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Forgiveness

Written by faizkara on . Posted in 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

“Forgive and you will be forgiven”.

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

This statement of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is a clarification that reward is given in accordance with the deed performed. If a person is one with a forgiving character when taking (something that belongs to him), when giving, buying and selling, and when dealing with his family, neighbours and companions; rather when dealing with the society and people -wherever that may be, then indeed reward given in accordance with the deed. He will be forgiven – meaning, Allah will forgive him by making his affairs easy, forgive him by wiping away his sins (a) and facilitate him with a people who will deal with him in the same manner he deals with (other) people. [at-Taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Al-Ahadith As-Sahihah. 1/75]

a: Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] stated a principle related the unrestricted Ahaadeeth in which a mention is made regarding the expiation of sins, that they are restricted by the texts regarding the abandonment of major sins – either restricted by the statement of Allah:

إِنْ تَجْتَنِبُوا كَبَائِرَ مَا تُنْهَوْنَ عَنْهُ نُكَفِّرْ عَنْكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ

If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We shall remit from you your (small) sins. (Surah An-Nisaa. Aayah 31)]; or by the statement of the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], “The five prayers, Friday to Friday, and Ramadan to Ramadan will expiate the sins committed between them, as long as major sins are avoided”.

ال النبيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم: «العمرةُ إلى العمرة كفَّارةٌ لما بينهما، والحجُّ المبرور ليس له جزاء إلا الجنة»، هذا يُبين فضل الحج والعمرة، وأن العمرة كفَّارة لما بينهما، يعني: عند اجتناب الكبائر.
قاعدة: الأحاديث المطلقة في تكفير الذنوب مُقيَّدة بترك الكبائر، إما بقوله سبحانه: {إِنْ تَجْتَنِبُوا كَبَائِرَ مَا تُنْهَوْنَ عَنْهُ نُكَفِّرْ عَنْكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ} [النساء:31]، وفي قوله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «الصَّلوات الخمس، والجمعة إلى الجمعة، ورمضان إلى رمضان كفَّارات لما بينهنَّ إذا اجتنب الكبائر»، وفي اللفظ الآخر: «ما لم تُغْشَ الكبائر»، فالعمرة إلى العمرة كفَّارة لما بينهما عند اجتناب الكبائر.
«والحج المبرور ليس له جزاء إلا الجنة» يعني: عند اجتناب الكبائر، كما قال صلى الله عليه وسلم: «مَن حجَّ فلم يرفث ولم يفسق رجع كيوم ولدته أمه»، فالحج المبرور هو الذي ليس فيه رفثٌ ولا فسوقٌ، هذا الحج المبرور، ليس فيه ما يُبطله، وليس فيه ما ينقصه من المعاصي، هذا هو الحج المبرور الذي يُوجب الجنة
https://binbaz.org.sa/audios/45/1–%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AB-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%83%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%87%D9%85%D8%

The Impact of Worship In The Life of a Muslim

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Bid'ah (Innovation), Mental Health, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Repentance, Sahaabah, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

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

Impact_of_Worship_In_The_Life_of_a_Muslim

Al-Allamah Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbad [may Allah preserve him] stated:

Al-Ibadah – worship – is a comprehensive term encompassing everything beloved and pleasing to Allah, both actions and statements, whether visible or hidden. This is the best (definition) of worship. Worship is a great matter because Allah created the creation, sent Messengers, and revealed the Books to instruct them to worship Him alone and prohibit them from worshipping others besides Him. Allah says:

وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ

And I (Allah) created not the Jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).

Allah created them to command them to worship Him alone and to forbid them from disobeying Him. Allah [Glorified be He] says:

وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ

And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship   Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah). [An-Nahl. 36]

Allah says:

وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۟ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ

And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad) but We inspired him (saying): La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah), so worship Me (Alone and none else)]. [Al-Anbiya. 25]

There are numerous types of acts of worship, including Al-Khawf (fear), Ar-Rajaa (hope), At-Tawakkul (trust and reliance), Ar-Raghbah (fervent desire), Ar-Rahbah (dread), Al-Inabah (turning repentantly to Allah), Al-Isti’anah (appealing for aid and assistance), Al-Istighatha (seeking deliverance and rescue), Adh-Dhabh (sacrificing), An-Nadr (vow), and other forms of worship. Among the acts of worship are the five pillars of Islam, which have all been mentioned in the renowned hadith of Jibreel when Jibreel inquired about Islam from the Prophet, who then responded: “It is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger, and that you perform the prayer, pay the Zakah, fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (i.e. the Ka’bah at Makkah) if you can find a way to it”. [Sahih Muslim. Kitab Al-Iman. Number 8]

It has also been transmitted in the hadith narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar that the Messenger said: “Islam has been built on five (pillars): to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger, establish the prayer, pay the zakat (obligatory charity), perform the hajj (pilgrimage) to the House, and fasting in Ramadhan”. [Sahih al-Bukhari. Kitaab Al-Iman. Hadith 8] [Sahih Muslim Hadith 19]

Moreover, for an act of worship to be accepted, it is essential to meet two requirements. Firstly, the act of worship must be performed with utmost sincerity solely for the sake of Allah. Secondly, it must align with the Messenger’s Sunnah. It is crucial to worship Allah sincerely, without associating any partners with Him, and to adhere to the guidance brought by the Messenger. This is what the Shahadah (لا إله إلا الله محمدا رسول الله) demands. That is because (لا إله إلا الله) demands that acts of worship must be done sincerely for the sake of Allah alone; (محمدا رسول الله) demands that acts of worship be in accordance with what was revealed to the noble Messenger. Therefore, Allah should not be worshipped with bidah, newly invented matters in Religion, or evil acts; rather, worship must be based on the Sunnah of the noble Messenger. If either of these two conditions, or both, are not met, then the act of worship will be rejected by Allah. Allah 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. [Al-Furqan. 23]

The noble Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] 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. [Sahih Al-Bukhaari. Number 2697] [Sahih Muslim. Number 1718]

In another wording of this hadith, the Prophet said:
مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلًا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَد

He who does an act (of worship) that we have not commanded (i.e. not commanded by the Prophet), will have it rejected.

He said:

فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ يَعِشْ مِنْكُمْ فَسَيَرَى اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا، فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِسُنَّتِي وَسُنَّةِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ الْمَهْدِيينَ، عَضُّوا عَلَيْهَا بِالنَّوَاجِذِ، وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَمُحْدَثَاتِ الْأُمُورِ؛ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ

Verily he lives long among you will see a lot of differing, so you must keep to my Sunnah and to the Sunnah of the Khulafaa ar-Rashideen [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]

In the hadith about the seventy-three sects, (a) the Messenger explained that out of the seventy-three sects, seventy-two will go to hell and only one will be saved. The saved sect is the one that follows the path of the Messenger and his noble companions. Imaam Malik said: “The latter part of this Ummah will not be rectified except by way of that which rectified its earlier part”. He said: “Whoever initiates a bidah in Islam and considers it to be something good, indeed he has claimed that Muhammad betrayed the Risaalah (i.e. the message he was entrusted with). That is because Allah says: ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ – This day, I have perfected your religion for you]. Therefore, what was not part of the religion at that time cannot be part of the religion today”. [Al-Itisaam of Imaam Shaatibee 1/28]

It is insufficient for someone to say, “I will perform this act of worship even though the Prophet did not do it because my intention is pure and good.” The proof against this statement is when the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] learned that one of his noble companions had slaughtered the Eid sacrifice before the Eid prayer, he told him, “Your slaughtered sheep is just mutton, not a specific act of sacrifice on the day of Eid.” This means that it is not considered an Eid sacrifice because it was not done in accordance with my Sunnah. Therefore, what is in accordance with the Sunnah is that the Eid sacrifice is done after the Eid prayer. Sacrificing before the prayer is outside the specified time and will not be recognised as an Eid sacrifice. Al-Hafidh said in Fat-hul Baaree (10/17): Shaikh Abu Muhammad Bin Abu Hamzah stated: “This narration affirms that even if an act of worship is performed with a sincere intention, it will not be deemed righteous unless it aligns with the prescribed divine revelation”.

What will provide further insight into this matter is when Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud arrived at a gathering in the Masjid, where each individual had a collection of stones/pebbles. Amongst them, there was a man who was saying: “Say Subhaanallaah a hundred times; say Laa-ilaaha Il-lal laah a hundred times; say Allaahu Akbar a hundred times”. So they repeated.  Then Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud approached them and said: “What is this that you are doing?” They said: “O Abu Abdurrahman! These are pebbles to count the number of times we say Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha Illal laah and Subhaanallaah”. He said: “Count your sins and I assure you that you are not going to lose anything of your good deeds. O Ummah of Muhammad! How quick is your destruction! These are the companions of your Prophet present in great numbers; these are his clothes not worn out yet, and his pots are not broken yet. I swear by the One (i.e. Allah) in Whose Hands my soul is, either you are following a religion that is better than the Religion of Muhammad or you are opening a door of misguidance”. They said: “O Abu Abdurrahman! We swear by Allah that we intend nothing other than good”. He said: “How many people want good but never reach it!” [Sunan Ad-Daarimee 1/68-69. Also recorded by Imam Al-Albani in As-Silsilah As-Saheehah. Number 2005]

Regarding the positive results of worship, they include a relaxed heart, a peaceful state of mind, an increase in one’s provision, a state of overall well-being, serenity, and tranquillity. The Qur’an contains numerous verses and the Sunnah includes several narrations that emphasise these positive outcomes, and that fear of Allah and righteous deeds lead to happiness in both this life and the hereafter. Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) states:

وَلَوۡ أَنَّ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّقَوۡاْ لَفَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡہِم بَرَكَـٰتٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ

And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwa (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth. [Al-A’raf. 96]

The noble verse highlights the connection between worship and the positive outcomes in a Muslim’s life. Those who fear Allah and have faith in Him will be rewarded and provided for by Allah in this world. Blessings from the heavens and the earth, such as rain, vegetation, and treasures, will be bestowed upon them. Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) states about the people of the Scripture:

وَلَوۡ أَنَّہُمۡ أَقَامُواْ ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةَ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡہِم مِّن رَّبِّہِمۡ لَأَڪَلُواْ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ وَمِن تَحۡتِ أَرۡجُلِهِم‌ۚ

And if only they had acted according to the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (now) been sent down to them from their Lord (the Qur’an), they would surely have gotten provision from above them, and from underneath their feet. [Al-Ma’idah 66]

The content of these two verses regarding the inhabitants of the towns and the followers of the scripture pertains to the worldly reward for those who have faith in Allah and are mindful of Him. As for the reward in the Hereafter for the believers and the God-fearing, Allah says:

وَلَوۡ أَنَّ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّقَوۡاْ لَڪَفَّرۡنَا عَنۡہُمۡ سَيِّـَٔاتِہِمۡ وَلَأَدۡخَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ

And if only the people of the Scripture had believed (in Muhammad) and warded off evil (sin, ascribing partners to Allah) and had become Al-Muttaqun (pious), We would indeed have blotted out their sins and admitted them to Gardens of pleasure (in Paradise). [Al-Ma’idah 65]

Allah [The Mighty and Majestic] says:
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَقُولُواْ قَوۡلاً۬ سَدِيدً۬ا

O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth).

This verse signifies an act of devotion, and Allah subsequently highlights its positive outcomes, stating:

يُصۡلِحۡ لَكُمۡ أَعۡمَـٰلَكُمۡ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ فَقَدۡ فَازَ فَوۡزًا عَظِيمًا

“He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger) he has indeed achieved a great achievement”.

