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Some Subtle Emotional Barriers Behind Refusal of Truth by Rational Minds

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

Some Subtle Emotional Barriers – Despite Our Rational Minds – That May Lead to The Refusal to Submit to The Truth In The Absence of Physical Constraints

Al-Allamah Abdur Rahman Al-Mu’allimee, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said:

To oppose desires – by way of action – for the sake of the truth is a manifest affair due to the obligation and difficulty it involves, and this can be viewed from different angles as follows: a person sees that by acknowledging the truth, it would necessitate that he has acknowledged that he was upon falsehood, because a person is nurtured upon a religion, creed, school of thought or views that he acquired from his nurturer and teacher; considers it to be the truth and followed it for a long time. Then when it becomes clear to him that (the religion, creed, view, or school of thought) is false, it becomes difficult for him to acknowledge, just like when his forefathers, ancestors or the one he follows are upon a (particular) way and its falsity is clarified for him because he sees that their deficiencies necessitate his own deficiencies, and an acknowledgement of their misguidance or errors necessitates his own.

It may be that clinging to falsehood gave him prestige, fame and a livelihood, so it becomes difficult for him to acknowledge that (what he is upon is) falsehood and thus all those benefits (i.e. the fame, prestige, livelihood etc) would disappear.

It may be that a person is upon ignorance or falsehood, then another person comes along and clarifies the proofs for him, thus, he sees that by acknowledging such proofs, it would necessitate that he is lacking (in understanding) and that it was that person who guided him. And due to this we find that it is not difficult for some of those attributed to knowledge to acknowledge their mistakes when it becomes manifest to them in their research and studies, but it becomes difficult for them if it was others who clarified such mistakes.

When another person clarifies the truth for him, he sees that acknowledging such truth would necessitate an acknowledgement of the clarifier’s virtue, knowledge and correctness due to that clarification, and thus that becomes great in the eyes of the people and many people follow him [i.e. the person who clarified the truth]. So you will find some of those attributed to knowledge being eager to prove the mistakes of other scholars even if that is done by way of falsehood due to envy and seeking to diminish their status amongst the people.

To oppose desires for the sake of the truth -in affairs of knowledge and creed- can indeed be difficult to accomplish, therefore it requires (sincere) research and contemplation. And in this regard, one needs to ask the scholars and benefit from them, adhering to the fear of Allah, and seeking the Tawfiq of Allah and guidance. [1]

He, may may Allah have mercy upon him, also stated:

Ponder on the fact that truth is noble and falsehood is lowly. Ponder on the Greatness of Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, the fact that Allah is the Lord of the entire universe, Allah loves truth and hates falsehood, and that the one who follows truth is deserving of the Pleasure of the Lord of the universe. Allaah [Glorified be He] will be his protector in the worldly life and the Afterlife by choosing for him everything that is good, better, more beneficial, more perfect, more noble and loftier until Allaah removes his soul whilst being pleased with him. Then Allaah raises him, brings him close and makes him dwell in paradise with honour- in permanent bliss and eternal nobility which no imagination can fully conceive its greatness. He should ponder on the fact that the one who clings to falsehood is deserving of the displeasure, anger and punishment of the Lord of the universe, and if he receives anything of worldly bliss, then indeed that is only a means of humiliating him in order that he is increased in being distanced from Allah so that the painful torment of the afterlife is multiplied for him, which no imagination can fully conceive its severity.

He should ponder on the bliss of the worldly life [i.e. temporary] as compared to the pleasure of the Lord of the universe and the bliss in the afterlife [i.e. eternal], compare the misery of the worldly life to the displeasure of the Lord of the universe and the punishment in the afterlife [i.e. the severest punishment in this life is nowhere equal to punishment in the afterlife]. He should ponder on the statement of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]:

وَقَالُواْ لَوۡلَا نُزِّلَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡقَرۡيَتَيۡنِ عَظِيمٍ
أَهُمۡ يَقۡسِمُونَ رَحۡمَتَ رَبِّكَ‌ۚ نَحۡنُ قَسَمۡنَا بَيۡنَہُم مَّعِيشَتَہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَرَفَعۡنَا بَعۡضَہُمۡ فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ۬ دَرَجَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُہُم بَعۡضً۬ا سُخۡرِيًّ۬ا‌ۗ وَرَحۡمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ
وَلَوۡلَآ أَن يَكُونَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ لَّجَعَلۡنَا لِمَن يَكۡفُرُ بِٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ لِبُيُوتِہِمۡ سُقُفً۬ا مِّن فِضَّةٍ۬ وَمَعَارِجَ عَلَيۡہَا يَظۡهَرُونَ
وَلِبُيُوتِہِمۡ أَبۡوَٲبً۬ا وَسُرُرًا عَلَيۡہَا يَتَّكِـُٔونَ
وَزُخۡرُفً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن ڪُلُّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۚ وَٱلۡأَخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ

And they say: “Why is not this Qur’an sent down to some great man of the two towns (Makkah and Ta’if)?” Is it they who would portion out the Mercy of your Lord? It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the Mercy (Paradise) of your Lord (O Muhammad) is better than the (wealth of this world) which they amass. And were it not that all mankind would have become of one community (all disbelievers, desiring worldly life only), We would have provided for those who disbelieve in the Most Beneficent (Allah), silver roofs for their houses, and elevators (and stair-ways, etc. of silver) whereby they ascend, and for their houses, doors (of silver), and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline, and adornments of gold. Yet all this (i.e. the roofs, doors, stairs, elevators, thrones etc. of their houses) would have been nothing but an enjoyment of this world. And the Hereafter with your Lord is only for the Muttaqun”. [Az-Zuhkruf. 31-35] [2]

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي
وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ
وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return, and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [Saheeh Muslim Number: 2720]

Futher reflection: https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2025/12/16/an-incident-at-fustat-when-status-meets-truth-humility-as-the-scholars-test-and-shield/


[1] An excerpt from ‘At-Tankeel Bimaa Fee Ta’need Al-Kawthariy Minal Baatil’ 2/180-181 with the checking of Imam Al Albani, may Allah have mercy upon him.

[2] An Excerpt “Aathaar Ash-Shaikh Abdur Rahmaan Bin Yahyah al-Mu’allimee. 11/309

Honesty Is the Key — Not Victim Mentality, Emotional Appeals, or Snooker Tactics

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

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

The seeker of truth is not diverted from the truth, fairness and justice due to admiration of the big personalities and being amazed by them, for indeed the truth is more worthy to be followed. It is not permissible to drop the proofs for the sake of this or that great man. The principle [rule] of the Muslim – the unbiased one, the seeker of truth – is always: [قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ -Say, bring forth your proofs if you are truthful]. [Surah An-Nahl. Verse 64] [(1)]

Selective outrage, selective memory, emotional appeals, weakness masked as wisdom, and selective justice! None of these will solve a problem, no matter how often one utilises a Twitter account to exert influence, seek sympathy, or shift blame. Instead, if individuals observe that you consistently practice honesty, and that your speech, actions, and silence align with what is right at the appropriate moments regarding a specific issue, then sensible individuals will value your words. On the other hand, if you vanish for a while when it’s convenient, utilise snooker tactics (strategic re-entry) or return only when it’s painful to tweet emotional appeals and play the victim for yourself or others, this is evident to anyone with a bit of intelligence. Thus, instead of selective outrage let us strive to honestly implement the following.

First Reminder: 

Abdullah Bin Amr, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“Whoever would love to be delivered from Hellfire and admitted into Paradise, let him meet his end whilst believing in Allah and the Last Day, and let him treat people as he would love to be treated”. [(2)]

Imam An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

This is from the Jawami al-Kalim of the Prophet [i.e. precise speech with a comprehensive meaning] and his amazing wisdom. It is obligatory to pay close attention to this important principle and that a person must not deal with the people except in a way he loves to be dealt with. [(3)]

Al-Allamah Zayd Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

A Muslim is to give consideration to his Muslim brothers in the same way he would give consideration to himself- wishing for them the good he wishes for himself and hates that evil should touch them just as he hates that for himself. The one who loves that the people should approach him with good related to the worldly matters and affairs related to the Afterlife, then it is obligated on him to do the same for them, so that the statement of the Prophet, “You cannot (truly) believe until you wish for your brother what you wish for yourself” becomes a reality in his personality; and also the statement of the Prophet, “The believer in relation to another believer is like a structure, each part strengthening the other”. And also the statement of the Prophet, “The Muslim is the brother of another Muslim”. Whoever is able to have these characteristics, then indeed he has established Iman (in this affair), good manners and good dealings. [(4)]

Second Reminder

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

ﻭﻟﻴﺲ ﻟﻠﻤﻌﻠﻤﻴﻦ ﺃﻥ ﻳﺤﺰﺑﻮﺍ ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺱ
ﻭﻳﻔﻌﻠﻮﺍ ﻣﺎ ﻳﻠﻘﻲ ﺑﻴﻨﻬﻢ ﺍﻟﻌﺪﺍﻭﺓ ﻭﺍﻟﺒﻐﻀﺎﺀ،
ﺑﻞ ﻳﻜﻮﻧﻮﻥ ﻣﺜﻞ ﺍﻷﺧﻮﺓ ﺍﻟﻤﺘﻌﺎﻭﻧﻴﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ
ﺍﻟﺒﺮ ﻭﺍﻟﺘﻘﻮﻱ ﻛﻤﺎ ﻗﺎﻝ ﺗﻌﺈﻟﻰ
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الإثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ
وليس لأحد منهم أن يأخذ على أحد عهداً بموافقته على كل ما يريده وموالاة من يواليه ومعاداة من يعاديه،بل من فعل هذا كان من جنس جنكز خان وأمثاله الذين يجعلون من وافقهم صديقاً واليا، ومن خالفهم عدوَّا باغيا، بل عليهم وعلى أتباعهم عهد الله ورسوله بأن يطيعوا الله ورسوله ويفعلوا ما أمر الله ورسوله ويحرموا ما حرم الله ورسوله ويرعوا حقوق المعلمين كما أمر الله ورسوله، فإن كان أستاذ أحد مظلوماً نصره، وإن كان ظالماً لم يعاونه على الظلم بل يمنعه منه كما ثبت في الصحيح أنه قال:
(انصر أخاك ظالماً أو مظلوماً. قيل: يا رسول الله: أنصره مظلوماً فكيف أنصره ظالماً؟. قال تمنعه من الظلم فذلك نصرك إياه).
وإذا وقع بين معلم ومعلم أو تلميذ وتلميذ أو معلم وتلميذ خصومة ومشاجرة لم يجز لأحد أن يعين أحدهما حتى يعلم الحق، فلا يعاونه بجهل ولا بهوى، بل ينظر في الأمر، فإذا تبين له الحق أعان المحق منهما على المبطل سواء كان المحق من أصحابه أو أصحاب غيره، وسواء كان المبطل من أصحابه أو أصحاب غيره، فيكون المقصود عبادة الله وحده وطاعة رسوله واتباع الحق والقيام بالقسط
قال تعالى
يا أيها الذين آمنوا كونوا قوامين بالقسط شهداء لله ولو على أنفسكم أو الوالدين والأقربين، إن يكن غنياً أو فقيراً فالله أولى بهما، فلا تتبعوا الهوى أن تعدلوا وإن تلووا أو تعرضوا فإن الله كان بما تعملون خبيراً

It not allowed for the teachers to initiate (illegal) partisanship between the people and do that which would cause enmity and hatred between them; but rather they should be brothers who cooperate upon righteousness and piety, as Allah [The Exalted] said:

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ

Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa [virtue, righteousness and piety]; but do not help one another in sin and transgression]. [Al-Maa’idah. 2]

It is not allowed for anyone of them to receive a pledge from anyone to be in agreement with him in everything he wants – having allegiance to the one he is allied to and enmity against the one he harbours enmity, and whoever does this is similar to Genghis Khan and his ilk (in this affair), who take as their loyal friends the one in agreement with them and the one who oppose them as a rebellious enemy; rather it is obligated on them and their followers (i.e. the teachers) to fulfil the covenant of Allah and His Messenger by obeying Allah and His Messenger, doing that which Allah and His Messenger have commanded, declare unlawful that which Allah and His Messenger have declared unlawful, and preserve the rights of the teachers in the manner commanded by Allah and His Messenger. So, if one’s teacher is oppressed, he should help him; but if the teacher is the oppressor, he should not aid him in his act of oppression; rather he forbids him from it, as it has been established in the authentic books of hadeeth that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari 2444]

If an argument and dispute occurs between a teacher and another teacher, or between a student and another student, it is not permissible for anyone to help one of them until he knows the truth – neither to aid him based on ignorance nor desires; rather he he examines the affair, so if the truth becomes clear to him, he helps the one who deserves to be helped (due to him being upon the truth) against the one upon error – regardless whether the one who deserves to be helped is one of his companions or the companion of someone else, or whether the one upon error is one of his companions or the companion of someone else. Therefore, the aim is only to worship Allah alone, obedience to Allah’s Messenger, adherence to truth and establishment of justice. Allah [The Exalted] said:

