commands good and justice and forbids evil and corruption, for Allah has said, “O you who believe, be steadfast for Allah as witnesses to justice.” So whenever you mention a fault, mention a virtue as well; to take pleasure in broadcasting people’s shortcomings while denying their merits is sheer tyranny and injustice, and Allah does not love injustice. He also says, “And let not the hatred of a people cause you to swerve from justice. Be just; that is nearer to God-consciousness.” In other words, do not allow your dislike of any group to make you abandon fairness; rather, uphold justice, for it is closer to piety.

Accordingly, when those leaders who pray yet delay the prayer beyond its prescribed time lead us, we still pray behind them: the reward is ours, and if there is any sin in the delay it rests upon those who caused it.

As for the fourth ḥadīth, narrated by Abū Hurayrah, “Allah is amazed at a people who are dragged to Paradise in chains,” the author—may Allah have mercy on him—explains that they are unbelievers taken captive, who then embrace Islam; their captivity thus becomes the very means by which they enter Paradise. Allah is the One who grants success.

1841 – From him, on the authority of the Prophet ﷺ: “The most beloved places to Allah are the mosques, and the most detested places to Allah are the marketplaces.” Recorded by Muslim.

1842 – From Salmān al-Fārisī, may Allah be pleased with him: he said, “If you can, do not be the first to enter the market nor the last to leave it, for it is the battlefield of Satan, and there he plants his banner.” Recorded in this form by Muslim.