1. Faith

وَعَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الْأَشْعَرِيِّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَا أَحَدٌ أَصْبَرُ عَلَى أَذًى يَسْمَعُهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ يَدْعُونَ لَهُ الْوَلَدَ ثُمَّ يُعَافِيهِمْ وَيَرْزُقُهُمْ»

Abu Musa reported God's messenger as saying, “No one is more patient over injury which he hears than God. Men attribute a son to Him, yet He preserves them and provides for them.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَن معَاذ رَضِي الله عَنهُ قَالَ كُنْتُ رِدْفَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم على حمَار يُقَال لَهُ عفير فَقَالَ يَا معَاذ هَل تَدْرِي حَقُّ اللَّهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَمَا حَقُّ الْعِبَادِ عَلَى اللَّهِ؟ قُلْتُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ قَالَ فَإِنَّ حَقَّ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ أَنْ يَعْبُدُوهُ وَلَا يُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا وَحَقُّ الْعِبَادِ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ لَا يُعَذِّبَ مَنْ لَا يُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَفَلَا أُبَشِّرُ بِهِ النَّاسَ قَالَ لَا تُبَشِّرُهُمْ فَيَتَّكِلُوا

I was riding behind the Prophet on an ass with nothing between him and me but the rear part of the saddle, when he said, “Do you know, Mu'adh, what God has a right to expect from His servants, and what His servants have a right to expect from God?” I replied, “God and His messenger know best.” He said, “What God has a right to expect from His servants is that they should worship Him, not associating anything with him; and what the servants have a right to expect from God is that He should not punish one who does not associate anything with Him.” I said, “Messenger of God, shall I not give this good news to the people?” He replied, “Do not tell them, and have them trusting in it alone.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَمُعَاذٌ رديفه على الرحل قَالَ: «يَا معَاذ بن جبل قَالَ لَبَّيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَسَعْدَيْكَ قَالَ يَا مُعَاذُ قَالَ لَبَّيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَسَعْديك ثَلَاثًا قَالَ مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صِدْقًا مِنْ قَلْبِهِ إِلَّا حَرَّمَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى النَّارِ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَفَلَا أُخْبِرُ بِهِ النَّاس فيستبشروا قَالَ إِذا يتكلوا وَأخْبر بِهَا مُعَاذٌ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ تَأَثُّمًا»

Anas reported that, when Mu'adh was riding behind the Prophet on the saddle, he said, “Mu'adh”, to which he replied, “At your service and at your pleasure, messenger of God.” He said, “Mu'adh”, to which he replied, “At your service and at your pleasure, messenger of God.” He said, “Mu'adh”, to which he replied, “At your service and at your pleasure, messenger of God,” three times altogether. He said, “If anyone testifies sincerely from his heart that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is God’s messenger, God will declare him immune from hell.” He asked, “Messenger of God, shall I not then inform people of it, so that they may be of good cheer?” He replied, “Then they would trust in it alone.” Mu'adh told about it at the time of his death, to avoid sinning. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَعَلَيْهِ ثَوْبٌ أَبْيَضُ وَهُوَ نَائِمٌ ثُمَّ أَتَيْتُهُ وَقَدِ اسْتَيْقَظَ فَقَالَ: «مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ قَالَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ مَاتَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ إِلَّا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ قُلْتُ وَإِنْ زَنَى وَإِنْ سَرَقَ قَالَ وَإِنْ زَنَى وَإِنْ سَرَقَ قُلْتُ وَإِنْ زَنَى وَإِنْ سَرَقَ قَالَ وَإِنْ زَنَى وَإِنْ سَرَقَ قُلْتُ وَإِنْ زَنَى وَإِنْ سَرَقَ قَالَ وَإِنْ زَنَى وَإِنْ سَرَقَ عَلَى رَغْمِ أَنْفِ أَبِي ذَرٍّ وَكَانَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ إِذَا حَدَّثَ بِهَذَا قَالَ وَإِنْ رَغِمَ أَنْفُ أَبِي ذَر»

