A Book We Should Have if Possible -[Qaa’idah Jaleelah Fee At-Tawassul Wal-Waseelah’ by Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah(rahimahullaah)] with the Tahqeeq of Shaikh Rabee (may Allaah preserve him)]
Allaah (The Most High) said:
“النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَىٰ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ
The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves. [Al-Ahzaab. Ayah:6]
Summarised benefits:
The closest thing a person possesses and the most important thing he has is him (or herself). However, the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) is more worthy of person than him (or herself). That is because the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) gave them (i.e. the creation) sincere advise, and showed them affection and compassion. There is none who shows the most mercy and compassion to the creation except that the Messenger is the greatest favour amongst the creation to the people than everyone else. That is because neither an atom’s weight of good has reached them nor an atom’s weight of evil is repelled from them, except through him (i.e. due to the message he conveyed to them from Allaah). And for this reason it is obligated on them that when the desires of their souls are in opposition to what the Messenger wants (from them), they should give precedence to what the Messenger wants (from them). They should not oppose the statement of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) with the statement of anyone else-regardless who that person may be-and they are to sacrifice themselves, their wealth and offspring in giving precedence to loving the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wsallam) over the entire creation. They are not to say anything (i.e. in the religion) until he says so, nor do they put themselves forward before him.
[Abridged and Paraphrased from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’ of Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah). Pulisher: Daar Ibn Hazm’ 1st ed. 1424AH (Year 2003)]
Narrated from Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu-anhu) who said: ”Whoever recites [تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ ] [i.e. Soorah al-Mulk] every night, Allaah will protect him from the punishment of the grave. And at the time of the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) we used to call it [ٱلْمَانِعَةُ – i.e. something that protects]. And indeed it is a Soorah in the Book of Allaah that whoever recites it every night has done very well”.
[This Hadeeth was graded Hasan by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in ‘Saheeh At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb Vol 2. Page 193. Number 1475. Publisher (Maktabah Al-Ma’aarif’ 1st Ed 1421 (Year 2000)]
The Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said:
إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ لَيَخْلَقُ فِي جَوْفِ أَحَدِكُمْ كَمَا يَخْلَقُ الثَّوْبُ فَاسْأَلُوا اللَّهَ أَنْ يُجَدِّدَ الْإِيمَانَ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ
‘’Indeed, Eemaan wears out in the heart of one of you just as the thawb (i.e. clothes) wears out, so ask Allaah to renew Eemaan in your hearts.’’ [Source: Silsilah As-Saheehah –[Hadeeth No 1585 (Vol 4 page 113)]
The Creed of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah –[Imaan Increases and Decreases]
See article on this link:
http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=GSC05&articleID=GSC050001&articlePages=1
Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) gives a brief explanation on ahaadeeth found in Muwatta Imaam Maalik on the subject matter of the times of the prayer and other affairs related to them. So get a copy and benefit from it if you have the ability alongside your regular attendance at the Duroos in the Salafi Masaajid and Centres. The Imaams and Mu’addhins in particular will find a lot of fawaa’id in this Treatise – either as a reminder or something new to learn InShaaAllaah. May Allaah grant us fiqh in the Religion Aameen.
Publisher: Daarul Istiqaamah
1st ed 1429AH (Year 2008)
http://www.salaficentre.com/2012/04/these-two-can-never-be-separated/?utm_source=ReviveOldPost&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost
Saudi King Abdul Azeez (rahimahullaah) said: Every person who has an advice (Ref 1) for us from the Book (i.e. the Qur’aan) or the Sunnah, we are ready at all times -whether (that advice) is from an elder or young person, a person of noble status or a person (considered) to be of low status. Whoever wants us to oppose anything from that (i.e. what the Book and Sunnah obligates), we will never accept it, for indeed Allaah commanded us to follow the Islamic legislation and that we adhere to it with our molar teeth (i.e. firmly adhere to it); so whoever is angry with us due to us adhering to our religion, then let him be angry with us as long as he wills. [Slightly Paraphrased. Source: Haqeeqah Manhaj Al-Mamlakah Al-Arabiyyah As-Su’oodiyyah’ pages 26-27′ by Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool]
(Ref 1) See links for article regarding the correct manner in which the rulers are to be advised
http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ02&articleID=MNJ020003&articlePages=1
http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=mnj16&articleID=MNJ160003&articlePages=1
قال الحافظ ابن رجب :
“ألا إن شهركم قد أخذ في النقص فزيدوا أنتم في العمل”
لطائف المعارف ٢٦٢
Al-Hāfith Ibn Rajab (d. 795 رحمه الله) said:
“Indeed your month has decreased, therefore increase yourselves in deeds.”
