. IÚ IÛJ ':?Ü?I Iljj ,H c.,tÝ (cont.)

Note that the deeds that make up faith are sometimes related to the "rights of Allah" and sometimes related to the "rights of human beings". The "rights of Allah" include fulfilling the obligatory deeds and avoiding the forbidden deeds. This includes speaking only good things and remaining silent instead of speaking evil or harmful things. The "rights of other humans" includes honoring and being generous to one's visitors and being generous to one's neighbors. All of these deeds are a must for the true believer. This shows the emphasis that Islam has not only on the ritual acts of worship but also on the relationship and interaction between humans themselves. "should speak good things or keep silent" The first characteristic that the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned in this hadith concerns the tongue. The person who believes in Allah and the Last Day is to be careful about his speech. Allah has stated a fact in the Quran that should serve as a clear warning to all believers about their speech: ,,.. J ,,.. .,,,.. .,!..., J J.... ,.. "f>J ,,.. ,,.. ੖ o.;JI y_;;i ]J J;J •. ੗ d.! if;...; C:aj ࡗࡘ\ I ࣡'"al࣢ :Wj .... .... ; // .... ; "And indeed We have created man, and We know what his oneself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him [by Our knowledge] than his jugular vein. [Remember] that the two receivers [recording angels] receive [each human after the age of puberty], one sitting on the right and one on the left. Not a word does he utter but there is a watcher by him ready [to record it]" (Qaaf 1618). As was briefly mentioned while discussing Hadith #12, a person's tongue is something that quite often leads the person to commit sins and, may thereby, lead him to Hell. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi "Verily, a servant [human] makes a statement and he does not realize what [harm] it contains and because of it he is lowered in the Fire a distance which is greater than what is between the East and the West." (Recorded by al­ al-Bukhari.) However, one's speech does not always have negative results. It can also be a key to pleasing Allah. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also said, "' "' ,,... ,,,, ,,,, "' ,,, "'"' ,,... rP 0( ..:..iG../ Ɔ I ".. . ill I ࣠· / IS I/. t ;;I:  ill\ 0( .. •. BLi J 1 ,: \ · ƾ u ; ; ; Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi "Say [O Muhammad): The things that my Lord has forbidden are evil, lewd acts, whether committed openly or secretly, sins [of all kinds], unrightful oppression, joining partners [in worship] with Allah for which He has given no authority and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge" (al­ Araa/33). Allah also says, ,.. ,,,. ,., ,.. / ..,,., ,., J ., oØ ! ÒI 1))j" oi) Į\) ÓÔÕ FÖ× w, "He [Satan] commands you only what is evil and lewd, and that you should say about Allah that which you do not know" (al-Baqara 169). lbn Hajr states that before a person speaks, he should think about what he is going to say. If he knows that there is no harm, forbidden or disliked aspect about what he is going to say, he may speak. However, if he finds that his speech is of a permissible nature, even then it is better for him to be quiet in order to make sure that the permissible speech does not lead to some disliked or forbidden speech. 1 "should be courteous and generous to his neighbor" This hadith demonstrates the relationship between true belief (iman) in Allah and the Last Day and how one treats his neighbor.2 Being courteous and generous to one's neighbor includes helping him when they need assistance, visiting them when they are ill and general checking on their welfare. Abu Bakr al-Jazairi wrote, One should demonstrate goodness towards one neighbor by: helping them when they seek help, assisting them if they seek assistance, visiting them when they fall ill, congratulating them if something pleasing occurs to them, giving them condolences upon afflictions, helping them if they are in need, being the first to greet them, being kind in speech to them, being gentle in one's speech to the neighbor's children, guiding them to what is best for their religion and worldly life, overlooking their mistakes, not attempting to look into their private matters, not constraining them with one's building or renovations or along the walkway, and not harming them by letting one's trash onto their property or in front of their household. All of those actions form part of the goodness that one is ordered to 1 Quoted in Sultaan, p. 1 38. 2 According to Abdul Rahmaan al-Ubaid, the word "neighbor" also applies to the "neighbor" at work, in the mosque, along the road, in a gathering and so forth.