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Tag: worship

[1] The Three Monotheistic Religions! [Brief Observations On This Statement Uttered By Writers Who Are Ignorant About Islaam And Misguided Modernists Speaking In The Name of Islaam]

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


Firstly: We repeat once again the fact that rebutting false beliefs, ideas and views does not necessitate bad behaviour, rather Muslims are commanded to behave well towards others. Must read: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/living-with-non-muslims-in-the-west-with-fine-conduct/    https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2017/05/stance-proactive-order-protect-muslims-non-muslim-neighbours-inhuman-ideologies-devilish-acts-jihaadist-terrorists-sympathisers/

Allaah [The Most High] said:

قُلۡ يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ تَعَالَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ڪَلِمَةٍ۬ سَوَآءِۭ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابً۬ا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشۡهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ

Say (O Muhammad): “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims.” [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 64]

Meaning: say to the people of the scripture – the Jews and Christians, [تَعَالَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ڪَلِمَةٍ۬ سَوَآءِۭ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ – Come to a word that is just between us and you]- Meaning: Come let us unite upon the statement which all the Prophets and Messengers agreed upon and none opposes it, except the obstinate and misguided. This statement is not specific to anyone of us, rather it is something that you and us should establish between us, so this is justice and fairness in debate. Then Allaah explains this and said: [أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا  –  that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him]- Meaning: We should single out Allaah in worship, devoting all love, fear and hope to Him alone, and we should not associate anyone as partner with Allaah in worship- neither a Prophet, an Angel, a Righteous Person, an Idol, a Deified image, a living or non-living thing, [وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابً۬ا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ  – and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allaah]; rather all obedience is to be devoted to Allah and His Messengers. [فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشۡهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ – Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims]. [Ref 1]


The Christians wrote to Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] and claimed that Islaam considers all religions to be equal and that this has been mentioned in Suratul Baqarah as follows: [إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَلَهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡہِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ – Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve]. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 62]

So, Shaikhul Islaam [rahimahullaah] replied to them saying: So, [according to them], this statement makes all the people equal- the Yahood, the Muslims and other than them. The response to this firstly is that there is no proof for you in this ayah regarding that which you seek.  Indeed, (the ayah) places you (Christians), the Jews and the Sabians on the same level.  You (Christians) are in agreement with the Muslims that the Jews became disbelievers after belying the Messiah and the Sabians became disbelievers after belying the Messenger sent to them.  Therefore, if it were the case that this ayah exalts  the Religion you are upon after the advent of Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], then in it will also be praise for the Religion of the Jews, and both the Muslims and yourselves consider this to be falsehood.  So, if the Jews have not been praised in this Ayah after the abrogation and replacement of [their religion], then there will be no praise in it for the Christians after abrogation and replacement of [their religion]. Rather the meaning of the ayah is that those who believe in Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], and those Jews who followed Moosaa-  those who were upon his path before its abrogation and replacement; and the Christians who followed the Messiah- those who followed his path before its abrogation and replacement]; and the Sabians- the Sabian Monotheists, such as those amongst the Arabs and other than them who were upon the Religion of Ibraaheem, Ismaa’eel and Ishaaq before its abrogation and replacement, because the Arabs are from the children of Ismaa-eel and other than him from amongst those who were neighbours of the Baitul Ateeq (the ka’bah), which was built by Ibraaheem and Ismaa-eel), and they used to be Monotheists upon the religion of Ibraaheem up until one of the heads of the (Khuzaa-a clan) Amr Bin Luhai altered the religion of Ibraaheem with polytheism  and prohibited that which Allaah did not prohibit.  That is why the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi wasallam] said: “’I saw Amr Bin luhai dragging his guts in the hell fire for he was the first one who set out across the small sea and changed the religion of Ibraaheem”.   Likewise, there were those of the Children of Ishaaq who were upon the religion of Ibraaheem before the advent of Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] and they used to be from  the favoured, praised ones.  Therefore the above mentioned and others like them are those who have been praised.  Allaah said: [إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَادُواْ وَٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ وَٱلصَّـٰبِـِٔينَ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَلَهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡہِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ – Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve]. [Surah Al-Baqarah Aayah 62]

Therefore, the People of the Scripture who (came) after the abrogation and replacement of (these Religions) are neither from those who believed in Allaah and the Last day nor from those who worked righteous good deeds.  Those people of the Scripture [who came after the advent of Muhammad] disbelieved because they either substituted the religion of the Messiah or belied him or belied Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] in various affairs.  The Aayaat of the Qur’aan (about this affair) are clear and many, have been transmitted in abundance and are known by necessity in the Religion of Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]. However, these Christians approach the Qur’aan in the same way they approached the Torah and the Injeel. They make undue claims on the Muhkamaat [i.e. the texts] which do not carry except a single meaning, whilst clinging onto the Mutashaabih [i.e. the texts which must be referred back to the Muhkamaat for explanation], even though in them is there is that which is in opposition to what they desire. [Ref 2]

Finally: Refuting false ideas and claims does not negate living in harmony and peace with our non-Muslims, so must read the following articles:

Living With Non-Muslims In The West With Fine Conduct

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/living-with-non-muslims-in-the-west-with-fine-conduct/

http://www.abukhadeejah.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Living-with-Non-Muslims.pdf

Being Proactive to Protect Our Non-Muslim Neighbours

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2017/05/stance-proactive-order-protect-muslims-non-muslim-neighbours-inhuman-ideologies-devilish-acts-jihaadist-terrorists-sympathisers/


Ref 1: An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi, slightly paraphrased

Ref 2: An Excerpt from Al-Jawaabus Saheeh Liman Baddala Deenul Maseeh. Vol 2. Pages 51-52. Publisher ‘Daarul Hadeeth’ edition 1426AH – 2005. slightly paraphrased

[2] Excerpts from Talbees Iblees [The Devil’s Deception] by Imaam Ibnul Jawzi- [The Command to Adhere to The Sunnah and The Jamaa’ah]

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

Imaam Ibnul Jawzi [rahimahullaah] said:

The Command to Adhere to The Sunnah and The Jamaa’ah

Ibn Umar narrated that Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] gave a speech in the city of Jaabiyah and said, “Once Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] stood amongst us and said: ‘Whoever amongst you wishes for the best of Paradise, then let him adhere to Jamaa’ah, for indeed shaytaan is with a person who is on his own and he is more distant from two people’”. [Reported by Imaam At-Tirmidhee 2165. Declared Saheeh by Imaam Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami 2546]

Jaabir Bin Samrah [radiyallaahu-anhu] said, “Umar addressed the people at Jaabiyah and said, ‘Indeed, Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] stood in the manner I am standing and then said, ‘Whoever wants to attain the best of paradise, then let him adhere to the Jamaa’ah, for indeed shaytaan is with one who is alone and he is more distant from two people’”.  [Imaam At-Tirmidhee said, “This hadeeth is Hasan Saheeh]

Umar Ibnul Khattaab said, “Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, ‘Whoever wants the best of paradise, then let him adhere to the Jamaa’ah, for indeed shaytaan is with one who is alone and more distant from two people’”.

