Selections from Muḥammadan Traditions/Chapter 1
SELECTIONS
FROM
MUḤAMMADAN TRADITIONS
I
THE BOOK OF FAITH
It is related from ʿOmar binuʾ-l-Khuṭṭáb that, 'On a certain day when we were near the Prophet, there appeared before us a man dressed in white apparel. His hair was extremely black, and no marks of travel could be seen upon him, and none of us recognized him. At length he sat down beside the Prophet. Then he placed his two knees near the Prophet's knees, and placed the palms of his hands on his thighs and said, "O Muḥammad, teach me about Islám." He replied, "Islám is that thou bear witness that there is no God but Alláh, and that Muḥammad is the Apostle of Alláh, and that thou observe prayer, and that thou give alms, and that thou keep the fast in the month Ramadán, and that thou make the pilgrimage to the House (i.e., the temple at Mecca), if thou art able to provide for the journey." He said, "Thou hast spoken truly." At that we wondered at his questioning the Prophet and telling him he had spoken truly. Then he said, "Teach me about faith." The Prophet replied, " It is that thou believe in God and His angels and His books and His apostles and in the last day, and that thou believe in predestination, both of good and evil." He said, "Thou hast spoken truly." Then he said, "Teach me concerning the best action." He replied, "It is that thou worship God as if thou didst see Him ; for if thou dost not see Him, yet He sees thee." The man said, "Teach me concerning the hour of resurrection." He replied, "Concerning this matter the questioned is no wiser than the questioner." He said, " Teach me concerning its signs." He replied, " It is that a female slave will give birth to her master, and that thou wilt see the barefooted and the naked and the indigent and shepherds possessing houses." After that the man departed, and I remained sitting for some time. Then the Prophet said to me, "O ʿOmar, dost thou know who the questioner was? ' I said, " God and His Apostle know best." He replied, "It was Gabriel. He came to teach you your religion."'—Muslim.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "A Muslim is he from whose tongue and hands Muslims are safe. And one who flees for religion is he who flees from what God has forbidden."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, "None of you will believe until I become more precious to him than his father and his son and all men together."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿAbbás bin Abduʾl-Muṭṭalib that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He has tasted the food of faith who is pleased with Alláh as his Lord and with Islám as his religion and Muḥammad as his Apostle."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "By Him in whose hand is the life of Muḥammad! no one of this people, whether Jew or Christian, shall have heard of me, and shall afterwards die without believing in that with which I am sent, but shall become of the companions of the fire (of hell)."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Mása Al-Ashaʿri that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There are three classes of people who will obtain a double reward: the man of the people of the Book who believes in his own prophet and in Muḥammad; the slave when he does his duty both to God and his masters; and the man who possesses a female slave and, after having connection with her, teaches her good manners and improves them, and gives her instruction and betters it, and then emancipates and marries her."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Ibn ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "I am ordered to make war on men until they bear witness that there is no God but Alláh and that Muḥammad is the Apostle of Alláh; and until they observe the prayers and give alms. And if they do that, then their blood and their property will be safe from me, except what is due to me according to the laws of Islám; and their account is with God."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí, with the exception that Muslim makes no mention of the words "except what is due to me according to the laws of Islam."
It is related from Abú Musa Al-Ashaʿri that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There is no one more patient than God at the sins which He hears. They attribute a son to Him, yet, after that, He preserves them from evil and provides their daily food."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Dharr that he said, 'I came to the Prophet, and he had a white cloth over him and was sleeping. Later on I came to him after he had awakened. Then he said, "There is no servant who shall say, 'There is no God but Alláh,' and shall afterwards die relying on that, but will enter heaven." I said, "Although he commit adultery or steal!" He replied, "Although he have committed adultery and theft." I said, "Although he commit adultery and theft!" He replied, "Although he commit adultery and theft." I said, "Although he commit adultery and theft!" He replied, "Although he commit adultery and theft, and in spite of Abú Dharr."'—Muslim, Al Bukháṛi.
