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The Greatest Declaration of The Day

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, 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.

Indeed, there are numerous texts about the Adhan- the call to the prayer and an announcement of its beginning time through specific wordings- in the Sunnah of the noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, demonstrating its virtue, great importance, beneficial (outcomes) and worth for both the Mu’adhdhin and the one who hears it. Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy upon him, reported from Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

“Whoever hears the Adhaan, whether a human being, a Jinn or any other creature will be witness for you on the Day of Judgement”. (a)

In this hadith, there is proof to show that everyone who hears the voice of the Mu’adh’dhin – whether a human being, a Jinn, a tree, a stone or the animals -will bear witness for him on the day of judgement. In this is proof that it is recommended to raise one’s voice when calling the Adhan so that those who witness for him become numerous, as long as it neither strains nor harms him.

Al-Bukhari and Muslim, may Allah have mercy on both of them, reported from Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:,

“If the people knew (the reward for) calling the Adhaan and standing in the first row (in congregational prayers), and found no other way except by drawing lots, they would draw lots; and if they knew (the reward of) the Dhur prayer (at its earliest appointed time), they would race for it (go early); and if they knew the (reward of) Ishaa and Fajr prayers in congregation, they would come to offer them even if they had to crawl”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari Book of Adhaan](b)

Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported from Abu Hurairah who said that the Messenger of Allah said:

“When the Adhaan is called, Satan takes to his heels and passes wind with noise during his flight in order not to hear the A’dhaan. When the A’dhaan is completed he comes back, and again take to his heels when the Iqaamah is called; and after its completion he returns again till he whispers into the heart of the person [to divert his attention from his prayer] and makes him remember things which he does not recall to his mind before the prayer and that causes him to forget how much he has prayed”.(c)

The hadith shows that the Adhaan repels the shaytan and that he runs away in terror in order not to hear it. When the Adhaan finishes he comes back to whisper to the performer of the prayer in order to ruin his prayer. The texts showing the virtues of the Adhaan are many.

What Should Muslim Do When the Adhaan Is Heard?

When a Muslim hears the Adhaan, it is recommended that he says the same as uttered by the Mu’adh-dhin. It is reported in Sahih Muslim from Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“When the Mu’adh-dhin says: ‘Allaah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest’, then you should say: ‘Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest’; (and when the Mu’adh-dhin) says: ‘I testify that there is no god worthy of worship except Allaah’, you should say: ‘I testify that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah’; and when he says: ‘I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’, you should say: ‘I testify that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger’. When he (the Mu’adh-dhin) says: ‘Hayya Alas Salah- Come to prayer’, you should say: [لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ – There is no might and no power except with Allaah]. When he (the Mu’adh-dhin) says: Hayya Alal Falah- Come to success], you should say: ‘[لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ -There is no might and no power except with Allaah]; and when he (the Mu’adh-dhin) says: ‘Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest’, then you should say: ‘Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest’. When he (the Mu’adh-dhin) says: ‘There is no god worthy of worship except Allah’ and he (i.e. the person) says ‘There is no god worthy of worship except Allah’ (sincerely) from his heart, he will enter Paradise'”. (d)

In this, there is virtue for the one who listens to the A’dhaan and repeat its statements as the Mu’adh-dhin utters them – saying the same as he says in all the statements, except when he says Hayya Alas Salah and Hayya Alal Falah, because one should then say: [لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ ]. That is because the statement of the Mu’adh-dhin “Hayya alas Salah” is a call for the people to come and perform the prayer and his statement “Hayyaa Alal Falah” is a call for them to come and receive its reward. So when a Muslim says: [لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ ] after hearing the Mu’adh-dhin say “Hayyaa Alas Salaah and Hayyaa Alal Falah”, he is seeking aid and assistance from Allah to enable him to (perform the prayer and receive its reward). Regarding the statement: “Sincerely from his heart”, this is proof that sincerity is a condition to be fulfilled because it is a basis for the acceptance of deeds and statements (acts of worship).

