AKHLAAQE – HAMEEDA

A course designed from: Hadhrat Moulana Zulfiqar Ahmed Naqshbandi (daamat barakatuhum’s) chapter of

Akhlaaqe-Hameeda from ‘Tasawwuf-o-Sulook’.

TLESSON 1

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

he Lord of the Universe, Allah , confirms the noble disposition of the master of the universe in the following words:

‘Verily, you are upon an exalted character.’ (68:4)

Furthermore, Allah has commanded the ummah of Muhammed in Surah Ahzaab:

‘There is definitely an excellent example in Allah’s Rasul ’ (33:21)Keeping this aayat-e-mubaarakah in mind and within context, one should adopt good character and shun all bad habits that demonstrate appalling disposition. The same message is given to us by Rasulullah in his hadeeth:‘Adorn yourself with the akhlaaq of Allah .’

After Imaan, akhlaaq-e-hameeda holds the highest position in Islam. Nabi said, ‘the best of you are those who possess the best of manners.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

It is stated in another hadeeth, ‘deen entails the well-being and comfort of others.’One should at all times try to benefit and assist others. Neither the Creator nor the creation likes a person with bad character.

Hadhrat Moosa once asked Allah , ‘O Allah, who is the best of Your Creation?’Allah said, ‘one who has due feelings for another human being, so much so that if a thorn pricks someone, he experiences grief as well.’

PRAISEWORTHY AKHLAAQ

Sayyidina Aishah has said that good conduct comprises ten qualities. Sometimes these are seen in a son and not in the father. The slaves may have them, while the

masters may not. These are a give from Allah to whosoever He may grant:

1. Speaking the truth2. To be honest with people

3. To grant favour to a deserving needy person4. To return good turn

5. To be kind to the kinsmen6. To take care of a trust

7. To fulfil the rights of a neighbour8. To be dutiful to a comrade

9. To discharge obligations towards a guest10. At the root of all these is modesty, HAYAA. (Fadhail-e-sadaqat)

LESSON 2

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

GOOD CHARACTER

Hadhrat Abu Huraira narrates that the messenger of Allah said: ‘the nobility of a believer is in his religion, his sense of honor is in his intelligence and the high regard that he enjoys is in his beautiful character.’ (Ibne Hibban)

Hadhrat Abu Darda states that the messenger of Allah said, ‘nothing is weightier in the scales of a believer on the day of judgment than his good behavior. Allah treats a person who is given to loose and vulgar talk with displeasure.’ (Tirmidhi)

Hadhrat Abu Huraira narrates that the messenger of Allah said: (words to the effect), ‘the person who possesses these three good characteristics Allah will make his accountability simple and enter him into Jannah.’

People asked, ‘O Prophet of Allah may our parents be sacrificed upon you, what are they?’

The Beloved of Allah replied, ‘supply and grant the one who deprives you, display the best character with the one who breaks his relationship with you and forgive those who oppress you if you will adopt these then Allah will enter you in Jannah.’

Hadhrat Abu Umamah relates that the messenger of Allah said, ‘I guarantee a house on the outskirts of jannah for he who abandons showing off even though he had the right to do so. I guarantee a house in the middle of jannah for he who abandons speaking lies even if he were joking. I guarantee a house in the highest levels of jannah for he whose character is beautiful.’ (Abu Daud)

Hadhrat Anas narrates that the messenger of Allah said, ‘a servant reaches the high ranks of the hereafter and the noble places by virtue of his beautiful character and by virtue of his evil character; he reaches the lowest pits of hell.’ (Tabrani)

Hadhrat Abu Umamah narrates that the Prophet said, ‘a person reaches the rank of the person who remains awake in worship at night and remains thirsty in the intense heat of the day by virtue of his beautiful character.’ (Tabrani)

Hadhrat Ibne Abbas states the Master said, ‘good disposition melts away sins in the same manner as water melts ice. Evil character corrupts deeds just as vinegar spoils honey.’ (Tabrani)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Amr bin Al’Aas says that by nature messenger of Allah neither talked indecently nor did he listen to vulgar talk. He used to say, ‘the best of you are those who have the best manners.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 3

IKHLAAS / SINCERITY

Allah mentions in the Glorious Qur’aan, in Surah Zumar, Verse 3:

‘Listen! For Allah alone is absolute devotion.’

Hadhrat Hasan Basri narrates that the prophet said, (words to the effect) ‘Ikhlaas is a secret from among my secrets meaning it is an extraordinary endowment from my special bounties. I place in the hearts of those servants whom I love.’

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas narrates that the prophet said, ‘Verily Allah Ta’aala has ordered that the good and the bad deeds be written down.’Then he further explained,‘He who intends to do a good deed but he does not do it, then Allah records it for him as a full good deed but if he carries out his intention, then Allah the Exalted writes it down for him as from ten to seven hundred folds and even more. But if he intends to do an evil act and has not done it, then Allah writes it down with Him as a full good deed, but if he intends it and has done it, Allah writes down as one bad deed.’ (Bukhari Shareef)

Hadhrat Thaubaan narrates that the heard the prophet of Allah say, ‘glad tidings to the sincere ones. They are the lights of guidance. Every dark tribulation is dispelled by them’ (Baihaqi)

Hadhrat Abu Huraira narrates that the prophet said, ‘Allah does not look at your figures, nor at your attire but He looks at your hearts and accomplishments.’ (Muslim)

Hadhrat Mu’aadh bin Jabal narrates that he asked the prophet for advice when he was being sent to Yemen - to which the prophet replied, ‘Create sincerity in your religious deeds and even a little amount of action and endeavor will be sufficient.’ (Targeeb)

MY LORD KNOWS MY NAME

After Sa’aad bin Abi Waqaas conquered Madaain, an ordinary warrior came to see him. He had something wrapped in a cloth in his hands. He carefully slid in his hand under the cloth and removed something from inside and said,

‘O Ameer, I have come to hand over this amanat to you.’ Sa’aad bin Abi Waqaas stared in astonishment at the crown sparkling before him. It was evident that this was the crown of the former king of Madaain. It was solid gold with valuable gems embedded all around it.

