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Fear Allah Oh Haasid (Envier)! You are Harming Yourself – Shaykh al-Fawzaan

After explaining Sooratul Iklaas and al-Muawwidhatayn (Soorah al-Falaq and Soorah an-Naas) Shaykh Fawzaan was asked a question regarding envy and the envious person.

Questioner: You mentioned – Allah preserve you – that the envier only harms himself and his envy does not prevent the blessings of Allah for the one who is envied; the question is, why did Allah command us with seeking refuge from the envier if he harms himself?

Shaykh: Because he is afflicted with anxiety and distress more than the the envied one is afflicted, he is afflicted with anxiety and extreme sorrow more than the person who is envied.

Shaykh bin Baz said(1):It has come in the hadeeth that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said,

“Be warned of envy, for indeed envy devours good deeds, just as fire devours wood” (2)

Shaykh bin Baz (Allah have mercy upon him) continues, “Therefore envy is harmful and evil, however it begins with the envier and harms him before anyone else.


Fawzaan’s audio lessons entitled “Majaalis fee Tafseer al-Mufassal” recording 114

(1) Shaykh’s Official Website

(2) Sunan Abu Dawood 4903)

Why is Your Soul Inclined to a Good or Bad person? Shaykh Uthaymeen

In explanation of the supplication for entering toilet, Shaykh Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) brought the following benefit.

It is said that the place for relieving oneself is dirty, and every place which is similar is the abode of the shayateen, due to His statement The Most High, 

الْخَبِيثَاتُ لِلْخَبِيثِينَ وَالْخَبِيثُونَ لِلْخَبِيثَاتِ 

Bad statements are for bad people (or bad women for bad men) and bad people for bad statements (or bad men for bad women). (1)

In explanation of this ayah, Imam as-Sadi (rahimahullah) said, “Every evil man and woman, statement and action is fitting, in agreement and similar to each other.” (2)

And this is from the wisdom of Allah, that he has made the evil souls incline to each other. And the righteous souls incline to each other, due to this the place of the angels is the masaajid, the masaajid are righteous places and their purpose is for the worship of Allah. 


Ad-Duroos al-Fiqhiyya min al-Muhaadaraat al-Jaami’eeyah Slightly Paraphrased 

(1) An-Noor:26 Translation by Muhsin Khan

(2) Tayseer al Kareem ar Rahman pg.658

There Is No Deity Worthy of Worship Except Allaah, Alone, Without Partner: [Negation, Affirmation And Emphasis]

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

[لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللَّه وحْدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لهُ – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, alone, without partner].

The one who makes this testimony requires knowledge, truthfulness and must act upon what he has testified to. The scholars say that knowledge of this testimony removes a person from the path of the Nasaaraa- those who act but have no knowledge; acting upon it removes a person from the path of the Yahood- those who have knowledge but do not act; and truthfulness removes a person from the path of the hypocrites- those who claim that they believe but have no certainty.

This testimony [لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللَّه وحْدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لهُ – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, alone, without partner] has two pillars- Nafi [Negation] and Ithbaat [Affirmation]. A person cannot be from the people of Tawheed [pure Islamic Montheism] until he fulfils these two pillars. [لا إلهَ  – There is no deity worthy of worship (i.e. Negation)] and [إلاَّ اللَّه – Except Alaah (i.e. Affirmation)]. The negation has to be comprehensive and the affirmation has to be specific – comprehensive negation of the worship that is devoted to all other objects of worship, and specific affirmation that only Allaah has the right to be worshipped.

If a person utters the negation without the affirmation, he is not a person of Tawheed [pure Islamic monotheism]; and if he affirms without uttering the negation, he is not a person of Tawheed [pure Islamic monotheism]. If a person were to negate only by saying [لا إلهَ  – There is no deity worthy of worship], he is an atheist; and if he were to affirm that Allaah has the right to be worshipped without negating that other objects of worship do not have the same right, he is a Mushrik [polytheist]. Therefore, one cannot be a person upon Tawheed [pure Islamic Monotheism] until he testifies that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah.

