Islam Hadiths, Hadiths 35-36, Nawawi

Imam Nawawi’s Forty Hadiths: Hadith 35 and 36: Muslim Brotherhood and the Integrated Muslim Society

I have been studying al-Nawawi’s Forty Hadith because many regard them to be the best introduction the traditions of Muhammad.  Imam an-Nawawi’s goal was to collect ahadith that form the basis of Islam.

The western media might lead some to the conclusion that all Islam is about is “beards and burkas.” In order to get a non-Western Muslim perspective, I have been learning from Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt. For years, I realized that the Western media misrepresented Christianity, but it took me a long time to realize that it was also inadequate for understanding Islam. This is one of the reasons I talked to Muslims from around the world in answering the question, Is the Qur’an the Word of God. I didn’t want my understanding of Islam to come only from a narrow Western bias. I wanted to open up my understanding to the world; especially the Middle East.   Having said this, Ali Gomaa is not appreciated by all non-Western Muslims.

The superiority of Jesus’ teaching and example to Muhammad

One of the things I have grown in appreciation for in my study of the hadiths is the superiority of Jesus’ teaching and example to Muhammad.

• If I have understood correctly, Muhammad’s teaching about when life begin (Hadith 4) is a violation of the 6th Commandment (Exodus 20:13).
• Jesus’ teaching about the 7th Commandment (see Hadith 14), You shall not commit adultery, reveals Muhammad’s lawlessness.
• Jesus Christ’s supremacy to Muhammad is demonstrated when one compares Jesus’ teaching and example about love for one’s neighbor with Muhammad’s (Hadith 13).
• Muhammad taught about good works (Hadith 26), but his teaching leads Muslims away from believing in the good works of God.  His teaching ends up denying God’s  justice and holiness.
• Muhammad repented 100 times/day; Jesus forgives sins (see Hadith 24 and comments).
• In hadith 33, Muhammad taught about the burden of proof being on the claimant.  Yet the Quran’s denial of Jesus death on the cross does not meet this basic truth of judiciary and witnessing.

Admittedly, I have a lot more to learn about Islam and the hadiths.  However, I encourage you to take the time to study the Gospels as I have done in studying the hadiths.

Below is the thirty-fifth hadith compiled by al-Nawawi, first in Arabic and then in English,

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه ، قال : قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم : ( لا تحاسدوا ، ولا تناجشوا ، ولا تباغضوا ، ولا تدابروا ، ولا يبع بعضكم على بيع بعض ، وكونوا عباد الله إخوانا ، المسلم خو المسلم ، لا يظلمه ولا يخذله ، ولا يكذبه ، ولا يحقره ، التقوى ها هنا ) ويشير صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى صدره ثلاث مرات – ( بحسب امرىء أن يحقر أخاه المسلم ، كل المسلم على المسلم حرام : دمه وماله وعرضه ).
رواه مسلم [ رقم : 2564 ]

On the authority of Abu Hurairah (radi allahu anhu) ¹Arabic to English translation, May Allah be pleased with him. who said : The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) ²Arabic to English translation meaning, May Allah bless him and grant him peace.  Often abbreviated SAWS.  This Arabic phrase is used after references to Muhammad and his titles. said :

Do not envy one another, and do not inflate prices for one another, and do not hate one another, and do not turn away from one another, and do not undercut one another in trade, but [rather] be Slaves of Allah and Brothers [amongst yourselves]. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim : he does not oppress him, nor does he fail him, nor does he lie to him, nor does he hold him in contempt. Taqwaa (Piety) is right here [and he pointed to his chest three times]. It is evil enough for a man to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. The whole of a Muslim is inviolable for another Muslim : his blood, his property, and his honour.

It was related by Muslim  (صحيح مسلم).

