1

2


Table of Contents
FOREWORD .................................................................................................. 3
Al-Quran: Suratul Insaan 13-22 ................................................................... 4
Thaqofah: Preparations for Ramadan ........................................................ 11
Tahzeeb: Greediness & Lack of Contentment ............................................. 22
Tahreek: Abu Darda & his wives ................................................................ 26



3

FOREWORD

.
All praise is due to Allah who loved the pious among His
slaves
1
and raised the level of the knowledgeable among the
believers
2
, He sent the messengers and revealed guidance to
them in order to save humankind from the darkness and
narrowness of ignorance to the brightness and vastness of
knowledge. We thank Him and appreciate His Will to assist us
on guidance.

At this age where promoters of falsehood are unrelenting in
their efforts, using all kinds of media and tools at their
disposal to promote misguidance; it is equally obligatory for
those whom Allah has assisted on guidance and elevated with
knowledge to promote the truth.

With the Help of Allah, we hope that the information
contained in this edition of the series will assist to inculcate
and improve the habit of reading and revive the moral
foundations of Islamic cultures (i.e. knowledge).

If you find anything to criticize in this volume, please do not
let it destroy your enjoyment of the rest. Your feedbacks and
suggestions will always be appreciated.

1
Refer to Surat-ul-Imran 76
2
Refer to Surat-ul-Mujadilah 11
4

Al-Quran: Suratul Insaan 13-22


_,:>`.. !, _ls , , !, !..: ,. _
,.: ,ls !l.lL ll: !L ,l.. _ .!L`, ,ls
,.!:, _. . , .l , _ , _. .
!>'. ,.1. _ 1`. !, !.l l !`>. ,,> _
!.,s !, _.. ,,.l. _ .L, ,ls >: :|
., .,.> ll :.. _ :| , . , !,,-. l>l`.
,, _ ,l.s ,!,. _... .> _.`.| l`> !. _.
. 1. , !,: L _ | ..> l >l ,> l
>`,-. >:. __
5

Interpretation of the meaning
13. [They will be] reclining therein on adorned couches. They
will not see therein any [burning] sun or [freezing] cold.
14. And near above them are its shades, and its [fruit] to be
picked will be lowered in compliance.
15. And there will be circulated among them vessels of silver
and cups having been [created] clear [as glass],
16. Clear glasses [made] from silver of which they have
determined the measure.
17. And they will be given to drink a cup [of wine] whose
mixture is of ginger (Zanjabeela)
18. [From] a fountain within Paradise named Salsabeel.
19. There will circulate among them young boys made eternal.
When you see them, you would think them [as beautiful as]
scattered pearls.
20. And when you look there [in Paradise], you will see
pleasure and great dominion.
21. Upon the inhabitants will be green garments of fine silk and
brocade. And they will be adorned with bracelets of silver,
and their Lord will give them a pure drink.
22. [And it will be said], "Indeed, this is for you a reward, and
your effort has been appreciated."


6

Title

ABODE OF THE PEOPLE OF PARADISE, THEIR DRINKS, THE SERVICES
THEY WILL ENJOY AND THEIR CLOTHINGS

Cause of revelation (verse 20)
:

: :

:
:

.
Ibn Mundhir reported from Ikrimah: Umar ibn Khataab entered into
the prophet while he was sleeping on a rough mat which made
marks on his side, Umar wept, the prophet asked why he was
weeping and he said: I remembered Kisra and Najashi with their
kingdom of wealth, and you are the messenger of Allah on a rough
mat; the prophet responded and said: Will you not be pleased that
for them is this world and for us the Hereafter? Then Allah revealed
the verse: And when you look there [in Paradise], you will see
pleasure and great dominion.

Explanations
1. After He described the noble characteristics of the righteous
in the preceding verses, Allah continued by enumerating the
reward that will be due to them. This reward will be rightly
due to all sincere servants that have patiently fulfilled their
righteousness until death.
7

2. Whoever believes in God and never belied
3
any of His
messengers but sincerely keeps his duties to Him will enjoy
the best of rewards in the afterlife.
3. Again
4
, righteousness is to keep away from causing harm to
others subtly
5
, brutally
6
or otherwise
7
and increasing
goodness, all sincerely for the sake of obeying the
commandments of Allah, fear of His punishments and
seeking the blissful rewards with Him. Surely, Allah rewards
His servants who are righteous and truly sincere.