Abdullaah Bin Deenaar [rahimahullaah] reported from Umar [radiyallaahu-anhu] who said, “Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, ‘Whoever is pleased that he should dwell in the best of paradise, then let him adhere to the Jamaa’ah, for indeed shaytaan is with one who is alone and more distant from two people’”. [Silsilah As-Saheehah 430]

Arfajah [radiyallaahu-anhu] said, “I heard Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] say, ‘Allaah’s Hand is with the Jamaa’ah and shaytaan is with the one who opposes the Jamaa’ah’” [Reported by Imaam An-Nasaa’ee 4020. Declared Saheeh by Imaam Albaanee in Saheeh Al-Jaami 3621]

Usaamah Bin Shareek [rahimahullaah] said, “I heard Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] say, ‘Allaah’s Hand is with the Jamaa’ah, and if a person isolates them, then shaytaan seizes him just as a wolf seizes a sheep from a flock”. [Reported by Al-Laalikaa’ee in I’tiqaad Ahlis Sunnah 1/99. See Majmah Az-Zawaa’id 5/218]

Abdullaah [Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu-anhu)] said, “Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] drew a line with his hand, then said, ‘This is Allah’s Straight Path’; then he drew lines to its right and left and said, ‘These are the [other] paths, and there is not a path from them, except that there is a shaytaan calling to it’; then he recited:

وَأَنَّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ

“And this is my straight path, so follow it, and do not follow the (other) paths.” [Surah Al-An’aam. Aayah 53]

[Reported by Imaam Ahmad 4423. Declared Saheeh by Imaam Albaanee in at-Tawassul. Page 125]

Ibn Umar [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said, “Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said: ‘That which happened to Bani Israa’eel will happen to my Ummah foot step by foot step, to the extent that if one of them engaged in sexual intercourse with his mother openly, there will be one from my Ummah who will do that. And indeed, Bani Israa’eel split into seventy-two sects and my Ummah will split into seventy-three sects, all of which will be in the Hellfire, except one’; so they said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Which one is it?’ He said, ‘The one upon that which I and my Companions are upon’”. [Reported by Imaam At-Tirmidhee 2641 and declared ‘Hasan’ by Imaam Albaanee in Saheeh Al-Jaami 5343]

Mu’awiyah Ibn Abee Sufyaan [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] stood and said, “Indeed, Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] stood amongst us and said, ‘Indeed, the people of the Scripture before you split into seventy-two sects and indeed this Ummah will split into seventy-three sects; seventy two are in the Hellfire and one in paradise, and it is the Jamaa’ah. And indeed there will appear a people from my Ummah in whom desires will run through them just as rabbis runs through the one afflicted by it”. [Reported by Imaam Abu Daawud 4597. Declared Saheeh by Imaam Albaanee in Saheeh Al-Jaami 2641]

An Excerpt from Talbees Iblees with the checking of Shaikh Zayd Bin Haadee [rahiahullaah]. pages 10-15. slightly paraphrased


Articles to Read On The Propagated Signposts of The Sunnah for the Creed of the Saved and Aided Group, The Principles Regarding Unity, Splitting, The Jamaa’ah  etc:

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=SCL&subsecID=SCL11&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=SLF01&articleID=SLF010006&articlePages=1

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=slf01&articleID=SLF010005&articlePages=1

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/salafis-callers-to-unity-forbid-splitting-ahlul-bidah-hizbies-astray-hyde-park-social-media/

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/ahlus-sunnah-do-not-divide-that-is-the-methodolology-of-the-salaf/

https://www.salafisounds.com/unity-and-a-dispraise-of-splitting-by-abu-khadeejah/

https://www.salafisounds.com/unity-division-through-the-eyes-of-the-salaf-khutbah-by-abu-khadeejah/

https://soundcloud.com/salafi-publications/my-ummah-will-split-in-to-73-sects-by-abdulilah-19072019

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/this-ummah-will-divide-into-73-sects-shaykh-al-fawzan-explains-what-it-means/

The Importance of Sincere Advice  

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

Listen below:

https://www.salafisounds.com/the-religion-is-sincere-advice-by-abu-iyaad-amjad-rafiq/

Umar Ibn Abdul Azeez [rahimahullaah] said: Whoever advises his [Muslim] brother to rectify affairs related to his Deen and gives him insight in a worldly affair of his, then indeed he has perfected their relationship and fulfilled his obligation towards him. [Taareekh At-Tabari 6/572]

Imaam Al-Barbahaaree [rahimahullaah] said: It is not permissible to hide sincere advice from any of the Muslims, whether pious or impious, in matters of the religion. Whoever hides that has acted deceitfully towards the Muslims. Whoever acts deceitfully towards the Muslims has done so towards the religion. Whoever acts deceitfully towards the religion has behaved treacherously towards Allah, His Messenger and the Believers.

Shaikh Ahmad An-Najmi [rahimahullaah] said: I say: The meaning of An-Naseehah is ‘Purity’ and ‘Clearness.’ It is said: [  نصح اللبن – the milk is pure] when it is clear. This is the linguistic meaning of An-Naseehah. In the Sharee’ah, [it means] to inform a Muslim regarding what is obligated on him in relation to the [rights of Allaah or his relationship with Allaah] and His creation without slyness and false courtesy. An-Naseehah is obligatory, even though its obligation varies, and its opposite is Al-Ghish [deception].

Indeed, the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said in the Saheeh Hadeeth, “The religion is Naseehah, the religion is Naseehah, the religion is Naseehah; so, the Sahaabah said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! To who?’ He said, ‘To Allaah, His Book, His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.’”

Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu anhu] narrated that the Messenger of Allaah [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] passed by a pile of foodstuff, he put his hand in it and found that it was wet. He said, ”What is this, O seller of the foodstuff?” He said, ”It became wet due to the rain O Messenger of Allaah!” He said, ”Why do you not put it on top of the food so that people can see it? Whoever deceives [people] is not from me.” [Muslim 102]

Deception in trade is when one hides a defect [found in the commodity]. And with regards to consultation, it is when one recommends something to a person that is harmful to his religious or worldly affairs.

