Translation of Sahih Muslim, Book 30:

The Book Pertaining to the Excellent Qualities of the Holy Prophet (may Peace be upon them) and His Companions (Kitab Al-Fada'il)

Chapter 1: INTERCESSION BY THE APOSTLE OF ALLAH (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) AND THE PAYING OF SALUTATIONS BY A STONE TO HIM BEFORE HIS ADVENT AS A PROPHET

Wathila b. al-Asqa' reported: I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Verily Allah granted eminence to Kinana from amongst the descendants of Isma'il and he granted eminence to the Quraish amongst Kinana and he granted eminence to the Quraish amongst Banu Hashim and he granted me eminencece from the tribe of Banu Hashim.

Jabir b. Samura reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I recognise the stone in Mecca which used to pay me salutations before my advent as a Prophet and I recognise that even now.

Chapter 2: THE EMINENCE OF OUR PROPHET (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) OVER THE WHOLE CREATION

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I shall be pre-eminent arriongst the descendants of Adam on the Day of Resurrection and I will be the first intercessor and the first whose intercession will be accepted (by Allah).

Chapter 3: THE MIRACLES OF THE HOLY PROPHET (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM)

Anas reported that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) called for water and he was given a vessel and the people began to perform ablution in that and I counted (the persons) and they were between fifty and eighty and I saw water which was spouting from his fingers.

Anas b. Malik reported: I saw Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) during the time of the afternoon prayer and the people asking for water for performing ablution which they did not find. (A small quantity) of water was brought to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and he placed his hand in that vessel and com- manded people to perform ablution. I raw water spouting from his fingers and the people performing ablution until the last amongst them performed it.

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and his Companions were at a place known as az-Zaura' (az-Zaurd' is a place in the bazar of Medina near the mosque) that he called for a vessel containing water. He put his hand in that. And there began to spout (water) between his fingers and all the Companions performed ablution. Qatada, one of the narrators in the chain of narrators, said: Abu Hamza (the kunya of Hadrat Anas b. Malik), how many people were they? He said: They were about three hundred.

Anas reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) was at az-Zaura' and a vessel containing water was brought to him in which his finger could not be completely dipped or completely covered; the rest of the hadith is the same.

Jabir reported that Umm Malik used to send clarified butter in a small skin to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him). Her sons would come to her and ask for seasoning when they had nothing with them (in the form of condiments) and she would go to that (skin) in which she offered (clarified butter) to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), and she would find in that clarified butter and it kept providing her with seasoning for her household until she had (completely) squeezed it. She came to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and (informed him about it). Thereupon, he (the Holy Prophet) said: Did you squeeze it? She said: Yes. Thereupon he said: If you had left it in that very state, it would have kept on provid- ing you (the clarified butter) on end.

Jabir reported that a person came to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and asked for food. And he gave him half a wasq of barley, and the person and his wife and their guests kept on making use of it (as a food) until he weighed it (in order to find out the actual quantity, and it was no more). He came to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) (and informed him about it). He said: Had you not weighed it, you would be eating out of it and it would have remained intact for you.

Mu'adh b. Jabal reported that he went along with Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) in the expedition of Tabuk and he (the Holy Prophet) combined the prayers. He offered the noon and afternoon prayers together and the sunset and night prayers together and on the other day he deferred the prayers; he then came out and offered the noon and afternoon prayers together. He then went in and (later on) came out and then after that offered the sunset and night prayers together and then said: God willing, you would reach by tomorrow the fountain of Tabuk and you should not come to that until it is dawn, and he who amongst you happens to go there should not touch its water until I come. We came to that and two persons (amongst) us reached that fountain ahead of us. It was a thin flow of water like the shoelace. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) asked them whether they had touched the water. They said: Yes. Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) scolded them, and he said to them what he had to say by the will of God. The people then took water of the fountain in their palms until it became somewhat significant and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) washed his hands and his face too in it, and then, took it again in that (fountain) and there gushed forth abundant water from that fountain, until all the people drank to their fill. He then said: Mu'adh, it is hoped that if you live long you would see its water irrigating well the gardens.

Abu Humaid as-Sa'idi reported: We went out with Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) on the expedition to Tabuk and we came to a wadi where there was a garden belonging to a woman. Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said. Make an assessment (of the price of its fruit). And Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) also made an assessment and it was ten wasqs. He asked that lady (to calculate the amount) until they would, God willing, come back to her. So we proceeded on until we came to Tabuk and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: The violent storm will overtake you during the night, so none amongst you should stand up and he who has a camel with him should hobble it firmly. A violent storm blew and a person who had stood up was carried away by the storm and thrown between the mountains of Tayy. Then the messenger of the son of al 'Alma', the ruler of Aila, came to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) with a letter and a gift of a white mule. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) wrote him (the reply) and presented him a cloak. We came back until we halted in the Wadi al-Qura. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) asked that lady about her garden and the price of the fruits in that. She said: Ten wasqs. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: I am going to depart, and he who amongst you wishes may depart with me but he who wants to stay may stay. We resumed the journey until we came to the outskirts of Medina. (It was at this time) that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: This is Taba, this is Uhud, that is a mountain which loves us and we love it, and then said: The best amongst the houses of the Ansar is the house of Bani Najjar. Then the house of Bani Abd al-Ashhal, then the house of Bani Abd al-Harith b. Khazraj, then the house of Bani Sa'ida, and there is goodness in all the houses of the Ansar. Said b. Ubada came to us and Abu Usaid said to him: Did you not see that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) has declared the houses of the Ansar good and he has kept us at the end. Said met Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: Allah's Messenger, you have declared the house of the Ansar as good and have kept us at the end, whereupon he said: Is it not enough for you that you have been counted amongst the good.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of 'Amr b. Yahya with the same chain of transmitters up to the words: There is good in all the houses of the Ansar, and there is no mention of the subsequent event pertaining to Sa'd b. 'Ubada.

Chapter 4: THE RELIANCE OF ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) ON ALLAH THE EXALTED, AND ALLAH'S PROTECTING HIM AGAINST THE PEOPLE

Jabir b. Abdullah reported: We went along with Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) on an expedition towards Najd and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) found us in a valley abounding in thorny trees. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) stayed for rest under a tree and he suspended his sword by one of its branches under which he was taking rest. The persons scattered in the valley and they also began to take rest under the shade of trees, and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: A person came to me while I was asleep and he took hold of the sword. I woke up and found him standing upon my head and I had hardly become alert (and saw) that the sword was in his hand. And he said: Who can protect you from me? I said: Allah. He again said: Who can protect you from me? I said: Allah. He put his sword in the sheath (and you can see) this man sitting here. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) did not in any way touch him.

Jabir b. 'Abdullah al-Ansiri, who was one amongst the Companions of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), reported that he went on an expedition along with Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) towards Najd and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) stayed there, and when Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) came back he also came back along with him. They, for one day, stayed for rest; the rest of the hadith is the same.

Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported: We went along with Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and as we reached the place Dhat-ur-Riqa'; the rest of the hadith is the same, but there is no mention of the word that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) did not harm him.

Chapter 5: PERTAINING TO THE SIMILITUDE WITH WHICH ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) HAS BEEN SENT WITH GUIDANCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Abu Musa reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: The similitude of that guidance and knowledge with which Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, has sent me is that of rain falling upon the earth. There is a good piece of land which receives the rainfall (eagerly) and as a result of it there is grown in it herbage and grass abundantly. Then there is a land hard and barren which retains water and the people derive benefit from it and they drink it and make the animals drink. Then there is another land which is barren. Neither water is retained in it, nor is the grass grown in it. And that is the similitude of the first one who develops the understanding of the religion of Allah and it becomes a source of benefit to him with which Allah sent me. (The second one is that) who acquires the knowledge of religion and imparts it to others. (Then the other type is) one who does not pay attention to (the revealed knowledge) and thus does not accept guidance of Allah with which I have been sent.

