Role of ahadith individually

The Ahadith set for special study effectively highlight the responsibilities of Muslims and what is expected from them in Islam. Sincerity—naseehah—forms the backbone of a Muslim’s conduct. A Believer must fulfill his social and religious obligations whole-heartedly to be a true Muslim. His heart must be free from doubts about Allah SWT, His Book or His Messenger PBUH, i.e., Articles of Faith, and must obey their Commands. Moreover, Prophet PBUH also commands us to be cooperative with the leaders of Muslims, and have impeccable social relationships with common people. These impeccable social relations can be achieved only if a Believer practices fraternity and brotherhood, and also equality. Prophet PBUH said,

“None of you believes until he wants for his brother what he
 wants for himself.”
If a Believer is to achieve perfection of faith, he must be genuinely interested in well-being of his brothers by desiring for them what he desires for himself. Absence of such a strong bond indicates weakness of Faith.

Muslims must display prudence while using their power of speech: the tongue shall be used for propagation of good & not for indecent, hurtful or idle talk. Another cardinal discipline for a true Believer is generosity, especially towards neighbours and guests. If these principles are ignored, a person’s claim to believe in Allah SWT and the Last Day can said to be disputed, according to the Hadith:

“Let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day either speak good or keep silent, and let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be generous to his neighbour, and let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be generous to his guest.”

In another Hadith, the pre-condition to enter Paradise is also specified. A person must abide by the injunctions of Shariah, i.e., take lawful as lawful, and unlawful as unlawful, and perform obligatory prayers and fast in Ramadan as Prophet pbuh said:

“A man asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace): Do you think that if I perform the obligatory prayers, fast in Ramadan, treat as lawful that which is lawful and treat as forbidden that which is forbidden, and do nothing further, I shall enter paradise? He said: Yes.”

These help train a Muslim for all spheres of life, making him eligible to enter Paradise. However, the circle of virtuous deeds is not so confined. Helping others, like acting as a fair judge between two parties, or even lifting someone onto his conveyance also yields great rewards, equal to that of charity. A Muslim must try to facilitate others, as the Prophet PBUH said:

“removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity”.

A Muslim shall also struggle in the way of Allah SWT—Jihad. One form, as per a Hadith, is to do physical or verbal efforts to suppress evil. Another form is to utilize one’s body, i.e., fight infidels in Allah’s SWT Way.

“Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand, and if he is not able to do so then  with his tongue, and if he is not able to do so then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.”

This is the reason why those who die natural deaths or deaths by plague or cholera in the Way of Allah SWT, are martyrs, as per another Hadith.

A Muslim is enjoined to aid the weak and destitute in the society, and be kind. A Hadith says:

“God will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy to others”.

Prophet PBUH would even command his governors to be gentle to their people and would ask them to avoid alienation or hardness. A link in the chain is aiding the widows, poor and orphans. The rewards for these are kinship of Prophet PBUH in Paradise, and equal to exerting oneself in Allah’s SWT Way, or standing for prayer in night and fasting in the daytime.

“One who manages the affairs of the widow and the poor man is like the one who exerts himself in the way of Allah, or the one who stands for prayer in the night or fasts in the day.”          

The Ahadith also stress upon fair dealings and lawful earnings.