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The Sensible Person Must Cling to Humility – By Imaam Ibn Hibbaan [rahimahullaah]

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

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

Imaam Ibn Hibbaan [rahimahullaah] said: It is obligated on a sensible person that he adheres to humility and avoids pride.  Humility is of two types- the first one is praiseworthy and the other is blameworthy. Praiseworthy humility [necessitates] abandoning insolence and mockery. Blameworthy humility [occurs] when a person humbles himself in the presence of one who possesses the things of the worldly life and desiring what such a person possesses. Therefore, a sensible person maintains his abandonment of blameworthy humility in all circumstances and he does not depart from praiseworthy humility. [An Excerpt from Rawdatul Uqalaa page 58. slightly paraphrased]

Imaam Ibn Hibbaan (rahimahullaah) said: It is obligated on a sensible person to cling to humility and avoid being haughty. And if humility did not contain any [good] trait, except that whenever a person has a lot of humility he is increased in status, then it would have been obligatory upon him not to adorn [himself or herself] with other than it. [An Excerpt from Rawdatul Uqalaa. Page: 58]

Imaam Ibn Hibbaan [rahimahullaah] said: Indeed, none is haughty towards another (person) until he becomes amazed with himself and sees himself as having virtue over others. [An Excerpt from Rawdatul Uqalaa: page: 61]

Imaam Ibn Hibbaan (rahimahullaah) said:  The Poet said: Do not walk on the earth except with humility, for how many a people beneath it were of a higher status than you! And if you are in a state of honour, good and strength, then how many people have passed away who were more powerful than you! [An Excerpt from Rawdatul Uqalaa page 61]

A Noble Trait That Is Not Possessed By Everyone Attributed to Knowledge: [Imaam Yahyah Bin Yahyah An-Naysaabooriy Prolonged His Studies to Learn Manners From Imaam Maalik]

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

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

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [hafidhahullaah] saaid: When one sits with the Ulamaa, he will learn – first and foremost – manners and etiquettes. The people used to travel to [Imaam] Maalik [rahimahullaah] from different regions of the earth, and one of those [people] who travelled to him was Yahyah Ibn Yahyah Al-Naysaabooriy [rahimahullaah] – the great Imaam, about whom Imaam Ahmad said, “I have not seen someone like him. He [i.e. Yahyah] read Al-Muwatta to Maalik, then he remained with him; so Maalik noticed that and [wondered] why Yahyah was still with him! So, he patiently waited and after a long time he asked Yahyah, “Why are you [still] sitting here [i. studying with me]?” He said, “To learn from your manners.”

Sadly, you see that many people refrain from coming to the scholars to acquire knowledge from them. This – and Allaah knows best – is the cause of self-deception and evil manners. And due to this, you will find that they are upon a more [severe state of] self-deception, ignorance, insolence and bad manners than others. When a person relies on himself and he is not taught by a teacher [i.e. by an upright teacher who has a recommendation to teach], but rather he teaches himself, then this is a sign of sickness. The [best and most appropriate] path is to acquire knowledge from the scholars, for they will direct you to the book that is suitable for your intellectual capacity [or level of understanding] and ability. The scholar knows and has definitely acquired experience before you. [Source: An Excerpt from Majmoo Kutub Wa Rasaa’il Wa Fataawaa Fadheelatish Shaikh Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Umayr Al-Madkhali. Vol 1. page 37. Slightly paraphrased]

Those Who Live In Awe Due To Fear of Allaah, Even Though They Are Foremost In Knowledge And Piety

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

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ هُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَةِ رَبِّہِم مُّشۡفِقُونَ

وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّہِمۡ يُؤۡمِنُونَ

وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِرَبِّہِمۡ لَا يُشۡرِكُونَ

وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡتُونَ مَآ ءَاتَواْ وَّقُلُوبُہُمۡ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّہُمۡ إِلَىٰ رَبِّہِمۡ رَٲجِعُونَ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ وَهُمۡ لَهَا سَـٰبِقُونَ

وَلَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَا‌ۖ وَلَدَيۡنَا كِتَـٰبٌ۬ يَنطِقُ بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۚ وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُونَ

