Hadith 9 Of An-Nawawi’s Collection JSS2 Islamic Studies Lesson Note

HADITH 9 OF AN-NAWAWIS COLLECTION

Hadith 9 from Imam An-Nawawi’s famous collection “Forty Hadith” is a very important teaching. This hadith talks about things Muslims must do and things they must avoid. It was told by Abu Hurairah, one of the Prophet Muhammad’s closest friends who shared many of his sayings.

The Text of Hadith 9

On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:

“What I have forbidden you, stay away from. What I have ordered you to do, do as much of it as you can. The people before you were destroyed only because of their many questions and their disagreement with their Prophets.”

(Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Breaking Down the Hadith

Part 1: “What I have forbidden you, stay away from.”

This first part is very clear. When Allah and His Messenger forbid something, Muslims must stay completely away from it. This means:

– When something is forbidden (haram), we must avoid it fully

– There are no exceptions or halfway measures with forbidden things

– Examples include eating pork, drinking alcohol, lying, stealing, and hurting others

Allah forbids things because they are harmful to us or to society. Even if we don’t understand why something is forbidden, we trust that Allah knows best and follow His rules.

Part 2: “What I have ordered you to do, do as much of it as you can.”

This second part shows Allah’s mercy. It means:

– Try your best to do what Allah has commanded

– If you cannot do something perfectly, still try your hardest

– Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear

– Different people have different abilities, and Allah understands this

For example, a sick person might not be able to fast during Ramadan. A poor person might not be able to give much charity. Someone with a disability might pray sitting down. Allah accepts our worship according to our ability.

Part 3: “The people before you were destroyed only because of their many questions and their disagreement with their Prophets.”

This final part is a warning about two bad behaviors:

1. Asking too many unnecessary questions:

   – Some people ask questions just to make things harder

   – They look for loopholes or exceptions

   – They question things that are clear and simple

   – This can lead to confusion and division

2. Disagreeing with the Prophets:

   – Previous nations argued with their prophets

   – They rejected clear guidance

   – They made up their own rules

   – They thought they knew better than Allah’s messengers

The warning tells us that these behaviors led to the downfall of previous nations, and Muslims should avoid making the same mistakes.

Practical Lessons from Hadith 9

1. Obedience to Allah and His Messenger

This hadith teaches us that true faith means following Allah’s commands and avoiding what He has forbidden. This obedience should come from love and trust, not just fear.

2. Do Your Best

Islam is a practical religion that recognizes human limitations. We should try our best to follow all commands, but Allah understands our limitations and does not expect the impossible.

3. Balance Between Strictness and Flexibility

– Be strict in avoiding forbidden things (no compromise)

– Be flexible in doing good deeds (according to ability)

4. Avoid Unnecessary Questions

We should ask questions to gain useful knowledge, but avoid questions that:

– Create doubts

– Make simple matters complicated

– Look for loopholes

– Question the wisdom behind Allah’s commands

5. Accept Divine Guidance

Accept Allah’s commands with a willing heart. Don’t argue against clear teachings or try to change religion to suit personal desires.

Examples from Daily Life

Example 1:

Ahmad is very sick and cannot stand for prayer. Instead of skipping prayer entirely, he prays sitting down. This follows the principle of “do as much as you can.”

Example 2:

Fatima knows that backbiting (talking badly about others) is forbidden. Even when her friends gossip, she completely avoids joining in. This follows the principle of “what I have forbidden you, stay away from.”

Example 3:

Yusuf asks his teacher, “Why do we have to pray five times a day? Why not three or seven?” His teacher explains that this question is fine if Yusuf genuinely wants to understand. But if Yusuf is questioning Allah’s wisdom or looking for a way to pray less, then this would be the kind of questioning warned against in the hadith.

Conclusion

Hadith 9 gives us a balanced approach to Islamic practice. It teaches us to:

– Completely avoid what Allah has forbidden

– Do our best to follow what Allah has commanded

– Accept guidance without unnecessary questioning or argument

By following these principles, we can practice Islam in a way that is both strict in principle and flexible in application, avoiding the mistakes of previous nations.

This hadith shows the beauty of Islam as a practical religion that considers human nature and abilities while maintaining clear boundaries between right and wrong.