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The Basis of Modern Decadence, Transgression, and Unwarranted Wars

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Fitnah, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

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

Whoever contemplates the state of the world will recognise that every instance of rectification stems from Tawhid, singling out Allah in worship and obedience to His Messenger, Muhammad. Conversely, every form of evil, trial, hardship, scarcity in sustenance, and subjugation by adversaries, among other issues, arises from opposing the Messenger and the pursuit of paths other than those prescribed by Allah and His Messenger. Whoever truly  contemplates this matter and examines the world’s conditions from its inception until the time Allah ends it, he will realise this about himself and others, both in general and in specific situations. Indeed, there is no might or power except with Allah – The Most High, The Most Great. [1]

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Industrialization and modern inventions; everyone has participated in it – the righteous, the wicked, the believer and the disbeliever. As for religion and manners in this era, it has greatly declined. When this industrial advancement is devoid of (sound) religion and faith, it became a great harm from two angles: firstly, it beguiled many people, who – due of their ignorance – think that worldly advancement is proof to show that its people are more worthy of achieving every good than others. They are clearly misguided because a person maybe from the most skillful in matters related to the material world, whilst he is one of the most ignorant people in matters related to the (sound) religion, virtuous manners and the (other) beneficial affairs in this life and the next. Secondly, when these inventions are devoid of (sound) religion, its mercy and wisdom, it becomes a great disaster for humankind due to the wars that resulted from them- killing, destruction and other matters related to it. Its overseers and scholars are unable to laydown – for humankind -a stable, just and good life; rather they have not ceased moving from one miserable state to another. This is inevitable and the continuous state of affairs shows this. Therefore, all good is found in the sound religion and all evil is found in rejecting and willfully denying (Allah, His Messengers, His Laws, Guidance, Commands, Prohibitions etc). Indeed, it is impossible to rectify the souls and acquire virtue solely through the worldly sciences. Experience and clearly witnessed circumstances are the greatest proofs regarding this affair, because despite its advancement and vastness it has been unable to nurture and rectify the souls, which is the determinant of (sound) rectification and success.

The Remedy: What the Religion of Islam propagates is that which is entrusted with this rectification; it is what will guide the thoughts towards the truthful and authentic sources of knowledge, guide the actions of the people towards good and prevent them from evil. Islam is The Rectifier of the Creeds and Manners- the thing that cultivates the thoughts, urges towards virtuousness and prevents from depravity.

The essence of that which the religion calls to – regarding belief in the Unseen, which includes belief in Allah and that which He possesses of Names, Attributes and Actions of perfection; belief in Angels, belief in recompense for one’s good and bad deeds in this life and the next, which cannot be known except through the Messengers, is what acquaints a person with the fact that rectification – in reality – is not possible through other than sound belief and the religion of Islam. Thus, even if the worldly sciences rectify (some) matters based upon that which people know in detail, it will still not be equal to the knowledge of the Messengers- neither will it reach that which is reached through the knowledge of the Messengers nor can it influence the souls in the manner in which the knowledge of the Messengers has done, because indeed the souls do not voluntarily submit except through belief in Allah, belief in His Angels, belief in His Books, belief in His Messengers and belief in the hereafter. And without this, voluntary submission is impossible, as is well known regarding human nature. [2]

We ask Allah:

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

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public, and I ask You (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger, and I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty, and I ask you for blessings that never ceases, and I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends, and I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; and I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquility, etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me). O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Iman, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). [3]

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي
وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ
وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return; and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [Sahih Muslim Number: 2720] [4]

[1]An Excerpt from Bada’i Al-Fawa’id 3/525-526

[2]An Excerpt from “Al-Adilladul Qawaati Wal Baraaheen Fee Ibtaalil Usoolil Mulhideen”. Pages 45-50

[3] As-Saheehah Number 1301

[4] [Saheeh Muslim Number: 2720

Two Compelling Admonitions – “Outcomes of Truthfulness and Lying” By Al-Allamah Rabee

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Bid'ah (Innovation), Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Callers & Individuals, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Featured, History of Islam, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Prophets, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations, Repentance, Sahaabah, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Shirk, Sin, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

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

Two Compelling Admonitions [By Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madf’khali, may Allah preserve him], On The Tremendous and Fruitful Outcomes of Truthfulness and The Detrimental Outcomes of Lying

Outcomes_of_Truthfulness_and_Lying

The Importance of Truthfulness – By Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali [Part 9]

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

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

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, continued…

Due to his profound happiness at this repentance and his deep appreciation for this blessing, he emphasised that through the behaviour of one who is grateful for Allah’s blessings upon him, thus he said: “O Allah’s Messenger! Because of the acceptance of my repentance I will give up all my wealth as alms for the Sake of Allah and His Messenger”. The enticing wealth that was one of the reasons behind him not participating in Jihad serves as further evidence of the sincerity of his repentance and his diligence in that. Then Allah’s Messenger- the compassionate and merciful, advised him to retain a portion of his wealth. So, what did he do? He relinquished his wealth at Madinah, which withheld him from participating in military expedition in the path of Allah, while he retained the better part of that distant wealth (acquired at Khaybar), which perhaps had no connection to withholding him from Jihad. He expressed a strong reason for his salvation, which – in his view- was solely one reason that saved him from utter destruction. He stated, “O Messenger of Allah, indeed Allah saved me for telling the truth; so it is a part of my repentance not to tell but the truth as long as I am alive”. By Allah Grace in fulfilling what he promised to the Messenger, peace be upon him, and in what kab saw as essential to his repentance to this day, it is the best of what he has stated: “By Allah, I do not know anyone of the Muslims whom Allah has helped to speak the truth more than me. Since I have mentioned that truth to Allah’s Messenger till today, I have never intended to tell a lie”.