Verily! Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord; and those who believe in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord; And those who join not anyone (in worship) as partners with their Lord; And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities, etc., have been accepted or not), because they are sure to return to their Lord (for reckoning). It is these who race for the good deeds, and they are foremost in them [e.g. offering the compulsory Salat (prayers) in their (early) stated, fixed times and so on]. And We tax not any person except according to his capacity, and with Us is a Record which speaks the truth, and they will not be wronged. [Surah Al-Muminoon Aayaat 57-62]

Few Reminders about the People Mentioned In the Above Aayah:

Their hearts are filled with fear due to the fear they have of their Lord. They fear that the justice of their Lord will take effect on them and thus they will be left with no good deeds. They are afraid of having a false good opinion about themselves that they have fulfilled the rights of their Lord and they fear that their Eemaan will cease. This is due to the fact that they know their Lord and what He deserves of exaltation and glory. This fear of theirs necessitates that they refrain from that which will bring about those evil consequences of sins and due to falling short in that which one has been commanded. They carry out that which they have been commanded, such as the prayer, zakat, hajj etc whilst fearing for themselves when their deeds will be presented in the presence of their Lord and on that Day in which they will stand in His presence [on the day of judgement] – fearing that their deeds will not save them from the punishment of Allaah due to their knowledge of their Lord and what He truly deserves of obedience through various types of worship. [Ref 1]

Ibraaheem At-Taymi [rahimahullaah] said: I do not compare my speech with my actions except fearing that my [speech] belies [my deeds]. Ibn Abee Mulayka [rahimahullaah] said: I met thirty Companions of the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and each of them was afraid of hypocrisy for himself and none of them said that he was as strong in belief as the angel Jibreel or Meekaa’eel. And Al-Hasan Al-Basri [rahimahullaah] said: It is only true believers who fear nifaaq and only a munaafiq who considers himself safe [i.e. does not fear nifaaq]. [Ref 2]

[Ref 1: (Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan). Abridged and paraphrased]; [Ref 2: Saheeh Al-Bukhaari Vol 1. Chapter 36. (What is said regarding) the fear of a believer that his good deeds may be annulled without his knowledge]

What Sincere Advice to The Muslims Necessitate

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.

Sincere Advice to The Muslims: It is to guide them towards the beneficial things related to the affairs of their Aakhirah and the Dunyaa, and to aid them in that; guide them towards rectification in affairs related to their Dunyah and Aakhirah; love them for the sake of Allaah, aid them in truth, co-operate with them in good and guidance and not in sin and transgression; clarify the truth for them and advise them with it, and disapprove evil if they violate Allaah’s Right etc [Ref 1]

Teach them what they are ignorant of in their religion and aid them upon that through speech and action; repel harm from them and seek what is beneficial for them; command them with good and forbid them from evil with softness and sincerity and be compassionate towards them; respect their elder ones and have mercy on their young ones; speak to them with beautiful admonition and abandon deceiving and envying them; love for them what you love for yourself and hate for them what you hate for yourself; defend their wealth, honour and other than that through speech and action [Ref 2]

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Sharh Arba’een An-Nawawi by Shaikh Saaleh Aala Shaikh (hafidhahullaah)] page: 81]; [Ref 2: An Excerpt from Sharh Saheeh Muslim: 2/39]

Mobile Phone Infatuation And Breaking The Law Whilst Driving

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.

Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] said:

We are greatly in need of the Qur’aan, especially this era in which many people have become preoccupied with mobile phones. Many hearts have become infatuated with mobile phones and many eyes have been turned towards them – looking at them in a manner that has no benefit; rather it is harmful to one’s religion, manners, health and well-being. This reality [i.e. preoccupying oneself with mobile phones] grieves many of those who have great zeal for the religion – the sincere advisers – because it has become the case with many people; but on the contrary, the Qur’aan is given very little attention in their lives; rather late at night, different times of the day and most of their time is spent looking at them [i.e. mobile phones] – one gaze after the other; contemplation after another contemplation! And how many a person has been plotted against by shaytaan through these mobile phones.

