. I (cont.)

However, the adults must take the time to make sure that the students are taught these elementary, yet essential, teachings of Islam. "I shall teach you some words [of advice]" The Prophet (peace be upon him) told ibn Abbaas that he would teach him a few statements. The Arabic of the expression gives the impression of a few, not many, statements. Hence, it would be easy for ibn Abbaas to listen to 1 Al-Baitaar, p. 124. Hadith #1 9: "Young man, I shall teach you some words ... " them, memorize them and benefit from them. Indeed, in the narration in Musnad Ahmad, the Prophet (peace be upon him) told him, "Allah will benefit you by them." This introduction is a very important introduction. Obviously, it put ibn Ab baas' mind at rest, for he knew it would not be something difficult or lengthy for him to comprehend and retain. 1 Second, it shows that what is coming is something by which Allah would benefit him. By this time, ibn Ab baas' ears must have been completely attuned to what the Prophet (peace be upon him) was about to say. Evidence of this is the fact that, although he was still quite young when the Prophet (peace be upon him) told him these words, he remembered them exactly, lived by them and passed them on to others. And what important words they were. They were a few words but they are such that ibn Abbaas and anyone else could grow with them. As the young person gets older, he will understand more and more of what the Prophet (peace be upon him) meant by these very important words of advice that he gave to ibn Abbaas. "Be mindful of Allah" The first meaning that comes to mind of the words used in this hadith, ihfadh (.1'.hi), would be something of the nature, "Guard or preserve Allah." Obviously, such is not the meaning of the phrase. As ibn Uthaimeen wrote, Allah Himself is not in need of anyone to guard Him but the meaning is that one must guard and be mindful of His religion and His Law. This is same as Allah's saying, "O believers, if you help Allah, He will help you" (Muhammad 7). The meaning is not that you help Allah Himself as Allah is self­ sufficient and not in need of anyone.2 The meaning of the phrase, ..Iii .1'.hl, translated here as "be mindful of Allah," although that may not be the test translation, is understood to mean being mindful of the limits set by Allah, minding His rights, minding what He has ordered and minding what He has prohibited. 3 This means that the person is to implement whatever Allah has commanded and refrain from whatever Allah has forbidden. This concept of being "mindful" or "guarding, preserving" what Allah has revealed is found often in the Quran. For example, in the Quran, Allah praises those believers who are, 1 Al-Haitami, Fath, p. 171. JI. , B @ ,., J J ,.. ,.. ,.,,,,. ৽l ®J৾u৿IJ 2 Ibn Uthaimeen, Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen, vol. 2, pp. 450-45 1. 3 Ibn Rajah, Noor, p . 36. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi "those who observe (haafidhoon) the limits set by Allah" (al-Tauba 1 12). In another verse, Allah says, .. ,J :;:i ,.1 :;:i .... J ;4-) '7:1Y .;.:;-J i ߳:; ߴߵ y1_,t ߱ 0J߲P 1 / / / ,.:' .... "/ ,,,. "' "[It will be said,] 'This is what you were promised. [It is] for those oft­ returning in repentance and those who preserve (their covenant with Allah) [hafeedh], who feared the Most Merciful in the Unseen and brought a heart turned in repentance [to Him]" (Qaaf 32-33). The word hafeedh in this verse has been explained to mean the one who is mindful of what Allah has ordered or the one repents from the sins he commits. 1 One of the most important deeds that a person must be mindful of and guard is the prayer. Allah has stated in the Quran, ,,,. ,,.. Ҷ ,,,. / ,,.. J ߰ ѓ i;.pj =>\ ?/@\) A')J3\ o i "Guard strictly the [daily] prayers and especially the middle [best] prayer. And stand before Allah with obedience" (al-Baqara 238). Other verses in the Quran talk about guarding one's private parts and guarding or being mindful of one's oaths. These are all part of the general characteristic of "being mindful, guarding, preserving" that is referred to in this hadith. Furthermore, a hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) states, "And no one guards his ablution except a [true] believer."2 That is, nobody knows when another person is not in a state of ablution. Only the person himself knows that. Hence, his watching and protecting his state of purity is a sign of his true faith as he is tending to something that only Allah is aware of.3 "and Allah will protect you" If someone guards and protects the rights that Allah has upon him, then Allah will protect him in return.