be done.

[eesa the kiwi]

No poverty after Paradise and no wealth in the Fire

It is reported that Jundub b. ‘Abdillāh Al-Bajalī – Allah be pleased with him – was once asked for advice and instruction. He said:

I advise you to fear Allāh and obey Him (taqwā) and I advise you to adhere to the Quran, for it is a light in the dark night and a guidance during the day, so implement it no matter how much struggle and poverty you have to face. If a calamity befalls you, put your wealth forward to protect your religion, and if the calamity continues, put forward your wealth and your life to save your religion [but never risk your religion], for the ruined is he whose religion is ruined, and the looted is he whose religion is taken. And know that there is no poverty after Paradise, and no riches after the Fire.

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` 3:174.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Al-Ḥasan b. Al-Ḥasan b. ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib – Allāh have mercy on him – said to a person from the Rāfiḍah:
Love us, but if we disobey Allāh, then hate us; for if Allāh was going to benefit anyone because of his relation to the Messenger of Allāh – peace and blessings be upon him, without obedience [to Allāh], He would have benefitted the mother and father [of the Prophet].
Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` 4:486.

['Abdullah]

Who Are The Saved Sect?

Describing the saved sect, the Messenger of Allaah said, they are

• “What I and my companions are upon.” [At-Tirmidhee 2792]
• “The Jamaa’ah.”
• “As-Suwaad Al-A’dham (the main body).”

‘The main body’ here does not refer to the great majority of people in every age and era, rather this is specific for the era of the Companions and the Taabi’een (those whom the Messenger of Allaah praised).
And furthermore, that person is from the Jamaa’ah who agrees and conforms to the truth, even if he is alone:
Ibn Mas’ood (d. 32H) said:

The jamaa’ah is whatever agrees with the truth – even if you are alone.” [Reported in Taareekh Dimashq with an authentic chain of narration]

Ishaaq Ibn Raahawaih (d. 238H), the teacher of Imaam Bukhaaree, said:

If you were to ask the ignorant people about the ‘Main Body’ they would say, ‘The majority of people.’ They do not know that the jamaa’ah is the scholar who clings to the narrations from the Prophet (saw) and his way. So whoever is with the him (the scholar) and follows him, then he is the Jama’ah.[Aboo Nu’aym in Hilyatul Awliyaah]

https://theauthenticbase.wordpress.c...he-saved-sect/

[eesa the kiwi]

Al-Bukhārī reports that ʿUmar – Allāh be pleased with him – came to the Black Stone (performing ṭawāf, circumambulation), kissed it, and said, “I know that you are a stone, you do not cause benefit or harm; and if it were not that I had seen Allāh’s Messenger – peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him – kiss you, I would never have kissed you.”
Al-Bukhārī, Al-Ṣaḥīḥ, Chapter on what has been said about the Black Stone.

[Caplets]

Imām (Sufyān) ath-Thawrī said, “If you see a scholar with many friends,then know that he is confused, because if he spoke the truth, then they would hate him.” [Faydh al-Qadīr (4/274)]

[eesa the kiwi]

Accept the truth, whoever it comes from

It is reported that a man came to ʿAbdullāh b. Mas’ūd – Allāh be pleased with him – and asked, “Teach me some comprehensive and beneficial words.” He replied, “Worship Allāh and do not associate any partners with Him, and be with the Qur’ān wherever it is. And whoever comes to you with some truth – whether he is young or old, even if he is hated by you – then accept [that truth]. And whoever comes lying to you – even if he is beloved and close – then reject it from him.”
Abū Bakr Al-Kharā`iṭī, Masāwī Al-Akhlāq wa Madhmūmihā p72.

[MazharShafiq]

Ibn Shihāb reports:

‘Umar b. ‘Abd Al-‘Azīz – Allah have mercy on him, said, “The Messenger of Allāh – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him – and the authorities (leaders of the Muslims, the Caliphs ) after him set certain ways and practices. To follow those ways is to believe in Allāh’s Book and to complete [ones] obedience of Him, and to be strong upon the religion of Allāh. It is not for anyone to alter those ways or change them for something else, and it is not for anyone to consider the views and opinions of those who contradict them. Whoever follows what [the Prophet and his Caliphs] laid down will be guided, whoever seeks enlightenment through it will be enlightened. But whoever contradicts those ways and follows a way other than the way of the Believers, Allāh the Mighty and Majestic will leave him in the path he has chosen and land him in Jahannam (Hell); and what an evil destination that is.'”

Al-Lālakā`ī, Sharḥ Uṣūl I’tiqād Ahl Al-Sunnah 1:94.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Al-Awzāʿī said:

Follow the narrations [ways] of those who have preceded (the Salaf) even if people reject you; and beware of people’s opinions, even if they beautify them for you.

Al-Ājurrī, Kitāb Al-Sharīʿah 1:138; Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr, Jāmiʿ Bayān Al-ʿIlm wa Faḍlihi 3:373.

[eesa the kiwi]

The Disease of this Ummah and its Doctor

It is reported that Sufyān Al-Thawrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “Wealth is the disease of this Ummah, and the scholar is the doctor of this Ummah. So if the doctor brings the disease to himself, how will he cure the people?”
Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā`, Vol. 7 p243.

The Disease of this Ummah and its Doctor - Sayings of the Salaf It is reported that Sufyān Al-Thawrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “Wealth is the disease of this Ummah, and the scholar is the doctor of this Ummah....

[eesa the kiwi]

The Weight of the Quran

It is reported that Ibn ʿUmar – Allāh be pleased with him – said, “We were the beginning [the heads] of this Ummah, and perhaps a man from the best of the Companions of Allāh’s Messenger – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him – and the most righteous amongst them could maintain only one chapter of the Qur`ān or thereabouts. For the Qur`ān was weighty upon them, and they were given knowledge of it or action based on it. But the last of this Ummah will find the Qur`ān light [and easy] – the child and the non-Arab will recite it, without possessing any knowledge about it.”
Al-Harawī, Dhamm Al-Kalām wa Ahlihī Vol. 5 p144.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Shurayḥ – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “If I am afflicted with a calamity, I praise Allāh for it four times: I praise Him because it wasn’t worse than it was, I praise Him when He gives me the patience to bear it, I praise Him for enabling me to say al-istirjā’ (‘To Allāh we belong and to him we will return’; see Al-Baqarah: 154-156 ) in hope of a great reward, and I praise Him for not making it a calamity in my religion.”
Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā`, in his biography of Shurayḥ Al-Qāḍī.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that the last sermon ʿUmar b. ʿAbd Al-‘Aziz – Allāh have mercy on him – delivered was as follows:
He praised Allāh and said, “You were not created in vain, nor will you be left without purpose. Verily, you have an appointed time in which Allāh – the Most High – will come down to judge you. Wretched and ruined will he be who leaves the mercy of Allāh and is denied a Garden whose width is that of the heavens and Earth. Know you not that no one will be safe tomorrow save one who is wary of today and fears it; and sells the transitory for what will remain, and the little for the plenty, and fear in exchange for security [in the hereafter]? See you not that you are in the loins of the dead, to be taken by those who remain after you, until all matters return to the Best of Inheritors? Every day, [in the funerals] you accompany those returning to Allāh the Mighty and Sublime, having spent their time, until you hide them in a crevice in the ground, in the belly of a bare and unfurnished hole, having parted from their loved ones, stroking the dirt and facing their accounts. Now, they are dependent on their deeds, free of what they left behind, in need of [the deeds] they put before them. So fear Allāh before the time He appointed is up and death descends upon you. This is what I have to say.” He then lifted the edge of his garment over his face and wept profusely, and made everyone around him weep.
Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-‘Ilm Vol. 3 p343.

['Abdullah]

Sinning in the Time of Calamities
It is reported that Al-Nuʿmān b. Bashīr – Allāh be pleased with him – said during a sermon he was delivering in Homs:
Total destruction lies in doing bad deeds during a time of calamity and tribulation.
Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-ʿUqūbāt article 327.

['Abdullah]

Four Corruptions
It is reported that Muʿādh b. Jabal – Allāh be pleased with him – said:
“O people, there are four characteristics to come, whoever can avoid reaching them should do so.”
[People] asked, “And what are they?” He replied:

1. There will come a time in which falsehood will rise
2. And a time will come in which a man will say, ‘By Allāh, I do not know what I am’, he will neither live nor die upon insight (knowledge of what he should be).
3. And a time will come in which a man will start his day on one religion and end it on another.
4. And a time will come when a man will be given wealth from the wealth Allāh provides, in return for saying what is wrong and false and for which Allāh will be angry with him.

Ibn ʿAsākir, Tārīkh Dimishq 58:442

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Imām Layth b. Sa’d – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “Even if I saw a heretic (follower of bid’ah) walk on water, I would not accept him.” This was reported to Imām Al-Shāfi’ī – Allāh have mercy on him, to which he replied, “He didn’t go far enough. Rather, if I saw one walk in the air, I would not accept him.”
Al-Lālakā`ī, Sharh Usūl ‘I’tiqād Ahl Al-SunnahVol.1 p228; Ibn Battah, Al-Ibānah Al-Kubrā Vol2. P175; Ibn Al-Jawzī, Talbīs Iblīs p14 – with slightly variant wordings.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Ayyūb Al-Sakhtiyānī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

Whoever loves Abū Bakr has upheld the religion, whoever loves ‘Umar has made the way clear, whoever loves ‘Uthmān is enlightened by the light of Allāh, and whoever loves ‘Alī has taken the firmest handhold. Whoever speaks well of the Companions of Allāh’s Messenger – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him – is clear of hypocrisy (nifāq), but whoever belittles any one of them or dislikes [any one of them] for something he did, then he is a heretic (mubtadi’), an opponent of the Sunnah and the Righteous Predecessors (the Salaf), and it is feared that none of his deeds will be raised to the heavens until he loves all of [the Companions] and his heart is clear towards them.

Ibn Abī Zamanīn, Uṣūl Al-Sunnah article 189.

[eesa the kiwi]

Mu’āwiyah b. Qurrah reports that Abū Al-Dardā` used to say, “We ask Allāh for a lasting faith (īmān), true certainty and beneficial knowledge.” Mu’āwiyah b. Qurrah then said, “So this indicates that there is a type of faith that does not last, and a type of certainty that is not true, and a type of knowledge that is not beneficial.”

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibānah Al-Kubrā Vol. 2 p498.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Abū Al-Dardā` – Allāh be pleased with him – used to say, “Learn knowledge before it is taken way, and it is taken away by its people (scholars) being taken away. The scholar and the student are partners in good and there is no good in any other people. The richest of men is the knowledgeable man whose knowledge is needed: he benefits those who need him and if done without, he benefits himself with the knowledge Allāh ‘azza wa jalla has placed with him. So how is it I see your scholars dying yet the ignorant amongst you not learning? I fear that the predecessor will depart and the successor will not learn. If the scholar studies, he only increases in knowledge, and he does not take anything away from knowledge. And if the ignorant studies, he will find knowledge firm and established. So how is it that I see you full up with food, yet starved of knowledge?”
Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr, Jāmi’ Bayān Al-‘Ilm wa FadlihiVol. 2 p233.

[eesa the kiwi]

Patience, Asceticism, Prudence and HumblenessIt is reported on the authority of Ibrāhīm b. Al-Ash’ath that he said, “I asked Al-Fudayl b. ʿAyyāḍ – Allāh have mercy on him – about patience (al-sabr) in the face of adversity and he said, ‘It is to not broadcast it.’ I asked him about asceticism (al-zuhd) and he said, ‘Al-zuhd is to be content with what you have, and that is what it means to be rich.’ I asked him about prudence (al-wara’) and he said, ‘It is to stay away from what is forbidden.’ And I asked him about humbleness (al-tawādu’) and he said, ‘It is when you submit to the truth and comply no matter who you hear it from; even if it was from the most ignorant of people, you would be required to accept it from him.’”

Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr, Jāmi’ Bayān Al-‘Ilm wa FadlihiVol. 1 p498.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Muhammad Al-Bāqir – Allāh have mercy on him – said,

“Never does any pride enter the heart of a man except that his intelligence decreases by the same amount.”Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā`,

in his biography of Muhammad Al-Bāqir.Muhammad b. ‘Alī b. Husayn b. ‘Alī b. Abī Tālib, known as Al-Bāqir, was the great-great grandson of the Prophet – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him.

[eesa the kiwi]

Intelligence in Action

It is reported that Sufyān b. ‘Uyainah – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “The intelligent person is not one who merely knows what is good and what is bad. The intelligent person is one who, when he sees what is good, follows it, and when he sees evil, shuns it.”

Abū Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyā`, Vol. 4 p16.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ‘Abd Al-Rahmān b. Mahdī – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “If it were not for the fact I hate that Allah is disobeyed, I would have wished that no one remain in this city except that he had spoken ill of me and backbitten me; for what is nicer than a good deed a man finds in his records on the Day of Resurrection without having done a thing or even having known?”

Abū Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyā` 4:45.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Al-Aswad [b. Yazīd Al-Nakha’ī] used to complete the recitation of the Quran in Ramadan every two nights; sleeping between al-maghrib and al-‘ishā. Outside of Ramaḍān, he used to complete a recitation every six nights.

Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyatu Al-Awliyā` 1:250.

It is related from Al-Rabī’ b. Sulaymān, “Muḥammad b. Idrīs Al-Shāfi’ī used to complete reciting the Quran in the month of Ramadan sixty times, all in the prayer.”

Ibid. 4:107

['Abdullah]

Risking your religion through Argumentation
Ma’n b. ‘Īsā reports
Mālik b. Anas was once returning from the mosque, leaning on my arm, when a man called Abū Al-Juwayrīyah who was accused of Al-Irjā` caught up with him. He said. “O Abū ʿAbdullāh, listen to something I have to say and debate with me and let me tell you my opinion.” [Imām] Mālik said, “And what if you overcome me?” The man replied, “If I defeat you, you follow me.” Mālik asked, “And what if another man comes and defeats us?” He replied, “Then we follow him.” To this, Mālik – Allāh’s mercy be upon him – said, “O servant of Allāh, Allāh sent Muḥammad – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him – with a single religion, but I see you moving from religion to religion. ʿUmar b. ʿAbd Al-‘Azīz said, ‘Whoever makes his religion the object of argumentation will frequently change it.’”
Al-Ājurrī, Ktāb Al-Sharī’ah Vol.1 p128.

[eesa the kiwi]

Three Laughs and Three Tears

It is reported form Abū Al-Dardā – Allāh be pleased with him – that he said, “Three make me laugh, and three make me cry.Those that make me laugh are a person who puts his hopes in this worldly life while death pursues him, a person who is heedless [of his Lord] while [his Lord] is not heedless of him, and a person who always laughs while he does not know whether he has pleased Allāh or angered Him.What makes me cry is being separated from my beloved: Muhammad and his party (the Companions), the horrors of the time of death, and standing in front of Allāh ‘azza wa jall on the Day when the secrets will be revealed and I do not know will I then go to Paradise or Hell?”

