Saturday 22 December 2012

Ideal personality of a Muslim

The ideal Muslim character is distinct and balanced. The Muslim is the embodiment of the teachings of the Quran and the ‘Sunnah’ (sayings, actions and the approvals of the Prophet Muhammad ). He follows the teachings of the Book of Allaah (i.e. Quran) and the example of the Prophet Muhammad in all affairs, relations, and situations – starting with his relationship with his Lord, his own self, his family and the people around him.

In what follows is a brief overview of some qualities of the ideal Muslim personality.

His attitude towards Allaah :

One of the most distinguishing features of the (ideal) Muslim is his deep faith in Allaah, The Exalted, and his conviction that whatever happens in the universe and whatever befalls him, only happens through the will and the decree of Allaah. The Muslim is closely connected to Allaah, constantly remembers Him, puts his trust in Him and is obedient towards Him.

His faith is pure and clear, uncontaminated by any strain of ignorance, superstition or illusion. His belief and worship are based on the Quran and the authentic ‘Sunnah’.

The Muslim is alert and open-minded to the magnificence of Allaah. He knows that it is Allaah who is in control of the affairs of the universe and of mankind, and He (Allaah) Knows all and Witnesses every secret.

A Muslim feels in the depths of his soul that he is in constant need of the help and support of Allaah, no matter how much he may think he can do for himself. He has no choice in his life but to submit to the will of Allaah, worship Him, strive towards the Right Path and do good deeds.

This will guide him to be righteous and upright in all his deeds, both in public and in private.

A Muslim recognizes the signs of the unlimited power of Allaah in the universe, and so his faith in Allaah increases: Allaah, The Exalted, Says (what means): “Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and (in) the difference of night and day are tokens (of His sovereignty) for men of understanding. Such as remember Allaah, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the heavens and the earth, (and say): Our Lord! You created not this in vain. Glory be to You! Preserve us from the doom of Fire.” [Quran 3: 190-191]

His attitude towards his body, mind and soul :
The Muslim pays due attention to his body’s physical, intellectual and spiritual needs.

He takes good care of his body, promoting its good health and strength. He is active, doesn’t eat in excess; but he eats enough to maintain his health and energy. He understands that a strong believer is more loved by Allaah than a weak believer. Allaah, The Exalted, Says (what means): “…Eat and drink; but waste not by excess, for Allaah loves not the wasters.” [Quran 7: 31]

The Muslim keeps away from drugs and stimulants. He also does not forget to exercise regularly to maintain his physical fitness.

The Muslim also keeps his body and clothes very clean. He bathes frequently. The Prophet placed a great emphasis on cleanliness and bathing. Cleanliness makes the Muslim more likeable to people. He also takes care of his mouth and teeth.

It is no surprise that the Muslim is concerned with his clothing and appearance. The Muslim does all of this in accordance with the Islamic ideal of moderation, avoiding the extremes of exaggeration and negligence.

Allaah Says (what means): “Say: Who has forbidden the adornment of Allaah which He has brought forth for His bondmen, and the good things of His providing? Say: Such, on the Day of Resurrection, will be only for those who believed during the life of the world. Thus do We detail Our revelations for people who have knowledge.” [Quran 7: 32]

As for his intellectual care, the Muslim takes care of his mind by perusing beneficial knowledge. He is responsible to seek knowledge whether it is religious or secular, so he may understand the nature and the essence of things. Allaah Says (what means): “…and say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” [Quran 20: 114]

The Muslim does not forget that man is not only composed of a body and a mind, but that he also possesses a soul and a spirit, and feels a longing for higher things that make him rise above this materialistic life and scale the heights of goodness, virtue and light.

Therefore, the Muslim pays as much attention to his spiritual development as to his physical and intellectual development, in a precisely balanced fashion which does not concentrate on one aspect to the detriment of others.

His attitude towards people :
With his parents, the Muslim is an example of sincere filial piety. He treats them with kindness and respect, infinite compassion, utter politeness and deep gratitude. He recognizes their status and knows his duties towards them. Allaah Says (what means): “And serve Allaah. Ascribe nothing as partner unto Him. (Show) kindness unto parents…” [Quran 4: 36]

With his wife, the Muslim exemplifies good and kind treatment, intelligent handling, deep understanding of the nature and psychology of women, and proper fulfillment of his responsibilities and duties.

With his children, the Muslim is a parent who understands his great responsibility towards them which is, as well as flooding them with love and compassion, to pay attention to anything that may influence their Islamic development and give them proper education, so that they become active and constructive elements in society, and a source of goodness for their parents, community, and society as a whole.

With his relatives, the Muslim maintains the ties of kinship and knows his duties towards them. He understands the high status given to relatives in Islam, which makes him keep in touch with them, no matter what the circumstances.

With his neighbors, the Muslim illustrates good treatment and consideration of others’ feelings and sensitivities. He puts up with mistreatment and turns a blind eye to his neighbor’s faults while taking care not to commit any such errors himself.

The Muslim relationship with his brothers and friends is the best and purest of relationships, for it is based on love for the sake of Allaah. He is loving, not cold towards them; he is loyal and does not betray them; he is sincere and does not cheat them; he is gentle and never harsh; he is tolerant and forgiving; he is generous and he supplicates for them (his brothers and friends).

