THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 074 THE PROTECTION OF THE KORAN AND HADITH Part 1 by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem The Protection of the Koran and Hadith Part 1 The Protection of the Koran Such was the wisdom of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) that he formed a committee of scribes, who, from the very beginning were instructed to only write down the chapters and verses of the Koran, which were then stored in Lady Ayesha's room. The Koranic text was written upon any media at hand, sometimes upon parchment, at other times upon bones and so on. Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was vigilant in reviewing the written text and upon receiving a new verse or chapter he would also instruct his scribes as to its place within the Holy Book. Each year during Ramadan, the Angel Gabriel would come to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and recite the entire Koran to him but in the last year of his life Gabriel came to him twice and recited it during that blessed month. The Koranic Scribes The Koranic scribes were strictly forbidden to write down the sayings (hadith) of Prophet Muhammad, (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and so through the Prophet's wisdom there has never, ever been any confusion whatsoever as to that which belongs to the text of the Koran and that belonging to his sayings. In addition to the writing down of the Holy Koran, literally thousands of Companions learned to recite the entire Holy Koran by heart and taught it to the next generation. If a literate captive was willing to teach ten Muslims how to read and write, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) decreed that the captive was automatically released after having accomplished his teaching. Even in this secular century one finds many Muslims memorizing the Holy Koran and then teaching it to the next generation. This tradition is indeed a great blessing as one reflects upon the fact that Muslims in this day and age are approximately thirty-five generations away from its revelation. Prophetic Sayings - Hadiths After the dawn and evening prayers had been offered, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) would, much to the delight of his followers, instruct them upon aspects of their daily lives and elaborate upon the meaning of verses and chapters of the Koran. He would also tell them of the most beautiful Names of Allah, and inform them how they might come closer to Him. Prophet Muhammad, (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) never presumed to speak upon religious affairs without first having been informed by the Angel Gabriel, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus that spoke of a prophet yet to come who would not speak from himself, but only from the Words of Allah. Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told his followers that Allah had given him, besides the Holy Koran, two-thirds more in its understanding, which constitute his "hadith". The hadiths, prophetic sayings, were recorded by other Companions and committed to memory then transmitted from one pious generation to another with the name of each narrator recorded up until the first narrator who started his narration with the words, "Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) said". It is through this method of transmission that we have been blessed today, after the passage of over fourteen hundred years, to have a direct link to the knowledge taught by Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Warning It is essential that Islamic knowledge is learned from a pious Sunni shaykh who is knowledgeable of the Prophetic ways. Failure to follow such a shaykh gives rise to serious misunderstandings and interruptions that result in such events as the tragedy of September 11, 2001. We must also heed the warning that we must be careful from whom we take Islamic knowledge because satan, the stoned and cursed, was knowledgeable. Knowledge, when it falls into unscrupulous, misguided hands, can be manipulated and used to lead from the Straight Path. We must be also be aware that satan, the stoned and cursed, uses his knowledge to pervert and trick people away from the true guidance of Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), the result is unhappiness in this life and even greater unhappiness in the life of the Hereafter. Selections from Imam Nawawi’s Collection of Hadith “The Garden of the Good People” and other authentic references The following are just a taste of the Prophet's sayings on a few of the many topics upon which he spoke. For ease of reading the sayings have been translated in a style familiar to the English reader. Those wishing to read the verbatim account of the sayings we refer them to the Arabic edition of the references of Bukhari and Muslim as well as that of the great work of Imam Nawawi, which is better suited for the masses. Knowledge and Guidance One day the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) spoke to his Companions concerning the guidance and knowledge he had been given and its effect saying, "It can be compared to rain which falls upon the land. Part of the land is good and fertile; the dry herbage turns green and a considerable amount of fresh herbage is produced. Another part is dry but stores water and with it Allah benefits people; they drink from it and use it to cultivate. Another piece of land is barren, a waste-land which neither retains water nor produces fresh herbage. Such are the cases of those who accept the religion sent down by Allah and benefit from that which Allah has sent to me, studying and teaching it. Then there are those who do not raise their heads to gain religious knowledge, nor do they accept the guidance with which I have been sent." The Mercy of Allah The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told his Companions, "When Allah created His creation, He wrote in a Book which is with Him above the Throne: 'My Mercy surpasses My Anger." He also told them, "With Allah are a hundred (degrees) of mercy. He gave one of these (degrees) to the jinn, humans, animals, and insects which they use among their species as kindness. With it the savage beast is kind to its young. Allah has reserved the remaining ninety-nine (degrees) for Himself to bestow upon His worshipers on the Day of Resurrection." Allah told His Messenger (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to say, "Say to My worshipers who wasted a lot upon themselves: 'Do not be disappointed in the Mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins, He is indeed, All-forgiving, All-merciful." The Remembrance of Allah Abu Hurairah heard the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) tell his Companions, "With Allah are groups of angels that circulate in the streets searching for people remembering Allah. When they find those people remembering Allah, the Most Exalted, they call to one another saying, 'Come to what you want!' and cover them with their wings up to the sky." Then they return to their Lord who asks -- and He is the Most Knowledgeable. 