Ṣaḥíḥ al-Bukhárí
Volume 1, Book 1
Narrated by ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab
I heard Alláh’s Apostle saying, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.”
Narrated by ‘Aisha
(the mother of the faithful believers) Al-Harith bin Hisham asked Alláh’s Apostle “O Alláh’s Apostle! How is the Divine Inspiration revealed to you?” Alláh’s Apostle replied, “Sometimes it is (revealed) like the ringing of a bell, this form of Inspiration is the hardest of all and then this state passes off after I have grasped what is inspired. Sometimes the Angel comes in the form of a man and talks to me and I grasp whatever he says.” ‘Aisha added: Verily I saw the Prophet being inspired Divinely on a very cold day and noticed the Sweat dropping from his forehead (as the Inspiration was over).
Narrated by ‘Aisha
(the mother of the faithful believers) The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Alláh’s Apostle was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright day light, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Alláh alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He used to take with him the journey food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food like-wise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied, “I do not know how to read. The Prophet added, “The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, ‘I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?’ Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, ‘Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists) has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous.” (96.1, 96.2, 96.3) Then Alláh’s Apostle returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, “Cover me! Cover me!” They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened and said, “I fear that something may happen to me.” Khadija replied, “Never! By Alláh, Alláh will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your Kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones.” Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin ‘Abdu’l-‘Uzza, who, during the PreIslamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Alláh wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, “Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!” Waraqa asked, “O my nephew! What have you seen?” Alláh’s Apostle described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, “This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Alláh had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out.” Alláh’s Apostle asked, “Will they drive me out?” Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, “Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly.” But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while. Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdu’lláh Al-Ansari while talking about the period of pause in revelation reporting the speech of the Prophet “While I was walking, all of a sudden I heard a voice from the sky. I looked up and saw the same angel who had visited me at the cave of Hira’ sitting on a chair between the sky and the earth. I got afraid of him and came back home and said, ‘Wrap me (in blankets).’ And then Alláh revealed the following Holy Verses (of Qur’án): ‘O you (i.e. Muḥammad)! wrapped up in garments!’ Arise and warn (the people against Alláh’s Punishment),… up to ‘and desert the idols.’ (74.1-5) After this the revelation started coming strongly, frequently and regularly.”
Narrated by Said bin Jubair
Ibn ‘Abbás in the explanation of the Statement of Alláh. ‘Move not your tongue concerning (the Qur’án) to make haste therewith.” (75.16) Said “Alláh’s Apostle used to bear the revelation with great trouble and used to move his lips (quickly) with the Inspiration.” Ibn ‘Abbás moved his lips saying, “I am moving my lips in front of you as Alláh’s Apostle used to move his.” Said moved his lips saying: “I am moving my lips, as I saw Ibn ‘Abbás moving his.” Ibn ‘Abbás added, “So Alláh revealed ‘Move not your tongue concerning (the Qur’án) to make haste therewith. It is for us to collect it and to give you (O Muḥammad) the ability to recite it (the Qur’án) (75.16-17) which means that Alláh will make him (the Prophet ) remember the portion of the Qur’án which was revealed at that time by heart and recite it. The Statement of Alláh: And ‘When we have recited it to you (O Muḥammad through Gabriel) then you follow its (Qur’án) recital’ (75.18) means ‘listen to it and be silent.’ Then it is for Us (Alláh) to make It clear to you’ (75.19) means ‘Then it is (for Alláh) to make you recite it (and its meaning will be clear by itself through your tongue). Afterwards, Alláh’s Apostle used to listen to Gabriel whenever he came and after his departure he used to recite it as Gabriel had recited it.”
Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbás
Alláh’s Apostle was the most generous of all the people, and he used to reach the peak in generosity in the month of Ramaḍán when Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night of Ramaḍán to teach him the Qur’án. Alláh’s Apostle was the most generous person, even more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds).
