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The Prophet’s Supplication for Ibn Abbaas- [By Shaikh Rabee]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Pearls of Wisdom, Scholars of Islam.

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

قال: حدثنا موسى بن إسماعيل. قال: حدثنا وهيب، عن خالد، عن عكرمة،

 عن ابن عباس قال: ضمني إليه النبي ﷺ وقال: “اللهم علمه الكتاب

Imaam Al-Bukhaaree (May Allaah have mercy upon him) said: Moosaa Ibn Isma’eel narrated to us, from Wuhayb who narrated to him, from Khaalid, from ‘Ikrimah, from Ibn Abbaas who said: The Messenger ﷺ embraced me and said: “O Allaah, Teach him (the knowledge of) the Book (of Allaah)”. [Ref 1]

Shaikh Rabee [hafidhahullaah] said: This is a tremendous supplication. If Allaah teaches a person His Book (i.e. the Qur’aan) and grants him (sound) understanding regarding it, then there is no blessing greater than this blessing after being blessed with Islaam.  The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ supplicated for him with this supplication, then Allaah answered the supplication of His Messenger on his behalf (i.e for Ibn Abbaas). He came to be from the most knowledgeable of the people concerning the book of Allaah and the people named him Hibr Al-Ummah (The Learned one of the Ummah) due to his knowledge of the Book of Allaah.  Ibn Mas’ood – May Allah have mercy on him – said about him (i.e. Ibn Abbaas): ”If Ibn Abbaas was alive, we would not be a tenth of his knowledge – Meaning: We would not equate to a tenth of his knowledge–He (Ibn Mas’ood) recognised Ibn Abbaas for his understanding and knowledge regarding the religion of Allaah and his (sound) understanding of the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Messenger ﷺ.

And he (Ibn Abbaas) was from the most knowledgeable of the people regarding the book of Allaah, and he was the one who was returned to for the Tafseer of the Qur’aan regarding the difficult matters, as he was from the most intelligent and knowledgeable of the people concerning the Book of Allaah, because Allaah answered the supplication of the Messenger of Allaahﷺ on his behalf. This understanding and the knowledge did not reach him except due to Allaah answering this tremendous supplication of His Messenger ﷺ.  This shows the importance of the Book and the Sunnah, for he ﷺ did not supplicate for him (to be granted) a lot of wealth, children, (high) status and authority; rather he chose this  tremendous supplication, and that is that Allaah grants him understanding of the religion, and understanding of the Qur’aan. And in another narration, the Messenger supplicated: (O Allaah, teach him the interpretation (of the Qur’aan). Meaning: The explanation of the Qur’aan and understanding of it.

[Ref 1. Al-Bukhaari ‘kitaab al-I’tisaam’ Hadeeth Number 6842]. [Ref 2. Source: Bahjatul-Qaaree p.12-13. slightly paraphrased]

From The Sunnah Is That You Do Not Help Anyone In Disobedience to Allaah – [By Imaam Al-Barbahaaree (rahimahullaah)]

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

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

Imaam Al-Barbahaaree [rahimahullaah] stated: “From the Sunnah is that you do not help anyone in disobedience to Allah, whether they be parents or any of the creation.  There is no obedience to a human in disobedience to Allah and no one is to be loved for that; rather all of that is to be hated for [the sake of Allah], the Blessed and Most High”.

Regarding the statement of Imaam Al-Barbahaaree: ‘From the Sunnah is that you do not help anyone in disobedience to Allah’;  Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [hafidhahullaah] commented saying: This is a fundamental principle from the fundamental principles of Ahlus Sunnah  Wal Jamaa’ah that has been derived from the statement of the [Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] that, “There is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to the Creator”. And he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Obedience is only in that which is good”.

