´It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin Qatadah that he heard Abu Qatadah narrate from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), that he stood up among them and said that Jihad in the cause of Allah and belief in Allah are the best of deeds. Then a man stood up and said:` "O Messenger of Allah, if I am killed in the cause of Allah, will Allah forgive my sins?" The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Yes, if you are killed in the cause of Allah, and you are patient and seek reward, and you are facing the enemy, not running way - except for debt. Jibril (peace be upon him) told me that."
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi
Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: Faith in Allah is the foundation and basis of the religion; without it, no deed is acceptable, and among the five pillars, it is the foundation. Although jihad is not included among the five pillars, it is their protector, and the establishment of the religion is not possible without it. However, violating the rights of people is such a grave crime that even something as great as jihad cannot compensate for it. Yet today, consuming people’s wealth and violating their rights is considered a trivial act, and groups that usurp people’s wealth and property roam about brazenly; there is no one to hold them accountable. Furthermore, if the usurpation of wealth cannot be forgiven, then how can killing and bloodshed be forgiven?
Source: Tuhfat al-Muslim: Commentary on Sahih Muslim, Page: 4880
Shaykh Dr. Abdur Rahman Freywai
Explanation:
1:
In relation to the most virtuous deeds, different hadiths have described different actions as being the most virtuous.
Various explanations have been given for this.
It is considered that in these hadiths, before "the most virtuous of deeds (afdal al-a'mal)", the word "min" (from among) is implied.
The meaning would then be that these deeds are among the most virtuous.
Or, their mention is according to the varying circumstances, times, and places.
It is also said that the superiority of different deeds has been stated according to the condition of the person being addressed.
2:
That is, a debt which is taken with no intention of repayment.
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi – Majlis ‘Ilmi Dar al-Da‘wah, New Delhi Edition, Page: 1712
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
English Translation:
“Obligatory Rights to be Fulfilled”: In the Arabic text, the word *dayn* is used, which is commonly translated as “loan,” but this is not its true meaning; rather, it is only one form of it. By *dayn* is meant any right that is obligatory upon someone to fulfill for another—whether it is a loan or a case where someone has wronged another. As for a loan, it is when something is taken from someone as a trust (ariyah) with the intention of returning it at a specified time. It is permissible to take a loan in times of need. Even the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) took loans. However, not repaying at the appointed time despite having the means, or taking a loan with the intention of not repaying it from the outset, is a crime. If one intends to repay but is unable to do so due to lack of means, then this is not a crime. (For further details, see Hadith: 3157)
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 3160