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Author: Amjad Khan

Children do not Forget Their Early Lessons and Advice – Shaykh Al-‘Uthaymin

Al-‘Allaamah Ibn ‘Uthaymin (رحمه الله تعالى) said:

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“O young boy, say Bismillah, and eat with your right hand.”

Know that when manners and etiquettes are taught to a child at a young age, they are not easily forgotten. A child will not forget what you teach him while he is young. However, when he grows older, it is possible that he may forget what you taught him, or even show some resistance. But whilst he is still young, he is more likely to be responsive and accepting of what you teach him.”


Sharh Riyadh as-Salihin, vol. 3, p. 172

How to Bring Life to Your Heart – Shaykh Khalid adh-Dhufayri

The remembrance of Allah is the life of the hearts; there is no life for them except through it. Al-Bukhari reports in his Saheeh from Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet ﷺ said:

“The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember his Lord is like that of the living and the dead.”

The hearts find no reassurance, no tranquility, no true delight, and no real happiness except through the remembrance of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَتَطۡمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِۗ أَلَا بِذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطۡمَئِنُّ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ

Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest. (Ar-Ra’d 13:28)


Khutbah of the Shaykh – سبق المفردون

Remember the Reward – Shaykh Al-Uthaymin

It is essential that during worship, a person remains conscious that they are performing the act in pursuit of reward. When one is mindful of this, they are more likely to carry out the action in the best possible manner. Intellect naturally guides a person to understand that the reward corresponds to the quality of the deed—if it is performed well, the reward will be greater; if it is lacking, the reward will be less. I believe this is an issue many people overlook, as they fail to pay proper attention to this important aspect.


Tafsir Surah Az-Zumar pg.27

The Rewards and Effects of Worship Leave No Excuse to Neglect Them – Shaykh Salih Al-Luhaydan

Verily, Allah has legislated for us—O worshippers of Allah—acts of worship that purify us, cleanse our souls, bring tranquility and peace to our hearts, and through which our Mawla (Patron, Supporter, and Protector) grants us honor in this worldly life and reward in the Hereafter, if we perform them well—with sincerity and in accordance with the Sunnah.

Indeed, our Lord has clarified this for us in His Book, on the tongue of His Prophet, and through the actions of His Messenger ﷺ, in such a way that leaves no excuse for anyone to neglect it.

For indeed, Muhammad ﷺ, the leader of mankind, has left us upon a clear and bright path; whoever follows it will not be led astray., the one who is destroyed is destroyed because he is deserving of it, and the one who is misguided is misguided due to abandoning guidance and surrendering his affair to the devils—who mislead and deceive him—until he reaches a state where there is neither success nor salvation.

So protect yourselves by striving and holding firmly to the worship of Allah—with sincerity and adherence to the Sunnah—performing your acts of worship in the best manner.


Explanation of The Religion is Built upon Five by Shaykh Salih Al-Luhaydan – رحمه الله –

The Remembrance of Allah Brings Relief, Ease and Joy – Shaykh Khalid adh-Dhufayri

“The remembrance of Allah, the Exalted, brings relief after hardship, ease after difficulty, and joy after sorrow and worry.

It is key in relieving distress, facilitating matters, and attaining comfort and happiness in both this world and the Hereafter.

There has never been a distress that was removed, nor a hardship that was alleviated, with anything better than the remembrance of Allah — Glorified and Exalted be He.

Our Prophet ﷺ used to say in times of distress:

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ رَبُّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَرَبُّ الأَرْضِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ

‘There is no god but Allah, the Almighty, the Forbearing. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the Great Throne. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the heavens, Lord of the earth, and Lord of the Noble Throne.’

And he ﷺ said:

‘The supplication of Dhun-Nun [Prophet Jonah] when he called out while in the belly of the whale:

لاَّ إلـه إلاَّ أنت سُبْحـنَكَ إنِّى كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّـلِمِين

“There is no god but You; Glory be to You! Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers.”

No one supplicates with it during times of distress except that Allah relieves him of his distress.’”


From a Khutbah of the Shaykh: سبق المفردون

Revive Your Heart with The Quran – Shaykh Salih Al-Fawzan

Be frequent in the recitation of the Qur’an, for it softens the hearts — as Allah the Most High says:

للَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحۡسَنَ ٱلۡحَدِيثِ كِتَٰبًا مُّتَشَٰبِهًا مَّثَانِىَ تَقۡشَعِرُّ مِنۡهُ جُلُودُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخۡشَوۡنَ رَبَّهُمۡ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمۡ وَقُلُوبُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ يَهۡدِى بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَمَن يُضۡلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنۡ هَادٍ

Allah has sent down the best statement, a Book (this Quran), its parts resembling each other in goodness and truth, oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah. He Guides therewith whom He pleases and whomever Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide. Az-Zumar 39:23

The Quran softens the heart because it is the speech of the Lord of all that exists. So, if you train yourself — and your tongue — to recite the Quran with contemplation and presence of heart, your heart will indeed become soft.

