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[2] Free-Mixing Between Men and Women, And Music! [Destruction Desired By Those Who Criticize Muslims When They Reject These Sins]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Sin.

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

All praise and thanks belongs to Allaah, and Salaah and Salaam (a) be upon Allaah’s Messenger, his family and companions. To proceed: I have seen what was published by As-Siyaasah newspaper- issued on 7/24/1404 AH, Number 5644 – and attributed to the Dean of Sana’a University Abdul Azeez Al-Maqaaleh, in which he claimed that the demand to isolate female students from male students is in opposition to the Sharee’ah, and he utilized as proof – for the permissibility of mixing – that Muslims – from the time of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]- used to pray in the same mosque- men and women- and he said, “Therefore, education must be in one place”.

I (i.e. Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz) was surprised to hear this speech from a Dean of an Islamic university in an Islamic country, and asked him to direct his people – men and women – to what will bring about happiness and salvation in this worldly life and the Hereafter. There is no doubt that there is in this speech that which is tantamount to a great crime against the Islamic Sharee’ah, because indeed the Sharee’ah did not call for free mixing, such that the demand to prevent it would be in opposition to it; rather it forbids it and did so in a very strong manner, just as Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَى – And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance]. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Verse 33]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فلا يؤذين وكان اللهه غفورا رحيما

O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e.screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Verse 59]

Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] said:

وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنََ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلاا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husband’s sons, their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess…

وَلا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينََ مِنْ زِينَتِهِنَّ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. [Surah An-Nur. Verse 31]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ – And when you ask (the Prophet’s wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts]. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Verse 53]

In these noble verses, there is a clear indication that it is legislated for women to stay in their homes to guard against temptation, and that they only come out of their homes if there is a need. Then Allaah [Glory be to He and free is He from all imperfections] warned them that they should not display themselves in a manner similar to the era of pre-islamic ignorance, which is the display of their beauty and cause temptation among men. It has been authentically reported from Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] that he said, “I have not left after me a trial more harmful to men than women”. This hadeeth is agreed upon (i.e. recorded by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim) and it was narrated by Usaamah Bin Zayd [may Allaah be pleased with him].

Imaam Muslim recorded in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Usaamah and Sa’eed Bin Zayd Bin Amr Bin Nufayl [may Allaah be pleased with them both], and also in Saheeh Muslim on the authority of Abu Saeed Al-Khudri [may Allaah be pleased with him] from the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] that he said, “Verily the worldly life is sweet and green, and verily Allaah is going to place you as successors upon it in and will see how you act. So, be mindful of the worldly life and be mindful of women, because indeed the first trial for the Children of Israa’eel was due to women”. [Saheeh Muslim. 2742]

And indeed Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] spoke the truth, because indeed the temptation by way of women is great, especially in this era in which most of them do not have the Hijaab and they display themslves in a manner similar to the era of pre-Islamic ignorance. Immorality and evil has become rife due to this, and many youth (male and female)- in many countries- became reluctant to get married based on that which Allaah has legislated. Indeed, Allaah has made it clear that the Hijaab is purer for the hearts of everyone and this shows that its removal is most likely to defile the hearts (i.e. corrupt the hearts) of everyone and deviating them from the path of truth. It is known that the female student sitting with the male student is one of the greatest causes of temptation, one of the reasons for abandoning the Hijaab that is legislated by Allaah for believing women and forbade them from showing their adornment others (i.e. non-Mahrams) (b), which Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] made known in the previous verse of Surah An-Nur. Whoever claims that the command regarding Hijaab is only for the mothers of the believers is mistaken and far removed from what is correct – contradicted the many evidences pointing to a generalization and contradicted Allaah’s statement: [ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ – that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts], because indeed it is not permissible to say that the Hijaab is purer for the hearts of the mothers of the believers and the male Companions and not for those after them. There is no doubt that those who came after the mothers of the believers and the male companions [may allaah be pleased with them] are more in need of Hijaab, because of the great difference between them in the strength of faith and insight with regards to acquaintance with truth. That is because the Companions [may Allaah be pleased with them] – men and women, including the mothers of the believers- are the best of people after the Prophets [peace be upon them] and the best of generations established by the Messenger’s [peace and blessings be upon him] statement in the hadeeth recorded in the Saheehayn [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim].(c) Therefore, when it is the case that Hijaab is purer for their hearts, then those who came after them have a far greater need of this purity.

It is not permissible to specify the texts of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah to anyone in the ummah without valid evidence that shows this specification; therefore, they are generally applied to all the Ummah during the era of the Messenger [peace be upon him] and after him until the Day of Resurrection; because, Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] sent His Messenger [peace and blessings be upon him] to humankind and Jinn during his era and after him until the Day of Resurrection, as Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] said: [وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَـٰكَ إِلَّا ڪَآفَّةً۬ لِّلنَّاسِ بَشِيرً۬ا وَنَذِيرً۬ا – And We have not sent you (O Muhammad) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all humankind]. [Surah Saba. Verse 28]

The Noble Qur’an was not only revealed to the people of the Prophet’s era [may peace and blessings of Allaah ne upon him], rather it was also revealed to those after them, as Allaah [The Exalted] said:

[ هَذَا بَلاغٌ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيُنْذَرُوا بِهِ وَلِيَعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌٌ وَلِيَذَّكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ [إبراهيم – This (Qur’an) is a Message for humankind (and a clear proof against them), in order that they may be warned thereby, and that they may know that He is the only One Ilah (God – Allah) – (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and that men of understanding may take heed]. [Surah Ibraaheem. Verse 52]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [ وَأُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ هَذَا الْقُرْآنُ لِأُنْذِرَكُمْ بِهِ وَمَنْ بَلَغَ – this Qur’an has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach]. [Surah Al-An’aam. Verse 19]

In the era of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], women did not intermingle with men- neither in mosques nor in the markets – (in the manner people intermingle nowadays), which the callers to rectification forbid in this era- (the type intermingling which) the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the scholars of the Ummah warn against in order to caution against temptation; rather, women – in the Prophet’s mosque – prayed behind the men in the last rows- away from the men. The Prophet used yo say, “The best rows for the men are the first ones and the worst are the last ones. The best of the women’s rows are the last ones and the worst of them is the first”. During the era of the Prophet, the men were commanded to wait until the women left the mosque so that the men would not mingle with them at the doors of the mosques, despite the faith and piety they had; so how about those after them?! Women were forbidden from walking in the middle of the road in order to be careful of having contact with men and thus temptation occurs through touching each other when walking on the road. Allaah [Glorified be to He and free is He from all imperfections] commanded the women of the believers to draw their cloaks all over their bodies so that they cover their adornment with it, in order to prevent temptation. Allaah forbade them from showing their adornment to other than those mentioned by Allaah in His Mighty Book (d) in order to curtail the causes of temptation, urge towards chastity and distance from the the manifestions of corruption and (the evil effects) of free mixing.

So, how can the Dean of Sana’a University – [may Allaah guide and inspire him to His guidance] – after all this call for mixing?! He claims that Islam calls to it- that the university campus is like a mosque and the hours of study are like the hours of prayer! For the one who understands Allaah’s command and prohibition, knows Allaah’s wisdom in what He has legislated for His servants and explained in His Great Book with regards to rulings for men and women, it is well-known that there is a great difference between these affairs and the difference is vast. How is it permissible for a believer to say that a female student sitting with a male student is like sitting with her sisters in their rows behind the men (in the Masjid)?! No one with the least handhold of faith and insight (in this affair) would say this. We might not even be safe together with the presence of the legislated Hijaab (except by the help of Allaah), so how about if she is sitting with the male student whilst dressed in an un-Islamic manner, displaying her beauty and attractive looks, and with speech that will lead to temptation? Allaah’s Aid is sought, and there is no power nor might except with Allaah. Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] said:

[فَإِنَّهَا لا تَعْمَى الْأَبْصَارُ وَلَكِنْ تَعْمَى الْقُلُوبُ الَّتِي فِي الصُّدُورِ – Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind]. [Surah Al-Hajj. Verse 46]

As for his statement: “Indeed, since the time of the Messenger, Muslims have been performing prayer in the same mosque, men and women, and therefore education must be in one place)”; the answer to this is: this is true, but the women were at the back of the mosques with Hijaab – with care and being careful of what would cause temptation, and the men were at the front of the mosque. They [i.e. the women] used to listen to admonitions and sermons, participated in prayer and learned the rulings of their religion from what they heard and witnessed. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] used to go to them on the day of Eid – because they were at a distance and could not hear the sermon – after delivering admonition to the men and gave them an admonition and reminder. There is no problem in all of this, but the problem is in the statements of the Dean of Sana’a University [may Allaah guide him, reform his heart, and give him understanding of his religion]. How is it permissible for him to compare education in our time with women praying behind men in one mosque, although there is a vast difference between the reality of education that is known today and the reality of women praying behind men in the Prophet’s era?! And due to this reason, the callers to rectification call for the separation of women and men in the arena of education- women in a separate place and the young men in another, so that a female can acquire knowledge from female teachers with comfort without Hijaab or hardship, because the time period for education is longer than the time period of prayer. And due to the fact that learning from female teachers in a specific place (i.e. away from men) protects everyone and keeps them away from the causes of temptation, and it is the safest thing for young men not to get tempted through women. And because young men being alone and separated from girls, together with the fact that it is the safest thing for them against temptation, is most likely to make them pay attention to their lessons and occupy themselves with it- listening well to teachers and receiving knowledge from the teachers whilst distanced from paying attention to girls, being preoccupied with them, exchanging glances that will intoxicate the hearts and mind with evil desires and statements that leads to immorality.

