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How Istiqāmah is attained – Shaykh Ṣālih Al-Fawzān

Shaykh Ṣālih Al-Fawzān (hafidahullāh):

Allāh commanded with steadfastness (upon the religion), moderation, taking the middle course and He prohibited harshness and negligence.

How is Istiqāmah Attained?

Steadfastness is (attained by ones actions and belief) being in conformity with the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger (alaihi salātu was salām), and that which the Pious Predecessors from the early period of this nation were upon.


Source: Official Website of Shaykh Fawzān

Trials and Tests Distinguish the Believer from the Hypocrite – Shaykh Fawzān

Shaykh Ṣālih Al-Fawzān (hafidahullāh):

From the Way of Allāh – The Glorified, The Most High – with his creation, is that he trials and tests them. He does not leave them without trials and tribulation, for if he was to leave mankind without trialling them, then the believer would not be distinguished from the hypocrite and the truthful would not become clear from the liar.


Source: Official Website of the Shaykh

Do Not Betray the Responsibility you have been Entrusted with – Shaykh Ṣālih Al-Fawzān

Shaykh Ṣālih Al-Fawzān (hafidahullāh):

Save yourself from the fire by having taqwa of Allāh and (likewise) save your children from the fire by way of (giving them) righteous cultivation upon Islām and upon (performing actions of) the religion and having excellent manners. If not (i.e. if you have not given them this cultivation), then indeed you have betrayed the responsibility which you were entrusted with.


Source: Official Website of the Shaykh

Way of the Prophets in Supplicating to Allah – Shaykh Shaykh Sālih Al-Fawzān

Shaykh Sālih Al-Fawzān (hafidahullāh):

It is a must that the Muslim supplicates and calls upon his Lord in every time and location. He (should) humble himself to Allāh because this is the way of the Prophets and Messengers (alayhimus salātu was salām.)


Source: Official website of the Shaykh.

Whoever Says This Supplication Three Times- Morning and Evening- Will Not Be Afflicted By a Sudden Affliction By The Will of Allaah

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

Abaan ibn ‘Uthmaan [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: I heard Uthmaan -meaning, Ibn Affaan, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] saying: “Whoever says:

[بِسْم الله الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اِسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الأرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّماَءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ – In the Name of Allaah with Whose Name nothing can harm on the earth or in the heaven, and He is The All-Hearing, All-Knowing], three times, will not be afflicted with a sudden affliction until morning; and whoever says it three times in the morning, will not be afflicted with a sudden affliction until evening.

[Reported by Imaam Abu Daawud (rahimahullaah); Number 5088 & declare Saheeh by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in his checking of Sunan Abee Daawud’ page 762’ Maktabah Al-Ma’aarif’ 1st Edition.

See below:


 

Some Excellent Outcomes of Hajj- By Shaikh Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbaad [may Allaah preserve him]

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

Shaikh Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbaad [may Allaah preserve him] said: As for hajj, it is a great act of worship. Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) made it an obligation upon His slaves at least once in a lifetime. Hajj includes acts of worship related to wealth and physical actions. It has good outcomes and praiseworthy end results in the life of a person. The Noble Prophet (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) said: ”(The performance of) Umrah is expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one. And the reward of Al-Hajj Al-Mabroor (the one accepted by Allaah) is nothing but Paradise.”[1]

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) was asked about the best of deeds, so he replied, ”To believe in Allaah and His Messenger.’’ The questioner then asked, ‘’What is the next (in goodness)?’’ He replied, ‘’To participate in Jihaad.’’ The questioner again asked, ‘’What is the next (in goodness)?’’ He replied, ‘’To perform Hajj Mabroor (which is accepted by Allaah…)” [2]

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) also narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) said: ”Whoever performs Hajj for Allaah’s sake only and does not have sexual relations with his wife and does not do evil or sins; then he will return (after hajj, free from sins) as if he was born anew.”[3]

‘Hajj Mabroor’ (the one accepted by Allaah) is the hajj a person performs in conformity with the Sunnah of the Noble Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam), and the sign of a ‘Hajj Mabroor’ is that a person’s becomes better than what he was before hajj. So if a person’s evil state of affairs changes to a good state, or changes from a good state to a state even better than that, then this is a clear sign that his hajj is Mabroor [accepted by Allaah].

