WEBVTT 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. 00:00:09.779 --> 00:00:16.120 Chapter: The Prohibition of Injustice and the Command to Redress Injustices. 00:00:16.120 --> 00:00:22.199 On the authority of 'Adiyy ibn 'Amirah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:27.260 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: 00:00:27.260 --> 00:00:30.260 "Whomever among you we appoint to a post, 00:00:30.260 --> 00:00:34.259 and he conceals from us a needle or anything greater, 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." 00:00:38.259 --> 00:00:42.390 Thereupon, a dark-skinned man from the Ansar stood up— 00:00:42.390 --> 00:00:44.390 as if I can still look at him— 00:00:44.390 --> 00:00:47.390 and said: "O Messenger of Allah, 00:00:47.390 --> 00:00:49.390 relieve me of my assignment!" 00:00:49.390 --> 00:00:52.390 He asked: "And what is the matter with you?" 00:00:52.390 --> 00:00:56.420 The man replied: "I heard you say such-and-such." 00:00:56.420 --> 00:01:00.420 He said: "And I say it now: 00:01:00.420 --> 00:01:02.420 Whomever we appoint to a post, 00:01:02.420 --> 00:01:05.420 let him bring everything, whether little or much. 00:01:05.420 --> 00:01:08.420 Whatever he is given from it, he may take, 00:01:08.420 --> 00:01:10.420 and whatever he is forbidden from, he must refrain." 00:01:10.420 --> 00:01:13.459 Narrated by Muslim. 00:01:13.459 --> 00:01:17.540 "A needle or anything greater" (*mikhytan fa-ma fawqahu*): 00:01:17.540 --> 00:01:20.540 That is, a needle or whatever is smaller than it. 00:01:20.540 --> 00:01:22.799 "Embezzlement" (*ghululan*): 00:01:22.799 --> 00:01:27.799 Meaning misappropriation of spoils of war by way of theft before their formal distribution. 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:31.629 Key lessons from the hadith: 00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:35.079 In the hadith is a stern warning 00:01:35.079 --> 00:01:38.079 and a definitive deterrence against embezzlement by an appointed official, 00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:40.079 whether regarding small matters or large ones. 00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:43.140 Thus, whoever is entrusted with the wealth of the Muslims 00:01:43.140 --> 00:01:46.140 must safeguard it, 00:01:46.140 --> 00:01:49.140 deliver it to its rightful recipients, 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:52.140 and never appropriate any part of it exclusively for himself. 00:01:52.140 --> 00:01:55.689 The eager desire to avoid governance 00:01:55.689 --> 00:01:57.689 and public office, 00:01:57.689 --> 00:01:59.689 for they are prone to shortcoming. 00:01:59.689 --> 00:02:02.010 Persons in authority 00:02:02.010 --> 00:02:06.010 must know the sources from which public funds derive, 00:02:06.010 --> 00:02:09.009 taking only that which is lawful, 00:02:09.009 --> 00:02:13.009 and returning to its rightful owners whatever is not permissible to take. 00:02:13.009 --> 00:02:16.550 The permissibility of describing a person by a physical trait for identification, 00:02:16.550 --> 00:02:19.550 provided that it does not anger him. 00:02:19.550 --> 00:02:22.550 For this reason, it was stated in the hadith: 00:02:22.550 --> 00:02:26.550 "Thereupon, a dark-skinned man from the Ansar stood up." 00:02:26.550 --> 00:02:31.030 The swift return of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to the truth 00:02:31.030 --> 00:02:34.030 once it had become clear to them. 00:02:34.030 --> 00:02:39.539 On the authority of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: 00:02:39.539 --> 00:02:42.539 On the day of Khaybar, 00:02:42.539 --> 00:02:46.539 a group of the Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) came forward 00:02:46.539 --> 00:02:48.539 and said: 00:02:48.539 --> 00:02:50.539 "So-and-so is a martyr, 00:02:50.539 --> 00:02:52.539 and so-and-so is a martyr," 00:02:52.539 --> 00:02:54.569 until they passed by a man 00:02:54.569 --> 00:02:56.569 and said: 00:02:56.569 --> 00:02:58.569 "So-and-so is a martyr." 00:02:58.569 --> 00:03:01.569 The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 00:03:01.569 --> 00:03:03.569 "Nay! 00:03:03.569 --> 00:03:05.569 Indeed, I have seen him in the Fire 00:03:05.569 --> 00:03:07.569 on account of a cloak that he embezzled," 00:03:07.569 --> 00:03:09.569 or he said "an outer garment." 00:03:09.569 --> 00:03:11.729 Narrated by Muslim. 00:03:11.729 --> 00:03:14.620 "A group" (*nafar*): 00:03:14.620 --> 00:03:17.620 A collective noun with no singular form from its own root, 00:03:17.620 --> 00:03:21.620 applied to a group of fewer than ten men. 