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[1] A Captivating Story of Truthfulnes Reflected Upon by Al Allaamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Basics, Brotherhood, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Sahaabah, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

The Story of Kab Bin Malik [may Allah be pleased with him] 

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al Mad’khali – [may Allah preserve him] said:

All praise and thanks be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon Allah’s Messenger, his family, companions, and those who follow his guidance. To proceed: Truthfulness is one of the greatest foundations of the (Islamic) religion and worldly affairs, neither can worldly affairs be upright nor can the religion be established on lies, betrayal, and deceit. The relationship between the Messengers and those who believed in them was one of truthfulness and affirmation of truth. Allah (The Exalted) says:

وَالَّذِي جَاءَ بِالصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ * لَهُمْ مَا يَشَاءُونَ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ ذَلِكَ جزَاءُ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

And he (Muhammad) who has brought the truth (this Quran and Islamic Monotheism) and (those who) believed therein (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism), those are Al- Muttaqun (the pious and righteous persons). They shall have all that they will desire with their Lord. That is the reward of Muhsinun (good-doers). [Az-Zumar. 33-34]

And Allah stated regarding lying:

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ كَذَبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَكَذَّبَ بِالصِّدْقِ إِذْ جَاءهُ أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِلْكَافِرِينَ

Then, who does more wrong than one who utters a lie against Allah, and denies the truth [this Quran, the Prophet (Muhammad), the Islamic Monotheism, the Resurrection, and the reward or punishment according to good or evil deeds] when it comes to him! Is there not in Hell an abode for the disbelievers? [Az-Zumar. 32]

Due to the status of truthfulness and affirmation of truth in the Sight of Allah, in Islam, among people of sound intellect and people of sound natural disposition, and the good outcomes of (truthfulness and affirmation of truth), as well as the danger of lying and denying the truth, I wanted to convey this statement, which is derived from Allah’s Book, the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger, the biography and circumstances of some of the truthful people and truth affirmers among the companions of Allah’s Messenger. I beseech Allah to help and guide me in doing everything I can to offer advice and clarification to my Muslim brothers, and I beseech Him to place us all among the truthful, those eager to adhere to and steadfast in it, and among those who love the truth, those active in following and believing in it.

Because of the greatness of truthfulness in the Sight of Allah, the Muslims, and people of sound intellect among humankind, Allah described Himself as one who is truthful. Allah [The Exalted] says:

قُلْ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ فَاتَّبِعُوا مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

Say (O Muhammad): “Allah has spoken the truth; follow the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) Hanifa (Islamic Monotheism, i.e. he used to worship Allah Alone), and he was not of the polytheists]. [Aal Imran. 95]

This is praise – with this great description- given by Allah to Himself, because He is truthful in all of His reports, speech, and legislation, in what He narrated about the Prophets and their nations, and in what He narrated about the Children of Israel- their prophets, believers, sinners and those who disbelieved among them, and about their distortion of Allah’s Book – the Tawraat and the Injeel, and that they took the rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah. (Footnote a)

Allah [The Exalted] says:

وَمَنْ أَصْدَقُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حَدِيثًا

And who is truer in statement than Allah? [An-Nisaa. 87]

Allah [The Exalted] says:

وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقًّا وَمَنْ أَصْدَقُ مِنَ اللَّهِ قِيلاً

Allah’s Promise is the Truth, and whose words can be truer than those of Allah? (Of course, none). [An-Nisaa. 122]

 Allah [The Exalted] says:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِمْ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ
وَمَا جَعَلْنَاهُمْ جَسَدًا لَا يَأْكُلُونَ الطَّعَامَ وَمَا كَانُوا خَالِدِينَ
ثُمَّ صَدَقْنَاهُمُ الْوَعْدَ فَأَنْجَيْنَاهُمْ وَمَنْ نَشَاءُ وَأَهْلَكْنَا الْمُسْرِفِينَ

And We did not sent before you (O Muḥammad) except men to whom We revealed (scripture), so ask the people of the (prior) remembrance if you do not know. And We did not create them (the Messengers, with) bodies that ate not food, nor were they immortals; then We fulfilled to them the promise, and We saved them and those whom We willed, but We destroyed Al-Musrifun (i.e. extravagants in oppression, polytheism and in sin). [Al-Anbiyaa. 7-9]

Allah [The Exalted] says:

ذَلِكَ جَزَيْنَاهُمْ بِبَغْيِهِمْ وَإِنَّا لَصَادِقُونَ

Thus We recompensed them for their rebellion (committing crimes like murdering the Prophets, consuming Riba- usury, etc.). And verily, We are Truthful]. [Al-An’aam. 146]

With this great description, Allah described Himself as truthful in His statements, actions, promises, and warnings- truthful in the news about His prophets, faithful believers, and His foes. He described His Prophets as truthful, aided them with miracles and magnificent signs that proved their complete truthfulness, and refuted their enemies’ fabrications and denials. One of the greatest things He aided them with was the destruction of their enemies with a flood, some of them by a fierce violent wind, some were seized by the blast (from the sky) and swallowed by the earth, and some were drowned, while He saved the Prophets and their followers. All of this is from the Lord of the entire existence, a testimony to the truthfulness of His Prophets and that they are truly His Messengers, and humiliation against His enemies and their enemies.

And among those mentioned in the Qur’an with this description were Ibraaheem, Ismaa’eel, and Idrees [peace and blessings be upon them]. Allah [The Exalted] says:

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَبِيًّا

And mention in the Book (the Quran) Ibrahim (Abraham). Verily! He was a man of truth, a Prophet]. [Maryam. 41]

Allah [The Exalted] says:

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولاً نَبِيًّا

And mention in the Book (the Quran) Isma’il (Ishmael). Verily! He was true to what he promised, and he was a Messenger, (and) a Prophet]. [Maryam. 54]

Allah [The Exalted] says:

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِدْرِيسَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَبِيًّا

And mention in the Book (the Quran) Idris (Enoch). Verily! He was a man of truth, (and) a Prophet]. [Maryam. 56]

The description of truthfulness given to them is a declaration of their ability to possess this quality, as well as the fact that their statements, deeds, promises, and covenants are founded on truthfulness.

And every Ayah in the Noble Qur’an – a miracle with which the jinn and humankind are challenged to bring a Surah like it, but they are unable to do so – is the greatest proof of His [i.e. the Messenger Muhammad] truthfulness and that he is indeed Allah’s Messenger and Seal of the Prophets. No one has ever claimed prophethood after him, except that Allah exposed, disgraced, and revealed his defects and lies; rather, no one lied about him in a statement attributed to his message, except that Allah exposed and disgraced him through the explanation of the truthful followers of his message among the scholars of hadeeth and others. (Allah) The Exalted stated whilst praising him for what he conveyed of truth and truthfulness:

بَلْ جَاءَ بِالْحَقِّ وَصَدَّقَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ

Nay! he (Muhammad) has come with the truth (i.e. Allah’s Religion – Islamic Monotheism and this Quran) and he confirms the Messengers (before him who brought Allah’s religion – Islamic Monotheism)]. [As-Saffaat. 37]

This is the greatest status given to Allah’s slave and Messenger Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]. Allah described His faithful servants who were truthful in their faith, deeds, Jihad, and covenants (as follows).

لَيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَنْ تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَءَاتَى الْمَالَ عَلَى حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّائِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَءَاتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُوا وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ

It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, and each and every act of obedience to Allah, etc.) that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers); but Al-Birr is (the quality of) the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to Al-Masakin (the poor), and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free, performs As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and gives the Zakat, and who fulfill their covenant when they make it, and who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.) in extreme poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of fighting (during the battles). Such are the people of the truth and they are Al-Muttaqun (pious). [Al-Baqarah. 177]

Allah [The Exalted] says:

مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَضَى نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَنْتَظِرُ وَمَا بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِيلاً

Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah [i.e. they have gone out for Jihad (holy fighting), and showed not their backs to the disbelievers], of them some have fulfilled their obligations (i.e. have been martyred), and some of them are still waiting, but they have never changed [i.e. they never proved treacherous to their covenant which they concluded with Allah] in the least. [Al-Ahzaab. 23]

Allah [The Exalted] says:

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَرْتَابُوا وَجَاهَدُوا بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الصَّادِقُونَ

The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful. [Al-Hujuraat. 15]

And The Exalted (Allah) stated while praising the poor emigrants (who migrated from Makkah to Madina):

لِلْفُقَرَاءِ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ الَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا مِنْ دِيارِهِمْ وَأَمْوَالِهِمْ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلاً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا وَيَنْصُرُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الصَّادِقُونَ

(And there is also a share in this booty) for the poor emigrants, who were expelled from their homes and their property, seeking Bounties from Allah and to please Him. And helping Allah (i.e. helping His religion) and His Messenger (Muhammad). Such are indeed the truthful (to what they say). [Al-Hashar. 8]

All the companions are truthful, there is no distinction between the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar. Indeed, Allah praised them a lot in His decisive Book, and His Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] praised them a lot in many hadiths. Truthfulness, which is a quality without which the religion and worldly affairs cannot be established, is one of the most notable characteristics that have been mentioned about them. Through numerous successive unbroken chains of transmission, these truthful people and those who followed in their footsteps transmitted the Book of Allah to us with complete truthfulness and trustworthiness, as well as the Sunnah of the Messenger that has been transmitted through authentic, successive, numerous, unbroken chains of transmission, and through those (reports) transmitted by one reliable person, including the biography of Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], his Jihad and conquests. The authentic books, the Musannafaat, the Jawaami, the Ma’aajim, the books of (sound) creed, and others are filled with these transmissions, in which the Imams of Al-Jarh Wat Tadeel distinguished the authentic narrations from the weak (faulty) narrations, so that the Muslim Ummah is on a straight path, a correct methodology, and a mindful and upright life (based on the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the understanding of the companions of Muhammad). They conveyed to us the path of the noble companions, their statuses, and qualities that clearly differentiate them from all the other followers of the Prophets, and with these (virtues), they became the best of the people ever raised for humankind. This is covered in great detail in books about the status and virtues of the companions as well as other Sunnah compilations.