The thirty-sixth hadith compiled by al-Nawawi, first in Arabic and then the English translation of the Arabic,

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه ، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ، قال : ( من نفس عن مؤمن كربة من كرب الدنيا نفس الله عنه كربة من كرب يوم القيامة ، ومن يسر على معسر يسر الله عليه في الدنيا والاخرة ، ومن ستر مسلما ستره الله في الدنيا والأخرة ، والله في عون العبد ما كان العبد في عون أخيه ، ومن سلك طريقا يلتمس فيه علما سهل الله له به طريقا إلي الجنه ، وما اجتمع قوم في بيت من بيوت الله يتلون كتاب الله ، ويتدارسونه بينهم؛ إلا نزلت عليهم السكينه ، وغشيتهم الرحمه ، وحفتهم الملائكة ، وذكرهم الله فيمن عنده ، ومن أبطأ به عمله لم يسرع به نسبه ).
رواه مسلم [ رقم : 2699 ] بهذا اللفظ

On the authority of Abu Hurairah (radi allahu ‘anhu) ³Arabic to English translation, May Allah be pleased with him. that the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) ⁴Arabic to English translation meaning, May Allah bless him and grant him peace.  Often abbreviated SAWS.  This Arabic phrase is used after references to Muhammad and his titles. said:

Whoever removes a worldly grief from a believer, Allah will remove from him one of the griefs of the Day of Resurrection. And whoever alleviates the need of a needy person, Allah will alleviate his needs in this world and the Hereafter. Whoever shields [or hides the misdeeds of] a Muslim, Allah will shield him in this world and the Hereafter. And Allah will aid His Slave so long as he aids his brother. And whoever follows a path to seek knowledge therein, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. No people gather together in one of the Houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that Sakeenah (Tranquility) descends upon them, and Mercy envelops them, and the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them amongst those who are with Him. And whoever is slowed down by his actions, will not be hastened forward by his lineage.

It was related by Muslim (صحيح مسلم) in these words.

Ali Gomaa’s Explanation of Hadeeth 35 and 36

In the following video Ali Gomaa teaches about the 35th (0:00-4:00) and 36th (4:01-10:02) hadiths compiled by an-Nawawi. My notes follow.

Hadith 35: Muslim Brotherhood and Integrated Muslim Society (000-4:00)

1:15-1:25

“The essence of envy is to which others to lose their blessings. It is some sort of unjustified spite and grudge.”

1:44-1:54

“hatred shouldn’t cause breaking ties with people, specially with relatives.”

1:55-2:12

Do not turn away from one another – “It means one ignores and neglects his brother. Meaning that there is no cooperation, integrity, nor sympathy, and love for having disputes.”

2:21-2:33

“This hadith aims at establishing a cooperative integrated Muslim society.  A Muslim towards another Muslim is like an integrated building whose parts are cohesive.”

2:59-3:26

Piety is right here and Prophet pointed to his breast three times – “Piety is not apparent deeds but it is something deep inside one’s heart. It is a relationship between a servant and his Lord. Piety is fearing Allah, doing religious duties, being content with the few, and being ready for death.  They are all actions of the heart.”

Ali Gomaa discusses hadith 36.

Hadith 36: Recitation of the Qur’an (4:01-10:02)

5:15-5:41

“This is a great hadith. It has established Muslims’ culture for centuries, formed their mentalities, urged them to do good, form an integrated cooperative society, and sympathize with them in their cares and problems.

6:07-6:38

Whoever removes a worldly grief from a believer – “A grief is a tough critical situation in which a believer is so upset and sad, when another Muslim nobly touches him, relieves his grief and removes his cares. Allah will remove from him one of the griefs of the Day of Judgment.”

8:24-8:28

Ali Gomaa quoted another hadith, “All sons of Adam are wrongdoers, the best wrongdoers are those who constantly repent” (Imams At-Tirmithi and Al-Hakem; cf. Qur’an 14:34).

I wish Ali Gomaa has said more about this hadith because it sounds a lot like the doctrine many Christians believe: Original Sin. I would also like to know if Muslims believe Muhammad was the best wrong doer who constantly repented.

8:46-9:19

Whoever follows a path to seek knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise – “Across ages, there is no wise man, prophet, writer, nor a poet ever said, that knowledge [is a] path to paradise. Or that whoever seeks to buy a book, attend a conference, conduct or publish a study will all means, will follow the path of paradise.”

Even more amazing is Jesus’ claim (John 14:6-7).

