A New Publication – “Factors Contributing to The Weakness of The Ummah”
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Available at Manchester Salafi Bookstore
The most dangerous liars in society
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
The Most Dangerous Liars in Society
Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah preserve him, stated:
Among the categories of the liars are the Munaafiqoon and they are more dangerous for the society, especially the Islamic society. Due to this, Allah spoke about them a lot, warned against them a lot and made known their characteristics in chapters of the Qur’an; rather there is an specific chapter of the Qur’an called Surah Al- Munaafiqeen. Allah, The Blessed and Exalted, exposed them, unveil their hypocrisy and lies. And from that which Allah stated about them is:
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ
And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: “We believe in Allah and the Last Day” while in fact they believe not. Meaning, they are liars.
يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَمَا يَخۡدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ۬ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضً۬اۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ لَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُصۡلِحُونَ
They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. And when it is said to them: “Make not mischief on the earth,” they say: “We are only peacemakers.” Look at this big claim! Rather:
أَلَآ إِنَّهُمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَشۡعُرُونَ
Verily! They are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not.
Every liar and corrupt person in the earth does not tell the people that he is a corrupt person; instead he says, “I am one who rectifies the affairs” and claims that he leads the Ummah to righteousness.
In summary, indeed Allah made known their lies and deception, and that this lie increases them in sickness – and Allah’s Refuge is sought. They are from the people of hypocrisy, and they are increased in hypocrisy. Allah said:
أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوۡاْ قَوۡمًا غَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡہِم مَّا هُم مِّنكُمۡ وَلَا مِنۡہُمۡ وَيَحۡلِفُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡكَذِبِ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ
Have you (O Muhammad) not seen those (hypocrites) who take for friends a people upon whom is the Wrath of Allah? They are neither of you (Muslims) nor of them (Jews), and they swear to a lie while they know. [Al-Mujaadilah. 14]
They made an oath to the believers that they are indeed believers, while they are Munaafiqoon, liars and allies of the Yahud [i.e. those Yahud who abandoned the path of Musa and rejected Muhammad].
أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمۡ عَذَابً۬ا شَدِيدًاۖ إِنَّهُمۡ سَآءَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ
Allah has prepared for them a severe torment. Evil indeed is that which they used to do.
يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَمَا يَخۡدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ۬ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضً۬اۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ لَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُصۡلِحُونَ
They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. And when it is said to them: “Make not mischief on the earth,” they say: “We are only peacemakers.”
Allah said:
أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوۡاْ قَوۡمًا غَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡہِم مَّا هُم مِّنكُمۡ وَلَا مِنۡہُمۡ وَيَحۡلِفُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡكَذِبِ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ
Have you (O Muhammad) not seen those (hypocrites) who take for friends a people upon whom is the Wrath of Allah (i.e. Jews)? They are neither of you (Muslims) nor of them (Jews), and they swear to a lie while they know. [Al-Mujaadilah. 14]
They swore to the believers that they are indeed believers, while they are Munaafiqoon, liars and allies of the Yahud.
أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمۡ عَذَابً۬ا شَدِيدًاۖ إِنَّهُمۡ سَآءَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ
Allah has prepared for them a severe torment. Evil indeed is that which they used to do.
ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ أَيۡمَـٰنَہُمۡ جُنَّةً۬
They have made their oaths a screen. Meaning, for their lies;
فَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ۬ مُّهِينٌ۬
لَّن تُغۡنِىَ عَنۡہُمۡ أَمۡوَٲلُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيۡـًٔاۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِۖ هُمۡ فِيہَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
يَوۡمَ يَبۡعَثُہُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعً۬ا فَيَحۡلِفُونَ لَهُ ۥ كَمَا يَحۡلِفُونَ لَكُمۡۖ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُمۡ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍۚ أَلَآ إِنَّہُمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡكَـٰذِبُونَ
ٱسۡتَحۡوَذَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ فَأَنسَٮٰهُمۡ ذِكۡرَ ٱللَّهِۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ حِزۡبُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِۚ أَلَآ إِنَّ حِزۡبَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ هُمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُحَآدُّونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥۤ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ٱلۡأَذَلِّينَ
ڪَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَغۡلِبَنَّ أَنَا۟ وَرُسُلِىٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ۬
Thus they hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, so they shall have a humiliating torment. Their children and their wealth will avail them nothing against Allah. They will be (the) dwellers of the Fire, to dwell therein forever. On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all together (for their account), then they will swear to Him as they swear to you (O Muslims). And they think that they have something (to stand upon). Verily, they are liars! Shaitan (Satan) has overtaken them. So he has made them forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Shaitan (Satan). Verily, it is the party of Shaitan (Satan) that will be the losers! Those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), they will be among the lowest (most humiliated). Allah has decreed: “Verily! It is I and My Messengers who shall be the victorious.” Verily, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty. [al-Mujaadilah. 15-21]
Allah made known the state of these people, exposed them, made it known that they are liars and described their actions to be evil. Due to their state of loss, they took these oaths and swearing by Allaah as a screen. Allah said:
إذا جاءك المنافقون قالوا نشهد إنك لرسول الله والله يعلم إنك لرسوله والله يشهد إن المنافقين لكاذبون ـ اتخذوا أيمانهم جُنة فصدوا عن سبيل الله إنهم ساء ما كانوا يعملون ـ ذلك بأنهم ءامنوا ثم كفروا فطُبع على قلوبهم فهم لا يفقهون ـ وإذا رأيتهم تعجبك أجسامهم وإن يقولوا تسمع لقولهم كأنهم خشب مسنّدة يحسبون كل صيحة عليهم هم العدو فاحذرهم قاتلهم الله أنى يؤفكون ـ وإذا قيل لهم تعالوا يستغفر لكم رسول الله لووا رءوسهم ورأيتهم يصدون وهم مستكبرون ـ سواء عليهم أستغفرت لهم أم لم تستغفر لهم لن يغفر الله لهم إن الله لا يهدي القوم الفاسقين
When the hypocrites come to you (O Muhammad), they say: “We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.” Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed. They have made their oaths a screen (for their hypocrisy). Thus they hinder (men) from the Path of Allah. Verily, evil is what they used to do. That is because they believed, then disbelieved, therefore their hearts are sealed, so they understand not. And when you look at them, their bodies please you; and when they speak, you listen to their words. They are as blocks of wood propped up. They think that every cry is against them. They are the enemies, so beware of them. May Allah curse them! How are they denying (or deviating from) the Right Path.
And when it is said to them: “Come, so that the Messenger of Allah may ask forgiveness from Allah for you”, they turn aside their heads, and you would see them turning away their faces in pride. It is equal to them whether you (Muhammad) ask forgiveness or ask not forgiveness for them. Verily, Allah guides not the people who are the Fasiqin (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). [Al-Munaafiqoon. Verses 1-6]
Allah testified that they are liars; even if they testified to the Messengership of Muhammad and that Allah alone has the right to be worshipped, they are still liars and do not believe in that. Allah exposed them because He knows their reality- the disbelief and hypocrisy they hide in their hearts. Allah made it known that they disbelieved and believed thereafter, then they disbelieved finally; and Allah made it known that they do not understand and that even if Allah’s Messenger – the most virtuous amongst the creation – sought forgiveness for them, they will not be forgiven and Allah will not guide them to Iman and the truth due to their [wilful] wickedness and evil.
There maybe hypocrites in the Ummah who have these characteristics, thus receive this recompense from Allah. Sadly, some people think that hypocrisy has ended, while in reality it is something that will continue.
Hudhaifah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The hypocrites at present are more evil than the hypocrites during the era of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him”. Then he was asked about this, so he said, “Indeed, the hypocrites used to hide their hypocrisy and these people at present make it manifest”.
Whenever time elapses, they become many amongst the groups of ahlul bidah, burden Islam and the Muslims with their evil, plots and hypocrisy; and all of that is done under the guise of Islam and in the name of Islam. Many of ahlul bidah or many Mubtadi’ah– in the past and thereafter – in belief and matters related to shirk are from their plots and cunning ways.
Therefore, let the Muslims be careful of these hypocrites and infiltrators within the innovated groups. (1)
One of The Most Dangerous Groups
Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah preserve him, said:
However, the most dangerous of these (above) categories and the ones who produced the worst consequences were the people of innovation-the spiteful ones that are filled with hatred. This is since by their plotting scheming and their camouflaging of themselves behind the cover of the Sunnah, they were able to penetrate every barrier. Thus, they managed to pour into every crack from these schools, universities and masaajid. And they were able to create a group that carried their ideologies, whether all of it or some of it, and whether intentionally or unintentionally.
So this group-which they had trained and prepared according to the way they saw fit-began to form movements calling the people towards these ideologies in the universities, schools and elsewhere, and upheld it by becoming active in this place and that place. And these were crucial and significant times in which the dawah (call) to Allah had a great need for enthusiastic and active individuals that would raise its flag with firmness and conviction, fighting the enemies of falsehood, schemes and plots and thus turning them back upon their heels in disgrace.
So then using the name of Salafiyyah and the names of justice and fairness, this group was able to present the innovators-those who wage war against the people of Sunnah and Tawheed in their own land-as ones who were oppressed.