And due to the mighty affair of this testimony [لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللَّه  – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah], it is emphasised through the statement [وحْدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لهُ  – alone, without partner]. The affirmation is emphasised through the statement [وحْدهُ – alone]; and the negation is emphasised through the statement [لاَ شَرِيكَ له – without partner].


Source: An Excerpt from Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed. Lesson 2. Slightly paraphrased

Closing The Doors of The Masjid Due to Benefit And Removing The Fitna Makers From It- Those Who Bring About Trial For The People In Their Religious Affairs

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

Allah [The Most High] said:

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ وَسَعَىٰ فِي خَرَابِهَا أُولَٰئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَن يَدْخُلُوهَا إِلَّا خَائِفِينَ لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

And who is more unjust than those who forbid that Allâh’s Name be glorified and mentioned much (i.e. prayers and invocations, etc.) in Allâh’s Mosques and strive for their ruin? It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them (Allâh’s Mosques) except in fear. For them there is disgrace in this world, and they will have a great torment in the Hereafter [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 114]

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said:

And from the benefits of this verse is that it is permissible to remove a person from the mosque if there is a benefit, due to His statement: “that Allâh’s Name be glorified and mentioned much”;

Preventing someone from entering the mosques of Allah has requirements: sometimes the mosques are prevented [from being entered] so that its carpets, grounds, books or copies of the Qur’an are not degraded. Sometimes the doors are locked for fear of tribulation, such as in the case of a group of men congregating to stoke up trouble or [intending to] cause chaos, so they [i.e. the doors] may be closed to prevent them from congregating. Sometimes, they are closed for restoration or repairs. Sometimes, they may be closed for fear of theft. In all these cases, the closure [of a mosque] is permissible or desirable. [End of quote] [Ref 1]

Also in his explanation of Al-Arba’een An-Nawawiyyah, the Shaikh [rahimahullaah] narrated the incident regarding Imaam Maalik [rahimahullaah] and the man who asked him about the statement of Allaah -the Most High: [الرَّحْمَٰنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَىٰ  – The Most Beneficent (Allah) Istawaa (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne] [20: 5]; then the man said, ‘’How did Allaah rise [over the Throne]?’’ So he [Imaam Maalik] bowed his head [Rahimahullaah] – and began to sweat profusely due to the gravity of what had been put to him [i.e. the question] and the veneration [he had] for his Lord [The Mighty and Majestic]. Then he raised his head and said: “The Istawaa is not unknown”- Meaning: It is known in the Arabic language, [for example] one rose above something, meaning that he ascended over it. Everything that has been transmitted in the Qur’an and Sunnah and from the words of the [ancient] Arabs [indicates] that when [the word] Istawaa is followed by [the word] ‘alaa, it means ascension. And his [i.e. Imaam Maalik] statement: “And the how is not known”- Meaning, that we cannot comprehend how Allah ascended over the [Mighty] Throne with our [deficient] intellects, rather indeed it is only [known] by way of the [authentic] texts of the Sharee’ah. And his [i.e. Imaam Maalik] statement: “And to believe in it [i.e. Istawaa] is obligatory”; meaning that believing in the ascension of Allah over the [Mighty] Throne in a way that befits [His Majesty] is obligatory. “And asking about it is an innovation”, meaning that asking about the howness of the ascension is an innovation, because the companions – may Allah be pleased with them – did not ask the Prophet – [Sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] questions such as this and they are the most eager in knowing [about] Allah. The Prophet if asked knows Allah better than we do, yet the questions never occurred to them. So should not what sufficed them suffice us?

The answer: Of course, so it is obligated on a Muslim that he suffices with what the Salaf as-Saalih [pious predecessors] sufficed with and should not ask [about this].

Then Imam Malik [Rahimahullaah] said, “I do not see you” meaning, I do not think [you are] “except an innovator”, you wish to corrupt the people’s religion, then he ordered that he [i.e. the person who asked this question about the howness of the Istawaa] be removed from the mosque- the Prophets mosque [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam]. And he [i.e. Imaam Maalik] did not say, “By Allah, I cannot remove him, I fear that I may enter into Allaah’s statement: [وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ  – And who is more unjust than those who forbid that Allâh’s Name be glorified and mentioned much (i.e. prayers and invocations, etc.) in Allâh’s Mosques] because I am preventing him from entering the mosque”. That is because he [i.e. that man] did not enter to glorify the name of Allah, rather he entered to corrupt the servants of Allah, and such a person should be prevented [from entering].

