Skip to main content

Tag: forbidding evil

The Scholar, His Abundant Knowledge And The Dog That Lolls Its Tongue Out – [A Mighty Parable]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said in Surah Al-A’raaf Aayaat 175-176:

وَٱتۡلُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ نَبَأَ ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فَٱنسَلَخَ مِنۡهَا فَأَتۡبَعَهُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَاوِينَ

 وَلَوۡ شِئۡنَا لَرَفَعۡنَـٰهُ بِہَا وَلَـٰكِنَّهُ ۥۤ أَخۡلَدَ إِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَٮٰهُ‌ۚ فَمَثَلُهُ ۥ كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡڪَلۡبِ إِن تَحۡمِلۡ عَلَيۡهِ يَلۡهَثۡ أَوۡ تَتۡرُڪۡهُ يَلۡهَث‌ۚ ذَّٲلِكَ مَثَلُ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا‌ۚ فَٱقۡصُصِ ٱلۡقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

And recite [O Muhammad] to them the story of him to whom We gave Our Ayat [proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.], but he threw them away, so Shaitan [Satan] followed him up, and he became of those who went astray. And had We willed, We would surely have elevated him therewith but he clung to the earth and followed his own vain desire. So, his description is the description of a dog: if you drive him away, he lolls his tongue out, or if you leave him alone, he [still] lolls his tongue out. Such is the description of the people who reject Our Ayat [proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.]. So, relate the stories, perhaps they may reflect.

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

Allaah likened him to a dog because he was given knowledge of the Book and taught what was not given to others, but he abandoned it, followed his desires and preferred the Anger of Allaah over the Pleasure of Allaah, preferred the worldly life over the afterlife and preferred the created beings over the Creator. A dog is considered to be among the meanest animals, the greediest and most eager [for food]. And due to this eagerness, it does not roam about except that its nose is placed on the ground, whilst sniffing greedily and eagerly. When it takes possession of a dead animal enough for a hundred dogs, it would not allow another dog to eat anything from it, except whilst growling and seeking to gain the upper hand due to eagerness, greed and covetousness.

This person -the one who abandoned the verses of Allaah and followed his desires- did so out of severe eagerness for the worldly life and due to his heart being disconnected from Allaah and the afterlife. He is extremely eager for the dunyah and his eagerness is similar to the constant eagerness of a dog whether it is troubled or left alone.

Ibn Jurayj [rahimahullaah] said: A dog is among those animals with the least patience when it is thirsty. It lolls its tongue out the most, whether it is standing, sitting, moving or not moving. Its intense desire [i.e. greed] necessitates that it will always loll its tongue. Likewise, this is the affair of that person likened to the dog because the extreme eagerness and burning desire in his heart necessitates that he will always exert himself [for the worldly goods at the expense of the Aakhirah]. He still exerts himself whether he is admonished or not.

Mujaahid [rahimahullaah] said: This is similar to the one given knowledge of the Book, but he does not act upon it. Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said: If you direct him towards wisdom, he does not follow it, and if you leave him alone he is not guided towards good, just like the dog that lolls its tongue out whether it is taking a rest or driven away.

Al-Hasan [rahimahullaah] said: It is the Munaafiq. He does not remain firm upon the truth whether he is called or left alone, whether he is admonished or not admonished, just like the dog that lolls its tongue out whether driven away or left alone.

So Allaah [The Most High] gave an example of the one who abandoned His Aayaat [proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc], saying: He is misguided, whether he is admonished or left alone, just like the dog that lolls its tongue out, whether driven away or left alone. This Ayah [i.e. Al-A’raaf 176] is similar to the saying of Allaah [The Most High]:

[وَإِن تَدۡعُوهُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡهُدَىٰ لَا يَتَّبِعُوڪُمۡ‌ۚ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيۡكُمۡ أَدَعَوۡتُمُوهُمۡ أَمۡ أَنتُمۡ صَـٰمِتُونَ  – And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call them, or you keep silent] [7:193]

Contemplate on the [statements] of wisdom and [significant] meanings found in this parable!

