Book Seventy Eight – The Book on Oaths and Vows

Hadith Number 618.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Abu Bakr As-Siddiq had never broken his oaths till Allah revealed the expiation for the oaths. Then he said, "If I take an oath to do something and later on I find something else better than the first one, then I do what is better and make expiation for my oath."


Hadith Number 619.

Narrated by 'Abdur-Rahman bin Samura (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "O 'Abdur-Rahman bin Samura! Do not seek to be a ruler, because if you are given authority for it, then you will be held responsible for it, but if you are given it without asking for it, then you will be helped in it (by Allah): and whenever you take an oath to do something and later you find that something else is better than the first, then do the better one and make expiation for your oath."


Hadith Number 620.

Narrated by Abu Musa (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I went to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) along with a group of Al-Ash'ariyin in order to request him to provide us with mounts. He said, "By Allah, I will not provide you with mounts and I haven't got anything to mount you on." Then we stayed there as long as Allah wished us to stay, and then three very nice looking she-camels were brought to him and he made us ride them. When we left, we, or some of us, said, "By Allah, we will not be blessed, as we came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) asking him for mounts, and he swore that he would not give us any mounts but then he did give us. So let us go back to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and remind him (of his oath)." When we returned to him (and reminded him of the fact), he said, "I did not give you mounts, but it is Allah Who gave you. By Allah, Allah willing, if I ever take an oath to do something and then I find something else than the first, I will make expiation for my oath and do the thing which is better (or do something which is better and give the expiation for my oath)."


Hadith Number 621.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "We (Muslims) are the last in the world, but will be foremost on the Day of Resurrection." Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) also said, "By Allah, if anyone of you insists on fulfilling an oath by which he may harm his family, he commits a greater sin in Allah's sight than that of dissolving his oath and making expiation for it."


Hadith Number 622.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Anyone who takes an oath through which his family may be harmed, and insists on keeping it, he surely commits a sin greater (than that of dissolving his oath). He should rather compensate for that oath by making expiation."


Hadith Number 623.

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) sent an army detachment and made Usama bin Zaid its commander. Some people criticized (spoke badly of) Usama's leadership. So Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) got up saying, "If you people are criticizing Usama's leadership, you have already criticized the leadership of his father before. But Wa-aimullah (i.e., By Allah), he (i.e. Zaid) deserved the leadership, and he was one of the most beloved persons to me; and now this (his son Usama) is one of the dearest persons to me after him." (See Hadith No. 745, Book 59)


Hadith Number 624.

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): The oath of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to be: "No, by Him who turns the hearts."

Hadith Number 625.

Narrated by Jabir bin Samura (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "If Caesar is ruined, there will be no Caesar after him; and if Khosrau is ruined, there will be no Khosrau, after him; and, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, surely you will spend their treasures in Allah's Cause."


Hadith Number 626.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "If Khosrau is ruined, there will be no Khosrau after him; and if Caesar is ruined, there will be no Caesar after him. By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, surely you will spend their treasures in Allah's Cause."


Hadith Number 627.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "O followers of Muhammad! By Allah, if you knew what I know, you would weep much and laugh little."


Hadith Number 628.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin Hisham (Radhi Allahu Anhu): We were with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and he was holding the hand of 'Umar bin Al-Khattab. 'Umar said to Him, "O Allah's Messenger! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self." Then 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said to him, "However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Now, O 'Umar, (now you are a believer)."


Hadith Number 629.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah and Zaid bin Khalid (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): Two men had a dispute in the presence of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). One of them said, "O Allah's Messenger! Judge between us according to Allah's Laws." The other who was wiser, said, "Yes, O Allah's Messenger! Judge between us according to Allah's Laws and allow me to speak. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Speak." He said, "My son was a laborer serving this (person) and he committed illegal sexual intercourse with his wife. The people said that my son is to be stoned to death, but I ransomed him with one-hundred sheep and a slave girl. Then I asked the learned people, who informed me that my son should receive one hundred lashes and will be exiled for one year, and stoning will be the lot for the man's wife." Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Indeed, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I will judge between you according to Allah's Laws: As for your sheep and slave girl, they are to be returned to you." Then he scourged his son one hundred lashes and exiled him for one year. Then Unais Al-Aslami was ordered to go to the wife of the second man, and if she confessed (the crime), then stone her to death. She did confess, so he stoned her to death.