أَلَمۡ يَأۡنِ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَن تَخۡشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمۡ لِذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبۡلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡأَمَدُ فَقَسَتۡ قُلُوبُهُمْۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنۡهُمۡ فَٰسِقُونَ

Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) to be affected by Allah’s Reminder (this Quran), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). Al-Hadid 57:16

In the following verse, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

ٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحۡىِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَاۚ قَدۡ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its death! Indeed We have made clear the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) to you, if you but understand. Al-Hadid 57:17

The dead heart is revived through the remembrance of Allah. Do not despair. Treat your heart with the remembrance of Allah, and — by Allah’s permission — it will come back to life.


Sharh al-Mandhumah al-Aadab ash-Shari’yyah pgs. 935-936

Strive for Knowledge: Shaykh Ibn Baz’s Call to the Seekers of Truth

Advice on Striving in the Pursuit of Islamic Knowledge and Attending Gatherings of Knowledge – Shaykh Ibn Baz

There is no doubt that circles of knowledge hold a tremendous status. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to sit with the companions, teaching them and reminding them at various times. They would gather around him, listening and learning. This was the way of the Companions — and after the passing of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), they too would hold gatherings of knowledge and teach the people. Likewise, in our time, the scholars and students of knowledge continue this noble tradition.

The benefits of these sittings are immense. The student of knowledge attends and listens attentively, while the common person also participates and benefits. The student brings his book to record the benefits, and through this, the benefit is preserved — for had he not written it down, it might have been lost. As for the common attendee, they listen and ask questions about matters that concern or trouble them, seeking guidance. All of this is from what Allah loves.

Imam Ahmad, al-Tirmidhi, and others narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“When you pass by the gardens of Paradise, then feast.”
They asked, “What are the gardens of Paradise?”
He replied, “The circles of remembrance.”

Additionally, in the Sahihayn, it is narrated that one day the Prophet (ﷺ) was in the masjid, and the companions were gathered around him as he was reminding them. During this gathering, three people entered. One of them came forward and joined the gathering. The second sat at the back. The third turned away and left. When the Prophet (ﷺ) had finished speaking, he said:
“Shall I inform you about these three?”
The companions replied, “Of course, O Messenger of Allah.”
He (ﷺ) said:
“As for the first, he sought refuge with Allah, so Allah granted him refuge. The second felt shy, so Allah was shy towards him. As for the third, he turned away, so Allah turned away from him.”

The statement regarding the third person — that Allah turned away from him — is a severe warning. It highlights the danger of arrogantly turning away from or abandoning the gatherings of knowledge and the pursuit of understanding.

It is also reported on the authority of Mu’awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Whomever Allah intends good for, He grants him understanding of the religion.”
This hadith shows that one of the signs of true happiness is understanding the religion. If Allah grants a person knowledge and comprehension of the religion, it is a sign that He intends good for that individual. In contrast, a sign of a person’s loss and destruction is being deprived of this understanding — that one turns away and remains negligent of the importance of attaining knowledge and its gatherings.

The Prophet (ﷺ) also said:
“Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge, Allah makes easy for him the path to Paradise.”

Thus, seeking knowledge is one of the greatest and most important means of drawing closer to Allah, the Most High.

My sincere advice to every Muslim — male and female — is to be diligent in acquiring an understanding of the religion, to study earnestly, and to pursue knowledge by every possible means.

Summarised and Slightly Paraphrased from Shaykh Ibn Baz’s “Advice on Striving in the Pursuit of Islamic Knowledge and Attending Gatherings of Knowledge.

Reminded about the origin of one’s love for Iman

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ فِيكُمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ يُطِيعُكُمْ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ لَعَنِتُّمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْأِيمَانَ وَزَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَكَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَالْفُسُوقَ وَالْعِصْيَانَ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ فَضْلاً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَنِعْمَةً وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

And know that, among you there is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you (i.e. follow your opinions and desires) in much of the matter, you would surely be in trouble, but Allah has endeared the Faith to you and has beautified it in your hearts, and has made disbelief, wickedness and disobedience (to Allah and His Messenger) hateful to you. These! They are the rightly guided ones, (This is) a Grace from Allah and His Favour. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. [Al-Hujurat. 7-8]

Your love for Iman, desire for it and its beautification in your hearts is not from yourselves; rather it is Allah who placed it in your hearts. He is the one who made it preferable and pleasing to you, thus, do not put yourself before Allah’s Messenger. Neither speak until he speaks nor act until he commands you. The one [Allah] who made you love Iman is the most knowledgeable concerning what is of benefit for His slaves than yourselves. And had it not been the Tawfeeq of Allah upon you, your souls would not have yielded to Iman. Iman would not have been (acquired) through your consultation and bestowed from yourselves, nor would you have given it precedence because your souls are unable, weak and cannot reach it.