*Allaah [The Most High] said: [ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُ ءَايَـٰتِنَا- To whom We gave Our Aayaat]; Allaah informed us that He was the One Who gave this person knowledge of His Aayaat, for indeed it is a blessing and Allaah is the One Who conferred it upon him. Allaah attributed the source of this blessing to Himself. Then Allaah said: [فَٱنسَلَخَ مِنۡهَا- But he threw them away]-Meaning: He left it in a manner similar to the manner in which a snake leaves its skin. And Allaah did not say, ”We threw him away from it” because this person was the one who left it due to following his desires. Then Allaah said: [فَأَتۡبَعَهُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ- So shaytaan (satan) followed him up]- Meaning: shaytaan approached and pursued him, just as Allaah stated about Pharaoh’s people: [فَأَتۡبَعُوهُم مُّشۡرِقِينَ- So they pursued them (i.e. Fir’awn and his hosts pursued Bani Israa’eel) at sunrise] [26: 60)].

*He [i.e. this person to whom Allaah gave knowledge of the Book] used to be protected and guarded against shaytaan through the Aayaat of Allaah, but when he turned away from them, shaytaan overwhelmed him just as a lion overwhelms its prey; [فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَاوِينَ- And he became of those who went astray]-Meaning: Those who act in opposition to the knowledge they possess and those who know the truth but act in opposition to it, just like the evil scholars.

*Then Allaah said: [وَلَوۡ شِئۡنَا لَرَفَعۡنَـٰهُ بِہَا- And had We willed, We would surely have elevated him therewith]; Allaah informed us that being elevated in His presence is not merely acquired through knowledge, for indeed this person was from the scholars; rather elevation is acquired through adherence to the truth, giving precedence to it and aiming to please Allaah. Indeed, this person was among the most knowledgeable during his era, but he was neither elevated through his knowledge nor did he benefit from it. We seek Allaah’s protection from knowledge that does not benefit. Therefore, Allaah informs us that He is the One Who will raise a servant-if He wills-with the knowledge He bestows on them, otherwise the servant will be degraded. The Rabb [i.e. Allaah- The Creator, The All- Provider and in Whose Hand is the Dominion of everything] is the One alone Who degrades and raises [His servants], and indeed He degraded this person and did not raise him. [وَلَوۡ شِئۡنَا لَرَفَعۡنَـٰهُ بِہَا- And had We willed, We would surely have elevated him therewith]- Meaning: Had we willed, We would have given him preference [over others], ennobled him, and raised his status and rank by way of the Aayaat we gave him. Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said: Had Allaah willed, He would have raised this person through the knowledge he (i.e. this person) possessed.

*[ وَلَـٰكِنَّهُ ۥۤ أَخۡلَدَ إِلَى ٱلۡأَر-But he clung to the earth]; Muqaatil [rahimahullaah] said: ‘’He became pleased with the Dunya. [وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَٮٰهُ‌ۚ- And followed his own vain desire]; Al-Kalbee [rahimahullaah] said: He pursued the lowly affairs and abandoned the lofty affairs. Abu Rawqa [rahimahullaah] said: He chose the Dunyah over the Aakhirah. Ataa [rahimahullaah] said: He wanted the Dunya and obeyed his shaytaan.  Ibn Zayd [rahimahullaah] said: He followed his desires by joining those who fought Musa [alayhis salaam] and his people.

*This is a description of an evil scholar who acts in opposition to the knowledge he possesses.

*He went astray after having knowledge. He intentionally chose disbelief over Imaan and not out of ignorance.

*He left Emaan in a manner that did not allow him to ever return to it again, for indeed he threw away the Aayaat of Allaah completely just as a snake exits its skin. Had he been left with anything [of Imaan], he would not have been [considered] as one who exited from it completely.

*Shaytaan overwhelmed him and caught him as his prey.

*He [غوى-strayed] after being upon a state of [الرشد-the right course- well guided in affairs of the religion]. The word [الغي] means to be misguided in knowledge and intention, and it is more specified to corruption in knowledge and action, just as the word [الضلال] is more specified to corruption in knowledge and creed. When one of the two words is mentioned on its own, it includes the meaning of the other; but if mentioned together, then each of them takes its more specific meaning as mentioned above.

*Allaah did not wish to raise him by way of knowledge and that was the cause of his destruction. And because he was not raised by way of knowledge [i.e. due to his own fault], it became a source of anxiety for him. It would have been better for him not to be a scholar and would have lessened the punishment he will receive.

*Allaah informed us of this person’s wicked goal, for he gave preference to the most despicable [path] over the noblest [path].

