4.34. OMENS AND SUPERSTITION

           

      

God says

… Distinct has now become the right way from [the way of] error: hence, he who rejects powers of evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which will never give way: for God is all-hearing, all-knowing. -- Q.2:256

Are you not aware of those who have been granted their share of the divine writ, [now] believe in baseless mysteries and the powers of the evil.* -- Q.4:51
 * “Powers of evil” (at-taghut) seems to refer here to the superstitious beliefs like soothsaying, foretelling the future, relying on “good” and “bad” omens, and so forth – all of which are condemned in the Quran.

… And [you are forbidden] to seek to learn through divination what the future may hold in store for you:* this is sinful conduct.  -- Q.5:3
  *Lit., “to aim at divining [the future] by means of arrows”. This is reference to divining arrows without a point and without feathers used by the pre-Islamic Arabs to find out what the future might hold in store for them.  As is usual with such historical allusion in the Quran, this one, too, is used metonymically: it implies a prohibition of all manner of attempts at divining or foretelling the future.


Prophet said

“Atributing bad omen to anything is polytheism (repeated thrice).  And there is nothing that God does not remove from us by virtue of total reliance on Him.” – H: Tirmizi and Abu Daud. N: ‘Abdullah-b-Masud.

“Do not go to the fore-tellers”--  H: Muslim. N: Mu’awiyah.

4.33. DEBTS AND DUES

After name or title of the Prophet say:
 “Sal-lal- lahu ‘Alaihi wa Sal-lam”;
(peace and blessings be upon him)

After the name or the title of every
prophet (nabi) and apostle (rasul) say:
“ ‘Alai hissalaam” (peace be upon him or them)

 After the name of their family member,
as well as a companion, say:
“Radi Allahu ‘Anhu—or ‘Anha—or ‘Anhum ”
(may God be pleased with him--or her--or them)

And for others, say: “Rahmat-Allah-e-‘Alaih”
(God’s mercy be upon him)

God says

If, however, [the debtor] is in difficult financial position grant him delay until the time of ease for him; and it will be for your own good -- if you but knew it -- to remit [the debt entirely] by way of charity. -- Q.2:280

O you who believe! Whenever you give or take credit for a stated term, set it down in writing… Q.2:282

Prophet said

 “Whoever takes a loan with the intention of not paying it is a thief” – H: Ibn Majah. N: Abu Bakrah.

“Every sin of martyr will be forgiven except debt.” -- H:Muslim. N:Abdullah-b-Amr.

“Delay by a rich man in paying debts and prices, is oppression.” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

“The soul of a believer remains suspended with his debt, till it is paid” -- H: Shafeyi, Ahmed, Tirmizi and Ibn Majah. N: Anas.

“If any (believing) man gives respite to a distressed debtor or grants him remission, God will give him protection under His shade (on the Resurrection Day of intense heat with no other shade than His)” -- H: Muslim. N: Abu Yaser.

4.32. HOARDING (Concluded)

God says

[God does not love those] who are niggardly and bid others to be niggardly, and conceal whatever God has bestowed upon them out of his bounty; and so We have readied shameful suffering for all who thus deny the truth. -- Q.4:37

… [so, too, it is We who bestow gifts of the spirit upon whomever We will]: and this thy Sustainer’s grace is better than all [the worldly wealth] that they amass. -- Q.43:32

      Wealth is not forbidden in Islam. Hoarding is. The third Caliph, Prophet’s son-in law, Usman-b-Affan was wealthy. He could, therefore, respond in a big way whenever help was needed to prepare for the war of self-defense.  
        A wealthy and resourceful Ummah can be more helpful for humanity than a poor one, provided, of course, the former does not misuse wealth and power in order to dominate others.  

        What is forbidden is the love of wealth, because, then, money stagnates with few. That  is hoarding. Stress in Islam is on its circulation, hence, compulsory  Zakat, and  great emphasis on charity.

 

Prophet said

Bibi A'isha reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) left neither dinar nor dirham (wealth in the form of cash), nor goats (and sheep), nor camels. And he made no will about anything (in regard to his material possessions, as he had none) -- Sahih Muslim:  Book 013, Number 4011:

Talha-b-Musarrif reported: I asked 'Abdullah b. Abu Aufa whether Allah's Messenger (may peace and blessing be upon him) had made any will (in regard to his property). He said: NO. I said: Then why has making of will been made necessary for the Muslims, or why were they commanded to make will? Thereupon he said: He made the will according to the Book of Allah, the Exalted and Majestic. -- Sahih Muslim: Book 013, Number 4009:

The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: “Hoarding up food (to sell it at a high price) in the sacred territory is a deviation (from right to wrong) -- Sunna Abu Dawud, Book 10, Number 2015: Narrated Ya'la ibn Umayyah.

4.32. HOARDING (To be continued)

God says

O you who have attained to faith! Behold, many of the rabbis and monks do indeed wrongfully devour men’s possessions and turn [others] away from the path of God. But as for all who lay up treasures of gold and silver and do not spend them for the sake of God* -- give them the tiding, [O Muhammad,] of grievous suffering [in the life to come]: on the Day when [that hoarded wealth] shall be heated in the fire of hell and their foreheads and their sides and their backs branded therewith** [and it will be said unto them] : “Here is that which you laid up for yourselves. Now taste [the evil of] your hoarded treasures!” -- Q.9:34,35
*Most probably this is, in the first instance, an allusion to wealth of the Jewish and Christian communities, and their misuse of this wealth. Some of the commentators, however, are of the opinion that the reference is wider, comprising all people, including Muslims, who hoard their wealth without spending anything thereof on righteous causes.
** Cf. the parallel allegory, in 3:180, of suffering which will befall the greedy for riches and niggardly in the life to come. 


