Hadith 312
'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
عن أبي عبد الرحمن عبد الله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال: سألت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : أي العمل أحب إلى الله تعالى؟ قال " الصلاة على وقتها" قلت: ثم أي؟ قال: " بر الوالدين" قلت: ثم أي؟ قال: " الجهاد في سبيل الله" ((متفق عليه)).
I asked the Prophet (ﷺ), "Which of the deeds is loved most by Allah?" Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Salat at its proper time." I asked, ''What next?" He (ﷺ) replied, ''Kindness to parents." I asked, ''What next?" He replied, ''Jihad in the way of Allah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Asked which deeds Allah loves most, the Prophet (peace be upon him) named prayer at its time, then kindness to parents, then striving in Allah's cause.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 312 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 312
Hadith 313
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "لاَ يَجْزِي وَلَدٌ وَالِدًا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَجِدَهُ مَمْلُوكًا فَيَشْتَرِيَهُ فَيُعْتِقَهُ" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "No son can repay (the kindness shown by his father) unless he finds him a slave and buys him and emancipates him". [Muslim].
In plain words
A child can hardly repay a parent's kindness, the only example given being to free a parent from slavery, showing how great a debt we owe them.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 313 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 313
Hadith 314
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه أيضاً أن رسول الله قَالَ : « مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ باللهِ وَاليَومِ الآخِرِ ، فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ باللهِ وَاليَومِ الآخِرِ ، فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللهِ وَاليَومِ الآخِرِ ، فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْراً أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ » . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ .
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be hospitable to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain good the ties of blood relationship; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, must speak good or remain silent". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Faith in Allah and the Last Day shows itself in welcoming guests, keeping family ties, and speaking good or staying silent.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 314 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 314
Hadith 315
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " إن الله تعالى خلق الخلق حتى إذا فرغ منهم قامت الرحم، فقالت: هذا مقام العائذ بك من القطيعة، قال: نعم أما ترضين أن أصل من وصلك، وأقطع من قطعك؟ قالت: بلى، قال: فذلك لك، ثم قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " اقرءوا إن شئتم: (فهل عسيتم إن توليتم أن تفسدوا في الأرض وتقطعوا أرحامكم. أولئك الذين لعنهم الله فأصمهم وأعمى أبصارهم) [محمد: 22،32 ] ((متفق عليه)). وفي رواية للبخاري: فقال الله تعالى: " من وصلك، وصلته، ومن قطعك، قطعته".
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah created all the creatures and when He finished the task of His creation, Ar-Rahm (ties of relationship) said: '(O Allah) at this place I seek refuge with You against severing my ties.' Allah said: 'That I treat with kindness those who treat you with kindness and sever ties with those who sever ties with you.' It said: 'I am satisfied.' Allah said: 'Then this is yours". Then Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Recite this Ayah if you like: 'Would you then, if you were given the authority, do mischief in the land, and sever your ties of kinship? Such are they whom Allah has cursed, so that He has made them deaf and blinded their sight". (:,). [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. The words in Al-Bukhari are: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah (SWT) says: 'He who maintains good ties with you, I maintain good ties with him; and he who severs your ties, I sever ties with him".
In plain words
Family ties hold a special place with Allah: He keeps connection with those who keep their kinship and cuts off those who sever it.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 315 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 315
Hadith 316
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه رضي الله عنه قال: جاء رجل إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: يا رسول الله من أحق الناس بحسن صحابتي؟ قال: " أمك" قال: ثم من؟ قال: " أمك" قال: ثم من؟ قال: "أمك" قال: ثم من؟ قال: " أبوك" ((متفق عليه)). وفي رواية: يارسول الله من أحق بحسن الصحبة؟ قال: " أمك، ثم أمك، ثم أمك، ثم أباك، ثم أدناك أدناك".
