Hadith Concerning Zina (Fornication)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Allah has written the very portion of Zina which a man will indulge in. There will be no escape from it. The Zina of the eye is the (lustful) look, the Zina of the ears is the listening (to voluptuous songs or talk), the Zina of the tongue is (the licentious) speech, the Zina of the hand is the (lustful) grip, the Zina of the feet is the walking (to the place where he intends to commit Zina), the heart yearns and desires and the private parts approve all that or disapprove it." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "A man must not look at a man's private parts nor must a woman look at a woman's private parts; neither should two men lie naked under one cover, nor should two women lie naked under the same cover." [Muslim]

Jarir bin 'Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) about (the Islamic ruling on) accidental glance (i.e., at a woman one is not Islamically allowed to look at) and he ordered me to turn my eyes away. [Muslim]

"Abd-Allaah ibn Masood (RAA) said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW), Which sin is worst in the sight of Allah? He said, To make any rival to Allah, when He has created you. I asked, Then what? He said, To kill your child for fear that he will eat with you. I asked, Then what? He said, To commit zinaa with the wife of your neighbour." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

"Rasulullah (SAW) explained: If one of you were to be stabbed in the head with a piece of iron it would be better for him than if he were to touch a woman whom it is not permissible for him to touch." (Reported by al-Tabaraani; see also Saheeh al-Jaami, 5045)

Al-Bukhaari narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “No adulterer is a believer at the time when he is committing adultery; no thief is a believer at the time when he is stealing; no drinker of wine is a believer at the time when he is drinking it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Forbidding Fornication (Zina) in Islam

The worst sin that comes after shirk is fornication (zina). In Islam it means to have ill-legal relations with a person without being actually married to them. Fornication and adultery are loathed by Allah (SWT) and there are clear instructions in Quran to stay away from the revolting act.

  

"And those who invoke not any other god along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse (zina) and whoever does this shall receive the punishment. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace; except those who repent and believe and do righteous deeds, for those Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Quran Al-Furqaan: ayat #68-70)

"And come not near to unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a faahishah (a great sin) and an evil way." (Quran Al-Israa: ayah # 32)

The phrase “And come not near to unlawful sexual intercourse” is more expressive than merely saying ‘Do not commit zina’, because the meaning is, ‘Do not even come close to zina’ that is not doing any deed that may get close to zina or lead to it, such as being alone with a member of the opposite sex, touching, looking at someone with lustful eyes, going to evil places, speaking in a haraam manner to a woman to whom one is not related, thinking about and planning immoral acts, and so on.

"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from Zina illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or those whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful." (Quran Al-Israa, ayat #30 and 31).

Beware of Riya (Show-off)

Riya (Showing off) is an intention to gain peoples pleasure while doing religious deeds. It describes an action that is solely done to impress the people around oneself to gain their approval and superior status. In today’s society showing off has become a trend and a great majority of Muslims are naïve enough to follow it with open minds.  Showing off is just another trait in the character of arrogant. Islam prohibits riya. Riya has many types and forms, but whatever way done it has a tendency to invalidate the actions as stated in Quran and Sunnah. Spending wealth in the way of Allah, preaching religious knowledge and Quran, giving charity, being martyred or doing any deed with the intention to show off before people is wasteful. Such people do not believe in Allah and the Last Day. Allah, the Most High says:

"So woe to the worshippers, who are neglectful of their prayers. Those who want to be seen (by men)" [Soorah al-Maa`oon: 4-6]

"Like those who spened from their wealth to be seen by men, and they do not believe in Allaah and the Last Day. Their example is like the example of a hard rock on which is a little soil, then on it falls heavy rain which flows off it and they will not be able to do anything with whatever they have earned and Allaah does not guide the disbelieving people." [Soorah al-Baqarah: 264]

Jundub (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "He who so acts to show off, Allah will disgrace him on the Day of Resurrection, and he who does good deeds so that people (may hold him in high esteem), Allah will expose his hidden evil intentions before the people on the Day of Resurrection." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "A person who acquires (religious) knowledge, which is (normally) acquired to gain the Pleasure of Allah, (for the sole reason) to secure worldly comforts will not even smell the fragrance of Jannah on the Day of Resurrection (i.e., will not enter Jannah)." [Abu Dawud]

This ahadith show the consequences of different acts of show-off and informs us that such acts will be a cause of humiliation and disgrace on the Day of Judgment. A Muslim should be well aware of such a hideous act and try to eliminate it from their life’s as much as possible. 

