Skip to main content

Internal Conflict

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

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

A servant of Allah does not embark upon what he has been forbidden except through two ways: Firstly, (either) harbouring evil thoughts about his Lord that if he were to obey Allah and preferred Him, He (Glorified be He) will not grant him that which is better from the lawful (things), or his acknowledgement (i.e. that Allah will grant him something better than the forbidden thing he pursues) and that whoever leaves something for Allah’s sake, He will replace it with something better; but lusts overcomes his patience and desires his intellect. The first affair is due to weakness in knowledge and the second a weakness in intellect and insight. [1]

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

O you! Your intellect urges you towards repentance, while your desires hold you back, resulting in an (internal) conflict. If you were to muster a determined army (sound resolve, Iman), the enemy (Shaytan and vain desires) would have fled. You intend to engage in night prayers, yet you find yourself asleep. You attend the gathering but do not weep, and then you asked, “What is the cause?” [هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُم – It is from your own selves]. [Al-Imran: 165]

You sin during the day and then sleep at night. You consume what is forbidden, leading to the darkness of your heart. When the door to acceptance is opened, you are cast out. Beware, for the heart’s (unrestricted) thoughts regarding the permissible matters can lead it to darkness; then how about the forbidden? If pure musk can alter water, preventing it from being used for ablution (due to a change of its colour, taste or smell), then what about impurity? When will you awaken from the slumber of heedlessness?! [2]


[1] Al-Fawaa’id. Page 78

[2] Al-Mud’hish 365

Direct your energy and competitive drive on areas that are unrestricted and free from obstacles

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

Imam Ibn Qudamah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Envy often arises among individuals who share similar circumstances, such as contemporaries, peers, brothers, and cousins, due to the divergent aspirations of each person, resulting in disharmony and animosity. As a result of this, one scholar may feel envious of another scholar, but they will not envy a worshipper. Similarly, a worshipper may feel envious of another worshipper, but they will not envy a scholar. Likewise, a trader may feel envious of another trader, and a cobbler may feel envious of another cobbler. This is because their goals conflict with each other. The basis of this matter is love of the worldly things, as they are limited for those who compete for them.

However, when it comes to the afterlife, there are no such limitations. Those who have a love for knowledge and awareness of Allah, knowledge about Allah’s angels, Allah’s Prophets, and Allah’s supreme authority over the heavens and the earth, will not feel envy towards others once they are acquainted with these matters. This is because no person can restrict others through these things; rather, you find a particular scholar is known by thousands of other scholars, and they rejoice in his understanding. This is the reason why there is no envy among the upright scholars of the religion because their primary objective is to attain knowledge and awareness of Allah, which is an extensive pursuit. Their ultimate aim is to achieve a lofty position in the sight of Allah, and the rewards that Allah has reserved for them in the hereafter are boundless. The greatest blessing bestowed by Allah is the pleasure of meeting Him, and this cannot be hindered or limited. Furthermore, no competitors in this pursuit can restrict it to others. On the contrary, harmony among the scholars increases as the number of competitors grows. However, if wealth and status become the scholars’ main focus, envy will inevitably arise among them.

Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qaasideen. page 199-201

Good will remain as long as we harbour no blameworthy envy

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

Damratah Bin Thalabah [may Allah be pleased with him] said that  Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “The people will not cease to be upon good as long as they do not envy one another.

Al-Allamah Zaid Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali [may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

The hadith is clear in its prohibition against envy. What is intended by envy is when one wishes that the blessing bestowed upon another person should cease, regardless whether the envier wants that blessing for himself or for another person, or wants that the blessing given to the one he envies should cease- whether the blessings is related to an affair of the religion or a worldly affair. Envy is forbidden and the command to seek Allah’s protection from the evil of an envier has been stated in the Qur’an:

وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ

“And from the evil of the envier when he envies”.

