You shouldn't worry too much about the calories you'll consume at iftar. The calories you consume after fasting won't do you any harm. Studies have found that even people who practice alternate day fasting - which involves eating whatever you want one day and then consuming less than 600 calories the following day - has been found to have health benefits. So the calories you consume following a whole day of zero-calorie Saum would only be beneficial for your health - and gain you ajar and increase in Imaan (which after all ought to be out primary concern in our Saum Inshaa Allaah).

Not really. Our fasting doesn't involve any calorie intake between sunrise and sunset so there is no reason why you couldn't enjoy your iftar at the completion of your saum. Also, the benefits are cumulative so the more regular your fasting (according to the prophet's scw practice of fasting twice each week/three days each month) the better the health benefits to be gained.

Apart from the obvious benefit of following the Sunnah of our Prophet SCW and gaining ajar; fasting twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays) or three days each month (consecutively or separately) brings with it tremendous health benefits. I'm sure we all know about these health benefits but some of those mentioned in the article below and in other studies include: a reduction in blood insulin levels which is associated with Type 2 diabetes as well as cardiovascular problems among other benefits. As Muslims, our fasting shouldn't be based on such incentives as we should be fasting for the betterment of our nafs and to gain the pleasure of Allah Subahanhu wa Ta'aala. But it is still good to know that science has finally caught up with and validated (not that one was necessary for us to believe in and follow the Sunnah of our Prophet SCW) a long-standing practice in our deen. The following hadeeth encourage fasting on Mondays and Thursdays: It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Deeds are shown (to Allaah) on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like my deeds to be shown when I am fasting.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi The following ahaadeeth encourage fasting on three days of each month: Abu Qataadah may Allaah be pleased with him narrates that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "[Fasting] three days every month and [the fasting of] Ramadhaan to Ramadhaan are [as good as] perpetual fasting." [saheeh Muslim] It was narrated that Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me: “If you fast any part of the month, then fast the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi It was narrated from Jareer ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Fasting three days of each month is fasting for a lifetime, and ayaam al-beed are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth.” Narrated by al-Nasaa’i PS - Note that the alternate fasting method discussed in this study involves some calorie intake such as beverages etc. Given that benefits were derived from such limited fasting indicates that the regular Muslim-fasting which involves zero-calorie intake would bring even greater health benefits. http://hub.jhu.edu/magazine/2012/summer/dont-feed-your-head

The Hardships faced by the Sahabah RA To fully appreciate the brilliance of the Sahabah RA, it is essential to learn of the hardships they endured during the early days of Islaam.The brilliant qualities we’ve come across thus far were borne out of extreme hardships which the Sahabah RA faced. Their enduring Imaan and tawakal was cultivated and perfected in the midst of these unimaginable hardships – which all of the Sahabah, be they rich or poor, strong or weak – all faced as one. The qualities of the Sahabah RA we marvel at today came about through tremendous sacrifices and rightfully earned them such an esteemed position amongst admirers and foes alike. Here are just some of the hardships they faced. The Comments of Miqdaad (ra) Concerning the Conditions Under Which Rasulullaah was Sent to Propagate Islaam Nufayr narrates that they were once sitting with Miqdaad bin Aswad (ra) when someone passed by. The person said, "Blessed are the eyes that saw Rasulullaah SCW. By Allaah! We dearly wish that we had seen what you saw and were present in the gatherings you were present in!" Nufayr says that he had heard the man carefully and (when Miqdaad became angry) he was surprised because the man had good words to say. Turning to the man, Miqdaad (ra) said, 'What makes you people wish to be present at a time that Allaah made you absent from without you knowing what would have become of you had you been present then? By Allaah! There were many people who were present during the time of Rasulullaah but Allaah had thrown then headlong into Jahannam because they did not accept him and refused to believe him. Will you people rather not thank Allaah for being born as people who know only Allaah as your Rabb and believing in everything that Rasulullaah SCW brought? (You were fortunate that) Hardships had been borne by people other than yourselves." Rasulullaah SCW Gives Glad Tidings of Jannah to Ammaar and his Family when he sees them being tortured Jaabir (ra) wnarr ates that when Rasulullaah SCW once passed by Ammar (ra)and his family (his parents) as they were being tortured by the Mushrikeen, he said, "0 family of Yaasir! Hear the glad tidings that your promised abode shall be Jannah." Sumayya (ra) the mother of Ammaar (ra) Becomes the First Martyr in Islaam Abdullaah bin Ja'far (ra) narrates that when Rasulullaah SCW once passed by Ammar (ra) and his family (his parents) as they were being tortured by the Mushrikeen, he said, "Be patient, 0 family of Yaasir. Be patient, 0 family of Yaasir for your promised abode is Jannah." Mujaahid stated, "The first martyr was Sumayya (ra) the mother of Ammaar (ra) who was martyred during the early days of Islaam when Abu Jahal pierced his spear into the most private part of her body." Abu Bakr (ra) Endures Hardships and difficulties Aa'isha (ra) narrates that on one occasion when the eighty three companions of Rasulullaah SCW got together, Abu Bakr(ra) insistentlyasked Rasulullaah SCW for permission to preach Islaam openly. Rasulullaah SCW said, "0 Abu Bakr! We are too few." However, Abu Bakr (ra) continued insisting until Rasulullqah SCW gave the permission. The Muslims then scattered in different areas of the Masjidul Haraam, each one taking a place amongst his tribesmen. Abu Bakr (ra) then stood up to deliver a sermon. The Mushrikeen then attacked Abu Bakr (ra) and the Muslims and wherever they were in the Masjidul Haraam, they were beaten very severely. Abu Bakr (ra) was trampled and beaten most savagely. The wretched Utba bin Rabee'ah started hitting Abu Bakr (ra) with his shoes that had a sole stuck onto another (making them thick and hard). He hit Abu Bakr (ra) SO much and also jumped on his stomach that the soles actually twisted and the nose of Abu Bakr (ra) could not be differentiated from his face. The Banu Taym tribe (to which Abu Bakr (ra) belonged) came running and pushed the Mushrikeen away from Abu Bakr (ra). They then carried him in a sheet and took him home. By then they were convinced that he would die. The Banu Taym then returned to the Masjidul Haraam and announced, "By Allaah! We shall definitely kill Utba bin Rabee'ah if Abu Bakr dies!" thereafter, they returned to Abu Bakr (ra) and together with (his father) Abu Quhaafa, they started talking to Abu Bakr (ra) to get him to respond. Abu Bakr (ra) finally spoke after the day had passed and asked, "How is Rasulullaah SCW?" His people rebuked and criticised him. They then stood up (to leave) and said to (his mother) Ummul Khayr, "Take care of him and give him something to eat or drink." When his mother was alone with him, she insisted that he eat, but he kept asking, "How is Rasulullaah SCW She said, "I swear by Allaah that I have no knowledge about your friend." He said, "Go and ask Ummu Jameel bint Khattaab about Rasulullaah SCW." His mother left to meet Ummu Jameel and asked her, "Abu Bakr wants to know from you about Muhammad bin Abdillaah." Ummu Jameel responded by saying, "I neither know Abu Bakr nor Muhammad bin Abdillaah. However, if you like, I shall go with you to see your son." Ummul Khayr agreed and Ummu Jameel accompanied her until they came to Abu Bakr (ra) who was lying down (unable to even sit) and extremely ill. Coming closer, Ummu Jameel cried, "By Allaah! Those who did this to you must be people of kufr and sin! I hope that Allaah takes revenge from them on your behalf." Abu Bakr (ra) then asked, "How is Rasulullaah SCW?" Ummu Jameel said, "Your mother is listening." He said, 'You have nothing to fear from her." She then replied, "Rasulullaah SCW is safe and sound." "Where is he?" Abu Bakr (ra) asked further. Ummu Jameel said, "He is in the house of Arqam." Abu Bakr (ra) vowed, "I swear by Allaah that I shall neither eat or drink until I go to Rasulullaah SCW."Th e two ladies then waited for a time (late at night) when the movement of people had calmed down and people were resting. Giving him support, they then took him to Rasulullaah SCW. (When he saw Abu Bakr (ra) Rasulullaah SCW) hugged him and kissed him. For a month, the Muslims who numbered thirty-nine individuals stayed with Rasulullaah SCW in that house. The Comment of Ali (ra) Concerning the Courage of Abu Bakr (ra) While addressing the people, Ali (ra) once asked, "0 people! Who is the most courageous person?" "You are, 0 Ameerul Mu'mineen," the people submitted. Ali (ra) then said, "Although I have defeated everyone who has confronted me, the most courageous person is Abu Bakr (ra). Ali (ra) then lifted the shawl he was wearing and wept until his beard became wet. He then said, "I ask you to swear by Allaah whether the mu'min from the court of Fir'oun was better or Abu Bakr (ra)." When everyone remained silent, Ali (ra) said, "By Allaah! A moment of the life of Abu Bakr (ra) is better than the earth full of people like the Mu'min from the court of Fir'oun. While the Mu'min from the court of Fir'oun concealed his Imaan, Abu Bakr (ra) made his Imaan public." Umar (ra) Endures Hardships and difficulties Abdullaah bin Umar (ra) narrates, 'When (my father) Umar (ra) accepted Islaam, he asked, Which person of the Quraysh is the best informant?' When he was told that it was Jameel bin Ma'mar Jumhi, he went to him early in the morning. I followed my father to see what he was doing. Although I was then still a child, I understood everything I saw. When he arrived, Umar (ra) said, '0 Jameel! Do you know that I have accepted Islaam and entered into the religion of Muhammad SCW By Allaah! Jameel gave no response and left, pulling his shawl along with him. Umar (ra) followed him and I followed my father." Abdullaah bin Umar (ra) narrates further that Jameel arrived at the door of the Masjidul Haraam as the people were sitting in their gatherings around the Kabah. He then screamed at the top of his voice, "0 assembly of the Quraysh! The son of Khattaab has become a heretic!" Standing behind him, Umar said, "He is lying! The fact is that I have accepted Islaam and I testify that there is none worthy of worship but Allaah and that Muhammad SCW is Allaah's Rasul." The people then attacked Umar (ra) and they continued fighting him until the sun stood above their heads (midday). Exhausted, Umar (ra) then sat down and the people stood over him. He said, "Do as you please. I swear by Allaah that we now number three hundred strong and we shall either leave Makkah for you or you leave it for us.'' Hardships Bilaal (ra) Endured for the Sake of Allaah Urwa bin Zubayr (ra) narrates that Bilaal (ra) was a slave of a lady from the Banu Jumh tribe. The Mushrikeen used to torture him on the burning sands of Makkah, making him lie flat on the hot sand (and place a heavy rock on his chest) so that he should commit Shirk. However, he would continuously say, "Ahad! Ahad!" When Waraqa bin Naufal, the cousin of Khadeeja (ra) would pass as Bilaal (ra) was being tortured, he would say, "Ahad, Ahad, 0 Bilaal (Allaah is certainly One). A narration of Ibn Is'haaq states that when the afternoon heat grew intense, Umayyah would take Bilaal (ra) outside and throw him down on the burning sands of Makkah. He would then command others to place a heavy rock on the chest of Bilaal (ra) used say to him, 'You shall be left like this until you die or reject Muhammad and worship Laat and Uzza!" Despite his extreme suffering, Bilaal (ra) would continuously say, "Ahad! Ahad!" Another narration of Mujaahid states that the Mushrikeen used to lead Bilaal (ra) through the two mountains of Makkah with a rope around his neck.

