. IÚ IÛJ ':?Ü?I Iljj ,H c.,tÝ (cont.)

Other Points Related to this Hadith • In general, human beings are social creatures. Out of necessity, they have certain relationships with other members of society. Islam seeks to make sure that these relationships are guided by sound principles. Islam teaches that one should restrain one's tongue from harmful speech. Islam also teaches that one should be generous and kind to one's neighbor and visitors. These principles go a long way in making sure that society as a whole is a united, cooperative society.1 • The restraining of one's tongue is truly a sign of complete faith. Al-Fudhail once said, "There is no Hajj, no guarding the enemy lines and no jihad which is more difficult than restraining the tongue."2 • A person is always either silent or speaking. If he is speaking good things, it is beneficial for him. If he is speaking useless or harmful things, then it is a loss for him. If he is silent when he should be speaking good things, this is also a loss for him. However, if he is silent when he could be speaking useless or harmful things, this is beneficial for him. • One of the guidelines that will help a person know what he should or should not say is that a person should refrain from saying anything that he feels like he will have to apologize for in the future. One time a man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) to advise him in a succinct and concise manner. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told him three things, one of which was, "Do not say any word that [you believe] you will have to apologize for tomorrow."3 • There is no source whatsoever for being silent as an act of worship, as some Sufis and Christian monks do. Such an act is a heresy and cannot be considered pleasing to Allah. • Ibn Abdul Barr once said, "If a person has three qualities, then there can be no doubt about his intelligence and virtue. [These three qualities are] that he is praised by his neighbors, relatives and companions."4 1 Al-Bugha and Mistu, p. 96. 2 Quoted in al-Haitami, Fath, p. 1 52. 3 Recorded by Ahmad and ibn Maajah (ibn Maajah without the word "tomorrow"). According to al-Albaani, it is sahih. See al-Albaani, Sahih al-Jaami, vol. I, p. 190. 4 Quoted in Abdul Hameed, p. 1 8. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi • According to many scholars, the obligation of hosting does not extend to evildoers and heretics. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, .. ,,, , • J ! ,,, .:; ":}\ ࣏࣐ l ÝI Ѿ1 ѿ hlj \u1 ;- `t_;j\j / 1(;i1 "And head toward the way of forgiveness from your Lord and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious, those who spend [for the sake of Allah] in prosperity and adversity, who repress anger, and who forgive the people. Verily, Allah loves the doers of good" (ali-Imraan 133134). Praiseworthy Anger With respect to anger, people have a tendency to go to extremes-- and, as in almost all cases, both extremes are wrong. Some people get angry over the pettiest matters for which there is no call for a Muslim to get angry about. On the other hand, others do not get angry when there is a real reason for anger, a reason that is sanctioned by shareeah. These people do not seem to realize that not all anger is blameworthy. There is some anger that is praiseworthy. A person is not always supposed to be loving and accepting no matter what occurs. Allah says in the Quran, .!:.or ;;/ .,.