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Football: [You Don’t Have to Play Football, But There Is No Harm In Playing Football]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom.

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

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] stated about the football:

There is no harm in playing football if the following conditions are fulfilled: 1: Clothing worn should cover what is haraam [i.e. awrah] for another person to see. 2: Should not lead to neglecting an obligation. 3: No foul language. 4: Should not be a habit, such as the one who plays every afternoon. As for playing sometimes, there is no harm in doing so for recreation. And there is no doubt that football invigorates the body and strengthens it. [Source: Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ pages 46-47]

 

Imaam Fudayl Ibn Iyaad [rahimahullaah] Overcome With Tears Due To Pondering Upon Two Blessings of Allaah

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Fudayl Ibn Iyaad (rahimahullaah) once cried when he read the statement of Allaah [The Most High]: [أَلَمۡ نَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ عَيۡنَيۡنِ-Have We not made for him (i.e. the human) a pair of eyes?][ وَلِسَانً۬ا وَشَفَتَيۡنِ -And a tongue and a pair of lips?] [Ref 1]; then he was asked the reason he cried, so he said, ”Have you spent a night really thanking Allaah (for giving) you  two eyes by way of which you can see and a tongue by way of which you speak?’’  [Ref 2]

[Ref 1: Soorah Al-Balad: Aayaat:8-9]

[Ref 2: Jaami-ul Uloom wal-Hikam. Page 259. slightly paraphrased]

Few Moral Lessons From The Encounter Between Prophet Sulaymaan [alayhi salaam] And The Ants

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ جُنُودُهُ مِنَ الْجِنِّ

وَالْإِنْسِ وَالطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ

حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَتَوْا عَلَىٰ وَادِ النَّمْلِ قَالَتْ

نَمْلَةٌ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّمْلُ ادْخُلُوا

مَسَاكِنَكُمْ لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ

سُلَيْمَانُ وَجُنُودُهُ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًا مِنْ قَوْلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ

أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي

أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ

صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِي

عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ

And there were gathered before Sulaiman (Solomon) his hosts of jinns and men, and birds, and they all were set in battle order (marching forwards). Till, when they came to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: “O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaiman (Solomon) and his hosts crush you, while they perceive not.” So he [Sulaiman (Solomon)] smiled, amused at her speech and said: “My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves.” [27: 17-19]

Few Reminders From The Above Aayaat:

The ant sought an excuse for the army if they would have harmed its colony due to being unaware of their presence and it blamed its colony if they failed to take precaution by not entering their dwelling place. And due to this, Sulaymaan [alayhis salaam] smiled because indeed it is something that should bring about amazement and make someone smile. [Ref 1]

The ant knew Sulaymaan’s [alayhis salaam] affair and that of his army, exalted Sulaymaan’s [alayhis salaam] authority and excused them if they crushed its colony because that would have occurred unintentionally.

Sulaymaan [alayhis-salaam] heard the ant’s speech and understood it, so he smiled due to being amazed by the ant’s eloquence, [good] advice and fine expression. This is how the Prophets were – perfect manners and expressing their amazement in the right circumstances. They do not laugh; rather they smile just as the Messenger  [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] mostly used to smile, for indeed a loud burst of laughter is an indication of feeble mindedness and bad manners.

On the other hand, the one who does not become amazed by what should amaze a person, then this is an indication of ill-humour and haughtiness, and the Messengers of Allaah are free from that. [Ref 2]

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah’ Vol 2′ pages 279-282). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’. Slightly paraphrased]

The Importance of Reading The Biographies of The Salafus Saaleh [The Pious Predecessors]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam.

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

Imaam Ibnul Jawzi [rahimahullaah] said:

I saw that solely being preoccupied with studying Fiqh and listening to [transmission] of hadeeth is not enough to rectify the heart, except [when] combined with [the authentic narrations concerning the] softening of the hearts, and looking into the biographies of the pious predecessors.  As for having knowledge of Halaal and Haraam only, it does not have a great strength in softening the heart; rather the softening of the heart is [attained] by  mentioning the Ahaadeeth on the subject matter and the stories of the pious predecessors. That is because they [i.e. the pious predecessors] grasped the intent behind narrating [ahadeeth]–they demonstrated the tangible obligated actions by way of them, practical encounter with their meanings and the goals behind them. And there is nothing that will make you experience this, except after cultivation and experience.

