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Author: Abdullah Jallow

O Uncle Muhammad Al-Maliki! Sneaking into the UK and shifting alliances will not conceal your clear errors

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Refutations.

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

Allah [The Most High] said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [Surah An-Nisaa. Ayah 135]

Uncle Muhammad Al-Maliki first appeared in 2012 Muhammad as a willing supporter of Masjid As-Sunnah’s Admin (Cheetham Hill- Manchester). And not only was he willing to defend these staunch followers of Al-Maribi and Al-Maghraawi, but he also embarked upon a path of slander and lies against the Salafiyyoon of Al-Markazus Salafi [Manchester]

So after the hizbiyyoon presented their complaints to Uncle Muhammad Al-Maliki, he decided to embark upon his disgraceful behaviour. And in order to hide the reality of the staunch hizbiyyoon at Masjid As-Sunnah and the unambiguous verdicts of the scholars against them, Uncle Muhammad Al-Maliki utilised Aayaat of the Qur’an and an authentic Hadeeth of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) against the Salafiyyoon of Al-Markazus Salafi.

The first Aayaat he utilised were in Soorah Al-Qalam as follows:
هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّاءٍ بِنَمِيمٍ
مَّنَّاعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ

A slanderer, going about with calumnies; Hinderer of the good, transgressor, sinful. [Ayaat 11-12]

Then he quoted the authentic hadeeth: The Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: O you who believe with your tongues, yet Iman has not entered your hearts. Do not backbite the Muslims, nor follow their faults. For he who follows others faults then Allah will declare (disclose) his faults and he whom Allah reveals his faults, then Allah disgraces him in his own house.”

These were some of the authentic texts quoted by Uncle Muhammad Al-Maliki for the purpose of sheltering and defending staunch defenders of Mubtadi’ah at Masjid As-Sunnah. So by deliberately utilizing these texts, he hoped to achieve two goals-silence those who were transmitting the clear-unambiguous verdicts of the scholars against the staunch followers of Maribi, Halabi, and Maghraawi at Masjid As-Sunnah and portray an evil image of them to the unsuspecting Muslims. So, reminded Uncle Muhammad as follows, “How is it possible that those who warned against the Mubtadi’ah and their staunch followers- with clear unambiguous evidence from the scholars- are to be regarded as slanderers and hinderers of good, whilst those who have obstinately defended those Mubtadi’ah for more ten years are protected?! One of the Salaf said: “The one who is silent about the truth is a silent devil, while the one who speaks falsehood is a speaking devil.” [Quoted in Ad-Durar as-Saniyyah. 8/75-79]

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali (may Allaah preserve him) said: ”f you see a person upon truth and another upon falsehood, it is obligatory that you aid the truth and warn against falsehood; if not, then you are dead (i.e. a dead heart)-neither recognizing good nor rejecting evil and this is a sign of the heart’s hardness.” [Majmoo 14/271] Al-Allaamah Rabee’s Verdict Against Masjid As-Sunnah: http://safeshare.tv/w/RbhddhDFFs

Uncle Muhammad Al-Maliki’s Poem For al-Hajuri Al-Mubtadi (The Innovator In Religious Affairs)

It is well-known to the Maraakiz of Salafiyyah that Uncle Muhammad Al-Maliki was a regular guest of the UK followers of Halabi and Maribi. However, he also wrote a poem for Al-Hajoori. So has he recanted those lines of poetry? If you cannot read Arabic, then ask someone to translate the poetry for you. And after reading Uncle Muhammad’s poetry compare it with the statements and refutations against Hajoori at http://alhajuri.com/

The lines of poetry as follows:
للهِ دَرُّكَ يا حَجُـوري
أنْ كُنْتَ بِالحَقِّ جَهُورِ
تَصْبِرْ على بَغْي العَيِّي
أنْ كانَ بِالجَهْلِ جَسُورِ
والقَوْلُ إنْ لَمْ يَقْتَـرِن
بِدَلِيلِهِ فَكَمَـالبَخُــورِ
مَنْ بِالسَّفَاهَـةِ ذَمَّـكُم
قَدْ فَاهَ مِنْ غَيْرِ نُـورِ
ولَئِنْ تَزَايَـدَ ظُلْمُـهُ
قُمْتَ لَهُ مِثْلُ النُّسُـورِ
ولكَمْ صَبَرْتَ مُرَابِطاً
للرفضِ في تلكَ الثُغُورِ
تُعَرٍّضُ نَحْرَكَ للرِمَاحِ
وَتَنْصِبُ وَجْهَكَ للهَجيرِ
وَتَبْسُطُ يَدَكَ لكُلِ آتٍ
وَتَحْمِي سُّنَّةَ الهَادي البَشِيرِ
أَيُرمَى شَيْخُ دَمَّاجٍ بِظُلْمٍ
كَأَنَّ الشَّيْخُ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشُّرُورِ
وَفَضْلاً عَنْ نَصِيحٍ صِرْتَ صَاحِ
إلى أُسْلُوبِ مُوغِرَةِ الصُّدُورٍ
فَيَالَيْتَ المُعَارِضَ قَدْ أتَانَا
بِبُرْهَانٍ وَليسَ بِقَولِ زُورِ
أَمَا يَدْرِي أَنَّا جِدُّ رَهْنٌ
قَبْلَ العَرْضِ في بَطْنِ القُبوُرِ
وَيَومَ العَرْضِ إمَّا مِنْ دَلِيلٍ
وَإمَّا فَالعُقُوبَةُ بِالسَّعِيـــرِ
فَشَرُ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَتْبَعْ هَوَاهُ
وشَرُّ الشَّرِّ تَصْدِيقُ الغَرُورِ
وخَيْرُ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَنْصَحْ أَخَاهُ
ولا يَحْقَرْ بِكِبْرٍ أوْ غُرُورِ
وَيُخفِي مَا اسْتَطَاعَ لَهُ نَصِيحاً
فَإِنَّ النُّصْحَ يَفْسُدُ بِالظُهُورِ

Regarding the statement of Uncle Muhammad Al-Maliki: [للهِ دَرُّكَ يا حَجُـوري]: This statement is uttered in praise of someone for his good actions bestowed upon him by the Tawfeeq of Allaah. So when a person is considered as someone with many good actions and the people receive many benefits from him by the Tawfeeq of Allaah, it is said about him in amazement [لله دره] [للهِ دَرُّكَ], etc. Basically, Allaah has bestowed on you the Tawfeeq to perform and accomplish much good, and how excellent that is! [Lisaan Al-Arab of Ibn Mandhoor 4/279]

This was Uncle Muhammad’s view of Al-Hajuri Al-Mubtadi after he was refuted and declared a Mubtadi. Indeed, it is not surprising that Uncle held such absurd views because he took pride in associating himself with some of the followers at Masjid As-Sunnah (Cheemthamhill- Manchester). Despite Hajoori’s calamities and Bidah, Uncle Muhammad did not recant from those lines of poetry written in praise of Al-Hajuri. See Hajoori’s calamities here: http://alhajuri.com/

One of many deceptions and diversionary tactics: Uncle Muhammad deliberately sought to divert his listeners from the main subject matter [i.e. the dispute between the criticizers at Al-Markazus Salafi and Masjid As-Sunnah’s Admin was due to the three contemporary figureheads of Bidah (Al-Maribi, Al-Halabi and Al-Maghraawi)]. He claimed that we (i.e. the ones who transmitted the refutations of the scholars at Al-Markazus Salafi against Masjid As-Sunnah’s Admin) turn our faces away from a Muslim when he gives salaam, but we would say to a kaafir, “Hi John”.

