The Sanctity of the Ka‘bah, Fleeing from the Battlefield, Observing Purity, Prohibition of Gold and Silk for Men, and the Grave Consequences of Concealing Religious Knowledge
Compiled by: Toheed.com
The Sanctity of the Ka‘bah
The Ka‘bah: The First House of Allah on Earth
Allah ﷻ says:
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٩٦﴾ فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا (آل عمران)
Meaning: The very first house of Allah, made for all mankind, is that which is in Makkah. It is a place of blessing and guidance for the entire world. Within it are clear signs, such as the Station of Ibrahim. Whoever enters it attains safety.
From this verse, it becomes clear that within the boundaries of Makkah, even bloodthirsty enemies would not raise their hands against one another. In Surah Quraysh, the peace and security enjoyed by the people of Makkah is also mentioned.
The Consequence of Deviance within the Sacred House
Whoever commits deviation in the Ka‘bah, whether through disbelief and shirk, or corruption and violence, is threatened with severe punishment. Allah ﷻ says:
وَمَن يُرِدْ فِيهِ بِإِلْحَادٍ بِظُلْمٍ نُّذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ (الحج: 25)
Meaning: Whoever intends deviation therein with injustice, We shall cause him to taste a painful punishment.
The Statement of the Prophet ﷺ on the Day of Conquest of Makkah
Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“On the day Allah created the heavens and the earth, He declared Makkah sacred, and its sanctity will remain until the Day of Resurrection. It was never made lawful for anyone before me, and for me it was only made lawful for a moment of the day. Thus, it is sacred by Allah’s decree until the Day of Resurrection.”
(Bukhari: 1587, Muslim: 1353)
Fleeing from the Battlefield
Allah ﷻ says:
وَمَن يُوَلِّهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ دُبُرَهُ إِلَّا مُتَحَرِّفًا لِّقِتَالٍ أَوْ مُتَحَيِّزًا إِلَىٰ فِئَةٍ فَقَدْ بَاءَ بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللَّـهِ وَمَأْوَاهُ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ (الانفال: 16)
Meaning: Whoever turns his back to them on that day—unless maneuvering for battle or joining his own group—has certainly incurred the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell, and what an evil destination it is.
✔ Permissible retreat in only two cases:
① Strategic war tactics
② Returning to join one’s own group
Running away out of cowardice is a grave sin.
Narrations on the Prohibition of Fleeing
- Ibn Abbas (RA) said: Allah has decreed that if one hundred Muslims face two hundred disbelievers, they must not flee. (Bukhari: 4652)
- The Prophet ﷺ counted fleeing from battle among the seven destructive sins:
➊ Shirk with Allah
➋ Magic
➌ Unlawful killing
➍ Consuming interest
➎ Consuming the wealth of orphans
➏ Fleeing from the battlefield
➐ Accusing chaste women of adultery
(Bukhari: 2766, Muslim: 89)
Negligence in Purity from Urine
Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates: The Prophet ﷺ passed by two graves and said:
“They are being punished, and they are not being punished for something major. One of them did not protect himself from urine, and the other used to carry tales.”
(Bukhari: 216, Muslim: 292)
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
“Most of the punishment of the grave is due to not protecting oneself from urine.”
(Ibn Majah: 348)
Modern negligence includes:
◈ Using urinals without precaution
◈ Lack of privacy
◈ Not ensuring cleanliness before covering the private parts
◈ Not using soil or water
◈ Deliberately urinating in places that cause splashes on body and clothes
Prohibition of Eating/Drinking from Gold & Silver, and Wearing Gold & Silk for Men
- Umm Salamah (RA):
“Whoever eats or drinks from gold and silver utensils is only swallowing fire of Hell into his stomach.”
(Bukhari: 5634, Muslim: 2065)
This applies to all utensils, including:
✔ Cups, spoons, knives, forks
✔ Plates and dishes
- Umar (RA):
“Only he wears silk in this world who will have no share in the Hereafter.”
(Bukhari: 5835, Muslim: 2069) - The Prophet ﷺ:
Upon seeing a man wearing a gold ring, he removed it and said:
“Would you like to wear a burning coal from Hell on your hand?”
(Muslim: 2090) - Abu Hurairah (RA):
“Whoever wishes to give his friend a ring of fire, let him give him a gold ring. Whoever wishes to adorn him with a necklace of fire, let him give him a gold necklace. Whoever wishes to adorn him with bracelets of fire, let him give him gold bracelets. But silver may be used.”
(Abu Dawud: 4236) - Ali (RA):
“These two—silk and gold—are forbidden for the men of my Ummah, but permissible for its women.”
(Ibn Majah: 3595) - Hudhayfah (RA):
“Gold, silver, silk, and brocade are for the disbelievers in this world, but for you in the Hereafter.”
(Bukhari: 5831, Muslim: 2067)
Concealing Religious Knowledge & Seeking it for Worldly Gain
Allah ﷻ says:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْهُدَىٰ... (البقرہ: 159)
Meaning: Those who conceal the clear proofs and guidance which We have revealed, after We have made them clear for mankind in the Book—upon them is the curse of Allah and the curse of those who curse.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّـهُ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ... (البقرہ: 174-175)
Meaning: Those who conceal what Allah has revealed in the Book and sell it for a small price—they eat nothing in their bellies but fire. Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor purify them, and for them is a painful punishment.
Punishment of Concealing Knowledge
- Abu Hurairah (RA):
“Whoever is asked about knowledge that he knows, but conceals it, a bridle of fire will be placed upon him on the Day of Resurrection.”
(Abu Dawud: 3658)
Seeking Knowledge for Worldly Gain
- Abu Hurairah (RA):
“Whoever learns knowledge that should be sought only for Allah’s pleasure, but learns it only to gain worldly benefit, will not smell the fragrance of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection.”
(Ibn Majah: 252) - Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA):
“Do not seek knowledge in order to boast before scholars, argue with the ignorant, or to gain prominence in gatherings. Whoever does so, the Fire awaits him.”
(Ibn Majah: 254)
Supplication for Beneficial Knowledge
- Zayd ibn Arqam (RA):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to supplicate:
اَللّٰھُمَّ اِنِّی اَعُوْذُ بِکَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا یَنْفَعُ وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا یَخْشَعُ وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ وَمِنْ دَعْوَۃٍ لَا یُسْتَجَابُ لَہَا
(Muslim: 2722)
Meaning: O Allah! I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear, from a soul that is never satisfied, and from a supplication that is not answered.
The Fate of Not Acting upon Knowledge
- Usamah ibn Zayd (RA):
On the Day of Judgment, a man will be brought and thrown into Hell. His intestines will spill out, and he will circle around them as a donkey goes around a millstone. The people of Hell will ask:
“Did you not used to command good and forbid evil?”
He will reply: “Yes, I commanded good but did not do it, and I forbade evil but committed it.”
(Bukhari: 3267, Muslim: 2989)
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