Supplication After the Mu’adh-dhin finishes The Adhaan

Imam Al Bukhari may Allah have mercy upon him, reported from Jabir Bin Abdillah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

Whoever after listening to the Adhaan says: [اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّداً الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَاماً مَحْمُوداً الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ – O Allah! Lord of this perfect call (i.e. the Adhaan) and of the regular prayer which is going to be established!] Kindly give Muhammad Al-Waseelah (highest position in Paradise) and Al-Fadhilah (extra degree of honour) and raise him to Maqam Mahmud (a station of praise and glory, i.e. the honour of intercession on the Day of Resurrection) which You have promised him], then intercession for me will be permitted for him on the Day Resurrection]. (e)

An Excerpt from “Fiqh Al-Ad’iyah Wal Ad’kar 3/126- 130. By Shaikh Abdur Razzaq Al-Badr, may Allah preserve him

[a]: Sahih Al-Bukhari Book of Adhaan. Chapter: Raising the voice in pronouncing the Adhaan. Hadeeth Number 609]

[b]: Chapter: To draw lots for pronouncing the Adhaan. Hadeeth Number 615 & Sahih Muslim Number 427]

[c] Sahih al-Bukhaari Book of Adhaan. Chapter: Superiority of the Adhaan. Hadeeth Number 608]

[d] Sahih Muslim Number 385]

[e] Sahih Al-Bukhaari Book of Adhaan. Chapter: Invocation at the time of Adnaan. Hadeeth Number 614]

river beside trees and grass field

[2] The Self-Evident and Irresistible Nature of Pure Islamic Monotheism

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِى فَرَضَ عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لَرَآدُّكَ إِلَىٰ مَعَادٍ۬‌ۚ قُل رَّبِّىٓ أَعۡلَمُ مَن جَآءَ بِٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَمَنۡ هُوَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬
وَمَا كُنتَ تَرۡجُوٓاْ أَن يُلۡقَىٰٓ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبُ إِلَّا رَحۡمَةً۬ مِّن رَّبِّكَ‌ۖ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ ظَهِيرً۬ا لِّلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ
وَلَا يَصُدُّنَّكَ عَنۡ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ أُنزِلَتۡ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ وَٱدۡعُ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ‌ۖ وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِڪِينَ
وَلَا تَدۡعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ‌ۘ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۚ كُلُّ شَىۡءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجۡهَهُ ۥ‌ۚ لَهُ ٱلۡحُكۡمُ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ

Verily, He Who has given you [O Muhammad] the Qur’an will surely bring you back to the Ma’aad [place of return]. Say [O Muhammad]: “My Lord is Aware of him who brings guidance, and he who is in manifest error.” And you were not expecting that the Book [this Qur’an] would be sent down to you, but it is a mercy from your Lord. So never be a supporter of the disbelievers. And let them not turn you [O Muhammad] away from [preaching] the Aayat [revelations and verses] of Allah after they have been sent down to you, and invite [humankind] to [believe in] your Lord, and be not of Al-Mushrikoon [those who associate partners with Allah, e.g. polytheists, pagans, idolaters, those who disbelieve in the Oneness of Allah and deny the Prophethood of Messenger Muhammad]. And invoke not any other ilaah [god] along with Allah, Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa [none has the right to be worshipped but He]. Everything will perish save His Face. His is the Decision, and to Him you [all] shall be returned. [Al-Qasas. 85-88]

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِى فَرَضَ عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لَرَآدُّكَ إِلَىٰ مَعَادٍ۬‌ۚ

“Verily, He Who has given you (O Muhammad) the Qur’an will surely bring you back to the Ma’aad [place of return]”

Meaning: Allah is the one who revealed the Qur’an, ordained divine rulings in it, clarified and explained what is lawful and unlawful, commanded you [O Muhammad] to preach it to Humankind and Jinn, and that you convey all the commands and prohibitions that are obligated to those who have reached the age of accountability; therefore, it is not befitting Allah’s Wisdom that life will only be limited to the life of this world and that people will neither be rewarded with good due to their good deeds nor punished due to their evil deeds; rather the fact is that they will be returned to the Afterlife where the doers of good will be rewarded for their good deeds and the evil doers will be punished for their disobedience.

