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O Allah’s Messenger! Prices Have Gone Up, So Fix Prices For Us

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Islamic Jurisprudence - 'Fiqh', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Sin.

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

Allah [The Exalted] says:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الأَمْوَالِ وَالأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِالصَّابِرِينَ
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتۡهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ۬ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيۡهِ رَٲجِعُونَ
أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ صَلَوَٲتٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡ وَرَحۡمَةٌ۬‌ۖ وَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدُونَ

And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. blessings, etc.) (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided-ones. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Verses 155-157]

Anas Bin Malik [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that the people said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Prices have gone up, so fix prices for us”. So, Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “Allah is the one Who fixes prices, Who withholds, gives lavishly and provides, and I hope that when I meet Allah, none of you will have any claim on me for an injustice regarding blood or property”. [Sahih Sunan Abee Dawud. Number 3450]

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: High increases in prices and their decreases are among those events that none brings about except Allah alone and nothing can occur from it except by Allah’s Will, but He [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] has made some of the actions of His slaves the cause of some incidents, just as He made the deed of killing by a killer a cause of the death of the victim, and the increase in prices may be due to the injustice of the people, and the decrease may be due to the benevolence of some people. (1)

Pay attention to the statement of Shaikh Al-Islaam as follows, “….the increase in prices may be due to the injustice of the people, and the decrease may be due to the benevolence of some people”. Indeed, it is common knowledge in our era that farmers – in some wealthy nations – are sometimes ordered to dump good produce. This is due to a number of reasons: firstly, sometimes capitalists do not have in place a system that would allow farmers to grow only what is enough, therefore they are left with no choice but to dump some of their produce. However, despite this overproduction, many people are still unable to afford good quality food. One of the ways this can be avoided is if governments help charities to repackage and redistribute excess food to those in need of it. Secondly, sometimes the greedy capitalists solely desire to make profit regardless of the consequences. For example, there has been incidents – in some wealthy nations – when farmers were ordered to depopulate their livestock to inflate prices, whilst many people were unable to put meat on their tables. This is nothing but an act of conspiring with farmers to create scarcity and thus unveils one of the negative outcomes of a capitalist economy.

The Hoarders: Muammar Bin Abdillah [may Allah be pleased with him] who said that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “None hoards except a sinner”. [Sahih Muslim. Number 1605]

Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baz [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: They are the ones who buy commodities, such as food and the like that people need in times of hardship and store it, so that when the price is high he sells it for more. This is not permissible, it is an evil deed and the one who does this is a sinner. If there is one in charge of authority in the country, it is obligated to him to implement the affairs related to the Shariah, prevent him from doing so and compel him to sell food at the same price – at the current price that is in the markets; and he cannot hoard it if it is during the time of hardship. As for the one who buys food or other than food that people need in a time of prosperity and abundance in the markets, and not to harm anyone, then when trade begins, he sells it with the people without delaying it until when a state of extreme need occurs, rather, he sells when the trading begins and there is benefit, there is no objection to this action of his. This is the work of merchants in ancient and modern times. (2)

Imam Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: It is forbidden to monopolise (or hoard) what people are in need of. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “None hoards except a sinner”. This is a person who deliberately commits a sin; but monopolising (or hoarding) is only in relation to what is not found with anyone else other than this monopolist (or hoarder). As for what him and someone else possess and he wants to keep the commodity until its season comes, there is nothing wrong with this and it is not considered monopoly (or hoarding). For instance, if a person buys rice and says, “I will save it until the time of its season, whilst the people have rice and they sell as they want”, this is not considered monopoly (or hoarding); but if it is not found except with him and he is saves it until the time of high prices comes, then indeed this is monopolising (or hoarding). The scholars say that the one in charge of authority is obliged to force the monopolist to sell what he has monopolised (or hoarded) just as people sell at the time they need to sell because this is in the public interest. (3)

[Ref1:Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 8/520]

[Ref2:https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/6025/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%A7%D8%B1 ]

[Ref 3: https://binothaimeen.net/content/11952. paraphrased]

[The Ant, The Hoopoe, The Queen of Sheba, The Ifreet, The Scholar and Prophet Sulaymaan- [Reflection and Lessons (Part 3)]

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

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

When Sulyamaan Saw The Throne of Bilqees In His Presence

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

 فَلَمَّا رَءَاهُ مُسۡتَقِرًّا عِندَهُ ۥ قَالَ هَـٰذَا مِن فَضۡلِ رَبِّى لِيَبۡلُوَنِىٓ ءَأَشۡكُرُ أَمۡ أَكۡفُرُ‌ۖ وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشۡكُرُ لِنَفۡسِهِۦ‌ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّى غَنِىٌّ۬ كَرِيمٌ۬

Then when he (Sulayman) saw it (Bilqees’s Throne) placed before him, he said: “This is by the Grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his ownself, and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his ownself). Certainly! My Lord is Rich (Free of all wants), Bountiful].

[فَلَمَّا رَءَاهُ مُسۡتَقِرًّا عِندَهُ – Then when he (Sulayman) saw it (Bilqees’s Throne) placed before him], he praised Allaah [The Exalted] for ability placed at his disposal, his kingdom and the affairs facilitated for him. Then he said:

[هَـٰذَا مِن فَضۡلِ رَبِّى لِيَبۡلُوَنِىٓ ءَأَشۡكُرُ أَمۡ أَكۡفُرُ‌ۖ – This is by the Grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful!]- Meaning, to test me by way of of it. He was not beguiled kingdom, authority and power as is the habit of the ignorant kings (See footnote a); rather he knew that this was a test from his Lord, so he was scared of not being thankful for these blessings. (See footnote b)

Then he clarified that being grateful to Allaah does not benefit Allaah; rather its benefits returns to the grateful one; so he said: [وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشۡكُرُ لِنَفۡسِهِۦ‌ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّى غَنِىٌّ۬ كَرِيمٌ۬- and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his ownself). Certainly! My Lord is Rich (Free of all wants), Bountiful]- Meaning, Allaah is not in need of a person’s deeds, and He is generous, bestows abundant good that to both a grateful person and an ungrateful person, except that being grateful for the blessings He bestows leads to more blessings and being ungrateful leads to its decrease. (See footnote c) [An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi]

————————————————————

Footnote a: Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: The Creation [i.e. Humans and Jinns] find themselves within two types of neediness. The first type of neediness is inevitable. It is a type of neediness that applies to everyone – the righteous and the wicked. It neither necessitates praise nor dispraise, neither reward nor punishment; rather it is solely due to the fact that the creation are created beings [i.e. absolutely in need and completely dependent on their Creator in every way].

The second type of neediness is one based on choice from which emanates two noble aspects of knowledge. The first one is the servant’s knowledge and awareness of his Lord and the second is knowledge and awareness of oneself in reality. As soon as one acquires these two types of knowledge, it brings about a type of neediness that becomes a person’s distinguished and most precious source of wealth, the means to success and happiness in [this life and the next]. The people’s different stations in this type of neediness depends on their different stations in these two affairs of knowledge.

Whoever knows that his Lord is the only One Who is Self-Sufficient [absolutely free from all wants and to Whom everyone and everything depends, and cannot do without in the twinkling of an eye], then he will know that he is completely in need.

Whoever knows that his Lord alone is the Possessor of Perfect Ability [possessor of All-encompassing Ability and able to do all things], he will know that he is completely unable [cannot do anything in the twinkling of an eye without the help of] his Lord.

Whoever knows that his Lord is The All-Mighty, he will know that he is one completely in a state of [complete poverty, weakness and want unless his Lord provides for him etc]. Whoever knows that his Lord is the possessor of All- Encompassing knowledge and Wisdom, he will know that he is ignorant.

Allaah brought the servant out of his mother’s womb whilst he knew nothing, not able to do anything and owned nothing; neither able to give nor take; neither able to harm nor benefit. This state of neediness until he reached a more perfect state is something witnessed and tangible for everyone [to see], and i is well known that this is the very essence of the human being and he remains upon that state. He does not move from this state and enters into a state of Lordship – a state in which he becomes absolutely self-sufficient and not need of anyone and anything; rather he does not cease being a slave, a needy one to his Rabb [Allaah the Creator, All-Provider and the Only One Who Controls and Sustains Everything] and His Faatir [Allaah, The Originator and Creator of Everything].

However, after the human being was granted blessings, shown mercy, granted the means to reach a more perfect state, and Allaah -out of His Perfect Kindness and Generosity- granted him apparent blessings [i.e. to recognise the Messengers who were sent with Islamic Monotheism, granted him the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks, etc.] and the hidden blessings [i.e. granted him the innate disposition to recognise his Lord when the Messenger calls him to Eemaan, and granted him knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise, etc.], granted him hearing, sight and a heart, and taught him [i.e. gave him the means to knowledge], granted him ability, subjugated things to him, granted him [the desire and enthusiasm to pursue what is beneficial, and take action], enabled him to receive the service of those of his kind [i.e. gave him authority over other humans], subjugated to him horses and camels, gave him the ability to capture the animals in the sea, drop birds from the sky, subjugate wild animals, dig wells [irrigate water etc], plant trees, dig the earth, learn how to build, acquire the things that are of benefit to him, guard against and protect himself from that which is harmful to him; then the Miskeen [i.e. this absolutely poor, dependent human being] thinks that he has a share of authority and claims – for himself – a kingship [or authority] similar to that of Allaah [Glorified be Allaah and free is Allaah from all imperfections, partners, coequals, similarities etc], and begins to see himself in a manner other than what he was at first, forgets his [prior] state of non-existence, poverty and neediness, until he becomes as if he was not that poor and needy thing. [An Excerpt from Tareequl Hijratayn. Pages 9-10. Slightly paraphrased]

Footnote b: Allaah (The Most High) said:

لِتَسْتَوُوا عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِ ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ
وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the Favour of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: ”Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts). And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!” )

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Mentioned (in the above ayah) are the three pillars of gratitude, and they are: to acknowledge Allaah’s blessings, proclaim Allaah’s Blessings, speak about them and Praise Allah for it. Submit to Allah and utilise these blessings to carry out acts of worship for the sake of Allaah (alone). That is because the intent behind the statement of Allah: [وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ – And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return] is an acknowledgement of recompense and to prepared for it. The objective behind these favours is that they are an aid by way of which the slave (seeks) to fulfil that which Allah has commanded him (i.e. acts of worship and obedience etc)

And regarding Allaah’s saying: [ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُمْ – And then may remember the favour of your Lord when you mount thereon]; this is a specific mention of the (favour) in that instance (i.e. at the time in which the person enjoys those favours) because blessings intoxicates many amongst the creation, makes them heedless, evil and ungrateful. Therefore, this state in which Allah commanded (a person to remember Allah for His Favours) is a medication for this destructive ailment.