يا أيها الذين آمنوا كونوا قوامين بالقسط شهداء لله ولو على أنفسكم أو الوالدين والأقربين، إن يكن غنياً أو فقيراً فالله أولى بهما، فلا تتبعوا الهوى أن تعدلوا وإن تلووا أو تعرضوا فإن الله كان بما تعملون خبيراً

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [Surah An-Nisaa. Ayah 135] [(5)]

 

Third Reminder:

Sincerely Ask Allah For a Way Out of Khilaf, While Knowing The Truth

We ask Allah:

اللّهُـمَّ رَبَّ جِـبْرائيل ، وَميكـائيل ، وَإِسْـرافيل، فاطِـرَ السَّمواتِ وَالأَرْض ، عالـِمَ الغَيْـبِ وَالشَّهـادَةِ أَنْـتَ تَحْـكمُ بَيْـنَ عِبـادِكَ فيـما كانوا فيهِ يَخْتَلِفـون. اهدِنـي لِمـا اخْتُـلِفَ فيـهِ مِنَ الْحَـقِّ بِإِذْنِك ، إِنَّـكَ تَهْـدي مَنْ تَشـاءُ إِلى صِراطٍ مُسْتَقـيم

O Allah! Lord of Jibraa’eel, Meekaa’eel, and Israafeel, Creator of the heavens and the Earth, The Knower of the seen and the unseen. You judge between Your slaves regarding in that which they differ. Guide me to the truth regarding that in which there is differing, by Your Will. Verily, You guide whomever you will to the straight path. [Saheeh Muslim 770]

The scholars say that these creations [i.e. Jibraa’eel, Meekaa’eel, Israafeel, the heavens, and the earth] have been specifically mentioned, even though Allah is the Creator of all the creation, just as has been established in the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah with regards to the specific mention of every created thing that has a great and mighty status as one of Allah’s creation, such as the statement, “Lord of the Heavens and the Earth”, “Lord of the Supreme Throne”, “Lord of the Angels and Jibreel”, “The Lord of the two Easts (places of sunrise during early summer and early winter) and the Lord of the two Wests (places of sunset during early summer and early winter)”, “The Lord of Humankind”, “The King of Humankind”, “The Only True God of Humankind”, “The Lord of all Created Things”, “The Lord of the Prophets”, “The Creator of the Heavens and the Earth”, “The Originator of the Heavens and the Earth” etc. All these things and what is similar to them show Allah’s Greatness, All-encompassing Power, and absolute Sovereignty. [Sharh Saheeh Muslim 5/50]

In this supplication, one employs the means of seeking Allah’s (love, aid, pleasure, assistance, etc) through belief and affirmation that He is the Lord – in general and specific – of these three Angels, who have been given a means of giving life. Jibra’eel is given the responsibility to convey the revelation (to the Prophets) by way of which the hearts and souls are given that type of life that necessitates the presence of sound belief in the heart that leads to all righteous deeds. Meekaa’eel is given the responsibility to bring the rain by way of which the earth, the vegetation, and animals are given life, and Israafeel is given the responsibility to blow the trumpet by way of which the creation is resurrected after their death. Also employing the means of seeking Allah’s (love, aid, assistance, pleasure, etc) through belief and affirmation that Allah alone is the Originator of the heavens and earth, meaning, He is their Creator and the one who brought them into existence prior to their non-existence, and that He is the knower of the unseen and the seen- meaning, the hidden and apparent, and because He alone is the One Who judges between the servants in that which they differ, so that He guides you to the truth in that which they differ. As for guidance, it is knowledge of the truth together with having the intent to follow the truth and preferring it over other things. The guided person acts upon the truth and desires it, and it is the Greatest blessing of Allah bestowed on the servants. We ask Allah to guide us all to the straight path and grant us every good. [(6)]

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي

وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي

وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي

وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ

وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return; and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [Sahih Muslim Number: 2720]

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public, and I ask You (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger, and I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty, and I ask you for blessings that never ceases, and I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends, and I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; and I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquility, etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me). O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Iman, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). [As-Saheehah Number 1301]

Propagandists in the Guise of Advice and Dawah on Twitter Find These Reiterated Clarifications Bitter to Swallow


[1] Al-Mulakh-khasul Jameel Fee Bayaan Manhaji Ash-Shaikh Rabee Fid-Da’wati Wal-Jarhi Wat-Ta’deel. Page 87

[2] Ṣaḥih Muslim 1844]

[3] Sharh Sahih Muslim 12/196

[4] at-Ta’leeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilati Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. 2/29-33

[5] Majmu Al-Fataawaa. 28/15-17. paraphrased

[6] An Excerpt from Fiqh Al-Ad’iyah Wal Ad’kaar 3/139-140

An Incident at Fustat: When Status Meets Truth, Humility as the Scholar’s Test and Shield

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

Imam Abu Bakr Ibn Al-Arabi Al-Maliki, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Muhammad Bin Qasim Al-Uthmani, may Allah have mercy upon him, told me more than once:

“I arrived in Fustat one day, then I went to the gathering of Shaikh Abi Al-Fadl Al-Jawhari, may Allah have mercy upon him, and there I witnessed a statement that he uttered to the people. And that which he stated – in the first gathering when I sat with him – was that ‘The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, طلق – i.e. he did divorce, ظاهر – i.e. he did utter the statement to a wife, ‘You are like my mother’s back’, and آلى – i.e. he made an oath to abandon his wives for a month”.

When he (i.e. Shaikh Abi Al-Fadl Al-Jawhari) left, I followed him until I reached his house with a group of people; then he sat with us in the vestibule and acquainted them with my affair because he saw a stranger [i.e. I (Muhammad Bin Qasim)] and did not know the person among those who came to him before. When most of them departed from him, he said to me, “I see that you are a stranger; do you have anything to say?” I said, “Yes”. He said to his companions, “Excuse him from having to speak in your presence”, so, they got up and I stayed alone with him. I said to him, “I attended your gathering today so that Allah may bless me (with some of the knowledge you possess), and I heard you say, ‘Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] آلى – i.e. he once made an oath to abandon his wives for a month and what you said was true; طلق – i.e. he did divorce women, and what you said was true, and you said that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, ظاهر i.e. he did utter the statement to a wife, ‘You are like my mother’s back’, but this never happened and can never be correct to say that it happened because Az-Zihaar [i.e. to say to one’s wife, ‘You are like my mother’s back’ (i.e. unlawful for me to approach)] is an evil statement and false speech, and this can never be uttered by the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him”. He hugged and kissed my forehead, and said, “I repent from this statement. May Allah reward you on my behalf as a good teacher”.

I departed from his presence, and the next day I went early to his gathering, but he was in the Central Masjid before me and was sitting on the pulpit. When I entered the Masjid and thus he saw me, he called out at the top of his voice (saying), “Welcome, my teacher. Make room for my teacher”. So, the people turned towards me and their eyes stared at me! O Abu Bakr! And you know me – meaning, he (i.e. Muhammad Bin Qasim Al-Uthmani) was indicating to Ibn Al-Arabi about his extremely shy character because when someone greeted him by surprise, he would feel shy – due to his extreme shyness – and turned red as if his face was painted with Gulnaar (pomegranate blossom). He (i.e. Muhammad Bin Qasim) continued, “People hastened towards me, raising their hands towards me (i.e. acknowledging me) and nudging me until I reached the pulpit, and I did not know in which part of the earth I was due to my extreme shyness (i.e. shocked), whilst the Masjid was overcrowded with people and I sweated due to shyness. Then the Shaikh turned towards the people and said to them, ‘I am your teacher and this is my teacher! Yesterday, I told you that Allah’s Messenger آلى – i.e. he once made an oath to abandon his wives for a month; طلق – i.e. he did divorce women, and ظاهر i.e. he once uttered the statement to a wife, ‘You are like my mother’s back’, and neither did a single one of you give me the correct understanding nor respond to me, but he (i.e. Muhammad Bin Qaasim) followed me to my house and said such and such to me. I repeat (i.e. right now) what took place between him and I, repent from yesterday’s statement, and return to the truth. Whoever hears it from those who were present, let him not rely on what he says, and let the one who is present convey this affair to the absent one. May Allaah reward him with good’”. Then he (i.e. Shaikh Abee Al-Fadl) started supplicating a lot and the people responded with Aameen.

Ibn Al-Arabi stated – after narrating this incident- “So look – may Allah have mercy upon you – at this firm adherence to the religion and an acknowledgment of the people of knowledge given by this man – whose leadership was manifest and whose worth was well known- to a stranger whom he neither knew nor where he came from! Follow his example and you’ll be led aright”. [Ahkam Al-Qur’an 1/248-249]

———————————

Zihaar: Allah [The Exalted] says:

ٱلَّذِينَ يُظَـٰهِرُونَ مِنكُم مِّن نِّسَآٮِٕهِم مَّا هُنَّ أُمَّهَـٰتِهِمۡ‌ۖ إِنۡ أُمَّهَـٰتُهُمۡ إِلَّا ٱلَّـٰٓـِٔى وَلَدۡنَهُمۡ‌ۚ وَإِنَّہُمۡ لَيَقُولُونَ مُنڪَرً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ وَزُورً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِنَّ

Those among you who make their wives unlawful (Az-Zihar) to them by saying to them “You are like my mother’s back.” They cannot be their mothers. None can be their mothers except those who gave them birth. And verily, they utter an evil statement and a lie. [Surah Al-Mujaadilah. Ayah 2]

Within a month – in a Time Period of Impunity – a Close Companion Spoke to Us About the Mentalities and Shared Six Admonitions

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

Muttarrif Bin Abdillah, may Allah have mercy upon him, used to say:

“People’s intellects are in accordance with (circumstances) of their era”.

[Siyar A’lam An-Nubulaa 4/188]

 

First Reminder:Allah Never Commits Injustice!

Allah, The Most High, said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ ۖ وَإِن تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَاعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِن لَّدُنْهُ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

Surely! Allah does not do injustice, even as much as an atom (or a small ant), but if there is any good (done), He doubles it, and gives from Himself a great reward. [An-Nisaa 40]

Allah, The Most High, informs us of the perfection of His justice and grace, as well as being far removed from everything that is in opposition to this, whether it is minor or major injustice. He says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ ۖ

Surely! Allah does not do injustice, even as much as an atom (or a small ant).

Meaning, He neither diminishes the good deeds of His servant nor increases their sins, as He said (in Surah Az-Zalzalah):

فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَه

So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.

“But if there is a good deed done, He doubles it”.

Meaning, multiplied up to tenfold or even more, depending on the deed, its benefit, the situation of the doer, their level of sincerity, love for Allah, and the perfection of the deed.

“And (He – Allah) gives from Himself a great reward”.

Meaning, not only the reward for the deed itself but also guidance towards other good actions and the provision of abundant blessings and goodness. [1]

 

Second Reminder: Anyone who gives up something for Allah’s sake will be given something better in its place!

This matter is found in many places in the Qur’an. Allah mentioned it in relation to the first immigrants who left their homes, wealth, and loved ones behind for the sake of Allah, thus, Allah substituted that for them with increased provision, honour, and authority in the worldly life.

When Ibrahim, peace be upon him, disassociated himself from his people, his father, and that which they worshipped other than Allah [i.e. departed after his father threatened to stone him for rejecting the idols], Allah bestowed on him Ishaq, Yaqub, and righteous offspring. When Sulayman, peace be upon him, was diverted from remembering Allah by his horses, he got rid of them, thus, Allah substituted them.

فَسَخَّرۡنَا لَهُ ٱلرِّيحَ تَجۡرِى بِأَمۡرِهِۦ رُخَآءً حَيۡثُ أَصَابَ
وَٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّآءٍ۬ وَغَوَّاصٍ۬

So, We subjected to him the wind; it blew gently by his order whithersoever he willed. And also the Shayaateen (devils) from the jinn (including) every kind of builder and diver. [Sa’d. 36-37]

When the people of the cave [i.e. the young men mentioned in Surah Al-kahf] separated themselves from their people and what they worshipped other than Allah, Allah bestowed His Mercy on them, facilitated means of success and tranquillity for them, and made them a guide for the misguided.

And (regarding) Maryam, peace be upon her, Allah said:

وَٱلَّتِىٓ أَحۡصَنَتۡ فَرۡجَهَا فَنَفَخۡنَا فِيهَا مِن رُّوحِنَا وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهَا وَٱبۡنَهَآ ءَايَةً۬ لِّلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ

And she who guarded her chastity (virgin Maryam), We breathed into (the sleeves of) her (shirt or garment) (through our Ruh Jibraa-eel), and We made her and her son (Eesa) a sign for the Aalameen (mankind and jinn)]. [Al-Anbiya. Ayah 91]

Whoever gives up what their Nafs call them to – the vain desires, Allah will replace it for them with His love, repentance to Him, and what is better from that which is gathered for them of the pleasures of this life. (2)

 

Third Reminder: Whoever Abandons What is Beneficial Will Be Put to Trial With What Is Harmful!

This is found in a number of verses, that when the polytheists shunned the worship of Ar-Rahman (Allah), they were put to trial with the worship of images (idols).

