In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “A man is upon the religion of his bosom friend, so let one of you look to who he befriends”.
Al-Allamah Zaid bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
This hadith contains a Prophetic wisdom and a tremendous advice to the Muslims – that they accompany the best people and be distant from the evil people, for indeed the one who accompanies the best people will be [benefited] through good statements and deeds that are pleasing to Allah [The Blessed and Exalted], and one’s status raised in the sight of Allah. On the contrary, the one who accompanies evil people and his soul inclines towards them, he’ll earn abundant evil and turn away from good, and thus he’ll be a loser in this world, in the grave and in the afterlife.
Indeed, the Prophet gave an example regarding a good companion and an evil companion, saying: “The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk and the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows. So, as for the seller of musk, then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you find a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows, then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him”.
This hadith contains proof that a person is upon the religion of his close friend – the one he loves, upon the path of the one he loves, the one he sits with and speaks to. Therefore, choose the most virtuous and the best of friends – the one who reminds you [i.e. about Allah, your obligations etc] when you forget and encourage you.
An Excerpt from At-ta’leeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. 1/17
Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah’s Reminder (this Qur’an), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). [Al-Hadid.16]
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
When it is the case that Iman necessitates and demands humility, they were called from the station of Iman to the station of Ihsan, which means, “Has the time not come for them to reach Ihsan through Iman and actualise that through submission to Allah’s Reminder, which Allah sent down to them?”
Ibn Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said,
“There were only four years between (the period when we accepted) Islam and (the revelation of this) admonition to us”. (1)
Lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened.
Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
Meaning, do not be like those to whom Allah revealed the book, which obligates on the hearts humility and complete submission, but they neither preserved (the scripture) nor firm on it; rather, the term was prolonged for them while they continued on heedlessness, thus, their Iman dwindled and their certainty ceased. Therefore, the hearts require constant reminders of what Allah has revealed and discourse about its wisdom. It is not permitted to become heedless of this, as it is a cause of hardening the hearts. (2)
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Indeed, every deed has enthusiasm, and every enthusiasm has a time limit (or period of inactivity). Whoever’s time of enthusiasm is for my Sunnah has been guided and he is ruined if upon other than that.(3)
In another narration, the Prophet said, “So, if the doer behaves in an upright manner and is moderate, then have hope for him (i.e. success)”. (4)
“If its doer behaves in an upright manner and is moderate”.
Al-Allamah Al-Mubaarakrufee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said,
“Meaning, the doer becomes moderate (i.e. within the boundaries of the Shariah) and avoids the two extremes- excess at the time of enthusiasm and negligence at the time of inactivity. (5)
Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, said:
If you sense that your soul is inclined towards showing off to the people and bragging about knowledge, turn to Allah, lower and humble yourself in His presence, ask Him to grant you sincerity and to save you from shaytaan – to save you from his whispers and plots. One of the scholars said, “Indeed, it is very difficult (for the one) whose enemy can see him, but he cannot see him.” He (i.e. this scholar) said this when he explained the statement of Allah about shaytaan and his armies:
Verily, he and (his soldiers from the jinns or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them]. [Al-A’raaf’ 27]
He [i.e. that scholar] said, ‘’By Allah! Indeed, it’s a bitter feud and extreme difficulty (for the one) whose enemy can see him, but he cannot see him, except for the one whom Allah safeguards’’- Meaning, this enemy is more dangerous than the army you can see that has troops and strength. (6)
The Shaikh also said:
If the (desire for pride or haughtiness) comes to him, whilst he is on the path of (knowledge), then it is obligated to him to place his Nafs under the feet (i.e. humble himself). It is obligatory to humble this arrogant Nafs while one is on the path of seeking knowledge. Allah hates the haughty people.
إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ
Truly, He (Allah) likes not the proud]. [An-Nahl’ 23] (7)
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; Aand 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 Eemaan, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). (8)
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. (9)
[1]: An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ page 129. Vol 3. Publisher: Daar Ibn Al-Jawziyyah 2nd ed 1431AH.
[2] An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’.
