Explaining the correct methodology in dealing with the reports of the Children of Israel ("al-Isra'iliyyat"), while continuing to mention the evidence that clarifies the reward of one who fears Allah with true fear.

The Shaykh : The Isra'iliyyat—I mention this as a passing remark, even if it is a long topic. The Isra'iliyyat are of two types. The first, which is the lesser category, is that which our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spoke of. If the chain of narration is sound, then it is excellent, and it is obligatory for us to believe it. The other category, which is the greater, more widespread, and more comprehensive, is that which is narrated from the People of the Book. Our position regarding this hadith is as it came from the Messenger (peace be upon him): As for this hadith, it belongs to the first category, so we must believe in it because it reached us with a sound chain from the Truthful, the One who is believed (peace and blessings be upon him). This is also the case in that it is from the authentic Isra'iliyyat, and in that it relates to the previously mentioned verse: to the end of the verse. What Imam Muslim narrated in his Sahih is that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The point is that the man heard this voice and traveled with the cloud. Then the cloud emptied its load of rain into a garden in an orchard. He looked in and saw a man working with a hoe in his land. When he looked at him and saw him, he said, "It appears that you are a stranger." He said, "Yes, but I heard a voice from the cloud saying, 'Water the land of so-and-so.' Are you so-and-so?" He said, "Yes." He said, "By what did you deserve this favor from Allah, where He made the cloud serve you and emptied its load of rain into this land, and mentioned me?" This hadith reminded me of the story of that Bedouin who came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on Friday while the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was delivering the sermon. He said, "O Messenger of Allah, the wealth and families have been destroyed by the scarcity of rain, so ask for rain for us." He (peace be upon him) said: Anas ibn Malik, the narrator of the story, said, "The sky became agitated with rain like the mouths of water skins. We rained for a Saturday, meaning a full week, until the Bedouin himself, or another, the narrator was uncertain, came and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, the wealth and families have been destroyed by the abundance of rain, so call upon Allah for us, for He will remove it.' He said, 'So the sky held back and did not rain except around the city.' The city was as if it had a *junah* over it, meaning a shield or cover. That story reminded me of this story in terms of contrast: the cloud there waters a specific land and does not water what is around it, while here in the story of Anas, it waters what is around the city after the rains had become sufficient, as if it had a *junah* over it. That is from the vast power of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). So, by his piety, Allah made the sky serve him, and by his piety, Allah made the sea serve him. As for us, if we were to fear Allah (Glorified and Exalted), would He not preserve our wealth while we purify it with the correct, lawful zakah? There is no doubt, but we are in need of such faith. We ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted) to strengthen our faith and to make the effect of our faith appear in our deeds. Now, we say: depart safely to your prayers.