Features of Islam
1. Preserved religion
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Hijr 15:9
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُوْنَ
Allah says, “Indeed, it is We Who have sent down the ‘Zikr’ and indeed, We will be its guardian.[1]”
وَالذِّكْرُ : اَلْقُرْآنُ ، فِيْ قَوْلِ جَمِيْعِ الْمُفَسِّرِيْنَ.
Ibn-al-Jauzi said, “Zikr: Quran according to all the muffassireen.”
{ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُوْنَ } أَيْ: فِيْ حَالِ إِنْزَالِهِ وَبَعْدَ إِنْزَالِهِ
Abdur Rahman bin Nasir bin al-S’adi said, “‘We will be its guardian’”
Means: - during the revelation and even after the revelation.” [RECORDED IN TAYSEER-AL-KAREEM-AL-RAHMAN]
2. Universal Religion
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Fatihah 1:2
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ
“[All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds.”
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah As Saba 34:28
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا كَافَّةً لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيْرًا وَّنَذِيْرًا وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ
“And We have not sent you except to the whole of mankind as a bringer of good news and a warner. But most of the people do not know.”
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيْ أُنْزِلَ فِيْهِ الْقُرْآَنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ
“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.”
3. Complete Religion and Way of Life
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Maidah 5:3
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِيْنَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي
وَرَضِيْتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِيْنًا
وَرَضِيْتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِيْنًا
“This day I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
Meaning of “perfected the religion”
Ibn-‘Abbas رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ said,
إِكْمَالُ فَرَائِضِهِ وَحُدُوْدِهِ ، وَلَمْ يَنْزِلْ بَعْدَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ تَحْلِيْلٌ وَلَا تَحْرِيْمٌ ، قَالَهُ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ
“Completing its ‘Faraiz’ (obligatory religious duties) and ‘Hudood’ (legal punishment) and neither any verse concerning ‘Halaal’ (permissible) was revealed after this verse nor of ‘Haraam’ (prohibited).”
[RECORDED IN TAFSEER-ZA’AD-AL-MA’AD]
4. Perfect model of ‘faith with actions’
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Ahzaab 33:21
لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُوْلِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ
لِّمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُوْ اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآَخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيْرًا
لِّمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُوْ اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآَخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيْرًا
Allah said “Indeed, there is for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.”
5. Beliefs and laws are according to nature and intellect.
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah At-Toor 52:35-36
أَمْ خُلِقُوْا مِنْ غَيْرِ شَيْءٍ أَمْ هُمُ الْخَالِقُوْنَ .
أَمْ خَلَقُوْا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بَلْ لَّا يُوْقِنُوْنَ
أَمْ خَلَقُوْا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بَلْ لَّا يُوْقِنُوْنَ
“Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]?
Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Rather, they are not certain.”
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah As-Saffat 37:95
قَالَ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ
“He said, "Do you worship that which you [yourselves] carve”
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Maidah 5:75
مَا الْمَسِيْحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُوْلٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ
وَأُمُّهُ صِدِّيقَةٌ كَانَا يَأْكُلَانِ الطَّعَامَ
انْظُرْ كَيْفَ نُبَيِّنُ لَهُمُ الْآَيَاتِ ثُمَّ انْظُرْ أَنَّى يُؤْفَكُوْنَ
وَأُمُّهُ صِدِّيقَةٌ كَانَا يَأْكُلَانِ الطَّعَامَ
انْظُرْ كَيْفَ نُبَيِّنُ لَهُمُ الْآَيَاتِ ثُمَّ انْظُرْ أَنَّى يُؤْفَكُوْنَ
“The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him. And his mother was a woman of truth. They both used to eat food. Look how We make clear to them the signs; then look how they are deluded.”
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Yaseen 36:77-79
أَوَلَمْ يَرَ الْإِنْسَانُ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَاهُ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيْمٌ مُبِيْنٌ .
وَضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلًا وَنَسِيَ خَلْقَهُ قَالَ مَنْ يُّحْيِيْ الْعِظَامَ وَهِيَ رَمِيْمٌ .
