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Some Excellent Outcomes of Hajj- By Shaikh Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbaad [may Allaah preserve him]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Brotherhood, Hajj, Dhul Hijjah, Eid al Adha, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Shaikh Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbaad [may Allaah preserve him] said: As for hajj, it is a great act of worship. Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) made it an obligation upon His slaves at least once in a lifetime. Hajj includes acts of worship related to wealth and physical actions. It has good outcomes and praiseworthy end results in the life of a person. The Noble Prophet (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) said: ”(The performance of) Umrah is expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous one. And the reward of Al-Hajj Al-Mabroor (the one accepted by Allaah) is nothing but Paradise.”[1]

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) was asked about the best of deeds, so he replied, ”To believe in Allaah and His Messenger.’’ The questioner then asked, ‘’What is the next (in goodness)?’’ He replied, ‘’To participate in Jihaad.’’ The questioner again asked, ‘’What is the next (in goodness)?’’ He replied, ‘’To perform Hajj Mabroor (which is accepted by Allaah…)” [2]

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) also narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) said: ”Whoever performs Hajj for Allaah’s sake only and does not have sexual relations with his wife and does not do evil or sins; then he will return (after hajj, free from sins) as if he was born anew.”[3]

A ‘Hajj Mabroor’ (the one accepted by Allaah) is the hajj a person performs in conformity with the Sunnah of the Noble Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam), and the sign of a ‘Hajj Mabroor’ is that a person’s becomes better than what he was before hajj. So if a person’s evil state of affairs changes to a good state, or changes from a good state to a state even better than that, then this is a clear sign that his hajj is Mabroor [accepted by Allaah].

Hajj and Umrah include acts of worship, such as Tawaaf, which is not performed in any other place besides its designated place (i.e. around the Kabah). Tawaaf is an act of worship, which Allaah has specified to be carried out around the Baitul Ateeq [i.e. The Ancient House (the Haram)]. So when a person reaches Makkah, he [or she] performs Tawaaf around the Baitul Ateeq. He [or she] seeks nearness to Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) with an act of worship (i.e. Tawaaf) which one could not have being able to perform except in Makkah. That is because Tawaaf cannot be done except around the Noble Kabah. So this reminds a person and makes him [or her] aware of the fact that Tawaaf performed in any other place in the earth is not legislated by Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic). Therefore, it is not permissible to make Tawaaf around any tomb or any other place in the earth besides the Noble Kabah.

Also, this is the case with kissing and indicating with one’s hand towards the Black Stone and the Yemini Corner; for indeed Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) did not legislate for the Muslims to seek closeness to Him by kissing any other stone or indicating with one’s hand towards it except in those two places (i.e. the Black Stone and the Yemeni corner). And because of this when Umar Ibnul Khattaab (radiyallaahu anhu) approached the Black Stone, he kissed it and then said: ‘’No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither harm (anyone) nor benefit anyone. Had I not seen Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) kissing you, I would not have kissed you.’’ [4]

Also from the good outcomes of Hajj and Umrah is that when the one in Ihraam removes his normal clothing and wears the Ihram, which is worn by both the poor and the rich, it reminds him of the cloth he will be shrouded with when he dies; so he prepares himself for righteous actions and that is the best of all provision for the hereafter, as Allaah (The Most High) said:  [وَتَزَوَّدُواْ فَإِنَّ خَيۡرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۚ -And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness, etc.)’’ [2:197]

Also from the good outcomes of Hajj is the gathering of the pilgrims at Arafah, which is a reminder of the gathering of the people on the Day of Judgement; so this (i.e. standing at Arafah) becomes a drive (or motive) for a person to prepare himself for that standing on the Day of Judgement by performing righteous deeds.

Also during Hajj the Muslims from the East and West regions of the earth get to meet one another; so they co-operate with one another and advise one another. They get to know the state of affairs of one another; so they share happiness and joy with one another, just as a person would share the pain that befalls his brother and then guides him towards what is obligatory to do regarding that. So they all co-operate upon righteousness and piety just as Allaah (Glorified Be He) commanded them.