What (an exemplary example regarding) fear of Allah (associated) with truthfulness and the nobility of the truthful ones that is stand in stark contrast to the (behaviour) of the liars, and a decisive (proof) against the liars in every era and place. How can not be the case when it (lying) is one of the greatest call to disbelief and hypocrisy, and its least (harmful) circumstance is that it is one of the stations of hypocrisy, may Allah protect us from it and from all that displeases Him. Then he spoke about this blessing which Allah bestowed upon: “”By Allah, I do not know anyone of the Muslims whom Allah has helped to speak the truth more than me. Since I have mentioned that truth to Allah’s Messenger till today, I have never intended to tell a lie. I hope that Allah will also save me (from telling lies) the rest of my life”. Then Allah revealed to His Messenger:

وَعَلَى الثَّلَاثَةِ الَّذِينَ خُلِّفُوا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَظَنُّوا أَن لَّا مَلْجَأَ مِنَ اللَّهِ إِلَّا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَتُوبُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ

And (He did forgive also) the three [who did not join the Tabuk expedition (whom the Prophet SAW)] left (i.e. he did not give his judgement in their case, and their case was suspended for Allah’s Decision) till for them the earth, vast as it is, was straitened and their ownselves were straitened to them, and they perceived that there is no fleeing from Allah, and no refuge but with Him. Then, He accepted their repentance, that they might repent (unto Him). Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful. O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds). [Al-Tawbah 118-119]

Kab said: By Allah, Allah has never bestowed upon me, apart from His guiding me to Islam, a Greater blessing than the fact that I did not tell a lie to Allah’s Messenger which would have caused me to perish as those who have told a lie perished, for Allah described those who told lies with the worst description He ever attributed to anybody else. Allah said:

سَيَحْلِفُونَ بِاللَّهِ لَكُمْ إِذَا انقَلَبْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ لِتُعْرِضُوا عَنْهُمْ ۖ فَأَعْرِضُوا عَنْهُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ رِجْسٌ ۖ وَمَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ
يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ لِتَرْضَوْا عَنْهُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَرْضَوْا عَنْهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَرْضَىٰ عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ

They will swear by Allah to you (Muslims) when you return to them, that you may turn away from them. So turn away from them. Surely, they are Rijsun [i.e. Najasun (impure) because of their evil deeds], and Hell is their dwelling place, – a recompense for that which they used to earn. They (the hypocrites) swear to you (Muslims) that you may be pleased with them, but if you are pleased with them, certainly Allah is not pleased with the people who are Al-Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). [al-Tawbah 95-96]

This is the outcome for the liars, even if their lie was flattery and excuses. The forgiveness sought by the Messenger for them did not benefit them in anything in their lives nor after their deaths. Allah said:

اسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ أَوْ لَا تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ إِن تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً فَلَن يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ

Whether you (O Muhammad) ask forgiveness for them (hypocrites) or ask not forgiveness for them, (and even) if you ask seventy times for their forgiveness, Allah will not forgive them. [al-Tawbah 80]

[فَمَا تَنفَعُهُمْ شَفَاعَةُ الشَّافِعِينَ – So no intercession of intercessors will be of any use to them. [Al-Mud-dath-thir 48]

There is a mighty moral lesson here for those who do not purify themselves through monotheism, Iman, truthfulness, and good deeds. Among those deceitful liars, some may have believed that their lies and trickery will lead to the Prophet’s forgiveness and mercy, saving them from Allah wrath and humiliation in this life and the hereafter. However, Allah has shattered their hopes and humiliated them in this worldly life and the Hereafter. The Prophet’s intercession did not benefited them at all. The Qur’an made this reality clear in in Surah al-Tawbah and other than it, and the Prophet emphasised through his statement to the Quraysh, addressing each clan and individual: “Redeem yourselves from Allah; I cannot protect you from Him in any way.”

Liars should be cautious at all times and in all places with regards to their Iman, beliefs, statements, and testimonies, as this lying may lead them to the abyss of destruction that has engulfed those liars before them.

And there is a lesson and good news for those who are truthful in their Iman, Islam, good deeds, statements, and testimonies, regarding salvation from destruction, as Kab and his companions, may Allah be pleased with them, attained salvation through truthfulness in a situation that tempted those with weak Iman and souls to lie. Allah said:

هذا يَوْمَ يَنْفَعُ الصَّادِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ لَهُمْ جنات الخري من تحتها الأنهار خالدين فيها أبدا رضي الله عنهمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ .

This is a Day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise) – they shall abide therein forever. Allah is pleased with them and they with Him. That is the great success (Paradise). [Al-Ma’idah 119]

Narrated Talha bin Ubaidullah, may Allah be pleased with him: A man from Najd with unkempt hair came to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and we heard his loud voice but could not understand what he was saying, till he came near and then we came to know that he was asking about Islam. Allah’s Messenger said, “You have to offer prayers perfectly five times in a day and night (24 hours).” The man asked, “Is there any more (prayers)?” Allah’s Messenger replied, “No, but if you want to offer the Nawafil prayers (you can).” Allah’s Messenger further said to him: “You have to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan.” The man asked, “Is there any more fasting?” Allah’s Messenger replied, “No, but if you want to observe the Nawafil fasts (you can.)” Then Allah’s Messenger further said to him, “You have to pay the Zakat (obligatory charity).” The man asked, “Is there any thing other than the Zakat for me to pay?” Allah’s Messenger replied, “No, unless you want to give alms of your own.” And then that man retreated saying, “By Allah! I will neither do less nor more than this.” Allah’s Messenger said, “If what he said is true, then he will be successful (i.e. he will be granted Paradise).” [Al-Bukhari 46]

