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40 Hadiths for Raising Children

Raising the next generation – practical tips from the Sunnah


In a well-known hadīth, the Prophet (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said:

“Indeed each of you is a shepherd and each of you will be questioned regarding his flock. The
commander who is in authority over people is responsible and he will be questioned regarding his
responsibility. The man is responsible over the inhabitants of his house and he is the one who will
be questioned about them. The wife is responsible in her husband’s house and she will be
questioned about it. The servant is responsible regarding his master’s property, and he will be
questioned about it. Indeed each of you is a shepherd and each of you will be questioned about
his flock.”[1]

There is a clear distinction between the standard education process versus Islamic tarbiyah, the
latter encompassing a far wider scope, and being a responsibility tied to every person whom Allah
has granted some form of guardianship to—his or her flock.
This is undoubtedly a huge responsibility, which can be a great blessing and source of reward if
fulfilled correctly. Whilst there is a plethora of parenting or nurturing books and websites
available, what better place to look for practical guidance and solutions than the Sunnah of our
beloved Prophet (sallAllāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam)
There is a vast collection of ahādīth where we can learn from the tarbiyah given to the
Companions, both young and old, which cover the various dimensions of Islamic tarbiyah,
including:
 Intellectual development;
 Creedal development;
 Devotional development;
 Behavioural development;
 Skills development.
With these in mind, just over 40 narrations have been collected—most of which are reminders
for ourselves as parents to act upon first and foremost—whilst a handful are perhaps more story-
like to narrate to the children, although we still can certainly benefit from hearing and reflecting
upon them.
The famous hadith on actions being by their intentions has not been included as the focus is
specifically on outward actions that our children can learn from us through witnessing them in
action (and by hearing these narrations), but of course we always need to ensure we do
everything solely seeking the pleasure of Allāh.
We begin with narrations pertaining to creedal and devotional development, for we have not
been created by Allāh except to worship Him. As such, it is key to build love for our Lord, and
know that He alone is worthy of worship, as this is the basis for success in anything we do. Thus,
the first 14 narrations focus on the virtues of the obligatory and strongly recommended acts of
worship, including adhkār and developing a strong attachment to the Book of Allāh.
Nurturing devotion in children
1. A man came to Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬and said, “Direct me to a deed which will admit me to
Jannah and take me away from the Fire”. The Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “Worship Allah and
associate no partner with Him, perform the Salāh, pay Zakāh, and maintain the ties of
kinship.”[2]
2. The Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “The similitude of five prayers is like an overflowing river
passing by the gate of one of you in which he washes five times daily.”[3]
3. The Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬observed: The best of the deeds is the (observance of) prayer at its
proper time and kindness to the parents.[4]

These first three narrations may well contain information already well-known to many readers,
but if we pause and reflect upon them they are truly key to our success in this life and the next.
Through our strict observance of these acts, our children will learn of their importance and
necessity long before they need to start performing these themselves, and will eagerly await their
turn too, inshā’Allāh.
Next, we consider some of the virtues of acts beyond the obligatory prayers.

4. Allah’s Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “The prayer in congregation is twenty-seven times superior


to the prayer offered by a person alone.”[5]
5. Allah’s Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “The two rakʿāt at dawn are better than this world and what it
contains.”[6]
6. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “The key to Paradise is prayer; the key to prayer is wudu (ablution).”[7]
7. The Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “Whoever persists in praying twelve rakʿāt each day and night,
Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, will build for him a house in Paradise: four before Zuhr and two
after Zuhr, two rakʿāt after Maghrib, two rakʿāt after Isha’ and two rakʿāt before Fajr.”[8]
Often those who are just reaching the age where they start to pray find these more exciting than
the obligatory prayers themselves, given the amazing reward on offer, such as a house in
Paradise! The aim is to make these virtues understood early on and create a desire to attain them.
Regularly reading these beautiful ahādīth to our children once they are able to understand is
important, but additionally putting them into action ourselves is what will truly impact them
inshā’Allāh.
