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Author: Abdullah Jallow

[22] Notification to Ahlul Bidah and The Mumayyi’ah: These Clarifications Are Coming Back!

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

Allāh, The Most High, said:

أَفَمَن زُيِّنَ لَهُ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ فَرَآهُ حَسَنًا ۖ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۖ فَلَا تَذْهَبْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسَرَاتٍ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ

Is he, then, to whom the evil of his deeds made fair-seeming, so that he considers it as good? Verily, Allah sends astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. So destroy not yourself (O Muhammad) in sorrow for them. Truly, Allah is the All-Knower of what they do! [Fatir. 8]

[أَفَمَن زُيِّنَ لَهُ سُوءُ   – Is he, then, to whom the evil of his deeds made fair-seeming].

Meaning, his evil and repugnant deeds have been made fair-seeming to him by shaytan and beautified in his eyes;

[فَرَآهُ حَسَنًا- so that he considers it as good]

Meaning, considers his evil and repugnant deeds to be good like the one whom Allah has guided to the straight path and upright religion, but are the two the same? The first one commits evil deeds, considers truth to be falsehood and falsehood to be truth, and the second person performs good deeds, considers truth to be truth and falsehood to be falsehood. However, guidance is in the hands of Allāh.

 فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۖ فَلَا تَذْهَبْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسَرَاتٍ

Verily, Allah sends astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. So destroy not yourself (O Muhammad) in sorrow for them]- Meaning, the misguided ones to whom their evil deeds are made fair-seeming and shaytan hinders them from the truth. There is nothing obligated to you (O Muhammad) except to convey the message and there is nothing on you regarding their guidance, rather Allah is the one who will recompense them for their deeds. [ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ- Truly, Allah is the All-Knower of what they do]. [1]

Ibn Abbas, may Allāh be pleased with him and his father, said:

“This Ayah was revealed concerning Abu Jahl and the idolaters of Makkah”.

Sa’eed Bin Jubair, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:

“This was revealed concerning the people of Bidah and evil desires”.

Qatadah, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:

And from them are the kharijites who make lawful the spilling of the blood of the Muslims and confiscating their wealth. As for the Muslims who commit major sins,  they are not from them (i.e. not from those whom the evil of their deeds are made fair-seeming) because they do not declare the major sins to be lawful. The one to whom doubts are made fair-seeming and is submerged in it, and his deeds are made fair-seeming to him, thus, he considers it as good, shaytan makes it fair-seeming to him through whispers”. [ 2]


[1] An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi

[2] Tafsir Al-Baghawi 3/689

Unsubstantiated Overseas Claims and Local Proxies

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

A Brief Reflection on the Occasional Shift from Unsubstantiated Overseas Claims on Twitter to Local Proxies

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

The fact that a statement regarding something is lies and falsehood is sometimes known based on the statement in and of itself, its contradictions, perplexity and the manifestation of those clear indications which shows that it is lies. Lies might be manifested based on what it is in reality, manifested based on what is apparent and what is being concealed. It is sometimes known based on the situation of the utterer of the lie, for indeed the one who is known for lying, wickedness and deception, his statements do not show anything else except a state of conformity with his deeds. He does not utter a statement or perform an action similar to that of a pious and truthful person – the one innocent of every evil, deception, lie and wicked behaviour; rather the heart, intention, statements and deeds of the truthful one have the same image; and the heart, statements, deeds and intentions of the liar have the same image. [1]

It used to be said that whoever perpetrates these three acts  will be haunted by them:

Rebellion against Allah’s commandments.

Allah said:

 يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا بَغْيُكُمْ عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِكُمْ

O mankind! Your rebellion (disobedience to Allah) is only against your ownselves. [Yunus 23]

Evil plotting

Allah said:

 وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ

But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it]. [Fatir. 43]

Breaking pledges

Allah said:

فَمَنْ نَكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنْكُثُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ

Then whosoever breaks his pledge only breaks it to his own harm]. [Al-Fath: 10] [2] [end of quote]

We often observe that when some are challenged for making unsubstantiated claims from abroad via Twitter, they shift to other topics or become silent to avoid further scrutiny. Furthermore, this silence is a strategic move to avoid further self-contradiction while planning their next steps. At other times, the local proxies take up the task after it becomes very risky for their overseas counterparts. However, unless Allah guides a person to sincerely practice self-restraint, avoiding the truth and planning for future confrontation is detrimental. Allah, The Most High, said:

وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ ۚ

But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it. [Fatir 43]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

…whoever plots against another with a forbidden plot, then indeed, Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, the Most High, will surely plan against him. And that (certainly) Allah will plan for the oppressed one if he exercises patience in facing the plot of the plotter against him and shows him kindness. (This is) because the believer – who relies on Allah – when plotted against by the people, then indeed, Allah, The Most High, will plan for him and aids (grants him victory, or the upper hand) without any might or power on his part.

May Allah Include Us Among Those Who Tremble at the Least Thought of Evil Plans Crossing Our Minds


[1] An Excerpt from As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah 2/469-470. Slightly paraphrased

[2] Kitab Uyoon Al-Akhbar 1/149 By Al-Allamah Ibn Qutaybah, may Allah have mercy upon him.