It is reported in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: We were forbidden that we should ask anything (without the genuine need) from the Holy Prophet. It, therefore, pleased us that an intelligent person from the dwellers of the desert should come and asked him (the Prophet) and we should listen to it. A man from the dwellers of the desert came and said: “Muhammad, your messenger came to us and told us your assertion that verily Allah had sent you (as a prophet)”. He (the Prophet) said: “He told the truth”. He (the bedouin) said: “Who created the heaven?” He (the Prophet) replied: “Allah”. He (the bedouin again) said: “Who created the earth?” He (the Prophet) replied: “Allah”. He (the bedouin again) said: “Who raised these mountains and who created in them whatever is created there?” He (the Prophet) replied: “Allah”. Upon this he (the bedouin) remarked: “By Him Who created the heaven and created the earth and raised mountains thereupon, has Allah (in fact) sent you?” He (the Prophet) said: “Yes”. He (the bedouin) said: “Your messenger also told us that five prayers (had been made) obligatory for us during the day and the night”. He (the Prophet) remarked: “He told you the truth”. He (the bedouin) said: “By Him Who sent you, is it Allah Who ordered you about this (i. e. prayers)?” He (the Prophet) said: “Yes”. He (the bedouin) said: “Your messenger told us that Zakat had been made obligatory in our riches”. He (the Prophet) said. “He has told the truth”. He (the bedouin) said: “By Him Who sent you (as a prophet), is it Allah Who ordered you about it (Zakat)?” He (the Prophet) said: “Yes”. He (the bedouin) said: “Your messenger told us that it had been made obligatory for us to fast every year during the month of Ramadan”. He (the Prophet) said: “He has told the truth”. He (the bedouin) said: “By Him Who sent you (as a prophet), is it Allah Who ordered you about it (the fasts of Ramadan)?” He (the Prophet) said: “Yes”. He (the bedouin) said: “Your messenger also told us that pilgrimage (Hajj) to the House (of Ka’bah) had been made obligatory for him who is able to undertake the journey to it”. He (the Prophet) said: “Yes”. The narrator said that he (the bedouin) set off (at the conclusion of this answer, but at the time of his departure) remarked: “By Him Who sent you with the Truth, I would neither make any addition to them nor would I diminish anything out of them”. Upon this the Prophet remarked: “If he were true (to what he said) he must enter Paradise”. [Sahih Muslim 12]

These two intelligent questioners have been blessed by Allah with the gift of sound intellect, insight, and the ability to ask good questions, especially the latter of the two. It is said that he is Dhaman ibn Thalabah al-Hudhali. The first one asked Allah’s Messenger about the tenets of Islam, and the Prophet responded with what Allah has commanded His servants regarding the pillars of this religion after the two testimonies of faith, as the questioner appeared to be a Muslim. Thus, he was informed that Islam consists of these obligations.

The questioner acknowledged this and committed to it because he wanted to know if there is anything additional he must do beyond what he has mentioned regarding these pillars. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, told him that there is nothing more required unless he chooses to perform voluntary acts. When the Prophet distinguished between obligatory acts and voluntary ones, the individual swore by Allah that he would neither add to nor subtract from those obligations. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, responded by giving him and the Ummah glad tidings of great rewards for those who fulfill these obligations properly: “He will succeed if he is truthful,” meaning that his actions must align with his words. His success is contingent upon his honesty in both speech and action, and he is blessed for that..

The second questioner had a deeper and broader question than the first. Muhammad Ibn Ismail al-Asfahani al-Salafi, the author of “at-Tareer” said: “This is from fine manner of asking questions by this man’s and the elegance of its structure. He first sought confirmation of the truthfulness of the messenger sent by the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to invite them to Islam, asking if he was indeed sent by Allah. The Prophet affirmed this. Then, he asked about the Creator of the heavens and the earth and who established the mountains, as he, like other Arabs, believed in the oneness of Allah’s Lordship.

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, responded by saying: “Allah, Allah, Allah” in all of that. He then confirmed everything that the messenger of Allah’s Messenger conveyed to them regarding the religious acts of Islam, including prayer, almsgiving, and fasting, while the Messenger affirmed: “He (i.e. the one I sent to convey the message) spoke the truth, spoke the truth”, and so on. When the Messenger of Allah finished answering the man’s questions, the man said: “By the One who sent you with the truth, I will neither add to them nor take away from them.” The Messenger of Allah said: “If he is truthful, he will enter Paradise.”

Verily the fruits of truthfulness are great for the truthful person; the one trutrhful in belief, speech, and the application of the righteous actions based on what Allah and His Messenger have ordained. These are some of the fruits of truthfulness that guide – in this life – towards righteousness, which encompasses all good qualities, and enables one to attain high stations from Allah, residing eternally in gardens with rivers flowing beneath them, having achieved the greatest goal. And above these stations is Allah’s Pleasure whose fruits are guidance towards righteousness and ultimately to paradise. Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Verily, truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to be truthful and encourages honesty until he is recorded with Allah as truthful”.

From its fruits is to attain the success of receiving Allah’s Pleasure, then success in attaining paradise, where rivers flow beneath. This benefit becomes evident and manifest, Allah said:

هَٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنفَعُ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ لَهُمْ جَنَّٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا۟ عَنْهُ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

Allah will say: “This is a Day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise) – they shall abide therein forever. Allah is pleased with them and they with Him. That is the great success (Paradise). [Al Maidah 119]

It is reported in Al-Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri who said that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said that Allah will say to the people of paradise: “O the people of Paradise!” They will say, ‘Labbaik, O our Lord, and Sa`daik, and all the good is in Your Hands!’ Allah will say, “Are you satisfied?’ They will say, ‘Why shouldn’t we be satisfied, O our Lord as You have given us what You have not given to any of Your created beings?’ He will say, ‘Shall I not give you something better than that?’ They will say, ‘O our Lord! What else could be better than that?’ He will say, ‘I bestow My Pleasure on you and will never be angry with you after that”. [Al-Bukhari 7518]

Congratulations to the truthful for this great success, eternal bliss, everlasting Pleasure of Allah, and eternal life. May Allah make us among them through His grace, favour, and mercy. Indeed, He is compassionate, merciful, generous, and kind. May peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.