(Latāʿif Al-Maʿārif 262)
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) stated that the righteousness of the heart and its steadfastness upon the path leading to Allaah’s (good pleasure etc) depends on its complete devotion to Allaah and concentrating in (seeking the good pleasure etc) of Allaah [The Most High]. And that because the heart will not be put in order except by turning completely to Allaah (in obedience, submission etc); but excess food and drink, excess intermingling with the people and excess speech and sleep are among (those things) that increase the heart in decay, distracts it in every way and severs it from its path of (obedience) to Allaah [The Most High] – either weakening it or hindering it, or stopping it (from this goal); therefore the Mercy of the [All-Mighty, The Bestower of Special Mercy to the believers] necessitates that He legislates fasting for His (believing) servants that which will (divert them) from excess food and drink, and rid the heart of the intrusions of desires, which hinders it from its path (of obedience) to Allaah.
Allaah legislated (fasting) in accordance with what is of benefit for the servant, so that the servant is benefited in his worldly life and afterlife – neither hindering him from what will bring about well-being for him in this life and the next. And Allaah legislated I’tikaaf for them, whose purpose and spiritual (aim) is make the heart devoted to Allaah, completely concentrating on (worshipping) Allaah, diverted from busying oneself with the people and busying oneself with the (worship) of Allaah alone, so that the person’s entire concern is directed to (worshipping) Allaah – his mind focused entirely in the remembrance of Allaah, all his thoughts directed at seeking after the pleasure of Allaah and that which will bring him closer to Allaah. This close attachment to Allaah becomes a replacement for seeking closeness to the people, whilst he worships Allaah with such close attachment, in order that he may be closely attached to Allaah on that day of loneliness in his grave when there will be no close one, and no other one will be a source of happiness other than Allaah. This is the greatest purpose behind I’tikaaf. [Ref 1]
A Brief Discussion by Shaikh Albaani (rahimahullaah)
This section is based on a book of the Shaikh (rahimahullaah) titled: Qiyaamu Ramadhaan’. The details can be found in the link at the end of this article on ref 2.
To proceed:
The Shaikh (rahimahullaah) stated that I’tikaaf is a Sunnah (i.e. a recommended Sunnah) during Ramadaan and on other days during the year. The proof is established in the statement of Allaah (The Most High): [وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ – while you are in I’tikaf (i.e. confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques (2:187)]
Authentic Ahaadeeth Regarding I’tikaaf:
The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) once performed I’tikaaf in the last ten days of Shawaal. Also Umar (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) said to the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) that he made an oath in the Days of Ignorance (i.e. before Islaam) that he would perform Itikaaf for one night in Masjid Al-Haraam, so the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said to him: ‘’Fulfil your oath’’. So Umar performed I’tikaaf for one night.
I’tikaaf is given greater emphasises during Ramadhaan. Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) used to make Itikaaf for ten days in every Ramadaan. But during the year in which he passed away, he performed Itikaaf for twenty days.
However, the best time to perform I’tikaaf is the last part of Ramadaan because the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) used to perform I’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadaan up until Allaah took his soul.
Conditions to Be Fulfilled Before Starting I’tikaaf:
First Condition: It has to be performed in a Masjid because Allaah (The Most High) said:
[ وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ – And do not have intercourse with them (your wives) while you are making Itikaaf in the Masaajid. [2:187]
Aa’isha (radiyallaahu-anhaa) stated that the Sunnah in relation to I’tikaaf is that the performer of I’tikaaf should not exit the Masjid, except for some need he has to fulfil. Neither should he visit a sick person nor touch his wife, nor engage in sexual intercourse with her. And I’tikaaf is not valid except when performed in a Masjid in which the five daily congregational prayers are established.