Indeed, Allah’s guidance has been established for the people and the path has been made manifestly clear, therefore if they follow you [O Muhammad], then that will be their good portion and well-being (in this life and the next); but if they reject you, disparage the guidance you have brought and give precedence to the falsehood they are upon over the truth, then there remains no room for argumentation; rather the only thing that remains is that Allah – The All-Knower of the Unseen and the Seen- will recompense those upon truth based on their good deeds, and likewise those upon falsehood based on their evil deeds.

And regarding the statement of Allah:

قُل رَّبِّىٓ أَعۡلَمُ مَن جَآءَ بِٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَمَنۡ هُوَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

Say (O Muhammad): “My Lord is Aware of him who brings guidance, and he who is in manifest error]- Meaning: Allah has made it known that His Messenger is rightly guided and he is also an upright guide for others”. On the other hand, his enemies are misguided and misguiding others.

وَمَا كُنتَ تَرۡجُوٓاْ أَن يُلۡقَىٰٓ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبُ إِلَّا رَحۡمَةً۬ مِّن رَّبِّكَ‌ۖ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ ظَهِيرً۬ا لِّلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ

And you were not expecting that the Book (this Qur’an) would be sent down to you, but it is a mercy from your Lord. So never be a supporter of the disbelievers.

وَلَا يَصُدُّنَّكَ عَنۡ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ بَعۡدَ إِذۡ أُنزِلَتۡ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ وَٱدۡعُ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ‌ۖ وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِڪِينَ

And let them not turn you (O Muhammad) away from (preaching) the Ayat (revelations and verses) of Allah after they have been sent down to you, and invite (men) to (believe in) your Lord, and be not of Al-Mushrikun (those who associate partners with Allah, e.g. polytheists, pagans, idolaters, those who disbelieve in the Oneness of Allah and deny the Prophethood of Messenger Muhammad).

Then Allah [The Most High] said:

وَلَا تَدۡعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ‌ۘ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۚ كُلُّ شَىۡءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجۡهَهُ ۥ‌ۚ لَهُ ٱلۡحُكۡمُ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ

And invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). Everything will perish save His Face. His is the Decision, and to Him you (all) shall be returned.

Meaning: Direct your worship sincerely to Allah alone because none has the right to be worshipped except Him. Any other (thing taken an object of worship) does not have the right to be deified, loved and worshipped except Allah, because He alone is the Ever-living and He is Perfect [free from all imperfections, deficiencies weaknesses, faults etc]. And when it is the fact that everything will perish except Him, then it is extreme falsehood and corruption to worship those who will perish.

Indeed, what they [i.e. the polytheists] worship besides Allah is falsehood and are things that will perish, but Allah alone is the One who will never perish and there is no deity worthy of worship besides Him. He alone has absolute dominion over everything; He alone controls all the affairs of the universe, what He wills has to take place and what He does not will cannot take place [i.e. based on His perfect Wisdom and Justice]; He alone is the ruling Judge between the servants in the Hereafter and they will all return to Him to be recompensed for their deeds.

An Excerpt from Tafsir as-Sadi

Prioritising the Objective: A Lesson from the Sunnah

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Articles, History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Sahaabah, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

The Sunnah has shown that one should give concern to the main objective in every affair, and this can be found in the hadith of It’ban ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him. It’ban requested the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to come to his house and perform prayer in the place he chose as a Musallah. [1] The Prophet promised to fulfil his request, so he prepared some food for him and informed his neighbours about it. When the Prophet arrived, It’ban informed him about what he did, but the Prophet said, “Where do you want me to pray in your house?” It’ban showed him the place and he prayed before eating the food and sitting with the people. This is because he came for a specific objective. Therefore, do not be diverted – by those things you did not desire initially- from the objective you desired because that would waste your time. This is a, matter related to Uluww Al-Himmah [i.e. having a high aspiration].