In this discourse, we have come across Allah’s general commendation for them (i.e. the companions) with lofty qualities, including (the quality) of truthfulness. This speech of mine does not allow me to mention the (many) authentic reports regarding the true reality of their truthfulness, but I shall provide an example of three of them that are cited together in one incident. The most renowned of these three is the great companion Kab Bin Malik [may Allah be pleased with him], a man whom Allah saved from hypocrisy and the Hellfire, as well as from Allah’s and His Messenger’s anger. His story is well-known, and the narration about him is well-known and lengthy. There isn’t enough room here to give a complete narrative, so I’ll choose passages that indicate the status of this companion and his brothers throughout this incident, and the Muslim learns from it and follows in the footsteps of these truthful ones.

Abdullah Bin Kab said: I heard Kab Bin Malik narrate the story of his remaining behind Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) from the Battle of Tabuk. Kab Bin Malik said: I never remained behind Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) from any expedition which he undertook except the Battle of Tabuk and that of the Battle of Badr. So far as the Battle of Badr is concerned, nobody was blamed for remaining behind as Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), and the Muslims (did not set out for attack but for waylaying) the caravan of the Quraish, but it was Allah Who made them confront their enemies without their intention (to do so). I had the honour to be with Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) on the night of ‘Aqaba when we pledged our allegiance to Islam and it was dearer to me than participation in the Battle of Badr, although Badr was more popular amongst people as compared with that (Tabuk). And this is my story of remaining back from Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) on the occasion of the Battle of Tabuk. Never did I possess means enough and (my circumstances) more favourable than at the occasion of this expedition. And, by Allah, I had never before this expedition simultaneously in my possession two rides. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) set out for this expedition in extremely hot season; the journey was long and the land (which he and his army had to cover) was waterless and he had to confront a large army, so he informed the Muslims about the actual situation (they had to face), so that they should adequately equip themselves for this expedition, and he also told them the destination where he intended to go. And the Muslims who accompanied Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) at that time were large in numbers but there was no proper record of them. Ka’b (further) said: Few were the persons who wanted to absent themselves, and were under the impression that they could easily conceal themselves (and thus remain undetected) until revelations from Allah, the Exalted and Glorious (descended in connection with them). And Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) set out on an expedition when the fruits were ripe and their shadows had been lengthened. I had a weakness for them and it was during this season that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) made preparations and the Muslims too along with them. I also set out in the morning so that I should make preparations along with them but I came back and did nothing and said to myself: I have means enough (to make preparations) as soon as I like. And I went on doing this (postponing my preparations) until people were about to depart and it was in the morning that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) set out and the Muslims too along with him, but I made no preparations. I went early in the morning and came back, but I made no decision. I continued to do so until they (the Muslims) hastened and covered a good deal of distance. I also made up my mind to march on and meet them. Would that I had done that but perhaps it was not destined for me. After the departure of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as I went out amongst people, I was shocked to find that I did not find anyone like me but people who were labelled as hypocrites or the people whom Allah granted an exemption because of their incapacity…[Saheeh Muslim Number 2769]

In this section, he praised the pledge of allegiance at Aqaba and the place it holds in his heart because of its great significance, which embodied the solid foundation upon which was established the migration of the companions to the Prophet’s city, the support given by the Ansaar, the establishment of the Islamic state and its foundation, the establishment of Jihad, and the strength of Islam and Muslims, from which emerged the beginning and outcomes of military expeditions in which the Prophet participated and those in which he did not participate; then the eradication of (paganism, disbelief, apostasy, etc.) and the departure of Islamic armies around the world to open hearts with the light of Iman and Islam, bringing them out of darkness (misguidance) and into light (guidance), hence this lofty companion was aware of the status of the pledge of allegiance at Aqaba, therefore, he was not pleased with anything else as a substitute for it, as he stated, “And it was dearer to me than participation in the Battle of Badr.”
He spoke about his failure to participate in the Battle of Tabuk with the courage of the truthful, in a clear, bright manner, detailed with truth from a heart filled with faith, a soul, and emotions flowing with integrity and truthfulness the like of which is unknown to a repentant person in such a terrifying situation, in which the cowardly hypocrites became worse, as a result, they resorted to lies and sought to conceal by purposefully making false justifications, (for) which Allah quickly exposed and shamed them, and cast them into the house of destruction (i.e. the Hellfire).

He stated that his failure to (join the Tabuk expedition) was not due to poverty or hardship, inability or weakness because he had previously participated in expeditions and was in a less favourable position than he was in this expedition. (He said), “And my affair – when I stayed behind Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] – was that never did I possess means enough and (my circumstances) more favourable than at the occasion of this expedition. And, by Allah, I – before this expedition- never had simultaneously in my possession two rides”.

He explicitly mentioned the factors that weakened his commitment to Jihad, such as the terrible heat, the lengthy travel, the vast, deadly (waterless) deserts between Medina and Tabuk, and the great number of Romans and Arabs that followed the Romans, and that Allah’s Messenger had instructed the people to get ready for their expedition. And he mentioned what was maybe the most crucial reason for his failure to join the Tabuk expedition, which was the ripe fruits and the shades; then he expressed directly what he would have been able to hide, but his truthful soul refused, (so he articulated the reason as follows), “I had a weakness for them.” This is a high level of truthfulness that only a few people fulfil.

He mentioned the struggle with his soul and his hesitation between catching up with Allah’s Messenger and his Mujahideen brothers, and between sitting beneath the lush shadows and the ripe fruits.

He spoke of the regret and misery he felt as a result of staying behind, as well as the fact that he could find no other person to serve as an example for him in doing so other than a man who was drowned in hypocrisy or a man whom Allah had excused from among the weak. This is one of the proofs of the life in his heart (i.e. Islam) and the truthfulness of his faith.

Kab Bin Malik [may Allah be pleased with him] added, “When I heard that he (i.e. the Prophet (ﷺ) was on his way back to Medina. I got dipped in my concern, and began to think of false excuses, saying to myself, ‘How can I avoid his anger tomorrow?’ And I took the advice of a wise member of my family in this matter. When it was said that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), had come near all the evil false excuses abandoned from my mind and I knew well that I could never come out of this problem by forging a false statement. Then I decided firmly to speak the truth. So Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) arrived in the morning, and whenever he returned from a journey, he used to visit the Mosque first of all and offer a two-rak’at prayer therein and then sit for the people. So when he had done all that (this time), those who had failed to join the battle (of Tabuk) came and started offering (false) excuses and taking oaths before him. They were something over eighty men; Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) accepted the excuses they had expressed, took their pledge of allegiance asked for Allah’s Forgiveness for them, and left the secrets of their hearts for Allah to judge. Then I came to him, and when I greeted him, he smiled a smile of an angry person and then said, ‘Come on.’ So I came walking till I sat before him.

He said to me, ‘What stopped you from joining us? Had you not purchased an animal For carrying you?’ I answered, “Yes, O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! But by Allah, if I were sitting before any person from among the people of the world other than you, I would have avoided his anger with an excuse. By Allah, I have been bestowed with the power of speaking fluently and eloquently, but by Allah, I knew well that if today I tell you a lie to seek your favor, Allah would surely make you angry with me in the near future, but if I tell you the truth, though you will get angry because of it, I hope for Allah’s Forgiveness. Really, by Allah, there was no excuse for me. By Allah, I had never been stronger or wealthier than I was when I remained behind you.’ Then Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘As regards this man, he has surely told the truth. So get up till Allah decides your case.’ So I got up… [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. 4418]

He mentioned to us his new state of affairs in this section after Allah’s Messenger returned and they (i.e. those who participated in the expedition) were given success, with honour, assistance, and reward, so (he thought) what was the benefit of staying behind, even if one of the reasons was the good shades and fruits, and who are the ones like him, save those who are mired in hypocrisy, the weak and the excused?! At the same time, Shaytaan reminded him and attempted to instruct him with various types of lies, but the darkness of lies and falsehood has been removed from him by Allah’s grace and taking good care of him because of truthfulness in his faith and sincerity to Allah- Lord of the entire existence; so Allah granted him success through the greatest means of salvation after faith, which is truthfulness, especially when confronted with peril and disaster.

He said, “When it was said that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) had come, all the evil false excuses abandoned my mind and I knew well that I could never come out of this problem by forging a false statement. Then I decided firmly to speak the truth. So Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) arrived in the morning, and whenever he returned from a journey, he used to visit the Mosque first of all and offer a two-rak’at prayer therein and then sit for the people”.