Ibn Al-Mubārak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqā`iq article 250.

['Abdullah]

Worship in the Time of Plague
It is reported from Anas b. Sīrīn that he said:

It once reached us in Kūfā that Masrūq used to flee from the plague. Muḥammad denied this and said, “Let us go to his wife and ask her.” So we entered upon her and asked her about this, and she replied, “No, by Allāh, he never used to flee, but he would say, ‘These are days of preoccupation, so I like to be alone during them to worship.’ So he used to go aside and be alone to do worship. Sometimes, I would sit behind him and cry because of what I saw him doing to himself; he would pray so much that his feet would swell. I heard him say, ‘the plague, abdominal disease, postpartum bleeding and drowning: whoever dies during any of them will have it in his credit as martyrdom.'”

Ibn Saʿd, Al-Ṭabaqāt Al-Kubrā 8:202 (Al-Khānji)

[eesa the kiwi]

We can only repent

It is reported that Ṭalq b. Ḥabīb – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “The right of Allāh is too great and heavy for the creation to fulfill and the blessings of Allāh are too many to enumerate, but you should remain repentant, morning and evening.”
Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-Tawbah article 62.

We can only repent - Sayings of the Salaf It is reported that Ṭalq b. Ḥabīb – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “The right of Allāh is too great and heavy for the creation to fulfill and the...

['Abdullah]

Weapons of Mass Distinction
Abū Isḥāq [Al-Fazārī] states:
The enemy was never able to stand up to the Companions of Allāh’s Messenger – Allāh’s praise and peace be upon him, so when the news of the defeat of the Romans came to Heraclius at Antioch he asked [his people], “Woe to you, tell me about these people who fight you, are they not humans like you?”
They replied, “Indeed, they are.”
He asked, “So are you more in number or them?”
They replied, “We outnumber them greatly in all places.”
He said, “So how is it that you are defeated whenever you meet them [in battle].”
A senior and esteemed elder amongst them replied, “Because they stand in prayer at night, fast during the day, fulfill their agreements and promises, enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil, they are fair and just amongst themselves; and because we drink wine, fornicate, commit sin, break our agreements, steal, oppress and do injustice, enjoin the committing of what angers Allah and forbid what pleases Allah the Mighty and Majestic, and we cause evil and corruption in the land.”
Heraclius said, “You are the one who has told me the truth.”
Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-‘Ilm 4:91.

['Abdullah]

Never Give Up Re-pent-ing

It is reported that a man came to ʿAlī – Allāh be pleased with him – and asked, What do you think about a man who committed a sin? He replied, He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him. [The man] said, He did that, but then sinned again? [ʿAlī] said, He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him. The man again said, He did that, but returned to sin. [ʿAlī] said, He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him. The man said for the fourth time, He did, but then sinned again. ʿAlī then said, Until when? Then he said, He must seek Allāh’s forgiveness and repent to Him; and not give up until it is Shayṭān who is defeated [overcome].

Hunād b. Al-Sarī, Kitāb Al-Zuhd article 910
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/ne...pent%C2%ADing/

['Abdullah]

Between You and the One in the Grave
It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrī – Allāh have mercy on him – once said during the funeral of a man:
May Allāh have mercy on the man who works for the likes of this day; for today you are able to do what these brothers of yours, the residents of these graves, cannot do. So make full use of your health and free time before the day of distress and accounts comes upon you.
Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Dhamm Al-Dunyā article 53.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/be...-in-the-grave/

[eesa the kiwi]

Wasted Devotion

It is reported that a group of heretics (People of Bid’ah) and their devout worship was mentioned to ʿAbd Al-Raḥmān b. Mahdī. He said, “Allāh only accepts what conforms to what has been commanded and what is in the Sunnah.” Then he recited, And a monasticism which they (Christians) innovated, We did not ordain it upon them [Al-Ḥadīd: 27]. He went on to say, “So Allāh did not accept this from them and reprimanded them for it.” He then said, “Stick to the way and the Sunnah.”
Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyah Al-Awliyā` Vol.4 p44.

['Abdullah]

Homeless & Senseless
It is reported that ‘Abdullāh b. Masʿūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said:
This world (the dunyā) is [only taken as] a home by those who will have no real home [in Jannah], and it is the wealth of those who will have no real wealth, and it is gathered and collected for by those who have no real intelligence.
Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Dhamm Al-Dunyā article 16.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/homeless-senseless/

Homeless & Senseless - Sayings of the Salaf The world and its material life is only a home for those who will be homeless in the hereafter....

[eesa the kiwi]

The Softest Hearts

It is reported that Makḥūl – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “The people with the softest hearts are those who sin the least.”
Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyah Al-Awliyā` Vol. 2 p344.
It is reported that ‘Awn b. ʿAbdillāh, the ascetic and jurist, said, “Sit with the repentant, for they have the softest hearts.”
Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyah Al-Awliyā` Vol. 2 p192.

[MazharShafiq]

‘Abd Al-Raḥmān b. ‘Awf – Allāh be pleased with him – was once brought some food, and he had been fasting. He said:

Muṣ’ab b. ‘Umayr was killed, and he was better than me and he was buried with a cloak as a shroud: if his head was covered with it his legs would be uncovered and if his legs were covered with it his head would be uncovered. And Ḥamzah was killed and he was better than me. Then, after that time, we were given what we were given of worldly wealth, and we fear that [the reward of] our good deeds has been quickened for us [in this life].

He then began to cry so much that he left his food.

Al-Bukhārī, Al-Ṣaḥīḥ hadith 1275 and other places.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ‘Umar – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

Fasting does not mean keeping away from only food and drink, it also means keeping away from lying, falsehood, inanity and swearing [by Allāh without need].

It is reported that Ibrāhīm Al-Nakha’ī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

They used to say: lying breaks the fast.

It is reported that Mujāhid – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

There are two practices, if a person can keep himself from them, his fast will be secured for him: backbiting and lying.

It is related that Abul-‘Āliyah – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

The fasting person is in a state of worship as long as he does not backbite. [1]

It is reported that Ḥafṣah bint Sīrīn – Allāh have mercy on her – said:

Fasting is a shield as long as one does not tear it, and tearing it is when you backbite. [2]

It is reported that Anas b. Mālik – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

If the fasting person backbites, his fast is broken. [3]

[MazharShafiq]

Abū Isḥāq [Al-Fazārī] states:

The enemy was never able to stand up to the Companions of Allāh’s Messenger – Allāh’s praise and peace be upon him, so when the news of the defeat of the Romans came to Heraclius at Antioch he asked [his people], “Woe to you, tell me about these people who fight you, are they not humans like you?” They replied, “Indeed, they are.” He asked, “So are you more in number or them?” They replied, “We outnumber them greatly in all places.” He said, “So how is it that you are defeated whenever you meet them [in battle].” A senior and esteemed elder amongst them replied, “Because they stand in prayer at night, fast during the day, fulfill their agreements and promises, enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil, they are fair and just amongst themselves; and because we drink wine, fornicate, commit sin, break our agreements, steal, oppress and do injustice, enjoin the committing of what angers Allāh and forbid what pleases Allāh the Mighty and Majestic, and we cause evil and corruption in the land.” Heraclius said, “You are the one who has told me the truth.”

Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-‘Ilm 4:91.

['Abdullah]

Ignorance and the Sword
It is reported that Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
One who acts without knowledge is like one who travels off the path; and the one who acts without knowledge corrupts more than he rectifies. So seek knowledge in a way that does not harm your worship, and seek to worship [Allāh] in a way that does not harm [your seeking of] knowledge. For verily, there were people (the Khawārij extremists) who sought to worship [Allāh] but abandoned knowledge until they attacked the Ummah of Muḥammad – Allāh’s praise and peace be upon him – with their swords. But if they had sought knowledge, it would not have directed them to do what they did.
Quoted by Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr, Jāmi’ Bayān Al-‘Ilm wa Faḍlihi article 905.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/ig...and-the-sword/

['Abdullah]

Why so Many Hadīth, Abu Hurayrah?
It is reported that Abū Hurayrah – Allāh be pleased with him – said, “People say, ‘Abū Hurayrah reports so many [hadīth ],’ but if it were not for two verses in Allāh’s book, I would not narrate a single hadīth .” Then he recited, “Verily, those who hide what Allāh has sent down of the Book (Al-Baqarah: 174),” and “Verily, those who hide what We have sent down of clear explanation and guidance. (Al-Baqarah: 159)” He then said, “Our brothers, the Muhājirūn, used to be occupied with trading in the markets, and our brothers, the Ansār, would be occupied with dealing with their wealth and property, but Abū Hurayrah used to stay with Allāh’s Messenger – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him – for his fill, and would be present when they were not.”

This wording has been reported by Al-Hāfidh Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr, Jāmi’ Bayān Al-‘Ilm Vol.1 p464.

Commenting on this narration, Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr states, “In this narration there are a number of meanings to understand, including:

1. The hadīth from Allāh’s Messenger – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him – has the same ruling as the revealed Book of Allāh ‘azza wa jall.
2. Knowledge should be shown, spread and taught.
3. One should stick with the scholars.
4. One should be satisfied with the little he can get of worldly provision in order to pursue his desire for knowledge.
5. One should prefer knowledge over being occupied with worldly pursuits and income.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/wh...-abu-hurayrah/

[eesa the kiwi]

Ahmad ibn Yunus al-Yarbu’i said:


“Fudha’la Ibn Ubaid advised us saying: “If you can learn and not be known, do that; if you can listen and not talk, do that; and if you can sit and acquire knowledge from others, do that.’”






– Adh-Dhahabi “Siyar a’laam an-Nubalaa’”: 3/116
Ahmad ibn Yunus al-Yarbu’i said:

“Fudha’la Ibn Ubaid advised us saying: “If you can learn and not be known, do that; if you can listen and not talk, do that; and if you can sit and acquire knowledge from others, do that.’”


– Adh-Dhahabi “Siyar a’laam an-Nubalaa’”: 3/116

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Al-Awzāʿī said:

Follow the narrations [ways] of those who have preceded (the Salaf) even if people reject you; and beware of people’s opinions, even if they beautify them for you

.Al-Ājurrī, Kitāb Al-Sharīʿah 1:138; Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr, Jāmiʿ Bayān Al-ʿIlm wa Faḍlihi 3:373.

[MazharShafiq]

In The Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful 2

"And your Lord said: "Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!" [Surah Ghafir 40:60] "Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations. Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Little is that you remember!" [Surah An-Naml 27:62] 3

[MazharShafiq]

Ibn Taymiyyah said: Bearing witness to tawhid opens the door of good and repentance from sins close the door of evil. Majmu Fatawa, 10/256 [13] Ibn Taymiyyah said: The Jihad against the soul is the foundation for the Jihad against the disbelievers and hypocrites. Ibn Qayyim, ar-rawdah, p.478 [14] Ibn Taymiyyah said: A man will never fear something besides Allah unless it be due to a disease in his heart. Bazzar, p.74 [15] Ibn Taymiyyah said: Trails and tribulation are like feeling the heat and cold, when one knows that they cannot be avoided, he will not feel anger at their onset, nor will he be distressed or disheartened. Ibn Qayyim, al-madarij 3/289 [16] Ibn Taymiyyah said: The perfection of twahid is found when there remains nothing in the heart except Allah, the servant is left loving those He loves and what He loves, hating those He hates and what He hates, showing allegiance to those He has allegiance to, showing enmity to those He shows enmity towards, ordering what He orders and prohibiting what He prohibits. Ibn Qayyim, al-madarij 3/285 [17] Ibn Taymiyyah said: In this world, man finds in the remembrance of Allah, praising Him and worshiping Him, a delight that is incomparable to anything else. Minhaj as-sunnah, 3/389 [18] Ibn Taymiyyah said: The objective of asceticism is to leave all that harms the servants Hereafter and the objective of worship is to do all that will benefit his Hereafter. Majmu Fatawa, 14/458 [19] Ibn Taymiyyah said: Sins are like chains and locks preventing their perpetrator from roaming the vast garden of tawhid and reaping the fruits of righteous actions. Majmu Fatawa, 14/49 [20] Ibn Taymiyyah said: What can my enemies do to me? I have in my breast both my heaven and my garden. If I travel they are with me, never leaving me.

[MazharShafiq]

al-hassan al-basree said: Few deeds done according to the Sunnah is better than many deeds done according to Bid ah. Jami bayanil ilm 2/372 [29] Ibn 'Uthaymeen said: The bigger desire you have for a sin, the bigger your emaan is if you leave it. Fath-ur-Rabb, p.105 [30] as-sa'di said: Laziness against the Salaah is a sign that the heart does not long after Allah. Taysir ul Karim, p. 211 [31] adh-dhahabee said: The phrase Allah descends to the lowest heaven has been reported by 20 companions. al- Arsh 2/82 [32] Ibn Taymiyyah said: You should not look at what the person used to do, rather you should look at what kind of person they are today. The one who gets bogged down about people s pasts, is just like Iblees who said to Allah, You created me from fire and you created him from clay. al-minhaaj v. 2 [33] U'aad Ibn 'Abdul-'azeez ash-shulhoob said: One of the ways of increasing love between brothers and of removing rancor from their hearts is for them to give gifts to one another. The book of manners, p.429 [34] Ibn al-qayyim said: Those who treat their haram love for the opposite gender by spending time with them, are in reality only increasing themselves in sorrow and sin. Ighaath al-lahafaan p. 60 [35] Ibn Umar said: The blood of the Muslim is holier in the sight of Allah than the Ka bah itself. Saheeh at-targheeb 2/630 [36] Bilal bin Sa'd said: A brother who reminds you of Allah when you meet him, is better than a friend who places a dinar in your hand every time you meet him. Hilyatul Awliyaa, 5/225 10

['Abdullah]

Imam Al-Awzai’s Letter of Warning against Heresy and Heretics

It is reported that Imām Al-Awzāʿī (d157H) wrote:
O Muslims, fear Allāh and obey Him, and accept the advice of the sincere advisers and the exhortation of the exhorters, and know that this knowledge is religion, so be careful about what you do [in it] and from whom you take [it] and who you follow and who you trust your religion to. For verily, the followers of Bid’ah are all falsifiers and liars, neither are they careful nor do they fear and protect [against wrongdoing], and nor are they to be trusted to not distort what you hear. They say what they know not when criticizing and decrying or when affirming their lies. But Allāh encompasses what they do. So be on guard against them, suspect them, reject them and distance yourselves from them, for this was what your earlier scholars and the righteous latter ones did and instructed others to do.
Beware of rising against Allāh and becoming instruments in the destruction of His religion and undoing its handholds by respecting the innovators, for you know what has come down to us about respecting them. And what stronger respect and veneration can there be than taking your religion from them, following them, believing them, being close to them and helping them in alluring those they allure and attracting those they attract of the weak Muslims towards their ideas and the religion they practice? This is enough to be considered a partnership and contribution to what they do.

