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Taraweeh of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) (Ahadtih 1723 - 1725)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 32, Number 228:
Narrated 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to pray (at night) in Ramadan.
Volume 3, Book 32, Number 229:
Narrated 'Urwa:
That he was informed by 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa), "Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) went out in the middle of the night and prayed in the mosque and some men prayed behind him. In the morning, the people spoke about it and then a large number of them gathered and prayed behind him (on the second night). In the next morning the people again talked about it and on the third night the mosque was full with a large number of people. Allah's Apostle came out and the people prayed behind him. On the fourth night the Mosque was overwhelmed with people and could not accommodate them, but the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) came out (only) for the morning prayer. When the morning prayer was finished he recited Tashah-hud and (addressing the people) said, "Amma ba'du, your presence was not hidden from me but I was afraid lest the night prayer (Qiyam) should be enjoined on you and you might not be able to carry it on." So, Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) died and the situation remained like that (i.e. people prayed individually). "
This indicates that praying Taraweeh in congregation is prescribed according to the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), but he refrained from doing it because he feared that it would be made obligatory for the ummah. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died, this reservation was no longer required, because the sharee’ah was established. 
Volume 3, Book 32, Number 230:
Narrated Abu Salama bin 'Abdur Rahman:
that he asked 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) "How was the prayer of Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) in Ramadan?" She replied, "He did not pray more than eleven Rakat in Ramadan or in any other month. He used to pray four Rakat ---- let alone their beauty and length----and then he would pray four ----let alone their beauty and length ----and then he would pray three Rakat (Witr)." She added, "I asked, 'O Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! Do you sleep before praying the Witr?' He replied, 'O 'Aisha! My eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep."
It is proven in al-Saheeh that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to pray eleven rak’ahs at night in Ramadaan and at other times, but he would make the recitation and other essential parts of the prayer so long that on one occasion he recited more than five juz’ (sipara) in a single rak’ah, reciting slowly and carefully. 
And it is proven that he would get up halfway through the night, or shortly before or after that, and he would carry on praying until it was close to dawn, so he would pray thirteen rak’ahs in approximately five hours. This requires making the recitation and other essential parts of the prayer lengthy.
Note: the main focus of our night prayer (inside or outside Ramadan) should be to attain tranquility and to develop a special connection with Allah. There's no point in fighting about the number of rak`ahs of the Taraweeh prayer and there's no point in discussing what Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) did in his time and why he did it, if our night prayer does not bring us any closer towards Allah. Yes, we want to follow the Sunnah when it comes to the number of rak`ahs, but are we going to sideline the Sunnah of making the night prayer lengthy and slow? The latter is definitely more important, won't you agree?

Combining Prayers in Haste (Hadith No. 1555)


Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 27, Number 32:
Narrated Zaid bin Aslam from his father:
I was with Ibn 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) on the way to Mecca, and he got the news that Safiya bint Abu Ubaid was seriously ill. So, he hastened his pace, and when the twilight disappeared, he dismounted and offered the Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers together. Then he said, "I saw that whenever the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) had to hasten when traveling, he would delay the Maghrib prayer and join them together (i.e. offer the Maghrib and the Isha prayers together)."
We know that prayers are shortened during travel only. But what about combining prayers? Does a person have to be travelling in order to combine two prayers, or is it allowed otherwise as well? Here's a general answer from IslamQA:
It is not permissible for a Muslim man or woman to delay an obligatory prayer beyond the proper time, rather every accountable Muslim man and woman is obliged to perform the prayers on time as much as they can.
Work is not an excuse for delaying prayer, neither is impurity on clothes or clothes being dirty. None of these are acceptable excuses.
 People should be excused from work at prayer times; at the time of prayer a worker has to wash the impurity from his clothes, or change into clean clothes. As for regular dirt (as opposed to impurities), this does not prevent one from praying in those clothes, so long as that dirt is not impure and does not have an offensive smell that would bother other worshippers. But if the dirt or its smell will bother others, then he has to wash it before praying, or change into clean clothes so that he can pray in congregation.
 It is permissible for those who have legitimate shar’i excuses, such as those who are sick or are travelling, to combine Zuhr and ‘Asr at the time of either of them, and to combine Maghrib and ‘Isha’ at the time of either of them.
 This was narrated in the saheeh Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It is also permissible to join prayers when there is heavy rain or mud, which cause difficulty for people.
P.S. given below is a 'general knowledge' question for you.. Test yourself.
[polldaddy poll=3810049]