The Seven Fatalities

Seven Fatalities

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Keep away from the seven fatalities." It was asked: "What are they, O Messenger of Allah?" He (PBUH) replied, "Associating anything with Allah in worship (i.e., committing an act of Shirk), sorcery, killing of one whom Allah has declared inviolable without a just cause, devouring the property of an orphan, the eating of usury (Riba), fleeing from the battlefield and accusing chaste believing women, who never even think of anything touching their chastity."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Ahadith on Treatment of Slaves

illtreatment of Slaves

Abu Ali Suwaid bin Muqarrin (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I was the seventh child of Banu Muqarrin and we had only one slave-girl. When the youngest of us once happened to slap her (on the face) the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) ordered us to set her free.

Abu Mas'ud Al-Badri (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I was beating my slave with a whip when I heard a voice behind me which said: "Abu Mas'ud! Bear in mind..." I did not recognize the voice for the intense anger I was in. Abu Mas'ud added: As he came near me, I found that he was the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) who was saying, "Abu Mas'ud! Bear in mind that Allah has more dominance upon you than you have upon your slave." Then I said: "I will never beat any slave in future."

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The expiation for beating or slapping a slave on the face for something he has not done is to set him free."

[Muslim]

Commentary

Islam stresses on the equality and proper treatment of slaves and servants. It is a serious crime to beat one's servant or slave or subject them to maltreatment. The expiation of this sin is to set the servant or slavefree. The ahadith above have shown evidence of stern warning for those who punish their slaves and servants without reason or far more than what they deserve. One is allowed to discipline one's servants in a suitable manner in which punishment does not exceed the nature of offense committed on their part. Another important thing to note in the second hadith is the aura of awe and majesty that characterizes the personality of the Prophet (PBUH). It also shows the eagerness of the Companions to fix their ways and obey the Prophet's commands.

Treating Animals with Kindness

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "A woman was punished in Hell because of a cat which she had confined until it died. She did not give it to eat or to drink when it was confined, nor did she free it so that it might eat the vermin of the earth."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: I happened to pass by some lads of the Quraish who had tied a bird at which they have been shooting arrows. Every arrow that they missed came into the possession of the owner of the bird. No sooner had they seen Ibn 'Umar, they dispersed. Thereupon, Ibn 'Umar said: "Who has done this? May Allah curse him who has done so. Verily, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has cursed anyone who makes a live thing the target (of one's marksmanship)."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saw an ass which had been branded on the face. He disapproved of it. Upon this Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said, "By Allah, I shall not brand (the animal) but on a part at a distance from the face." Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) then commanded branding on the hips; he was the first person to brand the animals on hips.

Commentary

It is compulsory for Muslims to treat animals with love and kindness. They should be given full care with respect to food and comfort. Being harsh to them is unlawful. It’s also considered a sin to pin down a living being to make it a target. One who does it is a cursed person. We learn from Hadith that if an animal is to be branded for identification, it should not be branded on the face.

Prohibition of two holding Secret Counsel to the Exclusion of Conversing together a Third

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"Secret counsels (conspiracies) are only from Shaitan (Satan)." (58:10)

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "In the presence of three people, two should not hold secret counsel, to the exclusion of the third."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When three of you are together, two of you must not converse privately ignoring the third till the number increases, lest the third should be grieved."
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The Hadith tell us that holding private counsel has been prohibited for the reason that it hurts the feelings of the Muslim who is ignored; and to hurt the feelings of a Muslim is a great sin indeed.

