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Tag: Qur’aan

Few Moral Lessons From The Encounter Between Prophet Sulaymaan [alayhi salaam] And The Ants

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَانَ جُنُودُهُ مِنَ الْجِنِّ

وَالْإِنْسِ وَالطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ

حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَتَوْا عَلَىٰ وَادِ النَّمْلِ قَالَتْ

نَمْلَةٌ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّمْلُ ادْخُلُوا

مَسَاكِنَكُمْ لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ

سُلَيْمَانُ وَجُنُودُهُ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًا مِنْ قَوْلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ

أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِي

أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَالِدَيَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ

صَالِحًا تَرْضَاهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِي بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِي

عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ

And there were gathered before Sulaiman (Solomon) his hosts of jinns and men, and birds, and they all were set in battle order (marching forwards). Till, when they came to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: “O ants! Enter your dwellings, lest Sulaiman (Solomon) and his hosts crush you, while they perceive not.” So he [Sulaiman (Solomon)] smiled, amused at her speech and said: “My Lord! Inspire and bestow upon me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your righteous slaves.” [27: 17-19]

Few Reminders From The Above Aayaat:

The ant sought an excuse for the army if they would have harmed its colony due to being unaware of their presence and it blamed its colony if they failed to take precaution by not entering their dwelling place. And due to this, Sulaymaan [alayhis salaam] smiled because indeed it is something that should bring about amazement and make someone smile. [Ref 1]

The ant knew Sulaymaan’s [alayhis salaam] affair and that of his army, exalted Sulaymaan’s [alayhis salaam] authority and excused them if they crushed its colony because that would have occurred unintentionally.

Sulaymaan [alayhis-salaam] heard the ant’s speech and understood it, so he smiled due to being amazed by the ant’s eloquence, [good] advice and fine expression. This is how the Prophets were – perfect manners and expressing their amazement in the right circumstances. They do not laugh; rather they smile just as the Messenger  [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] mostly used to smile, for indeed a loud burst of laughter is an indication of feeble mindedness and bad manners.

On the other hand, the one who does not become amazed by what should amaze a person, then this is an indication of ill-humour and haughtiness, and the Messengers of Allaah are free from that. [Ref 2]

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah’ Vol 2′ pages 279-282). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’. Slightly paraphrased]

Allāh Replaces Sins with Good Deeds When You Repent – Shaykh Uthaymīn

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Must Read, Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

‏Shaykh Uthaymīn (rahimahullāh) in explanation of verse 12 in Al-Hujurāt:

Repentance (tawbah) from the servant is to move from disobeying Allāh to obeying Him. And repentance from Allāh means that Allāh accepts the repentance of the servant and subsequently exchanges his sins for good deeds.

Shaykh Uthaymīn’s Tafsīr Sūrah al- Hujurāt – Al-Hadīd Pg. 50

Which is Better: To Memorise All of The Quran or Contemplation – Shaykh b. Bāz

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Qur'aan, Ramadhan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: Which of the two is best, that a person memorises (the whole or significant portion of the) Quran whilst not contemplating on it, or he memorises a little whilst contemplating and pondering on its meanings?

A: Memorising and contemplating (together) is best, the one who memorises and recites, even if only by looking and contemplating this is knowledge.And if it is easy for him to memorise it completely, this is good upon good, however giving importance to contemplating on the Quran, even if he had to look and recite from the Mushaf, is better than merely memorising without contemplation.

Shaykh ibn Bāz’s Sharh Kitāb at-Tawhīd min Sahīh al-Bukhāri pg 411

Contemplation and Understanding of The Qurān – Shaykh b. Bāz

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Qur'aan, Ramadhan, Sahaabah, Seeking Knowledge.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Shaykh b. Bāz (rahimahullāh) said,

In general, memorisation is from knowledge and fahm is greater and the head and foundation of knowledge is the Qurān.

Therefore whoever desires knowledge then let him contemplate on the Qurān and give importance to the Qurān, in terms of memorisation, contemplation, revision and action upon it.

And the knowledge of the companions, most of it was from the Qurān, some of them did not memorise except a few ahādīth; however Allāh benefited them by their knowledge and their concern with the Book of Allāh (Azza wa Jal).

Shaykh ibn Bāz’s Sharh Kitāb at-Tawhīd min Sahīh al-Bukhāri pg 410-411

22 Benefits Extracted By Shaykh al-‘Uthaymīn from the Verses of Fasting (Al-Baqarah:183-186)

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Featured, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

‎يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

O you who believe! Observing As-Ṣaum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqūn (the pious – see V. 2:2).

‎أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ وَأَن تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

[Observing Ṣaum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskīn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.

‎شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

The month of Ramaḍān in which was revealed the Qurān, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Ṣaum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Ṣaum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allāh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allāh [i.e. to say Takbir (Allāhu-Akbar; Allāh is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramaḍān and Shawwāl] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.

‎وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ

And when My slaves ask you (O Muḥammad ṣallallāhu alaihi wa salam) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.