First: This statement of uncle was nothing else but mixing Haqq with Baatil. He produced no evidence to support his claims; rather it is yet another emotional rhetoric aimed at defaming the Salafiyyoon at Al-Markazus Salafi and aiding the staunch followers of the Mubtadi’ah (Al-Maribi, Al-Halabi, and Al-Maghraawi).

Second: There is no doubt that a man of Sunnah will not give Salaam to a person against whom the verdict of Mubtadi is established with clear proof, even if such a Mubtadi is still within the fold of Islaam. And likewise, a man of Sunnah will not entertain those specific individuals about whom the Ulama have advised that they are to be boycotted due to the deadly Shubuhaat they spread. Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah preserve him) stated: “Some of the aims behind boycotting innovators and the people of falsehood: [a] Actualization of servitude to Allaah: Boycotting is an act of worship and an affair of the Sharee-ah, which must be carried out for the sake of Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) and in accordance with the guidance of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam). [b] Enjoining good and forbidding evil. [c] Actualization of Walaa Wal Baraa (love and hate for the sake of Allaah). The other affairs that follow from the above aims are: Restraining the innovator and his innovation and protecting society from him. Preserving the Sharee-ah, so that what is not part of it is prevented from entering into it in the name of the Religion. [An Excerpt from At-taleeqaat As-Sareehah Alaa Risaalatee An-Naseehah Lid-Doktoor Ibraaheem Ibn Aamir Ar-Ruhayli – By Shaikh Abdullah Al-Bukhaaree. page 58]

We informed Uncle at the time that Yahyah Al-Hajoori Haddaadi Al-Mubtadi is a Muslim, so why did Al-Allaamah Rabee refuse to meet him?! Then why did Uncle unleash his tongue against the Salafiyyoon for establishing the sound Walaa Wal Baraa against those Admin members at Masjid As-Sunnah (Cheethamhill) who obstinately defend Mubtadi (Al-Halabi, Al-Maribi, and Al-Maghraawi? See here: http://www.alhajuri.com/articles/qsikmob-shaykh-of-the-hajaawirah-yahya-al-hajuri-rejected-in-makkah.cfm

Likewise, uncle did not provide any proof that we turn our faces away from other Muslims other than those whom the Ulama have advised that they are to be boycotted?! We did not entertain Mubtadi’ah and those specific individuals about whom our scholars have advised that they are to be boycotted due to the dangerous and deadly Shubuhaat they carry and propagate. As for other Muslims other than those dangerous people of falsehood and bidah, he had no proof to establish that we do turn away from them when they give us Salaam. It has been 10 years, he has not produced any proof.

As for the ruling with respect to greeting non-Muslims with other than As-Salaamu Alaykum, we asked him to explain to us what that affair has to do with shunning a Mubtadi or the obstinate people of falsehood! Likewise, he did not produce any evidence that we do turn away from the common Muslims when they give us salaam.

Likewise, he sought to divert attention from the calamities of Masjid As-Sunnah’s Admin with a very absurd question to Al-Markazus Salafi, saying, “Who says that Shaikh Wasiyullaah is a man of bidah?!” He asked us this question, but neither stated who held such a view nor cited the relevance of it to the discussion; rather it was another stratagem utilised to divert his audience from the main issues. This question was nothing else but a stratagem by way of which he sought to arouse the emotions of the common people at Masjid As-Sunnah and divert them from the very reasons Masjid As-Sunnah’s Admin was being criticized and boycotted. He did not cite a single piece of evidence to respond to the knowledge-based criticisms produced against the staunch followers and supporters of Al-Maribi (Ikhwaani Mubtadi), Al-Halabi (Murji Mubtadi), and Al-Maghraawi (Takfeeri, revolutionary, Mubtadi); rather he sought to play about with the emotions of his listeners.

These were a few issues amongst many others we discussed and reprimanded Uncle Muhammad. Therefore, what is incumbent upon Uncle Muhammad is to openly recant his errors and declare his freedom from the people of Bidah, such as the followers of Al-Maribi, Al-Maghraawi, and Al-Halabi at Masjid As-Sunnah (Cheethamhill- Manchester).
Recanting Mistakes, Repentance and Humbling Oneself- [By Ibnul Arabi, Al-Allaamah Rabee, Al-Allaamah Al-Mu’allimee and Shaikh Abdus Salaam Burgess]:

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2022/07/16/recanting-mistakes-repentance-and-humbling-oneself-by-ibnul-arabi-al-allaamah-rabee-al-allaamah-al-muallimee-and-shaikh-abdus-salaam-burgess/

[3] Why do we need to be more cautious of the soul than an avowed enemy

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

“It is obligatory for the one who hears this from Allah to be more careful or cautious about his Nafs than an enemy who wishes to murder him, take his wealth, or violate his honour. If someone asks, “Why do you obligate this precaution on me regarding the Nafs until you put it in a circumstance more dangerous than an enemy whose enmity is unquestionably very manifest?” Then it should be said to him, “The enemy who wants to harm you, take your wealth, or violate your honour, if they succeed in doing so, Allah will forgive some of your sins and elevate you. (footnote a) However, this will not be the case with the Nafs because if the Nafs dominate you through what you desire—that which you have been forbidden—then you will face ruin in this world and the next, humiliation and terrible punishment in this world and evil in the Sight of Allah”. (footnote b)

Imam al-Aajurree [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

I’m going to give you a similitude with context that is not hidden from you. Know that the soul is like a fine foal from a horse, and the beholder is awestruck when he looks at it because of its good appearance and beauty. People with knowledge of its affairs say, “Benefit will not be obtained from it until it is properly trained and disciplined, then it will be of benefit- good enough to gallop and be of service, and thus its rider praises the outcomes of its training and discipline. But if it is not disciplined, its nice looks and beauty will be useless, and its rider will not laud its results when they are required.”

If the owner of this foal adopts the advice of individuals with knowledge about its situation, he will know that their speech is sound and will then give it to a horse trainer to train. And the trainer of horses is not considered worthy of the title unless he is proficient in the process of training as well as being patient. If he is knowledgeable about training horses and knows the best course of action, the owner will profit from it; however, if the trainer is not knowledgeable about training horses nor how to discipline a horse, he will ruin this foal, exhaust himself, and the rider will not be pleased with the results. If he is knowledgeable about horse training and how to discipline a horse but lacks the patience to endure the hardship that comes with the training, desires comfort in the situation, and is careless regarding the right course of action required of him, he will ruin and mistreat this foal, making it unfit for service and unfit to gallop, causing its appearance to be inconsistent with its true reality.

