^^Wa iyyakum to you both. May Allaah Subhanahu wa ta'ala guide us and bestow His blessings upon us all. Here’s some more info about the importance of the Day of Arafah and the benefits to be derived from fasting on that day. Fasting on this day is an expiation of sins for two years It was reported from Abu Qutaadah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah. He said, “It expiates for the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.” Narrated by Muslim. This (fasting) is mustahabb for those who are not on Hajj. In the case of the one who is on Hajj, it is not Sunnah for him to fast on the Day of ‘Arafaah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not fast on this day in ‘Arafaah. It was narrated that he forbade fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah in ‘Arafaah. It is the day on which Allaah took the covenant from the progeny of Adam It was reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah took the covenant from the loins of Adam in Na’maan, i.e., ‘Arafaah. Hebrought forth from his loins all his offspring and spread them before Him, then He addressed them, and said: ‘Am I not your Lord? They said, ‘Yes, we testify,’ let you should say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Verily, we have beenunaware of this.’ Or lest you should say: ‘It was only our fathers aforetime who took others as partners in worship along with Allaah, and we were (merely their) descendents after them; will You then destroy us because of the deeds of men who practised Al-Baatil (i.e., ploytheism and committing crimes and sins, invoking and worshipping others besides Allaah)?’ [al-A’raaf 7:172-173 – interpretation of the meaning].” Narrated by Ahmad and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. And there is no greater day than this and no greater covenant than this. It is the day of forgiveness of sins, freedom from the Fire and pride in the people who are there In Saheeh Muslim it was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no day on which Allaah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of ‘Arafaah. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels, saying, ‘What do these people want?’” It was reported from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah expresses His pride to His angels at the time of ‘Ishaa’ on the Day of ‘Arafaah, about the people of ‘Arafaah. He says, ‘Look at My slaves who have come unkempt and dusty.’” Narrated by Ahmad and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. It is a day by which Allaah swore an oath The Almighty cannot swear by anything except that which is mighty. Yawm ‘Arafaah is the “witnessed day” mentioned in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “By the witnessing day [Friday] and by the witnessed day [the Day of ‘Arafaah].” [al-Burooj 85:3]. It was reported from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The promised day is the Day of Resurrection, the witnessed day is the Day of ‘Arafaah, and the witnessing day is Friday.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. It is the “odd” [i.e., odd-numbered, Witr] by which Allaah swore in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “And by the even and the odd” [al-Fajr 89:3]. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “The even is the Day of al-Adhaa [i.e., 10th Dhoo’l-Hijjah] and the odd is the Day of ‘Arafaah [i.e., 9th Dhoo’l-Hijjah] This is also the view of ‘Ikrimah and al-Dahhaak. It is the day on which the religion was perfected and Allaah’s Favour was completed In Al-Saheehayn it was reported from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) that a Jewish man said to him, “O Ameer al-Mu’mineen, there is an aayah in your Book which you recite; if it had come to us Jews, we would have taken that day as an ‘Eid (festival).” ‘Umar said, “Which aayah?” He said: “This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [al-Maa’idah 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning]. ‘Umar said, “We know on which day and in which place that was revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It was when he was standing in ‘Arafaah on a Friday.” It is a day of Eid for the people who are in that place The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Yawm ‘Arafaah (the day of ‘Arafaah), Yawm al-Nahr (the Day of Sacrifice) and Ayyaam al-Tashreeq (the 3 days following Yawm al-Nahr) are Eid (festival) for us, the people of Islam. These are days of eating and drinking.” This was narrated by the authors of al-Sunan. It was reported that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said: “It – i.e., the aayah ‘This day I have perfected…’ was revealed on a Friday, the Day of ‘Arafaah, both of which – praise be to Allaah – are Eids for us.”

Even for those not performing the pilgrimage, Hajj, the first ten days of this month are considered very sacred and a time for increased reflection, seeking Allah's forgiveness, doing good and various other forms of worship. Let us all keep these days in mind and benefit from them Inshaa Allaah. Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) has said about the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah: "There are no deeds as excellent as those done in these ten days." They (the companions listening) said, "Not even Jihad?" He, peace be upon him, said, "No, not even Jihad except a man who goes forth endangering his life and wealth and does not return with anything." [Recorded by Imam al-Bukhari] So sacred are the first ten days of Zul Hijjah that Allah swears an oath by them when He says in the Quran: "By the dawn; by the ten nights" [al-Fajr 89:1-2]. Swearing an oath by something indicates its importance and great benefit. Ibn Kathir said that "the ten nights" referred to here are the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and this opinion was also held by Ibn Abbas, Ibn az-Zubair, Mujahid and others. Ibn Hajar says in Fath al-Bari: "The most apparent reason for the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah being distinguished in excellence is due to the assembly of the greatest acts of worship in this period, i.e. salawat (prayers), siyam (fasting), sadaqah (charity) and the Hajj (pilgrimage). In no other periods do these great deeds combine." What kinds of worship should be performed? While any good deed done for the sake of Allah according to the way He approves will be rewarded immensely during the first ten days, Insha Allah, some of the more specific actions mentioned in the Traditions of the Prophet are fasting and verbal Zikr (remembrance) of Allah. Fasting - the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah In terms of fasting, it is particularly encouraged to fast on the ninth day of Zul-Hijjah, known in Arabic as Yawm Arafah. In 2013, day of Arafah will be on Monday 14th of October Inshaa Allaah. The Prophet SCW used to fast on this day (al Nisai and Abu Dawud). Fasting on this day will expiate a Muslim's sins for two years. In addition to the day of Arafah, its also recommended to fast the eight days at the start of Dhul-Hijjah before the Day of Arafah as the following Hadith indicates: Hunaydah ibn Khaalid narrated upon the authority of his wife who said, "Some of the wives of the Prophet (salallaahu 'alaihiwasallam) told me that the Prophet (salallaahu 'alaihiwasallam) used to fast the Day of 'Aashoorah, the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, and three days out of every month." (Imam Ahmad, An-Nasaaee; Imam Al-Albanee declared it Saheeh) The verbal remembrance of Allah is another meritorious act during these first ten days of Zul Hijjah. The Prophet upon him) encouraged Muslims to recite a lot of Tasbeeh ("Subhan-Allaah"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah") and Takbeer ("Allahu akbar") during this time. The Takbeer may include the words "Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, la ilaha ill-Allah; wa Allahu akbar wa Lillahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)," as well as other phrases. Men are encouraged to recite these phrases out loud and women quietly. Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah, two of the Prophet's Companions, used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Zul-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer individually when they heard them. Generally, all good deeds are rewarded highly at this blessed time. These actions include praying, reading Quran, making Dua (supplication), giving in charity and being good to our families. Sincere repentance In addition, seeking Allah's forgiveness at this time is also encouraged. This means more than just a verbal expression of sorrow for past misdeeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits and behavior while sincerely turning to Allah.Repentance means coming back to Allaah and foregoing all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes, out of regret for what has passed, giving it up imme-diately and being determined never to return to it, but to adhere firmly to the Truth by doing what Allaah loves. If a Muslim commits a sin, he must hasten to repent at once, without delay, firstly because he does not know when he will die, and secondly because one evil deed leads to another. Repentance at special times is very important because in most cases people’s thoughts turn towards worship at these times, and they are keen to do good, which leads to them recognizing their sins and feeling regret for the past. Repentance is obligatory at all times, but when the Muslim combines sincere repentance with good deeds during the days of most virtue, this is a sign of success, in sha Allaah. Allaah says: {But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful} [al-Qasas 28:67]. The Muslim should make sure that he does not miss any of these important occasion, because time is passing quickly. Let him prepare himself by doing good deeds which will bring him reward when he is most in need of it, for no matter how much reward he earns, he will find it is less than he needs; the time of departure is at hand, the journey is frightening, delusions are widespread, and the road is long, but Allaah is ever watchful, and to Him will we return and render account. Allaah says: {So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it} [al-Zalzalah 99:7-8].

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Brothers and Sisters, Inshaa Allaah this will be my last post on this topic. I hope those who have read the posted incidents from the lives of the Sahabah (R.A) have found them beneficial. As a quick reminder, the aim of this thread was to discuss the lives of the Sahabah (R.A.) with an emphasis on the qualities they possessed as a group and as individuals. Although there were some references relating to their impressive triumph over the ancient empires of their time in a short period of time, this was not the aim behind this thread. The objective was for us to ponder over the various incidents about the noble lives of the Sahabah (R.A.) which were posted and draw lessons from them for our own lives Inshaa Allaah. You'll find every possible noble trait and virtue in the lives of the Sahabah (R.A.). If you desire to be of those who persistently repent to Allah SWT, then there is an example for you in the life of ‘Abdullah Ibn `Umar; if you believe seeking the truth for its own sake is honorable, then you'll be amazed by Salmaan Al-Faarisy and his quest in seeking the truth; and if avoiding hypocrisy is your aim, derive lessons from the life of Hudhaifah Ibn Al-Yammaan. The Sahabah (R.A) were an embodiment of righteousness and greatness. Some of the incidents of their lives and traits we covered (all of which contain lessons for us) in this thread included: - Their Iman, loyalty to Allaah SWT and his Messenger SCW - Quality of their Salaah - Fervour for knowledge - Gratitude, Kindness and Generosity - Sympathy and Self-sacrifice - Humility, foresight, understanding of leadership and wisdom - Abstinence, hardships they faced among other matters... As stated from the outset, learning about the lives of the Sahabah (R.A.) and following their example allows us to refine our character, increase in virtue, and perfect our Iman. This is because their teacher and example was none other than our beloved Rasulullah SCW. I’ll conclude by requoting the Hadith from Rasulullah SCW we started off with and what Abdullah bin Mas’ood (R.A.) had to say about the Sahabah (R.A.). It is related from 'Abdullah that the Prophet may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The best of people are my generation and then those who follow them and then those who follow them. Then there will come people whose testimony will precede their oaths and whose oaths will precede their testimony." (Sahih Bukhari) Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (R.A) said, "Whoever wishes to follow anyone should follow the companions of Muhammad because from amongst the entire Ummah, their hearts are most righteous, their knowledge is deepest, they are the least pretentious, they are most unswerving in example and their (religious) condition is best. Allaah had selected them to be the companions of His Nabi SCW and to establish His Deen. You should therefore acknowledge their worth and follow in their footsteps because they had been fixed on upright guidance."( Ibn Abdul Birr in his Jaami (Vol.2 Pg.97). May Allah Subḥānahu wa ta'āla grant us the tawfiq to follow in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet SCW and his Companions. Allahumma salli ‘ala sayyidina Muhammad wa ‘ala aalihi wa sahbihi wa sallimu tasleema. Allahumma ameen.

