Part 4

3. Collected by Muslim (16/121) in Al-Birr was-Silah, and at-Tinmidhi (8/ 115) in Al-Birr was-Silah, and Abu Daawood (4861) in al-Adab.

generosity towards one with whom he sits."

When he looked at the Ka‘aba he would say, "Verily Allaah has sanctified you, ennobled you and honoured you, but the believer is more sacred to Allaah, the Most High, than you."

‘Tkrimah janet WOuld say, "Beware of harming any of the scholars. because whoever does so has harmed the Messenger of

Allaah (eallaindhg "ata wantin),

Reflect O brother in yourself. Have you sanctified the reputation of the Muslims, let alone that of the scholars and the righteous? Or have you belittled them, disreputing them, their

honour and thereby have become one of the evil-doers?

Patience when annoyed by their wives:

From the morals and manners of the Salaf was their patience when irritated by their wives. They would tealise that every difference that appeared from their wives was a picture of their (own) behaviour with their Lord. When he differs with his Lord’s

command, his wife differs with his command.

One of the Salaf said, “I disobey Allaah to find its effects in the

way my animal behaves and my wife.”

They used to give their wives their due and they would not

be unjust when their wives conflicted with them.

"Ali ibn Abee Taalib adismnuniny Said, "What contents a person is five things. For his wifé to be agreeable, his children to be loyal, his brothers to be pious, his neighbours righteous, and his provision in his Lord."

The Messenger of Allaah (arsuu san Said, “The best of you is the best to his family (i.e., wife), and Iam the best among you

].. Collected by at-Tirtmidhee (13/262) who:said: This hadith is Hasan sahih'Ghareeb... And Ad-Daarimi (2/159)excluding the last phrase, AlAlbaani authenticated it in “As-Saheehah" no. 285

Ahmad ibn Harb gna Would say, "If six mannerisms are gathered in a woman, her goodness is perfected. Guarding the five prayers, yielding to her husband, pleasing her Lord, guarding her tongue from backbiting and gossip, forsaking worldly possessions, and being patient:-following a tragedy."

Their manners towards their wives included their forbearance in improving them practically, as Allaah the Most High has said: Order your family to perform the prayers and be patient

They practised what the Messenger of Allaah ouunite sn ws smn counselled his nation (Ummah), “Beware of Allaah with regards to the women, because you have taken them by the trust of Allaah and made lawful their private parts by the word of AJlaah."?

1, surah TaHa (20) : 132 2. A-section from the Farewell Speech.

From the morals and manners of the Salaf was that they would abandon, seeking leadership, so that they were not unexpectedly given precedence over other people in matters, fearing that it will be said to them, “I am not fit to be your imaam," thus forcing the reply, "You are not only fit to be imaam but much

The Messenger of Allaah (enn stint) Said, "O ‘Abdur-Rahmaan do not ask for leadership (ameer). If you were given that after your request for it, then you would be held responsible, but if you were appointed without any request for it, then you would be aided."!

He (1meanivesim) also said, "Indeed you will be eager for lead-

ership, but regret will follow on the Day of Arising..."

Sufyaan Ath-ThawTi unin Would say, "Whoever seeks leadership before it came to him, it flees from him losing much good-

1, Al-Bukhaari (13/13) in al-Abkaam and Muslim (12/206-207) in al-Imaa~ rab. 2. Collected by al-Bukhaari (13/125) in al-Abkaam.

He also said, "Do not seek leadership except after fighting the soul (i.e., fighting your desires and self) for seventy years."

Muslim ibn Qutaibah ‘sna WOuld say, "I have met people who considered leadership as the biggest of tribulations. But today people are looking for it."

If one of their friends became an Ameer they would pray, "O Allaah! make him forget us until neither he knows us nor we know him."

Advising one another: From the morals and manners of the Salaf was that they would advise one another. The elder would not be offended if

advised by the young.

This is the opposite situation to the light headed people we have today. The Messenger of Allaah (anmtomtimnin Said, "Religion (Deen) is advice/sincerity (nasiha). They asked, "To whom O Messenger of Allaah?" He (ints uns any Said: To Allaah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims and their

They used to accept advice and thank the adviser. One of them would not think that he had repaid his adviser fully even if he was benevolent to him all his life. That is because the matters related to the Afterlife cannot be compared to the vain things of the world.

A person once said to Hasan al-Basri (smu, "Advice me." He replied to the man, “Exalt the commands of Allaah wherever

you are, and Allaah will exalt you wherever you are."