Sharh Hilyah Talib Al-Ilm’ page 162-163.

The complete hadith regarding this incident

[1] Narrated It’ban Bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, who was one of the companions of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and one of the Ansaar who took part in the battle of Badr: I came to Allah’s Messenger and said, “O Allah’s Messenger, I have weak eyesight and I lead my people in prayers. When it rains the water flows in the valley between me and my people so I cannot go to their mosque to lead them in prayer. O Allah’s Messenger! I wish you would come to my house and offer Salaah in it so that I could take that place as a Musalla [appointed place for Salaah].” Allah’s Messenger said, “If Allah will, I will do so”. Next day after the sun rose high, Allah’s Messenger and Abu Bakr came, and Allah’s Messenger asked for permission to enter. I gave him permission and he did not sit on entering the house but said to me, “Where do you like me offer Salaah?” I pointed to a place in my house. So Allah’s Messenger stood there and said, ‘Allahu Akbar’, and we all got up and aligned behind him and offered a two-Rak’at prayer and ended it with Tasleem. We requested him to stay for a meal called “Khazira” which we had prepared for him…. [Al-Bukhari 425]

[1] The Self-Evident and Irresistible Nature of Pure Islamic Monotheism

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Prophets, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ
وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ

And [remember] when Ibrahim [Abraham] said to his father and his people: “Verily, I am innocent of what you worship, except Him [i.e. I worship none but Allah Alone] Who did create me, and verily, He will guide me.” And he made it [i.e. Laa ilaha ill-Allah – none has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone] a Word lasting among his offspring [True Monotheism], that they may turn back [i.e. to repent to Allah or receive admonition]. [Az-Zukhruf. 26-27]

وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ

And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said to his father and his people]: Meaning: He said to his people who used to worship deities besides Allah; [إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ – Verily, I am innocent of what you worship;

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ

Except Him [i.e. Allaah] Who did create me, and verily, He will guide me].

Meaning: Allah is my Protector and I have hope that Allaah will guide me to knowledge of the truth and to act upon truth. And just as Allaah created me and nurtured me with blessings by way of which I attained physical well-being and other worldly benefits, likewise Allaah will guide me towards that which will bring me well-being in my religion and well-being in the afterlife.

Then Allah, The Most High, said:

وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةَۢ بَاقِيَةً۬ فِى عَقِبِهِۦ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ

And he made it (i.e. Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah -None has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone) a Word lasting among his offspring (True Monotheism), that they may turn back (i.e. to repent to Allah or receive admonition)].

Meaning: He established this praiseworthy quality – sincerely worshipping Allaah alone and freed himself from everything worshipped besides Allaah, which is foundation and basis of all praiseworthy qualities. He was well-known for this quality and he commanded his offspring – Ishaaq, Ya’qub and others- to adhere to it, just as Allah [The Most High] said in Surah Al-Baqarah:

وَمَن يَرۡغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفۡسَهُ ۥ‌ۚ وَلَقَدِ ٱصۡطَفَيۡنَـٰهُ فِى ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۖ وَإِنَّهُ ۥ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ

And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham) (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) except him who befools himself? Truly, We chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.

إِذۡ قَالَ لَهُ ۥ رَبُّهُ ۥۤ أَسۡلِمۡ‌ۖ قَالَ أَسۡلَمۡتُ لِرَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

When his Lord said to him, “Submit (i.e. be a Muslim)!” He said, “I have submitted myself [as a Muslim] to the Lord of the ‘Alamin [mankind, jinns and all that exists].