The former king had been killed in the battle and this crown had fallen off his head. The warrior had found it in the sand and hidden it safely. Once the regime stabilized and things appeared to be steady he carefully brought the crown to Sa’aad bin Abi Waqaas .

‘If this man would have kept this crown to himself it would have sufficed his seven generations. It is quite apparent that no one knows about this costly crown. Furthermore, this man seems to

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

be underprivileged. He could have done with some extra money…’ Sa’aad bin Abi Waqaas thought to himself.

As the bewilderment of this incident along with the sincerity of the poor and simple man washed over him, he stared at him with absolute admiration and asked him,

‘O warrior, who are you? What is your name?’

Hearing this the warrior turned his head and said,

‘The Lord whom I tried to please by handing over the crown to you knows my name.’ Saying these words he turned on his heel and left.

Imagine the intensity of Ikhlaas that was enclosed in their hearts that every deed they performed was solely for the pleasure of Allah. These true believers did not care for the name and fame of this transient world.

LESSON 4

SIDQ – TRUTHFULNESS

Allah says in Surah Al Ahzaab (33:70):

‘O you who believe, be reverent to Allah and speak rightful speech’

Rasulullah said, ‘stay on the truth.’

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas'ood narrates that Rasulullah said, ‘Hold on to the truth as speaking the truth leads you towards righteousness and righteousness leads you to Jannah. Moreover, when a person persistently speaks the truth and adopts truthfulness then he reaches the maqame sidiqiyat (rank of truthfulness) and his name is written in the register of the sidiqeen (truthful ones) furthermore, keep yourselves away from lying as lying drags one on the path of evil and these evil actions take one to jahannum. Eventually ,the person gets into the habit of lying and once a person gets an affinity to lying Allah Ta’aala writes his name in the list of the kaazibeen [liars], as a consequence.’ (Sahiheen, maariful hadeeth)

Mansoor bin al-mu’tamir narrates that Rasulullah said, ‘adapt the truth as this brings about peace even though you may see signs of destruction.’ (Targeeb)

Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq said (words to the effect), ‘Honesty is a door from amongst the doors of Jannah.’ (Kanzul-Aamaal)

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 5

TO SHOW AFFECTION AND LOVE

Hadhrat Abu Huraira states that the Messenger of Allah said ‘he who would like to experience the sweetness of Imaan should love a person solely for the pleasure of Allah.’ (Mustadrak)

Hadhrat Abu Umamah states that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘whosoever loved for Allah’s sake, severed ties for Allah’s sake, gave for Allah’s sake, prevented one from doing something for Allah’s sake has completed his faith.’ (Mishkaat)

Hadhrat Mu'aadh States that he heard the Messenger of Allah say (words to the effect), ‘Allah will call out, “where are those people who loved each other for My sake? Pillars of noor have been prepared for them.” This will make the ambiya envious over them.’

Hadhrat Abu Huraira States that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘on the day of Qiyaamah Allah Ta’aala will announce, “Where are those people who loved each other for my sake? I will place them under my shade on this day when there will be no other shade besides mine.”’ (Muslim)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar states that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘if one loves somebody for Allah’s sake and expresses his love by saying, “I love you for Allah’s sake”, then both will enter Jannah. The one whose love is more intense, he will attain a higher rank in the eyes of Allah.’ (Shamaile – Kubra)

LESSON 6

LOVING A BELIEVER FOR ALLAH’S SAKE

Allah says in the Qur’aan in Surah Fatah (48:29):

‘Muhammad is the messenger of Allah and those who are with him are strong against unbelievers but compassionate amongst each other’

The prophet said, ‘a believer is he who loves. There is no good in a person who does not love or is not loved by others.’ (Musnad Ahmad, Baihaqi)

Hadhrat Ibne Mas’ood narrates that the prophet said (words to the effect), ‘Those who love each other for Allah’s sake will be on red pillars made of rubies and at the edge of each pillar will be a thousand terraces extending above the dwellers of Jannah. The radiating beauty of which will light up Jannah for its dwellers in the same manner as the sun lights up the entire world written on the foreheads of those who love each other for Allah’s sake will be ‘These are the ones who love each other for the sake of Allah’

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

It has been narrated on the authority of Anas bin Malik that the prophet said, ‘anyone who possesses these three things within himself shall taste the sweetness of Imaan, namely:

whoever loves Allah and his Messenger more than anything besides them whoever loves a servant of Allah only for the sake of Allah whoever is averse to return to infidelity after Allah has saved him from it in the same

manner as he would loathe being flung into the fire of hell.(Bukhari, Muslim)

It has been narrated on account of Abu Huraira that he heard the messenger of Allah say (words to the effect), ‘A man was going to another locality to meet his brother. Allah appointed an angel to wait for him on his path, who asked him, “Where are you off to?” He replied, “I have an intention of meeting my brother in this locality” The angel further questioned, “have you got any gift for him to offer?’To which the man replied, “No, I love him merely for the pleasure of Allah.” The angel said, “I’m a messenger from Allah sent to you to inform you that Allah Ta’aala loves you in the same way as you love this man for the sake of Allah.”’ (Muslim)

