Hadith 26–31 of An-Nawawi, Translation and Lessons for SS 1

Reading, Memorisation, Translation and Lessons of Hadith Nos. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 of An-Nawawi’s Collection

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. read the Ahadith;
2. memorize the Ahadith;
3. translate the Ahadith into English;
4. discuss lessons that can be derived from the Ahadith.

Memory Verse

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13)

Qur’an Reading

The following Qur’anic passages support the themes of these Ahadith:

1. Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13)
2. Surah Az-Zumar (39:2)
3. Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:2)
4. Surah Al-Isra (17:36)
5. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195)

Introduction to An-Nawawi’s Hadith Collection

Imam An-Nawawi’s collection of forty-two Ahadith (often referred to as “An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadith”) is a widely studied and highly respected compilation in Islamic scholarship. These Ahadith were carefully selected by Imam An-Nawawi because they cover fundamental principles of Islam, encompassing matters of faith, worship, morality, and social conduct. Studying these Ahadith helps Muslims understand the core teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and apply them in their daily lives.

The Ahadith in this collection serve as a guide for developing good character, performing righteous deeds, and avoiding actions that displease Allah. They provide practical wisdom and ethical guidance for all aspects of life.

Hadith No. 26: Every Joint is a Charity

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of gratitude to Allah for the blessings of the body and encourages daily acts of charity.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «كُلُّ سُلَامَى مِنَ النَّاسِ عَلَيْهِ صَدَقَةٌ، كُلَّ يَوْمٍ تَطْلُعُ فِيهِ الشَّمْسُ: تَعْدِلُ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ صَدَقَةٌ، وَتُعِينُ الرَّجُلَ فِي دَابَّتِهِ فَتَحْمِلُهُ عَلَيْهَا أَوْ تَرْفَعُ لَهُ عَلَيْهَا مَتَاعَهُ صَدَقَةٌ، وَالْكَلِمَةُ الطَّيِّبَةُ صَدَقَةٌ، وَبِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ تَمْشِيهَا إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ صَدَقَةٌ، وَتُمِيطُ الْأَذَى عَنِ الطَّرِيقِ صَدَقَةٌ» رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ وَمُسْلِمٌ.

English Translation of Hadith No. 26

On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Every joint of a person must perform a charity every day the sun rises. To do justice between two people is charity. To help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is charity. A good word is charity. Every step you take towards prayer is charity. And removing a harmful thing from the pathway is charity.”

(Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Lessons from Hadith No. 26

1. Gratitude to Allah: The Hadith reminds believers to be grateful for the health and functionality of their bodies, particularly the joints, by performing acts of charity.
2. Broad Definition of Charity: Charity (sadaqah) is not limited to giving money. It includes various good deeds, both big and small.
3. Importance of Justice: Establishing justice between people is a highly rewarded act of charity.
4. Helping Others: Assisting others in their needs, such as helping with their transport or belongings, is a form of charity.
5. Power of Good Words: Speaking kindly, offering good advice, or simply saying a pleasant word is considered charity.
6. Value of Prayer: Every step taken towards the mosque for prayer is counted as a charity, highlighting the reward for attending congregational prayers.
7. Public Safety and Cleanliness: Removing obstacles or harmful items from public pathways is an act of charity that benefits the community.

Hadith No. 27: Righteousness and Sin

This Hadith provides a clear distinction between righteousness and sin, emphasizing the role of one’s conscience.

عَنِ النَّوَّاسِ بْنِ سَمْعَانَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «الْبِرُّ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ، وَالْإِثْمُ مَا حَاكَ فِي صَدْرِكَ وَكَرِهْتَ أَنْ يَطَّلِعَ عَلَيْهِ النَّاسُ» رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ.

English Translation of Hadith No. 27

On the authority of An-Nawwas bin Sam’an (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Righteousness is good character, and sin is that which troubles your heart and which you would dislike for people to find out about.”

