1 00:00:00,780 --> 00:00:09,779 *Riyad al-Salihin* (The Meadows of the Righteous) from the words of the Master of the Messengers, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 2 00:00:09,779 --> 00:00:16,120 Chapter: The Prohibition of Injustice and the Command to Redress Injustices. 3 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:22,199 On the authority of 'Adiyy ibn 'Amirah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 4 00:00:22,199 --> 00:00:27,260 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: 5 00:00:27,260 --> 00:00:30,260 "Whomever among you we appoint to a post, 6 00:00:30,260 --> 00:00:34,259 and he conceals from us a needle or anything greater, 7 00:00:34,259 --> 00:00:38,259 it shall be an act of embezzlement (*ghulul*) that he will bring on the Day of Resurrection." 8 00:00:38,259 --> 00:00:42,390 Thereupon, a dark-skinned man from the Ansar stood up— 9 00:00:42,390 --> 00:00:44,390 as if I can still look at him— 10 00:00:44,390 --> 00:00:47,390 and said: "O Messenger of Allah, 11 00:00:47,390 --> 00:00:49,390 relieve me of my assignment!" 12 00:00:49,390 --> 00:00:52,390 He asked: "And what is the matter with you?" 13 00:00:52,390 --> 00:00:56,420 The man replied: "I heard you say such-and-such." 14 00:00:56,420 --> 00:01:00,420 He said: "And I say it now: 15 00:01:00,420 --> 00:01:02,420 Whomever we appoint to a post, 16 00:01:02,420 --> 00:01:05,420 let him bring everything, whether little or much. 17 00:01:05,420 --> 00:01:08,420 Whatever he is given from it, he may take, 18 00:01:08,420 --> 00:01:10,420 and whatever he is forbidden from, he must refrain." 19 00:01:10,420 --> 00:01:13,459 Narrated by Muslim. 20 00:01:13,459 --> 00:01:17,540 "A needle or anything greater" (*mikhytan fa-ma fawqahu*): 21 00:01:17,540 --> 00:01:20,540 That is, a needle or whatever is smaller than it. 22 00:01:20,540 --> 00:01:22,799 "Embezzlement" (*ghululan*): 23 00:01:22,799 --> 00:01:27,799 Meaning misappropriation of spoils of war by way of theft before their formal distribution. 24 00:01:27,799 --> 00:01:31,629 Key lessons from the hadith: 25 00:01:33,079 --> 00:01:35,079 In the hadith is a stern warning 26 00:01:35,079 --> 00:01:38,079 and a definitive deterrence against embezzlement by an appointed official, 27 00:01:38,079 --> 00:01:40,079 whether regarding small matters or large ones. 28 00:01:40,079 --> 00:01:43,140 Thus, whoever is entrusted with the wealth of the Muslims 29 00:01:43,140 --> 00:01:46,140 must safeguard it, 30 00:01:46,140 --> 00:01:49,140 deliver it to its rightful recipients, 31 00:01:49,140 --> 00:01:52,140 and never appropriate any part of it exclusively for himself. 32 00:01:52,140 --> 00:01:55,689 The eager desire to avoid governance 33 00:01:55,689 --> 00:01:57,689 and public office, 34 00:01:57,689 --> 00:01:59,689 for they are prone to shortcoming. 35 00:01:59,689 --> 00:02:02,010 Persons in authority 36 00:02:02,010 --> 00:02:06,010 must know the sources from which public funds derive, 37 00:02:06,010 --> 00:02:09,009 taking only that which is lawful, 38 00:02:09,009 --> 00:02:13,009 and returning to its rightful owners whatever is not permissible to take. 39 00:02:13,009 --> 00:02:16,550 The permissibility of describing a person by a physical trait for identification, 40 00:02:16,550 --> 00:02:19,550 provided that it does not anger him. 41 00:02:19,550 --> 00:02:22,550 For this reason, it was stated in the hadith: 42 00:02:22,550 --> 00:02:26,550 "Thereupon, a dark-skinned man from the Ansar stood up." 43 00:02:26,550 --> 00:02:31,030 The swift return of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to the truth 44 00:02:31,030 --> 00:02:34,030 once it had become clear to them. 45 00:02:34,030 --> 00:02:39,539 On the authority of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 46 00:02:39,539 --> 00:02:42,539 On the day of Khaybar, 47 00:02:42,539 --> 00:02:46,539 a group of the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) came forward 48 00:02:46,539 --> 00:02:48,539 and said: 49 00:02:48,539 --> 00:02:50,539 "So-and-so is a martyr, 50 00:02:50,539 --> 00:02:52,539 and so-and-so is a martyr," 51 00:02:52,539 --> 00:02:54,569 until they passed by a man 52 00:02:54,569 --> 00:02:56,569 and said: 53 00:02:56,569 --> 00:02:58,569 "So-and-so is a martyr." 