40 Sacred Hadiths from the Sunnah: Mercy, Repentance, Worship and Hope
FORTY SACRED HADITHS
Lights from the Words of the Lord, Glorified and Exalted
A carefully selected collection of authentic Sacred Hadiths
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
To proceed:
This is a carefully selected collection of forty Sacred Hadiths, gathered under a variety of themes relating to faith, mercy, repentance, sincerity, worship, patience, hope, and the Hereafter.
A Sacred Hadith (Hadith Qudsi) is a narration in which the Prophet ﷺ relates words from his Lord, the Mighty and Exalted, while the Noble Qur’an remains distinct from it in its unique characteristics and rulings.
In compiling this collection, I have endeavored to provide a clear hadith source for every narration, giving precedence to those recorded in the two Sahihs, and indicating when a hadith is found elsewhere, together with its grading as reported by the relevant hadith sources.
The Method of This Collection
The titles, themes, and arrangement have been independently prepared. The wording of the hadiths, however, is not my own. Prophetic and Sacred Hadiths cannot rightly be invented, altered, or reworded and then attributed to the Prophet ﷺ.
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First: Mercy and Forgiveness
Hadith One
My Mercy Prevails Over My Wrath
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book, which is with Him above the Throne: Indeed, My mercy prevails over My wrath.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim; also narrated by al-Bukhari, al-Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Two
The Greatness of Allah and His Power to Resurrect
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah, the Exalted, said: The son of Adam denied Me, though he had no right to do so, and he insulted Me, though he had no right to do so... The first creation is no easier for Me than bringing it back again.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and al-Nasa’i.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Three
The Virtue of Repentance and Never Despairing
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, relating from his Lord, the Mighty and Exalted:
“A servant committed a sin and said: O Allah, forgive me my sin. Allah, Blessed and Exalted, said: My servant has committed a sin, yet he knows that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. I have forgiven My servant.”
Then the servant returned to the sin and again repented, and Allah forgave him so long as he continued to return to Him in repentance.
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Four
Having Good Expectations of Allah
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Allah, the Exalted, says: I am as My servant expects Me to be, and I am with him when he remembers Me... And if he comes to Me walking, I come to him at speed.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Five
The Doors of Forgiveness Are Open
Anas رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, relating from his Lord:
“O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and place your hope in Me, I will forgive you for whatever you have done, and I will not mind.
O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and then you asked Me for forgiveness, I would forgive you.
O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly filling the earth, and then meet Me without associating anything with Me, I would come to you with forgiveness nearly equal to it.”
Source: Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ahmad; its chain was graded Hasan in the cited source.
Grading: Good (Hasan).
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Second: Sincerity and Divine Oneness
Hadith Six
Deeds Are for Allah Alone
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Allah, Blessed and Exalted, says: I am the One least in need of partners. Whoever performs a deed in which he associates someone else with Me, I leave him and his association.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim and Ibn Majah.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Seven
Do Not Make Worship for the Sake of People
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported in the Sacred Hadith:
“I am the One least in need of partners.”
The meaning is that whoever intends through an act of worship someone other than Allah alongside Allah, Allah leaves that deed and its association.
Source: Narrated by Muslim.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Eight
The Danger of Showing Off
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, relating from his Lord:
“Whoever performs a deed in which he associates someone else with Me, I leave him and his association.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim.
Grading: Authentic.
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Third: Drawing Near to Allah
Hadith Nine
The Path to Divine Friendship
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever shows hostility to one of My devoted servants, I have declared war upon him. My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him. And My servant continues to draw near to Me through voluntary deeds until I love him.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari; also narrated by Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Ten
When Allah Loves a Servant
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“When Allah loves a servant, He calls Jibril and says: Indeed, Allah loves so-and-so, so love him. Then Jibril loves him. Thereafter Jibril calls out among the inhabitants of heaven: Indeed, Allah loves so-and-so, so love him. Thus the inhabitants of heaven love him, and acceptance of him is then placed upon the earth.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Eleven
The Love of Allah Is the Greatest Gift a Believer Can Seek
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported in the Sacred Hadith:
“My servant continues to draw near to Me through voluntary deeds until I love him.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari.
Grading: Authentic.
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Fourth: Prayer and Worship
Hadith Twelve
Al-Fatihah: A Conversation with Allah
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves, and My servant shall have what he asks for.”
When the servant says:
“All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds,”
Allah says:
“My servant has praised Me.”
When he says:
“The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,”
Allah says:
“My servant has extolled Me.”
When he says:
“Master of the Day of Judgment,”
Allah says:
“My servant has glorified Me.”
And when he says:
“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,”
Allah says:
“This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asks for.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim.
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Hadith Thirteen
Prayer Is the First Deed to Be Reckoned
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The first deed for which a servant will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection is his prayer.”
Then it is said:
“Look to see whether My servant has any voluntary prayers, so that what is deficient from his obligatory prayer may be completed with them.”
Source: Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, al-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad.
Grading: Hasan/Authentic through the combined chains, according to the cited hadith sources.