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:25.419 Key lessons from the hadith: 00:03:25.419 --> 00:03:29.650 Misappropriating public funds by way of theft 00:03:29.650 --> 00:03:31.650 is a grave sin. 00:03:31.650 --> 00:03:36.939 The permissibility of applying the term "martyr" to one who died in the cause of Allah 00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:38.939 and whose good deeds were evident to us, 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:43.939 whenever there exists Prophetic affirmation indicating so, 00:03:43.939 --> 00:03:46.939 as was reported regarding 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, 00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:48.939 'Uthman ibn 'Affan, 00:03:48.939 --> 00:03:51.939 Talhah ibn 'Ubaydullah, 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:55.939 and Hamzah ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with them). 00:03:55.939 --> 00:04:00.479 Designating a specific individual as a martyr is impermissible in general, 00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:05.479 because a true martyr is only known through divine revelation. 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). 00:04:09.479 --> 00:04:13.479 For 'Umar delivered a sermon and said: 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:17.480 "Do not say during your military expeditions: 'So-and-so is a martyr,' 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:20.480 or 'So-and-so died a martyr,' 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:24.480 for he may have overloaded his mount with embezzled goods. 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:26.480 Indeed, do not say that! 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:32.480 Rather, say as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:37.480 'Whoever dies in the cause of Allah or is slain is a martyr.'" 00:04:37.480 --> 00:04:42.480 Al-Bukhari established a chapter in the Book of Jihad in his *Sahih*: 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:46.480 "Chapter: It Is Not to Be Said That So-and-So Is a Martyr." 00:04:46.480 --> 00:04:51.769 Being slain in the cause of Allah does not expiate the violated rights of others. 00:04:51.769 --> 00:04:57.089 Allah's honoring of His Messenger (peace be upon him), 00:04:57.089 --> 00:05:01.089 by granting him knowledge of the final outcomes of certain servants. 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): 00:05:08.199 --> 00:05:13.199 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stood up among them 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:17.199 and reminded them that jihad in the cause of Allah 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:21.199 and belief in Allah are the best of deeds. 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:26.199 A man stood up and said: "O Messenger of Allah, 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:29.199 tell me: if I am killed in the cause of Allah, 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:32.199 will my sins be expiated for me?" 00:05:32.199 --> 00:05:36.199 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to him: 00:05:36.199 --> 00:05:40.199 "Yes, if you are killed in the cause of Allah 00:05:40.199 --> 00:05:45.329 while being patient, seeking reward, advancing and not retreating." 00:05:45.329 --> 00:05:49.329 Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) asked: 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, 00:05:55.329 --> 00:05:58.329 will my sins be expiated for me?" 00:05:58.329 --> 00:06:02.360 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied: 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:08.360 "Yes, while being patient, seeking reward, advancing and not retreating, 00:06:08.360 --> 00:06:13.360 except for debt, for Jibril told me that." 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:15.490 Narrated by Muslim. 00:06:17.350 --> 00:06:23.420 "Seeking reward" (*muhtasib*): meaning sincere, hoping for reward and recompense from Allah. 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:28.420 "Advancing" (*muqbil*): meaning not fleeing nor turning your back. 00:06:28.420 --> 00:06:32.949 Key lessons from the hadith: 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, 00:06:38.949 --> 00:06:40.949 so that they may strive eagerly for them, 00:06:40.949 --> 00:06:46.240 and renews faith in their hearts from time to time. 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. 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:58.689 Jihad in the cause of Allah to elevate His word and overcome His enemies 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. 00:07:02.689 --> 00:07:08.879 The conditions of jihad are: patience over what befalls you in the cause of Allah, 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:12.879 sincerity therein seeking the Face of Allah, 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:16.259 and not fleeing on the day of battle. 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:21.259 Martyrdom in the cause of Allah expiates faults and sins. 00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:26.620 Being slain in the cause of Allah does not expiate the violated rights of others 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:29.620 if one had the means to fulfill them yet failed to do so. 00:07:29.620 --> 00:07:33.620 As for the one who was unable to free himself of them, 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:36.620 yet repented before his death and felt remorse, 00:07:36.620 --> 00:07:39.620 Allah is his Guardian and will satisfy his claimant. 