Therefore, one should be careful of envy! Indeed the Prophet said, “Do not envy one another”. [1]

Imam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: There are three types of envy. The first type is very little and does not lead the (envier) to harm (others)-either by way of (hatred in) his heart, (speech of the) tongue or (deeds of the) hand; rather the person has some envy in his heart but he only deals with his Muslim brother through what Allaah loves. The second type is that the envier desires that the blessing (bestowed on the one he envies) should cease. He hates that Allah should give blessings to His slaves; rather he (desires) that the envied person should remain in that state (of deprivation).The third type is Al-Ghibtah and it is when a person wishes to be like another person without desiring that the blessing possessed by that person should cease. The person who has this type of envy is not blamed; rather this is very similar to praiseworthy competition to excel another in good deeds. [2]

Mu’aawiyah Bin Abee Sufyaan [may Allah be pleased with him and his father] said: “I am able to please all the people [i.e. with regards to what is lawful] except the one who is envious of a blessing [bestowed on others] because never will he be pleased until that blessing ceases”. [3]


[1] at-Taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah. Page 1/270.
 
[2]: Badaa’i Al-Fawaa-id 2/237
 
[3]: Tarikh Baghdad 59/200

Reflections on some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali [75 of 80]

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

The Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, stated in his refutation against Dr Ibrahim Ar-Ruhayli, may Allah recitify his affair:

Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him, once urged the poets among his companions to disparage the Quraish. Aishah narrated that Allaah’s Messenger said, “Lampoon the Quraish, for it will hurt them more than arrows”. He sent word to Ibn Rawaahah, saying, “Lampoon them”. So he lampooned them but it was not good enough. Then he sent word to Ka’b Bin Malik, then he sent word to Hassan bin Thaabit. When he entered upon him, Hassan said, “Now you have sent for this lion who wreaks vengeance then waves his tail about”, then he stuck out his tongue and moved it. He said, “By the One Who sent you with the Truth, I shall tear them with my tongue as leather is torn”. Allah’s Messenger said, “Do not be hasty. AbuBakr is most knowledgeable about their lineage, and I share a lineage with them. (Wait) until he summarizes my lineage for you”. Hassan went to him, then he came back and said, “O Allah’s Messenger! He has summarized your lineage for me. By the One Who sent you with the Truth, I shall draw you out from them as a hair is drawn out of the dough”. Aishah said, “I heard Allaah’s Messenger say to Hassan, “The Ruhul Qudus (i.e. Jibreel) will continue to support you, so long as you are defending Allah and His Messenger”. She said, “I heard Allah’s Messenger say, “Hassan has lampooned them and has satisfied himself and others”. [Sahih Muslim. Number 2490]

Al-Baraa’ah Bin Aazib, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that he heard Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, saying to Hassaan Bin Thaabit, may Allah be pleased with him, “Lampoon them and Jibril is with you”. [Bukhaari 3213]

So when the people of falsehood become overbearing towards the people of truth through evil speech, defamation, lies and praising (other) people of falsehood, then the people of truth cannot (do anything else) except to subdue the people of falsehood- clarifying their oppressive (behaviour, views etc), their barefaced lies and unveiling their falsehoods. (1)

The Shaikh also stated:

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated while disapproving of Ahlul Bidah in Madaarij As-Saalikeen, “And due to this, the disapproval of the pious predecessors and the Imams against (bidah) was severe and they spoke out (loudly) against its people from the various regions of the earth. They warned against their fitnah (trials, temptations) with a more severe warning and did so to an extent that was not the same as their disapproval against lewd acts, oppression and aggression. (This is) because the harm of bidah (against the religion), its destructive (effects on the religion) and negation (of the religion) is more severe”.

Then the Shaikh spoke about the Fard Kifaayah in the context of Jihad (Footnote a). For example, Jihad one of the Furood al-Kifaayaat (Communal obligations), thus, if one person goes for Jihad in order to repel a threat faced by Islam and the Muslims, will the legislated Islamic goal of this Jihad be fulfilled by one person; or if hundreds of people went but neither the legislated Islamic goal is fulfilled nor is the threat repelled, would it be permissible for the scholars to remain silent in such circumstances; or is it obligated that they exhort the people to go for Jihad in order to fulfil this communal obligation? (This is because) there has to be sufficient numbers of people to fulfil this (Communal) obligation in order to put a stop to the threat face by the rest of the Muslims. If this sufficient number is not reached, then all the Muslims are regarded to be sinful in such a case and held responsible for the harm that comes to Islam and the Muslims. Similarly is the same thing stated regarding enjoining good and forbidding evil, because there has to be sufficient numbers to prevent the Fitnah, if one, ten or twenty are unable to do so. Therefore, it becomes clear that many of the students- those who ascribe themselves to the Sunnah-who seek from the Scholars to clarify their stances have sought after something appropriate and correct if there is a sound reason for seeking after it. It is not to be regarded a mistake, but the mistaken one is he who declares those students to be mistaken. The silence of the scholars at the time of need or necessity to clarify the truth is tantamount to concealment of the truth and it is from those grave mistakes that will result in corruption, trials, splitting of the people into two groups, two parties, boycotting one another and so on. (2)