Ibn ‘Asākir, Tārīkh Dimishq 6:361, 362.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/im...-and-heretics/

['Abdullah]

Beautiful Cursed Women
On the authority of ʿAbdullāh Ibn Mas’ūd – Allāh be pleased with him, who said:

May Allāh curse those women who tattoo or seek to be tattooed, those women who remove facial hair or seek it to be removed and those women who put gaps between their teeth for beautification; those who seek to change Allāh’s creation.

This reached a woman from Banī Asad who was called Umm Ya’qūb and who used to read the Qur`ān. She came to [Ibn Mas’ūd] and said, “What is this I hear from you, that you curse women who tattoo or seek to get tattooed, and those who remove facial hair and those who put gaps between their teeth for beauty, those who change Allāh’s creation?”
ʿAbdullāh [Ibn Mas’ūd] replied, “And why should I not curse those whom Allāh’s Messenger has cursed and those who are mentioned in Allāh’s Book?”
She said, “I have read [the Qur`ān] from cover to cover and I have not seen it mentioned.” He replied, “If you had really read it [carefully] you would have found it; Allāh the Mighty and Sublime said:

And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you, shun it. [Al-Ḥashr (59):7]

The woman then said, “Well I have just seen some of this on your own wife.”
He said, “Go and see her.”
So she went to the wife of ʿAbdullāh but didn’t see anything.
She returned to him and said, “I don’t see anything.”
He said, “Well, if any of those practices had been done I would not be with her any more.”

Al-Bukhārī and Muslim. This translation is from the version in Muslim.
https://sunnah.com/muslim/37/181

Points to note

• The teachings of Allāh’s Messenger have the same legal weight as teachings in the Qur`ān because the Qur`ān commands us to take everything the Messenger teaches us, even if it is not specifically mentioned in the Qur`ān. This refutes the claim of heretics who say we only need to follow the Qur`ān
• It can even be said that a ruling given by Allāh’s Messenger is in the Qur`ān based on the verse quoted
• Tattooing, removal of facial hair – including the plucking of eyebrows – and making gaps between the teeth for beautification are strictly forbidden in Islām and are regarded as major sins. In another narration, hair extensions have also been mentioned
• Exceptions have been made by scholars in cases where a woman suffers a condition that causes her to grow a full beard, or where filing of teeth and widening spaces are needed for medical reasons
• Being cursed (al-la’nah) means to be removed from Allāh’s mercy; this goes to prove that these practices are major sins
• People should ask Allāh to curse those whom Allāh’s Messenger has asked to be cursed
• Women can ask male scholars about matters of religion and can converse with them for the purpose of understanding knowledge and legal rulings
• Wives who remain disobedient to Allāh should be divorced
• A person who helps another to sin is regarded as a participant in that sin

These points have been summarized from Ibn Ḥajr, Fatḥ Al-Bārī and Al-Nawawī, Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/be...-cursed-women/

[MazharShafiq]

جعل النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عند موته يدخل يديه في الماء فيمسح بهما وجهه ويقول: لا إِلَهََ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، إِنَّ لِلمَوْتِ لَسَكَرَات.ٍ

Aishah related that the Prophet (saw) (during his illness in which he passed away) would dip his hands in water and then he would wipe his face and say:
‘None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, death does indeed contain agony.’

['Abdullah]

Required Learning [What is a Muslim Required to Study?]
It is reported that Hasan b. Rabī’ asked ‘Abdullāh b. Al-Mubārak – Allāh have mercy on him – about the meaning of the hadith, “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim”. He replied:
It is not [the expert knowledge of hadith and fiqh] you are seeking. Seeking knowledge is an obligation when a man comes to something concerning his religion (dīn): he is to ask about it until he knows it.

Al-Khatīb Al-Baghdādī, Al-Faqīh wa Al-Mutafaqqih article 162.

It is reported that ‘Alī b. Al-Hasan b. Shaqīq asked ‘Abdullāh b. Al-Mubārak – Allāh have mercy on him, “What knowledge is considered obligatory upon people to learn?”
He replied:
A man must not proceed to do anything except upon knowledge, He is to ask and learn. This is what is obligatory upon people as regards learning knowledge.
He explained further:
If there is a man who has no wealth, it is not obligatory upon him to learn Zakāh. When he has 200 dirham, it becomes obligatory upon him to learn how much (Zakāh) he has to pay, when he has to pay, and who he has to pay. This is also the way with everything else.

Al-Baghdādī, op. cit. article 163.

It is reported that Ibn Wahb once mentioned knowledge, to which Imām Mālik – Allāh have mercy on him – commented:
Knowledge is surely good, but look to what is binding upon you from the beginning of your day to its end, and from the end of your day to the following morning, adhere to that and do not give preference to [learning] anything else.

Al-Baghdādī, op. cit. article 165.

It is reported from ‘Abdullāh b. Ahmad b. Hanbal that he asked his father (Imām Ahmad) – Allāh have mercy on him – whether it is obligatory upon a man to seek knowledge. He replied:
As for [the knowledge] through which he can uphold his prayers, and other matters of his religion like fasting, Zakāh – and he mentioned the other main aspects of the religion – then a man should know about that.

Al-Baghdādī, op. cit. article 166.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/re...equired-study/

['Abdullah]

Hypocrisy Today

Ḥudhayfah b. Al-Yamān – Allāh be pleased with him – said:
The munāfiqūn (hypocrites) amongst you today are worse than those in the time of Allāh’s Messenger – Allāh’s praise and peace be upon him.
He was asked, “How is that o Abū ʿAbdillāh”?
He replied:
Because those [in the time of the Prophet] used to hide their nifāq (hypocrisy), whereas the hypocrites of today commit [hypocrisy] openly.

Al-Bukhārī, Al-Ṣaḥīḥ hadith 7113.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/hypocrisy-today/

[eesa the kiwi]

The Madhab of Imam Malik

Ma’an b. ‘Īsā reports that Imām Mālik said, “I am but a man. I make mistakes sometimes and I am correct sometimes, so examine my opinions and accept anything that agrees with the Book and Sunnah; and leave anything that does not agree with the Book and Sunnah.”

Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr, Jāmi’ Bayān Al-‘Ilm wa Faḍlihi Vol.2 p465.

['Abdullah]

How the Salaf studied the Quran
Abdullāh b. Masʿūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

When a man amongst us learned ten verses [of the Quran], he would not move on [to the next verses] until he had understood their meanings and how to act by them.
Al-Ṭabarī, Al-Tafsīr 1:80. Shaykh Aḥmad Shākir graded its chain of transmission ṣaḥīḥ.

Abū ‘Abd Al-Raḥmān Al-Sulamī said:

Those who used to teach us the Quran (the Companions) told us that they used to learn the Quran from the Prophet – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him; when they had learnt ten verses they would not move on until they put into practice what was in them. So we learnt knowledge and deeds (implementation) together.
Ibid. Shaykh Aḥmad Shākir graded its chain of transmission ṣaḥīḥ also.

['Abdullah]

True Goodness
It is reported that ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

Goodness is not in your wealth and offspring being plentiful; true goodness is when your [good] deeds are plenty and you have great understanding and forbearance, and when you compete to worship your Lord. If you do good you praise Allāh and thank Him, and if you sin you beg Allāh’s forgiveness. There is no good in this life except with two types of men:

1. A man who sins but then corrects himself through repentance, &
2. A man who strives and hastens to get [the good] of the hereafter.

Ibn ‘Asākir, Al-Tawbah article 13.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/true-goodness/

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Abū Ayyūb Al-Anṣārī – Allāh be pleased with him – said, “A person might do a single good deed, rely on it and forget sins that he regards insignificant, but then meet Allāh (on the Day of Judgment) with those sins surrounding him. And a man might commit a sin, but never stop fearing its consequences, until he meets Allāh safe and sound.”

Al-Ḥāfidh Ibn Ḥajr, Fatḥ Al-Bārī, references this narration to Asad b. Mūsā’s Al-Zuhd. A slightly different wording is reported by Ibn Al-Mubārak in Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqā`iq Vol.1 p170.

[eesa the kiwi]

A Comfortable Life

It is reported that ʿUmar b. ʿAbd Al-‘Azīz once wrote to Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī to get a brief exhortation from him, so Al-Ḥasan wrote back , “The dunyā distracts and preoccupies the heart and body, but al-zuhd (asceticism, not giving importance to worldly things) gives rest to the heart and body. Verily, Allāh will ask us about the ḥalāl things we enjoyed, so what about the ḥarām!”
Al-Bayhaqī, Al-Zuhd Al-Kabīr, article 26.

['Abdullah]

Intentions First

The Prophet Muhammad – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – said:

Actions are but by intentions, and everyone will have what he intended. So whoever migrated to Allah and His Messenger, he migrated to Allah and His Messenger. But whoever migrated for some worldly benefit, or to take a woman in marriage, then his migration was only to what he migrated to.

Al-Bukhāri, Muslim and others.

Traditionally, Muslim scholars chose to begin their works by quoting this hadīth, or report, from the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Here is a brief commentary taken from Ibn Rajab’s Jāmi’ Al-‘Ulūm wa Al-Hikam, in which he explains the entire Forty Hadīth collection of Al-Nawawi:

Imām Al-Bukhārī (as Al-Nawawi later did in his Forty Hadīth) begins his Sahīh collection with this hadīth, reminding us that any deed through which Allah’s pleasure is not sought is futile; it will bear no fruits in this life or the hereafter.

ʿAbd Al-Rahmān b. Mahdī, the great scholar of hadīth, said, “If I were to compile a work in chapters, I would place this hadīth at the beginning of each one.” He also said, “Whoever wishes to author a book, he should begin with the hadīth about intentions.”

This hadīth forms a fundamental principle of Islām and an axis around which this way of life revolves.

It is reported that Imām Al-Shāfi’ī said, “This hadīth constitutes a third of all knowledge, and it relates to seventy areas of fiqh (correct understanding of the religion).”

It is reported from Imām Ahmad that he said, “The foundations of Islām are upon three hadīth: the one reported by ʿUmar – ‘Actions are but by intentions’, the one reported by ‘Āishah – ‘Whoever does a deed that does not conform to our commands will have it rejected’ and the one reported by Al-Nu’mān b. Bashīr – ‘The halāl and harām are clear…’”

This hadīth teaches us the principle that acceptance of our deeds and whether or not they are regarded as righteous depends primarily on what the intention behind them is. If the intention is good and pure – to receive Allah’s pleasure and reward, the deed is righteous. Otherwise the deed is futile and false. This is the first thing that needs to be dealt with.

The second condition which needs to be met for our deeds to be accepted by Allah is that they should be in conformity with Islām’s true teachings as taught to us by the Prophet – peace and blessing be upon him – and as understood and applied by the Righteous Predecessors. Hence, the Prophet stated:

Whoever does a deed that does not conform to our commands will have it rejected.

Al-Bukhārī and Muslim.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/intentions-first/

[eesa the kiwi]

One of the reported instructions ʿUmar wrote to Abū Mūsā Al-Ash’arī and those under his governance during the former’s Caliphate was, “Seek knowledge and understanding of (fiqh) the Sunnah and seek knowledge and understanding of Arabic.”
Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf Vol.6 p126.
It is reported that he said, “Learn Arabic, for it strengthens the intelligence and increases one’s noble conduct (al-murū`ah).”
Al-Bayhaqī, Shu’ab Al-Īmān Vol.4 p187.

['Abdullah]

Three Laughs and Three Tears

It is reported form Abū Al-Dardā – Allāh be pleased with him – that he said, “Three make me laugh, and three make me cry.

Those that make me laugh are a person who puts his hopes in this worldly life while death pursues him, a person who is heedless [of his Lord] while [his Lord] is not heedless of him, and a person who always laughs while he does not know whether he has pleased Allāh or angered Him.

What makes me cry is being separated from my beloved: Muhammad and his party (the Companions), the horrors of the time of death, and standing in front of Allāh ‘azza wa jall on the Day when the secrets will be revealed and I do not know will I then go to Paradise or Hell?”

Ibn Al-Mubārak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqā`iq article 250.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/th...d-three-tears/

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. Al-Mubārak – Allāh’s mercy be upon him – was criticized for spending on [other people in] other lands and not his own

. In response, he said, “I know the locations of virtuous, sincere and truthful people who seek and study ḥadīth and do it well because people are in need of them. They are needy, and if we leave them, their knowledge will be lost; but if we help them, they will spread knowledge to the Ummah of Muḥammad – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him. I do not know of anything more virtuous, after Prophecy, than spreading knowledge.”

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā`, in his biography of ʿAbdullāh b. Al-Mubārak.

['Abdullah]

The Zuhd of Abu Ubaydah and the Tears of Umar

It is reported from ʿAbdullāh b. ʿUmar:
When ʿUmar b. Al-Khaṭṭāb arrived in Al-Shām, he said to Abū ʿUbaydah – Allāh be pleased with them: “Take us to your home.” Abū ʿUbaydah said, “And what will you do with my home?” ʿUmar replied, “Just take us there.” Abū ʿUbaydah said, “You only want to cry your eyes out over me.” So he entered his house and saw nothing [by way of furnishings] in it. ʿUmar asked, “Where are your things? I see nothing but rags, a water-skin and a dish (tray), and you are a governor! Do you have food?” So Abū ʿUbaydah went over to an old pail (bucket) and took out some scraps, and ʿUmar began to weep. Abu ʿUbaydah said to him, “I told you you would cry your eyes out over me. O Commander of the Believers, sufficient for you from the dunyā is what delivers you to your place of rest.” ʿUmar said, “The dunyā changed us all except you Abū ʿUbaydah.”

Abū Dāwūd, Kitāb Al-Zuhd article 123, and others.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/zu...ah-tears-umar/

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported from Ka’b Al-Aḥbār – Allāh have mercy on him – that he said:

Allāh chose from the months the month of Ramaḍān, from all the lands He chose Makkah, from the nights He chose Laylatu Al-Qadr (The Night of Decree), and chose the times for prayers; so a believer is always between two good deeds: one he has done and the other he is waiting to do.

Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyah Al-Awliyā` Vol.2 p458.

['Abdullah]

Four Signs of the Wretched
It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
Four signs of wretchedness are: [having] a hard heart, dry eyes [that never cry], extended hopes [about this life], and greed and keenness to amass worldly things (the dunyā).
Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Kitāb Al-Zuhd article 36.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/fo...-the-wretched/

Four Signs of the Wretched - Sayings of the Salaf It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrī - Allāh have mercy on him - said: Four signs of wretchedness are: a hard heart, dry eyes , extended hopes , and...