As we enter the final days of the blessed month of Ramadhan, we can all appreciate the feeling of thirst and hunger which come with fasting. This is more apparent for those in hotter climates and longer fasting periods. With this in mind, we should reflect upon the intense thirst and hunger which the Sahabah experienced due to the immense sacrifices they made for the propagation of the Deen. The Intense Thirst that the Sahabah RA Suffered During the Expedition to Tabook Abdullaah bin Abbaas (RA) narrates that Umar (RA) was once asked to give an account of "The Hour of Difficulty" (the expedition to Tabook). Umar (RA) said, 'When we left for Tabook, the heat was intense and when we stopped over at a place, we were so thirsty that we thought our necks would fall off (that we would die). In fact, when any of us went out in search of his mount, he really thought that he would die by the time he returned. The situation was so severe that when one of us slaughtered a camel, he would extract the liquids from its entrails to drink and then rub the remainder on his stomach (so that the coolness could penetrate his stomach)." Abu Bakr (RA) then said, 'O Rasulullaah SCW, Allaah is always good to you so make du'aa to Allaah on our behalf.' 'Do you really want me to do so?' asked Rasulullaah SCW. 'Please do,' entreated Abu Bakr (RA). Rasulullaah SCW then raised his hands to the heavens (to make du'aa) and had not yet dropped his hands when clouds started gathering in the sky. First a drizzle fell and then the rains came pouring down. The Sahaba (RA) filled whatever containers they had and when we left the place, we discovered that the rain had not fallen further than the area where the army was camped." (Tafseer Ibn katheer (Vol.2 Pg.396). Abu Ubaydah RA and his Companions Experience Severe Hunger on a Journey Jaabir (RA) says, "Rasulullaah appointed Abu Ubaydah (RA) as our commander and sent us to intercept a caravan of the Quraysh. Unable to find anything else, we took a bag of dates with us for our provisions. From there, Abu Ubaydah (RA) used to give us each a single date." The narrator asked Jaabir (RA), "What would you do with just a single date?" He replied, "We would suck on it as a child suckles and then drink water. This would meet our requirements for the day until the night. We also used our staffs to bring leaves down from the trees, which we soaked in water to eat." (Bayhaqi as quoted in A1 Bidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vo1.4 Pg.276) A narration of Imaam Maalik states that a student of Jaabir (RA) asked him, "Of what use was the one date?" He replied, "When all the dates were finished, we missed even that one date." Some Sahabah RA Collapse in Salaah because of extreme Hunger and Weakness Fudhaala bin Ubayd (RA) narrates that when Rasulullaah SCW used to lead the salaah, many men used to collapse in the salaah because of starvation. They were the men of Suffa. (Seeing them) Some Bedouins would comment that they were insane. After completing the salaah, Rasulullaah would turn to them and say, "If you knew what Allaah has for you as reward for your suffering, you would wish that your hunger and poverty should increase." (Tirmidhi) The Extreme Hunger that Abu Hurayra RA Suffered Abdullaah bin Shaqeeq narrates that he stayed in the company of Abu Hurayra (RA) for a year in Madinah. One day, they were near the room of A'isha (RA), when Abu Hurayra said to him, "I saw the time when we had nothing to wear besides coarse cloths and days would pass when we would not have anything to eat that could keep our backs straight. Eventually, we had to tie stones to our stomachs and then wrap our clothes around so that we could keep our backs straight. (Ahmad as quoted in Targheeb wat Tarheeb (Vo1.5 Pg.177)

Abu Dhar Al-Ghifaariy Abu Dhar Al-Ghifaariy's story - even before he knew of Rasulullah’s SCW message – is one of the most noble endeavors in search of the Truth. His ardent search of the Truth led him to travel to Mecca as soon as he heard of Nabi Muhammad’s call to Islam. He converted instantly upon meeting Rasulullah SCW and hearing him speak about the Deen he was proclaiming. Despite the present dangers from the Quraysh, he immediately rose to declare his new faith in front of the Ka’bah. The following are a couple of short narrations regarding his early conversion to Islam. I would encourage you to read a more detailed account of his life – which is full of lessons for all of us. He is specially remembered as an outspoken and prominent critic of the improper use of public funds and the hoarders of wealth in general. Rasulullah SCW would later say about him: ‘Neither has the sky shaded one more truthful and honest than Abu Dhar nor has the earth had anyone walk over it like him’ (Tirmidhi) . Abu Dharr (RA) Dispatches His Brother when he Hears about the Nabuwaat of Rasulullaah SCW Abdullaah bin Abbaas (RA) narrates that when Abu Dharr (RA) heard that Rasulullaah was sent as a Rasul, he said to his brother, "Ride to that valley (of Makkah) and find out for me about the man who claims that he is a Rasul and that revelation comes to him from the heavens. Hear what he has to say and then report back to me." His brother arrived in Makkah, heard what Rasulullaah w said and then reported back to Abu Dharr (RA) saying, "I saw him teaching sterling character and reciting words that are not poetry." Abu Dharr (RA) said, "Your report has not informed me what I needed to know." Abu Dharr (RA) Arrives in Makkah, Accepts Islaam and is then made to Suffer for the sake of Allaah Abu Dharr (RA) took some provisions and a filled waterbag along with him and rode off to Makkah. When he entered the Masjidul Haraam, he searched for Rasulullaah SCW but did not recognise him. He did not want to ask anyone about Rasulullaah either and when night fell, he lay down to sleep. Ali (RA) saw him and realised that he was a stranger. Ali (RA) offered to be his host for the night and Abu Dharr (RA) went with Ali (RA) with either person asked the other any questions until morning. Abu Dharr (RA) took his waterbag and provisions along with him to the Masjidul Haraam and spent the day there. However, when evening arrived, he had not yet seen Rasulullaah SCW. He had returned to the place where he intended to lie down when Hadhra Ali (RA) passed by and said, "Has the man not yet found his destination?" Ali (RA) then helped him up and took him home without any of them exchanging questions. When things turned out the same on the third day and Abu Dharr (RA) again stayed with Ali (RA), Ali (RA) asked, "Will you not tell me what brings you here?" .Abu Dharr (RA) replied, "I shall inform you if you give me your word that you would give me proper direction." When Ali (RA) agreed, Abu Dharr (RA) informed him. Ali (RA) said, "It is true that he is the Rasul of Allaah. Follow me closely tomorrow morning. If I see anything that may jeopardise your safety, I shall stop I shall stop with the pretence of needing to relieve myself (but you should proceed). When I continue walking, you should follow me once more and enter the place I enter. Abu Dharr (RA) did this and followed in the footsteps of Ali until Ali (RA) came to Rasulullaah and Abu Dharr (RA) entered with him. Abu Dharr (RA) listened to Rasulullaah SCW and accepted Islaam on the spot. Rasulullaah said to him, "Return to your people and convey the message to them until I send further instructions." .Abu Dharr (RA) said, "I swear by the Being Who controls my life that I shall shout it aloud amongst them all!" He then proceeded to the Masjidul Haraam where he called out at the top of his voice: "I testify that there is none worthy of worship but Allaah and that Muhammad is Allaah's Rasul." The Mushrikeen then beat him to the ground. Abbaas (RA) arrived and threw himself over Abu Dharr (RA) (to shield him) saying 'Fools! Don't you realise that he belongs to the Ghifaar tribe and that your traders have to pass them on the route they use to Shaam?!" In this manner, Abbaas (RA) saved him. The following day, Abu Dharr (RA) repeated himself and the Mushrikeen again assaulted him and Abbaas (RA) had to throw himself over him (to save him). - Bukhari (Vol.1 Pg.544). Abu Dharr (RA) narrates further, "The following day I returned and repeated what I had said the previous day. The people again called out 'Grab that heretic' and they did what they had done the previous day. Abbaas (RA) found me there and threw himself over me and again told the people what he had told them the previous day. - Bukhari (vol.1 Pg.500).

The Hijrah (Migration) of the Sahabah These incidents highlight how the Sahabah (RA) left their beloved homeland of Makkah, an act which was extremely difficult for them. The incidents also highlight how making Hijrah was more beloved to them than the world and all its pleasures and that they gave preference to the Deen above mundane pleasures. Their Hijrah did not only take them to Madinah but they travelled from place to place seeking the freedom to practice and protect the Deen which they valued more than anything else in this world. The First Person to Migrate from Makkah to Madinah Baraa bin Aazib (RA) said, "The first from amongst the Muhaajireen to come to us was Mus'ab bin Umayr (RA) who belonged to the Banu Abdid Daar tribe. Then came Ibn Ummu Maktoom (RA) who was a blind man belonging to the Banu Fihr tribe. Thereafter, Umar bin Khattaab arrived with twenty mounted men. When we asked him what had happened to Rasulullaah SCW, he said that Rasulullaah SCW was coming after him. Rasulullaah SCW and Abu Bakr (RA) arrived afterwards. By the time Rasulullaah SCW arrived, I had already learnt several Surahs from the Mufassal Surahs." (Bukhari) The Hijrah of Uthmaan Bin Affaan Qataadah (RA) says, "I heard Nadhar bin Anas say that he heard Abu Hamza viz. Anas (RA) say, ' Uthmaan (RA), left for Abyssinia with his wife Ruqayya (RA) who was the daughter of Rasulullaah SCW. News about them was slow in reaching Rasulullaah SCW until a woman from the Quraysh came to him and said, '0 Muhammad! I have seen your son-in-law with his wife.' 'How were they?' asked Rasulullaah SCW. She said, 'I saw him mount his wife on a very weak donkey as he drove it along from the rear.' Rasulullaah SCW commented, 'May Allaah go with them. Uthmaan is the first person to migrate (with his family) after Lut Alaihisalam.'"(Bayhaqi, as quoted in Al Bidaaya wan Nihaaya (Vo1.3 Pg.66). The Virtues of those Sahabah RA who Migrated to Abyssinia and then to Madinah Khaalid bin Sa'eed bin Al Aas (RA) and his brother Amr (RA) were amongst those who migrated to Abyssinia. He narrates that it was a year after the Battle of Badr that they returned from Abyssinia and Rasulullaah SCW met them when they arrived. Because they were sad that they were unable to be participate in the Battle of Badr, Rasulullaah SCW said to them, "Why should you be sad? Whereas other people have undertaken only one Hijrah, you have undertaken two. You made Hijrah when you went to the king of Abyssinia and after returning from him, you made Hijrah to me." (Ibn Asaakir) Suhayb (RA) Arrives in Quba Where Rasulullaah Gives him the Glad Tidings of a Verse of the Qur'aan that Allaah had Revealed about him Suhayb (RA) narrates that when he decided to migrate from Makkah to Rasululaah SCW, the Quraysh said to him, "0 Suhayb! When you came to us, you had no wealth. You are now leaving as a wealthy man. By Allaah! We can never allow this!" Suhayb (RA) proposed to them, 'Will you let me go if I give you all my wealth?" When they agreed, he gave his wealth to them and they let him go. By the time Suhayb (RA) reached Madinah, Rasulullaah was already aware of the incident and said, "You've earned a grand profit, O Suhayb! You've earned a grand profit, 0 Suhayb!" (Ibn Katheer in his Tafseer (Vol.1 Pg.247) Anas (RA) has narrated a similar report with the addition that it was on that occasion that Allaah revealed the following verse of the Qur'aan: From mankind is he who would sell himself seeking Allaah's pleasure and Allaah is Most Compassionate towards His bondsmen. {Surah Baqarah, verse 207) The Hijrah of Abdullaah bin Umar Muhammad bin Zaid narrates that whenever Abdullaah bin Umar (RA) passed by his house (in Makkah) from which he migrated, he would close his eyes and would not even look at it or stop there. Another narration states that whenever Abdullaah bin Umar (RA) spoke about Rasulullaah SCW, he would cry and whenever he passed his house (in Makkah), he would close his eyes. (Bayhaqi)

Imaan (Belief) In Allaah SWT and His Attributes A Sahabi Recites Surah Ikhlaas in Abundance Aa'isha (RA) narrates that a Sahabi whom Rasulullaah SCW dispatched as commander of an expedition used to lead his companions in Salaah but would always conclude (the Rakaah) by reciting Surah Ikhlaas. When they returned and reported this to Rasulullaah SCW, he told them to ask him why he did this. When they asked him, he replied, "(I recite it so often) Because it discusses the attributes of Ar Rahmaan. I therefore love to recite it." Rasulullaah then told the Sahabah, "Inform him that Allaah loves him as well." (Bayhaqi in his Asmaa was Sifaat (Pg.208), as quoted by Bukhaari and Muslim as well) The Narration of Hadhrat Aa'isha RA concerning the Lady who Debated Aa'isha RA said, "All praise belongs to Allaah Who hears everything. The Mujaadalah (the lady who debated) came to speak with Rasulullaah SCW and although I was in the corner of the room, I heard nothing. Allaah then revealed the verse: Certainly has Allah heard the speech of the one who argues with you, [O Muhammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allah . And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing. (Surah Mujadila, verse 1) Aa'isha RA said, "Blessed is that Allaah Whose hearing captures everything. As I was listening to Khowla bint Tha'laba complain to Rasulullaah SCW about her husband, there were words that I could not hear. '0 Rasulullaah she said, 'He has consumed my wealth, finished my youth and my womb has even borne him children. Eventually, when I have grown old and I can no longer bear children, he has practiced Zihaar (a form of divorce during the time) with me’. She then prayed, '0 Allaah! To You do I place my complaint.' She had not yet stood up when Jibra'eel Alaihissalam arrived with the verse: Certainly has Allah heard the speech of the one who argues with you, [O Muhammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allah . And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing. (Surah Mujadila, verse 1) Her husband was Aws bin Saamit (Ibn Abi Haatim, as quoted in the Tafseer of Ibn Katheer (Vo1.4 Pg.318).