That is because I find that the ambition of the majority of the Muhadditheen and the students of hadeeth is [focused on acquiring hadeeth that has the closest chain of transmission from the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and gathering numerous authentic Ahaadeeth on a particular subject matter in the religion etc]. And the majority of the jurists [focus on] the science of debate and that which gives one the upper hand [i.e. what he observed during his era]; so how can the heart be softened through these affairs?

Indeed, a group of the pious predecessors aspired to see that a righteous slave should look to his character and upright guidance and not [merely] the knowledge he has acquired. That is [because] his character and upright guidance are the fruits of his knowledge. So understand this!  The student of Hadeeth and Fiqh should combine [seeking after hadeeth and fiqh] with studying the lives of the pious predecessors and the Zuhhaad, so that it can be a means to softening the heart. Indeed, books have been compiled regarding the affairs and manners of each one of those well-known outstanding men [of piety]. A book has been compiled regarding the affairs of Al-Hasan [Al-Basri], Sufyaan Ath-Thawri, Ibraaheem Bin Ad-ham, Bishr Al-Haafiy, Ahmad Bin Hanbal, Ma’roof and other than them amongst the scholars and the Zuhhaad.

[An Excerpt from ‘Saydul khaatir’ Page 171. Daar Ibn Rajab. 1st edition 2003. Slightly paraphrased]

Verily! We Have Made That Which Is On Earth As An Adornment For It, In Order That We May Test Them As to Which of Them Are Best In Deeds

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Articles, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah (The Most High) stated:

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا

وَإِنَّا لَجَاعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا

Verily! We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds. [i.e.those who do good deeds in the most perfect manner, that means to do them (deeds) totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance to the legal ways of the Prophet]. And verily! We shall make all that is on it (the earth) a bare dry soil (without any vegetation or trees, etc.).

Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) stated: Allaah (The Most High) informed (us) that He has made everything on the face of the earth- such as the delicious foods and drinks, the beautiful houses, the trees, the rivers, the vegetations, the fruits, the beautiful scenes (or beautiful things that captures the attention of the eyes), the pretty gardens, the beautiful images, gold, silver, horses, camels and other than them- as an adornment for it, a trial and test.  [لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا -that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds]; that is: The most sincere (i.e. sincerity in worship) and most correct (i.e. carry out deeds in accordance with the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet).

And besides this, Allaah will (finally) make all these things disappear and the earth will return to been a bare dry soil- its enjoyment will disappear and come to an end. This is the reality of this worldly life! Indeed Allaah has made this worldly life clearly visible to us and warned us not to be deceived by it. He urged us towards the home of the (afterlife) – whose enjoyment is ever lasting- out of mercy to us. However, the one who merely looks at the outward appearance of this worldly life and not its true reality is deceived by its adornment and beauty; so he goes along with it like animals do and enjoy himself like cattle that graze around freely. He neither gives concern to the rights of his Lord nor gives importance to knowing his Lord; rather his concern is only to follow his desires in every way he can and in every situation. When death arrives to the likes of these people, they are restless because of the disappearance of the enjoyment (of the worldly pleasures) and due to what they have sent forth of evil deeds.

As for the one who looks at the true reality of this worldly life and knows the true purpose behind it and from it, he utilises from it that which will aid him to fulfil the reason it was created for him (i.e. he utilises the worldly blessings in obedience to Allaah). He utilises his noble lifespan as an opportunity (to obey Allaah). He makes this worldly life a place of transition and not a place of permanent (joy); a place of travel and not a place of permanent residence. Therefore, he strives to know his lord, fulfil the commands of his Lord (and keep away from what his Lord has forbidden) and (strives to) perfect his deeds. This person has the highest station in the presence of his Lord and he is deserving- (by the kindness and mercy of his Lord) – of every good treatment, bliss, nobility and happiness (in the hereafter).

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. slightly paraphrased]

The Love Or Hatred One Has For Others Should Never Interfere With The Truth

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul.

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

A man came to Ibn Mas’ood [radiyallaahu-anhu] and said, ‘’Teach me [some] comprehensive and beneficial statements’’. So he said, ‘’Worship Allaah and do not associate anything with Him [in worship]; be with the Qur’aan wherever it is [i.e. be in agreement with it in all circumstances]. Whoever comes to you with truth – whether he is young or old, and even if he is not close to you and is hated to you, then accept it from him. And whoever comes to you whilst lying, then reject it, even if he is beloved and close to [you]’’.