Chapter 6: THE EXTREME LOVE OF ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) FOR HIS UMMA, AND HIS EXTREME ANXIETY TO WARN THEM AGAINST THAT WHICH IS A SOURCE OF TROUBLE TO THEM

Abu Musa reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The similitude of mine and of that with which Allah sent me is that of a person who came to us and said: O people, I have seen an army with my eyes and I am a plain warner (and issue you warning) that you should immediately manage to find an escape. A group of people from amongst them paying heed (to his warning) fled to a place of protection and a group amongst them belied him and the morning overtook them in their houses and the army attacked them and killed them and they were routed. And that is the similitude of the one who obeyed me, followed with which I had been sent and the similitude of the other is of one who disobeyed and belied me and the Truth with which I have been sent.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The similitude of mine and that of my Umma is that of a person who lit fire and there began to fall into it insects and moths. And I am there to hold you back, but you plunge into it.

Hammam b. Munabbih reported: Abu Huraira reported us some ahadith from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) amongst many, (and) one is this that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: A person lit fire and when the atmosphere was aglow, moths and insects began to fall into the fire, but I am there to hold them back, but they are plunging into it despite my efforts, and he further added: That is your example and mine. I am there to hold you back from fire and to save you from it, but you are plunging into it despite my efforts.

Jabir b. Abdullah reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying. My example and your example is that of a person who lit the fire and insects and moths began to fall in it and he would be making efforts to take them out, and I am going to hold you back from fire, but you are slipping from my hand.

Chapter 7: THE FINALITY OF ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM)

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The similitude of mine and that of the Apostles (before me) is that of a person who constructed a building and he built it fine and well and the people went round it saying: Never have we seen a building more imposing than this. but for one brick, and I am that brick (with which you give the finishing touch to the building).

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The similitude of mine and that of the Apostles before me is that of a person who built a house quite imposing and beautiful and he made it complete but for one brick in one of its corners. People began to walk round it, and the building pleased them and they would say: But for this brick your building would have been perfect. Muhammad (may peace be upon him) said: And I am that final brick.

Abu Hurairh reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The similitude of mine and that of the Apostles before me is that of a person who built a house quite imposing and beautiful, but for one brick in one of its corners. People would go round it, appreciating the building, but saying: Why has the brick not been fixed here? He said: I am that brick and I am the last of the Apostles.

Abu Sa'id reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The similitude of mine and that of the Apostles; the rest of the hadith is the same.

Jabir reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The similitude of mine and that of the Apostles is like that of a person who built a house and he completed it and made it perfect but for the space of a brick. People entered therein and they were surprised at it and said: Had there been a brick (it would have been complete in all respects). Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: I am that place where the brick (completing the building is to be placed), and I have come to finalise the chain of Apostles.

This hadith has been narrated through another chain of transmitters but with a slight variation of wording.

Chapter 8: WHEN ALLAH THE EXALTED INTENDS TO SHOW MERCY TO AN UMMA HIS PROPHET IS CALLED BACK TO HIS ETERNAL HOME WHEN THE UMMA IS SAFE FROM THE WRATH OF GOD

Abu Musa reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, intends to show mercy to an Umma from amongst His servants He calls back His Apostle to his eternal home and makes him a harbinger and recompense in the world to come; and when He intends to cause destruction to an Umma, He punishes it while its Apostle is alive and He destroys it as he (the Apostle) witnesses it and he cools his eyes by destruction as they had belied him and disobeyed his command.

Chapter 9: THE CISTERN OF OUR APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS

Jundab reported: I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I shall be there at the Cistern before you.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Jundab through another chain of transmitters.

Sahl (b. Sa'd) reported: I heard Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: I shall go to the Cistern before you and he who comes would drink and he who drinks would never feel thirsty, and there would come to me people whom I would know and who would know me. Then there would be intervention between me and them. Abu Hazim said that Nu'man b. Abu 'Ayyash heard it and I narrated to them this hadith, and said: Is it this that you heard Sahl saying? He said: Yes, and I bear witness to the fact that I heard it from Abu Sa'id Khudri also, but he made this addition that he (the Holy Prophet) would say: They are my followers, and it would be said to him: You do not know what they did after you and I will say to them: Woe to him who changes (his religion) after me.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Sa'id Khudri through another chain of transmitters.

Abdullah b. 'Amr al-'As, reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: My Cistern (is as wide and broad that it requires) a motith's journey (to go round it) all, and its sides are equal and its water is whiter than silver, and its odour is more fragrant than the fragrance of musk, and its jugs (placed round it) are like stars in the sky; and he who would drink from it would never feel thirsty after that. Asma', daughter of Abu Bakr said: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: I would be on the Cistern and so that I would be seeing those who would be coming to me from you, but some people would be detained (before reaching me). I would say: My Lord, they are my followers and belong to my Umma, and it would be said to me: Do you know what they did after you? By Allah, they did not do good after you, and they turned back upon their heels. He (the narrator) said: lbn Abu Mulaika used to say (in supplication): O Allah, I seek refuge with Thee that we should turn back upon our heels or put to any trial about our religion.

'A'isha reported: I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) say in the company of his Companions: I would be on the Cistern waiting for those who would be coming to me from amongst you. By Allah, some persons would be prevented from coming to me, and I would say: My Lord, they are my followers and people of my Umma. And He would say,: You don't know what they did after you; they had been constantly turning back on their heels (from their religion).

Umm Salama, the wife of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), said I used to hear from people making a mention of the Cistern, but I did not hear about it from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). One day while a girl was combing me I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) say:" O people." I said to that girl: Keep away from me. She said: He (the Holy Prophet) has addressed the men only and he has not invited the attention of the women. I said: I am amongst the people also (and have thus every right to listen to the things pertaining to religion). Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: I shall be your harbinger on the Cistern; therefore, be cautious lest one of you should come (to me) and may be driven away like a stray camel. I would ask the reasons, and it would be said to me: You don't know what innovations they made after you. And I would then also say: Be away.

Umm Salama reported that she heard Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) saying this as he was sitting on the pulpit and she was getting her hair combed. (He uttered these words):" O people." And she said to one who was combing: Leave my head; the rest of the hadith is the same.

Uqba b. 'Amir reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) one day went out and he offered prayer over the martyrs of Uhud just as prayer is offered over the dead. He then came back and sat on pulpit and said: I shall be present there (at the Cistern) before you. I shall be your witness and, by Allah, I perceive as if I am seeing with my own eyes my Cistern at this very state and I have been given the keys of the treasures of the earth or the keys of the earth and, by Allah, I am not afraid concerning you that you would associate anything (with Allah after me), but I am afraid that you would be vying with one another (for the possession of) the treasures of the earth.

Uqba b. 'Amir reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Allah's Messenger offered prayer over those who had fallen matyrs at Uhud. He then climbed the pulpit as if someone is saying good-bye to the living and the dead, and then said: I shall be there as your predecesor on the Cistern before you, and it is as wide as the distance between Aila and Juhfa (Aila is at the top of the gulf of 'Aqaba). I am not afraid that you would associate anything with Allah after me, but I am afraid that you may be (allured) by the world and (vie) with one another (in possessing material wealth) and begin killing one another, and you would be destroyed as were destroyed those who had gone before you. 'Uqba said that that was the last occasion that he saw Allah's Massenger on the pulpit.