In his social relationships with all people, the Muslim is well-mannered, civil and noble, characterized by the attitudes which Islam encourages.

The Muslim does not envy others. He fulfils his promises. He has the attitude of shyness. He is cheerful. He is not pushy. He is patient. He avoids slandering or uttering obscenities. He does not unjustly accuse others. He is shy and modest. He does not interfere in that which does not concern him. He refrains from gossiping, spreading slander and stirring up trouble. He avoids false speech and suspicion. When he is entrusted with a secret, he keeps it. He is modest and never arrogant. He does not make fun of anyone. He respects his elders. He mixes with the best of people. He strives to reconcile between the Muslims. He calls others to Islam with wisdom and beautiful preaching. He visits the sick and attends funerals. He returns favors and is grateful for them. He guides people to do good. He always likes to make things easy and not difficult.

The Muslim is fair in his judgements. He is not a hypocrite, a sycophant or a show-off. He does not boast about his deeds and achievements. He is straightforward and is never devious or twisted, no matter what the circumstances. He loves noble things and hates foolishness. He is generous and does not remind others of his gifts or favors. He is hospitable and does not complain when a guest comes to him. He prefers others to himself as much as possible. He relieves the burden of the debtor. He is proud and does not think of begging.

As being muslims our duties are...

I will summarize our duty in the following points:
 
First: Being proud of this religion. Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.} [Quran 3: 139]
The era of hiding and feeling ashamed for belonging to Islam has ended and the era of frankness and declaration has started. It is painful and harmful that people who lived in the quagmire of vice and committed the utmost of prohibited sins have started to embrace the religion of Allaah The Almighty, whereas we observe that some Muslims want to bring misery to their nation and expose it to suffering.
Second: Seeking sound knowledge of the Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation). Having a clear and enlightening argument is the best means to boost one's morale. With Sharee‘ah knowledge, one discovers misguidance and deviation.
Third: Reviewing Western and Eastern writings about their own societies and what both of them call to now after they had tasted the bitterness of misery due to abandoning religion and giving a free hand to their desires.
Fourth: Directing our efforts with sincerity and determination to bring up our children. It was narrated that the Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: "Each one of you is a guardian and is responsible for those under his guardianship." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]  
A sound upbringing is a shield for children against floundering in invalid behavior that the society is replete with, and it is their protection against the misleading thoughts that are spread in it.
Fifth: Knowing the secularists through their writings and sayings, warning people against their deception and misguidance, clarifying the extent of their danger on the Ummah (Muslim nation) and its religion and mentioning their experiments in Muslim countries which they may implement in any other country which has not yet been exposed to their secularism.
Sixth: Common people should gather around scholars, seekers of knowledge and callers to Allaah The Almighty and adopt their opinions and attitudes. They should distance themselves from the excitement and improvised situations that the righteous youths are dragged to so that whoever wishes to fish may fish in troubled waters. 
Suggestions
First: Girls' curricula should be based on a scientific Islamic view. We have spent a long time during which we did not manage to create educational curricula befitting that sex. Equality in curricula between men and women is a fault; this was mentioned earlier.
Second: Creating curricula in the Islamic culture that clarify the woman's rights in Islam, her duties and position as well as the deteriorated status of the woman in the East and West and refuting the malicious allegations of those who advocate emancipation. In the past, we were not in need of such measures and we feared the spread of such allegations. Now, however, we have been invaded by these allegations in our very homes. It is also incorrect to delay these curricula until the university stage.
Third: Woman's work must be addressed through comprehensive and wide-scoped studies prepared by experts and knowledgeable people in the fields of education from among those who are proud of their religion and acquainted with the Sharee'ah of their Lord.
Fourth: It is time, or rather it is overdue, for the project of a girls’ university to see the light; a project which puts an educational plan befitting this sex and steers us clear of contradicting opinions in the society through its universities. It is better for the Ummah to entrust responsibility in these universities to sincere highly-qualified persons from among men and women, and thereby the Ummah will distance itself from the evils of those who are evil.
Reason and subjective conditions to establish this kind of university is indisputable.
Fifth: Woman's work is not a pure administrative task; rather, it is related to her personality and role in society as well as how suitable a certain kind of work is for her. Therefore, this matter must be studied within the framework of Sharee‘ah as well as the Ummah's interest.
·        What is the Ummah's need to graduate female hostesses/attendants, when the danger of their potential work is known in advance?
·        What is the Ummah's need to graduate groups of females who are specialized in drama and theatrical arts? 
·        What is the Ummah's need to graduate a large number of females in some specializations, such as decoration, agriculture and secretarial work?
I am not saying that the woman cannot understand these specializations or be good at them; rather, I mean that these are not the only criteria.
Sixth: The so-called feminine departments in some governmental administrations must be reconsidered. Is there any benefit in their existence? Are they governed by the Sharee‘ah regulations?
Seventh: To stop applying the credit hour system in educating girls as this negatively influences the woman. It is not necessary that everything which is applied to men is also applied to women.
Eighth: The woman’s employment system must be fairly addressed. It is not fair that the woman leaves her home at 6:30 am and returns at 3 pm. It is also not fair that she remains more than twelve hours in the school during the exams. What is the problem if the woman works only half the working hours specified for the man and receive half of his wages? In this way, we will have the capacity to employ twice the number of available workers or even more.  
What is the problem if there are long holidays for the woman after delivery in order to look after her newborn? Meanwhile, she should be rewarded for this as she is undertaking the most serious task in life.
What is the problem if there are economic criteria for woman's work? There are many houses where both the man and the woman work while there are other houses where neither men nor women work!
All these points and many others could be subject to dialogue and discussion, provided that we get rid of the complex of equality between man and woman in the employment system. This is also contingent on getting rid of the inferiority complex as well as regaining the feeling of our distinction relative to other peoples of the world. 

