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[14] The Three Monotheistic Religions! [Brief Observations On This Statement Uttered By Writers Who Are Ignorant About Islaam And Misguided Modernists Speaking In The Name of Islaam]: Foolish Arguments of The Polytheists and Some Signs of Prophethood

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Firstly: We repeat once again the fact that rebutting false beliefs, ideas and views does not necessitate bad behaviour, rather Muslims are commanded to behave well towards others.

Must read:

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/living-with-non-muslims-in-the-west-with-fine-conduct/    https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2017/05/stance-proactive-order-protect-muslims-non-muslim-neighbours-inhuman-ideologies-devilish-acts-jihaadist-terrorists-sympathisers/

To Proceed:

Allaah [The Most High] said: [ قُلۡ يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ تَعَالَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ڪَلِمَةٍ۬ سَوَآءِۭ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابً۬ا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشۡهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ –Say (O Muhammad): “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 64]

Meaning: say to the people of the scripture – the Jews and Christians, [تَعَالَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ڪَلِمَةٍ۬ سَوَآءِۭ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ – Come to a word that is just between us and you]- Meaning: Come let us unite upon the statement which all the Prophets and Messengers agreed upon and none opposes it except the obstinate and misguided. This statement is not specific to anyone of us; rather it is something that you and us should establish between us, so this is justice and fairness in debate. Then Allaah explains this and said: [أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا  –  that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him]- Meaning: We should single out Allaah in worship, devoting all love, fear and hope to Him alone, and we should not associate anyone as partner with Allaah in worship- neither a Prophet, an Angel, a Righteous Person, an Idol, a Deified image, a living or non-living thing, [وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابً۬ا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ  – and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allaah]; rather all obedience is to be devoted to Allah and His Messengers. [فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشۡهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ – Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims]”. [Tafsir As-Sadi]

The Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] came with signs which manifested his Prophethood. The miracles which Allaah gave him are more than a thousand, such as the splitting of the moon (ref 1) and other signs. The Qur’aan itself is a miracle, such as the news related regarding the people of the Scripture before the advent of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], the glad tidings given by the other Prophets [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them] about his advent, the protection of the heavens with stern guards and flaming fires against the devils who seek to (steal) a hearing, which was not the case before his birth, the affairs of the unseen which Allaah informed him, such as the story of Aadam, Nuh, Ibraaheem, Moosaa, the Messiah, Hud, Shuaib, Saaleh and others [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them] as well as affairs of the future. His people knew that he has never learnt anything from the people of the Scripture nor from other than them. He neither learnt from a single scholar amongst the people of the Scripture nor sit with anyone of them who knew the Arabic language nor other than them; nor did he read any written book. He never travelled anywhere before his Prophethood, except twice (Ref 2)– travelled with his uncle when was young and during that journey, neither was he out of his uncle’s sight nor did he sit with anyone from the people of the Scripture, rather those whom he travelled with were informed – by Baseerah, the monk –  that he will be a Prophet due to the signs of Prophethood that manifested from him. This is why Khadeejah [may Allaah be pleased with her] married him before he was a Prophet due to that which she was informed regarding him. These affairs have been mentioned in detail elsewhere, but the intent here is to notify the reader that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] was given miracles, such as water coming out from his finger nails (Ref3), food increased until a great number of people ate from it (Ref 4) and the increase of a small amount of water until a great number of people drank from it (Ref 5). And also some of the things – in the Qur’aan- which he informed the people regarding events in the past, which none knew, and this is from that which established the proofs against the people, even though they harboured severe enmity against him and were eager to speak ill of him. All the nations knew that his people wilfully opposed him and made strenuous effort to speak ill of him, and they were able to say, “He was taught these affairs of the unseen by a human being”, but everyone knew that no human taught him. And due to this Allaah said: [تِلۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ نُوحِيہَآ إِلَيۡكَ‌ۖ مَا كُنتَ تَعۡلَمُهَآ أَنتَ وَلَا قَوۡمُكَ مِن قَبۡلِ هَـٰذَا‌ۖ – This is of the news of the unseen which We reveal unto you (O Muhammad ), neither you nor your people knew them before this]. [Surah Hud. Aayah 49]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated that neither the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] nor his people knew these affairs, and his people affirmed that he never learnt anything from anyone besides his people. This is why when some of them claimed that he was taught by a human, the lie became manifest to everyone. Allaah said:

فَإِذَا قَرَأۡتَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ فَٱسۡتَعِذۡ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ

إِنَّهُ ۥ لَيۡسَ لَهُ ۥ سُلۡطَـٰنٌ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡ يَتَوَڪَّلُونَ

إِنَّمَا سُلۡطَـٰنُهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوۡنَهُ ۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِهِۦ مُشۡرِكُونَ

وَإِذَا بَدَّلۡنَآ ءَايَةً۬ مَّڪَانَ ءَايَةٍ۬‌ۙ وَٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا يُنَزِّلُ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُفۡتَرِۭ‌ۚ بَلۡ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

قُلۡ نَزَّلَهُ ۥ رُوحُ ٱلۡقُدُسِ مِن رَّبِّكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ لِيُثَبِّتَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَهُدً۬ى وَبُشۡرَىٰ لِلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ

وَلَقَدۡ نَعۡلَمُ أَنَّهُمۡ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا يُعَلِّمُهُ ۥ بَشَرٌ۬‌ۗ لِّسَانُ ٱلَّذِى يُلۡحِدُونَ إِلَيۡهِ أَعۡجَمِىٌّ۬ وَهَـٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِىٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ

So when you want to recite the Qur’an, seek refuge with Allah from Shaitan (Satan), the outcast (the cursed one). Verily! He has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their Lord (Allah). His power is only over those who obey and follow him (Satan), and those who join partners with Him (Allah) [i.e. those who are Mushrikun – polytheists]. And when We change a Verse [of the Qur’an, i.e. cancel (abrogate) its order] in place of another, and Allah knows the best of what He sends down, they (the disbelievers) say: “You (O Muhammad) are but a Muftari! (forger, liar).” Nay, but most of them know not. Say (O Muhammad) Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibrael (Gabriel)] has brought it (the Qur’an) down from your Lord with truth, that it may make firm and strengthen (the Faith of) those who believe and as a guidance and glad tidings to those who have submitted (to Allah as Muslims). And indeed We know that they (polytheists and pagans) say: “It is only a human being who teaches him (Muhammad).” The tongue of the man they refer to is foreign, while this (the Qur’an) is a clear Arabic tongue. [Surah An-Nahl. Aayaat 98-103]

There was a non-Arab slave of one of the Quraish, whom some claimed that Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] used to learn from, so Allaah clarified that this is a manifest lie, because it was impossible for that man to learn a single sentence from the Arabic Qur’aan and Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] was an Arab and did not know any other language. Neither could Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] understand anyone who spoke to him in another language nor was that man fluent in the Arabic language. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [لِّسَانُ ٱلَّذِى يُلۡحِدُونَ إِلَيۡهِ أَعۡجَمِىٌّ۬ وَهَـٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِىٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ – The tongue of the man they refer to is foreign, while this (the Qur’an) is a clear Arabic tongue]. [Surah An-Nahl. Aayah103]

Also Allaah [The Exlated] informed us that some people tried to say: [إِنۡ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّآ إِفۡكٌ ٱفۡتَرَٮٰهُ وَأَعَانَهُ ۥ عَلَيۡهِ قَوۡمٌ ءَاخَرُونَ  – This (the Qur’an) is nothing but a lie that he (Muhammad) has invented, and others have helped him at it”, so Allaah said: [فَقَدۡ جَآءُو ظُلۡمً۬ا وَزُورً۬ا – Indeed, they have produced an unjust wrong (thing) and a lie]. [Surah Al-Furqaan. Aayah 4]

Then Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَقَالُوٓاْ أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ٱڪۡتَتَبَهَا فَهِىَ تُمۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِ بُڪۡرَةً۬ وَأَصِيلاً۬

 قُلۡ أَنزَلَهُ ٱلَّذِى يَعۡلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ ڪَانَ غَفُورً۬ا رَّحِيمً۬ا

And they say: “Tales of the ancients, which he has written down, and they are dictated to him morning and afternoon.” Say: “It (this Qur’an) has been sent down by Him (Allah) (the Real Lord of the heavens and earth) Who knows the secret of the heavens and the earth. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Surah Al-Furqaan. Aayaat 5-6]

Allaah [The Exalted] clarified that this is a manifest lie that is known to his enemies, let alone his allies, because they knew that he had no one to help him in that – neither amongst his people nor in his land, and this is why Allaah said, [فَقَدۡ جَآءُو ظُلۡمً۬ا وَزُورً۬ا – Indeed, they have produced an unjust wrong (thing) and a lie]. [Surah Al-Furqaan. Aayah 4]

All the people of his country and those who wilfully opposed  him knew that this was an unjust thing and a lie, and that was why not a single sensible one amongst them uttered such a thing.

They also tried to say, “Tales of the ancients, which he has written down, and they are dictated to him morning and afternoon”, however his people knew that he had none to dictate a book to him and thus their lie was manifested. Then Allaah [The Exalted] said:

قُلۡ أَنزَلَهُ ٱلَّذِى يَعۡلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ ڪَانَ غَفُورً۬ا رَّحِيمً۬ا

Say: “It (this Qur’an) has been sent down by Him (Allah) (the Real Lord of the heavens and earth) Who knows the secret of the heavens and the earth. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”; because indeed there are secrets in the Qur’aan which no human knew except by way of Allaah’s revelation, because Allaah alone knows the secrets in the heavens and the earth.

Then after the falsity of their statement was made known, they started disparaging his Prophethood as Allaah stated that they said:

وَقَالُواْ مَالِ هَـٰذَا ٱلرَّسُولِ يَأۡڪُلُ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمۡشِى فِى ٱلۡأَسۡوَاقِ‌ۙ لَوۡلَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡهِ مَلَكٌ۬ فَيَكُونَ مَعَهُ ۥ نَذِيرًا

أَوۡ يُلۡقَىٰٓ إِلَيۡهِ ڪَنزٌ أَوۡ تَكُونُ لَهُ ۥ جَنَّةٌ۬ يَأۡڪُلُ مِنۡهَا‌ۚ وَقَالَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلاً۬ مَّسۡحُورًا

And they say: “Why does this Messenger (Muhammad) eat food, and walk about in the markets (like ourselves). Why is not an angel sent down to him to be a warner with him? “Or (why) has not a treasure been granted to him, or why has he not a garden whereof he may eat?” And the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.) say: “You follow none but a man bewitched.” [Surah Al-Furqaan. Aayaat 7-8]

This was a statement of his opponents who disapproved that he should buy his livelihood from the markets in which were sold food and clothing, so they said, “Why is not an angel sent down to him to be a warner with him? Or (why) has not a treasure been granted to him, or why has he not a garden whereof he may eat?” – Meaning:  to suffice him from having to buy provisions from the market! So Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَقَالَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلاً۬ مَّسۡحُورًا – And the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.) say: “You follow none but a man bewitched.”]

