In the Name of Allah, The most beneficent the most merciful , May Peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad , the family of Muhammad, the companions (sahaaba) of Muhammad and all those who follow their suite until Qiyama
Yet again , a vast topic titled " Manners of the companions of the prophet (s.a.w)" . The word manner may be read as "one word" but it has so many branches that every other good deed or action constitutes to come under good manners. For e.g " If one removes a stone out of the way " - this comes under manners. So on and so forth. Thus as vast as this topic is due to the numerous ahadeeth and reports which shows the different aspects of manners the sahaabas exhibited in their daily life, I'd limit this article to only a few narrations which would give a brief idea on this topic
The best teacher (s.a.w) had the best of students (sahaabas r.a.a) and following are some of the manners which they exhibited while learning Islam from their teacher
1. Listening carefully and Attentively
When the prophet (s.a.w) would teach or speak addressing the sahaabas , they (r.a.a) would not fiddle with pebbles or talk among themselves , their attention would not stray; Instead they listened carefully and attentively
وَإِذَا تَكَلَّمَ أَطْرَقَ جُلَسَاؤُهُ، كَأَنَّمَا عَلَى رُؤُوسِهِمُ الطَّيْرُ، فَإِذَا سَكَتَ تَكَلَّمُوا لا يَتَنَازَعُونَ عِنْدَهُ الْحَدِيثَ، وَمَنْ تَكَلَّمَ عِنْدَهُ أَنْصَتُوا لَهُ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ، حَدِيثُهُمْ عِنْدَهُ حَدِيثُ أَوَّلِهِمْ
Imam Hassan (r.a) reports from Imam al Hussain (r.a) who narrated from their father 'Ali (r.a) who said that "When he (s.a.w) spoke , his listeners would become silent (with their heads bowed down), as if birds were perched on their heads. Only when he (s.a.w) stopped talking, did they then begin to talk
[Shama'il Muhammadiyah of Imam al Tirmidhi , Book : Noble character and Habits of Rasool Allah , Book no. 48, Hadith 351, or 335, Al Albaani in Mukhtasar Al Shama'il/6, Bayhaqi in Dalaael al-Nabuwa 1/286, Al Haythami in Majmoo' al-Zawaaed 8/276, Ibn Hibban in Thiqaat 2/145 ]
Ash-Shaikh 'Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah (r.h) explained the origins of the expression " as if birds were perched on their heads " by stating that the origin of this expression relates to the situation when a crow lands on the head of a camel, the camel does not move so that the crow does not get startled (and fly away) , leaving behind the camel's head lice that give it pain. From this situation originated the above expression. [End Quote Ar-Rasool al-Mu'allim Wa-Asaaleebihi Fit-Ta'leem,Page 30]
Whatever the origin may be it shows the discipline and humbleness of the sahaabas in front of the messenger (s.a.w). One such hadeeth showing a tiny glimpse into the prophet's generous nature and the companions speaking only after he was gone due to respect is as follows :
Narrated Abu Hazim:
Sahl bin Sa`d said that a woman brought a Burda (sheet) to the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) . Sahl asked the people, "Do you know what is a Burda?" The people replied, "It is a 'Shamla', a sheet with a fringe." That woman said, "O Allah's Messenger (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) ! I have brought it so that you may wear it." So the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) took it because he was in need of it and wore it. A man among his companions, seeing him wearing it, said, "O Allah's Apostle! Please give it to me to wear." The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Yes." (and gave him that sheet). When the Prophet left, the man was blamed by his companions who said, "It was not nice on your part to ask the Prophet for it while you know that he took it because he was in need of it, and you also know that he (the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) ) never turns down anybody's request that he might be asked for." That man said, "I just wanted to have its blessings as the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) had put it on, so l hoped that I might be shrouded in it." [Sahih Bukhari Vol. 8, Book 73, Hadith 62]
2) Avoiding cutting People off in the Middle of their speech.
Regardless of whether the Prophet (s.a.w) was speaking or one of his companions (r.a.a) were asking him a question, anyone else who wanted to speak would first wait until the speaker finished what he had to say. This is of course contrary to modern times where students like us would cut each other off amid their speech and not only fellow colleagues or students, we also interrupt and cut off the teacher.
