Nawawi's 40 Hadith

Actions are judged by their intentions, and every person will get what they intended. So whoever emigrated for Allah and His Messenger, his emigration was for Allah and His Messenger. And whoever emigrated to achieve some worldly benefit or to take a woman in marriage, his emigration was for that which he emigrated.

Islam is built upon five: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the prayer, giving zakah, making pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.

Islam was built on five: the testimony that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger, establishing the prayer, giving zakah, fasting Ramadan, and performing Hajj to the House for whoever is able.

The creation of each one of you is gathered in his mother's womb for forty days in the form of a seed, then he is a clot of blood for a like period, then a morsel of flesh for a like period. Then there is sent to him the angel who blows his soul into him and who is charged with four matters: to write down his livelihood, his life span, his actions, and whether he will be happy or unhappy.

Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.

The halal is clear and the haram is clear, and between them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Whoever is wary of doubtful matters has protected his religion and his honour. And whoever falls into doubtful matters will fall into the haram, like a shepherd who herds his flock around a sanctuary — he will soon trespass into it.

Religion is sincerity (nasihah). We said: To whom? He said: To Allah and to His Book and to His Messenger and to the leaders of the Muslims and to their common folk.

I have been commanded to fight against people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and they establish the prayer and give zakah.

I have been commanded to fight against people until they testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and they establish the prayer and pay the zakah. If they do that, then their blood and wealth will be protected from me.

Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. And verily Allah has commanded the believers to do that which He has commanded the Messengers. Allah the Almighty has said: 'O you Messengers! Eat of the good things and do righteous deeds.' And Allah the Almighty has said: 'O you who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you.'

Part of the perfection of a person's Islam is his leaving alone that which does not concern him.

None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.

The blood of a Muslim may not be spilt unlawfully except in three cases: the adulterer, one who murders deliberately, and one who leaves his religion and abandons the community.

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.

Do not be angry. The Prophet repeated this several times.

Verily Allah has prescribed ihsan (excellence) in all things. So when you kill, kill well; and when you slaughter, slaughter well. Let each of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters.

Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good one and it will wipe it out, and behave well towards people.

Protect the rights of Allah, you will find Him before you. Know Allah in times of ease and He will know you in times of hardship. Know that what has bypassed you was never going to befall you; and what has befallen you was never going to bypass you.

One of the things the people have learnt from the words of the earlier prophets is: If you feel no shame, do what you wish.

Say: I believe in Allah — and then remain steadfast.