A powerful reminder by the Shaykh to help our fellow Muslims who are in need.
“Slaves of Allah, do not forget your brothers from those of them who are poor and those who are in need, from your neighbours and those closest to you family and whoever you know. So help them with the expenses of this month Ramadan.”
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Firstly – just as all the other Maraakiz will say about themselves – nothing connects us to the students at Salafipublications, the students in the other Maraakiz and the Maraakiz except Salafiyyah – the strongest bond.
Secondly, the one who has been told is not like the one who witnessed. Between 2004-2005 Al-Markazus Salafi had no Duroos, so, Ustaadh Abu Iyaad, Ustaadh Abu Hakeem and Ustaadh Abu Khadeejah took time out to educate us. Likewise, Ustaadh Abu Haaroon started Madinah Book One.
Ustaadh Abu Iyaad used to transmit the explanation of the 40 Ahaadeeth of Imaam An-Nawawi (explanation of Shaikh Fawzaan and Shaikh Uthaymeen) and Imaam Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Wahhaab’s [ستة مواضع من السيرة (explanation of Shaikh Fawzaan)]. The few who attended the masjid greatly benefitted. On the other hand, Ustaadh Abu Hakeem and Ustaadh Abu Khadeejah used to come to Al-Markazus Salafi once a month.
This effort of the students at Salafipublications took place during a time in which the masjid had no Duroos and the Masjid committee was put to trial by way of disagreements. However, by the Mercy of Allaah [first and foremost] and then the advises and efforts of the students at Salafipublications, we realised our errors and the many obstacles we faced due to short-sightedness, lack of knowledge and experience. Likewise, our elder brother -Ustaadh Abdul Ilaah Lahmaami [hafidhahullaah]- has always been an insightful and gentle adviser – always giving precedence to everything that will bring the hearts together and increase love and compassion between Ahlus Sunnah. During the Fitna of Yahyah Al-Hajoori Al-Haddaadi al-Mubtadi, Ustaadh Abdul Ilaah alongside Ustaadh Abu Khadeejah stood firm to help us repel – by the Tawfeeq of Allaah – those supporters of Al-Hajoori who desired to turn Al-Markazus Salafi into a base for the Hajaawirah.
By the Tawfeeq of Allaah, our community is still learning the little they can and co-operating to the best of our ability with all the Maraakiz and students. May Allaah bless the students at Salafipublications and all the other students, and protect them from all evil. And we ask Allaah to bless Ustaadh Abu Mu’aadh Taqweem Aslam, Ustaadh Abu Humaid Saalim, Ustaadh Rayyaan Barker, Ustaadh Abdul Hakeem Mitchell [hafidhahumullaah] for their continuous efforts at Al-Markazus salafi and elsewhere.
Likewise, we ask Allaah ask to bless all the Masjid Committees and Salafi Communities – in the UK, America, Canada and elsewhere. We ask Allaah to maintain unity between us, compassion, brotherhood, advising one another for the sake of Allaah, protect us from Fitan and grant us the Tawfeeq to always return to the Book, the Sunnah and the understanding of the Salafus Saaleh, as well as the advice and guidance of the scholars of the Ummah, such as the likes of Shaikh Rabee, Shaikh Ubaid, Shaikh Fawzaan and others Aameen.
It is reported that Abī Qilābah (rahimahullāh) said:
“If some information reaches you about your brother which you dislike, then search for an excuse for him. And if you do not find an excuse for him, then say: “Maybe he has an excuse which I have no knowledge of.”
Rawdatul Uqalā page 184
Cursing your wife is an evil thing and a Major Sin. The Prophet (sallahualayhiwasallam) said: “Cursing a Muslim is like killing him[or her]”.
Al-Fataawaa3/217 by Sh Bin Baz
A guest eats what the host is able to provide and not what he expects to eat.
Tafsir Surah Al- Ahzaab:53 by Al Qurtbi (rahimahullah)
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Indeed, we seek Allaah’s Protection against rejecting good advice, for that will lead to calamities. Likewise, we will not shy away – by the Tawfeeq, permission and Help of Allaah- from sending out clarifications whenever it becomes absolutely clear that either the Masjid or its Admin is being unjustifiably attributed to a particular blameworthy behaviour or attitude. Perfection and efficiency are affairs we will never claim because that is impossible; rather such a claim would be a blatant lie. However, it cannot be merely claimed –without any proof- that Al-Markazus Salafi or anyone else rejects good advice. The one who makes such a claim is politely asked to produce proof, for indeed the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said, “The burden of proof is upon the claimant’’.