Reflections on some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali [103]

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

يمكن أن يكون في العوام من يخافون الله أكثر وأكثر من كثير من المنتسبين إلى العلم
فكأنما يتعلم ليظلم !
ويتعلم كيف يكذب ويفتري ! يتعلم ويدرس الأدب حتى يتفوه بالبوائق وبالبهت ! »
التقوى وأثارها (24)

It may be that there is among the common people one who fears Allah far more than many among those ascribed to knowledge. It is as if he (i.e. such a person ascribed to knowledge) learns only to (commit) oppression! He learns how to lie and slander! He learns and studies etiquettes only to utter evil and falsehoods (false accusations, slander etc).

at-Taqwa Wa Aathaaruhaa 24. paraphrased

تقوى الله و آثارها الطيبة-2 – العلامة الشيخ ربيع بن هادي عمير المدخلي
https://rabee.net/audio/%D8%AA%D9%82%D9%88%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D9%88-%D8%A2%D8%AB%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%A8%D8%A9-2/

متن التقوى وأثارها وأوصاف المتقين وجزاهم الشيخ ربيع بن هادي المدخلي .pdf
https://www.mimham.net/tan-2516-52

Justice Above Status, Truthful Testimony Required, and Severe Warning Against Deception and Oppression

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

Equal Application of the Law On All Those Have Reached The Age of Accountability In Islamic Law – Regardless of The Status of The Guilty Party

Aa’isha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that the Quraish had been anxious about the Makhzumi woman who had committed theft, and said, “Who will speak to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, about her?” They said, “Who dare it, but Usamah, the loved one of Allah’s Messenger?” So Usamah spoke to him. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger said, “Do you intercede regarding one of the punishments prescribed by Allah?” He then stood up and addressed (people) saying, “O people! Those who have gone before you were destroyed, because if any one of high status committed theft amongst them, they spared him; and if anyone of low status committed theft, they inflicted the prescribed punishment upon him. By Allah, if Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would have her hand cut of”. [1]

“Do you intercede regarding one of the punishments prescribed by Allah?” Meaning, it is not permissible to intercede regarding the divine prescribed punishments.

“Those who have gone before you were destroyed because if any one of high status committed theft amongst them, they spared him; and if anyone of low status committed theft, they inflicted the prescribed punishment upon him”.

Meaning, destroyed through punishment due to their sins. They were destroyed due to this matter because they said, “This is a person of high status and it is not possible to cut his hand”. When a person of high status amongst them stole, they let him off, (but) when a person of low status stole, they established the punishment on him, thus the implementation of Allah’s prescribed punishments was carried out based on their desires. In this hadith is proof to show that the nations before us committed theft, and that there was much theft in their midst including the wealthy, the poor, the one of high status and the one of low status.

The Messenger then made an oath – even though he is the righteous and truthful one without making an oath – that “By Allah, if Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would have her hand cut of”.

O Allah! Send Your Salutations and blessings upon him (i.e. the prophet). This is how justice should be and the manner in which Allah’s rulings are to be applied, and not through desires. He made an oath that if Fatimah – who was of a higher status than that Makhzumi woman, both in nobility and lineage, because she is the leader of the women of paradise, the daughter of Muhammad – stole, he would cut her hand. [2]
Imaam An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated that Imam Muslim, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned narrations in the chapter regarding the forbiddance of interceding in the divine ordained punishments and that this was the cause of the destruction of the Children of Israel. The scholars unanimously agreed that – due to these narrations – interceding in the divine ordained punishments – after the affair has reached the leader – is prohibited. As for before it reaches the leader, most scholars have permitted intercession if the one being interceded for is not an evil person and harmful to the people. As for the sins (or acts of disobedience) for which there are no prescribed punishments, then intercession regarding them is permissible whether the affair has reached the leader or not. Intercession in these affairs is desirable if the one being interceded for is not a harmful person and so on. [3]

 

The Reality Does Not Change Due to Deception During Disputes, One Must Give Truthful Testimony and Stand Firmly For Justice Regardless of The Status of Parties Involved In a Dispute

The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: “Indeed, I am only a human being and you people (i.e. disputants) come to me with your disputes. And it may be that one of you can present his case more eloquently than the other and I consider him truthful, and judge in his favour. So if I ever judge and give the right of a brother to his brother, then it is a piece of hellfire and let him not take it”.

Some Benefits Derived From This Hadith

The Ummah (i.e. the Shariah Judges) judge based on what is apparent; however, the judgement of a judge cannot prohibit the lawful and allow the unlawful (i.e. when proven erroneous).

This Hadith contains a refutation against those who say that the Messengers possess knowledge of the unseen.

This hadith also shows that speech can be seen to be true based on what is apparent, but it is truly falsehood concerning what is hidden within it.

This hadith shows that the one who receives a judgement in his favour is more aware than every other person of whether he is entitled to it or a falsifier. So, he takes if entitled or leaves it if he is a falsifier because, in reality, a judgement cannot change an affair from what it was in origin (i.e. the original truth in the affair before its distortion or concealment].

This hadith shows the sinfulness of the one who argues based on falsehood until he receives what he wants publicly, whilst he is upon falsehood.

This hadith is proof to show that a scholar can make a mistake and it is a refutation against those who say that every Mujtahid is correct. This hadeeth shows that the Mujtahid is forgiven (when he makes a mistake). [4]

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. [An-Nisaa. 135]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections, commanded His servants to stand out firmly for justice on behalf of everyone – be it an enemy or an ally, and the matter that is most worthy of being established with justice are the statements and methodology related to the commands of Allah as well as everything that Allah has (revealed in the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah). Therefore, to establish these affairs based on desires and disobedience is contrary to Allah’s command and a negation (i.e. either intentionally or unintentionally) of that which Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was sent with.

The establishment of justice is the responsibility of those entrusted with the task of conveying Islam after the death of the Messenger, and this task cannot become a reality unless one establishes it based on pure justice and sincerity to Allah- (sincerity) based on Allah’s Book, to Allah’s Messenger (by adhering to his guidance), and sincere dealings and advice when dealing with Allah’s servants. These people are the true inheritors (i.e. inheritors of the knowledge left behind by the Prophets), but not that one who merely makes his companions, sect, and path the determinant of truth and the distinction between (truth and falsehood) by showing enmity to the one who opposes him and allies with the one who agrees with him, merely based on being opposed or agreed with [i.e. without sound proofs based on the Book and the authentic Sunnah], because where is that command to stand out firmly for justice on behalf of everyone, even though standing out firmly for justice is the greatest command and obligation!

