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Mobile Phone Infatuation And Breaking The Law Whilst Driving

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

Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] said:

We are greatly in need of the Qur’aan, especially this era in which many people have become preoccupied with mobile phones. Many hearts have become infatuated with mobile phones and many eyes have been turned towards them – looking at them in a manner that has no benefit; rather it is harmful to one’s religion, manners, health and well-being. This reality [i.e. preoccupying oneself with mobile phones] grieves many of those who have great zeal for the religion – the sincere advisers – because it has become the case with many people; but on the contrary, the Qur’aan is given very little attention in their lives; rather late at night, different times of the day and most of their time is spent looking at them [i.e. mobile phones] – one gaze after the other; contemplation after another contemplation! And how many a person has been plotted against by shaytaan through these mobile phones.

The good uses of mobile phones is not in need of discussion [i.e. because its benefits are well known]; rather what needs to be addressed is the great calamity that has afflicted many people by way of them- to such an extent that being busied by the mobile phone leads some people to neglect the prayer. They hear the Adhaan – Hayyaa Alas Salaah; Hayyaa Alas Salaah; Hayyaa Alal Falaah…but carry on looking into the mobile phone until the prayer finishes. The time for an obligation ordained by Allaah [i.e. Salaah] to be fulfilled arrives, but one carries on looking into his mobile phone and does not pay attention to the prayer. If it is the case that the obligatory duties are being neglected, then more so other affairs will be neglected.

Therefore, we need to acquaint ourselves with the Qur’aan, especially because mobile phones have preoccupied many people in this era. Our lives would have been far better through attainment of piety and guidance if this preoccupation with mobile phones is substituted with  looking into the Qur’aan, contemplating and pondering upon it; however, we have exchanged that which is the best for something lower. [End of quote] [Ref 1]

Using a Phone Or a Sat Nav When Driving

Brothers and sisters, there is no doubt that our mobile phones can be of great use; but from what we have witnessed so far is that it has become a great source of distraction for some of us. Amazing indeed is the affair when you see a person sending text messages and constantly checking his WhatsApp messages whilst driving. One has to remember that we place ourselves and others in great danger when engaged in such a reckless deed. On the other hand, this is what the law says regarding such a deed: https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law


[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Sharh Dhakheerah Al-Ikhwaan Fee Ikhtisaaril Is’tigh’naa Bil-Qur’aan Fee Tahseelil Ilm Wal-Eemaan. Lesson 2. Slightly paraphrased]

The Attitude of The Believer Towards This Worldly Life When He Reaches The Morning And The Evening

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

Allaah (The Most High) informed us that the believer amongst the people of Pharaoh said:

 يَـٰقَوۡمِ إِنَّمَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا مَتَـٰعٌ۬ وَإِنَّ ٱلۡأَخِرَةَ هِىَ دَارُ ٱلۡقَرَارِ

“O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever.” [1]

Mujaahid (rahimahullaah) narrated: Abdullaah Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) said: Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) took hold of my shoulder and said: ‘’Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveller.’’  The subnarrator added: Ibn Umar Used to say: ‘’If you survive till the evening, do not expect ti 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.’’ [2]

The Muslim is like a stranger in this worldly life: The stranger is one residing in a country other than his country.  The worldly life is not the Muslim’s permanent place of residence; rather the Muslim’s permanent place of residence is paradise.  He is in this worldly life to work for entry into Paradise. He takes what is needed from this world to aid him work for entry into paradise.

 The Muslim is like a traveller in this worldly life: The traveller takes rest during his journey and then carries on travelling. He does not reside permanently in that place he stopped to take a rest.  In the life of this world the Muslim is that traveller.  In reality he is not a permanent resident in the worldly life because his time in it is very little.  His nights and days take him towards the afterlife.

 What is befitting the Muslim with regards to the days, nights, and his health etc! If you reach the morning do not delay good deeds till in the evening because it maybe that you will not reach the evening.  If you reach the evening do not delay good deeds till the morning because it maybe that you will not reach the morning.  Do not delay repentance and righteous deeds till another time.

