Five hadith to live by

Here are five short, authentic sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Each is only a line long, yet each carries a great deal of meaning. For every hadith you will find the Arabic, its meaning, and what it asks of you. You do not need to learn them all at once. Take one a week.

1. Actions are by intentions

Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, this is the first hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari (Sahih al-Bukhari 1 and Sahih Muslim 1907). The same action can be worship or not, depending on why you do it. Scholars explain that even ordinary things, like eating and drinking, earn reward when you do them to draw close to Allah.

2. Others are safe from your tongue and hand

(Sahih al-Bukhari 10 and Sahih Muslim 40.) Your Islam shows in how people feel around you. Scholars explain that the tongue and the hand are named because most harm comes through them: words that insult or backbite, and hands that hurt or take what is not yours. A person's Islam is complete only when they do not harm others, in word or in deed.

3. Love for others what you love for yourself

(Sahih al-Bukhari 13 and Sahih Muslim 45.) Scholars explain that believes here means complete faith. It means being glad when good reaches someone else, and wanting for them the same good you want for yourself, in faith and in this life.

4. Speak good or stay silent

(Sahih al-Bukhari 6018 and Sahih Muslim 47.) The same hadith goes on to tell believers to honor their neighbors and their guests. Before you speak, ask yourself one question: is this good? If it is, say it. If it is not, silence is better.

5. Show mercy

(Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1924. Al-Tirmidhi graded it hasan sahih, and al-Albani graded it sahih.) As scholars explain, this mercy reaches everyone on earth: people, animals, birds, and every other creature. The way you treat others is the way you hope Allah will treat you.

You have finished the step on the Sunnah. Try the questions below. May Allah make these words part of your life.

Sources

• Sahih al-Bukhari 1 and Sahih Muslim 1907 (agreed upon) (opens in a new tab)

• Sahih al-Bukhari 10 and Sahih Muslim 40 (agreed upon) (opens in a new tab)

• Sahih al-Bukhari 13 and Sahih Muslim 45 (agreed upon) (opens in a new tab)

• Sahih al-Bukhari 6018 and Sahih Muslim 47 (agreed upon) (opens in a new tab)

• Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1924 (hasan sahih, al-Tirmidhi; sahih, al-Albani) (opens in a new tab)

• The merciful are shown mercy: Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and Ahmad (graded sahih by the Hadith Encyclopedia) (opens in a new tab)

• Quran 59:7 (Saheeh International translation) (opens in a new tab)

• Quran 16:44 (Saheeh International translation) (opens in a new tab)