The Prophet was more modest than a virgin in her chamber

Narrated Abu Sa`id:

The Prophet (ﷺ) was more shy (from Haya’: pious shyness from committing religious indiscretions) than a veiled virgin girl. (Sahih al-Bukhari 6119)

Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri:

The Prophet (ﷺ) was shyer than a virgin in her separate room. And if he saw a thing which he disliked, we would recognize that (feeling) in his face. (Sahih al-Bukhari 6102)

Abu Sa’id said, “The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, had more modesty  than a virgin in her tent. When he disliked something, that could be seen in  his face.” Graded Sahih by Al-Albani (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 599)

Abu Sa’eed Khudari Radiyallahu ‘Anhu says that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam was more bashful than a virgin girl in her veil (purdah). When Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam did not like something, it could be seen on his face. (Because of his excessive Modesty he did not mention it). (Shama’il al-Muhammadiyyah/Tirmidhi, Eng., Book 48, Hadith 341)

Abu Sa’id Khudri reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was more modest than the virgin behind the curtain (or in the apartment), and when he disliked anything, we recognised  that from his face. (Sahih Muslim 2320)

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was more modest than a virgin in her chamber. If he disliked something, that could be seen in his face.” Graded Sahih by Al-Albani (Sunan Ibn Majah, Eng. Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4180)

Teach your families the religion and good behavior

O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not the commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded. — Quran 66:6

`Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn `Abbas: “Protect yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell).” He said, “Work in the obedience of Allah, avoid disobedience of Allah and order your families to remember Allah, then Allah will save you from the Fire.”

Mujahid also commented on: “Protect yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell)” saying, “Have Taqwa of Allah and order your family to have Taqwa of Him.”

Qatadah said, “He commands obedience to Allah, to not disobey Allah, he orders his family to obey His orders and helps them to act upon His orders. When one sees disobedience, he stops them and forbids them from doing it.”

Similar was said by Ad-Dahhak and Muqatil: “It is an obligation for the Muslim to teach his near family members and his male and female slaves what Allah has made obligatory for them and what Allah has forbidden for them.” There is a Hadith that confirms the meaning of this Ayah. Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and At-Tirmidhi recorded that Ar-Rabi` bin Sabrah said that his father said that the Messenger of Allah said,

There is a Hadith that confirms the meaning of this Ayah. Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and At-Tirmidhi recorded that Ar-Rabi` bin Sabrah said that his father said that the Messenger of Allah said, “Protect yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell),” saying, “Have Taqwa of Allah and order your family to have Taqwa of Him.”

 

There is a Difference between a Believer and a Muslim

Allah chastises the bedouins who, when they embraced Islam, claimed for themselves the grade of faithful believers. However, Faith had not yet firmly entered their hearts,

قَالَتِ الْأَعْرَابُ آمَنَّا ۖ قُل لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَٰكِن قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنَا وَلَمَّا يَدْخُلِ الْإِيمَانُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ

The bedouins say: “We believe.” Say: “You do not believe, but say, ‘We have submitted,’ for Faith has not yet entered your hearts…”

This honorable Ayah provides proof that Faith is a higher grade than Islam, according to the scholars of the Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah. This is also demonstrated in the Hadith of Jibril, peace be upon him, when he questioned the Prophet about Islam, then Iman then Ihsan. Thus moving the general matter to one more specific, then even more specific. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Amir bin Sa`d bin Abi Waqqas said, “The Messenger of Allah gave (something to) some men and did not give one of them. Sa`d said, `O Allah’s Messenger, you gave to so-and-so and so-and-so. However, you gave nothing to so-and-so, even though he is a believer.’ The Prophet said,

Imam Ahmad recorded that `Amir bin Sa`d bin Abi Waqqas said, “The Messenger of Allah gave (something to) some men and did not give one of them. Sa`d said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger, you gave to so-and-so and so-and-so. However, you gave nothing to so-and-so, even though he is a believer.’ The Prophet said, ‘Or say, a Muslim.’ Sa`d repeated his statement thrice each time the Prophet answered, ‘Or say, a Muslim.’ The Prophet then said, ‘I might give some men and give nothing to others, even though the latter are dearer to me than the former. I do not give them things for fear that they might be thrown on their faces in the Fire.'” This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs.