We then move on to instilling love for the Qur’ān.
8. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur’ān and
teach it.”[9]
9. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “To Allah belongs a special group of people.” It was asked, “Who are they,
O Messenger of Allah?” He (‫ )ﷺ‬replied, “They are the people of the Qur’ān; the people of Allah
and His select group of people.”[10]
10. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said: “Beautify the Qur’ān with your voices.”[11]
Some scholars mention that if one starts reciting Qur’an to their child only once they are born,
even that is an opportunity missed. Rather the child should be regularly hearing the Speech of
Allah recited from when they are in the wombs. Instilling love and appreciation for the Qur’ān
right from the beginning will inshā’Allāh make our children excited to spend time with it and
begin a long and fruitful journey reciting, memorising and pondering over its verses.
Again, these narrations can and should be mentioned to our children, but by acting upon them
and making our houses places where the Qur’ān is venerated, recited, reflected upon every single
day, is the best way of ensuring the message is received and appreciated.
Lastly, in this part of the collection, we conclude with the virtues of further supererogatory acts,
including dhikr, consistency in good deeds, and making duʿā in the last third of the night.
11. The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “There are two words which are dear to the Most Merciful, that are
and very light on the tongue (to say), but very heavy on the scales. They are: ”SubhānAllāh wa
bihamdihi” and ”SubhānAllāh al-ʿAdhīm“.[12]
12. The Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬was asked about the act most pleasing to Allah. He replied: “That
which is done continuously, even if it is small.”[13]
13. The Messenger of Allah (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more
loved to Me than the religious duties I have obligated upon him. And My servant continues to
draw near to me with nafl (supererogatory) deeds until I love him. When I love him, I am his
hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he
strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give
it to him; and were he to seek refuge with Me, I would surely grant him refuge.’”[14]
14. Allah’s Messenger (‫ )ﷺ‬said, “Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, descends every night to the
nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: “Is there anyone to invoke
Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his
request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?”[15]
From these 14 narrations, we remind ourselves of the countless blessings we have been given as
believers. By frequently reading them with our families, and reflecting and acting upon them with
sincerity, inshā’Allāh we will be able to nurture our children accordingly, leading to both ours and
their ultimate success. After all, a desire to draw close to Allāh is imprinted upon the fitra (innate,
natural disposition) of every child, and being informed of and reflecting upon ahādīth such as the
above will—with the tawfīq of Allāh—be like watering a healthy seed planted into fertile,
unpolluted soil.
In part 2, we look forward to reflecting over narrations pertaining to some of the other
dimensions of tarbiyah, with particular focus on behavioural development and good manners.
Source: www.islam21c.com
Notes:
[1] Al-Bukhari & Muslim, narrated by ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar
[2] Al-Bukhari & Muslim, on the authority of Abu Ayyub Khalid bin Zaid Al-Ansari
[3] Muslim, on the authority of Jabir b. ‘Abdullah
[4] Muslims, on the authority of ‘Abdullah
[5] Al-Bukhari, narrated by `Abdullah bin `Umar
[6] Muslim, on the authority of ‘A’isha
[7] Musnad Ahmad, narrated by Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah
[8] Al-Nasai, narrated by ‘A’isha
[9] Al-Bukhari, narrated by `Uthman
[10] Musnad Ahmad, reported by Anas
[11] Abu Dawud, narrated by Al-Bara’ ibn Azib
[12] Al-Bukhari, narrated by Abu Hurayrah
[13] Muslim, reported by ‘A’isha
[14] Al-Bukhari, narrated by Abu Hurayrah
[15] Al-Bukhari & Muslim, narrated by Abu Hurayrah

In part 1, we reflected over 14 aḥadīth of tarbawi benefit – each one teaching us the value and virtue of
taking certain practical steps, seeking creedal and devotional development of both ourselves and our
families.
