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Islam is built on five

عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ بْنِ الخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «بُنِيَ الإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ: شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا ‌عَبْدُهُ ‌وَرَسُولُهُ، وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ، وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ، وَحَجِّ الْبَيْتِ، وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ».

Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmān ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: "Islam is built on five: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, establishing prayer, giving Zakah, performing Hajj to the (Sacred) House, and fasting Ramadān."

Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim · hadeethenc:66512

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) likened Islam to a well-built structure based on five pillars that carry it and the rest of its characteristics complement the structure. First pillar: The two testimonies of faith; testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. These two testimonies constitute one pillar as they are both inseparable. The slave utters the two testimonies of faith acknowledging the oneness of Allah and His exclusive worthiness of worship apart from others, acting upon their requirements, believing in the message of Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and following him. Second pillar: Establishing the prayer, which refers to the five obligatory prayers that are to be observed every day and night and they are: Fajr (morning), Zhuhr (noon), ‘Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and ‘Ishā’ (night), along with observing their conditions, pillars, and obligatory acts. Third pillar: Giving the obligatory Zakah, which is an obligatory financial act of worship due on every type of property that has reached the limit prescribed by Shariah and it is to be given to those entitled to it. Fourth pillar: Performing Hajj, which is travelling to Makkah to perform the rituals as a means of worshipping Allah Almighty. Fifth pillar: Fasting Ramadān, which is abstaining from food, drink, and other invalidators from the break of dawn until sunset with the intention of worshipping Allah.
  • The two testimonies of faith are inseparable, i.e., none of them is valid without the other; hence, he considered them one pillar.
  • The two testimonies of faith are the core of the religion; hence, they are essential for the validity of any saying or deed.

If I were to pray the obligatory prayers, fast Ramadan, adopt the lawful, as lawful and adopt the unlawful as unlawful

عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا: أَنَّ رَجُلًا سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَقَالَ: أَرَأَيْتَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتُ المَكْتُوبَاتِ، وَصُمْتُ رَمَضَانَ، وَأَحْلَلْتُ الحَلَالَ، وَحَرَّمْتُ الحَرَامَ، وَلَمْ أَزِدْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ شَيْئًا، أَأَدْخُلُ الجَنَّةَ؟ قَالَ: «نَعَمْ».

Abu ‘Abdullah Jābir ibn ‘Abdullah al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: If I were to pray the obligatory prayers, fast Ramadan, adopt the lawful, as lawful and adopt the unlawful as unlawful, and do not do anything else beyond that, will I enter Paradise? He said: "Yes."

Narrated by Muslim · hadeethenc:66525

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) points out that if a person performs the five obligatory prayers and does not offer supererogatory ones, fasts Ramadan and does not observe voluntary fasting, and regards the lawful as lawful and acts upon it and regards the unlawful as unlawful and avoids it, he will enter Paradise.
  • A Muslim should be keen on performing obligations and avoiding prohibited things, and his goal should be entering Paradise.
  • The Hadīth highlights the significance of doing what is lawful and regarding it as lawful and avoiding what is unlawful and regarding it as unlawful.
  • Fulfilling obligations and avoiding the prohibitions is a means leading to Paradise.

You have asked about something grave, but it is easy for whomever Allah makes it easy for

عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قُلْت يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! أَخْبِرْنِي بِعَمَلٍ يُدْخِلُنِي الجَنَّةَ وَيُبَاعِدْنِي مِنْ النَّارِ، قَالَ: «لَقَدْ سَأَلْتَ عَنْ عَظِيمٍ، وَإِنَّهُ لَيَسِيرٌ عَلَى مَنْ يَسَّرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ: تَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ لَا تُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا، وَتُقِيمُ الصَّلَاةَ، وَتُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ، وَتَصُومُ رَمَضَانَ، وَتَحُجُّ البَيْتَ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: أَلَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ الخَيْرِ، الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ، وَالصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِئُ الْخَطِيئَةَ كَمَا يُطْفِئُ المَاءُ النَّارَ، وَصَلَاةُ الرَّجُلِ مِنْ جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ، ثُمَّ تَلَا: {تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ} حَتَّى {بَلَغَ يَعْمَلُونَ}، ثُمَّ قَالَ: أَلَا أُخْبِرُك بِرَأْسِ الأَمْرِ وَعَمُودِهِ وَذِرْوَةِ سَنَامِهِ، فَقُلْتُ: بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، قَالَ: رَأْسُ الأَمْرِ الإِسْلَامُ، وَعَمُودُهُ الصَّلَاةُ، وَذِرْوَةُ سَنَامِهِ الجِهَادُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: أَلَا أُخْبِرُك بِمِلَاكِ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ، فقُلْت: بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّه! فَأَخَذَ بِلِسَانِهِ وَقَالَ: كُفَّ عَلَيْك هَذَا، قُلْت: يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ! وَإِنَّا لَمُؤَاخَذُونَ بِمَا نَتَكَلَّمُ بِهِ، فَقَالَ: ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ وَهَلْ يَكُبُّ النَّاسَ عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ أَوْ قَالَ عَلَى مَنَاخِرِهِمْ إلَّا حَصَائِدُ أَلسِنَتِهِمْ»!

Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said: O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an action that lets me enter Paradise and keep me away from Hellfire. He said: "You have asked about something grave, but it is easy for whomever Allah makes it easy for. Worship Allah, without associating anything with Him, offer the prayer, pay Zakah, fast Ramadan, and perform Hajj. Then, he said: Shall I not guide you to the gates of goodness? Fasting is a shield, charity extinguishes sins as water extinguishes fire, and a man's prayer in the middle of night. Then, he recited: {Their sides forsake their beds} until he reached {what they used to do.} Then he added: Shall I tell you of the essence of the matter, its pillar, and its peak? I replied: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: The essence of this matter is Islam, its pillar is the prayer, and its peak is Jihad. Then he said: Shall I tell you of what holds all these things? I said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He took hold of his tongue and said: Keep this under control. I asked: O Prophet of Allah, shall we be held accountable for what we say? He replied: May your mother lose you! What else can cast people on their faces—or on their noses—except the harvest of their tongues?!"