When they displayed haughtiness and claimed that the Messengers were (only) humans (i.e. therefore they are not obliged to follow the Messengers), they were put trial with submission to everything that made (their) intellect and religion unstable.

When Iman was clearly shown to them (i.e. the disbelievers) at the first instance and they recognised it, but then turned away from it, Allah – Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections- turned away, afflicted and sealed their hearts.  Thus, they did not believe until they perceived the painful punishment.

After the straight path was clarified for them, but they deviated from it by choice and approved the path of deviation in opposition to the path of guidance, they were punished- Allah allowed their hearts to stray (due to their own wrong doing) and became confounded in their path (of misguidance).

When they belittled the signs of Allah and His Messengers, Allah belittled them with a humiliating punishment. When they displayed haughtiness, Allah humiliated them in this life and the next.

When they forbade that Allah’s Name be glorified and mentioned in the Mosques of Allah and strive for their ruin, it was not fitting after that they should enter it except in fear.

وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ عَاهَدَ اللَّـهَ لَئِنْ آتَانَا مِن فَضْلِهِ لَنَصَّدَّقَنَّ وَلَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
فَلَمَّا آتَاهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ بَخِلُوا بِهِ وَتَوَلَّوا وَّهُم مُّعْرِ‌ضُونَ
فَأَعْقَبَهُمْ نِفَاقًا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يَلْقَوْنَهُ بِمَا أَخْلَفُوا اللَّـهَ مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُونَ

And of them are some who made a covenant with Allah (saying): ”If He bestowed on us of His Bounty, we will verily give Sadaqah (Zakat and voluntary charity in Allaah’s cause) and will be certainly among those who are righteous”.  ‘Then when He gave them of His Bounty, they became niggardly [refused to pay the Sadaqah (Zakat or voluntary charity)], and turned away, averse.  So He punished them by putting hypocrisy into their hearts till the Day whereon they shall meet him, because they broke that (covenant with Allaah) which they had promised to Him and because they used to tell lies”. [at-Tawbah. Aayaat 75-77]

The verses that convey this meaning are numerous and in them is that a servant (of Allah) was close to being guided and made to follow the straight path, but then he abandoned it after being acquainted, or he renounced it after following it, thus he is punished and has no right to guidance.  This is a recompense for his actions, as Allah says about the Yahud [i.e. those who knew the truthfulness of Muhammad’s, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, Messengership, but turned away from it wilfully]:

وَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ رَ‌سُولٌ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّـهِ مُصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَهُمْ نَبَذَ فَرِ‌يقٌ مِّنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ كِتَابَ اللَّـهِ وَرَ‌اءَ ظُهُورِ‌هِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
وَاتَّبَعُوا مَا تَتْلُو الشَّيَاطِينُ عَلَىٰ مُلْكِ سُلَيْمَانَ

And when there came to them a Messenger from Allah (i.e Muhammad) confirming what was with them, a party of those who were given the Scripture threw away the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they did not know!  They followed what the (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulayman.  [Al-Baqarah. 101-102]

They abandoned the most sublime, the most beneficial and the most truthful of the Books (i.e. the Qur’an), thus Allah put them to trial with following that which is the most debased, most untruthful, and most harmful. Those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger abandon spending their wealth in obedience to Allah, and (instead) spend it in obedience to Shaytan. (3)

 

Fourth Reminder: Sin Breed Other Similar Sins!

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Sins breed similar sins, and they give rise to one another, making it difficult for a person to abandon them, as some of the pious predecessors said, “Indeed, one of the punishments for an evil deed is to commit another one after it, and one of the rewards for good deeds is doing a good deed after it. When a servant of Allah does a good deed, another good deed says, “Let me be like that one”. The third one does the same, and so on, leading to an increase in rewards and a multiplication of good deeds, and the same applies to evil deeds, until good deeds and sins becoming essential traits and established habits.

If a person who does good neglects obedience, they will feel constricted and uneasy, much like a fish out of water until it returns to its natural environment to find peace. If a sinner turns away from wrongdoing and embraces righteousness, they may feel a sense of inner turmoil, leading them to revert to their old ways. Many wrongdoers engage in sinful acts not out of pleasure or desire, but rather due to the discomfort they experience when trying to abandon those actions. (4)

 

Fifth Reminder: None Can Guide You Except Allah!

“Whoever Allah misguides, then none can guide him”.

This occurs based on Allah’s Perfect Wisdom and Just Decree, as recompense for one’s wickedness (a); due to a hidden plot in one’s heart (b); due one turning away from guidance and behaving as if he does not know Allah’s guidance (c); turning away from Allah’s reminder, which he revealed to his Messenger, turning away from understanding it and not pondering upon it, and that which Allah intends by way of it, thus, Allah leaves such a person with his devil as a punishment – the devil that follows him. So, this devil becomes his ally. (d) This because none submits to Allaah sincerely and truthfully, and performs the deeds of the people of Jannah, except that Allah will never abandon him. (e) Such a person (i.e. the misguided one) was not compelled to go astray, instead he made a choice, but his choice is under the Will of Allah. We do not know what was in the hearts of those who deviate, thus, Allah deviated their hearts; but we know – with absolute certainty – that Allah passes Just Judgments and He does not do injustice to anything; rather, it is the people who wrong themselves. (f)

Sixth Reminder: Keep On Asking Allah!

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي
وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ
وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return; and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [Sahih Muslim 2720]


(1) An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi

(2) An Excerpt from ‘Qawaa-idul Hisaan Li-Tafseeril Quraan’ page 164. By Imam As-Sadi

(3) An Excerpt from ‘Al Qawaa-idul Hisaan Li-tafseer Al Qur’an’ Pages 96-97 By Imam As-Sadi

(4) Ad-Da’u Wad Dawa 60-61. Publisher: Dar Al-Hadith Al-Qahira 1430H (2009)

(a) Tafsir As-Sadi, Surah Israa. Aayah 5

(b) Sharh Arba’een page 87-88. 1st edition. 1424 (2003) by Shaikh Uthaymeen

(c) Zaad Al-Maseer. Tafsir Surah Az-Zukhruf Ayah 36

(d) Al-Jawaab Al-Kaafee 136-137. By Imaam Ibnul Qayyim.

(e) Sharh Arba’een page 88. 1st edition. 1424 (2003)- By Shaikh Uthaymeen.

(f]) Sharh Al-Arba’een pages 55-56- 1st edition 1428 (2007)-by Shaikh Salih Aala As-Shaikh, may Allah preserve him.

A Solemn Warning to the Children of My Household: On Conduct, Speech, Truthful Testimony and Judgment in Times of Dispute

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

Stand For What Is Right and Never Hide Truthful Testimony

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [An-Nisaa. 135]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections, commanded His servants to stand out firmly for justice on behalf of everyone – be it an enemy or an ally, and the matter that is most worthy of being established with justice are the statements and methodology related to the commands of Allah as well as everything that Allah has (revealed in the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah). Therefore, to establish these affairs based on desires and disobedience is contrary to Allah’s command and a negation (i.e. either intentionally or unintentionally) of that which Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was sent with. The establishment of justice is the responsibility of those entrusted with the task of conveying Islam after the death of the Messenger, and this task cannot become a reality unless one establishes it based on pure justice and sincerity to Allah- (sincerity) based on Allah’s Book, to Allah’s Messenger (by adhering to his guidance), and sincere dealings and advice when dealing with Allah’s servants. These people are the true inheritors (i.e. inheritors of the knowledge left behind by the Prophets), but not that one who merely makes his companions, sect, and path the determinant of truth and the distinction between (truth and falsehood) by showing enmity to the one who opposes him and allies with the one who agrees with him, merely based on being opposed or agreed with [i.e. without sound proofs based on the Book and the authentic Sunnah], because where is that command to stand out firmly for justice on behalf of everyone, even though standing out firmly for justice is the greatest command and obligation!

Then Allah [The Exalted] says: [شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ – As witnesses to Allah]:

A witness presents information about something; so if he presents credible information, he is a just witness and his (statement) is accepted; but if he gives false information, he is a false witness. Allah, The Most High, commands us to stand out firmly as just witnesses for His sake, therefore it has to be carried out for the Sake of Allah and not for other than Allah. In [Surah Al-Ma’idah Ayah 8, Allah said]:

[كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُہَدَآءَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۖ – Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses].

This Ayah establishes four affairs: stand out firmly for justice and do so for the sake of Allah; witness to justice and do so for the Sake of Allah.

Then Allah said:

وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ

Even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin.

Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections, commands us to stand out firmly for justice and testify, even if it were someone who is the most beloved person to us. A person should stand out firmly for justice (for or against) himself, his two parents, his close relatives, and his best friend among the people. If a person’s love for himself, his parents, and his relatives prevents him from standing out firmly for the truth against them, especially if the truth is with someone he hates and regards as an enemy due to them, then none would stand out firmly for justice in such circumstances except one whose love for Allah and His Messenger is more than their love for everyone else. Also, a person has to establish justice when dealing with his enemies and that one who deprives him of his rights because it is not permissible that hatred for his enemies leads him to be unjust towards them, just as it is not permissible that love of himself, his parents and relatives makes him abandon standing firmly for justice against them. Therefore, hatred harboured against someone should not lead him to falsehood, and love (of himself, parents, and relatives) should not make him fall short in establishing truth, just as one of the pious predecessors said, “The just person is that one who when angry, his anger does not lead him to falsehood, and when he is pleased it does not remove him from the truth”. The two Ayaat of the Qur’an [i.e. Surah An-Nisaa 135 and Surah Al-Maa’idah 8] convey two rulings and they are: standing out firmly for justice and making a truthful testimony on behalf of one’s allies and enemies.

Then Allah said:

إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ

Be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you).

Meaning, Allah is the Lord of both of them and their Protector, and they are both His servants. It may be that you become fearful of standing firmly for justice by testifying against a rich person or a poor person – either fearing that the rich person might lose his wealth or because the poor person has nothing, so your heart becomes lackadaisical about standing out firmly for the truth. Therefore, it should be said to them, “Allah is a better Protector of both the rich and poor person. Allah knows the affair of the rich person more than you and He is more Merciful to the poor than you, therefore, do not refrain from standing out firmly for the truth and from giving testimony (for or against) the rich or the poor.

Then Allah said:

فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ

So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice.

Meaning, Allah forbids (His slaves) from following desires, which will lead them to abandon justice.

Then Allah said:

وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

And if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do.

Meaning, Allah, Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections, mentions two reasons that will inevitably lead to concealment of truth then He warned against them and issued a threat: the first of them is distortion and the second is to turn away from giving truthful witness. That is because when a proof that supports the truth is manifested and the one who wants to repel it finds no way of doing so, he refrains from mentioning it and thus becomes a silent devil, and sometimes he distorts it. Distortion is of two types -distorting words and meanings. Distorting words occur when one utters a word in a context in which it does not establish the truth – either adding to the word, omitting something from it, or substituting it with something else to the extent that the listener is made to believe something, whilst something else is intended, just as the Yahood [i.e. those Yahood who disbelieved in the Prophet and hated him in Madeenah] used to distort words when giving Salaam to the Prophet [i.e. saying As-Saamu Alayka (death be upon you), instead of saying Assalaamu alaykum)]. This is one type of distortion. The second type of distortion is related to meanings – distorting the wording, giving it an interpretation that is not intended by the one who uttered it and pretending not to know its unintended meaning; or dropping other meanings intended by it.

When it is the case that a witness is required to bear witness based on what the matter should be [i.e. the complete truth], therefore neither should he hide nor change it. Turning away from the testimony is tantamount to concealment and distortion is tantamount to alteration and substitution. Therefore, contemplate this Ayah and the treasures of knowledge it contains. The faith of a person cannot be complete, except through accepting the texts of the Shariah and calling the people to them – neither turning away from them at times nor distorting them at other times. [1]

 

Be Warned Against Oppression

Tawus al-Yamani, may Allah have mercy upon him, entered the presence of Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, addressing him with a grave warning: “Beware of the Day of the Call”. Hisham, said: “What is the Day of the Call?” Tawus replied, the statement of Allah:

فَأَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنٌ بَيْنَهُمْ أَنْ لَعْنةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ

And a caller will call out among them, ‘The curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers” [Al-A’raf: 44]

At this, Hisham collapsed due to shock! Tawus then said: “This is the humiliation of mere description; how will it be when faced with reality?” [2]

Mubarak Abu Hamad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “I heard Sufyan Al-Thawri, may Allah have mercy upon him, saying to Ali ibn Al-Hasan Al-Sulami, may Allah have mercy upon him: ‘My brother, do not harbour any feeling of covetousness towards the people of vain desires due to their indulgences, nor the blessings they enjoy; for ahead of them lies a day when feet will slip, bodies will tremble, skin complexions will change, standing will be prolonged, reckoning will intensify, and hearts will flutter until they reach the throats. Oh, what regret they will feel for the pleasures they pursued! And beware of oppression, an ally to the oppressor, accompanying him, sharing a meal with him, smiling in his face, or receiving anything from him; for you would then be his supporter, and support is partnership. Do not oppose the people of piety, nor befriend the sinful, nor associate with the disobedient, and steer clear of all that is forbidden, and be wary of those who engage in it'”. [3]

Sa’id ibn Abd al-Aziz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Whoever does good should expect a reward, and whoever does wrong should not be surprised by the consequences. Whoever seeks honour through unjust means will receive humiliation in truth, and whoever accumulates wealth through oppression will be left in poverty without injustice. [4]

Muawiya ibn Abee Sufyan, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said: “I feel ashamed of oppressing someone who has no supporter against me except Allah.” [5]

Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, may Allah have mercy upon him, once wrote to some of his governors: “If your power over the people tempts you to oppress them, remember the might of Allah over you, the fleeting nature of what you bring to them, and the permanence of what they bring to you”. [6]

O the children of my household, my nephews and nieces! These narrations unveil the darkened shadows that oppression and injustice cast upon the earth; and clear it is, to every heart that heeds. Let’s raise our hands in a trembling plea, beseeching Allah to shield us from such ruinous wickedness, and bow our hearts in humility, seeking pardon from those we have wronged. And never drape yourselves in the garments of the oppressed while your own hands strike with deceit and evasion. Never resort to twisting, neither cover yourselves with a veil of false victimhood nor demand beyond your due, nor weave ingratitude, manipulation and selfishness into nets that ensnare sympathy.