Prayers in Muzdalifah (Ahadith 1442 - 1444)


Bismillah.
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 742:
Narrated Abdullah (radiallaahu `anhu):
I never saw the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) offering any prayer not at its stated time except two; he prayed the Maghrib and the 'Isha' together and he offered the morning prayer before its usual time.
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 743:
Narrated 'Abdur-Rahman bin Yazid
I went out with 'Abdullah (radiallaahu `anhu), to Mecca and when we proceeded to am' he offered the two prayers (the Maghrib and the 'Isha') together, making the Adhan and Iqama separately for each prayer. He took his supper in between the two prayers. He offered the Fajr prayer as soon as the day dawned. Some people said, "The day had dawned (at the time of the prayer)," and others said, "The day had not dawned." 'Abdullah (radiallaahu `anhu) then said, "Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, 'These two prayers have been shifted from their stated times at this place only (at Al-Muzdalifa); first: The Maghrib and the 'Isha'. So the people should not arrive at Al-Muzdalifa till the time of the 'Isha' prayer has become due. The second prayer is the morning prayer which is offered at this hour.' " Then 'Abdullah (radiallaahu `anhu) stayed there till it became a bit brighter. He then said, "If the chief of the believers hastened onwards to Mina just now, then he had indeed followed the Sunna." I do not know which proceeded the other, his ('Abdullah (radiallaahu `anhu)'s) statement or the departure of 'Uthman (radiallaahu `anhu). Abdullah (radiallaahu `anhu) was reciting Talbiya till he threw pebbles at the Jamrat-al-'Aqaba on the Day of Nahr (slaughtering) (that is the 10th of Dhul-Hijja).
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 744:
Narrated 'Amr bin Maimun:
I saw 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu), offering the Fajr (morning) prayer at Jam'; then he got up and said, "The pagans did not use to depart (from Jam') till the sun had risen, and they used to say, 'Let the sun shine on Thabir (a mountain).' But the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) contradicted them and departed from Jam' before sunrise."
  1. Combine Maghrib and `Ishaa' with one adhaan and two iqaamahs.
  2. Pray Fajr early.
Some pilgrims pray Fajr before its time, praying and leaving. This is a serious mistake, because prayer offered before its time is not accepted, rather it is haraam because it is overstepping the limits set by Allaah. Prayers are to offered at set times, the beginning and end of which are defined in sharee’ah, so it is not permissible for anyone to offer a prayer before its time begins. 
The pilgrim has to pay attention to this matter, and not pray Fajr until after he is certain or thinks it most likely that the time for Fajr has begun. It is true that he should hasten to pray Fajr in Muzdalifah, because the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did that, but that does not mean that he should pray it before its time begins. The pilgrim should beware of doing that.
Other mistakes made by pilgrims on the way to and in Muzdalifah here.

Taken from: http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2013/03/23/prayers-in-muzdalifah-ahadith-1442-1444/

Going Overboard with Fiqh (Ahadith 1415 - 1419)


