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[7] Determinants of Wholesome Relationships

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

Allah [The Most High] said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [An-Nisaa. 135]

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

Allah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] commanded His servants to stand out firmly for justice on behalf of everyone – be it an enemy or an ally, and the matter that is most worthy of being established with justice are the statements and methodology related to the commands of Allah as well as everything that Allah has (revealed in the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah). Therefore, to establish these affairs based on desires and disobedience is contrary to Allah’s command and a negation (i.e. either intentionally or unintentionally) of that which Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] was sent with. The establishment of justice is the responsibility of those entrusted with the task of conveying Islam after the death of the Messenger, and this task cannot become a reality unless one establishes it based on pure justice and sincerity to Allah- (sincerity) based on Allah’s Book, to Allah’s Messenger (by adhering to his guidance), and sincere dealings and advice when dealing with Allah’s servants. These people are the true inheritors (i.e. inheritors of the knowledge left behind by the Prophets), but not that one who merely makes his companions, sect, and path the determinant of truth and the distinction between (truth and falsehood) by showing enmity to the one who opposes him and allies with the one who agrees with him, merely based on being opposed or agreed with [i.e. without sound proofs based on the Book and the authentic Sunnah], because where is that command to stand out firmly for justice on behalf of everyone, even though standing out firmly for justice is the greatest command and obligation!

Then Allah [The Exalted] says: [شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ – As witnesses to Allah]:

A witness presents information about something; so if he presents credible information, he is a just witness and his (statement) is accepted; but if he gives false information, he is a false witness. Allah [The Exalted] commands us to stand out firmly as just witnesses for His sake, therefore it has to be carried out for the Sake of Allah and not for other than Allah. In [Surah Al-Ma’idah Ayah 8, Allah says]: [كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُہَدَآءَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۖ – Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses]. This Ayah establishes four affairs: stand out firmly for justice and do so for the sake of Allah; witness to justice and do so for the Sake of Allah.

Then Allah [The Exalted] says: [وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ – Even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin]. Allah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] commands us to stand out firmly for justice and testify, even if it were someone who is the most beloved person to us. A person should stand out firmly for justice (for or against) himself, his two parents, his close relatives, and his best friend among the people. If a person’s love for himself, his parents, and his relatives prevents him from standing out firmly for the truth against them, especially if the truth is with someone he hates and regards as an enemy due to them, then none would stand out firmly for justice in such circumstances except one whose love for Allah and His Messenger is more than their love for everyone else. Also, a person has to establish justice when dealing with his enemies and that one who deprives him of his rights because it is not permissible that hatred for his enemies leads him to be unjust towards them, just as it is not permissible that love of himself, his parents and relatives makes him abandon standing firmly for justice against them. Therefore, hatred harboured against someone should not lead him to falsehood, and love (of himself, parents, and relatives) should not make him fall short in establishing truth, just as one of the pious predecessors said, “The just person is that one who when angry, his anger does not lead him to falsehood, and when he is pleased it does not remove him from the truth”. The two Ayaat of the Qur’an [i.e. Surah An-Nisaa 135 and Surah Al-Maa’idah 8] convey two rulings and they are: standing out firmly for justice and making a truthful testimony on behalf of one’s allies and enemies.

Then Allah [The Exalted] says: [إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ – Be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you)]- meaning, Allah is the Lord of both of them and their Protector, and they are both His servants. It may be that you become fearful of standing firmly for justice by testifying against a rich person or a poor person – either fearing that the rich person might lose his wealth or because the poor person has nothing, so your heart becomes lackadaisical about standing out firmly for the truth. Therefore, it should be said to them, “Allah is a better Protector of both the rich and poor person. Allah knows the affair of the rich person more than you and He is more Merciful to the poor than you, therefore, do not refrain from standing out firmly for the truth and from giving testimony (for or against) the rich or the poor.

Then Allah says: [فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ – So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice]. Meaning, Allah forbids (His slaves) from following desires, which will lead them to abandon justice.