Alcoholism is a serious matter and the noble Qur’an describes it as an abomination for a good reason. The various treatments mentioned in this thread are all attempts at treating human psychology - whether it be with cognitive or pharmacological therapies. We should remember that the effectiveness of such treatments vary greatly at drawing the individual away from the harmful effects of the addiction. There is no harm in offering some of the programs/suggestions mentioned – depending of the particular needs/circumstances of the individual. But while such programs may do some good; they cannot instil the hope and deep yearning the individual has to atone for the sin of drinking – since we all know that consumption of alcohol is a great sin in Islam. Presumably, this individual is a Muslim. If this is the case, then reminding the brother/sister not to lose hope in Allah SWT and turning to him (as sis Aaliyah has suggested) should be our number one response. The following verse of the Quran is pertinent in reminding one of the mercy of Allah SWT: Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." [Az-Sumar, verse 53] This should be our number one response because until the person satisfies the deep yearning emanating from within to reform the nafs, any benefits gained from programs which exclude the spiritual aspect will only be temporary. They’re temporary because they do not address the root cause but rather only fiddle with the cognitive and behavioural elements of the addiction. Reminding the person to have hope in Allah SWT and that Allah SWT is indeed the forgiving and merciful is the best medicine we can offer. It is the best medicine because it addresses a certain longing of the nafs to change from its current state of self-harming and transgressing the bounds set by its creator; to a level in which the individual’s faith firms and his/her nafs voluntarily leaves bad/harmful manners behind with the help of Allah SWT. Finally, it is important to remember that remaining steadfast in all matters and on the straight path is only possible with the help of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala: wa ma tawfiqi illa billah 'alaihi tawakkaltu wa ilayhi uneeb.

The Generosity of the Sahabah R.A. Reviving and emulating the generosity practiced by the Sahabah is required more than ever in Islamic history. If the Muslims’ of today practiced even a tiny portion of the generosity shown by the Sahabah, much of the poverty present in the Islamic world would cease to exist. The following narrations highlight how and the Sahabah spent their wealth and everything that Allaah granted them in the path of Allaah and in avenues where Allaah's pleasure is found. They loved spending their wealth to please Allaah more than they did on themselves. This meant that they preferred others above themselves (to the point of suffering poverty), so that they could gain the pleasure of Allaah Subhanu Wa Ta’alla. I hope the examples found in these narrations will inspire all of us to be more generous with the wealth Allaah SWT has blessed us with – and to benefit the poor and those in need. May Allaah SWT grant us the quality of being generous as the Sahabah were The Generosity of Ummul Mu'mineen Aa'isha and her Sister Asmaa AbdulIaah bin Zubayr R.A. says, "I have never seen women as generous as Aa'isha R.A. and (her sister) Asmaa R.A. Their forms of generosity were however different. As for Aa'isha R.A., she would collect things and then distribute them when she had collected a considerable amount. As for Asmaa R.A., she would never keep with her anything for the next day. The Spending of Aa'isha R.A. and the Incident of a Poor Person with Her Imaam Maalik reports that the report reached him that a poor person once came to beg from Aa'isha R.A. the wife of Rasulullaah SCW. She was fasting that day and had no food at home besides a piece of unleavened bread. When she instructed her servant to give it to the beggar, the servant entreated, "You will then have nothing to terminate your fast with." However, Aa'isha R.A. insisted that she give it tothe beggar. The servant continues the story and says, "I then gave it to the beggar. That evening some family or some person who usually did not give us gifts, sent for us some cooked goat meat with many pieces of bread. Aa'isha R.A. then called for me and said, 'Eat some of this. It is much better than that piece of bread (that we gave away).'" Imaam Maalik reports that another narration also reached him about a poor person who asked Aa'isha R.A. for some food at a time when she had a grape in front of her. She then said to someone (present there), "Take a grape and give it to him." Looking at the single grape, the person expressed surprise. Aa'isha R.A. said to him, "You seem surprised. How many atoms' weights do you see in that grape?" (Here she was referring to the verse of the Qur'aan that states: "Whoever (sincerely) does an atom's weight of good will see it (its consequences when he is rewarded for if) ... ") The Behaviour of Abdullaah bin Umar R.A. with Beggars Aflah bin Katheer says, " Abdullaah bin Umar R.A. never refused any beggar and even a leper with fingers dripping with blood could be seen eating with him from the same plate." The Practice of Talha R.A. and the Statement of Rasulullaah SCW Salama bin Akwa R.A. reports that when Talha bin Ubaydullaah R.A. purchased a well at the foot of a mountain, he invited people for a meal. It was then that Rasulullaah SCW said, "You, 0 Talha, are 'Fayyaadh' (an extremely generous person)." Ja'far bin Abu Taalib R.A. Feeds the Poor Abu Hurayrah R.A. says, "The person who most benefited the poor was Ja'far bin Abu Taalib . He would take us home and feed us with whatever he had in his house. In fact, (when there was nothing) he would break open the butter container so that we could lick whatever butter remained." Umar R.A. Donates his Land in Khaybar Abdullaah bin Umar R.A. narrates that Umar R.A. received a piece of land in Khaybar. He then approached Rasulullaah SCW saying, "I have received a piece of land in Khaybar. Never before have I received any property more excellent than this. What do you advise me to do with it?" Rasulullaah SCW replied, "If you wish, you could make the property an endowment and donate the proceeds in charity." Umar R.A. therefore made the land an endowment on the condition that it should never be sold, never be given away as a gift, never be inherited and that its proceeds be given to the poor, to his relatives, to free slaves, in the path of Allaah and to guests. He also stipulated that the caretaker of the land may take from the proceeds what is normally paid and what is required to feed his guests. He however had no permission to amass wealth from it. Abu Talha R.A. Donates the Orchard of Bir Haa Anas R.A. narrates that Abu Talha R.A. was the wealthiest of all the Ansaar in terms of the date plantations he owned. However, what he loved most of all his possessions was the orchard of Bir Haa. It was situated opposite the Masjid and even Rasulullaah SCW used to go there to drink from its pure and excellent water. However, Abu Talha R.A went to Rasulullaah SCW as soon as the verse was revealed in which Allaah states: You shall never reach (true, perfect) righteousness until you spend of that which you love…{Surah Al-Imran, 92}. He said to Rasulullaah SCW "0 Rasulullaah SCW, indeed, Allaah has stated: 'You shall never reach righteousness until you spend of that which you love.' Bir Haa is certainly the possession that i love most, so it is now Sadaqah for the pleasure of Allaah. I aspire for the good of this and that Allaah will keep it as a treasure for me (in the Aakhirah). 0 Rasulullaah SCW, utilise it as Allaah shows you." Rasulullaah SCW said, ''This is an excellent investment! This is an excellent investment!" The Statement of Abu Dharr R.A that there are Three Partners in one’s Wealth Abu Dharr R.A. stated, "There are three partners in one's wealth. (The first is) Predestination that will not consult with you as it takes your valuable and useless wealth either by destruction or by death (of animals). (The second is) The heir who is waiting for you to put your head down (in the grave) so that he my drag everything away while looking down on you. (You are the third partner) So do your best never to be the most helpless of the three partners. Verily Allaah says: 'You shall never reach (true, perfect) righteousness until you spend of that which you love…{Surah Al-Imran, 92}. The Spending of Abdur Rahmaan binAuf R.A. Anas R.A. narrates that while Aa'isha R.A. was in her room, she heard a lot of noise in Madinah. "What is that?" she enquired. The people informed her, "That is the caravan of Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf R.A. that had arrived from Shaam carrying everything with it." Anas R.Asays that there were seven hundred camels in the caravan and that all of Madinah was resounding with the noise. Aa'isha R.A. then said, "I have heard Rasulullaah SCW say that he saw Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf R.A. entering Jannah on his knees (exhausted after accounting for all his wealth)." When these words reached Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf R.A., he said, "I shall do my best to enter Jannah standing upright." He then donated all the camels in the path of Allaah SWT together with their carriages and the supplies they carried. The Condition of Umar R.A when Abu Moosa Ash'ari R.A. Brought a great deal of Wealth Abu Hurayrah R.A. says that he brought to Umar bin Khattaab R.A. eight hundred thousand Dirhams from Abu Moosa Ash'ari R.A.. Umar R.A. asked, what have you come with?' 'I have come with eight hundred thousand Dirhams,' replied Abu Hurayrah R.A. Umar R.A. asked further, 'Is it all lawful?' 'It certainly is,' was the reply. Umar R.A. stayed awake the entire night until the Adhaan was called out for Fajr. His wife then asked, "Have you not slept last night?" He replied, "How could Umar bin Khattaab sleep when so much wealth has come that has never come since the beginning of Islaam? Umar has no assurance that he may die when all this wealth is still with him and he has not spent it where it ought to be spent''. Talha 'Fayyaadh' (The Very Generous) Su'da R.A. the wife of Talha R.A. reports that she once came to Talha R.A. and found him to be extremely distressed. She asked, "Why are you so distressed? Have we caused this grief to overcome you?" He replied, "By Allaah! You have caused me no distress at all. You are a most excellent wife. It is some money that has been collected with me (that I am concerned about)." Su'da R.A. reports further. She says, "I advised him to send for his family and his tribe and to distribute it amongst them. After he had done so, I asked the treasurer how much money there was. He informed me that it amounted to four hundred thousand. His daily earnings amounted to a thousand Waafi (approximately 1666 Dirhams) and he was given the title of Talha Fayyaadh (The Very Generous)."