As long as a person is in a state of good health and wellbeing, he is able to perform fasting, the night prayer etc; but when he becomes sick he is not able to perform fasting, the night prayer etc.  Therefore, as long as Allaah has given you good health, then hasten towards righteous actions because a time will come in which you will be unable to perform them-either due to illness, old age, or senility. Prepare for death and what is to come after it. Allaah gave you this life in order that you busy yourself with what will benefit you in the afterlife. So do not spend your life in play and jest.  [3]


References: [1]Soorah Ghaafir: Ayah 39; [2]Bukhaari: The Book of Ar-Riqaaq Vol 8: Hadeeth Number: 6416]; [3] Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Minhatur Rabbaaniyyah Fee sharh al-arba’een of Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) pages 285 287. slightly paraphrased]

A Mistake Related to Travelling

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

This is one of the manifestly evil and clearly forbidden affairs, therefore it not permissible to travel to the lands in which polytheism and evil deeds are manifested, and [in which] forbidden affairs are made lawful, except due to a need and necessity, and [except] for one who manifests his religion, speaks the truth openly and [propagates] Islamic Monotheism. As for travelling in disobedience to [Allaah], abandonment of the obligatory duties and being unable to manifest one’s religion, then none amongst the people of knowledge have spoken about the permissibility of this. It [i.e. travelling in disobedience] is a common affliction and the safeguarded one is the one whom Allaah keeps safe. [Al-Mindhaar Fee Bayaani katheer Minal Akh-taa Ash-Shaa’i’ah page: 77: Shaikh Saaleh Aala Shaikh (hafidhahullaah]

The Idle Person; Two Destructive Affairs; Acquire Knowledge Before It Is Taken Away: [Admonition By Abdullah Bin Mas’ood]

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

Ibn Mas’ood said:

“I dislike to see a man being idle- neither (occupied) with beneficial affairs of the dunya, nor deeds of the Aakhira”. [Ref 1]

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said:

“[There] are two affairs that are destructive- Self-amazement and despairing of Allaah’s Mercy”. [Ref 2]

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said:

“Acquire knowledge before it is taken away and it being taken away is the departure of its people (i.e. the death of the scholars). Indeed, beware of [التنَطُّع  (i.e. going beyond what Allaah has legislated with regards to one’s practice of the religion); التعمُّق (i.e. looking too deeply into affairs in a manner that leads a person to overstep the boundaries of the legislation) and  بدع  (innovation in religion). And upon you is (to hold onto the) ancient affair (i.e. the way of the Salaf)”. [Ref 3]


Ref 1: Al- Fawaaid page 213; Ref 2: Hilyatul Awliyaa 7/298; Ref 3: Reported by Bayhaqiy (rahimahullaah) in Al-Madkhal Ilaa As-Sunan Al-Kubraa Number: 387; Ad-Daarimiy (rahimahullaah) in As-Sunan 1/54; Ibn Abdul Barr (rahimahullaah) in Jaami Bayaan al-Ilm 1/152; Al-Khateeb (rahimahullaah) in Al-Faqeeh Wal-Mutafaqqih 1/43

There’s No [Unrestricted or Unconditional] Allegiance to Anyone Besides The Infallible Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam]

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

Al-Allaamah Zayd Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali [rahimahullaah] stated:

There is no [unrestricted or unconditional] allegiance except to the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] because he is infallible and never speaks out of his desires. As for unrestricted allegiance to personalities whether they are correct or mistaken, then indeed this is not permissible for the seeker of knowledge. On the other hand, he should look to such and such Shaikhs as to which of them is upon uprightness and is following the Manhaj of the Salaf. This is the one whom we place our hands on his hands- not out of blameworthy blind following, rather due to the fact that he is upon the truth. So we agree with him upon truth and follow a singular path in obedience to the statement of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]: [وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ  – And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path] [6:153]

As for the one who selects Shaikhs, leaders and guides, whilst being in agreement with them- in what is correct and wrong- to the extent that they do not leave their Manhaj whether they are correct or wrong, then these are the people who bring evil upon themselves and upon others. And if they do not repent, then they are most worthy of being blamed. So the affair-and all praise belongs to Allaah- is clear and it is not permissible for a person to be in confusion regarding this affair.

Therefore, we are with those who follow the straight path-we follow a singular path which Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] has commanded us to follow and which the messenger called us to. And those you follow the wrong path or are mistaken in many of their affairs, or in some of their affairs, we leave him [i.e. we leave his mistakes or abandon him when he deserves to be boycotted]. None is followed in everything except the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]. As for the people, then indeed they can be correct or mistaken. Indeed, we do not follow them and we do not follow their footsteps solely because they are Shaikhs, Callers to Islaam, leaders or guides; rather you should be with the people of the Salafi Manhaj-those who follow the correct manhaj and correct understanding.