The good uses of mobile phones is not in need of discussion [i.e. because its benefits are well known]; rather what needs to be addressed is the great calamity that has afflicted many people by way of them- to such an extent that being busied by the mobile phone leads some people to neglect the prayer. They hear the Adhaan – Hayyaa Alas Salaah; Hayyaa Alas Salaah; Hayyaa Alal Falaah…but carry on looking into the mobile phone until the prayer finishes. The time for an obligation ordained by Allaah [i.e. Salaah] to be fulfilled arrives, but one carries on looking into his mobile phone and does not pay attention to the prayer. If it is the case that the obligatory duties are being neglected, then more so other affairs will be neglected.

Therefore, we need to acquaint ourselves with the Qur’aan, especially because mobile phones have preoccupied many people in this era. Our lives would have been far better through attainment of piety and guidance if this preoccupation with mobile phones is substituted with  looking into the Qur’aan, contemplating and pondering upon it; however, we have exchanged that which is the best for something lower. [End of quote] [Ref 1]

Using a Phone Or a Sat Nav When Driving

Brothers and sisters, there is no doubt that our mobile phones can be of great use; but from what we have witnessed so far is that it has become a great source of distraction for some of us. Amazing indeed is the affair when you see a person sending text messages and constantly checking his WhatsApp messages whilst driving. One has to remember that we place ourselves and others in great danger when engaged in such a reckless deed. On the other hand, this is what the law says regarding such a deed: https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Sharh Dhakheerah Al-Ikhwaan Fee Ikhtisaaril Is’tigh’naa Bil-Qur’aan Fee Tahseelil Ilm Wal-Eemaan. Lesson 2. Slightly paraphrased]

Muhammad Is The Slave And Messenger of Allaah – [What Is The Upright Path Related to This Statement?]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

[Muhammad (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) Is The Slave And Messenger of Allaah]

This statement affirms Muhammad’s [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] servitude to Allaah and his Messenger-ship. These two affairs [Muhammad’s servitude to Allaah and his Messenger-ship] prevents a person from Ghuluww [i.e. exaggeration or going beyond bounds] and Jafaa [i.e. falling short in fulfilling what is required]. The fact that Muhammad [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] is a slave of Allaah necessitates that he is not to be worshipped; rather the Lord [Allaah] alone has the right to be worshipped. Therefore, this prevents a person from Ghuluww [i.e. exaggeration or going beyond bounds regarding the rightful status of Muhammad (sallal laahu-alayhi-wasallam)]. And the affirmation that Muhammad [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] is the Messenger of Allaah prevents a person from Jafaa [i.e. prevents a person from failing to follow the Prophet as he is to be followed; prevents a person from failing to give the Prophet his due rights, status etc].

An Excerpt from Sharh Kitaab at-Tawheed -lesson 2. By Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah]

A Brief Glimpse at How The Messenger Behaved at Home Whilst With His Family

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

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

Aa’isha [رضي الله عنها] narrated: I would drink when I was menstruating, then I would hand it (the vessel) to the Prophet [ﷺ] and he would put his mouth where mine had been, and drink, and I would eat flesh from a bone when I was menstruating, then hand it over to the Prophet [ﷺ] and he would put his mouth where mine had been. [Ref 1]  This shows the Prophet’s [sallal-laahu-alayhi-sallam] strong love for Aa’isha and also the perfection of his [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] humility and good nature. [Ref 2]

Aa’isha [radiyallaahu-anhaa] was asked how the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] was with his family at home.  She [radiyallaahu-anhaa] said, “He used to be in the service of his family”. [Reported by Bukhaari]

“After nightfall the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] would engage in a conversation with Aa-isha [radiyallaahu-anhaa].” [Reported by Imaam Bukhaari]

[Ref 1: Saheeh Muslim’ Hadeeth Number 300]; [Ref 2: ‘Mirqaat Al-Mafaateeh Sharh Mishkaat Al-Masaabeeh’- Hadeeth Number 547; Page 230; Vol 2; Publisher: Daarul Kutub Al-Imiyyah (1st edition. 1422AH (Year 2001)]

The Attitude of The Believer Towards This Worldly Life When He Reaches The Morning And The Evening

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.

