Chapter 4: 40 AHAADITH OF HADHRAT SALMAAN (RA)

The forty Ahaadith given in the previous pages relate to a special subject-matter and as such it has not been possible to keep it short. These days, we have become easy going and it is difficult to bear even slight hardships in the cause of Deen. In view of this, I give here another set of forty Ahaadith, which are very short and are reported at one place from Rasulullah ﷺ . The beauty about it is that it embraces all the vital teachings of Islam and is unique in this respect. It is given in ‘Kanzul Ummaal’ and attributed to a group of the earliest Muhadditheen. Of the Ulama of later times, Moulana Qutbuddin Muhaajir Makki رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has also mentioned it. Let those having an eagerness for Deen, memorise at least this Hadith and earn a great reward for doing so little. This Hadith is given below:

Translation: Hadhrat Salmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he had asked Rasulullah ﷺ about the forty ‘Ahaadith’ concerning which he had said that, if anyone from amongst his Ummah memorised them, he would enter Jannah. I asked which Ahaadith are they? Rasulullah ﷺ replied: “You should believe: (1) in Allah Ta’ala, i.e. in His Person and Attributes; and (2) The Last Day; and (3) The Malaaikah; and (4)

Translation: The earlier Divine Books; and (5) All the Ambiyaa; and (6)

The life after death; and (7) Destiny (Taqdeer), i.e. all that is good or bad is from Allah Ta’ala; and (8)

That you bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah Ta’ala, and that Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger; and (9)

That at the time of each Salaah, you perform the Salaah at its proper time after performing a perfect wudhu. And perfect wudhu is performed with keeping in mind the aadaab (etiquettes) and mustahabbaat (plural of mustahab desirable action). A fresh wudhu should preferably be performed at the time of each Salaah, although the previous wudhu would suffice, and this is mustahab. To make a good Salaah means to be mindful of the faraaidh, sunnan and mustahabaat. In another Hadith, it is said;

Translation: “That during Salaah the saffs (rows) should be straight, i.e. the saffs should not be curved and there should be no gaps between the people. This is also included in the meaning of establishing Salaah.”

Translation: (10) Pay the Zakaat (obligatory charity on wealth exceeding the nisaab); and (11)

Fast during the month of Ramadhaan; and (12)

Perform Hajj if you have wealth; (The availability of wealth has particularly been mentioned, because the lack of wealth is generally made an excuse for not performing Hajj. Otherwise it is evident that the other requirements that make the ajj obligatory should also be fulfilled.) (13)

You should perform the twelve rakaats sunnat-e-mu’akkadah Salaah every day; (According to other Ahaadith these twelve rakaats are the two rakaats before the two fardh of Fajr Salaah, four rakaats before and two after the four fardh of Zuhr Salaah, two rakaats after the three fardh of Maghrib Salaah and two rakaats after the four fardh of Esha Salaah). (14)

You should never miss the Witr Salaah at night; Witr Salaah is waajib (compulsory, but less than fardh and more important than sunnat) and is, therefore, specially emphasised; (15)

You should not ascribe partners unto Allah Ta’ala; (16)

You should not disobey your parents; (17)

You should not use the property of orphans unjustly; (Unjustly implies that there is no harm in using the belongings of an orphan in a lawful manner, as is the case under certain circumstances.) (18)

You should not drink wine; (19)

You should not commit adultery; (20)

You should not take false oaths; (21)

You should not give false evidence; (22)

You should not give in to your base desires (nafs); (23)

You should not backbite a Muslim brother; (24)

You should not slander a pure chaste woman (or a chaste man); (25)

You should not have ill feelings towards your Muslim brethren; (26)

You should not indulge in play and futile activities (27)

You should join those who involve themselves in useless amusemnets (28)

You should not call a short person; “O, you short one!” with the intention of finding fault with him; (there is no harm in a person being called by a nickname which has become associated with him, provided that the nickname is neither used to tease nor as a term of abuse. Using it to tease is not permissible.) (29)

You should not indulge in jokes at the cost of others; (30)

You should not indulge in slander amongst Muslims; (31)

You should be ever grateful to Allah Ta’ala for His bounties; (32)

You should be steadfast in suffering and calamity; (33)

You should not be unmindful of the punishment of Allah Ta’ala; (34)

You should not cut family ties with your relatives; (35)

You should maintain good family ties with your relatives; (36)

You should not curse any creation of Allah Ta’ala; (37)

You should make the zikr and glorify Allah Ta’ala by repeating the words Subhaanallaah, Al-hamdulillaah (all praise is for Allah Ta’ala), Laa ilaaha illallaah (there is no god but Allah Ta’ala) and Allaahu Akbar frequently; (38)

You should not miss the Friday and Eid Salaah; (39)

You should believe that whatever difficulty or ease befalls you was predestined and could not be avoided, and whatever you have missed, would have never come to you; and (40)

You should not give up the recitation of the Qur-aan Shareef under any circumstances.” Hadhrat Salmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says that he asked Rasulullah ﷺ : “What reward would be given to one who memorises these Ahaadith?” Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Allah Ta’ala will raise him up in the company of the Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and the Ulama.”

May Allah Ta’ala, through His Grace, forgive all our sins and include us in the company of His obedient servants by His mercy alone. This is not beyond His generous grace. The readers are humbly requested to remember this sinner in their duas.

Translation: (Hadhrat Moulana) Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlavi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , Mazahirul-Uloom Saharanpur. 29 Zul Hijjah 1348 HIJRI.