Prophet said

“Can anyone of you recite 1000 Qur’anic verses everyday?”, the Prophet continued, “Read (its equivalent) surah “AL-HAKU  MUT TAKASUR …..( surah 102,’Piling Up’)”-- H: Hakim. N: Abdullah-b-Omer.
The surah is about those who are obsessed by greed and ‘who hoard their wealth without spending anything thereof on righteous causes.’

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of God used to store up nothing for the morrow.

The Prophet said, "Do not with-hold your money by counting it (i.e. hoarding it), (for if you did so), Allah would also with-hold His blessings from you." ---- Sahih Bukhari: Volume 2, Book 24, Number 514: 

4.31. MEASURES AND WEIGHTS

God says

… He who deceives shall be faced with his deceit on the Day of Resurrection, when every person will be paid in full for what he has done… Q.3:161

… And [in all your dealings]  give full measures and weight in equity: [however,] We do not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear; …* Q.6:152
 * The meaning is that God does not expect man to behave with “mathematical” equity – which, in view of the many intangible factors involved, is rarely attainable in human dealings – but expects him to do his best towards achieving this ideal.

Woe unto those who give short measures: those who, when they are to receive their due from (other) people, demand  that it be given in full -- but when they have to measure or weigh whatever they owe to others, give less than what is due!* Do they not know they are bound to be raised from the dead [and called to account] on an awesome Day – the Day when all men shall stand before the Sustainer of all the worlds? -- Q.83:1-6 
* The passage (1 to 3) does not, of course, refer only to commercial dealings but touches upon every aspect of social relations, both practical and moral, applying to every individual’s rights and obligations no less than to his physical possessions.   


Prophet said

To those who dealt with measurements and weights the Messenger of God said: “Indeed, you have been entrusted with two affairs about which the nations in the past were destroyed ( for their fraudulence)” – H: Tirmizi. Narrator: Ibn Abbas.

(At the time) when the Holy Prophet came to Medina people there used to lend money for one to three years and the loan was paid off in the form of fruits.  About this the Holy Prophet said: “He who lends money for such commodity should lend money for known measure, known weights, and to the known limit.” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Saeed.

4.30. LABOUR AND WAGES (concluded)

God says
He it is who has made you inherit the earth,* and has raised some of you by degree above others, so that He might try you by means of what He has bestowed upon you.**
Verily, thy sustainer is swift in retribution: yet, behold, He is indeed much- forgiving, most gracious. -- Q.6: 165 
*Lit., a “successor” or a “vice-gerent”.
**Lit., by way of character, strength, knowledge, social position, wealth etc.

….Indeed, He does not love those who transgress the bound of what is right:  Q.7:55

….verily, God’s grace is ever near unto the doers of good! -- Q.7: 56 

….Verily, that which is with God is by far the best for you, if you but knew it: all that is with you is bound to come to an end, whereas that which is with God is everlasting. ---- Q.16:95,96 

Prophet said

“God said: On the Resurrection Day I will be the opponent of Three (kinds of) persons: a man who in My name gave the trust and then broke it; a man who sold a free person and enjoyed the price; and a man who engaged a labour, got the work completed but did not pay his wages” -- Hadis-e-Qudsi Bukhari. N:Abu Hurairah.

“Pay the labourer his wages before his sweat dry’s up” --  H: Ibn Majah. N: ‘Abdullah.b.Omar.

4.30. LABOUR AND WAGES (to cont.)

God says

Every human being is bound to taste death: only on Resurrection Day you will be requited in full [for whatever you have done]….  Q.3:185

I shall not lose sight of the labour of any of you who labours, be it be a man or a women: each of you is an issue of the other* …. Q.3:195
*I.e., “you all are members of one and the same human race, and therefore equal to one another. 

Whoever shall come (before God) with a good deed will gain ten times the like thereof; but whoever shall come with an evil deed will be requited with no more than the lieu thereof. -- Q.6:160

And whatever [wrong] any human being commits rests upon himself alone; and no bearer of burdens shall be made to bear another’s burden.* -- Q.6: 164 
*This basic ethical law -- which is also found in 17:15, 35:18, 39:7 and 53:38 – constitutes a categorical rejection of the Christian doctrines of “original sin” with which every human being is allegedly burdened from birth and “vicarious atonement” for mankind’s sinfulness by Jesus. 
 
Every child is born innocent and remains in this sinless stage until the age of discretion. His duties towards God and duties towards His creations are clearly defined in the Qur’an and the Traditions of the Prophet. Observance of these (virtues) enables the soul reach its perfection (paradise): their neglect (sin) leads to degradation (hell).


Prophet said

“I used to tend goats for the inhabitants of Mecca (for the wages of) a few Qirats” -- H:Bukhari. N: Abu Hurairah.
“Wretched man is he who follows his low desires and (then) rests hope in God” -- H: Tirmizi and Ibn Majah. N: Shaddad-b-Aus.

4.29. FARMING AND AGRICULTURE (continued)

God says

For no single thing exists that does not have its source with Us;* and naught do We bestow from on high unless it be in accordance with a measure well-defined.** -- Q.15:21
*Lit., “but with Us are its storehouses”
**Lit., “and We do not send it down [I.e., “create it”] otherwise than according to a measure We know”: that is, in accordance with the exigencies of God’s plan as such and with the function which any particular thing or phenomenon is to have within that plan.

And We let loose the winds to fertilize [plants],* and We send down water from the skies and let you drink thereof: and it is not you who dispose of its source – for it is We – We alone – who grant life and deal death, and it is We alone who shall remain after all else will have passed away!  -- Q.15:22
*I.e., by pollination as well as by bringing rain-clouds.