[3] Saheeh Al-Jaami 2152
[4] Saheeh At-Targheem 57
[5] Tuhfah Al-Ahwadahi 7/126
[6] Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 55-57
[7] Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm. page 219
[8] Sunan An-Nasaa’ee’ Number 1305 & declared Saheeh by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in As-Saheehah Number 1301
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
I advise the students of knowledge to be humble wherever they may be – wherever they reside (or) go. The Ummah is not (merely) in need of leaders and figureheads, nor does it want arrogance, pride, self-exaltation and corruption in the earth; instead, they are greatly in need of humble people, the acquiescent and protected ones- those who submit to the truth. Let each person nurture himself or embrace these qualities which the Ummah is in need of (through) those who possess them.
By Allah, they have been afflicted due to the arrogant ones, the haughty ones, and the proponents of (vain) desires; distancing them from the true religion ordained by Allah, dividing, splitting and humiliating them, thus Allah caused them to be subjugated by the (other) nations as a result of these destructive diseases. There is no escape for them except by returning to Allah’s Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger, which – by Allah – requires sincerity, truthfulness, humility, and a complete distance from the (bad) manners that oppose these (good traits), such as pride, arrogance and obstinacy.
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
فَكَرَمُ الخُلُقِ هو : أنْ يَتَسَامَحَ في موضع التَّسَامُحِ، وَيَأْخُذَ بالعَزْمِ في موضع العزيمة…
ولهذا جاء الدين الإسلامي وسَطًا بينَ التَّسَامُحِ الذي تَضِيعُ به الحقُوقُ، وبين العَزِيمَةِ التي قَدْ تَحْمِلُ على الجَوْرِ ، فنضرب لذلك مَثَلًا بالقَصَاصِ، وهو قَتْلُ
النَّفْسِ بالنَّفْسِ.
وقد انقسمت شرائع بني إسرائيل في القَصَاصِ إِلى قِسْمَيْنِ: قِسْمِ أَوْجَبَ القَتْلَ ولا خيار لأولياء المَقْتُولِ فيه، وهي شَرِيعَةُ التوراة، لأن شريعة التَّوراة تميل
إلى الغِلْظَةِ والشِّدَّةِ.
وقسم آخر أوجب العفو، وقال: إنه إذا قُتِلَ الإنسان عمدًا فالواجب على أَوْلِيَائِهِ التَّسَامُحُ، مع أن الأصل أن شريعة الإنجيل هي شريعة التوراة، وقد قال
الله تعالى: وَكَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ فِيهَا أَنَّ النَّفْسَ بِالنَّفْسِ ﴾ [المائدة: ٤٥].
فجاءت شريعة الإسلام وسطا، وجُعِلَ الخِيارُ لأولياء المَقْتُولِ، إن شاءوا قَتَلُوا فَصَاصًا ولهم الحق، وإن شاءوا عَفَوا ، وإن شاءوا أَخَذُوا الدِّيةَ، فصار الأمر واسعًا؛ ومَعْلُومٌ أن كُلَّ عاقلٍ يُخَيَّرُ في مثل هذه الأمور سيختارُ ما فيه المصلحة العامة، ويُقَدِّمُها على كل شيء
فمثلاً إذا كان القاتل شِرِّيرًا وكان أولياء المقتول مُحتاجين إلى المال وقالوا: نُرِيدُ الدِّيَةَ، نقول: هذا ليس من الحِكْمَةِ، فَلْيُقْتَلِ القَاتِلُ، وانظروا للمصالح
العامة، وإذا تَرَكْتُمْ شَيْئًا لله عَوَّضَكُم الله خَيْرًا مِنْهُ
Imam Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, expressed in one of his discussions about “the virtue of forgiveness” which is that Islam emphasises forgiveness when appropriate, as well as the necessity of showing determination when needed. It serves as an upright approach between forgiveness that may result in the loss of rights and determination that could lead to oppression. An example of this upright approach can be seen in the matter of Qisaas, which involves life for a life. After mentioning that the laws of the Torah and the Injeel lean towards strictness and leniency respectively, the Imam then stated that the Islamic Shariah established an upright middle ground, allowing the guardians of the victim to choose between seeking the death penalty for the murderer, granting forgiveness, or accepting blood money.
