The Book of Jihad

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked, "Which deed is the best?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Faith in Allah and His Messenger." He (ﷺ) was asked, "What is next?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Jihad (holy fighting) in the Cause of Allah." Then he was asked: "What is after that (in goodness)?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Hajj Mabrur (which is accepted by Allah)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سئل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أي العمل أفضل‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏‏إيمان بالله ورسوله‏"‏ قيل‏:‏ ثم ماذا‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏الجهاد في سبيل الله‏"‏ قيل‏:‏ ثم ماذا‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏حج مبرور‏"‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏"

I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "Which action is dearest to Allah?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Performing As-Salat (the prayer) at its earliest fixed time." I asked, "What is next (in goodness)?" He (ﷺ) said, "Kindness towards parents." I asked, "What is next (in goodness)?" He (ﷺ) said, "To participate in Jihad in the Cause of Allah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن ابن مسعود، رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قلت يا رسول الله أي العمل أحب إلى الله تعالى‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏‏الصلاة على وقتها‏"‏ قلت‏:‏ ثم أي‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏بر الوالدين‏"‏ قلت ثم أي‏:‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏الجهاد في سبيل الله‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked: "Which deed is the best?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Faith in Allah and Jihad (fighting, struggle) in the Cause of Allah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏الإيمان بالله والجهاد في سبيله‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Verily! Setting out in the early morning or in the evening in order to fight in Allah's way is better than the world and what it contains." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏لغدوة في سبيل الله أو روحة خير من الدنيا وما فيها‏"

A man came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said, "Who is the best among men?" He (ﷺ) replied, "A believer who strives in the way of Allah with his wealth and life." The man asked again, "Who is next to him (in excellence)?" He (ﷺ) said, "Next to him is a man who is engaged in worshipping his Rubb in a mountain valley, leaving the people secure from his mischief." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ أتى رجل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال‏:‏ أي الناس أفضل‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏‏مؤمن يجاهد بنفسه وماله في سبيل الله‏"‏ قال‏:‏ ثم من‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏مؤمن في شعب من الشعاب يعبد الله ويدع الناس من شره‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Observing Ribat (e.g., guarding the Islamic frontier for the sake of Allah) for a single day is far better than the world and all that it contains. A place in Jannah as small as the whip of your horse is far better than the world and all that it contains. An endeavour (fighting) in the Cause of Allah in the evening or in the morning is far better than the world and all that it contains." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن سهل بن سعد رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏‏رباط يوم في سبيل الله خير من الدنيا وما عليها، وموضع سوط أحدكم من الجنة خير من الدنيا وما عليها، والروحة يروحها العبد في سبيل الله تعالى، أو الغدوة خير من الدنيا وما عليها‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏"

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying, "Observing Ribat in the way of Allah for a day and a night is far better than observing Saum (fasting) for a whole month and standing in Salat (prayer) in all its nights. If a person dies (while performing this duty), he will go on receiving his reward for his meritorious deeds perpetually, and he will be saved from Al- Fattan." [Muslim].

‏رباط يوم وليلة خير من صيام شهر وقيامه، وإن مات فيه أجري عليه عمله الذي كان يعمل، وأجري عليه رزقه، وأمن الفتان‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The actions of every dead person come to a halt with his death except the one who is on the frontier in Allah's way (i.e., observing Ribat). This latter's deeds will be made to go on increasing for him till the Day of Resurrection, and he will be secure from the trials in the grave." [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].

وعن فضالة بن عبيد رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏‏كل ميت يختم على عمله إلا المرابط في سبيل الله فإنه ينمى له عمله إلى يوم القيامة، ويؤمن فتنة القبر” ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود والترمذي وقال‏:‏ حديث حسن صحيح‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: "Spending a day on the frontier in Allah's way is better than one thousand days in any other place." [At-Tirmidhi].

‏رباط يوم في سبيل الله خير من ألف يوم فيما سواه من المنازل‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah guarantees that he who goes out to fight in His way believing in Him and affirming the truth of His Messenger, will either be admitted to Jannah or will be brought back to his home (safely) from where he has set out, with whatever reward or share of booty he may have gained. By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, if a person is wounded in the way of Allah, he will come on the Day of Resurrection with his wound in the same condition as it was on the day when he received it; its colour will be the colour of blood but its smell will be the smell of musk. By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, if it were not to be too hard upon the Muslims, I would not lag behind any expedition to fight in the Cause of Allah, but I have neither Abundant means to provide them conveyance (horses) nor all other Muslims have it, and it will be hard on them to remain behind when I go forth (for Jihad). By Him in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, I love to fight in the way of Allah and get killed, to fight again and get killed and to fight again and get killed." [Muslim].

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏‏تضمن الله لمن خرج في سبيله لا يخرجه إلا جهاد في سبيلي، وإيمان بي وتصديق برسلي فهو علي ضامن أن أدخله الجنة، أو أرجعه إلى منزله الذي خرج منه بما نال من أجر، أو غنيمة، والذي نفس محمد بيده ما من كلم يكلم في سبيل الله إلا جاء يوم القيامة كهيئته يوم كلم، لونه لون دم، وريحه ريح مسك، والذي نفس محمد بيده لولا أن يشق على المسلمين ما قعدت خلاف سرية تغزو في سبيل الله أبدا، ولكن لا أجد سعة فأحملهم ولا يجدون سعة عليهم أن يتخلفوا عني، والذي نفس محمد بيده لوددت أن أغزو في سبيل الله فأقتل، ثم أغزو فأقتل ثم أغزو فأقتل‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم وروى البخاري بعضه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏‏"‏الكلم‏"‏ الجرح‏.‏‏)‏‏)‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Whoever is wounded while fighting in the way of Allah, will come on the Day of Resurrection with blood oozing from his wound having the colour of blood but with the fragrance of musk." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعنه قال‏:‏ قال‏:‏ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏‏ما من مكلوم يكلم في سبيل الله إلا جاء يوم القيامة، وكلمه يدمي اللون لون دم، والريح ريح مسك‏:‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏"

