Selections from Muḥammadan Traditions/Chapter 25

by Waliuddin Abu Abdullah Mahmud Tabrizi

XXV THE BOOK OF SEDITIONS

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, By Him in whose hand is my life! the world will not pass away until there come a day to man in which the murderer (will not know why he killed, nor the murdered) why he was killed." It was said, " How will that be?" He replied, " On account of strife. The murderer and the murdered will both be in the fire." ' Muslim.

It is related from Thawban that, 'The Apostle of God said, "I only fear for my people leaders who will lead men astray. And when once the sword is unsheathed amongst my people, it will not be taken away from them again until the day of resurrection." ' At TirmidM, Abu Ddud.

It is related from Safinah that he said, ' I heard the Prophet say, "The succession of Khalifs will be for thirty years. After that there will be kingships." Then, said Safinah, " I reckon the reign of Abu Bakr as Khalif at two years, and the reign of ' Omar as Khalif at ten years, and that of 'Othman at twelve years, and that of 'Ali six years." ' Ahmad, At Tirmidht.

It is related from 'Abdu'llah bin 'Omar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There will be sedition involving the Arabs, the slain of which will be in the fire, and in which the (abuse of the) tongue will be worse than the fall of the sword." ' At Tirmidhi, Ibn Mdjah.

It is related from Thawban that, ' The Apostle of God said, ' When the sword is unsheathed amongst my people, it will not be put back again until the day of resurrection; and the hour (of resurrection) will not take place until some tribes of my people join themselves to the polytheists, and until some tribes of my people worship idols. And there will arise amongst my people thirty liars, each of whom will assert that he is a prophet of God; whereas I am the seal of the prophets, and there will be no prophet after me. And a party of my people will certainly continue to victoriously follow the truth. None who oppose them will be able to hurt them until the command of God comes." ' Abu Ddud, At Tirmidhi.

It is related from Ibnu'l-Musayyib that he said, ' The first insurrection occurred, that is the murder of 'Othman, and none of those who were present at (the battle of) Badr remained. Then the second insurrection took place, namely, that of Harrah, and none of those who were present at Hudaibah remained. After that the third insurrection took place, and did not come to an end so long as there remained any strength amongst the people.' Al Bukhdri.

CONCERNING BATTLES

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, * The Apostle of God said, "The hour of resurrection will not come until two great tribes shall fight, between whom there will be great battles. Their claims (in Islam) will be one. And the hour will not come until nearly thirty false Christs are sent, everyone of whom will assert that he is a prophet of God; and until knowledge is withheld, and earthquakes multiply, and the time approaches, and seditions appear and rebellions increase, and that is murder. (And the hour will not come) until wealth increases amongst you and abounds, so that the owner of wealth will be concerned as to who will accept his alms and until he pleads with him (to accept them). And he with whom he pleads will reply, 'I have no need of it,' and until man is filled with pride in building houses, and until a man passes by the grave of another and says, 'Would that I were in his place! and until the sun arises in the West. And when it rises, and men see it they will believe altogether. And that is (a day) when the faith of a soul will not benefit it, which has not believed before, or bestowed good in its faith. And the hour will certainly come when two men have spread out their cloths (for sale), but it will arrive before they have concluded a sale, or folded up the cloth. And the hour will certainly come when a man will have departed to milk his she-camel, but before he has drunk it. And the hour will certainly come when he has gone forth to water his camel at his cistern, but before it has drunk therefrom. And the hour will certainly come when a man has raised the food to his mouth, but before he has eaten it." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri. It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' The Apostle of God said, "The hour (of resurrection) will not come until ye fight a people whose shoes are of hair, and until ye fight the Turks whose eyes are small and faces red and noses flat, as if their faces were shields covered with leather." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The hour will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews. And the Muslims with kill them until the Jews hide themselves behind stones and trees. And the stones and trees will say, ' O Muslim, O servant of God, this is a Jew behind me; come and kill him. But the tree (called) gharqad will not say so, because it is one of the trees belonging to the Jews." Muslim.

It is related from Nafi' bin 'Utbah that, ' The Apostle of God said, " You will wage war in the Island of Arabia, and God will give you the victory. After that (you will fight with) Persia, and God will give you the victory over it. After that with Greece, and God will give you the victory over it. After that you will wage war with Antichrist, and God will give you the victory over him." ' Muslim.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' The Apostle of God said, "The hour will not come until the Greeks come down in Al 'Amaq or in Dayak. And an army of the best of the people of the earth will come out to them from Madina on that day; and when they arrange themselves in ranks (for battle) the Greeks will say, ' Leave vacant a space between us and those who made captive some of us that we may fight with them.' But the Muslims will say, 'No, by God! we will not make vacant a space between you and our brethren.' And they will fight with them, and a third of them will be put to flight, and God will never forgive them. And a third of them will be killed : the best of martyrs in the sight of God; and a third of them will be victorious and will never create sedition. And they will conquer Constantinople. And whilst they are dividing the plunder, having hung up their swords on an olive tree, behold! Satan will cry out in their midst, ' Verily the (false) Christ has come amongst your families in your absence,' Then they will go forth and that will be false and when they come to Syria he will come out. And whilst they are preparing for battle and dressing their ranks, when prayers begin, Jesus, Son of Mary, will descend and act as leader. And when the enemy of God sees him, he will melt away as salt melts in water. And if he leaves him alone, he would certainly melt away until he is destroyed. But God will kill him by the hand of Jesus; and he will show them his blood upon his lance." ' Muslim.

It is related from Dhu Mikhbar that he said, ' I heard the Apostle of God say, "You will make a peace of safety with Greece and you and they will wage war with your enemies behind you. And you will be given the victory and will plunder and will dwell in safety. Afterwards you will return until you descend to a pasturage on high land. Then a man of the Christians will raise a cross and will say, ' The cross gave us the victory.' Then a man of the Muslims will get angry and will beat him. And just then the Greeks will act treacherously and will gather together for battle." And some of them have added to this, " And the Muslims will rush to their weapons and fight. And God will honour that band of men with martyr- dom." ' Abu Ddud.

It is related from Abu Bakr that, ' The Apostle of God said, " A people of my followers will come down to low land called Busrah, near the river called the Tigris, over which there will be a bridge. Its inhabitants will be numerous. It will be one of the great cities of the Muslims. And when the end of time comes, the Bani Qantiira (namely the Turks) will come, broad- faced and small-eyed, until they come down to the bank of the river. And its inhabitants will be divided into three bands. One band will be employed with the tails of their cattle (i.e. in agriculture) .and in the desert, and they will be destroyed; and one band will be busy saving themselves and will be destroyed; and one band will place their children behind their backs and will fight and will become martyrs." ' Abu Ddud.

CONCERNING THE SIGNS OF THE HOUR OF RESURRECTION

It is related from Anas that he said, ' I heard the Apostle of God say, " Verily amongst the signs, of the hour is that knowledge will be taken away, and ignorance will be increased, and adultery will abound, and the drinking of wine will increase, and men will decrease in numbers and women will increase, until there will be fifty women for one man." ' Muslim, A I Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, The Apostle of God said, " The hour will not come until the Euphrates shall show a mountain of gold, over which men will fight. And of every hundred of them, ninety-nine will be killed. And every man of them will say, it may be that I shall be he who will be saved. ' ' Muslim.

It is related from Anas that, ' The Apostle of God said, 1 The first sign of the hour will be a fire which will drive men from the East to the West." 'Al Bukhdri.

It is related from 'Abdu'llah bin Hawalah that he said, ' The Apostle of God sent us on foot to get plunder; and we returned without having obtained any plunder. And he perceived the fatigue in our faces, and he stood up amongst us and said, " O God! do not entrust their affairs to me, for I am unable to manage them; and do not entrust their affairs to themselves, for they are impotent to carry them out; and do not entrust their affairs to men, for they will choose their own in preference to them." Then he placed his hand upon my head, and afterwards said, " O Ibn Hawalah, when thou seest that a Khalif has come down at the Holy Land, then earth- quakes and anxieties and severe happenings will be near at hand; and then the hour will be nearer to men than this hand of mine is to thy head."

It is related from Ibn Ma'siid that, ' The Apostle of God said, "The world will not come to an end until there reign over the Arabs a man of the people of my house whose name will agree with mine." ' At Tirmidhi, Abu Ddud.

It is related from Abu Qatadah that, ' The Apostle of God said, "The signs (of the day of resurrection) will come after two hundred (years)." ' Ibn Mdjah.

It is related from Thawban that, 'The Apostle of God said, " When ye see that black standards have come from the direction of Khorasan, then come to them; for verily with them will be the Khalif of God, Al Mahdi." 'Ahmad.

It is related from Abu Ishaq that, ' 'Ali said, as he looked at his son, Al Hasan, " Verily this son of mine is a Sayyad, as the Apostle of God named him; and there will come out of his loins a man called by the name of your Prophet, resembling him in disposition, but not in outward appearance." Then he repeated a story that (the promised one) would fill the earth with justice.'^/? Ddud.

ON THE SIGNS PRECEDING THE HOUR. OF RESURRECTION, AND ACCOUNTS OF ANTICHRIST

It is related from Hudhaifah bin Usaidu'l-Ghifari that he said, 'The Prophet came to us when we were conversing together and said, "What were ye talking about?" They said, "We were mentioning the hour of resurrection." He said, " It will never come until you see previous to it, ten signs." Then he mentioned the smoke, and Antichrist, and the beast, and the rising of the sun in the West, and the descent of Jesus, Son of Mary, and Gog and Magog, and three eclipses : an eclipse in the East and an eclipse in the West and an eclipse in the Island of Arabia. And at the end of that a fire which will come out from Yeman, and which will drive men towards the place where they will be gathered together for judgment.' Muslim.

It is related from 'Abdu'llah that, ' The Apostle of God said, "It is not hidden from you that God is not one-eyed. And verily the false Christ is blind in the right eye, as if his eye were a swollen grape." ' Muslim^ Al Bukhdri.