Prophet said

Rafe- bin-Kadeej reported: Many of us had cultivation in Medina. Someone used to let (in advance) his land saying: ‘This plot is for me and that is for you.’ (Later) one yielded crop, the other didn’t.  The Holy Prophet forbade it. -- Bukhari , Muslim.

“If anyone takes a span of land unjustly, (then) on the Resurrection Day its extent taken from seven earths will be tied round his neck.” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Saeed-b-Zaid.

4.29. FARMING AND AGRICULTURE

God says

Q.6:99 -- And He it is  who has caused the water to come down from the sky: and by this means have We brought forth all living growth, and out of this have We brought forth verdure.* Out of this do We bring forth close-growing grain; and out of the sheathes of the date-palm tree, dates in thick clusters; and gardens of vines and the olive tree, and the pomegranate: [all] so alike, and yet so different!** Behold their fruit when it comes to fruition and ripens! Verily, in this there are messages for people who will believe!
*In contrast with its sequence, which is governed by the present tense, the whole of the above sentence is expressed in the past tense – this indicating, obliquely, the original, basic aspect of God’s creating life “out of water” (cf. 21: 30)
**I.e., all so alike in basic principles of their life and growth, and yet so different in physiology, appearance and taste.  

And the earth – We have spread it out wide, and placed on it mountains firm, and caused [life] of every kind to grow on it in a balanced manner, and provided thereon means of livelihood for you [O men] as well as for all [living beings] whose sustenance does not depend on you.  -- Q.15:19,20

*I.e., all living organisms – whether plants or animals – which are not tended by man but are nevertheless provided for. In its wider senses the notion that all living beings – man included – are provided for by God, and by Him alone.(cf. 11: 6).

 

Prophet said

 “Whoever has got land, let him cultivate it or let it out to his brother” — H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Jabir.

The Prophet gave the Jews of Khaiber date trees and the land to labour on them and to cultivate them (on terms) that they will have half of the yield. -- H: Bukhari. N: Abdillah bin Omar.

4.27. UNLAWFUL TRADE

                         


 
God says

… he who deceives shall be faced with his deceit on the Day of Resurrection, when every human being will be paid in full for whatever he has done, and none shall be wronged. -- Q.3:161

O you who have attained to faith! Do not devour one another’s possessions wrongfully – not even by way of trade based on mutual agreement  … Q.4:29

You are obsessed by greed more and more until you go down to your graves.* -- Q.102:1,2
  * The Arabic term “takasur” bears the connotation of “greedily striving for an increase,” i.e., in benefits, be they tangible or intangible, real or illusory.  In the context it denotes man’s obsessive striving for more and more comfort, more and more materials goods, greater power over his fellowmen, or over nature, and unceasing technological progress.  A passionate pursuit of such endeavors to the exclusion of everything else, bars man from all spiritual insights, and hence from the acceptance of any restrictions and inhibition based on purely ‘moral’ values -- with the result that not only individuals but whole societies gradually lose all inner stability and, thus, all chance of happiness.  


Prophet said

Ali reported that the Messenger of God forbade purchase from a needy person (talking advantage of his need)…  Abu Daud.

“Whoever sells a defective thing without disclosing the defect continues to be in the wrath of God.” – H: Ibn.Majah. N: Waselah-b-Asqa’a.

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of God passed by a heap of corn.  He thrusted his hands into it and his hands touched the moisture.  He asked, “O owner of this corn, what is this?”.  The owner replied: the rain fell on it, O holy Prophet. “(why) have you not turned-over the corn like this so that people could see it,” said the Messenger of God, “Whoever deceives is not of me.”-- H: Muslim.
“Nobody shall bargain over the bargain of his brother Muslim”* --  H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.
* ‘Nobody’ refers to Muslim as well as non-Muslim, coming forward, offering higher price after an agreement of sale and purchase has been reached with someone else.

4.26. TRADE AND COMMERCE (concluded)

God says

O you who have attained to faith! When the call to prayer is sounded on the day of congregation [i.e., Friday], hasten to remembrance of God, and leave all worldly commerce: this is for your own good, if you but knew it. And when the prayer (of Friday congregation) is ended, disperse freely on earth and seek*  to obtain (something) of God’s bounty; but remember God often, so that you might attain to a happy state! – Q. 62:9,10

*In topic 24, you have noted that the Prophet said: “To search after lawful earning is compulsory after obligatory injunctions.” It is quoted by Baihaqi and narrated by Abdullah-b-Masud.

God says in verse 4: 34: “Men shall take full care of women with the bounties that God has bestowed more abundantly on the former than the latter, and with what they may spend out of their possession.” Man should never forget his responsibility when the wife too has to earn.

 
Prophet said

“May God be kind to the man of gentle dealings when he sells, when he purchases and when he gives decision” -- H: Bukhari. N: Jabir.

“Indeed the trader, (who is a believer and) who is honest and trustworthy both in word and in deed, will arise on the Resurrection Day with the prophets of God, with  the pious and the martyrs” -- fazail-e-tijarat by Shaikul Hadees Maulana Mohd. Zakariya.

“…if they (buyers and sellers) speak the truth  and (the seller) discloses the defect, they are blessed in their transaction." 
-- H: Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Hakeem bin Hizam.

4.26. TRADE AND COMMERCE (to be continued)

God says

… God has made buying and selling lawful and usury unlawful. … Q.2:275

… And have witnesses whenever you trade with one another, but neither scribe nor witnesses must suffer harm;* for if you do [them harm], behold, it will be sinful conduct on your part. And remain conscious of God, since it is God who teaches you [herewith]. And God has full knowledge of everything. – Q.2:282 (end of verse)                                    

 [There are] people whom neither commerce nor striving after gain can divert from the remembrance of God nor from constancy in prayer, and from charity: [people] who are filled with fear [at the thought of the Day on which all hearts and eyes will be convulsed, [and who only hope] that God may reward them in accordance with the best they ever did, and give them, out of His bounty more [than they deserve]: for God grants sustenance unto  whom He wills beyond all reckoning. -- Q.24:37


Prophet said

 “Take to trade because there are nine parts in it out of ten parts of sustenance” -- Ghazali’s “Ihya”.