Then Allaah said:[ٱنظُرۡ ڪَيۡفَ ضَرَبُواْ لَكَ ٱلۡأَمۡثَـٰلَ فَضَلُّواْ فَلَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ سَبِيلاً۬  – See how they coin similitudes for you, so they have gone astray, and they cannot find a (Right) Path] – Meaning: They coin similitudes for you that you are a liar, bewitched and that you transmit from others, but the lie of the lie of the one who says all of this became clear to everyone who knows you, and this why Allaah said: [فَضَلُّواْ فَلَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ سَبِيلاً۬ – so they have gone astray, and they cannot find a (Right) Path]. The misguided one – the who cannot find a right path- cannot find the path that will lead him to the right goal; rather his inability and lack of ability to argue truthfully is clear. [An Excerpt from Al-Jawaabus Saheeh Liman Baddala Deenul Maseeh by Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah). 1/132-134. Slightly paraphrased]

Finally, we repeat once again the fact that rebutting false beliefs, ideas and views does not necessitate bad behaviour, rather Muslims are commanded to behave well towards others.

Must read:

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/living-with-non-muslims-in-the-west-with-fine-conduct/ 

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2017/05/stance-proactive-order-protect-muslims-non-muslim-neighbours-inhuman-ideologies-devilish-acts-jihaadist-terrorists-sympathisers/

To be continued InShaaAllaah

Ref 1: Anas [radiyallaahu-anhu] narrated that the people of Makkah asked the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] to show them a miracle, so he showed them (the miracle) of the cleaving of the moon”. [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Number 4867]

Ibn Mas’ood [radiyallaahu-anhu] narrated that during the lifetime of Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], the moon was split not two parts; one part remained over the mountain and the other part went beyond the mountain. On that, Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “Witness this miracle”. [Saheeh al-Bukhaari 4864]

Ref 2: He [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] travelled to Shaaam for trade on behalf of Khadeejah [may Allah be pleased with her] before they got married.

Ref 3 & Ref 5: Jaabir Bin Abdillaah [radiyallaahu-anhu] narrated , “I was with the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] and the time for the Asr prayer became due. We had no water with us except a little which was put in a vessel and was brought to the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam]. He put his hand into it and spread his fingers and then said, ‘Come along! Hurry up! All those who want to perform ablution. The blessing is from Allaah’. I saw the water gushing out from his fingers. So, the people performed ablution and drank, and I tried to drink more water (beyond my thirst and capacity), for I knew it was a blessing”. The sub-narrator said, “I asked Jaabir, ‘How any person were you then?’ He replied, ‘We were one thousand four hundred men’”. [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari 3579/5639]

Ref 4: Increase in the amount of dates in Jaabir’s garden after the Prophet went round the heap of dates and invoked Allaah for His blessings. [Saheeh al-bukhaari. Number 3580]

The Importance of Sincere Advice  

Written by Abdullah Jallow 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.

Listen below:

https://www.salafisounds.com/the-religion-is-sincere-advice-by-abu-iyaad-amjad-rafiq/

Umar Ibn Abdul Azeez [rahimahullaah] said: Whoever advises his [Muslim] brother to rectify affairs related to his Deen and gives him insight in a worldly affair of his, then indeed he has perfected their relationship and fulfilled his obligation towards him. [Taareekh At-Tabari 6/572]

Imaam Al-Barbahaaree [rahimahullaah] said: It is not permissible to hide sincere advice from any of the Muslims, whether pious or impious, in matters of the religion. Whoever hides that has acted deceitfully towards the Muslims. Whoever acts deceitfully towards the Muslims has done so towards the religion. Whoever acts deceitfully towards the religion has behaved treacherously towards Allah, His Messenger and the Believers.

Shaikh Ahmad An-Najmi [rahimahullaah] said: I say: The meaning of An-Naseehah is ‘Purity’ and ‘Clearness.’ It is said: [  نصح اللبن – the milk is pure] when it is clear. This is the linguistic meaning of An-Naseehah. In the Sharee’ah, [it means] to inform a Muslim regarding what is obligated on him in relation to the [rights of Allaah or his relationship with Allaah] and His creation without slyness and false courtesy. An-Naseehah is obligatory, even though its obligation varies, and its opposite is Al-Ghish [deception].

Indeed, the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said in the Saheeh Hadeeth, “The religion is Naseehah, the religion is Naseehah, the religion is Naseehah; so, the Sahaabah said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! To who?’ He said, ‘To Allaah, His Book, His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.’”

Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu anhu] narrated that the Messenger of Allaah [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] passed by a pile of foodstuff, he put his hand in it and found that it was wet. He said, ”What is this, O seller of the foodstuff?” He said, ”It became wet due to the rain O Messenger of Allaah!” He said, ”Why do you not put it on top of the food so that people can see it? Whoever deceives [people] is not from me.” [Muslim 102]

Deception in trade is when one hides a defect [found in the commodity]. And with regards to consultation, it is when one recommends something to a person that is harmful to his religious or worldly affairs.

As for Naseehah Lil-Laah – [sincerity to Allaah]: It is to believe in Allaah [The Most High], single Him out in [His Lordship, Names and Attributes and to single Him out in worship], give precedence to obeying Him over obedience to the creation, fearing the standing in His presence [on the Day of judgement] and to be mindful of Him in private and public.

As for An-Naseehah Li-kitaabihee-[Sincerity to His Book]: It is to recite it, ponder upon its meanings, act upon it and believe in the information it contains. As for Naseehah Li-Rasoolihee – [Sincerity to His Messenger]: It is to testify to that which he has informed [us], fulfil what he  commanded, keep away from what he has forbidden, exalt and honour him [salawaatu wasalaamuhu alayhi].

An-Naseehah Li-A’immatil Muslimeen- [Sincerity to the leaders of the Muslims]: It is to obey them in that which does not necessitate disobedience to Allaah, to refrain from betraying them, send them advice through those who are able to advise them in private, because that is the manner that will be more suitable for advice to be accepted. An-Naseehah Li-Aammatil Muslimeen- [sincerity to the common Muslims]: It is to call them to the path of Allaah, teach them what is beneficial and warn them against that which will harm them.