00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:44.100 The permissibility of seeking clarification and repeating a statement 00:07:44.100 --> 00:07:49.480 whenever there is an added benefit or clarification in doing so. 00:07:49.480 --> 00:07:53.480 The Prophetic Sunnah is revelation from Allah, 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:56.480 but it is non-recited revelation. 00:07:56.480 --> 00:08:00.860 On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:04.860 that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:07.860 "Do you know who the bankrupt person is?" 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:13.860 They replied: "Among us, the bankrupt person is the one who has neither dirhams nor goods." 00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:16.949 He said: "The bankrupt person among my Ummah 00:08:16.949 --> 00:08:21.949 is the one who comes on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting, and zakat, 00:08:21.949 --> 00:08:24.949 but comes having reviled this one, 00:08:24.949 --> 00:08:26.949 slandered that one, 00:08:26.949 --> 00:08:28.949 unlawfully consumed the wealth of this one, 00:08:28.949 --> 00:08:30.949 shed the blood of that one, 00:08:30.949 --> 00:08:32.950 and struck this one. 00:08:32.950 --> 00:08:35.950 So this one will be given from his good deeds, 00:08:35.950 --> 00:08:37.950 and that one from his good deeds. 00:08:37.950 --> 00:08:41.950 And if his good deeds are exhausted before his liabilities are settled, 00:08:42.950 --> 00:08:45.950 their sins will be taken and cast upon him, 00:08:45.950 --> 00:08:49.080 and then he will be cast into the Fire." 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:51.080 Narrated by Muslim. 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:54.139 "Goods" (*mata'*): 00:08:54.139 --> 00:08:56.139 Everything from which benefit is derived 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:59.139 and enjoyed of worldly possessions, 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:01.330 whether little or much. 00:09:01.330 --> 00:09:04.519 "Reviled" (*shatama*): meaning insulted. 00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:05.519 "Slandered" (*qadhafa*): 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:08.519 Meaning accused of adultery/fornication without clear proof. 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:10.740 "Shed" (*safaka*): 00:09:10.740 --> 00:09:13.059 Meaning spilled and poured out. 00:09:13.059 --> 00:09:14.059 "Exhausted" (*faniyat*): 00:09:14.059 --> 00:09:17.059 Meaning nothing remained of them. 00:09:17.059 --> 00:09:21.470 Key lessons from the hadith: 00:09:21.470 --> 00:09:26.470 The intellect possesses concepts drawn from what it has comprehended and learned in this worldly life, 00:09:26.470 --> 00:09:30.470 by which it weighs things and evaluates matters; 00:09:30.470 --> 00:09:35.470 however, the Shari'ah has a clearer standard for defining them. 00:09:35.470 --> 00:09:41.470 Therefore, Shari'ah terminologies are authoritative in understanding the intent of Allah and His Messenger. 00:09:41.470 --> 00:09:43.789 True bankruptcy 00:09:43.789 --> 00:09:47.789 is the loss of oneself and one's family on the Day of Resurrection. 00:09:47.789 --> 00:09:51.049 An emphasis on desisting from injustice, 00:09:51.049 --> 00:09:54.049 particularly devouring the rights of others, 00:09:54.049 --> 00:10:01.049 and assaulting their wealth, their blood, and violating their honor through speech or action, 00:10:01.049 --> 00:10:04.049 because that spoils the fruits of righteous deeds. 00:10:04.049 --> 00:10:07.399 Allah's dealing with the creation 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:11.070 is established upon justice and truth. 00:10:11.070 --> 00:10:13.070 Among the methods of teaching knowledge 00:10:13.070 --> 00:10:16.070 is dialogue that sparks the listener's interest, 00:10:16.070 --> 00:10:19.070 engages his attention, draws his focus, 00:10:19.070 --> 00:10:22.070 and corrects his misconception. 00:10:22.070 --> 00:10:26.509 On the authority of Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), 00:10:26.509 --> 00:10:30.509 that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:10:30.509 --> 00:10:33.509 "I am only a human being, 00:10:33.509 --> 00:10:36.509 and you bring your disputes before me. 00:10:36.509 --> 00:10:41.509 Perhaps some of you are more eloquent in presenting their argument than others, 00:10:41.509 --> 00:10:44.639 so I judge in their favor according to what I hear. 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, 00:10:47.769 --> 00:10:51.769 I am merely assigning him a portion of the Fire." 00:10:51.769 --> 00:10:54.830 Agreed upon. 00:10:54.830 --> 00:10:58.120 "More eloquent" (*alhan*): meaning more articulate and knowledgeable in presenting his case. 