It is related from ʿUbadah bin Aṣ-Ṣámit that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Whoever bears witness that there is no God but Alláh alone, and that He has no partner, and that Muḥammad is His servant and His Apostle, and that Jesus is the servant of God and His Apostle and the son of His handmaid and His word which He cast into Mary and a spirit from Him; and (bears witness) that heaven and hell are true, God will take him into paradise in spite of what his works may have been."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Umámah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who loves for God's sake, and hates for God's sake, and gives for God's sake, and withholds for God's sake, has perfected the faith."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Anas that he said, 'The Apostle of God scarcely ever addressed us without saying, "He who is not true to his trust has no faith, and he who does not keep his promise has no religion."'—Al Baihaqi.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that he said, 'We were sitting around the Apostle of God, and with us in the party were Abú Bakr and ʿOmar. And the Apostle of God stood up in our midst and went out from us and delayed (his return) to us. And we feared that, being separated from us, some calamity might befall him; so we rose up, and I was the first to be afraid and I went out seeking the Apostle until I came to a wall belonging to the Helpers, the Bani Nazzár, and I walked round it to see whether I could rind a door to it, but I found none. And behold! a drain which entered a cavity of the wall from a well outside.' Abú Hurairah said, 'So I squeezed myself through and went in to the Apostle. He said "Is it Abú Hurairah?" I said, "Yes, O Apostle of God." He said, "What is the matter with thee?" I replied, "Thou wert in our company, but didst rise up, and delayed to return to us; therefore we feared that, being separated from us, some calamity might happen to thee; and I was the first to be afraid; and I came to this wall, and squeezed myself through like a fox, and these men are following me." The Prophet said, "O Abú Hurairah—and he gave me his shoes—take these shoes of mine, and whoever meets thee behind this wall and bears witness that there is no God but Alláh, affirming it from his heart, then give that one the good tidings of heaven." And the first whom I met was ʿOmar, and he said, "What are these shoes, O Abú Hurairah?" I replied, "These are the Apostle's shoes. He has sent me with them that whomsoever I meet, who bears witness from the heart that there is no God but Alláh, to him I should give the good tidings of heaven." Then ʿOmar struck me between the breasts and I fell down on my back. And he said, "Return, O Abú Hurairah." So I returned to the Apostle of God with loud weeping. And ʿOmar followed closely in my tracks. Then the Apostle of God said, "What is the matter with thee, O Abú Hurairah?" I replied, "I met ʿOmar, and informed him of the message with which thou sentest me, but he struck me between my breasts, so that I fell on my back. Then he told me to return." Then the Apostle of God said, "What, O ʿOmar, incited thee to act as thou didst?" He replied, "O Apostle of God, by my father and my mother, didst thou send Abú Hurairah with thy shoes to inform whomsoever he met, and that bare witness from the heart that there is no God but Alláh, that he should give him good tidings of heaven?" He said, "Yes." ʿOmar said, "Then do not do so; for I fear that men will depend upon this alone. Therefore leave them alone to perform their works." Then the Apostle of God said, "Leave them alone."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Umámah that, 'A man asked the Apostle of God, "What is faith?" He replied, "When your good actions give you pleasure, and your evil actions give you pain, then you are a believer." He said, "O Apostle of God, then what is sin?" He replied, "When anything pricks your conscience, then forsake it."'—Aḥmad.
It is related from Muʿádh bin Jabal that, 'He asked the Apostle of God as to what was the best part of faith. He replied, "That you love for the sake of God and hate for the sake of God, and that you employ your tongue in the mention of God." He said, "And what else, O Apostle of God?" He replied, "And that you love for men what you love for yourself, and hate for them what you hate for yourself."'—Aḥmad.