Ir’shaad As-Saariy Fee Sharhis Sunnati Lil-Barbahaaree. Pages 157-158. slightly paraphrased]

Do Not Be Shy! [Ask The Upright Student of Knowledge In Your Country If You Cannot Understand His Statement On a Particular Subject Matter]

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, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Employ Careful Deliberation Before Transmitting or Making Judgements On Statements

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah]

Verification is one of the most important affairs, if not the most important. Verifying what is transmitted from others is an important affair, because sometimes the transmitters harbour evil intentions, so they transmit – intentionally and deliberately – that which will tarnish the reputation of the one they transmit from. And sometimes they do not harbour an evil intention, but they understand something in a manner that is opposite to what is intended by it. Therefore, it is obligatory to verify. So, when the proof [sound source] of the transmission is established, then the one from whom the statement was transmitted is engaged in a discussion [or his statement is examined] before a judgement is passed as to whether it is a mistake or not. That is because it may become clear to you – by way of discussion [or observation] – that the one from whom the statement was transmitted is correct. And if not, then what is known is that if a person were to immediately pass a judgement merely based on what he hears, he will transmit things [i.e. statements, views, opinions etc] from some of the scholars – those considered to be the beacons of [Sharee’ah] knowledge – that which the souls will dislike; but when one verifies, contemplates and establishes contact with this Shaikh, the affair will become clarified [or clear to him]. [Excerpt from Sharh Hilyatil Taalibil Ilm Pages 75-76. By Shaikh Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah). Paraphrased]

Ask Questions to Understand, and Benefit Others, But Not For The Purpose of Fitna Or Merely Seeking to Hit One Statement of a Student Which You Do Not Agree With Against Another Statement!

Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] said:

It is not a condition that a questioner can only ask about what he does not know, rather he can ask about something he knows but is not known to others; so he asks a question in order to facilitate understanding for others.

If you are in the presence of a scholar and you know that some of those present fall short in affairs related to the prayer- either lackadaisical or that they do not perform the prayer on time, or that they fall short in some of its Shuroot [conditions] and waajibaat [obligatory acts of the prayer] – so you ask a question regarding these affairs even though you know the answer; you ask in order to benefit those who are present and so that they are facilitated with understand in their religion. These types of questions are very beneficial as opposed to questions that are not correct – that is because some people ask questions in order to confuse those present and bring about doubts etc. A question cannot be beneficial unless the questioner intends to benefit himself and others.

When Jibreel [alayhis-salaam] came to the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] he did not appear as a teacher, rather he asked questions, even though the Messenger described him as one who came to teach the people their religion. This shows that the one who asks a scholar a question in order that the people can learn what they do not know is rewarded like one who teaches people their religion.

A scholar teaches people directly, but the one who asks the scholar a question becomes a means for the people to learn, for the one who guides to good is like one who does the good deed.  For example if you ask a student of knowledge in your country to give lessons in your Masjid –to teach the forty hadeeth of An-Nawawi or other books of the scholars, and you inform him of the needs of the people, so he begins to teach, explain and revise etc you will receive all that reward. The one who guides to good is just like one who performs the good deed. The commoner can be a means to teaching others by asking a scholar, or by gathering other commoners to take them to the circles of knowledge, disseminating beneficial audio lectures etc. [An excerpt from ‘Sharh of the forty hadeeth of Imaam An-Nawawi (rahimahullaah)’. Lesson number 2]

Few Aayaat of The Qur’aan Regarding The Believers and Their Salaah

Written by Abdullah Jallow 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:

قَدۡ أَفۡلَحَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ (١) ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ فِى صَلَاتِہِمۡ خَـٰشِعُونَ (٢) وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَنِ ٱللَّغۡوِ مُعۡرِضُونَ (٣) وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِلزَّكَوٰةِ فَـٰعِلُونَ (٤)وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِفُرُوجِهِمۡ حَـٰفِظُونَ (٥) إِلَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَزۡوَٲجِهِمۡ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَـٰنُہُمۡ فَإِنَّہُمۡ غَيۡرُ مَلُومِينَ (٦) فَمَنِ ٱبۡتَغَىٰ وَرَآءَ ذَٲلِكَ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡعَادُونَ (٧) وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِأَمَـٰنَـٰتِهِمۡ وَعَهۡدِهِمۡ رَٲعُونَ (٨) وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَٲتِہِمۡ يُحَافِظُونَ (٩) أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡوَٲرِثُونَ (١٠) ٱلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلۡفِرۡدَوۡسَ هُمۡ فِيہَا خَـٰلِدُونَ (١١)

Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salaat [prayers] with all solemnity and full submissiveness. And those who turn away from Al-Laghw [dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allah has forbidden]. And those who pay the Zakaat. And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts), except from their wives or those whom their right hands possess, for then, they are free from blame; but whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors; those who are faithfully true to their Amanaat [all the duties which Allah has ordained, honesty, moral responsibility and trusts etc.] and to their covenants; and those who strictly guard their (five compulsory congregational) Salawaat [prayers] [at their fixed stated hours]. These are indeed the inheritors. Who shall inherit the Firdaus [Paradise]. They shall dwell therein forever. [Surah Al-Muminoon. Aayaat 1-11]

[ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ فِى صَلَاتِہِمۡ خَـٰشِعُونَ- Those who offer their Salaat [prayers] with all solemnity and full submissiveness]: Solemnity in the prayer: It is attentiveness of the heart in the presence of Allaah [The Exalted]; attentive [to the fact that] Allaah is close [i.e. by His knowledge, hearing and sight] and thus the person’s heart becomes submissive, his soul [enters a state] of solemnity, his movements [in the prayer are performed] with repose, he [experiences] little distraction, well behaved in the presence of his Lord, pays attention to everything he says and does in his prayer – from the beginning to the end – and thus all the whispering of shaytaan is repelled, [and likewise] all evil thoughts. This is the essence of the prayer and the aim behind it. It is the type of prayer for which a person is rewarded is in full. [As for the prayer] that is neither performed  with tranquillity nor an attentive heart, then even though the person will gain some reward, however reward is based on the strength [or level] of the heart’s attentiveness. [1]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ

الَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَاقُو رَبِّهِمْ وَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

And seek help in patience and prayer, and truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for those who humble in the presence of their Lord.” They are those who are certain that they are going to meet their Lord, and that to Him they are going to return. [Al-Baqarah: Ayah: 45-46]

Indeed, it [i.e. seeking help in patience and prayer] is heavy upon other than those who are humble before Allaah, because the hearts [of those who are not humble before Allaah] are devoid of love of Allaah, exaltation of Him, glorification of Him and humility in His presence. They have little desire in asking Allaah for the good things of the worldly and the afterlife, and [they have little desire] in seeking His protection from the evil affairs of this life and the next. That is because the presence of the slave’s heart and mind in the prayer, being humble within [the prayer], seeking for perfection in it, disconnecting his mind and heart from everything whilst in the prayer, and striving with great effort to establish and fulfil it, then [all of this takes place] in accordance with the strength of his fervent desire [to please Allaah, hoping for Allaah’s reward and fearing Allaah’s punishment]. [2]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَٮِٕمَّةً۬ يَہۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِمۡ فِعۡلَ ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ وَإِقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءَ ٱلزَّڪَوٰةِ‌ۖ وَكَانُواْ لَنَا عَـٰبِدِينَ

And We made them [i.e. Ibraaheem, Ishaaq and Ya’qoob (alayhimus-salaam)] leaders, guiding [mankind] by Our Command, and We inspired in them the doing of good deeds, performing Salaat, and the giving of Zakaat and of Us (Alone) they were worshippers. [Surah Al-Anbiyaa. Aayah 73]

[وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَٮِٕمَّةً۬  – And We made them leaders]– Meaning: Leaders  who were guides for others to good. [يَہۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا  – by Our Command]– Meaning: They called people to the religion ordained by Allaah based on Allaah’s command. [Ref 3]

[وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِمۡ فِعۡلَ ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ   – And We inspired in them the doing of good deeds]– Meaning: They performed good deeds and called people to it. This includes all types of good deeds related to the rights of Allaah and the rights of the people. [وَإِقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءَ ٱلزَّڪَوٰةِ‌ۖ– performing Salaat, and the giving of Zakaat]: This is a specific mention of something in connection to a general affair due to the nobility and virtue of these two acts of worship [i.e. Salaah and Zakaat]; because whoever performs them perfectly will establish his religion and whoever neglects them will be more negligent towards other affairs of the religion; and [also because] Salaah is the best of deeds related to the rights of owed to Allaah and Zakaat is the best of deeds related to the rights owed to Allaah’s servants.

[وَكَانُواْ لَنَا عَـٰبِدِين – and of Us (Alone) they were worshippers]– Meaning: They were worshippers of Allaah and not worshippers of others; and they worshipped Allaah through acts of worship of the heart [i.e. such as love, fear, hope, reliance upon Allaah etc], statements [i.e. all acts of worship uttered by the tongue] and actions [i.e. deeds of the limbs]. [Ref 4]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِى ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِسۡمَـٰعِيلَ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ صَادِقَ ٱلۡوَعۡدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولاً۬ نَّبِيًّ۬ا

وَكَانَ يَأۡمُرُ أَهۡلَهُ ۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرۡضِيًّ۬ا

And mention in the Book [the Qur’an] Ismaa’eel [Ishmael]. Verily! He was true to what he promised, and he was a Messenger, [and] a Prophet. And he used to enjoin on his family and his people As-Salat [the prayers] and the Zakat, and his Lord was pleased with him. [Surah Maryam. Aayaat 54-55]

[وَكَانَ يَأۡمُرُ أَهۡلَهُ ۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرۡضِيًّ۬ا – And he used to enjoin on his family and his people As-Salat [the prayers] and the Zakat, and his Lord was pleased with him]- Meaning: He used to enjoin Allaah’s command on his family – used to command them to establish the prayer which necessitates sincerity and servitude to Allaah, and he used to command them to give Zakaat which necessitates kind treatment towards the slaves of Allaah. So, he [i.e. Ismaa’eel (alayhis salaam)] perfected   himself and others, especially his family – the closest people to him – because they are more worthy of his call [i.e. the guidance he called to] than others. [5]

[1: Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan. (paraphrased)]

[2: Badaa’i-u At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah: vol: 1 page: 125. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Zaarul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer’. By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 4: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

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

Muslims Spend, Eat And Drink From Allaah’s Rizq, But Must Be Mindful of Wasteful Behaviour

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, 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:

وَآتِ ذَا الْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُ وَالْمِسْكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا

إِنَّ الْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوا إِخْوَانَ الشَّيَاطِينِ ۖ وَكَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ لِرَبِّهِ كَفُورًا

And give to the kindred his due and to the Miskin (poor) and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily, spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayaateen (devils), and the Shaitan (Devil – Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord. [17:26-27]

Imaam As-Sa’di [rahimahullaah] said: Shaytaan does not call the person except to every blameworthy habit.  So he calls him to miserliness and to refrain from spending, but when the person refuses to obey him, he calls him to overspending and extravagance; but Allaah calls to the most just and balance of affairs and He praises the person for that, as He [The One free from all imperfections] stated about His faithful slaves:

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنْفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًا

And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor miserly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).'[Surah Furqaan; Ayah: 67] [1]

Imaam Ibn Qudaamah [rahimahullaah] said: ‘’The most severe type of miserliness is that a person is miserly towards himself despite being in need; for how many a miser has wealth and falls ill, but he does not seek medication.  He yearns for something but miserliness prevents him from [getting it]’’. [2]

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said: The Waleemah is a Prophetic Sunnah intended for the purpose of announcing a marriage and manifesting joy and happiness during this noble occasion. However, it has to be carried out within the boundaries of the Islamic rules and regulations, and neither being wasteful nor extravagant. To reduce spending and not being extravagant and wasteful is an obligation during marriage ceremonies and other than it. Those squanderers who waste meat and food, and dispose of it in waste bins should be reminded that there are hungry people hoping for a mouth full of (food) and a scrap of bread. [They should be reminded] to fear Allaah and to fear Him in their gatherings, and that they do not become the cause of Allaah’s blessings being stopped.

