Hadith online in English are translations of sayings and teachings attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. They help readers who do not know Arabic explore guidance on faith, manners and daily life. This guide brings together short hadith with references, a Farewell Sermon passage and source notes for quotations that need checking.
How can you read hadith online in English?
English translations of hadith books are available online. Look for a quotation’s collection and reference alongside the English text so that you can identify what is being quoted.
The selections below retain the references supplied with them. Where no collection or hadith number was provided, a source note makes that limitation clear.
Which short hadith can you read in English?
The following short quotations concern good character, parenting and mercy. Their references are kept beside the text for further checking.
- Good character: “Islam necessitates having good moral qualities.” [Qanz Al-Ummal, 3/17, Hadith No: 5225].
- Parenting and manners: “No father can give his children a better gift than good manners.” [Tirmidhi, Birr (Piety), 33].
- Mercy: “Whoever is not merciful (to the creation) will not be shown mercy by Allah.” [Muslim, Fada’il (Virtues), 66; Tirmidhi, Birr (Piety), 16].
What teachings appear in the Farewell Sermon passage?
The passage below brings together teachings on faith, justice, responsibility and kindness towards others. It is presented as a passage from the Prophet’s ﷺ Farewell Sermon.
Source note: The original post did not provide a collection or hadith number for this English wording. Its wording and attribution need checking before it is shared as a verified hadith quotation.
“O, People! Lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen carefully to what I am saying and take these words to those who could not be present here today.”
“O People! just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord and that he will indeed reckon your deeds.”
“Allah has forbidden you to take usury, therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequality. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all interest due to Abbas Ibn ‘Aal-Muttalib is waived.”
“Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiah ibn al-Harithiah.”
“O men! the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to prohibit what Allah has made permissible. With Allah, the months are twelve in number. Four of them are holy, there are successive, and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban.”
“Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will be able to lead you astray in big things so beware of following him in small things.”
“O People it is true that you have certain rights about your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well never to be unchaste.”
“O People! listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Haj if you can afford it.”
“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also, a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly.”
“Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”
“O, People! No Prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore O People! and understand the words that I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.”
“All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly.”
“O Allah, be my witness, that I have conveyed your message to Your people.”
What about the quotation on knowledge and learning?
The following saying was also attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ without a collection or hadith number:
“the ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the martyr.”
Source note: Its attribution is unverified here. This quotation needs a source check before it is used as an authenticated hadith.
Keep reading
- Islamic books for further reading
- Hadith about the month of Ramadan
- Ijazah: meaning and types in Quran and hadith
- Learning Islamic studies online
How can families explore these teachings further?
The themes of manners and mercy offer a starting point for discussing Islamic teachings with children. Families seeking structured lessons can explore Islamic studies for kids.
At Murouj Academy, lessons are one-to-one, and students and parents choose their teacher. A free trial class is an opportunity to discuss learning goals with the teacher.
For related study, the course overview also includes Standard Arabic, Tajweed classes and Quran memorization.
Frequently asked questions
Can I read hadith if I do not know Arabic?
Yes. English translations make the sayings and teachings accessible to readers who do not understand Arabic. Read each quotation with its accompanying reference and source note.
Does this guide give authenticity gradings for the short hadith?
No authenticity gradings were supplied with the short quotations. This guide preserves their references without adding a judgment about their authenticity.
How can I discuss these teachings with my child?
Use the themes of manners and mercy to talk about how people treat one another. Keep the quoted wording and its reference together, and take questions about meaning or attribution to a teacher.
