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Tag: purification of the soul

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/

The Bondage of Sins In This Dunyaa And Aakhirah, And The Virtue of Tawheed and Repentance

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

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

Disobedience is the cause of being in shaytaan’s captivity and a prisoner of lowly desires. A disobedient person is always in the captivity of his devil, the prison of his lusts and leadership of his desires. He is a captive and a shackled prisoner. There is neither a captive whose state of affairs is more evil than that of a captive whose captor is his worst enemy, nor is there a prison more restricted than the prison of desires, and shackles that are more restrictive than the shackles of lust; so how can a heart that is a captive and a shackled prisoner follow the path to Allaah and the home of the afterlife? How can he follow a single path when the heart is shackled and stricken with harm from every angle as a result of the [severity] of its shackles? The likeness of the heart is that of a bird; it distances from harm whenever it flies high and surrounded by harm whenever it lands. It is reported in a hadeeth: ‘’Shaytaan is a wolf to a human being.’’

And just as an unprotected sheep in the midst of wolves is quickly destroyed, likewise if there is no protection from Allaah for the slave, it is inevitable that his wolf will prey on him. He is protected by Allaah through Taqwaah. Taqwaah is a shield and shelter from Allaah between the person and his wolf; just as it is a shield against punishment in this life and the afterlife. Whenever the sheep is closer to its shepherd, it is safer from the wolf and whenever it is distanced from the shepherd, it comes closer to being destroyed. So the sheep is more protected when it is closer to the shepherd, for the wolf only takes away the [sheep, cattle]  that are distanced and far away from the shepherd.

The basis of this affair is that whenever the heart is distanced from Allaah, then harm upon it is quicker, and whenever it is comes closer to Allaah, it is distanced from harm. Being distanced from Allaah is of various levels and some are more severe than others. Being distanced from [Allaah] through disobedience is greater than being distanced from [Allaah] through thoughtlessness; being distanced from [Allaah] through bidah is greater than being distanced from [Allaah] through disobedience, and being distanced from [Allaah] through hypocrisy and shirk is greater than all of that. [Ref 1]

Sin and disobedience is something common in all the nations. It is something that has not cease to exist in the world amongst the Children of Aadam regardless of their different social classes- the common people, the ignorant ones, [the zuhhaad – those who choose to abstain from some of the lawful pleasures of the worldly life which one can do without], those desirous of it [i.e. the pleasures], the leaders and those under their rule.  This affair of [sin and disobedience] is not something specific to this Ummah of Muhammad [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], such that [the Ummah] and its Prophet are [singled out] with rebuked as a result of that. Sin and disobedience does not negate belief in the Messengers, because it is possible for them to exist alongside belief in the Messengers. And although disobedience diminishes the perfection and completeness of belief in the Messengers, however it does not negate it.

Sins are wiped away through sincere repentance.  Allaah forgives the slave when he repents, even if his sins fill the heavens and are of a great number.  Allaah said: [قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ  – Say: O Ibaadee [My slaves] who have transgressed against themselves [by committing evil deeds and sins]! Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah, verily Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [39:53]

This is the right of the one who repents because repentance wipes away the sin after it [was committed]. Therefore, the one who repents from a sin is like one without that sin.  Tawheed wipes away sins, as [mentioned] in the Hadeeth Al-Qudsiy: ‘’O Son of Adam! If you were to meet Me with enough sins to fill the earth, whilst not associating anything with Me [in worship], I shall meet you with its equivalent in forgiveness.’’  Therefore, strong Tawheed wipes away the sins of the Muslims; but if punished for their sins, they will be removed from the fire as a result of their belief in Tawheed. As for the people of shirk and the disbelievers, their good deeds are nullified as result of the disbelief and shirk they are upon.  They will neither meet their Lord with good deeds in order to obtain safety nor will they be forgiven any of their sins. Allaah [Glorified be He] said: [إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ  – Verily, Allaah does not forgive (a person) the sin of associating partners with Him in worship (i.e. if one dies in that state without repentance),  but He (Allaah) forgives (sins that are) lesser than that (i.e. lesser than shirk) to whom He pleases]. [4:48]