قُلْ يُحْيِيْهَا الَّذِي أَنْشَأَهَا أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِيْمٌ
وَضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلًا وَنَسِيَ خَلْقَهُ قَالَ مَنْ يُّحْيِيْ الْعِظَامَ وَهِيَ رَمِيْمٌ .
قُلْ يُحْيِيْهَا الَّذِي أَنْشَأَهَا أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِيْمٌ
“Does man not consider that We created him from a [mere] sperm-drop - then at once he is a clear adversary? And he makes for Us comparisons and forgets his [own] creation. He says, "Who can give life to bones while they are decayed and decomposed? Say, “He will give them life Who produced them the first time; and He is Well-versed in every kind of creation.”
6. Scientific facts agree with it.
“In view of the level of knowledge in Muhammad's day, it is inconceivable that many of the statements in the Qur'an which are connected with science could have been the work of a man. It is, moreover, perfectly legitimate, not only to regard the Qur'an as the expression of a Revelation, but also to award it a very special place, on account of the guarantee of authenticity it provides and the presence in it of scientific statements which, when studied today, appear as a challenge to explanation in human terms” [FROM THE BOOK, “THE BIBLE, THE QUR'AN AND SCIENCE.” BY DR. MAURICE BUCAILLE]
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Fussilat 41:53
سَنُرِيْهِمْ آَيَاتِنَا فِي الْآَفَاقِ وَفِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ
“We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth.”
7. Wise distribution of ‘Halaal’ and ‘Haraam’
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Baqarah 2:173
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنْزِيْرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ بِهِ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ
“He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah”
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Baqarah 2:219
يَسْأَلُوْنَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيْهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيْرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ
وَإِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِنْ نَفْعِهِمَا
وَإِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِنْ نَفْعِهِمَا
“They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, "In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit”
Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said:
لَا تَشْرَبِ الْخَمْرَ فَإِنَّهَا مِفْتَاحُ كُلِّ شَرٍّ
“Do not drink intoxicants, for it is the key to all evils” [RECORDED IN IBN MAJAH. AUTHENTICATED (SAHEEH) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH AL JAAMI 7334 AND SAHEEH IBN MAJAH 2717]
8. Consideration for human weaknesses and necessities.
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Araaf 7:42
وَالَّذِيْنَ آَمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوْا الصَّالِحَاتِ - لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا -
أُوْلَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيْهَا خَالِدُوْنَ
أُوْلَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيْهَا خَالِدُوْنَ
“But those who believed and did righteous deeds - We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity – they will be the companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.”
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Anaam 6:119
وَقَدْ فَصَّلَ لَكُمْ مَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِلَّا مَا اضْطُرِرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ
“While He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, except that to which you are forced out of necessity.”
a. Concessions in salaah.
Narrated Imran-Ibn-Husain رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ,
قَالَ كَانَتْ بِيْ بَوَاسِيْرُ فَسَأَلْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم عَنْ الصَّلَاةِ
فَقَالَ صَلِّ قَائِمًا فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَقَاعِدًا
فَإِنْ لَّمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَى جَنْبٍ
فَقَالَ صَلِّ قَائِمًا فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَقَاعِدًا
فَإِنْ لَّمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَى جَنْبٍ
“I had piles, so I asked the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ about the prayer. He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said, "Pray while standing and if you can't, pray while sitting and if you cannot do even that, then pray Lying on your side."
[RECORDED IN SAHIH BUKHARI (SHORTENING THE PRAYERS (AT-TAQSEER)) 2:218[2]]
b. Fasting whilst traveling and in sickness
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al Baqarah 2:184
فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيْضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ
وَعَلَى الَّذِيْنَ يُطِيْقُوْنَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِيْنٍ
وَعَلَى الَّذِيْنَ يُطِيْقُوْنَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِيْنٍ
“So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day].”
c. Zakat is due only from the rich people. Hajj is obligatory only on those who fulfill its conditions.