Narrated by At-Tirmidhi · hadeethenc:66530

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I was on a journey in the company of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). One morning, I was close to him when we were on the move, so I said: O Messenger of Allah, inform me of a deed that admits me to Paradise and keeps me far from Hellfire. He said: You have asked me about a deed that is hard for people to perform, but it is, indeed, easy and simple for whomever Allah makes it easy. Perform the obligations of Islam. First: Worship Allah alone and do not associate anything with Him. Second: Establish the five obligatory prayers every day and night, namely Fajr, Zhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, and ''Ishā'—along with observing their conditions, pillars, and obligatory acts. Third: Pay the obligatory Zakah, which is an obligatory financial act of worship due on every type of property that has reached the limit prescribed by the Shariah, and it is to be given to those entitled to it. Fourth: Fast Ramadan, which is abstaining from food, drink, and other fast invalidators as a form of worship from the break of dawn to sunset. Fifth: Make Hajj to the House by heading for Makkah to perform the rituals as a means of worshiping Allah Almighty. Then he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Shall I inform you of the path leading to the gates of goodness? Follow these obligations with voluntary acts of worship. First: Voluntary fast, which prevents from falling into sins by breaking the lust and enfeebling the power. Second: Voluntary charity extinguishes the sin after being committed, eliminates it, and erases its traces. Third: Tahjjud prayer during the last third of the night, then he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) recited Allah's statement: {They forsake their beds}, i.e., they leave their beds {invoking their Lord} in prayer, Dhikr, recitation of the Qur’an, and supplication {with fear and hope, and spend out of what We have provided for them. No soul knows what delights are kept hidden for them}, i.e., the bliss that will provide them with ultimate comfort on the Day of Judgment and in Paradise {as a reward for what they used to do.} Then he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Shall I inform you of the essence of the religion, its pillar upon which it is founded, and its peak? Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: The head of the matter is: Islam, i.e., the two testimonies of faith by which one attains the essence of the religion. Its pillar is: the prayer, since there is no Islam without prayer as there is no house without a pillar. So, whoever prays, his religion is enhanced and elevated. Its peak and climax are attained through Jihad and the exertion of effort in fighting against the enemies of the religion to make the word of Allah supreme. Then he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Shall I tell you what controls and perfects the aforementioned? He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of his tongue and said: Control this and do not speak about what does not concern you. Mu‘ādh said: Does our Lord hold us accountable and responsible and punish us for what we speak?! He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: May your mother lose you! This is not meant as a supplication against him; rather, it is one of the Arabs' common expressions that is meant to draw attention to something that one is supposed to be aware of and to know. Then he said: What else can cast people and throw them on their faces in Hellfire other than the harvest of their tongues speaking words of disbelief, accusing of immorality, insult, backbiting, talebearing, false accusation, etc.?!
  • The Companions' keenness on acquiring knowledge; hence, they used to ask the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) frequently about it.
  • The Companions' good understanding of the religion, as they knew that deeds are a means of entering Paradise.
  • The question posed by Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him) is of great significance because it is in reality the secret of life and existence. The goal of every existent being in this world from mankind or the jinn is either Paradise or Hellfire, and this is the reason why such a question has great significance.
  • Admittance to Paradise is contingent on fulfilling the five pillars of Islam, which are: the two testimonies of faith, prayer, Zakah, fasting, and Hajj.
  • The head of the religion, the most precious mission, and the most important duty is belief in the oneness of Allah by worshiping Him alone with no partner.
  • As a token of Allah's mercy towards His slaves, He opened for them the gates of goodness to take provision from the causes leading to rewards and forgiveness of sins.
  • The merit of drawing closer to Allah by performing voluntary acts of worship after performing the obligatory ones.
  • Prayer, in relation to Islam, is like the pillar upon which a tent is set up, and without prayer, there is no Islam just as a tent collapses with the collapse of its pillar.
  • It is obligatory to restrain the tongue from whatever negatively affects man's religion.
  • Restraining, controlling, and curbing the tongue is the basis of all goodness.

You will come to a people of the Scripture. When you reach them, invite them to testify that none is worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لِمُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ، حِينَ بَعَثَهُ إِلَى الْيَمَنِ: «إِنَّكَ سَتَأْتِي قَوْمًا أَهْلَ كِتَابٍ، فَإِذَا جِئْتَهُمْ فَادْعُهُمْ إِلَى أَنْ يَشْهَدُوا أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللهِ، فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لَكَ بِذَلِكَ، فَأَخْبِرْهُمْ أَنَّ اللهَ قَدْ فَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ خَمْسَ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ، فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لَكَ بِذَلِكَ، فَأَخْبِرْهُمْ أَنَّ اللهَ قَدْ فَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ فَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ، فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لَكَ بِذَلِكَ، فَإِيَّاكَ وَكَرَائِمَ أَمْوَالِهِمْ، وَاتَّقِ دَعْوَةَ الْمَظْلُومِ، فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ اللهِ حِجَابٌ».

Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal as he was sending him to Yemen: "You will come to a people of the Scripture. When you reach them, invite them to testify that none is worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. If they obey you in that, tell them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers every day and night. If they obey you in that, tell them that Allah has enjoined Zakah on them, to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to the poor amongst them. If they obey you in that, beware of taking their best properties; and fear the invocation of an oppressed person, for there is no barrier between his invocation and Allah.”

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:3390

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
When the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) to Yemen to call its people to Allah and teach them, he clarified to him that he would meet Christian people and that he should first call them to what is more important and then to what is less important, and so on. He should first call them to reform their creed by testifying that none is worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. This is because they enter Islam with this testimony. If they complied with that, he should then enjoin them to establish the prayer, for it is the most important obligation after the testimony of Tawhīd (monotheistic belief). If they established the prayer, he should then order the rich amongst them to pay Zakah on their property to the poor amongst them. Thereafter, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) warned him not to take their best property; instead, it is required to adopt a moderate approach in this regard. Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) instructed him to avoid oppression, lest an oppressed person might supplicate to Allah against him, as his supplication is readily answered.
  • The testimony that none is worthy of worship except Allah means that we should devote worship to Allah Almighty alone and shun the worship of all other things.
  • The testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah means to have faith in him and what he came with, to believe in him, and to believe that he is the last Messenger sent by Allah to all humankind.
  • Speaking to a knowledgeable person or someone with certain misconceptions differs from speaking to an ignorant one. Hence, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) alerted Mu‘ādh with his words: "You will come to a people of the Scripture."
  • It is important for a Muslim to have proper knowledge of his religion to get rid of the misconceptions of those who raise them.
  • It demonstrates the invalidity of the religion of the Jews and the Christians after the mission of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and that they are not among the people who will attain salvation on the Day of Judgment unless they enter the religion of Islam and believe in the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).

Islam is built on five

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بنِ عُمَر رضي الله عنهما قال: قال رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ: شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ، وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ، وَحَجِّ الْبَيْتِ، وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ».

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Islam is built on five: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, establishing prayer, giving Zakah, performing Hajj to the (Sacred) House, and fasting Ramadān."

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:65000

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) likened Islam to a well-built structure based on five pillars that carry it and the rest of its characteristics complement the structure. First pillar: The two testimonies of faith; testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. These two testimonies constitute one pillar as they are both inseparable. The slave utters the two testimonies of faith acknowledging the oneness of Allah and His exclusive worthiness of worship apart from others, acting upon their requirements, believing in the message of Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and following him. Second pillar: Establishing the prayer, which refers to the five obligatory prayers that are to be observed every day and night and they are: Fajr (morning), Zhuhr (noon), ‘Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and ‘Ishā’ (night), along with observing their conditions, pillars, and obligatory acts. Third pillar: Giving the obligatory Zakah, which is an obligatory financial act of worship due on every type of property that has reached the limit prescribed by Shariah and it is to be given to those entitled to it. Fourth pillar: Performing Hajj, which is travelling to Makkah to perform the rituals as a means of worshipping Allah Almighty. Fifth pillar: Fasting Ramadān, which is abstaining from food, drink, and other invalidators from the break of dawn until sunset with the intention of worshipping Allah.
  • The two testimonies of faith are inseparable, i.e., none of them is valid without the other; hence, he considered them one pillar.
  • The two testimonies of faith are the core of the religion; hence, they are essential for the validity of any saying or deed.

He who does good in Islam will not be punished for what he did during jāhiliyyah, and he who commits evil in Islam will be punished for the previous and later deeds

عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَجُلٌ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، أَنُؤَاخَذُ بِمَا عَمِلْنَا فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ؟ قَالَ: «مَنْ أَحْسَنَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ لَمْ يُؤَاخَذْ بِمَا عَمِلَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، وَمَنْ أَسَاءَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ أُخِذَ بِالْأَوَّلِ وَالْآخِرِ».

Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man said: "O Messenger of Allah, will we be punished for what we did during jāhiliyyah (the pre-Islamic period of ignorance)?" He said: "He who does good in Islam will not be punished for what he did during jāhiliyyah, and he who commits evil in Islam will be punished for the previous and later deeds."

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:65002

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) points out the merit of entering Islam. He who embraces Islam and becomes a committed, sincere, and truthful Muslim will not be punished for the sins he committed during jāhiliyyah. In contrast, he who does wrong after entering Islam, by being a hypocrite or renouncing Islam, will be punished for what he did both during his period of disbelief and after entering Islam.
  • The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were concerned and fearful about the deeds they committed during jāhiliyyah.
  • We are urged to hold fast to Islam.
  • The Hadīth points out the merit of entering Islam and that it expiates the previous sins.
  • Apostates and hypocrites will be punished for all the deeds they committed during jāhiliyyah and for all the sins they perpetrated after entering Islam.