Allaah [The Most High] said: [ وَقَدِمۡنَآ إِلَىٰ مَا عَمِلُواْ مِنۡ عَمَلٍ۬ فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُ هَبَآءً۬ مَّنثُورًا – And We shall turn to whatever deeds they did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust]. [25:23] [Ref 2]

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Ad-Daa’u Wad-Dawaa’u. page 119-120. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Source: An Excerpt from ‘Hidaayatul Hayaaraa Fee Ajwibatil Yahood Wan-Nasaaraa. Page 123-124. Slightly paraphrased]

The Man Who Came to Imaam Ibraaheem Bin Ad’ham to Seek Advice Regarding How to Abandon Sin!

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in 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.

Imaam Abdul Ghaniy Al-Maqdisi stated in his book At-tawwaabeen that a man once came to Ibraaheem Bin Adham and said, “O Abu Ishaaq! Indeed I have transgressed against my Nafs [through evil deeds], so present to me that which will be a deterrent for my nafs and will save [or rescue] my heart”. So, Ibraaheem said to him: “If you accept five affairs and fulfil them, neither will you be harmed due to sinning nor will the enjoyment [or delight from it] bring you destruction. The man said, “Mention them to me O Abu Ishaaq”.

Ibraaheem said: “The first affair is that when you want to disobey Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic- do not eat His provision”. The man said, “Where would I eat from when it is case that all that is in the earth is from His provision?” He said, “O you! Is it right that you eat His provision and disobey him?” The man said, “No; mention the second affair to me”.

Ibraaheem said, “If you want to disobey Allaah, do not live anywhere in Allaah’s earth”. The man said, “This is greater than the first affair! When it is the case that the east, the west and whatever is between them belongs to Him, then where would I live?” Ibraaheem said to him, “O you! Is it right that you eat His provision and live on his earth, yet you disobey him?” The man said, “No; mention the third affair”.

Ibraaheem said, “If you want to disobey Him whilst you are being provided from His provision and living on his earth, then do so in a place where He cannot see you”. The man said, “How can that be when it is the case that He knows everything that is hidden”. Ibraaheem said, “O you! Is it right that you eat his provision, live on his earth and you disobey him whilst he sees you and what you do?” The man said, “No; mention the fourth affair”.

Ibraaheem said, “When the angel of death comes to take your soul, tell him, ‘Delay its departure until I perform sincere repentance and perform righteous deeds for the sake of Allaah’”. The man said, “He (the angel) will not accept that from me”. Ibraaheem said, “O you! When it is the case that you cannot repel death until you repent and you know that there is no delay when it comes to you, then how do you hope to escape?” The man said, “Mention the fifth affair”.

Ibraaheem said to him, “When the Zabaaniyah [i.e. guardians of hell] come to you on yawmul qiyaamah to take you to the fire, do not go with them”. The man said, “Neither will they leave me nor accept that from me”. Ibraaheem said to him, “So, how do you hope for safety then?” The man said, “O Ibraaheem! This is enough! This is enough! I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him.” At-Tawwaabeen 285]

 

 

Only Those Who Are Patient Shall Receive Their Rewards In Full, Without Hisaab [Without Limit, Calculation and Estimation]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Da'wah - Calling To Islam, 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.

Question: The questioner asks: What is the status of patience and what is the reward for those who exercise patience?