Imam Hassan (r.a) narrates via Al Hussain (r.a) on the authority of 'Alee ibn Abi Taalib (r.a) that ..... When he (s.a.w) completed his talks, the others would begin speaking. (No one would speak while Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam spoke. Whatever one wanted to say, it would be said after he had completed speaking). They did not argue before him regarding anything. Whenever one spoke to him the other would keep quiet and listen till he would finish. The speech of every person was as if the first person was speaking. (They gave attention to what every person said. It was not as is generally found that in the beginning people pay full attention, and if the talk is lengthened they became bored, and begin to pay less attention)
[Shama'il Muhammadiyah of Imam al Tirmidhi , Book : Noble character and Habits of Rasool Allah , Book no. 48, Hadith 351, or 335
3) Asking Intelligent questions so as to avoid confusion or misunderstanding
What is an Intelligent Question one may ask?
We could have several definitions but what comes to my mind right now defines an intelligent question being one which is appropriate, backed with a genuine (or an actual) reasoning (to ask this question) and in context to the topic/subject.
For e.g : An Atheist may "mockingly" comment " Why doesn't Allah come down on earth? or Why did Allah ask us to obey him and his sent messengers only? "
The answer to this question is as follows " Considering the fact that 99% of the employees do not dare go and object to their CEO's decisions regarding their pay, work load, timing and etc. in fear of loosing their job or tarnishing their image, but the same 99% or their likes would have the "audacity" to not only question but also command or challenge the CEO of the Universe !!. Imagine ! Now this (others may not agree) according to me is a dumb mockery or statement by the atheist for if he knew who GOD is or the position God holds, he would not dare mock him this way.
Same was the scenario with the sahaabas and the below hadeeth would help explain this :
It is reported that when The Messenger of Allah was in the house of Hafsah when he said
إني لأرجو أن لا يدخل النار إن شاء الله أحد شهد بدرا والحديبية
"Verily I hope that no one In sha Allah enters the Hellfire from those who witnessed (i.e participated in) Badr and Al-Hudaibiyyah"
Upon hearing this Hafsa (the wife of prophet , may allah be pleased with her) questioned saying " Oh Messenger of Allah, did not Allah say (in the Qur'an) 'There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell); This is with your Lord; a Decree which must be accomplished.[Qur'an 19:71] ? '
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) replied "Did you not hear Him (Allah) say 'Then We shall save those who used to fear Allah and were dutiful to Him. And We shall leave the Zaalimoon (polytheists, wrongdoers and etc.) therein (humbled) to their knees (in Hell) [Qur'an 19:72] "
[Ref: Sunan Ibn Majah, The Book of Az-Zuhd, Chapter : The Mentioning of Resurrection (2/1431), Hadeeth no. 4281. Al Albaanee declared this hadeeth to be sahih in Sahih Sunan Ibn Maajah (3473-4357) , Abu-Naeem narrated this in Al-Asbahani in 'Hilyatul-Awliya wa Tabaqat Al-Asfiya 3/86 classifying it to be saheeh, and in 7/379; 'Ali Ibn Hassan Ibn Asaakir in Al Mu'jam Al Shuyukh 1/521 , Takhreej Kitaab as-Sana by Albaane 861 wherein he said Isnaad Jayyid 'Ala sharte Muslim {i.e the chain is good as per the condition of Shaih Muslim} , Shawkaani in در السحابة في مناقب القرابة والصحابة , 310, Men are sahih, Al Albaane in Sahih Al Tirmidhi 3864, Al Waade' in Sahih Al Musnad 543]
The question posed by Hafsa (r.a) was indeed a genuine one unlike the example i illustrated above.
4) Revising Knowledge
When the companions (r.a.a) heard and learnt something from the prophet (s.a.w), they did not stop there or deem it sufficient learning, rather the sayings of the messenger of Allah (s.a.w) was too important for them to stop just at listening. Even after parting or adjourning from the sermons and gatherings , they used to reflect on what they heard or learnt amongst themselves. They used to revise and memorize the teachings so as to further convey the teachings of the prophet (s.a.w).
