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Carefully and diligently paid attention to themselves

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

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

Imam Fudayl Ibn Iyaad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “If you are able not to be known, do so. Is there anything against you if you are unknown? Is there anything against you if you are not praised? Is there anything against you if you are considered blameworthy in the sight of the people but praiseworthy in the sight of Allah, The Mighty and Majestic?” (1)

Imam Ibrahim An-Nakha’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “It is enough a trial that a person is pointed out due to his religious or worldly affairs, except the one whom Allah protects”. (2)

Al-A’mash, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “We tried very hard to get Ibrahim An-Nakha’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, to sit at a place where people can listen to him and we wanted him do do so, but he refused”. (3)

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “I used to approach Nafi, may Allah have mercy upon him, the freed slave of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, whilst I was a young boy. He would approach and speak to me. He sat in the Masjid after the morning prayer, hardly anyone would come to him. When the sun rose, he exited. He used to wear a cloak and not speaking to anyone. I used to see him after the morning wrapped in a black cloak”. (4)

Khalaf Bin Tameem, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: I saw Ath-Thawree, may Allah have mercy upon him, at Makkah and many people came to him, so he said, “To Allah do we belong! I fear that Allah has made this Ummah to be lost when the people are in need of the likes of me”. (5)

Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Some of them rejoice due to abundance of followers, and Iblees deceives him that this joy is because of the large number of students of knowledge, but what is intended is the large number of companions and being constantly mentioned, and from that is being amazed by their statements and knowledge. This deception is revealed when some of them (followers) abandon him for someone else who is more knowledgeable him, thus, this becomes difficult for him. This is not the characteristic of the sincere one in teaching because the likeness of the sincere (teacher) is like doctors who treat the sick for the sake of Allah. If some of the patients are cured by a doctor amongst them, the other rejoices. We mentioned earlier the narration of Ibn Abi Laylah, may Allah have mercy upon him,– and we repeat it again with another chain of transmission – who said, “I have met a hundred and twenty companions of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] amongst the Ansar and not a single man amongst them was asked about a hadeeth, except he wished that his brother would suffice him in (answering)”. (6)

He Has Knowledge But Wants to Remain Unknown, Anonymous or Hidden!

[1] Hilyatul Awliyaa 8/89

[2] Taareekh Dimashq 18/33

[3] Siyar 4/529

[4] Siyar 5/98

[5] Siyar 7/275

[6] Talbees Iblees 159-160

Self-oppression

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Basics, 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.

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

When a person does not act upon the truth he needs – neither affirms nor loves it, he becomes an oppressor of himself. When he affirms falsehood or loves it, pursuing his own desires, he oppresses himself. This self-oppression stems from following conjecture and that which the soul desires through personal opinions and (vain) desires. Bidah represents the root of evil, and it is tantamount to prioritising one’s intellect over divine revelation and choosing personal desires over obedience to commands; and adhering to guidance is the foundation of goodness, as Allah said:

فَإِمَّا يَأۡتِيَنَّڪُم مِّنِّى هُدً۬ى فَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هُدَاىَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشۡقَىٰ

وَمَنۡ أَعۡرَضَ عَن ذِڪۡرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُ ۥ مَعِيشَةً۬ ضَنكً۬ا وَنَحۡشُرُهُ ۥ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ أَعۡمَىٰ

Then if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery. But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur’an nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection. [Taha  123-124]

Source:
شرحُ حديث ٱللهم إني ظلمت نفسي ظلما كثيرا
Page: 66

Reflections from some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali [20 of 80]

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

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

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, was asked: How do we invite the general people to Salafiyyah- the methodology of the pious predecessors, especially when they are influenced by certain harmful and misguided preachers?

Answer: Allah has provided us with a methodology for inviting others to His path. Allah said to His prophet:

ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ – رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِين

Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided. [An-Nahl 125]

Inviting to way of Allah with wisdom, which is knowledge, clarification and proof. You should invite the commoner and other than him with knowledge, good manners, gentleness, and leniency, however, the commoner often more receptive. He may accept the truth from you without argument, but if he need to be debated, it may stem from a certain attachment to falsehood, then you should debate in a way that is better.

وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ بـ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيُّ حَمِيمٌ وَمَا يُلَقَّهَا إِلَّا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَمَا يُلَقَّنَهَا إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيم

The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allah ordered the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly), then verily! he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient, and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of the happiness in the Hereafter i.e. Paradise and in this world of a high moral character). [Fussilat 34-35]

Majmoo 14/217-218

Gentleness and Tolerance

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Brotherhood, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, distributed (wealth), so I said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Other people are more entitled to it than these”. He said, “They gave me no option; either they would have asked me in a very harsh manner or they would have considered me miserly, and I am not miserly”.

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

In this hadith, there is proof to show that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was gentle towards his companions because he did not scold Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, when he made this suggestion that the ones who did not receive wealth were more worthy of receiving it than those who received it, but the Prophet did not scold him; rather he informed him of the reason behind what he did. This is proof that the Prophet had the highest level of gentleness, good manners, good dealing and beautiful patience. How can this not be when it is the fact that he is Allah’s Messenger and the most virtuous human to be taken as an example in his good manners, gentleness, good dealings with the young, the old, male and female. This is the first matter. Second, the insignificance of the worldly things in the sight of the Prophet because he was not asked anything of worldly wealth, except that he gave it. He never refused to give the one who asked because Allah commanded him, saying: [وَأَمَّا السَّائِلَ فَلاَ تَنْهَرْ – And repulse not the beggar], especially the one who behaved harshly towards him when asking because the worldly things were insignificant to him. He said, “If the world was worth the wing of a fly in the sight of Allah, a disbeliever would not have been given a sip of water from it”.

[at-Taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahadith As-Saheehah 1/152]

A century after the end of the Ottoman Empire

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Sahaabah, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Salafi Masjid Birmingham, Tamyee', Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “The Prophethood will remain amongst you for as long as Allah wills it to be. Then Allah will raise it when He wills to raise it. Then there will be the khilafah upon the Prophetic methodology. And it will last for as long as Allah wills it to last. Then Allah will raise it when He wills to raise it. Then there will be biting kingship, and it will remain for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then Allah will raise it when He wills to raise it. Then there will be tyrannical (forceful) kingship and it will remain for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then He will raise it when He wills to raise it. Then there will be a khilafah upon the Prophetic methodology”. Then he (the Prophet) was silent. Read full article by Shaikh Abu Iyaad [may Allah preserve him]. http://www.aqidah.com/creed/articles/kyvik-the-khilaafah-lasted-for-30-years-then-there-was-kingship.cfm

This article is a brief comment on the assertion made by an individual named Frederic C. Hof, who stated: “A century after the end of the Ottoman Empire, no successor to Istanbul’s sultan-caliph has emerged”.

