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

Our brother Abu Aa’isha Amjad Khan [may Allaah preserve him] transmitted to us yesterday that Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him] said, “Salafi daʿwah is on the rise everywhere, and is more and more sought after by the people because you are welcoming them, and making things easy and not hard, and giving them glad-tidings and not causing them to flee– that’s the Sunnah of Abul-Qāsim (salallāhu ʿalayhi wasallam)”. [End of quote]

Indeed, this reminds us of a statement of some of the scholars, such as Shaikh Abdus Salaam Burgess [may Allaah have mercy upon him] when he stated: “It is obligated on the teacher to advise the learner – in everyway he can – with regards to learning, exercises patience when the learner does not comprehend, lacks the (most desired) behaviour (in the path of seeking knowledge) and is rough in his behaviour, alongside his (ie. the teacher) great eagerness and his observation of everything that will improve, refine and make the behaviour of the learner more agreeable, because indeed the learner has a right that should be fulfilled by the teacher in view of the fact that he has embarked upon the path to preoccup himself with knowledge that will benefit him and the people, specifically chosen the teacher and not others….. etc”

The Shaikh also said, “Therefore, the teacher is rewarded for his teaching whether the learner comprehends or not. If te learner comprehends what he has learnt, benefits himself and others, the teacher’s reward continues as long as that benefit carries on without disruption. This is a distribution and exchange the likes of which the competitors must compete one another. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the teacher to hasten – earnestly- to be well established in this and improve on it, because it from his deeds and outcomes of his deeds. Allaah said: [إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ وَنَڪۡتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُواْ وَءَاثَـٰرَهُمۡۚ -Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them), and their traces]”. [36:12] [End of quote] (1) [See footnote a]

Footnote a: Allaah [The Exalted] said: [إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ وَنَڪۡتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُواْ وَءَاثَـٰرَهُمۡۚ وَكُلَّ شَىۡءٍ أَحۡصَيۡنَـٰهُ فِىٓ إِمَامٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ – Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them), and their traces, and that which they leave behind], and all things We have recorded with numbers (as a record) in a Clear Book].

[إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ – Verily, We give life to the dead]- Meaning, We’ll resurrect them after their death to recompense them for their deeds (2). [وَنَڪۡتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُواْ – and We record that which they send before (them)] – Meaning, good and evil, the deeds they did during their lifetime (3).

[وَءَاثَـٰرَهُمۡۚ – and their traces]. Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: That which they initiated of good or evil and thus they were followed by others after their death. (4)

Imaam Al-Aloosee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: That which they left behind of good deeds, such as the knowledge they taught people, books they wrote, land they gave as endowment or a building they built in the path of Allaah and other good deeds; or sins, such as establishment of laws [legislation, rules, regulations etc] that are tantamount to oppression and transgression, or setting up principles amongst the people that are tantamount to evil and corruption, and the evil Funoon [i.e. haraam professions, crafts etc] which they initiated and were revived after them by the corrupt people. (5)

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: It is the good and evil outcomes about which they were the cause of its occurrence during their life time and after their death, and those deeds that emanated from their statements, deeds and circumstances. Every good performed by one of the people due to the knowledge of the servant, his teaching and advice, or through enjoying good and forbidding evil, or knowledge he transmitted to the learners, or in a book which is benefitted from during his life and after his death, or a good deed, such as Salaah, Zakaat, Sadaqah or kindness based on which he was followed, or built a masjid or a place which the people benefit from and what is similar, it will be from the good outcomes that are written for him, and likewise are the evil outcomes. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Whoever starts a good thing [i.e. something other than bidah and sin] and is followed by others, he will have his own reward and a reward equal to that of those who follow him, without it detracting from their reward in any way. Whoever starts a bad thing [i.e. a bidah, sin or something that opposes Islaam] and is followed by others, will bear the burden of his own sin and a burden equal to that of those who follow him, without it detracting from their burden in any way”. [Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2675]