However, it is known that any rational (or sensible) individual who possesses the freedom to choose in such circumstances will opt for what serves the greater good (or is connected to the welfare of all), and prioritise it above all else. For instance, if the murderer is a wicked person and the guardians of the victim require financial compensation and say, “We want blood money”, we respond, “This is not wisdom, so let the criminal be executed and take into account the public interest or the collective welfare. And if you forsake something for the sake of Allah (i.e. in this case, the blood money), Allah will replace it with something better”.
An Excerpt from “Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm” pages 50-51
We appreciate your feedback to improve the paraphrasing of this article. May you all be blessed by Allah.
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Al-Allamah Zayd Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, mentioned some of the teachers of Imam At-Tabari, may Allah have mercy upon him, saying:
It is difficult to establish exactly the Shuyukh of a man who toured the countries of the east, the west, the north and the south in search of knowledge for a number of years, but we’ll mention his most distinguished reliable Shuyukh. From them:
Ibraaheem bin Sa’eed Al-Jawhariy; Ibraaheem bin Abdillaah Bin Muslim Al-Kashiy; Ibraaheem bin Ya’qoob Al-Jawzajaaniy; Ahmad bin Ibraaheem Ad-Dawraqiy; Ahmad bin Manee; Ishaaq ibn Abee Israa,eel; Ismaa’eel ibn ibn Moosaa Al-Fazaariy; Bahr bin Nasr Al-Khawlaaniy; Bishr bin Mu’aadh Al-Aqdiy; Abu Bishr bin Hilaal As-Sawwaaf an-Numayriy; Tameem ibnul Muntasir Al-Abbaasiy; Al-Haarith bin Muhammad bin Abee Usaamah Al-Baghdaadiy; Al-Hasan bin Ahmad bin Shu’aib Al-Harraaniy; Al-Hasan Ibnus Sabaah Al-Bazaar Al-Waasitiy; Al-Hasan Arafah bin Yazeed Al-Abdiy; Al-Hasan bin Muhammad ibnus Sabaah Az-Za’faraaniy; Al-Hasan bin Yahyaa bin Katheer Al-Anbariy; Khallaad bin Aslam As-Saffaar; Rabee bin Sulaymaan bin Abdil Jabbaar Al-Muraadiy; Az-Zubayr ibn Bakkaar ibn Abdillaah Az-Zubayriy; Ziyaad bin Yahyaa bin Ziyaad bin Hassaan Al-Hassaaniy; As-Sariy bin Yahyaa ibnus Sariy Al-koofiy; Sa’eed bin Amr bin Sa’eed bin Abee Safwaan As-Sukooniy; Sa’eed bin Yahyaa bin Sa’eed bin Abaan Al-Umawiy; Sufyaan bin Wakee ibnul JarraahAr-Ra’aasiy; Salm ibn Junaadah As-Suwaa’iy; Al-Abbaas bin Abdil Adheem Al-Anbariy; Al-Abbaas bin Muhammad Ad-Dawriy; Al-Abbaas ibnul Waleed bin Mazeed Al-Bayrootiy; Ubaydullaah bin Abdil Kareem Abu Zur’ah Ar-Raaziy; Al-Fadl bin Ishaaq Ad-Dawriy; Al-Qaasim bin Zakariyyaa bin Deenaar At-Tahhaan Al-Koofiy; Mujaahid bin Moosaa Al-Khawaarizmiy Al-Khat’liy; Muhammad bin Ibraaheem Al-An’maatiy; Muhammad ibn Idrees ibnul Mundhir Abu Haatim Ar-Raaziy; Muhammad ibn Ismaa’eel Al-Bukhaariy; Muhammad ibn Ismaa’eel At-Tirmidhiy; Muhammad ibn Bishaar Bundaar; Muhammad bin Humayd Ar-Raaziy; Muhammad ibn Abdil Malik ibn Abee Ash-Shawaarib; Muhammad ibnul Alaa Al-Hamdaaniy; Muhammad ibnul Muthannaa Az-Zaman; Nasr bin Abdir-Rahmaan bin Bakkaar Al-Koofiy Al-Wishaa’i ;Nasr ibn Aliy bin Nasr ibn Aliy Al-Jahdamiy; Hannaad ibnus Sariy; Al-Waleed ibn Shujaa’a; Muhammad bin Humayd Ar-Raaziy; Al-Muthannaa bin Ibraaheem Al-Abliy;Imaad bin Moosaa al-Qazzaaz; Muhammad bin Abdil A’laa As-San’aaniy; Waasil bin Abdil A’laa bin Hilaal Al-Asadiy Al-koofiy; Yoonus ibn Adal A’laa As-Sadfiy and other than them.
