Hadith 15-16 an Nawawi – JSS3 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Hadith 15 and 16 of An-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith teach self-control in speech, in behaviour towards others and in anger.

• Hadith 15: speak good or remain silent, be kind to your neighbour and be generous to your guest.
• Hadith 16: do not get angry.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State the meaning of a hadith.
2. State the message of Hadith 15 and Hadith 16 and name who reported them.
3. Give examples of good speech and of speech to avoid.
4. Describe ways of being kind to neighbours and generous to guests.
5. Explain why controlling anger is important and list ways to control it.

What is An-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith?

An-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith is a famous collection of forty sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gathered by Imam An-Nawawi.

• Compiler: Imam An-Nawawi, a respected Muslim scholar.
• Content: short sayings that carry important Islamic teachings.
• Use: Muslim students learn and memorise them in schools and Islamic classes.

What is a hadith?

A hadith is a saying or action of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that his companions remembered and passed on.

• Source: the companions remembered the hadith and scholars later wrote them down.
• Place in Islam: Muslims follow the hadith alongside the Quran.
• Reporter: the companion who passed on the hadith, for example Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him).

What does Hadith 15 teach?

Hadith 15 teaches that a person who believes in Allah and the Last Day must speak good or stay silent, be kind to neighbours and be generous to guests.

What is the text of Hadith 15?

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should be kind to his neighbour. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should be generous to his guest.”

(Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

What are the three parts of Hadith 15?

Part 1: What does “speak good or remain silent” mean?

It means we should say only what is good and keep quiet when our words may hurt someone or serve no purpose.

Examples of good speech:

• Kind words: encouraging and respectful words to others.
• Truth: saying what is correct and honest.
• Good advice: guiding a friend away from wrong.
• Remembrance of Allah: saying words of praise and prayer.
• Useful knowledge: teaching others what is beneficial.

Examples of speech to avoid:

• Lying: saying what is false.
• Backbiting: talking badly about someone when the person is not present.
• Spreading rumours: passing on news without knowing it is true.
• Bad language: insults and abusive words.
• Mocking: making fun of others.

Part 2: Who is a neighbour and how do we show kindness?

A neighbour is a person who lives near us, and Islam teaches us to treat neighbours well.

Ways to be kind to neighbours:

• Greeting: meet them with a smile and a greeting.
• Helping: assist them when they need help.
• Quietness: avoid loud noise that disturbs them.
• Sharing: give them some of your food.
• Visiting: check on them when they are sick.
• Avoiding harm: never cause them trouble or loss.

Part 3: What is hospitality to guests?

Hospitality is welcoming a visitor warmly and making the person comfortable in our home.

Ways to be generous to guests:

• Warm greeting: welcome the guest with a happy face.
• Food and drink: offer what you have.
• Comfort: give the guest a good place to sit or rest.
• Time: sit and talk with the guest.
• Kind speech: speak gently and respectfully.
• Farewell: walk the guest to the door when leaving.

What are the lessons of Hadith 15?

1. Faith should show in our words and actions.
2. We are responsible for what we say.
3. Silence is better than bad speech.
4. Good relations with neighbours are important in Islam.
5. Hospitality to guests is a sign of true faith.

What does Hadith 16 teach?

Hadith 16 teaches that a believer should control anger, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave this as his advice to a man who asked for guidance.

What is the text of Hadith 16?

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man said to the Prophet (peace be upon him):

“Give me advice.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Do not get angry.” The man repeated his request several times, and each time the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Do not get angry.”

(Reported by Bukhari)

What is the meaning of Hadith 16?

• The request: a man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) for advice.
• The answer: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Do not get angry.”
• The repetition: the man asked several times and received the same answer each time.
• The point: anger can make a person say and do things he regrets later.

Why is controlling anger important?

Controlling anger protects us, our relationships and our reward from Allah.

• Protects others: anger can lead us to hurt people by words or actions.
• Protects relationships: anger can break friendships and family ties.
• Protects judgement: an angry person often makes bad decisions.
• Protects health: constant anger can harm the body.
• Protects reward: anger can lead to sins that cost us Allah’s rewards.

The Quran (3:134) praises those who restrain their anger and forgive people.

How can we control anger?

There are ways taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him) and practical steps that also help.

Ways taught in the Sunnah

1. Say “I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed.”
2. Change your position: if standing, sit down; if sitting, lie down.
3. Make wudu (ritual washing) with cool water.
4. Remember Allah and ask for His help.
5. Keep quiet until the anger passes.

Practical steps

1. Walk away from the situation that is making you angry.
2. Take slow, deep breaths.
3. Think about the reward of those who control their anger.

What did the Prophet (peace be upon him) say about a strong person?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that true strength is self-control and not the power to defeat others.

“The strong person is not the one who can wrestle others to the ground. The strong person is the one who controls himself when angry.”

(Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

What are the lessons of Hadith 16?

1. Controlling anger is a sign of strength.
2. Repeated advice shows how important it is.
3. Short advice can change a person’s life.
4. We can choose how we react.
5. Preventing anger is better than dealing with its results.

How are Hadith 15 and 16 connected?

Both hadith teach self-control: Hadith 15 controls the tongue and Hadith 16 controls the emotions.

• Link: an angry person is more likely to say bad things.
• Result: controlling anger (Hadith 16) helps us speak good or stay silent (Hadith 15).

How can we apply these hadith in our lives?

1. Think before you speak:
   • Ask: “Is what I am about to say good, kind and true?”
   • If not, stay quiet.
2. Be kind to neighbours:
   • Start with a simple greeting.
   • Offer help when you can.
   • Share food occasionally.
3. Welcome guests properly:
   • Keep some food or drink ready for visitors.
   • Make them feel comfortable and valued.
4. Practise anger control:
   • Know what makes you angry.
   • Have a plan ready for when anger comes, such as sitting down or making wudu.
   • Remember the Prophet’s advice, “Do not get angry.”

Questions to ask yourself:

• How can I improve my speech today?
• Who are my neighbours and how can I help them?
• How do I treat guests in my home?
• What makes me angry, and how can I control it?

Evaluation

1. What is a hadith?
2. Who reported Hadith 15 and Hadith 16, and which collections recorded them?
3. Give three examples of speech we should avoid.
4. State four ways of being kind to a neighbour.
5. List four ways of controlling anger.

Assignment

Write a short paragraph explaining how Hadith 16 helps us to follow Hadith 15. Give two examples from the lesson.