THE FOLLOWING AḤĀDĪTH are taken from the book, “Gardens of the Righteous” (translated by Sir Zafrullah Khan^ra). The traditions are numbered in accordance with the numbers attached to them in the book. They emphasize kindness, compassion, and love for others.

Abū Hurairah^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: Allah, the Lord of honour and glory, will say on the Day of Judgment: Son of Adam, I was sick and you did not visit me. The man will exclaim: Lord, how could I visit You and You are Lord of the worlds! Allah will say: Did you now know that My servant So and So was sick and you did not visit him. Did you not realize that if you had visited him you would have found Me with him? Son of Adam, I asked you for food and you did not feed Me. The man will exclaim: Lord, you could I feed You while You are the Lord of the worlds! Allah will say: Did you not know that My servant So and So asked you for food and you did not feed him? Did you not realize that if you had fed him you would have found your reward with Me? Son of Adam, I asked you for drink and you did not give Me to drink. The man will exclaim: Lord, how could I have given You to drink when You are the Lord of the worlds! Allah will say: My servant So and So asked you for a drink and you did not give him to drink. Did you not realize that if you had given him to drink you would have found its reward with Me? (Muslim) #900

Abū Dharr^ra relates: I asked the Holy Prophet^sa: What is most meritorious? He said: Faith in Allah and striving in His cause. I asked: The freeing of which slave is best? He said: Of that one whom the master likes best and whose value is highest. I asked: If one is not able to do that? He said: Then help someone with his work, or make something for someone who is not able to make it himself. I asked: If one should not have the strength? He said: Restrain thyself from doing harm to anyone for that also is charity towards thyself (Bukhārī and Muslim) #117

Abu Hurairah^ra related that the Holy Prophet^sa said: O Muslim women, let not a neighbor refrain from sending her neighbor even a goat’s shank (Bukhārī and Muslim) #124

Abu Hurairah^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: A man proceeding along a track became very thirsty. Arriving at a well he descended into it and came out after taking a drink and saw a dog with its tongue lolling out trying to lick up mud from extreme thirst. The man thought this dog is suffering from thirst as I was suffering. So he descended once more into the well, filled his leather sock with water and came up holding it by his teeth and gave the dog a drink. Allah appreciated his action and forgave his sins. The Holy Prophet^sa was asked: Messenger of Allah^sa, are we rewarded for kindness to animals also? He answered: There is a reward for kindness to every living thing (Bukhārī and Muslim). Bukhārī’s version concludes with: Allah appreciated his action, forgave his sins and admitted him to Paradise. Another version is: A dog was going round the brink of a well in an extremity of thirst, when a loose woman of the Bani Israel espied it. She lowered her leather sock into the well, drew up some water and gave the dog to drink. She was forgiven on account of this. #126

Jābir^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: If a Muslim plants a tree, then whatever is eaten from it is charity on his part and whatever is stolen is charity and whatever is subtracted from it is charity (Muslim). Another version is: If a Muslim plants a tree or sows a field and men and beasts and birds eat from it, all of it is charity on his part. #135

Abū Mūsā Ash‘arī^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: Charity is incumbent upon every Muslim. He was asked: If a person should have nothing? He answered: He should work with his hands to his own benefit and also give alms. If he is not able to work? He should help a needy helpless one. If he cannot do even that? He should urge others to goodness. If he lacks that also? He should restrain himself from doing evil. That too is charity (Bukhārī and Muslim). #141

‘Ā’ishah^ra relates that some desert Arabs came to the Holy Prophet^sa and asked: Do you kiss your children? He answered: Yes. They said: We never kiss them. He said: Can I help it if Allah has stripped your hearts of compassion? (Bukhārī and Muslim) #228

Jarīr ibn ‘Abdullāh^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: Allah has no mercy for him who has no mercy for his fellows (Bukhārī and Muslim). #229

Abū Qatādah Ḥarīth ibn Rabī’ relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: I stand up to lead the Prayer having it in mind to lengthen it. Then I hear the cry of an infant and I shorten the Prayer fearing lest I should make it burdensome for its mother (Bukhārī). #233

Anas^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: No one believes truly until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself (Bukhārī and Muslim). #238