He cited a magnificent Sunnah that is almost forgotten or forgotten by many Muslims, which is that after returning from a journey, a Muslim performs two-rak’at in the Masjid. And he mentioned the hypocrites’ attitude, which is lying and false concealment, as well as confirming their lies by taking an oath; so Allah’s Messenger could only accept what was obvious and entrusted their secrets to Allah -The Knower of the unseen, who knows the treachery of the eyes and what the hearts conceal. Kab, on the other hand, knew through his Fiqh (sound accurate understanding) and (sound) intellect that lying before Allah’s Messenger, even if affirmed with solid oaths, would not save him from Allah’s anger, and afterward the anger of Allah’s Messenger. He knew this with his dazzling insight and acute intellect, and after Allah granted him Tawfeeq (i.e. blessed him with knowledge and the ability to act on what is right), he would not accept anything else except to express the unadulterated truth.

https://www.mimham.net/tan-1308-82 paraphrased

To be continued Inshā’Allāh.

Footnote a: They took the Ahbaar and Ruhbaan (the scholars and worshippers) as Lords besides Allah:

https://abukhadeejah.com/ahmad-an-najmees-kitaab-at-tawheed-chapter-5-the-explanation-of-tawheed-and-the-shahaadah-laa-ilaaha-illallaah/

 

Tremendous Hadith About The Sirat and Other Affairs In The Hereafter

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Death, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Some of the companions of Abdullah Ibn Al-Mubarak,  may Allāh have mercy upon him, saw him contemplating and asked: “Where have you reached (in your contemplation)?” He said: “The Sirat (i.e. the bridge)”. [1]

A Tremendous Hadith About The Sirat and Other affairs on The Day of Judgement

Narrated Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him: The people said, “O Messenger of Allah! Shall we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” He replied, “Do you have any doubt in seeing the full moon on a clear (not cloudy) night?” They replied, “No, O Allah’s Apostle!” He said, “Do you have any doubt in seeing the sun when there are no clouds?” They replied in the negative. He said, “You will see Allah (your Lord) in the same way. On the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered and He will order the people to follow what they used to worship. So some of them will follow the sun, some will follow the moon, and some will follow other deities; and only this nation (Muslims) will be left with its hypocrites. Allah will come to them and say, ‘I am Your Lord.’ They will say, ‘We shall stay in this place till our Lord comes to us and when our Lord will come, we will recognize Him. Then Allah will come to them again and say, ‘I am your Lord.’ They will say, ‘You are our Lord.’ Allah will call them, and As-Sirat (a bridge) will be laid across Hell and I (Muhammad) shall be the first amongst the Messengers to cross it with my followers. Nobody except the Messengers will then be able to speak and they will be saying then, ‘O Allah! Save us. O Allah Save us.’ There will be hooks like the thorns of Sa’dan in Hell. Have you seen the thorns of Sa’dan?” The people said, “Yes.” He said, “These hooks will be like the thorns of Sa’dan but nobody except Allah knows their greatness in size and these will entangle the people according to their deeds; some of them will fall and stay in Hell forever; others will receive punishment (torn into small pieces) and will get out of Hell, till when Allah intends mercy on whomever He likes amongst the people of Hell, He will order the angels to take out of Hell those who worshipped none but Him alone. The angels will take them out by recognizing them from the traces of prostrations, for Allah has forbidden the (Hell) fire to eat away those traces. So they will come out of the Fire, it will eat away from the whole of the human body except the marks of the prostrations. At that time they will come out of the Fire as mere skeletons. The Water of Life will be poured on them and as a result they will grow like the seeds growing on the bank of flowing water. Then when Allah had finished from the Judgments amongst his creations, one man will be left between Hell and Paradise and he will be the last man from the people of Hell to enter paradise. He will be facing Hell, and will say, ‘O Allah! Turn my face from the fire as its wind has dried me and its steam has burnt me.’ Allah will ask him, “Will you ask for anything more in case this favor is granted to you?’ He will say, “No by Your (Honor) Power!” And he will give to his Lord (Allah) what he will of the pledges and the covenants. Allah will then turn his face from the Fire. When he will face Paradise and will see its charm, he will remain quiet as long as Allah will. He then will say, ‘O my Lord! Let me go to the gate of Paradise.’ Allah will ask him, ‘Didn’t you give pledges and make covenants (to the effect) that you would not ask for anything more than what you requested at first?’ He will say, ‘O my Lord! Do not make me the most wretched, amongst Your creatures.’ Allah will say, ‘If this request is granted, will you then ask for anything else?’ He will say, ‘No! By Your Power! I shall not ask for anything else.’ Then he will give to his Lord what He will of the pledges and the covenants. Allah will then let him go to the gate of Paradise. On reaching them and seeing its life, charm, and pleasure, he will remain quiet as long as Allah wills and then will say, ‘O my Lord ! Let me enter Paradise.’ Allah will say, May Allah be merciful unto you, O son of Adam! How treacherous you are! Haven’t you made covenants and given pledges that you will not ask for anything more than what you have been given?’ He will say, ‘O my Lord! Do not make me the most wretched amongst Your creatures.’ So Allah will laugh and allow him to enter Paradise and will ask him to request as much as he likes. He will do so till all his desires have been fulfilled. Then Allah will say, ‘Request more of such and such things.’ Allah will remind him and when all his desires and wishes have been fulfilled, Allah will say “All this is granted to you and a similar amount besides.” Abu Said Al-Khudri, said to Abu Huraira, ‘Allah’s Messenger said, “Allah said, ‘That is for you and ten times more like it.’ “Abu Huraira said, “I do not remember from Allah’s Messenger except (his saying), ‘All this is granted to you and a similar amount besides.” Abu Sahd said, “I heard him saying, ‘That is for you and ten times more the like of it.” [2]

We ask Allah:

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. [Saheeh Muslim Number: 2720] [3]

[1] Miftah Dar As-Sa’adah 1/180

[2] No. 771 (Sahihalbukhari.com)

[3] https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2020/12/29/o-allaah-rectify-my-religion-for-me-which-the-safeguard-of-my-affairs-a-tremendous-supplication/

How those who possessed a profound understanding of their own reality responded to praise or recognition

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Basics, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Sahaabah, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

A man among the companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to say when he was praised:

اللهُمَّ لا تؤاخِذْني بما يقولون، واغفِرْ لي ما لا يعلمونَ

“O Allah! Do not take me to account for what they say and forgive me for what they do not know (about me)”.

Al-Allamah Zayd Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

This is one of the supplications, specifically when praised and one hears it. For example, when it is said, “Fulaan (such and such person) is upright and righteous”, so he hears what was said about him, or such praise reaches him; or it is said, “Fulaan is very truthful, such and such is a good doer, a charitable person, a scholar and so on”. If he hears this, a believer fears for himself and feels shy that he is the opposite of what the people say about him, and because of this he re-examines himself and becomes active in carrying out deeds to make him righteous- a good doer and worthy of the praise given to him by the people. If he does this, he will be successful and blessed; but if he becomes deceived by what the people say and becomes oblivious of his mistakes and shortcomings, shaytan will afflict him with self-importance. Due to this, when a believer hears the people commending and praising him with righteousness, he makes this supplication “O Allah! Do not take me to account for what they say” – Meaning: “Do not hold me account due to this praise and commendation, and the good characteristics (mentioned about me”. This is because he fears for himself.

The soul of a person is  weak, thus he says, “And forgive me for what they do not know (about me)”- Meaning: “The people commend a person based on what they know about him outwardly, so the person fears that he has Mukhaalafaat [i.e. deeds in opposition to the commands and prohibitions in the Shariah] which are unknown to the people, thus he asks his Lord [The Blessed and Exalted] not to hold him to account and to forgive those sins, his shortcomings and mistakes that are unknown to the people. The children of Adam are deficient, but there are those among them who fall short and return to (repentance or rectification) and are active again in the performance of good deeds after falling short. Among them are those who fall short and persist upon (sin) until punishment comes upon them. (1)

We ask Allah:

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. [Saheeh Muslim Number: 2720] (2)

Nafi, may Allah have mercy upon him, reported that a man said to Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father: “O you the best of people” or “the son of the best of people”. Ibn Umar responded, stating, “I am neither the best of people nor the son of the best of people; I am merely a servant of Allah, hoping for His mercy and fearing Him. By Allah, you will continue to (elevate) a man until you lead him to his destruction.” (3)

Muttarif Ibn Abdillah, may Allah have mercy upon, said: remarked “No one has ever praised me except that my self-worth diminished.” (4)

Malik Ibn Dinar, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Whoever distances himself from the allure of worldly life is one who has dominated his desires and one who takes pleasure in false praise has enabled shaytan to enter his heart.” (5)

Fudayl Ibn Iyad, may Allah have mercy upon him, reported that it was said to Sulayman al-Taymi, may Allah have mercy upon him: “You are such and such! Who is like you?” He said, “Do not speak in such a manner. I do not know what may be revealed to me by my Lord, the Mighty and Majestic. I have hear Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, say (i.e. in the Qur’an):

وَبَدَا لَهُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا يَحْتَسِبُونَ

And there will become apparent to them from Allah, what they had not been reckoning. (6)

(1) Awnul Ahadis Samad Sharh Al-Adabil Mufrad’ 2/389

(2) https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2020/12/29/o-allaah-rectify-my-religion-for-me-which-the-safeguard-of-my-affairs-a-tremendous-supplication/

(3) Hilyatul Awliyaa 1/307

(4) Hilyatul Awliyaa 2/198

(5) Hilyatul Awliyaa 2/364

(6) Hilyatul Awliyaa 3/30

Exquisite Equitable Enforcement of Justice

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Basics, History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Equal Application of the Law On All Those Have Reached The Age of Accountability or Considered Accountable In Islamic Law

Aa’isha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that the Quraish had been anxious about the Makhzumi woman who had committed theft, and said, “Who will speak to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, about her?” They said, “Who dare it, but Usamah, the loved one of Allah’s Messenger?” So Usamah spoke to him. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger said, “Do you intercede regarding one of the punishments prescribed by Allah?” He then stood up and addressed (people) saying, “O people! Those who have gone before you were destroyed, because if any one of high status committed theft amongst them, they spared him; and if anyone of low status committed theft, they inflicted the prescribed punishment upon him. By Allah, if Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would have her hand cut of”. (1)

“Do you intercede regarding one of the punishments prescribed by Allah?” Meaning, it is not permissible to intercede regarding the divine prescribed punishments.

