The Sayings of Muhammad by Sir Abdullah Al-Mamun Al-Suhrawardy

Before we reproduce these selected sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, it would be appropriate to quote from "The Preservation of the Original Teachings of Islam" from Introduction to Islam by Dr. Hamidullah, to indicate how during the time of the Prophet, p.b.u.h. himself, his words were written down and compiled with his permission and how such great care was taken to preserve the accuracy. For instance, Hanaf, a Companion of the Prophet, p.b.u.h. used to unroll sheets of documents and say: "these are the sayings of the Prophet, which I have noted and then also read out to him [the holy Prophet] to correct any mistakes."

83. At-Tirmidhi reports: One day an Ansarite (Madinan Muslim) complained to the Prophet that he had a weak memory and that he forgot quickly the Prophet's instructive discourses. The Prophet replied: Take the aid of thy right hand (i.e., write it down). 84. A large number of sources (at-Tirmidhi, Abu-Dawud, etc.) narrate that 'Abdallah ibn 'Amar ibn al-'As, a young Meccan, had the habit of writing all that the Prophet used to say. One day his comrades rebuked him, saying that the Prophet was a human being, he could sometimes be happy and satisfied, at other times annoyed or angry, and that it was not desirable that one should note indiscriminately all that he uttered. 'Abdallah went to the Prophet and asked him if one could note all that he said. He replied, "Yes." To be accurate, 'Abdallah persisted: "Even when thou art happy and satisfied, even when thou art angry?" The Prophet said: "Of course, by God! Nothing that comes out of this mouth is ever a lie." 'Abdallah gave his compilation the name of Sahifa Sadiqah (the book of truth). For several generations it was taught and transmitted as an independent work; it was later incorporated into the larger collections of the Hadith compiled by Ibn Hanbal and others. Ad-Darimi and Ibn 'Abd al-Hakam reported: Once this same Abdallah had his pupils around him and somebody asked: Which of the two cities will be captured by Muslims first, Rome or Constantinople? Abdallah caused an old box to be brought to him, took a book out of it, and after having turned its pages for awhile, read as follows: "One day when we were sitting around the Prophet to write down what he was saying, someone asked him: Which of the two cities will be captured first, Rome or Constantinople? He replied: The city of the descendants of Heraclius." This narration definitely proves that the Companions of the Prophet were interested even during his lifetime in writing down his very words. 85. More important is the case of Anas. Anas was one of the rare Madinans who could read and write when he was only ten years old, was presented, by his devoted parents, to the Prophet as his personal attendant. He did not quit the company of the Prophet till he died. Remaining night and day in his house, Anas had the opportunity of seeing the Prophet and hearing from him that which was not practicable for others. It is Anas who reports the saying of the Prophet: "Capture science by means of writing." In later times, one of the pupils of Anas reports: "If we insisted (another version states 'if we were numerous') Anas would unroll sheets of documents and say: These are the sayings of the Prophet of which I have noted and also read out to him to correct any mistakes." This important statement speaks not only about the compilation during the lifetime of the Prophet, but also of its collation and verification by the Prophet. The case is cited by numerous classical authorities, such as ar-Ramhurmuzi (d. about 360 H.), al-Hakim (d. 405), al-Khatib al-Baghdadi (d. 463), and these great traditionists cite earlier sources.

In the Introduction to The Sayings of Muhammad, Abdullah Al-Suhrawardy, unfortunately does not give individual citations of where and in what collection of Hadiths, he collected the sayings of the Prophet, p.b.u.h. However, in the introduction to the book, he does say "This small selection from the authentic (i.e. Sahih) utterances of the Prophet cannot claim to be a fair sample of the whole. . . " Now, thousands of sayings have been attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, p.b.u.h. Some are accepted as authentic (i.e. Sahih) and some have been traced to the Companions. Whereas others are debatable. The serious Islamic scholar may wish to examine The Qur'an along with other sources for these Sayings (Hadith) and should consult the Sihah Sitta [the six Collections of Sahih Ahadith (Traditions of the Prophet, p.b.u.h.)] for their own satisfaction. The following quotation from one Tradition will explain the position which Prophet Muhammad, p.b.u.h. intended to assign to Ahadith (Prophetic Traditions):

I have left you two things, and you will not go astray as long as you hold them fast. The one is the book of God, and the other the law (Sunnah) of His Prophet."

Consequently, Prophet Muhammad, p.b.u.h. gave very special injunctions respecting the faithful transmission of his sayings. "I. With reference to the character of those who have handed down the tradition:

(1) Hadisu 's-Sahih, a genuine tradition, is one which has been handed down by truly pious persons who have been distinguished for their integrity.

(2) Hadisu 'l-Hasan, a mediocre tradition, is one the narrators of which do not approach in moral excellence to those of the Sahih class.

(3) Hadisu 'z-Za'if, a weak tradition, is one whose narrators are of questionable authority. The disputed claims of narrators to these three classes have proved a fruitful source of learned discussion, and very numerous are the works written upon the subject. Out of these three classes of Hadith (Traditions) the first two are generally accepted without any hesitation. As to Hadisuz-Zaif, of the class number 3, it has to be borne in mind that the 'questionable authority' of narrators of such Hadith reflects only such a minor flaw in the character of the narrator that it was still 'sound' and 'authentic' (Sahih) enough to qualify for inclusion in the seven Sahih collections of Traditions (Sihah Sitta). Even the very highly technical and the most severe "rules of audit" used for such classification purposes did not warrant rejection of such "Zaif" Traditions. For this reason, these Tradition are also acceptable and are not rejected outright -- particularly if the compiler of Sahih books expressly states that it is included as a Zaif Tradition. For a detailed discussion of this subject we refer our readers to the great authoritative works of Shah Waliu-Allah, a highly recognized authority in the science of Hadith. Even Imam Ibn Hanbal (who is known to be a very strict and meticulous, with the care he used to take in sorting the acceptable from the non-acceptable Traditions) on one occasion conceded to a close friend of his (who himself was a learned scholar in Hadith and had lent a certain collection of Hadith compiled by himself in a book form to Imam Ibn Hanbal.) Iman Hanbal kept the book for quite a while for study and critique. When he returned the book back to his friend, Imam Ibn Hanbal remarked that the book contained a number Zaif Ahadith! Whereupon, his friend remarked that the purpose of compiling this book was not to present a collection from a technical grading and classification purpose, but rather with a view to make them available to the general public for their guidance and benefit. Imam Hanbal then expressly stated his opinion to the effect that yes indeed the public can derive a great deal of profit from it. "As a matter of fact, thanks to you, I have myself benefited from it."

Now readers who are interested in further study of the grading and classification with regards to the original relaters of the Hadith and the links in the chain of narrators of the Traditions and other matters of interest and details are referred to an article entitled "Traditions"-- Editor

In God's Name, the Merciful, the Compassionate

According to Abu Dawood these four Sayings of The Prophet contain the summary of Islamic law:

Actions will be judged according to intentions.

The proof of a Muslim's sincerity is that he payeth no heed to that which is not his business.

No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.

That which is lawful is clear, and that which is unlawful likewise, but there are certain doubtful things between the two from which it is well to abstain.

Abstinence

Remember the Lord in retirement from the people and make prayer thy sleep, and hunger thy food.

Kill not your hearts with excess of eating and drinking.

Illumine your hearts with hunger, and strive to conquer yourself with hunger and thirst; continue to knock on the gates of paradise by hunger.

The world is sweet in the heart, and green to the eye; and verily God hath brought you, after those who went before you: then look to your action, and abstain from the world of wickedness.

The nearest to me are the abstinent, whoever they are, wherever they are.

A keeper of the fast, who doth not abandon lying and detraction, God careth not about his leaving off eating and drinking.

A man once said to Muhammad, "O Messenger of God, permit me to become a Eunuch." He said, "That person is not of me who maketh another a eunuch, or becometh so himself; because the manner in which my followers become eunuchs is by fasting and abstinence." The man said permit me to retire from society, and to abandon the delights of the world." He said, "The retirement that becometh my followers is to live in the world and yet to sit in the corner of a mosque in expectation of prayers."

A man while fasting must abstain from all bad expressions and must not even resent an injury.

Torment not yourselves, lest God punish you.

There is no monasticism in Islam.

S'ad b. Abi Wakkas said: The apostle forbade Uthman b. Mazun from avoiding marriage: and if he had permitted that to him, we would have become eunuchs."

The man I most emulate is a Muslim unencumbered; a man of small family, and little money, a performer of prayers and a perfect worshipper of God in private, one who is unknown, and hath enough to supply his wants, and when he dieth, he will leave few women to cry for him, and few legacies.

