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Tag: purification of the soul

The Main Thing That Will Earn Us The Love of Allaah!

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

Allaah [The Most High] said: [قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬ – Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful]”. [Surah Aal Imraan Ayah 31]

This Ayah is conveyed to everyone who claims to love Allaah, whilst he is not one who truly follows Allaah’s Prophet Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]- by obeying the Prophet’s command and keeping away from what he has forbidden. Therefore, unless he [i.e. the one who claims to love Allaah] truly follows the Messenger, then indeed he is not truthful in his claim [i.e. that he loves Allaah] [Ref 1]

Allaah [The Most High] also said: [قُلۡ أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ‌ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ – Say (O Muhammad): “Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad).” But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers]: Meaning: Say O Messenger [to the people]: Obey Allaah by following His Book [i.e. the Qur’aan], and obey the Messenger by following his Sunnah -whether you were present during his lifetime or present after he has passed away. [Surah Aali Imraan Ayah 32] [Ref 2]

Allaah [The Most High] also said: [يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ – O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Verily! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. [يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ  – O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet..] [Surah Al-Hujuraat Aayaat 1 & 2]

When it is the case that Allaah forbade [them] from giving precedence to [themselves] over the Messenger, then which type of giving precedence to oneself over the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] can be more severe than giving precedence to one’s intellect over the revelation he was sent with? Many of the Salaf have stated [that this ayah means]: ‘’Do not say anything [about the religion] until the Messenger speaks and do not act until he commands you.’’

The Most Disobedient Person Amongst The People Is That One Who Gives Precedence to His Intellect Or The Intellect of Another Person Over The Revelation The Messenger Was Sent With

The most disobedient person amongst the people and the most severe with regards to giving precedence to him over the Messenger is that one who gives precedence to his intellect or the intellect of another person over the revelation the Messenger was sent with. And when it is the case that Allaah has indeed forbidden them from raising their voices above the voice of the Messenger, then how about raising their intellects above the statements of the Messenger and the revelation he came with?! [Ref 3]


[Ref 1: (Tafseer Al-Muyassar). slightly paraphrased]; [Ref 2: (Tafseer Al-Muyassar). slightly paraphrased]; [Ref 3: (Al-Waabil as-Sayyib’ by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ page 21). slightly paraphrased]

Hadeeth: [The Most Virtuous Hijrah Is to Abandon That Which Allaah Hates] With Short Commentary By Shaikh Zaid Bin Haadi [rahimahullaah]

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

“The most virtuous Hijrah [migration] is to abandon that which Allaah hates”.

This hadeeth contains a clarification regarding one of the meanings of Hijrah [migration] and its virtue in relation to this meaning. Indeed, it [Hijrah – migration] has been explained [in the hadeeth] by the statement of the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi Wasallam] that “The most virtuous migration is to abandon that which Allaah hates”. The Lord [i.e. Allaah – The Lord of all that exits]  hates all types sins – be it related to statements and deeds, manifest and hidden, small and big. Allaah hates all of them and [threatens to] punish [the one commits them], because they are forbidden, just as Allaah hates deficiencies [i.e. in that which a person has been commanded] in the absence of a legislated excuse. Therefore, it is obligatory to hate what the Lord [Allaah] hates and to love that which He loves for His slaves, for indeed in that there is abundant good in this life, in the grave and in the hereafter. [An Excerpt from At-taleeqaatul Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. Vol 1. page 471. Slightly paraphrased]

Ahlus Sunnah Hate Those Who Initiate or Innovate Into The Religion That Which Is Not From It – [By Imaam As-Saabooni (rahimahullaah)]

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

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [may Allaah preserve him] quoted Imaam As-Saabooni [rahimahullaah] who stated, “And they [i.e. Ahlul Hadeeth] hated Ahlul-Bid’ah – those who initiated into the religion what is not from it. They neither loved them nor keep company with them. They neither listened to their speech nor sit with them. They neither argued with them about the religion nor debated with them’’. Then Shaikh Rabee said: How is this [the case]? Is this [view introduced] from themselves or guidance from Allaah and His Messenger, and that which the Salafus Saaleh were upon? Allaah [Glorified and Exalted be He] warned against Ahlul Bidah and clarified for us that they are people of desires, and that they follow Mutashaabihaat [i.e. texts that are not entirely clear in what they indicate, so they are referred back to other texts to be explained] and they abandon the Muhkamaat [i.e. texts that are very clear]. Aa’isha [radiyallaahu-anhaa] said: The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] recited this ayah:

هُوَ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ مِنْهُ آيَاتٌ مُّحْكَمَاتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَابِهَاتٌ ۖ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ ابْتِغَاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَابْتِغَاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ ۗ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ ۗ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِّنْ عِندِ رَبِّنَا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

It is He Who has sent down to you [Muhammad] the Book [this Qur’an]. In it are Verses that are (entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book [and those are the Verses of Al-Ahkaam (commandments, etc.), Al-Faraa’id (obligatory duties) and Al-Hudood (legal laws for the punishment of thieves, adulterers, etc.)]; and others are Mutashaabihaat (i.e. not entirely clear in what they indicate, so they are to be referred back to the Muhkamaat to be explained]. So, as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials, etc.), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings except Allaah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: ‘’We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord.” And none receive admonition except men of understanding.’’ [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 7]  [Then] she [i.e. Aa’isha] said: The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, ‘’If you see those who follow thereof that is not entirely clear, then they are those whom Allah has named [as having deviation (from the truth)] so beware of them’’. [Bukhaari Number 4547]

Allaah clarified that they [i.e. ahlul bidah] have desires [i.e. evil desires] and deviation with them, and that they intend to misguide themselves and other people! They desire trials and intend to misguide the people, and that is why the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] mentioned them and described their condition to us. He [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, ‘’And indeed there will appear a people out of my Ummah in whom desires will run through them just as rabies runs through a dog.’’ [Read here: https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2019/08/there-will-appear-a-people-in-this-ummah-in-whom-desires-will-run-through-them-just-as-rabies-runs-through-a-dog/ ]

Ahlul Sunnah – no doubt – hate Ahlul bidah and Imaam [As Saabooni] mentioned a number of them [i.e. senior scholars of ahlul hadeeth] that they are all agreed upon hating [Ahlul bidah]. However, amongst them [i.e Ahlul bidah] there are du’aat [callers to their bidah]- they are neither to be sat with nor debated with, except in cases of necessity and for a Maslahah [i.e. a carefully assessed benefit identified by rightly guided scholars amongst the scholars]; [otherwise], it is not permissible to enter into debate with them. It is not permissible to enter into a specific debate with the rawaafid if you are weak [i.e. in knowledge and character], except if one is a man who is firmly grounded in knowledge and religion, [very proficient in] establishing evidences, clever and a possessor of [that force and strength that enables him to easily excel in debate with the clear proofs without being affected by doubts]; so if he sees a benefit in debating them, he debates them. [Allaah (The Most High) said]: [وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ  – and argue with them in a way that is better]. This is the legislated debate. Allaah did not close the door of debate completely, so if we have a way of establishing the proofs and to guide the people to good, we follow it. The one who is debated with may not benefit but others may benefit.

As for the weak one, then no [i.e. he does not engage in debate]. Even amongst the scholars there is one who is weak and one who is led to be mistaken by Shub’hah [i.e. a statement or affair that resembles the truth but is falsehood in reality]. He may be a scholar but his character is weak, so he becomes weak in the presence of Ahlul bidah, even if they are younger than him and lesser in knowledge! Indeed, it has happened to many of those who ascribe to the Sunnah and Hadeeth [ i.e. fell into some deviation or error] due to their weakness and opposition to the methodology of the Salaf. For example: Al Bayhaqqi was from the seniors of Ahlul hadeeth and their scholars, and was deceived by some of the Ashaa’irah such as Ibn Fawrak and his ilk, so he fell into Ash’ariyyah! How many among the youth- in this era – have been ruined at the hands of Ahlul bidah?! How many youth, middle age men and graduates from universities have been deceived by Ahlul bidah, and thus they fall into their arms?! They are deceived by the parties [of illegal partisanship] and thus fall into their arms! Why is this? Because they did not act upon the statement of the Messenger: “If you see those who follow thereof that is not entirely clear, then they are those whom Allah has named [as having deviation (from the truth)] so beware of them”. The strong one calls Ahlul bidah; he calls the Christians. There has to be dawah in the path of Allaah and there has to be strong scholars who disseminate the religion of Allaah; and when necessary, they debate so that the proofs are established and benefit one who is to benefit. [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Aqeedah As-Salaf Ashaab Al-Hadeeth’ pages 301-304′. slightly paraphrased]