Hajj and Umrah include acts of worship, such as Tawaaf, which is not performed in any other place besides its designated place (i.e. around the Kabah). Tawaaf is an act of worship, which Allaah has specified to be carried out around the Baitul Ateeq [i.e. The Ancient House (the Haram)]. So when a person reaches Makkah, he [or she] performs Tawaaf around the Baitul Ateeq. He [or she] seeks nearness to Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) with an act of worship (i.e. Tawaaf) which one could not have being able to perform except in Makkah. That is because Tawaaf cannot be done except around the Noble Kabah. So this reminds a person and makes him [or her] aware of the fact that Tawaaf performed in any other place in the earth is not legislated by Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic). Therefore, it is not permissible to make Tawaaf around any tomb or any other place in the earth besides the Noble Kabah.

Also, this is the case with kissing and indicating with one’s hand towards the Black Stone and the Yemini Corner; for indeed Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) did not legislate for the Muslims to seek closeness to Him by kissing any other stone or indicating with one’s hand towards it except in those two places (i.e. the Black Stone and the Yemeni corner). And because of this when Umar Ibnul Khattaab (radiyallaahu anhu) approached the Black Stone, he kissed it and then said: ‘’No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither harm (anyone) nor benefit anyone. Had I not seen Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) kissing you, I would not have kissed you.’’ [4]

Also from the good outcomes of Hajj and Umrah is that when the one in Ihraam removes his normal clothing and wears the Ihram, which is worn by both the poor and the rich, it reminds him of the cloth he will be shrouded with when he dies; so he prepares himself for righteous actions and that is the best of all provision for the hereafter, as Allaah (The Most High) said:  [وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيۡرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۚ -And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.)’’ [2:197]

Also from the good outcomes of Hajj is the gathering of the pilgrims at Arafah, which is a reminder of the gathering of the people on the Day of Judgement; so this (i.e. standing at Arafah) becomes a drive (or motive) for a person to prepare himself for that standing on the Day of Judgement by performing righteous deeds.

Also during Hajj the Muslims from the East and West regions of the earth get to meet one another; so they co-operate with one another and advise one another. They get to know the state of affairs of one another; so they share happiness and joy with one another, just as a person would share the pain that befalls his brother and then guides him towards what is obligatory to do regarding that. So they all co-operate upon righteousness and piety just as Allaah (Glorified Be He) commanded them.

[Abridged and slightly paraphrased. See link:

http://www.salaficentre.com/2017/08/good-outcomes-ibaadaat-acts-worship-life-muslim-shaikh-abdul-muhsin-al-abbaad-may-allaah-preserve/

 


References

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

[2]Bukhaari Number: 26 and Muslim Number 83

[3]Bukhaari Number: 1521 and Muslim 1350

[4] Bukhaari. 1597 and Muslim 1270

The Levels Of Revelation – Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymīn from Ibnul-Qayyim

 

  1. The true dream.
  2. The Angel casts into his (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) heart.
  3. The Angel speaks to him (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in human form.
  4. It comes to him as the ringing of a bell and this is the most difficult upon him (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam).
  5. He (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) sees the Angel in his created form.
  6. That which Allah revealed to him (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) on the Night of Ascension.
  7. The direct speech of Allah without mediator.
  8. Some added: Allah speaking to him (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) without a veil (based on the opinion that he saw his Lord. However, all the Companions are of the position that he did not see Him).

 

Muktārāt min Zād Al-Ma’ād – Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymīn
Translated by Abū Humayd

Ruling of Magic, Teaching Magic, Praying behind Magicians, Curing Magic with Magic – Shaykh Ṣāliḥ Al- Fawzān

Magic is the Greatest of Major Sins after Shirk

Magic is from the greatest of the major sins, as the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

“Stay far away from the seven destructive sins.”

The people inquired, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! What are they?’

He said,

“To join others in worship along with Allah, magic, to kill the life which Allah has forbidden…” (1)

Magic was counted among the (seven) destructive sins, and came (directly) after joining others in worship (shirk) with Allah (azza wa jal).

Magic is from the Devils

Magic is disbelief, because Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) mentioned about the Jews that they exchanged the book of Allah with magic.