Bismillah.
Hadith no. 1413 (below) is a repeat. Read it here.
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 713:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and his companions assumed Ihram for Hajj and none except the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and Talha had the Hadi (sacrifice) with them. 'Ali (radiallaahu `anhu) arrived from Yemen and had a Hadi with him. 'Ali (radiallaahu `anhu) said, "I have assumed Ihram for what the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) has done." The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) ordered his companions to perform the 'Umra with the lhram which they had assumed, and after finishing Tawaf (of Ka'ba, Safa and Marwa) to cut short their hair, and to finish their lhram except those who had Hadi with them. They (the people) said, "How can we proceed to Mina (for Hajj) after having sexual relations with our wives?" When that news reached the Prophet he said, "If I had formerly known what I came to know lately, I would not have brought the Hadi with me. Had there been no Hadi with me, I would have finished the state of lhram." 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) got her menses, so she performed all the ceremonies of Hajj except Tawaf of the Ka'ba, and when she got clean (from her menses), she performed Tawaf of the Ka'ba. She said, "O Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! (All of you) are returning with the Hajj and 'Umra, but I am returning after performing Hajj only." So the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) ordered 'Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu) to accompany her to Tan'im and thus she performed the 'Umra after the Hajj.
Hadith no. 1414 (below) is also a repeat. Read it here.
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 714:
Narrated Hafsa (radiallaahu `anhaa):
(On 'Id) We used to forbid our virgins to go out (for 'Id prayer). A lady came and stayed at the Palace of Bani Khalaf. She mentioned that her sister was married to one of the companions of Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) who participated in twelve Ghazawats along with Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and her sister was with him in six of them. She said, "We used to dress the wounded and look after the patients." She (her sister) asked Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam), "Is there any harm for a woman to stay at home if she doesn't have a veil?" He said, "She should cover herself with the veil of her companion and she should take part in the good deeds and in the religious gatherings of the believers." When Um 'Atiyya (radiallaahu `anhaa) came, I asked her. "Did you hear anything about that?" Um 'Atiyya (radiallaahu `anhaa) said, "Bi Abi" and she never mentioned the name of Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) without saying "Bi Abi" (i.e. 'Let my father be sacrificed for you'). We asked her, "Have you heard Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) saying so and so (about women)?" She replied in the affirmative and said, "Let my father be sacrificed for him. He told us that unmarried mature virgins who stay often screened or unmarried young virgins and mature girls who stay often screened should come out and take part in the good deeds and in the religious gatherings of the believers. But the menstruating women should keep away from the Musalla (praying place)." I asked her, "The menstruating women?" She replied, "Don't they present themselves at 'Arafat and at such and such places?"

Today's Ahadith:

Volume 2, Book 26, Number 715:
Narrated 'Abdul 'Aziz bin Rufai:
I asked Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu), "Tell me what you remember from Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) (regarding these questions): Where did he offer the Zuhr and 'Asr prayers on the day of Tarwiya (8th day of Dhul-Hajja)?" He replied, "(He offered these prayers) at Mina." I asked, "Where did he offer the 'Asr prayer on the day of Nafr (i.e. departure from Mina on the 12th or 13th of Dhul-Hijja)?" He replied, "At Al-Abtah," and then added, "You should do as your chiefs do."
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 716:
Narrated 'Abdul 'Aziz:
I went out to Mina on the day of Tarwiya and met Anas (radiallaahu `anhu) going on a donkey. I asked him, "Where did the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) offer the Zuhr prayer on this day?" Anas (radiallaahu `anhu) replied, "See where your chiefs pray and pray similarly."
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 717:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) offered a two-Rakat prayer at Mina. Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu), 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) and 'Uthman (radiallaahu `anhu), (during the early years of his caliphate) followed the same practice.
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 718:
Narrated Haritha bin Wahab Al-Khuza'i (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) led us in a two-Rakat prayer at Mina although our number was more than ever and we were in better security than ever.
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 719:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Masud (radiallaahu `anhu):
I offered (only a) two Rakat prayer with the Prophet (at Mina), and similarly with Abu Bakr (radiallaahu `anhu) and with 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu), and then you differed in opinions. Wish that I would be lucky enough to have two of the four Rakat accepted (by Allah).
  1. Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) shortened salah in Minaa. Should we do it or not? Answer here.
  2. There's no need to fight over this issue, as Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (radiallaahu `anhu) comments in the last narration. Because the real question is whether those 2 or four rak`aat will be accepted by Allah or not?
    It often happens that we get so engrossed in Fiqh issues that the spirit in worship gets lost somewhere. Must prevent that! Yes, knowing the 'how' is very important, but we shouldn't forget the 'why' in the process. Allahul Musta`aan!
Taken from: http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/going-overboard-with-fiqh-ahadith-1415-1419/

Makruh Times for Salah (Ahadth 1394 - 1396)