[Source: مساوئ الأخلاق ومذمومها – page 72. By Abubakr Muhammad Bin Jafar Bin Sahl Ash-Shaamiriy (rahimahullaah); Born 240AH and died 327AH]

A Means to Protecting One’s Heart – [An Admonition By Imaam Sufyaan Ath-Thawri]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul.

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

Abdul-Azeez Al-Qurashee [rahimahullaah] said:

I heard Sufyaan [rahimahullaah] saying: It is incumbent upon you that you do not attach your heart to the worldly life [i.e. a blameworthy attachment as opposed to seeking one’s needs] and you are not eager for its attainment [i.e. the eagerness that leads to sin, transgression, greed etc], and Allaah will make you see the concealed affairs of the worldly life [i.e. its corruption, true reality, worries etc when we are attached to it in a blameworthy manner]. It is incumbent upon you to fear Allaah in a manner that will keep you away from those affairs that are doubtful and thus may affect you in the afterlife and Allaah will make your giving account on [the day of judgement] less burdensome. Leave what makes you doubt for that which is not doubtful; leave those affairs that resemble the truth but are falsehood in reality and your religion will be safeguarded. [Hilyatul Awliyaa 7/20]

Grateful For Being Guided to The Authentic Sunnah – [Ibnul Qayyim Narrates An Incident About a Companion of His]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Articles, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Ibn al-Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said: One day I entered upon one of our companions and indeed something did happen to him that made him cry, so I asked him about it; he said: I remembered what Allaah has bestowed on me from the Sunnah and acquaintance with it; freed [me] from the Shub’hah [i.e. doubts that are made to resemble the truth] of the people and their false principles; conformity with clear intellectual discernment and sound natural disposition based on that which the Messenger [sallal laahu alay wasallam] came with, so it made me happy until it made me cry. [Madaarij As-Saalikeen 3/127] [paraphrased] [Quoted By Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr (hafidhahullaah)] http://al-badr.net/muqolat/5481

Admonition to Neighbours – [By Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdillaah As-Subayyil and Shaikh Zayd Bin Haadi (rahimahumallaah)]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Articles, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Question: The questioner asks: What are the rights of a neighbour?

Answer: The rights of a neighbour are great and many. Indeed many ahaadeeth have been narrated regarding the rights of a neighbour and among them is the hadeeth narrated by Abdullaah Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: Jibreel did not cease advising me (about the rights) of a neighbour to the extent that I thought he (i.e. the neighbour) would be my inheritor. [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: The one whose neighbour is not safe from his evil behaviour will not enter paradise. [Reported by Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: By Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); by Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); by Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); It was said: Who O Messenger of Allah? He said: The one whose neighbour is not safe from his evil behaviour. [Reported by Bukhari]

And there are other Narrations that demonstrate the greatness of a neighbour’s rights. Neighbours are three types: The neighbour with three rights; the neighbour with two rights and the neighbour with one.

[a] The neighbour with three rights is the one who is a relative, so he has rights (over you) as a relative, as a Muslim brother (or sister) and the rights of a neighbour.

[b] The neighbour with two rights is a Muslim neighbour, so he has rights (over you) as a neighbour and as a Muslim (brother or sister).

[c] As for neighbour with one right, he (or she) is a non-Muslim neighbour and has the rights of a neighbour. [Ref 1]

The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ”He Is Not a (True) Believer Whose Stomach Is Filled While His Neighbour Goes Hungry”. [Ref 2]

This Hadeeth (clearly demonstrates or indicates) that the one whose stomach is filled while his neighbour is hungry is not a believer of complete Eemaan. A person of complete Eemaan is the one who checks on his neighbour if the neighbour is in need of him. It is not possible for a neighbour to be enjoying himself with foods and drinks while his (other) neighbour cannot find anything and he does not give him anything. This (behaviour) does not reflect the manners of a believer with complete Eemaan. And because of this-in this hadeeth- the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) negated the completeness (of the Eemaan of the one who behaves in such a manner); rather a believer of complete Eemaan is the one who is generous to his neighbour as much as he is able, especially when in need of a necessity such as food and drink. [Ref 3]

Question: The questioner asks: A neighbour of mine and his children harm me through their speech and actions, so will I be rewarded due to being patient with them?

