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Shun The Abomination [Idol Worship] And Shun Qawl Az-Zoor!

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

ذَٰلِكَ وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ حُرُمَاتِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ ۗ وَأُحِلَّتْ لَكُمُ الْأَنْعَامُ إِلَّا مَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَاجْتَنِبُوا الرِّجْسَ مِنَ الْأَوْثَانِ وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّورِ

That (Manasik prescribed duties of Hajj is the obligation that mankind owes to Allah), and whoever honours the sacred things of Allah, then that is better for him with his Lord. The cattle are lawful to you, except those (that will be) mentioned to you (as exceptions). So, shun the abomination (worshipping) idol, and shun Qawl Az-Zoor) [Surah Al-Hajj’ Aayah 30]

[فَاجْتَنِبُوا الرِّجْسَ مِنَ الْأَوْثَانِ وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّورِ – So shun the abomination [worshipping] idol, and shun Qawl Az-Zoor]- Meaning: All forbidden speech, for indeed it is from Qawl Az-Zoor- lies and false witness. [Ref 1]

False witness is among the greatest of Major sins. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: Should I not inform you about the greatest of Major the Major sins? We [i.e. the Sahaabah] said, ‘’Certainly O Messenger of Allaah! He said, ‘’Associating partners with Allaah and disobedience to parents.’’ The Prophet was reclining, then he sat up and said, ‘’And false witness’’. He did not stop repeating it [i.e. warning against false witness] until we said, ‘’If only he stops’’ [i.e. stops repeating it in order not to bring difficulty upon himself] [End of hadeeth]

Even though Shirk is the greatest of all sins and crimes, however false witness is a great crime that is connected to great evil and oppression against the people. It is obligated on a male believer and a female believer to beware of [false witness]. A person should only witness to the truth – be it on behalf of a friend or enemy – based on what he [or she]  knows, just as Allaah [The Most high] said: [إِلَّا مَن شَهِدَ بِالْحَقِّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ  –  except those who bear witness to the truth and they know (the facts) [43:86].

A person must know what he is bearing witness to; but if not he [or she] should fear Allaah and does should not bear witness except to that which he [or she] knows – even if the one he [or she] bears witness for is a friend, relative, father, uncle or other than them. It is obligated on a person to fear Allaah and should not bear witness except to that which he [or she] knows. [Ref 2]

Ref 1: An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer kalaam al-Mannaan. Abridged and paraphrased

Ref 2. By Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah]. See link: http://www.sahab.net/forums/?showtopic=137278

O Two Companions of The Prison! Are Many Different Lords Better or Allah, The One, The Irresistible?

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

 Allaah (The Most High) informed us that Yusuf (alayhis-salaam) said to his companions in the prison:

يَـٰصَٮٰحِبَىِ ٱلسِّجۡنِ ءَأَرۡبَابٌ۬ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيۡرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٲحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُ

مَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ إِلَّآ أَسۡمَآءً۬ سَمَّيۡتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمۡ وَءَابَآؤُڪُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِہَا مِن سُلۡطَـٰنٍ‌ۚ إِنِ ٱلۡحُكۡمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ‌ۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible? You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not. [12:39-40]

[يَـٰصَٮٰحِبَىِ ٱلسِّجۡنِ ءَأَرۡبَابٌ۬ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيۡرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٲحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّار- O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible?] Meaning: Lords that are deprived of the ability to act and are weak-neither able to benefit nor harm; neither able to give nor withhold. And they are various types, (such as) trees, stones, angels, dead people and other than them from those various objects of worship that are taken as objects of worship by the polytheists. Are those objects of worship better or Allaah? [Allaah]–The only One Who has Attributes of absolute perfection; ٱلۡوَٲحِدُ The one singled out in His Essence, His Attributes and Actions, and He  has no partner in any of that.

[ٱلۡقَهَّارُ] The Irresistible- the one to whom everything has submitted due to His absolute subjugation of everything and His absolute dominion over everything–whatever He wills takes place and whatever He does not will cannot take place; (and)  مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذُۢ بِنَاصِيَتِہَآ‌ۚ– There is not a moving (living) creature but He has grasp of its forelock.

