Dr. Bilal Philips' Blog

Aboo Hurayrah related that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was asked:“Who is the best among women?” He replied, “She who pleases her husband when he looks at her, obeys him when he instructs her, and who does not oppose him regarding herself and her riches, fearing his displeasure.” Collected by an-Nasaa’ee and al-Bayhaqee in Shu‘ab al-Eemaan and authenticated by al-Albaanee in Mishkaah al-Masaabeeh, vol. 2, p. 972, no. 3272. She tries her best to be presentable at all times. Especially, when he returns home from work or a journey. If he instructs her to do something haraam (forbidden), she is obliged to disobey him. As long as what he requests is halaal (permissible), she should comply, even if it is against her own personal preference. It is preferable that the lines of communication be open enough between husband and wife that she could inform him of her personal preferences in order to avoid uncomfortable circumstances.

SEEKING FORGIVENESS FOR THE IDOLATORS: Al-Musayyib ibn Hazn reported that when Aboo Taalib was on his deathbed, the Prophet (PBUH) went to him while Aboo Jahl and ‘Abdullaah ibn Abee Umayyah were with him. He said, “O uncle, say: There is no god worthy of worship but Allaah, so that I may plead your case with it before Allaah.” On hearing that, Aboo Jahl and ‘Abdullaah ibn Abee Umayyah said: O Aboo Taalib, will you renounce the religion of [our father] ‘Abdul-Muttalib? The Prophet then said, “I will continue to ask forgiveness for you as long as I am not prohibitted.” Then Allaah revealed the verse: “The Prophet and Believers should not seek forgiveness for the idolators even if they were near relatives, once it is made clear that they are inhabitants of the Hell-Fire (9:113).” Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol.6, p.158, no.197 and Sahih Muslim, vol.1, p.18, no.36.

Tests sometimes serve as a punishing reminder to those who have gone astray and an encouragement for them to return to the correct path. When people deviate, they seldom listen to the advice of those around them. However, when a calamity strikes them or those near and dear to them, it jolts those who still have some faith into recognizing their error. “I will make them taste a lesser punishment before the greater punishment that perhaps they may return [to the right path].” Qur’aan, 32:21. The test of calamities which remind humankind of their deviation may come in the form of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man. Allaah points out that whatever humans suffer at the hands of other humans, they brought upon themselves. However, the suffering is a reminder to return to the path of righteousness. “Corruption has appeared on the land and in the sea because of what man’s hands have earned in order that [Allaah] may make them taste a part of what they have done, and in order that they may return [to the right path].” Qur’aan, 30:41

No matter how severe the pain of the sickness may become, one is not allowed to hope or wish for death. The death wish reflects a belief that Allaah has burdened one beyond his capacity and indicates a lack of patience. The longer people live, the more opportunity they have to do good and improve their lot. Umm al-Fadl reported that the Prophet (PBUH) came to see them while the Prophet’s (PBUH) uncle ‘Abbaas, was complaining (of his sickness). When ‘Abbaas wished for death the Prophet (PBUH) told him, “O uncle, don’t wish for death, for verily if you were good and your death is delayed, it will add more good to your previous goodness and it will be better for you ; and if you were bad, find fault in your bad (and seek forgiveness) and it will be better for you, so don’t wish for death.” This narration is found in al-Mustadrak, vol.1, p.339 and is authenticated in Ahkaamul-Janaa’iz, p.4. As Anas reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “None of you should wish for death because of some harm which has afflicted him. But if one must do it, let him say: Allaahumma ahyinee maa kaanatil-hayaatu khayran lee [Oh Allaah keep me alive as long as living is best for me] wa tawaffanee ithaa kaanatil-wafaatu khayran lee [and take my life if death is better for me].” Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol.7, p.390, no. 575.