So whoever commands disobedience to Allah is not to be obeyed.  He is not to be obeyed in disobedience, whether your father, mother, or from the closest of the people to you, or a Ruler or a King.  He is not to be followed in disobedience.  Allaah [The Exalted] stated about the Yahood and Nasaaraa when they followed [their Rabis and Monks] in disobedience: [ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ أَحۡبَارَهُمۡ وَرُهۡبَـٰنَهُمۡ أَرۡبَابً۬ا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ – They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allaah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allaah)]. [Surah At-tawbah, Aayah 31]

And concerning the statement of Imaam Barbahaaree, ‘Whether they be parents or any of the creation’; Allaah [The Exalted] said about parents:

وَوَصَّيۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٲلِدَيۡهِ حَمَلَتۡهُ أُمُّهُ ۥ وَهۡنًا عَلَىٰ وَهۡنٍ۬ وَفِصَـٰلُهُ ۥ فِى عَامَيۡنِ أَنِ ٱشۡڪُرۡ لِى وَلِوَٲلِدَيۡكَ إِلَىَّ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ

وَإِن جَـٰهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تُشۡرِكَ بِى مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌ۬ فَلَا تُطِعۡهُمَا‌ۖ وَصَاحِبۡهُمَا فِى ٱلدُّنۡيَا مَعۡرُوفً۬ا‌ۖ وَٱتَّبِعۡ سَبِيلَ مَنۡ أَنَابَ إِلَىَّ‌ۚ َ

And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination.  But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance'[31:14-15]

Allah [The Exalted] said: [وَوَصَّيۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ بِوَٲلِدَيۡهِ حُسۡنً۬ا‌ۖ وَإِن جَـٰهَدَاكَ لِتُشۡرِكَ بِى مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌ۬ فَلَا تُطِعۡهُمَآ‌ۚ إِلَىَّ مَرۡجِعُكُمۡ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ – And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents, but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything (as a partner) of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do]. [Surah Al-Ankabut. Aayah 8] There is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to the Creator, regardless who that may be, even if he is the closest of the people to you, such as the two parents; then what about other than them!

[Source: An Excerpt from It-haaful Qaaree Bitta’liqaat Alaa Sharhis Sunnah Lil Imaam Barbahaaree. 2/297-299]

Some Rulings Related to Women When Going to The Masjid

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

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

It is legislated for the woman to perform her prayers in her house, for this is from the prescribed Islamic duties (connected to the affairs of) the household. The prayer of the woman in her house is better than her prayer in the mosque of her people, and her prayer in the mosque of her people is better than her prayer in the mosque of the Messenger of Allah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) as has been established in the hadeeth.  And for that reason the obligation of the Juma’ah prayer is lifted from her. She is allowed to go to the mosque (whilst observing) the following rulings: She is safe from being a trial and that she is not put to trial herself. Her presence does not result in the violation of an Islamic ruling. She is neither crowded with men in the road nor in the Mosque. She goes out with a neutral smell and not perfumed. She goes out with the hijaab and not displaying her beautification. There should be a specific door for the women in the mosque, through which they enter and exit the mosque, as established in the hadith in sunan abee daawood and other than it. The rows of the women are behind that of the men. The best rows for the women are the back rows as opposed to that of the men. And if the Imaam (adds something in the salaah that is not to be part of it or leaves something that should be part of it unintentionally), then the men are to say subhaanallaah and the woman is to clap. The women are to exit the mosque before the men. And it is required of the men to wait until the women are dispersed, as (reported) in the hadeeth of Umm Salamah (radiyallaahu-anhaa) in Saheeh Al Bukhaaree. [Source: Hiraasatul Fadheelah: page:85-86]

The Relationship Between Sinning And Our Circumstances

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

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

A Brief Similitude Regarding Disobedience

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

“Obedience to [Allaah and His Messenger] is a light and disobedience is darkness.  And whenever the darkness becomes more intense, straying increases until [the person] falls into bidah, affairs of misguidance and destruction, whilst he does not know–similar to a blind man who comes out in the darkness of night and walking by himself”.  [Ref 1]

Consequences of Persisting Upon Evil, Whilst Receiving More Provision – By Imaam As-Sadi [rahimahullaah]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ

Those who reject Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not.  And I respite them; certainly My Plan is strong. [7:182-183]

[سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم  – We shall gradually seize them with punishment] – by granting them plentiful provision and respite until they think that they will neither be taken to task for their disobedience nor punished, so they increase in disbelief and transgression, and evil upon evil. And through this their punishment is increased and multiplied, so they harm themselves in ways they perceive not. This is why Allaah said: [إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ -certainly My Plan is strong] [End of Quote] [Ref 2]

[ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ –  We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not]: Imaam Sufyaan Ath-Thawree [rahimahullaah] said that this means, ”Whenever they commit [major] sins, Allaah bestows a blessing on them and make them forgetful of seeking forgiveness. [Ref 3]

Allah Will Not Change The Good Condition of a People As Long As They Do Not Change Their State of Goodness Themselves

Allaah [The Most High] said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ

Verily! Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allah). [Soorah Ar-Ra’d: Ayah: 11]

Ibnul Jawzee [rahimahullaah] said: Whoever loves that the state of affairs should become rectified then let him strive in rectifying (his) deeds.  Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) said: [وَأَن لَّوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسْقَيْنَاهُم مَّاءً غَدَقًا   – If they had believed in Allah, and went on the Right Way, We should surely have bestowed on them water (rain) in abundance]  [Ref 4]

The Evil Consequences of Our Evil Deeds On Earth

Allaah [The Most High] said:

ظَهَرَ ٱلۡفَسَادُ فِى ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُواْ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ

Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned.’’ (Soorah Ruum; Ayah:41]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim[rahimahullaah] said:

This ayah was revealed regarding the state of affairs of the world- the relationship between it and the events that occur. You see how the occurrence of those evil actions and defects (of the people) affects the harvest, vegetation and the animals in every era, and the manner in which those evil (affairs) necessitates other evils. And whenever the people initiate oppression and wickedness, their Lord (The Blessed and Most High) brings about- from those evils and defects (of theirs)- deficiencies and harm in their nourishments, fruits, atmospheres, bodies, outward appearances and manners, as a justification for their deeds, acts of oppression and wickedness.

The majority of the illnesses and the general evil affairs are remnants of the punishment afflicted upon the people of the previous nations; then there remained from that what remains, as a surprise punishment against those who remain upon the (evil) deeds of those previous nations. This is a just judgement and just decree.  And indeed the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) has indicated to this in his statement concerning plagues, that it is a remnant of an affliction or punishment that was sent by Allaah to the Children of Israa’eel. [Ref 5]

[Ref 1]: Al-Jawaab Al-Kaafee: page: 13

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

[Ref 3: Al-Mukhallisaat  2352]

[Ref 4: An Excerpt from ‘Saydul Khaatir’ page: 6]

[Ref 5: An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i-ul At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah: page: 313: Vol:2. slightly paraphrased

Our Lord is of Vast Mercy!

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

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

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٲسِعُ ٱلۡمَغۡفِرَةِ‌ۚ

Verily, your Lord is of vast forgiveness [53:32]

Had it not been for His forgiveness, the lands and the servants [i.e. its inhabitants] would have been destroyed. Had it not been for His forgiveness, the heavens would have collapsed on the earth and no living creature would have remained on it. [ref 1]

Neither Is The Believer Allowed to Lose Hope In The Mercy of Allaah Nor Be Complacent Regarding The Evil Consequences of Sins

Allaah [The Most High] said:

قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

وَأَنِيبُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمۡ وَأَسۡلِمُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن يَأۡتِيَكُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ

وَٱتَّبِعُوٓاْ أَحۡسَنَ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكُم مِّن رَّبِّڪُم مِّن قَبۡلِ أَن يَأۡتِيَڪُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ بَغۡتَةً۬ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تَشۡعُرُونَ

أَن تَقُولَ نَفۡسٌ۬ يَـٰحَسۡرَتَىٰ عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطتُ فِى جَنۢبِ ٱللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ ٱلسَّـٰخِرِينَ

أَوۡ تَقُولَ لَوۡ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هَدَٮٰنِى لَڪُنتُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ

أَوۡ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى ٱلۡعَذَابَ لَوۡ أَنَّ لِى ڪَرَّةً۬ فَأَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ

بَلَىٰ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡكَ ءَايَـٰتِى فَكَذَّبۡتَ بِہَا وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرۡتَ وَكُنتَ مِنَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ

Say: “O ‘Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islamic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him, (in Islam), before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped. And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord (i.e. this Qur’an, do what it orders you to do and keep away from what it forbids), before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not!” Lest a person should say: “Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to Allah (i.e. I have not done what Allah has ordered me to do), and I was indeed among those who mocked [at the truth! i.e. La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), the Qur’an, and Muhammad and at the faithful believers, etc.] Or (lest) he should say: “If only Allah had guided me, I should indeed have been among the Muttaqun (pious and righteous persons); Or (lest) he should say when he sees the torment: “If only I had another chance (to return to the world) then I should indeed be among the Muhsinun (good-doers). Yes! Verily, there came to you My Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and you denied them, and were proud and were among the disbelievers.

Repentance:

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2019/08/the-obligation-of-repentance-especially-during-calamities-and-afflictions-by-imaam-abdul-azeez-bin-baaz-rahimahullaah/

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2019/09/brief-commentary-on-a-tremendous-supplication-related-to-repentance-by-imaam-abdul-azeez-bin-baaz-rahimahullaah/

http://www.salaficentre.com/2015/07/allaah-afflicts-mankind-with-different-types-of-afflictions-because-of-their-disobedience-and-wicked-deeds/

[Ref 1: An excerpt from Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan). Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm 1st Ed 1424AH (2003). Translation slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Surah Az-Zumar Aayaat 53-59

The [Pious, Upright] People Used to Advise One Another With Three Affairs

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

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

Abu Awn [rahimahullah] said: When the people of Khayr [i.e. the pious, upright] used to meet, they would advise one another with three [affairs] and when they were absent [from each other], some of them used to write to others, [saying], “Whoever acts for the sake of the afterlife, Allaah will suffice him with his worldly affairs”. “Whoever rectifies what is between him and Allaah [i.e. obedience to Allaah and fear of Him etc], Allaah will suffice him with the people [i.e. Allaah will protect him]”. “And whoever rectifies his secret affairs, Allaah will rectify his outward affairs”. [Al-Musannaf 7/165]

Hadeeth: [O Allah, Bless My People In Their Early Mornings]

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

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

The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: “O Allah, bless my people in their early mornings.” When he sent out a detachment or an army, he sent them at the beginning of the day. Sakhr was a merchant, and he would send off his merchandise at the beginning of the day; and he became rich and had much wealth. [Sunan Abu Dawud Hadith Number 2606. Declared authentic by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in his checking of Sunan abu Dawud]

Few Points of Benefit Related to the Above Hadeeth

This shows the importance of this time period. the greatness of the blessings and goodness with it.  The Salaf used to dislike sleeping during this time, in order not to waste it in laziness and weakness. Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said that the Salaf disliked sleeping between after Fajr prayer and Sunrise because it is a time in which great benefit is obtained. And even when they stayed up late at night [i.e. in worship], they still stayed up until after sunrise, for indeed it is the early part of the day and its beginning time- the time in which provision descends, the time in which one receives his portion of provision and the time in which blessings are obtained. An Excerpt from Fiqhul Ad’iyah wal-Adkaar’ pages 48-50′ parts 3&4

Some of The Tremendous Benefits of Dhikr

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

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

The importance of Dhikr [remembrance of Allaah] and it’s tremendous benefit is not hidden from any Muslim, because it is one of the loftiest goals and most beneficial deed [through which one becomes mindful of Allaah, obedient to Allaah, keeps away from prohibitions, earns Allaah’s love, help, protection etc]. Indeed, in many places – in the noble the Qur’aan – Allaah commanded [us to remember Him], urged [us to do so], praised the people who remember Him and commended them with the most excellent and the finest commendation. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

[ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا – O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance]. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayah 41]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُم مَّنَاسِكَكُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَذِكْرِكُمْ آبَاءَكُمْ أَوْ أَشَدَّ ذِكْرًا – So when you have accomplished your Manasik [(i.e. Ihram, Tawaf of the Ka’bah and As-Safa and Al-Marwah), stay at ‘Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina, Ramy of Jamarat, (stoning of the specified pillars in Mina) slaughtering of Hady (animal, etc.)]. Remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 200]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ – Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 191]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا – And the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues (while sitting, standing, lying, etc. for more than 300 times extra over the remembrance of Allah during the five compulsory congregational prayers) or praying extra additional Nawafil prayers of night in the last part of night, etc.) Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)]. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayah 35]

In these Aayaat, Allaah commanded us to remember Him a lot due to the fact that a person is greatly in need of it -greatly in need of Allaah and cannot do without Him in the twinkling of an eye. Every moment in which a person is devoid of remembrance of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic], it will be against him and not for [his benefit]. The loss [incurred as a result of the absence of Dhikr] is much greater than what he earns whilst being heedless of Allaah, and he will greatly regret that when he meets Allaah on the Day of Judgement. Aa’isha [radiyallaahu-anhaa] said that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “There is not an hour that elapses in which the son of Aadam did not remember Allaah [The Exalted], except that it will be a source of regret for him on the day of judgement.’’ [Ref 1]

The [authentic] Sunnah is filled with narrations that shows the virtue of Dhikr, its high status, lofty station and its numerous good outcomes and benefits for those men and women who remember Allaah a lot. Abu Ad-Dardaa [radiyallaahu-anhu] said that Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “Shall I not inform you of the best of your deeds, the purest in the sight of your Owner [i.e. Allaah] – that which raises you to your highest status, better for you than spending gold and silver, better than meeting your enemy so that you strike at their necks and they strike at yours?’’ [Ref a] They replied: ‘’Certainly O Messenger of Allaah! He said, “Remembrance of Allaah.” [Ref 2]

Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu-anhu] said that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “The Mufarridoon have preceded [others]”, so they [i.e. the people] said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Who are the Mufarridoon? He said, ‘Those men and women who remember Allaah a lot.’’’ [Ref 3]

Abu Moosaa Al-Ash’ari [radiyallaahu anhu] said that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “The likeness of the one who remembers Allaah compared to the one who does not remember Allaah, is like the one who is alive compared to the one who is dead.” [Ref 4]

The Ahaadeeth related to this subject matter are numerous, and perhaps it is appropriate at this point that I specifically mention that which the people of knowledge [i.e. the upright scholars] have stated regarding the benefits of Dhikr, which those who remember Allaah will obtain in this worldly life and on the day of judgement. The best amongst those who spoke about this subject matter was Al-Allaamah Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] in his book titled ‘Al-Waabilus Sayyib.’ I will therefore mention to you one benefit stated by Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] from the benefits of Dhikr; he said, “From benefits of Dhikr is that it repels shaytaan, restrains and crushes him. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَمَن يَعْشُ عَن ذِكْرِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ نُقَيِّضْ لَهُ شَيْطَانًا فَهُوَ لَهُ قَرِينٌ – 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]. [Surah Az-Zukhruf. Aayah 36]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِّنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْصِرُونَ -Verily, those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V.2:2), when an evil thought comes to them from Shaitan (Satan), they remember (Allah), and (indeed) they then see (aright)]. [Surah Al-A’raaf. Aayah 201]

Al-Haarith Al-Ash’ari [radiyallaahu anhu] said that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said: ‘’Allaah commanded Yahya bin Zakariyyah to implement five commands and to command the Children of Israel to implement them, but Yahya was slow in carrying out these commands. Eesaa said to Yahya, ‘You were commanded to implement five commands and to command the Children of Israel to implement them. So, either command, or I will do it.’ Yahya said, ‘My brother! I fear that if you do it before me, I will be punished or the earth will be shaken under my feet.’ So, Yahya bin Zakariyyah called the Children of Israel to Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), until they filled the Masjid. He sat o­n the balcony and said, ‘Allaah commanded me to implement five commandments and that I should command you to adhere to them….’ then Yahyah commanded them implement Tawheed, perform Salaah, observe Siyaam and give Sadaqah; then he mentioned the fifth affair and said, ‘I command you to remember Allaah, for indeed the example of this deed is that of a man who the enemy is tirelessly pursuing and thus he takes refuge in a fortified fortress. Likewise, the servant cannot fortify himself against shaytaan except through remembrance of Allaah….to the end of the hadeeth’’’ [Ref 5]