Hadith Number 630.

Narrated by Abu Bakra (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Do you think if the tribes of Aslam, Ghifar, Muzaina and Juhaina are better than the tribes of Tamim, 'Amir bin Sa'sa'a, Ghatfan and Asad, they (the second group) are despairing and losing?" They (the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)'s companions) said, "Yes, (they are)." He said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, they (the first group) are better than them (the second group)."


Hadith Number 631.

Narrated by Abu Humaid As-Sa'idi (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) employed an employee (to collect Zakat). The employee returned after completing his job and said, "O Allah's Messenger! This (amount of Zakat) is for you, and this (other amount) was given to me as a present." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to him, "Why didn't you stay at your father's or mother's house and see if you would be given presents or not?" Then Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) got up in the evening after the prayer, and having testified that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and praised and glorified Allah as He deserved, he said, "Now then! What about an employee whom we employ and then he comes and says, 'This amount (of Zakat) is for you, and this (amount) was given to me as a present'? Why didn't he stay at the house of his father and mother to see if he would be given presents or not? By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, none of you will steal anything of it (i.e. Zakat) but will bring it by carrying it over his neck on the Day of Resurrection. If it has been a camel, he will bring it (over his neck) while it will be grunting, and if it has been a cow, he will bring it (over his neck), while it will be mooing; and if it has been a sheep, he will bring it (over his neck) while it will be bleeding." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) added, "I have preached you (Allah's Message)." Abu Humaid said, "Then Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) raised his hands so high that we saw the whiteness of his armpits."

Hadith Number 632.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Abu-l-Qasim (the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)) said, "By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, if you know that which I know, you would weep much and laugh little."


Hadith Number 633.

Narrated by Abu Dhar (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I reached him (the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)) while in the shade of the Ka'bah; he was saying, "They are the losers, by the Lord of the Ka'bah! They are the losers, by the Lord of the Ka'bah!" I said (to myself), "What is wrong with me? Is anything improper detected in me? What is wrong with me? (*) Then I sat beside him and he kept on saying his statement. I could not remain quiet, and Allah knows in what sorrowful state I was at that time. So I said, ' Who are they (the losers)? Let My father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Allah's Messenger!" He said, "They are the wealthy people, except the one who does like this and like this and like this (i.e., spends of his wealth in Allah's Cause)."

* Abu Dhar thought that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) had noticed something improper about him which made him say so.


Hadith Number 634.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "(The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)) Suleiman once said, 'Tonight I will sleep with ninety women, each of whom will bring forth a (would-be) cavalier who will fight in Allah's Cause." On this, his companion said to him, "Say: Allah willing!" But he did not say Allah willing. Suleiman then slept with all the women, but none of them became pregnant but one woman who later delivered a half-man. By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, if he (Suleiman) had said, 'Allah willing' (all his wives would have brought forth boys) and they would have fought in Allah's Cause as cavaliers."


Hadith Number 635.

Narrated by Al-Bara 'bin 'Azib (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): A piece of silken cloth was given to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) as a present and the people handed it over amongst themselves and were astonished at its beauty and softness. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Are you astonished at it?" They said, "Yes, O Allah's Messenger!" He said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, the handkerchiefs of Sa'd in Paradise are better than it."


Hadith Number 636.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Hind bint 'Utba bin Rabi 'a said, "O Allah 's Messenger! (Before I embraced Islam), there was no family on the surface of the earth, I wish to have degraded more than I did your family. But today there is no family whom I wish to have honored more than I did yours." Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "I thought similarly, by Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is!" Hind said, "O Allah's Messenger! (My husband) Abu Sufyan is a miser. Is it sinful of me to feed my children from his property?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "No, unless you take it for your needs what is just and reasonable."


Hadith Number 637.

Narrated by Abdullah bin Masud (Radhi Allahu Anhu): While Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was sitting, reclining his back against a Yemenite leather tent he said to his companions, "Will you be pleased to be one-fourth of the people of Paradise?" They said, 'Yes.' He said "Won't you be pleased to be one-third of the people of Paradise" They said, "Yes." He said, "By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, I hope that you will be one-half of the people of Paradise."


Hadith Number 638.

Narrated by Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (Radhi Allahu Anhu): A man heard another man reciting: Surah Al-Ikhlas (The Unity) 'Say: He is Allah, the One (112) and he was repeating it. The next morning he came to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and mentioned the whole story to him as if he regarded the recitation of that Surah as insufficient On that, Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! That (Surah No. 112) equals one-third of the Qur'an."