*His choice [i.e. preferring evil] was not due to thoughts that crossed his mind and ideas he was unconscious of; rather it was due to [إخلاد إلى الأرض   clinging to the earth- following his desires constantly]. Az-Zujaaj said: The root of the words [خلد and أخلد] is [خلود], and it means to be constant in something and to remain upon something.

*He turned away from guidance and followed his vain desires. He made his vain desires a guide for himself and followed it.

[Source: An Excerpt from  بدائع التفسير الجامع لما فسَّره الإمام ابن القيم الجوزية slightly paraphrased. Vol 1. Page: 426-431]

We ask Allaah to grant us Ikhlaas, Sidq, Thabaat and Husnul Khaatimah, and protect us from insincerity, misguidance, evil desires and Soo Al-Khaatimah Aameen.

The Danger of Attributing Calamities to Vicissitudes of Time And Not Taking a Divine Admonition From Them– [View of Some of Our Corrupt Forefathers]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّآ أَخَذۡنَآ أَهۡلَهَا بِٱلۡبَأۡسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَضَّرَّعُونَ

ثُمَّ بَدَّلۡنَا مَكَانَ ٱلسَّيِّئَةِ ٱلۡحَسَنَةَ حَتَّىٰ عَفَواْ وَّقَالُواْ قَدۡ مَسَّ ءَابَآءَنَا ٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَٱلسَّرَّآءُ فَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بَغۡتَةً۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

And We sent no Prophet to any town (and they denied him), but We seized its people with suffering from extreme poverty and loss of health and calamities, so that they might humble themselves (and repent to Allah). Then We changed the evil for the good, until they increased in number and in wealth, and said: “Our fathers were touched with evil (loss of health and calamities) and with good (prosperity, etc.)”. So We seized them of a sudden while they were unaware. [Surah Al-A’raaf. Aayaat 94-95]

[وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِى قَرۡيَةٍ۬ مِّن نَّبِىٍّ إِلَّآ أَخَذۡنَآ أَهۡلَهَا بِٱلۡبَأۡسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَضَّرَّعُونَ – And We sent no Prophet to any town (and they denied him), but We seized its people with suffering from extreme poverty and loss of health and calamities, so that they might humble themselves (and repent to Allah)]- Meaning: [The Prophets] called them to worship Allaah alone and forbid them from Shirk, but they did not submit to him, except that Allaah put them to trial through poverty, illnesses and various types of afflictions; so that when afflicted, their souls will be humbled- humble themselves to Allaah and submit to the truth.

However, if that did not bring about any good, their haughtiness continued and their transgression increased, they were given much provision, their bodies were granted wellbeing and the calamity was removed; until they became numerous in number, their provision became abundant, they rejoiced due to Allaah’s blessings and bounty and forgot the calamities they have been through. [وَّقَالُواْ قَدۡ مَسَّ ءَابَآءَنَا ٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَٱلسَّرَّآءُ – And they said, “Our fathers were touched with evil (loss of health and calamities) and with good (prosperity, etc.)”] – Meaning: This is a normal occurrence and it has not ceased to [be the case] in the early and later generations- sometimes they are in a situation of ease and at other sometimes they are in a situation of hardship; sometimes in a situation of happiness and at other times in a situation of grief, in accordance with the changing circumstances in every era and days that are good and days that are not so good. So, they thought that the [calamities] were neither an admonition nor a reminder, nor a gradual plan for their final destruction and punishment; until when they became filled with joy and rejoiced due to what they were granted, and the worldly [life became the most valuable thing in their hearts, minds, thoughts], they were suddenly seized with punishment; [بَغۡتَةً۬ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ   – of a sudden while they were unaware]- Meaning: They did not expect [or perceive] that the destruction will occur and thought that they had all the powers of disposal over that which Allaah gave them, will remain forever and there was not be any change from that.

An Excerpt from Tafsir As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased

Dhaat Anwaat – [A Brief Warning Against Grave Worship In The Ummah]- By Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh

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

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

Tawaaf [Circumambulation] around a grave, stroking them [with one’s hands] and seeking blessings from them are acts of shirk. Circumambulation is an act of worship and it has not been legislated in any [other place] besides the Ka’bah and likewise walking between Safaa and Marwa is [only legislated at Safaa and Marwa].

