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Author: Salafi Dawah Manchester

An Example of Hasan Al-Basri’s Amazing Character

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Articles, Scholars of Islam.

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

Khaalid Ibn Safwaan (rahimahullaah) reported: I met Maslamah Ibn Abdil Maalik (rahimahullaah) in a state of bewilderment, so he said to me: ”O Khaalid! Inform me of Hasan Al-Basree (rahimahullaah), for indeed I think that you know of his affair that which none else knows”.

So I said, ”May Allaah rectify the affairs of the Ameer, I am the best of those to inform you about him based on knowledge. I was a neighbour of his, I sat with him and I sat in his gatherings”. So he (Maslamah) said to me, ”Give what you have (of information)”. So I said, ”Indeed, he was a man whose private affairs were the same as his public affairs (i.e. what he believed and did in private was the same as what he believed and did in public), and his speech conformed to his actions. When he commanded good, he was the one who acted upon it the most, and when he forbade evil, he was the one who abandoned it the most. Indeed, I saw him free from having any need of the people and abstaining from what the people possessed, but the people were in need of him and sought after what he had.” So Maslamah (rahimahullaah) said, ”Enough O Khaalid! How can a people be misguided when the likes of such a person was amongst them”.

[Source: Suwar Min Hayaat At-taab’een Lis-saf Ath-thaalitha Al-Mutawassit page 14. Saudi Arabia Ministry of Education]

Verily! We Have Made That Which Is On Earth As An Adornment For It, In Order That We May Test Them As to Which of Them Are Best In Deeds

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Articles, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah (The Most High) stated:

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا

وَإِنَّا لَجَاعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا

Verily! We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds. [i.e.those who do good deeds in the most perfect manner, that means to do them (deeds) totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance to the legal ways of the Prophet]. And verily! We shall make all that is on it (the earth) a bare dry soil (without any vegetation or trees, etc.).

Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) stated: Allaah (The Most High) informed (us) that He has made everything on the face of the earth- such as the delicious foods and drinks, the beautiful houses, the trees, the rivers, the vegetations, the fruits, the beautiful scenes (or beautiful things that captures the attention of the eyes), the pretty gardens, the beautiful images, gold, silver, horses, camels and other than them- as an adornment for it, a trial and test.  [لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا -that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds]; that is: The most sincere (i.e. sincerity in worship) and most correct (i.e. carry out deeds in accordance with the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet).

And besides this, Allaah will (finally) make all these things disappear and the earth will return to been a bare dry soil- its enjoyment will disappear and come to an end. This is the reality of this worldly life! Indeed Allaah has made this worldly life clearly visible to us and warned us not to be deceived by it. He urged us towards the home of the (afterlife) – whose enjoyment is ever lasting- out of mercy to us. However, the one who merely looks at the outward appearance of this worldly life and not its true reality is deceived by its adornment and beauty; so he goes along with it like animals do and enjoy himself like cattle that graze around freely. He neither gives concern to the rights of his Lord nor gives importance to knowing his Lord; rather his concern is only to follow his desires in every way he can and in every situation. When death arrives to the likes of these people, they are restless because of the disappearance of the enjoyment (of the worldly pleasures) and due to what they have sent forth of evil deeds.

As for the one who looks at the true reality of this worldly life and knows the true purpose behind it and from it, he utilises from it that which will aid him to fulfil the reason it was created for him (i.e. he utilises the worldly blessings in obedience to Allaah). He utilises his noble lifespan as an opportunity (to obey Allaah). He makes this worldly life a place of transition and not a place of permanent (joy); a place of travel and not a place of permanent residence. Therefore, he strives to know his lord, fulfil the commands of his Lord (and keep away from what his Lord has forbidden) and (strives to) perfect his deeds. This person has the highest station in the presence of his Lord and he is deserving- (by the kindness and mercy of his Lord) – of every good treatment, bliss, nobility and happiness (in the hereafter).

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. slightly paraphrased]

The Love Or Hatred One Has For Others Should Never Interfere With The Truth

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul.

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

A man came to Ibn Mas’ood [radiyallaahu-anhu] and said, ‘’Teach me [some] comprehensive and beneficial statements’’. So he said, ‘’Worship Allaah and do not associate anything with Him [in worship]; be with the Qur’aan wherever it is [i.e. be in agreement with it in all circumstances]. Whoever comes to you with truth – whether he is young or old, and even if he is not close to you and is hated to you, then accept it from him. And whoever comes to you whilst lying, then reject it, even if he is beloved and close to [you]’’.