'Abdullah reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying; I shall be there at the Cistern before you, and I shall have to contend for some people, but I shall have to yield. I would be saying: My Lord, they are my friends, they are my friends, and it would be said: You don't know what innovations they made after you.

The hadith has been narrated on the authority ot al-A'mash with the same chain of transmitters but no mention is made of:" They are my companions; they are my companions."

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah through another chain of transmitters.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hudhaifa through another chain of transmitters.

Haritha reported that he heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: His Cistern would be as extensive as the distance between San'a' and Medina. Mustaurid (one of the narrators) said: Did you not hear anything about the utensils? Thereupon he said. No. Mustaurid said: You would find that the utensils would be like stars.

Haritha b. Wahb al-Khuza'i reported Allah's Messeiiger's (may peace be upon him) words concerning the Cistern like it, but he made no mention of the words of Mustaurid.

Ibn 'Umar reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There is before you a Cistern and the distance between its two sides is as it is between Jarba' and Adhruh.

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Ibn 'Umar and the words are: That he said there would be before you a Cistern extending from jarba' and Adhruh and the same has been transmitted on the authority of Ibn Muthanna and the wording is:" My Cistern."

A hadith like this has been transmitted on the authority, of 'Ubaidullah with this addition: Ubaidullah was asked (about these two names, i. e. Jarba' and Adhruh). He said: These are the two towns of Syria and there is between them the distance which can be covered in three nights, and the hadith transmitted on the authority of Ibn Bishr (the words are)." Three days."

A hadith like this has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar through another chain of transmitters.

'Abdullah reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There would be before you a Cistern (as extensive) as there is the distance between Jarba' and Adhruh and there would be jugs like stars in the sky; he who would come to that and drink from it would never feel thirsty after that.

Abu Dharr said: Allah's Messenger, what about the vessels of that Cistern? He said: By Him in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the vessels would outnumber the stars in the sky and its planets shining on a dark cloudless night. These would be the vessels of Paradise. He who drinks out of it (the Cistern) would never feel thirsty. There would flow in it two spouts from Paradise and he who would drink out of it would not feel thirsty; and the distance between its (two corners) is that between 'Amman and Aila, and its water is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey.

Thauban reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: I would be pushing back from my Cistern the crowd of people. I would strike away from it (the Cistern) with my staff the people of Yemen until the water (of the Haud) would spout forth upon them. He was asked about its breadth. He said: From this place of mine to 'Amman, and he was asked about the drink and he said: It is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey. There would spout into it two streamlets having their sources in Paradise. the one is from gold and the other is from silver. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham with the same chain of transmitters and the words are:" I would be on the Day of Resurrection near the bank of the Cistern."

Thaubin reported this hadith pertaining to the Cistern. Muhammad b. Bashshar said: I said to Yahya b. Hammad: This is the hadith that I heard from Abu 'Awana and he said: I also heard it from Shu'ba. I said: Narrate that to me and he narrated that to me.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: I will drive away from my Cistern people just as the stray camels are driven away. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira through another chain ot transmitters.

Anas b. Malik reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: My Cistern would be as extensive as the distance between Aila and San'a, of Yemen, and there would be in it jugs like stars in the sky.

Anas b. Malik reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: Some persons from amongst my associates would turn to my Cistern; when I would see them and they would be presented to me, they would be detained in the way while coming to me. I would say: My Lord, they are my companions, they are my companions, and it would be said to me: You don't know what innovations they made after you.

Anas reported a hadith like this from Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and he made this addition:" The vessels would be as numerous as the number of stars.

Anas b. Milik reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There would be such a vast distance between the sides of my Cistern as it is between Sana' and Medina.

Anas reported this hadith with this change that there was some doubt between (places mentioned) and there is a slight variation of wording.

Anas reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: You would be shown in it jugs of gold and silver (as numerous) as the number of stars in the sky. This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Anas b. Malik with this addition:" More numerous than stars in the sky."

Jabir b. Samura reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Behold, I shall be present ahead of you on the Cistern, and the distance between its different sides would be like that between Sana' and Aila, and its jugs would be like stars in the sky.

'Amir b. Sa'd b. Abu Waqqas reported: I wrote (a letter) to Jabir b. Samura (and it was sent) through my servant Nafi' asking him to inform me about something (pertaining to the Haud Kauthar). He wrote to me: I heard him (the Holy Prophet) say: I shall be there ahead of you at the Haud Kauthar.

Chapter 10: THE ANGELS FOUGHT ALONG WITH ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) IN THE BATTLE OF UHUD

Sa'd reported that on the Day of Ubud I saw on the right side of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and on his left side two persons dressed in white clothes and whom I did not see before nor after that, and they were Gabriel and Michael (Allah be pleased with both of them).

Sa'd b. Abu Waqqas reported: I saw on the right side of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and on his left side two persons with white clothes on the Day of Uhtid fighting a desperate fight, and I saw them neither before nor after that.

Chapter 11: THE VALOUR AND COURAGE OF ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM)

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was the sublimest among people (in character) and the most generous amongst them and he was the bravest of men. One night the people of Medina felt disturbed and set forth in the direction of a sound when Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) met them on his way back as he had gone towards that sound ahead of them. He was on the horse of Abu Talha which had no saddle over it, and a sword was slung round his neck, and he was saying: There was nothing to be afraid of, and he also said: We found it (this horse) like a torrent of water (indicating its swift-footedness), whereas the horse had been slow before that time.

Anas reported that there was consternation in Medina. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) borrowed the horse from Abu Talha which was called Mandub. He rode it and said: We have found no reason for consternation, and we have found it to be (as quick as a torrent) of water.

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Anas with a slight variation of wording.

Chapter 12: ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) WAS THE MOST GENEROUS OF PEOPLE; HIS GENEROSITY WAS LIKE THE BLOWING OF WIND

Ibn 'Abbas reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was the most generous of people in charity, but he was generous to the utmost in the month of Ramadan. Gabriel (peace be upon him) would meet him every year during the month of Ramadin until it ended, and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) recited to him the Qur'an; and when Gabriel met him Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was most generous in giving charity like the blowing wind.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters.

Chapter 13: THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) IS THE BEST AMONGST PEOPLE IN DISPOSITION AND BEHAVIOUR

Anas b. Malik reported: I served the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) for ten years, and, by Allah, he never said to me any harsh word, and he never said to me about a thing as to why I had done that and as to why I had not done that. Abu Rabi' has made this addition (in this narration):" The work which a servant should do." There is no mention of his words" By Allah".

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Anas through another chain of transmitters.

Anas reported: When Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) came to Medina, Abla Talha took hold of my hand and brought me to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: Allah's Messenger, Anas is a prudent young boy, and he will serve you. He (Anas) said: I served him in journey and at home, but, by Allah, he never asked me about a thing which I did as to why I did so, nor about a thing which I did not do as to why I had not done that.

Anas reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I served the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) for nine years, and I do not know (of any instance) when he said to me: Why you have done this and that, and he never found fault with me in anything.

Anas reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had the best disposition amongst people. He sent me on an errand one day, and I said: By Allah, I would not go. I had, however, this idea in my mind that I would do as Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) had commanded me to do. I went out until I happened to come across children who had been playing in the street. In the meanwhile, Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) came there and he caught me by the back of my neck from behind me. As I looked towards him I found him smiling and he said: Unais, did you go where I commanded you to go? I said: Allah's Messenger, yes, I am going. Anas further said: I served him for nine years but I know not that he ever said to me about a thing which I had done why I did that, or about a thing I had left as to why I had not done that.

