قال الحافظ ابن رجب :
“ألا إن شهركم قد أخذ في النقص فزيدوا أنتم في العمل”
لطائف المعارف ٢٦٢
Al-Hāfith Ibn Rajab (d. 795 رحمه الله) said:
“Indeed your month has decreased, therefore increase yourselves in deeds.”
(Latāʿif Al-Maʿārif 262)
Bishr Ibn al-Haarith (rahimahullaah) said: ”You will not become truly righteous until your enemy is safe from you (i.e. your injustice). And how can any goodness be in you when your friend is not safe from you.”
He (rahimahullaah) said: ”I have never seen anything that exposes the affairs of this slave more than his stomach.”
[Source: Seerah As-Salaf As-Saaliheen of Imaam Ismaa’eel Ibn Muhammad Al-Asbahaanee: section: Those who followed the Taabi-een in goodness. Maktabah Shaamilah]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) stated that the righteousness of the heart and its steadfastness upon the path leading to Allaah’s (good pleasure etc) depends on its complete devotion to Allaah and concentrating in (seeking the good pleasure etc) of Allaah [The Most High]. And that because the heart will not be put in order except by turning completely to Allaah (in obedience, submission etc); but excess food and drink, excess intermingling with the people and excess speech and sleep are among (those things) that increase the heart in decay, distracts it in every way and severs it from its path of (obedience) to Allaah [The Most High] – either weakening it or hindering it, or stopping it (from this goal); therefore the Mercy of the [All-Mighty, The Bestower of Special Mercy to the believers] necessitates that He legislates fasting for His (believing) servants that which will (divert them) from excess food and drink, and rid the heart of the intrusions of desires, which hinders it from its path (of obedience) to Allaah.
Allaah legislated (fasting) in accordance with what is of benefit for the servant, so that the servant is benefited in his worldly life and afterlife – neither hindering him from what will bring about well-being for him in this life and the next. And Allaah legislated I’tikaaf for them, whose purpose and spiritual (aim) is make the heart devoted to Allaah, completely concentrating on (worshipping) Allaah, diverted from busying oneself with the people and busying oneself with the (worship) of Allaah alone, so that the person’s entire concern is directed to (worshipping) Allaah – his mind focused entirely in the remembrance of Allaah, all his thoughts directed at seeking after the pleasure of Allaah and that which will bring him closer to Allaah. This close attachment to Allaah becomes a replacement for seeking closeness to the people, whilst he worships Allaah with such close attachment, in order that he may be closely attached to Allaah on that day of loneliness in his grave when there will be no close one, and no other one will be a source of happiness other than Allaah. This is the greatest purpose behind I’tikaaf. [Ref 1]
A Brief Discussion by Shaikh Albaani (rahimahullaah)
This section is based on a book of the Shaikh (rahimahullaah) titled: Qiyaamu Ramadhaan’. The details can be found in the link at the end of this article on ref 2.
To proceed:
The Shaikh (rahimahullaah) stated that I’tikaaf is a Sunnah (i.e. a recommended Sunnah) during Ramadaan and on other days during the year. The proof is established in the statement of Allaah (The Most High): [وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ – while you are in I’tikaf (i.e. confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques (2:187)]
Authentic Ahaadeeth Regarding I’tikaaf:
The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) once performed I’tikaaf in the last ten days of Shawaal. Also Umar (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) said to the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) that he made an oath in the Days of Ignorance (i.e. before Islaam) that he would perform Itikaaf for one night in Masjid Al-Haraam, so the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said to him: ‘’Fulfil your oath’’. So Umar performed I’tikaaf for one night.
I’tikaaf is given greater emphasises during Ramadhaan. Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) used to make Itikaaf for ten days in every Ramadaan. But during the year in which he passed away, he performed Itikaaf for twenty days.
However, the best time to perform I’tikaaf is the last part of Ramadaan because the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) used to perform I’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadaan up until Allaah took his soul.
Conditions to Be Fulfilled Before Starting I’tikaaf:
First Condition: It has to be performed in a Masjid because Allaah (The Most High) said:
[ وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ – And do not have intercourse with them (your wives) while you are making Itikaaf in the Masaajid. [2:187]
Aa’isha (radiyallaahu-anhaa) stated that the Sunnah in relation to I’tikaaf is that the performer of I’tikaaf should not exit the Masjid, except for some need he has to fulfil. Neither should he visit a sick person nor touch his wife, nor engage in sexual intercourse with her. And I’tikaaf is not valid except when performed in a Masjid in which the five daily congregational prayers are established.