And when it is the case that the one who eats garlic and onions is prevented from entering the mosque, then how about the one who corrupts the religion of the people? Is he not more deserving to be prevented? Certainly, by Allah; but many of the people are heedless. [Ref 2]


[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Tafseer Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 114’. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2]: [An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Al-Arba’een An-Nawawiyyah pages 37- 38.’ Slightly paraphrased]

 

 

 

 

 

Our Noble Messenger Informed Us That Our Creator Commanded Us to Be Humble

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

Iyaad Bin Himaar [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: The Messenger [sallal-laahi-alayhi-wasallam] stood amongst us one day and addressed (us), so he said: Indeed Allaah has revealed to me that you must be humble, so that no one boasts over another and no one oppresses another. [Saheeh Muslim: Hadeeth Number: 2865]

[Indeed Allaah has revealed to me that you must be humble]- Meaning: Everyone should be humble towards the other and not elevate himself above another [person]; rather he [a person] should place him [i.e. the other person] in the same rank as himself or honours him more. And it was from the customary behaviour of the Salaf [may Allaah have mercy upon them] for one amongst them to treat someone younger than him like his own son and someone older than him like his own father, and someone similar to him like his own brother. So he looks at the one older than him with honour and reverence, the one younger than him with compassion and mercy and the one similar to him with equality-none transgresses against the other. This is from the affairs that are obligatory upon a person to characterise himself with- humble in the presence of Allaah and towards his Muslim brothers.

[An Excerpt from Sharh Riyaadus-Saaliheen- by Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah): Number: 602 slightly paraphrased]

Four Qualities

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

وعن عبد الله بن عمرو رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال

أربع إذا كن فيك فلا عليك ما فاتك من الدنيا حفظ أمانة وصدق حديث وحسن خليقة وعفة في طعمة

Abdullah Bin Amr [radiyallaahu-anhu] narrated that the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “[There] are four [i.e. four qualities] if you possess them, you will not be [bothered] about what you miss in the Dunyah: fulfilling trusts, truthful speech, good manners [or character] and modesty with food [i.e. not to be wasteful, extravagant etc] [As-Saheehah: 733]

Invoke Your Lord With Humility And In Secret – [A Command to Strive For Sincerity When Supplicating And Limiting Oneself to Legislated Acts of Worship]

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ

Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors. [Soorah al-A’raaf Ayah 55]

Imaam As’Sadi (rahimahullaah) said: Ad-Du’aa [Invocation or Supplication] includes Du’aa Al-Mas’alah and Du’aa Al-Ibaadah. [Ref 1]

Du’aa Al-Mas’alah [Supplication, when a request is made]: So supplication is to request one’s needs, and is worship when the servant requests that from his Lord. This is because it involves showing one’s poverty before Allaah, the Most High, and ones need to turn to Him, and one’s certain faith that He is the one having full power, the Most Generous, the one who gives bounteously and is Most Merciful. Seeking ones need from someone else from the creation is permissible if the one to whom the request is made is able to hear and understand it, and has the power to respond to it, like saying, ‘O so and so give me food.’

Du’aa Al-Ibaadah [Invocation through worship]: As for invocation through worship, then it is that the person does an act of worship seeking reward and fearing punishment, and this is not correct unless directed to Allaah alone. To direct this to anyone else besides Allaah is major shirk which takes a person out of the Religion [Ref A], and he falls under the threat in the saying of Allaah, the Most High:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ

And your Lord said: “Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!” [40:60] [Ref 2]

Therefore, Allaah commanded (us) to supplicate to Him with humility- being earnest in [our supplication of] request and devotedly in worship. [خُفْيَةً – secretly]- neither loudly nor overtly due to out of fear of [falling] into Riyaa [show off]; rather [it should be done] secretly [i.e. in a low tone] and out of sincerity to Allaah [The Most High].

[إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ – He likes not the aggressors]: Meaning: Those who transgress the limits in every affair. And from transgression is when the servant requests from Allaah [things that are not a source of well-being or righteousness] for him, or he goes into extremes whilst asking [Ref 3] [i.e. going beyond what the sharee’ah legislates in acts of worship, either adding acts or words to the act which are not allowed in the Sharee’ah etc [Ref 4], or he raises his voice [i.e. raises his voice where it is not legislated to raise ones voice – for example in the Qunoot it is allowed to raise ones voice but not in other instances unless there is evidence to do so [Ref 5]. All this is considered to be transgression. [Ref 6]


[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Publisher. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Ed 1424AH (Year 2003). slightly paraphrased]

[Ref A: See article for further clarification regarding shirk and excuse of ignorance: http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/uncnb-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-abd-al-muhsin-al-abbaad.cfm

[Ref 2: English Translation of Usool Ath-Thalaatha page 96’ by Abu Talhah Daawud Burbank (may Allaah have mercy on him and his wife]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Publisher. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Ed 1424AH (Year 2003). slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 4: For further details regarding this affair- those who are over-stringent or go beyond bounds in acts of worship-, refer to the statements of the scholars in Sharh Saheeh Muslim 16/220 by Imaam An-Nawawi (rahimahullaah); Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen 1/416-418’ by Shaikh Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) and Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 10/620 by Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) regarding the innovations of the monks and the innovators]

[Ref 5: Shaikh Bin Baaz (rahimahullaah sheds light on this affair, see link: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/635 ]

[Ref 6: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Publisher. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Ed 1424AH (Year 2003). slightly paraphrased]

Know Yourself & Prepare to Meet Your Lord – Shaykh Saaleh al Fawzaan

Ponder! Why were you created? Ponder! To where are you travelling?

The one with intellect contemplates regarding his (current state), he contemplates regarding that which is approaching him, therefore he prepares for that which is in front of him.

The worldly life is a passing life and the Hereafter is an everlasting abode. The worldly life is the abode of action and the Hereafter is the abode of recompense.

Know your own reality! May Allah have mercy upon you.
Everyone must ponder regarding himself, what has he prepared for the meeting with Allah, The Glorified, The Most High.

{So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.} Al-Kahf:110

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Opponents Had Nothing to Offer Besides Spreading Doubt in Public But Their Evil Plots Backfired

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

[وَقَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ ٱئۡتُونِى بِكُلِّ سَـٰحِرٍ عَلِيمٍ۬ -And Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “Bring to me every well-versed sorcerer]; meaning: ”Everyone who is proficient in magic; magicians who can perform different types of magic and are at different levels of proficiency in their field”.  So when the magicians arrived to defeat Moosaa and Haaroon, Allaah says that Moosaa said to them: [أَلۡقُواْ مَآ أَنتُم مُّلۡقُونَ-Cast down what you want to cast!]; Moosaa said this to them because he did not care about what they were going to do first, for he was certain that he will defeat them and nullify their falsehood (by the aid of Allaah).  So after they threw their ropes, which appeared as serpents in the eyes of the people, Allaah says that Moosaa said to them:

مَا جِئۡتُم بِهِ ٱلسِّحۡرُ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَيُبۡطِلُهُ ۥۤ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُصۡلِحُ عَمَلَ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ

“What you have brought is sorcery, Allah will surely make it of no effect. Verily, Allah does not set right the work of Al-Mufsidun (the evil-doers, corrupts, etc.); meaning: Indeed, you want to aid falsehood against truth and Allaah will nullify your actions.

This will also be the case with every corrupter- the one who uses tricks, devices plots and evil plans- for indeed his deeds will be of no effect. And even if he has weapons to aid him pursue his goal at a particular time period, however the end result will be nothing for him and Allaah will make the truth apparent. As for those who do righteous deeds for the sake of Allaah -deeds that are based on the beneficial ways and are based on what Allaah has commanded- then indeed Allaah will bless their deeds, make them bear righteous end results and make them remain  (as a source of good for themselves & an example for others to follow).