Hadith Number 639.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I heard the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saying, "Perform the bowing and the prostration properly (with peace of mind), for, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, I see you from behind my back when you bow and when you prostrate."


Hadith Number 640.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): An Ansari woman came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) in the company of her children, and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to her, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, you are the most beloved people to me!" And he repeated the statement thrice.


Hadith Number 641.

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) met 'Umar bin Al-Khattab while the latter was going with a group of camel-riders, and he was swearing by his father. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Lo! Allah forbids you to swear by your fathers, so whoever has to take an oath, he should swear by Allah or keep quiet."


Hadith Number 642.

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): I heard 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu) saying, "Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to me, 'Allah forbids you to swear by your fathers.' " 'Umar said, "By Allah! Since I heard that from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), I have not taken such an oath, neither intentionally, nor by reporting the oath of someone else."

Hadith Number 643.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Do not swear by your fathers."


Hadith Number 644.

Narrated by Zahdam : There was a relation of love and brotherhood between this tribe of Jarm and Al-Ash'ariyin. Once we were with Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (Radhi Allahu Anhu), and then a meal containing chicken was brought to Abu Musa, and there was present, a man from the tribe of Taimillah who was of red complexion as if he were from non-Arab freed slaves. Abu Musa invited him to the meal. He said, "I have seen chickens eating dirty things, so I deemed it filthy and took an oath that I would never eat chicken." On that, Abu Musa said, "Get up, I will narrate to you about that. Once a group of the Ash'ariyin and I went to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and asked him to provide us with mounts; he said, 'By Allah, I will never give you any mounts nor do I have anything to mount you on.' Then a few camels of war booty were brought to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), and he asked about us, saying, 'Where are the Ash-'ariyin?' He then ordered five nice camels to be given to us, and when we had departed, we said, 'What have we done? Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) had taken the oath not to give us any mounts, and that he had nothing to mount us on, and later he gave us that we might ride? Did we take advantage of the fact that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) had forgotten his oath? By Allah, we will never succeed.' So we went back to him and said to him, 'We came to you to give us mounts, and you took an oath that you would not give us any mounts and that you had nothing to mount us on.' On that he said, 'I did not provide you with mounts, but Allah did. By Allah, if I take an oath to do something, and then find something else better than it, I do that which is better and make expiation for the dissolution of the oath.'"


Hadith Number 645.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Whoever swears saying in his oath. 'By Al-Lat and Al'Uzza,' should say, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah; and whoever says to his friend, 'Come, let me gamble with you,' should give something in charity."


Hadith Number 646.

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) had a gold ring made for himself, and he used to wear it with the stone towards the inner part of his hand. Consequently, the people had similar rings made for themselves. Afterwards the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam); sat on the pulpit and took it off, saying, "I used to wear this ring and keep its stone towards the palm of my hand." He then threw it away and said, "By Allah, I will never wear it." Therefore all the people threw away their rings as well.


Hadith Number 647.

Narrated by Thabit bin Ad-Dahhak (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Whoever swears by a religion other than Islam, is, as he says; and whoever commits suicide with something, will be punished with the same thing in the (Hell) Fire; and cursing a believer is like murdering him; and whoever accuses a believer of disbelief, then it is as if he had killed him."


Hadith Number 648.

Narrated by Al-Bara (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) ordered us to help others to fulfill the oaths. (*)

* If what is requested, is not sinful to achieve.



Hadith Number 649.

Narrated by Usama (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Once a daughter of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) sent a message to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) while Usama, Sa'd, and my father or Ubai were (sitting there) with him. She said, (in the message); My child is going to die; please come to us." Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) returned the messenger and told him to convey his greetings to her, and say, "Whatever Allah takes, is for Him and whatever He gives is for Him, and everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in this world): so she should be patient and hope for Allah's reward." Then she again sent for him swearing that he should come; so The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) got up, and so did we. When he sat there (at the house of his daughter), the child was brought to him, and he took him into his lap while the child's breath was disturbed in his chest. The eyes of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) started shedding tears. Sa'd said, "What is this, O Allah's Messenger?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "This is the mercy which Allah has lodged in the hearts of whoever He wants of His slaves, and verily Allah is merciful only to those of His slaves who are merciful (to others)."