['Abdullah]

Seeking Reputation
It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. ʿUmar – Allāh be pleased with them – said:
Whoever tries to make people hear of his deeds, Allāh will make [some] of His creation hear of him (expose him), and belittle him. Ibn ʿUmar then began to cry.
Wakīʿ b. Al-Jarrāḥ, Al-Zuhd #308.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/topic/the-heart/

the heart - Sayings of the Salaf Topic: the heart ....

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Ma’rūf Al-Karkhī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
When Allāh chooses good for a person He opens the door to action for him, and closes the door to argumentation; and when Allāh chooses evil for a person he opens the door of argumentation and closes the door to action.
Al-Khaṭīb Al-Baghdādī, Iqtḍā Al-‘Ilm Al-‘Amal, article 123.

['Abdullah]

Umar on the Virtue of Hajj
It is reported that ʿUmar b. Al-Khattāb – Allāh be pleased with him – once came out and saw a travelling party; he asked:
Who is this travelling party? They replied, “Pilgrims (on Hajj).” He asked them three times, “And nothing else has brought you forth?” They replied, “Nothing else.” He said, “If the travelers [on Hajj] knew who they were coming to, they would feel the delight of having great virtue after forgiveness [from Allāh]. By He in whose hand is ʿUmar’s soul, never does [the pilgrim’s] camel raise its hoof and place it back down except that Allāh raises [the pilgrim] in rank, forgives one of his sins and writes for him a good deed.”
ʿAbd Al-Razzāq Al-Ṣan’ānī, Al-Muṣannaf 5: 4, 5.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/um...irtue-of-hajj/

[eesa the kiwi]

Won’t you collect your Share?

Abū Hurayrah – Allāh be pleased with him – once passed by the market in Medinah. He stopped at the market and said, “O people of the market, how incapable you are!” They said, “And how is that Abū Hurayrah?” He replied, “Over there the inheritance of Allāh’s Messenger – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him – is being distributed and you are here! Won’t you go and take your share?” “Where is it?” they asked. He replied, “In the Masjid.” So they hurried to the Masjid and Abū Hurayrah waited for them until they returned. When they came back, he said, “What’s the matter?” They replied, “Abū Hurayrah! We went to the Masjid but we didn’t see anything being distributed.” Abū Hurayrah asked them, “And you didn’t see anyone in the Masjid?” They replied, “Indeed we did; we saw people praying, others reciting Qur`ān and others studying the regulations of ḥalāl and ḥarām.” So Abū Hurayrah said, “Woe to you! That is the inheritance of Muḥammad – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him.”
Al-Ḥāfidh Al-Mundhirī said in Al-Targhīb wa Al-Tarhīb, “Reported by Al-Ṭabarāni in Al-Awsaṭ with a ḥasan chain of narrators.” Also graded ḥasan by Shaykh Al-Albānī. See his Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Targhīb wa Al-Tarhīb Vol. 1 p19.

['Abdullah]

The Takbīr for ‘Eid

Ibn Mas’ūd – Allāh be pleased with him – used to say the takbīr during the Days of Tashrīq thus:

eid-takbeer

Allāh is Greatest, Allāh is Greatest, none deserves worship but Allāh. Allāh is Greatest, Allāh is Greatest, and to Him is all praise.

Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf Vol.2 p74. Shaykh Al-Albānī said its chain of narration is Ṣaḥīḥ.

‘Alī – Allāh be pleased with him – used to say the takbīr following the Fajr prayer on the Day of ‘Arafah until the ‘Aṣr prayer of the last day of Tashrīq – he used to say it after ‘Aṣr prayer (then stop).

Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf Vol.2 p72. Shaykh Al-Albānī said its chain of narration is good.

See Irwā Al-Ghalīl Vol.3 p125
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/th...r-eid-al-adha/

[eesa the kiwi]

ʿAbdullāh b. ‘Amr – Allāh be please with them both – said:
It would be better for a person to be turned to dust than to deliberately walk in front of a person who is praying.
Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr, Al-Tamhīd. Graded sahīh by Shaykh Al-Albānī in Sahīh Al-Targhībi wa Al-Tarhīb Vol. 1 p135.

[eesa the kiwi]

‘Amr b. Al-‘Âs was once walking with a group of his friends, when he passed by the bloated, rotting carcass of mule. He said: “By Allah! To eat your fill from this carcass is better than eating the flesh of a Muslim (by backbiting him).”
Al-Bukhârî, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad. Shaykh Al-Albânî (Sahîh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad p266) said this narration’s chain of narration is sahîh.

- - - Updated - - -

‘Amr b. Al-‘Âs was once walking with a group of his friends, when he passed by the bloated, rotting carcass of mule. He said: “By Allah! To eat your fill from this carcass is better than eating the flesh of a Muslim (by backbiting him).”
Al-Bukhârî, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad. Shaykh Al-Albânî (Sahîh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad p266) said this narration’s chain of narration is sahîh.

['Abdullah]

One Bad Quality Can Spoil Numerous Good Ones
It is reported that ʿUmar b. Al-Khaṭṭāb – Allāh be pleased with him – said to a young man while exhorting him:
A man might have ten qualities, nine of them good and one bad, but the nine good ones can be spoiled by the one bad quality. Beware of the slips and faults of youth.
ʿAbd Al-Razzāq Al-Ṣanʿānī, Al-Muṣannaf 8240.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/on...ous-good-ones/

One Bad Quality Can Spoil Numerous Good Ones - Sayings of the Salaf Umar advises a young man on being careful about the errors of youth, and how good qualities can be spoiled by a single bad one....

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported from Al-Awzâ’î – Allâh have mercy on him – that he said:

I have been told that it used to be said, “Woe to those who study [their religion] for a purpose other than worship, and those who seek to permit what is forbidden through doubts and specious arguments.”

Al-Khattîb Al-Baghdâdî, Iqtdâ Al-‘Ilm Al-‘Amal, p77.

['Abdullah]

Hidden Safety
It is reported that Sufyān Al-Thawrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
Safety lies in not wanting to be known.
Al-Dhahabī, Siyar Aʿlām Al-Nubalāʾ 7:258.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/hidden-safety/

Hidden Safety - Sayings of the Salaf Safety lies in not wanting to be known....

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that ‘Alî b. Abî Tâlib – Allâh be pleased with him – said,
“The servant [of Allâh] should not fear except his sins, and should not hope except in his Lord. The ignorant should not be ashamed to ask, and the knowledgeable should not be ashamed to say – if he does not know something – ‘Allâh knows best.’ Patience (al-sabr) to faith (Al-Îmân) is like the head to the rest of the body: if the head is cut off, the body will rot. And one who has no patience, has no faith.”-

Al-Baihaqî, Shu’ab Al-Îmân, Vol.12 p195.

['Abdullah]

Dua from the Bottom of the Heart [Ikhlas]
ʿAbd Al-Raḥmān b. Yazīd reports:
Al-Rabīʿ b. Khuthaym used to come to ʿAlqamah on the day of Jumuʿah and they would talk. They would call for me and I would come and talk with them. One day, they sent for me and I came. ʿAlqamah said to me, Have you not heard what Al-Rabīʿ b. Khuthaym has come to us with? I replied, And what is that? He said, [Rabīʿ] said a man from the People of Scripture once said to us, Do you not see how much people supplicate but how seldom their prayers are answered? That is because Allāh does not accept except what is sincere and purely for Him. I said, Well ʿAbdullāh [b. Masʿūd] already said the same. He asked, What did he say? I replied, Haven’t you heard him say, By Him other than whom there is none worthy of worship, Allāh does not accept [the deed] of one who seeks to be heard of, or seen, and nor someone who is playing around, [He only accepts the supplication] of one who calls upon Him from the bottom of his heart. He replied, Indeed, [I have heard him say that].
Hunād b. Al-Sarī, Al-Zuhd #874.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/du...-heart-ikhlas/

[eesa the kiwi]

Umm Al-Dardâ` [the Younger] – Allâh be pleased with her – reports:
One day, Abû Al-Dardâ` came home angry, so I asked him, “What has made you so angry?” He replied, “By Allâh, I do not recognize anything from the Ummah of Muhammad except that they pray (salâh) in congregation.”
Al-Bukhârî, Al-Sahîh, Chapter on the Virtue of Praying Al-Fajr in Congregation.
We learn from this narration:
· Prayer (salâh) in congregation is from the characteristics of the Ummah of Allâh’s Messenger – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him.
· The noble Companion Abû Al-Dardâ` was conveying the idea that deficiency and negative changes had begun to creep in to the practices of the Muslims, and he wanted to point out this evil so that people could be aware and try to keep to the original teachings. Al-Hâfidh Ibn Hajr states, “Abû Al-Dardâ` intended to point out that all the deeds of those mentioned had suffered some degree of deficiency and change, except praying in congregation. This [change] is relative, for the condition of the people during the time of the Prophet was better compared to how it changed after that time; and during the time of the Two Shaykhs (Abû Bakr and ‘Umar) it was better compared to how it was after them. It is as if this concern came from Abû Al-Dardâ` towards the end of his life – during the latter part of ‘Uthmân’s Caliphate. And just imagine, if that virtuous generation was described by Abû Al-Dardâ` as it was, then what about those who came after them up to our own time?!”
· This narration shows us that we should be angry if some aspect of the religion is changed, and that renouncing evil can be done by showing one’s anger if one is not able to do any more than that.
Taken from Fath Al-Bârî of Ibn Rajab and Fath Al-Bârî of Ibn Hajr; both of which are commentaries on Sahîh Al-Bukhârî.

[eesa the kiwi]

Mixing with the Wrong Crowd

It is reported from Abû Qilâbah – Allâh have mercy on him – that he said:
Do not sit with the People of Desires (Bid’ah), for I fear that they will immerse you in their misguidance or mix up and confuse what you already know.
Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ Vol.1 p377.

Mixing with the Wrong Crowd - Sayings of the Salaf It is reported from Abû Qilâbah – Allâh have mercy on him – that he said: Do not sit with the People of Desires (Bid’ah),...

['Abdullah]

If a Person is Exposed, It’s not his First Sin
Anas b. Mālik reports:
A young man who had stolen was brought to ʿUmar (for punishment). He said, “By Allāh I have never stolen before this time.” So ʿUmar responded, “You lie, Allāh would not (or does not) surrender a servant of His on the first sin.”
Abū Dāwūd, Al-Zuhd article 56, and others. Graded Sahih by Ibn Kathīr and others.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/pe...not-first-sin/

['Abdullah]

Beneficial Brotherhood and Love
It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. ‘Abbās – Allāh be pleased with him – said, “Love for Allāh and hate for Allāh, make your enmity because of Allāh and your allegiance because of Allāh; for indeed, the love and support of Allāh is not achieved save through this. And a man will never taste true faith (īmān) – though he may pray and fast much – except when he is like that. Today, the people’s brotherhood is based upon worldly considerations (dunyā), but this will not do anything for them on the Day of Resurrection.”
Ibn Al-Mubārak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqā`iq article 353.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/be...hood-and-love/

[eesa the kiwi]

Al Fudail Ibn 'Iyaad said;

Do not feel lonely on the paths of guidance just because few people travel them, and do not be deceived by the abundance of destroyed travelers [on the paths of misguidance].

[The Book of Manners by Fu'ad Ibn 'Abdul-'Azeez Ash-Shulhoob, Page 31]

['Abdullah]

From the Man-ners of a Wife with her Hus-band
It is reported that the wife of Imām Sa’īd b. Al-Musayyib – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
We only ever used to speak to our husbands like you address your commanders and leaders: [we would supplicate for them when talking to them] “May Allāh keep you right!”, “May Allāh keep you well!”
Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyatu Al-Awliyā` 5:198.
After the death of his wife Umm Ṣālih, Imām Aḥmad – Allāh have mercy on them, used to praise her. He once said:
In the thirty years she was with me, we never had a single word of disagreement.
Al-Khaṭīb Al-Baghdādī, Tārīkh Baghdād 16:626.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/from-the-man-ners-of-a-wife-with-her-hus-band/

[eesa the kiwi]

The World in Three DaysIt is reported from Al-Hasan Al-Basrî – Allâh have mercy on him – that he said:The life of this world is made up of three days: yesterday has gone with all that was done; tomorrow, you may never reach; but today is for you so do what you should do today.Al-Bayhaqî, Al-Zuhd Al-Kabîr p197.

['Abdullah]

Knowledge is the Good of this Life
It is reported that Abū Al-Dardāʾ – Allāh be pleased with him – said:
There is no good in this life except for one of two men: a man listening carefully, receiving and holding [knowledge]; or someone knowledgeable speaking.
Ibn Ḥibbān, Rawḍatu Al-ʿUqalāʾ 1:42.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/kn...-of-this-life/

Knowledge is the Good of this Life - Sayings of the Salaf There is no good in this life without knowledge....

['Abdullah]

Taqwa, Knowledge and Beauty
It is reported that Abū Al-Dardā – Allāh be pleased with him – said:
You will never be pious (a person of taqwā) until you become knowledgeable, and you will never be beautiful with your knowledge until you act [by it].
Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr, Jāmiʿ Bayān Al-ʿIlm wa Faḍlihī article 1239.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/ta...ge-and-beauty/

Taqwa, Knowledge and Beauty - Sayings of the Salaf It is reported that Abū Al-Dardā - Allāh be pleased with him - said: You will never be pious (a person of taqwā) until you become knowledgeable, and you...

[eesa the kiwi]

Abū Hurayrah on Taqwā

A man once asked Abū Hurayrah – Allāh be pleased with him, ‘What is al-taqwā?” He replied, “Have you ever taken a path filled with thorns?” The man replied, “I have.” Abū Hurayrah asked him, “What did you do?” He replied, “When I saw a thorn I would dodge it or pass over it or behind it.”

Abū Hurayrah said, “That is al-taqwā.”Al-Baihaqī, Al-Zuhd Al-Kabīr p351.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported from Nu’aym b. Hammâd:‘

Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak used to often stay at home, so he was asked, “Don’t you get lonely?” He replied, “How could I get lonely when I am with the Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him (i.e. I read his hadîth)?”

Also on the authority of Nu’aym b. Hammâd:It was once said to ‘Abdullah b. Al-Mubârak, “O Abû ‘Abd Al-Rahmân, you often sit alone at home.” He said, “I am alone? I am with the Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him – and his Companions.” Meaning: reading hadîth.

Ibn ‘Asâkir, Târîkh Dimishq Vol. 32 p458.

['Abdullah]

The Knowledge of ‘Ā`ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) about Inheritance laws

On the authority of Abu Dhuhaa, who reported on the authority of Masrooq who said we said to him: ‘did ‘Aa.ishah (radhi-yAllaahu ‘anhaa) have knowledge of the laws of inheritance?’ He said:
By Allaah, I saw the major companions of Muhammad (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asking her about the laws of inheritance.