Tawakkul (Trust in Allaah) of the Sahabah RA These narrations relate the complete trust and reliance the Sahabah had in Allaah SWT. Tawakkul is such an importance concept in Islam which we should all strive to achieve. As Allaah SWT says: ‘And upon Allah let those who would rely [indeed] rely’(Surah Ibrahim, verse 12). The Tawakkul of Ameerul Mu'mineen Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA) Yahya bin Murrah narrates, "When Ali (RA) used to go to the Masjid at night to perform Nafl salaah, we would also go with him to guard him. After completing his salaah, he would ask us, 'What are you sitting here for?' When we informed him that we were there to guard him, he asked, 'Is it against the inhabitants of the heavens that you are guarding me or against the inhabitants of the earth?' 'Only from the inhabitants of the earth,' we submitted. He then said, 'Nothing happens on earth until it is decided in the heavens. There are two angels assigned to every person who protect and guard him. However, when a predestined matter arrives, they leave him to it. I therefore have a fortified shield from Allaah which will leave me only when death arrives. No person can taste the sweetness of Imaan until he is convinced that whatever (difficulty) afflicts him would never have passed him by and whatever (good) passes him by would never have come to him in the first place. (Abu Dawood and Ibn Asaakir) The Tawakkul of Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (RA) Abu Dhabiyya reports that when Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (RA) was on his deathbed, Uthmaan bin Afaan (RA) visited him. ''What is the problem?" Uthmaan (RA) asked. "My problem is my sins," Abdullah bin Mas'ood (RA) replied. Uthmaan (RA) asked further, "What do you wish for?" Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (RA) replied, "For the mercy of my Rabb." Uthmaan (RA) then asked, "Should I not have a physician see you?" (Referring to the fact that Allaah Is the greatest of curers,) Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (RA) said, "It was the physician (Allaah) Who gave me the illness." Uthmaan (RA) further asked, "Should I then not have an allowance fixed." "I have no need for an allowance," Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (RA) assured him. "But it would belong to your daughters after your demise," Uthmaan (RA) explained. "Do you fear that my daughters would suffer poverty after my death?" Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (RA) asked in surprise. He then continued, "I have instructed my daughters to recite Surah waaqi'ah every night because I have heard Rasulullaah SCW say that poverty shall never ever afflict the person who recites Surah waaqi'ah every night. (Ibn Asaakir, as quoted in the Tafseer of lbn Katheer (VolA Pg.281).

The Weeping of the Sahabah These narrations relate instances of the Sahabah weeping when in Salat; in recitation of Qur’an as well as when contemplating matters of the Aakhira. This is in stark contrast to our hardened hearts. The hearts of the Sahabah were as described in the following verse of Surah Al-Anfal. The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely {Surah Al-Anfal, verse 2). The Weeping of Umar (RA) Hasan bin Muhammad bin Ali bin Abi Taalib (RA) states that during the Friday sermon, Umar (RA) used to recite the Surah Takweer until he reached the verse: A soul will [then] know what it has brought [with it]. {Surah Takweer, verse 14} At this point, his voice would stop (because of his excessive weeping). Ubayd bin umayr (RA) reports that Umar (RA) once led them in the Fajr salaah and started reciting Surah Yusuf. However, he started weeping and had to stop when he reached the verse: (Referring to Ya'qoob AS, Allaah says): And he turned away from them and said, "Oh, my sorrow over Joseph," and his eyes became white from grief, for he was [of that] a suppressor. {Surah Yusuf, verse 84} Abdullah bin Shaddaad bin Haad narrates that even while standing in the last rows of the congregation he could hear the sobbing of Umar (RA) during the Fajr salaah. Umar (RA) was reciting Surah Yusuf and (because of his excessive weeping, he had to stop when he) reached the verse: He said, "I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you do not know.{Surah Yusuf, verse 86} The Weeping of Mu'aadh (RA) Abdullaah bin Umar (RA) narrates that Umar (RA) once passed by Mu'aadh bin Jabal (RA) who was weeping. 'What makes you weep?" Umar (RA) enquired. Mu'aadh (RA) replied, A Hadith that I heard from Rasululaah SCW (which states that); 'Indeed the tiniest amount of ostentation is tantamount to Shirk and the people most beloved to Allaah are those with Taqwa who are anonymous. They are those who will not be missed if they are not there and will not be recognised when they are present. These people are the torchbearers of guidance and the beacons of knowledge." The Weeping of Abdullaah bin Umar Naafi reports that there was not a single occasion when Abdullaah bin Umar (RA) did not weep when reciting the following verses of Surah Baqarah: Whether you show what is within yourselves or conceal it, Allah will bring you to account for it. Then He will forgive whom He wills and punish whom He wills, and Allah is over all things competent. {Surah Baqarah, verse 284} He would then say, ''Verily, this accountability is a grave matter. Naafi also reports that Abdullaah bin Umar (RA) would cry uncontrollably whenever he recited the verse: Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah and what has come down of the truth? {Surah Hadeed, verse 16} The Weeping of Abdullaah bin Abbaas RA Abdullaah bin Abu Mulaykah says, "I accompanied Abdullaah bin Abbaas ~ from Makkah to Madinah and wherever he set up camp,he stood in salaah for half the night." When Ayyoob asked him what Abdullaah bin Abbaas' recitation of the Qur'aan was like, he replied, "He once cried painfully as he continuously recited the following verse with slow intonation; And the intoxication of death will bring the truth; that is what you were trying to avoid.{Surah Qaaf, verse 19} Abu Rajaa (RA) says, ''The lines on the face of Abdullaah bin Abbaas (RA) where his tears ran resembled two old shoe straps." The Weeping of Abu Hurayrah (RA) Muslim bin Bishr reports that when Abu Hurayrah (RA) was weeping during his illness (before his death), someone asked him what it was that made him weep. He replied, "Take note that it is not for this world of yours that I am weeping. I am weeping because of the long journey ahead and the deficiency of my provisions. I have now climbed a rise that leads down either to ]annah or to Jahannam and I know not towards which of the two I shall be heading."

The Gratitude of the Sahabah How grateful are we for the Bounties Allaah SWT has blessed us with? The Sahabah RA were grateful to Allaah for every bounty. They didn't categorize bounties into great/small. Every bounty from Allaah SWT was great in their eyes. The Gratitude Umar (RA) Showed to Allaah for Elevating his Status Sulaymaan bin Yasaar narrates that when Umar (RA) once passed by a place called Dajnaan, he said, "I once saw myself grazing animals in this place for (my father) Khattaab. By Allaah! As far as I know, he was a stern and harsh man. (By the grace of Allaah) I then became the guide of the Ummah of Muhammad SCW.He then recited the following couplets (which mean): "There is nothing in the things you see besides superficial enjoyment While wealth and children are temporary, all that shall remain is Allaah" The Statement of Umar (RA) Concerning a Leper Ikramah (RA) reports that Umar (RA) once passed by a leper who was also blind, deaf and dumb. Addressing the people with him, Umar (RA) asked, "Do you see any of Allaah's bounties in this man?" When the people replied that they saw none, Umar (RA) said, "Why not? Do you not see that he is able to urinate with ease without the urine holding back or coming out with difficulty? This is an extremely great bounty from Allaah." Umar’s Letter to Abu Moosa Ash'ari and his Statement Concerning People who are Grateful Hasan Basri narrates that Umar (RA) wrote the following letter to Abu Moosa Ash'ari (RA): "Be content with the sustenance Allaah provides for you in this world because Allaah gives more sustenance to some of His servants and less to others to test all of them. He tests those whom He has given plenty to see whether they are grateful. His gratitude to Allaah fulfils the duty he owes to Allaah for the sustenance and bounties Allaah has blessed him with." Umar (RA) once said, "The grateful ones always received more from Allaah so seek more from Allaah. This is because Allaah says: And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; The Statement of Ali (RA) Concerning Bounties and Gratitude Ali (RA) once said, "Every bounty should be followed by gratitude and gratitude is followed by an increase (in the bounty). Gratitude and an increase in bounties are directly proportional to each other. Therefore, Allaah will never stop increasing the bounties on His servant until the servant stops being grateful (in which case they stop)." The Statements of Abu Dardaa (RA), Aa'isha (RA) and Asmaa (RA) Concerning Gratitude Abu Dardaa (RA) said, 'When a night or a day passes without people seeing me suffer any difficulty, I see this as an extremely great bounty from Allaah." Another narration quotes him as saying; ''The person who sees Allaah's bounties only in food and drink has a limited understanding and has his punishment ever present." Aa'isha (RA) once said, "Gratitude is binding on the person who drinks even plain water that enters his body without difficulty and then exits without difficulty." When (her son) Abdullaah bin zubayr (RA) was martyred, Asmaa bint Abu Bakr (RA) happened to lose something that Rasulullaah SCW gave her and which she kept in a bag. When she finally found it after some searching, she fell into Sajdah (in gratitude to Allaah).