This subject matter makes clear to you the lofty station of calling to the path of Allaah, guidance to His path through every means and path that leads to it; and the lowly status of the caller to evil and a leader in it, and that he is the most degraded human being, one who has committed the severest crime and the greatest sin. (6) [End of quote]

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhaab [may allaah have mercy upon him] stated in Al-Usool Ath-Thalaatha: “I’lam, Rahimakallaah – Know, may Allah have mercy upon you”. Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] stated: “Rahimakallaah” – this is a supplication made for the student of knowledge. The Shaikh [Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhaab] supplicates for the Mercy of Allaah upon the students of knowledge, that Allaah has mercy upon them. So in this there is gentleness from the teacher towards the student. Indeed he [the teacher] begins with a good word and a righteous supplication [for the student] so that it has an effect and thereby making the student incline towards his teacher with acceptance. But if he began with a harsh statement or a statement not deemed proper, this would make him [i.e. the student] flee.

Therefore, it is obligated on the teacher and the one who calls to Allaah, and the one who enjoins good and forbids evil, that he is gentle with the one he addresses – by way of supplication for him, commendation and soft speech. For indeed, this calls for acceptance [i.e. one’s call to the truth to be accepted by the ones he is calling]. However, as for the Mu’aanid, [the stubborn wilful opposer], indeed this one is to be addressed differently. Allaah [Glorified be He] said: [وَلَا تُجَـٰدِلُوٓاْ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحۡسَنُ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ‌ۖ – And argue not with the people of the Scripture unless it be in a way that is better, except with such of them as do wrong]. [29:46]

Those who do wrong among the people of the scripture- wilfully opposing and are haughty- these ones are not addressed with that which is better; rather they are addressed with that which will prevent from their [harm and misguidance]. Allaah said: [يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ جَـٰهِدِ ٱلۡڪُفَّارَ وَٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقِينَ وَٱغۡلُظۡ عَلَيۡہِمۡ‌ۚ وَمَأۡوَٮٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُ‌ۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ – O Prophet (Muhammad)! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell,-and worst indeed is that destination]. [9:73]

Striving against the hypocrites is not carried out with weapons, rather it is carried out with proofs, statements, refutation against them with harshness that will prevent [them from propagating their misguidance and harm] and to keep the people away from them. Allah said about them [i.e. the hypocrites]: [وَقُل لَّهُمۡ فِىٓ أَنفُسِہِمۡ قَوۡلاَۢ بَلِيغً۬ا – But admonish them, and speak to them an effective word to reach their innerselves] [4:63]

Therefore, there is a specific type of speech that is prescribed for these people because they are wilful opposers and people afflicted with pride. They do not want the truth, rather they want to misguide the people. So they are addressed in a way they deserve. As for the seeker of guidance, this one is addressed with gentleness and mercy. That is because he wants the truth, knowledge and Faa’idah [i.e. that which will benefit him]. (7) [End of quote]

Therefore, O Maraakiz of Salafiyyah in the West! Be welcoming, facilitate ease and be gentle to the learners. Do not make anyone flee from the lessons due to harsh speech, rather encourage people with gentle speech and let everyone acquire what he is able to acquire. Do Not Dare Say to Anyone In Any UK Markaz or Masjid, “You Are a Waste of Time In Your Pursuit of Knowledge”: https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2022/10/24/do-not-dare-say-to-anyone-in-any-uk-markaz-or-masjid-you-are-a-waste-of-time-in-your-pursuit-of-knowledge/

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Awaa’iq At-Talab. pages 58-59. paraphrased]

[Refs. 2 & 3: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st edition 1424AH (2003). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 4. An Excerpt from Badaa’i at-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim 2/358. Daar Ibn Al-Jawziy 1431AH. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 5: An Excerpt from Roohul Ma’aanee 12/325. Daar Al-Fikr. 1417AH (1997). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 6: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Edition 1424AH (2003). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 7: An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Usool Ath-Thalaatha. page13-15. Slightly paraphrased]

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

We had a WhatsApp conversation with one of our beloved young brothers – who is studying abroad at the moment – regarding some Dawah affair. During the conversation we mention the problem of blameworthy competition, so he stated: “This is the poison! I have moved to such and such level in my studies and now I understand where the poison starts. May Allaah protect me. Ego, some people are involved in seeking to gain ascendency and respect, and they want to be the reference point. It’s an easy trap to fall into which we are shielded from by our elders (i.e. the elder Students) in the UK”.