3
This is where the Jews and Christians fall apart from the true believers. Belying
any of the messengers is tantamount to belying all of them; this is so because all
the messengers brought the same message. They continue to arrogantly reject
the last of the messengers (i.e. Prophet Muhammad) after all proofs of his
prophethood have been made clear to them, either by the inimitability of the
Quran, or the conformity of his message with the previous uncorrupted divine
messages, to the apparent invincibility of his message within various
sophisticated challenges. Furthermore, their arrogance and insincerity against
belief is evident in their several attempts to corrupt the true religion (i.e. Islam)
and its sacred text. They do this because they only wish to accept a religion they
have customized/corrupted to their wish as against the Will of their Creator. Had
they been successful to corrupt Islam as they did to Judaism and Christianity, they
would have rushed to accept it; Alas! All their plots to corrupt Islam from within
have failed, and they resorted to corrupting it from outside with various
misconceptions. Some Muslims have been caught in the midst of these
misconceptions while many others keep their faith and maintain their true
righteousness. All of these are only sincere admonitions for those who wish to
purify themselves with correct faith, work righteousness on a true Guidance and
enjoy the bliss of afterlife.
4
Righteousness has been explained in detail in the verses of the Quran in the
previous edition (Rajab 1435).
5
Subtle harms like gossips, slander, rumour mongering, beauty flaunting,
intimidations and threats. They tarnish personality, cause temptations and
destroy inner peace.
6
Brutalities like physical assaults, gang robbery, street fighting, bullying and other
forms of hooliganism.
7
Some harm like rape combines both psychological and physical harms to the
victim. The influence of the psychological harm may be strong enough to destroy
the uprightness of the victims personality for the rest of her life.
8

4. The righteous believers, who fulfil their promises, feed the
hungry and spend from the wealth they love for themselves
will be saved from the doom of afterlife and admitted into
the garden to relax and enjoy the wonderful climate and
cover.
5. Paradise is not a place of work or job; therefore, there is no
need for an office-like serious type of sitting. The believers
will be sitting in a resting position, relaxed and enjoying the
reward of their work, looking at the various unprecedented
and interesting wonders in their abode.
6. Places on some continents are exceedingly cold and some
are exceedingly hot, other places where the climates are
preferably moderate are also affected by seasonal changes.
These climate diversity and changes are connected with the
movements of sun and moon. The sun and the moon
together with other stars will also be destroyed at the end of
the world
8
. These significant changes will bring us to a
completely new world of reality - the world of the Afterlife.
7. How interesting will it be to enter into a garden and witness
a climate without a sun and moon! Where will the light
come from; the heat required for life, the rain that grow
seeds, the crescent that increases by days, the stars that
twinkle at night? All of these are gone but life continues with
a new set of interesting wonders and amusements
9
. How
wonderful is the Might of Allah!
8. The fruits and other provisions in paradise will be obtainable
with little effort for believers to enjoy it in the fullest. When
the effort or struggle to attain success is much, it
depreciates its full enjoyment; in this case, the most part of
the gain or success will be used to replace and replenish the

8
Refer to: Surat-ul-Qiyamah 9; Surat-ul-Infitaar 2
9
The Quran promised some wonders and amusements of this life for the people
of paradise, yet, the magnitude and quality are not of the same kind. Q2:25
9