Too often one expresses words which he/she later regrets or speaks in situations where silence was more appropriate. There are valuable lessons in the following examples of how the Sahabah guarded their tongues and spoke only when necessary with foresight and measured wisdom. The Silence of the Sahabah R.A. The Statements of Abdullaah bin Umar R.A. and Anas R.A. about Guarding the Tongue Abdullaah bin Umar R.A. said, ''The limb that a person most needs to purity is his tongue." Anas R.A. said, "A person can never have Taqwa until he controls his tongue." The silence of Mu'aadh R.A. and the statement of Abu Bakr R.A. Abu Idress Khowlani says, "I once entered the Masjid of Damascus when my eyes caught sight of a man with sparkling front teeth. He was a very quiet man and whenever the people with him disagreed on some issue, they referred it to him and readily accepted his verdict. When I enquired who he was, I was informed that he was Mu'aadh bin Jabal R.A. Aslam narrates that when Umar R.A. once found Abu Bakr R.A. pulling at his tongue, he asked, ''What are you doing, 0 Khalifah of Rasulullaah SCW?" Abu Bakr R.A. replied, "There is not a part of the body that does not complain of the sharpness of the tongue." Abdullaah bin Mas'ood R.A. and Abdullaah bin Abbaas R.A.rebuke their Tongues Abu Waa'il narrates that when Abdullaah bin Mas'ood R.A. once climbed Mount Safa, he caught hold of his tongue saying, "0 tongue! Speak what is good and reap the rewards. Shun speaking evil and you will remain safe before having to regret." He then narrated, "I have heard Rasulullaah SCW say, 'Most of man's sins stem from the tongue." The statement of Abdullaah bin Mas'ood About the Dangers of the tongue Isa bin Uqba narrates that Abdullaah bin Mas'ood R.A. once said, "I swear by the Being besides Whom there is none worthy of worship that nothing on earth is more deserving of a long prison sentence than the tongue." Abdullaah bin Mas'ood R.A. once said, "Beware of futile speech. All you need to say it that which would get your needs fulfilled." Another narration states that Abdullaah bin Mas'ood R.A. said, "The people guilty of the most sins on the Day of Qiyaamah shall be those who most engaged in idle talk." Ali R.A. and Abu Dardaa encourage Silence Ali R.A. said, "The tongue is the basis of the body's well-being. When the tongue is upright, the other limbs are all upright. However, as soon as the tongue is out of control, no other limb stays under control." Another narration states that he once said, "Keep a low profile and you will not be talked about (thus saving you from pride). Remain silent and you will remain safe." Another narration states that he said, "Silence invites towards Jannah." It was also Ali R.A. who mentioned the following couplets (which mean): "Never disclose your secrets except to yourself Because there is an advisor to every advisor And I have also seen many misguided men Who do not leave upright men unscathed (by their insults)" Abu Dardaa R.A. once said, "Learn to remain silent just as you learn to speak because silence is a great source of self-control. You ought to be more interested in listening than speaking and should never speak about things that do not concern you. You should also not laugh when there is nothing to laugh about or go somewhere you do not have to go." Abu Dardaa R.A. also said, "There is no limb of a Mu'min that Allaah loves more than his tongue because it is by means of this that he will enter Jannah. At the same time, there is no limb of a Kaafir that Allaah hates more than his tongue because it is by means of this that he will enter Jahannam."

The Counsel of the Sahabah R.A. There are so many amazing aspects to the lives of the Sahabah that one cannot even begin to do justice to any one quality. One of the qualities of the Sahabah is that they gave advice to each other and to others around them. The advice they gave was as splendid and magnificient as the noble lives they led. Their words were always carefully chosen and their utterances were pearls of wisdom. The advice the Sahabah gave was so penetrable that it caused tears to flow and hearts to become overawed. Their advice turned people towards the Creator of the heavens and the earth and away from the mundane affairs of this world. The following are narrations of some of the advice given by the Sahabah R.A. There are lessons in them for all of us. The Advice of Ameerul Mu'mineen Umar bin Khattaab R.A. Umar R.A. once advised a man saying, "Never allow people to distract you from yourself because you are ultimately responsible for yourself and not for them. Never spend your days wandering about because everything you do is recorded. Always carry out a good deed whenever you sin because I have never seen anything catch up with another as fast as a newly done good deed catches up with an old sin. Umar R.A. also said, "Stay away from that which causes you harm, ensure that you have righteous friends even though such people are scarce and consult those who fear Allaah about all your matters." Ahnaf bin Qais narrates that Umar R.A. once said to him, "0 Ahnafl The person who laughs too much loses respect and the one who jokes too much is not taken seriously. The one who talks too much, makes too many mistakes, the one who makes too many mistakes loses modesty, the one who loses modesty loses piety and the heart of the one who loses piety eventually dies," "There are some servants of Allaah who annihilate falsehood by staying away from it and revive the truth by speaking of it" Umar R.A. said, "There are some servants of Allaah who annihilate falsehood by staying away from it and revive the truth by speaking of it. When given encouragement (to do good), they are encouraged and when warned against something, they take heed. When fearing something, they are never off guard. With the power of conviction, they are able to see things they have never seen, blending these into those memories that never leave. Their fear for Allaah has purified their souls and they forsake that which will leave them (the pleasures of this world) for that which will always remain theirs (the bounties of the Aakhirah).” Maalik reports that the report reached him that Umar R.A. said, "A man's respect lies in his Taqwa, his honour in his Deen and his manhood in his character. While people see respect in wealth, true honour really lies in Taqwa. I am not better than a Persian, a non-Arab or acommon farmer except by virtue of Taqwa (the best will be the one with the most Taqwa)." The advice of Ali bin Abi Taalib to Umar R.A. Abdullaah bin Abbaas R.A. narrates that when Umar R.A. once asked Ali R.A. for advice, Ali R.A. said, "Never allow your conviction to become doubtful, your knowledge to regress to ignorance or your suspicions to transform into conviction. You must also remember that nothing of this world is really yours besides what you have received and then passed on, what you have distributed, thereby levelling the equation and the clothes you have already worn out." "0 Abul Hasan!" Umar R.A. remarked, "What you have stated is indeed very true." Ali R.A. - What Goodness Really is Ali R.A. once said, "Goodness is not when your wealth or your children increase, but when your knowledge increases, when your tolerance grows and when you excel people in worshipping your Rabb. When you do well, praise Allaah and when you do wrong, seek Allaah's forgiveness. There is no good in this world except for one of two persons; the person who commits a sin and then compensates for it by repenting and the person who hastens to do good deeds. A deed carried out with Taqwa can never be underestimated because how can a deed that Allaah accepts ever be underestimated?" Ali R.A. once advised his son Hasan R.A. "The greatest wealth is intelligence while the worst poverty is foolishness. Conceit is the most estranging of all things and the greatest source of respect is good character." Abdullaah bin Mas'ood R.A. Abdullaah bin Mas'ood R.A. stated, "How wonderful are two things that people dislike; death and poverty! By Allaah! One is affected by either one of two conditions, prosperity or poverty and I care not which of the two I am afflicted with. If it is prosperity, I can use it to sympathise (with the poor by helping them). If it is poverty, I can use it to exercise patience (and be rewarded abundantly).” It was also Abdullah bin Mas'ood R.A. who said, "A person cannot reach the reality of Imaan until he reaches its apex and he will be unable to reach the apex until he loves poverty more than prosperity, until he loves submission more than honour and until the one who praises him and the one who insults him are the same to him." The students of Abdullaah bin Mas'ood R.A. then explained this statement saying, "Until he prefers earning Halaal and remaining in poverty to earning Haraam and living in affluence; until he prefers submitting to Allaah's commands to the (worldly) honour derived from sinning and until the person praising him in truth and the person insulting him are equal in his sight." Salmaan Faarsi R.A. Ja'far bin Burqaan reports that the report reached him that Salmaan Faarsi R.A. used to say, "Three persons make me laugh and three things make me cry. I laugh at the person who entertains lengthy hopes in this world yet death is constantly searching for him. The other is the person who is negligent of death yet death is never negligent of him and (the third is) the person who laughs most heartily whereas he knows not whether his Rabb is angry with him or pleased. The three things that make me weep are separation from Muhammad SCW and his party, the frightening scene when the pangs of death arrive and standing before the Rabb of the universe when I know not whether I shall be heading for the fire of Jahannam or for Jannah." Abu Dardaa R.A. It is reported that Abu Dardaa R.A. once said, "It is with three factors that man can take charge of all his affairs; 'never complain of your calamities, never speak about your illness and never claim that you are spiritually pure." Abdullaah bin Zubayr R.A. Wahab bin Kaysaan narrates that Abdullaah bin Zubayr R.A. once wrote to advise him saying, "The people of Taqwa have certain traits by which they are recognised and which they recognise within themselves. These include patience during times of adversity, happiness with Allaah's decree, gratitude for bounties and submission to the commands of the Qur'aan. A ruler is just like the marketplace. Only that commodity is brought to the marketplace which is popular. Therefore, if the truth is popular with a ruler, it will be brought to him and people of the truth will come to him. On the other hand, if falsehood is popular with a ruler, the people of falsehood will come to him and it is falsehood that will prevail with him."