[العقد المنضد الجديد في الإجابة على مسائل في الفقه والمناهج والتوحيد -(page:144) ]

 

The Students of Hadeeth Should Strive to Be The Best In Behaviour!

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

It is necessary (or crucial) that the seekers of Hadeeth should have the most perfect [behaviour, manners, etiquettes etc] amongst the people, be the most humble amongst the people, the greatest in their impartiality and adherence to the religion, the least in (deviating from good conduct) and (being overcome with) anger, because they constantly listen to the narrations that gathers the excellent manners and etiquettes of Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], the lives of the virtuous pious predecessors, the path of the scholars of Hadeeth and the virtues of the (pious ones and scholars) who have passed away; so they adhere to the purest and excellent (aspects of those traits, etiquettes, manners etc) and turn away from the most despised and lowly [(raits, behaviour, manners, etiquettes etc). [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Jaami Bayaan Al-Ilm 1/78. By Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadi (rahimahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

Relationship Between Grandparents And Grandchildren

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

The questioner asks: A relative of mine has children and those children neither sit with their grandmother nor do they visit her except occasionally, and the excuse they give is that she is harsh towards them. Her son is the only one who sits with her, so is this [i.e. behaviour of her grandchildren] permissible?

Answer: It is obligated on them to sit with her and make her happy because she is their grandmother. She is like their mother, so it is obligated on them to treat her with kindness and this is part of maintaining the ties of kinship. It is obligated on her son to nurture his children upon this [i.e. to keep the ties of kinship], deal kindly and softly with their grandmother. Likewise it is obligated on the grandmother to be gentle towards these children and not to be harsh towards them if what the children say is true. Abdullaah Ibn Amr [radiyallaahu-anhu] said that the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “He (or she) is not one of us, who does not respect our elders and is not merciful to our youngsters”. [Reported by Imam Ahmad]

[Source: Fadaa’il Al- A’maal page 19’ by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdillaah As-Subayyil (rahimahullaah)]

A Book of Imaam As-Sadi [rahimahullaah] Recommended By Ustaadh Abu Hakeem [hafidhahullaah]

Ustaadh Abu Hakeem [hafidhahullaah] recommended – at the Birmingham Conference – that we buy Imaam As-Sadi’s Book Titled:

البراهين

العقلية على وحدانية الرب ووجوه كماله

The book has been explained by Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] in 12 Audios, so perhaps those of us who prefer audios can benefit from these audios or use them for more Fawaa’id whilst reading the Book. May Allaah benefit all of us from the works of the Ulama and the upright students Aaameen. Visit Link for audios:  https://al-badr.net/sub/395

After Me You Will See Others Given Preference to You, So Be Patient Till You Meet Me at The Haud

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

The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “After me you will see others given preference to you, so be patient till you meet me at Al-Haud [the pond (i.e. Al-Kauthar)] (on the Day of Resurrection]”. [Bukhaari]

It has (also) been reported in the Saheehayn [Bukhaari and Muslim] on the authority of Ubaadah Bin As-Saamit [radiyallaahu-anhu] who said, “We gave the Bai’ah (pledge) to Allaah’s Messenger that we would listen to and obey him both at the time when we were active and at the time when we were tired”. “And that we would not fight against the ruler or disobey him, and would stand firm for the truth or say the truth wherever we might be, and in the Way of Allah we would not be afraid of the blame of the blamers”. [End of ahaadeeth]

Indeed, the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] commanded the Muslims to exercise patience when others are given preference to them. They [must] obey their rulers in [good]- even if others are given preference to them- and should not challenge the authority [of the rulers]. Many of those who rebel against the rulers or most of them only do so when others are given preference to them, so they do not exercise patience when this occurs. Then it may be that the ruler has other sins [i.e. sins committed openly], so the person’s hatred – due to others being given preference to him – leads him to inflate those [other sins of the ruler] and thus he fights the ruler, [whilst] thinking that he is fighting for the sake of stopping fitna and so that the religion is sincerely established for the sake of Allaah alone. However, the greatest drive behind this [path of his] is to achieve his goals – either to seize power or [obtain] wealth, just as Allaah [The Most High] said: [فَإِنْ أُعْطُوا مِنْهَا رَضُوا وَإِن لَّمْ يُعْطَوْا مِنْهَا إِذَا هُمْ يَسْخَطُونَ   – If they are given part thereof, they are pleased, but if they are not given thereof, behold! They are enraged! [Surah At-Tawbah’ Ayah 58]

