Hadith 222
Abu Musa (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي موسى رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم " المؤمن للمؤمن كالبنيان يشد بعضه بعضًا" وشبك بين أصابعه . ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The relationship of the believer with another believer is like (the bricks of) a building, each strengthens the other." He (ﷺ) illustrated this by interlacing the fingers of both his hands. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Believers are meant to relate to one another like bricks in a building, each one supporting and strengthening the next. The Prophet showed it by interlocking his fingers: a community that holds together.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 222 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 222
Hadith 223
Abu Musa (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
وعنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “من مر في شيء من مساجدنا، أو أسواقنا، ومعه نبل فليمسك، أو ليقبض على نصالها بكفه أن يصيب أحدًا من المسلمين منها بشيء” ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Whoever enters our mosque or passes through our market with arrows with him, he should hold them by their heads lest it should injure any of the Muslims". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Carry anything sharp, like arrows, by its head when passing through crowded places, so no one gets hurt. Even small precautions are part of keeping fellow believers safe.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 223 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 223
Hadith 224
Nu'man bin Bashir (May Allah bepleased with them) reported:
وعن النعمان بن بشير رضي الله عنهما قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم " مثل المؤمنين في توادهم وتراحمهم وتعاطفهم، مثل الجسد إذا اشتكى منه عضو تداعى له سائر الجسد بالسهر والحمى” ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The believers are like a single body in their care and compassion: when one part is in pain, the whole body feels it. Another's suffering should genuinely move us.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 224 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 224
Hadith 225
Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قبل النبي الحسن بن علي رضي الله عنهما، وعنده الأقرع بن حابس، فقال الأقرع: إن لي عشرة من الولد ما قبلت منهم أحدًا. فنظر إليه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: “من لا يرحم لا يرحم” ((متفق عليه)) .
The Prophet (ﷺ) kissed his grandson Al-Hasan bin 'Ali (May Allah bepleased with them) in the presence of Al-Aqra' bin Habis. Thereupon he remarked: "I have ten children and I have never kissed any one of them." Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) looked at him and said, "He who does not show mercy to others will not be shown mercy". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
When a man said he had never kissed any of his many children, the Prophet replied that whoever shows no mercy will receive no mercy. Tenderness toward others is tied to receiving Allah's tenderness.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 225 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 225
Hadith 226
'Aishah (May Allah bepleased with her) reported:
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: قدم ناس من الأعراب على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقالوا : أتقبلون صبيانكم؟ فقال: "نعم" قالوا: لكنا والله ما نقبل ! فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "أو أملك إن كان الله نزع من قلوبكم الرحمة؟" ((متفق عليه)) .
Some bedouins came to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and asked: "Do you kiss your children?" He said, "Yes". They then said: "By Allah, we do not kiss them." The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "I cannot help you if Allah has snatched kindness from your hearts". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Told that some people never kissed their children, the Prophet said he could do nothing if Allah had removed mercy from their hearts. Affection is a gift to be cherished, not suppressed.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 226 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 226
Hadith 227
Jarir bin 'Abdullah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
وعن جرير بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم " من لا يرحم الناس لا يرحمه الله " ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who is not merciful to people Allah will not be merciful to him." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Whoever is not merciful to people will not receive Allah's mercy. How we treat others shapes how we ourselves are treated by Allah.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 227 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 227
Hadith 228
Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه ، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "إذا صلى أحدكم للناس، فليخفف، فإن فيهم الضعيف والسقيم والكبير. وإذا صلى لنفسه فليطول ما شاء" ((متفق عليه)) . (10)
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When one of you leads the Salat, he should not prolong it because the congregation includes those who are feeble, ill or old". One version adds: "those who have to attend to work") While offering prayers alone, you may pray as long as you like". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Whoever leads the prayer should keep it reasonably short, since the congregation includes the weak, sick, elderly, and busy. Leadership means considering others' limits, though praying alone one may take as long as wished.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 228 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 228
Hadith 229
'Aishah (May Allah bepleased with her) reported:
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: إن كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ليدع العمل، وهو يحب أن يعمل به، خشية أن يعمل به الناس فيفرض عليهم" ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would sometimes abstain from doing something he wished to do, lest others should follow him and it might become obligatory upon them. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet would sometimes hold back from a good act he wished to do, out of care that people might copy him and find it made obligatory upon them. Leadership weighed the burden it might place on others.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 229 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 229
Hadith 230
'Aishah (May Allah bepleased with her) reported:
وعنها رضي الله عنها قالت: نهاهم النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الوصال رحمة لهم، فقالوا: إنك تواصل؟ قال: "إني لست كهيئتكم، إني أبيت يطعمني ربي ويسقيني " ((متفق عليه)). معناه يجعل في قوة من أكل وشرب.