Indeed, being guided towards righteous and correct actions and having one’s sins forgiven in the afterlife are positive results of worship. This noble verse highlights the positive outcomes of acts of worship in both this worldly life and the afterlife. In this life, Allah will guide individuals towards righteousness and goodness, enabling them to make sound decisions and follow the path of Allah with clarity. In the afterlife, Allah will grant forgiveness for sins and erase all evil deeds. Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) also says:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ مَخۡرَجً۬ا
وَيَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَحۡتَسِبُ‌ۚ

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine”.

This noble verse affirms that fear of Allah and worshipping Him alone, along with adhering to His commandments and abstaining from what He has prohibited, will rescue an individual from challenging and arduous circumstances. Furthermore, Allah bestows sustenance upon those who obey and revere Him from unexpected sources beyond their imagination. Allah says:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ مِنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦ يُسۡرً۬ا

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him”.

Indeed, as a result of fearing Allah, one can experience the ease of their affairs. Allah will simplify their journey toward righteousness and unveil paths that bring joy and contentment in both this world and the hereafter. Allah says:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يُكَفِّرۡ عَنۡهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُعۡظِمۡ لَهُ ۥۤ أَجۡرًا

“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will remit his sins from him, and will enlarge his reward”. This pertains to the rewards in the afterlife that are attained through one’s fear of Allah.

Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) says:
يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن تَتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ فُرۡقَانً۬ا وَيُكَفِّرۡ عَنڪُمۡ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمۡ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلۡفَضۡلِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ

“O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah, He will grant you Furqan a criterion [(to judge between right and wrong), or (Makhraj, i.e. making a way for you to get out from every difficulty)], and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you, and Allah is the Owner of the Great Bounty”.

The verse shows that those who fear Allah and obey Him and His Messenger will be given the ability to differentiate between right and wrong. They will follow Allah’s path with clarity and guidance in this life. In the next life, Allah will erase their sins and forgive them.

Also, in the latter portion of the verse addressing the proper conduct when it comes to loans and debts, Allah (The Most High) says: [وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۖ وَيُعَلِّمُڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ‌ۗ-So be afraid of Allah, and Allah teaches you].

Allah states in the story of Nuh [peace be upon him] and his people:

فَقُلۡتُ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ غَفَّارً۬ا
يُرۡسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّدۡرَارً۬ا
وَيُمۡدِدۡكُم بِأَمۡوَٲلٍ۬ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَيَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ أَنۡہَـٰرً۬ا

“I (Nooh) said (to them): Ask forgiveness from your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance; And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers”.
The mentioned matters in the previous verses are positive results of worship. The worship mentioned here is seeking forgiveness, and its positive result is that Allah will bless them with abundant rain, increase their wealth and children, and grant them gardens and rivers.

Furthermore, akin to the aforementioned verse, Allah also referred to Hud [peace be upon him] and his nation:

وَيَـٰقَوۡمِ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ يُرۡسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيۡڪُم مِّدۡرَارً۬ا وَيَزِدۡڪُمۡ قُوَّةً إِلَىٰ قُوَّتِكُمۡ

“And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength”.

Likewise, Allah mentions about His Prophet Muhammad and the people:

وَأَنِ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ يُمَتِّعۡكُم مَّتَـٰعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ى وَيُؤۡتِ كُلَّ ذِى فَضۡلٍ۬ فَضۡلَهُ ۥ‌ۖ

“Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words)”.

Allah (The Most High) says:

مَنۡ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا مِّن ذَڪَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٌ۬ فَلَنُحۡيِيَنَّهُ ۥ حَيَوٰةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬‌ۖ وَلَنَجۡزِيَنَّهُمۡ أَجۡرَهُم بِأَحۡسَنِ مَا ڪَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

“Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment, and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)”.

This noble verse affirms that faith and good deeds result in a good and happy life- a life filled with fear of Allah, obedience to Him and His Messenger, and a great reward in the Hereafter.

As for the narrations in the Sunnah regarding the positive results of the acts of worship in a Muslim’s life, there exists a valuable piece of advice from the noble Prophet to Ibn Abbas: “Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you”. This hadeeth was reported by Imam Tirmidhee (number 2516) and he graded it Hasan Sahih. In another wording of this hadeeth reported by Imam Ahmad (Number 2803), the Prophet said to Ibn Abbas: “Be Mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. Acknowledge Allah in times of ease and prosperity, and He will acknowledge you in times of hardship”.

Ibn Rajab provided precious commentary on this hadith in Jami Al-Uloom Wal Hikam. He explained that Allah’s protection for His servant manifests in two ways: safeguarding the individual’s body, wealth, children, and family, as well as protecting his religion by shielding him from doubts that may lead to misguidance and unlawful desires. As a result, the person can maintain righteousness and steadfastness in both his religious and worldly matters. This divine protection is granted to those who are conscious of Allah, those who adhere to His commandments and refrain from what He has prohibited. Allah rewards such individuals based on their mindfulness of Him, and recompense is given in accordance with one’s deeds. The Prophet’s statement “He (Allah) will protect you” serves as a reward for the positive outcomes that stem from righteous actions, with the reward being commensurate with one’s actions. As for the statement of the Prophet “Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you”, this means that you will find Allah in front of you- Allah will guard and protect you, and He will protect you from every evil. The statement of the Prophet “Acknowledge Allah in times of ease and prosperity, and He will acknowledge you in times of hardship” means that if you remain in obedience to Allah and His Messenger in times of ease and well-being, Allah will reward you by protecting you during times of severe hardship and critical situations. What will shed more light on this is the tale of three individuals who were strolling when the rain started to pour, forcing them to seek shelter in a mountain cave. A large rock blocked the entrance, trapping them inside as if they were in a grave while alive. They then recalled and reminded each other of the righteous deeds they had done for the sake of Allah during times of ease, using them as a means of seeking intercession. One mentioned his kindness towards his parents, another his abstention from fornication for the sake of Allah, and the third his fulfilment of a worker’s rights even after the worker had left without collecting his wages. By invoking Allah with these righteous actions, the rock miraculously moved, allowing them to escape from the cave. [1]

Also, prayer, zakat, fasting, and hajj are acts of worship and each of them brings positive outcomes in the life of a Muslim. Prayer is a fundamental pillar of the Religion and serves as a deterrent against immoral and wicked actions. It establishes a strong connection between a person and Allah, and by strictly observing the five daily prayers in congregation with fellow Muslims, one can strengthen their bond with Allah, remaining constantly attached to Him day and night. By performing the obligatory five daily prayers for the sake of Allah, as well as the voluntary prayers, a person will be rewarded by Allah for their devotion. Moreover, prayer helps to distance oneself from immoral and wicked deeds. Whenever the urge to disobey Allah and engage in evil actions arises, the individual is reminded of the purpose behind performing prayer and the importance of being consistent in its practice. This motivation stems from the desire to receive rewards from Allah and the fear of His punishment. Ultimately, prayer acts as a shield against immoral and wicked acts, thus one is distanced from evil. Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) says:

إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنكَرِ‌ۗ

“Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahsha’ (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed, etc.)” [al-Ankabut 45]

Also, the positive impacts of Zakat are truly immense. It serves as a means of cleansing the soul from stinginess and avarice. It acts as a way to purify one’s wealth, allowing it to flourish and multiply. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in achieving the goal of what is known as ‘Social Security’ in today’s society. When the wealthy give Zakat to the poor and needy, their needs are met and they also receive nourishment. This obligation of Zakat Payment, obligated by Allah, is taken from the wealth of the wealthy. It has been transmitted in a hadith reported by Mu’adh Ibn Jabal that the Prophet stated: “And if they offer their Salah (five daily prayers), tell them that Allah has enjoined on them Zakat of their properties and it is to be taken from the rich among them and given to the poor among them”. (2)

Zakat payment brings significant benefits to the wealthy as it cleanses their souls, increases their wealth, and earns them rewards from Allah for helping their less fortunate Muslim brothers and sisters in need. Through this act of charity, the needy have their needs met and their poverty alleviated. Allah has commanded that Zakat should be collected from the wealth of wealthy individuals in a way that will assist the impoverished and the needy while ensuring that the wealthy are not adversely affected. Zakat is a small sum obtained from ample wealth, which Allah has bestowed upon people. Allah has mandated the contribution of this small portion, which does not burden the wealthy when they give it, but rather aids the poor and needy – those who lack resources and possess no wealth.

One of the positive results of showing charity and kindness to the poor and needy is exemplified in a narration by Abu Hurairah, where the Prophet stated: While a person was in the wilderness he heard a voice from the cloud (commanding it thus): Irrigate the garden of so and so. (After that the clouds slunk aside and poured water on a stony ground. It filled a channel amongst the channels of that land and that person followed that water and he found a person standing in the garden busy in changing the course of water with the help of a hatchet. He said to him: Servant of Allah, what is your name? he said: So and so. And it was that very name which he had heard from the clouds. And he said to him: Servant of Allah, why do you ask me my name? He said: I heard a voice from the clouds of which It is the downpour, saying: Water the garden of so and so, (with a mention) of your name. What do you do (for the favour) shown to you by Allah in this matter? He said: Now as you state so; I look what yield I get from it, then I give one-third as charity out of it and I and my family eat one-third of it and one-third I return to it as investment.’’ And in another narration of this same hadeeth, he said: I earmark one-third for the poor, the needy, and the wayfarer. (3)

As for fasting, it has tremendous benefits as it serves as a form of protection. The Prophet said, “Fasting is a shield.” (4)  It serves as a shield against the hellfire in the hereafter and shields against disobedience. Fasting diminishes a person’s desires, thus curbing their impulsive actions and serving as a safeguard against engaging in harmful and forbidden deeds driven by indulgence. Indulging excessively can lead the soul towards unfavorable outcomes both in this life and the hereafter. Because of this, the Prophet said: “Paradise is surrounded by hardships and the hellfire is surrounded by all kinds of desires and passions”. (4)

The journey to paradise necessitates the practice of patience in refraining from disobedience, while the path to hellfire is encompassed by all forbidden desires. By distancing oneself from these forbidden desires, safety is ensured. However, engaging in such desires leads to falling into what Allah has prohibited. Although this forbidden pleasure may provide temporary satisfaction, its consequences bring sorrow, remorse, and humiliation in both this life and the hereafter. It has been reported in a hadith on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud that the prophet stated: “O young people! Whoever among you can marry, should marry, and whoever is not able to marry, is recommended to observe Sawm (fast) as fasting will diminish his sexual power”. (6)

Henceforth, the Prophet explicitly stated that if an individual is capable of entering into marriage, they should promptly pursue it to maintain their chastity and enable another person (i.e. the wife) to do the same. However, if one is unable to get married, one should dedicate oneself to the Prophetic solution advised by the noble Messenger, which is fasting. This practice serves as a shield and safeguard against succumbing to acts of disobedience. To summarise, this is valuable guidance bestowed by the noble Messenger to the younger generation, emphasising that they should marry if possible, and if not, they should control their desires through fasting. Regarding the fasting of wealthy individuals, it serves as a reminder of hunger pangs. Consequently, they contemplate the blessings bestowed upon them by Allah, as they have Muslim brethren who experience hunger pangs even without fasting. This realisation stems from their inability to alleviate extreme hunger. As a result, this introspection motivates them to exhibit kindness towards the impoverished and contribute to the support of the destitute and needy.