It is known that the one whose affair and description is as such is superior to (those) different gods, which are mere names–neither do they possess perfection nor actions [I.e. they have not created anything nor are they in control of anything]. So because of this [Allaah (The Most High) said that Yusuf (alayhis-salaam) said to them]:

[مَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ إِلَّآ أَسۡمَآءً۬ سَمَّيۡتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمۡ وَءَابَآؤُڪُم— You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers]; Meaning: You gave them names and called them gods, whilst they are nothing. They have no attribute of Uloohiyyah (i.e. attributes of absolute perfection-free from all deficiencies, weakness etc) and [مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِہَا مِن سُلۡطَـٰنٍ‌] – for which Allah has sent down no authority; rather Allaah has sent down clear proofs to prohibit them and clarified its falsity.

And if Allaah did not send down any authority for it, then neither can it be a (sound) path nor a means (of worship), nor does it have any proof. That is because to Allaah (alone) belongs the judgement and He is the one who gives commands and prohibitions. And He (alone) is the One Who legislate the divine laws and rulings, and He is the one that commanded you أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ– That you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion]; Meaning: The straight religion that leads to every good and the other religions besides it are not upright; rather they are crooked and will lead to every evil.

[وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ –But most men know not] – Meaning: They do not know the reality of affairs, even though the distinction between worshipping Allaah alone and associating partners with Him in worship is a clear and manifest affair (i.e. there is no doubt about the falsity of worshipping others and the absolute proof that Allaah alone has the right to be worship). However due to many people not possessing knowledge of this affair, they fall into shirk.

[An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan. slightly parapherased]

An Aayah of The Qur’aan That Will Make a Person- InShaaAllaah-  Love Knowledge And Strive to Follow The Prophet In His Dawah and Conduct

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Shaikh Zayd Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali [rahimahullaah] said: ‘When a believer reads this Ayah [i.e. يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ -Allaah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge.  And Allaah is well-Acquainted with what you do] and (the other Aayaat) similar to it, he will love knowledge; seek after it and keep in contact with its people; act upon it, call the people to it and make them have a desire for it. So he benefits himself and Allaah benefits others by way of it.  Thus he follows the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-sallam] in his Dawah and conduct. [Source: ‘Nuzhatul Qaaree Fee Sharh Kitaab Al-Ilm Min Saheeh Al-Bukhaari’ page: 15]

Everyone of Us Will Come to Allaah Alone On The Day of Resurrection!

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

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

إِن كُلُّ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَّا آتِي الرَّحْمَٰنِ عَبْدًا

لَّقَدْ أَحْصَاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا

وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَرْدًا

There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) as a slave. Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting. And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection. [19:93-95]

[وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَرْدًا – And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection]; without children, wealth and helpers – nothing with him [i.e. the person –male and female] except his (or her) deeds, so Allaah will recompense him (or her) and give him (her) a full account. And if [his or her deeds are] good, [he or she receives) good, and if [his or her deeds are] evil, [he or she receives] evil, just as Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَلَقَدْ جِئْتُمُونَا فُرَادَىٰ كَمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ  – And truly you have come unto Us alone (without wealth, companions or anything else) as We created you the first time. [6:94] [Ref 1]

What Are Righteous Deeds

Imaam Shanqeetee [rahimahullaah) said: Indeed, the great Qur’aan has clarified that a righteous deed is that which accomplishes three affairs, and when one of them is not present its performer will not be benefitted on the day of Judgement.

The first affair: The (deed) has to be accordance with what the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi wasallam) was sent with. That is because Allaah (The Most High) stated: [ وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا – And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)]. [Soorah Al-Hashar: Ayah: 7]

Allaah (The Most High) said: [مَّن يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ – He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad), has indeed obeyed Allah]. [Nisaa: Ayah: 80]

Allaah (The Most High) said: [ قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي – Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allah then follow me].’[Aal Imraan: Ayah: 31]

Allaah (The Most High) said: [أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ شَرَعُوا لَهُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَن بِهِ اللَّهُ – Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed. [Soorah Ash-Shooraa: Ayah: 21]

