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Author: Amjad Khan

Which of Us Truly Loves Allah & His Messenger – Shaykh al-Uthaymeen

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Bid'ah (Innovation), Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq'.

Al-Allaamah al-Faqeeh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) in explanation of aayatul imtihaan:

 

‎قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say (O Muhammad) if you (truly) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Aali Imraan: 31)

This verse is named the aayatul mihna, meaning the verse of examination, because a people claimed that they loved Allah, so Allah said to the Messenger,

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ

Say (O Muhammad) if you (truly) love Allah

This is the sign of a persons love for his Lord, that they follow the Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) and everyone who is more ardent in following the Messenger then he is more beloved to Allah, however lets ponder and look at the result of loving Allah; Allah did not command the Messenger to say “If you love Allah, follow me and be truthful in that” rather He said

يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ

Allah will love you

and this is the tremendous fruit and result which every person seeks. Hence the reality is that you loving Allah is not the same as you being loved by Allah. Due to this He said,

فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ

then follow me, Allah will love you

Therefore if you were to seek after the Love of Allah and you love Him, then it is upon you to follow the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah upon him).

Is it possible to understand from this verse that the actions of the people of innovation belies their claim of loving the messenger (peace and blessings upon him)?

The answer to this, is yes, because we say, if you truly loved the messenger, you would indeed follow him, and if you truly loved Allah, you would definitely follow the Messenger, and if you truly took him (peace and blessings of Allah upon him) as a leader you would not precede him (i.e. utter statements or perform actions which he did not legislate), and how can he be your leader in reality whilst you oppose him, so where is the following of this leadership?

And due to this blatant opposition, how easy it is to destroy their claims; those who say, you don’t celebrate the birthday of the Prophet, and you don’t perform long extended poetic salaat and salaam and praise upon him,  therefore you don’t love him. So we say in reply to them, Glory be to Allah! Which of us has more right to loving the Messenger?! Those who follow his Sunnah and do not leave it, or those who perform that which he (peace and blessings of Allah upon him) warned against of innovations?! There is no doubt that those who truly love Allah is the first type, and destroying their claims does not require a strong axe, rather it is very easy to destroy.

Paraphrased from Sharh Iqtida as-Siratul Mustaqeem pg 723-724

Why is Your Soul Inclined to a Good or Bad person? Shaykh Uthaymeen

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Bid'ah (Innovation), Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Purification of The Soul.

In explanation of the supplication for entering toilet, Shaykh Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) brought the following benefit.

It is said that the place for relieving oneself is dirty, and every place which is similar is the abode of the shayateen, due to His statement The Most High, 

الْخَبِيثَاتُ لِلْخَبِيثِينَ وَالْخَبِيثُونَ لِلْخَبِيثَاتِ 

Bad statements are for bad people (or bad women for bad men) and bad people for bad statements (or bad men for bad women). (1)

In explanation of this ayah, Imam as-Sadi (rahimahullah) said, “Every evil man and woman, statement and action is fitting, in agreement and similar to each other.” (2)

And this is from the wisdom of Allah, that he has made the evil souls incline to each other. And the righteous souls incline to each other, due to this the place of the angels is the masaajid, the masaajid are righteous places and their purpose is for the worship of Allah. 

Ad-Duroos al-Fiqhiyya min al-Muhaadaraat al-Jaami’eeyah Slightly Paraphrased 

(1) An-Noor:26 Translation by Muhsin Khan

(2) Tayseer al Kareem ar Rahman pg.658

Saying “I Don’t Understand” – Shaykh Uthaymeen

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Seeking Knowledge.

When an Aalim is asked a question it’s befitting that the student of knowledge attentively listens to him and correctly understands the answer. Some students, if they ask a question and are answered, you find him shy to say, “I don’t understand”.

That which is better for a student of knowledge if he doesn’t understand is to say “I don’t understand”, and he should say it respectfully and with good manner towards the scholar. 

Sharh Kitab al-Ilm pg 242

Etiquettes and Guidelines when Asking Questions – Shaykh Uthaymeen

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Seeking Knowledge.

If there is a need to ask a question, then the student of knowledge should ask it well (clearly, concisely and with good etiquette). But if there is no need, then he shouldn’t ask, because it is not befitting for a person to ask questions, except if he had a need, or thought that someone else needed the question. 

For example, someone could be in a lesson and understood the content, however there may be some difficult issues/concepts which need further clarification for the rest of the students, so he asks for the benefit of others, and the questioner in this situation is like the teacher, because the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) when Jibreel (alayhis salaam) came to him and asked him about Eemaan, Ihsaan and Islaam, and the Hour and it’s signs; he (peace and blessings upon him) said, “This is Jibreel who has come to teach you your religion.” 