Regarding the hajj, it is a great act of worship. Allah has obligated it to His servants at least once in their lifetime. Hajj encompasses various acts of worship that involve both financial contributions and physical actions. It has praiseworthy outcomes in an individual’s life. The noble Prophet stated: “(The performance of) Umrah is expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one. And the reward of Al-Hajj Al-Mabroor (the one accepted by Allaah) is nothing but Paradise”. (7) Abu Hurairah said that Allah’s Messenger was asked about the best of deeds, so he replied, “To believe in Allah and His Messenger”. The questioner then asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To participate in Jihaad”. The questioner again asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To perform Hajj Mabroor (which is accepted by Allaah…)”. (8) Abu Hurairah also narrated that Allah’s Messenger said: “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s sake only and does not have sexual relations with his wife and does not do evil or sins; then he will return (after hajj, free from sins) as if he was born anew”. (9)

A ‘Hajj Mabroor’ is a pilgrimage that is performed in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet, and a clear indication of a ‘Hajj Mabroor’ is the positive transformation that occurs within the individual after completing the pilgrimage. If a person’s negative circumstances improve or if their already good state becomes even better, then it is evident that their Hajj is Mabroor (InShaallah).

Hajj and Umrah encompass various acts of worship, one of which is Tawaaf. This particular act of worship is exclusive to its designated location, namely around the Kabah. Tawaaf is a form of worship that has been specifically ordained by Allah to be performed around the Baitul Ateeq (the Ancient House) within the Haram. Upon reaching Makkah, individuals engage in Tawaaf around the Baitul Ateeq as a means to draw closer to Allah (The Mighty and Majestic). This act of worship, Tawaaf, holds a unique significance that can only be fulfilled within the confines of Makkah. It is important to note that Tawaaf is exclusively performed around the Noble Kabah and cannot be carried out in any other location on Earth. This serves as a reminder and raises awareness that performing Tawaaf in any other place or around any tomb is not sanctioned by Allah (The Mighty and Majestic). Hence, it is impermissible to engage in Tawaaf around any tomb or any other location on Earth apart from the Noble Kabah. Furthermore, the same principle applies to kissing and gesturing towards the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner. It is important to note that Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) has not prescribed for Muslims to seek closeness to Him by kissing any other stone or gesturing towards it, except in these two specific locations. This is exemplified by the actions of Umar Ibnul Khattaab who approached the Black Stone, kissed it, and then said: “No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither harm (anyone) nor benefit anyone. Had I not seen Allaah’s Messenger kissing you, I would not have kissed you”. (10)

Another benefit of Hajj and Umrah is the act of changing into Ihram attire, a simple garment worn by all pilgrims regardless of their social status. This act serves as a reminder of the white shroud that will eventually cover the deceased, prompting the pilgrim to focus on performing good deeds and preparing for the afterlife which is the most valuable provision for the hereafter, as Allah says:

وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيۡرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۚ

“And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.)”.

Another positive result of Hajj is the congregation of pilgrims at Arafah, symbolising the gathering of people on the Day of Judgement. Therefore, standing at Arafah serves as an inspiration for individuals to ready themselves for the Day of Judgement through the practice of virtuous actions. Furthermore, during the Hajj, Muslims from both the Eastern and Western regions of the world have the opportunity to come together and cooperate. They get to gain insight into each other’s circumstances, fostering a bond of shared happiness and joy. Similarly, they empathise with each other’s hardships, offering guidance and assistance in fulfilling their religious obligations. In this way, they collaborate in promoting righteousness and piety, as commanded by Allah. These significant acts of worship prescribed by Allah (The Mighty and Majestic), upon which His Religion of Islamic Monotheism is established, yield positive results for a Muslim in both this life and the Hereafter. [An Excerpt from  أثر العبادات في حياة المسلم pages 4-31]

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[a] All The Sects In The Fire Except One – [A Precise Clarification By Imaam Abdul Azeez In Baaz] – salafidawahmanchester.com/
https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2021/03/06/all-the-sects-in-the-fire-except-one-a-precise-clarification-by-imaam-abdul-azeez-in-baaz/

[1]: Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: The Prophet said, “While three persons were walking, rain began to fall and they had to enter a cave in a mountain. A big rock rolled over and blocked the mouth of the cave. They said to each other, ‘Invoke Allah with the best deed you have performed (so Allah might remove the rock)’. One of them said, ‘O Allah! My parents were old and I used to go out to graze (my animals). On my return, I would milk (the animals) and take the milk in a vessel for my parents to drink. After they had drunk from it, I would give it to my children, family, and wife. One day I was delayed and on my return I found my parents sleeping, and I disliked waking them up. The children were crying at my feet (because of hunger). That state of affairs continued till it was dawn. O Allah! If You regard that I did it for Your sake, then remove this rock so that we may see the sky.’ So, the rock was moved a bit. The second said, ‘O Allah! You know that I was in love with a cousin of mine, like the deepest love a man may have for a woman, and she told me that I would not get my desire fulfilled unless I paid her one hundred Dinars (gold pieces). So, I struggled for it till I gathered the desired amount, and when I sat in between her legs, she told me to be afraid of Allah and asked me not to deflower her except rightfully (by marriage). So, I got up and left her. O Allah! If You regard that I did it for Your sake, kindly remove this rock.’ So, two-thirds of the rock was removed. Then the third man said, ‘O Allah! No doubt You know that once I employed a worker for one Faraq (three Sa’s) of millet, and when I wanted to pay him, he refused to take it, so I sowed it, and from its yield I bought cows and a shepherd. After a time that man came and demanded his money. I said to him: Go to those cows and the shepherd and take them for they are for you. He asked me whether I was joking with him. I told him that I was not joking with him, and all that belonged to him. O Allah! If You regard that I did it sincerely for Your sake, then please remove the rock.’ So, the rock was removed completely from the mouth of the cave.” [See Saheeh Bukhaari. (Number: 2215)] and Saheeh Muslim (Number 2743)]

[2] Narrated Ibn Abbas: When the Prophet sent Mu’aadh to Yemen, he said to him, ‘’You are going to a nation from the people of the Scripture, so let the first thing to which you will invite them is they should testify to the Tawheed of Allah [i.e. Laa ilaaha Il-lal lah (None has the right to be worshipped except Allah)]. If they accept that, tell them that Allah has enjoined on them, five obligatory congregational Salah (prayers) to be offered in one day and one night. And if they offer their Salaat (five daily prayers), tell them that Allah has enjoined on them Zakat of their properties and it is to be taken from the rich among them and given to the poor among them. And if they agree to that, then take from them Zakat, but avoid the best property of the people”. [Sahih al-Bukhari (The Book of Tawheed). Hadeeth Number: 7372]

[3] [Sahih Muslim: Kitaab Az-Zudh War-Riqaaq. Hadeeth Number 2984. Chapter: Charity to the Masaakeen]

[4] Bukhaari No1894 and Muslim No: 1151.

[5]Muslim No: 2822 and Bukhaari No: 6487]

[6] Bukhaari No: 5065

[7] Bukhaari. Number 1773 and Muslim. Number 1349

[8]Bukhaari Number: 26 and Muslim Number 83

[9]Bukhaari Number: 1521 and Muslim 1350

[10] Bukhaari. 1597 and Muslim 1270

A Preposterous Assertion

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

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

Brief response to a preposterous assertion of a Journalist: “Saudi Arabia, The Birth Place of Islam and Site of Its Two Holiest Shrines!!!”

The Kabah is Not a Shrine

Why is it called Kabah? Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, said that it is called Kabah because of its squared shape. Every building that is squared in shape and has four pillars is called kabah. [1] It is called Baytul Ateeq because it is very ancient, the best Masjid without exception. Freed from being captured by tyrants [2], (i.e. except during the end of time when it will be demolished by Dhul Suwayqatayn). It is called Masjid Al-Haraam [i.e. the sacred Masjid (3)] and a Masjid is where none is to be invoked or prayed to besides Allah. [4]

The late Mufti of Saudi Arabia Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Shrines are graves and the Prophetic tradition regarding this affair is that graves are to be raised a hand span from the ground, so that they are recognised as graves and not degraded. This is why in the hadith of Sa’d Bin Abee Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, it is reported that the grave of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was raised a hand span and Sa’d also gave orders that the same should be done to his grave. As for building over them, taking them as Masaajid (mosques, places of worship) and building domes, this is not permissible. According to the people of knowledge, this is evil, innovation in religion and one of the means to Shirk. Due to this the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stated in an authentic hadith: “The curse of Allah is upon the Jews and Christians [i.e. those Jews who deviated from the message of Prophet Musa and those Christians who deviated from the message of the Messiah and disbelieved in Muhammad], for they took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship”. In a hadith in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet forbade that graves should be plastered (made into permanent structures), used as sitting places and building over them. Therefore, it is not permissible to build over graves – neither mosques nor domes, nor other than them, and also they are not to be plastered because this is one of the means to Shirk – one of the means because it becomes exalted, invoked besides Allah and help sought from it, thus shirk occurs. Building over graves- placing domes, mosques and lamps over them are from the means to Shirk, and this is why the Prophet warned against it and cursed those who do so. [5]

Where Was The Grave of The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,?

Aa’isha, may Allah be pleaded with her, said: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “May Allah curse the Jews and Christians, for they took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship”. Then Aa’isha said, “Had that not been the case, his grave would be in an open place, but he feared that it would be taken as a place of worship”.[Al-Bukhari 1330]

After quoting this hadith, Imam Muhammad Naasiruddeen Al-Albaanee, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated in [تحذير الساجد من اتخاذ القبور مساجد – pages 14-15]: “The statement of Aa’isha, may Allah be pleased with her, clearly shows the reason why the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was buried in his bedroom and that was to prevent the one who would build a Masjid over him. It not permissible to use this as evidence to bury others in a house and what supports this is that it is in opposition to the foundational Islamic practice because the Sunnah (legislates) that the deceased are buried in the graveyards. This is why Ibn Urwah, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated in Al-Kawaakib Ad-Daraaree, “To be buried in the graveyards of the Muslims was more pleasing to Abu Abdillaah – meaning Al-Imam Ahmad – than being buried in the houses because it poses lesser harm to those who are alive with regards to worshiping images [i.e. keep people away from worshipping the deceased], more resemblant to a place of the afterlife, (urges) for more supplication for the person and seeking forgiveness for him. The companions, the Tabi’in and those after them did not cease burying the deceased in the desert”. If it is said, “The Prophet’s grave is in his house as well as the graves of his two companions (i.e. Abu Bakr and Umar)”, we say, “Aaisha said, ‘Indeed, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, asked to be buried in his house so that his grave is not taken as a place of worship because he used to bury his companions at Al-Baqee and his practice is more worthy to be followed than that of others. His companions knew that he- in particular – was to be buried in his house because he said, ‘The Prophets are to be buried where they die'”. This protects (the place they are buried from too much noise) and distinguish them from other people.

On page 78 – [تحذير الساجد من اتخاذ القبور مساجد] – Imam Al-Albani stated: As for the second doubt that the grave of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is located within his mosque, as is seen at present, and that if this were indeed prohibited, he would not have been buried in it! The response to this is that, while this is seen at present, it was not the case during the time of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them because when he passed away, they buried him in his bedroom adjacent to his Masjid, separated by a wall that included a door leading to the Masjid. This is a well-established fact among scholars, with no disagreement on the matter. The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, buried him in the house and they did so that no one after them would be able to take his grave as a masjid as previously clarified in the narration of Aisha and others (page 14-15). However, after them, something they would have never anticipated occurred! In the year 88AH, Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik ordered the demolition of the Prophet’s Masjid and the incorporation of the bedrooms of the Messenger’s wives into it, thus including the bedroom of Prophet – Aisha’s bedroom. As a result, the grave was was entered in the Masjid. At that time, there were no companions present in Madina, contrary to what some may assume. [End of quote]

Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, may Allah preserve him, quoted Al-Allamah Ahmad Bin Yahyah An-Najmi, may Allah have mercy upon him, who stated: The grave of the Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) was initially outside of his Mosque in Madeenah – the fact is that his house was next door to the Mosque and that is where he was buried after his death. Later, in the time of the rule of Waleed Ibn Abdul-Malik he commanded that Mosque be expanded, and thus the house of the Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) was included into the Mosque as it was extended. This occurred at the displeasure of the Scholars – and they hated it – from them, Sa’eed Ibn Al-Musayyib (died 94H).