Keep fast and eat also, stay awake at night and sleep also, for verily there is a duty on you to your body, not to labour overmuch, so that ye may not get ill and destroy yourselves; and verily there is a duty on you to your eyes, ye must sometimes sleep and give them rest; and verily there is a duty on you to your wife, and to your visitors and guests that come to see you; ye must talk to them; and nobody hath kept fast who fasted always; the fast of three days in every month is equal to constant fasting: then keep three days' fast in every month.

Adultery

When a man committeth adultery, Iman (Faith) leaveth him; but when he leaveth such evil ways, Iman will return to him.

The adultery of the eye is to look with desire on the wife of another; and the adultery of the tongue is to utter what is forbidden.

Ye followers of Muhammad, I swear of God, there is not anything which God so abhors, as adultery.

Every eye is an adulterer; and every woman perfumeth herself, and goeth to an assembly where men are, wishing to show herself to them, with a look of lasciviousness, is an adulteress.

Aged Persons

To every young person who honours the old, on account of their age, may God appoint those who shall honour him in his years.

Verily, to honour an old man is showing respect to God.

Alms-giving

The best of alms is that which the right hand giveth, and the left hand knoweth not of.

The best of almsgiving is that which springeth from the heart, and is uttered by the lips to soften the wounds of the injured.

Almsgiving is duty unto you. Alms should be taken from the rich and returned to the poor.

There are seven people whom God will draw under His own shadow, on the day when there will be no other shadow; one of them a man who hath given alms and concealed it, so that his left hand knew not what his right hand did.

Muhammad said, "It is indispensable for every Muslim to give alms." The Companions asked, "But if he hath not anything to give?" He said, "If he hath nothing, he must do a work with his hand, by which to obtain something and benefit himself; and give alms with the remainder." They said, "But if he is not able to do that work, to benefit himself and give alms to others?" The Rasul (Muhammad) said, "Then he should assist the needy and the oppressed." They asked, "What if he is not able to assist the oppressed?" He said, "Then he should exhort people to do good." They asked, "And if he cannot?" He said, "Then let him withhold himself from doing harm to people; for verily that is as alms and charity for him."

The people of the Rasul's house killed a goat, and the Rasul enquired, "What remaineth of it?" A'isha said, "Nothing but its shoulder; for we have sent the rest to the poor and neighbours." The Rasul said, "The whole goat remaineth except its shoulder; that is, that remaineth which ye have given away, and what ye have kept in the house is frail."

The angels asked, "O God! Is there anything of Thy creation stronger than rocks?" God said, "Yes; iron is stronger than rocks, for it breaketh them." The angels said, "O Lord! Is there anything of Thy creation stronger than iron?" God said, "Yes; fire is stronger than iron, for it melteth it." And the angels said, O defender! Is there anything of Thy creation stronger than fire?" God said, "Yes; water overcometh fire; it killeth it and maketh it cold." Then the angels said, "O Lord! Is there anything of Thy creation stronger than water?" God said, "Yes; wind overcometh water: it agitateth it and putteth it in motion." They said, "O our cherisher! Is there anything in Thy creation stronger than wind?" God said, "Yes, the children of Adam, giving alms; that is, those who give with their right hands and conceal if from their left, they overcome all."

The most excellent of alms is that of a man of small property, which he has earned by labour, and from which he giveth as much as he is able.

Giving alms to the poor hath the reward of one alms; but that given to kindred hath two rewards; one, the reward of alms, the other the reward of helping relations.

A man's first duty should be to his own family, if poor.

Animals

Fear God, in treating dumb animals and ride them when they are fit to be ridden and get off them when they are tired.

An adulteress passed by a dog at a well; and the dog was holding out his tongue from thirst, which was near killing him, and the woman drew off her boot, and tied it to the end of her garment, and drew water for the dog, and gave him to drink; and she was forgiven for that act.

A woman was punished for a cat which she tied till it died from hunger. She gave the cat nothing to eat, nor did she set it at liberty so that it might find some food.

"Are there rewards for doing good to quadrupeds, and giving them water to drink?" Muhammad said, "Verily there are heavenly rewards for any act of kindness to a live animal."

Verily God hath one hundred loving kindnesses; one of which he hath sent down amongst man, quadrupeds, and every moving thing upon the face of the earth: by it they are kind to each other, and forgive one another; and by it the animals of the wilds are kind to their young; and God hath reserved ninety-nine loving kindnesses by which he will be gracious to His creatures on the last day.

A young man came before the Rasul with a carpet and said, "O Rasul! I passed through a wood and heard the voices of young birds; and I took and put them into my carpet; and their mother came fluttering around my head, and I uncovered the young, and the mother fell down upon them, then I wrapped them up in my carpet; and there are the young which I have." Then the Rasul said, "Put them down." And when he did so, their mother joined them: and Muhammad said, "Do you wonder at the affection of the mother towards her young? I swear by Him who hath sent me, verily God is more loving to His creatures than the mother to these young birds. Return them to the place from which ye took them, and let their mother be with them."

Backbiting

Backbiting vitiates ablution and fasting.

Beauty

Muhammad said, "That person will not enter Paradise who hath one atom of pride in his heart." And a man present said, "Verily, a man is fond of having good clothes, and good shoes." Muhammad said, "God is Beauty and delighteth in the beautiful; but pride is holding man in contempt."

Begging

Every man who shall beg, in order to increase his property, God will diminish it.

Verily God loveth a Muslim with a family, who is poor, and witholdeth himself from the unlawful and from begging.

Whoso openeth unto himself the door of begging, God will open unto him the door of poverty.

Verily it is better for any of you to take your rope and bring a bundle of wood upon your back and sell it, in which case God guardeth your honour than to beg of people, whether they give or not; if they do not give, your reputation suffereth, and you return disappointed; and if they give, it is worse than that, for it layeth you under obligation.

Whoever hath food for a day and a night, it is prohibited for him to beg.

Verily it is not right for the rich to ask, nor for a strong, robust person; but it is allowed for the indigent and the infirm.

"May I beg from people, O Messenger of God, when necessitous?" Muhammad said, "Do not beg unless absolutely compelled, then only from the virtuous."

Benefits

There are two benefits, of which the generality of men are the losers, and of which they do not know the value, health and leisure.

Charity

Charity that is concealed appeaseth the wrath of God.

Prayers lighten the heart, and charity is proof of Iman (Faith), and abstinence from sin is perfect splendour; the Koran is a proof of gain to you, if you do good, and it is a detriment to you if you do wrong; and every man who riseth in the morning either doeth that which will be the means of his redemption or his ruin.

Charity is a duty unto every Muslim. He who hath not the means thereto, let him do a good act or abstain from an evil one. That is his charity.

When you speak, speak the truth; perform when you promise; discharge your trust; commit not fornication; be chaste; have no impure desires; withhold your hands from striking, and from taking that which is unlawful and bad. The best of God's servants are those who when seen, remind of God; and the worst of God's servants are those who carry tales about, and do mischief and separate friends, and seek for the defects of the good.

Whoso hath left debt and children, let him come to me; I am their patron, I will discharge his debt and befriend his children.

Every good act is charity.

Doing justice between two people is charity; and assisting a man upon his beast, and lifting his baggage is charity; and pure, comforting words are charity; and answering a questioner with mildness, is charity; and removing that which is an inconvenience to wayfarers, such as thorns and stones, is a charity.

Every good act is charity; and verily it is a good act to meet your brother with and open countenance, and to pour water from your own water bag into his vessel.

Your smiling in your brother's face is charity; and your exhorting man to virtuous deeds is charity; and your prohibiting the forbidden is charity; and your showing men the road, in the land in which they lose it, is charity; and your assisting the blind is charity.

Chastity

Modesty and chastity are part of the faith.

Christians and Jews

Muhammad once referred to strife, and said, "It will appear at the time of knowledge leaving the world." Zaid said, "O Messenger of God, how will knowledge go from the world, since we read the Koran, and teach it to our children, and our children to theirs; and so on till the last day?" Then Muhammad said, "O Zaid, I supposed you the most learned man of Medina. Do the Jews and Christians who read the Bible and the Evangel act on them?"

Do not exceed bounds in praising me, as the Christians do in praising Jesus, the son of Mary, by calling him God, and the son of God; I am only the Lord's servant; then call me the servant of God and His messenger.

When the bier of anyone passeth by thee, whether Jew, Christian or Muslim, rise to thy feet.

Cleanliness

Were it not for fear of troubling my disciples, verily I would order them to clean their teeth before every prayer.

God is pure and loveth purity and cleanliness.

Compassion

When the child (of Zainab) was brought to Muhammad, dying; its body trembling and moving; the eyes of the Apostle of God shed many tears. And Sa'd said, "O Messenger of God! What is the weeping and shedding of tears?" Muhammad replied, "This is an expression of the tenderness and compassion, which the Lord hath put into the hearts of His servants; the Lord doth not have compassion on and commiserate with His servants, except such as are tender and full of feeling."