[Abridged and slightly paraphrased. See link:

http://www.salaficentre.com/2017/08/good-outcomes-ibaadaat-acts-worship-life-muslim-shaikh-abdul-muhsin-al-abbaad-may-allaah-preserve/

 

References

[1] Bukhaari. Number 1773 and Muslim. Number 1349

[2]Bukhaari Number: 26 and Muslim Number 83

[3]Bukhaari Number: 1521 and Muslim 1350

[4] Bukhaari. 1597 and Muslim 1270

A Great Scholar, Noble Companion, Abu Mundhir Ubayy ibn Kab (radia Allaahu anhu) Left Worship to Benefit the People

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Sahaabah, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

 

عن أبي العالية قال : كان أبي صاحب عبادة ، فلما احتاج الناس إليه ، ترك العبادة وجلس للقوم 

On Authority of Abī Ā’liyah

Ubayy ibn K’ab used to be a person of  worship, and when the people were in need of him (due to his knowledge and high position amongst the companions) he would leave worship and sit with the people. (to answer their questions).

 [Siyar ‘Alām An-Nubalā Volume 3, page 399].

    • The noble Companion of the Messenger of Allah – from the Ansār and those who partook in the Battle of Badr.
    • He was from the few who had memorised the whole Qur’ān in the lifetime of the Prophet – sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam -whom he ordered the people to take the Qur’ān from.
    • The Messenger of Allah said to him, “O Abā Mundhir (Ubay)! Do you know which verse from the Book of Allah – (you have memorised) with you – is the greatest?” He (Ubay) said, “Allah and His Messenger know best”. The Prophet (repeated and) said, “O Aba Mundhir (Ubay)! Do you know which verse from the Book of Allah – (you have memorised) with you – is the greatest?”. He (Ubay) said, “Allāhu laa ilāha illa huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom … (āyatul-Kursi).He (Ubay) said, “He (The Prophet) then struck me on my chest and said “By Allah, may you be blessed in your knowledge O Aba Mundhir.” [Muslim, hadith no.810
    • On another occasion, the Prophet said to Ubay ibn K’ab, “Indeed Allah has commanded me to read the Qur’aan to you. He (Ubay) said, “Did He mention me by name?” He (the Prophet) said, “yes”. He (Ubay) said, “I was mentioned by the Lord of the Worlds?!” He said, “yes”. So Ubay began to shed tears. [Al-Bukhaari, hadith no.4961 and Muslim, hadith no. 799].

 

Meaning of Al-Birr and At-Taqwa – Imām As-Sadi, Imām At-Tabari, Imām ibn Kathīr and Imām Al-Uthaymīn

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment. (Al-Māidah: Verse 2)

تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٲنِ‌ۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ

In explanation of this verse, Imām As-Sa’di (rahimahullāh) said:

Meaning aid one another upon Al-Birr (righteousness),

Definiton of Al-Birr:

It is a comprehensive phrase for everything which Allāh loves and is pleased with; from outward and inner actions; from the rights of Allāh and rights of mankind.

Definiton of At-Taqwa:

And Taqwa (piety) in this context(1) is a comprehensive phrase for everything which Allāh and His messenger dislikes from the outward and inner actions.

And (furthermore) every good quality is commanded to be performed, likewise every evil trait is commanded to be abandoned.(2) Indeed the servant is commanded with having good characteristics and performing the good actions himself whilst aiding others from his believing brothers upon them, with every statement and action; inducing and encouraging himself and others upon good.