54 00:02:58,569 --> 00:03:01,569 The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 55 00:03:01,569 --> 00:03:03,569 "Nay! 56 00:03:03,569 --> 00:03:05,569 Indeed, I have seen him in the Fire 57 00:03:05,569 --> 00:03:07,569 on account of a cloak that he embezzled," 58 00:03:07,569 --> 00:03:09,569 or he said "an outer garment." 59 00:03:09,569 --> 00:03:11,729 Narrated by Muslim. 60 00:03:11,729 --> 00:03:14,620 "A group" (*nafar*): 61 00:03:14,620 --> 00:03:17,620 A collective noun with no singular form from its own root, 62 00:03:17,620 --> 00:03:21,620 applied to a group of fewer than ten men. 63 00:03:21,620 --> 00:03:25,419 Key lessons from the hadith: 64 00:03:25,419 --> 00:03:29,650 Misappropriating public funds by way of theft 65 00:03:29,650 --> 00:03:31,650 is a grave sin. 66 00:03:31,650 --> 00:03:36,939 The permissibility of applying the term "martyr" to one who died in the cause of Allah 67 00:03:36,939 --> 00:03:38,939 and whose good deeds were evident to us, 68 00:03:38,939 --> 00:03:43,939 whenever there exists Prophetic affirmation indicating so, 69 00:03:43,939 --> 00:03:46,939 as was reported regarding 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, 70 00:03:46,939 --> 00:03:48,939 'Uthman ibn 'Affan, 71 00:03:48,939 --> 00:03:51,939 Talhah ibn 'Ubaydullah, 72 00:03:51,939 --> 00:03:55,939 and Hamzah ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with them). 73 00:03:55,939 --> 00:04:00,479 Designating a specific individual as a martyr is impermissible in general, 74 00:04:00,479 --> 00:04:05,479 because a true martyr is only known through divine revelation. 75 00:04:05,479 --> 00:04:09,479 A prohibition against this has been transmitted from the salaf (early generations; may Allah be pleased with them). 76 00:04:09,479 --> 00:04:13,479 For 'Umar delivered a sermon and said: 77 00:04:13,479 --> 00:04:17,480 "Do not say during your military expeditions: 'So-and-so is a martyr,' 78 00:04:17,480 --> 00:04:20,480 or 'So-and-so died a martyr,' 79 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:24,480 for he may have overloaded his mount with embezzled goods. 80 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:26,480 Indeed, do not say that! 81 00:04:26,480 --> 00:04:32,480 Rather, say as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 82 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:37,480 'Whoever dies in the cause of Allah or is slain is a martyr.'" 83 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:42,480 Al-Bukhari established a chapter in the Book of Jihad in his *Sahih*: 84 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:46,480 "Chapter: It Is Not to Be Said That So-and-So Is a Martyr." 85 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:51,769 Being slain in the cause of Allah does not expiate the violated rights of others. 86 00:04:51,769 --> 00:04:57,089 Allah's honoring of His Messenger (peace be upon him), 87 00:04:57,089 --> 00:05:01,089 by granting him knowledge of the final outcomes of certain servants. 88 00:05:01,089 --> 00:05:08,199 On the authority of Abu Qatadah al-Harith ibn Rib'i (may Allah be pleased with him): 89 00:05:08,199 --> 00:05:13,199 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stood up among them 90 00:05:13,199 --> 00:05:17,199 and reminded them that jihad in the cause of Allah 91 00:05:17,199 --> 00:05:21,199 and belief in Allah are the best of deeds. 92 00:05:21,199 --> 00:05:26,199 A man stood up and said: "O Messenger of Allah, 93 00:05:26,199 --> 00:05:29,199 tell me: if I am killed in the cause of Allah, 94 00:05:29,199 --> 00:05:32,199 will my sins be expiated for me?" 95 00:05:32,199 --> 00:05:36,199 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to him: 96 00:05:36,199 --> 00:05:40,199 "Yes, if you are killed in the cause of Allah 97 00:05:40,199 --> 00:05:45,329 while being patient, seeking reward, advancing and not retreating." 