It is related from An Nawwas bin Sam'an that he said. 'The Apostle of God mentioned Antichrist and said, "If he comes forth whilst I am among you, I will repel him without your help. But if he come forth when I am not in your midst, a man will defend himself; and God is my Khalif over every Muslim. Verily Antichrist is a young man with crisp hair and dull eyes, as if I were likening him to 'Abdu'1-Uzza bin Qatan. Then whoever of you comes into contact with him, let him recite (as a protection) against him the opening verses of the Chapter of the Cave, for that will be a protection for you from his seditions. Verily he will come forth on a road mid-way between Syria and 'Iraq and will act corruptly on the right hand and on the left. O servants of God, be firm! " We said, O Apostle of God, how long will his stay be on the earth "? He replied, " Forty days, one day being like one year, and one day like a month, and one day like a week, and the rest of his days will be like your days." We said, "O Apostle of God, then in that day which will be like a year, will one day's prayers be sufficient for us? " He replied, " No. Compute its share of it for prayers." We said, "O Apostle of God, what is this hastening on the earth? " He replied, " It is like rain followed by wind; and he will come to a people and call them, and they will believe in him, and he will command the heavens, and they will send rain. And he will order the earth, and it will bring forth herbs. And their herds will come to them in the evening longer in their humps than they were before, and with full udders and extended flanks. After- wards he will come to a people, and will call them, but they will return his words to him. Then he will depart from them, and they will rise in the morning to find their land smitten with barrenness, and with nothing of their possess- ions in their hands. And he will pass by ruins and will say to them, 'Bring forth your treasures.' Then their treasures will follow him like male bees follow the females. After that he will call a man of full youth and will smite him with a sword and will cut him into two pieces like the shooting of an arrow at its mark. After that he will call him and he will draw near with gladness of countenance and laughing. And whilst Antichrist is acting thus, God will send Jesus, Son of Mary, and he will descend near a white tower to the east of Damascus, between two cloths of red, placing the palms of his hands upon the wings of two angles. When he will lower his head, it will drop (perspiration), and when he will raise it up, there will fall from him beads like pearls. And it will not be permitted for any infidel touched by his breath to do aught but die. And his breath will reach as far as the eye can reach. And he will search for the Antichrist until he finds him at the gate of Ludc^; and he will kill him. After that a people will come to Jesus whom God has' preserved; and he will stroke their faces in comfort, and will inform them of the degree of eminence they will attain in paradise. And whilst he is doing that, behold! God will send a revelation to Jesus (saying), 'Verily I have brought out servants of mine, whom it is not possible for any to fight. Then give my servants a refuge in Mount Sinai.' And God will send Gog and Magog, and they will come swiftly from every high land, and the first of them will pass over the Lake of Tiberias; and they will drink up what is in it. Then the last of them will pass over and will say, ' Verily there was at one time water in this lake.' After that they will go on until they reach the mountain of Khamar, which is the mountain of Jerusalem. And they will say, ' We have killed those who were on the earth, then come and let us kill all who are in the heavens.' And they will cast their wooden arrows towards the sky; but God will return them upon themselves dyed with blood. And the Prophet of God (Jesus) and his companions will be prevented (from descending the mount) until the head of an ox becomes better for one of them than one hundred dinars is this day to one of you. And Jesus, the Prophet of God, and his companions will pray, and God will send to them (Gog and Magog) worms in their necks; and in the morning they will be as one dead person. After that Jesus, the Prophet of God, and his com- panions will go down to the earth, but they will not find in the earth the place of a span that their fat and stench have not filled. Then Jesus, the Prophet of God, and his companions will pray to God, and God will send birds like the necks of camels, and they will carry (the corpses) away and cast them where God wishes." And in another tradition it runs, "They will cast them into Nahbal." And the Muslims will make fires of their bows and wooden arrows and quivers for seven years. After that God will send a rain, and no dwelling of masonry or of hair will escape from it; and it will wash the earth clean until it leaves it like a slippery (surface). After that it will be said to the earth, ' Bring forth thy fruits, and send back thy blessings! ' On that day a troop of men will eat from one pomegranate, and will shade themselves with its rind. And the earth will be blessed in the matter of milk until one female camel will suffice for a great multitude of men; and a cow will suffice for a whole tribe of men; and one female sheep will suffice for one clan of a tribe. And whilst they are in this condition, behold! God will send a pleasant wind; and it will take them under their armpits, and it will take the soul of every believer and every Muslim. And the wicked amongst men, who created discord on the earth like the quarrelling of asses, will remain, and the hour (of resurrection) will come upon them." ' Muslim.

It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, " Seventy thousand Jews of Ispahan will follow Antichrist; and on them will be robes such as are worn by learned men." '-> Muslim.

It is related from 'Abdu'llah bin 'Omar that, ' The Apostle of God said, "I saw myself to-night near the Ka'bah; and I saw a man the colour of wheat, like the best of any wheat- coloured man whom thou hast seen; and he had a lock of hair like the best of the locks of hair which thou hast seen. He had dressed it, and it was dripping with water as he leaned on the shoulders of two men whilst going round the House (of God). Then I said, 'Who is this?' They replied, 'This is the Messiah, the Son of Mary.' He said, ' Then behold! I saw a man with wrinkled and curly hair, blind in the right eye, as if his eye were a swollen grape, like as if he resembled a man whom ye have seen named Ibn Qatn. And he was placing his hands upon the shoulders of two men as he went round the house. Then I asked, ' Who is this? ' They replied, 'This is Antichrist." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri. And in another tradition it runs, 'He said, with reference to the Antichrist, " He was a man red and corpulent, with a head of curly hair, and blind in his right eye. The man most near to him in appearance is Ibn

r~\ A ' ' '

Qatn.

It is related from Abu Sa'idu'l-Khudri that, ' The Apostle of God said, " Seventy thousand people of my followers will follow Antichrist, arrayed in black clothes." Sharhu s-Sunnah.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' The Prophet said, "Antichrist will come forth on an intensely white ass. The distance between its ears will be seventy cubits." ' Al Baihaqi.

THE STORY OF IBN $AYYAD

It is related from Nafi' that Ibn 'Omar used to say, " By God! I have no doubt that the Antichrist is Ibn $ayyad, " ' Abu Ddud, CONCERNING THE COMING DOWN OF JESUS

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' The Apostle of God said, " By Him in whose hand is my life! it is certainly on the point of coming to pass that the Son of Mary will descend amongst you as a just judge. And he will break the cross in pieces, and will kill the swine and will set aside the poll-tax. And wealth will abound to such an extent that no one will accept it; and one prostration in prayer will be better than the world and all that is therein." Then Abu Hurairah said, "If you doubt this then (read the revelation), 'There shall be none of the People of the Book, but will certainly believe on him before his death. ' u Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Jabir that, 'The Apostle of God said, "A party of my followers will continue to victoriously fight for the truth till the day of resurrection. And Jesus, the Son of Mary, will come down; and their prince will say, ' Come and say the prayers for us.' And he will reply, ' No, verily some of you are princes over others, because of God's honouring this people." ' Muslim.

It is related from 'Abdu'llah bin 'Amru that, ' The Apostle of God said, " Jesus, Son of Mary, will descend to the earth, and will marry, and children will be born to him. And he will remain on the earth forty-five years. After that he will die and be buried with me in my grave. And Jesus, Son of Mary, and I will rise in one grave between Abu Bakr and 'Omar." ' I b mi I- Jaw 21 in Kitdbii l-Wafdi '.

CONCERNING THE APPROACH OF THE HOUR OF RESURRECTION

It is related from 'Ayesha that she said, ' Some men of the desert Arabs used to come to the Prophet and ask him about the hour of resurrection; and he used to look at the youngest of them and say, " If this youth lives, the weakness of old age will not overtake him until your hour comes to you." Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

Qur'an, Suratu'n-Nisa' (jv) 159, THE HOUR OF RESURRECTION WILL NOT COME EXCEPT ON WICKED MEN

It is related from 'Abdu'llah bin Ma'sud that, 'The Apostle of God said, " The hour will not come except upon the wicked of creation." ' Muslim.

It is related from 'Ayesha that she said, ' I heard the Apostle of God say, " Day and night will not cease so long as Al Lat and Al Uzza are worshipped." Then I said, "O Apostle of God, I certainly thought when God sent down the revelation, ' It is He who hath sent His Apostle with the direction and true religion, that He may cause it to appear superior to every religion, although the idolaters be averse thereto, ' that idolatry would come to an end." He replied, "Such will continue so long as God wills. Afterwards God will send a pleasant wind, and then everyone in whose heart is faith of the measure of a barley grain will be made to die; and those who have no good in them will remain, and will return to the religion of their fathers." ' Muslim.

CONCERNING THE BLOWING OF THE TRUMPET

It is related from 'Ayesha that she said, ' I asked the Apostle of God concerning the revelation, "The day will come when the earth will be changed into another earth, and the heaven (into another heaven.)" 1 and said, "Where will men be on that day?" He replied, " On the bridge (over hell)." -Muslim. It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' The Apostle of God said, "The sun and the moon will be folded up like a turban on the day of resurrection." ' Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Sa'id that he said, ' The Apostle of of God mentioned the blower of the trumpet and said, "On his right will be Gabriel and on his left Michael."

CONCERNING THE GATHERING TOGETHER

It is related from Ibn 'Abbas that, 'The Prophet said, "Verily ye will be gathered together (at the resurrection) barefooted, naked and uncircumcised." After that he recited the revelation, "As we made the first creature, so will we also reproduce it. This is a promise incumbent upon us. We will

1 Qur'an.Suratu Ibrahim (jdv) 48, surely perform it." And the first who will be clothed on the day of resurrection will be Abraham. And verily some men of my companions will be taken to the left (for punishment). And I will say, "My companions! my companions!' But he will say, " Verily they are always turning back on their heels ever since thou separated from them." Then I will say, as did the good servant (Jesus), " I was a witness over them so long as I remained amongst them (but since thou hast taken me to thyself, thou hast been the watcher over them; for thou art witness of all things. If thou punish them, they are surely thy servants; and if thou forgive them, thou art mighty and wise.)" ' 2 Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, 'The Prophet said, 11 Abraham will meet his father Azar on the day of resurrect- ion; and on the face of Azar will be blackness and dust. And Abraham will say to him, ' Did I not say to thee, disobey me not.' And his father will say to him, ' To-day I will not disobey thee.' Then Abraham will say, ' O Lord, Thou didst promise me that thou wouldst not disgrace me on the day when men would be raised. Then what disgrace is greater than that my father is the farthest removed (from Thy mercy)?' Then God Most High will reply, ' Verily I have made paradise forbidden for the infidels.' After that it will be said to Abraham, ' Look at what is beneath thy feet.' Then he will look and behold his father will become an animal smeared with mud; and he will be taken by his feet and cast into the fire." ' Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Sa'idu'l Khudri that, ' The Prophet said, " God Most High will say, 'O Adam! ' He will reply, ' Here I am at Thy service; and all good is in Thy hands.' God will say, ' Bring forth the army of the fire.' He will reply, ' What is the army of the fire? ', He will say, ' From every thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine.' At this time the little ones of the earth will become young men, and every pregnant woman will miscarry, and you will see men as drunkards, though in reality they are not drunkards; but the punishment of God will be severe." They said, " O Apostle of God, who of us is that one (amongst the thousand)?" He replied, "Rejoice, for verily from you

1 Qur'an, Suratu'l-Anbiya' (xxi) 104,

Qur'an, Suratu'l-Ma'ida (v) 120, will be one man, and from Gog and Magog a thousand." Afterwards he said, " By Him in whose hand is my life! I hope that you will be one-fourth of the inhabitants of paradise." Then we said, "God is great! " And he said, " I hope that you will be one-third of the inhabitants of paradise." Then we said, " God is great!" And he said, " I hope that you will be one-half of the inhabitants of paradise." And we said, " God is great! ' He said, " You will be amongst men nothing else but as one black hair on the skin of a white ox, or like a white hair on the skin of a black ox." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

ON THE RECKONING, AND THE RETALIATION, AND THE SCALES

It is related from Abu Miisa that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When the day of resurrection arrives, God will hand over a Jew or a Christian to every Muslim, and will say, ' This is thy redemption from the fire.' ' Muslim.

It is related from Abu Sa'idu'l-Khudri that, ' The Apostle of God said, " Noah will be brought on the day of resurrection; and it will be said to him, ' Didst thou make known (the message of God)? ' He will reply, ' Yes, O my Lord.' Then his people will be asked, ' Did he make known to you the message?' They will say, 'No warner came to us.' And it will be said (to Noah), 'Who are thy witnesses?' He will reply, 'Muhammad and his people.' Then the Apostle of God said, "Then you will be brought, and will bear witness that he has made known the message (to mankind)." After that the Apostle of God recited (the words), " Thus have we placed you an intermediate nation, that ye may be witnesses against the rest of mankind, and that the Apostle may be a witness against you." ' Al Bukhdri.

It is related from 'Ayesha that, ' She remembered the fire (of hell) and wept. Then the Apostle of God said, "What makes thee weep? ' She replied, " I wept, remembering the fire. Wilt thou remember thy family on the day of resurrect- ion'? " The Apostle of God replied, "There are three places at which one person will not remember another : at the scales, until he shall know whether his scales will be light or heavy; at the book, when it will be said, ' Come and read the records,' until he knows where his book will be put, whether in his right hand or in his left behind his back; and at the bridge, when it will be placed over the midst of hell." ' Abu Ddud.

It is related from 'Ayesha that she said, ' I heard the Apostle of God saying in certain of his prayers, " O God, take from me an easy account." I said, "O Prophet of God, what is an easy account? ' He replied, "That He looks into His book and passes over it. Verily, O 'Ayesha, he from whom an exact account will be taken on that day will perish." Ahmad.