Narrated by ‘Abdu’lláh bin ‘Abbás
Abu Sufyan bin Harb informed me that Heraclius had sent a messenger to him while he had been accompanying a caravan from Quraish. They were merchants doing business in Sham (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan), at the time when Alláh’s Apostle had truce with Abu Sufyan and Quraish infidels. So Abu Sufyan and his companions went to Heraclius at Ilya (Jerusalem). Heraclius called them in the court and he had all the senior Roman dignitaries around him. He called for his translator who, translating Heraclius’s question said to them, “Who amongst you is closely related to that man who claims to be a Prophet?” Abu Sufyan replied, “I am the nearest relative to him (amongst the group).” Heraclius said, “Bring him (Abu Sufyan) close to me and make his companions stand behind him.” Abu Sufyan added, Heraclius told his translator to tell my companions that he wanted to put some questions to me regarding that man (The Prophet) and that if I told a lie they (my companions) should contradict me.” Abu Sufyan added, “By Alláh! Had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I would not have spoken the truth about the Prophet. The first question he asked me about him was: ‘What is his family status amongst you?’ I replied, ‘He belongs to a good (noble) family amongst us.’ Heraclius further asked, ‘Has anybody amongst you ever claimed the same (i.e. to be a Prophet) before him?’ I replied, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Was anybody amongst his ancestors a king?’ I replied, ‘No.’ Heraclius asked, ‘Do the nobles or the poor follow him?’ I replied, ‘It is the poor who follow him.’ He said, ‘Are his followers increasing decreasing (day by day)?’ I replied, ‘They are increasing.’ He then asked, ‘Does anybody amongst those who embrace his religion become displeased and renounce the religion afterwards?’ I replied, ‘No.’ Heraclius said, ‘Have you ever accused him of telling lies before his claim (to be a Prophet)?’ I replied, ‘No. ‘ Heraclius said, ‘Does he break his promises?’ I replied, ‘No. We are at truce with him but we do not know what he will do in it.’ I could not find opportunity to say anything against him except that. Heraclius asked, ‘Have you ever had a war with him?’ I replied, ‘Yes.’ Then he said, ‘What was the outcome of the battles?’ I replied, ‘Sometimes he was victorious and sometimes we.’ Heraclius said, ‘What does he order you to do?’ I said, ‘He tells us to worship Alláh and Alláh alone and not to worship anything along with Him, and to renounce all that our ancestors had said. He orders us to pray, to speak the truth, to be chaste and to keep good relations with our Kith and kin.’ Heraclius asked the translator to convey to me the following, I asked you about his family and your reply was that he belonged to a very noble family. In fact all the Apostles come from noble families amongst their respective peoples. I questioned you whether anybody else amongst you claimed such a thing, your reply was in the negative. If the answer had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man was following the previous man’s statement. Then I asked you whether anyone of his ancestors was a king. Your reply was in the negative, and if it had been in the affirmative, I would have thought that this man wanted to take back his ancestral kingdom. I further asked whether he was ever accused of telling lies before he said what he said, and your reply was in the negative. So I wondered how a person who does not tell a lie about others could ever tell a lie about Alláh. I, then asked you whether the rich people followed him or the poor. You replied that it was the poor who followed him. And in fact all the Apostle have been followed by this very class of people. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or decreasing. You replied that they were increasing, and in fact this is the way of true faith, till it is complete in all respects. I further asked you whether there was anybody, who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and discarded his religion. Your reply was in the negative, and in fact this is (the sign of) true faith, when its delight enters the hearts and mixes with them completely. I asked you whether he had ever betrayed. You replied in the negative and likewise the Apostles never betray. Then I asked you what he ordered you to do. You replied that he ordered you to worship Alláh and Alláh alone and not to worship any thing along with Him and forbade you to worship idols and ordered you to pray, to speak the truth and to be chaste. If what you have said is true, he will very soon occupy this place underneath my feet and I knew it (from the scriptures) that he was going to appear but I did not know that he would be from you, and if I could reach him definitely, I would go immediately to meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash his feet.’ Heraclius then asked for the letter addressed by Alláh’s Apostle which was delivered by Dihya to the Governor of Busra, who forwarded it to Heraclius to read. The contents of the letter were as follows: “In the name of Alláh the Beneficent, the Merciful (This letter is) from Muḥammad the slave of Alláh and His Apostle to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be upon him, who follows the right path. Furthermore I invite you to Islam, and if you become a Muslim you will be safe, and Alláh will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of Islam you will be committing a sin by misguiding your Arisiyin (peasants). (And I recite to you Alláh’s Statement:) ‘O people of the scripture! Come to a word common to you and us that we worship none but Alláh and that we associate nothing in worship with Him, and that none of us shall take others as Lords beside Alláh. Then, if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims (those who have surrendered to Alláh).’ (3:64). Abu Sufyan then added, “When Heraclius had finished his speech and had read the letter, there was a great hue and cry in the Royal Court. So we were turned out of the court. I told my companions that the question of Ibn-Abi-Kabsha) (the Prophet Muḥammad) has become so prominent that even the King of Bani Al-Asfar (Byzantine) is afraid of him. Then I started to become sure that he (the Prophet) would be the conqueror in the near future till I embraced Islam (i.e. Alláh guided me to it).” The sub narrator adds, “Ibn An-Natur was the Governor of llya’ (Jerusalem) and Heraclius was the head of the Christians of Sham. Ibn An-Natur narrates that once while Heraclius was visiting ilya’ (Jerusalem), he got up in the morning with a sad mood. Some of his priests asked him why he was in that mood? Heraclius was a foreteller and an astrologer. He replied, ‘At night when I looked at the stars, I saw that the leader of those who practice circumcision had appeared (become the conqueror). Who are they who practice circumcision?’ The people replied, ‘Except the Jews nobody practices circumcision, so you should not be afraid of them (Jews). ‘Just Issue orders to kill every Jew present in the country.’ While they were discussing it, a messenger sent by the king of Ghassan to convey the news of Alláh’s Apostle to Heraclius was brought in. Having heard the news, he (Heraclius) ordered the people to go and see whether the messenger of Ghassan was circumcised. The people, after seeing him, told Heraclius that he was circumcised. Heraclius then asked him about the Arabs. The messenger replied, ‘Arabs also practice circumcision.’ (After hearing that) Heraclius remarked that sovereignty of the ‘Arabs had appeared. Heraclius then wrote a letter to his friend in Rome who was as good as Heraclius in knowledge. Heraclius then left for Homs. (a town in Syrian and stayed there till he received the reply of his letter from his friend who agreed with him in his opinion about the emergence of the Prophet and the fact that he was a Prophet. On that Heraclius invited all the heads of the Byzantines to assemble in his palace at Homs. When they assembled, he ordered that all the doors of his palace be closed. Then he came out and said, ‘O Byzantines! If success is your desire and if you seek right guidance and want your empire to remain then give a pledge of allegiance to this Prophet (i.e. embrace Islam).’ (On hearing the views of Heraclius) the people ran towards the gates of the palace like onagers but found the doors closed. Heraclius realized their hatred towards Islam and when he lost the hope of their embracing Islam, he ordered that they should be brought back in audience. (When they returned) he said, ‘What already said was just to test the strength of your conviction and I have seen it.’ The people prostrated before him and became pleased with him, and this was the end of Heraclius’s story (in connection with his faith).
Volume 1, Book 2
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar
Alláh’s Apostle said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): 1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Alláh and Muḥammad is Alláh’s Apostle. 2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly. 3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity). 4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca) 5. To observe fast during the month of Ramaḍán.
Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet said, “Faith (Belief) consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Haya (This term “Haya” covers a large number of concepts which are to be taken together; amongst them are self respect, modesty, bashfulness, and scruple, etc.) is a part of faith.”
Narrated by ‘Abdu’lláh bin ‘Amr
The Prophet said, “A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands. And a Muḥájir (emigrant) is the one who gives up (abandons) all what Alláh has forbidden.”
Narrated by Abu Musa
Some people asked Alláh’s Apostle, “Whose Islam is the best? i.e. (Who is a very good Muslim)?” He replied, “One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands.”
Narrated by ‘Abdu’lláh bin ‘Amr
A man asked the Prophet , “What sort of deeds or (what qualities of) Islam are good?” The Prophet replied, ‘To feed (the poor) and greet those whom you know and those whom you do not Know (See Ḥadíth No. 27).
Narrated by Anas
The Prophet said, “None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.”
Narrated by Abu Huraira
“Alláh’s Apostle said, “By Him in Whose Hands my life is, none of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father and his children.”
Narrated by Anas
The Prophet said “None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind.”
Narrated by Anas
The Prophet said, “Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith: 1. The one to whom Alláh and His Apostle becomes dearer than anything else. 2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Alláh’s sake. 3. Who hates to revert to Atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire.”
Narrated by Anas
The Prophet said, “Love for the Ansar is a sign of faith and hatred for the Ansar is a sign of hypocrisy.”
