Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors)

[6] Excerpts From Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah: [Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham (rahimahullaah) – Those People of Sunnah Who Preferred to Abstain From The Extra Permissible Things of The Worldly Life]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on December 9, 2020. Posted in Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors).

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

He was Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham Ibn Mansoor Ibn Yazeed Ibn Aamir Ibn Ishaaq At-Tameemee, and it was said Al-Ajlee. He was originally from Balkh, then he resided in Syria and entered Damascus. He narrated hadeeth from his father, from Al-A’mash and Muhammad Bin Ziyaad – Abu Hurairah’s companion, and from Abu Ishaaq As-Sabee’ee. Imaam An-Nasaa’ee said, “Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham is a trustworthy narrator, reliable and he from those who abstain from the unnecessary pleasures of the worldly life”. He was one of the devout worshippers.

Abdullaah Ibnul Mubaarak [rahimahullaah] said,

“Ibraaheem was a virtuous man and he conducted himself in the worship of his Lord in a way that was hidden from others. Neither have I ever seen him openly remembering Allaah nor performing extra acts of worship [i.e. he performed extra acts of worship in seclusion]. None ever ate food with him, except that he was the last to raise his hand to eat”.

Ibraaheem Bin Bash’shaar [rahimahullaah] said to Ibraahem “Why have you stopped narrating hadeeth?” He replied, “I replaced it with three affairs: (1) striving to be grateful to Allaah for the blessings He has bestowed on me- by acknowledging the blessing, proclaiming that it is from Allaah and utilising it in what is pemissible. (2) Striving to seek Allaah’s forgiveness due to sins. (3) Striving to prepare for the Afterlife”.

Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham said, “Grief is of two types: the grief that is in your advantage and the grief that is against you. Your grief regarding the hardships in the afterlife is in your advantage [i.e. it makes you prepare for that which saves a person in the afterlife]. And your grief regarding the worldly life [i.e. due to greed, mutual rivalry, covetousness etc] is against you”.

Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham said, “Abstinence is three types: Obligatory, recommended and the abstinence that is based on safety. The obligatory abstinence is that one abstains from what is unlawful, the recommended abstinence is that one abstains from the unnecessary lawful desires and the abstinence that is based on safety is that one abstains from doubtful (or ambiguous) matters”.

Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham said, “Having less eagerness and desire for the extra and unnecessary things of worldly life leads a person to truthfulness and makes him avoid doubtful matters out of fearing that he will fall into what is unlawful and thus puts himself in trouble in the afterlife. Having a lot of eagerness and desire for the excess and unnecessary things of the worldly life leads to grief and anxiety”.

He used to supplicate, saying “O Allaah! Turn me away from the humiliation that results from disobeying You and grant me the honour that is associated with obedience to You”.

A man said to Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham, “I would love that you take this Jubbah [i.e. a long outer garment that resembles an open coat, having long sleeves] as a gift from me”. He said to the man, “If you are a wealthy person I will accept it, otherwise I will not”. The man said, “I am wealthy”. He said to him, “How much do you have?” The man said, “I have two thousand”. He said to the man, “Do you wish that this two thousand increases to four thousand?” The man said, “Yes”. He said to the man, “You are poor and I do not accept this Jubbah from you”.

Al-Awzaa’ee [rahimahullaah] once him as his guest, but he limited what he ate, so Al-Awzaa’ee said to him, “Why did you limit what you ate”, he replied, “Because you also limited what you ate”. Then Ibraaheem prepared food and invited Al-Awzaa’ee, so he said to Ibraaheem, “Do you not fear that this is tantamount to extravagance?” Ibraaheem replied, “No, rather extravagance is that which is spent in disobedience to Allaah, but as for what a man spends on his brothers, it is part of the religion”. [Ref 1]

A Man came to Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham and said, “O Abu Ishaaq! Indeed, I have transgressed against myself [through severe sinning], so tell me that which will stop me from sinning and rescue my heart from it”. Ibraaheem said to him, “If you accept five things then you can fulfil them, you will not be harmed and the satisfaction one feels in the heart as a result of obedience to Allaah will not ceased to be with you”. The man said, “O Abu Ishaaq! Give them to me”. Ibraaheem said, “As for the first affair, when you want to disobey Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] do not eat the provision [He has created]!” The man said, “Where would I eat from when it is the fact that everything in the earth is from the provision [Allaah has created]?!” Ibraaheem said to him, “O you! Is it befitting that you eat the provision [provided by Allaah] and disobey Him?” The man said, “No, tell me the second affair”. Ibraaheem said, “When you want to disobey Allaah, do not dwell on the land [Allaah has created]”. The man said, “This is even greater than the first, because when it is the case that the eastern and western regions of the earth, and what is between them belongs to Allaah, then where would I dwell?” So, Ibraaheem said to him, “O you! Is it befitting that you eat the provision and dwell on the land [Allaah has created], but you disobey Him?”. The man said, “No, tell me the third affair”.