Indeed, the presence of a khilafah, a Muslim empire or nation state that steadfastly adheres to the Qur’an and Sunnah as understood by the pious predecessors is a blessing that Allah bestows on whomsoever He pleases. A closer look at the rise and fall of the Ottomans reveals the elements that contributed to their success and their eventual decline, all by the Will of Allah. Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon upon him, said: “Whoever contemplates the state the world will find that every rectification is due to Tawhid, singling out Allah in worship and obedience to His Messenger (Muhammad). And every evil in the world, trial, affliction, scarcity (in livelihood), being overpowered by an enemy and other than that is due to opposition to the Messenger and the call to other than (the way of) Allah and His Messenger. Whoever truly contemplates this and examines the state of affairs of the world- since its beginning and until the time Allah will take it away and those upon it, he will realise this regarding himself and others, in general and specific (circumstances). And there is no Might or Power except with Allah –The Most High, The Most Great”. [Bada’i Al-Fawaa’id 3/525-526] Read article by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, may Allah preserve him: https://abukhadeejah.com/state-of-ummah-causes-of-weakness-means-of-rectification-ebook/

The acknowledgment that the Ottomans gradually experienced a decline in power due to their detachment from the Sunnah is well-documented in numerous historical texts. Nevertheless, this vulnerability was capitalised upon by those who have consistently sought to undermine Muslim governance, irrespective of its strength or frailty.

Shaikh Shamsuddeen Al-Afghani, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

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

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

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

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

Thirdly: A people appeared among the Muslims manifesting asceticism. These people were more dangerous to the masses and more severe in misguidance. They were a people who appeared in the garb of the righteous, with tearful eyes smeared with kohl, long flowing beards, elevated turbans, carrying rosary beads and pretending to be calling to the sunnah of the leader of Humankind [Muhammad], whilst secretly practicing the disgraceful acts inherited from the false and vanished religions. And from their plots was that they used to mix manifest lies with the authentic explanations of the Qur’aan and the authentic narrations in order to corrupt the clear proofs of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. These deviant heretics were known as the holooliyyah, ittihaadiyyah Grave worshippers, such as the likes of al-Hallaaj (309ah), Ibn Al-Farid (632ah), Ibn Arabi (638ah), Ibn Sina (669ah) etc [1]

Every Muslim caliphate or empire, following the era of the righteous predecessors, experienced a spectrum of strength and decline, irrespective of its geographical location. This phenomenon was influenced by various internal challenges, including the actions of hypocrites, such as the Rafidah, and the diminishing commitment of Muslims to the practice of the religion as exemplified by the righteous predecessors. Each caliphate – after the period of the pious predecessors – faced its unique combination of strengths and weaknesses, shaped by numerous factors contributing to these dynamics. Similarly, the Ottoman Empire, like other Islamic empires after the time of the righteous predecessors, encountered periods of prosperity, internal strife, and external adversaries, ultimately leading to the loss of its territories, including Palestine, apart from Turkey. [Refer to footnote a]

European ideologues, demagogues, and biased historians often overlook the positive contributions of the early Ottoman Empire when discussing its history. They frequently neglect to acknowledge that some of their own ancestors played significant roles in efforts to dismantle the Ottoman Empire, despite the internal weaknesses that also contributed to its decline. It is widely recognised that European imperialism exploited these vulnerabilities for over four centuries in regions that were once part of various Islamic states and empires following the Ottoman decline. This exploitation resulted not only in widespread looting and destruction but also in a cultural campaign by European powers. This culminated in the establishment of Zionist Palestine in 1948, a development that was unattainable while the Ottoman Empire retained some of its strength. Read: The historical ties between Christian Zionism and Jewish Zionism: https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2024/11/13/the-initial-rise-and-gradual-impact-of-christian-zionism-on-some-european-political-decision-makers/

Mr. Hof cannot discuss this issue without acknowledging the involvement of his ancestors in exploiting this vulnerability, which enabled them to fragment, weaken, and dominate Muslim territories, regardless of whether they were under Ottoman control. Nevertheless, despite this fragmentation and decline lasting over 400 years, Allah has protected the religion and its followers to the present day across various Muslim nations and monarchs. Consequently, wherever Muslims live under a Muslim ruler, they are obligated to practice their religion and obey the ruler. The noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, ”Allah is pleased with three things for you: that you worship Him alone and not to associate anything with him in worship, that you all hold onto the rope of Allah and do not be divided, and that you advise the one placed in charge of authority over you”. [2]

The noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “I command you to have fear of Allah, and to listen and obey even if a slave is placed in charge of authority over you…”. Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him: “Even if a slave is placed in charge of authority over you”; this is from an angle of giving an example – meaning the ruler is not belittled regardless who he is, even if he is a slave. As long as he is a leader of the Muslims, his personality is not belittled; rather his position and rulership is given consideration. As long as he has authority and the oath of allegiance has been given to him, then indeed it is obligatory to obey him [in good], even if he has mistakes….” [3]

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “It is obligatory to obey the leader even if he is not king. It is well known that the Muslim Ummah – since the early era – have had a Khaleefah and king, and there are leaders of countries. Therefore, if it is obligatory to obey a leader, then more so a king is to be obeyed”. [4]

Imam Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “The rulers and the leaders of the believers are to be obeyed and listened to [i.e. in good], whether he is a pious person or a wicked sinner, as well as whoever takes over the khilafah and the people unite behind him and are pleased with him, and the one who overcome the people with the sword until he became the Khaleefah and is named leader of the believers”. [5]

A Muslim is bound to adhere to this obligation in all situations, irrespective of the varying periods of weakness and strength that may arise within a Muslim nation, as previously cited from the words of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: “The Prophethood will remain amongst you for as long as Allah wills it to be. Then Allah will raise it when He wills to raise it. Then there will be the khilaafah upon the Prophetic methodology. And it will last for as long as Allah wills it to last. Then Allah will raise it when He wills to raise it. Then there will be biting kingship, and it will remain for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then Allah will raise it when He wills to raise it. Then there will be tyrannical (forceful) kingship and it will remain for as long as Allah wills it to remain. Then He will raise it when He wills to raise it. Then there will be a khilafah upon the Prophetic methodology”. Then he (the Prophet) was silent. Read full article by Shaikh Abu Iyaad [may Allah preserve him]. http://www.aqidah.com/creed/articles/kyvik-the-khilaafah-lasted-for-30-years-then-there-was-kingship.cfm

Strength is a blessing from Allah, and it can only be attained through obedience to Allah and His Messenger, regardless of whether one is under an Islamic empire, a monarchy, or a nation-state. This matter is not contingent upon the analyses of Mr. Hof and his ilk. We once again refer to the words of Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him: “Whoever contemplates the state the world will find that every rectification is due to Tawheed, singling out Allaah in worship and obedience to His Messenger (Muhammad). And every evil in the world, trial, affliction, scarcity (in livelihood), being overpowered by an enemy and other than that is due to opposition to the Messenger and the call to other than (the way of) Allah and His Messenger. Whoever truly contemplates this and examines the state of affairs of the world- since its beginning and until the time Allah will take it away and those upon it, he will realise this regarding himself and others, in general and specific (circumstances). And there is no Might or Power except with Allah –The Most High, The Most Great”. [6]