Answer: Patience has a great status in the sight of Allah (The Most High). The Eemaan of a slave (i.e. a male or female Muslim) cannot be perfect without patience.  Patience is from the best of deeds and its reward has no limits. When it is the case that one good deed is written as ten good deeds and can multiply until it reaches seven hundred or more, then indeed the reward for exercising patience has no limits,  for indeed Allaah ( Glorified and Exalted be He) said:

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without Hisaab (without limit, calculation and estimation) [a] [39:10]

Patience is of three types:

[1] The first type patience is when a person exercises patience (whilst striving) to obey Allaah: A Muslim is commanded to exercise patience (whilst striving) to obey Allaah (The Most High), especially the when fulfilling obligations. And the first of those obligations is the prayer, for it is obligatory to establish it at its fixed time together with all its conditions and obligatory acts. [b] Therefore, patience is required in seeking to fulfill the five daily prayers. When a sleeping person hears the Adhaan of Fajr, he strives against his soul and wakes up, and then he performs Wudhu and goes to the Masjid. This is patience whilst seeking to obey Allaah. One also exercises patience in striving to treat his (or her) parents kindly, dealing with them in a beautiful manner and patiently bearing whatever occurs from that. Allaah (The Most High):

وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا

And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. [17:23]

وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا

And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: “My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small.”[17:24]

رَّبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا فِي نُفُوسِكُمْ ۚ إِن تَكُونُوا صَالِحِينَ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ لِلْأَوَّابِينَ غَفُورًا

Your Lord knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever Most Forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance. [17:25]

A person should also exercise patience in seeking to nurture his (or her) children and teaching them good manners and behaviour.

[2] The second type of patience is when a person exercises patience in seeking to restrain him (or herself) from disobeying Allaah: A person excises this patience in order to prevent him or (herself) from sins and (evil) desires. And among those sins a person should keep away from is that he refrains from violating the honour of the people.

[3] The third type of patience is when a person exercise patience when encountered with Allaah’s decree, which maybe something painful (i.e. a calamity): That is because that which afflicts a person, such as the death of a son (or daughter) or being afflicted with a sickness on a person’s the body, or his (or her) sanity, or what may afflict a relative of his (or hers), it is obligated on a person to exercise patience when these affairs are encountered and should hope for Allaah’s reward for being patient. He should know that all these affairs are from Allaah.  Allah (the most high) said:

مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ ۚ

No calamity befalls, but with the Leave [i.e. decision and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allah, and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart. [64:11]

Alqamah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said: This (ayah) is about a person who is afflicted with a calamity and he knows that it is from Allaah.  So he becomes pleased with what Allaah has decreed and submit to Allaah’s judgement, and he (or she) says: ‘’this is Allaah’s decree. I believe in Allaah and we are pleased with Allaah’s decree.” So Allaah fills his heart with Eemaan and tranquillity, and he (or she) receives a great reward (i.e. due to his patience).

We ask Allaah to include us and you amongst those who exercise patience.

[Source: Fadaa’il Al- A’maal’ pages 11-14’ by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdillaah As-Subayyil (rahimahullaah). Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

[a] Tayseerul Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseeri Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah)

[b]Conditions, pillars and obligations of the prayer, see  link:

http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=10&Topic=8984

[2] Sayyid Al-Istighfaar – [With Brief Commentary By Imaam Ibnul Qayyim]

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.

Shaddaad Bin Anas [radiyallaahu-anhu] said that the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: The best way to seek the forgiveness of Allaah is to say: [اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ – O Allaah! You are my Lord. There is no one who has the right to be worshipped except you. You created me and I am your slave, and I am [upon obedience and agreement] to my covenant and promise [to You] as much as I am able. I seek refuge with You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge in your presence all the blessings You have granted me, and I confess to You my sins. So forgive me, for indeed none is able to forgive [a slave his] sins, except You].  [Bukhaari Hadeeth Number 6306]

Reminders From This Supplication By Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah]

[اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي – O Allaah! You are my Lord].

The suppliant affirms Tawheed Ar-Roboobiyyah which necessitates singling out Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] as the Creator- the only One with All-Encompassing Will [i.e. whatever Allaah wills takes place and whatever He does not will cannot take place],  All-Encompassing Authority [and control over everything].

[لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ – There is no one who has the right to be worshipped except you. You created me and I am your slave].

The suppliant affirms Tawheed Al-Ilaahiyyah, which necessitates having love for Allaah and worshipping Allaah alone without any partner; acknowledges his servitude to Allaah, which necessitates declaring his absolute poverty and need in the presence of Allaah -in all [affairs, situations, circumstances, instances].