وَوَصَّىٰ بِہَآ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمُ بَنِيهِ وَيَعۡقُوبُ يَـٰبَنِىَّ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصۡطَفَىٰ لَكُمُ ٱلدِّينَ فَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسۡلِمُونَ

And this [submission to Allah, Islaam] was enjoined by Ibrahim [Abraham] upon his sons and by Ya’qub [Jacob], [saying], “O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the [true] religion, then die not except in the Faith of Islam [as Muslims – Islamic Monotheism].

أمۡ كُنتُمۡ شُہَدَآءَ إِذۡ حَضَرَ يَعۡقُوبَ ٱلۡمَوۡتُ إِذۡ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِى قَالُواْ نَعۡبُدُ إِلَـٰهَكَ وَإِلَـٰهَ ءَابَآٮِٕكَ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمَ وَإِسۡمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسۡحَـٰقَ إِلَـٰهً۬ا وَٲحِدً۬ا وَنَحۡنُ لَهُ ۥ مُسۡلِمُونَ

Or were you witnesses when death approached Ya’qub [Jacob]? When he said unto his sons, “What will you worship after me?” They said, “We shall worship your Ilah [God – Allah], the Ilah [God] of your fathers, Ibrahim [Abraham], Isma’il [Ishmael], Ishaque [Isaac], One Ilah [God], and to Him we submit [in Islam].

تِلۡكَ أُمَّةٌ۬ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ‌ۖ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتۡ وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبۡتُمۡ‌ۖ وَلَا تُسۡـَٔلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

That was a nation who has passed away. They shall receive the reward of what they earned and you of what you earn. And you will not be asked of what they used to do.

An Excerpt from “Tafsir as-Sadi”

Guessing at the Unseen Against the Evidence

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Articles, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Prophets, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allah, The Most High, said:
سَيَقُولُونَ ثَلَاثَةٌ رَّابِعُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ خَمْسَةٌ سَادِسُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ رَجْمًا بِالْغَيْبِ ۖ وَيَقُولُونَ سَبْعَةٌ وَثَامِنُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ ۚ قُل رَّبِّي أَعْلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم مَّا يَعْلَمُهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ ۗ فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمْ إِلَّا مِرَاءً ظَاهِرًا وَلَا تَسْتَفْتِ فِيهِم مِّنْهُمْ أَحَدًا
[Some] say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth, guessing at the unseen; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth. Say (O Muhammad): “My Lord knows best their number; none knows them but a few.” So debate not (about their number, etc.) except with the clear proof (which We have revealed to you). And consult not any of them (people of the Scripture) about (the affair of) the people of the Cave. [Al-Kahf 22]
Allah informed us of the differing between the people of the scripture regarding the number of the people of the cave- a differing out of guessing at the unseen, forging statements and speaking about that which they have no knowledge. Some of them said that the people of the cave were three in number and their dog was the fourth, and others said that the people of the cave were five in number and their dog was the sixth. Allah said that these two statements are tantamount to guessing at the unseen, thus this indicates that they are false. Amongst them were those who said that the people of the cave were seven in number and their dog was the eighth. This statement- and Allah knows best- is what is correct because Allah declared the first two statements false but did not declare this third one to be false, indicating that it is correct.
This differing is one that neither carries any benefit nor are the people benefited by knowing the number of the people of the cave. It contains neither a benefit related to religion nor the worldly affairs and that is why Allah stated:
قُل رَّبِّي أَعْلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم مَّا يَعْلَمُهُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ ۗ
Say (O Muhammad):My Lord knows best their number; none knows them but a few]; and they are those who know what is correct and known for being upon what is correct.
فَلَا تُمَارِ فِيهِمْ إِلَّا مِرَاءً ظَاهِرً
So debate not (about their number, etc.) except with the clear proof (which We have revealed to you)] – Meaning, based upon knowledge, certainty and about that which contains benefit. As for debating based on ignorance and guessing at the unseen or about that which has no benefit- either the debater being obstinate or the affair being debated having no benefit- neither any religious nor worldly benefit, such as the number of the people of the cave and what is similar to it, too much debate and continuous research regarding it is a waste of time, and it makes the hearts have a strong love for that which has no benefit.
 وَلَا تَسْتَفْتِ فِيهِم مِّنْهُمْ أَحَدً
And consult not any of them (people of the Scripture, Jews and Christians) about (the affair of) the people of the Cave] – Meaning, because their speech regarding it is based on guessing at the unseen, and conjecture can be of no avail against the truth.
This proves that it is not permissible for a person to issue a verdict when he is not worthy of it- either due to his inability to issue a verdict in that affair or due to fact that he does not care what he says about the affair because he does not possess that fear of Allah that would stop him from speaking about affairs that are unclear to him, which may harm him in the afterlife. Therefore, when it is the case that he has been forbidden from giving verdicts in the likes of this affair, then prohibiting him from giving verdicts is of a greater prohibition. Also this Ayah proves that a person maybe prohibited from giving a verdict in some matters but not in other matters so he gives a verdict in that which he is worthy of giving a verdict and not in other affairs because Allah has not prohibited him from giving a verdict completely; rather they were prohibited from giving a verdict regarding the affair of the people of the cave and what is similar to it.
An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan.