Then Allah [The Exalted] says: [شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ – As witnesses to Allah]:

A witness presents information about something; so if he presents credible information, he is a just witness and his (statement) is accepted; but if he gives false information, he is a false witness. Allah, The Most High, commands us to stand out firmly as just witnesses for His sake, therefore it has to be carried out for the Sake of Allah and not for other than Allah. In [Surah Al-Ma’idah Ayah 8, Allah said]: [كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُہَدَآءَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۖ – Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses].

This Ayah establishes four affairs: stand out firmly for justice and do so for the sake of Allah; witness to justice and do so for the Sake of Allah.

Then Allah said:

وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ

Even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin.

Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections, commands us to stand out firmly for justice and testify, even if it were someone who is the most beloved person to us. A person should stand out firmly for justice (for or against) himself, his two parents, his close relatives, and his best friend among the people. If a person’s love for himself, his parents, and his relatives prevents him from standing out firmly for the truth against them, especially if the truth is with someone he hates and regards as an enemy due to them, then none would stand out firmly for justice in such circumstances except one whose love for Allah and His Messenger is more than their love for everyone else. Also, a person has to establish justice when dealing with his enemies and that one who deprives him of his rights because it is not permissible that hatred for his enemies leads him to be unjust towards them, just as it is not permissible that love of himself, his parents and relatives makes him abandon standing firmly for justice against them. Therefore, hatred harboured against someone should not lead him to falsehood, and love (of himself, parents, and relatives) should not make him fall short in establishing truth, just as one of the pious predecessors said, “The just person is that one who when angry, his anger does not lead him to falsehood, and when he is pleased it does not remove him from the truth”. The two Ayaat of the Qur’an [i.e. Surah An-Nisaa 135 and Surah Al-Maa’idah 8] convey two rulings and they are: standing out firmly for justice and making a truthful testimony on behalf of one’s allies and enemies.

Then Allah said:

إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ

Be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you).

Meaning, Allah is the Lord of both of them and their Protector, and they are both His servants. It may be that you become fearful of standing firmly for justice by testifying against a rich person or a poor person – either fearing that the rich person might lose his wealth or because the poor person has nothing, so your heart becomes lackadaisical about standing out firmly for the truth. Therefore, it should be said to them, “Allah is a better Protector of both the rich and poor person. Allah knows the affair of the rich person more than you and He is more Merciful to the poor than you, therefore, do not refrain from standing out firmly for the truth and from giving testimony (for or against) the rich or the poor.

Then Allah said:

فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ
So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice.

Meaning, Allah forbids (His slaves) from following desires, which will lead them to abandon justice.

Then Allah said:

وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

And if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.

Meaning, Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections, mentions two reasons that will inevitably lead to concealment of truth then He warned against them and issued a threat: the first of them is distortion and the second is to turn away from giving truthful witness. That is because when a proof that supports the truth is manifested and the one who wants to repel it finds no way of doing so, he refrains from mentioning it and thus becomes a silent devil, and sometimes he distorts it. Distortion is of two types -distorting words and meanings. Distorting words occur when one utters a word in a context in which it does not establish the truth – either adding to the word, omitting something from it, or substituting it with something else to the extent that the listener is made to believe something, whilst something else is intended, just as the Yahud [i.e. those Yahud who disbelieved in the Prophet and hated him in Madinah] used to distort words when giving Salam to the Prophet [i.e. saying As-Saamu Alayka (death be upon you), instead of saying Assalaamu alaykum)]. This is one type of distortion. The second type of distortion is related to meanings – distorting the wording, giving it an interpretation that is not intended by the one who uttered it and pretending not to know its unintended meaning; or dropping other meanings intended by it.

When it is the case that a witness is required to bear witness based on what the matter should be [i.e. the complete truth], therefore neither should he hide nor change it. Turning away from the testimony is tantamount to concealment and distortion is tantamount to alteration and substitution. Therefore, contemplate this Ayah and the treasures of knowledge it contains. The faith of a person cannot be complete, except through accepting the texts of the Shariah and calling the people to them – neither turning away from them at times nor distorting them at other times. [5]

Imam Al-Khatib Al-Baghdadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

There is no one among the people of hadith who showed favoritism (or behaved in a biased manner) in hadith — neither toward his father, his brother, nor his son. Ali ibn Abdillah Al-Madini, may Allah have mercy upon him, was an Imam of hadith in his era, however, not a letter is reported from him with regards to strengthening (the reliability of) his father; rather, the opposite of that is what has been narrated from him. [5.1]

Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Ali Ibn Al-Madini, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked about his father, so he said: ‘Ask someone else’. They said: ‘We ask you (in particular)’. He lowered his head (in silence for a while), then he raised his head and said: “This is the religion, my father is weak (in hadith)”. [5.2]

 

Be Warned Against Oppression

Tawus al-Yamani, may Allah have mercy upon him, entered the presence of Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, addressing him with a grave warning: “Beware of the Day of the Call”. Hisham, said: “What is the Day of the Call?” Tawus replied, the statement of Allah:

فَأَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنٌ بَيْنَهُمْ أَنْ لَعْنةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ

And a caller will call out among them, ‘The curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers” [Al-A’raf: 44]

At this, Hisham collapsed due to shock! Tawus then said: “This is the humiliation of mere description; how will it be when faced with reality?” [6]

