Commentary – Hadith Answers

Explanation of the words: Children of Isma’il (ولد إسماعيل)

Question

I have come across this statement in a few Hadiths wherein Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) mentions that the virtue of a certain action is like emancipating a slave from the children of Nabi Isma’il (‘alayhis salam).

For example, Imam Muslim narrates:

من قال: لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير، عشر مرار كان كمن أعتق أربعة أنفس من ولد إسماعيل

1. What exactly is the virtue or status of the children of Nabi Isma’il (‘alayhis salam) that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) has made specific mention of them?

2. The virtue of freeing a slave is that Allah Ta’ala will free every limb of a person from Jahannam. Nowadays, achieving this reward is somewhat impossible as slavery does not really exist, hence if a person were to act upon the above Hadith and similar ones, would he be getting the same virtue as physically freeing a slave? Read More »

The reward for fulfilling the obligatory acts of wudu

Question

Your website mentions the high reward for performing wudu correctly, a persons minor sins will be forgiven.

If a person sometimes didn’t perform his wudu with the all the Sunnah actions, can it be hoped that much of his previous minor sins will still be forgiven?

Reciting ‘Subhanallahi wa bi hamdihi’

Question

Your website mentions the high reward for reciting ‘Subhanallahi wa bi Hamdihi’ (100 times), a persons minor sins will be forgiven.

Does a person get the reward for doing the above each time, whenever he completes it, even if he only did them rarely in his lifetime?

Four people who did not accept Islam and will be tested on the Day of Qiyamah

Question

Can you please provide commentary on the following Hadith:

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “There are four who will be judged by Allah on the Day of Qiyamah; A deaf person who cannot hear at all, an insane person, an old [senile] person and a man who [lived and] died in a period wherein there were no Prophets.

As for the deaf one, he will say: ‘Islam came and I did not hear a thing.’ The mentally challenged one will say: ‘Islam came and children were pelting me with dung.’ The senile person will say: ‘Islam came and I did not comprehend a thing.’ As for the one who died in between the sending of the Messengers, he will say: ‘No Messenger came to me.’

Then a covenant will be taken from them that they will surely obey Allah. Then a Messenger will be sent to them commanding them to enter Jahannam [to test their obedience to Allah]. By Him in whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, if they enter it, they will not find it except cool and peaceful.'”

When should one recite the du’a for protection against shirk?

Question

Should the following du’a for protection against shirk be recited in the morning for protection till the evening and in the evening for protection till the morning?

الَّلهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ وأَنا أَعلَمُ وأَستَغفِرُكَ لما لا أَعلَمُ

Allahumma ini aujubika un ushrika bika wa ana a’lamu wa astaghfiruka lima la a’lamu

A Hadith on offering Salah with shoes

Question

Could you kindly provide me the authenticity and commentary of the following Hadith:

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Act differently from the Jews, for they do not pray in their sandals or their shoes.”

Sitting and drinking water

Question

Looking at the narrations below, what is the Sunnah?

To stand and drink, or to sit whilst drinking?

a) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said “No person should stand and drink water, and if one forgetfully stood and drank it, it should be vomited out” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2026)

b) Imam Ahmad narrated that Sayyiduna ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiyallahu ‘anhu) drank whilst standing, and the people looked at him as if they objected to that. He said: ‘What are you looking at? If I drink whilst standing, I saw Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) drink whilst standing, and if I drink sitting, I saw Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) drink whilst sitting.’

Imam Bukhari (Hadith: 5615) narrated from Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) that he drank whilst standing then he said: ‘Some people say it is makruh [disliked] for one of you to drink whilst standing, but I saw Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) doing what you have seen me do.’

A narration regarding looking into the Quran while in Salah

Question

In a Hadith it is stated that Dhakwan, the slave of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) used to look inside the Mushaf [Quran] and lead her in Salah.

What does this mean?