98 00:05:45,329 --> 00:05:49,329 Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) asked: 99 00:05:49,329 --> 00:05:55,329 "How did you say it?" The man replied: "Tell me: if I am killed in the cause of Allah, 100 00:05:55,329 --> 00:05:58,329 will my sins be expiated for me?" 101 00:05:58,329 --> 00:06:02,360 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied: 102 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:08,360 "Yes, while being patient, seeking reward, advancing and not retreating, 103 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:13,360 except for debt, for Jibril told me that." 104 00:06:13,360 --> 00:06:15,490 Narrated by Muslim. 105 00:06:17,350 --> 00:06:23,420 "Seeking reward" (*muhtasib*): meaning sincere, hoping for reward and recompense from Allah. 106 00:06:23,420 --> 00:06:28,420 "Advancing" (*muqbil*): meaning not fleeing nor turning your back. 107 00:06:28,420 --> 00:06:32,949 Key lessons from the hadith: 108 00:06:32,949 --> 00:06:38,949 The leader urges his companions and reminds them of the virtues of deeds and the best among them, 109 00:06:38,949 --> 00:06:40,949 so that they may strive eagerly for them, 110 00:06:40,949 --> 00:06:46,240 and renews faith in their hearts from time to time. 111 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:53,240 The eager desire of the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to seek deeds that expiate sins. 112 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:58,689 Jihad in the cause of Allah to elevate His word and overcome His enemies 113 00:06:58,689 --> 00:07:02,689 is among the greatest acts of worship and the most virtuous means of drawing near to Him. 114 00:07:02,689 --> 00:07:08,879 The conditions of jihad are: patience over what befalls you in the cause of Allah, 115 00:07:08,879 --> 00:07:12,879 sincerity therein seeking the Face of Allah, 116 00:07:12,879 --> 00:07:16,259 and not fleeing on the day of battle. 117 00:07:16,259 --> 00:07:21,259 Martyrdom in the cause of Allah expiates faults and sins. 118 00:07:21,620 --> 00:07:26,620 Being slain in the cause of Allah does not expiate the violated rights of others 119 00:07:26,620 --> 00:07:29,620 if one had the means to fulfill them yet failed to do so. 120 00:07:29,620 --> 00:07:33,620 As for the one who was unable to free himself of them, 121 00:07:33,620 --> 00:07:36,620 yet repented before his death and felt remorse, 122 00:07:36,620 --> 00:07:39,620 Allah is his Guardian and will satisfy his claimant. 123 00:07:39,620 --> 00:07:44,100 The permissibility of seeking clarification and repeating a statement 124 00:07:44,100 --> 00:07:49,480 whenever there is an added benefit or clarification in doing so. 125 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:53,480 The Prophetic Sunnah is revelation from Allah, 126 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:56,480 but it is non-recited revelation. 127 00:07:56,480 --> 00:08:00,860 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), 128 00:08:00,860 --> 00:08:04,860 that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 129 00:08:04,860 --> 00:08:07,860 "Do you know who the bankrupt person is?" 130 00:08:07,860 --> 00:08:13,860 They replied: "Among us, the bankrupt person is the one who has neither dirhams nor goods." 131 00:08:13,860 --> 00:08:16,949 He said: "The bankrupt person among my Ummah 132 00:08:16,949 --> 00:08:21,949 is the one who comes on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting, and zakat, 133 00:08:21,949 --> 00:08:24,949 but comes having reviled this one, 134 00:08:24,949 --> 00:08:26,949 slandered that one, 135 00:08:26,949 --> 00:08:28,949 unlawfully consumed the wealth of this one, 136 00:08:28,949 --> 00:08:30,949 shed the blood of that one, 137 00:08:30,949 --> 00:08:32,950 and struck this one. 138 00:08:32,950 --> 00:08:35,950 So this one will be given from his good deeds, 139 00:08:35,950 --> 00:08:37,950 and that one from his good deeds. 140 00:08:37,950 --> 00:08:41,950 And if his good deeds are exhausted before his liabilities are settled, 141 00:08:42,950 --> 00:08:45,950 their sins will be taken and cast upon him, 142 00:08:45,950 --> 00:08:49,080 and then he will be cast into the Fire." 143 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:51,080 Narrated by Muslim. 