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked: “What is the intent behind the statement of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, statement when he spoke about the Ummah in the hadith: “All of them (the sects) are in the fire except one” and what is that one?. Also, will all the other 72 (deviant) sects be in the fire for eternity? Benefit us”.
Response: The prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “The Jews split into 71 sects, meaning all of them are astray and their affair ruined, except one. The Christians split into 72 sects, meaning all of them are astray and their affair ruined, except one. And this Ummah will split into 73 sects- all of them in the fire, except one. This one group is Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah [those who firmly adhere to the authentic Prophetic Sunnah and are united upon that] – the companions of the Prophet and those who follow them exactly in faith, the adherents to pure Islamic monotheism and sound faith.
As for the other 72 sects that have been threatened with the fire, among them is one who is a disbeliever (a), among them is one who is a sinner and among them is one about whom it is established with clear evidence that he is an innovator in religious affairs. So, the one – among them – that dies in a state of disbelief (b) will be in the fire for eternity, the one that dies in a state of adherence to religious innovation that is lesser than major disbelief (c) or sins is under the will of Allah, while still threatened with the fire. So, based on this it is known that not all of them are disbelievers, but rather among them is a disbeliever and other than him among the sinners and the innovators in religious affairs. [1]
May Allah bless and reward our beloved brother Zulfikaar for sharing the Arabic text Imam Ibn Baz’s clarification Aameen
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[a and b]: NB: Takfeer – declaring that a Muslim left the fold of Islaam is a judgement that can only be given by the upright scholars and none else. https://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/obkwf-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan.cfm
[c]: NB: All innovations in the religion are evil, but there are those that exit a person from the fold of Islam (Bida’atul Mukaffirah) and those that do not exit a person from the fold of Islam (Bida’atul Mufassiqah). Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khalee [may Allaah preserve him] was asked whether there is a difference between Bidah Al-Mukaffirah and Bidah Al-Mufassiqah; so he replied that there is Bidah Mukaffirah, such as rejecting the Ruyah (i.e. denying that the believers will see Allaah in the afterlife); rejecting Allaah’s Uluww [i.e. denying that Allaah is above his creation –Allaah ascended over the Throne in a way that benefits his majesty)]; invoking other than Allaah; offering slaughtered sacrifice (i.e. animals) to other than Allaah etc. These are affairs of Bidah Al-Mukaffirah (the bidah that is tantamount to disbelief). But we do not make Takfeer of the people who commit this type of Bidah until we establish the proofs against them. That is because some of them (i.e. the people who fall into these affairs) carry doubts and are far away from the era of Prophethood and its light (i.e. guidance). So they fall into the likes these innovations. Rejecting the Ruyah is disbelief; rejecting Allaah’s Uluww is disbelief; the saying that the Qur’aan is created is disbelief-major disbelief. But this person, -[who testifies that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allaah, and he prays, observes fasting, wants paradise and believes in that] -received the doubts of the people of falsehood, so he falls into the likes of these affairs (i.e. these innovations that are tantamount to disbelief). So we say to him: You have fallen into disbelief and the evidence is this and this, and we clarify for him. So if Allaah grants him Tawfeeq and he returns to the truth, then all praise is due to Allaah. But if not, we declare him a disbeliever after establishing the proofs against him. As for Bidah Al-Mufassiqah it is other than this (i.e. it is not at the level of that which is tantamount to disbelief)…
[A paraphrased excerpt. see www.rabee.net/ar/questions.php?cat=26&id=484 ]
[1]: paraphrased. see link below
https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/17308/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D9%82%D9%88%D9%84%D9%87-%EF%B7%BA-%D9%83%D9%84%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A9
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
A Principle to Share With Well Wishes Who Innocently Share Unauthentic Supplications or Congratulate With “Jumu’ah Mubarak”
Acts of Worship Must Fulfil Two Conditions
Al-Allamah Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbad, may Allah preserve him, said:
Al-Allamah Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbad, may Allah preserve him, said: “The initial ruling regarding acts of worship is that neither are they permissible nor legislated, except when there is proof to show that they are legislated by Allah and His Messenger; otherwise they are included in the statement of Allah: [أَمۡ لَهُمۡ شُرَڪَـٰٓؤُاْ شَرَعُواْ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱلدِّينِ مَا لَمۡ يَأۡذَنۢ بِهِ ٱللَّهُۚ – Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed?!]”
