HADITH (PAPER:2; Question 1: compulsory)

HADITH (6-10)
Q. Choose any two of the following Hadith, and:

(a) Describe their teachings about what Muslims believe; [4]

(b) Explain how Muslims can put these teachings into action. [4]

Hadith:6

Whosoever of you sees an evil action let him change it with his hand, and if he is
not able to do so then with his tongue, and if he is not able to do so then with his
heart, and that is the weakest of faith.

 Teachings

Commanding the proper and forbidding the improper (amr bi alma 'ruf wa nahi 'an
alnunkar) is one of the most important Islamic principles, stressed again and again in the
Qur'an and Hadith. The Qur'an says “Help one another in righteous dealings and in acts of
piety. But do not help one another in sins or acts of aggression against others” (5:2). In
fact, Allah makes it clear that encouraging good and preventing evil should be one of the
overriding qualities of the Muslim Nation as a whole: “You are the best of peoples ever
raised up for mankind; you enjoin what is good, forbid what is evil, and you believe in
Allah” (3:110).This hadith indicates that the obligation of forbidding evil actions is according
to one’s ability. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said “Whoever of you…”, this means that
the command is directed to each and every Muslim. Everyone has the obligation to forbid evil
if they have the means to do so. There are however some people that having special
responsibilities to forbid evil because they have more power to remove it. This includes
people in positions of authority over others. This address is therefore first and foremost

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addressed towards the rulers and scholars as they are the people of the most authority,
however, all are required to condemn such actions in the heart. If the heart of the believer
does not condemn such evil actions, this indicates that faith has left his heart. It is said by
Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) “When people see a wrong-doer and do nothing to stop him, they
may well be visited by God with a punishment."

 Action
Islam in particular clearly opposes any form of injustice and evil. Quran and
hadith majorly revolves around the teachings catering the prosperity of the
society by emphasizing on the value of care, love and kindness for each
other. Above stated hadith is also evidence in this regard, every individual of
the ummah is held responsible to take part in the eradication of evil and
propagation of peace and love. The substantial importance given to
this consideration is because no injustice should take place in the
society and to ensure security and protection of the society by
involving all the stakeholders i.e. government and people. Acts like
stealing, corruption, bribery, injustice, ridicule, violence, child
abuse and etc. should be handled by government by legislating
severe punishments against these evils, so people may refrain to
commit and then individuals should also play effective role by
keeping themselves away from these hideous crimes and by putting
efforts in way of stopping others as well. This act falls in the
paradigm of worship and will play as a cardinal determinant in the
Day of Judgment for granting believers Allah’s blessing and rewards
in form of highest ranks of heaven.

Hadith: 7
It was said: O Messenger of Allah, who is the most excellent of men? The
Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said: ‘The believer

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who strives hard in the way of Allah with his person and his property.’

 Teachings
This hadith encourages people to fight in the way of Allah for the supremacy
of His religion. Islam wants to bring maximum people under its umbrella of
peace and goodwill. It orders its followers to liberate the helpless from the
atrocities and oppressions of barbarians. A person who is always ready to
sacrifice his person, property and even life for the achievement of these
goals is said to be the best of believers. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “A single
endeavor of fighting in Allah's cause is better than the world and
whatever is in it." Muslims believe that all their physical and financial resources are
granted by God, and so, they develop the spirit of placing them at God’s disposal. Striving
hard has a broad meaning. It also applies to the welfare of the community
and spreading of Islam. It is Said by Allah in the Holy Quran “O you who
believe! Shall I show you a commerce that will save you from a
painful doom? You should believe in Allah and His Messenger, and
should strive for the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives.
That is better for you, if you did but know.”

 Action

There should be no worldly motives. Fighting for Allah's cause necessitates

true and sincere faith. Jihad is not simply a brutal fight, its purpose is to
restore peace and freedom for the worship of Allah under pre-defined limits -
a Muslim should always obey his commander and follow discipline, nor
molesting women, children and old men, nor cut down trees and crops, nor
killing those who have taken refuge in their homes, nor withholding peace
from enemies when they come to negotiation. The captives must be treated
according to the instruction given by the Holy Prophet (PBUH).A person may
also perform Jihad with his wealth and this may take different forms. He can

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spend wealth for spreading Islam or for societal development. Regarding
welfare of the society, a Muslim should develop schools, hospitals and should
help the needy people. He should generously donate towards the victims of
natural disasters like floods and earthquakes. Rich people can use their
wealth while scholars can use their pen and preachers their voices to
persuade people on taking active part in the noble deeds. This is a perfect
way to regulate individual’s behavior by achieving kind of perfection in term
of his faith by involving his soul, heart and property to please Allah and earn
his pleasure and bounties.

Hadith: 8
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said: ‘Whom
do you count to be a martyr among you?’ They said: O Messenger of Allah,
whoever is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr. He said: 'In that case the
martyrs of my community will be very few! He who is killed in the way of Allah
is a martyr, he who dies a natural death in the way of Allah is a martyr, he who
dies in the plague in the way of Allah is a martyr, he who dies of cholera in the
way of Allah is a martyr.’

