1. Islam has been built on five pillars; testifying that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger; performance of prayers; alms-giving (zakat); pilgrimage to the Ka’bah; fasting during Ramadan. (Bukhari and Muslim, authority of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar)

2. Anyone who befriends another or makes an enemy, gives or withholds, has perfected his faith, if what he does is done for the sake of the Almighty. (Bukhari, on the authority of Abu Umamah)

3. When the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was asked by ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah what was meant by faith, he replied, ‘Self-restraint and gentleness.’ (Muslim).

4. One who is willing to accept God as his Lord, Islam as his religion and Muhammad as God’s Messenger has savoured the taste of faith. (Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib).

5. Simplicity, too, is a part of faith. (Abu Dawud, on the authority of Abu Umamah).

6. A man without trust is a man without faith. And a man who does not fulfill his promises is a man without faith. (Ahmad ibn Hanbal, on the authority of Anas ibn Malik).

7. Greed and faith can never co-exist in the human heart. (An-Nasa’I on the authority of Abu Hurairah)
8. God loves those believers who labor to earn a living through lawful means. (Al-Tabarani, on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar)

9. Actions are judged by their intention and every man shall be judged accordingly. Thus he whose migration was for Allah and His Messenger; his migration was for Allah, and His Messenger; and for whose migration was to achieve some worldly benefit or to take some women in marriage, his migration was for that for which he migrated. (Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab).

10. When you see sycophants, throw dust in their faces. (Muslim, on the authority of Miqdad ibn Aswad)

11. Asked what reward there would be for a man who desired fame and compensation for having performed jihad, the Prophet (SAW) said, ‘There is no reward for him.’ When asked the same question three times over, the Prophet SAW gave the same reply each time. Then he said, ‘God accept those deeds which were performed purely for His sake and which were meant to seek His pleasure.’ (Abu Dawud and An-Nasa’I on the authority of Abu Umamah)

12. Keep your faith pure. Even the smallest good deed will suffice. (According to Al-Mundhiri when Mu’adh ibn Jabal was appointed ruler of Yemen, He asked the Prophet (SAW) for advice and was given the above reply.)

13. One who says his prayers (salat) with great propriety when he is in the presence of others, but does so without proper reverence when he is alone, is committing an act of contempt for his Lord. (Al-Mundhiri, on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud).

14. When a person repents, God’ s pleasure at this is even greater than that of one who dismounts from his camel, loses it in the desert and then finds it again all of a sudden. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Anas ibn Malik)

15. According to ‘Amr ibn al-‘As, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) sent word to him to come clad in armour and bearing arms. ‘When I came into his presence, he was performing his ablutions.’ The Prophet (SAW) said to me, ‘O Amr, I am sending you on a mission. God will bring you back safe. And will reward you with spoils.’ I said, ‘O Prophet, I did not migrate for the spoils. It was for the sake of God and His Messenger.’ The Prophet (SAW) replied, ‘The best wealth for a good man is to possess is that which has been lawfully acquired.’ (Ahmad ibn Hanb

16. None of you truly believers until your own inclinations are in accordance with the message I have brought. (An-Nawawi from Kitab al-Hujjah on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘As)

17. God has imposed certain moral obligations, do not abrogate them; He has forbidden certain things, do not indulge in them; He has laid down certain limits, do not transgress them; He is silent on certain matters, do not knowingly argue over them. (Ad-Darqutni, on the authority of Abu Tha’labah)

18. There is a covenant of salat (prayers) between me and the people. Therefore, if a man gives up salat, he is guilty of kufr (infidelity). (Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa’I and ibn Majah on the authority of Buraydah).
19. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab wrote to his governors that the most important thing of all to him was prayer (salat). A man who prayed regularly safeguarded his faith. And a man who was found wanting in his prayers would be found wanting even more in other matters. (mishkat al-Masabih).

20. A salat offered in congregation is 27 times more worthy of reward than the salat offered alone. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar).

21. Anywhere that three Muslims reside, the prayer must be offered in congregation, otherwise Satan will overpower them. Adhere, therefore, to congregational prayer, lest the wolf eat up the goat which strays away from the herd. (Abu Dawud, on the authority of Abu’d-Darda).

22. When you lead the prayer, you should make it short because, among those offering salat there may be some who are infirm, sick and old. But when you offer individual prayers, you may lengthen them as much as you wish. (Al-Bukhari on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

23. When I stand for salat, I want to offer a long prayer, but I shorten it when I hear a child’s cry, because I do not want to cause anxiety to the mother. (Al-Bukhari on the authority of Abu Qatadah).

