Major Sins by Imam Shamsu ed-Deen Dhahabi

Allah the Almighty has said, {And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, bear (on themselves) a calumny and a glaring sin.} (AI-Ahzahb: 58)

Allah also said, {And lower thy wing to the believers who follow thee.} (Ash-Shu'ara': 216)

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Allah said (in a Qudsi hadith), "He who is hostile to a friend of Mine, I declare war against. In another narration, “ Then I apprise him with a war.”1

In another hadith, it is reported that, "Once Abu Sufyan came to Salman, Suhayb and Bilal while they were in gathering with some other people.

They said, "By Allah, the swords of Allah did not yet take its right from the enemy of Allah. Abu Bakr (,may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Did you say such words for the sheikh and master of Quraish? He, then came to the Prophet (pbuh) and told him. The Prophet said, "0 Abu Bakr if you anger them, you anger your Lord". Abu Bakr (pbuh) when to them and asked, "0 my brothers! Did I anger you? They replied, "No, may Allah forgive you our brother?” 2

Allah, the Almighty said, {And keep yourself content with those who call on their Lord, morning and evening, seeking his face.} (AI-Kahf: 28)

This verse was revealed concerning preference of the poor. Its cause of revelation goes as follows:

the first to believe in Allah's Prophet (pbuh) were the poor. This is true with respect of every sent Prophet.

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used to set with the poor amongst his companions such as, Salman, Suhayb, Bilal and `Ammar Ibn Yasir (may Allah be pleased with them all). Consequently the polytheists wanted to trap him by driving out the poor for they heard that the first sign of the true Prophet is that he would be followed by the poor. Some polytheists came to the Prophet and said, "O Muhammad, drive the poor out for we disdain to sit with them. If you drive them out, the masters and notable of people will believe in you. Consequently, Allah, the Almighty revealed, {Send not away those who call on their Lord, morning and evening, seeking His face.} AI-An'am: 52)

When the polytheist despaired of Muhammad driving the poor out they said, "a Muhammad, if you will not drive them out, separate between us by making a day for them and another for us. Consequently, Allah the Almighty revealed, {And keep yourself COl1tent with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His face, and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this life.} (Al-Kahf: 28)

This means that you should keep yourself amongst such kind of people and should not turn your eyes to worldly gain, or worldly attractions.

{Say, the truth is from your Lord." Let him who will, believe, and let him who will, reject (it).} (Al-Kahf: 29)

Then Allah strikes the sii11ilitude of the rich and the poor saying, {Set forth to them the parable of the two men.} (Al-Khaf: 32)

{Set forth to them the similitude of the life of this world.} (Al-Kahf: 45)

When the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) migrated to Medina, the poor migrated with him and tbey lived in the courtyard of the Mosque of the Prophet. They, in turn were called the people of Sufa (courtyard).

Any poor who migrated from Mecca, would join them in Medina until they were of a huge number (may Allah be pleased with them all).