PREFACE

1) Ascribing Associates To Allah, the Most High (Shirk)

The worst major sin is Shirk. It is of two kinds:

a) To hold that Allah has an equal, whereas He has created you, and to worship another with Him, whether it be a stone, tree, sun, moon, prophet, sheikh, star, angel or other. This is the greatest shirk mentioned by Allah, the Most High, the Almighty, says,

{Allah forgiveth not (the sin of) joining other gods with Him; but He forgiveth whom He pleaseth other sins than this; one who joins other gods with Allah hath strayed far, far away (from the right).}

(An-Nisa:l16)

 

{False worship is indeed the highest wrong-doing.}                                                                  
(Luqman:13)

 

{Whoever joins other gods with Allah; Allah will forbid him the Garden, and the Fire will be his abode.}                              (Al-Ma'idah:72)

The Qur'anic verses concerning this are very numerous. It is being absolutely certain that whoever ascribes associates to Allah and dies in such a state is one of Hell's inhabitants, just as whoever believes in Allah and dies as a believer is one of the inhabitants of Paradise, even if be should be punished first.

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

           "Shall I tell you of the worst major sins? Worshipping others with Allah, showing disrespect to parents, giving a false statement, and testifying to the truth of a falsehood. " And he kept repeating it until we were telling ourselves (out of sympathy for him because of the strain of repeating it), "If only he would be silent.”[1]

<>"Avoid the seven heinous sins.”[2] and he mentioned ascribing associates to Allah. "Kill whoever converted his religion (Islam).” [3]

b) Ostentation

       Allah, the Most High, says,

{Whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteous, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner.}  (AL-Kahf:llO)

 

i.e., does not show off in good works

"Beware of the lesser shirk." They asked, "What is the lesser shirk?" He said, "Showing off in good works. Allah, the Almighty will say when recompensing the mankind for their deeds: Go to those whom you showed off to in the world to see how they could recompense you. .” [4]

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"If anybody associates something with Me, I am not affect­ed. If anyone associates somebody with Me, in any way, I reject him and his act of associating.”[5]

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"A person who does some good work in order to boast will have his faults exposed by Allah Most High and a person whose motive in doing some good deed is to show it, Allah the Most High will treat him as a hypocrite.”[6]

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

            "There may be a faster who does not gain from his fasting but hunger and thirst.”

A wise man said, "Just as the one who shows off in good works is the one who fills his purse with pebbles and leaves for the market to buy food. If he opened it before the seller he will be stoned with it in his face. He gains nothing but the people's inquiry about what fills his purse, nothing more. Thus, the one who shows off in good works will have no value but the people's saying that he did good and he will not be rewarded in the Hereafter."

Allah, the Almighty, says,

{And We shall turn to whatever deeds they did (in this life), and We shall make such deed as floating dust scattered about.}  (AI-Furqan:23)

 

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"On the Day of Judgment some groups of people will be brought near Paradise. Having smelt its fragrance, and seen palaces and blessings therein, they will hear a call saying "Take them away, it is not for them." Accordingly, they return so sorrowful that no one could have such feeling. They will call upon Allah, "0 Lord were we entered into the Hell-Fire before seeing what You have prepared for Your Friends, it would have been better." Then Allah will say, " That is what I want. When you were alone you defied Me with grievous sins, but when you meet people you showed off in good works, You only respected people not Me, You only refrain (from things) for their sake. Hence, today, I will severely torment you in addition to depriving you from My bountiful reward.” [7]

 

It was related that a man asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh)

"How can I be redeemed?" The Prophet said, "If you do not deceive Allah" The man asked, "How is Allah deceived?" He replied, "When you do something which Allah and His Messenger commanded you to do but you intended other than pleasing Allah. Beware of ostentation, it is the lesser shirk (polytheism); On the Day of Judgment, the ostentatious will be called at the presence of all creatures by four names: O Ostentatious, O traitors, O corrupt, O loser; what you did is wasted and your reward is nullified. We will not reward you, go and get your reward from whomever you acted to deceive?” [8]

A wise man was asked, "Who is the sincere one?" He replied, "It is he who hides his good deeds as he does with his bad deeds." Someone asked, "What is the good of sincerity?" He said, "When you dislike to be praised by people."

Al-Fudail Ibn Eiad, may Allah be pleased with him said, "To refrain from an action for the sake of people is ostentation. To do something for their sake is shirk (polytheism). But sincerity is to be aware of them.

       O Allah! Let us be away from them and forgive us.

 

2) Killing A Human Being

Allah, the Almighty, says,

<>{If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein (for ever); and the wrath and curse of Allah are upon him, and a dreadful chastisement is prepared for him.} (An-Nisa:93)

<>{Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred, except for just cause, nor commit fornication,' and any that does this (not only) meets punishment.} (Al-Furqan:68)

{On that account: We ordained for the children of Israel that if anyone slew a person -unless it be for murder 'or for spreading mischief in the land -it would be as if he slew the whole people.}  (AI- Ma'ida:32)

<>{When the female (infant), buried alive, is questioned -for what crime she killed.}   (Al- Takwir: 8-9)

  The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Avoid the seven heinous sins."

And he mentioned taking one's life which Allah has made sacred except in the course of justice.

          It was related that someone asked the Prophet (pbuh),

"What is the most heinous sin in the sight of Allah?" The Prophet replied, "To hold that Allah has an equal whereas He has created you." .The man asked, "What else?" The Prophet said, "To kill your child lest he feeds with you." The man asked, "What else?" He said, "To commit adultery with your neighbor's wife.” [9]

Therefore, Allah, the Almighty, revealed,

<>{Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred, except for just cause, nor commit fornication,. and any that does this (not only) meets punishment.}  (Al-Furqan:68)

It was related that the Messenger of Allah said,

  "When two Muslims meet with drawn sword, both the slayer and the slain are in the Hell." It was said, "0 Mes­senger of Allah, that is for the slayer. But why the slain?" He replied, "Because his intention was to kill the other.”[10]

Abu Suliman Al-Khitabi commented, "Such punishment does not apply to a legal and justifiable combat. They entail this abode if they fight one another out of enmity, fanaticism, to acquire some worldly benefit or a position of leadership. Thus, out of this pole is the one who fights against an aggressive Muslim if he follows the rules of fighting and the one who defends himself without intending to kill the opponent. Whoever fights against an aggressive Muslim or a highway robber, should not seek to kill them. Rather he should try to deter him as much as he can. When they refrain we should refrain. The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"You should not turn an unbeliever when I am no more (among you) and start killing and shedding blood among yourselves.” [11]

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"The first thing among human beings to be adjudicated on the Day of Judgment, will be the blood claim.” [12]

"Taking a believer's life is more grievous in Allah's sight than the perishing of this world.” [13]

"The major sins are worshipping others with Allah, showing disrespect to parents, killing a human being, and the break­ing one's oath.”[14]

        It is termed engulfing because it overwhelms its swearer in the Fire.

"For all the murders committed in this world without any justification, prophet Adam's son, Qabil will get a share of punishment, because it was he who inaugurated the method of killing by murdering his brother Habil.”[15]

­ If this is the abode of he who kills a covenant man then what about killing a Muslim?

      The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever killed anyone of the people of the covenant will never get the aroma of paradise which can be smelt from forty years away.”[16]

"Whoever helps in killing a Muslim even by just a part of a word, he will meet Allah with the written phrase on his forehead "Despondent of Allah's Mercy.”[17]

"Every sin might be forgiven by Allah except for a man dying an unbeliever or a man killing a believer  deliberately.” [18]

 

 

3) Sorcery

Sorcery is a major sin because the sorcerer must necessarily disbe­lieve and the accursed Devil has no other motive for teaching a person witchcraft than that he might thereby ascribe associates to Allah.

Allah, the Almighty, says,

{Solomon did not disbelieve but Satan disbelieved, teaching men magic, and such things as came down at Babylon to the angels Harut and Marut. But neither of these taught anyone (such things) without saying, 'We are only for trial,' so do not blaspheme.' They learned from them the means to sow discord between man and wife. But they could not harm anyone except by Allah's permission. And they learned what harmed them, not what profited them. And they knew that the buyers of (magic) would have no share in the happiness of the Hereafter.}    (AI- Baqarah: 102)

Thus, you might find some people who are astray delving in learn­ing sorcery and thinking that it is just unlawful. Actually, they do not consider what they do as disbelief, but it is! They embark on learning all kinds of sorcery: Pure sorcery, increasing or decreasing the love between a man and a woman, making a man important and the like.

        All of these practices are done by means of some unknown words, most of which lead to unbelief.

        The penalty for a sorcerer is to be killed. This is because he is an unbeliever. The Prophet (pbuh) said,

             "Avoid the seven heinous sins.”[19]

          And he mentioned sorcery.

             "The penalty for a sorcerer is the sword.”[20]

          Bijalah Ibn Abah related, 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) came to us one year before his death and said,

"Kill every sorcerer (male or female).”[21]

Wahb Ibn Munabbih said, "I read in a book: 'Allah the Almighty says, 'There is no god but Me. He is not of Me who practices sorcery, or asks someone to practice with him. The one who foretells or the fore­told, the one who seeks an omen or for whom an omen is sought.” [22]

`Ali Ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said, A for­tuneteller is a sorcerer, a sorcerer is a disbeliever."

        Abu Musa AI-Ashari, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

           "The drunkard, the one who severs the ties of kinship, and whoever believes in sorcery will not enter Paradise.”[23]

        Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Incantations, amulets and spells are Shirk (polytheism).”[24]

 

These are treated as Shirk because the ignorant believes that these things can affect what has been predetermined by Allah. However, AI­Khattabi said, "Incantations or healing words are permitted if they consist of the Qur'an or the Most Beautiful Names of Allah."

The Prophet (pbuh) used to recite (incantate) AI-Hasan and Al­Husain by saying,

          "I seek refuge for you in Allah's Perfect Words from every Devil, beast or envious .” [25]

 

 

4) Not Performing the Prayer

Allah, the Most High, says,

{But after them there followed a posterity who missed Prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face destruction, except those who repent and believe, and work righteousness.}

                                                  (Maryam: 59-60)
Commenting on the above verses (Ayat), Ibn 'Abbas said,

"Allah's statement, "Who missed Prayers does not mean that they did not perform it at all but rather they did not perform it in its due time.”

Sa'id Ibn AI-Mussaiyyib, Imam of the Tabi'een (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "It is he who postpones the Dhuhr (Early Afternoon Prayer) until the time of Asr Prayer (Late Afternoon Prayer) and so are Maghrib (Sunset Prayer) until' /sha' (Evening Prayer), /sha until Fajr (Dawn Prayer) and Fajr until the sun rises. If someone dies persisting in such habits and does not repent to Allah, Allah promises to make him face Ghayy (destruction). But Ghayy may also be the name of a valley in the Hell whose bottom is so deep and tastes so bitter.

Allah, the Most High, says,

{So woe to the worshipers who are neglectful of their Prayer.}                                                 (Ma'un: 4-5)

 

Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqas related, "I asked the Prophet (pbuh) about the meaning of "the worshipers who are neglectful of their Prayer.' He said, "It is the delaying of performing the Prayer in its definite time." The word (Wayl) in the Ayah may refer to severe torture or it may be the name of a valley in the Hell. Were the whole mountains of the world brought in such valley it would melt because of severe heat. This is the abode of those who are not serious in Prayer unless they re­pent to Allah and regret for what they have done.

Allah, the Almighty, says,

{O ye who believe! Let not your riches or your children di­vert you from the remembrance of Allah, if any act thus, surely they are the losers.}

                                                                                                           (AI-Munafiqun: 9)

        The exegetes said, "The remembrance of Allah in the above Ayah means the five daily Prayers. Therefore, whoever preoccupies himself with his property, trade, livelihood or children rather performing Prayer in its definite time will be a loser.

        The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"The first of one's works that he shall be called to account for on the Day of Judgment is the Prayer. If he performed it well, he will be prosperous. Otherwise, he will be loser.”[26]

        Allah, the Most High, says,

{What led you into Hell-Fire? They will say, 'We were not of those who prayed, nor were we of those who feed the indigent. But we used to talk vanities with vain talkers, and we used to deny the Day of Judgment until there came to us (the Hour) that is certain. Then will no intercession of any intercessor profit them.}

                                                                                                                                                 (Al-Muddathir: 42-48)

 

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"The covenant between us and them consists of the Prayer:Whoever leaves it has disbelieved.” [27]

  It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Between a man and unbelief is the nonperformance of the Prayer.”[28]

"Whoever neglects the Prayer of 'Asr (Late Afternoon Prayer) will have his deeds vain.”[29]

"Whoever neglects the Prayer intentionally will be free from Allah's covenant.”[30]

"I have been commanded to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah and perform the Prayer, and pay Za­kah. If they say it, they have saved their blood and posses­sions from me, except for the right of Islam over them, and their final reckoning is with Allah.”[31]

"Whoever keeps on performing Prayers (in its due time), it will be a light, a proof and redemption for him on the Day of Judgment. Otherwise, he will be assembled with Pha­raoh, Qarun Haman and 'Ubai Ibn Khalaf .”[32]

'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said,

"Whoever neglects the Prayer is beyond the pole of Islam.”[33]

One of the scholars of sacred knowledge said, "He (the one who neglects the Prayer) will be assembled with these four people because he is either preoccupied from performing Prayer by property, king­dom, ministry or trade. If he is preoccupied by wealth, he will be as­sembled with Qarun. If by kingdom, he will be with Pharaoh. If by ministry, he will be with Haman and if by trade, he will be with Ubai Ibn Khalaf."

        Mu'adh Ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the    Prophet (pbuh) said,

           "Whoever intentionally missed an obligatory Prayer there­  by becomes an unbeliever.”[34]

'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab said, "A man came to the Messenger of Al­lah and asked, "O Messenger of Allah, what are most beloved deeds to Allah in Islam?" The Messenger said, "To perform Prayers on time, and whoever neglect Prayers has no religion. Prayers are the pillar of Islam..”[35]

When Umar was stabbed he was called to Prayer and replied by saying, "Yes, whoever misses Prayer is non-Muslim." He then prayed while bleeding."

'Abdullah Ibn Shaqiq, one of the Tabi'een, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "The Prophet's Companions did not view the nonper­formance of anything as unbelief besides the Prayers.”[36]

          When' Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked about a woman who did not Prayers, he said, "Whoever neglects Prayers is un­believer."

Ibn Mas'ud also said,

"Whoever does not pray is an infidel."

Ibn 'Abbas stated, "Whoever intentionally missed an obligatory Prayer entails Allah's wrath when he dies."

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Whoever dies neglecting the Prayers, Allah will not regard any of his good deeds.” [37]

Ibn Hazm said, "The most heinous sins next to Shirk (polytheism) are the delayment of Prayers and taking a life of a believer except for just cause." Ibrahim An-Nakh'i also said, "Whoever leaves the Prayers has disbelieved."

Moreover, 'Aun Ibn 'Abdullah said, "When a servant is laid in his grave, he will be asked, first about the Prayers. If it is accepted, his other works will be examined. If not, nothing will be examined any more."

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"When a servant performed a Prayer on time, it will rise skyward enveloped with light until it reaches the Throne. There, it asks forgiveness to its doer up to the Day of Judgment, and says, "May Allah preserve you as you have preserved me." But if the servant performs a Prayer out of its time, it will rise skyward enveloped with darkness. When it reaches the sky, it will be folded as an old cloth and then kicked back to the doer's face and says, "May Allah make you lose as you missed me.”[38]

'Abdullah Ibn 'Amr Ibn AI-As related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Allah does not accept the Prayers of three people: whoever leads a group of people who dislike him, whoever prays af­ter missing the due time of the Prayer, and he who enslaved someone after freeing him.”[39]

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Whoever joins two Prayers together without a legal ex­cuse, he then commits a major sin.”[40]

When should a child be ordered to perform the Prayer?