24. Jabir ibn Samurah related how he used to offer Friday prayers with the Prophet. He said that the latter’s prayer, as well as his sermon were moderate in length. (Al-Muslim)

25. Everything has a cleansing agent. And fasting is the cleansing agent for the body. Fasting is more a matter of patience than of anything else. (Ibn Majah on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

26. If the observer of a fast does not give up false utterances and their pursuit, then God does not require him to give up his food and water. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

27. Fasting is like a shield. When one of you is observing a fast, neither should you indulge in indecent talk nor should you create an uproar. And if someone talks ill of you, or fights with you, you should just say, ‘I am observing my fast.’ (Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

28. The man who keeps a fast in full faith, and for reward in the world hereafter, will be forgiven his past sins. And the man who prays in the night during Ramadan with faith and for reward in the world hereafter, will be forgiven all his past sins. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

29. When Ramadan comes, the doors of Heaven are opened, the doors of Hell are closed, the devils are put in chains, and the doors of mercy are opened. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

30. Anas ibn Malik said that they used to travel with the Prophet (SAW). Those who observed a fast never found fault with those who did not keep the fast. Similarly, those not observing the fast never said anything amiss to those who kept their fast. (Al-Bukhari)

31. Any man who misses a fast without a reason, such as illness, can never atone for it, even if he fasts for the rest of his life. (At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

32. Partake of sahur (food taken a little before dawn during Ramadan), for there is a blessing in it. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim and on the authority of Anas ibn Malik).

33. Abdullah ibn al-‘Abbas reported that the Prophet (SAW) made alams-giving on Id’-ul-Fitr an obligatory act. As well as providing food for the poor, it was meant to atone for any absurdity or immodesty that may have been committed during fasting in the month of Ramadan. (Hadith Abu Dawud).

34. When you pay zakat (alms), you have done your duty, as it is obligatory. But a person who amasses unlawful wealth, and then makes gifts to the poor from it will have no spiritual reward for so doing. On the contrary, he will carry the burden of it with him into the next world. (Ibn Majah on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

35. Allah has made the Muslims duty bound to pay zakat (alms). It will be realized from the wealthy to be distributed among the needy. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn Al-‘Abbas.)

36. The owner of any land, which is irrigated by rain water or a stream, or which is situated close to a river, is obliged to give one tenth of its produce to the needy. The owner of such land as is irrigated by other methods will pay half this amount. (Al-Bukhari, on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn Al-‘Abbas).

37. If a person to whom God has given wealth does not give zakat (alms), he will find that, on the Day of Judgment, his wealth turns into a poisonous snake with two black spots on its head. It will be like a yoke around his neck. Then it will seize him by the jaws and declare, ‘I am your wealth, I am your treasure.’ (Al-Bukhari, on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

38. A believer, who feeds another of the faithful who is hungry, will be fed on the fruits of Paradise by God on the Day of Judgment. And a believer, who servers water to another who is thirsty, will have thirst slaked from the sealed drinks by God on the Day of Judgment. And if a believer clothes another of the faithful who is in dire need of clothing, he too will be rewarded with apparel from Paradise by God on the Day of Judgment. (At-Tirmidhi, on the authority of Abu Sa’id al-Khudri).

39. Abu Dharr al-Ghifari relates that he came to the Prophet, who was sitting in the shade of the Kabah. When he saw me he said, ‘They stand to lose.’ I said, ‘May my parents ransom you. To whom do you refer.?’ ‘To Those with an excuse of riches.’ He replied, ‘who just squander their wealth, heedless of the fact that they can be saved only if they spent generously for a good cause. And there are very few wealthy men of that ilk.’ (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

40. Giving alms to the poor is a single good deed, but giving alms to a poor relative has the double virtue of giving alms and at the same time, treating one’s own relative well. (An-Nasa’I and At-Tirmidhi on the authority of Salman ibn ‘Amir).

41. If a man who sets out with the intention of performing Hajj, ‘umrah or jihad meets with his death on the way, he will be granted the rewards of jihad, Hajj, or ‘umrah by his Maker. (Al-Bayhaqi on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

42. Asked which deed inspired the greatest respect, the Prophet (SAW) replied, ‘To believe in Allah and His Messenger.” When asked what ranked next in order of merit, he said,’ To perform jihad, for the sake of Allah.’ Asked what came after that, he replied hajj mabrur, that is, performing pilgrimage while remaining free from sin. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

43. A man who decides to perform Hajj should act with promptness, for he may fall sick, or his mount may get lost, or a need may arise that becomes an obstacle. (Ibn Majah, on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn Al-‘Abbas).