If the foal’s owner was also its trainer, he will become regretful when regret will be useless owing to his neglect. And when a service is needed, he glances at another horse whose service is sought and received and gallops when required. Then he seeks the service of his horse and requests that it gallop, but neither receives a response nor does the horse agree to gallop. All of this is due to his negligence when training the horse and his lack of patience after admitting it. So, he began to blame himself, saying, ” “Why was I negligent and why did I fall short? Indeed, my lack of patience has brought on everything I despise”. And Allaah’s Aid is sought! Consider and comprehend this similitude, may Allah have mercy on you, in order to be successful and saved. [An Excerpt from Adabun Nufoos. Page 5. Slightly paraphrased]

Footnote a: The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “Indeed, the bankrupt one of my Ummah will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting and Zakah (in his account), but he comes along having abused this one, slandered that one, unlawfully took the wealth of this one and shed the blood of that one, and beaten that one. So this one will be given from his good deeds, and that one will be given from his good deeds. And if his good deeds finish before the judgment is made on him, some of their sins(i.e. the ones he wronged) will be taken and cast onto him, then he will be thrown into the Fire.” [Reported by Muslim. Number: 2581]

Footnote b: Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: The sinners [i.e. those who die whilst committing sins lesser than shirk] are under the will of Allah- if Allah wishes, He will either punish them or forgive them straight away or He enters them into hell for some time and paradise thereafter, just as Allah said:

[إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ – Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases]. [Surah An-Nisaa’ Aayah 48] https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/28307/%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AB-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A9-%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85

https://abukhadeejah.com/do-not-cease-being-repentant-to-allaah/
https://abukhadeejah.com/divine-punishment-what-causes-it-and-how-to-remove-it-from-your-lives/

[2] Why do we need to be more cautious of the soul than an avowed enemy

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

“It is obligatory for the one who hears this from Allah to be more careful or cautious about his Nafs than an enemy who wishes to murder him, take his wealth, or violate his honour. If someone asks, “Why do you obligate this precaution on me regarding the Nafs until you put it in a circumstance more dangerous than an enemy whose enmity is unquestionably very manifest?” Then it should be said to him, “The enemy who wants to harm you, take your wealth, or violate your honour, if they succeed in doing so, Allah will forgive some of your sins and elevate you. (footnote a) However, this will not be the case with the Nafs because if the Nafs dominate you through what you desire—that which you have been forbidden—then you will face ruin in this world and the next, humiliation and terrible punishment in this world and evil in the Sight of Allah”. (footnote b)

If someone said, “Clarify the ugly traits of the soul for me”.

It is said to him: They are traits that may have already settled in the soul and it does not love to be separated from them- numerous traits, and if a person examines his soul he might find them as well. Indeed, it is a soul that follows (evil or excess) desires and is engaged in the (evil or excess) pleasures of the worldly life. It has prolonged hope for that which is short-lived and does not show little concern for a lifespan that will inevitably come to an end. It has a fervent desire to love this worldly life, and when it loves it (through sin or excess), the heart becomes hard and turns away from an abode whose bliss will never come to an end (i.e. Paradise).

It loves traits that it knows will harm it tomorrow, laughs and rejoices, enjoys itself with that which its Lord has forbidden, and grieves morning and evening for that which was not decreed for it of those things it hopes for from the worldly life. It is a soul facilitated with ease to seek after the (good) things of the worldly life, finds enjoyment in falling short in good deeds which its Lord calls to (or commands), desires to spend wealth in obedience to Allah, but Satan threatens it with poverty, so it inclines towards that which Satan calls to.

Allah promises it forgiveness and bounty, but it neither has certainty about it nor is pleased with it. It has firm hope in the promises of the people but is reluctant when the threat of its Lord reaches it. It pleases the people at the expense of Allah’s anger and hesitates to please its Lord. Allah calls it to have patience during calamities – a means of consolation and solace, but it does not accept.

It pretends in the presence of the people that it fulfils obligations, but fulfils little of that which Allah obligates on it. It abandons disobedience after being able to do so out of being shy of the people but has little shyness whilst Allah [The Most Great] watches it.

It gives little thanks for the innumerable blessings of Allah, utilises the blessings of Allah [The Most Generous] – day and night – as an aid to disobey Him. It finds it easy to sit with idle people but finds it difficult to sit with scholars. It obeys (or follows) a deceiver but disobeys the most sincere advisers. It hastens to evil desires but delays repentance today and tomorrow.

Whoever realises these traits in his soul and other than them, he should hasten to discipline it through good behaviour in order to return it to that which is more worthy regarding fear of Allah [The Mighty and Majestic]- in private and public, having great regret, refrain from the repugnant traits which he knows for sure is with him and continue upon rectification throughout his lifespan. And Allah is the Bestower of this affair. (1)

Imam Al-Qahtaanee [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

And You (Allah) have placed love for me within the hearts….And the affection from You is through mercy and kindness….And You have spread – amongst the people – good about me… And conceal my acts of disobedience from their eyes…And you have made my good mention amongst the people common (or widespread)…until you made them all my brothers….By Allaah, if they knew the repugnance of my secret affairs (or inner self)….The one who meets me would have refused to give me Salaams…And they would have turned away from me and loath my companionship…And I would have brought disgrace upon myself after being honored…But you conceal my faults and deficiencies…And you dealt with my sins and transgression with forbearance (i.e. gave me an opportunity to repent)…So all praise and commendations- by way of my thoughts, limbs, and tongue- is Yours…. (2)

We ask Allah:

يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغيثُ أَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِيَ كُلَّهُ وَلاَ تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ

O Ever Living! O The Self Subsisting, Upon Whom Everything Depends! By Your mercy I seek assistance; rectify for me all of my affairs and do not leave me to myself, even for the blink of an eye. [Imaam Albaani declared it Hasan in Silsilah As-Saheehah Number 227]

اللهم كما حَسَّنْت خَلْقِي فَحَسِّنْ خُلُقِي –

"O Allah! Just as You made my external form beautiful, make my character beautiful as well". https://salafidawahmanchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Admonitions-of-The-Scholars-Regarding-Good-Manners.pdf

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي
وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ
وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return; and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ العافِيَـةَ فـي الدُّنيا والآخِرَةِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ العَفْوَ والعافِيَـةَ فـي دِيني ودُنْـيايَ وأَهْلِي ومالِي، اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُـرْ عَوْراتِي، وآمِنْ رَوْعاتِي،
اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِـي مِنْ بَـيْنِ يَدَيَّ، ومِنْ خَلْفِي، وعَنْ يَمِيـنِـي، وعَنْ شِمالِي، ومِنْ فَوْقِي، وأَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَـتِكَ أَنْ أُغْتالَ مِنْ تَحْتِـي

O Allaah! I ask You for well-being in this Dunyaa and the Aaakhirah. O Allāh, I ask You for pardon and well-being in my religion, my worldly affairs, my family and my wealth. O Allaah! Conceal my [faults, shortcomings etc] and safeguard me against everything that will bring me fear and sorrow. O Allaah! Protect me from in front, from behind me, from my right and my left, and from above. And I seek refuge with Your Magnificence from being swallowed up from beneath me.

