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Author: Abdullah Jallow

The Best Generations and Warning About Some Bad Habits in Later Generations

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

Allāh’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

The best of the people are those living in my generation, then those who will follow the latter and then those who come after them. Then there will come after them people who will be treacherous and will not be trustworthy, they will bear witness without being asked to do so, [1] and they will vow, but will never fulfil their vows, and fatness will appear among them. [2]

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

They give false testimony, act treacherously and deceitfully. They behave in a very sinful manner and follow evil desires, except those whom Allah safeguards amongst the Taa’ifatul Mansoorah [i.e. the victorious (aided) group of Muslims upon the straight path] – those whom Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, praised. Therefore, it is obligated to us to acquire knowledge for the sake of Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, and act upon it. Ignorance is a deadly disease and knowledge is a weapon that will destroy you if you do not act upon it, and Allah’s refuge is sought. [An Excerpt from “Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm” pages 268-270] [end of quote]

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[1]: Regarding the statement, “They will bear witness without being asked to do so”. This can mean that they bear witness before being asked, or they bear witness based on falsehood, or they give witness without being from those who are worthy of it. [Sharh Saheeh Muslim 12/17]

However, there is another Hadith in which the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stated: “Should I not inform you about the best of witnesses, they are those who bear witness before being asked”. The scholars say that what is intended by this hadith is that for example someone has a witness to give on behalf of another person based on truth, but the person does not know about it, so he informs the person about it; or for example, a person has already passed away and another person knows what the deceased person has left behind as inheritance, so he bears witness to that and makes it known. [Fat-hul Baari 5/260] [end of quote]

[2] And regarding the statement, “And fatness will appear among them”. Meaning: These people give importance to the means of fattening themselves – food, drink and over-abundance. So, their only concern is their bodies and fattening themselves. As for being fat without choice, then one cannot be blamed for that, just as a person cannot be blamed for being tall, short, black or white…[Majmu Al-Fataawaa 10/1056 -By Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him]


 

[1] Brief Biographies of Some Prominent Contemporary Scholars – Al-Allamah Ṣaliḥ Aala Ash-Shaikh

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

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated about the Mu’allimeen (teachers):

They are the intermediary between the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his Ummah with regards to propagation of the religion and clarification of the Shariah. Had it not been for these ones, the people would have been like cattle. They nurture the souls and hearts of the slaves upon the beneficial sciences and sound knowledge. They are the ones who guide the Ummah in the fundamental and subsidiary affairs of their religion, and return them to the rulings related to the duties obligated to them and in their dealings, just as they return them to the affairs pertaining to worship. Through them the Book and the Sunnah are established, and through them is made clear truth from falsehood, guidance as opposed to misguidance, Halal as opposed to Haram, good as opposed to evil, and rectification as opposed to corruption. They are of varying ranks, in accordance with what they establish of knowledge, teaching and benefit- great or small. They have great rights (owed to them) by the ummah and are possessors of a lofty status. Therefore, the people must have love and respect for them. They must recognise their excellence and virtue, and thank them greatly. They are to supplicate for them in private and public, and seek nearness to Allah by having love for them and praising them. They are to proclaim their excellence; guard the hearts (from harbouring evil against them) and the tongues (from) insulting them, for this would tarnish their excellence. [12]

Al-Allamah Ṣaliḥ Bin Abdul Azeez Aala Ash-Shaikh, may Allah preserve him

His Name and Lineage:

He is Salih Bin Abdul Azeez Bin Muḥammad Bin Ibraaheem Bin Abdul Laṭeef Bin Abdur Rahman Bin Ḥasan, the son of the Imam and reviver, Muḥammad Ibn ʿAbdil Wahhab, to whom the lineage of the noble Aala Ash-Shaikh family is attributed. He was born in Riyadh in the year 1378 AH /1959. He was raised in a household of knowledge and righteousness. His father, Shaikh Abdul Azeez, may Allah have mercy on him, was one of the well-known scholars, and his grandfather, Shaikh Muḥammad Bin Ibraaheem, may Allah have mercy on him, was among the most prominent scholars of his era, and the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in his era.