“….every honest transaction (is purest)” – H: Ahmad. N: Rafe-b-khudaiji.

4.25. UNLAWFUL EARNING

God says

…And devour not one another’s possessions wrongfully, nor use it as bait for the judges with a view to devouring sinfully, and knowingly, anything that by right belongs to others. -- Q.2:188

Hence do not barter away your bond with God for a trifling gain! 
Verily, that which is with God is by far the best for you, if you knew it: all that is with you is bound to come to an end, whereas that which is with God is everlasting.
And most certainly We shall grant unto those who are patient in adversity in accordance with the best they ever did. -- Q.16:95,96

Woe unto those, who give short measure: those who, when they are to receive their due from [other] people, demand that it be given in full, but when they have to measure or weigh whatever owe to others, give less than what is due!* Do they not know that they are bound to be raised from the dead [and called to account] on an awesome Day – the Day when all when all men shall stand before the Sustainer of all the worlds   -- Q.83:1-6
*This passage (verses 1-3) does not, of course, refer only to commercial dealings but touches upon every aspect of social relations, both practical and moral, applying to even individual’s rights and obligations no less than to his physical possessions.

….and you devour the inheritance [of others] with devouring greed, -- Q.89:19


Prophet said

“Charity from unlawful property is not accepted and expenditure from it is not blessed…”  H: Ahmed and Sharah Sunnat. N: Abdullah bin Masud.

“A man extending his hand towards heaven said: O Lord! O Lord!, while his food was unlawful, his drinks unlawful, his dress unlawful, and he was nourished on unlawful things. (Hence) how can he be responded for that (supplication of his) ?” -- H: Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.
Abdullah bin Amr reported that the messenger of God cursed the bribe-taker and the giver -- H: Abu Daud and ibn Majah.
Jabir reported that the Messenger of God cursed the devourer of usury: its payer, its scribe, and its two witnesses; and said that they are equal (in sin)* -- Muslim.
*One who, in any way, assists a doer of good gets same reward as the latter without latter’s reward being diminished. Same principle is true about punishment for one who joins in an act that is evil.
Best to remember Prophet’s Tradition for guidance, “There is no wisdom like effort, no piety like self denial, and no goodness like self conduct,” narrated by Abu Zarr and quoted by  Baihaqi.
 
“A time will come when man will not care from where he takes: from lawful things or from unlawful ones” — H: Bukhari. N: Nu’man-b-Bashir.

4.24. EARNINGS

God says

Yes, indeed, [O men,]  We have given you a [bountiful]  place on earth, and appointed thereon means of livelihood for you: [yet] how seldom are you grateful! -- Q.7:10 

And when the [Friday] prayer is ended, disperse freely on earth* and seek to obtain [something] of God’s bounty; but remember God often**, so that you might attain to a happy state. -- Q.62:10
*I.e., “you may devote yourself to worldly pursuits”.
** One who remembers God will avoid what is forbidden, in this case unlawful earnings for instance.


Prophet said

“Lawful (halaal) things are manifest and unlawful are also manifest, and between the two are doubtful things which many do not realize.  Whoever guards against the doubtful things, makes his religion and honor pure.” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim.  N: Nu’man-b-bashir.

“No one will be truly God-conscious until he leaves aside that in which there is fear (of being unlawful) in favour of that in which there is no possibility of being unlawful.” --  H: Tirmizi and Ibn Majah. N: Atiyya Sa’di.

“To search after lawful earning is compulsory after obligatory injunctions” – H: Baihaqi. N: Abdullah-b-Masud.

4.23. FEEDING THE NEEDY

 

God says

….and [truly virtuous are they] who give food -- however great be their own want of it* -- unto the needy, and the orphans, and the captive** [saying, in their hearts]: we feed you for the sake of God alone: we desire no recompense from you, nor thanks: behold, we stand in awe of our Lord’s judgment*** on the distressful fateful Day! Q.76: 8-10
*Or, as in 2:177, “however much they themselves may cherish [i.e., “need”] it; cf. also 90: 14-16. It is to be noted that in this context the concept of “giving food” comprises every kind of help and care, both material and moral.
** The term asir denotes anyone who is “captive” either literally (e.g. a prisoner) or figuratively, i.e., a captive of circumstances which render him helpless; thus, the Prophet said, “Thy debtor is thy captive; be, therefore, truly kind to thy captive” (Zamakhshri, Razi, so on so forth). The injunction of kindness towards all who are in need of help – and therefore “captive” in one sense or another – applies to believers and non believers alike (Tabari, Zamakhshri), and apparently also to animals dependant on man.   

 

Prophet said

“Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and free the captive.” - H: Bukhari. N: Abu Musa

“The best charity is to satisfy a hungry belly.” -- H: Baihaqi. N: Anas.

A man complained about his hard-heartedness to the Prophet.  He advised (the cure): “(Affectionately) pass thy hand over orphans’ head and give food to the poor’ – H: Ahmed. N: Abu Hurairah.