As for the green dome that was erected high over the grave of the Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam), then it was built at the end of the 6th century – it was built by one of the kings of Egypt. So whoever uses the grave of the Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) in the Mosque as a proof, or the presence of the green dome then, in reality, he has no proof at all. That is because these constructions and affairs were initiated by people ignorant and devoid of knowledge. They had authority and the people were not able to prevent them. So they did what they did due to their claim that they were expressing their love of the Prophet (salallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam) and respect for him”. (6)

The Origin of Grave Worship In The Ummah

Shaikh Shamsuddeen Al-Afghaanee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Allah, The Most High, guided mankind through Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and through what he brought of clear manifest evidences and guidance – a guidance that could not be described by those who were proficient in giving descriptions and surpassed the knowledge of those with great perception. So, through this guidance, Allaah [The Most High] opened the eyes of the blind ones, the ears of the deaf ones and the hearts of the heedless ones. Allaah [The Most High] united them upon one religion- the religion of pure Islamic monotheism; Prophet Ibraaheem’s [peace be upon him] religion of pure monotheism – after they had been in a state of complete disunity, enmity towards one another, destructive and corrupt creeds. Allaah united their hearts and they became true brothers in Islam by way of this great blessing. And thereafter everything that was worshiped besides Allaah- such as graves, trees, stones, graven images, idols etc- ceased to exist and all worship was carried out for Allaah (alone).

The people followed the true Religion of Islamic monotheism, worshipped Allah alone and established worship sincerely for Allaah, except those whom Allaah willed that they were to remain as people of polytheism, hypocrisy and followers of the altered and distorted previous scriptures. The darkness of shirk (polytheism) was dispelled and the banner of Tawheed (pure Islamic Monotheism) was raised in the lands amongst the Arabs and non-Arabs. The Messenger of Allah returned to his Lord, whilst Islam was established and in authority-superseding all other ways of life and creeds. Then the rightly guided khulafaa of the Messenger [AbuBakr, Umar, Uthmaan and Ali] continued upon this path until the two powerful and great nations at the time- Rome and Persia- ended up in humiliation, degradation and in a state of fear after they had been in a state of security, and thus Caesar was restricted and besieged, and khosrau was subdued and destroyed.

So when the enemies of Islam saw that they were unable to do away with this religion, they implanted their disbelieving agents within Islam, who pretended to be Muslims in order to foment confusion, trials and tribulations, and spread Shirk (polytheism) by exaggerating the status of the pious people – exalting their graves through (beliefs and practices) that were not ordained by Allaah. So, this Ummah was put to trial through the plots of the [atheist, heretic and hypocrite] Abdullaah Bin Saba, who claimed Uloohiyyah for Ali Ibn Abee Taalib [i.e. that Ali has the right to be worship]. Abdullaah Bin As-Sabah’s followers were known as the Saaba’iyyah, and later on they were known as the rawaafid (shiites), the ismaaliyyah (shittes), the nusayriyah (shiites) and other than them amongst the Baatiniyyah. They used to worship the graves and the dead, and built places of worship and domed (shaped) shrines upon these graves. So, by way of this they revived the practices of the Jews, the Christians and idol worshippers, and thus the practices of the worshippers of graves in this Muslim Ummah manifested itself in deeds of the rawaafid (shiites).

Secondly: The books of Greek philosophy that contained the ideas of grave and idol worship were translated into Arabic, so many of those who attributed themselves to Islam busied themselves with these books, such as the likes of Al- Faraabee, Ibn Sinaa Al-Hanafi, Naseer At- Toosee the advocator of disbelief and polytheism and other than them amongst those who played tricks with Islaam, just as Paul played tricks with Christianity. They were influenced by the ideas of the Greek Philosophers- the creed of grave worship, so they became callers to grave worship through Greek Philosophy.

Thirdly: A people appeared among the Muslims manifesting asceticism. These people were more dangerous to the masses and more severe in misguidance. They were a people who appeared in the garb of the righteous, with tearful eyes smeared with kohl, long flowing beards, elevated turbans, carrying rosary beads and pretending to be calling to the sunnah of the leader of Humankind [Muhammad], whilst secretly practicing the disgraceful acts inherited from the false and vanished religions. And from their plots was that they used to mix manifest lies with the authentic explanations of the Qur’aan and the authentic narrations in order to corrupt the clear proofs of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. These deviant heretics were known as the holooliyyah, ittihaadiyyah Grave worshippers (I), such as the likes of al-hallaaj (309ah), ibnul faarid (632ah), ibn arabi (638ah), ibn sina (669ah) etc (7)

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Footnote (I): Hulooliyyah and ittihaadiyyah]: Hulool- Lit. “Entering” – Divine indwelling. The belief that Allaah dwells within a particular human. i.e. That Allaah dwells in a particular Soofi shaykh, a pious person, a Prophet – This belief is shared by Christians, certain Soofies, certain Shiites, Sikhs and others. Wahdaatul Wujood – Lit – Unity of Existence. The belief that all existence is a single existence and everything we see are only aspects of the Essence of Allah. This belief is also held by certain Soofies, Hindus and others.

Those who believe in hulool say that Allaah dwells and is incarnate in human beings, High is Allaah above and far removed from that. This was openly called to by some of the extreme Sufis, such as al-Husayn ibn Mansoor al-Hallaaj who was declared to be an unbeliever by the scholars. They ordered that he be executed and he was crucified in the year 309H. The following saying is attributed to him: “Glory to Him who manifested His human nature, Hiding the piercing brightness of His divinity: Till His creation saw Him openly, In the form of one eating and drinking” Attributed by al-Wakeel to the book at Tawaaseen of al Hallaaj (p. 130).

And his saying: “I am the one who loves and the One who is loved is me, We are two spirits who dwell in a single body. So when you see me you see Him, and when you see Him you see us both.”So al-Hallaaj was a believer in hulool and believed in the duality of the divine nature and that the Deity had both a divine and a human nature. Thus the divine becomes incarnate within the human so that the human spirit is the divine nature of the Deity and the body is its human form. Despite the fact that he was killed for his evil apostasy and although some of the Sufis declare themselves free of him, yet others count him as a Sufi, hold that his beliefs were correct, and write down his words. From them is Abdul-‘Abbaas ibn ‘Ataa al-Baghdaadee, Muhammad ibn Khaleef ash? Sheeraazee and Ibraheem an-Nasraabaadhee, as is reported by al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee.

Wahdatul-Wujood, i.e. that all in existence is a single reality, and that everything we see is only aspects of the Essence of Allaah. The chief claimant of this belief was Ibn ‘Arabee al-Haatimee at-Taa’ee, who was buried in Damascus having died in the year 638H. He himself says about this belief in his book al-Fatoohaat-ul-Makkiyyah: “The slave is the Lord and the Lord is a slave, I wish that I knew which was the one required to carry out the required duties. If I were to say the servant then that is true, or if I were to say the Lord, then how can that be required for Him.” Al-Fatoohaat-ul-Makkiyyah as it is attributed by Dr. Taqiyyuddeen al-Hilaalee in his book al-Hadiyyatul-Haadiyah (p.43).

He also says in al-Fatoohaat: “Those who worshipped the calf worshipped nothing except Allaah.” Quoted as Ibn ‘Arabee’s saying by Ibn Tayrniyyah in al-Fataawaa (vol.11), who attributes it to the book al-Fatoohaat. Ibn ‘Arabee is called ‘al-‘Aarif billaah’ (The one having great knowledge of Allaah) by the Sufis, and also ‘al-Qutubul Akbar’ (The great pivot), ‘al-Miskul-Adhfar’ (the sweetest smelling musk), “al-Kibreetul-Ahmar’ (the reddest brimstone), despite his belief in wahdatul-wujood and other calamitous sayings. Indeed he praised Fir’awn (Pharaoh) and declared that he died upon eemaan! Furthermore he speaks against Haroon for his criticism of his peoples worship of the calf, thus directly opposing the text of the Qur’aan. He also held that the Christians were Unbelievers only because they made divinity particular to ‘Eesaa, whereas if they had made it general to all then they would not have been unbelievers. [Despite all the gross deviation of Ibn ‘Arabee and the fact that the scholars declared him to be an Unbeliever, yet he is revered by the Sufis and others who do not distinguish between the truth and falsehood, and those who turn away from accepting the truth even when it is as clear as the sun. But his books, which are filled with clear apostasy, such as al-Fatoohaatul-Makkiyyah and Fusoosul-Hikam are still circulated. He even has a tafseer, which he called at-Tafseerul-Baatin since he holds that there is an apparent and a hidden meaning for every Aayah, so the outer meaning is for the people of Ta’weel. From this group came Ibn Basheesh who said: “O Allaah rescue me from the mire of Tawheed, and drown me in the centre of the sea of unity, and mix me into the state of unity and oneness until I do not see, nor hear, nor sense except through it.” [8]

May Allah bestow His blessings upon the rulers of Saudi Arabia, for they not only uphold a state of peace and security in that blessed land, by the grace of Allah, but they are also adherents of Tawhid who hold a deep respect for scholars and the followers of Tawhid. They do not tolerate the practice of grave worship. Furthermore, may Allah empower all Sunni Muslim leaders, making them pillars of stability for the Ummah, and safeguard the Muslim Ummah from the Khawaarij, Rawaafid, and all those who pursue chaos and instability. Ameen.

[1] https://binothaimeen.net/content/10706

[2] Tafseer As-Sadi. Surah Al-Hajj. Aayah 29 – the meaning of Baytul Ateeq

[3] Surah Al-Baqarah Aayah 144

[4] Tafseer As-Sadi. Surah Al-Jinn. Aayah 18

[5]https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/16337/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B6%D8%B1%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B1 paraphrased

[6]https://abukhadeejah.com/decisive-proofs-against-the-sufis-who-take-graves-as-places-of-worship-the-condemnation-of-the-one-who-worships-allah-at-the-grave-of-a-righteous-man-so-how-much-worse-is-the-one-who-actually-worsh/

[7] Excerpt from Juhoodu Ulamaa Al-Hanafiyyah Fee Ibtaal Aqaa’id Al-Qubooriyyeen. 1/19-25

[8] http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=8&Topic=3528

My Imam is older, more well-known or more influential

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in 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.