Narrated by ‘Ubada bin As-Samit
Who took part in the battle of Badr and was a Naqib (a person heading a group of six persons), on the night of Al-‘Áqába pledge: Alláh’s Apostle said while a group of his companions were around him, “Swear allegiance to me for: 1. Not to join anything in worship along with Alláh. 2. Not to steal. 3. Not to commit illegal sexual intercourse. 4. Not to kill your children. 5. Not to accuse an innocent person (to spread such an accusation among people). 6. Not to be disobedient (when ordered) to do good deed.” The Prophet added: “Whoever among you fulfills his pledge will be rewarded by Alláh. And whoever indulges in any one of them (except the ascription of partners to Alláh) and gets the punishment in this world, that punishment will be an expiation for that sin. And if one indulges in any of them, and Alláh conceals his sin, it is up to Him to forgive or punish him (in the Hereafter).” ‘Ubada bin As-Samit added: “So we swore allegiance for these.” (points to Alláh’s Apostle)
Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri
Alláh’s Apostle said, “A time will come that the best property of a Muslim will be sheep which he will take on the top of mountains and the places of rainfall (valleys) so as to flee with his religion from afflictions.”
Narrated by ‘Aisha
Whenever Alláh’s Apostle ordered the Muslims to do something, he used to order them deeds which were easy for them to do, (according to their strength endurance). They said, “O Alláh’s Apostle! We are not like you. Alláh has forgiven your past and future sins.” So Alláh’s Apostle became angry and it was apparent on his face. He said, “I am the most Alláh fearing, and know Alláh better than all of you do.”
Narrated by Anas
The Prophet said, “Whoever possesses the following three qualities will taste the sweetness of faith: 1. The one to whom Alláh and His Apostle become dearer than anything else. 2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Alláh’s sake. 3. Who hates to revert to disbelief (Atheism) after Alláh has brought (saved) him out from it, as he hates to be thrown in fire.”
Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri
The Prophet said, “When the people of Paradise will enter Paradise and the people of Hell will go to Hell, Alláh will order those who have had faith equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed to be taken out from Hell. So they will be taken out but (by then) they will be blackened (charred). Then they will be put in the river of Haya’ (rain) or Hayat (life) (the Narrator is in doubt as to which is the right term), and they will revive like a grain that grows near the bank of a flood channel. Don’t you see that it comes out yellow and twisted”
Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri
Alláh’s Apostle said, “While I was sleeping I saw (in a dream) some people wearing shirts of which some were reaching up to the breasts only while others were even shorter than that. ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab was shown wearing a shirt that he was dragging.” The people asked, “How did you interpret it? (What is its interpretation) O Alláh’s Apostle?” He (the Prophet ) replied, “It is the Religion.”
Narrated by ‘Abdu’lláh (bin ‘Umar)
Once Alláh’s Apostle passed by an Ansari (man) who was admonishing to his brother regarding Haya’. On that Alláh’s Apostle said, “Leave him as Haya’ is a part of faith.” (See Ḥadíth No. 8)
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar
Alláh’s Apostle said: “I have been ordered (by Alláh) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Alláh and that Muḥammad is Alláh’s Apostle, and offer the prayers perfectly and give the obligatory charity, so if they perform a that, then they save their lives an property from me except for Islamic laws and then their reckoning (accounts) will be done by Alláh.”
Narrated by Abu Huraira
Alláh’s Apostle was asked, “What is the best deed?” He replied, “To believe in Alláh and His Apostle (Muḥammad). The questioner then asked, “What is the next (in goodness)? He replied, “To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Alláh’s Cause.” The questioner again asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To perform Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca) ‘Mubrur, (which is accepted by Alláh and is performed with the intention of seeking Alláh’s pleasure only and not to show off and without committing a sin and in accordance with the traditions of the Prophet).”
Narrated by Sa’d
Alláh’s Apostle distributed (Zakat) amongst (a group of) people while I was sitting there but Alláh’s Apostle left a man whom I thought the best of the lot. I asked, “O Alláh’s Apostle! Why have you left that person? By Alláh I regard him as a faithful believer.” The Prophet commented: “Or merely a Muslim.” I remained quiet for a while, but could not help repeating my question because of what I knew about him. And then asked Alláh’s Apostle, “Why have you left so and so? By Alláh! He is a faithful believer.” The Prophet again said, “Or merely a Muslim.” And I could not help repeating my question because of what I knew about him. Then the Prophet said, “O Sa’d! I give to a person while another is dearer to me, for fear that he might be thrown on his face in the Fire by Alláh.”
Narrated by ‘Abdu’lláh bin ‘Amr
A person asked Alláh’s Apostle . “What (sort of) deeds in or (what qualities of) Islam are good?” He replied, “To feed (the poor) and greet those whom you know and those whom you don’t know.”
Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbás
The Prophet said: “I was shown the Hell-fire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful.” It was asked, “Do they disbelieve in Alláh?” (or are they ungrateful to Alláh?) He replied, “They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not of her liking), she will say, ‘I have never received any good from you.”