I came to the Prophet and found him asleep under a white sheet. When I came back to him after he had awakened he said, “If anyone says there is no god but God and dies in that belief, he will enter paradise.” I asked, “Even if he commits fornication and even if he steals?” He replied, “Even if he commits fornication and even if he steals.” I asked, “Even if he commits fornication and even if he steals?” He replied, “Even if he commits fornication and even if he steals.” I asked, “Even if he commits fornication and even if he steals?” He replied, “Even if he commits fornication and even if he steals, in spite of Abu Dharr.” When Abu Dharr told this he said, “Even if Abu Dharr’s pride is humbled.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «مَنْ شَهِدَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَأَنَّ عِيسَى عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ وَابْنُ أَمَتِهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ أَلْقَاهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ وَرُوحٌ مِنْهُ وَالْجَنَّةُ وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ أَدْخَلَهُ اللَّهُ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ من الْعَمَل»

‘Ubada b. as-Samit reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone testifies that there is no god but God alone, who has no partner, that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, that Jesus is God’s servant and messenger, the son of His handmaid, His word which he cast into Mary and a spirit from Him, and that paradise and hell are real, God will cause him to enter paradise no matter what he has done.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

وَعَن عَمْرو بن الْعَاصِ قَالَ: «أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقلت ابْسُطْ يَمِينك فلأبايعك فَبسط يَمِينه قَالَ فَقَبَضْتُ يَدِي فَقَالَ مَا لَكَ يَا عَمْرُو قلت أردْت أَن أشْتَرط قَالَ تَشْتَرِطُ مَاذَا قُلْتُ أَنْ يُغْفَرَ لِي قَالَ أما علمت أَنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ يَهْدِمُ مَا كَانَ قَبْلَهُ وَأَنَّ الْهِجْرَةَ تَهْدِمُ مَا كَانَ قَبْلَهَا وَأَنَّ الْحَجَّ يهدم مَا كَانَ قبله» ؟ وَالْحَدِيثَانِ الْمَرْوِيَّانِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: " قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: «أَنَا أَغْنَى الشُّرَكَاءِ عَنِ الشِّرْكِ» . والاخر: «الْكِبْرِيَاء رِدَائي» سَنَذْكُرُهُمَا فِي بَابِ الرِّيَاءِ وَالْكِبْرِ إِنْ شَاءَ الله تَعَالَى

I came to the Prophet and said, “Stretch out your right hand and let me swear allegiance to you.” He stretched out his right hand, but I clenched my hand and he said, “What is the matter with you, ‘Amr?” I replied, “I want to make a condition.” He asked, “What condition do you make?” I replied, “That I should receive forgiveness.” He said, “Do you not know, 'Amr, that Islam demolishes what preceded it, that the Hijra demolishes what preceded it, and the Pilgrimage demolishes what preceded it?” Muslim transmitted it. We shall mention the two traditions transmitted from Abu Huraira, (1) He declared that God said, “I am the one who is most able to dispense with partnership”; (2) “Pride is my cloak”, in the chapters on Hypocrisy and Pride1, if God most high will. 1 i.e, Book XXIV, Ch. vi and Book XXIII, Ch. xx.

عَن معَاذ بن جبل قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي سفر فَأَصْبَحت يَوْمًا قَرِيبا مِنْهُ وَنحن نسير فَقلت يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَخْبِرْنِي بِعَمَلٍ يُدْخِلُنِي الْجَنَّةَ وَيُبَاعِدنِي عَن النَّار قَالَ لقد سَأَلتنِي عَن عَظِيمٍ وَإِنَّهُ لِيَسِيرٌ عَلَى مَنْ يَسَّرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ تَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَتُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةَ وَتُؤْتِيَ الزَّكَاةَ وَتَصُومَ رَمَضَانَ وَتَحُجَّ الْبَيْت ثُمَّ قَالَ أَلَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى أَبْوَابِ الْخَيْرِ الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ وَالصَّدَقَةُ تُطْفِئُ الْخَطِيئَةُ كَمَا يُطْفِئُ المَاء النَّار وَصَلَاة الرجل من جَوف اللَّيْل قَالَ ثمَّ تَلا (تَتَجَافَى جنُوبهم عَن الْمضَاجِع) حَتَّى بَلَغَ (يَعْمَلُونَ) ثُمَّ قَالَ أَلَا أَدُلُّكَ بِرَأْس الْأَمر كُله وَعَمُودِهِ وَذِرْوَةِ سَنَامِهِ قُلْتُ بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ رَأْسُ الْأَمْرِ الْإِسْلَامُ وَعَمُودُهُ الصَّلَاةُ وَذِرْوَةُ سَنَامِهِ الْجِهَادُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَلَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِمِلَاكِ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ قُلْتُ بَلَى يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ فَأَخَذَ بِلِسَانِهِ فَقَالَ كُفَّ عَلَيْكَ هَذَا فَقُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّا لَمُؤَاخَذُونَ بِمَا نتكلم بِهِ فَقَالَ ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ يَا مُعَاذُ وَهَلْ يَكُبُّ النَّاسَ فِي النَّارِ عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ أَوْ عَلَى مَنَاخِرِهِمْ إِلَّا حَصَائِدُ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ. رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَابْنُ مَاجَه