The Apostle of God wept over Sad b. Ubadah. And he said, "Have not you heard that the Lord doth not punish on account of shedding tears, not from sobs of the heart from the afflicted?" He is not of the people of our way who slappeth his cheeks and teareth his collar, and mourneth like the mournings of Ignorance [i.e., loud lamentations, wailings, slapping the cheeks, etc., but not the silent grief of the heart].

There is no reward but Paradise for a Muslim who suffereth with patience when the soul of his affectionate friend is taken.

Once Muhammad went together with some of his Companions to Abu Yusuf, a blacksmith who was the husband of the nurse of Muhammad's son Ibrahim. And the Apostle of God took Ibrahim and kissed him and embraced him. On another occasion they went to see Ibrahim, when he was in his dying moments. The eyes of Muhammad were fixed, and flowed with tears; and Abd-al-Rahman, son of Auf, said to the Messenger of God, "Do you weep and shed tears, O Apostle of God?" He said, "O son of Auf, these are tears of compassion, and feeling due to the dead." After that he shed tears again, and said, "Verily my eyes shed tears and my heart is afflicted, and I say nothing but what is pleasing to my Benefactor; for verily, O Ibrahim, I am melancholy at being separated from thee."

Muhammad said, "Do you think this woman will cast her own child into the fire?" Those present said, "No." Muhammad said, "Verily God is more compassionate on His creatures, than this woman on her own child."

When one of the family of Muhammad died, and the women assembled, crying over the corpse, Umar stood up to prevent them from crying, and drive them away: but Muhammad said, "Let them alone, O Umar, because eyes are shedding tears; and the heart is stricken with calamity and sorrowful; and the time of misfortune near and fresh; and the crying of women is without wailing."

Conscience

A man asked Muhammad what was the mark whereby he might know the reality of his faith. Muhammad said, "If thou derive pleasure from the good which thou hast performed and thou be grieved for the evil which thou hast committed, thou art a true believer." The man said. "In what doth a fault really consist?" Muhammad said, "when action pricketh thy conscience, forsake it."

All actions are judged by the motive prompting them.

Contentment

Riches are not from an abundance of worldly goods, but from a contented mind.

When you see a person, who has been given more than you in money and beauty; then look to those who have been given less.

Look to those inferior to yourselves, so that you may not hold God's benefits in contempt.

God loveth those who are content.

Control of Self

The most excellent Jihad is that for the conquest of self.

The exercise of religious duty will not atone for the fault of an abusive tongue.

A man cannot be a Muslim till his heart and tongue are so.

Whoever hath been given gentleness, hath been given a good portion in this world and the next.

Whoever suppresseth his anger, when he hath in his power to show it, God will give him great reward.

That person is wise and sensible who subdueth his carnal desires and hopeth for rewards from God; and he is an ignorant man who followeth his lustful appetites, and with all this asketh for God's forgiveness.

May God fill the heart of that person who suppresseth his anger with safety and faith.

"Give me advice," said someone. Muhammad said, "Be not angry."

Muaz said, "At the time of my being dispatched to the judgeship of Yemen, the last advice Muhammad gave me was this, 'O Muaz! be of good temper towards people.' "

He is not strong and powerful who throweth people down; but he is strong who witholdeth himself from anger.

No person hath drunk a better draught than that of anger which he hath swallowed for God's sake.



Courtesy

Humility and courtesy are acts of piety.

Verily, a man teaching his child manners is better for him than giving one bushel of grain in alms.

It is not right for a guest to stay so long as to incommode his host.

No man hath given his child anything better than good manners.

"O Apostle of God! Inform, Inform me, if I stop with a man, and he doth not entertain me, and he afterwards stoppeth at my house, am I to entertain him or to act with him as he with did me?" Muhammad said, "Entertain him."

Respect people according to their eminence.

Being confined for room, the Apostle of God sat down upon his legs drawn up under his thighs. A desert Arab who was present said, "What is this way of sitting?" Muhammad said, "Verily God hath made me a humble servant, and not a proud king."

Abuse nobody, and if a man abuse thee, and lay upon a vice which he knoweth in thee; then do not disclose one which thou knowest in him.

When victuals are placed before you no man must stand up till it be taken away; nor must one man leave off eating before the rest; and if he doeth he must make an apology.

It is of my ways that a man shall come out with his guest to the door of his house.

Meekness and modesty are two branches of Iman (Faith); and vain talking and embellishing are two branches of hypocrisy.

When three persons are together, two of them must not whisper to each other without letting the third hear, until others are present, because it would hurt him.

Crimes

The greatest crimes are to associate another with God, to vex your father and mother, to murder your own species, to commit suicide, and to swear to lie.

Cultivation of Land

There is no Muslim who planteth a tree, or soweth a field, and man, birds or beasts eat from them, but it is charity for him.

Whoever bringeth the dead land to life; that is cultivateth waste land, for him is reward therein.

Dead

And behold! a bier passed by Muhammad, and he stood up; and it was said to him, "This is the bier of a Jew." He said, "Was it not the holder of a soul, from which we should take example and fear?"

Do not speak ill of the dead.

When the bier of anyone passeth by thee, whether Jew, Christian, or Muslim, rise to thy feet."

Death

Wish not for death any of you; neither the doer of good works, for peradventure he may increase them by an increase of life; nor the offender, for perhaps he may obtain the forgiveness of God by repentance. Wish not, nor supplicate for death before its time cometh; for verily when ye die, hope is out and the ambition for reward: and verily, the increase of a Mu'min's (Muslim's) life increaseth his good works.

Remember often the destroyer and cutter off of delights, which is death.

Not one of you must wish for death from any worldly affliction; but if there certainly is anyone wishing for death, he must say, "O Lord, keep me alive so long as life may be good for me, and wish me to die when it is better for me so to do."

The faithful do not die; perhaps they become translated from this perishable world to the world of eternal existence.

Death is a blessing to a Muslim. Remember and speak well of your dead, and refrain from speaking ill of them.

There are two things disliked by the sons of Adam, one of them death; whereas it is better for Muslims than sinning; the second is scarcity of money; whereas its account will be small in futurity.

The grave is the first stage of the journey into eternity.

Death is a bridge that uniteth friend with friend.

Sleep is the brother of death.

Muhammad said, three days before his death, "Not one of you must die but with resignation to the will of God, and with hope for His beneficence and pardon."

Debt

Whoso desireth that God should redeem him from the sorrows and travail of the last day, must delay in calling on poor debtors, or forgive the debt in part or whole.

A martyr shall be pardoned every fault but debt.

Whoso hath a thing wherewith to discharge a debt, and refuseth to do it, it is right to dishonour and punish him.

Deliberation

Deliberation in undertakings is pleasing to God.

A good disposition, and deliberation in affairs, and a medium in all things, are one part of twenty-four parts of the qualities of the prophets.

Disposition to Good

He is of the most perfect Muslims, whose disposition is most liked by his own family.

Verily the most beloved of you by me, and nearest to me in the next world, are those of good dispositions; and verily the greatest enemies to me and farthest from me, are the ill-tempered.

Verily the most beloved of you by me are those of the best dispositions.

I have been sent to explain fully good dispositions.

O Lord! as thou hast made my body good, so make good my disposition.

Two qualities are not combined in any Muslim, avarice and bad disposition.

Disputation

Mankind will not go astray after having found the right road, unless from disputation.

Divorce

Every woman who asketh to be divorced from her husband without cause, the fragrance of the Garden is forbidden her.

The thing which is lawful, but disliked by God, is divorce.

Duty of Believers

I have left two things among you, and you will not stray as long as you hold them fast; one is the Book of God, the other the Laws of His Messenger.

God hath made a straight road, with two walls, one on each side of it, in which are open doors, with curtains drawn across. At the top of the road is an Admonisher who saith, "Go straight on the road, and not crooked;" and above this Admonisher is another who saith to any who pass through these doorways, "Pass not through these doors, or verily ye will fall." Now, the road is Islam; and the open doors are those things which God hath forbidden; and the curtains before the doors the bounds set by God; the Admonisher is the Koran, and the upper Admonisher God, in the heart of every Mu'min (Muslim).

Verily ye are ordered the divine commandments, then forsake them not; ye are forbidden the unlawful, then do not fall therein; there are fixed boundaries, then pass not beyond them; and there is silence on some things without their being forgotten, then do not debate about them.

Happy is the Mu'min (Muslim) for if good befalleth him, he praiseth and thanketh God; and if misfortune, praiseth God and beareth it patiently; therefore a Mu'min is rewarded for every good he doeth, even for his raising a morsel of food to the mouth of his wife.