In the Saheehayn, the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “There will be three [types] of people whom Allaah will neither speak to them on the Day of Resurrection nor will He purify them [from sins], and they will have a painful punishment. [They are]: a man who had superfluous water on a way and withholds it from the wayfarers. And a man who sells something to another man after Asr and swears by Allaah [with a false oath] that he has been offered so much for it, whereas the buyer believes him and buys it although the seller has not been offered such a price. And a man who gives a pledge of allegiance to an Imam [i.e. a ruler] and only gives it for worldly [gains]; if he is given he fulfils his pledge, and if he is not given, he does not fulfil it”. [Muslim]

However, when Shub’hah [i.e. an affair that resembles the truth but is falsehood in reality] and Shah’wah [i.e. evil desires] come together, fitna arises. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasalam]- the one who conveyed Allaah’s legislation- commanded [us] with everything that will lead to rectification [or well-being] for an individual and the Muslims, therefore, he commanded the rulers to be just and sincere to their subjects to the extent that he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Any man whom Allaah has given authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, [Allaah] will forbid him from entry into paradise”.’ [Bukhaari] [i.e. the one who dies and failed to repent from this major sin, he is left under the will of Allaah. Allaah will either punish him or forgive him; but if punished, he will not remain in the fire forever. This applies to all major sins that are lesser than Shirk…see link regarding this affair: http://www.wrightstreetmosque.com/the-two-shaikhs-ibn-baaz-al-fawzaan-on-the-position-of-ahlus-sunnah-regarding-a-person-committing-major-sins-not-making-takfeer-of-the-sinners/

And he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] commanded the subjects to obey [the rulers in good] and to give them advice, as reported in the Bukhaari and Muslim: “The Religion is Naseeha (sincerity and sincere advice).” We said, “To whom?” He said, “To Allaah [i.e. sincerely worship Allaah alone and not to ascribe partners with Him]; to His Book [i.e. sincerely belief in the Qur’aan, affirm everything it has stated and negate everything it has negated, and judge by it in all affairs]; to His Messenger [i.e. obey the Messenger, believe in everything he has stated and keep away from what he has forbidden]; and [being sincere] to the leaders of the Muslims [i.e. obey the rulers in good, supplicate for them, refrain from rebelling against them, give them sincere advice in private etc ] and their general people [i.e. love for the Muslims what you wish for yourself, repel harm from them, advise them, teach them, stop them from evil, aid them when they need help etc]

He [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] commanded [the believers] to exercise patience when others are given preference to them and forbade them from fighting the rulers. He [forbade them from] challenging their authority, even though the [rulers] commit oppression. That is because the corruption that results from fighting them is greater than the oppression they commit; therefore, a lesser corruption is not to be repelled if it will lead to a greater evil. See link: http://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/

How to advice the rulers:

http://salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ16&articleID=MNJ160003&articlePages=1    

http://salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ16&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Silsilah Ar-Rasaa’il Al-Manhajiyyah Fin-Nus’hi Wal-Irshaad Wat-Taw’iyah’ pages 34-38. slightly paraphrased]

The Blessing of Contentment

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

Question: The questioner asks: How can a person attain contentment with what Allaah has provided for him (or her)?

Answer: Among those specific (manners) that will enable a person to be contented with what Allaah portioned out for him (or her) is to have Ridaa (i.e. to be pleased with Allaah’s decree and submit to it without any resistance or displeasure) with the livelihood Allaah has portioned out for him (or her). Allaah (Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections) stated:

نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۚ وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا ۗ وَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ

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. [43:32]

This (i.e. what is stated in this ayah) enables a person to be contented with what Allaah has portioned out for him (or her). And also because of this Allaah (The Most High) said to His noble Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam):

وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ

And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah), the splendour of the life of this world that We may test them thereby. But the provision (good reward in the Hereafter) of your Lord is better and more lasting. [20:131]

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said that the Messenger of Allaah (salllal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: Look to those below you (i.e. compare yourselves to those lesser in status and provision than you etc) and do not look to those above you (i.e. those given higher status or provision more than you). This is more appropriate lest you look down upon Allaah’s favours (upon you). [Reported by Muslim]


[Source: Fadaa’il Al-A’maal pages 29-30’ by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdillaah As-Subayyil (rahimahullaah)]