So when Moosaa threw his staff, it became a real serpent and swallowed all the ropes that were thrown by the magicians and made to look like serpents in the eyes of the people, and thus their magic was nullified and their falsehood obliterated.

Allaah [The Most High] says: [وَيُحِقُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡحَقَّ بِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ وَلَوۡ ڪَرِهَ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمُونَ – And Allah will establish and make apparent the truth by His Words, however much the Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) may hate it].

After the magicians witnessed the truth, they prostrated (in repentance to Allaah); so Fir’awn threatened them – that he will crucify them, and cut their hands and legs, but they gave no concern to Fir’awn’s threats; rather they remained steadfast upon their Eemaan. As for Fir’awn and his chiefs, then not a single one of them believed, rather they persisted upon transgression, and this is why Allaah [The Most High] says:

فَمَآ ءَامَنَ لِمُوسَىٰٓ إِلَّا ذُرِّيَّةٌ۬ مِّن قَوۡمِهِۦ عَلَىٰ خَوۡفٍ۬ مِّن فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِمۡ أَن يَفۡتِنَهُمۡ‌ۚ وَإِنَّ فِرۡعَوۡنَ لَعَالٍ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ لَمِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ

But none believed in Musa (Moses) except the offspring of his people, because of the fear of Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs, lest they should persecute them; and verily, Fir’aun (Pharaoh) was arrogant tyrant on the earth, he was indeed one of the Musrifun (polytheists, sinners and transgressors, those who give up the truth and follow the evil, and commit all kinds of great sins).

[فَمَآ ءَامَنَ لِمُوسَىٰٓ إِلَّا ذُرِّيَّةٌ۬ – But none believed in Musa (Moses) except the offspring of his people]; Meaning: The youth amongst Bani Israa’eel, who exercised patience due to the Eemaan that was firmly established in their hearts, whilst being in a state of fear because Fir’awn had complete authority and power in the land, so it is expected that he will seek to punish them, for he was an extreme transgressor.

And the wisdom -and Allaah knows best- behind the fact that only the offspring of Moosaa’s people believed in Moosaa, is because the offspring- the youth- are more likely to accept the truth and quicker to submit to it, as opposed to the old people and those similar to them – those who were brought up in a religion of disbelief, for indeed due to the corrupt creed that is established in their hearts, they are the ones most likely not to accept the truth.


[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah)]

Giving Preference to Others in Performing Good Actions – Shaykh Saaleh Aal-Ash Shaykh

Note: there is an error in the video – the shaykh says “5000 riyals” not “50000 riyals”

Giving preference (to others) in actions of gaining closeness – meaning: That the issue, if it is referring to gaining closeness to Allaah, The Glorified and Exalted, then giving preference to your brother (in Islaam) in that act is Makrooh (Disliked).

Because this contradicts the racing (to good deeds) that we mentioned to you the proofs for (earlier) and hastening towards good and mutually competing.

So for example, there is a gap in the first row (for prayer) or a place further forward behind the Imam and you and your Muslim brother are standing

so you say to him “Go ahead” and he says to you “No, you go ahead”, you say (again) “Go ahead”, so the likes of this is not appropriate because it is disliked.
Rather what is appropriate is hastening to achieving this act of drawing close (to Allaah) and that is the virtue of being in the first row.

(Another) example; a man comes and he is in need of an extra 5000* Riyaal in order to remove his poverty. And you are capable (of helping him) and likewise your Muslim brother is capable (of helping him)
so you say to him (your capable, Muslim brother), “Help him, I’m giving you the opportunity, go ahead and help him.” and he says “No, you go ahead”
(and all of this is said) from the angle of love (for one’s brother). Meaning that each person puts forward his brother, then the likes of this is also disliked, and is not appropriate. Because in this area (what is expected) is hastening and competing in actions of good.
Likewise from the angle of reading – reading (some aspect of) knowledge upon the scholars – and taking the opportunities to obtain acts of obedience and striving and what is similar to this.
So these matters are known as good deeds i.e. acts of obedience . So giving preference to others in acts of obedience, i.e. those good deeds, is not appropriate, (rather it is) disliked because – as we have mentioned – it contradicts the command with hastening, racing and mutually competing in goodness.