Pay attention to the statement of our beloved younger brother: some people are involved in seeking to gain ascendency and respect, and they want to be the reference point. It’s an easy trap to fall into here which we are shielded from by our elders (i.e. the elder Students) in the UK.

Indeed, the above reminder reminds us of the observations of the scholars of the pious predecessors and our present day scholars. Imaam Al-Fudayl Bin Iyaad [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “There’s none who loves leadership, except that he will envy, transgress, seek after people’s fault (i.e. falsely) and hates that anyone else is mentioned with good”. Reported by Ibn Abdil Barr in Al-Jaami. Number 971

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali [may Allaah preserve him] stated: “Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood [may allaah be pleased with him] said that the noble Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, ‘There is no envy except in two cases: a man whom Allah has given Al-Hikmah [i.e. knowledge of the Qur’aan and Sunnah] and he acts according to it; and a man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously. [Al-Bukhaari. Number 73] These people have Ghibtah [i.e. they desire the blessings bestowed on others but do not have a blameworthy envy]. Envy in this hadeeth means Ghibtah, but (as for blameworthy) envy, it is to wish that the blessings bestowed upon a person, such as wealth, knowledge and other that, should cease to exist – regardless whether you want to have the same or merely wishing that the blessings be taken away from him. This is a disease of the Yahood [i.e. those Yahood who knew the truth brought by the Prophet], but they rejected it out of envy] and we ask Allaah to alleviate (this disease) from the Muslims, for indeed it is destructive disease – and Allaah’s refuge is sought.

So, the envy intended in this hadeeth [i.e. the hadeeth of Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood] is Al-Ghibtah, which is to wish for the same blessings given to another person (without wishing that he be deprived of it). For example, Allaah gives a person knowledge and the (ability) to perform good deeds, so you wish that Allaah should also give you knowledge and the (ability) to perform good deeds just as it has been bestowed upon that person. This is Ghibtah and it is praiseworthy. It is a (praiseworthy) striving to excel one another in good deeds. Allaah said: [وَفِى ذَٲلِكَ فَلۡيَتَنَافَسِ ٱلۡمُتَنَـٰفِسُونَ – And for this (i.e. paradise) let (all) those strive who want to strive (i.e. hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allah)].

Therefore, it is incumbent upon the students of knowledge to strive in acquiring knowledge and hasten towards all that is good, but without blameworthy envy; rather they should do this based on Ghibtah and hastening earnestly to the obedience of Allaah. As for striving and hastening towards the Dunyah (against one another), it is blameworthy. ‘Do not envy one another and do not hate one another (i.e. blameworthy envy and hatred), do not outbid one another (i.e. do not offer a higher price for a commodity when someone else wants it even though you do not intend to buy it (see footnote a) and do not compete one another in a blameworthy manner’. [Muslim 2563]. All these traits are blameworthy – both in the worldly and religious affairs.

