The Prophet’s humbleness

Prophet Muhammadwas a perfect model of modesty and humbleness. Henever
spoke loudly or in an unseemly manner.In the market, he always passed
by the people quietly with a smile. Whenever he heard anything
undesirable in an assembly, he did not say anythingout of respect for
the people, butthe color of his face showed his feelings and the
Companions became cautious. `Aa'ishahsaid that she never saw Allaah's
Messengerlaughing so that she could see his molar teeth, forhe only
used to smile.
`Abdullaah Ibn Maslamahreported Allaah's Messengeras saying:"Modesty
is a part of the teachings of the previous prophets and anyone who
lacks itis most likely to do whatever he likes."Zaydreported Allaah's
Messengeras saying:"Every religion has a character and the character
of Islam is modesty."
The Messenger of Allaahlived a simple and modest life, both in Makkah
as a trader before his prophethood, and in Al-Madeenah as the head of
the State after being appointed Allaah's Messenger. The change inhis
social status from that of a trader in Makkah to the head of the State
in Al-Madeenah did not bring any change in his modest living.
`Umarreported the Prophetas saying:"Do not exalt me as the Christians
have exalted Jesus, son of Mary. I am just His servant, so call me
Allaah's Servant and Messenger."
The Prophetdid not behave towards others as if he was better than they
were, nor did hespurn manual work. `Abdullaah bin Abi `Awfareported
that the Prophet of Allaahnever disdained to go with a slave or a
widow to accomplish his or her tasks. Others reported that the
Prophetused to tidy up his house, tie the camels, feed the animals,
take food with his servants, and help them in kneading dough and
bringing provisions from the market. Anasreported that the Prophet of
Allaahused to visit the sick, attend funerals, ride on a donkey and
accept a slave's invitation for a meal. Jaabirstated that
theProphetused to slow down his pace for the sake of the weak and also
prayed for them.
When `Adiyy bin Haatimcameto see the Prophethe called him inside his
house. A maidservant brought a cushion to rest on, but the
Prophetplaced it between him and `Adiyyand sat down on the floor.
`Adiyy later said that he had then immediately realized that the
Prophetwas not a king. A similar incident was reported by `Abdullaah
bin `Amr bin Al-`Aaswho said: "Once when the Messenger of Allaahcame
to my house, I gave him a cushion filled with bark, but he sat down on
the floor placing the cushion between me and him."
Prophet Muhammadwas humble in all things. Anassaid that the
Prophetwould accept an invitation even if he was presented barley
bread and soup whose taste had changed. He also reported the Prophetas
saying:"I am Allaah's servant, Ieat like a servant and sit like a
servant.''
On one of his journeys, the Prophet,asked his companions to roast a
goat. One said that he would slaughter the animal; another said that
he would skin it, while a third said that he would cook it. The
Prophetthen said that he would collect wood for fuel. Theirresponse
was: "O Messenger of Allaah! We will do everything." The Prophetthen
said:"I haveno doubt that you will. But I do not like distinctions to
be made, nor does Allaah like any one of His servants to assert his
superiority over his companions."
His self-deprecation was such that heonce said: "By Allaah, I do not
know, even although I am Allaah's messenger, what my fate in the next
world will be, nordo I know what yours will be."
Abu Tharr Al-Ghifaarinarratesthat one day he was sitting with another
companion of black complexion whom he addressed as: "O black man."
When the Prophetheard of this, he was greatly displeased and cautioned
Abu Tharr never to make scornfulremarks to anyone, whoever he might
be, and to accord equal treatment to all, adding: "No white man has
any superiority over a black man."
The Prophetonce saw a wealthy Muslim gathering up his loose garments
so that a certain distance would be kept between himself and a poor
Muslim sittingclose by. Heremarked:"Do you fear that his poverty will
cling to you?"
The Prophetlived like any ordinary person, and did not assume any
superior rights. He once had to borrow some moneyfrom a Jew called
Zayd bin Sana'a.The Jew came to demand the immediate return of the
loan a few days before the expiry of the stipulated period. Tugging at
the mantle around the Prophet's shoulders, he jibed that the progeny
of 'Abd Al-Muttalib were always defaulters.