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Hadith Fourteen
Fasting Is for Allah
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, says: Fasting is for Me, and I shall reward it. He abandons his desires, his food, and his drink for My sake. Fasting is a shield. The fasting person has two moments of joy: joy when he breaks his fast, and joy when he meets his Lord.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
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Hadith Fifteen
Spending in Charity Is a Door to Provision
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Allah says: Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend upon you.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
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Fifth: Remembrance and Supplication
Hadith Sixteen
Gatherings of Remembrance
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah has angels who travel about, noble angels, seeking out gatherings in which Allah is remembered.”
The hadith then mentions that the angels surround those who remember Allah and that Allah forgives them.
Source: Narrated by Muslim; also narrated by al-Bukhari, al-Tirmidhi, and al-Nasa’i.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Seventeen
Supplication in the Last Third of the Night
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted, descends every night to the lowest heaven when the final third of the night remains and says: Who is calling upon Me that I may answer him? Who is asking Me that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness that I may forgive him?”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
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Hadith Eighteen
Allah Is Near to the People of Goodness
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported in the Sacred Hadith concerning gatherings of remembrance:
“I say: I have forgiven them, granted them what they asked for, and protected them from that which they sought protection from.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim, with routes also found in al-Bukhari, al-Tirmidhi, and al-Nasa’i.
Grading: Authentic.
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Sixth: Mercy Toward Creation
Hadith Nineteen
Visiting the Sick and Feeding the Needy
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“O son of Adam, I became ill and you did not visit Me.”
The servant says: “O Lord, how could I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds?”
Allah says:
“Did you not know that My servant so-and-so became ill and you did not visit him? Did you not know that had you visited him, you would have found Me with him?”
Then Allah says:
“O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you did not feed Me.”
Then:
“O son of Adam, I asked you for drink and you did not give Me drink.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim.
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Hadith Twenty
Forgiving the One in Difficulty
Abu Mas‘ud al-Ansari رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“A man from among those who lived before you was brought to account, and no good deeds were found for him except that he used to deal with people. He was a wealthy man, and he would instruct his servants to overlook the debts of those who were in hardship.”
Allah said:
“We are more entitled to that than you. Overlook his debt.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim, al-Bukhari, and al-Nasa’i.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Twenty-One
Charity, Even if It Is Small
‘Adi ibn Hatim رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Let each of you protect himself from the Fire, even with half a date. And if he cannot find even that, then with a good word.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari.
Grading: Authentic.
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Seventh: Brotherhood and Love
Hadith Twenty-Two
Do Not Carry Resentment in Your Hearts
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The gates of Paradise are opened on Mondays and Thursdays, and every servant who does not associate anything with Allah is forgiven, except a person between whom and his brother there is rancor. It is said: Delay these two until they reconcile.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim.
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Hadith Twenty-Three
Those Who Love One Another for the Sake of Allah
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Where are those who loved one another for My Majesty? Today I shall shade them in My shade, on a day when there will be no shade but My shade.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari; also narrated by Malik.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Twenty-Four
The Love of Allah Elevates Its Possessor
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“When Allah loves a servant, He calls Jibril and says: Indeed, I love so-and-so, so love him... Then acceptance of him is placed upon the earth.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
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Eighth: Justice and Trustworthiness
Hadith Twenty-Five
Three Whom Allah Will Oppose on the Day of Resurrection
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah, the Exalted, says: There are three against whom I shall be an adversary on the Day of Resurrection: a man who gives his word in My name and then betrays it; a man who sells a free person and consumes his price; and a man who hires a worker, receives the full benefit of his labor, yet does not give him his wages.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari; also narrated by Ibn Majah and Ahmad.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Twenty-Six
The Greatness of Allah Is Not a Matter for Rivalry
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, says: Pride is My cloak and greatness is My garment. Whoever contends with Me concerning either of them, I shall cast him into the Fire.”
Source: Narrated by Abu Dawud, as well as Ibn Majah and Ahmad, with authentic chains according to the cited source.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Twenty-Seven
Do Not Pass Judgment on the Servants of Allah
Jundub رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ narrated:
“A man said: By Allah, Allah will never forgive so-and-so. Allah, the Exalted, said: Who is this who swears by Me that I will not forgive so-and-so? Indeed, I have forgiven so-and-so and nullified your deeds.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim.
Grading: Authentic.
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Ninth: Patience and Trials
Hadith Twenty-Eight
The Reward for Patience When Losing a Loved One
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Allah, the Exalted, says: My believing servant has no reward with Me, when I take away his beloved one from the people of this world and he bears it patiently, expecting reward from Me, except Paradise.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Twenty-Nine
The Believer and Tribulation
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported in the Sacred Hadith:
“My believing servant has no reward with Me... except Paradise.”
The meaning is that whoever bears patiently, seeking Allah’s reward, when someone dear to him is taken away, will have Paradise as his reward from Allah.
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Thirty
Do Not Hasten to Meet Allah
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, says: When My servant loves to meet Me, I love to meet him; and when he dislikes meeting Me, I dislike meeting him.”
The Prophet ﷺ explained that when the believer is given glad tidings of Allah’s mercy, His pleasure, and His Paradise, he comes to love meeting Allah.