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. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:08.269 "In presenting his argument" (*bi-hujjatihi*): meaning his claim. 00:11:08.269 --> 00:11:11.429 "I assign him" (*aqta'u*): meaning I give him. 00:11:12.429 --> 00:11:16.840 Key lessons from the hadith: 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:20.840 The Messenger (peace be upon him) is a human being like others; 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:24.840 he does not know the unseen, nor does he know what is in the hearts, 00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:27.840 but revelation is sent down to him. 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:31.220 The judge decides between the two disputants 00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:34.220 based upon the evident proofs and circumstantial evidence presented to him; 00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:37.220 he judges according to the outward, 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:40.610 while Allah oversees the inner secrets. 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. 00:11:45.610 --> 00:11:49.960 If a judge errs after due investigation and verification, 00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:54.440 there is no sin upon him; rather, he is rewarded. 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. 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:04.789 Whoever has a ruling issued in his favor while knowing he is wrongful toward his brother, 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. 00:12:09.789 --> 00:12:14.179 The judge and ruler remind litigants of Allah 00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:17.179 and warn them of His punishment, 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:20.179 for anyone who commits injustice and wrongfully takes another's right. 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: 00:12:25.649 --> 00:12:29.649 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 00:12:29.649 --> 00:12:33.710 "A believer will continue to have ample room in his religion, 00:12:33.710 --> 00:12:36.710 so long as he does not shed unlawful blood." 00:12:36.710 --> 00:12:39.710 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:12:39.710 --> 00:12:46.379 "Ample room" means spiritual latitude and hope in the mercy of his Lord. 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:49.539 "Shed unlawful blood" 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:54.100 means killing a Muslim without just cause. 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:56.419 Among the benefits of the hadith: 00:12:56.419 --> 00:13:02.779 Preserving human life is one of the essential objectives of the Prophetic mission. 00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:04.779 Killing a soul unlawfully 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:08.899 is among the gravest of major sins. 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:11.899 On the authority of Khawlah bint 'Amir al-Ansariyyah, 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:15.899 who was the wife of Hamzah (may Allah be pleased with them both), 00:13:15.899 --> 00:13:17.899 she said: 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:23.019 I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:28.019 "Indeed, some people dispose of the property of Allah wrongfully; 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:32.309 for them is the Fire on the Day of Resurrection." 00:13:32.309 --> 00:13:35.590 Narrated by al-Bukhari. 00:13:35.590 --> 00:13:37.590 "Dispose of wrongfully" 00:13:37.590 --> 00:13:40.720 means misusing and misappropriating it unjustly. 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:42.720 "The property of Allah" 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:46.720 refers to public Muslim funds entrusted to state officials. 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:51.059 Among the benefits of the hadith: 00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:55.059 The prohibition of mismanaging public Muslim funds 00:13:55.059 --> 00:13:58.509 and spending them illicitly on whims and falsehood. 00:13:58.509 --> 00:14:02.509 Whoever misuses people's wealth unlawfully 00:14:02.509 --> 00:14:05.509 will be punished with the Fire on the Day of Resurrection. 00:14:05.509 --> 00:14:08.769 Wealth is the lifeblood of society 00:14:08.769 --> 00:14:10.769 and a foundation for the strength of the Ummah, 00:14:10.769 --> 00:14:13.769 so it must be safeguarded. 00:14:13.769 --> 00:14:16.769 Public funds of the Muslims 00:14:16.769 --> 00:14:20.769 are relied upon to build defensive strength and conduct jihad, 00:14:20.769 --> 00:14:22.769 provide vital civic amenities, 00:14:22.769 --> 00:14:24.769 and spread sacred knowledge; 00:14:24.769 --> 00:14:28.769 therefore, Islam attaches paramount importance to its protection. 00:14:29.769 --> 00:14:32.899 Riyad al-Salihin.