All the qualities of the Sahabah R.A. we’ve seen so far; sacrificie, fervour for knowledge and the Truth, selflessness and great endurance against great odds and mighty forces…all of these qualities and many others we have not mentioned – are no doubt impressive. But the intent behind posting these qualities of the Sahabah R.A. is not simply to be impressed by or gain knowledge of them; it is so that we may also develop the same qualities in ourselves and strengthen the ones we already have. The Sahabah R.A. were normal human beings just like us. However, they were tireless in their efforts to perfect their Imaan and bring the reality of Imaan into their lives. They were able to build and maintain their awe-inspiring qualities by following a very simple, yet powerful advice from the Prophet SCW: ‘Renew your Iman’. This simple formula propelled the Sahabah R.A. to moral heights no other human beings – apart from the Prophets – were able to ascend to. The Sahabah R.A. profusely practiced this simple formula of renewing ones Imaan by participating in gatherings of Imaan. Renewing ones Imaan requires constant effort and struggle. It has many components – such as contemplating and reflecting upon the attributes of Allah SWT and developing Taqwa. Remembering Allah SWT and contemplating his unique attributes brought immense joy to the Sahabah R.A. The world and its allures held diminished value for them and so remembering Allah SWT allowed the Sahabah R.A. to turn their eyes and hearts to matters greater and more lasting than the temporary confines of this transitory world. We can also increase our Iman by renewing it as the Prophet SCW advised the Sahabah in this narration:Abu Hurayrah R.A. reports that Rasulullaah SCW once said, "Renew your Imaan." "0 Rasulullaah SCW!" someone asked, "How are we to renew our Imaan?" Rasulullaah SCW replied, "Abundantly recite 'Laa Ilaaha Illallaah'." The Gatherings of Imaan The Eagerness of Abdullaah bin Rawaaha Participate in the Gatherings of Imaan Anas bin Maalik R.A. narrates that whenever Abdullaah bin Rawaaha R.A. 'met one of the Sahabah R.A. he say to him, "Come! Let us believe in our Rabb for a moment (let us refresh our Imaan by talking about Allaah for a while)." When he said this to someone one day, the man became angry and reported it to Rasulullaah SCW saying, "0 Rasulullaah SCW look at Ibn Rawaaha. He prefers your Imaan to theImaan of a moment." Nabi SCW replied, "May Allaah forgive Ibn Rawaaha. He loves the gatherings about which the angels boast." Ataa bin Yasaar narrates that Abdullaah bin Rawaaha R.A. once said to one of his companions, "Come here so that we may believe for a while." "Are we not already believers?" the other asked. "Certainly,” Abdullaah bin Rawaaha R.A. replied, "but let us talk about Allaah so that our Imaan can be increased." Abu Dardaa R.A. says, "Abdullaah bin Rawaaha R.A. once caught hold of my hand saying, 'Come! Let us believe for a moment because the heart overturns faster than a pot boiling at its pitch." Abu Dardaa R.A. says, "When Abdullaah bin Rawaaha R.A. would meet me, he would say, '0 Uwaymir! Sit down so that we may discuss (Imaan) for a while.' We would then sit down and discuss, after which he would say, 'This is a gathering of Imaan. The example of Imaan is like that of your Qamees. When you have taken it off, you will again be putting it on and when you have put it on, you will again be taking it off. The heart overturns faster than a pot boiling at its pitch." The Eagerness of Umar R.A. and Mu'aadh R.A. to Participate in the Gatherings of Imaan Abu Dharr R.A. reports that Umar R.A. would grab hold of the hands of one or two Sahabah R.A. and say, "Stand awhile with me so that we may renew our Imaan." They would then talk about Allaah Subhanuahu Wa Ta'aala. Aswad bin Hilaal reports that they were walking with Mu'aadh bin Jabal R.A.when he said to them, "Sit with us so that we may believe for a moment."

The following topic seems most pertinent in the era we live in. It is an era where Muslims, for the most part, seek honour amongst the creation rather than through the creator – Allaaah Subhanuhu Wa Ta’ala. In other words, we seek honour where Allaah has placed no honour. The following narrations from the lives of the Sahabah beautifully illustrate how they sought honour where Allaah SWT has placed it – i.e. in abiding by his Deen and elevating it above everything else. The Sahabah R.A. were so particular in this aspect that they even disliked wearing clothes which could be seen as pompous. The extraordinary insight the Sahabah R.A posessed in this respect is clear from the last narration below – in which Abu Dardaa R.A. reflects upon the lesson of a people they had just conquered. It shows that the Sahabah R.A took lessons in all matters which faced them – to the extent that they perceived the same fate this vanquished nation met at the hands of the Sahabah R.A. could also happen to the Muslims if they forsake the Deen of Allaah SWT. Such insight is simply wondrous and so rare in our era! These narrations may seem a bit academic but the intention is for us to reflect upon how we behave in our everyday interactions. Do we go out of our way to please, impress, seek favor etc - from the boss or others in positions of influence/authority in our lives instead seeking to please Allaah alone (from whom all honor and favor originates from) and fully performing the duties we owe to him? Seeking Honour Where Allaah has Placed Honour Incidents of Ameerul Mu'mineen Umar bin Khattaab R.A. Abul Aaliya Shaami reports that Umar arrived in Jaabiya from the Aleppo road, riding a brown camel. The bald part of his head shone in the sun because he wore neither a hat nor a turban. Since there were no stirrups, his legs dangled loosely on either side of the camel. His saddle blanket when he rode was a woollen blanket made in Ambijaan, which doubled as bedding when he camped. His satchel was striped cloth filled with the bark of a date palm, which doubled as his pillow when he was not riding. He wore a thick white cotton Qamees which was patched and torn on the side. "Send the leader of these people to me," Umar R.A. commanded. When the people sent for the head priest, Umar R.A. said "Please wash my Qamees, mend it and borrow me a Qamees or some clothing. A Qamees made from Kattaan (a very fine and expensive cloth) was then brought to Umar R.A. "What is this?" Umar R.A. enquired. When the people told him that it was Kattaan, he asked, "And what is Kattaan?" After they explained to him what it was, he removed his Qamees and it was washed and patched. When it was returned to him, he took off the Kattaan one and wore his own. The head priest then said to him, "Because you are the king of the Arabs, it is not befitting that you ride a camel in these parts. If you ride a Turkish horse and wear some other clothing, it would command more respect in the eyes of the Romans. Umar R.A. however said, "We are people who have been given respect because of Islaam and therefore do not wish any substitute." Taariq bin Ziyaad reports that when Umar R.A. was travelling to Shaam, Abu Ubaydah bin Jarraah R.A. was accompanying him. When they arrived at a point where they had to wade across, Umar R.A. alighted from his camel, removed his leather socks and threw them overhis shoulders. He then took hold of the reins of the camel and waded through. "0 Ameerul Mu'mineen!" Abu Ubaydah R.A. said, "Are you doing that?! Do you also remove your leather socks, throw them over your shoulders, take hold of the reins of the camel and then wade through?! I would not like the people of that city (where we are headed) to see you like this." "0, Oh!" Umar R.A. exclaimed, "Had anyone other than Abu Ubaydah made such a statement, I would have made him a lesson for the Ummah of Muhammad SCW. We were once amongst the lowest of people, but Allaah gave us honour because of Islaam. As soon as we start to seek honour in avenues other than that in which Allaah has granted us honour, Allaah will then humiliate us." Another narration states that when Umar R.A. arrived in Shaam and was to be received by the army, he was wearing his loincloth, leather socks and a turban. He was holding the head of his camel and wading across some water. Someone then said, "0 Ameerul Mu'mineen!The army and the general of Shaam’s army are here to meet you and you are in this condition?" Umar R.A. remarked, 'We are a nationwhom Allaah has given honour through Islaam, so we shall not seek honour in other avenues." Yet another narration states that Abu Ubaydah bin Jarraah R.A. said to Umar R.A. "0 Ameerul Mu'mineen! You have done something that the people of these parts regard as a something degrading. You have removed your socks, led your camel while on foot and waded through water on foot." Umar R.A. struck Abu Ubaydah bin Jarraah R.A. on the chest and said, "0 dear! If only someone other than you had made that statement, 0 Abu Ubaydah! You people (Arabs) were the smallest in number and the most degraded of people before Allaah gave you honour through Islaam. When you start to seek honour in anything else other than Islaam, Allaah will certainly degrade you." Taking a Lesson from those who have Forsaken Allaah's Commands Jubayr bin Nufayr R.A. says, "When Cyprus was conquered, its inhabitants were separated from each other, because of which they cried for each other. I then saw Abu Dardaa R.A. sitting alone and weeping. '0 Abu Dardaa R.A.’ I said, 'What makes you weep on a day in which Allaah has granted honour to Islaam and its adherents?' 'Shame on you, 0 Jubayr,' he said, ‘How disgraced is that nation in the sight of Allaah who forsake His commands! These people were once a powerful and victorious nation who possessed sovereignty. However, once they forsook Allaah's commands, they were degraded to the state you can now see." Another narration states that Abu Dardaa R.A. added, "They were then degraded to the state you can now see. They became obsessed with taking others as their slaves and as soon as a nation takes to this obsession, Allaah has no need for them."