Reference: Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa – Volume 2, Page 135

---

It is reported from Abū Mūsā Al-Ash’arī – Allah be pleased with him – that he said:
We the Companions of Allah’s Messenger – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – never had difficulty in understanding a ḥadīth except that when we asked ‘Ā`ishah we found she had some knowledge about it.
It is reported from Masrūq – Allah have mercy on him – that he said:
We swear by Allah, we have seen senior Companions of Allah’s Messenger – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – asking ‘Ā`ishah about inheritance laws.
Ibn Al-Jawzī, Ṣifah Al-Ṣafwah Vol.1 p319.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/th...dge-of-aishah/

['Abdullah]

How Much Shaytan Tries to Cause Marital Strife
Abū ʾUmāmah – Allāh be pleased with him – said:
Verily Shayṭān comes to your bed after your wife has made it and prepared it and throws a stick, a stone, or something [similar] on it to make the husband angry with his wife. So if someone finds this, let him not be angry with his wife, for it is the work of Shayṭān.
Al-Bukhārī, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad #1191. The chain of transmission is graded ḥasan by Shaykh Al-Albānī; he also regards it as being authentic from the Prophet ﷺ . See Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 1:463
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/sh...-husband-wife/

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported from ʿAbdullāh b. Mas’ūd – Allāh be pleased with him – that he said:

“One should get used to the idea that if everyone on Earth disbelieved, you would not disbelieve. Do not be an im’ah (characterless).” He was asked, “And what is an im’ah?” He replied, “A person who says, ‘I am with the people (I do what they do).’ Verily, there is to be no following examples in evil.”

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibānah Al-Kubrā Vol.1 p33.

['Abdullah]

We believed, they rejected [How the Salaf came to Islam]
‘Āṣim b. ʿUmar b. Qatādah [Al-Anṣārī] reports from some men amongst his people, “One of the things that called us to accept Islam – with the mercy of Allāh and His guidance – is what we used to hear from some Jewish men. We were polytheists who worshipped idols. They (the Jews) were people of scripture and had knowledge that we did not possess. There was always some badness between us; if we did to them something they hated, they would say to us, ‘The time is nigh when a Prophet will be sent, with whom we will fight and kill you like ‘Ād and Iram.’ We would often hear this from them. When Allāh sent His Messenger- Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him – we answered him when he called us to Allāh the Exalted, and we recognized what they used to warn us about. So we preceded them to him; we believed in him and they disbelieved. And it is about us and them that these verses of Al-Baqarah were revealed:

And when there came to them (the Jews), a Book (this Qur’ān) from Allāh confirming what is with them (Torah) and the Gospel, although aforetime they had invoked Allāh (for coming of the Prophet), in order to gain victory over those who disbelieved. Then when there came to them that which they recognized, they disbelieved in it. So let the curse of Allāh be on the disbelievers.” [Al-Baqarah: 89]

Ibn Hishām, Al-Sīrah Vol.1 p211, and others. Shaykh Muqbil Al-Wādi’ī graded this narrations chain of transmission ḥasan. See Al-Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Musnad min Dalā`il Al-Nubūwah p93.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/we...came-to-islam/

['Abdullah]

Where did we get our Glory?
Ibn Shihāb reports:
ʿUmar went out to Shām (Greater Syria) and Abū ‘Ubaydah b. Al-Jarrāḥ was with us. They came to a ford while ʿUmar was on his camel. He dismounted his camel, took off his leather socks, placed them on his shoulder and took the reins of his camel and began to go down the ford. Abū ‘Ubaydah said, “O Leader of the Believers! You are doing this?! You take off your leather socks, put them on your shoulder, take your camel’s reins and go down the ford?! I wouldn’t want the people of this land to see you in such a state!” ʿUmar said, “If only someone else had said this o Abū ‘Ubaydah. You have made a lesson for the Ummah of Muḥammad – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him! We were the lowliest of people but Allah gave us might and glory through Islam. If we seek glory through other than what Allah gave us glory through, He will abase us (again).”
In another version Abū ‘Ubaydah said:
O Leader of the Believers, should the armed forces and elite of Shām meet you in this condition? ʿUmar replied, “We are a people whom Allah gave might and glory to through Islam, so we will never seek glory through anything else.”
Reported by Al-Ḥākim, Al-Mustadrak Vol.1 pp61, 62. He declared it to be Sahih according to the criteria of Al-Bukhaārī and Muslim. Al-Dhahabī and Al-Albānī concur. See Al-Albānī, Al-Ṣaḥīḥah Vol.1 p50.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/wh...get-our-glory/

[eesa the kiwi]

This world (the dunyā) is [only taken as] a home by those who will have no real home [in Jannah], and it is the wealth of those who will have no real wealth, and it is gathered and collected for by those who have no real intelligence.

(Ibn Mas'ud; reported by Ibn Abi Dunya in Dhamm al Dunya')

['Abdullah]

Dua from the Bottom of the Heart [Ikhlas]

ʿAbd Al-Raḥmān b. Yazīd reports:

Al-Rabīʿ b. Khuthaym used to come to ʿAlqamah on the day of Jumuʿah and they would talk. They would call for me and I would come and talk with them. One day, they sent for me and I came. ʿAlqamah said to me, Have you not heard what Al-Rabīʿ b. Khuthaym has come to us with? I replied, And what is that? He said, [Rabīʿ] said a man from the People of Scripture once said to us, Do you not see how much people supplicate but how seldom their prayers are answered? That is because Allāh does not accept except what is sincere and purely for Him. I said, Well ʿAbdullāh [b. Masʿūd] already said the same. He asked, What did he say? I replied, Haven’t you heard him say, By Him other than whom there is none worthy of worship, Allāh does not accept [the deed] of one who seeks to be heard of, or seen, and nor someone who is playing around, [He only accepts the supplication] of one who calls upon Him from the bottom of his heart. He replied, Indeed, [I have heard him say that].

Hunād b. Al-Sarī, Al-Zuhd #874.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/du...-heart-ikhlas/

['Abdullah]

The Companion that Stays

It is reported that Al-Nuʿmān b. Bashīr – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

The example of the son of Adam and death is that of a man who has three friends. He says to one of them: “What do you have?” [The first friend] replies, “I have your wealth, take from it what you wish, and whatever you do not take, you will no longer possess.” Then he asks the second, “What do you have?” He replies, “I will look after you, and when you die, I will bury you and then leave you.” The man then asks the third, “What do you have?” He replies, “I will be with you wherever you go.” [Al-Nuʿmān] said, “As for the first one, it is the wealth of a person: whatever he uses is his, and whatever he does not use is not. As for the second, it is a man’s family and kin: when he dies they take care of him, then they leave him. As for the third, it is a man’s actions: wherever he goes (before and after death), they go with him.”

Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf ḥadīth 34723
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/th...on-that-stays/

['Abdullah]

Son, have you put it into practice?
‘Aṭā’ narrates that there used to be a young man who used to go to Mother of the Believers ‘Ā’ishah to ask her questions and she would narrate to him. One day, he came to her to ask her some questions. She said, “Son, have you put into practice what you hear from me yet?” He replied, “No mother, I have not.” So she said, “Son, why do you then seek to increase Allah’s proof against us and you?!”
Al-Khatīb Al-Baghdādī in Iqtidā’ Al-‘Ilm Al-‘Amal no. 92.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/so...into-practice/

['Abdullah]

Arguing with a Scholar or an Ignoramus

Yūnus reports: Maymūn b. Mihrān once wrote to me saying:

Beware of dispute and argumentation about the religion, and do not argue with a scholar nor an ignoramus. As for the scholar, he will withhold his knowledge from you, and will not be concerned with what you do. As for the ignorant person, he will only cause roughness in your heart and he will not obey you [anyway].

Al-Dārimī, Al-Sunan no. 302.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/ar...-an-ignoramus/

[eesa the kiwi]

Be patient at all times and in all places....for patience leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise.

""Do not become angry and furious....for those two emotions lead to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Hellfire."

-- Sufyan al-Thawri --

['Abdullah]

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/gr...-of-the-salaf/
The link has some pictures of graffiti what is considered (to date) the oldest dated Islamic inscription, from 24H, when the Rightly Guided Caliph ‘Umar b. Al-Khattāb – Allāh be pleased with him – was assassinated. It is located at Al-‘Ulā in present day Saudi Arabia. It is one of a number of ‘graffiti’ inscriptions made by travelers and pilgrims from the first few centuries of Islām. Please see the link for more details:

['Abdullah]

The Opportunity of Fasting Ashura
It is reported that Imām Al-Zuhrī – Allāh have mercy on him – was traveling and fasted ʿĀshūrāʾ, so he was asked:
“How comes you fast the Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ when traveling but not so during the fast of Ramaḍān?” He replied, “For Ramaḍān, the number of days can be made up later, but ʿĀshūrāʾ will be missed.”
Al-Bayhaqī, Shuʿab Al-Īmān ḥadīth 3518.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/op...asting-ashura/

['Abdullah]

Three Men and Three Women

It is reported that ʿUmar b. Al-Khaṭṭāb – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

There are three types of men and three types of women.
As for the women:

1. Then [one] is the chaste, Muslim, gentle, loving and childbearing woman. She helps her family in difficult situations and does not help situations to overcome her family. Rarely will you find such women.
2. Another is a vessel, she does nothing more than bear children.
3. The third type is a shackle, Allāh puts her around the neck of whomever he wills, and when he wills to remove it, he removes it.

Men are [also] three kinds.

1. [The first is] a chaste, easy, gentle man who possesses opinion (insight) and is worthy of being consulted; and when a matter befalls him, he follows his insight, and approaches matters as they should be.
2. [The second is] a man who has no opinions of his own, and when a matter befalls him he goes to the one who does have insight and should be consulted, and he adopts his opinion on the matter.
3. The third is a man who is confused, lost and aimless; he neither follows (seeks) guidance, nor obeys any guide.

Al-Bayhaqī, Shuʿab Al-Īmān 10:39 ḥadīth 7131.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/th...d-three-women/

[eesa the kiwi]

Ibn Abī Mulaykah – Allah have mercy on him – said:

I met thirty of the Prophet’s Companions – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – and every one of them feared falling into nifāq (hypocrisy); not one of them claimed he had the level of faith of Jibrīl or Mīkā`īl.

Quoted by Al-Bukhārī, Al-Sahīh, Chapter on the believer fearing that his deeds will be nullified without him realizing.

['Abdullah]

The Weight of the Quran

It is reported that Ibn ʿUmar – Allāh be pleased with him – said, “We were the beginning [the heads] of this Ummah, and perhaps a man from the best of the Companions of Allāh’s Messenger – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him – and the most righteous amongst them could maintain only one chapter of the Qur`ān or thereabouts. For the Qur`ān was weighty upon them, and they were given knowledge of it or action based on it. But the last of this Ummah will find the Qur`ān light [and easy] – the child and the non-Arab will recite it, without possessing any knowledge about it.”

Al-Harawī, Dhamm Al-Kalām wa Ahlihī Vol. 5 p144.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/th...-of-the-quran/

['Abdullah]

Helping to destroy Islam

It is reported that Al-Fuḍayl b. ʿAyyāḍ – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “Whoever helps an adherent of bid’ah (heretic) has helped in the destruction of Islam.”

Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyatu Al-Awliyā` Vol. 1 p398.

It is reported that Abū Isḥāq Al-Hamdānī and Ibrāhīm b. Maysarah said, “Whoever respects an adherent of bid’ah has helped in the destruction of Islam.”

Reported from Al-Hamdānī by Al-Ājurrī, Al-Sharī’ah Vol. 5 p260; and from Ibn Maysarah by Al-Lālakā`ī, Sharḥ Usūl I’tiqād Ahl Al-Sunnah Vol. 1 p265.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/he...destroy-islam/

[Nitro Zeus]

Helping to destroy Islam

It is reported that Al-Fuḍayl b. ʿAyyāḍ – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “Whoever helps an adherent of bid’ah (heretic) has helped in the destruction of Islam.”

Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyatu Al-Awliyā` Vol. 1 p398.

It is reported that Abū Isḥāq Al-Hamdānī and Ibrāhīm b. Maysarah said, “Whoever respects an adherent of bid’ah has helped in the destruction of Islam.”

Reported from Al-Hamdānī by Al-Ājurrī, Al-Sharī’ah Vol. 5 p260; and from Ibn Maysarah by Al-Lālakā`ī, Sharḥ Usūl I’tiqād Ahl Al-Sunnah Vol. 1 p265.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/he...destroy-islam/

What does it mean in destruction of Islam?

[eesa the kiwi]

Children of the Hereafter

It is reported from ‘Alī b. Abī Tālib –Allah be pleased with him – that he said:
The thing I fear for you most is following desires and having extensive hopes (about this worldly life). Following one’s desires blocks you from the truth, and having extensive hopes makes you forget the hereafter. Verily, this worldly life is departing and the hereafter is approaching and each of them has its children. So be children of the hereafter, not children of this world, for today there are (opportunities to do) deeds and there is no reckoning, but tomorrow there will be reckoning and no deeds.
Quoted by Al-Bukhārī, Al-Sahīh, The Book of Raqā`iq without the first sentence. Reported in its entirety by Abū Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyā` Vol.1 p40, and others.

['Abdullah]

The Value of Most People’s Judgements

It is reported that Mālik b. Dīnār – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
Since I have come to know people, I do not rejoice when they praise and I do not dislike it when they blame, for those that praise go to excess in praise and those that blame go to excess in blaming. When the scholar learns knowledge in order to act, it humbles him; but if he learns it for something other than action, it only makes him more boastful.
Al-Dhahbī, Siyar ʾAʿlām Al-Nubalāʾ 5:362.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/va...es-judgements/

['Abdullah]

The Foolish Gathering
It is reported that Muʿāwiyah b. Qurrah – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
Do not sit with the foolish using your knowledge, and do not sit with the knowledgeable (scholars) using your foolishness.
Al-Dhahabī, Siyar Aʿlām Al-Nubalāʾ 5:154.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/th...ish-gathering/

The Foolish Gathering - Sayings of the Salaf Knowledge does not benefit with the foolish and foolishness does not benefit one with the scholars....

['Abdullah]

The scholar, the ruler, and your brother
It is reported that ‘Abdullāh b. Al-Mubārak – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
It is right that an intelligent person does not undervalue three [types of people]: the scholars, the rulers, and [his Muslim] brothers. Whoever undervalues the scholars will lose his afterlife, whoever undervalues the rulers will lose his worldly life, and whoever undervalues his brothers loses his good character and conduct.

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā`17:251.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/th...-your-brother/

[eesa the kiwi]

Four Corruptions

It is reported that Muʿādh b. Jabal – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

“O people, there are four characteristics to come, whoever can avoid reaching them should do so.” [People] asked, “And what are they?” He replied, “There will come a time in which falsehood will rise, and a time will come in which a man will say, ‘By Allāh, I do not know what I am’, he will neither live nor die upon insight (knowledge of what he should be). And a time will come in which a man will start his day on one religion and end it on another. And a time will come when a man will be given wealth from the wealth Allāh provides, in return for saying what is wrong and false and for which Allāh will be angry with him.”