 

Hadeeth Regarding Two Traits of Al-Jaahiliyyah- [Wailing For The Dead And Reviling Lineages] – With Short Commentary By Shaikh Zayd [rahimahullaah]

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

Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu-anhu] said, “The Prophet [sallal laahu -alayhi wasallam] said, ‘There are two matters of Al-Jaahiliyyah [i.e. traits of pre-Islamic ignorance] and the people will never abandon them: wailing for the dead and reviling people’s lineages”.

In this hadeeth, there is a clear warning against falling into these two affairs, because they are from the deeds of Al-Jaahiliyyah [pre-Islamic ignorance]. The deeds of Al-Jaahiliyyah in most cases are evil because they are based on ignorance, a result of ignorance and emanate from ignorance. The best of all deeds are those that are from the Islamic legislation. Therefore, these two traits are from the deeds of the people Al-Jaahiliyyah, but it is not committed by all the people, rather some people will not leave them until the day of Judgement.

The first trait is wailing for the dead by raising one’s voice, an increased mention of [the dead person’s virtues], boasting, tearing one’s clothing and slapping one’s cheeks. All these are deeds of Al-Jaahiliyyah.

The second trait is reviling lineages by boasting about one’s lineage and reviling other people’s lineages, and this does not occur except due to pride and looking down on others. It is not from the traits of the people of Eemaan; rather humility is the trait of the people of Eemaan- being easy going, refraining from self-praise, [refraining] from reviling people’s lineages and [refraining from] boasting about one’s lineage. Indeed, Allaah said: [إِنَّ أَڪۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ – Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has more Taqwa]. [Sural Al-Hujuraat. Aayah 13]


At-taleeqaatul Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah vol 1. Page 18. Slightly paraphrased

The Sensible Person Must Cling to Humility – By Imaam Ibn Hibbaan [rahimahullaah]

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

Imaam Ibn Hibbaan [rahimahullaah] said: It is obligated on a sensible person that he adheres to humility and avoids pride.  Humility is of two types- the first one is praiseworthy and the other is blameworthy. Praiseworthy humility [necessitates] abandoning insolence and mockery. Blameworthy humility [occurs] when a person humbles himself in the presence of one who possesses the things of the worldly life and desiring what such a person possesses. Therefore, a sensible person maintains his abandonment of blameworthy humility in all circumstances and he does not depart from praiseworthy humility. [An Excerpt from Rawdatul Uqalaa page 58. slightly paraphrased]

Imaam Ibn Hibbaan (rahimahullaah) said: It is obligated on a sensible person to cling to humility and avoid being haughty. And if humility did not contain any [good] trait, except that whenever a person has a lot of humility he is increased in status, then it would have been obligatory upon him not to adorn [himself or herself] with other than it. [An Excerpt from Rawdatul Uqalaa. Page: 58]

Imaam Ibn Hibbaan [rahimahullaah] said: Indeed, none is haughty towards another (person) until he becomes amazed with himself and sees himself as having virtue over others. [An Excerpt from Rawdatul Uqalaa: page: 61]

Imaam Ibn Hibbaan (rahimahullaah) said:  The Poet said: Do not walk on the earth except with humility, for how many a people beneath it were of a higher status than you! And if you are in a state of honour, good and strength, then how many people have passed away who were more powerful than you! [An Excerpt from Rawdatul Uqalaa page 61]

A Noble Trait That Is Not Possessed By Everyone Attributed to Knowledge: [Imaam Yahyah Bin Yahyah An-Naysaabooriy Prolonged His Studies to Learn Manners From Imaam Maalik]

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

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [hafidhahullaah] saaid: When one sits with the Ulamaa, he will learn – first and foremost – manners and etiquettes. The people used to travel to [Imaam] Maalik [rahimahullaah] from different regions of the earth, and one of those [people] who travelled to him was Yahyah Ibn Yahyah Al-Naysaabooriy [rahimahullaah] – the great Imaam, about whom Imaam Ahmad said, “I have not seen someone like him. He [i.e. Yahyah] read Al-Muwatta to Maalik, then he remained with him; so Maalik noticed that and [wondered] why Yahyah was still with him! So, he patiently waited and after a long time he asked Yahyah, “Why are you [still] sitting here [i. studying with me]?” He said, “To learn from your manners.”