When the slave recalls that he is completely surrounded by the blessings of Allah and that nothing is from him (or herself), but rather blessings are (from Allah) -its means are facilitated and its obtainment made easy (by Allaah)- he (she) submits to Allah, humbles him (or herself), thanks and Praises Allaah. And by way of this he (or she) is given continuous blessings. [An Excerpt from Fataawa Sadiyyah page: 61. Slightly paraphrased]

Footnote c: What if a person receives more blessings whilst persisting upon evil? Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ

Those who reject Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not. And I respite them; certainly My Plan is strong. [Surah Al-A’raaf. Verses 182-183]

[سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم – We shall gradually seize them with punishment] – by granting them plentiful provision and respite until they think that they will neither be taken to task for their disobedience nor punished, so they increase in disbelief and transgression, and evil upon evil. And through this their punishment is increased and multiplied, so they harm themselves in ways they perceive not. This is why Allaah said: [إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ -certainly My Plan is strong]. [Tafseer As-Sadi]

[ سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ – We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not]: Imaam Sufyaan Ath-Thawree [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said that this means, “Whenever they commit (major) sins, Allaah bestows a blessing on them and make them forgetful of seeking forgiveness. [Al-Mukhallisaat 2352]

The Danger of Being Bored With Blessings

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: One of the common hidden afflictions is when a person has a blessing bestowed on him by Allaah; but he becomes bored with it, seeks to do away with it, and – due to ignorance- turns to what he claims is better for him than it. His Lord – out of Mercy- does not remove him from that blessing- excuses him for his ignorance and the bad choice he make for himself, until he becomes fed up with the blessing, angered and dissatisfied due to it, and being fed up becomes firmly established; then Allaah takes it away from him. After turning to what he sought after and then see the difference between the state he used to be in as opposed to his affair at present, his anxiety and regret intensifies, so he seeks to return to the state he was in.

If Allaah wants good and guidance for His servant, He makes him witness the fact that the blessing he has is one of His blessings and enables him to be grateful for it. If his soul whispers to him to move away from it, he seeks guidance from His Lord – by way of Istikhaarah – as one who is ignorant of his welfare and unable to attain it, and then delegates the affair to Allaah by asking Him to make a good choice for him. There is nothing more harmful to the servant than being fed up with Allaah’s blessings, because neither does he see it as a blessing nor thank Allaah him for it, nor rejoice regarding it; but rather it angers him. He complains and considers it a calamity, even though it is one of Allaah’s greatest blessings conferred on him. The majority of the people are enemies of Allaah’s blessings and they do not realise the blessings Allaah has made available at their disposal, whilst striving to repel and reject them out of ignorance and wrongdoing. And how numerous a blessing is granted to one of them, whilst he is eager to strive his hardest to repel it! And how much reaches him while he was eager to repel and remove it due to hisinjustice and ignorance! Allaah [The Exalted] said:

[ ذَٲلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمۡ يَكُ مُغَيِّرً۬ا نِّعۡمَةً أَنۡعَمَهَا عَلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِمۡ‌ۙ – That is so because Allah will never change a grace which He has bestowed on a people until they change what is in their ownselves]. [Surah Al-Anfaal. Verse 53]

Allaah said: [إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوۡمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِمۡ‌ۗ – Verily! Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allah)]. [Surah Rad. Verse 11]

There is not a greater enemy against a blessing than the soul that (whispers evil to the person), because he overcomes himself together with his enemy. His enemy throws fire on his blessings while he blows on itenables him to throw fire and then helps him to blow it; but he calls for help to avoid being burnt when the fire intensifies, whilst his aim is to reprimand Qadr. [An Excerpt from Al-Fawaa’id 259-260. slightly paraphrased]

Leaders and The People Who Keep Close Company With Them

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Allaah never sends a Prophet or gives the Caliphate to a Caliph, except that he (the prophet or the Caliph) has two groups of advisors: A group advising him to do good and exhorts him to do it, and the other group advising him to do evil and exhorts him to do it. But the protected person (against such evil advisors) is the one protected by Allah”. (1)

Few Reminders From The Above Hadeeth

a: With regards to a prophet, there maybe those who seek to divert him from what is good, but it can never be the case that he will listen to them, because the Prophets are protected by Allaah and at the end of the hadeeth it is stated, “But the protected person (against such evil advisors) is the one protected by Allah”. Therefore, the presence of one who seeks to direct a Prophet to evil does not necessitate that the Prophet will accept what he says.

It is also said that the intent behind the two advisers (mentioned in this hadeeth with regards to their relationship) to a Prophet are the angles and shaytaan, (as the Prophet said in a hadeeth), “There is no one among you but a companion from among the jinn has been assigned to him.” They said, “Even you, O Messenger of Allaah?’ He said, “Even me, but Allaah helped me with him and he became Muslim (or: and I am safe from him), so he only enjoins me to do that which is good.” (2)

In another narration, it is stated that the person is assigned a companion among the jinn and a companion among the angels. (3)

b: “But the protected person (against such evil advisors) is the one protected by Allah” – Meaning Allaah is the one who protects whoever He wishes. So, in reality you cannot find anyone who can protect himself except if Allaah protects him.

c: It is incumbent upon a ruler to have a person who unveils to him the circumstances of the people in private, and this person should be trustworthy, reliable, smart and sensible, because calamity befalls a reliable ruler due to accepting speech of one who is not trustworthy.

Also, the one who is given responsibility over the affairs of the people may always accept the speech of good advisers and not that of evil advisers. This is what is suitable to attribute to a Prophet and it is established by the word [ عصمة – protection] at the end of the hadeeth.

It may be that a ruler accepts the speech of evil advisers, especially someone who is a disbeliever. So, he may accept the speech of these people at times (i.e. evil people) and the speech of those at other times (i.e. good people). (4)

Wise Men Surround Themselves With Upright Characters Who Increase The Beauty And Usefulness In Their Soft And Tough Characters – [An Excellent Example In AbuBakr and Umar]

Amr Ibnul Aas [radiyallaahu-anhu] was one of those given authority and so was Abu Ubaydah Ibn Al-Jarraah [radiyallaahu-anhu]. And Khaalid Ibn Al-Waleed [radiyallaahu-anhu] was given preference over them due to his bravery and usefulness in Jihaad. When Abu Bakr [radiyallaahu-anhu] passed away, Umar Ibnul Khattaab [radiyallaahu-anhu] gave Abu Ubaydah [radiyallaahu-anhu] authority over all of them, because Umar Ibnul khattaab used to be tough for the sake of Allaah, therefore he appointed Abu Ubaydah because he was soft; Abu Bakr was soft and Khaalid was tough. Therefore, the soft one gave authority to the tough one and the tough one gave authority to the soft one to balance the affairs. These two [Abu Bakr and Umar] acted in a manner most beloved to Allaah with regards to fulfilling His Rights.

It has been reported in the authentic books of Hadeeth that when the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] consulted his companions regarding the affair of the prisoners of war during the battle of Badr, Abu Bakr [radiyallaahu-anhu] suggested that they should be set free after taking ransom on their behalf and Umar [radiyallaahu-anahu] suggested that they should be executed; so the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: Indeed Allaah softens the hearts of men until they become softer than cloth [of linen or cotton], and He toughens the hearts of men until they become tougher than a rock. And your likeness O Abu Bakr is that of Ibraaheem [alayhis-salaam], as Allaah informed us that he said: [فَمَن تَبِعَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ مِنِّى‌ۖ وَمَنۡ عَصَانِى فَإِنَّكَ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬ -But whoever follows me, he verily is of me. And whoever disobeys me, – still You are indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful]’’ [14:36]; And like Esaa [alayhis-salaam], as Allaah informed us that he said: [إِن تُعَذِّبۡہُمۡ فَإِنَّہُمۡ عِبَادُكَ‌ۖ وَإِن تَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ – If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, only You are the All Mighty, the All Wise].’’ [5:118]

And your likeness O Umar is that of Nuh [alayhis-salaam] as Allaah informed us that he said: [وَقَالَ نُوحٌ۬ رَّبِّ لَا تَذَرۡ عَلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِنَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ دَيَّارًا – And Nuh (Noah) said: ‘My Lord! Leave not one of the disbelievers on the earth!][71:26].

And like Moosaa [alayhis-salaam], as Allaah informed us that he said:

وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ ءَاتَيۡتَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَأَهُ ۥ زِينَةً۬ وَأَمۡوَٲلاً۬ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا رَبَّنَا لِيُضِلُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِكَ‌ۖ رَبَّنَاٱطۡمِسۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَمۡوَٲلِهِمۡ وَٱشۡدُدۡ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ فَلَا يُؤۡمِنُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ ٱلۡأَلِيمَ

Our Lord! You have indeed bestowed on Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs splendour and wealth in the life of this world, our Lord! That they may lead men astray from Your Path. Our Lord! Destroy their wealth, and harden their hearts, so that they will not believe until they see the painful torment.’’[ 10:88]

And they (Abu Bakr and Umar) were as the Messenger described them during his lifetime, and they were (also) his vicegerents to the people of the earth. (5)

Umar Bin Abdil Azeez [may Allaah have mercy upon him]

Az-Zubayr Bin Bakkaar said, “Muhammad Bin Sallaam informed me that Sallaam Bin Saleem said, ‘When Umar Bin Abdil Azeez became the Khaleefah, he climbed the Minbar – and that was the first Khutbah he delivered, then he praised and exalted Allaah, and said, ‘O people! Whoever accompanies us, then let him accompany us with five affairs otherwise let him disassociate from us: Let him inform us of the needs of those who are not able to inform us, help us to do good by his guidance, direct us to good by way of that which he guides himself, refrain from backbiting anyone in our presence and not engage in that which does not concern him’. After this speech of his, the poets and sermonisers disassociated from him, but those who abstained from the unnecessary worldly pleasures and the jurists kept close company with him and said, ‘We cannot disassociate from this man until he opposes what he has stated’”.

Sufyaan Ibn Uyaynah said, “When Umar Bin Abdil Azeez became the Khaleefah, he contacted Muhammad Bin Kab, Rajaa Bin Haywah and Saalim Bin Abdillaah and said to them, ‘You have seen that which I have been put to trial and indeed it has fallen upon me, so what advice do you have?’ Muhammad Bin kab said, ‘Consider the old man a father, the young person a brother and the little one as your child, so be good to your father, keep ties with your brother and be kind to your child’. Rajaa said to him, ‘Wish for the people what you wish for yourself, hate for them what you hate for yourself and do not approach them except in manner you would like them to approach you’. Saalim said, ‘Concentrate on one affair by degrading the lusts of the worldly life and let your innate disposition be directed towards reflecting upon death’. Umar said, ‘Laa Hawla Walaa Quwwata illaa Billaah’”.