Ibraaheem said, “When you want to disobey Allaah whilst being provided with the provision and dwelling on the land [Allaah has created], then be at a place where Allaah cannot see you”. The man said, “How can that be when it is the fact that Allaah knows everything that is hidden”. So, Ibraaheem said to him, “O you! Is it befitting that you eat from the provision and dwell on the land [Allaah has created], but you disobey Him whilst He sees you and what you do?” The man said, “No, tell me the fourth affair”. Ibraaheem said, “When the angel of death comes to remove your soul, then tell him, ‘Delay my departure from this world so that I may perform sincere repentance and righteous deeds for the sake of Allaah”. The man said, “He [i.e. the angel of death] will not accept [this request]”. Ibraaheem said, “O you! When it is the fact that you cannot stop death so that you can repent nor can you delay it, then how can you be freed from this [situation]?!” The man said, “Tell me the fifth affair”. Ibraaheem said, “When Az-Zabaaniyah [i.e. the guards of hell] come on the day of judgement to take you to the fire, then do not go”. The man said, “Neither will they leave me nor agree to [leave me]”. Ibraaheem said, “Then how can you hope for safety?!” The man said, “O Ibraaheem! This admonition is enough for me! This admonition is enough for me! This admonition is enough for me. I seek Allaah’s Forgiveness and I repent to Him”.

Ref 1: An Excerpt From Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah. Vol 10. Pages 135-139

Ref 2: Ta’leeq Alaa Bawaa’ithil Khilaas Min Adh-Dhunoob’ by Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr (hafidhahullaah). Lesson 1]

[5] Excerpts From Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah: [Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on December 8, 2020. Posted in Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

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

Imaam Maalik [rahimahullaah] said,

“Al-Awzaa’ee [rahimahullaah] was an Imaam who was taken as an example to be followed”.

Sufyaan Bin Uyaynah [rahimahullaah] said,

“Al-Awzaa’ee [rahimahullaah] was an Imaam of his era. He performed Hajj several times and entered Makkah, so Sufyaan Ath-Thawree [rahimahullaah] grabbed the rope of his camel, Maalik Bin Anas [rahimahullaah] followed behind him and Ath-Thawree said, ‘Give the Shaikh a place to sit’ until he got him to sit at the Kabah and both of them took knowledge from him”.

Imaam Maalik and Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee [rahimahumallaah] engaged in discussion several times at Madeenah from Dhur prayer until Asr prayer; then from Asr prayer to Maghrib prayer. Al-Awzaa’ee overwhelmed him in the subject matter regarding military expeditions and Maalik overwhelmed him in Fiqh or some affairs of Fiqh.

Al-Awzaa’ee [rahimahullaah] said,

“Follow the footsteps of the pious predecessors even if the people reject you, and beware of the speech of men even if they beautify and make it look good, because the affair is very clear and you are upon the straight path”.

He also said, “Exercise patience upon the Sunnah, stop were the pious predecessors stopped, say what they say, refrain from what they refrained from, and be sufficed with what sufficed them”.

He said, “Knowledge is that which has been transmitted from the companions of Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] and what did not come from them is not knowledge”.

Al-Waleed Bin Muslim said,

“After performing the morning prayer, Al-Awzaa’ee sat and engaged in remembrance of Allaah unt sunrise, and he used to attribute this deed to the pious predecessors”.

