Worship – ‘Ibaadah’ – Page 28 – Salafi Dawah Manchester

The Obligation of Repentance – Imam Abdul Aziz Ibn Baz

Written by Abdullah Jallow on December 24, 2025. Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Mental Health, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Repentance, Salaah - Prayer, Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah', Zuhd (Abstinence).

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

Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

Whoever exercises patience during times of affliction, thankful during times of ease, submissive to Allah, Glorified be He, when calamities occur, expresses disappointment about himself to Allah due to his sins and shortcomings, and seeks Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness, then indeed he will succeed with all success and with a praiseworthy end.

Allah, The Most High, said:

الٓمٓ

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ

Alif Lâm Mîm. Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allâh will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allâh knows all that before putting them to test). 29:1-3

The intent behind [the word] Fitnah in this Ayah is trial and test, so that the truthful one, the patient one and the thankful one is distinguished from the liar, as Allah, The Most High, said:

وَجَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فِتْنَةً أَتَصْبِرُونَ ۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ بَصِيرًا

And We have made some of you as a trial for others: will you have patience? And your Lord is Ever All-Seer (of everything). 25:20

And He, The Most High, said:

وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً ۖ وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ

And We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us you will be returned.21:35

Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, said:

وَبَلَوْنَاهُمْ بِالْحَسَنَاتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

And We tried them with good (blessings) and evil (calamities) in order that they might turn (to Allâh’s Obedience). 7:165

Al-Hasanaat in this ayah are the blessings of abundant provision, ease, good health and honour, as well as victory and support against the enemy etc. And As-Sayyi’aat in this ayah are the calamities, such as illnesses, overpowered by the enemy, earthquakes, winds, hurricanes, destructive torrential floods etc

Allah, The Most High, said:

ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

Evil (sins and disobedience of Allâh, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allâh may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allâh, and begging His Pardon). 30:41

And what this means is that Allah decreed the Hasanaat and Sayyi’aat in order that the people may return to the truth, hasten to repent from what Allah has made forbidden for them and rush towards obedience to Allah and His Messenger. That is because disbelief and sins are the cause of every affliction and evil in this life and the next.

Disbelief and sins are the cause of every affliction and evil in this life and the next. As for Tawheed, belief in Allah and His Messengers, obedience to Allah and His Messengers, holding fast to Allah’s Shariah and calling to it, and rejecting what is in opposition to it, this is the cause of every good in this life and the hereafter. And adhering firmly to it, enjoining it and co-operating upon it is the [real] source of honour in this life and the hereafter, safety from every hated thing and protection from every Fitnah, as Allah, The Most High, said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَنصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ

O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm. 47:7

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

الَّذِينَ إِن مَّكَّنَّاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَمَرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِ

Verily, Allâh will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allâh is All-Strong, All-Mighty. Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for Iqamat-as-Salât. [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salât (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakât and they enjoin Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islâm has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur’ân as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allâh rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures). 22:40-41

Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, said:

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا ۚ يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

Allâh has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islâm). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh). 24:55

Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, said:

وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْقُرَىٰ آمَنُوا وَاتَّقَوْا لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَرَكَاتٍ مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَٰكِن كَذَّبُوا فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwâ (piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes, etc.). 7:96

Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, has made known in many verses of the Qur’an that indeed the punishments that befell the previous nations, such as severe punishment by way of floods, winds, and by way of the Saihah (torment), drowning, swallowed by the earth and other than that- all of that was due to their unbelief and sins, as He, The Mighty and Majestic, said:

فَكُلًّا أَخَذْنَا بِذَنبِهِ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ حَاصِبًا وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَخَذَتْهُ الصَّيْحَةُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ أَغْرَقْنَا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

So We punished each (of them) for his sins, of them were some on whom We sent Hâsiban (a violent wind with shower of stones) [as the people of Lout (Lot)], and of them were some who were overtaken by As-Saihah [torment awful cry, etc. (as Thamûd or Shu’aib’s people)], and of them were some whom We caused the earth to swallow [as Qârûn (Korah)], and of them were some whom We drowned [as the people of Nûh (Noah), or Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his people]. It was not Allâh Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves. 29:40

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَمَا أَصَابَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ

And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. 42:30

And Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, commanded His slaves to repent to Him and humble themselves to Him when calamities occur. He said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ

O you who believe! Turn to Allâh with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) 66:8

Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, said:

وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. 24:31

Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, said:

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَىٰ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ

فَلَوْلَا إِذْ جَاءَهُم بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا وَلَٰكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad) And We seized them with extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss in health with calamities so that they might believe with humility. When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not believe with humility? But their hearts became hardened, and Shaitân (Satan) made fair-seeming to them that which they used to do. 6:42-43

In this noble verse, Allah urges His slaves to have the desire to humble themselves to Him and show their need of Him. And that they should ask Him for succour when visited with calamities such as illnesses, injuries, killing, earthquakes, hurricanes and other calamities. This is the meaning of the ayah: [فَلَوْلَا إِذْ جَاءَهُم بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا -When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not believe with humility], meaning: why did they not humble themselves when our torment came to them.

Then Allah made known about the hardening of their hearts and shaytan making fair-seeming to them their evil actions, and that all of this prevented them from repentance and humility, and from seeking Allah’s forgiveness. He [The Most High] said:

وَلَٰكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُون

But their hearts became hardened, and Shaitân (Satan) made fair seeming to them that which they used to do. 6:42-43]

It has been reported about the Rightly Guided Khaleefah [The Chief of the Believers] Umar Bin Abdul Azeez, may Allah have mercy upon him, that when an earthquake occurred during his time, he wrote to his governors and commanded them to command the Muslims to repent to Allah, humble themselves before Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins.

O Muslims! You are aware of the various trials and calamities that have occurred in this era of ours- from them are the earthquakes in Yemen and in many other lands, the destructive floods, the hurricanes that destroyed a lot of wealth, trees, sea transportation, the various snow falls that brought about innumerable harm, and the starvation and drought in many lands. All this and the various punishments and calamities similar to them are as a result of disbelief, sins, deviation from obedience to Allah, [sinful] engagement with the Dunyah and its fleeting lusts, turning away from the hereafter and not being prepared for it, except for the one upon whom Allah bestows His Mercy amongst His slaves.

No doubt these calamities and other than them should make the slaves rush towards repentance to Allah [Glorified be He] from all that Allah has forbidden, and they should hasten towards obedience to Allah and judge by His Shariah. They should co-operate upon righteous and piety, and enjoin one another upon the truth whilst exercising patience upon that.