Whoever hath eaten of pure food and practised my laws, and mankind hath lived in security from him, will enter into the Abode of Bliss.

Muhammad once said to Anas, "Son, if you are able, keep your heart from morning till night and from night till morning, free from malice towards anyone;" then he said, "Oh! my son, this is one of my laws, and he who loveth my laws verily loveth me."

I admonish you to fear God, and yield obedience to my successor, although he may be a black slave, for this reason, that those amongst you who live after me will see great schisms. Therefore hold fast to my ways and those of my successors, who may lead you in the straight path, having found it themselves; and ardently seize my laws and be firm thereto.

There was not any Messenger sent before me by God to mankind but found friends and companions, who embraced his maxims and became his disciples; after which were born those who gave out precepts which they did not practice, and did what they were ordered not to do; therefore those who oppose them with the hand, with the tongue, and with the heart are Mu'mins, and there is not anything in Iman besides this, even as much as a grain of mustard seed.

Do not associate any one thing with God, although they kill or burn you; nor affront intentionally your parents, although they should order you to quit your wife, your children, and your property. Do not drink wine; for it is the root of all evil; abstain from vice; and when a pestilence shall pervade mankind, and you shall be amongst them, remain with them; and cherish your children.

There are three roots to Iman (Faith): not to trouble him who shall say 'there is no deity but God;' not to think him an unbeliever on account of one fault; and not to discard him for one crime.

He is not a good Mu'min who committeth adultery or getteth drunk, who stealeth, or plundereth, or who embezzeleth; beware, beware.

When asked to mention one of the most excellent parts of Iman (Faith) Muhammad said, "To love him who loveth God, and hate him who hateth God, and to keep your tongue employed in repeating the name of God." What else? He said, "To do unto all men as you would wish to have done unto you, and to reject for others what you would reject for yourself."

He who progresseth daily is yet far off from the Ideal.

When you speak, speak the truth; perform when you promise; discharge your trust; commit not fornication; be chaste; have no impure desires; withhold your hands from striking, and from taking that which is unlawful or evil. The best of God's servants are those who, when seen, remind of God; and the worst of God's servants are those who carry tales about, to do mischief and separate friends, and seek for the defects of the good.

He who believeth in one God and the Hereafter, let him speak what is good or remain silent.

He who believeth in one God and the life beyond, let him not injure his neighbours.

Speak to men according to their mental capacities, for if you speak all things to all men, some cannot understand you, and so fall into errors.

It is not a sixth or a tenth of a man's devotion which is acceptable to God, but only such portions thereof as he offereth with understanding and true devotional spirit.

Verily your deeds will be brought back to you, as if you yourself were the creator of your own punishment.

Adore God as thou wouldst if thou sawest Him; for if thou seest Him not, He seeth thee.

Feed the hungry and visit the sick, and free the captive if he be unjustly confined. Assist any person oppressed, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

"The duties of Muslims to each other are six." It was asked, "What are they, O Messenger of God?" He said, "When you meet a Muslim, greet him, and when he inviteth you to dinner, accept; and when he asketh you for advice, give it to him; and when he sneezeth and saith, 'Praise be to God,' do you say, 'May God have mercy upon thee;' and when he is sick, visit him; and when he dieth, follow his bier."

This life is but a tillage for the next, do good that you may reap there; for striving is the ordinance of God and whatever God hath ordained can only be attained by striving.

Commandments are of three kinds; one commands an action, the reward of which is clear, then do it; another forbids an action which leads astray, abstain from it; and in another arise contradictions, resign that to God.

The world is forbidden to those of the life to come; the life to come is forbidden to those of this world.

Do a good deed for every bad deed that it may blot out the latter.

A true Mu'min is thankful to God in prosperity, and resigned to His will in adversity.

That which is lawful is clear, and that which is unlawful likewise: but there are certain doubtful things between the two from which it is well to abstain.

Be ye imbued with divine qualities.

He is true who protecteth his brethren both present and absent.

All Muslims are as one body. If a man complaineth of a pain in his head, his whole body complaineth; and if his eye complaineth, his whole body complaineth.

All Muslims are like the components parts of a foundation, each strengthening the others; in such a way they must support each other.

Assist your brother Muslim, whether he be an oppressor or oppressed. "But how shall we do it when he is an oppressor?" enquired a Companion. Muhammad replied, "Assisting an oppressor consists in forbidding and withholding him from oppression."

Muslims are brothers in religion and they must not oppress one another, nor abandon assisting each other, nor hold one another in contempt. The seat of righteousness is the heart; therefore that heart which is righteous, does not hold a Muslim in contempt; and all the things of one Muslim are unlawful to another: his blood, property, and reputation.

The creation is as God's family; for its sustenance is from Him: therefore the most beloved unto God is the person who doeth good to God's family.

The proof of a Muslim's sincerity is that he payeth no heed to that which is not his business.

The Faithful are those who perform their trust and fail not in their word, and keep their pledge.

No man is a true believer unless he desireth for his brother that which he desireth for himself.

Verily when a Muslim is taken ill, after which God restoreth him to health, his illness hath covered his former faults, and it is an admonition to him of what cometh in future times; and verily, when a hypocrite is taken ill, and afterwards restored to health, he is like a camel which has been tied up, and afterwards set free; for the camel did not know for want of discrimination, why they tied him up and why they turned him loose. Such is the hypocrite. On the contrary, a Mu'min knoweth that his indisposition was to atone for his faults.

Misfortune is always with the Muslim and his wife, either in their persons or their property or their children; either death or sickness; until they die, when there is no fault upon them.

Abusing a Muslim is disobedience to God; and it is infidelity to fight with one.

Every Muslim who calls a Muslim an infidel will have the epithet returned to him.

It is unworthy of a Mu'min to injure people's reputation; it is unworthy to curse anyone; and it is unworthy to abuse anyone; and it is unworthy of a Mu'min to talk vainly.

It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad; and it is better to sit with the good than alone. And it is better to speak words to a speaker of knowledge than to remain silent; and silence is better than bad words.

Fear not the obloquy [abusive language] of the detractor in showing God's religion.

Refrain from seeing and speaking of the vices of mankind, which you know are in yourself.

Guard yourselves from six things, and I am your security for paradise. When you speak, speak the truth; perform when you promise; discharge your trust; be chaste in thought and action; and withhold your hand from striking, from taking that which is unlawful, and bad.

That person is not of us who inviteth others to aid him in oppression; and he is not of us who fighteth for his tribe in injustice; and he is not of us who dieth in assisting his tribe in tyranny.

He is not of us who is not affectionate to his little ones, and doth not respect the feelings of the aged; and he is not of us who doth not order that which is good and prohibit that which is evil.

Ye will not enter Paradise until ye have faith, and ye will not complete your faith until ye love one another.

No man hath believed perfectly, until he wish for his brother that which he wisheth for himself.

Verily, each of you is a mirror to his brother: then if he seeth a vice in his brother he must tell him to get rid of it.

That person is not a perfect Muslim who eateth his fill, and leaveth his neighbours hungry.

O ye who have embraced Islam by the tongue, and to whose hearts it hath not reached, distress not Muslims, nor speak ill of them, nor seek for their defects.

Do not say that if people do good to us, we will do good to them; and if people oppress us, we will oppress them; but determine that if people do you good, you will do good to them; and if they oppress you, you will not oppress them.

"Teach me a work, such that when I perform it God and men will love me." Muhammad said, "Desire not the world, and God will love you; and desire not what men have, and they will love you."

In prayers, all thoughts must be laid aside but those of God; in conversation no word is to be uttered which afterwards be repented of; do not covet from others, or have any hopes for them.

"There is a polish for everything that taketh away rust; and the polish for the heart is the remembrance of God." The Companions said, "Is not repelling the infidels also like this?" Muhammad said, "No, although one fights until one's sword be broken!"

My Lord hath commanded me nine things: To reverence Him, externally, and internally; to speak the truth, and with propriety, in prosperity and adversity; moderation in affluence and poverty; to benefit my relations and kindred, who do not benefit me; to give alms to him who refuseth me; to forgive him who injureth me; that my silence should be in attaining a knowledge of God; that when I speak, I should mention Him; that when I look on God's creatures, it should be as an example for the: and God hath ordered me to direct in that which is lawful.

A Muslim who mixeth with people and beareth inconveniences, is better than one who doth not mix with them and beareth no inconveniences.

Eloquence

Some eloquence is like magic.

Envy

If envy were proper, two persons would be the most proper objects of it; one, a man to whom God hath given riches, and appointed to bestow in charity; the other, to whom God hath granted the knowledge of religion, and acteth thereon himself, instructing others.