He engaged in much worship, performed the prayer in an excellent manner, refrained from doubtful matters due to fear of Allaah, devoted himself to piety and used to keep quiet for a long time. He used to say, “Whoever prolongs the night prayer, Allaah will make easy for him the standing on the day of judgement”, and he based this speech of his on Allaah’s statement:

وَمِنَ ٱلَّيۡلِ فَٱسۡجُدۡ لَهُ ۥ وَسَبِّحۡهُ لَيۡلاً۬ طَوِيلاً

إِنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ يُحِبُّونَ ٱلۡعَاجِلَةَ وَيَذَرُونَ وَرَآءَهُمۡ يَوۡمً۬ا ثَقِيلاً۬

And during night, prostrate yourself to Him (i.e. the offering of Maghrib and ‘Isha’ prayers), and glorify Him a long night through (i.e. Tahajjud prayer). Verily! These (disbelievers) love the present life of this world, and put behind them a heavy Day (that will be hard). [Surah Al-Insaan. Aayaat 26-27]

Al-Waleed Bin Muslim said,

“I have not seen anyone who exerts himself in worship more than Al-Awzaa’ee”.

Many people have stated that once he performed hajj and did not sleep during his journey, rather he was engaged in prayer. And when he felt sleepy, he reclined on a saddle.

A woman once came his wife and saw that Al-Awzaa’ee prayer mat was soaked and asked, “Perhaps a toddler urinated on it?”. His wife replied, “This is the effect of the Shaikh’s tears due to weeping in Sujood and this what he does every day”.

He used to say, “The love for Ali and Uthmaan [may Allaah be pleased with them] is not combined in a heart except that of a believer”.

An Excerpt From Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah. Vol 10. Pages 116-117

[3] Excerpts From Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah: [Umar Bin Abdul Azeez Established Perfect Justice Because He Called to The Sunnah, Acted Upon It And Feared Allaah]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on December 7, 2020. Posted in Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

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

He said to the people after becoming the Khaleefah, “I command you to fear Allaah, because fear of Allaah precedes everything and nothing precedes it. Remember death a lot, because indeed it is the destroyer of pleasures and prepare for it properly before it arrives. Indeed, the Ummah does not differ that Allaah is their Lord, the Qur’aan is their Book and that Muhammad is their Prophet, but they differ in matters of the worldly life and wealth. By Allaah! Neither will I give anyone based on falsehood nor deprive anyone of his rights”. Then he raised his voice and said, “O people! It is obligatory to obey whoever obeys Allaah and whoever disobeys Allaah is not to be obeyed. Obey me as long as I obey Allaah, but do not obey me if I disobey Allaah”. [End of quote]
[NB: Although rulers are not obeyed in disobedience to Allaah, but neither are they rebelled against nor is rebellion incited against them. read here: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/]

He once wrote to one of his officials and said, “Indeed, I command you to fear Allaah, adhere to the Sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger, limit yourself to the Messenger’s command, abandon that which the people have newly initiated in the religion after him – those who wage war against the Sunnah – and have stopped acting on his true religion. Know that an innovation in religious affairs has never occurred, except that there is evidence to show its falsity, therefore it is obligated on you to adhere to the Sunnah, for indeed it is the tradition of those [i.e. the Sahaabah] who know the deviation, error and foolishness that is in that which is in opposition to it. They were more able to explain the affairs and more robust in the performance of deeds. Their deeds were performed properly, therefore if that which you do is virtuous, they would have been foremost in doing so, because they preceded everyone in every good. And if you say, “Good has also occurred after them”, then know that it was initiated by one who followed other than the path of the believers- deviated from their path and turned himself away from it. Indeed, they [i.e. Sahaabah] have spoken about the [religious innovations] based on that which suffices and described it with that which solves the problem, so those who do not act based on what they followed have fallen short and those who go beyond what they followed are not good doers. Indeed, a people diminished their religion and became mixed up and others wanted to go above them and became extremists.
He said, “Allaah’s Messenger and his Khulafaa after him established Sunan, adhering to it is obedience to Allaah and a testification that the Book of Allaah is truth. It is not allowed for anyone to change or substitute it and no consideration is given to anyone who opposes it. Whoever adheres to that which has preceded will be guided and the one who uses it as a source of foresight will be able to see clearly. As for the one who opposes it and follows other than the path of the believers, Allaah will leave him in the path he has chosen and burn him in hell, and what an evil destination!”.

One day, he spoke in the presence of a group of his companions and Allaah granted him the ability to convey a fine admonition, then he saw a man in the gathering whose eyes were filled with tears, so he immediately stopped talking. The man said to him, “O Ameerul Mumineen! Carry on with your admonition because indeed I hope that Allaah will bless the one who hears or the one it reaches”. He said to the man, “O Abu Ayyoub! Take this from me, for indeed there is trial whose evil the speaker may not escape when speaking to the people. Acting is more appropriate for the believer than speaking”.