        The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"When a boy reaches the age of seven years, teach him the Prayers (Salat), and punish him, when he commits a default (in his Prayers) at the age often years.” [41]

It was related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"When your children attain the age of seven years, ask them to perform the Prayer and chastise them in respect of any fault in this behalf; when they are ten years old, let them sleep in separate beds.” [42]

         Imlam Sulyman AI-Khattabi (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "This hadith indicates that the punishment of nonperformance of the Prayer increases when the child reaches puberty. Some disciples of Imam Shafi'i cited the above hadith as an evidence to kill the child if he persisted to neglect the Prayer purposely 'after reaching puberty. They assumed that if he deserves to be struck while still a child thus he should rather face more severe punishment after reaching puberty and nothing can be lost severe than death.

There are differences among Islamic legal scholars as to the judgment of he who neglects the Prayer. Malik, Shafi'i and Ahmed all hold that the one who misses the Prayer is executed. Then they differ as regards his belief, should they call him an unbeliever or not (incase of neglectil1g the Prayer without a legal excuse)? The opinion that such a person become an unbeliever has been ascribed to Ibrahim An­Nakh'iy, AYyub As-Sakhtiyani, 'Abdullah Ibn AI-Mubarak, Ahmed Ibn Hambal and Ishaq Ibn Rahawyah. Those who hold that whoever misses a Prayer becomes an unbeliever adduce the following evi­dence:

The ProPhet (pbuh) said,

          "The covenant between us and them consists of the Prayer: whoever leaves it has disbelieved.”[43]

The Messenger also said,

"Between a man between unbelief is the nonperformance of the Prayer.”[44]

 

 

The Benefits of Performing Prayers:

        The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Whoever keeps on performing the prescribed Prayer, Allah will grant him five honorable rewards: he will lead a happy life, avoid the torment in the grave, receive his record by his right hand, cross Sirat (the bridge on Fire) as swift as lightening and enter Paradise without being reckoned. But who is remiss in performing the Prayer, Allah will make him suffer fifteen kind of punishment, five in this world, three when dying, three in the grave, and three when being resurrected. The worldly punishments are: he loses the glamor (the blessing) of his life span, the righteous appear­ance diminishes from his face, he works in vain, he will not have his supplications answered and he will not make use of the righteous people's supplications.

When dying: he dies humiliated, hungry, thirsty even if he drinks all the rivers of the world. In the grave: he will be compressed so tightly that his ribs permute, blazing in fire day and night and will face a bald-headed poisonous male serpent with two black spots over its eyes which are created of Fire and the fingernails of iron; each fingernail is equal to the distance covered in a day. It will address the deceased in a very roaring sound like thunder saying, "I am the bald­headed poisonous male serpent, My Lord commanded me to beat you for missing the Fajr Prayer until sunrise, the Dhuhr until Asr, Asr Prayer until Maghrib, Maghrib Prayer until 'Isha' and Ish until Fajr."

Whoever he strikes him, he sinks in the earth for seventy arms deep and he will keep sinking therein until the Day of Judgment.

Eventually, when being resurrected from his grave, he will be risen up with three lines written on his face: 1) You ne­glect Allah's right 2) You got Allah's wrath 3) As you have neglected Allah's right in the world, you should despair His Mercy on this Day.”[45]

Ibn 'Abbas said, "On the Day of Judgment, a man is brought be­fore Allah. Then Allah issues a command to cast him into Fire. The man asks Allah, "O My Lord, why? Allah, then, replies, "Because you neglected to perform the Prayer in its time and you swear falsely by Me."

"One day the Prophet (pbuh) said before his Companions:

"O Allah, let not any of us wretched or deprived." Then, he said, "Do you know who the wretched and deprived is? “They said, "Who is that, Messenger of Allah?" He said, "The one who neglects the Prayer. “[46]

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"The first faces that will turn dark on the Day of Judgment are the faces of those who neglect the Prayer. In the Hell­Fire.. there is a valley called AI-Malham that contains serpents. Each serpent is as fat as a camel's neck and its length is equal to the distance covered in a day. Then, it stings the one who neglects the Prayer, the poison boils in his body for seventy years then the flesh is torn out.”[47]

Once, an Israelite woman came to Musa (pbuh) and said, "0 Mes­senger of Allah, I committed a grievous sin but I repented to Allah. So may you invoke Allah to forgive me and accept my repentance?" Musa said, "What was your sin?" She replied, "I committed adultery and then gave birth to a child whom I killed." Musa (pbuh) said, "Go away corrupt woman lest the fire strike from the sky and bum us." Ac­cordingly, the woman went out with a broken heart. Then, Jibreel (Ga­breal) lauded and said, "O Musa, Allah the Almighty asked you, why you rejected the penitent woman. Have not you found anyone worst than her?" Musa asked, "Who is that Jibreel?" He replied, "The one who intentionally neglects the Prayer."

Mas'ud AI-Badri related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"A Prayer is not valid if one's back is not upright after bow­ing and prostration.” [48]

Thus, he who prays should remain motionless for a moment while bowing, prostrating, standing etc.

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"The worst thief is he who steals from his Prayer.” Someone asked, "How?" He answered, "When he does not bow, pros­trate or recite therein perfectly.” [49]

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

                "Allah does not look to a man who does not rise his back upright and prostration.”[50]

"This the Prayer of a hypocrite who watches the sun until he finds it about to set, then he stands and performs it as quick as a bird picking the seeds and he hardly remembers Allah in it.”[51]

 

Abdullah AI-Ash'ari related, One day the Prophet (pbuh) led the companions in the Prayer. After finishing the Prayer, someone came in to pray. He started to pray so fast that he could hardly remain motionless for a moment while bowing or prostrating. Meanwhile, the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Behold, if this man dies, he dies believing in a religion other than Muhammad's."

'Umar Ibn AI-Khattab related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever prays is surrounded by two angels on right and left. If he performed it properly, they take it and ascend to Al­lah, the Almighty. Otherwise, they struck his face with it.” [52]

'Ubadah Ibn As-Aumit related, the Prophet (pbuh) said,

 "Whoever makes ablution properly and performs properly the integrals of Prayer: bowing, prostration and recitation therein, the Prayer says, "May Allah preserve you as you preserve me.” Then the Prayer is risen up skyward enveloped with light. When approaching the heaven 's gates, it will find it opened. So it keeps on rising up until it reaches Allah. There, it intercedes for the one who performed it. But if he does not perform (its integral) properly: bowing, prostration or recitation therein, the Prayer says, "May Allah neglect you as you neglected me..”  Then, the Prayer is risen up skyward enveloped with darkness. Approaching the gates of heaven, it will find it closed. Then, it will be folded as an old cloth and kicked back to the doer's face.”[53]

Salman AI-Farisi narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

“The Prayer is a measure. Whoever gives a just measure, he will be rewarded in full. Whoever stints, you know what Al­lah says about the stinters. "

Allah, the Almighty says,

{Woe to the stinters.}

                                 (AI-Mutafifeen:l)

 

The stinter is he who stints when weighing or measuring out goods or Prayers. Allah promises to punish them with Wail. A valley in the Hell-Fire from its heat the Hell itself seeks refuge. We seek Allah's refuge from it.

Ibn ' Abbas narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

                                                                                   .

"Whoever prostrates should place his forehead, nose and hands on the floor, as Allah has revealed upon me to pros­trate on five organs: Forehead, nose, the palms of hands, the knees and feet. I have also not to prostrate on hair nor cloths. Thus, .whoever prostrates improperly, the organ that fails to touch the floor will curse him until he completes the Prayer.” [54]

 

AI-Bukhari reported on the authority of Huzayfa Ibn AI- Yamman (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that he once noticed a man praying but he bowed and prostrated improperly. He said to hi,: "You did not pray. If you die, you will die believing in a religion other than Muhammad's (pbuh).”[55]

In Abu Dawud's narration, the above hadith is reported as follow­ing, "How long have you prayed in this manner?" He said, "Forty years ago;" He said, "You did not pray forty years ago and if you died you would die believing in a religion other than Muhammed's (pbuh)."

AI-Hassan AI-Basri used to say, "O son of Adam what is dearer to you of your religion than Prayers. It is the first thing that you will be called to account for on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"The first of people works that they should be called to ac­count for on the Day of Judgment is the Prayer. Our Lord, Holly and Exalted will say to His angels, while knowing better than they, "Look at the Prayer of My servant. Did he perform it in full, or fall short of it?" If it is in order, then he will have prospered ad succeeded; if it is wanting, then he will have failed and lost. While if anything is missing from it, He will say, "Look to see if My servant has any supere­rogatory worship.” And if he has, Allah will say, "Complete My servant's obligatory Prayers for him from his supere­rogatory ones. “And he will be dealt with likewise in his other works.”[56]

        Hence, we should increase our supererogatory worshipping to complete the obligatory ones if they fall shorter.

The punishment of he who misses the congregational Prayer though he is able to do, Allah, the Almighty Says,

{The Day that the shin shall be laid bare, and they shall be summoned to prostrate, but they shall not be able, their eyes will be cast down, ignominy will cover them; seeing that they had been summoned aforetime to bow in adoration, while they were whole, (and had refused.)}           (AI-Qalam: 42-43)

 

Sa'id Ibn AI-Musaiyyib commented, although they were whole in this world, they did not answer the caller to Prayer. On the other hand, Ka'b AI-Ahbar said, By Allah, this Ayah is only revealed concerning those who missed the congregational Prayer. 0' what a severe torture awaiting for those who are able to perform the Prayer in congregation, but they do not."

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"I have considered having a man lead people at Prayer and going myself to those who hang back from attending the Prayer in congregation to burn their houses down upon them.”[57]

                Behold, this threat cannot be issued unless there is something obligatory left.

                It was related that once, a blind man came to the Prophet (pbuh) and said,

"0 Messenger of Allah, I have nobody to lead me to the mosque." Then he asked for a permission to pray at home. Thereby, the Prophet permitted him. But before leaving, the Prophet called him and said, "Do you hear the Call to Prayer?” He said, yes. The Prophet said, "Then you have to respond to it.” [58]

Once, 'Amr Ibn Umm Maktum came to the Prophet (pbuh) and said,

"0 Messenger of Allah, in Madina there are numerous num­ber of reptiles and beasts whereas I am a blind man and live far away from the mosque. Further, I have an inconven­ient guide. Shall I have a dispension to pray at home? "Then, the Prophet (pbuh) asked, "Do you hear the words of the Call to Prayer?" He said, yes. The Prophet said, "Then, you have to respond to it, I have no dispension to you.” [59]

Behold, that is a blind man and faces many hardship in his way to the mosque and has no guide, yet the Prophet does not permit him to pray at home. How about the sightful people who have no excuse?

Therefore, when Ibn 'Abbas is asked about someone who fasts the day and prays the night but does not attend the Friday or con­gregational Prayer. He replied, "If he dies doing that he will enter the Hell-Fire.”[60]

Abu Hurayrah said, "It is better for one's ears to be filled with mol­ten lead than to hear the Call to Prayer without answering it."

       Ibn 'Abbas related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

          "Whoever heard the caller to Prayer and did not answer not because of an excuse.”  Someone asked, "What kind of excuse is that, Messenger?" He said, "Fear or sickness, he will not have his Prayer accepted.”[61]

i.e., the Prayer which he performed at home.

 

Ibn ' Abbas also related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"There are three people whom Allah cursed: Whoever leads a group of people in Prayer who dislike him, a woman whose husband spends the night angry with her and whoev­er heard the call to Prayer but he does not answer.” [62]

'Ali Ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "A Prayer of a neighbor of a mosque is only accepted in the mosque." Someone asked, "Who is a neighbor of a mosque?" He said, "Whoever hears the call to Prayer."

`Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"A person who likes to meet Allah tomorrow (on the Day of Judgment) as a true Muslim, he should then take care of those Prayers where (and when) he is summoned for them. This is necessary as Allah has laid down some practices and rules for us to follow (which have reached us) through our Prophet (pbuh) and these Prayers are among them. If you offer Prayers at your houses as this good for nothing person is doing, you will be guilty of neglecting the way of your Prophet (pbuh) then you go astray. I have seen the people in condition when only known hypocrites used to be out of the lines of congregation. Some of us used to be brought to the mosque with the help of two men on account of their weakness or illness, until they could stand in line.” [63]

Ar-Rabie Ibn Khutham had a disease in his leg. He used to go out for Prayer leaning on two men. They advised him, "O father of Mu­hammed, Allah has permitted you to pray at home as you have a legal excuse." He said, "Ok, but I hear the call to Prayer. Whoever could an­swer even if he creeps or crawl, it is better to do so."

Hatim AI-Asam said, "One day, I missed a Prayer in congregation but no one lead me except Abu Ishaq AI-Bukhari. However, if one of my children died, there would be ten thousand people who offer me condolence. This is because a trial in religion is easier than a one at the sight of people.

Someone of early Muslims said, a congregational Prayer is missed because of sins. Ibn 'Umar narrated, "Once Umar was in his garden, when coming back, he found that the people had performed the Asr Prayer. Thereby, he said, "We will surely return to Allah! I missed the Asr Prayer in congregation. May you witness that I gave my garden in charity to the needy so as to expiate what 'Umar had done."

It is recommended to pay more attention to 'Isha' and Fajr. The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"The hypocrites find dawn (Fajr) and night (Isha') Prayers in congregation as very oppressive. If they could know the virtues of these two Prayers, they would certainly join them, even if they had to go crawling.” [64]

        Ibn 'Umar said, "When missing a man in the congregational Prayer of Isha and Fajr, we might think that he was a hypocrite."

 

'Ubaydallah Ibn Amr Al-Qawarir said, "I have never missed Isha Prayer in congregation. One night I had a grief which occupied me from performing the' Isha' Prayer in congregation. Thereby, I sought for another mosque allover AI-Basra to realize the Prayer but of no avail all the mosques were closed. Then I went home and decided to apply what is stated in the hadith,

           "Recompense for Prayer offered along with the congregation is twenty seven times more than the Prayer         offered in home or.”[65]

Therefore, I performed' Isha' Prayer twenty seven times. Afterwards, I slept. I dreamt that I was riding my horse racing some other people who were also riding their horses but I could not catch them. Then one turned to me and said, "Do not get your horse toiled, you would never catch us. I asked him why? He said, we performed the 'Isha' Prayer in congregation but you did alone. Then I got up so sad.

We seek Allah's help and guidance for He is the Most Generous, the Most Bounteous.

 

5) Not Paying Zakat

   Allah, the Most High, says,

{And let not those who covetously withhold of the gifts which Allah hath given them of His Grace, think that it is good for them: Nay, it will be the worse for them: Soon it will be tied to their necks like a twisted caller, on the Day of Judgment. To Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with all that ye do.}

                                                                                                                                                             (AI-Imran: 180)

The Qur'an also states,

{And woe to those who pay not Zakat and who even deny the Hereafter. For those who believe and work deeds of righteousness is a reward that will never fail.}                                                      (Fussilat: 6-7)

 

Allah, the Almighty, says,

{And there are those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah: announce unto them a most grievous chastisement. On the Day when it will be heated in the Fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs. This is the (treasure) which ye hoarded for yourselves: taste ye, then, the (treasures) ye hoarded.}                                                    (At- Tawbah: 34-35)

 

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"A wealthy person who has got gold and silver, but does not pay the Zakat due on the same, (should know that) his gold and silver will be melted on the Day of Judgment and Con­verted into slabs which will then be heated in the fire of Hell, and then has sides, his forehead, and his back will be branded therewith. When these slabs will get cold, they will be heated up once more in the furnace of the Hell, the branding will be continued throughout the day, the duration of which will be equal to fifty thousand years, and the cases of all the people will have been decided by this time and they will be shown their way either to the Hell or to Para­dise.”[66]

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"There are three people who will enter the Fire: An oppressive leader, a wealthy person who does not pay Allah's right from his wealth and a proud poor.”[67]

Ibn ' Abbas, (may Allah be pleased with him), said, "Whoever has enough property to make pilgrimage or to pay Zakat but he does not will ask Allah to return (to this world) when dying." Someone said, "Ibn 'Abbas, fear Allah, No one asks for return but the unbelievers." Then Ibn ' Abbas read Allah's saying,

 {And spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before death should come to any of you and he should say, ' O my Lord! Why didst thou not give me respite for a little while I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good.}

                                                                                                                                        (Al-Munafiqun: 10)

 

There is no Zakat on (gold or silver) jewelry that is for permissible use, but if it is prepared for uses of renting or as an article which is pennanent acquisition then Zakat is obligatory. Zakat is also obligato­ry for trade.