Anas^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: Go to the help of your brother whether he commits a wrong or is wronged. Someone asked: Messenger of Allah, I would help him if he is wronged, but tell me how shall I help him if he is committing a wrong? He answered: Stop him from committing a wrong; that is helping him (Bukhārī). #239

Abū Hurairah^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: Allah will cover up the faults on the Day of Judgment of him who covers up the faults of another in this world (Muslim). #242

Abū Hurairah^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: Charity is incumbent upon every human limb every day on which the sun rises. To bring about just reconciliation between two contestants is charity. Helping a person to mount his animal, or to load his baggage on to it is charity. A good word is charity. Every step taken towards the mosque for salat is charity. To remove anything from the street that causes inconvenience is charity (Bukhārī and Muslim). #250

Umm Kulthūm^ra relates that she heard the Holy Prophet^sa say: He who brings about peace between people and attains good or says that which is good is not a liar (Bukhārī and Muslim). Muslim’s version adds: I did not hear him let people have a latitude in what they said except in three situations: war, making peace, and talk between husband and wife. #251

‘Ā’ishah^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa heard two men contending with one another in loud voices outside his door. One of them begged the other to agree to reduce the amount of the debt he owed him and to deal kindly with him. The other said: By Allah, I shall not do it. The Holy Prophet^sa went out to them and asked: Which is the one who swears by Allah he will not act kindly? The man said: It is I, Messenger of Allah, and for him is whatever he prefers (Bukhārī and Muslim). #252

Sahl ibn Sa‘d^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: He who takes care of an orphan, and me, will be like this in Paradise; and he raised his forefinger and middle finger by way of illustration (Bukhārī). #264

Abū Hurairah^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: He who takes care of an orphan, whether related to him or a stranger, will be like these two in Paradise; and the narrator raised his forefinger and middle finger by way of illustration (Muslim). #265

Abū Dardā’ra relates that he heard the Holy Prophet^sa say: Look for me among the weak ones, for you are helped and provided for, on account of the weak ones among you (Abu Daud). #274

Abū Hurairah^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: The most perfect of believers in the matter of faith is he whose behavior is best; and the best of you are those who behave best towards their wives (Tirmidhi). #280

Abū Dharr^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: Abu Dharr^ra, when you prepare broth put plenty of water in it and take care of your neighbours (Muslim). Another version is: My friend advised me: When you prepare broth put plenty of water in it, then find out about the families of your neighbours and share it with them as may be suitable. #306

Abū Hurairah^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa called out: By Allah he does not believe, by Allah he does not believe, by Allah he does not believe. He was asked: Who does not believe, Messenger of Allah^sa? He said: He whose neighbor is not secure against his mischief (Bukhārī and Muslim). Muslim’s version is: That one will not enter Paradise whose neighbor is not secure against his mischief. #307

Abū Hurairah^ra relates that the Holy Prophet said: He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must not put his neighbor to inconvenience; he who believes in Allah and the Last Day must honour his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day must speak beneficently or keep quiet (Bukhārī and Muslim). #310

Abū Shuraiḥ Khuzā‘ī^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should be benevolent towards his neighbor; he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should honour his guest; he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak beneficently or should keep quiet (Muslim). #311

‘Ā’ishah^ra relates that she asked the Holy Prophet: I have two neighbours; to which of them shall I send a present? He said: To the one whose door is nearer to yours (Bukhārī). #312

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: The best companion in the sight of Allah is he who behaves best towards his companions, and the best neighbor is he who behaves best towards his neighbours. (Tirmidhī). #313

Abū Hurairah^ra relates that a man came to the Holy Prophet^sa and asked: Messenger of Allah^sa, which of all the people is best entitled to kind treatment and the good companionship from me? He answered: Your mother. The man asked: And after her? He said: Your mother. And after her? He said: Your mother. And after her? Your father (Bukhārī and Muslim). Another version is: The man asked: Messenger of Allah^sa, who is best entitled to my good companionship? He answered: Your mother, and then your mother, and then your mother, and then your father, and then your near relations, your near relations. #318