Then suppliant says: [وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ  – And I am [upon obedience and agreement] to my covenant and promise (to You)].

This necessitates adherence to Allaah’s Sharee’ah, His  command and the religion He has ordained, the covenant which He has enjoined on His servants; affirmation and belief in Allaah’s Promise, which is His recompense. So, this [part of the supplication conveys] adherence to Allaah’s command, affirming and belief in Allaah’s Promise which necessitates  Eemaan and hoping for Allaah’s Reward. [However], the servants knows that he cannot fulfil this affair in the manner it truly deserves, so he mentioned his limited ability and power alongside it, saying: [مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ  – as much as I am able]- Meaning: I adhere to it based on my limited ability and power. So, he testified to two affairs – [his limited] ability and power. Then he testified to his shortcomings, saying: [أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ  – I seek refuge with You from the evil I have done].

Then he testified that all blessings come from Allaah – Allaah is its owner, the One worthy of [being its owner, Bestower etc] and the One who brought it into existence prior to its non-existence], saying: [ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي– I acknowledge in your presence all the blessings You have granted me, and I confess to You my sins]- Meaning: You [O Allaah] are The One Who Deserves All Praise and  Thanks- the One Who Deserves be to exolted, all good comes from You and all blessings are from You. You are the Owner of all praise, all exoltation belongs to You and all bounty is Yours; and I am the sinner, the one who commits wrong, acknowledges and accepts his mistake, just as has been stated by one of the Aarifeen [i.e. those who truly know their Lord] that, “The one who truly knows his Lord follows the path [i.e. the upright religion] through acknowledging and bearing witness to Allaah’s blessings as well as being well aware of the faults of his soul and the faults in his deeds”. So, acknowledging and bearing witness to Allaah’s blessings [or favours] necessitates that one loves his Lord [Glorified be He],  praise and extol Him. And being well aware of the faults of one’s soul and deeds necessitates constant Istighfaar [i.e. seeking forgiveness], repentance, humility, obedience and submission.

Then after this is established in the heart of the suppliant and he seeks a means of approach to his Lord through these affairs [i.e. after affirming Allaa’s Ruboobiyyah and Uloohiyyah; affirming his servitude to Allaah, affirming that he has limited ability, acknowledges that all blessings belong to Allaah, accepting his faults, sin etc], he then says: [فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْت  – So forgive me, for indeed none is able to forgive (a slave his) sins, except You]

An Excerpt from Tareequl Hijratayn pages 210-211. Slightly paraphrased

Reward For a Person Who Is Genuinely Prevented From An Act of Worship – Due to a Legislated Sharee’ah Excuse – He or She Used to Perform

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

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

Question: Does a person become sinful due to failing to fulfil deeds of obedience [to Allaah]? And what is obligated on a person if he misses an act of worship which he is determined to perform, even though he was prevented from performing it due to illness or a legislated shariah excuse?

Answer: If a Muslim always performs a deed of obedience to Allaah when he is at home, but then he is prevented from performing it due to a legislated excuse, he will be rewarded even if he did not perform it. Abu Moosaa [radiyallaahu-anhu] reported that the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “If a slave of [Allah] becomes sick or travels, he is rewarded for the good deeds he used to perform when he was healthy or at home.

As for the deeds he abandons whilst having the ability to perform them, he will be deprived of their reward. And this may lead to sin [i.e. if obligations are abandoned]. Therefore, it is incumbent upon a person that he repents to Allaah, seeks Allaah’s forgiveness often and be eager to perform deeds of obedience to Allaah, so that Allaah may aid him. [Source: Fadaa’il Al’A’maal page 8’ by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdillaah As-Subayyil (rahimahullaah)]

Grief, Distress, Helplessness, Laziness, Miserliness, Cowardice, Being Heavily In Debt And Being Overcome By Men – [The Prophet Used to Seek Allaah’s Refuge From These Eight Affairs]

Written by Abdullah Jallow 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.

The Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] used to supplicate saying:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ، وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ

O Allaah! I seek refuge with You against distress and grief, helplessness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, being heavily in debt and being overcome by men. [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Number 2893]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said: So, the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] sought Allaah’s Refuge against eight affairs and each of  them is connected to another thing.

Distress and Grief: Distress and grief are connected to each other and they are pains in the heart. If it is in relation to an affair that has elapsed, then it is grief; and if related to an affair in the future, then it is distress. So, if the basis of the pain is related to something missed in the past, it is grief; and if its basis is related to fear of what is to come in future, it is distress.

Helplessness And Laziness: Helplessness and Laziness are connected to each other. When one is delayed from what is beneficial and its perfect [accomplishment], it is considered to be helplessness. And if the affair is related to lack of intent, it is considered to be laziness.

Cowardice And Miserliness: Cowardice and miserliness are connected to each other, because indeed Ihsaan [i.e. to do good for others, generosity, etc] brings happiness to the heart and comfort to the inner self, overcomes distress and repels rancour. And abandoning it [i.e. Ihsaan] would cause the heart to be constricted and prevents it from reaching blessings by way of it. Cowardice is to abandon Insaan by way of physical actions and miserliness is the abandonment of Insaan through wealth.

Being Heavily In Debt And Being Overcome By Men: Being heavily in debt and being overcome by men are connected to each other, because being subdued and overcome can occur from the person himself or from others- either based on truth or falsehood. The cause of being heavily in debt emanates from the person himself and no wrong is committed against him, and being overcome by men is tantamount to falsehood [committed against him] and not from himself.

The intent in this discussion is that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] [showed and clarified] that grief is something a person should seek refuge against, because indeed it weakens the heart, weakens one’s determination and changes one’s intent. And there is nothing more beloved to shaytaan than bringing sadness to the believers. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [  إِنَّمَا ٱلنَّجۡوَىٰ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ لِيَحۡزُنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا – Secret counsels (conspiracies) are only from Shaitan (Satan), in order that he may cause grief to the believers] [Surah Al-Mujaadilah. Aayah 10]

Grief is one of the ailments of the heart which prevents it from arising, embarking upon and striving [to pursue what is beneficial] – preventing it from attaining reward due to the calamities that afflicts a person outside his own choice, such as sickness, pain and what is similar. [Ref 1]

A Perfect Example to Learn From Ya’qoob [alayhis salaam] That One Turns to Allaah In Times of Grief And Not to Despair

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنۡہُمۡ وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَسَفَىٰ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ وَٱبۡيَضَّتۡ عَيۡنَاهُ مِنَ ٱلۡحُزۡنِ فَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ۬

قَالُواْ تَٱللَّهِ تَفۡتَؤُاْ تَذۡڪُرُ يُوسُفَ حَتَّىٰ تَكُونَ حَرَضًا أَوۡ تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡهَـٰلِكِينَ

قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَشۡكُواْ بَثِّى وَحُزۡنِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَأَعۡلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ

And he turned away from them and said: “Alas, my grief for Yusuf (Joseph)!” And he lost his sight because of the sorrow that he was suppressing. They said: “By Allah! You will never cease remembering Yusuf (Joseph) until you become weak with old age, or until you be of the dead.” He said: “I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you know not.

Meaning: Ya’qoob [alayhis salaam] turned away from his sons after they informed him of this news [i.e. their claim that Benjamin was caught stealing and is detained in Egypt], and he [Ya’qoob- alayhis salaam] became extremely grieved and saddened. His eyes became white because of the grief in his heart and the sadness that made him weep a lot; so his eyes became white. [فَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ۬ – because of the sorrow that he was suppressing]. [وَقَالَ يَـٰٓأَسَفَىٰ عَلَىٰ يُوسُفَ – He said, “Alas, my grief for Yusuf (Joseph)!”]- Meaning: He manifested his old grief and constant longing, which was concealed, but this recent calamity has now reminded him of the previous calamity, which was greater than this second one.

