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There Is No Deity Worthy of Worship Except Allaah, Alone, Without Partner: [Negation, Affirmation And Emphasis]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

[لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللَّه وحْدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لهُ – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, alone, without partner].

The one who makes this testimony requires knowledge, truthfulness and must act upon what he has testified to. The scholars say that knowledge of this testimony removes a person from the path of the Nasaaraa- those who act but have no knowledge; acting upon it removes a person from the path of the Yahood- those who have knowledge but do not act; and truthfulness removes a person from the path of the hypocrites- those who claim that they believe but have no certainty.

This testimony [لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللَّه وحْدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لهُ – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, alone, without partner] has two pillars- Nafi [Negation] and Ithbaat [Affirmation]. A person cannot be from the people of Tawheed [pure Islamic Montheism] until he fulfils these two pillars. [لا إلهَ  – There is no deity worthy of worship (i.e. Negation)] and [إلاَّ اللَّه – Except Alaah (i.e. Affirmation)]. The negation has to be comprehensive and the affirmation has to be specific – comprehensive negation of the worship that is devoted to all other objects of worship, and specific affirmation that only Allaah has the right to be worshipped.

If a person utters the negation without the affirmation, he is not a person of Tawheed [pure Islamic monotheism]; and if he affirms without uttering the negation, he is not a person of Tawheed [pure Islamic monotheism]. If a person were to negate only by saying [لا إلهَ  – There is no deity worthy of worship], he is an atheist; and if he were to affirm that Allaah has the right to be worshipped without negating that other objects of worship do not have the same right, he is a Mushrik [polytheist]. Therefore, one cannot be a person upon Tawheed [pure Islamic Monotheism] until he testifies that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah.

And due to the mighty affair of this testimony [لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللَّه  – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah], it is emphasised through the statement [وحْدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لهُ  – alone, without partner]. The affirmation is emphasised through the statement [وحْدهُ – alone]; and the negation is emphasised through the statement [لاَ شَرِيكَ له – without partner].

Source: An Excerpt from Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed. Lesson 2. Slightly paraphrased

Invoke Your Lord With Humility And In Secret – [A Command to Strive For Sincerity When Supplicating And Limiting Oneself to Legislated Acts of Worship]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ

Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors. [Soorah al-A’raaf Ayah 55]

Imaam As’Sadi (rahimahullaah) said: Ad-Du’aa [Invocation or Supplication] includes Du’aa Al-Mas’alah and Du’aa Al-Ibaadah. [Ref 1]

Du’aa Al-Mas’alah [Supplication, when a request is made]: So supplication is to request one’s needs, and is worship when the servant requests that from his Lord. This is because it involves showing one’s poverty before Allaah, the Most High, and ones need to turn to Him, and one’s certain faith that He is the one having full power, the Most Generous, the one who gives bounteously and is Most Merciful. Seeking ones need from someone else from the creation is permissible if the one to whom the request is made is able to hear and understand it, and has the power to respond to it, like saying, ‘O so and so give me food.’

Du’aa Al-Ibaadah [Invocation through worship]: As for invocation through worship, then it is that the person does an act of worship seeking reward and fearing punishment, and this is not correct unless directed to Allaah alone. To direct this to anyone else besides Allaah is major shirk which takes a person out of the Religion [Ref A], and he falls under the threat in the saying of Allaah, the Most High:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ

And your Lord said: “Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!” [40:60] [Ref 2]

Therefore, Allaah commanded (us) to supplicate to Him with humility- being earnest in [our supplication of] request and devotedly in worship. [خُفْيَةً – secretly]- neither loudly nor overtly due to out of fear of [falling] into Riyaa [show off]; rather [it should be done] secretly [i.e. in a low tone] and out of sincerity to Allaah [The Most High].

[إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ – He likes not the aggressors]: Meaning: Those who transgress the limits in every affair. And from transgression is when the servant requests from Allaah [things that are not a source of well-being or righteousness] for him, or he goes into extremes whilst asking [Ref 3] [i.e. going beyond what the sharee’ah legislates in acts of worship, either adding acts or words to the act which are not allowed in the Sharee’ah etc [Ref 4], or he raises his voice [i.e. raises his voice where it is not legislated to raise ones voice – for example in the Qunoot it is allowed to raise ones voice but not in other instances unless there is evidence to do so [Ref 5]. All this is considered to be transgression. [Ref 6]

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Publisher. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Ed 1424AH (Year 2003). slightly paraphrased]

[Ref A: See article for further clarification regarding shirk and excuse of ignorance: http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/uncnb-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-abd-al-muhsin-al-abbaad.cfm

[Ref 2: English Translation of Usool Ath-Thalaatha page 96’ by Abu Talhah Daawud Burbank (may Allaah have mercy on him and his wife]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Publisher. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Ed 1424AH (Year 2003). slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 4: For further details regarding this affair- those who are over-stringent or go beyond bounds in acts of worship-, refer to the statements of the scholars in Sharh Saheeh Muslim 16/220 by Imaam An-Nawawi (rahimahullaah); Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen 1/416-418’ by Shaikh Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) and Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 10/620 by Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) regarding the innovations of the monks and the innovators]

[Ref 5: Shaikh Bin Baaz (rahimahullaah sheds light on this affair, see link: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/635 ]

[Ref 6: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Publisher. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Ed 1424AH (Year 2003). slightly paraphrased]

“Gates of Paradise Are Opened and Gates of Hell Are Shut During Ramadhaan” – [Does This Mean Entry Into Paradise Without Reckoning For The One Who Dies During Ramadhaan?] – [Shaikh Uthaymeen Answers]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Question: The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ‘‘When Ramadhaan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of hell fire are shut and the devils are chained”; does this mean that the one who dies in the month of Ramadhaan will enter Paradise?

Answer: The affair is not so; rather the meaning of this is that the gates of paradise are opened as an encouragement for the performers of (good) deeds so that they are facilitated with entry. And the gates of the hell fire are shut so that the people of Eemaan are kept away from disobedience, (and) so that they do not (enter) these gates. And the meaning of this (statement of the messenger) is not that the one who dies in Ramadhaan is going to enter paradise without reckoning; rather those who will enter Paradise without reckoning are those whom the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) described in his saying: ‘’They are those who neither seek Ruqya nor do they believe in good bad or good omens (from birds etc.), nor do they get themselves branded (Cauterised); but they place their trust (only) in their Lord”, alongside fulfilling that which Allaah has obligated upon them to (perform) of righteous actions. [Source: Fiqhul Ibaadaat of Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) Page: 231]

 

And We Made Their Hearts Firm and Strong, When They Stood Up and Said: “Our Lord is the Lord of the Heavens and The Earth

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

نَّحۡنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ نَبَأَهُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۚ إِنَّہُمۡ فِتۡيَةٌ ءَامَنُواْ بِرَبِّهِمۡ وَزِدۡنَـٰهُمۡ هُدً۬ى

وَرَبَطۡنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ إِذۡ قَامُواْ فَقَالُواْ رَبُّنَا رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَن نَّدۡعُوَاْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ إِلَـٰهً۬ا‌ۖ لَّقَدۡ قُلۡنَآ إِذً۬ا شَطَطًا

We narrate unto you (O Muhammad) their story with truth: Truly! They were young men who believed in their Lord (Allah), and We increased them in guidance. And We made their hearts firm and strong, when they stood up and said: “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, never shall we call upon any ilah (god) other than Him; if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity in disbelief.

Allaah said: [إِنَّہُمۡ فِتۡيَةٌ ءَامَنُواْ بِرَبِّهِمۡ – They were young men who believed in their Lord (Allaah)]- Meaning: They believed in the oneness of Allaah and associated none as a partner to Him, so Allaah appreciated and rewarded them for their Eemaan and increased them in guidance. Due to the basis of this guidance to Eemaan, Allaah increased them in guidance, and that necessitates beneficial knowledge and [guided to the performance of] righteous deeds, just as Allaah said [in another Aayah in the Qur’aan]: [وَيَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدًى – And Allah increases in guidance those who walk aright [true believers in the Oneness of Allah who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)19:76].

