Critical and Constant Examination of Oneself In All Affairs!
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Imaam Fudayl Ibn Iyaad (rahimahullaah) said: ”O miserable one! You are disobedient yet you see yourself as a good-doer; you are ignorant yet you see yourself as a scholar; you are miserly yet you see yourself as a generous person; you are an idiot yet you see yourself as a sensible person, and your lifespan is short yet your hopes are prolonged”.
Imaam Dhahabi (rahimahullaah) said: ”I swear by Allaah, (Fudayl) spoke the truth! You (O miserable one) are an oppressor yet you see yourself as one who is oppressed; you eat haraam yet you see yourself as one who fears (Allaah); you are a rebellious evil person yet you see yourself as someone who is just; you seek knowledge for the sake of the worldly things yet you see yourself as one who seeks it for the sake of Allaah”. [End of Quote] [Source: Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa: 8/440]
Repentance
Allaah (The Most High) said:
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Say: “O ‘Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [39:53]
وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ
“And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islamic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him, (in Islam), before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped. [39:54]
وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ
“And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord (i.e. this Qur’an, do what it orders you to do and keep away from what it forbids), before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not. [39:55]
أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَا حَسْرَتَا عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطتُ فِي جَنبِ اللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ السَّاخِرِينَ
Lest a person should say: “Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to Allah (i.e. I have not done what Allah has ordered me to do), and I was indeed among those who mocked [at the truth! i.e. La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), the Qur’an, and Muhammad and at the faithful believers, etc.] [39:56]
أَوْ تَقُولَ لَوْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ هَدَانِي لَكُنتُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
Or (lest) he should say: “If only Allah had guided me, I should indeed have been among the Muttaqun (pious and righteous persons) [39:57]
أَوْ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى الْعَذَابَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِي كَرَّةً فَأَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
Or (lest) he should say when he sees the torment: “If only I had another chance (to return to the world) then I should indeed be among the Muhsinun (good-doers) [39:58]
The Excellence of The Ten Companions Given Glad Tidings of Paradise
Shaykh Rabee – May Allaah preserve him – said:
The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ singled out the ten to be the most virtuous of the companions (May Allaah be pleased with them): “Abu Bakr is in Jannah, and Umar is in Jannah, and ‘Uthman is in Jannah, and Ali is in Jannah, and Talhah is in Jannah, and Az-Zubayr is n Jannah, and Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf is in Jannah, and Sa’d Ibn Abee Waqqaas is in Jannah, and Sa’eed Ibn Zayd ibn ‘Umayr ibn Nufayl is in Jannah and Abu Ubaidah ibn Al-Jarrah is in Jannah.(Ref: 1)
Then these ten are those famous in the Ummah due to it being known that they have been granted entrance into paradise. The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ bore witness to that for them and this virtue is one that is specific to the Ten (May Allaah be pleased with them).
[SOURCE: AN EXCERPT FROM AL-WASAAYAA AL-MANHAJIYYAH LI MUTTABI’I AHLUS-SUNNAH AN-NABAWIYYAH PG.223. slightly paraphrased]
Ref 1: Reported by Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) his Musnad (1/194) and At-Tirmidhee in Al-Manaaqib Al-Hadeeth (no.3747).
Among The Softerners of The Hearts
Narrated Abu Hurairah: Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said, ‘’O Allaah! Give the Qootan (provision that is sufficient to live with contentment) to the family of Muhammad.”[1]
Imaam Abdl-Azeez Bin Baaz (rahimahullaah) said:”(Qootan) meaning: Sufficiency and not an increase because it (draws one) closer to الخشوع [i.e. humility and submissiveness to the Greatness of Allaah–the person submits to everything Allaah has pre-decreed and commanded)]. And (as for) wealth, whenever it is plentiful, desires become plentiful and Allaah’s Aid is sought! [2]
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[1] Saheeh Al-Bukhaari, Vol 8. Hadeeth number:6460. Book of Riqaaq. Page:256
[2]Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taliqaat al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaari, Vol 4. Page: 238. Footnote: 1. abridged
Two statements from the Salaf regarding At-Tawakkul – Al-Hasan and Wahb Bin Munabbih
Al – Hasan Al – Basree rahimahullaah: Indeed the reliance of the servant upon his Lord, is that he knows his Lord is his Protector , The Only One upon whose reliance he can solely depend upon. [1]
Wahb b. Munabbih rahimahullaah : The highest goal (for the servant to attain) is At – Tawakkul. [2]
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[1]. Jaami’ Ul Uloom Wal Hikam of Ibn Rajab Al Hanbali p.1266
[2] Jaami’ Ul Uloom Wal Hikam of Ibn Rajab Al Hanbalee p.1266 12 Agreed Upon.