The humility of the Sahabah The humility of the Sahabah was unparalleled. Here are just a few examples of their humility. Ali (RA) said: "Three Factors form the Core of Humility" Ali (RA) once said, "Three factors form the core of humility: “That one is first to greet whoever one meets, that one is content with an inferior position in a gathering rather than one of superiority and that one dislikes ostentation and boastfulness." Umar (RA) Ridicules Himself in his Sermon Umar Makhzoomi reports that Urnar bin Khattaab (RA) once made an announcement for the people to gather in the Masjid. The people got together and when a large number had gathered, Umar (RA) mounted the pulpit. After duly praising Allaah and sending salutations on Rasulullaah SCW, he said, "0 people! I have seen the time when I used to graze animals for my maternal aunts from the Banu Makhzoom tribe. (As wages) They would then give me a handful of dates and raisins. I would then spend the entire day doing this and what days they were?!" When Umar (RA) descended from the pulpit, Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf (RA) said, "0 Ameerul Mu'mineen! All you have done is ridicule yourself." Shame on you, 0 Ibn Auf!" Umar (RA) exclaimed, ''When I was alone by myself, the thought came to mind that since I am the Ameerul Mu'mineen, there must be none better than me. (By doing what I did) I wanted to remind myself who I used to be." Another narration states that Umar (RA) added, "0 people! I have seen the time when I had no source of livelihood apart from a few handfuls of raisins that my aunts from the Banu Makhzoom tribe would give me for bringing water for them." This narration ends with the words, "I found some pride in myself and therefore wished to humble myself (by telling the people what I did)." Umar (RA) rides a camel on his journey to Shaam Aslam reports that when Umar (RA) arrived in Shaam riding a camel, the people started talking amongst themselves (that he should have rather chosen a good horse for the journey). To this, Umar (RA) remarked, "Their gazes are on the conveyances of people (the Kuffaar) who have no portion (in the Aakhirah). They had rather look to the conveyances used by Rasulullaah SCW and the Muslims." Umar (RA) Teaches Women how to make Flour Hishaam narrates that he once saw Umar (RA) pass by a woman who was busy making Aseedah (a paste made from flour and clarified butter). "That is not how Aseedah is made," said Umar (RA). He then took a wooden spoon and showed her how to make it saying, "This is how it is done." Hishaam bin Khaalid says that he heard Umar bin Khattaab (RA) say (as he taught some women to make Aseedah), ''You should never add the flour until the water is hot. When the water gets hot, you should then add the flour gradually as you stir with a spoon because it will then mix well without forming lumps." Umar (RA) and Uthmaan (RA) allow People to Ride with them on their Animals The grandfather of Maalik say that he saw Umar (RA) and uthmaan (RA) when they arrived from Makkah and camped at a place called Mu'arras (Dhul Hulayfah). when the party rode again to enter Madinah, everyone of them took a youngster to ride with him. In this manner, they entered Madinah. Even Umar (RA) and Uthmaan (RA) had someone riding with them. One of the narrator's students asked, "Did they do this because of humility?" The reply was, "Certainly. In addition to this, they also wished to benefit others (so that the person need not walk) and did not want to be like other rulers (who feel it below their dignity to allow a commoner to ride with them)." The narrator then proceeded to criticise the new trend (of rulers) to make youngsters walk behind them as they rode. The Humility of Uthmaan Hasan says, "I saw Uthmaan (RA) sleeping in the Masjid covered in a shawl. Although he was then the Ameerul Mu'mineen, there was none around him." The Humility of Ameerul Mu'mineen Ali (RA) Zaadhaan reports that even as Ameerul Mu'mineen, Ali (RA) used to walk alone in the marketplace where he would guide lost people, announce lost items and assist the weak. When passing by traders and grocers, he would open the Qur'aan and recite to them: That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous {Surah Qasas, verse 83} He would then say, "This verse was revealed with reference to rulers and people with authority over others who (despite their positions, they) exercise justice and are humble”. The Humility of Salmaan Faarsi Thaabit reports that Salmaan (RA) was the governor of Madaa'in when a man arrived from Shaam carrying figs. Because Salmaan (RA) was wearing his simple lower garment and shawl, the man (not recognising Salmaan (RA) and thinking him to be a common labourer) called to him saying, "Come and carry this!" Salmaan (RA) obliged and when the people saw him and recognised who he was, they exclaimed, "This is the governor!" When the man pleaded that he did not recognise Salmaan (RA) (and wished to take the load back), Salmaan (RA) said to him, "Leave it until I reach your destination," The Humility of Abdullaah bin Salaam Abdullaah bin Salaam (RA) was once passing through the marketplace carrying a bundle of wood when someone said to him, "What makes you do this when Allaah has freed you from it (you can always get someone else to do it for you)?" Abdullaah bin Salaam (RA) replied, "I wish to ward off pride because I have heard Rasulullaah SCW say, 'The person in whose heart is an iota of pride will not enter Jannah."

In the preceding post, one of the Sahabi whose character Rasulullah SCW praised is Abu 'Ubaydah Ibn Al-Jarraah. Let us learn more about the attributes of his noble character and why Rasulallah SCW gave him the title 'The Trustworthy of This Nation' The following is taken from the book titled 'Men Around The Messenger' which is available here - http://www.kalamullah.com/books.html ABU `UBAIDAH IBN AL-JARRAAH - The Trustworthy of This Nation Who was the man whose right hand the Prophet (PBUH) held and said, `In every nation there exists a man worthy of all trust and the trustworthy of this nation is Abu `Ubaidah lbn Al- Jarraah." Who was the man whom the Prophet sent with reinforcements to `Amr Ibn Al-'Aas in the Dhaat As-Salaasil Expedition and made commander of the army that included `Umar and Abu Bakr? Who was this Companion who was the first to be called the Commander of the Commanders? Who was that tall, slim man with gaunt face? Who was that strong, trustworthy man about whom `Umar lbn Al Khattaab said on his deathbed, "If Abu `Ubaidah Ibn Al-Jarraah were alive, I would have entrusted him with the caliphate, and if Allah asked me about him, I would say, I assigned the caliphate to the trustworthy of Allah and His Prophet, Abu `Ubaidah Ibn Al Jarraah. He embraced Islam at the hands of Abu Bakr As-Siddiiq at the dawn of Islam, even before the Prophet walked into Daar Al-Arqam. He emigrated to Abyssinia during the second emigration, then returned to stand by the Prophet at Badr, Uhud, and the rest of the great battles. Even after the Prophet's death, he continued to be strong and trustworthy in his striving during the caliphates of Abu Bakr and the Commander of the Faithful `Umar. He renounced the world and endured its hardships. He pursued his Islam with an admirable asceticism, piety, firmness, and trustworthiness. When Abu `Ubaidah took the oath of allegiance to the Messenger and dedicated his life in the way of Allah, he knew exactly what those words "in the way of Allah" meant. When Abu `Ubaidah fulfilled his pledge as other Companions did, the Prophet saw in his conscientiousness and life style that which made him worthy of the epithet he had given him, namely, "The Trustworthy of This Nation" Abu `Ubaidah's trustworthiness towards his responsibilities was one of his most outstanding traits. For instance, in the Battle of Uhud, he realized from the way the battle was conducted that the disbelievers' first priority was to kill the great Messenger (PBUH). To them, achieving victory was of secondary importance compared to killing the Prophet. Therefore, he decided to stay very close to where he was. Abu Ubaidah thrust his sword into the army of paganism that craved to put out the light of Allah once and for all. Whenever the fierce fight led him far away from the Prophet, he fought ferociously while his eyes were fixed on where the Prophet stood, watching him with great concern. Whenever Abu `Ubaidah saw a potential danger approaching the Prophet, he jumped swiftly to send the enemies of Allah on their heels before they could injure the Prophet. Finally, he managed to disperse them and darted towards the Messenger, who was wiping the noble blood that ran down his face with his right hand, then exclaimed, `How can they succeed after they tinged with blood the face of their Prophet who invites them to the way of Allah?" When Abu `Ubaidah saw the two rings of the Prophet's chain mail that had pierced his cheeks, he rushed and held the first one with his front teeth and pulled it out. Yet as it fell, it took out his upper front teeth as well, and the same thing happened to the lower front teeth when he pulled out the second ring. When the Prophet (PBUH) appointed him as a commander in Al-Khabat Expedition, he had no supplies except for a knapsack full of dates. Notwithstanding the difficult mission and long distance, Abu `Ubaidah withstood this against all odds with tremendous self-denial and joy. He and his soldiers marched for miles with nothing to eat but a few dates daily until they ran out of dates and had to pick up withered leaves with their bows and crush and swallow them with water. Hence, the expedition was called Al-Khabat (i.e. The Struggle). They proceeded regardless of the danger and the risks. They did not worry about starvation or deprivation. The only thing that mattered to them was to accomplish their glorious mission under the leadership of their strong and trustworthy commander. The Prophet (PBUH) loved this trustworthy one of his nation so much that he gave him preference over everyone else. For instance, when the Najraan delegation arrived from Yemen after they had embraced Islam, they asked the Prophet to send someone to them to teach them the Qur'aan, the Sunnah, and Islam. The Prophet told them, "I will send you a trustworthy man, a very trustworthy man. When the Companions heard this praise, every one of them prayed that the Prophet meant him with this praise and sincere recommendation. `Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated thus. I have never craved command in my life except on that day, in hope that I would be the man whom the Prophet held in such high esteem. Therefore, I went in intense heat to perform my Dhuhr prayer. When the Prophet finished leading the prayer, he looked to his right, then to his left. I stood on my toes to draw his attention to me, yet he kept on looking round until he saw Abu `Ubaidah Ibn Al-Jarraah and ordered him, "Go with them and judge in fruth between them in the matters in which they dispute." Afterwards, Abu `Ubaidah traveled with them. When Khaalid Ibn Al-Wallid was the commander of the Muslim armies in one of the great decisive battles, the first action of `Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, the new caliph at the time, was to dismiss Khaalid and assign Abu Ubaidah in his place. When Abu `Ubaidah received the message from `Umar he decided to conceal its purport. He pleaded with the messenger to keep it a secret with great admirable asceticism, intelligence, and fidelity. When Khaalid achieved his great victory, and only then, did Abu `Ubaidah relay to him the message with extraordinary politeness. On reading the Khaalid asked him, `May Allah bestow His mercy on you, Abu `Ubaidah. What made you keep that message from me?" The Trustworthy of the Nation answered, "I was afraid lest it should cause any confusion that might affect the army's morale. We do not crave life or its splendor. We are brothers before Allah." Thus, Abu `Ubaidah was assigned as the commander-in -chief in Syria. His army was the mightiest and best equipped among the Muslim armies. You could hardly distinguish him from the rank and file of the army. He was always unassuming. When he heard that the people of Syria were infatuated by him and by his new rank, he asked them to assemble, then addressed them saying, "Fellow men, I'm a Muslim from the Quraish tribe. I will follow any of you like his shadow regardless of the color of his skin, if he is more pious and righteous than me." May Allah greet you, Abu `Ubaidah. May Allah bless the religion that refined you and the Prophet who instructed you. He said that he was a Muslim from the Quraish. His religion was Islam and his tribe was Quraish. For him, this sufficed as an identification. His being the commander -in-chief, the leader of the greatest Muslim army in number, equipment, and victory and the obeyed and respected ruler of Syria were not privileges in themselves. He was not ensnared by the web of conceit or haughtiness. As a matter of fact, all these titles and high positions were the means to a sublime ultimate end. One day, the Commander of the Faithful visited Syria and asked those who were at his reception, "Where is my brother?" They asked, "Who do you mean?" He answered, "Abu `Ubaidah Ibn Al Jarraah." Soon Abu `Ubaidah arrived and hugged Umar, then he invited him over to his house, where he had no furniture. In fact, he had nothing but a sword, a shield, and a saddlebag. `Umar asked him, smiling, "Why don't you furnish your house as people do?" Abu `Ubaidah readily answered, "O Commander of the Faithful, as you see, I have a room to sleep in and that is enough for me." One day as the Commander of the Faithful Umar "Al-Faruuq" was conducting the affairs of the vast Muslim world, he received the sad news of Abu `Ubaidah's death. He tried to control himself, but his sadness got the better of him and his tears flowed. He asked Allah to bestow His mercy on his brother. He recalled his memories with Abu `Ubaidah (May Allah be pleased with him) with patience and tenderness. He exclaimed, "If I were to make a wish, I would have wished a house full of men just like Abu `Ubaidah." The Trustworthy of This Nation died in the land which he had purified from the paganism of the Persians and the oppression of the Romans. Today in Jordan lie his noble remains which once were full of life, goodness, and satisfaction. It does not matter if you know where he is buried or not, for if you want to find his grave, you will need no guide; the fragrance of his remains will lead you to it.