The Signs of a Hypocrite

'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Whosoever possesses these four characteristics is a sheer hypocrite; and anyone who possesses one of them possesses a characteristic of hypocrisy till he gives it up. These are: when he is entrusted with something, he proves dishonest; when he speaks, he tells a lie; when he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous; and when he quarrels, he behaves in very imprudent, evil, insulting manner."

Commentary

The hadith mentions four characteristics that if a person possesses is a sheer hypocrite and if he possesses any one of them then he will be regarded as a sort of hypocrite. It is required for a Muslim to abstain from showing evidence of such attributes in their characters. Excellence of character is engrossed with Faith. The nobility of character is perpetually reflected in Faith, and where there is no Faith there will be little to none distinction of character.The characteristics of a hypocrite are:

• Dishonesty
• Lying
• Treacherory
• Imprudent behaviour

Prohibition of Deriding one's Lineage and Bewailing the Deceased

Abu Hurairah (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Two matters are signs of disbelief on the part of those who indulge in them: Defaming and speaking evil of a person's lineage, and wailing over the dead."
[Muslim]

Commentary

Two sins mentioned in the Hadith are such that if a Muslim thinks them lawful and still commits them he will be not be integrated in the circle of Islam that he will be considered a kafir. The first sin is to defame someone's lineage means to disgrace or humiliate somebody by saying to him or to her: "Your father belongs to such and such profession" or "Your mother is such and such / so-and-so" or "You are a weaver, blacksmith, launderer, cobbler, etc.” Islam does not classify followers on the basis of race, color or cast. The status of a Muslim in the eyes of Allah is determined by the strength of faith, humbleness and piety. Therefore to speak evil of a person’s lineage and considering them from a lower category of human race is prohibited in Islam.

The second sin mentioned in the hadith is bewailing over the dead. It means weeping, crying and lamenting loudly over the deceased and expressing qualities and the problems that will arise due to his death. Such qualities are attributes and acts of the disbelievers and practices of the pre-Islamic period, or Jahiliyyah. Wailing causes trouble to the deceased in his grave as the hadith draw attention to it.

Umar bin Al-Khattab (RA) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The deceased is tortured in his grave for bewailing over him.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Pride

The disease of pride and arrogance is worst of all vices as it wipes a heart clean from goodness and piety. Pride attacks the faith and beliefs and directs a person away from the righteous path of religion. Pride leads to other spiritual maladies and vices which are four in number and mentioned below with ayahs:

-Pride deprives from truth and truthfulness. Allah turns the hearts of pride people away from his revelations and puts a seal over it thus blinding them from His verses. It is the worst condition as it totally robs from religions understanding.  

“I shall turn away from My revelations those who show pride in the world wrongfully.” (7.146)

“And in this way Allah does put a seal on every arrogant disdainful heart.” (40.35)

-The wrath and punishment of Allah fall on the jealous person. Allah has said:

“Certainly He does not love the proud ones.” (16:23)

It is narrated that Hazrat Moosa (AS) asked exalted Allah: “Oh my Lord! Who is the most deserving of your wrath and displeasure?” Allah Ta’aala told him:
“It is he whose heart is filled with pride and his tongue is filthy (i.e. Abusive), his eyes are devoid of shame, his hands are miserly and he is of bad conduct and character."

-Disgrace and ill-repute are the ultimate faith of a pride person. Allah does not cause the proud fellow to meet his death unless he is disgraced and dishonored by his own family, relatives and servants.

 -Burning in hell in the hereafter.

Ibn Mas'ud (RA) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The haughty, even with pride equal to a mustard seed in his heart, will not enter Jannah." A man enquired: "What about that a person likes fine dress and fine shoes?" He said: "Allah is Beautiful and likes beauty. Pride amounts to disclaiming truth out of self-esteem, and despising people.”

Prohibition of Rejoicing over another's Trouble

Wathilah bin Al-Asqa' (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Do not express pleasure at the misfortune of a (Muslim) brother lest Allah should bestow mercy upon him and make you suffer from a misfortune."
[At-Tirmidhi]

Commentary

Calamity, hardship or bad luck is sent by Allah. Allah Almighty can either revile a person with his mercy or make him suffer from a misfortune. It’s the nature of a true believer to feel unhappy when he sees a Muslim suffering, and rejoices on the happiness of his other fellows in Faith. However it is contrary to the conduct of a true believer to rejoice over the trouble of another Muslim as this attitude is very much disliked by Allah. But if a Muslim shows pleasure at the misfortune of a brother in distress then there is every possibility that Allah may punish such a person in this world and relieve the one who is in trouble.