Keep yourselves far from envy; it eateth up and taketh away good actions, like as fire eateth up and burneth wood.

Experience

He is not a perfect man of fortitude, who hath not fallen into misfortune; and there is no physician but the experienced.

Forgiveness

Thus saith the Lord, "Verily those who are patient in adversity and forgive wrongs, are the doers of excellence."

Once Muhammad was asked, "O Apostle of God!" How many times are we to forgive our servant's faults?" He was silent. Again the questioner asked, and Muhammad gave no answer. But when the man asked a third time, he said, "Forgive your servants seventy times a day."

There is no man who woundeth and pardoneth the giver of the wound but God will exalt his dignity and diminish his faults.

That man is nearest to God, who pardoneth, when he had in his power him who would have injured him.

Do not say, that if the people do good to us, we will do good to them; and if the people oppress us, we will oppress them; but determine that if people do you good, you will do good to them; and if they oppress you, you will not oppress them.

Gentleness

Verily, God is mild, and is fond of mildness, and he giveth to the mild what he doth not to the harsh.

Whoever hath been given gentleness hath been given a good portion, in this world and the next.

God is gentle and loveth gentleness.

Verily you have two qualities which God and His Messenger love - fortitude and gentleness.

God

Whoever loveth to meet God, God loveth to meet him.

God saith, "I fulfil the faith of whoso putteth his faith in Me; and I am with him, and near him, when remembereth Me."

God saith, "Whoso doeth one good act, for him are ten rewards; and I also give more to whomever I will; and whoso doeth an ill, its punishment is equal to it, or I forgive him; and whoso seeketh to approach Me one span, I seek to approach one cubit; and whoso seeketh to approach Me one cubit, I seek to approach him two fathoms; and whoso walketh towards Me, I run towards him; and whoso cometh before Me with the earth full of sins, and believeth solely in Me, him I come before with a front of forgiveness as big as the earth."

God saith, "The person I hold as a beloved, I am his hearing by which he heareth, and I am his sight by which he seeth, and I am his hands by which he holdeth, and I am his feet by which he walketh."

God saith, "O Man! Only follow thou My laws, and thou shall become like unto Me, and then say, 'Be' and behold, It is."

God is One, and liketh unity.

We were with Muhammad on a journey, and some men stood up repeating aloud, "God is most great," and the Rasul said, "O men! Be easy on yourselves, and do not distress yourselves by raising your voices, verily you do not call to One deaf or absent, but verily to One who heareth and seeth; and He is with you; and He to whom you pray is nearer to you than your own vital vein."

God saith, "I was a hidden treasure. I would feign be known. So I created Man."

Do you love your Creator? Love your fellow-beings first.

God's Forgiveness

Muhammad said, "I would not have the whole wealth of the world in the place of this revelation. . . O My servants who have oppressed your own souls by sinning, despair not of the mercy of God." A man said, "What of him who hath associated others with God?" Muhammad remained silent for a while and then said, "Know that him also God forgiveth; but on repentance."

God saith, "Verily My compassion overcometh My wrath."

God's Kindness

If the unbeliever knew of the extent of the Lord's mercy, even he would not despair of Paradise.

God's kindness towards His creatures is more than a mother's kindness towards her babe.

If you put your whole trust in God, as you ought, He most certainly will give you sustenance, as He doth the birds; they come out hungry in the morning, but return full to their nests.

Trust in God, but tie it (your camel).

God is not merciful to him who is not kind to mankind.

"Do none enter the Garden of Bliss save by God's mercy?" Muhammad said, "No. None enter save through God's favour." "You also, O Messenger of God! Will you not enter Paradise save by God's compassion?" Muhammad put his hand on his head and said thrice, "I shall not enter unless God cover me with His mercy."

Good Works

That person who relieveth a Mu'min (Muslim) from distress in this world, God will in like manner relieve him in the next; and he who shall do good to the indigent, God will do good to him in this world and the next.

Be persistent in good actions.

Heart

Beware! verily there is a piece of flesh in the body of man, which when good, the whole body is good; and when bad, the whole body is bad, and that is the heart.

Muhammad said, "O Wabisah! are you come to ask what is goodness and what is badness?" Wabisah said, "Yes, I am come for that." Then he joined his fingers and struck them upon Wabisah's breast, that is made a sign towards his heart, and said, "Ask the question from thine own heart." This he repeated three times aloud and said, "Goodness is a thing from which thy heart findeth firmness and rest; and badness is a thing which throweth thee into doubt, although men may acquit thee."

Heaven and Hell

Hell is veiled in delights, and Heaven in hardships and miseries.

Heaven lieth at the feet of mothers.

He will not enter hell who hath faith equal to a mustard seed in his heart; and he will not enter Paradise who hath a single grain of pride, equal to a mustard seed, in his heart.

Paradise is nearer to you than the thongs of your sandals; and the Fire likewise.

Deal gently with the people, and be not harsh; cheer them and condemn them not. Ye will meet with many 'people of the Book' who will question thee, what is the key to Heaven? Reply to them (the key to Heaven is) to testify to the truth of God, and to do good work.

People asked Muhammad if to say "There is no deity but God" was not the key to Paradise. He said, "Yes, but it is a key which hath rewards; and if ye come with a key of that description, Paradise will be opened to you, otherwise it will not."

Paradise is not for him who reproacheth others with any favour he doeth to them.

The people entitled to the Abode of Bliss are three; the first, a just king, a doer of good to his people endowed with virtue; the second, an affectionate man, of a tender heart to relations and others; the third, a virtuous man.

Verily a man used to come before the Rasul (Muhammad) bringing his son with him; and the Rasul said to him, "Dost thou love this boy?" And the man said, "O Rasul of God! May God love thee as I love this son!" Then the Rasul did not see the boy with his father for some time; and he said, "What has become of that man's son?" They said, "O Rasul! He is dead." And the Rasul said to the man, "Dost thou not like this, that thou wilt find no door of Paradise but thy son will be there awaiting thee, in order to conduct thee into Paradise?" And another man said, "O Rasul! Is this joyful news particularly for this man, or for the whole of us?" Muhammad said, "For all of you."

What is Paradise? Muhammad replied, "It is what the eye hath not seen, nor the ear heard, nor ever flashed across the mind of man."

Hospitality

He who believeth in one God, and a future life, let him honour his guest.

Whoever believeth in God and the Hereafter must respect his guest; and whoever believeth in God and the Hereafter must not incommode [inconvenience] his neighbours, and a Mu'min must speak only good words, otherwise remain silent.

It is not right for a guest to stay so long as to incommode his host.

Humility

Humility and courtesy are acts of piety.

Verily God instructs me to be humble and lowly and not proud; and that no one should oppress another.

A tribe must desist from boasting of their forefathers; if they will not leave off boasting, verily they will be more abominable near God, than a black beetle which rolleth forward filth by its nose; and verily God has removed from you pride and arrogance. There is no man but either a righteous Mu'min or a sinner; mankind are all sons of Adam, and he was from earth.

Whoever is humble to men for God's sake, may God exalt his eminence.

Islam

"Inform me in the nature of Islam," said Sufyan, "so that I may have no occasion to ask others about it." Muhammad said, "Say, O Sufyan, 'I believe in God;' after which obey the commandments, and abandon the things forbidden."

Islam commenced in a forlorn state, and will quickly return to what it was in the beginning; then be joyful, ye who are firm.

My religion is like clouds dropping much rain; some of them falling on pure, favourable soil, cause grass to grow; some of them fall in hollows from which mankind are benefited, some fall on high lands from which benefit is not derived; then the two first are like the persons acquainted with the religion of God and instructing others; and the last like the person not regarding it nor accepting the right path.

The greatest enemies of God are those who are entered into Islam, and do acts of infidelity, and who without cause, shed the blood of man.

When asked, "What is Islam?" Muhammad said, "Abstinence and Obedience to God." Asked "What is one of the most excellent virtues of Iman (Faith)?" He said, "An amiable disposition." "Which is the most excellent Hijrah (Renunciation)?" He said, "Abandoning that of which God disapproveth."

"What is Islam?" someone asked. Muhammad said, "purity of speech and charity."

Every child is born with a disposition towards the natural religion (Islam - submission to the Divine Will). It is the parents who maketh it a Jew, Christian or a Magian.

Do you know what sappeth the foundations of Islam and ruineth it? The errors of the learned destroy it, and the disputations of the hypocrite, and the orders of kings who have lost the road.

Men differ like mines of gold and silver: the good in ignorance are the good in Islam, once they have obtained the knowledge of religion.

Jihad

The most excellent Jihad is that for the conquest of self.

The ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the martyr.

Kindness

To gladden the heart of the weary, to remove the suffering of the afflicted, hath its own reward. In the day of trouble, the memory of the action cometh like a rush of the torrent, and taketh our burden away.