His Pursuit of Knowledge:

He completed all levels of his education in Riyadh. He first registered at King Saud University in the Faculty of Engineering, then he moved to Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University — The Faculty of Usul Ad-Deen and graduated. He studied under a number of scholars, the most distinguished among them:

His father, Shaikh Abdul Azeez Bin Muḥammad Bin Ibraaheem

Shaikh Abdul Azeez Bin Murshid

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Aqeel

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Ghuḍayyan

Shaikh Ṣaaliḥ al-Aṭ’ram

Shaikh Ḥammaad al-Anṣaaree

Shaikh Ismaa’eel al-Anṣaaree, may Allah have mercy upon them. .

Indeed, the Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, stood out in the Shariah sciences from a young age, and held on permanently to acquiring (knowledge) from the senior scholars, together with giving concerning to research, reading, and writing. He has lofty scholarly ijazahs from a number of scholars from Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morocco, Pakistan, and India.

Education and Teaching

He worked in the academic faculty at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, in the Faculty of Usul ad-Deen until the year 1416 AH. He discussed (and examined) many theses and supervised some of them. In addition, he carried on teaching various Shariah sciences in the mosques. Indeed, his lessons are renowned for their (structured) methodology and their solid knowledge based content, alongside eagerness for moral cultivation. He has held many gatherings of specialised Shariah knowledge, moral cultivation, methodological lectures, as well as gatherings wherein he discussed issues related to the Shariah and Dawah. He also participated in conferences and many panels of discussion within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and outside of it.

His Authorships (or Publications)

He has numerous authorships and contributions in the field of Shariah knowledge, some of which have been published. Among them:

At-Takmeel Limaa Faata Takhreejuhu Min Irwaa al-Ghaleel

Mawsu’ah Al-Kutub As-Sitta

at-TamheedFee Sharhi Kitaab At-tawheed,

Kitaab Khataab ilaa Al-Gharb Ruyah Min As-Su’udiyyah (supervision and review)

Appointed Positions:

In the year 1416 AH, a royal decree was issued to appoint him as Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da‘wah, and Guidance.

In the year 1420 AH, a royal decree was issued to appoint him as Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da‘wah, and Guidance, and the Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, has not ceased being in this position.

Member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

Head of the Charitable Da‘wah Foundation.

Head of the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Noble Qur’an.

Head of the Higher Endowments Council.

Head of the Council for Da‘wah and Guidance.

Head of the Supreme Council of Charitable Societies for Qur’an Memorization.

Head of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY).

Head of the Executive Council of Ministers of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.

Member of the International Islamic Council for Da‘wah and Relief.

Member of the Higher Committee for Educational Policy.

Head of the Endowment Committee for Disabled Children.

Active member of the Saudi Fiqh Association.

Source: https://saleh.af.org.sa/ar/node/132 paraphrased.

May Allah preserve the Shaikh, prolong his life upon everything pleasing to Him, as well as all his brothers among the scholars and the students of knowledge. Many Allah grant abundant mercy to all the inheritors of the prophets who have passed away, as well as our parents Amin.

To be continued…InShaAllah

(2) Whoever harms (others without right), Allah will harm him

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوءًا فَلَا مَرَدَّ لَهُ وَمَا لَهُمْ مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنْ وَالٍ

Verily! Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves. (13:11)

“Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people” with regards to well-being, blessing being removed and destroying them, “as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves” through some of them oppressing others, and some transgressing against others, thus, His punishment and change of their circumstances befalls them”. (1)

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

Indeed, Allah, The Most High, has made the deeds of the righteous and the  wicked to beget their consequences in this world. He has made the withholding of kindness, Zakat and Sadaqah a cause for the withholding of rain from the sky, and for drought and barrenness.

And He has made the oppression of the weak, cheating in measures and weights, and the transgression of the strong against the weak a cause for the tyranny of kings and rulers who neither show mercy when asked to show mercy show nor compassion when asked to show compassion.

In reality, they are the deeds of the subjects manifested in the images of their rulers! For indeed, Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, by His wisdom and justice, manifests to the people their deeds in the appearances and images that correspond to them; sometimes through drought and barrenness, sometimes through an enemy, sometimes through tyrannical rulers, sometimes through widespread diseases, sometimes through distress, pains, and sorrows that stays in their hearts and not leaving them, sometimes through being deprived of the blessings of the heavens and the earth, and sometimes through being overpowered by the devils who incite them toward the causes of punishment, thus the decree becomes fulfilled and each person ends up to that which he was created to be.