A person came to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and asked, "Who among people is most deserving of my fine treatment?" He (ﷺ) said, "Your mother". He again asked, ''Who next?" "Your mother", the Prophet (ﷺ) replied again. He asked, "Who next?" He (the Prophet (ﷺ)) said again, "Your mother." He again asked, "Then who?" Thereupon he (ﷺ) said," Then your father." In another narration: "O Messenger of Allah! Who is most deserving of my fine treatment?" He (ﷺ) said, "Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then your nearest, then nearest". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Asked who most deserves good treatment, the Prophet (peace be upon him) named the mother three times before the father, underlining her great claim on our care.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 316 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 316
Hadith 317
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: " رغم أنف، ثم رغم أنف، ثم رغم أنف من أدرك أبويه عند الكبر، أحدهما أو كليهما، فلم يدخل الجنة" ((رواه مسلم))
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced! May he be disgraced, whose parents, one or both, attain old age during his life time, and he does not enter Jannah (by rendering being dutiful to them)". [Muslim].
In plain words
It is a grave loss to have an aged parent and fail to earn Paradise by serving them, so dutiful care of elderly parents is a precious chance for reward.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 317 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 317
Hadith 318
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه أن رجلاً قَالَ : يَا رَسُول الله ! إنّ لِي قَرابةً أصِلُهُمْ وَيَقْطَعُوني ، وَأُحْسِنُ إلَيْهِمْ وَيُسِيئُونَ إلَيَّ ، وَأحْلَمُ عَنْهُمْ وَيَجْهَلُونَ عَلَيَّ ، فَقَالَ : " لَئِنْ كُنْتَ كَمَا قُلْتَ ، فَكأنَّمَا تُسِفُّهُمْ الْمَلَّ ، وَلا يَزَالُ مَعَكَ مِنَ اللهِ ظَهِيرٌ عَلَيْهِمْ مَا دُمْتَ عَلَى ذلِكَ " . ((رواه مسلم)).
A man said to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "I have relatives with whom I try to keep the ties of relationship but they sever relations with me; and whom I treat kindly but they treat me badly, I am gentle with them but they are rough to me." He (ﷺ) replied, "If you are as you say, it is as if you are feeding them hot ashes, and you will be with a supporter against them from Allah as long as you continue to do so". [Muslim].
In plain words
If you keep ties and treat relatives well even when they wrong you, you stand in the right and Allah remains your support against them.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 318 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 318
Hadith 319
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: " من أحب أن يبسط له في رزقه، وينسأ له في أثره، فليصل رحمه" ((متفق عليه)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who desires ample provisions and his life be prolonged, should maintain good ties with his blood relations". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Keeping good relations with one's relatives is linked to ample provision and a longer, more blessed life.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 319 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 319
Hadith 320
Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعنه قال: كان أبو طلحة أكثر الأنصار بالمدينة مالاً من نخل، وكان أحب أمواله إليه بيرحاء، وكانت مستقبلة المسجد، وكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يدخلها، ويشرب من ماء فيها طيب، فلما نزلت هذه الآية: {لن تنالوا البر حتى تنفقوا مما تحبون} ((آل عمران: 92)) قام أبو طلحة إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال: يا رسول الله إن الله تبارك وتعالى يقول: {لن تنالوا البر حتى تنفقوا مما تحبون} وإن أحب مالي إلي بيرحاء، وإنها صدقة لله تعالى، وأرجو برها وذخرها عند الله تعالى، فضعها يا رسول الله حيث أراك الله. فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "بخ! ذلك مال رابح، وذلك مال رابح! وقد سمعت ما قلت، وإني أرى أن تجعلها في الأقربين" فقال أبو طلحة: أفعل يا رسول الله، فقسمها أبو طلحة في أقاربه وبني عمه. ((متفق عليه)). وسبق بيان ألفاظه في: باب الإنفاق مما يحب.
Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) was the richest among the Ansar of Al-Madinah and possessed the largest property; and among his possessions what he loved most was his garden known as Bairuha' which was opposite the mosque, and Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) often visited it and drank from its fresh water. When this ayah was revealed: "By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness - here it means Allah's reward, i.e., Jannah), unless you spend (in Allah's Cause) of that which you love," (:). Abu Talhah came to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and said: "Allah says in His Book: 'By no means shall you attain Al-Birr, unless you spend (in Allah's Cause) of that which you love,' and the dearest of my property is Bairuha' so I have given it as Sadaqah (charity) for Allah's sake, and I anticipate its reward with Him; so spend it, O Messenger of Allah, as Allah guides you". Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Well-done! That is profitable property. I have heard what you have said, but I think you should spend it on your nearest relatives." So Abu Talhah distributed it among his nearest relatives and cousins. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Hearing the verse that righteousness comes through giving what one loves, a companion gave his dearest property, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) advised him to give it to his relatives.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 320 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 320
Hadith 321
'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنهما قال: أقبل رجل إلى نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقال: أبايعك على الهجرة والجهاد أبتغي الأجر من الله تعالى. قال: "فهل لك من والديك أحد حي؟" قال: نعم بل كلاهما قال: "فتبتغي الأجر من الله تعالى؟" قال: نعم. قال "فارجع إلى والديك، فأحسن صحبتهما" ((متفق عليه. وهذا لفظ مسلم)). وفي رواية لهما: جاء رجل فاستأذنه في الجهاد فقال "أحي والداك؟ قال: نعم، قال: "ففيهما فجاهد".
A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) of Allah and said, "I swear allegiance to you for emigration and Jihad, seeking reward from Allah." He (ﷺ) said, "Is any of your parents alive?" He said, "Yes, both of them are alive." He (ﷺ) then asked, "Do you want to seek reward from Allah?" He replied in the affirmative. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Go back to your parents and keep good company with them". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. In another narration it is reported that a person came to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and sought his permission to participate in Jihad. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked, "Are your parents alive?" He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet a(ﷺ) said, "(You should) consider their service as Jihad."
In plain words
A man eager to emigrate and strive was told to return and serve his living parents, since caring for them is itself a great act of devotion.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 321 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 321
Hadith 322
'Abdullah bin 'Amr Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعنه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "ليس الواصل بالمكافئ ولكن الواصل الذي إذا قَطَعت رحمُه وصلها" ((رواه البخاري)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The person who perfectly maintains the ties of kinship is not the one who does it because he gets recompensed by his relatives (for being kind and good to them), but the one who truly maintains the bonds of kinship is the one who persists in doing so even though the latter has severed the ties of kinship with him". [Al-Bukhari].
In plain words
The one who truly upholds kinship is not who merely returns kindness, but who keeps connecting even with relatives who have cut him off.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 322 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 322
Hadith 323
'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
وعن عائشة قالت: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "الرحم معلقة بالعرش تقول: من وصلني، وصله الله، ومن قطعني، قطعه الله" ((متفق عليه)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The bond of relationship is suspending from the Throne, and says: 'He who keeps good relations with me, Allah will keep connection with him, but whosoever severs relations with me, Allah will sever connection with him". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The bond of kinship is honoured by Allah Himself: He stays connected to whoever keeps it and severs ties with whoever breaks it.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 323 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 323
Hadith 324
وعن أم المؤمنين ميمونة بنت الحارث رضي الله عنها أنها أعتقت وليدة ولم تستأذن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، فلما كان يومها الذي يدور عليها فيه، قالت: أشعرت يا رسول الله أني أعتقت وليدتي؟ قال: "أو فعلت؟" قالت: نعم. قال: "أما إنك لو أعطيتها أخوالك كان أعظم لأجرك" ((متفق عليه)).