Footnote a: The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “Indeed, the bankrupt one of my Ummah will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting and Zakah (in his account), but he comes along having abused this one, slandered that one, unlawfully took the wealth of this one and shed the blood of that one, and beaten that one. So this one will be given from his good deeds, and that one will be given from his good deeds. And if his good deeds finish before the judgment is made on him, some of their sins(i.e. the ones he wronged) will be taken and cast onto him, then he will be thrown into the Fire.” [Reported by Muslim. Number: 2581]

Footnote b: Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: The sinners [i.e. those who die whilst committing sins lesser than shirk] are under the will of Allah- if Allah wishes, He will either punish them or forgive them straight away or He enters them into hell for some time and paradise thereafter, just as Allah said:

[إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ – Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases]. [Surah An-Nisaa’ Aayah 48] https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/28307/%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AB-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A9-%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85

https://abukhadeejah.com/do-not-cease-being-repentant-to-allaah/
https://abukhadeejah.com/divine-punishment-what-causes-it-and-how-to-remove-it-from-your-lives/

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Adabun Nufoos, page 4. Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 2: Refer to first lines of Al-Qahtaanee’s Nooniyyah]

 

[1] Why do we need to be more cautious of the soul than an avowed enemy

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Sin, Uncategorized, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Abu Bakr Muhammad Ibn Al-Husayn Al-Aajurree [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

All praise and thanks be to Allah by way of Whose Grace all righteous deeds are accomplished. All praise and thanks be to Allah in all circumstances and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his companions, and we seek Allah’s Aid and Assistance. To proceed:

May Allah grant us and you all the path towards right conduct in speech and deeds, protect us from the evils of our souls and the evil consequences of our evil deeds, and truly He is All-Hearer, Ever Near (to all things by His knowledge). Know that Allah has mentioned the soul in various sections of His Book, with notification of many matters concerning it, and that all of this implies that one should be mindful of the soul. Our Generous Protector (Allah) informed us that the soul has a tendency to gravitate toward the (evil) it desires while knowing it is forbidden. Our Generous Protector made it known and taught us that whoever prohibits the soul from pursuing the (evil) it desires, the abode of such a person will be paradise. Allah stated:

فَإِذَا جَآءَتِ ٱلطَّآمَّةُ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰ
يَوۡمَ يَتَذَكَّرُ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُ مَا سَعَىٰ
وَبُرِّزَتِ ٱلۡجَحِيمُ لِمَن يَرَىٰ
فَأَمَّا مَن طَغَىٰ
وَءَاثَرَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا
فَإِنَّ ٱلۡجَحِيمَ هِىَ ٱلۡمَأۡوَىٰ
وَأَمَّا مَنۡ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِۦ وَنَهَى ٱلنَّفۡسَ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰ
فَإِنَّ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ هِىَ ٱلۡمَأۡوَىٰ

But when there comes the greatest catastrophe (i.e. the Day of Recompense, etc.), the Day when man shall remember what he strove for, and Hell-fire shall be made apparent in full view for (every) one who sees, then, for him who Tagha (transgressed all bounds, in disbelief, oppression and evil deeds of disobedience to Allah). And preferred the life of this world (by following his evil desires and lusts), verily, his abode will be Hell-fire; but as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts, then verily, Paradise will be his abode. [Surah An-Naazi’aat. Ayaat 34-41]

It is obligatory for the one who hears this from Allah to be more careful or cautious about his Nafs than an enemy who wishes to murder him, take his wealth, or violate his honour. If someone asks, “Why do you obligate this precaution on me regarding the Nafs until you put it in a circumstance more dangerous than an enemy whose enmity is unquestionably very manifest?” Then it should be said to him, “The enemy who wants to harm you, take your wealth, or violate your honour, if they succeed in doing so, Allah will forgive some of your sins and elevate you. (footnote a) However, this will not be the case with the Nafs because if the Nafs dominates you through what you desire—that which you have been forbidden—then you will face ruin in this world and the next, humiliation and terrible punishment in this world and evil in the Sight of Allah”. (footnote b)

As a result, the sensible person – may Allah have mercy on him (or her)- imposes or obligates caution on the Nafs and strives against it in a more severe manner than striving against an enemy who wants to take their wealth and life – strives against the Nafs both in times of anger and happiness. This is how our prophet disciplined us in many ahadeeth, saying: “The Mujaahid is the one who strives against his Nafs in devotion to Allah – The Mighty and Majestic”.

If one asks, “By what means should I strive against my soul until I overcome it?” It is said to them, “Strive against it until it fulfils the duties imposed by Allah and stays away from what Allaah has forbidden.” If a person says, “Describe for me the traits that the soul tends to incline towards, which are not good, so that I can be cautious of them, hate them, and strive against them if I know that there is something of these traits in my soul”. Then it is said to them, “The (evil) of the soul is deserving of being hated for the sake of Allah, and whoever hates (the evil) of his soul for the sake of Allah, it is hoped that he will be saved from being hated by Allah, just as Imaam Fudayl Ibn Iyaadh said, ‘Whoever hates (the evils) of his soul for the Sake of Allah is saved from being hated by Allah'”. (1)

Footnote a: The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “Indeed, the bankrupt one of my Ummah will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting and Zakah (in his account), but he comes along having abused this one, slandered that one, unlawfully took the wealth of this one and shed the blood of that one, and beaten that one. So this one will be given from his good deeds, and that one will be given from his good deeds. And if his good deeds finishes before the judgment is made on him, some of their sins(i.e. the ones he wronged) will be taken and cast onto him, then he will be thrown into the Fire.” [Reported by Muslim. Number: 2581]

Footnote b: Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: The sinners [i.e. those who die whilst committing sins lesser than shirk] are under the will of Allah- if Allah wishes, He will either punish them or forgive them straight away or He enters them into hell for some time and paradise thereafter, just as Allah said:

[إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ – Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases]. [Surah An-Nisaa’ Aayah 48] https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/28307/%D8%B4%D8%B1%D8%AD-%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AB-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A9-%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85

https://abukhadeejah.com/do-not-cease-being-repentant-to-allaah/
https://abukhadeejah.com/divine-punishment-what-causes-it-and-how-to-remove-it-from-your-lives/

[Ref 1: An Excerpt From Adabun Nufoos. Page 1-3. Slightly paraphrased]

 

Reflection On Tawheed When Thunder Is Heard

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Shirk, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allah [The Exalted] said:

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُرِيڪُمُ ٱلۡبَرۡقَ خَوۡفً۬ا وَطَمَعً۬ا وَيُنشِئُ ٱلسَّحَابَ ٱلثِّقَالَ
وَيُسَبِّحُ ٱلرَّعۡدُ بِحَمۡدِهِۦ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ مِنۡ خِيفَتِهِۦ وَيُرۡسِلُ ٱلصَّوَٲعِقَ فَيُصِيبُ بِہَا مَن يَشَآءُ وَهُمۡ يُجَـٰدِلُونَ فِى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡمِحَا

It is He who shows you the lightning, as a fear and as a hope. And it is He Who brings up (or originates) the clouds, heavy (with water). And Ar-Ra’d (thunder) glorifies and praises Him, and so do the angels because of His Awe, He sends the thunderbolts, and therewith He strikes whom He wills, yet they (disbelievers) dispute about Allah. And He is Mighty in strength and Severe in punishment. [Surah Ar-Ra’d. Ayaat 12-13]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “When Abdullah Ibn Az-Zubayr [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father] used to hear thunder, he would stop speaking and then say:

سُبْحانَ الَّذِي يُسَبِّحُ الرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِ، وَالمَلائِكَةُ مِنْ خِيْفَتِهِ

Glorified be One and free is He from all imperfection, Whom the thunder glorifies and praises Him, and so do the angels because of His Awe. [Declared authentic by Imaam Al-Albaanee in Al-Kalim At-Tayyib 157]

Imam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated:

“It is He who shows you the lightning, as fear and as a hope”- Meaning, fear of the thunderbolts, destruction, and various types of harm to the crops and what is similar to them. And hoping for its good and benefits. “And it is He Who brings up (or originates) the clouds”– Meaning, heavy rain that benefits the people and the land. “And Ar-Ra’d (thunder) glorifies and praises Him”- Meaning, the sound that is heard from the clouds which makes the people terrified is under the absolute control of its Lord and glorifies and praises Him. “And so do the angels because of His Awe”- Meaning, they glorify and praise their Lord with a fear that is founded upon knowledge of the greatness of the One whom they fear (i.e. Allaah), and the complete and perfect Sovereignty and Dominion that is His.