energy lost, before the enjoyment of the little remainder. A
wife that put all efforts to prepare a delicious dish may not
enjoy it as much as the husband who relaxes to be served. In
paradise, there will be no effort to attain our wishes. Fruits
will be lowered in compliance and foods will be served by
readily available young boys provided for this purpose, they
will never complain of tiredness nor show any hesitation to
instructions.
9. The believers have been prohibited from the luxuries
10
of
this world as a measure against preoccupation with
excessive wealth that will prevent them from seeking
righteousness required to guarantee their place in paradise.
These luxuries will be provided fully in paradise as a
benevolent reward for their patience and sacrifice in life.
10. A mixture of pure sweet wine with ginger or Kafur will also
be available for the believers. When mixed with ginger it will
be hot, when mixed with Kafur it will be cold. What a
wonderful drink! This is not an intoxicant; it is a soothing
drink of high quality and satisfying taste. This drink formed a
fountain called Salsabeel.
11. What is Salsabeel? This is a word that will astonish any
student of Arabic linguistics. What is more, an Arab exegete
of the Quran, ibn Al-Arabi, who mastered the various
disciplines of the Arabic language said: I have never found
such word except in the Quran
11
. This is a unique literary
miracle of the Quran. However, separating the components
of the word may bring us closer to its meaning; sabeel
mean way to something, the preceding prefix sa is usually

10
The believers are only allowed to seek moderate provisions to sustain a
comfortable living. Any greed for luxuries (i.e. decorations with diamonds, silvers
and gold; riding the most expensive car, etc) is condemned.
11
Tafseer al-Muneer by Dr. Wahbatu Zuhaili vol. 29 pg. 298
10

used to mean near; therefore we may conclude that it
mean a near fountain or a fountain not far from reach
12. In paradise, every believer is a master. Adorned in the best
regalia, surrounded by obedient servants, and provided with
any kind of luxury at his/her first instruction.
13. The believers realize the blessings of their Lord and obey His
commandments to fulfil righteousness as a token of
appreciation. In paradise, their heedfulness will be fully
rewarded as a due appreciation in reciprocation.
14. Glory to Allah who rewards righteousness in full measure.
15. May Allah protect our correct faith in the midst of
misconceptions and assist us on righteousness until death in
the midst of moral corruptions and admit us into the Garden
to witness and enjoy all of these pleasures. Amin
11

Thaqofah: Preparations for Ramadan


Virtues and merits of Ramadan
The following are a few among many hadiths that conveyed the
virtues and merits of this great month. These hadiths are conveyed
to refresh and improve our understanding of the significance of this
month and to motivate us towards better preparations.

A bumper pack
" !
! ! !
! "
12

The prophet said: Ramadan, the month of blessing has come
to you, Allah made fasting in it obligatory, all the doors of heavens
will be open, and all the doors of hell will be closed, all rebellious
devils will be chained down, there is a night in it better than one
thousand months, whoever loses the good (of the night) has indeed
lost

Imam Ibn Rajab said: This hadith is a basis for Ramadan awareness
and felicitations. This may be done by exchanging greeting cards,
sending congratulatory messages to phones of relatives and friends,
and pasting posters designed for the purpose.

12
. ( : : 985 )
12

A month of multiple rewards
Salman, the Persian (RA) has reported the following: The Holy Prophet
addressed us on the last day of Sha'ban wherein he said:
"O men, a great, blessed month has cast its shadow upon you. It is a
month which contains a night far better than one thousand months,
a month that Allah has made obligatory to fast therein and
commended to stand praying in its nights. If someone seeks Allah's
nearness by offering an optional act of worship in this month, it will
be as rewarding as to offer an obligatory worship in other days, and
if someone performs an obligatory act of worship in this month, it
will carry as much reward as the reward of performing seventy
obligatory acts of worship in other days. It is the month of patience
and the reward of patience is Jannah (paradise). It is a month of
sympathy, a month in which the provision for a believer is
increased. If someone provides another person with food to make
iftar, it will cause forgiveness to his sins and freeing his neck from
hell and he will be awarded the same reward as the fasting person
will be rewarded for his fast, without decreasing his own reward."
The companions of the Holy Prophet said, "O Messenger of
Allah, every one of us does not have enough food to offer for iftar
to another fasting person." The Holy Prophet said, "This reward will
also be given to a person who offers to a fasting person one date or
a drink of water or a little milk for his iftar. And this is a month the
first part of which is the forgiveness from Allah and the last part of
which is liberation from hell. If someone relaxes the burden of work
from his slave in this month, Allah will forgive him his sins and will
free from the Fire. In this month you should do four acts frequently.
Two acts are such that you will please your Lord through them and
two are such that you can never claim to be need-free of them. As
for the two acts you please Allah through them, they are: to bear
witness that there is no god but Allah, and to seek forgiveness from
13