Trading of sincere muslims

There is no doubt that the reward of Allaah The Almighty is better and more lasting than any worldly benefit. Allaah, the Exalted, Says (what means): {But what is with Allaah is better and more lasting for those who have believed and upon their Lord rely.} [Quran 42: 36]

Indeed, one's good deeds are generously rewarded by Allaah The Almighty; He Says (what means): {And whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allaah. It is better and greater in reward.} [Quran 73:20]

Herein lies the great importance of seeking the reward of Allaah The Almighty. What exactly do we mean by that?

There are various types and meanings of hoping for the reward of Allaah The Almighty, including:

Seeking the reward of Allaah The Almighty when carrying out acts of obedience for His sake

If one recalls the great meaning of hoping for the reward of Allaah The Almighty while performing acts of obedience, this would ward off ill thoughts such as indulging in ostentation, seeking reputation and fame or the praise and attention of people, and other manifestations of grave diseases of the heart that render deeds worthless or reduce their rewards. Such a Muslim has restricted his main concern; conversely, the Muslim whose sole aim is to attain the satisfaction of Allaah The Exalted with these deeds and hopes for His reward will be rewarded generously. The Prophet said: "Whoever fasts Ramadhaan out of faith and hoping for reward from Allaah The Exalted will have his past sins forgiven for him."

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: "Whoever follows the funeral procession of a Muslim out of faith and hoping to attain the reward of Allaah and remains with it till the funeral prayer is offered and the burial ceremonies are over, will return with a reward of two Qirats; each of which is like the size of (the Mount) Uhud." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

In addition, the Muslim man is rewarded for providing for his family (although it is obligatory for the man to provide for his family, he will be rewarded for it as if he was offering this money for charity, if his intention is seeking the reward of Allaah The Exalted). The Prophet said: "When the Muslim spends something on his family seeking a reward for it from Allaah, it is counted for him as charity." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Do you see how many rewards one can gain by offering one's acts of obedience seeking the reward of Allaah The Almighty?

Among the meanings of seeking the reward of Allaah The Almighty is hoping for His reward when afflicted with calamites and hardship

Allaah The Almighty has praised such pious people who endure calamites and hardship, seeking the reward of Allaah The Exalted and has promised them His mercy, guidance and abundant rewards. Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allaah, and indeed to Him we will return." * Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.} [Quran 2:156-157]

Undeniably, people, whether believers or disbelievers, are afflicted by many calamites and adversities in this life; yet the believers endure them hoping for the reward of Allaah The Almighty. Indeed, both believers and disbelievers suffer from losing loved ones and relatives, yet there is a great difference between the believers and disbelievers in this regard, i.e. the believers hope for the reward of Allaah The Exalted by enduring such misfortunes and hardships patiently.

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And do not weaken in pursuit of the enemy. If you should be suffering, so are they suffering as you are suffering, but you expect from Allaah that which they expect not. And Allaah is ever Knowing and Wise.} [Quran 3:104]

Regarding the compensation of those who endure calamites and hardships, hoping for the reward of Allaah The Almighty, the Prophet said: "Allaah The Exalted does not have a reward other than Paradise for the believing slave who remains patient for His sake when losing his dearest person from among the inhabitants of the world."

Furthermore, Umm Salamah said that she heard the Prophet saying: "There is no Muslim who is stricken with a calamity and says what Allaah has enjoined, ‘Verily to Allaah we belong and to Him we shall return. O Allaah, reward me for my affliction and compensate me with what is better’, but Allaah will compensate him with something better.”

Umm Salamah added that when Abu Salamah died, she said, “Who among the Muslims is better than Abu Salamah, the first household to migrate to join the Prophet ?” When she uttered these very words, Allaah The Almighty compensated her with marrying the Prophet . [Muslim]

Moreover, our righteous predecessors used to question all their deeds and intentions, renewing their good and sincere intentions and advising each other to endure calamites in the hope of reward from Allaah The Almighty.

Al-Faarooq ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab used to say, "O people, carry out your righteous deeds seeking the reward from Allaah The Exalted, for whoever does so will be rewarded for his good deeds and for his seeking the reward of Allaah The Exalted."

In addition, when the Banu Al-Haarith ibn ‘Aamir wanted to kill Khubayb ibn ‘Adiyy he did not care about his fate at their hands. Before his death, he said, "Why should I fear death when it will eventually seize me, and when what I truly fear is to become fuel for Hell fire? Hence, as long as I die as a believer in the cause of Allaah, it does not matter to me how it happens."