Sadly, you see that many people refrain from coming to the scholars to acquire knowledge from them. This – and Allaah knows best – is the cause of self-deception and evil manners. And due to this, you will find that they are upon a more [severe state of] self-deception, ignorance, insolence and bad manners than others. When a person relies on himself and he is not taught by a teacher [i.e. by an upright teacher who has a recommendation to teach], but rather he teaches himself, then this is a sign of sickness. The [best and most appropriate] path is to acquire knowledge from the scholars, for they will direct you to the book that is suitable for your intellectual capacity [or level of understanding] and ability. The scholar knows and has definitely acquired experience before you. [Source: An Excerpt from Majmoo Kutub Wa Rasaa’il Wa Fataawaa Fadheelatish Shaikh Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Umayr Al-Madkhali. Vol 1. page 37. Slightly paraphrased]

Those Who Live In Awe Due To Fear of Allaah, Even Though They Are Foremost In Knowledge And Piety

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ هُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَةِ رَبِّہِم مُّشۡفِقُونَ

وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّہِمۡ يُؤۡمِنُونَ

وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِرَبِّہِمۡ لَا يُشۡرِكُونَ

وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡتُونَ مَآ ءَاتَواْ وَّقُلُوبُہُمۡ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّہُمۡ إِلَىٰ رَبِّہِمۡ رَٲجِعُونَ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ وَهُمۡ لَهَا سَـٰبِقُونَ

وَلَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَا‌ۖ وَلَدَيۡنَا كِتَـٰبٌ۬ يَنطِقُ بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۚ وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُونَ

Verily! Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord; and those who believe in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord; And those who join not anyone (in worship) as partners with their Lord; And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities, etc., have been accepted or not), because they are sure to return to their Lord (for reckoning). It is these who race for the good deeds, and they are foremost in them [e.g. offering the compulsory Salat (prayers) in their (early) stated, fixed times and so on]. And We tax not any person except according to his capacity, and with Us is a Record which speaks the truth, and they will not be wronged. [Surah Al-Muminoon Aayaat 57-62]

Few Reminders about the People Mentioned In the Above Aayah:

Their hearts are filled with fear due to the fear they have of their Lord. They fear that the justice of their Lord will take effect on them and thus they will be left with no good deeds. They are afraid of having a false good opinion about themselves that they have fulfilled the rights of their Lord and they fear that their Eemaan will cease. This is due to the fact that they know their Lord and what He deserves of exaltation and glory. This fear of theirs necessitates that they refrain from that which will bring about those evil consequences of sins and due to falling short in that which one has been commanded. They carry out that which they have been commanded, such as the prayer, zakat, hajj etc whilst fearing for themselves when their deeds will be presented in the presence of their Lord and on that Day in which they will stand in His presence [on the day of judgement] – fearing that their deeds will not save them from the punishment of Allaah due to their knowledge of their Lord and what He truly deserves of obedience through various types of worship. [Ref 1]

Ibraaheem At-Taymi [rahimahullaah] said: I do not compare my speech with my actions except fearing that my [speech] belies [my deeds]. Ibn Abee Mulayka [rahimahullaah] said: I met thirty Companions of the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and each of them was afraid of hypocrisy for himself and none of them said that he was as strong in belief as the angel Jibreel or Meekaa’eel. And Al-Hasan Al-Basri [rahimahullaah] said: It is only true believers who fear nifaaq and only a munaafiq who considers himself safe [i.e. does not fear nifaaq]. [Ref 2]


[Ref 1: (Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan). Abridged and paraphrased]; [Ref 2: Saheeh Al-Bukhaari Vol 1. Chapter 36. (What is said regarding) the fear of a believer that his good deeds may be annulled without his knowledge]