As for his claim [may Allaah rectify him] that the call to isolate female students from male students is tantamount to rigidity and an opposition to the Sharee’ah, this is an untrue claim; rather seperating male students from female students is an act of sincere devotion to Allaah, sincere advice to Allaah’s servants, taking good care of the religion ordained by Allaah and adherence to what has already been transmitted from noble verses of the Qur’aan and the two Prophetic reports. My advice to the Dean of Sana’a University is to fear Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic], repent to Allaah for what he has done, return to the truth and what is correct, because indeed returning to (truth and what is correct) is virtue itself and a proof regarding the search for truth and equity by the student of knowledge.

And Allaah is the One asked to guide all of us to the path of righteousness, protect us and other Muslims from speaking about Him without knolwdge, (protect us) from the misleading trials and satan’s enmity, just as we ask Allaah to grant success to the scholars of the Muslims and their leaders – in every place – to that which contains rectification (uprightness, wellbeing) for the country and the servants, in the life and the next; and to guide everyone to the straight path, for Allaah is Jawwaadun Kareem [Al-Jawwaad – The Munificent. The One Whose generosity covers everything in existence. The One Who gives liberally and generously to those in need – even when they reject and disbelieve in Him. The One Who – from His generosity – has prepared in Paradise for His believing servants that which no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard of, and which has never been imagined by anyone]; Al-Kareem [The Bountiful, The Generous One. Abundant in good. The One Who causes and makes easy every good. And Who bestows generously. The One so generous that He even bestows favors upon those who reject His favors, and use them as a means to disobey Him]. (e) And may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions and all those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of judgement. (Ref 1)

Is a Woman Allowed to Work Even When She Is Not In Need?

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] was asked whether a woman is considered to be following her whims and desires if she works without being in need of money? So, he responded that “Such a woman is not considered to be following her whims/desires. Her engagement in work is not tantamount to following desires/whims if it is a noble and safe occupation- carried out amongst women, without free mixing with men, works amongst women without any injustice and hostility and with the permission of her husband”. The Imaam also said that “there are different kinds of work, and if the work includes disobedience to Allah, then it is obligated on her to abandon it. If it includes free mixing between men and women and showing her beauty, then this is also evil. But if it is work that is allowed or legislated by Islamic law amongst her Muslim sisters, such as teaching girls, or working as a nurse, or working as a doctor for women, then there is no harm in this and all praise is due to Allaah”. The questioner then asked the Imaam, “What if the woman is not in need of money”, so the Imaam replied saying that “Even if she is not in need of money, it is still allowed because she might want more money, or need it to give away in charity and so on”. [End of quote] (ref 2) NB: Women may face different circumstances in the West, so whoever finds herself in different circumstances (especially single parents or women without guardians) should ask the students of knowledge in the Salaficentres to present their questions to the upright scholars n the Muslim lands. May Allaah facilitate ease… Aameen

Music: Narrated Abu ‘Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari that he heard the Prophet saying, “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk (i.e. for men), the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, ‘Return to us tomorrow.’ Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection”. [: Saheeh aal-Bukhaaree 5590] Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] briefly commented on this hadeeth and said, “This serves are a reminder to be cautious and indeed Allaah may send doen punishment on some people due to their sins”. (ref 3)

Footnote (a): Salaah and Salaam upon the Messenger:
https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2021/08/05/salaah-and-salaam-upon-the-prophet-and-the-duaa-after-adhaan-part-1/

Footnote(b):The Mahaarim by Shaikh Abu Khadeeja [may allaah preserve him]:

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/mind-map-illustration-showing-the-mahrams-male-chaperones-of-a-woman-for-travel-and-sittings/

Footnote (c): Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood [may allaah be pleased with him] reported that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “The best people are those of my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then, there will come people after them whose testimony precedes their oaths and their oaths precede their testimony”. [Al-Bukhaari 6065 and Muslim 2533]

Footnote: (d): Allaah said:

وَقُل لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ يَغۡضُضۡنَ مِنۡ أَبۡصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحۡفَظۡنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبۡدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَا‌ۖ وَلۡيَضۡرِبۡنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِہِنَّ‌ۖ وَلَا يُبۡدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ ءَابَآٮِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ أَبۡنَآٮِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ أَبۡنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ إِخۡوَٲنِهِنَّ أَوۡ بَنِىٓ إِخۡوَٲنِهِنَّ أَوۡ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٲتِهِنَّ أَوۡ نِسَآٮِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَـٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِينَ غَيۡرِ أُوْلِى ٱلۡإِرۡبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفۡلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمۡ يَظۡهَرُواْ عَلَىٰ عَوۡرَٲتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ‌ۖ وَلَا يَضۡرِبۡنَ بِأَرۡجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعۡلَمَ مَا يُخۡفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ‌ۚ وَتُوبُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husband’s sons, their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. [Surah An-Nur. Verse 31]

Footnote (e): Names and Attributes of Allaah by Shaikh Abu Talhah [may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife]: https://www.salafisounds.com/the-names-attributes-of-allaah-by-abu-talhah-dawood-burbank/

 

[Ref1:https://binbaz.org.sa/articles/113/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85. paraphrased ]

[Ref2:https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/28863/%D9%87%D9%84-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%A9-%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D9%88%D9%89. paraphrased]

[Ref 3: Al-Hulal Al-Ibreeziyyah Min At-ta’leeqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh al-Bukhaaree. Vol 4. page 142]

Danger of Beautifying Misguidance- [Brief Warning to Daily Sabah – Turkish Newspaper – For Beautifying Misguidance of The Raafidah Shiites (Jafaris) On The Day of Aashoorah]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Bid'ah (Innovation), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Shi'a, Shirk, Sin.

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

Daily Sabah stated:

https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/minorities/turkeys-jafari-community-marks-ashura-day-with-mourning-parade

Firstly, we say to Daily Sabah, “It was the Raaafidah Shiites who betrayed Al-Husayn [may Allaah be pleased with him]. Listen here: https://safeshare.tv/x/MdsrmMzdTj

Secondly, we warn daily Sabah that beautifying the affair of the proponents of religious innovations is a great crime in the sight of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]. Ali Bin Abee Taalib [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] told me four things: “Allaah has cursed the one who slaughters [i.e. an animal as sacrifice] for other than Allaah. Allaah has cursed the one who curses his parents. Allaah has cursed the one who shelters a Muhdith. Allaah has cursed the one who alters the landmarks”. [Reported by Imaam Muslim 1978]

“Allaah has cursed the one who shelters a Muhdith”. Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] stated, “The word Muhdith pronounced with a kasrah under the Daal means a culprit, perpetrator; and pronounced with a Fat-hah on the Daal (Muhdath) means an affair innovated in the religion, sheltering and being pleased with it”. [Al-Mulakh’khas Fee Sharhi Kitaab At-tawheed. page 97]

“Allaah has cursed the one who shelters a Muhdith”. Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Meaning, tThose who shelter Ahlul Bidah Wal Ma’aasee [The People of Bidah and Disobedience] and aid them; those who stop the one who establishes the legislated Islamic punishment against the innovator [i.e. such as preventing the Muslim ruler from punishing the innovator or the scholar who refutes him]; those who establish Bidah and support it. [An Excerpt from At-taleeqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Ar-Rasaa’il Al-Aqadiyyah. pages 250-251]

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This innovation includes that of the Jahmiyyah, the Mutazilah and others. So, whoever shelters an innovator is cursed and likewise the one who aids him [is cursed]. In this is a warning against Bidah and newly invented matters in the religion. The Prophet said, “Beware of newly invented matters in the religion, for every innovation [in religious affairs] is misguidance”. The apparent meaning of this hadeeth [is that this is the case regarding bidah], even if it is a small bidah. [Al-Qawlul Mufeed Alaa Kitaab At-tawheed. 1/222]

Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “O Muslims! Fear Allaah, accept the advice of the sincere advisers and the admonition of the admonishers. know that this knowledge is religion, so beware of what you do, from whom you take your religion, the one you follow and the one with whom your religion is safe, because indeed all the proponents of religious innovation are all falsifiers, liars and sinners. They are not cautious – neither do they pay attention nor do they fear, and together with that they are not to be trusted that they would not distort what you hear.