[1] An Excerpt from Bayaan Maa Fee Naseehati Ibrahim Ar-Ruhayli Minal Khalal Wal Ikhlaal. p 23-25

[2] An Excerpt from Bayaan Maa Fee Naseehati Ibrahim Ar-Ruhayli Minal Khalal Wal-Ikhlaal. p 62-63

[2] Poets and Poetry

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

Allah, The Exalted, said:

وَمَا عَلَّمْنَٰهُ ٱلشِّعْرَ وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لَهُۥٓ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ وَقُرْءَانٌ مُّبِينٌ

And We have not taught him (Muhammad) poetry, nor is it befitting for him. This is only a Reminder and a plain Quran. [Yasin 69]

Allah, The Exalted, clears His Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, of the accusations made by the polytheists that he is a poet, and that what he brought forth is poetry. He said:

وَمَا عَلَّمْنَاهُ الشِّعْرَ وَمَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ

“And We have not taught him (Muhammad) poetry, nor is it befitting for him” to be a poet. This in essence is an impossibility for him, as he is guided and righteous, while poets are misguided and are followed by the misguided. Allah eliminated all doubts which the misguided attributed to His Messenger, and that neither could he write nor read poetry, and that poetry is not something He has taught him, nor is it fitting for him.

إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ

“This (i.e. what he recites) is only a Reminder”.

Meaning, this matter he has brought is nothing other than a reminder through which those who possess understanding are reminded all the religious (obligations and recommendations) comprehensively. It reminds the intellects to reflect on what Allah has instilled in them regarding the command of all that is good and the prohibition of all that is repugnant (or evil).

وَقُرْآنٍ مُبِينٍ

“and a plain Quran”.

Meaning, clear in what requires explanation. Thus, the subject has been omitted to indicate that it elucidates all truth through detailed and general proofs, (as well as clarify in detail and general) the falsehoods and their refutations, and also revealed to His Messenger.

An Excerpt from “Tafsir As-Sadi”.

[1] Poets and Poetry

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

Allah, The Exalted, said:

هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُمْ عَلَىٰ مَن تَنَزَّلُ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ
تَنَزَّلُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍ
يُلْقُونَ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ كَٰذِبُونَ
وَٱلشُّعَرَآءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ ٱلْغَاوُۥنَ
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّهُمْ فِى كُلِّ وَادٍ يَهِيمُونَ
وَأَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ مَا لَا يَفْعَلُونَ
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَذَكَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَٱنتَصَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا۟ وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَىَّ مُنقَلَبٍ يَنقَلِبُونَ

Shall I inform you (O people!) upon whom the Shayatin (devils) descend? They descend on every lying (one who tells lies), sinful person. Who gives ear (to the devils and they pour what they may have heard of the unseen from the angels), and most of them are liars. As for the poets, the erring follow them; see you not that they speak about every subject (praising others right or wrong) in their poetry? And that they say what they do not do. Except those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, and remember Allah much, and reply back (in poetry) to the unjust poetry (which the pagan poets utter against the Muslims). And those who do wrong will come to know by what overturning they will be overturned. [Ash-Shu’araa 221-227]

After Allah freed the Prophet that the devils do not descend on him, He also cleared him of any association with poetry, stating: “As for the poets”, Meaning, shall I not also inform you regarding the condition and established traits of the poets, for indeed “the erring follow them” away from the path of guidance, while embracing the path of deviation and destruction. Thus, they themselves are upon error and you will find that their followers are all misguided and corrupt individuals. [1]

Based on the apparent meaning of the verse, most poets behave in this manner; they say what they do not practice. They speak about every subject (praising others right or wrong) in their poetry. You see them speaking here and there without truth, instead imagining things and the speaking about them, or lying due to personal needs or other motivations. [إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ – Except those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds].