He who helpeth his fellow-creature in the hour of need, and he who helpeth the oppressed, him will God help in the Day of Travail.

What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the wrongs of the injured.

Who is the most favoured of God? He from whom the greatest good cometh to His creatures.

All God's creatures are His family; and he is the most beloved of God who doeth most good to God's creatures.

Whoever is kind to His creatures, God is kind to him; therefore be kind to man on earth, whether good or bad; and being kind to the bad, is to withhold him from badness, thus in heaven you will be treated kindly.

He who is not kind to God's creatures, and to his own children, God will not be kind to him.

Kindness is a mark of faith: and whoever hath not kindness hath not faith.

The Koran

The Koran consisteth of five heads, things lawful, things unlawful, clear and positive precepts, mysteries, and examples. Then consider that lawful which is there declared to be so, and that which is forbidden as unlawful; obey the precepts, believe in the mysteries, and take warning from the examples.

Doth any of you suppose that God hath not forbidden anything except in the Koran? Beware, for verily I swear by God that I have ordered, and prohibited things in manner like the Koran: and God hath not made it lawful for you to enter the houses of the People of the Book (that is Jews, Christians, etc.) without their permission, or you beat their women, or eat their fruits.

The Koran was sent down in seven dialects; and in every one of its sentences, there is an external and internal meaning.

The other messengers of God had their miracles, mine is the Koran and will remain forever.

"By what rule," said Muhammad, "would you be guided, O Muaz, in your administration of Yeman?" "By the law of the Koran." "But if you find no direction in the Koran?" "Then I will act according to the example of the Messenger of God." "But if that faileth?" "Then I will exercise my own reason and judgement."

Labour

Pray to God morning and evening, and employ the day in your avocations.

He who neither worketh for himself, nor for others, will not receive the reward of God.

Whoso is able and fit and doth not work for himself, or for others, God is not gracious to him.

Those who earn an honest living are the beloved of God.

God is gracious to him that earneth his living by his own labour, and not by begging.

Whoever desireth the world and its riches, in a lawful manner, in order to withhold himself from begging, and for a livelihood for his family, and for being kind to his neighbour, will come to God with his face as bright as the full moon on the fourteenth night of the lunar month.

Give the labourer his wage before his perspiration be dry.

Learning

He dieth not who giveth life to learning.

Whoso heareth the learned, heareth me.

The Messenger of God was asked, "What is the greatest vice of man?" He said, "You must not ask me about vice, but ask about virtue;" and he repeated this three times, after which he said, "Know ye! The worst of men is a bad learned man, and a good learned man is the best."

Verily God doth not taketh away knowledge from the hands of His servants; but taketh it by taking away the learned; so that when no learned men remain, the ignorant will be placed at the head of affairs. Causes will be submitted to their decision, they will pass sentence without knowledge, will err themselves, and lead others into error.

An hour's contemplation is better than a year's adoration.

Philosophy is the stray camel of the Faithful, take hold of it wherever ye come across it.

Go in quest of knowledge even unto China.

Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.

The knowledge from which no benefit is derived is like a treasure from which no charity is bestowed in the way of the Lord.

Do you know what sappeth the foundation of Islam, and ruineth it? The errors of the learned destroy it, the disputations of the hypocrite, and the orders of kings who have lost the road.

To spend more time in learning is better than spending more time praying; the support of religion is abstinence. It is better to teach knowledge one hour in the night than to pray all night.

Whoever seeketh knowledge and findeth it, will get two rewards; one of them the reward for desiring it, and the other for attaining it; therefore, even if he do not attain it, for him is one reward.

That person who shall die while he is studying, in order to revive the knowledge of religion, will be only one degree inferior to the prophets.

One learned man is harder on the devil than a thousand ignorant worshippers.

The pursuit of knowledge is a divine commandment for every Muslim; and to waste knowledge on those who are unworthy of it is like putting pearls, jewels, and gold on the necks of swine.

That person who shall pursue the path of knowledge, God will direct him to the path of Paradise; and verily the superiority of a learned man over an ignorant worshipper is like that of the full moon over all the stars.

He who knoweth his own self, knoweth God.

Verily the best of God's servants are just and learned kings; and verily the worst are bad and ignorant kings.

To listen to the words of the learned, and to instil into others the lessons of science, is better than religious exercises.

The ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the martyr.

He who leaveth home in search of knowledge, walketh in the path of God.

One hour's meditation on the work of the Creator is better than seventy years of prayer.

God hath treasuries beneath the Throne, the keys whereof are the tongues of poets.

The acquisition of knowledge is a duty incumbent one every Muslim, male and female.

Acquire knowledge. It enableth its possessor to distinguish right from wrong; it lighteth the way to Heaven; it is our friend in the desert, our society in solitude, our companion when friendless; it guideth us to happiness; it sustaineth us in misery; it is an ornament among friends, and an armour against enemies.

With knowledge man riseth to the heights of goodness and to a noble position, associateth with sovereigns in this world, and attaineth to the perfection of happiness in the next.

Learn to know thyself.

The calamity of knowledge is forgetfulness; and to waste knowledge is to speak of it to the unworthy.

Who are the learned? They who practise what they know.

Man's Growth

The son of Man groweth and with him grow two things - the love of wealth and love of long life.

"Who is the best man?" Muhammad replied, "He is the best man whose life is long and whose actions are good." "Then who is the worst man?" "He whose life is long and whose actions are bad.

Marriage

Marriage is incumbent on all who possess the ability.

A woman may be married by four qualifications: one on account of her money; another, on account of the nobility of her pedigree; another on account of her beauty; the fourth, on account of her virtue. Therefore, look out for a woman that hath virtue: but if you do it from any other consideration, your hands be rubbed in dirt.

Meanness

Shall I tell you the very worst among you? Those who eat alone, and whip the slaves, and give to nobody.

Mishaps

Whatever mishap may befall you, it is on account of something which you have done.

No misfortune or vexation befalleth a servant of God, small or great, but on account of his faults committed: and most of these God forgiveth.

Modesty

True modesty is the source of all virtues.

Modesty and chastity are parts of the Faith.

Meekness and modesty are two branches of Iman; and vain talking and embellishing are two branches of hypocrisy.

All kinds of modesty are best.

Monopolies

Monopoly is unlawful in Islam.

The holder of a monopoly is a sinner and an offender.

The bringer of grain to the city to sell at a cheap rate gain immense advantage by it, and those who keepeth back grain in order to sell at a high rate is cursed.

Mothers

Heaven lieth at the feet of mothers.

"O Messenger of God! Verily I have done a great crime; is there any act by which I may repent?" He said, "Have you a mother?" "No," said the questioner. "Have you an aunt?" asked Muhammad. He said, "Yes, I have." Muhammad said, "Go, do good to her, and your crime will be pardoned."

I and a woman whose colour and cheeks shall have become black from toiling in the sun shall be near to one another in the next world as my two fingers; and that is a handsome widow, whose colour and cheeks shall have become black in bringing up her family.

Muhammad The Prophet

I am no more than man; when I order you anything respecting religion, receive it; and when I order you anything about the affairs of the world, then I am nothing more than man.

Convey to other persons none of my words, except those ye know of a surety.

'A'isha said, "A party of Jews asked permission to go to Muhammad, and said, 'Death upon you.' And I answered their insult by saying, 'Rather upon you be death and curse.' Then Muhammad said, 'Be mild O A'isha! and make a point of being kind, and withhold thyself from speaking harshly.' I said, 'Did you not hear what they said?' He said, 'Verily, I do always say,' "Be the same to you."'

Verily my heart is veiled with melancholy and sadness for my followers; and verily I ask pardon of God one hundred times daily.

Zaidd, Muhammad's servant, said, "I served Muhammad ten years, and he never said 'uff,' to me; and never said, 'Why did you do so?' and never said, 'Why did you not do so?'"

Muhammad The Prophet's Kindness

Once Muhammad was distributing meat in Jiranah; and behold a woman came close to him, and he spread his garment for her to sit upon. When people saw such respect paid to this woman, they asked who she was; and those present said, "This is his nurse."

When anyone was sick Muhammad used to rub his hands upon the sick person's body, saying, "O Lord of mankind! Take away this pain, and give health; for Thou art the giver of health: there is no health but Thine, that health which leaveth no sickness."

Muhammad The Prophet's Mission

Kais b. Sal said: "I came to Hirah, and saw the inhabitants worshipping their chief; and I said, 'Verily the Apostle of God is worthy of being worshipped.' Then I came to the Apostle and said, 'I saw the people of Hirah worshipping the chief of their tribe, and you are most worthy of being worshipped.' Then Muhammad said to me, 'Tell me, if you should pass by my grave, would you worship it?' I said, 'No.' And he said, 'Worship not me.'"