Answer: There is no doubt that you will be rewarded (In-Shaa-Allaah) due to your patience in receiving harm from your neighbour and his children. This patience of yours is from good manners and kind treatment to your neighbour. Indeed Allaah (The Most High) advised His Messenger (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) about showing kindness to neighbours, saying:

وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَبِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْجَارِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْجَارِ الْجُنُبِ وَالصَّاحِبِ بِالْجَنبِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ مُخْتَالًا فَخُورًا

Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful. [4:36]

The Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: Jibreel did not cease advising me (about the rights) of a neighbour to the extent that I thought he (i.e. the neighbour) would be my inheritor. [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

Therefore, be steadfast in exercising patience and you’ll receive reward and a good recompense from Allaah (In-Shaa-Allaah). There is no doubt that your neighbour is committing evil deeds, for indeed the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: By Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); by Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); by Allah, he does not believe (i.e. he is not a perfect believer); It was said: Who O Messenger of Allah? He said: The one whose neighbour is not safe from his evil behaviour. [Reported by Bukhari] [Ref 4]

[Ref 1: Fadaa’il Al A’maal pages 15-16’ by Shaikh Muhamad Bin Abdillaah As-Subayyil (rahimahullaah)]

[Ref 2: Reported by Imaam Al-Bukhaari (rahimahullaah) in Adabul Mufrad Number 112 & declared authentic by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in his checking of Adabul Mufrad page 50. Publisher Daar As-Siddeeq 2nd ed [1421 AH/ Year 2000]

[Ref 3: Awnul Ahadis Samad Sharhul Adabul Mufrad’ page137, Vol 1- by Shaikh Zayd Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali (rahimahullaah). Publisher: Daar Al-Meeraath An-Nabawiy’ 1st ed Year 1434AH/ 2013]

[Ref 4: Fadaa’il Al-A’maal page 30’ by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdillah As-Subayyil (rahimahullaah)]

Four Obstacles In The Servant’s Path to Well-being And Safety

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

Disobedience is the cause of being in shaytaan’s captivity and a prisoner of lowly desires. A disobedient person is always in the captivity of his devil, the prison of his lusts and leadership of his desires. He is a captive and a shackled prisoner. There is neither a captive whose state of affairs is more evil than that of a captive whose captor is his worst enemy, nor is there a prison more restricted than the prison of desires, and shackles that are more restrictive than the shackles of lust; so how can a heart that is a captive and a shackled prisoner follow the path to Allaah and the home of the afterlife? How can he follow a single path when the heart is shackled and stricken with harm from every angle as a result of the [severity] of its shackles? The likeness of the heart is that of a bird; it distances from harm whenever it flies high and surrounded by harm whenever it lands. It is reported in a hadeeth: ‘’Shaytaan is a wolf to a human being.’’ And just as an unprotected sheep in the midst of wolves is quickly destroyed, likewise if there is no protection from Allaah for the slave, it is inevitable that his wolf will prey on him.

He is protected by Allaah through Taqwaah. Taqwaah is a shield and shelter from Allaah between the person and his wolf; just as it is a shield against punishment in this life and the afterlife. Whenever the sheep is closer to its shepherd, it is safer from the wolf and whenever it is distanced from the shepherd, it comes closer to being destroyed. So the sheep is more protected when it is closer to the shepherd, for the wolf only takes away the [sheep, cattle]  that are distanced and far away from the shepherd.

The basis of this affair is that whenever the heart is distanced from Allaah, then harm upon it is quicker, and whenever it is comes closer to Allaah, it is distanced from harm. Being distanced from Allaah is of various levels and some are more severe than others. Being distanced from [Allaah] through disobedience is greater than being distanced from [Allaah] through thoughtlessness; being distanced from [Allaah] through bidah is greater than being distanced from [Allaah] through disobedience, and being distanced from [Allaah] through hypocrisy and shirk is greater than all of that. [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Ad-Daa’u Wad-Dawaa’u’ page 119-120. slightly paraphrased]

Repentance:

https://www.salaficentre.com/2012/03/abridged-the-best-way-to-seek-allaahs-forgiveness-with-comments-from-imaam-bin-baaz-rahimahullaah/

https://www.salaficentre.com/2016/08/salaah-tawbah-prayer-repentance/