'What were My worshipers saying?' They report, 'They were pronouncing Your exaltations, magnifying, praising and glorifying You.' Then, He, Allah, the Most High inquires, 'Have they seen Me?' And they answer, 'By Allah, no, they have not seen You.' Then Allah the Exalted inquires, 'What if they saw Me?' They answer, 'If they saw You they would be more diligent in Your worship and Your Exaltation and in proclaiming Your Holiness.' Then He, the Mighty, the Glorified inquires, 'What do they ask of Me.' They answer, 'They ask of You Paradise.' Allah inquires, 'Have they seen it?' They answer, 'By Allah, no, they have not seen it.' Then Allah inquires, 'What if they saw it.' They answer, 'If they saw it they would desire it more and seek its yearning more.' Then Allah inquires, 'From what do they seek protection?' They answer, 'They seek protection from the Fire.' And He inquires, 'Have they seen it?' They answer, 'No, by Allah, they have not seen it.' Allah inquires, 'What if they saw it?' The angels answer, 'If they saw it they would run from it more often and fear it more.' Then Allah says, 'I call you to witness that I forgive them.' One of the angels then says, 'Among them was so and so, he is not one of them. He came to You for some purpose of his own.' Then Allah says, 'They were sitting together, therefore, even their associate will not go unrewarded.'" Closeness to Allah The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) also told his Companions that Allah said, "Whosoever comes close to Me by the span of a hand, I come close to him by an arm’s length, and whosoever comes close to Me by an arm, I come close to him by a mile. And, whosoever comes to Me walking, I come to him with haste. Whosoever meets Me with the earth full of sins, while he does not associate anything with Me, I will meet him with the like of it of forgiveness." The Forgiveness of Allah He also said, "Indeed, Allah brings the believer close, covers and conceals him from people and lets him admit his sins. He says, 'Do you know such sin, do you know such sin?' He replies, 'Yes, my Lord, until he has admitted all his sins, and sees himself as being lost. Then, Allah says, 'I have covered them in the world, and I have forgiven them you this day. Then he is given his Book of Merit in his right hand. As for the unbeliever and the hypocrite, all the witnesses say, 'Indeed those who lied about their Lord, isn't the curse of Allah upon the harmdoers?" Scientific Facts for Centuries Yet to Come With the knowledge given to him, Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) spoke upon many scientific topics which were completely unknown during his time and lay undiscovered for many centuries after he passed away. This knowledge was given to him by Allah to serve as proof of his prophethood to those in our own era and beyond. It was absolutely impossible for even the most learned people of his time to have knowledge of such things. Allah tells us: "He creates you in your mothers’ womb, creation after creation, in three (stages of) darkness." Koran 39:6 This verse refers to the three amniotic sacks of fluid surrounding the fetus. One day, as ibn Masood relates, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) expounded the mystery of the growth of the fetus in the womb saying, "For each and every one of you, his creation is determined when he is in his mother's womb. Forty days as a drop, then it becomes a clot for the same (number of days). After, it becomes like a chewed (piece of flesh) for the same (number of days), then an angel is sent who breathes into it its soul, then he is ordered with four words; his provision, life span, deeds and whether or not he is unfortunate or happy." It was only in recent centuries physicians learned of the progress of the fetus within the womb and the duration of each stage as well as the discovery of the three surrounding amniotic sacks of fluid. Another scientific example is that of the fly. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told his Companions that under each of its two wings is a sack of fluid; under one there is a poison, and under the other is its antidote. This scientific fact was only discovered last century. The Importance of One's Intention Omar heard Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) telling his Companions of the importance of one's intention. He said, "Indeed, deeds are (judged) by the intention, and there is for everyone that which he intended. If one's migration is to Allah and His Messenger (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), then one's migration is to Allah and His Messenger (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). If one's migration is to seek the world, then one's migration is for that. If a man migrates for the sake of a woman and marries her, then his migration is for that which he migrated." Exalting Allah The Companions always vied with one another in good deeds with the knowledge they would be well rewarded in the Hereafter. However, the poor among them were unable to spend very much in the cause of Allah and this concerned them so they went to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saying, "The wealthy will achieve higher ranks and lasting bounties," whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked what caused them to say this. They answered, "They pray as we do and keep the fast as we do, but they spend in charity whereas we are unable, and they free those in their care whereas we are unable." The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told them, "Shall I inform you of something whereby you will surpass those who are ahead of you and keep you ahead of those who are behind you, and no one will surpass you unless he does what you do?" Anxiously the Companions replied, "Indeed, O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam)!" So