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was the best amongst people in disposition and behaviour.

Chapter 14: IT IS VERY SELDOM THAT ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) SAID" NO" TO ANYONE WHEN ASKED TO GIVE ANYTHING, AND HE GAVE CHARITY TO THE PEOPLE VERY FREELY

Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported: It never happened that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was asked for anything and he said: No.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Jabir b. 'Abdullah through another chain of transmitters.

Musa b. Anas reported on the authority of his father: It never happened that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was asked anything for the sake of Islam and he did not give that. There came to him a person and he gave him a large flock (of sheep and goats) and he went back to his people and said: My people, embrace Islam, for Muhammad gives so much charity as if he has no fear of want.

Anas 'b. Malik reported that a person requested Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) to give him a very large flock and he gave that to him. He came to his tribe and said: O people, embrace Islam. By Allah, Muhammad donates so much as if he did not fear want. Anas said that the person embraced Islam for the sake of the world but later he became Muslim until Islam became dearer to him than the world and what it contains.

Ibn Shihab reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) went on the expedition of Victory, i. e. the Victory of Mecca, and then he went out along with the Muslims and they fought at Hunain, and Allah granted victory to his religion and to the Muslims, and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) gave one hundred camels to Safwan b. Umayya. He again gave him one hundred camels, and then again gave him one hundred camels. Sa'id b. Musayyib said that Safwan told him: (By Allah) Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) gave me what he gave me (and my state of mind at that time was) that he was the most detested person amongst people in my eyes. But he continued giving to me until now he is the dearest of people to me.

Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: In case we get wealth from Bahrain, I would give you so much and so much; he made an indication of it with both his hands. Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) died before wealth from Bahrain came, and it fell to the lot of Abu Bakr after him. He commanded the announcer to make announcement to the effect that he to whom Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) had held out promise or owed any debt should come (to him). I came and said: Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) had said to me: In case there comes to us the wealth of Bahrain I shall give you so much, and so much. Abu Bakr took a handful (of the coins) and gave that to me once and asked me to count them I counted them as five hundred dinars and he said: Here is double of this for you.

Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported: When Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) died, there came to Abfi Bakr wealth from al-'Ala' b. al-Hadrami. Abu Bakr said: He to whom Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) owed any debt or held out any promise should come to us; the rest of the hadith is the same.

Chapter 15: THE MERCY AND TENDERNESS SHOWN BY ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) TOWARDS CHILDREN, MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY, AND HIS HUMILITY AND HIS SUBLIME QUALITIES

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: A child was born into me this night and I named him after the name of my father Ibrihim. He then sent him to Umm Saif, the wife of a blacksmith who was called Abu Saif. He (the Holy Prophet) went to him and I followed him until we reached Abu Saif and he was blowing fire with the help of blacksmith's bellows and the house was filled with smoke. I hastened my step and went ahead of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: Abu Saif, stop it, as there comes Allah's Messenger (may peace he upon him). He stopped and Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) called for the child. He embraced him and said what Allah had desired. Anas said: I saw that the boy breathed his last in the presence of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). The eyes of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) shed tears and he said: Ibrahim, our eyes shed tears and our hearts are filled with grief, but we do not say anything except that by which Allah is pleased. O Ibrahim, we are grieved for you.

Anas b. Malik reported: I have never seen anyone more kind to one's family than Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), and Ibrahim was sent to the suburb of Medina for suckling. He used to go there and we accompanied him. He entered the house, and it was filled with smoke as his foster-father was a bricksmith. He took him (his son Ibrihim) and kissed him and then came back. 'Amr said that when Ibrihim died. Allah's LMessenger (may peace be upon him) said: Ibrihim is my son and he dies as a suckling babe. He has now two foster-mothers who would complete his suckling period in Paradise.

'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that there came a few desert Arabs to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: Do you kiss your children? He said: Yes. Thereupon they said: By Allah but we do not kiss our children. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Then what can I do if Allah has deprived you of mercy? Ibn Numair said: (We has deprived) your heart of mercy.

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.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Jabir b. 'Abdullah through different chains of transmitters and the words are:" That the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: He who shows no mercy to the people, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, does not show mercy to him."

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Jabir through another chain of transmitters.

Chapter 16: THE UTMOST MODESTY OF ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM)

Abu Sa'id Khudri reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was more modest than the virgin behind the curtain (or in the apartment), and when he disliked anything, we recognised that from his face.

Masruq reported: We went to Abdullah b. 'Amr when Mu'dwiya came to Kufa, and he made a mention of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: He was never immoderate in his talk and he never reviled others. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) also said: The best amongst you are those who are best in morals. Uthman said: When he came to Kufa along with Mu'awiya... (The rest of the hadith is the same).

This hadith had been narrated on the authority of al-A'mash through another chain of transmitters also.

Chapter 17: THE SMILING OF ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON'HIM) AND HIS EXCELLENT BEHAVIOUR

Simak b. Harb reported: I said to Jabir b. Samura: Did you have the privilege of sitting in the company of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)? He said: Yes, very frequently, and added: He did not stand up (and go) from the place where he offered the dawn prayer until the sun rose, and after the rising of the sun he stood up, and they (his Companions) entered into conversation with one another and they talked of the things (that they did during the Days of Ignorance), and they laughed (on their unreasonable and ridiculous acts). Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) smiled only.

Chapter 18: THE MERCY AND COMPASSION OF ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) FOR WOMEN AND HIS COMMAND TO THE CAMEL-DRIVER TO DRIVE THE MOUNT SLOWLY ON WHICH THEY RIDE

Anas reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had in one of his journeys his black slave who was called Anjasha along with him. He goaded by singing the songs of camel-driver. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Anjasha, drive slowly as you are driving (the mounts who are carrying) glass vessels

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Anas through another chain of transmitters.

Anas reported that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) came to his wives as the camel-driver who was called Anjasha had been, driving (the camels) on which (they were riding). Thereupon he said: Anjasha, be careful, drive slowly for you are driving the mounts who carry vessels of glass. Abu Qilaba said that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) uttered words which if someone had uttered amongst you, you would have found fault with him.

Anas b. Malik reported that Umm Sulaim was with the wives of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and a camel-driver had been driving (the camels) oil which they were riding. Thereupon Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: Anjasha, drive slowly, for you are carrying (on the camels) vessels of glass.

Anas reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had a camel-driver who had a very melodious voice. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said to him: Anjasha, drive slowly; do not break the vessels of glass, meaning the weak women.

Anas reported this hadith through another chain of transmitters, but he made no mention of a camel-driver having a melodious voice.

Chapter 19: THE NEARNESS OF ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) TO THE PEOPLE AND THEIR SEEKING BLESSINGS FROM HIM (AND HIS POSSESSIONS)

Anas b. Malik reported that when Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had completed his dawn prayer, the servants of Medina came to him with utensils containing water, and no utensil was brought in which he did not dip his hand; and sometime they came in the cold dawn (and he did not feel reluctant in acceding to their request even in the cold weather) and dipped his hand in them.

Anas reported: I saw when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) got his hair cut by the barber, his Companions came round him and they eagerly wanted that no hair should fall but in the hand of a person.

Anas reported that a woman had a partial derangement in her mind, so she said. Allah's Messellaer, I want something from you. He said: Mother of so and so, see on which side of the road you would like (to stand and talk) so that I may do the needfull for you. He stood aside with her on the roadside until she got what she needed.

