An Islamic Treasury of Virtues
8. Manners In Speech
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tell him of a deed, which would take him to
Heaven. The Prophet replied: “Free the bonded,
and give your milk-camel to others, so that they
may partake of its milk; foster ties with those who
severe them; feed the hungry; slake the throats of
the thirsty; command good and forbid evil. And if
you are unable to do all these things, at least tell
nothing but the truth.
(AHMAD,
MUSNAD)
IN SHIELDING OTHERS ONE SHIELDS
ONESELF
Abu Ayyub Ansari had heard a saying of the
Prophet, but later felt doubtful about its actual
wording. One of those who had also been present
when the Prophet spoke was Uqbah ibn Amir, who
had later settled in Egypt. In quest of the proper
wording, Abu Ayyub acquired a camel and set off
from Madinah for Egypt. He succeeded in reaching
Uqbah’ s home and immediately after the two men
had greeted each other, he asked Uqbah to repeat
the words of the Prophet on the concealment of a
Muslim’s faults, because, as he said, besides
themselves, there was no one still living who had