The second affair: The (deed) is to be carried out sincerely for the sake of Allaah. That is because Allaah (The Most high) stated:  [وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ – And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him)]. [Soorah Al-Bayyinah: Ayah: 5]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

[قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّينَ

وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

قُلْ إِنِّي أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّي عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ

قُلِ اللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ دِينِي

Say (O Muhammad): ‘Verily, I am commanded to worship Allah (Alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for Allah’s sake only and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship; “And I am commanded (this) in order that I may be the first of those who submit themselves to Allah (in Islam) as Muslims.” Say (O Muhammad): “Verily, if I disobey my Lord, I am afraid of the torment of a great Day.” Say (O Muhammad) “Allah Alone I worship by doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only and not to show-off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship.” [Soorah Az-Zumar: Ayah: 11-14]

The third affair: The (deed) has to be founded upon a sound creed.   Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِنَ الصَّالِحَاتِ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ – And he who works deeds of righteousness, while he is a believer (in Islamic Monotheism)]. Therefore, Allaah, (tied) the (deed of the doer and the condition of its acceptance), saying:  ‘’While he (i.e. performer) is a believer’’.[Soorah Taahaa: Ayah: 112]

And (The Most High) stated regarding the deeds of those who [have no belief in Allaah and His Messenger (sallal-lal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)]:

وَقَدِمْنَا إِلَىٰ مَا عَمِلُوا مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ هَبَاءً مَّنثُورًا

And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust.’’ [Soorah Al-Furqaan: Ayah: 23]

And Allaah (The Most High) said: [أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا النَّارُ ۖ وَحَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُوا فِيهَا وَبَاطِلٌ مَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ – They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire; and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do. [Soorah HUD: Ayah: 16]. And other than it from the Aayaat (of the Qur’aan) [2]

[1] [An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan. slightly paraphrased]

[2] An Excerpt from Al-Ismaamu Deenu Kaamilu page: 7. slightly paraphrased]

Indeed Allaah is Pure and He does Not Accept, Except That Which is Pure

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

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

The Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Indeed Allaah is Pure and He does not accept, except that which is pure”.

In this hadith, he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] described Allaah [جل وعلا] that He [سبحانه] is Pure.  He [سبحانه] is Pure, meaning free from all imperfections and deficiencies.  He is Pure in His Essence, in His Names and Attributes, and in His Commandments and Prohibitions.  He [سبحانه] is Pure in every aspect and imperfection cannot reach Him; and for that reason He does not accept actions, statements and intentions except that which is pure.  He does not accept filthy statements, actions and intentions. He does not accept except the pure, as He [The Exalted] said: [إِلَيۡهِ يَصۡعَدُ ٱلۡكَلِمُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ – ‘To Him ascend (all) the goodly words][Surah Faatir Ayah:10]

He [سبحانه] does not accept, except good speech and good actions; as for filthy speech, then indeed Allaah rejects and hates it, such as lies, backbiting, tale carrying, abuse, false speech and false testimony; and all filthy statements; [such as] shirk and kufr.  All of this is filthy speech and does not ascend to Allaah, and is not accepted.

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al Minhatu Ar-Rabbaaniyyah Fee Sharh Arba-een Nawawiyyah’ page:133-134: by Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

Taking Others As Intercessors Besides Allaah!

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Have they taken others as intercessors besides Allah? Say: “Even if they have power over nothing whatever and have no intelligence?” Say: “To Allah belongs all intercession. His is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, then to Him you shall be brought back.” [Soorah Zumar: Ayah:43-44]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said: Allaah informed (us) that intercession belongs to the One who owns the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and that is Allaah (alone)…[for futher details see Ighaathatul Luhfaan 1/220-222]

And the saying of  (The Most High): And warn therewith (the Qur’an) those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord, when there will be neither a protector nor an intercessor for them besides Him, so that they may fear Allah and keep their duty to Him (by abstaining from committing sins and by doing all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained). [Soorah Al-An’aam: Ayah:51]

Shaikh Saaleh Aala Shaikh (hafidha-hullaah) said: So when it is the case that intercession belongs to Allaah (alone), and that it not for anyone to seek intercession from other than Allaah– from one who has passed away and whose actions have ceased to exist- then it becomes established that seeking intercession and asking the dead people besides Allaah is shirk.  And the happiest people who will receive the intercession of Al-Mustapha [the Chosen One (i.e. the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] are the people who single out Allaah in worship and are free from all types of shirk, and they are those who are sincere to their (utterance) of the statement Laa-ilaaha-Ilal-laah (None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah). [Source: al-Mindhaar Fee Bayaani katheer Minal Akhtaa Ash-shaa-i-a by Shaikh Saaleh Aala Shaikh: page:10]

The Believers Are Only Those Who, When Allaah is Mentioned, Feel a Fear In Their Hearts!