4.22. INTOXICANTS

God says

O you who have attained the faith! Intoxicants,* and games of chance, and idolatrous practices, and the divining of the future are but a loathsome evil of Satan’s doing: shun it, then, so that you might attain a happy state.* -- Q.5:90
* The prohibition of intoxicants laid down here comprises not only alcohol drinks but also drugs and things which intoxicate.
As for intoxicating drugs, referring last lines of 5:3, are permissible when circumstances beyond a person’s control force him to do what is against Islamic Law, because the illness makes their use imperative and unavoidable.
(Adapted from Asad’s note on verse 5:3)

 

Prophet said

Tariq-b-Suwaid asked the prophet about wine.  He prohibited it. Tariq said: I prepare it for medicine.  The Prophet replied, “it is not a medicine, but a disease” - H: Muslim. N: Waelil Hazrami.
Obviously, it was not a situation which makes intoxicants permissible. See the note of the verse above.

“Verily, every drink that intoxicates is unlawful.” -- H: Bukhari. N: Bibi Ayesha.

“What intoxicates in greater quantity is also unlawful in small quantity”-- H: Ibn Majah, Tirmizi, Abu Daud. N:Jabir.
Dailamah-al-Humairi reported that he said: O Messenger of God!  We live in a cold land where we have to do hard work.  We prepare drink from wheat which gives us strength and warmth.  The Prophet asked, “Does it intoxicate?” Yes, I said.  He said “give it up” I said: verily people can not give it up.  He said, “if they do not, fight with them.” -- H: Abu Daud.

4.21. WATER

God says

….“Eat and drink the sustenance provided by God, and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption.”  -- Q.2:60

The two seas are not alike ,*-- the one palatable, sweet, and pleasant to drink, the other, salty and bitter. -- Q.35:12
*i.e., God as caused them -- as if by invisible barrier-- to remain distinct in kind despite their continuous meeting and mingling in the oceans.

 

Prophet said

 “Do not breathe into a vessel when you drink” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. Narrator: Abu Qatadah.

“Don’t drink in one breath like the drinking of a camel, but take in two or three turns and utter BISMILLAH (in the name of God) when you begin, and  ALHAMDULILLAH (all praise be to God) when you finish….” -- H: Tirmizi. Narrator: Ibn Abbas.
“…drink not in cups of gold and silver and take no food in the same (metals)” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.
Anas reported: (Goat’s milk mixed with water) was given to the Messenger of God in a cup who drank from it. Omer said: O Messenger of God! Give to Abu Bakr who was sitting on the left. (But) he gave it to the desert Arab sitting on his right. Afterwards he said, “The right hand is for the right side man, so take to the right hand side!” – H: Bukhari and Muslim.

4.19. MANNERS OF EATING

God says

Eat, then, of that over which God’s name has been pronounced, if you truly believe in His messages. And why should you not eat of that over which God’s name has been pronounced, seeing that He has so clearly spelled out to you what He has forbidden you [to eat]* unless you are compelled** [to do so]? But, behold, [it is precisely in such matters that] many people lead others astray by their own errant views, without [having any real] knowledge. Indeed, thy Sustainer is fully aware of those who transgress the bounds of what is right.    – Q.6:118,119
*See verse 5:3
** Last sentence of 5:3

eat not of that over which God’s name has not been pronounced: for this would be sinful conduct indeed….. Q.6:121

… eat and drink but waste not by excess, For God loves not the wasters. Q.7:31


Prophet said

“The blessing of food is in the wash before it and the wash after” -- H: Tirmizi and Abu Daud. N: Salman.
“If one forgets to remember God before eating, let him say: ‘In the name of God’ in it’s beginning and it’s end’ ” -- H: Tirmizi and Abu Daud. N: Bibi Ayesha.

“One should eat with the right hand and drink with the right hand.” -- H: Muslim. Narrator: Ibn Omar
Ka’ab reported that the messenger of God ate with three fingers -- Muslim.

“I do not Take meal in a leaning state” – Bukhari. N: Abu Juhaifah.

Abu Sayeed-al- Khodri reported that after finishing his meal the Prophet used to say “All praise is for One who fed us and gave us drink and created us Muslim” -- H:Tirmizi, Abu Daud and Ibn Majah.

“The thankful eater is like one who is patient while fasting.” -- H: Tirmizi. Narrator: Abu Huriarah.

“Having finished the meal one should lick his fingers (and clean his plate), because he does not know where in his food there is blessing” – H: Muslim. Narrator: Jabir.  

4.18. Dining

God says

O mankind! Eat of what is lawful and good on earth and follow not Satan’s footsteps: for, indeed, he is your avowed enemy. -- Q.2:168

He has forbidden to you only carrion, and blood, and the flesh of and swine, and that over which any name other than God has been invoked;* but if one is driven by necessity- neither coveting it nor exceeding his immediate need -- no sin shall be upon him: for, behold, God is much-forgiving, most gracious. -- Q.2:173
  *For a more enumeration of the forbidden kinds of flesh, see Q.5:3.


Prophet said

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet never spoke ill of any food -- Bukhari and Muslim.

“The believer eats in one gut and the unbeliever in seven.” -- H: Buhkari. N: Abu Hurairah. (Muslim from Abu Musa and  Ibn Omar.)

“The food of two men is sufficient for three and that of three is sufficient for four.” -- H: Buhkari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

“The thankful eater is like the patient fasting man.” -- H: Tirmizi. N: Abu Hurairah

“ (When darkness of night falls,) cover the vessels and the drinking water jars, shut        up the doors, and out the light (of fire)…” -- H: Muslim.

4.17. MARRIAGE FEAST

God says
O you who have attained to faith! Do not deprive yourself of good things of life which God has made lawful to you, but commit no excess: for God loves not those who transgress the bounds of what is right. Thus partake of the lawful good things which God grants you as sustenance, and be conscious of God, in whom you believe Q.5:87

 

Prophet said

“The worst feast is the feast of marriage where the rich are invited and the poor are left out…” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

“Whoever does not attend to the invitation (of the married feast), disobeys God and His Apostle.” -- H:Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

The Messenger of God prohibited from eating the food offered by two persons competing with each other for show (out of pride)! -- Abu Daud. N: Akramah from Ibn Abbas.
That the marriage should be made public is supported by the emphasis laid on giving marriage feats, and more so, on attending it.  However, making a show of one’s spending is strictly prohibited.  It is the responsibility of the affluent who have set the prohibited trend to also reverse it.