9:40-9:57

He who is slowed by his actions, won’t be hastened forward by his lineage – “The Prophet (SAWS) ⁵Abbreviation for the Arabic phrase transliterated, Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. This phrase is used after references to Muhammad and his titles. It means May Allah bless him and grant him peace. has freed us from bragging about lineage. He taught us that man’s worth depends on his deeds.”

Christianity and Hadith 35 and 36

For comments on “brothers” and humanity see also hadith 13.

Hadith 35 and the unity of the Muslim Brotherhood is something also emphasized in Christianity. But the biblical emphasis is much stronger and more glorious. Muhammad’s teaching is limited to his time – only a few decades. Muslim rejection of the Christian Scriptures means they lack centuries and centuries of revelation about unity – and all other religious topics. Muslims are robbing themselves by listening to one man when there were many other godly prophets, priests, and kings.

Muslims only have the voice and example of a single man in the Qur’an and ahadith. Muslims say they believe in all the prophets. But in practice, all this means is that they believe in what Muhammad said about the prophets before him. Muslims believe what Muhammad said they said. This is vastly different from studying and believing what the prophets said.

Muslims say they believe in Moses, but they don’t study the Torah. They believe in what Muhammad said about Moses.

It saddens me to think how Muslims are cut off from the revelation that went before them. The mistakenly reassure themselves that the Bible is corrupt, but if the Bible is corrupted, then why is its revelation superior to the ahadith?

If you really want to read about unity and brotherhood, then read the revelation found in Genesis 37-50. The ahadith pale in comparison with the teaching and examples of the revelation found in Scripture. To my knowledge, Muhammad never spoke or sang about brotherhood like King David did in Psalm 133.

Next Nawawi Hadith Post

• Hadiths 37-39: Allah’s Infinite Benevolence & Allah’s Friend, Forgiveness

Previous Hadith Post

• Islam Hadiths, Hadith 32-34: Do not harm, Burden of proof, Resisting evil

Related Nawawi Hadith Posts

• Six Reasons I’m Studying Hadith

• Introduction to Nawawi’s 40 Hadiths

• Hadith 1, Forty Hadiths: Actions and Intentions

• Hadith 2, Forty Hadiths: Gabriel Questions Muhammad about the Principles of Islam

• Hadith 3, Forty Hadiths: The Five Pillars of Islam

• Hadith 4, Forty Hadiths: Abortion and When Does Life Begin?

• Hadith 5, Forty Hadiths: Nawawi: Innovation and Islam

• Hadith 6, Forty Hadiths: Halal, Haram, and the Heart (Things Permitted and Prohibited)

• Hadith 7, Forty Hadiths: Advice and Guidance

• Hadith 8, Forty Hadiths: Jihad, No Complusion in Religion

• Hadith 9, Forty Hadiths: Avoid what is forbidden

• Hadith 10, Forty Hadiths: The Importance of Prayer (dua)

• Hadiths 11-12, Forty Hadiths: Leaving Doubt for Certainty & Mind Your Own Business

• Hadith 13, Love for your brother

• Hadith 14, Forty Hadiths: Apostates, Islam, and the Death Penalty

• Hadith 15, Forty Hadiths: Good Manners

• Hadiths 16 and 17, Forty Hadiths: Anger and Mercy

• Hadith 18, Forty Hadiths: Piety and the Fear of Allah (taqwa)

• Hadith 19, Forty Hadiths: Twelve Words of Advice Given to Ibn-Abbas

• Hadith 20 and 21, Forty Hadiths: Modesty and Belief in Allah

• Hadith 22 and 23, Forty Hadiths: Are the Five Pillars Enough to Enter Paradise?

• Hadith 24, Forty Hadiths: Allah Does not Need our Piety

• Hadith 25, Forty Hadiths: The Different Kinds of Charity Allah Rewards

• Hadiths 26, Forty Hadiths: Righteous Deeds

• Hadiths 27-28, Forty Hadiths: Righteousness and Abiding by Muhammad’s Sunnah

• Hadith 29, Forty Hadiths: Fasting is a Shield

• Hadith 30-31, Forty Hadiths: Allah’s Limits and Asceticism