[11] Humility of The Scholars

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

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

Despite Abū Bakr ibn al-Anbārī’s (strong) memorisation, he, may Allah have mercy upon him, was a Zahid and a humble person. Abu al-Ḥasan ad-Daraqutni, may Allah have mercy upon him, reported that he attended one of his gatherings on a Friday during which he was dictating. He misread a name that he cited in the chain of transmission of a ḥadīth: it was Ḥibbana, but he either said Ḥayyanu, Ḥayyana, or Habbanu. Abu al-Ḥasan said:

“I considered it too grave that an error should be transmitted from someone like him due to his virtue and lofty status. I was in awe of him and hesitant to notify him. Then when the dictation ended, I went to the one who was taking the dictation, mentioned the mistake to him, informed him of the correct word, and then left. Then I attended his gathering the following Friday, so, Abu Bakr said to the one taking the dictation:

‘Make it known to those present in the gathering that we misread such-and-such a name when we dictated the ḥadith on such-and-such an occasion last Friday, and that a young man notified me regarding the correct name, which is such-and-such. And inform that young man that we referred back to the original source and found it as he said'”.

Tarikh Baghdad 4/301

The Teacher or Student Also Seeks a Livelihood

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Articles, History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Abdul Malik Al-Maymoonee reported that Abu Abdillah (Imam Ahmad) said:

A man said to Sariy Bin Yahyah (a student of the Taa’bi’een): “You travel on the sea in search of the provision?!” He replied: “I want to be free from your (dependence) on the people”.

Abu Bakr Al-Marroodhee said: I said to Abu Abdillah (Imam Ahmad): “For what (reason) did Sufyan Ath-Thawri travel to Yemen?” He said:

“He travelled for trade and to meet Ma’mar. They said he had a hundred Deenaar, but seventy is what is correct”.

Abu-Bakr Al-Marwazee said: I heard Abu Abdillah (Imam Ahmad) saying:

“Indeed, I ordered them (i.e. my children) to go to the market and engage in trade”.

Muhammad Ibn Musa said: I heard Ali Bin Jafar saying:

“My father took me along with him to Abu Abdillah (Imam Ahmad) and said: “O Abu Abdillah! This is my son”. He supplicated for me and said to my father: “Order him to go to the market (for trade) and keep him away from his (idle) companions”.