He will succeed if he proves to be truthful

عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدِ اللهِ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنْ أَهْلِ نَجْدٍ ثَائِرُ الرَّأْسِ، نَسْمَعُ دَوِيَّ صَوْتِهِ، وَلَا نَفْقَهُ مَا يَقُولُ حَتَّى دَنَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَإِذَا هُوَ يَسْأَلُ عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «خَمْسُ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي الْيَوْمِ وَاللَّيْلَةِ» فَقَالَ: هَلْ عَلَيَّ غَيْرُهُنَّ؟ قَالَ: «لَا، إِلَّا أَنْ تَطَّوَّعَ، وَصِيَامُ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ»، فَقَالَ: هَلْ عَلَيَّ غَيْرُهُ؟ فَقَالَ: «لَا، إِلَّا أَنْ تَطَّوَّعَ»، وَذَكَرَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الزَّكَاةَ، فَقَالَ: هَلْ عَلَيَّ غَيْرُهَا؟ قَالَ: «لَا، إِلَّا أَنْ تَطَّوَّعَ»، قَالَ: فَأَدْبَرَ الرَّجُلُ، وَهُوَ يَقُولُ: وَاللهِ، لَا أَزِيدُ عَلَى هَذَا، وَلَا أَنْقُصُ مِنْهُ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَفْلَحَ إِنْ صَدَقَ».

Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man from the people of Najd, with disheveled hair, came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). We could hear his loud voice but could not understand what he was saying until he came close to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when it became clear that he was asking about Islam. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Five prayers every day and night." He said: Do I have to perform any besides these? He said: "No, unless you do so voluntarily. And fasting the month of Ramadan." He said: Do I have to fast any beyond this? He said: "No, unless you do so voluntarily." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned Zakah to him. He said: Do I have to pay any besides this? He said: "No, unless you do so voluntarily." He said: The man, then, turned away while saying: By Allah, I shall neither add to this nor omit from it. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He will succeed if he proves to be truthful."

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:3700

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
A man from the people of Najd came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). His hair was disheveled, his voice was loud, and his words could not be understood until he approached the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and asked him about the obligations of Islam. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) started with the prayer and informed him that Allah has enjoined upon him five obligatory prayers to be performed every day and night. He said: Do I have to perform any other prayer besides these five prayers? The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) replied: No, unless you choose to perform something of the voluntary prayers. Then, he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Among what has been enjoined upon you by Allah is fasting the month of Ramadan. The man said: Do I have to fast any other day besides fasting Ramadan? He said: No, unless you choose to fast voluntarily. Afterward, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned Zakah to him. The man said: Do I have to give any charity besides the obligatory Zakah? He said: No, unless you do so voluntarily. After listening to the Prophet's words about such obligations, the man turned away and swore by Allah that he would adhere to them without any addition or omission. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: If this man is truthful regarding his oath, he will be among the successful.
  • Tolerance of the Islamic Shariah and how it makes things easy for those who are religiously accountable.
  • The Prophet's good treatment of this man, as he allowed him to get close to him and ask him.
  • When calling others to Allah Almighty, one should start with the most important thing, followed by the next in importance.
  • Islam is both a creed and a code of conduct; hence, deeds without faith are of no avail, and likewise, faith without deeds is of no avail.
  • The importance of these deeds and the fact that they are from the pillars of Islam.
  • The Friday prayer is included in the five obligatory prayers because it replaces the Zhuhr prayer on Friday for whomever the Friday prayer is obligatory.
  • The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) started his instruction with the most crucial obligations of Islam, namely its pillars that follow the two testimonies of faith, as the man was a Muslim. He did not mention Hajj either because this occurred before it was enjoined or because its time had not yet come.
  • If one performs only what is obligatory according to the Shariah, he will indeed be successful. However, this does not mean that performing voluntary acts of worship is not Sunnah, as such voluntary acts will make up for the shortcomings in the obligations on the Day of Judgment.

I have been commanded to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establish prayer, and pay Zakah

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رضي الله عنهما أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُقَاتِلَ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَشْهَدُوا أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلاَةَ، وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ، فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ عَصَمُوا مِنِّي دِمَاءَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ إِلَّا بِحَقِّ الإِسْلاَمِ، وَحِسَابُهُمْ عَلَى اللَّهِ».

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I have been commanded to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establish prayer, and pay Zakah; if they do so, they protect their blood and properties from me, except through the right of Islam; and their reckoning is with Allah."

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:4211

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informs that Allah commanded him to fight the polytheists until they testify that no deity is truly worthy of worship except Allah alone without any partner and that Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) is His Messenger and act upon this testimony by observing the five prayers every day and night and paying the obligatory Zakah to those who are entitled to receive it. If they do these things, Islam protects their lives and properties, and it, thus, becomes unlawful to kill them unless they commit a crime or felony that makes them worthy of being killed in compliance with the rulings of Islam. Then, on the Day of Judgment, Allah Almighty will be in charge of their reckoning as He knows their innermost thoughts.
  • External aspects are what count in rulings, whereas the intentions are judged by Allah.
  • The importance of calling to Tawhīd (monotheism) and the fact that it is the first thing to start with in Da‘wah (calling to Allah).
  • This Hadīth does not imply forcing the polytheists to embrace Islam; rather, they have the choice either to enter Islam or pay Jizyah (protection tax). However, if they insist on preventing the call to Islam, then, the only option is to fight them in compliance with the rulings of Islam.

You have asked me about a great matter, which is, indeed, easy for whomever Allah makes it easy

عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: كُنْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي سَفَرٍ، فَأَصْبَحْتُ يَوْمًا قَرِيبًا مِنْهُ وَنَحْنُ نَسِيرُ، فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَخْبِرْنِي بِعَمَلٍ يُدْخِلُنِي الجَنَّةَ وَيُبَاعِدُنِي عَنِ النَّارِ، قَالَ: «لَقَدْ سَأَلْتَنِي عَنْ عَظِيمٍ، وَإِنَّهُ لَيَسِيرٌ عَلَى مَنْ يَسَّرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ، تَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكْ بِهِ شَيْئًا، وَتُقِيمُ الصَّلاَةَ، وَتُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ، وَتَصُومُ رَمَضَانَ، وَتَحُجُّ البَيْتَ» ثُمَّ قَالَ: «أَلاَ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ الخَيْرِ: الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ، وَالصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِئُ الخَطِيئَةَ كَمَا يُطْفِئُ الْمَاءُ النَّارَ، وَصَلاَةُ الرَّجُلِ مِنْ جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ» قَالَ: ثُمَّ تَلاَ: «{تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ}، حَتَّى بَلَغَ {يَعْمَلُونَ}» ثُمَّ قَالَ: «أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكَ بِرَأْسِ الأَمْرِ كُلِّهِ وَعَمُودِهِ، وَذِرْوَةِ سَنَامِهِ؟» قُلْتُ: بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، قَالَ: «رَأْسُ الأَمْرِ الإِسْلاَمُ، وَعَمُودُهُ الصَّلاَةُ، وَذِرْوَةُ سَنَامِهِ الجِهَادُ» ثُمَّ قَالَ: «أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكَ بِمَلاَكِ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ؟» قُلْتُ: بَلَى يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ، فَأَخَذَ بِلِسَانِهِ قَالَ: «كُفَّ عَلَيْكَ هَذَا» فَقُلْتُ: يَا نَبِيَّ اللهِ، وَإِنَّا لَمُؤَاخَذُونَ بِمَا نَتَكَلَّمُ بِهِ؟ فَقَالَ: «ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ يَا مُعَاذُ، وَهَلْ يَكُبُّ النَّاسَ فِي النَّارِ عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ أَوْ عَلَى مَنَاخِرِهِمْ إِلاَّ حَصَائِدُ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ».

Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was on a journey in the company of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). One morning I was close to him when we were on the move, so I said: O Messenger of Allah, inform me of a deed that admits me to Paradise and keeps me far from Hellfire. He said: "You have asked me about a great matter, which is, indeed, easy for whomever Allah makes it easy. Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, establish the prayer, give Zakah, fast Ramadan, and make Hajj 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 dead of night." He said: Then he recited: "{They forsake their beds} until he reached {what they used to do} [Surat as-Sajdah:  16-17]." Then he said: "Shall I inform you of the head of the whole matter, its pillar, and its peak?" I said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: "The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is the prayer, and its peak is Jihad." Then he said: "Shall I inform you of what holds all these things?" I said: Yes, O Prophet of Allah. So he took hold of his tongue and said: "Keep this under control." I said: O Prophet of Allah, are we held accountable for what we speak? He said: "May your mother lose you, O Mu‘ādh! What else casts people into Hellfire on their faces or on their noses other than the harvest of their tongues?"

Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Mājah, and Ahmad · hadeethenc:4303

Grading: Sahīh (authentic) based on its overall chains of transmission (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I was on a journey in the company of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). One morning, I was close to him when we were on the move, so I said: O Messenger of Allah, inform me of a deed that admits me to Paradise and keeps me far from Hellfire. He said: You have asked me about a deed that is hard for people to perform, but it is, indeed, easy and simple for whomever Allah makes it easy. Perform the obligations of Islam. First: Worship Allah alone and do not associate anything with Him. Second: Establish the five obligatory prayers every day and night, namely Fajr, Zhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, and ''Ishā'—along with observing their conditions, pillars, and obligatory acts. Third: Pay the obligatory Zakah, which is an obligatory financial act of worship due on every type of property that has reached the limit prescribed by the Shariah, and it is to be given to those entitled to it. Fourth: Fast Ramadan, which is abstaining from food, drink, and other fast invalidators as a form of worship from the break of dawn to sunset. Fifth: Make Hajj to the House by heading for Makkah to perform the rituals as a means of worshiping Allah Almighty. Then he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Shall I inform you of the path leading to the gates of goodness? Follow these obligations with voluntary acts of worship. First: Voluntary fast, which prevents from falling into sins by breaking the lust and enfeebling the power. Second: Voluntary charity extinguishes the sin after being committed, eliminates it, and erases its traces. Third: Tahjjud prayer during the last third of the night, then he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) recited Allah's statement: {They forsake their beds}, i.e., they leave their beds {invoking their Lord} in prayer, Dhikr, recitation of the Qur’an, and supplication {with fear and hope, and spend out of what We have provided for them. No soul knows what delights are kept hidden for them}, i.e., the bliss that will provide them with ultimate comfort on the Day of Judgment and in Paradise {as a reward for what they used to do.} Then he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Shall I inform you of the essence of the religion, its pillar upon which it is founded, and its peak? Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: The head of the matter is: Islam, i.e., the two testimonies of faith by which one attains the essence of the religion. Its pillar is: the prayer, since there is no Islam without prayer as there is no house without a pillar. So, whoever prays, his religion is enhanced and elevated. Its peak and climax are attained through Jihad and the exertion of effort in fighting against the enemies of the religion to make the word of Allah supreme. Then he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Shall I tell you what controls and perfects the aforementioned? He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of his tongue and said: Control this and do not speak about what does not concern you. Mu‘ādh said: Does our Lord hold us accountable and responsible and punish us for what we speak?! He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: May your mother lose you! This is not meant as a supplication against him; rather, it is one of the Arabs' common expressions that is meant to draw attention to something that one is supposed to be aware of and to know. Then he said: What else can cast people and throw them on their faces in Hellfire other than the harvest of their tongues speaking words of disbelief, accusing of immorality, insult, backbiting, talebearing, false accusation, etc.?!
  • The Companions' keenness on acquiring knowledge; hence, they used to ask the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) frequently about it.
  • The Companions' good understanding of the religion, as they knew that deeds are a means of entering Paradise.
  • The question posed by Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him) is of great significance because it is in reality the secret of life and existence. The goal of every existent being in this world from mankind or the jinn is either Paradise or Hellfire, and this is the reason why such a question has great significance.
  • Admittance to Paradise is contingent on fulfilling the five pillars of Islam, which are: the two testimonies of faith, prayer, Zakah, fasting, and Hajj.
  • The head of the religion, the most precious mission, and the most important duty is belief in the oneness of Allah by worshiping Him alone with no partner.
  • As a token of Allah's mercy towards His slaves, He opened for them the gates of goodness to take provision from the causes leading to rewards and forgiveness of sins.
  • The merit of drawing closer to Allah by performing voluntary acts of worship after performing the obligatory ones.
  • Prayer, in relation to Islam, is like the pillar upon which a tent is set up, and without prayer, there is no Islam just as a tent collapses with the collapse of its pillar.
  • It is obligatory to restrain the tongue from whatever negatively affects man's religion.
  • Restraining, controlling, and curbing the tongue is the basis of all goodness.

Do not kill him, for if you kill him, he will be in the same position as yours before you kill him, and you will be in the same position as his before saying the word that he said

عَنْ المِقْدَادِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو الكِنْدِيَّ رضي الله عنه: أَنَّهُ قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَقِيتُ رَجُلًا مِنَ الكُفَّارِ فَاقْتَتَلْنَا، فَضَرَبَ إِحْدَى يَدَيَّ بِالسَّيْفِ فَقَطَعَهَا، ثُمَّ لاَذَ مِنِّي بِشَجَرَةٍ، فَقَالَ: أَسْلَمْتُ لِلَّهِ، أَأَقْتُلُهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ بَعْدَ أَنْ قَالَهَا؟ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لاَ تَقْتُلْهُ» فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ قَطَعَ إِحْدَى يَدَيَّ، ثُمَّ قَالَ ذَلِكَ بَعْدَ مَا قَطَعَهَا؟ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لاَ تَقْتُلْهُ، فَإِنْ قَتَلْتَهُ فَإِنَّهُ بِمَنْزِلَتِكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَقْتُلَهُ، وَإِنَّكَ بِمَنْزِلَتِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقُولَ كَلِمَتَهُ الَّتِي قَالَ».

Al-Miqdād ibn ‘Amr al-Kindi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: He said to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): What if I meet a man from the disbelievers and we both fight? He strikes one of my hands with the sword and cuts it off, then he seeks refuge from me in a tree and says: I have submitted to Allah. O Messenger of Allah, should I kill him after saying it? The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not kill him." He said: O Messenger of Allah, he cut off one of my hands, then he said this after cutting it off. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not kill him, for if you kill him, he will be in the same position as yours before you kill him, and you will be in the same position as his before saying the word that he said."

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:4815

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
Al-Miqdād ibn al-Aswad (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about the situation if he meets a man from the disbelievers during a battle and they fight with swords and the disbeliever strikes one of his hands with the sword and cuts it off, then he runs away from him and seeks protection in a tree and says: La ilāha illallāh (there is no god but Allah), is it lawful for me to kill him after cutting off my hand? The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: Do not kill him. He said: O Messenger of Allah, but he cut off one of my hands; how could I not kill him despite this?! He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Do not kill him because his life has become inviolable. If you kill him after declaring his Islam, his Islam has made his life inviolable just like you, and you will have the same status as his, as it will be permissible to kill you by way of legal retribution for killing him.
  • It is unlawful to kill whoever does or says what indicates embracing Islam.
  • If any of the disbelievers embraces Islam during a battle, his life becomes inviolable, and refraining from harming him becomes obligatory unless he proves otherwise.
  • A Muslim's personal desire must comply with the Shariah, not with fanaticism and revenge.
  • Ibn Hajar said: It is permissible to ask about afflictions that have not yet occurred, based on the opinion stating that this story most likely has not taken place. Considering what was reported from some of the righteous predecessors about this being disliked, it is taken to refer to what rarely occurs. However, it is permissible to ask about what could usually occur to make it known.