It has been narrated on the authority of Anas Bin Malik that a man was with the prophet and another man passed by. The former said,“O messenger of Allah, I have affection for this man.”Rasulullah asked him, “Have you informed him?”He said, “No.”The Messenger of Allah said, “Tell him.”So he went up to the man and said to him, “I love you for the sake of Allah, (Inni uhibbuka fillah)” And the other replied, “May Allah, for whose sake you love me, love you, (Ahabbakallah hullazhi ahbabtani lahu)” (Abu Dawood)

Hadhrat Abu Bishr relates from Hadhrat Mujahid that, ‘when the people who love each other for the sake of Allah meet for the sake of Allah and one brother displays gentleness towards his brother, then his sins fall of his body in the same way as the leaves fall of the trees during the season of winter.’

Rasulullah said that, ‘there will be seven people whom Allah will grant a place under His Arsh on the day when there will be no shade besides His shade. Among those are two people who loved each other for the sake of Allah, met each other for the sake of Allah, and separated from each other for the same reason.’

Hadhrat Fudail bin Ayaz says that the gazing of two brothers towards one another with love and mercy is also a form of Ibaadah

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 7

WELLWISHING

Allah says in the Qur’aan in Surah Hujuraat (49:10):

‘Verily the believers are brothers’

It is narrated on the authority of Tameem Dari that the Prophet of Allah said, ‘deen is the name of sincerity and well-wishing.’ Upon hearing this we asked, ‘for whom?’ The master replied, ‘for Allah, His book, His messenger, and for the leaders of the Muslims and the general Muslims’ (Muslim)

It is narrated on the authority of Jabir Bin Abdullah that he gave pledge to Rasulullah on the observance of Salaah, payment of Zakaat and sincerity and well-wishing of every Muslim. (Bukhari & Muslim)

Hadhrat Anas reports that he heard the messenger say (words to the effect), ‘none amongst you becomes a true believer until he likes for his brother what he loves for himself.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

Let’s ponder over this hadeeth of the Prophet :

‘Deen is good advice… Deen is well-wishing of others’

What does this mean? It means that a believer is always a well-wisher. A well wisher of himself, a well wisher of every member of the family, a well wisher of every member of the society and a well-wisher of the creation of Almighty Allah.

At the battle of Yarmuk one wounded sahabah asked Hadhrat Hudaifah for some water. Just as Hadhrat Hudaifah reached him another Sahabi by the name of Hasham Bin al 'As requested for water too.

Hence, this Sahabi shut his mouth tightly and signaled Hadhrat Hudaifah to go and attend to his Muslim brother first. When Hadhrat Hudaifah went there and was about to quench his thirst with water one more Sahabi called out in parching thirst, so Hasham bin al 'As closed his mouth and indicated with his finger towards the thirsty companion.

Eventually when Hadhrat Hudaifah reached with his bag of water he found that the sahabi had passed away. So he decided to go to Hadhrat Hasham bin al ‘As , but realized that he too had passed away… hurriedly he ran to the first Sahabi only to realize that his soul has departed from this world as well.

The entire history of mankind cannot produce such an example of well-wishing and concern for fellow human beings. It was not just a case of itching thirst but a question of life and death. Yet these faithful companions gave preference to others wellbeing in such critical conditions.

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 8

CONCEALING FAULTS OF A MUSLIM

Allah says in the Qur’aan in Surah Noor (24:19):

‘Lo! Those who love that slander should be spread concerning those who believe. Theirs will be a painful punishment in the world and the hereafter.’

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Huraira that the messenger of Allah said, ‘Allah will cover up the defects [faults] on the day of judgment of him who screens the faults of the others in the world.’ (Muslim)

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Huraira that he heard the messenger of Allah saying (words to the effect), ‘Every one of my followers will be forgiven except those who expose their wrong doings. It is impudence for a man to commit a sin at night. Allah keeps it secret but he getting up at dawn says, “So and so. I have committed such and such acts last night. During the night Allah has covered it but at dawn he discloses the secret of Allah himself. (Tears away the screen of Allah)’

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khudri that the messenger of Allah said (words to the effect) that, ‘no believer sees a fault of his brother and conceals it without Allah admitting him into paradise because of that.’ (Tabrani)

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Ibne Abbas that the messenger of Allah said that, ‘if a person conceals the faults of a Muslim, then on the day of Qiyaamah, Allah will conceal him with His Divine concealment and the person who disgraces a Muslim by revealing his faults, then Allah will disgrace him whilst he is within his home.’ (Ibne Majah)

Nathi apni burayo ki jo khabar,rahe dekhte auro ke aybo hunar

Pari apni burayo pe jo nazar, nazar me koy bhi bura na raha

There is a story of a beautiful woman married to an ugly man. One day they went to her parent’s house when it was time to go back home she thought of a plan. On the way they stopped at a well. When he was drinking water from the well she pushed him in and ran all the way back home. She lied to her parents that he was a bad man and he left her. After that the man somehow survived and came back. Now the girl felt ashamed and thought her misdemeanor would be revealed but the man kindly concealed her fault and did not tell anyone about his wife’s evil act. She valued his tolerance and ability to cover up for her misdeed. She greatly appreciated his kindness and learnt that the inner beauty of a person outshines his outward glamour. It is good conduct and behavior that finds its way through peoples’ hearts

