40. Unity & Division

Unity                                                                 40 

In mutual kindness, love and sympathy you will see the believers like a single body: when a limb complains, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.

--Tradition by Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: N’man-b-Bashir.
 

Division                                                            40 

Surely the devil is to humans just as a wolf is to sheep, attacking those that stray far off from the flock, those which wander and those which take to a corner (away from the flock). So avoid the branching paths and stick to the united body and the majority.

--Tradition by Ahmad. Narrator: Mu’aaz-b-Jabal.

39. Treating Neighbors Well & Treating Neighbors Badly

Treating Neighbors Well                                    39

Gabriel did not stop advising me about (the obligations towards) the neighbour till I thought that he will soon make neighbour an heir (be a Muslim or a non-Muslim).

--Tradition by Bukhari and Muslim. Narr: Bibi Ayesha and Ibn Omar.
 

Treating Neighbors Badly                                 39

By God, he does not (truly) believe; by God, he does not (truly) believe; by God, he does not (truly) believe. He, from whose injuries his neighbour is not safe.

--Tradition by Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Abu Hurairah. (Excerpt)

38. Together with Love & Respite for Peace

Together with Love                                        38

When a man enquired as to when the Hour will occur, the Prophet asked him, “…What preparation have you made for it?” The man said: I have not prepared for it except that I love God and His Messenger. He said, “You will be with those whom you love (In the Hereafter)

.” Anas said: I never saw Muslims ever so happy after Islam as they were after hearing this.

--Tradition by Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Anas. (Excerpt)
 

Respite for Peace                                          38

The doors of paradise are opened on Monday and Thursday and then every servant who does not ascribe divinity to anything beside Him is forgiven except a man between whom and his brother there is rancour. It is then said : give respite to these two till they come to peace.

--Tradition by Muslim. Narrator: Abu Hurairah.

37. The Worthy Learners & The Unworthy Learners

The Worthy Learners                                        37

If the learned men guard learning and entrust it to deserving persons, they can rule thereby their contemporaries.

--Tradition by Ibn Majah. Narrator: Abdullah-b-Masud. (Excerpt)

The Unworthy Learners                                    37

To impart learning to one not deserving of it is to put on a necklace of emerald and pearls and gold to the neck of swines

--Tradition by Ibn Majah. .Narrator: Anas

36. Seeking Knowledge & Concealing Knowledg

Seeking Knowledge                                          36

Seeking knowledge is compulsory on every Muslim male and female.

--Tradition by Ibn Majah. Narrator: Anas. (Excerpt)

Concealing Knowledge                                    36

Whoever is asked about the knowledge that he has acquired but he conceals it, shall wear a girdle of fire on the Resurrection Day.

--Tradition by Ahmed, Ibn Daud, Tirmizi. Narrator: Abu Hurairah.

Also by Ibn Majah. Narrator: Anas.

35. Paying Wages & Refusing Wages

Paying Wages                                                     35

Pay the labourer his wages before his sweat dries up.

--Tradition by Ibn Majah. Narrator: Abdullah-b-Omar.

Refusing Wages                                                 35

The Almighty God said: There will be three persons who will face My opposition on Resurrection Day: A man who gave (trust) in My name and then broke the trust; a man who sold a free man and enjoyed his price; a man who engaged a labourer, took full work from him but did not pay his wages.
-- Qudsi Tradition by Bukhari. Narrator: Abu Hurairah.

34. Patient of Others & Not Patient of Others

Patient of Others                                               34

A Muslim who mixes with the people and remains patient over their harms is better (Muslim).

--Tradition by Tirmizi and Ibn Majah. Narrator: Ibn Omar. (Excerpt)

Not Patient of Others                                        34

The one who does not mix with people nor is he patient over their harms (is not a better Muslim).

--Tradition by Tirmizi and Ibn Majah. Narrator: Ibn Omar. (Excerpt)

33. Monotheism & Polytheism

Monotheism                                                    33  

Belief has got seventy and odd branches of which the best is saying: ‘there is no deity but God’.

--Tradition by Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Abu Hurairah. (Excerpt)

Polytheism                                                      33

The Almighty revealed: Whoever sets up partner with Me. I desert him and his partner.

--Qudsi Tradition by Muslim. Narrator: Abu Hurairah. (Excerpt)  

32. Modesty & Shamelessness

Modesty                                                              32 

Modesty (haya) is a part of faith, and faith is in paradise.

--Tradition by Ahmed and Tirmzi. Narrator: Abu Hurairah. (Excerpt)

Shamelessness                                                  32

Obscenity is a part of hardness of heart, and hardness of heart is in the Fire.

