Hadith 6

Whosoever sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand, and if he is not
able to do so then with his tongue, and if he is not able to do so, then with his
heart, and that is the weakest of faith.

Teaching
Islam does not encourage complacency but instead promotes action. Enjoining good and forbidding the
evil in obligatory upon a believer. In the given Hadith the Prophet (pbuh) has made it clear that
removing, or wanting to remove, evil from society to improve the moral wellbeing of fellow Muslims and
society at large is an essential characteristic of a Muslim’s faith. The Hadith refers to the obligation of
Muslims to tackle evil in order to remove it. Acting against removal of evil is recommended but if it
causes tribulations then one should use one’s speech against it and if that is not possible condemn the
evil in one’s heart. Prophet Saw said: ‘When the people see a wrong doer committing a wrong
and do not seize his hand, it is most likely that Allah will inflict them with His punishment.’
(Abu Daud, Tirmidi)

teachings into action.

Muslim have to manifest their faith through actions. Fighting evil is a form of jihad that every Muslim
should be engaged in. Every Muslim can act upon the teaching of this Hadith in their lives and bring
about a positive change in their community and the wider world. This can be done by standing up
against any evil practice one sees, and this can be done by reporting it, distancing oneself from it or by
simply condemning it in one’s heart e.g. electricity theft in your neighborhood, injustice with slaves,
drug addiction, smoking, bribes being paid to attain jobs or cheating in an exam.

Hadith 7

It was said: O Messenger of Allah, who is the most excellent of men? The Messenger of Allah
(may Allah bless him and give him peace) said: ‘The believer who strives hard in the way of
Allah with his person and his property.’

Teaching
This hadith indicates various forms of Jihad including physical jihd, spiritual jihad and jihad with
possessions. The main teaching of this Hadith is that the best amongst believers are those who are
engaged in always trying to earn the pleasure of God and to establish a society based upon justice and
righteousness. They will fulfil all their obligations towards God and will not only use their self to
accomplish this, but use their resources and wealth with which God has provided them with to fulfil
their obligations to God and the community. Striving hard means to push boundaries and keep on
availing the opportunities to do good deeds like living a life of obedience to Allah ourselves bearing all
hardships and preaching the same to others. The Quran says: ‘Strive hard in Allah’s way with your
property and person.’ (61:11)

Teachings into action.

Muslims must at all times endeavor to do righteous deeds and be God conscious. Sacrificing one’s time,
money and, if need be, one’s life in the way of God is one way of putting the teaching of this hadith into
action. With a strong faith a Muslim will try to please his Lord all the more and go on to offer say tahajud
prayers which are not obligatory or be willing to sponsor Islamic charities or use their resources to help
fellow Muslims in war torn countries. schools, helping charitable organizations, sheltering refugees,
striving to remove evil from society, even migrating for the sake of God if the need arises as the Prophet
(pbuh) and his Companions did are some of the ways in which the teaching of this Hadith can be put into
practice.

Hadith 8

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said: ‘Whom do you count
to be a martyr among you?’ They said: O Messenger of Allah, whoever is killed in the way of
Allah is martyr. He said: ‘In that case the martyrs of my community will be very few! He who
is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr, he who dies a natural death in the way of Allah is a
martyr, he who dies in the plague in the way of Allah is a martyr, he who dies of cholera in
the way of Allah is a martyr.

Teaching
This Hadith broadens the scope of martyrdom and gives the believers the important teaching that God
considers all those Muslims who live righteous and God conscious lives trying to seek His pleasure and
die while doing so are given the status of a martyr. Basically, God loves His creation and rewards all
those who are obedient to Him. Dying of the plague or cholera are specifically mentioned as those were
the types of diseases people in the days of the Prophet (pbuh) died of, the wider meaning can be seen
as dying of any grave illness. Prophet SAW said: ‘Whoever sincerely desires the rank of
martyrdom gets the rank of martyrdom even if he is not killed.’ (Muslim)

Teachings into action.

The teaching of this Hadith can be practised by a Muslim always living his/her life as recommended by
the Prophet (pbuh). Following the sunna of the Prophet (pbuh), being punctual in fulfilling one’s
obligations to God and humanity are ways to live righteously with the intent that when death comes to a
Muslim he is ready to meet his Creator. By helping in fund-raising to build mosques or hospitals and to
contribute towards other welfare projects are ways that Muslims can live their lives in a way pleasing to
God which will earn them the high status of a martyr. Ultimately, if a Muslim is active in the way of God
then it does not matter how he/she dies.

Hadith 9

No one eats better food than that which he eats out of the work of his hand.

Teaching
Dignity of labour and earning lawfully are stressed in Islam and this hadith strongly discourages reliance
on others and beggary. Earnings by honest hard work are blessed by God. In another Hadith it is said
that: ‘One who earns his livelihood by the sweat of his brow is a friend of God.’ The instruction
in this Hadith to Muslims is that they must all strive to earn a living for themselves and their families. It is
not how much a person earns but how he/she earns it that matters.

Teachings into action.

Muslims can act upon this Hadith by respecting all forms of work and by engaging in means that enable
them to earn an honest day’s living. The Prophet (pbuh) himself in his early days worked as a shepherd.
Examples of the prophets of the past can be given who worked as shepherd and even after assuming
leadership of Madina did not shy away from manual work as he participated in the building of the
mosque and digging of the trench. We should stay away from all sorts of corruption. Living within one’s
means and being grateful to God for His provision is the way to act upon the Hadith.

Hadith 10
One who manages the affairs of the widow and the poor man is like the one who exerts
himself in the way of Allah, or the one who stands for prayer in the night or fasts in the day.

Teaching
The Hadith clearly explains the rights of the people with regards to one another. Islam promotes social
justice and gives a lot of stress on the welfare of the whole community. In this Hadith the Prophet
(pbuh) is giving the clear teaching that looking after the vulnerable in society is a moral duty of all those
who have the capacity to do so. Widows and orphans are specifically mentioned as they are most in
need of support in many countries and communities of the past and present. The broader teaching
covers all those in need, be it financially or emotionally etc. Looking after them has been compared to
worship by the Prophet (pbuh) as Islam is not just a set of rituals but a faith that encourages its followers
to fulfil the rights of fellow beings. Quran says: ‘… Treat with kindness your parents and kindred
and orphans and those in need.’ (2:83)

Teachings into action.

The teaching can be implemented by being generous and helpful to God’s creation by providing
resources for the poor and needy e.g. providing housing for the homeless, free healthcare to those who
need it, and by providing education to those who cannot access it. It also motivates us to give advice and
emotional support to widows and orphans so that no one is left behind and all get a fair chance in
society. Providing resources for the poor, supporting a widow, giving guidance to orphans are all
meritorious deeds that are comparable to fighting jihad in the way of God. Prophet SAW himself married
the widows to set an example for us and took keen care for the orphans.