Stroking [graves], seeking blessings from them and hoping to be benefited –in this life and the next- by way of such acts is [tantamount to] deification. It is similar to what the pre-Islamic idolaters used to do with their gods. Whoever hopes [for reward, blessings etc] through [these acts of worship at the] graves, then indeed he has exalted that which Allaah has not legislated to be exalted.

The proof to show that these practices are acts of Shirk is the hadeeth of Abee Waaqid Al-Laythee [radiyallaahu-anhu] who said: “We went out with the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] to the [military] campaign to Hunayn, while we were new converts from disbelief to [Islaam]. The idol worshippers had a lote tree in [whose vicinity] they used to stay and hang their weapons, and it [i.e. this lote-tree] was called Dhaat Anwaat. So when we went pass a tree, we said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Set up a Dhat Anwat for us just as they have a Dhaat Anwaat’. So the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alahi-wasallam] said, ‘Allaah is the Greatest! This is a path that has proceeded [from the people of the past]. By Allaah in whose Hand my soul is! You have stated just as the children of Israa’eel stated to Moosaa [alayhis-salaam], ‘O Moosaa! Make for us an ilaahan (a god) as they have aalihah (gods)’. He (Moosaa) said: ‘Verily, you are a people who know not (the Majesty and Greatness of Allah and what is obligatory upon you, i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone, the One and the Only God of all that exists)’”. [Reported by Ahmad and Tirmidhee and it is a sound hadeeth.]

Those [new Muslims] wanted to perform that act of worship in that particular place and (also) to seek blessings; so the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] referred to what they sought after as worship of another deity besides Allaah. That [act they sought after] is a means to Shirk, but after the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] clarified the affair for them, they turned in repentance and obedience to [Allaah and His Messenger]. Seeking blessings from graves, circumambulation round them and stroking them is more severe [acts of shirk and sin] than what those [new Muslims] sought after.

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Min’dhaar Fee Bayaani Katheer Minal Akhtaa Ash-Shaa’i’ah page: 11’. slightly paraphrased]

 

Arrogance, Boastful About One’s Personality and Significance, And Boastful In Speech! – [A Good Time For Self-scrutiny And Reflection]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said in Soorah Luqmaan Ayah 18:

 وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ

[وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ  –And turn not your face away from men with pride] – Meaning: Do not turn away and frowning at the people with your face, being arrogant towards them and exalting (yourself). [ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ –Nor walk in insolence through the earth] -Meaning: Out of vanity, boasting about blessings, forgetful of the one who bestowed it upon you (i.e. Allaah) and being amazed with yourself. [إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ- Verily, Allah likes not each arrogant boaster]- Meaning: Boastful about himself, his personality and significance, and in his speech.

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Slightly paraphrased]

Reminder And Warning For Us Regarding The Fate of Those Forefathers of Ours Who Wilfully Turned Away From Guidance!

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, 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] says in Surah Al-A’raaf Ayah 100-102:

[  أَوَلَمۡ يَهۡدِ لِلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ أَهۡلِهَآ أَن لَّوۡ نَشَآءُ أَصَبۡنَـٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمۡ‌ۚ وَنَطۡبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِہِمۡ فَهُمۡ لَا يَسۡمَعُونَ- Is it not clear to those who inherit the earth in succession from its (previous) possessors, that had We willed, We would have punished them for their sins. And We seal up their hearts so that they hear not?]- Meaning: Allaah [The Most High] informs those who inherit the earth in succession from those who preceded them, that He [The Most High] destroyed their forefathers due to their sins, yet they commit the same sins that were committed by their forefathers! Do they not take heed that had Allaah willed He would punish them due to their sins, for this is the manner in which Allaah deals with mankind – both the previous nations and those who inherited the earth after them. Allaah [The Most High] warned those who inherited the earth from the previous nations, but they did not take heed; sent them reminders but they did not reflect; showed them guidance through signs, but they did not follow guidance, so Allaah punished them by sealing their hearts – neither did truth enter their hearts nor did good reach their hearts; nor did they give an attentive ear [to the truth]; rather they only heard that which established the proofs against them.