And when it is the fact that He alone is the One Who gives rain to the servants and the clouds which is a source of their provision and that He alone is the One in absolute control of everything, and all the mighty creations – which people fear and leaves them in a state of uneasiness – are under His control, and He is the One Mighty in Power, then He alone is the One who has the right to be worshipped without partner. This is why He said in the following verse:

لَهُ ۥ دَعۡوَةُ ٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ لَا يَسۡتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَىۡءٍ إِلَّا كَبَـٰسِطِ كَفَّيۡهِ إِلَى ٱلۡمَآءِ لِيَبۡلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَـٰلِغِهِۦ‌ۚ وَمَا دُعَآءُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬

For Him (Alone) is the Word of Truth (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but He). And those whom they (polytheists and disbelievers) invoke, answer them no more than one who stretches forth his hand (at the edge of a deep well) for water to reach his mouth, but it reaches him not, and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use). [Surah Ar-Ra’d. Verse 14]

Allah [The Most High] alone has the right to be worshipped. One’s acts of worship have to be carried out sincerely for the sake of Allah [The Exalted] and likewise, Allah alone has the right to be invoked when one seeks the fulfillment of a specific need. Allah alone has the right to be loved [i.e. the love that necessitates that a person devotes all acts of worship to Allah alone].

Allah alone has the right to be worshipped with Al-Kawf [Fear (1)]; Ar-Rajaa [Hope and longing (2)]; Ar-Raghbah [Fervent Desire (3)]; Ar-Rahbah [Dread (4)] and Al-Inaabah [turning to Allah in repentance (5)]. That is because Allaah alone is the possessor of all the Names and Attributes of perfection – [and free is He from all imperfections, deficiencies, weaknesses, similarities, co-equals, faults, shortcomings etc] – which makes Him the only deity worthy of worship. Any other thing taken as a deity besides Him is false.

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ لَا يَسۡتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَىۡءٍ

And those whom they (polytheists and disbelievers) invoke cannot respond to them with a thing]- Meaning: The idols and false deities that are associate as partners with Allah in worship cannot respond with a thing to those who invoke and worship them- neither can they respond to their requests in this life nor in the afterlife;

إِلَّا كَبَـٰسِطِ كَفَّيۡهِ إِلَى ٱلۡمَآءِ لِيَبۡلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَـٰلِغِهِۦ‌

No more than one who stretches forth his hand (at the edge of a deep well) for water to reach his mouth, but it reaches him not.

This is an excellent similitude regarding the invocation of the one who invokes other than Allah, for he is like one who stretches his hand at the edge of a deep well [to get some] water, even though it is impossible to reach it by doing so. This is the case regarding the one who invokes false deities besides Allah because he will not reach his goal. Allaah said in another Ayah:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ عَنۡہَا لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمۡ أَبۡوَٲبُ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَا يَدۡخُلُونَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ ٱلۡجَمَلُ فِى سَمِّ ٱلۡخِيَاطِ‌ۚ وَڪَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ

Verily, those who belie Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle (which is impossible). Thus do We recompense the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.). [Surah Al-A’raaf. Verse 40]

وَمَا دُعَآءُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬

And the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use)]: Meaning: They invoke false deities; therefore their invocation is tantamount to misguidance. As for Allaah, He is the True King of the entire creation and the only deity worthy of worship, therefore, to worship Him alone is the truth and it is what will definitely benefit a person in this life and the next. [Source: An Excerpt from Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-Rahman Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan). slightly paraphrased]

————————————————-

Footnotes:

Ref 1: Al-Kawf [Fear]: Fear is to be frightened and is a result of expecting something which will bring about destruction, harm or injury, and Allaah, the one free of all imperfections and the Most High, forbade having fear of the allies of the Satan, and He commanded fear of Himself alone. Fear is of three types: (i) Natural fear, such as a person’s fear of predatory animals, fire, or drowning. This is something for which a person is not to be blamed. Allaah, the Most High, said about Moosaa, “So he entered in the morning in Pharaoh’s city in a state of fear, awaiting events.” [Soorah al-Qasas (28): 18] However if this fear is, as mentioned by the author, a cause of his leaving an obligation or doing something forbidden, then it is forbidden. Since whatever causes an obligation to be abandoned, or causes something forbidden to be done is itself forbidden (haraam). The evidence here is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “So do not fear them, but fear Me and beware of disobeying Me, if you are truly Believers.” [Soorah Aal-‘Imraan (3):175] Furthermore fear of Allaah, the Most High, is sometimes something praiseworthy, and is sometimes something that is not praiseworthy. It is praiseworthy when it prevents you from being disobedient to Allaah, and causes you to fulfil the obligatory duties and to avoid what is forbidden. So if this goal is reached, then the heart settles and is at peace, and is dominated by joy at the blessings of Allaah and hope for His reward. It is something that is not praiseworthy when it causes a person to despair of Allaah’s Mercy and to give up hope altogether. In such a case the person will give up and may continue in sin due to the fact that he totally gives up hope. (ii) Reverential fear, that he fears something and takes that as his religion. This is to be for Allaah, the Most High, alone. Directing such reverential fear to anyone other than Allaah, the Most High, is major shirk. (iii) Secret supernatural fear, such as fearing someone buried in a grave, or a person thought to be pious, who is far away and cannot affect him, yet still he has secret fear for him. This is also mentioned by the scholars as being a case of shirk. The evidence for hope and longing (ar-rajaa) is the Saying of Allaah the Most High: “So whoever hopes to see His Lord and be rewarded by Him, then let him make his worship correct and make it purely and sincerely for Him; and let him not make any share of it for anyone other than Him” [71] [Soorah al-Kahf (18):110]. [Source: English translation of the ‘Three fundamental principles’ by Abu Talhah (may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife)]

Ref 2: Ar- Rajaa [Hope and longing] is that a person wishes for something that may be attained and is close, and it may be something that is far off but treated as being something close. This earnest hope which comprises humility and submission may not be directed except to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and directing it to anyone other than Allaah, the Most High, is shirk. This shirk will either be lesser shirk or major shirk depending upon the state of the heart of the person in this case. The author uses as evidence the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “So whoever hopes to see His Lord and be rewarded by Him, then let him make his worship correct and make it purely and sincerely for Him; and let him not make any share of it for anyone other than Him.” [Soorah al-Kahf (18):11O] ‘Hope’ which is praiseworthy is only that which is found in a person who acts in obedience to Allaah and hopes for reward from Him, or a person who repents from sin and hopes that his repentance is accepted. As for a person who hopes despite the fact that he does not act, then this is delusion and false hopes, and is something blameworthy. [Source: English translation of the ‘Three fundamental principles’ by Abu Talhah (may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife)]

Ref 3: Ar-Raghbah [Fervent Desire] and Ref 4: Ar-Rahbah [Dread]: Ar-Raghbah is the love and desire to reach that which is beloved. Ar-Rahbah is fear which causes one to flee away from the cause of fear. So it is a fear that is accompanied by action. Allaah [The Most High] said: [إِنَّهُمۡ ڪَانُواْ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ وَيَدۡعُونَنَا رَغَبً۬ا وَرَهَبً۬ا‌ۖ وَڪَانُواْ لَنَا خَـٰشِعِينَ – They used to hasten to acts of devotion and obedience to Allaah, and they used to worship Allaah upon love and desire, and upon fear, and were reverent and humble before Allaah] [21:90]