The prophet (s.a.w) said " Convey from me, even if it is one verse" [Bukhaari 3461]
|
The prophet (s.a.w) is also recorded to say "May allah brighten (the face of) a person who hears a hadith from us (me) and memorizes it to convey it to others; for perhaps a receptor of knowledge is more knowledgeable than a transmitter, and perhaps a transmitter (of knowledge), is not versed in knowledge.”
|
(Al-Tirmidhy, Sunan, Book on knowledge, no. 2656; Abu Dawud, Sunan, Book on knowledge, no. 3660; Ibn Majah, Sunan, Book on asceticism, no. 4105; Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, vol. 5, p. 183; and Al-Darimy, Sunan, Introduction, no. 229.)
|
| The prophet (s.a.w) also said : “Allah, the angels, the inhabitants of heaven and earth, even the ant in its hole and even the fish in the sea, send blessings upon the one who teaches the people good (i.e spreads knowledge).” |
[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2609; classes as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘, 1838] |
Anas Ibn Maalik (r.a) said " When we used to be with the prophet (s.a.w) we would listen to a hadeeth from him. Then, we stood (to leave), we would (go and) revise (what he s.a.w said) among ourselves, until we memorized it (i.e memorized what they heard from him)
[Ref: Related by Al Khateeb in Al-Jaamai' (1/363-364); one of the narrators of the hadeeth, however is Yazeed ar-Raqqaashee, who has been ruled to be a weak narrator]
A man from the next generation (the Taabi'oon), Abu Nadrah Al-Mundhir Ibn Maalik Ibn Qit'ah (r.h) said " When the companions of the prophet (s.a.w) gathered together, they would revise knowledge (together), and they would recite its chapters (i.e the chapters of the Qur'an)"
[Ref: Related by Al Khateeb in Al-Jaamai' (2/86); Hadith no. 1229; As-Sam'aanee related it as well, in Aadab Al-Imlaa Wal-Istimlaa , page 48]
Humran, the freed slave of 'Uthman said: I heard from 'Uthman b. 'Affan and he was in the courtyard of the mosque, when the Mu'adhdhin (announcer of the prayer) came to him at the time of afternoon prayer. So the ('Uthman) called for the ablution water and performed ablution and then said: By Allah, I am narrating to you a hadith. If there were not a verse in the Book of Allah, I would have never narrated it to you. I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) say: If a Muslim performs ablution and does it well and offers prayer, all his (sins) daring the period from one prayer to another would be pardoned by Allah.
[Sahih Muslim , Chapter : Merit of wudu and that of prayer after it, Book 002, Hadith Number 0438.Also see Book 002, Hadith Number 0440]
فَهَلْ حَفِظْتَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي.
It was the overwhelming habit, rather a default statement for every sahaabi to come and ask another sahaabi : " Have you MEMORIZED from the prophet ((s.a.w) about such and such issue, or something?
This shows the importance of memorizing `Ilm. The sahaaba used to memorize the ahadeeth and even revise it, for e.g Abu Hurayra radhiallahu `anhu and many others.
`Umar radhiallahu `anhu's famous statement : "and we did recite this Verse and understood and memorized it....." this was about the verse of rajm. Again this shows the sahaaba memorized their `Ilm.
Not only did they memorize, but they kept it very precise. even one word such as nabiyyuka .
Al-Bara bin Azib narrated that the Prophet said:
“When you go to your bed, perform the Wudu as you would perform for Salat. Then lie on your right side, then say: ‘O Allah, I submit my face to You, and I entrust my affair to You, and I lay myself down relying upon You, hoping in You and fearing You. There is no refuge nor escape from You except to You. I believe in Your Book which You have revealed, and in Your Prophet whom You have sent (Allahumma Aslamtu Wajhi Ilaika Wa Fawwadtu Amri Ilaika, Wa Alja’tu Zahri Ilaika, Raghbatan Wa Rahbatan Ilaika, La Malja’a Wa La Manja Minka Illa Ilaika, Amantu Bikitabikalladhi Anzalta Wa Bi-Nabiyykalldhi Arsalt).’ And if you die that night, you shall die upon the Fitrah” - Al-Bara said: I repeated it to retain it in memory, “So I said: ‘I believe in Your Messenger (rasooluka) whom You have sent.” He said: “So he struck with his hand upon my chest, then said (correcting my last sentence): ‘And in Your Prophet (nabiyyak) whom You have sent.’”
