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The People of The Hereafter Are Three – [By Bishr Ibn Al-Haarith (rahimahulaah)]

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said that Bishr Ibul  Haarith [rahimahullaah] said: The people of the hereafter are three: The Aabid, the Zaahid and the Siddeeq. The Aabid worships Allaah [i.e. with love, fear and hope] whilst being attached to searching for [permissible] provision. The Zaahid worships Allaah [i.e. with love, fear and hope] whilst not being attached to worldly things which one can do without. The Siddeeq worships Allaah [i.e. with love, fear and hope] together with pleasure and compliance [i.e. strict compliance with Allaah’s  commands and prohibitions]; he takes from the [permissible] worldly things when he sees it fit to [do so] and abandons them when he sees it fit [to do so]. [Al-Fawaa-id: page: 175. Abridged & Slightly paraphrased.]


Who is an Aabid?  [A devout worshipper]

Who is a Zaahid? [He is one who abandons those permissible things he is not in need of, which also are not of any benefit to him in the afterlife. (See Madaarij As-Saalikeen). Sufyaan Ath-thawree said that the Zaahid is not the one who eats stringy food or wears woollen clothes, rather he is one who neither rejoices in some worldly gain nor becomes sad when he fails to get something.]

Who is a Siddeeq: [Shaikh Saaleh al Fawzaan says: The Siddeeq is the one who is (known) for much truthfulness and is extremely truthful. [Al-Haa-iyyah: page:117]

And In Whatsoever You Differ, The Decision Thereof Is With Allaah

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

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَحُكْمُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ

”And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allah (He is the ruling Judge).” [1]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimaahullaah) said:

This is a clear text regarding the fact that the judgement for all our differing is to be referred back to Allaah alone. He is the Judge in this (affair) through the speech of His Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam). If you were to give precedence to the intellect over Allaah’s Judgement, then you are not (considered as) one who judges by Allaah’s Revelation and His Book.[2]


[1] Qur’aan. 42:10

[2] As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah 3/828. See here; Ruling by other than the Sharee’ah: http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ05&articleID=MNJ050003&articlePages=1

Naseehah – [A Brief Faa’idah]

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

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said:

The meaning of ‘Naseehah’ is Al-Khuloos [purity]. It is said that something is ‘Naasih’ meaning: It is free from deceit. And it is said: ‘Asalun Naasihun’ [Pure Honey]; Labanun Naasihun [Pure Milk]- meaning: Free from deceit and bad mixtures. This is how it is [with regards] to the religion of Islaam, for indeed it is free from every falsehood and deception, cheating and treachery. It is a pure and unadulterated religion. Likewise, the Muslim’s apparent [affairs] are the same as his hidden [affairs]- upon purity and safe from evil manners, treachery, betrayal and other than that. As for the one who cheats, deceives and plots, or his apparent [affairs] are in opposition to his hidden [affairs], this trait is not from the Religion. [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Minhatur-Rabbaaniyyah Fee Sharhi Ar-ba’een An-Nawawiyyah’- page 12]

 

An Affair That Should Make Us Shy In The Presence of Allaah When The Nafs Inclines Towards Sin

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ وَنَعۡلَمُ مَا تُوَسۡوِسُ بِهِۦ نَفۡسُهُ ۥ‌ۖ وَنَحۡنُ أَقۡرَبُ إِلَيۡهِ مِنۡ حَبۡلِ ٱلۡوَرِيدِ

إِذۡ يَتَلَقَّى ٱلۡمُتَلَقِّيَانِ عَنِ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَعَنِ ٱلشِّمَالِ قَعِيدٌ۬

مَّا يَلۡفِظُ مِن قَوۡلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيۡهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ۬

And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge). (Remember!) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being after he or she has attained the age of puberty), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions). Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it). [50:16-18]

Few Reminders from the above Aayaat:

Allaah [The Most High] informed us that He alone created human beings-males and females- and He knows all their state of affairs. He knows everything that is hidden about them and what their own souls whisper to them. Allaah [The Most High] is nearer to them than their jugular veins by His knowledge, even though the jugular vein is the closest thing to the human. Therefore, this should make the human being mindful of Allaah -the One Who knows all the hidden affairs in the soul and heart of the human being in all circumstances. This should also make the human being shy in the presence of Allaah -that he [or she] is not seen committing what Allaah has forbidden or abandoning what Allaah has commanded. [An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Slightly paraphrased]

The Greatest Criterion Amongst Mankind And Jinn

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

Sufyaan Ibn Uyaynah [rahimahullaah] used to say: Indeed, the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] 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.


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

The Noblest Subject Matter In The Qur’aan [By Imaam As- Sa’di (rahimahullaah)]

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

The knowledge of Sound Creed

This is the noblest of all affairs of knowledge without exception; the most virtuous and perfect. By way of it, hearts firmly cling to  sound creed, [noble] manners are purified and made to flourish, and deeds are perfected. The subject matter is based on the following:

To study that which is obligatory to affirm for Allaah regarding His perfect Attributes and Lofty Characteristics, and that which makes it impossible for Him to be described with deficient and blameworthy attributes, or likening Him to others.

Study that which establishes the fact that Allaah [alone] originated all creation and that He does whatever He wills-whatever He wishes will take place and whatever He does not wish cannot take place.