If the slaves (of Allah) repent to their Lord and humble themselves before Him, and hasten towards what pleases Him, co-operate upon righteousness and piety, enjoin good and forbid evil, Allah will rectify their affairs and suffice them against the evil of their enemies. He will establish them upon the earth (i.e. give them authority) and assist them against their enemies. Allah said:[وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ -And (as for) the believers it was incumbent upon Us to help (them) 30:47]

Allah, The Most High, said:

ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ

وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا ۚ إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors. And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope; Surely, Allâh’s Mercy is (ever) near unto the good doers.7:55-56

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَأَنِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُمَتِّعْكُم مَّتَاعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُ ۖ وَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ كَبِيرٍ

And (commanding you): “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). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) 11:3

Allah, The Most High, said:

Allâh has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islâm). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear.24:55

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

The believers, men and women, are Auliya (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); they perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give the Zakât, and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Allâh will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise. 9:71

Therefore, Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, makes it clear in these verses that indeed His Mercy, the Goodness (He bestows), the Safety (that He bestows) and all the other types of His blessings are for the one who fears Him, believes in Him, obeys His Messengers, adheres steadfastly to His Shariah and repents to Him. As for the one who turns away from obedience to Allah and refrains from fulfilling Allah’s Rights due to pride, persists in disbelief and is disobedience to Allah [The Most High], then Allah has promised him various types of punishments in this life and the next. And by way of what Allah’s perfect wisdom necessitates, Allah hastens that for him, so that he becomes a lesson and an admonition for other than him, as Allah, The Most High, said:

فَلَمَّا نَسُوا مَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَابَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فَرِحُوا بِمَا أُوتُوا أَخَذْنَاهُم بَغْتَةً فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْلِسُونَ

فَقُطِعَ دَابِرُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا ۚ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened to them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them to punishment, and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows. So the roots of the people who did wrong were cut off. And all the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinns, and all that exists). 6:44-45

O Muslim Ummah! Call yourselves to account, repent to your Lord, ask for His Forgiveness, rush towards obedience to Him and guard yourselves against disobedience to Him. Co-operate upon righteousness and piety, and do good, truly Allah loves the good-doers. Be just, truly Allah loves those who are just. Perform numerous righteous deeds before death approaches.

Be merciful to your weak ones and be charitable to your poor ones. Increase in the Remembrance of Allah and in seeking His Forgiveness. Enjoin good and forbid evil in order that you may be shown mercy. Take a lesson from the calamities that have afflicted others due to sins and disobedience. Indeed, Allaah accepts the repentance of those who repent and shows Mercy to the good-doers. Allaah [Glorified be He] will grant the good outcomes to the pious ones, as He, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, said:

فَاصْبِرْ ۖ إِنَّ الْعَاقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

So be patient. Surely, the (good) end is for the Muttaqûn. 11:49

Allah, The Most High, said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّالَّذِينَ هُم مُّحْسِنُونَ

Truly, Allâh is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him), and those who are Muhsinûn (good-doers) 16:128

May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions and those who follow them in goodness till the Day of Judgement.

[1] An Excerpt from a small Treatise of the Imam titled “Obligation of repenting to Allah’ Pages 1-8]

[1] A Distractive Ruse: Extreme Negligence in Countering Extremism

Written by Abdullah Jallow on December 23, 2025. Posted in Articles, Basics, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Fitnah, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Verily! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ

O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet.

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

When it is the case that Allah forbade us from giving precedence to (ourselves) over the Messenger, then which type of giving precedence to oneself over the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, can be more severe than giving precedence to one’s intellect over the revelation he was sent with? Many of the pious predecessors have stated that this Ayah means: “Do not say anything (about the religion) until the Messenger speaks and do not act until he commands you”. The most disobedient person among the people and the most severe with regards to giving precedence to himself over the Messenger is the one who gives precedence to his intellect or the intellect of another person over the revelation. And when it is the case that Allah has forbidden them (i.e. humankind) from raising their voices above the voice of the Messenger, then how about raising their intellects above the statements of the Messenger and the revelation he conveyed?! [1]

Allah, The Most High, said:

لَّا تَجۡعَلُواْ دُعَآءَ ٱلرَّسُولِ بَيۡنَڪُمۡ كَدُعَآءِ بَعۡضِكُم بَعۡضً۬ا‌ۚ قَدۡ يَعۡلَمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَسَلَّلُونَ مِنكُمۡ لِوَاذً۬ا‌ۚ فَلۡيَحۡذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦۤ أَن تُصِيبَہُمۡ فِتۡنَةٌ أَوۡ يُصِيبَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

Make not the calling of the Messenger (Muhammad) among you as your calling of one another. Allah knows those of you who slip away under shelter (of some excuse without taking the permission to leave, from the Messenger). And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them. [An-Nur 63]

Allah said: [فَلۡيَحۡذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦۤ -And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah, orders, acts of worship, statements) beware]; [أَن تُصِيبَہُمۡ فِتۡنَةٌ – lest some Fitnah befall them]: Meaning: [Lest] misguidance, calamity in the worldly life or disbelief befall them. [أَوۡ يُصِيبَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ – or a painful torment be inflicted on them]: Meaning: Killed [i.e. by enemies] in the worldly life or punished in the hell fire in the afterlife. [2]

Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said about this Ayah: Do you know what Al-Fitnah is? Al-Fitnah is Shirk. Perhaps if he [i.e. the person] rejects some of his [i.e. the Prophet’s] statements, then something of deviation enters his heart, so he is destroyed. [3]

Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

All praise is due to Allah, who in every age and interval between the Prophets, raises up a group from the people of knowledge, who call the misguided to guidance, patiently bear ill-treatment and harm. With the Book of Allah they give life to the dead and with the Light of Allah they give sight to the blind. How many a person killed by Iblees (the Devil) they have revived, how beautiful their effect has been upon the people, and how vile the people have been towards them! They remove from Allah’s Book the alterations of those going beyond bounds, the false claims of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignoramus- those who uphold the banner of Bidah and let loose the trials and discords, who oppose the Book and agree upon opposing the Book. They speak about Allah and his Book without knowledge, argue about what is ambiguous in the Book and deceive the ignorant ones with such ambiguities. We seek refuge in Allah from the trials of the misguided ones. [4]

Ed Husain claims to fight against extremism and radicalisation. However, in his efforts, he adopts stances that also lead him to the opposite extreme, which is extreme negligence. He said:

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَشۡتَرِى لَهۡوَ ٱلۡحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍ۬ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ۬ مُّهِينٌ۬
وَإِذَا تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِ ءَايَـٰتُنَا وَلَّىٰ مُسۡتَڪۡبِرً۬ا كَأَن لَّمۡ يَسۡمَعۡهَا كَأَنَّ فِىٓ أُذُنَيۡهِ وَقۡرً۬ا‌ۖ فَبَشِّرۡهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

And of mankind is he who purchases idle speech to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allah, the Verses of the Qur’an) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hell-fire). And when Our Verses (of the Qur’an) are recited to such a one, he turns away in pride, as if he heard them not, as if there were deafness in his ear. So announce to him a painful torment. [Luqman 6-7]

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

The majority of the scholars stated that the intent behind [لَهۡوَ ٱلۡحَدِيثِ – idle speech (in this verse)] refers to music. Some of them stated in addition that this refers to the sounds of the flutes and (forbidden) instruments of amusement. This is the idle speech intended in this verse and it is one of the causes of misguidance from the path of Allah and being misguided.

Indeed, when the hearts are satiated with music, they become sick and hardened (i.e. corrupted)- deviated, thus fall into misguidance. Listening to the Qur’an becomes difficult and they haughtly turn away from listening to it. It leads those preoccupied with it towards corruption and deviation of the hearts, becomes hard for them to listen to the Qur’an and make them heedless through music. Abdullah Bin Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Singing (or music) grows hypocrisy in the heart as water makes plants grow”. This demonstrates to us the danger and evil of music and musical instruments.

It been transmitted in the Prophetic reports whose meaning demonstrates that music is forbidden, and from this reports is that Imam Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy upon him, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “There will be people among my Ummah who will make lawful illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk (i.e. for men even though only women are allowed to wear it), the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments”. [Al-Bukhari 5590]

So the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, informed us that during the end of time a people will make it permissible- even though it is forbidden – because of their weak Iman. [5]

Abu Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari, may Allah be pleased with both of them, reported that he heard the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, saying, “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, ‘Return to us tomorrow.’ Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection.” [al-Bukhari 5590]

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated regarding the effect of music upon the souls: “It is the intoxicant of the souls. When the souls are intoxicated with the sounds (from music and musical instruments), Shirk (gradually) comes to them, they incline towards lewd acts and oppression, thus they begin to commit Shirk, murder and fornication. These three deeds are present – a lot – amongst the people who listen to music”. [6]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: That which we and others have witnessed and acquainted with based on experience, is that indeed musical instruments and instruments used for forbidden amusement do not appear amongst a people, spread amongst them and they busy themselves with it, except that Allah (allows) their enemy to overcome them, and they are afflicted with famine, drought and evil rulers. [Footnote a] Therefore, the sensible person reflects on the state of affairs of the world and examines. And Allah’s Aid is sought! [7]

Footnote a:

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2021/02/10/believers-bahaviour-towards-muslim-rulers-advisegiven-in-private-supplicate-for-them-and-refrain-from-rebellion-so-beware-of-spiteful-foreign-instigatorsand-some-dangerous-social-media-networ/

[1] “Al-Wabil As-Sayyib” page 21

[2] “Zad Al-Maseer Fee Ilm at-Tafseer” By Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy upon him.

[3] Reported by Ibn Battah in Al-Ibaanah Al-Kubraa 97

[4] Ar-Radd Alal Jahmiyyah Waz-Zanaadiqah. p. 2

[5]https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/7763/%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%AAD8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A1 paraphrased

الجواب: نعم، يقول الله جل وعلا في كتابه المبين: وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُهِينٌ ۝ وَإِذَا تُتْلَى عَلَيْهِ آيَاتُنَا وَلَّى مُسْتَكْبِرًا كَأَنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعْهَا كَأَنَّ فِي أُذُنَيْهِ وَقْرًا فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ [لقمان:6-7].
قال أكثر أهل العلم: إن المراد بـ(لهو الحديث) الغناء فهو لهو الحديث.
وقال بعضهم إضافة إلى ذلك: أيضًا أصوات المزامير و الملاهي ……. ………. هذا هو لهو الحديث و….. وهو من أسباب الضلالة عن سبيل الله والإضلال، فإن القلوب إذا تشبعت بالأغاني مرضت وقست وانحرفت فوقعت في الضلال والإضلال وثقل عليها سماع القرآن واستكبرت عن سماعه فهو يفضي بأهله إلى فساد القلوب وانحرافها وتثاقلها عن سماع القرآن وأنسها بالغناء …. من الكلام حتى قال عبد الله بن مسعود : «إن الغناء ينبت النفاق في القلب كما ينبت الماء الزرع » فهذا يبين لنا خطر الأغاني وشرها وآلات الملاهي.
وقد جاء في المعنى أحاديث تدل على تحريم الأغاني والملاهي ومن ذلك ما رواه البخاري في الصحيح عن النبي ﷺ أنه قال: ليكونن من أمتي أقوام يستحلون الحر والحرير والخمر والمعازف.
الحر: هو الفرج الحرام الزنا، الحرير معروف وهو محرم على الرجال، والخمر معروف وهو كل مسكر، والمعازف: الأغاني والملاهي فأخبر النبي ﷺ أنه يأتي في آخر الزمان قوم يستحلونها وهي محرمة لضعف إيمانهم وقلة مبالاتهم، ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله. نعم

[6] Majmu Al-Fatawa 10/417

[7] Madarij As-Salikin 1/500

[4] The Character Trait Most Hated By The Messenger

Written by Abdullah Jallow on December 23, 2025. Posted in Articles, Fitnah, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her said:

There was no behaviour more hateful to Allāh’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, than lying. A man would tell a lie when speaking in the presence of the Prophet, and he would not be satisfied until he knew that he had repented from it. [at-Tirmidhi‌ 1973]

Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

Verily, the worst act of usury is to attack the honour of a Muslim without a just cause. (1)

Meaning: The greater in evil and the more strictly prohibited is to unleash your tongue against the honour of a Muslim by insulting him, acting haughtily towards him, and speaking ill of him through abusive language or slander. This becomes a stricter prohibition because honour is more valuable than wealth.

“Without a just cause“. This shows there are instances in which it is allowed to refer to someone negatively by using language like “such and such is an oppressor or transgressor” or “such and such is an innovator (in religious affairs) and an open sinner” in order to warn others is allowed. (2)

This has been referred to as usury because the transgressor receives his honour and then goes above and beyond it as if he has added an increase that encroaches on the boundaries in regard to the honour of a Muslim, which is more valuable than his wealth. According to At-Teebee, may Allah have mercy upon him:

From the standpoint of emphasis, honour is included in the categories of wealth. Usury is classified into two types: that which is conventional and is described as what is added to debts, and that which is not unconventional, such as verbally disparaging someone’s honour.