The Prophet (ﷺ) prohibited his Companions out of mercy for them, from observing continuous fasting without a break. They said: "But you observe fast continuously". He replied, "I am not like you. I spend the night while my Rubb provides me with food and drink". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. (This means that Allah has bestowed upon him the power of endurance like that of a person who eats and drinks).
In plain words
Out of mercy, the Prophet told his Companions not to fast without breaking, explaining his own state was unlike theirs. Devotion should not be pushed past what one can bear.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 230 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 230
Hadith 231
Abu Qatadah Al-Harith bin Rib'i (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي قتادة الحارث بن ربعي رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "إني لأقوم إلى الصلاة، وأريد أن أطول فيها ، فأسمع بكاء الصبي، فأتجوز في صلاتي كراهية أن أشق على أمه" ((رواه البخاري)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "I stand up to lead Salat with the intention of prolonging it. Then I hear the crying of an infant and I shorten the Salat lest I should make it burdensome for his mother". [Al-Bukhari].
In plain words
The Prophet would shorten his prayer when he heard a baby crying, so as not to distress the mother. Even in worship, leaders make room for people's real circumstances.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 231 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 231
Hadith 232
Jundub bin Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن جندب بن عبد الله قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "من صلى صلاة الصبح فهو في ذمة الله فلا يطلبنكم الله من ذمته بشيء، فإنه من يطلبه من ذمته بشيء يدركه، ثم يكبه على وجهه في نار جهنم" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When anyone offers the Fajr (dawn) prayer, in congregation, he is in the Protection of Allah. So let not Allah call him to account, withdrawing, in any respect, His Protection. Because, He will get hold of him and throw him down on his face in the Hell-fire." [Muslim]
In plain words
Whoever prays the dawn prayer in congregation comes under Allah's protection, the Prophet says, so one should not act in a way that forfeits that safeguard. A reminder of the value of this prayer and of staying faithful to it.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 232 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 232
Hadith 233
Ibn 'Umar (May Allah bepleased with them) reported:
وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "المسلم أخو المسلم، لا يظلمه، ولايسلمه، من كان في حاجة أخيه كان الله في حاجته، ومن فرج عن مسلم كربة فرج الله عنه بها كربة من كرب يوم القيامة، ومن ستر مسلمًا ستره الله يوم القيامة" ((متفق عليه)) .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim. So he should not oppress him nor should he hand him over to (his satan or to his self which is inclined to evil). Whoever fulfills the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs; whoever removes the troubles of his brother, Allah will remove one of his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and whoever covers up the fault of a Muslim, Allah will cover up his fault on the Day of Resurrection". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
A Muslim is a brother to a Muslim: do not wrong him or abandon him. Whoever meets a brother's needs, eases his troubles, or conceals his faults will find Allah doing the same for him on the Day of Resurrection.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 233 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 233
Hadith 234
Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “المسلم أخو المسلم لا يخونه ولا يكذبه ولا يخذله، كل المسلم على المسلم حرام عرضه وماله ودمه، التقوى ههنا، بحسب امرئ من الشر أن يحقر أخاه المسلم” ((رواه الترمذي وقال :حديث حسن)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A Muslim is a brother to a Muslim. He should neither deceive him nor lie to him, nor leave him without assistance. Everything belonging to a Muslim is inviolable for a Muslim; his honour, his blood and property. Piety is here (and he pointed out to his chest thrice). It is enough for a Muslim to commit evil by despising his Muslim brother." [At- Tirmidhi, who categorized it as Hadith Hasan].
In plain words
A Muslim should not deceive, lie to, or desert a fellow Muslim, whose honour, blood, and property are sacred. The Prophet pointed to the heart as the seat of piety, and warned it is evil enough to look down on a believer.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 234 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 234
Hadith 235
Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
وعنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لا تحاسدوا، ولا تناجشوا، ولا تباغضوا، ولا تدابروا ولا يبع بعضكم على بيع بعض، وكونوا عباد الله إخوانًا. المسلم أخو المسلم: لا يظلمه ولا يحقره، ولا يخذله. التقوى ههنا- ويشير إلى صدره ثلاث مرات- بحسب امرئ من الشر أن يحقر أخاه المسلم كل المسلم على المسلم حرام دمه وماله وعرضه” ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do not envy one another; do not inflate prices by overbidding against one another; do not hate one another; do not harbour malice against one another; and do not enter into commercial transaction when others have entered into that (transaction); but be you, O slaves of Allah, as brothers. A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim; he neither oppresses him nor does he look down upon him, nor does he humiliate him. Piety is here, (and he pointed to his chest three times). It is enough evil for a Muslim to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother-in-faith: his blood, his property and his honour". [Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet lists ways believers harm one another, envy, manipulating prices, hatred, malice, undercutting deals, and calls them to be brothers instead. A Muslim does not oppress, belittle, or humiliate another, whose blood, property, and honour are inviolable.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 235 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 235
Hadith 236
Anas (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: " لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى يحب لأخيه ما يحب لنفسه" ((متفق عليه)) .