Avoid False Analogies And Lying During Disputes

Allah said:

إِن يَسْرِقْ فَقَدْ سَرَقَ أَخٌ لَّهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ

If he steals, there was a brother of his [Yusuf (Joseph)] who did steal before (him)]. [Yusuf. 77]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

Allah informs us about Yusuf’s brothers [Footnote I] that when they found the bowl in their brother’s (Bin Yamin) bag, they said: “If he steals, there was a brother of his (Yusuf) who did steal before (him)”. Thus, they did not draw a (sound) comparison between the basis of the matter and its shared characteristics based on a (sound) reason nor its evidence; but rather they attached one to the other without comprehensive evidence other than the mere similarity between Bin Yamin and Yusuf (as blood brothers); so, they said, “This is analogy regarding the similarity between him and his brother in many ways, and that this one (Bin Yamin) has committed theft just as that one (Yusuf) committed theft (in the past)”. This (analogy of theirs) is a void comparison between similarities and an analogy based on a mere comparison between (two) images that is devoid of a shared cause (or reason) that would necessitate that the two are the same. It is a corrupt analogy. The similarity due to being blood brothers is not a shared cause (or reason) for being similar with regards to committing theft. There is no evidence of similarity in this, so the comparison is one devoid of a (sound or real) shared reason (or cause) and its evidence. [7]

Avoid Burdensome Speech In Seeking to Win An Argument

The Messenger, peace and blessing of Allah be upon him, said: “Indeed, Allah hates the eloquent one among men who moves his tongue round (within his teeth), as cattle do”. Al-Allamah Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbad [may Allah preserve him] said: “The person intended in this Hadith is the one who speaks eloquently while using obscure or ambiguous language, immersing himself in speech and burdens himself. He burdens himself in speech and thus utters something blameworthy. However, if this [eloquence] is not done by way of burdening oneself in speech, such as the one whom Allah has granted eloquence and he utilises it in his speech to clarify the truth, then this is not blameworthy. Allah hates the person who speaks eloquently and utters that which is blameworthy due to deliberately utilising obscure, ambiguous, and burdensome speech. This person is likened to a cow that moves its tongue round [among its teeth] when eating. It is said that a cow is not like other animals because other animals use their teeth but a cow uses its tongue. This hadith forbids the likes of this action [i.e. eloquent burdensome speech] and the one who does so is hated by Allah. [8]

Do Not Be Quarrelsome

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “The most hated of men in the sight of Allah is the one who is most quarrelsome”.

Al-Allamah Zayd Bin Haadi al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“A warning against (blameworthy) argumentation, falling into wicked behaviour and its evil, especially if the argumentation is based on falsehood. As for when it is based on truth, there is nothing wrong with that for the one who has a right to do so; but he should be just in his argument so that he does not enter into oppression or error, and Allah knows best. The hadith is related to a warning against lying during argumentation, falsehood, and adorned speech within it until one changes falsehood into truth and truth into falsehood; not bothered about making an oath, lying, or giving false witness. All this occurs from an extremely quarrelsome person, who goes into excess in the affair and does not feel shy in the presence of Allah- neither fears punishment in this life nor the next life. When it is the case that the extremely quarrelsome person is blameworthy, then indeed the person who has good conduct – if entitled to something – during an argument and other affairs will not utter except truth, and will not seek after anything except the truth- neither lies nor deceives the Shariah judge. This is one of the characteristics of the people of Imaan – those whom Allah praised in the Qur’an and the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, praised them in the pure Sunnah. [9]

Be Warned Against This Severe Threat

Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Indeed, I am only a human being and you people come to me with your disputes. And it may be that one of you can present his case more eloquently than the other and I consider him truthful, and judge in his favour. So if I ever judge and give the right of a brother to his brother, then it is a piece of hellfire and let him not take it”.

Some Benefits Derived From This Hadith

The Ummah [i.e. the scholars and judges] have been commissioned to judge based on what is apparent, but the (mere) judgement of a judge cannot prohibit the lawful and allow the unlawful [i.e. because it cannot be taken if proven erroneous].

This Hadith contains a refutation against those who say that the Messengers possess knowledge of the unseen. This hadith also shows that speech can be seen to be true based on what is apparent, but it is truly falsehood with regards to what is hidden within it.

This hadith shows that the one who receives a judgement in his favour is more aware than every other person as to whether he is entitled to it or whether he is a falsifier. So, he takes it if he is entitled to it or leaves it if he is a falsifier because, in reality, a judgement cannot change an affair from what it was in origin [i.e. the original truth in the affair before its distortion or concealment].

This hadith shows the sinfulness of the one who argues based on falsehood until he receives what he wants publicly, whilst he is upon falsehood.

In this Hadith is proof that a scholar can make a mistake and it is a refutation against those who say that every Mujtahid is correct. This hadith shows us that the Mujtahid is forgiven (when he makes a mistake).[10]

Be Warned! The Status of No One Nor Your Closeness to Anyone Should Divert You From The Truth, Truthful Testimony, Fair play and Honesty

Imam Ash-Shawkani, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

We often see a man who holds a belief that aligns with truth and correctness. However, when he speaks to someone who disagrees with him- one who is inclined towards something of the innovated matters in the religion, and especially if that person holds a position of leadership or worldly wealth, not to mention a king, he agrees with him, strengthens, supports and aids him against others.

The least in such circumstances is that he would hide what he believes is the truth and show contempt – in the presence of a person from whom it is neither possible to receive harm nor benefit – towards what has become clear to him is the right thing, so, what about someone from whom harm and benefit are possible? This behavior is essentially prioritising worldly things and the life of this world over the religion and the afterlife. If he observed and reflected upon what has happened to him, he would have realised that his inclination toward the (vain) desires of a man, two men, three or more individuals – among those he compliments within that gathering, conceals the truth to be in agreement with them and to gain affection, acquire their possessions, and avoid being isolated by them -is a deficiency in upholding the truth and tantamount to exalting falsehood. If it were not for the fact that these individuals hold a higher position in his eyes than the Lord, he would not have been inclined to their (vain) desires and abandoned what he knows to be what Allah wants and demands from His servants. [11]

False Representation

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Beware of kadhib [lying], for indeed it corrupts one’s ability to illustrate information based on what it should be in reality. It corrupts one’s ability to illustrate information and his ability to teach the people. The liar portrays what is non-existent as something present and what is present as something non-existent. He portrays truth as something false and falsehood as something true; he portrays good as evil and evil as good, so this corrupts his conception and knowledge, which then becomes a punishment upon him. Then he portrays what is not true to the one deceived by him – the one who is inclined towards him- so he corrupts his conception and knowledge. The soul of the liar turns away from the existing reality -inclined towards what is non-existent and gives preference to falsehood.

And when his conception and knowledge is corrupted, which is the basis of every wilful chosen deed, his deeds become corrupt and marked by lies, so those deeds would emanate from him just as lies emanate from the tongue- he neither benefits from his tongue nor his deeds. This is why lying is the basis [or foundation] of immorality, just as the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Indeed lies lead to immorality [or wickedness] and indeed immorality [or wickedness] leads to the fire. [Al-Bukhari 2606/2607]

Firstly lies emerges from the heart and then on the tongue, so it corrupts it; then it transfers to the limbs and corrupts its actions, just as it corrupts the statements of the tongue. Therefore, lying prevails over his statements, deeds and state of affairs; corruption becomes deeply rooted in him and its disease leads to destruction if Allah does not grant him cure him with the medication of truthfulness, which uproots its (i.e. lying) from its original source.

This is why the basis [or foundation] of all the deeds of the hearts is based on truthfulness; and the basis of their opposites – such as showing off, self-amazement, pride, being glad [with ungratefulness to Allaah’s Favours], conceitedness, boastfulness, insolence, weakness, laziness, cowardice, disgrace and other than them- is lies. The origin of every righteous deed- whether carried out in private or public- is based on truthfulness. And the origin of every corrupt deed – whether carried out in private or public- is lies.

Allah punishes the liar by preventing him from those affairs that will bring him well-being and benefit, and He rewards the truthful one by granting him the ability to attain the beneficial affairs related to the worldly life and afterlife. There is nothing similar to truthfulness with regards to the manner in which it brings about wellbeing in this life and the next, and there is nothing similar to lying with regards to the manner in which it corrupts and harms one’s worldly affairs and the afterlife. [Allah (The Most High) said]:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds) [9:119]

هَٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنْفَعُ الصَّادِقِينَ صِدْقُهُمْ ۚ

This is a Day on which the truthful will profit from their truth. [5:119]

فَإِذَا عَزَمَ الْأَمْرُ فَلَوْ صَدَقُوا اللَّهَ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ

And when the matter (preparation for Jihad) is resolved on, then if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them. [47:21]

وَجَاءَ الْمُعَذِّرُونَ مِنَ الْأَعْرَابِ لِيُؤْذَنَ لَهُمْ وَقَعَدَ الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ
سَيُصِيبُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

And those who made excuses from the Bedouins came (to you, O Prophet) asking your permission to exempt them (from the battle), and those who had lied to Allah and His Messenger sat at home (without asking the permission for it); a painful torment will seize those of them who disbelieve. [9:90] [12]

Be warned Against Fujur Fil Khusumah

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Fujur Fil Khusumah (Iniquity, wicked or evil behaviour when disputing) is of types: rejecting what is obligated to you and claiming what one is not entitled to”. [13]

——————————————-

Footnote I: May Allah raise the rank of the brothers of Yusuf, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, because they expressed regret and repented.

We ask Allah:

اللهم كما حَسَّنْت خَلْقِي فَحَسِّنْ خُلُقِي

O Allah! Just as You made my external form beautiful, make my character beautiful as well]. [14]


[1] An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim. 1/300-303

[2] Az-Zawājir ʿan Iqtirāf al-Kabāʾir 2/124

[3] Ḥilyat al-Awliyāʾ 7/24

[4] Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ 8/36

[5] al-ʿIqd al-Farīd 1/30

[6] Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ 5/131

[7] I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/198. paraphrased:
قوله تعالى : إِن يَسْرِقُ فَقَدْ سَرَفَ أَخٌ لَهُ مِن قَبْلُ
[يوسف: ٧٧]

أخبر عن إخوة يوسف أنهم قالوا لما وجدوا الصواع في رحل أخيهم : إن يَسْرِقُ فَقَدْ سَرَفَ أَخٌ لَهُ مِن قَبْلُ . فلم يجمعوا بين الأصل والفرع بعلة ولا دليلها، وإنما ألحقوا أحدهما بالآخر من غير دليل جامع سوى مجرد الشبه الجامع بينه وبين يوسف، فقالوا : هذا مقيس على أخيه، بينهما شبه من وجوه عديدة، وذاك قد سرق فكذلك هذا ، وهذا هو الجمع بالشبه الفارغ، والقياس بالصورة المجردة عن العلة المقتضية للتساوي، وهو قياس فاسد والتساوي في قرابة الأخوة ليس
بعلة للتساوي في السرقة، ولو كانت حقاً، ولا دليل على التساوي فيها، فيكون الجمع لنوع شبه خال عن العلة ودليلها.
إعلام الموقعين (۱۹۸/۱)

[8] Explanation of Sunan Abu Dawud. Audio number 569

[9] An Excerpt from ‘at-Taleeqaatul Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahadith As-Sahihah. 1/26

[10] Saheeh Al-Bukhari -Kitaab Al-Ahkaam (Book of Judgements): Chapter 29: Hadeeth Number: 7181 with Fat’hul Baari]

[11] An Excerpt from Adab At-Talab Wa Muntahaa Al-Adab. Pages 93-95. Slightly paraphrased]

[12] Al-Fawa’id. pages 202-203

[13] https://youtu.be/FGtZtOBbif4

[14]https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2021/07/31/o-allah-just-as-you-made-my-external-form-beautiful-make-my-character-beautiful-as-well/