The noble traits of the Sahabah are so myriad and wondrous. The following narrations relate how the Sahabah RA respected, admired and honoured one another. The most illustrious of them practiced such modesty in front of his fellow Sahabah that they would diminish their own unique traits and instead chose to praise their companions. Rasulullah SCW also praised the Sahabah (RA) and testified to their noble traits. May we all follow in their noble examples and strive to improve our own character. Rasulullaah SCW Testifies to the Excellent Character of Abu Ubaydah (RA) Hasan reports that Rasulullaah SCW once said, "If I chose to do so, I could take each of my companions to task for aspects of their character except for Abu Ubaydah bin Jarraah" (RA). Rasulullaah SCW says that the Character of Uthmaan (RA) is Closest to his Own Abdur Rahmaan bin Uthmaan Qurashi narrates that RasululIaah SCW once visited his daughter as she was washing the head of (her husband) Uthmaan (RA). Addressing her, Rasulullaah SCW said, "Beloved daughter! Treat Abu Abdullaah (Uthmaan RA) well because from all my companions, his character is closest to my own." Rasulullaah SCW's Comments about the Character of Ja'far (RA), Zaid (RA), Ali (RA) and Abdullaah bin J a ‘f (RA) Ali (RA) narrates, "Ja'far (RA), Zaid (RA)and I once came to Rasulullaah SCW. Rasulullaah SCW said to Zaid (RA), 'You are our brother and friend.' Zaid (RA) sKipped with joy. Rasulullaah SCW then said to Ja'far (RA), 'You resemble me both in looks and in personality'. Ja'far (RA) then skipped about even more than Zaid (RA). Thereafter, Rasulullaah SCW said to me, 'You are from me and I from you.' I therefore skipped about more than Zaid (RA) and Ja'far (RA). Usaamah bin Zaid (RA) reports that Rasulullaah SCW once said to Ja'far (RA), "Your personality is like mine and your physical appearance also resembles my own. You are therefore from me. And you, 0 Ali. You are also from me and the father of my grandsons." The Statement of Abdullaah bin Umar (RA) Regarding, Uthmaan (RA) and Abu Ubaydah (RA) Abdullaah bin Umar (RA) says, "There are three men from the Quraysh who are the most handsome, have the best character and have the most resolute sense of modesty. when they speak to you, they can never be lying and when you speak to them, they will never regard you as a liar. They are Abu Bakr Siddeeq (RA), Uthmaan bin Affaan (RA) and Abu Ubaydah bin Jarraah (RA). Another narration states that Abdullaah bin Umar (RA) said, "There are three men from the Quraysh who are the most handsome, have the best character and have the strongest sense of modesty. They are Abu Bakr (RA), Uthmaan (RA) and Abu Ubaydah (RA). The Excellent Character of Mus'ab (RA) and Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (RA) Aamir bin Rabee'ah (RA) says, " Mus'ab bin Umayr (RA) was a friend of mine from the time he accepted Islaam up to the time that he was martyred at Uhud. May Allaah shower His mercy on him. He accompanied us on both migrations to Abyssinia and was my travelling companion. I must say that I have never seen a person with better character than him nor one who had fewer differences with people than he." Habba bin Juwayn reports that they were once with Ali (RA) when they started to mention some of the statements of Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (RA) praising him, someone said (to Ali), "0 Ameerul Mu'mineen we have never seen a man with better character, nor anyone who teaches as compassionately. nor anyone who is better company nor anyone more pious than Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (RA)." Ali (RA) asked, "I ask you to say in the name of Allaah whether this is the truth in your hearts." When they expressed that it was, Ali (RA) remarked, "0 Allaahl I make You the Witness that my opinion of him ( Abdullaah bin Mas'ood ) is as these people have expressed or even better." Another narration states that in praise for Abdul1aah bin Maslood (RA), the person even added, "He reads the Qur'aan, regarding what it makes lawful as lawful and what it forbids as forbidden. He has a deep understanding of the Deen and has immense knowledge of the Sunnah."

The Sahabah (ra) Visit each Other Anas (ra) reports that Rasulullaah SCW used to forge a bond of brotherhood between every two Sahabah. (The bond became so strong that) the night would seem extremely long for each one of the two until he had met his brother. They would show great love and affection to each other when they did meet and would ask each other what he had done since they last met. As for the others (between whom no bonds were formed), not even three days would pass any of them without him getting to know what had happened to his brother. A narration states that when the companions of Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (ra) came to see him, he said, "Do you people sit in each other's company?" "That we do not omit," they replied. "Do you still visit each other?" he enquired further. "Certainly, 0 Abu Abdur Rahmaan," they replied, "When one of us does not see his brother, he would go walking to the end of Kufa to meet him." Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (ra) then remarked, "You people will certainly remain in good stead as long as you keep doing this." Ummu Dardaa (ra) says that Salmaan (ra) once came walking all the way from Madaa'in to visit them (her husband Abu Dardaa (ra) in Shaam. He was then wearing a short shawl that just covered his knees. Fulfilling the Need of a Muslim Ali (ra) once said. "I cannot say which of the two favours of Allaah to me are greater. Whether it is a man coming to me with the sincere belief that I am able to fulfil his need or whether it is the favour of Allaah fulfilling his need or at least alleviating some of it at my hand. Fulfilling the need of a Muslim is something I love more than the earth full of gold and silver." Walking to Fulfil the Needs of a Muslim: Abdullaah bin Abbaas (ra) Leaves His I'tikaaf to Fulfil a Need of a Muslim Abdullaah bin Abbaas (ra) was once observing I'tikaaf in the Masjid of Rasulullaah SCW when a man came to him. After the man had greeted with Salaam and sat down, Abdullah bin Abbaas (ra) said, "It seems that you are extremely concerned about something?" "That is true, 0 cousin of Rasulullaah SCW the man replied, "I am indebted to someone and I swear by the honour of the occupant of this grave (Rasulullaah SCW) that I am unable to settle it." "Should I speak to him on your behalf?" Abdullaah bin Abbaas (ra) offered. "if you please," the man replied. Abdullaah bin Abbaas (ra) then put on his shoes and left the Masjid. The man called out, "Have you forgotten what you were engaged in (your I'tikaaf)?" "NO," Abdullaah bin Abbaas (ra) replied, "It is something that I heard from the occupant of this grave and it was not a long time ago." His eyes then welled with tears as he continued, "I heard him say, 'Whoever walks to fulfil the need of a Muslim and applies himself in this regard, it will be better for him than ten years of I'tikaaf. As for the one who spends a single day in I'tikaaf for the pleasure of Allaah, Allaah will place between him and the fire of Jahannam three trenches larger than the distance between the heavens and the earth."

Jazakallah khayr to all for sharing these recitations... Complete Qu'ran rectiation by Sh. Abdirashid Ali Suufi. Not downloadable. http://en.islamzoom.com/Somalia/abdul-rashid-ali-sufi/abdul-rashid-ali-sufi-26.htm

Keeping The Heart Free from ill-Feelings and Jealousy The Incident of Abdullaah bin Amr (ra) and a Sahabi Whom Rasulullaah SCW had Given the Glad Tidings of Jannah Anas (ra) reports that they were once sitting with Rasulullaah SCW when he said, "A man from amongst the people of Jannah shall now appear before you." A man from the Ansaar then arrived with his beard dripping water from his wudhu and hanging his shoes over his left hand. The next day Rasulullaah SCW said the same thing and the same man again appeared as he did the first time. On the third day, Rasulullaah SCW again repeated his words and the man appeared yet again in the same state as he did previously. After Rasulullaah SCW had stood up (and left), Abdullah bin Amr bin AI AaS (ra) followed the man saying to him, "I had an argument with my father and swore not to go home for three days. Do you think that you could accommodate me at your place until the period expires?" When the man agreed, Abdullaah bin Amr (ra) stayed with him for three days. Abdullaah bin Amr (ra) did not see the man perform any salaah during the night. All he did was to engage in Dhikr and recite "Allaahu Akbar" whenever he awoke at night and turned on another side. He then continued sleeping until the Fajr salaah. "Apart from this," Abdullaah bin Amr (ra) recalls, "I heard him speaking only good. After the three days had passed, I was on the verge of thinking that his deeds were not deserving (of the accolade Rasulullaah SCW paid to them), when I enquired, '0 servant of AIlaah! There was never any argument or severed tie between my father and I. (I wanted to stay with you because) On three occasions I heard Rasulullaah SCW say, 'A man from amongst the people of Jannah shall now appear before you.' On each of the three occasions, it was you who appeared. I therefore made up my mind to stay with you for three days to observe your actions so that I may follow suit. I have however not seen you do anything extraordinary. What is it that you do to deserve what Rasulullaah SCW said?" "There is nothing besides what you have observed," the man replied. When Abdullaah was leaving, the man called him back and said, "There is nothing besides what you have observed. However, another thing is that I harbour absolutely no ill-feelings towards any Muslim and I do not begrudge anyone for any good that Allaah has granted him." Abdullaah (ra) confirmed, "It is this that has conveyed you (to the status Rasulullaah SCW gave you)." Another narration names the Sahabi as Sa'd (ra). The end of this narration states that Sa'd (ra) said, "There is nothing besides what you have observed, dear nephew. However, I never go to sleep with any ill-feelings for any Muslim." Another narration names the sahabi as sa'd bin Abi Waqqaas (ra). The end part of that narration states that Sa’d said, "There is nothing besides what you have observed, dear nephew. However, I do not harbour any ill-feelings for any Muslim and never speak any ill about them." To this, Abdullaah bin Arnr (ra) remarked, "It is this that has conveyed (glad tidings of Jannat) to you. Deriving Pleasure from the Happiness of the Muslims Abdullaah bin Abbaas (ra) is Happy for the Happiness of the Muslims Buraydah Aslami (ra) narrates that when someone once insulted Abdullaah bin Abbaas (ra), he responded by saying, "You are insulting me when I have three qualities in me. Whenever I recite a verse of Allaah's Book, I wish that all of mankind also share the knowledge I have. (The second is that) Whenever I hear of a Muslim ruler exercising justice amongst the people, I become extremely happy even though I may never have the opportunity of having a case judged by him. (The third is that) Whenever I hear about rains falling upon any city of the Muslims, I become very happy (for them) even though I have no grazing animals in that area." Hating the Sin and not the Sinner Abu Dardaa (ra) and Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (ra) Forbid Swearing at a Sinner Abu Qilaaba narrates that Abu Dardaa (ra) once passed by a person whom people were insulting for committing a sin. Abu Dardaa (ra) said to them, "If you people ever found him lying in a well, would you take him out of it?" When they replied that they certainly would, Abu Dardaa (ra) said, "Then do not insult your brother but rather thank Allaah for safeguarding you (from the sin)." "Do you not hate him?" the people enquired. Abu Dardaa (ra) replied, "I only hate his evil act. When he forsakes it, he is again my brother." Another narration states that AbduIlaah bin Mas'ood (ra) said, 'When you see your brother commit a sin, do not assist shaytaan against him by saying, 'O Allaah Humiliate him! O Allaah Curse him!' Rather ask Allaah for safety (from the sin). We the companions of Rasulullaah SCW never said anything about a person until we knew in what condition he died. If he died in a good manner, we then knew for certain that he earned much good. On the other hand, if he died in a bad way, we feared for him."

Waa Muxaadaro aad u faa'iido badan. Waxaana idiin rajeyneynaa inaan dhamaan ka wada faa'ideysano.