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "No one of you shall become a true believer until he desires for his brother what he desires for himself". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
No one's faith is complete until he wants for his fellow believer what he wants for himself. Genuine goodwill toward others is part of true belief.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 236 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 236
Hadith 237
Anas (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
وعنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “انصر أخاك ظالمًا أو مظلومًا” فقال رجل: يا رسول الله أنصره إذا كان مظلومًا أرأيت إن كان ظالمًا كيف أنصره؟ قال: "تحجزه -أو تمنعه- من الظلم فإن ذلك نصره” ((رواه البخاري)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed". A man enquired: "O Messenger of Allah! I help him when he is oppressed, but how can I help him when he is an oppressor?" He (ﷺ) said, "You can keep him from committing oppression. That will be your help to him". [Al-Bukhari].
In plain words
Help your brother whether he is wronged or doing wrong. Asked how to help a wrongdoer, the Prophet said: by stopping him from his wrong. Real help sometimes means restraining someone, for their own sake.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 237 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 237
Hadith 238
Abu Hurairah (May Allah bepleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "حق المسلم على المسلم خمس: رد السلام، وعيادة المريض، واتباع الجنائز وإجابة الدعوة، وتشميت العاطس" ((متفق عليه)) . و في رواية لمسلم: "حق المسلم على المسلم ست: اذا لقيته فسلم عليه، و اذا دعاك فأجبه، و اذا استنصحك فانصح له، و اذا عطس فحمد الله فشمته، و اذا مرض فعده، و اذا مات فاتبعه."
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A believer owes another believer five rights: responding to greetings, visiting him in illness, following his funeral, accepting his invitation, and saying 'Yarhamuk-Allah (May Allah have mercy on you),' when he says 'Al-hamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah)' after sneezing". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Muslim's narration is, "There are six rights of a Muslim upon a Muslim: When you meet him, greet him; when he invites you, respond to him; when he seeks counsel, give him advice; when he sneezes and praises Allah, say to him: 'May Allah have mercy on you (Yarhamuk-Allah)'; when he is sick, visit him; and when he dies, follow his funeral".
In plain words
The Prophet lists rights a believer owes another: returning greetings, visiting the sick, attending funerals, accepting invitations, and responding to a sneezer who praises Allah. Another version adds giving sincere advice when asked. Brotherhood lives in these everyday acts.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 238 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 238
Hadith 239
Al-Bara' bin 'Azib (May Allah bepleased with them) reported:
وعن أبي عمارة البراء بن عازب رضي الله عنهما قال: أمرنا رسول الله r بسبع، ونهانا عن سبع: أمرنا بعيادة المريض، واتباع الجنازة، وتشميت العاطس، وإبرار المقسم، ونصر المظلوم، وإجابة الداعي، وإفشاء السلام. ونهانا عن خواتيم أو تختم بالذهب ، وعن شرب بالفضة، وعن المياثر الحمر، وعن القسي، وعن لبس الحرير والإستبرق والديباج. ((متفق عليه)) .
The Prophet (ﷺ) commanded us to observe seven things and forbade us seven. He ordered us to visit the sick; to follow funeral processions; to respond to a sneezer with 'Yarhamuk-Allah (May Allah have mercy on you)' when he says 'Al-hamdu lillah (Praise be to Allah),' to help the oppressed and to help others to fulfill their oaths, to accept invitation and to promote greeting. He forbade us to wear gold rings, to drink in silver utensils, to use Mayathir (silk carpets placed on saddles), to wear Al-Qassiy (a kind of silk cloth), and to wear fine silk brocade. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet commanded a set of good acts, including visiting the sick, joining funerals, helping the wronged, accepting invitations, and spreading greetings, and forbade certain luxuries such as gold rings and fine silk. A simple charter for communal kindness.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 239 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 239