Bismillah.
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 694:
Narrated Urwa from Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
Some people performed Tawaf (of the Kaba) after the morning prayer and then sat to listen to a preacher till sunrise, and then they stood up for the prayer. Then Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) commented, "Those people kept on sitting till it was the time in which the prayer is disliked and after that they stood up for the prayer."
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 695:
Narrated Abdullah (radiallaahu `anhu):
heard the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) forbidding the offering of prayers at the time of sunrise and sunset.
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 696:
Narrated Abida bin Humaid:
Abdul, Aziz bin Rufai Said, "I saw Abdullah bin Az-Zubair (radiallaahu `anhu) performing Tawaf of the Kaba after the morning prayer then offering the two Rakat prayer." Abdul Aziz added, "I saw Abdullah bin Az-Zubair (radiallaahu `anhu) offering a two Rakat prayer after the Asr prayer." He informed me that Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa) told him that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to offer those two Rakat whenever he entered her house."
Taken from: http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/makruh-times-for-salah-ahadth-1394-1396/

The Bare Minimum (Ahadith 1177 - 1182)


Bismillah.
Narrated Ibn Abbas:
Thy Prophet sent Muadh to Yemen and said, "Invite the people to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I am Allah's Apostle, and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers in every day and night (in twenty-four hours), and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the Zakat from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor."
Narrated Abu Aiyub:
A man said to the Prophet "Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise." The people said, "What is the matter with him? What is the matter with him?" The Prophet said, "He has something to ask. (What he needs greatly) The Prophet said: (In order to enter Paradise) you should worship Allah and do not ascribe any partners to Him, offer prayer perfectly, pay the Zakat and keep good relations with your Kith and kin." (See Hadith No. 12, Vol 8).
Narrated Abu Huraira:
A Bedouin came to the Prophet and said, "Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise, if I do it." The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory Zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan." The Bedouin said, "By Him, in Whose Hands my life is, I will not do more than this." When he (the Bedouin) left, the Prophet said, "Whoever likes to see a man of Paradise, then he may look at this man."
Narrated Abu Zur'a:
from the Prophet the same as above.
Narrated Ibn Abbas:
A delegation of the tribe of 'Abdul Qais came to the Prophet and said, "O Allah's Apostle! We are from the tribe of Rabi'a, and the infidels of the tribe of Mudar stands between us and you; so we cannot come to you except during the Sacred Months. Please order us to do something (religious deeds) which we may carry out and also invite to it our people whom we have left behind." The Prophet said, "I order you to do four things and forbid you four others: (I order you) to have faith in Allah, and confess that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, (and the Prophet gestured with his hand like this (i.e. one knot) and to offer prayers perfectly and to pay the Zakat, and to pay one-fifth of the booty in Allah's Cause. And I forbid you to use Dubba', Hantam, Naqir and Muzaffat (all these are the names of utensils used for preparing alcoholic drinks)."
Already discussed here.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
When Allah's Apostle died and Abu Bakr became the caliph some Arabs renegade (reverted to disbelief) (Abu Bakr decided to declare war against them), 'Umar, said to Abu Bakr, "How can you fight with these people although Allah's Apostle said, 'I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight the people till they say: "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and whoever said it then he will save his life and property from me except on trespassing the law (rights and conditions for which he will be punished justly), and his accounts will be with Allah.' " Abu Bakr said, "By Allah! I will fight those who differentiate between the prayer and the Zakat as Zakat is the compulsory right to be taken from the property (according to Allah's orders) By Allah! If they refuse to pay me even a she-kid which they used to pay at the time of Allah's Apostle . I would fight with them for withholding it" Then 'Umar said, "By Allah, it was nothing, but Allah opened Abu Bakr's chest towards the decision (to fight) and I came to know that his decision was right."
Here's what I think.. The five pillars of Islam [testimony of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage] are the most essential parts of the Deen. YET, a person fulfilling all these duties is doing only the bare minimum, only that which will be sufficient to help him enter Paradise (if Allah wills). So there's a lot more to our Deen. Keep exploring it!
Kitaab-ul-Janaa'iz [Book of Funerals] ends here. Alhamdulillah.