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever is made wealthy by Allah and does not pay the Zakat of his wealth will be made like a bald-headed poisonous male snake with two black spots over its eyes. The snake will encircle his neck and bite his cheeks and say, "I am your treasure " Then he recited the following verse, {And definitely let not the ones who are miserly with what Allah has given them,' no indeed, it is an evil (thing) for them. They shall have annulated (about their necks) whatever they were miserly with, on the Day of

Resurrection and to Allah is the inheritance of the heavens and the earth,' and Allah is Ever Cognizant of whatsoever you do}                                                                                                                 (AI-Imran: 180)[68]

 

In his commentary on Allah's saying

{On the Day when it will be heated in the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, -This is the (treasures) which ye hoarded for yourselves: taste ye, then the (treasures) ye hoarded}

                                                                                                                                                         (Al- Tawbah: 35)

 

Ibn Mas'ud said, “Dirham and Dinar will not be put in his skin collectively but separately and will cover him totally.”

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Five (actions) entail five (punishments)" They asked, "What does it mean?" He said, "Whenever some people break a covenant, Allah will entice their enemy to attack them. If they rule in other than Allah's law, they will be plagued with poverty. If indecency (adultery) prevails them, there will be more deaths. If they give short scales or weights they will be deprived of tillage and will suffer the barren years, if they do not pay Zakat, there will be no rain.” [69]

Muhammad Ibn Yusuf Al-Feriabi said, II Once I went out accompa­nied with a group of my friends to visit Abu Sann'an, may Allah have mercy on him. When we entered his house and sat down for a while, he said, “Let us visit a neighbor whose brother has recently died to console him.” Then, we all went to the man but we found him wailing and impatient for the death of his brother. Accordingly, we tried to console him but of no avail. We admonished him that death is an inev­itable end. Then, he said, I know. I just weep for my brother’s death abode and the torture he is in. We asked, “Did Allah enable you to know the Unseen?” He said,” Of course not, but when I buried him and people went away I sat down by his grave. Meanwhile, I heard a sound of distress. I heard someone crying.” Oh, they left me alone to suffer the torture. I was praying, and fasting. Then, I wept and out of pity I began to snatch the grave to see him. The grave was full of fire and I noticed a circle of fire around his neck. Out of pity I extended my arm to extricate him from such circle of fire. No sooner did I ex­tend my hand than my fingers were burnt. Then, the man showed us his burnt hand. He went on saying, I hoarded the earth over him again and went away. Thus, how can I keep patient after I have seen how he is. We, then, asked, "What did your brother do in this world?" He re­plied. “He did not pay Zakat." We said, "This is in accordance with Allah's saying,

{And not those who covetously withhold of the gifts which Allah hath given them of His Grace, think that it is good for them: Nay, it will be the worse for them: Soon it will be tied to their neck like a twisted collar on the day of Judgment.}                                                                                                              (Al-Imran: 180)

 

Your brother, therefore, is being tortured in advance in his grave until the Day of Judgment. Afterwards, we went ahead to Abu Dharr., the Prophet's companion, and told him this man's story. We also said, "When a Jew or a Christian dies, we do not notice them suf­fering like that," He said; "They are undoubtedly in the Hell-fire. Al­lah just shows you the abode of the Muslims to learn the lesson. Allah, the Most High, says,

{Now have come to you, from your Lord proofs (to open your eyes): If any will see, it will be for (the good of) his own soul: If any will be blind it will be to his own (harm) I am not (here to watch over your doing.)}

                                                                                                                                             (AI-An' am: 104)

 

6) Breaking One's Fast During Ramadan Without An Excuse

Allah, the Most High, says,

{O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) selfrestraint. (Fasting) for a fixed number of days,' but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later.}                                           (AI-Baqarah: 183-184)

     The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Islam is built upon five pillars: Testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing prayers, paying Zakat, making pilgrimage and fasting in Ramada.”[70]

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said;

          "Whoever breaks a fast during Ramadan" without an excuse or illness could not requite it by fasting a lifetime, were he to do so.” [71]

Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said; "Principles of Islam are three: testifying that there is no god but Allah, prayers and fasting in Ramadan. Whoever misses anyone of them has disbe­lieved.”[72]

We seek Allah's refuge from them.

 

7) Not Performing The Hajj When Able to

  Allah, the Most High, says,

{Pilgrimage thereto is a duty, men owe to Allah those who can afford the journey; but if any deny faith, Allah stands not in need of any of his creatures.}                                                               (Al-Umran: 97)

 

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever can afford this journey to the sacred House, by provision and transportation and he does not make the pil­grimage, there is no blame if he dies as a Jew or a Chris­tian. This is because Allah says,

"Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah -those who can afford the journey.”[73]

'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "I have considered sending men to these cities to see who has not made the pilgrimage, and collect the non-Muslim poll tax (Jizya) from everyone possessing the means who has not performed it. They are not Muslims."

Ibn ' Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Whoever does not make pilgrimage or pay Zakat will ask to be returned to life when dying.” Someone said, "No one asks to be returned except the unbe­lievers." He said, "Allah, the Almighty, says,

 

{And spend something (in charity) out of the substance which we have bestowed on you, before death should come to any of you and he should say: 0 my Lord! Why didst thou no give me respite for a little while I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good.}

(Al-Munafiqun: 10)

 

i.e., I should have made pilgrimage.

      Allah Most High says,

{But to no soul will God grant respite when the time appointed for it has come.}

It was asked, "In what amount is Zakat obligatory?" He answered; "Two hundred Dirhams and the equivalent amount if it is gold." Someone asked, "What about pilgrimage?" He said, "Provision and transportation."

Sa'id Ibn Jubair said, "If I have a wealthy neighbor who died with­out making pilgrimage, I would never pray over him."

 

 

8) Showing Disrespect to One's Parents

Allah, the Most High, says,

{Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them at­tain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: "My Lord! Bestow on them Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.}                                                           (Al-Isra: 23-24)

Therefore, you should serve them as they did with you. But your service is not equal to theirs as they suffered a lot in bringing you up, hoping that you might live long. On the other hand, when you shoulder their burdens you hope that they will die soon.

Allah, the Most High, says,

 

{Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: To Me is thy final goal.}                                (Luqman: 14)

 

 

Behold, how Allah has associated gratitude to Him with the grati­tude to the parents Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), said, "There are three verses (ayat) which have been revealed associat­ed with three others. They are not accepted separately.

a) Allah, the Most High, says,

{Obey Allah and Obey the Messenger. And beware (of evil) if ye do turn back, know ye that it is our Messenger's duty to proclaim (the message in the clearest manner.}                                  (Al-Ma'idah: 92)

 

Thus, whoever only obeys Allah will have his obedience not accepted.

b) {And be steadfast in prayer: Give Zakat.}                                                               (AI-Baqarah: 43)

 

Hence, whoever performed prayers and does not pay Zakat will have his prayers not accepted

c) {Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is thy final goal.}                                    (Luqman: 14)

 

Whoever shows gratitude to Allah and neglects his parents will not have his gratitude accepted.

         The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Allah's satisfaction is the parent's and His Wrath is theirs.”[1]

"A man came and sought permission for Jihad (fighting in the way of Allah). The prophet (pbuh) asked him: '”Are your parents living? The man said" yes, Sir.' He said, 'Then car­ry on Jihad in service to your parents as this is as good as Jihad.”[2]

Behold, how Allah has preferred obeying and honoring the parents to Jihad!

        The Prophet (pbuh) said,

           "Shall I not tell you of the worst major sins? Worshipping others with Allah and showing disrespect to parents."

        Again Allah associates showing disrespect to parents with worshipping others besides Him.

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Whoever shows disrespect to his parents, he who reminds recipients of his charity to them and he who addicts to wine will not enter Paradise.”[3]

In another tradition the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Had Allah known something concerning showing disre­spect to one's parents little than Uf (a word of contempt) He would have forbidden it. Let the rebellious son do whatever he does, he will not enter Paradise, and let the obedient son do whatever he wants, he will not enter the Hell-Fire.”[4]

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"May Allah curse he who shows disrespect to his parents.” [5]

"May Allah curse he who reviles his father; may Allah curse he who reviles his mother.” [6]

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

“Allah respites whatever He wants of the sins until the day of Judgment save showing disrespect to one's parents, it will be hastened to its doer.”[7]

i.e. the worldly punishment before the Day of Judgment

Ka'b Al-Ahbar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Allah has­tens the death of anyone who shows disrespect to his parents so as torture him. On the other hand, Allah increases one's life span if he is kind to his parents to bless him."

Treating one's parents with honour also requires sustaining them with the living costs when they are needy. A man came and said to the Prophet (pbuh),

"0 Messenger of Allah, my father asks for my property.” Then the. Prophet (pbuh) said, "Both you and what you pos­sess are your father's.”[8]

When Ka'b Al-Ahbar was asked about the meaning of showing disrespect to one's parents, he said, "When one's father or mother swore an oath and he or she did not fulfill it. When they ordered him to do something but he did not obey. When they ask him for some­ thing and he refused. When they entrust him for something but de­ceives them.

Ibn 'Abbas was asked about Ashab Al- 'Araf (men of the Heights) and he said; "As for the Heights, it is a mountain between Fire and Paradise. It is so-called because it outlooks Fire and Paradise. It is also covered by trees, fruits, rivers and wells. As for the men who seized thereon, they are those who went out to fight in the cause of Allah without their parents' permission and then are killed. Death in the cause of Allah protects them from the Hell-Fire. But disobedience to their parents deprived them of Paradise. Thus, they will be on the Heights until Allah judges them.

It was related that a man asked the Prophet (pbuh),

"Who deserves my service most after Allah?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked again, "And who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked further, "Who is next?" The Prophet replied, "Your mother.” The man asked once more, "And who is next?" The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Your father and then the closer kins.” [9]

Thus, the Prophet (pbuh) emphasizes that the mother is the one who deserves much concern and therefore he mentioned her three times. It is the mother indeed who bears a lot in pregnancy, giving birth, and suckling and constant care to the child night and day.

Once Ibn 'Umar saw a man bearing his mother upon his shoulder and making circumambulation around the Ka'ba. The map ' asked him, "Do you think that I requite her? No, not even with a cry from child­birth. But, well done. Allah will give you in return for a little deed a great reward.”[10]

            Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"There are four people who will not enter Paradise as Allah decreed: a drunkard, a usurer, he who appropriates the or­phan's property without a legal cause and he who shows disrespect to one's parents.” [11]

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers.”[12]

A man came to Abu Ad-Darda' and said, "O Abu Ad-Darda', I have married a woman but my mother ordered me to divorce her." Then Abu Ad-Darda' said, "Parents is the middle gate of Paradise. You may either miss or preserve it.”[13]

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Three supplications are surely acceptable: the supplication of the oppressed, the traveler and the parents against their children.” [14]

“An aunt is treated as a mother i. e., honorable treatment.” [15]

Wahb Ibn Munabbih said, "In the tablets written by Allah to Musa is the following, 'O Musa! Respect your parents. Whoever respects his parents I will extend his life span and grant him a grateful progeny. But, whoever shows disrespect to his parents I will shorten his life span and grant him an ungrateful progeny.”[16]

Abu Bakr Ibn Abu Mariam also said, "I read in the Torah that he who hits his father will be killed." Similarly, Wahb said, "I read in the Torah that he who slaps his father should be stoned until death."

`Amr Ibn Murrah Al-Juhanni said, "A man came to the Messenger of Allah and asked, 'OMessenger of Allah, what do you say if/pray obligatory duties, fast during Ramadan, give due Zakat on my Y1-'ealth, and perform Hajj if I am able to do so, what is my reward?' The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, 'He who does this, he will be with the prophets, truthful people and the martyrs unless he disrespects his parents.”[17]

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "May Allah curse he who shows disrespect to his parents."

It was narrated. Also that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"In the night of /sra' (Night Journey) / saw groups of people in the Hell-Fire hanged on trunks of fire. / asked, "Who are they, Gabriel?" He said, "They are those who revile their parents in this world.”

Bishr said, "Whoever is intimated by his mother and listens to her speech is better than the one who fights with his sword in the cause of Allah. Gazing at her surpasses every thing. Once a man and a woman presented before the Prophet (pbuh) arguing about their child. The man said, "O Messenger of Allah, he is my child who was created from my loins (backbone)." On the other hand, the woman said, "O Messenger of Allah he bore him lightly and proceeded it out of lust. But I bore him in travail, delivered him in travail and suckled him dur­ing two full years." Thereupon, the Prophet judged for the mother.”[18]

In the Prophet's lifetime, there was a young man called Alqamah. He was so devout that he exerted great efforts in performing many prayers, fasting and spending money in charity. He had a fatal disease that his wife informed the Prophet (pbuh) that her husband was dying. Thereby, the Prophet (pbuh) sent `Ammar, Suhaib and Bilal to instruct the dying to say the testification of Faith. When they arrived there, they found him dying. Therefore, they began to instruct him to say there is no god but Allah, but he could not repeat it. They returned to the Prophet (pbuh) to consult him. Then, the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Did he have living parents?" They said, "He had an aged mother." Accord­ingly, the Prophet asked them to bring her if she was able to walk. Otherwise he himself will go there. When being informed by the Prophet's message, the mother said, "I sacrifice him with my soul. I will go to him." She then went to him leaning on a staff. After greet­ing, the Prophet (pbuh) said; "O mother of Alqamah, tell me the truth and if you lie Allah will reveal me the truth. How was Alqamah?" She said, "He performed much prayers, fasting and spending money in

charity." Then, the Prophet (pbuh) asked, "What about you?" She said, "O Messenger of Allah! I am angry with him." The Prophet asked, "Why?" She said, "Because he prefers his wife to me and also dis­obeys me." Then, the Prophet (pbuh) said, "The anger of Alqamah's other holds Alqamah's tongue to utter the testification of Faith."

 Afterwards, the Prophet said, O Bilal, go and gather a pile of wood." The woman said, "Why, Messenger of Allah?" The Prophet said, “To bum him before your eyes." She said, "O Messenger of Allah, he is my son! I cannot endure that he be burnt before my eyes." Then, the Prophet said, "But Allah's torture is more severe and lasting, mother of `Alqamah. So if you like him to be forgiven by Allah, you forgive him. By Whom in Whose hands my soul is, what he performed of prayers, fasting and charity is of no avail so long as you are angry with him."