So, his sons said to him whilst being amazed with his state: [تَٱللَّهِ تَفۡتَؤُاْ تَذۡڪُرُ يُوسُفَ حَتَّىٰ تَكُونَ حَرَضًا أَوۡ تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡهَـٰلِكِينَ – By Allah! You will never cease remembering Yusuf (Joseph) until you become weak with old age, or until you be of the dead]- Meaning: You will not stop remembering Yoosuf in all circumstances until you lose all power and become unable to move or speak or you die. He said: [  قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَشۡكُواْ بَثِّى وَحُزۡنِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَأَعۡلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ – I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you know not]- Meaning: I have not disseminated my speech, rather I only complain of my grief – which in my heart – to Allaah alone; neither to you nor others. Therefore, say whatever you want, [because (I know from Allaah what you do not know]- Meaning: Allaah will return them to me and gladden my eyes due to being reunited with them. [Ref 2]

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Tareeq Al-Hijratayn. Pages 606-607. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

[1] Sayyid Al-Istighfaar – [With Brief Commentary By Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz]

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.

Shaddaad Bin Anas [radiyallaahu-anhu] said that the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: The best way to seek the forgiveness of Allaah is to say:

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

O Allaah, You are my Lord! There is no one who has the right to be worshipped except you. You created me and I am your slave, and I am [upon obedience and agreement] to my covenant and promise (to You) as much as I am able. I seek refuge with You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge in your presence all the blessings You have granted me, and I confess to You my sins. So forgive me, for indeed none is able to forgive (a slave his) sins, except You]. [Ref 1]

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] said regarding the Messenger’s statement: ‘’I acknowledge in your presence all the blessings You have granted me, and I confess to you my sins’’; he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] combined – in this statement – a testification to [Allaah’s] blessings and a notification of the flaws in one’s self and actions. He [rahimahullaah] also said: The domain of servitude to Allaah is based on two principles and they are its foundation: Complete and perfect love of Allaah and Complete humility in Allaah’s Presence. The origin of these two principles emanates from two other principles and they are: Attesting to [Allaah’s] blessings and this brings about love of Allaah, and being aware of the flaws in one’s self and actions which brings about one’s complete humility [in Allaah’s presence].  If the slave establishes his path to Allaah based on these two principles, his enemy [i.e. shaytaan] will not defeat him through them, except as a result of unawareness and inattentiveness, and how quickly Allaah makes him recover, notifies him and reaches out to him with His Mercy [i.e. when he falls into error or forgets]. [Ref 2]

The Three Main Conditions of Repentance, and a Fourth One Related To Rights Owed To the People

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz (rahimahullaah) said: Know that Allaah’s Mercy is extensive and His Kindness is tremendous, and that He is [الجواد – (The Munificent, Bountiful); الكريم (The Bountiful, The Generous One Abundant in Good)]. He is the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy and the best of all those who forgive [Glorified and Exalted be He]. And know that also to have (the audacity to commit acts of) disobedience is a great evil, a great corruption and a cause of (incurring) the anger of Allaah; but when a servant repents to his Lord –a truthful repentance-Allaah accepts his repentance. Indeed, the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) was asked many times about a man who (committed) a lot of such and such faults, (acts) of disobedience and various types of kufr, and then he repents; so Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’Repentance wipes away what was (committed) before it (i.e. sins)’’ and ‘’Islaam (i.e. when a person abandons kufr and becomes a Muslim) wipes away what was (committed) before it (i.e. sins).’’ Therefore, you should know -with certainty- that by way of truthful sincere repentance, Allaah wipes away sins and evil deeds, even kufr. And because of this Allaah [Glorified Be He] said: [وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ – And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. [24:31] So He (Allaah) connected success to repentance.

Allaah (Glorified be He) said: [يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا عَسَى رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ – ”O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) [66:8]

Therefore, O brother! Truthful repentance is (incumbent) upon you- cling to it; be firm upon it and be sincere to Allaah in that. And (receive) glad tidings that it wipes away your sins, even if they are like a mountain.