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Jannah becomes incumbent for a Muslim who fights for the Cause of Allah for a period as long as the time between two consecutive turns of milking a she-camel. He who receives a wound or a bruise in the Cause of Allah will appear on the Day of Resurrection as fresh as possible, its colour will be the colour of saffron and its fragrance will be that of musk." [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

‏من قاتل في سبييل الله من رجل مسلم فواق ناقة وجبت له الجنة، ومن جرح جرحًا في سبيل الله أو نكب نكبة فإنها تجيء يوم القيامة كأغزر ما كانت‏:‏ لونها الزعفران، وريحها كالمسك‏"

One of the Prophet's Companions came upon a valley containing a rivulet of fresh water and was delighted by it. He reflected: 'I wish to withdraw from people and settle in this valley; but I won't do so without the permission of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).' This was mentioned to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he said (to the man), "Do not do that, for when any of you remains in Allah's way, it is better for him than performing Salat (prayer) in his house for seventy years. Do you not wish that Allah should forgive you and admit you to Jannah? Fight in Allah's way, for he who fights in Allah's Cause as long as the time between two consecutive turns of milking a she-camel, will be surely admitted to Jannah." [At-Tirmidhi].

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ مر رجل من أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بشعب فيه عيينة من ماء عذبة فأعجبته، فقال‏:‏ لو اعتزلت الناس فأقمت في هذا الشعب، ولن أفعل حتى استأذن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فذكر ذلك لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال‏:‏ ‏‏لا تفعل فإن مقام أحدكم في سبيل الله أفضل من صلاته في بيته سبعين عامًا، ألا تحبون أن يغفر الله لكم ويدخلكم الجنة‏؟‏ اغزو في سبيل الله من قاتل في سبيل الله فواق ناقة وجبت له الجنة‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه الترمذي وقال‏:‏ حديث حسن‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏‏"‏والفواق‏"‏‏:‏ ما بين الحلبتين‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked: "What other good deed could be an equivalent of Jihad in the way of Allah?" He (ﷺ) replied, "You do not have the strength to do it." (The narrator said:) The question was repeated twice or thrice, but every time he (ﷺ) answered, "You do not have the strength to do it." Then he (ﷺ) said, "One who goes out for Jihad in the Cause of Allah is like a person who observes Saum (fasting), stands in Salat (prayer) constantly, recites the Ayat of the Qur'an and does not exhibit any lassitude in fasting and prayer until the participant of Jihad in the way of Allah returns." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعنه قال قيل يا رسول الله‏:‏ ما يعدل الجهاد في سبيل الله‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏‏لاتستطيعونه‏"‏ فأعادوا عليه مرتين أو ثلاثًا كل ذلك يقول‏:‏ ‏"‏لاتستطيعونه‏!‏‏"‏ ثم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏مثل المجاهد في سبيل الله كمثل الصائم القائم القانت بآيات الله لا يفتر‏:‏ من صلاة ولا صيام، حتى يرجع المجاهد في سبيل الله‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه، وهذا لفظ مسلم‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏ وفي رواية البخاري، أن رجلا قال‏:‏ يا رسول الله دلني على عمل يعدل الجهاد‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏لا أجده‏"‏ ثم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏هل تستطيع إذا خرج المجاهد أن تدخل مسجدك فتقوم ولا تفتر وتصوم ولا تفطر‏؟‏ فقال‏:‏ ومن يستطيع ذلك‏؟‏‏!‏‏.‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The best life is that of the man who holds his horse's rein in Allah's way and flies on its back to the places from whence he hears a war cry or the clatter of arms, seeking martyrdom or slaughter on the battlefield; or that of a person who goes to stay on the top of the hill or in a valley, and there he performs Salat (prayer), pays the Zakat and worships his Rubb till death overtakes him. He has no concern with the affairs of anyone except the doing of good." [Muslim].

‏من خير معاش الناس لهم رجل ممسك بعنان فرسه في سبيل الله، يطير على متنه كلما سمع هيعة، أو فزعة طار على متنه، يبتغي القتل أو الموت مظانه، أو رجل في غنيمة أو شعفة من هذه الشعف أو بطن واد من هذه الأودية يقيم الصلاة ويؤتي الزكاة، ويعبد ربه حتى يأتيه اليقين ليس من الناس إلا في خير‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "In Jannah there are a hundred grades which Allah has prepared for those who fight in His Cause; and the distance between any two of those grades is like the distance between the heaven and the earth." [Al-Bukhari].

‏إن في الجنة مائة درجة أعدها للمجاهدين في سبيل الله ما بين الدرجتين كما بين السماء والأرض‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "If anyone is pleased with Allah as his Rubb, with Islam as his religion and with Muhammad (ﷺ) as (Allah's) Messenger, surely, he will be entitled to enter Jannah." Abu Sa'id was delighted with this and requested the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to repeat it. He (ﷺ) repeated it again and then said, "There is also another act by which Allah will elevate the position of a (pious believing) slave in Jannah to a grade one hundred degrees higher. And the distance between any two grades is equal to the distance between heaven and earth." He asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) what it was and he ( (ﷺ)) replied, "Jihad in the way of Allah; Jihad in the way of Allah." [Muslim].

وعن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏‏من رضي بالله ربًا وبالإسلام دينًا، وبمحمد رسولا وجبت له الجنة‏"‏ فعجب لها أبو سعيد فقال أعدها علي يا رسول الله فأعادها عليه ثم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏وأخرى يرفع الله بها العبد مائة درجة في الجنة، ما بين كل درجتين، كما بين السماء والأرض‏"‏ قال‏:‏ وما هي يا رسول الله‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏الجهاد في سبيل الله، الجهاد في سبيل الله‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

I heard my father saying in the presence of the enemy: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The gates of Jannah are under the shades of the swords." A man with a shaggy appearance got up and said, "O Abu Musa! Did you hear the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say that in person?" Abu Musa replied in the affirmative; so he returned to his companions and said: "I tender you farewell greetings." Then he broke the scabbard of his sword and threw it away. He rushed towards the enemy with his sword and fought with it till he was martyred. [Muslim].