They say what they do not know with regards to what they disapprove and when proclaiming their lies; but Allaah (knows, hears and sees) what they do. Therefore, be cautious of them, trust them not, reject them and avoid them, because indeed this is what your earlier scholars did and commanded, and likewise the righteous ones who came thereafter.

Be careful of opposing Allaah and being the means to destroying the religion He has ordained – breaking its commands and prohibitions, nullifying and weakening it by respecting the innovators in religious affairs and those who initiate that which is not from the religion, because you know what has been transmitted (i.e. the prohibitions) about respecting or exalting them. And what can be greater respect and exaltation than acquiring your religion from them- following and believing them, drawing close to them and assisting them in enticing the ones they entice and woo to their views and the religion (i.e. religious innovations) they follow. This is sufficient to be regarded as associates of theirs in what they do. [Taareekh Dimashq 6/361]

The Bidah of The Raafidah Shiites – Jafaris, Hoothies, Alawis and Others On The Day of Aashooraa

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] was asked about what some people do on the day of Aashooraa, such as applying kohl and Hena, shaking hands, taking a bath, preparing food such barley and other grains, and manifesting happiness; are there any authentic hadeeth from the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] regarding this or not? If there are none, then would this be considered bidah or not? As for what is done by the other group, such as mourning, manifesting grief, deliberately making oneself thirsty and scarring oneself, wailing, reciting [poems] and fainting as a result of that and slapping the cheeks, do these actions have a basis in the religion or not?

Answer: All the praises and thanks be to Allaah, Lord of the Aalameen. No authentic hadeeth from the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi sallam] has been reported in this regard nor from his companions; neither any of the Imaams of [ahlus sunnah] have declared this to be recommended nor the four Imaams [Abu Haneefah, Maalik, Ahmad and Shaafi’ee]; neither have the scholars- those who authored and compiled the books that are relied upon due to their authenticity- reported anything authentic or weak regarding this from the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], nor from the Sahaabah and the Taabi’een; neither in the authentic books of hadeeth nor in the Sunan, nor in the [compilations such as Musnad Ahmad and other compilations similar to it]. The virtuous first three generations of Islaam knew nothing about these narrations.

However, some of those who came after the first three virtuous generations of Islaam have narrated reports related to this, such as: ‘’Whoever applies kohl on the day of Aashooraa, he will not be sore-eyed in that year’’; ‘’Whoever bathes on the day of Aashooraa, he will not become sick in that year.’’ They also transmitted reports regarding the virtue of prayer on the day of Aashooraa; and that Aadam’s [alayhis salaam] repentance [i.e. after eating from the tree he was forbidden] took place on the day of Aashooraa; and that it was the day Nuh’s [alayhis salaam] ark settled on mount Judi; and that it was the day Ya’qoob [alayhis salaam] reunited with Yoosuf [alayhis salaam]; and that it was the day Ibraaheem [alayhis salaam] was saved from the fire etc They also narrated fabricated reports and lies attributed to the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] that he said, “Whoever gives [generously] to his family on the day of Aashooraa, Allaah will give him [generously] throughout the year.” All these reports are lies attributed to Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam]. [Source: Majmoo al-Fataawaa 25/299-312. Slightly paraphrased]

Shaikhul Islaam also said: There emerged an ignorant and transgressing group [i.e. the Shia Rawaafid]-they are either disbelieving hypocrites or misguided straying ones. They manifested a (so called) allegiance to the Prophet’s household and took Ashoorah as a day of mourning, sadness and wailing (i.e. due to the murder of Husayn-radiyallaahu-anahu). They manifest the acts of the days of pre-Islamic ignorance (on this day of Ashoorah) by slapping the cheeks, tearing their clothes and calling to the slogans of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance and disbelief. However, that which Allaah and His Messenger commanded when new calamities occur is that (one) exercises patience, hoping for the reward of Allaah, recalling one’s faults and repenting, as Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتۡهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ۬ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيۡهِ رَٲجِعُونَ
أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ صَلَوَٲتٌ۬ مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡ وَرَحۡمَةٌ۬‌ۖ وَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدُونَ

But give glad tidings to As-Saabireen (the patient ones, etc.). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” They are those on whom are the Salaam (i.e. blessings, etc.) (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones. [Soori AlBaqarah: Verses 156-157]

And it has been reported in the Saheehayn (Bukhaari and Muslim) from the Prophet (sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) that he said: ‘’He is not from us, he who slaps his cheeks, tears his cloths and calls to the slogans of the pre-Islamic period of ignorance.’’ [Source: Al-Fataawaa Al-Kubraa page Vol:1 page: 200. Slightly paraphrased]

They also recite poems that convey sadness and narrate reports that contain a lot of lies. As for the truth in them, it only renews their [exaggerated and misguided manner of grieving], bigoted allegiance, incitement to hatred and war, initiating trials between the people of Islaam by way of that and as a means of reviling those who were foremost to enter into the fold of Islaam [i.e. the Sahaabah of Badr]. The evil of these people [i.e. the raafidah] and their harm on the people of Islaam cannot even be expressed by an eloquent man.

However, they [i.e. Raafidah] are opposed by another people – a people who are either Nawaasib [i.e. those who hate the family of the Prophet] or ignoramuses; so, they oppose the corruption of the [Shia Raafidah] with another type of corruption, lies with other lies, evil with another type of evil, and bidah with another type of bidah. They fabricate poems that convey rejoice and happiness on the day of Aashooraa, apply kohl, dye their clothes with a different colour, spend more on their families and cook food they do not normally cook. So, these people take the day of Aashooraa as an occasion similar to the occasions of celebrations and happiness [i.e. such as the two eeds]. On the other hand, the Raafidah take it as a day of mourning, grief and pain [i.e. inflicting injuries on themselves]. Both groups are mistaken and have exited the authentic sunnah in this affair.

As for all the other deeds [i.e. the deeds innovated and specified on the day of Aashoraa], such as making food that is not normally made based on the customs of the people – be it grains or other than them, renewing one’s clothing, spending more on [families etc], performing a specific act of worship, such a prayer specified on the day of [Aashooraa], making an intention to offer a sacrifice, preserving the meat of the slaughtered animals to cook it with grains, applying kohl, dying one’s clothing, taking a bath, shaking hands, visiting one another, visiting mosques, [so called] sacred places and other than that, all these deeds are evil and innovations in the religion.

Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] never legislated these deeds [on the day of Aashooraa] nor the rightly guided Khulafaa, nor did any of the Imaams of the Muslims, such as Maalik, Ath-Thawree, Al-Layth Bin Sa’d, Abu Haneefah, Al-Awzaa’ee, Ash-Shaafi’ee, Ahmad Bin Hanbal, Ishaaq Bin Raahawayh. [Majmoo al-Fataawaa 25/299-312. Slightly paraphrased]

May Allaah guide the staff at Daily Sabah Aameen.

Acquire Knowledge Directly From Study Circles and Be Careful of Solely Relying On Your Books and Audios!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said that from that which is obligated on a student of knowledge to comply with is that he acquires knowledge directly from the Shaikhs, for indeed he will reach -by way of that- several benefits as follows:

*The path to acquiring knowledge will be shortened for him instead of moving from one book to another whilst trying to find out the view that carries more weight (in a particular subject matter) and the reason behind it; also trying to find out the weak view in (that particular subject matter) and the reason behind it. Instead of going through all this, the teacher will give him what he seeks after through an easy path, present to him – two, three or more than three – different views of the people of knowledge together with a clarification of the view that carries more weight and the proof. Indeed, there is no doubt that this is beneficial (or advantageous) for the student.

*He will be facilitated with the ability to grasp a subject matter quickly, because when the student of knowledge reads to a scholar, he will grasp the subject matter many times quicker than when he reads books (on his own). That is because when he read books, he may come across difficult and obscure statements (or expressions), so he needs contemplation and repetition, which requires time and effort, and he may understand those statements wrongly and then act upon them.

*Close connection (or attachment) between the students of knowledge and the erudite scholars- junior people of knowledge attached to senior people of knowledge.

These are from the benefits of acquiring knowledge directly from the Shaikhs; but as mentioned earlier, it is obligated on a person to choose a scholar who is reliable, trustworthy and strong – one who has real knowledge and understanding and not superficial knowledge; truthful and firm in fulfilling what is entrusted to him and known for fulfilling acts of worship, for indeed a student follows the footsteps of his teacher. [Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm. pages 105-106. slightly paraphrased].

Question to Al-Allaamah Ubaid Bin Abdillaah Al-Jaabiti [may Allaah preserve him]: Is it permissible for the one who seeks knowledge from some Shaikh – by way of books and audios – to say to him [i.e. the Shaikh], “Our Shaikh” and thus he becomes a Shaikh of his?