Then Allaah [The Most High] said:[تِلۡكَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآٮِٕهَا‌ۚ وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَتۡہُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا ڪَانُواْ لِيُؤۡمِنُواْ بِمَا ڪَذَّبُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ يَطۡبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِينَ – Those were the towns whose story We relate unto you (O Muhammad). And there came indeed to them their Messengers with clear proofs, but they were not such as to believe in that which they had rejected before. Thus Allah does seal up the hearts of the disbelievers (from each and every kind of religious guidance)]-Meaning: Messengers came and called them to that which will lead to happiness [in the life and the next]. Those Messengers were given manifest signs and clear evidences to clarify the truth, but the people did not listen and thus were not benefited. And because they belied those manifest signs and clear proofs after being well aware of them, Allaah [The Most High] prevented them from accepting the sound and infallible creed ordained by Allaah. This was punishment on them because they rejected the truth, just as Allaah [The Most High] said in Surah Al-An’aam Ayah 110:

[وَنُقَلِّبُ أَفۡـِٔدَتَہُمۡ وَأَبۡصَـٰرَهُمۡ كَمَا لَمۡ يُؤۡمِنُواْ بِهِۦۤ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ۬ وَنَذَرُهُمۡ فِى طُغۡيَـٰنِهِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ – And We shall turn their hearts and their eyes away (from guidance), as they refused to believe therein for the first time, and We shall leave them in their trespass to wander blindly].

Then Allaah [The Most High] says in Ayah 102 Surah Al-A’raaf: [وَمَا وَجَدۡنَا لِأَڪۡثَرِهِم مِّنۡ عَهۡدٍ۬‌ۖ وَإِن وَجَدۡنَآ أَڪۡثَرَهُمۡ لَفَـٰسِقِينَ  –  And most of them We found not (true) to their covenant, but most of them We found indeed Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)]-Meaning: The majority of the nations -to whom Allaah [The Most High] sent Messengers – were not true to their covenant. Neither were they steadfast nor did they adhere to the commands of Allaah, nor did they submit obediently to the commands of Allaah which the Messengers ordered them to obey; rather they followed their desires, except a very few of them. The majority of them turned away from guidance out of arrogance, so Allaah sent them various types of punishment.

[Source: An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

Shun The Abomination [Idol Worship] And Shun Qawl Az-Zoor!

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Da'wah - Calling To Islam, 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:

ذَٰلِكَ وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ حُرُمَاتِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ ۗ وَأُحِلَّتْ لَكُمُ الْأَنْعَامُ إِلَّا مَا يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ فَاجْتَنِبُوا الرِّجْسَ مِنَ الْأَوْثَانِ وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّورِ

That (Manasik prescribed duties of Hajj is the obligation that mankind owes to Allah), and whoever honours the sacred things of Allah, then that is better for him with his Lord. The cattle are lawful to you, except those (that will be) mentioned to you (as exceptions). So, shun the abomination (worshipping) idol, and shun Qawl Az-Zoor) [Surah Al-Hajj’ Aayah 30]

[فَاجْتَنِبُوا الرِّجْسَ مِنَ الْأَوْثَانِ وَاجْتَنِبُوا قَوْلَ الزُّورِ – So shun the abomination [worshipping] idol, and shun Qawl Az-Zoor]- Meaning: All forbidden speech, for indeed it is from Qawl Az-Zoor- lies and false witness. [Ref 1]

False witness is among the greatest of Major sins. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: Should I not inform you about the greatest of Major the Major sins? We [i.e. the Sahaabah] said, ‘’Certainly O Messenger of Allaah! He said, ‘’Associating partners with Allaah and disobedience to parents.’’ The Prophet was reclining, then he sat up and said, ‘’And false witness’’. He did not stop repeating it [i.e. warning against false witness] until we said, ‘’If only he stops’’ [i.e. stops repeating it in order not to bring difficulty upon himself] [End of hadeeth]

Even though Shirk is the greatest of all sins and crimes, however false witness is a great crime that is connected to great evil and oppression against the people. It is obligated on a male believer and a female believer to beware of [false witness]. A person should only witness to the truth – be it on behalf of a friend or enemy – based on what he [or she]  knows, just as Allaah [The Most high] said: [إِلَّا مَن شَهِدَ بِالْحَقِّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ  –  except those who bear witness to the truth and they know (the facts) [43:86].