Written by the one in need of Allah’s pardon and forgiveness.

Rabee’ Nin Hadi Umayr Al-Madkhali.

Arabic Text: sidq

“Regime Change”- Beatified path to death and destruction

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Bid'ah (Innovation), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Death, Featured, Fitnah, Khawaarij, Mental Health, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Refutations.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِـۧمُ رَبِّ ٱجۡعَلۡ هَـٰذَا بَلَدًا ءَامِنً۬ا وَٱرۡزُقۡ أَهۡلَهُ ۥ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ مِنۡہُم بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ‌ۖ

And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said: My Lord, make this city (Makkah) a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day]. [Al-Baqara. 126]

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allaah protect him, said:

He (Ibrahim – peace be upon him) prioritized security in his supplication over the pursuit of sustenance because security is an essential requirement. Without security, individuals cannot truly enjoy sustenance, as fear undermines the ability to attain it. This is precisely what adversaries aim for—those who seek to destabilise Muslim societies. They wish to create division among Muslims and weaken their unity behind their leaders. This is what they desire – in the guise of promoting beneficial outcomes, rectification, and the alleviation of oppression. They do not desire good advice for the Muslims.

This is all false pretenses, as the absence of rulership would lead to widespread chaos, the proliferation of corruption, and the failure of the promised benefits. Corruption would become rampant, and rectification would be unattainable. Consequently, it is imperative for Muslims to unite under a leadership structure. Even if such leadership exhibits flaws and negligence, the populace should practice patience, as this patience serves to avert greater harm and adversity. Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “It is not known of a group that has ever risen against their Muslim ruler without their circumstances deteriorating further after his removal.” This observation is evident in contemporary times. What is the situation of the countries where the rulers and heads of state have been removed? There has not ceased to be fear, anxiety, chaos, and bloodshed etc. [1]

This underscores the significance of safety as a fundamental necessity for individuals. Otherwise, Ibrahim, peace be upon him, would not have persistently sought Allah’s assistance in establishing it in this land. Consider the regions where a system that ensures safety has deteriorated. In such places, the populace struggles to manage their daily affairs; schools and markets remain closed, and individuals are confined to their homes. Those who have the means often seek to escape to safer locations. When inquiring with one of them, it becomes evident that they feel unable to coexist with their community and family in an environment devoid of safety.

Security can only be effectively established through two key principles: the implementation of Allah’s Laws and obedience to the rulers. The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, elucidated this essential matter for Muslims in their lives. Irbad Sariyah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, delivered an admonition after the morning prayer—an admonition that instilled fear in our hearts and brought tears to our eyes. A man then asked, ‘Is this a farewell sermon, and what counsel do you offer us?’ He replied, ‘I enjoin on you to fear Allah and to listen and obey, even if an Abyssinian slave is appointed as your ruler. Indeed, those among you who live long enough will witness many differences. Therefore, be cautious of newly introduced matters in the religion, for they lead to misguidance. Whoever among you observes such occurrences is obliged to adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs, holding firmly to it with your molar teeth.'” [Ahmad 3/126]

This hadith lays the foundations for security within Islam, which consists of two primary components. The first is fear of Allah (The Most High), understood in its fullest and most comprehensive sense. The second component is the adherence to the rulers in matters that are just and beneficial. The fear of Allah fosters a Muslim’s relationship with Allah, their neighbours, and the surrounding environment. Conversely, the absence of Allah’s Shariah leads to chaos and moral decay. Indeed, Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) has issued a warning to those who forsake His Shariah and disobey His Messenger. Allah said:

وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ آمِنَةً مُّطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ اللَّهِ فَأَذَاقَهَا اللَّهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ

And Allah puts forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure and well content; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favours of Allah (with ungratefulness). So Allah made it taste the extreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying Prophet Muhammad) which they (its people) used to do. [Al-Nahl. 112]

Listening to and obeying the rulers in a (positive manner) ensures that an individual’s affairs within society remain orderly. This act of compliance is intrinsically linked to fear of Allah. Al-Hasan Al-Basri, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Indeed, Al-Hajjaaj is a manifestation of Allah’s punishment; therefore, do not attempt to counteract Allah’s punishment with your own hands. Instead, it is essential to submit and exhibit humility, as Allah, the Most High, has stated:

[وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَاهُم بِالْعَذَابِ فَمَا اسْتَكَانُوا لِرَبِّهِمْ وَمَا يَتَضَرَّعُونَ – And Indeed We seized them with punishment, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor did they invoke (Allaah) with submission to Him]. [Al-Muminun. 76]

You see a person who possesses a true understanding of security and his awareness is increased through fear of Allah, thus, he is eager to obey the rulers. However, when there is a lapse in their piety, their sense of security may diminish. Once fear of Allah is established, they they will attain the promise that Allah has mentioned (as follows):

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا ۚ يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). [Al-Nur 55]

The lack of obedience to the ruler and prioritizing personal interests over that of the ruler is among the most significant factors leading to the corruption of both the land and its inhabitants, as well as a deviation from the path of righteousness and guidance. Al Hasan Al Basri, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated, “By Allah! The establishment of religion is only possible through rulers—despite their potential for tyranny and oppression—because they rectify numerous matters through their governance that outweigh the corruption they may cause.” Imam Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated, “The worldly life holds significant benefits when rulers are followed. Through this obedience, the essential matters concerning the sustenance of the populace are established, enabling them to utilize these means as support in demonstrating their faith and fulfilling their obligations to their Lord.” Read: http://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/

Disregarding the authority of rulers and prioritizing oneself through conflict or other means equates to defying Allah and His Messenger, as well as opposing the principles upheld by Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah, the righteous predecessors. The maintenance of security fosters unity and cooperation among Muslims. Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, stated:

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So, make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy. [Al-Hujurat. 10]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

The believers, men and women, are Auliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma’ruf, and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar; they perform As-Salat and give the Zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. [at-Tawbah 71]

