136.

Who is the most honoured one

) (
Prophet (p.b.u.h) was asked: who is the most respected
person? He (p.b.u.h) replied the one who is most righteous
and God fearing
Narrated by: Abu Huraira(r.a)

Recorded in: Sahih Bukhari

Explanation: The person regarded as dignified and

esteemed in this world is he who has hoards of worldly
wealth and treasures even though he might be atrocious,
shameless, a liar, not trust worthy and a thief.
On the other hand in an Islamic society only that person is
regarded as worthy of respect and honour, who saves himself
from wrong, who fears Allah in all matters, and measures
each step he takes, though he may lead a life of an ordinary
labourer or farmer.

137.The reality of God Consciousness

)(

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Narrated Abdulla ibn Umar (r.a), Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, Man

cannot attain righteousness unless he leaves all that which
instigates his heart.
Narrated by: Ibn Umar(r.a)

Recorded in: Sahih Bukhari

Explanation: God consciousness refers to that word or those

deeds which when said or done prick mans conscious and
make him refrain from it. This is in reality abstinence. Some
people have assumed that God consciousness is adopting a
particular way of appearance and way of life, a different way
of dressing like a beggar, which shows that man has
become God conscious, but in reality God consciousness is
that in all matters of life man protects himself (his clothes)
from the thorny bushes he passes by. Be cautious at every
step so that the thorn of disobedience of Allah does not prick
and hurt his pure and clean soul.

138. Sin - Two indications

- -

)
(

Narrated Nawaz bin Samaan (r.a.), I inquired the meaning of

virtue and vice from prophet (p.b.u.h). He replied, Virtue
is good conduct and vice is that which pricks your conscious
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and makes it restless, and that you do not prefer that it be

made public.
Narrated by: Nawaz bin Samaan (r.a)
Recorded in: Sahih Muslim, Tirmidhi
Explanation: Though righteousness may have several
meanings, in this hadith it is referring to dealing in a good
manner with the creations of God. Righteousness is that man
should deal with everyone (be he regarded as a common
man or an important person in the society) with equality,
speak in a dignified and considerate manner, speak the truth,
be straight forward and have control over anger. Deal with
parents in the best manner and attempt by all means to keep
them happy. One whose morals are not good and whose
character is doubtful can never be a righteous person.
Though Quran and Hadith have listed all that which is
regarded as sin, in order to explicitly expose an act of sin
prophet (p.b.u.h) has pointed out two very important
indicators by which a person would not be in any confusion
as to its identification.
First indicator is that, his heart does not feel content in doing
it rather he feels uncomfortable to do it and his conscious
pricks.
Second indicator is that, he does not dare to make public his
act and desires that this is not in the knowledge of the
people.
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139. The path to reward and punishment

) - (
Prophet (p.b.u.h) was asked, what is that the pursuit of which
would admit a person to paradise? He (p.b.u.h) replied, Fear
of Allah and good conduct. Then he was asked, what is that
indulgence which would push a person into fire? He (p.b.u.h)
replied, The mouth and the genitals.
Narrated by: Abu Hurairah (r.a)

Recorded in: Tirmidhi.

Explanation:
1. Fear of Allah - Refers to fulfilling the rights due to Allah.
The only way of fulfilling the rights due to Allah is by
worshipping Allah alone and not associating partners to
Him and enjoin all that which Allah has commanded him to
do and refrain from all those mistakes and sins which Allah
has forbidden.
2. Good Morals means to deal in a good manner with the
creations of God, the minimum that should be done in this
regard is none should be given trouble and the maximum
is that you deal good with those who deal badly with you.
The one who fulfills the rights of the creator and of the

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creations will definitely go to paradise by the grace of