And the Sunnah in relation to the one performing Itikaaf is that he should be observing the fast (on that day he is performing) I’tikaaf.
Second Condition: The Masjid in which he performs I’tikaaf should also be a Masjid in which the Jumu’ah prayer is established in order that he is not forced to exit the Masjid to pray the Jumu’ah prayer (elsewhere). That is because it would be obligated on him to leave the Masjid for the Jumu’ah prayer as A’ishah (radiyallaahu ‘anhaa) stated that there is no I’tikaaf except in a Masjid that establishes the Jumu’ah Salaah.
Reader: Take Note that Shaikh Albaani (rahimahullaah) at this point discusses briefly whether I’tikaaf can be performed in other than the three Masaajid – [Masjid Al-Haraam, Masjid An-Nabawi & Masjid Al-Aqsaa] and the Shaikh based his view on a hadeeth in which it is stated that there is no I’tikaaf except in the three Masaajid. The Shaikh (rahimahullaah) then stated that some of the salaf held this opinion such as Hudhaifah Ibn Al-Yamaan, Sa’eed Ibn Al-Musayyib and Ataa, but Ataa did not mention Masjid Al-Aqsaa. However, other scholars hold the view that I’tikaaf can be performed in any other Masjid in which the congregational prayers are established. Finally, the difference of opinion in this affair has been discussed by Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhaab Al-Wassaabi (rahimahullaah) and it involves affairs related to science of hadeeth etc. Shaikh Bin Baaz, Shaikh Muqbil, Shaikh Uthaymeen and others do not hold Shaikh Albaani’s view, so if you wish to look into this affair, refer to this link http://www.sahab.net/forums/?showtopic=73521 or ask a student of knowledge in your Masjid to explain the affair in detail. The students are well acquainted with this khilaaf and can easily direct you to what will suffice you based on the statements of the scholars In-Shaa-Allaah.
Third Condition: It is from the Sunnah for the one performing Itikaaf to observe fasting, as has been stated by Aa’ishah (radiyallahu-‘anhaa).
The Things Allowed For a Person in I’tikaaf
[a]He can exit the Masjid in order to fulfil a need. It is permissible for him to thrust his head out of the Masjid to be washed and combed. Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu-anhaa) said that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) would thrust his head out whilst he was performing I’tikaaf and she would comb his hair. In another narration Aa’isha said that she washed it whilst there was a threshold between him and her, and whilst she was on her menses. Likewise, the Messenger would never enter the house whilst in I’tikaaf except for a need.
[b] The performer I’tikaaf can make ablution in the Masjid.
[c] He is allowed to make a small tent at the back of the Masjid.
[d]A woman can visit her husband, whilst he is performing Itikaaf. She can speak to him and the husband can accompany her to the door of the Masjid when she is leaving.
It is allowed for a woman to perform Itikaaf with her husband in the Masjid or by herself. Aa’isha (radiyallaahu-anhaa) said that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to perform Itikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadaan, until he passed away. Thereafter, his wives used to perform Itikaaf after he passed away. Therefore, this shows that it is allowed for women to perform Itikaaf, as long as they are allowed by their guardians. Also the place they perform I’tikaaf in should be free from temptations and free mixing with men because safeguarding against an evil takes precedence over seeking after some affair that is good.
Sexual intercourse with one’s wife will make one’s I’tikaaf null and void because Allaah said:
وَلَا تُبَاشِرُوهُنَّ وَأَنتُمْ عَاكِفُونَ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ
And do not have intercourse with them (your wives) while you are making Itikaaf in the Masaajid. [2:187]
Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu ‘anhumaa) stated that if a person performing Itikaaf engages in sexual intercourse, his Itikaaf is null and void and he has to start all over again.
However, there is no [kaffaarah – expiation] obligated on him because nothing has been stated from the Prophet and his companions about it.
Ref 1: Abridged and paraphrased. Source: Zaadul Ma’aad’ with annotations by Imaam Abdul Bin Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz & Checking of the Ahaadeeth by Imaam Albaani (rahimahumallaah). Page 39. Vol 2. Publisher: Daarul Aathaar’ 1st ed. ISBN Number: 2005/9441]
Ref 2: http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=49622
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