Hadith Of The Week

What is Hadith?

(Part 1)

What is Hadith?

This is a body of literature that comprises the sayings, teachings, behaviour etc. of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims try to emulate the character of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in their daily lives and use the hadith as a key source to that end. The Qur'an together with hadith constitute the two most authoritative sources for moral, ethical and spiritual guidance for Muslims.

Below are a number of the Sayings of the Messenger of God, Muhammad (peace be upon him). A hadith is posted every week on "MYJANATY" website:

The Messenger of God (may peace be upon him) said:

"Whoever pleases his parents has pleased God, and whoever angers them has angered God"

The above Hadith was narrated by Ibn An-Najjar. Translation by Hamza Yusuf. Taken from the book: "The Content of Character"

Bedtime Prayer

The Messenger of God (may peace be upon him) said:

"When you go to bed, say, 'O my God, I submit my soul to You, and I turn my face to You, and I entrust my affairs to You, and I commit my burden to You, longing for You yet dreading You: there is no shelter from You, nor haven, except with You. I believe in Your Book, which You have revealed, and Your prophets, whom You have sent.

"Then if you die that night, you will die in innocence; and if you wake up the next morning, you will encounter good"

Related by Al-Bara'a Bin Azib, Taken from the book "The Wisdom of the Prophet", a selection from the Hadith translated by Thomas Cleary

Living What You Teach

The Messenger of God (may peace be upon him) said:

"A person who teaches goodness to others while neglecting his own soul is like an oil lamp, which illumines others while burning itself out"

The above Hadith was narrated by Al-Tirmithi. Translation by Hamza Yusuf. Taken from the book: "The Content of Character"

The Tongue

The Messenger of God (may peace be upon him) said:

"The majority of man's sins emanate from his tongue"

The above Hadith was narrated by At-Tabarani. Translation by Hamza Yusuf. Taken from the book: "The Content of Character"

Love

The Messenger of God (may peace be upon him) said:

" Three practices will keep sincere your brother's love for you: greeting him when you see him; making room for him in gatherings; and calling him by the most endearing of his names."

And The Messenger of God also said:

"Hearts naturally love those who are kind to them and loath those who are cruel"

The above Hadith was narrated by Al-Bayhaqi. Translation by Hamza Yusuf. Taken from the book: "The Content of Character"

An Honest Day's Work

The Messenger of God (may peace be upon him) said:

"God loves to see His servant exhausted after an honest day's work

The above Hadith was narrated by Ad-Daylami. Translation by Hamza Yusuf. Taken from the book: "The Content of Character"

Charity & Relatives

The Messenger of God (may peace be upon him) said:

"Charity given to one's relatives twice multiplies its reward"

The above Hadith was narrated by Al-Tabarani. Translation by Hamza Yusuf. Taken from the book: "The Content of Character"

Virtue & Sin

The Messenger of God (may peace be upon him) said:

"Virtue is goodness of character, and sin is what you devise in your self and hate for people to find out about it."

Taken from the book "The Wisdom of the Prophet", a selection from the Hadith translated by Thomas Cleary

The Just

The Messenger of God (may peace be upon him) said:

"The just will be on platforms of light in the presence of God; those who are just in their decisions, with their families, and with what they are in charge of."

Taken from the book "The Wisdom of the Prophet", a selection from the Hadith translated by Thomas Cleary

Seven Destructive Things

The Messenger of God (may peace be upon him) said:

"Avoid the seven destructive things."

People asked, "What are they, O Messenger of God?"

The Prophet said, "Idolatry; sorcery; killing a person declared inviolable by God, except for a just reason; profiteering; consuming the property of an orphan; turning back when it is time to advance; and defaming* chaste believing women who happen to be careless."

* damage the good reputation of (someone); slander

Taken from the book "The Wisdom of the Prophet", a selection from the Hadith translated by Thomas Cleary