In this noble Ayah, Allaah, the Most High, describes the most loyal and sincere of His servants as worshipping Allaah, the Most High, upon raghbah and rahbah, whist being humble and submissive to Him. The du’aa (invocation) here covers both invoking Allaah through acts of worship, and supplication. So they call upon Allaah out of earnest desire for what is with Him, and hoping for His reward, whilst also fearing His punishment as a result of their sins. So the Believer should hasten to Allaah, the Most High, upon fear and earnest desire; with regard to actions of obedience his hope and earnest desire should predominate, so that he is keen to perform them and hopes that they will be accepted; and with regard to whenever he thinks of committing a sin, then fear should predominate so that he will flee away from doing it and be saved from its consequent punishment. Some scholars say that the aspect of hope should pre-dominate when a person is ill, and the aspect of fear when he is well. They say this since a person who is ill feels subdued and weakened and it may be that his appointed time is near, so that he may die, and he should do so whilst thinking good of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. But when healthy he is energetic and has hope of remaining for a long time, and this may lead him to be exuberant and carefree, so fear should predominate in order to be safe from that. It is also said that the earnest hope and fear should be equal so that his hope does not lead him to feel safe from Allaah, and his fear does not cause him to despair of Allaah’s mercy, since both of these are evil and cause a person’s destruction. [Source: English translation of the ‘Three fundamental principles’ by Abu Talhah (may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife)]

Ref 4: Ar-Rahbah: [وَإِيَّـٰىَ فَٱرۡهَبُونِ – And have dread of Me]. And it is a type of Khawf (fear). Ar-Rahbah and Al-Khawf have one and the same meaning.

Ref 5: Al-Inaabah [turning to Allaah in repentance]: Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَأَنِيبُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمۡ وَأَسۡلِمُواْ لَهُ – So turn, O you people, repentantly and obediently to your Lord, and submit obediently to Him] [39:54]

Al-Inaabah is to turn to Allaah, the Most High, in obedience, and avoiding disobedience to Him, and its meaning is close to that of repentance (tawbah), except that it is more subtle in meaning, and conveys the sense of dependence upon Allaah and fleeing for refuge to Him, and it cannot be except for Allaah. What is meant by the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “…submit obediently to Him” is: Islaam as prescribed and required of us in the Sharee’ah and that is to submit to the laws and commandments of Allaah. This is because submission to Allaah, the Most High, is of two types: (i) Submission of all the creation, which is to submit to whatever He has decreed should exist and occur in the creation about which the creation has no choice. So this is general and covers everyone in the heavens and the earth, the Believers and the unbelievers, the righteous and the wicked. No one can possibly disdain and depart from this. The evidence for it is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “And to Him everyone in the heavens and the earth submit, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him you will all be returned.” [Soorah Aal-‘Imraan (3):83] (ii) Submission to the laws and prescriptions of Islaam, and this is to submit in obedience. This is particular to those who are obedient to Allaah, the Messengers and those who follow them upon good. The evidences for this in the Qur’aan are many, and from them is the Aayah mentioned by the author [Soorah az-Zumar (39): 5] [Source: English translation of the ‘Three fundamental principles’ by Shaikh Abu Talhah (may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife)]

[8] Enemies of The Qur’an Seek After The Impossible Through Their Wanton Behaviour

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Mental Health, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

A Reminder to Those Who Rely On The Protection of Militant Secularists Who Deceive and Shelter Them to Disrespect The Qur’an In The Name of Free Speech

Allah [The Exalted] said:
مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡعَنڪَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتۡ بَيۡتً۬ا‌ۖ وَإِنَّ أَوۡهَنَ ٱلۡبُيُوتِ لَبَيۡتُ ٱلۡعَنڪَبُوتِ‌ۖ لَوۡ ڪَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ –

The likeness of those who take Awliya’ (protectors and helpers) other than Allah is as the likeness of a spider, who builds (for itself) a house, but verily, the frailest (weakest) of houses is the spider’s house, if they but knew]. [Surah Al-Ankabut. Verse 41]

Allah stated that they are weak and that those whom they regard as protectors and helpers are weaker than they are. In light of their frailty and their goal behind taking others as protectors and helpers other than Allah, they are similar to a spider who builds a house that is the frailest and weakest of houses. According to this parable, the polytheists become considerably weaker when they accept others as protectors and helpers besides Allah, and they do not gain (anything) from those they take as protectors and helpers besides Allah, just as Allah (stated in another verse):

وَٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةً۬ لِّيَكُونُواْ لَهُمۡ عِزًّ۬ا
كَلَّا‌ۚ سَيَكۡفُرُونَ بِعِبَادَتِہِمۡ وَيَكُونُونَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ضِدًّا

And they have taken (for worship) Aaliha (gods) besides Allah, that they might give them honour, power and glory (and also protect them from Allah’s Punishment etc.). Nay, but they (the so-called gods) will deny their worship of them, and become opponents to them (on the Day of Resurrection).

And Allah [The Most High] said:
وَٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةً۬ لَّعَلَّهُمۡ يُنصَرُونَ
لَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ نَصۡرَهُمۡ وَهُمۡ لَهُمۡ جُندٌ۬ مُّحۡضَرُونَ

And they have taken besides Allah Aaliha (gods), hoping that they might be helped (by those so-called gods). They cannot help them, but they will be brought forward as a troop against those who worshipped them (at the time of Reckoning). [Surah Yaa Seen. Verses 74-75]

And after mentioning the destruction of the nations of the Mushrikoon, Allah said:
وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن ظَلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَہُمۡ‌ۖ فَمَآ أَغۡنَتۡ عَنۡہُمۡ ءَالِهَتُہُمُ ٱلَّتِى يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىۡءٍ۬ لَّمَّا جَآءَ أَمۡرُ رَبِّكَ‌ۖ وَمَا زَادُوهُمۡ غَيۡرَ تَتۡبِيبٍ۬

We wronged them not, but they wronged themselves. So their Aaliha (gods), other than Allah, whom they invoked, profited them naught when there came the Command of your Lord, nor did they add aught (to their lot) but destruction. [Surah Hud. Verse 101]

These four verses in the Qur’an demonstrate that the one who seeks protectors and helpers other than Allah–through whom he wants to empower himself, act arrogantly, and prevail–will achieve nothing but the contrary, and there is much more regarding this matter throughout the Qur’an. This is one of the finest parables and clearest evidence of the falsity of Shirk and the deprivation of the one who commits Shirk, and that he will achieve the reverse of what he seeks. (1)

Allah gave this similitude about those who worship others besides Him, seeking honour, strength, and benefit by way of that, however, Allah says that the affair is the polar opposite of the goal they desire since they are similar to a spider that constructs a house to shelter itself from the heat, cold, and injury; but the spider’s house is the frailest and weakest of all dwellings. The spider is one of those weak animals, and its house is one of the weakest of homes, and building its house does little to improve its strength beyond that. The same is true for those who take protectors and helpers other than Allah; they are in need and powerless to do anything when they take protectors and helpers other than Allah to seek honour and assistance through them; as a result, they exacerbate their weakness and feebleness by relying on them in many of their affairs related to their well-being and entrusting it to them, however, the (so-called protectors and helpers) desert them, so they do not obtain anything, not even the tiniest benefit. They would not have taken them (as protectors and helps besides Allah) if they had been aware of the reality of knowledge, their situation, and that of those whom they consider to be protectors and helpers besides Allah. Rather, they would have freed themselves from them and taken Allah as their Protector and Helper- the Lord Who is able to do all things, the One Who Bestows His Special Mercy on the Believers; Who – when a servant takes Him as his Protector and an Ally, He suffices him, looks after both his religious and worldly affairs, increases him in strength upon strength in his heart [i.e. Iman], his body [i.e. grant him the ability to seek after what is beneficial] (2)

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-tafseer Al-Jaami Lima Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim. Vol 2. Page299-300. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[7] Enemies of The Qur’an Seek After The Impossible Through Their Wanton Behaviour

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations.