Having covered some of the qualities of the Sahabah R.A., let us now reflect upon how the greatest adversaries of the their time described the Sahabah. These adversaries recognised the qualities of the Sahabah and rightly discerned that such qualities could not be matched. Despite their might and power, many of these adversaries soon realised that resistance against such qualities was futile. The force of truth and conviction the Sahabah exhibited in what Allaah SWT has revealed was what their adversaries feared most. A Roman Leader's Statement to Heraclius concerning the Reasons for Triumphs of the Sahabah R.A. Abu Is'haaq reports that no enemy could stand his ground before any of the Sahabah R.A. for even the time it took between two successive squeezes of a camel's teats when it is milked. Heraclius was in Antioch at the time when his Roman army returned defeated from a battle (against the Muslims). "Shame on you!" Heraclius said to them, "Tell me about those people you were fighting against. Are they not humans like you?" "They certainly are," the men replied. "Then were you more in number or were their numbers more?" "On every occasion we were several times more in number than they," came the reply. "Then what is the matter," Heraclius asked, "Why were you still defeated?" An elderly leader explained. He said, "It is because they stand in salaah all night, they fast all day, they fulfil their promises, they enjoin good, they forbid from evil and are just towards each other. It is also because we drink wine; we fornicate, we do what is prohibited, we break our promises, we rob, we oppress, we enjoin what is forbidden, prohibit people from acts that please Allaah and we spread anarchy on earth." Heraclius said, "You are telling me the truth." The Statement that the Emperor of China made about the Sahabah (The Emperor of Persia) Yazdgird once wrote to the Emperor of China to seek reinforcements. Addressing the Persian envoy, the Chinese Emperor said, "I know well that it is the duty of any Emperor to assist another against those who are overpowering him. However, I want you to describe to me these people who are driving you out of your lands because I gather from what you said that they are fewer in number than you. From what you have described to me, people as few as them cannot overpower an adversary as many as you unless there is tremendous good in them and rot within you." "You may ask me whatever you please about them," the envoy said. The Emperor then asked, "Do they fulfil their promises?" "Yes," the envoy replied. The next question was, "What do they tell you before they engage you in combat?" "They invite us to accept one of three options. We either accept their religion, in which case they treat us asthey treat each other. Otherwise, we may accept to pay the Jizya and thus receive their protection. The final option is to face them in battle." The Emperor then asked, "How obedient are they towards their leaders." "They are the most obedient of all people towards their leaders," came the reply. The Emperor further asked, "What do they regard as lawful and what do they regard as unlawful?" When the envoy gave him a detailed reply, the Emperor asked, "And do they forbid what has been made lawful for them or make lawful what has been forbidden for them?" 'This they do not do," the envoy replied. The Emperor then said, "Such a nation will never be destroyed as long as they regard what is lawful as lawful and what is unlawful as unlawful." The next question the Emperor asked was about the clothing the Sahabah R.A. wore. When the envoy described it to him, he then askedabout the modes of transport the Sahabah R.A. used. The envoy described the Arab horses that the Sahabah R.A. used in detail, after which the Emperor remarked, "Those make excellent fortresses." The envoy then went on to describe the camels that they used and even explained how they sit and then get up with their loads. The Emperor (who had probably never seen a camel before) notes, "That is common with all animals that have long necks." The Chinese Emperor then wrote back to Yazdgird saying, "It is not ignorance of my duty that prevents me from sending to your aid an army so large that while the first of it is in (the Persian city of) Marw, the last is still here in China. However, the description of these peoplewhom your envoy has described to me tells me that if they had to come up against a mountain, they would certainly shatter it. If they are left to advance and retain their qualities, they will soon remove me from my kingship. Enter into a treaty with them and be content to abideby the clauses of the treaty. You should however never attack them as long as they do not attack you." A Christian Arab Describes the Sahabah R.A. to the Commander of Damascus Yahya bin Yahya Ghassaani reports that two men from his tribe reported, “When the Muslims set up camp outside Jordan, we talked amongst ourselves that Damascus would soon be under siege. We therefore went to do our business in Damascus before that happened. We were still there when the commander of Damascus sent for us, when we came before him, he asked, 'Are you two Arabs?' When we replied in the affirmative, he asked further, 'Are you Christians?' 'Yes,' we replied. He then said, ‘One of you will have to spy on them to learn about their intentions. The other will stay behind to look after his companion's belongings.' One of us then went and stayed with the Muslims for some time before returning. He said, 'I have come to you from people who are thin and who ride fine horses. They are monks by night, brave horsemen by day and can even attach feathers to their arrows, carve them out by themselves and straighten their spears to perfection. If you were to speak to someone sitting beside you, he would be unable to hear you because they were always reciting the Qur’aan and engaging in Dhikr in loud voices." The commander then turned to his companions and said, "Such people have come to you against whom you can offer no resistance." A Christian Arab Describes the Sahabah R.A. to Qubuqalaar Urwa R.A. reports that when the two armies confronted each other (during the Battle of Yarmook), Qubuqalaar (the Roman general) sentfor an Arab man whom the narrator believes was a man from the Yazeed bin Haydaan family tribe. His was known as Ibn Huzaarif. Qubuqalaar's instruction to the man was, "Infiltrate the ranks of these people, stay with them for a day and a night and then report their condition to me." Because he was Arab, he blended into the Muslim army undetected and stayed with them for a day and a night. When he then returned, Qubuqalaar asked him what he had found out. He replied, "They are monks by night and valiant horsemen by day.Even if their king's son had to steal, they would amputate his hand and should he commit adultery, he will be stoned so that the law is enforced." To this, Qubuqalaar remarked, "If what you say is true, then being underground is better than clashing with them above the ground. I wish that Allaah would leave me alone with them, without assisting either me against them or them against me (in which case our larger numbers would win the day)."

The following narrations provide a glimpse into the fervour that the Sahabah R.A. had for knowledge. The Sahabah valued knowledge immensely. Whereas we measure knowledge in terms of its wordly benefits or the status it bestows upon its possessor, they understood it far more profound terms and appreciated its true value. Their love of knowledge and the seeking of it literally ended with their last breath – as the following narration from Mu’aadh R.A. illustrates. What sublime love and respect they held for knowledge and for the knowledgeable! And how far away we are from their example! Today, we have reduced knowledge to the trades which one enters into in order to fill ones belly and nothing more beyond that. May Allaah grant us the same fervour the Sahabah R.A. had for knowledge and its attainment. The Statement Mu'aadh R.A. Made on his deathbed about his Fervour for Knowledge When he was on his deathbed, Mu'aadh bin Jabal R.A. asked the people to see whether dawn had broken. When they reported that it had not yet come, he again sent them to see. After this happened several times, they eventually reported to.him that dawn had broken. To this, he said, "I seek Allaah's protection from the night followed by a morning that takes one to Jahannam. I welcome death with open arms.It is that long absent visitor and a friend in need. 0 Allaah! While I had always been afraid of You, today I long to meet You. 0 Allaah! You know well that I never loved this world or to live long here to dig canals or to plant trees. I loved it only for the thirst in the extreme afternoon heat (when fasting), for enduring times of hardship and to sit on my knees when associating with the Ulema in gatherings of knowledge." The Words of Mu'aadh R.A. to a Man who Was Weeping by his Bedside before his Death Abdullaah bin Salamah narrates that a man came to (the bedside of Mu'aadh bin Jabal R.A.) and started to weep. "What makes you weep?" Mu'aadh asked. The man replied, "By Allaah! I am neither crying because of the ties of kinship we have nor because of the material gains I used to get from you. What makes me weep is the fear that the knowledge I used to glean from you will soon come to an end." Mu'aadh R.A. consoled him saying, "Do not cry because whoever strives to acquire knowledge and Imaan, Allaah will grant them to him just as He granted Ibraheem A.S. during times when there was no knowledge and Imaan." The Fervour that Abu Dardaa R.A. had for Knowledge Abu Dardaa R.A. once said, "Had it not been for three things, I would have loved to be no longer in this world. When asked what the three things were, Abu Dardaa said, "(The first is) Placing my head on the ground before my Creator in Sajdah during the hours of day and night so that it is sent ahead (as rewards) for my (true) life (in the Aakhirah). (The second is) Enduring thirst during hot afternoons (while fasting) and (the third is) sitting with people who choose their speech as carefully as you choose your fruit." (i.e. people - seekers - of knowledge) The Fervour that Abdullah bin Abbaas R.A had for Acquiring Knowledge Abdullaah bin Abbaas R.A. says, "When Rasulullaah SCW passed away, I said to an Ansaari friend of mine, 'The Sahabah are plenty in number. Come. Let us learn from them.' 'I am astonished at you, 0 Ibn Abbaas!' he said, 'Do you think that people will need you (to learn from) when so many of Rasulullaah SCW senior Sahabah R.A. are amongst them?' I left that as it were and proceeded to learn from the companions of Rasulullaah SCW. When I heard that a Hadith was narrated by someone, I would go to his door and if he was having his siesta, I would roll up my shawl there and use it as a pillow. (As a I waited there) The wind would blow sand on me and when the man came out, he would ask, 'What brings you here, 0 cousin of Rasulullaah SCW, Why did you not send for me and I would have come to you?' I would then say to him, 'No. It is I who should be coming to you.' I would then ask him about the Hadith. My Ansaari friend happened to live to the time when he saw people gathering around me to learn and would say, 'He has been a much smarter youngster than I'. Abdullaah bin Abbaa R.A. says, "When the various cities were being conquered (by the Muslims) and people started focussing their attention towards the things of this world, I started focussing my attention on Umar R.A." It is because of this that most of the Ahadeeth narrated by Abdullaah bin Abbaas R.A. are from Umar R.A.

^ Jazakallah Khayr. I'm glad that you found them beneficial. May Allah grant us the honorable qualities the Sahabah possessed. Aamiin walaal Abu-wehliye. In the last post we encountered incidents which demonstrated the Sahabah's dislike of leadership. They shunned taking up leadership positions not because they were incapable - but rather they feared jeopardising their Aakhira should they fall short (however small the shortfall may be) in discharging the responsibilities entrusted to them. Nothing in this world was worth sacrificing their desire for the rewards of Aakhira and in attaining the pleasure of Allaah Subhanahu wa ta'ala. The following narrations provide a glimpse into the qualities the Sahabah - in particular Umar R.A. - felt leaders must possess. The letter of Umar R.A. Concerning the Appointment of Commanders and his description of an Ameer Haaritha bin Mudarrib R.A.narrates that Umar R.A. wrote the following letter to them: I have sent Ammaar bin Yaasir R.A. as your Ameer and Abdullaah bin Mas'ood R.A. as your teacher and minister. They are both amongst the chosen companions of Rasulullaah SCW and veterans of Badr. Learn from them and follow their example. By sending Abdullah to you, I have actually sacrificed my own need for him. I have also sent Uthmaan bin Hunayf R.A. to survey the rural areas of Iraq. I have stipulated that their wages should be a goat every day. Half the goat and its innards should be given to Ammaar R.A. (because as the Ameer, he would naturally have guests to feed) and the other half should be shared between the other three men (i.e. Abdullaah bin Mas'ood R.A., Uthmaan bin Hunayf R.A. and Hudhayfabin Yamaan R.A. who was sent as an assistant surveyor)." Sha'bi narrates that Umar R.A. once asked, "Tell me who I should appoint to take charge of a public matter that is of great concern to me?" When the name of Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf R.A. was suggested, Umar R.A. noted that he was not up to the task. When another name was suggested, Umar R.A. said, "I have no need for him." When Umar R.A. was asked who it was that he required, he replied, "Someone who will be like one of the people when he becomes the Ameer (because of his humility) and when he is not the Ameer, he appears to be the Ameer (because of his high sense of responsibility)." The people (with Umar R.A.) then said, "we know of none suitable besides Rabee bin Ziyaad Haarithi." "That is true", confirmed Umar R.A. The Qualities of a Khalifah as Described by Umar R.A. Abdullaah bin Abbaas R.A. says, "I served Umar R.A. in a manner that no other member of his family served him. I was also very informal with him in a manner that no member of his household was. He would sit with me and show me a lot of respect. We were sitting alone in his house one day when he heaved such a sigh that made me think he was about to die. I asked, 'Some grave matter of concern, 0 Ameerul Mu'mineen?' He replied, 'Some grave concern indeed.' 'What is it?' I asked. He then asked me to come closer to him. When I did so, he said, 'I can find no one worthy of this post of Khilaafah.' I then named certain individuals and asked him what he thought of them. These happened to be the six men whom he chose as the consultative assembly. Umar R.A said something about each one of these men and then said, 'No person is suitable for the post of Khilaafah except someone who is strong without being harsh, who is lenient without being weak, who is generous without being extravagant and who is cautious about monetary affairs without being miserly." Abdullaah bin Abbaas R.A. used to say, "These traits were combined in no other person besides Umar R.A”. Abdullaah bin Abbaas R.A.also adds that Umar R.A.said, "None can shoulder this post of Khilaafah besides a person who does not compromise on principles, who does not behave ostentatiously (in a boastful manner) and who does not give in to vain desires. None can shoulder this responsibility from Allaah besides someone who never utters any word that forces him to contradict his resolve and who judges with fairness even against his own people." The Rights that Subjects Owe to their Ameer Salama bin Shihaab Abdi reports that Umar R.A.once said,"0 citizens! We {leaders) have a right that you owe to us. It is that you always wish well for us even in our absence and that you assist us in all good works. Take note that there is nothing more beloved to Allaah and which has a more widespread benefit than the tolerance and compassion of an Ameer towards his subjects. On the contrary, there is nothing more detested by Allaah than the foolishness of an Ameer and his harshness." Another narration from Abdullaah bin Akeem states that Umar R.A. said, "There is no tolerance more loved by Allaah than the tolerance and compassion of an Ameer (towards his subjects). There is also no foolishness that is more detested by Allaah than the foolishness and harshness of an Ameer. Those who overlook things that happen to him will receive health and safety and those who exercise justice between people even when it concerns himself shall be granted success in his affairs. Suffering disgrace when being obedient is closer to goodness than winning honour through sin."

