The following selection of chapters have been taken from the book:
Riyad-us-Saliheen, by Al-Imam An-Nawawi, Ahadith Selected and Collected by Sheikh Safi-ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri, Darussalam.
Selected chapters (with more to be added in sha Allah):
- TRUTHFULNESS
- PROHIBITION OF HERESIES IN RELIGION
- RIGHTS OF NEIGHBOURS
- PROHIBITION OF DISOBEYING PARENTS AND SEVERANCE OF RELATIONS
- MODESTY AND COURTESY TOWARDS THE BELIEVERS
- CONDEMNATION OF PRIDE AND SELF-CONCEIT
- FORGIVENESS OF THE IGNORANT
CHAPTER 4 (4). TRUTHFULNESS
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds).” (9:119)
“…the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds)…” (33:35)
“…then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them.” (47:21)
12 (54). ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Truth leads to piety and piety leads to Jannah. A man persists in speaking the truth till he is enrolled with Allah as a truthful. Falsehood leads to vice and vice leads to the Fire (Hell), and a person persists on telling lies until he is enrolled as a liar.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
13 (55). Hasan bin ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه) said: “I remember (these words) from Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “Give up what is doubtful for you for that which is not doubtful; for truth is peace of mind and falsehood is doubt.” [At-Tirmidhi – Sahih]
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CHAPTER 17 (18). PROHIBITION OF HERESIES IN RELIGION
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“So after the truth, what else can there be, save error?” (10:32)
“We have neglected nothing in the Book.” (6:38)
“(And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (sallAllahu alaihi was-sallam)” (4:49)
“And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path.” (6:153)
“Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e., accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.” (3:31)
60 (169). ‘Aisah (رضي الله عنه) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “If anyone introduces in our matter something which does not belong to it, will be rejected.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The narration in Muslim says: “If anybody introduces a practice which is not authenticated by me, it is to be rejected.”
Jabir (رضي الله عنه) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) delivered a Khutbah, his eyes would become red, his tone loud and he showed anger as if he were warning us against an army. He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would say, “The enemy is about to attack you in the morning and the enemy is advancing against you in the evening.” He would further say, “I am sent with the final Hour like these two fingers of mine.” Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) held up his index finger and the middle finger together to illustrate. He used to add: ‘To procees, the best speech is the Book of Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), the worst practice is the introduction of new practices in Islam and every Bid’ah is misguidance.” He would also say, “I am, in respect of rights, nearer to every believer than his own self. He who leaves an estate, it belongs to his heirs, and he who leaves a debt, it is my responsibility to pay it off.” [Muslim]
Same hadith as reported by ‘Irbad bin Sariyah (رضي الله عنه) has already been recorded in the previous chapter regarding safeguarding the Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) [See hadith number 55 (157)]
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CHAPTER 38 (39). RIGHTS OF NEIGHBOURS
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess.” (4:36)
118. (303) Ibn ‘Umar and ‘Aishah (radiyAllaahu ‘anhum) reported: Messenger of Allah (said): “Jibril kept recommending treating neighbours with kindness until I thought he would assign a share of inheritance.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
119. (305) Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer! By Allah, he is not a believer.” It was asked, “Who is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “One whose neighbour does not feel safe from his evil.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Another narration of Muslim is: Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “He will not enter Jannah whose neighbour is not secure from his wrongful conduct.”