Therefore, the Prophet made a distinction between the grade of a believer and the grade of a Muslim, indicating that Iman is a more exclusive grade than Islam.

So this proves that the bedouins whom the Ayah mentioned were not hypocrites, rather they were Muslims in whose hearts Faith was not yet firmly established. They claimed a higher grade for themselves than the grade that they earned, and they were taught a lesson as a consequence. This meaning agrees with the meaning given by Ibn `Abbas, Ibrahim An-Nakha`i, Qatadah and that preferred by Ibn Jarir. These bedouins were taught a lesson:

قُل لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَٰكِن قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنَا وَلَمَّا يَدْخُلِ الْإِيمَانُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ

Say: “You do not believe, but say ‘We are Muslims,’ for Faith has not yet entered your hearts…”

This means, ‘you have not yet achieved the reality of Faith.’

Allah the Exalted said,

وَإِن تُطِيعُواْ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ لاَ يَلِتْكُمْ مِّنْ أَعْمَـلِكُمْ شَيْئاً

But if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not decrease anything in reward for your deeds…

This means, ‘He will not decrease any of your rewards,’ as Allah said; “We shall not decrease the reward of their deeds in anything.” (52:21)

Allah said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

…for those who repent and return to Him.

Allah’s statement,

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَرْتَابُوا وَجَاهَدُوا بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الصَّادِقُونَ

The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah . It is those who are the truthful.

The believers did not have doubts and their Faith was not shaken. Rather, their Faith remained on conviction. They gladly gave away their life and the most precious of their wealth in obedience to Allah as a means of seeking His pleasure.

The prohibition of baseless suspicion

Allah the Exalted forbids His faithful servants from being suspicious, which includes having doubts and suspicions about the conduct of one’s family, relatives and other people in general. Therefore, Muslims are to avoid suspicion without foundation.

The Leader of the faithful `Umar bin Al-Khattab said, “Never think ill of the word that comes out of your believing brother’s mouth, as long as you can find a good excuse for it.”

Malik recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that Allah’s Messenger said: “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales; do not spy on one another; do not look for other’s faults; do not be jealous of one another; do not envy one another; do not hate one another, and do not desert (shun) one another. And O Allah’s servants! Be brothers!” The Two Sahihs and Abu Dawud recorded this Hadith.

Anas said that the Messenger of Allah said, “Do not shun each other; do not ignore one another; do not hate one another, and do not envy one another, and be brothers, O servants of Allah. No Muslim is allowed to shun his brother for more than three days.” Muslim and At-Tirmidhi collected this Hadith, who considered it Sahih.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ

O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion; indeed some suspicion is sin. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it. And have Taqwa of Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful.

Quran 49:12

Allah said, “And spy not”, on each other. Tajassus, usually harbors ill intentions, and the spy is called a Jasus. As for Tahassus (inquiring), it is usually done for a good reason. Allah the Exalted and Most Honored said that Prophet Ya`qub said, “O my sons! Go you and inquire (Tahassasu) about Yusuf and his brother, and never give up hope of Allah’s mercy.” (12:87)

Both of these terms, Tajassus and Tahassus could have evil connotations. In the Sahih it is recorded that the Messenger of Allah said, “Neither commit Tajassus nor Tahassus nor hate each other nor commit Tadabur. And be brothers, O servants of Allah.”

Al-Awza`i said, “Tajassus means, to search for something, while Tahassus means, listening to people when they are talking without their permission, or eavesdropping at their doors. Tadabur refers to shunning each other.” Ibn Abi Hatim recorded this statement.

Allah the Exalted said about backbiting; “neither backbite one another”, thus prohibiting it, which was explained in a Hadith collected by Abu Dawud that Abu Hurayrah said, “It was asked, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! What is backbiting?’ He said, ‘Mentioning about your brother in a manner that he dislikes.’ He was asked, ‘What if my brother was as I mentioned?’ He said, ‘If he was as you mentioned, you will have committed backbiting. But if he was not as you say about him, you will have falsely accused him’.” At-Tirmidhi collected this Hadith and said Hasan Sahih.

Backbiting was sternly warned against, and this is why Allah the Exalted and Most Blessed compared it to eating the flesh of a dead human being:

“Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it.”

