hadith,

Feeling down in the dumps, depressed, having the blues… These are just some of the terms used to describe a feeling of hopelessness and despair that can hit even the most positive of us at some point in our lives. However when sadness, gloom and unhappiness becomes a permanent mark of our lives, when it creates a feeling of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness, when it interferes with our ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and mix with people we may be suffering from abnormal levels of despair otherwise called depression.

Prophet Muhammadﷺsaid taught us a du’a against despondency which, in amazing brevity, also reveals the consequences of acute depression. The du’a reads as follow:

“O’ Allah I seek your protection from anxiety, sorrow, inability, laziness, cowardice, stinginess, overpowering debt and subjugation by fellow man”

This du’aa speaks about the eight emotional traits of a person overcome by severe dejection:

1. Anxiety:An unexplained cloud of constant worry, fear, a boding that something bad is going to take place. You feel agitated, restless, and are on the edge all the time.

2. Sorrow: A sense of dejection that crushes both your body and mind. You almost believe that it is not possible to be happy. Feeling of not being cherished and respected by anyone

3. A feeling of uselessness:A Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation. You are locked into victim mode. This drops your tolerance levels. Everything and everyone gets on your nerves.

4. Laziness/fatigue:Neither interest nor any willingness to pick yourself up. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.

5. Cowardice:Lack of self-confidence. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.

6. Stinginess:No interested in the welfare of others. You are too preoccupied in your own gloom to even think of the happiness of other people.

7. Overpowering debt:Trouble focusing, making decisions, you become financially reckless in the hope of buying yourself out of misery. You engage in escapist behavior

8. Subjugation by fellow man:Under the control of other people. You feel pressured by those around you. You no longer believe in yourself and feel compelled to toe the line.

A Muslim should always assume the best about Allah. He should strive to do his best and expect the best outcome: that Allah will accept his good deeds; that Allah from His grace will forgive him; and that Allah will bless him to live out his life, until its conclusion, upon faith. Prophet Muhammadﷺsaid “None of you should die except while assuming the best about Allah.” (Muslim)

Our challenge under all circumstances is to act as best as we can with the firm conviction that whatever afflicts us was never meant to miss us and whatever misses us was never meant for us. We believe that our life ultimately unfolds in accordance to the will of Allah!

“No calamity befalls the earth and neither your own selves unless it be laid down in our decree long before we bring it into being – verily that is easy for Allah. So that you may not despair over whatever good escapes you nor become arrogant over whatever good has come your way”[Quran 57: 22]

May Allah grant us the ability to turn each anxiety, each fear and each concern into an opportunity for making du’a and turning to Him with repentance.

Hadith 1: Intention (an-Niyyah)

Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say:

إِنَّمَاالْأَعْمَالُبِالنِّيَّاتِوَإِنَّمَالِكُلِّامْرِئٍمَانَوَىفَمَنْكَانَتْهِجْرَتُهُإِلَىدُنْيَايُصِيبُهَاأَوْإِلَىامْرَأَةٍيَنْكِحُهَافَهِجْرَتُهُإِلَىمَاهَاجَرَإِلَيْهِ

Verily, deeds are only with intentions. Indeed, every person will get rewarded only for what they intended. Therefore, whoever emigrated for worldly reasons or for a woman, then his emigration is for what he has emigrated to.

Source: Sahih Bukhari 1, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 2: Foundation of the Sunnah

Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he said, “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

الْإِسْلَامُأَنْتَشْهَدَأَنْلَاإِلَهَإِلَّااللَّهُوَأَنَّمُحَمَّدًارَسُولُاللَّهِصَلَّىاللَّهُعَلَيْهِوَسَلَّمَوَتُقِيمَالصَّلَاةَوَتُؤْتِيَالزَّكَاةَوَتَصُومَرَمَضَانَوَتَحُجَّالْبَيْتَإِنْاسْتَطَعْتَإِلَيْهِسَبِيلًا

“Islam is to witness that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to give the alms, the fast the month of Ramadan, and to perform pilgrimage to the House if he is capable of travel”.

The man said, “You have spoken rightly,” and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly. Then he said, “Tell me about faith.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

أَنْتُؤْمِنَبِاللَّهِوَمَلَائِكَتِهِوَكُتُبِهِوَرُسُلِهِوَالْيَوْمِالْآخِرِوَتُؤْمِنَبِالْقَدَرِخَيْرِهِوَشَرِّهِ

“Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in the providence (al-qadr) of both good and evil.”

The man said, “You have spoken rightly. Then tell me about excellence.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

أَنْتَعْبُدَاللَّهَكَأَنَّكَتَرَاهُفَإِنْلَمْتَكُنْتَرَاهُفَإِنَّهُيَرَاكَ

“Excellence (al-Ihsan) is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for verily, He sees you.”

The man said, “Then tell me about the Hour.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

مَاالْمَسْئُولُعَنْهَابِأَعْلَمَمِنْالسَّائِلِ

“The one who is asked does not know more than the one asking.”

The man said, “Then tell me about its signs.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

أَنْتَلِدَالْأَمَةُرَبَّتَهَاوَأَنْتَرَىالْحُفَاةَالْعُرَاةَالْعَالَةَرِعَاءَالشَّاءِيَتَطَاوَلُونَفِيالْبُنْيَانِ

“When the slave girl gives birth to her master, when the naked and barefooted will become chiefs of the people, and when the shepherds of black camels will exult themselves in constructing building.”

Then he left and I stayed for a time. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

يَاعُمَرُأَتَدْرِيمَنْالسَّائِلُ

“O Umar, do you know who the questioner was?”

I said, “Allah and His messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) know best.” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

فَإِنَّهُجِبْرِيلُأَتَاكُمْيُعَلِّمُكُمْدِينَكُمْ

“He was Gabriel, who came to teach the people their religion.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 4, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 3: Pillars of Islam

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), the son of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

بُنِيَالْإِسْلَامُعَلَىخَمْسٍعَلَىأَنْيُعْبَدَاللَّهُوَيُكْفَرَبِمَادُونَهُوَإِقَامِالصَّلَاةِوَإِيتَاءِالزَّكَاةِوَحَجِّالْبَيْتِوَصَوْمِرَمَضَانَ

“Islam is built upon five: worshiping Allah alone and disbelieving in what is worshiped besides him, establishing prayer, paying charity, performing the pilgrimage, and fasting the month of Ramadan.”

Source: Sahih Bukhari 16, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 4: Divine Providence (al-Qadr)

Abdullah ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and he is the truthful, the trusted, said to us:

إِنَّأَحَدَكُمْيُجْمَعُخَلْقُهُفِيبَطْنِأُمِّهِأَرْبَعِينَيَوْمًاثُمَّيَكُونُفِيذَلِكَعَلَقَةًمِثْلَذَلِكَثُمَّيَكُونُفِيذَلِكَمُضْغَةًمِثْلَذَلِكَثُمَّيُرْسَلُالْمَلَكُفَيَنْفُخُفِيهِالرُّوحَوَيُؤْمَرُبِأَرْبَعِكَلِمَاتٍبِكَتْبِرِزْقِهِوَأَجَلِهِوَعَمَلِهِوَشَقِيٌّأَوْسَعِيدٌفَوَالَّذِيلَاإِلَهَغَيْرُهُإِنَّأَحَدَكُمْلَيَعْمَلُبِعَمَلِأَهْلِالْجَنَّةِحَتَّىمَايَكُونُبَيْنَهُوَبَيْنَهَاإِلَّاذِرَاعٌفَيَسْبِقُعَلَيْهِالْكِتَابُفَيَعْمَلُبِعَمَلِأَهْلِالنَّارِفَيَدْخُلُهَاوَإِنَّأَحَدَكُمْلَيَعْمَلُبِعَمَلِأَهْلِالنَّارِحَتَّىمَايَكُونُبَيْنَهُوَبَيْنَهَاإِلَّاذِرَاعٌفَيَسْبِقُعَلَيْهِالْكِتَابُفَيَعْمَلُبِعَمَلِأَهْلِالْجَنَّةِفَيَدْخُلُهَا

“Verily, the creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother’s womb for forty days in the form of seed, then he is a clot of blood for another period, then a morsel of flesh for another period, then there is sent to him the angel who blows the breath of life into him and who is commanded regarding four matters: to write down his means of livelihood, his life span, his actions, and whether he is happy or unhappy. By Allah other than whom there is no god, verily, one of you behaves like the people of Paradise until he is but an arm’s length from it, but that which has been written overtakes him, so he behaves like the people of Hellfire and thus he enters it; and one of you behaves like the people of Hellfire until he is but an arm’s length from it, and that which has been written overtakes him, so he behaves like the people of Paradise and thus he enters it.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 2643, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 5: Religious Innovation and Heresy (al-Bid’ah)

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

مَنْأَحْدَثَفِيأَمْرِنَاهَذَامَالَيْسَفِيهِفَهُوَرَدٌّ

“Whoever innovates something into this affair of ours which does not belong to it will have it rejected.”

