“Riyaa is that you perform an act (of worship) and intend that the people see you, praise and commend you. And from that is to perform an act (of worship) in order to be heard, such as reading (the Qur’aan) in order that you are praised and that it is said: ”Indeed, his reading is good and beautiful”; or you perform a lot of Dhikr in order that you are praised and it is said: “He performs a lot of dhikr;” or you enjoin good and forbid evil so that you are praised and commended. This is Riyaa and Shirk Asghar. Therefore, it is obligatory to be mindful of this and that you perform your deeds for the Sake of Allaah alone; and not for the people, their praises and commendations for you; rather you learn in order to act and teach your brothers. And you lead them in the prayer whilst hoping for the reward from Allaah and intending to benefit them, and not out of an intention to be seen or heard.
Excerpts from the full article – taken from Salafipublications.
They are those who proceed upon the way of the Companions and those who followed them in righteousness, in clinging to the Book and the Sunnah, biting onto that with their molar teeth, and letting them (i.e., the Qur’aan and the Sunnah) take precedence over any statement or code and conduct – whether in belief, or acts of worship such as dealings and transactions, mannerisms, politics or social life…
They are those who are observant and lie in wait for every group that has deviated from the way of Islaam, like the Jahmees and the Mu’tazilees and the Khawaarij and the Rawaafidh and the Murji’ah and the Qadriyyah and all of those who have deviated from the way of Allaah and have followed their desires in every time and place – they not affected by the reproach of the blamers, in the cause of Allaah
They are the group that the Messenger of Allaah has praised and commended in his saying, “There will not cease to be a group from my Ummah manifest and upon the truth not being harmed by those who forsake them neither by those who oppose them until the hour is established.” [1]
They are the Saved Sect firm upon that which the Messenger and his Companions were upon, those who have been distinguished and defined by the Messenger of Allaah when he mentioned that this Ummah shall divide into seventy three sects all going to the Hell-fire except one and it was said, “Who are they, O Messenger of Allaah?” He said, “They are those who are upon that which I and my Comapnions are upon.”
And this is not something we say in exageration or a mere claim, but verily we speak a reality that the text of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah bears witness to, which history bears witness to, and to which their (i.e., the Ahlul-Hadeeth’s) statements, their state of affairs, their writings and works also bear witness to. They are those who put before their eyes the statement of Allaah: And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allaah. [2]….
They are the most staunch in distancing themselves from opposing the command of the Messenger and the most distant from fitnah…
Full article here: http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=SLF01&articleID=SLF010003&articlePages=1
The reaction of King ‘Abdul-‘Azeez as-Su’ood upon being praised in lines of poetry.
Once, during one of King ‘Abdul-‘Azeez as-Su’ood’s (rahimahullaah) trips to the town of al-Kharj (7th of Dhul-Hijjah 1363AH -approx: 23rd November 1944CE) a poet from the people of Najd entered upon him. In his hand was a poem he had written, and so he sought permission from the King to read it out. He began: You are our hope and in you is hope… Upon hearing this King ‘Abdul-‘Azeez called out in rejection and glanced across the gathering to Shaykh Hamad al-Jaasir, saying, “O Ibn Jaasir, take this man and teach him some Tawheed!” [Source: Min Hayaatil-Malik ‘Abdil-‘Azeez, pg.71]
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said: A slave (of Allaah) will not (truly actualize the statement) ”you alone we worship (O Allaah)”, except by way of two fundamental principles: The first of them is to follow the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and the second is sincerity to the (only true object) of worship (i.e. Allaah) [source-page: 68تهذيب المدارج ]
What are the obligations a woman is to fulfil in order to become a female Muslim who adheres to her Religion?
Answer:
It is obligatory upon a person– be it a man or woman– to enter into the fold of Islaam and testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; (he/she should) establish the five daily prayers, pay the zakat, fast the month of Ramadaan and perform the hajj if the means to that is made possible. And (he/she) should believe and adhere to the pillars of Eemaan and they are: Belief in Allaah, belief in His Angels, belief in His Books, belief in His Messengers, belief in the last day and belief in the pre-decree—its good and evil. (And he/she) should fulfil all the remaining obligations and keep away from the forbidden things. So by way of this (a person) becomes a true Muslim.
