CHAPTER 3: THE RICH – PART 3
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, praised their good actions, in order to encourage them to do more:
Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever gives any type of wealth for Allah’s sake will be called at the doors of Paradise, and the caller will say, ‘O slave of Allah, this is something good.’ If the individual was from those who prayed, they will be called from the door of prayer. If the individual was from the people of Jihad, they will be called from the door of Jihad. If the person was one of those who fast, they will be called from the door called Ar-Rayyaan. Whoever was from the people of charity, they are called from the door of charity.”
Abu Bakr then said: “May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah, it is fine for anyone to be called for any of those doors, however, will anyone be called from all of these doors?” The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, responded: “Yes, and you are one of those who will be called from all doors.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (1897) and Muslim (1027).)
Abu Hurayrah said: “The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Who among you has woken this morning fasting?’ Abu Bakr said: ‘I did.’ Then the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Who among you followed a funeral proceeding today?’ Abu Bakr said: ‘I did.’ Then the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Who among you fed a poor person today?’ Abu Bakr said: ‘I did.’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Who among you visited a sick person today? Abu Bakr said: ‘I did.’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘A person who does all of these things in one day will enter Paradise.’” (Reported by Muslim (1028).)
`Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Samurah (a Companion) said: “`Uthmaan ibn `Affaan came to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with one-thousand Dirhams in his garment when the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was preparing the Army of Hardship(It was given this name because it was the toughest battle they fought due to the far distance they
had to travel and the very hot weather they had to fight in, in addition to the lack of resources
(rides and weapons).) (that was to march to Tabuk), and poured that money in the home of the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then began tossing the money between his hands, and saying: ‘Whatever `Uthmaan does after today will not harm him,’ and he repeated that phrase many times.” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi (3701) and Ahmad (20107).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, called them to have transactions with Allah, because that is the most successful transaction:
Making transactions with Allah is the most successful type of transaction, as Allah Says (what means): «Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a transaction [i.e. profit] that will never perish. That He may give them in full their rewards and increase for them of His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving and Appreciative. » [Quran: 35:29-30]
As-Si`di (a scholar) said: «A transaction [i.e. profit] that will never perish.» meaning, it will never stagnate or be spoiled, but rather, it is the best type of transactions, as well as, the most lofty and the more virtuous, surely, the [outcome of this] transaction is the pleasure of their Lord, winning by earning His plentiful reward, and being saved from His Anger and punishment.” (Tafseer As-Si`di (1/689).)
Anas ibn Maalik narrated that a man said: “O, Messenger of Allah! I was building a fence around my garden, but a date tree belonging to so and so stands between me and completing my fence, so order him to give it to me so I can finish my fence.’ The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to the man: ‘Give him that tree in exchange for a tree in Paradise.’ The man refused. Abu Al-Dahdah (a Companion) came to the man and said to him, ‘I will give you my garden for your tree,’ and he agreed. Abu Al-Dahdah came to the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and said: ‘O, Messenger of Allah! I bought the date tree with my garden, so give it to the man [who is building the fence] for I have given the tree to you.’ The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, repeatedly said: ‘How many date trees there will be for Abu Ad-Dahdah in Paradise!’ Abu Al-Dahdaah went to his wife who was inside the garden and said to her, ‘Get out of the garden for I have sold it for a date tree in Paradise.’ She said: ‘What a successful trade!’” (Reported by Ahmad (12073).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mingled with them in their markets, and would order them to do good and forbid them from doing evil:
Rifaa`ah (a Companion) said: “We went with the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and found the people selling early in the morning, and then he called them, saying: ‘O merchants.’ When they looked up and stretched their necks, he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Merchants are resurrected as sinners, except those who fear Allah, fulfil their oaths, and are honest.’” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi (1210) and Ibn Majah (2146).)