On Mortal Sins and the Signs of Hypocrisy
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The greatest sins are the associating anything with God, and being disobedient to one's parents, and the taking of life, and making a false oath."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Avoid seven destructive things." They said, "O Apostle of God, and what are they?" He replied, "The associating anything with God, magic, the taking of life—which God has forbidden—except for a just cause, the taking of interest, taking the property of an orphan, turning back in the day of battle, and charging with adultery good women who are believers and ignorant of sin."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The signs of a hypocrite are three"—and Muslim adds the words, "If he fasts and prays and pretends that he is a Muslim," afterwards the two (Muslim and Bukhárí) agree—"That when he relates anything, he relates falsely, and when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he is entrusted with anything he is false to his trust."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Ṣafwán bin ʿAssál that, 'A Jew said to a companion of his, "Go with us to this Prophet." His companion said to him, "Do not call him a Prophet, for if he hears thee, he will be pleased." Then they came to the Apostle of God and asked him about the nine clear signs. Then the Apostle of God said, "Do not associate anything with God, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not take life which God has forbidden except for a just cause, do not take an innocent person before one having authority in order to kill him, do not practise magic, do not take interest, do not accuse a good person of adultery, do not turn to flee in the day of battle, and it is specially obligatory on you Jews that ye do not hunt on the sabbath." Then they kissed the Apostle's hands and feet and said, "We bear witness that thou art a Prophet." He replied, "Then what forbids you from following me?" They replied, "Verily David prayed to his Lord, that there should never lack a Prophet in his descendants, and we fear that if we follow thee, the Jews will kill us."'—Tirmidhí, Abú Dáud, An Nasáʾi.
It is related from Muʿádh that he said, 'The Apostle of God commanded me ten things: He said, "Associate not anything with God, although thou art killed or burnt, do not disobey thy parents although they command thee to go out from thy family and thy possessions, do not wilfully forsake the prayers which are written down (as obligatory), for verily he who wilfully forsakes the prayers which are written down, from him will be withdrawn the protection of God, and do not drink wine, for it is the root of all evil. Beware of disobedience, for by disobedience is set loose the anger of God, and beware of fleeing from battle although men are destroyed, and when death approaches men (in pestilence) and thou dwellest among them, then remain there, and spend for thy family according to thine ability, and do not spare the rod upon them in order to teach them good manners and instruct them in the fear of God."'—Aḥmad.
On the Whisperings of Satan
It is related from Ibn Masʿúd that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There is no one of you but has appointed over him a companion from the genii and a companion from the angels." They said, "And what of thee, O Apostle of God?" He replied, "And for me also, but God has aided me against him, and I resign myself to Him, and He only commands me that which is good."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There is no son of Adam born, except Mary and her son, but Satan touches him when he is born, and he cries out from the touch of Satan."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The cry of a new-born babe at the time of its birth is from the touch of Satan."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿOthmán bin Abúʾl-ʿÁṣ that he said, 'I said, "O Apostle of God, verily Satan intruded himself between me and my prayers, and between me and my reading, and confused me in them." The Apostle of God replied, "That is a Satan called Khinzib, therefore when thou realize his presence, then take protection with God from him and spit over thy left side three times." Therefore I did that, and then God drove him away from me.'—Muslim.
On Belief in Predestination
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "God wrote the fate of all creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth." He said, "And His throne was upon the waters."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Adam and Moses debated near their Lord, and Adam prevailed over Moses. Moses said, 'Thou art Adam whom God created by His hand and breathed into from His spirit; and He made the angels to bow down to thee, and He caused thee to dwell in His garden. Afterwards thou, by thy sin, didst cause men to fall to the earth.' Adam said, 'Thou art Moses whom God chose with His message and His word, and He gave thee the tables (of stone) in which were an explanation of all matters, and He brought thee near and taught thee His secrets. Then how long didst thou find that God wrote the Taurát before I was created?' Moses replied, 'Forty years.' Adam said, 'Then didst thou find therein that "Adam disobeyed his Lord and went astray"?' He said, 'Yes.' He said, 'Then dost thou blame me for doing actions which God wrote concerning me that I would do them forty years before He created me?' The Apostle of God said, "Adam defeated Moses in this argument."'—Muslim.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that, 'The Apostle of God was called to the funeral of a young child of one of the Helpers; and I said, "O Apostle of God, this one is blessed. He is one of the birds of paradise, for he has neither done evil nor thought it." He replied, "O ʿÁyesha, it may be otherwise, for verily God created a people for paradise when they were yet in their fathers' loins, and He created a people for the fire when they were yet in their fathers' loins."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that he said, 'I said, "O Apostle of God, I am a youth, and I fear lest I commit adultery, and I have not the means wherewith to marry a wife"—as if he were seeking permission from him to become an eunuch—but the Apostle of God remained silent. Then I said the same thing again, but he remained silent. Then I repeated it, but he remained silent. Then I repeated the same words, and the Apostle of God said, "O Abú Hurairah, the pen has already dried (after registering) what you will be worthy of; therefore become an eunuch or refrain."'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The hearts of the sons of Adam are all between two fingers of the Merciful, like one heart. He turneth them as He wills." Then the Apostle of God said, "O God, turn our hearts to obey thee."'—Muslim.