As for Naseehah Lil-Laah – [sincerity to Allaah]: It is to believe in Allaah [The Most High], single Him out in [His Lordship, Names and Attributes and to single Him out in worship], give precedence to obeying Him over obedience to the creation, fearing the standing in His presence [on the Day of judgement] and to be mindful of Him in private and public.

As for An-Naseehah Li-kitaabihee-[Sincerity to His Book]: It is to recite it, ponder upon its meanings, act upon it and believe in the information it contains. As for Naseehah Li-Rasoolihee – [Sincerity to His Messenger]: It is to testify to that which he has informed [us], fulfil what he  commanded, keep away from what he has forbidden, exalt and honour him [salawaatu wasalaamuhu alayhi].

An-Naseehah Li-A’immatil Muslimeen- [Sincerity to the leaders of the Muslims]: It is to obey them in that which does not necessitate disobedience to Allaah, to refrain from betraying them, send them advice through those who are able to advise them in private, because that is the manner that will be more suitable for advice to be accepted. An-Naseehah Li-Aammatil Muslimeen- [sincerity to the common Muslims]: It is to call them to the path of Allaah, teach them what is beneficial and warn them against that which will harm them.


Ir’shaad As-Saariy Fee Sharhis Sunnati Lil-Barbahaaree. Pages 157-158. slightly paraphrased]

Do Not Be Shy! [Ask The Upright Student of Knowledge In Your Country If You Cannot Understand His Statement On a Particular Subject Matter]

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

Employ Careful Deliberation Before Transmitting or Making Judgements On Statements

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah]

Verification is one of the most important affairs, if not the most important. Verifying what is transmitted from others is an important affair, because sometimes the transmitters harbour evil intentions, so they transmit – intentionally and deliberately – that which will tarnish the reputation of the one they transmit from. And sometimes they do not harbour an evil intention, but they understand something in a manner that is opposite to what is intended by it. Therefore, it is obligatory to verify. So, when the proof [sound source] of the transmission is established, then the one from whom the statement was transmitted is engaged in a discussion [or his statement is examined] before a judgement is passed as to whether it is a mistake or not. That is because it may become clear to you – by way of discussion [or observation] – that the one from whom the statement was transmitted is correct. And if not, then what is known is that if a person were to immediately pass a judgement merely based on what he hears, he will transmit things [i.e. statements, views, opinions etc] from some of the scholars – those considered to be the beacons of [Sharee’ah] knowledge – that which the souls will dislike; but when one verifies, contemplates and establishes contact with this Shaikh, the affair will become clarified [or clear to him]. [Excerpt from Sharh Hilyatil Taalibil Ilm Pages 75-76. By Shaikh Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah). Paraphrased]

Ask Questions to Understand, and Benefit Others, But Not For The Purpose of Fitna Or Merely Seeking to Hit One Statement of a Student Which You Do Not Agree With Against Another Statement!

Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] said:

It is not a condition that a questioner can only ask about what he does not know, rather he can ask about something he knows but is not known to others; so he asks a question in order to facilitate understanding for others.

If you are in the presence of a scholar and you know that some of those present fall short in affairs related to the prayer- either lackadaisical or that they do not perform the prayer on time, or that they fall short in some of its Shuroot [conditions] and waajibaat [obligatory acts of the prayer] – so you ask a question regarding these affairs even though you know the answer; you ask in order to benefit those who are present and so that they are facilitated with understand in their religion. These types of questions are very beneficial as opposed to questions that are not correct – that is because some people ask questions in order to confuse those present and bring about doubts etc. A question cannot be beneficial unless the questioner intends to benefit himself and others.

When Jibreel [alayhis-salaam] came to the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] he did not appear as a teacher, rather he asked questions, even though the Messenger described him as one who came to teach the people their religion. This shows that the one who asks a scholar a question in order that the people can learn what they do not know is rewarded like one who teaches people their religion.

A scholar teaches people directly, but the one who asks the scholar a question becomes a means for the people to learn, for the one who guides to good is like one who does the good deed.  For example if you ask a student of knowledge in your country to give lessons in your Masjid –to teach the forty hadeeth of An-Nawawi or other books of the scholars, and you inform him of the needs of the people, so he begins to teach, explain and revise etc you will receive all that reward. The one who guides to good is just like one who performs the good deed. The commoner can be a means to teaching others by asking a scholar, or by gathering other commoners to take them to the circles of knowledge, disseminating beneficial audio lectures etc. [An excerpt from ‘Sharh of the forty hadeeth of Imaam An-Nawawi (rahimahullaah)’. Lesson number 2]

Few Aayaat of The Qur’aan Regarding The Believers and Their Salaah

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

قَدۡ أَفۡلَحَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ (١) ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ فِى صَلَاتِہِمۡ خَـٰشِعُونَ (٢) وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَنِ ٱللَّغۡوِ مُعۡرِضُونَ (٣) وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِلزَّكَوٰةِ فَـٰعِلُونَ (٤)وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِفُرُوجِهِمۡ حَـٰفِظُونَ (٥) إِلَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَزۡوَٲجِهِمۡ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَـٰنُہُمۡ فَإِنَّہُمۡ غَيۡرُ مَلُومِينَ (٦) فَمَنِ ٱبۡتَغَىٰ وَرَآءَ ذَٲلِكَ فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡعَادُونَ (٧) وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِأَمَـٰنَـٰتِهِمۡ وَعَهۡدِهِمۡ رَٲعُونَ (٨) وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَٲتِہِمۡ يُحَافِظُونَ (٩) أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡوَٲرِثُونَ (١٠) ٱلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلۡفِرۡدَوۡسَ هُمۡ فِيہَا خَـٰلِدُونَ (١١)

Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salaat [prayers] with all solemnity and full submissiveness. And those who turn away from Al-Laghw [dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allah has forbidden]. And those who pay the Zakaat. And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts), except from their wives or those whom their right hands possess, for then, they are free from blame; but whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors; those who are faithfully true to their Amanaat [all the duties which Allah has ordained, honesty, moral responsibility and trusts etc.] and to their covenants; and those who strictly guard their (five compulsory congregational) Salawaat [prayers] [at their fixed stated hours]. These are indeed the inheritors. Who shall inherit the Firdaus [Paradise]. They shall dwell therein forever. [Surah Al-Muminoon. Aayaat 1-11]

[ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ فِى صَلَاتِہِمۡ خَـٰشِعُونَ- Those who offer their Salaat [prayers] with all solemnity and full submissiveness]: Solemnity in the prayer: It is attentiveness of the heart in the presence of Allaah [The Exalted]; attentive [to the fact that] Allaah is close [i.e. by His knowledge, hearing and sight] and thus the person’s heart becomes submissive, his soul [enters a state] of solemnity, his movements [in the prayer are performed] with repose, he [experiences] little distraction, well behaved in the presence of his Lord, pays attention to everything he says and does in his prayer – from the beginning to the end – and thus all the whispering of shaytaan is repelled, [and likewise] all evil thoughts. This is the essence of the prayer and the aim behind it. It is the type of prayer for which a person is rewarded is in full. [As for the prayer] that is neither performed  with tranquillity nor an attentive heart, then even though the person will gain some reward, however reward is based on the strength [or level] of the heart’s attentiveness. [1]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ

الَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَاقُو رَبِّهِمْ وَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

And seek help in patience and prayer, and truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for those who humble in the presence of their Lord.” They are those who are certain that they are going to meet their Lord, and that to Him they are going to return. [Al-Baqarah: Ayah: 45-46]

Indeed, it [i.e. seeking help in patience and prayer] is heavy upon other than those who are humble before Allaah, because the hearts [of those who are not humble before Allaah] are devoid of love of Allaah, exaltation of Him, glorification of Him and humility in His presence. They have little desire in asking Allaah for the good things of the worldly and the afterlife, and [they have little desire] in seeking His protection from the evil affairs of this life and the next. That is because the presence of the slave’s heart and mind in the prayer, being humble within [the prayer], seeking for perfection in it, disconnecting his mind and heart from everything whilst in the prayer, and striving with great effort to establish and fulfil it, then [all of this takes place] in accordance with the strength of his fervent desire [to please Allaah, hoping for Allaah’s reward and fearing Allaah’s punishment]. [2]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَٮِٕمَّةً۬ يَہۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِمۡ فِعۡلَ ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ وَإِقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءَ ٱلزَّڪَوٰةِ‌ۖ وَكَانُواْ لَنَا عَـٰبِدِينَ

And We made them [i.e. Ibraaheem, Ishaaq and Ya’qoob (alayhimus-salaam)] leaders, guiding [mankind] by Our Command, and We inspired in them the doing of good deeds, performing Salaat, and the giving of Zakaat and of Us (Alone) they were worshippers. [Surah Al-Anbiyaa. Aayah 73]

[وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَٮِٕمَّةً۬  – And We made them leaders]– Meaning: Leaders  who were guides for others to good. [يَہۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا  – by Our Command]– Meaning: They called people to the religion ordained by Allaah based on Allaah’s command. [Ref 3]

[وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِمۡ فِعۡلَ ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ   – And We inspired in them the doing of good deeds]– Meaning: They performed good deeds and called people to it. This includes all types of good deeds related to the rights of Allaah and the rights of the people. [وَإِقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءَ ٱلزَّڪَوٰةِ‌ۖ– performing Salaat, and the giving of Zakaat]: This is a specific mention of something in connection to a general affair due to the nobility and virtue of these two acts of worship [i.e. Salaah and Zakaat]; because whoever performs them perfectly will establish his religion and whoever neglects them will be more negligent towards other affairs of the religion; and [also because] Salaah is the best of deeds related to the rights of owed to Allaah and Zakaat is the best of deeds related to the rights owed to Allaah’s servants.

[وَكَانُواْ لَنَا عَـٰبِدِين – and of Us (Alone) they were worshippers]– Meaning: They were worshippers of Allaah and not worshippers of others; and they worshipped Allaah through acts of worship of the heart [i.e. such as love, fear, hope, reliance upon Allaah etc], statements [i.e. all acts of worship uttered by the tongue] and actions [i.e. deeds of the limbs]. [Ref 4]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَٱذۡكُرۡ فِى ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ إِسۡمَـٰعِيلَ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ كَانَ صَادِقَ ٱلۡوَعۡدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولاً۬ نَّبِيًّ۬ا

وَكَانَ يَأۡمُرُ أَهۡلَهُ ۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرۡضِيًّ۬ا

And mention in the Book [the Qur’an] Ismaa’eel [Ishmael]. Verily! He was true to what he promised, and he was a Messenger, [and] a Prophet. And he used to enjoin on his family and his people As-Salat [the prayers] and the Zakat, and his Lord was pleased with him. [Surah Maryam. Aayaat 54-55]

[وَكَانَ يَأۡمُرُ أَهۡلَهُ ۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرۡضِيًّ۬ا – And he used to enjoin on his family and his people As-Salat [the prayers] and the Zakat, and his Lord was pleased with him]- Meaning: He used to enjoin Allaah’s command on his family – used to command them to establish the prayer which necessitates sincerity and servitude to Allaah, and he used to command them to give Zakaat which necessitates kind treatment towards the slaves of Allaah. So, he [i.e. Ismaa’eel (alayhis salaam)] perfected   himself and others, especially his family – the closest people to him – because they are more worthy of his call [i.e. the guidance he called to] than others. [5]


[1: Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan. (paraphrased)]

[2: Badaa’i-u At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah: vol: 1 page: 125. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Zaarul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer’. By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 4: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

[5: Source: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. slightly paraphrased

A Statement About Prohibition Against Innovations In The Religion That Can Be Understood By Everyone With Some Common Sense!

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

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] said:

Groups amongst the people thought that the religion needed innovation, especially in their chosen path; but the affair is not as they thought, for indeed Allaah [The Exalted] said: [ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمَ دِينً۬ا‌ۚ – This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion]. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Aayah 3].

Likewise, other texts shows that the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] acquainted the Ummah with everything they need in their religious affairs. Allaah said: [وَمَا ڪَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُضِلَّ قَوۡمَۢا بَعۡدَ إِذۡ هَدَٮٰهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ يُبَيِّنَ لَهُم مَّا يَتَّقُونَ‌ۚ – And Allah will never lead a people astray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them as to what they should avoid]. [Surah At-Tawbah. Aayah 115]

The Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said: “Verily the one – among you – who lives long will see a lot of differing, so you must adhere to my Sunnah and to the Sunnah of the Khulafaa Ar Raashideen [the rightly guided caliphs], hold onto it firmly with your molar teeth” [i.e. adhere to it firmly].