[Ref: Jaami` at-Tirmidhi 3574]
The Sahaaba (r.a.a) used to write down the hadeeth of the prophet (s.a.w) and it is since that time itself that the process of hadeeth writing, conveying, teaching began
Abdullah ibn Amr reported: I would write down everything I heard from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, wanting to memorize it, but the Quraish told me not to do it and they said, “Do you write down everything you hear from him? The Messenger of Allah is a human being; he speaks when he is angry and content.” So I stopped writing things down. I mentioned it to the Messenger of Allah and he pointed to his mouth and he said, “Write, for by the one in whose Hand is my soul, nothing comes out of it except the truth.”
[Sunan Abu Dawud, Book of Knowledge, Number 3646, Sahih, Also reported in Tabaqat Ibn Sa'ad , Mustadrak Al Haakim]
Al-Waleed reported: I said to Abu Amr, “What have you written?” He said, “The sermon which we heard today.”
[Sunan Abu Dawud, Book of Knowledge, Number 3650, Sahih]
Narated By Ash-Sha'bi : Abu Juhaifa said, "I asked Ali, 'Have you got any book (which has been revealed to the Prophet apart from the Qur'an)?' 'Ali replied, 'No, except Allah's Book or the power of understanding which has been bestowed (by Allah) upon a Muslim or what is (written) in this sheet of paper (with me).' Abu Juhaifa said, "I asked, 'What is (written) in this sheet of paper?' Ali replied, it deals with The Diyya (compensation (blood money) paid by the killer to the relatives of the victim), the ransom for the releasing of the captives from the hands of the enemies, and the law that no Muslim should be killed in Qisas (equality in punishment) for the killing of (a disbeliever).
[Sahih Bukhaari, Volume 001, Book 003, Hadith Number 111.Also see Volume 004, Book 053, Hadith Number 397, Volume 009, Book 083, Hadith Numbers 040 & 50]
Narated By Warrad : (The clerk of Al-Mughira bin Shu'ba) Muawiya wrote to Al-Mughira: "Write to me a narration you have heard from Allah's Apostle." So Al-Mughira wrote to him, "I heard him saying the following after each prayer: 'La ilaha illal-lahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahuI-hamd, wa huwa 'ala kulli Shai-in qadir.' He also used to forbid idle talk, asking too many questions (in religion), wasting money, preventing what should be given, and asking others for something (except in great need), being undutiful to mothers, and burying one's little daughters (alive)."
[Sahih Bukhaari, Volume 008, Book 076, Hadith Number 480]
Here is a complete article enlisting the books of sahaabas who wrote it down during the time of the prophet (s.a.w) : http://the-finalrevelation.blogspot.com/2013/01/hadeeth-books-and-compilations-by.html
Here is a complete article enlisting the books of sahaabas who wrote it down during the time of the prophet (s.a.w) : http://the-finalrevelation.blogspot.com/2013/01/hadeeth-books-and-compilations-by.html
5) Asking with the Intention of knowledge and Applying it
(i) To learn it
(ii) and then apply it
The sahaabas were known to be more stubborn than a child when it came to obeying the commands of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w).
[Hadith No. 1643, Book of Zakat, Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 2]
Allah's Messenger (saws) happened to pass by the people (in Medina) who had been busy in grafting the trees. Thereupon he (saws) 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 Prophet (saws)) happened to pass by them (and said): 'What has gone wrong with your trees?' They said: 'You said so and so.' Thereupon he (saws) said: 'You have better knowledge (of a technical skill) in the affairs of the world.'
[Sahih Muslim Hadith 5832 ]
6) Not Asking about the hidden meanings or unclear matters (to show off one's Intelligence , To Incite Doubt, etc)
It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise (clear) - they are the foundation of the Book - and others (i.e other verses are) unspecific (unclear). As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific (hidden meanings, man made interpretations, etc), seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah . But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding. [Qur'an 3:7]
'Aisha (r.a) related that Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) recited the above verses (3:7) and said "If you see those who follow that which is not entirely clear, then they are the ones that Allah named (in this verse), so be wary of them
[Ref: Sahih Bukhaari, The Book of Tafseer, the chapter of 'Aal-Imraan, Hadeeth no. 4547]
If human were really that able to comprehend and understand knowledge in its entirety, or were capable of breaking every mystery and code then the science would have given a detailed perfect account of the entire universe and things within, but to the contrary we see that certain aspects (or most of them) are not made to parallel with human mind and one such marvelous example where it took thousands of years for mankind to realize that earth was not flat. For those with wisdom this one example shall suffice.