Al-Qaadhee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

‘Violating a Muslim’s honour means dealing with him more than he deserves of what is to be said about him, or more than is permitted to be said about him, which is why it is compared to usury and regarded as one of its types. Then it is considered to be worse because it contains more harm and is more serious in corruption. (3)

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

If there’s evil in anything, it is between the two Jaws, meaning the tongue. There is nothing more in need of prolonged imprisonment than the tongue. (4)

Ibnul Akwaa came to Rabee Bin Khuthaym and said:

Refer me to one who is better than you; he (Rabee) said: The one whose speech is a reminder for himself; his silence is (so that he can) think and his destination (in the Afterlife is a reason) for reflection. He (i.e. this type of person) is better than me. (5)

Beware! Relentless Repetition Is Used Nowadays On Social Media to Solidify Lies or Misinformation

Gustave Le Bon, in his work “The Psychology of Crowds,” asserts that when we aim to gradually instill ideas and beliefs into the collective spirit of the masses, the methods employed by leaders vary significantly. They primarily resort to three fundamental techniques: affirmation, repetition, and contagion. While the impact of these methods may be slow, it is undeniably enduring. Political leaders advocating for a specific cause are well aware of the power of affirmation, just as industrialists recognise the importance of advertising their products. However, advertising only gains influence when coupled with repetition. Napoleon famously stated that there is but one serious form of rhetoric: repetition. Repetition possesses a certain authority that influences rational and well-informed individuals. It allows ideas to embed themselves in the recesses of the unconscious mind, gradually transforming into beliefs that are accepted as truths, ultimately becoming self-evident realities. When these ideas solidify into truths through repetition, they can spread among the masses. For instance, any disturbance among a flock of sheep quickly affects the entire group. This does not require a singular point of origin; the revolution in France in 1848 began in Paris and swiftly extended to a significant portion of Europe, destabilising the monarchies in its wake. The repetition that leads to belief in a particular issue, and consequently its spread, poses a significant risk not only in imposing opinions but also in shaping thought processes, emotions, and feelings. As a result, one may observe that the masses at one point may disdain a certain literary work, only to later take pride in it after several years, or vice versa. This phenomenon can similarly be applied to ideas and beliefs. [6]

Delving deeper into this topic reveals a range of ideologues, demagogues, and provocateurs who argue that people struggle to resist repeated messages. Initially, individuals might dismiss the content, but with ongoing exposure, their skepticism can shift to uncertainty, then bewilderment, and eventually, acceptance, causing them to view the message as truth. Consequently, they believe that relentless repetition is necessary for ideas to take root, thereby strengthening the propaganda that needs to be spread. It is profoundly disheartening to witness some Muslims resorting to such insidious tactics to tarnish reputations online. They perpetuate the same falsehoods, misconceptions, or half-truths in various forms and from multiple perspectives, all while resisting any challenge to their narratives. To remain silent in the face of such distortions would be an act of cowardice; it is imperative to articulate the truth whenever these fallacies are propagated. While it is true that not every instance of misinformation warrants a response, one must not be so naive as to underestimate the potential damage inflicted by those who disseminate their half-truths—whether overtly or covertly—to a targeted audience. When faced with someone who insists on force-feeding you their misconceptions through relentless repetition, maintain your composure and refrain from engaging in conflict. Instead, graciously persist in requesting for tangible clear proof to support their claims, undeterred by their frustration or the frequency of their assertions. Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi

Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, said:

The seeker of truth is not diverted from the truth, fairness and justice due to admiration of the big personalities and being amazed by them, for indeed the truth is more worthy to be followed. It is not permissible to drop the proofs for the sake of this or that great man. The principle [rule] of the Muslim – the unbiased one, the seeker of truth – is always: [قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ -Say, bring forth your proofs if you are truthful]. [Surah An-Nahl. Verse 64] [7]

Read: Two Compelling Admonitions – “Outcomes of Truthfulness and Lying” By Al-Allamah Rabee Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him.

Two Compelling Admonitions – “Outcomes of Truthfulness and Lying” By Al-Allamah Rabee

[1] Abu Daawud 4876

[2] An Excerpt from ‘Awnul Mabood Sharh Sunan Abee Daawud’ 13/152

[3] An Excerpt from ‘Mirqaatul Mafaateeh Sharh Mishkaat Al-Masaabeeh’ 8/3157

[4] Musannaf Abdur Razzaaq 19528

[5] Siyah A’laam An-Nubulaa: 4/261

[3] The Character Trait Most Hated By The Messenger

Written by Abdullah Jallow on December 23, 2025. Posted in Articles, Basics, Fitnah, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her said:

“There was no behaviour more hateful to Allāh’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, than lying. A man would tell a lie when speaking in the presence of the Prophet, and he would not be satisfied until he knew that he had repented from it”. [at-Tirmidhi‌ 1973]

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

”When the son of Adam wakes up in the morning, all the limbs humble themselves before the tongue and say: ”Fear Allah for our sake, (for) we are with you; if you are upright, we will be upright; and if you are crooked, we will become crooked.” [1]

The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, also said:

”Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his mouth, his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him.” [2]

Al-Hasan Bin Salih, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

I thoroughly scrutinised the fear of Allah that presents a person from entering into doubtful matter out of fear of falling into what is forbidden and did not find it more lacking in anything than the tongue”. [3]

Yunus Ibn Ubayd, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Indeed, you see a man fasting a lot, abstaining from the forbidden matters and praying the night prayer, then he testifies to falsehood in the morning.” [4]

In a supplication of the Prophet:

وأسألُك كلمةَ الحقِّ في الرِّضَا والغض

I ask You (O Allaah) to make me true in speech in times of pleasure and anger. [5]

The one who does not utter except the truth during anger and pleasure, this is a proof of his strong Iman and that he is in control of his Nafs. [6]

A man said to Salman al-Farisi, may Allah be pleased with him, ”Advise me!” He said: ”Do not speak”. He said, ”I am not able to live amongst the people without speaking.” He said, ”If you speak, then speak the truth or keep silent.” [7]