An Excerpt from Madarij As-Salikin 1/414-415

One of the great services of the scholars of Islam

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Allamah  Muhammad Amaan Al-Jami, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

The call to Islam encompasses a variety of domains and procedures. One of its procedures is the establishment of gatherings and conferences where individuals with sound Islamic perspectives and Muslim jurists convene to address contemporary issues. They counter the misconceptions that are disseminated against Islam and the authentic beliefs of Muslims. Furthermore, they elucidate the principles of the Islamic faith across all aspects of life that necessitate explanation—of which there are many—ensuring that individuals possess clarity in both their religious and worldly matters. This endeavour is grounded in the teachings of the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah, guiding people from the shadows of misguidance into the light of true guidance. There exists no alternative route to escape the darkness of ignorance and (unlawful) pre-Islamic customs except through the comprehension derived from the Book and the Sunnah. This duty has been upheld by the Messengers, from Nuh to Muhammad, peace be upon them. Allah, the Most High, stated:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ إِنَّآ أَرۡسَلۡنَـٰكَ شَـٰهِدً۬ا وَمُبَشِّرً۬ا وَنَذِيرً۬ا
وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ بِإِذۡنِهِۦ وَسِرَاجً۬ا مُّنِيرً۬ا
وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ فَضۡلاً۬ كَبِيرً۬ا

O Prophet (Muhammad)! Verily, We have sent you as witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner; And as one who invites to Allah [Islamic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allah (Alone)] by His Leave, and as a lamp spreading light (through your instructions from the Qur’an and the Sunnah the legal ways of the Prophet). And announce to the believers (in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad) the glad tidings, that they will have from Allah a Great Bounty. [33:45-47]

In these three verses, there is a clarification of the job of the noble Messenger Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his followers- and that is to call to the path of Allah by the Permission and command of Allah, upon clear sightedness and sure knowledge.

Allah [The Most High] said: [ قُلۡ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۟ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى‌ۖ – Say (O Muhammad): “This is my way; I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allah i.e. to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge”]. [12:108]

An excerpt from Nidham Al-Usrah Fil Islam  8-9

Islamic Awakening

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, said:

All the praises and thanks be to Allah- the Lord of the worlds- and may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions. To proceed: The Islamic Awakening did not originate in recent times; rather, it traces back to the moment Allah sent His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, with the message of Islam, and people entered it in crowds and groups. All praise be to Allah, good has persisted within the Ummah, as the Prophet stated, “There will always be a group among my Ummah that (remains) steadfast in the truth. They will not be harmed by those who abandon them or oppose them until Allah’s command uis established (i.e. the Day of Judgement). Despite the ongoing struggle between truth and falsehood, there have consistently been advocates for the truth and their supporters, adhering to the correct methodology. Throughout history, the Ummah has never been entirely dormant or misled to the extent that a faction could claim a distinct identity, such as “Islamic Awakening,” because this would imply that the entire Islamic World was misguided prior to their emergence. This contradicts the Prophet’s statement that “There will always be a group among my Ummah that remains manifest in the truth,” as well as his statement “My Ummah will never unite upon misguidance.”

Indeed, this (revival) is praiseworthy and safe from criticism when it is based on the methodology of the righteous callers and the pious predecessors, grounded in the Book of Allah, the Sunnah, and the path of the pious predecessors of this Ummah – free from associations that contradict the methodology of the pious predecessors. The primary objective should be to gain knowledge of the truth in order to act upon it and promote it, as well as to recognize falsehood to avoid it and caution others against it. This endeavor should not be motivated by a desire for leadership, dominance, insurrection against the main body of Muslims united behind a ruler, or disobedience to Muslim rulers. Such an approach does not align with the correct methodology of Dawah or that of the pious predecessors; instead, it is the methodology of the Khawaarij and the Mutazilah, groups that have strayed from the teachings of the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the path of the early Muslims. These groups have been a source of shame in Islamic history and a detriment to the Ummah. We beseech Allah to guide the misguided Muslims towards the right path. [An Excerpt from “Al-Bayaan Li-akhtaa’i Badil Kuttaab pages: 29-30. Slightly paraphrased]

Visit:

https://www.kharijites.com/kj/

http://www.mutazilah.com/authors/Abu.Iyaad.cfm