Answer: There’s no harm in considering someone as one’s Shaikh, but I bring your attention to the fact that there are two ways of acquiring knowledge. The first path is seeking knowledge in person and sitting to acquire knowledge from the scholar directly- sitting in his presence, learn good manners from him and good Tarbiyah. This is the ideal way and the loftiest. This is the way of the Sahaabah in acquiring knowledge from their Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]- those who were with him in Madeenah and those who traveled to him. They acquired knowledge directly from the Prophet and taught their people. Likewise, this is how the Taabi’oon acquired knowledge from the Sahaabah- took knowledge (directly) from the Sahaabah, especially the seniors. Likewise, those who followed the Taabi’een did the same up to this era of ours. This is the correct and loftiest path of acquiring knowledge from a Shaikh.

The second path is to acquire knowledge from books and audios. There is no harm in this and it benefits, but it does not contain that which is found in the first method; rather it is for a woman and the one who is unable because of the difficulty in reaching the Shaikh due to distance, for one may not be able to sit in the presence of a scholar even in his own country. Not all women are able-some of them are sometimes able and unable at other times, and some are not able. So, these people benefit [i.e. from the books & tapes], but also they are not advised to enter into challenging (or very difficult) issues related to differences of opinion between the scholars; rather they entrust those affairs to the people of knowledge. And whoever is a teacher – one who gives instructions in knowledge (i.e. nurtures others) or an Imaam of a Masjid in his city district or town, we advise him to be at the service of the people and that he takes those questions of theirs which he is able to answer and respond to them in his city district. And those questions that carry difference of opinion and requires investigation, he offers his services to the people by sending those questions to the people of knowledge and take answers from them. This is a good service with regards to the Muslim helping another Muslim. [paraphrased] Listen to audio here:
https://safeshare.tv/x/aIVf6vxUqh8#

All praise is due to Allaah, many Salafi Masaajid and Centres either have a resident student or a student who travels to them. Do not cling to books and abandon the study circles. Do not be like those youth who frown and are filled with a sense of false independence when told to take knowledge directly from those who are known to the scholars. May Allaah protect us from self-amazement Aameen.

One of The Best Methods of Teaching- [Gift to Fellow Islamic Studies Teachers In Primary Schools]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Pearls of Wisdom.

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

One of The Best Methods of Teaching: [Gradual Instruction- (1st Stage: General Acquaintance With Fundamental Principles; 2nd Stage: Full Explanation; 3rd Stage: Ambiguities Clarified, Do Not Overburden Learner – In The Beginning- With Issues One Should Know At The End; Avoid Prolonged Sittings And Intervals Between Lessons]

Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari [may Allaah preserve him]- in the introduction of his explanation of Umdatul Ahkaam [Lesson 1]- shared some very important points regarding one of the best methods of imparting knowledge as follows:

The First Stage: Know that teaching the sciences to the students only becomes beneficial when carried out gradually and bit by bit. In the beginning the teacher transmits knowledge to the learner and begins with the fundamental principles in each chapter- familiarise the learner with those fundamental principles by explaining them in a general manner, examines the strength of the learner’s intellectual ability and their readiness to comprehend what one is about to come across up to the end of the subject. The learner is then enabled to settle in what is to be pursued, even though it may be partial and weak. And the most this does is that it enables one to comprehend and become acquainted with the subject matter and its issues.

The Second Stage: The teacher then returns the learner to the subject matter a second time and teaches at a level higher than the first level – gives the learner  a full explanation and clarification that is different from the general explanation and clarification employed in the beginning. He informs the learner about the differences of opinion and the different angles of their arguments up to the end of the subject, so the learner realises his potential in what he is studying.

The Third Stage: Thereafter, the teacher returns the learner again – after he has acquired a solid foundation- and this time he clarifies all the affairs that are obscure, important or complicated- opens up all the locks in the subject for the learner to be well established upon it. This is the approach of beneficial teaching, and as it can be seen, it is actualised by repetition – three times. And indeed, some learners can reach their potential in lesser than these three stages based on one’s natural ability and what is made easy for them.

Indeed, we have seen that many teachers in this era of ours are ignorant of the effective methods of teaching, so they present to the learner – in the beginning – affairs that prove to be an obstruction to the learner’s understanding and motivation, and compels one to concentrate on  untangling them. They [i.e. these teachers] think that this is the correct method of teaching and make it mandatory for the learner to understand and become acquainted with these issues. They confuse the learner by presenting -in the beginning- that which one should know in the final stages and before being able to understand them; for indeed the ability to acquire knowledge and being made prepared to understand has to be carried our gradually.

In general, the learner- at first – is unable to understand except some few details through a process in which understanding is improved slowly – through generalities and fine examples [or parables]. Then the learner is prepared to progress gradually  little by little- whilst encountering the difficult affairs of the subject matter and they are repeated to him; and then the learner moves from that slower process through which one’s understanding was being improved at a slow pace to a higher level. But if presented with the final details of the subject matter in the beginning, the learner will be prevented from understanding and will be far from being prepared for the subject matter; and thus the learner feels burdened, thinks that the acquisition of knowledge is difficult, becomes lazy, turns away from learning and persists in abandoning it. This is nothing else but the result of bad teaching.

Therefore, it is not befitting that the teacher goes above the understanding found in the book being studied by the learner, regardless whether one is at the beginning or the end of the subject matter. The teacher should not mix the details of the book  with other issues until the learner is acquainted with its first and final details; knows the purpose of the book and has grasped it details, which the learner then applies whilst acquiring knowledge from other books to be studied under the teacher.

That is because when one grasps a particular subject matter, they are  prepared to acquire the other issues in the same subject- becomes active in increasing in knowledge and understanding and desires to move higher until one reaches the highest level of knowledge. But if the affairs are made confusing, the learner will be unable to understand and thus becomes lazy, stops thinking, gives up hope in acquiring knowledge, and abandons knowledge and learning. And Allaah guides whomsoever He wishes to guide.

Likewise, it is befitting that the teacher does not make the learner remain on a single subject matter for a long period through different sittings and prolonged breaks between them, because it leads to forgetfulness and interrupts the connection between the different topics of the subject matter, and thus it becomes difficult for the learner to grasp the subject matter due to that disconnection. When the first and final details of knowledge are present in the thoughts [or mind] of the learner, and thus forgetfulness is prevented, then grasping the subject matter is made easy, firmly established in the mind and the learner is more likely to attain proficiency. That is because the subject matter is acquired through regular activity and repetition.

And one of the beautiful paths and inescapable methods of teaching is that the learner is not presented with a combination of two subject matters at the same time, for indeed it is unlikely that one will gain proficiency in one of them due to having to split one’s attention and being diverted from one of them in order to comprehend the other; so the learner finds both subject matters unclear and difficult, and thus fails to accomplish both. However, if the mind of the learner is unhampered whilst studying the subject matter and confined to it, then perhaps that will make it more suitable for him or her to accomplish it. And Allaah is the One Who guides to what is correct.

[Quoted by Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari. You can find this quote in Muqaddimah Ibn Khaldoon, page 604-605 (under the title: في وجه الصواب في تعليم العلوم وطريق إفادة)-Publisher: Maktabah Al-Qur’aan 2006. Slightly paraphrased]

Traditional Foods of Other People: [Be Sensitive to Other People’s Feelings! Either Eat or Leave It, And Be Careful What You Say]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Abu Hurairah [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] never criticized any food, but he would eat it if he liked it; otherwise he would leave it”. [Saheeh al-Bukhaari Number 3563]

Meaning, he never criticized food that was permissible to eat, but as for forbidden food, he used to criticize, dispraise and forbid one from eating it. Imaam An-Nawawi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “One of the etiquettes of dealing with food is that one does not criticize it, such as saying, ‘Salty, sour, insufficient salt, coarse, need more such and such, not well cooked and what is similar to (these descriptions). (1)

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, ” This is from his [i.e. the Messenger’s] noble manners. He would neither say that it is salty nor the opposite of it.