Ibn ʿAsākir, Tārīkh Dimishq 58:442

['Abdullah]

Faulty Iman
It is reported that Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī said:
Son of Ādam, you will never find the reality of īmān as long as you fault people for doing what you yourself are guilty of, until you clear yourself of that fault and correct it. Then, you will not correct a fault in yourself except that you will notice another, so your occupation will become correcting yourself, and this is the most beloved thing to Allāh, when you are like this.

Al-Khaṭīb Al-Baġdādī, Al-Muntakhab min Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqāʾiq, article 41.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/topic/sins/

[eesa the kiwi]

Do Not Beautify Yourself with Knowledge

It is reported that Ḥabīb b. ʿUbayd – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

Learn knowledge, understand it and benefit from it (live by it); and do not study it in order to decorate yourself with it, for if you live long you will likely see a time when knowledge will be used for beautification like a man beautifies himself with his garments.

Ibn Al-Mubārak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqāʾiq no. 1056.

['Abdullah]

Ali on fear, hope, knowledge and patience

It is reported that ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib – Allāh be pleased with him – said, “The servant [of Allāh] should not fear except his sins, and should not hope except in his Lord. The ignorant should not be ashamed to ask, and the knowledgeable should not be ashamed to say – if he does not know something – ‘Allāh knows best.’ Patience (al-ṣabr) to faith (Al-Īmān) is like the head to the rest of the body: if the head is cut off, the body will rot. And one who has no patience, has no faith.”

Al-Baihaqī, Shu’ab Al-Īmān, Vol.12 p195.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/al...-and-patience/

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. Al-Mubārak – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

How fast these days are in doing away with our lifespans, and how fast this year is in doing away with its months, and how fast this month is in doing away with its days.Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-ʿUmr was Al-Shayb article 25.

['Abdullah]

The Three Men and the Valley [example of the munafiq]

It is reported that ‘Abdullāh b. Masʿūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

The example of the believer, the unbeliever and the hypocrite is that of three people who arrived at a valley. One of them descended and passed through to the other side. One of them descended until he reached half way, when the third man on the edge of the valley called to him, “Woe to you, where are you going? You will die. Come back.” The man who made it to the other side called to him, “Come and be saved.” So [the man in the middle of the valley] kept looking back and forth at the two [on each side of the valley], when a flood came into the valley and drowned him. The man who passed through to the other side is the believer; the one who drowned is the munāfiq (hypocrite) –

مُّذَبْذَبِينَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ لَآ إِلَىٰ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَلَآ إِلَىٰ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ ۚ

[The Hypocrites] sway between this and that, neither [fully] with the believers nor with the unbelievers.

Quran 4:143

And the one who remained at the edge of the valley [not able to escape the flood and pass] is the kāfir (unbeliever).

Ibn Abī Ḥātim, Al-Tafsīr article 6144
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/th...f-the-munafiq/

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Abū Juḥayfah – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

Sit with the seniors, mix with the wise, and enquire with the scholars.

Ibn Ḥibbān, Rawḍatu Al-ʿUqalāʾ p176. See Al-Albānī, Al-Ḍaʿīfah ḥadīth 3462.

[eesa the kiwi]

Praying for the Tawbah of the SinnerIt is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. Masʿūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

If you see a man amongst you having committed a sin, do not supplicate Allāh against him and do not revile him; instead, pray to Allāh to cure him and accept his repentance, for when we used to see a man die upon something good, we would have hope for him, and when we used to see a man die upon wrongdoing, we would fear for him.

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Kitāb Al-Tawbah article 112.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Al-Nuʿmān b. Bashīr – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

The example of the son of Adam and death is that of a man who has three friends. He says to one of them: “What do you have?” [The first friend] replies, “I have your wealth, take from it what you wish, and whatever you do not take, you will no longer possess.” Then he asks the second, “What do you have?” He replies, “I will look after you, and when you die, I will bury you and then leave you.” The man then asks the third, “What do you have?” He replies, “I will be with you wherever you go.” [Al-Nuʿmān] said, “As for the first one, it is the wealth of a person: whatever he uses is his, and whatever he does not use is not. As for the second, it is a man’s family and kin: when he dies they take care of him, then they leave him. As for the third, it is a man’s actions: wherever he goes (before and after death), they go with him.”

Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf ḥadīth 34723.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿUthmān b. ʿAffān – Allāh be pleased with him – once addressed the people in a sermon. He praised Allāh, then said:

O people! Fear Allāh and obey Him, for piety is a valuable prize. Verily the most intelligent person is he who takes account of himself and works for what comes after death, and acquires through the light (guidance) of Allāh a light for the darkness of the grave.

The servant of Allāh should fear lest Allāh the Mighty and Sublime resurrects him blind though he used to see. A few comprehensive words can be enough for a wise man, whereas the deaf (who does not listen to guidance) is being called from afar.

And know that whoever Allāh the Mighty and Sublime is with has nothing to fear; but whoever Allāh the Mighty and Sublime is against, then in whom can he hope after Allāh?!

Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-ʿIlm 4:116,117.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Al-Rabīʿ b. Khuthaym – Allāh have mercy him – said: There is nothing that is away from the believer, and for which he waits, better for him than death.

Ibid. #88

death, dunyā, Paradise, remembrance of Allah, the hereafter, zuhd

Masrūq, ʿAbdullāh b. Masʿūd

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that a man saw Ibn ʿAbbās – Allāh be pleased with them – holding the tip of his tongue saying:

Woe to you, say what is good and you will reap gain, and be silent from speaking evil and you will be safe.

The man asked him:

O Ibn ʿAbbās, what is the matter that I see you holding the tip of your tongue saying such-and-such?

He replied:

It has reached me that the servant of Allāh will not be as angry at anything on the Day of Resurrection as he will be at his tongue.

Imām Aḥmad, Al-Zuhd p236

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
How strange it is that a people whose departure (from this world to the next) has been announced, and whose predecessors have already departed, still play around!

Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-‘Ilm article 843.

death, dunyā, the hereafter

Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Al-Dahhāk said:
How surprising it is that the companions of ʿAbdulāh (ibn Mas’ūd) are looking now to see where the sun rises from. Do they not know that when Fajr comes from a direction, the sun rises from the same?

It is reported that Jundub b. ʿAbdillāh Al-Bajalī said:

I once sought permission to see Ḥudhayfah three times without being given permission. So I left, but his messenger caught up with me. [When I spoke to Ḥudhayfah] he asked, “What made you leave?” I replied, “I thought you were sleeping (after Fajr).” He said, “I do not sleep until I see where the sun rises from.” [The narrator] said, “I related this to Muḥammad (another narrator), to which he said, ‘More than one of the Companions of Muḥammad – Allāh’s praise and peace be upon him – did this.’”

Ibn Abī Shaybah, Kitāb Al-Adab articles 156 and 157.

['Abdullah]

Faulty Iman

It is reported that Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī said:

Son of Ādam, you will never find the reality of īmān as long as you fault people for doing what you yourself are guilty of, until you clear yourself of that fault and correct it. Then, you will not correct a fault in yourself except that you will notice another, so your occupation will become correcting yourself, and this is the most beloved thing to Allāh, when you are like this.

Al-Khaṭīb Al-Baġdādī, Al-Muntakhab min Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqāʾiq, article 41.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/faulty-iman/

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that:

ʿAlī b. Ḥusayn – Allāh have mercy on him – would sometimes ride to Makkah and return without entering it (meeting anyone there), and he used to sit with Aslam the freedman of ʿUmar (himself a scholar), so it was said to him, “You leave Quraysh, and instead sit with the slave of Banī ʿAdī!” So he replied, “A man [should] sit where he benefits.”

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar Aʿlām Al-Nubalāʾ 4:388.

['Abdullah]

Two Qualities a Believer Cannot Have
ʿAbdullāh b. Masʿūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said: "A believer might harbour any [bad] quality, except treachery and lying."

Ibn Abī Shaybah, Kitāb Al-Īmān article 80, where Al-Albānī grades its chain of narration ṣaḥīḥ; and others.
Saʿd b. Abī Waqqās – Allāh be pleased with him – said: "A believer might be characterised with any [bad] quality, except treachery and lying."

Ibn Abī Shaybah, Kitāb Al-Īmān article 81, where Al-Albānī grades its chain of narration ṣaḥīḥ; and others.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/tw...r-cannot-have/

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Sufyān Al-Thawrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

Safety lies in not wanting to be known.

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar Aʿlām Al-Nubalāʾ 7:258.

['Abdullah]

No Bachelorhood in Islām
Imâm Ahmad – Allâh have mercy in him – said:
{Voluntary] bachelorhood has nothing to do with Islâm. The Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him – married fourteen women, and he died being married to nine of them. If Bishr b. Al-Hârith had married, his affairs would be complete. If people left marrying no one would go to battle or go on pilgrimage (Al-Hajj), and such-and-such wouldn’t happen.
He went on to say:
The Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him – would wake in the morning and his family would have nothing to eat and go to bed at night and they would have nothing to eat, [yet] he died married to nine wives, he chose marriage and encouraged others to marry.
Abû Bakr Al-Marrûdhî, Kitâb Al-Wara’ p116, 117.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/no...hood-in-islam/

['Abdullah]

Beneficial Brotherhood and Love
It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. ‘Abbās – Allāh be pleased with him – said, “Love for Allāh and hate for Allāh, make your enmity because of Allāh and your allegiance because of Allāh; for indeed, the love and support of Allāh is not achieved save through this. And a man will never taste true faith (īmān) – though he may pray and fast much – except when he is like that. Today, the people’s brotherhood is based upon worldly considerations (dunyā), but this will not do anything for them on the Day of Resurrection.”
Ibn Al-Mubārak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqā`iq article 353.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/be...hood-and-love/

[eesa the kiwi]

The Diagnosis and the Cure

It is reported that Qatādah – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

Verily the Qurān guides you to your disease and your treatment: as for your disease, it is your sins; and as for your treatment, it is to seek the forgiveness of Allāh.

Al-Bayhaqī, Shuʿab Al-Īmān 9:347 no. 6745.

The Diagnosis and the Cure - Sayings of the Salaf The Quran tells us both what is wrong with us and how to fix it....

[MazharShafiq]

ʿAbd Allāh bin Sa‘īd bin Abū Hind reported to us on the authority of his father, on the authority of ibn ʿAbbās, may God be satisfied with them, who said: “The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: ‘There are two deceitful benefits that many people are concerned with: health and leisure (al-ṣiḥḥah wa al-farāgh).’”

[MazharShafiq]

Jaʿfar bin al-Burqān reported to us on the authority of Ziyād bin al-Jarrāḥ on the authority of ʿAmr bin Maymūn al-Awdá, who said: “The prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, said to a man while he was preaching: ‘Take advantage of these five things, before five [other things]: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, your leisure before your preoccupation, and your life before your death.’”

[MazharShafiq]

Kahmas bin al-Ḥasan reported to us on the authority of Abū al-Salīl on the authority of ʿAnīm bin Qays, who said: “We preached in the beginning of Islam four things. We would say: ‘Put to use your youth for the sake of your old age, your leisure for the sake of your preoccupation, your health for the sake your sickness, and your life for the sake of your death.’”

[MazharShafiq]

Ḥanẓalah bin Abū Sufyān reported to us on the authority of Aṭṭā’ bin Abū Ribbāḥ who said: ʿAbd allah bin Masʿūd said: “There is nothing more uncertain in the world, than the world itself.”

[MazharShafiq]

ʿAbd al-Wārith bin Saʿīd Abū ʿUbayd reported to us on the authority of a man on the authority of al-Ḥasan, that he used to say: “Oh son of Adam! Beware of procrastination (al-taswīf)! Verily, today is upon you, so do not concern yourself with tomorrow. [After today], if you have a tomorrow, then be wise then just as you were wise today. For if you do not have a tomorrow, then you will not regret what you neglected today.” There reported to me others, regarding al-Ḥasan, who said that he used to say: “I knew people, one of whom was more cautious in regards to his life than with his dirhams and dinars.”

['Abdullah]

Which life to Pursue?
It is reported that Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī often used to say, “O youth! Seek the hereafter, for we often see people pursuing the hereafter and finding it as well as the dunyā (worldly wellbeing), but we have never seen anyone pursue the dunyā and gain the hereafter as well as the dunyā.”
Al-Bayhaqī, Al-Zuhd Al-Kabīr, article 12.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/which-life/

Which life to Pursue? - Sayings of the Salaf It is reported that Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī often used to say, “O youth! Seek the hereafter, for we often see people pursuing the hereafter and finding it as...

['Abdullah]

You better get Married

It is reported that Ṭāwūs – Allāh have mercy on him – said, “The worship and devoutness of a young person is not complete until he marries.”

Ibrāhīm b. Maysurah reports that Ṭāwūs said to him, “You better get married or I will say to you what ʿUmar b. Al-Khattāb said to Abū Al-Zawā`id: ‘Nothing but incapability or sinfulness is preventing you from getting married!’”

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā`, in his biography of Ṭāwūs.

Ṭāwūs b. Kaysān was a great scholar and ascetic. He was the most renowned scholar of Yemen during his time. He is regarded as one of the senior companions and students of Ibn ‘Abbās, and reports narrations from a number of other Companions.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/better-get-married/

[eesa the kiwi]

Three Traits of the Scholar

It is reported that Abū Ḥāzim Salamah b. Dīnār – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

You cannot be a scholar unless you have three traits: you do not transgress against those above you, you do not look down on those lesser than you, and you do not take any dunyā in return for your knowledge.

Al-Bayhaqī, Shuʿab Al-Īmān 3:282, article 1655

['Abdullah]

Hafsah on Two Reasons to Marry

ʿAmr b. Dīnār reports that ʿAbdullāh b. ʿUmar – Allāh be pleased with them – intended not to marry after the [passing of the] Prophet – ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa salam, so Ḥafṣah (his sister) – Allāh be pleased with her – advised him:

My brother, marry, for if you have a child and it dies, it will precede you into Al-Jannah (and be a cause for you to be admitted), and if it lives, the child will supplicate for good for you.

ʿAbd Al-Razzāq Al-Ṣanʿānī, Al-Muṣannaf #10388
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/ha...sons-to-marry/

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Sufyān Al-Thawrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

If you loved a man for Allāh and then he innovates in Islām and you don’t hate him for it, you never [truly] loved him for Allāh.

Abū Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyā

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Imām Al-Awzā’ī – Allāh have mercy on him – used to say:

Whoever hides his heresy (bid’ah) from us, his companionship is not hidden from us.

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibānah Al-Kubrā article 420.

It is reported that when Sufyān Al-Thawrī – Allāh have mercy on him – came to Baṣrah he started to look into the matter of Al-Rabī’ – i.e. Ibn Ṣabīḥ
(1) – and his status amongst the people. [Sufyān] asked, “What does he believe?” [People] replied, “He believes in nothing but the Sunnah.” He asked, “Who are his companions?” They replied, “The People of Qadr (those who denied Allāh’s pre-decree).” He said, “Then he is a Qadarī (like them).”