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, stated:

Islam will not cease to continue and all praise and thanks be to Allah. The religion and the Qur’an will not cease to exist until that appointed time about which the Prophet has informed us that at the end of time the Qur’an will be taken away from the hearts of men and from the Masaahif (i.e. the copies of the Qur’an).  The Qur’an will not remain within the hands of the people (at that time), but this will be at the time of the destruction of the world (i.e. when the day of judgement is very close). (However), good will continue to exist while the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the Qiblah are present, even though there is one who is led away from it and strays; and even though there is one who deviates from it and deviated, as the saying goes: “Fitnah has its victims”. It takes away the one who goes with it; but the people of Iman will remain even if they are small in number. Even if there is one who goes along with the Fitnah, the one who goes astray and the one who comes along, the truth and its people will remain, and all praise and thanks be to Allah. The truth is present, as Allah said: [إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ – Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption)].

A person is neither to lose hope nor despair. He should not to make the people lose hope of a return to goodness. He should not make the people lose hope that truth will prevail, and falsehood will be repelled. This is because Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, has made that promise and He does not fail to fulfil His promise. Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “The Religion is aided when put to the test; therefore, do not be amazed for this is the way the Most Merciful (Allah)”.

Allah said:
وَتِلْكَ الْأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنْكُمْ شُهَدَاءَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ
وَلِيُمَحِّصَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَيَمْحَقَ الْكَافِرِينَ

And so are the days (good and not so good), We give to men by turns, that Allah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you. And Allah likes not the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrong doers). And that Allah may test (or purify) the believers (from sins) and destroy the disbelievers.

This is the wisdom behind the occurrence of trials and tribulations, so that the believers are purified, exercise patience, become firm upon the truth and are cautioned for their mistakes, and repent to Allah, and the disbelievers in Allah are destroyed. Therefore, (trials and tribulations) are a purification for the believers and destruction for the disbelievers, and all praise and thanks be to Allah. It is obligated to a Muslim that he looks at (the affairs) with optimism-neither looks at history and the state of affairs with pessimism and hopelessness nor make the people lose hope. It has been reported in a hadith: “Whoever says the people are ruined, he himself is ruined”. [Muslim] Therefore, a person should neither lose hope in Allah’s Mercy nor does he make people lose hope that Allah will bring about solace. [7]

This admonition by Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah protect him, serves as a poignant reminder that despite the gradual decline of the Ottoman Empire resulting from a lack of proper commitment to the Sunnah, Allah provided the Ummah with Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab, may Allah bestow mercy upon him, and his helpers, may Allah have mercy upon them, to revive foundations of pure Islamic monotheism and adherence to the Sunnah. Read: https://abukhadeejah.com/the-state-of-the-region-of-najd-arabia-in-the-time-of-ibn-%CA%BFabdul-wahhab-and-the-first-saudi-state/

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public, and I ask You (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger, and I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty, and I ask you for blessings that never ceases, and I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends, and I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; and I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquillity, etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me). O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Iman, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). [8]

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] [9]

———————————————————

[1] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire

[2] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire

[3] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire

[4] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire

[5] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire – [Nidhaam Al-Mulk (An Amazing Man)]

[6] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire- [Some of Challenges Encountered By The Seljuks]

[7] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire- [The birth of a future outstanding leader during the chaos brought on by the Mongol invasions]

[8] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire- [The Rise of Uthman I]

[9] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire- [Some Qualities of Uthman I and His Influence on Those Around Him]

[10] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire- [Sultan Orkhan’s Extensive Military Campaigns Against the Byzantines]

[11] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire- [Sultan Murad I]

[12] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire [Bayazid I]

[13] The Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire: [Clash between Bayazid I and Timur, and its repercussions on the Ottoman Empire]

Click to access 14_Battle-Between-Bayezid_Ottoman-Sultan_-and-Timur_The-Turco-Mongol-Conqueror_and-Reason-Behind-Joyous-Reaction-of-European-Christian-Kings-After-Bayezid-Was-Defeated.pdf

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

[2] Saheeh Muslim 1715

[3] An Excerpt from Al-Mirhatur Rabbaaniyyah page 224

[4] Sharh Arba’een. Page 279]

[5] Usool As-Sunnah. Riwaayatu Abdoos. Page 64

[6] Bada’i Al-Fawaa’id 3/525-526]

[7] Excerpt from the explanation of the hadith of Hudhaifah Bin Al-Yaman “People used to ask Allah’s Messenger about the good times but I used to ask him about the evil times ..” page 5

[8] 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/

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

Reflections from some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali [19 of 80]

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

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

https://rabee.net/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B6%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%AA/

[الغي والضلال يجمعان جميع السيئات – (Ghay – to deviate from upright conduct) and Dalaal (misguidance related to knowledge and creed) combine all evils]

All Praise be to Allah, Lord of the entire existence, and prayers and peace be upon the most honorable of the prophets and messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions. To proceed:

Presented to all Muslims is this [الكلام الرائع – wonderful, remarkable, speech] of Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allah have mercy upon him] in which he spoke about the danger of Hasad (envy), and the danger of Ghay and Dalaal, and that they combine all evils. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all to [مراقبة الله – i.e. to recall the fact that Allah sees us, knows everything about us at all times, knows everything in our souls etc], strive to correct our beliefs and purify our hearts from envy, arrogance, transgression and all kinds of sins, especially major sins. Here is the speech of this Imam, who, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated in his treatise (titled) At-Tawbah (repentance) pages 236-238:

Indeed, Allah commanded His believing servants to supplicate to Him in every prayer with His statement:

ٱهۡدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٲطَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمَ
صِرَٲطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ غَيۡرِ ٱلۡمَغۡضُوبِ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

Guide us to the straight path (of beneficial knowledge coupled with righteous action); the path of those (Prophets and their truthful, righteous followers) upon whom You have bestowed favour, not of those who earn Your anger (by not acting upon what they know) and nor of the astray (who act without knowledge). [https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/sura/1/6]

And for this reason, Allah freed His Prophet from these two (i.e. Ghay and Dalaal), saying:

وَٱلنَّجۡمِ إِذَا هَوَىٰ
مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمۡ وَمَا غَوَىٰ
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ
إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحۡىٌ۬ يُوحَىٰ