Prohibition of Nurturing Rancor and Enmity

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion)." (49:10)

Anas bin Malik (RA) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Do not harbor grudge against one another, nor jealousy, nor enmity; and do not show your backs to one another; and become as fellow brothers and slaves of Allah. It is not lawful for a Muslim to avoid speaking with his brother beyond three days." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The gates of Jannah are opened on Mondays and Thursdays, and then every slave (of Allah) is granted forgiveness if he does not associate anything with Allah in worship. But the person in whose heart there is rancor against his (Muslim) brother, they will not be pardoned and with regard to them it will be said twice: 'Hold both of them until they are reconciled with each other."

Islam encourages benevolence and kindness towards fellow human beings. It teaches us to be compassionate. Harboring grudge and ill-will against one another is prohibited is Islam. Nor jealousy because it signifies that a certain Muslim when granted any blessing by Allah then the other wishes that the former be deprived of it. In the hadith "Do not show your backs to one another" means that if you come across one another, exchange salutations rather than avoid each other. Since all such things create quarrel and discord that are strictly forbidden in Islam. In situations of discord Muslims are required to forgive, resume their conversation and contacts after a maximum period of three days. Any extension beyond the specified period is prohibited. The Hadith also says that any mutual enmity, grudge and malice deprive a man from Jannah in the Hereafter.

Islamic Brotherhood

Islam is a religion of love and encourages strong, warm, rich and durable bonds of love and brotherhood between human beings which no other religion articulates. Islam advices it’s followers to develop love and affection between each other.  The entire world is a brotherhood of Allah’s people. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) preached and practiced brotherhood. Islam establishes human brotherhood on the basis of faith and preaches to respect the followers of other religions as well. According to Islam the whole human race originated from a pair of male and female so all have common grandparents and ancestor. This very fact unites every human to the other. Mankind is one common family which unfortunately disintegrated itself into race, cast and color. The common parentage between humans arises from Adam and Eve.

 

“O, mankind! Surely we have created you of a male and female and make you tribes and families that you know each other, surely the noblest among you unto Allah is one who fears him .Lo! Allah is Knower Aware” Al-Hujurat [49.13]

The above verse states the criteria for judgment in the sight of Allah does not depend on caste, color, creed, gender or wealth, but on Taqwa. Anyone who is righteous, pious and fears is honored in the sight of Allah. Allah describes the believers as being brother. He says

“The believers are but brothers” Al-Hujurat [49:10]

Along with Quranic verses there are many ahadith on the teachings of brother in Islam. Abu Musa reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying: A believer is like a building for another, the one part supporting the other. A building needs bricks and a strong foundation to stand but for that it needs the support of bricks therefore every brick should support one another to make the building tall and mighty.

Islamic concept of brotherhood is deep that ensures the well being and safety of the society. Muslim’s faith is dependant entirely on its behavior and attitude towards his Muslim brother. The Prophet said, “None of you is believer till he wishes for his brother what he likes for himself.” If a Muslim eats his full while ignoring the plight of a hungry neighbor then he is not a Muslim. Ibn Abbas (RA) reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying: the person who eats his full and the neighbor in his surroundings is hungry is not Muslim”. Brotherhood was established in Madina between the emigrants from Makkah (Muhajirin) and the helpers of Madina (Ansars). This brotherhood was definitely exceptional in the history of the world.

The Islamic concept of brotherhood is a blessing. The greatest asset of Muslims to overcome difficulties lies in being united. The enemies of Islam can only be united by standing one against them. The feeling of brotherhood is an essential prerequisite for unity and faith. May Allah help the Muslim Ummah to establish the true spirit of brotherhood by overcoming differences. Brotherhood can only be established by acting upon the teachings of the Holy Quran and Holy Prophet especially in this regard.

