RELICS

The word "relic" can refer to many "old things". For this entry we are interested in one meaning only: A relic is an object of religious veneration, especially a piece of the body or a personal item of Muhammad (or another saint or holy man venerated by some Muslim groups).

Muhammad's hair and nail clippings were collected as relics. Muhammad did not disapprove of this.

> Narrated Ibn Sirrn: I said to 'Ablda, "I have some of the hair of the Prophet which I got from Anas or from his family." 'Abida replied. "No doubt if I had a single hair of that it would have been dearer to me than the whole world and whatever is in it." (Sahih Al-Bukhari 1.171)

> Narrated Anas: When Allah's Apostle got his head shaved, Abu- Talha was the first to take some of his hair. (Sahih Al-Bukhari 1.172)

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