By the (phenomenon) of the star when it descends (and vanishes with the appearance of dawn). Your companion-(O Pagans of Quraysh)—has not erred (in the knowledge he has been given) nor has he erred (in his sincerity of purpose). Nor does he speak out of the desire (of his own soul) (and forge revelation thereby). It is nothing but revelation revealed to him (containing guidance, rectitude and piety which he follows). [https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/sura/53/1 ]

[الضال – The misguided one]: He is the one that does not know the truth, but rather thinks that he is upon the truth while he is ignorant of it, as is the case regarding what the Christians are upon. Allah [The Exalted] said:

[وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا أَهْوَاءَ قَوْمٍ قَدْ ضَلُّوا مِنْ قَبْلُ وَأَضَلُّوا كَثِيرًا وَضَلُّوا عَنْ سَوَاءِ السَّبِيلِ – and do not follow the inclinations of a people who had gone astray before and misled many and have strayed from the soundness of the way]. [Al-Ma’idah. 77]

And [الغاوي – the one who deviates from upright conduct] follows his whims and desires even though he knows that this is contrary to the truth, as is the case regarding what the Jews are upon. Allah [The Exalted] said:

سَأَصْرِفُ عَنْ آيَاتِيَ الَّذِينَ يَتَكَبَّرُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَإِنْ يَرَوْا كُلَّ آيَةٍ لَا يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَا وَإِنْ يَرَوْا سَبِيلَ الرُّشْدِ لَا يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا وَإِنْ يَرَوْا سَبِيلَ الْغَيِّ يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَكَانُوا عَنْهَا غَافِلِينَ

I shall turn away from My Ayat (verses of the Quran) those who behave arrogantly on the earth, without a right, and (even) if they see all the Signs, they will not believe in them. And if they see the way of righteousness (monotheism, piety, and good deeds), they will not adopt it as the Way, but if they see the way of error (polytheism, crimes and evil deeds), they will adopt that way, that is because they have rejected Our Signs and were heedless (to learn a lesson) from them. [Al-A’raaf. 146]

Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ الَّذِي آتَيْنَاهُ آيَاتِنَا فَانْسَلَخَ مِنْهَا فَأَتْبَعَهُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْغَاوِينَ
وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنَاهُ بِهَا وَلَكِنَّهُ أَخْلَدَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ إِنْ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَثْ

And recite (O Muhammad) to them the story of him to whom We gave Our Signs, but he threw them away, so Shaitan (Satan) followed him up, and he became of those who went astray. nd had We willed, We would surely have elevated him therewith but he clung to the earth and followed his own vain desire. So his description is the description of a dog: if you drive him away, he lolls his tongue out, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls his tongue out. [Al-A’raaf. 175-176] [see footnote a]

And in a hadith, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said, “Indeed, what I fear most for you is the desires of the stomachs and privates parts that deviates a person from upright conduct, and the misleading trials”. That is because indeed Ghay and Dalaal combine all the evils of the children of Adam, because the human being is as Allah [The Exalted] stated: [وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنْسَانُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولً – But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results)] [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayah 72] [see footnote b]

So, by way of his wrongdoing, he becomes one who deviates from upright conduct, and by way of his ignorance he becomes a misguided one. And often he combines both these two affairs, so he is misguided in one thing, and deviated from upright conduct in another thing, because he is unjust and ignorant, and each of the two sins succeed one another, as Allah said: [فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ اللَّهُ مَرَضًا – In their hearts is a disease (of doubt, disbelief and hypocrisy), so Allāh increased their disease (by subjecting them to trials in which they preferred disbelief)]. [https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/2_10]

And as Allah said: [فَلَمَّا زَاغُوا أَزَاغَ اللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ – So when they turned away (from the Path of Allah), Allah turned their hearts away (from the Right Path)]. [As-Saff. 5]

Just as a believer is rewarded for a good deed with another good deed; if he acts according to his knowledge, Allah grants him knowledge he did not know; and if does a good deed, it invites him to another good deed. Allah [The Exalted] said: [وَالَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا زَادَهُمْ هُدًى وَآتَاهُمْ تَقْوَاهُمْ – While as for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance, and bestows on them their piety] [Muhammad 17]

Allah [The Exalted] said: [وَيَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدًى – And Allah increases in guidance those who walk aright [true believers in the Oneness of Allah who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. [Maryam. 76]

Allah [The Exalted] said: [وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا – As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allah’s Religion – Islamic Monotheism)]. [Al-Ankabut. 69]

Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ فَعَلُوا مَا يُوعَظُونَ بِهِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ تَثْبِيتًا
وَإِذًا لَآتَيْنَاهُمْ مِنْ لَدُنَّا أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
وَلَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ صِرَاطًا مُسْتَقِيمًا

And if We had ordered them (saying), “Kill yourselves (i.e. the innocent ones kill the guilty ones) or leave your homes,” very few of them would have done it; but if they had done what they were told, it would have been better for them, and would have strengthened their (Faith); ad indeed We should then have bestowed upon them a great reward from Ourselves. And indeed We should have guided them to a Straight Way. [An-Nisaa. 66-68]

Allah [The Exalted] said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَآمِنُوا بِرَسُولِهِ يُؤْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِنْ رَحْمَتِهِ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ نُورًا تَمْشُونَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
لِئَلَّا يَعْلَمَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ أَلَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى شَيْءٍ مِنْ فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَأَنَّ الْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ

O you who believe [in Musa (Moses) (i.e. Jews) and ‘Iesa (Jesus) (i.e. Christians)]! Fear Allah, and believe too in His Messenger (Muhammad ), He will give you a double portion of His Mercy, and He will give you a light by which you shall walk (straight), and He will forgive you. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. So that the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) may know that they have no power whatsoever over the Grace of Allah, and that (His) Grace is (entirely) in His Hand to bestow it on whomsoever He wills. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty. [Al-Hadid. 28-29]

And he [.e. the Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)] mentioned the desires of the stomachs and private parts that deviates a person from upright conduct as reported in the Sahih (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) that he said, “Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him.” [Al-Bukhari 6474]

The common people know that this is a sin, but they commit it in pursuit of their desires. As for the misleading trials, if a servant of Allah is tempted, he will stray from the path ordained by Allah, whilst thinking that he is guided, as Allah stated:

وَمَنْ يَعْشُ عَنْ ذِكْرِ الرَّحْمَنِ نُقَيِّضْ لَهُ شَيْطَانًا فَهُوَ لَهُ قَرِينٌ
وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ مُهْتَدُونَ

And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allah) (i.e. this Qur’an and worship of Allah), We appoint for him Shaitan (Satan – devil) to be a Qarin (an intimate companion) to him. And verily, they (Satans / devils) hinder them from the Path (of Allah), but they think that they are guided aright! [Az-Zukhruf. 36-37]

Allah said: [أَفَمَنْ زُيِّنَ لَهُ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ فَرَآهُ حَسَنًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ – Is he, then, to whom the evil of his deeds made fair-seeming, so that he considers it as good (equal to one who is rightly guided)? Verily, Allah sends astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills]. [Fatir. 8]