Allaah (The Most High) informed us that the believer amongst the people of Pharaoh said:

 يَـٰقَوۡمِ إِنَّمَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا مَتَـٰعٌ۬ وَإِنَّ ٱلۡأَخِرَةَ هِىَ دَارُ ٱلۡقَرَارِ

“O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever.” [1]

Mujaahid (rahimahullaah) narrated: Abdullaah Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) said: Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) took hold of my shoulder and said: ‘’Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveller.’’  The subnarrator added: Ibn Umar Used to say: ‘’If you survive till the evening, do not expect ti be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death.’’ [2]

The Muslim is like a stranger in this worldly life: The stranger is one residing in a country other than his country.  The worldly life is not the Muslim’s permanent place of residence; rather the Muslim’s permanent place of residence is paradise.  He is in this worldly life to work for entry into Paradise. He takes what is needed from this world to aid him work for entry into paradise.

 The Muslim is like a traveller in this worldly life: The traveller takes rest during his journey and then carries on travelling. He does not reside permanently in that place he stopped to take a rest.  In the life of this world the Muslim is that traveller.  In reality he is not a permanent resident in the worldly life because his time in it is very little.  His nights and days take him towards the afterlife.

 What is befitting the Muslim with regards to the days, nights, and his health etc! If you reach the morning do not delay good deeds till in the evening because it maybe that you will not reach the evening.  If you reach the evening do not delay good deeds till the morning because it maybe that you will not reach the morning.  Do not delay repentance and righteous deeds till another time.

As long as a person is in a state of good health and wellbeing, he is able to perform fasting, the night prayer etc; but when he becomes sick he is not able to perform fasting, the night prayer etc.  Therefore, as long as Allaah has given you good health, then hasten towards righteous actions because a time will come in which you will be unable to perform them-either due to illness, old age, or senility. Prepare for death and what is to come after it. Allaah gave you this life in order that you busy yourself with what will benefit you in the afterlife. So do not spend your life in play and jest.  [3]

References: [1]Soorah Ghaafir: Ayah 39; [2]Bukhaari: The Book of Ar-Riqaaq Vol 8: Hadeeth Number: 6416]; [3] Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Minhatur Rabbaaniyyah Fee sharh al-arba’een of Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) pages 285 287. slightly paraphrased]

A Mistake Related to Travelling

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.

This is one of the manifestly evil and clearly forbidden affairs, therefore it not permissible to travel to the lands in which polytheism and evil deeds are manifested, and [in which] forbidden affairs are made lawful, except due to a need and necessity, and [except] for one who manifests his religion, speaks the truth openly and [propagates] Islamic Monotheism. As for travelling in disobedience to [Allaah], abandonment of the obligatory duties and being unable to manifest one’s religion, then none amongst the people of knowledge have spoken about the permissibility of this. It [i.e. travelling in disobedience] is a common affliction and the safeguarded one is the one whom Allaah keeps safe. [Al-Mindhaar Fee Bayaani katheer Minal Akh-taa Ash-Shaa’i’ah page: 77: Shaikh Saaleh Aala Shaikh (hafidhahullaah]

Speaking Against The Groups of Bidah Is Tantamount To Time-Wasting!

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

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

Question: O Shaikh! A strange  (type) of illegal partisanship has appeared in these times in such a manner that when the groups of illegal partisanship are warned against some of the youth say, “Do not speak regarding these subject matters; speaking regarding these (affairs) is tantamount to  time wasting;” so do you advise these (youth)?

Answer: My advice to them is what I said previously….If these groups have Bidah, then indeed the ruling -by way of consensus (of the Salaf) -is that it is obligatory to warn against them and (this warning is regarded to be a type of) Jihaad (striving in the path of Allaah). The groups carry the bidah of the Soofiyyah (i.e. the soofees), the bidah of Rafd (i.e. the beliefs, views of the Raafidah), the bidah of khurooj (i.e. the belief in rebellion against Muslim rulers), the bidah of irjaa (i.e. the beliefs of the Murji’ah) and some (other types) of bidah which the Salaf waged a war against and warned against; therefore it is obligated on us to give advice and warn against them. This is the methodology of the Salaf. If the groups are of this type (i.e. upon religious innovations), then it is obligatory to warm against them (and) it is not permissible for us to keep quiet. That is because if keep quiet (and refrain from warning against) falsehood, it will gain group and spread

[An Excerpt from Juhoodul Allaamah Rabee Al-Madkhali Fee Naqdi Shubuhaatil Hizbiyyeen’ page 81-82. Slightly paraphrased]