Rajaa said, “When Umar Bin Abdul Azeez was about to depart from this world, he kept on saying, “O Allaah! Make me pleased with your divine will and bless me in your divine decree, so that I do not hasten what you have delayed and not delay what you have hastened”.

Excerpt from Al-Bidaayah Wan Nihaayah. Vol 9. pages 213–217. Slightly paraphrased. Publisher: Maktabah Al-Ma’aarif and Daar ibn Hazm. 9th Edition. 1414 AH (1994)

Last Statement of The Imaam of Daarul Hijrah [Maalik Bin Anas (rahimahullaah)]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on December 6, 2020. Posted in Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors).

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

Ibn Abee Awais said, I asked a member of our family about what Maalik said at the time of death, so he said: He uttered the Shahaadah and then recited the ayah:

لِلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِن بَعْدُ

The decision of the matter, before and after is only with Allah.

[Soorah Room: Ayah:4]

Source: Ath-thabaat Indal Mamaat of Ibn Jawzee: page:109

[2] Excerpts From Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah: [Umar Bin Abdul Azeez Was One of The Upright Revivers]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on December 6, 2020. Posted in History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors).

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

Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَبْعَثُ لِهَذِهِ الأُمَّةِ عَلَى رَأْسِ كُلِّ مِائَةِ سَنَةٍ مَنْ يُجَدِّدُ لَهَا دِينَهَا

Allaah will raise for this Ummah at the end of every hundred years the one who will revive its religion for it. [Ref 1]

A Brief Reminder On The Hadeeth

[إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَبْعَثُ لِهَذِهِ الأُمَّةِ – Allaah will raise for this Ummah]- meaning the Ummatul Ijaabah [i.e. the Muslims].

[عَلَى رَأْسِ كُلِّ مِائَةِ سَنَةٍ – At the end of every hundred years]- meaning at the end of every hundred years when there is little knowledge of the Islamic legislation and the authentic Prophetic Tradition, whilst ignorance and religious innovation is rife.

[مَنْ يُجَدِّدُ لَهَا دِينَهَا – One who will revive its religion for it]- meaning a scholar who is alive and well known. He will clarify the authentic Prophetic Tradition and distinguish it from the religious innovations. knowledge will be abundant again and its adherents will be aided, and the proponents of religious will be overcome and degraded.

This reviver is non else but a scholar who has sound understanding of the religious sciences that deal with acts of worship, the underlying wisdoms of the religion and the texts that deal with beliefs of the heart. [Ref 2]

A group amongst the scholars- including Ahmad Bin Hanbal – stated that Umar Bin Abdul Azeez was alive at the end of the first hundred years and he is more worthy and entitled to be entered into this category of people due to his leadership and striving to establish truth.

He used to write to the employees of the state to remind them to adhere to the Sunnah, saying, “If the Sunnah does not rectify you, Allaah will not rectify you”.

He used to give a 100 Deenaars a year from the state fund to those who travel to the central mosque of their country to study Fiqh , spread knowledge and teach recitation of the Qur’an.

He used to say, “O Allaah! Grant us safety. O Allaah! Grant us safety”.

He used to say, “O Allaah! Rectify the one in whose rectification there will be rectification for the Ummah of Muhammad, and destroy the one in whose destruction there will be rectification for the Ummah of Muhammad”.

Every night, he used to gather his companions amongst the jurists and they would not mention anything else besides death and the Hereafter, then they would weep.

He said to a man, “Teach your child Al-Fiqh Al-Akbar [I e. Aqeedah Tawheed], contentment and to prevent harm”.

A man recited this Aayah in his presence: [إِذَا أُلْقُوا مِنْهَا مَكَانًا ضَيِّقًا مُقَرَّنِينَ دَعَوْا هُنَالِكَ ثُبُورًا –

And when they shall be thrown into a narrow place thereof, chained together, they will exclaim therein for destruction]

[Surah Al-Furqaan. Aayah 13]

So he wept severely, got up and entered his house, so the people left him and departed.