Hadith Number 650.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Any Muslim who has lost three of his children will not be touched by the Fire except that which will render Allah's oath fulfilled." (*)

* Allah's oath alluded to here is the Quranic Verse: 'Not one of you but will pass over it [ the (Hell) Fire]: This is with your Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished.' (Surah Maryam19:71)

Hadith Number 651.

Narrated by Haritha bin Wahb (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I heard the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saying, "Shall I tell you of the people of Paradise? They comprise every poor humble person, and if he swears by Allah to do something, Allah will fulfill it; while the people of the fire comprise every violent, cruel arrogant person."


Hadith Number 652.

Narrated by 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was asked, "Who are the best people?" He replied: The people of my generation, and then those who will follow (come after) them, and then those who will come after the later; after that there will come some people whose witness will precede their oaths and their oaths will go ahead of their witness." Ibrahim (a sub-narrator) said, "When we were young, our elder friends used to prohibit us from taking oaths by saying, 'I bear witness swearing by Allah, or by Allah's Covenant.'"


Hadith Number 653.

Narrated by 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Whoever swears falsely in order to grab the property of a Muslim (or of his brother), Allah will be angry with him when he meets Him." Allah then revealed in confirmation of the above statement: 'Verily those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's Covenant and their own oaths.' (3.77) Al-Ash'ath said, "This Verse was revealed regarding me and a companion of mine when we had a dispute about a well."


Hadith Number 654.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "The Hell Fire will keep on saying: 'Are there anymore (people to come)?' Till the Lord of Power and Honor will put His Foot over it and then it will say, 'Qat! Qat! (sufficient! sufficient!) by Your Power and Honor. And its various sides will come close to each other (i.e., it will contract)."


Hadith Number 655.

Narrated by Az-Zuhri: I heard 'Urwa bin Az-Zubair, Said bin Al-Musaiyab, 'Alqama bin Waqqas and 'Ubaidullah bin 'Abdullah narrating from 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha), the wife of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), the story about the liars who said what they said about her and how Allah revealed her innocence afterwards. Each one of the above four narrators narrated to me a portion of her narration. (It was said in it), "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) stood up, saying, 'Is there anyone who can relieve me from 'Abdullah bin Ubai?' On that, Usaid bin Hudair got up and said to Sa'd bin 'Ubada, La'amrullahi (By the Eternity of Allah), we will kill him!'"


Hadith Number 656.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Regarding: 'Allah will not call you to account for that which is unintentional in your oaths...' (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:225) This Verse was revealed concerning such oath formulas as: 'No, by Allah!' and 'Yes, by Allah!' something against his oath due to forgetfulness should he make expiation?). And the Statement of Allah: 'And there is no blame on you if you make a mistake therein.' (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:5) And Allah said: '(Musa said to Khadir): Call me not to account for what I forgot." (Surah Al-Kahf 18: 73)


Hadith Number 657.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Allah forgives my followers those (evil deeds) their souls may whisper or suggest to them as long as they do not act (on it) or speak."


Hadith Number 658.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-As (Radhi Allahu Anhu): While the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was delivering a sermon on the Day of Nahr (i.e., 10th Dhul-Hijjah-Day of slaughtering the sacrifice), a man got up saying, "I thought, O Allah's Messenger, such-and-such a thing was to be done before such-and-such a thing." Another man got up, saying, "O Allah's Messenger! As regards these three (acts of Hajj), (*) I thought so-and-so." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Do, and there is no harm," concerning all those matters on that day. And so, on that day, whatever question he was asked, he said, "Do it, do it, and there is no harm therein."

* (A) i.e. Rami (throwing pebbles) at the Jamra (B) Slaughtering of the Hadi (animal) and (C) Shaving of the Head. (See Book of Hajj Book 26).


Hadith Number 659.

Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): A man said to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) (while he was delivering a sermon on the Day of Nahr), "I have performed the Tawaf round the Ka'bah before the Rami (throwing pebbles) at the Jamrah." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "There is no harm (therein)." Another man said, "I had my head shaved before slaughtering (the sacrifice)." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "There is no harm." A third said, "I have slaughtered (the sacrifice) before the Rami (throwing pebbles) at the Jamrah." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "There is no harm."