Just as you hate eating the flesh of a dead person, on account of your nature; so hate backbiting, on account of your religion. The latter carries a punishment that is worse than the former. This Ayah seeks to discourage people from backbiting and warns against it. The Prophet used these words to discourage taking back a gift that one gives to someone, “He is just like the dog that eats its vomit.” after saying, “Ours is not an evil parable.”

Using various chains of narration, the Sahihs and Musnads record that the Prophet said during the Farewell Hajj: “Verily, your blood, wealth and honor are as sacred among you as the sanctity of this day of yours, in this month of yours, in this town of yours.” Abu Dawud recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

Abu Dawud recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,
“All of the Muslim is sacred to the Muslim, his wealth, honor and his blood. It is evil enough for someone to belittle his Muslim brother.” At-Tirmidhi collected this Hadith and said Hasan Gharib.

Al-Hafiz Abu Ya`la recorded that a cousin of Abu Hurayrah said, “Maiz came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! I have committed adultery,’ and the Messenger turned away from him until Maiz repeated his statement four times. The fifth time, the Prophet asked him, ‘Have you committed adultery?’ Maiz said, ‘Yes.’

The Prophet asked, ‘Do you know what adultery means’ Ma`iz said, ‘Yes. I have illegally done with her what a husband legally does with his wife.’ The Prophet said, ‘What do you seek to accomplish by this statement?’ Maiz said, ‘I intend that you purify me.’

The Prophet asked, ‘Have you gone into her just as the stick goes into the kohl container and the rope goes into the well)?’ Ma`iz said, ‘Yes, O Allah’s Messenger!’ The Prophet commanded that Maiz be stoned to death and his order was carried out. The Prophet heard two men saying to one another, ‘Have you not seen the man who had Allah cover his secret, but his heart could not let him rest until he was stoned to death, just as the dog is stoned?’

The Prophet continued on and when he passed by the corpse of a donkey, he asked, ‘Where are so-and-so? Dismount and eat from this donkey.’ They said, ‘May Allah forgive you, O Allah’s Messenger! Would anyone eat this meat?’ The Prophet said; ‘The backbiting you committed against your brother is worse as a meal than this meal. By He in Whose Hand is my soul! He is now swimming in the rivers of Paradise.'” This Hadith has an authentic chain of narration.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Jabir bin `Abdullah said, “We were with the Messenger of Allah when a rotten odor was carried by the wind. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Do you know what this odor is? It is the odor of those who backbite people.'”

Paradise will be brought close to the pious

Allah the Exalted said:

وَأُزْلِفَتِ الْجَنَّةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ

And Paradise will be Uzlifat to those who had Taqwa, not far off.

{ And Paradise will be Uzlifat to those who had Taqwa, not far off } means, Paradise will be brought close and near to the pious, according to Qatadah, Abu Malik and As-Suddi.

{ not far off } means, and this will occur on the Day of Resurrection, which is not far off. Surely that Day will come to pass and all that is bound to come is near.

هَٰذَا مَا تُوعَدُونَ لِكُلِّ أَوَّابٍ حَفِيظٍ

[It will be said], “This is what you were promised – for every returner [to Allah ] and keeper [of His covenant]…

{ This is what you were promised (it is) for those returning } means who go back to Allah in sincere repentance intending not to repeat sin.

{ Hafith }, who preserve their covenant with Allah and do not break or betray it.

مَّنْ خَشِيَ الرَّحْمَٰنَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَجَاءَ بِقَلْبٍ مُّنِيبٍ

…Who feared the Ar-Rahman (Most Merciful) unseen and came with a heart returning [in repentance]…

{ Who feared Ar-Rahman unseen } means who feared Allah in secret when only Allah the Exalted and Most Honored could see him.

The Prophet said, “And a man who remembered Allah the Exalted while alone, and his eyes became tearful.”

Allah said, { and brought a heart turned in repentance }  meaning, he will meet Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, on the Day of Resurrection with a heart turned in repentance to Him and absolutely free (of Shirk) and humbled to Him.

ادْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَامٍ ۖ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ الْخُلُودِ

…Enter it in peace (and security). This is the Day of Eternity.”

