This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi's book Sahi Fazail-e-Amaal.
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما says, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم prayed twice for me that Allah Almighty grant me the understanding of the Qur'an.
Reference: Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book of Virtues, Chapter on the Virtues of Abdullah bin Abbas رضي الله عنهما, Hadith No: 3822
Al-Albani رحمه الله declared it authentic.Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما says, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم embraced me to his blessed chest and said: "O Allah! Teach him wisdom."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Virtues of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, Chapter mentioning Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما, Hadith No: 3756
◈ Participation in Tahajjud and Nawafil with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
This passion for worship had developed to such an extent that even small children were not devoid of it. Thus, Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, was very young during the time of prophethood, but one night, out of this passion, he slept at the house of his aunt Sayyida Maymunah, may Allah be pleased with her. At midnight, she got up, first recited a few verses of Surah Al-Imran, then performed ablution and started praying. Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, followed these actions and stood beside her to pray.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Chapters of Witr, Number: 992.
◈ Patience and Steadfastness:
Wailing, tearing hair, tearing clothes, and mourning for long periods was a national custom of the Arab nation, but the grace of the Prophet made the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, accustomed to patience and steadfastness. Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, was on a journey when he received the news of the death of his brother Qutham bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him. First, he recited إنا لله, then stepped aside from the path and offered two units of prayer. After completing the prayer, he mounted his camel and recited this verse:
﴿وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ ﴾
Reference: (2-Al-Baqarah:45)
"Seek help through patience and prayer; indeed, prayer is burdensome except for the humble."
Reference: Asad al-Ghabah, mentioning Qutham bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him.
Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Abi Umayrah رضي الله عنه says: "The Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم prayed for Sayyiduna Muawiyah: 'O Allah! Make him a guide who guides others, and grant guidance to those who follow him, and cause people to be guided through him.'"
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Manaqib, Bab Manaqib Muawiyah bin Sufyan رضي الله عنهما, No: 3842. Silsilat al-Sahihah, No: 1969
◈ Virtue and Excellence:
In terms of knowledge, Amir Muawiyah رضي الله عنه was not unlearned. From the beginning, he was skilled in reading and writing. For this reason, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم appointed him as a scribe of revelation.
He had such understanding of religious sciences that he was counted among the knowledgeable and juristic companions رضي الله عنهم.
Reference: A'lam al-Muwaqqi'in: 13/1.
◈ Fear and Reverence of Allah:
He was subjected to various trials in this world, yet his heart was never devoid of fear and reverence for Allah. He would tremble with the fear of accountability on the Day of Judgment and would weep profusely upon hearing its admonitory events.
Reference: Fihrist Ibn Nadeem, p. 32.
◈ Service to the Mothers of the Believers:
All the Caliphs considered serving the Mothers of the Believers, may Allah be pleased with them, a source of great honor. Amir Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, was not deprived of this honor; he used to present one hundred thousand dirhams, one by one, to Sayyida Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her.
Reference: Asad al-Ghabah: 387/4.
◈ Truthfulness:
If the rulers and kings themselves do not possess the quality of truthfulness, then the freedom, criticism, and natural rights of the subjects are completely useless. But during the time of the Companions, the Caliphs themselves had such a strong element of truthfulness that they would bow their heads in submission to every legitimate criticism. Once Abu Maryam Azdi رضي الله عنه came to the court of Amir Muawiyah رضي الله عنه, who was displeased with his arrival and said, "We are not happy with your coming." He said that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: "If Allah appoints someone as the guardian of the Muslims and he turns a blind eye to their needs and sits in concealment, then Allah will also veil his needs on the Day of Judgment." This had such an effect on Amir Muawiyah رضي الله عنه that he appointed a permanent person to attend to the needs of the people.
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Taxation and Governance, Hadith No: 2948 -
Al-Albani رحمه الله has declared it authentic.Sayyiduna Usama bin Zaid رضي الله عنهما narrates, when the illness of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم worsened, I and other people came to Medina. I went to the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, but at that time he could not speak. Then the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم placed both his blessed hands on me and then lifted them, so I knew that he صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was praying for me.
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Book of Virtues, Chapter on the Virtues of Usama bin Zaid رضي الله عنهما, Hadith No: 3817
Al-Albani رحمه الله has graded it as Hasan.Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها says:
The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم began to clean the nose of Usama bin Zaid (when he was young). Then Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها said: Give him to me, I will clean it. He said: "O Aisha! Love him, for I also love him."
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, also, Hadith No: 3818.
Al-Albani رحمه الله has graded it as Sahih.◈ Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays:
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to fast on both of these days and said, "On these two days, the deeds of the servants are presented before Allah." Some of the Companions also adopted this practice. Thus, one day Sayyiduna Usama, may Allah be pleased with him, went to Wadi Qurayy, and fasted on these days. A servant said, "You are old; why do you fast on these two days?" He replied, "The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to fast on both of these days."
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Fasting, Hadith No: 2436
Al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it "Sahih."