Ibid. article 421.

[MazharShafiq]

It was said to ‘Ā`ishah – Allāh be pleased with her, “There are people who faint when they hear the Quran.” She said. “The Quran is nobler than to have people lose their minds from it. Rather, it [should be] as Allāh the Mighty and Sublime said:

Those who fear their Lord tremble with fear by it, then their skins and hearts settle to the remembrance of Allah. (Sūrah Al-Zumar: 23)

Abū ‘Ubayd Al-Qāsim b. Sallām, Faḍā`il Al-Qur`ān p214.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. ‘Urwah b. Al-Zubayr said, “I asked my grandmother Asmā` (bint Abī Bakr) – Allāh be pleased with her, ‘How were the Companions of Allāh’s Messenger – Allāh peace and praise be upon him – when they heard the Quran?’ She replied, ‘their eyes would shed tears and they would tremble (with fear), as Allāh described them (in the Quran).’ I said, ‘There are some people here who, when they hear the Quran, fall down unconscious,’ She said, ‘I seek refuge with Allāh from the accursed Shayṭān.’”

Al-Bayhaqī, Shu’ab Al-Īmān 3

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Anas b. Mālik was asked about people who drop unconscious when the Quran is recited to them. He said, “That is the behavior of the Khawārij.”

Al-Qāsim b. Salām, op. cit. p215.

It is reported that Muḥammad b. Sīrīn said, having been asked about a man who drops unconscious when the Quran is recited to him, “Make an appointment between us and him, we will sit on a wall, and the Quran – from beginning to end – will be recited unto him. If he falls off the wall, he is as he claims.”

Ibid., Al-Baghawī, op. cit.

['Abdullah]

A False testimony of Faith [hypocrisy and the shahadah]

The likeness [of the munāfiq] is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire; then, when it lighted all around him, Allāh took away their light and left them in darkness. So they could not see. They are deaf, dumb and blind, so they return not [to the Right Path]. (Quran 2:17)

Qatādah – Allāh’s mercy be upon him – said:

This is the likeness Allāh has given of the Hypocrite (munāfiq); he says lā ilāha illallāh and with it marries into the Muslims, inherits from the Muslims, fights alongside the Muslims, and protects his blood and wealth. But when death comes, [the testimony of faith] has no basis in his heart, and no reality in his actions, so the munāfiq is stripped of it at death and left in darkness and blindness wondering therein, just as he was blind about the right of Allāh and obedience to Him in his worldly life and deaf to the truth.

Al-Ṭabarī, Al-Tafsīr
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/a-...-the-shahadah/

['Abdullah]

Don’t ask the Polytheists

Abdullāh b. ‘Abbās – Allāh be pleased with them – said:
O Muslims, how can you ask the People of the Book [about their scripture] when the Book of Allāh that was revealed to your Prophet – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him – is the most recent news of Allāh; you recite it complete and unaltered? Allāh has informed you that they replaced what Allāh wrote and changed the Book with their hands and said ‘This is from Allāh,’ to purchase with it a measly price (Quran 2:79). Does not the knowledge that has come to you forbid you from asking them? By Allāh, we have not seen a single man among them asking you about what was revealed to you.
Al-Bukhārī, Al-Ṣaḥīḥ hadith 2685, Chapter on not asking the Polytheists for testimonies or anything else. He also records it in other chapters.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/do...e-polytheists/

[MazharShafiq]

حَدَّثَنَا فَرْوَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُسْهِرٍ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ الْحَارِثَ بْنَ هِشَامٍ، سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَيْفَ يَأْتِيكَ الْوَحْىُ قَالَ ‏ "‏ كُلُّ ذَاكَ يَأْتِي الْمَلَكُ أَحْيَانًا فِي مِثْلِ صَلْصَلَةِ الْجَرَسِ، فَيَفْصِمُ عَنِّي وَقَدْ وَعَيْتُ مَا قَالَ، وَهْوَ أَشَدُّهُ عَلَىَّ، وَيَتَمَثَّلُ لِي الْمَلَكُ أَحْيَانًا رَجُلاً، فَيُكَلِّمُنِي فَأَعِي مَا يَقُولُ ‏"‏‏.‏

[MazharShafiq]

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَقُولُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ مَرِضْتُ فَلَمْ تَعُدْنِي قَالَ يَا رَبِّ كَيْفَ أَعُودُكَ وَأَنْتَ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ قَالَ أَمَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ عَبْدِي فُلَانًا مَرِضَ فَلَمْ تَعُدْهُ أَمَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّكَ لَوْ عُدْتَهُ لَوَجَدْتَنِي عِنْدَهُ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ اسْتَطْعَمْتُكَ فَلَمْ تُطْعِمْنِي قَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَكَيْفَ أُطْعِمُكَ وَأَنْتَ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ قَالَ أَمَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّهُ اسْتَطْعَمَكَ عَبْدِي فُلَانٌ فَلَمْ تُطْعِمْهُ أَمَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّكَ لَوْ أَطْعَمْتَهُ لَوَجَدْتَ ذَلِكَ عِنْدِي يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ اسْتَسْقَيْتُكَ فَلَمْ تَسْقِنِي قَالَ يَا رَبِّ كَيْفَ أَسْقِيكَ وَأَنْتَ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ قَالَ اسْتَسْقَاكَ عَبْدِي فُلَانٌ فَلَمْ تَسْقِهِ أَمَا إِنَّكَ لَوْ سَقَيْتَهُ وَجَدْتَ ذَلِكَ عِنْدِي

Allah Almighty will say on the Day of Resurrection: O son of Adam, I was sick but you did not visit me. He will say: My Lord, how can I visit you when you are the Lord of the worlds? Allah will say: Did you not know that my servant was sick and you did not visit him, and had you visited him you would have found me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food but you did not feed me. He will say: My Lord, how can I feed you when you are the Lord of the worlds? Allah will say: Did you not know that my servant asked you for food but you did not feed him, and had you fed him you would have found me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for drink but you did not provide for me. He will say: My Lord, how can I give you drink when you are the Lord of the worlds? Allah will say: My servant asked you for a drink but you did not provide for him, and had you given it to him you would have found me with him.

['Abdullah]

Stupid: Asking for Quran without Sunnah
It is reported that ‘Imrān b. Husayn – Allāh be pleased with him – was once relating hadīth amongst a group of people, when a man said:
Leave this and give us something from the Book of Allāh. ‘Imrān said, “You are a dunce (stupid). Do you find in the Book of Allāh details of prayer. Do you find in the Book of Allāh details of fasting!? This Qur`ān prescribes those matters, and the Sunnah explains them.”
Al-Harawī, Dham Al-Kalām article 244, et al with various wordings.
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/st...ithout-sunnah/

[eesa the kiwi]

Arguing with a Scholar or an Ignoramus

Yūnus reports: Maymūn b. Mihrān once wrote to me saying:

Beware of dispute and argumentation about the religion, and do not argue with a scholar nor an ignoramus. As for the scholar, he will withhold his knowledge from you, and will not be concerned with what you do. As for the ignorant person, he will only cause roughness in your heart and he will not obey you [anyway].

Al-Dārimī, Al-Sunan no. 302.

['Abdullah]

Women are ‘Awrah – Explained

ʿAbdullāh b. Mas’ūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

Women are but an ‘awrah (something private to be covered). A woman might leave her house without there being any problem with her, but the Shaytān seeks her out and says [to her], “You will not pass by anyone except that you will impress/please him.” A woman puts on her clothes and is asked where she is going, to which she replies, “To visit a sick person,” or “to attend a funeral”, or “to pray in the masjid”; but a woman never worships Allāh in the way she does when she worships Him in her house.

Al-Tabarānī. Graded sahīh by Shaykh Al-Albānī in Sahīh Al-Targhībi wa Al-Tarhīb Vol. 1 p84.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/wo...rah-explained/

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that ʿUmar b. Al-Khaṭṭāb – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

Do not expose yourself to what does not concern you, stay away from your enemy, beware of [taking as] your friend anyone except the trustworthy amongst people – and there is no one who is trustworthy except one who fears Allāh; and do not accompany the sinner in case you learn his sinfulness, and do not let him know your secrets, and consult those who fear Allāh for your affairs.

Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf 34476.

['Abdullah]

The Sunnah is Wisdom
Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall recite unto them Your verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur`ān) and Al-Ḥikmah (wisdom) and sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” [Al-Baqarah 2:129]
And remember (O members of the Prophet’s family) that which is recited in your houses of the Verses of Allāh and Al--Ḥikmah. [Al-Ahzab 33:34]
It is reported that Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī – Allāh have mercy on him said, “Al-Kitāb is the Qur`ān, and Al-Ḥikmah is the Sunnah.”
It is also reported that Qatādah – Allāh have mercy on him said, “And [he will] teach them The Book and Al-Ḥikmah, i.e. the Sunnah.”
Al-Lālakā`ī, Sharḥ Usūl I’tiqād Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jamā’ah Vol.1 p86, 87; Ibn Battah, Al-Ibānah Al-Kubrā Vol.1 p98; and Al-Ṭabarī in his Tafsīr.
Shaykh Al-Islām Ibn Taymīyah said (Majmū’ Al-Fatāwā Vol.3 p366), “A number of the Salaf said that Al-Ḥikmah refers to the Sunnah, because that which was recited in the houses of [the Prophet’s] wives – Allāh be pleased with them – apart from the Qur`ān was his Sunnah – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him.”
https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/the-sunnah-is-wisdom/

[eesa the kiwi]

The Danger of Over-Suspicion

ʿAbdullāh b. Masʿūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

The victim of theft might continue to suspect and conjecture [about who stole from him] until he becomes worse [in sin] than the thief.

Al-Bukhārī, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad no. 1289. Its chain of transmission was graded ṣaḥīḥ by Al-Albānī in Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Adab Al-Mufrad no.974.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Bilāl b. Saʿd – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

A brother who, whenever you meet him, points out to you one of your faults (for you to correct yourself) is better for you than a brother who, whenever you meet him, puts a dīnār (money) in your hand.

Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-ʿIlm no. 1428.

['Abdullah]

Delving into Falsehood (I’ll take what’s good)
It is reported that Ibrāhīm b. Ad-ham – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
Delving into falsehood removes the ability to recognize the truth from the heart.
Abu Nu’aym, Hilyatu Al-Awliyā` 8:22.

https://www.sayingsofthesalaf.net/de...ke-whats-good/

Delving into Falsehood (I'll take what's good) - Sayings of the Salaf The danger of taking the attitude of delving into falsehood in order to take what is right....

[eesa the kiwi]

Honouring and Dishonouring Oneself

It is reported that Yaḥyā b. Abī Kathīr – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

It used to be said, “People have never honoured themselves with anything [better] than the obedience of Allāh, and they have never dishonoured themselves with anything [worse] than disobedience to Allāh.”

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Muḥāsabatu Al-Nafs article 98.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Abū Bakr Al-Ṣiddīq – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

Beware of lying, for lying is far removed from īmān.

Abū Bakr Al-Ḵallāl, Al-Sunnah no. 1467, 1470; Al-Bayhaqī, Shuʿab Al-Īmān no. 4463.

Ibn Al-Qayyim said in Al-Fawāʾid, …Thus, every good action – both outer and inner – comes from truthfulness, and every evil corrupt action – both outer and inner – comes from falsehood and lying.

character, good deeds, iman, sins, truthfulness

Abū Bakr Al-Ṣiddīq

[MazharShafiq]

The Companion that Stays

It is reported that Al-Nuʿmān b. Bashīr – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

The example of the son of Adam and death is that of a man who has three friends. He says to one of them: “What do you have?” [The first friend] replies, “I have your wealth, take from it what you wish, and whatever you do not take, you will no longer possess.” Then he asks the second, “What do you have?” He replies, “I will look after you, and when you die, I will bury you and then leave you.” The man then asks the third, “What do you have?” He replies, “I will be with you wherever you go.” [Al-Nuʿmān] said, “As for the first one, it is the wealth of a person: whatever he uses is his, and whatever he does not use is not. As for the second, it is a man’s family and kin: when he dies they take care of him, then they leave him. As for the third, it is a man’s actions: wherever he goes (before and after death), they go with him.”

Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf ḥadīth 34723.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. Masʿūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

Verily a man continues to be truthful until he is written with Allāh as a true believer (ṣiddīq); and he persists in truthfulness until there is not even the space of a needle for sinfulness left in his heart to settle. And a man lies and persists in lying until there is not even the space of a needle for goodness in his heart to settle.

Wakīʿ b. Al-Jarrāḥ, Al-Zuhd ḥadīth 398.

[eesa the kiwi]

Abû Dardâ (radiyAllâhu ‘anhu) said, “From the completion of taqwâ is that the slave fears from his Lord even with regards to things the weight of an atom.”

[eesa the kiwi]

Trust in Allāh During InflationIt is reported that Abū Ḥāzim Salamah b. Dīnār – Allāh have mercy on him – was once asked:“O Abū Ḥāzim, do you not see how prices have risen?” He replied, “And what is the worry? Verily, he (Allāh) who provides for us during deflation is the one who will provide for us during inflation.”Abū Nuʿaym, Ḥilyatu Al-ʾAwliyāʾ 3:239.

[eesa the kiwi]

It is reported that Abu Al-ʿĀlyah – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

There are two blessings I have been blessed with, I know not which of them is greatest: that Allāh guided me to Islām, and that he did not make me a Ḥarūrī (from the Khawārij extremists).

ʿAbd Al-Razzāq Al-Ṣanʿānī, Al-Muṣannaf ḥadīth 18667.

[MazharShafiq]

Knock, And He'll open the door
Vanish, And He'll make you shine like the sun
Fall, And He'll raise you to the heavens
Become nothing, And He'll turn you into everything.

Jalal Ad-Din Rumi

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Ḥudhayfah b. Al-Yamān – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

True misguidance is that you approve now what you used to repudiate before (because it was wrong) and repudiate now what you used to approve before; and be aware of changing colours in the religion, for the religion of Allāh is one.

Ibn Baṭṭah, Al-Ibānatu Al-Kubrā ḥadīth 25, and others.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿAdī b. Ḥātim – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

You will remain upon good as long as you do not start approving of what you used to repudiate and as long as you do not repudiate what you used to know (to be right), and as long as your scholar can speak amongst you without fear.

[MazharShafiq]

Alqamah reports:

Ibn Masʿūd and [the rest of] the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ used to say the qunūt supplication before bowing in the witr prayer.

Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf ḥadīth 6911, and others.