As Allah said:

وَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ نَبَذَ} فَرِيقٌ مِّنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ وَاتَّبَعُوا مَا تَتْلُو الشَّيَاطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَانَ وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَانُ وَلَٰكِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ كَفَرُوا يُعَلِّمُونَ النَّاسَ السِّحْرَ

And when there came to them a Messenger from Allah (i.e. Muhammad Peace be upon him) confirming what was with them, a party of those who were given the Scripture threw away the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they did not know! They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic (Al-Baqarah 101-102)

Therefore, magic is from the actions of the devils and it is disbelief.

Ruling of Teaching Magic

In the verse, Allah says:

{وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ}

But neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, “We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).”

So, (the ayah) shows that teaching magic is disbelief.

And at the end of the verse He says:

‌ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمُواْ لَمَنِ ٱشۡتَرَٮٰهُ مَا لَهُ ۥ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ مِنۡ خَلَـٰقٍ۬‌ۚ

And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. 

(Al-Baqarah 102)

Meaning they have no portion (of rewards and delights of Jannah).

So, this shows that the magician if he does not repent to Allah, then he has no portion in the hereafter (Jannah), and this is the disbeliever. Magic is disbelief and based upon this prayer behind a magician is impermissible, except if he repents to Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) and abandons magic and repents with a correct repentance, and whoever believes in magic (even if he doesn’t perform it himself) … then this is his ruling too (i.e. that he is a disbeliever just as the magician is), and refuge is sought with Allah.

Summarising:

Magic is the greatest of the major sins after shirk, it is disbelief in Allah (azza wa jal), it is the partner crime which has been mentioned alongside shirk with Allah  because it is disbelief in Allah (azza wa jal), as Allah has mentioned in His Noble Book, so the magician and the one who believes in magic, both are the same (in ruling).

As for the issue of curing magic with magic and its likes (from the other affairs which are haram), then that which is correct from the two positions of the Scholars is that it is not permissible, because curing is only (allowed) with that which is Halaal (permissible) or Mubaah (allowed), and Allah did not place a cure (for) the Muslims in that which He has made impermissible for them.

The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

“Treat yourselves (medically), but do not treat yourselves with haram.”(2)

And on the authority of ibn Masood (radia Allaahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

“Indeed, Allaah has not made your cure to be found in anything that He has forbidden you from.” (3)

And from the greatest of impermissible affairs is magic, so it is not permissible to treat illnesses with it, nor to undo magic with magic. Indeed magic is only cured with permissible medicine, Quranic verses, (authentically) transmitted supplications. These are the permissible ways with which magic is cured -permissible medicine, supplications and Quraanic verses, and this suffices the Muslim.


Majmoo’ Al-Fataawa lish Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan (hafidahullah) Vol.1 Pages 42-43 Daar ibn Khuzaymah

  1. Al-Bukhaari 2767 and Muslim 89
  2. Sunan Abee Dawood 3874, Silsilah Al-Ahadeeth As-Saheehah 1633
  3. Al-Haakim’s Al-Mustadrak Vol. 4 page 242, Abdur Razzaq’s Al-Musannaf 17097, Silsilah Al-Ahadeeth As-Saheehah Vol.4 Page 175
  • Subheadings are by the Translator for ease of reading.

LEVELS OF DISBELIEF – SHAYKH ṢĀLIḤ AL-FAWZĀN

Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan (hafidahullah) was asked:

Does disbelief have many types and levels, some of them more severe than others? Or is it one level? And if there are levels of disbelief, then which of them constitutes cursing of the religion, or Allah, or the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam), and refuge is sought with Allah from that?

He answered:

Yes, Disbelief, – refuge is sought with Allah – is levels, some of them more severe than others, from them is disbelief which exits from the religion, and from them disbelief which is lesser than that: Lesser disbelief. Cursing of the religion, or cursing Allah, or His Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) this is from major disbelief, that exits from the religion – refuge is sought with Allah -.

As for lesser disbelief, then its example is like his saying (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam)

“Cursing a Muslim is sin, and killing him is disbelief.” (1)

And his statement (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam):

“So, do not turn to disbelief after me by striking the necks of one another” (2)

This is from lesser disbelief which doesn’t exit from the religion, so killing a person is a terrible crime, a great sin and a great prohibition, however it does not lead to the level of disbelief which exits from the religion.


  • Al-Bukhaari 6044, Muslim 64
  • Al-Bukhaari 121, 1739, Muslim 65, 66

Majmoo’ Fataawa lish Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan (hafidahullah) Vol. 1 Page 14-15