“Those who have gone before you were destroyed because if any one of high status committed theft amongst them, they spared him; and if anyone of low status committed theft, they inflicted the prescribed punishment upon him”. Meaning, destroyed through punishment due to their sins. They were destroyed due to this matter because they said, “This is a person of high status and it is not possible to cut his hand”. When a person of high status amongst them stole, they let him off, (but) when a person of low status stole, they established the punishment on him, thus the implementation of Allah’s prescribed punishments was carried out based on their desires. In this hadith is proof to show that the nations before us committed theft, and that there was much theft in their midst including the wealthy, the poor, the one of high status and the one of low status.

The Messenger then made an oath – even though he is the righteous and truthful one without making an oath – that “By Allah, if Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would have her hand cut of”.

O Allah! Send Your Salutations and blessings upon him (i.e. the prophet). This is how justice should be and the manner in which Allah’s rulings are to be applied, and not through desires. He made an oath that if Fatimah – who was of a higher status than that Makhzumi woman, both in nobility and lineage, because she is the leader of the women of paradise, the daughter of Muhammad – stole, he would cut her hand. (2)

Imaam An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated that Imam Muslim, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned narrations in the chapter regarding the forbiddance of interceding in the divine ordained punishments and that this was the cause of the destruction of the Children of Israel. The scholars unanimously agreed that – due to these narrations – interceding in the divine ordained punishments – after the affair has reached the leader – is prohibited. As for before it reaches the leader, most scholars have permitted intercession if the one being interceded for is not an evil person and harmful to the people. As for the sins (or acts of disobedience) for which there are no prescribed punishments, then intercession regarding them is permissible whether the affair has reached the leader or not. Intercession in these affairs is desirable if the one being interceded for is not a harmful person and so on. (3)

[1] Saheeh Muslim. 1688a

[2] An Excerpt from Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen 6/525-530 By Imam Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy upon him)

[3] An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Saheeh Muslim’. 11/155

Included among the oppressors is the Mubtadi and others who intentionally disseminate anything that contradict Islam – [By Allamah Rabee Ibn Hadi Al-Madkhali]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Basics, Bid'ah (Innovation), Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Callers & Individuals, Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allah The Beneficent The Most Merciful.

Allah says:

وَلَا تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ

And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you, and you have no protectors other than Allah, nor you would then be helped. (Hud: 113)

Do not incline towards the oppressors—those who oppress the people by (shedding) their blood, (seizing) their wealth, and (violating) their honour, or they oppress people in their religion through Bidah and various forms of misguidance, spreading harmful propaganda and calls (ideas) that contradict Islam. Refrain from inclining towards such people; do not assist them or support their falsehoods. The verse includes all these types (of people).

Every follower  of falsehood is an oppressor, every Mubtadi is an oppressor, and everyone who (violates) a Muslim’s honour is an oppressor. Therefore, do not lean towards any of them, thus you are afflicted by the fire. That is because when you incline towards the sinner, the Mubtadi, the oppressor, the criminal, the one who violates people’s honour and those who violate the sanctity of the Islamic legislation, it is as if you are pleased (with that), as if you are aiding and endorsing. A believer must exercise caution to avoid falling into this perilous inclination. A believer should be careful of this type of inclination, for indeed it is from the causes of deviation and misguidance, and Allah’s refuge is sought.

فَلَمَّا زَاغُوا أَزَاغَ اللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ 

So when they turned away (from the Path of Allah), Allah turned their hearts away (from the Right Path). And Allah guides not the people who are Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)]. [As-Saff 5] 

An Excerpt from Al-Wasaayaa Al-Manhajiyyah Pg 20.

full moon on black background

A Brief Reminder to Those Who Refer to Us as “Super or Extreme Salafis”

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Bid'ah (Innovation), Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Callers & Individuals, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Hadaadis, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Khawaarij, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Sahaabah, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, Shi'a, Sufis, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

A Brief Reminder to Those Who Refer to Us as “Super or Extreme Salafis” When We Demand  Clarity Based On The Distinct Methodology of The Pious Predecessors 

You Have Grown Weary of The Detailed Discourse That Delineates The Fine Line Between Truth and Falsehood

 Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ وَلِتَسْتَبِينَ سَبِيلُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ

And thus do We explain the signs (to you O Muḥammad) in detail, and so that the way of the criminals may become evident (to you). [Surah Al-An’aam. Ayah 55] [1]

Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Allah [The Exalted] stated that just as He explained what was previously explained of the arguments and evidence on the path of guidance and sound judgment, and censured argumentation and stubbornness; likewise, He explains the signs (proofs, evidence, lessons), which those being addressed need; [ولتستبين سبيل المجرمين – and so that the way of the criminals may become evident]- Meaning, so that the path of the criminals – those who oppose the Messengers – may become evident. [2]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Those who know Allah, His Book, and the religion He has ordained are acquainted with the path of the believers and that of the criminals in detail- the two paths are visible to them, just as a path leading to its destination and the path leading to destruction is made visible. They are the most knowledgeable among the creation- the ones who benefit (the people) the most, the ones with the most useful advice and they are evidence of right guidance. This is why the Sahaabah (companions of the Prophet) have excelled over all those to come after them until the Day of Judgment because they were brought up upon the path of misguidance, Shirk, and the paths leading to destruction, and they knew them in detail; then the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] came to them and took them out from darkness (and entered them) into complete light- from shirk (polytheism) into Tawheed (pure Islamic Monotheism), from ignorance into knowledge, from misguidance into guidance, from injustice into justice, from confusion and blindness into guidance and clear-sightedness. They knew the worth of that which they received and were triumphant by way of it. They knew the worth of that which was contained in what they received since what is in opposition to the (truth and right guidance) manifests the goodness of what it opposes because affairs are made clear by way of their opposites. So, they (Sahaabah) increased in desire and love of that which they embraced, disliked, and hated that which they had turned away from. And of all the people, they had the most love for Tawheed, Imaan, and Islam, and had the most hatred for that which was in opposition to it. They were the most knowledgeable of the (right) path in detail.

As for those who came after the Sahaabah, among them, is one who was brought up in Islam but knows not what is in opposition to it. Therefore, some of the details of the path of the believers and that of the criminals became confusing to him because confusion occurs due to the weakness of one’s knowledge regarding both paths or one of them, as Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab [may Allah be pleased with him] said, “The robust signposts of Islam will be undone one after the other when a people who grew up in Islam know not what Jaahiliyyah [Pre-Islamic Ignorance] is”. This (statement shows an aspect of) Umar’s perfect knowledge. There is that one who is neither acquainted with the path of the criminals nor has it been made clear to him, or he has doubts and thus thinks that some of their ways are from the ways of the believers. This has occurred in this Ummah in many affairs of Creed, Knowledge, and deeds regarding the path of the criminals, the disbelievers, and the enemies of the Messengers, (which) was brought into the path of the believers by the one who does not know the (detailed distinction between) the path of believers and the path of the criminals, so he called to (this path), excommunicated the one in opposition and declares lawful that which Allah and His Messenger made unlawful, just as what has occurred with many of the people of bidah, such as the Jahmiyyah, the Qadariyyah, the Khawaarij, the Rawaafid and their ilk- among those who initiated a Bidah, called to it and excommunicated those who opposed it.

The people are four categories in this subject matter (i.e. their knowledge of the path of the believers):

The first group is those who know the path of the believers and that of the criminals in detail – in both knowledge and action. They are the most knowledgeable of the creation.

The second group is those who are blind to both paths- those resembling animals. The path of the criminals is presented to them and they follow it.

The third group is those who concern themselves with (seeking) knowledge of the path of the believers and not its opposite- only knows (the path of the criminals) by way of its opposition to the (path of the believers) and in a general way, and that all that is in opposition to the path of the believers is falsehood, even though that is not illustrated to him in detail; rather, turns away when he hears some of that which contradicts the path of the believers and does not preoccupy himself in understanding and knowing its falsity (i.e. by way of learning from the upright people of knowledge). This person is in a state (similar) to one who is safeguarded from following desires- whose heart is neither put at risk nor is he called to (such desires)- as opposed to those who are aware of (such desires) and their souls are inclined towards them, but they strive against it for the Sake of Allah. A letter was written to Umar Ibnul Khattaab [may Allah be pleased with him] and he was asked about this affair, as to which of the two men is the better- a man who is not put at risk by way of desires and does not go through its difficulties, or a man who is urged towards it but abandons it for the Sake of Allah? Umar wrote back saying, “The one who is desirous of sin but abandons it for the Sake of Allah is from ‘those whose hearts Allaah has tested for piety. For them, there is forgiveness and a great reward’”. [Al-Hujuraat. 3]

The fourth group knows the path of evil, Bidah, and kufr in detail and the path of the believers in general. This is the situation of many of those who concern themselves with the beliefs of the previous nations and that of the people of Bidah (proponents of religious innovation). They are acquainted with (these affairs) in detail, but not with what the Messenger came with; rather they are acquainted with it in general even though they may know some of its affairs in detail. Whoever examines their books will see that. Likewise, those who know the paths of evil, oppression, and corruption in detail and are followers of it, if they repent, abandon these (affairs) and return to the path of the pious believers, then their knowledge of it will only be general. They will not be acquainted with it in that detailed manner known to those who spend their lives (studying) its regulations and ways.

