It is reported from the characteristics of the Khawaarij that they shave their heads, is that authentic? And what does it mean?
Shaikh ‘Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Abbad al-Badr:
“The characteristic of the Khawaarij is that they shave their heads, and this is a characteristic and a sign of theirs; but it is reported in the Sunnah what proves that the shaving of (the head) during other than the Hajj and the Umrah (period) is permissible, and that there is no harm in it. But the prohibition is that one takes the Khawaarij as an example and imitates them.”
Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu-anhu) said about the statement of Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) ”For each (person), there are Mu-aqqibaat in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the Command of Allah.” They are the angels that protect the person by the command of Allaah; but when what has been decreed for him arrives, they leave him. [Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam: page: 199]
”Sincerity is the most powerful thing in the Dunyaa. How much have I striven to quash riyaa from my heart, but it seems as if it germinates in it from another course.” [Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam: page:24]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Ibnul Jawzee (rahimahullaah) said: Sayyaar (rahimahullaah) reported from Riyaah (rahimahullaah) who said: A woman was mentioned to me, so I married her. Whenever she finished praying Ishaa , she would perfume herself, adorn herself with incense and wear her (fine) clothes; then she would approach me and say: ”Do you have a need?” If I said yes, she would stay with me; and if I said no, she would take off her (fine) clothes and stand up for (prayer) till the morning. Riyaah said: ”By Allaah, she really delighted me.” [Sifatus Safwah: page: 116]
A Khutbah given by our brother Abu Idrees at Markaz as-Salafi (The Salafi Centre of Manchester) on the 12.12.2008 highlighting the importance of at-taqwa.
How to Deal With the Elderly Person Who Does Not Pray or Commits Acts of Disobedience
Question to Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr:
”How is the elderly person dealt with, if he does not establish the prayer or if he commits some of the (acts) of disobedience?
Answer:
We know from what has preceded (i.e. in the lecture) that the elderly person has rights due to his old age; the rights of the elderly, even if he is not a Muslim, then how about the one who abandons the prayer completely?
This (person) is a disbeliever due to the saying of the Messenger (‘alayhi salat wasallam): ”the covenant between us and them is the prayer, so whoever abandons it has disbelieved. ”And the ahaadeeth regarding this affair are many.
*[Note: Listener/Reader: The scholars differ with regards to the affair of the person who abandons the Salaah out of laziness, as to whether he is a disbeliever or not; so refer to the different arguments of the scholars on the topic. See the arguments of Shaikh Uthaymeen, Shaikh Bin Baaz, Shaikh Al-Albaanee (rahimahumullaah)]
However, regardless of this (i.e. this elder’s abandonment of the prayer), the rights of the elderly remain; so he is shown kindness and is dealt with in accordance with what such rights necessitates, in winning over his heart, and with the hope that Allaah (Tabaaraka-Wata-Aalaa) will guide him and return him to correctness, especially if he is a father or a near relative, then a person should deal with him in the worldly life with goodness and kindness. In this also is winning over his heart, and perhaps Allaah (Subhaanahu wa ta’ala) will grant him guidance and success.
And we did come across (i.e. in the lecture) the saying of Allaah: ”But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly.”
[Luqmaan: Ayah: 15].
He (Allaah) did not say: disrespect both of them, or cut off the relationship (between you and them), rather He said: ”but behave with them in the world kindly.” So, (you) behave kindly even if he is a disbeliever or polytheist; and even if he is caller to polytheism and disbelief, the father is (still) treated with kindness, also the mother and the close relative; so that this kindness becomes a means to winning over his heart and to draw it close to the truth and goodness.
And if he is from the sinful believers, then also he is to be dealt with in a good way and at the same time give him advise with etiquettes, without raising oneself above him, arrogance or what is similar to that; rather you him advise with etiquettes, gentleness and wise mannerisms, and perhaps Allaah (Tabaaraka-Wata-Aalaa) will bless him with guidance and bestow him steadfastness