Mubarak Abu Hamad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “I heard Sufyan Al-Thawri, may Allah have mercy upon him, saying to Ali ibn Al-Hasan Al-Sulami, may Allah have mercy upon him: ‘My brother, do not harbour any feeling of covetousness towards the people of vain desires due to their indulgences, nor the blessings they enjoy; for ahead of them lies a day when feet will slip, bodies will tremble, skin complexions will change, standing will be prolonged, reckoning will intensify, and hearts will flutter until they reach the throats. Oh, what regret they will feel for the pleasures they pursued! And beware of oppression, an ally to the oppressor, accompanying him, sharing a meal with him, smiling in his face, or receiving anything from him; for you would then be his supporter, and support is partnership. Do not oppose the people of piety, nor befriend the sinful, nor associate with the disobedient, and steer clear of all that is forbidden, and be wary of those who engage in it'”. [7]

Sa’id ibn Abd al-Aziz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Whoever does good should expect a reward, and whoever does wrong should not be surprised by the consequences. Whoever seeks honour through unjust means will receive humiliation in truth, and whoever accumulates wealth through oppression will be left in poverty without injustice. [8]

Muawiya ibn Abee Sufyan, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said: “I feel ashamed of oppressing someone who has no supporter against me except Allah.” [9]

Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, may Allah have mercy upon him, once wrote to some of his governors: “If your power over the people tempts you to oppress them, remember the might of Allah over you, the fleeting nature of what you bring to them, and the permanence of what they bring to you”. [10]

We ask Allah:

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. [11]


[1] Saheeh Muslim. 1688a

[2] An Excerpt from Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen 6/525-530 By Imam Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy upon him)

[3] An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Saheeh Muslim’. 11/155

[4] Sahih Al-Bukhaari. Kitaab Al-Ahkaam (Book of Judgements): Chapter 29. Hadeeth Number 7181 with Fathul Baari

[5] An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim. 1/300-303

[5.1] Sharaf Ashab al-Hadith p. 41

[5.2] Al-Majruhin 2/15

[6] Az-Zawājir ʿan Iqtirāf al-Kabāʾir 2/124

[7] Ḥilyat al-Awliyāʾ 7/24

[8] Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ 8/36

[9] al-ʿIqd al-Farīd 1/30

[10] Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ 5/131

[11] https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2020/12/29/o-allaah-rectify-my-religion-for-me-which-the-safeguard-of-my-affairs-a-tremendous-supplication/

[1] The Character Trait Most Hated by the Messenger

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

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her said:

“There was no behaviour more hateful to Allāh’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, than lying. A man would tell a lie when speaking in the presence of the Prophet, and he would not be satisfied until he knew that he had repented from it”. [at-Tirmidhī 1973]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him said:

Beware of kadhib, as it corrupts one’s ability to teach people and illustrate information based on how it should actually be. The liar presents what is present as something non-existent and what is non-existent as something present; misrepresents the truth as being something false and falsehood as being something true; misrepresents the good and the evil, so he corrupts his conception and knowledge, which subsequently results in his punishment. Then he portrays what is not true to the one who has been duped by him – the one who is drawn to him – and therefore corrupts his conception and knowledge.

The soul of the liar turns away from existing reality, preferring the non-existent, and falsehood. And when his conception and knowledge is corrupted, which is the basis of every wilfully chosen deed, his deeds become corrupt and marked by lies, so those deeds would emanate from him just as lies emanate from the tongue- neither benefits from his tongue nor his deeds (i.e. in relation to the specific affair). Because of this, lying serves as the foundation of immorality, as the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “Indeed, lies lead to immorality (or wickedness), and indeed, immorality (or wickedness) leads to the fire.” [Al-Bukhari 2606/2607]

Lies first emerge from the heart and then on the tongue, corrupting it; then they transfer to the limbs and corrupt their deeds, just as they corrupt statements of the tongue. As a result, lying prevails over his utterances, deeds, and state of affairs; corruption gets deeply ingrained in him, and its disease leads to destruction if Allah does not grant him recovery with the medication of truthfulness, which uproots the source (or basis) of the lies. This is why the basis of all deeds of the heart is truthfulness, and the basis of their opposites is lies, such as boasting, self-amazement, pride, being glad (with ungratefulness to Allah’s Favours), conceitedness, boastfulness, insolence, weakness, laziness, cowardice, disgrace, and others.

Every righteous deed, whether done privately or publicly, is founded on truthfulness. And the source of every corrupt deed, whether private or public, is lies. Allah punishes the liar by preventing him (i.e. due to his own chosen evil) from those things that will bring him well-being and benefit, while He rewards the truthful one by granting him the ability to attain the beneficial things of the worldly life and Afterlife. There is nothing comparable to truthfulness in terms of how it brings about the affairs of well-being in this life and the next, and there is nothing comparable to lying in terms of how it corrupts and harms one’s worldly and Afterlife affairs.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds) [9:119]

هَٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنْفَعُ الصَّادِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ

This is a Day on which the truthful will profit from their truth. [5:119]

فَإِذَا عَزَمَ الْأَمْرُ فَلَوْ صَدَقُوا اللَّهَ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ

And when the matter (preparation for Jihad) is resolved on, then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them. [47:21] [1]

 

Beware! Relentless Repetition Is Used Nowadays On Social Media to Solidify Lies or Misinformation

Gustave Le Bon, in his work “The Psychology of Crowds,” asserts that when we aim to gradually instill ideas and beliefs into the collective spirit of the masses, the methods employed by leaders vary significantly. They primarily resort to three fundamental techniques: affirmation, repetition, and contagion. While the impact of these methods may be slow, it is undeniably enduring. Political leaders advocating for a specific cause are well aware of the power of affirmation, just as industrialists recognise the importance of advertising their products. However, advertising only gains influence when coupled with repetition. Napoleon famously stated that there is but one serious form of rhetoric: repetition. Repetition possesses a certain authority that influences rational and well-informed individuals. It allows ideas to embed themselves in the recesses of the unconscious mind, gradually transforming into beliefs that are accepted as truths, ultimately becoming self-evident realities. When these ideas solidify into truths through repetition, they can spread among the masses. For instance, any disturbance among a flock of sheep quickly affects the entire group. This does not require a singular point of origin; the revolution in France in 1848 began in Paris and swiftly extended to a significant portion of Europe, destabilising the monarchies in its wake. The repetition that leads to belief in a particular issue, and consequently its spread, poses a significant risk not only in imposing opinions but also in shaping thought processes, emotions, and feelings. As a result, one may observe that the masses at one point may disdain a certain literary work, only to later take pride in it after several years, or vice versa. This phenomenon can similarly be applied to ideas and beliefs. [2]