O Usāmah, you killed him after he had said "there is no god but Allah"?

عن أسامة بن زيد رضي الله عنهما ، قال: بَعَثَنَا رسولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى الحُرَقَةِ من جُهَيْنَةَ فَصَبَّحْنَا القَوْمَ على مِيَاهِهِم، ولَحِقْتُ أنا ورجلٌ من الأنصارِ رجلًا منهم، فلما غَشِينَاهُ، قال: لا إله إلا الله، فَكَفَّ عنه الأَنْصَارِيُّ، وطَعَنْتُهُ بِرُمْحِي حَتَّى قَتَلْتُهُ، فَلَمَّا قَدِمْنَا المدينةَ، بَلَغَ ذَلِكَ النبيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال لي: «يا أسامةُ، أَقَتَلْتَهُ بَعْدَ مَا قَالَ: لا إلهَ إلَّا اللهُ؟!» قُلْتُ: يا رسولَ اللهِ، إنما كان مُتَعَوِّذًا، فقال: «أَقَتَلْتَهُ بعد ما قال: لا إلهَ إلَّا اللهُ؟!» فَمَا زَالَ يُكَرِّرُهَا عَلَيَّ حتى تَمَنَّيْتُ أَنِّي لم أَكُنْ أَسْلَمْتُ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ اليَوْمِ. وفي رواية: فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : «أَقَالَ: لا إلهَ إلا اللهُ وَقَتَلْتَهُ؟!» قُلْتُ: يا رسولَ اللهِ، إنما قَالَهَا خَوْفًا من السِّلَاحِ، قال: «أَفَلَا شَقَقْتَ عَنْ قَلْبِهِ حَتَّى تَعْلَمَ أَقَالَهَا أَمْ لَا؟!» فَمَا زَالَ يُكَرِّرُهَا حَتَّى تَمَنَّيْتُ أَنِّي أَسْلَمْتُ يَوْمَئِذٍ. وعن جندب بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه : أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بَعَثَ بَعْثًا مِن المسلمينَ إلى قومٍ من المشركينَ، وأنهم الْتَقَوا، فَكَانَ رجلٌ مِن المشركينَ إذا شَاءَ أَنْ يَقْصِدَ إلى رجلٍ مِن المسلمينَ قَصَدَ له فَقَتَلَهُ، وأَنَّ رجلًا مِن المسلمينَ قَصَدَ غَفْلَتَهُ. وكُنَّا نَتَحَدَّثُ أَنَّهُ أسامةُ بْنُ زيدٍ، فَلَمَّا رَفَعَ عَلَيْهِ السَّيْفَ، قال: لا إلهَ إلا اللهُ، فَقَتَلَهُ، فجاءَ البَشِيرُ إلى رسولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَسَأَلَهُ وأَخْبَرَهُ، حتى أَخْبَرَهُ خَبَرَ الرجلِ كَيْفَ صَنَعَ، فَدَعَاهُ فَسَأَلَهُ، فقال: «لِمَ قَتَلْتَهُ؟» فقال: يا رسولَ اللهِ، أَوْجَعَ في المسلمينَ، وقَتَلَ فُلانًا وفُلانًا، وسَمَّى له نَفَرًا، وإِنِّي حَمَلْتُ عليهِ، فَلَمَّا رَأَى السَّيْفَ، قال: لا إلهَ إلا اللهُ. قال رسولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : «أَقَتَلْتَهُ؟» قال: نعم. قال: «فَكَيْفَ تَصْنَعُ بلا إلهَ إلا اللهُ، إذا جَاءَتْ يَومَ القِيَامَةِ؟» قال: يا رسولَ اللهِ، اسْتَغْفِرْ لِي. قال: «وكَيْفَ تَصْنَعُ بلا إلهَ إلا اللهُ إذا جَاءَتْ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ؟» فجعل لا يَزِيدُ على أَنْ يقولَ: «كَيْفَ تَصْنَعُ بلا إلهَ إلا اللهُ إذا جَاءَتْ يَوْمَ القيامةِ».

Usāmah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent us to Al-Huraqah, a sub- tribe of Juhaynah, and we attacked them in the morning at their springs. A man from the Ansār and I chased one of their men, and when we attacked him he said "there is no god but Allah". The Ansāri man held back from him but I stabbed him with my spear until I killed him. When we arrived in Madīnah, the news of this incident reached the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) so he said to me: "O Usāmah, you killed him after he had said there is no god but Allah?" I said: "O Messenger of Allah, he only said it to protect himself." He repeated: "You killed him after he had said there is no god but Allah?" He kept repeating it until I wished I had not embraced Islam before that day. In another narration: "So the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Did he say there is no god but Allah and yet you still killed him?' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, he only said it out of fear of the weapon!' He said: 'Did you split open his heart to know whether or not he meant it?' He continued saying it over and over again until I wished I had embraced Islam only that day." Jundub ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent an army of the Muslims to a tribe of idolaters. The two sides met (in combat). There was one of the idolaters who, whenever he wanted to aim for one of the Muslims, he went straight for him and killed him. A man from the Muslims was waiting for a chance to attack him while he was unaware. We heard that it was Usāmah ibn Zayd. When he (the Muslim man) raised his sword, the idolater said "there is no god but Allah", but he killed him. A man came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) with news of the victory, and he asked him (about the battle) so he informed him of everything including what that man (Usāmah) had done. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) summoned him and asked him: "Why did you kill him?" He said: "O Messenger of Allah, He struck many of the Muslims and killed so and so of them –and he named a group. I attacked him and when he saw the sword he said there is no god but Allah." The Messenger of Allah said: "Did you kill him?" Usasmah said: 'Yes.' The Messenger of Allah said: "What will you do with (his statement) there is no god but Allah when it comes on the Day of Judgment?" Usāmah said: "O Messenger of Allah, seek forgiveness for me!" He said: "And what will you do with there is no god but Allah when it comes on the Day of Judgment?" He added nothing, but kept repeating: "What would you do with there is no god but Allah when it comes on the Day of Judgment?"

Muslim with its two versions - Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim · hadeethenc:4816

Grading: Authentic hadith (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) dispatched Usāmah ibn Zayd in a detachment to Al-Huraqah, a sub-tribe of Juhaynah. When they reached the idolaters and overtook them, a man from the idolaters escaped. Usāmah and a man from the Ansār chased him in order to kill him, and when they reached him, the man said: "There is no god but Allah." The Ansasri man left him when he said that. Usāmah, on the other hand, killed him. When they returned to Madīnah, and the news reached the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) he asked Usāmah: "Did you kill him after he had said There is no god but Allah?" Usāmah said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah, He only said it to save himself from being killed." The Prophet repeated the question: "Did you kill him after he had said There is no god but Allah?" Usāmah said: "Yes, he only said it to save himself from being killed. He brought harm to the Muslims and killed so and so of them." The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "Did you split open his heart to verify his intention? What would you do with (his statement) 'there is no god but Allah' when it comes on the Day of Judgment? Who will intercede for you, speak on your behalf and argue your case when the word of monotheism is brought and it is said to you: 'How could you kill someone who proclaimed it?'" Usāmah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I wished I had not embraced Islam before that day", because if he were a disbeliever who had just embraced Islam, Allah would pardon him. However he committed this act while he was a Muslim.

The believers, in their mutual love, compassion, and sympathy, are like a single body; if one of its organs suffers, the whole body will respond with sleeplessness and fever

عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي تَوَادِّهِمْ وَتَرَاحُمِهِمْ وَتَعَاطُفِهِمْ مَثَلُ الْجَسَدِ، إِذَا اشْتَكَى مِنْهُ عُضْوٌ تَدَاعَى لَهُ سَائِرُ الْجَسَدِ بِالسَّهَرِ وَالْحُمَّى».