Then Allah [The Exalted] says: [وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا – and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do]- meaning, Allah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] mentions two reasons that will inevitably lead to concealment of truth then He warned against them and issued a threat: the first of them is distortion and the second is to turn away from giving truthful witness. That is because when a proof that supports the truth is manifested and the one who wants to repel it finds no way of doing so, he refrains from mentioning it and thus becomes a silent devil, and sometimes he distorts it. Distortion is of two types -distorting words and meanings. Distorting words occur when one utters a word in a context in which it does not establish the truth – either adding to the word, omitting something from it, or substituting it with something else to the extent that the listener is made to believe something, whilst something else is intended, just as the Yahood [i.e. those Yahood who disbelieved in the Prophet and hated him in Madeenah] used to distort words when giving Salaam to the Prophet [i.e. saying As-Saamu Alayka (death be upon you), instead of saying Assalaamu alaykum)]. This is one type of distortion. The second type of distortion is related to meanings – distorting the wording, giving it an interpretation that is not intended by the one who uttered it and pretending not to know its unintended meaning; or dropping other meanings intended by it.

Allah [The Exalted] says: [وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا – and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do].

When it is the case that a witness is required to bear witness based on what the affair should be [i.e. the complete truth], therefore neither should he hide nor change it. Turning away from the testimony is tantamount to concealment and distortion is tantamount to alteration and substitution. Therefore, contemplate this Ayah and the treasures of knowledge it contains. The faith of a person cannot be complete, except through accepting the texts of the Shariah and calling the people to them – neither turning away from them at times nor distorting them at other times.

An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim. Vol 1. Page 300-303

Insights From a Famous Hadith of Hudaifah – By Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Bid'ah (Innovation), Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Death, Featured, Fitnah, History of Islam, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Jahannam (Hell Fire), Jannah (Paradise), Marriage (Nikkah), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, 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, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

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

All praise and thanks be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his companions.  To proceed: Indeed, the hadith that will be addressed – in this lecture – is the hadith of Hudhaifah Bin Al-Yaman, may Allah be pleased with him. He said: 

People used to ask Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, about the good times, but I used to ask him about bad times fearing lest they overtake me.  I said, “O Messenger of Allah! We were in a state of pre-Islamic ignorance and evil, and then Allah brought us this good (time through Islam), is there any evil time after this good one?” He said, “Yes” I asked, “Will there be a good time again after that evil?” He said, “Yes, but therein will be a hidden evil”. I asked, “What will be the evil hidden therein?” He said, “People who will follow ways other than mine and seek guidance other than mine. You will know (their) good points as well as (their) bad points”. I asked, “Will there be an evil time after this good one?” He said, “Yes, when there will be people standing and inviting at the gates of Hell. Whosoever responds to their call they will throw them into the fire”. I said, “O Messenger of Allah! Describe them for us”. He said, “They will be a people having the same complexion as ours and speaking our language”. I said, “O Messenger of Allah! What would you suggest if I happened to live in that time?” He said, “You should stick to the main body of the Muslims and their leader”. I said, “If they have no main body and no leader?” He said, “Separate yourself from all these factions, though you may have to eat the roots of trees (in a jungle) until death comes to you and you are in this state”. [Bukhari and Muslim…. The wording of the above is that of Imam Muslim]

PDF Link

Lesson_From_a_Famous_Hadith of Hudaifah_By Mufti_Al_Allamah_Salih Al_Fawzan

 

Devils Among Humankind and Jinn Inspiring One Another With Adorned Speech

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Featured, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Qur'aan, Shirk, Sin.

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَكَذَٲلِكَ جَعَلۡنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِىٍّ عَدُوًّ۬ا شَيَـٰطِينَ ٱلۡإِنسِ وَٱلۡجِنِّ يُوحِى بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬ زُخۡرُفَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ غُرُورً۬ا‌ۚ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ مَا فَعَلُوهُ‌ۖ فَذَرۡهُمۡ وَمَا يَفۡتَرُونَ

And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies- Shayaateen (devils) among mankind and jinns, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion (or by way of deception). If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it, so leave them alone with their fabrications.’ [6:112]

Imam as-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:  Allah, The Most High, stated as consolation to His Messenger Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that this is the way things are. We have appointed for you enemies who reject your call, wage war against you and are envious towards you.