I said, “Inform me, messenger of God, of an act which will cause me to enter paradise and remove me far from hell.” He replied, “You have asked a serious question, but it is easy for the one whom God helps to answer it. Worship God, associate nothing with Him, observe the prayer, pay the zakat, fast during Ramadan, and make the Pilgrimage to the House.” He said, “Shall I not guide you to the gateways of what is good? Fasting is a protection, and almsgiving extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire, and a man's prayer in the middle of the night .” Then he recited, “Withdrawing themselves from their couches ... they have been doing.” 1 Then he said, “Shall I not guide you to the head and support of the matter and the top of its hump?” I replied, “Yes, messenger of God.” He said, “The head of the matter is Islam, its support is prayer, and the top of its hump is jihad.” Then he said, “Shall I not inform you of the controlling of all that?” I replied, “Yes, Prophet of God.” So he took hold of his tongue and said, “Restrain this.” I asked, “Prophet of God, shall we really be punished for what we talk about?” He replied, “I am surprised at you, 2 Mu'adh! Will anything but the harvests of their tongues overthrow men in hell on their faces (or, on their nostrils)?” Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it. 1 Quran, xxxii, 16f. 2 Literally, may your mother be bereft of you.

وَعَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ أَحَبَّ لِلَّهِ وَأَبْغَضَ لِلَّهِ وَأَعْطَى لِلَّهِ وَمَنَعَ لِلَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتكْمل الْإِيمَان» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ مَعَ تَقْدِيمٍ وَتَأْخِير وَفِيه: «فقد اسْتكْمل إيمَانه»

Abu Umama reported that God’s messenger said, “If anyone loves for God’s sake, hates for God’s sake, gives for God’s sake and withholds for God's sake, he will have perfected faith.” Abu Dawud transmitted it; and Tirmidhi transmitted it from Mu'adh b. Anas with a transposition of phrases, including “he will have perfected his faith.”

وَعَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «أَفْضَلُ الْأَعْمَالِ الْحُبُّ فِي اللَّهِ وَالْبُغْضُ فِي اللَّهِ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُد

Abu Dharr reported God’s messenger as saying, “The most excellent action is love for God’s sake and hatred for God’s sake.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «الْمُسْلِمُ مَنْ سَلِمَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَيَدِهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُ مَنْ أَمِنَهُ النَّاسُ عَلَى دِمَائِهِمْ وَأَمْوَالِهِمْ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيُّ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ وَزَادَ الْبَيْهَقِيُّ فِي «شُعَبِ الْإِيمَانِ» . بِرِوَايَةِ فَضَالَةَ: «وَالْمُجَاهِدُ مَنْ جَاهَدَ نَفْسَهُ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ وَالْمُهَاجِر من هجر الْخَطَايَا والذنُوب»

Abu Huraira reported that God’s messenger said, “The Muslim is he from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe; and the believer is he whom men trust with their lives and their property.” 'Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it; and Baihaqi added in Shu'ab al-iman by the transmission of Fadala, “And the mujahid is he who strives with himself regarding obedience to God, and the muhajir is he who abandons transgressions and sins.

وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَلَّمَا خَطَبَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِلَّا قَالَ: «لَا إِيمَانَ لِمَنْ لَا أَمَانَةَ لَهُ وَلَا دِينَ لِمَنْ لَا عَهْدَ لَهُ» . رَوَاهُ الْبَيْهَقِيُّ فِي شُعَبِ الْإِيمَانِ

God’s messenger seldom addressed us without saying, “He who is not trustworthy has no faith, and he who does not keep his covenant has no religion." Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-lman.

عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «مَنْ شَهِدَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ حَرَّمَ الله عَلَيْهِ النَّار»

I heard God's messenger say, “If anyone testifies that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is God's messenger, God will keep him from going to hell." Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ عُثْمَانَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ مَاتَ وَهُوَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم

‘Uthman b. ‘Affan reported God's messenger as saying, “Whoever dies knowing that there is no god but God will enter paradise." Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " ثِنْتَانِ مُوجِبَتَانِ. قَالَ رَجُلٌ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا الْمُوجِبَتَانِ؟ قَالَ: (مَنْ مَاتَ يُشْرِكُ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا دَخَلَ النَّارَ وَمَنْ مَاتَ لَا يُشْرِكُ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئا دخل الْجنَّة) (رَوَاهُ مُسلم)

Jabir reported that God's messenger said, “Two things have results." On being asked by a man what these two things were, he replied, “He who dies a polytheist will enter hell, and he who dies worshipping God alone will enter paradise." Muslim transmitted it.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: كُنَّا قُعُودًا حَوْلَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَعنا أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا فِي نَفَرٍ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنْ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِنَا فَأَبْطَأَ عَلَيْنَا وَخَشِيَنَا أَنْ يُقْتَطَعَ دُونَنَا وَفَزِعْنَا فَقُمْنَا فَكُنْتُ أَوَّلَ مَنْ فَزِعَ فَخَرَجْتُ أَبْتَغِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ حَائِطًا لِلْأَنْصَارِ لِبَنِي النَّجَّارِ فَدُرْتُ بِهِ هَلْ أَجِدُ لَهُ بَابًا فَلَمْ أَجِدْ فَإِذَا رَبِيعٌ يَدْخُلُ فِي جَوْفِ حَائِطٍ مِنْ بِئْرٍ خَارِجَةٍ وَالرَّبِيعُ الْجَدْوَلُ فاحتفزت كَمَا يحتفز الثَّعْلَب فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا شَأْنُكَ قُلْتُ كُنْتَ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِنَا فَقُمْتَ فَأَبْطَأْتَ عَلَيْنَا فَخَشِينَا أَنْ تُقْتَطَعَ دُونَنَا فَفَزِعْنَا فَكُنْتُ أَوَّلَ مَنْ فَزِعَ فَأَتَيْتُ هَذَا الْحَائِطَ فَاحْتَفَزْتُ كَمَا يَحْتَفِزُ الثَّعْلَبُ وَهَؤُلَاء النَّاس ورائي فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَة وَأَعْطَانِي نَعْلَيْه قَالَ اذْهَبْ بنعلي هَاتين فَمن لقِيت من وَرَاء هَذَا الْحَائِط يَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مُسْتَيْقِنًا بِهَا قَلْبُهُ فَبَشِّرْهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ فَكَانَ أَوَّلُ مَنْ لَقِيتُ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ مَا هَاتَانِ النَّعْلَانِ يَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَة فَقلت هَاتَانِ نَعْلَا رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَعَثَنِي بِهِمَا مَنْ لَقِيتُ يَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مُسْتَيْقِنًا بِهَا قَلْبُهُ بَشرته بِالْجنَّةِ فَضرب عمر بِيَدِهِ بَيْنَ ثَدْيَيَّ فَخَرَرْتُ لِاسْتِي فَقَالَ ارْجِعْ يَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فأجهشت بكاء وركبني عمر فَإِذا هُوَ على أثري فَقَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَا لَك يَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَة قلت لقِيت عمر فَأَخْبَرته بِالَّذِي بعثتني بِهِ فَضرب بَين ثديي فَخَرَرْت لاستي قَالَ ارْجع فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُول الله يَا عُمَرُ مَا حَمَلَكَ عَلَى مَا فَعَلْتَ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي أَبَعَثْتَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ بِنَعْلَيْكَ مَنْ لَقِيَ يَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مُسْتَيْقِنًا بِهَا قَلْبُهُ بَشَّرَهُ بِالْجَنَّةِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَلَا تَفْعَلْ فَإِنِّي أَخْشَى أَنْ يَتَّكِلَ النَّاسُ عَلَيْهَا فخلهم يعْملُونَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فخلهم ". رَوَاهُ مُسلم