Hadith Number 660.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): A man entered the Masjid and started praying while Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was sitting somewhere in the Masjid. Then (after finishing the prayer) the man came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and greeted him. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to him, "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed. The man went back, and having prayed, he came and greeted the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) after returning his greetings said, "Go back and pray, for you did not pray." On the third time the man said, "(O Allah's Messenger!) teach me (how to pray)." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "When you get up for the prayer, perform the ablution properly and then face the Qiblah and say Takbir (Allahu Akbar), and then recite of what you know of the Qur’an, and then bow, and remain in this state till you feel at rest in bowing, and then raise your head and stand straight; and then prostrate till you feel at rest in prostration, and then sit up till you feel at rest while sitting; and then prostrate again till you feel at rest in prostration; and then get up and stand straight, and do all this in all your prayers."


Hadith Number 661.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): When the pagans were defeated during the (first stage) of the battle of Uhud, Shaitan shouted, "O Allah's slaves! Beware of what is behind you!" So the front files of the Muslims attacked their own back files. Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman looked and on seeing his father he shouted: "My father! My father!" By Allah! The people did not stop till they killed his father. Hudhaifa then said, "May Allah forgive you." 'Urwa (the sub-narrator) added, "Hudhaifa continued asking Allah forgiveness for the killers of his father till he met Allah (till he died)."


Hadith Number 662.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "If somebody eats something forgetfully while he is fasting, then he should complete his fast, for Allah has made him eat and drink." (*)

* His fast is valid although he has eaten or drunk something forgetfully.

Hadith Number 663.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin Buhaina (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Once Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) led us in prayer, and after finishing the first two Rakat, got up (instead of sitting for At-Tahiyyat) and then carried on with the prayer. When he had finished his prayer, the people were waiting for him to say Taslim, but before saying Taslim, he said Takbir and prostrated; then he raised his head, and saying Takbir, he prostrated (Sahu) and then raised his head and finished his prayer with Taslim. (*)

* The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) performed two prostrations of Sahu (forgetfulness).



Hadith Number 664.

Narrated by Ibn Mas'ud (Radhi Allahu Anhu): That Allah's Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) led them in the Dhuhr prayer and he offered either more or less Rakat, and it was said to him, "O Allah's Messenger! Has the prayer been reduced, or have you forgotten?" He asked, "What is that?" They said, "You have prayed so many Rak'at." So he performed with them two more prostrations and said, "These two prostrations are to be performed by the person who does not know whether he has prayed more or less (Rakat) in which case he should seek to follow what is right. (*) And then complete the rest (of the prayer) and perform two extra prostrations."

* i.e., He should assume that he has performed the least number of Rak'at that may occur to his mind out of uncertainty.



Hadith Number 665.

Narrated by Ubai bin Ka'b (Radhi Allahu Anhu): That he heard Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saying, "(Moses) said, 'Call me not to account for what I forget and be not hard upon me for my affair (with you)' (18.73) the first excuse of Moses was his forgetfulness."

Narrated Al-Bara bin 'Azib (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) that once he had a guest, so he told his family (on the Day of Id-ul-Adha) that they should slaughter the animal for sacrifice before he returned from the ('Id) prayer in order that their guest could take his meal. So his family slaughtered (the animal) before the prayer. Then they mentioned that event to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) who ordered Al-Bara to slaughter another sacrifice. Al-Bara' said to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), "I have a young milch she-goat which is better than two sheep for slaughtering." (The sub-narrator, Ibn 'Aun used to say, "I don't know whether the permission (to slaughter a she-goat as a sacrifice) was especially given to Al-Bara' or if it was in general for all the Muslims.") (See Hadith No. 99, Book 15)


Hadith Number 666.

Narrated by Jundub (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I witnessed the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) offering the 'Id prayer (and after finishing it) he delivered a sermon and said, "Whoever has slaughtered his sacrifice (before the prayer) should make up for it (i.e. slaughter another animal) and whoever has not slaughtered his sacrifice yet, should slaughter it by mentioning Allah's Name over it."


Hadith Number 667.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Amr (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "The biggest sins are: To join others in worship with Allah; to be undutiful to one's parents; to kill somebody unlawfully; and to take an oath Al-Ghamus. (*)

* Al-Ghamus oath is the false oath taken by somebody intentionally to mislead and cheat people. The one who takes it will be dipped into the Fire. Hence comes the term 'Al-Ghamus', namely, 'the dipping'.



Hadith Number 668.