`Umarnot being able to tolerate this misbehavior on the part of the
Jew, started berating him, and was on the point of beating him when
the Prophetsaid to the Jew, smiling:"There are still three days to go
before the promise has to be fulfilled."To 'Umarhesaid:"We might have
had better treatment from you. You could have advised me to be more
careful about the return of loans and you could have advised the Jew
to be more courteous in demanding repayment."Hethen requested 'Umarto
get some dates so that the loan could be repaid, and to give the Jew
an extra forty kilograms for the rebuke he had been given.
We can say that humbleness is seen in every sphere of the Prophet's
life. His way of talking, walking, sitting, eating and every aspect of
his life reflected humbleness.

Etiquettes related to debtand loaning - II

The Debtor:
Repaying the creditor on time:The debtor should take initiative to
repay the creditor as soon as the loan is due. If the debtor is
financially unable to repay it all, then at least he should start
paying in installments if he possesses the money to do so. One should
rush in repayment, because loans will be a hard thingon him in his
gave.
Repaying in the best manner:The debtor should repay in the best
manner. Abu Hurayrahreported: "A harsh Bedouin came to the Messenger
of Allaahasking him to repay a young camel hehad borrowed from this
Bedouin. The Bedouin used harsh words when he was demanding his money,
so the companions were about to strike him for doing so, but the
Messenger of Allaahsaid:"Leave him! Indeed a creditor has the right
todemand it )i.e. his loan("the companions could not find a young
camel among the brought ones)from Zakaah( to match the level of that
which was borrowed, and informed the Messenger of Allaahthat all the
camels were of the best type. The Prophetsaid:"Give it to him, for it
is the best of all people who pays back in the best manner."']Muslim[.
In another narration narrated by Abu Sa'eedthe Prophettold the
companionswho were enraged with the Bedouin:"You should side with the
one who is demanding his right"
Unfortunately, nowadays people hardly side with the one demanding his
right, and in some cases even judges deprive people from their rights,
and receive bribes to sidewith the debtor instead of siding with the
creditor … woe to them and what a severe punishment awaits them in
Hell on the Day of Judgment.
When the Bedouin saw the good manner in which the Prophetrepaid him,
he thanked him, and thereupon the Prophetsaid:"These are the best type
of people )i.e. who repay in the best manner(. There is no good in a
nation whose poor cannot take their rights from their rich without
being harassed"the Prophetsaid this because sometimes the poor might
get his right back but only after he suffers and is delayed and is put
in embarrassing situations.
Additionally, the debtor must rely on Allaah in his attempt to repay
the creditor. Abu Hurayrahreported that the Messenger of Allaahsaid:"A
man from the children of Israeli asked another to lend him one
thousand Deenaars. The second said, `I want a surety witness' the
former replied, `Allaah is sufficient as a surety witness' The second
said, you areright, and he lent him the money for an appointed time.
The debtor went across the sea, and when he finished his job, he
searched for a conveyance so thathe might reach in time for the
repayment of the debt, but he could not find any. So, he took a piece
of wood, made a hole in it, inserted in it one thousand Deenaars and a
letter to the lender and then closed )i.e. sealed( the hole tightly.
He took the piece of wood to the sea and said: "O Allaah! You know
very well that I took a loan of one thousand Deenaars from so-and-so.
He demanded a surety from me but I told him that Allaah's Guarantee
was sufficient, and he accepted Your Guarantee. He thenasked for a
witness and I told him that Allaah was sufficient as a witness, and he
acceptedYou as a witness. No doubt, I tried hard to find a conveyance
so that I could pay his money but I could not find any, so I hand over
this money to You" Saying that, he threw the piece of wood into the
sea till it went out far into it, and then he went away. Meanwhile he
started searching for a conveyance in order to reach the creditor's
country.