Chapter 20: THE HATRED OF ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) AGAINST SIN AND THE ADOPTING OF A COURSE OF ACTION WHICH IS EASIER TO ADOPT FROM AMONGST THE PERMISSIBLE ACTS

'A'isha, the wife of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), said that whenever he had to choose between two things he adopted the easier one, provided it was nor sin, but if it was any sin he was the one wio was the farthest from it of the people; and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) never took revenge from anyone because of his personal grievance, unless what Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, had made inviolable had been violated.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Shibab through another chain of transmitters.

'A'isha reported: Never did Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) make a choice between two things but adopting the easier one as compared to the difficult one, but his choice for the easier one was only in case it did not involve any sin, but if it involved sin he was the one who was the farthest from it amongst the people.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham through another chain of transmitters but with a slight variation of wording.

'A'isha reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) never beat anyone with his hand, neither a woman nor a servant, but only, in the case when he had been fighting in the cause of Allah and he never took revenge for anything unless the things made inviolable by Allah were made violable; he then took revenge for Allah, the Exalted and Glorious.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham through another chain of transmitters but with a slight variation of wording.

Chapter 21: THE FRAGRANCE OF THE SACRED BODY OF ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) AND ITS AGILITY AND SOFTNESS AND THE BLESSINGS OF ITS TOUCH

Jabir b. Samura reported: I prayed along with Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) the first prayer. He then went to his family and I also went along with him when he met some children (on the way). He began to pat the cheeks of each one of them. He also patted my cheek and I experienced a coolness or a fragrance of his hand as if it had been brought out from the scent bag of a perfumer.

Anas reported: I never smelt ambergris or musk as fragrant as the fragrance of the body of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and I never touched brocade or silk and found it as soft as the body of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him).

Anas reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had a very fair complexion and (the drops) of his perspiration shone like pearls, and when he walked he walked inclining forward, and I never touched brocade and silk (and found it) as soft as the softness of the palm of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and I never smelt musk or ambergris and found its fragrance as sweet as the fragrance of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him).

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) used to come to our house and there was perspiration upon his body. My mother brought a bottle and began to pour the sweat in that. When Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) got up he said: Umm Sulaini, what is this that you are doing? Thereupon she said: That is your sweat which we mix in our perfume and it becomes the most fragrant perfume.

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) came to the house of Umm Sulaim and slept in her bed while she was away from her house. On the other day too he slept in her bed. She came and it was said to her: It is Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) who is having siesta in your house, lying in your bed. She came and found him sweating and his sweat falling on the leather cloth spread on her bed. She opened her scent-bag and began to fill the bottles with it. Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) was startled and woke up and said: Umm Sulaim, what are you doing? She said: Allah's Messenger, we seek blessings for our children through it. Thereupon he said: You have done something right.

Umm Sulaim reported that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) visited her house and (took rest) and she spread a piece of cloth for him and he had had a siesta on it. And he sweated profusely and she collected his sweat and put it in a perfume and in bottles. Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: Umm Sulaim, what is this? She said: It is your sweat, which I put in my perfume. Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) sweated in cold weather when revelation descended upon him.

Chapter 22: ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) PERSHIRED WHEN REVELATION DESCENDED UPON HIM

'A'isha reported: When revelation descended upon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) even during the cold days, his forehead perspired.

'A'isha reported that Harith b. Hisham asked Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him): How does the the wahi (inspiration) come to you? He said: At times it comes to me like the ringing of a bell and that is most severe for me and when it is over I retain that (what I had received in the form of wahi), and at times an Angel in the form of a human being comes to me (and speaks) and I retain whatever he speaks.

'Ubida b. Samit reported that when wahi (inspiration) descended upon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him), he felt a burden on that account and the colour of his face underwent a change.

'Ubida b. Samit reported that when wahi descended upon Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), he lowered his head and so lowered his Companions their heads, and when (this state) was over, he raised his head.

Chapter 23: PERTAINING TO THE HAIR OF THE HOLY PROPHET (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM), HIS FEATURES

Ibn Abbas reported that the People of the Book used to let their hair fall (on their foreheads) and the polytheists used to part them on their heads, and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) liked to conform his behaviour to the People of the Book in matters in which he received no command (from God) ; so Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) let fall his hair upon his forehead, and then he began to part it after this.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Shihab with the same chain of transmitters.

Chapter 24: CONCERNING THE CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF AllAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM), AND HE WAS THE MOST HANDSOME OF THE PEOPLE

Al-Bara' reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was of medium height, having broad shoulders, with his hair hanging down on the lobes of his ears. He put on a red mantle over him, and never have I seen anyone more handsome than Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him).

Al-Bara' reported: Never did I see anyone more handsome than Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) in the red mantle. His hair had been hanging down on the shoulders and his shoulders were very broad, and he was neither very tall nor short-statured. Ibn Kuraib said he had hair.

Al-Bara' reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had the most handsome face amongst men and he had the best disposition and he was neither very tall nor short-statured.

Qatada reported: I asked Anas b. Malik: How was the hair of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)? Thereupon he said: His hair was neither very curly nor very straight, and they hung over his shoulders and earlobes.

Chapter 25: PERTAINING TO THE CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF THE FACE OF ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) AND HIS EYES AND HIS HEELS

Anas reported that the hair of Allah's Messenger (may. peace be upon him) came upon his shoulders.

Anas reported that the hair of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) reached half of the earlobe.

Jabir b. Samura reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) had a broad face with reddish (wide) eyes, and lean heels. Shu'ba reported: I said to Simak: What does this dali-ul-fam mean? And he said: This means broad face. I said: What does this ashkal mean? He said: Long in the slit of the eye. I said: What is this manhus-ul-aqibain? He said: It implies little flesh at the heels.

Chapter 26: ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE AE UPON HIM) HAD A WHITE ELEGANT FACE

Jurairi reported: I said to Abu Tufail: Did you see Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)? He said: Yes, he had a white handsome face. Muslim b. Hajjaj said: Abu Tufail who died in 100 Hijra was the last of the Companions of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him).

Abu Tufail reported: I saw Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and there is one amongst the people of the earth who (are living at the present time and) had seen him except me. I said to him: How did you find him? He said: He had an elegant white color, and he was of an average height.

Chapter 27: PERTAINING TO THE OLD AGE OF ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM)

Ibn Sirin reported: Anas b. Malik was asked whether Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) dyed his hair. He said: He had not become old enough to have white hair. Ibn Idris said that he had a few white hair. Abu Bakr and Umar, however, dyed hair with hina' (henna).

Ibn Sirin reported: I asked Anas b. Malik whether Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) dyed his hair. He said: He had not reached the stage when (he needed) dyeing (of his white hair). He had a few white hair in his beard. I said to him: Did Abu Bakr dye his hair? He said: Yes, with hina' (henna).

Muhammad b. Sirin reported: I asked Anas b. Malik whether Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) dyed his hair. He said: He had but little white hair.

Thabit reported that Anas b. Malik was asked about the dyeing (of the hair of) Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him). Thereupon he said.: (They were so few) that if I so liked I could count their number in his head, and he further said: (That is) he did not dye. Abu Bakr, however, dyed them and so did 'Umar dye them with pure henna.

Anas b. Malik did not like that a person should pick out his white hair from his head or beard, and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) did not dye, and there was some whiteness in his hair at his chin, on his temples and very little on his head. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Muthanna through the same chain of transmitters.

Anas (b. Malik) was asked about the old age of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him). He said: Allah did not blemish him with white hair.

Abu Juhaifa reported: I saw Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) having some whiteness (in hair) at this place, and Zuhair placed one of his fingers at his chin. Juhaifa was asked how old he had been at that time. He said: I made arrows and put feathers to them (i. e. I had passed my childhood).