In this second part, the tarbiyah focus lies in behavioural development, by encouraging good manners and
strengthening the bonds of brotherhood. Whilst perhaps the younger members of our families are less able
to implement some of the actions mentioned in the previous article, many of the narrations that follow can
be explained to and acted upon by any child capable of understanding. And as always – the first step is to
implement these ourselves.
The importance of good manners is heavily stressed throughout our history. Imām Mālik said:
“My mother would dress me up in the clothes of the scholars while I was still a young boy and she would tell me, ‘Go to the
Masjid and seek knowledge from Imām ar-Rabiʿah; study his manners before you take from his knowledge.’”
Another famous story involves his student, Imām Ash-Shafī’. He was once away from home for two years and
decided to return home to his mother. Upon arrival, he knocked on the door but before she opened, she
asked: “What are you coming back with?”
He immediately replied, “I have come with knowledge and manners.”
However this answer was not satisfactory to his mother and she refused to let him in, saying “Go back, for
you have not come back with anything.”
Of course Imām Ash-Shafi’ was surprised; having exerted so much effort seeking knowledge, as his mother
had wished for him. He decided to visit Imām Malik and explained what had happened.
Imām Malik, having had a similar upbringing, replied to him, “When you go back, tell her you have come back
with manners and knowledge”. Because good manners always comes before knowledge. Imām Ash-Shafi’
returned and answered in this way; upon this, his mother opened the door and took him into her embrace.
Any parent naturally appreciates being treated with good manners and seeing their children act with good
manners towards others. Its importance in Islām is paramount. Possessing a broad scope, encompassing
many different behaviours, we have selected just a few aspects of manners to mention here.

Nurturing good character in children


15. Rasūlullāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Nothing is weightier on the Scale of Deeds than one’s
good manners.”
This first narration is vitally important for so many aspects throughout our lives. From amongst the best
methods of calling others to Islām is for Muslims to be known for their good conduct and manners; let us try
our utmost to ensure our children appreciate the true value of good manners.
16. Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not disdain a good deed, (no matter how
small it may seem) even if it is your meeting with your (Muslim) brother with a cheerful face.”
17. ʿĀ’isha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanha) reported: I have never seen Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam)
laughing so heartily that his uvula could be seen. He used to smile only.
In these two narrations, we learn that simply having a cheerful face is a sadaqah and can be rewarded as
such. However, we balance this with the latter reminding us not to overdo it with excessive or unpleasant
laughing.
18. ʿUmar b. Abī Salama (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) said: I was a boy under the care of Allāh’s Messenger (sall
Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) and my hand used to go around the dish while I was eating. So Allāh’s Messenger
(sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said to me, ‘O boy! Mention the Name of Allāh and eat with your right hand,
and eat of the dish what is nearer to you.” Since then I have applied those instructions when eating.
19. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: “Part of the perfection of one’s Islām is his
leaving that which does not concern him.”
20. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Let he who believes in Allāh and the Last Day
speak good, or keep silent; and let he who believes in Allāh and the Last Day be generous to his neighbour;
and let he who believes in Allāh and the Last Day be generous to his guest.”
The two narrations above highlight some key elements of good manners. In current times when the world is
online and social media plays a big part in daily lives, it is especially important to adhere to the principle of
leaving that which does not concern us; as indulging in this leads to many social ills such as gossip, slander,
envy, and much more. Rather, we follow the guidance given to us in the second of these aḥadīth; speaking
good or remaining silent, and honouring our neighbours and guests. How many today even know their
neighbour’s name?
The next ḥadīth is also particularly relevant in current times when the concept of modesty (haya’) is all but
frowned upon. Both ourselves and our children should be regularly reminded of its virtue.
21. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Shyness does not bring anything except
good.”
22. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: “He is not of us who shows no mercy to our
young and one who does not acknowledge the honour due to elders.”
23. A man said to the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam), “Advise me!” The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa
sallam) said, “Do not become angry and furious.” The man asked (the same) again and again, and the
Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said in each case, “Do not become angry and furious.”
24. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Whoever gives up telling lies in support of a
false claim, a palace will be built for him in the outskirts of Paradise. Whoever gives up argument when he
is in the right, a palace will be built from him in the middle (of Paradise). And whoever had good behaviour,
a palace will be built for him in the highest reaches (of Paradise).’
There are many lessons covered in the three narrations above, to learn ourselves and to pass to our children.
In an age of constant debate and a longing for unity in the ummah, what a difference it would make if we
were able to leave an argument for the sake of wider benefit.
25. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: “Shall I inform you about the one for
whom the fire is forbidden? It is the one who draws near to the people, is easy going and gentle.”
Next we take a brief look at narrations pertaining to increasing brotherhood. In this day and age, where we
see much division and strife between the Muslims in many lands, we pray and hope that our children handle
their differences with greater wisdom. That same energy expended into arguing over differences could be a
force for good if channelled into increasing brotherhood.
Some narrations taught to us by our beloved Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) highlight the importance
of brotherhood and looking after each other.
26. The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: “None of you truly believes (in Allāh and in His
religion) until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
27. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: “Your smile to your brother is a sadaqah
(charitable act) for you. Your commanding the right and forbidding the wrong is a sadaqah. Your guiding a
man in the land of misguidance is a sadaqah for you. Your seeing (showing the way) for a man with bad
eyesight is a sadaqah for you. Your removing a stone or thorn or bone from the road is a sadaqah for you.
Your emptying your bucket of water into your brother’s (empty) bucket is a sadaqah for you.”
28. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Be slaves of Allāh and brothers [amongst
yourselves]. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim: he does not oppress him, nor does he fail him, nor does
he lie to him, nor does he hold him in contempt. Taqwa (piety) is right here [and he pointed to his chest
three times]. It is evil enough for a man to hold his Muslim brother in contempt. The whole of a Muslim is
inviolable for another Muslim: his blood, his property, and his honour.”
This ḥadīth yields much benefit to those who would reflect. Some of these points of reflection are detailed in
“Excelling through the Bond of Brotherhood”.
29. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden
from the burdens of the world, Allāh will relieve him of a burden from the burdens on the Day of Judgement.
And whoever helps ease a difficulty in the world, Allāh will grant him ease from a difficulty in the world and in
the Hereafter. And whoever covers (the faults of) a Muslim, Allāh will cover (his faults) for him in the world
and the Hereafter. And Allāh is engaged in helping the worshipper as long as the worshipper is engaged in
helping his brother.”
SubḥānAllāh – may Allāh give us the ability to act upon that which we learn. The need for us to cover the
faults of our brothers and aiding them in their times of need cannot be understated.
30. The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Envy is permitted only in two cases: A man whom
Allāh gives wealth, and he disposes of it rightfully, and a man to whom Allāh gives knowledge which he
applies and teaches it.”
31. Allāh’s Messenger (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: Six are the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim. It
was said to him: Allāh’s Messenger, what are these? Thereupon he replied: When you meet him, offer him
greetings; when he invites you to a feast accept it; when he seeks your council give it to him; when he
sneezes and says: “All praise is due to Allāh,” you say Yarḥamuk Allāh (may Allāh show mercy to you); when
he falls ill visit him; and when he dies follow his bier.
Whilst many of the narrations pertaining to good manners can easily be explained and read out to young
children, those regarding brotherhood could be considered a little more complex (in some cases). However,
the principles mentioned are clear and should be part of our daily lives, so much so that even if a younger
audience cannot understand them in words yet, they can still witness them in our own actions and inherently
develop this love for their brothers and sisters.
In the following article, we will reflect upon twelve more narrations of various tarbawi benefit inshāAllāh. We
ask Allāh to grant us the ability to receive tarbiyah through these narrations, put them into practice
ourselves, and bring up children upon them. Amīn.