Two conditions must be fulfilled for an act of worship to be accepted; the first of the two conditions is that the act of worship must be done sincerely for Allah, and secondly the act of worship must be in agreement with the Sunnah of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The act of worship has to be done sincerely for the sake of Allah (alone) and no one is to be associated as a partner with Allah in worship. The act of worship must be done in conformity with what the Messenger conveyed (the Qur’an and the Sunnah). This is what the Shahadah (لا إله إلا الله محمدا رسول الله) necessitates. (لا إله إلا الله) necessitates that acts of worship must be carried out sincerely for the sake of Allah alone; and (محمدا رسول الله) necessitates that acts of worship must be carried out in conformity with what was revealed to the noble Messenger. Therefore, Allah is not to be worshipped with bidah, newly invented matters in Religion, and evil acts, for which Allah [The Most High] has sent down no authority; rather acts of worship must conform with the Sunnah of the noble Messenger. If any of these two conditions or both of them are not fulfilled, the act of worship will be rejected by Allah [The Mighty and Majestic] says: [وَقَدِمۡنَآ إِلَىٰ مَا عَمِلُواْ مِنۡ عَمَلٍ۬ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ هَبَآءً۬ مَّنثُورً – And We shall turn to whatever deeds they disbelievers, polytheists] did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust] [Soorah Al-Furqaan. Ayah 23]
The noble Messenger said: [مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رَدٌ- He who innovates something in this matter of ours [i.e., Islam] that is not of it will have it rejected [by Allah].”[Sahih Al-Bukhari. Number 2697] [Sahih Muslim. Number 1718]
And in another wording of this hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim the Prophet said: [مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَد – He who does an act (of worship) which we have not commanded (i.e. not commanded by the Prophet), will have it rejected].
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
Verily he lives long among you will see a lot of differing, so you must keep to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Khulafa Ar-Rashidun [the rightly guided caliphs]. Adhere to it with your molar teeth (i.e. adhere to it firmly). And beware of newly invented matters [in the religion], for every newly invented matter [in the religion] is a bidah [innovation in the religion], and every bidah is misguidance. [Abu Dawood. Number 4607] [Tirmidhee. Number 2676] [1]
The Danger of Bidah (Innovating beliefs and acts of worship) in Islam
Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allāh preserve him, said:
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, said: [وشر الأمور محدثاتها – The worst of all affairs are the newly invented matters in the religion]. The Prophet said this when there was no Mubtadi (innovator in the religion) present. He warned against it because Allah informed him that many from this Ummah will be misguided, split (into deviant sects) and follow the (misguided) paths of those who came before them (the misguided Jews and Christians). Allah informed the Prophet and he conveyed these realities to the Ummah. Thus due to the Prophet’s enmity against innovation in religious matters, his hatred for it and due to fearing for his Ummah regarding it, he warned them against it in every or most of his khutbahs. He described it as the worst of all affairs (in the religion) وشر الأمور محدثاتها -The worst of all affairs are the newly invented matters (in the religion). [2]
Supplication is a great act of devotion to Allah and a lofty act of worship (performed) by a Muslim within the confines of the noble Messenger’s guidance and adherence to his Sunnah. This is because the best and perfect guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him. Indeed, the Prophet used to say – on every Jumu’ah- whilst addressing the people, “To proceed; indeed the most truthful speech is the Book of Allah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad . The worst of all affairs are the newly invented matters (in the religion), for every newly invented matter (in the religion) is Bidah, every Bidah is misguidance and every (act of misguidance will lead to the) fire”. Therefore, it is obligated to a Muslim that he is very careful of the newly invented matters in the religion, and that he adheres to the guidance of the leader of the Prophets and Messengers (Muhammad – peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him).