The Objective: Indeed, Allah [Glorified be He] loves that one should know the path of His enemies to avoid and hate it, just as the path of His Awliyaa (close friends, allies) should be known and followed. [3]

You Lack The Fortitude and Integrity Essential to Uphold The Sound Creed and Methodology And Counter Deviation

 Imam Al-Barbahaaree, may Allaah have mercy upon him,  said: “Know that leaving the correct path occurs in two ways. Firstly, a man strays from the correct path intending nothing but good, so his error is not to be followed since it leads to destruction. Secondly, a man who deliberately opposes the truth and acts contrary to the Pious ones who came before him, he is astray, leading others astray, a rebellious devil within the Ummah. It is a duty upon those who know of him to warn the people against him and to explain his condition to them so that no one falls into his innovation and is destroyed”.

Al-Allamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him,  commented on the above statement of Imam Barbahaaree [may Allah have mercy upon him] saying: The first man is one who leaves the (correct path) without the intention (to do so), rather he intended good but followed other than the path of good. Striving [alone] is not sufficient, and even if the person has a righteous intention and a good aim, then that must be upon the correct path. Therefore, this (person) is considered mistaken and whoever agrees with him and follows his error will be destroyed because this is a path of destruction even though the (person) did not intend to leave (the correct path); rather his quest was (to reach something) good. This is the state of many of those who initiate newly invented matters in the knowledge of Aqeedah (Creed). This affair is not permissible, and they should not adhere to it. The person is not upon correctness. Allah [The Mighty and Majestic] said: [ وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ – And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path]. [Surah Al-An’aam. Ayah 153]

Therefore, we reject any path that exits us from the Straight Path even if the one who (calls) to it aims for good and has a good intention. We do not follow him in that while he continues upon his error, eventually leading to destruction because whoever abandons the correct path in his journey and takes a path of ruin will be destroyed.

As for the second person, it is the one who intends to leave (the correct path). He knows the truth and that what he embarks upon is falsehood, but he intends to leave the truth with the intention of misguiding the people. So, the intention of the first (person) is to bring about benefit for the people, but he did not follow the correct path. The second (person) intended to misguide the people and turn them away from the correct path. Therefore, this one is a devil because the devils take the people away from the Straight Path. (Allah informs us that) Iblees said: [لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ -Surely, I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path]. [7:16] So he intends to turn them away from it [i.e. the straight path] and [direct them] towards the deviated paths. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] gave us an example when he drew a straight line and drew other lines on its sides, he then said about the straight line, “This is the path of Allah” and he said about the other lines, “These are the other paths, and on each path is a devil calling to it”. This is a clear example that agrees with that which the Shaikh (i.e. Imaam Barbahaaree) has stated here. So, the one who takes the people away from the Straight Path (and directs them) to the innovated paths of the innovators (in religious matters) is not one who intends good for them; rather he intends destruction for them. He is a devil, be it that he is a devil from amongst the Jinn or the people. It is obligated to us to be more careful of this (second person) than the first one because this one (i.e. the second) intends to misguide the people.

And regarding the statement of Imaam Barbahaaree: “He is astray, leading others astray, a rebellious devil”, Al-Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan stated: He is misguided and misguiding others- a rebellious devil, a rebel intending to turn the people from the Straight Path.

And regarding the statement of Imaam Barbahaaree, “It is a duty upon those who know of him to warn the people against him and to explain his condition to them so that no one falls into his innovation and is destroyed”, Al-Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan commented on the above statement, saying: It is not permissible to keep quiet about this one who leaves the truth intentionally; rather it is obligatory to unveil his affair and uncover his vileness until the people are warned about him. And it is not to be said that the people are free to hold views, freedom of speech and respecting the views of others, as say present with regards to [having] respect for the views of others. The affair is not about views; [rather] the affair is about Ittibaa [i.e. following the authentic proofs narrated from the Messenger accompanied with the understanding of the pious predecessors]. Allah has outlined a clear path for us, and He told us to adhere to it, when He [Glorified be He] stated: [وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ] ‘And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it’ [6:153]

If any person comes to us and wants us to leave this straight path, firstly we reject his statement. Secondly, we clarify and warn the people against him and we do not keep quiet about him; because if we keep quiet about him, the people will be deceived by him, especially if he is an eloquent person with (skillful) writing and education because the people will be deceived by him and will say, “This one is competent, this one is from the thinkers” as is taking place today. Therefore, the affair is very dangerous, and regarding this is a reason to refute the one in opposition, as opposed to what those who say, “Abandon the refutations, leave the people, everyone has his views and have respect for him”. By way of this (so-called) respect for the views and freedom of speech, the Ummah will be destroyed. The Salaf (pious predecessors) did not keep quiet about the likes of these people; rather they exposed and refuted them due to their knowledge of the danger upon Ummah. We do not keep quiet about their evil; rather that which Allah has revealed must be clarified, otherwise, we will be from those who conceal the truth-those whom Allah spoke of (saying): [إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْهُدَىٰ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا بَيَّنَّاهُ لِلنَّاسِ فِي الْكِتَابِ ۙ أُولَٰئِكَ يَلْعَنُهُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَلْعَنُهُمُ اللَّاعِنُونَ – Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and the guidance, which We have sent down, after We have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allaah and cursed by the cursers].'[2:159]

The affair is not limited to the innovator, rather it is extended to the one who keeps quiet about him (i.e. the one who deliberately keeps quiet whilst being aware about him). Rebuke and punishment (i.e. warning) are extended to him because it is obligatory to clarify. [4]

Your Love and Hate Towards Engaging With Ahlul Bidah Are Weak, Unstable, or Corrupt

 Imam As-Saaboonee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

 They (Ahlul Hadith) hate Ahlul Bid’ah – those who initiate into the religion what is not from it. They neither love them nor keep company with them. They neither listen to their speech nor sit with them. They neither argue with them about the religion nor debate with them”.

 Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, stated:

Is this from themselves (their understanding), or is it guidance from Allah and His Messenger, as well as the practices of the righteous predecessors? Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, has cautioned us against Ahlul Bidah, making it clear that they are people driven by their desires and that they follow the Mutashaabihaat while neglecting the Muhkamaat. Aa’isha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, recited this verse:

هُوَ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ ۖ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ۗ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

It is He Who has sent down to you [Muhammad] the Book [this Qur’an]. In it are Verses that are (entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book [and those are the Verses of Al-Ahkaam (commandments, etc.), Al-Faraa’id (obligatory duties), and Al-Hudood (legal laws for the punishment of thieves, adulterers, etc.)]; and others are Mutashaabihaat (i.e. not entirely clear in what they indicate, so they are to be referred back to the Muhkamaat to be explained]. So, as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials, etc.), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings except Allaah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: ‘’We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord.” And none receive admonition except men of understanding.’’ [Aal Imraan. 7]

She said: The Messenger said, “If you see those who follow thereof that is not entirely clear, then they are those whom Allah has named [as having deviation (from the truth)] so beware of them”. [Al-Bukhaari 4547]

Allah has made it clear that they harbour (misguided, vain) desires and deviations, and that they intend to mislead both themselves and others. They seek trials and aim to misguide the people, which is why the Messenger has addressed them and elucidated their state. He stated, “Indeed, there will emerge a group from my Ummah in whom desires will flow as rabies flows in a dog.” Ahlul Sunnah undoubtedly detests Ahlul Bidah, and Imam As-Saaboonee has noted that senior scholars of Ahlul Hadith unanimously share this sentiment. However, among Ahlul Bidah, there exist Du’aat (callers to their innovations) who should neither be engaged in conversation nor debated with, except in cases of necessity and for a Maslahah (a carefully considered benefit recognized by rightly guided scholars). (In other circumstances), it is impermissible to engage in debate with them.

It is impermissible to debate with the Rawaafid if you are weak (in knowledge and character); except for a man who is firmly grounded in knowledge and religion, (well-versed) in citing proofs, smart, and possesses (force and strength to effectively engage in debate using clear proofs without being swayed by doubts). Therefore, if he perceives a benefit in debating them, he may proceed to do so. [وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ – and argue with them in a way that is better].

This is the legislated debate. Allah did not close the door of debate completely, thus if we have a way of establishing the proof and guiding the people to good, we follow it. The one who is debated with may not benefit but others may benefit. Regarding the weak individual, the answer is no. Even among scholars, there exists one who may be considered weak and another who is misled by Shub’hah (a matter that superficially resembles the truth but is, in fact, false). He may be a scholar, but weak in his character, thus rendering him vulnerable in the presence of Ahlul Bidah, even if they are younger or possess less knowledge than he does. This has occurred to many who ascribe to the Sunnah and Hadith due to their weakness and opposition to the methodology of the pious predecessors. For example is Al Bayhaqqi, who was from the seniors of Ahlul Hadith and their scholars, yet he was misled by certain Ashaa’irah, such as Ibn Fawrak and his associates, ultimately led him into Ash’ariyyah. How many young individuals in this current era have faced ruin at the hands of Ahlul Bidah!