And the Sunnah in relation to the one performing Itikaaf is that he should be observing the fast (on that day he is performing) I’tikaaf.
Second Condition: The Masjid in which he performs I’tikaaf should also be a Masjid in which the Jumu’ah prayer is established in order that he is not forced to exit the Masjid to pray the Jumu’ah prayer (elsewhere). That is because it would be obligated on him to leave the Masjid for the Jumu’ah prayer as A’ishah (radiyallaahu ‘anhaa) stated that there is no I’tikaaf except in a Masjid that establishes the Jumu’ah Salaah.
Reader: Take Note that Shaikh Albaani (rahimahullaah) at this point discusses briefly whether I’tikaaf can be performed in other than the three Masaajid – [Masjid Al-Haraam, Masjid An-Nabawi & Masjid Al-Aqsaa] and the Shaikh based his view on a hadeeth in which it is stated that there is no I’tikaaf except in the three Masaajid. The Shaikh (rahimahullaah) then stated that some of the salaf held this opinion such as Hudhaifah Ibn Al-Yamaan, Sa’eed Ibn Al-Musayyib and Ataa, but Ataa did not mention Masjid Al-Aqsaa. However, other scholars hold the view that I’tikaaf can be performed in any other Masjid in which the congregational prayers are established. Finally, the difference of opinion in this affair has been discussed by Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhaab Al-Wassaabi (rahimahullaah) and it involves affairs related to science of hadeeth etc. Shaikh Bin Baaz, Shaikh Muqbil, Shaikh Uthaymeen and others do not hold Shaikh Albaani’s view, so if you wish to look into this affair, refer to this link http://www.sahab.net/forums/?showtopic=73521 or ask a student of knowledge in your Masjid to explain the affair in detail. The students are well acquainted with this khilaaf and can easily direct you to what will suffice you based on the statements of the scholars In-Shaa-Allaah.
Third Condition: It is from the Sunnah for the one performing Itikaaf to observe fasting, as has been stated by Aa’ishah (radiyallahu-‘anhaa).
The Things Allowed For a Person in I’tikaaf
[a]He can exit the Masjid in order to fulfil a need. It is permissible for him to thrust his head out of the Masjid to be washed and combed. Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu-anhaa) said that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) would thrust his head out whilst he was performing I’tikaaf and she would comb his hair. In another narration Aa’isha said that she washed it whilst there was a threshold between him and her, and whilst she was on her menses. Likewise, the Messenger would never enter the house whilst in I’tikaaf except for a need.
[b] The performer I’tikaaf can make ablution in the Masjid.
[c] He is allowed to make a small tent at the back of the Masjid.
[d]A woman can visit her husband, whilst he is performing Itikaaf. She can speak to him and the husband can accompany her to the door of the Masjid when she is leaving.
It is allowed for a woman to perform Itikaaf with her husband in the Masjid or by herself. Aa’isha (radiyallaahu-anhaa) said that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform Itikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadaan, until he passed away. Thereafter, his wives used to perform Itikaaf after he passed away. Therefore, this shows that it is allowed for women to perform Itikaaf, as long as they are allowed by their guardians. Also the place they perform I’tikaaf in should be free from temptations and free mixing with men because safeguarding against an evil takes precedence over seeking after some affair that is good.
Sexual intercourse with one’s wife will make one’s I’tikaaf null and void because Allaah said:
وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ
And do not have intercourse with them (your wives) while you are making Itikaaf in the Masaajid. [2:187]
Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu ‘anhumaa) stated that if a person performing Itikaaf engages in sexual intercourse, his Itikaaf is null and void and he has to start all over again.
However, there is no [kaffaarah – expiation] obligated on him because nothing has been stated from the Prophet and his companions about it.
Ref 1: Abridged and paraphrased. Source: Zaadul Ma’aad’ with annotations by Imaam Abdul Bin Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz & Checking of the Ahaadeeth by Imaam Albaani (rahimahumallaah). Page 39. Vol 2. Publisher: Daarul Aathaar’ 1st ed. ISBN Number: 2005/9441]
Ref 2: http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=49622
Haatim Al-Asam (rahimahullaah) said: Whoever claims three affairs without three other affairs is a liar: [a] The one who claims to love Allaah without fearing what He has forbidden is a liar; [b] the one who claims to love paradise without spending his wealth is a liar; [c] The one who claims to love the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) without loving the poor people is a liar.
