Hadith#11.

‘I and the man who brings up an orphan will be in paradise like

this.’ And he pointed with his two fingers, the index finger and the middle
finger.
Main Teachings of the Hadith#11:
 Compassion and Care for Orphans: This hadith emphasizes the great virtue of caring
for orphans. Islam places immense value on the welfare of those who are vulnerable,
particularly children without parental care. The Prophet (PBUH) promises the reward of
close companionship in paradise to those who take care of orphans.
 “The best Muslim house is that in which an orphan is well treated and the worst
Muslim house is that in which an orphan is ill-treated.” (Ibn-e-Majah)
 Encouragement of Charity and Kindness: The hadith encourages Muslims to act
charitably by supporting those who are in need, such as orphans. It stresses that even a
simple act of kindness towards an orphan holds great spiritual rewards.
 Reward in the Hereafter: The hadith shows that those who raise and support orphans
will be granted a special status in paradise, symbolized by the closeness of the index
and middle fingers. This signifies an intimate and honored position near the Prophet
(PBUH).
Practical Implementations:
 Providing Financial Support: Muslims can implement this teaching by offering
financial assistance to orphans, ensuring that their basic needs such as food, clothing,
and education are met. There is a warning about the misuse of orphan’s property as
such:
 “Those who unjustly eat up the property of the orphans eat up a fire into their own
bodies ……….” (4:10)
 Offering Emotional and Social Support: Beyond financial help, caring for orphans
includes providing emotional support, ensuring they feel loved, valued, and part of the
community. Quran says about showing empathy to orphans as such: “Treat not the
orphan with harshness.” (93:9)
 Establishing or Supporting Orphanages: One practical way to implement this
teaching is by supporting or establishing orphanages or child welfare programs that
provide shelter and care for orphans.
 Legal Guardianship and Adoption: Muslims can take responsibility for an orphan by
becoming a legal guardian, ensuring the child grows up in a nurturing and stable
environment while respecting Islamic laws on adoption.
Hadith#12The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) sent Abu
Musa and Mu‘adh ibn Jabal to Yaman, and he sent each of them to govern a part. Then
he said: ‘Be gentle and do not be hard, and cause rejoicing and do not alienate.’
Main Teachings of the Hadith:
 Gentleness in Leadership: The Prophet (PBUH) instructed Abu Musa and Mu‘adh ibn
Jabal to govern with gentleness and compassion. This highlights the importance of
showing kindness and patience when dealing with others, especially in positions of
authority or responsibility. “Your best rulers are those whom you love and they love
you.” (Muslim)
 Balancing Justice with Compassion: The Prophet (PBUH) advised against being
overly strict or harsh. This teaching emphasizes that while upholding justice is
essential, it should be balanced with mercy and understanding to avoid alienating
people.
 Encouragement and Positivity: Leaders and individuals in positions of influence
should inspire hope and positivity, fostering a sense of community and belonging rather
than creating fear or distance.
 Avoiding Harshness and Alienation: The Prophet (PBUH) warned against actions that
could push people away from faith or cause resentment. This teaching highlights the
need for inclusiveness, understanding the needs and feelings of others.
Practical Implementations:
 Gentle Governance and Leadership: For those in leadership roles, whether in
government, community, or family settings, this teaching can be applied by leading
with kindness, patience, and understanding. Harshness should be avoided to maintain
harmony and cooperation.
 Encouraging Positive Engagement: Teachers, parents, and leaders can create
environments of positivity and encouragement. Whether dealing with children,
students, or subordinates, they should promote enthusiasm and unity through positive
reinforcement.
 Avoiding Harsh Criticism: In both formal and informal settings, instead of criticizing
harshly or punishing severely, efforts should be made to correct mistakes gently and
provide guidance that motivates improvement. “Give ease and not contempt, give
tranquility and not oppression.” (Agreed)
 Fostering Inclusiveness: This teaching encourages fostering an environment where
people feel welcomed and valued. For example, religious leaders or community heads
should ensure that their words and actions bring people closer to faith rather than
pushing them away through strictness or exclusion.
Hadith 13
He who studies the Qur’an is like the owner of tethered camels. If he attends to them he will
keep hold of them, but if he lets them loose they will go away
(a)
1. The conduct of the Muslims depends on the degree of their association with the Quran
because it is the basis of their lives.
2. The Prophet has linked this bond with the ownership of the tethered camels
3. As long as the camels are supervised and kept tethered, they remain under control.
4. Similarly, as long as a Muslim remains attached to the Quran by recitation, learning and
comprehending it, the Quran continues to benefit him; but if this relation is weakened,
the effect of the Quran gradually fades away.
5. The Prophet admired those devoted to learning and teaching of the Quran: “The best
among you is the one who has learned the Quran and teaches it”
(b) Implementation:
1. The Muslims should encourage regular recitation and learning the Quran by heart so
that their ties with the Quran are strengthened”
2. “Allah does not listen so attentively, as He listens to the recitation of the Holy
Quran.” (Agreed upon)
1. The Quran should be recited in the manner prescribed by the Quran itself: “And
recite the Quran in slow, measured rhythmic tones” (73:4)
3. Also, its message should be comprehended in order to shape our conduct according to
the Quranic command. To deepen the understanding of the Qur’an, engaging with tafsir
(explanation of the Qur’an) is crucial.