A person must know what he is bearing witness to; but if not he [or she] should fear Allaah and does should not bear witness except to that which he [or she] knows – even if the one he [or she] bears witness for is a friend, relative, father, uncle or other than them. It is obligated on a person to fear Allaah and should not bear witness except to that which he [or she] knows. [Ref 2]

Ref 1: An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer kalaam al-Mannaan. Abridged and paraphrased

Ref 2. By Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah]. See link: http://www.sahab.net/forums/?showtopic=137278

O Two Companions of The Prison! Are Many Different Lords Better or Allah, The One, The Irresistible?

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Methodology - 'Manhaj', 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.

 Allaah (The Most High) informed us that Yusuf (alayhis-salaam) said to his companions in the prison:

يَـٰصَٮٰحِبَىِ ٱلسِّجۡنِ ءَأَرۡبَابٌ۬ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيۡرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٲحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُ

مَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ إِلَّآ أَسۡمَآءً۬ سَمَّيۡتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمۡ وَءَابَآؤُڪُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِہَا مِن سُلۡطَـٰنٍ‌ۚ إِنِ ٱلۡحُكۡمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ‌ۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible? You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not. [12:39-40]

[يَـٰصَٮٰحِبَىِ ٱلسِّجۡنِ ءَأَرۡبَابٌ۬ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيۡرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٲحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّار- O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible?] Meaning: Lords that are deprived of the ability to act and are weak-neither able to benefit nor harm; neither able to give nor withhold. And they are various types, (such as) trees, stones, angels, dead people and other than them from those various objects of worship that are taken as objects of worship by the polytheists. Are those objects of worship better or Allaah? [Allaah]–The only One Who has Attributes of absolute perfection; ٱلۡوَٲحِدُ The one singled out in His Essence, His Attributes and Actions, and He  has no partner in any of that.

[ٱلۡقَهَّارُ] The Irresistible- the one to whom everything has submitted due to His absolute subjugation of everything and His absolute dominion over everything–whatever He wills takes place and whatever He does not will cannot take place; (and)  مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذُۢ بِنَاصِيَتِہَآ‌ۚ– There is not a moving (living) creature but He has grasp of its forelock.

It is known that the one whose affair and description is as such is superior to (those) different gods, which are mere names–neither do they possess perfection nor actions [I.e. they have not created anything nor are they in control of anything]. So because of this [Allaah (The Most High) said that Yusuf (alayhis-salaam) said to them]:

[مَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ إِلَّآ أَسۡمَآءً۬ سَمَّيۡتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمۡ وَءَابَآؤُڪُم— You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers]; Meaning: You gave them names and called them gods, whilst they are nothing. They have no attribute of Uloohiyyah (i.e. attributes of absolute perfection-free from all deficiencies, weakness etc) and [مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِہَا مِن سُلۡطَـٰنٍ‌] – for which Allah has sent down no authority; rather Allaah has sent down clear proofs to prohibit them and clarified its falsity.

And if Allaah did not send down any authority for it, then neither can it be a (sound) path nor a means (of worship), nor does it have any proof. That is because to Allaah (alone) belongs the judgement and He is the one who gives commands and prohibitions. And He (alone) is the One Who legislate the divine laws and rulings, and He is the one that commanded you أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ– That you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion]; Meaning: The straight religion that leads to every good and the other religions besides it are not upright; rather they are crooked and will lead to every evil.

[وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ –But most men know not] – Meaning: They do not know the reality of affairs, even though the distinction between worshipping Allaah alone and associating partners with Him in worship is a clear and manifest affair (i.e. there is no doubt about the falsity of worshipping others and the absolute proof that Allaah alone has the right to be worship). However due to many people not possessing knowledge of this affair, they fall into shirk.

[An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan. slightly parapherased]

A Trial That Will Occur When The Upright Scholars Pass Away – [A Brief Admonition By Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

The Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: “Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people, but He takes it away by taking away death of the religious scholars till none of the scholars remains alive. Then the people will take ignorant ones as their leaders, who, when asked to deliver religious verdicts, will issue them without knowledge, the result being that they will go astray and will lead others astray.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Al-Haafidh Al-Qurtubiy (rahimahullaah) stated in Al-Mufhim: ‘’This text (proves) that indeed the disappearance of knowledge will not be by way of its removal from the hearts (of the people); but (its disappearance) will be through the death of the scholars, (then) the ignorant people will remain- those who will occupy the place of the scholars in the (field) of giving verdicts and teaching.  They will teach and give verdicts based on ignorance, so ignorance will spread and become manifest.’’ [End of quote]