‘Abdullāh ibn Amr ibn ‘Ās^ra relates that a man came to the Holy Prophet^sa and said: I wish to make a covenant with you to emigrate and fight in the cause of Allah, seeking my reward from Him. He inquired: Is either of your parents alive? The man said: Indeed, both of them. The Holy Prophet^sa asked him: Do you seek reward from Allah? The man said: Yes. The Holy Prophet^sa said: Then return to your parents and serve them well (Bukhārī and Muslim). Another version is: A man came and asked permission to join in the fighting. The Holy Prophet^sa asked him: Are your parents alive? The man said: Yes. He said: Then find your fighting in serving them. #323

‘Abdullāh ibn Amr^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: One who reciprocates in doing good is not the one who upholds the ties of kinship. It is the one who upholds them when the other party sunders them (Bukhārī). #324

Amr ibn Shu‘aib^ra relates on the authority of his father who heard it from his father, that the Holy Prophet^sa said: He who has no compassion for our little ones and does not acknowledge the honour due to our older ones, is not of us (Abu Daud and Tirmidhī). #358

Miqdād ibn Aswad^ra relates: I asked the Messenger of Allah^sa: Tell me, if I am fighting a pagan and he cuts off one of my hands with his sword and then takes shelter behind a tree and says: I submit to Allah; shall I kill him after he has said this? He said: No. Do not kill him. I expostulated: Messenger of Allah^sa, even after he cuts off one of my hands and thereafter says this? He said: Do not kill him, for if you kill him, he will be in the position in which you were before you killed him, and you will be in the position in which he was before he uttered the words that he did utter (Bukhārī and Muslim). #395

‘Abdullāh ibn Amr ibn ‘Ās^ra relates that man asked the Holy Prophet^sa: What in Islam is best? He answered: To feed people and to greet everyone with the greeting of peace whether you know them or not (Bukhārī and Muslim). #553

‘Ā’ishah^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: Allah is Gentle and loves gentleness is all things (Bukhārī and Muslim). #636

Anas^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: Make things easy and do not make them hard; and cheer people up and do not repel them (Bukhārī and Muslim). #640

Jarīr ibn ‘Abdullāh^ra relates that he heard the Holy Prophet^sa say: He who lacks gentleness lacks all good (Muslim). #641

Brā’a ibn ‘Āzib^ra relates: The Holy Prophet^sa enjoined the following seven upon us: Visiting the sick, following a funeral, calling down the mercy of Allah upon one who sneezes, supporting the weak, helping the oppressed, multiplying the greeting of peace, and fulfilling vows (Bukhārī and Muslim). #850

Ibn ‘Umar^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa said: A woman was tormented on account of a cat which she had shut up till it died. On that account she entered the Fire. She did not give it to eat or drink when she shut it up, nor did she leave it free to pick up its nourishment from among the rodents and insects of the earth (Bukhārī and Muslim). #1605

Ibn ‘Umar^ra relates that he passed by some Quraish youths who were shooting arrows at a bird they had tied down, having made a bargain with the owner of the bird that he should have every arrow of theirs that missed. When they saw Ibn ‘Umar^ra they dispersed. Ibn ‘Umar^ra said: Who has done this? May Allah’s curse be upon him who has done this. The Holy Prophet^sa has cursed him who makes a target of a living thing (Bukhārī and Muslim). #1606

Anas^ra relates that the Holy Prophet^sa forbade an animal being made a target (Bukhārī and Muslim). #1607

Hishām ibn Ḥakīm ibn Ḥizām relates that he passed by some non-Muslim peasants in Damascus who had been ordered to stand in the sun and over whose heads olive oil has been poured. He inquired: What is this? And was told: They are being tormented for recovery of tax. On this Hishām said: I bear witness that the Holy Prophet^sa said: Allah will chastise those who torment people in this life. Then he went to the Governor and told him this, and he ordered the men to be released (Muslim). #1611

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh relates that the Holy Prophet^sa passed by a donkey that had been branded on its face and said: Allah’s curse be on him who branded it (Muslim). #1613

Ibn Mas‘ūd^ra relates: We were with the Holy Prophet^sa in the course of a journey when he drew apart and in his absence we saw a red bird which had two little ones with it. We caught them and the mother bird came and started beating the earth with its wings. By that time the Holy Prophet^sa returned and exclaimed: Who has distressed this bird on account of its young? Return them to her. He also noticed a mound of ants to which we had set fire. He inquired: Who has set fire to this? We answered: We have. He observed: It does not behove any to torment with fire except the Lord of the fire (Abu Daud). #1615