Then, she said, "O Messenger of Allah, may Allah the Almighty, his angels and all Muslims who are present witness that I forgive my son, Alqamah." Thereupon, the Prophet said, "Go to him, Bilal to see whether he can utter the testification of Faith or not? She might forgive him out of shyness." Approaching Alqamah's house, Bilal heard him saying, "There is no god but Allah" Then, the Prophet (pbuh) ordered them to prepare the funeral, washing and shroud. Then, he prayed over him and witnessed the funeral. Then, the Prophet stood in front of the deceased grave and said, "O Muhajirin (Emigrants) O Ansar (Helpers), he who prefers his wife to his mother entails the curse of Allah, His angels and the whole people. Allah never accepts his deeds or a reason unless he makes repentance, treats his mother well and asks her consent. This is because Allah's consent is conditioned on the mother's and His wrath is hers.”[19]

 

9) Severing the Ties of One's Relatives

Allah, the Most High, says,

{Fear Allah, through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights) and be heedful of the wombs.}       (An-Nisa': 1)

 

The Qur'an also states,

{Then it is to be expected of you, if ye were put in authori­ty, that ye will do mischief in the land, and break your ties of kith and kin: Such are the men whom Allah has cursed for He has made them deaf and blinded their sight.}

                                                                                                                                                  (Muhammad: 22-23)

 

Allah, the Almighty, says,

{Those who fulfill the covenant of Allah and fail not in their plighted word; those who join together those things which Allah hath commanded to be joined, hold their Lord in awe, and fear the terrible reckoning.}

                                                                                                                                               (Ar-Ra'd: 20-21)

 

Allah, the Most High, says,

{He causes many to stray, and many He leads into the right path,. But He causes not to stray, except those who forsake (the path), those who break Allah's covenant after it is ratified, and who sunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, and do mischief on earth: Those cause loss only to themselves.}   (Al-Baqarah: 26-27)

 

      The Prophet (pbuh) said,

          "He who severs his family ties will not enter Paradise.”[20]

Thus, whoever abandons his relatives, is proud over them and dis­dains to support the needy if he is rich is included in this punishment unless he repents to Allah the Most Exalted and treats them well.

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Whoever has feeble kins and does not treat them well and pays his charity to others and neglects them, Allah does not accept his charity and will not look to him on the Day of Judgment.”[21]

 

But whoever is poor should keep good terms with them, visit them and be heedful of them.

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Wet your wombs (relationships) even by just greeting.”[22]

The Prophet also said,

"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should have a link with his kins.”[23]

 

 

"A person who reciprocates in doing good is not the one who joins his blood relations generously,' but he is one who joins with his blood relations when they cut with him.”[24]

 

"Allah Almighty says, "I am the Merciful and it is the womb i.e. blood relation. I will hold by him who hold by it; and I will cut asunder from him who cuts asunder from it.”[25]

 

Ali Ibn AI-Husain, may Allah be pleased with him, said to his son, "O son do not befriend he who severs the ties of his kins since I have found him cursed in Allah's Book three times."

One day, Abu Hurairah, May Allah be pleased with him, sat to de­liver a lesson about the people's tradition? Then, he said, "I hope that anyone of you who severs the ties of his kins to leave us." A young man sitting at the end of the circle left. The young man went forward to his aunt whom he did not visit for years and reconciled her. His aunt asked him: "Why did you come, my nephew?" He said, "When I sat to listen from Abu Hurairah, the prophet's companion, he said, "I hope anyone of you who severs the ties of his kills to leave us." Then, his aunt asked him to go back to Abu Hurairah to ask him about the reason. Thereupon, Abu Hurairah answered: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying, "Mercy is not showed upon a group of people among them is someone who severs the ties of his kins.”[26]

Once, a wealthy man when traveling to at the Sacred House in Mecca to perform Hajj (pilgrimage), deposited one hundred thousand Dinars to a trusty and righteous man until he returned from' Arafat.

Having stood on Arafat, he returned to Mecca to find that the man was dead. He asked the deceased family for his money. But they knew nothing about the money. Accordingly, he explained the plight to the scholars of Mecca who then told him to approach the Zamzam well at midnight and then call upon the man. If he answered you the first time you called, he was among the people of Paradise. But the man went back to them after doing what they said with no response. Thereupon, they said, "To Allah we belong and to Him is our return."

The man might be of the people of Fire. Thus, you have to go to Yemen where there is a well-called Barhut. It is said that this well is at the mouth of the Hell, and call upon the man at midnight. Therein, if he is among the people of Fire he will answer you- Having arrived in Yemen and approaching the well, he called upon the man and the man responded. He asked him about the wealth. He told him that he had buried it in such and such a place. Thus, you could go there and dig to regain your wealth. Then, he asked him why he was in such a (horri­ble) place though we thought good of you?" He said, "I had a poor sis­ter whom I abandoned and did not treat her well. Thereby, Allah pun­ished me because of her."

 

This is shown in the Prophet's hadith,

"He who severs the ties of his family will not enter Para­dise.”[27]

 

10) Adultery

Allah, the Almighty, says,

{Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is an indecent (deed) and an evil way.}                                (Al-Isra': 32)

 

The Qur'an also states,

{Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, Nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred, except for just cause, nor commit fornication,' -and any that does this (not only) meets punishment. (But) the chastisement on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him, and he will dwell therein in ignomity.}

                                                                                                                                              (Al-Furqan: 68-70)

 

Allah, the Most High, says,

{The woman and the man guilty of fornication, flog each of them with a hundred stripes: Let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day: And let a party of the believers witness their punishment.”                                                              (An-Nur: 2)

 

The punishment mentioned in the last verse concerns only single fornicators in the world as argued by the scholars. In case of married adulterers (even if they experienced marriage before) they must be stoned until death as postulated by the Prophet (pbuh). But if they escaped the worldly punishment and died without making repentance, they will be tortured in the Hell-Fire with lashes of Fire.

 

In Psalms, it is narrated that Adulterers will be hanged from their genitals in the hell-Fire, on which they will be scourged with slashes of iron. If they cry out of pain, the angels of punishment will address them, "Where was this cry inaudible before? You just used to laugh, play and did not keep the thought of Allah, nor were you shy from Him."

 

The following hadith was stated by the Prophet (pbuh),

"An adulterer is not a believer at the time of committing adultery.” [28]

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"When someone fell in adultery, faith leaves his heart and overshadows him but if he extricates himself; his faith will, be restored again.” [29]

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

             "Whoever fornicates or drinks wine, Allah takes off his faith from him as a man takes a shirt off over his head.” [30]

"There are three people to whom Allah, the Most High will not talk, nor will He absolve them of sins nor look at them: an aged person guilty of adultery, a king who lies and a poor beggar who is proud.” [31]

 

On the authority of Ibn Mas'ud who said, "I asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh),

"What is the most grievous sin at the sight of Allah?" He said, "To associate others with Allah whereas He created you... and to commit adultery with your neighbor's wife.”

Allah, the Almighty, said,

{Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred, except for just cause, nor commit fornication; -and any that does this (not only) meets punishment. (But) the chastisement on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him, and he will dwell therein in ignominy.}

                                                                                                                                         (AL-Furqan: 68-69)

 

Behold! How adultery with one's neighbor, polytheism and slaying the life of others except for just cause are associated with each other.

Once, Ibn Mas'ud asked the Prophet (P.B.U.H) saying, "0 Mes­senger of Allah, what is the most heinous sin? The Prophet answered, "To hold that Allah has an equal, whereas He has created you. Further he asked what is next? The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, "To kill child lest he feeds with you. He added, "What is next? The Prophet (P.B. U .H) said, "To commit adultery with your neighbor's wife.” [32]

When commenting on Allah's statement,

{To it are seven gates: for each of those gates is a special) class (of sinners) assigne.}            (Al-Hijr: 44)

Ata' said, "The most grievous and hated gate of Hell is that which is assigned for adulterers who committed such crime after they had been informed of its consequences.

Makhul Ad-Dimashqi said, "When the people of the Hell-Fire smell a stinking odor they say, 'We have never smelt an odor more stinking than that, Then, they will be told that this is the odor of the adulterers' genitals. Ibn Zayd, one of great exegesists said, "This odor hurts all the people of the Hell-Fire. Of all commandments prescribed by Allah to Moses is the following,

"Do not steal and do not fill into adultery so as not to screen My Face from you."

Behold Moses is the addressee, what about the others.

It was reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Satan (Iblis) often sends his soldiers every where in the earth saying to them, 'Whoever diverts a Muslim I will crown him. The most skillful one in diverting people, the nearest to me. Meanwhile, a devil comes and says, "I kept tempting such and such until he divorced his wife.' Iblis says, 'You did nothing. He will marry another woman.' An­other comes and says, 'I kept tempting such and such until I created a grudge between him and his brother’ Iblis says, 'You did nothing. He will reconcile with him.’ Eventually comes another devil who says, 'I kept tempting such and such until he fell in adultery.’ Iblis says, 'Great and well done. I Then he makes him nearer to him and crowns him.”[33]

We seek Allah's refuge from the evils of Satan and his soldiers.

 

      ­ It was reported that on the authority of Anas that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Faith is like a garment with which Allah covers whomever He likes. But if he falls in adultery, this garment will be taken off and if he repents He will restore it again.”[34]

       The Prophet (pbuh) also said,

"0 Muslims, be aware of adultery. It entails six consequences: Three in this world and the others in the next. As for the worldly consequences, they are a pale face, short life and long poverty. The consequences in the Hereafter are: The wrath of Allah, a severe reckoning and torture in Fire.”[35]

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Whoever persists in drinking wine and then dies, Allah will make him drink from the river of Ghuta, a river flows the genitals of the whores.”[36] In the Fire there will be pus flowing from the whores' genitals that which will be offered to whoever dies persisting in drinking wine.

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Next to polytheism (shirk), is the semen ejaculated by a man in an unlawful womb.”[37]

"In the Hell-Fire there is a valley in which contains serpents. Each serpent is as fat as a camel's neck. When it stings the one who does not pray, it's poison boils in his abode for seventy years and then his flesh is torn out. There is also a valley called the well of Hazan (suffering) which contains serpents and scorpions. Each scorpion is as huge as a mule and has seventy spines. Each spine ends in a poisonous edge. Then, it strikes the adulterer and sprays poison in his body. The adulterer suffers from this painful poison for a thousand years. Then his flesh is torn out and pus flows from his genitals.”[38]

"Whoever makes love with a married woman, they will suf­fer the torture which is supposed to afflict half of this nation in grave. Afterwards, on the Day of Judgment, Allah will give her husband, who does not know (what she does), the right to dispose her good deeds. But if he knows and does nothing, he and his wife will be deprived of Paradise as there is a statement on the door of Paradise which reads, unlawful for the pimp.”[39]

"Whoever touches a woman, who is not lawful to him, be­cause of lust, he will be resurrected with his hand tied to his neck on the Day of Judgment. In case of kissing, his lips will be nipped in the fire. Eventually, if he fell in adultery, his thighs will witness against him, on the Day of Judgment by saying, "I lied on an unlawful" Then, Allah looks to him out of wrath. Thus, his face's flesh fells down. If he ar­rogantly says, "I never did so" Then the tongue witnesses by saying, 'I produced an unlawful utterance.' The hand also says, 'I touched unlawful things.' The eyes says' I looked to the unlawful.' The legs say:' To the unlawful objects did I walk' Finally, the genital says, 'I applied. ' As for the guardi­an angels, he says, 'I heard, and another says,'I wrote' eventually, Allah says, "I knew but concealed him.”[40]

Then, Allah says,

"0 angels! Take him away to torture him. Severe is My wrath on those who are not shy from Me." This is shown in Allah's Book Exalted be He:

{On the Day when their tongue, their hands, and their feet will bear witness against them as to their actions.}                                                                                                                       (AI­Nur: 24).”[41]

 

The most grievous kind of adultery is incenstry with one's mother, sister, stepmother and unmarriageable relatives.

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever falls into adultery with an unmarriageable rela­tive, must be killed.”[42]

AI-Barra' narrated that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sent his un­cle to a man who made love with his step mother to kill him and di­vide his wealth into five parts (like the spoils of war.)

Therefore, we ask Allah the Bounteous to forgive our sins for He is the Most Bounteous, the Most Kind.

 

 

 

11) Sodomy

       Allah, Most High recounts in His Book the story of Lut's people in several positions. Allah, the Almighty says,

{When Our decree issued, We turned (the cities) upside down, and rained down on them brimstones  hard as baked clay, spread, layer on layer, marked from thy Lord; nor are they ever far from those who do wrong!"}                                                                                                                                   (Hud: 82-83)

This abode is not far from those who do wrong amongst our nation if they committed the same sin. Therefore, the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"What I fear most is that my nation may follow the crime of Lut's people.”[43]

The Prophet also said,

"May Allah curse him who does what Lut's people did.”[44]

He said it twice.

It was related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever is caught doing the crime of Lut's people, you should kill the one who sodomizes and the one who lets it be done to him.” [45]

Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with hi) said, "Look for the highest building in the town, and then throw them down and stone them like the abode of Lut's people."

There is a scholarly consensus that sodomy is among the major sins forbidden by Allah,

{Of all creatures in the world, will ye approach males, and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are a people transgressing (all limits!}           A-Shu`ara: 165-166)

 

Allah, Most High, says,

{And Lut, too, We gave Judgment and Knowledge, and We saved him from the town which practiced abominations: truly they were a people given to evil, a rebellious people.}

  (Al-Anbya': 74)

The town where those people lived was called Sodom. They used to practice the abominations mentioned by Allah in His Book. They used to commit sodomy; make sounded wind in their assembly and    many other offensive practices.

He (pbuh) said,

"Lesbianism is adultery between them."

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Four people entail Allah's wrath in night and day. " It was asked, "Who are they, Messenger of Allah?" He answered, "Effeminate men and masculine women, the adulterer of an­imals and sodomizers.”[46]

 

        It is narrated that when two men start to commit sodomy, Allah's Throne vibrates fearing Allah's wrath. The heavens almost fall on the earth but the angels hold their outskirts and recite Surat AI-Ikhlas until Allah's wrath reposes."

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"On the Day of Judgment, there will be seven people who will be excluded from Allah's Mercy and purification. Allah will sentence them to enter the Hell-Fire with those who en­ter it: Those who commit sodomy, the one who commits masturbation, the one who approaches an animal from its anus, the one who approaches a woman from her anus, the one who marries a woman and her daughter altogether, the adulterer of his neighbor's wife and the one who brings harm to his neighbor until he accurse him.”[47]

It was narrated that, "there will be some people who will be as­sembled on the Day of Judgment with pregnant hands because of committing adultery. They used to make play of their genitals in the world."

 

It was also narrated that,

"Among the practices of Lut's people is playing with dice, competing by flying pigeons, entering the bathroom naked, cheating in measures and weights. O woe to those who do so.”[48]

­

Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "When a so­domite dies without making repentance, he will turn into a pig in his grave."

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Allah does not look to a man who commits sodomy with a man or a woman." [49]

Abu Sa'id As-Su'luk said, "There will be some people who will be called sodomites in this Ummah (nation). They are of three kinds: some who just gaze, others who just shake hands, and the last who commit the abominable act.”[50]

Looking at a woman or a juvenile out of sexual excitement is adul­tery as mentioned in the following hadith:

"A man commits adultery with his eyes when he looks at a strange woman,' the adultery of the ears is listening to sexual dialogue, adultery of the tongue is talking about sex,' the adultery of the hand is to catch which is unlawful,' and the adultery of the feet is going towards a strange woman; the heart ardently desires adultery,' and the sexual organs confirm or contradict the act.”[51]

Therefore, the righteous men stress the necessity of keeping away from juveniles. AI-Hasan Ibn Zakwan said, "Do not be accus­tomed to sit with the wealthy men's kids since they are good looking like the virgin ladies. They might be more fascinating than women.”[52]

 

One of the earlier scholars also said, "I do not fear a beast of prey when attacking a devout young man. I just fear a juvenile when sitting with him." More than that he said, 'A man should not sleep with a juvenile together." It is unlawful for a man as scholars argued, to stay alone with a juvenile in a house, a shop or a bathroom as in the case of men and women.

Among juveniles are those who may be more beautiful than wom­en. He may be most fascinating. It is easy to justify what you do of evil with him than is with a woman. Therefore, such deep feelings are most likely unlawful. Numerous maxims of the early Muslims were postulated as warnings from keeping near of them.

Once, Sufyan Ath- Thawri entered a public bath and the a hand­ some boy entered after him. Sufyan said, "Get him out because when­ ever I see a woman I see a Devil but whenever I see a handsome boy I see a group of devils."