Narrated by 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "If somebody is ordered (by the ruler or the judge) to take an oath, and he takes a false oath in order to grab the property of a Muslim, then he will incur Allah's Wrath when he will meet Him." And Allah revealed in its confirmation: 'Verily! Those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's covenants and their own oaths.' (Surah Al-‘Imran 3:77) (The sub-narrator added:) Al-Ash'ath bin Qais entered, saying, "What did Abu 'Abdur-Rahman narrate to you?" They said, "So-and-so," Al-Ash'ath said, "This verse was revealed in my connection. I had a well on the land of my cousin (and we had a dispute about it). I reported him to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) who said (to me). "You should give evidence (i.e. witness) otherwise the oath of your opponent will render your claim invalid." I said, "Then he (my opponent) will take the oath, O Allah's Messenger." Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Whoever is ordered (by the ruler or the judge) to give an oath, and he takes a false oath in order to grab the property of a Muslim, then he will incur Allah's Wrath when he meets Him on the Day of Resurrection."


Hadith Number 669.

Narrated by Abu Musa (Radhi Allahu Anhu): My companions sent me to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) to ask him for some mounts. He said, "By Allah! I will not mount you on anything!" When I met him, he was in an angry mood, but when I met him (again), he said, "Tell your companions that Allah or Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) will provide you with mounts."


Hadith Number 670.

Narrated by Az-Zuhri: I heard 'Urwa bin Az-Zubair, Said bin Al-Musaiyab, 'Alqama bin Waqqas and 'Ubaidullah bin 'Abdullah bin 'Uqba relating from 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha), the wife of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) the narration of the people (i.e. the liars) who spread the slander against her and they said what they said, and how Allah revealed her innocence. Each of them related to me a portion of that narration. (They said that 'Aishah said), ''Then Allah revealed the ten Verses starting with: v2 'Verily! Those who spread the slander...' (Surah An-Nur 24:11-21)[/color]

All these verses were in proof of my innocence. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (Radhi Allahu Anhu) who used to provide for Mistah some financial aid because of his relation to him, said, "By Allah, I will never give anything (in charity) to Mistah, after what he has said about 'Aishah" (*) Then Allah revealed: 'And let not those among you who are good and are wealthy swear not to give (any sort of help) to their kins men...' (Surah An-Nur 24:22) On that, Abu Bakr said, "Yes, by Allah, I like that Allah should forgive me." and then resumed giving Mistah the aid he used to give him and said, "By Allah! I will never withhold it from him."

* Mistah was one of those who had spread the false rumour about Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha).


Hadith Number 671.

Narrated by Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I went along with some men from the Ash-ariyin to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and it happened that I met him while he was in an angry mood. We asked him to provide us with mounts, but he swore that he would not give us any. Later on he said, "By Allah, Allah willing, if ever I take an oath (to do something) and later on I find something else better than the first, then I do the better one and give expiation for the dissolution of my oath."


Hadith Number 672.

Narrated by Al-Musaiyab (Radhi Allahu Anhu): When the death of Abu Talib approached, Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came to him and said, "Say: La ilaha illallah, a word with which I will be able to defend you before Allah."


Hadith Number 673.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "(Following are) two words (sentences or utterances that are very easy for the tongue to say, and very heavy in the balance (of reward,) and the most beloved to the Gracious Almighty (And they are): Subhan Allah wa bi-hamdihi; Subhan Allahi-l-'Azim. " (*)

* 'I deem Allah free from resembling anything whatever, and I celebrate His Praises! I deem Allah the Great, free from resembling anything whatever.'

Hadith Number 674.

Narrated by 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said a sentence and I said another. He said, "Whoever dies while he is setting up rivals along with Allah (i.e. worshipping others along with Allah) shall be admitted into the (Hell) Fire." And I said the other: "Whoever dies while he is not setting up rivals along with Allah (i.e. worshipping none except Allah) shall be admitted into Paradise."


Hadith Number 675.

Narrated by Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) took an oath for abstention from h is wives (for one month), and during those days he had a sprain in his foot. He stayed in a Mashrubah (an upper room) for twenty-nine nights and then came down. Then the people said, "O Allah's Messenger! You took an oath for abstention (from your wives) for one month." On that he said, “A month can be of twenty-nine days."


Hadith Number 676.