Source: Sahih Bukhari 2550, Grade: Sahih

In another narration, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

مَنْعَمِلَعَمَلًالَيْسَعَلَيْهِأَمْرُنَافَهُوَرَدٌّ

“Whoever performs a deed that is not in accordance with our matter will have it rejected.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 1718, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 6: Lawful and Unlawful (Halal wal Haram)

Numan ibn Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say:

الْحَلَالُبَيِّنٌوَالْحَرَامُبَيِّنٌوَبَيْنَهُمَامُشَبَّهَاتٌلَايَعْلَمُهَاكَثِيرٌمِنْالنَّاسِفَمَنْاتَّقَىالْمُشَبَّهَاتِاسْتَبْرَأَلِدِينِهِوَعِرْضِهِوَمَنْوَقَعَفِيالشُّبُهَاتِكَرَاعٍيَرْعَىحَوْلَالْحِمَىيُوشِكُأَنْيُوَاقِعَهُأَلَاوَإِنَّلِكُلِّمَلِكٍحِمًىأَلَاإِنَّحِمَىاللَّهِفِيأَرْضِهِمَحَارِمُهُأَلَاوَإِنَّفِيالْجَسَدِمُضْغَةًإِذَاصَلَحَتْصَلَحَالْجَسَدُكُلُّهُوَإِذَافَسَدَتْفَسَدَالْجَسَدُكُلُّهُأَلَاوَهِيَالْقَلْبُ

“That which is lawful is plain and that which is unlawful is plain and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which not many people know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah’s sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it be whole, all the body is whole and which, if it be diseased, all of it is diseased. Truly it is the heart.”

Source: Sahih Bukhari 52, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 7: Religion is Sincerity (an-Naseehah)

Tamim Al-Dari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), peace and blessings be upon him, said three times:

إِنَّالدِّينَالنَّصِيحَةُإِنَّالدِّينَالنَّصِيحَةُإِنَّالدِّينَالنَّصِيحَةُ

“Verily, the religion is sincerity.”

We said, “To whom?” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

لِلَّهِوَكِتَابِهِوَرَسُولِهِوَأَئِمَّةِالْمُؤْمِنِينَوَعَامَّتِهِمْوَأَئِمَّةِالْمُسْلِمِينَوَعَامَّتِهِمْ

“To Allah and His Book, and His messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 55, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 8: Fighting in Defense of Islam (al-Jihad)

Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

أُمِرْتُأَنْأُقَاتِلَالنَّاسَحَتَّىيَقُولُوالَاإِلَهَإِلَّااللَّهُفَإِذَاقَالُوالَاإِلَهَإِلَّااللَّهُعَصَمُوامِنِّيدِمَاءَهُمْوَأَمْوَالَهُمْإِلَّابِحَقِّهَاوَحِسَابُهُمْعَلَىاللَّهِ

“I have been commanded to fight the people until they say there is no God but Allah, so when they say there is no God but Allah then their lives and wealth are protected from me – except by right of justice – and their reckoning is with Allah.”

Then he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) recited the verse:

إِنَّمَاأَنْتَمُذَكِّرٌلَسْتَعَلَيْهِمْبِمُصَيْطِرٍ

“Verily, you are only a reminder; you are not over them as a dictator.” (88:22)

Source: Sahih Muslim 21, Grade: Sahih

Ibn Taymiyah comments on this tradition, saying:

مُرَادُهُقِتَالُالْمُحَارِبِينَالَّذِينَأَذِنَاللَّهُفِيقِتَالِهِمْلَمْيُرِدْقِتَالَالْمُعَاهَدِينَالَّذِينَأَمَرَاللَّهُبِوَفَاءِعَهْدِهِمْ

“The meaning of this tradition is to fight those who are waging war whom Allah has called us to fight, and it does not mean to fight those who have made peace with whom Allah has commanded us to fulfill their peace.”

Source: Majmu’ Al-Fatawa 19/20

Hadith 9: Avoid Excessive Questioning

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say:

مَانَهَيْتُكُمْعَنْهُفَاجْتَنِبُوهُوَمَاأَمَرْتُكُمْبِهِفَافْعَلُوامِنْهُمَااسْتَطَعْتُمْفَإِنَّمَاأَهْلَكَالَّذِينَمِنْقَبْلِكُمْكَثْرَةُمَسَائِلِهِمْوَاخْتِلَافُهُمْعَلَىأَنْبِيَائِهِمْ

“Avoid what I have forbidden for you, and do what I have commanded you as much as you are able. Verily, the people before you were destroyed only because of their excessive questioning and contradicting their prophets (peace be upon them).”

Source: Sahih Muslim 1337, Grade: Sahih

In another narration, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

اتْرُكُونِيمَاتَرَكْتُكُمْفَإِذَاحَدَّثْتُكُمْفَخُذُواعَنِّيفَإِنَّمَاهَلَكَمَنْكَانَقَبْلَكُمْبِكَثْرَةِسُؤَالِهِمْوَاخْتِلَافِهِمْعَلَىأَنْبِيَائِهِمْ

“Leave me with what I have left you. When I narrate a saying to you, then take it from me. Indeed, the people before you were destroyed only because of their excessive questioning and disagreeing with their prophets (peace be upon them).”

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2679, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 10: Allah is Pure and Accepts Only Pure

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

أَيُّهَاالنَّاسُإِنَّاللَّهَطَيِّبٌلَايَقْبَلُإِلَّاطَيِّبًاوَإِنَّاللَّهَأَمَرَالْمُؤْمِنِينَبِمَاأَمَرَبِهِالْمُرْسَلِينَفَقَالَيَاأَيُّهَاالرُّسُلُكُلُوامِنْالطَّيِّبَاتِوَاعْمَلُواصَالِحًاإِنِّيبِمَاتَعْمَلُونَعَلِيمٌوَقَالَيَاأَيُّهَاالَّذِينَآمَنُواكُلُوامِنْطَيِّبَاتِمَارَزَقْنَاكُمْ

“O people, ver ily, Allah is pure and He accepts only what is pure. Ver ily, Allah has commanded the believers with that which He commanded His Messengers. He said: O Messengers, eat from good things and work righteousness, for indeed I am knowing of what you do (23:51); and He said: O you who believe, eat from good things with which We have provided you.”(2:172)

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) added:

ثُمَّذَكَرَالرَّجُلَيُطِيلُالسَّفَرَأَشْعَثَأَغْبَرَيَمُدُّيَدَيْهِإِلَىالسَّمَاءِيَارَبِّيَارَبِّوَمَطْعَمُهُحَرَامٌوَمَشْرَبُهُحَرَامٌوَمَلْبَسُهُحَرَامٌوَغُذِيَبِالْحَرَامِفَأَنَّىيُسْتَجَابُلِذَلِكَ

“Then he mentioned the case of a man who, having traveled very far, becomes disheveled and dusty and he raises his hands to the sky, saying, “O Lord! O Lord!” while his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothing is unlawful, and he is nourished with the unlawful, so how can he be answered?”