In conclusion, if a person asks a question for his benefit or for someone else’s benefit then this is noble and good. However if he asks just so the people say the likes of, “Maa Shaa Allah, so and so has zeal towards knowledge and many questions”, then this is wrong. And the opposite to this, where someone does not ask out of shyness, then the first individual is excessive, and the second is neglectful and the best of affairs is the middle course.  

Sharh Kitab al-Ilm pg 241-242  Slightly Paraphrased

The Only Thing The Prophet Muhammad was Commanded to Ask for an Increase in – Ibn Hajr

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Qur'aan, Seeking Knowledge.

{رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْماً}

Oh my Lord increase me in knowledge.

This aayah is clear in showing the virtue of knowledge, because Allah The Most High, did not command the prophet (peace and blessing upon him) with asking for an increase in anything, except for knowledge.

{رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْماً}

واضح الدلالة في فضل العلم، لأن الله تعالى لم يأمر نبيه صلى الله عليه وسلم بطلب الازدياد من شيء إلا من العلم

From Ibn Hajr’s Explanation of Kitabul Ilm of Imam al-Bukhari as found in his work, Fath al-Bari

Do You Want to Benefit from your Religion; or be Bankrupted? (1) – Shaykh Zayd (rahimahullah)

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Seeking Knowledge.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In reality there is no life for mankind, except by having understanding (fiqh) of the religion.

The people are in two situations; those who benefit from this religion and those who are bankrupt and deprived of benefit. Those who turn away from having understanding in the religion are much more than those who apply themselves in gaining understanding in the religion.

And in general, the people of evil and misguidance are more abundant than the people of good and righteousness (those upon the obedience of Allah) throughout the various nations, and the plentitude of their evil is because of ignorance and disinclination (towards knowledge), as has come in the hadith,

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“On the day of resurrection, Allah, The Most High will say, ‘O Adam!’ and Adam will reply, ‘’I respond to your call and I am obedient to Your Orders,’ Then there will be a loud call (saying), Allah orders you to take out from amongst your offspring the group for the Hellfire.’ Adam will say, ‘Who are the group for the Hellfire?’ Allah will say, ‘Out of every thousand, take out nine hundred and ninety nine.’ (2)

Shaykh Zayd (Allah have mercy upon him) continues, “and one is in paradise, and that is a proof that the people of good are few in all times, however the people of good are more in this nation, as the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said,

“The people of jannah on the day of resurrection are 120 rows and you (ummah of Muhammad) are 80 rows of them.” (3)

These are tremendous glad tidings, those who are guided are increased in this nation in guidance and enthusiasm (for good deeds), because they utilise the means (to attain reward) and compete in the performance of righteous actions; because Allah commanded with this,

وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqun (4)

So, rush, rush to gaining understanding of the religion, and encourage whoever you find at any time and any place to gain understanding of the religion, so they can gain the Pleasure of the Lord of all that exists, and so they are saved from a disgracing torment.

(1) Slightly Abridged from Sharh Kitab al-Ilm pgs 38-39 by Shaykh Zayd ibn Haadi al Madkhali
(2) Sahih al-Bukhari 4372 translation of Muhsin Khan
(3) Imam Ahmad 4100, Authenticate by Shaykh Al Albaani Al-Mishkaat 5640
(4) Surah Aali Imran: 133 – translation by Muhsin Khan and Taqi ud deen Al-Hilaali

Soofiyah and it’s Books – Shaykh Uthaymeen

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Bid'ah (Innovation), Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Fatawa-Rulings, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Refutations, Sufis.

Al-‘Allaamah Al-Faqeeh the Noble Scholar Muhammad ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) was asked regarding the books of the Soofiyah, 

He responded, my view with regards to tassawuf is the same as to other than it from that which has been innovated into al-Islaam. The Messenger of Allah clarified this when he said,

“Upon you is my sunnah, and the sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs after me; and be warned of newly innovated matters, for every innovation is misguidance.” (1)

Therefore, tasawwuf (and it’s people) are in opposition to the guidance of the Messenger (peace and blessings upon him), innovation and misguidance is obligatory for the Muslim to stay far away from. He should take his path to Allah from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. 

As for the books of tasawwuf, then it is impermissible to acquire them or review (or read) them, except(2) for an individual (who is qualified to do so; i.e. a person of knowledge) who wants to know what is in them of innovation, so as to refute it; (in this instance) this persons looking through them is of a tremendous benefit. 

And this benefit is: refuting this innovation so that the people are safe from it. And this is an affair which is sought after; if the person is safe from deviating by way of these books.