[1]: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan]

[2] An Excerpt from ‘[Mukhtasar Minhaaj Al-Qaasideen’ page 218]

[3] An Excerpt from ‘Al-Bayaan Li-Akhtaa’i Badil Kuttaab 1/27’]

The Perfect Example, The Most Devout And Generous Person at All Times- During Ramadhaan and Other Than It

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.

Narrated Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa], “The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadaan when Jibreel visited him, and Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadaan till the end of the month. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] used to recite the Noble Qur’aan to Jibreel, and when Jibreel met him, he used to be more generous than the fair wind [sent by Allaah with glad tidings (rain) in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds]”. [Saheeh al-Bukhaari 1902]

Few Reminders From This Hadeeth

Zain Ibnul Muneer [rahimahullaah] said, “The intent behind the likeness [or comparison] between the Prophet’s [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] generosity and the fair wind, is that the wind is one of mercy which Allaah [The Exalted] sends and sends down rain that falls everywhere- both on a dead land [i.e. falls on a dry land and revives it] as well as the land that is not dead; [likewise] the Prophet’s [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] good conduct and benevolence benefits everyone – the poor, the wealthy and the one who has enough – more than the rain that falls [after the arrival of that] fair wind”. [An Excerpt from Fat-hul Baari Sharh Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Vol 4. Page 150. Hadeeth 1902. Publisher- Daarus Salaam 1421 (Year 2000). 1st Edition). Slightly paraphrased]

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] said:

He [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] was the most generous amongst the people with regards to wealth and giving to the people, and not that he was (only) generous after being asked.  And in the final year [of his life], Jibreel met him twice and he finished the recitation of the [Qur’aan] twice. And from the benefits of [this hadeeth] is that it is more virtuous to study and recite the Qur’aan at night- studying it with the righteous people, the scholars and the good people. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] recited [the Qur’aan to Jibreel] to receive Allaah reward. [An Excerpt from Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min Ta’liqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaariy. 2/121. Footnotes numbers: 1, 2 &3]

 

 

Arhaamukum! Arhaamukum ! [Your Relatives of The Womb! Your Relatives of The Womb!] – One of The Final Advice [or Commands] of The Messenger

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Da'wah - Calling To Islam, 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.

Ana’s Bin Maalik [radiyallaahu anhu] reported that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said – during his illness [i.e. the illness through which he passed away], “Your Arhaam! Your Arhaam!”. [i.e. relatives of the womb]

Shaikh Zayd Bin Haadi [rahimahullaah] said:

This hadeeth contains a precious advice [or command] from the noble Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] whose Lord described him in His statement: [لَقَدۡ جَآءَڪُمۡ رَسُولٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَنفُسِڪُمۡ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيۡهِ مَا عَنِتُّمۡ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيۡڪُم بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬ – Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad) from amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you know well). It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allah, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-fire), for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful]. [Surah At-tawbah. Aayah 128]

It is an advice [or a command] about maintaining the ties of kinship, and indeed the command regarding it has been stated in the noble Qur’aan and in the [authentic] Prophetic Sunnah. As for in the Qur’aan, then indeed Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted] said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفۡسٍ۬ وَٲحِدَةٍ۬ وَخَلَقَ مِنۡہَا زَوۡجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنۡہُمَا رِجَالاً۬ كَثِيرً۬ا وَنِسَآءً۬‌ۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى تَسَآءَلُونَ بِهِۦ وَٱلۡأَرۡحَامَ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ رَقِيبً۬ا

O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship) . Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you. [Surah An-Nisaa. Aayah 1]

The Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] advised [or commanded one] to maintain the ties of kinship and promised reward – in this life and the next – for it. These are upright exhortations [or commands].

The intent behind the word Ar-Rahim – [relation of the womb] – are one’s relatives on the father’s and mother’s side, and they are of different levels [or categories]. Maintaining ties with them aids a person in his worldly affairs to fulfil his needs and makes his affairs easy by the permission of Allaah. And with regards to [deeds related to the] afterlife, it is one of the best deeds through which a servant seeks to get close to Allaah [i.e. to receive the love of Allaah and reward, and repel punishment].

An Excerpt from At-taleeqaat al-maleehah Alaa silsilah al-ahaadeeth As-Saheehah vol 1. Page 62. Slightly paraphrased.

 

Two Obstacles That Prevents Us From Reality When We [Humans] Embark Upon Sin!

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.

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] stated:

The servant does not embark upon that which he has been forbidden except through two ways. [Either] due harbouring evil thoughts about his Lord that if he were to obey Allaah and preferred Him, He [Glorified be He] will not grant him that which is better from the lawful [things]; [or] he acknowledges that [Allaah will grant him something better than the forbidden thing he pursues] and that whoever leaves something for Allaah’s sake, He [Glorified be He] will replace it with something better; but lusts overcomes his patience and desires [overcomes] his intellect. The first affair is due to weakness in knowledge and the second a weakness in intellect and insight. [Ref 1]

Al-Allaamah Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee [rahimahullaah] stated: The human being does not hate truth as a result of considering it to be falsehood, rather he loves truth by way of his Fitra [sound natural disposition], and loves falsehood due to his desires and lusts. The shift towards success or loss defends on what he gives preference to.

Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted] said:

فَأَمَّا مَن طَغَىٰ

وَءَاثَرَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا

فَإِنَّ ٱلۡجَحِيمَ هِىَ ٱلۡمَأۡوَىٰ

وَأَمَّا مَنۡ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِۦ وَنَهَى ٱلنَّفۡسَ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰ

فَإِنَّ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ هِىَ ٱلۡمَأۡوَىٰ

Then, for him who Tagha (transgressed) and preferred the life of this world (by following his evil desires and lusts), Verily, his abode will be Hellfire; But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode.” [An-Naazi’aat. Ayah:37-41]

And you can say: Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted] is on one side and [a person’s evil] desires are on another side [in opposition to what Allaah has commanded and prohibited].  Allaah [The Most High] said:

أَرَءَيۡتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَـٰهَهُ ۥ هَوَٮٰهُ أَفَأَنتَ تَكُونُ عَلَيۡهِ وَڪِيلاً

أَمۡ تَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ أَڪۡثَرَهُمۡ يَسۡمَعُونَ أَوۡ يَعۡقِلُونَ‌ۚ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا كَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ‌ۖ بَلۡ هُمۡ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلاً

Have you (O Muhammad) seen him who has taken as his ilah (god) his own desire? Would you then be a Wakil (a disposer of his affairs or a watcher) over him? Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like cattle; nay, they are even farther astray from the Path. (i.e. even worse than cattle]. [Soorah Al-Furqaan. Aayaat 43-44]

And Allaah [The Most High] said:

أَفَرَءَيۡتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَـٰهَهُ ۥ هَوَٮٰهُ وَأَضَلَّهُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ۬ وَخَتَمَ عَلَىٰ سَمۡعِهِۦ وَقَلۡبِهِۦ وَجَعَلَ عَلَىٰ بَصَرِهِۦ غِشَـٰوَةً۬ فَمَن يَہۡدِيهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

Have you seen him who takes his own lust (vain desires) as his ilah (god), and Allah knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and put a cover on his sight. Who then will guide him after Allah? Will you not then remember? [Soorah Al-Jaathiyah. Ayah 23] [Ref 2]

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Al’Fawaa-id [page 78]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from [التَّنْكِيل بِماَ فِي تَأْنِيبِ ٱلْكَوْثَري مِنَ الأباَطِيلVol 2. Page.179 with the checking of Imaam Albaanee (rahimahullaah)]

Character And Its Appropriate Limits or Boundaries– By Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in 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.

Imaaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

Akhlaaq [i.e. moral character] have limits. Transgression occurs when one goes beyond its limits and deficiency and humiliation occurs when one falls short.

The limits of Anger are: Praiseworthy bravery and having a dislike for despicable and deficient [behaviour etc.]. This is its perfection; but when one goes beyond its limits, the person transgresses and oppresses; and if his anger is deficient, he’ll behave in a cowardly manner and will not detest despicable [behaviour etc.].

The limits of Eagerness are: To obtain what suffices one’s [needs] in the worldly affairs and employ the [means] to reach them. Humiliation and a waste of [valuable time or opportunity] occurs when a person lacks eagerness; but when he goes beyond its limits, it leads to vehement greed and unpraiseworthy desire.

The limits of Envy are: [Praiseworthy] competition in seeking after perfection and not wanting the other competitor to excel you; [but] if a person goes beyond its limits, it leads to jealous animosity and oppression by way of which a person wishes that the one he envies is deprived of blessings and is eager to harm him. And if a person lacks [what is required of it], it leads to disesteem and a weakness in one’s ambition. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: “There should be no envy except in two [people]: a person whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and a person whom Allah has given wisdom [i.e. religious knowledge] and he judges by way of it and teaches it to the others.”  This type of envy [necessitates praiseworthy] competition between one another and the Haasid [i.e. the one who is envious of his or her competitor] seeks -by way of it- to be similar to the one he envies, whilst not [harbouring that] despised envy which [necessitates that he] wishes that the blessings bestowed upon the envied one should cease to exist.

The limits of Desires are: [Desires are a means] of relaxation for the heart and intellect after exerting oneself in acts of obedience and seeking to accomplish virtuous deeds. However, when a person goes beyond its limits, it leads to a strong and barely uncontrollable emotion and lewdness, and thus the person descends to the level of animals. However, when a person is lacking in desire and does not [utilised it as a means] of seeking after perfection and virtue, it leads to weakness, impotence and humiliation.

The limits of Relaxation are: It gives renewed strength to the self and strengthens one’s mental ability, in order to facilitate [him with the ability] to carry out acts of obedience and accomplish virtuous deeds, and so that one is not weakened by toil and tiredness. However, when a person goes beyond its limits, it leads to unenthusiasm, laziness, waste [of time and opportunity] and many beneficial affairs of a person are missed due to that. And when a person lacks sufficient relaxation, it harms his strength and may even become enfeebled [by way of it].

The limits of Generosity are between two extremes; when one goes beyond its limits, it leads to extravagance and squander. And when a person is lacking in generosity, it leads to miserliness and tight-fistedness.

The limits of Bravery: When a person goes beyond its limits, it leads to recklessness; and when a person lacks bravery, it leads to cowardice and weakness. Its limit is to take action during occasions in which such action is required and to refrain when not required.

The limits of Jealousy: When one goes beyond its limits, it leads to false accusation and [unjustified] evil suspicion against one who is free from blame. And when one lacks jealousy, it leads to heedlessness and a lack of giving importance to one’s honour.