How many youths, middle-aged men and university graduates have fallen victim to the deceptions of Ahlul Bidah, thereby becoming ensnared in their influence?! They are deceived by the groups (i.e. deviated groups), thus leading them to succumb (to these falsehoods). This is because they did not act upon the Messenger’s statement: “If you see those who follow thereof that is not entirely clear, then they are those whom Allah has named (as having deviation), so beware of them”.  The resolute individual calls Ahlul Bidah, the Christians. There has to be Dawah in the path of Allah and strong scholars who can convey the religion ordained by Allah. When necessary, they debate so that the proofs are established and benefit one who is to benefit. [5]

You Lack The Sound Foundational Principles Necessary For Accurately Evaluating, Recognising, and Classifying Errors, While Also Being Perplexed About The Clear and Detailed distinction Between The Path of Ahlus Sunnah and that of Ahlul Bidah

 Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Madkhali [may Allah preserve him] said:

After speaking about those who make Takfir based on falsehood (a) amongst the different factions of the Jahmiyah (b), the Khawaarij (c), the Rawaafid and the Qadariyyah (d), and the reason behind such Takfir, Shaikh Al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “On the opposite side of these people who make Takfir based on falsehood, there are people who do not know the creed of Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah as it should be, or they know some and are ignorant of some. Perhaps what they know of it, they do not clarify for the people, rather they conceal it. Neither do they forbid Bidah nor censure Ahlul Bidah and punish them; rather, they may censure speech related to the Sunnah and the fundamental principles of the religion – completely – and would not differentiate between what Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah say and what Ahlul Bidah Wal-Furqah say, or they would affirm all their differing Madhabs (creeds, paths) like how the scholars would affirm the different opinions related to affairs of Ijtihaad regarding which difference of opinion is justified. (e) This path has overwhelmed many of the Murji’ah, some of the jurists, those pursuing the path of asceticism, and the philosophers, just as it has overwhelmed – first and foremost – many of the people of desires and rhetoric. Both these paths are perverted, outside the Book [i.e. The Qur’an] and the Sunnah”.

After quoting the above statement from Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali said, “I say, may Allah have mercy on Ibn Tamiyyah. Indeed, he clarified the situation of the people of his era and those before them, then what if he saw the situation of many amongst the Al-Jamaa’aat Al-Hizbiyyah Wal-Bid’iyyah (The Groups of Illegal Partisanship and Bidah (f) who ascribe themselves to Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah and take cover behind them – in particular – to promote their falsehoods?! What if he saw them whilst they have gathered between the Madhabs (creeds paths) of the two groups- the khawaarij and those who follow their way in pronouncing Takfir in the subject matter of Al-Haakimiyyah (g) and the way of the Mur’ji’ah (h) in the manner they approach the affair of people who are upon the big and numerous innovations in religious affairs, and equating innovation in religion to those affairs of the religion in which Ijtihaad is justified, whose people are rewarded alongside a refutation against their mistakes! In the view of these people, the leaders of Misguidance and Bidah are like the Imams of Guidance and Sunnah”. (i) [6]

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah continued: “Rather what is obligatory is to clarify that which Allah sent His Messengers with and (revealed) in His Books- propagate that which the Messengers brought from Allah and fulfill the covenant which Allah took from the scholars. Therefore, it is obligatory to know that which the Messengers brought, believe in it, propagate it, call to it, strive with it, weigh up all that which the people embark upon – [statements, actions, religious fundamentals and subsidiary issues pertaining to the apparent actions of the Limbs and affairs related to actions of the heart]- under the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, neither following desires [through] customs, a school of law, a religious order, a leader or a predecessor, nor following conjecture through a weak hadeeth or corrupt analogy, regardless whether it is an analogy that offers some degree of certainty or not, or blindly following someone who it is not obligated to follow his statement and action because Allah -in His Book – has censured those who follow conjecture and that which their souls desire, whilst they abandon following that which came to them from their Lord of Guidance”. [7]

 

You Are Filled With Fear of Returning to The Noble Path of Pious Predecessors to Adjudicate All affairs.

 Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhalee, may Allaah preserve him, stated:

All of you hold onto the Rope of Allaah [i.e. The Qur’an and authentic Sunnah]- Allaah will aid you in this and make you like the sun; return to the understanding of the righteous predecessors, and it is, as I said to you, transmitted (and established) in your presence. This is a challenge to those who oppose this. We are challenging Ahlul Bidah Wal Ahwaa (the proponents of innovation in religious matters and followers of vain desires) in their creed and politics. We say, between us and you is the (path, understanding of the) pious predecessors and books (of the pious predecessors). Ahmad [i.e. Imaam Ahmad] used to say to the proponents of innovation in religious affairs, “Between us and you are the funerals (i.e. whose funeral will be attended by Ahlus Sunnah in great numbers)”. We say (i.e. at present), “Between us and you are the books (of the pious predecessors)- the books are present! Allah said to His Messenger: [قل فَأْتُوا بِالتَّوْرَاةِ فَاتْلُوهَا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ – All food was lawful to the Children of Israel, except what Israel made unlawful for himself before the Taurat (Torah) was revealed. Say (O Muhammad ): “Bring here the Taurat (Torah) and recite it, if you are truthful]. So they present the Torah and you prove them to be upon falsehood.

We bring the books of the pious predecessors – the Qur’an, the Sunnah, the books of Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasaa’ee, and what was authored by Ahmad and others; we bring them (to prove) those who are on the path of these (pious predecessors) and those who turn away and oppose them. Just as Allah challenged the Jews to bring the Torah, so the Torah was brought and they were exposed them; (likewise), we challenge these people to bring the books of the pious predecessors, so that the innovator in religious affairs is exposed, and to clarify who the deviants are- whether us or them? Are they able to challenge? Can they open their mouths like this? We fill our mouths with courage – challenge everyone who says that we are upon other than the methodology of the pious predecessors. We, by Allaah, call to the methodology of the pious predecessors- to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. We use the book of Allaah and the Sunnah as proof for our beliefs, our acts of worship, our dealings with rulers and their subjects, in dealing with the groups and sects. As for the others, they are upon tricks, deception, etc By Allah, you will not find with them anything but tricks and manipulating the emotions of youth. [8]

Ibn Aqeel, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: If the truthful ones were to keep silent and the falsifiers speak, then the creation would have relinquished what they have witnessed (of truth) and rejected what they have not witnessed. So when the devout one desires to revive the Prophetic path, the people would reject it and think that it innovation in religion. [9]

You Are Filled With Fear and Unease at The Prospect of Being Isolated and Attacked When They Hold Onto Clarity Regardless of The Large Numbers of People In Opposition

 Imaam Abu Shaamah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “When the command to adhere to the Jamaa’ah (the main body) is (mentioned), then the intent behind it is to adhere to the truth, even if those who follow it are few and those who oppose it are numerous. That is because the truth is that which the first Jamaa’ah was upon- the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] and his companions [may Allah be pleased with them]- and one does not give consideration to the numerous people of falsehood”. [10]

 Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him,  said:

Let every Muslim be careful of being deceived by the great numbers [of people upon such and such idea, view, belief, way of life, etc], whilst saying, “Indeed, the people have become such and such, and have become accustomed to such and such, so I am with them”. This is a great calamity, for indeed many people of the past were destroyed due to this [i.e. blindly following the majority]. Therefore, O sensible one! It is obligated on you to examine yourself; take account of yourself and adhere to the truth, even if the people abandon it. Beware of what Allaah has forbidden, even if the people do it, for indeed the truth is more worthy of being followed, just as Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّه ِ -And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path. [Surah Al An-aam Ayah 116]

And Allah [The Most High] said: [ وَمَآ أَڪۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَوۡ حَرَصۡتَ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ-And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly]. [Surah Yusuf Ayah 103] [11]

Al-Allaamah Muqbil Bin Haadee Al-Waadi’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

If numbers are the scale by way of which you judge, then the majority are mostly blameworthy; and if persuasive speech and eloquence is the scale by way of which you judge, then indeed Allah described the Munaafiqoon that they have tongues that utter beautiful speech. Allah said: [وَإِن يَقُولُواْ تَسۡمَعۡ لِقَوۡلِهِمۡ – And when they speak, you listen to their words]. [Al-Munaafiqoon. 4]

Therefore, what is given consideration is that one knows the people of truth by their characteristics – that they call to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, and companions], and they neither desire reward from the people nor seeking to be thanked. [12]

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, stated:

A large number of people around a person is not proof that such a person is virtuous because some of the Prophets were only followed by a few people. “A Prophet will come on the day of judgment with a few followers and a Prophet will come with no followers”. [Bukhaari 5705]. Therefore, does this mean that such a Prophet is not virtuous? Absolutely not! A person does not look at the large number of people who are present because the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said to Ali, “If Allah gives guidance to a single man through you, it is better for you than possessing red camels”. [Bukhaari 3009]

The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, also stated, “Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah is not harmed by those who oppose them. If you are with them- all praise is due to Allah, they are pleased with this because indeed they want good for the people. If you oppose them, you cannot harm them and due to this the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “There will not cease to be a group of my Ummah who will be manifest upon the truth- not harmed by those who forsake them until the command of Allaah comes to pass (i.e. the day of judgment) whilst they are (still) upon that (truth)”. The one in opposition does not harm except himself. What is given consideration is not the great numbers; rather what is given consideration is to agree with the truth, even if a small number of people were upon it. And even if in some eras there is only one person (upon truth), then he is the one upon truth and he is the Jamaa’ah. The Jamaa’ah does not necessitate great numbers; rather the Jamaa’ah is what is in agreement with the truth – in agreement with the Book and the Sunnah, even if those upon it are few. However, if many come together and (upon) truth, then – all praise is due to Allah- this is strength. But if the majority oppose it (i.e. the truth), then we side with the truth even if only a few are upon it”. [13]