Allah. And the two acts you can never be need-free of them are: to
pray Allah to give you the Jannah and to seek refuge with Allah from
the Fire. And if someone serves a drink to a fasting person, Allah will
make him have such a drink from my fountain (the Kauthar) that he
will never get thirsty after it until he enters Jannah."
13


The definition of fast
Fasting is the most notable ibadah
14
in Ramadan. The actual
technical definition of any ibadah is necessary to determine its
minimum requirements and validity. Every ibadah has ideal level;
failure to attain the perfect stage does not invalidate the act. There
are two reasons for observing any obligatory act in Islam: (1) To
fulfil the obligation of Allah
15
(2) To attain the reward and purpose
associated with it. Hence, the definition of fasting:
To abstain from foods and drinks and sexual intercourse
from dawn to sunset with the intention of worship.
However, fasting has a purpose just like every other ibadah. The
purpose of fasting was made clear by Allah:

.
O You who believe! Fasting was prescribed for you as it was prescribed for
those before you, that you may attain piety
16
.
17


13
Reported by Ibn Kuzaymoh
14
Ibadah: act of worship
15
For example, in a hadith, the prophet said: the solat of the one who drinks an
intoxicant will not be accepted for 40 days. Yet, the person must still observe the
solat. This means that the second reason (i.e. reward) is lost but the first reason
(fulfilling Allahs command) must still be fulfilled.
16
Piety is attainable by righteousness
17
Surat-ul-Baqarah 183
14

Furthermore, failure to comply with the moral etiquettes and
purpose of fasting will reduce it to an ordinary weightless ritual:
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
"There are people who fast and get nothing from their fast except
hunger, and there are those who pray and get nothing from their
prayer but a sleepless night."
18


Preparations intensify in Shaban
Usamah bin Zaid said: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you
fasting any month as much as Shaban.' He said: 'That is a month to which
people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a
month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I
like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting."'
19


How a Muslim should prepare for Ramadan
Being a month of unquantifiable blessings; a Muslim should try to
comply with all the following necessary stages of preparation to
enable him reap the full benefits of the month.

Step #1: Sincere Determination and Intention
Prayers before meeting the month:
.
Allahumo, baarik lanaa fee Rajab wa Shabaan wabalignaa Ramadan
Oh Allah! Grant us your blessing in Rajab and Shaban and let us witness Ramadan.

.
Allahumo, salimnee illa Ramadaan wasalim lee Ramadaan wa tasleemihee
minnee mutaqoballah
Oh Allah! Keep me healthy to Ramadan and make Ramadan easy for
me and accept it from me.

18
Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 1, Book 7, Hadith 1690
19
Sunan Abu Dawud: Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2359
15

Sincere intentions to maximize the month

In Hadith Qudusi, Allah said:
" "
Whenever my servant sincerely determines to do
something righteous, I write it for him as a reward

o Determination to complete recitation of the whole
Quran.
o Sincere repentance from all sins.
o Determination to open a new chapter of improved
Islamic life style.
o Determination to attain the highest possible level of
righteousness during the month where rewards are
in manifolds.
o Sincere intention to purify personal characters and
improve well on mutual relationships with people.
o Intention to disseminate the message of Islam to
people in an attempt to encourage them to utilize
their rare piousness in the month
o Intention to organize Islamic programmes

Step #2: Inner self preparations
Determination to return to Allah any time we deviate.

.
... O ye believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may
attain bliss.
20


20
Surat-ul-Nuur 31
16

: (

)
Al-Agharr al-Muzani who was from amongst the Companions of Allah's
Apostle () reported that Ibn 'Umar stated to him that Allah's
Messenger (may peace 'be upon him) said: O people, seek repentance
from Allah. Verily, I seek repentance from Him a hundred times a day.
21


Happiness and well wish due to the coming of the month

Say: "In the bounty of Allah, and in His Mercy,- in that let them
rejoice": that is better than the (wealth) they amass.
22


Clear any debt of fast from Ramadan of the previous year
It is not permissible to carry the fast from a previous year due to
menses, sickness, travel or breastfeeding into a current one.