Allah said: [وَكَذَلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ وَصُدَّ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَا كَيْدُ فِرْعَوْنَ إِلَّا فِي تَبَابٍ – Thus it was made fair-seeming, in Fir’aun’s (Pharaoh) eyes, the evil of his deeds, and he was hindered from the (Right) Path, and the plot of Fir’aun (Pharaoh) led to nothing but loss and destruction (for him)]. [Ghafir. 37]

Allah said:

قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِالْأَخْسَرِينَ أَعْمَالً
الَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا

Say (O Muhammad ): “Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds! [Al-Kahf. 103-104] – And due to this, the companions of the Prophet [may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] interpreted this verse (and applied it) to those devoted in worship based on other than Allah’s Shariah with which He sent His Messenger, such as the idolaters, the people of the Scripture like the monks and the people of desires from this Ummah (of Muhammad), such as the Kharijites whom the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] commanded that they should be fought against, saying: “One of you will belittle his prayer compared to their prayer, his fast compared to their fast, and his recitation compared with their recitation. They will recite the Qur’an but it does not go beyond their throats, they pass through Islam as an arrow goes through the game’s body. Kill them wherever you meet them (i.e. when they initiate bloodshed), for indeed in killing them there is a reward from Allah – on the Day of Resurrection – for those who killed them”.

That is because these people exited the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger and the Jama’ah of Muslims to the point that those who opposed them – such as Uthman, Ali and the rest of the believers who ruled over them – were declared infidels, and they declared it lawful to kill Muslims and confiscate their wealth, as the Prophet said about them: “They will kill the adherents to Allah and leave the idol worshippers (i.e. when Jihad is established)”.

And if the desires that deviates a person from upright conduct combines with misleading trials, the affliction becomes severe and the one upon this path becomes one who earns Allah’s Anger – an astray person. This often occurs because of the love of leadership and self-exaltation in earth, as was the case of Pharaoh. Allah [The Exalted] said:

إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًا يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَائِفَةً مِنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيِي نِسَاءَهُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

Verily, Fir’aun (Pharaoh) exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (i.e. Children of Israel) among them, killing their sons, and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the Mufsidun (i.e. those who commit great sins and crimes, oppressors, tyrants, etc.). [Al-Qasas. 4]

Thus, Allah described him as one who exalted himself in the earth and caused corruption. Allah stated in the end of the Surah: [تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ – That home of the Hereafter (i.e. Paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the pious]. [Al-Qasas. 83]

This is why Allah stated about Fir’awn’s affair in particular: [وَكَذَلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ – Thus it was made fair-seeming, in Fir’aun’s (Pharaoh) eyes, the evil of his deeds]. [Ghafir. 37]

And that is because love of the leadership is a hidden lust, as Shaddaad Bin Aws [may Allah be pleased with him] said, “O Arabs! What I fear for you the most is Riyaa and hidden lust”. It was said to Abu Dawood As-Sijistani, “What is hidden lust?” He said, “Love of the leadership”.

Your love for a thing blinds and deafens (i.e. one neither sees the truth nor listens to truth), so the love for that will beautify for him what he loves of self-exaltation and hatred against its opposite, until haughtiness and pride are combined in the affair, and envy, which is to harbour hatred against Allah’s blessing bestowed on His servants, especially those who oppose Him. Pride and envy are two diseases that destroyed the early and latter generations, and they are the greatest sins by which Allah was first disobeyed, because Iblees became arrogant towards Adam and envied him. Likewise, the son of Adam, who killed his brother, envied his brother, and that is why arrogance contradicts Islam just as polytheism contradict Islam, because Islam is submission to Allah alone. Whoever submits to Allah and to others is a polytheist, and whoever does not submit is an arrogant person, like the case of Pharaoh and the chiefs of his (kingdom). This is why Musa said: [وَأَنْ لَا تَعْلُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنِّي آتِيكُمْ بِسُلْطَانٍ مُبِينٍ – And exalt not (yourselves) against Allah. Truly, I have come to you with a manifest authority]. [Ad-Dukhan. 19]

Allah stated about Fir’awn: [وَاسْتَكْبَرَ هُوَ وَجُنُودُهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا يُرْجَعُونَ – And he and his hosts were arrogant in the land, without right, and they thought that they would never return to Us]. [Al-Qasas. 39]

Allah said: [وَجَحَدُوا بِهَا وَاسْتَيْقَنَتْهَا أَنْفُسُهُمْ ظُلْمًا وَعُلُوًّا فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ – And they belied them (those Ayat) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their ownselves were convinced thereof [i.e. those (Ayat) are from Allah, and Musa (Moses) is the Messenger of Allah in truth, but they disliked to obey Musa (Moses), and hated to believe in his Message of Monotheism]. So see what was the end of the Mufsidun (disbelievers, disobedient to Allah, evil-doers, liars.). (Surah An-Naml. 14]

And whoever submits himself to Allah as a Hanif (i.e. one who worships Allah alone), he is a Muslim who is adhering to the religion of Abraham, about whom Allah said to him, “Submit”, he said, “I have submitted to the Lord of the worlds”. And this Islam is the religion of the first and the last of the prophets and their followers, as Allah described – in his book – Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Yusuf, Sulayman and others amongst the Prophets, such as the statement of Musa to his people: [إِنْ كُنْتُمْ آمَنْتُمْ بِاللَّهِ فَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلُوا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُسْلِمِينَ – If you have believed in Allah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will)]. [Yunus. 84]

Allah said: [إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُوا لِلَّذِينَ هَادُوا – Verily, We did send down the Taurat (Torah) [to Musa (Moses)], therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah’s Will, judged the Jews]. [Al-Ma’idah. 44]

Nuh said: [فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَمَا سَأَلْتُكُمْ مِنْ أَجْرٍ إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ – But if you turn away [from accepting my doctrine of Islamic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allah], then no reward have I asked of you, my reward is only from Allah, and I have been commanded to be one of the Muslims (those who submit to Allah’s Will)]. [Yunus. 72]

Yusuf said: [تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ – Cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous]. [Yusuf. 101]

Bilqees said: [وَأَسْلَمْتُ مَعَ سُلَيْمَانَ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ – And I submit (in Islam, together with Sulaiman (Solomon), to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)]. [An-Naml. 44]

And deviating from upright conduct is not limited to the desires of the stomach and the private parts only, rather it related to desires of the stomach, the private parts, the desires of leadership, pride, self-exaltation and other than that. He (i.e. the person) is following his desires, even if he does not believe that it is a desire; (but) he is not like the misguided one, because he (i.e. the misguided one) thinks that he is doing well, and that is why Iblis was the first of those who deviated from upright conduct, as Allah said:

فَبِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
ثُمَّ لَآتِيَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ وَعَنْ شَمَائِلِهِمْ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَاكِرِينَ

Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You)]. [Al-A’raf. 16-17]

رَبِّ بِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ

O my Lord! Because you misled me, I shall indeed adorn the path of error for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all. Except Your chosen, (guided) slaves among them. [Al-Hijr. 39-40]

Allah said:

وَيَوْمَ يُنَادِيهِمْ فَيَقُولُ أَيْنَ شُرَكَائِيَ الَّذِينَ كُنْتُمْ تَزْعُمُونَ
قَالَ الَّذِينَ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقَوْلُ رَبَّنَا هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ أَغْوَيْنَا أَغْوَيْنَاهُمْ كَمَا غَوَيْنَا تَبَرَّأْنَا إِلَيْكَ مَا كَانُوا إِيَّانَا يَعْبُدُونَ

And (remember) the Day when He will call to them, and say: “Where are My (so-called) partners whom you used to assert?” Those about whom the Word will have come true (to be punished) will say: “Our Lord! These are they whom we led astray. We led them astray, as we were astray ourselves. We declare our innocence (from them) before You. It was not us they worshipped.” [Al-Qasas. 62-63]

Allah said:

فَكُبْكِبُوا فِيهَا هُمْ وَالْغَاوُونَ
وَجُنُودُ إِبْلِيسَ أَجْمَعُونَ

Then they will be thrown on their faces into the (Fire), They and the Ghawun (devils, and those who were in error). And the whole hosts of Iblis (Satan) together. [Ash-Shu’araa 94-95]

That which is in the hadith, “What I fear for this Ummah of deviation from upright conduct”, is tantamount to deviation through desires of the stomach and private parts; but as for the deviation from upright conduct that is tantamount to arrogantly turning away from truth, this is the origin of unbelief, and the person upon this path is not from this Ummah, such as Iblis, Pharaoh and others. As for deviation from upright conduct by way of the desires of the stomachs and the private parts, this can happen to the people of faith, then they repent, as Allah said:

وَعَصَى آدَمُ رَبَّهُ فَغَوَى
ثُمَّ اجْتَبَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ وَهَدَى

Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray. Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance. [Taa Haa. 121-122]

And in the Sunan and Al-Musnad from the hadith of Laith bin Sa’d on the authority of Yazid bin Al-Haad on the authority of Amr on the authority of Abu Saeed Al-Khudri who said: I heard Allah’s Messenger (saying), “Indeed, Iblis said to his Lord [The Mighty and Majestic]: ‘By Your Might and Majesty, I will not cease to deceive the children of Adam as long as the souls are in them (i.e. as long as they are alive)’. His Lord [The Mighty and Sublime] said to him, ‘By my Might and Majesty, I will not cease to forgive them as long as they ask forgiveness from me'”.

May Allah have mercy on Shaikh Al-slam Ibn Taymiyyah, and I ask Allah that this article will benefit all Muslims, especially students of knowledge. May Allah bless and bestow peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions.

Written by
Rabee Bin Haadi Omair Al-Madkhali
On 28/8/1432 AH

Paraphrased:

https://rabee.net/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B6%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%8A%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%AA/

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Footnote a: https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2020/04/12/the-scholar-his-abundant-knowledge-and-the-dog-that-lolls-its-tongue-out-a-mighty-parable/

Footnote b: إِنَّا عَرَضۡنَا ٱلۡأَمَانَةَ عَلَى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱلۡجِبَالِ فَأَبَيۡنَ أَن يَحۡمِلۡنَہَا وَأَشۡفَقۡنَ مِنۡہَا وَحَمَلَهَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ ظَلُومً۬ا جَهُولاً۬

Verily, We did offer Al-Amanah (the trust or moral responsibility or honesty and all the duties which Allah has ordained) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it (i.e. afraid of Allah’s Torment). But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results). [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayah 72]

Supplication for our children in the Quran

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Basics, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Salaah - Prayer, Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

The inspiration for this article arose from a captivating tweet by Shaikh Abdulilah, may Allah preserve him. In light of this, we felt compelled to share a short selection of insights from the Mufassiroon, as an additional layer of reflection and benefit alongside the Shaikh’s reminder, for our own benefit and our families.

https://x.com/Abdulilah_UK/status/934006936017821696?t=VY1CKttBfsFUMXB14RV7Eg&s=35

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ إِحْسَانًا ۖ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا ۖ وَحَمْلُهُ وَفِصَالُهُ ثَلَاثُونَ شَهْرًا ۚ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ إِنِّي تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَإِنِّي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

And We have enjoined upon man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bore him (in her womb) with hardship and gave birth to him with (more) hardship. And his bearing (in the womb) and weaning (period) is thirty months (in total). (Then he continues to grow) until, when he reaches the peak of his youth, and reaches (the age of) 40 years, he says: “O my Lord, grant me the ability to be grateful to you for Your favour (of guidance) which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to work righteousness that pleases You, and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I repent to you and I am of the Muslims (in submission to You alone).” (1)

وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي

“And make righteous for me my offspring”.

When he supplicated for his own righteousness, he also supplicated for his offspring that Allah rectifies their affairs. He (Allah) stated that their righteousness would benefit their parents due to His statement:

وَأَصْلِحْ لِي فِي ذُرِّيَّتِي

“And make righteous for me my offspring”. (2)

فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْهَا قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَضَعْتُهَآ أُنثَىٰ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتْ وَلَيْسَ ٱلذَّكَرُ كَٱلْأُنثَىٰ وَإِنِّى سَمَّيْتُهَا مَرْيَمَ وَإِنِّىٓ أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ

Then when she delivered her [child Maryam (Mary)], she said: “O my Lord! I have delivered a female child,” – and Allah knew better what she delivered, – “And the male is not like the female, and I have named her Maryam (Mary), and I seek refuge with You (Allah) for her and for her offspring from Shaitan (Satan), the outcast.” [3:36]

 وإني أعيذها بك وذريتها من الشيطان الرجيم

And I seek refuge with You (Allah) for her and for her offspring from Shaitan (Satan), the outcast.