Source: www.islam21c.com
Notes:
15. Al-Bukhari & Muslim, reported by Abu Darda
16. Muslim, reported by Abu Dharr
17. Al-Bukhari & Muslim
18. Al-Bukhari
19. Tirmidhi, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah
20. Al-Bukhari & Muslim, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah
21. Al-Bukhari & Muslim, reported by ‘Imran ibn Hussain
22. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud, narrated by ‘Amr Ibn Shu’aib, reported on the authority of his 
father who
heard it from his father
23. Al-Bukhari, narrated by Abu Hurayrah
24. Ibn Majah, reported by Anas Ibn Malik
25. Tirmidhi, reported by Ibn Masud
26. Al-Bukhari & Muslim, reported by Anas Ibn Malik
27. Tirmidhi, reported by Abu Dharr
28. Muslim, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah
29. Tirmidhi, reported by Abu Hurayrah
30. Al-Bukhari & Muslim, reported by Ibn Masud
31. Muslim, reported by Abu Hurayrah

We have thus far discussed aḥadīth pertaining to creedal, devotional and behavioural dimensions of Islamic
tarbiyah and mentioned the importance of reading these regularly, pondering over them, and putting them
into action ourselves – with the aim of pleasing our Rabb whilst instilling these values and principles in our
children.
Any parent wants the best for their child, that is, first and foremost, success in the Hereafter, and it is well
known that the old approach of “Do as I say, not as I do” is not only ineffective, but quite often counter-
productive.
The final part of this collection covers further narrations that we should reflect upon and strive to implement
their teachings in our daily lives. Some of these are related to the development of skills, others behavioural
development and others creedal. In reality, a number of these cover multiple dimensions of tarbiyah; such
was the brevity of the speech of our beloved Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam).
We begin with two aḥadīth related to strength:
32. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “A strong believer is better and dearer to
Allāh than a weak one, and both are good. Adhere to that which is beneficial for you. Keep asking Allāh for
help and do not refrain from it.”
33. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: “When any one of you sees anything that is
disapproved (of by Allāh), let him change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then let him change it
with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his heart, though that is the
weakest (kind of) faith.”
The first ḥadīth highlights the importance of our seeking strength as believers in all aspects, including physical
strength. When parents think about tarbiyah, we must not limit our focus to the spiritual side alone. Rather,
nurturing our children includes teaching them the need to eat healthily, exercise regularly, and gain physical
strength – for the sake of being more beloved to Allāh.
The strength referred to is also in terms of strength of faith and reliance upon Allāh, and this is further
touched upon in the second ḥadīth regarding stopping evil when we see it.
The next narration teaches us about the way to look at life; remembering to always be grateful for the good
we are blessed with and remaining patient in tougher times.
34. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: “How wonderful is the affair of the
believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to
him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience
and that is good for him.”
One of the salaf once said that no calamity befalls him except that he praises Allāh for not giving him a
greater calamity; for not allowing the calamity to affect his faith; for allowing him to have patience; and for
allowing him to attain reward for having patience. Allāhu Akbar! May we successfully raise our children to
possess this outlook.
35. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: “Have taqwa (fear) of Allāh wherever you
may be, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and behave well towards the
people.”
This ḥadīth teaches us of the need to have consciousness of Allāh wherever we are, at all times and in all
places, so that we may always fulfil His rights; to follow any shortfall or sin with a good act, so that we may
fulfil the rights of our own selves and not harm our Hereafter, and lastly; to behave well towards others so
that we may fulfil the rights of man. In three short sentences, we are taught all we need to look after the
rights of all, subḥānAllāh.
36. A person came to Allāh’s Messenger (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) and said: Who among the people
is most deserving of a fine treatment from my hand? He said: Your mother. He again said: Then who (is the
next one)? He said: Again it is your mother (who deserves the best treatment from you). He said: Then who
(is the next one)? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Again, it is your mother. He (again) said: Then who? Thereupon
he said: Then it is your father.