Ibn ‘Abbaas was reported to have said:
“The people of Yemen used to come for Hajj without bringing provisions with them. They would say that they were putting their trust in Allaah. Consequently, on their arrival in Makkah, they would beg the people, so Allaah revealed [the verse] ‘Take provision with you. Indeed, the best provision is piety.’ ” Collected by al-Bukhaaree (Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol. 2, pp. 348-9, no. 598)

“The best time for a man to come to his family on returning from a journey is at the beginning of the night.” The Prophet (PBUH) disapproved of husbands returning home in the night in order not to catch their wives unprepared to receive them. [See Sunan Abu Dawud, no. 2770 and no. 2772]. Men should delay their travel in order to return at a suitable time in the morning or in the evening. Women are encouraged to be presentable when greeting their husbands in order to keep romantic feelings between them alive. This hadeeth clarifies that the most suitable time for arriving from a journey is shortly after sunset as this is a time when housework is usually done and women relax before going to sleep. At such a time, wives can easily prepare themselves to welcome their husbands.

According to accounts from the Qur’aan and the hadeeth, angels may take human form on certain occasions. An example from the Qur’aan may be found in the case of Mary, when Angel Gabriel came to inform her of her impending pregnancy: “And mention in the scripture [the story of] Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place facing east. She placed a screen between herself and them. Then we sent to her Our angel, who appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.” Qur’aan, 19:16-17. It is also recorded in authentic traditions from the Prophet (PBUH) that Angel Gabriel used to visit him in various human forms. Sometimes the Prophet’s companions witnessed him visiting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the likeness of a handsome sahaabee by the name of Dihyah ibn Khaleefah al-Kalbee, and at other times in the likeness of an unknown bedouin. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said, “One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allaah (r), there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black. No sign of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the Prophet (PBUH). Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he said, ‘O Muhammad, tell me about Islaam…’ ” In the remainder of the hadeeth the man asked about eemaan (faith), ihsaan (piety) and the signs of the last Hour. After the man left, the Prophet (PBUH) informed his companions that the questioner was Angel Gabriel, who had come to teach them about their religion. Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol. 1, p. 17, no. 7. On another occasion, ‘Aa’ishah, the wife of the Prophet (PBUH), reported that she saw him place his hand on the mane of Dihyah al-Kalbee’s horse while talking to him. When she asked him about it, he replied that it was Gabriel and that he had sent his greetings to her. Silsilah al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah, vol. 3, p. 105, no. 1111.

Why do human beings need to worship and glorify God by obeying the divinely revealed laws? Because obedience to divine law is the key to success in this life and the next. The first human beings, Adam and Eve, were created in paradise and later expelled from paradise for disobeying the divine law. The only way for human beings to return to paradise is by obedience to the law. Divine laws represent guidance for humankind in all walks of life. It defines right and wrong for them and offers human beings a complete system governing all of their affairs. The Creator alone knows best what is beneficial for His creation and what is not. Thus, the divine laws command and prohibit various acts and substances to protect the human spirit, the human body and human society from harm. In order for human beings to fulfill their potential by living righteous lives, they need to worship God through obedience to His commandments.

The great-grandfather of ‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb stated that a man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: “O Messenger of Allaah, I have property and children, and my father needs [some of] my property.” He replied, “You and your property belong to your father. Indeed, your children are among the most pleasant of your earnings; so you may take from the earnings of your children.” Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood, vol. 2, p. 674, no. 3015. ‘Amr’s great-grandfather was ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas, the great companion of the Prophet (PBUH). In some versions of this tradition, the narrator said, “My father is consuming my property.” Both versions indicate that sons have a responsibility to support their parents if they are in need. The hadeeth cannot be taken in its most literal sense, however. Otherwise, it would allow parents to sell their children, which is prohibited by consensus.

Some of the souls of the martyrs reside inside green birds in Paradise, while others are held at the gates of Paradise. Ibn ‘Abbaas reported that Allaah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “When your brethren were killed [on the day of Uhud], Allaah placed their souls inside green birds which drink from the rivers of Paradise and eat from its fruits. Then they retire to the golden lamps hanging from the shade of the throne.” Collected by Aboo Daawood, Ahmad and al-Haakim and authenticated by al-Albaanee in Sharh al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah, p. 455, ftn. 3. On another occasion a man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, what will I get if I am killed in the path of Allaah?” He replied, “Paradise.” When the man turned to walk away, the Prophet (PBUH) added, “Except [if you have a] debt. Jibreel just confided it to me.” Collected by an-Nasaa’ee and Ahmad and authenticated by al-Albaanee in Sharh al-‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah, p. 455, ftn. 1.