One day the lender came out of his house to see whether a ship had
arrived bringing his money, and all of a sudden he saw the piece of
wood )i.e. the one in which his money had been deposited(. He took it
home to use for fire. When he sawed it, hefound his money and the
letter inside it. Shortly after that, the debtor came bringing one
thousand Deenaars to him and said, By Allaah, I had been trying hard
to get a boat so that I could bring you your money, but failed to get
one before the one I have come by. The lender asked,have you sent
something to me? The debtor replied, `I have told you I could not get
a boat other than the one I have come by. The lender said, `Allaah has
delivered on your behalf the money you sent in the piece of wood. So,
youmay keep your one thousand Deenaars so depart guided on theright
path"]Al-Bukhaari[.
This is the consequence of relying on Allaah, and when one's intention
is sincere in repayment, then Allaah will assist himin his attempt.
The problem that faces many indebted people is that they are not truly
sincere in their intention to repay the debt to the creditor and thus
they become deprived of the assistance of Allaah.
Procrastinating payment:Some debtors delay and procrastinate for no
needeven when they have themoney to repay, but he acts so mean and low
and pays back in installments to the creditor. One might have a debt
of fifty thousand for example, and starts repaying five hundred every
month, other months he might pay only two hundred, and a third month
he would pay a thousand and so on, despite him having the entire
amount, but he just wants the creditorto give up on him and hisdebt,
and this is extreme stinginess.
Such people make the creditor appear like the poor person who is
chasing after money, whilst it is his right. He forces him in some
cases to beg him to repay, so that he )i.e. the creditor( can fulfill
his own obligations which he might have arranged their payment based
on the agreed upon promiseof repayment from the debtor.
Finally, it is recommended that the debtor says nice words ofgratitude
to the creditor upon repaying him as this softens the heart
andencourages the creditor to loan others in the future.

Etiquettes related to debtand loaning - I

Many social problems result from loans becausemany people overlook the
etiquettes which Islam legislated for the debtor and the creditor, and
should the debtors and the creditors adhere to such etiquettes, then
many problems would besolved.
Some of these etiquettes regarding the creditor are to delay the
debtor who is unable to pay on due time and to drop the debt from the
needy. On the other hand, the debtor should rush and repay the loan as
soon as he is able to and not to procrastinate repayment.In part one
of this article we will address what is related to the creditor, while
part two will concentrate on matters pertaining to the debtor.
The Creditor:
· Giving respite to thedebtor: When the time ofrepayment is
due, then the one who was kind to his brother and loaned him some
money should remember the Saying of Allaah )which means(:"And if
someone is in hardship, then ]let there be[ postponementuntil ]a time
of[ ease. But if you give ]from your right as[ charity, then it is
better for you, if you only knew."]Quran 2: 280[.
In this verse, Allaah enjoins patience and tolerance for the one who
is poor and cannot repay on time and that the creditor should postpone
the deadline. This command came to change the old practice during
pre-Islamic era were the creditor used tosay to the debtor: "Either
you pay or I start calculating interest on the loan". Also, the verse
comes directly after the verses addressing the issue of Riba )i.e.
interest and usury( in which Allaah Says )what means(:"O you who have
believed, fear Allaah and give up what remains]due to you[ of Riba
)i.e. interest and interest(, if you should be believers. And if you
do not, then be informed of a war ]against you[ from Allaah and His
Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal-]thus[ you
do no wrong, nor are you wronged."]Quran 2: 278-279[. Allaah did not
specify the type of war He would wage against those who deal with
Riba; whether it is in the form of afflicting them with diseases,
making them suffer famine and poverty or a military war.
Jaabirreported that the Messenger of Allaahsaid:"May Allaah show mercy
to a man who adopts a kind attitude when he sells, buys and demands
for the repayment of loans."]Al-Bukhaari[ Thisperson deserved the
mercy of Allaah because he dealt with people kindly and postponed
theone who could not repay him and whenever askedfor his money, he
demanded it gently with kind words as not to hurtthe feelings of the
debtor.
These prophetic narrations deeply affected the companionsand they
acted upon them. 'Abdullaah Ibn Abu Qataadahreported: "My father )i.e.