Shaykh Muḥammad Ibn Ṣālih al-‘Uthaymīn(raḥimahullāh) extrapolates 22 benefits from the 4 āyāt of Al-Baqarah:183-186:

  1. The obligation of fasting Ramaḍān upon this nation.
  2. That fasting was obligatory upon those who came before us from other nations.
  3. The importance of fasting, since it was obligatory upon all of the nations.
  4. The tremendous wisdom of fasting is to attain the Taqwa of Allāh (The Mighty & Majestic).
  5. That fasting is an easy obligation; in that it is not performed for years or months; rather it is only for a fixed number of days, specified for this nation during the month of Ramaḍān.
  6. Fasting is not obligatory to be performed by the sick person, who fasting is difficult upon, or the traveller.
  7. At the beginning of the obligation of fasting, the people had the choice between fasting or feeding a person, this was to make it easy for the people and to allow them to adjust to the obligation of fasting.
  8. Affairs wherein there is difficulty on the souls, then there is wisdom in the Islamic legislation in progressing gradually.
  9. The specifying of Ramaḍān for the obligation of fasting upon this nation.
  10. The wisdom behind specifying Ramadhan for fasting, is that the Qurān was revealed in it.
  11. The virtue of the Qurān, due to that which is mentioned of its tremendous characteristics.
  12. An exhortation and encouragement to return to the Qurān for whosoever desires guidance and beneficial knowledge.
  13. Clarification that Allāh wants for this nation, ease in their religion.
  14. Affirmation of the Will of Allāh (The Mighty & Majestic).
  15. Allah wants from us to complete the period (of fasting) and to glorify him due to Him guiding us.
  16. It is obligatory to make up the amount of fasts that were not kept in Ramadhān, even if it was 29 days (of fasts to catch up).
  17. Carrying out and establishing acts of worship is from showing thanks and gratitude to Allah (The Most High).
  18. Allah blessing upon his servants by clarifying that which they asked about Him.
  19. Allah is close to His servants by way of His Vast Knowledge of them.
  20. Allah answers the call of the supplicant, who supplicates to Him, when he supplicates to Him with sincerity and truthfulness.
  21. The obligation of seeking after the answering of a request of Allāh to your supplications and having ēmān in Him.
  22. Seeking Allāh’s response and answering of your request and having ēmān in Him is guidance and a cause of guidance in all deeds.

Al-ilmām bi b’ad Āyāt al-Ahkhām Tafsīran wa Istimbātan Pgs. 256-257

Oh Muslims, Give Concern and Time to Studying the Qurān – Al-Imām ibn Kathīr

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Al-Imām ibn Kathīr quotes and says in his Tafsīr of the Qurān:

وَإِذۡ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ ۥ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكۡتُمُونَهُ ۥ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمۡ وَٱشۡتَرَوۡاْ بِهِۦ ثَمَنً۬ا قَلِيلاً۬‌ۖ فَبِئۡسَ مَا يَشۡتَرُونَ (١٨٧)

(And remember) when Allāh took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) to make it (the news of the coming of Prophet Muhammad (sallallāhu alaihi wa salam)  and the religious knowledge) known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it, but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And indeed worst is that which they bought. ((Aali Imrān:187)

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشۡتَرُونَ بِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَيۡمَـٰنِہِمۡ ثَمَنً۬ا قَلِيلاً أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَا خَلَـٰقَ لَهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَلَا يُڪَلِّمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا يَنظُرُ إِلَيۡہِمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ وَلَا يُزَڪِّيهِمۡ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ۬ (٧٧)

Verily, those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allāh’s Covenant and their oaths, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter (Paradise). Neither will Allāh speak to them, nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they shall have a painful torment. (Aali Imrān: 77)

Allah has censured the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) due to their turning away and abandoning their revealed books; likewise they have been censured for devoting themselves (primarily) to (attaining the pleasures of) the worldly life and preoccupying themselves with other than what they have been commanded with – following the revelation (which was revealed to them).

So upon us, oh Muslims, is to refrain from those (aforementioned) affairs which caused Allāh to censure the People of the Book.

We should fulfil that which we have been commanded with. We should (pay attention and give concern to) studying the Book of Allāh, (which was revealed to us) teach it, understand it and teach its understanding (to others), Allāh said:

أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ. (الحديد:١٦)

Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allāh – Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allāh’s Reminder (this Quran), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injīl (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fāsiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allāh). [Al-Hadīd:16]

Tafsīr al-Qurān al-‘Adheem lil Imām ibn Kathīr Vol.1 pg 5

Should I Memorise Quraan or Seek Knowledge? Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Basics, Fatawa-Rulings, Monotheism - Tawheed, Qur'aan, Seeking Knowledge.

Should I Memorise Quraan or Seek Knowledge?

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan was asked a question by a youth who had reached 16 years of age and for the last 18 months had been memorising the Quraan in a hifdh program. He wanted to focus on seeking knowledge, however he was advised against this by the supervisor of the hifdh program; saying that the youth requires tarbiyyah (islamic cultivation) and that if he was to seek knowledge without tarbiyyah, it would be detrimental to him. The young man then asked Shaykh Saalih (hafidahullah) for his advice:

Seeking knowledge is tarbiyyah, there is no difference between tarbiyyah and seeking knowledge. Memorise the Quraan and seek knowledge this IS tarbiyyah.

MUHAADARAT FEE AL-AQEEDAH WA AD-DAWAH; AL-MAJMOO’A ATH-THAANIYA VOL.1 PGS. 180

Reflection: The Conditional Promise Before a Return to Strength and Authority

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Must Read, Purification of The Soul.

Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practise their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).

The Qurān Requires Understanding and Action – Shaykh Rabī

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Qur'aan.

Shaykh Rabī ibn Hādi Al-Madkhalī:

Nowadays an individual recites the Quran to another, however he does not know it’s meaning! He memorises the Quran, repeats it and he does not know it’s meaning. No understanding, and possibly he does understand, but he doesn’t act (by it).

The Quran requires understanding, implementation and action.

Al-Majmū Ar-Rāiq page 24

Reflection: [O Allaah! Distance Us From This Type of Behaviour]

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

And when some hurt touches man, he cries to his Lord (Allah Alone), turning to Him in repentance, but when He bestows a favour upon him from Himself, he forgets that for which he cried for before, and he sets up rivals to Allah, in order to mislead others from His Path. Say: “Take pleasure in your disbelief for a while: surely, you are (one) of the dwellers of the Fire!”