Narrated by Abu Hazim: Sahl bin Sa'd (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "Abu Usaid, the companion of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), got married, so he invited the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) to his wedding party, and the bride herself served them. Sahl said to the People, 'Do you know what drink she served him with? She infused some dates in a pot at night and the next morning she served him with the infusion."


Hadith Number 677.

Narrated by Sauda (Radhi Allahu Anha): (The wife of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)) One of our sheep died and we tanned its skin and kept on infusing dates in it till it was a worn out water skin.


Hadith Number 678.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The family of (the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)) Muhammad never ate wheat-bread with meat for three consecutive days to their fill, till he met Allah.


Hadith Number 679.

Narrated by Anas bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Abu Talha said to Um Sulaim (Radhi Allahu Anhuma), "I heard the voice of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) rather weak, and I knew that it was because of hunger. Have you anything (to present to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam))?" She said, "Yes." Then she took out a few loaves of barley bread and took a veil of hers and wrapped the bread with a part of it and sent me to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). I went and found Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) sitting in the Masjid with some people. I stood up before him. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to me, "Has Abu Talha sent you?" I said, ' Yes. Then Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to those who were with him. "Get up and proceed." I went ahead of them (as their forerunner) and came to Abu Talha and informed him about it. Abu Talha said, "O Um Sulaim! Allah's Messenger has come and we have no food to feed them." Um Sulaim said, "Allah and His Messenger know best." So Abu Talha went out (to receive them) till he met Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam).

Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came in company with Abu Talha (Radhi Allahu Anhu) and they entered the house. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "O Um Sulaim! Bring whatever you have." So she brought that (barley) bread and Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) ordered that bread to be broken into small pieces, and then Um Sulaim poured over it some butter from a leather butter container, and then Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said what Allah wanted him to say, (i.e. blessing the food). Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) then said, "Admit ten men." Abu Talha admitted them and they ate to their fill and went out. He again said, "Admit ten men." He admitted them, and in this way all the people ate to their fill, and they were seventy or eighty men."


Hadith Number 680.

Narrated by 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (Radhi Allahu Anhu): I heard Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saying, "The (reward of) deeds, depend upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, then his emigration will be considered to be for Allah and His Messenger, and whoever emigrated for the sake of worldly gain or for a woman to marry, then his emigration will be considered to be for what he emigrated for." (*)

* In the Hereafter, everyone will be judged according to his intentions.



Hadith Number 681.

Narrated by Ka'b bin Malik (Radhi Allahu Anhu): In the last part of his narration about the three who remained behind (from the battle of Tabuk). (I said) "As a proof of my true repentance (for not joining the Holy battle of Tabuk), I shall give up all my property for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) (as an expiation for that sin)." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said (to me), "Keep some of your wealth, for that is better for you."

Hadith Number 682.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to stay (for a period) in the house of Zainab bint Jahsh (one of the wives of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)) and he used to drink honey in her house. Hafsa and I decided that when the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) entered upon either of us, she would say, "I smell in you the bad smell of Maghafir (a bad smelling raisin). Have you eaten Maghafir?" When he entered upon one of us, she said that to him. He replied (to her), "No, but I have drunk honey in the house of Zainab bint Jahsh, and I will never drink it again." Then the following verse was revealed: 'O Prophet! Why do you ban (for you) that which Allah has made lawful for you?... (up to) If you two (wives of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) turn in repentance to Allah.' (Surah At-Tahrim 66:1-4) The two were 'Aishah and Hafsa And also the Statement of Allah: 'And (Remember) when the Prophet disclosed a matter in confidence to one of his wives!' (Surah At-Tahrim 66:3) i.e., his saying, "But I have drunk honey." Hisham said: It also meant his saying, "I will not drink anymore, and I have taken an oath, so do not inform anybody of that."


Hadith Number 683.

Narrated by Sa'id bin Al-Harith: That he heard Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) saying, "Weren't people forbidden to make vows?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, 'A vow neither hastens nor delays anything, but by the making of vows, some of the wealth of a miser is taken out." (*)

* Miserly people do not spend willingly and without compensation in this life. So, by means of vows, they have to spend their money when their worldly wishes are fulfilled.



Hadith Number 684.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) forbade the making of vows and said, "It (a vow) does not prevent anything (that has to take place), but the property of a miser is spent (taken out) with it."