Whenever he faced a difficult matter, he would gather the jurists of Madeenah, particularly ten of them and would not firmly decide on an affair without them or some of them, and they were Urwah, Ubaydullaah Bin Abdillaah Ibn Utbah, AbuBakr Bin Abdir Rahmaan Ibn Al-Haarith Ibn Hishaam, AbuBakr Bin Sulaymaan Ibn Khaythama, Salaymaan Bin Yasaar, Al-Qaasim Bin Muhammad Ibn Hazm, Saalim Bin Abdillaah, Abdullaah Bin Aamir Ibn Rabee’ah and Khaarijah Bin Zayd Ibn Thaabit. He never used to hold a view that was different from that of Sa’eed Ibnul Musayyib, and Sa’eed did not use to visit any of the caliphs besides Umar Ibn Abdil Azeez in Madeenah. (6)

The Wise Minister – Nidhaam Al-Mulk – and Sincere Adviser to The Ruler

He [may Allaah have mercy upon him] was the great minister, Nizam al-Mulk, an upholder of religion, Abu Ali al-Hasan Bin Ali Bin Ishaq At-Toosee; sensible, a wise leader, well-acquainted with the state of affairs, joyful and pleasant, religious, modest, regular in the gatherings of the Jurists and the students of the Qur’anic sciences. He founded a great School at Baghdad, another in Naysabur and another in Tous. He had a desire for knowledge, established ties between the seekers of knowledge, transmitted hadeeth and his good reputation was well known. He found himself within different circumstances until he served as a minister for Sultan Alp Arslan [may Allaah have mercy upon him], and then a minister to his son Malik Shah [may Allaah have mercy upon him]. He managed the lands under his authority in the most appropriate manner, eased grievances, showed kindness to the subjects and established the state endowments. The elders migrated to him to be close by his side.

He advised Malik Shah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] to appoint leaders and governors who had upright morals, upright religious practice and courage. The effects of this policy did appear later, and among those leaders who were chosen was Aq Sanqur [may Allaah have mercy upon him], the grandfather of Noor Ad-Deen Mahmood, who ruled Aleppo, Diyarbakir and the Arabian Peninsula.

Imaam Ibn Katheer [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said about him, “He was one of best in his conduct and more noble-hearted. His son Imaad Ad-Deen Zangi started the Jihad against the Crusaders, then after him Noor Ad-Deen Mahmood. This family laid the foundation for the victories of Salaahud-deen, Zahir Baybars and Qalawun against the Crusaders, and re-established the era of unity and togetherness in the Islamic world. Likewise, Aq Sunqur al-Barasqi was one of the leaders under the authority of Sultan Mahmood, the Seljuk, and the commander of Mosul, and he busied himself in Jihaad against the Crusaders, but in the year 520 AH the Baatiniyyah (a splinter group amongst the heretical Raafidah Shiites) murdered him, whilst he was praying in the big central Mosque in Mosul. Ibn Al-Atheer [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said about him, “He was a freed Turkish slave, virtuous, loved the people of knowledge and the righteous, and he saw justice and acted upon it. He was one of the best rulers- used to strictly perform his prayers on time as well as the Tahajjud (i.e. optional night prayer]”. (7)

How to Behave When The Rulers Give Precedence to Themselves and Others

Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “Indeed, you will see Atharatan after me and affairs you’ll disapprove; they [i.e. the people] said, ‘What do you command us O Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasaallam]?’ He said, ‘Fulfil their rights [i.e. the rulers] and ask Allaah for your rights’”.

Atharatan: meaning- [some people will give precedence to themselves (i.e. spend wealth on themselves and engage in worldly enjoyment, but will not give others their rightful share)].

Al-Allaamah Zaid Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali [rahumahullaah] said: This authentic hadeeth is related to the affair of the rulers- during the end of time – when they will give precedence to themselves through enjoyment of the worldly things and those under their authority will face harm, something of oppression and tyranny; so the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] guided and directed the people to fulfil the rights of the rulers; obey and listen to them in that which is good- whether it is during a time in which one is enthusiastic [to listen and obey them in what is good] or feeling laxadaisical- perform Jihaad behind their banner against the enemies of the religion, establish the prayer and behave in a manner obligated by the Islamic legislation. They should not rebel against the ruler just because he is a sinner or an oppressor, nor refrain from giving him the rights obligated on them to give him; rather they should fulfil his rights just as the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] commanded them, saying, “Fulfil their rights”.

Therefore, the ruler has rights that should be fulfilled by his subjects and the subjects also have rights to be fulfilled by the ruler. It is obligated on the ruler to fulfil their rights and it is obligated on them to fulfil his rights. However, if he [i.e. the ruler] falls short in something related to their rights, it is not permissible for them to [deliberately] fall short in fulfilling his rights. And due to the great importance of rulership and the rulers, indeed the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] commanded them to fulfil the obligation of As-sam’i Wat-taa’ah [i.e. to listen and obey the ruler in good], refrain from disobedience[when commanded to do something good], supplicate to Allaah to make their affairs easy and change their state of affairs to that which is good, aid them to fulfil their needs and those affairs they cannot do without.

This hadeeth contains a miracle of the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] and that is the fact that he clearly stated that during the end of time, the rulers will give precedence to themselves with something of wealth and worldly enjoyment, and others will be deprived of it. Also, there will be affairs which the people of sound judgement will reject. [So], when this era comes, it is obligated on them – those under the rulership of a Muslim ruler – to listen and obey in that which is good, fulfil the rights that have been obligated on them to fulfil and seek their rights from Allaah – meaning: they supplicate to Allaah to aid them in fulfilling their needs and facilitate them with ease in their affairs. And Allaah knows best. (8)

Must Read: On Advising Rulers and States Concerning Their Shortcomings

http://salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ02&articleID=MNJ020003&articlePages=1

Correction of the Rulers:

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ16&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm
The Tyranny Of The Rulers, A Reason For Rebellion?
https://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/
https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2021/02/10/believers-bahaviour-towards-muslim-rulers-advise-given-in-private-supplicate-for-them-and-refrain-from-rebellion-so-beware-of-spiteful-foreign-instigators-and-some-dangerous-social-media-networ/

[Ref 1: Saheeh al-Bukhaari 7198]
[Ref 2: Fat’hul Baaree 14/234-236. Publisher: Daarus Salaam. 1st edition 1421AH (2000)]
[Ref 3: Saheeh Muslim 2814]
[Ref 4: Fat’hul Baaree 14/234-236. Publisher: Daarus Salaam. 1st edition 1421AH (2000)]
[Ref 5: An excerpt from ‘Adwaa Min Fataawaa Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah)’- by Shaikh Saaleh al Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him)Vol: 2 page 568-569. slightly paraphrased
[Ref 6: An Excerpt from Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah. Vol 9. Pages 193-202. Publisher: Maktabah Al-Ma’aarif and Daar ibn Hazm. 9th Edition. 1414 AH (1994)]
[Ref 7: Ad-Dawlah Al-Uthmaaniyyah Awaamil An-Nuhood wa Asbaab As-Suqoot. 6/33-34. slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 8: At-taleeqaatul Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. Vol 1. Page 142. slightly paraphrased]

Bida’atul Mukaffirah and Bida’atul Mufassiqah!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Bid'ah (Innovation), Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Hadaadis, Khawaarij, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Shi'a, Shirk, Sin, Sufis, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

A Principle Regarding Worship

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Alllaah have mercy upon him] said: said:

Indeed, there has been much confusion in this subject matter, just as it is the case in the subject matter of halaal and haraam. Indeed, a group of people make permissible some of the things which Allaah has declared impermissible and others declare impermissible some of those things which Allaah has made permissible. Likewise, some people innovate acts of worship that have not been legislated by Allaah; rather Allaah [The Most High] prohibited them. The foundation of the religion of Islaam is that the permissible affairs are those that Allaah and His Messenger have made permissible, and the impermissible affairs are those that Allaah and His Messenger have made impermissible. It is not allowed for anyone to leave the straight path which Allaah sent His Messenger with. Allaah [The Most High] said:

[وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ‌ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ – And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not [other] paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become pious]. [6:153]

Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood [radiyallaahu-anhu] reported that the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] drew a line for us and said: “This is Allaah’s Straight Path.’’ Then he drew lines to its right and left and then said: ‘’These are other paths. Upon every one of them there is a devil calling towards it.’’ Then he recited: “وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ‌ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ – Indeed this is My Straight Path, so follow it. And do not follow other paths; they will separate you from His Path.” [Hadeeth reported by Imaam Ahmad in Al-Musnad 4437]

Indeed, Allaah mentioned – in Soorah Al-An’aam, Soorah Al-A’raaf and other them – those deeds the idol worshipers were rebuked for, when they declared impermissible the things which Allaah [The Most High] did not declare impermissible, such as the Baahirah [i.e. a she-camel whose milk was spared for the idols and nobody was allowed to milk it] and the Saa’ibah [i.e. a she-camel let loose for free pasture for their false gods, e.g. idols, etc., and nothing was allowed to be carried on it]. They [also] declared permissible those [deeds] which Allaah declared impermissible, such as the killing of their children and they instituted a religion which Allaah did not allow. Allaah [The Most High] said: [أَمۡ لَهُمۡ شُرَڪَـٰٓؤُاْ شَرَعُواْ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱلدِّينِ مَا لَمۡ يَأۡذَنۢ بِهِ ٱللَّهُ‌ۚ – Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed.” [42:21]

And there were impermissible deeds which they established as acts of worship, such as shirk, and lewd behaviour, such as Tawaaf around the Kabah, whilst being naked.

The acts of worship through which a person seeks to get close to Allaah [The Most High] are those that are beloved and pleasing to Allaah and His Messenger- whether obligatory or recommended – as reported in Saheeh [Al-Bukhaari] that Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallaam] said that Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted] said: “And the most beloved things which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawaafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, then I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My Protection (Refuge), I will protect him”. (a)

And it is well known regarding the Salaah is that it can either be obligatory, such as the five daily prayers, or optional such as the Qiyaamul Layl [i.e. Tahajjud prayer]. Also regarding fasting, it can either be obligatory, such as fasting in the month of Ramadhaan, or it can be optional such as fasting three days every month. Also travelling to the Masjid Al-Haraam [i.e. The kabah] is obligatory and travelling to the other two Masajid-Masjid of the Prophet and Masjid Al-Aqsaa-is recommended. Also charity can be an obligation, or recommended such as the surplus beyond [what is] needed, as Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ قُلِ الْعَفْوَ – And they ask you what they ought to spend. Say: That which is beyond (what they) need].