[1] Uncomfortable Truths and Realities Delivered by Al-Allamah Rabee to Some of Those Who Spoke Without Restraint

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

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

It has been broadcasted and spread in the media, including via broadcasts, newspapers, and websites, that the Pope of the Vatican Benedict the 16th attacked Islam and Allah’s Messenger, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, describing him and his message to be evil and rough. This is a strange and astounding affair that contradicts sound reasoning and intelligence, and the evident reality of Islam – the Islam through which Allah removed humankind out of darkness (and entered them) into light, from the tyranny of (false or distorted) religions to the justice of Islam, which the people of intelligence amongst its enemies bear witness to. I will not prolong my praise of Islam and the Messenger of Islam, because indeed the world and the libraries are filled with it, so I say:

Indeed, Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger- truly and truthfully. Allah sent him as a mercy to the entire creation, as a bearer of glad tidings, a warner, a caller to (the path of) Allah, and an illuminating lamp (through Allah’s instructions from the Qur’an and the Sunnah). He came honouring the Prophets and their books; rather he came with love for them, belief in them and their books. Allah, The Most High, said:

آمَنَ الرَّسُولُ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مِن رَّبِّهِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ كُلٌّ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَمَلآئِكَتِهِ وَكُتُبِهِ وَرُسُلِهِ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّن رُّسُلِهِ

The Messenger (Muhammad ) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. They say, “We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers”. [Al-Baqarah. 285]

Allah, The Most – when commanding the Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his Ummah- stated:

قُولُواْ آمَنَّا بِاللّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالأسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَمَا أُوتِيَ النَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ

Say (O Muslims), “We believe in Allah and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob), and to Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya’qub (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Musa (Moses) and ‘Iesa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islam).” [Al-Baqarah. 136]

Allah, The Most High, said:

قُلْ آمَنَّا بِاللّهِ وَمَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا وَمَا أُنزِلَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَالأَسْبَاطِ وَمَا أُوتِيَ مُوسَى وَعِيسَى وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لاَ نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ

Say (O Muhammad ): “We believe in Allah and in what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob) and Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya’qub (Jacob)] and what was given to Musa (Moses), ‘Iesa (Jesus) and the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one another among them and to Him (Allah) we have submitted (in Islam).” [Surah Aal Imran. Ayah 84]

Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, brought Adl and Ihsan, forbidding indecency, evil and transgression. Allah, The Most High, said:

إِنَّ اللّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاء ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاء وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

Verily, Allah enjoins Al-Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allah Alone – Islamic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsan [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin (i.e. all that Allah has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help, etc.): and forbids Al-Fahsha’ (i.e all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right, etc.), and Al-Munkar (i.e all that is prohibited by Islamic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds, etc.), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed. [Surah An-Nahl. Ayah 90]

He brought Jihad to uphold the statement of Allah [i.e. none has the right to be worshipped except Allah] and eliminate disbelief, polytheism and corruption. Musa [Moses – (peace and blessings be upon him)] and the Prophets of the Children of Israel preceded him in this. He brought Qisaas [the law of Equality in punishment] and Hudood [prescribed limits related to lawful and unlawful based on the Qur’an and Sunnah] to protect religion, lives, honour and wealth. And indeed, Musa (Moses) and the Prophets of the children of Israel after him preceded Muhammad in this matter, and that is good, benevolence, preservation of honour and wealth… to establish security and safety, facilitate (sound, lawful things that are) beneficial and ward off harm. No one describes Muhammad and his message as evil except a disbelieving liar who (as a consequence has also) attacked Musa and his message, and the Prophets after him who used to rule by the Torah. Allah, The Most High said:

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَا التَّوْرَاةَ فِيهَا هُدًى وَنُورٌ يَحْكُمُ بِهَا النَّبِيُّونَ الَّذِينَ أَسْلَمُواْ لِلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَالرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالأَحْبَارُ بِمَا اسْتُحْفِظُواْ مِن كِتَابِ اللّهِ وَكَانُواْ عَلَيْهِ شُهَدَاء فَلاَ تَخْشَوُاْ النَّاسَ وَاخْشَوْنِ وَلاَ تَشْتَرُواْ بِآيَاتِي ثَمَناً قَلِيلاً وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ وَكَتَبْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ فِيهَا أَنَّ النَّفْسَ بِالنَّفْسِ وَالْعَيْنَ بِالْعَيْنِ وَالأَنفَ بِالأَنفِ وَالأُذُنَ بِالأُذُنِ وَالسِّنَّ بِالسِّنِّ وَالْجُرُوحَ قِصَاصٌ فَمَن تَصَدَّقَ بِهِ فَهُوَ كَفَّارَةٌ لَّهُ وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أنزَلَ اللّهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ

Verily, We did send down the Taurat (Torah) [to Musa (Moses)], therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah’s Will, judged the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests [too judged the Jews by the Taurat (Torah) after those Prophets] for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah’s Book, and they were witnesses thereto. Therefore fear not men but fear Me (O Jews) and sell not My Verses for a miserable price. And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the Kafirun (i.e. disbelievers – of a lesser degree as they do not act on Allah’s Laws ). 45. And We ordained therein for them: “Life for life , eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.” But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it shall be for him an expiation. And whosoever does not judge by that which Allah has revealed, such are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers – of a lesser degree). [Al-Maa’idah. Ayaat 44-45]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَلْيَحْكُمْ أَهْلُ الإِنجِيلِ بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ فِيهِ وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللّهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

Let the people of the Injeel (Gospel) judge by what Allah has revealed therein. And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed (then) such (people) are the Fasiqun (the rebellious i.e. disobedient (of a lesser degree) to Allah]. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Ayah 47]

Indeed, the Jews and Christians disbelieved in the Torah and the Injeel (i.e. those amongst them who disbelieved during and after the departure of their Prophets), and they did not act upon the (sound) beliefs and rulings in them. And they belied Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who came to confirm the Prophets and their books, including the Torah and the Injeel. They disbelieved in Muhammad and what was included in his message regarding the confirmation of (the truthfulness of) of all the Prophets, (confirmation of) what is in the Torah and the Injeel, and what is in them pertaining to beliefs and rulings, except what Islam abrogated. And they fought him with the fiercest of wars, especially their rabbis, monks and popes, out of arrogance, envy and transgression after they distorted their books and manipulated their texts, and turned what they contained of (sound) beliefs, monotheism and Iman into polytheism and disbelief, and invalidated the rulings in them!! Thus, when this is their stance towards their books that they claim to believe in, then how is it difficult for them to disbelieve in Muhammad and in what he brought – the Qur’an, which falsehood cannot approach from before it or behind it [i.e. no devil -amongst humankind and Jinn – can approach it, neither by stealing nor by entering what is not part of it, neither by addition nor taking away something from it, because Allah preserved it at the time of its revelation, preserved its words and meanings, and indeed the One who revealed it (Allah) guaranteed that it will be preserved, as He] said:

إِنَّا نَحۡنُ نَزَّلۡنَا ٱلذِّكۡرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ ۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ

Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Quran) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption). [Tafseer as-Sadi. Surah Fussilat. Ayah 42]

O People of the Scripture! Repent to Allah with sincere repentance, and follow Muhammad, about whom your books and Isa (Jesus), peace and blessings be upon him, gave glad tidings. Allah said:

وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقاً لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشِّراً بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ فَلَمَّا جَاءهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ قَالُوا هَذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

And (remember) when ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: “O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you confirming the Taurat [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed . But when he (Ahmed i.e. Muhammad ) came to them with clear proofs, they said: “This is plain magic.” [Surah As-Saff. Ayah 6]

Allah said:

قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْاْ إِلَى كَلَمَةٍ سَوَاء بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلاَّ نَعْبُدَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ وَلاَ نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئاً وَلاَ يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضاً أَرْبَاباً مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُولُواْ اشْهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ

Say (O Muhammad ): “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims. [Aal Imran . 64]

Allah said:

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تَلْبِسُونَ الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُونَ الْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

O people of the Scripture! “Why do you mix truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know?” [Aal Imran. 71]

Allah said:

قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ لِمَ تَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ تَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجاً وَأَنتُمْ شُهَدَاء وَمَا اللّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ

Say: “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you stop those who have believed, from the Path of Allah, seeking to make it seem crooked, while you (yourselves) are witnesses [to Muhammad as a Messenger of Allah and Islam (Allah’s Religion, i.e. to worship none but Him Alone)]? And Allah is not unaware of what you do.”] [Aal Imran. 99]

O you who is called the Pope of the Vatican! Submit in Islam and you will be safe, and Allah will reward you twice, but if you refuse, then you are responsible for the sin of your followers among the European and non-European Christians. Submit to Islam so that the adherents to your religion will be safe, and Allah will enter you into a garden as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous, the followers of the truthful messengers. Believe in this great Qur’an, which is (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over all messages, brought the correct beliefs and just rulings that are supported by those with the most superior (sound) intellects and sound (uncorrupted) natural disposition.

Believe – you and your followers – in this Qur’an that contains what I have mentioned to you, and has reached a degree of miraculousness that cannot be matched by any other type – material or religious. Allah challenged Jinn and mankind to come up with the like of it, but they are unable to come up with the like of it; rather, they are unable to come up with ten chapters like it, and not even a chapter like it. They are unable, even if they aid one another. In this alone is what should invite the popes and their followers to (Islamic) faith if they have a share of reason, prudence, comprehension and fairness. Submit in Islam O Popes, surrender and obtain a paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, or else be sure of the severe, eternal punishment of a fire that Allah has prepared for the unbelievers, whose heat is intense and its bottom is far away. Allah, The Most High, stated in His Great Book, and His Book full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs):

إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ سَلاسِلا وَأَغْلالاً وَسَعِيراً

Verily, We have prepared for the disbelievers iron chains, iron collars, and a blazing Fire]. [Al-Insaan 4]

Allah, The Most High, said in His Great Book:

وَذَرْنِي وَالْمُكَذِّبِينَ أُولِي النَّعْمَةِ وَمَهِّلْهُمْ قَلِيلاً إن لدينا أنكالا وجحيما وطعاما ذا غصة وعذابا أليما يوم يوْمَ تَرْجُفُ الْأَرْضُ وَالْجِبَالُ وَكَانَتِ الْجِبَالُ كَثِيباً مَّهِيلاً . إنا أرسلنا إليكم رسولا شاهداً عليكم كما أرسلنا إلى فرعون رسولا فعصى فرعون الرسول فأخذناه أخذا وبيلا

And leave Me Alone to deal with the beliers (those who deny My Verses, etc.), and those who are in possession of good things of life. And give them respite for a little while. Verily, with Us are fetters (to bind them), and a raging Fire. And a food that chokes, and a painful torment. On the Day when the earth and the mountains will be in violent shake, and the mountains will be a heap of sand poured out and flowing down. [Al-Muzzammil. 11-14]

O popes! Neither be deceived by the life of this worldly life nor let the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allah. And know that your predecessors have distorted your books, corrupted your religion, made human beings objects of worship besides Allah and claimed that Jesus is the son of Allah or the third of three -Exalted is Allah, far away and above is He from this. Allah stated in His eternal and miraculous book that is preserved against distortion and alteration:

قل هو الله أحد الله الصمد لم يلد ولم يولد ولم يكن له كفوا أحد

Say (O Muhammad): “He is Allah, (the) One. Allah-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks). He begets not, nor was He begotten; and there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him]. [Al-Ikhlaas]

And, He, The Most High, stated in this great, miraculous book:

لقد جئتم شيئاً إدا تكاد السماوات يتفطرن منه وتنشق الأرض وتخر الجبال هدا أن دعوا للرحمن ولدا وما ينبغي للرحمن أن يتخذ ولداً إن كل من في السماوات والأرض إلا آتي الرحمن عبداً لقد أحصاهم وعدهم عدا وكلهم آتيه يوم القيامة فرداً

Indeed, you have brought forth (said) a terrible evil thing. Whereby the heavens are almost torn, and the earth is split asunder, and the mountains fall in ruins, that they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Beneficent (Allah). But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Beneficent (Allah) that He should beget a son (or offspring or children). There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) as a slave. Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting. And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender). [Maryam. 89-95]

O People of the Scripture and O Popes! All the messengers – including Jesus, peace be upon him, came with monotheism and fought against polytheism. Allah, The Most High, said:

لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ وَقَالَ الْمَسِيحُ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللّهُ عَلَيهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ

Surely, they have disbelieved who say: “Allah is the Messiah [‘Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary).” But the Messiah [‘Iesa (Jesus)] said: “O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode . And for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) there are no helpers. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Ayah 72]

So he [Isa (Jesus – peace be upon him)] commanded that Allah is worshipped alone, declared that Allah is his Lord, the Lord of those he addressed and was sent to (as their Messenger), and that whoever associates partners with Allah, then indeed Allah will forbid him from Paradise and his abode is Hell (if he dies in that state and did not repent). Allah, The Most High, said:

لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَاثَةٍ ۘ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّا إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۚ وَإِن لَّمْ يَنتَهُوا عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

Surely, disbelievers are those who said: “Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).” But there is no ilah (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilah (God -Allah). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them. [Al-Ma’idah. 73]

O Christians and popes! Refrain from what Allah has warned you against about deifying Jesus and others amongst the creation, otherwise you are upon disbelief and polytheism, and the recompense for that is that Allah will forbid you from entering Paradise and make your abode the Fire (forever if you die in that state and refrain from repentance through Islam).