The following are a few narrations about how the Sahabah viewed leadership. Knowing the heavy responsibilities which come with leadership, the Sahabah would often ask to be excused when offered positions of leadership - even though they were highly capable and just leaders. The humility and foresight the Sahabah displayed in rejecting leadership is a testament to the level of their taqwa and deep understanding of the frailties of human nature. There are so many lessons for us to learn from the Sahabah and their dislike of leadership is one them. Many of the ills facing the Islamicworld and the wider world stem from leaders who neither appreciate the enormities of their position as leaders nor fit to lead. We should realise that leadership comes in many forms - starting from our own homes. Failing to properly discharge our responsibilities is a great sin in the sight of Allah SWT and one we will all have to answer for on the day of Qiyaamah. In the next post, Inshaa Allah I'll source a few more narrations about the qualities a leader should possess - according to the Sahabah R.A. Abu Hurayrah R.A. Refuses to Accept an Appointment as Ameer Abu Hurayrah R.A. reports that Umar once summoned. him to accept a post as governor, but he refused to accept the post. Umar R.A.said, "You dislike an appointment to a post when someone better than you actually asked for it." When Abu Hurayran asked who it was that asked for a post, Umar R.A. replied, "Yusuf bin Ya'qoob ." Abu Hurayrah R.A. then said, "Yusuf was the Nabi of Allaah and the son of a Nabi, while I am merely Abu Hurayrah the son of Umayma. I fear three and two things (equalling five)," ''Why don't you just say 'five things'?" enquired Umar R.A. Abu Hurayrah R.A. replied, "I fear that I should say anything without knowledge, pass wrong judgement (as a governor, because of which I would) have my back lashed, have my wealth taken away and my reputation insulted" Abdullaah bin Umar R.A. Refuses to be Appointed as judge Abdullaah bin Mowhab R.A. reports that Uthmaan R.A. once said to Abdullaah bin Umar R.A. "Go and pass judgement between the people," Abdullaah bin Umar R.A. requested "will you not excuse me, o Ameerul Mu'mineen?" Uthmaan R.A.emphatically said. "Never! I have sworn that you must be the judge." "Do not be hasty." Abdullaah bin Umar R.A. spoke, "have you heard Rasulullaah SCW say “The person who seeks protection from Allaah has sought a great source of protection.'" When Uthmaan R.A. confirmed that he had heard the Hadith, Abdullaah bin Umar R.A. said "I then seek Allaah's protection from being a judge." Uthmaan R.A. then asked, ''What prevents you when your father was a judge?" Abdullaah bin Umar replied, "I have heard Rasulullaah SCW say, “The person who is a judge and passes judgement in ignorance shall be one of the inmates of Jahannam. As for the one who is a knowledgeable judge and passes correct and just judgement, he will plead (before Allailh on the Day of Qiyaamah) for an acquittal (that he should neither receive any rewards nor any sin).' What have I to hope for after this? A narration of Ahmad adds that after this, Uthmaan R.A. excused Abdullaah bin Umar R.A and told him not to inform anyone else about it (otherwise none would be prepared to act as judge and society would suffer). Abdullaah bin Umar R.A. narrates that Uthmaan R.A. wanted him to act as judge, but he refused saying, "I have heard Rasulullaah SCW say, 'Judges are of three types; one will attain salvation while two will end up in Jahannam. Those who pass judgement unjustly or by the dictates of their desires shall be destroyed while the one who passes judgement with the truth will attain salvation." Miqaad bin Aswad R.A. Refuses to be an Ameer and the Statement of Anas R.A. reports that Rasulullaah SCW once appointed Miqdaad bin Aswad R.A as Ameer of a troop of cavalrymen. When he returned from the expedition, RasuluUaah SCW asked him what he thought about being an Ameer. He replied, "I was helped to sit and to stand (the men gave me great honour) to the extent that I feel as if I am no longer myself (my humility has been diminished)." Rasulullaah SCW commented, "Leadership is like that (it does that to a person)." Miqdaad R.A. then said, "I swear by the Being Who has sent you with the truth that I shall never again assume any post of leadership." Thereafter, Miqdaad would even decline when people asked him to lead them in salaah. Another narration from Anas R.A. quotes that Miqdaad R.A. said, "I was helped on to my conveyance and helped to dismount until I felt as if I was superior to the others." Rasulullaah SCW then told him, "Such is leadership. You may therefore either accept it or reject it." Miqdaad R.A. then swore, "I swear by the Being Who has sent you with the truth that I shall never again assume command of even two persons." A narration from Tabarani quotes that Miqdaad bin Aswad R.A.said, "Rasulullaah SCW sent me on an expedition. When we returned,he asked me, 'How do you find yourself?' I replied, 'I gradually started to think that the others were my servants. I swear by Allaah that after this I shall never again take command of even two persons." It is reported that Rasulullaah SCW once appointed someone to lead an expedition. When the man had completed his duties and returned, Rasulullaah SCW asked him, "How was it to be the Ameer?" The man replied, "Although I behaved like one of them, they all mounted when I did and dismounted when I did." Rasulullaah SCW commented, "Leaders stand at the door of oppression (are prone to oppress) except for those whom Allaah saves (from committing oppression)." The man then said, "I swear by Allaah that I shall never again accept command from you or from anybody else." Rasulullaah SCW then smiled broadly until even his back teeth were visible.

As we have seen in the preceding posts, every aspect of the Sahabah’ lives was remarkable and worthy of imitation. The following narrations highlight how the Sahabah relinquished the instinctive feelings they had for their parents, their children, their brothers, their spouses, their families, their wealth, their businesses and their homes so that they could cling to the love of Allaah and the love of Rasulullaah SCW. The Sahabah also loved every Muslim attached to Allaah and his Nabi. The Sahabah and believers after them who displayed this sentiment of loving Allaah SWT and his Nabi achieved honour in this world with promises of great rewards in the hereafter; ‘For indeed honour, power and glory belong to Allah, and to his messenger, and to the believers’ (Quran-63:8). This brings us to the obvious question; how do we know that we truly love Allah and his Nabi? As one scholar put it: we love Allaah when we find pleasing to ourselves that which pleases Allaah and we find displeasing that which displeases Allaah SWT. We love our Nabi Muhammad SCW when his Sunnah and way of life carries weight with us and guides our daily conduct. As the messenger SCW said, we shall indeed be with those whom we love. Isn't it then wise for us to inquire into our own hearts and conduct (while we still can) to ensure that our love isn't misplaced but is truly for Allaah SWT and his Nabi SCW? May Allah grant us all the tawfiq to bring this beautiful quality – which the Sahabah practiced so profusely - into our own lives. The Incident of the Sahabi whose Preparation for the Day of Qiyaamah was His Love for Allaah and Rasulullaah SCW Anas R.A. narrates that a man once asked Rasulullaah SCW when Qiyaamah will take place. "What have you prepared for the Day of Qiyaamah?" asked Rasulullaah SCW: The Sahabi replied, "Nothing besides the love for Allaah and His Rasool. Rasulullaah SCW told him, "(On the Day of Qiyaamah) You shall be with those whom you love." Anas R.A says, "Nothing made us as happy as the statement of Rasulullaah SCW: 'You shall be with those whom you love'. I love Rasulullaah, Abu Bakr and Umar - “Because of this love I bear for them, I hope to be with them." Another narration of Bukhaari states that a man from the desert once came to Rasulullaah SCW and asked, "When will Qiyaamah take place?" "What!" exclaimed Rasulullaah SCW, “What preparations have you made for it?" The man replied, "I have made no preparations for it apart from the fact that I love Allaah and His Rasool. Rasulullaah SCW said, "You shall be with those whom you love." Anas R.A asked, "Does this apply to us as well?" "Certainly," replied Rasulullaah SCW. Anas R.A says, "That day we were extremely overjoyed." A narration of Tirmidhi quotes that Anas R.A said, "While I have seen the companions of Rasulullaah SCW rejoice about many things, I have never seen them rejoice more than the time when a man came and asked, "0 Rasulullaah SCW, a person loves another for doing a good deed that he is unable do (will this benefit him)?" Rasulullaah SCW replied, "A man shall be (in the Aakhirah) with those whom he loves." The Statement of Rasulullaah SCW: "You, 0 Abu Dharr, shall be with Those whom you love" Abu Dharr R.A narrates that he once said to Rasulullaah SCW "0 Rasulullaah SCW, (what will be the outcome of) A man who loves a group of people but is unable to carry out the deeds they carry out?" Rasulullaah SCW replied, "You, 0 Abu Dharr, shall be with those whom you love." Abu Dharr R.A then said, "I love Allaah and His Rasool. "You shall therefore be with those whom you love," Rasulullaah SCW assured him. When Abu Dharr repeated his words, Rasulullaah SCW repeated what he had said.