Abu Qataadah( went to a manwho was indebted to him, so the debtor hid
from him. Later, Abu Qataadah saw the debtorand requested his moneybut
the later informed him that he could not repay him because he didnot
possess the money and that his financial situation was very tight.
Upon hearing this, Abu Qataadah, asked the mansaying; `Are you really
in a tight situation? ` The man responded with the affirmative.
Thereupon my father said: I heard the Messenger of Allaahsaying:"He
who likes Allaahto deliver him from the calamities of the Day of
Resurrection, let him either give respite to a debtor or grant him
remission )of loans( in straitened circumstances." Then he
cried"]Muslim[
In another narration, hesaid:"He who gives respite to someone who is
in straitened circumstances, or grants him remission, Allaah will
shelter him in the shade of His Throne, on theDay of Resurrection,
when there will be no shade except His shade."]At-Tirmithi[
Abu Qataadahwas notthe only one who behaved in such a manner. Rather,
this was the way the entire community of the companionsdealt with each
other.
Many of the companions delayed the debtors who could not pay on time
forlong periods, and in many cases they even dropped and waived the
entire debt altogether.
This was so because they lived the prophetic narrations practically in
their lives. Some of them used to lend others just to get the reward
mentioned in some narrations like the sayingof the Messenger of
Allaah:"Any Muslim who lends another Muslim twice will get a reward as
if he has spent this money in charity."Anothernarration that was an
encouraging factor is thesaying of the Messenger of Allaah:"He who
gives respite to someone who is in straitened circumstances, will geta
reward as if he has spent this amount in charity for every day he
delays him until its due date, and after it becomes due he will get
double such reward."
Giving respite and delaying those in tough situations can be the
reason of rescuing oneself from Hell. Abu Hurayrahreported that the
Messenger of Allaahsaid:"There was a person who used to loan money to
the people and he used to say to his servant: `When an insolvent
person comes to you, show him leniency so that Allaah may forbear our
faults. ` So whenhe met Allaah )i.e., when he died(, Allaah forgave
him."]Al-Bukhaari & Muslim[
Abu Mas`ood Al-Badrireported that the Messenger of Allaahsaid:"A
person from amongst the people who lived before you was called to
account by Allaah on the Day of Resurrection. No good deeds were found
in his credit except that he, being a richman, had )financial(
dealings with people and had commandedhis servants to show leniency to
those who were in straitened circumstances. Upon this, Allaah, the
Exalted and Majestic Said: `I am more entitled to this attribute, so
waive )his faults(.`"]Muslim[
The abovementioned verses and narrations area great encouragement for
the creditor to postpone and give respite to the debtors who can not
repay on time due to their strenuous situations. They are messages to
the rich who lend others and embarrass them and humiliate them, and
may even be the cause for their imprisonment. Indeed, the creditor has
the right to do so, but Allaah Says )what means(:"… but whoever
pardons and makes reconciliation, then his reward is ]due[ from Allaah
…"]Quran 42: 40[.
Undoubtedly, the reward from Allaah is far better than money which is
an interim pleasure.

Dought & clear ,- - Supplications prescribed in Shareeah - Ruling on saying Bala (yes indeed) when the verse “Is not Allaah the Best of judges?” [al-Teen 95:8] is recited.

What is the ruling on saying Bala (yes indeed)when the imam says "Is
not Allaah the Best of judges?" [al-Teen 95:8]? Or is that bid'ah (an
innovation)?.
Praise be to Allaah.
There is nothing wrong with the person who is praying behind the imam
saying that, or sayingSubhaanaka fa bala(Glory be to You, yesindeed)
and so on, whenthe imam recites (interpretation of the meaning):"Is
not He (Allaah Who does that) Able to give life to the dead?"
[al-Qiyaamah 75:40]or"Is not Allaah the Best of judges?" [al-Teen
95:8].