Source: Sahih Muslim 1015, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 11: Leave Doubts

Al-Hasan ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

دَعْمَايَرِيبُكَإِلَىمَالَايَرِيبُكَفَإِنَّالصِّدْقَطُمَأْنِينَةٌوَإِنَّالْكَذِبَرِيبَةٌ

“Leave what makes you doubt to what does not make you doubt; verily, truth brings tranquility but falsehood brings doubts.”

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2518, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 12: Minding Our Own Business

Ali ibn Hussein (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

إِنَّمِنْحُسْنِإِسْلَامِالْمَرْءِتَرْكَهُمَالَايَعْنِيهِ

“Verily, from the perfection of a person’s Islam is that he leaves what does not concern him.”

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2318, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 13: Love Good For All Creation

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

لَايُؤْمِنُأَحَدُكُمْحَتَّىيُحِبَّلِأَخِيهِأَوْقَالَلِجَارِهِمَايُحِبُّلِنَفْسِهِ

“None of you believes until he loves for his brother or his neighbor what he loves for himself.”

Source: Sahih Bukhari 13, Grade: Sahih

Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

مَنْأَحَبَّأَنْيُزَحْزَحَعَنْالنَّارِوَيَدْخُلَالْجَنَّةَفَلْتُدْرِكْهُمَنِيَّتُهُوَهُوَيُؤْمِنُبِاللَّهِوَالْيَوْمِالْآخِرِوَيَأْتِيإِلَىالنَّاسِمَايُحِبُّأَنْيُؤْتَىإِلَيْهِ

“Whoever would love to be delivered from the Hellfire and entered into Paradise, then let him die with faith in Allah and the Last Day, and let him treat the people the way he would love to be treated.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 1844, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 14: Legal Punishment

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

لَايَحِلُّدَمُامْرِئٍمُسْلِمٍيَشْهَدُأَنْلَاإِلَهَإِلَّااللَّهُوَأَنِّيرَسُولُاللَّهِإِلَّابِإِحْدَىثَلَاثٍالثَّيِّبُالزَّانِيوَالنَّفْسُبِالنَّفْسِوَالتَّارِكُلِدِينِهِالْمُفَارِقُلِلْجَمَاعَةِ

“It is unlawful to shed the blood of a Muslim person who testifies that there is no God but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah except in one of three cases: the married person who commits adultery, legal retaliation for murder, and a person who leaves their religion and rebels against the community.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 1676, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 15: Good Manners with Neighbors and Guests

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

مَنْكَانَيُؤْمِنُبِاللَّهِوَالْيَوْمِالآخِرِفَلْيَقُلْخَيْرًاأَوْلِيَصْمُتْوَمَنْكَانَيُؤْمِنُبِاللَّهِوَالْيَوْمِالآخِرِفَلْيُكْرِمْجَارَهُوَمَنْكَانَيُؤْمِنُبِاللَّهِوَالْيَوْمِالآخِرِفَلْيُكْرِمْضَيْفَهُ

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak goodness or be silent; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his neighbor; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 47, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 16: Do Not Become Angry

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: A man said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him),“Counsel me.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

لَاتَغْضَبْ

“Do not become angry.”

The man repeated his request several times, and he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)kept saying:

لَاتَغْضَبْ

“Do not become angry.”

Source: Sahih Bukhari 5765, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 17: Excellence in All Things

Shaddad ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

إِنَّاللَّهَكَتَبَالْإِحْسَانَعَلَىكُلِّشَيْءٍفَإِذَاقَتَلْتُمْفَأَحْسِنُواالْقِتْلَةَوَإِذَاذَبَحْتُمْفَأَحْسِنُواالذَّبْحَوَلْيُحِدَّأَحَدُكُمْشَفْرَتَهُفَلْيُرِحْذَبِيحَتَهُ

“Verily Allah has prescribed excellence in all things. Thus, if you kill, kill well; and if you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 1955, Grade: Sahih

Hadit h 18: Fear Allah Wherever You Are

Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

اتَّقِاللَّهِحَيْثُمَاكُنْتَوَأَتْبِعْالسَّيِّئَةَالْحَسَنَةَتَمْحُهَاوَخَالِقِالنَّاسَبِخُلُقٍحَسَنٍ

“Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good one and it will wipe it out, and behave with good character towards people.”

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1987, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 19: Be Mindful of Allah

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: One day I was behind the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said to me:

يَاغُلَامُإِنِّيأُعَلِّمُكَكَلِمَاتٍاحْفَظْاللَّهَيَحْفَظْكَاحْفَظْاللَّهَتَجِدْهُتُجَاهَكَإِذَاسَأَلْتَفَاسْأَلْاللَّهَوَإِذَااسْتَعَنْتَفَاسْتَعِنْبِاللَّهِوَاعْلَمْأَنَّالْأُمَّةَلَوْاجْتَمَعَتْعَلَىأَنْيَنْفَعُوكَبِشَيْءٍلَمْيَنْفَعُوكَإِلَّابِشَيْءٍقَدْكَتَبَهُاللَّهُلَكَوَلَوْاجْتَمَعُواعَلَىأَنْيَضُرُّوكَبِشَيْءٍلَمْيَضُرُّوكَإِلَّابِشَيْءٍقَدْكَتَبَهُاللَّهُعَلَيْكَرُفِعَتْالْأَقْلَامُوَجَفَّتْالصُّحُفُ

“O boy, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you. When you ask, ask from Allah; and when you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if the entire creation were to gather together to benefit you, then would not benefit you except if Allah willed. And if the entire creation gathered together to harm you, they would not harm you except if Allah willed. The pens have been raised and the pages dried.”

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2516, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 20: Shame and Modesty

Abu Mas’ud Uqbah (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

إِنَّمِمَّاأَدْرَكَالنَّاسُمِنْكَلَامِالنُّبُوَّةِإِذَالَمْتَسْتَحْيِفَافْعَلْمَاشِئْتَ

“Verily, among the words people obtained from the first prophecy are: if you feel no shame, then do as you wish.”

Source: Sahih Bukhari 3296, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 21: Uprightness

Sufyan ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, to tell me something about Islam which I would not need to ask anybody afterwards. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)said:

قُلْآمَنْتُبِاللَّهِفَاسْتَقِمْ

“Say, “I believe in Allah,” and thereafter remain steadfast.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 38, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 22: Essentials of Salvation

Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), “Do you think that if I perform the obligatory prayers, fast in Ramadan, treat as lawful that which is lawful and treat as forbidden that which is forbidden, and do nothing further, I shall enter Paradise?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

نَعَمْ

“Yes.”

In another narration, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

مَنْسَرَّهُأَنْيَنْظُرَإِلَىرَجُلٍمِنْأَهْلِالْجَنَّةِفَلْيَنْظُرْإِلَىهَذَا

“He who is pleased to see a man from the people of Paradise should look to him.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 14, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 23: Purification is Half of Faith

Abu Malik Al-Ashari (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

الطُّهُورُشَطْرُالْإِيمَانِوَالْحَمْدُلِلَّهِتَمْلَأُالْمِيزَانَوَسُبْحَانَاللَّهِوَالْحَمْدُلِلَّهِتَمْلَآَنِأَوْتَمْلَأُمَابَيْنَالسَّمَاوَاتِوَالْأَرْضِوَالصَّلَاةُنُورٌوَالصَّدَقَةُبُرْهَانٌوَالصَّبْرُضِيَاءٌوَالْقُرْآنُحُجَّةٌلَكَأَوْعَلَيْكَكُلُّالنَّاسِيَغْدُوفَبَايِعٌنَفْسَهُفَمُعْتِقُهَاأَوْمُوبِقُهَا

“Purity is half of faith and the praise of Allah fills the scale, glorification and praise fill up what is between the heavens and the earth, and prayer is a light, and charity is proof (of sincere faith), and patience is illumination, and the Quran is a proof for you or against you. All people go out early in the morning and sell themselves, either setting themselves free or destroying themselves.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 223, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 24: Allah Has Forbidden Oppression

Abu Dharr Al-Ghafari (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: Among the sayings the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, relates from his Lord is that Allah Almighty said:

يَاعِبَادِيإِنِّيحَرَّمْتُالظُّلْمَعَلَىنَفْسِيوَجَعَلْتُهُبَيْنَكُمْمُحَرَّمًافَلَاتَظَالَمُوا

“O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden among you, so do not oppress one another. “

يَاعِبَادِيكُلُّكُمْضَالٌّإِلَّامَنْهَدَيْتُهُفَاسْتَهْدُونِيأَهْدِكُمْ

“O My servants, all of you are astray except for those I have guided, so seek guidance of Me and I shall guide you.”