he told them, "Say 'Subhan-Allah, thirty-three times, Al Hamdu-lillah, thirty-three times and Allahu Akbar thirty-three times after each prayer." (Subhan-Allah means exalted is Allah, Al Hamdu-lillah means praise be to Allah, Allahu-Akbar means Allah is the Greatest.) Not long after the Companions returned to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saying, "Our wealthy brethren have heard what we are doing and now do the same." "That is the Favor of Allah, He gives it to whomsoever He wills," replied the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Four Kinds of People On another occasion the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) informed his Companions that the world has four kinds of people. The first is the person whom Allah has favored with wealth and knowledge and is mindful of his duty to his Lord with them. He strengthens the ties of kinship and acknowledges the rights of Allah in them. Such person is in the best position. The second is the person whom Allah has favored with knowledge but not wealth, and is sincere then says, "Had I possessed wealth I would have done the same as the first." His reward will be the same as the other. The third is the person whom Allah has favored with wealth but not knowledge, and squanders his wealth in ignorance. This person is the one who is not mindful of his duty to his Lord in respect of the favors he receives, and neither discharges his obligations of family ties, nor yet observes the rights of Allah in it. Such person is in the worst position. The fourth is the person whom Allah has neither favored with wealth nor knowledge, and says, "If I possessed wealth I would have been like that person." This is his intention - they are both equal in sinfulness.” When Deeds Are Not For Allah Abu Hurairah heard the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) tell his Companions, "One of the first men to be judged on the Day of Judgement will be one who was martyred. He will be summoned and shown all the bounties which were bestowed upon him. He will recognize them and then asked, 'How did you use them?" He will reply, 'I fought in Your Cause and was martyred.' Then he will be told, 'You lie. You fought so that you might be called a champion, and as such you were known.' Judgement will be passed on him and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire. Then a man will be brought who acquired knowledge and studied the Koran. Likewise, he will be shown the bounties bestowed upon him and will recognize them and will be asked, 'How did you use them?' He will reply: 'I acquired knowledge, taught it and studied the Koran to win Your pleasure.' Whereupon he will be told, 'You lie. You acquired knowledge so that you might be called a wise person, a reciter of the Koran so that you might be called a Qari, and accordingly you were given that title.' Judgement will be passed on him and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire. A man will be brought forward on whom Allah bestowed plenty and every kind of wealth. He too will be shown the bounties bestowed on him and will recognize them then asked, 'How did you use them?' He will reply, 'I spent upon every one of the causes You approve of and left none in order to win Your pleasure.' Then he will be told, 'You lie, you did all that so that you might be called charitable, and accordingly you were known as such.' Judgement will be passed upon him and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire. The Supplications 0f The Prophet The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was often asked how to supplicate to Allah, and as such he taught his followers many supplications for different circumstances. One day Abu Umamah, who was deeply troubled, came to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saying he was unable to remember all the different supplications so the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked, "Shall I tell you something which is the total of all of them? Supplicate: 'O Allah, I beseech You for all the good that Your Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) has beseeched of You, and I seek Your Protection from all the evil against which Your Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) has sought of You. You are the One to rely upon, and from You is sent. There is no might nor power except through Allah.'" Paradise and Hell Allah has promised that as long as a person believes that He is One and has no partners and that Muhammad is His Prophet and Messenger (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and believes in all His prophets and messengers will be saved from the Fire of Hell. Believers who commit punishable major sins such as adultery will be punished unless Allah in His Mercy forgives him/her. In the case of murder Allah may forgive the murderer if the murdered person forgives his/her murderer. Believers subjected to Hell will however be released, after a very long period of time, on account of their belief, whereas unbelievers will remain in Hell for all eternity. As for those who believed and then committed suicide, suicide is a state of disbelief and as such they die as an unbeliever. Anas recorded that during one of the Prophet's sermons he heard him say, "If you knew what I know you would laugh a little and weep a lot, whereupon the congregation covered their faces and sobbed. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) continued, "Paradise and Hell have been shown to me. I have never seen anything so good or so evil like them until this day." The Inhabitants of Paradise One day the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told his Companions, "When the inhabitants of Paradise enter a herald will announce, 'You will live forever and will not die. You will be in good health and never become ill. You will be young and never grow old and you will be in comfort and never encounter discomfort.'" The Protection of the Koran and Hadith Part 1 074 Back Cover Subtitles The Protection of the Koran The Koranic Scribes Prophetic Sayings - Hadiths Warning Selections from Imam Nawawi’s Collection of Hadith Knowledge and Guidance The Mercy of Allah The Remembrance of Allah The Forgiveness of Allah Scientific Facts for Centuries Yet to Come The Importance of One's Intention Exalting Allah Four Kinds of People When Deeds Are Not For Allah The Supplications 0f The Prophet Paradise and Hell The Inhabitants of Paradise