We were seated around God's messenger, Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and some others being with us, when God's messenger got up and left us. He delayed for some time, which made us fear that he might be attacked by some enemy when we were not with him; so being alarmed we got up. I was the first to be alarmed. I therefore went out to look for God's messenger and came to a garden belonging to the B. an-Najjar, a section of the Ansar, I went round it looking for a gate, but failed to find one. Seeing a rabi’ (i.e. a streamlet) flowing into the garden from a well outside, I drew myself together and went in to where God's messenger was. He said, “Is it Abu Huraira?" I replied, “Yes, messenger of God." He said, “What do you want?" I replied, “You were among us, but got up and went away and delayed for a time, so fearing that you might be attacked by some enemy when we were not with you, we became alarmed. I was the first to be alarmed, so when I came to this garden I drew myself together as a fox does; and these people are following me." Addressing me by name he gave me his sandals and said, “Take away these sandals of mine, and when you meet anyone outside this garden who testifies that there is no god but God, being assured of it in his heart, gladden him by announcing that he will go to paradise." Now the first one I met was ‘Umar. He asked, “What are these sandals, Abu Huraira?” and I replied, “These are God’s messenger’s sandals with which he has sent me to gladden anyone I met who testified that there is no god but God, being assured of it in his heart, with the announcement that he would go to paradise.” Thereupon ‘Umar struck me on the breast and I fell down on my seat.” He then said, “Go back, Abu Huraira”; so I went back to God’s messenger, and I was ready to weep. ‘Umar followed me closely, and there he was behind me. God’s messenger said, “What is the matter with you, Abu Huraira?” I replied, “I met ‘Umar and conveyed to him your message, whereupon he gave me a blow on the breast which made me fall down on my seat and ordered me to go back.” God’s messenger said, “What induced you, ‘Umar, to do what you did?” He replied, “Messenger of God, for whom I would give my father and mother as ransom, did you send Abu Huraira with your sandals to gladden anyone he met who testified that there is no god but God, being assured of it in his heart, with the announcement that he would go to paradise?” He said, “Yes.” ‘Umar said, “You must not do it, for I am afraid that people will trust in it alone; let them go on doing works.” God’s messenger said, “Well let them.” Muslim transmitted it.

عَن مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ قَالَ: «قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَفَاتِيحُ الْجَنَّةِ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَه إِلَّا الله» . رَوَاهُ أَحْمد

Mu'adh b. Jabal reported that God’s messenger said to him, “The keys of paradise are the testimony that there is no god but God.” Ahmad transmitted it.

عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: إِنَّ رِجَالًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حِينَ تُوُفِّيَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَزِنُوا عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى كَادَ بَعْضُهُمْ يُوَسْوِسُ قَالَ عُثْمَان وَكنت مِنْهُم فَبينا أَنا جَالس فِي ظلّ أَطَم من الْآطَام مر عَليّ عمر رَضِي الله عَنهُ فَسلم عَليّ فَلم أشعر أَنه مر وَلَا سلم فَانْطَلق عمر حَتَّى دخل على أبي بكر رَضِي الله عَنهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَا يُعْجِبك أَنِّي مَرَرْت على عُثْمَان فَسلمت عَلَيْهِ فَلم يرد عَليّ السَّلَام وَأَقْبل هُوَ وَأَبُو بكر فِي وِلَايَةَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ حَتَّى سلما عَليّ جَمِيعًا ثمَّ قَالَ أَبُو بكر جَاءَنِي أَخُوك عمر فَذكر أَنه مر عَلَيْك فَسلم فَلم ترد عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام فَمَا الَّذِي حملك على ذَلِك قَالَ قُلْتُ مَا فَعَلْتُ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ بَلَى وَاللَّهِ لقد فعلت وَلكنهَا عبيتكم يَا بني أُميَّة قَالَ قُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ مَا شَعَرْتُ أَنَّكَ مَرَرْتَ وَلَا سَلَّمْتَ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ صَدَقَ عُثْمَانُ وَقد شَغَلَكَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ أَمْرٌ فَقُلْتُ أَجْلَ قَالَ مَا هُوَ فَقَالَ عُثْمَان رَضِي الله عَنهُ توفى الله عز وَجل نَبِيَّهُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَبْلَ أَنْ نَسْأَلَهُ عَنْ نَجَاةِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ قَالَ أَبُو بكر قد سَأَلته عَن ذَلِك قَالَ فَقُمْت إِلَيْهِ فَقلت لَهُ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي أَنْتَ أَحَقُّ بِهَا قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا نَجَاةُ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ قَبِلَ مِنِّي الْكَلِمَةَ الَّتِي عَرَضْتُ عَلَى عَمِّي فَرَدَّهَا فَهِيَ لَهُ نجاة. رَوَاهُ أَحْمد