"....Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us. Verily, it is You, the All-Knower, the All-Wise." [Qur'an 2:32]
7) Not Asking about that which Allah and his Messenger (s.a.w) have not spoken about.
The sahaabas witnessed in their everyday life how when a situation arouse and a ruling was required, then Allah revealed verses to Muhammad (s.a.w), thereby understanding that they have to be very careful before asking anything. The entire Qur'an was revealed gradually over a period of 23 years step by step as per need and situation. For e.g the below incident (is a long one but) helps understand this paragraph
Imam Ibn katheer in his Tafseer states :
Imam Ahmad recorded that Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, the wife of the Prophet said, "I said to the Prophet , `Why is it that we are not mentioned in the Qur'an as men are' Then one day without my realizing it, he was calling from the Minbar and I was combing my hair, so I tied my hair back then I went out to my chamber in my house, and I started listening out, and he was saying from the Minbar:
"Verily, the Muslims: men and women, the believers: men and women, the Qanit: men and the women, the men and women who are truthful, the men and the women who are patient, the Khashi`: men and the women, the men and the women who give Sadaqat, the men and the women who fast, the men and the women who guard their chastity and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward" [Qur'an 33:35]
Another lengthy example wherein a verse was revealed again upon the questioning and circumstances that arouse due to sahaabas in their daily life can be seen here : http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2442&Itemid=79
Sa'ad Ibn Abi Waqqas (r.a) related that the Prophet (s.a.w) said " Verily, among Muslims the one who committed the greatest crime is the one who asked about something that was not prohibited but then it became prohibited because of his questioning
[Ref: Sahih Bukhaari, the book of Adherence to the Book (i.e the Qur'an) and the Sunnah, chapter "What is Disliked in Terms of Asking Too Many Questions" Hadeeth no. 7279. Sahih Muslim, Book of revering the prophet (s.a.w) and avoiding asking him too many questions, Hadeeth no. 2358]
Hence the importance to avoid or refrain from indulging in vain talk, questioning or excessive arguments. The below verse and ahadeeth further clarify this stance:
Imam Al Bukhaari records that Abdullah Ibn `Abbas said, "Some people used to question the Messenger of Allah to mock him. One of them would ask, `Who is my father,' while another would ask, `Where is my camel,' when he lost his camel. Allah sent down this Ayah about them :
"O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble. But if you ask about them while the Qur'an is being revealed, they will be made plain to you. Allah has forgiven that, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing.) (102. Before you, a community asked such questions, then on that account they became disbelievers.) Allah says to His Messenger [Qur'an 5:101-102]"
This is the detailed reason/hadeeth behind the revelation of this ayah :
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Allah's Apostle came out as the sun declined at mid-day and offered the Zuhr prayer. He then stood on the pulpit and spoke about the Hour (Day of Judgment) and said that in it there would be tremendous things. He then said, "Whoever likes to ask me about anything he can do so and I shall reply as long as I am at this place of mine. Most of the people wept and the Prophet said repeatedly, "Ask me." Abdullah bin Hudhafa As-Sahmi stood up and said, "Who is my father?" The Prophet said, "Your father is Hudhafa." The Prophet repeatedly said, "Ask me." Then Umar (seeing the traces of anger on the prophet's face) knelt before him and said, "We are pleased with Allah as our Lord, Islam as our religion, and Muhammad as our Prophet." The Prophet then became quiet and said, "Paradise and Hell-fire were displayed in front of me on this wall just now and I have never seen a better thing (than the former) and a worse thing (than the latter)."
[Ref: Sahih Bukhaari Volume 1, Book 10, Number 515]
Similarly the prophet (s.a.w) said about excessive unwanted questioning and talking:
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was delivering a sermon and he said, “O people, the pilgrimage has been made an obligation, so perform the pilgrimage.” A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, is it prescribed every year?” The Prophet remained silent until the man repeated his question three times. He said, “Had I said yes, it would have become an obligation upon you and you would have been unable to fulfill it.” Afterwards he said, “Do not ask me as long as I do not command anything for you, because those who were before you were destroyed on account of their excessive questioning and disagreement with their prophets. So when I order you to do something, then do it as much as you can; and when I forbid you from something, then abandon it.”