37. ʿAbd-Allāh b. Hishām (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) said: We were with the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam)
when he was holding the hand of ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb. ʿUmar said to him: “O Messenger of Allāh, you are
dearer to me than everything except my own self.” The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: “No, by
the One in Whose hand is my soul, not until I am dearer to you than your own self.” ʿUmar said to him:
“Now, by Allāh, you are dearer to me than my own self.” The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said:
“Now (you are a true believer), O ʿUmar.”
The two narrations above teach us who, from Allāh’s creation, our hearts should be most attached to. We
love the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) and seek to follow him in everything we do. By regularly
reading his sīrah and knowing his companions and their stories, we are inshāAllāh able to build a strong
attachment to him in our households. If we truly love someone, we must undoubtedly spend time learning
about him!
As for the one most deserving of love from those present in our lives, then, of course our amazing mothers
cannot be matched. This narration is well known and we all want our children to implement it towards their
own mothers (and fathers) – but let it be a reminder to us to honour our own parents and always treat them
with as much love and respect as possible.
38. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Allāh makes the way to Jannah easy for
him who treads the path in search of knowledge.”
39. The Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said, “Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a
single sentence, and tell others the stories of Banī Israel (which have been taught to you), for it is not sinful
to do so.”
These two stress the virtue of seeking (beneficial) knowledge and passing it on. We should aim to raise
children who have a passion for acquiring beneficial knowledge and putting it into action. As always, leading
by example is key and we should be cautious not to fall into thinking we may be too old to seek knowledge
ourselves – every one of us, at all ages, should be on a path of knowledge – at the very least spending time
learning the Qur’ān.
The ḥadīth below teaches us of the virtue of looking after orphans; something which those of us living in the
West have great opportunity to do through the number of charities offering orphan sponsorships. We must
do all we can to instil in our children the love of giving and helping those in need.
40. The Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said: “I and the sponsor of an orphan shall be
in Paradise like these two.” And he indicated with his fingers, meaning his index and his middle finger.
41. Allāh’s Messenger (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) is reported as saying: “He who called (people) to
righteousness, there would be reward (assured) for him like the rewards of those who adhered to it,
without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who called (people) to error, he shall have to
carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who committed it, without their sins being diminished in any
respect.”
This narration should motivate us to call to good, to be involved in da’wah, enjoining the good and forbidding
the evil. It provides an encouragement to parents and perhaps eldest siblings to lead the way, knowing that
their reward will be multiplied many times over if their example is followed.
The next ḥadīth is an amazing narration that teaches us and our children about placing our total trust in Allāh.
It is from amongst the most precious of advice we can pass on to our children and something we should all be
regularly reminding ourselves of. It is perhaps especially beneficial in reminding our children reaching
adolescence not to fear being different and to remain steadfast upon that which pleases Allāh.
42. ʿAbdullāh b. ʿAbbās (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) said: One day, I was behind the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi
wa sallam) so he said to me: “O young man, I am going to teach you some words. Be mindful of Allāh, and He
will protect you. Be mindful of Allāh, and you will find Him facing you. If you ask, then ask of Allāh. If you seek
aid, then seek aid in Allāh. Know that if the entire Ummah were to gather in order to benefit you with
something, they could not benefit you with anything except with that which Allāh has written for you. And if
the entire Ummah were to gather in order to harm you with something, they could not harm you with
anything except with what Allāh has written against you. The pen has been lifted and the pages have dried.”
The final ḥadīth included in this series is a story for all ages that teaches us the importance of gratefulness
and truthfulness.