[Source: Seerah As-Salaf As-Saaliheen of Imaam Ismaa’eel Ibn Muhammad Al-Asbahaanee: section: Those who followed the Taabi-een in goodness. Maktabah Shaamilah]
Narrated Abu Hurairah: Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said, ‘’O Allaah! Give the Qootan (provision that is sufficient to live with contentment) to the family of Muhammad.”[1]
Imaam Abdl-Azeez Bin Baaz (rahimahullaah) said:”(Qootan) meaning: Sufficiency and not an increase because it (draws one) closer to الخشوع [i.e. humility and submissiveness to the Greatness of Allaah–the person submits to everything Allaah has pre-decreed and commanded)]. And (as for) wealth, whenever it is plentiful, desires become plentiful and Allaah’s Aid is sought! [2]
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[1] Saheeh Al-Bukhaari, Vol 8. Hadeeth number:6460. Book of Riqaaq. Page:256
[2]Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taliqaat al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaari, Vol 4. Page: 238. Footnote: 1. abridged
Shaykh Saalih ibn Uthaymeen
Question: If a man owns a house which he rents out, it is not the house he currently lives in, does he pay zakaah from the value of that house or from what the rent money he earns from it?
Answer: The house that is rented out, if it is intended for renting or utilizing only, then there is no zakaah to be paid from its (current) value, but rather zakaah should be paid from the rent money he receives from it when a year passes from the date of the rental contract (with the tenant).
But if the rent money he receives does not complete a full year from the date of the contract, then there is no zakaah to be paid from it. For example: if he rents it for 10000 per year, and he received 5000 at the signing of the contract and he spent it, then he received the other 5000 half way through the year and he spent it before that year was completed (i.e. from the date of the rental contract), then there is no zakaah to be paid from it here because this money has not completed a year.
Whereas if that house has been prepared for renting, but originally he bought it to sell it and now he is waiting to profit from it but he says: I will rent it until it is sold. In this instance zakaah is due from the value of the house and also from the rental money if it completes a year as we have mentioned just before. In this situation zakaah is also due from the value of the house because he has intended to sell it and he doesn’t want to keep it.
Therefore everything that you intend to sell and profit from there is zakaah to be paid from it due to the Saying of the Prophet (SallaaAllaahu alayhi wa sallam): “Actions are by their intentions, and for every person is what they intended”. So a person who has money and he wants to profit from it has intended its value not its physical presence, so its value is the worth of money. Therefore zakaah is due from the value of money. So upon this, this person who has intended to sell the house, it is upon him to pay zakaah from the value of the house and from the rental money if it completes a year from the date of the contract.
Fataawaa Noor alaa ad-darb, volume 7
Al – Hasan Al – Basree rahimahullaah: Indeed the reliance of the servant upon his Lord, is that he knows his Lord is his Protector , The Only One upon whose reliance he can solely depend upon. [1]
Wahb b. Munabbih rahimahullaah : The highest goal (for the servant to attain) is At – Tawakkul. [2]
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[1]. Jaami’ Ul Uloom Wal Hikam of Ibn Rajab Al Hanbali p.1266
[2] Jaami’ Ul Uloom Wal Hikam of Ibn Rajab Al Hanbalee p.1266 12 Agreed Upon.
Translated by: Abu Ad-Dardaa
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Indeed the True Believers are those who Place their Trust In Allaah azza-Wajall.
Hadeeth no.49:
عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ , عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , قالَ
“ لَوْ أَنَّكُمْ تَتَوَكَّلُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ حَقَّ تَوَكُّلِهِ لَرَزَقَكُمْ كَمَا يَرْزُقُ الطَّيْرَ تَغْدُو خِمَاصًا وَتَرُوحُ بِطَانًا.“
On the authority of ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab May Allaah be Pleased with him, narrated from the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم who said:
“If you rely upon Allah with the best level of Tawakkul (placing ones trust and reliance in Allaah) with him, He will provide you with sustenance just as He provides for the birds – they leave out (in the morning) with empty stomachs and return (in the evening) with full stomachs ” Reported in Tirmidhee1, Ahmad2 and others3.
Imaam Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbaliرحمه الله said regarding this hadeeth: This hadeeth is from the principles of At-Tawakkul, and it is from the greatest of the reasons that bring about ones provisions (from Allaah).
Allaah (عز وجل) said:
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا
ۚوَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ
“And whomsoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to him, he will make for him a way to get out (from every difficulty. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him.”4
And indeed the Messenger of Allaah read these verses to Abu Dharr al-Ghifaaree and said to him: “If all of the people were to take heed of these (verses), then indeed it would suffice them.”