44. God’s blessings are for everyone, but a strong believer is better than a weak one. Wish for things which are beneficial to you, and in this, seek God’s help. Do not lose heart. If you are visited by misfortune, do not say, ‘If I had done this or that, it could have been averted. ‘ Because it opens the door to Satan. (Ibn Majah on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

45. Young man, (the Prophet said to 'Abdullah ibn al-'Abbas) hear some words of advice; Be mindful of God and God will protect you. Be mindful of God and you will find Him before you. If you seek help, seek Help of God. Know that if all the people were to gather together to give you the benefit of anything, it would be something that God had already prescribed for you, and that if they gathered together to harm you with anything, this would only be as God had already ordained. (At-Tirmidhi).


46. Umm Salmah (the Prophet’s wife) recounts an incident which took place when the Prophet was at home with her. He called out to the maid servant, and when she failed to appear, he showed signs of displeasure. Then Umm Salamah peeped out through the curtain and saw the maid playing. The Prophet (SAW), who was holding a miswak (a twig for cleaning the teeth) in his hand, said to the maid servant, ‘If I had no fear of retribution on Judgment Day, I would have tapped you with this twig.’ (Al-Adab al-Mufrad by Imam al Bukhari).

47. On the Day of Judgment, from amongst all those destined for Hell, a particular man, the richest man in the world, will be brought forth and cast into Hell for a moment. Then he will be taken out and will be asked, ‘O son of Adam, have you ever known the good things of life? Have you ever seen comfortable days?’ And he will reply, ‘By God, O Lord, never.’ Then from amongst all those destined for Paradise, one who has suffered the most in the world will be brought forth and will be allowed to enter Paradise for a moment. Then he will be taken out and asked, ‘O son of Adam, have you ever seen suffering? Have you ever experienced hardship in your life?’ He will reply, ‘By God, no, I have never suffered, I have never undergone hardship.’ (Hadith of Muslim, on the authority of Anas ibn Malik) (That is, just one moment in hell would suffice to make an evil person forget all the enjoyment he may have had in life, while the mere sight of Paradise would be enough to make a righteous man forget all the suffering he may have experienced in the life of this world).

48. According to Mu’adh ibn Jabal, when the Prophet (SAW) appointed him governor of Yemen, he said, ‘Abstain from luxuries, for those who live luxurious lives are no servants of God.’ (Hadith of Ahmad ibn Hanbal)
49. A man who acquires a stretch of land by tyranny will be made to wear a yoke made of seven earths around his neck on the Day of Judgment. (al-Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Sa’id ibn Zayd)

50. A man may speak of God’s pleasure without giving it much importance and yet be raise din status by his Creator. A man may say something which is abhorrent to God, without, attaching any importance to it, and it may sweep him straight into Hell. (Al-Bukhari, on the authority of Abu Hurairah).

51. ‘A man who has as much as an iota of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise.’ Hearing those words of the Prophet (SAW0, a man asked, ‘What if a man likes to dress in good clothes and wear good shoes?’ The Prophet (SAW) said, ‘God himself possesses elegance. And He likes elegance. This has nothing to do with arrogance. A man is arrogant when he refuses to accept the truth, and considers others to be inferior.’ (Muslim, on the authority of Ibn Mas’ud).

52. God accepts the repentance of a man right to his last gasp, before he dies. (At-Tirmidhi, on the authority of Abdullah ibn ‘Umar).

53. Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, who went to the Prophet (SAW) for advice, was given this counsel: ‘Fear God, for He is the one Who sets right all that concerns you. Read the Qur’an and keep remembering God, For then you will be remembered in the heavens. And that will be a light for you on the earth.’ (Ahmad ibn Hanbal)

54. The heart becomes rusted, like iron in water.’ When asked how to banish this corrosion, the Prophet (SAW) replied ‘Remember death frequently and recite the Qur’an.’ (An-Nasa’I on the authority of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar)

55. According to Abu Hurairah, the Prophet (SAW) recited a verse from the Qur’an about the Day the earth would give its account. Then he asked, ‘Do you know what this account will be?’ His listeners replied, ‘God and His Messenger know better.’ ‘The account the earth will give,’ said the Prophet, ‘is the witness it will bear to the deeds and misdeeds all men and women have committed throughout its length and breadth, and to the exact moments of their commission. That is what the earth’s account will be.’ (At-Tirmidhi)