So then using the name of Salafiyyah and the names of justice and fairness, this group was able to present the innovators-those who wage war against the people of Sunnah and Tawheed in their own land-as ones who were oppressed.
And corrupted the minds and the beliefs of many of the youth, distorting the image of the Salafi Manhaj and its adherents in the eyes of the youth. Then the figureheads within this group began calling towards a ‘New Methodology’ with regards to criticizing the methodologies, ideologies, books and individuals-and they claimed that this was the methodology that was just and fair. So many of the youth and those who wrote in their favour began to think that such was the correct way. Rather, they even claimed that it was the Methodology of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah and this spread and circulated in the writings of some of those who ascribed themselves to the Salaf.
And it had an effect on many of the youth, such that they accepted it and clung onto it, thinking that it was the truth and that it was just. And then unfortunately, that began to become deeply rooted in their hearts and they did not realize that this was a way of thinking that was foreign to Islaam and Muslims. This view crept into them from their enemies in the same manner that other (deviant) ideologies had crept into Islaamic Societies.
The effects of this methodology became clearly apparent in the conversations, debates, writing and attitudes of many of the youths and teachers.
So this methodology began to take firm root in the people’s hearts. And from its evil consequences, was that it weakened the Principles of Walaa Wal Baraa [Loyalty and Disassociation] to Allah and for the sake of Allah, and to the Methodology of Allah and those who adhere to it-instead there became manifest the loyalty, love and esteem for the callers, books, ideologies and methodologies that were all far from the Salafi Manhaj, and for their people and not it’s people.
Rather, that became the main avenue used in fighting the salafi Manhaj and they changed it with strong determination so that it (the Manhaj) would be replaced from its original form, halting its progression in its tracks after its departure had already taken place. This (new) methodology had a great influence upon Writers who were one thought were from the best of the Salafis and from virtuous characters, personages and figures.
We ask Allah to grant them the ability to tread the way and methodology of their righteous predecessors in regards to calling to the Clear Methodolgy of the Salaf, the dedicated education of the youth that are upon it and implanting love for it and its followers whether they are dead or alive, and to follow their example and strengthen themselves by affiliating themselves to them. (2)
(1)An Excerpt from the link below
(2) Manhaju Ahlis Sunnah Wal-Jama’ah Fee Naqdir Rijaal Wal-Kutub Wat-Tawa’if. page: 19-20 (original post Salafi talk.net)
Argument of a querrelsome despot uprooted
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allah [The Exalted] said:
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِي حَاجَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي رَبِّهِ أَنْ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْمُلْكَ إِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّيَ الَّذِي يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ قَالَ أَنَا أُحْيِي وَأُمِيتُ ۖ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْتِي بِالشَّمْسِ مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ فَأْتِ بِهَا مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَبُهِتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ
Have you not seen (contemplated with your heart) him who disputed with Ibrahim (Abraham) about his Lord (Allah), because Allah had given him the kingdom? When Ibrahim (Abraham) said (to him): “My Lord (Allah) is He Who gives life and causes death.” He said, “I give life and cause death.” Ibrahim (Abraham) said, “Verily! Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west.” So the disbeliever was utterly defeated. And Allah guides not the people, who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.). [Al-Baqarah. 258]
Imam Al-Baghawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
There is a difference of opinon among (the Mufassiroon) regarding the timing of this debate. Muqatil, may Allah have mercy on him, stated that after Ibrahim, peace be upon him, broke the idols, Namrud imprisoned him and later brought him out to be burned. Namrud asked, “Who is the Lord you urge us to worship?” Ibrahim, peace be upon him, replied, “My Lord is the one who gives life and causes death.” Others say that this (occurred) after Ibrahim was thrown into the fire, during a time of drought when people sought food from Namrud. If someone approached him for food, he would inquire, “Who is your Lord?” If the person responded, “You are my Lord,” he would then offer to sell them food. [1]
أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِى حَآجَّ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمَ فِى رَبِّهِۦۤ
“Have you seen (contemplated with your heart and eyes) him who disputed with Ibrahim (Abraham) about his Lord (Allah)”……Meaning, his insolence, ignorant attitude and obstinacy, and arguing about that which there is no doubt! Nothing led him to this behaviour except because” Allah had given him the kingdom”, thus, he transgressed and rebelled, and considered himself as one in control of those under his authority, which led him to argue with Prophet Ibrahim about Allah’s Lordship and claimed that he can do the same thing as Allah does.
Prophet Ibrahim said to him, “My Lord is He Who gives life and death” – Meaning, “Allah alone is in absolute control of everything”. Then Ibrahim mentioned two specific things – life and death. This is because they the greatest things in Allah’s absolute control. Life is the beginning of the worldly life and death is the beginning of what is to occur in the afterlife.
Then the one (the king) who sought to ague against Ibrahim said, “I give life and cause death”, but he never said, “I am the One Who gives life and death, because could not claim that he is not in need of anyone to interfere in the matter; instead, he only claimed that he could do what Allah does by killing someone and sparing someone’s life. Prophet Ibrahim saw the fallacy in his argument and utterence of speech that is not even worthy of being a Shubhah (i.e. an ambiguity portrayed as wholesome truth) let alone a proof, so he said to him, “Verily! Allah causes the sun to rise from the east”.
Ibrahim mentioned something that can be clearly seen and affirmed by everyone including this disbeliever. “Then cause it you to rise from the West”. This compelled him to bring proof if he is truthful in his claim.
When Ibrahim uttered this to him, about which he neither had the ability to present an ambiguity to make Ibrahim’s proof look confusing nor could he find something to disparage it, he was utterly defeated – lost for an answer, his proof cut off and his ambiguous statement toppled. (2)
He Who brings life and death (Allah) has absolute control over the existence and creates everything in it, including absolute control of its celestial bodies and their movements. The sun rises everyday from the east, thus, if you were god, as you claim, who gives life and cause death, make the sun rise from the west. (3)
This is the situation of an obstinate falsifier who wants to confront truth and overcome it, because he will be defeated and subdued. This is why Allah said:
وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَہۡدِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And Allah guides not the people, who are Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.)]; instead He abandons them to their disbelief and misguidance. (4)
[1] An Excerpt from Tafsir Al-Baghawi
[2 ] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi.
[3] Tafseer Ibn Katheer
[4] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi
Ahead of you is the era of patience….
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Verily ahead of you is the era of patience during which (one’s firm) adherence (to the religion) will be the reward of fifty men”. [1]
Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Know, may Allah have mercy upon you, that it is obligatory upon you to have knowledge of the four matters: (i) Knowledge (al – ‘ilm), which is knowledge and awareness of Allah, and knowledge of His Prophet, and knowledge of the religion of Islam with the proofs. (ii) Action upon that. (iii) Calling to that. (iv) Patiently persevering and bearing any harm encountered upon that way. The proof is the saying of Allah [The Most High]:
وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ
إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسۡرٍ
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ
By time, mankind is in loss, except for those who truly believe and worship Allah alone, and do righteous deeds, performing that which is obligatory upon them and avoiding that which they are forbidden and enjoin one another with patient perseverance upon obedience to Allah and in facing harm and trials. [Surah Al ‘Asr] [2]
Imam Ibn Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Imam Ash-Shaafi’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “If all the people pondered upon this Surah, it would have sufficed them”. This affair clarifies that the fulfilment of the four affairs in this Surah will lead a person to attain the highest level of human perfection. The first affair is acquaintance with the truth, the second is to act upon the truth, the third is to teach the truth to the one who does not know and the fourth affair is to exercise patience whilst learning the truth, acting upon it and teaching. Allah mentioned these four levels in this Surah and made an oath by Time – that everyone is in a state of loss except those who believe and perform righteous deeds, and they are those who act upon the truth they know, enjoin one another to the truth whilst exercising patience in the path and being steadfast.
This is the pinnacle of human perfection because perfection necessitates that a person attain perfection himself and enable others to attain it. This is attained through rectification of the strength of one’s knowledge and action- rectification of the strength of one’s knowledge is attained by way of Iman and rectification of the strength of one’s actions is attained through righteous deeds; then enabling others to attain this perfection (i.e. by the will of Allah) through teaching, exercising patience upon this path and enjoining one another to exercise patience in the path of knowledge and righteous action. This Surah, despite its shortness, is one of the most comprehensive Suras of the Qur’an that gathers good in its entirety, and all praise and thanks are due to Allah Who revealed and assured that His Book is sufficient besides everything else – a cure for every disease and a guide to every good. [3]
It is not enough that they know the truth and exercise patience, rather they have to command, guide, and urge one another to act upon it. And when it is the fact that others besides these people are losers, it is well known that disobedience and sins blind the sound discernment (or perception, foresight) of the hearts, so they do not understand the truth as it should be and their strength of determination is weakened due to not exercising patience; rather the heart is exposed to haphazard thoughts until its understanding goes the opposite way and likewise the person’s conduct, so he perceives falsehood as truth and truth as falsehood, good as evil and evil as good. His conduct goes the opposite way- turns away from his journey towards attaining the Pleasure of Allah and the home of the afterlife (i.e paradise) and proceeds towards the residence of the futile souls that are pleased with the worldly life, satisfied with it, heedless of Allah and His signs (revelation, lessons, etc), and abandons preparing to meet Allah (i.e. by way of upright believe and righteous deeds). (I) Had there not been any other punishment due to one’s sins other than this, it would have been (enough as a) demand that one abandon this path and distance from it. And Allah’s Aid sought! [4]
Indeed, Allah placed humans in two categories – the loser and the gainer. The gainer is the one who sincerely exhorts himself with Iman and righteous deeds; sincerely exhorts the people by enjoining truth, which incudes teaching the truth and guiding to it; and enjoining patience, which also includes that he himself exercises patience. The Surah comprises of the two sincere exhortations, two characteristics of human perfection and the highest level of two types of strengths, expressed in the shortest, the most concise and clearest wording, the best preamble and the best precision in the suitable place (or subject matter).