Delving deeper into this topic reveals a range of ideologues, demagogues, and provocateurs who argue that people struggle to resist repeated messages. Initially, individuals might dismiss the content, but with ongoing exposure, their skepticism can shift to uncertainty, then bewilderment, and eventually, acceptance, causing them to view the message as truth. Consequently, they believe that relentless repetition is necessary for ideas to take root, thereby strengthening the propaganda that needs to be spread. It is profoundly disheartening to witness some Muslims resorting to such insidious tactics to tarnish reputations online. They perpetuate the same falsehoods, misconceptions, or half-truths in various forms and from multiple perspectives, all while resisting any challenge to their narratives. To remain silent in the face of such distortions would be an act of cowardice; it is imperative to articulate the truth whenever these fallacies are propagated. While it is true that not every instance of misinformation warrants a response, one must not be so naive as to underestimate the potential damage inflicted by those who disseminate their half-truths—whether overtly or covertly—to a targeted audience. When faced with someone who insists on force-feeding you their misconceptions through relentless repetition, maintain your composure and refrain from engaging in conflict. Instead, graciously persist in requesting for tangible clear proof to support their claims, undeterred by their frustration or the frequency of their assertions. Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, said:

The seeker of truth is not diverted from the truth, fairness and justice due to admiration of the big personalities and being amazed by them, for indeed the truth is more worthy to be followed. It is not permissible to drop the proofs for the sake of this or that great man. The principle [rule] of the Muslim – the unbiased one, the seeker of truth – is always: [قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ -Say, bring forth your proofs if you are truthful]. [Surah An-Nahl. Verse 64] [3]

Read: Two Compelling Admonitions – “Outcomes of Truthfulness and Lying” By Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him.

Two Compelling Admonitions – “Outcomes of Truthfulness and Lying” By Al-Allamah Rabee

 


[1] Al-Fawa’id 202-203

[2] The Psychology of crowds 132-136

[3] Al-Mulakh-khasul Jameel Fee Bayaan Manhaji Ash-Shaikh Rabee Fid-Da’wati Wal-Jarhi Wat-Ta’deel. Page 87

[21] Notification to Ahlul Bidah and The Mumayyi’ah: These Clarifications Are Coming Back!

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

Imam Al-Barbahari, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “The likeness of the people of Bidah is that of scorpions burying their heads and bodies in the sand and leaving their tails out; so when they are able they sting. Likewise, the people of Bidah hide themselves within the people and when they are able, they convey what they desire”. [1]

Ameerul Mumineen Umar Ibnul Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: People were (sometimes) judged by the revealing of a divine Inspiration during the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle but now there is no longer anymore [new revelation]. Now we judge you by the deeds you practice publicly, so we will trust and favour the one who does good deeds in front of us, and we will not call him to account about what he is really doing in secret, for Allah will judge him for that; but we will not trust or believe the one who presents to us with an evil deed even if he claims that his intentions were good. [Al-Bukhari 2641]

Imam Abdul-Azeez Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Whoever manifests good, it will be accepted from him and a good suspicion is held about him. And if he manifests evil, it will held against him and an evil suspicion is held about him”. [2]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khalee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Destructive Good Suspicion” is to have a good suspicion of the people of falsehood whether are they disbelievers, innovators or evil (open) sinners. And that which led the disbelievers to belie the Messengers, (harbouring) a severe disbelief in them and their message was due to their evil suspicion towards the people of truth (i.e. the Prophets and their true followers), and having a good suspicion of their forefathers and their religions of falsehood and disbelief. Ahlul Bidah such as the Rawaafid, the khawaarij, the soofiyyah, the murji’ah, the qadariyyah and the people of Tahazzub Al-Baatil [false partisanship] are destroyed by good suspicion towards their shuyukh and figureheads, and their corrupt creeds. On the other hand, they are destroyed by their evil suspicions towards the truth and its people. Abul Hasan Al-Maribee and his followers have a share of both this destructive good suspicion and destructive evil suspicion. [3]


[1] Tabaqaat Al-Hanabilah: 2/44

[2] An Excerpt from Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taleeqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaariy 2/397. footnote 1

[3] Majmu 13/363-364

Two matters related to “loving for Allah’s Sake” – By Al-Allamah Zayd and Imam Al-Albani

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

Anas Bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “A man went past the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, whilst there were people with him; then man who was with the Prophet said, ‘Indeed, I love this one [i.e. the one who went past] for the sake of Allah’. The Prophet said, ‘Have you made that known to him?’ He said, ‘No’. The Prophet said, ‘Get up and make that known to him’. He went to him and made that known’, so he said, ‘May the one for whose sake you love me also love you’. Then he returned to the Prophet and informed him regarding what the man said, the Prophet said, ‘You will be with the one you love and will receive what you hope for [i.e. reward]’”.

Al-Allamah Zayd Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

In this this hadith, there is a that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to sit with his companions to speak to them and make known to them what they were in need of.

In this hadith, it is obligated to the believers to love one another and establish what is necessary to establish this love. The love legislated in the Shariah is an act of worship of the heart, and there are deeds that would necessitate its existence, such as being good to the person you love, visiting the sick, following the Janazah, giving sincere advice, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and helping him in that which is good. All these deeds and others are from that which necessitates the presence of that love that is legislated in the Shariah, whose meaning is that a believing man loves another believing brother for the sake of Allah, because he is steadfast upon Allah’s Shariah.