It is related from ʿUbádah binuʾṣ-Ṣámit that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily the first thing which was created was a pen. And He said to it, 'Write.' It said, 'What shall I write?' He replied, 'Write down the divine decrees.' So it wrote down all that was and all that will be to eternity."'—At Tirmidhí
It is related from Muslim bin Yasár that he said, 'ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb was asked concerning this verse (of the Qurʾán), "And when thy Lord brought forth their descendants from the backs of the sons of Adam."[1] ʿOmar said, "I heard the Apostle of God questioned concerning this verse, and he replied, 'Verily God created Adam and then stroked his back with His right hand and brought out from it certain descendants and said, "I have created these for paradise, and they will do the actions of the people of paradise." Then He stroked Adam's back with His hand and brought forth (other) descendants and said, "These I have created for the fire, and they will do the actions of the people of the fire." Then a man said, 'Of what use, then, are works, O Apostle of God?' The Apostle of God replied, 'Verily when God creates a servant for paradise, He causes him to do the actions of the people of paradise, until he dies doing the actions of the people of paradise, and then He causes him to enter paradise thereby; and when He creates a servant for the fire, He causes him to do the actions of the people of the fire, until he dies doing the actions of the people of the fire. Then He causes him to enter the fire thereby.'"'—Málik, At Tirmidhí, Abú Dáud.
It is related from Abú Khizámah from his father that he said, 'I said, "O Apostle of God, inform me about the charms which I use, the medicine which I swallow, and the shields which I use for protection, whether they will prevent anything of that which is predestined by God." He replied, "These are amongst the things predestined by God."'—Aḥmad, At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that he said, 'The Apostle of God came out to us when we were debating about fate. Then he became so angry that his face became red to such a degree that it seemed as if the seed of a pomegranite had been split open on his two cheeks. Then he said, "Is it this you have been commanded to do? or was it for this that I was sent to you? Those who preceded you were destroyed when they debated about this matter. I adjure you! I adjure you! not to argue about it."
It is related from ʿÁyesha that she said, 'I said, "O Apostle of God, what becomes of the children of believers?" He replied, "They are as their fathers." I said, "O Apostle of God, even without works?" He replied, "God knows best what they would have done." I said, " And what of the children of the polytheists?" He replied, "They will be as their fathers." I said, "Without works?" He replied, "God knows best what they would have done."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from ʿAlí that he said, 'Khadíjah asked the Prophet concerning her two children who had died in the time of ignorance (i.e., before Islám). The Apostle of God replied, "They are both in the fire." ʿAlí said, When Muḥammad saw displeasure in her face he said, "If thou hadst but seen their place (in hell) thou wouldst certainly be displeased with them both." She said, "O Apostle of God, then what of the son (now dead) which I had of thee?" He replied, "It is in paradise." Afterwards the Apostle of God said, "Verily believers and their children are in paradise, and polytheists and their children are in the fire." Then the Apostle of God recited (the verse) "And to those who have believed, whose offspring have followed them will we again unite their offspring."[2]'—Aḥmad.'
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When God created Adam he stroked his back, and there fell from his back all the men whom He was creating from his descendants until the day of resurrection. And He placed before the eyes of each man of them a flash of light. Afterwards He brought them to Adam. Adam said, 'O my Lord, who are these?' He replied, 'They are thy descendants.' And he saw a man amongst them whose flash of light between his eyes astonished him. He said, 'O my Lord, who is this?' He replied, 'David.' Then he said, 'O my Lord, how long hast Thou fixed his life?' He replied, 'Sixty years.' Adam said, 'My Lord, increase it from my life by forty years.'" The Apostle of God said, "When the life of Adam was completed except forty years, the angel of death came to him. And Adam said, 'Are there not yet forty years of my life remaining?' He replied, 'Didst thou not give them to thy son David?' Then Adam denied, and his descendants have denied, and Adam forgot and ate of the tree, and his descendants have forgotten, and Adam sinned, and his descendants have sinned."'—At Tirmidhí.