While I was sitting ‘Umar passed me and gave me a salutation, but I did not notice it. ‘Umar complained to Abu Bakr, and the two of them came forward and gave me a salutation; then Abu Bakr asked, “What induced you to refrain from returning the salutation of your brother ‘Umar?” I replied, “I did no such thing.” ‘Umar retorted, “Yes, I swear by God, you did.” I said, “I swear by God that I did not notice you passing me or giving me a salutation.” Abu Bakr then said, “‘Uthman is speaking the truth. Something must have distracted you.” On my replying that it had, he asked me what it was, and I said, “God has taken His Prophet before we asked him wherein this affair provides salvation.” Abu Bakr said that he had asked him about that, so I rose and went to him and said to him, “You for whom I would give my father and mother as ransom are most worthy of it.” Abu Bakr then told me that he had asked, “Messenger of God, wherein does this affair provide salvation?” to which God’s messenger replied, “If anyone accepts from me the confession which I proposed to my paternal uncle1 and he rejected, it will be salvation for him.” Ahmad transmitted it. 1 Abu Talib, the uncle who gave protection in Makkah, but did not accept his religion.

عَن الْمِقْدَاد بن الْأسود قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " يَقُولُ لَا يَبْقَى عَلَى ظَهْرِ الْأَرْضِ بَيْتُ مَدَرٍ وَلَا وَبَرٍ إِلَّا أَدْخَلَهُ اللَّهُ كلمة الاسلام بعز عَزِيز أَو ذل ذليل إِمَّا يعزهم الله عز وَجل فَيَجْعَلُهُمْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا أَوْ يُذِلُّهُمْ فَيَدِينُونَ لَهَا رَوَاهُ أَحْمد

Miqdad reported that he heard God’s messenger say, “There will not remain on the face of the earth a mud-brick house or a camel’s hair tent which God will not cause the confession of Islam to enter bringing both mighty honour and abject abasement. God will either honour the occupants and put them among its adherents, or will humiliate them and they will be subject to it.” Miqdad said, “God will then receive complete obedience.” Ahmad transmitted it.

عَن وهب بن مُنَبّه قِيلَ لَهُ: أَلَيْسَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مِفْتَاحُ الْجَنَّةِ قَالَ بَلَى وَلَكِنْ لَيْسَ مِفْتَاحٌ إِلَّا لَهُ أَسْنَانٌ فَإِنْ جِئْتَ بِمِفْتَاحٍ لَهُ أَسْنَانٌ فَتَحَ لَكَ وَإِلَّا لَمْ يَفْتَحْ لَكَ. رَوَاهُ الْبُخَارِيُّ فِي تَرْجَمَة بَاب

Wahb b. Munabbih, on being asked whether ‘There is no god but God’ was not the key of paradise, said, “Yes, but every key has wards. If you bring a key with wards the door will be opened for you, otherwise I it will not.” Bukhari transmitted it in a chapter heading.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: إِذَا أَحْسَنَ أَحَدُكُمْ إِسْلَامَهُ فَكُلُّ حَسَنَةٍ يَعْمَلُهَا تُكْتَبُ لَهُ بِعشر أَمْثَالهَا إِلَى سبع مائَة ضعف وكل سَيِّئَة يعملها تكْتب لَهُ بِمِثْلِهَا "

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “When one of you makes a good profession of Islam, every good deed he does will be recorded for him ten to seven hundredfold, and every evil deed he does will be recorded as it is till he meets God.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)