Do not be deceived by what you found your predecessors upon, your popes and monks, because indeed – By Allah – they were upon falsehood and disbelief, and they have distorted the Torah and the Injeel, as I have told you before. Do not think that Jesus will intercede for you or enter you into paradise and save you from Hell, because this is not in his hand, and because you have opposed him and his belief- the belief in monotheism; and you have taken him as a god, while he has declared that one who does so is a disbeliever, and he will free himself from you and your misguidance, and your taking him and his mother as two deities besides Allah. Allah, The Most High, said:

وَإِذۡ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَـٰعِيسَى ٱبۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ ءَأَنتَ قُلۡتَ لِلنَّاسِ ٱتَّخِذُونِى وَأُمِّىَ إِلَـٰهَيۡنِ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ قَالَ سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِىٓ أَنۡ أَقُولَ مَا لَيۡسَ لِى بِحَقٍّ‌ۚ إِن كُنتُ قُلۡتُهُ ۥ فَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتَهُ ۥ‌ۚ تَعۡلَمُ مَا فِى نَفۡسِى وَلَآ أَعۡلَمُ مَا فِى نَفۡسِكَ‌ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّـٰمُ ٱلۡغُيُوبِ
مَا قُلۡتُ لَهُمۡ إِلَّا مَآ أَمَرۡتَنِى بِهِۦۤ أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبَّكُمۡ‌ۚ وَكُنتُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ شَہِيدً۬ا مَّا دُمۡتُ فِيہِمۡ‌ۖ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيۡتَنِى كُنتَ أَنتَ ٱلرَّقِيبَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ‌ۚ وَأَنتَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ شَہِيدٌ
إِن تُعَذِّبۡہُمۡ فَإِنَّہُمۡ عِبَادُكَ‌ۖ وَإِن تَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

And (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): “O ‘Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary)! Did you say unto men: ‘Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allah?’ ” He will say: “Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner-self though I do not know what is in Yours, truly, You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden and unseen. “Never did I say to them aught except what You (Allah) did command me to say: ‘Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them, but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness to all things. (This is a great admonition and warning to the Christians of the whole world). “If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, only You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise .” [Al-Maa’idah. 116-118]

This is Jesus disavowing the belief of the Christians and their false belief in him and his mother that they are deities besides Allah, and declares in the presence of Allah that he only commanded people as his Lord commanded him (to worship Allah alone, my Lord and your Lord). Allah is his Lord and the Lord of people, and it is impossible for him to claim deityship for himself and his mother, and command people to associate partners with Allah.

If you deny the realities contained in this speech, argue and dispute about it, then indeed, I (i.e. Rabee Bin Haadi) invite you to Mubahala [Footnote a] just as Allah commanded His truthful and trustworthy Messenger, saying:

فَمَنْ حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْاْ نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءنَا وَأَبْنَاءكُمْ وَنِسَاءنَا وَنِسَاءكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وأَنفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَةَ اللّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِينَ

Then whoever disputes with you concerning him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] after (all this) knowledge that has come to you, [i.e. ‘Iesa (Jesus)] being a slave of Allah, and having no share in Divinity) say: (O Muhammad ) “Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves – then we pray and invoke (sincerely) the Curse of Allah upon those who lie.” [Aal Imran.61]

There is a perfect example – for me and every Muslim – in this to follow Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and peace be upon those who follow guidance.

Written By Ash-Shaikh Rabee Bin Hadi Umayr Al-Madkhali 24 /Shaaban / 1427 AH

Source: https://www.mimham.net/met-987 paraphrased

———————————–

Footnote a: Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Tamiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

As for the Christians, then indeed the people of Najraan – from Yemen – came to debate with him [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] in his Masjid, so Allah revealed Surah Al Imraan regarding them. And when his proofs became manifest and it became clear to them that he is a Messenger of Allah sent to them, Allah commanded him that if they do not respond to his call, then he should call them for MUBAAHALAH [i.e. invoke the curse of Allah on the liars]. Allah, The Mist High, said:

فَمَنۡ حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ فَقُلۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ نَدۡعُ أَبۡنَآءَنَا وَأَبۡنَآءَكُمۡ وَنِسَآءَنَا وَنِسَآءَكُمۡ وَأَنفُسَنَا وَأَنفُسَكُمۡ ثُمَّ نَبۡتَہِلۡ فَنَجۡعَل لَّعۡنَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلۡڪَـٰذِبِينَ

Then whoever disputes with you concerning him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] after (all this) knowledge that has come to you, [i.e. ‘Iesa (Jesus)] being a slave of Allah, and having no share in Divinity) say: (O Muhammad) “Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves – then we pray and invoke (sincerely) the Curse of Allah upon those who lie.” [Aal Imraan. Aayah 61]

When he called them for MUBAAHALAH, they asked him to give them some time until after consulting  one another. Then they said to one another, “Do not do this, because by Allah, if he is a Prophet and we do this invocation, neither we nor our offspring after us will be successful”. So they excused themselves from Mubaahalah and agreed to pay Jizyah, because they were scared of his supplication as they knew that he is Prophet. [An Excerpt from ‘Al-Jawaabus Saheeh. 1/50-51]

MUBAAHALAH: Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “There is a benefit in the story of the people of Najraan, and in it is that Mubaahalah is legislated against the opposer when he persists upon [falsehood] after the proofs have been manifested. Indeed, Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, did call to it, then Al-Awzaa’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, and some of the scholars. And that which is well known from experience is that the affair of one who performs Mubaahalah – while he is one upon falsehood – does not extend beyond the year of the Mubaahalah. This occurred between me and a person who was fanatically supporting some of the heretics and after two months he could not stand up”. [An Excerpt from ‘Fat-hul Baari’ 12/195. Slightly paraphrased]

Imam Al Albaanee, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked about the ruling on MUBAAHALAH in relation to worldly matters:

Question: The hadith regarding the Najran delegation is well known when they came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and then Allah revealed:

فَمَنۡ حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ فَقُلۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ نَدۡعُ أَبۡنَآءَنَا وَأَبۡنَآءَكُمۡ وَنِسَآءَنَا وَنِسَآءَكُمۡ وَأَنفُسَنَا وَأَنفُسَكُمۡ ثُمَّ نَبۡتَہِلۡ فَنَجۡعَل لَّعۡنَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلۡڪَـٰذِبِينَ

Then whoever disputes with you concerning him [‘Iesa (Jesus)] after (all this) knowledge that has come to you, [i.e. ‘Iesa (Jesus)] being a slave of Allah, and having no share in Divinity) say: (O Muhammad) “Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves – then we pray and invoke (sincerely) the Curse of Allah upon those who lie.” [Aal Imraan. 61]

So he called them to MUBAAHALAH, but they refused. It is well known to us that MUBAAHALAH is not to be done except in issues related to Aqeedah, but some people amongst the Muslims suggest this ruling in worldly matters between him and his Muslim brother; meaning, if my Muslim brother owes me money but denies it, then would it be permissible to suggest this ruling between me and my Muslim brother?

Answer: May Allah bless you. The answer to this question is that it is not permissible to suggest this in such a situation or suggest this Shariah ruling in relation to material issues due to two reasons:

Firstly, because this story is related to issues of Aqeedah as you have stated today.

Secondly, as for the material issues, then Islam has legislated a system and principle for it. He [i.e. the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)] said, “The burden of proof is on the claimant and an oath is a duty upon the one who denies the claim”. So, there is no room for Mubaahalah in this affair, which Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, legislated in that affair between His Messenger, peace and blessing of Allah be upon him, and those Christians of the Najran, who denied true Islamic Monotheism and persisted on the Trinity. So, this is not suggested in another issue because neither is there a narration of the pious predecessors nor a hadeeth regarding it. However, if it must be done, it can be suggested when two groups of Muslims differ in some ideas or Aqeedah- for example between the Mutazilah and Ahlus Sunnah. It is possible that if some Mu’tazilee is haughty after discussion and after evidences have been presented, the Sunnee seeks Mubaahalah from him – that may the curse of Allah be upon the liars. Therefore, it is possible to suggest this in such a matter [Footnote b]

But as for the question with regards to suggesting this in issues related to material dispute, then this is not permissible.

An Excerpt from ‘Silsilah Al-Hudaa Wan-Noor 703

Footnote b: Shaikh Rabee’: Decisive words regarding permissible and forbidden debating in explanation of Imām al-Barbahāree (d. 329H): https://abukhadeejah.com/shaikh-rabee-decisive-words-regarding-permissible-and-forbidden-debating-in-explanation-of-imam-al-barbaharee-d-328h/

Finally, we once make it very clear that we are a people – by the Tawfeeq of Allah – who deal justly with the non-Muslims. Read articles by Shaikh Abu Abu Iyaad and Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allah preserve them].

The Islamic Shariah on the Foundation of Muslim Relations With Non-Muslims Who Do Not Show Aggression and Hostility: http://www.shariah.ws/articles/szsumlh-the-foundation-of-muslim-relations-with-non-muslims-who-do-not-show-aggression-and-hostility.cfm

http://www.shariah.ws/articles/nmsdfkp-islam-and-the-muslims-are-free-and-innocent-of-the-kharijite-extremists.cfm

Living With non-Muslims in the West with fine conduct- By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him]: https://abukhadeejah.com/living-with-non-muslims-in-the-west-with-fine-conduct/

Informing The Authorities of Terrorist Plots – By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him]: https://masjidfurqan.co.uk/2014/07/03/informing-the-authorities-of-terrorist-plots-by-ustaadh-abu-khadeejah-may-allaah-preserve-him/

Al-Allaamah Salih Aal Ash-Shaikh: Shariah Calls for Protection of Life and Property: http://www.shariah.ws/articles/csuslgk-shaikh-salih-aal-ash-shaikh-shariah-calls-for-protection-of-life-and-property.cfm

Al-Allaamah Salih Al-Fawzan: The Islamic Shariah Provides Security for Muslims and Non-Muslims and Those Who Violate It Are Kharijites Who Are to Be Fought and Severely Punished

http://www.shariah.ws/articles/duviqgl-shaykh-salih-al-fawzan-the-islamic-shariah-provides-security–for-muslims-and-non-muslims-and-those-who-violate-it-are-kh257rijites-who-are-to-be-fought-and-severely-punished.cfm

The Prophet of Islam would not kill diplomats, ambassadors, emissaries or foreign delegations even if they were sent by the worst of his enemies
https://abukhadeejah.com/the-prophet-of-islam-would-not-kill-diplomats-ambassadors-emissaries-or-foreign-delegations-even-if-they-were-sent-by-the-worst-of-his-enemies/

On Some Prophetic Narrations and a Supplication of the Janazah Prayer, as Some of Our Elderly Parents and Loved Ones Depart

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

On Some Prophetic Narrations and a Supplication of the Janazah Prayer, as Some of Our Elderly Parents and Loved Ones Depart

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“What is the world to me? What am I to the world? Verily, the example of this world and myself is that of a rider who seeks shade under a tree, then he moves on and leaves it behind”. [Musnad Ahmad 3701]

The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“What is the example of this worldly life in comparison to the Hereafter other than one of you dipping his finger in the sea?! Let him see what he brings forth”. [Muslim 2858]

Mujaahid, may Allah have mercy upon him, narrated that Abdullah Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said:

Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, took hold of my shoulder and said, “Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler”. The sub-narrator added, Ibn Umar Used to say, “If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death”. [Al-Bukhaari. 6416]

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty, your free time before your work, and your life before your death”. [Sahih Al-Jami 1077]

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, drew a square, and in the middle he drew a line that poked out the end. Across the middle line, he drew some smaller lines. The Prophet said:

This is the man (or human being) and the square surrounding him is death. The middle line is his worldly hopes and the smaller lines are his troubles. If this one misses him, another will distress him. If that one misses him, another will distress him”. [Al-Bukhaaree 6717]

Indeed, we witness a slow farewell of our elders, with only those whom Allah has chosen to remain with us. Over time, we also wait for our departure and only our Lord knows when that will occur. Indeed, we all know that this is an inevitable human experience, and we often fear death because of our deep connections to the joys of this life, or worrying about what awaits us in the Barsakh and the Hereafter. In our extended families, the families of our Muslim brothers and Ahlus Sunnah, the number of elders is dwindling, and sometimes we can easily count them on our fingers. One often thinks about how our children and grandchildren will perceive the few of us left after we depart. However, there is immense peace in submitting to Allah’s plan and holding onto the hope that He will grant us a good ending and forgive us. May Allah grant extensive mercy to the mother of Shaikh Abu Hakim and grant her a noble place among His successful servants in the Barsakh and on the day of Judgement, and likewise grant extensive mercy to all our parents, elders and loved ones who have preceded us to the afterlife Amin.

Indeed, one finds a lot of solace in this supplication (after Tashahhud and before Tasneem).

اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public, and I ask You (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger, and I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty, and I ask you for blessings that never ceases, and I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends, and I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; and I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquillity, etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me). O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Iman, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). [As-Saheehah Number 1301]

Contemplate This Supplication of The Janaazah Prayer

اللَّهمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَشَاهِدِنَا، وَغَائِبِنَا، وَصَغِيْرِنَا وَكَبِيْرِنَا، وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا. اللَّهمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَه ُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِه ِ عَلَى الإِسْلامِ، وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَه ُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّه ُ عَلَى الإِيْمَانِ، اللَّهمَّ لا تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ، وَلا تُضِلَّنَا بَعْدَهُ

O Allah! Forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah! The ones amongst us You keep alive, then let such a life be upon Islam, and whom amongst us You cause to die, then let such a death be upon Eemaan. O Allaah! Do not deprive us of his reward and do not let us go astray after him [i.e. after he has passed away.

Reminders From This Supplication:

اللَّهمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَشَاهِدِنَا، وَغَائِبِنَا، وَصَغِيْرِنَا وَكَبِيْرِنَا، وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا

O Allah! Forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females.

This tremendous supplication is for everyone – the deceased and other Muslims; whether they are alive or have passed away, young and old, males and females, those who are present, and those who are absent because all of them need Allah’s Forgiveness, Pardon, and Mercy. The person who makes this supplication will receive a reward for each person he or she has supplicated for amongst the male and female Muslims, whether they have passed away or are still alive because Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Whoever seeks for forgiveness for the male and female believers, Allah will write down for him a reward for every male and female believer (he has supplicated for)”. [Sahih al-Jami 6026]

اللَّهمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَه ُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِه ِ عَلَى الإِسْلامِ، وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَه ُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّه ُ عَلَى الإِيْمَانِ

O Allah! The ones amongst us You keep alive, then let such a life be upon Islam, and whom amongst us You cause to die, then let such a death be upon Iman”.

In this part of the supplication, Islam has been mentioned in connection with life, and Iman has been mentioned in connection with death. That is because whenever Islam is mentioned together with Iman, its intended meaning is the legislated apparent deeds and Iman is intended to mean the beliefs hidden in one’s heart. Due to this, it is appropriate that Islam was mentioned in connection with life because when a person is alive he has room and opportunity to perform deeds and worship Allah; but at the time of death, he has no room to do that, rather there is no room for anything else except to die upon sound creed and Iman by the Tawfeeq of Allah. This is why it is stated in this supplication:

وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَه ُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّه ُ عَلَى الإِيْمَانِ

And whom amongst us You cause to die, then let such a death be upon Iman].

اللَّهمَّ لا تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ

O Allah! Do not deprive us of his reward.

Meaning: Do not deprive us of the reward we are to receive for preparing his Janazah, praying for him, and burying him and the reward we are to receive for being patient due to the calamity that has befallen us through being separated from him. As for the reward you’ll give him, then that is his own and we have no share from it. [وَلا تُضِلَّنَا بَعْدَهُ – And do not let go astray after him (i.e. after he has passed away)]- Meaning: Protect us from misguidance and safeguard us from trials and mistakes after we have lost him. [Fiqh Al-Ad’iyah Wal-Adkaar 3/237-238]

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي
وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ
وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return, and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [Saheeh Muslim Number: 2720]

Caution to Ourselves, Our Children, and Companions: The Peril of Pushing Concessions Too Far

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

A’isha, may Allah be pleased with her,  reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, did something and allowed his people to do it, but some people refrained from doing it. When the Prophet learned of that, he delivered a sermon, and after having praised Allah, he said, “What is wrong with such people who refrain from doing a thing that I do? By Allah, I know Allah better than they, and I am more afraid of Him than they.” [Al-Bukhari 6101]

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father,  reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Verily, Allah loves for you to take His concessions, just as He loves you to fulfill the things He has obligated.” [Sahih Ibn Hibban 354]

 

Unjustified Pursuit of Concessions and Odd Matters

Ibrahim Ibn Abee Ablah (died 152AH – may Allah have mercy upon him) said, “He who carries the odd affairs of knowledge carries a lot of evil”. [1]

Abdur Rahmaan Bin Mahdi (died 198AH – may Allah have mercy upon him) said, “The one who pursues the odd affairs of knowledge cannot be an Imam in knowledge”. [2]

Imam ash-Shaatibee, may Allah have mercy upon him] stated regarding the attitude of unjustified pursuit of concessions, “This arises from following one’s desires. Desire leads to a ‘too easy going attitude’ and the pursuit of concessions for oneself and others. So, you see him (i.e. such person) adopting that for himself or passing that judgment for his relative or friend, which he would not do for another person, due to the desire of that relative and friend”. [3]

He, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “If a Mukallaf [i.e. the sane one who has reached the age in which the obligations of the Shariah are obligated to him or her] seeks after concessions in the Madhabs in every affair that is difficult for him and every statement that agrees with his desires, then he will remove himself from the firm handhold of piety and persist upon the pursuit of desires”. [4]

He, may Allah have mercy upon him, also stated regarding the attitude of the unjustified pursuit of concessions: “This arises from following one’s desires. Desire leads to a too easy going attitude and the pursuit of concessions for oneself and others. So, you see him adopting that for himself or passing that judgment for his relative or friend, which he would not do for another person due to the desire of that relative and friend”. [5]

He, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said: “If a Mukallaf [i.e. the sane one who has reached the age when the obligations of the Shariah are obligated on him or her] seeks after concessions in the Madhabs in every affair that is difficult for him and every statement that agrees with his desires, then he will remove himself from the firm handhold of piety and persist upon the pursuit of desires”. [6]

“f desires enter (a person), it leads to following the ambiguous matters out of being eager to prevail and become victorious through establishing excuses in issues related to difference of opinion (or differing); but rather it leads to splitting, disharmony, enmity, and hatred due to the different desires and lack of (sound) agreement; however, the Shariah came to curtail (vain) desires completely. If some of the premises of the evidence were not established except through desires, it would not result except in following desires and that is contrary to the Shariah, and opposing the Shariah is not fr of the Shariah at all. Therefore, following desires concerning what one may regard to be adherence to the Shariah is tantamount to misguidance.”. [7]

Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:

It is obligated to you to adhere to evidence and not (seek) concessions. Some of the pious predecessors said: “Whoever pursues concessions may fall into Zandaqah (hypocrisy or disbelief). Every Mad’hab contains some errors- some mistakes from some of its followers or from the Imam to whom it is attributed, who may have erred in some narrations or some hadiths were hidden from him. Therefore, a student of knowledge should not chase after concessions. If there is a difference of opinion on an issue and it is not one about which there is consensus, there are treatises among the people of knowledge, and the student of knowledge should (diligently) search for evidence and examine the more compelling statement or the one supported by stronger evidence, then he takes that which is established based on evidence and he does not chase after concessions. [8]

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:

The facilitation of ease is what aligns with the essence of the religion. From this, we know that when two scholars differ in their opinions and it is not clear which view carries greater weight, neither in terms of evidence nor derivation of proofs, and both are reputable scholars in their knowledge and trustworthiness and the evidence is not clear as well as the derivation of proofs, yet they hold differing views—one being more stringent than the other—whom should we follow? The response: We should follow the easier option and it is said (we follow) the more stringent one, as it is deemed more cautious. However, this statement requires further examination, as the most cautious approach would be what aligns more with the Shariah and the easier option would be what aligns more with the Shariah. [9]

He, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said:

The jurists -may Allāh have mercy upon them, defined Muru’ah [manliness, sense of honour, honourable behaviour] in the Book of Testimonies, stating: “Doing what beautifies and adorns (a person’s character), while avoiding what may tarnish one’s character or reputation. This definition is general. Anything that beautifies and adorns you in the eyes of the people, and serves as a reason for praise for you, is considered Muru’ah, even if it does not fall under acts of worship. And everything opposite of this is contrary to Muru’ah. [10]

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] was asked about those who follow the legislated Islamic concessions?

He replied: The religion is an Amaanah- an amaanah between the slave and his Lord. It’s obligatory that he fulfils it (the religious duties) as Allah and his messenger have commanded. Whoever performs the obligations, refrains from the prohibited affairs, (does) that which he is able from the Mustahabbaat (recommended deeds) and abandons the Makroohaat (disliked actions), this is the Amaanah between the slave and his lord. The concessions are only allowed when there is a need and necessity (to utilise) them. Utilise them in accordance with necessity- with a need for the concession. Just like the sick person combines between two prayers, performs Tayyamum if he cannot use water for purification and doesn’t fast in Ramadhaan (i.e. when travelling etc), and a traveler shortens the prayers. This is a religious concession used at the time of its requirement. As for using concessions in other than their correct place (i.e. situation), then this is not permissible. Allah did not permit that for him (in such situation). Indeed He (Allaah) only placed the concessions at specified times and situations, and they are not used in other than these (times and situations). Therefore, it is obligated to the Muslim that he fears Allah and that he establishes that which Allah has obligated to him. [11]

Reminder to Those Youth You Have Gone to Study And Are Teachers or Will Be Teachers In Future InShaAllah

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“The loftiest ambition in pursuit of knowledge is to acquire knowledge from the Qur’an and the Sunnah- to be granted understanding by Allah [i.e. blessed to acquire sound knowledge and act upon it] and through the Sunnah of the Messenger, and acquaint oneself with the boundaries of the revelation [i.e. neither going into excess nor being lackadaisical]. And the most baseless ambition of the students of knowledge is to confine their ambitions in following the bizarre affairs and that which has neither occurred nor has it been revealed, or acquainting (oneself) with the differences of opinion and pursuing the statements of the scholars, whilst having no ambition to acquaint oneself with what is correct among those statements. Little is there to benefit from the knowledge of these people”. [12]

Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:

We have decided to explain the book “Hilya Talib Al-Ilm” after consultations and suggestions from our students at the central Masjid. This is because if a student of knowledge lacks virtuous character, then there is no benefit in his pursuit of knowledge; instead it is obligated to a person that whenever he acquires knowledge of something related to virtuous deeds or acts of worship, he (strives) to implement it. If he does not do so, then he and the ignorant person will be the same; rather, the ignorant person may be in a better position because he deliberately abandons it  unlike the ignorant person. This is because the ignorant person may act if he knows unlike the one who knows yet does not follow. Therefore, I urge both myself and you to embody virtuous manners, patience, perseverance, forgiveness, and kindness to the best of our abilities. This is besides the great advice – fear of Allāh – about which Allāh says:

وَلَقَدْ وَصَّيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَنِ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ

And verily, We have recommended to the people of the Scripture before you, and to you (O Muslims) that you (all) fear Allah, and keep your duty to Him. [An-Nisa 131] [13]

Al-Allaamah Abdur-Rahmaan Bin Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee, ay Allah have mercy upon him] said, “And know that some of the sincere ones fall into error by the will of Allah as a trial for others, as to whether they will follow the truth and abandon his speech, or be deceived by his virtuousness and lofty (status)? He (i.e. this sincere scholar) is excused; rather he is rewarded for striving to reach the correct verdict and his intention to reach good, and he is not degraded. However, the one who follows him (out of being) deceived by his great (status) without turning towards the real evidences in Allah’s Book (i.e. the Qur’an) and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), he is not excused; rather he is upon a great danger”. [14]

 


[1] Siyar A’laam An-Nubula 6/324

[2] At-Tamheed 1/64 by Ibn Abdil Barr

[3] Al-Muwaafaqaat. 5/84

[4]Al-Muwaafaqaat. 3/123

[5] Al-Muwaafaqaat. 5/84

[6] Al-Muwaafaqaat. 3/123

[7] Al-Muwaafaqaat 5/221

[8] Paraphrased:

عليك أن تأخذ بالدليل، لا بالرخص، قال بعض السلف: من تتبع الرخص؛ تزندق، كل مذهب يكون فيه بعض الأغلاط، بعض الأخطاء من بعض أتباعه، أو من الإمام الذي هو منسوب إليه أنه غلط في بعض الروايات، وأنه خفي عليه بعض الأحاديث، فطالب العلم لا يتتبع الرخص.
وإذا كان في المسألة خلاف، ما هي بمسألة إجماع، فهناك رسائل بين أهل العلم، فطالب العلم يتحرى الدليل، وينظر في أقرب القولين، أو الأقوى للدليل، فيأخذ بما قام عليه

الدليل، لا بتتبع الرخص

https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/2138/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%B9-%D8%B1%D8%AE%D8%B5-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%82%D9%87%D8%A7%D8%A1

[9]  Paraphrased:

