Pearls of Wisdom of the Salaf

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How Imam Muslim Died

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On the authority of Ahmad b. Salamah:
A gathering of knowledge and revision was held for Abul-Husayn Muslim b. Al-Hajjâj where a hadîth that he did not know was mentioned. He went home and lit his lamp and said to those at home, “no one should enter the house (disturb me).” He was told, “We have been gifted a basket of dates.” He said, “Put it out for me,” so they served it to him. He started searching for the hadîth and taking a date at a time until the morning, by which time the dates where finished and he had finally found the hadîth.
Muhammad b. ‘Abdillâh (one of the reporters of this narration) added, “A reliable companion of ours added that this was the cause of his death.”

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` in his biography of Imâm Muslim





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Worse than not knowing

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Imâm Muslim reports in the introduction to his Sahîh that Yahya b. Sa'îd once said to Al-Qâsim b. 'Ubaydillâh:

"Abu Muhammad! It feels horrible and grave that you should be asked a question about this religion and not have knowledge about it or a way to get out [and not look like you don't know]." He replied, "And why is that?" Yahya replied, "Because you are the son of two great Imâms of Guidance, Abu Bakr and 'Umar." Al-Qâsim said, "Even more horrible than this – to those who understand what Allah has taught us – is that I should say something without knowledge or report a narration from someone who is not reliable."

Al-Qâsim b. 'Ubaydillâh was the great grandson of Abu Bakr Al-Siddîq on his mother's side and the great grandson of 'Umar b. Al-Khattâb on his father's side. His grandfather was Abdullah b. 'Umar – Allah be please with them all

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Abu 'Abdillaah Al-Husayn bin Al-Hasan bin Ahmad bin Muhammad Al-Jawaaleeqee informed us: Ja'far Al-Khaldee narrated to us: Ahmad, i.e. Ibn Muhammad bin Masrooq, narrated to us: Muhammad bin Al-Husayn narrated to us: Muhammad bin Ashkaab As-Saffaar narrated to us, saying: A man from his family i.e. the family of Dawood At-Ta'ee, narrated to me, saying: "I said to him (i.e. to Dawood At-Taa'ee): 'O Abu Sulaymaan! You are aware of the family ties between us and you, so advise us.' So his eyes filled with tears. Then he said:

'O my brother, verily, the night and the day are stages that the people pass through - stage by stage - until this takes them to the end of their journey. So if you are able to put forth a provision during every day's stage, then do so, for indeed, the end of the journey is as near as it can get, and the affair (i.e. the Day of Judgement) is quicker than that. So take provisions for your journey. And take yourself to account, for indeed (on that Day), you will not be able to judge in your affair. So it is as if your affair has come upon you all of a sudden. And I don't know anyone that is more heedless of this than me.' Then he got up and left me."

- Iqtidhaa-ul-'Ilm al-'Amal of Khateeb al-Baghdaadee

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'Ali R.A said;

"The one who shows off has three charactersistics: he is lazy when by himself, he is lively and energetic when with others and he increases in his actions when he is praised and decreases in them when he is criticised."

Part of a list of sayings taken from Ihyaa Uloom id-Deen of al-Ghazaalee, Mukhtasir Minhaaj il-Qaasideen of Ibn Qudaamah and Kitaab uz-Zuhd of Ibn al-Mubaarak

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

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Until the Heart is sealed!

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Explanation of the verse:
Nay, but their hearts were covered over by what (sins) they earned.
[Al-Mutaffifîn: 14]

Al-Hasan (Al-Basrî) said,
“It is because of doing one sin after another, until the heart becomes blind and dies.”

Qatâdah also said,
“It is because of doing one sin after another, one sin after another, until the heart dies and becomes black.”

Ibn Zayd said,
“Their sins overcome their hearts until no good can get through to them.”

Mujâhid explained,
“They used to consider the heart like a hand: when a person sins, his heart starts to scrunch up,” and he folded his little finger, “and when he does another sin,” he folded the next finger and continued until he had his fist clenched. “Then a seal is placed over it, and they used to say that this is the ‘covering’.”
Al-Tabarî in his Tafsîr, Sûrah Al-Mutaffifîn.


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The Secret Charity of 'Ali b. Husayn

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The Secret Charity of ‘Alî b. Husayn
It is reported that there used to be poor people in Al-Madînah who didn’t know where they were getting their food from. When ‘Alî b. Husayn passed away, they started missing what they used to be given at night.

Abû Hamzah Al-Thumâlî narrates that ‘Alî b. Husayn used to carry bread on his back in the darkness of the night and follow the poor people (to give it to them). He used to say, “Charity in the darkness of the night extinguishes the Lords anger.”

‘Amr b. Thâbit reports that when ‘Alî b. Husayn died, they found marks on his back from the sacks of provisions he used to carry at night to the houses of the widows.

Shaybah b. Nu’âmah narrates that when ‘Alî b. Husayn died they found out that he used to provide for a hundred (poor) families.
Al-Dhahabî in Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ’ under the biography of ‘Alî b. Husayn Zayn Al-‘Âbidîn


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Save yourselves and your families!