We ask Allah:

 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. [14]

 

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. [15]

 

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). [16]

 

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. [17]

 ———————————

 Footnotes:

 [a] What is Takfeer? Read here by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah: https://abukhadeejah.com/no-muslim-leaves-islam-unless-he-does-something-that-nullifies-it/

 [b] Who are the Jahmiyah? https://www.aqidah.com/creed/articles/xiyvh-the-first-deniers-of-allaahs-speech-a-chain-of-evil-narrators.cfm

 [c] https://abukhadeejah.com/isis-in-iraq-syria-ibn-kathir-died-774-ah-if-the-khawaarij-ever-gained-strength-in-iraq-and-syria-there-would-be-mass-killing/

 [d] Who are the Rawafid and Qadariyyah? https://abukhadeejah.com/the-devils-deception-of-the-raafidah-shiah/ http://www.aqidah.com/creed/articles/hxnhe-the-splitting-of-the-muslim-ummah-part-3.cfm

 [e] What is Ijtihaad: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/tolerated-differing-and-impermissible-differing-in-islaam/ ]

 [f] What is Hizbiyyah – illegal partisanship:

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2015/03/a-precise-definition-of-hizbiyyah-by-shaikh-rabee-may-allaah-preserve-him/ ]

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2019/01/what-is-the-meaning-of-hizbiyyah-and-what-is-the-ruling-upon-it-shaykh-ubaid-al-jaabiree/

 [g] What is Al-Haakimiyyah?

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ07&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

 [h] Who are the Murji’ah?

http://www.sahihalbukhari.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=GSC&subsecID=GSC05&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

 [i] Read this article by Shaikh Abu Iyaadh: http://www.themadkhalis.com/md/series/the-false-comparison-between-hadith-giants-ibn-hajar-an-nawawi-and-20th-century-ignoramuses.cfm

 https://www.abukhadeejah.com/shaikh-rabees-advice-on-interacting-with-ahlul-bidah-in-the-west/

 Who Are The Salafis

 http://www.salafis.com/index.cfm

 What is Salafism? Download the free eBook and read about the most important aspects of Salafiyyah.

 https://www.abukhadeejah.com/what-is-salafism-and-salafiyyah/

 What is our da’wah, the call to Salafiyyah? The defining features

 https://www.abukhadeejah.com/what-is-our-dawah-the-call-to-salafiyyah-the-defining-features/

 A response to Western academics who categorise Salafis into Quietists, Politicos and Jihadists – and why this is a false categorisation

 https://www.abukhadeejah.com/a-response-to-western-academics-who-categorise-salafis-into-quietists-politicos-and-jihadists-and-why-this-is-a-false-categorisation/

Shaikh Rabee’s Relationship with the scholars and their praises for him–even though Abu Eesa and his affiliates amongst the slanderous devils increase in hatred

http://www.themadkhalis.com/md/articles/hyulz-the-relationship-between-shaykh-rabee-al-madkhali-and-the-major-scholars-part-1.cfm

http://www.themadkhalis.com/md/articles/bqouy-the-relationship-between-shaykh-rabee-al-madkhali-and-the-major-scholars-part-2.cfm

 

The Madkhali Myth

http://www.themadkhalis.com/md/categories/shaykh-rabee.cfm

Why Shaikh Rabee is Attacked?

http://www.themadkhalis.com/md/articles/epluy-shaykh-ibn-uthaymin-the-people-began-to-tarnish-shaykh-rabee-with-faults-after-he-spoke-about-some-of-their-symbolic-figureheads.cfm

Salafi Scholars Praise Shaikh Rabee

https://video.link/w/aDhc?src=syt

Is Shaikh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee A Great Scholar Of This Era?

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/is-shaikh-rabee-ibn-haadee-a-great-scholar-of-this-era/

[1]: Translation by Shaikh Abu Iyaad: https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/6_55%5D

[2]: Tafseer ibn Katheer

[3]: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawaa’d pages 167-180

[4]: An Excerpt from It’haaful Qaaree Bitta’liqaat Alaa Sharhis Sunnah Lil Imaam Barbahaaree, Vol 1, page: 110-115

[5] An Excerpt from “Sharh Aqeedah As-Salaf Ashaab Al-Hadeeth’ pages 301 onwards

[6] An Excerpt from “Al-Mahajjatul Baydaa Fee Himaayatis Suunatil Gharraa Min Zallaati Ahlil Akhtaa’i Wa Zayghi Ahlil Ahwaa” 117-118

[7] Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 12/467-468

[8]  https://youtu.be/mxXSfKh_sjw paraphrased

[9] Shifaa As-Sudoor Fee Ziyaaratil Mashaahid Wal-Quboor page 148

[10] Al-Baa’ith Alaa Inkaaril Bid’ah Wal-Hawaadith’ page 22

[11] An Excerpt from ‘Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 12/ 412

[12] قم المعاند – 2/547

[13] An Excerpt from ( لمحة عن الفرق الضالة )– pages 14 -15

[14]  Irwaa al-Ghaleel 1/115

[15] Saheeh Muslim 770

[16] As-Saheehah Number 1301

[17] Sahih Muslim. 2720]

 

 

 

Although one of his statements equates to Major Shirk, Andrew Tate is a new Muslim; therefore, any mistakes he commits ought to be corrected privately..

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Although one of his statements equates to Major Shirk, Andrew Tate is a new Muslim; therefore, any mistakes he commits ought to be corrected privately, in contrast to those of individuals who have been Muslims for a long time

Abee Waqid Al-Laythee, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “We went out with Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to the campaign to Hunayn, while we were new converts from disbelief to (Islam). The idol worshippers had a lote tree in (whose vicinity) they used to stay and hang their weapons, and it (i.e. this lote tree) was called Dhaat Anwaat. So when we went past a tree, we said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! Set up a Dhat Anwat for us just as they have a Dhaat Anwaat’. So Allah’s Messenger said, ‘Allah is the Greatest! This is a path that has proceeded (from the people of the past). By Allah in whose Hand my soul is! You have stated just as the children of Israel stated to Musa, ‘O Musa! Make for us an ilaahan (a god) as they have Aalihah (gods)’. He [Musa] said, ‘Verily, you are a people who know not (the Majesty and Greatness of Allah and what is obligated to you i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone, the One and the Only true God of the entire existence)'”. [Sahih at-Tirmidhi 2180]

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Abdur Rahman Abaa Batayn, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

They (those new Muslims) did not perceive that their statement equated to the deification of others besides Allah, which contradicts the declaration, “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.” They affirmed that only Allah is deserving of worship and understood its significance, as they were Arabs. However, the implication of the phrase “Set up for us a Dhaat Anwaat” was obscured to them due to their recent conversion to Islam. Consequently, the Prophet remarked, “Allahu Akbar! This is a path that has been taken by those before you. By Allah, in whose Hand my soul is! You have stated just as the Children of Israel said to Musa ‘O Musa! Make for us a deity as they have deities!’ Musa responded, ‘Indeed, you are a people who know not (Allah’s Majesty and Greatness and what is obligated to you, i.e. to worship none but Him, the One and Only true God of the entire existence).’ You will follow the way of who preceded you.” If it is said, “The Prophet did not declare those new Muslims as being outside the fold of Islam”. So, we say, “This shows that an individual who makes a statement that is tantamount to disbelief or out of being ignorant of its meaning should be notified and made aware of the true meaning, and thus has not disbelieved. However, there is no doubt that if they were to regard the Dhaat Anwaat as an object of worship alongside Allah, especially after the Prophet’s disapproval, they would indeed be considered disbelievers. [1]

Shaikh Salih Aala Ash-Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, said: Those (new Muslims) expressed a desire to engage in that act of worship at a specific location to seek blessings. In response, Allah’s Messenger referred to what they sought after as worshiping another deity alongside Allah. This act they were pursuing was a potential avenue to Shirk; however, once the Messenger elucidated the matter for them, they repented and committed themselves to obedience. [2]

Shaikh Khalid Adh-Dhafiri, may Allah preserve him, stated: Ahlus Sunnah comes together based on the truth rather than merely amassing followers. The term “Tajmee” refers to the act of increasing numbers within a group or party, while “Ijtimaa” signifies unity grounded in truth, emphasising adherence to and commitment to that truth. This serves as a refutation of groups such as Ikhwan al-Muslimeen, who have their “golden principle” that “We unite on what we agree upon and excuse each other for our disagreements.” But Shaykh Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, called this principle of theirs a “Wooden principle” because, for them, the primary objective is to gather numbers. So, how is the “principle of uniting upon truth and not numbers” illustrated in this hadith? The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was en route to a military campaign; do you need numbers for a military expedition or not? However, the Prophet prioritised unity based on truth and what is pleasing to Allah. We can see that the adherents to innovation in religious matters and those driven by desires clearly oppose this principle. [3]

The evidence presented above sufficiently demonstrates that the Prophet publicly admonished the new Muslims when they made a statement that is tantamount to major Shirk. It is important to note that no Salafi scholar has labeled Andrew Tate as a disbeliever based on his statements, as the authority to make such determinations rests with the Salafi scholars. For further understanding, one should refer to the Principles of Takfeer, which outline the criteria scholars use before declaring a Muslim to be outside the fold of Islam.