It has been narrated that Maimuna bint Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with her) had set free a slave-girl without the Prophet's permission. When her turn came (the Prophet (ﷺ) used to visit his wives in turns), she made mention of that to him saying, "Did you know I have set slave-girl free?" He said, "Have you, indeed?" She replied, "Yes". He (ﷺ) then remarked, "Had you given her to your maternal uncles, you would have your reward increased". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Told that giving her freed slave-girl to her relatives would have brought more reward, this shows that kindness directed to kin earns a greater return.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 324 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 324
Hadith 325
Asma' bint Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with her) said:
وعن أسماء بنت أبي بكر الصديق رضي الله عنهما قالت: قدمت على أمي وهي مشركة في عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فاستفتيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قلت: قدمت علي أمي وهي راغبة، أفأصل أمي؟ قال: "نعم صلي أمك" ((متفق عليه)).
My mother came to me while she was still a polytheist, so I asked Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), "My mother, who is ill-disposed to Islam, has come to visit me. Shall I maintain relations with her?" He (ﷺ) replied, "Yes, maintain relations with your mother". [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Asked about a mother who rejected Islam, the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed that ties with her still be kept, so kindness to parents endures across differences of faith.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 325 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 325
Hadith 326
Zainab Ath-Thaqafiyah (May Allah be pleased with her) the wife of 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن زينب الثقفية امرأة عبد الله بن مسعود رضي الله عنه وعنها قالت: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "تصدقن يا معشر النساء ولو من حليكن" قالت: فرجعت إلى عبد الله بن مسعود فقلت له: إنك رجل خفيف ذات اليد وإن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قد أمرنا بالصدقة فأته، فاسأله، فإن كان ذلك يجزئ عني وإلا صرفتها إلى غيركم. فقال عبد الله: بل ائتيه أنت، فانطلقت، فإذا امرأة من الأنصار بباب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حاجتي حاجتها، وكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قد ألقيت عليه المهابة، فخرج علينا بلال، فقلنا له: ائت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فأخبره أن امرأتين بالباب تسألانك: أتجزئ الصدقة عنهما على أزواجهما وعلى أيتام في حجورهما؟ ولا تخبره من نحن، فدخل على أزواجهما وعلى أيتام في حجورهما؟ ولا تخبره من نحن، فدخل بلال على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فسأله، فقال له رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "من هما؟" قال: امرأة من الأنصار وزينب. فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "أي الزيانب هي ؟" قال: امرأة عبد الله، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "لهما أجران: أجر القرابة وأجر الصدقة" ((متفق عليه)).
When Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) told the women that they should give Sadaqah (charity), even if it should be some of their jewellery, I returned to 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud and said, "You are a man who does not possess much, and Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) has commanded us to give Sadaqah. So go and ask him if giving to you will serve the purpose; otherwise, I shall give it to someone else." He asked me that I should better go myself. I went and found a woman of the Ansar at the door of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), waiting to ask a similar question as mine. The Prophet (ﷺ) was endowed with dignity, and so we could not go in. When Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him) came out to us, we said to him: "Go to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and tell him that there are two women at the door who have come to ask him whether it will serve them to give Sadaqah to their husbands and to orphans who are in their charge, but do not tell him who we are. Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him) went in and asked him, and Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked him who the women were. When he told him that they were a woman of the Ansar and Zainab, he asked him which Zainab it was, and when he was told it was the wife of 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud, he (ﷺ) said, "They will have a double reward, one for maintaining the ties of kinship and another for Sadaqah". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Giving charity to a needy husband and dependent orphans in one's care brings a double reward: one for charity and one for upholding family ties.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 326 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 326
Hadith 327
Abu Sufyan Sakhr bin Harb (May Allah be pleased with him) mentioned Heraclius in a long Hadith and said:
وعن أبي سفيان صخر بن حرب رضي الله عنه في حديثه الطويل في قصة هرقل أن هرقل قال لأبي سفيان: فماذا يأمركم به؟ يعني النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: قلت: يقول: "اعبدوا الله وحده، ولا تشركوا به شيئًا، واتركوا ما يقول آباؤكم، ويأمرنا بالصلاة، والصدق، والعفاف، والصلة" ((متفق عليه)).