Ibn-Abbas رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا narrated,
عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم بَعَثَ مُعَاذًا رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ إِلَى الْيَمَنِ
فَقَالَ ادْعُهُمْ إِلَى شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَّا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنِّيْ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ
فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوْا لِذَلِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ
أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدِ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ خَمْسَ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ
فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوْا لِذَلِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً فِيْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ
تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ وَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم بَعَثَ مُعَاذًا رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ إِلَى الْيَمَنِ
فَقَالَ ادْعُهُمْ إِلَى شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَّا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنِّيْ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ
فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوْا لِذَلِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ
أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدِ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ خَمْسَ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ
فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوْا لِذَلِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً فِيْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ
تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ وَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ
“The Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ sent Muadh to Yemen and said, “Invite the people to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I am Allah's Messenger, and if they obey that, then teach them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers in every day and night, and if they obey that, then teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the Zakat from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to their poor.”
[NARRATED BY IBN-ABBAS رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا RECORDED IN SAHIH BUKHARI (THE BOOK OF FUNERALS (AL-JANAA'IZ)) 2:478]
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Ale Imran 3:97
وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيْلًا
“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way.”
d. Leave in the situation of force
Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَجَاوَزَ عَنْ أُمَّتِيْ الْخَطَأَ وَالنِّسْيَانَ وَمَا اسْتُكْرِهُوْا عَلَيْهِ
“Indeed Allah has forgiven my people their mistakes, forgetfulness and what they are forced upon”
[NARRATED BY ABU DHARR رضي الله عنه, RECORDED IN MUSNAD AHMED, IBN MAJAH. ALSO NARRATED BY IBN ABBAS رضي الله عنهما AND RECORDED IN TABARANI AND HAAKIM. ALSO NARRATED BY THAUBAAN رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ AND RECORDED IN TABARANI. AUTHENTICATED (SAHEEH) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH AL JAAMI 1731]
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah An Nahl 16:106
مَنْ كَفَرَ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ إِيْمَانِهِ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُ مُطْمَئِنٌّ بِالْإِيْمَانِ
وَلَكِنْ مَّنْ شَرَحَ بِالْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيْمٌ
وَلَكِنْ مَّنْ شَرَحَ بِالْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيْمٌ
Allah said “Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief... except for one who is forced [to renounce his religion] while his heart is secure in faith. But those who [willingly] open their breasts to disbelief, upon them is wrath from Allah, and for them is a great punishment”
9. Maintaining a Balance between the materialistic and spiritual.
Abdullah-Bin-‘Amr-Bin-al-‘Aas رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ narrated,
قَالَ لِيْ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم :
يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أَنَّكَ تَصُوْمُ النَّهَارَ وَتَقُوْمُ اللَّيْلَ ؟
فَقُلْتُ بَلَى يَا رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ فَلَا تَفْعَلْ . صُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ وَقُمْ وَنَمْ
فَإِنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِعَيْنِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا
وَإِنَّ لِزَوْجِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِزَوْرِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا
يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ أَلَمْ أُخْبَرْ أَنَّكَ تَصُوْمُ النَّهَارَ وَتَقُوْمُ اللَّيْلَ ؟
فَقُلْتُ بَلَى يَا رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ فَلَا تَفْعَلْ . صُمْ وَأَفْطِرْ وَقُمْ وَنَمْ
فَإِنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِعَيْنِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا
وَإِنَّ لِزَوْجِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا وَإِنَّ لِزَوْرِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا
“Allah's Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said to me, “O Abdullah! Have I not been informed that you fast during the day and pray in the night”? Abdullah replied, “Yes, O Allah's Messenger!” The Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said, "Don't do that; fast and (also) let go of your fast, pray and also sleep, as your body has a right on you, and your wife has a right on you, and your guest has a right on you.”