Abu Lahab (Hadith No. 1176)


Bismillah.
Narrated Ibn Abbas.:
Abu Lahab, may Allah curse him, once said to the Prophet (p.b.u.h), "Perish you all the day."
Then the Divine Inspiration came: "Perish the hands of Abi Lahab! And perish he!" (111.1).
Ibn Kathir says in his Tafsir about the reason for revelation of this Surah [al-Lahab]:
Al-Bukhari recorded from Ibn `Abbas that the Prophet went out to the valley of Al-Batha and he ascended the mountain. Then he cried out,
«يَا صَبَاحَاه»
(O people, come at once!) So the Quraysh gathered around him. Then he said,
«أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ حَدَّثْتُكُمْ أَنَّ الْعَدُوَّ مُصَبِّحُكُمْ، أَوْ مُمَسِّيكُمْ أَكُنْتُمْ تُصَدِّقُونِّي»
؟ (If I told you all that the enemy was going to attack you in the morning, or in the evening, would you all believe me) They replied, "Yes.'' Then he said,
«فَإِنِّي نَذِيرٌ لَكُمْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ عَذَابٍ شَدِيد»
(Verily, I am a warner (sent) to you all before the coming of a severe torment.) Then Abu Lahab said, "Have you gathered us for this May you perish!'' Thus, Allah revealed,
﴿تَبَّتْ يَدَآ أَبِى لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ ﴾
(Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab and perish he!) to the end of the Surah. In another narration it states that he stood up dusting of his hands and said, "Perish you for the rest of this day! Have you gathered us for this'' Then Allah revealed,
﴿تَبَّتْ يَدَآ أَبِى لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ ﴾
(Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab and perish he!) The first part is a supplication against him and the second is information about him. This man Abu Lahab was one of the uncles of the Messenger of Allah.His name was `Abdul-`Uzza bin Abdul-Muttalib. His surname was Abu `Utaybah and he was only called Abu Lahab because of the brightness of his face. He used to often cause harm to the Messenger of Allah . He hated and scorned him and his religion. Imam Ahmad recorded from Abu Az-Zinad that a man called Rabi`ah bin `Abbad from the tribe of Bani Ad-Dil, who was a man of pre-Islamic ignorance who accepted Islam, said to him, "I saw the Prophet in the time of pre-Islamic ignorance in the market of Dhul-Majaz and he was saying,
«يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، قُولُوا: لَا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللهُ تُفْلِحُوا»
(O people! Say there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and you will be successful.) The people were gathered around him and behind him there was a man with a bright face, squint (or cross) eyes and two braids in his hair. He was saying, "Verily, he is an apostate (from our religion) and a liar!'' This man was following him (the Prophet ) around wherever he went. So, I asked who was he and they (the people) said, "This is his uncle, Abu Lahab.'' Ahmad also recorded this narration from Surayj, who reported it from Ibn Abu Az-Zinad, who reported it from his father (Abu Zinad) who mentioned this same narration. However in this report, Abu Zinad said, "I said to Rabi`ah, `Were you a child at that time' He replied, `No. By Allah, that day I was most intelligent, and I was the strongest blower of the flute (for music).''' Ahmad was alone in recording this Hadith. Concerning Allah's statement,
﴿مَآ أَغْنَى عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ ﴾
(His wealth and his children (Kasab) will not benefit him!) Ibn `Abbas and others have said,
﴿وَمَا كَسَبَ﴾
(and his children (Kasab) will not benefit him!) "Kasab means his children.'' A similar statement has been reported from `A'ishah, Mujahid, `Ata', Al-Hasan and Ibn Sirin. It has been mentioned from Ibn Mas`ud that when the Messenger of Allah called his people to faith, Abu Lahab said, "Even if what my nephew says is true, I will ransom myself (i.e., save myself) from the painful torment on the Day of Judgement with my wealth and my children.'' Thus, Allah revealed,
﴿مَآ أَغْنَى عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ ﴾
(His wealth and his children will not benefit him!) Then Allah says,
﴿سَيَصْلَى نَاراً ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ ﴾
(He will enter a Fire full of flames!) meaning, it has flames, evil and severe burning.
I wonder if Abu Lahab ever felt that he could be wrong; if he ever wondered what he'd do to save himself from Allah's wrath. He 'knew' Prophet (SAW) to be a truthful and honest person, still he denied the message he (SAW) brought. Knowing and not believing.. hmm.. arrogance?