Allah.
3. Mouth is the door for food to reach the stomach and in it
is the tongue, with which man converses. One whose
tongue is not in control and whose nourishment and
growth is from forbidden means
4. Who has no control over his private parts will definitely be
the fuel of the hell fire.
Having no control over the private parts, the tongue and
adopting forbidden means for nourishment and growth leads
to individual and collective detriment, chaos and spreading of
evil. What else can be the expected consequence of this
other than becoming the dweller of hell? In reality atrocity,
rejection, transgression, disobedience and sins in this world
bud from the evil tree; which is the uncontrolled use of the
tongue and the private parts.
The truth is that if the fear of God (fear of being accounted
for the deeds in the court of Allah) be upon man at all times
and in all actions he shall refrain from all sins and atrocities.
An uncaring attitude towards the Fear of Allah and uncaring
attitude is the root cause for all evil and atrocities.
Progress and victory of a society depends on its excellent
morals. On an individual basis a God fearing and wellmannered person is a living example of peace, contentment
and good. Who can be doubtful of that society being

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successful whose system was based on fear of God and good

manners?

140. Asceticism Against Sunnah

)
Narrated Anas bin Malik (r.a), a group of three men came to
the houses of the wives of the Prophet asking how the
Prophet (p.b.u.h) worshipped (Allah), and when they were
informed about that, they considered their worship
insufficient and said, "Where are we from the Prophet
(p.b.u.h) as his past and future sins have been forgiven." Then
one of them said, "I will offer the prayer throughout the night
forever." The other said, "I will fast throughout the year and
will not break my fast." The third said, "I will keep away from
women and will not marry forever." Allah's Apostle came to
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so? By Allah, I am more submissive to Allah and more afraid

of Him than you; yet I fast and break my fast, I do sleep and I
also marry women. So he, who does not follow my way
(sunnah) in religion, is not from me (not one of my
followers)."
Narrated by: Anas bin Malik (r.a) Recorded in: Sahih Bukhari
Explanation: In another narration it has been mentioned that
from among the questioners the first one said, that I shall not
eat meat, the second said, that I shall not sleep on the bed,
and the third said, that I shall not marry.
This was an inclination towards asceticism which the prophet
(p.b.u.h) crushed immediately. The way of life in Islam is not
based on complete materialism or complete asceticism
rather it is a system which has the best combination for the
needs of body and soul. This is what prophet (p.b.u.h) has
declared as his way of life (sunnah). There is no room for
asceticism in Islam. Sleeping on a bed, eating good food,
taking women in wedlock is not against righteousness and
godliness.

141.The reality of Repentance

4624 -

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Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, Seeking repentance for sins

committed means that man should refrain from repeating the
same sin again.
Narrated by: Ibn Masood (r.a) Recorded in: Musnad Ahmad
Explanation: It is impossible that a human being shall not
commit sins but persistently on committing sins is
transgression. A believer can be a sinner but cannot be a
transgressor. Committing sins deprives human being from
the status of being a slave of Allah hence upon committing a
sin man has to immediately turn to Allah to seek forgiveness.
Repentance (Taubah) means to turn to and incline to Allah.
Seeking repentance for sins means that man
acknowledges his mistake and refrains from the
disobedience of his Lord. His head humbles down in humility
and now he promises not to repeat this sin and affirms that
he shall remain grateful to God as he used to be before.
Just a verbal proclamation of forgiveness does not fulfill our
obligation rather forgiveness is an act by which the one who
seeks forgiveness for his sin refrains totally from such act,
feels sorry for it by all his heart and makes a firm resolution
not to do it ever again. And if the sin committed is of the
nature of oppression then it is not forgiven unless it is
compensated for. Compensation has several ways, for
example the oppressed be compensated with exactly that
which he had been deprived of; or recompensed in
equivalence of its value or that he seeks pardon from the
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oppressed and that he pardons the oppressor whole

heartedly.