[يُوحِى بَعۡضُهُمۡ إِلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬ زُخۡرُفَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ غُرُورً۬ا‌ۚ  – Inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion]- meaning: beautifying the falsehood they call one another to, and adorning it with expressions until they make it appear in the finest image, thus, the foolish and stupid ones are deceived by it, and those who neither understand the reality of things nor their (real) meanings are made to comply with it; rather they are amazed by beautified statements and distorted expressions, so they believe that which is truth to be falsehood and that which is falsehood as the truth.

He also said: And from the Wisdom of Allah in appointing enemies for the Prophets and supporters of falsehood calling to it, is so that the servants (of Allah) are faced with trials and tests in order that the truthful one is differentiated from the liar, the one of sound intellect from the ignorant one, and the one with insight from the blind one.

An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kalaam Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseeri Kalaam Al-Mannaan.

[3] Determinants of Wholesome Relationships

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

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ

Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa [virtue, righteousness and piety]; but do not help one another in sin and transgression. [5:2]

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

This verse contains all the Masalih for the servants of Allah in their worldly matters and their afterlife Hereafter amongst themselves or in their in relationship with their Lord. This is because every servant of Allah finds himself within two circumstances and obligations – either to fulfil the obligations owed to Allah or the obligations owed to Allah’s creation. As for the obligations owed to the creation, they include (righteous) association, companionship, aiding one another upon what Allah loves and obedience to Allah, which is the goal behind one’s search for happiness and success in the afterlife. There can be no happiness in the afterlife except through Bir and Taqwaa because it is basis of all matters of the religion. A deed cannot be considered an act of obedience to Allah and an act that draws one close to Allah until it is based on Iman, thus, what leads to the performance of the deed is solely due to Iman – neither (un-Islamic) customs nor desires, neither seeking praise nor status and other than it; instead, it should be solely based on Iman and the aim behind it should be to attain Allah’s reward, and seeking after Allah’s Pleasure.

An Excerpt from Bada’i at-Tafsir Al-Jami Limaa Fassarahu al-Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim 1/307

[1] Determinants of Wholesome Relationships

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

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَقُل لِّعِبَادِى يَقُولُوا۟ ٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ يَنزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ كَانَ لِلْإِنسَٰنِ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا

And say to My slaves (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism) that they should (only) say those words that are the best. (Because) shaitan (Satan) verily, sows disagreements among them. Surely, shaitan (Satan) is to man a plain enemy.

And this is from His benevolence to His servants as He commanded them with the best of manners, deeds, and statements that would surely lead to happiness in this Dunya and the Hereafter. He said: [وَقُلْ لِعِبَادِي يَقُولُوا الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ – And say to My slaves (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism) that they should (only) say those words that are the best]. This is a command to utter every speech that would draws a person closer to Allah, such as (Qur’an) recitation, remembrance (of Allah), knowledge, enjoining good and forbidding evil, good and benevolent speech towards the creation in accordance with different ranks and positions. And when a matter involves choosing between two good things, then indeed, He commands that the better of the two be given precedence if the two cannot be combined. Good speech urges towards every beautiful character and righteous deed, for indeed the one who controls his tongue gains control of all his affairs.

And his statement: [إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنْزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ – (Because) shaitan (Satan) verily, sows disagreements among them]. Meaning, he strives among people to corrupt their religion and worldly affairs. So, the remedy for this is that indeed they should not obey him with regards to speech that is not good which he calls to, and that they employ gentleness among themselves in order to subdue shaitan who sows enmity between them, for indeed he is their true (or real) enemy regarding whom they are obligated to fight because he calls them only “to be among the dwellers of the blazing fire.