Raka'ats in Fardh Salat

Fajr: Two raka'at

It was narrated that Aishah said: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to pray eleven rak'ahs at night between finishing Isha' prayer and Fajr, apart from the two rak'ahs of Fajr, and he would prostrate for as long as it takes one of you to recite fifty verses. (Sahih)

Dhuhr: Four raka'at

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abi Qatada: My father said, "The Prophet (PBUH) uses to recite Al-Fatiha followed by another Sura in the first two rak'at of the prayer and used to recite only Al-Fatiha in the last two rak'at of the Zuhr prayer. Sometimes a verse or so was audible and he used to prolong the first rak'a more than the second and used to do the same in the `Asr and Fajr prayers." [Bukhari]

Asr: Four raka'at

Imran b. Husain reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said three rak'ahs of the 'Asr prayer and then got up and went to his apartment. A man possessing large arms stood up and said: Messenger of Allah, bias the player been shortened? He came out angrily, and said the rak'ah which he had omitted and then gave salutation. then performed two prostrations of forgetfulness and then gave salutation. [Muslim]

Maghrib: Three raka'at

Ibn Umar narrated: "I prayed with the Prophet both, while a resident and while traveling. So I prayed four for Zuhr with him as a resident, and two Rak'ah after it. I prayed two Rak'ah for Zuhr with him while traveling and two Rak'ah after it, and two Rak'ah for Asr, and he did not pray anything after it. Maghrib while a resident and traveling is the same; three Rak'ah, it is not decreased as a resident nor while traveling. It is Witr of the day, and after it are two Rak'ah." (Da'if) [Jami` at-Tirmidhi]

Isha': Four raka'at

Prohibition of False Testimony

Abu Bakrah (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Shall I not inform you of one of the gravest of the cardinal sins?" We said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah!" He (PBUH) said, "To join others as partners with Allah in worship and to be undutiful to one's parents." The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sat up from his reclining position (in order to stress the importance of what he was going to say) and added, "I warn you making a false statement and giving a false testimony. I warn you against making a false statement and giving a false testimony." The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) kept on repeating this (warning) till we wished he should stop.

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary

The contents of this Hadith mark the severity of making a false statement profusely clear. Like many major sins, the immorality of giving false testimony is very common among the present-day Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) repeated the warning many times until his companions wished he (SAW) would stop. The repetition signifies the prohibition of false testimony and the wish signifies the fear that invoked in the hearts of the prophets companions when they repeatedly heard it.

Prohibition of Calumny

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"A slanderer, going about with calumnies." (68:11)

"Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it)." (50:18)

Hudhaifah (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The person who goes about with calumnies will never enter Jannah." 
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Ibn 'Abbas (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed by two graves and said, "Both of them (the persons in these graves) are being tortured, and they are not being tortured for a cardinal sin. But indeed they are great sins. One of them used not to save himself from being soiled with his urine, and the other one used to go about with calumnies (among the people to rouse hostilities, e.g., one goes to a person and tells him that so-and-so says about him such and such evil things)." 
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Ibn Mas'ud (RA) said: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Shall I tell you what 'Al-'Adhu' (falsehood and slandering) is? It is calumny which is committed among the people." 
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary

As observed from above ayahs and ahadith calumny or tale bearing is prohibited in Islam. The punishment of such slanderous act is hell. Person, who practices calumny with the intention to create conflict and quarrel among people although knowing that it is unanimously forbidden, will never enter Janna. Same is the fate for a person who does it out of sheer human weakness, but if Allah forgives him he might be pardoned. The second hadith infers that calumny is a not a cardinal sin therefore the punishment related to it won’t be plain as well. The momentous retribution for this kind of sin is harsh punishment in grave.  Another sin pointed in the hadith is not passing urine in privacy but doing it shamelessly in the presence of other people. From the third hadith we learn that calumny, lying, falsehood and slandering are major sins because they cause clash and discord in society. A Muslim must keep himself free from such evils.