[NARRATED BY IBN UMAR رضي الله عنه, RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI, SAHEEH MUSLIM, NASAI AND MUSNAD AHMED, SAHEEH AL JAAMI 7942. THE WORDINGS ARE FROM SAHEEH BUKHARI]
Anas-Bin-Maalik رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ narrated,
جَاءَ ثَلَاثَةُ رَهْطٍ إِلَى بُيُوْتِ أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم يَسْأَلُوْنَ عَنْ عِبَادَةِ النَّبِيِّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم
فَلَمَّا أُخْبِرُوْا كَأَنَّهُمْ تَقَالُّوْهَا
فَقَالُوْا وَأَيْنَ نَحْنُ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم قَدْ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ
قَالَ أَحَدُهُمْ أَمَّا أَنَا فَإِنِّيْ أُصَلِّي اللَّيْلَ أَبَدًاوَقَالَ آخَرُ أَنَا أَصُوْمُ الدَّهْرَ وَلَا أُفْطِرُ
وَقَالَ آخَرُ أَنَا أَعْتَزِلُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَا أَتَزَوَّجُ أَبَدًا
فَجَاءَ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم إِلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ أَنْتُمُ الَّذِيْنَ قُلْتُمْ كَذَا وَكَذَا
أَمَا وَاللَّهِ إِنِّيْ لَأَخْشَاكُمْ لِلَّهِ وَأَتْقَاكُمْ لَهُ
لَكِنِّيْ أَصُوْمُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأُصَلِّيْ وَأَرْقُدُ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ
فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِيْ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّيْ
فَلَمَّا أُخْبِرُوْا كَأَنَّهُمْ تَقَالُّوْهَا
فَقَالُوْا وَأَيْنَ نَحْنُ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم قَدْ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ
قَالَ أَحَدُهُمْ أَمَّا أَنَا فَإِنِّيْ أُصَلِّي اللَّيْلَ أَبَدًاوَقَالَ آخَرُ أَنَا أَصُوْمُ الدَّهْرَ وَلَا أُفْطِرُ
وَقَالَ آخَرُ أَنَا أَعْتَزِلُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَا أَتَزَوَّجُ أَبَدًا
فَجَاءَ رَسُوْلُ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم إِلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ أَنْتُمُ الَّذِيْنَ قُلْتُمْ كَذَا وَكَذَا
أَمَا وَاللَّهِ إِنِّيْ لَأَخْشَاكُمْ لِلَّهِ وَأَتْقَاكُمْ لَهُ
لَكِنِّيْ أَصُوْمُ وَأُفْطِرُ وَأُصَلِّيْ وَأَرْقُدُ وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ
فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِيْ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّيْ
“A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophetصَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ asking how the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَworshipped (Allah), and when they were informed about that, they considered their worship insufficient and said, "Where are we from the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ as his past and future sins have been forgiven." Then one of them said, "I will offer the prayer throughout the night forever." The other said, "I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast." The third said, "I will keep away from the women and will not marry forever." Allah's Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ came to them and said, "Are you the same people who said so-and-so? By Allah, I am more afraid of Allah and more submissive to Him than you; yet I fast and break my fast, I pray and I sleep and I also marry women. So he, who does not follow my tradition, is not from me.”
[RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI (THE BOOK OF WEDLOCK, MARRIAGE (NIKAAH)) 7:1, SAHEEH MUSLIM: THE BOOK OF NIKAH: CHAPTER ON -IT IS DESIRABLE FOR THE ONE WHO CAN MARRY TO GET MARRIED]
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Araaf 7:31-32
وَكُلُوْا وَاشْرَبُوْا وَلَا تُسْرِفُوْا إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِيْنَ
قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِيْنَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِ وَالطَّيِّبَاتِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ
قُلْ هِيَ لِلَّذِيْنَ آَمَنُوْا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا خَالِصَةً يَّوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِيْنَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِ وَالطَّيِّبَاتِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ
قُلْ هِيَ لِلَّذِيْنَ آَمَنُوْا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا خَالِصَةً يَّوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
“And eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess. Say, "Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things of provision?" Say, "They are for those who believe during the worldly life [but] exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection”
10. Granting women their rights.
a. There is no force in ‘Nikaah’
Khansa-bint-Khidham-al-Ansariya رضي الله عنها narrated,
عَنْ خَنْسَاءَ بِنْتِ خِذَامٍ الْأَنْصَارِيَّةِ
أَنَّ أَبَاهَا زَوَّجَهَا وَهْيَ ثَيِّبٌ فَكَرِهَتْ ذَلِكَ
فَأَتَتْ رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم فَرَدَّ نِكَاحَهُ
أَنَّ أَبَاهَا زَوَّجَهَا وَهْيَ ثَيِّبٌ فَكَرِهَتْ ذَلِكَ
فَأَتَتْ رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم فَرَدَّ نِكَاحَهُ
“That her father gave her in marriage when she was a matron and she disliked that marriage so she went to Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and he declared that marriage invalid.”
[RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI (SAYING SOMETHING UNDER COMPULSION (IKRAAH)) 9: 78]
b. Living with kindness.
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah An-Nisaa 4:19
وَعَاشِرُوْهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوْفِ
فَإِنْ كَرِهْتُمُوْهُنَّ فَعَسَى أَنْ تَكْرَهُوْا شَيْئًا وَّيَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ فِيْهِ خَيْرًا كَثِيْرًا
فَإِنْ كَرِهْتُمُوْهُنَّ فَعَسَى أَنْ تَكْرَهُوْا شَيْئًا وَّيَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ فِيْهِ خَيْرًا كَثِيْرًا
“And live with them in kindness. If you dislike them- perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good.”
Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said:
لَا يَفْرَكْ مُؤْمِنٌ مُؤْمِنَةً إِنْ كَرِهَ مِنْهَا خُلُقًا رَضِيَ مِنْهَا آخَرَ
“No believing man should hate a believing woman (his wife). If he dislikes a part of her conduct, he would like another.”
[NARRATED BY ABU HURAIRAH رضي الله عنه, RECORDED IN SAHEEH MUSLIM (THE BOOK OF MARRIAGE (KITAB AL-NIKAH)): 3469[3], MUSNAD AHMED, SAHEEH AL JAAMI 7741]
c. Reward of spending on wife
Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said,
إِنَّكَ أَنْ تَذَرَ وَرَثَتَكَ أَغْنِيَاءَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَنْ تَذَرَهُمْ عَالَةً يَتَكَفَّفُوْنَ النَّاسَ
وَإِنَّكَ لَنْ تُنْفِقَ نَفَقَةً تَبْتَغِيْ بِهَا وَجْهَ اللَّهِ إِلَّا أُجِرْتَ بِهَا
حَتَّى مَا تَجْعَلُ فِيْ فِيْ امْرَأَتِكَ
وَإِنَّكَ لَنْ تُنْفِقَ نَفَقَةً تَبْتَغِيْ بِهَا وَجْهَ اللَّهِ إِلَّا أُجِرْتَ بِهَا
حَتَّى مَا تَجْعَلُ فِيْ فِيْ امْرَأَتِكَ
“It is better for you to leave your inheritors wealthy rather than to leave them poor, begging people (for their sustenance); and whatever you spend for Allah's sake, you will get reward for it even for the morsel of food which you put in your wife's mouth.”
[NARRATED BY SA’D رضي الله عنه, RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI (THE BOOK OF MILITARY EXPEDITIONS LED BY THE PROPHET صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ (AL-MAGHAAZI)) 5: 693, SAHEEH MUSLIM, ABU-DAWOOD, TIRMIDHI, IBN-MAJAH, NASAI, MAALIK, AHMED, SAHEEH AL JAAMI 3082]
d. Right of Inheritance
Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah An-Nisaa 4:7
لِلرِّجَالِ نَصِيْبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُوْنَ
وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيْبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُوْنَ
مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنْهُ أَوْ كَثُرَ نَصِيْبًا مَّفْرُوْضًا
وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيْبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُوْنَ
مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنْهُ أَوْ كَثُرَ نَصِيْبًا مَّفْرُوْضًا
“For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much - an obligatory share.”
e. Right of Khula’a
Khula’a means the parting of a wife from her husband by giving him certain compensation.