Hadith 14
May God show mercy to a man who is kindly when he sells, when he buys, and when he
demands his money back.
(a)
1. Economic teachings of Islam stress on honesty and justice on one hand, while mercy
and lenience on the other.
2. Buyers and sellers should not have any intention of exploiting or cheating each other:
3. “One who cheats is not among us” (Hadith)
4. Sellers should believe that honesty and generosity are liked by God.
5. Buyers similarly should not have any ill intention of exploiting any weakness of the
seller.
6. Creditors should believe that God alone enabled him to be a source of helping those in
need and so, he should develop spirit of magnanimity when some needy person
approaches him.
(b)
1. The Prophet conducted trade with full honesty and dedication
2. He would not hide defects of merchandise while selling any items.
3. Muslim traders should follow this and should not try to unduly maximize profits.
4. While buying anything, Muslims should observe some limit of bargaining so that the
seller does not feel uncomfortable.
5. A creditor should be generous enough to give any relief to the debtor because the
Prophet greatly admired such degree of kindness:
 6. “Whoever has a claim on a brother which is payable and he allows respite to the
debtor in his payment, he will be given the reward of charity”.
7. Islam forbids any usury and instructs to extend “the beautiful loan” (Interest-free
loan).

Hadith 15
God will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy to others
(a)
1. Among all attributes of God, mercy is very special because according to a Hadith-i-
Qudsi:“Truly My mercy overcomes My wrath”
2. God, therefore, loves those who show mercy to others, and He commands the Muslims
to seek His mercy and extend mercy on others.
3. The Holy Prophet is called “mercy for all creatures” in the Quran (21:107)
4. The Prophet encouraged his followers to keep alive the spirit of mercy and compassion
so that they get entitled to God’s mercy in the Hereafter.
5. None can be more ill-fated than the one who gets deprived of God’s mercy.
(b)
1. The Muslims are required to follow the footsteps of the Prophet who never cursed his
enemies and insulters in Makka, Taif and the battlefield.
2. In the battle of Uhud, when some companion asked him to curse the Makkans, his reply
was:
3. “I have not been sent to curse”
4. He kindly treated captives of Badr and forgave his fatal enemies on the conquest of
Makka.
5. Muslims today may imitate such noble conduct and generosity of heart.
6. They should not overburdon their employees and should have the moral courage of
forgiving the insultors because they will receive huge reward from their Lord:
7. “Be compassionate to those on earth and He, who is in the heavens, will be
compassionate to you”.