144 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:54,139 "Goods" (*mata'*): 145 00:08:54,139 --> 00:08:56,139 Everything from which benefit is derived 146 00:08:56,139 --> 00:08:59,139 and enjoyed of worldly possessions, 147 00:08:59,139 --> 00:09:01,330 whether little or much. 148 00:09:01,330 --> 00:09:04,519 "Reviled" (*shatama*): meaning insulted. 149 00:09:04,519 --> 00:09:05,519 "Slandered" (*qadhafa*): 150 00:09:05,519 --> 00:09:08,519 Meaning accused of adultery/fornication without clear proof. 151 00:09:08,519 --> 00:09:10,740 "Shed" (*safaka*): 152 00:09:10,740 --> 00:09:13,059 Meaning spilled and poured out. 153 00:09:13,059 --> 00:09:14,059 "Exhausted" (*faniyat*): 154 00:09:14,059 --> 00:09:17,059 Meaning nothing remained of them. 155 00:09:17,059 --> 00:09:21,470 Key lessons from the hadith: 156 00:09:21,470 --> 00:09:26,470 The intellect possesses concepts drawn from what it has comprehended and learned in this worldly life, 157 00:09:26,470 --> 00:09:30,470 by which it weighs things and evaluates matters; 158 00:09:30,470 --> 00:09:35,470 however, the Shari'ah has a clearer standard for defining them. 159 00:09:35,470 --> 00:09:41,470 Therefore, Shari'ah terminologies are authoritative in understanding the intent of Allah and His Messenger. 160 00:09:41,470 --> 00:09:43,789 True bankruptcy 161 00:09:43,789 --> 00:09:47,789 is the loss of oneself and one's family on the Day of Resurrection. 162 00:09:47,789 --> 00:09:51,049 An emphasis on desisting from injustice, 163 00:09:51,049 --> 00:09:54,049 particularly devouring the rights of others, 164 00:09:54,049 --> 00:10:01,049 and assaulting their wealth, their blood, and violating their honor through speech or action, 165 00:10:01,049 --> 00:10:04,049 because that spoils the fruits of righteous deeds. 166 00:10:04,049 --> 00:10:07,399 Allah's dealing with the creation 167 00:10:07,399 --> 00:10:11,070 is established upon justice and truth. 168 00:10:11,070 --> 00:10:13,070 Among the methods of teaching knowledge 169 00:10:13,070 --> 00:10:16,070 is dialogue that sparks the listener's interest, 170 00:10:16,070 --> 00:10:19,070 engages his attention, draws his focus, 171 00:10:19,070 --> 00:10:22,070 and corrects his misconception. 172 00:10:22,070 --> 00:10:26,509 On the authority of Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), 173 00:10:26,509 --> 00:10:30,509 that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 174 00:10:30,509 --> 00:10:33,509 "I am only a human being, 175 00:10:33,509 --> 00:10:36,509 and you bring your disputes before me. 176 00:10:36,509 --> 00:10:41,509 Perhaps some of you are more eloquent in presenting their argument than others, 177 00:10:41,509 --> 00:10:44,639 so I judge in their favor according to what I hear. 178 00:10:44,639 --> 00:10:47,769 Thus, whomever I grant a ruling in his favor that infringes upon the right of his brother, 179 00:10:47,769 --> 00:10:51,769 I am merely assigning him a portion of the Fire." 180 00:10:51,769 --> 00:10:54,830 Agreed upon. 181 00:10:54,830 --> 00:10:58,120 "More eloquent" (*alhan*): meaning more articulate and knowledgeable in presenting his case. 182 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:05,139 "You bring your disputes before me" (*takhtasimun*): meaning you litigate before me so that I may judge between you. 183 00:11:05,139 --> 00:11:08,269 "In presenting his argument" (*bi-hujjatihi*): meaning his claim. 184 00:11:08,269 --> 00:11:11,429 "I assign him" (*aqta'u*): meaning I give him. 185 00:11:12,429 --> 00:11:16,840 Key lessons from the hadith: 186 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:20,840 The Messenger (peace be upon him) is a human being like others; 187 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:24,840 he does not know the unseen, nor does he know what is in the hearts, 188 00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:27,840 but revelation is sent down to him. 189 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:31,220 The judge decides between the two disputants 190 00:11:31,220 --> 00:11:34,220 based upon the evident proofs and circumstantial evidence presented to him; 191 00:11:34,220 --> 00:11:37,220 he judges according to the outward, 192 00:11:37,220 --> 00:11:40,610 while Allah oversees the inner secrets. 