Ibn Abbas رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ narrates,
أَنَّ امْرَأَةَ ثَابِتِ بْنِ قَيْسٍ أَتَتْ النَّبِيَّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم
فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ثَابِتُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ مَا أَعْتِبُ عَلَيْهِ فِي خُلُقٍ وَلَا دِينٍ
وَلَكِنِّي أَكْرَهُ الْكُفْرَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ
فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم أَتَرُدِّينَ عَلَيْهِ حَدِيقَتَهُ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم اقْبَلْ الْحَدِيقَةَ وَطَلِّقْهَا تَطْلِيقَةً
فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ثَابِتُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ مَا أَعْتِبُ عَلَيْهِ فِي خُلُقٍ وَلَا دِينٍ
وَلَكِنِّي أَكْرَهُ الْكُفْرَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ
فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم أَتَرُدِّينَ عَلَيْهِ حَدِيقَتَهُ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم اقْبَلْ الْحَدِيقَةَ وَطَلِّقْهَا تَطْلِيقَةً
The wife of Thabit-Bin-Qais came to the Prophet and said, "O Allah's Messenger! I do not blame Thabit for defects in his character or his religion, but I, being a Muslim, dislike behaving in an un-Islamic manner (if I remain with him).” On that Allah's Messenger said (to her), “Will you give back the garden which your husband has given you (as Mahr)?" She said, “Yes.” Then the Prophet said to Thabit, “O Thabit! Accept your garden, and divorce her once.”
[RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI (THE BOOK OF DIVORCE) 7: 197]
11. Human Equality
Narrated Abu-Dharr that Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said to him:
انْظُرْ فَإِنَّكَ لَيْسَ بِخَيْرٍ مِنْ أَحْمَرَ وَلَا أَسْوَدَ إِلَّا أَنْ تَفْضُلَهُ بِتَقْوَى
“You see, that you are neither better than a red nor than a black, except that you become superior to him in ‘Taqwa’
[NARRATED BY ABU DHARR رضي الله عنه, RECORDED IN MUSNAD AHMED. AUTHENTICATED (HASAN) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH AL JAAMI 1505]
Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said,
إِنْ أُمِّرَ عَلَيْكُمْ عَبْدٌ مُجَدَّعٌ أَسْوَدُ يَقُوْدُكُمْ بِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى فَاسْمَعُوْا لَهُ وَأَطِيْعُوْا
“If a young black slave is made ‘Amir’ upon you, who leads you with the book of Allah Ta’ala, then listen to him and obey him.” [NARRATED BY UMM AL HUSSAIN رضي الله عنها, RECORDED IN SAHEEH MUSLIM, IBN MAJAH, SAHEEH AL JAAMI 1411]
Marur-Ibn-al-Suwaid رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ narrated,
لَقِيْتُ أَبَا ذَرٍّ بِالرَّبَذَةِ وَعَلَيْهِ حُلَّةٌ وَعَلَى غُلَامِهِ حُلَّةٌ
فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي سَابَبْتُ رَجُلًا فَعَيَّرْتُهُ بِأُمِّهِ
فَقَالَ لِي النَّبِيُّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم
يَا أَبَا ذَرٍّ أَعَيَّرْتَهُ بِأُمِّهِ إِنَّكَ امْرُؤٌ فِيْكَ جَاهِلِيَّةٌ
إِخْوَانُكُمْ خَوَلُكُمْ جَعَلَهُمْ اللَّهُ تَحْتَ أَيْدِيْكُمْ
فَمَنْ كَانَ أَخُوْهُ تَحْتَ يَدِهِ فَلْيُطْعِمْهُ مِمَّا يَأْكُلُ وَلْيُلْبِسْهُ مِمَّا يَلْبَسُ
وَلَا تُكَلِّفُوْهُمْ مَا يَغْلِبُهُمْ
فَإِنْ كَلَّفْتُمُوْهُمْ فَأَعِيْنُوْهُمْ
فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي سَابَبْتُ رَجُلًا فَعَيَّرْتُهُ بِأُمِّهِ
فَقَالَ لِي النَّبِيُّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم
يَا أَبَا ذَرٍّ أَعَيَّرْتَهُ بِأُمِّهِ إِنَّكَ امْرُؤٌ فِيْكَ جَاهِلِيَّةٌ
إِخْوَانُكُمْ خَوَلُكُمْ جَعَلَهُمْ اللَّهُ تَحْتَ أَيْدِيْكُمْ
فَمَنْ كَانَ أَخُوْهُ تَحْتَ يَدِهِ فَلْيُطْعِمْهُ مِمَّا يَأْكُلُ وَلْيُلْبِسْهُ مِمَّا يَلْبَسُ
وَلَا تُكَلِّفُوْهُمْ مَا يَغْلِبُهُمْ
فَإِنْ كَلَّفْتُمُوْهُمْ فَأَعِيْنُوْهُمْ
“At Ar-Rabadha I met Abu-Dharr who was wearing a cloak, and his slave, too, was wearing a similar one. I asked him the reason for it. He replied, “I abused a person by calling his mother with bad names.” The Prophet said to me, ‘O Abu-Dharr! Did you abuse him by calling his mother with bad names? You still have some characteristics of ignorance. Your slaves are your brothers and Allah has put them under your command. So whoever has a brother under his command should feed him of what he eats and dress him of what he wears. Do not ask them (slaves) to do things beyond their capacity (power) and if you do so, then help them.”
