Prophet Muhammad’s Teachings on Different Ways of Earning Allah’s Rewards (4/11)

Repentance done sincerely for Allah:

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Allah will forgive the sins of anybody who repents before the sun rises from the west (i.e., a major sign for the Day of Judgment).” (Reported by Muslim) He also said: “Allah accepts the repentance of His slaves until the time of their death (i.e., when the soul is departing).” (Reported by Tirmidhi)

Loving Allah and His Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam):

Anas Bin Malik (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Whoever possesses the following three qualities will taste the sweetness of faith: 1. The one to whom Allah and His Messenger become dearer than anything else; 2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah’s sake; 3. Who hates to revert to disbelief (atheism) after Allah has brought (saved) him out from it, as he hates to be thrown in fire.” (Reported by Bukhari, Vol. 1, Hadeeth 20, 8, Hadeeth 67)

Anas (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that a man asked the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) about the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment) saying, “When will the Hour be?” The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “What have you prepared for it?” The man said, “Nothing, except that I love Allah and His Messenger.” The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “You will be with those whom you love.” We had never been so glad as we were on hearing that saying of the Prophet (i.e., “You will be with those whom you love.”) Therefore, I love the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), Abu Bakr (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) and ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and I hope that I will be with them because of my love for them though my deeds are not similar to theirs.” (Reported by Bukhari, Vol. 5, Hadeeth 37)

Anas Bin Malik (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said to me: “My son, if you are in a position to pass your morning and evening keeping your heart free from malice against anyone, then act according to it.” He then said: “My son, and that is my Sunnah and he who loves my Sunnah, in fact loves me and he who loves me, will be with me in Paradise.” (Reported by Tirmidhi, Hadeeth 175)

Praising and Thanking Allah the Almighty:

Said Bin Waqas (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “It is a fine thing when a believer praises and thanks Allah if good comes to him, and praises Allah and shows endurance if smitten by affliction. The believer is rewarded for everything, even for the morsel he raises to his wife’s mouth.” (Reported by Tirmidhi, Hadeeth 1733)

Seeking Islamic knowledge:

Abu Hurairah (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “…He who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allah will make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him.  And those persons who assemble in one of the houses of Allah (mosques), recite the Book of Allah and learn and teach the Qur‘an (among themselves), there will descend upon them tranquility, mercy will cover them.  The angels will surround them and Allah will mention them in the presence of those near Him. He who is slow-paced in doing good deeds, his (long) descent does not make him go ahead.”  (Reported by Muslim 6518)

Learning the Qur’an and Teaching it to others:

Uthman Bin Affan (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “The most superior among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” (Reported by Bukhari, Vol. 6, Hadeeth 546)

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it to others.” (Reported by Bukhari)

Holding Fast to the Qur’an:

Jabir Bin ‘Abdullah (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “…I have left among you the Book of Allah, and if you hold fast to it, you would never go astray…” (Reported by Muslim, Hadeeth 2803.1)

Recitation of the Qur’an:

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Recite the Qur’an, for it will intercede for you (with Allah) on the Day of Judgment.” (Reported by Muslim)

Abu Darda (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Is any one of you incapable of reciting a third of the Qur’an in a night? They (the Companions) asked: “How could one recite a third of the Qur’an (in a night)?” Upon this he (the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “He is Allah, the One” (Qur’an 112) is equivalent to a third of the Qur’an.” (Reported by Muslim, Hadeeth 1769)

‘Abdullah Bin Amr Al ‘As (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “If anyone prays at night reciting regularly ten verses, he will not be recorded among the negligent. If anyone prays at night and recites a hundred verses, he will be recorded among those who are obedient to Allah. And if anyone prays at night reciting one thousand verses, he will be recorded among those who receive huge rewards.” (Reported by Abu Dawud, Hadeeth 1393)

Abdullah Ibn Mas`ud (radhyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whenever a person recites one letter from the Book of Allah, one good deed is recorded for him. One good deed is equal to ten good deeds the like of it. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is a letter, but A is a letter L is a letter and M is a letter.” (Reported by Tirmidhi, Hadeeth, 1003)

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Whoever recites chapter Al-Kahf on a Friday will have a light (i.e., will be guided) between it and the next Friday.” (Reported by Nasaa’i)

(Continued)