The sensible person allows his insight to travel through the regions of the world, witnessing (or observing), and seeing the manifestations of Allah’s justice and wisdom, thus, it becomes clear to him that the Messengers and their followers in particular are upon the path of salvation, while the rest of creation are upon the path of destruction, heading toward the abode of ruin. Allah is the One who brings His command to completion, none can reverse His judgment, nor repel His decree. And with Allah (alone) is the facilitation of success. (2)

The Imam, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said:

Whoever ponders upon the state of affairs of the world will find that every affair of rectification is due to Tawheed, singling out Allah in worship and obedience to His Messenger (Muhammad). And every evil in the world, trial, affliction, scarcity (in livelihood), being overpowered by an enemy and other than that is due to (our) opposition to the Messenger and the call to other than (the way of) Allaah and His Messenger. Whoever truly ponders upon this and examines the state of affairs of the world- since its beginning and until the time Allaah will take it away and those upon it- he will realise this affair regarding himself and others, in general and specific (circumstances). And there is no Might or Power except with Allaah –The Most High, The Most Great. (3) (End of quotes)

والله المستعان

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public, and I ask You (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger, and I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty, and I ask you for blessings that never ceases, and I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends, and I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; and I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquillity, etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me). O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Iman, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). (4)


(1) Tafseer at-Ṭabari 13/471

(2) Zad al-Ma’ad 4/333–334

(3) Badaa’i Al-Fawaa’id 3/525-526

(4)https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2021/01/01/o-allaah-let-me-live-if-life-is-good-for-me-and-let-me-die-if-death-is-good-for-me/

From a Father’s Heart: Advice to One of My Sons Who Constantly Searches for Scholarly Guidance

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

I ask Allah during these challenging times of Fitan, asking Him to safeguard me, my wife, my children, and grandchildren from all trials, and to protect all Muslims and their offspring, Amin. Two of my beloved sons – from my own household – always seek the verdicts of scholars on various matters. After one of them posed a question to me today, I am sharing with him this example from a response given by Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy on him, concerning the pursuit of truth. Life is short, and as we approach our mid-50s, we cannot help but reflect on what the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stated about the average lifespan of this Ummah. Thus, we ask Allah to grant us life as long as it is good for us and to take us when death is good for us. I pass on this advice to my beloved son, and may Allah bless him and all Muslim children, Amin.

السؤال: هذا السائل أحمد كشوقة من الأردن عمان يقول: سماحة الشيخ: إذا اختلفت أقوال العلماء في حكم مسألة ما، فمنهم من قال: مكروه، ومنهم من قال: حرام، ومنهم من قال: لا يجوز، فهل أحسن القول في هذه الأحكام هو الحرام؟ وهل هذا دائمًا؟ وإذا اختلفوا على مسألة بأنها جائزة مستحبة لا بأس بها فهل الأحسن القول هو الاستحباب؟ وهل هذا دائمًا، وجهونا بهذا مأجورين؟
الجواب: هذا فيه تفصيل على المستفتي أن ينظر في الأمر، ويتحرى من هو أقرب إلى الخير والعلم والفضل وأقرب إلى إصابة الحق حتى يأخذ بفتواه، وإذا احتاط والمسألة: هذا يقول: حرام، وهذا يقول: ليس بحرام، واحتاط وترك ذلك فهذا حسن؛ لقول النبي ﷺ: دع ما يريبك إلى ما لا يريبك من اتقى الشبهات فقد استبرأ لدينه وعرضه ولكن إذا تيسر له أن يتحرى حتى يعرف من هو أكثر علمًا، ومن هو أكثر ورعًا، ومن هو أقرب إلى الصواب حتى يأخذ بقوله، حتى يطمئن قلبه، مثلما قال ﷺ: استفت قلبك البر ما اطمأنت إليه النفس واطمأن إليه القلب، إذا اختلفت عليه الفتاوى، إذا اختلفت الفتوى فالمؤمن ينظر ويتأمل ولا يعجل، يتحرى من هو أقرب إلى الناس للإصابة من أهل العلم والبصيرة والورع والذي يرجح في قلبه أنه أقرب إلى الخير وأقرب إلى إصابة الحق، وهكذا في الاستحباب إذا اختلفوا هذا سنة أو مباح يتحرى، فإذا غلب على قلبه واطمأن قلبه إلى قول من قال: إنه مستحب، عمل عمل المستحب، وإذا اطمأن قلبك إلى أنه مباح فقط عامله معاملة المباح.
والمقصود من هذا كله أن المستفتي أو السامع ينظر ويتأمل ولا يعجل، وينظر حال المفتين وأحوالهم، وينظر ما هو أقرب إلى الخير من جهة ورعهم ومن جهة تحريهم الحق، ومن جهة سمعتهم الحسنة، إلى غير ذلك