So, offer your acts of worship and obedience for the sake of Allaah The Almighty seeking reward from Him, and endure calamities and hardships, hoping for His reward; indeed, Allaah The Almighty will compensate you for that with inner tranquilly, serenity, and strength, Aim high and multiply your rewards.

Saturday 2 June 2012

Hunting, Slaughtering


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 384:
Narrated Adi bin Hatim:
I asked the Prophet about the game killed by a Mi'rad (i.e. a sharp-edged piece of wood or a piece of wood provided with a sharp piece of iron used for hunting). He said, "If the game is killed with its sharp edge, eat of it, but if it is killed with its shaft, with a hit by its broad side then the game is (unlawful to eat) for it has been beaten to death." I asked him about the game killed by a trained hound. He said, "If the hound catches the game for you, eat of it, for killing the game by the hound, is like its slaughtering. But if you see with your hound or hounds another dog, and you are afraid that it might have shared in hunting the game with your hound and killed it, then you should not eat of it, because you have mentioned Allah's name on (sending) your hound only, but you have not mentioned it on some other hound


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 385:
Narrated 'Adi bin Hatim:
I asked Allah's Apostle about the Mi'rad. He said, "If you hit the game with its sharp edge, eat it, but if the Mi'rad hits the game with its shaft with a hit by its broad side do not eat it, for it has been beaten to death with a piece of wood. (i.e. unlawful)." I asked, "If I let loose my trained hound after a game?" He said, "If you let loose your trained hound after game, and mention the name of Allah, then you can eat." I said, "If the hound eats of the game?" He said "Then you should not eat of it, for the hound has hunted the game for itself and not for you." I said, "Some times I send my hound and then I find some other hound with it?" He said "Don't eat the game, as you have mentioned the Name of Allah on your dog only and not on the other."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 386:
Narrated Adi bin Hatim:
I said, "O Allah's Apostle! We let loose our trained hounds after a game?" He said, "Eat what they hunt for you." I said, "Even if they killed (the game)?" He replied, 'Even if they killed (the game)." I said, 'We also hit (the game) with the Mi'rad?" He said, "Eat of the animal which the Mi'rad kills by piercing its body, but do not eat of the animal which is killed by the broad side of the Mi'rad.''


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 387:
Narrated Abu Tha'laba Al-Khushani:
I said, "O Allah's Prophet! We are living in a land ruled by the people of the Scripture; Can we take our meals in their utensils? In that land there is plenty of game and I hunt the game with my bow and with my hound that is not trained and with my trained hound. Then what is lawful for me to eat?" He said, "As for what you have mentioned about the people of the Scripture, if you can get utensils other than theirs, do not eat out of theirs, but if you cannot get other than theirs, wash their utensils and eat out of it. If you hunt an animal with your bow after mentioning Allah's Name, eat of it. and if you hunt something with your trained hound after mentioning Allah's Name, eat of it, and if you hunt something with your untrained hound (and get it before it dies) and slaughter it, eat of it."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 388:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Maghaffal:
that he saw a man throwing stones with two fingers (at something) and said to him, "Do not throw stones, for Allah's Apostle has forbidden throwing stones, or e used to dislike it." 'Abdullah added: Throwing stones will neither hunt the game, nor kill (or hurt) an enemy, but it may break a tooth or gouge out an eye." Afterwards 'Abdullah once again saw the man throwing stones. He said to him, "I tell you that Allah's Apostle has forbidden or disliked the throwing the stones (in such a way), yet you are throwing stones! I shall not talk to you for such-and-such a period."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 389:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
The Prophet said, "Whoever keeps a (pet) dog which is neither a watch dog nor a hunting dog, will get a daily deduction of two Qirat from his good deeds."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 390:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar:
I heard the Prophet saying, "If someone keeps a dog neither for hunting, nor for guarding livestock, the reward (for his good deeds) will be reduced by two Qirats per day."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 391:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar:
Allah's Apostle said, "If someone keeps a dog neither for guarding livestock, nor for hunting, his good deeds will decrease (in reward) by two Qirats a day.'


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 392:
Narrated Adi bin Hatim:
I asked Allah's Apostle. "We hunt with the help of these hounds." He said, "If you let loose your trained hounds after a game, and mention the name of Allah, then you can eat what the hounds catch for you, even if they killed the game. But you should not eat of it if the hound has eaten of it, for then it is likely that the hound has caught the game for itself. And if other hounds join your hound in hunting the game, then do not eat of it."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 393:
Narrated Adi bin Hatim:
The Prophet said, "If you let loose your hound after a game and mention Allah's Name on sending it, and the hound catches the game and kills it, then you can eat of it. But if the hound eats of it, then you should not eat thereof, for the hound has caught it for itself. And if along with your hound, join other hounds, and Allah's Name was not mentioned at the time of their sending, and they catch an animal and kill it, you should not ea: of it, for you will not know which of them has killed it. And if you have thrown an arrow at the game and then find it (dead) two or three days later and, it bears no mark other than the wound inflicted by your arrow, then you can eat of it. But if the game is found (dead) in water, then do not eat of it." And it has also been narrated by 'Adi bin Hatim that he asked the Prophet "If a hunter throws an arrow at the game and after tracing it for two or three days he finds it dead but still bearing his arrow, (can he eat of it)?" The Prophet replied, "He can eat if he wishes."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 394:
Narrated 'Adi bin Hatim:
I said, "O Allah's Apostle! I let loose my hound after a game and mention Allah's Name on sending it." The Prophet said, "If you let loose your hound after a game and you mention Allah's Name on sending it and the hound catches and kills the game and eats of it, then you should not eat of it, for it has killed it for itself." I said, "Sometimes when I send my hound after a game, I find another hound along with it and I do not know which of them has caught the game." He said, "You must not eat of it because you have not mentioned, the Name of Allah except on sending your own hound, and you did not mention it on the other hound." Then I asked him about the game hunted with a Mi'rad (i.e. a sharp edged piece of wood or a piece of wood provided with a sharp piece of iron used for hunting). He said, "If the game is killed with its sharp edge, you can eat of it, but if it is killed by its broad side (shaft), you cannot eat of it, for then it is like an animal beaten to death with a pie