As for the two sincere exhortations, they are the person’s sincere exhortation of himself and his brother in Islam by enjoining truth and exercising patience upon the path. As for the two characteristics of human perfection, they are the person’s self-perfection and enabling others to attain self-perfection (by the Will of Allah). As for perfection of the two strengths, the soul has two strengths and they are: the strength of knowledge and sound observation, and these two affairs are perfected through Iman; the strength of sound intent, love (for everything praiseworthy, especially love for Allah) and knowledge, and these affairs are perfected through righteous deeds (i.e. deeds carried out sincerely for the sake of Allah and in conformity with the authentic Sunnah), and this cannot be accomplished except through patience.
Therefore, there are three affairs carried out by the person and then he enjoins them on others- perfection of the strength of knowledge through Iman, perfection of the strength of action through righteous deeds, being consistent upon that with patience and commanding others with it. And by way of these three affairs, he becomes a participant and one attributed to them, teaching and calling to them. This is the absolute gain, and in estimation of whatever he misses of this gain, he incurs some loss the like thereof. And Allah’s Aid is sought and to Him we entrust all affairs! [5]
The majority of the Qur’aan commentators hold that Al-Asr (Time) is Ad-Dahr (the time period in this world) and this is the statement that carries more weight based on the sound evidences. Allah made an oath by Al-Asr (Time) due to it being the period in which moral lessons and signs occur, for indeed the passing of night and day is under the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing (Allah)- organised to serve the welfare of the universe (and its inhabitants) based on the most perfect order and organization; alternating with one another, sometimes not much difference between them and at other times one takes from the hours of the other; the difference between the light, the darkness, the heat and the cold; the different time periods divided into generations, years, months, days, hours and what is lesser than that! These are all signs (creations) of the Lord [The Exalted] and a Burhaan [i.e. proof that clarify and distinguish between truth and falsehood in everything] from the Baraaheen [proofs] regarding Allah’s All-Encompassing Perfect Ability and Wisdom (free from all imperfections, faults, deficiencies, shortcomings).
Allah made an oath by Time and that is the period within which human beings perform deeds for which one will either receive punishment or a good recompense. He gave a notification about Time, which is the Mab’da [i.e. the beginning within which humans perform deeds] and notified the performers of deeds about the Ma’aad [the Hereafter], and that just as He was not unable to initiate the beginning, likewise He is not unable to establish the Hereafter; and that His Wisdom, which necessitated the creation of Time, the performers of deeds and their deeds, and categorized them into good and bad deeds, (i.e. deeds chosen by the person after being given free will and shown guidance through the Messengers) establishes the fact that the people are not equal, and it cannot be that the good doer will not receive a good recompense and that the evil doer will not be recompensed for his evil, and it cannot be that there will not be two groups- the gainers and the losers; but rather the human being in essence is a loser, except the one whom Allah shows mercy, guides, blesses him with Iman, the ability to perform righteous deeds himself and the ability to command others. The opposite of this person is the other one who is reduced to the lowest of the low, except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous deeds, then they shall have a reward without end (Paradise).
[وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡر – and do righteous good deeds, enjoin one another to the truth and enjoin one another to patience]. This leads to the station of upright leadership and strength in the religion, just as Allah says:
[وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ أَٮِٕمَّةً۬ يَہۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُواْۖ وَڪَانُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ – And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayat (proofs, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)]. [Surah As-Sajdah. Verse 24] So, through patience and certainty upright leadership in religion is attained.
Patience is two types: Patience when facing what has decreed, such as calamities. Patience when fulfilling the divine legislated acts of worship has two aspects- commands and prohibitions. The fulfillment of commands is related to patience in intent and action [i.e. acts of obedience] and the second is related to patience in keeping away from what one intends and wants to do [i.e. persevere whilst keeping away from evil]. As for patience [when facing the calamities decreed by Allah], it is shared by both a believer and a disbeliever, a righteous person and a wicked sinner, and one is not rewarded if it is not connected to Iman [i.e sound belief] and Ikhtiyaar [i.e. the person willingly chooses to exercise patience as an act of worship devoted to Allah]. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said about his daughter (whose son was on his death bed), “She should be patient and hope for Allah’s reward”. [Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree. Number 1284]
Allah [The Exalted] says: [ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٌ۬ وَأَجۡرٌ۬ ڪَبِيرٌ۬ – Except those who show patience and do righteous good deeds, those: theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (Paradise)]. [Surah Hud. Verse 11]
Allah [The Exalted] says: [بَلَىٰٓۚ إِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ – Yes, if you hold on to patience and piety]. [Surah Al Imran. Verse 125] Allah says: [وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ – But if you remain patient and hold on piety]. [Surah Al Imran. Verse 120]
Patience without sound belief and piety is like a bodily strength that is devoid of sound belief and piety. So the level of one’s certainty in what has been divinely legislated determines the level of patience when facing calamities decreed by Allah (i.e. a person will return to what Allah has legislated in the divine revelation regarding how to deal with calamities).
Allah [The Exalted] says: [فَٱصۡبِرۡ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ۬ۖ وَلَا يَسۡتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ – So be patient (O Muhammad). Verily, the Promise of Allah is true, and let not those who have no certainty of faith, discourage you from conveying Allah’s Message (which you are obliged to convey)]. [Surah Ar-Rum. Verse 60]
Allah commanded the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] to exercise patience and not to be like those who do not have certainty due to lack of patience, because indeed their lack of certainty is due to their lack of patience, and they fear and frighten their people. Had they attained certainty and truth, they would have exercised patience – neither fear nor frighten others. So, the one whose certainty is little, his patience will be little, and the whose patience is little will fear and frighten others. The person who has certainty and patience is self-possessed because he has intelligence and common sense, and the one who neither has certainty nor patience is lightheaded, so desires and lust fling him here and there just as the wind does with something light. And Allah’s Aid is sought! [6]
A Practice of The Companions – By Imam Al-Albaanee [may Allah have mercy upon him]
“When two men among the Prophet’s companions met, they would not depart from one another, except after one of them recited to the other:[إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسۡرٍ ][ وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ] – (By Al-‘Asr (the time). Verily! The human is in loss….(i.e. the full Surah)]. Thereafter one would give Salaam to the other].
After quoting a few other narrations and then grading their authenticity, Imam Al-Albaanee [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: In these narrations is that one gives Salaam when departing (i.e. one gives Salaams to the other when departing after meeting). The other affair we benefit (from this report) is that the companions held onto this deed and that is the recitation of Surah Al-Asr (i.e. before departing after meeting, one recites Surah Al-Asr to the other and then gives Salaam) because we (firmly) believe that they were far removed from initiating – in the religion – a newly invented act of worship as a means of getting close to Allah by way of it; rather the only reason they did this was due to something established through Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] – either by way of a statement of his, deed or tacit approval. [7]
Footnote (I): The Imam stated: “If a person prefers what is deficient and will eventually cease to exist, then that is either because the virtue of (the afterlife) is not manifested to him or due to a lack of desiring what is more virtuous. Both these two states are an indication of weakness in Iman, intellect, and clear-sightedness, because indeed the one who desires the worldly life- the one who gives it precedence and is eager for it, either testifies that there is what is more virtuous and everlasting, or he does not testify. If he does not testify (i.e. that the Hereafter is more virtuous and everlasting), he is completely devoid of Iman; however if he testifies (i.e. that the Hereafter is more virtuous and everlasting) but does not give it precedence, then his intellect is corrupt and he has made an evil choice for himself. These two (testimonies) are inevitable and a servant cannot escape them, because giving precedence to the worldly life over the Hereafter is either due to corruption in Iman or due to corruption of one’s intellect, and in many cases, both of them are combined (in a person)”. [8]
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). [9]
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. [Sahih Muslim Number: 2720] [10]
اللّهُـمَّ رَبَّ جِـبْرائيل ، وَميكـائيل ، وَإِسْـرافيل، فاطِـرَ السَّمواتِ وَالأَرْض ، عالـِمَ الغَيْـبِ وَالشَّهـادَةِ أَنْـتَ تَحْـكمُ بَيْـنَ عِبـادِكَ فيـما كانوا فيهِ يَخْتَلِفـون. اهدِنـي لِمـا اخْتُـلِفَ فيـهِ مِنَ الْحَـقِّ بِإِذْنِك ، إِنَّـكَ تَهْـدي مَنْ تَشـاءُ إِلى صِراطٍ مُسْتَقـيم
O Allah! Lord of Jibraa’eel, Meekaa’eel and Israafeel, Creator of the heavens and the Earth, The Knower of the seen and the unseen. You judge between Your slaves regarding in that which they differ. Guide me to the truth regarding that in which there is differing, by Your Will. Verily, You guide whomever you will to the straight path. [11]
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الثَّبَاتَ فِي الْأَمْرِ، وَالْعَزِيمَةَ عَلَى الرُّشْدِ
O Allah! Indeed, I ask You for steadfastness in this affair (regarding sound adherence to the religion) and firm resolve to adhere to the path of guidance. [12]
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فِعْلَ الْخَيْرَاتِ وَتَرْكَ الْمُنْكَرَاتِ وَحُبَّ الْمَسَاكِينِ وَأَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي وَتَرْحَمَنِي وَإِذَا أَرَدْتَ فِتْنَةَ قَوْمٍ فَتَوَفَّنِي غَيْرَ مَفْتُونٍ أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَحُبَّ عَمَلٍ يُقَرِّبُ إِلَى حُبِّكَ
‘O Allah! I ask of you the doing of the good deeds, avoiding the evil deeds, loving the Masakin, and that You forgive me, and have mercy upon me. And when You have willed trial among the people, then cause me to die without being put to trial. And I ask You for Your love, the love of whomever You love, and the love of the deeds that bring one nearer to Your love.’” Allah’s Messenger said: “Indeed it is true, so study it and learn it.” [Sahih at-Tirmidhi 3235] [13]
[1] Sahih al-Jami 2234
[2] Translation of the “Explanation of the Three Fundamental Principles” By Shaikh Abu Talhah [may Allah have mercy upon him and his wife]
[3] An Excerpt from Miftaah Daarus Sa’adah page 61
[4] An Excerpt from Al-Jawaab Al-Kaafi 135-136. slightly paraphrased
[5] Al-Kalaam Alaa Mas’alah As-Samaa 404.