Al-Mubaarakpoori (a scholar) said: “The term, “Except those who fear Allah,” meaning, by avoiding major sins, as well as minor sins, such as cheating and deceitfulness. It also includes being good to people when trading with them, or doing acts of obedience to Allah and worshipping Him. (Tuhfat Al-Ahwathi (4/336).)
Al-Qaadhi (a scholar) said: “This narration occurred because usually, the practice of merchants in dealing with others involves hiding facts (about the merchandise) when dealing. They also strive to put their merchandise in circulation through any possible means, such as lying while swearing, and so forth. So the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ruled these actions as being actions of sinfulness, and gave the exception to those who keep away from forbidden practices, fulfil their oaths, and are honest when speaking.” (Ibid.)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, prohibited them from cheating when buying and selling:
Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, passed by a heap of grains and put his hand in it, and found some wetness, so he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “What is this, O owner of this merchandise?” The man said: “It has been affected by rain, O Messenger of Allah.” So the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Why did you not put it [the dry portion of it] at the top for the people to see? Whoever cheats is not one of me.” (Reported by Muslim (102).)
Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Do not do Tasriyah (Meaning, do not allow the camel or goat to sit for days without milking it before selling it to the purchaser, as that would give the wrong impression to the one buying the goat or camel that the animal always produces large quantities of milk. An-Nihayah (3/27).) with regards to camels and goats. Whoever purchases such a camel or goat has the choice to milk it, and afterwards, can either keep it, or return it alone with a measurement of dates.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari (2148) and Muslim (1515).)
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, rewarded those that did something good for him:
Abu Hurayrah said:
“The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, went out of his home at an hour that usually no one is out, and no one can be found at that hour. Abu Bakr approached him and he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘What has brought you here, O Abu Bakr?’ Abu Bakr responded, ‘I went out to see the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, look at his face, and greet him with greetings of peace.’ It was not long before `Umar, too, came, and the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to him: ‘What brought you here, O `Umar?’ He replied: ‘Hunger, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then said: ‘I, too, am finding the same thing.’
Then they went to the home of Abu Al-Haytham ibn At-Tayyihaan Al-Ansaari, a man who possessed many date-palm trees and sheep. He had no servants, so they did not find him, but told his wife, ‘Where is your husband?’ She replied: ‘He went to find drinking water for us.’
It was not long before Abu Al-Haytham approached carrying a heavy canteen. He put it down then went to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and hugged him, then said that he would sacrifice his father and mother for him, then took them to his garden.
Then, he lay a carpet down for them, and went to a date-palm tree. He came with a cluster and bunch of dates that contained both ripe and unripe dates. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to him: ‘Why did you not bring ripe dates?’ He replied: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I wanted to let you all choose between the ripe and unripe dates.’ Then they ate and drank from the water he brought, and the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘By Him in Whose hand is my soul, this is one of the blessings that you will be asked about on the Day of Resurrection; cool shade, good dates, and cold water.’ Then Abu Al-Haytham wanted to go make food for them, but the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Do not slaughter any animal that has milk.’ So Abu Al-Haytham slaughtered a young she-goat or young male goat, then brought it, and they ate from it. The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then said: ‘Do you have a servant?’ He replied: ‘No.’ So the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘If we were to take any captives of war, come to me.’
Later, two captives were brought to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and Abu Al-Haytham came to the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to him: ‘Choose one of these two.’ He replied: ‘O Allah’s Prophet, choose for me.’ The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘The one sought for advice is entrusted; take this one, for I saw him pray. Also, treat him well.’
Abu Al-Haytham proceeded to his wife and told her what Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: and she said: ‘You would not be good to him in any manner better than freeing
him.’ He said: ‘He is freed, then.’
The Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Allah has not sent a Prophet or successor except that He gave that Prophet or successor two entourages; one that orders him with good and forbids him from evil, and another that does not prevent him or anyone else from doing evil. Whoever is saved from having a bad group has been saved from much evil.’” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi (2369). It was also reported by Muslim (2038) without the story of the servant and without naming Abu Al-Haytham.)
By Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid
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