Dars-e-Hadith by Mufti Zahid Hussain | Dars 4 | Ramadan 1445

This lecture details the signs of faith and sin, the essence of Islam as a social and moral practice, and the virtues of patience and forgiveness. It emphasizes that a believer’s internal state is naturally attuned to distinguish right from wrong, and that when external guidance is ambiguous, one should consult the heart. The teaching highlights that Islam is fundamentally rooted in kindness toward others, both in speech and in the provision of sustenance. It further clarifies the importance of protecting others from one's own physical and verbal harm as a primary indicator of superior religious practice.

Signs of faith and sin

• The sign of iman — faith is evidenced by the internal reaction to one's own deeds: joy when performing good and distress when committing evil ▸0:05.
• The sign of sin — a sin is defined as that which causes distress or unease within the heart ▸0:05.
• The principle of caution — when faced with doubt regarding an action, the believer is instructed to abandon it in favor of the safer option ▸1:45.
• Consulting the heart — in matters where religious texts are not explicit and scholarly opinions vary, one should seek a fatwa from one's own heart, as faith grants the natural ability to distinguish right from wrong ▸1:45.

The essence of Islam

• Defining Islam — the religion is summarized by two primary actions: tibbul-kalam (good speech) and it'amut-ta'am (feeding people) ▸4:44.
• Good speech — language should be soft, kind, and comforting to the listener, rather than something that deters people ▸4:44.
• Feeding others — providing food is identified as a superior deed, and it is noted that this practice can serve as a means of softening hearts and inviting people to listen to the message of Islam ▸4:44.
• Balancing priorities — while feeding the hungry is a vital religious duty, it should not be treated as an alternative to other necessary works, such as the publication and distribution of religious books; both are required ▸6:14.
• The virtue of feeding — referencing the words of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani, the lecture affirms that no deed is found to be better than feeding others ▸6:14.

Virtues and conduct

• The nature of iman — faith is characterized by as-sabru was-samaha, which is the practice of patience, resilience, and the ability to excuse or forgive others ▸8:55.
• Overcoming retaliation — while humans have a natural tendency to seek revenge when attacked, faith provides the restraint necessary to practice patience and forgiveness instead ▸8:55.
• Generosity as faith — samaha also encompasses generosity, where a believer gives to the poor with the conviction that God, who provided for them previously, will provide again ▸10:27.
• The best form of Islam — the superior practice of the religion is for a Muslim to ensure that others are safe from both their hand and their tongue ▸10:27.
• Harmful conduct — using the hand to physically harm, push, or digitally harass others, and using the tongue for backbiting, tale-bearing, or verbal abuse, are actions that contradict the standard of safety expected from a Muslim ▸10:27.

Words the reader recites

• Supplication for Ramadan — the lecture concludes with a prayer for the acceptance of fasting and the fulfillment of legitimate desires ▸11:56
  ﷻ Dua· At the conclusion of the lesson

  Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim. Ya Allah, ya rahman, ya rahim, hum logon ke roze ko qubool farma aur hum sab logon ki nek aur jaiz tamannaon ko poori farma.