It is related from Asma ' bint Yazid that, ' The Apostle of God said, " Men will be gathered together on one plain on the day of resurrection; and a herald will cry and say, ' Where are those people whose sides removed themselves from the beds (in order to pray at night.)' Then they will stand up > and they will be few in number, and will enter paradise without (giving an) account. After that the rest of men will be ordered to give an account." ' Al Baihagi.

CONCERNING THE POND AND INTERCESSION It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, 1 Whilst I was going through paradise, behold I came to a river, the two shores of which were domes made of hollow pearls. I said, * O Gabriel, what is this? ' He replied, ' This is (the pond called) Kawthar which thy Lord hath given thee.' And behold its clay was strong-smelling musk." ' Al Bukhdri. It is related from Sahl bin Sa'd that, ' The Apostle of God said, " Verily I will go before you to the pond. Whoever will pass by me will drink; and he who drinks will never thirst for evermore. And certain peoples will certainly be brought back to me whom I will recognize; and they will recognize me. After that something will be placed between them and me, and I will say, ' Verily they are of my people.' And it will be said, ' Verily thou dost not know what innovations they made after thee.' Then I will say, ' Begone! begone! those who changed (my religion) after me." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Anas that, 'The Prophet said, V The believers will be confined on the day of resurrection, so that they will be rilled with anxiety and will say, '(Better would it be) if we had sought the intercession (of some one) with our Lord, and He had taken us from this place of ours.' Then they will come to Adam and will say, ' Thou art Adam, the father of mankind! God created thee with His own hand and caused thee to dwell in His garden, and the angels prostrated before thee and taught thee the names of all things, therefore intercede for us with thy Lord, so that He take us from this place of ours.' Then he will reply, ' I am not worthy '; and he will remember his sin which he committed in eating of the tree when he had been forbidden it. But (he will say), 'Come to Noah, the first prophet whom God sent to the people of the earth.' Then they will come to Noah, but he will say, ' I am not worthy 1 , and he will remember his sin which he committed in asking his Lord without knowledge; but (he will say), ' Come to Abraham, the friend of the Merciful.' Then they will come to Abraham, and he will say, 'I am not worthy,' and he will remember three falsehoods which he spoke; but (he will say) t 'Come to Moses, a servant to whom God gave the Taurat and with whom He spake and caused him to draw near in order to impart secret communications to him.' Then they will come to Moses, but he will say, ' I am not worthy, ' and he will remember his sin which he committed in killing a soul; but (he will say) 'Come to Jesus, the Servant of God and His Apostle, and the Spirit of God and His Word. ' Then they will come to Jesus and He will say, 'I am not worthy, but come to Muhammad, a servant whose former and latter sins God has forgiven.' Then they will come to me, and I will ask permission of my Lord to enter His house; and permission will be given me for that* And when I shall see Him I will fall down in prostration. And God will leave me as long as He wishes to leave me, and will then say, 'Raise (thy head) O Muhammad; and speak, and thou wilt be heard; intercede, and thy intercession will be accepted; ask, and it will be given thee.' Then I will raise up my head, and will praise my Lord with praises and adorations which He will tell me. After that I will intercede, and a limit will be fixed for me, and I will go forth. And I will bring them out of the fire and take them into paradise. After that I will return a second time and ask permission of my Lord to enter His house. And permission will be given me for that. And when I see Him I will fall down in prostration; and God will leave me as long as He wishes to leave me. After that He will say, ' Raise up (thy head) O Muhammad, and speak, and thou wilt be heard; intercede, and thy intercession will be accepted; ask, and it will be given thee.' Then I will raise my head and praise my Lord with praises and adorations which He will teach me. After that I will intercede, and a limit will be fixed for me, and I will go forth. And I will bring them out of the fire and take them into paradise. After that I will return a third time and ask permission of my Lord to enter His house, and permission will be given me for that. And when I see Him I will fall down in prostration; and God will leave me as long as He wishes to leave me. After that He will say, 'Raise (thy head) O Muhammad, and speak, and thou wilt be heard; intercede, and thine intercession will be accepted; ask, and it will be given thee.' Then I will raise my head, and will praise my Lord with praises and adorations which He will teach me. After that I will intercede, and a limit will be fixed for me, and I will g'o forth. And I will bring them out from the fire and take them into paradise, until there remain in the fire none except him whom the Qur'an has restrained, that is he for whom eternal punishment is proper." After that he recited this verse, " Peradventure thy Lord raise thee to an honourable station." (*Anas) said, ' And this is the honourable station which He promised your Prophet.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from 'Abdu'llah bin 'Amru binu'l-'As that, 1 The Prophet recited the words of God Most High concerning (the prayer of) Abraham, "My Lord, verily they have led many astray, therefore whoever follows me, he is of me. And Jesus said, "If Thou punish them, verily they are Thy servants." Then (the Prophet) raised his hands and said, "O God, my people! my people! " and wept. Then God Most High said, "O Gabriel, go to Muhammad and thy Lord knoweth- and ask him what makes him weep." Then Gabriel came to him and asked him; and the Apostle of God informed him what he had said. Then God said to Gabriel, "Go to Muhammad and say, ' Verily we will satisfy thee in the matter of thy people, and will not grieve thee.' Muslim.

1 Qur'an, Suratu Bani Isra'il (xvii) 18. It is related from Abu Sa'idu'l-Khudri that, ' Some men said, " O Apostle of God, shall we see our Lord on the day of resurrection?" The Apostle of God replied, "Yes. Do ye doubt concerning your seeing the sun at mid-day, when there is a clear sky and no clouds, and do ye doubt your seeing the moon on the night of full moon, when there is a clear sky and no cloud therein?" They replied, "No, O Apostle of God." He said, "Ye will not doubt the vision of God on the day of resurrection any more than ye doubt the seeing of one of those two. When the day of resurrection arrives a herald will call, 1 Let all people follow what they used to worship.' Then no one will remain who worshipped idols and images instead of God, but they will, one after another, fall into the fire; until when none remains except those who used to worship God, both the righteous and the wicked, the Lord of the worlds will come to them and say, ' What are ye considering? Every people follows that which it used to worship.' They will reply, ' O our Lord; we left the company of men in the world, though we needed many things of them; and we did not company with them.' ' And in another tradition from Abu Hurairah it runs, ' They will say, " This is our place until our Lord comes to us, and when our Lord comes, we will recognize Him." And in another tradition from Abu Sa'id it runs, ' He will say, " Is there between you and Him a sign by which you will recognize Him?" And they will say, "Yes," and they will be shown legs. And no one of those who used to worship with desire will remain, but God will give him permission to prostrate himself. And none of those who used to prostrate in fear and hypocrisy will remain, but God will make his back one layer (of bone) so that whenever he wishes to prostrate, he will fall down upon the back of his head. After that a bridge will be placed over hell, and intercession will take place. And they will say, "O God, give safety! give safety! " And (some of) the believers will pass over like the twinkling of an eye, and (some) like lightning, and like the wind, and like birds, and like horses, and like camels. And they will be saved in peace. And some will be scratched and then sent off, and some will be cut with lances, until, when the believers are released from the fire, then by Him in whose hand is my life! there is not one of you more earnest in seeking the lost in truth. It has been confirmed for you from the believers in their prayer to God at the day of resurrection for their brethren who are in the fire. They will say (in their intercessory prayer), "O our Lord, they used to fast with us, and they used to pray and go on pilgrimage." Then it will be said to them, " Bring out whomsoever ye wish." And their countenances will be forbidden the fire, and they will bring out many people. After that they will say, "Our Lord, not one remains in it of those concerning whom Thou com- mandedst us." Then He will say, " Return and bring out him in whose heart, ye find the measure of one dinar of good." Then they will bring out many people. After that He will say, " Return, and bring out him in whose heart ye find the measure of half a dinar of good." Then they will bring out many people. After that He will say, " Return, and bring out him in whose heart ye fijid the measure of one atom of good." Then they will bring out many people. After that they will say, "Our Lord, we have not left in it any good." Then God will say, "The angels have interceded, and the prophets have interceded, and the believers have interceded, and there is nothing left except the Most Merciful." Then He will take a handful from the fire and will take out therefrom a people who have never done any good, and who had become like coals. And He will cast them into a river near the doors of paradise, called the river of life. And they will emerge therefrom as a kernel of grain comes out from the husk, and they will come out as pearls. On their necks will be seals. And the inhab- itants of paradise will say, "These are those who have been released by the Merciful. He has brought them into paradise without their doing any works or good actions which they had sent before them." And it will be said to them, "The things ye see are for you, and with them are others like them." Muslim , Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Anas that, ' The Prophet said, " Verily the heat of the fire will afflict certain peoples as a punishment for the sins which they have committed. Afterwards God will bring them into paradise by the grace of His mercy; and they will be called infernals." Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Dharr that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily I certainly know the last of the inhabitants of paradise who will enter therein, and the last of the inhabitants of the fire who will come out therefrom. (He will be) a man who will be brought on the day of resurrection, and it will be said, (to the angels), ' Bring forth his small sins, and place them before him, and take away from him the great sins.' Then his small sins will be placed before him, and it will be said to him, ' On such and such a day thou didst so and soj and on such and such a day thou didst so and so.' And he will say, ' Yes,' and will not be able to deny it, and during that time he will be in anxious dread concerning his greater sins, that they will be paraded before him. And it will be said to him, ' Verily there will be (written down) for thee a virtue in the place of every sin.' Then he will say, ' My Lord, I did things which I do not see here.' (Abu Dharr) said, 'And I certainly saw the Apostle of God laugh until his front teeth appeared.' ' ' Muslim.

It is related from Anas that, 'The Prophet said, "My intercession is for those of my followers who commit mortal sins." ' At Tirmidhi, Abu Ddud, Ibn Mdjah.

It is related from Awf bin Malik that, ' The Apostle of God said, " A messenger came to me from my Lord and gave me an option to choose between half of my people entering paradise, and my intercession (for the whole). And I chose intercession, which is for whoever dies without having associated anything with God." ' At Tirmidhi, Ibn Mdjah.

It is related from Abu Sa'id that, ' The Apostle of God said, "There are some of my followers who will intercede for a multitude, and there are some of them who will intercede for a tribe, and some of them who will intercede for a small number not exceeding forty, and some of them who will intercede for a single individual until they enter paradise." ' At Tirmidht.

It is related from 'Othman bin 'Affan that, 'The Apostle of God said, " Three classes will intercede on the day of resur- rection : the prophets, then the learned, then the martyrs." ' Ibn Mdjah.

A DESCRIPTION OF PARADISE AND THE INHABITANTS THEREOF

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' The Apostle of God said, " God Most High said, ' I have prepared for my righteous servants what eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor what hath entered into the heart of man.' Then recite, if ye wish, (the words) 'No soul knoweth the complete satisfaction which is secretly prepared for them (as a reward for that which they have wrought).' ' * Muslim, Al Bickhdri.

It is related from Abu Musa that, ' The Apostle of God said, " Verily there will be in paradise a tent for the believer made of one hollow pearl, the length of which will be sixty miles. In every corner of it there will be people. They will not see each other, and the believer will go round from one to the other. And there will be two paradises, the vessels of which and whatever is in them will be of silver. And there will be two paradises, the vessels of which and whatever is in them will be of gold. And there will be nothing between the people and their looking at their Lord except the mantle of majesty on His face in the garden of Eden." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdrt.

It is related from Anas that, ' The Apostle of God said, 'Verily in paradise there is a bazaar to which men come on every Friday. And the north wind blows and shakes musk on their faces and on their clothes; and they are increased in beauty and handsomeness. Then they return to their families being increased in beauty and handsomeness. And their families say to them, * By God! ye have been increased, since 'leaving us, in beauty and handsomeness.' And they will say, * And ye also, by God! have been increased, since leaving us, in beauty and handsomeness.' ' ' Muslim.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' The Apostle of God said, " Whoever enters paradise will live in ease and see no trouble. His clothes will not grow old, nor his youth fade away." ' Muslim.