Al-Allaamah Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] stated that this hadeeth contains a great affair and that it is befitting for every Muslim to memorise, understand [and act upon it]. [Ref 6]

This hadeeth gathers great virtues related to Dhikr – that Dhikr repels shaytaan and safeguards a person against him, and that it is like a fortified fortress and a robust shield, which is the only means a person can [utilise to] protect himself from this fierce enemy. There is no doubt that this is a tremendous virtue of Dhikr, and because of this Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said, ‘’If there was no other virtue related to Dhikr except this quality, then it would be true [or justified to say that] a person should not isolate his tongue from the remembrance of Allaah [The Exalted] and should never stop seeking refuge with Allaah through remembrance of Him; for indeed he cannot protect himself from his enemy [shaytaan] except through Dhikr. His enemy does not interfere [or approach him] except when he is in a state of heedlessness, so the enemy keeps an eye on him and when he is heedless, he pounces and preys on him. But when he remembers Allaah [The Exalted], his enemy withdraws, becomes small and is restrained until he appears like a wren and a fly. And due to this he is called Al-Waswaasul Khannaas – meaning: The one who whispers in the hearts, but when a person remembers Allaah [The Exalted], he withdraws-meaning: He stops and refrains. Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said, ‘Shaytaan lie in wait near the son of Aadam’s heart, so when the son of Aadam forgets and becomes heedless, he whispers; but if the son of Aadam remembers Allaah, he withdraws.’’’ [Ref 7]

We ask Alaah [The Exalted] to protect us the evil of shaytaan and his [enticement towards] polytheism, his madness, arrogance and poetry.

[Ref 1: Shu’ab Al-Eemaan’ Number 508. Al-Hilya 5/362. Hadeeth was graded ‘Hasan’ By Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in Saheeh Al-Jaami. Number 5720]; [Ref a: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/salafi-shaikh-fawzaan-on-jihaad-in-our-times-and-the-guidelines-of-jihaad-according-to-islam/ ]; [Ref2: Saheeh Al-Jaami 2676]; [Ref 3: Saheeh Muslim. Number 2676]; [Ref 4: Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Number 6407]; [Ref 5: Musnad Imaam Ahmad 4/202; Sunan Tirmidhee. Number 2863. Hadeeth was graded Saheeh by Shaikh Albaani in Saheeh Al-Jaami. Number 1724]; [Ref 6: Al-Waabilus Sayyib. Page 31]; [Ref 7: Al-Waabilus Sayyib. Page 72]

Contemplation: How Did Ustaadh Abu Hakeem As-Salafi [Bilaal Davis (hafidhahullaah)] Accept Islaam?!

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Pearls of Wisdom.

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

Some children asked us – just few minutes ago- to help them with their homework on the topic: “How People Converted to Islaam In The Past and In Our Era”. The first two people who came to our mind were Ustaadh Abu Talhah [rahimahullaah] and Ustaadh Abu Hakeem [hafidhahullaah]. We searched and found this article for the children, but also thought that it can be a reminder for all of us. May Allaah keep us all upon Salafiyyah Aameen.

Question one: When did you become Muslim? Answer: I entered Islam in the summer of 1991.

Question two: How did your family react to it?

I was born into a Jamaican family, and it is well known that most Jamaicans are quite staunch Christians. Though my parents were not strong practising Christians our family was raised on Christian ethics. My father was of a seventh day Adventist background and they are known to be a Puritan Christian denomination. Since I was heavily involved in gang culture anything that could take me away from that was welcomed by my family. I think though, that they initially thought it was a phase I was going through and I would leave gun culture due to it and then probably eventually leave it.

Question three: Has anyone in your family become Muslim since your reversion? If yes then how did you feel?