(Narrated by Muslim)

Lessons from Hadith No. 27

1. Good Character is Righteousness: The Hadith defines righteousness (al-birr) primarily as having good character (husnul khuluq), highlighting the importance of ethics and manners in Islam.
2. Conscience as a Guide: A believer’s heart and conscience serve as an internal guide to distinguish between right and wrong. If an action causes unease or doubt, it is likely sinful.
3. Secrecy as a Sign of Sin: A strong indicator of sin is the desire to hide an action from others, fearing their disapproval or judgment.
4. Importance of Inner Purity: Islam emphasizes not only outward actions but also the inner state of the heart and intentions.
5. Avoiding Doubtful Matters: Believers should avoid actions that cause them internal discomfort or that they would be ashamed for others to know.
6. Ethical Living: The Hadith encourages a life of integrity, where one’s actions are consistent with good character and moral principles.

Hadith No. 28: Adherence to Sunnah

This Hadith stresses the importance of following the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs.

عَنْ أَبِي نَجِيحٍ الْعِرْبَاضِ بْنِ سَارِيَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: وَعَظَنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَوْعِظَةً وَجِلَتْ مِنْهَا الْقُلُوبُ وَذَرَفَتْ مِنْهَا الْعُيُونُ، فَقُلْنَا: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، كَأَنَّهَا مَوْعِظَةُ مُوَدِّعٍ فَأَوْصِنَا. قَالَ: «أُوصِيكُمْ بِتَقْوَى اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ، وَالسَّمْعِ وَالطَّاعَةِ وَإِنْ تَأَمَّرَ عَلَيْكُمْ عَبْدٌ، فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ يَعِشْ مِنْكُمْ فَسَيَرَى اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا، فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِسُنَّتِي وَسُنَّةِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ الْمَهْدِيِّينَ، عَضُّوا عَلَيْهَا بِالنَّوَاجِذِ، وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَمُحْدَثَاتِ الْأُمُورِ، فَإِنَّ كُلَّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌ، وَكُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ» رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ: حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ.

English Translation of Hadith No. 28

On the authority of Abu Najih Al-Irbad bin Sariyah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) delivered an admonition to us which made our hearts tremble and our eyes shed tears. We said, “O Messenger of Allah, it is as though this is a farewell admonition, so advise us.” He said, “I advise you to fear Allah, and to hear and obey, even if an Abyssinian slave is appointed over you. For indeed, he among you who lives long will see much disagreement. So, stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, cling to it with your molar teeth. And beware of newly invented matters, for every newly invented matter is an innovation (bid’ah), and every innovation is misguidance.”

(Narrated by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, who said it is a good and sound Hadith)

Lessons from Hadith No. 28

1. Fear of Allah (Taqwa): The primary advice is to have taqwa, which means being mindful of Allah and striving to obey His commands and avoid His prohibitions.
2. Obedience to Authority: Believers are enjoined to listen and obey their leaders, even if the leader’s background might seem humble, as long as they do not command disobedience to Allah.
3. Prediction of Disagreements: The Hadith foretells that there will be many disagreements and divisions within the Muslim community after the Prophet’s time.
4. Importance of Sunnah: In times of disagreement, the solution is to adhere firmly to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali).
5. Warning Against Innovation (Bid’ah): The Hadith strongly warns against introducing new practices into the religion that are not based on the Qur’an or Sunnah, as every innovation is considered misguidance.
6. Unity and Guidance: Following the established Sunnah is the path to unity and true guidance, protecting the community from deviation.

Hadith No. 29: The Gates of Good

This Hadith highlights various acts of goodness and the reward for performing them, emphasizing that good deeds are numerous and accessible.

عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، أَخْبِرْنِي بِعَمَلٍ يُدْخِلُنِي الْجَنَّةَ وَيُبَاعِدُنِي مِنَ النَّارِ. قَالَ: «لَقَدْ سَأَلْتَ عَنْ عَظِيمٍ، وَإِنَّهُ لَيَسِيرٌ عَلَى مَنْ يَسَّرَهُ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ: تَعْبُدُ اللهَ لَا تُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا، وَتُقِيمُ الصَّلَاةَ، وَتُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ، وَتَصُومُ رَمَضَانَ، وَتَحُجُّ الْبَيْتَ». ثُمَّ قَالَ: «أَلَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ الْخَيْرِ؟ الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ، وَالصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِئُ الْخَطِيئَةَ كَمَا يُطْفِئُ الْمَاءُ النَّارَ، وَصَلَاةُ الرَّجُلِ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ». ثُمَّ تَلَا: ﴿تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ﴾ حَتَّى بَلَغَ ﴿يَعْمَلُونَ﴾. ثُمَّ قَالَ: «أَلَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى رَأْسِ الْأَمْرِ وَعَمُودِهِ وَذِرْوَةِ سَنَامِهِ؟» قُلْتُ: بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ. قَالَ: «رَأْسُ الْأَمْرِ الْإِسْلَامُ، وَعَمُودُهُ الصَّلَاةُ، وَذِرْوَةُ سَنَامِهِ الْجِهَادُ». ثُمَّ قَالَ: «أَلَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى مِلَاكِ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ؟» قُلْتُ: بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ. فَأَخَذَ بِلِسَانِهِ وَقَالَ: «كُفَّ عَلَيْكَ هَذَا». قُلْتُ: يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ، وَإِنَّا لَمُؤَاخَذُونَ بِمَا نَتَكَلَّمُ بِهِ؟ فَقَالَ: «ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ يَا مُعَاذُ، وَهَلْ يَكُبُّ النَّاسَ فِي النَّارِ عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ أَوْ عَلَى مَنَاخِرِهِمْ إِلَّا حَصَائِدُ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ؟» رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَقَالَ: حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ.

English Translation of Hadith No. 29

On the authority of Mu’adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an action which will admit me into Paradise and keep me away from the Hellfire.” He said, “You have asked about a great matter, and indeed it is easy for him upon whom Allah makes it easy: You worship Allah, associating nothing with Him, you establish the prayer, you give the zakah, you fast Ramadan, and you perform pilgrimage to the House.” Then he said, “Shall I not guide you to the gates of goodness? Fasting is a shield; charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire; and a man’s prayer in the middle of the night.” Then he recited: “Their sides forsake their beds…” until he reached “…they used to do.” (Qur’an 32:16-17). Then he said, “Shall I not guide you to the head of the matter, its pillar, and the peak of its hump?” I said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is prayer, and the peak of its hump is jihad.” Then he said, “Shall I not guide you to the control of all that?” I said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” So he took hold of his tongue and said, “Restrain this.” I said, “O Prophet of Allah, will we be held accountable for what we say?” He said, “May your mother be bereaved of you, O Mu’adh! Is there anything that throws people into the Hellfire on their faces or on their noses except the harvests of their tongues?”

(Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, who said it is a good and sound Hadith)

Lessons from Hadith No. 29

1. Path to Paradise: The Hadith outlines the fundamental acts of worship (the five pillars of Islam) as the primary means to enter Paradise and avoid Hellfire.
2. Gates of Goodness: Beyond the pillars, there are many additional acts of goodness that bring immense reward, such as fasting (a shield against sin), charity (eradicating sins), and night prayers (a sign of sincere devotion).
3. Structure of Islam: Islam is presented as a complete system with a “head” (Islam itself, meaning submission to Allah), a “pillar” (prayer, which supports the entire structure), and a “peak of its hump” (jihad, striving in Allah’s way).
4. Control of the Tongue: The most crucial lesson is the importance of controlling one’s tongue. Misuse of the tongue through backbiting, slander, lies, or gossip can lead to severe punishment in the Hereafter.
5. Accountability for Speech: Believers are reminded that every word they utter will be accounted for, emphasizing the need for careful and responsible speech.
6. Holistic Approach to Piety: The Hadith shows that piety involves both outward acts of worship and inward purification, especially concerning speech.

Hadith No. 30: Allah’s Limits

This Hadith outlines the boundaries set by Allah, emphasizing the importance of adhering to them and avoiding what is prohibited.

عَنْ أَبِي ثَعْلَبَةَ الْخُشَنِيِّ جُرْثُومِ بْنِ نَاشِرٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «إِنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى فَرَضَ فَرَائِضَ فَلَا تُضَيِّعُوهَا، وَحَدَّ حُدُودًا فَلَا تَعْتَدُوهَا، وَحَرَّمَ مُحَرَّمَاتٍ فَلَا تَنْتَهِكُوهَا، وَسَكَتَ عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ رَحْمَةً لَكُمْ غَيْرَ نِسْيَانٍ فَلَا تَبْحَثُوا عَنْهَا» حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ رَوَاهُ الدَّارَقُطْنِيُّ وَغَيْرُهُ.