What Sincere Advice to The Muslims Necessitate

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

Sincere Advice to The Muslims: It is to guide them towards the beneficial things related to the affairs of their Aakhirah and the Dunyaa, and to aid them in that; guide them towards rectification in affairs related to their Dunyah and Aakhirah; love them for the sake of Allaah, aid them in truth, co-operate with them in good and guidance and not in sin and transgression; clarify the truth for them and advise them with it, and disapprove evil if they violate Allaah’s Right etc [Ref 1]

Teach them what they are ignorant of in their religion and aid them upon that through speech and action; repel harm from them and seek what is beneficial for them; command them with good and forbid them from evil with softness and sincerity and be compassionate towards them; respect their elder ones and have mercy on their young ones; speak to them with beautiful admonition and abandon deceiving and envying them; love for them what you love for yourself and hate for them what you hate for yourself; defend their wealth, honour and other than that through speech and action [Ref 2]


[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Sharh Arba’een An-Nawawi by Shaikh Saaleh Aala Shaikh (hafidhahullaah)] page: 81]; [Ref 2: An Excerpt from Sharh Saheeh Muslim: 2/39]

Mobile Phone Infatuation And Breaking The Law Whilst Driving

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

Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] said:

We are greatly in need of the Qur’aan, especially this era in which many people have become preoccupied with mobile phones. Many hearts have become infatuated with mobile phones and many eyes have been turned towards them – looking at them in a manner that has no benefit; rather it is harmful to one’s religion, manners, health and well-being. This reality [i.e. preoccupying oneself with mobile phones] grieves many of those who have great zeal for the religion – the sincere advisers – because it has become the case with many people; but on the contrary, the Qur’aan is given very little attention in their lives; rather late at night, different times of the day and most of their time is spent looking at them [i.e. mobile phones] – one gaze after the other; contemplation after another contemplation! And how many a person has been plotted against by shaytaan through these mobile phones.

The good uses of mobile phones is not in need of discussion [i.e. because its benefits are well known]; rather what needs to be addressed is the great calamity that has afflicted many people by way of them- to such an extent that being busied by the mobile phone leads some people to neglect the prayer. They hear the Adhaan – Hayyaa Alas Salaah; Hayyaa Alas Salaah; Hayyaa Alal Falaah…but carry on looking into the mobile phone until the prayer finishes. The time for an obligation ordained by Allaah [i.e. Salaah] to be fulfilled arrives, but one carries on looking into his mobile phone and does not pay attention to the prayer. If it is the case that the obligatory duties are being neglected, then more so other affairs will be neglected.

Therefore, we need to acquaint ourselves with the Qur’aan, especially because mobile phones have preoccupied many people in this era. Our lives would have been far better through attainment of piety and guidance if this preoccupation with mobile phones is substituted with  looking into the Qur’aan, contemplating and pondering upon it; however, we have exchanged that which is the best for something lower. [End of quote] [Ref 1]

Using a Phone Or a Sat Nav When Driving

Brothers and sisters, there is no doubt that our mobile phones can be of great use; but from what we have witnessed so far is that it has become a great source of distraction for some of us. Amazing indeed is the affair when you see a person sending text messages and constantly checking his WhatsApp messages whilst driving. One has to remember that we place ourselves and others in great danger when engaged in such a reckless deed. On the other hand, this is what the law says regarding such a deed: https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law


[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Sharh Dhakheerah Al-Ikhwaan Fee Ikhtisaaril Is’tigh’naa Bil-Qur’aan Fee Tahseelil Ilm Wal-Eemaan. Lesson 2. Slightly paraphrased]

The Clear Proofs Established – Through The Advent of The Unlettered Prophet- Against The Idolaters And Those People of The Scripture Who Used to Hide The Truth  

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ

He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves. [62:2]

Imaam Ibn Rajab [rahimahullaah] said:

The fact that he is from them carries two beneficial [reminders]: Firstly, indeed this Messenger was also unlettered just like the unlettered ones he was sent to. He never read a book nor wrote with his hand, as Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَمَا كُنتَ تَتْلُو مِن قَبْلِهِ مِن كِتَابٍ وَلَا تَخُطُّهُ بِيَمِينِكَ

Neither did you (O Muhammad) read any book before it (this Qur’an), nor did you write any book (whatsoever) with your right hand. [29:48]

He never left the land of his people [to reside elsewhere] in order to learn anything from them; rather he did not cease being unlettered among the unlettered nation. He neither wrote nor read until he reached the age of forty, then he was given this manifest Book [the Qur’an] that makes things clear.