وعن أبي بكر بن أبي موسى الأشعري، قال‏:‏ سمعت أبي رضي الله عنه وهو بحضرة العدو، يقول قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏‏إن أبواب الجنة تحت ظلال السيوف‏"‏ فقام رجل رث الهيئة فقال يا أبا موسى أأنت سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول هذا‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ نعم، فرجع إلى أصحابه، فقال‏:‏ ‏"‏اقرأ عليكم السلام‏"‏ ثم كسر جفن سيفه فألقاه، ثم مشى بسيفه إلى العدو فضرب به حتى قتل‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "It will not happen that the feet soiled with dust while (doing Jihad) in the way of Allah, will be touched by the fire (of Hell)." [Al- Bukhari].

‏ما اغبرت قدما عبد في سبيل الله فتمسه النار‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "No one who weeps out of Fear of Allah will enter Hell until milk recedes to the udder, and the dust endured while striving in the Cause of Allah and the smoke of Hell will never subsist together." [At-Tirmidhi].

‏لا يلج النار رجل بكي من خشية الله حتى يعود اللبن في الضرع، ولا يجتمع على عبد غبار في سبيل الله ودخان جهنم‏"

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "Two eyes will never be touched by the fire of Hell; an eye which weeps out of Fear of Allah and an eye which spends the night in guarding in the Cause of Allah ." [At-Tirmidhi].

وعن ابن عباس، رضي الله عنهما قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ “عينان لا تمسهما النار عين بكت من خشية الله، وعين باتت تحرس في سبيل الله‏‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه الترمذي وقال‏:‏ حديث حسن‏.‏ ‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who equips a Ghazi (fighter) in the way of Allah is as if he has taken part in the fighting himself; and he who looks after the dependants of a Ghazi in his absence, is as if he has taken part in the fighting himself." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏من جهز غازيًا في سبيل الله فقد غزا ومن خلف غازيا في أهله بخير فقد غزا‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The best of charities is to provide canopy in the Cause of Allah, to pay wages to a servant in the way of Allah, and to provide a camel in the way of Allah (to be used by a Mujahid)." [At-Tirmidhi].

‏أفضل الصدقات ظل فسطاط في سبيل الله، ومنيحة خادم في سبيل الله، أو طروقة فحل في سبيل الله‏"

A young man from the Aslam tribe said: "O Messenger of Allah! I would very much like to fight in the way of Allah but I do not have anything with which to equip myself for fighting." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) sends you his greetings and says that you should hand over to me the equipment that you have procured." The man said to his wife: "Give him the equipment which I have collected for myself and do not withhold anything from him. By Allah! Allah won't bless something you withheld (in this respect)." [Muslim].

وعن أنس رضي الله عنه أن فتى من أسلم قال‏:‏ يا رسول الله إني أريد الغزو وليس معي ما أتجهز به، قال‏:‏ ‏‏ائت فلانًا، قد كان تجهز فمرض فأتاه فقال‏:‏ إن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقرئك السلام ويقول‏:‏ أعطني الذي تجهزت به قال‏:‏ يا فلانة أعطيه، الذي كنت تجهزت به ولاتحبسي منه شيئًا فوالله لا تحبسي منه شيئًا فيبارك لك فيه ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent an expedition to Banu Lahyan and said, "One man from every two should join the fighting force, and the reward will be shared amongst them equally." [Muslim]. Another narration in Muslim is: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Let one of every two men go forth", and added: "Whoever stays behind (and looks well after the family and the property of those who have joined the expedition) will get half the reward of the warrior."

‏لا ينبعث من كل رجلين أحدهما، والأجر بينهما‏"

A man equipped with arms came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Should I go and fight or should I embrace Islam first?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Enter in the fold of Islam and then fight." He embraced Islam and fought until he was killed. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He accepted Islam for a short time but was rewarded much." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن البراء رضي الله عنه قال أتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم رجل مقنع بالحديد، فقال يا رسول الله أقاتل أو أسلم‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏‏أسلم، ثم قاتل‏"‏ فأسلم، ثم قاتل فقتل، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ عمل قليلا وأُجر كثيرًا‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه وهذا لفظ البخاري‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏"

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "No one who has entered Jannah will desire to return to this world even if he should be given all that the world contains, except a martyr. For he will yearn that he should return to the world and be killed ten times on account of the dignity that he will experience by virtue of his martyrdom." Another narration is: "On account of the excellence and distinction, he will experience as a result of martyrdom." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن أنس رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏‏ما أحد يدخل الجنة يحب أن يرجع إلى الدنيا وله ما على الأرض من شيء إلا الشهيد، يتمنى أن يرجع إلى الدنيا فيقتل عشر مرات لما يرى من الكرامة”"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah forgives every sin of a martyr, except his debt." [Muslim]. Another narration in Muslim is: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Being martyred in the Cause of Allah expiates for everything, except debt."

‏يغفر الله للشهيد كل شيء إلا الدين‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood up among his Companions and said, "Jihad in the way of Allah and belief in Allah (with all His Attributes) are the most meritorious of actions." A man stood up and said: "O Messenger of Allah! Inform me if I am killed in the way of Allah, will my sins be blotted out?" The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Yes, in case you are killed in the way of Allah and you remained patient, hopeful of reward, and advancing forward without retracing back (i.e., while fighting)." Then he said, "What was your question?" He inquired again: "Inform me, if I am killed in the way of Allah, will all my sins be blotted out?" The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) replied, "If you remained patient, hopeful of reward and always fought without turning your back upon enemy, everything, except debt, will be forgiven. Jibril has told me this." [Muslim].