Iman is neither a matter of wishful thinking or superficial assertions; it is a conviction that resides in the heart, evidenced by one’s actions. A true believer cannot be considered as such until he desires for his Muslim brother what he desires for himself and interacts with others in a manner he wishes to be treated. It is universally acknowledged that security is a fundamental aspiration for all; thus, it is incumbent upon a Muslim to actively seek the security of others in order to attain security and safety for himself. Furthermore, maintaining security within a community requires the fulfillment of trusts, while creating an atmosphere of insecurity equates to betrayal. Allah, the Most High, has stated:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَخُونُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ وَتَخُونُوا أَمَانَاتِكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن تَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّكُمْ فُرْقَانًا وَيُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ

O you who believe! Betray not Allah and His Messenger, nor betray knowingly your Amanat (things entrusted to you, and all the duties which Allah has ordained for you). And know that your possessions and your children are but a trial and that surely with Allah is a mighty reward. O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah, He will grant you Furqan a criterion [(to judge between right and wrong), or (Makhraj, i.e. making a way for you to get out from every difficulty)], and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you, and Allah is the Owner of the Great Bounty. [Al-Anfal. 27-29]

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “They [i.e. Ahlus Sunnah] know that Allah sent Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for the benefit of the creation in this life and the next, and Allah commands rectification and not corruption”. (2)

Closing the Door of Rebellion Against the Ruler – Shaikh Abu Iyaad Amjad Rafiq

[1] Excerpt From a Juma’ah Khutbah: Khutbah Number 1: dated 1432-03-15: http://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/13208 paraphrased

[2]An Excerpt from ‘Silsilah Ar-Rasaa’il Al-Manhajiyyah Fin-Nus’hi Wal-Irshaad Wat-Taw’iyah’. Pages 7 – 30

The Importance of Truthfulness – By Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali [Part 8]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Brotherhood, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Repentance, Sahaabah, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, continued…

He [kab, (may Allah be pleased with him)] said: “We remained in that condition for fifty nights when people were prohibited from speaking to us”.

He said: When I had offered the Fajr prayer on the 50th morning on the roof of one of our houses and while I was sitting in the condition which Allah described (in the Qur’an) i.e. my very soul seemed straitened to me and even the earth seemed narrow to me for all its spaciousness, there I heard the voice of one who had ascended the mountain of Sala’ calling with his loudest voice, ‘O Kab bin Malik! Be happy (by receiving good tidings).’ I fell down in prostration before Allah, realizing that relief has come. Allah’s Apostle had announced the acceptance of our repentance by Allah when he had offered the Fajr prayer. The people then went out to congratulate us. Some bringers of good tidings went out to my two fellows, and a horseman came to me in haste, and a man of Banu Aslam came running and ascended the mountain and his voice was swifter than the horse. When he (i.e. the man) whose voice I had heard, came to me conveying the good tidings, I took off my garments and dressed him with them; and by Allah, I owned no other garments than them on that day. Then I borrowed two garments and wore them and went to Allah’s Messenger. The people started receiving me in batches, congratulating me on Allah’s Acceptance of my repentance, saying, ‘We congratulate you on Allah’s Acceptance of your repentance.’ Kab further said, “When I entered the Masjid, I saw Allah’s Messenger sitting with the people around him. Talha Bin Ubaidullah swiftly came to me, shook hands with me and congratulated me. By Allah, none of the Muhajirin (i.e. Emigrants) got up for me except him (i.e. Talha), and I will never forget this for Talha. Kab added, “When I greeted Allah’s Messenger, his face being bright with joy, said, ‘Be happy with the best day that you have got ever since your mother delivered you’. Kab added, ‘I said to the Prophet ‘Is this forgiveness from you or from Allah?’ He said, ‘No, it is from Allah’ Whenever Allah’s Messenger became happy, his face would shine as if it were a piece of moon, and we all knew that characteristic of him. When I sat before him, I said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! Because of the acceptance of my repentance I will give up all my wealth as alms for the Sake of Allah and His Messenger. Allah’s Messenger said, ‘Keep some of your wealth, as it will be better for you.’ I said, ‘So I will keep my share from Khaibar with me'”. [end of hadith]

Indeed, he approached Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, not to give false excuses, but to express the truth (reality) openly, as falsehood had been removed from him and the truth established deep within his soul. Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “What stopped you from joining us. Had you not purchased an animal for carrying you?” Kab said: “Yes, O Allah’s Messenger! But by Allah, if I were sitting before any person from among the people of the world other than you, I would have avoided his anger with an excuse. By Allah, I have been bestowed with the power of speaking fluently and eloquently, but by Allah, I knew well that if today I tell you a lie to seek your favour, Allah would surely make you angry with me in the near future, but if I tell you the truth, though you will get angry because of it, I hope for Allah’s Forgiveness. Really, by Allah, there was no excuse for me. By Allah, I had never been stronger or wealthier than I was when I remained behind you”. Then Allah’s Messenger said: “As regards this man, he has surely told the truth. So get up till Allah decides your case”. His brothers, Murarah Ibn Al-Rabi’ and Hilal ibn Umayyah, offered an excuse similar to that of his, and Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to them what he said to Kab.

Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, commanded the Muslim community to boycott and abandon them. They (i.e. the Muslims) adhered to the command of the Messenger with precision, including their (Kab’s, Murarah’s and Hilal’s) closest relatives. The revelation was delayed, and the boycott persisted, along with the difficult trial and test, for a duration of fifty days, demonstrating their obedience to Allah and His Messenger. News reached the Christian king of Ghassan, who perceived an opportunity to win over Kab and invited him to join him, promising to honour him as he claimed, but Kab’s belief in Allah and His Messenger prevailed, his noble soul refused to respond to this satanic absurdity, and he recognised that this was yet another test, thus, he burnt the letter of that disbeliever, as he stated.