[Source: مساوئ الأخلاق ومذمومها – page 72. By Abubakr Muhammad Bin Jafar Bin Sahl Ash-Shaamiriy (rahimahullaah); Born 240AH and died 327AH]

A Means to Protecting One’s Heart – [An Admonition By Imaam Sufyaan Ath-Thawri]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Mercififul, The Bestower of Mercy

Abdul-Azeez Al-Qurashee [rahimahullaah] said:

I heard Sufyaan [rahimahullaah] saying: It is incumbent upon you that you do not attach your heart to the worldly life [i.e. a blameworthy attachment as opposed to seeking one’s needs] and you are not eager for its attainment [i.e. the eagerness that leads to sin, transgression, greed etc], and Allaah will make you see the concealed affairs of the worldly life [i.e. its corruption, true reality, worries etc when we are attached to it in a blameworthy manner]. It is incumbent upon you to fear Allaah in a manner that will keep you away from those affairs that are doubtful and thus may affect you in the afterlife and Allaah will make your giving account on [the day of judgement] less burdensome. Leave what makes you doubt for that which is not doubtful; leave those affairs that resemble the truth but are falsehood in reality and your religion will be safeguarded. [Hilyatul Awliyaa 7/20]

Grateful For Being Guided to The Authentic Sunnah – [Ibnul Qayyim Narrates An Incident About a Companion of His]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Articles, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Ibn al-Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said: One day I entered upon one of our companions and indeed something did happen to him that made him cry, so I asked him about it; he said: I remembered what Allaah has bestowed on me from the Sunnah and acquaintance with it; freed [me] from the Shub’hah [i.e. doubts that are made to resemble the truth] of the people and their false principles; conformity with clear intellectual discernment and sound natural disposition based on that which the Messenger [sallal laahu alay wasallam] came with, so it made me happy until it made me cry. [Madaarij As-Saalikeen 3/127] [paraphrased] [Quoted By Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr (hafidhahullaah)] http://al-badr.net/muqolat/5481

Admonition to Neighbours – [By Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdillaah As-Subayyil and Shaikh Zayd Bin Haadi (rahimahumallaah)]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Articles, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Question: The questioner asks: What are the rights of a neighbour?

Answer: The rights of a neighbour are great and many. Indeed many ahaadeeth have been narrated regarding the rights of a neighbour and among them is the hadeeth narrated by Abdullaah Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: Jibreel did not cease advising me (about the rights) of a neighbour to the extent that I thought he (i.e. the neighbour) would be my inheritor. [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: The one whose neighbour is not safe from his evil behaviour will not enter paradise. [Reported by Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: By Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); by Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); by Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); It was said: Who O Messenger of Allah? He said: The one whose neighbour is not safe from his evil behaviour. [Reported by Bukhari]

And there are other Narrations that demonstrate the greatness of a neighbour’s rights. Neighbours are three types: The neighbour with three rights; the neighbour with two rights and the neighbour with one.

[a] The neighbour with three rights is the one who is a relative, so he has rights (over you) as a relative, as a Muslim brother (or sister) and the rights of a neighbour.

[b] The neighbour with two rights is a Muslim neighbour, so he has rights (over you) as a neighbour and as a Muslim (brother or sister).

[c] As for neighbour with one right, he (or she) is a non-Muslim neighbour and has the rights of a neighbour. [Ref 1]

The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ”He Is Not a (True) Believer Whose Stomach Is Filled While His Neighbour Goes Hungry”. [Ref 2]

This Hadeeth (clearly demonstrates or indicates) that the one whose stomach is filled while his neighbour is hungry is not a believer of complete Eemaan. A person of complete Eemaan is the one who checks on his neighbour if the neighbour is in need of him. It is not possible for a neighbour to be enjoying himself with foods and drinks while his (other) neighbour cannot find anything and he does not give him anything. This (behaviour) does not reflect the manners of a believer with complete Eemaan. And because of this-in this hadeeth- the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) negated the completeness (of the Eemaan of the one who behaves in such a manner); rather a believer of complete Eemaan is the one who is generous to his neighbour as much as he is able, especially when in need of a necessity such as food and drink. [Ref 3]

Question: The questioner asks: A neighbour of mine and his children harm me through their speech and actions, so will I be rewarded due to being patient with them?

Answer: There is no doubt that you will be rewarded (In-Shaa-Allaah) due to your patience in receiving harm from your neighbour and his children. This patience of yours is from good manners and kind treatment to your neighbour. Indeed Allaah (The Most High) advised His Messenger (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) about showing kindness to neighbours, saying:

وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا

Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful. [4:36]

The Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: Jibreel did not cease advising me (about the rights) of a neighbour to the extent that I thought he (i.e. the neighbour) would be my inheritor. [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

Therefore, be steadfast in exercising patience and you’ll receive reward and a good recompense from Allaah (In-Shaa-Allaah). There is no doubt that your neighbour is committing evil deeds, for indeed the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: By Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); by Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); by Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); It was said: Who O Messenger of Allah? He said: The one whose neighbour is not safe from his evil behaviour. [Reported by Bukhari] [Ref 4]