Then Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah preserve him) said after the above quote: ‘’So if the ‘Sound Sunni knowledge’ is taken away, then acting upon it will be taken away-is that not the case? When ignorance manifests, acting upon it will become manifest; so both knowledge and acting upon (Knowledge) will disappear. Ignorance will manifest and acting upon (ignorance) will become widespread just as Al-Haafidh Al-Qurtubiy (rahimahullaah) clarified in Al-Mufhim.” [Source: Al-Hajr Fee Daw-il Kitaab Was-Sunnah Wa Fahm Salafil Ummah’ Page: 15-16 by Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah preserve him)]

Many Partners In Business Oppress One Another, Except Those Who Believe And Do Righteous Deeds, And They Are Few!

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.

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَهَلۡ أَتَٮٰكَ نَبَؤُاْ ٱلۡخَصۡمِ إِذۡ تَسَوَّرُواْ ٱلۡمِحۡرَابَ

إِذۡ دَخَلُواْ عَلَىٰ دَاوُ ۥدَ فَفَزِعَ مِنۡہُمۡ‌ۖ قَالُواْ لَا تَخَفۡ‌ۖ خَصۡمَانِ بَغَىٰ بَعۡضُنَا عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ۬ فَٱحۡكُم بَيۡنَنَا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا تُشۡطِطۡ وَٱهۡدِنَآ إِلَىٰ سَوَآءِ ٱلصِّرَٲطِ

إِنَّ هَـٰذَآ أَخِى لَهُ ۥ تِسۡعٌ۬ وَتِسۡعُونَ نَعۡجَةً۬ وَلِىَ نَعۡجَةٌ۬ وَٲحِدَةٌ۬ فَقَالَ أَكۡفِلۡنِيہَا وَعَزَّنِى فِى ٱلۡخِطَابِ

قَالَ لَقَدۡ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعۡجَتِكَ إِلَىٰ نِعَاجِهِۦ‌ۖ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلۡخُلَطَآءِ لَيَبۡغِى بَعۡضُہُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٍ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَقَلِيلٌ۬ مَّا هُمۡ‌ۗ وَظَنَّ دَاوُ ۥدُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّـٰهُ فَٱسۡتَغۡفَرَ رَبَّهُ ۥ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعً۬ا وَأَنَابَ

And has the news of the litigants reached you? When they climbed over the wall into (his) Mihrab (a praying place or a private room). When they entered in upon Dawud (David), he was terrified of them, they said: “Fear not! (We are) two litigants, one of whom has wronged the other, therefore judge between us with truth, and treat us not with injustice, and guide us to the Right Way. Verily, this my brother (in religion) has ninety nine ewes, while I have (only) one ewe, and he says: “Hand it over to me, and he overpowered me in speech. [Dawud (David)] said (immediately without listening to the opponent): “He has wronged you in demanding your ewe in addition to his ewes.  And, verily, many partners oppress one another, except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and they are few.” And Dawud (David) guessed that We have tried him and he sought Forgiveness of his Lord, and he fell down prostrate and turned (to Allah) in repentance. [38:21-24]

[وَإِنَّ كَثِيرً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلۡخُلَطَآءِ لَيَبۡغِى بَعۡضُہُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡض- And, verily, many partners oppress one another] because oppression is from (those) characteristics of the (human) soul; [إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ – except those who believe and do righteous good deeds] because Eemaan and righteous actions prevents them from (committing) oppression.  [وَقَلِيلٌ۬ مَّا هُمۡ‌ – And they are few]; just as Allaah (The Most High) said (in another ayah): [وَقَلِيلٌ۬ مِّنۡ عِبَادِىَ ٱلشَّكُورُ – But few of My slaves are grateful] [34:13]

[An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer kalaam Al-Mannaan]

Knowledge Wages War Against An Arrogant Youth!

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

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

Knowledge [wages] war against the arrogant youth just as flood battles against an elevated place.

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said: An arrogant youth is not able to acquire knowledge because knowledge [wages] war against him, ‘Just as flood battles against an elevated place’. This is true because an elevated place is approached by the flood – from right and left – to rise above it, but is unable to settle on it.

[Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ page 40]