4.16. SIGHTING AND CONSENT

 
God says

…marry of the women, who seems good to you,…. Q.4:3


Prophet said

“A previously married women (widower or divorcee) will not be married until she gives her consent, nor a virgin be married till her consent is sought.” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: AbuHurairah

“A grown up girl shall be asked permission about herself.  Her consent is in her silence; and if she declines, there will be no compulsion on her.” -- H: Tirmizi, Abu Daud and Nisai. N: Abu Hurairah.

Khansa’a-b-Khejan reported that she was a grown up women and her father gave her in marriage which she disliked.  Therefore, she came to the Holy Prophet. He annulled the marriage. —  H: Bukhari.

Mughaira-b-Sh’ubah reported: I sought a woman in marriage. The holy Prophet asked me: “Have you seen her?” I said that I had not. He said: “Then look at her…” – H: Ahmed, Tirmizi, Nisai and Ibn Majah.

4.15. CHOICE OF MARRIAGE PARTNER

God says

Do not marry women who ascribe divinity to anything beside God before they attain to [true] belief: for any believing bondwoman [of God] is certainly better than a women who ascribes divinity to aught beside God, even though she may please you greatly. And do not give your women in marriage to men who ascribe divinity to anything beside God before they attain to [true] belief: for any believing bondman [of God] is certainly better than a man who describes divinity to anything beside God, even though he may please you greatly. [Such as] these invite into the fire, whereas God invites into paradise and unto [the achievement of] forgiveness by His leave; and He makes clear His messages unto mankind, so that they might bear them in mind. -- Q.2:221

…. And [lawful to you are], in wedlock, chaste women from among those who believe [in this divine writ], and, in wedlock, chaste women from among those who have been vouchsafed revelation before your time --  provided that you give them their dowers,* taking them in honest wedlock, not in fornication, nor as secret love-companions**……Q.5:5  
*In Islam dower is to be paid by man to the woman.
Demanding dowry from woman is absolutely un-Islamic, although in certain Muslim societies the sinful practice is unfortunately prevalent.
**Whereas Muslim men are allowed to marry women from among the followers of another revealed religion, Muslim women may not marry non-Muslims the reason being that Islam enjoins reverence of all the prophets, while the followers of other religions reject some of them – e.g., the Prophet Muhammad or, as is the case with Jews, both Muhammad and Jesus. Thus, while a non-Muslim woman who marries a Muslim can be sure that – despite all doctrinal differences – the prophets of her faith will be mentioned with utmost respect in her Muslim environment, a Muslim woman who would marry a non-Muslim would always be exposed to an abuse of him whom she regards as God’s Apostle.

[In the nature of things,] corrupt women are for corrupt men and corrupt men, for corrupt women – just as good women are for good men, and good men, for good women…. Q.24:26

Prophet said

 “A woman is married for four things: for her property, or accomplishment, or beauty, or for her religion.  Select  one  having  religious  temperament.” – H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Hurairah.

“When you are sought in marriage by a man with whom you are pleased for his religion and for his character, get yourself married to him” -- H: Tirmizi. Narrator: Abu Hurairah,

4.14. MARRIAGE (concluded)

God says

Verily those who [falsely, and without repentance,] accuse chaste women who may have been unthinkingly careless but have remained true to their faith*, shall be rejected [from God’s grace] in this world as well as in the life to come: and awesome suffering awaits them on the Day when their own tongues and hands and feet will bear witness against them by [recalling] all that they did! -- Q.24: 23,24 
*Lit., “chaste, unmindful [or “careless”] believing women”, I.e., virtuous woman who thoughtlessly expose themselves to situations on which a slanderous construction may be put.

And among His wonders is this: He creates mates for you of your own kind*, so that you might incline towards them, and He engenders love and tenderness between you: in this, behold, there are messages for people who think!
*I.e., “from among yourselves.” -- Q.30.21


Prophet said                

“Most blessed marriage is the one that gives the least trouble”*  -- H: Bukhari. N: Bibi Ayesha.
  *Much emphasis in Islam is on ease and simplicity; forbidden is excess and the show-off. Ostentatious style of the affluent causes distress to many who become its victim in matter of weddings, for instance. They try hard, somehow, to be pretentious even though they cannot afford it.

The affluent should seriously consider to go for high rewards, instead, and divert their resources in the service of the helpless, the needy. “One who strives for the widows and the poor is like one who struggles in the way of God”, said the Prophet, “I shall regard him as one who stands up (for prayer) without rest and as one who fasts without break” * – H: Bukhari, Muslim and other compilations. N: Abu Hurairah

4.14. MARRIAGE (to be continued)

God says

…..And consort with your wives on a footing of kindness and equity; if you take dislike to them it may well be that you dislike something which God might yet make a source of abundant good. -- Q.4: 19  

And unto those with whom you desire to enjoy marriage, you shall give the dowers (Mahr) due to them; Q.4:24

Men shall take full care of women with the bounties that God has bestowed more abundantly on the former than the latter, and with what they may spend out of their possessions. And the righteous women are the truly devout ones, who guard their intimacy which God has [ordained] to be guarded. -- Q.4: 34  


Prophet said                

“For two mutual lovers, you will find nothing like marriage” -- H: Ibn Majah. N: Ibn Abbas.