Calling people towards Allaah and towards Rasulullaah SCW was the action that Rasulullaah and the Sahabah loved more than anything else. Their ardent desire was for mankind to be guided towards the Deen of Allaah and to enter its fold so that they may be immersed in Allaah's mercy. To this end, the Sahabah were tireless in their efforts to achieve this so that the creation could be linked to their Creator. The incident below highlights the mercy the Sahabah had for those who were yet to accept Islam. In this incident Umar R.A. weeps over the exertion of a Christian monk who despite his toils will end up in Jahannam. How much Shukr do we make for the greatest nicmah - that of Islam - which Allaah SWT has granted us? We ought to make constant shukr for this nicmah and not take it for granted. Umar R.A. Weeps over the Exertion of a Christian Monk Abu Imraan Jowni narrates that Umar R.A. once passed by a monk and remained standing there. Someone called the monk and told him that the Ameerul Mu'mineen was there. When the monk peeped out, the effects of difficulty, exertion and forsaking the world were clearly apparent on his face (he had grown extremely pale and haggard on account of his spiritual exertions). Looking at him, Umar R.A. began to weep. "But he is a Christian," someone commented. Umar R.A. replied, "I know, but I feel sorry for him because I thought of the verse in which Allaah mentions: He who suffered affliction and who endured many difficulties (thinking that he was pleasing Allaah whereas his beliefs and actions did not conform with the injunctions of Allaah). He shall enter the blazing fire. [surah Ghaashiya, verses 3,4) I feel sorry for him because despite his exertion and efforts in this world, he shall still end up in Jahannam."

The following is an excerpt from a lecture about Taqwa and learning from the past given by Abu Bakr R.A. It is truly illuminating! May we all benefit from it Inshaa Allah. The Narration of Tabari Concerning Abu Bakr's Lecture about Taqwa and about taking Lessons from the Past Aasim bin Adi R.A. reports a lecture that Abu Bakr R.A. delivered. Abu Bakr R.A. stood up and after praising Allaah, he said: "Verily Allaah accepts only those actions done solely to please Him, so ensure that your intention for all your actions is solely for Him. You must know that every act that you do sincerely for Allaah represents an act of obedience, a sin that you have been saved from, an instalment that you have paid (towards the Aakhirah) and an advance payment that you send ahead from these transitory days to others that are eternal. It will therefore be there for the time when you will be most in need of it. 0 servants of Allaah! Take lessons from those who have died from amongst you and think about those who had lived before you. Where were they yesterday and where are they today? Where are all the 'tyrants? Where are those who were famous in battle, in conquests and whenever wars raged? Time has humbled them, their bones have decayed and people have stopped talking about them. Remember that indecent women are for indecent men and indecent men are for indecent women. Where are the kings who had erected monuments on earth and had cities built? They are far away, have been forgotten about and are non-entities today. Listen well! While their passions have long been cut off and they have passed on, their sins will still remain theirs but their worldly possessions have gone to others. We have been left as their successors and we will be saved only if we take lesson from them. However, if we allow ourselves to be deceived, we will be just like them. Where are all the handsome and attractive people who were so enamoured by their youth? They have become dust and now regret their overindulgence. Where are those who erected cities, fortified them with high walls and built spectacuIar wonders? They had left it all behind for their successors. So there are their dwellings standing in ruins while they are in the darkness of their graves. Do you hear any of them or even a whimper from them? Where are the children and brothers that you knew? Their prescribed terms caught up with them so they reached the actions they sent ahead (to the Aakhirah) and have settled there. They now live after death in either a place of ill fortune or a place of good fortune. Listen well! Allaah has no family ties with any creation because of which He would give them some good or avert any evil from them. This will happen purely due to obedience to Him and by carrying out His commands. Remember that you are servants who will be rewarded and whatever is with Allaah can be attained only by being obedient to Him. There is no good in the good that is followed by entry into Jahannam and there is no difficulty in the difficulty that is followed by entry into Jannah. I strongly advise you to adopt Taqwa and to hold fast to Allaah's commands that He has ordained for you and to which He has directed you. The most comprehensive guidance of Islaam after the Kalimah of sincerity is to listen to and obey the people whom Allaah has appointed to take charge of your affairs (your leaders). The person who obeys the leader who enjoins good and forbids evil shall be successful and has fulfilled his responsibility. I must also warn you against following your desires. Successful is the person who is saved from his whims, from greed and from anger. You must also stay away from pride, for what pride can one have when one is created from sand and s all be returning to sand where worms shall consume his body? What pride can he have when he is alive today and shall be dead tomorrow?Act from day to day and from hour to hour, save yourselves from the curse of the oppressed one and count yourselves amongst the dead. Persevere, because all actions are achieved through perseverance and be vigilant because vigilance is truly beneficial. Continue carrying out good deeds because deeds are accepted, beware of the punishment that Allaah has warned you about and hasten to the mercy that Allaah has promised you.Make an effort to understand and Allaah will make you understand. Make an effort to stay away (from wrong) and Allaah will save you from it. Allaah has explained to you what it was that destroyed those before you and what it was that caused others to be rescued. Allaah has also detailed what is Halaal and what is Haraam and which actions He likes and which ones He does not like. Remember that I shall never compromise on what ensures your and my welfare. It is Allaah from Whom we seek assistance because there is no power or might except with Allaah. Listen well! Whenever you do something sincerely for Allaah, you are obeying Allaah, safeguarding your share (of rewards in the Aakhirah) and becoming the envy of others. The deeds you carry out apart from the Faraa'idh, you will be sending ahead of you (to the Aakhirah) as Nawaafil and there you will receive back in full every advance payment you made and given your reward at a time when you will be most in need of it.

The following narrations mention some of the admirable qualities of the Ansaar. They sacrificed world pleasures and its temporary possessions in exchange for the pleasure of Allah SWT and his Rasool. May Allah endow us with some of the qualities of the Ansaar. The Qualities of the Ansaar R.A. Anas R.A. narrates that when some wealth came to Rasulullaah SCW from Bahrain whilst the Muhaajireen and Ansaar heard about it from each other, they came to Rasulullaah early in the morning. The rest of the Hadith is lengthy, but in it Rasulullaah scw mentioned to the Ansaar, "As far as I know, you people turn out in large numbers when situations are hazardous and turn out in small numbers when the occasion arrives for receiving something (you are always there to assist others and care little about receiving things for yourselves) ." Anas R.A. narrates that Rasulullaah SCW once said to Abu Talha R.A. "Convey my Salaam to your people (the Ansaar) and inform them that as far as I know, they are extremely chaste and patient people." Another narration from Anas R.A.states that when Abu Talha R.A. visited Rasulullaah SCW during the illness in which Rasulullaah passed away, Rasulullaah said to him, "Convey my Salaam to your people (the Ansaar) for they are extremely chaste and patient people."

Assalamu Alaykum all - The following narrations is a continuation on the lives of the Sahabah R.A. The incidents below relate the thoughts of the Sahaba R.A. towards verses of the Qu'ran concerning Jahannam. While we cannot compare our Imaan to that of the Sahaba, each one of us should reflect on what impact verses and descriptions of Jahannam have on us?Is your reaction to verses in the Qu'raan describing Jahannam as it ought to be or do you pass by such verses without much reflection or fear in your heart? A'isha R.A. Weeps at the Thought Of Jahannam and the Words of Rasulullaah SCW A'isha R.A. narrates that she once started to weep at the thought of Jahannam. "What is the matter, 0 Aa'isha?" Rasulullaah SCW asked.She replied, "I thought of Jahannam and started to weep. Will you think of your family on the Day of Qiyaamah?" Rasulullaah SCW said, "There are three places where none shall think of another": (1) At the scales until a person knows whether his scale (of good deeds) is heavy or light. (2) When the books of actions will be handed out until a person will call out (out of jubilation) 'Come and see my book!' or until he knows whether his book will be given in his right hand (a sign of success) or in his left hand from behind his back (a sign of failure). (3) At the bridge of Siraat when it is spanned across Jahannam. There shall be hooks on either side and plenty of thorns. Allaah shall detain whoever He wills with these until they find out whether they have attained salvation or not." (Haakirn (Vo1.4 Pg.578). Dhahabi has commented on the chain of narrators.) An Old Man Passes Away at the Mention of Jahannam Amongst the Sahabah R.A. was a very old man when Rasulullaah SCW recited to them the verse: O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded. {Surah Tahreem, verse 6) "0 Rasulullaah SCW the old man asked, "Are the stones of Jahannam like the stones of this world?" Rasulullaah replied, "I swear by the Being Who controls my life that a single boulder of Jahannam is larger than all the mountains of this world." The old man then fell unconscious. Placing his hand on the old man's heart, Rasulullaah SCW discovered that he was still alive. Rasulullaah SCW therefore said, "Respected Old man! Say Laa Ilaaha Illallaah! " When the old man recited the Kalimah, Rasulullaah gave him the glad tidings of Jannah. The Sahab R.A who were present remarked, "Is this (tidings of Jannah) only for him?" Rasulullaah SCW replied, 'Yes, because Allaah says: This is for him who fears standing before Me (on the Day of Qiyaamah) and who fears My warning (of punishment). {Surah Ibrahim, verse 14) Shaddaad bin Aws R.A. once remarked: "0 Allaah! The fire of Jahannam has dispelled my sleep." Thereafter, he would stand up and perform salaah until the morning. In the Battle of Mu'ta, the weeping of Abdullaah bin Rawaaha R.A. has been reported together with his words: "I swear by Allaah that it is neither love for this world nor my attachment to you that makes me weep. However, I have heard Rasulullaah SCW recite a verse from the Qur'aan that speaks of the fire of Jahannam: Every one of you shall pass by it (everyone shall pass over Jahannam as they cross the bridge of Siraat that spans Jahannam).This is a decreed command of your Rabb. {Surah Maryam, verse 71) I have no idea how am I to return after this crossing."