https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/8821/%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA%D9%84%D9%81%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%8A%D9%86

The question: This questioner, Ahmad Kashuqah from Amman, Jordan, says: O revered Shaikh, when the statements of the scholars differ regarding the ruling on a particular issue—some saying it is Makruh (disliked), some say it is Haraam (unlawful) and some say Laa Yajuz (it is not allowed), is the verdict Haraam the best of these statements and is this always the case? And if they differ regarding a matter being allowed, recommended and that there is no harm regarding it, is the verdict recommended the best statement, and is this always the case?

Response: There is a detail clarification regarding this matter. It is incumbent upon the one seeking a verdict to examine the matter, [ويتحرى من هو أقرب إلى الخير والعلم والفضل وأقرب إلى إصابة الحق – and he (carefully) seeks out the one who is closer to goodness, knowledge, and virtue, and closer to attaining the truth] in order to follow their fatwa. If one exercises caution, while the matter is a situation where this one says “haraam”, that one says “It is not Haraam”, he exercises caution and leaves it. This would be better. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.” [a] “So whoever took caution regarding the ambiguous matters has absolved himself regarding his religion and his honour”.[b]

However, if he is able, he carefully seeks until he knows [من هو أكثر علمًا، ومن هو أكثر ورعًا، ومن هو أقرب إلى الصواب – who has more knowledge, has more of that fear of Allah that makes a person abandon doubtful matters out of fear of falling into Haram, and the one who is closer to reaching what is correct] in order to follow his statement and so that his heart is at ease, similar to what the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Consult your heart”. [c] Righteousness is that about which the soul feels tranquil and the heart feels tranquil. If faced with differing fatwas, if the Fatwa differs, a believer examines and contemplates, and he is not hasty; [يتحرى من هو أقرب إلى الناس للإصابة من أهل العلم والبصيرة والورع والذي يرجح في قلبه أنه أقرب إلى الخير وأقرب إلى إصابة الحق – he seeks among the people of knowledge the one closest to reaching the truth, the possessors of clear-sightedness and that fear of Allah that makes a person avoid doubtful matters out of fear of falling into what is forbidden – the one his heart considers to be closer to good and closer to reaching the truth].

Similarly, in matters of recommendation, if there is disagreement regarding whether something is recommended or permissible, one should carefully consider the opinions. If his heart holds an overwhelming inclination -based on what is apparent – towards the statement of the one who says that the matter is recommended, he should act on the recommendation. If your heart is at ease that the matter is permissible only, it should be treated as permissible. The goal (intent) regarding all of this is that the one who seeks fatwa or the listener should examine and contemplate without haste, he examines the situation and circumstances of the Muftis, and he examines what is closer to good in terms of them having that fear of Allah that makes a person avoid doubtful matters out of fear of falling into Haram, their careful pursuit of the truth, and their good reputation, among other things. [end of quote] [Paraphrased]

In saying all this, Taqleed has its precise place. Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated on this link that the layperson or the beginner in the path of knowledge has no option but to make Taqleed because they do not have the ability to make Ijtihaad, so they make Taqleed of the people of knowledge, as Allah said:

فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

Ask Ahl Adh-Dhikr (the people of Shariah knowledge) if you do not know. [d] [end of quote]