The one who says he is a student of knowledge and that he is able to examine the statements of the scholars, but he says “I hold this view because my Imam is older, more well-known, more influential or he had a larger number of students” We remind him as follows:

Imam Ash-Shaatibi, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

Know that Allah has established this Shariah as proof against the creation (humankind and jinn) – the old and young alike, the obedient and the disobedient, the righteous and the wicked. He did not specify the proof against anyone in exclusion of another one. Also, all the other revealed laws were established as proof against all the nations to whom they were revealed. The Shariah is the judge- in general, and specifically- the judge on all those who have reached the age of responsibility. It is the path attached to (what Allah has ordained) and it is the Greatest Guide. Have you not heard the statement of Allah, The Most High:

وَكَذَٲلِكَ أَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ رُوحً۬ا مِّنۡ أَمۡرِنَاۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدۡرِى مَا ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ وَلَا ٱلۡإِيمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِن جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ نُورً۬ا نَّہۡدِى بِهِۦ مَن نَّشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَاۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَہۡدِىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Ruhan (an Inspiration, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it (this Qur’an) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path (i.e. Allah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism). [Ash-Shura 52]

He (the Prophet) – peace and blessings of Allah be upon him- was the first to be guided to the Book and Iman, and then those who followed him. The Book is the Guide and also the Sunnah that was revealed to him explains that guidance (i.e. the Sunnah and the Qur’an explain each other). All the creation (mankind and Jinn) are guided through it. Therefore, when this is the case that the Shariah is worthy of being a decisive proof against them and a beacon by way of which they are guided to the truth, their nobility is determined by the extent to which they embrace its rulings- through acting upon them in speech, belief, and deeds– and not merely due to the level of their intellects or their nobility amongst their people. That is because Allah, The Most High, has determined nobility through Taqwa and no other than it. Allah, The Most High, says: [إِنَّ أَڪۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَٮٰكُمۡۚ- Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa] [49:13] [1]

Imam Ash-Shawkani- may Allah have mercy upon him- said:

Know that when differing arise among Muslims regarding whether this thing (matter) is a Bidah or not a Bidah, (something) disliked or not disliked, prohibited, or not prohibited, or other than that, there is a consensus among Muslims (i.e. their scholars) —both the early generations and those that followed, from the era of the Companions to the present day, which is the thirteenth century since the advent of the Prophethood—that the obligation in any differing – in any issue among the issues of the religion – between Imams of Ijtihad is to refer back to the Book of Allah, the Exalted, and the Sunnah of His Messenger, as stated in Allāh’s Book:

فَإِن تَنَٰزَعْتُمْ فِى شَىْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ

And if you disagree among yourselves over anything then refer it back to Allāh and the Messenger. [An-Nisa 59]

The meaning of referring back to Allah, the Exalted, is to refer to His Book, and the meaning of referring to His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, is to refer to his Sunnah after his passing. This is a matter about which there is no differing among the Muslims.

If a Mujtahid among the Mujtahideen says that this (thing) is lawful while another says this (thing) is unlawful, neither is any of the two more entitled to the truth than the other, even if he possesses more knowledge, older, or closer to the (early era of Islam). This is because each of them is a servant of Allāh among the servants of Allāh, (required) to worship (Allāh) based on what is found in the pure Sharia- that which is found in Allāh’s Book and the Sunnah of His Messenger, and what is required of him is required of other than him among Allāh’s servants. His abundant knowledge, the attainment of the level of Ijtihad, or even surpassing it, does not exempt him from any of the religious laws legislated by Allah for His servants, nor do they exclude him from those who have reached the age in which one is held accountable for his actions among the servants (of Allāh). [2]

When asked about following the different Madhabs on different issues, Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, responded as follows:

If a person is a student of knowledge and adheres to the Hanafi Madhab in certain matters that are clear to him to be correct and his Madhab is stronger than other than it; then follows Ash-Shafi’i, Maliki’s, or Ahmad’s in in other matters where it is appears that their Madhab in those matters is correct based on the proofs, there is no harm in this because a believer wherever Allāh gives him knowledge, he follows the proof and looks to the proof. So, what is established with proof, it is obligatory to adhere to it, regardless of whether it aligns with the Madhab of Shafi’i, Abu Hanifa, Maliki, Ahmad, or any other scholars. The important thing is that it must agree with the proof – substantiated by a verse or a noble sound hadith from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him. However, as for following whims or personal desires, then no. Playing about – sometimes this and other times that (arbitrarily between opinions), this is not permissible. But it is incumbent upon him to seek to know the proof and asking the people of knowledge regarding what is difficult for him. If he knows the proof, acquainted with the proof that this madhab in this issue is more valid while another is more valid in a different matter, there is no harm in this; otherwise, he should consult the scholars, seek their verdicts guidance, and act according to what they guide him to based on knowledge. [3]

So, what remains after this is to know that the people of knowledge are to be honoured as well as bearing in mind how to behave when they hold differences of opinion in matters of Ijtihad.

Must read article by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah- may Allāh preserve him:
https://abukhadeejah.com/tolerated-differing-and-impermissible-differing-in-islaam/

[1] Al-I’tisam 3/434

[2] Sharh As-Sudoor Bi-Tahreem Raf Al-Quboor pages 1-2

فاعلم أنه إذا وقع الخلاف بين المسلمين في أن هذا الشيء بدعة او غير بدعة ، أو مكروه او غير مكروه ، او محرم او غير محرم ، او غير ذلك ، فقد اتفق المسلمون : سلفهم وخلفهم ، من عصر الصحابة الى عصرنا هذا – وهو القرن الثالث عشر منذ البعثة المحمدية – أن الواجب الاختلاف في أي أمر من أمور الدين بين الأئمة المجتهدين : هو الرد الى كتاب الله سبحانه ، وسنة رسوله الناطق بذلك
الكتاب العزيز ( ٤ : ٥٩ فإن تنازعتم في شيء فردوه إلى الله والرسول ( ومعنى الرد الى الله سبحانه : الرد الى كتابه
ومعنى الرد إلى رسوله ال : الرد الى سنته بعد وفاته وهذا مما لا خلاف فيه بين جميع المسلمين . فإذا قال مجتهد من المجتهدين : هذا حلال . وقال الآخر : هذا حرام : فليس
أحدهما أولى بالحق من الآخر وإن كان اكثر منه علماً ، أو اكبر منه سنا ، او اقدم منه عصراً لأن كل واحد منهما فرد من أفراد عباد الله ، ومتعبد بما في الشريعة المطهرة، مما في كتاب الله وسنة رسوله ، ومطلوب منه ما طلب الله من غيره من العباد . وكثرة علمه وبلوغه درجة الاجتهاد او مجاوزته لها لا يسقط عنه شيئاً من الشرائع التي شرعها الله لعباده ، ولا يخرجه من جملة المكلفين من العباد

[3]Paraphrased:https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/8426/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B0%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%82%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%A9

Reflections from some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi al-Mad’khali [14 of 80]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, 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.

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, said:

The virtue of knowledge is very great indeed. It is obligated to the scholars to honour this knowledge, act upon it, be sincere to Allah about it, and the students of knowledge likewise. It is obligated to the scholars to give out the knowledge they possess; when they are asked, it is obligated to them to respond. Allah [The Most High] said:

 إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْهُدَىٰ مِن 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 Allah and cursed by the cursers. [Al-Baqarah 159]

Also, it is obligated to them to act. Allah said:

 يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ
كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ اللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ

O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do. [As-Saff. 2-3]

If a scholar urges people towards knowledge, action and sincerity, it is obligated to him to be the first person to hasten towards righteous deeds, sincerity to Allah and to sanctify this knowledge, lest this statement of Allah applies to him: [ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ اللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ – Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do].

Allah informed us that some of the Prophets said to their people: [وَمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَىٰ مَا أَنْهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ – I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you]. [Hud. 88]. This was said by Shu’aib, peace be upon him, and every Prophet also said this. It is obligated to a scholar to refrain from desiring the worldly possessions of the people – neither desiring status nor position, neither authority nor to be put in charge of some workplace. [I] He should not desire anything through that knowledge except Allah’s Face.

It is obligated to him to call the people to the path of Allah and spread knowledge in the Ummah. Allah said:

  قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي ۖ وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

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. And Glorified and Exalted be Allah (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah; those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals or partners to Allah). [Yusuf. 108]

Allah said: [  ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ ۖ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ – Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur’an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better]. [An-Nahl.125]

Therefore, it is obligated to the scholar to be a caller to the path of Allah, The Blessed and Exalted. By Allah! Teaching is from the greatest means of calling to the path of Allah. The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was the leader of the callers to the path of  Allah. The people used to come to him in the masjid and at his house. He was the greatest caller to the path of Allah and the greatest propagator of the religion (ordained) by Allah. It is obligated to us to convey. We are inheritors of the knowledge left behind by the Prophets. We are students of knowledge, and I do not say that we are from the scholars; but we have a share of what we have learnt from the inheritance of the Prophets; therefore, it is obligated to us to convey it. Let us be callers to the path of Allah – conveying from what Allah has revealed and from Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Propagating the message necessitates speech and action – calling to the path of Allah with speech and action. This is obligatory, thus let us strictly adhere to it, act upon it and fulfil it, and beware of opposing your statements with your actions. [An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Talib Al-Ilm page 132-136]

[I] https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2019/10/sincerity-certificates-of-knowledge-and-the-purpose-behind-knowledge-by-shaikh-uthaymeen-rahimahullaah/

Reflections from some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi al-Mad’khali [13 of 80]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam.

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

The people of misguidance – amongst the opponents of Imam Muhammad – and the opponents of the Salafi dawah have fabricated many lies, and one of those lies is that Imam Muhammad, may Allah have mercy upon him, makes Takfir of the Muslims, declares it lawful to fight them, and that he hates the Awliyaa and Saaliheen. They transgress the limits in their fabrications and lies against him- against those who follow his path, against the Salafi Dawah, against the Dawah of Tawhid and the truthful manner in which the sound path is to be followed. They perpetrate these repugnant deeds in order to hinder the people from the true religion ordained by) Allah, which Allah sent His Messenger with and sent down in His Books, especially the message of the seal of the Prophets and Messengers (i.e. Muhammad – peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)]. So, Imam Muhammad, his children and the scholars of the Dawah embarked upon rebutting the falsity of these fabrications with sufficient and appropriate clarifications that they do not make Takfir of the one who falls into Shirk or Kufr until after establishing the proofs against him and clearly clarify and explain the straight for him. Indeed Imam Muhammad did his utmost in giving sincere advice and clarification in many of writings and letters (or treatises) to the one who is far away and the one who is close, especially to the people of Najd and the Hijaz. Indeed, I (i.e. Shaikh Rabee) came across twenty-six letters in which he clarified his Dawah with proofs and evidences, and nullified the Shubuhaat [i.e. affairs that are made to resemble the truth but are falsehood in reality] and the Abaateel [falsities]. And among those letters (or treatises), I present one of them to whom it may reach amongst the Muslims and take from it – in this particular discussion- that which fulfils the objective. [Dahr Iftiraa’aat Ahl Az-Zaygh Wa-Irtiyaab An Da’wati Al-Imaam Muhammad Bin Abdil Wahhaab. Pages 45-46. Paraphrased]

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated in order to improve the content of this article Jazaakumullaahu Khayran.

Respect and Appreciation For The Scholars

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Ibn Abbas stood up next to Zaid Bin Thabit [may Allah be pleased with both of them] and held the stirrup of his riding beast. Zaid said to him, “Step aside, O cousin of Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]”. Ibn Abbas said to him, “This is what we do for our scholars and elders”. [Al-Muntadhim Fee Taareekh Al-Muluk Wal Umam 5/215]

Salamah Bin Kuhail [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: “Ash-Shabi and Ibrahim An-Nakha’i [may Allah have mercy upon upon both of them] never sat together except that Ibrahim remained silent, and  both of them were Taabi’een”. [Taareekh Dimashq 25/367]

Al-Marwazi [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Abu Abdillah [Imam Ahmad – may Allah have mercy upon him] used to be from those who honoured his fellow Muslim brothers the most and those who were older than him. One time, Abu Hammam [may Allah have mercy upon him] came to him on a donkey, so he held the stirrup of the riding beast for him. I witnessed him doing the same for the eldest Shaikhs”. [Al-Aadaab Ash-Shar’iyyah 1/416]

Idris Bin Abdul Karim said: “Salamah Bin Aasim said to me: “I want to hear Kitaab Al-Adad from khalaf”. I said, “Khalaf?” He said: “Let him come”. When Khalaf entered, he tried to make Salamah sit in the teacher’s place, but he refused, and said: “I will not sit except in front of you”. Then he said, “This is the right of learning”. Khalaf  said to him: “Ahmad Ibn Hanbal came to me to listen to the narrations of Abu Awanah, so I tried make him sit and transmit, but he refused and said: “I will not sit except in front of you. We are commanded to be humble in the presence of the one from whom we learn”. [Al-Jaami Li-Akhlaaq Ar-Raawi Wa Aadaab As-Saami 1/198]