{ Enter you therein }, meaning Paradise,

{ in peace and security }, they will earn security from the torment of Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, and the angels of Allah will greet them with the Salam, according to the explanation of Qatadah.

The statement of Allah the Exalted and Most Honored: { — this is a Day of eternal life! }, meaning, they will reside in Paradise forever and will never die, neither be transferred from it nor wish to be transferred from it.

The statement of Allah the All-Mighty:

لَهُم مَّا يَشَاءُونَ فِيهَا وَلَدَيْنَا مَزِيدٌ

They will have whatever they wish therein, and with Us is more.

{ There they will have all that they desire }, means, whatever delights they wish and desire, they will find it brought before them.

Allah’s statement, { and We have more } is similar to His other statement, { For those who have done good is the best and even more. } (10:26)

In the Sahih, Muslim recorded that Suhayb bin Sinan Ar-Rumi said that ‘more’ refers to looking at the Most Honorable Face of Allah.

 

Reference: Tafsir ibn Kathir: Surah Qaf 50:31-35

Not a moment of this life should be wasted in the disobedience of Allah; One should always be conscious of his accountability to Him

Abu Barzah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Man’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earn it and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out.”
[At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary:
1. This Hadith, first of all, highlights the importance and value of this transitory life, every breath of which is invaluable. Not a moment of it should, therefore, be wasted in the disobedience of Allah because one shall also be made to account for it.
2. Man shall also be answerable for his knowledge. Here, we find an inducement for acquiring religious knowledge because that alone is beneficial for him. He should make use of his knowledge for winning the pleasure of Allah. If he does not do that then he must think about the justification for not doing so. He must also think how he would be facing Allah on the Day of Resurrection.
3. The question in respect of wealth raised in this Hadith clearly shows that one should earn wealth by legitimate means only and spend it strictly in a lawful manner. If he takes to unfair means of income or squanders it, he will be sinful and required to account for the violation of the Divine injunctions.
4. One should protect his body from everything that is unlawful and force himself to submit to the Divine injunctions. When he is asked to account for neglecting them, it will be difficult for him to escape the consequences of accountability.
In short, this Hadith makes one conscious of the accountability so that one keeps it all the time in view so that he will be saved from humiliation on the Day of Resurrection. How nice would it really be if one bears the accountability of the Day of Resurrection always in mind!
[Riyad as-Saliheen, Book of Miscellany, Chapter 50, Hadith 407]

The more aware a Muslim is of Allah’s Magnificence, the greater shall be the terror in his heart for his punishment and hope of His Mercy

Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I see what you do not see and I hear what you do not hear; heaven has squeaked, and it has right to do so. By Him, in Whose Hand my soul is, there is not a space of four fingers in which there is not an angel who is prostrating his forehead before Allah, the Exalted. By Allah, if you knew what I know, you would laugh little, weep much, and you would not enjoy women in beds, but would go out to the open space beseeching Allah.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary:
1. This Hadith also highlights the importance of fear of Allah because the more awareness a Muslim has of the Majesty and Magnificence of Allah, the greater shall be the terror in his heart for His punishment and hope of His Mercy. With this state of mind, he will perform greater acts of obedience and abstain more rigidly from sins.

2. The Hadith also mentions the heaven teeming with angels who are all the time prostrating before Allah in worship. When this is the condition of the angels, who do not slack for a moment in the obedience of Allah, how important it is for man to worship Him because he is all the time violating commands of Allah. It is, therefore, incumbent on man to obey Allah and always seek His Help and Refuge.

[Riyad as-Saliheen, Book of Miscellany, Chapter 50, Hadith 406]

Allah describes the Qur’an

{ Allah has sent down the Best Statement, a Book, its parts resembling each other, (and) oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it. Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah. He guides therewith whom He wills; and whomever Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide. }  Surat Az-Zumar 39:23

Here Allah praises His Book, the Noble Qur’an, which was revealed to His noble Messenger.

Allah says, { Allah has sent down the Best Statement, a Book, its parts resembling each other (and) oft-repeated. }

Mujahid said, “This means that the entire Quran’s parts resemble each other and are oft-repeated.”

Qatadah said, “One Ayah resembles another and one letter resembles another.”