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 9

PLEASING A MU’MIN

Hadhrat Hasan Ibne Ali narrates that the prophet of Allah said, ‘surely from among the things which makes forgiveness incumbent is bringing happiness to your Muslim brother.’ (Tabrani)

Hadhrat Ja'far Bin Muhammad relates that his grandfather narrated that the prophet of Allah said (words to the effect), ‘when one grants happiness to a fellow Muslim then Allah will

create an angel from that happiness. When that person dies the angel will accompany him to the grave and say,“Do you recognize me? I am that happiness that you granted to such and such a person. I have come to remove your loneliness and to befriend you and to argue on behalf of you and come to you on the Day of Judgment and intercede on behalf of you before my Rabb and show you your rank in paradise.”’ (Ibne Abi Dunya)

The Prophet of Allah said (words to the effect), ‘whosoever pleases a Muslim after my demise it is as though he has pleased me in my grave and whosoever pleases me in the grave Allah will please him on the day of Judgement.’

In another narration The Prophet of Allah said (words to the effect), ‘whosoever grants happiness to a mu’min he has entered into a treaty with Allah and whosoever enters into a treaty with Allah will not be entered into jahannum.’

The Prophet of Allah said (words to the effect), ‘whosoever relieves a fellow Muslim from his difficulty it is though he has spent an entire night in worshipping Allah.’

The Prophet of Allah said (words to the effect), ‘after the faraai’dh acts, the best act in front of Allah is to please a fellow Muslim.’

Hadhrat Anas states that The Prophet of Allah said (words to the effect), ‘one who pleases a fellow Muslim due to his love for him, Allah will please such a person on the Day of judgment.’ (Targeeb)

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 10

REVERENCE TOWARDS THE SANCTITY OF THE MUSLIMS

Allah says in the Qur’aan in Surah Al Hajj (22:30):

‘And whoever magnifies the sacred things of Allah, it will be well for him in the sight of his Lord.’

Hadhrat Umar narrates that he saw the prophet performing tawaaf of the ka’ bah and saying, ‘how pleasant you are, there is so much spirituality attached to you, how honored and reverential you are .but I swear by He in whose hands lies the life of Muhammad, that the sanctity of a believer’s life and wealth is much more than yours.’ (Ibne Majah)

Hadhrat Abu Darda narrates that the prophet said, ‘one who saves a fellow mu’min from being disgraced, (meaning that he saves his dignity), Allah will save such a person’s face from hell.’ (Tirmidhi)

Allah exalted says in the Glorious Qur’aan (15:88):

‘And lower wings in tenderness for the believers’

It is narrated on authority of Abu Huraira that the messenger of Allah said, ‘Do not feel envious of one another ,do not inflate prices by surpassing in bidding against one another, do not hate one another, do not undercut one another and do not enter into commercial transactions when the others have entered into it .O servants of Allah be like brothers. A Muslim is a brother of a Muslim he neither oppresses him nor fails him, nor humiliates him. The piety is here – and he pointed his chest three times. It is a serious evil for a Muslim to hold his Muslim brother in contempt. All things of a Muslim are sacred for his brother in faith; his blood, his property and honor.’ (Muslim)

It is stated in Abu Dawood Shareef that the prophet was once whilst performing tawaaf looked at the ka’bah and said ‘Allah has granted you great honor but the sanctity of a mu’min is far more than the sanctity of the ka’bah.’

It is indeed sad to note that every Muslim reveres the ka’bah and looks at it with respect and love but looks down reprehensibly and hatefully upon his fellow Muslim brother. Every Muslim considers it his good fortune to be afforded the opportunity to visit Makkah and see the ka’bah and every Muslim faces towards the ka’bah whilst praying Salaah but turns away from his own Muslim brothers. We ought to understand that the heart of a mu’min is the abode of Allah and therefore should never hurt it.

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 11

FORGIVENESS

Allah says,

‘Hold to forgiveness; command that is right, but turn away from the ignorant.’ (7:199)

‘So look (away human faults) with gracious forgiveness.’ (15:85)

Hadhrat Aisha has reported that she asked Nabi , ‘did you experience a day more terrible than the day of the battle of Uhud?’

He replied, ‘indeed I have experienced them at the hands of the people. The hardest treatment that I received from them was what I received from them on the day of Aqabah when I presented myself to Ibne Abdyalil bin Abd Khulal with the purpose of inviting him to Islam but he made no response to which I had desired. So I departed with signs of deep distress on my face. I didn’t recover until I arrived at Qarn Tha’lib. Then I raised my head and saw a cloud cast its shadow on me. I beheld in it Jibreel who called me and said, “Allah the Exalted has heard what your people have said to you and the response they have made to you. And he has sent the angel in charge of the mountains to you so that you may order him to do what you wish to be done with regards to them.” Then the angel of mountains called to me, greeted me and said, “Muhammad Allah has listened to what your people have said to you. I am the angel of the mountains and my lord has sent me to you so that you may give me your direction according to your desire. [I will carry out your orders] if you wish I will bring together the two mountains that stand opposite to each other at the extremities of Makkah to crush them in between.” But the messenger of Allah said, “I rather hope that Allah will produce from their descendants such persons as will worship Allah, the one and will not ascribe partners to him.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Aisha reports that Nabi never beat with his hand either a slave or a woman but of course he did fight in the cause of Allah. He never took revenge from anyone for the torture inflicted upon him but of course, he exacted retribution for the sake of Allah incase the injunctions of Allah were violated. (Muslim)