[MazharShafiq]

Al-Muzanī reports:
I heard Al-Shāfiʿī say:

A man once asked Ubay b. Kaʿb – Allāh be pleased with him, “Exhort me with something I can benefit by and by which I will be rewarded.” He replied, “Be brotherly with brothers according to how righteous they are, do not expend your speech on those who are not interested in it, do not seek anyone to meet your need who does not care if he does not fulfil it, and do not envy the living except for something you would envy the dead.”

Al-Ājurrī, Juz fīhi Ḥikāyāt ʿan Al-Shāfiʿī article 24.

[eesa the kiwi]

The Correct Place of Opinion

Al-Awzāʿī reports that Caliph ʿUmar b. ʿAbd Al-ʿAzīz – Allāh have mercy on him – wrote (in his orders):There is no place for anyone’s opinion [when it comes to] what is in the Book (revelation). The opinion of the imāms (great scholars) is only regarding what the Book did not come down with, and regarding which no Sunnah has passed from the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. And the opinion of no one is counted in the face of a Sunnah from the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ.A

l-Ājurrī, Al-Sharīʿah #113 et al.

[eesa the kiwi]

The Best Things a Person Can be Given

It is reported from Ḥabīb Al-Jallāb that he asked ʿAbdullāh b. Al-Mubārak – Allāh have mercy on him:

“What is the best thing a person is ever given?” He replied, “Innate intelligence.” He then asked, “And if not that?” He replied, “Good conduct.” He then asked, “And if not that?” He replied, “A compassionate brother to consult.” He then asked, “And if not that?” He replied, “Long silence.” He asked, “And if not that?” Ibn Al-Mubārak replied, “Then an early death.”

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar ʾAʿlām Al-Nubalāʾ 8:397.

[eesa the kiwi]

Taking Knowledge in Stages

It is reported that Al-Zuhrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said to Yūnus b. Yazīd:

O Yūnus! Do not try to overcome knowledge, for verily knowledge is [like vast] valleys: whichever of them you take will stop you before you traverse it. Instead, take it over the days and nights. And do not take knowledge all at once, for whoever tries to take it all at once will lose it all at once. Rather take it bit by bit over the days and nights.

Ibn ʿAbd Al-Barr, Jāmiʿ Bayān Al-ʿIlm article 652.

[eesa the kiwi]

How to Look at Yourself and Others

It is reported that Bakr b. ʿAbdillāh Al-Muzanī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

When you see someone older than you, say: he has preceded me in īmān and righteous actions so he is better than me; and when you see someone younger than you, say: I have preceded him in sinning and disobedience so he is better than me. And when you see your brothers honouring and revering you, say: this is a virtue they have attained; and when you see them falling short (in their treatment of you) say: this is [because of] a sin I committed.

Ibn Al-Jawzī, Ṣifatu Al-Ṣafwah, article 505: Bakr b. ʿAbdillāh Al-Muzanī.

[eesa the kiwi]

Not Even if You Have a ResponseIt is reported that Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:


Do not sit with the people of desires (Bidʿah, heresy), even if you think you have a response [to what they say].


Al-Harawī, Dhamm Al-Kalām article 765.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Bakr b. ʿAbdillāh Al-Muzanī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

If you want your ṣalāh to benefit you, say (to yourself): perhaps I will never pray another (my life will end before the next prayer).

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Qaṣr Al-ʾAmal article 104.

death, dunyā, hope, prayer, the hereafter

Bakr b. ʿAbdillāh Al-Muzanī

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Al-Nuʿmān b. Bashīr – Allāh be pleased with him – said during a sermon he was delivering in Homs:

Total destruction lies in doing bad deeds during a time of calamity and tribulation.

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-ʿUqūbāt article 327.

calamities, fitnah, plague, punishment, sins

Al-Nuʿmān b. Bashīr

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. Masʿūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

If you see a man amongst you having committed a sin, do not supplicate Allāh against him and do not revile him; instead, pray to Allāh to cure him and accept his repentance, for when we used to see a man die upon something good, we would have hope for him, and when we used to see a man die upon wrongdoing, we would fear for him.

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Kitāb Al-Tawbah article 112.

brotherhood, fear, forgiveness, hope, repentance, sins, supplication

ʿAbdullāh b. Masʿūd

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿAlī b. Al-Ḥusayn b. ʿAlī b.ʾAbī Ṭālib – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

No man speaks well about another while not knowing it to be true except that he is also likely to speak badly about him without knowing it to be true. And two people do not accompany each other doing something that is not obedience to Allāh except that it is likely they will part from each other doing something that is not obedience to Allāh.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. Masʿūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

Verily a man continues to be truthful until he is written with Allāh as a true believer (ṣiddīq); and he persists in truthfulness until there is not even the space of a needle for sinfulness left in his heart to settle. And a man lies and persists in lying until there is not even the space of a needle for goodness in his heart to settle.

Wakīʿ b. Al-Jarrāḥ, Al-Zuhd ḥadīth 398.

character, good deeds, sins, the heart, truthfulness

ʿAbdullāh b. Masʿūd

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Abū Bakr Al-Ṣiddīq – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

Beware of lying, for lying is far removed from īmān.

Abū Bakr Al-Ḵallāl, Al-Sunnah no. 1467, 1470; Al-Bayhaqī, Shuʿab Al-Īmān no. 4463.

Ibn Al-Qayyim said in Al-Fawāʾid, …Thus, every good action – both outer and inner – comes from truthfulness, and every evil corrupt action – both outer and inner – comes from falsehood and lying.

character, good deeds, iman, sins, truthfulness

Abū Bakr Al-Ṣiddīq

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿAlī b. ʾAbī Ṭālib – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

Do not be with the sinner (fājir), for he will beautify to you the things he does, and he will want you to be like him; and he will beautify to you the worst of his practices; and his entrance upon you and leaving from your company will cause ignominy and discredit [of you].

And do not accompany the fool (aḥmaq), for he will exhaust himself [to help you] but will not benefit you, and he may want to benefit you but end up harming you; his silence is better than his speaking, his distance is better than his closeness, and him dying is better than him living.

And do not accompany the liar, for life will not benefit you with him, he will tell others what you say, and tell you what others say; and if you speak the truth, it will not be believed.

Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir AlʿIlm no. 1379.

affairs of the Ummah, character, companionship, knowledge, sins, speech

ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭālib

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Yaḥyā b. Abī Kathīr – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

It used to be said, “People have never honoured themselves with anything [better] than the obedience of Allāh, and they have never dishonoured themselves with anything [worse] than disobedience to Allāh.”

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Muḥāsabatu Al-Nafs article 98.

character, good deeds, sins, the soul

Yaḥyā b. Abī Kathīr

[eesa the kiwi]

We Take Our Religion from the Companions

ʿAbbād b. Al-ʿAwwām narrates:

Sharīk b. ʿAbdillāh came to us around fifty years ago, and we said to him, “O Abū ʿAbdillāh, here amongst us there are people from the Muʿtazilah who reject these āḥādīth [like]: ‘Allāh descends to the lowest heaven’, and ‘the people of Jannah will see their Lord’. So Sharīk narrated to me around ten such narrations, then said: ‘As for us, we have taken our religion from the sons of the Tābiʿīn, from the Ṣaḥābah. Who have they taken from?’”

Al-Ḏahabī, Al-ʿUluw. Graded ṣaḥīḥ by Al-Albānī in Mukhtaṣar Al-ʿUluw article 146.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ‘Alī b. Abī Ṭālib – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

Goodness is not in your wealth and offspring being plentiful; true goodness is when your [good] deeds are plenty and you have great understanding and forbearance, and when you compete to worship your Lord. If you do good you praise Allāh and thank Him, and if you sin you beg Allāh’s forgiveness. There is no good in this life except with two types of men: A man who sins but then corrects himself through repentance, and a man who strives and hastens to get [the good] of the hereafter.

Ibn ‘Asākir, Al-Tawbah article 13.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported from ‘Alī b. Abī Tālib –Allah be pleased with him – that he said:

The thing I fear for you most is following desires and having extensive hopes (about this worldly life). Following one’s desires blocks you from the truth, and having extensive hopes makes you forget the hereafter. Verily, this worldly life is departing and the hereafter is approaching and each of them has its children. So be children of the hereafter, not children of this world, for today there are (opportunities to do) deeds and there is no reckoning, but tomorrow there will be reckoning and no deeds.

Quoted by Al-Bukhārī, Al-Sahīh, The Book of Raqā`iq without the first sentence. Reported in its entirety by Abū Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyā` Vol.1 p40, and others.

Al-Hāfidh Ibn Hajr states in Fath Al-Bārī:

Extensive hopes (about this worldly life) give rise to lethargy when it comes to acts of obedience, procrastinating with repentance, desire for worldly things, forgetfulness of the hereafter and hardness of the heart; because the softness of the heart and its purity only comes about by remembering death, the grave, reward and punishment, and the horrors of the hereafter…for if one remembers death, he strives to do acts of obedience, his worries decrease and he is satisfied with less.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported form Abū Al-Dardā – Allāh be pleased with him – that he said, “Three make me laugh, and three make me cry.

Those that make me laugh are a person who puts his hopes in this worldly life while death pursues him, a person who is heedless [of his Lord] while [his Lord] is not heedless of him, and a person who always laughs while he does not know whether he has pleased Allāh or angered Him.

What makes me cry is being separated from my beloved: Muhammad and his party (the Companions), the horrors of the time of death, and standing in front of Allāh ‘azza wa jall on the Day when the secrets will be revealed and I do not know will I then go to Paradise or Hell?”

Ibn Al-Mubārak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqā`iq article 250.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. Masʿūd – Allāh be pleased with him – said: There is no comfort or rest for the believer until he meets Allāh.

Wakīʿ b. Al-Jarrāḥ, Al-Zuhd #86

It is reported that Masrūq – Allāh have mercy him – said: There is no house better for the believer than the niche of his grave, for then he will rest from the worries of this world, and be secured from the punishment of Allāh.

Ibid. #87

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Al-Rabīʿ b. Khuthaym – Allāh have mercy him – said: There is nothing that is away from the believer, and for which he waits, better for him than death.

Ibid. #88

[eesa the kiwi]

The Worst Fitnah

It is reported that Ḥudhayfah – Allāh be pleased with him – was asked:

“What is the worst fitnah?” He replied, “That good and evil is presented to you and you do not know which of them to follow.”Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf, Kitāb Al-Fitan, article 38565.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿAbdullāh b. Al-Mubārak – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

How fast these days are in doing away with our lifespans, and how fast this year is in doing away with its months, and how fast this month is in doing away with its days.

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-ʿUmr was Al-Shayb article 25.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Ḥabīb b. ʿUbayd – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

Learn knowledge, understand it and benefit from it (live by it); and do not study it in order to decorate yourself with it, for if you live long you will likely see a time when knowledge will be used for beautification like a man beautifies himself with his garments.

Ibn Al-Mubārak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqāʾiq no. 1056.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Bilāl b. Saʿd – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

If you see a man being obstinate, argumentative and impressed with his own opinion, then his loss is complete.

Abū Nuʿaym, ʿHilyatu Al-Awliyāʾ 5:228

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Ḥudhayfah b. Al-Yamān – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

True misguidance is that you approve now what you used to repudiate before (because it was wrong) and repudiate now what you used to approve before; and be aware of changing colours in the religion, for the religion of Allāh is one.

Ibn Baṭṭah, Al-Ibānatu Al-Kubrā ḥadīth 25, and others.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿAdī b. Ḥātim – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

You will remain upon good as long as you do not start approving of what you used to repudiate and as long as you do not repudiate what you used to know (to be right), and as long as your scholar can speak amongst you without fear.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Al-Nuʿmān b. Bashīr – Allāh be pleased with him – said during a sermon he was delivering in Homs:

Total destruction lies in doing bad deeds during a time of calamity and tribulation.

Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-ʿUqūbāt article 327.

[eesa the kiwi]

The Beauty in the QuranWhenever ʿAbdullāh b. ʿAbbās – Allāh be pleased with them – saw a muṣḥaf (copy of the Qurān) decorated with silver or gold he would say:


Do you tempt the thief, when its beauty is in its inside?


Abū ʿUbayd Al-Qāsim b. Sallām, Faḍāʾil Al-Qurān article 907.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Ḥudhayfah b. Al-Yamān – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

True misguidance is that you approve now what you used to repudiate before (because it was wrong) and repudiate now what you used to approve before; and be aware of changing colours in the religion, for the religion of Allāh is one.

Ibn Baṭṭah, Al-Ibānatu Al-Kubrā ḥadīth 25, and others.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿAdī b. Ḥātim – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

You will remain upon good as long as you do not start approving of what you used to repudiate and as long as you do not repudiate what you used to know (to be right), and as long as your scholar can speak amongst you without fear.

Op. cit. ḥadīth 26.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that Harim b. Ḥayyān – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

“Beware of the sinful scholar (al-ʿālim al-fāsiq).” This reached ʿUmar, so he wrote to him in fear, “Who is the sinful scholar?” He wrote back, “I did not intend but good; this is when there is an imām (leader, taken as an example) who speaks knowledge, but practices sins, confusing the people, and thus they go astray.”

Al-Dhahabī, Siyar ʾAʿlām Al-Nubalāʾ 4:49

[MazharShafiq]

Anas b. Mālik – Allāh be pleased with him – reports:

A female slave once entered upon ʿUmar b. Al-Khaṭṭāb – Allāh be pleased with him – and he recognised her as having been owned by some of the Muhājirūn or the Anṣār, but she was wearing a jilbāb covering her head with it, so he asked her, “Have you been freed?” To which she replied, “No.” So he said, “Then why the jilbāb? Remove it from your head, the jilbāb is only to be worn as a duty by the free women of the believers.” She hesitated and was slow to comply so he raised his stick and hit her on the head with it until she cast [the jilbāb] from her head.

Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf ḥadīth 6240. Graded ṣaḥīḥ according to the conditions of Muslim by Al-Albānī in Irwāʾ Al-Ġalīl 6:204.

[MazharShafiq]

It is reported that ʿUmar b. Al-Khaṭṭāb – Allāh be pleased with him – said:

There are three types of men and three types of women. As for the women, then [one] is the chaste, Muslim, gentle, loving and childbearing woman. She helps her family in difficult situations and does not help situations to overcome her family. Rarely will you find such women. Another is a vessel, she does nothing more than bear children. The third type is a shackle, Allāh puts her around the neck of whomever he wills, and when he wills to remove it, he removes it. Men are [also] three kinds. [The first is] a chaste, easy, gentle man who possesses opinion (insight) and is worthy of being consulted; and when a matter befalls him, he follows his insight, and approaches matters as they should be. [The second is] a man who has no opinions of his own, and when a matter befalls him he goes to the one who does have insight and should be consulted, and he adopts his opinion on the matter. The third is a man who is confused, lost and aimless; he neither follows (seeks) guidance, nor obeys any guide.

Al-Bayhaqī, Shuʿab Al-Īmān 10:39 ḥadīth 7131.