A man visited Imam Ahmad accompanied with a handsome boy. Imam Ahmad said, "Who is that?" The man replied, "My nephew." Imam Ahmad said, "Do not come again with him. Nor should you walk with him lest the people who do not know you think something bad about you.

When the delegate of  `Abdel-Qays came to the Prophet (pbuh) there was a handsome juvenile with them. The Prophet (pbuh) made him sit behind his back and said,

"The trial of Dawud pertained to the gaze.”[53]

It was said that the look is message of adultery.

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Eye-looking is a poisonous arrow of Satan and whoever gives it up for the sake of Allah, he will feel the joys of Worship which will persist until the Day of Judgement.”[54]

 

 

 

 

The Punishment of Sodomites

    Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed (may Allah be pleased with him) related that one day he found a sodomite committing such practice. Then, Abu Bakr consulted the other Companions (may Allah bless them all `Ali Ibn Abi Talib said, "This sin was only done by Lut's people and we knew how they were punished by Allah, the Almighty. I think he should be burnt." Therefore, Abu Bakr sent a message to Khalid order­ing him to bum the sodomite. Then Khalid burnt him. "

'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Whoever allows someone else to fornicate with him, he will be addicted by the appetite of woman and will be an accursed Satan in his grave until the day of Judgement.”

It was related that Jesus, the son of Marry (pbuh), passed by a flaming fire burning a man when he was in a journey. Then, Jesus car­ried Some water to extinguish the fire. But, the fire turned into a boy and the man turned into fire. Surprisingly, Jesus said, "O Lord! May You return them back to life to ask them how they are? Allah then brought them to life. They were a man and a boy. Jesus asked them, "Who are you?" The man said, "O spirit of Allah, in the World I was afflicted by loving this boy and out of sexual excitement, I sodomized him. Later on when we died, we alternatively burned one another. This is Our torture until the Day of Judgement."

We seek Allah's refuge from His torture and ask His pardon, and for well-being and guidance to What He loves and pleases.

Sodomy is also approaching a woman from the anus. This act is prohibited by Allah, the Almighty and His Messenger (pbuh). Allah, the Almighty says,

{Your wives are as a tilth unto you so approach your tilth when or how ye will but do some good act for your souls be­ fore hand and fear Allah, and know that ye are to meet Him (in the Hereafter) and give (these) good tidings to those who believe.}                                                                          (AI-Baqarah: 223)

A husband can make vaginal intercourse with his wife regardless of the posture he takes (whether it be from the front or back). The rea­son for the revelation of this Ayah is that Jews said in the lifetime of the Prophet (pbuh),

"Whenever a man makes vaginal intercourse from the back, the child will be born cross-eyed. The Companions asked the Prophet (pbuh) about that. Accordingly, Allah revealed the aforementioned Ayah to refute them.”[55]

It was related that, "Accursed is he who approaches a woman from the anus or a fortuneteller. He who does such rejects what was re­vealed upon Muhammad." Thus, he who approaches a woman from her anus or during the menstruation period is accursed and entails such severe torture as is the fortuneteller.

Many ignorant people fall into such sins because of their poor knowledge. Abu Ad-Darda', therefore, said, "Be either a scholar, a dis­ciple, a listener or one who loves knowledge otherwise you will per­ish." Therefore, we should repent to Allah for all our sins and faults, ask His pardon of our past ignorance, and soundness in what remains of our life span. O Allah! Grant us health and pardon in this world and the next. You are the Most Merciful.

12) Accepting Usurious Gain

            Allah, the Almighty, says,

{O ye who believe! Devour not usury, doubled and multi­plied; but fear Allah; that ye may (really) prosper.}                                                                                                                 (AI-Imran: 130)

 

The Qur'an also states,

{Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom the Satan by his touch hath driven to madness that is because they say, 'trade is like usury, " but Allah has     permitted trade and forbidden usury.}                                                                                                                              (AI-Baqarah: 275)

On the Day of Judgement they will be resurrected from their graves swerving like he who is seized by Satan owing to what they de­voured of usury that grew in their stomachs to such an extent that they would hardly be able to move. Whenever they move they fall and cannot hasten their steps like all other people.

Qatada said, "On the Day of Judgement the usurer will be resur­rected mad. Thus, all the people in the assembly will be able to identi­fy them easily."

        The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"When I was transported from the Sacred House (of Mecca) to the farthest Mosque (of Jerusalem), I passed by some people whose bellies were protruding forward. Their bellies were as huge as houses, stretching along the way of Pha­raoh's people. On the other hand, the Pharaoh's people have to be brought in front of Fire at morning and evening. Like defeated camels, deaf and mad, the people of Pharaoh used to pass by them. Feeling them coming, they attempted to keep aside but their bellies were so heavy that they could not leave and they in turn, were trodden by them. This is re­-occurred in their coming and going every day. That is their lot of torture in the period of the Barrier (AI-Barzakh) up to the Last day. The Prophet asked, "Who are they, Gabriel?" He replied, "They are those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom the Satan, by his touch, hath driven to madness.”[56]

 

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"When I was taken tip in the Ascent (Mi'raj), I heard thun­der and blasts in the seventh heaven. Then, I saw some men whose bellies were as big as houses protruding forward, in which there were serpents and scorpions seen from beneath their bellies. I then, asked, 'Who are they, Gabriel?' He said, 'They are those who devour usury.”[57]

Abdur-Rahman Ibn Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud said,

"When usury and fornication appear in a community, the people of that community render themselves deserving of the punishment of Al­lah.”[58]

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Whenever usury appears in a community, there will be madness. Whenever fornication appears in a community, there will be death. Whenever fraud in measure and weight appears in a community, there will be deprivation of                 rain.” [59]

               "The usurer suffers the torture from death up to the Day of Judgments by swimming in the Red River which is like blood and he is fed while swimmingly stones.”[60]

The stones represent the unlawful wealth he has collected in the world. He is also fed by stones (It was narrated before.) of fire like what he has swallowed of unlawful wealth in the world. This is his lot of torture in the period of Barrier before the Day of Judgments in addition to the curse of Allah.

          The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Four classes of people will be prevented from entering Paradise nor will they taste its blessing as Allah decreed: the intoxicant, the usurer, the one who appropriates the or­phan's property without a lawful cause and the one who was disobedient to his parents if they did not repent all.”[61]

It was narrated that the usurers will be resurrected in the form of dogs and pigs since they contrived for devouring usury like the people of Sabath who contrived for hunting fish by making basins in which the fish were trapped on Saturday and then were collected on Sunday. Therefore, they were turned into monkeys and pigs. Similarly, this will be the abode of those who contrive for devouring usury. Howev­er, Allah knows all what they contrive. Abu Ayub As-Sakhtiani says.” Behold! They deceive in the same manner when deceiving a child."

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Usury has seventy two doors, the least of them is compati­ble with committing adultery with one's mother. The most heino[{s kind of usury is to transgress by defaming one's brother.” [62]

 

Anas related, "The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) preached us and expounded the question of usury by saying,

"One Dirham gained by usury is more heinous than thirty six times of adultery at the sight of Allah.” [63]

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Usury is of seventy sins, the least of which is compatible with committing adultery with one's mother.”[64]

 

Abu Bakr said, "He who takes the interest and the giver are in the Hell-Fire alike."

 

Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "When indebt­ing someone, you should not accept his gift since it is usury." Moreo­ver, AI-Hasan, may Allah be pleased with him, regarded what you ate in your indebted house as Suht (taking of usury or bribes.)

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"When a loan renders an interest it is subsumed under usu­ry.”[65]

            Ibn Mas'ud also said, "Whoever intercedes for someone, and then is offered a gift, it is considered Suht."

            This is indicated in the following hadith:

              "Whoever intercedes' (for someone) and is then offered a gift, then he approaches a grievous door of usury.”[66]

We ask Allah's pardon and soundness in the religion, the world and the Hereafter.

 

 

13) Wrong Consuming an Orphan's Property

Allah, the Most High, says,

{Those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans eat up fire into their own bodies: they will soon be enduring a blazing fire.}                                                                                          (Al-Nisa': 10)

  The Qur'an also states,

{Come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength.}

 

(Al-Imran: 152)

    The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"When I was taken up in Ascent (Mi'raj) I saw some men gapping their jaws under the coercion of other men. Then came another men who fed them stones of fire that penetrat­ed their bodies and came out from their anus. I wondered: 'Who are they, Gabriel?' He replied, 'They are those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans eat up a fire intotheir bodies.”[67]

It was related that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

                "Allah, Most High resurrected some people from their graves with fire flaming out from their bodies and burning their faces." The Prophet was asked: 'Who are they, Messenger of Allah?" He said,' Allah, the Almighty says, {Those who unjustly will eat up the property of orphans eat up a fire into their own bodies: they will soon be enduring a blazing fire.}                                               (AI-Nisa': 10)[68]

As-Sadiy, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "On the Day of Judgement, the one who appropriated an orphan's property will be res­urrected with the flames of fire coming out from his mouth, ears, nose and eyes. Therefore, he will be well-identified." (Isma'il Ibn Abdel­Rahman As-Sadiy was accused of following the Shi'ah sect.)

Scholars said that there is no harm if a poor guardian of an orphan consumes some of his charge's property without exceeding what is permissible as much as he disposes and improves his business affairs. What is in excess of the permissible is absolutely unlawful (Suht)? Al­lah, the Almighty says,

{If the guardian is well-off, let him claim no remuneration, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just, rea­sonable. When ye release their property then, take witnesses in their presence: But all-sufficient is Allah in taking ac­count.}                                                                                                            (An-Nisa': 6)

Reasonable consuming of an orphan's property may be interpreted as: Intending the loan, fulfilling his own needs without excess, taking the wage of disposing or improving the orphan's business or intending to return what he takes out of need, if he becomes prosperous. These different points of views are mentioned by Ibn AI-Jawziy in his Tafsir (exegesis)

"I and one who takes care of an orphan, will enter paradise together like this" and he raised his forefinger and middle finger jointly leaving no space betWeen them (by way of il­lustration)." [69]

"I and one who takes care of an orphan, whether related to him or a stranger, will be like these two in paradise;" and the narrator raised his forefinger and middle finger to illus­trate this.” [70]

The guardianship of an orphan means to dispose his affairs: food, clothing and to improve his property if he has any. However, if he is poor, it is recommended to take care of him for the sake of Allah. In the aforementioned hadith, there is a reference that the orphan mayor may not be a relative as the Prophet says in the hadith: “related to him or a stranger”

 

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever receives an orphan from amongst the Muslims to feed and give him drink until Allah makes him prosperous, Allah will render the Paradise binding to him unless he commits an unforgivable sin.” [71]

 

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Whoever wipes over an orphan's head for the sake of Al­lah, he will be rewarded for every hair he touched good deeds. Whoever has an orphan and treats him or her kindly, I and he will be in the Paradise like that (Then he combined his two fingers).” [72]

Someone asked Abu Ad-Darda' an advice. Thus he advised him saying, "Show mercy to the orphan, bring him nearer to you and feed him of what you eat. I heard Allah's Messenger (pbuh), when a man asked him about the harshness of his heart, saying,

"If you want to soften your heart, then you should bring the orphan nearer, wipe over his head and feed him of what you eat. These surely will soften your heart and enable you to do what you need.” [73]

One of the early Muslims recounted, "I was at first used to com­mitting sins and drinking wine. Then, one day I received a poor or­phan. I was kind to him, fed him, gave him a bath and clothed him. I treated him as tenderly as a man does with his own son and more. Af­terwards, I went to sleep I dreamt that it was the day of Judgment and I was called for reckoning. Then, I was to go to Hell for my sins. I was dragged by the angels of punishment to the Fire. Meanwhile, when I was being dragged to the Fire, the orphan blocked me and said, 'O an­gels of my Lord, let him go. So as to intercede for him before Allah since he treated me kindly and honored me.' But the angels said; 'We were not commanded to do so.' Then came the call of Allah, "Let him go. I forgave him because of the orphan's intercession and the kind treatment he did with him. Then, I got up and repented to Allah the High Exalted. Later on, I kept on doing my best to show mercy to or­phans.

 

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"The best of the houses is that which contains an orphan who is treated kindly and the worst of the houses is that which mistreats him. The most beloved one to Allah the Al­mighty is the one who offers a favor to an orphan or a wid­ow.”[74]

"Allah revealed to Dawud (pbuh): "0 Dawud! Be a loving father to the orphan, and a kind husband to the widow. Put into your account that the more you do the more you reap [75]

       This means that whatever you do, you will find its consequences thereafter. For example, when you die and leave a child or a widow, thy will be treated in the same manner you treated others.

In his soliloquy, Dawud says, "O Allah! What is the recompense of whomever takes care of an orphan or a widow for Your Sake?" Al­lah answered, "He will be under the Shade of Mine when there will be no shade except Mine." i.e., the shade of the Throne on the Day of Judgement."

The following is another account that highlights the excellence of treating the orphan and the widow kindly. Once there was someone who belonged to the 'Alowiyyin sect. He lived in Balkh (a Byzantine

region) and had a wife and several daughters. They were living in lux­ury and prosperity. Then the husband died. His widow and daughters become so poor that they moved to another town to flee from the ghost of noticing their enemies rejoice at her misfortune. Having entered the town she resorted to a deserted mosque with her daughters. Then, she went out to bring them something to eat. She passed by two people, a Muslim and a magian.

She started by asking the Muslim and explained to him how she suffered a lot while she was an honored woman from the 'Alawyyeen sect. But he asked her to show evidence. She said she was stranger. But, he did not pay attention to her. Then, she left feeling sad and again explained her case to magian and how she had four daughters who were orphans and in need. She recounted her story to a Muslim Sheikh.

The magian sent his ladies to bring her and daughters home. He fed them and clothed them well. They stayed with him in luxury and honor. At midnight, the Muslim who turned the woman away dreamt that it was the Day of Judgment. A banner was risen over the Proph­et's head. There was a palace of green emerald whose windows were of pearls and corundum and also had domes of pearls and corals. He then asked the Messenger of Allah: "Whose palace is it?" For a Mus­lim who believes in Allah, the One.' O Allah's Messenger I am a Mus­lim, the man said. But the prophet asked him to show the evidence that he was a Muslim.

The man was perplexed. Accordingly, the prophet said "When the 'Alawiyya woman asked you, you asked her to show an evidence that she was Alawiy. Thus, show me evidence that you are Muslim. Then, the man got up sadly for repelling the woman. He started to search for her in the town until he found her in the Magian's house. He asked him about the woman and her daughters, but the Magian refused and said many blessing were showered upon him because of them.

The man persisted to take them and even offered the Magian a thousand dinars but he refused again. The Muslim said but I should take them. Then, the Magian said, what you want is mine and the pal­ace which you saw in your dream was created for me. May you guide me to embrace Islam? By Allah, I did not sleep yesterday before my family and I embraced Islam at the hands of the woman. I had also the same dream. The Prophet asked me, "were the 'Alawiy woman and her daughters in your house?" I said 'yes', Messenger Of Allah? He, then, said, the palace is for you and your family and all of you will enter Paradise. You were created a Muslim from the beginning of the crea­tion. Then, the Muslim went away sadly.

         Behold! How Allah blesses those who treat widows and orphans tenderly in this world.

"He who works hard an behalf of old women and the indi­gent, is like a Mujahid (a warrior) in the cause of Allah and the narrator thinks, he (pbuh) added, "and like the person standing in prayer and who never tires, and like one who observes the fast and does not break it.”[76]

 

14) Lying About The Prophet (pbuh)

Allah, the Most High, says,

{On the Day of Judgment will thou see those who told lies against Allah;- their faces will be turned black: is there not in Hell an abode for the Haughty?}                                                                   (Az-Zummar: 60)

AI-Hasan said commenting on this ayah that: they are those who say, if we want to do something we do it but if we do not want to do it we do not.