Had it been that the Sunnah of the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi wasallam] and that of the Khulafaa Ar-Raashideen is not suitable and sufficient for the believer during times of much differing, it would not be permissible to command that one [returns and adheres to it]. And also he [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] used to say in his sermons, “The worst of all affairs [in the religion] are the newly invented matters and every innovation [in the religion] is misguidance”. [An Excerpt from Al-Istiqaamah. Pages 35-36. slightly paraphrased]

The First Command In The Qur’aan

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

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ

ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِرَشً۬ا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً۬ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ رِزۡقً۬ا لَّكُمۡ‌ۖ فَلَا تَجۡعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ أَندَادً۬ا وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious) – Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped). [Surah Al-Baqarah’ Aayaat 21-22]

The statement ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah’ necessitates ‘negation’ and ‘affirmation’. Negating every other thing worshipped besides Allaah because they are not worthy of worship, and affirming that Allaah alone is the true deity worthy of worship. The religion of Tawheed is founded upon these two foundations, just as Allaah stated that Ibraaheem [alayhis salaam] said to his people:

وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ

And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said to his father and his people: “Verily, I am innocent of what you worship; Except Him (i.e. I worship none but Allah Alone) Who did create me, and verily, He will guide me.” [Surah Az-Zukhruf’ Aayaat 26-27]

This was the path of every Messenger sent by Allaah [to the people]. Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ

And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah).” [Surah An-Nahl’ Aayah 36]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

فَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ وَيُؤۡمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰ لَا ٱنفِصَامَ لَهَا‌ۗ

Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. [Surah Al-Baqarah’ Aayah 256]

Whoever says that ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah’ has indeed declared his freedom from every other thing worshipped besides Allaah and obligated on himself [or herself] to worship Allaah [alone]. This is a covenant obligated by a person on himself [or herself]. [Allaah (The Most High) said]:

فَمَن نَّكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنكُثُ عَلَىٰ نَفۡسِهِۦ‌ۖ وَمَنۡ أَوۡفَىٰ بِمَا عَـٰهَدَ عَلَيۡهُ ٱللَّهَ فَسَيُؤۡتِيهِ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمً۬ا

Then whosoever breaks his pledge, breaks only to his own harm, and whosoever fulfills what he has covenanted with Allah, He will bestow on him a great reward. [Surah Al-Fath’ Aayah 10]

Laa Ilaaha Ilal laah – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah – is a declaration of Tawheed Al-Ibaadah [i.e. to single Allaah out in worship]. Therefore, whoever says this statement, knows its meaning, acts upon what it necessitates by negating shirk and affirming that Allaah alone is the true deity worthy of worship and believes in that, then he [or she] is a true Muslim.

And whoever says this statement and acts upon what it necessitates – outwardly; but does not believe in it -in his heart, then he [or she] is a hypocrite. And whoever says this statement, but acts in opposition to it by committing shirk [Ref 7]-negating what it necessitates, he is a disbeliever, even if he repeats this statement many times[Ref 8] [NB: Reader must refer to footnotes 7 and 8 at the end of this article regarding types of Shirk and Al-Udhr Bil-Jahl (the excuse of ignorance)].

This is the state of the grave worshippers of today – those who say this statement, but neither do they understand its meaning nor does it have any effect on their acts of worship; so, you see one of them saying, “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah”, but then he also says, “O Abdul Qaadir [i.e. Abdul Qaadir Jaylaani]! Grant me aid and assistance. O Badawi! O such and such.” He appeals to the dead people and seeks their help when faced with afflictions. [Ref 9]

Indeed, the polytheists of the earlier era had a better understanding of  Laa ilaaha ilal laah than these people [i.e. the grave worshippers of our era], because when the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said to them, “Say (i.e. testify) that ”There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah”, they knew that he was commanding them to abandon idol worship and to worship Allaah alone; so, this why -as Allaah informed us- they said: [أَجَعَلَ ٱلۡأَلِهَةَ إِلَـٰهً۬ا وَٲحِدًا‌ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَىۡءٌ عُجَابٌ۬  – Has he (i.e. Muhammad) made the aliha (gods) (all) into One Ilah (God – Allah). Verily, this is a curious thing!” [Surah Saad’ Aayah 5]

And [Allaah informed us that the] people of Hud said: أَجِئۡتَنَا لِنَعۡبُدَ ٱللَّهَ وَحۡدَهُ ۥ وَنَذَرَ مَا ڪَانَ يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَا‌ۖ- You have come to us that we should worship Allah Alone and forsake that which our fathers used to worship. [Surah Al- A’raaf’ Aayah 70]

And [Allaah informed us that the people of Saaleh] said: [أَتَنۡهَٮٰنَآ أَن نَّعۡبُدَ مَا يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَا – Do you (now) forbid us the worship of what our fathers have worshipped? [Surah Hud’ Aayah 62]

And [Allaah informed us that] the people of Nuh said:

وَقَالُواْ لَا تَذَرُنَّ ءَالِهَتَكُمۡ وَلَا تَذَرُنَّ وَدًّ۬ا وَلَا سُوَاعً۬ا وَلَا يَغُوثَ وَيَعُوقَ وَنَسۡرً۬ا

“And they have said: ‘You shall not leave your gods, nor shall you leave Wadd, nor Suwa’, nor Yaghuth, nor Ya’uq, nor Nasr (names of the idols). [Surah Nuh’ Aayah 23]

So, this is how the disbelievers of old understood Laa ilaaha illal laah – that it necessitates the abandonment of idol worship and that Allaah alone is to be worshipped. And because of this, they refused to utter it because it can’t be in harmony with worshipping laat, uzzaa and manaat. The grave worshippers of today do not realise this contradiction, so they say Laa ilaaha illal laah whist worshipping the dead. [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Muhaadaraat Fil Aqeedah Wad-Da’wah’ by Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah) 1/7-17]


Ref 1: Tafseer ibn katheer 1/251.

Ref 2: Ighaathatul Lahfaan 2/201

Ref 3: Surah Nuh Ayah 23

Ref 4: Bukhaari 6/4920

Refs 5 & 6: see article for further detail: http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ07&articleID=MNJ070003&articlePages=1

Ref 7: Types of shirk: http://www.abukhadeejah.com/ahmad-an-najmees-kitaab-at-tawheed-chapter-3-fear-of-falling-into-shirk/

Ref 8: Takfeer [i.e. declaring a specific individual to be outside the fold of Islaam is carried out by the scholars based on clear principles. See links about Takfeer and excuse of ignorance by Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan]:

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ09&articleID=MNJ090004&articlePages=1

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/obkwf-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan.cfm

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/dkhtd-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-2.cfm

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/gzrsz-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-3—takfir-of-the-raafidah.cfm

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/illhh-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-4—takfir-of-the-raafidah.cfm

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/uufmf-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-5.cfm

http://www.takfiris.com/takfir/articles/mlryz-summary-of-the-principles-concerning-takfir-of-a-specific-individual.cfm

Ref9:http://www.abukhadeejah.com/rescue-and-deliverance-from-other-than-allaah-and-to-supplicate-to-other-than-him-is-from-shirk-shaikh-ahmad-an-najmees-kitaab-at-tawheed-chapter-13/

The Sound Rectification of Nations Can Only Occur Through Sound Aqeedah!