Yes. My father embraced Islam while I was still a student in the Islamic University of Medina. He suffered from diabetes and became very ill and was admitted into hospital while I was in the second year of my study in the faculty of Hadeeth. I was given leave to return to England so I returned with the mission of giving my father da’wah. I knew that my father was receptive to the da’wah before I even went away to study. That was because when I used to speak to the family about Islam he would be in the room and would silently listen. What I know of him is that if you would disapprove of something then he would let his disapproval be known. Also due to his seventh day Adventist background, I knew that he would be more appreciative of the pure monotheistic message of Islam and the Qur’an. So I returned and began to give him da’wah and call him to Islam, it didn’t take long for him to accept the message though he found difficulty speaking. And so he embraced two weeks before he passed away Al hamdullillah and may Allaah have mercy upon him. When I informed Shaikh Ubaid of the good news he was extremely happy and named him Ahmad. Though it greatly affected that year of study in the faculty (as I had to stay in England much longer than the time that was given to me) this is a drop in the ocean compared to the great good that was achieved because of it. I also have three brothers and two sisters who are all older than me. My brothers have said that after them hearing the da’wah, if they were ever to become religious than they would embrace Islam so I make du’a that Allaah guides them all.

Question four: What made you want to leave the life you once led?

Since the age of 12, I was involved with the largest most notorious gang in Birmingham at the time known as the inch-I crew. Inch-I (who went on to become the now well-known Johnson Crew) controlled the North West corridor of Birmingham, but its members were feared citywide. After years of gang affiliation I was eventually imprisoned due to gang related offenses. Looking back I consider this to be the beginnings of my step towards being guided. Although I didn’t get da’wah in prison, I did get long periods of reflection. I also did a lot of reading and studying in general and thus my frame of mind was altered. After release I decided to look for a close companion of mine who I was imprisoned with, who was also Inch-I and who was one of the few inmates in that prison, who like me, came from Birmingham. Rumour had it that he had gone mad after his release so I took it upon myself to try and find him. When I eventually came across him, I found him wearing a Pakistani salwar khamees and a koofi and then realised why people were saying that he had gone mad. Knowing that he wasn’t un-intelligent, I decided that I would look into exactly what had come over him. I invited him to my home and he brought a number of books with him among them a Qur’an. He began to speak about the ‘truths’ that he had discovered, the errors in the Bible, various prophecies, the call of the prophets and the realities of death. He clarified biblical misconceptions that I had always queried, and established concepts that I had always thought to be correct. Then he left the Qur’an with me and other books which I began to read. From the first things that I did was that I stopped drinking intoxicants. With a clearer head I was able to fully grasp the concepts that were present in Qur’an. I was struck by how powerful the book was, its message and wording, and I used to wash before reading it which increased the feeling of awe that I had for it. It was not long until I began to debate with people as though I was Muslim but I had not yet embraced Islam.

Source: An Excerpt from As-Sunnah Newsletter 2010. salafitalk.net

Two Types of Ignorance – [Al- Jahlul Baseet and Al-Jahlul Murakkab]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Pearls of Wisdom.

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

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said: Which one is more repugnant- Al Jahlul Baseet [i.e. the type of ignorance which shows that the person knows nothing about a particular affair] or Al Jahlul Murakkab [i.e. the type of ignorance which shows that a person understands something in a manner contrary to what it is in reality – he neither knows nor knows that he does not know]? [Ref 1]

Answer: Yes, certainly. There is no doubt that Al-Murakkab is indeed more repugnant. It has been mentioned that there was a man called Tawm, who used to think that he was a wise person, but he gave verdicts without knowledge. And from those verdicts of his was that he said, “Give your daughters as charity to those who have not been married”, and he thought that this [statement or verdict] of his is good. And regarding it, a poet said: “The one who acquires [or pursues] knowledge without a Shaikh will deviate from the straight path; the sciences [of the religion] will become mixed up for him, until he becomes more misguided than Tawm – the [so called] wise man, who said that the [people] give their daughters to men as charity and [seek] the gardens of bliss [i.e. paradise] by way of that. [Ref 2]

Ref 1: An Excerpt from Sharh Al-Waraqaat- page 44-45. slightly paraphrased; Ref 2: An Excerpt from Sharh Al-Waraqaat – p 45. slightly paraphrased