Then Allaah said: [وَرَبَطۡنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ – And We made their hearts firm and strong]- Meaning: We made them patient and steadfast, and bestowed them with tranquillity in their hearts when they were in that state of inconvenience [or unrest]. This is from Alaah’s kindness and generosity, for He granted them Eemaan, guidance, patience, steadfastness and tranquillity. [Ref 1]

[Allaah] fortified their hearts with patience and firmness; strengthened and supported [their hearts] with the light of Eemaan, so they were able to leave the land of their people, separated themselves from the comfort they were in and fled to the cave [for the safety] of their religion. [Ref 2]

Then Allaah said: [إِذۡ قَامُواْ فَقَالُواْ رَبُّنَا رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ – when they stood up and said: “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth]- Meaning: Allaah is the One Who created us, provided us with all blessings and provisions, the Who One controls all our affairs and nurtured us [by facilitating us with the ability and means to be guided in our religious and worldly affairs]. Allaah is the creator of the heavens and the earth – He alone created these great things. The images and idols [worshipped besides Him] can neither create nor provide anything; neither can they hurt nor benefit themselves [and others]; neither do they possess power [of causing] death nor [of giving] life, nor of raising the dead.” So, they [i.e. these youth] cited Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah as evidence to establish Tawheed al-Ilaahiyyah, and for this reason Allaah said that they said: [لَن نَّدۡعُوَاْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ إِلَـٰهً۬ا‌ۖ – never shall we call upon any ilah (god) other than Him [Allaah]- Meaning: We will not invoke anyone or anything amongst the creation; [لَّقَدۡ قُلۡنَآ إِذً۬ا شَطَطًا – if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity in disbelief]-Meaning: If we invoke others whilst also invoking Allaah- after knowing that Allaah alone is the true Lord and the only one who has the right to be worshipped- then indeed that would be tantamount to great misguidance from the truth and a path that is far removed from what is correct. So, they affirmed both Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah and Tawheed Al-Ilaahiyyah; adhered to it, clarified that it is the truth and that what is in opposition to it is falsehood. This shows the perfection of their knowledge and awareness of their Lord and the increased guidance given to them. [Ref 3]

Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’. slightly paraphrased]

Ref 2: An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim. 2/157’. slightly paraphrased]

Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’. slightly paraphrased]

And In Whatsoever You Differ, The Decision Thereof Is With Allaah

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَحُكْمُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ

”And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allah (He is the ruling Judge).” [1]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimaahullaah) said:

This is a clear text regarding the fact that the judgement for all our differing is to be referred back to Allaah alone. He is the Judge in this (affair) through the speech of His Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam). If you were to give precedence to the intellect over Allaah’s Judgement, then you are not (considered as) one who judges by Allaah’s Revelation and His Book.[2]

[1] Qur’aan. 42:10

[2] As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah 3/828. See here; Ruling by other than the Sharee’ah: http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ05&articleID=MNJ050003&articlePages=1

None Can Stop Allaah’s Favours and Blessings from Reaching Others!

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Purification of The Soul.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

مَّا يَفۡتَحِ ٱللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِن رَّحۡمَةٍ۬ فَلَا مُمۡسِكَ لَهَاۖ وَمَا يُمۡسِكۡ فَلَا مُرۡسِلَ لَهُ ۥ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۚۦ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ

Whatever of mercy Allaah may grant to mankind, none can withhold it, and whatever He may withhold, none can grant it thereafter. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. [Soorah Al-Faatir’ Ayah 2]

[مَّا يَفۡتَحِ ٱللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِن رَّحۡمَةٍ۬ – Whatever of mercy Allaah may grant to mankind]- Meaning: the good things of this worldly life and provision; [فَلَا مُمۡسِكَ لَهَاۖ- none can withhold it]. This Aayah notifies us of the fact that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, because there is neither anyone who can withhold what Allaah wants to grant [mankind] nor is there anyone who can grant what Allaah wants to withhold from [mankind].

[An Excerpt from ‘Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer’ by Imaam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah). slightly paraphrased]

The Greatest Criterion Amongst Mankind And Jinn

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Sufyaan Ibn Uyaynah [rahimahullaah] used to say: Indeed, the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] 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.