Heraclius asked me, "What does this Prophet (ﷺ) teach you?" I said, "He orders us to worship Allah Alone and not to associate a thing with Him in worship, to discard what our ancestors said, to perform the Salat (prayer), speak the truth, and maintain the ties of kinship". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Among the teachings reported to a foreign king were worshipping Allah alone, truthfulness, prayer, and keeping the ties of kinship.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 327 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 327
Hadith 328
Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي ذر رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "إنكم ستفتحون أرضًا يذكر فيها القيراط". وفي رواية: "ستفتحون مصر وهي أرض يسمى فيها القيراط، فاستوصوا بأهلها خيرًا، فإن لهم ذمة ورحمًا". وفي رواية: "فإذا افتتحتموها، فأحسنوا إلى أهلها، فإن لهم ذمة ورحمًا" أو قال: "ذمة وصهرًا" ((رواه مسلم)).
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "You will soon conquer a land where people deal with Qirat." And according to another version: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "You will soon conquer Egypt where Al-Qirat is frequently mentioned. So when you conquer it, treat its inhabitants well. For there lies upon you the responsibility because of blood ties or relationship (with them)". [Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet (peace be upon him) urged that the people of a land they would conquer be treated well, noting a bond of kinship that placed a duty of care upon them.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 328 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 328
Hadith 329
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: لما نزلت هذه الآية: (وأنذر عشيرتك الأقربين) ((الشعراء: 214)) دعا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قريشًا، فاجتمعوا فعم، وخص وقال: "يا بني عبد شمس، يا بني كعب بن لؤي، أنقذوا أنفسكم من النار، يا بني مرة بن كعب، أنقذوا أنفسكم من النار، يا بني عبد مناف، أنقذوا أنفسكم من النار، يا بني هاشم أنقذوا أنفسكم من النار، يا بني عبد المطلب أنقذوا أنفسكم من النار، يا فاطمة أنقذي نفسك من النار، فإني لا أملك لكم من الله شيئًا، غير أن لكم رحما سأبلها ببلالها" ((رواه مسلم)).
When this Verse was revealed: "And warn your tribe (O Muhammad (ﷺ)) of near kindred". (:214) Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) called the Quraish; when they gathered, he said to them: "O sons of 'Abd Shams; O sons of Ka'b bin Lu'ai, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O sons of Murrah bin Ka'b, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O sons of 'Abd Manaf, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O sons of 'Abdul-Muttalib, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O Fatimah, rescue yourself from the Fire, for I have no power (to protect you) from Allah in anything except that I would sustain relationship with you". [Muslim].
In plain words
Even as he warned his own relatives to save themselves from the Fire, the Prophet (peace be upon him) affirmed he would keep the ties of kinship with them, while making clear he could not shield anyone from Allah.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 329 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 329
Hadith 330
Abu Abdullah 'Amr bin Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) said:
وعن أبي عبد الله عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنهما قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم جهارًا غير سر يقول: "إن آل بني فلان ليسوا بأوليائي، إنما وليي الله وصالح المؤمنين، ولكن لهم رحم أبلها ببلالها" ((متفق عليه. واللفظ البخاري)).
I heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying openly not secretly, "The family of so-and-so (i.e., Abu Talib) are not my supporters. My supporter is Allah and the righteous believing people. But they (that family) have kinship (Rahm) with whom I will maintain good the ties of kinship". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
True loyalty rests on faith, yet the Prophet (peace be upon him) still pledged to keep the bonds of kinship even with relatives who were not his supporters.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 330 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 330
Hadith 331
Abu Ayyub Khalid bin Zaid Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي أيوب خالد بن زيد الأنصاري رضي الله عنه أن رجلاً قال: يا رسول الله أخبرني بعمل يدخلني الجنة، ويباعدني من النار. فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "تعبد الله، ولاتشرك به شيئًا، وتقيم الصلاة، وتؤتي الزكاة، وتصل الرحم" ((متفق عليه)).