I am reminding my beloved son who constantly seeks clarification regarding what the scholars say in different subject matters that Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, Al-Allamah Abdul Muhsin, and Al-Allamah Salih Aala Ash-Shaikh are still alive, may Allah preserve them. The students of Al-Allamah Rabee, Al-Allamah Ubaid, Al-Allamah Muqbil Bin Haadi, and others, may Allah have mercy upon them, continue to clarify issues at various levels of knowledge. However, give precedence to the senior scholars first – Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, Al-Allamah Abdul Muhsin, and Al-Allamah Salih Aala Ash-Shaikh. Additionally, benefit from all the other well-known students of these scholars, who include both scholars and senior students of knowledge. However, for great matters, we must consult Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan and Al-Allamah Abdul Muhsin. Respect and love all the upright people of knowledge in the Muslim lands, the likes of Shaikh Mustapha Mubram, Shaikh Abdullah Al-Bukhari, Shaikh Khalid Adh-Dhufayri, Shaikh Nizaar, Shaikh Ahmad Az-Zahrani, and others, and also respect your Mashayikh in other parts of the world. Always ask Allah to enable you to follow the truth.  There is no harm in Taqleed with sincerity and honesty, as I have referenced the statement of Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan regarding this.

Furthermore, the scholars were well-known to us in the West in 1995 after Allah guided us to the Sunnah. We loved, respected, and defended them. Many issues were clarified for us through them via their upright students. We benefitted and continue to benefit from all upright scholars and students of knowledge regardless of their varying levels of knowledge and age, but big matters were always reserved for the senior scholars. Similarly, in the present day, benefit from all truthful scholars. Finally, after identifying the senior scholars like Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, Al-Allamah Abdul Muhsin, and Al-Allamah Salih Aala Ash-Shaikh, refrain from engaging in debates about others because neither have they asked you to debate their matter nor is it befitting that you engage yourself in that which is not beneficial. Instead, focus on learning from all upright possessors of knowledge in our era, and your aim should always be searching for the truth and follow evidence to the best of your ability. Do not concern yourself with those who utter lies, persist upon lies and deception, and be distant from those drowned in exaggeration and propaganda in the East and the West. And give no consideration to Ahlul Bidah. May Allah bless you. I ask you to pardon me for all the shortcomings that have manifested from me while doing my best to nurture you. May Allah bless you and your family, and all my other children, and all the children of the Muslims Amin.

Footnotes:
[a] https://www.nawawis40hadith.com/nw/hadith/11/leaving-doubt
[b] https://www.nawawis40hadith.com/nw/hadith/6/the-doubtful-matters
[c] https://www.nawawis40hadith.com/nw/hadith/27/righteousness-and-sin
[d] https://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/ar/node/15726

[3]Rewarded Through Responsibility, Not Reputation, Shrewdness or Cleverness

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَنصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ

O you who believe, if you aid (the cause of) Allāh, He will aid you (against your enemy) and make your foothold firm (upon faith and upon the straight path and against your enemy). (1)

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

 هذا أمر منه تعالى للمؤمنين، أن ينصروا الله بالقيام بدينه، والدعوة إليه، وجهاد أعدائه، والقصد بذلك وجه الله، فإنهم إذا فعلوا ذلك، نصرهم الله وثبت أقدامهم، أي: يربط على قلوبهم بالصبر والطمأنينة والثبات، ويصبر أجسامهم على ذلك، ويعينهم على أعدائهم، فهذا وعد من كريم صادق الوعد، أن الذي ينصره بالأقوال والأفعال سينصره مولاه، وييسر له أسباب النصر، من الثبات وغيره.

This is a command from Him (Allah), the Most High, to the believers: that they aid Allāh’s (cause) by establishing (or upholding) the religion He has ordained, convey it, strive against His enemies, and seeking thereby Allāh’s countenance, for if they do that, Allah will aid them and make their feet firm — meaning He will strengthen their hearts with patience, tranquility, steadfastness, make their bodies persevere, and aid them against their enemies. This is a promise from the Most Generous, whose promises are (always) true, that whoever aids His (cause) through statements and deeds, his protector (Allah) will aid and facilitate him with (or make easy for him) the means of victory, such as steadfastness and other than it. (2)


(1)https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/47_7

(2) An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi. Paraphrased

[2] Rewarded Through Responsibility, Not Reputation, Shrewdness or Cleverness

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

“O My servants, it is but your deeds that I reckon up for you and then recompense you for, so let him who finds good praise Allāh, and let him who finds other than that blame no one but himself.” (1)

In a brief explanation of this part of the hadith, Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

