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Deviation from Upright Conduct and Deviation Related to Knowledge and Creed: Requires Prolonged, Constant, and Attentive Reflection

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

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

الغي والضلال يجمعان جميع السيئات.

الغي والضلال يجمعان جميع السيئات

Al-Ghay: [to deviate from upright conduct] and Ad-Dalal: [misguidance related to knowledge and creed] combine all evils

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali [may Allaah protect him] stated:

All Praise be to Allaah, 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 Dalal, 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). [Al-Faatihah. 6-7] [Noblequran-Shaikh Abu Iyaad]

And for this reason, Allah freed His Prophet from these two (i.e. Ghay and Dalal), 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). [Surah An-Najm. Aayaat 1-4] [NobleQuran -Shaikh Abu Iyaad]

[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. Allaah [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 Yahud are upon. Allah, The Most High, 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’raf. 146]

Allah, The Most High, 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’raf. 175-176]

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 Dalal combine all the evils of the children of Adam, because the human being is as Allah stated:

وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنْسَانُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولً

But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results)] [Al-Ahzab. 72]

So, through his wrongdoing, he becomes one who deviates from upright conduct, and through his ignorance, he becomes a misguided one. And often he combines both these two, this, 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)]. [Al-Baqarah. 10] [NobleQuran-Shaikh Abu Iyaad]

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 Most High, 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 Most High, 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 Most High, 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 Most High, 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 Most High, 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 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 [i.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:

“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, while 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 Allaah – on the Day of Resurrection – for those who killed them”. [Footnote a]

This is because these people exited the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger and the Jamaa’ah of Muslims to the point that those who opposed them – such as Uthmaan, Ali and the rest of the believers who ruled over them – were declared disbelievers, 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”. [Must read about Jihad in Footnote b]

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 Most High. 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]

So, Allah described him as one who exalted himself in the earth and caused corruption. Allah stated in the end of 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 Muttaqun (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 Shaddad 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 Dawud 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), thus, 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 through which Allah was first disobeyed, because Iblees became arrogant towards Adam and envied him. Similarly, 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 (in worship) 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.(Surah Al-Qasas. Aayah 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.). [An-Naml. 14]

And whoever submits himself to Allah as a Hanif (i.e. one who worships Allaah alone), he is a Muslim who is adhering to the religion of Abrahim, 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 Iblees 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 Iblees, Pharaoh and others. As for deviation from upright conduct through by 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 Allaah’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- Islam 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:

الغي والضلال يجمعان جميع السيئات.

——————————————————-

Footnote a:

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

Footnote b:

Salafi Shaikh Fawzaan on Jihad in our times and the guidelines of Jihad according to Islam

https://www.shariah.ws/articles/duviqgl-shaykh-salih-al-fawzan-the-islamic-shariah-provides-security–for-muslims-and-non-muslims-and-those-who-violate-it-are-kh257rijites-who-are-to-be-fought-and-severely-punished.cfm

https://www.shariah.ws/articles/szsumlh-the-foundation-of-muslim-relations-with-non-muslims-who-do-not-show-aggression-and-hostility.cfm

https://www.shariah.ws/articles/nmsdfkp-islam-and-the-muslims-are-free-and-innocent-of-the-kharijite-extremists.cfm

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

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, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ لِتَسۡكُنُواْ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبۡصِرًاۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَشۡكُرُونَ
ذَٲلِڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ خَـٰلِقُ ڪُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤۡفَكُونَ
كَذَٲلِكَ يُؤۡفَكُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ يَجۡحَدُونَ
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ قَرَارً۬ا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً۬ وَصَوَّرَڪُمۡ فَأَحۡسَنَ صُوَرَڪُمۡ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِۚ ذَٲلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّڪُمۡۖ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ
هُوَ ٱلۡحَىُّ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَٱدۡعُوهُ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَۗ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

Allah, it is He Who has made the night for you that you may rest therein and the day for you to see. Truly, Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, yet most of mankind give no thanks.

That is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things, Laa ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), where then you are turning away (from Allah, by worshipping others instead of Him)!

Thus were turned away those who used to deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah.

Allah, it is He Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape and made your shapes good (looking) and has provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord, then blessed be Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).

He is the Ever Living, Laa ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), so invoke Him making your worship pure for Him Alone (by worshipping Him Alone, and none else, and by doing righteous deeds sincerely for Allah’s sake only, and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship). All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). [Ghafir. 61-65]

 

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ لِتَسۡكُنُواْ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبۡصِرًاۚ

Allah, it is He Who has made the night for you that you may rest therein and the day for you to see”.

Meaning: Allah, The Most High, reminds His creation [i.e. Mankind and Jinn] of His favours. He made the night for them, in which they take rest and cease from their activities so that they can return to seeking after their livelihood during the daytime. He [The Most High] made the daytime bright, so that they can travel and engage in their occupations.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاس لَا يَشۡكُرُونَ

Truly, Allah is full of Bounty to mankind, yet most of mankind give no thanks]: Meaning: They are not thankful for the favours Allaah has bestowed on them.

ذَٲلِڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ خَـٰلِقُ ڪُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ

That is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things, none has the right to be worshipped but He).