And it has been reported in an authentic Hadeeth that the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallaam] said: “O son of Adam! It is better for you if you spend [your] surplus [wealth], but if you withhold it, it is evil for you. And there is no blame [on you] if you withhold the surplus in accordance with a need, in order to spend on yourself and poor relatives. The upper hand [i.e. the one who spends] is better than the lower hand [i.e. the one who asks without a need as opposed to the self-sufficient one]; and begin [charity] with your dependents”. [Saheeh Muslim Hadeeth No 1036] (1)

Footnote a: Regarding the statement: And My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawaafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, then I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks… This statement is understood to mean that when a person becomes a Wali (close friend) of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic), then when the command of Allaah is mentioned with regards to what Allaah loves or hates, he protects his hearing from what Allaah hates and lends an ear to what Allaah loves. He also does the same with regards to what he looks at; what he grips with his hand and where he walks to. Or Allaah guides him, so that he only looks at what Allaah loves; listens to what Allaah loves and walks towards what Allaah loves. [Sharh Arba’een of Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen.. Pages 376-381 and Sharh Arba-een of Shaikh Saaleh Aala Shaikh pages 256-258] [Also see, Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam of Imaam Ibn Rajab pages 619-641 Daar Ibn Rajab 2002]

Bida’atul Mukaffirah and Bida’atul Mufassiqah

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Madkhalee [may Allaah preserve him] was asked whether there is a difference between Bidah Al-Mukaffirah and Bidah Al-Mufassiqah; so he replied that there is Bidah Mukaffirah, such as rejecting the Ruyah (i.e. denying that the believers will see Allaah in the afterlife); rejecting Allaah’s Uluww [i.e. denying that Allaah is above his creation –Allaah ascended over the Throne in a way that benefits his majesty)]; invoking other than Allaah; offering slaughtered sacrifice (i.e. animals) to other than Allaah etc. These are affairs of Bidah Al-Mukaffirah (the bidah that is tantamount to disbelief); but we do not make Takfeer of the people who commit this type of Bidah until we establish the proofs against them. That is because some of them (i.e. the people who fall into these affairs) carry doubts and are far away from the era of Prophethood and its light (i.e. guidance). So they fall into the likes these innovations. Rejecting the Ruyah is disbelief; rejecting Allaah’s Uluww is disbelief; the saying that the Qur’aan is created is disbelief-major disbelief; but this person -[who testifies that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allaah, and he prays, observes fasting, wants paradise and believes in that] -received the doubts of the people of falsehood, so he falls into the likes of these affairs (i.e. these innovations that are tantamount to disbelief). So we say to him, “You have fallen into disbelief and the evidence is this and this, and we clarify for him”. So if Allaah grants him Tawfeeq [i.e. blesses him with knowledge and to act] and he returns to the truth, then all praise is due to Allaah; but if not, we declare him a disbeliever after establishing the proofs against him. As for Bidah Al-Mufassiqah it is other than this (i.e. it is not at the level of that which is tantamount to disbelief)…[ http://www.rabee.net/ar/questions.php?cat=26&id=484 .paraphrased] NB: Takfeer: [i.e.expelling a Muslim from the foldnof Islam] is the job of the upright scholars of Islaam. Read here about the Principles of Takfir: http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ09&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

Read: Refuting the Notion of Bid’ah Hasanah (Good Innovation) in Worship: Part 8 – Imam Al-Nawawi’s Refutation of Contemporary Innovators Trying to Justify Bidah Hasanah in Matters of Worship
http://www.bidah.com/articles/chbjn-refuting-the-notion-of-bidah-hasanah-good-innovation-in-worship-part-8.cfm

[Ref 1: Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Ibaadaat Ash-Shar-iyyah Wal-Farqu Baynahaa Wa Baynal Bid’ah page: 7-9. Slightly paraphrased]

Gender Segregation is a Command of Allaah and His Messenger, Which Must Be Followed In Education as Well

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Family & Women, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “There is no doubt that enabling women to free mix with men is the root of every calamity and evil. It is one of the major causes of sweeping divine punishment as well as one of the cause of corruption of the general and specific affairs. Free mixing between men and women is a cause of many immoralities and adultery, and it is one of the causes of widespread death and continuous plagues. When the prostitutes mixed with Musa’s [peace be upon him] army and immorality spread among them, Allaah sent a plague on them, and seventy thousand died in one day. The story is well-known in the books of Tafseer. One of the greatest causes of sweeping death is when adultery becomes rife, women are able to free mix with men and walk among them whilst dressed in an un-Islamic manner and beautified. If those in authority knew what is accompanied in this affair of corruption of this worldly affairs and the people – even before corruption in the religion, then indeed it would have been one the things they would more robustly seek to prevent. (1)

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: All praise and thanks belongs to Allaah, and Salaah and Salaam (a) be upon Allaah’s Messenger, his family and companions. To proceed: I have seen what was published by As-Siyaasah newspaper- issued on 7/24/1404 AH, Number 5644 – and attributed to the Dean of Sana’a University Abdul Azeez Al-Maqaaleh, in which he claimed that the demand to isolate female students from male students is in opposition to the Sharee’ah, and he utilized as proof – for the permissibility of mixing – that Muslims – from the time of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]- used to pray in the same mosque- men and women- and he said, “Therefore, education must be in one place”.

I (i.e. Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz) was surprised to hear this speech from a Dean of an Islamic university in an Islamic country, and asked him to direct his people – men and women – to what will bring about happiness and salvation in this worldly life and the Hereafter. There is no doubt that there is in this speech that which is tantamount to a great crime against the Islamic Sharee’ah, because indeed the Sharee’ah did not call for free mixing, such that the demand to prevent it would be in opposition to it; rather it forbids it and did so in a very strong manner, just as Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَى – And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance]. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Verse 33]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فلا يؤذين وكان اللهه غفورا رحيما

O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e.screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Verse 59]

Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] said:

وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنََ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلاا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husband’s sons, their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess…

وَلا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينََ مِنْ زِينَتِهِنَّ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. [Surah An-Nur. Verse 31]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ – And when you ask (the Prophet’s wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts]. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Verse 53]

In these noble verses, there is a clear indication that it is legislated for women to stay in their homes to guard against temptation, and that they only come out of their homes if there is a need. Then Allaah [Glory be to He and free is He from all imperfections] warned them that they should not display themselves in a manner similar to the era of pre-islamic ignorance, which is the display of their beauty and cause temptation among men. It has been authentically reported from Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] that he said, “I have not left after me a trial more harmful to men than women”. This hadeeth is agreed upon (i.e. recorded by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim) and it was narrated by Usaamah Bin Zayd [may Allaah be pleased with him].

Imaam Muslim recorded in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Usaamah and Sa’eed Bin Zayd Bin Amr Bin Nufayl [may Allaah be pleased with them both], and also in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Abu Saeed Al-Khudri [may Allaah be pleased with him] from the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] that he said, “Verily the worldly life is sweet and green, and verily Allaah is going to place you as successors upon it in and will see how you act. So, be mindful of the worldly life and be mindful of women, because indeed the first trial for the Children of Israa’eel was due to women”. [Saheeh Muslim. 2742]

And indeed Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] spoke the truth, because indeed the temptation by way of women is great, especially in this era in which most of them do not have the Hijaab and they display themslves in a manner similar to the era of pre-Islamic ignorance. Immorality and evil has become rife due to this, and many youth (male and female)- in many countries- became reluctant to get married based on that which Allaah has legislated. Indeed, Allaah has made it clear that the Hijaab is purer for the hearts of everyone and this shows that its removal is most likely to defile the hearts (i.e. corrupt the hearts) of everyone and deviating them from the path of truth. It is known that the female student sitting with the male student is one of the greatest causes of temptation, one of the reasons for abandoning the Hijaab that is legislated by Allaah for believing women and forbade them from showing their adornment others (i.e. non-Mahrams) (b), which Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] made known in the previous verse of Surah An-Nur. Whoever claims that the command regarding Hijaab is only for the mothers of the believers is mistaken and far removed from what is correct – contradicted the many evidences pointing to a generalization and contradicted Allaah’s statement: [ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ – that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts], because indeed it is not permissible to say that the Hijaab is purer for the hearts of the mothers of the believers and the male Companions and not for those after them. There is no doubt that those who came after the mothers of the believers and the male companions [may Allaah be pleased with them] are more in need of Hijaab, because of the great difference between them in the strength of faith and insight with regards to acquaintance with truth. That is because the Companions [may Allaah be pleased with them] – men and women, including the mothers of the believers- are the best of people after the Prophets [peace be upon them] and the best of generations established by the Messenger’s [peace and blessings be upon him] statement in the hadeeth recorded in the Saheehayn [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim].(c) Therefore, when it is the case that Hijaab is purer for their hearts, then those who came after them have a far greater need of this purity.

It is not permissible to specify the texts of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah to anyone in the ummah without valid evidence that shows this specification; therefore, they are generally applied to all the Ummah during the era of the Messenger [peace be upon him] and after him until the Day of Resurrection; because, Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] sent His Messenger [peace and blessings be upon him] to humankind and Jinn during his era and after him until the Day of Resurrection, as Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] said:

[وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَـٰكَ إِلَّا ڪَآفَّةً۬ لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرً۬ا وَنَذِيرً۬ا – And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all humankind]. [Surah Saba. Verse 28]

The Noble Qur’an was not only revealed to the people of the Prophet’s era [may peace and blessings of Allaah ne upon him], rather it was also revealed to those after them, as Allaah [The Exalted] said:

[ هَذَا بَلاغٌ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيُنْذَرُوا بِهِ وَلِيَعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌٌ وَلِيَذَّكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ [إبراهيم – This (Qur’an) is a Message for humankind (and a clear proof against them), in order that they may be warned thereby, and that they may know that He is the only One Ilah (God – Allah) – (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and that men of understanding may take heed]. [Surah Ibraaheem. Verse 52]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [ وَأُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ هَذَا الْقُرْآنُ لِأُنْذِرَكُمْ بِهِ وَمَنْ بَلَغَ – this Qur’an has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach]. [Surah Al-An’aam. Verse 19]

In the era of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], women did not intermingle with men- neither in mosques nor in the markets – (in the manner people intermingle nowadays), which the callers to rectification forbid in this era- (the type intermingling which) the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the scholars of the Ummah warn against in order to caution against temptation; rather, women – in the Prophet’s mosque – prayed behind the men in the last rows- away from the men. The Prophet used yo say, “The best rows for the men are the first ones and the worst are the last ones. The best of the women’s rows are the last ones and the worst of them is the first”. During the era of the Prophet, the men were commanded to wait until the women left the mosque so that the men would not mingle with them at the doors of the mosques, despite the faith and piety they had; so how about those after them?! Women were forbidden from walking in the middle of the road in order to be careful of having contact with men and thus temptation occurs through touching each other when walking on the road. Allaah [Glorified be to He and free is He from all imperfections] commanded the women of the believers to draw their cloaks all over their bodies so that they cover their adornment with it, in order to prevent temptation. Allaah forbade them from showing their adornment to other than those mentioned by Allaah in His Mighty Book (d) in order to curtail the causes of temptation, urge towards chastity and distance from the the manifestaions of corruption and (the evil effects) of free mixing.