Disobedience can appear agreeable to a human being, such as Gheebah, Nameemah, self-praise and being quarrelsome – whether uttered blatantly or indirectly, verbally abusing the one you hate, praising the one you love and what is similar to that. The intense urge to engage in these deeds agrees with the soul’s desire, becomes easy for the tongue to move and thus one’s patience weakens, thus, due to this the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him, said to Mu’adh, may Allah be pleased with him, “Restrain your tongue”, so Mu’adh said, “O Messenger of Allah! Will we be held accountable for what we say?’ He said, ‘May your mother be bereaved of you, O Mu’aadh! Is there anything that topples people on their faces – or he said on their noses into the fire- other than the harvest of their tongues?!” [8]

Regarding the statement, “May your mother be bereaved of you, O Mu’adh!” The Arabs used this statement for the purpose of persuasion and exhortation, and they did not intend its apparent meaning, which is “May his mother lose him”, rather what is intended is persuasion and exhortation”. [9]

Beware! Relentless Repetition Is Used Nowadays On Social Media to Solidify Lies or Misinformation

Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, said:

The seeker of truth is not diverted from the truth, fairness and justice due to admiration of the big personalities and being amazed by them, for indeed the truth is more worthy to be followed. It is not permissible to drop the proofs for the sake of this or that great man. The principle [rule] of the Muslim – the unbiased one, the seeker of truth – is always: [قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ -Say, bring forth your proofs if you are truthful]. [Surah An-Nahl. Verse 64] [11]

Read: Two Compelling Admonitions – “Outcomes of Truthfulness and Lying” By Al-Allamah Rabee Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him.

Two Compelling Admonitions – “Outcomes of Truthfulness and Lying” By Al-Allamah Rabee

[1] Sahih at-Tirmidhee Number 2407

[2] Al-Bukhaari. 6474

[3] Siyar 7/368]

[4] Hilyatul Awliyaa 3/20]

[5]https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2021/01/01/o-allaah-let-me-live-if-life-is-good-for-me-and-let-me-die-if-death-is-good-for-me/

[6] Fiqhul Ad’iyah Wal-Adkaar’ parts 3 & 4’ page 167

[7] Jaami Al-Uloom Wal-Hikam page144

[8] Sharh Ar-Risaalah Al-Mughniyah Fis Sukoot Wa Luzoomil Buyoot. Lesson 1. By Shaikh Abdur Razzzaq Al-Badr- may Allah preserve him.

[9] Sharh Al-Arba’een An-Nawawiyyah’ by Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy upon him). Hadeeth Number 29, page 295

[10] The Psychology of crowds 132-136

[11] Al-Mulakh-khasul Jameel Fee Bayaan Manhaji Ash-Shaikh Rabee Fid-Da’wati Wal-Jarhi Wat-Ta’deel. Page 87

[2] The Character Trait Most Hated By The Messenger

Written by Abdullah Jallow on December 23, 2025. Posted in Articles, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her said:

“There was no behaviour more hateful to Allāh’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, than lying. A man would tell a lie when speaking in the presence of the Prophet, and he would not be satisfied until he knew that he had repented from it”. [at-Tirmidhi‌ 1973]

Allāh’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“You must be truthful. Verily, truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to be truthful and seeks to be truthful until he is recorded in the sight of Allah as a truthful one. And beware of lying. Verily, lying leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to the Hellfire. A man continues to tell lies and seeks to tell lies until he is recorded in the sight of Allah as a liar”. [al-Bukha‌ri‌ 6094 & Muslim 2607]

Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Indeed, Allah, the Exalted and Most High, favoured the tongue over all other limbs, raised its status and demonstrated its virtue given that- among all the limbs- He (gave it the prestige) to utter (articulate) His Oneness. Therefore, a sensible person should not engage a tool, which Allah created to utter (proclaim) His Oneness, in lies. Instead, it is obligated to him to constantly nurture it by adhering to truthfulness and to what benefits him in both abodes (this life and the next). This is because the tongue necessitates what it is accustomed to; if truthfulness, it will (utter) truthfulness, and if lying, it will (utter) lies. (1)

Beware! Relentless Repetition Is Used Nowadays On Social Media to Solidify Lies or Misinformation

Gustave Le Bon, in his work “The Psychology of Crowds,” asserts that when we aim to gradually instill ideas and beliefs into the collective spirit of the masses, the methods employed by leaders vary significantly. They primarily resort to three fundamental techniques: affirmation, repetition, and contagion. While the impact of these methods may be slow, it is undeniably enduring. Political leaders advocating for a specific cause are well aware of the power of affirmation, just as industrialists recognise the importance of advertising their products. However, advertising only gains influence when coupled with repetition. Napoleon famously stated that there is but one serious form of rhetoric: repetition. Repetition possesses a certain authority that influences rational and well-informed individuals. It allows ideas to embed themselves in the recesses of the unconscious mind, gradually transforming into beliefs that are accepted as truths, ultimately becoming self-evident realities. When these ideas solidify into truths through repetition, they can spread among the masses. For instance, any disturbance among a flock of sheep quickly affects the entire group. This does not require a singular point of origin; the revolution in France in 1848 began in Paris and swiftly extended to a significant portion of Europe, destabilising the monarchies in its wake. The repetition that leads to belief in a particular issue, and consequently its spread, poses a significant risk not only in imposing opinions but also in shaping thought processes, emotions, and feelings. As a result, one may observe that the masses at one point may disdain a certain literary work, only to later take pride in it after several years, or vice versa. This phenomenon can similarly be applied to ideas and beliefs. [2]

The seeker of truth is not diverted from the truth, fairness and justice due to admiration of the big personalities and being amazed by them, for indeed the truth is more worthy to be followed. It is not permissible to drop the proofs for the sake of this or that great man. The principle [rule] of the Muslim – the unbiased one, the seeker of truth – is always: [قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ -Say, bring forth your proofs if you are truthful]. [Surah An-Nahl. Verse 64] (3)

Read: Two Compelling Admonitions – “Outcomes of Truthfulness and Lying” By Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him.