The guidance of the Messenger in matters related to supplications is a perfect guidance and there’s no deficiency in them. The Prophet did not leave any good and benefit related to supplications; rather he (clarified and explained) the affair perfectly and fulfilled its obligation, just as he did in all aspects of the religion. He did not die until Allah revealed: [ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمَ دِينً۬اۚ – This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion]. [Al-Ma’idah. 3]
Whoever contemplates the guidance of the Prophet in matters related to supplications will find that they are perfect guidance- sufficient and perfect, and there is no deficiency in it. He clarified and made known – to the Ummah- supplications that are to be performed at specific times, specific places and in specific circumstances. He made very clear the distinction between those supplications that can be performed – in general – without any restriction to a specific time, place or situation, and those that are restricted to specific times, places and situations.
The established and authentic supplications of the Prophet deals with all the circumstances of the people – in times of happiness, sorrow, physical wellbeing, illness, bliss, calamity, when one is traveling or not traveling, and other than that. He guided his Ummah – in this affair- to all good and to that which they should say in all circumstances. He did not abandon any supplication that would get a person close to Allah – that which will lead a person to happiness in this life and the next; rather, he clarified and made it known to his Ummah – completely and perfectly. How can this not be the case when it is the fact that he said, “Allah did not send a Prophet except that it was obligated to him to guide his followers to what he knew was good for them and warn them against what he knew was bad for them”.
Indeed, it is amazing that some of the common people abandon the authentic supplications that are gathered in many of the books – the well-known authentic books – and then accept the supplications that are newly invented, innovated (in the religion) and initiated by some of the Mutakallifeen (i.e. those figureheads who pretend and fabricate things) and written by some of the Mutakharriseen (i.e. those figureheads who lie, engage in falsehood through which they seek to obliterate the truth and speak about Allah without knowledge). They do not rely on the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and do not give consideration to the guidance of the best person in this Ummah (Muhammad). Thus, they preoccupy the people with this, turn them away from the Sunan (authentic practices of the Prophet) and plunge them into Bidah. Regarding this affair, some of the pious predecessors said, “A people do not innovate a newly invented matter in their religion, except that Allah removes something similar to it from their Sunnah, and then it does not return to them until the day of judgment”.
How can it be permissible for a Muslim who knows the virtue of the Messenger, his status and sincere advice to the Ummah, but then he abandons the Messenger’s guidance and his great and blessed supplications, and then accepts the supplications and the books of these Mutakharriseen and Mutakallifeen. Allāh, The Most High, says:
[ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ – Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors]. [Al-A’raf 55]
Regarding the statement of Allah: [إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ – He likes not the aggressors], Imam Al-Qurtubi, may Allāh have mercy upon him, – in his Tafsir – mentioned a number of different types of aggression in this subject matter, and one of them is when one supplicates through that which is not found in the Qur’an and the Sunnah – words that are deficient and are in the form of rhymes, and found in pamphlets, which neither have any origin (in the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah) nor based (on the Qur’an and Sunnah). Then he (i.e. the initiator or innovator of these supplications) adopts them as his slogan and abandons that which the Messenger used as supplications.
The most dangerous this affair can be is that some of these supplications are mixed with wordings that are tantamount to disbelief and polytheism. Indeed, what is obligated to every Muslim is that he is extremely careful of the likes of these supplications that have been invented by some of the misguided Shaikhs and the leaders of misguidance, thus they hinder people – by way of them – from the guidance of the Prophet and turn them away from his Sunnah. So, they go astray and deviate many people, and deviate from the right path. Indeed, the smart Muslim should pose a question in this affair regarding that which led these people to innovate these supplications and fabricated these acts which they devote themselves to permanently, despite the fact that they contain misguidance and falsehood. One will not find an answer, except that what these people want is to eat the wealth of the people unlawfully, increase their followers and devotees. Mu’aadh Bin Jabal, may Allāh be pleased with him, said: “In the times after you, there would be trials in which wealth would be abundant and the Qur’an would be easy so much so that every believer, hypocrite, man, woman, young, grown up, slave and free man will learn it. Then a man might say, ‘What happened to the people that they do not follow me while I read the Quran? They are not going to follow me until I innovate for them other than it’. So, beware of that which is innovated (in religion), for whatever is innovated is misguidance’’’. [Abu Dawud. 4611]
Therefore, it is obligated to a Muslim to be extremely cautious of these people, adhere to the Sunnah and follow the path of its followers, for in that there is safety and success. [3]
Jumu’ah Mubarak On a Friday
Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allāh preserve him, was asked: What is the ruling on the statement of a Muslim to another Muslim “Jumu’ah Mubarak through text messages or in forums every Friday?