.
Abu Salama reported: I heard 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) saying: I
had to complete some of the fasts of Ramadan, but I could not do it
except in the month of Sha'ban due to my duties to the Messenger of
Allah () or with the Messenger of Allah ().
23


Imam ibn Hajar Al-Asqolaani explained that with this hadith of
Aisah it is not permissible to postpone fasting owed from previous
Ramadan into the present one.
24


21
Sahih Muslim Book 48, Hadith 53
22
Surat-ul-Yunus 58
23
Sahih Muslim: Book 13, Hadith 193

24
" ( 4 / 191 )
17

Step #3: Preparing knowledge wise
1. For scholars
o Reading books on topics of Ramadan
o Organizing lectures and seminars before, during and
after the month
o Giving constant encouragement and advice to
Muslims on how to maximize the month
2. For worshippers
o Attending lectures and seminars to improve on the
knowledge required for Ramadan

Step #4: Making provisions available for the month
Practical experience shows that human mind loses concentration
when there is no provision. How can a man concentrate on his
ibadah when he has no food at home? He will always remember
food even when not hungry. Therefore, in order to maintain your
drafted plan for the month, adequate provisions and savings should
be made for self and family before the start of the month. All
provisions must be carefully provided from the halal.

Step #5: Physical body fitness and health wise preparations
Abstaining from all foods that could weaken or deteriorate
our health.
Engaging in some sports that could improve health and
wellbeing of the body.
Consulting a doctor for complete medical check-up and
treatments.


18

Step #6: Administrative/governmental preparations
It is necessary for the sighting of the crescent to begin Ramadan.
The government of Muslims administrative bodies should provide
modern advance binoculars to satisfy this purpose. This is especially
important due to the effect of industrialization on the environment,
which has covered the sky with thick smokes which make sighting
the crescent with bear eyes difficult.

However, if any individual Muslim should sight the crescent, he
must notify
25
the authority or committee in charge then start his
fast without proclaiming publicly, even if the authority or
committee reject his claim.

Fasting commences and ends with either of two things in order of
priority:
o Sighting the crescent OR
o Completing the number of the previous month (Shaban) to
be 30 days

Step #7: Dawah preparations
For mosques, Islamic organizations, Islamic schools & institutions
and scholars.
1. Dawah Bag (A gift package for a fasting Muslim): This
package may contain siwak (chewing stick), books on
Ramadan, prayer mat, food items, fruits, etc
2. SMS broadcast (to the Muslim community): This may be
planned for all days in the month with different messages to

25
It is not allowed to spread the news by itself. The leader of the Muslims must
be the one to announce it.
19

remind, reinforce and motivate the Muslims and celebrate
the atmosphere of blessings.
3. Keeping list of short topics: To teach/remind the Muslims at
every regular interval (preferably after solat) at the closest
mosque. Only 5 or 10 minutes of talks will be enough (e.g.
reading the meaning of hadiths on virtues and rewards of
fasting).
4. Family learning circle: The head of the family should form a
circle with the family members to learn the fiqh of fasting,
daily or weekly with new topics and examples as peculiar to
the family. The members should break their fast together.
5. Dissemination of pamphlets and posters: Our list of short
prepared topics may also be printed in pamphlets and
posters and distributed or posted daily after every chosen
solat. A book stand with such may also be placed at strategic
locations.
6. Engaging the students: Islamic schools and madaaris may
practically encourage their students on discussions of topics
related to fasting and Ramadan.
7. Feeding fasting Muslims: Preparations should be made on
feeding fasting Muslims that attend tafsir or fiqh gathering
before solat magrib.
8. Umrah encouragement: Hajj & Umrah Pilgrimage body
should plan affordable packages for Umrah and encourage
those who can afford it.
9. Mutual Assistance: ...help one another in Al-Birr and
At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety)... (Q5:2)