Two Compelling Admonitions – “Outcomes of Truthfulness and Lying” By Al-Allamah Rabee

(1) Rawdah Al-Uqala page 78. Section

ذكر الحث على لزول الصدق ومجانبة الكذب

Publisher: Dar Ibn Jawziy 1st Edition 1433AH

[2] The Psychology of crowds 132-136

[3] Al-Mulakh-khasul Jameel Fee Bayaan Manhaji Ash-Shaikh Rabee Fid-Da’wati Wal-Jarhi Wat-Ta’deel. Page 87

Strive For The Asr Prayer: A Path to Allah’s Pleasure and Protection from Great Loss

Written by Abdullah Jallow on December 22, 2025. Posted in Articles, Basics, Featured, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Prophets, Purification of The Soul, Salaah - Prayer, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Alah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Whoever misses the Asr prayer [i.e. intentionally] until its time elapses, it is as if he has lost his family and his wealth”. [1]

Why is the Asr prayer specifically mentioned and not the other prayers? The scholars say that perhaps the wisdom behind this is because the time of Asr is when the people are very busy in trade and roaming about in the markets. At present the time of Asr prayer is the hardest time for those engaged in work and professional occupations, because they return and relax in their houses and do not wake up until the time of Asr prayer elapses. Thus, they are lackadaisical in this affair. The Asr Prayer is great in the Sight of Allah. Allah, The Blessed and Most High, said:

حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ

Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers) especially the Salaatul Wustaa (middle Salaah – the best prayer). And stand before Allah with obedience. [2]

The scholars say that the meaning of Salah Al-Wustaa is the Asr prayer. It has been reported from the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that on the day of Al Ahzab – the battle of Al Khandaq when the Arab tribes gathered to fight the Muslims – he said:

”O Allah! Fill their [i.e. the unbelievers] houses and graves with fire, as they busied us so much that we did not perform the middle Salat [(prayer)- i.e. Asr prayer] till the sun had set”. [3]

The Asr prayer also has other specific virtues. The scholars say that it is the time when the angels of the night and the angels of the day get together- the angels who accompany or guard the children of Adam. There are two time periods when the angels gather – the angels of the day time get together at the time of Fajr and accompany the children of Adam from Fajr to Asr. And at Asr time, the angels of the night take over and accompany the children of Adam from Maghrib to Ishaa, and at Fajr they change shifts. The proof is the hadith reported by Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Angels come to you in succession by night and day, and all of them get together at the time of Fajr and Asr prayers. Those who have passed the night with you [or stayed with you] ascend [to the heaven] and Allaah asks them, though He knows everything about you, ‘’In what state did you leave my slaves?’’ The angels reply: ‘’When we left them, they were offering Salat (prayer) and when we reached them, they were offering Salat”. [4]

Allah, Glorified Be He and free is He from all imperfections, said about the Fajr prayer:

وَقُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ ۖ إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا

And recite the Qur’an in the early dawn (i.e. the morning prayer). Verily, the recitation of the Qur’an in the early dawn is ever witnessed (attended by the angels in charge of mankind of the day and the night). [5]

The scholars say that the reason behind this is because it (i.e. Fajr time) is the time when the angels of the night and the angels of the daytime get together and likewise at the time of Asr prayer, for they are two time periods when the angels change shifts in order to accompany the children of Adam. Therefore, a Muslim should be eager to perform the Asr prayer at its correct time and if he is preoccupied (i.e. without a valid Shariah excuse) until its time elapses, it it is as if he has lost all his family and wealth.

An Excerpt from “Sharh Kitab Wuqut As-Salah Min Muwatta Al-Imam Malik Bin Anas. pages 93-95. Publisher: Dar Al-Istiqamah 1st Edition 1429AH (Year 2008)

1: Al-Bukhari 552

2: Al-Baqarah 238

3: Al-Bukhari 2931

4: Al-Bukhari 555

5: Al-Israa 78

Different Types of Punishments

Written by Abdullah Jallow on December 22, 2025. Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Fitnah, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Repentance, Shirk, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah', Zuhd (Abstinence).

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

Quote:

O people! Allāh, The Blessed and Exalted, obligated every Makhluq (Jinn and human) to obey Him and His Messenger in every era and place, and forbade us from disobeying Him and His Messenger. Allāh, The Mighty and Majestic, said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ وَلَا تَوَلَّوۡاْ عَنۡهُ وَأَنتُمۡ تَسۡمَعُونَ

O you who believe! Obey Allah and His Messenger, and turn not away from him (i.e. Messenger Muhammad) while you are hearing.

Allāh, The Most High, said:

قُلۡ أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ‌ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ

Say (O Muhammad): “Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad).” But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers.

Allāh, The Most High, said:

Make not the calling of the Messenger (Muhammad) among you as your calling of one another. Allah knows those of you who slip away under shelter (of some excuse without taking the permission to leave, from the Messenger). And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant, etc.) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.” [An-Nur 63]

In these noble verses, Allāh, The Most High, commanded (us) to obey Him and His Messenger, and He made obedience to Him and His Messenger a means to happiness in this life and the next. He forbade (us) from disobeying Him and His Messenger, and He made disobedience to Him and His Messenger a cause of punishment in this worldly life- a punishment that cannot be perceived. Because of this, Allah ended these two verses by mentioning Fitnah, the severity of His Punishment and the painful torment against the one who disobeys Him and His Messenger. Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said about this verse: “Do you know what Al-Fitnah is? Al-Fitnah is Shirk. Perhaps if he (i.e. the person) rejects some of his (i.e. the Prophet’s) saying, something of deviation may enter into his heart, thus, he is destroyed. [Reported by Ibn Battah in Al-Ibaanah Al-Kubraa 97]

Full Article Below

Allahs_Different_Types_of_Punishment_By_Shaikh_Abdullah-Adh-Dhufayri

The Summit of Human Potential: Four Defining Qualities

Written by Abdullah Jallow on December 22, 2025. Posted in Aqeedah, Articles, Brotherhood, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Featured, Mental Health, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Sahaabah, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah', Zuhd (Abstinence).

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَٱلۡعَصۡرِ
إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَفِى خُسۡرٍ
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ

By (the phenomenon of) time (which Allah manifests through His creation of night and day and in which the servants perform their deeds). Indeed, (all of) mankind is in loss. Except those who believe (in Allāh, His Angels, Books, Prophets, the Last Day and the Divine Decree) and work righteous deeds (which are sincere and correct) and mutually advise each other (in calling to and abiding by) the truth and mutually advise each other with patience (in facing the inevitable harms brought by calling to the truth).

https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/sura/103/1

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

“Imam Ash-Shaafi’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said that if all the people pondered on this Surah, it would have sufficed them”.

The clarification of this is that the fulfillment of four matters (mentioned) in this Surah will lead a person to attain the highest level of human perfection. The first is acquaintance with the truth, the second is to act upon the truth, the third is to teach the truth to the one who is unaware of it and the fourth is to exercise patience while learning the truth, acting on it, and teaching. Allah mentioned these four matters in this Surah and made an oath by “(the phenomenon of) time” that everyone is in a state of loss besides those who believe and perform righteous deeds, and they are those who act upon the truth, enjoin one another to the truth while exercising patience in the path and being steadfast. This is the pinnacle of human perfection because perfection necessitates that a person attain perfection himself and enable others to do so.