As for their brothers, even if Satan sows enmity between them and strives to stir up enmity, then indeed, (there should be) absolute resolve (or determination) in striving against their enemy and subdue their souls that command evil by way of which which shaitan finds his way in. Thus, by way of this, they obey their Lord, their affairs become upright, and they are guided due to their upright conduct.

An excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi.

To be continued InShaAllah

Why is noble prophet Musa mentioned more than other prophets in the Qur’an?!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam.

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

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

The repetition of stories in the Quran is not done without some benefit; rather, there is benefit in it. Some stories, such as the story of Luqman and the Companions of the Cave have not been repeated and some are repeated based on the need for it. Those that are repeated are not presented in a single context in all places (instances); rather, they must vary. For instance, in Surah Al-A’raf (Ayah 109), Allah said: [قَالَ الْمَلَأُ مِن قَوْمِ فِرْعَوْنَ – The chiefs of Pharaoh’s people said”, and in Surah Ash-Shu’ara (Ayah 34), Allah said: [قَالَ لِلْمَلَا حَوْلَهُ – He (Pharaoh) said to the chiefs around him]. In the first story, the statement of Pharaoh’s companions is highlighted, while in the second, Pharaoh’s own statement is mentioned. This is because Pharaoh spoke and those people affirmed his speech, echoing his sentiments, thus making Pharaoh the initial speaker, and then followed by his rank and file.

You observe that these recurring stories vary according to the needs they address. This is particularly evident in the frequent repetition of the story of Musa, peace be upon him, due to the circumstances that necessitated it. This is because the Jews used to be present in Madinah, in proximity to the Quraysh, as well as the Christians in Najran and other regions. Due to this, the stories of Musa and Isa, peace be upon them, are reiterated more than others, reflecting the demands of the situation and the benefits at hand. Despite this, the repetition is not based on one angle, rather, they vary in length, mellowness and intensity, with certain aspects of the story appearing in one context rather than another. It is exceedingly rare for a verse to be identical to another verse that came before, thus, this occurs very little. For instance, we find among the shortest and most impactful stories in Surah Al-Qamar. The stories (in this Surah) are very brief, yet they contain profound warnings, each concluding with the statement [فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ Is there anyone to take heed?] The one who reads this Surah with reflection is bound to be affected by (its significance) because it is tremendous.

What is the wisdom behind this repetition (of the stories)?

It highlights the importance of the story, as its repetition demonstrates that close attention is to be given to it. It reinforces the story, ensuring it is firmly established in the hearts of the people. It takes into account the time and the condition of the audience; thus, one often finds brevity and intensity in the stories conyed in the Makkan Surahs, in contrast to those in the Madinan Surahs. A clarification of the eloquence of the Qur’an, as these stories appear in various forms, tailored to the circumstances. It demonstrates the truthfulness of the Qur’an, affirming that it is from Allah, as these stories are presented in diverse ways without any contradiction.

If someone were to say: “You have stated that the various stories do not contradict one another; however, we observe that some appear to conflict, such as the story of Musa and Pharaoh. In certain verses, Pharaoh declared [إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسَٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ- Indeed, this is a well versed sorcerer], while in another verse it is stated: [قَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ مِن قَوْمِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسَٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ – The chiefs of the people of Fir’aun (Pharaoh) said: “This is indeed a well-versed sorcerer]. [Al-A’raf 109] So, how can these be reconciled? We say, reconciling this is very easy. The attribution of this statement to his people and to him does not present any contradiction. He expressed it first, and then people followed. This is not unusual (or strange).