On the Punishments of the Grave
It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily when a servant is placed in his grave and his companions return from him, he certainly hears the noise of their shoes. Then two angels come to him and make him sit up, and they say to him, 'What didst thou say concerning this man Muḥammad?' As to the believer, he will reply, 'I bear witness that he is a servant of God and His Apostle.' Then it will be said to him, 'Look at thy resting-place in the fire which God has changed for thee to a place in paradise.' Then he will look at them both. But as for the hypocrite and the unbeliever, it will be said to him, 'What didst thou say with respect to this person?' Then he will reply, 'I do not know; I used to say what men said.' Then it will be said to him, 'Didst thou neither know nor read?' Then he will be struck forcibly with an iron hammer; and he will call out with a loud cry; and all near him will hear it except men and genii."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that. 'A Jewess came in to her and mentioned the punishment of the grave, and said to her, "May God protect thee from the punishments of the grave." Then ʿÁyesha asked the Apostle of God concerning the punishments of the grave. He replied, "Yes, the punishments of the grave are true." ʿÁyesha said, "I never saw the Apostle of God after repeating the prayers, but what he took refuge with God from the punishments of the grave."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When a dead person is placed in the grave, then two black angels with blue eyes come to him, one of whom is called Munkar and the other Nakír. And they say, 'What didst thou say concerning this person (Muḥammad)?' Then, if he be a believer, he will say, 'He is the servant of God and His Apostle. I bear witness that there is no God but Alláh and that Muḥammad is His servant and His Apostle.' Then the two angels will say, 'We knew that thou wouldest speak thus.' After that his grave will be enlarged for him seventy cubits by seventy cubits. Then the grave will be illuminated for him, after which it will be said to him, 'Sleep on.' And he will say, 'Let me return to my family and inform them'; but the angels will say, 'Sleep on like the sleep of the bridegroom when no one can awaken him but the loved ones of his family, until God raises him up from his place of sleep.' And if the man be a hypocrite he will say, 'I heard men saying a certain thing, and I said the same; I do not know.' Then the angels will say, 'We knew that thou wouldst speak thus.' And it will be said to the earth, 'Close in upon him,' and it will close in upon him, and its sides will change about; and he will continue therein suffering punishment until God raises him up from his resting-place."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from ʿOthmán that, 'When the Prophet completed the interment of a corpse he stood over it and said, "Do ye ask forgiveness for your brother, and then pray for him that he continue firm, for verily he is now being questioned."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Abú Saʿíd that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There are certainly appointed over the infidel in his grave ninety-nine serpents to bite and sting him until the hour (of resurrection) comes. If one of such serpents should breathe upon the earth, no green thing would bud forth."—Al Dárimi. At Tirmidhí relates the same, but substitutes 'seventy' for 'ninety-nine'.
On Relying upon the Book and the Traditions
It is related from Jábir that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily the best word is the Book of God, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muḥammad; and the worst thing is a new invention, and all innovation is a going astray."'—Muslim.