وعن أبي قتادة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قام فيهم فذكر أن الجهاد في سبيل الله والإيمان بالله أفضل الأعمال فقام رجل فقال يا رسول الله أرأيت إن قتلت في سبيل الله أتكفر عني خطاياي‏؟‏ فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏‏نعم إن قتلت في سبيل الله وأنت صابر محتسب مقبل غير مدبر‏"‏ ثم قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏"‏كيف قلت‏؟‏‏"‏ قال‏:‏ أرأيت إن قتلت في سبيل الله أتكفر عني خطاياي‏؟‏ فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏نعم وأنت صابر محتسب مقبل غير مدبر إلا الدين فإن جبريل عليه السلام قال لي ذلك‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

A man asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "Tell me where I will be if I am killed while fighting in the way of Allah?" He (ﷺ) replied, "In Jannah." The man threw away the few dates which he had in his hand, jumped into the battlefield and fought on till he was killed. [Muslim]

‏ فألقى تمرات كن في يده ثم قاتل حتى قتل‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and his Companions reached Badr before the polytheists, and when they arrived, he (ﷺ) directed: "Let no one of you advance ahead of me." When the polytheists came near, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Now stand up and proceed towards Jannah which is as wide as are the heavens and the earth." 'Umair bin Al-Humam (May Allah be pleased with him) asked: "Is Jannah as wide as are the heaven and the earth?" The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) replied in the affirmative. 'Umair remarked: "Great!" The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked him what had urged him to say so. He replied: "Nothing, O Messenger of Allah! But hope that I might become one of the inhabitants of Jannah." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "You will definitely be among them." 'Umair then took some dates out of his quiver and began to eat them, but after a short time he said: "If I survive till I eat my dates, it will mean a long life." So he threw away the dates which he had with him and then fought with the enemy till he was killed. [Muslim].

وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال انطلق رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وأصحابه حتى سبقوا المشركين إلى بدر وجاء المشركون، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏‏لا يقدمن أحد منكم إلى شيء حتى أكون أنا دونه‏"‏ فدنا المشركون، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏"‏قوموا إلى جنة عرضها السماوات والأرض‏"‏ قال‏:‏ يقول عمير بن الحمام الأنصاري رضي الله عنه‏:‏ يا رسول الله جنة عرضها السماوات والأرض‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏نعم‏"‏ قال‏:‏ بخ بخ‏!‏ فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ “ما يحملك على قولك بخ بخ‏"‏ قال فإنك من أهلها فأخرج تمرات من قرنه فجعل يأكل منهن، ثم قال لئن أنا حييت حتى آكل تمراتي هذه إنها لحياة طويلة‏!‏ فرمى بما كان معه من التمر، ثم قاتلهم حتى قتل‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ (4)"

Some people came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said to him: "Send with us some men who may teach us the Qur'an and the Sunnah." He (ﷺ) sent seventy men from the Ansar. They were called Al-Qurra' (the reciters) and among them was my maternal uncle, Haram. They used to recite the Qur'an, ponder over its meaning and learn (its wisdom) at night. In the day, they used to bring water and pour it in pitchers in the mosque, then they would collect wood and sell it; and with the sale proceeds, they would buy food for the people of As-Suffah and the needy. The Prophet (ﷺ) sent the reciters with these people but these (treacherous people) fell upon them and killed them before they reached their destination. (While dying) they supplicated: "O Allah convey from us the news to our Prophet that we have met You (in a way), that we are pleased with You and You are pleased with us." (The narrator said:) A man attacked Haram from behind and smote him with a spear which pierced him. Whereupon Haram said: "By the Rubb of Ka'bah, I have met with success. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to his Companions, "Your brethren have been slain and they were saying: "O Allah! Convey from us to our Prophet the news that we have met You (in a way) that we are pleased with You and You are pleased with us." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏إن إخوانكم قد قتلوا وإنهم قالوا‏:‏ اللهم بلغ عنا نبينا أنا قد لقيناك فرضينا عنك ورضيت عنا‏"

My uncle Anas bin An- Nadr (May Allah be pleased with him) was absent from the battle of Badr. He said: "O Messenger of Allah! I was absent from the first battle you fought against the pagans. (By Allah!) if Allah gives me a chance to fight against the pagans, no doubt, Allah will see how (bravely) I will fight." On the Day of Uhud, when the Muslims turned their backs and fled, he said, "O Allah! I apologize to You for what these (i.e., his companions) have done, and I denounce what these (i.e., the pagans) have done." Then he advanced and Sa'd bin Mu'adh met him. He said: "O Sa'd bin Mu'adh! By the Rubb of An-Nadr, Jannah! I am smelling its aroma coming from before (the mountain of) Uhud," Later on, Sa'd said: "O Messenger of Allah! I cannot achieve or do what he (i.e., Anas bin An-Nadr) did. We found more than eighty wounds by swords, spears and arrows on his body. We found him dead and his body was mutilated so badly that none except his sister could recognise him by his finger." We used to think that the following Ayah was revealed concerning him and other men of his sort: "Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah (i.e., they have gone out for Jihad, and showed not their backs to the disbelievers), of them some have fulfilled their obligations (i.e., have been martyred)." (33:23).

وعنه قال‏:‏ غاب عمي أنس بن النضر رضي الله عنه عن قتال بدر، فقال‏:‏ يا رسول الله غبت عن أول قتال قاتلت الشركين لئن الله أشهدني قتال المشركين ليرين الله ما أصنع‏.‏ فلما كان يوم أحد انكشف المسلمون، فقال اللهم إني اعتذر إليك مما صنع هؤلاء - يعني الصحابة- وأبرأ إليك مما صنع هؤلاء يعني المشركين- ثم تقدم فاستقبله سعد بن معاذ فقال‏:‏ يا سعد بن معاذ الجنة ورب النضر، إني أجد ريحها من دون أحد‏!‏ قال سعد‏:‏ فما استطعت يا رسول الله ما صنع‏!‏ قال أنس‏:‏ فوجدنا به بضعًا وثمانين ضربة بالسيف، أو طعنة برمح أو رمية بسهم، ووجدناه قد قتل ومثل به المشركون، فما عرفه أحد إلا أخته ببنانه، قال أنس‏:‏ كنا نرى -أو نظن- أن هذه الآية نزلت فيه وفي أشباهه‏:‏ ‏{‏من المؤمنين رجال صدقوا ما عاهدوا الله عليه فمنهم من قضى نحبه‏}‏ إلى آخره ‏(‏‏(‏الأحزاب 23‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ وقد سبق في باب المجاهدة‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Last night two men (angels) came to me (in a dream) and made me ascend a tree and then admitted me into a nice and excellent house, the like of which I have never seen before. One of them said: 'This house is the house of martyrs'." [Al- Bukhari].