Similarly, the statement [لَسَاحِرٌ مُّبِينُ – This is indeed an evident sorcerer] and [لَسَٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ – a well versed sorcerer] can be that he said “a well versed sorcerer” at one time and “an evident sorcerer” at another time. This is because a well versed sorcerer must also be evident (or prominent), thus it is known that the subject matter (or narrative) is not limited to one statement. Therefore, a perceptive individual can reconcile what appears to be contradictory within a single narrative. [Source: An Excerpt from “Sharh Usul Fee at-Tafsir” pages 347-35]

The Reason Behind This Article

A beloved cousin called Ibrahim residing in America reached out with a thoughtful inquiry regarding the frequency of mentions of Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, compared to that of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. He noted that while Musa is referenced numerous times due to his esteemed status as a great Prophet, all Prophets, peace be upon them, hold an esteemed status, with Prophet Muhammad being the most distinguished among them. This led him to question why Musa appears more often in the Qur’an than Prophet Muhammad. Upon receiving his message, I was in the company of my colleagues at the primary school, Ustadh Abu Tasnim and Ustadh Ahmad Qasim. I sought insights on the matter from my colleague at school Ustadh Ahmad Qasim, may Allah preserve him, who kindly directed me to this clarification by Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, and graciously provided me with the relevant pages in Arabic for my perusal. After acquaintance with the Arabic text, I assured my cousin that I would convey this valuable insight to him. May Allah reward him for his desire to increase in knowledge, and may He also bless Ustadh Ahmad Qasim for his generosity and support in sharing this beautiful clarification Aameen.

Visit: Visit: https://www.islammoses.com/im/

A close friend reminded me of these verses half an hour ago

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

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

Close friend reminded me of these verses half an hour ago while addressing rancour between the children Bani Adam and the pure hearts in the Hereafter!

Allah, The Most High, said in Surah Al-Hijr, verses 15-18:

إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّٰتٍ وَعُيُونٍ

Truly! The Muttaqun (pious) will be amidst Gardens and water-springs (Paradise). “(It will be said to them): ‘Enter therein (Paradise), in peace and security.

ٱدْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَٰمٍ ءَامِنِينَ

(It will be said to them): “Enter therein (Paradise), in peace and security.”

وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنْ غِلٍّ إِخْوَٰنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مُّتَقَٰبِلِينَ

And We shall remove from their breasts any sense of injury (that they may have), (So they will be like) brothers facing each other on thrones – Meaning, their hearts would remain safe from every [دغل – blemish, everything that would corrupt the heart] and (blameworthy) envy, pure and loving one another. [1]

لَا يَمَسُّهُمْ فِيهَا نَصَبٌ وَمَا هُم مِّنْهَا بِمُخْرَجِينَ

No sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave it.”

[1] Tafsir As-Sadi

The Beautiful Generosity of The Pious Predecessors During Armed Conflict

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Contemporary Issues, Featured, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Qur'aan, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

True Believers’ Attitude Towards Feeding Those in Need, Including Captured Combatants

Allah, The Exalted, informed us of some of the qualities of the Abrar – the pious, who fear Allah and avoid evil:

ويُطۡعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ

“And they give food, in spite of their love for it”. – Meaning, they are in a state in which they love wealth and food, but they give precedence to the love of Allah over the what their souls love and seek to feed the people who deserve and need it the most.

مِسۡكِينً۬ا وَيَتِيمً۬ا وَأَسِيرًا

“The Miskin (poor), the orphan, and the captive”(1); saying:

إِنَّمَا نُطۡعِمُكُمۡ لِوَجۡهِ ٱللَّهِ

“We feed you seeking Allah’s Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you”. – Meaning, to seek Allah’s Reward. Mujaahid and Ibn Jubayr, may Allah have mercy upon them, said, “As for these people, they did not make this statement, but Allah knows this is what is in their hearts, so He praised them for it as an exhortation for the one who desires to do so”.

لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمۡ جَزَآءً۬

“We wish for no reward”. – Meaning, by way of actions;

وَلَا شُكُورًا
“nor thanks”.
Meaning, by way of statement. (2)

إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوۡمًا عَبُوسً۬ا قَمۡطَرِيرً۬ا

“Verily, We fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislikeness to it)”.

فَوَقَٮٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلۡيَوۡمِ وَلَقَّٮٰهُمۡ نَضۡرَةً۬ وَسُرُورً۬ا

So Allah saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them Nadratan (a light of beauty) and joy]. [Al-Insan. 8-11]

The Quraish Attempted to Starve The Prophet and His Close Relatives

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: On the Day of Nahr at Mina, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Tomorrow we shall stay at Khaif Bani Kinana where the pagans had taken the oath of disbelief.” He meant (by that place) Al-Muhassab where the Quraish tribe and Banu Kinaanah concluded a contract against Banu Haashim and Banu Abdul-Muttalib or Banu Al-Muttalib that they would not intermarry with them or deal with them in business until they handed over the Prophet to them. (3)

Usamah Bin Zayd, may Allah be pleased with him, said: I asked the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, during his Hajj,”O Allah’s Messenger! Where will you stay tomorrow?” He said, “Has Aqeel left for us any house?” He then added, “Tomorrow we will stay at Khaif Bani Kinana, i.e. Al-Muhassab, where Quraish (polytheists) took an oath of disbelief in that Banu Kinana allied with Quraish against Banu Hashim on the terms that they would not deal with the members of the tribe or give them shelter.” (4)

The incident mentioned in the above narrations took place when the Makkan polytheists had a meeting at a place called the Valley of Al-Muhassab, where they established an alliance against Banu Hashim and Banu Al-Muttalib. They agreed not to have any business transactions with them, no marriage ties, no visits, and no verbal communication with the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and those who aided him. So, Abu Talib – the Prophet’s uncle who stood by him at the time – decided to move to a valley in the eastern suburbs of Makkah, then Banu Hashim and Banu Al-Muttalib also moved and they were all confined to a narrow passage. They remained in that situation for three years- from the 7th year of the Prophet’s Prophethood until the 10th year. It was a very repressive embargo that brought extreme hardship, and in addition to this, the vile polytheists bought everything that reached Makkah in order that nothing reached Banu Al-Mutallib and Banu Haashim. The situation became so bad that they had to eat the leaves of trees and animal skins, and children constantly cried due to hunger. They had nothing besides very little provision that was sometimes delivered secretly by some people in Makkah who sympathised with them. During the sacred months when fighting was not permitted, they used to go and buy provisions, but the prices of goods were inflated so that they would not be able to afford them. However, this great hardship never stopped the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, from calling to the truth, rather he used to go to the Kabah and call people to Islam. By the grace of Allah, the agreement between the polytheists ended in the 10th year of the Prophet’s Prophethood, because some of them could no longer bear to see their relatives in that situation. (5)

The Quraish implored the Prophet to refrain from interfering with their food supplies, even though they had previously engaged in the same wrongdoing when they were in a position of power

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: “The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, sent a troop of fighters towards Najd and they brought a man from the tribe of Banu Haneefah who was called Thumamah bin Uthaal. He was then tied to one of the pillars of the Masjid. The Prophet went to him and said, “What have you got, O Thumama?” He replied, “I have got a good thought, O Muhammad! If you should kill me, you would kill a person who has already killed somebody, and if you should set me free, you would do a favor to one who is grateful, and if you want property, then ask me whatever wealth you want.” So, he was left till the next day when again the Prophet said to him, “What have you got, O Thumama?” He said, “What I have already told you”. The Prophet left him till the day after, and said to him again, “What have you got, O Thumama?” He said, “I have got what I told you. So the Prophet said, “Set him free”.