Hadith Number 685.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Allah says, 'The vow, does not bring about for the son of Adam anything I have not decreed for him, but his vow may coincide with what has been decided for him, and by this way I cause a miser to spend of his wealth. So he gives Me (spends in charity) for the fulfillment of what has been decreed for him what he would not give Me before but for his vow."


Hadith Number 686.

Narrated by Zahdam bin Mudarrab: 'Imran bin Hussain (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, 'The best of you (people) are my generation, and the second best will be those who will follow them, and then those who will follow the second generation." Imran added, "I do not remember whether he mentioned two or three (generations) after his generation. He added, 'Then will come some people who will make vows but will not fulfill them; and they will be dishonest and will not be trustworthy, and they will give their witness without being asked to give their witness, and fatness will appear among them.'"


Hadith Number 687.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Whoever vows that he will be obedient to Allah, should remain obedient to Him; and whoever made a vow that he will disobey Allah, should not disobey Him."


Hadith Number 688.

Narrated by Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): 'Umar said "O Allah's Messenger! I vowed to perform I'tikaf for one night in Al-Masjid-al-Haram, during the Pre-Islamic Period of ignorance (before embracing Islam). "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Fulfill your vow."


Hadith Number 689.

Narrated by Sa'd bin 'Ubada Al-Ansari (Radhi Allahu Anhu): That he consulted the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) about a vow that had been made by his mother who died without fulfilling it. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) gave his verdict that he should fulfill it on her behalf. The verdict became Sunnah (i.e. the Prophet’s (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) tradition).


Hadith Number 690.

Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): A man came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and said to him, "My sister vowed to perform the Hajj, but she died (before fulfilling it)." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Would you not have paid her debts if she had any?" The man said, "Yes." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "So pay Allah's Rights, as He is more entitled to receive His rights."


Hadith Number 691.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Whoever vowed to be obedient to Allah, must be obedient to Him; and whoever vowed to be disobedient to Allah, should not be disobedient to Him."


Hadith Number 692.

Narrated by Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Allah is not in need of this man) torturing himself," when he saw the man walking between his two sons (who were supporting him). (*)

* The man had vowed that he would perform the Hajj on foot though he was old and sick.



Hadith Number 693.

Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saw a man performing Tawaf around the Ka'bah, tied with a rope or something else (while another person was holding him). The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) cut that rope off.


Hadith Number 694.

Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): While performing the Tawaf around the Ka'bah, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) passed by a person leading another person by a nose-ring in his nose. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) cut the nose-ring off with his hand and ordered the man to lead him by the hand.


Hadith Number 695.

Narrated by Ibn 'Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): While the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was delivering a sermon, he saw a man standing, so he asked about that man. They (the people) said, "It is Abu Israil who has vowed that he will stand and never sit down, and he will never come in the shade, nor speak to anybody, and will fast.'' The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Order him to speak and let him come in the shade, and make him sit down, but let him complete his fast."


Hadith Number 696.

Narrated by 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma): That he was asked about a man who had vowed that he would fast all the days of his life then the day of 'Id al Adha or 'Id-al-Fitr came. 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) said: You have indeed a good example in Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). He did not fast on the day of 'Id al Adha or the day of 'Id-al-Fitr, and we do not intend fasting on these two days.


Hadith Number 697.

Narrated by Ziyad bin Jubair: I was with Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) when a man asked him, "I have vowed to fast every Tuesday or Wednesday throughout my life and if the day of my fasting coincided with the day of Nahr (the first day of 'Id-al-Adha), (What shall I do?)" Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) said, "Allah has ordered the vows to be fulfilled, and we are forbidden to fast on the day of Nahr." The man repeated his question and Ibn 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) repeated his former answer, adding nothing more.


Hadith Number 698.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): We went out in the company of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) on the day of (the battle of) Khaibar, and we did not get any gold or silver as war booty, but we got property in the form of things and clothes. Then a man called Rifa'a bin Zaid, from the tribe of Bani Ad-Dubaib, presented a slave named Mid'am to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) headed towards the valley of Al-Qura, and when he was in the valley of Al-Qura an arrow was thrown by an unidentified person, struck and killed Mid'am who was making a she-camel of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) kneel down. The people said, "Congratulations to him (the slave) for gaining Paradise." Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "No! By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, for the sheet which he stole from the war booty before its distribution on the day of Khaibar, is now burning over him." When the people heard that, a man brought one or two Shiraks (leather straps of shoes) to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "A Shirak of fire, or two Shiraks of fire."