Meaning: Allah is the One Who did all these things- The One and Only, the Unique One, the one and only true deity, Who possesses all the Names and Attributes of perfection and free is He from all imperfections, faults, deficiencies, similarities, co-equals; the One singled out in His actions [the Creator, Provider and in Whose control is all the affairs of the universe]- besides Whom there is no other true object of worship or Lord. [فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤۡفَكُونَ -How then are you turning away]: Meaning: How can you worship idols when it is the fact that they have not created anything [and cannot create anything]; rather are themselves made and carved by [people].

Then Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, said:

كَذَٲلِكَ يُؤۡفَكُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ يَجۡحَدُونَ

Thus were turned away those who used to deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah”.

Meaning: Just as these people [i.e. the pagans of the Arabian peninsula] are misguided by worshipping others besides Allaah, likewise those who were before them did turn away [from guidance], so they worshipped others besides Allaah with no proof or evidence; rather their worship of others was merely due to ignorance and desires. They wilfully denied Allaah’s proofs and His signs.

Then Allah, The Most High, said:

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَڪُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ قَرَارً۬ا

Allah, it is He Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place.

Meaning: Allah made it firmly fixed and spread out, so that they [i.e. the creatures] can live on it and walk on its pathways (or roads). He [The Most High] strengthened the earth with the mountains, so that it does not tremble. [وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً۬ – and the sky as a canopy]: Meaning: Allaah made it a roof covering for the world.

[وَصَوَّرَڪُمۡ فَأَحۡسَنَ صُوَرَڪُمۡ – and has given you shape and made your shapes good (looking)].

Meaning: Allah created you in the most excellent shape and form.

[وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِۚ – and has provided you with good things]

Meaning: Allaah provided you with foods and drinks in this worldly life, just as He, The Most High, said in Surah Al-Baqarah that He created the earth as a dwelling, its inhabitants and provision. He, The Most High, said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِرَشً۬ا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً۬ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ رِزۡقً۬ا لَّكُمۡ‌ۖ فَلَا تَجۡعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ أَندَادً۬ا وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious). Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped). [Al-Baqarah 21-22]

Then after Allah, The Most High, stated (in the in Surah Ghaafir) that He alone created all these things [i.e. the night, the day, the earth, the sky etc], He said:

ذَٲلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّڪُمۡۖ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

That is Allah, your Lord, then blessed be Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)”.

Meaning: He is The Pure and Perfect One- Exalted, and free is He from all imperfections, faults, deficiencies, shortcomings, weaknesses- and He is the Lord of the Aalameen.

Then Allah said: [هُوَ ٱلۡحَىُّ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ – He is the Ever Living, None has the right to be worshipped but He].

فَٱدۡعُوهُ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَۗ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

so invoke Him making your worship pure for Him Alone. All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)”.

Meaning: Affirm that He is One, the only one worthy of being worshipped and that all the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the Aalameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists).

Excerpt from Misbah Al-Munir Fee Tahdhib Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tafsir as-Sadi

A Timeless and Lofty Trait: Welcoming Truth from Whoever Utters It

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Basics, Featured, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Sin, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

I invoke Allah as a witness to the fact that my intention in this article is not to address any particular situation or person, regardless of where it may be shared on—be it Twitter, WhatsApp, Telegram, or elsewhere. Instead, this article is simply to demonstrate a timeless lofty character trait from the Qur’an about welcoming truth from anyone, whether it is conveyed by someone we love dearly or not, or from someone of great renown or not. Therefore, the main goal of this article is to remind myself first and foremost and anyone it reaches that we ask Allah to constantly bless us with the ability to self-reflect in all matters, especially the one that will be addressed in this article. In this regard, Ibn Shaheen, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Among the supplications of those who preceded (i.e. the pious predecessors) is that they used to say:

اللَّهُمَّ أَرِنِي الْحَقَّ حَقًّا وَارْزُقْنِي اتِّبَاعَهُ، وَأَرِنِي الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَارْزُقْنِي اجْتِنَابَهُ

O Allah! Show me the truth as truth (or as it is in reality) and bestow on me (the ability) to follow it; show me falsehood as falsehood (or as it is in reality) and bestow on me (the ability) to avoid it. [1]

To proceed:

Allah, the Most High, said:

وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا۟ عَلَيْهَا صُمًّا وَعُمْيَانًا

And those who, when they are reminded of the Signs of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat. [Al-Furqan 73]

Imam Muḥammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, commented:

ولم يبين من المذكِّر ليشمل كل مذكِّر؛ وليبين أن قبولهم للتذكير ليس من أجل شخص مذكِّر؛ لأن من الناس من لا يقبل الحق إلا من شخص معين، إذا جاءه من شخص آخر لم يقبله، مثل ما فعل أهل الكتاب بالنبي عليه الصلاة والسلام، وغيرهم أيضًا، لا يقبلون الحق إلا من طائفة معينة أو شخص معين

He (Allah) did not make known (specifically) the one giving the reminder, therefore, it includes every person who gives a reminder. This is because among the people there is one who does not accept the truth except from a specific person; if it reaches him from another person, he does not accept it, such as how the people of the Scripture behaved towards the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and other than them, who do not accept the truth except from a specific party or person.