[6] At-Tibyaan Fee Aqsaam Al-Qur’aan 83-88
[7] Silsilah Al-Hadeeth As-Saheehah. Number 2648. Vol 6. pages 307-309]
[8] Al-Fawaa’id page 137
[9] 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/
[10] https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2020/12/29/o-allaah-rectify-my-religion-for-me-which-the-safeguard-of-my-affairs-a-tremendous-supplication/
[11] https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2025/03/25/guide-us-to-the-straight-path-an-overarching-need-of-a-lifetime/
[12] Irwaa al-Ghaleel 1/115
[13] https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2025/03/26/the-goal-is-to-leave-this-world-free-from-fitan/
The combined efforts of all the creation to help or harm you
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Allah.
From Abū al-ʿAbbās ʿAbd Allāh bin ʿAbbās (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhuma) who said:
I was behind the Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) one day when he said, “Young man, I shall teach you some words. Be mindful of Allāh and Allāh will protect you. Be mindful of Allāh and you will find Him in front of you. When you ask, then ask only of Allāh, and when you seek aid, then seek aid from Allāh. Know that if the whole ummah gathered together to benefit you with something, they will not benefit you except with something that Allāh had written for you, and if they gathered together to harm you with something, they will not harm you except with something that Allāh had written for you. The pens have been lifted, and the scrolls have dried.” And in a narration from other than al-Tirmidhī (there occurs), “Be mindful of Allāh and you fill find him in front of you. Be acquainted with Allāh in prosperity and He will know you in hardship. Know that whatever passed you by was never going to befall you and whatever befell you was never going to pass you by. Know that aid comes alongside patience and that relief comes with difficulty and ease comes with hardship.” [1]
Al-Allaamah Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbad, may Allah preserve him, said:
Ibn Rajab provided precious commentary on this hadith in Jami Al-Uloom Wal Hikam. He explained that Allah’s protection for His servant manifests in two ways: safeguarding the individual’s body, wealth, children, and family, as well as protecting his religion by shielding him from doubts that may lead to misguidance and unlawful desires.
As a result, the person can maintain righteousness and steadfastness in both his religious and worldly matters. This divine protection is granted to those who are conscious of Allah, those who adhere to His commandments and refrain from what He has prohibited. Allah rewards such individuals based on their mindfulness of Him, and recompense is given in accordance with one’s deeds. The Prophet’s statement “He (Allah) will protect you” serves as a reward for the positive outcomes that stem from righteous actions, with the reward being commensurate with one’s actions. As for the statement of the Prophet “Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you”, this means that you will find Allah in front of you- Allah will guard and protect you, and He will protect you from every evil. The statement of the Prophet “Acknowledge Allah in times of ease and prosperity, and He will acknowledge you in times of hardship” means that if you remain in obedience to Allah and His Messenger in times of ease and well-being, Allah will reward you by protecting you during times of severe hardship and critical situations. What will shed more light on this is the story of three individuals who were strolling when the rain started to pour, forcing them to seek shelter in a mountain cave. A large rock blocked the entrance, trapping them inside as if they were in a grave while alive. They then recalled and reminded each other of the righteous deeds they had done for the sake of Allah during times of ease, using them as a means of seeking intercession. One mentioned his kindness towards his parents, another his abstention from fornication for the sake of Allah, and the third his fulfilment of a worker’s rights even after the worker had left without collecting his wages. By invoking Allah with these righteous actions, the rock miraculously moved, allowing them to escape from the cave. [2]
Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, made it known in this statement that if the entire Ummah were to unite in an effort to benefit you, they would only be able to do so with what Allah has decreed for you. Therefore, if you receive any benefit from them, then know that it is from Allah, as He is the one who has ordained it.
The Prophet did not say: “If they gathered to assist you, they would not be able to help”, rather, he stated: “They would not be able to assist you except with what Allah has decreed for you”.
There is no doubt that people benefit one another, assist one another, and support one another; however, all of this is decreed by Allah for a person. The blessing in this belongs to Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, first and foremost. He is the One who provides for you with those who can help you, show you kindness, and alleviate your hardship. On the other hand, if they were to gather to harm you, they would not be able to do so except with what Allah has decreed for you.
Belief in this necessitates that a person devotes himself to his Lord and relies solely on Him, and does concern himself with anyone, as he knows that even if all of creation were to gather to harm him with something, they would not be able to harm him, except with something that Allah has decreed for him, thus, he places his hope in Allah and holds firmly to Him, and unconcerned about the creation even if they gather against him. This is why we find people among the early generations of this Ummah who, when they relied on Allah and placed their trust in Him, they were not harmed by the schemes of the schemers or the envy of the envious.
وَإِنْ تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا لا يَضُرُّكُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْئاً إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ
But if you remain patient and fear Allah, not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allah surrounds all that they do. [Aal Imran 120] [3]
We ask Allah:
يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ
O Turner of the hearts! Keep my heart upon Your religion.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الثَّبَاتَ فِي الْأَمْرِ، وَالْعَزِيمَةَ عَلَى الرُّشْدِ
O Allah! Indeed, I ask You for steadfastness in this affair (regarding sound adherence to the religion) and firm resolve to adhere to the path of guidance.
[1] Nawawi’s Forty Hadith https://www.nawawis40hadith.com/nw/hadith/19/faith-in-al-qa%E1%B8%8D%C4%81-wal-qadar
[2] An Excerpt from: “Athar Al-Ibaadaat Fee Hayat Al-Muslim 15
[3] Sharh Riyad As-Salihin 1/491-492
The Greatest Pleasure in Both the Afterlife and the Worldly Life
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
The greatest pleasure in the afterlife is the pleasure of seeing Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections, as it has been reported in the authentic hadith: “They [the people of paradise] will not be granted anything that is more beloved to them than seeing Him [Allah]”. This is the fruitful outcome of knowing Him and worshipping Him in this worldly life. The best thing in this worldly life is to possess knowledge and awareness of Him and the best thing in the afterlife is to see Him. [Majmu Al-Fataawa. 14/163]
The Impact of Worship In The Life of a Muslim
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You teach Names and Attributes of Allah to adults or children? Reflect on this!
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allah, The Exalted, said:
وَعِندَهُۥ مَفَاتِحُ ٱلْغَيْبِ لَا يَعْلَمُهَآ إِلَّا هُوَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ وَمَا تَسْقُطُ مِن وَرَقَةٍ إِلَّا يَعْلَمُهَا وَلَا حَبَّةٍ فِى ظُلُمَٰتِ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا رَطْبٍ وَلَا يَابِسٍ إِلَّا فِى كِتَٰبٍ مُّبِينٍ
And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record. [Al-An’am 59]
وَعِندَهُۥ مَفَاتِحُ ٱلْغَيْبِ لَا يَعْلَمُهَآ إِلَّا هُوَ
“And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He“.
In his explanation of the above Ayah, Imam Ash-Shanqeetee, may Allah have mercy upon him, brought a number of robust proofs to demonstrate and establish that even the most knowledgeable amongst the creation- Allah’s Messengers and Angels-do not posses knowledge of the Unseen. He said:
Aa’isha, may Allah be pleased with her, was falsely accused and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not know whether she was innocent or not until Allah informed him, saying:
أُولَٰئِكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ
“Such (good people) are innocent of (each and every) bad statement which they say”.
Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, slaughtered a lamb for the angels, while not knowing that they were angels until they informed him that they were angels. Allah said that the angels said to him:
إِنَّا أُرْسِلْنَا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ
“We have been sent against the people of Lout (Lot)” . [11:70]
When the angels came to Prophet Lut, peace be upon him, he did not know that they were angels, and due to that Allah said:
عَصِيبٌ سِيءَ بِهِمْ وَضَاقَ بِهِمْ ذَرْعًا وَقَالَ هَٰذَا يَوْمٌ
“He was grieved on their account and felt himself straitened for them (lest the town people should approach them to commit lewdness with them). He said: This is a distressful day”.