Continued from previous post… The Abstinence of Ali bin Abi Taalib (ra) His Food A man from the Thaqeef tribe says, " Ali (ra) appointed me as governor of a place called Ukbara. It was a place in rural Iraq where no Muslims lived. Ali (ra) told me to meet him the following day at the time of zuhr. When I went to him, I found no doorman to prevent me from entering and saw him sitting down with a jug and a glass of water. When he asked for a bag to be brought to him, I thought, 'Perhaps he trusts me so much that he is going to give me a precious jewel'. I had no idea what was in the bag. It was sealed and when he broke the seal. I was surprised to find that there was barley flour inside. He took some out of the bag, put it in a cup and then poured water into it. He drank the mixture and also gave me drink. Unable to contain myself, I said, '0 Ameerul Mu'mineen! You are having this in Iraq, when Iraq has foods much better than this?' He replied, 'By Allaah: I do not have these bags sealed because of stinginess. The reason (for sealing them) is that I buy exactly how much I need (from Madinah) and fear that it should not deplete (by spilling) because I would then have to cook something else (from Iraq). This is my way of looking after it because I don't like anything but pure foods to enter my belly.'" The Abstinence of Mus'ab Bin Umayr (ra) The Narration of Ali (ra) and the Statement of Rasulullaah SCW Ali (ra) says, "One winter morning I left home extremely hungry with the cold almost killing me. There was a piece of undyed leather at home which was still smelly. I cut it to put my head through and tied it to my chest to ward off the cold. By Allaah, there was nothing at home that I could eat and had there been any food in Rasulullaah SCW house, some of if it would have definitely reached me. As I was walking in one end of Madinah, I peeped through a hole in the wall of an orchard where I saw a Jew standing in his orchard. He said, 'What is the problem, 0 Bedouin? Are you prepared to earn a date for every bucket of water you draw from the well?' 'Certainly,' I replied, 'open the gate.' I entered the orchard after he opened the gate and started drawing water. He gave me a date for every bucket I drew until my hand was full of dates. I then said, 'That is enough for now.' Thereafter, I arrived before Rasulullaah SCW who was sitting in the Masjid with a group of Sahabah (ra). It was then that Mus'ab bin umayr (ra) appeared wearing a patched shawl. Rasulullaah ~ mentioned the opulence that Mus'ab was used to (before becoming a Muslim) and seeing his condition (at the time), Rasulullaah ‘s SCW eyes filled with tears and he started weeping. Rasulullaah SCW then said, 'What will be your condition when that time comes when one of you would be wearing an outfit in the mornings and then another in the evenings, and your homes will be adorned like the covering of the Kabah?' we replied, 'In that time, we shall be in a better position because we will have others to do the hard work for us while we free ourselves for Ibaadah.' 'No,' said Rasulullaah SCW 'You are better off today than you would be during those days’. The Abstinence of Uthmaan bin M a dh' (ra) Abdullaah bin Abbaas (ra) reports that after Uthmaan bin Madh'oon (ra) had passed away, Rasulullaah SCW came to him and bent over him as if advising him. Rasulullaah SCW then raised his head and signs of crying could be noticed from his eyes. Rasulullaah SCW then bent over (the corpse) again and when he raised his head, he was weeping. Thereafter, Rasulullaah SCW bent over him for the third time and when he raised his head this time, he was sobbing profusely. The Sahabah (ra) then understood that Uthmaan bin Madh'oon (ra) had certainly passed away and they all started to weep. "Stop," said Rasulullaah SCW, "This is from Shaytaan, so repent to Allaah." Addressing Uthmaan bin Madh'oon (ra) Rasulullaah SCW then said, "0 Abu Saa'ib! do not grieve, for you have left this world without taking anything of it with you." Another narration states that Rasulullaah SCW said, "May Allaah shower His mercy on you, 0 Uthmaan! Neither have you taken from this world nor has it taken from you." The Abstinence of Abu Ubaydah bin Jarraah (ra) Urwa (ra) reports that when Umar (ra) once went to see Abu Ubaydah bin ]arraah (ra) he found him lying down on a saddle blanket, using the animal's satchel as a pillow. Umar (ra) said, "Why have you not adopted that (luxuries) which your companions have adopted?" Abu Ubaydah (ra) replied, "0 Ameerul Mu'mineen, this is sufficient to take me to the grave." In his narration, Ma'mar narrates that when Umar (ra) arrived in Shaam, the common people as well as the leaders came to meet him. "Where is my brother?" Umar (ra) asked. "Who is he?" the people enquired. "Abu Ubaydah," Umar (ra) replied. The people said, "Here he comes." When Abu Ubaydah (ra) came Umar (ra) descended from his animal and embraced him. Umar (ra) then went to Abu Ubaydah ‘s (ra) house and saw nothing there but his sword, his shield and his conveyance. The rest of the narration is similar to the one above. The Abstinence of Salmaan Faarsi (ra) His Abstinence as Governor Hasan reports that the allowance Salmaan Faarsi (ra) received was five thousand Dirhams and he was governor of approximately thirty thousand Muslims. However, he still delivered lectures to the people wrapping a part of his robe over himself while spreading the other part on the ground to sit upon. He always spent the allowance (on others) whenever he received it and would subsist on the income he received from the baskets he weaved from the fibres of palm leave. The Abstinence of Abu Dharr Ghifaari (ra) Abdullaah bin Khiraash reports that he once saw Abu Dharr (ra) sitting in the shade in Rabdha. He was sitting on a piece of coarse sack cloth with his wife who was a black woman. (In pity) Someone said to him, ''You have no surviving children." Abu Dharr (ra) replied, "All praises are for Allaah Who has taken them from this temporary world and kept them as a treasure for us in the everlasting world."Why do you rather not use a mat that is softer than this one?" Abu Dharr (ra) responded by praying, "0 Allaah! Forgive me. Take from me as many bounties as You please." Rasulullaah SCW had informed me that before the bridge of Siraat is an extremely slippery path. We would be able to pass it more easily when our loads are light and compact than when we are burdened with heavy loads." The Abstinence of Abu Dardaa (ra) and the Reason for his Abstinence A narration states that Abu Dardaa (ra) said, "I swear by the Being Who controls the life of Abu Dardaa! Even today I would not like to have a shop at the door of the Masjid that without missing a single salaah with Jamaa'ah, gives me a profit of forty Dinaars all of which I spend in the path of Allaah." "Why would you not like that, 0 Abu Dardaa?" someone asked. Abu Dardaa (ra) replied, "Because of the intensity of reckoning." Another narration states that Abu Dardaa (ra) said, "It gives me no pleasure to stand on the step of the Masjid, buying and selling to earn a profit of three hundred Dinaars without missing a single salaah in the Masjid. I am not saying ,that Allaah has made trade impermissible and has not made interest Haraam, but I wish to be amongst those people whom neither trade nor commerce distracts from the Dhikr of Allaah. Khaalid bin Hudayr Aslami narrates, "I once met Abu Dardaa (ra) lying on a bedding made of leather or wool. He was covered with a woollen blanket and his shoes were even woollen. He happened to be ill that day and was perspiring profusely. I said, 'If you wished, you could cover your bedding with the thin cloth and yourself with the Saffron coloured shawl that the Ameerul Mu'mineen had sent to you.' He replied, 'We have a permanent abode (the Aakhirah) towards which we are heading and for which we carry out our deeds (it is therefore best to give our wealth to the poor so that it may benefit us in the Aakhirah). The Incident between him and Umar (ra) Umar (ra) pushed open the door (of Abu Dardaa (ra) home), he found that it had no lock. The two men entered the dark room and Umar (ra) had to feel his way around until he found Abu Dardaa (ra)When Umar ((ra) felt the pillow of Abu Dardaa (ra), he found that it was made from the blanket used on animals. When he felt the ground, there was only sand and when he felt the clothing of Abu Dardaa (ra), he discovered that it was a flimsy shawl. Abu Dardaa (ra) asked, "Who is this? Is it the Ameerul Mu'mineen?" When Umar (ra) confirmed that he was the Ameerul Mu'mineen, Abu Dardaa (ra) said, ''You are late. We had been waiting for you all year." Umar (ra) said, "May Allaah have mercy on you. Have I not granted you sufficient wealth? Have I not given you plenty?" Abu Dardaa (ra) said, "0 Umar Do you not remember a Hadith that Rasulullaah SCW mentioned to us?" "which Hadith?" asked Umar (ra). Abu Dardaa (ra) replied, "(The Hadith in which Rasulullaah SCW said,) 'The limit of a person's possessions in this world should be like the provisions of a traveller.'" "Oh yes (I have heard the Hadith)" confirmed Umar (ra). Abu Dardaa (ra) then asked, "Now what have we done after Rasulullaah SCW, 0 Umar?" The two Sahabah then continued reminding each other (of the words of Rasulullaah SCW) with tears in their eyes until morning arrived.

The Abstinence of the Sahabah R.A. Ramadan Kareem to you all. There is no better time to reflect upon the inspired lives of the Sahabah than in this blessed month of Ramadhan. In shaa Allaah i intend to continue to post incidents from the lives of the Sahabah during Ramadhan. The qualities we've come across in our previous posts and the ones to follow were realised after much toil and sacrifice in the way of Allaah SWT. I hope these incidents will spur us to improve all aspects of our Iman and character. The Narration of Aa'isha (ra) stating that Abu Bakr (ra)left nothing behind Aa'isha (ra) says, "Abu Bakr (ra) passed away without leaving behind a Dinaar or a Dirham. Just before his demise, he took all his money and deposited it in the Baytul Maal." Another narration from Urwa (ra) states that when he was made Khalifah, Abu Bakr (ra) deposited every Dinaar and Dirham he possessed into the Baytul Maal He said, "I used to trade and seek my livelihood with this money. Now that I am the Khalifah, public affairs have preoccupied me from trade and earning a livelihood." Umar (ra) Reminds People of a Verse of the Qur'aan Abdur Rahmaan bin Abu Layla reports that when some people from Iraq once came to Umar (ra) he noticed that they ate very little (because they were used to good food and did not like his simple food). He then said to them, "0 Iraqis! If I wanted, I could also have sumptuous meals prepared for me as you have. However, we wish to rather perpetuate our luxuries of this world (by forsaking them here) to find them in the Aakhirah. Have you not heard that (in the Aakhirah) Allaah will say to some people: ''You have used up your good things in your worldly life (and therefore have nothing for yourselves here) ". {Surah Ahqaaf, verse 20} The Abstinence of Umar and his modest attire Some of the Sahabah (ra) said, "0 assembly of Muhaajireen and Ansaar! Just look at the abstinence of this man and his attire. We have had to endure plenty of embarrassment on account of him because since Allaah has granted him victory over the domains of Rome and Persia and the far reaches of the East and West, many Arab and non-Arab delegations come to him and see him wearing the same robe with twelve patches. You people are the senior companions of Rasulullaah SCW who are veterans of many great battles. You are also the early vanguard from the Muhaajireen and Ansaar. Therefore, 0 companions of Rasulullaah SCW why do you not ask him to change his robe for something softer that would instil awe into someone looking on. He should also have (an elaborate) meal platter served to him every morning and another every evening from which he could eat and also feed the Muhaajireen and Ansaar with him." All of them unanimously agreed that only two persons could suggest this to Umar (ra).They were Ali bin Abi Taalib (ra) because he was the boldest before Umar (ra)and also his father-in-law. The other was Umar’s (ra) daughter Hafsah (ra) because she was the wife of Rasulullaah SCW. Umar (ra) respected her because of her relationship with Rasulullaah SCW. When they approached Ali (ra) he refused to do it and referred the people to the wives of Rasulullaah SCW because they were after all the mothers of all Mu'mineen and could therefore address Umar (ra) without fear.They then asked Aa'isha (ra) and Hafsah (ra) at a time when the two happened to be together. When Aa'isha (ra) agreed to ask Umar (ra), Hafsah (ra) said, "I don't think that he will oblige. However, you will soon find out." When the two ladies went to Umar (ra), he welcomed them in. Aa'isha (ra) said, "0 Ameerul Mu'mineen! Will you permit us to say something?" "Go ahead and speak, 0 Ummul Mu'mineen," replied Umar (ra). She said, "Rasulullaah SCW has passed on to his way to Jannah and to Allaah's pleasure without taking any portion of this world and without the world coming to him. Abu Bakr (ra) passed on in a like manner in the footsteps of Rasulullaah SCW after reviving his Sunnah, finishing off those who rejected Islaam and giving thorough replies to those who trod the path of falsehood. He exercised justice amongst the people, distributed wealth amongst them with equity and pleased the Rabb of creation. Allaah then took him into His mercy and joined him with His Nabi SCW and those most high (the Ambiyaa in the high ranks of Jannah). Neither did he desire this world not did it come to him. Allaah has now conquered the treasures of Roman and Persian Emperors at your hands and gave you their lands. Their wealth has been carried to you and the ends of the East and West have fallen to your feet. We now anticipate even more from Allaah to bolster Islaam. Envoys from the various non-Arab tribes come to you and many Arab delegations also meet with you while you are wearing that robe that has twelve patches. Why do you not change your robe for something softer that would instil awe into someone looking on and have a meal platter served to you every morning and another every evening from which you could eat and also feed the Muhaajireen and Ansaar with you?" When he heard this, Umar (ra) started weeping profusely. He then asked, "I ask you to tell me in the name of Allaah whether Rasulullaah SCW ever filled himself with even barley bread for ten nights or even five or three nights? Or did he ever eat both a morning and evening meal in a day until he met Allaah?" Addressing Aa'isha (ra), Umar (ra) continued, "Do you ever know of a time when food was served to Rasulullaah SCW on a table that was even a handspan higher than the ground? Or was it that when he wanted• food, it was placed on the ground and (after eating) it was then taken away?" Both ladies replied, ''We swear by Allaah that this was the case." He then said, "The two of you are the wives of Rasulullaah ~ and the mothers of the Mu'mineen. You have rights over all the Mu'mineen and especially over me. However, you have come to encourage me towards things of this world when I know that Rasulullaah SCW wore a woollen robe so rough in texture that it actually scratched his skin. Do you know about this?" ''We swear by Allaah that we do!" they both admitted. Umar (ra) continued, "Do you not know that Rasulullaah ~ used to sleep on a single folded robe? And, 0 Aa'isha, did you not have a coarse sheet made of animal hairs that Rasulullaah SCW used as a rug during the day and bedding during the nights? When we used to come to see him, we could always notice the imprints of the straw mat on his sides. 0 Hafsah! Remember that you told me that one night you double folded the bedding and finding it soft, Rasulullaah SCW slept through the night and woke up only with Bilaal's Adhaan. He then said to you, '0 Hafsah! What have you done? You had double folded the bedding last night, causing sleep to carry me through to the morning. What need have I for this world? Why do you preoccupy me with soft beds?' 0 Hafsah! Don't you know that all Rasulullaah SCW earlier and later error had been forgiven? Yet he went hungry in the evenings, spent his sleeping hours in Sajdah and remained in Ruku, weeping and humbling himself before Allaah throughout the hours of the day and night. This he did until the day Allaah took him into the fold of His mercy and pleasure. Umar shall never eat good foods, and shall never wear fine clothing because he has a perfect example in his two companions (Rasulullaah SCW and Abu Bakr (ra) ). He shall also never eat two meals at the same time except for having salt and olive oil together. He shall eat meat only once a month just so that his month passes like the masses." The two ladies then left and informed the Sahabah (ra) about what had transpired. Umar (ra) remained like this until he eventually left to meet Allaah. The Abstinence of Uthmaan bin Afaan (ra) His Clothing and Food and Sleeping on a Straw Mat in the Masjid Abdul Malik bin Shaddaad says that he once saw uthmaan (ra) on the pulpit on a Friday wearing a thick lower garment sewn in Aden that was worth no more than four or five Dirhams. His upper garment was made of a reddish brown Kufi material. When Hasan was asked about the people who slept in the Masjid in the afternoons, he replied, "During his period as Khalifah, I saw uthmaan bin Affaan (ra) sleep in the Masjid in the afternoon. When he then got up, the imprint of the straw mat was visible on his side. The people then used to say (out of astonishment). 'That is the Ameerul Mu'mineen! That is the Ameerul Mu'mineen!"