يَاعِبَادِيكُلُّكُمْجَائِعٌإِلَّامَنْأَطْعَمْتُهُفَاسْتَطْعِمُونِيأُطْعِمْكُمْ

“O My servants, all of you are hungry except for those I have fed, so seek food of Me and I shall feed you.”

يَاعِبَادِيكُلُّكُمْعَارٍإِلَّامَنْكَسَوْتُهُفَاسْتَكْسُونِيأَكْسُكُمْ

“O My servants, all of you are naked except for those I have clothed, so seek clothing of Me and I shall clothe you.”

يَاعِبَادِيإِنَّكُمْتُخْطِئُونَبِاللَّيْلِوَالنَّهَارِوَأَنَاأَغْفِرُالذُّنُوبَجَمِيعًافَاسْتَغْفِرُونِيأَغْفِرْلَكُمْ

“O My servants, you sin by night and by day, and I forgive all sins, so seek forgiveness of Me and I shall forgive you.”

يَاعِبَادِيإِنَّكُمْلَنْتَبْلُغُواضَرِّيفَتَضُرُّونِيوَلَنْتَبْلُغُوانَفْعِيفَتَنْفَعُونِي

“O My servants, you will not attain harming Me so as to harm Me, and you will not attain benefiting Me so as to benefit Me.”

يَاعِبَادِيلَوْأَنَّأَوَّلَكُمْوَآخِرَكُمْوَإِنْسَكُمْوَجِنَّكُمْكَانُواعَلَىأَتْقَىقَلْبِرَجُلٍوَاحِدٍمِنْكُمْمَازَادَذَلِكَفِيمُلْكِيشَيْئًا

“O my servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to become as pious as the most pious heart of any one man of you, that would not increase My kingdom in anything.”

يَاعِبَادِيلَوْأَنَّأَوَّلَكُمْوَآخِرَكُمْوَإِنْسَكُمْوَجِنَّكُمْكَانُواعَلَىأَفْجَرِقَلْبِرَجُلٍوَاحِدٍمَانَقَصَذَلِكَمِنْمُلْكِيشَيْئًا

“O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to be as wicked as the most wicked heart of any one man of you, that would not decrease My kingdom in anything.”

يَاعِبَادِيلَوْأَنَّأَوَّلَكُمْوَآخِرَكُمْوَإِنْسَكُمْوَجِنَّكُمْقَامُوافِيصَعِيدٍوَاحِدٍفَسَأَلُونِيفَأَعْطَيْتُكُلَّإِنْسَانٍمَسْأَلَتَهُمَانَقَصَذَلِكَمِمَّاعِنْدِيإِلَّاكَمَايَنْقُصُالْمِخْيَطُإِذَاأُدْخِلَالْبَحْرَ

“O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to rise up in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, that would not decrease what I have, any more than a needle decreases the sea if put into it.”

يَاعِبَادِيإِنَّمَاهِيَأَعْمَالُكُمْأُحْصِيهَالَكُمْثُمَّأُوَفِّيكُمْإِيَّاهَافَمَنْوَجَدَخَيْرًافَلْيَحْمَدْاللَّهَوَمَنْوَجَدَغَيْرَذَلِكَفَلَايَلُومَنَّإِلَّانَفْسَهُ

“O My servants, it is but your deeds that I reckon up for you and then recompense you for, so let him who finds good praise Allah, and let him who finds other than that blame no one but himself.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 2577, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 25: Many Ways to Give Charity

Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: Some people from the companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, “O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the rich have taken the rewards. They perform prayer as we pray, they fast as we fast, and they give charity from their extra wealth.” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

أَوَلَيْسَقَدْجَعَلَاللَّهُلَكُمْمَاتَصَّدَّقُونَإِنَّبِكُلِّتَسْبِيحَةٍصَدَقَةًوَكُلِّتَكْبِيرَةٍصَدَقَةًوَكُلِّتَحْمِيدَةٍصَدَقَةًوَكُلِّتَهْلِيلَةٍصَدَقَةًوَأَمْرٌبِالْمَعْرُوفِصَدَقَةٌوَنَهْيٌعَنْمُنْكَرٍصَدَقَةٌوَفِيبُضْعِأَحَدِكُمْصَدَقَةٌ

“Has not Allah made for you ways to give charity? In every glorification of Allah there is charity; and in every declaration of His greatness there is charity; and in praise of Him is charity; and in every declaration of His oneness there is charity; and enjoining good is charity and forbidding evil is charity; and in a man’s intimate relations with his wife is charity.”

They said, “O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), is there a reward for one who satisfies his passions?” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

أَرَأَيْتُمْلَوْوَضَعَهَافِيحَرَامٍأَكَانَعَلَيْهِفِيهَاوِزْرٌفَكَذَلِكَإِذَاوَضَعَهَافِيالْحَلَالِكَانَلَهُأَجْرًا

“You see if he were to devote himself to something forbidden it would be a sin; likewise, if he were to devote himself to something lawful, he will have a reward.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 1006, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 26: Charity Due Upon Every Joint

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

كُلُّسُلَامَىمِنْالنَّاسعَلَيْهِصَدَقَةٌكُلَّيَوْمٍتَطْلُعُفِيهِالشَّمْسُيَعْدِلُبَيْنَالنَّاسِصَدَقَةٌ

“There is charity due upon every joint of the human body; every day on which the sun rises there is a reward of charity for the one who establishes justice among people.”

Source: Sahih Bukhari 2560, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 27: Righteousness is Good Character

Al-Nawwas ibn Samaan (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

الْبِرُّحُسْنُالْخُلُقِوَالإِثْمُمَاحَاكَفِيصَدْرِكَوَكَرِهْتَأَنْيَطَّلِعَعَلَيْهِالنَّاسُ

“Righteousness is to have good character and sin is what festers in your heart and you hate for people to know about it.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 2553, Grade: Sahih

In another narration, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)said:

اسْتَفْتِنَفْسَكَاسْتَفْتِقَلْبَكَيَاوَابِصَةُثَلَاثًاالْبِرُّمَااطْمَأَنَّتْإِلَيْهِالنَّفْسُوَاطْمَأَنَّإِلَيْهِالْقَلْبُوَالْإِثْمُمَاحَاكَفِيالنَّفْسِوَتَرَدَّدَفِيالصَّدْرِوَإِنْأَفْتَاكَالنَّاسُوَأَفْتَوْكَ

“Consult your soul, consult your heart, O Wabisa. Righteousness is what is satisfying to your soul and your heart. Sin is what wavers in your soul and causes hesitancy in your chest, even if the people give you a judgment, and again give you a judgment.”

Source: Sunan Ad-Darimi 2533, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 28: Upholding the Sunnah

Al-‘Irbad ibn Sariyah(may Allah be pleased with him) reported: One day after prayer the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, admonished us such that the eyes wept and hearts shuddered. A man said, “Indeed, this is a farewell speech, so what do you order us, O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)?”He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

أُوصِيكُمْبِتَقْوَىاللَّهِوَالسَّمْعِوَالطَّاعَةِوَإِنْعَبْدٌحَبَشِيٌّفَإِنَّهُمَنْيَعِشْمِنْكُمْيَرَىاخْتِلَافًاكَثِيرًاوَإِيَّاكُمْوَمُحْدَثَاتِالْأُمُورِفَإِنَّهَاضَلَالَةٌفَمَنْأَدْرَكَذَلِكَمِنْكُمْفَعَلَيْهِبِسُنَّتِيوَسُنَّةِالْخُلَفَاءِالرَّاشِدِينَالْمَهْدِيِّينَعَضُّواعَلَيْهَابِالنَّوَاجِذِ

“I enjoin you to fear Allah, and to listen and obey your leaders even if he is a slave from Ethiopia. Indeed, whoever lives among you will see many differences. Beware of newly invented matters, for indeed they are misguidance. So whoever sees that must uphold my precedent (sunnah) and the precedent of the upright successors who are guided; bite onto it with you molar teeth.”