وعن سمرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ “رأيت الليلة رجلين أتياني فصعدا بي الشجرة وأدخلاني دارًا هي أحسن وأفضل، لم أر قط أحسن منها، قال أما هذه الدار فدار الشهداء‏‏ (5)"

Umm Ar-Rubaiy'i bint Al-Bara', who was the mother of Harithah bin Suraqah, came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: "O Messenger of Allah! Will you not tell me about Harithah? (He was killed in the battle of Badr). If he is in Jannah I shall show endurance, but if he has met another fate, I may exert myself in weeping for him." He (ﷺ) replied, "O mother of Harithah, in in the gardens of Jannah there are many ranks, and your son has attained Al-Firdaus, the highest." [Al- Bukhari].

‏يا أم حارثة إنها جنان في الجنة، وإن ابنك أصاب الفردوس الأعلى‏"

The dead body of my father, who was mutilated by the enemy, was brought and placed before the Prophet (ﷺ). I got up to uncover his face but the people stopped me, and the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The angels continue to cover him with their wings." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما قال‏:‏ جيء بأبي إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قد مثل به فوضع بين يديه، فذهبت أكشف عن وجهه فنهاني قوم فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏‏ما زالت الملائكة تظله بأجنحتها” ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who supplicates Allah sincerely for martyrdom, Allah will elevate him to the station of the martyrs, even if he dies on his bed." [Muslim].

‏من سأل الله تعالى الشهادة بصدق بلغه الله منازل الشهداء وإن مات على فراشه‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who supplicates sincerely for martyrdom, it will be granted to him even though he is not killed on the battlefield." [Muslim].

‏من طلب الشهادة صادقًا أعطيها ولو لم تصبه‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The martyr experiences no more pain in being slain than one of you experiences from the stinging of an ant." [At-Tirmidhi].

‏ما يجد الشهيد من مس القتل إلا كما يجد أحدكم من مس القرصة‏"

On one occasion the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was confronting the enemy. He waited until the sun had declined. Then he stood up to address the people and said, "O people! Do not wish for an encounter with the enemy. Pray to Allah to grant you safety; (but) when you encounter them, show patience, and know that Jannah is under the shades of the swords." Then he (ﷺ) said: "Allahumma munzilal-kitab, wa mujriyas- sahab, wa hazimal-Ahzab, ihzimhum wansurna alaihim (O Allah, Revealer of the Book, Disperser of the clouds, Defeater of the Confederates, put our enemy to rout and support us against them)." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن عبد الله بن أبي أوفى رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في بعض أيامه التي لقي فيها العدو انتظر حتى مالت الشمس، ثم قام في الناس فقال‏:‏ ‏‏ أيها الناس، لا تتمنوا لقاء العدو، وسلو الله العافية، فإذا لقيتموه فاصبروا، واعلموا أن الجنة تحت ظلال السيوف‏"‏ ثم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏اللهم منزل الكتاب ومجري السحاب، وهازم الأحزاب اهزمهم وانصرنا عليهم‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Supplications at two times are never turned down (or said, "Are seldom turned down"), a supplication after the Adhan has been proclaimed, and a supplication during the battle combating the enemy." [Abu Dawud].

‏ثنتان لا تردان، أو قلما تردان‏:‏ الدعاء عند النداء وعند البأس حين يلحم بعضهم بعضًا‏"

Whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) set out to participate in Jihad, he would supplicate: "Allahumma Anta 'adudi wa nasiri, bika ahulu, wa bika asulu, wa bika uqatilu (O Allah, You are my Supporter and my Helper. With Your help I get strength, and with Your help I bounce upon the enemy and defeat it, and with Your help I fight)." [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].

‏اللهم أنت عضدي ونصيري، بك أحول وبك أجول وبك أصول، وبك أقاتل‏"

When the Prophet (ﷺ) had any fear of an enemy, he used to supplicate: "Allahumma inna naj'aluka fi nuhurihim, wa na'udhu bika min shururihim (O Allah! We put You in front of them, and we seek refuge in You from their evils)." [Ahmad and Abu Dawud].

وعن أبي موسى، رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا خاف قومًا قال‏:‏ اللهم إنا نجعلك في نحورهم، ونعوذ بك من شرورهم‏‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود بإسناد صحيح‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "There is goodness in the forelocks of horses till the Day of Resurrection." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

‏الخيل معقود في نواصيها الخير إلى يوم القيامة‏"

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Goodness is tied to the foreheads of horses until the Day of Resurrection, i.e., reward (in the Hereafter) and spoils." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن عروة البارقي رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ الخيل معقود في نواصيها الخير إلى يوم القيامة‏:‏ الأجر والمغنم‏‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who keeps a horse for Jihad purposes, having faith in Allah and relying on His Promise, will find that its fodder, drink, droppings and urine will all be credited to him in his Scales on the Day of Resurrection." [Al- Bukhari].

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏‏من احتبس فرسًا في سبيل الله إيمانًا بالله وتصديقًا بوعده، فإن شبعه، وروثه، وبوله في ميزانه يوم القيامة” ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) with a she-camel wearing a nose-string and said: "This is (a gift) in the Cause of Allah." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) replied, "You will have in return for it on the Day of Resurrection seven hundred she-camels and every one of them will be wearing a nose-string." [Muslim].