It is related from 'Utbah bin Ghazwan that he said, ' It was mentioned to us that a stone was cast from the edge of hell, and it fell into it for seventy years and did not reach the bottom. And by God! it will certainly be filled. And it was mentioned to us that what is between the two halves of the door of paradise is a journey of forty years. And a day will certainly come to it when it will be filled with a pressing crowd. ' Muslim.

1 Qur'an, Suratu's-Sajda (xxxii), 17. It is related from Buraidah that, 'A man said, " O Apostle of God, are there horses in paradise? " He replied, " Verily if God take thee to paradise, thou wilt not wish to be carried in it on a ruby horse which will fly with thee in paradise wherever thou wish, but thou wilt do so." Then a man asked a question and said, " O Apostle of God, are there any camels in paradise? " (Buraidah) said, "He did not say to him what he said to his companion. And he said, ' If God bring thee into paradise, there will be for thee therein whatever thy soul desires and whereby thine eye can be satisfied.' " ' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from Abu Sa'id that, ' The Apostle of God said, "The meanest of the inhabitants of paradise is he who will have eighty thousand servants and seventy-two wives. And he will have a dome made of pearls, chrysolite, and rubies, (in extent) like the distance between Al Jabiya and an'a'. And they who die, whether young or old, of those who go to paradise, will in paradise all return to thirty years of age. They will never exceed that age. And in like manner the inhabitants of the fire (will return to thirty years of age). And there will be crowns upon the inhabitants of paradise, the meanest pearl of which will certainly light up all that lies between the East and the West. And when a believer wishes for a son in paradise, then his conception and birth and full age will be accomplished in one hour as he wished." And Ishaq bin Ibrahim said in this tradition, " When a believer in paradise wishes for a son, it will be accomplished in an hour; but he will not wish it." ' At TirmidJn.

It is related from Hakim bin Mu'awiyah that, ' The Apostle of God said, u Verily in paradise there is a large river of water, and a large river of honey, and a large river of milk, and a large river of wine. Afterwards they 'will divide up (into smaller rivers)." ' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from Jabir that, ' A man asked the Apostle of God, " Do the inhabitants of paradise sleep? " He replied, " Sleep is the brother of death; and the inhabitants of paradise do not die." ' Al Baihaqi.

CONCERNING THE VISION OF GOD MOST HIGH

It is related from uhaib that, 'The Prophet said, "When the people destined for paradise will enter therein, God Most High will say to them, ' Do ye wish for anything which I can add to you? ' They will say, ' Hast thou not made our faces white! hast thou not brought us into paradise and saved us from the fire!' (The Prophet) said, " Then a veil will be raised, and they will look at the face of God Most High; and nothing will be given them which will please them more than the look- ing at their Lord." After that he recited (the words) "For those who do right shall be a most excellent (reward), and a superabundant addition." '* Muslim.

It is related from Abu Dharr that he said, ' I asked the Apostle of God, " Didst thou see thy Lord? " He replied, "(He is) a Light; how should I see Him! " ' Muslim.

It is related from Al Sha'bi that he said, ' Ibn 'Abbas met Ka'b at 'Arafat and asked him concerning a certain thing. Then he said, " God is great," until the mountains returned the echo. Then Ibn 'Abbas said, " We belong to the Bani Hashim." Ka'b replied, " Verily God Most High divided His vision and His conversation between Muhammad and Moses. He spoke to Moses twice; and Muhammad saw Him twice." Masriiq said, "Then I went into 'Ayesha and said, ' Did Muhammad see his Lord? ' She replied, ' Thou hast spoken of something on account of which my hair stands on end! ' I said, ' Gently! Then I recited (the words) ' He certainly saw some of the great- est signs of his Lord.' She said, ' Where are the words taking thee? It was only Gabriel. Whoever tells you that Muham- mad saw his Lord, or that he concealed anything of what he was commanded, or that he knew the five things of which God Most High spoke, that with him is the knowledge of the hour of resurrection, and he sends down the rain, etc., has told a great He. But he saw Gabriel. He did not see him in his proper form except on two occasions : once near the tree $idrutu'l- Muntaha, and once in Ajyad. He had six hundred wings, and he had closed the extremities (of the heavens).' ' ' At Tirmidhi.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRE AND THE INHABITANTS THEREOF

It is related from An Nu'man bin Bashir that, ' The Apostle of God said, " Verily the inhabitant of the fire who is

1 Qur'an, Suratu Yunas (x) 26. least punished is he whose two shoes and their thongs are of fire. His brains boil therefrom as a copper cauldron boils. It will not seem to him as if anyone suffers more severe punishment than he; and yet in reality he is the least punished of them." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Samurah bin Jundub that, ' The Prophet said, " Amongst them will be those whom the fire will take up to the ankles, and' those whom the fire will take up to the knees, and those whom the fire will take up to the waist, and those whom the fire will take up to the collar-bone." ' Muslim.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' The Prophet said, "The fire of hell burnt for one thousand years until it became red; then it burnt for a thousand years until it became white; then it burnt for a thousand years until it became black. Therefore it is (now) black and dark." ' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from Anas that, 'The Prophet said, " O men, weep; and if ye are not able to do so, then make yourselves weep. For verily the inhabitants of the fire weep in the fire until the tears flow down their faces as if they were rivulets, until the tears cease. Then blood flows, until the eyes become ulcers. Then had there been boats which could be placed therein, they would certainly float." ' Sharlm s-Sunnah.

It is related from Ibn 'Omar that, 'The Prophet said, "The inhabitants of the fire will be made of large proportions in the fire, so that between the lobe of the ear of any one of them to his shoulder will be a journey of seven hundred years; and the thickness of his skin will be seventy cubits; and his molar tooth will be like (Mount) 'Uhud."

It is related from Al Hasan that he said, ' Abu Hurairah informed us that the Apostle of God said, "The sun and the moon are two lights which will be bound and cast into the fire on the day of resurrection." Al Hasan said, "What was their sin? " He replied, " I have related it to thee as I heard it from the Apostle of God." Then Al Hasan remained silent. '- Al Baihaqi.

CONCERNING THE CREATION OF PARADISE AND THE FIRE

It is related from Anas that, 'The Prophet said, "(Men) will continue to be cast into hell; and it will say, 'Are there any more? ' until the Lord of Glory puts His foot in it. Then some parts of it will contract into others; and it will say, ' Enough! enough! by Thy honour and Thy glory! ' And abundance of room will continue in paradise, until God creates a creation for it and causes them to inhabit the superfluous parts of paradise." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

CONCERNING THE BEGINNING OF CREATION AND MENTION OF THE PROPHETS

It is related from 'Omar that he said, * The Apostle of God stood up in our midst and related to us the beginning of creation until the people destined for paradise entered their abodes, and the people destined for the fire entered theirs, He who remembered it, remembered it; and he who forgot it, forgot it.' Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, * The Apostle of God said, " Abraham did not lie except on three occasions: two of them for the sake of God, when he said, * I am sick,' and when he said, 'Rather, the largest one of them did it.' And (the Prophet) said, "On a certain day when Abraham and Sarah came to a great tyrant, it was remarked to the latter, ' Verily there is a man here, accompanied by a most beautiful woman.' Then he sent to Abraham and asked him concerning her (saying) ' Who is this woman? ' He replied, ' She is my sister.' Then he came to Sarah and said to her, 'Verily if this tyrant knows that thou art my wife, he will overcome me in order to possess thee. Therefore if he ask thee, tell him that thou art my sister in Islam, for there is not on the face of the earth a single believer except thou and I.' Then the tyrant sent to her, and she was brought. And Abraham stood up to pray. And when she entered in where the tyrant was, he went to put forth his hand to take her, but he was withheld. And it is recorded that he was made to snort (in distress), until his feet began to strike on the ground. Then he said, ' Call on God for me, and I will do thee no harm.' Then she called on God, and he was released. Afterwards he attempted to take her a second time, but was withheld as at the first, or more severely. Then he said, ' Call on God for me, and I will do thee no harm.' So she called on God, and he was released. Then he called one of his attendants and said, ' Verily thou hast not brought me a human being; thou hast only brought me a Satan.' Then he gave her Hagar as a servant. And she came to Abraham when he was standing praying. Then he beckoned with his hand seeking to know her state. She replied, ' God returned the stratagem of the infidel upon his own breast; and he has made Hagar my servant. ' ' Abu Hurairah said, ' That is your mother, O children of the water of heaven.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that he said, ' A man of the Muslims and a man of the Jews were abusing each other. And the Muslim said, " By Him who preferred Muhammad over all the worlds! " And the Jew said, " By Him who preferred Moses over all the worlds! " Then the Muslim raised his hand at that and struck the Jew's face. Then the Jew went to the Prophet and informed him of what had passed between him and the Muslim. Then the Prophet called the Muslim and asked him about the matter. And he told him. Then the Prophet said, ' Do not give me precedence over Moses; for verily men will fall down senseless on the day of resurrection, and I will fall down senseless with them. And I will be the first of those who come to their senses, and behold! Moses will be standing near the side of the throne. And I will not know whether he was amongst those who swooned and came to his senses before me, or whether he was amongst those whom God exempted (from the swooning)."

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The angel of death came to Moses bin 'Imran and said to him, 'Accept the order of thy Lord (to die).' Then Moses struck the angel of death in the eye and blinded it. Then the angel returned to God Most High and said, ' Verily Thou didst send me'to one of Thy servants who does not wish for death, and he has blinded my eye.' Then God returned his eye to him, and said, ' Return to my servant and say, "Is it life thou desirest? If thou desirest life, then place thy hand on the back of an ox, and thou wilt live in years equal to the number of hairs which thy hand covers." Moses said, 'And what after that?' He replied, 'After that thou wilt die.' He said, 'Then (let me die) now. O Lord, bring me near to the Holy Land, or within a stone's throw of it.' ' The Apostle of God said, " By God! If I had come near it, I would have shown you his grave on the side of the road near a red heap." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Ibn 'Abbas that, ' The Prophet said, " On the night on which I was taken to heaven, I saw Moses : a man of the colour of wheat, tall and of curly hair, as if he were one of the men of Shami'ah. And I saw Jesus : a man of medium stature, inclining to red and .white, and with the hair of his head hanging down. And I saw Malik, the 'keeper of the fire, and (I saw) Antichrist." (These were) amongst the signs which God showed to him. Therefore be not in doubt concern- ing his meeting them.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' The Prophet said, ' There were two women, each of whom had a son. And there came a wolf and took away the son of one of them. Then her companion said, * It has only taken thy son.' But the other said, ' It only went off with thy son.' Then they went to David for judgement. And he gave judgement in favour of the elder woman. Then they went out to Solomon, the son of David, and informed him. He said, ' Bring me a knife, and I will divide the remaining son between you.' Then the younger woman said, ' Do not do so. May God have mercy on thee! He is her son.' Then he gave judgement in favour of the younger woman." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Musa that, ' The Prophet said, "Many amongst men were perfect; but none amongst women were perfect except Mary, daughter of ' Imran, and Asiyah the wife of Pharaoh. And the excellence of 'Ayesha over women is like the excellence of bread soup over all other food." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Jabir bin 'Abdu'llah that, 'The -Apostle of God said, " It has been permitted me to tell you about the one amongst the angels of God who bears up the throne. Verily the distance between the lobe of his ears and his shoulder is a journey of seven hundred years." ' Abu Ddud.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that he said, ' The Apostle of God took hold of my hand and said, "God created the earth on Saturday, and he created the mountains on it on Sunday, and He created the trees on Monday, and He created all unpleasant things on Tuesday, and He created the light on Wednesday, and he spread abroad the beasts therein on Thursday, and He created Adam after the afternoon of Friday at the end of the creation, and in the last hour of the day, that is, between the afternoon and nightfall." ' Muslim.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' The Apostle of God said, "The length of Adam was sixty cubits and his breadth seven cubits."