--Tradition by Ahmed and Tirmzi. Narrator: Abu Hurairah. (Excerpt)

31. Moderation & Extravagance

Moderation                                                    31

The best of affairs is their middle position.

--Tradition by Baihaqi. Narrator: Matref-b-Abdullah.

Extravagance                                                31
God disliked that you squander possession.

--Tradition by Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Mughirah. (Excerpt).

30. Living for the Hereafter & Living for the World

Living for the Hereafter                                     30

A wise person is one who keeps a watch over his desires and passions, withholds himself from that which is harmful and strives for that which will be of benefit after death;

 – Quoted by Tirmizi on the authority of Abu Y‘ala bin Shaddad bin Aus(R.A.).

Living for the World                                          30

and a foolish person is one who submits to the cravings and desires of his ego-self, and (then) asks God (for their fulfillment).

 – Quoted by Tirmizi on the authority of Abu Y‘ala bin Shaddad bin Aus(R.A.)

29. Learned Pious & Unlearned Pious

Learned Pious                             29

Indeed the learned are the heritage of the prophets.

--Tradition by Ahmad, Tirmizi, Abu Daud . Narrator: Abu Darda. (Excerpt)

Unlearned Pious                          29

Certainly the superiority of a learned (‘aalim) over a (mere) worshipper (‘aabid) is like the superiority of the moon, on the night when it is full, over all other stars.

--Tradition by Ahmad, Tirmizi, Abu Daud . Narrator: Abu Darda. (Excerpt).

Also by Ibn Humbal, Nisa’i, Ibn Majah and Darami. (Muhammad Asad added in note 21 of Verse 58:11 in his ‘Message of the Qur’an’)

28. Lawful Earning & Unlawful Earning

Lawful Earning                                                 28   

To search for lawful earning is (ordained) compulsory after the compulsory commands.

--Tradition by Baihaqi. Narrator: Abdullah-b-Masud.

Unlawful Earning                                              28

Begging is not lawful except for three (persons): one who is in pressing poverty, or one who is involved in debt (and is unable to pay,) and the one who has heavy blood-dues (but no means to settle). 

--Tradition by Abu Daud. Narrator: Anas. (Excerpt)

27. Judging Rewarded & Judging Forbidden

Judging Rewarded                                         27

When a judge wishes to pass a decree, and for that strives hard and decides justly, there are two rewards for him; but when he strives hard but commits mistake, there is one reward for him.

-- Tradition: Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Abdullah-b-Amr.

Judging Forbidden                                        27   
No judge shall pass a decree between two men (or women) when he is angry.

-- Tradition: Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Abu Bakrah.

26. Inmates of Paradise & Inmates of Hell

Inmates of Paradise                                         26

I shall inform you of inmates of paradise – every meek, humble man. If he adjures God, He certainly fulfils it.

--Tradition by Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Haresah-b-Wahb. (Excerpt)

Inmates of Hell                                                 26

I shall inform you of the inmates of hell – every ignoble, uncivil, proud man.
--Tradition by Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Haresah-b-Wahb. (Excerpt)

25. Humility & Arrogance

Humility                                                              25

No man was more loved (by the companions) than was the Messenger of God. Yet, they never stood up for him because he did not like it (out of modesty).
--Tradition by Tirmizi. Narrator: Anas.

Arrogance                                                          25

Whoever is pleased that people should show him honour by standing up. let him seek his abode in the Fire.
--Tradition by Tirmizi and Abu Daud. Narrator: Mu’awiyah. 

24. Humbleness & Boasting

Humbleness                                                      24

Whoever humbles himself for God is elevated by Him. He is small to himself but great in the eyes of people.

--Tradition by Baihaqi. Narrator: Omar. (Excerpt)

Boasting                                                           24

God will degrade the boastful. He will then be great to himself but low in the eyes of men, till he will become more heinous to them than a dog or a pig.

--Tradition by Baihaqi. Narrator: Omar. (Excerpt)

23. Honour & Disgrace

Honour­                                                                 23

Among people most honourable to God is the one who is most God-conscious among them.

--Tradition by Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Abu Hurairah. (Excerpt)

Disgrace                                                              23

The proud will be gathered on the Resurrection Day like seeds in the form of people. Disgrace will surround them. They will be driven to a prison in hell named Bulas. The hottest fire will rise over them.

--Tradition by Tirmizi. Narrator: Amr-b-Shu’ayb. (Excerpt)

22. Guidance & Misguidance

Guidance_____________________________22 
Whoever calls towards guidance will get reward like the reward of the one who follows it without aught being diminished from follower’s reward. 