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2676, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 29: Virtuous Deeds

Mu’adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: I was with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and we woke up one day and I said, “O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), tell me about a deed that will enter me into Paradise and keep me away from the Fire.” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

لَقَدْسَأَلْتَنِيعَنْعَظِيمٍوَإِنَّهُلَيَسِيرٌعَلَىمَنْيَسَّرَهُاللَّهُعَلَيْهِتَعْبُدُاللَّهَوَلَاتُشْرِكْبِهِشَيْئًاوَتُقِيمُالصَّلَاةَوَتُؤْتِيالزَّكَاةَوَتَصُومُرَمَضَانَوَتَحُجُّالْبَيْتَ

“You have asked about an enormous matter, yet it is easy for whom Allah makes it easy. Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him; establish the prayer; give the charity; fast the month of Ramadan; and perform pilgrimage to the House.”

Then he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

أَلَاأَدُلُّكَعَلَىأَبْوَابِالْخَيْرِالصَّوْمُجُنَّةٌوَالصَّدَقَةُتُطْفِئُالْخَطِيئَةَكَمَايُطْفِئُالْمَاءُالنَّارَوَصَلَاةُالرَّجُلِمِنْجَوْفِاللَّيْلِ

“Shall I not tell you about the gates of goodness? Fasting is a shield; charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire; and the prayer of a man in the late night.”

Then he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) recited:

تَتَجَافَىجُنُوبُهُمْعَنْالْمَضَاجِعِحَتَّىبَلَغَيَعْمَلُونَ

“They arise from their beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend from what We have provided them, and no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do.” [Surah As-Sajda 32:16-17]

Then he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

أَلَاأُخْبِرُكَبِرَأْسِالْأَمْرِكُلِّهِوَعَمُودِهِوَذِرْوَةِسَنَامِهِ

“Shall I not tell you about the head of the matter and its peak?”

I said, “Of course, O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).”

He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

رَأْسُالْأَمْرِالْإِسْلَامُوَعَمُودُهُالصَّلَاةُوَذِرْوَةُسَنَامِهِالْجِهَادُ

“The head of the matter is Islam; its pillar is the prayer; and struggle (jihad) is its peak.”

Then he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

أَلَاأُخْبِرُكَبِمَلَاكِذَلِكَكُلِّهِ

“Shall I not tell you how to achieve all of this?”

I said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him),” and he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) took hold of his tongue and said:

كُفَّعَلَيْكَهَذَا

“Restrain this.”

I said, “O Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), will what we say be held against us?”

He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

ثَكِلَتْكَأُمُّكَيَامُعَاذُوَهَلْيَكُبُّالنَّاسَفِيالنَّارِعَلَىوُجُوهِهِمْأَوْعَلَىمَنَاخِرِهِمْإِلَّاحَصَائِدُأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ

“May your mother be bereaved of you, O Mu’adh! Is there anything that topples people onto their faces in the Hellfire except the harvest of their tongues?”

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2616, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 30: Duties, Limits, and Allah’s Merciful Silence

Abu Tha’laba Al-Khushani (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

إِنَّاللَّهَفَرَضَفَرَائِضَفَلَاتُضَيِّعُوهَاوَحَدَّحُدُودًافَلَاتَعْتَدُوهَاوَسَكَتَعَنْأَشْيَاءَرَحْمَةًلَكُمْغَيْرَنِسْيَانٍفَلَاتَبْحَثُواعَنْهَا

“Verily, Allah has made duties obligatory, so do not neglect them; and He has set limits, so do not transgress them; and He has remained silent concerning things as mercy for you, not out of forgetfulness, so do not search them out.”

Source: Sunan Al-Daraqutani 4316, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 31: Renounce the World and Allah Will Love You

Sahl ibn Sa’ad Al-Sa’di (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)and said, “O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), tell me about a deed I can do which will make Allah and the people love me.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

ازْهَدْفِيالدُّنْيَايُحِبَّكَاللَّهُوَازْهَدْفِيمَافِيأَيْدِيالنَّاسِيُحِبُّوكَ

“Renounce the world and Allah will love you, and renounce what people possess and the people will love you.”

Source: Sunan Ibn Majah 4102, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 32: No Being Harmed or Harming Others

Sa’d bin Malik Al-Khudari (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, made a decree:

لاَضَرَرَوَلاَضِرَارَ

“Do not be harmed or harm others.”

Source: Sunan ibn Majah 2340, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 33: Burden of Proof is Upon the Claimant

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

لَوْيُعْطَىالنَّاسُبِدَعْوَاهُمْلَادَّعَىرِجَالٌأَمْوَالَقَوْمٍوَدِمَاءَهُمْوَلَكِنَّالْبَيِّنَةَعَلَىالْمُدَّعِيوَالْيَمِينَعَلَىمَنْأَنْكَرَ

“If people were given in accordance with their claims, then men would claim the wealth and lives of other people; rather, the burden of proof is on the claimant, and the taking of an oath is an obligation upon him who denies the claim.”

Source: Sunan Al-Kubra 20604 Grade: Hasan

Hadith 34: Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil

Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

مَنْرَأَىمِنْكُمْمُنْكَرًافَلْيُغَيِّرْهُبِيَدِهِفَإِنْلَمْيَسْتَطِعْفَبِلِسَانِهِفَإِنْلَمْيَسْتَطِعْفَبِقَلْبِهِوَذَلِكَأَضْعَفُالْإِيمَانِ

“Whoever among you sees something wrong should change it with his hands. If he is unable to do so, then with his tongue. If he is unable to do so, then at least hate it in his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 49, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 35: Manners of Brotherhood

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

لَاتَحَاسَدُواوَلَاتَنَاجَشُواوَلَاتَبَاغَضُواوَلَاتَدَابَرُواوَلَايَبِعْبَعْضُكُمْعَلَىبَيْعِبَعْضٍوَكُونُواعِبَادَاللَّهِإِخْوَانًاالْمُسْلِمُأَخُوالْمُسْلِمِلَايَظْلِمُهُوَلَايَخْذُلُهُوَلَايَحْقِرُهُالتَّقْوَىهَاهُنَاوَيُشِيرُإِلَىصَدْرِهِثَلَاثَمَرَّاتٍبِحَسْبِامْرِئٍمِنْالشَّرِّأَنْيَحْقِرَأَخَاهُالْمُسْلِمَكُلُّالْمُسْلِمِعَلَىالْمُسْلِمِحَرَامٌدَمُهُوَمَالُهُوَعِرْضُهُ

“Do not envy, and do not outbid each other, and do not hate, and do not turn away, and do not outsell each other, and be servants of Allah as brothers. The Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not wrong him or humiliate him or look down upon him. Righteousness is here, and he pointed to his chest three times. It is sufficient evil for a person to look down upon his brother Muslim. All of the Muslim is sacred to another Muslim: his life, his wealth, and his honor.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 2564, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 36: Allah Helps Him Who Helps His Brother