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 395:
Narrated Adi Bin Hatim:
I asked Allah's Apostle, "We hunt with these hounds." He said, "If you send your trained hounds after a game and mention Allah's Name on sending, you can eat of what they catch for you. But if the hound eats of the game, then you must not eat of it, for I am afraid that the hound caught it for itself, and if another hound joins your hounds (during the hunt), you should not eat of the game."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 396:
Narrated Abu Tha'laba Al-Khushani:
I came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! We are living in the land of the people of the Scripture and we take our meals in their utensils, and in the land there is game and I hunt with my bow and trained or untrained hounds; please tell me what is lawful for us of that." He said, "As for your saying that you are living in the land of the people of the Scripture and that you eat in their utensils, if you can get utensils other than theirs, do not eat in their utensils, but if you do not find (other than theirs), then wash their utensils and eat in them. As for your saying that you are in the land of game, if you hung something with your bow, and have mentioned Allah's Name while hunting, then you can eat (the game). And if you hunt something with your trained hound, and have mentioned Allah's Name on sending it for hunting then you can eat (the game). But if you hunt something with your untrained hound and you were able to slaughter it before its death, you can eat of it."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 397:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
We provoked a rabbit at Marr Az-Zahran till it started jumping. My companions chased it till they got tired. But I alone ran after it and caught it and brought it to Abu Talha. He sent both its legs to the Prophet who accepted them.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 398:
Narrated Abu Qatada:
that once he was with Allah's Apostle (on the way to Mecca). When he had covered some of the way to Mecca, he and some companions of his, who were in the state of lhram. remained behind the Prophet while Abu Qatada himself was not in the state of Ihram. Abu Qatada, seeing an onager rode his horse and asked his companions to hand him a whip, but they refused. He then asked them to hand him his spear, but they refused. Then he took it himself and attacked the onager and killed it. Some of the Companions of Allah's Apostle ate of it, but some others refused to eat. When they met Allah's Apostle they asked him about that. He said, "It was meal given to you by Allah."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 399:
Narrated Abu Qatada:
(the same Hadith above, but he added); The Prophet asked, "Is there any of its meat left with you?"


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 400:
Narrated Abu Qatada:
I was with the Prophet (on a journey) between Mecca and Medina, and all of them, (i.e. the Prophet and his companions) were in the state of Ihram, while I was not in that state. I was riding my horse and I used to be fond of ascending mountains. So while I was doing so I noticed that the people were looking at something. I went to see what it was, and behold it was an onager. I asked my companions, "What is that?" They said, "We do not know." I said, "It is an onager.' They said, "It is what you have seen." I had left my whip, so I said to them, "Hand to me my whip." They said, "We will not help you in that (in hunting the onager)." I got down, took my whip and chased the animal (on my horse) and did not stop till I killed it. I went to them and said, "Come on, carry it!" But they said, "We will not even touch it." At last I alone carried it and brought it to them. Some of them ate of it and some refused to eat of it. I said (to them), "I will ask the Prophet about it (on your behalf)." When I met the Prophet, I told him the whole story. He said to me, "Has anything of it been left with you?" I said, "Yes." He said, "Eat, for it is a meal Allah has offered to you."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 401:
Narrated Jabir:
We went out in a campaign and the army was called The Army of the Khabt, and Abu 'Ubaida was our commander. We were struck with severe hunger. Then the sea threw a huge dead fish called Al-'Anbar, the like of which had never been seen. We ate of it for half a month, and then Abu 'Ubaida took one of its bones (and made an arch of it) so that a rider could easily pass under it.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 402:
Narrated Jabir:
The Prophet sent us as an army unit of three hundred warriors under the command of Abu 'Ubaida to ambush a caravan of the Quraish. But we were struck with such severe hunger that we ate the Khabt (desert bushes), so our army was called the Army of the Khabt. Then the sea threw a huge fish called Al-'Anbar and we ate of it for half a month and rubbed our bodies with its fat till our bodies became healthy. Then Abu Ubaida took one of its ribs and fixed it over the ground and a rider passed underneath it. There was a man amongst us who slaughtered three camels when hunger became severe, and he slaughtered three more, but after that Abu 'Ubaida forbade him to do so.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 403:
Narrated Ibn Abi Aufa:
We participated with the Prophet in six or seven Ghazawat, and we used to eat locusts with him.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 404:
Narrated Abu Tha'laba Al-Khushani:
I came to the Prophet and said, "O Allah's Apostle! We are living in the land of the people of the Scripture, and we take our meals in their utensils, and there is game in that land and I hunt with my bow and with my trained hound and with my untrained hound." The Prophet said, "As for your saying that you are in the land of people of the Scripture, you should not eat in their utensils unless you find no alternative, in which case you must wash the utensils and then eat in them As for your saying that you are in the land of game, if you hunt something with your bow, mention Allah's Name (while hunting the game) and eat; and if you hunt something with your trained hound, mention Allah's Name on sending and eat; and if you hunt something with your untrained hound and get it alive, slaughter it and you can eat of it"