It reached him that a man amongst his companions passed away, so he went to the man’s family to offer his condolences. The family cried loudly in his presence, so he said, “Enough, indeed your relative is not the one who gave you provision, rather the one who gives you provision is alive and will never die. This relative of yours cannot prevent anything from you in your grave, but he can only prevent events in his grave by way of his deeds and every person amongst you has a pit. When Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] created the worldly life, He decreed that it will be completely destroyed and its inhabitants will cease to exist. There’s no gathering except that one day they will be separated until Allaah takes back the earth and what is on it. So, whoever weeps, then let him weep for himself because what has happened to your relative will happen to you tomorrow”. [Ref 3]

Ref 1: Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah. Vol 9. Pages 303-309. Publisher: Maktabah Al-Ma’aarif and Daar ibn Hazm. 9th Edition. 1414 AH (1994)

Ref 2: Sunan Abee Daawud. Hadeeth Number 4291. Declared authentic by Imaam Al-Albaanee [rahimahullaah] in Saheeh Abi Daawud. Publisher, Maktabah Al-Ma’aarif. Awnul Ma’bood Sharh Sunan Abee Daawud. Vol 11. Pages 259-260. Publisher: Daar Al-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah. 1st Edition 1419AH (Year 1998). Slightly paraphrased

Ref 3: Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah. Vol 9. Pages 303-309. Publisher: Maktabah Al-Ma’aarif and Daar ibn Hazm. 9th Edition. 1414 AH (1994)

How to Be From the People of Jannah – Ramadhaan Reminder Day 8 – Shaykh Fawzaan

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on May 2, 2020. Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Brotherhood, Jannah (Paradise), Mental Health, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Ramadhan, Sahaabah, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Video, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

This video is being updated and will be available at 3pm UK time on 3rd May 2002

Umar stayed at his house for three days then he said to him: ‘Nothing had actually occurred between me and my father from what I mentioned to you but it was that the I heard that the Prophet ﷺ said that a man would appear upon us who will be from the people of paradise so I wanted to accompany you and see what you were doing of righteous deeds.

Yet I didn’t see you perform many righteous deeds? So the man responded to Umar and said to him that ‘I do not do more deeds than what you have already seen me doing except

Watch video below:

Why Does My Prayer not Prevent me from Evil Actions – Shaykh Uthaymeen

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on January 15, 2019. Posted in Basics, Qur'aan, Salaah - Prayer, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Video, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

I pray, however I (still) perform some evil actions; so, what is your advice for me? And why does my prayer not prevent me from forbidden actions?

Shaykh Uthaymeen Replies:

My advice for you is that you repent to Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) and that you sincerely draw close to Allah. (Likewise) that you recall the greatness of the one you have disobeyed and recall His punishment (The Mighty and Majestic), for whoever opposes his command.

You should also read the statement of Allah,

نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ (٤٩) وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ (٥٠)

Declare (O Muhammad SAW) unto My slaves, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful. (49) And that My Torment is indeed the most painful torment. (50)

So, seek Allah’s forgiveness and mercy and fear his punishment. As for your situation, i.e. that you pray and you prayer does not prevent you from evil actions, then perhaps your prayer has deficiencies, because the prayer which prevents from fahshaa (i.e. great sins) and munkar (everything Islam rejects & has prohibited) is the complete prayer, (meaning) the prayer which is (performed) in accordance to that which the Messenger of Allah came with; with presence of heart, performing the actions (of the prayer) as they were reported in the sunnah. It is not every prayer which prevents from fahshaa (i.e. great sins) and munkar (every thing Islam censures & has forbidden ), rather it is the established prayer (in the sunnah) which the people perform in the manner which is befitting.

Allah The Most High said:

﴿اتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلاةَ تَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ﴾ [العنكبوت:45]

Recite (O Muhammad (sallallaahu alaihi wa salam) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Qur’ân), and perform As-Salât (Iqamât¬as¬Salât). Verily, As-Salât (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahshâ’ (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed).

Meaning, the prayer which is performed in the correct manner (according to the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah), prevents these evils.

(1) The questioner is alluding to this aayah in the Quran: Al-Ankaboot: 45

Those who betray the Methodology of the Salaf – Shaykh Fawzaan

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on December 21, 2018. Posted in Deviated Callers & Individuals, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Video.

In this video Shaykh Saliah al-Fawzaan provides us with some much needed advice in regards to clinging onto the Methodology of the Salaf. Tune in and benefit!

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