Question: What if one says the food is such and such in order to warn (or notify the people)? Answer: There is no harm in doing so, for warning (or notifying) is something else because it is done to educate (people about food etc). (2) Ibn Umar [may Allaah be pleased with and his father]reported that there were some people with Allaah’s Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] from among his Companions, Sa’d [may Allaah be pleased with him] being one of them. There was brought to them the flesh of the lizard when a lady amongst the wives of Allaah’s Prophet [may Allaah be pleased with them] said, “It is the flesh of the lizard”. Thereupon Allaah’s Messenger said, “Eat, for it is lawful, but it is not my diet”. (3)

Abdullah Bin Abbaas [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father] reported, “I and Khaalid Bin Al-Waleed [may Allaah be pleased with him] went to the apartment of Maimoonah [may Allaah be pleased with her]along with Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], and there was presented to him a roasted lizard. Allaah’s Messenger stretched his hand towards it, whereupon some of the women [may Allaah be pleased with them] who had been in the house of Maimoonah said, ‘Inform Allaah’s Messenger what he intends to eat’. Allaah’s Messenger lifted his hand. I said, ‘Messenger of Allaah! Is it forbidden?’ He said, ‘No. It is not found in the land of my people, and I feel that I have no liking for it’. Khalid said, ‘I then chewed and ate it, while, Allaah’s Messenger was looking (at me)'”. (4)

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Fat’hul Baari. Chapter 21: ‘The Prophet Never Criticised Food’. Vol 9. page 678. Publisher: Daarus Salaam, 1st Edition 1421AH (Year 2000)]

[Ref 2: Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taleeqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaari’Vol 3’ page 120’ footnote 2. slightly paraphrased. Source:]

[Refs3&4:http://www.sahihmuslim.com/sps/smm/sahihmuslim.cfm?scn=dspchaptersfull&ChapterID=823&BookID=21]

Basis of Truth is Not Attached to The Character or Personality We Love, Choose or Prefer!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Abu Hurairah [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Love your beloved one modestly, for it may be that he will become hated to you someday. And hate the one whom you hate modestly, for it may be that he will become your beloved one someday”. [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee 1997]

Imaam Ibnul Atheer [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This means that you should love your beloved one with moderation and do not go beyond bounds (i.e. outside the boundaries of the what Allaah has legislated). Do not go into extremes in your love and hate, for it may be that one day you’ll hate the one you used to love and love the one you used to hate. Therefore, neither exaggerate in your love and become regretful, nor exaggerate in your hatred and thus become shy in the presence of the one you used to hate after you stop hating him”. [An-Nihaayah 5/284]

A man said to Imaam Maymoon Ibn Mehraan [may Allaah have mercy upon him], “The people will not cease to be upon good as long as Allaah keeps you (alive) for them”. He replied, “The people will not cease to be upon good as long as they fear their Lord”. (1)

Imaam Sufyaan Ibn Uyaynah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] used to say, “Indeed, the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] is the greatest criterion [i.e. amongst mankind and Jinn] and all affairs are presented to him [i.e. for judgement and judged] based on his manners, path and guidance; so whatever is in agreement with this is truth, and whatever is in opposition is falsehood”. (1.1)

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali may Allaah preserve him] said, “And (with regards to) the person with the proofs, it is obligatory to take his speech (on the grounds) of following Allaah’s Legislation and Proofs, and not (due to) the personality of that person”. (2)

Al-Allaamah Rabee also 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] (3)

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] interrupted a person who was reciting a poem and mentioned him in it! He objected and told him not to attach truth to personalities; rather he should say that as long as the Qur’aan and the Sunnah are present, the truth will remain. [Listen to audio in the link: https://safeshare.tv/x/5MCyl5iX03k

Question to Al-Allaamah Saaleh al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him], “What is the meaning of the principle, ‘The truth is not known by way of men, rather men are known by way of the truth?'”

Answer: Its meaning is that we do not merely blindly follow anyone, for it may be that one is blindly followed based on error; it may be that the Mujtahid is mistaken and the one who makes [a statement or holds an opinion] is mistaken, so we do not take [his statement, opinion etc] and say, “This is the statement of such as such; this is truth, because such and such is good, he is a scholar; such and such is Taqiy [i.e. one who fears Allaah]”. We do not say this because he is not infallible and he can make a mistake; so we know men by way of the truth – those who know; those who take [or adhere to] the proofs and indeed they are known to be scholars. As for those who do not give concern [or importance] to the proofs, they are not scholars; they are not people of [sound] understanding and they are not people of knowledge, so their statement is never taken straight away. It is imperative that the proof is presented, so if the proof is established as witness to [what he says or holds etc], then it is the truth; but if he opposes the proof, then indeed [his statement or opinion] is rejected; however if he is a Mujtahid and he is mistaken, he is rewarded [once] due to his Ijtihaad; but if he deliberately holds on to error, he has sinned. [Paraphrased. Refer to video here: https://video.link/w/9famb ]

NB: The Permissible and Prohibited Forms of Taqleed

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2012/06/the-permissible-and-prohibited-forms-of-taqleed-salafipublications-com-article-id-mnj060005/

[Ref 1: Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa. 5/75]

[Ref 1.1: Al-Jaami Li-Akhlaaq Ar-Raawi Wa Aadaab As-Saami’  page 8]

[Ref 2: Majmoo 9/40) 3rd paragraph]
[Ref 3: All-Mulakh-khasul Jameel Fee Bayaani Manhaji Ash-Shaikh Rabee Fid-Da’wati Wal-Jarhi Wat-Ta’deel. Page 87]

Wealth, Poverty, Zuhd, Gratitude, Struggle For Worldly Status!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

Many of the latter people [i.e. those who came after the Salaf] associated Zuhd with poverty, but Zuhd can be present alongside wealth and poverty. Amongst the Prophets and those who were foremost in embracing Eemaan [i.e. the Sahaabah] there were those who were wealthy and Zaahid (i.e. one who abstained from extra permissible things of the worldly life]. [Majmoo 11/28]

Imaam Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

Abstinence from the worldly life is of three types: obligatory abstinence, the abstinence that is of a superior virtue and the abstinence that is safety. As for obligatory abstinence, it is to abstinence from the unlawful; the abstinence that is of superior virtue is to abstain from the what is lawful wordly things that are unnecessary, and the abstinence that is safety is to abstain from the doubtful matters. [Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam: page: 310]

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said: Indeed, whenever the people increase in opulence and it is made accessible to them, evil gains access to them. When a person fixes his sight on opulence and becomes engrossed in bodily pleasures, he becomes heedless of softening his heart [i.e. with remembrance of Allaah, remembrance of death, performance of good deeds, repentance, remembrance of the Aakhirah etc] and his greatest concern becomes [engaging] this body in opulence, whose final state will be worms and rot.

The Worldly Life Is For Types of People

Narrated Abu Kabshah Al-An’maariy (radiyallaahu-anhu) that Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “I swear by Allah regarding three (affairs) which I am going to tell, so remember them. The wealth of a man does not decrease due to (giving) charity; a slave does not exercise patience when oppressed, except that Allah increases his honour; a slave does not open the door of begging, except that Allaah opens for him the door of poverty (or he stated a statement similar to it).” I am going to tell you (something), so remember it: The worldly life is for four types of people. A slave whom Allaah has given wealth and knowledge, so he fears his Lord by way of it. He preserves the ties of kinship and acknowledges Allaah’s Rights regarding it. This (type of person) is on the most virtuous position. A slave whom Allaah has given knowledge but not wealth. He is truthful in his intention and says: `If I had wealth, I would have done the deed of such and such (person).’’ So because of this intention of his, his reward is the same (i.e. the righteous one who has been given wealth and knowledge). A slave whom Allaah has given wealth but not knowledge. He wastes his wealth out of ignorance. He neither fears Allaah nor does he keep the ties of kinship, nor does he acknowledge Allaah’s rights. This (type of person) is at the evilest position. A slave whom Allaah has neither given wealth nor knowledge and he says: `If I had wealth, I would have done the deed of such and such (person).’’ So by way of his intention, they are similar (i.e. similar to the evil person who wastes his wealth). [Reported by Tirmidhee 2325; Ahmad 18031; Al-Baghawiy 4097]

Al-Allaamah Ubaid Bin Abdillaah al-Jaabiri (may Allaah preserve him) stated: The first is a wealthy person who is thankful (to Allaah); so Allaah will raise him to the most virtuous position due to his deed. The second is a poor person who exercises patience. He is truthful in his intention with regards to spending from that which Allaah has bestowed on him. So Allaah makes him reach the most virtuous position due to his truthful intention. The third is a boastful wealthy person. He is covetous and stingy; so his deed takes him to the most evil position. The fourth is a boastful poor person and his intention is evil. So together with his poverty, his intention takes him to the most evil position. So based on this, we know that by way of truthful intentions Allaah raises the person. And an evil intention debases a person until he finds him/herself in the most evil position. [An Excerpt from: البيان المرصع شرح القواعد الأربع- pages 8-9. Slightly paraphrased]

The Worldly Things Are Not a Purpose

Imaam Muhammad Ib Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said:

This is the calamity and it is what harms people these days. You do not find anyone [i.e. many people] except that they say, “What have we missed [i.e. of the worldly things]?” “What is our car?” [i.e. what car do you have?] “And what is our furniture?” [i.e. what furniture do you have?] -to the extent that some of those who seek knowledge [of the religion] only do so for the purpose of reaching a [particular] level or grade in order to attain the enjoyment of the worldly things. It is as if the human being is not created for a great purpose. The enjoyable things of the worldly life are only a means [i.e. a means to fulfilling ones needs and not the purpose of this life]. Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] said: “It is befitting that a person utilises wealth in the manner he utilises his donkey for riding, and in the manner he utilises the toilet for defecation”. [i.e. only when he needs it]

Do not make wealth your greatest concern; rather you should be the one in control of wealth. That is because if you are not the one in controlled, it will control you and the worldly life will become your [main] concern. So for this reason, we say: Whenever the worldly things are opened up to the people and they start looking at it [i.e. with much concern], then indeed they lose the afterlife in accordance with their interest in the worldly life. The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “By Allaah! It is not poverty that I fear for you; rather what I fear is that the worldly things will be made accessible to you, so that you compete one another for it, just as those before you competed one another for it, and it destroys you, just as it destroyed them”. The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] spoke the truth because what has destroyed the people at present is competition for the worldly things as if they were created for that purpose, and as if it was created for them for that purpose. [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen Cassette number 17’. slightly paraphrased]

Gratitude

Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu-anhu] narrated that the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, ‘’Look at those who are below you and do not look at those above you, for it is more suitable lest you look down on Allaah’s blessings [bestowed upon] you.” [Saheeh Muslim’ Hadeeth Number 2963]

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

A person should neither be covetous of this worldly life nor anxious due to what afflicts him [or her], rather he (or she) should exercise patience and hope for [Allaah’s reward due to exercising patience] – whether he [or she] is poor, sick or other than that. The worldly life is a place of trial and test, so one should not become anxious due to calamities and trials. And what makes this affair easier for a person is the guidance given by the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] in this hadeeth [as follows]:” Look at those who are below you and do not look at those above you, for it is more suitable lest you look down on Allaah’s blessings [bestowed upon] you”.