وَلَئِنْ أَتَيْتَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ بِكُلِّ آيَةٍ مَا تَبِعُوا قِبْلَتَكَ

And even if you were to bring to the people of the Scripture all the Signs, they would not follow your Qiblah (prayer direction). [Al-Baqarah 145]

فهنا قال: ﴿إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا﴾ ولم يبين المذكر إشارة إلى أنهم إنما يقبلون الحق؛ لأنه حق، لا من أجل من قال به، نعم، فهم لا يقبلون التذكير لأجل شخص مذكِّر أو يردونه من أجل شخص مذكِّر، وإنما يقبلونه؛ لأنه تذكير، وهذا هو الفائدة في حذف الفاعل

 

إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا

“When they are reminded”.

Here (in this phrase), He (Allah) did not make known (specifically) the one who gives the reminder, as a demonstration that they (the ones receiving the reminder) accept the truth (solely) because it is the truth, not because of who utters it. They neither accept nor reject a reminder (merely) due to the person who gives the reminder; rather, they accept it because it is a reminder. This is the benefit of omitting- (from the verse) – the doer (i.e. the one giving the reminder). [2]

The Imam, may Allah have mercy upon him, also stated:

يعني إذا نسوا شيئاً من طاعة الله ثم ذكّرهم أحد بذلك قبلوا وسمعوا وأبصروا
فلم يخروا عليها صماً وعميانا.
وإنما تلقونها بالقبول والراحة ويقومون بما يجب عليهم.
إن بعض الناس والعياذ بالله إذا ذكر بآيات الله استنكف واستكبر.
وقال: من أنت حتى تأمرني؟ من أنت حتى تنهاني؟ أنا أكبر منك. أنا أعلم منك
وهذا محرم
الواجب إذا ذكرك أحدٌ بطاعة الله أن تتذكر، وأن لا تخر على ذلك أصم أعمى

Meaning:

When they forget something pertaining to obedience to Allah, then someone reminds them, they accept it, listen, and hearken to clear insight (give thought, observe, etc.), not falling on deaf ears and blind thereat. Rather, they receive (welcome) it with acceptance and repose and fulfil what is obligated to them.

Indeed, some people – and Allāh’s Refuge is sought – when they are reminded of Allah’s verses, they become dismissive (disdainful, etc.) and arrogant, and say:

“Who are you to command me? Who are you to forbid me (from this or that)? I am older than you. I am more knowledgeable (or I know more) than you”.

This (behaviour) is forbidden. When someone reminds you of obedience to Allah, the obligation is that you take heed; (it should) not fall on deaf ears and be blind thereat. [3]

[1] Sharh Madhahib Ahl As-Sunnah page 40.

[2] An Excerpt from Tafseer Surah Al-Furqan. (Paraphrased). May Allah bless my Salafi brother, colleague, and friend, Abu Zakariyyah (Abdul Malik Al-Congoli Al-Ifreeqee) for sharing the Arabic text of this reminder.

[3](Paraphrased): https://www.alathar.net/home/esound/index.php?op=codevi&coid=166809

river beside trees and grass field

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

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

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

Allah, The Most High, said:
طه
مَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لِتَشۡقَىٰٓ
إِلَّا تَذۡڪِرَةً۬ لِّمَن يَخۡشَىٰ
تَنزِيلاً۬ مِّمَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ ٱلۡعُلَى
ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ
لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَا وَمَا تَحۡتَ ٱلثَّرَىٰ
وَإِن تَجۡهَرۡ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ فَإِنَّهُ ۥ يَعۡلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ وَأَخۡفَى هُوَ‌ۖ ل
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ

Ta-Ha. We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you (O Muhammad) to cause you distress; but only as a Reminder to those who fear (Allah). A revelation from Him (Allah) Who has created the earth and high heavens. The Most Beneficent (Allah) Istawa (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and all that is between them, and all that is under the soil. And if you (O Muhammad) speak (the invocation) aloud, then verily, He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden. Allah! Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)! To Him belong the Best Names. [Taha. 1-8]

مَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لِتَشۡقَىٰٓ

We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you (O Muhammad) to cause you distress.

Juwaybir reported from Ad-Dahhak, who said that when Allah revealed the Qur’an to His Messenger, he and his Companions acted upon it. Then the Quraish polytheists said, “This Qur’an was not revealed to Muhammad except to cause him distress”. Thus, Allah, The Most High, revealed:

طه
مَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لِتَشۡقَىٰٓ
إِلَّا تَذۡڪِرَةً۬ لِّمَن يَخۡشَىٰ

“Ta-Ha. We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you (O Muhammad) to cause you distress, but only as a Reminder to those who fear (Allah)”.

Meaning: The matter is not what the falsifiers claim; rather the one to whom Allah grants knowledge, this is because (Allah) wants him to acquire abundant good as established in Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim from Mu’aawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Whoever Allah wants good for, He gives him understanding of the religion”.

إِلَّا تَذۡڪِرَةً۬ لِّمَن يَخۡشَى

But only as a Reminder to those who fear (Allah).

Meaning: Indeed Allah revealed His Book and sent His Messenger as a mercy through which He shows mercy to His slaves, so that the person who ponders might be reminded and benefits from what he hears of the Book of Allah, for it a reminder in which Allah revealed what He has made lawful and unlawful.

تَنزِيلاً۬ مِّمَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ ٱلۡعُلَى

A revelation from Him (Allah) Who has created the earth and high heavens.

Meaning: O Muhammad! This Qur’an, given to you, is a revelation from your Lord- the Lord of everything, the Owner of everything and the One Who is Fully Able to do whatever He wills. He created the earth- both its regions that are easy to access and those that are difficult to access. He created the high heavens- elevated and having great distances between each other.

ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ

The Most Beneficent (Allah) Istawa (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty).

لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَا وَمَا تَحۡتَ ٱلثَّرَىٰ

To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and all that is between them, and all that is under the soil.

Meaning: He is the owner of everything in the heavens and the earth. They are in His complete grasp, under His absolute control, will, intent and judgement. He is the Creator of all of them, their owner and God. Neither is there a true deity nor a true Lord besides Him.

And regarding the Ayah

وَإِن تَجۡهَرۡ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ فَإِنَّهُ ۥ يَعۡلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ وَأَخۡفَى

And if you (O Muhammad) speak (the invocation) aloud, then verily, He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden.

Meaning: The One Who revealed this Qur’an [i.e. Allah] is also the One Who created the high heavens and the earth. He knows the secret and that which is even more hidden. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

Allah knows what the children of Adam hide in their souls and what is hidden from the children of Adam before they do what they do. Allah knows all of that and His knowledge encompasses what has already taken place and what will happen in future.

Then Allah, The Most High, said:

ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ

Allah! Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)! To Him belong the Best Names.

Meaning: Allah is the One Who revealed this Qur’an to you (O Muhammad) and there is no deity worthy of worship except Him. Allah is the possessor of the perfect Names and lofty Attributes. [1]

There is no deity worthy of being loved, feared and invoked besides Him. There is no deity to whom a person should humble himself, turn to in repentance, submission and obedience besides Him. [2]

[1]Al-Misbah Al-Munir Fee Tahdhib Tafsir Ibn Kathir

[2]Tafsir As-Sadi

Gentleness and Harshness in Religious Guidance — The People of Knowledge

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, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated in Al-Usul ath-Thalatha:

“I’lam, Rahimakallaah – Know, may Allah have mercy upon you”.

Shaikh Abdur Razzaq Al-Badr, may Allah preserve him, said:

In the beginning of all the three principles, Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab, may Allah have mercy upon him, started by supplicating for the learner. In the first principle, he said:

اعلم رحمك الله

Know, may Allah have mercy upon you.

In the second principle, he said:

اعلم رحمك الله

Know, may Allah have mercy upon.

In the third principle, he began by saying:

اعلم ارشدك الله لطاعته

Know, may Allah guide you to His obedience.

Beginning with the word اعلم in this treatise and in his other treatises is employed when discussing important and great subjects, and due to this, you find that in the Qur’an, this word اعلم is mentioned in the great subjects and important commandments, such as the statement of Allah:

فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ

So know (O Muhammad) that Laa ilaaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah).

In the Qur’an, there are over 30 verses with this word mentioned in connection with Allah’s Names and Attributes, or in the affirmation of Tawhid and other important and great subjects. It is a word that is mentioned so that the reader’s or listener’s attention is captured.

Also supplicating for others is a sign of sincere advice and it is the path of the sincere advisers, for indeed the sincere adviser combines – for the one who is being advised – beneficial, gentle clarification and sincere supplication. He teaches him in a beneficia, gentle manner and supplicates for him while hoping that Allah benefits him through this knowledge. This is a matter that must be given importance – that a scholar, the one who nurtures others, an admonisher or a khateeb supplicates for the people, that Allah benefits, guides and shows them mercy. This supplication emanates from the mercy in the adviser’s heart, the eagerness in his heart and great desire that Allah benefits those who are being advised or called to Islam.

Sometimes the word رحمة is mentioned on its own and sometimes it is mentioned alongside المغفرة. When they are mentioned together, Al-Maghfirah means forgiveness of one’s previous sins in the past, and Rahma means asking Allah to protect, aid, forgive and guide a person towards righteous deeds and statements. And if one of them is mentioned alone, the meaning of the other is included in it. [1]

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

Rahimakallaah” is a supplication made for the student of knowledge. The Shaikh (Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab) supplicates for Allah’s Mercy upon the students of knowledge, that Allah has mercy upon them. Therefore, in this there is gentleness from the teacher towards the student.

Indeed, he begins with a good statement and a righteous supplication so that it has an effect and thereby making the student incline towards his teacher with acceptance. But if he begins with a harsh statement or a statement that is not deemed appropriate, this would make him flee.

Therefore, it is obligated to a teacher and the one who calls to (the path of) Allah, and the one who enjoins good and forbids evil, that he is gentle with the one he addresses – through supplication for him, commendation and soft speech, because this urges towards acceptance. However, as for the stubborn wilful, opposer, this one is to be addressed differently. Allah said:

وَلَا تُجَـٰدِلُوٓاْ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحۡسَنُ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ‌ۖ

And argue not with the people of the Scripture unless it be in a way that is better, except with such of them as do wrong]. [29:46]

Those who do wrong among the people of the scripture- wilfully opposing and are haughty- are not addressed with what is better; rather they are addressed with what would prevent from their (harm and misguidance). Allah said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ جَـٰهِدِ ٱلۡڪُفَّارَ وَٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَٱغۡلُظۡ عَلَيۡہِمۡ‌ۚ وَمَأۡوَٮٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُ‌ۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ

O Prophet (Muhammad)! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell,-and worst indeed is that destination]. [9:73]

Striving against the hypocrites is not carried out with weapons, rather it is carried out with proofs, statements, refutation against them with harshness that will prevent (them from propagating their misguidance and harm) and to keep the people away from them. Allah said about them: [وَقُل لَّهُمۡ فِىٓ أَنفُسِہِمۡ قَوۡلاَۢ بَلِيغً۬ا – But admonish them, and speak to them an effective word to reach their innerselves] [4:63]

Therefore, there is a specific type of speech that is prescribed for these people because they are wilful opposers and people afflicted with pride. They do not want the truth, rather they want to misguide the people. So, they are addressed in a way they deserve. As for the seeker of guidance, this one is addressed with gentleness and mercy. This is because he wants the truth, knowledge and something beneficial. [2]

Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked?