Don't Abuse the Dead (Hadith No. 1175)


Bismillah.
Narrated 'Aisha :
The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "Don't abuse the dead, because they have reached the result of what they forwarded."
Abusing here refers to verbal abuse, using harsh words against a person.
Most scholars say that this is for the believers, i.e. don't abuse the dead believers. But anyhow, taking the hukm (commandment) of the Prophet (SAW), one must be careful as to not talk bad about any dead person, especially the believers.
This also implies not judging them, i.e. not deciding where they ended up. Because. We. Don't. Know.
No matter how pious you knew the person to be, you are not allowed to say (even about a martyr) that he/she definitely went to Jannah, or in the case of a wicked one, that he/she definitely went to Hell.
Prophet (SAW) said:

والله ما أدرى وأنا رسول الله ما يفعل بى

[roughly translated:] By Allah, I do not know what will be done with me, even though I'm the Messenger of Allah.
If Prophet (SAW) wasn't so sure, how can we claim to know about a person's fate? Do we have angels coming to us as reporters? :)
Side question: is it okay to organize a gathering to remember the deceased? Find the answer here.

`Umar [RA]'s Last Wish (Hadith No. 1174)


Bismillah.
Narrated 'Amr bin Maimun Al-Audi:
I saw 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (when he was stabbed) saying, "O 'Abdullah bin 'Umar! Go to the mother of the believers Aisha and say, 'Umar bin Al-Khattab sends his greetings to you,' and request her to allow me to be buried with my companions." (So, Ibn 'Umar conveyed the message to 'Aisha.) She said, "I had the idea of having this place for myself but today I prefer him ('Umar) to myself (and allow him to be buried there)." When 'Abdullah bin 'Umar returned, 'Umar asked him, "What (news) do you have?" He replied, "O chief of the believers! She has allowed you (to be buried there)." On that 'Umar said, "Nothing was more important to me than to be buried in that (sacred) place. So, when I expire, carry me there and pay my greetings to her ('Aisha ) and say, 'Umar bin Al-Khattab asks permission; and if she gives permission, then bury me (there) and if she does not, then take me to the grave-yard of the Muslims. I do not think any person has more right for the caliphate than those with whom Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) was always pleased till his death. And whoever is chosen by the people after me will be the caliph, and you people must listen to him and obey him," and then he mentioned the name of 'Uthman, 'Ali, Talha, Az-Zubair, 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf and Sad bin Abi Waqqas.
By this time a young man from Ansar came and said, "O chief of the believers! Be happy with Allah's glad tidings. The grade which you have in Islam is known to you, then you became the caliph and you ruled with justice and then you have been awarded martyrdom after all this." 'Umar replied, "O son of my brother! Would that all that privileges will counterbalance (my short comings), so that I neither lose nor gain anything. I recommend my successor to be good to the early emigrants and realize their rights and to protect their honor and sacred things. And I also recommend him to be good to the Ansar, who before them had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith. He should accept the good of the righteous among them and should excuse their wrongdoers. I recommend him to abide by the rules and regulations concerning the Dhimmis (protectees) of Allah and His Apostle, to fulfill their contracts completely and fight for them and not to tax (overburden) them beyond their capabilities."
Notice:
  • what was on `Umar (RA)'s mind when he was bleeding on his death-bed - that he gets a place near Prophet (SAW) to be buried.
  • how that place was so beloved to `Aishah (RA) and she had planned to be buried there, but she gave it up for `Umar (RA), preferring him over herself.
  • the things `Umar (RA) said as wasiyyat (will) to his successor as leader of the believers.
  • how `Umar (RA) had been martyred but he was still scared for his hisaab. His words in reply to the man from Ansaar: "O son of my brother! Would that all that privileges will counterbalance (my short comings), so that I neither lose nor gain anything."
SubhanAllah, reading about the Companions make them seem like stars in the sky. Fascinating.
May we be together with them in Jannah. Firdaws preferably. <3

Searching for a Title (Hadith No. 1173)