On the other hand, one should not make up his mind -before giving us advice- that regardless the response given based on their advice or proposal, they will criticise anyway; either nitpicking statements or mentioning ambiguous bits of information just because their advice or proposal was genuinely scrutinised. One should not dislike the fact that after receiving their advice or proposal, we might decide to take a step back, listen to others, consult elders and critically examine what is going on around us before acting. One should not be opinionated -wishing that their views or proposals are implemented immediately. Likewise, we (the ones you give the advice) should not be opinionated by rejecting advice even before looking into it in detail. And we do not mean by this that one plays games in the name of scrutiny after clear advice and clarification has been given by the scholars regarding the sound Manhaj positions, sound stances taken against the people of hizbiyyah and bidah, such as the staunch followers of Al-Maribi, Al-Halabi, Al-Hajoori and the staunch followers of other Mubtadi’ah, or the sound stances to be established against the Mu’mayyi’een and the people of clear error, such as the likes of Ibraaheem Ar-Ruhayli etc; rather what we mean is that one should be easy going when addressing the minor affairs related to the Masjid.
Likewise, after giving us advice based on the information received from someone else, but then either you or ourselves are informed of the reality behind the affair, we should neither become wilfully oblivious of what we were pursuing in the first place nor deliberately side-step the affair, rather than affirm the truth even after realising that the advice was based on incorrect or ambiguous information. Therefore, we remind ourselves of that which Allaah (The Most High) has stated:
وَأَسِرُّوا قَوْلَكُمْ أَوِ اجْهَرُوا بِهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ
أَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ
And whether you keep your talk secret or disclose it, verily, He is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts (of men). Should not He Who has created know? And He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves) All-Aware (of everything). [67:13-14]
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:
This is from the highest degree of affirmation (or confirmation), for indeed it has to be (the case that) the Creator knows His creatures. So if you affirm that indeed He is your Creator and the Creator of your hearts and what they contain (or all that is within the hearts), then how can (anything) be hidden from Him when (it is the case) that He created them?! And the statement [بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ – what is in the breasts (of men)] includes what the breasts contain of beliefs, intents, love and hate. [ref 1]
We ask Allaah for Ikhlaas, Thabaat, Sidq and Husnul Khaatimah
[Ref 1: Source: Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) page 173… Excerpted & Slightly Paraphrased]
All Praise is to Allah, who blessed us today, with an excellent turnout at the Eid Prayer once again; and it is Allah that facilitates all means to good.
The Masjid would like to thank those who facilitated this Sunnah for “Whoever does not thanked the people will not thanked Allah” (authenticated by Shaykh Albani). May Allah bless and reward them all.
We are fortunate, by the fadl of Allah, to have such dedicated and hardworking brothers and sisters; who are always sacrificing themselves and their time to serve the community.
The good deeds done are written by Allah and he knows their number. But we hope to give an idea as to the lengths some of the volunteers go to.
During Ramadhaan, we had brothers clearing and cleaning the masjid. Families providing food and drink for those opening their fast and working to keep the masjid clear from smells and distraction. Further more during the Tarawee’ prayer (a busy time indeed) then a rotor of brothers took it in turns, to take care of the cars, of those taking part in the prayer.
Moving on to the Eid prayer setup; then some of our sisters took part in raising some funds to prepare custom goody bags to make the day special. Packing them at their houses completing the affair with one of our families completing the packing then delivering them to the masjid.
Everyone was able to enjoy the atmosphere this morning at the park. But even this setup required efforts. The night before brothers came to the masjid early. They cleaned up and prepared all the equipment needed for Eid prayer outside. Even in this instance many of the rolls we have laid out have been donated by a group of brothers, and the van used was also lent to us for Allahs sake.
Finally in the morning whilst many were still sleeping or relaxing; others set off early, to setup for anyone attending be prayer; some leaving or making arrangements for their families to come afterwards, others rushing home to collect their families in between.
Our aim here is not to count deed; for indeed the deeds done are numerous and Allah the most just is the one who rewards his slaves. However what we can do is appreciate such (invisible) deeds, and efforts made in the organisation of such an event.
And there is no doubt other Salafi Maraakiz around the country will have similar tales of sacrifice and effort- some of which we have read already from the likes of Al Baseerah, Salafi Publications, Markaz Muaadh and others. No doubt this is a sign of love for this blessed da’wa, and brings immense happiness to our hearts
We hope to see everyone tonight, in happiness and bliss, gathered with their brothers and sisters for Allah’s sake on this wonderful day.
تقبل الله منا ومنكم
Taqaballallahu minna wa minkum.
May Allaah accept from us and from you (Aameen).
Waalaikumsalaam wa rahmatullah
The Committee of The Salafi Centre of Manchester
http://salaficentre.com/2015/02/efforts-of-ustaadh-abu-iyaad-amjad-rafiq-may-allaah-preserve-him-al-markazus-salafi/
http://salaficentre.com/2012/07/shaikh-hasan-al-banna-on-witnessing-salafi-publications/