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

Allah [The Most High] said:
قَدۡ مَڪَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنۡيَـٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلسَّقۡفُ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ وَأَتَٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
ثُمَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يُخۡزِيهِمۡ وَيَقُولُ أَيۡنَ شُرَڪَآءِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمۡ تُشَـٰٓقُّونَ فِيہِمۡ‌ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ إِنَّ ٱلۡخِزۡىَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ وَٱلسُّوٓءَ عَلَى ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِينَ

Those before them indeed plotted, but Allah struck at the foundation of their building, and then the roof fell down upon them, from above them, and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and will say: “Where are My (so-called) ‘partners’ concerning whom you used to disagree and dispute (with the believers, by defying and disobeying Allah)?” Those who have been given the knowledge (about the Torment of Allah for the disbelievers) will say: “Verily! Disgrace this Day and misery are upon the disbelievers. [Surah An-Nahl. Ayaat 26-27]

[قَدۡ مَڪَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ – Those before them indeed plotted]: Meaning, conspired against their Messengers, used various techniques to reject what the messengers conveyed, and initiated robust safeguards (by way of arguments, and opinions) around their plots.

[فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنۡيَـٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡقَوَاعِدِ – but Allah struck at the foundation of their building]– Meaning, an affair came to them from its basis and foundation; [فَخَرَّ عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلسَّقۡفُ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ – and then the roof fell down upon them, from above them] – Meaning, as a result, what they constructed became a form of punishment for them. [وَأَتَٮٰهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ – and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive]: Meaning, that is because they thought that such a structure would benefit and protect them from punishment, yet their punishment came as a result of what they built and established.

This is one of the best parables about how Allah foils His enemies’ plots, because they pondered and reflected on what the Messengers brought when they belied them, made up principles and rules for it based on falsehood, and referred back to them to reject what the Messengers brought, utilised tricks to cause discomfort to the Messengers and harm to those who followed them, but their plot became a source of evil against them, so their plan became their destruction, since their plot was evil, as Allah stated: [ وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ – But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it]. [Surah Faatir: Ayah: 43]

This is in this life, and the punishment in the afterlife would be even more shameful, therefore Allah said: [ثُمَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يُخۡزِيهِمۡ – Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them]. (1)

Allah [The Exalted] said: [وَقَدۡ مَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرَهُمۡ – Indeed, they planned their plot, and their plot was with Allah]- Meaning, the nations of old and their schemes that were tantamount to Shirk, or those who plotted to murder the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). [وَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَڪۡرُهُمۡ – and their plot was with Allah]– Meaning, their plot has been recorded in order for Allah to punish them. [وَإِن كَانَ مَڪۡرُهُمۡ لِتَزُولَ مِنۡهُ ٱلۡجِبَالُ – though their plot was a great (one, still) it would never be able to remove the mountains]. Az-Zujaaj said, “Even if their plot was so severe that it could move a mountain, they would still be unable to put an end to Islam”. (2) “Even if their plot becomes powerful enough to move a mountain, Allah will nonetheless support the religion He has established”. (3)

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer. By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi]

[Ref 3: Fat-hul Qadeer. 3/160]

 

[5] Enemies of The Qur’an Seek After The Impossible Through Their Wanton Behaviour

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Callers & Individuals, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations, Scholars of Islam.

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

Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ وَلِتَسْتَبِينَ سَبِيلُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ

And thus do We explain the signs (to you O Muḥammad) in detail, and so that the way of the criminals may become evident (to you)] [Surah Al-An’aam. Aayah 55] (1)

Imam Ibn Katheer [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated regarding this Ayah: “Allah [The Exalted] stated that just as He explained what was previously explained of the arguments and evidence on the path of guidance and sound judgement, and censured argumentation and stubbornness; likewise He explains the signs (proofs, evidences, lessons), which those being addressed are in need of; [ولتستبين سبيل المجرمين – and so that the way of the criminals may become evident (to you)]. Meaning, so that the path of the criminals – those who oppose the Messengers – may become evident”. (2)

Imam At-Tabari [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated regarding the statement of Allah: [وكذلك نفصل الآيات – And thus do We explain the signs (to you O Muḥammad) in detail]- Meaning, O Muhammad! Just as We have detailed for you in this Surah – from its beginning and introduction up to this point – our proofs and evidences against the idolaters and worshippers of images, and distinguished and clarified it for you; likewise, We explain to you our signs and evidences for every truth denied by the people of falsehood, the sects and other than them, until its truth is distinguished from its falsehood, and its right is distinguished from its wrong. (3)

Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَلَا يَأۡتُونَكَ بِمَثَلٍ إِلَّا جِئۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَحۡسَنَ تَفۡسِيرًا

And they bring no (argument or objection by way of a) similitude (to criticise this Qur’ān and oppose your message) except that We bring you the truth and the better explanation thereof (through a similitude that is superior to theirs, provides detail and invalidates their objection). (4)

[وَلَا يَأۡتُونَكَ بِمَثَلٍ – And they bring no (argument or objection by way of a) similitude]- Meaning, by which they (attempt) to oppose and repel the truth as well as your message; [إِلَّا جِئۡنَـٰكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَحۡسَنَ تَفۡسِيرًا – except that We bring you the truth and the better explanation thereof (through a similitude that is superior to theirs, provides detail and invalidates their objection)]- Meaning, We sent down to you the Qur’an, which has all truth in its meaning, as well as clear and flawless elucidation of its wordings, because all of its meanings are truth and credibility, not tainted by falsehood or doubt from any angle. (5)

[Ref 1: Translation by Shaikh Abu Iyaad: https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/6_55%5D

[Ref 2: Tafseer ibn Katheer]

[Ref 3: Tafseer at-Tabari]

[Ref 4: https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/25_33 By Shaikh Abu Iyaad (may Allah preserve him)]

[Ref 5: An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[2] Enemies of The Qur’an Seek After The Impossible Through Their Wanton Behaviour

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Callers & Individuals, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations, Sin.