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

The Noblest Subject Matter In The Qur’aan [By Imaam As- Sa’di (rahimahullaah)]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

The knowledge of Sound Creed

This is the noblest of all affairs of knowledge without exception; the most virtuous and perfect. By way of it, hearts firmly cling to  sound creed, [noble] manners are purified and made to flourish, and deeds are perfected. The subject matter is based on the following:

To study that which is obligatory to affirm for Allaah regarding His perfect Attributes and Lofty Characteristics, and that which makes it impossible for Him to be described with deficient and blameworthy attributes, or likening Him to others.

Study that which establishes the fact that Allaah [alone] originated all creation and that He does whatever He wills-whatever He wishes will take place and whatever He does not wish cannot take place.

Likewise, study what is obligatory regarding belief in the Messengers- their qualities and the rights due to them, and that which is forbidden with regards to violation of such rights.

Belief in the Books revealed to the Messengers and in that which Allaah has stated about Himself, and that which His Messengers stated regarding the events of the past and the future.

Belief in the last day, recompense, reward and punishment, the paradise and hell fire, and that which has been stated [in the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah] related to these affairs.

These are the general affairs of this lofty affair of knowledge. Indeed the Qur’aan has explained these affairs with a profound explanation and clarified it in a manner that is not equal to [its explanation and clarification in] the other revealed books.

[An Excerpt from ‘Fat-hul Raheem Al-Malikil Allaam Fee Ilmil Aqaa-id Wat-Tawheed Wal-Akhlaaq Wal-Ahkaam’. Page: 7. slightly paraphrased]

All Affairs Are In The Control of Allaah – [An Admonition From The Battle of Uhud]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah (The Most High) said:

لَيۡسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ شَىۡءٌ أَوۡ يَتُوبَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ أَوۡ يُعَذِّبَهُمۡ فَإِنَّهُمۡ ظَـٰلِمُونَ

”Not for you (O Muhammad), but for Allah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to (pardons) them or punishes them; verily, they are the Zalimun (polytheists, disobedients, and wrong-doers, etc.) [3:128]

Narrated Sahl (radiyallaahu-anhu) that he was asked about the wound of the Prophet on the day (of the battle) of Uhud. He said, “The face of the Prophet was wounded and one of his front teeth was broken and the helmet over his head was smashed. Fatima washed off the blood while all held water. When she saw that bleeding was increasing, she burnt a mat (of date-palm leaves) till it turned into ashes and she filled the wound with those ashes and thus the bleeding ceased”. [Saahih Bukhaari. Vol 4. Number: 2911]

It is reported in the Saheeh that one of the Prophet’s teeth was broken and his head was injured (during the battle of Uhud), so he began to wipe the blood away from it, saying: How can a people be successful who cut the face of their Prophet and break his teeth, whilst supplicating to Allaah. So Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) revealed the Ayah:

[لَيۡسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ شَىۡءٌ-Not for you (O Muhammad), but for Allah) is the decision] [Source: Zaad Al-Ma-aad 3/205-206]

One of The Affairs That Shows Us The Great Importance of Tawheed: [The Beginning Soorah and Final Soorah In The Qur’aan Conveys The Three Categories of Tawheed]- [Faa’idah By Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Purification of The Soul.

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

Opening Soorah of the Qur’aan (i.e. Faatiha) and closing Soorah of the Qur’aan (i.e. An-Naas)  gather The Three categories of Tawheed; namely: Tawheed Ar-Roboobiyyah (The Oneness of Allaah’s Lordship); Tawheed Al-Uloohiyyah (Allaah is the only deity worthy of worship) and Tawheed al-Asmaa Was-Sifaat (The Oneness of Allaah in His Names and Attributes)

Soorah Faatiha:

See Highlighted verses as proof:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). Guide us to the Straight Way. The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians).”

Soorah An-Naas:

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ

مَلِكِ النَّاسِ

إِلَٰهِ النَّاسِ

Say: “I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of mankind. The King of mankind. The Ilah (God) of mankind. From the evil of the whisperer (devil who whispers evil in the hearts of men) who withdraws (from his whispering in one’s heart after one remembers Allah). Who whispers in the breasts of mankind. Of jinns and men.

[Source: Mukhtasarul Mufeed Fee Bayaani Dalaa-il Aqsaam at-tawheed: lesson: 2. by Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq al Badr (may Allaah preserve him]