Muhammad Ibn Raafi said: I was with Ahmad (Imam Ahmad) and Ishaq in the company of Abdur Razzaaq when the day of Eidul Fitr arrived, so we went out with Abdur Razzaaq to the Musalla and with us were many people. When we returned, Abdur Razzaaq invited us to lunch, then he said to Ahmad and Ishaq, “Today I saw something strange from both of you. You did not say the Takbir”. Ahmad and Ishaq said, “O father of Abu Bakr! We were waiting for you to say the Takbir so that we could say the Takbir, but when we saw that you did not say the Takbir, we refrained”. Abdur Razzaaq said, “I was waiting for both of you to say the Takbir so that I could say the Takbir”. [Siyar A’laam An-Nubula a 9/566]

Abdullah Bin Ahmad [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: I heard my father [Imam Ahmad – may Allah have mercy upon him] being asked: “Why did you not hear a lot (of hadith) from Ibrahim Bin Sa’d [may Allah have mercy upon him] and indeed he did stay next to you in the house of Amarah?” He said: “We attended his gathering once and he narrated to us. When the second session was held, he saw youth putting themselves forward (or speaking) before the elders, so he became angry and said, ‘By Allah! I will not narrate for a year’. He died and did not narrate (thereafter)”. [Siyar A’laam An-Nubula 11/317]

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated about the Mu’allimeen (teachers):

They are the intermediary between the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his Ummah with regards to propagation of the religion and clarification of the Shariah. Had it not been for these ones, the people would have been like cattle. They nurture the souls and hearts of the slaves upon the beneficial sciences and sound knowledge. They are the ones who guide the Ummah in the fundamental and subsidiary affairs of their religion, and return them to the rulings related to the duties obligated to them and in their dealings, just as they return them to the affairs pertaining to worship. Through them the Book and the Sunnah are established, and through them is made clear truth from falsehood, guidance as opposed to misguidance, Halal as opposed to Haram, good as opposed to evil, and rectification as opposed to corruption. They are of varying ranks, in accordance with what they establish of knowledge, teaching and benefit- great or small. They have great rights (owed to them) by the ummah and are possessors of a lofty status. Therefore, the people must have love and respect for them. They must recognise their excellence and virtue, and thank them greatly. They are to supplicate for them in private and public, and seek nearness to Allah by having love for them and praising them. They are to proclaim their excellence; guard the hearts (from harbouring evil against them) and the tongues (from) insulting them, for this would tarnish their excellence. (1)

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah preserve him, said:

We have been commanded to learn, thus, it is obligated to us to learn, act and call to the religion based on the path that Allah has ordained and clarified for us- the path that the Messenger clarified for us and applied, and was applied by his companions after him. They spread Islam in the entire world – in different nations. This knowledge and goodness was spread mostly through (praiseworthy) manners – through patience, forbearance, firm fulfilment of obligations and responsibilities, truthfulness, honourable behaviour, nobility, noble mindedness, fulfilling promises and what is similar to that. These manners became manifest to the people, thus the hearts, ears and eyes of the nations accepted this guidance, which the companions of Muhammad carried”. (2)

The Shaikh also stated:

Abdullah Ibn Al-Mubarak, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “Whoever belittles the scholars will ruin his religion; whoever belittles the rulers will ruin his worldly affairs and whoever belittles his brothers will ruin his sense of honour”. O my brothers! Let us behave in a good manner, especially the students of knowledge. O my brothers! At present the connection between a student and his teacher is limited to the classroom. He listens to the lesson and after it finishes, he leaves in a hurry. It is as if he does not know anything about the teacher- neither in a house nor in any other place. They say, “The scholars run away from the students!” It is obligated to the students to behave well towards the scholars and to come to their houses. Do they want the scholars to run behind the students?! The Salaf did not know this behaviour. When we became deprived of good manners, we expect the scholars to be our followers. Many people want the scholars to be their followers – giving directions to the scholars like they would give directions to a senile old person. A particular scholar can meet thousands of people and benefit them, but as for going to the house of every person and knocking at his door, this is neither legislated by Allah nor is it obligated to the scholars.

Good manners is a necessity in the path of seeking knowledge, and (when dealing with) scholars and elders. It was said to king Abdul Azeez, may have mercy upon him, “How do you view the people?” He said, “The people in my view are three types: a man who is older than me, so he is placed in my father’s position; a man who is in my age group, so he is placed in my brother’s position, and a man who is younger than me, so he is like my son”. Therefore, a Muslim behaves towards his brothers in this manner- he places the people in these different categories. The student of knowledge should respect the elders, honour his contemporaries and show mercy to those below his age. The one who is old in age is like his father, the one in his age group is like his brother and the one below him in age is like his son. (3)

The Shaikh also said:

Indeed, rejecting the statements of scholars through statements whose apparent meaning is sound, but those who utilise them intend falsehood and evil has become widespread nowadays. “I do not make Taqlid!!” Even though you find him (i.e. the utterer of this of statement) ignorant, understands nothing and is one among those who are greatly in need of making Taqlid of the scholars besides following them. There is Taqlid and Ittibaa. There is a person who is ignorant and he needs to make Taqlid. Taqlid is a necessity for this person, therefore it is incumbent upon him to make Taqlid of the scholars. (I) The student of knowledge can understand based on the proofs that such and such scholar is correct and thus he follows the person with proof. This is a level above Taqlid and below the level of the Mujtahid.

Some of them may say: “I do not make Taqlid”, even though-in reality- he is a commoner, an evil doer or a malicious person who desires to speak ill against the scholars and keep the people away from them through these cunning ways. Therefore, let the youth be careful lest they fall into the trap of these fools – those who speak ill of the scholars in such a heedless manner. “I do not make Taqlid of so and so”. We say to him: “Who commands you to make Taqlid if you are a student of knowledge?! However, if that scholar about whom you say, ‘I do not make Taqlid of him’ has truth with him, is it permissible to reject the truth based on this illusion that you call Taqlid and intend falsehood by way of it?! I warn the youth against despicable behaviour. It has become rife amongst the common people and prevents them from good manners, (sound adherence to the) religion and (good) character. (4)

Sincerely Asking Scholars

Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allāh have mercy upon him, was asked: The believing brother also says: I present these two questions because I heard from some of the Mashayikh who give religious verdicts to the people considering the fact that I am not an reassured about these two questions: firstly, it is said that if you ask a scholar and he provide you with a ruling, you should adhere to what he says to you and not ask for a verdict from other than him. Is this correct or am I able to ask until my heart is at ease?

Response: This is not correct, rather, it is befitting (or obligatory) that the questioner strives to ask question until his heart is at ease- seeks after -among the people of knowledge (i.e. scholars) -one who is more knowledgeable and fearful of that which will bring about harm in the afterlife until his heart is at ease that the fatwa is correct and in accordance with the Shariah, as the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, stated, “Righteousness (birr) is good morality, and wrongdoing is that which wavers in your soul and which you dislike people finding out about.” He stated, “Consult your heart. Righteousness is that about which the soul feels tranquil and the heart feels tranquil, and wrongdoing is that which wavers in the soul and moves to and fro in the breast even though people again and again have given you their legal opinion (in its favor)”. (II) The believer seeks knowledge and seeks to understand the religion, asking the people of knowledge until his heart is at ease that the fatwa aligns with the Shariah, according to his striving and ability.

The moderator said: Regarding a student of knowledge (III) when approached by an individual to give him a verdict, while he knows about him and he has sought a verdict from an individual before him, is he permitted to respond to this inquiry for a verdict?

The Shaikh responded: There is no objection to this; however, it is incumbent upon the mufti to (diligently) seek the evidence from the Shariah and not be lacadaisical (or easy going)- should seek after (evidence from) the Quran and the Sunnah, and give the questioner what he knows from Allāh’s Shariah- the Book of Allāh and the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, and he should not be lackadaisical. It is obligated to him to strive and be (diligent) in seeking after (the evidence) to ensure that he issues a fatwa based on insight and knowledge. If a questioner asks him while he knows that he has asked others, there is no objection to this if he asks him. He says: What did such and such say to you? This enables him to either agree or disagree with him. There is no harm in this. The companions of the Prophet used to do this by asking those who asked them: “What did so-and-so say?” The questioner says: “So and so say”, so he says that he is upon the same verdict or he differs with him, and says: “The verdict is this or that. resulting in the presentation of an alternative ruling”.

Moderator: If someone refrains from providing their ruling, does that constitute (blameworthy) concealment of knowledge?

The Shaikh: If the individual is aware that the ruling is false, then it would be considered (blameworthy) concealment of knowledge. However, if it is a matter of Ijtijhaad or investigation, and opinion, then there is no harm (in not answering). (5)

When asked about following the different Madhabs on different issues, Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated: If a person is a student of knowledge and adheres to the Hanafi Madhab in certain matters that are clear to him to be correct and his Madhab is stronger than other than it; then follows Ash-Shafi’i, Maliki’s, or Ahmad’s in in other matters where it is appears that their Madhab in those matters is correct based on the proofs, there is no harm in this because a believer wherever Allāh gives him knowledge, he follows the proof and looks to the proof. So, what is established with proof, it is obligatory to adhere to it, regardless of whether it aligns with the Madhab of Shafi’i, Abu Hanifa, Maliki, Ahmad, or any other scholars. The important thing is that it must agree with the proof – substantiated by a verse or a noble sound hadith from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him. However, as for following whims or personal desires, then no. Playing about – sometimes this and other times that (arbitrarily between opinions), this is not permissible. But it is incumbent upon him to seek to know the proof and asking the people of knowledge regarding what is difficult for him. If he knows the proof, acquainted with the proof that this madhab in this issue is more valid while another is more valid in a different matter, there is no harm in this; otherwise, he should consult the scholars, seek their verdicts guidance, and act according to what they guide him to based on knowledge. (6)

In the above statement, Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, advised against succumbing to personal desires; instead, one should approach inquiries and the pursuit of guidance with sincerity and honesty. A notable issue observed recently is the tendency of some individuals to seek concessions that allow for specific hairstyles, which are not permissible and resemble those of non-believers. (IV)

A’isha, may Allāh be pleased with her, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, did something and allowed his people to do it, but some people refrained from doing it. When the Prophet learned of that, he delivered a sermon, and after having praised Allah, he said, “What is wrong with such people who refrain from doing a thing that I do? By Allah, I know Allah better than they, and I am more afraid of Him than they.” [Al-Bukhari 6101]

Ibn Abbas, may Allāh be pleased with him and his father, reported that Allāh’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, said: “Verily, Allah loves for you to take His concessions, just as He loves you to fulfill the things He has obligated.” [Sahih Ibn Hibban 354]

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:

The facilitation of ease is what aligns with the essence of the religion. From this, we know that when two scholars differ in their opinions and it is not clear which view carries greater weight, neither in terms of evidence nor derivation of proofs, and both are reputable scholars in their knowledge and trustworthiness and the evidence is not clear as well as the derivation of proofs, yet they hold differing views—one being more stringent than the other—whom should we follow? The response: We should follow the easier option and it is said (we follow) the more stringent one, as it is deemed more cautious. However, this statement requires further examination, as the most cautious approach would be what aligns more with the Shariah and the easier option would be what aligns more with the Shariah. (7)

Imam ash-Shaatibee, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated regarding the attitude of unjustified pursuit of concessions, “This arises from following one’s desires. Desire leads to a ‘too easy going attitude’ and the pursuit of concessions for oneself and others. So, you see him (i.e. such a person) adopting that for himself or passing that judgement for his relative or friend, which he would not do for another person, due to the desire of that relative and friend”. (8)

Imam Ash-Shaatibee, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said, “If a Mukallaf [i.e. the sane one who has reached the age in which the obligations of the Shari’ah are obligated on him or her] seeks after concessions in the Madhabs in every affair that is difficult for him and every statement that agrees with his desires, then he will remove himself from the firm handhold of piety and persist upon the pursuit of desires”. (9)