Therefore, in the hadeeth [i.e. hadeeth reported by Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood], Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] urged the Ummah to [hasten and seek to excel one another] in good deeds, such as in [acquiring] knowledge, [performance of the] Salaah etc. The Prophet said, ‘The best rows are the first rows’ [Muslim 440]. ‘If the people knew (the reward for) pronouncing the Adhaan and for standing in the first row [in the congregational prayer] and found no other way to get it except by drawing lots, they would do so’. [Al-Bukhaari 654] Hastening to get to the first row is a praiseworthy deed. Likewise, (it is praiseworthy to) hasten towards seeking knowledge, seeking to become proficient in it, excel and become talented in it. I ask Allaah to facilitate (ease and the means) for the Mutanaafiseen (i.e. those striving and hastening towards all good), so that there arises from this Ummah the likes of the senior Imaams, such as Al Awzaa’ee, Ath-Thawri, Maalik, Ash-Shaafiee, Ahmad, Ibn Taymiyyah, Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhaab and those like them amongst the Imaams of guidance – those by way of whom Allaah raised the guiding light of Islaam and guided the nations, and whose knowledge enlightened the whole world'”. (1)

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated about praiseworthy competition for good deeds and to excel each other: Every competitor competes the other and is happy when joined in it, just as the companions of Allaah’s Messenger [perace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] used to compete in good and they were pleased when others joined them; rather they used to encourage one another whilst competing. This is [an act of] seeking to be foremost in (good deeds). Allaah [The Most High] said: [ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ-So hasten towards all that is good].

Allaah [The Most High] said: [سَابِقُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ – Race one with another in hastening towards Forgiveness from your Lord (Allah), and towards Paradise, the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth]. [57:21]

Umar Ibnul Khattaab used to hasten towards (good deeds to compete) Abu-Bakr [may Allaah be pleased with them], but he never won. (2)

Umar said: One day Allaah’s Messenger commanded us to give sadaqah. At that time I had some property, so I said: Today I shall surpass Abu-Bakr if I am to surpass him any day. So I brought half of my property. Allaah’s Messenger said: What did you leave for your family? I replied: The same amount. Then Abu-Bakr brought all that he had with him. So Allaah’s Messenger said to him: What did you leave for your family? He replied: I left Allah and His Messenger for them. I [Umar] said: I shall never (excel you) in anything. (3)
Mercy Between Seekers of Knowledge

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh [may Allaah preserve him] gave some advice regarding the relationship expected between students of knowledge whilst in pursuit of knowledge: There may be different people in attendance -some of them attend for knowledge, some of them attend as beginners, among them are those who attend to be in a sitting where Allaah is remembered and they listen (especially if it is after dawn or during time periods when supplications are answered), and among them are those who attend for a benefit, and are content with whatever they obtain. And that which is befitting in reality is that the students of knowledge should treat each other well, so the student teaches his brother – who is a beginner – the way to learn and gives him advice. This is why we should show mercy to one another in the lessons, and in all affairs of knowledge, and perhaps the reason scholars begin their texts with the advice to the seeker of knowledge to be merciful. This is why you find in Hadeeth Ijaazaat that the first hadith transmitted is “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you”. [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee 1924]

Question: Why do they learn the hadith, “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful?” Answer: Know, may Allaah have mercy upon you, that it is one of the qualities of a seeker of knowledge – whom Allaah blesses and shows mercy – that he is merciful towards those around him, guides, teaches and aids them etc. If whilst in pursuit of knowledge you are merciful to the people – to colleagues and friends, and being present in cooperation and goodness, then receive glad tidings of Allaah’s Mercy and His true promise based on the statement of His Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful”. (4)

We ask Allaah to protect us and our young brothers from misguidance, self-amazement, envy and all blameworthy traits. May Allaah protect us and young brothers from every danger encountered in our path towards the Afterlife. Aameen.

Footnote a: For further detail see Al-Minhatur Rabbaaniyyah Fee Sharhil Arba’een An-Nawawiyyah’ page 260

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 51-52. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Ar-Rooh 431-432]

[Ref 3: Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawud. Number: 1678. kitaab Az-Zakaah]

[Ref 4: https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2022/10/23/advice-number-5-one-of-the-ways-to-benefit-from-lessons-and-advice-number-6-mercy-between-learners-by-al-allaamah-saaleh-aala-ash-shaikh/ ]