And because of this, Allah said that lut said:
لَوْ أَنَّ لِي بِكُمْ قُوَّةً أَوْ آوِي إِلَىٰ رُكْنٍ شَدِيدٍ
“Would that I had strength (men) to overpower you, or that I could betake myself to some powerful support (to resist you)”. (11:80)]
He did not know the news the angels brought until they said to him:
[إِنَّا رُسُلُ رَبِّكَ لَنْ يَصِلُوا إِلَيْكَ – Verily, we are the Messengers from your Lord!]
Prophet Ya’qub, peace be upon him, lost his eye sight due to grieving for Yusuf (peace be upon him), whilst he was in Egypt. He did not know anything about Yusuf, peace be upon him, until Allah reveal news about him.
Prophet Sulayman, peace be upon him, even though Allah gave him authority over the devils and subjugated the wind in his service, did not know about the people Bil Qees until the Hud-’hud came with news about them. Allah said that the Hud’hud said:
أَحَطْتُ بِمَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ وَجِئْتُكَ مِنْ سَبَإٍ بِنَبَإٍ يَقِينٍ
“I have grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped and I have come to you from Saba’ (Sheba) with true news”.
Prophet Nuh, peace be upon him, did not know that his son – who was drowned- was not from those members of his household who were to be saved, as Allah said that Nuh said:
رَبِّ إِنَّ ابْنِي مِنْ أَهْلِي وَإِنَّ وَعْدَكَ الْحَقُّ
“O my Lord! Verily, my son is of my family! And certainly, Your Promise is true”.(11:45)
He did not know the reality of the affair until Allah informed him, saying:
بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۖ إِنِّي أَعِظُكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ قَالَ يَا نُوحُ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ ۖ إِنَّهُ عَمَلٌ غَيْرُ صَالِحٍ ۖ فَلَا تَسْأَلْنِ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ
He said: “O Nuh (Noah)! Surely, he is not of your family; verily, his work is unrighteous, so ask not of Me that of which you have no knowledge! I admonish you, lest you be one of the ignorant.
Indeed Allah (The Most High) also stated in Surah Hud about Nuh that he said to his people:
وَلَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِنْدِي خَزَائِنُ اللَّهِ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ
And I do not say to you that with me are the Treasures of Allah, “Nor that I know the Ghaib (unseen)”.
When Allah said to the Angels:
أَنبِئُونِي بِأَسْمَاءِ هَٰؤُلَاءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
Tell Me the names of these if you are truthful]; Allah said that the angels replied:
قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا
They (angels) said: “Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us.
Therefore, it is very clear that the most knowledgeable amongst the creation, the Messengers and the Angels, do not know anything of the unseen except what Allah makes known to them. Allah (The Most High) informs His Messengers what He wishes from the knowledge of the Unseen, as Allah stated:
وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُطْلِعَكُمْ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَجْتَبِي مِنْ رُسُلِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۖ
Nor will Allah disclose to you the secrets of the Ghaib (unseen), but Allah chooses of His Messengers whom He pleases.
Allah said:
إِلَّا مَنِ ارْتَضَىٰ مِنْ رَسُولٍ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ فَلَا يُظْهِرُ عَلَىٰ غَيْبِهِ أَحَد
(He Alone) the All-Knower of the Gha’ib (unseen), and He reveals to none His Gha’ib (unseen).” Except to a Messenger (from mankind)…[1] [End of quote]
Allah said:
أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ مَا يَڪُونُ مِن نَّجۡوَىٰ ثَلَـٰثَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ رَابِعُهُمۡ وَلَا خَمۡسَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ سَادِسُہُمۡ وَلَآ أَدۡنَىٰ مِن ذَٲلِكَ وَلَآ أَڪۡثَرَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَعَهُمۡ أَيۡنَ مَا كَانُواْۖ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُواْ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمٌ
Have you not seen that Allah knows whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth? There is no Najwa (secret counsel) of three, but He is their fourth (with His Knowledge, while He Himself is over the Throne, over the seventh heaven), nor of five but He is their sixth (with His Knowledge), not of less than that or more, but He is with them (with His Knowledge) wheresoever they may be; and afterwards on the Day of Resurrection, He will inform them of what they did. Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of everything. [Al-Mijaadilah. 7]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
أَلَمۡ يَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَٮٰهُمۡ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَّـٰمُ ٱلۡغُيُوبِ
Know they not that Allah knows their secret ideas, and their Najwa (secret counsels), and that Allah is the All-Knower of the unseen]. [Al-Tawbah. 78]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ وَنَعۡلَمُ مَا تُوَسۡوِسُ بِهِۦ نَفۡسُهُ ۥۖ وَنَحۡنُ أَقۡرَبُ إِلَيۡهِ مِنۡ حَبۡلِ ٱلۡوَرِيدِ
And we already created man (aforetime) and We know (all that) his soul whispers to him, and We are nearer to him (with our all-encompassing knowledge) than his jugular vein. [Surah Qaaf. 16. https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/50_16 ]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ۬ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطۡفَةٍ۬ ثُمَّ جَعَلَكُمۡ أَزۡوَٲجً۬اۚ وَمَا تَحۡمِلُ مِنۡ أُنثَىٰ وَلَا تَضَعُ إِلَّا بِعِلۡمِهِۚۦ وَمَا يُعَمَّرُ مِن مُّعَمَّرٍ۬ وَلَا يُنقَصُ مِنۡ عُمُرِهِۦۤ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍۚ إِنَّ ذَٲلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ۬
And Allah did create you (Adam) from dust, then from Nutfah (male and female discharge semen drops i.e. Adam’s offspring), then He made you pairs (male and female). And no female conceives or gives birth, but with His Knowledge. And no aged man is granted a length of life, nor is a part cut off from his life (or another man’s life), but is in a Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz) Surely, that is easy for Allah. [Faatir. 11]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَـٰلِمُ غَيۡبِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ عَلِيمُۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ
Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of the unseen of the heavens and the earth. Verily! He is the All-Knower of that is in the breasts]. [Faatir. 38]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَإِن تَجۡهَرۡ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ فَإِنَّهُ ۥ يَعۡلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ وَأَخۡفَى
And if you speak aloud – then indeed, He knows the secret and what is [even] more hidden. [Taa Haa. 7]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيہِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمً۬ا
He (Allah) knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them (in the Hereafter), and they will never compass anything of His Knowledge]. [Taa Haa. 110]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَرَبُّكَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا تُكِنُّ صُدُورُهُمۡ وَمَا يُعۡلِنُونَ
And your Lord knows what their breasts conceal, and what they reveal]. [Al-Qasas. 69]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
رَّبُّكُمۡ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا فِى نُفُوسِكُمۡۚ إِن تَكُونُواْ صَـٰلِحِينَ فَإِنَّهُ ۥ ڪَانَ لِلۡأَوَّٲبِينَ غَفُورً۬ا
Our Lord knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever Most Forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance]. [Al-Israa. 25]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَمَا تَكُونُ فِى شَأۡنٍ۬ وَمَا تَتۡلُواْ مِنۡهُ مِن قُرۡءَانٍ۬ وَلَا تَعۡمَلُونَ مِنۡ عَمَلٍ إِلَّا ڪُنَّا عَلَيۡكُمۡ شُہُودًا إِذۡ تُفِيضُونَ فِيهِۚ وَمَا يَعۡزُبُ عَن رَّبِّكَ مِن مِّثۡقَالِ ذَرَّةٍ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَآ أَصۡغَرَ مِن ذَٲلِكَ وَلَآ أَكۡبَرَ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ
Whatever you (O Muhammad) may be doing, and whatever portion you may be reciting from the Quran, – and whatever deed you (mankind) may be doing (good or evil), We are Witness thereof, when you are doing it. And nothing is hidden from your Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom (or small ant) on the earth or in the heaven. Not what is less than that or what is greater than that but is (written) in a Clear Record. [Yunus. 61]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَهُوَ ٱللَّهُ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَفِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ يَعۡلَمُ سِرَّكُمۡ وَجَهۡرَكُمۡ وَيَعۡلَمُ مَا تَكۡسِبُونَ
And He is Allah (to be worshipped Alone) in the heavens and on the earth, He knows what you conceal and what you reveal, and He knows what you earn (good or bad)]. [Al-An’aam. 3]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يَقۡبَلُ ٱلتَّوۡبَةَ عَنۡ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَعۡفُواْ عَنِ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ وَيَعۡلَمُ مَا تَفۡعَلُونَ
And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do]. [Ash-Shuraa. 25]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ تَعۡلَمُ مَا نُخۡفِى وَمَا نُعۡلِنُۗ وَمَا يَخۡفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِن شَىۡءٍ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ
O our Lord! Certainly, You know what we conceal and what we reveal. Nothing on the earth or in the heaven is hidden from Allah]. [Ibraaheem. 38]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ۬ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِۚ يَعۡلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا يَخۡرُجُ مِنۡہَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا يَعۡرُجُ فِيہَاۖ وَهُوَ مَعَكُمۡ أَيۡنَ مَا كُنتُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ۬
He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then Istawa (rose over) the Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). He knows what goes into the earth and what comes forth from it, what descends from the heaven and what ascends thereto. And He is with you (by His Knowledge) wheresoever you may be. And Allah is the All-Seer of what you do. [Al-Hadeed. 4]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
سَوَآءٌ۬ مِّنكُم مَّنۡ أَسَرَّ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ وَمَن جَهَرَ بِهِۦ وَمَنۡ هُوَ مُسۡتَخۡفِۭ بِٱلَّيۡلِ وَسَارِبُۢ بِٱلنَّہَارِ
It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceal his speech or declare it openly, whether he be hid by night or go forth freely by day]. [Al-Rad. 10]
Allah, The Exalted, informed us that Luqman, peace be upon him, said to his son, may Allah have mercy upon him:
يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنَّہَآ إِن تَكُ مِثۡقَالَ حَبَّةٍ۬ مِّنۡ خَرۡدَلٍ۬ فَتَكُن فِى صَخۡرَةٍ أَوۡ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ أَوۡ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَأۡتِ بِہَا ٱللَّهُۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ۬
O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth.