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [hafidhahullaah] said:

[We] must ponder upon the Qur’aan, [approach] it with [sound] discernment, pay close attention to it, being acquainted with what it is about and its [lofty] status.  [We] must know [the greatness] of the one who revealed it – The Lord of the heavens and the earth, The Great Lord [i.e. Allaah] – and the status of the great Messenger to whom the Qur’aan was revealed. Therefore, we must acquaint ourselves with the Qur’aan. We must act upon it after pondering upon it; after approaching it with a [sound] discernment, understanding and paying close attention to it, so that its goals [aims] are fulfilled, especially the subject matter related to Allaah’s Essence, Names and Attributes(ref 1); the right Allaah has to be worshipped alone, exalted, glorified, venerated, feared and loved; complete submission to Him and being shy in His presence, as well as other acts of worship, which we know from the great Qur’aan and the [authentic] Sunnah of the noble Prophet [alayhis salaatu wassalaam]. [Ref 1]

Indeed, the Qur’aan has commended – a lot – the affair of knowledge and the scholars. Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted] said: [إِنَّمَا يَخۡشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِ ٱلۡعُلَمَـٰٓؤُاْۗ – It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah]. [Surah Faatir’ Aayah 28]

The scholars who act upon knowledge – those who benefit from the knowledge of [the Sharee’ah]- know Allaah by His [Perfect] Names and Attributes. They know Allaah and exalt Him due to their knowledge of Allaah’s [Perfect] Names and Attributes; therefore, whenever one reads and comes across an Aayah of the Qur’aan that [mentions] some of the [Perfect] Names and Attributes of Allaah, it should increase him [or her] in Eemaan; especially the Aayaat regarding Tawheed, and the [Perfect] Names and Attributes of Allaah. Allaah said:

إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوبُہُمۡ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتۡ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ءَايَـٰتُهُ ۥ زَادَتۡہُمۡ إِيمَـٰنً۬ا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ

The believers are only those who, when Allaah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses [this Qur’an] are recited unto them, they [i.e. the Verses] increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord [Alone]. They perform the prayer and spend out of that We have provided them. [Surah Al-Anfaal’ Aayaat 2-3]

Whenever the Aayaat are recited to those believers – those who achieve this great status which Allaah [mentioned and attributed] to those scholars who truly act upon knowledge; the learned people of sound understanding, who possess a firm and sound understanding of the Qur’aan – they increase in Eemaan until their Eemaan becomes like mountains.

These scholars – the ones whom Allaah [mentioned with praise] – possess a firm and sound understanding of the Qur’aan and they increase in Eemaan through recitation of its Aayaat. They ponder upon the  Aayaat that [mention] Tawheed, the Aayaat that [mention] the [Perfect] Names and Attributes of Allaah, the Aayaat that [mention] Tawheed Al-Ibaadah, the Aayaat regarding  Allaah’s promise, the Aayaat regarding Allaah’s threat-which are many in the Great Qur’aan-, the description of Paradise and its bliss- its castles, Hoor [fair females with wide, lovely eyes (as wives for the pious)], and its gardens and rivers; and [they ponder upon the description] of the hell fire – its  Agh’laal [iron chains, iron collars], hardship and severe punishment- we seek Allaah’s Refuge from it. So, he [or she] believes in this Jannah and thus increases in desire for it; and believes in the fire and thus increases in fear of it, because he [or she] is a believer- one who knows and acts. [Ref 2]

Read the Names and Attributes of Allaah: http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=AQD03&articleID=AQD030001&pfriend=

[Ref 1: Majmoo Kutub Wa Ra’saa’il 1/23]

[Ref 2: Source: Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 76-78. slightly paraphrased]

Skin Without Flesh and Body Without Soul!