This is a terrible affliction. May Allah SWT ease their pain.

The Lectures of Ameerul Mu’mineen Ali bin Abi Taalib RA The First Lecture that he Delivered after being appointed Khalifah Ali bin Husayn narrates that when he was appointed Khalifah, Ali (ra) started his first lecture by praising Allaah. Thereafter, he said, "Verily Allaah has revealed a scripture that is a guide and which makes distinct what is good and what is not. You must therefore hold fast to what is good and abstain from what is evil. When you carry out the Faraa'idh for Allaah, Allaah will carry you into Jannah. Allaah has made many things sacred, and these are no secret. He has however made the sanctity of a Muslim more sacred than anything else and bonded the Muslims by sincerity and Towheed. The (true) Muslim is he from whose tongue and hands other people are safe unless it be done rightfully (to mete punishment when Allaah's laws are broken). It is not permissible to harm any Muslim unless it becomes necessary (when he transgresses Allaah's laws). Hasten to do good deeds before the universal occurrence (Qiyaamah) and before the individual occurrence as well, which is the death of each one of you. Many people have passed ahead of you and Qiyaamah is driving you from behind. Travel lightly (without sins) and you will meet (those who have passed away) because (deceased) people are waiting for those after them. lnstil the fear of Allaah into His bondsmen with regard to (abusing) His other bondsmen and lands because you will be questioned even with regard to tracts of land and animals. Obey Allaah and never disobey Him. Seize the opportunity to do good whenever you see it, avoid evil when you see it and remember the time when you were few in number and regarded as weak in the lands." Two Types of Harvests There are two types of harvests (the harvest of this world and that of the Aakhirah). While the harvest of this world is wealth and children, the harvest of the Aakhirah is good deeds. Allaah has however granted both to certain people." Sufyaan bin Uyaynah remarked, "Who else but Ali bin Abi Taalib (ra) is capable of speaking such wonderful words?!" A scholar from the Banu Tameem tribe reports that Ali (ra) once addressed them saying, "There shall come a time when people will bite into each other and the wealthy will hold on to their wealth (refusing to spend it on others) whereas they have never been commanded to do that. In fact, Allaah says: Do not forget kindness among yourself. {Surah Baqarah, verse 237) (During those times) The evil ones will be regarded as honourable while the good people will be looked down upon. Furthermore, people will be buying from desperate people, whereas Rasulullaah SCW forbade buying from people who are desperate (because they are forced to sell, even if it is at a loss). Rasulullaah SCW also forbade sales that involve deception and the selling of fruit before it ripens." His Lecture Concerning the Aakhirah and its Condition Asbagh bin Nabaatah reports that Ali (ra) one day ascended the pulpit and after duly praising Allaah, he spoke about death. Ali then said, "Remember that after this shall come a day in which even a youngster will turn white, a grown man will break down and every expectant mother will abort her child. You will see people in a state of intoxication but they will not really be intoxicated. The fact is that (they will be in this condition because) the punishment of Allaah will be extreme." Another narration states that Ali then burst out crying and the Muslims around him also wept. His Lecture concerning the World, the Grave and the Aakhirah Saalih ljli reports that Ali bin Abi Taalib once addressed the people. After praising Allaah and conveying salutations to Rasulullaah SCW he said, "0 servants of Allaah! Never allow this worldly life to deceive you because it is a place of light difficulties, it is famous for its transitory nature and well-recognised for its treachery. Everything in it shall come to an end and is continuously passed on from person to person. The one who goes down to tap its resources cannot remain safe from its evil and even while its people enjoy prosperity and happiness, they are still involved in its calamities and deception. Living a good life in this world is condemned and its prosperity does not last. Its people are only its practice targets that it fires at with its arrows and eventually destroys with death. Dear servants of Allaah! You and all that is with you in this world are following the same path as those who have passed on before you. They had lives longer than yours, they were more powerful than you, they constructed more buildings than you and their landmarks had weathered the times. However, their voices have been silenced and extinguished after their long sojourn. Their bodies have decomposed, their homes lie empty and their landmarks have been wiped out. They have exchanged their fortified palaces, their luxurious beds and their scattered cushions for rocks and stones stacked in their muddy and boxed graves dug in the wilderness, fortified with sand only. Although it (the graveyard) may be close to a town, its inhabitants are still estranged and even though it may be in the very midst of an inhabited place, its inhabitants are extremely lonely as the people of the town engage in their activities. They feel no affinity with other inhabitants and do not even engage in mutual neighbourly relations despite being so close to each other. How can they really have any relations when decomposition has ground them to dust and rocks and mud have consumed their bodies. After once being vibrant with life, they now lay dead and after once seeking good lives, they are now reduced to decayed bones. Their friends were pained as they took to live in the sand and undertook a journey from which there is no return. Farfetched! Farfetched indeed (is the thought of returning to this world)! Never (will they return)! The request to return is merely a statement they make (without any hope for a response) because behind them is a (impregnable) barrier until the day when they are resurrected. You people will also be experiencing the loneliness and decay that they have experienced in the realm of the dead. You will be placed in trust in that resting place and that safety deposit box will take charge of you. What will your condition be when all matters will draw to an end, when everything contained in the graves will be raised, when everything contained in the heart will be exposed and you will be standing before your honoured King to have everything laid bare. Hearts will then flutter out of fear because of past sins. All veils and shrouds will then be torn apart and all your faults and secrets will be exposed. (He then recited the following verses: On this day every soul shall be recompensed for what it earned. {Surah Mu'min, verse 17) May Allaah make us and you all practise on His Book and followers of His friends until He enters us all into the home of eternal residence by His grace. Verily He is Most Worthy of Praise, Most Majestic." His Lecture after the Battle at Nahnvaan Ziyaad A'raabi narrates that Ameerul Mu'mineen Ali bin Abi Taalib (ra) once ascended the pulpit in Kufa after the scourge (of the Khawaarij) and after the battle had been fought (against them) at Nahrwaan. He started by praising Allaah but he then choked on his tears and wept so much that his beard was soaked and the tears, which started running off. He then shook his beard and the droplets of tears happened to fall on some people.Thereafter, he said, "0 people! Never be amongst those people who wish for Jannah without doing any good and who postpone repentance because of their long hopes (hopes to live long). They are people who speak like the abstinent ones yet they behave like those who hanker after the world. If they are given any portion of the world, they are not satisfied and when anything is held back from them, they are not content. They fail to express gratitude for what they are given and still seek to have more. They instruct people to do what they do not zthemselves do and forbid people from that which they themselves do not abstain from. They love the righteous ones but do not carry out their actions and they detest the sinful ones whereas they are amongst them. The Nafs of such a person overpowers him in matters he is uncertain about (to do worldly acts, the benefits of which are not certain) but does not overpower him in matters he is convinced about (to do acts for the Aakhirah, the benefits of which are guaranteed). When he achieves independence, he falls into sin, when he falls ill, he is grieved and when he suffers poverty, he loses hope and becomes weak-hearted. He takes benefit from both sin and Allaah's bounties without ever being grateful when he is blessed with well-being or even being patient when afflicted with hardship. He behaves as if only others have been warned of death and that only they have been cautioned and rebuked. 0 targets of death! 0 pawns of death! 0 containers of disease! 0 spoils of time! 0 booty of the ages! 0 fruits of generations! 0 light of the vicissitudes of time! 0 muted ones at the time of litigation (on the Day of Qiyaamah)! 0 those drowning in tribulations that have become an obstacle to them learning lessons! It is with proof and conviction that I state that no successful person can attain success without knowing himself and every destroyed person has destroyed himself. Allaah says: '0 you who have Imaan! Save yourselves and your families from the Fire of jahannam).' {Surah Tahreem, verse 6)

