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Tag: tests

Strive for the Hereafter and Do Not Procrastinate – Shaykh Khalid Adh-Dhufayri

O servants of Allah! Remember that this abode is that of trials, tribulations and tests, so walk the path to the afterlife and beware of procrastination and negligence. Do not be among those who hope for (reward) in the afterlife without deeds, delaying repentance because of continued eagerness for this world and preoccupied with it. Indeed, the appointed time of death is hidden and death comes suddenly, so do not be deceived by Allah’s Forbearance because Allah gives respite but does not forget, and indeed Paradise and Hellfire are closer to you than your shoelaces.


Shaykh Abu Abdillah Khalid adh-Dhufayri (Allah preserve him).

Fitnah is Inevitable – Shaykh Muqbil (rahimahullah)

Al-Allaamah Al-Muhaddith Muqbil ibn Hadi Al-Waadi’ee (rahimahullah) stated regarding fitnah,

It’s inevitable that there will be trials, tribulations and tests, Allah (The Mighty and Majestic) says,

‎ونبـلوكم بالـشر والخيـر فتـنة
We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good (21:35)

That which is important is to remain patient and firm (during fitnah).


Al-Jaami’u Al-Kabeer v.1 pg.608

What Are Examples of a Calamity in a Person’s Religion – Shaykh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaami

Ash-Shaykh Al-Allaamah Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaami [may Allah have mercy upon him] was asked about calamities in a person’s religion, he responded,

“We ask Allah [the Most High] that He does not put us to trial in our religion. A calamity in religion is like what the atheists, the orientalists, the ba’athists, Marxists have been afflicted with and all other heretics (besides the ones mentioned). Whoever is put to trial in his Aqeedah with deviation, and put to trial in his worship with Bidah, then indeed he has been put to trial with calamities in his religion. These are (some) types of calamities in a person’s religion which (a person) must – at all times – seek refuge from, because you will be rewarded – if you were patient – when facing a calamity in worldly affairs, whereas a calamity in religion is a more severe calamity”. (1)

Shuraih Al-Qaadhiy [may Allah have mery upon him] said, “Indeed (when) afflicted by a calamity, I praise Allah four times: I praise Allah for not making the calamity greater than what it is. I praise Allah for granting me patience. I praise Allah for the reward I hope for in that calamity and I praise Allah for not placing that calamity in the affairs of my religion”. (2)


[Ref 1: Qurratu ‘Uyoon as-Salafiyyah bil ajwibah al-Jaamiyah pg 566. slightly paraphrased]

[Shu’ab Al-Eemaan 9507]

How does a Muslim Discern if a Calamity is Recompense for his Sins or a Test from Allāh? – Shaykh Sālih al-Fawzān

Shaykh Fawzān was asked about calamities which afflict the Muslim.

Noble Shaykh – May Allāh give you success – this questioner says,

How does a Muslim discern if a calamity that occurred to him, is due to his sins or a test from Allāh (The Mighty & Majestic)?

It is because of his sins, as Allāh said:

وَمَا أَصَابَكُم مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ

And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. (Ash-Shūra: 30)

And is there anyone who is free from sin?! Nobody is faultless; however the door of repentance is open, Alhamdulillāh.


Sharh Ighāfati al-Lahfān min Masā’id ash-Shaytān 18/05/1439

Which of Us Truly Loves Allah & His Messenger – Shaykh al-Uthaymeen

Al-Allaamah al-Faqeeh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) in explanation of aayatul imtihaan:

 

‎قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say (O Muhammad) if you (truly) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Aali Imraan: 31)

This verse is named the aayatul mihna, meaning the verse of examination, because a people claimed that they loved Allah, so Allah said to the Messenger,

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ

Say (O Muhammad) if you (truly) love Allah

This is the sign of a persons love for his Lord, that they follow the Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) and everyone who is more ardent in following the Messenger then he is more beloved to Allah, however lets ponder and look at the result of loving Allah; Allah did not command the Messenger to say “If you love Allah, follow me and be truthful in that” rather He said

يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ

Allah will love you

and this is the tremendous fruit and result which every person seeks. Hence the reality is that you loving Allah is not the same as you being loved by Allah. Due to this He said,

فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ

then follow me, Allah will love you

Therefore if you were to seek after the Love of Allah and you love Him, then it is upon you to follow the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah upon him).

Is it possible to understand from this verse that the actions of the people of innovation belies their claim of loving the messenger (peace and blessings upon him)?

The answer to this, is yes, because we say, if you truly loved the messenger, you would indeed follow him, and if you truly loved Allah, you would definitely follow the Messenger, and if you truly took him (peace and blessings of Allah upon him) as a leader you would not precede him (i.e. utter statements or perform actions which he did not legislate), and how can he be your leader in reality whilst you oppose him, so where is the following of this leadership?

And due to this blatant opposition, how easy it is to destroy their claims; those who say, you don’t celebrate the birthday of the Prophet, and you don’t perform long extended poetic salaat and salaam and praise upon him,  therefore you don’t love him. So we say in reply to them, Glory be to Allah! Which of us has more right to loving the Messenger?! Those who follow his Sunnah and do not leave it, or those who perform that which he (peace and blessings of Allah upon him) warned against of innovations?! There is no doubt that those who truly love Allah is the first type, and destroying their claims does not require a strong axe, rather it is very easy to destroy.


Paraphrased from Sharh Iqtida as-Siratul Mustaqeem pg 723-724

Does Allah Love You? – Shaykh ‘Abdul Mohsin al-‘Abbaad

Does Allah Love You?

Shaykh ‘Abdul Mohsin al-‘Abbaad mentioned in explanation of the verse:

‎قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say (O Muhammad) if you (truly) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Aali Imraan: 31)

“Meaning, you have received more than you desired by loving Him, i.e. Allah loves YOU, and this is greater than you loving Him.

Some wise scholars said:

The issue isn’t that you love (Allah), indeed it is only that you are loved (by Allah).

Al-Hasan Al-Basri and other than him from the Salaf said:

A people claimed to love Allah so he tested them with this verse:

‎قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say (O Muhammad) if you (truly) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Aali Imraan: 31)

This is why some of the Salaf named this verse: aayatul imtihaan and ikhtibaar (Verse of Examination).


Min Kunooz al-Quraan al-Kareem, Tafseer Aayaat min al-Kitaab al-Azeez ( Kutub wa Rasaa’il ‘Abdul Mohsin vol.1 pg. 196)

Reflect deeply upon these tremendous words and contemplate upon your inner belief or possibly outward claims to love Allah and His Messenger.

Are you worshipping Allah sincerely?

Are you following the prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa salam) in all possible ways (statements, actions and manners)?

Or are you opposing the commands of Allah and the guidance of His final messenger (alayhis salaatu was salaam)?

‎قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say (O Muhammad) if you (truly) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Aali Imraan: 31)

 

Trials and Tests Distinguish the Believer from the Hypocrite – Shaykh Fawzān

Shaykh Ṣālih Al-Fawzān (hafidahullāh):

From the Way of Allāh – The Glorified, The Most High – with his creation, is that he trials and tests them. He does not leave them without trials and tribulation, for if he was to leave mankind without trialling them, then the believer would not be distinguished from the hypocrite and the truthful would not become clear from the liar.


Source: Official Website of the Shaykh