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

مَنْنَفَّسَعَنْمُؤْمِنٍكُرْبَةًمِنْكُرَبِالدُّنْيَانَفَّسَاللَّهُعَنْهُكُرْبَةًمِنْكُرَبِيَوْمِالْقِيَامَةِوَمَنْيَسَّرَعَلَىمُعْسِرٍيَسَّرَاللَّهُعَلَيْهِفِيالدُّنْيَاوَالآخِرَةِوَمَنْسَتَرَمُسْلِمًاسَتَرَهُاللَّهُفِيالدُّنْيَاوَالآخِرَةِوَاللَّهُفِيعَوْنِالْعَبْدِمَاكَانَالْعَبْدُفِيعَوْنِأَخِيهِوَمَنْسَلَكَطَرِيقًايَلْتَمِسُفِيهِعِلْمًاسَهَّلَاللَّهُلَهُبِهِطَرِيقًاإِلَىالْجَنَّةِوَمَااجْتَمَعَقَوْمٌفِيبَيْتٍمِنْبُيُوتِاللَّهِيَتْلُونَكِتَابَاللَّهِوَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُبَيْنَهُمْإِلاَّنَزَلَتْعَلَيْهِمُالسَّكِينَةُوَغَشِيَتْهُمُالرَّحْمَةُوَحَفَّتْهُمُالْمَلاَئِكَةُوَذَكَرَهُمُاللَّهُفِيمَنْعِنْدَهُوَمَنْبَطَّأَبِهِعَمَلُهُلَمْيُسْرِعْبِهِنَسَبُهُ

“He who relieves the hardship of a believer in this world, Allah will relieve his hardship on the Day of Judgment. He who makes easy what is difficult, Allah will make it easy for him in the world and the Hereafter. He who conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in the world and the Hereafter. Allah helps the servant so long as he helps his brother. He who travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy a path to Paradise. A people do not gather toget her in the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying together, except that tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will cover them, angels will surround them, and Allah will mention them to those with Him. And he who is slow to good deeds will not be hastened by his lineage”

Source: Sahih Muslim 2699, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 37: Recording of Good and Bad Deeds

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: Among the sayings of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, that he relates from his Lord is:

إِنَّاللَّهَكَتَبَالْحَسَنَاتِوَالسَّيِّئَاتِثُمَّبَيَّنَذَلِكَفَمَنْهَمَّبِحَسَنَةٍفَلَمْيَعْمَلْهَاكَتَبَهَااللَّهُعِنْدَهُحَسَنَةًكَامِلَةًوَإِنْهَمَّبِهَافَعَمِلَهَاكَتَبَهَااللَّهُعَزَّوَجَلَّعِنْدَهُعَشْرَحَسَنَاتٍإِلَىسَبْعِمِائَةِضِعْفٍإِلَىأَضْعَافٍكَثِيرَةٍوَإِنْهَمَّبِسَيِّئَةٍفَلَمْيَعْمَلْهَاكَتَبَهَااللَّهُعِنْدَهُحَسَنَةًكَامِلَةًوَإِنْهَمَّبِهَافَعَمِلَهَاكَتَبَهَااللَّهُسَيِّئَةًوَاحِدَةً

“Verily, Allah has recorded good and bad deeds and He made them clear. Whoever intends to perform a good deed but does not do it, then Allah will record it as a complete good deed, but if he intends to do it and does so, then Allah the Exalted will record it as ten good deeds up to seven hundred times as much or even more; if he intends to do a bad deed and does not do it, then Allah will record for him one complete good deed, but if he does it then Allah will record for him a single bad deed.”

Source: Sahih Muslim 131, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 38: Loyal Friends of Allah

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَالَ مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ آذَنْتُهُ بِالْحَرْبِ وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ عَبْدِي بِشَيْءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَمَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ بِهِ وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِي يُبْصِرُ بِهِ وَيَدَهُ الَّتِي يَبْطِشُ بِهَا وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِي يَمْشِي بِهَا وَإِنْ سَأَلَنِي لَأُعْطِيَنَّهُ وَلَئِنْ اسْتَعَاذَنِي لَأُعِيذَنَّهُ وَمَا تَرَدَّدْتُ عَنْ شَيْءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ تَرَدُّدِي عَنْ نَفْسِ الْمُؤْمِنِ يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَأَنَا أَكْرَهُ مَسَاءَتَهُ

“Verily, Allah Almighty said: Whoever shows hostility to a friend of mine, then I have declared war upon him. My servant does not grow closer to me with anything more beloved to Me than the duties I have imposed upon him. My servant continues to draw near me with extra works until I love him. When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hands with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask something from me, I would surely give it to him; and if he were to ask me for refuge, I would surely grant it to him.”

Source: Sahih Bukhari 6137, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 39: Pardon For Honest Mistakes

Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

إِنَّاللَّهَتَجَاوَزَعَنْأُمَّتِيالْخَطَأَوَالنِّسْيَانَوَمَااسْتُكْرِهُواعَلَيْهِ

“Verily, Allah has pardoned my nation for their mistakes, their forgetfulness, and what they are coerced into doing.”

Source: Sunan Ibn Majah 2043, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 40: Be in the World as a Stranger

Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, took hold of my shoulder and said:

كُنْفِيالدُّنْيَاكَأَنَّكَغَرِيبٌ،أَوْعَابِرُسَبِيلٍ

“Be in the world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer.”

Source: Sahih Bukhari 6053, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 41: Desires and Islam

Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

لَنْيَسْتَكْمِلَمُؤْمِنٌإِيمَانَهُحَتَّىيَكُونَهَوَاهُتَبَعًالِمَاجِئْتُكُمْبِهِ

“A believer will never perfect his faith until his desires follow what I have brought to you.”

Source: Al-Madkhal As-Sunnah Al-Kubra 150, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 42: Door of Repentance is Always Open

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him)reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say:

قَالَاللَّهُتَبَارَكَوَتَعَالَىيَاابْنَآدَمَإِنَّكَمَادَعَوْتَنِيوَرَجَوْتَنِيغَفَرْتُلَكَعَلَىمَاكَانَفِيكَوَلَاأُبَالِييَاابْنَآدَمَلَوْبَلَغَتْذُنُوبُكَعَنَانَالسَّمَاءِثُمَّاسْتَغْفَرْتَنِيغَفَرْتُلَكَوَلَاأُبَالِييَاابْنَآدَمَإِنَّكَلَوْأَتَيْتَنِيبِقُرَابِالْأَرْضِخَطَايَاثُمَّلَقِيتَنِيلَاتُشْرِكُبِيشَيْئًالَأَتَيْتُكَبِقُرَابِهَامَغْفِرَةً

“Allah, Blessed and Exalted, says: O son of Adam, however much you call upon Me and place your hopes in Me, I will forgive you without any reservation. O son of Adam, if you have sins piling up to the clouds and then ask My forgiveness, I will forgive you without any reservation. O son of Adam, if you come to me with enough mistakes to fill the Earth, and meet Me without associating anything as a partner with Me, I will come to you with enough forgiveness to fill the earth.”

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3540, Grade: Sahih

He was deeply loved by his Companions, as evidenced by this historical episode: A group from the Adal and al-Qarah tribes, who were apparently from the same ancestral stock as the Quraysh and who live d near Makka, came to the Prophet during the third year of the Islamic era and said: "Some of us have chosen Islam, so send a group of Muslims to instruct us what Islam means, teach us the Qur'an, and inform us of Islam's principles and laws."

The Messenger selected six Companions to go with them. Upon reaching the Hudhayl tribe's land, the group halted and the Companions settled down to rest. Suddenly, a group of Hudhayli tribesmen fell upon them like a thunderbolt with their swords drawn. Clearly, the mission either had been a ruse from the beginning or its members had changed their minds en route. At any rate, they sided with the attackers and sought to seize the six Muslims. As soon as the Companions were aware of what was happening, they grabbed their arms and got ready to defend themselves. Three were martyred, and the rest were tied up and taken to Makka, where they were to be delivered to the Quraysh.

Near Makka, 'Abdullah ibn Tariq managed to free his hand and reach for his sword. However , his captors saw what he was doing and stoned him to death. Zayd and Hubayb were carried to Makka, where they were exchanged for two Hudhayli captives. Safwan Ibn Umayya al-Qurayshi bought Zayd from the person to whom he had been sold so that he could avenge the blood of his father, who had been killed during the Battle of Badr. He took him outside Makka to kill him, and the Quraysh assembled to see what would happen.