120 (308). Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him not harm his neighbour; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him speak good or remain silent.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
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CHAPTER 40 (41). PROHIBITION OF DISOBEYING PARENTS AND SEVERANCE OF RELATIONS
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“Would you then, if you were given authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded in their sight.” (47:22,23)
“And those who break the Covenant of Allah, after its ratification, and sever that which Allah has commanded to be joiuned (i.e., they sever the bond of kinship and are not good to their relatives), and work mischief in the land, on them is the curse (i.e., they will be far away from Allah’s Mercy), and for them in the unhappy (evil) home (i.e., Hell).” (13:25)
“And your Rubb has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Rubb! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.'” (17:23,24)
126 (336). Abu Bakrah Nufai’ bin Al-Harith (رضي الله عنه) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Shall I not inform you of the biggest of the major sins?” Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked this question thrice. We said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah. (Please inform us.)” He said, “Ascribing partners to Allah and to be undutiful to your parents.” Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) sat up from his recling postion and said. “And I warn you against giving forged statemetn and a false testimony; I warn you against giving forged statement and a false testimony.” Messenger of Allah () kept on repeating that warning till we wished he would stop. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
127 (340). Abu ‘Isa Al-Mughirah bin Shu’bah (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Allah has forbidden you: disobedience to your mothers, to withhold (what you should give), or demand (what you do not deserve), and to bury your daughters alive. And Allah dislikes idle talk, to ask too many questions (for things which will be of no benefit to one), and to waste your wealth.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
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CHAPTER 67 (71). MODESTY AND COURTESY TOWARDS THE BELIEVERS
Allaah, the Exaleted, says:
“And be kind and humble to the believers who follow you.” (26:215)
“O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allaah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbeliever.” (5:54)
“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah if that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [he is one of the Muttaqub (the pious)].” (49:13)
“So ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him [i.e., those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious)].” (53:32)
“And the men on Al-A’raf (the wall) will call unto the men whom they would recognise by their marks, saying: ‘Of what benefit to you were your great numbers (and hoards of wealth), and your arrogance (against Faith)?’ Are they those, of whom you swore that Allah would never show them mercy. (Behold! It has been said to them): ‘Enter Jannah, no fear shall be on you, nor shall you grieve.'” (7:48,49)
201 (602). ‘Iyad bin Himar (رضي الله عنه) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Allah has revealed to me that you should humble yourselves to one another. One should neither hold himself above another nor transgress against another.” [Muslim]
202 (605). Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه) reported: A slave-girl of Al-Madinah would take hold of the hand of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and take him wherever she desired. [Al-Bukhari]
203 (606). Al-Aswad bin Yazid (رضي الله عنه) reported: ‘Aishah (رضي الله عنه) was asked: “What did Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to do inside his house?” She answered: “He used to keep himself busy helping members of his family, and when it was the time for Salat (the prayer), he would get up for prayer.” [Al-Bukhari]
CHAPTER 68 (72). CONDEMNATION OF PRIDE AND SELF-CONCEIT
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“That home of the Hereafter (i.e., Jannah), We shall assign to those who rebel not againt the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqun (the pious and righteous persons).” (28:83)
“And walk not on earth with conceit and arrogance.” (17:37)
“And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant boaster.” (31:18)
“Verily, Qarun (Korah) was of Musa’s (Moses) people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Remember when his people said to him: ‘Do not exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah). Verily, Allah likes not those who exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah…(up to)…So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place.” (28:76-81)
204 (612). ‘Abdullah bin Ma’sud (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “He who has, in his heart, an ant’s weight of arrogance will not enter Jannah.” Someone said: “A man likes to wear beautiful clothes and shoes?” Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Allah is Beautiful, He loves beauty. Arrogance means ridiculing and rejecting the Truth and despising people.” [Muslim]
205 (614). Harithah bin Wahab (رضي الله عنه) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Shall I not inform you about the inmates of Hell? It is every violent, impertinent and proud person.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
206 (617). Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “There are three (types of) people to whom Allah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, nor look at them, and they will have a painful punishment. These are: An aged man who commits Zina (illicit sexual act), a ruler who lies, and a proud poor person.” [Muslim]
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CHAPTER 71 (75). FORGIVENESS OF THE IGNORANT
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“Shows forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e., don’t punish them).” (7:199)
“So overlook (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) their faults with gracious forgiveness.” (15:85)
“Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?” (24:22)
“And who pardons men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinun (the good-doers)” (3:134)
“And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.” (42:43)
213 (643). ‘Aishah (رضي الله عنه) reported: I asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “Have you ever experienced a day harder than the day of the battle of Uhud?” He replied, “Indeed, I experienced them (dangers) at the hands of your people (i.e., the disbelievers from amongst the Quraish tribe). The hardest treatment I met from them was on the Day of ‘Aqabah when I went to Ibn ‘Abd Yalil bin ‘Abd Kulal (who was one of the chiefs of Ta’if) with the purpose of inviting him to Islam, but he made no response (to my call). So I departed with deep distress. I did not recover until I arrived at Qarn Ath-Tha’alib. There, I raised my head and saw a cloud which had cast its shadow on me. I saw in it Jibril (Gabriel) – alahis salaam – who called me and said: ‘Indeed, Allah, the Exalted, heard what your people said to you and the response they made to you. And He has sent you the angel in charge of the mountains to order him to do to them what you wish.’ Then the angel of the mountains called me, greeted me and said: ‘O Muhammad, Allah listened to what your people had said to you. I am the angel of the mountains, and my Rubb has sent me to you so taht you may give me your orders. (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 and crush them in between.'” But Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “I rather hope that Allah will raise from among their descendants people as will worship Allah the One, and will not ascribed partners to Him (in worship).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