Ibn AI-Jawziy said when interpreting the above ayah: Some schol­ars hold that lying about Allah and His Prophet (pbuh) is unbelief that puts one beyond the pale of Islam. There is no doubt that a premeditat­ed lie against Allah and His Messenger that declares something which is unlawful to be permissible or something permissible to be unlawful is pure unbelief. The question (as to when it is a major sin rather than outright unbelief) only concerns lies about other than that.

         The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever intentionally lies about me shall have a house built in the Hell-Fire.” [1]

 

The Prophet also said,

"Whoever intentionally lies about me shall take a place for himself in Hell.”[2]

The prophet said,

"Whoever relates words purportedly from me, thinking it is a lie, is a liar." [3]

The Prophet also said,

"A lie about me is not the same as a lie about someone else: whoever intentionally lies about me shall take a place for himself in Hell.”[4]

It was related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Whoever relates something from me I have not said shall take a place for himself in Hell.”[5]

The Prophet also said,

"The Believer is created familiarized with everything except treachery and lying.” [6]

We ask Allah to guide and protect us; He is the Most Generous.

15) Fleeing From the Battlefield

Unless enemies outnumber twofold of Muslims, a Muslim is not allowed to turn his back to them. Similarly, unless it is in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own), a Muslim also is forbidden to flee from the battlefield. Allah the Almighty says,

{1f any do turn hi; back to them on such a day -unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own) ­ he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell, -an evil refuge (indeed).} 

                                                                                                                                                    (Al-Anfal: 16)

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported the Proph­et to have said,

“Avoid the seven destroyers, The listeners asked: "0 Messenger of Allah what are they ? '! He said, ”Associating part­ners with Allah (shirk), sorcery, taking a life which Allah has made sacred except in the course of justice, devouring usury, appropriating the property of the orphan, fleeing from the battlefield and slandering chaste believing women who would not expect to be accused of adultery.” [7]

      Ibn Abbas, May Allah be pleased with him, said,

{When Allah revealed If there are twenty amongst you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundreds.}                                                                                                                (Al-Anfal: 65)

 

       He prescribed that it is not allowed for twenty Muslims to flee from two hundred of enemies. But, when Allah revealed,

{But (even so) there are a hundred of you, patient and preserving, they will vanquish two hundred, and if a thousand, they vanquish two thousand, with the leave of        Allah: for Allah is with those who patiently perseverer.}                                                                                                       (AI-Anfal: 66)

Allah prescribed that it is not allowed for a hundred Muslims to flee from two hundred.”[8]

 

16) The Leader Who Misleads His Followers, The Tyrant and The Oppressor

Allah, the Almighty says,

{The blame is only against those who Oppress men with wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land defying right and justice: for such there will be a chastisement grievous.}    (AI-Shura: 42)

 

The Qur'an also states,

{Think not that Allah doth heed the deeds of those who do wrong. He but giveth them respect against a Day when the eyes will fixedly stare in horror, they running forward with necks outstretched, their heads uplifted; their gaze return­ing not towards them, and their hearts a (gaping) void!}              (Ibrahim: 42-43)

 

And,

{Nor did they forbid one another the iniquities which they committed: evil indeed were the deeds which they did}                                                                                                                                   (AI-Ma'idah: 79)

 

Now let us consider the following hadiths:

       "He who deceives us is not of us." [9]

"Oppression will be darkness on the Day of Judgment.”[10]

     "All of you are trustees and each is responsible for those entrusted to his care.” [11]

     "Any superior who misrules his followers shall go to Hell.”[12]

"If a person who is appointed in authority over people, does not look after the people (placed under his care) with goodwill and sincerity, he will not get even the aroma of paradise.”[13]

"Every governor will be seized on the day of Judgement in

front of the Hell-Fire. From the back of his head he will be held by an angel. The angel, then, raises his head before Al­lah (a warning for His command). Being commanded to throw him, only after forty will the governor reach the bot­tom of a vacuum.”[14]

"Woe to princes, woe to captains, woe to officers. On the Day of Judgement some people will wish to have their fore­lock clung to a Pleiades in torture and that they did not take the charge before.” [15]

"On the Day of Judgement, the just judge is brought (to be reckoned), He will suffer to such an extent that he will hope that he would not have judged between any two people even with regards to a date. .”[16]

Of the Prophet's supplication is that,

"0 Allah! When a person who is placed in authority over my Ummah (people) is strict with them, be Thou also strict with him, and when such a person is kind on them, be Thou also kind on him.”[17]

"0 Allah! Whoever disposes something of Muslims affairs and screens himself (by adopting a porter) away from their need and poverty, Allah will screen Himself away of his need and poverty.”[18]

           "There will come corrupt, tyrannical rulers: whoever con­firms their lies and assists them in their oppression is not of me, nor I of him, and shall not meet me at my watering place in Paradise.” [19]

"Two classes of my Ummah (nation) are excluded from my intercession: a tyrant ruler and the one who is extreme in religion: who bears witness against them and clears him­self from them.”[20]

"T he Oppressor ruler will suffer the severest torture on the Day of Judgement.” [21]

 

"0 people command the right and forbid the wrong before a day in which your supplications to Allah and seeking for­giveness from Him will be unanswered. When the Jewish doctors of law and the Christian monks gave up commanding the right and forbidding the wrong, Allah cursed them by the tongue of their prophet's and then puts them on the verge of a sweeping punishment.”[22]

 

"Whoever tries to introduce into this faith of ours (Islam) something which is not a part of it, is to be rejected (and that person is condemned).”[23]

 

"Whoever tries to introduce some thing or adopts an innovation (in religion) he entails the curse of Allah, the angels and the whole people and will have his works not accepted.” [24]

 

"He who shows no mercy will not be shown any.”[25]

"Allah shows no mercy to whoever shows none to people.” [26]

"Under Allah's shade is a just ruler when there will be no shade except Allah's.”[27]

"The just and fair people (rulers and judges) will be seated on chairs of light before Allah. Such people are those who deal justly in the matters relating to their families and other affairs entrusted to them.”[28]

When the Messenger of Allah sent Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) to Yemen he said to him,

"Do not take the best of their articles as Zakat. Fear the call of an oppressed person, because there is no barrier between      the complaint of an oppressed and Allah.”[29]

The Prophet also said,

"These are three people whom Allah will not talk to, look at, or exonerate on the Day of Judgement. He mentioned among them the lying ruler.”[30]

"You will be anxious to lead, and this will be a source of re­morse to you on the day of Judgement.”[31]

"By Allah, I will not appoint to a public office anybody who asks for it or expresses a longing for it.” [32]

"0 Ka'b Ibn 'Ajarah, may Allah give refuge to you from the leadership of the naives who will come after me but they will not follow my guidance or tradition.” [33]

"He who asks to be appointed as the judge of Muslims, and then he judges justly, he will enter Paradise, but if he judg­es unjustly he will go to Hell.”[34]

 'Umar said to Abu Dharr, "Tell me a hadith you have heard from Allah’s Messenger." Abu Dharr said, "I reported the Messenger of Al­lah to have said,

"On the Day of Judgement, the leader will be brought and then cast upon a bridge on fire. The bridge will be shaken so violently that all his joints will be amputated. Then, if he was obedient to Allah, he will pass, otherwise he will fall down in the Hell-Fire and only after fifty years he will reach the bottom." Upon hearing that, 'Umar asked, "0 Abu Dharr, who asks for it?" he replied, "It is he who his nose for Allah and placed his cheek on the earth..”[35]

'Amr Ibn Al-Muhajir said, 'Umar Ibn Abdel Aziz said to me "When you see me deviating from the right, you should grip me and ask, 'O `Umar what are you doing?'

17) Arrogance, Pride, Conceit, Vanity And Haughtiness

Allah, Most High, says,

{Moses said, "I have indeed called upon my Lord and your Lord (for protection) from every arrogant one who believes not in the Day of Account.}                                                                         (Ghafir: 27)

 

{Verily He loveth not the arrogant.}                                                                               (An-Nahl: 23)

 

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Once a man was walking along in a new set of clothes, with a swagger to his step, pleased with himself, Allah caused the earth to swallow him and he will keep sinking until the Last Day.”[36]

"Tyrants and the arrogant will be raised on the last Day as grain strewn under feet that the people will walk upon.”[37]

Arrogance, as early Muslims said, was the first fault against Allah.

Allah, the Almighty, says,

{And behold, we said to the angels: bow down to Adam: and they bowed down: not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject Faith}                                                                  (AI-Baqarah: 34)

Therefore, Faith is of no avail if arrogance exists, as is Iblis.

The Messenger (pbuh) said, "Arrogance is belittling to admit the truth and considering

people inferior.”[38]

"Arrogance is refusing to acknowledge what is right and considering others to be inferior.” [39]

"No one with the slightest particle of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.” [40]

 

Allah, the Almighty, says in the Qudsi hadith,

{Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster.}                                                   (Luqman: 18)

 

   Allah, the Almighty, says,

      "Pride is My garment and haughtiness My Mantle: whoever vies with Me for them I will throw into Hell.”[41]

The Messenger (pbuh) said,

"A debate took place between heaven and hell. The latter said; in me shall enter tyrant and the arrogant people: while heaven said, "In me shall enter the weak and the low­ly." Allah decided the issue by saying, You are heaven, My mercy, through you I shall have mercy on whomsoever 1 please; and you are hell, a place of punishment, through you / shall chastise whomsoever / like. /t is incumbent upon Me to fill both of you!”[42]

Allah, the Almighty, says,

{And swell not thy check (jor pride) at men. Nor walk in in­solence through the earth for Allah loveth not any arrogant boaster.}                                                                                                       (Luqman: 18)

 

Salama Ibn Al-Akwa' recounted that a man was eating with his left hand in the presence of the Prophet (pbuh). The Prophet told him,

 "Eat with your right. " To which the man replied, "/ cannot." Though nothing stopped him but arrogance. The Prophet said,' "May you not be able to. " And the man could never lift his right hand to his mouth again.”[43]

"Shall I tell you who the people of the Hell-Fire are. The cruel, the haughty and the arrogant.”[44]

"There are three people whom Allah will not speak to, look at or exonerate on the Day of Judgement, and who will have a painful torment: he who wears the hem of his garment low (out of pride), he who reminds recipients of his charity to them and he who sells merchandise swearing that he paid more for it than he actually did.”[45]

"What comes down the anklebones of the caftan is in Hell.”[46]

 

The wickedest arrogance is that of someone who exalts himself over people of his learning and gloats to himself about his superiority. The knowledge of such person is of absolutely no benefit to him. Whoever learns sacred knowledge for the sake of the next world is unsettled by his learning, his heart is humbled and his ego lowered. Such a person lies in wait for his selfishness and never gives it free rein. He constantly takes his ego to task and corrects it. Were he to ne­glect it, it would diverge from the right path and destroy him. The per­son who seeks knowledge to take pride in it or gain a position of lead­ership, looking disdainfully at other Muslims, thinking them fools and making light to them all this is the most enormous arrogance and no one with the slightest particle of arrogance in his heart will enter Para­dise. There is no power nor might save in Allah Most High, Most Glo­rious.

 

18) Bearing False Witness

AIIah, Most High says;

{Those who witness no falsehood and if they pass by futili­ty, they pass by it with honorable (avoidance)}

                                                                                                                 (AI-Furqan: 72)

{And shun the word that is false}

                                                                                                                       (AI-Hajj: 30)

It was narrated that,

"Bearing false witness is mentioned twice as equal as asso­ciating others with Allah (in the Qur'an)"[47]

         The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"On the Day of Judgement, the feet of the person who bore false witness will not stir from their place before their own­er is condemned to Hell.”[48]

The author (may Allah have mercy on him) said that the one who bore false witness has committed many major sins among which is:

(a) lying and false allegation. Allah the Most High says,

          {Truly Allah guides not one who transgress and lies}.

(Ghafir: 28)

 

"The believer is created familiar with everything except treachery and lying” [49]

       (b) He oppressed the one who bore witness against him as he appropriated his property, honor and soul.

       (c) He oppressed the one who bore witness for him as he brought unlawful property to him and thus made him entail the Hell-Fire."

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"]f I decide in favor of a person who is not entitled to the thing, I do not allow him but a piece of fire”.[50]

         (i.e., the person receiving it will go to Hell.)

                (d) He made what Allah forbids of property, blood and honor permissible.

 

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Shall I tell you of the worst major sins? Worshipping others with Allah, showing disrespect to parents, giving a false statement and testifying to the truth of a falsehood. " And he kept repeating it until we were telling ourselves (out of sympathy for him because of the strain of repeating it) "]f only he would be silent”.[51]

 

19) Drinking Alcohol

Allah, Most High says,

{O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, sacrificing to stones and (divination by) arrows, is an abomination, of Satan's handiwork: Eschew such (abomination) that ye may prosper. Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from Prayer: will ye not then abstain?}

                                                                                                         (Al-Ma'idah: 90-91)

        Thus, Allah the Exalted forbids wine and warns us of approaching it.

        The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"A void wine, it is the mother of abomination. "[52]

        Therefore, if anyone does not avoid it, he then disobeys Allah and His Messenger and thus entails punishment.

Allah the Almighty says,

{But those who disobey Allah and His Messenger and transgress His limits will be admitted to a fire, to abide therein: and they shall have a humiliating punishment.}

                                                                                                                 (An-Nisa'i: 14)

Ibn 'Abbas related that, "When the wine was forbidden, the companions (of the Prophet) met each other and said, The wine was forbidden and became equal to polytheism (Shirk)." [53]

'Abdullah Ibn 'Amr held that, "Wine is the worst of the major sins.” [54]

                                                                                                                                              ­

Undoubtedly, wine is the core of abominations. Moreover, he who drinks it was cursed in various hadiths.

"Every intoxicant is wine and every wine is unlawful. Whoever it in the world and dies addictive to it without repentance, he will not drink it in the Hereafter."[55]

 

"Whoever drinks wine in this world it shall be forbidden for them in the next.”[56]

 

 "A drunkard is like a worshiper of an idol."[57]

             "He who shows disrespect to his parents and the drunkard will not enter Paradise.” [58]

 

"Three people, Allah will deprive them of Paradise; the drunkard, the one who shows disrespect to his parents and the pimp who admits what his family do of abomination”.[59]

          Further, Allah does not accept the good deeds of a drunkard. Jabir Ibn ' Abdullah relates that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

          "There are Three people from whom Allah does not accept their Prayer nor do their good deeds rise up to heaven: the fleeing slave until he returns to his masters and surrends to them, the woman who annoys her husband until he is pleased with her, and the drunkard until he becomes conscious” [60]

The Arabic word Khamr is what befogs the mind in whatever form: soft, solid, edible or beverage.

Abu Sa'id Al-Khudari related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

 "Allah does not accept the Prayers from him who drinks wine so long as there is still something of it in his body” [61]

"Whoever drinks wine Allah never accepts what he does: Whoever is intoxicated by drinking it will not have his Prayers accepted for forty morning (days). If he repents but drinks again, Allah will make him drink from the molten brass of the Hell-fire.”[62]

"Whoever drinks wine without being intoxicated, Allah re­jects him for forty nights. If he dies during this period, he dies as an idol worshiper.”[63]

'Abdullah Ibn Awfa said, "Whoever dies a drunkard will die as the worshiper of AI-Lat and AI-'Uzza (two idols). It is said, Do you think that the drunkard is the one who drinks it constantly? He an­swered, "But he drinks it whenever he finds it even after years.”[64]

 

Whoever drinks wine is not considered a believer at the time of drinking. Abu Hurayrah related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"A thief is not a believer at the time of committing a theft. A fornicator is not a believer at the time of committing fornication, and a drunkard also is not a believer at the time of drinking as long as they have the opportunity to repent” [65]

 

"Whoever fornicates or drinks wine, Allah takes his faith from him as a man takes a shirt off over his head.”