Ad-Dahhak said, “It is oft-repeated so that people will understand what their Lord tells them.”

`Ikrimah and Al-Hasan said, “There may be an Ayah in one Surah, and another Ayah in another Surah that resembles it.”

Sa`id bin Jubayr narrated from Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him: “Oft-repeated means that parts of the Qur’an resemble one another and repeat one another.” Some of the scholars said that it was narrated from Sufyan bin `Uyaynah that

{ its parts resembling each other (and) oft-repeated. } means that some passages of the Qur’an may sometimes refer to one thing, so they resemble one another, and sometimes they mention a thing and its opposite. Such as when the believers then the disbelievers are mentioned, or when Paradise then Hell are described, and so on, and this is the meaning of oft-repeated.

Examples include the Ayat:

{ Verily, the most righteous will be in delight; and verily, the most wicked will be in the blazing Fire (Hell). } Al-Infitaar 82:13-14

{ Nay! Truly, the Record of the most wicked is (preserved) in Sijjin } until { Nay! Verily, the Record of the most righteous is (preserved) in `Illiyyin}  Al-Mutaffifin 83: 7-18

{ This is a Reminder. And verily, for those who have Taqwa is a good final return (Paradise) } until { This is so! And for those who transgress, there will be an evil final return (Fire). }  Saad 38:49-55.

And there are other similar passages. All of this has to do with it being oft-repeated, i.e., when two meanings are referred to. But when a passage is about one thing, with some parts of it resembling others, this is “its parts resembling each other.” This is not the same as the Mutashabihat* mentioned in the Ayah 3:7 that refers to something else altogether:

{ In it are Ayat that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book; others not entirely clear }  Al-Imran 3:7

*Mutashabih verses are allegorical verses in the Qur’an, consistent in themselves and although obscure in meaning, cannot be questioned and their true meanings cannot be pursued. The true meaning is known only to Allah.

{ The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it. Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. } means, this is the description of the righteous, when they hear the Words of the Compeller, the Protector, the Almighty, the Oft-Forgiving because they understand the promises and warnings contained therein. The frightening words and threats make their skin shiver from fear.

{ Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. } because of their hope for His mercy and kindness. They are unlike others, the wicked, immoral sinners, in a number of ways: First, They listen to the recitation of the Ayat of the Qur’an, while those (sinners) listen to poetic verse recited by female singers. Second, When the Ayat of Ar-Rahman are recited to them, they fall down in prostration weeping, with the proper attitude of fear, hope, love, understanding and knowledge, as Allah says:

{ The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Ayat are recited unto them, they increase their faith; and they put their trust in their Lord; Who perform the Salah and spend out of that We have provided them. It is they who are the believers in it. For them are grades of dignity with their Lord, and forgiveness and a generous provision (i.e., Paradise). }   At-Tawbah 8:2-4

{ And those who, when they are reminded of the Ayat of their Lord, fall not on them (as if they were) deaf and blind }  Al-Furqan 25:73.

When they hear the Ayat of Allah, they are not too busy to pay attention to them; they listen to them and understand their meanings. So they act upon them and prostrate when they hear them, out of understanding, not out of ignorance and blind following of others. Third, They adhere to the correct etiquette when they listen to them. As the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, used to do when they listened to the words of Allah recited by the Messenger of Allah . Their skin Would shiver, and their hearts would soften to the remembrance of Allah. They did not shout or do other actions that are not natural; on the contrary, they would sit quietly with the proper attitude of fear, in an unparalleled fashion. they attained the victory of praise from their Lord in this world and the Hereafter.

`Abdur-Razzaq said, “Ma`mar told us that Qatadah, may Allah have mercy on him, recited, { The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it. Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. } and said, ‘This is the characteristic of the friends of Allah; Allah has described them in this manner, saying that their skin shivers, their eyes weep and their hearts find rest to the remembrance of Allah. He did not say that they lose their minds and swoon; that is the characteristic of the followers of innovation, and that comes from the Shaytan.'”

Allah’s saying, { That is the guidance of Allah. He guides therewith whom He wills; }, means, this is the characteristic of those whom Allah has guided, and anyone who does anything different is one of those whom Allah has sent astray.

{ and whomever Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide. }

[Tafsir ibn Kathir, Surat Az-Zumar 39:23]