[Fataawaa Lajnah Ad-Daa-imah 11/17; quoted in Fataawaa Al-Mar’atul Muslimah page25: publishers Daar as-Sahaabah]
Does fearing the Jinn enter into natural fear or not?
Answer:
Fearing the jinn; if it is inner fear and if it is believed that the jinn can benefit and harm you, then this enters into shirk: ‘And verily, there were men among mankind who took shelter with the masculine among the jinns, but they (jinns) increased them (mankind) in sin and disbelief.’ [Surah Al-Jinn Verse 6]
And in the most part/cases fear of the jinn – and Allah knows best – falls into the fear (that is regarded to be) worship; because it is believed that by way of it (jinn) you can be harmed or benefitted, whilst no one has the ability to cause harm or benefit except Allah, neither the jinn nor the people, as the Messenger of Allah sallaallaahu alaihi wa sallam said: “Know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit with anything except that which Allaah has already recorded for you. If they gather to harm you by something, they would not be able to harm you by anything except what Allaah has already recorded against you.” (Tirmidhee Hasan saheeh)
And the true believer does not fear (anyone or anything) except Allah (The Mighty and Majestic). “So fear them not, but fear me if indeed you are (true) believers” [Aali Imran verse 175]; Meaning the inner fear, the fear (that is regarded to be) worship. As for fear of a snake, a lion or a corrupt person – meaning he who attacks you and you are not able to resist/fight him, then this is natural fear (and) it does not harm. This does not harm – Inshaa Allah – and it has no effect on the Aqeedah.
However fear of jinn in most cases is a fear established upon corrupted beliefs! The Messenger sallaallaahu alaihi wa sallam has given you weapons and has taught you; Read ayatul kursi, read Surah al Falaq and Surah an Nas to be protected. The remembrance of Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) protects you from them. Use the means which will protect you from them and from every type of harm—from snakes, scorpions and from other than them, (reciting): َعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ التَّامَّة مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ
I seek refuge in the Perfect Words of Allah from the evil of what He has created.) (Recite three times in the evening.) If you said this nothing will come to you (of harm), neither a jinn nor a snake nor other than them. Nothing will harm you (by permission of Allah) and this is (when) it is done with sincerity and truthfulness. May Allah bless you all.
Fataawa fil Aqeedah wal manhaj [Shaykh Rabee Al Madkhali]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy
Indeed Tawheed is the foundation upon which Islaam is founded. It is its pre-requisite by way of which (one’s Islaam) is acknowledged (in the sight of Allaah) and by way of which good deeds are accepted. By way of it sins are pardoned and the slave is entered into paradise and saved from the hell fire. Due to (Tawheed), there occurred the dispute between the Messengers and the polytheists, and the swords of Jihaad were unsheathed. Due to (Tawheed), the Jinn, mankind, paradise and hell fire were created; and righteous deeds are cancelled through that which nullifies (Tawheed) and that is Shirk. Allaah (The Most High) said:
”And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad ), as it was to those (Allah’s Messengers) before you: “If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.” Nay! But worship Allah (Alone and none else), and be among the grateful.’’ [Soorah Az-Zumar: Aayaat 65-66]
All sins can be pardoned except shirk. Allaah (The Most High) said: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا
”Verily! Allah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners in worship with Him, but He forgives whom he pleases sins other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, has indeed strayed far away.’’ [Soorah An-Nisaa: Ayah: 116]
And due to shirk the slave is prevented from entry into paradise and hell fire is imposed upon him for eternity. Therefore for this reason giving concern to Tawheed is the most important affair amongst all important affairs and the greatest of all obligations. Abandoning (Tawheed), turning away from it and from learning it is the greatest calamity. And due to this it is incumbent upon every slave (of Allaah) to learn (Tawheed) and to learn that which nullifies and negates it, or that which diminishes it and infringes its rights.
For further details, see: Ash-Sharh Al-Moojaz, page: 5 onwards