 

"The scent of Paradise is smelt five hundred years away but is not sensed by whomever shows disrespect to his parents, he who reminds of his charity to them, a drunkard or an idol worshiper.” [66]

 

Imam Ahmad reported on the authority of Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari that the Prophet said,

"A drunkard, a believer in sorcery or he who severs his family ties will not enter Paradise. Whoever dies while drinking wine, Allah will make him drink from the river of Ghuta which is the water flowing from the genitals of the wenches. The odor of their genitals hurt all the people of the Hell-Fire.” [67]

 

"Allah sent me as a mercy and guidance to the worlds. I was sent to do away with musical instruments, flutes, and the affairs of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance and idols. My Lord the Almighty swore by His Majesty that if one of my servants drinks a dosage of wine, I would make him drink the like of it in the Hell-Fire. But whoever gave up it out of   fear from Me, I would give him drink from the yards of the shrine with the best fellow of drinking.” [68]

As for those who are cursed because of drinking wine, Abu Dawud reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Allah has cursed wine, and whoever drinks it, pours it, buys it, presses it for another, presses it for himself, carries it or accept its delivery.” [69]

Ahmad reported on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Gabriel came to me and said, "0 Muhammad, Allah has cursed wine, and whoever presses it for another, presses it for himself, drinks it, carries it, accepts its delivery, sells it buys it, pours it for another or pours it for himself.[70]”

It is unlawful to visit a drunkard when he is ill so is greeting him.

         `Abdullah Ibn 'Amr Ibn AI-As (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Do not visit the drunkard when being ill."[71]

AI-Bukhari and Ibn 'Umar said, "Do not greet the drunkard."

The Prophet said,

"Do not sit with the drunkard, visit their sick or attend their funerals. On the Day of Judgement the drunkard will be brought with a black face, and his tongue dangling on his chest, flowing with saliva. Whoever sees him knowing that he is a drunkard will disgust him.”[72]

A scholar said, they are forbidden to be visited and be greeted be­cause the drunkards are cursed and rebellious. Allah and His Messen­ger cursed them as mentioned before. Allah cursed wine and he who drinks it. If they buy and press it they will be cursed twice and if they pour it for another they will be cursed three times. Therefore, it is for­ bidden to visit or greet them unless they repent to Allah. Whoever repents to Allah. He will accept his repentance.

Wine is forbidden as a medicine. Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) related, "Once, one of my daughters was ill, so I made wine in a container for her. Then, the Prophet entered while it was boiling. He asked, "What is this, Umm Salamah?" She replied, "It is just a medicine for my daughter." The Prophet, then, said,

 "Allah has not made a cure for you in what He has prohibit­ed to you."[73] 

Miscellaneous hadiths narrated about wine:

            Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet (pbuh) said,

                "A cask of wine was brought to the Prophet (pbuh) who said, Throw it against the wall, it is the drink of those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day.”[74]

"Whoever memorizes a verse (Ayah) from Allah's Book and pours wine on it every letter of this Ayah will drag him from his forehead, make him stand before Allah Most Blessed and Exalted. Then, it argues with him, and whoever is argued with by the Qur'an will be treated as an opponent. Woe to whomever is argued by the Qur'an on the Day of Judgement.” [75]

"If a group of people gather together to have an intoxicant in this world, Allah will gather them together in the Hell-Fire. They will turn to and blame one another by saying, 0 such and such may Allah not bless you. You brought me here." [76]

"Whoever drinks wine in this world, Allah will make him drink from the poison of Asawid. One sip of this poison will make the flesh of his face fall in the goblet before he drinks it. Having drunk it, his flesh and skin will fall off, and it will bring pain to the people of the Hell-Fire. Behold, whoever drinks it, presses it for another, presses it for himself; carries it, accepts its delivery or eats its price are alike in entailing its sin. Allah does not accept their Prayer, Fasting or Pilgrimage until they repent. But if they die before doing repentance, Allah will make them drink pus of the Hell-Fire for every dosage they drank in this world. Beware, every intoxicant is wine, and every win is unlawful.” [77]

The Prophet's statement "Every intoxicant is wine" included also hashish (marijuana) as will be shown later.

It is narrated that "When the drunkards are brought to the bridge on the Fire (Sirat) they will be kidnapped by the angels of punishment to the river of Khabal. There they will drink for every glass of wine they have drunk a sip from the river of Khabal. Such a sip is so hot that if poured on to heaven, it will be burnt."

Some of the sayings of the early Muslims about wine:

"Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Whenever a drunkard dies let him be buried crucified. Then disinter his grave to find out whether he is directed to Qiblah or not. If not, let him be crucified."

It is narrated that once Al-FudailIbn Eyad visited one of his disciples when dying. He started to instruct the deceased the testification of Faith, 'there is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." but the disciple could not repeat after him. When Al-Fudail repeated it again the disciple said, "I could never pronounce it. I am free of it.’ Then, Al-Fudail left weeping. Afterwards, he saw in a dream the disciple while being dragged to Fire. He asked him, "0 poor disciple, why did you turn to ignorance?"

He replied, "0 master, when I was ill, I went to a physician who advised me to drink a glass of wine every year. It not, you would remain sick. Therefore, I used to drink it annually for treatment." If that is the abode of those who drink it for treatment. How about the others?

 When a penitent was asked, Why he repented he answered, 'I was used to entering graves. Once, I saw a dead person not directed to Qiblah. I, then, asked his kinsmen about him and they said, "He used to drink wine in the world and died without doing repentance.

One of the righteous men said, "Having buried one of my kids, I saw him in a dream with a white hairy head. I asked, 0 my kid, I had buried you as a child, what happened to you?" A drunkard was buried beside me, father. Then Hell-Fire received him by just a puff. It was so violent that all children grew white hairy.

Hence, we should repent to Allah the Almighty before dying disobedient and then cast into the Fire. We seek Allah's refuge from it.

Hashish which is made from marijuana is like wine. It is unlawful and whoever smokes it should suffer the same penalty of a drunkard. Actually it is worst than wine. As it affects one's mind and perception to the extent that he may turn into effeminate or a pimp etc. Wine is also most abominated as it often leads to disagreement and fighting and they in turn take the Muslim away of Prayer and remembrance of Allah.

Some earliest scholars held that who eats or smokes hashish should be disciplined but such disciplinary action may not reach the amount of the least prescribed legal penalty. This is because they considered it as something that befogs mind but not desired like narcotics Nevertheless, hashish is something which is desired and it is hard for the addict to renounce it. Therefore, he who eats or smoke it should be penalized like the one who drinks wine.

Because hashish is solid the scholars are not unanimous as to whether it is filthy or not. There are three points of views as shown in the Hanbali school of jurisprudence and others: It is as filthy as wine and this is the correct point of view.

It is not filthy due to its solidity. Solid hashish is pure but liquid hashish is filthy.

  Once, Abu Musa asked, "0 Messenger of Allah what is the ruling of Bit' and Mizr (two intoxicants beverages made in Yemen). The former is made of honey and the lather is made of barely. He added, the Prophet is so eloquent. The Prophet answered,

“Every intoxicant that causes the negligence of Prayer is forbidden.” [78]

"Of that which intoxicates in a large amount, a small amount is unlawful.” [79]

In the hadith above, there is no reference to the dichotomy of intoxicants into solid or liquid. Whatever the kind or form of an intoxicant, it is unlawful. Hashish is not mentioned by the early Muslims because it was used only after the coming of Tatars to the Islamic world.

               

Abdul-Malik Ibn Marawan recounted a story about a young man who came to him weeping because of a sin he committed. The young man asked: Is repentance available to me? Abdul-Malik said, “What did you commit of sins? I committed a grievous sin, the man declared. Abu Malik said, "You would better repent to Allah Who accepts the repentance of His servants and forgives all sins." Then, the young man said, "O leader of the believers, I was used to robbing graves. There I have seen many wondrous scenes. He asked him: "What did you see?" He said, "One night I robbed a grave where I noticed the corpse not directed to Qiblah. I was scared and started to leave but I heard someone saying, "Would not you ask why he was turned away from Qiblah? Why, I asked. He said, “Because he was not serious in Prayer.”

 

When I stole from another grave I noticed that the corpse was turned into a pig and his neck tied by chains. I was scared and attempted to leave, but I heard someone saying, "would not you ask about his deeds, and why he was tortured?" I asked why?" He said, "He drank wine in the world and died without doing repentance.

            In the third grave I saw that the corpse was spinned into the earth by wedges of fire and that the tongue was pierced to the back of his head. I became scared and tried to go back but someone called me by

saying,’ “Would you like to know why he was tortured?” I asked. “Why”? He said, "He did not free himself of traces of urine and was a talebearer.”

In the fourth grave, I saw that the corpse blazing in fire. I was scared and attempted to leave but I was called would you like to know why he was tormented. I asked, “Why?” He replied he neglected prayers.

Eventually, I stole from a fifth grave which was so wide as far as one's sight and shiny. The corpse was lying on a bed illuminated and well dressed. I honored him and tried to leave but someone called me saying, "would you like to know why he was honored?" "Why? I asked ." He said, "He was a devout young man who was brought obeying and worshipping Allah." Then Abdul-Malik commented, "This is a lesson to the sinful men and a good tiding to the devout peo­ple. May Allah count you and us among the devout and obedient peo­ple and let us be protected from the wrongdoing. He is the Most Gen­erous, the Most Bounteous.

 

 

20) Gambling (Qimar)

    Allah says,

{O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, sacrificing to stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination, of Satan's handiwork: eschew such (abomination) that ye may prosperO0 Satan's plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain?}                  (5:90-91)

Gambling connotes backgammon, chess and speculation by nuts, balls, stones and all kinds of betting. It ranks under encroaching upon people's rights that Allah has made forbidden in His saying,

{And do not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as bait for the judges, with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other) people's property.}          (2:188)

          It was also referred to in the Prophetic saying,

"Some people spend Allah's wealth (i.e. Muslim's Wealth) in an unjust manner, such people will be put in the (Hell) fire on the day of resurrection”[80]

 

"The one who invites his companions: Come let us gamble”, should (expiate his sin) by giving in charity.”[81]

Since the mere willingness to gamble requires expiation, what would be the sin of the real practice of gambling? The Muslim schol­ars have differed about the exact legal ruling on backgammon and chess in case of being played free from betting. However, the preponderant opinion is to prohibit backgammon. They established their view on the Prophetic saying,

"He who played backgammon is like one who dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine" [82])

"He who played backgammon has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger.” [83]

Ibn ' Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated,

"Backgammon is (a kind of) gambling, and (is sinful) as eating the pork, and playing it without betting is (as prohibited) as embrocating with the swine's fat."

         Regarding chess, with or without betting, it is viewed as forbidden by most jurists, for if it includes betting, there is originally no differ­ence of opinion concerning its prohibition. But in case it is void of bet­ting, the prohibition stands more preferable.

However, according to a narration of Imam Shaffi'i, if it is played in privacy and does not take one's mind away from obligations or ob­serving prayer on its due time, it is regarded allowable.

                An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) when asked about chess said, "Most scholars held it forbidden. In case it leads to the neg­ligence of prayer on time or includes betting, it is strictly forbidden.

Otherwise, it may be considered abominable"

The basic proof to prohibit chess by most jurists is derived from Allah's saying,

{Forbidden to you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine... The division (of meat) by raffling with arrows.}                                                                                                   (Al-Ma'idah: 3)

         Sufyan and Waki' Ibn Al-Jarrah interpreted "The division (of meat) by raffling with arrows as to refer to chess.

 

`Ali Ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Chess is the gambling game of the "Ajam"- Non Arabs. He has also passed by a group of people playing chess and said to them,

"What are these idols to which you are dedicating yourselves in worship? To touch a firebrand until it gets quenched is better than touching such idols.”[84] He added, "By Allah, it is not the purpose for which you have been created". On another occasion he said, "He who plays chess is a great liar. You say to your fellow player. “You are dead”, while he is not so”. Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari said, "No one plays chess except the sinful person". It was said to Yzhaq Ibn Rahwayh: "Is there something in playing chess?”[85]

 

He answered, "It is wholly sinful". When he was informed that the soldiers in camps were used to playing it as a means of training for war, he said, "It is impiety." Muhammad Ibn Kab Al-Karzi commented, "The least punishment that a chess player will suffer on the Day of Resurrection is to be gathered with the wrong- doers". Concerning chess Ibn 'Umar said, "It is more mischievous than backgammon." And a similar narration with the same effect was quoted from Imam Malik. It is mentioned that Ibn 'Abbas was appointed as the guardian of the property of an orphan. Among that property there existed a chess game. Thereupon, Ibn Abbas set that game on fire. Hence, if it was permitted to play that game, Ibn Abbas would not have destroyed it, since it was property of an orphan.

Accordingly, the prohibition of chess is measured to that of wine. Ibrahim AI-Nakha'i said about chess: "It is cursed". Abu Bakr AI-Athram in his collection mentioned the Prophetic saying,

"Daily Allah has three hundred and sixty looks which comprehend all his creatures except the sheep player- i.e. chess player- for he says" check-mate.”

Abu Bakr AI-Ajiri related the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) saying,

"If you pass by those who play with these idols i.e. backgammon and chess and other amusement -do not greet them. For when they gather and are up to their elbows in playing, Satan alone with his fellows attend their game. And if one of the players averted his glance from playing, Satan would thrust him -to turn again to playing thus, they keep playing till they disperse. They are like a group of dogs that come across a cadaver, eat of it till they are fed up and then go away. In addition, the chess player usually commits lying, as he says, "mate"

Mujahid said, "Every man when he is dying views his fellowmen whom he used to accompany. One day, a man who was used to playing chess was at the point of death. When he was asked to pronounce the Shahadah -declaration of faith- he instead said," mate" and died.

            His tongue was wrenched by the words he used to say in his life. The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Everyone dies in the same manner as he lives and is resurrected in the same manner as he dies”[86]

 

 

21) Accusing A Woman of Adultery

Allah Most High says,

{Those who slander chaste secured, and believing women are cursed in this life and in the hereafter: for them is a grievous chastisement. On the day when their tongues, their hands, and their feet will bear witness against them as to their as to their actions.}                      (24: 23-24)

 

He also says,

{And those who launch a charge against chaste women and produce not four witnesses (to support their allegations) -flog them with eighty stripes: and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors.}                                                                                   (24: 4)

 

Allah the Almighty in these verses makes it clear that whosoever unjustly accuses as chaste free woman of committing adultery is cursed both in this world and in the hereafter, and deserves grave chastisement.

In addition, he is flogged with eighty lashes and his witness is not accepted even though he is just.

      In the Sahih Bukhari and Muslim -the Prophet says,

“Avoid seven heinous sins…..”

And among which he mentioned charging believing women, unmindful though innocent, with adultery"

An example of such an accusation is if someone says to a Muslim chaste free woman:" You are an adulteress." or "a harlot", or "a whore" or to say to her husband, “you are the prostitute's husband" or to call her child as " the whore's child"

The same rule is applied if someone slanders a man of committing adultery, or a free boy with pederasty. The unjust accuser in all the above cases must suffer eighty stripes unless he brings a testimony of four men who support his allegation. Otherwise, he must be flogged with eighty lashes upon the request of the offended person.

The Prophet, too, forbade a man to wrongfully accuse his bondman or his slave girl of committing adultery.

A person who accuses his maid servant with adultery, will be subjected to the punishment of slandering on the Day of Judgement unless he happens to be true"

              A lot of ignorant people are indulged in such offenses which procure the chastisement in this world and in the hereafter.

When a person says something unknowingly right or wrong, it may lead him to fall down in hell as far away as the distance between the east and west.