Likewise, study what is obligatory regarding belief in the Messengers- their qualities and the rights due to them, and that which is forbidden with regards to violation of such rights.

Belief in the Books revealed to the Messengers and in that which Allaah has stated about Himself, and that which His Messengers stated regarding the events of the past and the future.

Belief in the last day, recompense, reward and punishment, the paradise and hell fire, and that which has been stated [in the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah] related to these affairs.

These are the general affairs of this lofty affair of knowledge. Indeed the Qur’aan has explained these affairs with a profound explanation and clarified it in a manner that is not equal to [its explanation and clarification in] the other revealed books.


[An Excerpt from ‘Fat-hul Raheem Al-Malikil Allaam Fee Ilmil Aqaa-id Wat-Tawheed Wal-Akhlaaq Wal-Ahkaam’. Page: 7. slightly paraphrased]

All Affairs Are In The Control of Allaah – [An Admonition From The Battle of Uhud]

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

Allaah (The Most High) said:

لَيۡسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ شَىۡءٌ أَوۡ يَتُوبَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ أَوۡ يُعَذِّبَهُمۡ فَإِنَّهُمۡ ظَـٰلِمُونَ

”Not for you (O Muhammad), but for Allah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to (pardons) them or punishes them; verily, they are the Zalimun (polytheists, disobedients, and wrong-doers, etc.) [3:128]

Narrated Sahl (radiyallaahu-anhu) that he was asked about the wound of the Prophet on the day (of the battle) of Uhud. He said, “The face of the Prophet was wounded and one of his front teeth was broken and the helmet over his head was smashed. Fatima washed off the blood while all held water. When she saw that bleeding was increasing, she burnt a mat (of date-palm leaves) till it turned into ashes and she filled the wound with those ashes and thus the bleeding ceased”. [Saahih Bukhaari. Vol 4. Number: 2911]

It is reported in the Saheeh that one of the Prophet’s teeth was broken and his head was injured (during the battle of Uhud), so he began to wipe the blood away from it, saying: How can a people be successful who cut the face of their Prophet and break his teeth, whilst supplicating to Allaah. So Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) revealed the Ayah:

[لَيۡسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ شَىۡءٌ-Not for you (O Muhammad), but for Allah) is the decision] [Source: Zaad Al-Ma-aad 3/205-206]

The Heart Does Get Sick Just As The Body Gets Sick!

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

The heart does get sick just as the body gets sick and its cure is found in repentance and bring keen [to obey Allaah and the Messenger etc]. The heart does become rusty just as a mirror becomes rusty, and remembrance of Allaah polishes it. The heart does become unadorned just as the body, and fear of Allaah beautifies it. The heart does suffer from discomfort just as the body suffers from discomfort due to hunger, and its food and drink are knowledge and awareness of Allaah, love of Allaah, reliance upon Allaah, turning sincerely to Allaah in repentance and obedience with Tawheed, and carrying out acts of obedience to Allaah. [An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawaa’id 143’]

The Effect of Admonition On Our Hearts and Actions

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

Imaam Ibnul Jawzee (rahimahullaah) said:

Indeed the listener is awaken at the time of hearing admonitions, but when he leaves a gathering (in which) Allaah was remembered he returns to a (state) of impenitence and heedlessness. So, I pondered and came to know of its causes and saw that the people were in different (circumstances) in that regard. The general state of affairs is that the heart does not remain upon a distinct state of wakefulness after one hears an admonition, and this is due to two reasons:

Firstly: An admonition is like a whip and a whip does not cause harm after its use ceases.  Its pain is (felt) at the time it is used.

Secondly: Whilst listening to Admonitions, a person may be turned away from [worldly distractions]- his body and thoughts are isolated from the influences of the worldly life and he pays attention with his heart; however when he returns to the [worldly] preoccupations, he is captivated by its hassles.

There are those who are firm and do not go back and forth: They carry on in a state of [wakefulness and righteous action] without turning away.

There are those whose natural inclinations make them incline towards heedlessness at times, but at other times they are called back through admonitions to perform [righteous] actions.  They are similar to a grain of (corn) that is blown back and forth by the breeze.

And there are those who are not affected by [admonitions] except in accordance with the degree of what they heard- similar to water rolling on a smooth rock.  [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Saydul Khaatir’ page: 14. slightly paraphrased]


Why Is It That Not Every Haafidh of The Qur’aan Is Given Light From The Qur’aan? [Short Faa’idah By Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh From Sharh Muqaddimah Usool At-Tafseer]

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

And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Ruhan (an Inspiration, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it (this Qur’an) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path (i.e. Allah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism). The Path of Allah, to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. Verily, all the matters at the end go to Allah (for decision). [Surah Ash-Shooraa’ Aayaat 52-53]

Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh [may Allaah preserve him] said: Not every Haafidh of the Qur’aan has this light, rather the one who understands the Qur’aan and is guided by it – the one who adheres to its ordainments, declares lawful what the Qur’aan declares lawful and declares unlawful what the Qur’aan declares unlawful – has light in his heart and clear-sightedness based on how much light he has.


[An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Muqaddimah Usool At-Tafseel Li-Shaikh Al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah’ pages 13-14. By Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh. slightly paraphrased]