The Apostle was in the midst of a crowd of his Companions, and a camel came and prostrated itself before him. They said, "O Apostle of God! Beasts and trees worship thee; then it is meet for us to worship thee." Muhammad said, "Worship God, and you may honour your brother, that is me."

When the ambassadors of Bani Amir went to Muhammad, they said, "You are our master." He said, "God is your master." Then they said, "You are most excellent of the highest degree." And when he heard this he said, "Say so, or less, and do not exceed reasonable bounds in praise."

Muhammad slept upon a mat, and got up very marked on the body by it: and someone said, "O Messenger of God! If thou hadst ordered me, I would have spread a soft bed for thee." Muhammad said, "What business have I with the world? I am a man on horseback, who standeth under the shade of a tree, then leaveth it."

To the light I have attained and in the light I live.

It was said to the Rasul, "O Messenger of God! Curse the infidels." Muhammad said, "I am not sent for this; nor was I sent but as mercy to mankind."

Kais b. Sal said: "I came to Hirah, and saw the inhabitants worshipping their chief; and I said, 'Verily the Apostle of God is worthy of being worshipped.' Then I came to the Apostle and said, 'I saw the people of Hirah worshipping the chief of their tribe, and you are most worthy of being worshipped.' Then Muhammad said to me, 'Tell me, if you should pass by my grave, would you worship it?' I said, 'No.' And he said, 'Worship not me.' "

The Apostle was in the midst of a crowd of his Companions, and a camel came and prostrated itself before him. They said, "O Apostle of God! Beasts and trees worship thee; then it is meet for us to worship thee." Muhammad said, "Worship God, and you may honour your brother, that is me."

When the ambassadors of Bani Amir went to Muhammad, they said, "You are our master." He said, "God is your master." Then they said, "You are most excellent of the highest degree." And when He heard this He said, "Say so, or less, and do not exceed reasonable bounds in praise."

Muhammad slept upon a mat, and got up very marked on the body by it: and someone said, "O Messenger of God! If thou hadst ordered me, I would have spread a soft bed for thee." Muhammad said, "What business have I with the world? I am a man on horseback, who standeth under the shade of a tree, then leaveth it."

To the light I have attained and in the light I live.

It was said to the Rasul, "O Messenger of God! Curse the infidels." Muhammad said, "I am not sent for this; nor was I sent but as mercy to mankind."

Muhammad The Prophet's Prayers

Muhammad used to say after making the profession of faith, "O Lord I supplicate Thee for firmness in faith, and inclination towards the straight path, and for Thine aid in being grateful to Thee, and in adoring Thee in every good way; and I supplicate Thee for an innocent heart which shall not incline to wickedness and for a true tongue. I supplicate Thee to guide me to all which Thou knowest to be virtuous and to preserve me from al which Thou knowest to be vicious. I supplicate Thee to forgive me my faults for Thou knowest them all.

When the Messenger of God entered a place of worship he said, "O God! Pardon my sins, and open for me the gates of Thy compassion," and on leaving he would repeat the same.

O Lord grant to me the love of Thee; grant that I love those that love Thee; grant that I may do the deed than win Thy love; make thy love dearer to me than self, family and wealth.

O Lord! I make my complaint unto thee, of my feebleness, the vanity of my efforts. I am insignificant in the sight of men, O Thou Most Merciful! Lord of the weak! Thou art my Lord! Forsake me not. Leave me not a prey to strangers, nor to mine enemies. If Thou art not displeased, I am safe. I seek refuge in the light of Thy countenance by which all darkness is dispelled, and peace cometh in the here and Hereafter. Solve Thou my difficulties as it pleaseth Thee. There is no power, no strength, save in Thee.

Neighbourliness

The best of persons in God's sight is the best amongst his friends; and the best of neighbours near God is the best person in his own neighbourhood.

A Muslim who mixeth with people and putteth up with their inconveniences, is better than one who doth not mix with them, and bear with patience.

Do you love your Creator? Love your fellow-beings first.

Omens

Of my disciples who will enter Paradise are those who do not use shells (do not consult oracles), and are not influenced by omens, like the people of Ignorance, and who put their whole trust in God.

Orphans

I and the guardian of orphans (whether the orphan be of his near or distant relations, or of strangers) will be in one place in the next world; like my two fingers, nearly touching each other.

The best Muslim house is that in which is an orphan, who is benefited; and the worst Muslim house is that in which an orphan is ill-treated.

Parents

Heaven lieth at the feet of mothers.

God's pleasure is in a father's pleasure; and God's displeasure is in a father's displeasure.

He who wisheth to enter Paradise at the best door must please his father and mother.

A man is bound to do good to his parents, although they may have injured him.

There is no child, a doer of good to his parents, who looketh on them with kindness and affection, but God will grant with every look the rewards for an approved pilgrimage.

Peacemaking

Shall I not inform you of a better act than fasting, alms, and prayers? Making peace between one another: enmity and malice tear up heavenly rewards by the roots.

Poetry

Some poetry is dressed in knowledge and art.

The truest words spoken by any poet are those of Labid: "Know that everything is vanity save God."

God hath treasures beneath the Throne, the keys whereof are the tongues of poets.

Some poetry containeth much wisdom.

Poverty

Poverty is my pride.

Poverty may well become a cause of infidelity.

O Lord! Keep me alive a poor man and let me die poor and raise me amongst the poor.

O A'isha! Do not turn the poor away, without giving them, if but half a date.

Seek for my satisfaction in that of the poor and needy.

A man came to Muhammad and said, "Verily I love you." He replied, "Look to what you say," and repeated the same twice. Lord Muhammad said, "If you are sincere, then prepare yourself for poverty: for poverty reacheth him who loveth me quicker than a torrent reacheth the sea.

Prayer

Prayer is the Mir'aj (union with, or annihilation in, the Divine Essence by means of continual upward progress) of the Faithful.

The Lord doth not regard a prayer in which the heart doth not accompany the body.

He whom prayer preventeth not from wrongdoing and evil, increaseth in naught save in remoteness from the Lord.

The key of Paradise is Prayer, and the key of prayer is ablution.

Say your prayers standing; but if you are not able, sitting; and if unable, on your sides.

Pride

The proud will not enter Paradise, nor a violent speaker.

He will not enter Hell, who hath faith equal to a single grain of mustard seed in his heart; and he will not enter Paradise, who hath pride equal to a single grain of mustard seed, in his heart.

Muhammad said, "That person will not enter Paradise who hath one atom of pride in his heart." And a man present said, "Verily, a man is fond of having good clothes and good shoes." Muhammad said, "God is Beauty and delighteth in the beautiful; but pride is holding man in contempt."

Progress

Everyone is divinely furthered in accordance with his character.

It is your own conduct which will lead you to reward or punishment, as if you had been destined therefor.

Every human being hath two inclinations - one prompting him to good and impelling him thereto, and the other prompting him to evil and thereto impelling him; but Divine assistance is nigh, and he who asketh the help of God in contending with the evil promptings of his own heart obtaineth it.

The best of good acts in God's sight is that which is constantly attended to although in a small degree.

Prophecies

Verily ye are in an age in which if ye neglect one-tenth of what is ordered, ye will be doomed. After this a time will come, when he who shall observe one-tenth of what is now ordered will be redeemed.

Men will be liars towards the end of the world; and will relate such stories as neither you nor your fathers ever heard. Then avoid them, that they may not lead you astray and throw you into contention and strife.

The time is near in which nothing will remain of Islam but its name, and of the Koran but its mere appearance, and the mosques of Muslims will be destitute of knowledge and worship; and the learned will be the worst people under the heavens; and contention and strife will issue from them, and it will return upon themselves.

Ye follower of Muhammad, I swear by the Lord, if ye did but know what I know of the future state, verily ye would laugh little and cry much.

Verily, of things which I fear for you, after my departure from the world, is this: that the ornaments and goods of the world may be pleasing to you. Then a man said, "O Messenger of God! Doth good bring harm?" Muhammad said, "Verily good doth not bring harm: I mean if there be much wealth it is a blessing; and there is no harm in it, unless from stinginess and extravagance; like the spring, which causeth nothing to grow but what is good: and harm and destruction are from abuse thereof."

Punishment

God doth not remove anyone out of the world, but that he wisheth to pardon him; and by the diseases of his body and distress for food, He exacteth the punishment of every fault that lieth on his shoulder.

Verily the reward is as great as the misfortune; that is, the more unfortunate and calamitous one is, the greater and more perfect his reward. And verily, when God loveth a people, He entangleth it in misfortune; therefore, he who is resigned to the pleasure of God, in misfortune, for him is God's favour.

Purity

They will enter the Garden of Bliss who have a true, pure, and merciful heart.