It is related from Abu Dharr that he said, 'I said, "O Apostle of God, who of the prophets was the first?" He replied, " Adam," I said, " O Apostle of God, and was he a prophet?' He replied, " Yes, he was a prophet who was spoken to (by God)." I said, "O Apostle of God, how many apostles were there?" He replied, "Three hundred and a few more than ten a great crowd." And in another tradition from Abu Umamah it runs, 'I said, "O Apostle of God, what is the full number of the prophets? " He replied, " One hundred and twenty-four thousand, of whom three hundred and fifteen were apostles a great crowd."

CONCERNING THE EXCELLENCIES OF THE PRINCE OF THE APOSTLES

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' The Apostle of God said, " I shall be chief of the sons of Adam on the day of resurrection, and the first for whom the grave will split open, and the first to intercede, and the first whose intercession will be accepted." ' Muslim.

It is related from Anas that, ' The Apostle of God said, " I shall have more followers than any other prophet on the day of resurrection; and I shall be the first to knock at the door of paradise. ' ' ' Muslim.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' The Apostle of God said, " There is no prophet, but was given miracles suitable to his case, so that men believed on him. But that which was given to me was only revelation, which God revealed to me; and I hope that I shall have more followers than they on the day of resurrection." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdn.

It is related from Jabir that, ' The Apostle of God said, 'I have been given five (qualities) which were not given to any before me. I have been given victory through fear (inspired by me) at a distance of a month's journey; and the world has been made a pure place of prayer for me, so that wherever the time of prayer arrives for a man of my followers, let him pray there; and plunder has been made lawful for me, and it was not made lawful for anyone before me; and I have been given intercession; and (formerly) a prophet was sent especially to his own nation, but I have been sent to all men generally." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdrt.

It is related from Al ' Irbatf bin Sariyah that, ' The Apostle of God said, " Verily I was written down near God as the seal of the prophets when Adam was twisted up in his own clay; and I shall inform you of the first matters connected with me, namely the prayer of Abraham (' Send an apostle from amongst themselves'), and the good news preached by Jesus (of the coming of one named Ahmad), and the vision of my mother which she saw when she gave birth to me, and there came forth a light for her by which the palaces of Syria shined forth." Sharhii s-Sunnah.

It is related from Ibn 'Abbas that he said, 'Some men of the companions of the Apostle of God were sitting; and he came forth so that when he came near to them he heard them discuss- ing things with each other. And some of them said, "Verily God took Abraham as a friend"; and another said," Moses talked with God"; another said, "Jesus was the Word of God and His Spirit"; another said, "God chose Adam". And the Apostle of God came out to them and said, " I have heard your words and your surprise that Abraham was the friend of God, and he was such; and that Moses received secret communications from God, and it was so; and that Jesus was His Spirit and His Word, and He was so; and that God chose Adam, and it was so. Beware! I am the Beloved of God, and there is no boasting, and I will be the bearer of the standard of praise on the day of resurrection, and under it will be Adam and all others besides him, and there is no boasting. And I shall be the first interces- sor, and the first whose intercession will be accepted on the day of resurrection, and there is no boasting. And I will be the first to shake the door of paradise, and God will open it for me and will take me inside, and with me will be indigent believers, and there is no boasting. And I am- the most noble of the first and the last with God, and there is no boasting." ' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from 'Abdu'llah bin Ma'sud that, ' The Apostle of God said, "Verily for every prophet there will be a friend from amongst the prophets; and my friend will be my father and the friend of my Lord (Abraham)." After that he recited (the revelation) "Verily the men who are nearest of kin to Abraham are they who follow him, and this prophet, and they who believe; and God is the friend of the believers."' 1 At Tirmidhi.

It is related from Ka'b that when he was speaking of the Taurat he said, ' We found it written, " Muhammad, the Apostle of God, my chosen servant, neither bad-tempered, nor rude, nor a crier in bazaars, nor one who returns evil for evil, but one who forgives and pardons. His birth-place Mecca, and his flight to (Madina) the pleasant. His kingdom in Syria, and his followers people who praise much, praising God in pleasure and in sorrow, and in every stopping-place, and extolling his great- ness in every high place. They observe the sun, and say their prayers when the time comes. They wear their trousers to their knees, and perform ablutions on their limbs. A crier of theirs calls aloud in the skies. Their ranks in battle and their ranks in prayer are the same. The murmur of their voices at night is like the buzz of bees."

It is related from 'Abdu'llah bin Salam that he said, ' A description of Muhammad is written in the Taurat; and it is (also written) that Jesus, the Son of Mary, will be buried with him.' Abu Mawdad said, ' A place for a grave remains in the house (where Muhammad was buried).' At Tirmidhi.

ON THE NAMES OF THE PROPHET, AND His ATTRIBUTES

It is related from Jubair bin Mut'im that he said, ' I heard the Prophet say, "I have various names. I am Muhammad, and I am Ahmad, and I am Al Mahi (the eraser), by whom God will erase infidelity, and I am Al Hashir (the gatherer), to whose feet men will be gathered (on the day of resurrection), and I am Al 'Aqib (the last in succession) after whom there will be no prophet." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

1 Qnr'an, Suratu AH 'Imrau (iii) 68. It is related from Anas that he said, * The Apostle of God was neither conspicuouslj 7 tall nor short; nor was he very white or wheat-coloured; nor was he very curly-headed, nor was his hair very straight. God sent him at the end of his fortieth year, and he resided in Mecca (afjter his call) for ten years, and in Madina ten years. And God took him at the end of his sixtieth year. And there were not in his head and beard twenty white hairs.'

It is related from Abu Hurairah that he said, ' I never saw anything more beautiful than the Apostle of God. It was as if the sun was moving in his face. And I never saw anyone move more quickly in his walking than the Apostle of God. It was as if the earth was folded up for him. Verily we used to exert ourselves (to keep up with him), whereas he was not in the least distressed.' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from Anas that, 'A Jewish boy used to wait upon the Prophet. And the boy fell ill. Then the Prophet came to visit him and found his father (sitting) by his head, reading the Taurat. And the Apostle of God said to him, " O Jew, I ask thee by God who sent down the Taurat upon Moses, whether thou dost find a description of me and of my attributes, and the story of my coming out (from Mecca to Madina) in the Taurat? " He replied, " No." The boy exclaimed, " Yes, by God! O Apostle of God, we do find in the Taurat a description of thee and of thine attributes, and the story of thy going out (from Mecca to Madina); and I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and that thou art the Apostle of God." Then the Prophet said to his companions, " Make this (Jew) get up from near his head, and do ye come close to your brother." A I Baihaqi.

ON THE MORALS AND NATURAL DISPOSITION OF THE PROPHET

It is related from Anas that he said, ' I waited on the Prophet for ten years, and he never said, " Fie! " to me, and never said," Why didst thou do(so and so)," or " Why didst thou not do (so and so)? " ' Muslim, Al Bukhdrt.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that he said, ' It was said, " O Apostle of God, call down a curse upon the polytheists." He replied, " I have not been sent as a curse, but I have only been sent as a mercy." ' Muslim.

It is related from ' Ayesha that she said, ' The Apostle of God used to mend his own shoes and sew his clothes and work in his house as anyone of you works in his house. He was a man amongst men. He used to clean his clothes of vermin and milk his goats and wait upon himself.' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from 'Amru bin Sa'id from Anas that he said, 4 1 never saw anyone more kind to his family than the Apostle of God. His son Abraham was put out to nurse in a high part of Madina, and the Prophet used to go, and we with him, and enter the house when it was full of smoke, his foster-father being a blacksmith, and the Apostle used to take the child and kiss him. After that he would return.' 'Amru said, ' And when Abraham died, the Apostle of God said, " Verily Abraham my son died whilst at the breast. He will certainly have two nurses in paradise to complete his weaning." Muslim.

It is related from ' Ayesha that she said, ' The Apostle of God said, "O 'Ayesha, if I wished I could certainly have mountains of gold. An angel came to me, whose waist certainly equals the Ka'bah, and said, * Verily thy Lord sends His salutations to thee and says, if thou wishest to be a prophet who is (at the same time) a servant (then be so); or if thou wishest to be a prophet who is a king, (then be so).' Then I looked towards Gabriel; and he beckoned to me that I should humble myself." And in another tradition from Ibn 1 Abbas it runs, * The Apostle of God turned to Gabriel as if seeking a sign from him. Then Gabriel made a sign with his hand that he should humble himself. Then I said, " I will be a prophet who is a servant." ('Ayesha) said, after that the Apostle of God would not eat reclining; but would say, "I will eat as a slave eats, and will sit as a slave sits." ' Sharhus- Sunnah.

CONCERNING THE SENDING OF THE PROPHET, AND THE BEGINNING OF INSPIRATION

It is related from Ibn 'Abbas that, ' The Apostle of God was sent at his fortieth year; and he remained in Mecca thirteen years, receiving revelations. After that he was commanded to flee; and he fled and remained a fugitive (at Madina) for ten years. And he died when he was sixty- three years of age.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Ibn 'Abbas that he said, 'The Apostle of God remained at Mecca for fifteen years. He heard a voice and saw a light for seven years, but saw nothing else. And for eight years he received revelations. And he lived in Madina ten years, and died when he was sixty-five years of age.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Anas that, 'God caused the Prophet to die when he had completed sixty years.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from ' Ayesha that, ' The first revelations which came to the Apostle of God were true visions in sleep. And he never saw a vision, but it came like the dawn of the morning. After that solitary retirement became pleasing to him, and he used to retire to a cave of (Mount) Hira' and worship therein. And he would worship the whole night before he returned to his family; and he used to provide food for the purpose. After that he would return to Khadijah, and again provide himself with food as before, until the truth came to him when he was in the cave of Mount Hira'. An angel came to him and said, "Recite!" He replied, "I am not a reciter." The Prophet said, " Then he seized me and squeezed me until fatigue overtook me. Then he let me go, and said, 'Recite!' and squeezed me a second time until fatigue over- took me. After that he said, 'Recite!' I replied, 'I am not a reciter.' Then he seized me and squeezed me a third time, until fatigue overtook me. After that he let me go and said, ' Recite in the name of thy Lord who created, created man from a clot of blood. Recite! thy Lord is the most noble who taught by the pen: taught man what he did not know.' Then the Apostle of God repeated these words, his heart trembling the while. And he entered in to Khadijah and said, 'Wrap me up! wrap me up!" Then they wrapped him up until the fear went from him. Then he spoke to Khadijah and informed her of the matter, saying " I certainly feared for my life." Then Khadijah said, "Never by God! God will never bring thee to shame. Verily thou dost perform acts of mercy, and thou dost speak the truth, and bearest weariness, and dost earn that which is lacking, and thou art hospitable to visitors, and givest help to all men." After that Khadijah took him to Waraqah bin Nawfal bin 'Amm Khadijah and said to him, "O my nephew, listen to the son of thy brother." Then Waraqah said to him, "O my nephew, what is the matter? " Then the Apostle of God informed him of what he had seen. Waraqah said, "This is the ndmus which God sent down upon Moses. Would to God that I were young in its time! Would to God that I were living when thy people will turn thee out." Then the Apostle of God said, "Will they turn me out?" He replied, " Yes. No man ever came with what thou hast brought, but he was held in enmity. And if that day of thine should come in my time, I will aid thee greatly." It was not long after that Waraqah died, and the revelations were suspended.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri. And Al Bnkhari has added the following, ' So much so that the Prophet grieved at what had reached us, so that many times in the morning he wished to throw himself from the summit of a high mountain; but as often as he arrived at the summit of the mountain in order to cast himself down from it, Gabriel appeared to him and said, "O Muhammad, verily thou art the Apostle of God in truth." At that his heart became at ease, and his soul was comforted.'