--Tradition by Muslim. Narrator: Abu Hurairah. (Excerpt)

Misguidance__________________________22
Whoever calls towards misguidance commits sin like the sin of one who follows it without aught being diminished from the follower’s sins. 

--Tradition by Muslim. Narrator: Abu Hurairah. (Excerpt)

21. Gratefulness & Ungratefulness

Gratefulness_____________________    ____21
When one who is benefited says to the benefactor, “May God recompense you with good ”, he has indeed fully expressed his gratefulness 

--Tradition by Tirmizi. Narrator: Osama-b-Zaid.

Ungratefulness____________________    ___21

Whoever is not grateful to man (or woman) is not grateful to God.

--Tradition by Ahmad and Tirmizi. Narrator: Abu Hurairah.

20. Good to Creation & Bad to Creation

Good to Creation______________________20    
The creation is the family of God. So the dearest to God is the one whose (conduct) is best to His family.
 --Tradition by Baihaqi. Narrator: Abdullah and Anas.

Bad to Creation___________________      _ 20   
Fear (from committing) oppression, because oppression will be intense darkness on the Resurrection Day.          

-- Tradition by Muslim. Narrator: Jabir (Excerpt)

19. Good to Everyone & Bad to Everyone

Good to Everyone______________________19
The main part of wisdom after religion is love for people and doing good to everyone, pious or sinner 

-- Tradition by Darqutni. Ali-b-Hasan.

Bad to Everyone_______________________19
He whose conduct is bad and (who is) harsh shall not enter  paradise

--Tradition by Abu Daud. Narrator: Haresah bin Wahb.

18. Good Intentions & Bad Intentions

Good Intentions____________  __          _____18
A man whom God did not provide wealth or knowledge but who is desires to have done the work of such and such had he the riches (then) rewards of both are equal.

– H: Tirmizi. N: Kabshah al-Anmariy.

Bad Intentions___________ ______           ___18
Whoever marries a woman for a dower with the intention of not paying it back is a fornicator and whoever takes a loan with the intention of not returning it is a thief. 

– H. Ibn Majah. N: Abu Hurairah

17. Good Conduct & Bad Conduct

Good Conduct                                                    17
(Among) the best of you is he who is best in conduct.

--Tradition by Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Abdullah-b-Amr.

Bad Conduct                                                       17
The most disliked by me and among farthest from me on the Resurrection Day will be those who are worst of you in conduct – the talkative, the unjust, the proud.
--Tradition by Baihaqi. Narrator: Abu S’albah. (Excerpt)

16. Generosity & Miserliness

Generosity                                                        16 
God said: spend (in charity) O son of Adam, and then,
I shall spend on you.

--Tradition Qudsi by Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Abu Hurairah.

Miserliness                                                       16
Miser is far-off from God, from paradise, from people, and is near hell.                

 --Tradition by Tirmizi. Narrator: Abu Hurairah.

15. Follow the Right & Ignore the Wrong

Follow the Right                                                   15

Accustom yourself to do good if the people do good

and not to do wrong if they do wrong.

-- Tradition by Tirmizi: Narrator: of Huzaifa. (Excerpt)

Ignore the Wrong                                                 15

Don’t be passive by saying: if people do good we will do good, and if they do wrong, (then likewise,) we will do wrong.     

--Tradition by Tirmizi: Narrator: of Huzaifa. (Excerpt)

14. Evil Secured & Evil Unsecured

Evil Secured_________________________14    
(Among) the best of you is he from whom good is 

hoped for and his evil is secured.

-- Tradition by Tirmizi. Narrator: Abu Hurairah. (Excerpt)

Evil Unsecured_______________________14  

(Among) the worst of you is he from whom good is 

not expected, and his evil is not secured.

-- Tradition by Tirmizi. Narrator: Abu Hurairah. (Excerpt)

13. Ease & Hardship

Ease                                                                 13 
A desert Arab passed urine within the mosque. The Prophet told the people to leave him and throw a bucket of water on the ground, and told them: indeed, you have been raised up to bring ease.
--Tradition by Bukhari. Narrator: Abu Hurairah. (Excerpt)

Hardship                                                          13
You have not been raised up to inflict hardship.
--Tradition by Bukhari. Narrator: Abu Hurairah.(Excerpt

12. Doubtless Matters & Doubtful Matters

Doubtless Matters                                          12  

God hates resentment in doubtless matters.

-- Tradition by Ahmad, Abu Daud & Nisai. Narrator: Jabir-b-Ateeq. (Excerpt)

Doubtful Matters                                             12

God loves resentment in doubtful matters.

--Tradition by Ahmad, Abu Daud & Nisai. Narrator: Jabir-b-Ateeq. (Excerpt)