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said: [ لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَٰكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُحْسِنِينَ – It is neither their meat nor their blood [i.e. the animals we sacrifice] that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him. Thus have We made them subject to you that you may magnify Allah for His Guidance to you. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) to the Muhsinun (doers of good)]. [Surah Al-Hajj. Ayah 37]

[لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا – It is neither their meat nor their blood] – meaning: The aim [or goal] behind them [i.e. the animals slaughtered as sacrifice] is not just to merely slaughter them, for neither does their meat nor blood reach Allaah because Allaah is [الْغَنِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ -The Independent One Who is Free of all Needs and The One Who is Deservedly Praised]; rather what reaches Allaah is the sincerity [in your hearts in relation to the performance of the deed]; hope for Allaah’s reward and having a righteous intention; [وَلَٰكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ ۚ – But it is piety from you that reaches Him].

So with regards to this, there is an urge towards sincerity in [the act] of sacrifice and that one’s intention is to seek the Face of Allaah [alone], and not out of boasting, show off and to be heard; nor merely following a custom. Likewise, this is [the goal behind] all acts of worship, for if they are not connected to sincerity and piety, then they are similar to skins that have no flesh and a body that has no soul.

[Source: An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah). Slightly paraphrased. Publisher Daar Ibn Hazm 1st ed. 1424 (Year 2003)]

It Is Not Permissible to Exalt The Innovators – [By Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said:

It is not permissible to exalt and praise the innovators even if they have some truth with them. That is because raising and praising them will spread their bidah and place them amongst the sincere ones-those who are taken as examples amongst distinguished men of this Ummah. The Salaf warned against having trust for the innovators, (warned against) praising them and their gatherings. In this regard, Asad Ibn Musa (rahimahullaah) wrote: ”Beware of being a brother of the innovator (by association) or a companion of his, or one whom you sit with; for indeed it has been narrated that ‘Whoever sits with a person of innovation has left the protection of Allaah and is entrusted to himself’.

The innovators must be warned against and kept away from even if they have some truth with them. Indeed, the most astray are not devoid of some truth, but as long as they have with them innovation, opposition and sinful views, it is not permissible to praise and exalt them. It is impermissible to not have an objection against their innovation because this spreads bidah, belittles the Sunnah and by way of this the innovator will emerge and become a guide for the Ummah.

As for giving consideration (to the fact) that the innovation has some truth, this does not justify praising him. This is -to a far greater extent- against what is of overriding benefit and it is known in relation to a principle in the religion that averting harm takes precedence over seeking that which is of benefit. And with regards to having hatred for the innovator, the harm that is averted from the Ummah is weightier than the benefit possessed by the innovator. And had we adhered to this concept (i.e. praising the innovator because he has some truth with him), then no one would have been judged to be misguided and declared an innovator. That is because there is not an innovator except that he has some truth and adherence to the Sunnah. The innovator (may) neither be a disbeliever nor be in opposition to all the Islamic legislation; rather he is either an innovator in some or most of the affairs. However, if the innovation is particularly related to affairs of Creed and Methodology, then the affair is dangerous indeed because it will become an example (to be followed); innovation will spread and the innovators will become active in spreading their innovation.

So, this person who praises the innovators and makes their affair obscure to the people -due to some truth they (i.e. innovators) have – is one of two (people): Either he is one ignorant of the methodology of the pious predecessors and their stance against the innovators, so neither is it permissible for this ignorant one to speak nor is it permissible for the Muslims to listen to him; or he is one who has an objection to the truth because he knows the danger of innovation and the innovators, but he wishes to spread innovations. Nevertheless, this is a dangerous affair and it is not permissible to be lackadaisical with regards to innovation and its people, whatever that may be.  [Source: An Excerpt from At-Tabdee Wat-Tafseeq Wat Takfeer. Page: 72-76. slightly paraphrased]

 

Aspects of Insincerity and Some of their Effects upon One’s Servitude

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Methodology - 'Manhaj'.