In this hadith, it is legislated to inform someone you love for the sake of Allah about it, saying: “Indeed, I love you for the sake of Allah”, so that a bond is created between you and him, and he knows that he has brothers in Iman who love him and wish good for him just as they love good for themselves.

In this hadith, (there is proof to established the fact that) reward is given based on the deed, because whoever loves another person for the sake of Allah, Allah will also love him. And whoever Allah loves, Allah will honour him due to being pleased with him and enter him into Jannah- a Jannah whose width is that of the heavens and the earth.

In this hadith, there is evidence to show that those who love one another for the sake of Allah- truthful about it and visiting one another- have a lofty status in the sight of Allah, just as it has been established in a sound hadith reported by Imam Muslim from Abu Hurairah who said, “The Messenger of Allah said that Allah said, ‘Indeed Allah will say on the day of Judgement, ‘Where are those who loved one another for my sake; I will provide them with a shade on this day in which there will be no shade except my shade [a] [i.e. Allah will provide them with a shade from His Throne]. [at-Taleeqaatul Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah 1/139-140]

Questioner asked Imam Al-Albani: Is it obligated to a person who loves another person to say to him, “I love you for the sake of Allah?”

Imam Al-Albani replied: Yes, but love for the sake of Allah has a high value and those who give [what it necessitates] are very few!! Do you know its value? Is there anyone who knows its value? Whoever knows, then let him give us an answer?

A person in the gathering replied to the Shaikh: The Messenger said: There are seven people whom Allah will shade with His shade [i.e. the shade of Allah’s Throne] …and amongst them are two men who love each other for the sake of Allah – they meet each other and depart on that basis.

The Imam replied: This statement is sound within [its context], but it is not an answer to the question. It is a close definition of ‘love for the sake of Allah’ but not a comprehensive definition. I do not mean the reward in the Aakhirah, [rather] my question is, ‘’What is the valuable thing that must be given by a person who loves another person for the sake of Allaah? The intent behind my question is what is the deed that would show -as a proof- that love for the sake of Allaah [exist] between two people who [claim] love for each other for the sake of Allaah; because it maybe be that two people love each other, but their love is based on [admiration of each other’s characteristics or traits]. Therefore, what is the proof of real love [for the sake of Allaah]?’’

A second person replied to the Shaikh: ‘’To love for a person what you love for yourself.’’ The Imam said, ‘’This is one of the qualities of loving for the sake of Allah.’’

A third person said to the Shaikh: The answer might be found in the hadeeth: There are three things that when found in a person, he will taste the sweetness of Iman ….and one of those things is that one loves a person for nothing else other than for the sake of Allah. The Imam said: This is not the answer, rather this is [one of the] effects of loving for the sake of Allah – the sweetness found in one’s heart.

A fourth person said to the Shaikh: Allah, The Most High,  said:

وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ

 إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسۡرٍ

 إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ

By Al-‘Asr (the time). Verily! Man is in loss; Except those who believe [in Islamic Monotheism] and do righteous good deeds and recommend one another to the truth [i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds which Allaah has ordained and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden], and recommend one another to patience [for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allah’s Cause].

The Shaikh replied: Well done! This is the answer. If I really love you for the sake of Allah, I will give you advice and likewise you’ll do the same for me. This act of giving advice is very rare amongst those who claim that they love each other for the sake of Allah. It may be that there is some sincerity in their love, but it is not complete. Therefore, every one of us should safeguard the other, and -in this case- the valuable thing to be given due to loving one another for the sake of Allah is that everyone sincerely advises one another, by enjoining good and forbidding evil – always and forever. [1] And it has been reported that it was from the practice of the Sahabah-amongst themselves- that when parting company from each other after meeting, one of them would recite Surah Asr to the other [2]. [الحاوي من فتاوي الألباني – page 165]


Ref 1: Read more here: http://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-great-virtue-and-principles-of-enjoining-the-good-and-forbidding-evil-by-imam-al-barbahari-d-329h-and-al-fawzan/

Ref 2:

English here: When two men among the Sahaabah of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, met, they would not depart until one of them recited to the other: “By al‑‘Asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss”[Surah al-‘Asr], and thereafter, one would give salaam to the other. Imam Al-Albani said in As-Saheehah Number 2648, page 308: The chain of this narration is authentic.

English text here: Then on page 309, the Imam said: Finally, we take and benefit from this that the Sahabah used hold onto this practice- the recitation of Surah Al-Asr [i.e. when two of them were about to depart from each other after meeting], because we believe that they are far removed from innovating an act of worship into the religion through which a person seeks to get close to Allaah, so they must have adhered to this practice due to what they were acquainted with from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, – either based on a statement of his, action or tacit approval. [Excerpt: paraphrased]

[a] see Shaikh Rabee’s risaalah tiltled: القول الواضح المبين في المراد بظل الله الذي وعد به المؤمنين العاملين ]

Three Destructive Sins Frequently Observed In The Actions of Netanyahu

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَمَن يَكْسِبْ خَطِيٓـَٔةً أَوْ إِثْمًا ثُمَّ يَرْمِ بِهِۦ بَرِيٓـًٔا فَقَدِ ٱحْتَمَلَ بُهْتَٰنًا وَإِثْمًا مُّبِينًا

And whoever earns a fault or a sin and then throws it on to someone innocent, he has indeed burdened himself with falsehood and a manifest sin. [Surah An-Nisaa. Ayah 112]

Meaning: He has taken on the weight of the false accusations against the innocent, and committed an evident sin. This deed is one of the major and destructive sins, as he has combined several evils: earned a wrongful deed and sin, falsely accusing an innocent person, perpetuating a vile lie to absolve oneself and incriminate the blameless, and subjecting undeserving individuals to the consequences of such actions, and what it leads to regarding the people’s speech about the innocent person and other forms of corruption. [1]

The three sins highlighted in the Ayah are frequently observed in the actions of Netanyahu. There is no doubt that Netanyahu, known for his genocidal rhetoric – https://abuiyaad.com/a/amalekite-genocide-doctrine-gaza – deserve to be included in the statements of state figures who have uttered the most destructive statements in contemporary times. Nevertheless, he endeavours to depict himself as the one marginalised, despite being the one with considerable political power and the capacity to impact policies and harm reputations. This reality is clear to any individual possessing a minimal amount of common sense.