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 405:
Narrated Salama bin Al-Aqwa':
In the evening of the day of the conquest of Khaibar, the army made fires (for cooking). The Prophet said, "For what have you made these fires?" They said, "For cooking the meat of domestic donkeys." He said, "Throw away what is in the cooking pots and break the pots." A man from the people got up and said, "Shall we throw the contents of the cooking pots and then wash the pots (instead of breaking them)?" The Prophet said, "Yes, you can do either'


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 406:
Narrated Rafi bin Khadij:
We were with the Prophet in Dhul-Hulaifa and there the people were struck with severe hunger. Then we got camels and sheep as war booty (and slaughtered them). The Prophet was behind all the people. The people hurried and fixed the cooking pots (for cooking) but the Prophet came there and ordered that the cooking pots be turned upside down. Then he distributed the animals, regarding ten sheep as equal to one camel. One of the camels ran away and there were a few horses with the people. They chased the camel but they got tired, whereupon a man shot it with an arrow whereby Allah stopped it. The Prophet said, "Among these animals some are as wild as wild beasts, so if one of them runs away from you, treat it in this way." I said. "We hope, or we are afraid that tomorrow we will meet the enemy and we have no knives, shall we slaughter (our animals) with canes?" The Prophet said, "If the killing tool causes blood to gush out and if Allah's Name is mentioned, eat (of the slaughterer animal). But do not slaughter with a tooth or a nail. I am telling you why: A tooth is a bone, and the nail is the knife of Ethiopians."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 407:
Narrated 'Abdullah:
Allah's Apostle said that he met Zaid bin 'Amr Nufail at a place near Baldah and this had happened before Allah's Apostle received the Divine Inspiration. Allah's Apostle presented a dish of meat (that had been offered to him by the pagans) to Zaid bin 'Amr, but Zaid refused to eat of it and then said (to the pagans), "I do not eat of what you slaughter on your stonealtars (Ansabs) nor do I eat except that on which Allah's Name has been mentioned on slaughtering."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 408:
Narrated Jundub bin Sufyan Al-Bajali:
Once during the lifetime of Allah's Apostle we offered some animals as sacrifices. Some people slaughtered their sacrifices before the (Id) prayer, so when the Prophet finished his prayer, he saw that they had slaughtered their sacrifices before the prayer. He said, "Whoever has slaughtered (his sacrifice) before the prayer, should slaughter (another sacrifice) in lieu of it; and whoever has not yet slaughtered it till we have prayed; should slaughter (it) by mentioning Allah's Name."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 409:
Narrated Ka'b:
that a slave girl of theirs used to shepherd some sheep at Si'a (a mountain near Medina). On seeing one of her sheep dying, she broke a stone and slaughtered it. Ka'b said to his family, "Do not eat (of it) till I go to the Prophet and ask him, or, till I send someone to ask him." So he went to the Prophet or sent someone to him The Prophet permitted (them) to eat it.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 410:
Narrated 'Abdullah
that Ka'b had a slave girl who used to graze his sheep on a small mountain, called "Sl'a", situated near the market. Once a sheep was dying, so she broke a stone and slaughtered it with it. When they mentioned that to the Prophet, he, permitted them to eat it.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 411:
Narrated Rafi bin Khadij:
that he said, "O Allah's Apostle! We have no knife." The Prophet said, "if the killing tool causes blood to gush out, and if Allah's Name is mentioned, eat (of the slaughtered animal). But do not slaughter with a nail or a tooth, for the nail is the knife of Ethiopians and a tooth is a bone." Suddenly a camel ran away and it was stopped (with an arrow). The Prophet then said, "Of these camels there are some which are as wild as wild beasts; so if one of them runs away from you and you cannot catch it, treat it in this manner (i.e. shoot it with an arrow)."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 412:
Narrated Ka'b bin Malik:
A lady slaughtered a sheep with a stone and then the Prophet was asked about it and he permitted it to be eaten.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 413:
Narrated Mu'adh bin Sad or Sad bin Mu'adh:
A slave girl belonging to Ka'b used to graze some sheep at Sl'a (mountain). Once one of her sheep was dying. She reached it (before it died) and slaughtered it with a stone. The Prophet was asked, and he said, "Eat it."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 414:
Narrated Rafi bin Khadij:
The Prophet said, "Eat what is slaughtered (with any instrument) that makes blood flow out, except what is slaughtered with a tooth or a nail.'