Then joy arrived, – in the morning of the fiftieth night, bestowed upon them by Allah, which Kab stated was the situation mentioned by Allah regarding their souls feeling constricted, and the earth felt narrow despite its vastness- glad tidings and happiness due to the mercy that Allah granted through His Forgiveness and Pleasure. The companions of Muhammad were filled with joy, then the conveyers of glad tidings among them hurried, some walking on foot, eager to reach the summit of Mount Sal’ and raising their voices in a resounding manner, their calls outpacing even those of the mounted horsemen. Along the way, they (Kab and his two companions) were greeted by the companions of Allah’s Messenger, who came to him in waves, congratulating him on Allah’s acceptance of his repentance. Then Kab went to Allah’s Messenger, and found him with a face shining like the moon due to happiness. He said to Kab: “Be happy with the best day that you have got ever since your mother delivered you”. How could this not be the case when indeed Allah did save him – through truthfulness – from a devastating destruction that befell those who resorted to lies, false oaths, and distorting the facts (or realities)? Allah is the Greatest. Indeed, that day was more favourable (or better) for him than his pledge of allegiance to Islam and the support he gave during the pledge of allegiance at Aqabah, a pledge he valued more than participating in the Battle of Badr. [Paraphrased. Refer to Arabic doc: sidq ]

Reflections on some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi al-Mad’khali [70 of 80]

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

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

It is not permissible to call them scholars because the scholars in the Islamic legislation are those who possess (sound) understanding of Allah’s religion. “If Allah wishes good for a person, He grants them understanding in the religion.” Allah grants him (sound) understanding in matters of Aqeedah, worahip, dealings, Siyaasah and other affairs that are important to Islam and for the Muslims in their religious and worldly affairs, beneficial to their religious and worldly affairs and preserve their honour and nobility. As for the ignoramuses, they lead the people to Bidah and misguidance – towards that which distances the people from the (path, pleasure) of Allah and lead them to the fire of hell. The Messenger of Allah drew a straight line and said, “This is Allah’s straight path”, then he drew lines to the right and left of that line and said, “These are the other paths, on each path there is a devil who calls to it”, then he recited the statement of Allah: “And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path”. [Al-An’aam. 153]

The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “And what I fear for my Ummah is the leaders of misguidance”. [Sahih Al-Jami 1773]

They are the ones whom Allah’s Messenger (warned against) when he warned the Ummah about the Fitna of the Anti-Christ [i.e. Dajjaal]! He said that the Dajjaal will stay on the earth for forty days- a day like a year, a day like a month, a day like a week and the rest of the days like the normal days of the world. He will command the sky to rain and it will rain. He will command the earth to grow vegetation and it will grow, thus, the ignorant people will consider him a deity and believe that he is their lord. Then the Messenger said (i.e. after warning against the Fitna of the antichrist), “It is other than Dajjaal that I fear more for you”. [Sahih Muslim 2937] [1]

This is because the word ‘Kafir’ will be written on the Dajjaal’s forehead and everyone – both the literate and illiterate believer- will be able to read it. It will be a clear sign that he is a Kafir, as opposed to that one who deceitfully uses the name of Islam and carries Islamic slogans [i.e. whilst calling to deviation]. This one is more harmful. [2]

Dajjaal will live in this Ummah for forty days – a day like a year, a day like a month, a day like a week and his remaining days will be like the normal days of the world; but as for the (misguided figurehead) – since the departure of the first three righteous generations of Muslims, they have swayed many people in the Ummah and lead them to (practices, views, beliefs, methodologies etc) that are tantamount to ignorance and misguidance. The deviated sects that have been threatened with entry into the hell fire emerged at the hands of these liars and ignorant (figurehead), whose danger and evil the Messenger feared for his ummah. He warned against their evil just as he warned against Dajjaal, as he said: “It is other than Dajjaal I fear more for you”.

These liars bring destruction to the Ummah and place them in a state of ignominy in this worldly life and next life. Thus, this shows the danger of ignorance and the ignoramuses, and the station of knowledge and the (upright) scholars. [3]

[1] & 3: Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm pages 197-200

[2] Sharh Usul As-Sunnah 39-40

Tweets and Retweets, Especially In Ramadan

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

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

From Abū Muḥammad al-Ḥasan bin ʿAlī bin Abī Ṭālib, the grandson of the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) and his sweet fragrance (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhu) who said: I memorized from the Messenger of Allāh (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wasallam), “Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt.” https://www.nawawis40hadith.com/nw/hadith/11/leaving-doubt

When a young man encounters something he finds very questionable or contradictory to his observations about those whom he knows to be people of integrity, and he brings his concerns to us, we first remind him of the importance of being cautious with our words, especially during Ramadan. It’s not just about speaking outright falsehoods; sometimes, a person may express an opinion that hasn’t been thoroughly examined, share feelings stemming from a past conflict they didn’t directly experience, or unintentionally convey a partial truth that lacks the complete context.

It is our constant endeavour to remind our beloved younger brothers that when contentious matters are thrust upon them without their pursuit of discord or uncertainty, and while they are diligently engaged in the lessons offered at various centers, Masajid and hired halls in the West, including Birmingham, Manchester, London, and beyond, they must remain steadfast in their understanding. They should not permit their well-founded knowledge to be clouded by confusion and conjecture. Thus, a discerning individual refrains from hastily retweeting or sharing information without careful consideration.

When someone approaches us —whether in person or through a tweet—claiming that a person we know well, who we observe daily and see what he shares on social media regarding Aqeedah and Manhaj, is behaving differently, we find it perplexing when the claimant produces no proof. These individuals on Twitter may insist – either directly or indirectly- on their alternate narratives but constantly fail to provide any solid evidence when requested, and instead continue to repeat the same claims at various times, while it becomes clearer every day that their assertions are in stark contrast to what one witnesses. This is why we have not ceased either blocking or ignoring those who want attention no matter how frustrating their comments may be.