A poor person should look at the one who is poorer and should not look at a wealthier [person], for if Allaah willed He would have placed you in the same situation as that poor person who has nothing. You have something – you have your daily nourishment; but that one poorer than you has nothing – he does not even have his daily nourishment. You are in a better situation, so praise Allaah for this and do not look at the wealthier people because that will lead you to harbour anger against Allaah and being displeased with His divine Will, and then you [will or might] say, ‘’Why can I not be like such and such person; why am not like the wealthy people?’’ This is the meaning of looking down on the blessing you have. However, if you look at the person below you, it will make you thankful because your situation is better than that of many people. Therefore, the one in good health should look at the sick person and then praises Allaah for granting him [or her] good health. The one who is sick should look at the one who is sicker than him (or her) and then praises Allaah for being less sick than the person who is sicker than him [or her]. This (hadeeth embodies) a great principle. Therefore, ‘look to the one below you’ in (relation) to wealth, health and in other affairs.

However, this should not be the case in affairs related to acts of worship – in affairs related to acts of worship, you should not look at the one below you. You should not look at the lazy people and those who neglect their religious duties, rather you should look at the righteous and God-fearing people so that you can join them in performing good deeds and be like them. Therefore, with regards to affairs related to the religion, you should not look at the one below you, rather you should look at the one above you in the religion, for why do not want to be like him (or her); why do you not want to be like the righteous people; why do not want to emulate the God-fearing scholars? [i.e. those scholars whose creed is sound; those free from shirk, religious innovations, superstitions, fictitious beliefs and practices- who practice Islaam based on the Qur’aan, the authentic Sunnah and the understanding of the Sahaabah]. If you are a student of knowledge, you should not be satisfied with the sciences of the religion you have acquired; rather you should seek to increase in knowledge as long as you are alive. [Tasheelul il’haami Bi-Fiqhil Ahaadeethi Min Bulooghil Maraam’ Hadeeth Number 1438’ Vol 6′ pages 168-169. slightly paraphrased]

Ubaidullaah Ibn Mihsan Al-Khatmiy narrated from his father that the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ‘’Whoever among you wakes up [in the morning] safe in his property, healthy in his body and has his daily nourishment, it is as if he has been granted the entire world’’.

Al-Allaamah Zayd Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

This hadeeth shows that those blessed with safety in the lands, physical health, houses to live in and daily nourishment have indeed been blessed with a complete [worldly] blessing. Therefore, it is obligated [on them] to thank Allaah constantly.

This hadeeth shows that what suffice a person’s needs are a bounty and a blessing for which he must thank Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]. A person may strive to gather a lot of wealth; however he was created to worship of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] in the manner [commanded, legislated etc] by Allaah and His Messenger [i.e. based on what is legislated and commanded in the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah]. If a person does this, then indeed he will achieve and attain success; but if not, he will fail and incur loss. Therefore, is there one who will receive admonition?!

This hadeeth shows that to be blessed with safety in one’s religion, honour, wealth and blood is [something very] valuable. These are among those affairs whose establishment- in a society- will bring about a good life and security. But if security is not present, chaos will unravel in the society – the powerful people will overpower the weak and the oppressor will overpower the oppressed, and thus there will be an evil state of affairs and maybe evil consequences. Therefore, any society or land that has been bestowed a ruler amongst the Muslims and granted security in a region under his ruler-ship, then it is obligatory to obey him [i.e. obey the ruler of the land in what is good and not to rebel against him, even if he has shortcomings] and he should be aided by the other lands as much as one is able.

And what is seen as a fact in relation to this [hadeeth] is that whoever is blessed with enough food and drink, a dwelling place, means of transportation, security in his place of residence and good physical health, then it is as if he has been given the entire world. Therefore, he should be thankful to Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] for that until he meets Allaah- [i.e. until death comes to him]. [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Awnul Ahadis Samad Sharh Al-Adabil Mufrad’ Vol 1. page 335]

Narrated Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu-anhu]: The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “let the slave of the Deenaar and Dirham, and Qateefah and khameesah [i.e. money and luxurious clothes] perish, for he is pleased if these things are given to him, and if not, he is displeased”. [Bukhaari. Number 2886]

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

This hadeeth is about the one who only seeks after the Dunyah [worldly possessions] and does not desire the Hereafter; rather his only desire is Dunyah. He does not give concern to his religion, rather his only concern is the Dunyah; so if he is given something from the Dunyah he becomes pleased with Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] and the people; but if he is not given from it, he becomes displeased with Allaah and the people.

[تعس ]- meaning ‘destroyed’. [التعس] means ‘destruction’ and unsuccessful. [Allaah (The Most High) said]: [وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَتَعۡسً۬ا لَّهُمۡ – But those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allah), for them is destruction. (47:8)]

Why is he called a slave [of the Deenaar and dirham]? That is because he attaches his heart to it [i.e. wealth], so the worldly life becomes as if it is his lord. He attaches his heart to it and becomes enslaved by it. The poet says:

*I obeyed my desires and thus they enslaved me
*And had I indeed been satisfied [with what I have] I would have been free

Therefore, this man’s concern is [only] the Dunyah- if given from it he becomes pleased, praises and extols; but if not given, indeed he is displeased and angry, just as Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all Imperfections] stated about the hypocrites:

وَمِنۡہُم مَّن يَلۡمِزُكَ فِى ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ فَإِنۡ أُعۡطُواْ مِنۡہَا رَضُواْ وَإِن لَّمۡ يُعۡطَوۡاْ مِنۡہَآ إِذَا هُمۡ يَسۡخَطُونَ

And of them are some who accuse you (O Muhammad) in the matter of (the distribution of) the alms. If they are given part thereof, they are pleased, but if they are not given thereof, behold! They are enraged! [9:58]

Their pleasure and displeasure is attached to wealth. The one who (becomes) pleased and displeased (solely) for the sake of wealth is a hypocrite, a slave of the Deenaar and the Dirham. Allaah [The Most High] said:

[ وَلَوۡ أَنَّهُمۡ رَضُواْ مَآ ءَاتَٮٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ۥ وَقَالُواْ حَسۡبُنَا ٱللَّهُ سَيُؤۡتِينَا ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَرَسُولُهُ ۥۤ إِنَّآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ رَٲغِبُونَ – Would that they were contented with what Allah and His Messenger () gave them and had said: “Allah is Sufficient for us. Allah will give us of His Bounty, and (also) His Messenger (from alms, etc.). We implore Allah (to enrich us)]. [9:59]

This (hadeeth) conveys a rebuke against covetousness and that a person should not solely be pleased or displeased due to the Dunyah, rather his anger and pleasure should be for the sake of his religion and for the sake of Allaah. As for the Dunyah, if he is given something of it he takes it; but if not given anything from it, then indeed he should say: “Allaah suffices me and He will give me give from His bounty”.

When the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] used to distribute wealth, he used to give those whose Eemaan was weak and the hypocrites – gave them more; but he did not give anything to the best of the Sahaabah; rather he entrusted them to their religion, for indeed due to their [strong] Eemaan they would not become angry if not given. As for the people of weak Eemaan, the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] feared that they will be enraged, so he gave them and brought their hearts closer [the religion].

So this [hadeeth also conveys the affair of] piety and that it is obligated on a person not to attach his heart to the Dunyah [i.e. in the blameworthy manner mentioned in this hadeeth] – solely getting angry and pleased due to it; rather he should attach his heart to Allaah. As for the Dunyah, if he is given something lawful from it- which he did not ask for- then indeed he takes it and utilises it as a means of obedience to Allaah; but if he is not given anything, then indeed his religion suffices him and he places his trust and reliance in Allaah. This is the difference between the people of the Dunyah [i.e. those who solely strive for it at the expense of the Aakhirah] and the people of the Deen [i.e. those who seek after lawful provision in the worldly life and make the afterlife their main goal]. [An Excerpt from Tasheelul Il’haam Bi-Fiqhil Ahaadeeth Min Bulooghil Maraam’ Vol 6’ page 217-218]

The Struggle For Worldly Status and Recognition

Imaam Al-Bukhaari [rahimahullaah] said, ‘’Chapter: If somebody does not seek authority of ruling, then Allaah will surely help him [if he is given such authority].’’

