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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)]

A Warning Against Covetousness!

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

Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said, “I heard the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] say, ‘If the son of Aadam had a valley filled with wealth, he would love to have [another one] similar to it. Nothing can suffice the son of Aadam’s soul except dust. And Allaah forgives the one who repents’”. [Saheeh Muslim- Hadeeth number 1049]

Few Reminders Related to The Above Hadeeth

  • The son of Aadam does not cease being eager for the Dunyah until death and thus his mouth is filled with the dust in his grave.
  • Allaah accepts the repentance of a person who repents from that blameworthy eagerness for the Dunyah [worldly possessions].
  • This hadeeth censures blameworthy eagerness for the Dunyah, the [blameworthy] love of gathering worldly things and being desirous of them.

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Saheeh Muslim Bi-Sharhin Nawawi’ Vol 7-8. page 124′ Daar Kotob Al-Ilmiyyah 1st Ed 1421AH (Year 2000). slightly paraphrased]

 

Our Noble Messenger Informed Us That Our Creator Commanded Us to Be Humble

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

Iyaad Bin Himaar [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: The Messenger [sallal-laahi-alayhi-wasallam] stood amongst us one day and addressed (us), so he said: Indeed Allaah has revealed to me that you must be humble, so that no one boasts over another and no one oppresses another. [Saheeh Muslim: Hadeeth Number: 2865]

[Indeed Allaah has revealed to me that you must be humble]- Meaning: Everyone should be humble towards the other and not elevate himself above another [person]; rather he [a person] should place him [i.e. the other person] in the same rank as himself or honours him more. And it was from the customary behaviour of the Salaf [may Allaah have mercy upon them] for one amongst them to treat someone younger than him like his own son and someone older than him like his own father, and someone similar to him like his own brother. So he looks at the one older than him with honour and reverence, the one younger than him with compassion and mercy and the one similar to him with equality-none transgresses against the other. This is from the affairs that are obligatory upon a person to characterise himself with- humble in the presence of Allaah and towards his Muslim brothers.

[An Excerpt from Sharh Riyaadus-Saaliheen- by Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah): Number: 602 slightly paraphrased]

Dressing Up Smartly And Wearing What Suits Your Personality – [Brief Reminder By Shaikh Uthaymeen]

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

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said: If two men went past you – a mechanic who is wearing trousers and a very senior scholar [also] wearing trousers in a country  where the scholars do not wear that type of clothing, then indeed you would look down on the second person [i.e. the scholar] and not the first person [i.e. the mechanic].

The Shaikh [rahimahullaah] also said: It is not befitting that dressing up smart  becomes the greatest concern of a person. Dressing up smartly and wearing a Ghut’rah is based on [a person’s] desire [for it], therefore it should not be given [much] importance; but on the other hand, the affair should not be the opposite [such that you refrain] from giving importance to your [appearance] and your clothing. It has been mentioned earlier [i.e. in this Book – Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm] that wearing fine clothing is something beloved to Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]. Umar [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “It is more beloved to me that I see a reciter wearing white clothing.” Indeed because it is elegance. [Source: Excerpt from ‘Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ page 65. slightly paraphrased]

Naseehah – [A Brief Faa’idah]

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

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

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

 

The Usefulness of Pious, Humble and Sensible People In The Sittings And Gatherings

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

Imaam As-Sadi [rahimahullaah] said:

When you sit with the people, make humility the sign by which you are recognized, fear of Allaah should be your shield and giving advice to the servants of Allaah as your constant habit. Be eager to (make) every gathering in which you sit one of goodness- either research into affairs of knowledge or advice on religious matters; either directing (others) towards a general or a particular beneficial affair, or making a mention of the blessings of Allaah; either making a mention of the superior status of praiseworthy manners and good etiquettes or warning against that which is detrimental to the well-being of one’s religious or worldly (affairs). The least of this [i.e. your companionship and advice to those you sit with] is that the earnings from their occupations should be by way of permissible (means) and not what is forbidden.

Behave well towards the young, the old and your peers. Deal toward everyone in a way they deserve and have respect for the one who deserves to be respected and honoured. Be eager to make your congregation relaxed by way of speech that is appropriate and good, even if that was in relation to the worldly (affairs).

The sensible and determined person achieves abundant goodness in the gatherings of the people and he becomes more beloved to them than all [beloved things]. This is because he approaches the people with what they approve [i.e. good] and statements they desire, and the foundation in this is success in taking over control of all the affairs placed before them.

And these affairs [i.e. good advice and companionship] become more emphasized on a journey, because during a journey sitting together is prolonged and the travellers are in need of having someone who revives their hearts with good statements, the news of events and joke – if all of that is truth and not too much-and to assist them with the essential affairs of travel. And Allaah is the One who grants all success.


[An Excerpt from ‘Noorul Basaa’ir Wal al-baab fee ahkaam al ‘Ibaadaat Wal Mu‘aamalaat Wal Huqooq Wal Aadaab’ pages 64-65. Slightly paraphrased]

If Speech Is From Silver, Silence Is Gold

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

Ibnul Mubaarak [rahimahullaah] was asked about the statement of Luqmaan [alayhis-salaam] to his son: ‘’If speech is from silver, then silence is from gold.” So he said: ‘’It means that if speech in obedience to Allaah is from silver, then silence [in order to refrain from] disobedience to Allaah is gold’’.


[Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam: page: 155]

 

The Love Or Hatred One Has For Others Should Never Interfere With The Truth

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

A man came to Ibn Mas’ood [radiyallaahu-anhu] and said, ‘’Teach me [some] comprehensive and beneficial statements’’. So he said, ‘’Worship Allaah and do not associate anything with Him [in worship]; be with the Qur’aan wherever it is [i.e. be in agreement with it in all circumstances]. Whoever comes to you with truth – whether he is young or old, and even if he is not close to you and is hated to you, then accept it from him. And whoever comes to you whilst lying, then reject it, even if he is beloved and close to [you]’’.


[Source: مساوئ الأخلاق ومذمومها – page 72. By Abubakr Muhammad Bin Jafar Bin Sahl Ash-Shaamiriy (rahimahullaah); Born 240AH and died 327AH]

A Means to Protecting One’s Heart – [An Admonition By Imaam Sufyaan Ath-Thawri]

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

Abdul-Azeez Al-Qurashee [rahimahullaah] said:

I heard Sufyaan [rahimahullaah] saying: It is incumbent upon you that you do not attach your heart to the worldly life [i.e. a blameworthy attachment as opposed to seeking one’s needs] and you are not eager for its attainment [i.e. the eagerness that leads to sin, transgression, greed etc], and Allaah will make you see the concealed affairs of the worldly life [i.e. its corruption, true reality, worries etc when we are attached to it in a blameworthy manner]. It is incumbent upon you to fear Allaah in a manner that will keep you away from those affairs that are doubtful and thus may affect you in the afterlife and Allaah will make your giving account on [the day of judgement] less burdensome. Leave what makes you doubt for that which is not doubtful; leave those affairs that resemble the truth but are falsehood in reality and your religion will be safeguarded. [Hilyatul Awliyaa 7/20]