{Meaning: If they were to achieve At-Taqwaa and At-Tawakkul they will find contentment in their affairs, be they affairs of the Deen or of the Dunyaa. And this Kalaam has already been brought forth in the explanation of the Hadeeth of Ibn Abbaas: (( Be Mindful of Allaah and Allaah will Protect you.))5}
Some of the Salaf have said:
“It is sufficient in your beseeching/invoking of Him, to know in your heart the that you have the highest reliance in Him, for how many servants from His servants entrust Him with their affairs and then He suffices them with that which they desire. Then they (the salaf) would read:
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا
ۚ وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ
“And whomsoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to him, he will make for him a way to get out (from every difficulty. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him.”6
The correct meaning of Tawakkul:
Ibn Rajab says: “It is the true reliance of the heart in Allaah (عز وجل) to seek beneficial affairs and to repel the harm (in relation) to all affairs of the Dunyaa and the hereafter, and to leave all affairs to Him and to have certain Eemaan that indeed none can give nor withhold, and none can benefit nor harm besides Allaah (alone).”
SOURCE: JAAMI’ UL ULOOM WAL-HIKAM – Volume 3 – p.1265-1266 – Daruss-Salaam Edition (1424H, 2004G)
1. 1 Reported by Imaam Tirmidhee in his Sunan : 37 – Book of Zuhd, 33 – Book of Reliance Upon Allaah (4/573) hadeeth no. 2344. And Aboo Eesaa At-Tirmidhee commented: “This hadeeth is Hasan (Good) Saheeh (Authentic). I do not know of it except with this position. Imaam Al Albaanee authenticated the hadeeth in his ‘Saheeh ut-Tirmidhee’.
2.Reported by Imaam Ahmad in his Musnad (1/243) with a chain of narration that is authentic.
3 Also reported in Kitaabur-Raqaa’iq, and Al-Kubraa, both of Imaam An-Nasa’ee, Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh, and Ibn Maajah in Az-Zuhd.
4 Surah At-Talaaq (65): Verses 2-3
5 The famous hadeeth that is collected by Imaam An-Nawawee in his 40 Ahaadeeth, from Sunan At-Tirmidhee:
عن أبي العباس عبد الله بن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال : كنت خلف النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يوما ، فقال : ( يا غلام ، إني أُعلمك كلمات : احفظ الله يحفظك ، احفظ الله تجده تجاهك ، إذا سأَلت فاسأَل الله ، وإذا استعنت فاستعن بالله ، واعلم أن الأُمة لو اجتمعت على أَن ينفعـوك بشيء ، لم ينفعوك إلا بشيء قد كتبه الله لك ، وإن اجتمعوا على أن يضروك بشيء ، لم يضروك إلا بشيء قد كتبه الله عليك، رفعت الأقلام وجفت الصحف ) رواه الترمذي وقال : حديث حسن صحيح .
On the authority of Abil-Abbaas Abdullaah ibn Abbaas May Allaah be pleased with them who said: “I was behind the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ one day and he said to me: “O Young boy, I shall teach you some words: Be mindful of Allaah and He will Protect you, Be Mindful of Allaah and you will find him at your side, If you ask, then ask only of Allaah, If you seek aid, then seek His aid only. And know, that if the whole world were to gather together in order to benefit you, then they would not be able to do so, except if Allaah had written for them to do so. And if the whole world were to gather together to harm you, then they would not be able to do so, except if Allaah Had written for them to do so. The pens have been lifted and the pages are dry. Tirmidhee said: This hadeeth is Hasan (Good) Saheeh (Authentic) Albaani authenticated it in his checking of Tirmidhee.
6 Surah At-Talaaq (65): Verses 2-3
Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) was asked: “Do you have an advice for the beginner student of knowledge?”
Answer:
“The advice to every person is that he purifies his intention for the sake of Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) and his intention should neither be leadership nor prestige, nor wealth; rather his intention should be the removal of ignorance from himself and others. And he should establish the religion, defend and guard it. This is the most virtuous thing.” [Liqaa Al-Baab Al-Maftooh 226]
An Unambiguous and Knowledge Based Clarification Regarding Woolwich Attacks- [By Ustaadh Abu Khadijah]; Always Applicable To Atrocities Perpetrated By Lone Wolves & Organised Terrorist Groups In The West- Whether Attributed To Radicalisation Or Extremism In The Name of Islaam
http://safeshare.tv/w/DObMEVJCBY
http://safeshare.tv/w/FUsSjdRKqh