Narrated Abdur-Rahmaan Bin Samura: The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, ‘’O Abdur-Rahmaan! Do not seek to be a ruler, for if you are given authority on your demand, then you will be held responsible for it, but if you are given it without asking [for it], then you will be helped [by Allaah] in it. If you ever take an oath to do something and later on you find that something else is better, then you should expiate your oath and do what is better.’’ [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari, Number 7146]

Few Reminders From Fat-hul Baari:

The one who seeks authority and receives it will not be helped. It is well known that to be in authority is accompanied by difficulties, so the one who does not receive help from Allaah will be trapped within it and thus loses both his Dunyah and Aakhirah. Therefore, the sensible person does not ask for authority, but if he is suitable and it is given to him without him asking for it, then indeed the truthful and trustworthy one [i.e. The Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wsallam)] has promised him that Allaah will help him. [An Excerpt: Chapter: (باب من لم يسأل الإمارة أعانه الله عليها  )in ‘kitaab al Ahkaam’ Saheeh Al-Bukhaari with Fat-hul Baari]

Imaam Ibn Rajab [rahimahullaah] said: Eagerness for high status is of two types: The first type is seeking high status through leadership, authority and wealth. This is very dangerous and in most cases it prevents [a person] from [acquiring] the good of the afterlife, its nobility, honour and elevated station. Allaah [The Most High] said: [تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا ۚ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ – That home of the Hereafter [i.e. Paradise], We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqoon]. [Al-Qasas. Ayah 83]

The second type is seeking high status and to be raised in status above the people through the religious affairs, such as knowledge, deeds and Zuhd. This is more abominable than the first type and greater in danger and corruption, because knowledge, deeds and Zuhd are [affairs] by way of which one seeks what Allaah [has prepared for His slaves] of high station and everlasting bliss [in the afterlife]- a means to drawing close to Him [i.e. by way of sincere and righteous deeds] and to receive His favours [in the worldly life and afterlife]. Imaam Sufyaan Ath-thawree [rahimahullaah] said: “Knowledge has more virtue because it is for the [purpose] of attaining fear of Allaah; and if not, it is just like all other things.’’ [Excerpts from the book (Two hungry wolves let loose amongst a flock of sheep) pages: 29, 47 & 53]

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] said: Therefore, he [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] clarified that the corruption [caused] through craving for wealth and high status in the religion cannot be lesser than the corruption [caused] by two hungry wolves let loose among a livestock, and that is [something] manifest; for indeed there is [nothing] of this [type] of craving in the sound religion. That is because when the heart tastes the sweetness of servitude to Allaah and love of Him, nothing else becomes more beloved to it than that. And through this, evil and immorality are averted from the people who are sincere to Allaah. [An Excerpt from (Majmoo Al-Fataawaa) 10/215]

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] also said: The seeker of leadership- even through falsehood- becomes pleased with a statement that contains an exaltation of him, even if it is falsehood; and becomes angered by a statement that contains a rebuke against him, even if it is truth.  [As for] the believer [i.e. the one with strong Eemaan and fear of Allaah], he is pleased with a statement of truth whether it is for or against him; and he is angered by a statement of falsehood whether it is for or against him. That is because Allaah [The Most High] loves truth, truthfulness and justice, and He hates lies and oppression. [Majmoo Al-Fataawaa: 10/600]

 

My Voice is Not Awrah and I Am Not Awrah: [Brief Rebuttal Against Mrs Ambiguous -(Heba Yosry)- at Alarabiya News]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Family & Women, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Heba Yosry stated, “When society convinces young girls that it is forbidden for them to speak, they will grow to become muzzled women. Dar Al Ifta’s statement, as intuitive and as commonsensical as it is, is crucial. It took me some time to be able to say it. My voice is not ‘awra, and I am not ‘awra”.  https://english.alarabiya.net/views/2021/07/18/Women-s-voices-are-being-heard-across-the-Islamic-world

Firstly, this above statement can be utilized for both truth and falsehood. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

[وَلَا تَلْبِسُوا الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُوا الْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ – And mix not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth while you know (the truth)]. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Verse 42]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Allaah forbade us from mixing truth with falsehood, and thus leading to concealment of the truth. Mixing truth with false is by mixing the two until one of them is confused for the other. This is forgery and deceit by way of which what is made apparent is the opposite of what it is in reality. Likewise, when truth is confounded with falsehood, the culprit manifests falsehood in the image of truth and speaks with a statement that carries two meanings- a correct meaning and false meaning, so the listener is under the illusion that the speaker intends the correct meaning, whilst he (i.e. the speaker) intends the corrupt meaning”. (1)

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Falsehood does not spread except with a mixture of some truth, just as Ahlul Kitaab (i.e. those Jews and Christians who strayed after the departure of their Prophets) mixed truth with falsehood. And by way of the little truth they had, they misguided many from the truth and called them to a lot of the falsehood”. (2)

Indeed, the truth in Heba’s statement is that the voice of a woman is not Awrah, as Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated, “A woman’s voice is not awrah at all, her voice is not awrah; so she has the right to ask, and the one who is asked must respond. During the Prophet’s [ﷺ ] era, they [i.e. the women] used to ask the Prophet [i.e. questions] and he used to respond to them. Indeed, Allaah [The Exalted] said:

[قَدۡ سَمِعَ ٱللَّهُ قَوۡلَ ٱلَّتِى تُجَـٰدِلُكَ فِى زَوۡجِهَا وَتَشۡتَكِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ – Indeed Allah has heard the statement of her (Khaulah bint Tha’labah) that disputes with you (O Muhammad ) concerning her husband (Aus bin As-Samit), and complains to Allah]. [Surah Al-Mujaadilah. Verse 1]

They used to ask the male Companions and those who came after the Companions, and this is a well-known matter. But the Awrah with regards to this affair is that it (i.e. the voice) should not be coquetry or softened. This is what is forbidden. Allaah [The Almighty] said:

يَا نِسَاءَ النَّبِيِّ لَسْتُنَّ كَأَحَدٍ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ إِنِ اتَّقَيْتُنَّ فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَعْرُوفًا

O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy, or evil desire for adultery, etc.) should be moved with desire, but speak in an honourable manner. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Verse 32]

Therefore, Allaah forbade them from softening their voices lest the corrupters- those with lusts and diseased hearts- would desire them. [وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَعْرُوفًا – but speak in an honourable manner]. Allaah commanded them to speak with an honorable and moderate voice that does not involve softening- neither a means to obscenity nor harshness; but rather it should be moderate. Neither speak in a harsh manner and with evil speech nor with a sweet voice in which there is softness and coquetry; rather it should be ordinary speech in the middle between the two – neither obscene speech nor evil speech; neither speech in which there is harshness and forcefulness; nor soft adorned speech. Neither this nor that. This is the truth that has been stated by the scholars”. (3)

Therefore, if Heba [may Allaah guide her] means that a woman’s voice is not Awrah in the manner clarified by Saudi Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him], then indeed this is truth; but anything besides that is tantamount to falsehood, evil and sin.

Secondly, regarding Heba’s statement, “I am not awrah”. This is an ambiguous statement! There is no doubt that Heba is not Awrah when dealing with those men that are related to her and she is allowed to free mix with them. See here: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/mind-map-illustration-showing-the-mahrams-male-chaperones-of-a-woman-for-travel-and-sittings/ A woman is not required to cover her hair, neck, forearms and ankles up to just the beginning of her shin in the presence of her father, brother, nephew etc. As for that which is other than this, the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] prohibited both men and women from showing their Awrah, except to their spouses. [See Sunan Abu Dawud. Hadeeth Number 4017]

Therefore, if this is what Heba Yosry means that she is not Awrah to her Mahaarim with regards those parts of a woman’s body that can be seen by the Mahaarim and the specific parts of the body that can only be seen by a spouse, then indeed her statement is correct; but anything other than that is tantamount corruption, falsehood and evil. Indeed, it was incumbent upon her to detail and explain her ambiguous statement as Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The basis of Banee Aadam’s misguidance is as a result of ‘General Terms’ and ‘Ambiguous Meanings’ [i.e. terms and statements that can either be utilised for truth or falsehood when not explained in detail and distinguished], especially if they come in contact with a confused mind, then how about when [evil] desires and misguided enthusiasm is added to that? Therefore, ask the One Who keeps the hearts steadfast [i.e. Allaah] to keep your heart firm upon His Religion and not allow you to fall into this darkness”. (4)

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] also said, “It is obligated on you to give detail and make a distinction, because unrestricted and general [statements] without clarification has indeed corrupted this existence [i.e. the world], and misguided the intellects and views [of the people] in every era”.

