He asks, Noble Shaykh, may Allah bless you. It hurts us deeply, what we see of the attempts to lower the station of our virtuous scholars, and the biggest difficulty is what we see from those weak in intellect getting carried away behind the likes of these (individuals belittling the scholars) on social media platforms. So what advice (do you have) for us and the attendees on respecting and appreciating our scholars?
When an Aalim is asked a question it’s befitting that the student of knowledge attentively listens to him and correctly understands the answer. Some students, if they ask a question and are answered, you find him shy to say, “I don’t understand”.
That which is better for a student of knowledge if he doesn’t understand is to say “I don’t understand”, and he should say it respectfully and with good manner towards the scholar.
Sharh Kitab al-Ilm pg 242
If there is a need to ask a question, then the student of knowledge should ask it well (clearly, concisely and with good etiquette). But if there is no need, then he shouldn’t ask, because it is not befitting for a person to ask questions, except if he had a need, or thought that someone else needed the question.
For example, someone could be in a lesson and understood the content, however there may be some difficult issues/concepts which need further clarification for the rest of the students, so he asks for the benefit of others, and the questioner in this situation is like the teacher, because the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) when Jibreel (alayhis salaam) came to him and asked him about Eemaan, Ihsaan and Islaam, and the Hour and it’s signs; he (peace and blessings upon him) said, “This is Jibreel who has come to teach you your religion.”
In conclusion, if a person asks a question for his benefit or for someone else’s benefit then this is noble and good. However if he asks just so the people say the likes of, “Maa Shaa Allah, so and so has zeal towards knowledge and many questions”, then this is wrong. And the opposite to this, where someone does not ask out of shyness, then the first individual is excessive, and the second is neglectful and the best of affairs is the middle course.
Sharh Kitab al-Ilm pg 241-242 Slightly Paraphrased
{رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْماً}
Oh my Lord increase me in knowledge.
This aayah is clear in showing the virtue of knowledge, because Allah The Most High, did not command the prophet (peace and blessing upon him) with asking for an increase in anything, except for knowledge.
{رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْماً}
واضح الدلالة في فضل العلم، لأن الله تعالى لم يأمر نبيه صلى الله عليه وسلم بطلب الازدياد من شيء إلا من العلم
From Ibn Hajr’s Explanation of Kitabul Ilm of Imam al-Bukhari as found in his work, Fath al-Bari
In reality there is no life for mankind, except by having understanding (fiqh) of the religion.
The people are in two situations; those who benefit from this religion and those who are bankrupt and deprived of benefit. Those who turn away from having understanding in the religion are much more than those who apply themselves in gaining understanding in the religion.
And in general, the people of evil and misguidance are more abundant than the people of good and righteousness (those upon the obedience of Allah) throughout the various nations, and the plentitude of their evil is because of ignorance and disinclination (towards knowledge), as has come in the hadith,
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“On the day of resurrection, Allah, The Most High will say, ‘O Adam!’ and Adam will reply, ‘’I respond to your call and I am obedient to Your Orders,’ Then there will be a loud call (saying), Allah orders you to take out from amongst your offspring the group for the Hellfire.’ Adam will say, ‘Who are the group for the Hellfire?’ Allah will say, ‘Out of every thousand, take out nine hundred and ninety nine.’ (2)
Shaykh Zayd (Allah have mercy upon him) continues, “and one is in paradise, and that is a proof that the people of good are few in all times, however the people of good are more in this nation, as the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said,
“The people of jannah on the day of resurrection are 120 rows and you (ummah of Muhammad) are 80 rows of them.” (3)
These are tremendous glad tidings, those who are guided are increased in this nation in guidance and enthusiasm (for good deeds), because they utilise the means (to attain reward) and compete in the performance of righteous actions; because Allah commanded with this,
وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqun (4)
So, rush, rush to gaining understanding of the religion, and encourage whoever you find at any time and any place to gain understanding of the religion, so they can gain the Pleasure of the Lord of all that exists, and so they are saved from a disgracing torment.
(1) Slightly Abridged from Sharh Kitab al-Ilm pgs 38-39 by Shaykh Zayd ibn Haadi al Madkhali
(2) Sahih al-Bukhari 4372 translation of Muhsin Khan
(3) Imam Ahmad 4100, Authenticate by Shaykh Al Albaani Al-Mishkaat 5640
(4) Surah Aali Imran: 133 – translation by Muhsin Khan and Taqi ud deen Al-Hilaali
The Questioner asks:
“How do we combine between the spread of knowledge and the spread of Islam everywhere and the saying of the prophet, peace be upon him, that every time will be worse than the one preceding it.”
The Answer in the video by Shaykh Fawzaan
“Knowledge will spread in all ages and reach the East and the West. Today, you see that knowledge used to spread through Jihad in the path of Allah and the call to Allah. Now, we have the media, so the Qur’an is recited with loud and clear. It is recited in the loudest voice in the East and West. The Athaan (call to prayer) is heard in the East and West. This is from the mercy of Allah and from the establishment of proof against the servants so they can not say, Islam did not reach us or nothing reached us.”
I pray, however I (still) perform some evil actions; so, what is your advice for me? And why does my prayer not prevent me from forbidden actions?
Shaykh Uthaymeen Replies:
My advice for you is that you repent to Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) and that you sincerely draw close to Allah. (Likewise) that you recall the greatness of the one you have disobeyed and recall His punishment (The Mighty and Majestic), for whoever opposes his command.