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 415:
Narrated 'Aisha:
A group of people said to the Prophet, "Some people bring us meat and we do not know whether they have mentioned Allah's Name or not on slaughtering the animal." He said, "Mention Allah's Name on it and eat." Those people had embraced Islam recently.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 416:
Narrates 'Abdullah bin Mughaffal:
While we were besieging the castle of Khaibar, Somebody threw a skin full of fat and I went ahead to take it, but on looking behind, I saw the Prophet and I felt shy in his presence (and did not take it).


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 417:
Narrated Rafi bin Khadij:
I said, "O Allah's Apostle! We are going to face the enemy tomorrow and we do not have knives." He said, "Hurry up (in killing the animal). If the killing tool causes blood to flow out, and if Allah's Name is mentioned, eat (of the slaughtered animal). But do not slaughter with a tooth or a nail. I will tell you why: As for the tooth, it is a bone; and as for the nail, it is the knife of Ethiopians." Then we got some camels and sheep as war booty, and one of those camels ran away, whereupon a man shot it with an arrow and stopped it. Allah's Apostle said, "Of these camels there are some which are as wild as wild beasts, so if one of them (runs away and) makes you tired, treat it in this manner."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 418:
Narrated Asma bint Abu Bakr:
We slaughtered a horse (by Nahr) during the lifetime of the Prophet and ate it.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 419:
Narrated Asma':
We slaughtered a horse (by Dhabh) during the lifetime of Allah's Apostle while we were at Medina, and we ate it.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 420:
Narrated Asma' bint Abu Bakr:
We slaughtered a horse (by Nahr) during the lifetime of Allah's Apostle and ate it.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 421:
Narrated Hisham bin Zaid:
Anas and I went to Al-Hakam bin Aiyub. Anas saw some boys shooting at a tied hen. Anas said, "The Prophet has forbidden the shooting of tied or confined animals."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 422:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
that he entered upon Yahya bin Said while one of Yahya's sons was aiming at a hen after tying it. Ibn 'Umar walked to it and untied it. Then he brought it and the boy and said. "Prevent your boys from tying the birds for the sake of killing them, as I have heard the Prophet forbidding the killing of an animal or other living thing after tying them."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 423:
Narrated Said bin Jubair:
While I was with Ibn 'Umar, we passed by a group of young men who had tied a hen and started shooting at it. When they saw Ibn 'Umar, they dispersed, leaving it. On that Ibn 'Umar said, "Who has done this? The Prophet cursed the one who did so."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 424:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
The Prophet cursed the one who did Muthla to an animal (i e., cut its limbs or some other part of its body while it is still alive).


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 425:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Yazid:
The Prophet forbade An-Nuhba and Al-Muthla.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 426:
Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari:
I saw the Prophet eating chicken.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 427:
Narrated Zahdam:
We were in the company of Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari and there were friendly relations between us and this tribe of Jarm. Abu Musa was presented with a dish containing chicken. Among the people there was sitting a red-faced man who did not come near the food. Abu Musa said (to him), "Come on (and eat), for I have seen Allah's Apostle eating of it (i.e. chicken)." He said, "I have seen it eating something (dirty) and since then I have disliked it, and have taken an oath that I shall not eat it ' Abu Musa said, "Come on, I will tell you (or narrate to you). Once I went to Allah s Apostle with a group of Al-Ash'ariyin, and met him while he was angry, distributing some camels of Rakat. We asked for mounts but he took an oath that he would not give us any mounts, and added, 'I have nothing to mount you on' In the meantime some camels of booty were brought to Allah's Apostle and he asked twice, 'Where are Al-Ash'ariyin?" So he gave us five white camels with big humps. We stayed for a short while (after we had covered a little distance), and then I said to my companions, "Allah's Apostle has forgotten his oath. By Allah, if we do not remind Allah's Apostle of his oath, we will never be successful." So we returned to the Prophet and said, "O Allah's Apostle! We asked you for mounts, but you took an oath that you would not give us any mounts; we think that you have forgotten your oath.' He said, 'It is Allah Who has given you mounts. By Allah, and Allah willing, if I take an oath and later find something else better than that. then I do what is better and expiate my oath.' "


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 428:
Narrated Asma':
We slaughtered a horse during the lifetime of Allah's Apostle and ate it.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 429:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
On the Day of the battle of Khaibar, Allah's Apostle made donkey's meat unlawful and allowed the eating of horse flesh.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 430:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
The Prophet made the meat of donkeys unlawful on the day of the battle of Khaibar.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 431:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
The Prophet prohibited the eating of donkey's meat.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 432:
Narrated 'Ali:
Allah's Apostle prohibited Al-Mut'a marriage and the eating of donkey's meat in the year of the Khaibar battle