Abu Juhaifa reported: I saw Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) that he had white complexion and had some white hair, and Hasan b. 'Ali resembled him.

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Abu Juhaifa with a slight variation of wording.

Jabir b. Samura was asked about the old age of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him). He said: When he oiled his head nothing was seen (as a mark of old age) and when he did not apply oil something (of the old age) became visible.

Jabir b. Samura reported that there had appeared some whiteness on the front part of the head and beard of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). When he applied oil, it did not become visible, but when he did not (apply) oil, it became apparent. And he had a thick beard. A person said: His face was as (bright) as the sword. Thereupon he (Jabir) said: No, it was round and like the sun and the moon. And I saw the seal near his shoulder of the size of a pigeon's egg and its color was the same as that of his body.

Chapter 28: THE FACT PERTAINING TO THE SEAL OF HIS PROPHETHOOD, ITS CHARACTERISTIC FEATURE AND ITS LOCATION ON HIS BODY

Jabir. Samura reported: I saw the seal on his back as if it were a pigeon's egg.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Simak with the same chain of transmitters.

As-Sa'ib b. Yazid reported: My mother's sister took me to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: Allah's Messenger, here is the son of my sister and he is ailing. He touched my head and invoked blessings upon me. He then performed ablution and I drank the water left from his ablution; then I stood behind him and I saw the seal between his shoulders.

Abdullah b. Sarjis reported: I saw Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and ate with him bread and meat, or he said Tharid (bread soaked in soup). I said to him: Did Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) seek forgiveness for you? He said: Yes, and for you, and he then recited this verse:" Ask forgiveness for thy sin and for the believing men and believing women" (xlvii. 19). I then went after him and saw the Seal of Prophethood between his shoulders on the left side of his shoulder having spots on it like moles.

Chapter 29: THE QUALITIES OF ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) AND AGE WHEN HE WAS GIVEN THE MINISTRY OF APOSTLEHOOD AND THE DURATION OF HIS LIFE.

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) was neither very conspicuously tall nor short-statured, and his color was neither glaringly white nor brown; his hair was neither very curly nor very straight; Allah commissioned him (as a Prophet) when he had reached the age of forty years, and he stayed in Mecca for ten years and for ten years in Medina; Allah took him away when he had just reached the age of sixty, and there had not been twenty white hair in his head and beard.

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Anas b. Malik with this addition that instead of the word al-Amhaq there is the word Azhar.

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) died when he was sixty-three years old, and so was the case with Abu Bakr, and so was the case with Umar who was also sixty-three (when he died).

'A'isha reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) died when he had attained the age of sixty-three. And a hadith like this had been transmitted on the authority of Sa'id b. Musayyib.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Shihab through the same chain of transmitters.

Chapter 30: HOW LONG DID THE APOSTLE OF ALLAH (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) STAY IN MEDINA AND MECCA

'Amr reported: I said to 'Urwa: How long did Allah's Apostle - (may peace be upon him) stay in Mecca? He said: For ten years. I said: Ibn 'Abbas says (that he stayed in Mecca) for thirteen years.

'Amr reported: I said to 'Urwa: How long did Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) stay in Mecca? He said: For ten years. I said: Ibn Abbas says it is some years above ten. He ('Urwa) sought forgiveness for him and said: His statement is based on the verse of a poet.

Ibn 'Abbas reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) stayed in Mecca for thirteen years and he died when he had attained the age of sixty three years.

Ibn 'Abbas reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) stayed in Mecca for thirteen years (after he had received revelation) and stayed in Medina for ten years, and he was sixty-three when he died.

Abu Ishaq reported: I was sitting with 'Abdullah b. 'Utba and there was a discussion about the age of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). Some of the persons said: Abu Bakr was older than Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). 'Abdullah said: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) died when he was sixty-three, and Abu Bakr died when he was sixty-three and so 'Umar fell as a martyr when he was sixty-three. A person from the people who was called 'Amir b. Sa'd reported that Jabir had said: We were sitting with Mu'awiya that there was a discussion about the age of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). Thereupon Mu'awiya said: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) died when he had attained the age of sixty-three, and Abu Bakr died when he had attained the age of sixty-three, and Umar fell as a martyr when he had attained the age of sixty-three.

Jabir reported that he heard Mu'awiya say in his address that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) died at the age of sixty-three, so was the case with Abu Bakr and 'Umar, and I (am now) sixty-three.

'Ammar, the freed slave of Banu Hashim, reported: I asked Ibn 'Abbas how old was he when death overtook the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). He said: I little know that such a thing is not known to a man like you who belong to his people. He said: I asked people about it but they differed with me, and I liked to know your opinion about it. He said: Do you know counting? He said: Yes. He then said: Bear this in mind very well that he was commissioned (as a Prophet) at the age of forty, and he stayed in Mecca for fifteen years; sometime in peace and sometime in dread, and (lived) for ten years after his migration to Medina.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Yunus with the same chain of transmitters.

Ammar, the freed slave of Banu Hashim, reported that Ibn 'Abbas said that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) died when he had attained the age of sixty-five.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Khalid with the same chain of transmitters.

Ibn 'Abbas reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) stayed in Mecca for fifteen years (after his advent as a Prophet) and he heard the voice of Gabriel and saw his radiance for seven years but did not see any visible form, and then received revelation for ten years, and he stayed in Medina for ten years.

Chapter 31: PERTAINING TO THE NAME OF ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM)

Jubair b. Mut'im reported on the authority of his father that he heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I am Muhammad and I am Ahmad, and I am al-Mahi (the obliterator) by whom unbelief would be obliterated, and I am Hashir (the gatherer) at whose feet mankind will be gathered, and I am 'Aqib (the last to come) after whom there will be no Prophet.

Jubair b. Mut'im reported on the authority of his father that he heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I have many names: I am Muhammad, I am Ahmad, I am al-Mahi through whom Allah obliterates unbelief, and I am Hashir (the gatherer) at whose feet people will be gathered, and I am 'Aqib (after whom there would be none), and Allah has named him as compassionate and merciful.

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Ma'mar (and the words are): I said to Zuhri: What does (the word) al-'Aqib imply? He said: One after whom there is no Prophet, and in the hadith transmitted on the authority of Ma'mar and 'Uqail there is a slight variation of wording.

Abu Musa Ash'ari reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) mentioned many names of his and said: I am Muhammad, Ahmad. Muqaffi (the last in succession), Hashir, the Prophet of repentance, and the Prophet of Mercy.

Chapter 32: THE KNOWLEDGE OF ALLAH'S APOSTLE (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) ABOUT ALLAH AND HIS UTMOST FEAR OF HIM

'A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) did an act, and held it to be valid. This news reached some persons amongst his Companions (and it was felt) that they did not approve of it and avoided (it). This reaction of theirs was conveyed to him. He stood to deliver an address; and said: What has happened to the people to whom there was conveyed on my behalf a matter for which I granted permission and they disapproved it and avoided it? By Allah, I have the best knowledge of Allah amongst them, and I fear Him most amongst them.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of A'mash through a different chain of transmitters.

'A'isha reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) granted permission for doing a thing, but some persons amongst the people avoided it. This was conveyed to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), and he was so much annoyed that the sign of his anger appeared on his face. He then said: What has happened to the people that they avoid that for which permission has been granted to me? By Allah, I have the best knowledge of Allah amongst them, and fear Him most amongst them.