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
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Tenth: Fear of Allah and Hope in His Mercy
Hadith Thirty-One
A Man Who Wronged Himself, Yet Feared His Lord
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“A man had greatly wronged himself. When death approached him, he instructed his sons, saying: When I die, burn me, then grind me to dust, then scatter me into the sea...”
Then Allah said to him:
“What caused you to do what you did?”
He replied:
“Fear of You, O my Lord.”
So Allah forgave him.
Source: Narrated by Muslim; also narrated by al-Bukhari, al-Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Thirty-Two
Do Not Presume to Judge the Extent of Allah’s Mercy
Jundub رضي الله عنه reported:
“Who is this who swears by Me that I will not forgive so-and-so? Indeed, I have forgiven so-and-so.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim.
Grading: Authentic.
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Eleventh: The Greatness of Allah and the Dependence of Creation upon Him
Hadith Thirty-Three
The Disobedience of Creation Does Not Harm Allah
Abu Dharr رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ related from his Lord:
“O My servants, you can never reach a point where you could harm Me, nor can you reach a point where you could benefit Me.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Thirty-Four
All Creation Is in Need of Allah
In the Sacred Hadith:
“O My servants, all of you are astray except those whom I guide, so seek guidance from Me and I shall guide you.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Thirty-Five
Seek Provision from the One Who Provides
In the Sacred Hadith:
“O My servants, all of you are hungry except those whom I feed, so ask Me for food and I shall feed you.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Thirty-Six
The Treasures of Allah Never Diminish
In the Sacred Hadith:
“O My servants, if the first of you and the last of you, the humans among you and the jinn among you, were all to stand together upon one open plain and ask Me, and I were to give every person what he asked for, that would diminish what I possess no more than a needle diminishes the sea when it is dipped into it.”
Source: Narrated by Muslim.
Grading: Authentic.
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Twelfth: The Day of Resurrection and the Hereafter
Hadith Thirty-Seven
A Bliss Beyond Human Imagination
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Allah says: I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and what has never occurred to the heart of a human being.”
Then Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه recited:
“No soul knows what joy has been hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.”
(Qur’an 32:17)
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Thirty-Eight
The Life of the Martyrs with Their Lord
Masruq said:
“We asked ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه about the verse:
‘Do not think of those who have been killed in the way of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.’
(Qur’an 3:169)
He said:
‘Their souls are within green birds, with lamps suspended beneath the Throne. They roam freely throughout Paradise wherever they wish, then return to those lamps.’”
Then Allah looks upon them and says:
“Do you desire anything?”
Source: Narrated by Muslim; also narrated by al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Thirty-Nine
The Pleasure of Allah Is Greater Than Every Blessing
Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Allah will say to the people of Paradise: O people of Paradise!
They will say: Here we are, our Lord, at Your service. All goodness is in Your hands.
He will say: Are you pleased?
They will say: Why would we not be pleased, when You have given us what You have given no other of Your creation?
He will say: Shall I not give you something better than that?
Then He will say: I grant you My pleasure, and after that I shall never be displeased with you.”
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari, Muslim, and al-Tirmidhi.
Grading: Authentic.
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Hadith Forty
Intercession and the Hope of the People of Tawhid
Anas رضي الله عنه reported from the Prophet ﷺ, in the lengthy hadith concerning intercession:
“The believers will gather on the Day of Resurrection and say: If only we could seek someone to intercede for us with our Lord...”
They will then go to the Prophets until they come to Muhammad ﷺ, who will intercede for them by Allah’s permission.
And in the hadith, Allah will say:
“Raise your head. Ask, and you will be given. Speak, and you will be heard. Intercede, and your intercession will be accepted.”
Then people will be brought out of the Fire: those whose hearts contain goodness equal to the weight of a grain of barley, then those whose hearts contain the weight of a grain, and then those whose hearts contain the weight of an atom.
Source: Narrated by al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah.
Grading: Authentic.
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Conclusion
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
These forty narrations are not merely texts to be read. They are doors through which one may reflect and act:
Mercy for the one who returns,
Forgiveness for the one who repents,
Nearness for the one who turns toward Allah,
Love for the one who is sincere,
Reward for the one who is patient,
Honor for the one who is mindful of Allah,
Hope for the one who affirms His Oneness,
And eternal bliss for the one who meets his Lord as a believer.
We ask Allah, the Most High, to make us among the people of sincerity and Tawhid; to grant us humble hearts, tongues that remember Him, righteous deeds, sincere repentance, a good opinion of Him, and steadfastness upon the truth until we meet Him.
O Allah, forgive our sins, have mercy upon our weakness, overlook our shortcomings, and grant us a good ending.
May Allah send His peace, blessings, and grace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
And all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
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Editorial and Documentation Note
In this collection, the title, arrangement, and thematic structure have been independently prepared. It is not a rewritten or reproduced version of a book by Shaykh Aaidh al-Qarni.
Care has been taken to verify the hadith sources used in the collection. The reference material available through Sunnah.com attributes the narrations to major hadith collections including those of al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah, and others, and provides hadith gradings where the narration is not found in the two Sahihs.