Religion is admonition, and it means being pure.

Reason

God hath not created anything better than Reason, or anything more perfect, or more beautiful than Reason; the benefits which God giveth are on its account; and understanding is by it, and God's wrath is caused by disregard of it.

Relatives

The best of you, before God and His creation, are those who are best in their own families, and I am the best to my family.

He is the most perfect of Muslims, whose disposition is most liked by his own family.

The favour of God doth not descend upon that family in which is one who deserts his relations.

He is not a perfect performer of the duties of relationship who doeth good to his relatives as they do good to him. He is perfect who doeth good to his relatives when they do not do good to him.

O Messenger of God! Verily I have done a great crime; is there any act by which I may repent? He said, "Have you a mother?" "No," said the questioner. "Have you an aunt?" asked Muhammad. He said, "Yes, I have." Muhammad said, "Go, do good to her, and your crime will be pardoned."

The duty of a junior to a senior brother is as that of a child to its father.

Giving alms to the poor hath the reward of one alms; but that given to kindred hath two rewards; one, the reward of alms, the other, the reward of helping relations.

A man's first charity should be to his own family, if poor.

Repentance

A sincere repenter of faults is like him who hath committed none.

Reverence

Muhammad said one day to his Companions, "Reverence God as becometh you." They said, "Verily, O Apostle of God, we do reverence Him, and praise be to God who hath imbued us with it." Then Muhammad said, "It is not so; but whoever reverenceth God as it is suitable for him to do must guard his head from humbling itself to others, and from pride and arrogance towards God and God's creatures; he must guard his senses from whatever is wrong, and must guard his mouth from eating forbidden things, and his heart from receiving what is prohibited; and he must keep his death in mind, and the rotting of his bones. And whoever wisheth for future rewards must abandon the ornaments of the world. Therefore, anyone attending to the aforementioned points has verily reverenced God as it his duty to do.

Riches

Riches are not from and abundance of worldly goods but from a contented mind.

It is difficult for a man laden with riches to climb the steep path which leads to bliss.

Whoever desireth the world and its riches, in a lawful manner, in order to withhold himself from begging, and for a livelihood for his family, and for being kind to his neighbour, will come to God with his face bright as the full moon on the fourteenth night of the lunar month.

Wealth, properly employed, is a blessing; and a man may lawfully endeavour to increase it by honest means.

Seemliness

A Bedouin was standing in the mosque of the Prophet, and defiled it; when he was immediately taken hold of; and Muhammad said, "Let him alone, and throw a skin of water upon the spot; because ye were not created but of comforters and not sent to create hardships." And they let him alone till he had done, and then Muhammad called the Bedouin to him, and said, "This mosque is not a proper place for that, or any kind of filth; mosques are only for the mention of God, saying prayers, and reading the Koran."

Self Indulgence

Muhammad asked his Companions, "What are your opinions of the merits of that person, who drinketh liquor, committeth adultery, and stealeth? What should his punishment be?" They said, "God and His Messenger know best." He said, "These are great sins, and the punishment for them very dire."

Servants

To those of your servants who please you give to eat what you eat yourself; and clothe them as yourself; but those who do not please you, part with them; and punish not God's creatures.

He will not enter Paradise who behaveth ill to his slaves. The Companions said, "O Apostle of God! have you not told us, that there will be a great many slaves and orphans amongst your disciples?" He said, "Yes; then be kind to them as to your own children, and give them to eat what you eat yourselves. The slaves that say their prayers are your brothers.

Zaid, Muhammad's servant, said, "I served Muhammad ten years, and he never said 'uff,' to me; and never said, 'Why did you do so?' and never said, 'Why did you not do so?'"

Sick

There is not any Muslim who visiteth another in sickness, in the forenoon, but that seventy thousand angels send blessings upon him till the evening; and there is no one who visiteth the sick, in the afternoon, but that seventy thousand angels send blessings upon him till daybreak, and there will be a pardon for him in Paradise.

Feed the hungry and visit a sick person, and free the captive, if he be unjustly confined. Assist any person oppressed, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.

Whoever visiteth a sick person, an angel calleth from heaven, "Be happy in the world, and happy be your walking, and take you a habitation in Paradise." Whoever visiteth a sick person always entereth into and swims in a sea of mercy until he sitteth down; and when he sitteth, he is drowned therein.

When you go to visit the sick, comfort his grief and say, "You will get well and live long," because although this saying will not prevent what is predestined, it will solace his soul.

Verily God will say on the Day of Judgement, O children of Adam! I was sick and ye did not visit Me." And the sons of Adam will say, "O our defender, how could we visit Thee? For thou art the Lord of the Universe, and art free from sickness." And God will say, "O men! Such a one was sick and you did not visit him." And God will say, "O children of Adam, I asked you for food, and ye gave it me not?" And the children of Adam will say, "O our patron, how could we give Thee food, seeing Thou art the cherisher of the Universe, and art free from hunger and eating?" And God will say, "Such a one asked you for bread and you did not give it him.

Silence

Much silence and a good disposition, there are no two works better than those.

Sin

Can anyone walk through water without wetting his feet? The Companions replied, "No;" Muhammad said, "Such is the condition of those of the world; they are not safe from sins."

Truth

He is not of me who, when he speaketh, speaketh falsely; who, when he promiseth, breaketh his promises; and who, when trust is reposed in him, faileth in his trust.

No man is true in the truest sense of the word but he who is true in work, in deed, and in thought.

Strive always to excel in virtue and truth.

It is not worthy of a speaker of truth to curse people.

Appropriate to yourselves the truth. Avoid lying.

Say what is true, although it may be bitter and displeasing to people.

Understanding

It is not a sixth or a tenth of a man's devotion which is acceptable to God, but only such portions thereof as he offereth with understanding and true devotional spirit.

Verily, a man hath performed prayers, fasts, charity, pilgrimage and all other good works; but he will not be rewarded except by the proportion of his understanding.

Usury

The taker of usury and the giver of it, and the writer of its papers and the witness to it, are equal in crime.

Widows

A giver of maintenance to widows and the poor, is like a bestower in the way of God, an utterer of prayers all the night, and a keeper of constant fast.

I and a woman whose colour and cheeks shall have become black from toiling in the sun shall be near to one another in the next world as my two fingers; and that is a handsome widow, whose colour and cheeks shall have become black in bringing up her family.

Wives

Admonish your wives with kindness.

A Muslim must not hate his wife; and if he be displeased with one bad quality in her, then let him be pleased with another that is good.

Do you beat your own wife as you would a slave? That must you not do.

I (Muaviyah b. Haidah) said, "O Apostle of God! What is my duty to my wife?" He said, "That you give her to eat as you eat yourself, and clothe her as you clothe yourself; and do not slap her in the face nor abuse her, nor separate yourself from her in displeasure.

Give your wife good counsel; and if she has goodness in her, she will soon take it, and leave off idle talking; and do not beat your noble wife like a slave.

Muhammad said, "Beat not your wives." Then Umar came to the Rasul (Muhammad) and said, "Wives have got the upper hand from hearing this."

He is the most perfect Muslim whose disposition is best; and the best of you are they who behave best to their wives.

A virtuous wife is a man's best treasure.

Women

Women are the twin halves of men.

The world and all things in it are valuable; but the most valuable thing in the world is a virtuous woman.

The best women are the virtuous; they are the most affectionate to infants, and the most careful of their husband's property.

When a woman performeth the five times of prayer, and fasteth the month of Ramadan, and is chaste, and is not disobedient to her husband, then tell her to enter Paradise by whichever door she liketh.

Verily a great number of women are assembled near my family, complaining of their husbands; and those men who ill-treat their wives do not behave well. He is not of my way who teacheth a woman to stray.

Asma, daughter of Yazid, said, "Victuals were brought to Muhammad, and he put them before some of us women who were present, and said, 'Eat ye.' But notwithstanding we were hungry we said, 'We have no inclination.' Muhammad said, 'O woman! Do not mix hunger with lies.'"

Whoever doeth good to girls, it will be a curtain to him from hell-fire.

Whoever befriendeth two girls till they come of age, will be in the next world along with me, like my two fingers joining each other.

Whoever befriendeth three daughters, or three sisters, and teacheth them manners, and is affectionate to them, till they come of age, may God apportion Paradise for him.

Whoever hath a daughter, and doth not bury her alive or scold her, or prefer his male children to her, may God bring him into Paradise.

Shall I not point out to you the best of virtues? It is your doing good to your daughter when she is returned to you having been divorced by her husband.

God enjoins you to treat women well, for they are your mothers, daughters, aunts.

The rights of women are sacred. See that women are maintained in the rights assigned to them.

Do not prevent your women from coming to the mosque.

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