When should we employ gentleness and when should we employ harshness in Dawah to the path of Allah, and in (our) dealings with the people?

Response: The initial approach (or the basis) with regards to Dawah is gentleness, softness, and wisdom. This is the basis (or initial approach) regarding it. May Allah bless you, however, if you find someone who is obstinate, does not accept the truth, you establish proof against him and he rejects (it), then you may employ a rebuttal. If you possess (political) authority this person is a caller, you discipline him with the sword, which could lead to execution (in Islamic law) if he persists in spreading corruption.

There are among the scholars – from the various schools of Islamic jurisprudence – who hold that this person is more severe in corruption than highway robbers. Therefore, he is advised, and proof is established against him, if he refuses, then the Hakim Al-Shar’ee (i.e. the one recognised as the legitimate ruler in the Shariah) may embark upon punishing him, which maybe through imprisonment, exile, or execution.

May Allah bless you, indeed, they (i.e. the Scholars) issued the judgement of execution against Jahm ibn Safwan and others, Bishr al-Mareesee, and other than them; among them (i.e. those officially executed) were Ja’ad ibn Dirham. This is the ruling of the scholars against those who obstinately persist in spreading their Bidah. And if Allah benefits him (with guidance) and he recants, this is what is sought after. [3] [end of quotes]

Finally, caution required! We must seek advice and guidance from the upright people of knowledge when dealing with the likes of those who persist upon error because when to employ gentleness and harshness can be very ambiguous in some situations, thus, gentleness without guidance maybe exploited by one utilising victim mentality in order to escape accountability and harshness without guidance maybe exploited by an extremist. Therefore, we need the insight of the experienced people of knowledge whenever we  encounter different situations. And Allah knows best.

[1] Sharh Usul ath-Thalatha Audio Number 1. Masjid An-Nabawi. Date: 22/08/1434.

[2] An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Usul Ath-Thalaatha. page13-15.

[3] متى نستعمل اللين ومتى نستعمل الشدة في الدعوة إلى الله وفي المعاملات مع الناس؟ – العلامة الشيخ ربيع بن هادي عمير المدخلي

متى نستعمل اللين ومتى نستعمل الشدة في الدعوة إلى الله وفي المعاملات مع الناس؟

[4] Sharh Umdah Al-Ahkam: Audio lesson 9

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

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, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمۡ

So know [O Muhammad] that Laa ilaaha ill-Allah [none has the right to be worshipped but Allah], and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for [the sin of] believing men and believing women. And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest [in your homes, graves etc]. [Surah Muhammad. verse 19]

It is Fard Ayn [i.e. an individual duty (or obligation)] to have knowledge of Laa Ilaaha Ilal laah [i.e. that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah], because it is knowledge a person cannot do without. This knowledge can be acquired through several ways and the greatest of them is to seek knowledge about the sound meanings of Allah’s Names and Attributes, because that teaches a person the Greatness of Allah, directs him to deify and worship Allah alone and makes him know that Allah alone is worthy of all praise.

To know that Allah [The Most High] alone is the Creator, the One in control of all affairs of the universe and this necessitates that He alone has the right to be deified and worshipped.

To know that Allaah [The Most High] alone bestowed the creation with all the apparent blessings they have [i.e. Islaam, the lawful pleasures of this world- including health, good looks, etc] and all the hidden blessings [i.e. Iman, knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise, etc]. All this necessitates that the hearts should be attached to Allaah, love Him, deify Him alone and associate no partners to Him.

To pay attention to what one sees and hears regarding the reward Allah [The Most High] bestows on those who establish Laa Ilaaha Ilal laah- the help He gives them and the bliss He has kept for them in the afterlife; and the punishment He inflicts on the enemies of Tawhid- those who associate partners with Him in worship. All this shows that Allah alone has the right to be worshipped.

To know the characteristics of the idols and the other false deities that are worshipped besides Allah due to the fact that they are deficient in every way and dependent on others. Neither do they have the ability to harm nor benefit; neither do they have the ability to cause death nor give life, nor can they raise the dead. Neither can they aid those who worship them nor can they give them an atom’s weight of benefit, nor repel an atom’s weight of harm from them. The one who knows that these are some of the characteristics of the idols and false deities will know that none has the right worshipped except Allaah and that everything worshipped besides Allaah is false.

To know that the best of the creation-those people who possess the noblest and most perfect manners, the most sound intellects, views and the most perfect in knowledge- are the Messengers and Prophets of Allah and then the pious learned scholars, and they all testify to the fact that Allah alone has the right to be worshipped.