Hadith 16
The believers are like a single man; if his eye is affected he is affected, and if his head is
affected he is all affected.
(a)
1. Islam established the universal Muslim brotherhood when the Prophet migrated to
Madina:
2. “The believers are a single brotherhood” (49:10)
3. All Muslims regardless of social and geographical background were united as a single
community.
4. Since it is a divine arrangement, all Muslims are bound to observe it.
5. They should develop a strong sense of belonging to the same community or family so
that if any of the fellow experiences discomfort, he too should feel it.
6. The Prophet also used another comparison:
7. “One believer to another is like the bricks of a building; each one is holding and
supporting the other”.
(b)
1. The believers may follow this Hadith in a variety of ways.
2. The Ansar of Madina accommodated the Muhajireen of Makka by sharing all their
assets with them.
3. During congregational prayers and the pilgrimage to Makka, Muslims come closer to
each other and this trains them to share joys and sorrows.
4. They should care for fellow Muslims in hour of need and trials
5. The Prophet linked true belief with a sense of brotherhood: “you cannot be true
believers unless there is reciprocal love among you”.
6. They can also promote unity by collectively following the Quranic guidance :
7. “And hold fast all together the Rope of God and do not be divided” (3:103)

Hadith 17
Modesty produces nothing but good.
(a)
1. Moral teachings of Islam are intimately linked with modesty
2. Modesty is the barrier, like piety, against all indecencies and evils and is thus a source
of strengthening faith and submission before divine commands.
The Prophet said: “Modesty and faith are companions; when one is taken away, the
other follows it”
“Every religion has a distinctive quality and the distinctive quality of Islam is
modesty.” (Muatta, Ibn-e-Majah)
3. So, modesty strengthens and accompanies faith, and faith, in turn, promotes mental
piety.
4. Mental piety reflects a believer’s obedience to God and is a means of earning God’s
favor.
5. Modesty is antidote to evil acts and disobedience to God.
(b)
1. Islam teaches ways of observing modesty both towards God and the fellow members
of the community.
2. Regular prayer effectively wards off evil thoughts and actions:
“For prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds” (29:45)
3. This way, a believer’s conduct is shaped according to the divine commands and
guidance.
4. Another way of observing modesty is to put interests of fellows before one’s own
interests:
“None of you truly believes unless he desires for his brother that what he desires
for himself.” (Hadith)
5. Such an attitude surely eliminates evils and social problems so that a balanced society
develops.

Hadith 18
He who has in his heart as much faith as a grain of mustard seed will not enter
hell, and he who has in his heart as much pride as a grain of mustard seed will
not enter paradise.
(a)
1. According to Muslim belief, true faith alone guarantees a believer’s
salvation from the fire of Hell and entry to Paradise.
2. Faith promotes the spirit of submission before the will of God and thus
negates pride.
3. Pride symbolizes disobedience as is evident from Satan’s refusal to obey
God:
“We said to angels: “Bow down to Adam”, and they all bowed down
except for Iblis; he refused and was haughty” (2:34)
4. A believer with the slightest degree of faith will eventually be freed from
Hell and a person with the slightest amount of pride will be denied
Paradise and driven to Hell: “Is there not in Hell an abode for the
Haughty” (39:60)
(b)
1. Muslims should promote humbleness and submission before God so that
they earn His blessing.
2. The Quran mentions the ways of being humble towards God and reward
of such attitude: “The believers must eventually win through. Those who
humble themselves in their prayers” (23:1, 2)
3. By strengthening a sense of humility, pride can be effectively resisted and
controlled.
4. This ensures pleasure of God: “for God does not love the
arrogant” (4:36)
5. Following the divine guidance is the best means of promoting humility
and resisting pride.
Hadith 19

The world is the believer’s prison and the unbeliever’s paradise

Main Teachings of the Hadith:

Temporary Nature of the World for Believers: This hadith emphasizes that for
believers, the world is a place of trials, challenges, and self-restraint. It is not their
ultimate destination, but rather a "prison" where they must control desires, follow the
commands of Allah, and refrain from actions that go against Islamic teachings.
 Eternal Reward in the Hereafter: While the world may seem restrictive for believers
due to the requirements of living a righteous life, it is temporary. The true freedom and
reward lie in the hereafter, where they will be rewarded with eternal paradise.
 Illusion of the World for Unbelievers: For unbelievers, the world might appear like a
paradise where they can indulge in desires without concern for the afterlife. However,
this pleasure is fleeting and superficial compared to the eternal consequences that
follow.
 Perspective on Worldly Life: The hadith encourages Muslims to see the world in light
of the hereafter. It is not meant to be a place of complete comfort or indulgence but a
place where one works for the ultimate goal—success in the hereafter.
Practical Implementations:
 Practicing Patience and Restraint: Believers should practice patience in the face of
difficulties, understanding that worldly hardships are temporary and a test of faith. The
concept of the world as a “prison” reminds Muslims that enduring trials with patience
will lead to greater rewards in the hereafter.
 Avoiding Worldly Excess: Muslims are encouraged to live modestly, avoiding
excessive attachment to material wealth and worldly pleasures. While enjoying lawful
things is permitted, they must not let worldly indulgence distract them from their
ultimate goal: pleasing Allah and securing a place in paradise.
 Focusing on the Afterlife: This hadith encourages believers to focus on their deeds and
responsibilities toward Allah. The transient nature of worldly life serves as a reminder
that true happiness and freedom lie in the afterlife, not in the temporary pleasures of
this world.
 Maintaining Hope and Perspective: In moments of difficulty, believers can remind
themselves that the world is a test, and greater, everlasting joy awaits in paradise. This
perspective provides hope and encourages them to stay steadfast in their faith and
practices.

(a)
1. God is the Creator of this world and the Hereafter.
 2. He created charms in this world to test His obedient servants.
3. A believer is trained by Islamic teachings to consider this world a prison where he is
not free to live a life of his choice and so, can’t get attached to it just as a prisoner can’t
develop a lasting association with the prison.
4. A true believer gradually develops an approach to the worldly life that the Quran
mentions as:
5. “What is the life of this world but play and amusement? But best is the home in the
Hereafter.” (6:32)
6. He strongly believes in the eternal joys of the Hereafter whereas a non-believer is fully
enticed by the temporary glow of this world and thus, denies the Hereafter.
(b)
1. A staunch belief in the temporariness of this world and eternity of the life after death is
demonstrated by a believer’s submission to God’s will:
2. “Say ‘I believe in God and then act uprightly.” (Hadith)
3. He lives in this world just as a prisoner or a stranger in the light of this instruction of
the Prophet:
4. “Live in this world as if you were a stranger or a wayfarer” Unlike the non-
believers who are totally absorbed in the world, a believer considers his life as a testing
phase or a cultivating ground the fruits of which will be awarded in the Hereafter:
5. “This world is a seedbed for the Hereafter” (Hadith)

Hadith 20
God does not look at your forms and your possessions, but he looks at your hearts and your
deeds.

(a)
1. This Hadith categorically declares the criterion by which God judges actions and
conduct.
2. God does not consider outward appearance or worldly gains made by a person.
3. He simply considers a person’s conduct and the intentions behind it because the Prophet
clearly stated in another Hadith: “Actions are judged by intentions”
4. However good appearance we may carry and whatever success we get, God is so
supreme and high that everything is worthless before Him because He is “Lord of all
the worlds” and “He knows secrets of hearts.”
5. So, a true believer strives to act according to the Quran and Sunnah and with sincerity
of intention.
Whether you hide what is in your hearts or reveal it, Allah knows it all ……….” (3:29)

“Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of
you.” (49:13)

(b)
1. Muslims should struggle to live a righteous life instead of focusing on material gains
only.
2. They should follow the Quran and Sunnah since this alone can guarantee success in the
Hereafter. They should reject any form or degree of hypocrisy or showing off and
develop sincerity of faith and intention, keeping in mind:
“Whether you hide whatever is in your hearts or reveal it, God knows it all.” (3:29)
3. They should do all noble deeds with the pure intention of earning God’s pleasure,
however ordinary these deeds might seem to others.