And this is attained through rectification of the strength of one’s knowledge and action- rectification of the strength of one’s knowledge is attained through Iman and rectification of the strength of one’s actions is attained through righteous deeds; then enabling others to attain this perfection through teaching, exercising patience upon this path and enjoining one another to exercise patience in the path of knowledge and righteous action.

This Surah, despite its shortness, is one of the most comprehensive Suras of the Qur’an that gathers good in its entirety, and all praise and thanks is due to Allah Who revealed and assured that His Book is sufficient besides everything else – a cure for every disease and a guide to every good. [1]

It is not enough that one knows the truth and exercises patience, but (also) one has to command, guide, and urge others towards it. When it is the fact that others besides these people are losers, it is well known that disobedience and sins blind the sound discernment of the hearts and prevent them from understanding the truth as it should be understood, thus their strength of determination is weakened, the heart is exposed to random thoughts until its understanding and conduct goes the opposite way, so he perceives falsehood as truth and truth as falsehood, good as evil and evil as good, turns away from his journey towards attaining Allah’s Pleasure and the home of the afterlife (i.e paradise), and proceeds towards the residence of the futile souls that are pleased with the worldly life, satisfied with it, heedless of Allah and His signs (revelation, lessons etc), and abandons preparation to meet Allah (i.e. by way of upright believe and righteous deeds). Had there not been any other punishment due to one’s sins other than this, it would have been (enough as a) demand that one abandon this path and distance from it. [2]

Indeed, Allah placed humans in two categories – the losers and the gainers. The gainers are those who sincerely exhort themselves with Iman and righteous deeds; exhort others by enjoining truth, which includes teaching and guiding, and enjoining patience, which necessitates that one exercises patience. So, the two sincere exhortations are the person’s sincere exhortation of himself and his brother in Islam by enjoining truth and exercising patience upon the path, and the two characteristics of human perfection are the person’s self-perfection and enabling others to attain self-perfection (by the help of Allah).

As for the perfection of the two strengths of the soul, they are the strength of knowledge and sound observation, and these two are perfected through Iman; the strength of sound intent, love (for everything praiseworthy, especially love for Allah) and knowledge, and they are perfected through righteous deeds (i.e. deeds carried out sincerely for the sake of Allah and in conformity with the authentic Sunnah), which cannot be accomplished except through patience.

Allah made an oath by “(the phenomenon of) time” because it is the period in which moral lessons and signs occur, and because the alternation of night and day under the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing are organised to serve the welfare of the universe based on the most perfect order and organisation – alternating with one another, sometimes not much difference between them and at other times one takes from the hours of the other, the difference between the light, the darkness, the heat, and the cold, and the different periods divided into generations, years, months, days, hours and what is lesser than that! These are all signs (creations) of the Lord, The Most High- a Burhaan [proof that clarifies and distinguishes between truth and falsehood in everything] and proofs regarding Allah’s All-Encompassing Perfect Ability and Wisdom, free is Allah from all imperfections, faults, deficiencies, shortcomings.

Allah made an oath by “(the phenomenon of) time” within which human beings perform deeds for which one either receives punishment or a good recompense. He gave a notification about (the phenomenon of) time, which is the Mab’da [i.e. the beginning] and notified the performers of deeds about the Ma’aad [the Hereafter], and that just as He was not unable to initiate the beginning, likewise He is not unable to establish the Hereafter; and that His Wisdom, which necessitated the creation of (the phenomenon of) time, the performers of deeds and their deeds, and their categorisation into good and bad deeds, (i.e. deeds chosen by the person after being given free will and shown guidance through the Messengers) establishes the fact that the people are not equal, and it cannot be that the good doer will not receive a good recompense and that the evil doer will not be recompensed for his evil, and it cannot be that there will not be two groups- the gainers and the losers; but rather the human being, in essence, is a loser, except the one whom Allah shows mercy, guides, blesses with Eemaan, the ability to perform righteous deeds and command others. Besides this person is the one who is reduced to the lowest of the low. [3]

وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوۡاْ بِٱلصَّبۡرِ

And do righteous good deeds, enjoin one another to the truth and enjoin one another to patience.

This leads to the station of upright leadership and strength in the religion, just as Allah said:

وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا ۖ وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ

And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)]. [As-Sajdah. 24]

Therefore, upright leadership in the religion is attained through patience and certainty. Patience is two types- patience when facing what has been decreed, such as calamities, and patience when fulfilling the divine legislated acts of worship – the commands and prohibitions. The fulfillment of commands is related to patience in intent and action and the second is related to patience in keeping away from what one intends and wants to do (i.e. persevere whilst keeping away from evil). The first type of patience (patience when facing the calamities decreed by Allah) is shared by both a believer and a disbeliever, a righteous person, and a wicked sinner, and one is not rewarded if it is not connected to Iman and Ikhtiyaar [i.e. the person willingly chooses to exercise patience as an act of worship devoted to Allah]. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said about his daughter (whose son was on his death bed), “She should be patient and hope for Allah’s reward.” [Al-Bukhari 1284]

Allah, The Most High, said:

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٌ۬ وَأَجۡرٌ۬ ڪَبِيرٌ۬

Except those who show patience and do righteous good deeds, those: theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (Paradise). [Hud. 11]

Patience without sound belief and piety is like a bodily strength that is devoid of sound belief and piety.

Allah, The Most High, said:

فَٱصۡبِرۡ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ۬‌ۖ وَلَا يَسۡتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ

So be patient (O Muhammad). Verily, the Promise of Allah is true, and let not those who have no certainty of faith, discourage you from conveying Allah’s Message (which you are obliged to convey)]. [Ar-Rum. 60]

Allah commanded the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to exercise patience and not to be similar to those who do not have certainty due to lack of patience, since their lack of certainty is due to their lack of patience, this, they fear and frighten others. Had they attained certainty and acquaintance with the truth, they would have exercised patience – neither fear nor frighten others. The one whose certainty is little, his patience will be little, and the whose patience is little will fear and frighten others. The person who has certainty and patience is self-possessed because he has intelligence and common sense, and the one who neither has certainty nor patience is lightheaded, thus, desires and lust fling him here and there just as the wind does with something light. [4]

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 Allaah and hoping for Allaah’s good recompense. Indeed, a man may be in a state of distress whilst he is being whipped, but you see nothing from him except patience”. [5]

Regarding the statement “Patience is the person’s acknowledgment that what has afflicted him is from Allah”, Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, 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”, Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim said:

It is as if this statement is an explanation of the statement “Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raaji’oon – and to Him (i.e. Allaah) 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 may be in a state of distress whilst he is being whipped, but you do not see from him except patience”, Imam Ibn Al-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 Allah, he is not a patient person”. [6]

The person who has no certainty in faith (or lacks certainty) does not remain steadfast, rather he acts carelessly, whereas certainty is that firm Iman in the heart based on (sound) knowledge and action. It may be that a person has sound knowledge but does not exercise patience during calamities; rather he is swayed by emotion. Al-Hasan Al-Basri, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

If you wish to see someone with insight but has no patience, you will see him; and if you wish to see someone who has patience but not insight, you will see him; but if you see a person who had insight as well as patience, then he is the one mentioned by Allah in the Ayah:

وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ أَٮِٕمَّةً۬ يَہۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُواْ‌ۖ وَڪَانُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ

And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)]. [As-Sajdah. 24] [7]

A Practice of The Companions – By Imam Al-Albaanee, may Allah have mercy upon him

Whenever two men among the Prophet’s companions met, they would not depart from one another, except after one of them recited to the other:

“By (the phenomenon of) time (which Allah manifests through His creation of night and day and in which the servants perform their deeds). Indeed, (all of) mankind is in loss”.

In these narrations is that one gives Salaam when departing [i.e. one of them gives Salams to the other when departing after meeting].

The other benefit we derive (from this report) is that the companions adhered to this deed and that is the recitation of Surah Al-Asr [i.e. before departing after meeting, one recites Surah Al-Asr to the other and then gives Salaam], because we (firmly) believe that they were far removed from initiating – in the religion – a newly invented act of worship as a means of getting close to Allah, thus, the only reason they did this was due to something established by Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, either based on a statement of his, deed or tacit approval. [8]

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي

وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي

وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي

وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ

وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return; and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [Saheeh Muslim Number: 2720]

[1] An Excerpt from Miftaah Daarus Sa’aadah page 61. slightly paraphrased

[2] An Excerpt from Al-Jawaab Al-Kaafi 135-136. slightly paraphrased

[3] An Excerpt from At-Tibyaan Fee Aqsaam Al-Qur’aan 83-88. slightly paraphrased

[4] At-Tibyaan Fee Aqsaamil Qur’aan 83-88. Slightly paraphrased

[5] As-Sabr Wath-Thawaab Alayhi. By Ibn Abee Dunya page 113

[6] Iddat As-Saabireen pages 183-184

[7] Al-Fawaa’id’ pages 293-300

[8] Silsilah Al-Hadeeth As-Saheehah. Number 2648. Vol 6. pages 307-309

How many times should we repeat Kitab at-Tawhid?

Written by Abdullah Jallow on December 21, 2025. Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Contemporary Issues, 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.

Al-Allamah Salih Aala Ash-Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, said:

The call [i.e. subject matter] in this book is the greatest goal- the essence of the divine messages, the means to attaining honour for the one who holds fast to it, knows and calls to it. It is elevation for the one whom Allah wants to elevate and they are of varying levels in the sight of Allah. Due to this, we advise that this book be understood properly and repeated. One should not think that he has studied and finished it, rather it should be repeated twice, thrice or four times– repeating it again whenever he completes it.

This is because he will not be able to understand it properly and acquire a clear and firm [understanding], except by repeating it many times. He will find knowledge he did not know previously every time he repeats it. This requires that you exercise patience- having a good suspicion of Allah, asking Allah to grant you Tawfeeq [i.e. the ability to learn and act]; to be steadfastness upon this lofty and great matter, and that you do not turn your attention to other than it; rather the scholars give precedence and embark upon the call to this great matter, which is Tawhid – the right of Allah upon His slaves. [Paraphrased]

Fat’hul Masjid Sharh Kitab Tawhid Vol 1 Introduction

[22] Notification to Ahlul Bidah and The Mumayyi’ah: These Clarifications Are Coming Back!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on December 21, 2025. Posted in Articles, Contemporary Issues, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Fitnah, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Khawaarij, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Sahaabah, Salafi Mosques & Centres, Scholars of Islam, Sin, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allāh, The Most High, said:

أَفَمَن زُيِّنَ لَهُ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ فَرَآهُ حَسَنًا ۖ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۖ فَلَا تَذْهَبْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسَرَاتٍ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ

Is he, then, to whom the evil of his deeds made fair-seeming, so that he considers it as good? Verily, Allah sends astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. So destroy not yourself (O Muhammad) in sorrow for them. Truly, Allah is the All-Knower of what they do! [Fatir. 8]

[أَفَمَن زُيِّنَ لَهُ سُوءُ – Is he, then, to whom the evil of his deeds made fair-seeming].

Meaning, his evil and repugnant deeds have been made fair-seeming to him by shaytan and beautified in his eyes;

[فَرَآهُ حَسَنًا- so that he considers it as good]

Meaning, considers his evil and repugnant deeds to be good like the one whom Allah has guided to the straight path and upright religion, but are the two the same? The first one commits evil deeds, considers truth to be falsehood and falsehood to be truth, and the second person performs good deeds, considers truth to be truth and falsehood to be falsehood. However, guidance is in the hands of Allāh.

فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۖ فَلَا تَذْهَبْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسَرَاتٍ

Verily, Allah sends astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. So destroy not yourself (O Muhammad) in sorrow for them]- Meaning, the misguided ones to whom their evil deeds are made fair-seeming and shaytan hinders them from the truth. There is nothing obligated to you (O Muhammad) except to convey the message and there is nothing on you regarding their guidance, rather Allah is the one who will recompense them for their deeds. [ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ- Truly, Allah is the All-Knower of what they do]. [1]

Ibn Abbas, may Allāh be pleased with him and his father, said:

“This Ayah was revealed concerning Abu Jahl and the idolaters of Makkah”.

Sa’eed Bin Jubair, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:

“This was revealed concerning the people of Bidah and evil desires”.

Qatadah, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:

And from them are the kharijites who make lawful the spilling of the blood of the Muslims and confiscating their wealth. As for the Muslims who commit major sins, they are not from them (i.e. not from those whom the evil of their deeds are made fair-seeming) because they do not declare the major sins to be lawful. The one to whom doubts are made fair-seeming and is submerged in it, and his deeds are made fair-seeming to him, thus, he considers it as good, shaytan makes it fair-seeming to him through whispers”. [ 2]

[1] An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi

[2] Tafsir Al-Baghawi 3/689