142. Islam and Wrong doing

) -
- -
A companion by the name Marsad (r.a) used to free Muslim
captives from Mecca and take them to Medina. (In the days
of ignorance) he had friendship with an adulteress named
Inaq. Once he had promised a captive in Mecca that he
would free him and take him to Medina. Marsad (r.a) says
one moonlit night I went and stood by the shade of a wall in
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Mecca. Noticing me at the wall, she stopped and identified

me and asked, are you Marsad? I replied, Yes, I am Marsad.
She said, welcome, come and stay with me tonight. I (in reply
to her invitation) said, Inaq! Allah has forbidden adultery.
She called out. O People (of the tents) this man takes your
captives from here (arrest him so that he may not go) and
them eight people confronted me. I crossed qandama (a
mountain in Mecca) and hid in a cave. Those who followed
me came up to the mouth of the cave and also urinated
which fell on my head. Allah blinded them so they could not
see me and they returned there off. (After they left) I reached
my friend and took him to Asqar (a place near Mecca). (The
friend was heavy) I freed him of his handcuffs and carried
him until I reached Medina. He had tired me on this.
Narrated by: Marsad(r.a)
Recorded in: Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood, Nasai.
Explanation: Marsad (r.a) used to free the Muslim captives
of Mecca from the disbelievers and take them to Medina. In
the pre-Islamic period he had acquaintance with an
adulteress in Mecca. After he accepted Islam things changed
and it was the result of this Islamic character that even in the
darkness of the night it was the fear of Allah which did not
let him to succumb to passion.

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143. Character of a Believer

7441 -
Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: I am surprised at the decision of Allah
about the believers; the believer praises Allah when he
attains happiness and he is grateful to Allah. At times of
distress also he praises Allah and bears with patience (does
not panic). A believer is rewarded (by Allah) in every situation
so much so that he is rewarded for every morsel he feeds his
wife with.
Narrated by: Saad bin Abi Waqas (r.a)
Recorded in: Musnad Ahmad

Explanation: This promise and reward is for that believer

who submits to Allah openly and in secrecy. In matters of
worship, dealings, relationships, morals and collective life he
is obedient only to Allah and endeavors to seek Allahs
pleasure.

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144.Character of a Believer



-

Suhaib narrated that Allah's Messenger (p.b.u.h) said:

Wonderful is the case of a believer. There is good in
everything and it is for him alone. If he experiences a
blessing, he is grateful to Allah and that is good for him. If he
experiences an adversity, he is patient and that is also good
for him.
Narrated by: Shuaib (r.a)

Recorded in: Sahih Muslim.

Explanation: A believer is one who trusts only in Allah in all

his affairs and fears Allah alone. His hopes and wishes are all
pinned upon Allah. On attaining happiness, joy and
satisfaction he becomes totally grateful and has certainty
that all these abundance of blessings and bounties are a
Mercy from The Most Merciful God. Hence he does not pride
over the blessings and while using these blessings he strives
to ensure that the One Who has blessed him with these
blessings does not get angry with him.
Hardships and Loss of life & material does not demotivate
him. He does not panic upon any difficulty rather he remains
steadfast at every step in times of trials. He is particular
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about justice and truth. Assault of evil and the threats of

Satan do not suppress his faith in any way. He never
advertises his troubles and helplessness in conditions of
sickness, poverty, and losses rather with courage he tries to
change the situations of turmoil to ease, turns to Allah and
prays to Him seeking help. Hence he gets rewarded for being
thankful at times of happiness and being patient at times of
hardships.

145. Criterion for Good and Evil

)

A man asked prophet (p.b.u.h), how can I know whether the

deed that I have done is good or bad? Prophet (p.b.u.h)
replied, If your neighbors acknowledge that you have done a
good deed be certain that you have committed a good deed
and if your neighbors regard your deed as bad then you
should realize with certainty that you have done a bad deed.
Narrated by: Ibn Masood (r.a)
Recorded in: Musnad Ahmad, Mishkath.
Explanation: Common man can be deceived by outward
appearance, style and impressive speech and at times due to
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misconception man becomes a victim to such deceptions.

That is why prophet (p.b.u.h) has declared neighbor to be a
criterion to judge anyone as good or bad. For it is the
neighbor who can give an unprejudiced opinion as to one
being a good person or a bad person. The neighbor can
express how the morals of so and so are? How he is in
matters of dealings? Is he merciful or of bad nature and hard
hearted? How does he deal with the poor neighbors? The
biggest indicator of piety is that man should not consider his
poor relatives and the deprived and downtrodden neighbors
with heedlessness and not consider them very meager and
insignificant.

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