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

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said:

الحمد لله رب العالمين، وصلى الله وسلم على نبينا محمد خاتم الرسل، ومن تمسك بسنته وسار على نهجه الى يوم الدين

The rectification of every nation and its [upright] ascendancy is tied to the soundness of its Aqeedah and Afkaar [views or thoughts]; therefore, due to this reason, the Message of the Prophets [alayhimus salaatu was-salaam] came to rectify the Aqeedah [of the people]. So, the first thing every Messenger said to his people [was]: [ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُ- Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha ill-Allah: none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)]. [Surah Al-A’raaf’ Aayah 59]

[Allaah (The Most High) said]: [وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ – And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah)]”. [Surah An-Nahl’ Aayah 36]

And that is because Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all Imperfections] created the Khalq [i.e. Jinn and Mankind] to worship Him alone and not to associate anything as a partner with Him, just as [Allaah (The Most High)] said: [وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ -And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone)]. [Surah Adh-Dhaariyaat’ Aayah 56]

Ibaadah [worship] is a right due to Allaah [alone] which His slaves must fulfil, just as the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said to Mu’aadh Bin Jabal [radiyallaahu-anhu]: “O Mu’adh, do you know what is the right of Allah upon His servants?” I said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet said, “To worship Him alone and to associate none in worship with Him. And do you know what is their right upon Him?” I said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet said, “Not to punish them if they do so.” [Bukhari]

The is the first and foremost Right [or obligation one must fulfil] without exception. Nothing else precedes it nor is precedence given to the rights of anyone [or the obligations owed to anyone] over it. Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَـٰنًا‌ۚ – And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents]. [Surah Al-Israa’ Aayah 23]

قُلۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ أَتۡلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّڪُمۡ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ‌ۖ أَلَّا تُشۡرِكُواْ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا‌ۖ وَبِٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَـٰنً۬ا‌ۖ

Say (O Muhammad ): “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents. [Sural Al-An’aam’ Aayah 151] [End of quote]

And regarding the statement of the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]: What is the right of Allaah upon His slaves? This means that which [i.e. the obligations] Allaah has obligated on them. And regarding the statement of the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]: What is the right of the slaves upon Allaah? Meaning: That which Allaah has obligated on Himself in dealing with them. The slaves cannot obligate anything, rather Allaah obligated it upon Himself as a blessing from Allaah bestowed upon His slaves.

Allaah [The Most High] said: [كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمۡ عَلَىٰ نَفۡسِهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَةَ‌ۖ أَنَّهُ ۥ مَنۡ عَمِلَ مِنكُمۡ سُوٓءَۢا بِجَهَـٰلَةٍ۬ ثُمَّ تَابَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ وَأَصۡلَحَ فَأَنَّهُ ۥ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬ – Your Lord has written Mercy for Himself, so that, if any of you does evil in ignorance, and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds (by obeying Allah), then surely, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful]. [Surah Al-An’aam’ Aayah 54]

So, Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] obligated on Himself that He will show mercy to the one who does evil in ignorance – meaning: out of foolishness and lack of good behaviour, but then he repents and does righteous deeds. And the meaning of  [كتب in this Aayah] is [  أوجب – obligated].  [Al-Qawlul Mufeed Alaa Kitaabit Tawheed’ by Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah]’ 1/46]

And due to the precedence given to this obligation [i.e. to worship Allaah alone and not to associate anyone or anything with Him in worship] over all other obligations, and since it is the basis of all the rulings of the religion, we find that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] stayed in Makkah for thirteen years -calling the people to worship Allaah alone and negated all partners associated with Allaah in worship.

The majority of the Aayaat of the Noble Qur’aan established this affair of Tawheed and negated all the doubts held by the people regarding it. Every performer of the prayer, whether whilst performing an obligatory or optional prayer, has made a covenant with Allaah that he [or she] will establish this affair when he [or she] says: [إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ – You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). This great obligation is called Tawheed Al-Ibaadah [i.e. to single out Allaah in worship]

Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said: “There were ten generations between Nuh and Aadam – all of them used to be upon the true path [i.e. upon the sound Aqeedah of Tawheed and worship]. [Ref 1] Al-Allaamah Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said, “This is the correct statement regarding the Aayah” and then he mentioned – from the Qur’aan –  that which supports this statement. [Ref 2]

Shirk first started amongst the people of Nuh when they exaggerated [or went beyond bounds regarding the status] of the righteous people and turned away from the call of their Prophet [Nuh] out of pride. [Allaah said that Nuh said that his people said]: [وَقَالُواْ لَا تَذَرُنَّ ءَالِهَتَكُمۡ وَلَا تَذَرُنَّ وَدًّ۬ا وَلَا سُوَاعً۬ا وَلَا يَغُوثَ وَيَعُوقَ وَنَسۡرً۬ا – And they have said: ‘You shall not leave your gods, nor shall you leave Wadd, nor Suwa’, nor Yaghuth, nor Ya’uq, nor Nasr] [Ref 3]

Al-Bukhaari [rahimahullaah] said: It has been narrated from Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu -anhumaa] that these were the names of pious people amongst the people of Nuh, and when they died, shaytaan inspired their people to (prepare) and place idols at the places where they used to sit, and to call those idols by their names. They did so, but did not worship them until those people (who initiated them) had died and the origin of the idols had become obscure, whereupon people began worshipping them. [Ref 4]

Indeed, Tawheed is of two types: Tawheed Fil Ma’rifah Wal Ith’baat and it is Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah [Ref 5], which includes affirmation that Allaah alone is the Creator, the One in control over the entire affairs of the universe, the giver of life and death, the One who bestows all good and repels harm. The polytheists used to affirm [this category of Tawheed] even though they associated partners with Allaah in worship, just as Allaah [The Most High] stated about them:

قُلۡ مَن يَرۡزُقُكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَمَّن يَمۡلِكُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرَ وَمَن يُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلۡمَيِّتِ وَيُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَىِّ وَمَن يُدَبِّرُ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ‌ۚ فَسَيَقُولُونَ ٱللَّهُ‌ۚ فَقُلۡ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

Say (O Muhammad): “Who provides for you from the sky and from the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?” They will say: “Allah.” Say: “Will you not then be afraid of Allah’s Punishment (for setting up rivals in worship with Allah)?” [Surah Yoonus’ Aayah 31]

The likes of these Aayaat are many and in them are clear clarifications that the polytheists used to affirm this category of Tawheed, but they used to wilfully deny the other category- Tawheed Al Ibaadah, which is to single out Allaah in Talab and Qasd [Ref 6] in every act of worship, and this necessitates the statement ‘there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah’.