[Ref 1: Fadaa’il Al A’maal pages 15-16’ by Shaikh Muhamad Bin Abdillaah As-Subayyil (rahimahullaah)]

[Ref 2: Reported by Imaam Al-Bukhaari (rahimahullaah) in Adabul Mufrad Number 112 & declared authentic by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in his checking of Adabul Mufrad page 50. Publisher Daar As-Siddeeq 2nd ed [1421 AH/ Year 2000]

[Ref 3: Awnul Ahadis Samad Sharhul Adabul Mufrad’ page137, Vol 1- by Shaikh Zayd Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali (rahimahullaah). Publisher: Daar Al-Meeraath An-Nabawiy’ 1st ed Year 1434AH/ 2013]

[Ref 4: Fadaa’il Al-A’maal page 30’ by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdillah As-Subayyil (rahimahullaah)]

The Spreading of Knowledge and The Spread of Islam – Shaykh Saaleh al Fawzaan

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Basics, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Video.

The Questioner asks:

“How do we combine between the spread of knowledge and the spread of Islam everywhere and the saying of the prophet, peace be upon him, that every time will be worse than the one preceding it.”

The Answer in the video by Shaykh Fawzaan

“Knowledge will spread in all ages and reach the East and the West. Today, you see that knowledge used to spread through Jihad in the path of Allah and the call to Allah. Now, we have the media, so the Qur’an is recited with loud and clear. It is recited in the loudest voice in the East and West. The Athaan (call to prayer) is heard in the East and West. This is from the mercy of Allah and from the establishment of proof against the servants so they can not say, Islam did not reach us or nothing reached us.”

Four Obstacles In The Servant’s Path to Well-being And Safety

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

Disobedience is the cause of being in shaytaan’s captivity and a prisoner of lowly desires. A disobedient person is always in the captivity of his devil, the prison of his lusts and leadership of his desires. He is a captive and a shackled prisoner. There is neither a captive whose state of affairs is more evil than that of a captive whose captor is his worst enemy, nor is there a prison more restricted than the prison of desires, and shackles that are more restrictive than the shackles of lust; so how can a heart that is a captive and a shackled prisoner follow the path to Allaah and the home of the afterlife? How can he follow a single path when the heart is shackled and stricken with harm from every angle as a result of the [severity] of its shackles? The likeness of the heart is that of a bird; it distances from harm whenever it flies high and surrounded by harm whenever it lands. It is reported in a hadeeth: ‘’Shaytaan is a wolf to a human being.’’ And just as an unprotected sheep in the midst of wolves is quickly destroyed, likewise if there is no protection from Allaah for the slave, it is inevitable that his wolf will prey on him.

He is protected by Allaah through Taqwaah. Taqwaah is a shield and shelter from Allaah between the person and his wolf; just as it is a shield against punishment in this life and the afterlife. Whenever the sheep is closer to its shepherd, it is safer from the wolf and whenever it is distanced from the shepherd, it comes closer to being destroyed. So the sheep is more protected when it is closer to the shepherd, for the wolf only takes away the [sheep, cattle]  that are distanced and far away from the shepherd.

The basis of this affair is that whenever the heart is distanced from Allaah, then harm upon it is quicker, and whenever it is comes closer to Allaah, it is distanced from harm. Being distanced from Allaah is of various levels and some are more severe than others. Being distanced from [Allaah] through disobedience is greater than being distanced from [Allaah] through thoughtlessness; being distanced from [Allaah] through bidah is greater than being distanced from [Allaah] through disobedience, and being distanced from [Allaah] through hypocrisy and shirk is greater than all of that. [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Ad-Daa’u Wad-Dawaa’u’ page 119-120. slightly paraphrased]

Repentance:

https://www.salaficentre.com/2012/03/abridged-the-best-way-to-seek-allaahs-forgiveness-with-comments-from-imaam-bin-baaz-rahimahullaah/

https://www.salaficentre.com/2016/08/salaah-tawbah-prayer-repentance/

The Danger of Telling Lies About a Scholar: [A Final Admonition And Reminder to Khaalid Abdur Rahmaan Al-Misri And Those Who Shelter Him at An-Nahj Al-Faadih]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] was asked about those people [may Allaah guide them] who say, ‘’I have heard some of the scholars saying such and such, or given a Fatwa’’; then he [i.e. the one who attributes such a statement to a scholar or scholars] uses this as a basis for his statement or action.