It is related from 'Ayesha that, ' Al Harith bin Hisham asked the Apostle of God and said, "O Apostle of God, how does inspiration come to thee? " The Apostle of God replied, " At times it comes to me like the sound of a bell, and that is the most difficult for me, and (Gabriel) would leave me when I had remembered what he said. And at times the angel appears to me like a man and speaks to me and I remember what he says." 'Ayesha said, " I have certainly seen inspira- tion descend upon him on a very cold day, and then leave him with his forehead dripping beads of perspiration." 'Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Anas that ' One of the teeth of the Apostle of God was broken on the day of (the battle of) 'Uhud, and he was wounded in his head. And he began to wipe the blood from himself and to say, " How will that people prosper who have wounded the head of their Prophet and broken his teeth! " ' Muslim. CONCERNING THE SIGNS OF PROPHECY

It is related from Anas that ' Gabriel came to the Apostle of God when he was playing with some boys, and he seized him and threw him on the ground, and split open his heart, and took out therefrom a clot of blood, and said, "This is Satan's portion from thee." After that he washed it in a golden vessel containing Zemzem water. Then he bound it up and put it in its place again. And the boys came running to his mother, that is to his wet-nurse, and said, " Verily Muhammad has been killed." Then they went near to him, and found that he had changed colour.' Anas said, 'I used to see the marks of the stitches on his breast.' Muslim.

It is related from Anas that, ' The people of Mecca asked the Apostle of God to show them a sign. Then he showed them the moon split into two pieces, until they saw Mount Hira' between the two.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' Abu Jahl said,

'Does Muhammad smear his face with dust (in prostration) amongst you?" It was said, "Yes." He said, " By Al Lat, and Al 'Uzza! If I see him doing that, I will certainly trample on his neck." Then he came to the Apostle of God when he was praying, intending to trample on his neck. But he did not come back to them from the Apostle except by retreating on his heels, and protecting himself with his hands. And it was said to him, "What is the matter with thee?" He replied,

' Verily between him and me there is certainly a pit of fire and fear and wings (of angels)." Then the Apostle of God said,

' If he had come near to me, the angels would certainly have plucked him away limb by limb." Muslim.

CONCERNING THE NIGHT-JOURNEY TO HEAVEN

It is related from. Qatadah from Anas bin Malik from Malik bin $a'sa'h that, ' The Prophet of God related to them concerning the night on which he was taken (to heaven, saying) ' When I was in Al Hatim ' and possibly he said, " I was lying down in Hijr behold! a certain one came to me and split open from here to here " that is from the opening of his upper chest to his lower hair " and took out my heart. After that a golden vessel was brought to me filled with faith, and my heart was washed. After that it was crammed full, and then it was put back in its place," And in another tradition it runs, ' The belly was washed with water of Zemzem, and then filled with faith and knowledge. " After that a beast was brought to me, inferior to a mule, but above an ass (in height). It was white, and was called Al Buraq. It placed its' steps at a distance as far as its sight reached. And I was carried on it, and Gabriel went with me, until it came to the heavens of the earth. Then Gabriel asked that the door might be opened. It was said, ' Who is this?' He replied, ' Gabriel '. It was said, ' And who is with thee?' He replied, 'Muhammad.' It was said, 'Has he been sent too?' He replied, 'Yes.' It was said, ' Welcome to him! His coming is well.' Then the door was opened. And when 1 arrived (inside) behold therein Adam! Gabriel said, 'This is thy father Adam, therefore salute him.' Then I saluted him, and he returned the salut- ation. After that he said, ' Welcome to the good son and good prophet.' After that Gabriel ascended with me until he came to the second heaven and asked for the door to be opened. It was said, 'Who is this?' He replied, 'Gabriel.' It was said, ' And who is with thee?' He replied, ' Muhammad.' It was said, 'Has he been sent too? ' He replied, 'Yes.' It was said, ' Welcome to him! His coming is well.' Then the door was opened. And when I arrived (inside) behold John and Jesus, who were sons of their respective maternal aunts. He said, ' This is John and this is Jesus, therefore salute them.' So I saluted them, and they returned the salutation. Then they said, ' Welcome to the good brother and good prophet!' After that he ascended with me to the third heaven and asked for the door to be opened. It was said, ' Who is this?' He replied, ' Gabriel.' It was said, ' And who is with thee?' He replied, 'Muhammad.' It was said, 'Has he been sent too?' He replied, 'Yes.' It was said, ' Welcome to him! His coming is well.' Then the door was opened. And when I arrived (inside), behold! Joseph. Gabriel said, ' This is Joseph, therefore salute him.' So I saluted him, and he returned the salutation. Then he said, ' Welcome to the good brother and good prophet!' After that Gabriel ascended with me until he came to the fourth heaven; and he asked for the door to be opened. And it was said, ' Who is this?' He replied, ' Gabriel.' It was said, ' And who is with thee?' He replied, 'Muhammad.' It was said, 'And has he been sent too? ' He replied, ' Yes. ' It was said, ' Welcome to him! His coming is well.' Then the door was opened. And when I arrived (inside), behold! Enoch. Gabriel said, 'This is Enoch, therefore salute him.' So I saluted him; and he returned the salutation. Then he said, ' Welcome to the good brother and good prophet.' After that Gabriel ascended with me until he came to the fifth heaven. And he asked that the door might be opened. It was said, ' Who is this? ' He replied, ' Gabriel.' It was said, 'And who is with thee?' He replied, ' Muhammad.' It was said, * Has he been sent too? ' He replied, ' Yes.' It was said, ' Welcome to him! His coming is well.' Then the door was opened. And when I arrived (inside), behold! Aaron. Gabriel said, ' This is Aaron, therefore salute him.' So I saluted him; and he returned the salutation. Then he said, ' Welcome to the good brother and good prophet! ' After that Gabriel ascended with me until he came to the sixth heaven. And he asked that the door might be opened. It was said, ' Who is this? ' He replied, ' Gabriel.' It was said, ' And who is with thee? ' He replied, ' Muhammad.' It was said, ' Has he been sent too? ' He replied, ' Yes ' It was said, ' Welcome to him! His coming is well.' Then the door was opened. And when I arrived (inside), behold! Moses. Gabriel said, 'This is Moses, therefore salute him.' So I saluted him; and he returned the salutation. Then he said, ' Welcome to the good brother and good prophet.' And when I passed on, he wept. It was said to him, ' What makes thee weep? ' He replied, ' I weep because a boy has been sent after me, of whose followers more will enter paradise than will enter of mine.' After that Gabriel ascended with me to the seventh heaven; and he asked that the door might be opened. It was said, * Who is this? ' He replied, ' Gabriel/ It was said, ' And who is with thee? ' He replied, ' Muhammad.' It was said, ' Has he been sent too? ' He replied, ' Yes.' It was said, ' Welcome! his coming is well.' Then when I arrived (inside), behold! Abraham, Gabriel said, ' This is Abraham, therefore salute him.' So I saluted him; and he returned the salutation. Then he said, ' Welcome to the good son and good prophet.' After that I was taken up to the (tree called) Sidratu'l-Muntaha, and behold! its lotus fruit was like stone water-pots, and behold! its leaves were like elephants' ears. Gabriel said, ' This is the Sidratu'l-Muntaha. And behold! tour rivers, two of them hidden and two of them manifest.' I said, ' What are these, O Gabriel? He replied, ' As for the hidden ones, they are two rivers in paradise, but the two which are manifest are the Nile and the Euphrates.' After that the house called Ma'mur was raised up for me; and after that a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk and a vessel of honey were brought to me. And I took the milk. He said, ' This is religion. Thou and thy people (will act) on it.' After that prayers were ordered for me : fifty prayers for every day. Then I returned and passed by Moses. He said, ' What hast thou been ordered? ' I said, 'I have been ordered fifty prayers for every day.' He said, c Verily thy followers will not be able to perform fifty prayers every day. By God! I tried men previous to thee and contended with the children of Israel with severe strivings- Therefore return to thy Lord, and ask for some alleviation for thy people.' Then I returned; and He took ten prayers from me. And I returned to Moses; and he spake as before. So I returned; and He took ten more from me. And I went back to Moses, and he spake as before. So I returned; and He took ten more from me, and I was ordered to say ten prayers every day. After that I returned to Moses and he spake as before. So I returned, and I was ordered five prayers every day. Then, I went back to Moses, and he said, ' What hast thou been ordered?' I said, ' I have been ordered five prayers every day.' He said, ' Verily thy followers are not able to perform five prayers every day; for verily I have tried men before thee and have contended with the children of Israel with severe strivings; therefore return to thy Lord, and ask from Him some alleviation for thy followers.' Muhammad said, ' I have asked my Lord until I have become ashamed. But I am satisfied, and I resign (all to Him).' He said, 'Then when I passed by, a herald cried, 'I have given my orders, and have provided alleviation for my servants'." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri. It is related from Thabitu'l-Bunani from Anas that, ' The Apostle of God said, " Buraq was brought to me. He was a white beast, longer and higher than an ass, but not so high as a mule. Its foot came down at a distance as far as its eye could reach. Then I rode on it until I came to the Holy House (at Jerusalem). And I tied him to the ring to which the prophets were wont to tie (their steeds). Then I entered the mosque, and prayed there in two rak'ahs. After that I came out and Gabriel brought me a vessel of wine and a vessel of milk; and I chose the milk. Then Gabriel said, ' Thou hast chosen religion.' After that he ascended with us to heaven." After that Thabit related as in the former tradition.'

CONCERNING THE MIRACLES OF THE PROPHETS

It is related from Anas bin Malik that, ' Abu Bakr Us- iddiq said, " I saw the feet of the polytheists above our heads when we were in the cave, and I said, ' O Apostle of God, if one of them looks towards his feet, he will see us.' He replied, ' O Abu Bakr, dost thou imagine there are but two, when God is the Third of them!" ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Anas that he said, ' Verily the Apostle of God took counsel when the news reached us of the approach of Abu Sufyan (with a Meccan army). Then Sa'd bin ' Ubadah stood up and said, " O Apostle of God, by Him in whose hand is my life! if thou order us to drive them into the sea, we will certainly do it. And if thou order us to smite their livers to Baraku'l-Ghima, we will certainly do it." Then the Apostle of God exhorted the people. And they travelled until they came down to Badr. Then the Apostle of God said, ".This is the place where so and so will be smitten to the ground," and he placed his hand upon the earth " here and here." Anas said, 1 Not one of them passed the place touched by the Apostle's hand. ' Muslim.