English Translation of Hadith No. 30

On the authority of Abu Tha’labah Al-Khushani Jurthum bin Nashir (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, Allah Almighty has enjoined duties, so do not neglect them. And He has set limits, so do not transgress them. And He has forbidden things, so do not violate them. And He has remained silent about some things, out of mercy for you, not forgetfulness, so do not search into them.”

(A good Hadith narrated by Ad-Daraqutni and others)

Lessons from Hadith No. 30

1. Fulfilling Duties (Fara’id): Believers must diligently perform the duties enjoined by Allah, such as prayers, fasting, zakah, and pilgrimage. Neglecting them is a serious sin.
2. Respecting Limits (Hudud): Allah has set boundaries in various aspects of life. These limits must not be transgressed, as they are for the well-being of individuals and society.
3. Avoiding Prohibitions (Muharramat): Certain actions and things have been explicitly forbidden by Allah. Believers must strictly avoid these prohibitions, as violating them incurs Allah’s wrath.
4. Mercy in Silence: Allah, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, has remained silent about some matters, neither commanding nor prohibiting them. This silence is a blessing, providing ease and flexibility for believers.
5. Avoiding Unnecessary Inquiry: Believers should not delve into or over-inquire about matters Allah has left unspecified. Such inquiry can lead to unnecessary burdens or prohibitions that Allah did not intend.
6. Simplicity of Religion: Islam is a religion of ease. Adhering to the clear commands and prohibitions is sufficient, and seeking out complexities where none exist is discouraged.

Hadith No. 31: Asceticism in the World

This Hadith encourages a balanced approach to worldly life, emphasizing detachment from material possessions to gain Allah’s love and the love of people.

عَنْ أَبِي الْعَبَّاسِ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ السَّاعِدِيِّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، دُلَّنِي عَلَى عَمَلٍ إِذَا أَنَا عَمِلْتُهُ أَحَبَّنِي اللهُ وَأَحَبَّنِي النَّاسُ. فَقَالَ: «ازْهَدْ فِي الدُّنْيَا يُحِبَّكَ اللهُ، وَازْهَدْ فِيمَا عِنْدَ النَّاسِ يُحِبَّكَ النَّاسُ» حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ رَوَاهُ ابْنُ مَاجَهْ وَغَيْرُهُ بِأَسَانِيدَ حَسَنَةٍ.

English Translation of Hadith No. 31

On the authority of Abu Al-Abbas Sahl bin Sa’d As-Sa’idi (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: A man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, guide me to an action by which, if I do it, Allah will love me and people will love me.” He said, “Be ascetic in this world, and Allah will love you. And be ascetic in what is with the people, and people will love you.”

(A good Hadith narrated by Ibn Majah and others with good chains of narration)

Lessons from Hadith No. 31

1. Seeking Allah’s Love: The primary goal of a believer should be to earn the love of Allah. This is achieved through asceticism (zuhd) in worldly matters.
2. Meaning of Asceticism (Zuhd): Zuhd does not mean abandoning the world entirely or neglecting one’s responsibilities. Instead, it means not allowing worldly possessions and desires to dominate one’s heart or distract one from the remembrance of Allah and the Hereafter. It is about being content with what Allah has provided and not being overly attached to material things.
3. Earning People’s Love: By being detached from what people possess and not coveting their wealth or status, a person earns their respect and love. This fosters good relationships and avoids envy and greed.
4. Balance in Life: Islam encourages a balanced life, where one works for this world as if they will live forever, and for the Hereafter as if they will die tomorrow. Zuhd helps maintain this balance by preventing excessive attachment to temporary worldly gains.
5. Contentment and Independence: Asceticism leads to contentment (qana’ah) and independence from others, freeing the heart from the anxieties of material acquisition and loss.
6. Focus on the Hereafter: By reducing attachment to this transient world, a believer can better focus on preparing for the eternal life in the Hereafter.