Definition of Hadith
Linguistic Definition of Hadith
In language, the term ‘hadith’ refers to speech or news. Specifically, it denotes the prophetic sayings attributed to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
Terminological Definition of Hadith
In a technical sense, hadith is defined as “any statement, action, tacit approval, or description—whether related to physical or moral traits—attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).”
Noble Hadiths
Hadiths About Paradise
Numerous prophetic traditions describe the beauty and characteristics of Paradise. May Allah make us among its inhabitants. Below are some of these hadiths:
- Some companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about Paradise, to which he replied: “Its building consists of bricks of gold and bricks of silver. Its mortar is scented musk, its pebbles are pearls and rubies, and its soil is saffron. Whoever enters it will experience joy without hardship, and will live forever without death. Their garments will not wear out, and their youth will never fade away.”
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “In Paradise, there are one hundred levels prepared by Allah for those who strive in His cause, and the distance between each two levels is like the distance between the heavens and the earth. When you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaus, for it is the middle and highest part of Paradise, above which is the Throne of the Merciful, and from it, the rivers of Paradise flow.”
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “The people of Paradise will see the people of the elevated chambers above them just as one sees a distant star in the sky, due to the difference in status among them.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, are these the abodes of the Prophets that none can attain?” He replied, “No, by the One in whose Hand is my soul, there are men who believed in Allah and affirmed the messengers.”
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned: “The first group to enter Paradise will look like the full moon on the night of its fullness, and the next group will shine like the brightest star in the sky. Each of them will have two wives, and the translucence of their shins will be visible through the flesh. There is no one in Paradise who is single.”
- He also said: “The space of a bow or even a footstep in Paradise is better than this world and everything within it. If a woman from the inhabitants of Paradise were to look at the earth, it would illuminate everything between them and would fill the air with a fragrance. And her headscarf is better than this world and everything within it.”
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “In Paradise, there is a market where they will gather every Friday. A wind will blow from the north, sweeping over their faces and garments, making them more beautiful and radiant. They will return to their families, and their families will say to them: ‘By Allah, you have become more beautiful since we last saw you.’ They will reply: ‘And you too, by Allah, have become more beautiful since we last saw you.’
- He added: “When the people of Paradise enter Paradise and the people of Hell enter Hell, a caller will announce: ‘O people of Paradise, you have a meeting with Allah that He wishes to fulfill for you.’ They will ask, ‘What is it? Did Allah not make our scales heavy, brighten our faces, admit us into Paradise, and save us from Hell?’ The veil will be lifted, and they will behold Him, and by Allah, nothing will be more beloved to them than seeing Him, nor will there be anything that brings more delight to their eyes.”
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “In Paradise, there are eight gates, one of which is called Ar-Raiyan, and none will enter through it except those who fast.”
Hadiths About Knowledge
In the Sunnah of the Prophet, several hadiths highlight the significance and virtue of seeking knowledge, such as:
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever comes to this mosque seeking only good to learn or teach is like a warrior in the path of Allah. As for those who come for other reasons, they are like a man gazing at the belongings of someone else.”
- He also said: “There is no envy except in two cases: a man whom Allah has given wealth, and he spends it on his lawful causes, and a man whom Allah has granted wisdom, and he judges by it and teaches it.”
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “May Allah brighten the face of a person who hears a saying from us and memorizes it until he conveys it to others. Perhaps a bearer of knowledge is not learned, and perhaps a bearer of knowledge conveys it to someone more knowledgeable than him.”
- “When a person dies, all his deeds cease except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”
- He said: “The virtue of knowledge is dearer to me than the virtue of worship, and the best of your religion is piety.”
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised: “Ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and seek refuge in Him from knowledge that does not benefit.”
- He affirmed: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”