An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The believers, in their mutual love, compassion, and sympathy, are like a single body; if one of its organs suffers, the whole body will respond with sleeplessness and fever."

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:4969

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified how Muslims should act together. They should love goodness for each other, show mercy, offer help, and support each other. Moreover, they should feel hurt by whatever harm afflicts them. In other words, they should act like a single body; whenever one of its organs gets sick, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever.
  • The Muslims' rights should be venerated and cooperation and mutual kindness between them should be encouraged.
  • There should be mutual love and support between the believers.

for he did not ever say: My Lord, forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رضي الله عنها قَالَتْ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، ابْنُ جُدْعَانَ كَانَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ يَصِلُ الرَّحِمَ، وَيُطْعِمُ الْمِسْكِينَ، فَهَلْ ذَاكَ نَافِعُهُ؟ قَالَ: «لَا يَنْفَعُهُ، إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَقُلْ يَوْمًا: رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي يَوْمَ الدِّينِ».

‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: I said: "O Messenger of Allah, Ibn Jud‘ān used to uphold kinship ties and feed the poor during the Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic era of ignorance). Will this benefit him?" He said: "It will not benefit him, for he did not ever say: My Lord, forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment."

Narrated by Muslim · hadeethenc:65009

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) reported about ‘Abdullah ibn Jud‘ān, one of the chiefs of Quraysh before Islam. His good deeds include that he used to uphold kinship ties, feed the poor, and do other noble acts commended by Islam. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that these deeds will not benefit him in the Hereafter because of his disbelief in Allah and the fact that he did not ever say: My Lord, forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment.
  • The Hadīth points out the merit of belief and that it is a requirement for accepting people's good deeds.
  • It shows the evil impact of disbelief and that it renders virtuous deeds worthless.
  • The good deeds of the disbelievers will not avail them in the Hereafter due to their lack of belief in Allah and the Last Day.
  • The honorable deeds of a disbeliever will be recorded for him if he embraces Islam, and he will be rewarded for them.

Satan comes to one of you and says, 'Who created such and such, and who created such and such', until he says: 'Who created your Lord?' If a person experiences this, he should seek refuge with Allah and desist from that

عَن أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «يَأْتِي الشَّيْطَانُ أَحَدَكُمْ فَيَقُولُ: مَنْ خَلَقَ كَذَا؟ مَنْ خَلَقَ كَذَا؟ حَتَّى يَقُولَ: مَنْ خَلَقَ رَبَّكَ؟ فَإِذَا بَلَغَهُ فَلْيَسْتَعِذْ بِاللهِ وَلْيَنْتَهِ».

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Satan comes to one of you and says, 'Who created such and such, and who created such and such', until he says: 'Who created your Lord?' If a person experiences this, he should seek refuge with Allah and desist from that."

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:65013

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) mentions the effective remedy for the questions whispered by Satan to the believer. Satan says: Who created such and such, and who created such and such? Who created the heavens? Who created the earth? Based on his religion, natural disposition, and reason, the believer replies: Allah. But Satan does not stop at this limit of whisperings; rather, he proceeds until he asks: Who created your Lord? Thereupon, the believer should repel these whisperings with three things: Belief in Allah. Seeking refuge with Allah from Satan. Stopping to continue with such whisperings.
  • We should turn away from Satan's whisperings and insinuations and not give thought to them, and seek Allah's help in getting rid of them.
  • All the whisperings that enter a person's heart and contradict the Shariah come from Satan.
  • We are forbidden from thinking about Allah's Essence and are urged to ponder His creation and signs.

Allah does not wrong a believer in a good deed; he will be given on account of it in this world and will be rewarded for it in the Hereafter

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مُؤْمِنًا حَسَنَةً، يُعْطَى بِهَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَيُجْزَى بِهَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ، وَأَمَّا الْكَافِرُ فَيُطْعَمُ بِحَسَنَاتِ مَا عَمِلَ بِهَا لِلَّهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا، حَتَّى إِذَا أَفْضَى إِلَى الْآخِرَةِ، لَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُ حَسَنَةٌ يُجْزَى بِهَا».

Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah does not wrong a believer in a good deed; he will be given on account of it in this world and will be rewarded for it in the Hereafter. As for the disbeliever, he will be given the reward for the good deeds he has not performed for the sake of Allah in this world, and when he comes to the Hereafter, there will be no good deed for which he can be rewarded."

Narrated by Muslim · hadeethenc:65015

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) demonstrates the great favor of Allah towards the believers and His justice towards the disbelievers. As for the believer, He does not diminish the reward of any good deed he performs. Rather, He gives him a reward for it in this world in return for his obedience, in addition to the reward He keeps in store for him in the Hereafter. He may also keep the whole reward for him in the Hereafter. As for the disbeliever, Allah gives him the reward for his virtuous deeds in the form of good things in this life. But when he goes to the Hereafter, he will have no reward. This is because the good deed that brings benefit in this world and in the Hereafter must be performed by a believer.
  • If a person dies as a disbeliever, his good deeds will not avail him.

You have embraced Islam along with your past good deeds

عَنْ حَكِيمِ بْنِ حِزَامٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَرَأَيْتَ أَشْيَاءَ كُنْتُ أَتَحَنَّثُ بِهَا فِي الجَاهِلِيَّةِ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ عَتَاقَةٍ، وَصِلَةِ رَحِمٍ، فَهَلْ فِيهَا مِنْ أَجْرٍ؟ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَسْلَمْتَ عَلَى مَا سَلَفَ مِنْ خَيْرٍ».

Hakīm ibn Hizām (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said: "O Messenger of Allah, before embracing Islam, I used to do good deeds, like giving in charity, manumitting slaves, and upholding kinship ties. Shall I be rewarded for those deeds?" The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "You have embraced Islam along with your past good deeds."

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:65016

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) points out that if a disbeliever embraces Islam, he gets rewarded for the good deeds he used to perform in Jāhiliyyah, before becoming Muslim, like charity, manumission of slaves, and upholding of kinship ties.
  • The good deeds of a disbeliever will not be rewarded in the Hereafter if he dies as a disbeliever.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) related to us, and he is the truthful and the trusted one; he said: "The creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother's womb for forty days and forty nights

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ: حَدَّثَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَهُوَ الصَّادِقُ المَصْدُوقُ: «أَنَّ خَلْقَ أَحَدِكُمْ يُجْمَعُ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا وَأَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ عَلَقَةً مِثْلَهُ، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ مُضْغَةً مِثْلَهُ، ثُمَّ يُبْعَثُ إِلَيْهِ المَلَكُ، فَيُؤْذَنُ بِأَرْبَعِ كَلِمَاتٍ، فَيَكْتُبُ: رِزْقَهُ وَأَجَلَهُ وَعَمَلَهُ وَشَقِيٌّ أَمْ سَعِيدٌ، ثُمَّ يَنْفُخُ فِيهِ الرُّوحَ، فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ الجَنَّةِ حَتَّى لاَ يَكُونُ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَهُ إِلَّا ذِرَاعٌ، فَيَسْبِقُ عَلَيْهِ الكِتَابُ، فَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ فَيَدْخُلُ النَّارَ، وَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ حَتَّى مَا يَكُونُ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَهُ إِلَّا ذِرَاعٌ، فَيَسْبِقُ عَلَيْهِ الكِتَابُ، فَيَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ أَهْلِ الجَنَّةِ فَيَدْخُلُهَا».

‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) related to us, and he is the truthful and the trusted one; he said: "The creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother's womb for forty days and forty nights. Then, he becomes a clinging clot for a similar period, then a lump (of flesh) for a similar period. Then, there is sent to him the angel who is commanded to write down four things: his sustenance, lifespan, actions, and whether miserable or happy. Then, he breathes life into him. One of you would do the actions of the people of Paradise until there is an arm's length between him and Paradise, but the predestination overtakes him, causing him to do actions of the people of Hellfire, and he enters it; and one of you would do the actions of the people of Hellfire until he is an arm's length away from Hellfire, but the predestination overtakes him, causing him to do deeds of the people of Paradise, and he enters it."

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:65037

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
Ibn Mas‘ūd reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) related to us, and he is the truthful one in his speech, and the trusted one, as Allah Almighty endorsed him. He said: The creation of each one of you is brought together. When a man copulates with his wife, his scattered semen is brought together in the woman's womb as a sperm-drop for forty days. Then, he becomes a clinging clot for another forty days. Then, he becomes a lump, which is a piece of chewable flesh, for a third period of forty days. Then, Allah sends to him the angel, who breathes life into him after the end of the third period. The angel is commanded to write four things: his sustenance, which is the amount of bliss he will gain during his lifetime; his lifespan, which is the duration of his stay in this world; and his deeds, as to what they will be; and whether he will be miserable or happy. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) swore that a person might perform the righteous deeds of the people of Paradise, as they outwardly seem, and he continues in this state until there is only an arm's length (a cubit) between him and Paradise; that is, only a cubit separates him from reaching Paradise. But then destiny overtakes him, and thereupon he performs the deeds of the people of Hellfire, and they become his last deeds, and so he enters Hellfire. This is because it is required for a person's virtuous deeds to be accepted and that he continues to do them and not change course. There is another type of people, who perform the deeds of the people of Hellfire until they are close to entering it, as if only a cubit is separating between them. But then destiny overtakes them, and they begin to perform the deeds of Paradise, and they enter it.
  • The outcome of things goes in the course determined by divine decree and predestination.
  • The Hadīth warns us of getting deceived by the appearance of deeds, for deeds are only judged by their endings.

I am Dimām ibn Tha‘labah, from the brothers of Banu Sa‘d ibn Bakr

عن أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ رضي الله عنه قال: بينما نحن جلوس مع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في المسجد دخل رجل على جمل، فأناخه في المسجد ثم عقله، ثم قال لهم: أيكم محمد؟ والنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم متكئ بين ظهرانيهم، فقلنا: هذا الرجل الأبيض المتكئ. فقال له الرجل: يا ابن عبد المطلب فقال له النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: «قد أجبتك». فقال الرجل للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: إني سائلك فمشدد عليك في المسألة، فلا تجد علي في نفسك؟ فقال: «سل عما بدا لك» فقال: أسألك بربك ورب من قبلك، آلله أرسلك إلى الناس كلهم؟ فقال: «اللهم نعم». قال: أنشدك بالله، آلله أمرك أن نصلي الصلوات الخمس في اليوم والليلة؟ قال: «اللهم نعم». قال: أنشدك بالله، آلله أمرك أن نصوم هذا الشهر من السنة؟ قال: «اللهم نعم». قال: أنشدك بالله، آلله أمرك أن تأخذ هذه الصدقة من أغنيائنا فتقسمها على فقرائنا؟ فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: «اللهم نعم». فقال الرجل: آمنت بما جئت به، وأنا رسول من ورائي من قومي، وأنا ضمام بن ثعلبة أخو بني سعد بن بكر.

Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: While we were sitting with the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in the mosque, a man came riding on a camel. He made his camel kneel in the mosque, tied its foreleg, and said: "Who amongst you is Muhammad?" At that time, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting amongst us, leaning on his arm. We replied: "This white man reclining on his arm." The man then addressed him: "O son of ‘Abdul-Muttalib!" The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "I am here to answer you." The man said to the Prophet: "I want to ask you something and will be hard in questioning. So do not get angry." The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Ask whatever you want." The man said: "I ask you by your Lord, and the Lord of those who came before you. Has Allah sent you as a messenger to all mankind?" The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "By Allah, yes." The man further said: "I ask you by Allah. Has Allah ordered you to offer five prayers in a day and night?" He replied: "By Allah, yes." The man further said: "I ask you by Allah. Has Allah ordered you to observe fasts during this month of the year?" He replied: "By Allah, yes." The man said: "I ask you by Allah. Has Allah ordered you to take this charity from our rich people and distribute it amongst our poor people?" The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "By Allah, yes." Thereupon, that man said: "I have believed in all that you have been sent with, and I have been sent by my people as a messenger. I am Dimām ibn Tha‘labah, from the brothers of Banu Sa‘d ibn Bakr."

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:65044

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) relates: As the Companions were sitting with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in the mosque, a man riding a camel entered, and he made the camel kneel and tied it. Then, he asked them: Who amongst you is Muhammad? Meanwhile, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was reclining among the people. So, we replied: This white man who is reclining. The man said to him: O son of ‘Abdul-Muttalib! The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: I have heard you; ask, and I will answer you. The man said to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): I will ask you about something and will be hard in questioning. So do not get upset with me. In other words, do not get angry at me or feel annoyed. He replied: Ask whatever you want. He said: I ask you by your Lord and the Lord of those who came before you. Has Allah sent you as a messenger to mankind? He replied: "By Allah, yes," affirming his truthfulness. The man further said: I ask you by Allah. Has Allah ordered you that we must offer the five prayers in a day and night? They are the obligatory prayers. He replied: By Allah, yes. The man further said: I ask you by Allah. Has Allah ordered you to observe fasts during this month of the year? That's the month of Ramadan. He replied: By Allah, yes. The man said: I ask you by Allah. Has Allah ordered you to take this charity from our rich people and distribute it amongst our poor people?" This is Zakah. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) replied: By Allah, yes. Thereupon, Dimām embraced Islam and informed the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) that he would call his people to Islam, and he introduced himself as Dimām ibn Tha‘labah, from Banu Sa‘d ibn Bakr.
  • The Hadīth shows the Prophet's modesty, as the man could not distinguish between him and his Companions.
  • It highlights the Prophet's good character and gentleness in replying to the questioner. It also indicates that providing good responses is one of the reasons behind accepting the call to Islam.
  • It is permissible to identify a person by a certain trait, like being white, reddish, tall, short, and any other trait that is not intended as a defect, unless the person dislikes it.
  • It is permissible for a disbeliever to enter the mosque for some need.
  • He did not mention Hajj in the Hadīth because it had probably not been prescribed yet when this man came.
  • The Companions were keen on inviting people to Islam. Once this man embraced Islam, he was determined to call his people to it.

The Jews incurred Allah's wrath, and the Christians went astray

عَنْ ‌عَدِيِّ بْنِ حَاتِمٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «الْيَهُودُ مَغْضُوبٌ عَلَيْهِمْ، وَالنَّصَارَى ضُلَّالٌ».

‘Adiyy ibn Hātim reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Jews incurred Allah's wrath, and the Christians went astray."

Narrated by At-Tirmidhi · hadeethenc:65061

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that the Jews are people who incurred Allah's wrath because they knew the truth but did not apply it. The Christians are people who went astray because they acted without knowledge.
  • Combining knowledge and action guarantees safety from the path of those who incurred Allah's wrath as well as those who went astray.
  • Warning against the path adopted by the Jews and Christians and calling to adhere to the straight path, which is Islam.
  • Both the Jews and the Christians have gone astray and have incurred Allah's wrath; however, incurring Allah's wrath is the Jews' most distinct characteristic, whereas the Christians' most distinct characteristic is their misguidance.

Say 'there is no god but Allah', and I will testify for you by it on the Day of Judgment

عَنْ ‌أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ لِعَمِّهِ: «قُلْ: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، أَشْهَدُ لَكَ بِهَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ»، قَالَ: لَوْلَا أَنْ تُعَيِّرَنِي قُرَيْشٌ، يَقُولُونَ: إِنَّمَا حَمَلَهُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ الْجَزَعُ لَأَقْرَرْتُ بِهَا عَيْنَكَ. فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ: {إِنَّكَ لا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَكِنَّ اللهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ } [القصص: 56].