Zayd came forward with a courageous gait and did not even tremble. Abu Sufyan, a spectator who wanted to use this chance to extract a statement of contrition and remorse or an avowal of hatred of the Prophet, stepped forward and said: "I adjure you by God, Zayd, don't you wish that Muhammad was with us now in your place so that we might cut off his head, and that you were with your family?" "By God," said Zayd, "let alone wishing that, I do not wish that even a thorn should hurt his foot." Abu Sufyan, astonished, turned to those present and said: "By God, I swear I have never seen a man so loved by his followers as Muhammad."

After a while, Hubayb ibn Adiy was taken outside Makka for execution. Requesting the assembled people to let him perform two rak'a of prayer, to which they agreed, he did so in all humility, respect, and absorption. Then he spoke to them: "I swear by God that if I did not think that you might think that I was trying to delay my death out of fear, I would have prolonged my prayer."

After condemning Hubayb to crucifixion, his sweet voice was heard, with a perfect spirituality that held everyone in its spell, entreating God with these words: "O God! We have delivered the message of Your Messenger, so inform him of what has been done to us, and tell him my wish of peace and blessings upon him." Meanwhile, God's Messenger was returning his peace, saying: "Upon you be God's peace and blessings, O Hubayb!"

Some people joke too much and it becomes a habit for them. This is the opposite of the serious nature which is the characteristic of the believers. Joking is a break, a rest from ongoing seriousness and striving; it is a little relaxation for the soul. ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azeez (may Allah have mercy on him) said:“Fear joking, for it is folly and generates grudges.”

Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:“The kind of joking which is forbidden is that which is excessive and persistent, for it leads to too much laughter and hardening of the heart, it distracts from remembrance of Allah, and it often leads to hurt feelings, generates hatred and causes people to lose respect and dignity. But whoever is safe from such dangers, then that which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to do is permissible for him.”

Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas said:“Set a limit to your jokes, for going to extremes makes you lose respect and incites the foolish against you.”

The amount of joking should be like the amount of salt in one’s food.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:“Do not laugh too much, for laughing too much deadens the heart.” (Saheeh al-Jami’, 7312)

‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said:“Whoever laughs too much or jokes too much loses respect, and whoever persists in doing something will be known for it.”

So beware of joking, for it“causes a person to lose face after he was thought of as respectable, and it brings him humiliation after esteem.”

A man said to Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah (may Allah be pleased with him),“Joking is not right, it is to be denounced.” He replied,“Rather it is Sunnah, but only for those who know how to do it and do it at the appropriate time.”

Nowadays, although the ummah needs to increase the love between its individual members and to relieve itself of boredom, it has gone too far with regard to relaxation, laughter and jokes. This has become a habit which fills their gatherings and wastes their time, so their lives are wasted and their newspapers are filled with jokes and trivia.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:“If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.” In Fath al-Baari it says: “What is meant by knowledge here has to do with the might of Allah and His vengeance upon those who disobey Him, and the terrors that occur at death, in the grave and on the Day of Resurrection.”

Muslim men and women have to be inclined to choose righteous and serious friends in their lives, who will help them to make good use of their time and strive for the sake of Allah with seriousness and steadfastness, good and righteous people whose example they can follow. Bilaal ibn Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) said:“I saw them [the Sahaabah] jokingly pretending to fight over some goods, and laughing with one another, but when night came they were like monks.”

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked,“Did the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) laugh?”He said,“Yes, and the faith in their hearts was like mountains.”

So you have to follow the example of such people, who were knights by day and monks (i.e., devoted worshippers) by night.

May Allah keep us, you and our parents safe on the Day of the Greatest Terror, those to whom the call will go out on that great Day:

“Enter Paradise, no fear shall be on you, nor shall you grieve”[al-A’raaf 7:49 – interpretation of the meaning]

There is no question that the mere saying of, "I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His servant and messenger," is not sufficient for salvation. In fact, the hypocrites used to make this statement quite often yet Allah describes them as liars and says that they shall abide in the lowest abyss of the Hell-fire.

As many scholars state , though, this statement or testimony is the key to Paradise. The famous Follower Wahb ibn Munabbih was once asked, "Isn't the statement of La ilaha illa-llah the key to Paradise?" He answered, "Yes, but every key has ridges. If you come with the key that has the right ridges, the door will open for you. Yet if you do not have the right ridges the door will not open for you." That is, it is saying [while meeting] certain conditions. These conditions are what will differentiate the person who will benefit from his making of that statement from the one who will not benefit from that statement, no matter how many times a day he may have made that statements.

If we study the verses of the Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), we will find that the conditions of the shahadah are seven, eight or nine in number depending on how we look at them. It is important that all of us make sure that we are meeting these conditions in our own lives and in our own testimony of faith. We must do our best to satisfy these conditions before it is too late and our testimony will be no avail whatsoever. It is not simply for the sake of teaching these conditions. Indeed, there is no benefit to that. But it is, instead, for all of us to look to ourselves and to make sure that we are actually meeting these conditions so that, by Allah's mercy, the doors to Paradise will be open for us by our key of La ilaha illa-llah.

The first of these conditions is knowledge. That is, one must have the basic and general knowledge of what is meant by the shahadah. One must understand what the shahadah is affirming and what the shahadah is denying. Allah says in the Quran, "So know, [O Muhammad], that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin"(Qur'an, Muhammad 19). Similarly, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,"Whoever dies knowing that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah shall enter Paradise." (Recorded by Muslim.)

In fact, the shahadah itself is a testimony. When one testifies to something, one must know what it is that he is testifying concerning. Obviously, a testimony about something that one does not have any knowledge about is absolutely unacceptable. Allah says in the Quran, "And those they invoke besides Him do not possess [power of] intercession; but only those who testify to the truth [can benefit], and they know."(Qur'an, al-Zukhruf 86).

Now this condition probably sounds obvious. If someone said to you, "There is no God except Allah," and then said that what he meant by Allah was Jesus, you would immediately tell him that this shahadah is nonsense. Yet can you imagine that there is a Muslim country in the world that until recently used to have a yearly week-long celebration to "the gods of the Sea"! All along they call themselves Muslims and they make shahadah numerous times a day. This clearly shows that they have no idea what the meaning of their shahadah is. Do you think that this kind of shahadah will open the doors to Paradise for them?

Today, there are many Muslims who wonder why we should not accept secularism. They think that there is nothing wrong with secularism! Many of these Muslims pray five times a day and utter the shahadah repeatedly. Yet they see nothing wrong with accepting a Lawgiver other than Allah? What kind of shahadah are these people making?

All of us do our best to learn at least the basics of Islamic beliefs. The basics of what shahadah means. In this way, Allah willing, we will be making the correct shahadah. We will be witnessing to the truth as we are supposed to be witnesses to it.

The second condition of the shahadah is certainty (or al-yaqeen). This is the opposite of doubt and uncertainty. In Islam, in fact, any kind of doubt is equivalent to Kufr or disbelief. We must, in our hearts, be absolutely certain of the truth of the shahadah. Our hearts must not be wavering in any way when we testify to the truth of, "There is none worthy of worship except Allah."

Allah describes the believers in the Quran as those who have belief in Allah and then their hearts waver not. Allah says, "The (true) believers are those only who believe in Allah and His messenger and afterward doubt not, but strive with their wealth and their lives for the cause of Allah. Such are the sincere" (Qur'an, al-Hujurat 15). Similarly, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "No one meets Allah with the testimony that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and I am the Messenger of Allah, and he has no doubt about hat statement, except that he will enter Paradise."(Recorded by Muslim)

Indeed, Allah describes the hypocrites as those people whose hearts are wavering. For example, Allah says, "They alone seek leave of thee (not to participate in jihad) who believe not in Allah and the Last Day and whose hearts feel doubt, so in their doubt they waver " (Qur'an, al-Tauba 45).

Many scholars have stated that the diseases of the heart, or the doubt and suspicions that one allows into one's heart, are more dangerous for a person's faith than lusts and desires. This is because lusts and desires may be satisfied at some time yet the person still knows them to be wrong and he may control himself and repent and give up that evil deed. On the other hand, the doubts and suspicions may linger in the heart, with no cure, until the person finally leaves Islam entirely or continues to practice Islam while, in fact, in his heart he does not have the true faith.