‏لك بها يوم القيامة سبعمائة ناقة كلها مخطومة‏"

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying from the pulpit, "Prepare to meet them (the enemy) with as much strength as you can afford. Verily! Strength is in archery, strength is in archery, strength is in archery." [Muslim].

وعن أبي حماد- ويقال‏:‏ أبو سعاد، ويقال‏:‏ أبو أسد، ويقال‏:‏ أبو عامر، ويقال‏:‏ أبو عمرو، ويقال‏:‏ أبو الأسود، ويقال‏:‏ أبو عبس- عقبة بن عامر الجهني، رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو على المنبر يقول‏:‏ “وأعدوا لهم ما استطعتم من قوة ألا إن القوة الرمي، ألا إن القوة الرمي، ألا إن القوة الرمي‏‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ وعنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ ‏"‏ستفتح عليكم أرضون ويكفيكم الله فلا يعجز أحدكم أن يلهو بأسهمه‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "Lands shall be laid open to you, and Allah will suffice you (against your enemies), but none of you should neglect practicing his skill in archery." [Muslim].

‏ستفتح عليكم أرضون ويكفيكم الله فلا يعجز أحدكم أن يلهو بأسهمه‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who learnt archery and then neglected it, is not from us." (Or said,) "He has been guilty of disobedience (to Messenger of Allah)." [Muslim].

‏من عُلم الرمي ثم تركه فليس منا أو فقد عصى‏"

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "Allah will admit three persons to Jannah for one arrow; the maker who has a good motive in making it, the one who shoots it, and the one who hands it up for shooting. So shoot and ride, but I like your shooting (more) than your riding. He who gives up archery after becoming adept in it for lack of interest, neglects a (great) blessing." (Or said,) "One who does so is ungrateful." [Abu Dawud].

وعنه، رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ ‏‏إن الله يدخل بالسهم الواحد ثلاثة نفر الجنة‏:‏ صانعه يحتسب في صنعته الخير، والرامي به ومنبله‏.‏ وارموا واركبوا، وأن ترموا أحب إلي من أن تركبوا‏.‏ ومن ترك الرمي بعد ما علمه رغبة عنه فإنها نعمة تركها‏"‏ أو قال‏:‏ ‏"‏كفرها‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

The Prophet (ﷺ) happened to pass by a group of people who were having a shooting match. (Upon seeing them, he (ﷺ)) said, "Shoot, O sons of (Prophet) Isma'il, for your father was an archer." [Al- Bukhari].

‏ارموا بني إسماعيل فإن أباكم كان راميًا‏"

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: "He who shoots an arrow for the sake of Allah, will have a reward equal to the emancipation of a slave." [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

وعن عمرو بن عبسة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ من رمى بسهم في سبيل الله فهو له عدل محررة‏:‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود، والترمذي وقال‏:‏ حديث حسن صحيح‏.‏ ‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who makes a contribution in Allah's way, will have his reward seven hundred times recorded to his credit." [At-Tirmidhi].

‏من أنفق نفقة في سبيل الله كتب له سبعمائة ضعف‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Every slave of Allah who observes Saum (fasting) for a day in the Cause of Allah, Allah will keep his face from Hell-fire at a distance of seventy years." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

‏ما من عبد يصوم يومًا في سبيل الله إلا باعد الله بذلك اليوم وجهه عن النار سبعين خريفًا‏"

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who observes Saum (fasting) for a day in the Cause of Allah, Allah will keep his face from Hell-fire at a distance equivalent to that between heaven and the earth." [At- Tirmidhi].

‏من صام يومًا في سبيل الله جعل الله بينه وبين النار خندقًا كما بين السماء والأرض‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who dies without having fought in the Cause of Allah or without having thought of doing so, will die with one characteristic of hypocrisy in him." [Muslim].

‏من مات ولم يغزُ، ولم يحدث نفسه بالغزو، مات على شعبة من النفاق‏"

We accompanied the Prophet (ﷺ) in an expedition when he (ﷺ) said, "Some people have remained behind us in Al-Madinah, and we never cross a valley but they are with us. They share the reward with us because they have been held back by valid excuse." In another narration the wordings are: "...by any genuine excuse." In another narration the wordings are: "They are your partners in reward." [Al- Bukhari].

‏إن بالمدينة لرجالا ما سرتم مسيرًا، ولا قطعتم واديًا إلا كانوا معكم حبسهم المرض‏"

A bedouin came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: "O Messenger of Allah! One man fights for booty, another fights to win fame, and the third fights for show off." Another narration is: "One fights for displaying his valour, another fights out of his family pride." Another narration is: "One fights out of rage." He asked: "Which of them is fighting in the Cause of Allah?" The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The one who fights so that Word of Allah (Islam) be exalted, is the one who fights in the Cause of Allah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏من قاتل لتكون كلمة الله هي العليا، فهو في سبيل الله‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A detachment of soldiers, large or small, who fights in the way of Allah, gets its share of booty and returns safe and sound, receives in advance two- thirds of its reward (only one-third remaining to its credit will be received in the Hereafter). And a troop of soldiers, large or small, that returns disappointed and is afflicted by misery, will receive its full reward (in the Hereafter)." [Muslim].

‏ما من غازية أو سرية تغزو، فتغنم وتسلم، إلا كانوا قد تعجلوا ثلثي أجورهم، وما من غازية أو سرية تخفق وتصاب إلا تم لهم أجورهم‏"

A man sought permission from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to travel in the land. He (ﷺ) said to him, "Travel for my people is Jihad in the Cause of Allah, glory be to Him." [Abu Dawud].

‏إن سياحة أمتي الجهاد في سبيل الله، عز وجل‏"

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The return from an expedition is an act as meritorious as fighting." [Abu Dawud].