Hadhrat Anas said that he was once walking with Nabi who had worn a najrani cloak. Its border was very stiff. On the way a Bedouin happened to meet him. He took hold of the side of his cloak and drew it violently. I noticed that the violence of the jerk had bruised Nabi SAW’s neck. The Bedouin said, “O Muhammad! Direct that I should be given out of Allah’s provision that you possess.” Nabi turned to him and smiled and directed that he should be given something. (Bukhari, Muslim)

Ibne Mas'ood has reported, “I can recall to my mind the scene when Nabi was making mention of one of the ambiya who was beaten and injured by his people. He was wiping the blood from his face and supplicating, “O Allah! Forgive my people because they know not.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 12

POLITENESS, TOLERANCE & KINDNESS

Allah states in the Qur’aan (3:134):

‘Those who suppress anger, and pardon all men and Allah loves those who do good’

Hadhrat Ibne Abbas reports that he had heard the messenger of Allah saying to Abdul Qais , ‘you possess two qualities that Allah loves. These are calmness and tolerance.’ (Muslim)

Aisha Siddiqah reports that Nabi said, ‘Allah is kind and loves kindness in all affairs.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

Hadhrat Aisha Siddiqah reports that Nabi said, ‘kindness adorns everything and if it is withdrawn from anything, it makes it defective.’ (Muslim)

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah reports ‘a Bedouin urinated in the mosque and some people rushed to beat him. Whereupon the Messenger of Allah ordered them to leave him and pour water over it to wash it out. Then he said ‘you have been sent to make things easy and not to make them difficult.’ (Bukhari)

Hadhrat Jarir Bin Abdullah reports that Nabi said, ‘he who is deprived of tenderly feelings is deprived of all good.’ (Muslim)

Hadhrat Ibne Mas’ood reports that Nabi said, ‘shall I tell you of that person whom the fire is forbidden to touch? It has been forbidden to touch a person who is always accessible having polite and tender nature.’ (Tirmidhi)

Hadhrat Anas passed by some children and greeted them with salaam. Then he said that Nabi used to do the same.

Hadhrat Anas reports that Nabi said, ‘make things easy and do not make them difficult, cheer the people up by conveying glad tidings to them and do not repulse (them).’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

A slave girl of Ali ibn Hussein when helping him to perform wudhu, dropped the water pot and injured his face.When Ali looked at her angrily, she exclaimed, 'Allah states, ‘And those that control their anger.' Ali thereupon suppressed his anger.Thereafter she recited, 'And are forgiving towards mankind.' He said to her, 'May Allah forgive you.'She then recited, ‘Allah loves the charitable.' Thereupon he said, ‘you are a free woman.’ (Fadhail-e-sadaqat)

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet kissed his grandson Al-Hassan bin `Ali in the presence of Al-Aqra` bin Habis. Thereupon he remarked: "I have ten children and I have never kissed any one of them." Messenger of Allah looked at him and said, ‘He who does not show mercy to others will not be shown mercy.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 13

PATIENCE

Allah says (3:200)

‘O you who believe, be patient and outdo all others in endurance.’

Hadhrat Shu’ayb Ar-Rumirr narrates that the prophet of Allah said, ‘how excellent is the matter of the believer. His matter, all of it, is good. This is not enjoyed by anyone but a believer. If he experiences happiness and he is grateful, it is best for him. If calamity afflicts him and he is patient, it is best for him.’ (Muslim)

The prophet of Allah said (words to the effect), ‘when a calamity befalls my servant regarding his health or wealth and he endures it with tremendous patience then I feel shy to place him before the scales or open his book of deeds on the day of Qiyaamah.’

Hadhrat Abdullah Ibne Mas’ood reports that Nabi said, ‘patience is half of Imaan.’ (Tabrani)

Hadhrat Anas reports that Nabi said, ‘when Allah loves a person or wills to purify him, He pours a deluge of calamities upon him and inundates him with them. Then when the person supplicates saying, “O my beloved Sustainer!” Allah replies, “here I am, O My servant! I will grant you whatever you ask Me – I will either give it to you immediately or I will store it for you.”’ (Ibne Abi Dunya)

Hadhrat Abu Saeed and Hadhrat Abu Huraira report that Nabi said, ‘a believer is never struck with discomfort, hardship or illness, grief or even mental worry without his sins being expiated from him.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah reports that Nabi said, ‘anyone for whom Allah intends good, is made to suffer from affliction.’ (Bukhari)

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah reports that Nabi said (words to the effect), ‘he for whom Allah wills good, He will cause him to be afflicted.’ (Bukhari)

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 14

INVITING TO RIGHT GUIDANCE

Allah says in the Qur’aan:

‘Invite mankind unto your lord’

‘Invite to the way of your lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching.’ (16:125)

It is narrated on authority of Abu Mas’ood Uqba bin Amr Al-Ansari Al-Badri that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘whoever guides someone to virtue will be rewarded equivalent to him who practices that good action.’ (Muslim)

Abu Huraira reported the prophet saying, ‘if anyone calls others to follow right guidance, his reward will equivalent to follow him without their reward being diminished in any respect, and if anyone invites others to follow error, the sin will be equivalent to those who follow him (in sinfulness) without their sins being diminished in an respect.’ (Muslim)