Al-Allaamah Saaleh al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] commented on the above statement as follows: “There has to be detail explanation. The one who is not proficient in giving detail should keep quiet, because benefit is not acquired from his speech. And every time error occurs, its cause is due to an absence of detail explanation regarding truth and falsehood. There has to be detail explanation and distinction and not to mix up [affairs]. Indeed, it may be that there is something of truth and falsehood in an opponent’s statement, so all of it is neither deemed to be false nor truth; rather there has to be a distinction between its truth and falsehood. All of it is neither rejected nor accepted; rather a distinction is made regarding the truth and what is correct and the falsehood and error in it. And if you are not proficient in giving detail, then you should not enter into this field”. (5)

Finally, we say to Heba, “Strive to be like the women mentioned in the following links:

The Role of Women in the Field of Knowledge and Education Throughout the History of Islaam

Women in Islam by Abu Khadeejah

The Muslim Woman In A Modern World – By Abu Khadeejah ‘Abdul-Wāhid

[Ref 1: Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ Vol 1, page 124. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Majmoo 35/190]

[Ref3:https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/4140/%D9%87%D9%84-%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A9. paraphrased]

[Ref 4: An Excerpt from ‘As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah Alal Jahmiyyah Wal Mu’attilah’ – Vol 3. page 927. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 5: An Excerpt from At-Ta-leeqaat Al-Mukhtasar Alaa Al-Qaseedah an-Nooniyyah: Vol: 1 page: 216. Slightly paraphrased]

O Muslims! Fear Allaah; Accept Advice of Sincere Advisers and Admonition of Admonishers! By Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Bid'ah (Innovation), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Hadaadis, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Khawaarij, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Shi'a, Sufis, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

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

Imaam Al-Awzaa’ee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “O Muslims! Fear Allaah, accept the advice of the sincere advisers and the admonition of the admonishers. know that this knowledge is religion, so beware of what you do, from whom you take your religion, the one you follow and the one with whom your religion is safe, because indeed all the proponents of religious innovation are all falsifiers, liars and sinners. They are not cautious – neither do they pay attention nor do they fear, and together with that they are not to be trusted that they would not distort what you hear.

They say what they do not know with regards to what they disapprove and when proclaiming their lies; but Allaah (knows, hears and sees) what they do. Therefore, be cautious of them, trust them not, reject them and avoid them, because indeed this is what your earlier scholars did and commanded, and likewise the righteous ones who came thereafter.

Be careful of opposing Allaah and being the means to destroying the religion He has ordained – breaking its commands and prohibitions, nullifying and weaking it by respecting the innovators in religious affairs and those who initiate that which is not from the religion, because you know what has been transmitted (i.e. the prohibitions) about respecting or exalting them. And what can be greater respect and exaltation than acquiring your religion from them- following and believing them, drawing close to them and assisting them in enticing the ones they entice and woo to their views and the religion (i.e. religious innovations) they follow. This is sufficient to be regarded as associates of theirs in what they do. (1)

Mubtadi and His Followers

Question to Al-Allaamah Zayd Bin Haadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him]: Is there a difference between the verdict against a person that he is from the people of religious innovation and the verdict that he is a Mubtadi [innovator]? And does the verdict against a person that he is not a Salafi or that he is a Hizbi necessitate that he is a Mubtadi [innovator]? Can you please shed light on this affair?

Answer: Firstly, you should know that indeed Ahlus Sunnah are people who fear of Allaah. They neither make Takfeer [i.e. declare a person a disbeliever], Tafseeq [i.e. declare a person a sinner] and Tabdee [declare a person an innovator] except against the one who deserves it based on the evidences in the Book and the Sunnah, and the understanding of the pious predecessors of this Ummah.

Secondly, you should know that the people of desires and misguidance are [categorized into] those who are followed and those who follow. Indeed, those who are followed are the ones who set up the various principles of Bidah and call to their innovation and misguidance, and they will carry their burden of sins and the burden of the sins of those whom they misguided without knowledge, as it is clearly stated in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah.

As for the followers of a leader from amongst the people of desires, then in most cases they are of two categories:
The First Category: Those who possess knowledge, but they harbour evil intentions, so they yield to Satan, desires and the urge of the evil soul. They follow the people of misguidance and oppose the callers to guidance [in that which] Allaah sent His Messenger Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] with.

The Second Category: Their share of knowledge is little, so the people of desires take advantage of them and they become [part] of their group. They convince them that what they call them to is the manifest truth and that what their opponents are upon is falsehood. And they convey to them a huge [number] of affairs that resemble the truth but are falsehood in reality, in order to deceive them and submerge them into misguidance.

As for those who are followed-those who set up principles of bidah and call the people to their bidah and misguidance-then indeed they are marked with the bidah they innovated and call the people to, and for them there is no honour.

As for the followers of the people of desires, it is as I have stated that they are of two categories in most cases. They are to be called to the Sunnah and to cling to it, and that they reject the bidah they have been deceived by and have yielded to. And if they respond to the call of truth through knowledge and action, and reject that which the people of desires and innovation call them to, then this is what is desired and it is a praiseworthy aim. If they reject the advice of the advisers and bargain with falsehood at the expense of truth, and give preference to innovation over the Sunnah, then they deserve to be assigned the term Mubtadi [innovator]. There is no honour for them after the truth has been established with its evidences and the falsity of that which is in opposition to it of newly invented affairs in the Religion has been clarified, which the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] referred to as misguidance. (2)

Question to Al-Allaamah Ubayd Bin Abdillaah Al-Jaabiree [may Allaah preserve him]: The questioner says: Assalaamu alaykum warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuhu. We hear a statement from some of the Mashaayihk of Ahlus Sunnah: ‘’This man is from the people of Bidah’’; is it understood that he is a Mubtadi [an innovator] or not?

Answer: What I have knowledge of is that this statement has two applications according to Ahlus Sunnah. The first of them and it is what is meant in most cases is that he is a Mubtadi [an innovator]. He knows the truth but he is an obstinate person. He refuses [truth], but not deviation; he knows the Sunnah, but refuses to follow it and [follows] Bidah. He commits Bidah whilst knowing that it is bidah.

The other meaning is that this man is a person upon innovation-meaning: He commits bidah even though he is not an innovator, because what we know regarding the methodology of Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaaa’ah is that they do not declare any specific person an innovator until the proofs are established against him. (3)

Whoever Does Not Make Tabdee of a Mubtadi Is Also A Mubtadi – [Clarification of This Statement By Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi]

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi [may Allaah preserve him] stated: It is not correct to apply this principle unrestrictedly because it maybe that he is unaware of the Bidah committed by that person, therefore he refrains from declaring him a Mubtadi [an innovator] due to [ورع – i.e. fear of falling into a doubtful matter that might lead him to something forbidden and affect him in the afterlife]. Why should you declare him an innovator? [i.e. why should you declare him an innovator when it is the case that he is unaware of the bidah of that Mubtadi or refrains from making Tabdee out of ورع ]. However, if he knows the innovator [i.e. knows that such a person is upon bidah due to which the evidence was established against him], loves him and allies with him, then he is a Mubtadi. This is the distinction in this affair. He knows that that person is a Mubtadi but he aids him and wages war against Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah, then he is a Mubtadi without a doubt. As for a person who does not know that such and such person is a Mubtadi, he is not to be declared an innovator.

You [i.e. the scholar, or student of knowledge who is qualified to make Tabdee] – the one who studied the affair of [that person] and you know that he allies with a Mubtadi, places him in a favourable position, wages war against Ahlus Sunnah for the sake of that Mubtadi and for the sake of this falsehood, then this person is a Mubtadi, misguided. As for the person who does not know that indeed such and such person is a Mubtadi, then advise him and clarify for him [i.e. with clear unambiguous proofs until he understands] that such person is a Mubtadi. So, unless he ceases [i.e. refrains from defending this Mubtadi after understanding the evidences], then put him [in the same place] with his companion – the Mubtadi. (4)

Listen here By Shaikh Abu Hakeem [may Allaah preserve him]:

Rebuttal of The Claim “You Salafis Are Too Harsh”

The False Claim ‘’You Salafis Are Too Harsh’’ – By Ustaadh Abu Hakeem

[Ref1: Taareekh Dimashq 6/361]

[Ref2: An Excerpt from Al-Ajwibah Al-Athariyyah Anil Masaa-il Al-Manhajiyyah, Khamsoona Su’aalan Wa-Jawaaban: page: 18-19]

[Ref3: Al-Haddul Faasil Bayna Mu-aamalah Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Ahl Al-Baatil 60. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 4:An Excerpt from ‘Awnul Baari 2/891’. slightly paraphrased]

The Dangerous Unattainable Goal – [Seeking After Pleasure of People at The Expense of Allaah’s Displeasure]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Sin, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

The Dangerous Unattainable Goal – [Seeking After Pleasure of People at The Expense of Allaah’s Displeasure]

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The Dangerous Unattainable Goal