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

Allah [The Exalted] said:

ذَرۡنِى وَمَنۡ خَلَقۡتُ وَحِيدً۬ا
وَجَعَلۡتُ لَهُ ۥ مَالاً۬ مَّمۡدُودً۬ا
وَبَنِينَ شُہُودً۬ا
وَمَهَّدتُّ لَهُ ۥ تَمۡهِيدً۬ا
ثُمَّ يَطۡمَعُ أَنۡ أَزِيدَ
كَلَّآ‌ۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ لِأَيَـٰتِنَا عَنِيدً۬ا
سَأُرۡهِقُهُ ۥ صَعُودًا
إِنَّهُ ۥ فَكَّرَ وَقَدَّرَ
فَقُتِلَ كَيۡفَ قَدَّرَ
ثُمَّ قُتِلَ كَيۡفَ قَدَّرَ
ثُمَّ نَظَرَ
ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَبَسَرَ
ثُمَّ أَدۡبَرَ وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرَ
فَقَالَ إِنۡ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحۡرٌ۬ يُؤۡثَرُ
إِنۡ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا قَوۡلُ ٱلۡبَشَرِ
سَأُصۡلِيهِ سَقَرَ
وَمَآ أَدۡرَٮٰكَ مَا سَقَرُ
لَا تُبۡقِى وَلَا تَذَرُ
لَوَّاحَةٌ۬ لِّلۡبَشَرِ
Surah Al-Mud-dath-thir. Ayaat 11-29

[ذَرْنِى وَمَنْ خَلَقْتُ وَحِيدًا – Leave Me with the one I created alone] – Meaning, I created him alone without wealth and family, and without anything else, and I did not cease taking care of him and nurturing him; [وَجَعَلْتُ لَهُۥ مَالًا مَّمْدُودًا – And then granted him resources in abundance]; [وَبَنِينَ شُهُودًا – And children present (with him)]; [وَمَهَّدتُّ لَهُۥ تَمْهِيدًا – And made life smooth and comfortable for him!]- Meaning, I gave him ability in this world and bestowed on him the means of attaining the worldly things, and thus he was able to obtain all that he desired and wanted. [ثُمَّ يَطْمَعُ أَنْ أَزِيدَ – then after all that he desires that I should give more]- Meaning, he desires enjoyment in the Afterlife as he acquired it in the worldly life; [كَلَّآ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ لِءَايَٰتِنَا عَنِيدًا – Nay! Verily, he has been stubborn and opposing Our Signs]- Meaning, the affair will not be as he desires, rather, it is the opposite of his goal and pursuit because he is a wilful opponent who is well acquainted (with his rejection of the truth) – called to the truth, but he did not submit with obedience. And he did not suffice with turning away, rather, he waged war against the truth and strove to nullify it. And because of this Allah said (about him): [إِنَّهُۥ فَكَّرَ وَقَدَّرَ – Verily, he thought and plotted]- Meaning, he thought to himself regarding what to say to nullify the Qur’an. (1)

Then Allah said about him:
فَقُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ
ثُمَّ قُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ

So let him be cursed! How he plotted! And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted!

Then Allah said:
ثُمَّ نَظَرَ
ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَبَسَرَ
Then he thought (again); then he frowned and he looked in a bad-tempered way;

[ثُمَّ أَدْبَرَ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ – Then he turned back and was arrogant]- Meaning, turned away and became arrogant due to the efforts he made with regards to his thoughts, statements, and deeds, and then said:

إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ يُؤْثَرُ
إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا قَوْلُ ٱلْبَشَرِ

“This is nothing but magic from that of old. This is nothing but the word of a human being!” Meaning, “this is not Allah’s Speech, rather, it is the speech of a human. Also, it is not the statement of good (or righteous) people, rather, it is the speech of evil-doers and evil people, such as liars and magicians”. So, Allah said about him:

سَأُصْلِيهِ سَقَرَ
وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا سَقَرُ
لَا تُبْقِى وَلَا تَذَرُ
لَوَّاحَةٌ لِّلْبَشَرِ

I will cast him into Hellfire; and what will make you know exactly what Hellfire is? It does not spare (any sinner), nor does it leave (anything unburnt)! Burning the skins!

[1] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. slightly paraphrased

[1] Some of Islam’s Outstanding Characteristics

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imam As-Sadi [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

All praise be to Allah; we praise Him, seek His Help, seek His Forgiveness, and repent to Him. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of ourselves and the evils of our actions. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whoever Allah allows to stray (due to a perversion in their heart), there is no guide for such a person. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone without a partner; and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him].

To proceed: Indeed, the religion of Islam conveyed by Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] is the most complete and greatest of religions, the loftiest and most exalted. It possesses beautiful traits, perfection, righteousness, mercy, justice, and wisdom, all of which attest to Allah’s perfection, His All-Encompassing Knowledge, and Wisdom. It attests to the fact that Allah’s Prophet is a true Messenger of His, as well as a truthful and trustworthy one who does not speak out of his own desires; rather [إن هو إلا وحي يوحى – It (the Qur’an and Sunnah) is only an Inspiration that is inspired (to him)]. [Surah An-Najm. Aayah 4]

My goal with this annotation is to show – based on what I know – the basis of the virtues of this magnificent religion, even though my understanding and awareness would be severely lacking (as I endeavour to) express the majesty, beauty, and perfection that is contained in it. My remarks would be inadequate in explaining it in general, let alone in depth. However, if something is not fully understood and its aim cannot be reached or is only partially reached, a person should not discard what one knows from it due to the inability to understand what one does not know, because Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capability. Allah said: [فاتقوا الله ما استطعتم – So fear Allah as much as you can]. [Surah Al-Taghabun. Ayah 16]

Acquaintance with this knowledge (i.e. Islam’s outstanding characteristics) provides numerous benefits, including the following:

Engaging in this topic, which is the most honourable and elevated topic, is one of the most virtuous and righteous deeds. Acquaintance with it, searching for it, reflecting on it, and choosing every avenue that leads to it is the best thing that a servant of Allah can be preoccupied with, and the time spent on it is in one’s favour rather than the reverse.

One of the greatest of good deeds, which Allah and His Messenger have commanded, is to acknowledge and speak about Allah’s blessings. There is no question that the research in this matter is a recognition, a discourse, and a contemplation regarding Allah’s loftiest blessings which He has bestowed on His servants, and that is the Islamic religion, apart from which no other religion is approved by Allah. Thus, this discourse serves as means of thanking Allah for His blessings and requesting more of them.

People’s levels of faith and perfection vary greatly, therefore the faith and certainty of a servant of Allah becomes stronger the more they understand this religion, rejoice in it, revere, and adore it since it is evidence of all the fundamentals of faith and its principles.

Explaining Islam’s virtues, which are recognised by everyone of upright natural inclination and intellect, is one of the greatest invitations to the religion. If men (Footnote a) call to this religion while explaining its realities and welfare, that would be completely sufficient in attracting the people to it without much need to confront the opponents’ doubts and refutation of the religions that oppose Islam because of what they would see regarding its agreement with the welfare for both religious and worldly affairs, rectification of deeds and hearts. That is because Islam repels all doubts that contradict it, and it is truth backed by precise explanations and proofs that lead to certainty. If some of the proofs about this religion are revealed, it becomes the most compelling cause for its acceptance and will be preferred above other (paths). (Footnote b) (1)

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Footnote a:

The Role of Women in the Field of Knowledge and Education Throughout the History of Islaam

Footnote b:

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2023/05/08/the-religion-is-protected-through-detailing-truth-and-refutation-against-all-callers-to-misguidance/

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2019/04/06/the-religion-is-established-through-clarification-of-truth-and-refutation-against-falsehood-a-brief-faaidah-by-shaikh-abdullaah-al-bukhaari/

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Ad-Durar Al-Mukhtasar Fee Mahaasin Ad-Deen Al-Islaamiy. pages 5-9. slightly paraphrased]