It’s essential to recognise that rational individuals don’t forsake the concrete evidence they can observe in favour of negative portrayals of someone on social media, while those portrayals lack substantiation or clearly contradict reality. Be wary of accepting claims about a person based solely on gossip, guessing, assumptions and insinuations, as the speaker may have already formed a biased opinion and believes that repeating their assertions will somehow validate and solidify their views or feelings in the presence of those who share the same feelings on social media. We consistently remind our beloved younger brothers that any tweets or retweets concerning others, or specific situations in various countries regarding certain Salafiyyoon, must be grounded in facts and verified realities, regardless of who makes or shares these claims.

In our era, some individuals – on social media – exploit the trust placed in them to launch attacks on others or perpetuate misunderstandings until they are accepted as truth by those unfamiliar with the full context of the issue. Many may not grasp the beginning, middle, and end of a situation, nor can they reconcile the broader themes with the specific details of the disagreement. They often struggle to distinguish between what is absolute and what is limited in the debate, or to differentiate between clear facts and ambiguous statements. Consequently, those with ulterior motives can present narratives that distort the true nature of events, blurring the line between certainty and doubt.

Sometimes, you encounter individuals on twitter who express opinions without fully grasping the disagreement at hand. They may communicate ideas that are based on misconceptions rather than the actual situation. It’s as if they believe they understand the issue, even when evidence suggests otherwise—either that their statements are inaccurate or that they are exaggerating. They might hold onto a narrative that they are certain is doubtful due to the clarity and reality of what opposes this narrative, but they prefer contradictory information that is, in fact, less credible or non-existent after being examined. This topic occasionally surfaces on Twitter, where people from different regions of the world compete to express their viewpoints. Consequently, when users or groups on Twitter—whether overtly or subtly—make comments about a well-know follower of Sunnah, a community’s circumstances, or events in a specific Western location, it’s essential to avoid rushing to judgment by tweeting, retweeting or commenting without careful consideration. The primary objective of the affair must be to distance oneself completely from Qeel Wa Qaal. The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Verily Allah is pelased with three things for you and He hates three things for you. He is pleased with you that you worship Him alone and associate none with Him, that you all hold fast to the rope of Allah, and be not divided, and hates for you Qeel Wa Qaal, persistent questioning and wasting of wealth”. [Sahih Muslim 1715]

The Marakiz are well-known, and their daily activities are observed in Birmingham, London, Manchester, and other cities. The teachers – both young and old – actively engage in lessons, offer reminders, and share publications rooted in the teachings of revered predecessors and respected contemporary scholars, including Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan and Al-Allamah Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbad, among others. Don’t let the chatter of Twitter distract you, even for a moment.

Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “When the son of Adam wakes up in the morning, all the limbs humble themselves before the tongue and say, ‘Fear Allah for our sake, (for) we are with you; if you are upright, we will be upright; and if you are crooked, we will become crooked’”. [1]

Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his mouth, his tongue, and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him.” [2]

Imam Abdul-Azeez Bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “This requires two affairs: profuse remembrance (of Allah) and keeping away from gatherings of heedlessness and doubts, and that which will result in fornication and nonsense speech”. [3]

Al-Fudayl Ibn Iyad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Neither hajj nor taking up positions during battle, nor Jihad is more difficult than restraining the tongue”. [4]

Imam Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Know that whoever is acquainted with the worth of his era and that it is his main capital will not seek an understanding except in what is beneficial. This acquaintance obligates one to restrain the tongue from speaking about that which does not concern him, for indeed the one who abandons the remembrance of Allah and busies himself with what does not concern him is like one who can get hold of a gem but exchanges it for a clod of earth.  This is a loss of one’s lifespan”. [5]

Al-Fudayl Ibn Iyad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Some of our companions used to guard their speech from one Jumu’ah to another Jumu’ah.” [6]

It was said to one of the scholars may Allah have mercy upon him,  “Indeed, you do keep quiet for a long time!” He said: “Indeed, I consider my tongue as a wild voracious animal. I fear that if I let it loose, it will hurt me.” [7]

It is said that a man argued with Al-Ahnaf Ibn Qays- may Allah have mercy upon both of them- and said: “If you say one, you will hear ten.” Al-Ahnaf replied: “But if you say ten, you will not hear one!” [8]

Ziyad Ibn Yunus, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “By Allah, Malik, may Allah have mercy upon him, was the greatest of people in terms of honourabe behaviour, and the one who kept silent the most. When he sat down, he would not get up until he had to, and I saw him as someone who was often silent, spoke little, and guarded his tongue”. Ibn Al-Mubarak said: “Malik was the most patient in dealing with people, and he would leave what did not concern him”. [9]

Al-Hasan Bin Salih, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “I scrutinised the affair regarding one refraining from doubtful matters out of fear of falling into haram and did it find it more lacking in anything than the tongue”. [10]

Yunus Ibn Ubayd, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Indeed, you see a man fasting a lot, abstaining from the forbidden deeds and praying the night prayer, whilst he testifies to falsehood in the morning.”  [11]

Ibnul Mubaarak, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked about the statement of Luqmaan, peace be upon him, to his son: ‘’If speech is from silver, then silence is from gold.” So he said: ‘’It means that if speech in obedience to Allah is from silver, then silence (to refrain from) disobedience to Allah is gold’’. [12]

 

[1] Sahih at-Tirmidhee 2407

[2] Al-Bukhari 6474

[3] Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taliqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh al-Bukhari. Vol 4. Page:244. Footnote:2

[4] Jami’ul Uloom Wal-Hikam 145

[5] Mukhtasar Minhaaj Al-Qaasideen’ page 176

[6] As-Samt page 223

[7] As-Samt page 299

[8] Siyar A’lam An-Nubula 4/93

[9] Tarteeb Al-Madaarik Wa Taqreeb Al-Masaalik 1/127-128

[10] Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa  7/368

[11] Hilyatul Awliyaa 3/20]

[12] Jami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam 155]

 

Reflections on some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali [69 of 80]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Brotherhood, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Uncategorized, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

O my sons! I swear by Allah that indeed I am a sincere adviser to you. Indeed I love (good) for you and I am not pleased that anyone follows (the path that will lead) to the anger of Allah for a single moment. My brothers, I am not pleased that anyone commits an error. “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself”. By Allah, I would love that all of you (adhere) to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger; the methodology of the Messenger, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan, Ali, Malik, Al- Awzaa’ee, Ath Thawree, The Hammaadayn [i.e. Hammaad Ibn Zayd and Hammaad Ibn Salamah], Ahmad, Ash-Shaafi’ee and the Imaams of Islam – upon a sound creed, methodology and Walaa Wal Baraa.

[Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm. page 26]

Reflections on some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali [68 of 80]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul.

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

Nowadays many do not consider bidah to be something harmful to the people who adhere to bidah. By Allah, it is a calamity upon those who have reached this state of affairs. His desires lead him to (such a state) that he does not consider bidah as something harmful to those upon bidah, even though the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “The worst of all matters are the newly invented matters (in the religion) and every newly invented matter (in the religion) is a bidah, and every bidah is misguidance.” [Muslim 867]

“The Jews split into seventy one sects, the Christians split into seventy two sects, and this Ummah [i.e. Muslim Ummah] will split into seventy three sects, and all of them will be in the fire except one. They [i.e. the Sahaabah] said, ‘Who are they O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, “Those upon what I and my companions are upon.” [Sahih Al-Jami 5343] [Footnote a]

They [i.e. the saved sect] are the people upon truth – Ahlus Sunnah, the people who adhere to the Qur’an and Sunnah, the enemies of bidah, misguidance, disbelief, shirk and all types of misguidance. They love the truth, and they establish love and hatred based on that. [Marhaban Yaa Talib Al-Ilm page 22]

Footnote a: https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2024/12/28/all-in-the-fire-except-one/

The Importance of Truthfulness – By Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali [Part 7]

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

Al-Allamah Rabee bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, continued….

Kab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: When this news reached me that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was on his way back from Tabuk, I was greatly perturbed. I thought of fabricating false stories and asked myself how I would save myself from his anger on the following day. In this connection, I sought the help of every prudent man from amongst the members of my family and when it was said to me that Allah’s Messenger was about to arrive, all the false ideas banished (from my mind) and I came to the conclusion that nothing could save me but the telling of truth, so I decided to speak the truth and it was in the morning that Allah’s Messenger arrived (in Medina). And it was his habit that as he came back from a journey he first went to the mosque and observed two Rak’ahs of nafl prayer and then sat amongst people.

And as he did that, those who had remained behind him began to put forward their excuses and take an oath before him and they were more than eighty persons. Allah’s Messenger accepted their excuses on the very face of them and accepted their allegiance and sought forgiveness for them and left their secret (intentions) to Allah, until I presented myself to him. I greeted him and he smiled and there was a tinge of anger in that. He then said to me: “Come forward”. I went forward until I sat in front of him. He said to me: “What kept you back? Could you not afford to go in for a ride?” I said: “Allah’s Messenger, by Allah, if I were to sit in the presence of anybody else from amongst the people of the world, I would have definitely saved myself from his anger on one pretext (or the other) and I have also the knack to fall into argumentation, but, by Allah, I am fully aware of the fact that if I were to put forward before you a false excuse to please you, Allah would definitely provoke your wrath upon me, and if I speak the truth you may be annoyed with me, but I hope that Allah would make its end well and, by Allah, there is no valid excuse for me. By Allah, I never possessed so good means, and I never had such favourable conditions for me as I had when I stayed behind you (failed to join the expedition)”. Thereupon, Allah’s Messenger said: “This man told the truth, so get up until Allah gives a decision in your case”. I stood up. [end of hadith]

Indeed, they achieved success through the honour, victory, and rewards they received. So, what beneficial lesson comes from their absence from the Battle of Tabuk, even if it can be explained based on its reasons? In this part, he shared his new circumstances upon the Messenger’s return, revealing that he had not participated in the military campaign due to his desire for the shade and the fruits of the trees. No one else shared this lagging behind except for those steeped in hypocrisy, the weak, and those with legitimate excuses. His sincere discerning heart was burdened with the harshness of pain and sorrow, while at the same time, shaytan suggested to him and attempted to fill his soul with various types of lies; however, by Allah’s Grace and care for him, the darknesses of lies and falsehood were lifted from him due to his truthful faith and sincerity to Allah, the Lord of the entire existence, thus, Allah granted him the greatest means of salvation after faith, and that is truthfulness, especially in times of danger and overwhelming events.

He said, “When I was told that Allah’s Messenger was on his way back, the falsehood was removed from me, and I realised that nothing of it will never save me”. Thus, his truthfulness became more wholesome, as the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, arrived in the morning. He mentioned that Sunnah often overlooked or forgotten by many Muslims, which is to perform two Rak’ats in the Masjid upon a Muslim’s return from travel. He mentioned the situation of those who gave (lame) excuses (for their absence from the military expedition), meaning the hypocrites, who resorted to lies and falsehood, that they reinforced their lies with oaths, thus, the Prophet could only accept what they displayed apparently, and entrusted their true hidden intentions to Allah, the knower of unseen, who is aware of the treachery of the eyes and what the hearts conceal. However, Ka’b, may Allah be pleased with him, with his understanding and sound intellect, he recognised that lying to Allah’s Messenger, even when fortified by solemn oaths, would not spare him from the wrath of Allah and subsequently the anger of His Messenger. He discerned this truth through his keen insight and intellect after Allah had granted him this, thus, he refused any other thing besides openly declaring the clear reality. [Paraphrased. Refer to Arabic here: sidq ]

To be continued…InShaAllah