Verily, Allah is [لَطِيفٌ -Subtle and Kind (fully aware of the hidden details of all affairs and of that which will benefit the servants and Who is kind to them and causes that which is good for them to reach them by a means which they had no expectation), [خَبِيرٌ۬ – The Fully Aware, the One knowing fully everything that is, has been or will be, knowing whatever will bring harm or benefit, knowing the true condition of everything and the outcome of everything]. [Surah Luqman. Verse 16] (2)
“O my son, even if (anything) equal to the weight of grain of mustard seed”– Meaning, the tiniest and one of the things with the least value; “and though it be in a rock”– Meaning, in the middle of it; “or in the heavens or in the earth”-Meaning, in any direction of the heavens and the earth; “Allah will bring it forth”– Meaning, due to His boundless and perfect knowledge. This is why Allaah then said:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ۬
Allah is Subtle, The Fully Aware- Meaning, He is subtle in His knowledge and being fully aware of all all hidden affairs and secrets, and all that is concealed on land and at sea. The intent behind this is encourage (humankind and Jinn) to pay close attention to Allah and obey Him whenever (and wherever) that may be, and to make one fearful of committing evil deeds, be it a little or a lot. (3)
Allah said:
يَعْلَمُ خَآئِنَةَ ٱلْأَعْيُنِ وَمَا تُخْفِى ٱلصُّدُورُ
Allah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal. [Ghafir 19]
The Man Who Came to Imam Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham to Seek Advice Regarding How to Abandon Sin!
Imam Abdul Ghaniy Al-Maqdisi stated in his book At-Tawwaabeen that a man once came to Ibraaheem Bin Adham and said, “O Abu Ishaaq! Indeed I have transgressed against my soul (through evil deeds), so present to me that which will be a deterrent for my nafs and will save [or rescue] my heart”. So, Ibraaheem said to him: “If you accept five affairs and fulfil them, neither will you be harmed due to sinning nor will the enjoyment [or delight from it] bring you destruction. The man said, “Mention them to me O Abu Ishaaq”.
Ibraaheem said: “The first affair is that when you want to disobey Allah – The Mighty and Majestic- do not eat His provision”. The man said, “Where would I eat from when it is case that all that is in the earth is from His provision?” He said, “O you! Is it right that you eat His provision and disobey him?” The man said, “No; mention the second affair to me”.
Ibraaheem said, “If you want to disobey Allah, do not live anywhere in Allah’s earth”. The man said, “This is greater than the first affair! When it is the case that the east, the west and whatever is between them belongs to Him, then where would I live?” Ibraaheem said to him, “O you! Is it right that you eat His provision and live on his earth, yet you disobey him?” The man said, “No; mention the third affair”.
Ibraaheem said, “If you want to disobey Him whilst you are being provided from His provision and living on his earth, then do so in a place where He cannot see you”. The man said, “How can that be when it is the case that He knows everything that is hidden”. Ibraaheem said, “O you! Is it right that you eat his provision, live on his earth and you disobey him whilst he sees you and what you do?” The man said, “No; mention the fourth affair”.
Ibraaheem said, “When the angel of death comes to take your soul, tell him, ‘Delay its departure until I perform sincere repentance and perform righteous deeds for the sake of Allaah’”. The man said, “He (the angel) will not accept that from me”. Ibraaheem said, “O you! When it is the case that you cannot repel death until you repent and you know that there is no delay when it comes to you, then how do you hope to escape?” The man said, “Mention the fifth affair”.
Ibraaheem said to him, “When the Zabaaniyah [i.e. guardians of hell] come to you on yawmul qiyaamah to take you to the fire, do not go with them”. The man said, “Neither will they leave me nor accept that from me”.
Ibraaheem said to him, “So, how do you hope for safety then?” The man said, “O Ibraaheem! This is enough! This is enough! I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him.” (4)
[1] An Excerpt from ‘Tafseer Al-Qur’aan Bil-Qur’aan Min Adwaa Al-Bayaan’ pages 169-170’ Daar Hady An-Nabawiy’ 2nd ed. (1431AH -2010)]
[2]https://www.salafisounds.com/the-names-attributes-of-allaah-by-abu-talhah-dawood-burbank/
[3] Tafseer As-Sadi
[4] at-Tawwaabeen 285
Meat is lawful nourishment
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allah said:
وَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمَ خَلَقَهَاۗ لَڪُمۡ فِيهَا دِفۡءٌ۬ وَمَنَـٰفِعُ وَمِنۡهَا تَأۡڪُلُونَ
وَلَكُمۡ فِيهَا جَمَالٌ حِينَ تُرِيحُونَ وَحِينَ تَسۡرَحُونَ
وَتَحۡمِلُ أَثۡقَالَڪُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ۬ لَّمۡ تَكُونُواْ بَـٰلِغِيهِ إِلَّا بِشِقِّ ٱلۡأَنفُسِۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكُمۡ لَرَءُوفٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬
“And the cattle, He has created them for you; in them there is warmth (warm clothing), and numerous benefits, and of them you eat. And wherein is beauty for you, when you bring them home in the evening, and as you lead them forth to pasture in the morning. And they carry your loads to a land that you could not reach except with great trouble to yourselves. Truly, your Lord is full of Kindness, Most Merciful”.
Allah created them for you – for your benefit and wellbeing. And from its great benefits is that you have warmth from them by making clothing, beddings and tents from their wool, hirsute, their hairs and skins. You have other benefits from them, and eat from their (meat).
وَلَكُمۡ فِيهَا جَمَالٌ حِينَ تُرِيحُونَ وَحِينَ تَسۡرَحُونَ
“And wherein is beauty for you, when you bring them home in the evening, and as you lead them forth to pasture in the morning”.
At the time when they are going to take a rest in the evening and when they are being taken out to graze. This is because the cattle do not (enjoy) any of that beauty, but rather you are the ones who enjoy their beauty, just as you beautify yourselves with your clothing, children and wealth, and you adore that.
وَتَحۡمِلُ أَثۡقَالَڪُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ۬ لَّمۡ تَكُونُواْ بَـٰلِغِيهِ إِلَّا بِشِقِّ ٱلۡأَنفُسِۚ ۬
“And they carry your loads to a land that you could not reach except with great trouble to yourselves. Truly, your Lord is full of Kindness, Most Merciful”.
You ride on some of them and others carry what you desire of heavy loads to faraway lands and regions.
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمۡ لَرَءُوفٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬
“Truly, your Lord is full of Kindness, Most Merciful”.
He subjugated to you that which you need and cannot do without.
وَٱلۡخَيۡلَ وَٱلۡبِغَالَ وَٱلۡحَمِيرَ لِتَرۡڪَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً۬ۚ
(He has created) horses, mules and donkeys, for you to ride and as an adornment”.
Sometimes you utilise them for riding and at other times for beauty and beautification.
وَيَخۡلُقُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
“And He creates (other) things of which you have no knowledge”.
The things utilised by the people as means of transportation on land, at sea and in the air, and that which they utilise for their benefit and wellbeing after the revelation of the Qur’an, because Allah did not mention them specifically; rather He – in His Book – only mention what His servants knew at the time or its similarity. As for if he mentioned that which had no similarity at the time, then they would neither have known nor understood what is intended by it; therefore he mentioned the basis [of something] which included the things they know and the things they do not know, just as Allah mentioned the bliss in paradise and named the things we know and have seen their similarity, such as date palm trees, grapes and pomegranates, and then He mentioned in general the things whose similarity is unknown to us, as He stated in another Ayah:
فِيہِمَا مِن كُلِّ فَـٰكِهَةٍ۬ زَوۡجَانِ
“In them (both) will be every kind of fruit in pairs”.
Also, in this Ayah [i.e. An-Nahl Aayah 8], Allah mentions the transportation we know, such as horses, mules, donkeys, camels and ships, and mentioned in general the others, saying:
وَيَخۡلُقُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
“And He creates (other) things of which you have no knowledge”.