When Al-Birr and At-Taqwa are mentioned together or individually:

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Sālih Al-Uthaymīn (rahimahullah) said:

Know that At-Taqwa is sometimes connected with Al-Birr, as is in His statement: Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (Al-Māidah: Verse 2). And sometimes it is mentioned by itself, so if it is connected with al-Birr, Al-Birr becomes the performance of the commandments and At-Taqwa is abandoning the prohibitions. However, if they are mentioned individually it becomes comprehensive and includes performing the commandments and avoiding the prohibitions. Verily, Allah has mentioned in His Book that paradise is prepared for the muttaqīn, therefore the people of taqwa are the people of paradise – May Allah make us and you from them – due to this it is mandatory upon the people to fear Allāh – azza wa jal – complying with His commands, seeking His reward and salvation from His punishment.(3)

Taysīr Al-Karīm Ar-Rahmān fee Tafsīr Kalām Al-Mannān Page 228 – Slightly Paraphrased

(1) Definition of Taqwa by Talq ibn Habīb (rahimahullāh)

‘’It is to act in obedience to Allah, with a light from Allah (i.e. Eemān) and hoping for Allāh’s Mercy. And that you abandon disobedience to Allāh with a light from Allāh and fearing the punishment of Allāh. [Reported by Ibn Abī Shaybah 11/33 and Ibnul Mubārak in Az-Zuhd 473]

(2) Similar was mentioned in Tafsīr At-Tabari of the same verse; Al-Birr is (to perform) that which you have been commanded with, and At-Taqwa is (to abandon) that which you have prohibited from. In Tafsīr ibn Kathīr, he (rahimahullah) says, Performance of the righteous actions is Al-Birr and abandoning the evil reprehensible acts is At-Taqwa

(3) Sharh Riyādhus Sālihin by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Sālih Al-Uthaymīn (rahimahullah), Introduction to Chapter 6 (At-Taqwa)

A Distinguishing of the Religion and a Distinguishing Sign of Knowledge- By Rabee Bin Anas [rahimahullaah]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Ibn Abee Dunyaa [rahimahullaah] reported with a chain of transmission going back to Rabee Bin Anas [rahimahullaah], who said: Ikhlaas [Sincerity] to Allaah is the distinguishing sign of the Religion and the distinguishing sign of knowledge is Khashyah [i.e. that fear of Allaah founded upon knowledge of the greatness of Allaah and Him being the owner of complete and perfect sovereignty and Dominion[1].”

Source: Al-Ikhlaas Wan-Niyyah’ page 33′ by Ibn Abee Dunyaa [rahimahullaah]

[1] The short meaning of Khashyah was taken from one of Ustaadh Abu Talhah’s translations [may Allaah grant him and his wife] Jannatul Fir’daws]

Is It Required To Feed A Group Of The Poor For Missed Fasts – Shaykh Ṣāliḥ Al-Fawzān

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Articles, Fasting, Fatawa-Rulings.

Question: I heard on the program ‘Nūr ‘alā ad-Darb’ in reply to a question that it is obligatory that the feeding (expiation for not fasting) is NOT to restricted to one poor person, but rather for every day missed, a different poor person is to be fed.

Answer: Concerning this matter I am not aware of it being obligatory to feed a multiple of poor persons when making the expiation for missed fasts. Allāh, the Majestic, the Most-High, says:

“As for those who can fast with difficulty, they have (a choice either to fast or)
to feed a Miskīn (needy person) (for every day).”
[Al-Baqarah:184]

And so long as the person concerned carries out the expiation of feeding and was to do so with one poor person, I hope and see that as being sufficient, if Allāh wills.

Majmū’ Fatāwā of Shaykh Ṣāliḥ Al-Fawzān, volume 2, page 423. 

Zakāt For The One Who Receives A Monthly Salary – Shaykh Al-Fawzān

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Articles, Fatawa-Rulings, Zakaat.

Question: How is zakāt to be paid on the wealth of an employee whose salary increases every month? With some of his wealth, a full year has passed and so zakāt is obligatory on it, however with some of it, a year has not yet completed, so what does he do?

 

Answer: If you were to specify a month from the year in which you extract your zakāt from the wealth you have accumulated, such as the month of Ramadān, this is good. You pay the zakāt on all the wealth that which is with you – the wealth on which a year has passed, you would have paid the zakāt in its time, as for that which a year has not passed, you would have paid it earlier, and the early payment of zakāt is permissible for a legislative reason. This is the only way available for the people (specifically employees receiving a monthly salary). He is to choose a month from the year and makes it the time for extracting zakāt until the coming year in which he does the same.

Majmū Fatāwā, volume 2, page 453.