An Excerpt from “Taysir As-Sadi”

[4] The Shariah as the Sole Decisive Proof of Elevation and Nobility through Firm Adherence

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

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

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

Many people humble themselves to one another more than they humble themselves to Allah – The Most High, The Most Great. It is neither permissible for a person to be a slave except to Allah, (i.e. not to be subservient to anyone in a manner that only Allah deserves) nor humble himself except to the Greatness of Allah. Allah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] said:

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ‌ۖ هُوَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡجَبَّارُ ٱلۡمُتَڪَبِّرُ‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِڪُونَ
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ‌ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

He is Allah besides Whom none has the right to be worshipped but He; the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allaah! [High is He] above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allaah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. [Surah Al-Hashar’ Ayaat 23-24]

Examine those Ayaat in the last part of Surah Al-Hashar! The statement:

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

He is Allah besides Whom none has the right to be worshipped but He)]: This necessitates Tawheed Al-Uluhiyyah [The Oneness as the only one Who has the right to be worshipped].

The statement:

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ‌ۖ هُوَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

He is Allah, besides Whom none has the right to be worshipped but He, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen (open). He is the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful]: This necessitates Tawheed Al-Asmaa Was Sifaat [The Oneness of Allah in His Names and Attributes.

The statement:
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ

He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms]. This necessitates Tawheed Ar-Roboobiyyah [The Oneness of Allah in His Lordship].

These few Ayaat in the last part of Surah Al-Hashr necessitate all the categories of Tawheed [Pure Islamic Monotheism]. [1]

Imam Ash-Shawkaanee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

The love for high status and wealth often leads to the abandonment of fairness, which in turn distances individuals from the truth. This abandonment further results in the concealment of truth and the failure to clarify what Allah has obligated. The two aforementioned matters are a greater enemy to an individual than a pair of hunting wolves, [Footnote a] as stated by Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] because it was the reason that led the people of the scripture to distort Allah’s Books and hide the clear evidences and guidance that were revealed to them, such as what happened to the Jewish Rabbis (i.e. those who deviated after the advents of their Prophets). Allah, in His Mighty Book, and the Messenger, through authentic narrations, have both informed us about this.

The Imam also stated:

We often see a man who holds a belief that aligns with truth and correctness. However, when he speaks to someone who disagrees with him- one who is inclined towards something of the innovated matters in the religion, and especially if that person holds a position of leadership or worldly wealth, not to mention a king, he agrees with him, strengthens, supports and aids him against others.

The least in such circumstances is that he would hide what he believes is the truth and show contempt – in the presence of a person from whom it is neither possible to receive harm nor benefit – towards what has become clear to him is the right thing, so, what about someone from whom harm and benefit are possible? This behavior is essentially prioritizing worldly things and the life of this world over the religion and the afterlife. If he observed and reflected upon what has happened to him, he would have realised that his inclination toward the (vain) desires of a man, two men, three or more individuals – among those he compliments within that gathering, conceals the truth to be in agreement with them and to gain affection, acquire their possessions, and avoid being isolated by them -is a deficiency in upholding the truth and tantamount to exalting falsehood. If it were not for the fact that these individuals hold a higher position in his eyes than the Lord, he would not have been inclined to their (vain) desires and abandoned what he knows to be what Allah wants and demands from His servants. [2]

Footnote a: Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “Two hungry wolves let loose among sheep are not more harmful than a person’s craving after wealth and status is to his Religion”. [3]

Imam Muhamad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “Two hungry wolves let loose on a flock -then what will remain from the flock?! Even when a single wolf stops eating because its stomach is full, it still kills the rest of the flock; then what about two hungry wolves let loose on a flock!! Not a single will remain. Likewise, a person who craves wealth or status will corrupt the religion and because of this, it is obligated to a person that his intention is far removed from this- far removed from craving wealth and status in the religion. We ask Allah to aid us to accomplish this”. [4]

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ وَالْعَمَلَ الَّذِي يُبَلِّغُنِي حُبَّكَ

O Allah, I ask you for your love and the love of those who love you and the deeds that will bring me your love.

[1] An Excerpt from Majmu Wa Rasaail Wa Fataawa 1/22

[2] An Excerpt from Adabud Talab Wa Muntahaa Al-Adab. Pages 93-95. Slightly paraphrased]

[3] Reported by Tirmidhee no.2376. Declared Authentic by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmidhee Vol 2 page 553

[4] At-taleeq Alaa Siyaasah Shar’iyyah. pages 454-455

The Grave Danger of Impenitence, and the Amazing Outcomes of Penitence and Submitting to Truth

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Repentance, 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.

The Danger of Persisting Upon Sins

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

Sins breed similar sins, and they give rise to one another, making it difficult for a person to abandon them, as some of the pious predecessors said, “Indeed, one of the punishments for an evil deed is to commit another one after it, and one of the rewards for good deeds is doing a good deed after it. When a servant of Allah does a good deed, another good deed says, “Let me be like that one”. The third one does the same, and so on, leading to an increase in rewards and a multiplication of good deeds, and the same applies to evil deeds, until good deeds and sins becoming essential traits and established habits.