43. Abū Hurayrah reported that he heard Allāh’s Messenger (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) saying, “Allāh
willed to test three Israelites who were a Leper, a blind man and a bald-headed man. So, he sent them an
angel who came to the leper and said, ‘What thing do you like most?’ He replied, ‘Good colour and good skin,
for the people have a strong aversion to me.’ The angel touched him and his illness was cured, and he was
given a good colour and beautiful skin. The angel asked him, ‘What kind of property do you like best?’ He
replied, ‘Camels (or cows).’ (The narrator is in doubt, for either the leper or the bald-headed man demanded
camels and the other demanded cows). So he (i.e. the leper) was given a pregnant she-camel, and the angel
said (to him), ‘May Allāh bless you through it.’
The angel then went to the bald-headed man and said, ‘What thing do you like most?’ He said, ‘I like good
hair and wish to be cured of this disease, for the people feel repulsion for me.’ The angel touched him and his
illness was cured, and he was given good hair. The angel asked (him), ‘What kind of property do you like
best?’ He replied, ‘Cows,’ the angel gave him a pregnant cow and said, ‘May Allāh bless you through it.’
The angel went to the blind man and asked, ‘What thing do you like best?’ He said, ‘(I like) that Allāh may
restore my eye-sight to me so that I may see the people.’ The angel touched his eyes and Allāh gave him back
his eye-sight. The angel asked him, ‘What kind of property do you like best?’ He replied, ‘Sheep.’ The angel
gave him a pregnant sheep. Afterwards, all the three pregnant animals gave birth to young ones, and
multiplied and brought forth so much that one of the (three) men had a herd of camels filling a valley, and
one had a herd of cows filling a valley, and one had a flock of sheep filling a valley.
Then the angel, disguised in the shape and appearance of a leper, went to the leper and said, I am a poor
man, who has lost all means of livelihood while on a journey. None will satisfy my need except Allāh and then
you. In the Name of Him Who has given you such nice colour and beautiful skin, and so much property, I ask
you to give me a camel so that I may reach my destination. The man replied, ‘I have many obligations (so I
cannot give you).’ The angel said, ‘I think I know you; were you not a leper to whom the people had a strong
aversion? Were you not a poor man, and then Allāh gave you (all this property)?’ He replied, ‘(This is all
wrong), I got this property through inheritance from my fore-fathers.’ The angel said, ‘If you are telling a lie,
then let Allāh make you as you were before.
Then the angel, disguised in the shape and appearance of a bald man, went to the bald man and said to him
the same as he told the first one, and he too answered the same as the first one did. The angel said, ‘If you
are telling a lie, then let Allāh make you as you were before.’
The angel, disguised in the shape of a blind man, went to the blind man and said, ‘I am a poor man and a
traveller, whose means of livelihood have been exhausted while on a journey. I have nobody to help me
except Allāh, and after Him, you yourself. I ask you in the Name of Him Who has given you back your eye-
sight to give me a sheep, so that with its help, I may complete my journey.’
The man said, ‘No doubt, I was blind and Allāh gave me back my eye-sight; I was poor and Allāh made me
rich; so take anything you wish from my property. By Allāh, I will not stop you for taking anything (you need)
of my property which you may take for Allāh’s sake.’ The angel replied, ‘Keep your property with you. You
(i.e. the three men) have been tested, and Allāh is pleased with you and is angry with your two companions.”
We ask Allāh to enable us to draw many more lessons from these narrations and implement the fruits of
them in our lives, and to enable us to nurture our children in the best of ways so that we are all from His
most beloved slaves. Amīn.
Source: www.islam21c.com
Notes:
32. Muslim, reported by Abū Hurayrah
33. Muslim, on the authority of Abu Sa’id al-Khudri
34. Muslim, reported by Suhayb
35. Tirmidhi, reported by Muadh ibn Jabal
36. Muslim, reported by Abū Hurayrah
37. Al Bukhārī
38. Muslim, reported by Abū Hurayrah
39. Al Bukhārī, narrated by ʿAbdullah b. ʿAmr
40. Tirmidhi, narrated by Sahl bin Sa’d
41. Muslim, reported by Abu Hurayrah
42. Tirmidhi
43. Al Bukhari, narrated by Abu Hurayrah

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