‏قفلة كغزوة‏"

When the Prophet (ﷺ) returned from the battle of Tabuk, people went out from Al-Madinah to meet him and I also met him with other children at Thaniyah-tul-Wada'. [Abu Dawud].

وعن السائب بن يزيد، رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ لما قدم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم من غزوة تبوك تلقاه الناس، فلقيته مع الصبيان على ثنية الوداع‏.‏ ‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود بإسناد صحيح بهذا اللفظ‏)‏‏‏ ورواه البخاري قال‏:‏ ذهبنا نتلقى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مع الصبيان إلى ثنية الوداع‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who neither takes part in fighting nor equips a warrior nor looks after his (the warrior's) family, will be afflicted by severe calamities before the Day of Resurrection." [Abu Dawud].

وعن أبي أمامة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ من لم يغزُ أو يجهز غازيًا، أو يخلف غازيًا في أهله بخير أصابه الله بقارعة قبل يوم القيامة‏:‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود بإسناد صحيح‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Fight the polytheists with your wealth, lives and tongues." [Abu Dawud].

‏جاهدوا المشركين بأموالكم وأنفسكم وألسنتكم‏"

I was with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when I witnessed that if he did not begin fighting in the early part of the day, he would postpone fighting till the sun had declined, the blowing of the breeze had blown and the victory from Allah had come. [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

وعن أبي عمرو ويقال‏:‏ أبو حكيم النعمان بن مقرن رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ شهدت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا لم يقاتل من أول النهار أخر القتال حتى تزول الشمس وتهب الريح وينزل النصر‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود، والترمذي، وقال‏:‏ حديث حسن صحيح‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do not wish for an encounter with the enemy. Pray to Allah to grant you safety; (but) when you encounter them, show patience." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏لا تتمنوا لقاء العدو، فإذا لقيتموه فاصبروا‏"

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "War is deception." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏الحرب خُدعة‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The martyrs are of five kinds: One who dies of plague; one who dies of disease of his belly; the drowned; one who dies under the debris (of construction, etc.), and one who dies while fighting in the way of Allah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏الشهداء خمسة‏:‏ المطعون والمبطون، والغريق، وصاحب الهدم والشهيد في سبيل الله‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Whom do you reckon to be martyr amongst you?" The Companions replied: "The one who is killed in Allah's way." He said, "In that case, the martyrs among my people would be few." The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allah! Then who are the martyrs?" He replied, "He who is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr; he who dies naturally in the Cause of Allah is a martyr; he who dies of plague is a martyr; and he who dies of a belly disease is a martyr; and he who is drowned is a martyr." [Muslim]. This Hadith shows the care Allah has for this Ummah, which is the best Ummah of mankind. (Editor's Note)

وعنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏‏ما تعدون الشهداء فيكم‏؟‏ قالوا‏:‏ يا رسول الله من قتل في سبيل الله فهو شهيد‏.‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏إن شهداء أمتي إذًا لقليل‏!‏‏"‏ قالوا‏:‏ فمن يا رسول الله ‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏من قتل في سبيل الله فهو شهيد، ومن مات في سبيل الله فهو شهيد، ومن مات في الطاعون فهو شهيد، ومن مات في البطن فهو شهيد، والغريق شهيد‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who is killed while defending his property is a martyr." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص، رضي الله عنهما قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ “من قتل دون ماله فهو شهيد‏‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏"

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: "He who dies while defending his property is a martyr; he who dies in defence of his own life is a martyr; and he who dies on defense of his faith is a martyr, he who dies in defence of his family is a martyr." [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].

‏من قتل دون ماله فهو شهيد، ومن قتل دون دمه فهو شهيد، ومن قتل دون دينه فهو شهيد، ومن قتل دون عرضه فهو شهيد‏"

A man came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and asked, "O Messenger of Allah! What shall I do if someone comes to me with the intention of taking away my property?" He replied, "Do not hand over it to him." The man asked, "What shall I do if he fights me?" The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Then fight him." "What will be my position in the Hereafter if he has killed me?" The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) replied, "In that case you are a martyr." The man asked: "What if I killed him?" The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) replied, "He will be in the Hell- fire." [Muslim].

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ جاء رجل إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال‏:‏ يا رسول الله أرأيت إن جاء رجل يريد أخذ مالي‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏‏فلا تعطه مالك‏"‏ قال‏:‏ أرأيت إن قاتلني‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏قاتله‏"‏ قال‏:‏ أرأيت إن قتلني قال‏:‏ ‏"‏فأنت شهيد‏"‏ قال‏:‏ أرأيت إن قتلته‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏هو في النار‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who sets free a Muslim slave, Allah will deliver from the fire of Hell every limb of his body in return for every limb of the slave's body, even his private parts." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏من أعتق رقبة مسلمة أعتق الله بكل عضو منه عضوًا منه من النار حتى فرجه بفرجه‏"

I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), "Which deed is most excellent?" He replied, "Faith in Allah and Jihad in His path." I then asked, "Which slaves are most excellent (to set free)?" He replied, "Those who are held in high esteem by their people and whose value is higher." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن أبي ذر رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قلت يا رسول الله أي الأعمال أفضل‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏‏الإيمان بالله، والجهاد في سبيل الله‏"‏ قلت‏:‏ أي الرقاب أفضل‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏أنفسها عند أهلها وأكثرها ثمنًا” ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏"

I saw Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) wearing a nice gown, and his slave was also wearing one similar to it. I asked him about it, and he said that he had exchanged harsh words with a person during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and put him to shame by making a reference to his mother. That person came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and made mention of that to him. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah said, "You are a person who has remnants of the 'Days of Ignorance' in you. Your slaves are your brothers. Allah has placed them under your authority. He who has his brother under him, should feed him from whatever he eats, and dress him with whatever he wears, and do not burden them (assign burdensome task to them) beyond their capacity; and if you burden them then help them." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

‏إنك امرؤ فيك جاهلية‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When your servant brings food for you and you do not seat him with you, you should at least give him a morsel or two out of it because he has prepared it himself." [Al- Bukhari].