She supplicated for her and her offspring, asking Allah to protect them from the accursed devil. (3)

وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَٱجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

And those who say: “Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for the pious”. [25:74]

They ask Allah to grant them the comfort of the eye by making their wives and offspring obedient to Allah, and to grant them happiness intheir hearts due to being followed by the righteous in obedience and servitude to Allaah. That is because a trustworthy leader in the religion co-operates with (others) upon obedience (to Allaah and His Messenger). (4)

رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْنِى مُقِيمَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ

O my Lord! Make me one who performs As-Salat, and (also) from my offspring, our Lord! And accept my invocation. [14:40]

Meaning: from those who establish the prayer with its pillars and guard it strictly (or be consistent upon it). Make my descendants among those who establish the prayer. (5)

رَبَّنَا وَاجْعَلْنَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ لَكَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِنَا أُمَّةً مُّسْلِمَةً لَّكَ وَأَرِنَا مَنَاسِكَنَا وَتُبْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and ‘Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful. [2:128]

They supplicated for themselves and their offspring to be granted Islam, whose reality is the submission of the heart and its obedience to its Lord, which necessitates the obedience of the limbs. (6)

هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُ ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ الدُّعَاءِ

At that time Zakariyyah invoked his Lord, saying: “O my Lord! Grant me from You, a good offspring. You are indeed the All-Hearer of invocation.” [3:38]

Zakariyyah, peace be upon him, sipplicated to his Lord for righteous offspring; meaning, children with pure morals and good manners, to complete the blessings of both religious and worldly life for them, thus his supplication was answered. (7)

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ هَٰذَا الْبَلَدَ آمِنًا وَاجْنُبْنِي وَبَنِيَّ أَن نَّعْبُدَ الْأَصْنَامَ

And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said: “O my Lord! Make this city (Makkah) one of peace and security, and keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols. [14:35]

Meaning: Distance me and them from  worshiping the idols. (8) Then he mentioned the reason for his fear for himself and his children due to the many who have been tempted and afflicted by its worship. (9)

(1)https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/46_15

(2) An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi

(3) An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi

(4) Ar-Ruh 488 By Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim

(5) Tafseer Al-Baghawi

(6) Tafseer As-Sadi

(7) Tafseer As-Sadi

(8) Tafseer at-Tabari

(9) Tafseer As-Sadi

Contemplate Surah Fatir – Verses 12-14

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Monotheism - Tawheed, Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.

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

Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَمَا يَسۡتَوِى ٱلۡبَحۡرَانِ هَـٰذَا عَذۡبٌ۬ فُرَاتٌ۬ سَآٮِٕغٌ۬ شَرَابُهُ ۥ وَهَـٰذَا مِلۡحٌ أُجَاجٌ۬ۖ وَمِن كُلٍّ۬ تَأۡڪُلُونَ لَحۡمً۬ا طَرِيًّ۬ا وَتَسۡتَخۡرِجُونَ حِلۡيَةً۬ تَلۡبَسُونَهَاۖ وَتَرَى ٱلۡفُلۡكَ فِيهِ مَوَاخِرَ لِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡڪُرُونَ

And the two seas (kinds of water) are not alike, this fresh and pleasant to drink, and that saltish and bitter. And from them both you eat fresh tender meat, and derive the ornaments that you wear. And you see the ships cleaving, that you may seek of His Bounty, and that you may give thanks. [Surah Fatir. Aayah12]

This is news regarding Allah’s Might, Wisdom and Mercy, that indeed He made the two seas as a source of welfare for all the creatures of the earth, but did not make them the same because the welfare related to them necessitates that the rivers should be fresh and pleasant to drink, so that those who drink from it and those who sow and grow crops would benefit. And sea should be salty and bitter, so that the air (or atmosphere) is not defiled by the stench of the animals that die in it, as well as the fact that it does not move in a manner similar to a river, and its saltiness stops it from changing so that its animals are in a better state and more tasty. This is why Allah said: [وَمِن كُلٍّ۬ – And from them both]- Meaning, from the salty sea and fresh river water, [تَأۡڪُلُونَ لَحۡمً۬ا طَرِيًّ۬ا – you eat fresh tender meat]- Meaning, fish which is easy to catch. [وَتَسۡتَخۡرِجُونَ حِلۡيَةً۬ تَلۡبَسُونَهَاۖ   – and derive the ornaments that you wear]- Meaning, such as pearls, coral and other than them found in the sea. These are great sources of welfare for the people.

Also among these sources of welfare and useful things in the sea is that Allah has subjugated it to the people to carry the vessels, such as ships and other means of marine transportation, so you see them traversing the sea and cleaving – travelling from one region to another region, from one place to another place, whilst carrying passengers, their belongings and merchandise, so that by way of this they receive a lot from Allah’s bounty and kindness. This is why Allah stated: [لِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡڪُرُونَ  – that you may seek of His Bounty, and that you may give thanks].

يُولِجُ ٱلَّيۡلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيۡلِ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ ڪُلٌّ۬ يَجۡرِى لِأَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ىۚ ذَٲلِڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مَا يَمۡلِكُونَ مِن قِطۡمِيرٍ

He merges the night into the day (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the night are added to the hours of the day), and He merges the day into the night (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the day are added to the hours of the night). And He has subjected the sun and the moon, each runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah your Lord; His is the kingdom. And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date-stone). [Surah al-Faatir. Aayah 13]

And amongst these bounties is that Allaah merges the night into the day and the day into the night- one enters the other and whenever one arrives the other disappears; one increases and the other decreases, then they become equal. So, by way of this, people attain welfare for their bodies, animals, trees and vegetations.

Also, Allah subjugated the sun and the moon, the sun a shinning thing with heat, the moon a light, their movements and disappearance, and thus the people may disperse to seek His bounty [i.e. livelihood], as well as what they [i.e. the sun and moon] facilitate to make the fruits ripe (and plants, crops ready for harvest) and others become dry due to the sun’s heat, and other necessities whose absence would have brought harm to the people.

And the statement of Allah [ڪُلٌّ۬ يَجۡرِى لِأَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ىۚ  –  each (i.e. the sun and moon) runs its course for a term appointed]- Meaning, the sun and the moon run their course for a period by the will of Allah, but they will cease when the end of the world arrives, the ability given to them to do what they do will stop, the moon will eclipse, the sun will wound round and lost its light and is overthrown and the stars will fall.

So, after clarifying what He (Allah) clarified regarding these mighty things, which He created, and the lessons within them, which shows His perfection and kindness, He then stated: [ذَٲلِڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُۚ  – Such is Allah your Lord; His is the kingdom]- Meaning, He  alone is the One Who created these things that have been mentioned and subjugated them for service to humankind. He is the true deity, who alone has the right to be worshiped and to Him belongs absolute dominion. [وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مَا يَمۡلِكُونَ مِن قِطۡمِيرٍ – And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date-stone)]- Meaning, the deified images and the idols do not own anything- neither a little nor a lot, and not even the thin membrane over a date stone which is a thing of the lowest value (or importance). This statement is related to the specific mention of something by way of which all other things are included, so how can you invoke these deified images and idols when it is the fact that they do not own anything found in the heavens and the earth?