Wa iyyakum Br. Salahudin iyo Br. Abu-Wehliye. Ilaahay hanaga dhigo kuwii ku waano qaato nolosha suuban ee Saxaabada Nabigeena SCW. The Incident of the Love a Sahabi Expressed for Rasulullaah SCW and the verse Revealed in this Regard Aa'isha R.A. narrates that a man came to Rasulullaah SCW and said, "0 Rasulullaah SCW I love you more than my own self and more than my children. When I am in my house and think of you, I have no peace until I come to see you. Now that I think of my death and yours, I realise that you will be elevated amongst those occupying the highest positions in Jannah and I fear that I will never get to see you when I get to Jannah. Rasulullaah SCW gave no reply until Jibra'eel (Alaihissalam) came with the revelation of the verse: Those who obey Allaah and the Rasool will be (in the Aakhira) with those Ambiyaa, "Siddeeqeen", martyrs and righteous ones on whom Allaah has bestowed His bounties. These are indeed the best of companions. {Surah Nisaa, verse 69} Another narration from Abdullaah bin Abbaas R.A states that a man once approached Rasulullaah SCW saying, "0 Rasulullaah SCW I love you so much that whenever I think of you, I feel that I would die if I do not come to see you. It now occurs to me that I would be on a level lower than yours when I enter Jannah (and will be unable to see you). This grieves me terribly and I therefore wish to be on the samelevel as you." Rasulullaah SCW gave no reply until Allaah SWT revealed the verse: Those who obey Allaah and the Rasool will be (jn the Aakhira) with those Ambiyaa, "Siddeeqeen", martyrs and righteous ones on whom Allaah has bestowed His bounties. These are indeed the best of companions. {Surah Nisaa, verse 69} Rasulullaah SCW then called for the Sahabi and recited the verse to him.

Rasulullaah SCW asks Mu'aadh R.A. how he Felt and his Reply Anas bin Maalik R.A. narrates that when Mu'aadh bin Jabal R.A. arrived one day, Rasulullaah SCW asked him, "How do you feel this morning, 0 Mu'aadh?" Mu'aadh R.A. replied, "I feel like a true believer in Allaah." "Every statement requires substantiation," Rasulullaah SCW told him, "so how do you substantiate your statement?" "0 Nabi of Allaah!" Mu'aadh R.A. replied, "Every morning I feel that I will not see the evening and every evening I feel that I will never see the morning. Every time I take a step, I feel like I shall not be following it up with another and it is as if I can actually see every nation kneeling (on the Day of Qiyaamah), being called to their records of deeds with their Ambiyaa and the idols they worshipped. It is also as if I can actually see the punishment of the people of Jahannam and the rewards of the people of Jannah." Rasulullaah SCW commended him saying, "Youhave understood (the reality of Imaan) so now remain steadfast."

Sahabah dying thirsty for others Abu-jahm bin-Huzaifah(Radhiyallaho anho) narrates: "During the battle of Yarmuk, I went out in search of my cousin, who was in the forefront of the fight. I also took some water with me for him. I found him in the very thick of battle in the last throes of death. I advanced to help him with the little water I had. But, soon, another sorely wounded soldier beside him gave a groan, and my cousin averted his face, and beckoned me to take the water to that person first. I went to this other person with the water. He turned out to be Hishaam bin Abil Aas (Radhiyallaho anho). But I had hardly reached him, when there was heard the groan of yet another person lying not very far off. Hisham (Radhiyallaho anho) too motioned me in his direction. Alas, before I could approach him, he had breathed his last. I made all haste back to Hishaam and found him dead as well. Thereupon, I hurried as fast as I could to my cousin, and. lo! in the meantime he had also joined the other two. Many an incident of such self-denial and heroic sacrifice is recorded in the books of Hadith. This is the last word in self-sacrifice, that each dying person should forego slaking his own thirst in favour of his other needy brother. May Allah bless their souls with His choicest favours for their sacrifice for others even at the time of death, when a person has seldom the sense to make a choice.

Ali (Radhiyallaho anho] passes by a grave: Kumail (Radhiyallaho anho) says: "I was with Ali (Radhiyallaho anho) once on a journey, when he reached an uninhabited place; he approached a grave and said: '0 you dwellers of the graves! 0 you who live amongst ruins! 0 you who live in the wilderness and solitude! How fare you in the other world? How has it gone with you there?' He continued: 'The news from our side is that all you did leave of the wealth and riches here has long been distributed; your children are orphans; your widows have long since remarried. Now let us hear about you.' He then turned to me: '0 Kumail! If they could speak, they would have informed us that the best provision for the Hereafter is Taqwa.' Tears swelled out of his eyes, as he added: '0 Kumail! The grave is a container of the deeds; but one realizes it only after death." Our good or bad actions are stored up in our graves. It is said in a Hadith that every person meets his good deeds in the grave in the person of an agreeable companion who befriends and consoles him there. But his wicked deeds assume hideous shapes emitting bad smells, which add to his misery. In another Hadith it is said: "Three things accompany a person to his grave viz: His wealth (as was the prevalent custom among the Arabs of the time), his relatives, and his deeds. His wealth and his relatives turn back after his burial, but his actions go in and stay with him in the grave." Once the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) asked the Sahabah: "Do you know in what relation your relatives, your wealth and your deeds stand to you?" The Sahabah expressed their desire to know about it. He replied: "It can be likened to a person having three brothers. When he is about to die he calls one of his brothers to him, and asks him: 'Brother! You know what plight is mine? What help can you render me at this juncture?' That brother replies: I shall call the doctor to you, to nurse you and attend upon you. And when you are dead, I shall bathe you, enshroud you, and carry you to the grave. Then I shall pray for you after you are buried. This brother is his kith and kin. He puts the same question to the second brother who delivers himself like this: 'I shall remain with you as long as you are alive. No sooner you are dead than I shall betake myself to someone else.' This brother is his wordly wealth. He then questions the last brother in the same strain, who responds: 'I shall not forsake you even in your grave; and I shall accompany you into that place of utter solitude. When your deeds are weighed in the balance, I shall forthwith lend my weight to the scale of your good deeds and weigh it down.' This brother is the personification of his good deeds. Now, tell me, which of the brothers you regard to be the most useful to the person?' The Sahabah replied: '0, Prophet of Allah! The last brother is really the most useful to him. There is no doubt about it. The other two brothers were of no avail."

Salaat of a Few Eminent Sahabah: Mujahid (Radhiyallaho anho), describing the Salaat of Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho), and that of Abdullah bin Zubair (Radhiyallaho anho) says: "They stood in Salaat motionless like pieces of wood stuck in the ground." 'Ulama agree that Abdullah bin Zubair (Radhivallaho anho) learnt to say his Salaat from Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho), who in turn learnt it direct from the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallarn). It is said about Abdullah bin Zubair (Radhiyallaho anho) that he remained in Sajdah for so long, and kept so motionless therein, that birdswould come and perch on his back. He would sometimes remain in Sajdah or Ruku' all night long. During an attack against him, a missile came and hit the wall of the musjid wherein he was saying his Salaat. A piece of masonry flew from the wall and passed in between his beard and throat. He neither cut short his. Salaat, nor was he the least perturbed. Once he was saying his Salaat while his son Hashim was sleeping near him. A snake fell from the ceiling and coiled round the child. The child woke up and shrieked, and the whole household gathered round him. They killed the snake after a great hue and cry. Ibne Zubair (Radhiyallaho anho), calm and quiet. remained engaged inhis Salaat all the while. When he had finished it, he said to his wife: "I heard some noise during my Salaat; what was that?" His wife exclaimed: "May Allah have mercy on you! The child's life was in danger, and you took least notice of it." His answer was: "Had I turned my attention to anything else, what would have remained of the Salaat?" 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) was stabbed at the close of his career, and this same wound caused his death. He bled profusely and remained unconscious for long intervals. But when he- was informed of the time of Salaat, he would perform it in that very condition, and say: "There is no portion in Islam for the person who discards Salaat." Uthman (Radhiyallaho anho) would remain in Salaat all night long, finishing the whole of the Qur'an in one rakaat. It is reported about Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallaho anho) that he would turn pale and tremble at the time of Salaat. Somebody asked him the reason, and he said: "It is the time to discharge that trust which Allah offered to the Heavens and the Earth and the hills, but they shrank from bearing it, and I have assumed it." Somebody asked Khalaf-bin-Ayub: "Do not the flies annoy you in your Salaat?" His answer was: "Even the sinful persons patiently bear the lashes of the government, to boast of their endurance afterwards. Why should I be made to skip about by mere flies when standing in the presence of my Lord?" Muslim bin Yasaar when he stood up for Salaat, said to members of his family: "You may keep on talking, I shall not be knowing what you talk." Somebody asked Haatim Asam as to how did he say his Salaat. He replied: "When the time for Salaat comes, I perform my Wudhu and go to the place where I have to say my Salaat. I sit down for some time, till all the parts of my body are relaxed. Then I stand up for Salaat, visualising the Ka'bah in front of me, imagining my feet upon the Bridge of Siraat, with Paradise to my right, and Hell to my left, and Izraa-eel close behind me, and thinking that it may be my last Salaat. Then I say my Salaat with full sincerity and devotion. And I finish my Salaat between fear and hope about its acceptance.

Sympathy & Self-Sacrifice The Sahabah, as a class, were an embodiment of righteousness. They attained a standard that is rather difficult to emulate in a modern society. We would be fortunate if we really attain even a partial resemblance to their character. Some of their qualities are peculiarly their own, and self sacrifice is one of these. Allah has made a mention of this in the Holy Qur'an in these words. "They prefer others above themselves, even though poverty become their lot. (Surah Al Hashr, 9)." Feeding the guest in darkness A Sahabi came to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and complained of hunger and distress. Just then the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had nothing in hand, or in his home to feed him. He asked the Sahabah: "Would anybody entertain him as a guest tonight on my behalf?" One of the Ansaar said: "0. Prophet of Allah. I will do that." The Ansari took the person to his house and instructed his wife: "Look here, this man is a guest of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). We will entertain him as best as we can, and won't spare anything in doing so," The wife replied: "By Allah! I have got no food in the house except a very little-something just enough for the children." The Ansari said: "You lull the children to sleep without feeding them. while I sit with the guest over the meagre meal. When we start eating put out the lamp pretending to set it right, so that the guest may not become aware of my not sharing the meal with him." The scheme worked out nicely, and the whole family, including the children, stayed hungry to enable the guest to eat to his fill. It was over this incident that Allah revealed the verse: "They prefer others above themselves, even though poverty become their lot. (Surah Al Hashr, 9)." There are quite a number of similar incidents about the Sahabah.