The Lectures of Ameerul Mu'mineen Uthmaan bin Affaan RA (ra) Utba narrates that after he became the Khalifah, Uthmaan (ra) addressed the people saying, "I have been made responsible for this task and have accepted it. Take note of the fact that I am a follower (of the Deen) and not one to introduce new things. Listen well! After the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of Rasulullaah SCW, you people have three rights over me: (The first is) That I follow that which you are unanimous about, that you have been practising and that has a precedent amongst those before me (during the periods of Rasulullaah SCW, Abu Bakr (ra) and Umar (ra); (the second is) that I follow the ways of the righteous ones in matters that you may have not been accustomed to doing; (the third is) that I restrain my hand from you except in matters that necessitate punishment. Remember that this world is a lush place that has been made desirable to people, because of which so many people are inclined towards it. You should therefore not be inclined towards the world and should never place your trust in it because it is not dependable. Bear in mind also that this world will never leave anyone besides the one who leaves it first." Radr bin Uthmaan reports from his uncle that when the other members of the consultative assembly pledged allegiance to Uthmaan (ra), he left for the Masjid in great consternation. He then went to the pulpit of Rasulullaah SCW, from where he addressed the people. After duly praising Allaah and sending salutations to Rasulullaah SCW said, "You are in a place from where you shall soon be leaving and you have but a short duration of your lives ahead. You should therefore beat your deaths by doing as much good as you possibly can because death will certainly come to you, whether by day or night. Remember that this world is deception through and through. Allaah says: Let not the life of this world deceive you (into believing that Qiyaamah will never come), and do not allow the great deceiver (Shaytaan) to deceive you about Allaah. {surah Luqmaan, verse 33) Learn lessons from those who have passed on and then be resolute without giving way to negligence because death will never neglect you. Where are all those sons of this world and its brothers who inhabited the earth, left landmarks and who enjoyed it for an extensive period of time? Did the world not fling them aside? Throw the world aside just as Allaah has done and seek the Aakhirah. The people then went up to him and pledged their allegiance to him. Various Lectures that Uthmaan (RA) Delivered Hasan narrates that in an address to the people, Uthmaan (ra) started by praising Allaah and then said, "0 people! Adopt Taqwa because Taqwa is a great asset. Verily the greatest of all the intelligent people is the one who controls his Nafs and acts for his life after death. Glean from Allaah's light some light for the darkness of the grave and every person should fear that he be raised blind when he was sighted in this world. Concise words suffice for a wise person and it is only the deaf who have to be shouted to from a distant place. Remember that the person who has Allaah with him need not fear anything. On the other hand, what hope can there be for the person who has Allaah up against him?" Hasan narrates that he saw Uthmaan (ra) delivering the following lecture from the pulpit: "0 people! Fear Allaah in your private affairs because I heard Rasulullaah SCW say, 'I swear by the Being Who controls the life of Muhammad that whenever a person does an act in private, Allaah dons him with such garments in public (such will be peoples' impression of him). Therefore, if the act is good, the garment will be good and if the act is evil, so too will the garment be." He then recited the verse: ... and (We have sent clothing to you) as a means of beautification, but (remember that) the clothing of Taqwa is best (because it offers you protection from all evil). {Surah A'raaf, verse 26) Qutaybah bin Muslim narrates, "Hajjaaj bin Yusuf once addressed us and spoke of the grave. He then said, 'It is a place of solitude and a place of loneliness.' He repeated this so much that he then burst out crying and made everyone around him weep as well. Thereafter, he continued, 'I heard Ameerul Mu'mineen Abdul Malik bin Marwaan say that he heard Marwaan say in a lecture, ' Uthmaan (ra) once addressed us saying Rasulullaah SCW always wept whenever he saw a grave or spoke about the grave."' The Final Lecture that Uthmaan RA Delivered Badr bin Uthmaan reports from his uncle that in the final lecture that Uthmaan (ra) delivered in public was when he said, "Verily Allaah has granted you this world so that you may use it to acquire the Aakhirah and not for you to attach yourselves to it. whereas this world will come to an end, the Aakhirah shall be forever, so never allow what is temporary to make you arrogant and never allow it to distract you from that which is everlasting. Give preference to that which is eternal to that which is transitory because this world will certainly come to an end while you will have to return to Allaah (in the Aakhirah). Fear Allaah SWT because Taqwa is a shield against His punishment and a means to draw close to Him. Take precautions against Allaah changing your conditions (removing your bounties), remain united with the Muslims and never break up into splinter groups. He then recited the verse: Recall Allaah's favour to you when you were enemies and He (Allaah) created love between your hearts. Then you became brothers by His grace. {Surah Aal Imraan, verse 103)

Haatu, Jazakallah khayr for posting these beautiful verses. These verses encapsulate everything that needs to be said. Indeed High is Allah above whatever they associate with Him. For those who doubt, please listen to and reflect upon these verses with an open mind and heart - and may Allah guide us all and keep us on the straight path. Here's another (very) moving recitation of these verses by a young br. NB - There is a little typo in the english subtitle, it should instead read - Is there any God besides Allah?

^ Wa iyyakum. May Allah SWT make us of those who take lessons from the blessed Lives of the Sahabah RA. The Lectures of Ameerul Mu'mineen Umar bin Khattaab (RA) His lecture after Burying Abu Bakr (RA) Humayd bin Hilaal reports from someone who was present for the burial of Abu Bakr (RA) that after Umar had finished with the burial, he dusted off the sand from his hands. Standing where he was, he then delivered a lecture saying, "Allaah is testing you with me and me with you (by making me your leader) and has kept me alive after my two companions (Rasulullaah SCW and Abu Bakr (RA). By Allaah! It will never be that any of your matters are presented before me (to be settled) and is then done by anyone other than myself. It will also never happen that something happens in my absence and I am then negligent in settling it with integrity. When people behave well, I shall be good to them, but when they do evil, I shall punish them." The man reporting the narration says, "By Allaah! This was exactly what Umar (RA) did until the day he departed from this world." His Lecture the day he became the Khalifah Sha'bi narrates that when Umar (RA) became the Khalifah, he ascended the pulpit and said, "Allaah should never see me considering myself worthy of sitting where Abu Bakr (RA) sat." He then climbed a step lower and after duly praising Allaah, he said, "Recite the Qur'aan and you will be noted for it. Practise its teachings and you will be amongst its bearers. Weigh yourselves before you are weighed and beautify yourselves (with good deeds) for the great presentation on the day you will be presented before Allaah and nothing of yours will be hidden from Him. Remember that no one has such a right over you that compels you to obey him while disobeying Allaah. Take note that in respect of the wealth of Allaah (public funds), I regard myself to be like the guardian of an orphan. I shall therefore stay away from it if I have sufficient means and will use it within reason if I am ever in need of it." Another narration states that Umar (RA) said the following in his sermon: ''Take reckoning of yourselves before your reckoning is taken (on the Day of Qiyaamah), because it (the reckoning you take of yourself) is easier. Weigh yourselves before you are weighed for the great presentation on the day you will be presented before Allaah and nothing of yours will be hidden from Him." Two Lectures that Umar (RA) delivered when he Became Khalifah and his Explanation of the Rights his Subjects have over Him Urwa bin Zubayr (RA) and others have reported after duly praising Allaah, Umar (RA) reminded the people about (the greatness of) Allaah SWT and about the Day of Qiyaamah. Thereafter, he said, "0 people! I have been appointed over you and I would have never accepted the post had it not been for the hope that I may develop into one who is the best for you, the strongest for you and the most powerful for you when tackling matters of importance to you. Merely waiting for reckoning concerning my administration of your rights is enough to worry and depress Umar because it will be judged how I took up the matters, how I handled them and how I have been treating you. It is from my Rabb that I seek assistance because Umar has neither any strength nor strategy if the mercy, assistance and help of Allaah SWT was not there for him." Another narration states that Umar (RA) said the following in his lecture: "Allaah SWT has appointed me to be in charge of your affairs. Although I know what is most beneficial for you from all that which is before you, I still seek Allaah's help in making the decision. I beseech Allaah to watch over me when doing this just as He watches over me at other times. I also ask Him to inspire me to exercise justice when distributing things amongst you as He has commanded me to do. I am merely an average Muslim and a weak servant unless Allaah comes to my aid. The post of Khilaafah that I have been entrusted with will not alter my character in any way, Inshaa Allaah (because I understand well that) all grandeur belongs to Allaah SWT and His servants have no stake to it. None of you should therefore say that Umar has changed since becoming the , Khalifah. I know what truly lies within me and I will come forward to inform you of it (I will not defend my wrongs). Therefore, any person who has a need, who feels wronged or wants to object about any facet of my character, should come to me (to redress matters) because I am merely a normal person amongst you (and am prone to err). You should adhere to Taqwa in your private and public lives and when dealing with affairs that are sacred and that impact upon your honour. At the same time, ensure that you fulfil the duties that are binding upon you. None of you should ever goad others into bringing their cases to me (thinking that I will certainly rule in their favour) because no pact exists between me and anyone else (forcing me to rule in his favour). I love you to be on the right and hate to rebuke you. You are a people whose majority reside in Allaah's cities and people living in cities usually have no plantations or milk-giving animals. They therefore have no access to these necessities apart from what Allaah brings to them. Allaah has promised you tremendous honour and I shall be questioned about the trust given to me and about the post I occupy. Inshaa Allaah, I shall personally tend to matters that are before me without appointing anyone else to do it. However, I cannot tend to matters that are far from me without the assistance of trustworthy persons who are well-wishers to the masses. Inshaa Allaah, I shall never entrust my duties to anyone else apart from such (trustworthy and well-wishing) men." A Lecture that Umar (RA) Delivered at Jaabiya Moosa bin Uqba reports that the following is the lecture that Umar (RA) delivered at Jaabiya: "After praising Allaah and sending salutations to Rasulullaah SCW, I wish to advise you to fear that Allaah Who shall remain alive forever while everything else shall perish. It is by obedience to Him that His friends are honoured and it is by disobeying Him that His enemies wander astray. Indeed, people have a natural dislike for their rulers, so I seek Allaah's protection from Him finding me or you with malice ingrained within us. I also seek Allaah's protection from Him finding us following our whims and giving preference to this world (over the Aakhirah). I fear that you should incline to the ways of those who oppress themselves, so you should never content yourselves to be with those who have been granted wealth. Hold fast to this Qur'aan because it is filled with light and healing powers, whereas everything else is filled only with misfortune. I have fulfilled my responsibilities to your affairs that Allaah SWT has made me responsible for and I have advised you in your best interests. Another narration states that Umar (RA) appointed Ali (RA) as his deputy and then left Madinah by horseback so that he could travel faster. When he reached Jaabiya, he dismounted and delivered an eloquent lecture there. Amongst the things he said was the following: "0 people! Ensure that your private lives are in order and your public lives will automatically follow suit. Work for your Aakhirah and your matters in this world will be seen to (by Allaah). Remember that no man has a living father between himself and Aadam (AS) who can be of assistance to him at the time of death, neither has he any pact with Allaah (that will ensure his salvation). The person who wished to have the path to Jannah made apparent to him should stick with the greater body of united Muslims because Shaytaan always preys on the lonesome individual and stays far from two united persons. None of you should ever be alone with a (non-Mahram) woman because Shaytaan will be the third person with them (encouraging them to sin). The true Mu'min is he whose good deeds please him and whose sins bother him." The narrator states that this was Umar’s (RA) lecture that he has condensed into a few words. (Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vo1.7 Pg.56). The Lecture Umar (RA) gave About how he Knew the Conditions of People and about other Matters Abul Firaas reports that Umar (RA) once delivered a lecture saying; "0 people! We knew you people well when Rasulullaah SCW was in our midst because it was a time when revelation descended and Allaah used to inform us about your condition. Take note however that Rasulullaah SCW has left and revelation has ceased. Therefore, we now get to know you only in the manner we shall be stating to you: Whoever displays good behaviour, we shall think good of him and love him for the good. On the other hand, whoever displays evil behaviour, we shall think negatively of him and dislike him for his evil ways. Your secret affairs lie between you and your Rabb (and only He can judge you by them). There was a time when I was certain that whoever recited the Qur'aan did so to please Allaah and to attain what (reward) is with Him. However, I have since come to realise that lately some people recite the Qur'aan to attain that which is with the people. You must therefore aspire to please only Allaah when reciting the Qur'aan and when carrying out any good deeds. Take note also that I do not dispatch my governors to you to beat you or to take away your wealth. I am sending them only to educate you in your Deen and in the Sunnah practices. Whoever receives treatment other than this, should take the matter up with me and I swear by the Being Who controls my life that reparation shall be done.