20

Ramadan responsibilities
1. Complete the number of fast (29 or 30 days) with the
intention to fulfil a pillar of the religion.
2. Maintain steadfastness during its days and nights and
compete in all that is righteous.
3. Observe the obligatory solats with the intention to fulfil a
pillar of the religion.
4. Adhere to all the superogatory solats.
5. Observe the taraweeh and tahajjud all nights in the month.
6. Recitation of the Quran with a renewed determination to
complete at least a whole of it; ponder over its meanings
and seeking to understand its message (by attending tafsir).
7. Reciting and chanting lots of Adhkar.
8. Giving in charity and spending generously.
9. Lots of prayer for self, family and the entire Muslims.
10. Be present at learning circles of fiqh and tafsir in mosques.
11. Choose to pay the zakat in Ramadan if eligible.
12. Perform the Umrah in Ramadan if capable.
13. Advice the people on righteousness and forbid evil and bad
deeds at the mosque, in the library, along the streets, in the
bus and gatherings of knowledge.
14. Improve on family ties even if through telephone calls.
15. Visit the righteous elders, sit with them to take advice and
seek dua from them.
16. Control the tongue properly. Avoid idle talks and useless
discussions and arguments. Utilize your time for the
remembrance of Allah and preoccupy yourself with the
recitation of the Quran.
21

17. Be cautious of time killers. Dont waste time on the
television and its unending programmes. Dont frustrate
your drafted plans with addiction to TV programmes
26
.
18. Abstain from backbites, lies, gossips, arguments, hypocrisy,
hostility and dispute in order to maintain a good quality for
your fast. Fasting was prescribed to eliminate all of these.
19. Observe Itikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadan with its
etiquettes and seek the night that is better than a thousand
months (Laylatul Qadr).
20. Pay the zakatul fitr when due
21. Attend solat eid.


26
It is important and timely to admonish Muslims at this time of the year when a
glorified world football tournament coincides with Ramadan. This may be a test
from Allah on the choice of Muslims between the rewards in what Allah
prescribed and a worldly play.
22

Tahzeeb: Greediness & Lack of Contentment

The mutual rivalry for piling up of worldly things diverts you;

Until you visit the graves (i.e. till you die).
(Surat-ul-Takathur 1-2)

Definitions
Linguistically: A selfish or excessive desire for more than is needed
or deserved, especially of money, wealth food and other
possessions.

Technically: Desire to possess something without any means within
our capacity. (Imam Al-Manaawi).

A condemned character in the Quran

( )

( )

( )
(40) O Children of Israel, remember My favor which I have bestowed upon you
and fulfill My covenant [upon you] that I will fulfill your covenant [from Me], and
be afraid of [only] Me. (41) And believe in what I have sent down confirming that
which is [already] with you, and be not the first to disbelieve in it. And do not
exchange My signs for a small price, and fear [only] Me. (42) And do not mix the
truth with falsehood or conceal the truth while you know [it].

23

The Jewish scholars will give a misinterpretation of Allahs
revelation to people in order to get wealth.

A condemned character in the Sunnah

"

" .
Ibn Ka'b bin Malik Al-Ansari narrated from his father, that the Messenger of
Allah said: "Two wolves free among sheep are no more destructive to
them than a man's desire for wealth and honor is to his religion."
27

; {

- -

: "

" .
Salim bin Abdullah bin Umar narrated on the authority of his father (RA) that
the Messenger of Allah () used to give 'Umar bin Al-Khattab something
(some money), but he would say to him, Would you give it to a person, who
is more needy than me'? The Messenger of Allah () would then say to
him, 'Take it. If you are given something from this property, without your
having asked for it or being eager to receive it, and if you are not given, do
not go and ask for it.
28

"

" .

: (

"

" .