Fataawa Nur ala ad-Darb Vol.2 Pg.66 Fatwa 675 

(1) Ahmad, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah

(2) See following links for more details regarding books of innovators and their harms

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2013/04/reading-the-books-of-the-innovators-ash-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan/

Shaykh Rabee (hafidahullah) clarifies two dangerous doubts; one of them regarding books of people of misguidance; he explains the harms and gives examples of knowledgeable individuals, scholars, who fell into misguidance due to doubts of the people of misguidance. 

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2017/02/24652/

Advice for a Person who is Immersed in Desires and Doubts – Shaykh Rabee

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Basics, Fatawa-Rulings, Featured, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

What is your advice, may Allah preserve you, for one who has fell into the sea of desires and doubts?

My advice, for him is to repent to Allah and that he recalls the statement of Allah the Blessed and Most High,

Say: “O ‘Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh, verily Allâh forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (Az-Zumar: 53)

Therefore, even if you were swimming in a sea of disbelief, you have indeed performed good, by way of repenting to Allah the Blessed and Most High, because the door of repentance is open for all of the servants. So, upon him is to repent to Allah and return to the truth.

Source an audio with title: Asbaab al-Inhiraaf wa Tawjeehaat Manhajiyyah: from Shaykh Rabee’s  (hafidahullah) official website.

Utilise the Dunya for Fulfilling the Purpose of Your Creation – Shaykh Uthaymeen

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul.

Shaykh Uthaymeen (rahimahullah),

We are created for the purpose of worshipping Allāh alone and everything upon the earth has been created for us [i.e. to aid us in this purpose and for lawful enjoyment].

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُم مَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا 

He it is Who created for you all that is on earth. (Al-Baqarah: 29) 

And amazing it is that nowadays our people busy themselves with what has been created for them at the expense of what they were created for. This is [tantamount] to foolishness – that they are busying themselves with that which was created for them at the expense of something which they were created for (and if this purpose is fulfilled will lead them to the Pleasure of their Lord, Inshā Allāh t’āla).

An excerpt from Shaykh Uthaymeen’s Tafsir of Surah adh-Dhaariyat, taken from the printed book ‘Tafsir Al-Hujurat to Al-Hadid’ pg 168

Fire is Better than Clay? Benefits from Shaytān’s Refusal to Prostrate to Ādam – Shaykh Fawzān, Additional Benefits from Shaykh ibn Bāz

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Shaykh Fawzān (hafidahullāh) in explaining the events surrounding Iblees’s disobedience of Allāh (The Mighty & Majestic) said,

Allah – jalla wa ‘alaa – commanded the angels to prostrate to Ādam; a prostration of greeting and not a prostration of worship, because prostration of worship is not allowed except for Allāh (t’āla). So all of the Angels prostrated together, except Iblīs, for indeed he was envious of Ādam (alayhis salām), and [Allaah said that Iblees] said,

قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِن طِينٍ

[Iblis (Satan)] said: “I am better than him, You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.” (Sād:78)

He claimed that clay had no benefit within it, whilst claiming that fire has benefit. And this is a false analogy, because clay is better than fire; fire burns and does not bring forth (anything), whereas clay brings forth seedlings and agriculture/farming and yields goodness. Therefore clay, has goodness within it, however Iblīs was blinded of this and boasted about (being created from) fire,

خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ

You created me from fire

And he did not envision what was in clay of goodness and blessing. (1)

Al-Imām ibn Bāz (rahimahullāh) in explanation of prostrating to Ādam and Yusuf (alayhimus salātu was salām) said,

This was a deed which was specified in the divine law revealed to Yoosuf [alayhis salaam], and likewise was the case when the Angels prostrated to Aadam- a specific prostration which Allaah allowed the Angels to perform and [likewise] the brothers of Yusuf.

As for the divine law that was revealed to Muhammad [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], it is not permissible to prostrate to anyone elss besides Allaah alone. None is to prostrate to another person, neither to one’s father nor to a husband, nor anyone else. When some of the companions prostrated to the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], he forbade them from that. As for in the divine law that was revealed to Yusuf [alayhis salaam], that prostration was performed as an act greeting and a sign of respect, but not an act of worship. It was permissible in the divine law that was revealed to Yusuf [alayhis salaam] but forbidden in the divine law that was revealed to Muhammad.

Likewise, the prostration of the Angels to Aadam was a prostration of greeting and respect and not a prostration of worship. (2)

(1) Shaykh Fawzān’s explanation of Igāfatul Lahfān 1439-07-01

(2) Excerpt. Slightly paraphrased from Shaykh bin Bāz’s official website