It has been narrated on the authority of Anas bin Malik that a young man from the Aslam tribe said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I wish to fight (in the path of Allah) but I do not have anything to equip myself with. He, (the Prophet ) said, ‘go to so-and-so for he had equipped himself (for fighting) but he fell ill.’ So he, (the young man) went to him and said: the messenger of Allah sends you his greetings and says that you should give me the equipment that you had provided yourself with. The man said (to his wife or servant), ‘so-and-so, give him the equipments I have collected for myself and do not withhold anything from him. Do not withhold anything from him so that you may be blessed therein.’ (Muslim)

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 15

KIND TREATMENT TOWARDS PARENTS AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TIES OF RELATIONSHIP

Allah says in the Qur’aan:

‘Worship Allah and join not aught with Him in worship. Be good to parents and to

kindred, and to orphans and to the poor, and to the

neighbour whether kinsmen or new comer, and to fellow

traveller, and to the way-farer and to the slaves whom your right hands hold.’ (4:37)

‘Be careful of your duty towards Allah in Whose

Name you claim (your rights) of one another.’ (4:1)

‘And (people) who join together what Allah has

bidden to be joined’ (13:21)

‘We have enjoined one man’s kindness towards

parents.’ (29:8)‘ If one of them or both of

them (parents) attain old age with Thee, say not “uff!”

unto them (anything which may upset or put them to shame) nor repulse them,

but speak unto them a gracious word.

And lower unto them the wing of submission through

mercy, and say: My Lord! Have mercy on them both,

as they did care for me when I was little. Your lord is best

aware of what is in your minds. If you are righteous,

then lo! He was ever forgiving unto those who

turn (unto him)’ (Bani Israel: 23, 24, and 25)

Mujahid has said, in the explanation of this Aayat, that when the parents attain old age you ought not to grumble over washing their urine and excreta, as they washed it when you were a baby.

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

Ali has said that if there was any degree of impertinence below uttering “UFF”, Allah Ta’ala would (probably) have forbidden it.

When someone asked Hassan as to what was the lowest of one’s property and wealth, he replied, ‘Shun seeing them as well as looking at them with sharp looks.’

Another person asked Hassan as to what the term gracious word (Quale Kareem) signifies, he replied, ‘to address them lovingly as ‘Ammi’ and ‘Abba’ instead of calling them by their names.’

Zubair Ibne Muhammed has been quoted to explain that ‘whenever they call you, reply; “present” or “at your beck and call”’

Qatadah said that they should be spoken to politely.

Someone asked Sa’eed bin Mussayab that the Qur’aan repeatedly highlights the order for good conduct, which is understandable; however the meaning of Quale Kareem is not clear. The reply was that it means ‘the way a slave, guilty of grave offence, speaks to his master who has a harsh temperament.’

Urwah was asked by someone what is meant by the term ‘I lower unto them’ in the Qur’aan. The reply was that, ‘if when they speak to you unpleasantly, do not look at them angrily, as the dislike first becomes apparent in the eyes.’

Aisha says that Rasulullah said, ‘Whoever looks at his father angrily is being disobedient.’

Another Hadeeth says that the pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of the father and likewise Allah’s displeasure is aroused by the father’s displeasure.

LESSON 16

‘And we have enjoined upon man concerning his parents - His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to me and to your parents.’ (31:14)

It is narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ood that I asked the Messenger of Allah which of the deeds takes one nearer to Paradise? He said, ‘Prayer at its proper time.’ I said: What next, Messenger of Allah ? He replied, ‘kindness to the parents.’ I said: What NEXT? He replied, ‘jihad in the course of Allah .’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

It is reported on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘no son can repay (the kindness shown by his father) except that he should find a slave and set him at liberty after buying it.’ (Muslim)

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

COMMENTARY

The rights of parents do not come to an end with their death. In fact, some of their rights take effect after their death and it is a religious obligation for the children to fulfil them.

As explained before, obeying one’s parents and treating them with respect and affection is a great virtue and atones for one’s sins. Similarly, to ask Allah to have mercy on them after their death is an act which brings comfort to them in their graves and serves to atone for one’s sins.

After the death of one’s parents, among other duties, is to pray for their forgiveness, and treat their relatives and friends with due respect.

Abu Usaid Sa’idi relates that a person came to Nabi and asked him, ‘O Prophet of Allah are there some rights of my parents, on me, which I have to fulfil even after they have died?’

‘Yes’, the prophet replied. ‘These are to pray for mercy and forgiveness on their behalf, to fulfil the promises they have made to anyone, to pay due regard to the bonds of relationship from their side and to be respectful to their friends.’ (Targeeb)

Ibne Dinar relates that Abdullah Ibne Umar was going on a journey to Makkah when he saw a Bedouin going on the way. Ibne Umar gave him his own riding-beast, took off his own turban and gave it to him as a gift. Ibne Dinar said to him, “This man might have been pleased with something less”. Ibne Umar said, “This man’s father was a friend of my father and I have heard Rasulullah saying, “Showing kindness to the friend’s of one’s father gets the best return.”

Abu Huraira says that, on one of his visits to Madinah, Ibne Umar came to see him and said, “Do you know why I have come to visit you? I have heard Rasulullah saying, ‘if anyone wishes to show kindness to his father who is dead, let him treat his father’s friends in a kindly manner,’ and (you know that) my father (Umar) was a friend of yours. (Targeeb)

In the Qur’aan, Muslims have been urged to pray for the salvation of their parents as shown in the verse.

And say,

‘My Lord, Have mercy on both of them, as they cared for me when I was little.’

