Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/34

14 innovation, and all innovation is a going astray."'—Aḥmad, Abú Dáud, At Tirmidhí. Ibn Majah; except that the last two do not mention the prayer.

It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There will certainly happen to my followers such as happened to the Bani Israel, as one shoe is to another, so that if any of them commit incest openly with his mother, there will certainly be some of my followers who will do the same. Verily the Bani Israel are divided into seventy-two sects, and my followers will be divided into seventy-three sects, all but one of whom will enter the fire." They said, "O Apostle of God, which is that one?" He replied, "That which I and my followers follow."'—At Tirmidhí.

It is related from Jábir from the Prophet that, 'When ʿOmar came to him and said, "Verily we hear stories from the Jews which excite our admiration; dost thou wish that I should write some of them down?" He replied, "Are ye bewildered like the Jews and Christians! Verily I have brought you something white and pure. If Moses had been alive, he would have been nothing but a follower of me."'—Aḥmad.

It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The Qurʾán came down embodying five different features: things lawful, things unlawful, positive precepts, hidden mysteries and parables. Therefore make the lawful lawful, and make the unlawful unlawful, obey the positive precepts, believe in the hidden mysteries, and take warning from the parables."'

It is related from Málik bin Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, "I have left amongst you two things, and you will never go astray so long as you hold them fast. The one is the word of God, and the other is the practice of His prophet."'—Al Muwaṭṭa.

It is related from Jábir that, ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb came to the Apostle of God with a copy of the Taurát and said, "O Apostle of God, this is a copy of the Taurát." But he remained silent. Then ʿOmar began to read; but the countenance of the Apostle of God changed, and Abú Bakr said, "Mothers bereft of their children weep for thee! Dost thou