Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When the shadows decline and the winds begin to blow, then ask your needs from Allah, for this is the hour of those who repent. And he recited this verse of the Qur'an: { فَإِنَّہُ کَانَ لِلأَوَّابِینَ غَفُورًا } Surely Allah is the Forgiver of those who repent.

Hazrat Aqeel says that there was a dispute between the tribe of Hai and Abdur Rahman bin Yazid, so Alqamah said to them, "If I abuse you, will you abuse me in return?" They replied, "No, I will not." He said, "This man is better than me and more striving in self-control than me."

Hazrat Asim bin Bahdalah says that Abi Wa'il (may Allah be pleased with him) had a hut made of wood in which he himself and his mount would stay. When he intended to go for a battle, he would demolish this hut, and when he returned, he would rebuild it.

It is mentioned from Hazrat Abu Juza’ (may Allah have mercy on him) in the commentary of the Holy Qur’an verse {إنَّ جَہَنَّمَ کَانَتْ مِرْصَادًا } that in the verse, "kaanat" means "saarat".

The father of Hazrat Abi Hayyan narrates that we went to Suwaid, that is, Ibn Muth'abah, while he was unwell. We asked him how he was feeling, and he replied that he was in well-being from his Lord.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Harith said that there is no small or large tree, nor any dry or fresh place even to the extent of the tip of a needle, upon which an angel is not appointed. That angel does not take its daily deeds to Allah. Both the deeds performed during its freshness and the deeds performed during its dryness are taken.

Ibrahim Taimi says that if anyone spoke ill of Harith bin Suwaid, he would remain silent. When he stayed silent, he would shake off his cloak and walk away.

Hazrat Wahb bin Munabbih, may Allah have mercy on him, says that Allah Almighty revealed to one of His friends that I do not turn My pleasure towards any household, house dwellers, or town dwellers until they themselves turn from My pleasure to My displeasure. And I do not turn My displeasure towards any house dwellers, household, or town dwellers until they themselves turn from My displeasure to My pleasure.

Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila says: What harm is there for you that when he is alone, he says to his angels, "Write, may Allah have mercy on you," and then begins to dictate good things to them to write.

It is narrated from Hasan that when he recited { أَلْہَاکُمُ التَّکَاثُرُ }, he said that what is meant is wealth and children. Then he recited { حَتَّی زُرْتُمُ الْمَقَابِرَ کَلاَّ سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ } and said that this is a second warning after the first warning. Of ‘ilm al-yaqeen (certain knowledge).

When Hazrat Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) recited this verse: {إنَّ اللَّہَ اشْتَرَی مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ أَنْفُسَہُمْ وَأَمْوَالَہُمْ }, he said that it is He who created the souls, and He Himself provides sustenance for the wealth. { وَعْدًا عَلَیْہِ حَقًّا فِی التَّوْرَاۃِ وَالإِنْجِیلِ }

Hazrat Rabi’ bin Khuthaym (may Allah have mercy on him), in the commentary of the Holy Qur’an verse { یَا أَیُّہَا الإِنْسَان مَا غَرَّک بِرَبِّکَ الْکَرِیمِ }, says that ignorance has led (people) into deception.

Hazrat Abu Ja'far Muhammad bin Abdur Rahman bin Yazid, may Allah have mercy on him, used to take one of his servants to the market and recite and teach him verses of the Qur'an, and at night he would stand near his servant's place of rest and recite to him.

Hazrat Awn bin Abdullah says: Beware, forbearance, modesty, and humility of the tongue (not of the heart), and understanding of religion are parts of faith. And worldly things decrease (one’s share in) the world and increase (one’s share in) the Hereafter, and they do not decrease the world as much as they increase the Hereafter. Beware, shamelessness, obscene speech, and hypocrisy in speech—these things increase the world but decrease the Hereafter, and they do not increase the world as much as they decrease the Hereafter.

Hazrat Rabi' bin Khuthaym, in the commentary of the verse { وَإِذَا الْعِشَارُ عُطِّلَتْ } of the Holy Qur'an, says that it means the owners of the she-camels will neither milk them nor will they tie their udders to protect their milk.

Hazrat Tarif (may Allah have mercy on him) says that I saw Rabee’ bin Khuthaym carrying a basket made of date palm leaves to his aunt’s house.

Hazrat Rabi' bin Khuthaym said that any deed in which the pleasure of Allah is not intended becomes null and void.

Hazrat Saeed bin Jubair (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) was afflicted with hardship, he said: "I have not left behind anything after me in which I have hope except the thirst of intense heat and my going towards prayer by walking."

Hazrat Adam bin Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I heard the muezzin of the Messenger, Bilal's brother, saying that people are of three types. One is safe, the second is successful, and the third is destroyed. Then he said that the safe one is he who remained silent, and the successful one is he who enjoined good and forbade evil; thus, this person is in benefit from Allah. And the destroyed one is he who speaks ill and helps in oppression.

Hazrat Rabee’ bin Abi Rashid (may Allah have mercy on him) says that my respected father, Khulaf bin Houshab, used to be very amazed at someone. I said to him, “O father, do you wonder at this person?” He replied, “O my son, this person walked on a good path and remained steadfast upon it.” Abi Rashid says that at that time his kunyah was Abu Marzooq, so Rabee’ (may Allah have mercy on him) said to him, “You should change this kunyah.” Abi Rashid says that Khulaf (may Allah have mercy on him) said to him, “Then you yourself give me a kunyah.” So he said, “You are Abu Abdur Rahman.”