Any influential person who dares to speak out against Netanyahu’s callous behaviour is pressured to retract their statements under the guise of being labelled as anti-Semitic or a self-hating Jew. This tactic is utilised to stifle dissent against Netanyahu’s actions, aiming to obfuscate the line between anti-Semitism and the atrocities he commits. It serves as a tool to suppress voices of reason, allowing for the perpetuation of injustice against Palestinians. Indeed, just as anti-Semitism is condemnable without any reservation, so too is its manipulation to silence opposition or excuse the crimes inflicted upon Palestinians daily. The deliberate blurring of distinctions seeks to equate criticism of Netanyahu with discrimination against Jews, conflating opposition against Netanyahu with anti-Semitism. If successful in deceiving the masses with this fallacy, his agenda can persist unchecked, all while falsely claiming to represent the entire Jewish population and equating criticism of his actions with an attack on all Jews. This enables Netanyahu to justify his cruel and immoral conduct.

Also, the “Nazi Card” is frequently employed as a tactic against critics of Netanyahu. In instances where he faces harsh criticism or reluctant to return what is stolen under his leadership, he resorts to using the “Nazi card” as a defence mechanism, often proclaiming, “Never again will we allow a repetition of the suffering we have endured throughout history.” This strategy is predominantly utilised by the most extreme factions within the Zionist movement to discredit individuals who expose their wrongdoings and advocate for an immediate cessation of such actions. The settler movement, under the guidance of Netanyahu and his security forces, invokes these accusations when pressured to evacuate the occupied territories and relinquish unlawfully seized land. To reiterate, we refer to the Ayah once more:

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَمَن يَكْسِبْ خَطِيٓـَٔةً أَوْ إِثْمًا ثُمَّ يَرْمِ بِهِۦ بَرِيٓـًٔا فَقَدِ ٱحْتَمَلَ بُهْتَٰنًا وَإِثْمًا مُّبِينًا

And whoever earns a fault or a sin and then throws it on to someone innocent, he has indeed burdened himself with falsehood and a manifest sin. [Surah An-Nisaa. Ayah 112]

Finally, exposing Netanyahu for his evil behaviour does not mean that we condone the actions of anyone who sheds the blood of non-combatants. Saudi Prince Turki Al-Faisal stated on October 18, 2023: “All militarily occupied people have a right to resist their occupation, even militarily. I do not support the military option in Palestine. I prefer the other option: civil insurrection and disobedience. It brought down the British Empire in India and the Soviet Empire in Eastern Europe. Israel has overwhelming military superiority and we see in front of our eyes, the devastation and oblivion it is bringing to the people of Gaza. I categorically condemn Hamas’ targeting of civilian targets of any age or gender, as it is accused of. Such targeting belies Hamas’s claims to an Islamic identity. There is an Islamic injunction against the killing of innocent children, women, and elders. The injunction is also against the desecration of places of worship. I also condemn Hamas’ gifting the higher moral ground to an Israeli government that is universally shunned, even by half of the Israeli public as fascist, miscreant, and abhorrent. I condemn Hamas for giving this awful government the excuse to ethnically cleanse Gaza of its citizens and bombing them to oblivion. I condemn Hamas further undermining the Palestinian Authority as Israel has been doing. I condemn Hamas for sabotaging the attempt of Saudi Arabia to reach a peaceful resolution to the plight of the Palestinian people. But equally, I condemn Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the attempt to forcibly drive them into Sinai. I condemn Israeli targeted killing and the indiscriminate Arrest of Palestinian children, women, and men in the West Bank. Two wrongs don’t make a right. I’ve been hearing a repeated phrase in American media: unprovoked attack. What more provocation is required to make it provoked than what Israel has done to the Palestinian people for three-quarters of a century? I refer you to the article in the Middle East Monitor of February 17 2014 under the title: Israeli army veterans admit role in massacre of Palestinians in 1948. Read it and weep as I did. Just this year, from May to July, over 450 Palestinians were killed, including 67 children. This bloodletting must stop. I condemn Israel’s stealing of Palestinian lands. I condemn Israeli colonists for rampaging through houses of worship in the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. I condemn Israel for destroying Palestinian homes and olive orchids. I condemn Israel for incarcerating Palestinian women, children, and men in concentration camps without reason to due process. I condemn Israel’s targeted killings and assassinations of Palestinians. I condemn Western politicians for shedding tears when Israelis are killed by Palestinians but refuse to even express sorrow when Israelis kill Palestinians. There are no heroes in this complicit. Only victims.


[1] An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi

May Allah Include Us Among Those Who Tremble at the Least Thought of Evil Plans Crossing Our Minds

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ ۚ

But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it. [Fatir 43]

We ask Allah for Ikhlas and Sidq when dealing with everyone, especially when dealing with the people of Taqwah, lest we are afflicted by what our own hands devise.

والله المستعان

The text we are about to quote was shared with me by one of our younger teachers in the Maraakiz, may Allah protect him and all of us. The quote is from “Ighatha Al-Lahfan 2/833” onwards By Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him.

ليس في قصة يوسف عليه السلام شبهة، فضلا عن الحجة لأرباب الحيل.