193 00:11:40,610 --> 00:11:45,610 It is obligatory upon the judge and ruler not to issue a judgment before hearing both disputants. 194 00:11:45,610 --> 00:11:49,960 If a judge errs after due investigation and verification, 195 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:54,440 there is no sin upon him; rather, he is rewarded. 196 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:59,440 A judge's erroneous ruling does not make a lawful matter prohibited, nor an unlawful matter lawful. 197 00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:04,789 Whoever has a ruling issued in his favor while knowing he is wrongful toward his brother, 198 00:12:04,789 --> 00:12:09,789 it is impermissible for him to take it, because it is merely a portion of the Fire. 199 00:12:09,789 --> 00:12:14,179 The judge and ruler remind litigants of Allah 200 00:12:14,179 --> 00:12:17,179 and warn them of His punishment, 201 00:12:17,179 --> 00:12:20,179 for anyone who commits injustice and wrongfully takes another's right. 202 00:12:20,179 --> 00:12:25,649 On the authority of Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), who said: 203 00:12:25,649 --> 00:12:29,649 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 204 00:12:29,649 --> 00:12:33,710 "A believer will continue to have ample room in his religion, 205 00:12:33,710 --> 00:12:36,710 so long as he does not shed unlawful blood." 206 00:12:36,710 --> 00:12:39,710 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 207 00:12:39,710 --> 00:12:46,379 "Ample room" means spiritual latitude and hope in the mercy of his Lord. 208 00:12:46,379 --> 00:12:49,539 "Shed unlawful blood" 209 00:12:49,539 --> 00:12:54,100 means killing a Muslim without just cause. 210 00:12:54,100 --> 00:12:56,419 Among the benefits of the hadith: 211 00:12:56,419 --> 00:13:02,779 Preserving human life is one of the essential objectives of the Prophetic mission. 212 00:13:02,779 --> 00:13:04,779 Killing a soul unlawfully 213 00:13:04,779 --> 00:13:08,899 is among the gravest of major sins. 214 00:13:08,899 --> 00:13:11,899 On the authority of Khawlah bint 'Amir al-Ansariyyah, 215 00:13:11,899 --> 00:13:15,899 who was the wife of Hamzah (may Allah be pleased with them both), 216 00:13:15,899 --> 00:13:17,899 she said: 217 00:13:17,899 --> 00:13:23,019 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: 218 00:13:23,019 --> 00:13:28,019 "Indeed, some people dispose of the property of Allah wrongfully; 219 00:13:28,019 --> 00:13:32,309 for them is the Fire on the Day of Resurrection." 220 00:13:32,309 --> 00:13:35,590 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 221 00:13:35,590 --> 00:13:37,590 "Dispose of wrongfully" 222 00:13:37,590 --> 00:13:40,720 means misusing and misappropriating it unjustly. 223 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:42,720 "The property of Allah" 224 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:46,720 refers to public Muslim funds entrusted to state officials. 225 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:51,059 Among the benefits of the hadith: 226 00:13:51,059 --> 00:13:55,059 The prohibition of mismanaging public Muslim funds 227 00:13:55,059 --> 00:13:58,509 and spending them illicitly on whims and falsehood. 228 00:13:58,509 --> 00:14:02,509 Whoever misuses people's wealth unlawfully 229 00:14:02,509 --> 00:14:05,509 will be punished with the Fire on the Day of Resurrection. 230 00:14:05,509 --> 00:14:08,769 Wealth is the lifeblood of society 231 00:14:08,769 --> 00:14:10,769 and a foundation for the strength of the Ummah, 232 00:14:10,769 --> 00:14:13,769 so it must be safeguarded. 233 00:14:13,769 --> 00:14:16,769 Public funds of the Muslims 234 00:14:16,769 --> 00:14:20,769 are relied upon to build defensive strength and conduct jihad, 235 00:14:20,769 --> 00:14:22,769 provide vital civic amenities, 236 00:14:22,769 --> 00:14:24,769 and spread sacred knowledge; 237 00:14:24,769 --> 00:14:28,769 therefore, Islam attaches paramount importance to its protection. 238 00:14:29,769 --> 00:14:32,899 Riyad al-Salihin.