This is the view of the Maalikis. It says inMawaahib al-Jaleel(2/253):
If there is a mention of the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) in the imam's recitation, there is nothing wrong with the
person who is praying behind him sending blessings on him, or if there
is any mention of Paradise or Hell, there is nothing wrong with asking
Allaah for Paradise or seeking refuge with Himfrom Hell, and that may
happen time after time. The same applies to a person saying, when
theimam says"Is not He (Allaah Who does that) Able to give life to the
dead?" [al-Qiyaamah 75:40]: Yes, He is Able to do all things, and so
on.
This is also the view of the Hanbalis. It says inSharh
al-Muntaha(1/206): The worshipper may saySubhaanaka fa bala(Glory be
to You, yesindeed) and so on, when(the imam) recites (interpretation
of the meaning):"Is not He (Allaah Who does that) Able to give life to
the dead?" [al-Qiyaamah 75:40], whether it is an obligatory or naafil
prayer, because of the report. With regard to the verse"Is not Allaah
the Best of judges?" [al-Teen 95:8], the report is subject to further
discussion. End quote.
See:al-Furoo'(1/481) andal-Insaaf(2/107).
The report referred to was narrated by Abu Dawood (884) from Moosa ibn
Abi 'Aa'ishah who said: A man was praying on his roof, and when he
recited the verse"Is not He (Allaah Who does that) Able to give life
to the dead?" [al-Qiyaamah 75:40], he would saySubhaanaka fa
bala(Glory be to You, yes indeed). They asked him about that and he
said: I heard it from the Messenger of Allaah(peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him).
Its isnaad is da'eef, because there is an interruption between Moosa
and the Sahaabi, and there is at least one other man omitted, as was
stated by al-Hafiz inal-Nukat al-Ziraaf(11/210) andNataa'ij
al-Afkaar(2/48).
Even if the report were saheeh, it does not meanthat this is to be
done in an obligatory prayer, rather what seems to be the case is that
the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not do that
in obligatory prayers, because if he did that it would have been
narrated, as it was narrated that he did it innight prayers (qiyaam
al-layl). In the hadeeth of Hudhayfah (may Allaah be pleased with him)
it says: I prayed with the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) one night, and he started to recite al-Baqarah and I
thought: he will bow when he reaches one hundred, but he carried on.
Then I thought that he would finish it in the two rak'ahs, but he
carried on. Then I thought he would bow after finishing it, but he
started to recite al-Nisa' and recited it all, then hestarted to
recite Aal 'Imraan and recited it all,reciting with a slow and
measured pace. When he reached a verse that spoke of glorifying
Allaah, he glorified Allaah; when he reacheda verse that spoke of
asking of Him, he asked of Him; when he reacheda verse that spoke of
seeking refuge with Him, he sought refuge with Him... Narrated by Muslim
(772).
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
But with regard to naafilprayer, especially in night prayers (qiyaam
al-layl), it is Sunnah to seek refuge with Allaah when reciting a
verse that speaks of seeking refuge, and to ask (for mercy) when
reciting a verse that speaks of mercy, following the example of the
Messenger of Allaah(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him),
andbecause that helps one to focus more and ponder more deeply. When
praying qiyaam al-layl it is Sunnah to recite at length, and to recite
a great deal and bow and prostrate and so on. But in an obligatory
prayer, it is not Sunnah to do this although it is permissible. If
someone were to say: What is your evidence for this distinction, and
you were to say that what is proven concerning naafil prayers also
applies to obligatory prayers,
Our answer is: the evidence for this is that the Messenger(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) offered three prayers every night and
day in which he recited out loud, and he recited verses which spoke of
warnings, and verses which spoke of mercy, and the Sahaabah who
transmitted from the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) how the prayer is to be performed did not narrate that he used to
do that in the obligatoryprayers. If it was Sunnahhe would have done
it, and if he had done it, it would have been transmitted. As it was
not transmitted, we know that he did not do it. As he did not do it,
weknow that it is not Sunnah. The Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with
them) were keen tofollow everything that the Prophet(peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) did, to such an extent that they
couldtell when he was reciting in the prayers inwhich Qur'aan is
recited silently from the movement of his beard. When he fell silent
between the opening takbeer and recitation, Abu Hurayrah asked him
what he said, and if he had fallen silent when reciting a verse that
spoke of warning to seek refuge with Allaah, or in a verse that spoke
of mercy to ask of Allaah,they would undoubtedlyhave transmitted it.