التيسير هو الموافق لروحِ الدِّينِ، مِن هُنَا نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ إِذَا اخْتَلَفَ عَالِمِانَ فِي رَأْي ولم يتبين لنا الأَرْجَحُ من قوليها لا من حَيْثُ الدَّلِيلِ، وَلا مِن حَيْثُ الاسْتِدْلَالُ وكُلُّهُمْ عُلَماءُ ثَقَاتِ فِي عِلْمِهِمْ وَأَمَانَتِهِمْ، وَالْأَدلَّةُ لِيسَتْ وَاضِحَةً، وَالاسْتِدْلَالُ كَذَلِكَ، لكن اخْتَلَفَ رَأَيْهَا، أَحَدُهُمَا أَشَدُّ مِن الثَّانِي، فَمَنْ نَتَّبِعُ؟
الجواب: تَتَّبِعُ الأَيْسَرَ ، وقيل : الأَشَدَّ؛ لَأَنَّهُ أَحْوَطُ؛ وهذا القَوْلُ فِيهِ نَظَرُ؛ لأن
الأَحْوَطَ مَا كَانَ أَوْفَقَ لِلشَّرْعِ، وَالأَيْسَرُ هُوَ الأَوْفَقُ لِلشَّرْعِ

Sharh Hilya Talib Al-Ilm page 202. 1st Edition 1434AH Rabi’ ul Awwal

[10] Paraphrased:

والمَرُوءَةُ حَدَّهَا الفقهاء . – رحمهم الله – في
كتاب الشهادات، فقالوا هي: فِعْلُ ما يُجَمِّلُهُ ويُزَيِّنُهُ، وَاجْتِنَابُ مَا يُدَنَّسُهُ وَيُشِيةٌ
وهذه عبارة عَامَّةٌ ، كُلُّ شَيْءٍ يُجَمِّلُكَ عِنْدَ النَّاسِ، وَيُزَيِّنُكَ وَيَكُونُ سَبَبًا للثَّنَاءِ عَلَيْكَ
فهو مَرُوعَةٌ، وإن لم يكن مِنَ العِبادات، وكلُّ شيء عَكْسُ ذلك فهو خلاف المروءة

Sharh Hilya Talib Al-Ilm page 7. 1st Edition 1434AH Rabi’ ul Awwal. page 50

[11] Translated by Abu Aa’isha Amjad Khan. http://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/13751

[12] An Excerpt from Al-Fawaa’id. Page 99

[13] Paraphrased:

فقد قَرَّرْنَا شَرْحَ كتاب «حِلْيَةُ طَالِبِ الْعِلْمِ»، بعد مُشَاوَرَةٍ واقتراح الطلبة لدينا في الجامع؛ وذلك لأنَّ طالب العلم إذا لم يَتَحَلَّ بالأخلاقِ الفَاضِلَةِ فَإِن طَلَبَهُ لِلْعِلْمِ لا فائدة فيه، لكن يَجِبُ على الإنسان كُلَّمَا عَلِمَ شَيْئًا مِن الْفَضَائِلِ أو العِبَادَاتِ أن يقوم به، فإذا لم يفعل فهو والجاهل سواءٌ، بَلِ الْجَاهِلُ أَحْسَنُ حَالًا منه، لأنَّه تَرَكَ الفَضْلَ عن عَمْدٍ بخلاف الجاهل، ولأنَّ الجاهل رُبَّمَا يَنْتَفِعُ إِذا عَلِمَ،
بخلاف من عَلِمَ ولم يَنتَفِعُ .
فلهذا أحثُّ نفسي وإِيَّاكُمْ على التَّحَلي بالأخلاقِ الفَاضِلَةِ، وَالصَّبْرِ والمُصَابَرَةِ، والعفو والإحسان، بقدر المستطاع، هذا بقطع النظر عن الوصية الكبرى، وهي الوَصِيَّةُ بتقوى الله – عز وجل، التي قال الله – تعالى – فيها
وَلَقَدْ وَصَّيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ أَنِ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ

Sharh Hilya Talib Al-Ilm page 7. 1st Edition 1434AH Rabi’ ul Awwal

[14] Raf’ul Ish-tibaah. page 152

 

A Great Disclosure: Four Lives Uncovered by Their Adherence to the Two Paths

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

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ وَلِتَسْتَبِينَ سَبِيلُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ

And thus do We explain the signs (to you O Muḥammad) in detail, and so that the way of the criminals may become evident (to you). [Surah Al-An’aam. Ayah 55] [1]

Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Meaning, Allah [The Exalted] stated that just as He explained what was previously explained of the arguments and evidence on the path of guidance and sound judgment, and censured argumentation and stubbornness; also, He explains the signs (proofs, evidence, lessons), which those being addressed need;

ولتستبين سبيل المجرمين

And so that the way of the criminals may become evident”.

Meaning, so that the path of the criminals – those who oppose the Messengers – may become evident. [2]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Those who know Allah, His Book, and the religion He has ordained are acquainted with the path of the believers and that of the criminals in detail- the two paths are visible to them, just as a path leading to its destination and the path leading to destruction is made visible. They are the most knowledgeable among the creation- the ones who benefit (the people) the most, the ones with the most useful advice and they are evidence of right guidance. This is why the Sahaabah (companions of the Prophet) have excelled over all those to come after them until the Day of Judgment because they were brought up upon the path of misguidance, Shirk, and the paths leading to destruction, and they knew them in detail; then the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] came to them and took them out from darkness (and entered them) into complete light- from shirk (polytheism) into Tawheed (pure Islamic Monotheism), from ignorance into knowledge, from misguidance into guidance, from injustice into justice, from confusion and blindness into guidance and clear-sightedness. They knew the worth of that which they received and were triumphant by way of it. They knew the worth of that which was contained in what they received since what is in opposition to the (truth and right guidance) manifests the goodness of what it opposes because affairs are made clear by way of their opposites. So, they (Sahaabah) increased in desire and love of that which they embraced, disliked, and hated that which they had turned away from. And of all the people, they had the most love for Tawheed, Imaan, and Islam, and had the most hatred for that which was in opposition to it. They were the most knowledgeable of the (right) path in detail.

As for those who came after the Sahaabah, among them, is one who was brought up in Islam but knows not what is in opposition to it. Therefore, some of the details of the path of the believers and that of the criminals became confusing to him because confusion occurs due to the weakness of one’s knowledge regarding both paths or one of them, as Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab [may Allah be pleased with him] said:

“The robust signposts of Islam will be undone one after the other when a people who grew up in Islam know not what Jahiliyyah-[Pre-Islamic Ignorance] is”.

This (statement shows an aspect of) Umar’s perfect knowledge. There is that one who is neither acquainted with the path of the criminals nor has it been made clear to him, or he has doubts and thus thinks that some of their ways are from the ways of the believers. This has occurred in this Ummah in many affairs of Creed, Knowledge, and deeds regarding the path of the criminals, the disbelievers, and the enemies of the Messengers, (which) was brought into the path of the believers by the one who does not know the (detailed distinction between) the path of believers and the path of the criminals, so he called to (this path), excommunicated the one in opposition and declares lawful that which Allah and His Messenger made unlawful, just as what has occurred with many of the people of bidah, such as the Jahmiyyah, the Qadariyyah, the Khawaarij, the Rawaafid and their ilk- among those who initiated a Bidah, called to it and excommunicated those who opposed it.

The people are four categories in this subject matter (i.e. their knowledge of the path of the believers and the criminals).

The first group is those who know the path of the believers and that of the criminals in detail– in both knowledge and action. They are the most knowledgeable among the creation.

The second group is those who are blind to both paths- those resembling animals. The path of the criminals is presented to them and they follow it.

The third group is those who concern themselves with (seeking) knowledge of the path of the believers and not its opposite- only acquainted with (the path of the criminals) by way of its opposition to the (path of the believers) and in a general way, and that all that is in opposition to the path of the believers is falsehood, even though that is not illustrated to him in detail; rather, turns away when he hears some of that which contradicts the path of the believers and does not preoccupy himself in understanding and knowing its falsity (i.e. by way of learning from the upright people of knowledge). This person is in a state (similar) to one who is safeguarded from following desires- whose heart is neither put at risk nor is he called to (such desires)- as opposed to those who are aware of (such desires) and their souls are inclined towards them, but they strive against it for the Sake of Allah. A letter was written to Umar Ibnul Khattaab [may Allah be pleased with him] and he was asked about this affair, as to which of the two men is the better- a man who is not put at risk by way of desires and does not go through its difficulties, or a man who is urged towards it but abandons it for the Sake of Allah? Umar wrote back saying, “The one who is desirous of sin but abandons it for the Sake of Allah is from ‘those whose hearts Allaah has tested for piety. For them, there is forgiveness and a great reward’”. [Al-Hujuraat.3]

The fourth group knows the path of evil, bidah, and kufr in detail and the path of the believers in general. This is the situation of many of those who concern themselves with the beliefs of the previous nations and that of the people of bidah (proponents of religious innovation). They are acquainted with (these affairs) in detail, but not with what the Messenger came with; rather they are acquainted with it in general even though they may know some of its affairs in detail. Whoever examines their books will see that. Likewise, those who know the paths of evil, oppression, and corruption in detail and are followers of it, if they repent, abandon these (affairs) and return to the path of the pious believers, then their knowledge of it will only be general. They will not be acquainted with it in that detailed manner known to those who spend their lives (studying) its regulations and ways.

The Objective: Indeed, Allah, Glorified be He, free from all imperfections, loves that one should know the path of His enemies to avoid and hate it, just as the path of His Awliyaa (close friends, allies) should be known and followed. [3]


[1]: Translation by Shaikh Abu Iyaad: https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/search/6_55%5D

[2]: Tafseer ibn Katheer

[3]: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawaa’d pages 167-180

The Final Blossoms of Tawhid as the Soul is About to Depart

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

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said:

The Shahadah at the time of death wipes away one’s evil deeds. This is because the one who utters it at the time of departure from this world does so with certainty and knowledge of its true meaning. All his desires [i.e. worldly desires] come to an end and his rebellious soul (becomes) mild and submissive after being in (a state of) refusal and disobedience- a (state of) approval after turning away, and a state of humility after being held in high esteem. The (heart’s and the soul’s) eagerness for the worldly life and its merits departs and distances (from everything) while in the presence of its Lord, Originator and true Protector; humble in the presence of its Lord, hopeful of pardon, forgiveness and mercy.

Belief in the Oneness of Allah- [i.e. the belief in the Oneness of Allah’s Lordship (that Allah alone is the creator, provider and the one in control of all the affairs of the universe); and that Allah alone has perfect Names and Attributes without similarities, free from all imperfections, and that Allah alone has the right to be worshipped]- frees and distances the soul from that which leads to Shirk and manifests the reality of its falsity. Thus, those wishes which the soul busied itself with ceases and all its concern is (dovoted to) the One it is certain to meet [i.e. Allah].

The person focuses his attention completely on Allah- turns to Allah with his soul and desire and submits to Allah alone, inwardly and outwardly. The person’s hidden affair [i.e. the heart and soul] and outward affair [i.e. what he proclaims] testify to the same thing, thus, he says sincerely: “None has the right to be worshipped except Allah.” His heart is freed from attachment to other than Allah -all the worldly (desires) leaves the heart because he is about to stand in Allah’s presence. The intensity of his desire (for the worldly life) is extinguished and the heart is filled with the afterlife, thus it becomes the attention of his eyes and the worldly life is forgotten. [When] this sincere testimony is his last deed, it purifies him from sins and Allah enters (him into a noble position). This is because he meets Allah with a truthful and pure testimony, whose outward manifestation is in agreement with (what is hidden in the heart and soul). If a person made this testimony (with this type of conviction) during the time of well-being [i.e. whilst residing in the worldly life], he would not have placed great importance on worldly desires, rather he would have attached himself to Allah alone; but he made this testimony (in the worldly life) with a heart filled with desires, love of life and its means of subsistence. [1]

We ask Allah:

اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْراً لِي وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْراً لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيماً لَا يَنْفَذُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضِا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ
وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ

O Allah! By Your Knowledge of the unseen and by Your Power over creation, let me live if life is good for me, and let me die if death is good for me; O Allah! I ask You to grant me (the blessing of having) fear of You in private and public; And I ask you (to make me utter) a statement of truth in times of contentment and anger; And I ask You for moderation when in a state of wealth and poverty; And I ask you for blessings that never ceases; And I ask You for the coolness of my eye that never ends; And I ask You (to make me pleased) after (Your) decree; Aand I ask You for a life of (ease, comfort, tranquility etc) after death; I ask You for the delight of looking at Your Face (i.e. in the Hereafter) and yearning to meet You without any harm and misleading trials (coming upon me); O Allah! Adorn us with the adornment of Eemaan, and make us (from those who are) guided and guiding (others). [Sunan An-Nasaa’ee’ Number 1305 & declared Saheeh by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in As-Saheehah Number 1301] [2]

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي
وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي
وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ
وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

O Allah! Rectify my religion for me, which is the safeguard of my affairs; rectify my worldly [affairs], wherein is my livelihood; and rectify my Afterlife to which is my return; and make life for me [as a means of] increase in every good and make death for me as a rest from every evil. [Saheeh Muslim Number: 2720] [3]


[1] An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawaa-id. Page: 91-92. slightly paraphrased

[2]https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2021/01/01/o-allaah-let-me-live-if-life-is-good-for-me-and-let-me-die-if-death-is-good-for-me/

[3]https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2020/12/29/o-allaah-rectify-my-religion-for-me-which-the-safeguard-of-my-affairs-a-tremendous-supplication/