Secondly: A notification that the one sent among them- the unlettered ones of Makkah in particular- knew his lineage, nobility, truthfulness, trustworthiness and chastity. He grew up among them whilst being well known for [these traits] and that he has never lied. Therefore, when it is the fact that he refrained from lying about the people, then how can he fabricate lies about Allaah. [Ref 1]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ قَدۡ جَآءَڪُمۡ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمۡ ڪَثِيرً۬ا مِّمَّا ڪُنتُمۡ تُخۡفُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن ڪَثِيرٍ۬‌ۚ قَدۡ جَآءَڪُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌ۬ وَڪِتَـٰبٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬

يَهۡدِى بِهِ ٱللَّهُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضۡوَٲنَهُ ۥ سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ وَيُخۡرِجُهُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذۡنِهِۦ وَيَهۡدِيهِمۡ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad) explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and passing over (i.e. leaving out without explaining) much.  Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light (Prophet Muhammad) and a plain Book (this Qur’an).  Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to a Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism). [Surah Al-Maa-idah Aayaat 15-16]

After Allaah made a mention of the covenant He took from the people of the scripture-the Jews and Christians- [i.e. in Aayaat 12-14 Surah Maa-idah] and that they violated it except a few amongst them, He then commanded all of them to believe in Muhammad (sallal-laahu – alayhi – wasallam).  He established the proof against them through clear signs that shows the soundness of Muhammad’s (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) Prophethood; and that is: He explained to them much of that which they concealed from mankind, even from the common people who follow their religion.

And if they [i.e. the Jews and Christians] were the ones with knowledge and no one else possessed knowledge during that era except them, then an eager seeker of knowledge would not have had any access to it, except through them. So the Messenger’s arrival with this Great Qur’aan that clarifies for them that which they used to hide amongst themselves–whilst he was unlettered and could neither read nor write–is from the surest of evidences concerning the unequivocal establishment of his Messenger ship, and likewise his qualities mentioned in their books, the presence of the prophecies about him in their books, the verses concerning the divine legislated laws against adultery and what is similar to it.

[وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن ڪَثِيرٍ -And passing over (i.e. leaving out without explaining) much]- Meaning: He abstained from explaining that which is not in agreement with the perfect and infallible wisdom contained in the divine laws. [قَدۡ جَآءَڪُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌ۬ وَڪِتَـٰبٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬- Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light (Prophet Muhammad) and a plain Book (this Qur’an)]- Meaning: The Qur’aan that gives light [to those] in the midst of the darkness of ignorance and the foolishness of misguidance. [وَڪِتَـٰبٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ – And a plain Book (this Qur’an)], for everything needed by creation [i.e. Mankind and Jinn] in their worldly and religious affairs–such as knowledge and awareness of Allaah; His Names, Attributes and Actions; knowledge of the rulings of the divine Islamic legislation and His Rulings on recompense.

Then He (The Most High ) mentioned those who are guided by this Qur’aan and the reason behind the slave being guided, so He (The Most High ) said : [يَهۡدِى بِهِ ٱللَّهُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضۡوَٲنَهُ ۥ سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ -Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace]- Meaning: It guides the one who strives and is eager to seek Allaah’s Good pleasure with a good aim; (to the) [سُبُلَ ٱلسَّلَـٰمِ -Ways of peace] that safeguards a person from punishment when he follows them and leads him to the abode of peace (i.e. paradise), and that is to possess knowledge of the truth and to act upon it- in its general and specific affairs. [وَيُخۡرِجُهُم مِّنَ – And He brings them out] from the darkness of disbelief,  bidah, disobedience, ignorance and heedlessness, and enters them into the light of Imaan, the Sunnah, obedience, knowledge and remembrance of Allaah.  All these affairs of guidance are reached by the permission of Allaah- The One that whatever He wills has to take place and whatever He does not will cannot take place. [وَيَهۡدِيهِمۡ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ – And guides them to a Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism)]. [Ref 2]


[Ref 1: Source: An Excerpt from Lataa’if Al-Ma’aarif. Page 166-16. slightly paraphrased]; [Ref 2: An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam Sa’di (rahimahullaah). Slightly paraphrased