If someone were to say: If that is the case, then why do you not say
that it is not allowed in an obligatory prayer, as some scholars did,
because the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Pray as you have seen me praying" (al-Bukhaari (602))?
The answer is: The fact that the Prophet(peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) did not do a thing does not mean that it is forbidden,
because he(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave us a basic
principle: "This prayer is not the right place for any of the people's
speech, rather it is tasbeeh, takbeer and recitation of Qur'aan."
Narrated by Muslim (537). Du'aa' is not "people's speech" so it does
not invalidate prayer. So the basic principle is that it is
permissible, but we do not recommend a person to do that in an
obligatory prayer, for the reasons given above.
So the reciter may say it when he recites (interpretation of the
meaning):"Is not He (Allaah Who does that) Able to give life to the
dead?" [al-Qiyaamah 75:40], because there is a hadeeth about it and
Imam Ahmad stated that and said: If the reciter recites ...during prayer
or otherwise, he may say:Subhaanakafa bala(Glory to You, yes indeed),
in both obligatory and naafil prayers.
And if he recites"Is not Allaah the Best of judges?" [al-Teen 95:8],
he may saySubhaanaka fa bala(Glory to You, yes indeed).
End quote fromal-Sharh al-Mumti'(1/604-605).
The Shaykh (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked: We have heard
some people who were praying in congregation,when the imam recites"Is
not Allaah the Best of judges?" [al-Teen 95:8], they say:Bala(yes
indeed). Is that acceptable?
He replied: This is acceptable, because when Allaah says,"Is not
Allaah the Best of judges?" [al-Teen 95:8], you may say; Bala (Yes
indeed). And whenever similar verses are recited, we may say Bala(Yes
indeed).
"Is not Allaah Sufficient for His slave?" [al-Zumar 39:36]- you may
say Yes indeed.
"Is not Allaah All-Mighty, Possessor of Retribution?" [al-Zumar
39:37]- you may say Yes indeed.
"Is not He (Allaah Who does that) Able to give life to the dead?"
[al-Qiyaamah 75:40]- you may say Yes indeed.
But if saying this will distract the worshipper from listening to the
imam, then he should not do it. But if it comes at the end of a verse
where the imam will pause, then it will not distract him, so when he
says:"Is not Allaah the Best of judges?" [al-Teen95:8], he may say Yes
indeed. End quote fromLiqa' al-Baab il-Maftooh(11/81).
Note: The hadeeth referred to in the words quoted from Ibn Muflih
"subject to further discussion" was narratedby Abu Dawood (887) and
al-Tirmidhi from Abu Hurayrah who said: The Messenger of Allaah(peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever among you recites
(interpretation of the meaning):'By the fig, and the olive' [al-Teen
95:1]and comes to the end of it,'Is not Allaah the Best of judges?'
[al-Teen 95:8], let him sayBala wa ana 'ala dhaalika min
al-shaahideen(yes indeed, and I am one of the witnesses to that). And
if he recites (interpretation of the meaning):'I swear by the Day of
Resurrection' [al-Qiyaamah 75:1]and comes to the end of it,"Is not He
(Allaah Who does that) Able to give life to the dead?" [al-Qiyaamah
75:40], let him say Bala (yes indeed). And if he recites'By the winds
(or angels or the Messengers of Allaah) sent forth one after another'
[al-Mursalaat 77:1]and he reaches (the verse) (interpretation of the
meaning):'Then in what statement after this (the Qur'aan) will they
believe?' [al-Mursalaat 77:50], let him say:Aamanna Billaah(we believe
in Allaah)." The isnaad of this hadeeth includes a majhool (unknown)
narrator, as was stated by al-Tirmidhi after quotingit. It was classed
as da'eef by a number of imams, such as al-Nawawi inal-Majmoo'(3/563)
and others. Al-Albaani quoted it inDa'eef Abi Dawood.