And because of this, the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] asked the polytheists to testify and believe that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, but  [Allaah said that they replied]: [أَجَعَلَ ٱلۡأَلِهَةَ إِلَـٰهً۬ا وَٲحِدًا‌ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَىۡءٌ عُجَابٌ۬- Has he (i.e. Muhammad-sallal laahu alayhi-wasallam) made the aliha (gods) (all) into One Ilah (God – Allah). Verily, this is a curious thing!” [Surah Saad’ Aayah 5]

[That is] because they knew that whoever says this [i.e. Laa ilaaha Ilal laah], then indeed he has acknowledged that everything worshipped besides Allaah is false and affirmed that only Allaah has the right to be worshipped; because the meaning of Al-Ilaa [i.e. god] is Al-Ma’bood [i.e. an object of worship]. As for worship, it is a comprehensive term for everything that Allaah loves and is pleased with- [including] statements and actions, whether inward [i.e. acts of worship of the heart, such as love, fear, hope etc] or outward [i.e. apparent acts of worship carried out by the limbs].

Therefore, whoever utters this statement Laa Ilaaha illal laah [i.e. there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah], but then he invokes others besides Allaah, indeed he has contradicted himself. An affirmation of Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah [ i.e. that Allaah alone is the Creator, the One in control over the entire affairs of the universe, the giver of life and death, the One who bestows all good and repels harm] necessitates that a person should also affirm in his heart and by way of his actions that Allaah alone is the deity worthy of worship. And due to this, the Messengers used to command their nations to affirm that Allaah alone is the deity worthy of worship by reminding them about what they have already affirmed regarding Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah, just as Allaah [The Most High] said: [ذَٲلِڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ‌ۖ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ خَـٰلِقُ ڪُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُ‌ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَڪِيلٌ۬ – Such is Allah, your Lord! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Creator of all things. So, worship Him (Alone), and He is the Wakil (Trustee, Disposer of affairs, Guardian, etc.) over all things]. [Surah Al-An’aam’ Aayah 102]

[Allaah (Th Most High) said]: [وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّنۡ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۚ قُلۡ أَفَرَءَيۡتُم مَّا تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِنۡ أَرَادَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلۡ هُنَّ كَـٰشِفَـٰتُ ضُرِّهِۦۤ أَوۡ أَرَادَنِى بِرَحۡمَةٍ هَلۡ هُنَّ مُمۡسِكَـٰتُ رَحۡمَتِهِۦ‌ۚ – And verily, if you ask them: “Who created the heavens and the earth?” Surely, they will say: “Allah (has created them).” Say: “Tell me then, the things that you invoke besides Allah, if Allah intended some harm for me, could they remove His harm, or if He (Allah) intended some mercy for me, could they withhold His Mercy?] [Surah Az-Zumar’ Aayah 38]  [Refs 5 & 6: see article for further detail: http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ07&articleID=MNJ070003&articlePages=1 ]

The first command in the Mus’haf is the statement of Allaah [The Most High]:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ

ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِرَشً۬ا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً۬ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ رِزۡقً۬ا لَّكُمۡ‌ۖ فَلَا تَجۡعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ أَندَادً۬ا وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious) – Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped). [Surah Al-Baqarah’ Aayaat 21-22]

The statement ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah’ necessitates ‘negation’ and ‘affirmation’. Negating every other thing worshipped besides Allaah because they are not worthy of worship, and affirming that Allaah alone is the true deity worthy of worship. The religion of Tawheed is founded upon these two foundations, just as Allaah stated that Ibraaheem [alayhis salaam] said to his people:

وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦۤ إِنَّنِى بَرَآءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ

إِلَّا ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى فَإِنَّهُ ۥ سَيَہۡدِينِ

And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said to his father and his people: “Verily, I am innocent of what you worship; Except Him (i.e. I worship none but Allah Alone) Who did create me, and verily, He will guide me.” [Surah Az-Zukhruf’ Aayaat 26-27]

This was the path of every Messenger sent by Allaah [to the people]. Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ

And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah).” [Surah An-Nahl’ Aayah 36]

Allaah [The Most High] said: [فَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ وَيُؤۡمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰ لَا ٱنفِصَامَ لَهَا‌ۗ – Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break]. [Surah Al-Baqarah’ Aayah 256]

Whoever says that ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah’ has indeed declared his freedom from every other thing worshipped besides Allaah and obligated on himself [or herself] to worship Allaah [alone]. This is a covenant obligated by a person on himself. [Allaah (The Most High) said]:

فَمَن نَّكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنكُثُ عَلَىٰ نَفۡسِهِۦ‌ۖ وَمَنۡ أَوۡفَىٰ بِمَا عَـٰهَدَ عَلَيۡهُ ٱللَّهَ فَسَيُؤۡتِيهِ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمً۬ا

Then whosoever breaks his pledge, breaks only to his own harm, and whosoever fulfills what he has covenanted with Allah, He will bestow on him a great reward. [Surah Al-Fath’ Aayah 10]

Laa Ilaaha Ilal laah – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah – is a declaration of Tawheed Al-Ibaadah [i.e. to single Allaah out in worship]. Therefore, whoever says this statement, knows its meaning, acts upon what it necessitates by negating shirk and affirming that Allaah alone is the true deity worthy of worship and believes in that, then he [or she] is a true Muslim.

And whoever says this statement and acts upon what it necessitates – outwardly; but does not believe in it -in his heart, then he is a hypocrite. And whoever says this statement, but acts in opposition to it by committing shirk [Ref 7]-negating what it necessitates, he is a disbeliever, even if he repeats this statement many times[Ref 8] [NB: Before continuing, the reader must refer to footnotes ref 7 and 8 at the end of this article].