Chapter 33: IT IS OBLIGATORY FOR A MUSLIM TO FOLLOW THE HOLY PROPHET (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) EARNESTLY

'Urwa b. Zubair reported that 'Abdullah b. Zubair had narrated to him that a person from the Ansar disputed with Zubair in the presence of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) in regard to the watering places of Harra from which they watered the date-palms. The Ansari said: Let the water flow, but he (Zubair) refused to do this and the dispute was brought to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and he said to Zubair: Zubair, water (your date-palms), then let the water flow to your neighbor. The Ansari was enraged and said: Allah's Messenger, (you have given this decision) for he is the son of your father's sister. The face of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) underwent a change, and then said: Zubair, water (your date-palms), then hold it until it rises up to the walls. Zubair said: I think, by Allah, that this verse:" Nay, by the Lord, they will not (really) (believe) until they make thee a judge of what is in dispute among them, and find in this no dislike of what thou decidest and submit with full submission" (iv. 65).

Chapter 34: RESPECT OF ALLAH'S MESSENGER AND ABANDONING OF TOO MANY QUESTIONS ESPECIALLY THOSE FOR WHICH THERE IS NO GENUINE NEED

Abu Huraira reported that he heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Avoid that which I forbid you to do and do that which I command you to do to the best of your capacity. Verily the people before you went to their doom because they had put too many questions to their Prophets and then disagreed with their teachings.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Shihab with the same chain of transmitters.

This hadith has been narrated by Abu Huraira through a different chain of transmitters (and the words are) that he reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said: Abandon that which I have asked you to abandon, for the people before you went to their doom (for asking too many questions).

Amir b. Sa'd reported on the authority of his father that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: The greatest sinner amongst the Muslims is one who asked about a thing (from Allah's Apostle) which had not been forbidden for the Muslims and it was forbidden for them because of his persistently asking about it.

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of 'Amir b. Sa'd and the words are. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: The greatest sinner of the Muslims amongst Muslims is one who asked about a certain thing which had not been prohibited and it was prohibited because of his asking about it. This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters and with this addition:" A person asked about a thing from Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) and he indulged in hair-splitting."

Anas b. Malik reported that something was conveyed to him (the Holy prophet) about his Companions, so he addressed them and said: Paradise and Hell were presented to me and I have never seen the good and evil as (I did) today. And if you were to know you would have wept more and laughed less. He (the narrator) said: There was nothing more burdensome for the Companions of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) than this. They covered their heads and the sound of weeping was heard from them. Then there stood up 'Umar and he said: We are well pleased with Allah as our Lord, with Islam as our code of life and with Muhammad as our Apostle, and it was at that time that a person stood up and he said: Who is my father? Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Your father is so and so; and there was revealed the verse:" O you who believe, do not ask about matters which, if they were to be made manifest to you (in terms of law), might cause to you harm" (v. 101).

Anas b. Malik reported that a person said: Allah's Messenger, who is my father? And he said: Your father is so and so, and there was revealed this verse:" Do not ask about matters which, if they were to be made manifest to you, might cause you harm" (v. 101).

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him stood when the sun had passed the meridian and he led them noon prayer and after observing salutations (completing the prayer) he stood upon the pulpit and talked about the Last Hour and made a mention of the important facts prior to it and then said: He who desires to ask anything from me let him ask me about it. By Allah, I shall not move from this place so long as I do not inform you about that which you ask. Anas b. Malik said: People began to shed tears profusely when they heard this from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said it repeatedly: You ask me. Thereupon 'Abdullah b. Hudhafa stood up and said: Allah's Messenger, who is my father? He said: Your father is Hudhafa, and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said repeatedly: Ask me, and (it was at this juncture that 'Umar knelt down and said): We are well pleased with Allah as our Lord, with Islam as our code of life and with Muhammad as the Messenger (of Allah). Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) kept quiet so long as 'Umar spoke. Then Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: (The Doom) is near; by Him, in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, there was presented to me the Paradise and Hell in the nook of this enclosure, and I did not see good and evil like that of the present day. Ibn Shihab reported: Ubaidullah b. 'Abdullah b. 'Utba told me that the mother of 'Abdullah b. Hudhafa told 'Abdullah b. Hudhafa: I have never heard of a son more disobedient than you. Do you feel yourself immune from the fact that your mother committed a sin which the women in the pre-Islamic period committed and then you disgrace her in the eyes of the people? 'Abdullah b. Hudhafa said: If my fatherhood were to be attributed to a black slave I would have connected myself with him.

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Zuhri with a slight variation of wording.

Anas b. Malik reported that the people asked Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) until he was hard pressed. He went out one day and he occupied the pulpit and said: Ask me and I shall leave no question of yours unanswered for you, and when the people heard about it they were overawed, as if (something tragic) was going to happen. Anas said: I began to look towards the right and the left and (found) that every person was weeping wrapping his head with the cloth. Then a person in the mosque broke the ice and they used to dispute with him by attributing his fatherhood to another man than his own father. He said: Allah's Apostle, who is my father? He said: Your father is Hudhafa. Then 'Umar b. Khattab (Allah be pleased with him) dared say something and said: We are well pleased with Allah as our Lord, with Islam as our code of life and with Muhammad as our Messenger, seeking refuge with Allah from the evil of Turmoil. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Never did I see the good and evil as today. Paradise and Hell were given a visible shape before me (in this worldly life) and I saw both of them near this well.

This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Qatada.

Abu Musa reported that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) was asked such things which he disapproved and when they persisted on asking him he felt enraged and then said to the people: Ask me what you wish to ask. Thereupon a person said: Who is my father? He said: Your father is Hudhafa. Then another person stood up and said: Allah's Messenger, who is my father? He said: Your father is Salim, the freed slave of Shaiba. When 'Umar saw the signs of anger upon the face of Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him), he said: Allah's Messenger, we ask repentance from Allah. And in the hadith transmitted on the authority of Abu Kuraib (the words are):" Allah's Messenger, who is my father? He said: Your father is Salim, the freed slave of Shaiba."

Chapter 35: IT IS OBLIGATORY TO FOLLOW THE PROPHET (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO RELIGION, BUT ONE IS FREE TO ACT ON ONE'S OWN OPINION IN MATTERS WHICH PERTAIN TO TECHNICAL SKILL

Musa b. Talha reported: I and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) happened to pass by people near the date-palm trees. He (the Holy Prophet) said: What are these people doing? They said: They are grafting, i. e. they combine the male with the female (tree) and thus they yield more fruit. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: I do not find it to be of any use. The people were informed about it and they abandoned this practice. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) (was later) on informed (that the yield had dwindled), whereupon he said: If there is any use of it, then they should do it, for it was just a personal opinion of mine, and do not go after my personal opinion; but when I say to you anything on behalf of Allah, then do accept it, for I do not attribute lie to Allah, the Exalted and Glorious.

Rafi' b. Khadij reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) came to Medina and the people had been grafting the trees. He said: What are you doing? They said: We are grafting them, whereupon he said: It may perhaps be good for you if you do not do that, so they abandoned this practice (and the date-palms) began to yield less fruit. They made a mention of it (to the Holy Prophet), whereupon he said: I am a human being, so when I command you about a thing pertaining to religion, do accept it, and when I command you about a thing out of my personal opinion, keep it in mind that I am a human being. 'Ikrima reported that he said something like this.

Anas reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) happened to pass by the people who had been busy in grafting the trees. Thereupon he said: If you were not to do it, it might be good for you. (So they abandoned this practice) and there was a decline in the yield. He (the Holy Prophet) happened to pass by them (and said): What has gone wrong with your trees? They said: You said so and so. Thereupon he said: You have better knowledge (of a technical skill) in the affairs of the world.