[Sahih Muslim, Book 7, Number 3095]
Al-Mughirah ibn Sha’bah reported: The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah has forbidden you from neglecting your duty to your mothers, from withholding what should be given, from demanding what is not deserved, and from burying your daughters alive; and Allah dislikes that you talk too much, that you ask unbeneficial questions, and that you waste your wealth.”
[Sahih Bukhari, Book 73, Number 6]
Abu Huraira reported: It was said to the Prophet, peace be upon him, “What deed is equal to Jihad in the way of Allah the Exalted?” He said, “You cannot do it.” He repeated his question two or three times and each time he said, “You cannot do it.” When it was asked the third time, the Prophet said, “The example of one who strives in the way of Allah is that of one who is fasting, who stands obediently with the verses of Allah, who does not break his fast or stop praying until he returns in the way of Allah the exalted.”
[Sahih Muslim, Book 20, Number 4636]
It was narrated from Abu huraira and 'Alee (r.a.a) that the Prophet (s.a.w) said “Part of a person’s being a good Muslim is leaving alone that which does not concern him.”
[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2318); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani, A similar narration is also found in Musnad Ahmad (1/201) with slightly different wordings where al-Arna’oot said: It is hasan because of corroborating evidence]
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (s.a.w) said, "Leave me as I leave you, for the people who were before you were ruined because of their questions and their differences over their prophets. So, if I forbid you to do something, then keep away from it. And if I order you to do something, then do of it as much as you can."
[Ref: Sahih Bukhaari, Vol. 9, Book 92, Hadith 391]
However the above ahadeeth do not prohibit one from asking questions or even discussing and debating when genuinely required. The prohibition is in matters chalk-lined above and the below ahadeeth will show how shyness and refrainment from asking questions is discouraged so much so that it even leads to Allah turning away from us.
Aa’ishah said: How good the woman of the Ansaar were! They did not let shyness prevent them from understanding their religion properly.
[Sahih Muslim 332,168/649, Sunan Abi Dawud 316, Sunan Ibn Maajah Book 1, Hadith 685]
Narrated Abu Waqid al-Laithi: While Allah's Apostle was sitting in the mosque (with some people) three men came, two of them came in front of Allah's Apostle and the third one went away, and then one of them found a place in the circle and sat there while the second man sat behind the gathering, and the third one went away. When Allah's Apostle finished his preaching, he said, "Shall I tell you about these three persons? One of them betook himself to Allah and so Allah accepted him and accommodated him; the second felt shy before Allah so Allah did the same for him and sheltered him in His Mercy (and did not punish him), while the third turned his face from Allah, and went away, so Allah turned His face from him likewise.
[Sahih Bukhari, Book #8, Hadith #463]
In another narration, the man asked the companions, “Do you think I have a concession to perform dry ablution?” They said, “We do not think you are allowed this concession when water is available.” So he performed a ritual bath and because of it he died. When they returned to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, he was told about what happened and he said, “They killed him, may Allah curse them! Why did they not ask if they did not know? Verily, the only cure for ignorance is to ask questions. It would have been sufficient for him to perform a dry ablution, or to use just a drop on his head, or to tie a bandage around his head.”
[Sunan Abu Dawud, Book of Ablution, Number 336, Hasan]
One of the salaaf, Mujaahid said, “The shy person and the arrogant one will not learn the knowledge.” [Reported by Bukhaaree in Kitaabul-Ilm]
8) Looking for a Suitable Moment to Ask a Question
The sahaabas looked for appropriate timings to ask questions. They did not trouble the prophet (s.a.w) by pounding him with doubts and questions all the time, rather they were gentle and behaved.
Allah says "Verily, those who call you from behind the dwellings, most of them have no sense. And if they had patience till you could come out to them, it would have been better for them. And Allah is Forgiving, Most Merciful [Qur'an 49: 4-5]
This Ayah was revealed because some bedouins who had no manners used to call upon the prophet (s.a.w) from behind the dwellings of his (s.a.w)'s wives.