So, how can the Dean of Sana’a University – [may Allaah guide and inspire him to His guidance] – after all this call for mixing?! He claims that Islam calls to it- that the university campus is like a mosque and the hours of study are like the hours of prayer! For the one who understands Allaah’s command and prohibition, knows Allaah’s wisdom in what He has legislated for His servants and explained in His Great Book with regards to rulings for men and women, it is well-known that there is a great difference between these affairs and the difference is vast. How is it permissible for a believer to say that a female student sitting with a male student is like sitting with her sisters in their rows behind the men (in the Masjid)?! No one with the least handhold of faith and insight (in this affair) would say this. We might not even be safe together with the presence of the legislated Hijaab (except by the help of Allaah), so how about if she is sitting with the male student whilst dressed in an un-Islamic manner, displaying her beauty and attractive looks, and with speech that will lead to temptation? Allaah’s Aid is sought, and there is no power nor might except with Allaah. Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] said:

[فَإِنَّهَا لا تَعْمَى الْأَبْصَارُ وَلَكِنْ تَعْمَى الْقُلُوبُ الَّتِي فِي الصُّدُورِ – Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind]. [Surah Al-Hajj. Verse 46]

As for his statement: “Indeed, since the time of the Messenger, Muslims have been performing prayer in the same mosque, men and women, and therefore education must be in one place)”; the answer to this is: this is true, but the women were at the back of the mosques with Hijaab – with care and being careful of what would cause temptation, and the men were at the front of the mosque. They [i.e. the women] used to listen to admonitions and sermons, participated in prayer and learned the rulings of their religion from what they heard and witnessed. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] used to go to them on the day of Eid – because they were at a distance and could not hear the sermon – after delivering admonition to the men and gave them an admonition and reminder. There is no problem in all of this, but the problem is in the statements of the Dean of Sana’a University [may Allaah guide him, reform his heart, and give him understanding of his religion]. How is it permissible for him to compare education in our time with women praying behind men in one mosque, although there is a vast difference between the reality of education that is known today and the reality of women praying behind men in the Prophet’s era?! And due to this reason, the callers to rectification call for the separation of women and men in the arena of education- women in a separate place and the young men in another, so that a female can acquire knowledge from female teachers with comfort without Hijaab or hardship, because the time period for education is longer than the time period of prayer. And due to the fact that learning from female teachers in a specific place (i.e. away from men) protects everyone and keeps them away from the causes of temptation, and it is the safest thing for young men not to get tempted through women. And because young men being alone and separated from girls, together with the fact that it is the safest thing for them against temptation, is most likely to make them pay attention to their lessons and occupy themselves with it- listening well to teachers and receiving knowledge from the teachers whilst distanced from paying attention to girls, being preoccupied with them, exchanging glances that will intoxicate the hearts and mind with evil desires and statements that leads to immorality.

As for his claim [may Allaah rectify him] that the call to isolate female students from male students is tantamount to rigidity and an opposition to the Sharee’ah, this is an untrue claim; rather separating male students from female students is an act of sincere devotion to Allaah, sincere advice to Allaah’s servants, taking good care of the religion ordained by Allaah and adherence to what has already been transmitted from noble verses of the Qur’aan and the two Prophetic reports. My advice to the Dean of Sana’a University is to fear Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic], repent to Allaah for what he has done, return to the truth and what is correct, because indeed returning to (truth and what is correct) is virtue itself and a proof regarding the search for truth and equity by the student of knowledge.

And Allaah is the One asked to guide all of us to the path of righteousness, protect us and other Muslims from speaking about Him without knowledge, (protect us) from the misleading trials and satan’s enmity, just as we ask Allaah to grant success to the scholars of the Muslims and their leaders – in every place – to that which contains rectification (uprightness, wellbeing) for the country and the servants, in the life and the next; and to guide everyone to the straight path, for Allaah is Jawwaadun Kareem [Al-Jawwaad – The Munificent. The One Whose generosity covers everything in existence. The One Who gives liberally and generously to those in need – even when they reject and disbelieve in Him. The One Who – from His generosity – has prepared in Paradise for His believing servants that which no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, and which has never been imagined by anyone]; Al-Kareem [The Bountiful, The Generous One. Abundant in good. The One Who causes and makes easy every good. And Who bestows generously. The One so generous that He even bestows favors upon those who reject His favors, and use them as a means to disobey Him]. (e) And may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions and all those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of judgement. (2)

Footnote (a): Salaah and Salaam upon the Messenger:
https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2021/08/05/salaah-and-salaam-upon-the-prophet-and-the-duaa-after-adhaan-part-1/

Footnote (b):The Mahaarim by Shaikh Abu Khadeeja [may allaah preserve him]:
Mind map illustration showing the mahrams (male chaperones) of a woman for travel and sittings: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/mind-map-illustration-showing-the-mahrams-male-chaperones-of-a-woman-for-travel-and-sittings/

Footnote (c): Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood [may allaah be pleased with him] reported that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “The best people are those of my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then, there will come people after them whose testimony precedes their oaths and their oaths precede their testimony”. [Al-Bukhaari 6065 and Muslim 2533]

Footnote: (d): Allaah said:

وَقُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ يَغۡضُضۡنَ مِنۡ أَبۡصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحۡفَظۡنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبۡدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَا‌ۖ وَلۡيَضۡرِبۡنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِہِنَّ‌ۖ وَلَا يُبۡدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ ءَابَآٮِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ أَبۡنَآٮِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ أَبۡنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ إِخۡوَٲنِهِنَّ أَوۡ بَنِىٓ إِخۡوَٲنِهِنَّ أَوۡ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٲتِهِنَّ أَوۡ نِسَآٮِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَـٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِينَ غَيۡرِ أُوْلِى ٱلۡإِرۡبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفۡلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمۡ يَظۡهَرُواْ عَلَىٰ عَوۡرَٲتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ‌ۖ وَلَا يَضۡرِبۡنَ بِأَرۡجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعۡلَمَ مَا يُخۡفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ‌ۚ وَتُوبُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husband’s sons, their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. [Surah An-Nur. Verse 31]

Footnote (e): Names and Attributes of Allaah by Shaikh Abu Talhah [may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife]: https://www.salafisounds.com/the-names-attributes-of-allaah-by-abu-talhah-dawood-burbank/

Finally, benefit from clarification by Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him]: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/free-mixing-between-the-sexes-in-islam-a-detailed-discussion/

[Ref 1: At-turuq Al-Hukmiyyah. page 281. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref2:https://binbaz.org.sa/articles/113/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85 ]

Two Stories – One About Al-Aqeedah Al-Waasitiyyah and The Other About Kitaab At-Tawheed

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Monotheism - Tawheed, Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah’s [may Allaah have mercy upon him] book Al-Aqeedah Al-Waasitiyyah is a precious book in its subject matter; rather it is one of the best and one of the most precious summaries put together on the Aqeedah of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah. Indeed, he gave this work precise attention- precisely established the topics, presented the evidences, preserved -in his work – the words of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, adhered to precision and clarified the Aqeedah of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah- a sufficient clarification with its testimonies and evidences from Allaah’s statements and the statements of Allaah’s Messenger. The authorship of this book was based on a request that was put to him by one of the virtuous people; rather this person insisted and urged Shaikhul Islam to write a summary on the subject matter of Aqeedah that would be memorized, studied and understood precisely. Shaikhul Islaam [may Allaah have mercy upon him] excused himself from doing so due to the presence of many books of Aqeedah written by the Imaams amongst the scholars and the scholars of the pious predecessors; therefore, he told the requester to obtain one of those books; but this person insisted and urged Shaikhul Islaam to write a book on Aqeedah and thus his request was accepted.

The man who made this request was from a place called Waasit- situated between Basra and Kufa. It was called Waasit because it was situated between these two places, and the requester was called Radiyyuddeen Al-Waasitee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] – one of the Judges of Waasit. Whilst on his way to Hajj, he met Shaikhul Islam in Damascus and urged him to write a treatise on creed. Shaikhul Islaam stated regarding why he wrote Al-Waasitiyyah, “The reason for writing this book was that one of the judges of Waasit came to me a Shaikh called Radiyyuddeen Al-Waasitee from the followers of the Shaafi’ee Madhab. He came whilst on his journey and was one of the good people and an adherent to the religion. He complained about the overwhelming ignorance and wrongdoing in his land – under the rulership of the Tartars – and asked me to write for him an Aqeedah that would be a fundamental support for him and his household; but I asked him to excuse me from this request. I said to him, ‘The scholars have written various books of Aqeedah, so take from the books written by the Imaams of the Sunnah”, but he insisted and carried on urging me, and said, ‘I do not want except a book of Aqeedah written by yourself’. So I wrote this Aqeedah for him whilst I was sitting after Asr'”. So, in that one sitting after asr prayer, Shaikhul Islaam wrote – accurately – this Aqeedah and fulfilled what the requester desired. Shaikhul Islaam said, “Many copies of this book spread in Egypt, Iraq and other places”. This is the reason why Shaikhul Islaam wrote the book.

Some Beneficial Reminders From This Affair:

[1]: When Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah – and other illustrious Imaams of knowledge and virtue – wrote books, they did not do so just for the sake of writing or out of a desire to have many books and write a lot; rather their writings- whether few or many – was due to a pressing and an urgent need in their era. And one of the amazing affairs regarding Shaikhul Islaam in this matter, which he himself mentioned, is that he said, “I have not written a book except due to being asked”. Therefore, questions came to him from this and that place, because they knew his knowledge, virtue and station, and they insisted in their requests for a response and mentioned the need for it, so he responded. You find him saying in other places, “It has never occurred from me (i.e. writing), except by way of responding to subject matters of the religion and giving a fatwa to a person who seeks it” – Meaning, he never embarked upon writing himself. This is why many of his books were known by the names of the places where those questions came from- seeking from him to write or respond to questions. For example Al-Waasitiyyah is given this name because the one who requested from Shaikhul Islaam that he writes a book was a man from Waasit; likewise, was the book Al-Hamawiyyah, At-Tadmuriyyah, Al-Muraakishiyyah, Al-Isfahaaniyyah and many others. During his era, the people were satisfied with his knowledge, his adherence to the religion, his precision and what he compiled and presented.

