VISITING THE SICK

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) saying, "Whosoever visits an ailing person or a brother of his to seek the Pleasure of Allah, an announcer (angel) calls out: `May you be happy, may your walking be blessed, and may you be awarded a dignified position in Jannah". [At-Tirmidhi]

Commentary: This Hadith highlights the merit of visiting the sick and Muslim to gain the Pleasure of Allah.

THE WIFE'S RIGHTS IN ISLAAM

Mu`awiyah bin Haidah RA reported: I asked Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him): "What right can any wife demand of her husband?'' He replied, "You should give her food when you eat, clothe her when you clothe yourself, not strike her on the face, and do not revile her or separate from her except in the house". [Abu Dawud].

Commentary: If it comes to temporarily severing relations with the spouse, it should be done within the house and the best course for it is that one suspends the practice of sleeping with the spouse. But in the case of special circumstances, one can separate by leaving the home.

HADITH/SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD SALLALLAHU ALYHI WA SALLAM

Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam saying, "The similitude of good company and that of bad company is that of the owner of musk and of the one blowing the bellows. The owner of musk would either offer you some free of charge, or you would buy it from him, or you smell its pleasant fragrance; and as for the one who blows the bellows (i.e., the blacksmith), he either burns your clothes or you smell a repugnant smell". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: This Hadith enjoins that one should sit in the company of the pious persons and avoid the impious ones because the former has the quality of a perfume seller and the latter of a blacksmith. In the association of pious men, one stands to gain all the time and ultimately becomes like them. In bad company one is out-and-out a loser and can never hope to gain any benefit from them.