Abu Musa Al Ash'aaree (r.a) said " When the prophet (s.a.w) finished performing Fajr prayer, we would turn towards him. Some of us would ask him about Qur'an; others among us would ask him about obligatory acts of worship; and yet others among us would ask him about dreams (i.e dream interpretations thereof)
[Ref: Al Haithamee said in Mujma' Az-Zawaahid (1/159) , "At-Tabraanee related it in Al Kabeer. One of its narrators is Muhammad Ibn 'Umar Ar-Roomee, whom Abu Dawood and Abu Zur'ah declared to be weak , but Ibn Hibban declared to be trustworthy"]
9) Benefiting from other people's questions
At times due to utmost respect the sahaabas had for the prophet (s.a.w) , they would refrain from asking too many questions as explained above, but they would love it when someone else from the desert (bedouin) came and asked Rasool (s.a.w) questions because this way they would be saved from asking too many or non appropriate questions and at the same time benefit from the answers
Anas bin Maalik (r.a) said "It would happen that the prophet (s.a.w) would forbid us from asking about a given manner and we would then really like it when an intelligent man from the desert came and asked him (s.a.w about it ) while we listened (to both the questions and its answers). A man from the desert (once) came and said "O Muhammad, your messenger came to us claiming that Allah has indeed sent you?" The prophet (s.a.w) said, " He has spoken the truth"
[Ref: Sahih Muslim, The Book of Eeman, chapter "Asking about the Pillars of Islaam" Hadeeth no. 12]
REGARDING THE GENERAL MANNERS OF THE SAHAABAS
This is a very lengthy topic and has a lot to cover. I'd however enlist only few such ahadeeth showing the piety and manners of the sahaabas in their everyday life.
رواه الحاكم في المستدرك (4/15) وسكت عن الذهبي في تلخيصه .
It was narrated from Hishaam ibn ‘Urwah, from his father, that Mu‘aawiyah ibn Abi Sufyaan sent one hundred thousand (i.e., money) to ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), and she shared it out until there was nothing left of it. Bareerah said: You are fasting; why did you not buy a dirham’s worth of meat for us? ‘Aa’ishah said: If I had been reminded, I would have done that.
[Narrated by al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak, 4/15; adh-Dhahabi in at-Talkhees, see : See: http://www.islamweb.net/newlibrary/display_book.php?flag=1&bk_no=74&ID=6642]
[ Tabraani : Hadith no: 7153 , See: http://www.islamweb.net/newlibrary/display_book.php?bk_no=85&ID=844&idfrom=7116&idto=7138&bookid=85&startno=10]
[Sahih Muslim, Book 23, Number 5101]
133 - حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو خَيْثَمَةَ ثنا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ، ثنا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَمْرِو بْنِ عَلْقَمَةَ، ثنا أَبُو سَلَمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ: «وَجَدْتُ عَامَّةَ عِلْمِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عِنْدَ هَذَا الْحَيِّ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ إِنْ كُنْتُ لَأَقِيلُ عِنْدَ بَابِ أحَدِهِمْ، وَلَوْ شِئْتُ أنْ يُؤْذَنَ لِي عَلَيْهِ لَأُذِنَ وَلَكِنْ أَبْتَغِي بِذَلِكَ طِيبَ نَفْسِهِ»
Abu Khaithama narrated to us, saying: Muhammad Ibn 'Abdillaah Al-Ansaaree reported to us, saying: Muhammad Ibn 'Amr Ibn 'Alqamah reported to us, saying: Abu Salamah reported to us on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) that he said: “I found most of the knowledge of Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) with this small group of the Ansaar. I would take a siesta by the door of one of them and if I had wanted that he grant me permission to enter, he would have done so. However, I desired by doing that (remaining outside) to get his good pleasure.”
[Ref: Kitaab al-`Ilm Abu Khaithama an-Nasa`ee (133); Sanadu Jayyid by Albaanee]
Also See the following :
(ii) THE LOVE OF THE SAHABAS FOR THE PROPHET (S.A.W) : WHO CAN MATCH THEM?
(iii) THE STATUS OF THE SAHABAS (COMPANIONS) OF THE PROPHET BY MUHADDITH
(ii) Adaab Al Mufrad - By Imaam Bukhaari
(iii) Precious ahadeeth on Manners and character in Islaam
No comments:
To contact us, Please do so from the "Contact us" tab on the top of this page