1. Collected by Muslim (2/36-37) in al-Imaan and by Abu Daawood (4923) in al-Adab and an-Nasaa‘i (8/156) in al-Bai’ah.

They would also write to each other even if their lands were far apart. The counselled would accept the advice and thank his counsellor though things have become opposite today. Thus you could rarely advise anyone today who did not complain about

your own faults or insult you.

Taa’woos wrote to Makhool (essmonuw) and he said to him, "After salutations - My brother! Beware of regarding yourself as having a high standing in the sight of Allaah, because of what you see of your actions. The one who thinks that about himself moves onto the Afterlife empty handed. The people may exalt you because of your good deeds but that is so that your reward is hurriedly giv-

en to you in this world." O brother! Know these facts, advise yourself and then your

Muslim brothers, orally or by writing, but beware of being of-

fended if someone advises you.

Good behaviour to all:

From the morals and manners of the Salaf was that they would behave well towards the young, non-relatives and the ignorant, let alone towards the elders, relatives and the knowledgeable.

Allaah said to Moses and Haaroon cammsuey "And say to him (Pharoah) a soft word."”

That is not disregarding that Pharaoh was of the most corrupt disbelievers. The Salaf agreed that a high status depends on

good character and manners.

Of their principles concerning manners is their witnessing their own deficiencies and correctness in others. Howevér, if someone sees himself as perfect seeing others’ shortcomings, this

gives rise to arrogance, may Allaah protect us.

The Messenger of Allaah (mtanveunn) Said "I have only been

sent to perfect righteous manners."

1. surah TaHa (20) : 44

2. Collected in “AL-Adaab-ul-Mafraad” (1/271) by al-Bukhaari, and by alHaakimi in at-Taareekh (2/613) saying: It is sahih according to the conditions of gnaam.Muslim. Adh-Dhahabi agreed with that statement and alAlbaani said in "As-Saheehah” (no. 45): This chain is sahih.

"Ali ibn Abee Taalib canara Said, "The people who are most learned about Allaah are those who respect most the people of Laa ilagha illallaah (there is none worthy of worship except Allaah)."

Bakr ibn ’Abdullaah al-Muzani emma; said, "If you see someone older than you then respect him saying, "He has beaten me to Islaam and righteous action". If you see someone younger than you then respect him saying to yourself, “I have beaten him in sins". If the people honour you then say, "That is from the grace of Allaah, but Ido not deserve it”. If they degrade you then say, "This happened as a consequence of a previous sin." If you throw

a pebble at your neighbour's dog, then you have harmed him.”

From the morals and manners of the Salaf was that they would hold deep fear and awe of Allaah, the Most High, in that they might end their lives on evil. They would be like this to be

screened from Allaah placing them in the Fire. One of them would be engrossed in thought and sotrow until he would be-

comé unaware of his surroundings.

The Messenger of Allaah (men sum Said; "Actions are by their ends."! He (mus sui win) also said, "A man continues to do the actions of the People of Paradise until there is only an arms length between him and it, but his book precedes him and he

does the actions of the People of Hell-fire and then enters it.”

Today the minds have neglected this. Even Aa’isha cutis ‘ans said, "A person does the actions of the People of Paradise for a long time, but in reality he is from the People of Hell-fire!"

How many faces. struck with awe fell on the retribution of

their actions, tired and toil-worn, entering a blazing fire! How

1. Collected by al-Bukhaari (11/499) in the chapter on:al-Qadr, and Ahmad

2. Collected by al-Bukhaari (6/303) in the Chapter on Badi’ ul-khalq, and Muslim. (16/190) in the chapter on al-Qadr, and Al-Tirmidhi (8/301-302)

many people’s boats approach a safe beach, but when about to dock, a wave comes to play with him and he drowns! All wor-

shippers are at this risk.

Mutarrif ibn ‘Abdullaah ‘isis Would say, “I am not surprised at the one who is destroyed, how he was destroyed, but I am amazed at the one who is saved, how he was saved, and Al-

laah never granted a blessing greater than the gift of Islaam."

1. Collected by Al-Tirmidhi (8/307) in the chapter of al-Qadr, Ibn Maajah (3834) in the chapter of Ad-Du’ aat, al-Baghawi in "Sharh-us-Sunnah" (1/ 165) in the chapter of al-Imaan. al-Baghawi said: This hadith is Hasan. al-Albaani authenticated it. Muslim collected the same supplication on the authority of ’Abdullaah ibn ’ Amr.

Practice of Night-prayer (tahajjud):

From the morals and manners of the Salaf would be their persistent practice of the Night-prayer whether in summer or winter. They would act by the advice of the Messenger conti snes sum :"Observe the Night-prayer because it was the habit of the righteous people before you, and it is something that draws you near to your Lord. It wipes away sins, prevents one from