“Having married, a man has indeed made his religion half perfect. Let him then obey God (and get perfected) the remaining half.” - H: Bukhari. N: Anas.

“Fear God regarding women. Verily you have married them with God’s trust…’’ -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Jabir-b-Abdullah.

4.13. FALSE TESTIMONY / HIDING OF EVIDENCE

God says

….And the witnesses must not refuse ( to give evidence) whenever they are called upon… Q.2:282 

….And do not conceal what you have witnessed -- for he, who conceals it, is sinful at heart; and God has full knowledge of all that you do. -- Q.2:283

O you who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all fairness and justice; and never let hatred of anyone lead you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God: indeed, God is aware of all that you do. -- Q.5:8

Prophet said

After the morning  prayer the messenger of God stood up and said: “False evidence has been equaled to setting up a partner with God.” He repeated it three times. – H: Abu Daud, Ibn Majah, Ahmed and Tirmizi. N: Khuriam-b-Fatek.

“While arguing in front of me one of you may be more eloquent and forceful.  Even if I decide in his favor and give him, thus, an (unauthorized) portion from his brothers property, let him not take it because, then, he will be receiving a piece of fire.” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Umme salamah*

4.12. JUSTICE AND FAIRPLAY (concluded)

God says

O you who believe! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to truth in all fairness and justice;  -- Q.5:8

Indeed [even aforetime] did We send Our messengers with clear signs and sent down with them the Book and [thus gave you] a balance [wherewith to weigh right and wrong]  so that men may conduct themselves with all fairness and justice.  

-- Q.57:25

Prophet said

“(among the foremost under the shade of God on the Resurrection day there will be   also those) who do justice to people like they would do to themselves.’ -- H: Ahmed, Baihaqi. N: Bibi Ayesha.

In this topic, including last Friday, the verses as well as Prophet’s sayings instruct to bear “witness to truth with all fairness and justice,” i.e.,

not only in the court of law, but in any given situation, when assigned the responsibility to judge between two parties.

4.11. JUSTICE AND FAIRPLAY (to be continued)

God says

O you who believe! Be ever steadfast in upholding justice, bearing witness to the truth for the sake of God, even though it be against your own selves or your parents and kinfolk.  Whether the person concern be rich or poor, God’s claim takes precedence over (the claim of) any of them.*  Do not then follow your own desires lest you swerve from justice: for it you distort (the truth), Behold, God is indeed aware of all that you do! -- Q.4:135
  *I.e., “do not allow the fact that a man is rich to prejudice you in his favour or against him, and do not, out of misplaced compassion, favour the poor man at the expense of truth.
Be ever steadfast in upholding justice when you witness or judge between two parties in any given situation or whether in a court of law.


Prophet said

“No judge shall pass a decree between two men while he is angry” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abu Bakrah.

“God is with a judge so long as he is just” -- H: Tirmiz, Ibn Majah. Narrator: Abdullah.b.Abi Aufa.

“In order to pass judgment when a judge strives hard and decides justly there are two rewards for him; but in case he commits mistake though he strive for right decision, there is one reward” -- H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abdullah-b-Amr and Abu Hurairah.

4.10. RUK’U & SAJDAH

 
 
God says

Celebrate your Sustainer’s limitless glory and be of those who prostrate themselves (before Him) in adoration. -- Q.15:98

O you who believe! Bow down and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Sustainer’s (only) … Q.22:77

“Did We not grant you a life long enough so that whoever was willing to reflect could bethink of himself?*….” Q.35:37
*According to Ibn-i-Abbas and other scholars “long life” means the age of 60 years. Imams: Hasan, Kalabi and Masrooq have taken it as 40 years. In Madina it is said that when a person reached the age of 40 years, he used to dedicate himself to prayer.






Prophet said

“Perform the bowings and prostrations (properly). By God, I certainly see you from my back.”* -- H: Bukhari and Muslim.
*One of the miracles of the Prophet.

“When one bows down (in Ruk’u) and says at least thrice SUBHANA RABBI-YAL AZ’ EEM (glory be to my Lord, the Great) his bowing becomes perfect.  And when he prostrates (sajdah) and says at least three times SUBHANA RABBI-YAL  A’ALA (glory be to my Lord, Most High) his prostration becomes perfect” - H: Tirmuzi, Ibn Daud & Ibn Majah. N: ‘Auon-b-Abdullah from Ibn Masud.

“A servant (of God) becomes nearest to God while he is in prostration” -- H: Muslim.  N: Abu Hurairah.

 

The Prophet often recited: “SUBHANALLAH  WA  BIHAMDIHI, ASTAGHFIRULLAH  WA  AATUBO  ELAYH” (Holly is Allah and His is all praise: I seek forgiveness of Allah and turn to Him in repentance).

Bibi Ayesha asked him: “Messenger of Allah! I hear you recite often “SUBHANALLAH  WA  BIHAMDIHI, ASTAGHFIRULLAH  WA  AATUBO  ELAYH” .

According to the Prophet, so was the command in Surah Nasr: “When God’s help comes, and victory, and thou seest people enter God’s religion in hosts, extol thy Sustainer’s limitless glory, and praise Him, and seek His forgiveness, for, behold, He is ever an acceptor of repentance” (110:3Q.)

4.10. LAST 11 VERSES OF 3RD SURAH

In The Name Of God, The Ever Graceful, The Most Gracious.