The conditions (to be fulfilled in order for repentance to be accepted are) three: [1] To be regretful and remorseful regarding the past (acts of disobedience you committed); [2] To renounce and abandon the sins – the big and small (of them); [3] To have a firm resolve (or determination) not to return to it (i.e. not to commit them again). If you owe the people their rights- wealth or (you committed offences related to blood-shed, murder or causing injury etc) or violating their honour, then their rights must be given back to them. This is a fourth affair related to a complete repentance. It is incumbent upon you to give the people the rights they are owed. If the affair is related to retribution, then retribution is established (i.e. by the state), unless they (i.e. the people) permit that you give blood money; if related to wealth, you give them back their wealth, unless they forgive; if related to their honour and you did backbite them, you should seek their forgiveness; but if seeking their forgiveness will lead to evil, then there is no hindrance in refraining from (informing them that you did backbite them and that you seek their forgiveness); rather you should supplicate for them and seek Allaah’s forgiveness for them, and mention the good you know about them in the same place you did mention them with evil. This will be expiation for (that sin of backbiting). And it is incumbent upon you to proceed –without delay- towards repentance before death, and then exercise patience and be truthful. Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He) said: [وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُواْ فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُواْ أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُواْ اللّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُواْ لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ اللّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّواْ عَلَى مَا فَعَلُواْ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ – And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse etc.) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; – and none can forgive sins but Allah – And do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know. [3:135]

(So) understand the meaning of the (statement): وَلَمْ يُصِرُّواْ  – And do not persist in what (wrong)]- this means that they do not persist in sin, rather they repent, show regret and abandon the (sin) they committed; and they know [i.e. that persistence in sin is harmful, or that Allaah forgives the one who repents.

Then Allaah [Glorified Be He] stated thereafter: [أُوْلَئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَجَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ – For such, the reward is Forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allah’s Orders). [3:136].  This is the reward for those who repent and do not persist in (sin)- for them the reward is paradise. [An Excerpt from this link: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/fatawa/4251 slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 1: Bukhaari Hadeeth Number 6306]; [Ref 2: An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Al-Waabil As-Sayyib’ page 8′. Slightly paraphrased]

Who is The Doctor of The Hearts?!

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Scholars of Islam.

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

Question to Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [hafidhahullaah]: Some of the people say that Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] is the doctor of the hearts due to the abundance of what has been spoken of in his books in this field? Answer: The doctor of the hearts is the Messenger [sallal-lahu-alayhi-wasallam].  Ibnul Qayyim is one who clarified and explained the medicine of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]; he is not the doctor of the hearts [rather] the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] is the doctor of the hearts. [Listen here: https://youtu.be/ViCT5lie80k ]

 

Those Who Desire Neither Haughtiness Nor Corruption In The Earth!

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:

تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا ۚ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness in the earth or corruption. And the good end is for the Muttaqoon (pious ones) [28:83]

[تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ- That home of the hereafter]: Meaning Paradise. [ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ –We shall assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth]. Saeed Ibn Jubair said, “It is [those who do not desire] transgression.’’ Ad-Dahhaak said, “It is [those who do not desire] oppression”. Yahyah Ibn Sallaam said, “It is [those who do not desire] shirk” and Muqaatil said, “It is [those who do not desire to be] haughty by rejecting Eemaan”. [وَلَا فَسَادًا – or corruption]: Ikrimah said, “It is [those who do not desire] disobedience [to Allaah and His Messenger]”. Ibn Saa’ib said, “It is [those who do not] call to the worship of other than Allaah”. [وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِين-And the good end is for the Muttaqoon (pious ones)]- Meaning: They will have a praiseworthy end.

[Source: An Excerpt from Zaadul Maseer ‘ by Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah)’ abridged and slightly paraphrased. Page 1074. Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm’ 1st Edition 1423AH (2002)]