Allah made them an exception. They are the ones whose poetry is both good and beneficial, such as Hassan Ibn Thabit, the poet of the Messenger, Ka’b Ibn Malik, Abdullah Ibn Rawaha, and other poets of the believers. Then those after them during the era of the Tabi’un and the followers of the Tabi’un to the present day of ours. The poetry of the believers is both beneficial and valuable, as the Prophet stated, “Indeed, there is wisdom in poetry.” The Prophet instructed Hassan to lampoon the Quraysh and the disbelievers, saying: “For it (i.e. lampooning them) is more severe against them than the raining arrow.” He said: “O Allah! Aid him (i.e. Hasan) with the Ruhul Qudus”. (i.e. Jibreel). The poetry from a believer in defense of truth and in condemnation of falsehood is something (commanded or recommended), and its composer is thanked and rewarded. These are the ones referred to in Allah’s statement: “Except those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds]. [2]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, stated:

Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, once urged the poets among his companions to disparage the Quraish. Aishah narrated that Allah’s Messenger said, “Lampoon the Quraish, for it will hurt them more than arrows”. He sent word to Ibn Rawaahah, saying, “Lampoon them”. So, he lampooned them but it was not good enough. Then he sent word to Kab Bin Malik, then he sent word to Hassaan bin Thaabit. When he entered upon him, Hassan said, “Now you have sent for this lion who wreaks vengeance then waves his tail about”, then he stuck out his tongue and moved it. He said, “By the One Who sent you with the Truth, I shall tear them with my tongue as leather is torn”. Allah’s Messenger said, “Do not be hasty. AbuBakr is most knowledgeable about their lineage, and I share a lineage with them. (Wait) until he summarizes my lineage for you”. Hassan went to him, then he came back and said, “O Allah’s Messenger! He has summarized your lineage for me. By the One Who sent you with the Truth, I shall draw you out from among them as a hair is drawn out of the dough”. Aishah said, “I heard Allaah’s Messenger say to Hassan, “The Ruhul Qudus (i.e. Jibreel) will continue to support you, so long as you are defending Allah and His Messenger”. She said, “I heard Allah’s Messenger say, “Hassan has lampooned them and has satisfied himself and others”. [Sahih Muslim Number 2490]

Al-Baraa’ah Bin Aazib narrated that he heard Allah’s Messenger of Allah saying to Hassan Bin Thaabit, “Lampoon them and Jibril is with you”. [Al-Bukhari 3213]

Thus, when the people of falsehood become overbearing towards the people of truth through evil speech, defamation, lies and praising (other) people of falsehood, the people of truth cannot except to subdue the people of falsehood- clarifying their oppressive (behaviour, views etc), their barefaced lies and unveiling their falsehoods. [3]


[1] Tafsir As-Sadi

[2]https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/14482/%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%B3%D8%B1-%D9%82%D9%88%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%B9%D9%87%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%88%D9%86

[3] An Excerpt from Bayaan Maa Fee Naseehati Ibraaheem Ar-Ruhayli Minal Khalal Wal Ikhlaal. Pages 23-25

[4] Mountains of Knowledge and Piety Who Constantly Strove to Humble Their Souls

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

A woman said to Imam Ash-Shabee, may Allah have mercy upon him, ”O scholar! Give me a verdict”. He said, “Indeed, a scholar is one who fears Allah, The Mighty and Majestic”. [1]

Bilal Ibn Sa’d, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Do not be a friend of Allah in the open (i.e. the good you show in public) and an enemy of His in private”. [2]

Al-Hasan Al-Basri, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Admonish the people with your actions and not (only) with your statements”. [i.e. act upon what you call to].

Ataa Al-Azraqi said: A man said to Hasan al-Basri: “O Abu Sa’eed! How are you?” He said: “What is the state of affairs of one who reaches the morning and the evening whilst waiting for death, and he does not know what Allah will do with him?!”

He said: “If you see a man competing with you in the worldly thing, compete with him in the (affairs) of the afterlife”.
He said: “The basis of evil are three and its branches are six. The basis are: Envy, covetousness and love of the worldly life. Its branches are love of leadership, love of boasting, love of praise, love of excessive food, sleep and relaxation. [3]


[1] Jami Bayan Al-Ilm 1/267

[2] Siyar 11/518

[3] Sirah As-Salaf As-Salih 1/1752 By Imaam Ismaaeel Bin Muhammad Bin Fadl Al-Asbahaanee (535AH: Chapter: A mention of those who followed the companions in righteousness)

An element of self-growth in our social interactions

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

Allah, The Exalted, said:

وَٱلَّذِینَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِـَٔایَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمۡ لَمۡ یَخِرُّوا۟ عَلَیۡهَا صُمࣰّا وَعُمۡیَانࣰا

And those who, when they are reminded of the Signs of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat]. [Al-Furqan. 73]

Imam Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, commented on this Ayah:

The identity of the reminder giver remains undisclosed, encompassing all individuals who provide reminders. This serves to demonstrate that the acceptance of the reminder is not contingent upon the particular person delivering it, as some only accept the truth when it is presented by a specific individual. If the reminder comes from someone else, it is not acknowledged, similar to how the people of the Scripture treated the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, as well as others who only accept the truth from a particular group or person. Allah said:

وَلَئِنْ أَتَيْتَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ بِكُلِّ آيَةٍ مَا تَبِعُوا قِبْلَتَكَ

And even if you were to bring to the people of the Scripture all the Signs, they would not follow your Qiblah (prayer direction)]. [Al-Baqarah. 145]

So here, Allah says: [إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا – And those who, when they are reminded]. The individual providing the reminder remains unknown (in this Ayah), indicating their acceptance of the truth based on its validity and not due to who says it. The acceptance or rejection of the reminder is not contingent upon the person delivering it, but rather on the content of the reminder itself. This underscores the benefit of not disclosing the doer of the action (i.e. the reminder giver). [1]

NB: There is an exception in this matter and that is a Sunni, Athari – adherent to the Sunnah – does not lend an ear to Ahlul Bidah. Shu’aib, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: I said to Ibn Seereen: “What is your view concerning listening to the people of desires (i.e. ahlul bidah)?” He said: “We neither listen to them nor honour them”. [2]


[1] An Excerpt from “Tafseer Surah Al-Furqan. Ayah 2. Shared by our Salafi brother and colleague Abdul Malik (Abu Zakariyyah Al-Congoli (may Allah preserve him)

[2] Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa. 4/611

The Judiciousness, Patience and Sovereignty that won’t be rivaled until the end of time

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

The Most Judacious of All Time

Allah, The Exalted, said:

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ ۚ كُلًّا هَدَيْنَا ۚ وَنُوحًا هَدَيْنَا مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِ دَاوُودَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُوسُفَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَهَارُونَ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ
وَزَكَرِيَّا وَيَحْيَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَإِلْيَاسَ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَالْيَسَعَ وَيُونُسَ وَلُوطًا ۚ وَكُلًّا فَضَّلْنَا عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ
وَمِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ وَإِخْوَانِهِمْ ۖ وَاجْتَبَيْنَاهُمْ وَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
ذَٰلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَشْرَكُوا لَحَبِطَ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ ۚ فَإِن يَكْفُرْ بِهَا هَٰؤُلَاءِ فَقَدْ وَكَّلْنَا بِهَا قَوْمًا لَّيْسُوا بِهَا بِكَافِرِينَ
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَى اللَّهُ ۖ فَبِهُدَاهُمُ اقْتَدِهْ ۗ قُل لَّا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ۖ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَالَمِينَ

And We bestowed upon him (i.e. Prophet Ibrahim) Ishaque (Isaac) and Ya’qub (Jacob), each of them We guided, and before him, We guided Nuh (Noah), and among his progeny Dawud (David), Sulaiman (Solomon), Ayub (Job), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), and Harun (Aaron). Thus do We reward the good-doers. And Zakariya (Zachariya), and Yahya (John) and ‘Iesa (Jesus) and Iliyas (Elias), each one of them was of the righteous. And Isma’il (Ishmael) and Al-Yas’a (Elisha), and Yunus (Jonah) and Lout (Lot), and each one of them We preferred above the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns) (of their times). And also some of their fathers and their progeny and their brethren, We chose them, and We guided them to a Straight Path. This is the Guidance of Allah with which He guides whomsoever He will of His slaves. But if they had joined in worship others with Allah, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them. They are those whom We gave the Book, Al-Hukm (understanding of the religious laws), and Prophethood. But if these disbelieve therein (the Book, Al-Hukm and Prophethood), then, indeed We have entrusted it to a people (such as the Companions of Prophet Muhammad) who are not disbelievers therein. They are those whom Allah had guided. So follow their guidance. Say: “No reward I ask of you for this (the Qur’an). It is only a reminder for the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns).” [Al-An’aam. 83-90]

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

The Messengers are the most judicious among all of creation without exception, and their followers constitute the next most judicious group. Among the adherents of the scriptures and the great legislated laws, those who follow the Messengers are deemed the most judicious, with Muslims ranking highest among them. Among Muslims, the companions of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, are regarded as the most judicious, followed closely by those who emulate their faith precisely. Furthermore, the people who steadfastly adhere to the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet and the sound reports passed down from him are considered the most judicious within the Muslim Ummah after the companions and those who have followed their example.