Bismillah.
Narrated 'Urwa:
When the wall fell on them (i.e. graves) during the caliphate of Al-Walid bin 'Abdul Malik, the people started repairing it, and a foot appeared to them. The people got scared and thought that it was the foot of the Prophet. No-one could be found who could tell them about it till I ('Urwa) said to them, "By Allah, this is not the foot of the Prophet but it is the foot of Umar."
Aisha narrated that she made a will to 'Abdullah bin Zubair, "Do not bury me with them (the Prophet and his two companions) but bury me with my companions (wives of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) ) in Al-Baqi as I would not like to be looked upon as better than I really am (by being buried near the Prophet)."
About the first part of this Hadith.. I'm still trying to get the background information on the incident. So no comment yet. Will update the post as soon as I have something solid inshaAllah.
Anyway, this incident is taken as proof that bodies of martyrs don't get degenerated by the soil. Allahu A`lam [Allah knows best].
As for the second part, Aishah (RA) gave up her position (near the Prophet [SAW]) where she wanted to be buried, because Umar (RA) had asked her if he could be buried there. She preferred him over herself saying that "I would not like to be looked upon as better than I really am". SubhanAllah. [More on this tomorrow inshaAllah.]
Wassalam.

Lurvvvv! (Hadith No. 1170)


Bismillah.
Narrated 'Aisha:
During his sickness, Allah's Apostle was asking repeatedly, "Where am I today? Where will I be tomorrow?" And I was waiting for the day of my turn (impatiently). Then, when my turn came, Allah took his soul away (in my lap) between my chest and arms and he was buried in my house.
Prophet (SAW) would take regular turns to be with his wives. Although he loved `A'ishah (RA) more than the others, he never treated the others unjustly. During the days of his fatal illness, he became really impatient to be with `A'ishah, so he would ask again and again: 'where am I today? Where will I be tomorrow?', indicating that he wanted to visit `A'ishah real soon.
And same was the case with `A'ishah (RA); she kept getting impatient as well. So in order to fulfill Prophet (SAW)'s wish, the wives mutually decided to let `A'ishah have their share of the days. When finally he came to be with `A'ishah (RA), it was there in her lap that his soul was taken away. And it was there in her house that his body was buried. Sallallahu `alaiyhi wasallam.
When you love someone, it's natural that you desire to see them and be with them as much as possible. And with a love so pure as this one (among spouses), it's just plain cute. <3
The last person Prophet (SAW) saw before his death was `A'ishah (RA). Aww! :)
One of the greatest aims of marriage according to the laws of Allaah is so that affection and compassion may prevail between the spouses. This is the foundation on which married life should be built. Allaah, may He be exalted, says:
 
“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy” [al-Room 30:21] 
Al-Haafiz Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Affection means love, and compassion means kindness. A man keeps a woman either because he loves her or her because he feels compassion towards her because he has children from her.
Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) also said: 
There is no love between any two souls greater than that that exists between the spouses.
Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 3/525
Difference between love and 'madness' here.
Wassalam.

Benefiting the Deceased (Hadith No. 1169)


Bismillah.
Narrated Aisha:
A man said to the Prophet (p.b.u.h), "My mother died suddenly and I thought that if she had lived she would have given alms. So, if I give alms now on her behalf, will she get the reward?" The Prophet replied in the affirmative.
Benefits of du`a, charity and Hajj reach the deceased, according to the consensus of scholars.

Du`a

With regard to du’aa’ and praying for forgiveness, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who came after them say: ‘Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith"
[al-Hashr 59:10] 
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Pray for forgiveness for your brother and ask that he be made steadfast, for now he is being questioned.” 
And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“When you offer the (funeral) prayer for the deceased, then make du’aa’ sincerely for him.”

Charity

With regard to charity, it was narrated in al-Saheehayn from ‘Aa’ishah that a man said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “My mother died suddenly and she did not leave a will, but I think that if she could have spoken she would have given in charity. Will she have a reward if I give in charity on her behalf?” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Yes.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 1388; Muslim, no. 1004.  
And it was narrated by al-Bukhaari from Sa’d ibn ‘Ubaadah that his mother died when he was absent, and he said: “O Messenger of Allaah, my mother has died when I was absent. Will it benefit her if I give in charity on her behalf?” He said: “Yes.” He said: “I ask you to bear witness that my garden that bears fruit is given in charity on her behalf.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2756.