A man came to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said, "Direct me to a deed which will admit me to Jannah and take me away from the Fire". The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Worship Allah and associate no partner with Him, perform As-Salat, pay Zakat, and maintain the ties of kinship". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Asked for a deed leading to Paradise, the Prophet (peace be upon him) named worshipping Allah alone, prayer, charity, and keeping the ties of kinship.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 331 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 331
Hadith 332
Salman bin 'Amir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن سلمان بن عامر رضي الله عنه، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "إذا أفطر أحدكم، فليفطر على تمر، فإنه بركة، فإن لم يجد تمرًا، فالماء، فإنه طهور" وقال: "الصدقة على المسكين صدقة، وعلى ذي الرحم ثنتان: صدقة وصلة". ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When you break fast, you should do it with a date-fruit for there is blessing in it, and if you do not find a date- fruit, break it with water for it is pure." Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) added: "Charity towards a poor person is charity, and towards a relation is both charity and maintaining the ties (of kinship)". [At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan].
In plain words
Breaking fast is encouraged with a date, or water if none is found, and charity given to a relative counts twice: as charity and as upholding kinship.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 332 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 332
Hadith 333
Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما قال: كانت تحتي امرأة، وكنت أحبها، وكان عمر يكرهها، فقال لي: طلقها، فأبيت، فأتى عمر رضي الله عنه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، فذكر ذلك له، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "طلقها" . ((رواه أبو داود، والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح)).
I had a wife whom I loved but 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) disliked her. He asked me to divorce her and when I refused, 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) went to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and mentioned the matter to him. Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked me to divorce her. [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
When his father urged him to part from his wife, this companion was guided by the Prophet (peace be upon him) to heed his father, showing the weight given to a parent's word.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 333 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 333
Hadith 334
Abud-Darda' (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي الدرداء رضي الله عنه أن رجلاً أتاه فقال: إن لي امرأة وإن أمي تأمرني بطلاقها؟ فقال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول "الوالد أوسط أبواب الجنة، فإن شئت، فأضع ذلك الباب، أو أحفظه" ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح)).
A man came to me and said, "I have a wife whom my mother commands me to divorce". I replied him that I had heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "A parent is the best of the gates of Jannah; so if you wish, keep to the gate, or lose it." [At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan Sahih].
In plain words
A parent is described as one of the best gates to Paradise, so honouring a parent is among the surest paths to that gate.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 334 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 334
Hadith 335
Al-Bara' bin 'Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن البراء بن عازب رضي الله عنهما، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "الخالة بمنزلة الأم" ((رواه الترمذي وقال: حديث حسن صحيح)). وفي الباب أحاديث كثيرة في الصحيح مشهورة؛ ومنها حديث أصحاب الغار، وحديث جريج وقد سبقا، وأحاديث مشهورة في الصحيح حذفتها اختصارًا، ومن أهمها حديث عمرو بن عبسة رضي الله عنه الطويل المشتمل على جمل كثيرة من قواعد الإسلام وآدابه، وسأذكره بتمامه إن شاء الله تعالى في باب الرجاء، قال فيه: دخلت على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم بمكة، يعني في أول النبوة، فقلت له: ما أنت؟ قال: "نبي" فقلت: وما نبي؟ قال: "أرسلني الله تعالى" فقلت: بأي شيء أرسلك؟ قال: "أرسلني بصلة الأرحام، وكسر الأوثان، وأن يوحد الله لا يشرك به شيء" ((وذكر تمام الحديث. والله أعلم)).
I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying: "A mother's sister is equivalent to (real) mother (in status)". [At-Tirmidhi, who classified it as Hadith Hasan Sahih]
In plain words
A maternal aunt is to be treated with the standing of one's own mother, extending honour to close kin.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 335 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 335