This Duaa was read by Abu Bakr

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 17

KEEPING GOOD TIES WITH RELATIVES AND ONE’S OWN KITH AND KIN

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘He who believe in Allah and the Last Day does not harm his neighbour, and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day shows hospitality to his guest and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day speaks good or remains silent.’ (Bukhari)

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira who said: Allah created the creations and when He finished the task of His creations, Ar-Rahm (womb-ties of relationship) said, ‘(O’ Allah) at this place I seek refuge with You from all those who sever me (sever the ties of kith and kin.) Allah said: Yes, Are you not satisfied that I should keep connection with him who keeps you united and server connection with him who servers you.’I said, ‘I am satisfied.’ Allah said, ‘Then this is your station.’ Then the Apostle of Allah told to recite this Verse (for attestation) if you require,

‘Would you then, if you were given the authority do mischief in the land and sever your ties of kinship. It is these whom Allah has cast away and made them deaf and has blinded their eyes.’ (47:22) (Bukhari)

The Bukhari version is Allah said, ‘I shall keep connection with him who keeps you united and sever connection with him who severs you.’

It is reported on the authority of Abu Huraira that a person came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘who among the people is most deserving of a fine treatment from my hand?’ He said, ‘your mother’He again asked, ‘then who (is the next one)’He said again, ‘It is your mother (who deserves best treatment)’He asked, ‘then who (is the next one).’ He (the Holy Prophet ) said again, ‘it is your mother’He again asked, ‘then who?’ Thereupon he said, ‘then it is your father, then your nearest relatives.’

It is reported on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘may he be disgraced; may he be disgraced; may he be disgraced; who finds his parents one or both approaching old age and does not enter Paradise by rendering services to them.’ (Muslim)

It is reported on the authority of Abu Huraira that a man said to the Messenger of Allah , ‘I have relatives with whom I try to unite ties of relationship but who sever relations with me; whom I treat kindly but who treats me badly with whom I am gentle but who are rough to me.’ He replied, ‘If you are as you say it is as if you are applying hot ashes to them and you will not be without a supporter against them from Allah as long as you do so.’ (Muslim)

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

It is reported on the authority of Anas that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘he, who desires that he be granted more provision and his lease of life be prolonged, should treat his kith and kin well.’ (Agreed upon)

It is narrated by Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin al- ‘As that a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘I owe allegiance to you for migration and jihad seeking reward only from Allah.’ He said, ‘is one of your parents alive?’He said, ‘yes, of course, both of them are alive.’ He asked, ‘do you want to seek reward from Allah.’ He replied in the affirmative.Thereupon the Messenger of Allah said, ‘go back to your parents and accord them kind treatment.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

Another version is: A person came to the Messenger of Allah and sought permission to participate in Jihad. Thereupon, the Holy Prophet said, ‘are your parents alive?’ He replied in affirmative. The holy prophet said, ‘you should consider their service to be jihad.’

It is reported on the authority of ‘Abdullah bin Amr bin al-‘As that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘one who recompenses the good done to him by someone (relative) is not the one who upholds the ties of a relationship. It is the one who keeps good relations with those relatives who cut asunder the bond of kinship with him.’ (Bukhari)

It is reported on the authority of Aishah that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘the ties of relationship are suspending from the Throne and says: “he who keeps good relations with it, Allah will keep connection with him, but whosoever severs relations with it, Allah will sever connection with him.”’ (Bukhari)

Maimuna bint al- Harith narrated that she set free a slave girl in the time of the Messenger of Allah without his permission. When she came to him in her turn, she made mention of that to him, whereupon he remarked, ‘have you given her to your maternal uncles, it would have increased your reward.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

Asma bint Abu Bakr narrated, ‘my mother came to me whilst she was still a polytheist and I asked the Messenger of Allah , “My mother who is ill-disposed to Islam, has come to visit me. She is aspiring for something from me. Shall I show her affection?” He replied, ‘yes be benevolent towards your mother.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 18

It has been narrated on the authority of Zainab al-Thaqfia the wife of Abdullah bin Mas’ood that when the Messenger of Allah told the women that they should give sadaqah (charity), even though it should be some of their jewellery, she returned to Abdullah bin Mas'ood and said, ‘you are a man who does not possess much, and Allah’s Messenger has commanded us to give sadaqah ( charity) - so go and ask him, and if giving to you will serve for me I shall do so , otherwise I shall give it to someone else.’ He told her that it would be better to go herself, so she went and found a woman of the Ansar at Allah’s Messengers door who had come for the same purpose as she had. Now Allah’s Messenger was invested with respects, and when Bilal came out to them they said to him, ‘go to Allah’s Messenger and tell him that there are two women at the door who have come to ask him whether it will serve them to give sadaqah (charity) to their husbands and to orphans who are in their charge, but do not tell him who we are.’ Bilal went in and asked him, and Allah’s Messenger asked him who the women were. When he told them they were a woman of the Ansar and Zainab , he asked which Zainab it was, and when he was told it was the wife of ‘Abdullah bin Mas'ood he said, ‘they will have two rewards, the reward for kinship and the reward for sadaqah (charity).’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

Sufiyaan Sakhr bin Harb made mention of Heraclius in a long tradition and narrated, ‘Heraclius asked him: ‘what does this Prophet teach you?’ I said, ‘he orders us to worship Allah, the One, and not to associate anything with him, to discard what our ancestors said, and to perform the Salaah (Prayer), speak the truth, keep chaste and treat your kindred benevolently.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Dharr that he heard the Messenger of Allah saying, ‘you would soon conquer a land where people are in the habit of using foul language. You would soon conquer Egypt and that is the land known (as the land of al –qirat). So when you conquer it, treat its inhabitants well. For there lies upon you the responsibility because of blood ties or relationship (with them).’ (Muslim)