The need to clarify the Aqeedah – making it clear to the people and attaching them to their Creator and Lord, their Master and Protector, through the sound Aqeedah and upright Eemaan- is the affair by way of which the degeneration and deviation in society would be be cured. That is because the greatest cause of degeneration in society is due to lack of (truly) knowing Allaah, His Greatness, Exaltedness and Perfection, and what the hearts should have in them about Allaah by way of exaltation. And it has been said, “The one who knows Allaah more will fear Him more”; but when a person’s knowledge about Allaah is weak, then various deviations and corruptions appear amongst the people. Therefore, the Aqeedah is the cure and medication that will bring about safety. If the Aqeedah is sound, the deeds will be upright, behaviour will become good and the souls will be satisfied. Contemplate on this in relation to the affair of this righteous judge and the state of his land, such as his mention of the spread of ignorance, rife wrong doing and corruption; so he went to find a solution to these problems by asking Shaikhul Islaam to write a book on creed. When you look at the state of affairs in our time, you’ll see this widespread and the painful state of affairs in many societies; therefore, people are greatly in need of concentrating on Aqeedah, learning Aqeedah, nurtured upon Aqeedah, and spread Tawheed, Eemaan and affairs that will bring about strong attachment to Allaah. This judge saw that Aqeedah is the solution and cure, and he acknowledged Shaikhul Islaam’s leadership in knowledge, religion, piety and great station, so he sought from him and insisted until Shaikhul Islaam agreed to write this book.

[2]: The importance of sincere and upright intention. Indeed, the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Verily actions are judged by intention and for every person is what he intended”. A sincere intention is a blessing for a person- a very great blessing. Contemplate on this blessing in the request of this person and we have a good suspicion that he made this request based on a righteous intention and being truthful to Allaah in seeking to rectify the people, so he requested and insisted, then Shaikhul Islaam wrote this book in a sitting after Asr and then the blessing prevailed and spread- not only after the era of Shaikhul Islaam, but rather during his era as well. This is why Shaikhul Islaam said, “Numerous copies of this book was spread in Egypt, Iraq and other places”. In that era, there were no printing services; rather the book spread through writing. The students copied it with their hands and spread it, so the book became wide spread during his time. We benefit from this affair that it is obligated on a student of knowledge to purify his intention even when asking the scholars questions (or when requesting something related to knowledge from them), because just as there is blessing in a response, there is also blessing in a question. If a question is from a sincere and truthful person- a person in whose heart is a desire and he is ardent to bring about rectification for the people, Allaah will bless his question and bring benefit during his lifetime and after his death (InShaaAllaah). So, due to this question (or request made by Radiyuudeen al-Waasitee), then how many times has he been mentioned in this era of ours and before it, and people asking Allaah to have mercy upon him and mentioning him with good?! He is not known through books and writings; rather he is known by was of this request he made.

[3]: The manner in which Shaikhul Islaam held the Imaams of the pious predecessors in a high station, his acknowledgement of their station and their great status, because when the request was made to him, he did not write a book (straightaway); rather he said to the requester, “Take some of the books of Aqeedah of the Imams of the Sunnah”- Meaning, they are sufficient. However, when the person urged him and insisted, he responded due to that.

[4]: The student of knowledge should not rush to write unless he sees a situation that requires that and an affair that justifies the need. Despite Shaikhul Islaam’s virtuous status and leadership in the religion, he excused himself when the request was made to him.

[5]: The great blessing Allaah placed in the life of Shaikhul Islaam! There are many great books of his which when one examines and reads, he’ll think that the book was written within a prolonged period – maybe many months; but then he becomes amazed after finding out that it was written in one sitting. This book Al-Aqeedah Al-Waasitiyyah was written in one sitting- after Asr prayer.

Encounter With His Opponents

Seven years after he wrote Al-Aqeedah Al-Waasitiyyah, they started having a discussion with him regarding the issues in it; so he challenged them to bring a single letter from it that is not from the statements of the pious predecessors. They said to him, “What do you believe?” But he did not utter anything in that gathering. He said, “If I utter a statement that I believe such and such, some of them may say he has hidden something of his beliefs; so let us look for an Aqeedah that I have written seven years ago and read”. This was from his wisdom and experience. He said, “I give you three years to read this book and bring out from it a single letter that is not from the speech of the pious predecessors”. He said, “I have reiterated that I give three years to everyone who opposes me in anything in Aqeedah Waasitiyyah, and if one brings a single letter from anyone amongst the first three generations, I will recant”. So during one sitting, the book was read completely and he responded when they questioned him regarding some of the words in the book. Imaam Adh-Dhahabi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Then there was an agreement – after the gathering – that Al-Aqeedah Al-Waasitiyyah is a book of Salafi Creed and a good book”. Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “There was agreement that the book is a Sunni Salafi Aqeedah book”. [https://al-badr.net/detail/IjSpTAs2hO] [paraphrased]

Kitaabut Tawheed

There was an Indian man who used to have extreme hatred for Imaam Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhaab [rahimahullaah] due to the false claims of Ahlul Bidah, so he always reviled the Imaam. However, one day, a sincere adviser wished to clarify to this person [i.e. the Indian man] that he is mistaken, so he invited him to his house and treated him kindly. He [i.e. the sincere adviser] removed the cover from Kitaab At-Tawheed and placed it where the guest [i.e. the Indian man] would be sitting because he was a scholar and loved reading books. When he [i.e. the sincere adviser] went to get some food for the guest, he [i.e. the guest] saw the book [i.e. Kitaab At-Tawheed but there was no cover on it with the name of Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhaab] and started reading. He was amazed by the book because it contained nothing else but proofs [i.e. irrefutable and unambiguous proofs regarding Tawheed]. When he [i.e. the sincere adviser] returned [i.e. with the food], the guest [i.e. the Indian man] asked him who the author of the book was and was told that Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhaab [rahimahullaah] is the author; so he realised [i.e. acknowledged] that he was one of those who reviled Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhaab based on false claims.

And one of the most evil false claims is that Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhaab hates and reviles Ahlul Bayt [i.e. the Prophet’s family]; but ask these people what the Kunyaa of Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhaab is! His Kunya is Abu Ali; rather all the names of his children are the same as the names of Ahlul Bayt, except one of his children who is called Abdur Azeez. Therefore, is this a sign of love for Ahlul Bayt or a sign of hatred?! Would a person name his children after people he hates?! Rather, these names [i.e. Ali, Hasan, Husayn, Faatimah etc] are well known even amongst the descendants of Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhaab.

Once I met a man in one of the Muslim lands and mentioned the name of Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhaab [rahimahullaah], so the man said, ‘’Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhaab reviles Ahlul Bayt in his books’’. I said to the man, ‘’Name a single book in which this revilement is found! If you stand in the presence of Allaah on the Day of Judgement and you are questioned about this, would you have any proof to offer?! Show me a single statement in which Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhaab reviles Ahlul Bayt; rather I can bring you many of his statements in which he praised Ahlul Bayt’’. This shows that many people are affected by the false claims of Ahlul Bidah – the people of desires and misguidance, because none will show hatred towards Kitaab At-Tawheed, except a person of desires. [Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed. Lesson 1. By Shaikh Abdur Razaaq Al-Badr] [paraphrased]

The Ummah Blessed With Scholars – (Upright Revivers) – Every Hundred Years

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Scholars of Islam.

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

The Prophet [peace and blessings be upon him] said, “Allaah will raise for this Ummah at the end of every hundred years the one who will revive its religion for it”. (1)

“Allaah will raise for this Ummah”– Meaning the Ummatul Ijaabah [i.e. the Muslims]. “At the end of every hundred years”– Meaning at the end of every hundred years when there is little knowledge of the Sharee’ah and the authentic Prophetic Tradition, whilst ignorance and religious innovation is rife. “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. (2)

Imaam Ibn Katheer [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “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”. (2.1)

The Upright Revivers And The Criteria of Upright Leadership In The Religion

Allaah [The  Mighty and Majestic] said:

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

Verily, Ibraaheem was an Ummah [leader], Qaanitan [obedient], Haneefan [one who worshipped Allaah alone], and he was not one of the Mushrikeen [polytheists and those who associate partners with Allah in worship]. [Surah An-Nahl. Aayah 120]

Ibraaheem [peace be upon him] is the Imaam of the Hunafaa [i.e. Leader of the people of Tawheed- those who single out Allaah in worship] and this is why Allaah said to him:  [إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا – Verily, I am going to make you a leader (Prophet) of humankind]. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 124]

It is a customary habit of the people that they do attach themselves to the great personalities, especially those whom they hold in high esteem. Therefore, if a person utilise as proof that the one he follows is an Imaam [An Upright Leader], then there is no Imaam [for humankind] greater than Prophet Ibraaheem [i.e. after Prophet Muhammad], and Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] stated about Prophet Ibraaheem: [وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِلَّا مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ – And who turns away from the religion of Ibraaheem (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) except him who befools himself?] [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 130]

If a person addresses someone else with the statement, ‘My Shaikh’ in connection to a Soofee Tareeqah [i.e. a Soofee Path] or in connection to affairs of misguidance in the name of following someone he considers an Imaam [Upright Leader], then indeed Prophet Ibraaheem is the Imaam of the people who worship Allaah alone [i.e. the greatest Imaam of Tawheed and perfect example after Prophet Muhammad]. If a person utilises this as his proof [i.e. that the one he follows is an Imaam], then examine the Aqeedah [Islamic Creed] of this person whom he gives the status of Imaam and judge it based on the Qur’aan to establish whether he is from the people of Tawheed. If  a person seeks to use the station of Imaam as proof, then indeed this should be the proof [i.e. examine the Aqeedah of the one given the status of Imaam and judge it based on the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah to establish whether he is a person upon Tawheed].  Also, Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] said about the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam]: [لَّقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلۡيَوۡمَ ٱلۡأَخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرً۬ا -Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayah 21] (3)

Is Sayyid Qutb a Reviver

Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhalee (may Allaah preserve him) stated:

Indeed the trial initiated by this man and those with him is the trial of this era. It is the severest trial in this era because it confounds truth with falsehood (through the sound) Salafi methodology. O brothers! Beware of them. They have of deception, adulteration, plotting and trickery, which are not known except to Allaah. They preoccupy themselves mostly with (setting up) traps for the Salafi youth- neither give concern to inviting the Christians and Jews nor the rawaafid (shiites) and the soofees to the true methodology. And why is this (the case)? That is because the one who is deprived of (something) cannot give it (to others).