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Some narrations reported from the Salaf in explanation of what it means to protect oneself and one’s family as mentioned in Al-Tahrîm verse 6:
O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels, stern and severe, and who disobey not the commands they receive from Allâh, but do that which they are commanded. [66:6]

· ‘Alî b. Abî Tâlib – Allah be pleased with him:
Discipline them, teach them.

· Ibn ‘Abbâs – Allah be pleased with them:
Stay obedient to Allâh, stay away from disobeying Allâh and command your families to remember Allâh, and He will save you from the Fire.

· Mujâhid – Allâh have mercy on him:
Fear Allâh and obey him (practice taqwâ) and tell your families to practice taqwâ.

· Qatâdah – Allâh have mercy on him:
A person protects his family by telling them to obey Allâh and forbidding them from disobeying Him. He upholds Allâh’s commandments and helps his family to uphold them. So if you see some disobedience of Allâh you stop them from doing it, and you reprimand them. Al-Tabarî, Al-Tafsîr, Sûrah Al-Tahrîm.


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It's just a small sin.

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Bilâl b. Sa’d – Allah have mercy on him – said:
Do not think about how small the sin is, but think about who you have just disobeyed. Ibn Al-Mubârak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ`iq Vol.1 p150.

I'll give her all she wants

A man came to Maymûn b. Mahrân – Allah be please with him – to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Maymûn said, “I do not approve of her for you.” The man asked, “Why?” He replied, “Because she loves jewelry and garments.” To this the man said, “Well I have as much of those as she desires.” Maymûn said, “Now I don’t approve of you for her.”
Al-Dhahabî , Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` in his biography of Maymûn b. Mahrân

Death and budgeting; speaking and deeds

It is reported from Al-Awzâ’î that he said:
Whoever remembers death often will find a small amount (of worldly things) sufficient for him; and whoever includes his speech in his deeds will speak little. Al-Dhahabî , Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` in his biography of Al-Awzâ’î.



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Umar bin Khattab (r.a) said;

"Whoever speaks frequently err frequently".

[The Book of Manners - Page 157]

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Be a King!

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A man once asked Muhammad b. Wâsi’ for advice. He replied, “I advise you to be a king in this world and the hereafter.” The man enquired, “How?” He replied, “Lose interest in worldly things (practice zuhd).”
Al-Dhahabî , Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` in his biography of Muhammad b. Wâsi’

How 'Umar received the treasure of Persia!

Ibrâhîm b. ‘Abd Al-Rahmân b. ‘Auf reports:
‘Umar b. Al-Khattâb – Allah be pleased with him - was given the treasures of the Persian Emperor (after his conquest), ‘Abdullah b. Arqam asked, “Are you going to put this into the public treasury (bayt al-mâl) until you can distribute it?” ‘Umar replied, “No by Allah, I will not take this under a roof before I have passed it on.” So they put it in the middle of the mosque and spent the night guarding it. In the morning, ‘Umar uncovered the treasure and saw such an amount of gold and silver that it almost shone; so he began to cry. ‘Abd Al-Rahmân b. ‘Auf – Allah be pleased with him – said, “Why do you cry o Amîr of the Believers? This is a day of thanks and a day of happiness for sure.” ‘Umar replied, “Woe to you, this has never been given to a people except that it has cast enmity and hatred amongst them.”
Ibn Al-Mubârak in Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ`iq Vol. 2 p595, 596.



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Thinking Ahead for Prayer!

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Abû Al-Dardâ’ – Allah be pleased with him – said:
It is from a person’s knowledge and understanding that he sees to his needs first in order to turn to his prayer with a heart free of distractions.
Ibn Al-Mubârak in Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ’iq Vol.2 p726

More time for the Hereafter!

Al-Hârith b. Qays – Allah have mercy on him – said:
When intending to do something good, do not delay it until tomorrow. When involved in something to do with the hereafter, keep yourself involved as long as you can. When involved in some worldly matter, put your mind to it (so as to get it done). And if you are praying and Shaytân whispers, ‘You are showing off,’ then make your prayer even longer.
Ibn Al-Mubârak in Al-Zuhd wa Al-Rqâ’iq Vol.1 p126

Al-Hârith b. Qays was a student of the Companions ‘Alî and Ibn Mas’ûd – Allah be pleased with them. He was a scholar and devout worshipper. The last bit of advice about prayer serves to repel one of Shaytân’s plots, which is to turn people away from worshipping Allah by making them feel they are showing off if they try to perfect their worship.


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Hilaal ibn Khabbaab (rahimahullaah) said:

'I said to Sa'eed ibn Jubayr:

"What is the sign of the people perishing?"

He said:

"If their scholars pass away."'

Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa' - Volume 4, Page 326

'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood (radhiyAllaahu 'anhu) said:

"The Jamaa'ah is what accords to the truth, even if you are alone."