 

Mu'az b. Jabal asked,

"0 Messenger of Allah! Will we be called to account for what we say?" The Prophet answered “May you be lost to your mother! The people will be thrown with their face." down, into the hell only on account of the product of the tongues "i.e. their talking: " He who believes in Allah and the Day of Resurrection should speak well. Otherwise, he should keep silent.”[1]

 

Allah says,

{Not a word does he utter but there is a vigilant Guardian.}                    (50:18)

 

'Uqbah Ibn ' Amir once asked the Prophet (pbuh),

"What is the salvation, Allah's Apostle?" The Prophet said, "Control your tongue, keep inside your house, and weep (be sorry) for your sins. And the person farthest from Allah will be the one whose heart is hard” [2]

        "Verily Allah dislikes the indecent obscene person " [3]

 

 

 

22) Misappropriating Spoils of War, Muslim Funds or Zakat

Allah Most High says,

{ If thou fearest treachery from any group, throw back (their covenant) to them, (so as to be) on equal terms: for Allah loveth not the treacherous.}                                                                             (8:58)

     He says too,

{No Prophet could ever act dishonestly. If any person acts dishonestly he shall, on the Day of Judgement, restore what he misappropriated, then shall every soul receive its due whatever it earned.}           (2:161)

Abu Hurairah heard the Prophet (pbuh) mentioning Ghulul, emphasizing its magnitude, and declaring that it was a grave sin, saying,

"Do not commit Ghalul, for I would not like to see anyone amongst you on the day of Judgement, carrying over his neck a camel that will be grunting. Such a man will say,"O Allah's Apostle! Intercede with Allah for me!" and I will say," I cannot help you for I conveyed Allahs’ message to you. Nor would I like to see a man carrying over his neck a horse that will be neighing. Such a man will be saying," O Allahs' Apostle! Intercede with Allah for me!" and I will reply," I cannot help you, for I conveyed Allahs' message to you". Nor should I like to see a man carrying over his neck a sheep that will be bleating, or one carrying over his neck a crying soul, or one carrying over his neck clothes which will be fluttering, or one carrying over his neck gold and silver. Such men will be saying,' 0 Allah's Apostle! Intercede with Allah for us, and I will say," I cannot help you for I conveyed Allah's message to you.”[4]

Whosoever takes from these kinds of the spoils before they are distributed among the fighters or something from the Muslim's common treasury without the Imam's permission, or something from the Zakat fund which is assigned to the poor, will come on the Day of Judgement carrying it on his neck.

The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Render back (even) the thread and the needle, and shun Ghalul, for it puts man (who commits it) to shame on the Day of Judgement.”[5]

The Prophet appointed a man named

"Ibn Al-Lutaibah for collecting the Zakah. When he returned he said, "This (i.e. the Zakah) is for you and this has been given to me as a present: whereupon, the Prophet ascended the pulpit and gave a sermon, saying, "By Allah, whoever takes something from the resources of the Zakat (unlawfully) will meet Allah carrying it on his neck on the Day of Resurrection.

Verily, I may know one of you who will meet Allah carrying on his neck a camel what will be grunting, or a cow that will be mooing, or a sheep that will be bleating. Then the Prophet raised his hands till we saw the whiteness of his armpits, and he said thrice "0 Allah! Have I not conveyed your message (to them)?”[6]

 

Abu Hurairah narrated,

"When we conquered Khaibar, we gained neither gold nor silver as booty, but we gained goods, food and clothes. Then we departed with Allah's apostle to the valley of " Al-Qira", and at that time Allah's apostle had a slave of his called "Rifa'ah lbn Yazid who had been presented to him by a man who had leprosy. While the slave was dismounting the saddle of Allah's apostle, an arrow (its thrower was unknown) came and hit him. The people said, " Congratulations to him on his martyrdom". Allah's apostle said," No, by him in whose hand is my soul, he had a sheet (of cloth) which he had taken (illegally) on the day of Khaibar from the booty before its distribution and has become a flame of fire burning him.” On hearing that, a man brought one or two leather straps of shoes to the Prophet and said, "These are the things I took (illegally)”

“This is a strap, or these are two straps, of fire", the Prophet said.” [7]

 

`Abdullah Ibn ' Amr related,

"There was a man who looked after the family and the belongings of the Prophet was called "Karkarah." The man died and Allah's apostle said," He is in the Hell fire. The people then went to look at him and found in his place a cloak he has stolen from the war booty.”[8]

Zaid Ibn Khalid AI-Juhani narrated,

              "A man has stolen something from the booty of Khaibar. As a result, the Prophet refused to observe the funeral prayer for him and said to his companions " Observe prayer for your fellowman, (and I would never observe it for him because he has stolen (from the booty obtained from war) in the way of Allah"

Zaid added, "We, then, searched that man, luggage and found therein some of the Jews pear's which were worth two drachmas.” [9]

Imam Ahmad related, "Allah's apostle avoided prayer for none but the one who had stolen from the war booty and the one who had committed suicide. The Prophet said,

"The gifts presented to official employees are a sort of Ghulul." And there are numerous Prophetic traditions related to this point, and some of them are mentioned in the chapter of "Injustice"[10]

Injustice, generally speaking, may be classified into three categories:

a) To violently spoil one's property.

b) To act tyrannically by unjustly killing, beating or wounding people.

c) To aggressively insult, curse, slander and ill-treat people. The Prophet, while being at "Mina" gave a sermon that ended:

"0 People! Your belongings, and your honor are sacred to each other as sacred as this day, this month, and this city.” and: prayer is invalid without ablution, and charity is unlawful from Ghalul.” [11]

 

23) Theft

Allah says,

{As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hand: retribution for their deed and exemplary punishment from Allah, and Allah is exalted in power, full of Wisdom.}                                (5:38)

 

Ibn Shihab commented, 'I Allah severely punished whosoever steals people's property by cutting off his / her hand. And He is Almighty in retribution and full of wisdom in dispensing the penalty he has prescribed for thieves.

The Prophet said,

             "When an adulterer commits illegal sexual intercourse, then he is not a believer at the time he is doing it, and when somebody drinks an alcoholic drink, then he is not a believer at the time of drinking it, and when a thief steals, he is not a believer at the time he is stealing. The door of repentance is usually open ".

        Ibn 'Umar narrated, I' Allah's apostle cut off the hand of a thief for stealing a shield that was worth three dirhams.”[12]

     'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated, "The hand should be cut off for stealing something that is worth a quarter of a dinar or more.”[13]

The Prophet said,

"The hand of a thief was not cut off except for stealing something equal to a shield in value.” It was said, “ `Aishah: How much is shield worth?' She answered: "A quarter of a Dinar.”[14]

 

According toariothernarration the Prophet said, "Cut off (hands and feet) for stealing what is worth a quarter of a Dinar, but not less".

A quarter of a dinar, by then, was worth three "Dirhams."

Abu Hurairah narrated the Prophet as saying,

            "Allah curses the thief who steals a "Baidhah" (or a helmet) for which his hand is to be cut off, or steals a rope for which his hand is to be cut off.”[15]

Ai-' Amash commented, "People used to interpret "Baidhah" as an iron helmet, and they used to think that the rope may cost a few dirhams.

 

`Aishah quoted,

"A woman from Banu Makhzum used to borrow things and never give them back. Consequently, the Prophet passed an order to get her hand cut off.”[16]

"The woman's people ~ame to Usama Ibn Zaid to intercede with the Prophet that he may pardon her. When Usamah spoke to Allah's apostle about that matter, Allah's apostle said, "Do you intercede (with me) to violate one of the legal penalties of Allah?" Then he got up and addressed the people, saying, "0 people! The nations before you went astray because if a noble person committed theft, they used to leave him, but if a weak person among them committed theft; they used to inflict the legal penalties on him. By Allah, if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad committed theft, Muhammad would have cut off her hand!” [17]

Abdul-Rahman Ibn Muhayriz asked Fudhalah Ibn Ubaid whether hanging the thiefs amputated hand to his neck is of the tradition of the Prophet. He said.

         "A thief was summoned before the Prophet who gave an order to cut off his hand and tie it to his neck.”[18]

The Muslim Jurists viewed that a thiefs’ repentance is not valid unless he gives back what he has robbed. In case he is bankrupt, he should ask the real owner of the stolen thing to pardon him.

 

24) Highwaymen Who Menace the Road

    Allah says,

{The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and his Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hand and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land that is chief disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the hereafter.}                                                                                                                            (AI-Ma'idah: 33)

AI- W ahidi comments, "To wage war against Allah and his Messenger means to disobey them." To strive for mischief through the land" refers to killing people, robbing them, and violently consuming their property. Hence, to take arms against a Muslim stands for fighting with Allah and his Messenger. Such an opinion was held by Imam Malik, Imam Shafi'i, and AI-Awza'i.

             As to Allah's saying, "Execution................. Or exile from the land", AI-Wahidi said from Ibn 'Abbas that "or" in this verse is used for giving the choice and permissibility. Hence, the Imam- the Muslim

leader has the full option to enforce killing, or crucifixion or banishment. AI-Hasan, Sa'id fun AI-Musayyab, and Mujahid supported this view.

 

           According to another narration through' Atiyyah, AI- W alibi said, "or" in the verse is not for permissibility, but it rather signifies the order of the legal rule "Hukm" in regard to the variant crimes. In other words, those who murder and plunder property must be killed and cru­cified. Those who only rob property, their hands and feet must be cut off and those who violently shed blood but do not rob property must be put to death. Finally, those who scare people in their ways but do not commit murder must be exiled from the land. Imam Shafi'i is quoted to hare the some previous view. He is mentioned as saying,” Each criminal is judged according to his/her offense. So, in case of killing and crucifixion, the evildoer should first be put to death lest he is painfully tortured. Then, he is crucified for three consecutive days and then let down.

In case of killing only, the criminal is executed and his corpse is to be handed to his kinsmen to be buried.

If the sentence of cutting off of hands or feet, the right hand is first to be lopped off and cauterized. If he returned to theft, his left leg should be severed. In the third time, his left hand should be amputated. Concerning the cutting off of thieves' hands and feet the Prophet said,

"If someone committed theft cut off his hand, if he stole a second, cut off his leg, if he stole once again, cut off his (other) hand if he insisted on stealing, cut off his (other) leg.” [19]

Abu Bakr and 'Vmar (May Allah be pleased with them all) were unanimously used to inflict such a legal rule upon thieves. Allah's saying" From opposite sides" illustrated the contrasting order in cutting off of a hand at then a leg.

 

Ibn 'Abbas in his exegesis of Allah's saying {Or exile from the land } made open that if the thief is out of control, the Imam should pass a command to shed his blood in vain. But if he is under arrest, exile connotes imprisonment that restricts and hinders his freedom.

 

 

25) The Engulfing Oath

Allah says,

{as for those who sell the faith they owe to Allah and their own solemn plighted word for a small price, they shall have no portion in the here after! Nor will Allah (Design to) speak to them or look at them on the Day of Judgement, nor will he clean them (of sin): they shall have a grievous chastisement.}                (3: 77)

Al-Wahidi related, "The occasion of revelation of this verse was regarding two disputants who sought the Prophet to decide their case about a landed estate. At the time the defendant had been on the point of taking an oath[20], Allah revealed this verse. At once, he turned away from swearing and admitted the claimant's right to the estate.

"Whosoever is ordered (by the ruler or the judge) to give an oath, and he takes a false oath in order to grab the property of a Muslim, he will incur Allah's Wrath when he meets Him on the Day of Resurrection.”

Al-Ash 'ath said,

"By Allah, this verse was revealed in my connection. A dispute broke out between me and a Jew who had denied my right to the ownership of a piece of land. I reported him to Allah's apostle who said to me: "Have you got an evidence (i.e. witness)? I replied, "No" He said to the Jewish man" swear in!" At this moment, I said, "0 Allah's Apostle! He, my opponent, will take the oath and consequently consume my property". For this Allah revealed, ''as for those who sell the faith…” [21]

 

`Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud narrated the Prophet as saying, A person who swears falsely to take possession of Muslim's property unjustly, shall face the wrath of Allah on the Day of Judgement". 'Abdullah added, 'the Prophet recited the following verse from the holy Qur'an in support of this statement.

           {As for those who sell the faith........... }

The Prophet said,

"A person who usurps the right of a Muslim, by swearing (falsely) will be condemned by Allah the Exalted to the hell and will be derived of Paradise. A man asked, "0 Messenger of Allah! Even if it may be a small thing?" he the Prophet -answered, "Even if it be the (smallest) twig of a bush- tree.”[22]

 

Abu Dhar narrated the Prophet say,

"There are three people whom Allah will not talk to on the Day of Judgement, look at, or exonerate, and there is a painful chastisement for them ". They failed and they lost who are these persons, Allah's apostle? Upon this the Prophet remarked, "They are the draggers of lower garment, those who remind others of their favors, and the seller of goods by false oath.” [23]

The Prophet also said,

"The biggest sins are: to join others in worship with Allah, to be undutiful to one's parents, to kill somebody unlawfully, and to take (a false) oath- “AI-Ghamus”[24]

Of the forbidden oaths is swearing by other than Allah, such as: the Prophet, the Ka'bah, the angels, heaven, water, life, honesty, souls, the sultan's life, or his favor, or by someone's grave.

The Prophet said,

"Lo! Allah forbids you to swear by your fathers, so whosoever has to take an oath, he should swear by Allah or keep silent.”[25]

He said too,

"Do not swear by idols, nor by your fathers.”[26]

"Whosoever swears by his honour is not from amongst us.” [27]

"Whosoever takes an oath that if he does such and such act, or he is wrong, he may go out of Islam, then if he should turn out to be a liar he will be as he said (swore) and if he is proved to have spoken the truth then he will not come back to Islam without a stigma.” [28]

 

Ibn 'Umar heard a man swearing by K'abah. Thereupon he said to  that man, "Do not swear by other than Allah for I have received the Prophet's words which concluded,

"Whosoever swears by other than Allah has indeed disbelieved in Allah and ascribed partners to Him.”[29]

By "disbelieved and ascribed partners to Him." some interpreters assimilate it as referring to the misdeed of the sin.

                 The Prophet said,

"Hypocrisy stands for polytheism.”[30]

He also said,

"A person who takes an oath and swears (by error):" By Lat and "Uzzah", should at once affirm:" there is no god save Allah.”[31]

Among the newly guided companions of the Prophet were some who spontaneously happened to use Al-Lat and A1- Uzzah as oaths. To them the Prophet gave a commandment to declare:" There is no god but Allah", as an expiation for what they have said.

 

 

 

26) Taking People's Property Through Falsehood

     Injustice may be exercised by stealing people's property, beating and insulting them, or by violating and overbearing the weak persons.

     Allah, Almighty says,

{Think not that Allah doeth not heed the deeds of those who do wrong. He but giveth them respite against a day when the eyes will fixedly stare in horror, they running forward with necks out stretched, their heads uplifted, their gaze returning not towards them, and their hearts a (gaping) void!

So, warn mankind of the day when the wrath will reach them: then will the wrong doers say, "0 Lord! Respite us (if only) for a short time: we will answer Thy call, and follow the Messengers!"

"What were ye not want to swear aforetime that ye should offer no decline? And ye dealt in the dwellings of men who wronged themselves, and you were clearly shown how we dealt with them, and we put forth (many) parables in your behoof}

                                         (Ibrahim:42-45)

 He, the Almighty also says,

   {The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a chastisement grievous.}                                                                                                             (Ash-Shura: 42)

He Almighty says too:

{And soon will the unjust know what vicissitudes their af­fairs will take!}          (Ash-Shu'ara': 227)

  The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Verily Allah postpones taking any action against a tyrant (so that the cup of his sins may get full) and thereafter when he takes him to task, He will not let him escape." Then he Prophet recited, {Such is the chastisement of thy Lord when He chastises communities in the midst of their wrong: grievous, indeed, and severe is His chastisement.} [32]                                              (Hud:l02)

  The Prophet (pbuh) says,

     "Whosoever apprised another person concerning his reputation or anything else, he should beg him for forgiveness before the Day of Resurrection when there will be no money (to compensate