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] replied: Lying about the scholars in affairs related to the Sharee’ah is a great danger. And because of this, it has been reported in a hadeeth that he [i.e. The Messenger of Allaah (Alayhis- Salaatu- Was-Salaam)] said, ‘’Whoever tells a lie against me [intentionally] then let him occupy his seat in Hell-fire.’’ [Bukhaari 107]

Therefore, telling lies against the scholars in affairs related to the Sharee’ah [i.e. falsely saying that they said this or that, or gave a Fatwa about this or that] is a great danger because it is tantamount to lying against the Sharee’ah. [There are] some people – may Allaah guide them – who when his soul finds something suitable for himself and he knows that people will not accept (what he will say or do), he chooses a scholar whom the people trust and then forges a false statement concerning the scholar – whether he is right [i.e. regarding the statement or deed he wants the people to accept and for which he sought to transmit a forged statement] or upon falsehood. [Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ page 224.Paraphrased]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah]:

The Imaam [rahimahullaah] stated that one should beware of kadhib [lying], for indeed it corrupts one’s ability to illustrate information based on what it should be in reality; corrupts one’s ability to illustrate information and his ability to teach the people. The liar portrays what is non-existent as something present and what is present as something non-existent. He portrays truth as something false and falsehood as something true; portrays good as evil and evil as good, so this corrupts his conception and knowledge, which then becomes a punishment upon him. Then he portrays what is not true to the one deceived by him – the one inclined towards him- and thus corrupts his conception and knowledge. The soul of the liar turns away from the existing reality -inclined towards what is non-existent and gives preference to falsehood.

And when his conception and knowledge is corrupted, which is the basis of every wilful chosen deed, his deeds become corrupt and are marked by lies, and thus those deeds would emanate from him just as lies emanate from the tongue. He neither benefits from his tongue nor his deeds. This is why lying is the basis [or foundation] of immorality, just as the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Indeed lies lead to immorality [or wickedness] and indeed immorality [or wickedness] leads to the fire. [Bukhaari 2606/2607]

Firstly, lies emerges from the heart and then on the tongue, so it corrupts it; then it transfers to the limbs and corrupts its actions, just as it corrupts the statements of the tongue. So, it prevails over his statements, deeds and state of affairs; corruption becomes deeply rooted in him and its disease leads to destruction if Allaah does not grant him cure with the medication of truthfulness, which uproots it [i.e. lying] from its original source. This is why the basis [or foundation] of all the deeds of the hearts is based on truthfulness, and the basis of their opposites – such as showing off, self-amazement, pride, being glad [with ungratefulness to Allaah’s Favours], conceitedness, boastfulness, insolence, weakness, laziness, cowardice,  disgrace and other than them- is lies. The origin of every righteous deed- whether carried out in private or public- is based on truthfulness; and the origin of every corrupt deed – whether carried out in private or public- is lies.

Allaah punishes the liar by preventing him from those affairs that will bring him well-being and benefit, and He rewards the truthful one by granting him the ability to attain the beneficial affairs related to the worldly life and afterlife. There is nothing similar to truthfulness with regards to the manner in which it brings about the affairs of well-being in this life and the next, and there is nothing similar to lying with regards to the manner in which it corrupts and harms one’s worldly affairs and the afterlife.

[Allaah (The Most High) said]:

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]

وَجَاءَ الْمُعَذِّرُونَ مِنَ الْأَعْرَابِ لِيُؤْذَنَ لَهُمْ وَقَعَدَ الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ

سَيُصِيبُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

And those who made excuses from the Bedouins came (to you, O Prophet) asking your permission to exempt them (from the battle), and those who had lied to Allah and His Messenger sat at home (without asking the permission for it); a painful torment will seize those of them who disbelieve. [9:90] [Al-Fawaa’id’ pages 202-203. paraphrased]

 

Wearing Watches On The Right Hand: [Deluded Scaremonger Says, ‘’They (i.e. Salafis) Are So Extreme That They Compel People to Wear Watches Only On Their Right Hands]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Pearls of Wisdom, Scholars of Islam.

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

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] was asked: “What is the Sharee’ah ruling on wearing a watch on the right hand?”

The Shaikh [rahimahullaah] stated: Wearing a watch on the right hand or left hand is all the same. That is because the closest thing [in similarity to] it is a [finger] ring, and it has been established [i.e. through text] that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] sometimes wore his ring on the right hand and at other times on his left hand. So, whoever wears his watch on the right hand is upon what is good and whoever wears it on the left is also upon what is good. However, the majority of the people – at present – wear it on their left hand because the right hand engages in more activity than the left, so if worn on the right, it may obstruct [or hinder] the person when he’s engaged in work and might get damaged or dislocated. So, because of this, the majority of the people choose to wear it on the left hand, and neither is there any blame [or wrongdoing] in that nor is wearing it on the right better than wearing it on the left in relation to this affair. [paraphrased]: Listen to audio on the link https://safeshare.tv/x/DHmdB5GbeBg#