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that when this verse was revealed:

‘And warn your nearest kindred’ (26:214)The Messenger of Allah called the Quraish so they gathered and he gave them a general warning. Then he made a particular (reference to certain tribes) and said, “O’ sons of Ka’b bin Luwayy, rescue yourselves from the fire! O’ sons of Murra bin Ka’b, rescue yourselves from the fire! O’ sons of ‘Abd Shams, rescue yourselves from the fire! O’ sons of ‘Abd Manaf, rescue yourselves from the fire! O sons of ‘Abd al- Muttalib, rescue yourselves from the fire! For I have no power (to protect you) from Allah in anything except this that I would sustain relationship with you.” (Muslim)

It has been narrated on the authority of Amr bin al- As that he heard the Messenger of Allah saying openly not secretly, ‘the family of Abn so and so (i.e. Talib) are not among my

protectors. My protector is Allah and the righteous believing people. But they (that family) have kinship (Rahm) with me and I will be good and dutiful to them.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Ayyub Khalid bin Zaid al–Ansari that a man came to the Messenger and said, ‘direct me to a deed which draws me near to paradise and take me away from the Fire (of Hell).’Upon this he (the Messenger of Allah ) said, ‘you worship Allah and never associate anything with Him, establish prayer, pay Zakaat, and do good to your kin.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

It has been narrated on the authority of Salman bin ‘Amir that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘when you break the fast, you should do it with a date, for there is blessing in it, and if you cannot find a date with water for it is pure.’ He added, ‘charity towards a poor one is charity, and towards a relation is both charity and kindness.’ (Tirmidhi)

Ibne ‘Umar said, ‘I had a wife whom I loved but whom ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him) disliked. He told me to divorce her, and when I refused, ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him) went to Allah’s Messenger and mentioned that matter to him. Allah’s Messenger told me to divorce her.’ (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood)

It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Darda that when a man came to him and said, ‘I have a wife whom my mother commands me to divorce. He replied to him that he had heard Allah’s Messenger as saying a parent is the best of the gates of Paradise; so if you wish, keep to the gate, or lose it.’ (Tirmidhi, Majah)

It has been narrated on the authority of Al- Bara’ bin Azib that he heard the Messenger of Allah as saying, ‘a mothers sister is equivalent to (real) mother (in status).’ (Tirmidhi)

LESSON 19

PROHIBITION OF DISOBEYING PARENTS AND SEVERENCE OF RELATIONS

Allah says:

‘Would you then, if you were given the authority do mischief in the land and sever your ties of kinship. It is these whom Allah has cast away and made them deaf and has blinded their eyes.’ (47:22, 23)

‘And those who break the covenant of Allah after approving it , and server that which Allah had commanded should be joined, and work mischief in the earth; on them is the curse; for them is the terrible Home.’ (13:25)2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

‘ If one of them or both of them (parents) attain old age with Thee, say not “uff!” unto them (anything which may upset or put them to shame) nor repulse them, but speak unto them a gracious word.And lower unto them the wing of submission through mercy, and say: My Lord! Have mercy on them both, as they did care for me when I was little.’ (Bani Israel: 23, 24, and 25) It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Bakra Nufai bin al–Harith that the Messenger of Allah said thrice, ‘shall I not inform you of the biggest of the great sins?’We said, ‘yes, O’ Allah Apostle .’ He said, ‘to join partners in worship with Allah: to be undutiful to ones parents.’ The Messenger of Allah sat up after he had been reclining and added, ‘and I warn you against giving forged statements and a false witness, I warn you against giving a forged statement and a false witness.’ The Messenger of Allah kept on saying that warning till we thought he would not stop. (Bukhari, Muslim)

The greatest violation of rights of our parents that most of us are guilty of is to neglect them in their old age. At that phase in life, parents are often seen as a liability because of their physical weakness. They are then sent to ‘old age homes’.

This and all other violations of their rights is blatant abuse. And Nabi has said that to abuse one’s parents is a major sin.

Allah says in a hadeeth-e-Qudsi: “I swear by my Glory and power that if a (child who is) disobedient to his parents comes to me with all the good deeds of all the Prophets, I will not accept them from him.”

It has been narrated on the authority of Abdullah bin Amr bin al-Aas that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘major sins are to associate anything with Allah, to disobey of parents, to kill anyone and to take a false oath.’ (Bukhari)

It has been narrated on the authority of Abdullah bin Umar bin al-Aas that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘it is one of the greatest sins that a man should curse his parents.’It was asked (by the people): O’ Allah’s Messenger , How does a man curse his parents? The Messenger of Allah said, ‘the man abuses the father of the former and abuses his mother.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)

2 | P a g e

Akhlaaqe - Hameeda

LESSON 20

DEADLIEST DISEASE

One should refrain from breaking the heart of another Muslim. The most terrible of ailments is the ailment of the heart and the deadliest disease from those of the heart is breaking someone’s heart.

Khwaja Abul Hasan Kharqani Rahmatullahalayh said, ‘one who has spent one night and one day without hurting a fellow Muslim has spent that day and night with Nabi Kareem .’

Allah Ta'aala says in the Qur’aan in Surah Mu’minun (23:96)

‘Repel by (means of) what is best’

It is the law of nature that the sandal tree renders fragrant the very axe that chops it down. Likewise, the rose petals render fragrant the palms that crush them.

1. List the ten things that ensure death with Imaan

2 | P a g e