[إِن تَدۡعُوهُمۡ لَا يَسۡمَعُواْ دُعَآءَكُمۡ وَلَوۡ سَمِعُواْ مَا ٱسۡتَجَابُواْ لَكُمۡۖ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكۡفُرُونَ بِشِرۡڪِكُمۡۚ وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثۡلُ خَبِيرٍ۬- If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call, and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them. And none can inform you (O Muhammad) like Him Who is the All-Knower (of each and everything)]. [Surah Fatir. Verse 14]

[إِن تَدۡعُوهُمۡ – If you invoke (or call upon) them]- Meaning, on top of that if you invoke them, they cannot hear your call because indeed they are either inanimate objects, dead things or angels that are busy in obedience to their Lord (Allah). [وَلَوۡ سَمِعُواْ  – and if (in case) they were to hear you]- Meaning, even if we were to say that this impossibility is possible (i.e. that they can hear you), [مَا ٱسۡتَجَابُواْ لَكُمۡۖ  – they could not grant it (your request) to you]- Meaning, because they do not own anything. [وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكۡفُرُونَ بِشِرۡڪِكُمۡۚ  – And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them]- Meaning, they will free themselves from you and say: [سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا مِن دُونِهِمۖ- Glorified be You (Allah)! You are our Wali (Lord) instead of them (Surah Sabah, Ayah 41)]. (1) [وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثۡلُ خَبِيرٍ  – And none can inform you (O Muhammad) like Him Who is the All-Knower (of each and everything)]- Meaning, the knower of everything by Himself. (2)

[1] An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi.
[2] Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi

Current Affairs

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

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

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

Some people say that someone who does not grasp current affairs is not a scholar, yet they forget what the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Whoever Allah wishes good for, He grants them understanding in the religion”. They lose sight of the reality that preoccupying oneself with current affairs distracts a person from understanding the religion and may even keep people from engaging in correct worship, which is to worship Allah alone while devoting one’s heart to Allah, contemplating Allah’s divine revelation (i.e. the Qur’an and the Sunnah) and His universal signs (i.e. the things He has created). In reality, preoccupying the youth with current affairs prevents them from understanding the religion Allah has ordained because the heart is a vessel that does not take another thing when it is filled with something else, thus, it is not possible to fill it with this and that. Being preoccupied with seeking understanding in the religion, fulfilling acts of worship, pure Islamic monotheism, and sincerity are the better to do for the individual than learning about current affairs and what such and such a person is about.

It is possible that one receives knowledge of current affairs through flimsy and fabricated media narrations, or bases knowledge of current affairs on the analysis and speculations of a person. The one engaged in the subject of current affairs may seek to establish an analysis that is far from what the current affairs are or they look into affairs that have been concocted for them by the enemies (regarding) a specific event, but this event turns out to be something else and does not exist at all, thus, all those plans come to naught.

Therefore, it is important that one learns what Islam expects of them- the understanding related to one’s self, rectification of the heart through sound belief and wishing good for the Muslims, and this is related to the understanding of halal, haram, and other affairs of a similar nature. (However), if necessary, one can acquire knowledge about current affairs; but when it comes to matters that haven’t actually happened yet, such as lies, deception, analysis, and speculation, attaching absolute emphasis to it has no foundation. (1)

Analysing The Plots Against Islam Is A Fard Kifaayah to Be Carried Out By The Scholars and Their Outstanding Students

 

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Madkhalee, may Allah preserve him, says:

So it is not permissible for the Ulamaa to remain heedless of their plans (i.e. the enemies of Islaam), their actions, their publications, their missionary activities and their various calls (to the Muslims). And also the various poisons they are infusing – which are in opposition to the Qur’aan and the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) and his Sunnah. And nor of what plans they have for (the destruction of) the beliefs and methodologies of Islaam. It is not permissible either, to remain heedless of their concentrated efforts to Christianize or secularize the Muslim youth. And along with that, the Muslim youth and the students are not able to oppose this plan and strategy. Rather it is necessary that the distinguished Ulamaa – those who are experienced and shrewd – it is for such people, in all the places to undertake this duty. So it is obligatory for some of the intelligent and ingenious people from the field of Aqeedah to be mobilised for opposing these plans. And likewise it is a must that the intelligent and distinguished from amongst the specialists in the Sunnah – that they be mobilised for the refutation of these and similarly the eminent and distinguished from amongst those in the fields of Orientalism for the refutation of the plans of the Orientalists.” (Ahl ul-Hadeeth, p.102)

He also says: “I myself believe that it is a benefit – rather it is of necessity – that we know what the enemies are planning for us, and that it is necessary for us to prepare (ourselves in strength) to destroy their plans. However, I do not exaggerate in this matter, rather my view is the view of our Ulamaa and they have all agreed upon this – that amongst the obligatory matters there are some that are Fard Ain and others that are Fard Kifaayah – and even if knowing the state of the enemies is harmful – it is still necessary for us to know it – but it is treated as Fard Kifaayah. When some attend to it, then the harm is removed from the rest” up until he said: “So I consider that there is no criticism for the Ulamaa and the students of knowledge who take great concern for preserving the Sharee’ah of Allaah – in terms of the Book, the Sunnah and its understanding – for this is one of the duties of the Kifaayah actions. And I believe that these people are more superior, noble, truthful and of more benefit to Islaam than those who are weak in their knowledge of the religion of Allaah or those who have no share in acquainting themselves with it.” (2)

(1) An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ pages 194-195

(2) An excerpt from an article at www.salafipublications.com titled: The Salafis and Looking into the Affairs of the Ummah]

Reflections from some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi al-Mad’khali [17 of 80]

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

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

One of the obstacles to knowledge and the disappearance of knowledge is when you do not act upon what you have learnt. Therefore, O students of knowledge! It is incumbent upon us to act upon what we have learnt. Sound knowledge is that which purifies the souls. How would you purify the soul if you do not act?! How would you be cleansed from the impure hidden traits and the evil traits that are visible, such as bad manners, arrogance, envy, covetousness and showoff?! All these deeds occur as a result of not applying knowledge. You possess knowledge of any matter, knowledge urges you towards sincerity. Your Lord, The Blessed and Exalted, said:

وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءوَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ

And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone, and perform the prayer and give Zakat; and that is the right religion. [Surah Al-Bayyinah. 5]

How many times has Allah censured the Yahud and Nasaaraa because they do not act?! You have heard a similitude that was given about a scholar amongst the scholars of Bani Israa’eel.

Allah said:

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ ٱلْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًۢا بِئْسَ مَثَلُ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Taurat, but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey who carries huge burdens of books [but understands nothing from them]. How bad is the example (or the likeness) of people who deny the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah. And Allah guides not the people who are wrong-doers. [Al-Jumu’ah’ 5]

They acquired knowledge of the Tawrat but did not act upon it, thus that led them to disbelief in Allah. Had they acted upon what is in the Tawrat that was revealed to Musa, peace be upon him, they would have believed in Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, but neither did they act upon what was in the Tawrat nor what was in the Injeel, nor what Muhammad brought; they belied him.

An Excerpt from “Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm”. page 226