If a person who does good neglects obedience, they will feel constricted and uneasy, much like a fish out of water until it returns to its natural environment to find peace. If a sinner turns away from wrongdoing and embraces righteousness, they may feel a sense of inner turmoil, leading them to revert to their old ways. Many wrongdoers engage in sinful acts not out of pleasure or desire, but rather due to the discomfort they experience when trying to abandon those actions. [1]

 

The Weight of Humility, Regret and Sincere Repentance, and The Destructive Outcomes of Self-amazement

One of the pious predecessors said:

Indeed a servant commits a sin due to which he enters Jannah, and he performs a good deed due to which he enters the Fire”. It was said: “How?” He said, “He commits the sin and does not cease thinking about it, fearing (the evil consequences), very unhappy about it, apprehensive, weeps due to it, regretful, feeling ashamed in the presence of his Lord, The Exalted, his head lowered (in submission and humility) in the presence of (his Lord) and sorrowful. Then, this sin becomes a cause of his happiness and success (i.e. due to repentance), and until it becomes more beneficial for him than performing numerous acts of obedience due to the (good) things that results from it that leads to happiness and success; and until the sin (i.e. due to regret and repentance that takes place thereafter) becomes a cause for his entry into Jannah; or he performs a good deed and does not cease to regard it as a favour to his Lord, becomes proud due to it, (afflicted with) self-regard and self-amazement due to it, presumptuous, and saying, “I did such and such”, so this leads him to self-amazement, pride, boasting and presumptuousness which becomes a cause of his destruction.

When a person hears this, he is amazed by it, for indeed it is sin that enters a person into the fire and good deeds enter a person into Jannah, so how can a sin be the cause of entry into Jannah and how can a good deed be the cause of entry into the fire?! So, he clarified it. A servant of (Allāh) sins due to being overcome by shaytan, but then he hastens towards his Lord (in repentance), for he knows that he has a Lord who forgives and accepts repentance, thus, he does not stop weeping and turning to Allah, increases in the performance of good deeds which he hopes will be a cause of wiping away his sin and this becomes a reason for his entry into paradise. On the other hand, a good deed may lead a person to the fire – not due to the good deed itself – due to the [behaviour] of the person after the performance of that good deed, such as being self-amazed and regarding that deed as a favour to his Lord.

They regard as favour upon you [O Muhammad] that they have embraced Islam. Say: “Count not your Islam as a favour upon me. Nay, but Allah has conferred a favour upon you, that He has guided you to the Faith, if you indeed are true. [Al-Hujurat. 17]

And had it not been for the Grace of Allah and His Mercy on you, not one of you would ever have been pure from sins]. [Al-Nur. 21]

Therefore, neither think that you have done a favour nor be afflicted with self-regard- neither become self-amazed nor presumptuous. This behaviour is from that which will nullify deeds, such as self-amazement, presumptuousness and show off. This behaviour might occur after the performance of a good deed, for example, it may be an act of obedience which Allah has enabled you to perform or an matter related to knowledge bestowed on you, or memorisation, so the person becomes presumptuous, shows off and becomes self-amazed, which becomes a cause of entry into the fire – and Allah’s Refuge is sought.

There is a beneficial reminder in this matter and that is when a person commits a sin, he should hasten towards repentance, turn to Allah in repentance- with complete submission, obedience and humility, and he should know that he has a Lord Who forgives. He should be eager to meet Allah on the Day of Judgement without the burden of his sins. If he is favoured with (the ability to perform) an act of obedience or favoured with some knowledge, he should acknowledge Allah’s Favour as well as acknowledge that he has great shortcomings, because when a person is attentive to these things, it will repel self-amazement. If a blessing is bestowed on a person, firstly he should know that it is from Allah; then he busies himself with gratitude to Allah, and then knows that he has many shortcomings, because this will repel self-amazement from him. [2]

 

Tremendous Outcomes of Submitting to Truth 

Al-Allamah Abdur Rahman Bin Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

Contemplate the fact that truth is noble and falsehood is lowly. Contemplate the Greatness of Allah, The Mighty and Majestic- the fact that Allah is the Lord of the entire universe, Allah loves truth and hates falsehood, and that the one who follows truth is deserving of the Pleasure of the Lord of the universe. Allah, Glorified be He, will be his protector in the worldly life and the Afterlife by choosing for him everything that is good, better, more beneficial, more perfect, more noble and loftier until Allah removes his soul whilst being pleased with him. Then Allah raises him, brings him close and makes him dwell in paradise with honour- in permanent bliss and eternal nobility which no imagination can fully conceive its greatness. He should contemplate the fact that the one who clings to falsehood is deserving of the displeasure, anger and punishment of the Lord of the universe, and if he receives anything of worldly bliss, then that is only a means of humiliating him in order that he is increased in being distanced from Allah, so that the painful torment of the afterlife is multiplied for him, which no imagination can fully conceive its severity.

He should contemplate the bliss of the worldly life [i.e. temporary] as compared to the pleasure of the Lord of the universe and the bliss in the afterlife [i.e. eternal], compare the misery of the worldly life to displeasure of the Lord of the universe and the punishment in the afterlife [i.e. the severest punishment in this life is nowhere equal to punishment in the afterlife]. He should contemplate the statement of Allah, The Mighty and Majestic:

وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ
أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ
وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ
وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ
وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

And they say: “Why is not this Qur’an sent down to some great man of the two towns (Makkah and Ta’if)?” Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the Mercy (Paradise) of your Lord (O Muhammad) is better than the (wealth of this world) which they amass. And were it not that all mankind would have become of one community (all disbelievers, desiring worldly life only), We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Beneficent (Allah), silver roofs for their houses, and elevators (and stair-ways, etc. of silver) whereby they ascend, and for their houses, doors (of silver), and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline, and adornments of gold. Yet all this (i.e. the roofs, doors, stairs, elevators, thrones etc. of their houses) would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is only for the Muttaqun”. [Az-Zuhkruf. 31-35] [3]