After mentioning the tangible path and that He created for the servants that which they utilise for journeys, such as camels and other them, He then mentioned the religious path that leads to His (Pleasure); so He said:
وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ قَصۡدُ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمِنۡهَا جَآٮِٕرٌ۬ۚ
And upon Allah is the responsibility to explain the Straight Path (i.e. Islamic Monotheism for mankind i.e. to show them legal and illegal, good and evil things, etc. so, whosoever accepts the guidance, it will be for his own benefit and whosoever goes astray, it will be for his own destruction), but there are ways that turn aside (such as Paganism, distorted Judaism and Christianity after the departure of Musa and Eesaa etc.
Meaning, the straight path, and that is the only right path that leads to the (Pleasure) of Allah. As for the path that turn aside with regards creed and deeds, it is everything that opposes the straight path, because it severs a person from the path of Allah and leads to the destination of misery, thus, those who are rightly guided follow the straight path by the permission of their Lord, and the deviated ones deviate from it.
وَلَوۡ شَآءَ لَهَدَٮٰڪُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ
And had He willed, He would have guided you all (mankind).
Meaning, but He guided some out of His kindness and Grace, and did not guide others based on His Perfect Wisdom and Justice. (1) This happens based on Allah’s Perfect Wisdom and Just Decree, as recompense for one’s wickedness. (2) Such a person was not forced to go astray, rather he made a choice, even though his choice is under the Will of Allah. We do not know what was in the hearts of those who deviated, but we know – with absolute certainty – that Allah passes Just Judgments and He does not commit injustice against anything; rather it is the people who wrong themselves. (3)
Az-Zujaaj said, “It is Allah who will clarify the straight path and call to it with Hujaj [i.e. clear and overwhelming proofs that defeats all the obstinate and stubborn ones] and Burhaan [i.e. proofs that clarify and distinguish between truth and falsehood in everything]; “But there are ways that turn aside”.
Ibn Abbaas said, “They are the different types of desires [i.e. evil desires]”.
Ibnul Mubaarak said, “They are the (evil) desires and the innovations in religion”. (4)
Meat is not murder, it is nourishment – a rebuke against the extremist animal rights activist
Declaring Something Halal or Haram is the right of Allah
Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said:
The foundation of the religion of Islam is that the permissible things are those that Allah and His Messenger have made permissible, and the impermissible things are those that Allah and His Messenger have made impermissible. It is not allowed for anyone to leave the straight path Allah sent His Messenger with. Allah [The Most High] said:
وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not [other] paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become pious.
Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, drew a line for us and said, “This is Allaah’s Straight Path”. Then he drew lines to its right and left and then said, “These are other paths. Upon every one of them there is a devil calling towards it”. Then he recited:
وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ
Indeed this is My Straight Path, so follow it. And do not follow other paths; they will separate you from His Path”. [Hadeeth reported by Imaam Ahmad in Al-Musnad 4437]
Indeed, Allah mentioned – in Surah Al-An’aam, Surah Al-A’raaf and other them – those deeds the idol worshipers were rebuked for, when they declared impermissible the things Allah did not declare impermissible, such as the Bahirah [i.e. a she-camel whose milk was spared for the idols and nobody was allowed to milk it] and the Saa’ibah [i.e. a she-camel let loose for free pasture for their false gods, e.g. idols, etc., and nothing was allowed to be carried on it]. They declared permissible (deeds) which Allah declared impermissible, such as the killing of their children and they instituted a religion Allah did not allow. Allah said:
أَمۡ لَهُمۡ شُرَڪَـٰٓؤُاْ شَرَعُواْ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱلدِّينِ مَا لَمۡ يَأۡذَنۢ بِهِ ٱللَّهُۚ
Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed]. (5)
Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Mad’khalee stated about lies and liars:
All these people propagate mighty lies – which cannot be enumerated here – related to matters of legislation and in declaring what is lawful and unlawful, such as what Allah has stated regarding the pagan Arabs, who made judgements about the Bahirah [a she-camel whose milk was spared for the idols and that nobody was allowed to milk it] or a Sa’ibah [a she-camel let loose for free pasture for their false gods and that nothing was allowed to be carried on it], or a Wasilah [a she-camel set free for idols because it has given birth to a she-camel at its first delivery and then again gives birth to a she-camel at its second delivery]. Allah stated in declaring this a lie:
مَا جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنۢ بَحِيرَةٍ۬ وَلَا سَآٮِٕبَةٍ۬ وَلَا وَصِيلَةٍ۬ وَلَا حَامٍ۬ۙ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ يَفۡتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَۖ وَأَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ
Allah has not instituted things like Bahirah (a she-camel whose milk was spared for the idols and nobody was allowed to milk it) or a Sa’ibah (a she-camel let loose for free pasture for their false gods, e.g. idols, etc., and nothing was allowed to be carried on it), or a Wasilah (a she-camel set free for idols because it has given birth to a she-camel at its first delivery and then again gives birth to a she-camel at its second delivery) or a Ham (a stallion-camel freed from work for their idols, after it had finished a number of copulations assigned for it, all these animals were liberated in honour of idols as practised by pagan Arabs in the pre-Islamic period). But those who disbelieve invent lies against Allah, and most of them have no understanding]. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. 103]
By Allah, they are liars and they are foolish people deprived of sound intellect. Allah said:
فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ حَلَـٰلاً۬ طَيِّبً۬ا وَٱشۡڪُرُواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمۡ إِيَّاهُ تَعۡبُدُونَ
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيۡڪُمُ ٱلۡمَيۡتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحۡمَ ٱلۡخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦۖ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ غَيۡرَ بَاغٍ۬ وَلَا عَادٍ۬ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬
وَلَا تَقُولُواْ لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلۡسِنَتُڪُمُ ٱلۡكَذِبَ هَـٰذَا حَلَـٰلٌ۬ وَهَـٰذَا حَرَامٌ۬ لِّتَفۡتَرُواْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفۡتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَ لَا يُفۡلِحُونَ
مَتَـٰعٌ۬ قَلِيلٌ۬ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ۬
So eat of the lawful and good food which Allah has provided for you. And be grateful for the Graces of Allah, if it is He Whom you worship. He has forbidden you only Al-Maytatah (meat of a dead animal), blood, the flesh of swine, and any animal which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah (or has been slaughtered for idols etc. or on which Allah’s Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, and not transgressing, then, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And say not concerning that which your tongues put forth falsely: “This is lawful and this is forbidden,” so as to invent lies against Allah. Verily, those who invent lies against Allah will never prosper. A passing brief enjoyment (will be theirs), but they will have a painful torment. [An-Nahl. 114-117]
This was an address to the Arabs who instituted things like Bahirah or a Sa’ibah, and due to this Allah declared this affair of theirs a lie, determined the unlawful things in relation to that which they stated, made it known that what they declared unlawful or lawful is tantamount to lies invented against Allah, that the liars will not be successful, their enjoyment through lies and slanders is a brief enjoyment and an eternal punishment awaits them – a painful punishment. (6)
Indeed, the above suffices as rebuke against the one who declares that “Meat is Murder” while intending that meat should be banned or that it is inhumane to slaughter those animals – for food -which Allah has permitted. The enemies of the Prophets are well-known for portraying evil as good and good as evil. Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَكَذَٲلِكَ جَعَلۡنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِىٍّ عَدُوًّ۬ا شَيَـٰطِينَ ٱلۡإِنسِ وَٱلۡجِنِّ يُوحِى بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬ زُخۡرُفَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ غُرُورً۬اۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ مَا فَعَلُوهُۖ فَذَرۡهُمۡ وَمَا يَفۡتَرُونَ
And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies – Shayaateen (devils) among mankind and jinns, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion (or by way of deception). If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it, so leave them alone with their fabrications.” [Al-An’aam 112]
Allah [Glorified be He] stated that they aid one another in opposing the command of the Prophets with what some of them inspire others of adorned speech, so that the gullible and feeble minded people are misled by it. He [The Most High] stated the reason behind a perpetrator’s (adorned speech) and the reason why it is accepted by the people; then He [The Most High] mentioned [in Ayah 113 Al-An’aam] the effects it has on those ignorant souls. When those souls incline towards such adorned speech and become pleased with it, they carry out what it calls them to do -in speech and action. Therefore, ponder upon these verses and the sublime meanings they convey, for they clarify the roots of false principles and alert a person against them. And if you ponder upon the statements of the people of falsehood, you will indeed find them clothed with expressions and presented in a good light with sophisticated terms, which are quickly accepted by those deprived of sound discernment-to the extent that the wicked sinners would give [good] names to the greatest types of wicked deeds. (7)
1: Tafsir As-Sadi.
2: Tafsir As-Sadi. Surah Israa. Ayah 5.
3: Sharh Al-Arba’een pages 55-56- 1st edition 1428 (2007)-by Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh
4: Zaad Al-Maseer’ by Imaam Ibnul Jawzi.