[NARRATED BY ABU DHARR رضي الله عنه, RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI (THE BOOK OF BELIEF) 1:29, SAHEEH MUSLIM, TIRMIDHI, ABU-DAWOOD, IBN-MAJAH, AHMAD, SAHEEH AL JAAMI 238]
12. Rights of Animals
Abdullah-Ibn-Jaafar رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ narrated,
...فَدَخَلَ [أي رسول الله صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم ] حَائِطًا لِّرَجُلٍ مِّنْ الْأَنْصَارِ فَإِذَا جَمَلٌ
فَلَمَّا رَأَى النَّبِيَّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم حَنَّ وَذَرَفَتْ عَيْنَاهُ
فَأَتَاهُ النَّبِيُّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم فَمَسَحَ ذِفْرَاهُ فَسَكَتَ
فَقَالَ مَنْ رَّبُّ هَذَا الْجَمَلِ لِمَنْ هَذَا الْجَمَلُ
فَجَاءَ فَتًى مِنْ الْأَنْصَارِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ
فَقَالَ أَفَلَا تَتَّقِي اللَّهَ فِي هَذِهِ الْبَهِيْمَةِ الَّتِي مَلَّكَكَ اللَّهُ إِيَّاهَا
فَإِنَّهُ شَكَا إِلَيَّ أَنَّكَ تُجِيْعُهُ وَتُدْئِبُهُ
فَلَمَّا رَأَى النَّبِيَّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم حَنَّ وَذَرَفَتْ عَيْنَاهُ
فَأَتَاهُ النَّبِيُّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم فَمَسَحَ ذِفْرَاهُ فَسَكَتَ
فَقَالَ مَنْ رَّبُّ هَذَا الْجَمَلِ لِمَنْ هَذَا الْجَمَلُ
فَجَاءَ فَتًى مِنْ الْأَنْصَارِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ
فَقَالَ أَفَلَا تَتَّقِي اللَّهَ فِي هَذِهِ الْبَهِيْمَةِ الَّتِي مَلَّكَكَ اللَّهُ إِيَّاهَا
فَإِنَّهُ شَكَا إِلَيَّ أَنَّكَ تُجِيْعُهُ وَتُدْئِبُهُ
“….then he [Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ] entered in the garden of an Ansaar, there was a camel. When he (the camel) saw Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ he yearned and his eyes started flowing. Allah’s Messenger came to him and stroked his head (with his hand) so he kept quiet. He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said, ‘Who is the master of this camel? Whose camel is this?’ A young man from the Ansaar came and said, “It’s mine, O Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ!” He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said, “Don’t you fear Allah about this beast of which Allah has made you the master. Fear about them because he complained to me that you keep him hungry and make him tired” [RECORDED IN SUNAN ABU-DAWOOD: THE BOOK OF JIHAD: CHAPTER ON - WHAT HAS BEEN ORDERED ABOUT TAKING CARE]
Abdullah Ibn-Mas’ood رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ narrated,
كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم فِي سَفَرٍ فَانْطَلَقَ لِحَاجَتِهِ
فَرَأَيْنَا حُمَرَةً مَعَهَا فَرْخَانِ فَأَخَذْنَا فَرْخَيْهَا فَجَاءَتْ الْحُمَرَةُ فَجَعَلَتْ تَفْرِشُ
فَجَاءَ النَّبِيُّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم فَقَالَ مَنْ فَجَعَ هَذِهِ بِوَلَدِهَا رُدُّوْا وَلَدَهَا إِلَيْهَا
وَرَأَى قَرْيَةَ نَمْلٍ قَدْ حَرَّقْنَاهَا فَقَالَ مَنْ حَرَّقَ هَذِهِ قُلْنَا نَحْنُ
قَالَ إِنَّهُ لَا يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يُّعَذِّبَ بِالنَّارِ إِلَّا رَبُّ النَّارِ
