539. He gives ten causes that can save oneself from the evil of hasad. (cont.)

2, p. 267. 104 1 Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi another and turning his face away from the other and cutting off of relations."1 In fact, in another narration in Sahih Muslim, it says, "Do not cut off relations," instead of the phrase, "Do not turn one's back to each other." Muslims should always be open to each other. They should always greet each other. When one is greeted by another, he should respond. Furthermore, they should try to greet each other with smiling faces. This is all part of the aspects of brotherhood of Islam. If a person refuses to do such or he does not behave in that fashion, he is working against the closeness that Islam is trying to bring about. For this reason, a Muslim is not supposed to avoid or boycott his Muslim brother. If this is done for more than three days solely for the sake of worldly reasons or personal likes and dislikes, it is prohibited. Another haditb in al-Bukhari and Muslim states, , J " JUG i:t:; .U\ w• ·-. , r : ·- '-? - r.-) "It is not allowed for a man to boycott his brother for more than three nights, when they meet this one turns away and the other turns away. The best of them is the one who is the first to offer the greetings." In another badith, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, Ƀ; µ ¿ s Ζb:.f ਚ:; "The one who boycotts his brother for a year is like one who has spilled his [bis brother's] blood."2 When a Muslim finds himself in this kind of situation with respect to another Muslim, he should realize his mistake and do his best to remedy the situation. One way of remedying the situation is by going to the other person and giving him the greetings of peace. According to some scholars, this is sufficient to bring an end to the prohibited form of boycotting. However, according to other scholars, such as Imam Malik, if these two had a strong bond and friendship before the boycotting, the boycotting does not end simply by greeting each other. Instead, they must return to their old state of being good friends with one another. Others say that if the person were a stranger, it is 1 Quoted in ibn Rajah, Jaami, vol. 2, p. 268. 2 Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, al-Haakim and others. According to al-Albaani, it is sahih. See al-Albaani, sahih al-Jaami, vol. 2, p. 1 120. According to Salmaan (al-Hajr, p. 123), the meaning of this hadith is that the one who boycotts his brother for one year is deserving of punishment in the same way that one who spills his blood is deserving punishment. This emphasizes how great the sin is, although it does not mean to imply that the punishment for the two acts are the same. 1 Hadith #35: "Do not be envious of one another . . . " sufficient to greet him to bring an end to the boycotting. But if he were a relative, then one must once again have good ties with him as otherwise the boycott would not be considered completely finished. 1 Permissible Forms of "Boycotting" As was the case with having hatred toward another Muslim, there are also other forms of boycotting which are considered permissible or sanctioned by the shareeah. In general, this boycotting takes place when Allah's rights are violated and not just the rights of individuals. In fact, these forms of boycotting may go well beyond the three days mentioned in the above hadith. They may go on for as long as it takes to remedy the situation.2 The source for this kind of boycotting is found in the hadith of Kaab ibn Maalik and the other two who failed to partake in the battle of Tabook. The Prophet (peace be upon him) feared for them as they committed an act that was akin to an act of hypocrisy. They were ordered to be boycotted for months and their greetings were not even responded to. Finally, Allah accepted their repentance and the Muslims returned to their old behavior with them.3 This kind of boycotting is done for a purpose that is approved of by the shareeah. Its overriding goal is either to correct another person's behavior or to demonstrate disapproval with another person's behavior or beliefs. Sometimes mere advice and counseling are not sufficient to change a person. More drastic measures are sometimes needed to keep a person from doing some wrong or to make him realize the wrong that he has committed. It is in cases like these that boycotting may be resorted to. This boycotting is considered a type of punishment. It is also a kind of jihad for the sake of Allah.