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 433:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
The Prophet prohibited the eating of donkey's meat on the day of the battle of Khaibar, and allowed the eating of horse flesh.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 434:
Narrated Al-Bara' and Ibn Abi 'Aufa:
The Prophet prohibited the eating of donkey's meat.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 435:
Narrated Abu Tha'alba:
Allah's Apostle prohibited the eating of donkey's meat.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 435o:
Narrated Az-Zuhri:
The Prophet prohibited the eating of beasts having fangs.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 436:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Someone came to Allah's Apostle and said, "The donkeys have been (slaughtered and) eaten. Another man came and said, "The donkeys have been destroyed." On that the Prophet ordered a caller to announce to the people: Allah and His Apostle forbid you to eat the meat of donkeys, for it is impure.' Thus the pots were turned upside down while the (donkeys') meat was boiling in them.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 437:
Narrated 'Amr:
I said to Jabir bin Zaid, "The people claim that Allah's Apostle forbade the eating of donkey's meat." He said, "Al-Hakam bin 'Amr Al-Ghifari used to say so when he was with us, but Ibn 'Abbas, the great religious learned man, refused to give a final verdict and recited:-- 'Say: I find not in that which has been inspired to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be carrion, blood poured forth or the flesh of swine...' (6.145)


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 438:
Narrated Abu Tha'laba:
Allah's Apostle forbade the eating of the meat of beasts having fangs.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 439:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas:
Once Allah's Apostle passed by a dead sheep and said (to the people), "Why don't you use its hide?" They said, "But it is dead," He said, "Only eating it, is prohibited."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 440:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
The Prophet passed by a dead goat and said, "There is no harm if its owners benefit from its skin."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 441:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "None is wounded in Allah's Cause but will come on the Day of Resurrection with his wound bleeding. The thing that will come out of his wound will be the color of blood, but its smell will be the smell of musk."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 442:
Narrated Abu Musa:
The Prophet said, 'The example of a good pious companion and an evil one is that of a person carrying musk and another blowing a pair of bellows. The one who is carrying musk will either give you some perfume as a present, or you will buy some from him, or you will get a good smell from him, but the one who is blowing a pair of bellows will either burn your clothes or you will get a bad smell from him."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 443:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Once we provoked a rabbit at Marr-az-Zahran. The people chased it till they got tired. Then I caught It and brought it to Abu Talha, who slaughtered it and then sent both its pelvic pieces (or legs) to the Prophet, and the Prophet accepted the present.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 444:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
The Prophet said, "I do not eat mastigure, but I do not prohibit its eating."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 445:
Narrated Khalid bin Al-Walid:
Allah's Apostle and I entered the house of Maimuna. A roasted mastigure was served. Allah's Apostle stretched his hand out (to eat of it) but some woman said, "Inform Allah's Apostle of what he is about to eat." So they said, "It is mastigure, O Allah's Apostle!" He withdrew his hand, whereupon I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Is it unlawful?" He said, "No, but this is not found in the land of my people, so I dislike it." So I pulled the mastigure towards me and ate it while Allah's Apostle was looking at me.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 446:
Narrated Maimuna:
A mouse fell into the butter-fat and died. The Prophet was asked about that. He said, "Throw away the mouse and the butter-fat that surrounded it, and eat the rest of the butter-fat (As-Samn).


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 447:
Narrated Az-Zhuri:
regarding an animal, e.g., a mouse or some other animal that had fallen into solid or liquid oil or butter-fat: I had been informed that a mouse had died in butter-fat whereupon Allah's Apostle ordered that the butter-fat near it be thrown away and the rest of the butter-fat can be eaten.


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 448:
Narrated Maimuna:
The Prophet was asked about a mouse that had fallen into butter-fat (and died). He said, "Throw away the mouse and the portion of butter-fat around it, and eat the rest."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 449:
Narrated Salim:
that Ibn 'Umar disliked the branding of animals on the face. Ibn 'Umar said, "The Prophet forbade beating (animals) on the face."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 450:
Narrated Anas:
I brought a brother of mine to the Prophet to do Tahnik for him while the Prophet was in a sheep fold of his, and I saw him branding a sheep. (The sub-narrator said: I think Anas said, branding it on the ear.)


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 451:
Narrated Rait' bin Khadij:
I said to the Prophet, "We will be facing the enemy tomorrow and we have no knives (for slaughtering)' He said, "If you slaughter the animal with anything that causes its blood to flow out, and if Allah's Name is mentioned on slaughtering it, eat of it, unless the killing instrument is a tooth or nail. I will tell you why: As for the tooth, it is a bone; and as for the nail, it is the knife of Ethiopians." The quick ones among the people got the war booty while the Prophet was behind the people. So they placed the cooking pots on the fire, but the Prophet ordered the cooking pots to be turned upside down. Then he distributed (the war booty) among them, considering one camel as equal to ten sheep. Then a camel belonging to the first party of people ran away and they had no horses with them, so a man shot it with an arrow whereby Allah stopped it. The Prophet said, "Of these animals there are some which are as wild as wild beasts. So, if anyone of them runs away like this, do like this (shoot it with an arrow)."


Volume 7, Book 67, Number 452:
Narrated Rafi bin Khadij:
While we were with the Prophet. on a journey, one of the camels ran away. A man shot it with an arrow and stopped it. The Prophet said, "Of these camels some are as wild as wild beasts, so if one of them runs away and you cannot catch it, then do like this (shoot it with an arrow)." I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Sometimes when we are in battles or on a journey we want to slaughter (animals) but we have no knives." He said, "Listen! If you slaughter the animal with anything that causes its blood to flow out, and if Allah's Name is mentioned on slaughtering it, eat of it, provided that the slaughtering instrument is not a tooth or a nail, as the tooth is a bone and the nail is the knife of Ethiopians."