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ09&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

May Allah guide Andrew’s heart to repentance Aameen.

[1] Al-Intisaar Li-Hizbil Allaahi Al-Muwahhideen 13-14. Maktabah Ibn al-Jawzee 1305AH]
[2] An Excerpt from ‘Al-Min’dhaar Fee Bayaani Katheer Minal Akhtaa Ash-Shaa’i’ah page 11
[3] Extracted from a Lesson of the Shaikh by our brother Abu Aa’isha Amjad Khan, may Allah preserve him.

Factors Contributing to The Weakness of the Ummah – A Forthcoming Publication

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Basics, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

 

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

We praise and thank Allah for guiding us to the blessed Salafi Methodology and acquainting us with its erudite scholars in the Muslim lands, and its students of knowledge in the East and the West. After thanking Allāh, the One alone deserving of all praise and thanks, and acknowledging that our gratitude can never be enough, we express our gratitude to our Salafi teacher, bosom buddy, companion, and confidant, Ustadh Abu Tasneem, Mushaf Al-Banghali, for emphasising the importance of translating this treatise into English and then dedicating effort to editing the translation up to this present moment. As a trusted friend and confidant, he has assured me that in the event of my passing before him, may Allah grant us life as long as life is good for us, he will finalise the editing and review of this treatise. Additionally, we acknowledge our indebtedness to those who continue to format and proofread this treatise, our Salafi brothers and companions Mahfudh Khan and Faizal Kara, and our sisters in Birmingham and Manchester- Umm Habibah, Umm Salih, Umm Ubayd and Fatima Hirad. May Allah bestow upon us and all of them unwavering steadfastness, and may He strengthen our collaboration in all endeavours that are pleasing to Him. The formatting and proofreading of this treatise continues and will be publish very soon InShaaAllah, but it is presented to you because its message cannot be delayed due our great need of this urgent and tremendous reminder.     

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[1] The major catalysts behind the Ummah’s weakness and deterioration- By Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Arabic text: weakness_part1

Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated:

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, the Lord of the entire existence, and the (commendable final) outcome is for the righteous. May peace and blessings be bestowed on His servant and messenger – the one He chose, declared trustworthy, and entrusted with His divine message, and the most excellent among His creations, our Prophet, leader, and master, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, the son of Abdul-Muttalib. May peace and blessings be upon his family (the believers among them), all his companions (without any exceptions), and all those who follow his path and are guided by his guidance until the end of time. To proceed:

Indeed, Muslim intellectuals, individuals with a strong sense of protective jealousy for Islam, and those who deeply ponder over the well-being of the Muslim Ummah have expressed great concern about the current state of Muslims and the factors that have contributed to it. This issue has consumed their thoughts, prompting them to reflect extensively on the causes of Muslim weakness, trailing behind their adversaries, their differing and lack of unity, and the factors that have allowed their enemies to overcome them until they took some of their lands. After acquaintance with clear reasons, they also directed their attention toward identifying the solutions for these causes that led to the regress and weakness, which are also well known. However, it is essential to spread and clarify this information, as describing the disease and its treatment is one of the greatest factors in attaining a cure and well-being. Indeed, it is appropriate for a patient to take charge of administering the medication for their illness when they are aware of both the nature of the disease and its treatment. This is the nature of a rational human being who loves (or values) life and strives to be free from diseases. He pays attention to familiarising himself with the disease and its cure.

However, some people may find themselves overwhelmed by the illness to the extent that they become pleased with it and derive satisfaction from it, eventually losing sight of the reality of their situation. Consequently, they do not care about those who describe the cure for them because the disease has become a source of comfort and a habitual way of life, thus leading them to persist in their condition due to a distortion in their mental state, a lack of insight, and the overpowering influence of their base desires on their intellect, heart, and behaviours, as is the case for most people when it comes to religious cures and treatments. The majority, indeed, derive pleasure from their illnesses and evil deeds, which have weakened them, impeded their progress towards beneficial actions, and rendered them oblivious to the true nature of the disease, its repercussions, and its consequences in both this life and the hereafter. They do not seek remedy, nor do they display any enthusiasm towards it, even when it is described and explained to them, even when it is readily available, for it holds no significance to them. The cause of this lies solely in the potency of the ailment, the contentment of the soul with it, the concealment of its harm, and the absence of lofty aspirations to attain lofty objectives.

The scholars, individuals with bright thoughts, and those with profound insight and experience have clarified the state of the nations in both the present era and the past, along with the factors contributing to the weakness and the Muslims being delayed in (attaining beneficial things). They have also clarified the path of the effective remedies and the outcomes if properly utilised. The causes of weakness, setbacks, and the enemies prevailing can be traced back to a multitude of factors, with one primary factor giving rise to several others. This key factor is ignorance; ignorance concerning Allah and the religion He has prescribed, and the consequences that overwhelmed the majority, thus knowledge became scarce and ignorance prevailed. Due to this ignorance, factors, and reasons arose, such as a love of the worldly life and a fear of death (at the expense of one religious welfare), neglecting prayers and succumbing to vain desires, failing to prepare for their enemies, and contentment with receiving necessities from them; the lack of lofty aspiration in seeking after their need from lands and resources. Also, from this ignorance arose division, differences, and the absence of (sound) unity, cohesion, and cooperation.

Except what Allah willed (to remain of strength, virtue etc), weakness in the face of the enemy arose, along with delay in all matters, due to these perilous factors, their repercussions and outcomes, such as inclination towards forbidden desires, preoccupation with what hinders a person from guidance and Allah’s path, lack of preparation against the enemy in terms of industry and sufficient weapons that would frighten the enemy and help in fighting and striving against him, taking what is rightfully ours, failure to prepare physically for Jihad, not spending wealth on what is necessary to prepare against the enemy, and safeguarding against his evil, defending the religion and the homeland. As a result of this disease, emerged the eagerness to acquire worldly possessions through any path and accumulate them through any means. Every individual became concerned only with themselves and what is related to their country, even if it meant disregarding their religion or most of it.

This is the situation of the majority, and it is prevalent in the nations that ascribe to Islam at present; rather, it is correct to state that this is the reality, except that which Allah wills concerning some individuals, and those who are protected in a manner that is not entirely complete and required in all aspects (of steadfastness). This shows that the greatest cause (of this situation) is ignorance about Allah and the religion He has prescribed, as well as (ignorance about) the realities that should be acted upon and adopted, (which can be inferred from) the saying of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] in the authentic hadith: “Whomever Allah intends good for, He gives him understanding of the religion”, along with the verses and hadiths that highlight the evil of ignorance, its evil ramifications and outcomes, and what follows from that. The Quran is replete with denunciations of ignorance and its followers, and cautions against it, as Allah – The Most High – states:

وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَجْهَلُونَ

“But most of them behave ignorantly”. [Al-An’am 111]

وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ لا يَعْقِلُونَ

“And most of them have no understanding”. [Al-Ma’idah 103]

And other verses that demonstrate the condemnation of being ignorant about Allah, ignorance about the religion He has ordained, and ignorance about the enemy, and what should be prepared in terms of readiness, unity, and cooperation.

These things that have arisen from ignorance have led to division, differing, inclination toward vain desires, neglect of what Allah has obligated, lack of prioritising the Hereafter, and lack of truthful affiliation with it; rather, the majority only cares about the immediate worldly life, as stated in the noble verse from Allah’s Book:

كَلا بَلْ تُحِبُّونَ الْعَاجِلَةَ
وَتَذَرُونَ الْآخِرَةَ

But (you) love the present life of this world, and leave (neglect) the Hereafter. [Al-Qiyamah 20-21]

And as Allah says:

فَأَمَّا مَنْ طَغَى
وَآثَرَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا
فَإِنَّ الْجَحِيمَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَى

Then as for he who transgressed, and preferred the life of the world (over working for the hereafter), then indeed, Hellfire will be the abode (for him). [An-Nazi’at 37-39] etc

Except what Allah wills (to remain of virtue), these debacles and evil ramifications, such as the love of worldly life and the hatred of death (at the expense of one’s religious wellbeing), inclination toward vain desires, neglecting obligations and the prayers, and failing to prepare for the enemy in all aspects, as well as division, differing, lack of cohesion and cooperation, all arise from ignorance.

Therefore, the saying of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] that “Whomever Allah wishes good for, He grants him understanding in the religion” highlights that one of the signs of goodness and happiness for individuals, societies, and nations is to possess understanding in religion. Indeed, striving to understand the religion, to learn and gain insight into what is obligated to them concerning this life and the Hereafter are among the most important obligations. This is a sign that Allah wishes goodness for them. Part of this is the fulfilment of the obligations ordained by Allah, abstaining from what Allah has prohibited, and adhering to the boundaries set by Allah, in addition to making preparations for the enemies.

To be continued InShaAllah

Source: Majmoo Fataawaa Wa Maqaalaat Shaikh Ibn Baz 5/101

We welcome your feedback to enhance this translation.

Click here for Arabic text:

weakness_part1

I ask Allah to bless my beloved Salafi brother, bosom buddy, and colleague Ustaadh Abu Tasneem Mushaf Al-Banghali for recommending the translation of this article.

Read article by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah transmitted from Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan:
https://abukhadeejah.com/salafi-shaikh-fawzaan-on-jihaad-in-our-times-and-the-guidelines-of-jihaad-according-to-islam/