You should also read the statement of Allah,
نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ (٤٩) وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ٱلۡأَلِيمُ (٥٠)
Declare (O Muhammad SAW) unto My slaves, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful. (49) And that My Torment is indeed the most painful torment. (50)
So, seek Allah’s forgiveness and mercy and fear his punishment. As for your situation, i.e. that you pray and you prayer does not prevent you from evil actions, then perhaps your prayer has deficiencies, because the prayer which prevents from fahshaa (i.e. great sins) and munkar (everything Islam rejects & has prohibited) is the complete prayer, (meaning) the prayer which is (performed) in accordance to that which the Messenger of Allah came with; with presence of heart, performing the actions (of the prayer) as they were reported in the sunnah. It is not every prayer which prevents from fahshaa (i.e. great sins) and munkar (every thing Islam censures & has forbidden ), rather it is the established prayer (in the sunnah) which the people perform in the manner which is befitting.
Allah The Most High said:
﴿اتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلاةَ تَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ﴾ [العنكبوت:45]
Recite (O Muhammad (sallallaahu alaihi wa salam) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Qur’ân), and perform As-Salât (Iqamât¬as¬Salât). Verily, As-Salât (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahshâ’ (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed).
Meaning, the prayer which is performed in the correct manner (according to the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah), prevents these evils.
(1) The questioner is alluding to this aayah in the Quran: Al-Ankaboot: 45
Shaykh Salih al-Fawzaan reminds us that taking knowledge solely from books, and without scholarly guidance, can be a means to misguidance.
www.salaficentre.com
www.learnaboutislam.co.uk
On Monday 6 August 2018 / 24 Dhul Qi’dah 1439 we visited Shaykh Ubayd al-Jaabiree hafidhahullah, in his house.
The Shaykh welcomed the Taqwa Hajj 2018 brothers warmly, he was kind and extremely hospitable, constantly asking his son if we had had enough Qahwa [traditional Arabic coffee]. The Shaykh had a very warm personality and beautiful sense of humour.
The Shaykh was in good spirits and appeared to be in good health. He enquired about all brothers’ names and ethnic origins and also enquired about Abu Khadeejah and Abu Hakeem حفظهما الله
Throughout the sitting the Shaykh emphasised the importance of speaking correct Fusha [classical] Arabic and spoke very eloquently himself.
Abu idrees حفظه الله informed the Shaykh that he started trips to Masjid al-Aqsa and has been there a few times. The Shaykh was pleased with this. He enquired about the safety of those who travel with Abu Idrees. The Shaykh then mentioned some benefits about Masjid Aqsa and its history.
The Shaykh gave a brief talk, translated in person by Ustaadh Abu Idrees حفظه الله. Here are some brief points:
After praising Allah and sending salutations to His Messenger he said:
I ask Allah that He accepts your Hajj and returns you safely to your families after you have completed your Hajj.
You are about to depart towards Makkah and should say:
لبيك اللهم بعمرة متمتعة الى حج
و ان حبسني حابس فمحلي حيث حبستني
And when you reach Makkah you should perform Tawaaf and sa’ee and then shave your head. [The Shaykh being over eighty, jokingly removed his Shimaagh from his head exposing his bald head, saying “like this”] then come out of Ihraam.
On the 8th day you should resume your Ihraam again and say
لبيك اللهم بحج
وان حبسني حابس فمحلي حيث حبستني
The brothers then asked a series of questions which the Shaykh answered.
Q1. I would like to apply to the Islamic university of Madinah, but my family requires my financial assistance. Should I go or stay at home?
Shaykh: If you go, will they struggle financially?
Questioner: Yes
Shaykh: Is there a [Salafee] centre in your locality?
Questioner: Yes
Shaykh: Then study there inshaaAllah, may Allah replace it for you with better.
Q2. When the pilgrim arrives in Makkah, fatigued or exhausted, should the pilgrim in this state, perform umrah immediately or should he rest first in these circumstances?
Shaykh: You should rest first and gain some strength
Q3. Eating camel meat breaks the wudhoo. Does this also apply to camel milk?
Shaykh: No, this does not apply to camel milk.
Q4. If a women is on her period and she was unable to make the Tawaaful Ifaadhah for Hajj but the time to return to her country is upon her [flight] what should she do?
Shaykh: She should wrap something around the area and complete her Hajj, and there’s no problem in that.
Q5. Is it permissible to take contraceptive pills to prevent periods during Hajj?
Shaykh: I do not advise she does this as this has been proven to be harmful to her and she should not do this.
The Shaykh then warmly greeted each brother individually and then advised one brother to change his name to either Abdullah, Abdirahim or Abdurahman. The brother later chose Abdullah.
Abu Idrees then informed the Shaykh that the group has arranged to see Shaykh Abdullah al-Bukhari immediately after. The Shaykh said: “relay my regards and salaams to him”. He then praised the Shaykh for his knowledge.
Imam Hassan al-Basri said: “The world is darkness except for the sittings with the scholars” Jaami’ bayanul ilm wa fadhlihi
Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baaz, on Noor ala dharb said: “Visiting the people of knowledge and Imaan from Ahlu Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah and visiting brothers for the sake of Allah is a [means of] closeness to Allah and [an act of] obedience”
The Salaf would perform Hajj to gain its tremendous rewards and then take the opportunity to visit and benefited from the people of knowledge. Alhamdulilah, we were blessed and privileged to follow in their footsteps to continue this tradition. May Allah have mercy upon our Salaf, preserve our Mashaayikh and accept it from us.