The greatest cure for these doubts is seeking knowledge. It is through sound knowledge of the Quran and the sunnah that most of these doubts will be removed. By study and understanding, one will attain certainty. And as one studies and learns more, his certainty will be made firmer and firmer.

I will give you just one example on this point. This is related to all of the doubts, suspicions and misconceptions that are circulating about the authenticity of the hadith literature. For example, some Muslims even claim that hadith were not recorded until at least 200 years after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Indeed, there are Muslims who seem to have a great deal of doubt about hadith and are very quick to reject hadith on that basis. But, in fact, if one actually takes the time to study the history and preservation of hadith, one will immediately recognize that all those claims and charges against the hadith are not based on anything scientific whatsoever. They are nothing but false claims that come from Satan and which Muslims with poor understanding and knowledge have allowed to creep into their hearts.

Let me make one last point about this condition of certainty. As I alluded to earlier, doubts and misconceptions are very dangerous for a person's faith. Doubt and wavering are tantamount to apostasy in Islam, as I mentioned earlier. Hence, every Muslim should do best to safeguard himself from such doubts and remain away from the sources of doubts- especially if they are not well grounded in the Islamic sciences and do not have the knowledge to refute such doubts and misconceptions. Hence if a person has an associate or friend, even if he be a Muslim friend, who is always making him doubt Allah or the religion, then he should remain away from that person in order to safeguard his own religion. Many Muslims nowadays study courses on Islam taught by Orient lists and because of their weak backgrounds in Islamic studies, they are influenced by the nonsense that some of these Orient lists are teaching in the name of "science".

Similarly, many brothers and sisters nowadays are spending hours at a time with the computer news groups and bulletin boards. A lot of nonsense and falsehood are posted on those news groups and bulletin boards. Again, the one who is not very knowledgeable of his religion may easily be influenced and affected by the misconceptions and false arguments that he reads in those bulletin boards. He should remain away from those things and get a deeper knowledge of Islam through the authentic sources of the religion.

Again, the greatest counterforce that can defeat doubts and misconceptions, after the bounty and guidance of Allah, is sound knowledge and understanding of the religion. When a person has that, he will not be affected by the weak arguments put out by the enemies of Islam and he will be, Allah willing, from among those described in the Quran, "It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear All ah" (Qur 'an, Fatir 28)

Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Rasool Allah ﷺ said,“Should I not tell you of such a thinga which are the best and purest deeds in the court of your Lord, high in ranks (darajat), better for you then spending gold and silver (in Allah’s path), and better than slaying the neck of the enemy during war? The Sahaba said, “Yes, Oh Rasool Allahﷺ!” He ﷺ said,“It is Zikr of Allah.” (Tirmizi)

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Rasool Allah ﷺ said, “Any gathering in which people sit and do not do Zikr of Allah and do not send Durood upon their Prophetﷺis of loss for them. If Allah wills, give them azab (punishment) and if wills, forgive them.”(Tirmizi)

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Rasool Allah ﷺsaid, “Allah Tabaraka wa Ta’ala says when a person moves his lips for Zikr of Allah, I am with him.”(Bukhari)

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Rasool Allah ﷺ said, “Allah Tabaraka wa Ta’ala says I am closer to my slave than his supposition of which he keeps of me. And when he/her does Zikr of Allah, I am with him/her. If he does Zikr in his heart, I do his Zikr near MY proximity (closeness) and if he does Zikr in a gathering, I mention him in a gathering Afdhal (better) than it. (Bukhari)

Abu Musa Ash'ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Rasool Allah ﷺ said,“He/She who does Zikr of Allah and he/she who doesn’t, their example is of like an alive and a dead.” (Bukhari)

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) said that Rasool Allah ﷺ said, “The angels look for those who do Zikr of Allah on the paths. When they find those who are doing Zikr of Allah then they call each other, “Come, your desired has been found.” Then those angels cover those are doing Zikr of Allah up to the skies of this world with their wings. And Allah Rabbul Izzat says about them to those angels “What are my slave doing?” Though Allah knows more than those angels. The angels say, “Those people are doing your Tasbeeh, Tahmeed, and Tamjeed.” Allah says, “Have they seen me?” The angels say, “We swear by your pure Entity, they have not seen you.” Rab Ta’ala says to them, “If they had seen me then what would be their state?” The angels say, “If they could’ve seen you then they would do your Tamjeed and your Tasbeeh even more."

Allah says, “What slaves are asking from me?” The angels say, “They are asking for Jannat from you.” Allah says, “Have they seen Jannat?” The angels say, “We swear by Your Pure Entity, they have not seen Jannat.” Allah says, “If they had seen Jannat then what would be their state?” The angels say, “If these people had seen jannat then their greed, desire, and inclination for it would increase. Allah says, “What else are they doing?” The angels say, “They are seeking refuge.” Allah says, “From what are they seeking refuge?” The angels say, “They are seeking refuge from Hell.” Allah says, “Have they seen Hell?” The angels say, “Oh Rabbi, we swear by Your Pure Entity, they have not seen it.” Allah says, “If they had seen it then what would be their state?” The angels say, “If they had seen it then they would run even further away from it and fear it even more.

Allah says, “angels, Be witnesses that I have forgiven them.” An angel says, “There is one person amongst them who is not part of those who do Zikr, he is there for some necessity of his/her.” Allah says, “These are such people that even those sitt ing among them are not deprived.” (Bukhari)

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Rasool Allah ﷺ said, “When you pass by gardens of paradise, eat fruits of them. The Sahaba said, “What are the gardens of Paradise?” He ﷺ said, “The gatherings of Zikr.” (Tirmizi)

Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) said that Rasool Allah ﷺ said, “Whenever a Jama'at (a group of people) sits for Zikr of Allah, the angels surround it. Blessing covers that Jama'at. And peace and calm descends on them. And Allah mentions them to the angels present in HIS court.”(Muslim)

Ameer Muaviah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Rasool Allah ﷺ passed by a Jama'at and asked them,“Why have you gathered here?” Some people of the Jammat replied, “We have gathered here for the Zikr and Hamd of Allah because by guiding us towards Islam He did favor on us.” Rasool Allah ﷺ said, “By Allah, have you gathered only for this (purpose)?” They said, “By Allah, we have gathered here only for such purpose.”

Rasool Allah ﷺ said,“I did not give you oath because of any imputation (doubt) rather it is because Jibraeel came to me and told me that Allah boasts of you in the gathering of the angels.” (Muslim)

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Rasool Allah ﷺ said,“The Shaitan sticks to the heart of the child of Adam. When he does Zikr of Allah, he (the Shaitan) runs away from him. And when the child of Adam becomes careless from the Zikr of Allah, the Shaitan begins to put was-wasah (evil suggestions) into his heart.” (Bukhari)

Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Rasool Allah ﷺ said,“Don’t have a conversation [without] Zikr of Allah. Because talking too much without Zikr of Allah is the reason for the heart’s hardness and wretchedness. And that person becomes distant from Allah in whose heart there is wretchedness.” (Tirmizi)

Abudullah Bin Bisr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that one person asked, “Ya Rasool Allahﷺ! There are many commands on me of Islam. Tell me of such a thing which I may hold on to steadfast.”Rasool Allah ﷺ replied, “Always keep your tongue wet from Zikr of Allah.” (Tirmizi)

Abdullah Bin Bisr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a villager came to the Holy Court of Rasool Allah ﷺ and asked, “Which man is the best?” Rasool Allah ﷺ said, “It is the luck and good-fortune of that person whose life is long and his deeds are good.” He asked, “Ya Rasool Allahﷺ! Which deed is the best?” Rasool Allah ﷺ said,“Your tongue be wet from Zikr of Allah when you part from this world.”(Tirmizi)

Muaaz bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Rasool Allah ﷺ said,“The people of Jannat will only regret that moment which had been empty of Zikr of Allah.”(Beihaqi)