It is related from Ráfiʿ bin Khadíj that, 'The Prophet of God came to Madína when they were artificially pollenising the dates. Therefore he said, "What are you doing?" They replied, "We were wont to do this (before the coming of Islám)." He said, "Perhaps it would be better if you did not do it." So they abandoned it; but the crops grew less. Then they mentioned the matter to him. He replied, "I am only a man. When, therefore, I command you anything concerning your religion, then accept it; but when I command you anything as a matter of my own opinion then verily I am only a man."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that he said, 'The people of the Book were reading the Taurát in Hebrew and explaining it in Arabic to the people of Islám, Then the Apostle of God said, "Do not say that the people of the Book are telling the truth, and do not accuse them of falsehood, but say, 'We believe in God and in what has been sent down upon us,"'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Al Miqdám bin Maʿdíkarib that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Have I not been given the Qurʾán, and with it that which is like it! Will not some arrogant person say to you concerning the Qurʾán, 'Consider that lawful which you find made lawful in it, and consider that unlawful which you find made unlawful in it.' Verily what the Apostle of God has made unlawful is like what God has made unlawful. Beware, the flesh of the tame ass is not made lawful for you, nor that of beasts of prey, nor is the thing lawful which is dropped by any one with whom you have made a compact, except its owner is in no need of it. And whosoever alights amongst a company, it is their duty to entertain him; and if they do not give him hospitality, then he may take food sufficient for his requirements."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from ʿIrbáḍ bin Sáriyah that he said, 'The Apostle of God stood up and said, "Doth any one of you in his arrogance suppose that God has not forbidden anything except what is in the Qurʾán? By God! I have commanded and taught and prohibited things which are certainly like the Qurʾán or more (than it). Verily God has not made it lawful for you that ye enter the houses of the people of the Book, except by permission, or that ye beat their women, or that ye eat their fruit, when they give you what they are obliged to (as tax)."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from ʿIrbáḍ bin Sáriyah that he said, 'On a certain day the Apostle of God said prayers with us; then he drew near to us and gave us eloquent instruction that brought tears to our eyes and by which our hearts were affected. A man said, "O Apostle of God, this is as if it were a farewell address, therefore give us a command." He replied, "I command you the fear of God, and giving ear and obedience (to my successor) although he be an Abyssinian slave; for those of you who will live after me will see many schisms. Therefore it is your duty to follow my rule of faith and the rule of faith of the rightly guided Khalífas. Seize it and hold it fast. Beware of new things, for all new things are an innovation, and all innovation is a going astray."'—Aḥmad, Abú Dáud, At Tirmidhí. Ibn Majah; except that the last two do not mention the prayer.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There will certainly happen to my followers such as happened to the Bani Israel, as one shoe is to another, so that if any of them commit incest openly with his mother, there will certainly be some of my followers who will do the same. Verily the Bani Israel are divided into seventy-two sects, and my followers will be divided into seventy-three sects, all but one of whom will enter the fire." They said, "O Apostle of God, which is that one?" He replied, "That which I and my followers follow."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Jábir from the Prophet that, 'When ʿOmar came to him and said, "Verily we hear stories from the Jews which excite our admiration; dost thou wish that I should write some of them down?" He replied, "Are ye bewildered like the Jews and Christians! Verily I have brought you something white and pure. If Moses had been alive, he would have been nothing but a follower of me."'—Aḥmad.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The Qurʾán came down embodying five different features: things lawful, things unlawful, positive precepts, hidden mysteries and parables. Therefore make the lawful lawful, and make the unlawful unlawful, obey the positive precepts, believe in the hidden mysteries, and take warning from the parables."'
It is related from Málik bin Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, "I have left amongst you two things, and you will never go astray so long as you hold them fast. The one is the word of God, and the other is the practice of His prophet."'—Al Muwaṭṭa.
It is related from Jábir that, ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb came to the Apostle of God with a copy of the Taurát and said, "O Apostle of God, this is a copy of the Taurát." But he remained silent. Then ʿOmar began to read; but the countenance of the Apostle of God changed, and Abú Bakr said, "Mothers bereft of their children weep for thee! Dost thou not see what has happened to the Apostle's countenance!" Then ʿOmar looked at the Apostle's face and said, "I take refuge with God from the anger of God and His Apostle. We are satisfied with Alláh as our Lord, with Islám as our religion, and with Muḥammad as our Prophet." Then the Apostle of God said, "By Him in whose hand is the life of Muḥammad! if Moses had appeared to you, ye would have followed him and would have forsaken me, and would have gone astray from the straight path. But were Moses alive and had received my prophecy, he would certainly have followed me."'—Al Dárimi.
It is related from Jábir that, 'The Apostle of God said, "My words do not abrogate the words of God, but the words of God abrogate mine, and some of the words of God abrogate others."'