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to his uncle: "Say 'there is no god but Allah', and I will testify for you by it on the Day of Judgment." He said: "Were it not for the fear that the Quraysh may blame me and say that it was the fear (from imminent death) that induced me to do so, I would have certainly delighted your eyes with it." So, Allah revealed: {You cannot guide whoever you like, but Allah guides whom He wills.} [Surat al-Qasas: 56]

Narrated by Muslim · hadeethenc:65069

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) asked his uncle Abu Tālib, while in the throes of death, to utter the testimony of faith, so that he could intercede for him with it on the Day of Judgment and testify that he was a Muslim. But he refused to utter it, fearing that the Quraysh would revile him and say that he embraced Islam out of fear of death and weakness! He said to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him): Were it not for that, I would have made you joyful by saying the testimony, fulfilling your wish and making you pleased. So, Allah Almighty revealed a verse indicating that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) cannot guide people in the sense of inspiring them to accept Islam, but it is Allah Almighty alone Who grants such guidance to whomever He wills; and that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) guided them by clarifying, showing, and calling them to the straight path.
  • The truth should not be renounced out of fear of what people say.
  • The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) can only guide people by leading and showing them the right way, not by inspiring them to accept guidance.
  • It is permissible to visit a sick disbeliever to invite him to Islam.
  • The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen on calling people to Allah Almighty in all circumstances.

What you say and invite people to is indeed good. If only you could tell us whether there is an expiation for what we did

عَنِ ‌ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا: أَنَّ نَاسًا مِنْ أَهْلِ الشِّرْكِ، كَانُوا قَدْ قَتَلُوا وَأَكْثَرُوا، وَزَنَوْا وَأَكْثَرُوا، فَأَتَوْا مُحَمَّدًا صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالُوا: إِنَّ الَّذِي تَقُولُ وَتَدْعُو إِلَيْهِ لَحَسَنٌ، لَوْ تُخْبِرُنَا أَنَّ لِمَا عَمِلْنَا كَفَّارَةً، فَنَزَلَ {وَالَّذِينَ لا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللهِ إِلَهًا آخَرَ وَلا يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللهُ إِلا بِالْحَقِّ وَلا يَزْنُونَ}[الفرقان: 68]، وَنَزَلَت: {قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ لا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللهِ} [الزمر: 53].

Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: A group of polytheists, who went to excess in killing and committing illegal sexual intercourse, came to Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "What you say and invite people to is indeed good. If only you could tell us whether there is an expiation for what we did. Thereupon, it was revealed: {and those who do not invoke besides Allah, another god, and who do not kill a soul whom Allah has forbidden, except in the course of justice, and who do not commit adultery} [Surat al-Furqān: 68]. And the following verse was revealed: {Say [Allah says]: "O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of Allah's mercy."} [Surat az-Zumar: 53]

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:65071

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
Some men from the polytheists came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), as they had gone to extremes in killing and committing adultery, and said: Indeed, what you call to (Islam) and its teachings are something good. But, as for our condition and the polytheism and major sins we have committed, is there an expiation for them? Thereupon, the two verses were revealed, as Allah accepted the repentance of those people despite their numerous and severe sins. Had it not been for that, they would have persisted in their disbelief and transgression and would not have embraced this religion.
  • The Hadīth points out the excellence and greatness of Islam and that it wipes out the sins committed before embracing it.
  • It shows Allah's vast mercy towards His servants and His forgiveness and pardon.
  • Shirk (polytheism) is prohibited, and so is killing a soul without right and the charge of adultery. There is a warning to those who perpetrate these sins.
  • True repentance coupled with sincerity and righteous deeds expiates all major sins, including disbelief in Allah Almighty.
  • It is prohibited to despair and lose hope in the mercy of Allah Almighty.

Whoever performs our prayer, faces our Qiblah (direction of the Ka‘bah), and eats from our slaughtered animals—that is the Muslim who enjoys the protection (covenant) of Allah and His Messenger. So do not betray Allah by violating His protection

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ صَلَّى صَلاَتَنَا وَاسْتَقْبَلَ قِبْلَتَنَا وَأَكَلَ ذَبِيحَتَنَا فَذَلِكَ المُسْلِمُ الَّذِي لَهُ ذِمَّةُ اللَّهِ وَذِمَّةُ رَسُولِهِ، فَلاَ تُخْفِرُوا اللَّهَ فِي ذِمَّتِهِ».

Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever performs our prayer, faces our Qiblah (direction of the Ka‘bah), and eats from our slaughtered animals—that is the Muslim who enjoys the protection (covenant) of Allah and His Messenger. So do not betray Allah by violating His protection."

Narrated by Al-Bukhāri · hadeethenc:65426

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (ﷺ) informed that whoever adheres to the outward rituals of Islam— praying as we pray, facing the Ka‘bah our Qiblah, and eating our slaughtered meat while believing in its being lawful— is indeed a Muslim who has the covenant and protection of Allah and His Messenger. Therefore, do not violate or betray the covenant and protection granted by Allah.
  • Ibn Rajab said: This Hadīth indicates that a person's blood is not protected merely by uttering the two testimonies of faith until he fulfills their obligations. The greatest of these obligations is prayer; hence, it was mentioned specifically. In another Hadīth, Zakah is added alongside prayer.
  • People's affairs are judged according to what is outward, not what is hidden; so whoever outwardly manifests the symbols of Islam is treated as a Muslim, unless something contrary to that becomes evident.
  • Ibn Rajab said: Mentioning the facing of the Qiblah indicates that one must perform the prayer prescribed for the Muslims in their Book revealed to their Prophet—the prayer directed toward the Ka‘bah. Otherwise, whoever prays toward Bayt al-Maqdis, as the Jews do after it was abrogated, or toward the east, as the Christians do, is not a Muslim, even if he declares the testimony of Tawhīd (monotheism).
  • It contains evidence of the great importance of facing the Qiblah in prayer, for no other condition of prayer was mentioned besides it, such as purification and the like.
  • Ibn Rajab said: Mentioning the eating of the Muslims' slaughtered animals indicates the necessity of adhering to all the outward laws of Islam. Among the greatest of these is eating what Muslims slaughter and agreeing with them in this matter; therefore, whoever abstains from it is not considered a Muslim.

Any person who says to his brother: O disbeliever, it will, indeed, fall upon one of them; if he is as he said, or else it will return to him

عن ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضيَ اللهُ عنهُما قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَيُّمَا امْرِئٍ قَالَ لِأَخِيهِ: يَا كَافِرُ، فَقَدْ بَاءَ بِهَا أَحَدُهُمَا، إِنْ كَانَ كَمَا قَالَ، وَإِلَّا رَجَعَتْ عَلَيْهِ».

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Any person who says to his brother: O disbeliever, it will, indeed, fall upon one of them; if he is as he said, or else it will return to him."

Agreed upon · hadeethenc:66271

Grading: Authentic (as published by the source; the grader is not named)

Explanation from the source
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) warned against a Muslim saying to his Muslim brother: O disbeliever. By saying that word of disbelief, one of them deserves it; if he is as he said, then it applies to the person being addressed, or else the charge of disbelief returns to the sayer.
  • Deterring a Muslim from attributing to his Muslim brother any of the qualities of defiance or disbelief that he does not possess.
  • Warning against such bad speech, as the one who utters it is in great danger if he says it to his brother. Therefore, one should guard his tongue and only speak with insight.

Source category: hadeethenc:category:88

Source: HadeethEnc.com, published by HadeethEnc.com. Version API snapshot retrieved 2026-10-11 (the source publishes no version number) (retrieved 2026-10-11). Published by HadeethEnc.com. Shown unmodified; not reviewed by a scholar.