5: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Ibaadaat Ash-Shar-iyyah Wal-Farqu Baynahaa Wa Baynal Bid’ah page: 7-9
6: https://youtu.be/c0BMdgvMDBI
7: An Excerpt from As-Sawaa-‘q al-Mursalah by Imaam Ibn Al- Qayyim 2/438
[2] Poets and Poetry
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allah, The Exalted, said:
وَمَا عَلَّمْنَٰهُ ٱلشِّعْرَ وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لَهُۥٓ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ وَقُرْءَانٌ مُّبِينٌ
And We have not taught him (Muhammad) poetry, nor is it befitting for him. This is only a Reminder and a plain Quran. [Yasin 69]
Allah, The Exalted, clears His Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, of the accusations made by the polytheists that he is a poet, and that what he brought forth is poetry. He said:
وَمَا عَلَّمْنَاهُ الشِّعْرَ وَمَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ
“And We have not taught him (Muhammad) poetry, nor is it befitting for him” to be a poet. This in essence is an impossibility for him, as he is guided and righteous, while poets are misguided and are followed by the misguided. Allah eliminated all doubts which the misguided attributed to His Messenger, and that neither could he write nor read poetry, and that poetry is not something He has taught him, nor is it fitting for him.
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ
“This (i.e. what he recites) is only a Reminder”.
Meaning, this matter he has brought is nothing other than a reminder through which those who possess understanding are reminded all the religious (obligations and recommendations) comprehensively. It reminds the intellects to reflect on what Allah has instilled in them regarding the command of all that is good and the prohibition of all that is repugnant (or evil).
وَقُرْآنٍ مُبِينٍ
“and a plain Quran”.
Meaning, clear in what requires explanation. Thus, the subject has been omitted to indicate that it elucidates all truth through detailed and general proofs, (as well as clarify in detail and general) the falsehoods and their refutations, and also revealed to His Messenger.
An Excerpt from “Tafsir As-Sadi”.
The Judiciousness, Patience and Sovereignty that won’t be rivaled until the end of time
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
The Most Judacious of All Time
Allah, The Exalted, said:
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ ۚ كُلًّا هَدَيْنَا ۚ وَنُوحًا هَدَيْنَا مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِ دَاوُودَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُوسُفَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَهَارُونَ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ
وَزَكَرِيَّا وَيَحْيَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَإِلْيَاسَ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَالْيَسَعَ وَيُونُسَ وَلُوطًا ۚ وَكُلًّا فَضَّلْنَا عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ
وَمِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ وَإِخْوَانِهِمْ ۖ وَاجْتَبَيْنَاهُمْ وَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَشْرَكُوا لَحَبِطَ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ ۚ فَإِن يَكْفُرْ بِهَا هَٰؤُلَاءِ فَقَدْ وَكَّلْنَا بِهَا قَوْمًا لَّيْسُوا بِهَا بِكَافِرِينَ
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَى اللَّهُ ۖ فَبِهُدَاهُمُ اقْتَدِهْ ۗ قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ۖ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَالَمِينَ
And We bestowed upon him (i.e. Prophet Ibrahim) Ishaque (Isaac) and Ya’qub (Jacob), each of them We guided, and before him, We guided Nuh (Noah), and among his progeny Dawud (David), Sulaiman (Solomon), Ayub (Job), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), and Harun (Aaron). Thus do We reward the good-doers. And Zakariya (Zachariya), and Yahya (John) and ‘Iesa (Jesus) and Iliyas (Elias), each one of them was of the righteous. And Isma’il (Ishmael) and Al-Yas’a (Elisha), and Yunus (Jonah) and Lout (Lot), and each one of them We preferred above the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns) (of their times). And also some of their fathers and their progeny and their brethren, We chose them, and We guided them to a Straight Path. This is the Guidance of Allah with which He guides whomsoever He will of His slaves. But if they had joined in worship others with Allah, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them. They are those whom We gave the Book, Al-Hukm (understanding of the religious laws), and Prophethood. But if these disbelieve therein (the Book, Al-Hukm and Prophethood), then, indeed We have entrusted it to a people (such as the Companions of Prophet Muhammad) who are not disbelievers therein. They are those whom Allah had guided. So follow their guidance. Say: “No reward I ask of you for this (the Qur’an). It is only a reminder for the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns).” [Al-An’aam. 83-90]
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
The Messengers are the most judicious among all of creation without exception, and their followers constitute the next most judicious group. Among the adherents of the scriptures and the great legislated laws, those who follow the Messengers are deemed the most judicious, with Muslims ranking highest among them. Among Muslims, the companions of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, are regarded as the most judicious, followed closely by those who emulate their faith precisely. Furthermore, the people who steadfastly adhere to the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet and the sound reports passed down from him are considered the most judicious within the Muslim Ummah after the companions and those who have followed their example.
The clear proof to demonstrate that the Messengers are the most judicious among the entire creation is that the beneficial knowledge they conveyed, the righteous deeds, and beneficial guidance for both this life and the hereafter, have not been conveyed by others or even something close to it. There is nothing – from any perspective – that emerged from other judicious people that can be compared to what the Messengers conveyed concerning beneficial knowledge, righteous deeds and actions, and the beneficial matters of true well-being in both the present world and the afterlife. Whoever reflects on their life stories, both specific and general, their patience and perseverance, their abstention from the fleeting pleasures of this material world, their fervent desire to seek Allah’s pleasure and the eternal rewards promised in the hereafter, their pure manners, their unparalleled truthfulness among all beings, possessors of the purest hearts and souls, custodians of the greatest trust (namely, divine revelation and prophethood), the most honourable companions one could have, the purest in their inner-most conscience and their private matters, would not doubt that they are the most judicious among Allah’s creation without exception. It is undeniable that those who closely follow their example will inherit a greater share of judiciousness than others. [1]
Patience
Al-Allamah Abdur Rahmaan Bin Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:
Allah tested Prophet Ayyoub, peace be upon him, and Prophet Ya’qub, peace be upon him, when he lost his two sons [Yusuf and Binyameen- peace be upon them] as well as the effects of the severe grief in his heart. Allah said:
وَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَسَفَىٰ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَٱبۡيَضَّتۡ عَيۡنَاهُ مِنَ ٱلۡحُزۡنِ فَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ۬
And he turned away from them and said: “Alas, my grief for Yusuf (Joseph)!” And he lost his sight because of the sorrow that he was suppressing]. [Yusuf 84]
Allah tested Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, during the early years of his (Prophethood) and obligated to him to call his people to abandon the Shirk and the misguidance they were nurtured upon by their forefathers. He made that clear to them in private and public- day and night. He approached them in their hangouts, gatherings, and towns, and carried on doing so for nearly 13 years whilst they inflicted severe harm on him, even though before this he lived for 40 years or more without being harmed. He was from a noble, honoured, and respected tribe – a noble, honoured, and respected household. He grew up with noble manners due to which he was honoured and respected by the people, but despite this, he was very modest.
The one with these qualities received severe harm and faced extreme hardship. This harm intensified with mockery- this one spat in his face and that one attempted to place his feet on his neck while he prostrated to his Lord (in prayer), and another person placed the intestines of a camel on his back while he prostrated, and such and such person grabbed the collar of his garment to strangle him. His uncle (Abu Lahab) followed him wherever he went and warned against him, saying, “He (i.e. Muhammad) is a liar. He is insane”. The foolish were incited against him and they pelted him with stones until blood flowed from his two feet. Others boycotted him and his close relatives – for a long time – so that they died out of hunger. Some people tortured his followers with various types of torture, and amongst them were those who were forced to lie down on the sand during the hottest time of the day and were denied water. One of them was burnt with fire until the only thing that extinguished the fire was the fat on his back. A woman amongst them was tortured, but when they realised that she would not renounce Islaam, they stabbed her in her private area and murdered her. All this torture was not due to anything else other than the fact that the Messenger was calling them to remove them from the darkness of Shirk and enter them into the light of Islaam- to remove them from corruption and enter them into upright conduct, distance them from the anger of Allah and guide them to the means of attaining Allah’s Pleasure, and remove them from the path of eternal punishment and guide them towards the path of permanent bliss. However, they did not pay attention to this although its proofs were very clear; rather the only thing that concerned them was that he was calling them to other than what they desired.
Also, Allah tested the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, through the death of his parents when he was very young, then the death of his grandfather, the death of his uncle who used to protect him, and the death of his wife who used to console him. The calamities did not cease, even though he is the leader of the children of Adam and the most beloved person to Allah.
Therefore, ponder on all of this to know – based on true knowledge – that the mutual rivalry – in which we engage and greedily exert ourselves to acquire the enjoyment of the worldly life – is nothing compared to attaining Allah’s Pleasure and eternal bliss in paradise. As for the misery and hardships of the worldly life which we flee from, they are nothing compared to Allah’s displeasure, His anger, and eternal punishment in the hell fire. Anas Bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “A person amongst the inhabitants of Hell – who lived the most enjoyable life amongst the people of the world – would be dipped in fire only once on the Day of Resurrection and then it would be said to him, ‘O son of Adam! Did you find any comfort, did you happen to get any material blessing?’ He would say, ‘By Allah! No, my Lord’. Then a person amongst the people of the world would be brought – who lived the most miserable life (in the world) – from amongst the inhabitants of Paradise and he would be dipped once in Paradise, and it would be said to him, ‘O son of Adam! Did you face any hardship? Or had any distress fallen to your lot?’ He would say, ‘By Allah! No, O my Lord, never did I face any hardship or experience any distress’”. [Sahih Muslim. 2807] [2]
Sovereignty
The Greatest King of all Time Prophet Sulayman, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his father and all the Prophets
[1] An Excerpt from As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah 4/1514]
[2] An Excerpt from ‘Aathaar Ash-Shaikh Al-Allamah Abdur Rahman Bin Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee. 11/311-313