Al-Hath-Thu Alaa At-Tijaarah Was-sinaa’ah. pages 27- 30

 

An Indian Man’s Reaction to Kitab at-Tawhid

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Articles, Contemporary Issues, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, 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.
There was an Indian man who used to harbour extreme hatred towards Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab, may Allah have mercy upon him, due to the false claims of Ahlul Bidah, so he always reviled the Imam.  Then one day, a sincere adviser wished to clarify to this person that he is mistaken, so he invited him to his house and treated him kindly. He removed the cover from Kitab at-Tawhid and placed it where the guest [i.e. the Indian man] would be sitting because he was a scholar and loved reading books. When he went to get some food for the guest, he saw the book and started reading. He was amazed by the book because it contained nothing else but proofs.
When he returned [i.e. with the food], the guest asked him who the author of the book was and he was told that Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab is the author, thus, so he realised that he was one of those who reviled Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab based on false claims.
And among the most evil of these false claims is that Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab hates and reviles Ahlul Bayt [i.e. the Prophet’s family], but ask these people what the Kunya of Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab is! His Kunya is Abu Ali, even all the names of his children are the same as the names of Ahlul Bayt, except one of his children who is called Abdur Azeez. Therefore, is this a sign of love for Ahlul Bayt or a sign of hatred?! Would a person name his children after people he hates?! Rather, these names are well known even amongst the descendants of Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab.
Once I met a man in one of the Muslim lands and mentioned the name of Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab, he said, “Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab reviles Ahlul Bayt in his books”. I said to the man, “Name a single book in which this revilement is found! If you stand in the presence of Allah on the Day of Judgement and you are questioned about this, would you have any proof to offer?! Show me a single statement in which Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab reviles Ahlul Bayt; rather I can bring you many of his statements in which he praised Ahlul Bayt”. This shows that many people are affected by the false claims of Ahlul Bidah – the people of desires and misguidance, because none will show hatred towards Kitab at-Tawhid, except a person of desires.  [Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed. Audio Lesson 1. By Shaikh Abdur Razaaq Al-Badr – may Allah preserve him]
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[12] The Character Trait Most Hated By The Messenger

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Articles, Fitnah, History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated:

“There was no traite more hated to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, than lying. A man would speak based on lies in the presence of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and he would not be content until he knew that he had repented.” [Sahih Tirmidhi 1973]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

عقد ابن عدي-رحمه الله- في كتابه “الكامل” حوالي تسعة وعشرين باباً للكذَّابين وبابًا واحداً لأهل البدع

Ibn Adi – may Allah have mercy upon him – allocated nearly twenty-nine chapters to liars and one chapter to Ahlul Bidah in his book “Al-Kamil”. (end of quote)

Find out the reason below

ما هو تعريف أهل السنة والجماعة للإيمان, وهل العمل داخل في الإيمان؟

Stand out firmly for justice

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

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [An-Nisaa. 135]

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

Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections, commanded His servants to stand out firmly for justice on behalf of everyone – be it an enemy or an ally, and the matter that is most worthy of being established with justice are the statements and methodology related to the commands of Allah as well as everything that Allah has (revealed in the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah). Therefore, to establish these affairs based on desires and disobedience is contrary to Allah’s command and a negation (i.e. either intentionally or unintentionally) of that which Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was sent with.

The establishment of justice is the responsibility of those entrusted with the task of conveying Islam after the death of the Messenger, and this task cannot become a reality unless one establishes it based on pure justice and sincerity to Allah- (sincerity) based on Allah’s Book, to Allah’s Messenger (by adhering to his guidance), and sincere dealings and advice when dealing with Allah’s servants. These people are the true inheritors (i.e. inheritors of the knowledge left behind by the Prophets), but not that one who merely makes his companions, sect, and path the determinant of truth and the distinction between (truth and falsehood) by showing enmity to the one who opposes him and allies with the one who agrees with him, merely based on being opposed or agreed with [i.e. without sound proofs based on the Book and the authentic Sunnah], because where is that command to stand out firmly for justice on behalf of everyone, even though standing out firmly for justice is the greatest command and obligation!