Hajj

With regard to Hajj, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to one who asked him about Hajj: “Don’t you think that if your mother had a debt, you would pay it off for her?” She said: “Yes.” He said: “A debt owed to Allaah is more deserving of being paid off.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6699; Muslim, 1148.
More on this subject here.
Wassalam.

Abu Bakr [RA]'s Last Wish (Hadith No. 1168)


Bismillah.
Narrated Hisham's father:
Aisha said, "I went to Abu Bakr (during his fatal illness) and he asked me, 'In how many garments was the Prophet shrouded?' She replied, 'In three Sahuliya pieces of white cloth of cotton, and there was neither a shirt nor a turban among them.' Abu Bakr further asked her, 'On which day did the Prophet die?' She replied, 'He died on Monday.' He asked, 'What is today?' She replied, 'Today is Monday.' He added, 'I hope I shall die sometime between this morning and tonight.' Then he looked at a garment that he was wearing during his illness and it had some stains of saffron. Then he said, 'Wash this garment of mine and add two more garments and shroud me in them.' I said, 'This is worn out.' He said, 'A living person has more right to wear new clothes than a dead one; the shroud is only for the body's pus.' He did not die till it was the night of Tuesday and was buried before the morning."
This Hadith really stirred my heart [or did something weird to it]. I'm touched, to say the least.
This man whom we know as the best friend of the Prophet (SAW), needs no introduction. What he did for Allah and His Messenger (SAW) is in front of us. And his reward lies with Allah alone. No one can even be compared to him.
What I can't seem to put a finger on, is how can someone love another so much? How can someone be 'there' for another all the time? How can someone wish to lead their life exactly like another, mold each and every aspect of his existence according to another? How can someone wish to die like another, on the same day, in the same condition? That's like friendship on another level. Even love seems to be a littler concept than this. This is vast, huge, infinity raised to the power of infinity times love. This is love for Allah. This is real love.
What Abu Bakr (RA) and Muhammad (SAW) shared was more than just a Prophet-Companion bond. They were childhood friends. They were relatives. They made Hijrah together. Not to mention the incident of spider bite in the cave of Thawr. They were together in peace and in war. And what they shared was awesome. What they shared was beyond words.
Most readers might pray after reading this post that they get a friend like Abu Bakr (RA). But the real du`a to be made here is that Allah makes me (you as well) a friend like Abu Bakr. Radi Allahu `anhu: Allah was pleased with him. :)
Wassalam.

A Child's Religion [contd. II] (Ahadith 1163 - 1166)


Bismillah.
Hadith no 1162 (below) is a repeat. Read it here.
Narrated Anas bin Malik
Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, "Any Muslim whose three children died before the age of puberty will be granted Paradise by Allah because of His mercy to them."
Narrated Al-Bara':
When Ibrahim (the son of Prophet) expired, Allah's Apostle said, "There is a wet-nurse for him in Paradise."
Meaning, the kid directly went to Paradise. How fortunate! <3
Narrated Ibn Abbas:
Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) was asked about the children of (Mushrikeen) pagans. The Prophet replied, "Since Allah created them, He knows what sort of deeds they would have done."
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet was asked about the offspring of pagans (Mushrikeen); so he said, "Allah knows what sort of deeds they would have done."
Thus Allah will decide where they end up.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Every child is born with a true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone) and his parents convert him to Judaism or Christianity or Magianism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?"
Such is the nature of a human being. If he's left on a stranded island without any external influnce, he'll grow up to believe in a 'Higher Power'. He might not know His name, but he'll believe in Him. That's fitrah. And scientists found the 'God spot' int he human brain a couple of years back, which now turned out to be 'multiple areas in the brain responsible for spirituality'.
Guess what? Prophet (SAW) told us about 'fitrah' more than 1400 years back. :)
There have been two posts on this subject already. Please go through them. First here, and the second one here.
Wassalam.

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