Chapter 36: THE MERIT OF LOOKING AT THE FACE OF ALLAH'S MESSENGER (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM) AND LONGING FOR IT

Abu Huraira reported so many 'ahadith from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and one among them was that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) is reported to have said: By Him in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, a day would come to you when you would not be able to see me, and the glimpse of my face would be dearer to one than one's own family, one's property and in fact everything. This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Ishaq with a slight variation of wording.

Chapter 37: THE MERITS OF JESUS CHRIST (PEACE BE UPON HIM)

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I am most akin to the son of Mary among the whole of mankind and the Prophets are of different mothers, but of one religion, and no Prophet was raised between me and him (Jesus Christ).

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: I am most akin to Jesus Christ among the whole of mankind, and all the Prophets are of different mothers but belong to one religion and no Prophet was raised between me and Jesus.

Abu Huraira reported many ahadith from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and one is that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: I am most close to Jesus, son of Mary, among the whole of mankind in this worldly life and the next life. They said: Allah's Messenger how is it? Thereupon he said: Prophets are brothers in faith, having different mothers. Their religion is, however, one and there is no Apostle between us (between I and Jesus Christ).

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: No child is born but he is pricked by the satan and he begins to weep because of the pricking of the satan except the son of Mary and his mother. Abu Huraira then said: You may recite if you so like (the verse):" I seek Thy protection for her and her offspring against satan the accursed" (iii. 36). This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters (and the words are):" The newborn child is touched by the satan (when he comes in the world) and he starts crying because of the touch of satan." In the hadith transmitted on the authority of Shu'aib there is a slight variation of wording.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The satan touches every son of Adam on the day when his mother gives birth to him with the exception of Mary and her son.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The crying of the child (starts) when the satan begins to prick him.

Abu Huraira reported ahadith from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) (and one of them was) that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said Jesus son of Mary saw a person committing theft; thereupon Jesus said to him: You committed theft. He said: Nay. By Him besides Whom there is no god (I have not committed theft). Thereupon Jesus said: I affirm my faith in Allah It is my ownself that deceived me.

Chapter 38: THE MERITS OF IBRAHIM, THE FRIEND OF ALLAH (PEACE BE UPON HIM)

Anas b. Malik reported that a person came to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said: O, the best of creation; thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: He is Ibrahim (peace be upon him).

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Anas through a different chain of transmitters.

Anas reported a hadith like this from Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) through another chain of transmitters.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said that Ibrahim circumcised himself with the help of adz when he was eiclhty years old.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: We have more claim to doubt than Ibrahim (peace be upon him) when he said, My Lord, show me how thou wilt quicken the dead. He said: Believeth thou not? He said: Yes, but that my heart rest at ease (the Holy Qur'an. 260). May Lord have mercy on Lot that he wanted a strong support and had I stayed in the prison as long as Yusuf stayed I would have responded to him who invited me.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri through another chain of transmitters.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira through another chain of transmitters but with a slight variation of wording.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) never told a lie but only thrice: two times for the sake of Allah (for example, his words):" I am sick," and his words:" But it was the big one amongst them which has done that" and because of Sara (his wife). He had come in a land inhabited by haughty and cruel men along with Sara. She was very good-looking amongst the people, so he said to her: If these were to know that you are my wife they would snatch you away from me, so if they ask you tell that you are my sister and in fact you are my sister in Islam, and I do not know of any other Muslim in this land besides I and you. And when they entered that land the tyrants came to see her and said to him (the king): 'there comes to your land a woman, whom you alone deserve to possess, so he (the kings sent someone (towards her) and she was brought and Ibrahim (peace be upon him) stood in preyer, and when she visited him (the tyrant king came) he could help but stretch his hand towards her and his hand was tied up. He said: Supplicate Allah so that He may release my hand and I will do no harm to you. She did that and the man repeated (the same highhandedness) and his hand was again tied up more tightly than on the first occasion and he said to her like that and she again did that (supplicated), but he repeated (the same highhandedness and his hands were tied up more tightly than on the previous occasion). He then again said: Supplicate your Lord so that He may set my hand free; by. @ llah I shall do no harm to you. She did and his hand was freed. Then he called the person who had brought her and said to him: You have brought to me the satan and you have not brought to me a human being, so turn them out from my land, and he gave Hajira as a gift to her. She returned (along with Hajira) and when Ibrahim (peace be upon him) saw her, he said: How have you returned? She said: With full safety (have I returned). Allah held the hand of that debauch and he gave me a maid-servant. Abu Hiaraira said: O sons of the rain of the sky, she is your mother.

Chapter 39: PERTAINING TO THE MERITS OF MOSES (PEACE BE UPON HIM)

Hammam b. Munabbih reported that Abu Huraira reported many ahadith from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) and one, of them speaks that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) is reported to have said: Banu Isra'il used to take bath (together) naked and thus saw private parts of one another, but Moses (peace be upon him) used to take bath alone (in privacy), and they said: By Allah, nothing prevents Moses to take bath along with us; but scrotal hernia. One day when he (Moses) was taking bath (alone) he placed his clothes upon a stone, but the stone began to move along with his clothes. Moses raced after it saying: My garment, stone; until (some of the people) of Banu Isra'il looked at the private parts of Moses, and they said: By Allah, there is no trouble with Moses. The stone stopped after he (Moses) had been seen. He took hold of his garments and struck the stone. Abu Huraira said: I swear by Allah that there were six or seven scars on the stone because of the striking of stone by Moses (peace be upon him).

Abu Huraira reported that Moses was a modest person. He was never seen naked and Banu Isra'iI said: (He was afraid to expose his private part) because he had been suffering from scrotal hernia. He (one day) took bath in water and placed his garments upon a stone. The stone began to move on quickly. He followed that and struck it with the help of a stone (saying): O stone, my garment; O stone, my garments, O stone; until it stopped near the big gathering of Isrii'll, and this verse was revealed (pertaining to the incident):" O you who believe, be not Iike those who maligned Moses, but Allah cleared him of what they said, and he was worthy of regard with Allah" (xxxiii. 69).

Abu Huraira reported that the Angel of Death was sent to Moses (peace be upon him) to inform of his Lord's summons. When he came, he (Moses) boxed him and his eye was knocked out. He (the Angel of Death) came back to the Lord and said: You sent me to a servant. who did not want to die. Allah restored his eye to its proper place (and revived his eyesight), and then said: Go back to him and tell him that if he wants life he must place his hand on the back of an ox, and he would be granted as many years of life as the number of hair covered by his hand. He (Moses) said: My Lord what would happen then He said: Then you must court death. He said: Let it be now. And he supplicated Allah to bring him close to the sacred land. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: If I were there, I would have shown you his grave beside the road at the red mound.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said that the Angel of Death came to Moses and said: Respond (to the call) of Allah (i. e. be prepared for death). Moses (peace be upon him) gave a blow at the eye of the Angel of Death and knocked it out. The Angel went back to Allah (the Exalted) and said: You sent me to your servant who does not like to die and he knocked out my eye. Allah restored his eye to its proper place (and revived his eyesight) and said: Go to My servant and say: Do you want life? And in case you want life, keep your hand on the body of the ox and you would live such number of years as the (number of) hair your hand covers. He (Moses) said: What, then? He said: Then you would die, whereupon he (Moses) said: Then why not now? (He then prayed): Allah, cause me to die close to the sacred land. Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Had I been near that place I would have shown his grave by the side of the path at the red mound. This hadith has been transmitted on the authority of Ma'mar.