The Shaikh responded: This practice has no basis (in the Qur’an and the Sunnah) and is considered an innovation in the religion. It is not permissible to offer congratulations on Friday, as there is no evidence supporting this practice, nor is it part of the actions of the Salaf (i.e. pious predecessors -the Sahabah and their well known followers). It is an innovation in religion, and those who engage in such practices are currently utilising mobile phones and the internet to promote innovations – in religion -in this manner.
[1] An Excerpt from أثر العبادات في حياة المسلم pages 3-31
[1] Adh-Dhari’ah ilaa Bayan Maqasid Kitab ash-Shariah 1/219
[2] An Excerpt from Fiqh Al-Ad’iyah Wal Adkaar. 3/363-366
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
An indispensable battle against the inner-self (Self-amazement etc)
Abdullah Bin Amr Ibn Al-Aas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said: The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Verily! The people of the hell fire are every [Ja’dhariy – جَعْظَريٍّ], [Jawwaadh – جَوَّاظٍ ], [Mustakbirin-مُسْتَكْبِرٍ ], [Jammaa -جَمَّاع ] and [Mannaa – مَنَّاع ]. And the people of paradise are the [Ad-Du’afaa – الضعفاء ] and the [Maghlooboon-مغلوبون ].
Al-Allamah Zayd Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
These nouns are characteristics of the tyrants and haughty people – the people of evil manners who deal badly with those who are close to them and those not closely associated with them- which are the opposites of the characteristics of the weak and oppressed, the lenient, gentle, and good mannered. It appears that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, encouraged us to adopt the characteristics of the people of Iman —the weak people —while cautioning against the characteristics of the haughty and that one should not exalt himself above the people, not (refuse to) submit to the commands of Allah and His Messenger, and not (refuse to) fulfil the obligations that have been obligated to them by the Shariah. [جَعْظَريٍّ – The one who seeks to be praised for that which is not in him or that which he does not possess]; [جَوَّاظٍ – a wicked sinner]; [مُسْتَكْبِر – one who exalts and raises himself, and is afflicted with self-amazement]; [جَمَّاع – a hoarder] and [مَنَّاع – one who deprives people and is extremely miserly]; [الضعفاء – those who are weak due to humility and are in a weak state in the worldly life] and the [مغلوبون – those who are (unjustifiably) subjugated and suppressed]. [1]
Imaam Sufyaan Ath-Thawree, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
Beware of what corrupts your deeds, for indeed Riyaa is what corrupts your deeds. If not Riyaa, it may be you being amazed with yourself until it makes you think that you are more virtuous than your brother. It may be that you have not achieved deeds the likes of which he has achieved, and it may be that he has more fear of Allah and righteous deeds than you. And if it is not self-amazement, then beware of loving the praise of the people-loving their praise so that they may honour you due to your deeds and see you as someone of nobility and high status in their hearts. Remembering death a lot is enough to make you have less concern for the things of the worldly life and make you have a fervent desire for the afterlife. A prolonged hope (for the things of this worldly life) is enough as a (means) to having little fear of (Allah) and committing acts of disobedience, and the distress and regret on the Day of Judgment is enough for the one who knows but does not act. [2]
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:
Ibn Sad, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated in at Tabaqaat about Umar Ibn Abdul Azeez, may Allah have mercy upon him, “Whenever he delivered a sermon and feared being amazed with himself, he ended it; and whenever he wrote a letter and feared amazement due to it, he tore it. He would say: ”O Allah! I seek refuge with you from the evil of my soul.” [3]
Abu Wahb, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: I asked Ibn Al-Mubarak, may Allah have mercy upon him: “What is pride?” He said: ”It is to mock at the people.” I asked him about self-amazement; he said: “It is to consider yourself to be in possession of something that none else possess; and I do not know of anything more evil upon the performers of the prayer than self-amazement”. [4]
Masruq, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
“It is enough as knowledge that a man is fearful of Allah and it is enough as ignorance that a man becomes amazed with his knowledge”. [5]
Imam Abdul Ghaniy Al-Maqdisee, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked: “Why do you not read from other than a book?” He said: ”I fear self-amazement.” [6]
Imam Ash-Shafi’i, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
