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For The Greedy Miser

[92:8] “But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself to be self-sufficient,”
[92:9] “and calls the ultimate good a lie”
[92:10] “For him shall We make easy the path towards hardship:”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said:
[Muslim, Book #005, Hadith #2229] “Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The similitude of a miserly man and the giver of charity is that of two persons with coats of mail over them; when the giver of charity intends to give charity, it expands over him (too much so) that the footprints are also obliterated. And when the miserly man intends to give charity, it contracts over him, and his hands are tied up to his collarbone, and every ring is fixed up to another. He (the narrator) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: He would try to expand it. but he would not be able to do so.”

[Bukhari, Book #60, Hadith #469] “Narrated ‘Ali: We were in the company of the Prophet in a funeral procession at Baqi Al-Gharqad. He said, “There is none of you but has his place written for him in Paradise or in the Hell- Fire.” They said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Shall we depend (on this fact and give up work)?” He said, “Carry on doing (good deeds), for everybody will find it easy to do (what will lead him to his destined place).” Then he recited: ‘As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah, and believes in the Best reward from Allah (i.e. Allah will compensate him for what he will spend in Allah’s way). So, We will make it smooth for him on the path of ease. But he who is a greedy miser….for him, the path for evil.”

The Tree Of Zaqqum

The Tree of Zaqqum is a torment inside of the Hellfire that Allah (SWT) has prepared for those who disbelieve.

The Holy Quran says:
17.60 And [remember, O Muhammad], when We told you, “Indeed, your Lord has encompassed the people.” And We did not make the sight which We showed you except as a trial for the people, as was the accursed tree [mentioned] in the Qur’an. And We threaten them, but it increases them not except in great transgression.

37.61 For the like of this let the workers [on earth] work.
37.62 Is Paradise a better accommodation or the tree of zaqqum?
37.63 Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers.
37.64 Indeed, it is a tree issuing from the bottom of the Hellfire,
37.65 Its emerging fruit as if it was heads of the devils.
37.66 And indeed, they will eat from it and fill with it their bellies.
37.67 Then indeed, they will have after it a mixture of scalding water.
37.68 Then indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire.

44.43 Indeed, the tree of Zaqqum
44.44 Is food for the sinful.
44.45 Like murky oil, it boils within bellies
44.46 Like the boiling of scalding water.
44.47 [It will be commanded], “Seize him and drag him into the midst of the Hellfire,
44.48 Then pour over his head from the torment of scalding water.”
44.49 [It will be said], “Taste! Indeed, you are the honored, the noble!
44.50 Indeed, this is what you used to dispute.”

56.51 Then indeed you, O those astray [who are] deniers,
56.52 Will be eating from trees of zaqqum
56.53 And filling with it your bellies
56.54 And drinking on top of it from scalding water
56.55 And will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels.
56.56 That is their accommodation on the Day of Recompense.

In the Quran, the Tree of Zaqqum is mentioned in these four separate surahs (chapters), and I can never even imagine describing it as it’s shown in the Quran.

A Hadith says:
Narrated Ibn Abbas: Regarding: ‘And We granted the vision (Ascension to the Heaven “Miraj”) which We showed you (O Muhammad as an actual eye witness) but as a trial for mankind.’ (17.60) It was an actual eye-witness which was shown to Allah’s Apostle during the night he was taken on a journey (through the heavens). And the cursed tree is the tree of Az-zaqqum (a bitter pungent tree that grows at the bottom of Hell). (Book #60, Hadith #240) [Bukhari]

So here we have so many warners of these punishments, and we still disbelieve, so are we not defiantly disobedient? May Allah (SWT) save us all from His Wrath and may He admit us into His Mercy. Ameen.

Foundation Of Moral Excellence

[Allah’s Quran – 4:36] “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbour, the neighbour farther away, the companion at your side, the traveller, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said :
1- Parents: [Bukhari, Book #52, Hadith #41] “Narrated Abdullah bin Masud: I asked Allah’s Apostle, “O Allah’s Apostle! What is the best deed?” He replied, “To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times.” I asked, “What is next in goodness?” He replied, “To be good and dutiful to your parents.” I further asked, what is next in goodness?” He replied, “To participate in Jihad in Allah’s Cause.” I did not ask Allah’s Apostle anymore and if I had asked him more, he would have told me more.”

2- Neighbors and Guests: [Malik’s Muwatta, Book #49, Hadith #49.10.22] “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should be generous to his neighbour. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should be generous to his guest. His welcome is for a day and a night, and his hospitality is for three days.”

3- Children: [Muslim, Book #030, Hadith #5736] “Abu Huraira reported that al-Aqra’ b. Habis saw Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) kissing Hasan. He said: I have ten children, but I have never kissed any one of them, whereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: He who does not show mercy (towards his children), no mercy would be shown to him.”

4- Orphans: [Malik’s Muwatta, Book #17, Hadith #17.6.14] “Yahya related to me from Malik that he had heard that A’isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to give the property of the orphans that were in her house to whoever would use it to trade with on their behalf.”

5- Arrogant: [Bukhari, Book #60, Hadith #440] “Narrated Haritha bin Wahb Al-Khuzai: I heard the Prophet saying. ……..And may I inform you of the people of the Hellfire? They are all those violent, arrogant and stubborn people.”

For The One Who Gives In Charity

[92:5] “As for the one who gives (in charity) and fears Allah,”
[92:6] “and believes in the truth of the ultimate good”
[92:7] “Unto him therefore We shall indeed make easy the path to ease.”