Translated by: Abu Ad-Dardaa
[9] A Scholar of Makkah [Abdul Azeez Bin Yahyah (240AH)] -How He Prepared Himself before Facing Bishr Al-Mareesiy In Al-Ma’moon’s Presence
Abdul Azeez Bin Yahyah Bin Abdil Azeez Bin Muslim Bin Maymoon Al-Kinaaniy Al-Makkiy Al-Faqee (The jurist and scholar of sound understanding) Ash-Shaafi’ee [240AH] was from the scholars of Makkah; he wrote a treatise (titled) Al-Haydah.
He (rahimahullaah) stated in the beginning of the treatise:
It reached me whilst I was at Makkah (regarding) what Bishr Bin Ghiyaath Al-Mareesiy proclaimed at Baghdad that the Qur’aan is created and other than it- (propagating it by way) of propaganda to the people to agree with him and his school of thought; confused the leader of the believers Al-Ma’moon and his Awliyaa [governors, administrators, helpers in his administration etc] and the trial the people were subjected to; entering them into disbelief and misguidance; terrorising the people (i.e. the scholars) and made them afraid of arguing against him (i.e. Bishr); arguing against them (in order to stop them) from refuting him by way of that which will annihilate his speech (that the Qur’aan is created), invalidating his proofs and nullifying his school of thought; and that the believers were hiding themselves in their houses, refraining from the prayer in congregation and the Jumu’ah prayer; fleeing from one land to another out of fear for themselves and their religion; and that many of the ignorant ones and the rabble amongst the people were agreeing with his (i.e. Bishr’s) disbelief and misguidance; entering into bidah and adopting his school of thought out of a desire for the Dunyah and fear of the punishment that was afflicted on those who opposed his school of thought.
Then Abdul Azeez (rahimahullaah) said: My anxiety disturbed (my state of sleep) and my nights were that of sleeplessness; my thoughts abided (i.e. I never stopped thinking about the affair) and my distress and grief was prolonged; so I left my land (i.e. Makkah) whilst turning to Allaah (for aid and assistance); asking Him for safety and (for what I was seeking to) attain until I reach Baghdad. Then I witnessed the ruthlessness regarding the affair (i.e. the fitna at Baghdad), which was twice as much as what reached me (about it whilst I was at Makkah). So I sought refuge with Allaah, invoked Him, humbled myself to Him – out of a fervent desire to reach what is beloved and fleeing away from the cause of fear; humbling myself to Him (with the tears and trembling etc whilst beseeching Him for aid and assistance); stretching my hands to Him (in supplication), asking Him for guidance and to be directed towards good deeds; to be facilitated with the ability to carry out what I was seeking to achieve; to grant me support, look after me and neither to forsake me nor entrust me to myself. And that He facilitates my heart with understanding of His Book and (enable) my tongue to convey it; and that I purify my intention for sake of Allaah and entrust myself to Him; and that He (The Blessed and Most High) makes my responses (to Bishr) swift, strengthen my resolve, embolden my heart, facilitate my heart with understanding of His Book, make my tongue eloquent (upon truth) and gladden my heart (with guidance and acceptance) by way of it, so that I am given discernment in guidance through facilitating me with the ability to carry out (righteous deeds and in attaining what I want to achieve); and that I seek His assistance and help….up until the end of his speech… and how he attended in the presence of Al-Ma’moon, and how his debate took place during which he hindered Bishr from responding (with clear proofs) in everything he was obligated to (give a clear proof, which he could not do); so he (Abdul Azeez) titled the Risaalah (i.e. the one based on the debate with Bishr) ‘Al-Haydah.’
To be continued InShaaAllaah
[Source: Makkah Fee Hayaatil Ilm Wal Ulamaa’ page 29-30’ by Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him). Abridged and slightly paraphrased]
Next Topic: How The Madhab of The Deviant Ashaa’irah and Philosophical Rhetoric Entered Makkah. You can read more about this deviant sect here: http://www.asharis.com/creed/index.cfm
[8] The Thiqaat (reliable narrators and scholars) of Makkah- Ataa Bin Abee Rabaah & Others
The Thiqaat of Makkah
Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) stated that [Imaam] Adh-Dhahabi (rahimahullaah) stated in Meezaan Al-I’tidaal that this biography is found in the book [Su’aalaat Abee Daawud] by [Imaam] Ahmad Bin Hanbal regarding criticism and appraisal of the narrators. He mentioned a group amongst the Makkans, their state of affairs in relation to transmission of reports, criticism and appraisal of the narrators till the third generation.