The clear proof to demonstrate that the Messengers are the most judicious among the entire creation is that the beneficial knowledge they conveyed, the righteous deeds, and beneficial guidance for both this life and the hereafter, have not been conveyed by others or even something close to it.  There is nothing – from any perspective – that emerged from other judicious people that can be compared to what the Messengers conveyed concerning beneficial knowledge,  righteous deeds and actions, and the beneficial matters of true well-being in both the present world and the afterlife. Whoever reflects on their life stories, both specific and general, their patience and perseverance, their abstention from the fleeting pleasures of this material world, their fervent desire to seek Allah’s pleasure and the eternal rewards promised in the hereafter, their pure manners, their unparalleled truthfulness among all beings, possessors of the purest hearts and souls, custodians of the greatest trust (namely, divine revelation and prophethood), the most honourable companions one could have, the purest in their inner-most conscience and their private matters, would not doubt that they are the most judicious among Allah’s creation without exception. It is undeniable that those who closely follow their example will inherit a greater share of judiciousness than others. [1]

Patience

Al-Allamah Abdur Rahmaan Bin Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

Allah tested Prophet Ayyoub, peace be upon him, and Prophet Ya’qub, peace be upon him, when he lost his two sons [Yusuf and Binyameen- peace be upon them] as well as the effects of the severe grief in his heart. Allah said:

وَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَسَفَىٰ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَٱبۡيَضَّتۡ عَيۡنَاهُ مِنَ ٱلۡحُزۡنِ فَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ۬

And he turned away from them and said: “Alas, my grief for Yusuf (Joseph)!” And he lost his sight because of the sorrow that he was suppressing]. [Yusuf 84]

Allah tested Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, during the early years of his (Prophethood) and obligated to him to call his people to abandon the Shirk and the misguidance they were nurtured upon by their forefathers. He made that clear to them in private and public- day and night. He approached them in their hangouts, gatherings, and towns, and carried on doing so for nearly 13 years whilst they inflicted severe harm on him, even though before this he lived for 40 years or more without being harmed. He was from a noble, honoured, and respected tribe – a noble, honoured, and respected household. He grew up with noble manners due to which he was honoured and respected by the people, but despite this, he was very modest.

The one with these qualities received severe harm and faced extreme hardship. This harm intensified with mockery- this one spat in his face and that one attempted to place his feet on his neck while he prostrated to his Lord (in prayer), and another person placed the intestines of a camel on his back while he prostrated, and such and such person grabbed the collar of his garment to strangle him. His uncle (Abu Lahab) followed him wherever he went and warned against him, saying, “He (i.e. Muhammad) is a liar. He is insane”. The foolish were incited against him and they pelted him with stones until blood flowed from his two feet. Others boycotted him and his close relatives – for a long time – so that they died out of hunger. Some people tortured his followers with various types of torture, and amongst them were those who were forced to lie down on the sand during the hottest time of the day and were denied water. One of them was burnt with fire until the only thing that extinguished the fire was the fat on his back. A woman amongst them was tortured, but when they realised that she would not renounce Islaam, they stabbed her in her private area and murdered her. All this torture was not due to anything else other than the fact that the Messenger was calling them to remove them from the darkness of Shirk and enter them into the light of Islaam- to remove them from corruption and enter them into upright conduct, distance them from the anger of Allah and guide them to the means of attaining Allah’s Pleasure, and remove them from the path of eternal punishment and guide them towards the path of permanent bliss. However, they did not pay attention to this although its proofs were very clear; rather the only thing that concerned them was that he was calling them to other than what they desired.

Also, Allah tested the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, through the death of his parents when he was very young, then the death of his grandfather, the death of his uncle who used to protect him, and the death of his wife who used to console him. The calamities did not cease, even though he is the leader of the children of Adam and the most beloved person to Allah.