Hazrat Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Islam! What is Islam? Islam is that in both hidden and open states, a person's heart remains obedient to Allah's commands, and every Muslim and every person with whom you have a pact is safe from you.

Hazrat Hasan bin Hur states that it has reached me that the reward for performing deeds on the night of Laylat al-Qadr is equal to the reward for performing deeds on its day as well.

Hazrat Khaythama narrates that Isa ibn Maryam (peace be upon him) said: "Do not store up today’s provision for tomorrow. For the One who provided today can also provide tomorrow. If you wonder how this is possible, look at the birds: they neither plow nor sow, yet they go out in the morning and return in the evening with Allah’s provision. And if you say that the example of birds is not sufficient, then look at the wild donkeys and the nilgai; they go out in the morning seeking Allah’s provision and return in the evening satisfied."

Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the bearer of the Qur'an should be recognized by his night when people are sleeping, and by his day when people are beginning their morning, and by his sorrow when people are rejoicing, and by his weeping when people are laughing, and by his silence when people are engaged in conversation, and by his humility when people are showing arrogance. And it is appropriate for the bearer of the Qur'an to be one who weeps, is sorrowful, forbearing, wise, and of a quiet nature. And it is not appropriate for the bearer of the Qur'an (Hazrat Abu Bakr says that these words were said) to be one who makes noise, shouts, or becomes angry.

Hazrat Amr bin Murrah narrates that Abu Wa'il (may Allah be pleased with him) came to visit Rabee' bin Khuthaym during his illness and said, "I came because I heard the voice of someone announcing death." So Rabee' replied, "I have been in such a state for a month that the reward of one hundred and fifty prayers '150' is being written for me."

Hazrat Abu Ja'far Khatmi (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates that his respected grandfather, Umair bin Habib, used to get up at night and say: O people! Set out, you have been directed towards water. Set out, set out. Whoever is directed towards water remains thirsty, and whoever is directed towards the sun burns in the heat. Set out, set out.

Hazrat Umair bin Habib, may Allah have mercy on him, had a slave who used to teach his son the Qur'an and the Book. He would start talking to him about worldly matters and women. So Umair bin Habib said to him, "O Ziyad! You have placed the dome of Satan over our children; remove it."

Hazrat Muslim bin Yasar (may Allah have mercy on him) says that when you intend to quote something from Allah Almighty, then stop and first find out its context and background.

Hazrat Asim (may Allah have mercy on him) says that the most frequent words of Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) were: Subhan Allah al-Azeem, Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi.

Hazrat Mutarrif bin Abdullah bin Shukhair (may Allah have mercy on him) says that whoever engages in the purification of the heart attains purity, and whoever adopts hypocrisy, hypocrisy is imposed upon him.

Hazrat Abdul Malik bin Umair, may Allah have mercy on him, said that a man advised his son to show despair regarding what is in the hands of people, because this is true independence. And protect yourself from asking for needs, because this is the poverty of the time. And protect yourself from those things for which you would have to make excuses. And when you pray, pray in such a way as if it is your last prayer; do not think that you will get another chance. And if you are able to make your today better than your yesterday, and your tomorrow better than your today, then be sure to do so.

Hazrat Yunus bin Khabbab (may Allah have mercy on him) says that Mujahid said to me, "Shall I not tell you about the one who repents and the one who guards?" I said, "Why not?" So he replied, "He is the person who, when alone, remembers his sins and seeks forgiveness from Allah."

Hazrat Abu Ishaq Hamdani (may Allah have mercy on him) says that Hasan Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) greatly resembled your companions.

Hazrat Humaid (may Allah have mercy on him) and Yunus bin Ubaid (may Allah have mercy on him) say that we have seen many jurists, but among them, we have not seen anyone possessing such a comprehensive personality as Hasan (may Allah have mercy on him).

Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked about a certain issue, so he replied, "Ask our servant Hasan." The people said, "O Abu Hamza, we ask you about an issue and you tell us to ask our servant Hasan?" He replied, "We also heard, and he also heard, but we forgot and he remembered."

Hazrat Talha bin Abdullah narrates that "Zazan" used to teach without anything.

Hazrat Asad bin Wada'ah, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates that when Shaddad bin Aws would go to his bed, it seemed as if a grain was in a frying pan. Then he would say, "O Allah, the fire of Hell has prevented me from sleeping," and then he would stand up for prayer.

Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The most generous among people is the one who shows generosity to those from whom he does not expect any reward. And the most forbearing among people is the one who forgives despite having the power (to take revenge). And the most miserly among people is the one who is miserly even in greeting (saying Salam). And the most helpless among people is the one who is helpless even in supplicating to Allah.

Hazrat Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) said that when a person falls asleep in prostration, Allah boasts about him before His angels and says, "Look at My servant; he is worshipping Me while his soul is with Me."

Hazrat Mutarrif (may Allah have mercy on him) says that in my view, the rank of knowledge is higher than the rank of worship, and the capital of religion is piety.