The limits of Humility: When one goes beyond its limits, it leads to indignity and humiliation. And when one lacks humility, it leads to pride and boasting.

Honour has limits. When a person goes beyond its limits, it leads to pride. And when a person lacks honour, it leads to humiliation and indignity.

What gives an upright balance to all these affairs? Justice provides a precise and upright balance for [all the above-mentioned qualities] and this necessitates that a person adheres to the balanced path ordained by the Islamic legislation-the path that is free from exaggeration and negligence. All beneficial affairs of the worldly life and the afterlife are based on this; rather physical well-being cannot be achieved except by way of it, because when some of the elements of the human body are distanced from its appropriate balance -either due to exceeding its limits or falls short – it loses its well-being and strength in accordance with the degree of [this imbalance]. Likewise, when those natural acts, such as sleep, staying up late at night, eating, drinking, sexual intercourse, movement, recreation, seclusion, keeping company with the people and other than that are performed with moderation – neither being excessive nor lacking in what is required – it is regarded to be [upright, appropriate, balanced]; but when a person deviates to one of the two extremes, it is regarded to be a deficiency and will have deficient end results.

And one of the most noble and beneficial sciences is the knowledge regarding the hudood [the appropriate limits], especially the divine limits-the commands and prohibitions [ordained by Allaah (The Most High) and His Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)]. The most knowledgeable people are those who have the most knowledge regarding those divine limits, hence they neither include- within those limits- that which is not from them nor remove that which is included in them. Allaah [The Most High] said: [ٱلۡأَعۡرَابُ أَشَدُّ ڪُفۡرً۬ا وَنِفَاقً۬ا وَأَجۡدَرُ أَلَّا يَعۡلَمُواْ حُدُودَ مَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِ – The bedouins are the worst in disbelief and hypocrisy, and more likely to be in ignorance of the limits (Allah’s Commandments and His Legal Laws, etc.) which Allah has revealed to His Messenger]. [Soorah At-Tawbah’ Aayah 97]

Therefore, the most just, balanced and upright people are those who stay within the limits of the Akhlaaq, actions and the deeds legislated in the Islamic legislation- in knowledge and practice. [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawaa’id page 207- 209]

Hadeeth: Fear Allaah and Maintain Your Ties of Kinship

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.

Fear Allaah and maintain your ties of kinship.

Shaikh Zayd Bin Haadi [rahimahullaah] said

The hadeeth is very clear in commanding two virtuous acts of worship: A right Allaah is owed and a right owed to the people. As for the right Allaah is owed, it is that one fears Him. Indeed, Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] commanded -in many places in the Qur’aan- that He should be feared, and from them is His statement:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِۦ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسۡلِمُونَ

O you who believe! Fear Allah (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allah. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 102]

Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] said: [يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱتَّقُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفۡسٍ۬ وَٲحِدَةٍ۬ – O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam) [Surah An-Nisaa. Aayah 1]

Allaah [Glorified be He said]:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَقُولُواْ قَوۡلاً۬ سَدِيدً۬ا

يُصۡلِحۡ لَكُمۡ أَعۡمَـٰلَكُمۡ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ فَقَدۡ فَازَ فَوۡزًا عَظِيمًا

O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hellfire and made to enter Paradise). [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayaat 7071]

Allaah connected the good in this life and the next to Taqwa [Fear of Him], just is found in His statement:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّهُ ۥ مَخۡرَجً۬ا

وَيَرۡزُقۡهُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَحۡتَسِبُ‌ۚ

And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. [Surah At-Talaaq. Aayaat 2-3]; then Allaah said in Aayah 5: [ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يُكَفِّرۡ عَنۡهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُعۡظِمۡ لَهُ ۥۤ أَجۡرًا – And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will remit his sins from him, and will enlarge his reward].

These are from the [divine] texts in which Allaah commanded [us] to fear Him. And the reality of Taqwah [Fear of Allaah], as some of the Salaf stated: “It is to act in obedience to Allaah with a light from Allaah [i.e. guided to know and enabled to perform the act sincerely], hoping for Allaah’s reward, abandon disobedience to Allaah with a light from Allaah [i.e. guided to know what is wrong and being enabled to keep away from it sincerely] and out of fearing Allaah’s punishment”.

The statement of the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] in this  hadeeth: “Fear Allaah”, means, perform acts of obedience to Allaah, abandon disobedience to Allaah, fulfil Allaah’s command, keep away from Allaah’s prohibitions, hasten towards good deeds, and distance yourself from evil manners and repugnant deeds.

As for the right owed to the people, this is referred to in the Prophet’s [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] statement: “Maintain your ties of kinship”. The intent behind this is those related to you through lineage- on the mother’s and father’s side. It is obligated on a person to maintain the ties of kinship with these people as much as one is able- by going to visit them, sending them beneficial advice and through wealth. All these are righteous deeds and a right of relatives. And the aim [or goal] is that one enquires about their circumstances as much as one is able. And if corruption or something harmful enters into a tie of kinship, then one should make an effort to rectify the situation and not cut ties; rather one should make an effort to rectify the evil or mistake, so that Allaah rewards him for  keeping the ties of kinship, and for enjoining good and forbidding evil.

And if a person has a relative who has many female relatives, whilst he is not married and fears for him [i.e.  lest he falls into what is forbidden through direct contact], then keeping the ties of kinship [with this male relative who has many female relatives suffices]. It is not a condition that one speaks [in person] to the one who is not from his Mahaarim (1) in order to keep the ties of kinship; rather if he greats her, it should be behind a Hijaab [something prevents them from seeing one another].

[An Excerpt from ‘At-taleeqaat al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. Vol 1. Pages 36-37. Slightly paraphrased]

 

Ref 1: Mahaarim: Mind map illustration showing the mahrams (male chaperones) of a woman for travel and sittings:

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