Therefore, ponder on all of this to know – based on true knowledge – that the mutual rivalry – in which we engage and greedily exert ourselves to acquire the enjoyment of the worldly life – is nothing compared to attaining Allah’s Pleasure and eternal bliss in paradise. As for the misery and hardships of the worldly life which we flee from, they are nothing compared to Allah’s displeasure, His anger, and eternal punishment in the hell fire. Anas Bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “A person amongst the inhabitants of Hell – who lived the most enjoyable life amongst the people of the world – would be dipped in fire only once on the Day of Resurrection and then it would be said to him, ‘O son of Adam! Did you find any comfort, did you happen to get any material blessing?’ He would say, ‘By Allah! No, my Lord’. Then a person amongst the people of the world would be brought – who lived the most miserable life (in the world) – from amongst the inhabitants of Paradise and he would be dipped once in Paradise, and it would be said to him, ‘O son of Adam! Did you face any hardship? Or had any distress fallen to your lot?’ He would say, ‘By Allah! No, O my Lord, never did I face any hardship or experience any distress’”. [Sahih Muslim. 2807] [2]

Sovereignty

The Greatest King of all Time Prophet Sulayman, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his father and all the Prophets

The Greatest King of all Time (Prophet Sulayman), The Ant, The Hoopoe, The Upright Scholar, The If’reet and The Intelligent Queen!


[1] An Excerpt from As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah 4/1514]

[2] An Excerpt from ‘Aathaar Ash-Shaikh Al-Allamah Abdur Rahman Bin Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee. 11/311-313

[3] Mountains of Knowledge and Piety Who Constantly Strove to Humble Their Souls

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

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“From the pinnacle of humility is to be the first to greet those you meet, to be content with a lower status in gatherings, to detest praise, detest saying things only to be known and mentioned, and detest showing off through one’s apparent good deeds.” [1]

K’ab, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“Whenever Aljah bestows a blessing upon a person in this world, and the person expresses gratitude to Allah and remains humble because of it, Allah will grant them the benefits of that blessing in this life”. [2]

Imam Sufyan Ibn Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“If a person’s sin is rooted in desire, there is hope for him, however, if his sin is rooted in pride, then fear for him. That is because Adam, peace be upon him, disobeyed (Allah) out of desire and was forgiven, while Iblis disobeyed out of pride and was cursed”. [3]

Abu Ma’mar, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Sufyan Ibn Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“The scholar is not the one who knows good and evil, rather the scholar is the one who knows good and follows it, and he knows evil and avoids it”. [4]

Imam Sufyan Ibn Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said:

Contemplation is a light that enters your heart”. He always used to say in poetic prose: “If a person possesses insight, there is a lesson to be found in everything”. [5]

Mu’adh Ibn Sa’eed, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“We were with Ataa Bin Abee Rabah, may Allah have mercy upon him, while a man narrated a hadith, then another man contradicted his narration. Ataa said: “SubhanAllah! What type of manners are these? Verily, I hear a narration from a man while I know better than him (regarding it), yet I portray myself to him that I am not better than him in anything”. [6]

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked:

“May Allah have mercy upon a person who knows his rightful status”. Does this (statement) have a source and has it been transmitted in a hadith?

Answer: I do not know of a source for it (as a hadith); however its meaning is correct because when a person knows his rightful status, he will be humble in the presence of his Lord, worship Allah, and know that he is not free from needing Allah in the twinkling of an eye. If he knows himself, he will know his status amongst the people and this knowledge will (prevent) him from being haughty towards them because haughtiness is one of the major sins, and looking down on the people is forbidden. This is why when the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, warned against haughtiness. They (the people) said, “Every one of us loves that his clothes and shoes are nice”. So, he said, “Indeed, Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty. Pride is to reject the truth and look down on the people”. Therefore, when a person knows his rightful status, he will know his rank amongst the people, place himself in his place, and humble himself in the presence of his lord and the presence of Allah’s creation. And whoever humbles himself to Allah, Allah will raise him. [7]


[1] Az-Zuhd 2/414. Hannad Ibn Sari

[2] Kitaab Ash-Shukr 64 Ibn Abi Dunya

[3] Siyar A’lam An-Nubula 8/462

[4] Hilya Al-Awliya 7/274

[5] Hilya Al-Awliya 7/306

[6] Al-Jaami Li-Akhlaaq Ar-Raawi Wa Aadaab As-Saami 1/200

[7] Noor Alad-Darb: Number 250