So (what) they mostly preoccupy themselves with is to corrupt the righteous people and those whom Allaah has guided to the path of the Lord of the Worlds.  Most of (what) they preoccupy themselves with at present in the world is to set traps for the Salafi youth and they wear a counterfeit Salafi gown so that they are able to tear it apart and distance it from this (true) methodology. They utilize various ways to defame the scholars of this (true) methodology and this methodology itself, and Allaah’s Protection is sought! They brandish the methodology of Sayyid Qutb even though within it there is insult against the prophets, excommunication of some of the Prophet’s companions, excommunication of the Muslim Ummah, creeds of misguidance -the creed of Hulool, Wahdatul Wujood, nullification of Allaah’s Attributes and the (innovated speech that the) Qur’aan is created.  All these affairs (of misguidance committed by Sayyid Qutb)- in their view- does not negate revival, because according to them he is a Mujaddid (reviver)!! We say: Yes, he is a reviver, but a reviver of every major religious innovation – the school of thought of the khaarijites, the rawaafid, the murjia, the jabariyyah and the soofiyyah. He revived all of them, and between us (Salafis) and them (i.e. the followers of Sayyid Qutb) are the books of Sayyid Qutb and his writings (as a witness). According to them, this is the reviver and an Imaam for whose sake they (establish) alliances (with those who agree with them) and show enmity (towards those who oppose them). So what calamity upon Islaam can be more severe than this calamity? (4)

What Is Hulool and Wahdatul Wujood

Hulooliyyah and ittihaadiyyah:

Hulool- Lit. “Entering” – Divine indwelling.  The belief that Allaah dwells within a particular human.  i.e. That Allaah dwells in a particular Soofi shaykh,  a pious person, a Prophet – This belief is shared by Christians, certain Soofies, certain Shiites, Sikhs and others.

Wahdaatul Wujood – Lit – Unity of Existence.  The belief that all existence is a single existence and everything we see are only aspects of the Essence of Allaah.  This belief is also held by certain Soofies, Hindus and others.

Those who believe in hulool say that Allaah dwells and is incarnate in human beings, High is Allaah above and far removed from that. This was openly called to by some of the extreme Sufis, such as al-Husayn ibn Mansoor al-Hallaaj who was declared to be an unbeliever by the scholars. They ordered that he be executed and he was crucified in the year 309H. The following saying is attributed to him: “Glory to Him who manifested His human nature, Hiding the piercing brightness of His divinity: Till His creation saw Him openly, In the form of one eating and drinking” Attributed by al-Wakeel to the book at Tawaaseen of al Hallaaj (p. 130).

And his saying: “I am the one who loves and the One who is loved is me, We are two spirits who dwell in a single body. So when you see me you see Him, and when you see Him you see us both.”So al-Hallaaj was a believer in hulool and believed in the duality of the divine nature and that the Deity had both a divine and a human nature. Thus the divine becomes incarnate within the human so that the human spirit is the divine nature of the Deity and the body is its human form. Despite the fact that he was killed for his evil apostasy and although some of the Sufis declare themselves free of him, yet others count him as a Sufi, hold that his beliefs were correct, and write down his words. From them is Abdul-‘Abbaas ibn ‘Ataa al-Baghdaadee, Muhammad ibn Khaleef ash? Sheeraazee and Ibraheem an-Nasraabaadhee, as is reported by al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee.

Wahdatul-Wujood, i.e. that all in existence is a single reality, and that everything we see is only aspects of the Essence of Allaah. The chief claimant of this belief was Ibn ‘Arabee al-Haatimee at-Taa’ee, who was buried in Damascus having died in the year 638H. He himself says about this belief in his book al-Fatoohaat-ul-Makkiyyah: “The slave is the Lord and the Lord is a slave, I wish that I knew which was the one required to carry out the required duties.  If I were to say the servant then that is true, or if I were to say the Lord, then how can that be required for Him.” Al-Fatoohaat-ul-Makkiyyah as it is attributed by Dr. Taqiyyuddeen al-Hilaalee in his book al-Hadiyyatul-Haadiyah (p.43).

He also says in al-Fatoohaat: “Those who worshipped the calf worshipped nothing except Allaah.” Quoted as Ibn ‘Arabee’s saying by Ibn Tayrniyyah in al-Fataawaa (vol.11), who attributes it to the book al-Fatoohaat. Ibn ‘Arabee is called ‘al-‘Aarif billaah’ (The one having great knowledge of Allaah) by the Sufis, and also ‘al-Qutubul Akbar’ (The great pivot), ‘al-Miskul-Adhfar’ (the sweetest smelling musk), “al-Kibreetul-Ahmar’ (the reddest brimstone), despite his belief in wahdatul-wujood and other calamitous sayings. Indeed he praised Fir’awn (Pharaoh) and declared that he died upon Eemaan! Furthermore he speaks against Haroon for his criticism of his peoples worship of the calf, thus directly opposing the text of the Qur’aan. He also held that the Christians were Unbelievers only because they made divinity particular to ‘Eesaa, whereas if they had made it general to all then they would not have been unbelievers. [Despite all the gross deviation of Ibn ‘Arabee and the fact that the scholars declared him to be an Unbeliever, yet he is revered by the Sufis and others who do not distinguish between the truth and falsehood, and those who turn away from accepting the truth even when it is as clear as the sun. But his books, which are filled with clear apostasy, such as al-Fatoohaatul-Makkiyyah and Fusoosul-Hikam are still circulated. He even has a tafseer, which he called at-Tafseerul-Baatin since he holds that there is an apparent and a hidden meaning for every Aayah, so the outer meaning is for the people of Ta’weel. From this group came Ibn Basheesh who said: “O Allaah rescue me from the mire of Tawheed, and drown me in the centre of the sea of unity, and mix me into the state of unity and oneness until I do not see, nor hear, nor sense except through it”. (5)

Ref 1: Sunan Abee Daawud. Hadeeth Number 4291. Declared authentic by Imaam Al-Albaanee [rahimahullaah] in Saheeh Abi Daawud. Publisher, Maktabah Al-Ma’aarif.

Ref 2: An Excerpt from Awnul Ma’bood Sharh Sunan Abee Daawud. Vol 11. Pages 259-260. Publisher: Daaer Al-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah. 1st Edition 1419AH (Year 1998). Slightly paraphrased]

Ref 2.1: Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah. Vol 9. Pages 303-309. Publisher: Maktabah Al-Ma’aarif and Daar ibn Hazm. 9th Edition. 1414 AH (1994)

Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed’. Lesson 1- By Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr (hafidhahullaah). Slightly paraphrased

[Ref 4: لذريعة إلى بيان مقاصد كتاب الشريعة للإمام المحدث أبي بكر محمد بن الحسين الآجري   pages: 112-113; Vol 1, abridged]

[Ref 5: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=8&Topic=3528]

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah Did Not Become Outstanding Except After Learning These Books – By Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in History of Islam, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge.

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

Question: Which books do you advise the student of knowledge to read-those that give special attention in making clear the Salafi Methodology for him?

Response: Firstly, I advise myself and my brothers [to concentrate on memorising and studying] the Book of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic], for in it is guidance and light. It is the main foundation of Islaam and the Sunnah is its explanation and clarification. Thereafter, study the guidance of Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] from the Saheehayn [i.e. Bukhaari and Muslim], the four Sunan [i.e. Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan Daraqutni, Sunan Ibn Maajah, Sunan Nasaa-I, Sunan Al-Kubraa of Bayhaqi], the Masaaneed [i.e. Musnad Ahmad, Musnad Abu Dawood At-Tayalisi, Musnad Ad-Daarimi, Musnad Abu Ya’laa etc], the Jawaami (1) and other than them.

I advise the students of knowledge to study these three Books of the Sunan which have been (transmitted) with authenticity from Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], and that they study some sections in these Ummahaat [i.e. in Bukhaari, Muslim, Nasaa’ee, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah] and firmly concentrate on them in particular. That is because they are connected to the fundamental principles of the religion, such as kitaabul Ilm [the Book of Knowledge] in Saheeh Al-Bukhaari and kitaabul Imaan, because indeed Imaam Al-Bukhaari narrated – in this kitaabul Imaan- ahaadeeth in order clarify the methodology of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah in the subject matter of Imaan, and in their chapter headings he rebutted the Murji’a- those who are in opposition to this fundamental. And he firmly placed in this great book [i.e. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari] the Book of Itisaam [.e. the book of holding onto the way of the Prophet], the Akhbaarul Aahaad and kitaab At-Tawheed. That is because these [affairs] are connected to the fundamentals of the religion and they are very important.

It is obligatory to have an understanding of them after acquiring understanding of the Book of Allaah [The Most High]. Likewise, concentrate on kitaab As-Sunnah in Sunan Abee Dawood because it is a very important fundamental and it agrees with Saheeh Al-Bukhari in these affairs that we have mentioned. And in it is a notification about bidah-the bidah of the Jahmiyyah, the khawaarij and other than them. It distinguished the Aqeedah of Ahlus Sunnah and its Madhab from the deviated Madhabs. So the fundamentals in this subject matter are to be studied.

Likewise, (study) kitaab Al-Ittibaa of Ibn Maajah [i.e. adherence to the Messenger’s path] and khalq Af’aal Al-Ibaad of Bukhaari, because by way of it a person becomes acquainted with great fundamentals from the fundamental principles of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah regarding affairs related to the Qur’aan, (sound) creed, the Jahmiyyah and other than them amongst the people of bidah and misguidance. Likewise, [study] the first section of Sharhus Sunnah of Al-Baghawi because it concentrates on this subject matter. And ‘As-Sunnah’ of Al-khallaal, Sharh Usool Al-ittiqaad Ahlis Sunnah of Laalikaa’ee, Al-Hujja of Asfahaanee, Al-Ibaanah of Ibn Battah and what is similar to that.

Then the books of Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy on both of them], because in them there is an unequivocal and sufficient clarification of the fundamental principles of the religion and its subsidiary affairs, and all praise is due to Allaah. In these affairs of knowledge there is life [for the hearts]. Learn the Qur’aan, the (sound) creed, the (sound) methodology, the (sound) fundamentals and the (sound) subsidiary affairs (of the religion) in a manner as if you were acquiring them from the mouth of Allaah’s Messenger, and likewise all the books we have mentioned in a manner as if you were acquiring them (directly) from the mouth of the Messenger, the Sahaabah and those who followed their path. Ibn Taymiyyah did not become outstanding, vast in knowledge and well established in clarifying the truth except after learning these books. So we should study these books and these chapters from them, and may Allaah bless you.