"

27
Jami` at-Tirmidhi: Vol. 4, Book 10, Hadith 2376
28
Sahih Muslim 1045
24

"
Narrated Ubayy bin Ka'b: that the Messenger of Allah () said to him:
"Indeed, Allah ordered me to recite to you, so he recited in it: "Those who
disbelieve from amongst the Book were not going to...'" (And he) also recited
in it, "Indeed, the religion with Allah is Al-Hanafiyyah (Al-Islam) not Judaism,
nor Christianity, whoever does good, it shall not be rejected from him." And
he recited to him: "And if the son of Adam had a valley-full of wealth, he
would seek a second, and if he had a second, he would seek a third, and
nothing fills the belly of the son of Adam except for dirt. And Allah pardons
those who repent."
29


Types
(1) Praiseworthy Greed (2) Blameworthy Greed

1. Praiseworthy greed
Seeking the forgiveness of Allah: There is no amount of
forgiveness we seek that will be too much.
Seeking to gain admission into paradise: Competing with
each other in all righteousness; we cannot accuse such
person of greediness (wanting too much).
Seeking to gain the sustenance of Allah: There is no wrong
in seeking any amount of sustenance from Allah.

2. Condemned greed
Greediness in amassing wealth: There is no amount of
wealth that could be sufficient for man, therefore,
desperately seeking beyond the required minimum to
sustain a comfortable livelihood is blameworthy.
Power drunkenness: Clinging to power and authority or
seeking same at all cost is condemned.

29
Jami` at-Tirmidhi Vol. 1, Book 46, Hadith 3793
25

Greediness on foods: Digestion takes hours before
completion. Seeking to eat at any short interval of time
without a peculiar reason is blameworthy.

Causes of Greed
Ignorance of the negative impacts and disadvantages.
Love of the world and distaste for death.
Weakness of faith.
Lack of compliance with the prerequisites of soul purification
Companionship and friendship of the greedy people.
Dissociation from the community of Muslims in a corrupted
society

Disadvantages of Greed
Generosity will lack in the society.
Having bad suspicion of Allahs Will (e.g. Why should Allah
provide this to him and not same to me).
Reduction in the level of faith and trust in Allah.
It paves an easy path to hell.
Relegation in the eyes of men.
Disruption of due process Disorderliness in Society.
Destruction of blessings (in wealth and life).
The spread of enmity and lack of trust in the society.
The spread of deceit and lies.
It immerses its possessor in sins

Way Out
Seeking all means to soul purification.
Seeking all means to attain patience and endurance.
Pondering over the many natural favours that Allah has
granted to us.
Seeking knowledge on the favours that Allah granted to us,
to better appreciate their magnitude and quality.
Striving toward submission to the Will of Allah.
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Tahreek: Abu Darda & his wives

Topic: Abu Darda and his wives: Their efforts and death.
Preamble
We have discussed
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the Islam and companionship
31
of Abu Darda
and one
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of his two wives. We will discuss his efforts and
contributions to Islam and his death with a brief on his wives.

Abu Darda -
Fact box
Name
1. Aamir bn Maalik OR
2. Uwaimir
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bn Maalik
1 .
2 .
Famous name Abu Darda
Names of wives
1. Khayrah bint Abi Hadrad
2. Hujaymah bint Uyay
1 .
2 .

Son Bilal bn Abi Darda

Daughter Darda
Death 32 A.H

30
In our Jumada-ath-Thaani 1435 edition.
31
As a companion of the prophet.
32
His later wife (Hujaymah bint Uyay) was discussed in isolation.
33
A report of Bukhari says, Aamir was the actual name, Uwaimir was a nickname
given to him. However, Uwaimir was the most common name for him.
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Notable Qualities
He was one of the six companions who memorized the
whole of the Quran during the lifetime of the prophet.
1. Muadh bn Jabal
2. Abu Darda
3. Zaid bn Haritha
4. Abu Zaid
5. Ubay bn Kaab
6. Saeed bn Abeed
He was a notable transmitter of the sunnah. Among those
who narrated hadiths from him were:
1. Anas bn Maalik
2. Fadaalah bn Abeed
3. Abdullah bn Abbas
4. Abu Umaamah
5. Abdullah bn Amr
bn Aas
6. His knowledgeable wife
(Hujaymah bint Uyay)
7. His son (Bilal bn Abi
Darda).
He transmitted a total 179 hadiths of the prophet among
which 5 was reported by Imam Bukhari and 10 by Imam
Muslim.
He was made a judge in Damascus (in Syria) during the reign
of Uthman bn Affaan.
He was known for his simplicity of lifestyle and devoutness
to ibadah.