Imam Ash-Shaatibee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “If desires enter (a person), it leads to following the ambiguous matters out of being eager to prevail and become victorious through establishing excuses in issues related to difference of opinion (or differing); but rather it leads to splitting, disharmony, enmity, and hatred due to the different desires and lack of (sound) agreement; however, the Shariah came to curtail (vain) desires completely. If some of the premises of the evidence were not established except through desires, it would not result except in following desires and that is contrary to the Shariah, and opposing the Shariah is not fr of the Shariah at all. Therefore, following desires concerning what one may regard to be adherence to the Shariah is tantamount to misguidance.”. (10)

Ibrahim Ibn Abee Ablah (died 152AH – may Allah have mercy upon him) said, “He who carries the odd affairs of knowledge carries a lot of evil”. (11)

Abdur Rahmaan Bin Mahdi (died 198AH – may Allah have mercy upon him) said, “The one who pursues the odd affairs of knowledge cannot be an Imam in knowledge”. (12)

Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:

It is obligated to you to adhere to evidence and not (seek) concessions. Some of the pious predecessors said: “Whoever pursues concessions may fall into Zandaqah (hypocrisy or disbelief). Every Madhab contains some errors- some mistakes from some of its followers or from the Imam to whom it is attributed, who may have erred in some narrations or some hadiths were hidden from him. Therefore, a student of knowledge should not chase after concessions. If there is a difference of opinion on an issue and it is not one about which there is consensus, there are treatises among the people of knowledge, and the student of knowledge should (diligently) search for evidence and examine the more compelling statement or the one supported by stronger evidence, then he takes that which is established based on evidence and he does not chase after concessions. (13)

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, was asked about those who follow the legislated Islamic concessions?

He replied: The religion is an Amaanah- an Amaanah between the slave and his Lord. It’s obligatory that he fulfils it (the religious duties) as Allah and his messenger have commanded. Whoever performs the obligations, refrains from the prohibited affairs, (does) that which he is able from the Mustahabbaat (recommended deeds) and abandons the Makroohaat (disliked affairs), this is the Amaanah between the slave and his lord. The concessions are only allowed when there is a need and necessity (to utilise) them. Utilise them in accordance with necessity- with a need for the concession. Just like the sick person combines between two prayers, performs Tayyamum if he cannot use water for purification and doesn’t fast in Ramadan (i.e. when travelling etc), and a traveller shortens the prayers. This is a religious concession used at the time of its requirement. As for using concessions in other than their correct place (i.e. situation), then this is not permissible. Allah did not permit that for him (in such a situation). Indeed He (Allah) only placed the concessions at specified times and situations, and they are not used in other than these (times and situations). Therefore, it is obligated on the Muslim that he fears Allah and that he establishes that which Allah has obligated on him. (14)

—————————————————–

Footnotes

(I) Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, said: “As for the permissible form of blind-following (at-taqleedul-mubaah), then it is for the common person (aamee) who, if he does not follow the people of knowledge, then he will stray from the path. Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, said: Ask the people of knowledge if you do not know. [an-Nahl 16:43]

And Taqlid is not done to just anyone. Rather, it is done to one who is accredited with knowledge and piety and is known to the people for this. Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said: “When a Muslim is faced with a problematic situation, he should seek a verdict from one whom he believes will give him a verdict based upon what Allaah and His Messenger have legislated; whatever school of thought (madhhab) he belongs to. It is not obligatory upon any Muslim to blindly follow a particular individual from the scholars in all that he says. Nor is it obligatory upon any Muslim to blindly follow a particular madhhab from the scholars in all that it necessitates and informs. Rather, every person’s saying is taken or left, except that of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him. To follow the madhhab of a particular individual because of an inability of knowing what has been legislated, is from that which is permissible; it is not from that which is obligatory upon every individual – if they have the ability to know what has been legislated without this path of blind-following (taqleed). So each individual should fear Allah as much as he is able, and seek knowledge of what Allah and His Messenger have ordered; doing what is commanded and keeping away from that which is forbidden. “

The Prohibited and Permissible Forms of Taqlid
http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ06&articleID=MNJ060005&articlePages=1
http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ06&articleID=MNJ060001&articlePages=1
https://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ06&articleID=MNJ060005&articlePages=1

(II) https://www.nawawis40hadith.com/nw/hadith/27/righteousness-and-sin

(III) The term “student of knowledge” in this context should not be interpreted broadly, as it specifically relates to the roles of issuing or conveying verdicts. It’s evident that while scholars refer to themselves as students of knowledge, their pursuit of learning is at the level of certified scholars. Similarly, these scholars possess a different level of expertise compared to senior students who, although not fully qualified scholars, have the necessary skills to relay scholarly opinions and discern which viewpoints are stronger on particular issues. Furthermore, senior students are at a different level than intermediate students, who in turn differ from beginners, with the general public (ourselves) being below them. For a more in-depth exploration of this subject, you can refer to Al-Muwaafaqaat by Imam Ash-Shatibee, pages 5/224-232. This topic is well-established and has been thoroughly examined by scholars, with plenty of resources available. May Allah benefit us through all the major and junior scholars, and all their upright students Amin.

(IV) https://abukhadeejah.com/the-prohibition-of-qaza-hairstyle-disallowed-by-allahs-messenger/

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. [Sahih Muslim Number: 2720] (15)

[1] An Excerpt from Nurul Basaa-ir Wal Albaab Fee Ahkaamil Ibaadaat Wal-Mu’aamalaat Wal Huqooq Wal Aadaab, page: 57-58]

[2] An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm. page 86

[3] Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 123-124

[4]An Excerpt from “Marhaban Yaa Talib Al-Ilm”. pages 61-62]

[5]Paraphrased:https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/5402/%D9%87%D9%84-%D8%A7%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%87

[6]Paraphrased:https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/8426/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%82%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B0%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%82%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%A9

[7] Paraphrased:

التيسير هو الموافق لروحِ الدِّينِ، مِن هُنَا نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ إِذَا اخْتَلَفَ عَالِمِانَ فِي رَأْي ولم يتبين لنا الأَرْجَحُ من قوليها لا من حَيْثُ الدَّلِيلِ، وَلا مِن حَيْثُ الاسْتِدْلَالُ وكُلُّهُمْ عُلَماءُ ثَقَاتِ فِي عِلْمِهِمْ وَأَمَانَتِهِمْ، وَالْأَدلَّةُ لِيسَتْ وَاضِحَةً، وَالاسْتِدْلَالُ كَذَلِكَ، لكن اخْتَلَفَ رَأَيْهَا، أَحَدُهُمَا أَشَدُّ مِن الثَّانِي، فَمَنْ نَتَّبِعُ؟
الجواب: تَتَّبِعُ الأَيْسَرَ ، وقيل : الأَشَدَّ؛ لَأَنَّهُ أَحْوَطُ؛ وهذا القَوْلُ فِيهِ نَظَرُ؛ لأن
الأَحْوَطَ مَا كَانَ أَوْفَقَ لِلشَّرْعِ، وَالأَيْسَرُ هُوَ الأَوْفَقُ لِلشَّرْعِ

Sharh Hilya Talib Al-Ilm page 202. 1st Edition 1434AH Rabi’ ul Awwal

[8] Al-Muwaafaqaat. 5/84]

[9] Al-Muwaafaqaat. 3/123]

[10] Al-Muwaafaqaat 5/221

[11] Siyar A’laam An-Nubula 6/324

[12] At-Tamheed 1/64 by Ibn Abdil Barr

[13] Paraphrased

عليك أن تأخذ بالدليل، لا بالرخص، قال بعض السلف: من تتبع الرخص؛ تزندق، كل مذهب يكون فيه بعض الأغلاط، بعض الأخطاء من بعض أتباعه، أو من الإمام الذي هو منسوب إليه أنه غلط في بعض الروايات، وأنه خفي عليه بعض الأحاديث، فطالب العلم لا يتتبع الرخص.
وإذا كان في المسألة خلاف، ما هي بمسألة إجماع، فهناك رسائل بين أهل العلم، فطالب العلم يتحرى الدليل، وينظر في أقرب القولين، أو الأقوى للدليل، فيأخذ بما قام عليه الدليل، لا بتتبع الرخص

https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/2138/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%B9-%D8%B1%D8%AE%D8%B5-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%82%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%A1

[14] Translated by Abu Aa’isha Amjad Khan. http://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/13751]

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

Reflections from some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi al-Mad’khali [12 of 80]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, 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.

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

Sulaymaan Ibn Dawud Al-Abbaasiy, may Allah have mercy upon him, was a pious scholar. [Imam] Ahmad, may Allah have mercy upon him, used to say about him, “He is fit for the khilaafah.” He (Sulayma) said, “It maybe that I narrate a single hadith with a sincere intention, but when I reach some of its (wording), my intention changes. Therefore, a single hadeeth requires (sincere) intentions.”

This is because Shaytan interferes. You speak about a hadith and transmit it to another person, then Shaytaan interferes and corrupts your intention (through) Riyaa and a desire to be heard, so that it is said, “So and so is a scholar, so and so is a haafidh.” Therefore, every hadith requires a (sincere) intention. You must always (earnestly pay attention to sincere) intention, so that your deed is (done) for the sake of Allah. [An Excerpt from “Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm”. Page 259]

We ask Allah
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لا أَعْلَمُ

O Allah! I seek refuge in You lest I associate partners with You while I know, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do not know.” https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2024/10/07/more-hidden-than-the-creeping-of-an-ant/

Subtle, disguised emotions

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah', Zuhd (Abstinence).

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

Battle With The Soul When Urged Towards Evil

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated:

A servant of Allah does not embark upon what he has been forbidden except through two ways: Firstly, (either) harbouring evil thoughts about his Lord that if he were to obey Allaah and preferred Him, He (Glorified be He) will not grant him that which is better from the lawful (things), or his acknowledgement (i.e. that Allaah will grant him something better than the forbidden thing he pursues) and that whoever leaves something for Allah’s sake, He (Glorified be He) will replace it with something better; but lusts overcomes his patience and desires his intellect. The first affair is due to weakness in knowledge and the second a weakness in intellect and insight”. [Al-Fawaa’id. Page 78]

Al-Allamah Abdur-Rahman Ibn Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated:

The human being does not hate truth as a result of considering it to be falsehood, but he loves truth by way of his Fitra (natural inclination) and loves falsehood due to his desires and lusts. The shift towards success or loss defends on what he gives preference to. Allaah (The Blessed and Exalted) said:

فَأَمَّا مَن طَغَىٰ
وَءَاثَرَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا
فَإِنَّ ٱلۡجَحِيمَ هِىَ ٱلۡمَأۡوَىٰ
وَأَمَّا مَنۡ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِۦ وَنَهَى ٱلنَّفۡسَ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰ
فَإِنَّ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ هِىَ ٱلۡمَأۡوَىٰ

Then, for him who Tagha (transgressed) and preferred the life of this world (by following his evil desires and lusts), Verily, his abode will be Hell-fire; But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode. [Surah An-Naazi’aat. Aayaat 37-41]

And you can say: Allah (The Blessed and Exalted) is on one side and (a person’s evil) desires are on another side (in opposition to what Allaah has commanded and prohibited). Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَرَءَيۡتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَـٰهَهُ ۥ هَوَٮٰهُ أَفَأَنتَ تَكُونُ عَلَيۡهِ وَڪِيلاً
أَمۡ تَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ أَڪۡثَرَهُمۡ يَسۡمَعُونَ أَوۡ يَعۡقِلُونَ‌ۚ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا كَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ‌ۖ بَلۡ هُمۡ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلاً

Have you (O Muhammad) seen him who has taken as his ilah (god) his own desire? Would you then be a Wakil (a disposer of his affairs or a watcher) over him? Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like cattle; nay, they are even farther astray from the Path. (i.e. even worst than cattle).” [Surah Al-Furqaan. Aayaat 43-44]

And Allah (The Most High) said:

أَفَرَءَيۡتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَـٰهَهُ ۥ هَوَٮٰهُ وَأَضَلَّهُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ۬ وَخَتَمَ عَلَىٰ سَمۡعِهِۦ وَقَلۡبِهِۦ وَجَعَلَ عَلَىٰ بَصَرِهِۦ غِشَـٰوَةً۬ فَمَن يَہۡدِيهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

Have you seen him who takes his own lust (vain desires) as his ilah (god), and Allah knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover on his sight. Who then will guide him after Allah? Will you not then remember?” [Soorah Al-Jaathiyah. Ayah 23] [لتَّنْكِيل بِماَ فِي تَأْنِيبِ ٱلْكَوْثَري مِنَ الأباَطِيل – with the checking of Imaam Albaanee (rahimahullaah). 2/179]

Subtle Desire For Position, Fame etc

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

There are many cases where the (desires) of the souls are mixed with Ash-Shahawaat Al-Khafiyyah [i.e. desires that are concealed, subtle etc] that corrupts its fulfilment of (perfect) love of Allaah, servitude to Him and establishment of the religion sincerely for the sake of Allaah, just as Shaddaad Ibn Aws [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “O Arabs! Indeed, the affair I fear for you the most is Riyaa and Shahwa Al-Khafiyyah”. It was said to Abu Daawud As-Sijistaani, “What is Ash-Shahwa Al-Khafiyyah?” He said, “Love of leadership”. [Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 10 /214-215]

Illegal Partisanship

Al-Allamah Abdur Rahmaan Bin Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

A person is nurtured upon a religion, creed, school of thought or views acquired from his nurturer and teacher, which he considers to be the truth and followed it for a long time; then when it becomes clear to him that (such religion, creed, view or school of thought) is false, it becomes difficult for him to acknowledge, just as when his forefathers, ancestors or the one he follows are upon a (particular) way and then its falsity is clarified for him. This is because he sees that their deficiencies necessitate his own deficiencies and acknowledgement of their misguidance or errors necessitates his own deficiencies. In this era of ours, you even see a woman who comes across an affair related to the religion – in which there is a difference of opinion between the mother of the believers Aa’isha and others amongst the companions [may Allaah be pleased with all of them], so she defends Aa’isha’s position solely due to the fact that she is a woman like her. So, when she presumes and then claims that Aa’Isha is correct and those men who oppose her position are mistaken, then in this is an affirmation of Aa’Isha’s virtue over those men, which then becomes a virtue for women unrestrictedly and she receives some of that. And through this appears – to you – the underlying reasons behind the illegal partisanship of an Arab to an Arab, a Persian to a Persian, a Turk to a Turk and other than that. [An Excerpt From Aathaar Ash-Shaikh Al-Allaamah Abdur Rahmaan Bin Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee. Vol 11. Page 294]

Conversation between Abu Jahl and His Nephew Al-Musawwar Bin Makhzamah

Al-Musawwar Bin Makhzamah: ‘’O my uncle! Did you use to accuse Muhammad of lying before he started saying what he says now [i.e. his call to Tawheed]?

Abu Jahl: “By Allah, indeed Muhammad was a trustworthy young man amongst us and we have never experienced lying from him.

Al-Musawwar Bin Makhzamah: “O my uncle! So why is it that you do not follow him?”

Abu Jahl: “O son of my sister! We competed with Banu Hashim in nobility [i.e. which clan is more noble], so they used to feed [the pilgrims] and we used to feed the [pilgrims]; they used to provide water for [the pilgrims] and we used to provide water for [the pilgrims]; they used to give protection [to the destitute] and we used to give protection [to the destitute] until we were equal [i.e. in competing one another for nobility]. Then they said, “There is a Prophet from us”, so when are we going to get something similar to this!!

Conversation between Abu Jahl and Akhnas Bin Shuraiq

Akhnas Bin Shuraiq said to Abu Jahl on the day of Badr [i.e. the battle of Badr]: “O Abul Hakam! Inform me about Muhammad, as to whether he is a truthful person or a liar, for indeed there is no one here from Quraish who will hear our speech?

Abu Jahl replied to Akhnas: “Woe to you! By Allaah, indeed Muhammad is a truthful person and Muhammad has never lied, but if Banu Qusay take the leadership, the position of gatekeepers of the Kabah, providers of water for the pilgrims and Prophet hood [i.e. the Prophet Muhammad is from their clan], then what will the rest of Quraish have?! [Hidaayatul Hayaaraa Fee Ajwibatil Yahood Wan-Nasaaraa’ pages 18-19]

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

إنّ الإنسانَ قد يَعرفُ أنّ الحقَّ مع غيره،ومع هذا يَجحدُ ذلك؛لحسدهِ إيّاه أو لطلبِ عُلُّوهِ عليه أو لهوى النّفسِ،ويَحملُه ذلك الهَوى على أنْ يعتديَ عليه ويَرُدَّ ما يقولُ بكلِّ طريقٍ،وهو في قلبهِ يَعلمُ أنّ الحقَّ معهُ”
(الإيمان)(ص١٥٢)

“Indeed, a person may know that the truth is with other than him, (but) despite this, he wilfully denies it due to his envy towards (the one with the truth) or due to seeking to be superior over him or due to desire; and this desire makes him trangress against him and rejects what he says in every way, whilst knowing – in his heart – that the truth is with him (i.e. the one he opposes).

A Subtle Affair Related to Inclinations

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Mad’khalee [may Allah preserve him] also stated:

فيجب على كل مسلم أن يفتش نفسه فقد يميل إنسان إلى صاحب الحق لهوى ، فقبل أن يتبين له الحق يتمنى أن يكون فلان هو المنتصر بالحجة أو غيرها فتميل نفسه لأنه فلان ، ولو كان على الحق لا يجوز أن يوجد هذا الميل، فيقول: إذا وجد هذا الميل ولو مع صاحب الحق يكون من حكم الجاهلية ، وهذا أمر لا يخطر بالبال عند كثير من الناس .
فيجب على المسلم أن يراقب الله في القضايا المختلف فيها ، وأن يكون قصده فقط معرفة الحق سواء مع هذا أو مع ذاك .
ومن هنا يقول الشافعي : “إذا دخلت في مناظرة لا أبالي إذا كان الحق مع صاحبي أو معي” فلا يبالي ولا يتمنى أن يكون الحق معه بل يتمنى أن يكون مع صاحبه وأن تكون النصرة له ، هذا هو الخلق العالي وهذا هو الدين المستقيم

It is obligated to every Muslim to examine himself, for indeed a person might incline towards (another) person who is upon truth based on his desires; then even before the truth is clear to him, he wishes that such and such person should be the one aided with the proofs or something else, so, his soul inclines (towards that person) because he (i.e. that person) is such and such (personality). Therefore, even if that person is upon the truth, it is not permissible for this type of inclination to be present. If this type of inclination is present, even with the person upon truth, it is considered to be a trait of pre-Islamic ignorance. This is an affair that does not cross the minds of many people. Therefore, it is obligated on a Muslim – in relation to affairs wherein people differ- that he is attentive to the fact that Allaah knows, sees and hears everything, and his intention (goal or aim) should only be that he (wants) to know the truth whether it is with this or that person. And in relation to this, Imam Ash-Shafi’ee said, “When I enter into a discussion, I am not bothered whether the truth is with me or with the other person”. So, he is not bothered nor does he wish that the truth is with him; rather he wishes that it is either with the other person or with him. This is the lofty moral conduct and the upright religion. [http://www.rabee.net/ar/articles.php?cat=8&id=172. slightly paraphrased ]

A Subtle Affair Regarding Patience

Sa’eed Bin Jubayr [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Patience is the person’s acknowledgment that what has afflicted him is from Allah, seeking for reward from Allah and hoping for Allah’s good recompense. Indeed, a man maybe in a state of distress whilst he is being whipped, but you see nothing from him except patience”. [As-Sabr Wath-Thawaab Alayhi. By Ibn Abee Dunya page 113]

Regarding the statement “Patience is the person’s acknowledgement that what has afflicted him is from Allah”, Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “It is as if this statement is an explanation of the statement “Innaa lil laah – to Allah we belong”. So, the person acknowledges that he belongs to Allah and his owner does whatever He wants with him.

Regarding the statement “Seeking for reward from Allah”, Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim Qayyim said, “It is as if this statement is an explanation of the statement “Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raaji’oon – and to Him (i.e. Allah) we shall return”, meaning we shall return to You, so that you reward us due to our patience and the reward for being patient during calamity will not be lost”.

Regarding the statement “Indeed, a man maybe in a state of distress whilst he is being whipped, but you do not see from him except patience”, Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim Qayyim said, “Patience is not that one bears the whip, rather it is to restrain the heart from getting angry with Allah’s decree and to restrain the tongue from complaining about Allah. Whoever is whipped and his heart is displeased with Allaah, then he is not one who is patient”. [Iddat As-Saabireen pages 183-184]

We ask Allaah:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْهَرَمِ وَعَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ اللَّهُمَّ آتِ نَفْسِي تَقْوَاهَا وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلاَهَا اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لاَ يَنْفَعُ وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لاَ يَخْشَعُ وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لاَ تَشْبَعُ وَمِنْ دَعْوَةٍ لاَ يُسْتَجَابُ لَهَا

O Allah! I seek refuge in You from helplessles incapacity, from laziness, cowardice, miserliness and sinility, and from punishment of the grave. O Allah! Grant to my soul righteousness and purify it, for You are the Best Purifier of it; You are its Protector and Guardian. O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the knowledge which does not benefit, a heart that does not fear (You), a the soul that does not become contented and a supplication that is not responded to. [Saheeh Muslim2722]

Reflections from some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi al-Mad’khali [11 of 80]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in 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.

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah preserve him, said:

Indeed, rejecting the statements of scholars through statements whose apparent meaning is sound, but those who utilise them intend falsehood and evil has become widespread nowadays. “I do not make Taqlid!!” Even though you find him (i.e. the utterer of this of statement) ignorant, understands nothing and is one among those who are greatly in need of making Taqlid of the scholars besides following them. There is Taqlid and Ittibaa. There is a person who is ignorant and he needs to make Taqlid. Taqlid is a necessity for this person, therefore it is incumbent upon him to make Taqlid of the scholars. The student of knowledge can understand based on the proofs that such and such scholar is correct and thus he follows the person with proof. This is a level above Taqlid and below the level of the Mujtahid.

Some of them may say: “I do not make Taqlid”, even though-in reality- he is a commoner, an evil doer or a malicious person who desires to speak ill against the scholars and keep the people away from them through these cunning ways. Therefore, let the youth be careful lest they fall into the trap of these fools – those who speak ill of the scholars in such a heedless manner. “I do not make Taqlid of such and such “. We say to him: Who commands you to make Taqlid if you are a student of knowledge?! However, if that scholar about whom you say, “I do not make Taqlid of him” has truth with him, is it permissible to reject the truth based on this illusion that you call Taqlid and intend falsehood by way of it?! I warn the youth against despicable behaviour. It has become rife amongst the common people and prevents them from good manners, (sound adherence to the) religion and (good) character.

An Excerpt from “Marhaban Yaa Talib Al-Ilm”. pages 61-62

The Prohibited and Permissible Forms of Taqlid
http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ06&articleID=MNJ060005&articlePages=1
The Methodology of the Salaf Concerning Ijtihad and Taqlid
http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ06&articleID=MNJ060001&articlePages=1