“There are three things which cause destruction and three things which lead to salvation. The three things which cause destruction are miserliness which is obeyed, passion which is followed and self conceit. The three things which lead to salvation are fear of Allah  in secret and in the open, moderation when rich or when poor, and justice when angry or pleased”

Commentary:

Destruction and salvation are not really based on material success or political favor. Establishing balance in all circumstances and being aware of the power of emotions and desires can give a person clear vision and a powerful insight into the trials of this life. Putting Almighty Allah(swt) in front of all decisions and actions, whether in secret or in the open develops a new approach to life.

The resulting consciousness can lead to the pleasure of Allah(swt), MostHigh. This is the supreme achievement and the essence of success in this world and the hereafter.

(Related in Al Bazaar and Al Bayhaqi and others – authentic – Hasan).

Verily, I have been sent to complete the best in character.” (Al- Muwatta)*

Commentary:

The essence of the Islamic message begins with the character of the individual. This has a profound effect on all actions. The first Islamic state has to be developed inside of the person and then in the external world.  If we are not able to establish Islam within ourselves, then how can we establish Sharee‘ah in the land. If we are not prepared to suffer through a “Makkan Period”, then how can we expect the fruits and responsibilities of a  “Madinan Period?”
This was the real message of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). Begin with the source, the internal Muslim.  Beautify the person and reflect the Creator in all that we do. This is the beginning of real change, “the complete revolution” that does not stop with economics while
neglecting the individual.  Islam deals with all aspects of life and all spheres of existence.

*This Hadeeth found in Al-Muwatta in the’”Kitaab husn-ul-khuluq”, # 8. It is also supported by  narrations of Aboo Hurayrah and others. It was authenticated by Ibn ‘Abd al Barr.

An-Nu‘maan ibn Basheer said, I heard the Messenger of Allah
say,

“That which is lawful is clear and that which is prohibited is clear but between them are doubtful matters about which not many people know. So, he who avoids the doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor. But he who falls into doubtful matters falls into that which is prohibited, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Surely, every king has a sanctuary, and surely Allah’s sanctuary on the earth is His prohibitions. Verily, in the body there is a lump of flesh which, if it is in good repair, all the body will be in good condition; and which, if it is corrupt, the whole body will be
corrupted. Truly, it is the heart.” (Agreed Upon)4

Commentary:

Muslims have been surrounded by doubtful matters in the guise of modern technology and the Twenty-first century lifestyle. People have developed the ability to make that which is unreal seem real and that which is real appear to be unreal. So-called “Democratic”, secular political concepts empower human beings to set rules of law based on their opinions, while ignoring the already ordained divine laws.

Islamic lifestyle and its Divinely based limits will never change. They were set by the Revelation and the Prophetic directives. The great challenge is to stay within these limits and remain relevant to the actual circumstances that we live in. The essence of our differences lie within ourselves. The never-ending dispute about the beginning of fasting in Ramadaan and the establishment of the first day of the following month of Shawwal is a perfect example. The real difference is not astronomical horizons or schools of Jurisprudence.
The difference is in the hearts, Ikhtilaaf-ul-Quloob. May Almighty Allah enable us to purify the essence before we dispute the external.
4 See Al Lu’Lu wal Marjaan fimaa-Tafaqah Alayhi As Shaykhaan (printed by Darul Jeel) Vol.2 pgs 153 &154
Hadeeth # 1028

Aboo Hurayrah(ra) reported that the Messenger(saw) of Allah(swt) said,

“Verily Allah(swt) does not look at your bodies nor at your appearances, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” (Muslim)

Commentary:

People today place great emphasis on clothing and physical appearance. Intelligence, ability, and even value is judged by the shape of the body, the colour of the skin, the texture of the hair, the features of the face or the cost of the shoes. Even piety is sometimes measured by a turban or a face veil. Allah Almighty (swt), is above our limited way of judgement and focuses on the essence of the individual. The heart is the root of our feelings and our conscience.

So people should be more aware of character (See Hadeeth #6) and actions than rhetoric and empty promises. This approach can enable us to overcome racism, pride and petty differences.

Thawbaan (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah(saw) said:

““The nations are about to call one another and descend upon you just as those who are eating invite others in sharing their food. Someone asked, “Will that be because we are few in number at that time?” He answered, “ No, at that time you will be numerous. But you will be froth/scum carried by the torrent. Allah will remove the fear of you from the hearts of your enemies and will put a weakness into your hearts”. Then someone asked, “What is that weakness?” He replied, “Love of the world and hatred of death.” (Reported in Aboo Dawood and he said that it is authentic – Hasan – Saheeh).”

Commentary:

The armies of the Western world and their allies are again pouring into the Middle East and surrounding the heartlands of Islam. Thousands of children have died in Iraq as a result of unjust sanctions. False justifications of fighting “terror”, or disarming governments which were created and armed by the same Western powers, are being used as a means of destroying the next generation of Muslim youth.

Where are the Muslim leaders and their huge armies? What has happened to the billions of dollars spent to prepare their own military defence systems? Surely the Prophet Muhammad(saw) did not speak from himself. Allah (swt)gave him a vision of the events of our times. Muslims are increasing in numbers throughout the world. Our masaajid and Islamic centres overflow on special occasions. Millions make earnest supplications on the Hajj, asking the Creator to lift this oppression from our backs and bring back the dignity and security of the past.

Something fundamental has to change in the essence of our Islam. The Messenger of Allah (saw) and his Companions did not have the support of millions of people or fabulous oil and mineral wealth, but Allah (swt) gave them authority in the land. They feared Him alone, and were not tied to the material world. They longed to meet their Lord and did not see death as an end but as a door leading to a better existence.