God says

(190) Verily in the creation of heavens and the earth, and in the succession of night and day there are indeed messages for all who are endowed with insight, (191) [and] who remember God when they stand, and when they sit, and when they lie down to sleep, and [thus] reflect on the creation of the Heaven and the earth: “O our Lord! Thou hast not created [aught of] this without meaning and purpose.  Limitless art Thou in thy glory! Keep us safe, then, from suffering through fire! (For your convenience the verses are continued below) 
(192) “O our Lord!  Whomsoever Thou shalt commit to the fire, him, verily, wilt Thou have brought to [spiritual] disgrace in [this world]; and such evildoer will have none to help them. (193) “O our Lord! Behold, we heard a voice call (us) unto faith, ‘Believe in your Lord!’- and so we came to believe.  O our Lord! Forgive us, then, our sins, and efface our bad deeds; and let us die the death of truly virtuous! (194) “And, o our Lord, grant us that which Thou hast promised us through Thy apostles, and disgrace us not on Resurrection Day!  Verily, Thou never failest to fulfil Thy promise!”
(195) And thus does their Lord answers their prayer: “I shall not lose sight of the labour of any of you who labours [in My way], be it man or women: each of you is an issue of [hence equal to] the other. Therefore, as for those who forsake the domain of evil, and are driven from their homelands, and suffer hurt in My cause, and fight [for it], and are slain- I shall most certainly efface their bad deeds, and shall most certainly bring them into gardens through which running waters flow, as a reward from God: for with God is the most beauteous of rewards.
(196) Let it not deceive thee that those who are bent on denying the truth seem to be able to do as they please on earth:
(197) it is [but] a brief enjoyment, with hell thereafter as their goal -- and how vile a resting place! (198) whereas those who remain conscious of their Lord shall have gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide: a ready welcome from God. And that which is with God is best for truly virtuous.
(199) And, behold, among the followers of earlier revelation there are indeed such as [truly] believe in God, and that which has been bestowed from on high upon you as well as in that which has been bestowed upon them.  Standing in awe of God, they do not barter away God’s messages for a trifling gain.  They shall have their reward with their Lord- For, Behold, God is swift is reckoning!
(200) O you who have attained to faith!  Be patient in adversity, and vie in patience with one another, and be ever ready [to do what is right], and remain conscious of God, so that  you might attain to a happy state! -- Q.3:190-200.

 

Prophet said

1.    Usman-b-Affan said, “Whoever would recite the last verses of Al-Imran any night, reward of the whole night prayer would be written for him” -- H: Darmi.  (Mu’aarif-ul-Hadees).

2.    When the Messenger of God got up for Tahajjud prayer at night he would first recite these verses. -- (M’aaruf-ul-Hadees)

4.09. LAST TWO VERSES OF 2ND SURAH

In The Name Of God, The Ever Graceful, The Most Gracious.

God says

The Apostle and the believers with him, believe in what has been bestowed upon him from on high by his Sustainer: They all believe in God and His angels, and his revelations, and His apostles, making no distinction between any of His apostles; and they say:
    “We have heard, and we pay heed. Grant us Thy forgiveness, O our Sustainer, for unto Thee is all journeys’ end!
    “God does not burden any human being with more than he is able to bear: in his favour shall be whatever good he does and against him whatever evil he does.
    “O our Sustainer! Take us not to task if we forget or unwittingly do wrong!
    “O our Sustainer! Lay not upon us a burden such as Thou did lay upon those who have lived before us! O our Sustainer! Make us not bear burdens which we have no strength to bear!
    “And efface Thou our sins, and grant us forgiveness, and bestow Thy mercy upon us!  Thou are our Lord Supreme: succor us, then against people who deny the truth!” --- Q.2:285,286.


Prophet said

“God has gifted me these (two verses) from his special treasure that belongs to His great Throne.  You people should learn these and teach to your ladies, because these verses are embodiment of mercy and an exceptional source of nearness to God Most High, and contains a comprehensive supplication” — H: Darmi. N: Jabir-b-Nafees.

4.08. VERSE OF THE SEAT OF POWER (AYAT-AL-KURSI)

In The Name Of God, The Ever Graceful, The Most Gracious:

God says

God -- there is no deity save Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsistent Fount of all Beings. 
   Neither slumber overtakes Him, nor sleep. His are all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who is there that could intercede with Him, unless it be by His leave?
   He knows all that lies open before men and all that is hidden from them, whereas they cannot attain to aught of his Knowledge save that which He wills [them to attain].
   His eternal power over-spreads the heavens and the earth, and their upholding wearies Him not.  And He alone is truly exalted, (and) tremendous. -- Q. 2: 255


Prophet said

A man asked: which is the greatest verse of the Qur’an?
The Prophet answered, “AYAT-AL-KURSI ( Verse of the Seat of Power) ” -- H: Darmi. N: Ifad-b-Abdul Katasie. Same greatness is reported by Muslim on the authority of Abi-b-K’ab.

4.O7. MANKIND (AN-NAAS)

Hundred-Fourteenth Surah

In the name of God, the Ever Graceful, the Most Merciful:

God says

Say: “: I seek refuge with the Sustainer of mankind, (1)

“the Sovereign of mankind, (2)

“the God of mankind, (3)

“from the evil of the whispering, elusive tempter (4)

“who whispers in the hearts of men, (5)

“from all [temptation to evil by] invisible forces as well as men.” (6)

Prophet said

Ibn-e-‘Amir reported that the holy Prophet told him: “People seek refuge of God.  Should I tell you the best way?” He said: Please do.  The Prophet said, “QUL A’OOZU BI RABBIL FALAQ* and  QUL A’OOZU BI RABBIN NAAS.” -- H: Ahmed.

* See blog of last Friday

Aqbah-b-‘Amir reported: I was on a journey with the Messenger of God when suddenly we were caught by a severe wind storm and it became very dark. The Messenger of God began seeking God’s refuge reciting the two (last) surah* and said: “Aqbah! You also recite these because there has not been a better way’ -- H: Abu Daod.

*QUL A’OOZU BI RABBIL FALAQ  and  QUL A’OOZU BI RABBIN NAAS