فإنا إنما تكلمنا في الحيل التي يفعلها العبد، وحكمها في الإباحة والتحريم، لا فيما يكيد الله سبحانه وتعالى لعبده، بل في قصة يوسف عليه  السلام تنبيه على أن من كاد غيره كيدًا مُحَرَّمًا فإن الله سبحانه وتعالى لابد أن يكيده، وأنه لا بد أن يكيد للمظلوم إذا صبر على كيد كائده، وتلطف به، فالمؤمن المتوكل على الله إذا كاده الخلق فإن الله تعالى يكيد له، وينتصر له، بغير حول منه ولا قوة.

Paraphrasing: There is no Shubha (1) in the story of Yusuf, peace be upon him, let alone a (justification) for those who employ trickery, but rather we are speaking about the trickery that a servant (of Allah) does (commits, employs) and its rulings regarding permissibility and prohibition, and not what Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, the Most High, plans for His servant,  but in fact in the story of Yusuf, peace be upon him, there is a (cautionary) notification that whoever plots against another with a forbidden plot, then indeed, Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, the Most High, will surely plan against him. And that (certainly) Allah will plan for the oppressed one if he exercises patience in facing the plot of the plotter against him and shows him kindness. (This is) because the believer – who relies on Allah – when plotted against by the people, then indeed, Allah, The Most High, will plan for him and aids (grants him victory, or the upper hand) without any might or power on his part.

(1) Shubhah: Meaning a doubtful matter, something ambiguous; or something made to resemble the truth but it is falsehood in reality. It is usually employed to establish dubious views or as an excuse to enter into something unlawful or blameworthy, or something mixed up to the extent that its truth and falsehood cannot be immediately distinguished. Its different angles can be found in the definitions. [Refer to “Lisan Al-Arab 13/503”. “Al-Hawi 13/467” by Al-Mawardee. “Al-Qawa’id Al-Kubra” by Al-Iz Bin Abdus Salaam 2/109-110]

We ask Allah:

اللهمَّ كما حسَّنتَ خَلقي فحسِّنْ خُلُقي

“O Allah! Just as you have made my external form beautiful, make my character beautiful”.

When Light Is Unwelcome: Opposition Against The Obvious Truth Due to Hidden Motives, Ignorance, Envy, Mutual Rivalry, Etc

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

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated regarding some of the reasons that makes humankind resist the truth:

Ignorance:

This reason is mostly what overwhelms the majority of people, for indeed the one who is ignorant of something will show enmity to it and its people. If in addition to this reason, (the person) hates the one who commands him to (follow) the truth, harbours enmity and envy, then this (i.e. reason behind being prevented from accepting the truth) becomes more intense. If in addition, it opposes the ones close to his heart, his customs, the one who nurtured him, the ways of his forefathers and the ones he loves and exalts, then this (i.e. the reason behind being prevented from accepting the truth) becomes even more intense. If in addition, he carries a wrong perception that the truth he is being called to (is an obstacle to) his status, honour, desires and goals, the (reason behind being prevented) from accepting the truth becomes very intense. If in addition to this, he fears his companions, his family and his people, (fears for) himself, his wealth and status – just as what happened to Heraclius, the king of the Christians in Sham during the era of Allaah’s Messenger peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, then the reason (behind being prevented from accepting the truth) increases even greater. This is because indeed Heraclius knew the truth and had a desire to accept Islam, but his people did not obey him, thus, he feared for himself and chose disbelief over Islam after guidance was made clear to him.

Envy:

It is one of the greatest causes (behind being prevented from accepting the truth), because indeed it is an ingrained disease in the soul. The envier sees that the one he envies has been given virtue over him or has been given the likes of that which he has not been given, thus, this envy prevents him from complying with (the truth). Iblees was not prevented from prostrating to Adam [i.e. out of respect, when Allah commanded him and the angels to do so], except out of envy, because when he saw that Adam, peace be upon him, was given virtue and raised above him, he chose disbelief over Iman, even though he used to be in the company of the angels.

This disease is what prevented the Yahud from believing in Eesaa the son of Maryam, peace and blessings of Allah be upon both him, even though they knew -without doubt – that he was a Messenger of Allah, who came with clear proofs and guidance, however envy led them to choose disbelief over Iman and complied with it, even though they were a nation amongst whom were Rabbis, scholars, Zuhhad, judges, kings and rulers.

 

Fear of losing one’s status and prestige:

Conversation between Abu Jahl and His Nephew Al-Musawwar Bin Makhzamah

Al-Musawwar Bin Makhzamah: O my uncle! Did you use to accuse Muhammad of lying before he started saying what he says now [i.e. his call to Tawheed]?

Abu Jahl: By Allah, indeed Muhammad was a trustworthy young man amongst us and we never experienced lying from him.

Al-Musawwar Bin Makhzamah: O my uncle! So why is it that you do not follow him?

Abu Jahl: “O son of my sister! We competed with Banu Hashim in nobility; they used to feed (the pilgrims) and we used to feed the (pilgrims); they used to provide water for (the pilgrims) and we used to provide water for (the pilgrims); they used to give protection (to the people) and we used to give protection until we were equal [i.e. in competing one another for nobility]. Then they said, “There is a Prophet from us”, so when are we going to get something similar to this!!

 

Conversation between Abu Jahl and Akhnas Bin Shuraiq

Akhnas Bin Shuraiq said to Abu Jahl on the day of Badr: O Abul Hakam! Inform me about Muhammad, as to whether he is a truthful person or a liar, for indeed there is no one here from Quraish who will hear our speech?

Abu Jahl replied to Akhnas: Woe to you! By Allah, indeed Muhammad is a truthful person and Muhammad has never lied, but if Banu Qusay take the leadership, the position of gatekeepers of the Kabah, providers of water for the pilgrims and Prophet hood [i.e. the Prophet Muhammad is from their clan], then what will the rest of Quraish have?!

An Excerpt from Hidayah Al-Hayara Fee Ajwibah Al-Yahud Wan-Nasaraa’ pages 17-19