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏‏إذا أتى أحدكم خادمه بطعامه، فإن لم يجلسه معه فليناوله لقمة أو لقمتين أو أُكلة أو أُكلتين فإنه ولي علاجه‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ (9)"

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "When a slave is sincere to his master and worships Allah well, He will have a double reward." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏إن العبد إذا نصح لسيده، وأحسن عبادة الله، فله أجره مرتين‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The faithful and diligent slave will have a double reward." (Abu Hurairah added:) By Him in Whose Hand the soul of Abu Hurairah is! but for Jihad in the Cause of Allah, and Hajj and kindness to my mother, I would have preferred to die as a slave. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏للعبد المملوك المصلح أجران، والذي نفس أبي هريرة بيده لولا الجهاد في سبيل الله والحج، وبر أمي لأحببت أن أموت وأنا مملوك‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A slave who worships his Rubb (Allah) well and discharges efficiently and faithfully the duties which are assigned to him by his master, will have a double reward." [Al-Bukhari].

‏المملوك الذي يحسن عبادة ربه ويؤدي إلى سيده الذي عليه من الحق، والنصيحة والطاعة له أجران‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Three kinds of people will have a double reward: A man from the People of the Book who believes in his Prophet and (also) believes in Muhammad; a slave who discharges properly the duties towards Allah and towards his master; and a man who possesses a slave-girl and teaches her manners, educates her well, and frees her and then marries her." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏ثلاثة لهم أجران‏:‏ رجل من أهل الكتاب آمن بنبيه، وآمن بمحمد، والعبد المملوك إذا أدى حق الله، وحق مواليه، ورجل كانت له أمة فأدبها فأحسن تأديبها وعلمها فأحسن تعليمها، ثم أعتقها فتزوجها فله أجران‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The reward of worship performed at a time of trials is equal in reward to an emigration to me." [Muslim].

‏العبادة في الهرج كهجرة إلي‏"

A man demanded of the Prophet (ﷺ) for repayment of a loan and was harsh to him. His Companions were about to attack him, but he (ﷺ) said, "Leave him, as the creditor is entitled to make a demand. Give him a camel of the same age as the camel that is due to him." They said: "We find a better camel senior to it in age." He (ﷺ) said, "Then buy it and give it to him; verily the best of you is the one who is the best in discharging his obligations (repayment of loans)." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رجلا أتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يتقاضاه فأغلظ له فهم به أصحابه، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏‏دعوه فإن لصاحب الحق مقالا‏"‏ ثم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏أعطوه سنا مثل سنه‏"‏ قالوا‏:‏ يا رسول الله لا نجد إلا أمثل من سنه، قال‏:‏ ‏"‏أعطوه فإن خيركم أحسنكم قضاء‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "May Allah show mercy to a man who adopts a kind attitude when he sells, buys and demands for the repayment of loans." [Al-Bukhari].

‏رحم الله رجلا سمحًا إذا باع وإذا اشترى وإذا اقتضى‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who likes Allah to deliver him from the calamities of the Day of Resurrection, let him either give respite to a debtor or grant him remission (of loans) in straitened circumstances." [Muslim].

‏من سره أن ينجيه الله من كرب يوم القيامة، فلينفس عن معسر أو يضع عنه‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "There was a person who used to loan money to the people and he used to say to his servant: 'When an insolvent person comes to you, show him leniency so that Allah may forbear our faults.' So when he met Allah (i.e., when he died), Allah forgave him." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

‏كان رجل يداين الناس، وكان يقول لفتاه‏:‏ إذا أتيت معسرا فتجاوز عنه، لعل الله أن يتجاوز عنا فلقي الله فتجاوز عنه‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A person from amongst the people who lived before you was called to account by Allah on the Day of Resurrection. No good deeds were found in his credit except that he being a rich man had (financial) dealings with people and had commanded his servants to show leniency to those who were in straitened circumstances. Upon this Allah, the Exalted, and Majestic said: 'I am more entitled to this attribute, so waive (his faults)."' [Muslim].

وعن أبي مسعود البدري رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏‏حوسب رجل ممن كان قبلكم فلم يوجد له من الخير شيء إلا أنه كان يخالط الناس، وكان موسرًا وكان يأمر غلمانه أن يتجاوزوا عن المعسر قال الله عز وجل‏:‏ ‏"‏نحن أحق بذلك منه، تجاوزوا عنه‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A slave of Allah whom He had endowed with wealth, will be brought before Him. Allah will ask him: 'What did you do in the world?' (They cannot conceal anything from Allah.) He will say: 'O my Rubb, You endowed me with Your wealth; I used to enter into transactions with people and it was my nature to be lenient to the insolvent ones. I used to give respite to those who were in straitened circumstances.' Whereupon Allah will say: 'I am more entitled than you to do this. So forgive my slave'." 'Uqbah bin 'Amir and Abu Mas'ud Al- Ansari (May Allah be pleased with them) said, "Thus we heard it from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)." [Muslim].

‏أنا أحق بذا منك، تجاوزوا عن عبدي‏"

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who gives respite to someone who is in straitened circumstances, or grants him remission, Allah will shelter him in the shade of His Throne, on the Day of Resurrection, when there will be no shade except its shade." [At- Tirmidhi].

‏من أنظر معسرًا أو وضع له، أظله الله يوم القيامة تحت ظل عرشه يوم لا ظل إلا ظله‏"

The Prophet (ﷺ) purchased a camel from me and weighed more than its price. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن جابر، رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم اشترى منه بعيرًا فوزن له فأرجح‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

Makhramah Al-'Abdi and I procured some drapery from Hajar and brought them to Makkah. The Prophet (ﷺ) came and bargained with us for some trousers and we sold them to him. We had a person who weighed the cloth in order to fix the price. The Prophet (ﷺ) said to him, "Weigh and add a little to it." [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].

‏زن وأرجح‏"