Then Allah [The Exalted] says: [شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ – As witnesses to Allah]:

A witness presents information about something; so if he presents credible information, he is a just witness and his (statement) is accepted; but if he gives false information, he is a false witness. Allah, The Most High, commands us to stand out firmly as just witnesses for His sake, therefore it has to be carried out for the Sake of Allah and not for other than Allah. In [Surah Al-Ma’idah Ayah 8, Allah said]: [كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُہَدَآءَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۖ – Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses].

This Ayah establishes four affairs: stand out firmly for justice and do so for the sake of Allah; witness to justice and do so for the Sake of Allah.

Then Allah said:

وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ

Even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin.

Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections, commands us to stand out firmly for justice and testify, even if it were someone who is the most beloved person to us. A person should stand out firmly for justice (for or against) himself, his two parents, his close relatives, and his best friend among the people. If a person’s love for himself, his parents, and his relatives prevents him from standing out firmly for the truth against them, especially if the truth is with someone he hates and regards as an enemy due to them, then none would stand out firmly for justice in such circumstances except one whose love for Allah and His Messenger is more than their love for everyone else. Also, a person has to establish justice when dealing with his enemies and that one who deprives him of his rights because it is not permissible that hatred for his enemies leads him to be unjust towards them, just as it is not permissible that love of himself, his parents and relatives makes him abandon standing firmly for justice against them. Therefore, hatred harboured against someone should not lead him to falsehood, and love (of himself, parents, and relatives) should not make him fall short in establishing truth, just as one of the pious predecessors said, “The just person is that one who when angry, his anger does not lead him to falsehood, and when he is pleased it does not remove him from the truth”. The two Ayaat of the Qur’an [i.e. Surah An-Nisaa 135 and Surah Al-Maa’idah 8] convey two rulings and they are: standing out firmly for justice and making a truthful testimony on behalf of one’s allies and enemies.

Then Allah said:

إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ

Be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you).

Meaning, Allah is the Lord of both of them and their Protector, and they are both His servants. It may be that you become fearful of standing firmly for justice by testifying against a rich person or a poor person – either fearing that the rich person might lose his wealth or because the poor person has nothing, so your heart becomes lackadaisical about standing out firmly for the truth. Therefore, it should be said to them, “Allah is a better Protector of both the rich and poor person. Allah knows the affair of the rich person more than you and He is more Merciful to the poor than you, therefore, do not refrain from standing out firmly for the truth and from giving testimony (for or against) the rich or the poor.

Then Allah said:

فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ
So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice.

Meaning, Allah forbids (His slaves) from following desires, which will lead them to abandon justice.

Then Allah said:

وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

And if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.

Meaning, Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections, mentions two reasons that will inevitably lead to concealment of truth then He warned against them and issued a threat: the first of them is distortion and the second is to turn away from giving truthful witness. That is because when a proof that supports the truth is manifested and the one who wants to repel it finds no way of doing so, he refrains from mentioning it and thus becomes a silent devil, and sometimes he distorts it. Distortion is of two types -distorting words and meanings. Distorting words occur when one utters a word in a context in which it does not establish the truth – either adding to the word, omitting something from it, or substituting it with something else to the extent that the listener is made to believe something, whilst something else is intended, just as the Yahud [i.e. those Yahud who disbelieved in the Prophet and hated him in Madinah] used to distort words when giving Salam to the Prophet [i.e. saying As-Saamu Alayka (death be upon you), instead of saying Assalaamu alaykum)]. This is one type of distortion. The second type of distortion is related to meanings – distorting the wording, giving it an interpretation that is not intended by the one who uttered it and pretending not to know its unintended meaning; or dropping other meanings intended by it.

When it is the case that a witness is required to bear witness based on what the matter should be [i.e. the complete truth], therefore neither should he hide nor change it. Turning away from the testimony is tantamount to concealment and distortion is tantamount to alteration and substitution. Therefore, contemplate this Ayah and the treasures of knowledge it contains. The faith of a person cannot be complete, except through accepting the texts of the Shariah and calling the people to them – neither turning away from them at times nor distorting them at other times.

An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim. 1/300-303