“They pelt them until their skins are flayed, and smallpox (al-judārī) had never been seen before that day, nor were birds seen before or after that day.” (Narrated by Abu Nu‘aym in al-Hilya, vol. 3, p. 333; continuation follows.) And regarding the words of the Exalted: “And woe to the polytheists, those who do not give zakāh” (Sūrah Fussilat 41:6–7), he explained that this refers to those who do not say lā ilāha illā Allāh (there is no god but God). Concerning “Indeed, he has succeeded who purifies himself” (Sūrah al-A‘lā 87:14), he said it denotes one who utters lā ilāha illā Allāh. On “Is there [not] for you the effort needed to purify yourself?” (Sūrah al-Nāzi‘āt 79:18), he interpreted it as “until you say lā ilāha illā Allāh.” Regarding “Indeed, those who said, ‘Our Lord is Allāh’ and then remained steadfast” (Sūrah Fussilat 41:30), he connected it to the testimony lā ilāha illā Allāh. On “Is there not a discerning man among you?” (Sūrah Hūd 11:78), he commented, “Is there not among you someone who says lā ilāha illā Allāh.” Concerning “And he spoke uprightly” (Sūrah al-Nabā’ 78:38), he said it refers to lā ilāha illā Allāh. On “Indeed, You never fail [Your] promise” (Sūrah Āl ‘Imrān 3:194), he applied it to the one who utters lā ilāha illā Allāh. (Abu Nu‘aym, al-Hilya, vol. 3, pp. 333–334.) Regarding “There shall be no aggression except against the wrongdoers” (Sūrah al-Baqarah 2:193), he said it is aimed at those who do not say lā ilāha illā Allāh. (Abu Nu‘aym, al-Hilya, vol. 3, p. 334.) On “And remember your Lord when you forget” (Sūrah al-Kahf 18:24), he explained it as “when you become angry.” (Abu Nu‘aym, al-Hilya, vol. 3, p. 334.) Concerning “[Their mark is on their faces]” (Sūrah al-Fatḥ 48:29), he said it refers to as-Sahar (the sleeplessness). (Abu Nu‘aym, al-Hilya, vol. 3, p. 334.) He also remarked: “Indeed, Satan adorns sin to the servant; but once he commits it, he disavows it. He then continues to supplicate his Lord, humble himself, and weep until Allāh forgives that sin and those before it.” He reported that Jibrīl (peace be upon him) said: “My Lord may send me to carry out a task, yet I find the cosmos has preceded me to it.” When asked about al-ma‘ūn (small kindnesses), he said: “It means borrowed household utensils.” I asked, “If a man refuses to lend a sieve, a pot, a platter, or any household item, is woe upon him?” He replied, “No; but when he is negligent of the prayer and withholds al-ma‘ūn, then woe is upon him.” (Abu Nu‘aym, al-Hilya, vol. 3, p. 335.) He defined “al-bidā‘a al-muzjāh” as merchandise sold by weight, and he said “as-sā’iḥūn” are seekers of knowledge. Regarding “How disbelievers have despaired of [ever] [entering] the companions of the graves” (Sūrah al-Mumtahanah 60:13), he explained: “When the disbelievers enter the graves and behold the disgrace Allāh has prepared for them, they despair of His mercy.” Another scholar said of the same verse: “The disbelievers despair of their life and resurrection after death.” He noted that Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) was called Abū al-Dhayfayn (Father of the Two Guests). His sanctuary had four doors so no visitor would miss him. He added that ankāl means shackles or fetters. (Abu Nu‘aym, al-Hilya, vol. 3, p. 336.) In an extensive report on the soothsayer of Saba’, it is said that when the punishment drew near he told his people: “Whoever desires a long journey and heavy burdens, let him go to ʿUman; whoever desires wine and fermented drinks, let him go to Buṣrā (al-Shām); and whoever seeks dwellings in clay that remain in place, let him go to Yathrib, the Place of Date Palms.” Thus some went to ʿUman, some to al-Shām (the Ghassān), and then the Aws and Khazraj—Banū Ka‘b ibn ‘Amr—and Khuzā‘ah settled in Yathrib. At Baṭn Marr Khuzā‘ah declared, “This is a blessed site; we seek no other,” and so they stayed, hence their name (they “separated” from their people). The Aws and Khazraj then advanced and also settled in Yathrib. (Narrated in full by Abu Nu‘aym, al-Hilya, vol. 3, pp. 336–337.) He reported that Allāh said to Yūsuf (peace be upon him): “O Yūsuf, by your pardoning of your brothers, I have exalted your mention among those who remember.” (Abu Nu‘aym, al-Hilya, vol. 3, p. 337.) He said that Luqmān advised his son: “I have tasted bitterness, yet never anything more bitter than poverty; I have borne every heavy burden, but none heavier than …”