فَرَأَيْنَا حُمَرَةً مَعَهَا فَرْخَانِ فَأَخَذْنَا فَرْخَيْهَا فَجَاءَتْ الْحُمَرَةُ فَجَعَلَتْ تَفْرِشُ
فَجَاءَ النَّبِيُّ صلّى اللهُ عليه وسلّم فَقَالَ مَنْ فَجَعَ هَذِهِ بِوَلَدِهَا رُدُّوْا وَلَدَهَا إِلَيْهَا
وَرَأَى قَرْيَةَ نَمْلٍ قَدْ حَرَّقْنَاهَا فَقَالَ مَنْ حَرَّقَ هَذِهِ قُلْنَا نَحْنُ
قَالَ إِنَّهُ لَا يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يُّعَذِّبَ بِالنَّارِ إِلَّا رَبُّ النَّارِ
“We were with Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ during a journey. He went to ease himself. We saw a bird with her two young ones and we captured her young ones. The bird came and began to spread its wings. Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ came and said, “Who has grieved this bird for its young ones? Return its young ones to it.” He also saw an ant village that we had burnt. He asked, “Who has burnt this? We replied: “We.” He said, “It is not proper to punish with fire except for the Lord of fire.”
[RECORDED IN ABU DAWOOD. AUTHENTICATED (SAHEEH) BY ALBANI IN SAHEEH SUNAN ABU DAWOOD 2329]
Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said,
بَيْنَا رَجُلٌ يَمْشِي فَاشْتَدَّ عَلَيْهِ الْعَطَشُ
فَنَزَلَ بِئْرًا فَشَرِبَ مِنْهَا ثُمَّ خَرَجَ
فَإِذَا هُوَ بِكَلْبٍ يَلْهَثُ يَأْكُلُ الثَّرَى مِنْ الْعَطَشِ
فَقَالَ لَقَدْ بَلَغَ هَذَا مِثْلُ الَّذِي بَلَغَ بِي
فَمَلَأَ خُفَّهُ ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَهُ بِفِيْهِ ثُمَّ رَقِيَ فَسَقَى الْكَلْبَ فَشَكَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ فَغَفَرَ لَهُ
قَالُوْا يَا رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّ لَنَا فِي الْبَهَائِمِ أَجْرًا
فَنَزَلَ بِئْرًا فَشَرِبَ مِنْهَا ثُمَّ خَرَجَ
فَإِذَا هُوَ بِكَلْبٍ يَلْهَثُ يَأْكُلُ الثَّرَى مِنْ الْعَطَشِ
فَقَالَ لَقَدْ بَلَغَ هَذَا مِثْلُ الَّذِي بَلَغَ بِي
فَمَلَأَ خُفَّهُ ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَهُ بِفِيْهِ ثُمَّ رَقِيَ فَسَقَى الْكَلْبَ فَشَكَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ فَغَفَرَ لَهُ
قَالُوْا يَا رَسُوْلَ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّ لَنَا فِي الْبَهَائِمِ أَجْرًا
“While a man was walking, he felt thirsty. So he went down a well, and drank from it (water), and then came out. Then he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of thirst. The man said, “This (dog) is suffering (from the same problem) as I did.” So he filled his shoe (with water) and caught it with his mouth and he climbed up and watered the dog. So Allah appreciated him and forgave him.” They (the companions) asked, “O Allah's Messenger صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ! Is there a reward for us in (serving) the animals?” He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said, “There is a reward for serving every living being.”
[RECORDED IN SAHEEH BUKHARI (DISTRIBUTION OF WATER) 3: 551, SAHEEH MUSLIM]
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