The People of Makkah Are More Knowlegeable Regarding The Manaasik (Rites of Hajj and Umrah):
The people of Makkah are more knowledgeable regarding the Manaasik (rites of Hajj and Umrah) than the people of Koofah. Al-A’mash said, “Habeeb bin Abee Thaabit said to me, ‘The people of the Hijaaz and Makkah are more knowledgeable regarding the rites of Hajj and Umrah!’ So I said, “You are from them and I am from your companions; you do not bring a letter except that you narrate a hadeeth about it”.
Ataa Bin Abee Rabaah
A Scholar of Makkah (especially) in subject matter of Hajj and Umrah
Rabee’ah said: Ataa excelled the people of Makkah in issuing verdicts (i.e. in the subject matter of hajj and umrah rites).
It was narrated from Sufyaan Bin Uyaynah, from Abdi Rabbihi Bin Sa’eed who said that Muhammad Bin Ali said: None amongst the people who remained were more knowledgeable than (Ataa) in the subject matter of Hajj.
Abu Zur’ah was asked about Ataa bin Rabaah, so he said: A Makkan and Thiqatun (reliable or trustworthy).
To be continued InShaaAllaah
Next Topic: A scholar of Makkah debated with Bishr Al’ Mareesiy in the presence of Al-Majmoo during the Fitna of (the Mutazilah who said that the) Qur’aan is created
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[Source: Makkah Fee Hayaatil Ilm Wal Ulamaa ‘ by Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool ( may Allaah preserve him ) page 28-29]
[7] Those Taabi’oon and At’baa At-Taabi’een Who Were Buried At Makkah – Ibraaheem Bin Tahhaan & Others
Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) stated that Al-Fairooz Aabaadiy [rahimahallaah (816AH)] mentioned many of those buried at the Al-Hujoon Cemetery whose number is too many to be counted- included amongst them were Taabi’een, Atbaa At-Taabi’een, the learned scholars, the pious personalities and the pious leaders, such as:
Ibraaheem Bin Tahhaan Al-Harwiy
Ismaaeel Bin Umayyah Al-Umawiy
Han’dhalah Bin Abee Sufyaan Al-Jumhiy
Saeed bin Mansoor
Saeed Bin Hassaan Al-Makh’zoomiy
Salamah Bin Shubaib An-Naysabooriy
Sufyaan Bin Uyaynah Al-Hilaaliy
Sadaqah Bin Yasaar Al-Jazariy
Taawus Bin Kaysaan al-khaw’laaniy
Abdullaah Bin Maslamah Al-Haarithiy
Abdullaah Bin Ubaid Bin Umayr Al-Laythiy
Abdullaah Bin Al-Musayyib Al-Aa’dhiy
Uthmaan Bin Abdillaah Bin Suraaqah Al-qurashiy
Ali Bin Zayd Bin Jad’aaan
Amr Bin Deenaar
Fudayl Bin Iyaad
Ahmad Bin Ja’far Al-Ma’qariy
Sulaymaan Bin Harb
Al-Hasan Bin Muhammad As-Saghaaniy
And many other people who cannot be enumerated ……
To be continued…InShaaAllaah
Next Topic: The Thiqaat (reliable narrators) of Makkah
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[Source: Makkah Fee Hayaatil Ilm Wal Ulamaa. . pages 26-27]
[6] Taabi’oon and Those After Them, Who Resided In Makkah- Ubaid Bin Umayr & Others
Ibnul Jawziy (rahimahullaah ) said: Indeed, some of the Taabi’oon and those after them took quarters at Makkah, (such as):
Ubaid Bin Umayr
Mujaahid
Ataa
Yusuf Bin Maahik
Muqassim
Al-Hasan Bin Muslim
Amr Bin Deenaar
Abdul Azeez Bin Abee Ruwaad
Sufyaan Bin Uyaynah
Al-Fudayl Bin Iyaad
Al-Humaydiy
To be continued InShaaAllaah
Next Topic: Those Taabi’oon and their followers who were buried in Makkah
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[Source: Makkah Fee Hayaatil Ilm Wal Ulamaa…Pages 25-26′ by Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool]
[5] Those Sahaabah Who Were Neighbors of The Makkans – Jaabir & Others
Ataa said: Our neighbors (i.e. those people who lived close to the Makkans were):
Jaabir Bin Abdillaah
Ibn Umar
Ibn Abbaas
Abu Huraira
Abu Sa’eed Al-khudriy
To be continued…InShaaAllaah
Next topic: Those Taabi’een who took up quarters at Makkah and those who came after them
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[Source: Makkah Fee Hayaatil Ilm Wal Ulama page 25]