Then we study all the Sunan. We look into the books of Fiqh, the books of Tafseer, the books of Hadeeth-all of them are beneficial; but (one gives) specific concentration to these affairs [i.e. the creed and methodology], especially in these times because many deviations are [seen from] the people of innovated thought and politics- the Soofiyyah, the Rawaafid and other than them. These innovations, deviations and trials cannot be confronted except by way of knowledge that is acquired properly from the book of Allaah, the Sunnah of Messenger of Allaah and the understanding of the Salaf. And I ask Allaah to grant us and you understanding of His Religion and “Whoever Allaah wishes good for, He gives him understanding of the religion.’ [end of quote] [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Fataawaa Al-Mar’atil Muslimah Page: 71-72. slightly paraphrased]

[1] The Jawaami [i.e. First category: Those books that gather different types of narrations on the subject matter of creed, rulings, affairs of the heart, manners of eating and drinking, travel, residence, subject matter of tafseer, history, affairs of trials and tribulations, signs of the hour, virtues of the companions etc]. Some Imaams who compiled these works and their titles include: Saheeh Al-Bukhaari; Saheeh Muslim; Al-Muwatta; Musnad Ahmad; Sunan An-Nasaa’ee; Sunan Abu Daawud; Sunan At-tirmidhee; Sunan Ibn Maajah; Sunan Ad-Daarimi; Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah; Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan]; [Second category: Those are books whose authors intended to gather a large number of Prophetic Ahaadeeth, or gather Ahaadeeth of specific books, or gather different Ahaadeeth in a specific subject matter, such as ‘Jaami-ul Ahaadeeth of As-Suyooti; Jaami-ul usool Fee Ahaadeeth Ar-Rasool of Ibnul Atheer; Silsilah As-Saheehah of Albaanee; Sharh Mushkilah Al-Aathaar of Tahaawi; Al-Musnad Al-Jaami of Nawawi; Nailul Awtaar of Shawkaanee etc

NB: All these books mentioned by Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee [may Allaah preserve him] are to be studied under the scholars and not merely reading them and deriving one’s own understanding from them.

Were Animals Created Before Humans – [Beautiful and Precise Response by Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Fatawa-Rulings, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Uncategorized, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] was asked about the statement that animals were created two million years before humans; so the Imaam answered with the verse of the Qur’aan in which Allaah informed us that the angels said, [سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا – Glory be to You (O Allaah), we have no knowledge except what you have taught us]. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Verse 32] (1)

The Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz followed the path of his predecessors, such as the likes of Imaam ash-Shabi [may Allaah have mercy upon him]. Once Imaam Shabi was asked about an affair in religion, so he said, “I don’t know”. Then it was said to him, “Do you not feel shy of your statement, ‘I don’t know’ and you’re the jurist of the people of Basra?” So he said, “But the angels did not feel shy when they said: سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ لَا عِلۡمَ لَنَآ إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمۡتَنَآ‌ۖ- Glory be to You (o Allaah), we have no knowledge except what you have taught us]. (2)

No Speculation Regarding That Which Our Lord Has Not Told Us!

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

مَّآ أَشۡہَدتُّہُمۡ خَلۡقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا خَلۡقَ أَنفُسِہِمۡ وَمَا كُنتُ مُتَّخِذَ ٱلۡمُضِلِّينَ عَضُدً۬ا

I (Allah) made them not to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth and not (even) their own creation, nor was I (Allah) to take the misleaders as helpers. [Surah Al-Kahf. Verse 51]

Imaam Ash-Shanqeetee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The established meaning of this noble verse is that Allaah did not make you witness when he created Iblees and his hosts. Allaah did not make you witness the creation of the heavens and the earth – neither to seek your help to create them nor to create you, nor did you witness your own creation. I did not make you witness one another’s creation to seek help to do so; but rather I (Allaah) alone created all of that without a helper or supporter! So why do give them the right that belongs to me alone and take them as allies (protectors) besides me, whilst I am the Creator of everything. This verse – which shows that the Creator is the only true object of worship – is clarified in many othee verses, such the statement of Allaah: [أَفَمَن يَخۡلُقُ كَمَن لَّا يَخۡلُقُ‌ۗ أَفَلَا تَذَڪَّرُونَ – Is then He, Who creates as one who creates not? Will you not then remember?] [Surah An-Nahl. Verse 17]

Allaah said:

قُلۡ مَن رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ‌ۚ قُلۡ أَفَٱتَّخَذۡتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦۤ أَوۡلِيَآءَ لَا يَمۡلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمۡ نَفۡعً۬ا وَلَا ضَرًّ۬ا‌ۚ قُلۡ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِى ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ وَٱلۡبَصِيرُ أَمۡ هَلۡ تَسۡتَوِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتُ وَٱلنُّورُ‌ۗ أَمۡ جَعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ خَلَقُواْ كَخَلۡقِهِۦ فَتَشَـٰبَهَ ٱلۡخَلۡقُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ‌ۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ خَـٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَهُوَ ٱلۡوَٲحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّـٰرُ

Say (O Muhammad ): “Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?” Say: “(It is) Allah.” Say: “Have you then taken (for worship) Auliya’ (protectors, etc.) other than Him, such as have no power either for benefit or for harm to themselves?” Say: “Is the blind equal to the one who sees? Or darkness equal to light? Or do they assign to Allah partners who created the like of His creation, so that the creation (which they made and His creation) seemed alike to them.” Say: “Allah is the Creator of all things, He is the One, the Irresistible.” [Surah Ar-Rad. Verse 16]

Allaah said:

هَـٰذَا خَلۡقُ ٱللَّهِ فَأَرُونِى مَاذَا خَلَقَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦ‌ۚ بَلِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

This is the creation of Allah. So show Me that which those (whom you worship), besides Him have created. Nay, the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers and those who do not believe in the Oneness of Allah) are in plain error. [Surah Luqman. Verse 11]

Allaah said:

قُلۡ أَرَءَيۡتُمۡ شُرَكَآءَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَرُونِى مَاذَا خَلَقُواْ مِنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَمۡ لَهُمۡ شِرۡكٌ۬ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ

Say (O Muhammad ): “Tell me or inform me (what) do you think about your (so-called) partner-gods to whom you call upon besides Allah, show me, what they have created of the earth? Or have they any share in the heavens? [Surah Faatir. Verse 40]

I (Allaah) did not make you witness your own creation, but rather I created you upon what I wanted and how I wished. (3)

Robust Clarifications By Our local Mashaayikh

The Myth of Darwinian Evolution – By Shaikh Abu Hakeem [hafidhahullaah]

The Myth of Darwinian Evolution (Part 1)

The Myth of Darwinian Evolution (Part 2) – Natural Selection

The Myth of Darwinian Evolution (Part 3) – The Fossil Records refute Darwin!

The Myth Of Darwinian Evolution (Part 4) – Hidden Archeology

Also listen to the lecture By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [hafidhahullaah]

Establishing One’s Belief Through Pseudoscience & Philosophy is a Path of Destruction – Khutbah by Abu Khadeejah

All about Atheism – By Shaikh Abu Iyaad [hafidhahullaah]

http://aboutatheism.net/assets/docs/evolution-book-introduction.pdf

http://www.aboutatheism.net/authors/Abu.Iyaad.cfm

[Ref 1: https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/22704/%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AA-%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86

[Ref 2: I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 4/167-168]

[Ref 3: [Tafseer Al Qur’aan bil Qur’aan mi Adwaa Al bayaan. Page 572]

Basis of Truth is Not Attached to The Character or Personality We Love, Choose or Prefer!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Abu Hurairah [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Love your beloved one modestly, for it may be that he will become hated to you someday. And hate the one whom you hate modestly, for it may be that he will become your beloved one someday”. [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee 1997]

Imaam Ibnul Atheer [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This means that you should love your beloved one with moderation and do not go beyond bounds (i.e. outside the boundaries of the what Allaah has legislated). Do not go into extremes in your love and hate, for it may be that one day you’ll hate the one you used to love and love the one you used to hate. Therefore, neither exaggerate in your love and become regretful, nor exaggerate in your hatred and thus become shy in the presence of the one you used to hate after you stop hating him”. [An-Nihaayah 5/284]

A man said to Imaam Maymoon Ibn Mehraan [may Allaah have mercy upon him], “The people will not cease to be upon good as long as Allaah keeps you (alive) for them”. He replied, “The people will not cease to be upon good as long as they fear their Lord”. (1)

Imaam Sufyaan Ibn Uyaynah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] used to say, “Indeed, the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] is the greatest criterion [i.e. amongst mankind and Jinn] and all affairs are presented to him [i.e. for judgement and judged] based on his manners, path and guidance; so whatever is in agreement with this is truth, and whatever is in opposition is falsehood”. (1.1)

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali may Allaah preserve him] said, “And (with regards to) the person with the proofs, it is obligatory to take his speech (on the grounds) of following Allaah’s Legislation and Proofs, and not (due to) the personality of that person”. (2)

Al-Allaamah Rabee also said, “The seeker of truth is not diverted from the truth, fairness and justice due to admiration of the big personalities and being amazed by them, for indeed the truth is more worthy to be followed. It is not permissible to drop the proofs for the sake of this or that great man. The principle [rule] of the Muslim – the unbiased one, the seeker of truth – is always: [قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ -Say, bring forth your proofs if you are truthful]. [Surah An-Nahl. Verse 64] (3)

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] interrupted a person who was reciting a poem and mentioned him in it! He objected and told him not to attach truth to personalities; rather he should say that as long as the Qur’aan and the Sunnah are present, the truth will remain. [Listen to audio in the link: https://safeshare.tv/x/5MCyl5iX03k

Question to Al-Allaamah Saaleh al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him], “What is the meaning of the principle, ‘The truth is not known by way of men, rather men are known by way of the truth?'”

Answer: Its meaning is that we do not merely blindly follow anyone, for it may be that one is blindly followed based on error; it may be that the Mujtahid is mistaken and the one who makes [a statement or holds an opinion] is mistaken, so we do not take [his statement, opinion etc] and say, “This is the statement of such as such; this is truth, because such and such is good, he is a scholar; such and such is Taqiy [i.e. one who fears Allaah]”. We do not say this because he is not infallible and he can make a mistake; so we know men by way of the truth – those who know; those who take [or adhere to] the proofs and indeed they are known to be scholars. As for those who do not give concern [or importance] to the proofs, they are not scholars; they are not people of [sound] understanding and they are not people of knowledge, so their statement is never taken straight away. It is imperative that the proof is presented, so if the proof is established as witness to [what he says or holds etc], then it is the truth; but if he opposes the proof, then indeed [his statement or opinion] is rejected; however if he is a Mujtahid and he is mistaken, he is rewarded [once] due to his Ijtihaad; but if he deliberately holds on to error, he has sinned. [Paraphrased. Refer to video here: https://video.link/w/9famb ]

NB: The Permissible and Prohibited Forms of Taqleed

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2012/06/the-permissible-and-prohibited-forms-of-taqleed-salafipublications-com-article-id-mnj060005/

[Ref 1: Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa. 5/75]

[Ref 1.1: Al-Jaami Li-Akhlaaq Ar-Raawi Wa Aadaab As-Saami’  page 8]

[Ref 2: Majmoo 9/40) 3rd paragraph]
[Ref 3: All-Mulakh-khasul Jameel Fee Bayaani Manhaji Ash-Shaikh Rabee Fid-Da’wati Wal-Jarhi Wat-Ta’deel. Page 87]