We ask Allah:

اللهم آتِ نفسي تقواها أنت خيرُ مَن زكَّاها أنت وليُّها ومولاها أعوذُ بك من قلبٍ لا يخشعُ وعلمٍ لا ينفعُ ودعوةٍ لا يُستجابُ لها

O Allah! Grant my soul its piety, because You are the Best to purify it. You are its Protector and Guardian. I seek refuge in You from a heart that does not fear (You), the knowledge which does not benefit, and the supplication that is not responded to.” [4]

[1] Ad-Da’u Wad Dawa 60-61. Publisher: Dar Al-Hadith Al-Qahira 1430H (2009)]. May Allah bless my younger brother and colleague – Ahmad Qasim – who provided the Arabic text of this English translation.

[2] An Excerpt from Sharh Al-Wabil As-Sayyib. Lesson 1. By Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr (may Allāh preserve him) https://al-badr.net/sub/371. Slightly paraphrased

[3] An Aathaar Ash-, Shaikh Al-Allamah Abdur Rahmaan Bin Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee 11/309

[4] Sahih Muslim 2722

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

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

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ‌ۖ هُوَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡجَبَّارُ ٱلۡمُتَڪَبِّرُ‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِڪُونَ

هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ ٱلۡبَارِئُ ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌ۖ لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ‌ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

He is Allah, than Whom there is Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen (open). He is the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. He is Allah than Whom there is Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names . All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. [Al-Hashr. Aayaat 22-24]

[هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ – He is Allah, than Whom there is none that has the right to be worshipped but He)]: Meaning: Allah [The Most High] informed us that He alone has the right to be deified and worshipped, for there is no deity worthy of worship besides Him. And that is because He is Perfect [free is He from all imperfections, deficiencies, weaknesses, similarities, co-equals, faults, defects etc]. He alone bestowed everything to the creation out of His All-Encompassing Generosity and He alone controls all the affairs of the universe in perfect order. Every other thing taken as a deity besides Him is false and does not have an atom’s weight of right to be worshipped. Any other thing taken as a deity besides Him is deficient and dependent [or in need].

[عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ‌ۖ – The All-Knower of the unseen and the seen (open)]; Meaning: Allah [The Most High] described Himself as having All Encompassing knowledge. His knowledge encompasses what is hidden from the creation and that which can be seen.

[هُوَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ – (He is Ar-Rahmaan-The Most Merciful)]:

Meaning:

Allah described Himself that He has an All-Encompassing Mercy which reaches everything and every living thing [a]; “And He is Ar-Raheem-The Bestower of Mercy”. Meaning: He bestowed special mercy to the believers, just as He said in another verse:

[وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا -And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers (33:43)][b]

Then Allah [The Most High] reiterated that He alone is the true and only deity worthy of worship, saying:

[هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ – He is Allah than Whom there is Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)].

Then Allah [The Most High] stated that He is [ٱلۡمَلِكُ -The King]: Meaning: The owner of everything in the heavens and the earth. All the inhabitants and everything in the heavens and the earth belong to Him, completely in need of Him and under His dominion.

Then Allah [The Most High] said that He is: [ ٱلۡقُدُّوسُ ٱلسَّلَـٰمُ- The Pure and Perfect; The One Free from all defects];

[ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُ –The True and Trustworthy, The Granter of Security]; [ٱلۡمُهَيۡمِنُ -The Trustworthy and Ever Watchful Witness]; [ٱلۡعَزِيزُ – The All-Mighty or The Invincible]; [ٱلۡجَبَّارُ-The Exalted and All-Mighty Compeller]; [ٱلۡمُتَڪَبِّرُ‌ۚ – The One Supreme in Glory, The Justly and Rightfully Proud].

Then Allah [The Most High] said:

[سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِڪُونَ – Glory be to Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him].

This statement declares Allah free from all that is falsely ascribed to Him by those who associate partners with Him and those who wilfully turn away from Him.

Then Allah [The Most High] said:

[هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُ – He is Allah, the Creator]: Meaning: The Creator of all the creation. [ ٱلۡبَارِئُ- The Originator]; [ٱلۡمُصَوِّرُ‌-The Bestower of forms].

Then Allah [The Most High] said:

[لَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ – To Him belong the Best Names]: Meaning: He has many Names, which none can enumerate nor does anyone know all of them except Himself. All His Names and Attributes are perfect -[free from all deficiencies, defects etc].

Then Allah [The Most High] said:

[يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ – All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him].

[وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ – And He is The All-Mighty or The Invincible; The All-Wise]: Meaning: Whatever He wants to occur will occur, and nothing occurs except due to a perfect wisdom and benefit. [1]

[1 & a:] Tafsir As-Sadi

[b] Al-Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Tahdheeb Tafseer Ibn Katheer

NB: Translation of the Names of Allah in this article was taken from the translation of the Noble Qur’an’ by Dr Muhsin Khan and Shaikh Taqi-yuddeen al-Hilaali, as well as from a poster by Salafipublications.

The Greatest Declaration of The Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What Should Muslim Do When the Adhaan Is Heard?

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

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

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

Supplication After the Mu’adh-dhin finishes The Adhaan

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

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

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

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

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

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

[d] Sahih Muslim Number 385]

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