If self-amazement is concealed within your deeds, recall the one whose pleasure you are seeking, which blessings you desire and which outcome you fear. The one who ponders upon this, his actions will become small in his presence. [7]
Al-Allamah Muqbil Bin Hadi Al-Wadi’i, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
If a person fears being amazed with himself, let him not compare himself with contemporaries; look at Hafidh Ibn Hajr or Al-Hafidh Ibn kathir, Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and other than them amongst the Huffaaz. [8]
Mutarrif Bin Abdillah Ash-Shikh-khir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
I spend the night and become regretful in morning (i.e. due to missing the night prayer) is more beloved to me that staying up at night (in worship) and reach the morning while being self-amazed. [9]
Imam Adh-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
The one who ascribe piety to himself and is amazed with himself will not be successful. [10]
[1] An Excerpt from “at-Ta’leeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahadith As-Saheehah 1/104
[2] Hilyatul Awliyaa: 6/391
[3] Al Fawaa’id. 225
[4] Siyar 15/395]
[5] Akhlaaqul Ulamaa of Imaam Al-Aajuree: 1/70]
[6] Siyar A’laam Nubulaa 21/449]
[7] Siyar A’lam Nubulaa 10/42
[8] Al-Bashaa’ir Fis-Samaa’i Al-Mubaashir’ page 14. with introduction by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdul-Wahhaab Al-Wassaabee, may Allah have mercy upon him.
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
The questioner said: Our Shaikh, I love you for the sake of Allah. I am new to true Salafiyyah and I dont know what do at present. Guide me, may Allah bless you.
Response: Establish the prayer, pay the Zakat, and sincerely devote your religion to Allah (alone), the Lord of the worlds; seek knowledge of the Shariah from its fundamental sources, and cooperate with your Salafi brothers upon righteousness and piety to convey this message. Spend in its path if you possess what you can spend to aid it, perform all righteous deeds, fulfill the obligations, learn the pillars of Islam and its regulations, the Salafi methodology – the foundational principles and subsidiary matters within it. This is encompassed in Allah’s statement: [إِلَّا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ – Except those who believe and do righteous deeds]. [Al-Asr 3]
Therefore, it is obligated to you to (adhere) to true Iman, righteous deeds, and cooperating upon righteousness and piety. [Marhaban Yaa Taalib Al-Ilm 467]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Al-Allamah Muhammad Amaan Al-Jami, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
The call to Islam encompasses a variety of domains and procedures. One of its procedures is the establishment of gatherings and conferences where individuals with sound Islamic perspectives and Muslim jurists convene to address contemporary issues. They counter the misconceptions that are disseminated against Islam and the authentic beliefs of Muslims. Furthermore, they elucidate the principles of the Islamic faith across all aspects of life that necessitate explanation—of which there are many—ensuring that individuals possess clarity in both their religious and worldly matters. This endeavour is grounded in the teachings of the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah, guiding people from the shadows of misguidance into the light of true guidance. There exists no alternative route to escape the darkness of ignorance and (unlawful) pre-Islamic customs except through the comprehension derived from the Book and the Sunnah. This duty has been upheld by the Messengers, from Nuh to Muhammad, peace be upon them. Allah, the Most High, stated:
O Prophet (Muhammad)! Verily, We have sent you as witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner; And as one who invites to Allah [Islamic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allah (Alone)] by His Leave, and as a lamp spreading light (through your instructions from the Qur’an and the Sunnah the legal ways of the Prophet). And announce to the believers (in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad) the glad tidings, that they will have from Allah a Great Bounty. [33:45-47]
In these three verses, there is a clarification of the job of the noble Messenger Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his followers- and that is to call to the path of Allah by the Permission and command of Allah, upon clear sightedness and sure knowledge.
Allah [The Most High] said: [ قُلۡ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۟ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِىۖ – Say (O Muhammad): “This is my way; I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allah i.e. to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge”]. [12:108]