Shaykh Sālih bin Fawzān Al Fawzān – Hafidhahullah – stated in his explanation of the Treatise of Servitude:

[1] Man, if he is amazed by a woman and he is infatuated with her, he becomes a slave to her. He is overpowered by her speech, and he executes her demands, he becomes a servant to his Hawa (vain lusts and desires). For this reason The Lofty and Exalted said,

“Have you seen he who takes his Hawa as a god” [Surah Al-Jāthiyāh: 23].

Whatever his Hawa dictates he does even if it is impermissible, this is the one that takes his desires as an object of worship.

[2] He is attracted by love for praise and position, so he seeks them out at any cost, even if it is at the expense of his religion.

[3] From the dangers of yearning for honour and praise, is that a person is amazed by himself if somebody praises him with that which is false and he is angry with the one who disparages him, even if it is with the truth. This is because he wants honour and position. He likes to be praised falsely while disparagement grieves him, even if it is true.

This is evidence that he wants honour and position at any cost!

As for the one who does not seek honour and position he dislikes praise, because of the prophet’s -SalAllahu alayhi wa’sallam – statement, “If you see those who praise people (to their faces), then throw dirt in their faces”. So he does not accept praise to his face; because praise makes him oppressive and it causes him to be deluded by himself.

As for the one who wants the truth, he is pleased with advice and he is happy with his mistakes being pointed out (to him). For this reason Umar bin al-Khatāb said, “May Allah have mercy upon the person who gifts Umar his mistakes”. So he likened one who clarifies to him his errors to a person who gives him a gift…

(Shaykh Sālih bin Fawzān Al-Fawzān then mentions):

 “And who is more astray than one who follows his own lusts, without guidance from Allah?” [Al-Qasas: 50].

Whosoever is not a servant to Allah, becomes a servant and slave of his Hawa (lusts and desires), shaytān and his doubts.

Mankind will either be a servant to Allah or a servant to other than Allah. It is not possible for man to be other than a servant (i.e. his nature has been created this way).

So whoever abandons servitude to Allah, Allah afflicts him with bondage to other than Him.

And we seek refuge in Allah!

For this reason when the polytheists left off the worship of Allah, Allah put them to trial with the worship of idols, trees, stones and inanimate objects.

Ibn Al-Qayyim said,

“They (the polytheists) fled from Ar-Riqq of Him whom they were created for (i.e. Allah created them to worship Him),

 So they were put in Ar-Riqq to themselves and the Shaytān (their enemy).”

 Ar-Riqq is Servitude. You were created to be a servant of Allah, if you leave off this servitude you will become one who worships other than Allah. No doubt you are a servant (of something) no matter how free you say you are. You are a servant, subjugated to Allah or to other than Him.

Servitude of Allah is nobility for mankind and it is real liberation! As for mankind’s servitude of other than Allah then it is humiliating and degrading (carries no respect). Servitude to other than Allah does not free the slave from the entrapment of desires or lusts. This form of servitude is worship of other than Allah (i.e. Shirk – polytheism).

Nothing frees from the humiliating bonds of servitude to the creation except being a servant to Allah (a servant of The Creator and One truly worthy of being worshipped) – Sub’hanahu wa ta’ālah -.

The heart will not be sincere unless it accepts Allah and rejects or is distant from other than him:

The heart that is upright (upon true monotheism) is attached to Allah, and it opposes anything (in worship) other than him.

The Most high said: “Verily, Ibrahim (Abraham) was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities), obedient to Allah, Hanīfah (i.e. to worship none but Allah)” [al-Nahl :120].

So Ibrahīm – Alayhis salām – was completely attached to Allah with his heart, actions and direction and he opposed anything other than Allah (in his worship]). And the true monotheistic religion of Ibrahīm – Alayhis Salām – is: the acceptance of Allah and opposition of that which is worshipped besides Him.

If one is not attached to Allah, opposed to other than Him, he will certainly fall into Shirk (polytheism), because he is (in reality) a servant without a doubt. So he will either be a servant of Allah or he will be in bondage to other than Him.

And there is not a human-being except he is a servant, in fact, everything that is in the sky and on earth is in bondage (to Allah).

[Sharh Ar-Risālatu Ubūdiyah, pages 252-254]