 Teachings

The Hadith has expanded the scope of martyrdom by including those not involved directly in any
physical fight/struggle (Jehad) in God’s way. In Islam, martyrdom is one of the great ambitions
of a true believer. This is because dying as a martyr entails abundant rewards designated for such
persons in the Hereafter. "There are basically two broad categories of martyrs in Islam,
Firstly, those who have died fighting for the cause of Allah (i.e., in jihad), and secondly, those
who have died being succumbed to certain types of ailments or calamities, not of their own
making. In a report jointly reported by Imam al-Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) mentioned five types of martyrs: “One who dies in a plague, one who

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dies of intestinal ailments, one who dies of drowning, one who dies under a collapsed building,
and one who dies as a martyr in jihad.” From the above discussion, however, one is advised not
to jump to the conclusion that everyone who dies in similar circumstances as mentioned above
will automatically merit rewards of martyrdom. Such an inference is not valid, since
Allah’s acceptance of a person ultimately depends on his or her state of faith (Iman) as well as
upon the way he or she has responded to the will of Allah at the time of death. The Prophet
(peace be upon him) said, “A person is raised up in the Hereafter in the state he has
passed away.”

 Actions
The concept of martyrdom in Islam can only be understood in the light of the Islamic concept of
Holy Struggle (jihad) and the concept of jihad may only be appreciated if believers actually
understand true secret of success i.e. to surrender ourselves fully in front of Allah. This
willingness is subjected to the nurturing of our faith in way that we don’t find anything difficult
considering the will of Allah. This respected hadith has extended the scope of martyrdom for
Muslims. This way Muslims should not fear death which they tend to encounter because of
stated conditions in hadith such as plague, cholera, abdominal ailment or etc. rather they should
feel privileged for the favors promised by Allah for falling victims of such ailments. This way,
serious ailments and sudden trials should not shake their faith.
They should develop the spirit of withstanding all serious and fatal sufferings with a strong belief
that everything is by the supreme will of God Almighty who alone has power to give life and
death. They should be ready to sacrifice their lives while fighting on God’s command as well as
while suffering any physical ailment with this Quranic instruction:

“…….but give glad tidings to those who patiently preserve. Who say, when afflicted with
calamity: To God we belong,and to Him is our return” (2:155-156)

Hadith: 9
No one eats better food than that which he eats out of the work of his hand

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  Teachings
This Hadith teaches man to earn money by his own hands for his sustenance. Islam has
prescribed a duty to lawfully earn money to each and every Muslim. Man is the best of all
creations. Almighty Allah has gifted man a beautiful physical form as well as conscience,
intelligence and soul. Livelihood is necessary to keep the body healthy and for the benefit of the
soul, Halal earnings are essential. About this Almighty Allah says: “You take the best and pure
food that I allotted for you as your livelihood.” Islam does not like begging or spreading
hands before people. Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) worked hard himself and bestowed the workers
with respect and dignity by saying that "a labourer is a friend of Allah." Once a companion
asked about better and clean income. The Prophet replied, "The one who works with his hands
and every trade that was done with honesty." (Ahmed)

 Actions
If a Muslim is physically and mentally fit, he should struggle for his livelihood and prosperity.
He should be proud even if he is doing a low-profile job because it is after all a fair and lawful
means of earning. A hard worker is always respected in the society while a beggar totally loses
his dignity. According to this hadith, a Muslim should abstain from illegal means of earning
wealth like bribery, theft, corruption, usury and gambling, otherwise he will earn hellfire for
himself in the Hereafter. If everyman strictly follow this hadith, there would be no beggars left in
the society. The money collected through charity can be given to true needy people like orphans,
widows and disabled ones. One should always understand materialistic achievements can never
pave the way to Jannah; in fact the consideration of legal and illegal and living life by the
prescribed rules in the light of Quran and hadith will grace one from success in both the worlds.

Hadith: 10
One who manages the affairs of the widow and the poor man is like the one who
exerts himself in the way of Allah, or the one who stands for prayer in the night
or fasts in the day
Teachings
Poor+ reference +why we need to be kind towards them

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Widows+ reference/ past example ranging from lives of 1st Islamic community
Action
Charity, donations, sharing food, clothes, providing means of livelihood
Right in property, right of remarriage, emotional support, respect them, avoid
hurting them through selection of insensitive words or gestures.
Evaluation (Individual benefit- purity of faith, spiritual elevation, love of Allah,
purified soul / communal (promotion of love, harmony, brotherhood , peace,
spirit of sacrifice and etc
 Teachings
This hadith encourages the believers to fulfill the needs of the poor and the oppressed class in the
society. Islamic teachings train the believers to develop a sense of fulfilling the rights of God as well as
those of the fellow beings. Islam strictly instructs us to take care of the less privileged in the
society. Such people have been equated by the Prophet to a regular worshipper and the one who
strives in the way of God. The Quran links true faith with a supportive attitude towards the poor
and declares those who fail to do so as the rejecters of faith: “Have you seen the one who
denies the judgment... and who does not encourage the feeding of the indigent”.
Helping the poor in distress is worship to Allah and it is as important as obligatory prayer and
fasting. Managing affairs of the needy people is such a prestigious deed that it has been placed at
par with the person who strives in the way of Allah or who stands up for prayer at night and fast
during the day. The prophet (PBUH) said to his wife,”O Aisha! Love the poor and let them
come to you for help. Allah will then surely take you near Him on the Day of Judgment.”

 Actions

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