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has said:
[Bukhari, Book #23, Hadith #444] ” The Prophet said, “The good deeds are made easy for the blessed, and bad deeds are made easy for the wretched.” Then he recited the Verses:– “As for him who gives (in charity) and is Allah-fearing And believes in the Best reward from Allah.”

[Bukhari, Book #24, Hadith #491] “ Narrated Abu Huraira Allah’s Apostle said, “If one gives in charity what equals one date-fruit from the honestly-earned money and Allah accepts only the honestly earned money –Allah takes it in His right (hand) and then enlarges its reward for that person (who has given it), as anyone of you brings up his baby horse, so much so that it becomes as big as a mountain”

[Bukhari, Book #60, Hadith #469] “Narrated ‘Ali: We were in the company of the Prophet in a funeral procession at Baqi Al-Gharqad. He said, “There is none of you but has his place written for him in Paradise or the Hell- Fire.” They said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Shall we depend (on this fact and give up work)?” He said, “Carry on doing (good deeds), for everybody will find it easy to do (what will lead him to his destined place).” Then he recited: ‘As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah, and believes in the Best reward from Allah (i.e. Allah will compensate him for what he will spend in Allah’s way). So, We will make it smooth for him on the path of ease. But he who is a greedy miser….for him, the path for evil.”

10 Hadiths About Hajj

Today, we witness the beginning of the rituals of Hajj. Millions of Muslims are gathering in Makkah and the sacred places to respond to Allah’s invitation to visit His House; an invitation announced by Prophet Ibrahim and then renewed by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be on them).
In the following lines, we explore some of the Prophet’s hadiths related to Hajj that reveal the significance of this great worship and how pilgrims are received and perceived by Allah the Almighty.

A Pillar of Islam
Among the numerous and diverse rituals of Islam, Hajj is a main component; it is an indispensable pillar of Islam:
1. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: “Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah, performing the prayers, paying the zakah, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Once in a Lifetime
Despite the great significance of Hajj, it is sufficient to do it only one time in your whole life. Islam is easy and takes into consideration the burdens and difficulties that pilgrims go through:
2. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that one day the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) addressed people saying: “O people! Allah has prescribed Hajj upon you, so perform it.” A man asked, ‘Every year, O Messenger of Allah?’ The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) kept silent. When the man repeated his question thrice, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Had I answered in the affirmative, it would have become a (yearly) obligation, and this would have been beyond your capacity.”
Then he added:
“Leave me alone so long as I leave you alone (i.e. do not ask questions about things I didn’t mention). What caused the destruction of the people before you was that they used to ask so many questions, and disagree with their Prophets. So when I command you to do something, do it to the extent of your ability, and if I forbid you from doing something, avoid it.” (Muslim)

A Special Rank and Value
The Companions were keen to know the best deeds so that they could prioritize their good actions according to their values. In the following hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) highlights the special position of Hajj:
3. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet was asked, “Which deed is the best?”
The Prophet said, “Belief in Allah and His Messenger.”
He was asked again, “What is next?”
The Prophet said, “Jihad [striving] in the cause of Allah.”
He was further asked, “And what is next?”
He said, “Hajj mabroor [i.e. Hajj accepted by Almighty Allah]” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Jihad without Conflict
Going through the difficulties of travel and crowd, the physical effort excreted while doing the different rituals of Hajj, the movement from one place to another, and the sacrifice of money and time all make Hajj a form of Jihad. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recommended it for women and for weak men who are unable to participate in Jihad on the battlefield:

  1. A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet, “As jihad is the best deed, shouldn’t we [women] make jihad?”
    The Prophet replied, “The best jihad for you [women] is a Hajj mabroor.”
    A’ishah later said, “I have been keen to regularly perform Hajj since I heard that from the Messenger of Allah” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

  2. Al-Husain ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying that he was weak and cowardly. The Prophet told him to participate in a type of Jihad that does not involve any fight, namely, Hajj. (Authenticated by Al-Albani)

Generous Reward for Ethical Pilgrim
The following hadith highlights two things:
a. Hajj is a training course for Muslims on sticking to the highest manners whatever the circumstances are,
b. and Hajj is an effective means to erase your sin records:
6. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say, “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression shall return [free from sins] as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.” (Al-Bukhari)

The Ultimate Success
In one Qur’anic verse (Aal-Imran 3:185), Allah tells us that getting protected from hell fire and being admitted to the Jannh is the real success. That is exactly what Hajj earns you:
7. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
“The reward for a Hajj mabroor is nothing but Paradise” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

  1. A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
    “There is no day on which Allah frees servants of His from Fire more than [those freed on] the Day of  Arafat. And, verily, He draws near and then proudly speaks about them [i.e. the pilgrims] before the angels, saying, ‘What do these seek?'” (Muslim)

The Honorable Delegation
Pilgrims are the guests of Allah and you can imagine how much Allah will honor His own guests:
9. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The one striving in the cause of Allah and the one performing Hajj and the one performing `Umrah are all the delegation of Allah. He calls them and they respond to His call, and they ask Him and He answers their supplication.” (Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani)

Special Days and Precious Opportunities
The days of Hajj are very special. Their blessings are not restricted to those performing Hajj only. It is a season of goodness for everyone:
10. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”
The people asked, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?”
He said, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause (of Allah), and came back with nothing.” (Al-Bukhari)

By Muhammad Fathi