The time has come for Muslims to re-examine their relationship with the Creator and bring out the real Islamic personality that can transform a puppet, despotic ruler into a noble servant of humanity or a weak, humiliated Muslim into a mighty defender of Truth.

Aboo Hurayrah (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

“This, my Ummah, is a nation that has mercy on it. Its punishment will not be in the Hereafter, but in this life. That being fitan(2), earthquakes, and murder.”(3)

Commentary:

Many people wonder why Muslims are suffering so much in the lands of Islam. These trials are punishment and purification for the corruption and oppression that exists within our Ummah. We should take heed from these tribulations and make constant tawbah (repentance) to Allah (swt). Maybe through our seeking mercy and not returning to our wrong actions, the calamities can be lifted. We can no longer only blame the West or the disbelievers for the calamities and crises that have befallen us. Islam is a complete way of life that is viable in all environments at all times, and when practiced accordingly, will lead to success, victory and peace.

2. Fitan, the plural of Fitnah, can refer to a trial, tribulation, punishment, temptation, confusion or calamity or wars between Muslims
3. This Hadeeth is reported in Sunan Aboo Dawood, Ibn Majah, and Musnad ibn Hanbal. Al Haakim, also, reported and authenticated it. Ath-Thahabi confirmed this position. See ‘Aun al-Ma‘bood of ibn Qayyim al- Jawziyyah, vol.11, Hadeeth #4258.

All praises are due to Allah , Lord of the worlds. Surely the best reward in the next life is for those who have “Taqwa” and surely there is no animosity except for the oppressor. I bear witness that Allah  is One and has no partners, and that Muhammad , the son of ‘Abdullah, is His servant and last Messenger. May Allah  send His choicest Blessings and Peace upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad , his family, his Companions, and all those who call to his way and establish his Sunnah till the Day of Judgement.

As to what follows: Islam has taken a firm hold in the Western world during the past thirty years. Those who have been involved in the propagation and establishment of Islam recognize that the greatest enemy to Islamic growth has not been military or political. The greatest threat has come, primarily, from the new and sophisticated tactic of “Confuse and Conquer”. The opponents of Islam have spent millions of dollars convening conferences, publishing books, producing television and radio specials, releasing Hollywood anti-Islamic fantasies and supporting deviant forms of Islam. Despite this tidal wave of confusion, Islam continues to spread. Young people, especially in the United States, see Islam as a type of alternative culture, or as a spiritual sanctuary.

The main obstacle left in the rapid growth and development of Islam is the Muslims, themselves. Fanaticism, tribalism, racism, class conflict, petty power disputes, lack of respect for women, and uncontrolled egoism, have The Forty Ahaadeeth on Islamic Revival 6 marred Muslims’ efforts in forming viable national organizations, and functioning local Masjids and Islamic centers. Allah  tells us very clearly in Surah Ra‘d, verse 11: “Verily Allah  will not change the condition of a people until they change that which is in themselves.”

After twenty years in the field of Da‘wah and Islamic guidance, I have come to the conclusion that our success in Islam in these confusing times is based on purifying our relationship with Almighty Allah and changing our un-Islamic ideas, habits and cultural baggage. Reviewing my Friday Khutbahs over the past two decades, I found a number of Ahaadeeth constantly repeating themselves in the solutions to the problems that the Muslim community was facing. So, when I was approached, sometime ago, to put together a collection of Ahaadeeth which were authentic, and which would be the most effective in bringing about the revival of Islam within ourselves and our communities, my response was this book.

A number of collections of Forty Ahaadeeth have been written by renowned scholars such as Imam An-Nawawi and Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalaani. Recent works such as the Forty Hadeeth of Sheikh ‘Alee Hasan ‘Alee ‘Abdul Hameed have also been of great benefit to the Ummah. This set, like the others preceding it, is only a reflection of the undying legacy of the Messenger of Allah(saw). It is not meant to rival the previous works, but to compliment them and provide, for the Muslims of the twenty-first century, valuable reminders of the reality of the Muslim world and the struggle within ourselves.

It is hoped that these Ahaadeeth can answer some of the questions posed by people who are embracing Islam or renewing their inherited faith. I pray that Allah will bless, through this humble effort, my mother who embraced Islam before her death, my wife, Kareema, who has been my most enlightened advisor and companion and my children, whom I pray, will carry on the struggle for Islam after my death. Surely Allah is the hearer of our prayers and He has power over all things.

Al-Faqeer ila-Allah , Shaykh ‘Abdullah Hakim Quick (Ramadaan, 1423 A.H), Cape Town.

HADEETH ONE ON INTENTIONS

‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab  reported that the Messenger of Allah(saw)  said,

“Surely actions are based on intentions and surely every person will get what he intends. So whoever has migrated to achieve a worldly goal, or in order to get married to a woman, then his migration will be for exactly what he intends.” (“Agreed Upon” i.e. by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Commentary:

Intentions are the basis for all actions. People who have entered Islam for the love of a woman or a man should remember that their partner did not bring them to Islam. It is Allah (swt) himself, who guides people. We are only instruments in His will. Those who have migrated to the West in order to gain wealth or to further their education should be reminded that Allah (swt) is the Lord of the East and the West. We are accountable for our Islam in all countries. Death can overtake us at any moment and in any part of the planet.

This Hadeeth was related by ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab. See Al Lu’Lu wal Marjaan fimaa-Tafaqah Alayhi As Shaykhaan (printed by Darul Jeel) Vol.1, p.1.