ثم بين سبحانه أن الحاصل والخلاصة أنها أعمالهم يحصيها الرب جل وعلا لهم ثم يوفيهم إياها، يعني أجورهم إن كانت طيبة أو عقابهم إن كانت سيئة؛ ولهذا قال: فمن وجد خيرًا فليحمد الله الذي وفقه لطاعته وهداه وأعانه، ومن وجد غير ذلك من وجد أعماله خبيثة توجب النار فلا يلومن إلا نفسه لأنه فرط وأضاع وتساهل وتابع الهوى والشيطان، ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله. نعم

Then Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, made it clear that the outcome and conclusion is that indeed it is their deeds, which the Lord, Majestic and Exalted—records for them, and then He will give them their full recompense if (their deeds were) good, or punished if evil. Due to this, He said: “So let him who finds good praise Allah”, because He (Allah) is the One who blessed the person with the ability to obey Him, guided and helped him. “And let him who finds other than that”, meaning the one who finds his deeds corrupt (wicked) that necessitates (entry into) the Fire, “let him blame no one but himself,” because indeed he was negligent, wasted opportunities, lackadaisical, followed (vain) desires and shaytan. And there is neither power nor might except with Allah.


(1)https://www.nawawis40hadith.com/nw/hadith/24/prohibition-of-oppression

(2)https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/17143/%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AB-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B3%D9%8A paraphrased

[1] Rewarded Through Responsibility, Not Reputation, Shrewdness or Cleverness

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

مَّنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَسَاءَ فَعَلَيْهَا ۗ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ

Whosoever does righteous good deed it is for (the benefit of) his ownself, and whosoever does evil, it is against his ownself, and your Lord is never at all unjust to (His) slaves. (Fussilat 46)

“Whoever does righteous good deeds”, meaning, deeds commanded by Allah and His Messenger, “it is for (the benefit of) his ownself”. Its benefit and reward return to him in this world and the Hereafter. “And whoever does evil, it is against his ownself”, meaning: its harm and punishment in this world and the Hereafter.

In this is an urge to do good and avoid evil, and that the performers of deeds are befitted through their good deeds and they are harmed by their evil deeds, and that indeed no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another.

“And your Lord is never unjust at all to His servants”, for He does not place upon anyone more than the weight of their own misdeeds (or evil deeds).

An Excerpt from “Tafsir As-Sadi”.

 

A Matter Demanding Profound Caution, Vigilance, and Verification

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

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked about those people who say, “I have heard some of the scholars saying such and such, or given a Fatwa”. Then he uses this as a basis for his statement or action.

The Shaikh replied: Lying about the scholars in matters related to the Shariah is a great danger. And because of this, it is reported in a hadith that he [i.e. Allah’s Messenger- peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said: “Whoever tells a lie against me [intentionally] then let him occupy his seat in Hell-fire”. [Bukhaari 107]

Therefore, telling lies about the scholars in matters related to the Shariah is a great danger because it is tantamount to lying against the Shariah. (There are) some people, may Allah guide them, when his soul finds something suitable for himself and he knows that people will not accept (i.e. what he will say or do), he chooses a scholar trusted by the people and forges a statement (i.e. attributes it to the scholar) whether he (the person) is right or upon falsehood.

An Excerpt from “Sharh Hilyati Talib Al-Ilm”. p. 224. paraphrashed

(1) Are There Three Monotheistic Religion On Earth at Present?

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

Are_There_Three_Monotheistic_Religions_In-The_World_At_Present_Section1.pdf
https://salaficentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Are_There_Three_Monotheistic_Religions_In-The_World_At_Present_Section1.pdf

Toxic Scholars and Devout Ignorant Worshippers

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

Imam Sufyan ath-Thawree, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “It is said: Seek refuge in Allah from the fitna of the ignorant devout worshipper and the fitna of the sinful (wayward, wicked, corrupt etc) scholar, for their Fitna is a trial for every Maf’toon.” (1)

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “For indeed the people emulate their scholars and devout worshippers, so, if the scholars are sinful and the devout worshippers are ignorant, then the calamity will become widespread through them (i.e. these two types of people) and severe for both the prominent (influential people) and the commoners.” (2)


(1) Akhlaq al-Ulamaa by p. 63 by Imam Al-Aajurree, may Allah have mercy upon him.

(2) Miftaaḥ Daar As-Sa‘aadah 1/160