His marriages
He married two wives, Hujaymah bint Uyay and Khayrah bint Abi
Hadrad; the later was a sohabiyyah
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, the former was a taabihah
35
,
known for her knowledge and devoutness to worship, she survived
her husband.


34
A female sahabah
35
A female among the generation that followed the sahabah.
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A balance between life and afterlife
The prophet paired Abu Darda with Salman Al-Farsi in brotherhood
36
;
when Salman visited his companion at home, he met his wife with a
noticeable condition of a woman not well catered for, when he
enquired, she complained of Abu Dardas too much devotion to
ibadah which kept him away from adequate attention to his family.
Salman made immediate intention to stay overnight and correct the
extreme approach of his brother. Abu Darda was happy to meet his
brother at home and gave him the warmest hospitality. Salman then
stayed overnight to observe situation in order to complete his
unplanned mission. His observation confirmed that Abu Darda will fast
during the day and keep tahajjud during the whole night. This is
extreme and unacceptable in the Sunnah of the prophet, especially for
the married; fasting prevented him from spousal intimacy during the
day, all night long tahajjud is not encouraged
37
. Salman adviced his
companion in brotherhood to maintain a balance between the Rights
of Allah and the Rights of his body and family; he admonished him to
fast some days and leave the fast for other days, stay with wife for a
part of the night and keep vigil for the rest. Abu Darda confirmed the
advice from the prophet so maintained same.

May Allah keep the two companions in His grace and guide us to
benefit from the statement of the prophet: "A believer is the mirror of
his brother. A believer is the brother of another believer. He protects
him against loss and defends him behind his back."
38



36
One of the early notable administrative step that the prophet took to establish
a vibrant Muslim community in Madinah was to pair the companions of similar
qualities and characteristics.
37
Except for special period in Ramadan (Itikaaf).
38
Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 239 (English ref: Book 12 Hadith 239)
29

His encounter at the battle of Uhud
The battle of Uhud was not an easy one for the Muslim army. Abu
Darda demonstrated his relentless effort with high level skills. He
maintained his determination to continue the struggle amidst the
confused Muslim army until the disbelievers retreated. No surprise
that the prophet praised his effort: What an intelligent Uwaimir!

His death
He died two years before the death of Uthman bn Affan, 32 years
after the hijrah. He was buried in the graveyard of martyrs in
Damascus.

Khayrah bint Abi Hadrad -
Fact box
Name Khayrah bint Abi Hadrad
Name of husband Uwaimir bn Maalik
Children
1. Bilal bn Abi Darda
2. Darda
1 .
2 .
Notable name The older mother of Darda

Outlines of her life
She lived during the lifetime of the messenger of Allah.
She was the first wife of Abu Darda.
She was the mother of Bilal and Darda.
Her righteousness was evident on her children.
Bilal was known for his knowledge of hadith
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Her son Bilal was older than the second wife of his father.
She died before Abu Darda.

Ummu Darda -
Fact box
Name Hujaymah bint Uyay

Name of husband Uwaimir bn Maalik
Notable name The younger mother of Darda

Outlines of her life
She was among the generation after the prophet.
She was outstanding in her knowledge and courage.
She met with many companions and narrated hadiths from
them; she narrated from Aisha, Abu Hurayrah, etc.
She was a competent guide and counselor to many of her
contemporary fellow believing women.
The women will gather at her home and she will generously
teach them from many aspects of the religion.
She survived Abu Darda and lived long thereafter.
She never married again after the death of Abu Darda; this
was because of her wish to remain the wife of Abu Darda in
paradise; according to a hadith, the wife of a believer will be
re-married to her last husband in paradise.
She died 81 A.H in Jerusalem or Damascus according to
reports.
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