Then Thumamah) went to a garden of date palm trees near the Masjid, took a bath, entered the Masjid, and then said, “I testify that None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and also testify that Muhammad is His Messenger! By Allah, O Muhammad! There was no face on the surface of the earth most disliked by me than yours, but now your face has become the most beloved face to me. By Allah, there was no religion most disliked by me than yours, but now it is the most beloved religion to me. By Allah, there was no town most disliked by me than your town, but now it is the most beloved town to me. Your troops arrested me (at the time) when I was intending to perform the Umra. And now what do you think?” The Prophet gave him good tidings of good in this world and the next, and ordered him to perform the Umra. So when he came to Makkah, someone said to him, “You have become a Sabian?” He replied, “No! By Allah, I have submitted to Islam with Muhammad, Allah’s Messenger. No, by Allah! Not a single grain of wheat will come to you from Yamamah unless the Prophet gives his permission.” (6)

The Prophet asked Thumamah, “What have you got O Thumamah?” He replied that he has good thoughts about the Prophet- Meaning, “You O Muhammad never oppress anyone, rather you are from those who pardon and do good”. So after he was set free, he entered Makkah to perform Umrah and then pronounced the Talbilya and he was the first to enter Makkah in that manner, so Quraish grabbed him and said, “You have the audacity to do this to us”, and they wanted to kill him; then a person amongst the Quraish said, “Leave him because you are in need of food from Yamaamah (i.e. from his land)”, so they released him. Then he said to them, “By Allah! Not a single grain of wheat will come to you from Yamamah unless the Prophet gives his permission.” Ibn Hisham said, “Then Thumamah returned to Yamamah and prevented the Quraish from bringing any food to Makkah, so the Quraish wrote to the Prophet saying, “Indeed, you command people to keep good the ties of kinship”, so the Prophet wrote to Thumamah to allow them to transport their food”.(7)

[1] Tafsir as-Sadi]

[2] Zadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafsir by Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi

[3] Al-Bukhari. 1590

[4] Al-Bukhari. 3058

[5] Zadul Ma’ad 3/31 and Seerah Ibn Hisham 1/350

[6] Al-Bukhari. 4372

[7] Fat’hul Bari Sharh Sahih Al-Bukhari 8/110-111 and Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min at-Taleeqaat al-Baaziyyah Alaa Sahih Al-Bukhari 3/319

The most defiant person in their resistance against Allah’s Messenger

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

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Verily! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ

O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet.

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

When it is the case that Allah forbade us from giving precedence to (ourselves) over the Messenger, then which type of giving precedence to oneself over the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, can be more severe than giving precedence to one’s intellect over the revelation he was sent with? Many of the pious predecessors have stated that this Ayah means: “Do not say anything (about the religion) until the Messenger speaks and do not act until he commands you”. The most disobedient person among the people and the most severe with regards to giving precedence to himself over the Messenger is the one who gives precedence to his intellect or the intellect of another person over the revelation. And when it is the case that Allah has forbidden them (i.e. humankind) from raising their voices above the voice of the Messenger, then how about raising their intellects above the statements of the Messenger and the revelation he conveyed?! (1)

Allah (The Most High) said:

لَّا تَجۡعَلُواْ دُعَآءَ ٱلرَّسُولِ بَيۡنَڪُمۡ كَدُعَآءِ بَعۡضِكُم بَعۡضً۬ا‌ۚ قَدۡ يَعۡلَمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَسَلَّلُونَ مِنكُمۡ لِوَاذً۬ا‌ۚ فَلۡيَحۡذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦۤ أَن تُصِيبَہُمۡ فِتۡنَةٌ أَوۡ يُصِيبَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

Make not the calling of the Messenger (Muhammad) among you as your calling of one another. Allah knows those of you who slip away under shelter (of some excuse without taking the permission to leave, from the Messenger). And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them. [An-Noor. 63]

Allah said: [فَلۡيَحۡذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦۤ -And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah, orders, acts of worship, statements) beware]; [أَن تُصِيبَہُمۡ فِتۡنَةٌ – lest some Fitnah befall them]: Meaning: [Lest] misguidance, calamity in the worldly life or disbelief befall them. [أَوۡ يُصِيبَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ – or a painful torment be inflicted on them]: Meaning: Killed [i.e. by enemies] in the worldly life or punished in the hell fire in the afterlife. (2)

Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said about this Ayah: Do you know what Al-Fitnah is? Al-Fitnah is Shirk. Perhaps if he [i.e. the person] rejects some of his [i.e. the Prophet’s] statements, then something of deviation enters his heart, so he is destroyed. (3)

Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

All praise is due to Allah, who in every age and interval between the Prophets, raises up a group from the people of knowledge, who call the misguided to guidance, patiently bear ill-treatment and harm. With the Book of Allah they give life to the dead and with the Light of Allah they give sight to the blind. How many a person killed by Iblees (the Devil) they have revived, how beautiful their effect has been upon the people, and how vile the people have been towards them! They remove from Allah’s Book the alterations of those going beyond bounds, the false claims of the liars and the false interpretations of the ignoramus- those who uphold the banner of Bidah and let loose the trials and discords, who oppose the Book and agree upon opposing the Book. They speak about Allah and his Book without knowledge, argue about what is ambiguous in the Book and deceive the ignorant ones with such ambiguities. We seek refuge in Allah from the trials of the misguided ones. (4)

[1] Al-Waabil as-Sayyib page 21

[2] Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer’ By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi

[3] Reported by Ibn Battah in Al-Ibaanah Al-Kubraa 97

[4] Ar-Radd Alal Jahmiyyah Waz-Zanaadiqah. p. 2

Reflections on some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali 85

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

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

The Shaikh, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

The Reality of Du’aa in the Qur’an

Allah, The Exalted, said:

هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُۥ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ

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

Allah, The Exalted, also said about Zakariyyah:

إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ نِدَآءً خَفِيًّا
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَهَنَ ٱلْعَظْمُ مِنِّى وَٱشْتَعَلَ ٱلرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُنۢ بِدُعَآئِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا
وَإِنِّى خِفْتُ ٱلْمَوَٰلِىَ مِن وَرَآءِى وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًا فَهَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا

When he called out his Lord (Allah) a call in secret, saying: “My Lord! Indeed my bones have grown feeble, and grey hair has spread on my head, And I have never been unblest in my invocation to You, O my Lord! And Verily! I fear my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So give me from Yourself an heir”. [Maryam 3-5]

The supplication mentioned in Aal-Imran is referred to here as a call, and the call is interpreted in Surah Maryam as a request for a child.

The reality of Du’aa in the Sunnah

Narrated Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “When one of you makes supplication, he should not say: ‘O Allah! Forgive me if you wish’, instead he should have conviction in his request and have great fervent desire (to receive what he is asking for) because there is nothing so great to Allah which He cannot grant”. (Sahih Muslim 2679)

What a servant seeks from his Lord is referred to as Du’aa (supplication), Mas’alah (request) and Raghbah (fervent desire for something), which aligns with the statements of the scholars of the Arabic language.

Narrated from him (Abu Huraira) who said that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “The supplication of every one of you is granted as long as he does not grow impatient (or hasty)’. It was said, ‘And how does one become impatient (or hasty) O Allah’s Messenger?’ He said, ‘(When) one says, ‘I supplicated but it was not granted'”. (Sahih Ibn Majah 635)

The prophetic narrations, the writings of scholars and compilations of hadith regarding (the meaning of) supplication is something which a person cannot fully encompassed. Nevertheless, when the common people hear the term ‘Du’aa’, nothing comes to their minds except this reality: a call, a request, and seeking.

After the reality of supplication is established and understood in light of the Quran, the Sunnah, the Arabic language, and the circumstances of people, Allah, the Exalted, has commanded us to supplicate to Him and prohibited us from supplicating to others.

He, The Exalted, said:

ٱدْعُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُعْتَدِينَ
وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَٰحِهَا وَٱدْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors. And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope; Surely, Allah’s Mercy is (ever) near unto the good-doers. (Al-A’raf 55-56)

Allah commanded us to invoke Him and has taught us the etiquette of supplication, which is hoped to lead to a response, namely: Humility, Secretly, Fear, and Hope.

An Excerpt from “Adawa Islamiyyah Ala Ba’dil Afkar Al-Khati’a 17-19