It is related from Sa'd bin Abu Waqqas that he said, 1 On the day (of the battle of)'Uhud, I saw two men on the right and left sides of the Apostle of God, clothed in white clothes. They were fighting in a manner resembling the fiercest righting. I never saw them before nor yet afterwards. I mean they were Gabriel and Michael.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri. It is related from Al Barai' that he said, ' The Prophet sent a small band of men to Abu Rafi'; and (one of them) 'Abdu'llah bin 'Atik entered in upon him in his house at night when he was sleeping and killed him. 'Abdu'llah bin 'Atik said, " I smote a sword into his belly until it reached his back, and I knew that I had killed him. And I began to open the doors until I reached a flight of steps, and I placed my foot on them and fell in the moonlight night, and my leg was broken. And I bound it up with a turban, and went to my companions. And I reached the Prophet and reported the affair. He said, ' Stretch out thy leg.' Then I stretched out my leg; and he rubbed -his hand over it. And it was as if I had never complained of it." ' Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Jabir that he said, ' The people became thirsty on the day of Hudaibah. And there was a small drinking-vessel before the Apostle of God, and he made his ablutions from it. After that the people drew near to him and said, " We have no water with which to perform our ablutions and drink, except what is in the small drinking-vessel." Then the Prophet put his hand into the drinking-vessel; and the water began to flow from between his fingers like springs. Then we drank and performed the ablutions.' It was said to Jabir, ' How many were you? ' He replied, ' Had we been a hundred thousand, it would certainly have sufficed for us. We were one thousand five hundred.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from ' Ayesha that she said, ' The Apostle of God was bewitched until he was made to imagine that he did a certain thing, but he did not (really) do it. Until on a certain day when he was with me, he prayed to God and called on Him. Then he said, " Dost thou know, O 'Ayesha, that God has answered me what I asked Him! There came to me two men; one of them sat at my head, and the other at my feet. Then one of them said to his companion, ' What is the man's pain? ' He replied, 'He is bewitched.' The other said, 'Who has bewitched him? ' He replied, ' Labid binu'l-'A'sam, the Jew.' He said, ' By what did he do it? ' He replied, ' By a comb and by a hair which falls from it, and by the film of a male date bud.' He asked, 'Where is it?' He replied, 'In the well Dharwan.' ' Then the Prophet went to the well with some men of his companions and said, " This is the well which was shown to me." And it was as if its water was stained with hina, and as if its palm-trees (reflected in the water) were the heads of Satans. Then he took it out.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that he said, 'Verily ye say, "Abu Hurairah has related many (traditions) from the Prophet." By God! there is a time appointed (for the punish- ment of those who fabricate traditions). The fact is, my brethren from amongst those who flew from Mecca to Madina were kept busy bargaining in the bazaars; and my brethren from amongst the helpers were kept busy by work connected with their property. But I was a poor man and kept close to the Apostle of God, content if only my belly were filled. And one day the Prophet said, " No one of you who spreads out his cloth (for me to pray on) until I finish my words, and after- wards gathers it to his breast, will ever forget anything from my words." Then I spread out a blanket, which was the only cloth I had on me, until the Prophet finished his prayer. After that I gathered it to my breast; and by Him who sent him with the truth! I never forgot any of his words until this day.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Anas that, ' A famine afflicted the people in the time of the Apostle of God; and whilst the Prophet was giving the public address on a certain Friday, a desert Arab stood up and said, "O Apostle of God, our properties are destroyed and our families are hungry; therefore pray to God for us." Then the Apostle raised his hands, and we did not see in the heavens a single speck of cloud, and by Him in whose hand is my life! he had not taken them down before clouds appeared like mountains. After that he had not come down from his pulpit until I saw the rain falling on his beard. Then we were given rain on that day and on the morrow and on the next day until the next Friday. Then that desert Arab and others stood up and said, " O Apostle of God, our buildings are fallen into ruins and our property is submerged; therefore pray to God for us." Then he raised his hands and said, "O God, send down the rain around us, but not on us." And he did not make a sign towards any quarter where there was cloud, but it ceased. And Madina became like an open space (surrounded by clouds). And the valley of Qanah flowed for a month; and no one came from any direction, but what he reported an abundance (of rain).' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, 'On the day (of the battle) of Tabuq the people became hungry. Then 'Omar said, "O Apostle of God, call them to bring the remains of their rations and then pray to God for them for a blessing upon it." He replied, "Yes." Then he called for a piece of leather and spread it out. After that he called for the remains of their rations. And some people began to bring handfuls of millet, others brought handfuls of dates, others brought small pieces of food until a small quantity of things was gathered together on the piece of leather. Then the Apostle of God prayed for a blessing, and afterwards he said, "Take it in your vessels." (And they took it) until they did not leave amongst the soldiers a single vessel that was not filled.' Abu Hurairah said, 'And they ate until they were satisfied; and there remained some over. And the Apostle of God said, " I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and that I am the Apostle of Allah. There is no servant who will meet God with these two testimonies, free of doubt, who will be prevented from entering paradise." Muslim.

It is related from Abu Miisa that he said, ' Abu Talib went out to Syria; and the Prophet of God, (then a boy), went with him, together with some old men of the Quraish. And when they came near to a certain monk they alighted and opened their pack-saddles. Then the monk came out to them and they used, before that, to pass by him; neither was he in the habit of coming out to them as they were opening their pack-saddles. And the monk began to -pass amongst them until he came to and seized the hand of the Apostle of God. And he said, " This is the master of all the worlds; this is the Apostle of the Lord of all the worlds. God has sent him as a mercy to all the worlds." Then the old men of the Quraish said to him, ' What knowledge hast thou? " He replied, ' When ye drew near to Al 'Aqabah there remained neither tree nor stone that did not bow down in prostration; but these do not prostrate to any, but prophets. And I recognize him by the seal of prophecy which is beneath the cartilage of his shoulder, like an apple." After that he returned and prepared food for them. And when he brought it to them, (the Apostle) was amongst the flock of camels. Then the monk said, " Send for him." And he drew near; and above him was a cloud shading him. And when he came near to the people, he found that they had preceded him to the shade of a tree. And \\ 7 hen he sat down the shade of the tree inclined towards him. Then (the monk) said, "Look at the shade of the tree inclining to- wards him! " And he said, " I adjure you by God, who of you is his guardian? " They said, " Abu Talib." And he continued to adjure him until Abu Talib sent him (i.e. Muhammad) back. And Abu Bakr sent Bilal with him. And the monk provided cakes and olives for his journey.' At TirmidJn.

It is related from Buraidah that, ' The Apostle of God said, 'When we arrived at the Holy House (at Jerusalem), Gabriel made a sign with his finger and therewith perforated a stone. And he tied up Buraq to the stone." At Tirmidhi.

It is related from Ibn 'Abbas that, ' A woman brought her son to the Apostle of God and said, ' ' O Apostle of God, verily my son is mad. And it seizes him morning and evening." Then the Apostle of God rubbed his hand on the boy's breast and prayed. And he vomited, and there came forth out of his belly a thing like a black puppy running about.' Al Ddrimi.

It is related from Ibn ' Abbas that, ' A desert Arab came to the Apostle of God and said, " By what means may I know that thou art a prophet? " He replied, " That I call this cluster of dates from this date-tree to bear witness that I am the Apostle of God." Then the Apostle of God called; and it began to come down from the date-tree until it fell beside the Prophet. Then he said, " Return." And it returned to its place; and the desert Arab embraced Islam.' At Tirmidht.

It is related from Jabir that a Jewish woman of the inhabit- ants of Khaibar poisoned some roasted mutton and then present- ed it to the Apostle of God. Then the Apostle of God took a fore-leg and ate of it; and a small number of his companions ate of it with him. Then the Apostle of God said, " Withhold your hands! ' And he sent to the Jewess and called her and said, ' Didst thou poison this mutton? " She replied, " Who infor- med thee? " He said, " This piece of fore-leg which is in my hand informed me." She said, "Yes (I poisoned it). I said ' If he be a prophet, then it will never hurt him; but if he be not a prophet, then we shall be rid of him.' ' Then the Apostle of God forgave her, and did not punish her. But his companions who ate of the mutton died. And the Apostle of God was cupped on the shoulder on account of what he had eaten of the mutton. Abu Hind cupped him with a horn and a knife. And he was a freedman of the Bani Bayadah of the Helpers.' Abu Ddud.

It is related from Ibn 'Abbas that, ' The Quraish conspired together on a certain night in Mecca. Some of them, referring to the Prophet, said, " When day dawns, then bind him with fetters." Others of them said, " Rather kill him." Others of them said, "Rather turn him out (of the city)." But God disclosed the matter to His Prophet; and 'Ali spent that night on the Prophet's bed. And the Prophet went forth until he reached a cave. And the polytheists passed the night watching ' Ali, thinking that he was the Prophet. Then when the morning dawned, they rushed upon him; and when they saw 'AH, God defeated their plans. Then they said, "Where is this friend of thine? " He replied, " I know not." Then they followed (the Apostle's) tracks; and when they reached the mountain they were confounded. And they ascended the mountain and passed by the cave. And they saw a spider's web across the entrance, and said, " If he had entered here, the spider's web would not be across its entrance." And he remained in it three nights.' Ahmad.

It is related from Usamah bin 'Zaid that, ' The Apostle of God said, " He who pretends that I have said what I did not say, let him make his resting-place in the fire." And that was because he sent a man, and he lied about him. Then the Apostle of God invoked a curse upon him. And he was found dead with his belly split open; and the earth would not receive him.' Al Baihaqi.

CONCERNING THE MIRACLES OF HOLY MEN

It is related from 'Ayesha that, ' When the King of Abyssinia died, we were remarking to one another that a light continued to be seen over his grave.' Abii Ddud.

It is related from Ibnu'l-Munkadir that, ' Safinah, a freedman of the Apostle of God, lost trace of the army in the land of Greece, 1 or was taken prisoner. And he fled seeking the (Muslim) army. And behold! a lion met him. And he said, " O Abu'l-Harith, I am a freedman of the Apostle of God. Such and such happened to me." And the lion drew near to him wagging its tail until it stood at his side. Whenever it heard a sound (of danger) it went towards it; and afterwards it came near and walked by his side until they reached the army. Then the lion returned.' Sharhu s-Sunnah.

CONCERNING THE DEATH OF THE PROPHET It is related from 'Ayesha that she said, ' One of the benefits of God towards me is this, that the Apostle of God died in my room and on my day (reposing) between my breast and collarbone. And God united my saliva with his near his death. ' Abdu'r-Rahman bin Abu Bakr entered in where I was, whilst I was acting as a pillow for the Apostle of God to rest upon, and he had in his hand a stick for cleaning the teeth. And I saw the Prophet looking at the tooth-cleaner, and I under- stood that he would like it. So I said, "Shall 1* get it for thee? " And he made a sign with his head in the affirmative. Then I took it; but it was hard for him, so I said, "Shall I make it soft for thee? " Then he made a sign with his head in the affirmative. Then I made it soft; and he rubbed it over his teeth. And there was a small drinking- vessel before him in which was water. And he began to put his hands into the water and wipe his face wi-th them and to say, "There is no God but Allah; verily in death there are agonies." After that he raised his hand and began to say, " (Give me a place) with the highest companions," until he was taken, and his hand fell down.' Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Anas that, ' When the Prophet was oppressed (with pain) his distress caused him to swoon. And Fatimah said, " What agony, O my father! " He said to her, 'There will be no agony on thy father after to-day." Then when he died, she said, "O my father! he has responded to the Lord who called him. O my father! whose place is the garden of paradise! O my father! to Gabriel give we the

1 The word Greece is here used for the Roman Empire. news of thy death!" Afterwards, when he was buried, Fatimah said, "O Anas, are ye happy in throwing dirt upon the Apostle of God! " ' Al Bukhdrt.

It is related from ' Ayesha that, ' When the Apostle of God died, they disagreed about (the place of) his burial. Then Abii Bakr said, "I heard something (relating to this) from the Apostle of God. He said, ' God takes no prophet, but in the place in which he loves to be buried.' Bury him therefore in the place where his bed is." ' At Tirmidhi

It is related from Ayesha that she said, The Apostle of God, in the illness in which he died, was saying, " O \Ayesha, I continue to feel the pain from the (poisoned) food which I ate at Khaibar; and this is the hour in which I feel the cutting of my arteries from that poison." ' Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Ibn 'Abbas that, 'When the Apostle of God was approached by death, there were some men in the house, amongst whom was 'Omar binu'l-Khattab. And the Prophet said, " Come, and I will write for you a writing after which ye will never go astray." Then 'Omar said, "The pain has overcome him, and ye have the Qur'an; the Word of God is sufficient for yon." But the people of the house differed about the matter and squabbled. And some of them said, "Bring near (writing materials), so that the Apostle of God may write for you." And some amongst them said what 'Omar had said. And when the clamour and dissension increas- ed, the Apostle of God said, " Get up from me." 'Ubaidu'llah said that Ibn 'Abbas used to say, "Verily the misfortunes, all the misfortunes which have come to us, between the Apostle and his writing for them that writing, have come on account of their disagreement and clamour.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from 'Ayesha that she said, ' The Apostle of God returned to me on a certain day from a funeral in Baqi'a; and he found me suffering from a headache. And I said, "O my headache! ' He said, "Rather, O 'Ayesha, I say, O my headache! What harm is it to thee, if thou die before me, for I will wash thee and shroud thee and pray over thee and bury thee." I said, " I fancy I see thee! by God! if thou didst that, thou wouldst certainly return to my house and co-habit therein with some of thy wives." Then the Apostle of God smiled. After that the pains began from which he died.' Al Ddrimi. It is related from 'Ayesha that she said, 'The Apostle of God never left a single dinar, or a single dirham, or a goat, or a camel; nor did he leave anything by will.' Muslim.