Sharh Usool I'tiqaad Ahlis-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah - al-Laalikaa'ee

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.Where did we get our Glory?

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Ibn Shihâb reports:
‘Umar went out to Shâm (Transjordan) and Abû ‘Ubaydah b. Al-Jarrâh was with us. They came to a ford while ‘Umar 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. Abû ‘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!” ‘Umar said, “If only someone else had said this o Abû ‘Ubaydah. You have made a lesson for the Ummah of Muhammad – 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 Abû ‘Ubaydah said:
O Leader of the Believers, should the armed forces and elite of Shâm meet you in this condition? ‘Umar 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-Hâkim, Al-Mustadrak Vol.1 pp61, 62. He declared it to be sahîh according to the criteria of Al-Bukhaârî and Muslim. Al-Dhahabî and Al-Albânî concur. See Al-Albânî, Al-Sahîhah Vol.1 p50.


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Alî, the Armor and the Christian

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During his Caliphate, ‘Alî b. Abî Tâlib –
Allah be pleased with him - saw some armor of his with a Christian. He decided to take the matter up legally, so he took the dispute to Shurayh (the Judge).
‘Alî said, “This is my armor, and I have not sold it nor given it away.” Shurayh said to the Christian, “What have you to say about what the Amîr of the Believers claims?” The Christian replied, “It is my armor, although I do not regard the Amîr of the Believers to be a liar.” Shurayh then turned to ‘Alî, “O Amîr of the Believers, do you have any proof (of ownership)?” ‘Alî laughed and said, “Shurayh is correct, I have no proof.” So Shurayh judged that the armor was the Christian’s. The Christian took it and began to walk away but then returned. He proclaimed, “As for me, I testify that this is the judgment of the Prophets – the Amîr of the Believers himself takes me to his judge and the judge rules against him! I bear witness that there is no deity deserving worship but Allâh and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allâh. By Allâh, the armor is yours o Amîr of the Believers. I followed the army when you were on your way to the Battle of Siffîn and the armor came out of your equipment.” ‘Alî said, “If you have accepted Islâm the armor is yours.” And then he put him in his horse. Al-Sha’bî (the reporter of this incident) said, “I was later informed by those who saw this man that he fought the Khawârij (alongside ‘Alî) at the battle of Nahrawân.”

Ibn Kathîr, Al-Bidâyah wa Al-Nihâyah Vol.8 p5.


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One of the people of wisdom used to say:
"When a man is speaking in a gathering and his speech amazes him, let him be silent. When he keeps silent and his silence amazes, him let him speak."

Collected by Shaykh Husayn al-'Awaa'ishah from 'Ihyaa' 'Uloom ud-Deen' of al-Ghazaali, 'Mukhtasar Minhaaj ul-Qaasideen' of Ibn Qudaamah and 'az-Zuhd' of 'Abdullaah Ibn al-Mubaarak]

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My Favrite Illness

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Abû Hurayrah – Allah be pleased with him – said:
There is no illness that afflicts me more beloved to me than fever: it enters every part of me and [because of it] Allah the Mighty and Sublime gives every part of me its share of reward.
Al-Bukhârî, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad. See Shaykh Al-Albânî’s Sahîh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad Vol.1 p198.
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Why People Invent Bid'ah

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Mu’âdh b. Jabal – Allâh be pleased with him – used to say:
Ahead of you are times of trials (fitan) in which there will be much wealth and in which the Qur’ân will be opened and taken (read) by believers and hypocrites, men and women, young and old and freemen and slaves. At that time it is likely that there will be people who will say, “Why aren’t the people following me when I have read the Qur’ân? They will not follow me until I invent something else.” So, beware of everything that is innovated (in religion), for those things that are innovated are misguidance.

Ibn Waddâh, Al-Bida’ p62, Al-Lâlakâ`î, Sharh Usûl I’tiqâd Ahl –Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jamâ’ah Vol. 1 p125 and others.

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More than Recitation

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It is reported that ‘Umar b. Al-Khattâb – Allah be pleased with him – said:
Do not be fooled by one who recites the Qurân. His recitation is but speech – but look to those who act according to it.
Al-Khatîb, Iqtidâ` Al-‘Ilm Al-‘Amal no. 109


It is reported from Ayyûb Al-Sakhtiyânî [d130H] that he said:
There is no filth filthier than the sinful (fâjir) reciter of the Qurân.
Al-Khatîb, Iqtidâ` Al-‘Ilm Al-‘Amal no. 114


It is reported from Al-Fudayl (b. ‘Ayyâd) that he said:
The Qurân was sent down to be acted upon but people have taken just reciting it as enough of a deed. He was asked, “How is it acted upon?” He replied, “They should treat as halâl what it makes halâl and treat as harâm what it makes harâm, they should take on its commandments and stay away from what it forbids, and they should stop to ponder its amazing knowledge and wisdom.” Al-Khatîb, Iqtidâ` Al-‘Ilm Al-‘Amal no. 116

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