CONCERNING THE VIRTUES OF THE QURAISH

It is related from Ibn 'Omar that, ' The Prophet said, 1 This office (of the Khalifate) will continue in the Quraish so long as there remain amongst them two persons." ' Muslim, Al BukhdrL

It is related from Jabir bin Samnrah that he said, ' I heard the Apostle of God say, "Islam will continue powerful up to twelve Khalifs, all of whom will be from the Quraish." Muslim, Al BukhdrL

It is related from Sa'd that, 'The Prophet said, " Whoever wishes for the humiliation of the Quraish, him will God humiliate." ' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from Abii Hurairah that, ' The Apostle of God said, "The sovereignty is in the Quraish, and the judiciary power in the Helpers (of Madina), and the office of calling to prayer in the Abyssinians, and faithfulness is in the Azd, namely in Yeman." ' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from Abu Hurairah that, ' Tufail bin 'Amrul'- Dawsi came to the Apostle of God and said, " Verily the (tribe of) Daws are ruined and have become rebellious, therefore call down the curse of God upon them." And the people thought that he would curse them; but he said, "O'God, guide the Daws to the right path and bring them back." Muslim, Al Buk/idrt.

It is related from Ibn 'Abbas that, ' The Apostle of God said, "Love the Arabs on account of three things: because I am an Arab,, and the Qur'an is Arabic, and the speech of the inhabitants of paradise is Arabic." Al Baihaqi.

ON THE VIRTUES OF ABU BAKR

It is related from Abu Sa'idu'l-Khudri that, 'The Prophet said, "Verily the one of most benefit to me amongst men in his companionship and his goods is Abu Bakr. If I had taken a friend, I would certainly have taken Abu bakr as a friend; but the brotherhood of Islam and its love (is established). Let there not remain in the mosque any window except that of Abu Bakr." And in another tradition it runs, ' If I had taken a friend besides my Lord, I would certainly have taken Abu Bakr as that friend.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from 'Ayesha that she said, ' The Apostle of God said to me in his illness, " Call Abu Bakr, thy father, and thy brother to me, so that I rray write a writing; for I fear that some may desire (the succession) and say, I (am more worthy); but such will not be so. And God and the believers will refuse any but Abu Bakr." 'Muslim.

ON THE VIRTUES OF 'OMAR

It is related from Ibn 'Omar that, ' The Apostle of God said, "Verily God has placed the truth on the tongue and heart of 'Omar." ' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from 'Uqbah bin 'Amir that, ' The Prophet said, " Had there been a prophet after me, it would certainly have been 'Omar binu'l-Khattab." ' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from Anas and Ibn 'Omar that, ' 'Omar said, ' I agreed with my Lord in three things. I said, ' O Apostle of God, if we had taken the place of Abraham as a place of prayer, (it would have been better).' Then the revelation descended, 'Take the place of Abraham as a place of prayer.' And I said, ' O Apostle of God, good and bad men go in where thy wives are; if thou hadst ordered the latter to veil them- selves (it would have been better).' And then descended the verse of the veil. And the wives of the Prophet were agreed together in a matter of jealousy. So I said to them, * It may be that if he divorce you, his Lord will bring in place of you other wives better than you.' Then the revelation came down thus." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

ON THE VIRTUES OF 'OTHMAN

It is related from Talhah bin 'Ubaidu'llah that, 'The Apostle of God said, " There is a companion for every prophet; and my companion in paradise will be 'Othman." ' At Tir- midhi.

It is related from 'Omar that ' The Apostle of God mentioned an insurrection and said, "This man will be killed in it unjustly." (This he said) alluding to 'Othman.' At Tirmidhi. ON THE VIRTUES OF 'ALI

It is related from Sa'd bin abu Waqqas that, ' The Apostle of God said to 'All, "Thou art to me in the relation that Aaron was to Moses, except that there will be no Prophet after me." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Ibn 'Omar that he said, 'The Apostle of God established a bond of brotherhood between his various companions. Then 'Ali came, his eyes shedding tears, and said, "Thou hast made a bond of brotherhood between thy companions; but thou hast not established such a bond between me and anyone." Then the Apostle of God said, "Thou art my brother in this world and in the next." ' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from 'Ali that, 'The Apostle of God said, " I am the house of Knowledge, and 'Ali is the door." ' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from 'Ali that, ' The Apostle of God said, "There is in thee a resemblance to Jesus. The Jews hated him until they calumniated his mother. And the Christians loved him so much that they placed him in a position which was not his." After that, 'Ali said, 'Two people will be destroyed on my account : one who loves me, and one who acts unjustly towards me. The one will laud me with regard to things which are not in me; and the one who hates me will be led through his hatred of me to calumniate me.' Ahmad.

ON THE VIRTUES OF THE TEN WITH WHOM GOD WAS PLEASED

It is related from ' Ayesha that, ' The Apostle of God remained awake on a certain night on his arrival at Madina. And he said, " Would that there was a good man to keep watch over me! ' And behold! we heard a sound of arms; and he said. " Who is this? " He said, " It is I, Sa'd." The Prophet said, "What brought thee?" He replied, "Fear fell into my soul on account of the Apostle of God, and I came to keep watch over him." Then the Apostle of God prayed for him, and after that went to sleep.' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Anas that, 'The Prophet said, "The kindest of my followers to my (other) followers is Abu Bakr; and the most strenuous of them in the matters of God is 1 Omar; and the truest in shame is ' Othman; and the one most skilled in the law of inheritance is Zaid bin Thabit; and the best reader amongst them is Ubai bin Ka'b; and the most learned of them in matters lawful and unlawful is Mu'adh bin Jabal. For every religious sect there is a faithful guardian >' and the faithful guardian of this sect is Abu 'Ubaidah binu'l- Jarrah." ' Ahmad, At Tirmidhi.

It is related from 'All that, ' It was said, " O Apostle of God, whom shall we appoint as prince after thee?" He replied, " If ye make Abu Bakr your prince, ye will find him faithful, indifferent to this world, and eager for the next. And if ye make 'Omar prince, ye will find him strong and faithful, not fearing the blame of detractors in the matters of God. And if ye make 'Ali prince though I cannot imagine your doing so ye will find him a guide who is rightly directed, and one who will lead you into the straight path." ' Ahmad.

ON THE VIRTUES OF THE PEOPLE OF THE PROPHET'S FAMILY

It is related from Abu Hurairah that he said, ' I went out with the Apostle of God in a certain part of the day, until we came to Fatimah's house. And he said, " Is the boy there? Is the boy there?" meaning Hasan. And he did not delay, but came running until each of them embraced his companion. And the Apostle of God said, " O God, verily I love him; then do Thou love him and those who love him." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Buraidah that he said, ' The Apostle of God was giving the public address(in the mosque) when Hasan and Husain came, wearing red shirts. And they were walking and stumbling along. Then the Apostle of God descended from the pulpit and picked them up and placed them in front of him. Then he said, " God spoke truly, 'Your goods and your children are only a temptation.' 1 I looked at these two children walking and stumbling along, and I could no longer contain myself, so much so that I cut short my words and took them up." ' At Tirmidhi, Abu Ddud.

It is related from Anas that, ' The head of Husain was brought to 'Ubaidu'llah bin Ziyad, and it was placed in a basin.

1 Qur'an,Suratu'l-Anfal (viii) 28. And he began to violate it, and said something concerning its beauty. I said, "By God! he most resembled the Apostle of God of them all." And the head was dyed with indigo.' Al Bukhdri. And in another tradition from At Tirmidhi, he said, ' I was near Ibn Ziyad, and they brought the head of Husain. And he began to strike it with a stick on its nose, and say, " I have never seen anything so beautiful as this." I said, "Beware! verily he resembled the Apostle of God more than they all."

ON THE VIRTUES OF THE WIVES OF THE PROPHET

It is related from 'Ali that he said, ' I heard the Apostle of God say, "The best of the women of her time was Mary, the daughter of 'Imran; and the best of the women of her time was Khadijah, the daughter of Khuwailid." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from 'Ayesha that, 'Gabriel brought her likeness to the Apostle of God on a green, silk cloth and said, " This is thy wife in this world and the next." At Tirmidhi.

It is related from 'Ayesha that she said, ' I was never so jealous of any of the Prophet's wives as I was of Khadijah, although I had never seen her. But he used to mention her frequently; and often he would slay a goat and cut it up into pieces and then send them to Khadijah's friends. And often I said to him, " It seems as though there was no woman in the world except Khadijah! ' And he would say, " She was so and so; and I had children by her." ' Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

It is related from Abu Musa, that he said, ' No tradition was ever difficult for us, the companions of the Apostle of God, and we asked 'Ayesha, but we found a knowledge of it with her. At Tirmidhi.

It is related from Musa bin Talhah that he said, ' I never saw anyone more eloquent than 'Ayesha.' At Tirmidhi.

It is related from Anas that he said, ' When God gave booty to His Apostle from the property of the Hawazin, and he in turn began to give each man of the Quraish a hundred camels, then some men of the Helpers said, " May God forgive the Apostle of God! he gives to the Quraish, and he omits us, though it was our swords which shed their blood." Then their words were reported to the Apostle of God. So he sent to the Helpers and gathered them together in a leathern tent, and he allowed no one else in with them except them. And when they were gathered together the Apostle of God came to them and said, ' What is this story which reaches me about you? " Then the wise amongst them said, "As for the sensible among us, O Apostle of God, they have not said anything, but as for certain young men amongst us they did indeed say, ' May God forgive the Apostle of God! he gives to the Quraish, and omits the Helpers; and it was our swords which shed their blood.' ' Then the Apostle of God said, " It is true I give to the men who are new in the covenant concerning infidelity in order to attach them firmly (to us). Are ye not content that the men might take the property and that ye may return to your camps with the Apostle oi God? " They replied, " O Apostle of God, we are content." Muslim, Al Bukhdri.

CONCERNING THE REWARDS OF THIS PEOPLE

It is related from Ibn 'Omar that, ' The Apostle of God said, " Verily your appointed time is no more in comparison with the time of the peoples who were before you than what is between the afternoon prayer and the setting of the sun. And the likeness of yourselves and that of the Jews and Christians is like a man who engages workmen and says, 'Who will work for me till mid-day for one qirdt? ' Then the Jews worked till mid-day for one qirdt. After that he said, ' Who will work for me from mid-day till the afternoon prayer for one qirdt? ' Then the Christians worked from mid-day until the afternoon prayer for one qirdt. After that he said, ' Who will work for me from the evening prayer till the setting of the sun for two qirdts? Are not ye those who work from the evening prayer until the setting of the sun! Are not wages for you twice over! ' Then the Jews and Christians became angry and said, ' We have worked more, and yet have received less.' God Most High will say, * Have I dealt unjustly with you in anything in the matter of your rights? ' They will say, 'No.' God Most High will say, 'Verily this is my favour. I bestow it on whom I will.' ' ' Al Bukhdri.