This is the state of the grave worshippers of today – those who say this statement, but neither do they understand its meaning nor does it have any effect on their acts of worship; so, you see one of them saying, “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah”, but then he also says, “O Abdul Qaadir [i.e. Abdul Qaadir Jaylaani]! Grant me aid and assistance. O Badawi! O such and such.” He appeals to the dead people and seeks their help when faced with afflictions. [Ref 9]

Indeed, the polytheists of the earlier era had a better understanding of  Laa ilaaha ilal laah than these people [i.e. the grave worshippers of our era], because when the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said to them, “Say (i.e. testify) that ”There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah”, they knew that he was commanding them to abandon idol worship and to worship Allaah alone; so, this why -as Allaah informed us- they said: [أَجَعَلَ ٱلۡأَلِهَةَ إِلَـٰهً۬ا وَٲحِدًا‌ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَىۡءٌ عُجَابٌ۬  – Has he (i.e. Muhammad) made the aliha (gods) (all) into One Ilah (God – Allah). Verily, this is a curious thing!” [Surah Saad’ Aayah 5]

And [Allaah informed us that the] people of Hud said: أَجِئۡتَنَا لِنَعۡبُدَ ٱللَّهَ وَحۡدَهُ ۥ وَنَذَرَ مَا ڪَانَ يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَا‌ۖ- You have come to us that we should worship Allah Alone and forsake that which our fathers used to worship. [Surah Al- A’raaf’ Aayah 70]

And [Allaah informed us that the people of Saaleh] said: [أَتَنۡهَٮٰنَآ أَن نَّعۡبُدَ مَا يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَا – Do you (now) forbid us the worship of what our fathers have worshipped? [Surah Hud’ Aayah 62]

And [Allaah informed us that] the people of Nuh said:

وَقَالُواْ لَا تَذَرُنَّ ءَالِهَتَكُمۡ وَلَا تَذَرُنَّ وَدًّ۬ا وَلَا سُوَاعً۬ا وَلَا يَغُوثَ وَيَعُوقَ وَنَسۡرً۬ا

And they have said: ‘You shall not leave your gods, nor shall you leave Wadd, nor Suwa’, nor Yaghuth, nor Ya’uq, nor Nasr (names of the idols). [Surah Nuh’ Aayah 23]

So, this is how the disbelievers of old understood Laa ilaaha illal laah – that it necessitates the abandonment of idol worship and that Allaah alone is to be worshipped. And because of this, they refused to utter it because it can’t be in harmony with worshipping laat, uzzaa and manaat. The grave worshippers of today do not realise this contradiction, so they say Laa ilaaha illal laah whist worshipping the dead.


[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Muhaadaraat Fil Aqeedah Wad-Da’wah’ 1/7-17. slightly paraphrased]

Ref 1: Tafseer ibn katheer 1/251.

Ref 2: Ighaathatul Lahfaan 2/201

Ref 3: Surah Nuh Ayah 23

Ref 4: Bukhaari 6/4920

Refs 5 & 6: see article for further detail: http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ07&articleID=MNJ070003&articlePages=1

Ref 7: Types of shirk: http://www.abukhadeejah.com/ahmad-an-najmees-kitaab-at-tawheed-chapter-3-fear-of-falling-into-shirk/

Ref 8: Takfeer [i.e. declaring a specific individual to be outside the fold of Islaam is carried out by the scholars based on clear principles. See links about Takfeer and excuse of ignorance by Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan]:

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ09&articleID=MNJ090004&articlePages=1

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/obkwf-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan.cfm

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/dkhtd-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-2.cfm

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/gzrsz-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-3—takfir-of-the-raafidah.cfm

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/illhh-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-4—takfir-of-the-raafidah.cfm

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/uufmf-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan-5.cfm

http://www.takfiris.com/takfir/articles/mlryz-summary-of-the-principles-concerning-takfir-of-a-specific-individual.cfm

Ref9:http://www.abukhadeejah.com/rescue-and-deliverance-from-other-than-allaah-and-to-supplicate-to-other-than-him-is-from-shirk-shaikh-ahmad-an-najmees-kitaab-at-tawheed-chapter-13/

Use Your Time Well in Ramadhan; Will You Be Here Next Year? – Shaykh Fawzan

It is obligatory to be wary of negligence and laziness (especially in Ramadhan). Take your portion of rest by way of sleep, there is no problem with that, as long as that does not cause you to be remiss with the (obligatory) prayers.

Do not allow your sleep to dominate your valuable time – the noble time of Ramadhan (due to the many blessings within it). Because it is possible that you will not reach Ramadhan again in other than this year (due to death) and thus you will be deprived of blessings and goodness (if you do not take advantage of your time now).


Shaykh Fawzan (hafidahullah) Al-Kalimaat Ar-Ramadhaaniyah – 1439

Hadeeth: [To Eat Melon With Fresh Dates Is a Sunnah of The Prophet] – With Short Commentary By Shaikh Zaid Bin Haadi [rahimahullaah]

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

Aa’Isha [may Allaah be pleased with her] said, “Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] used to  eat melon with fresh dates, and then said, ‘We remove the heat of this one (i.e. dates) with the coldness of this one (i.e. watermelon), and the coldness of this one (i.e. watermelon) with the heat of this one (i.e. dates)'”. (1)

Al-Allaamah Zayd Bin Haadee Al-Madkhalee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The Prophet [peace and blesings of Allaah be upon him] only speaks based on revelation from Allaah. He was taught by his Lord about the specific qualities of these two types of foods, so he combined them when eating due to the reason mentioned,  which is, ‘We remove the heat of this one (i.e. dates) with the coldness of this one (i.e. melon), and the coldness of this one (i.e. melon) with the heat of this one (i.e. dates)’. And to follow this example of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] – after a person learns about it – is a Sunnah in relation to the likes of these affairs”. (2) [End of quote]

Additional benefit on Al-Allaamah Zayd Bin Haadee’s [may Allaah have mercy upon him] statement, “And to follow this example of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] – after a person learns about it – is a Sunnah in relation to the likes of these affairs!” Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] was asked, “What is the difference between a Sunnatun Waajibatun [an Obligatory Sunnah] and a Sunnatun Mustahabbatun [a Recommended Sunnah?]

Answer: The initial affair regarding an Amr (i.e. a command) is that it necessitates Wujoob (i.e. an obligation or obligatory). The initial affair regarding the Awaamir (commands) in the Qur’aan or the Sunnah is that they necessitate Wujoob. If Allaah or the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] command something, then the initial affair regarding this is Wujoob. An affair does not alternate from being obligatory to being recommended except based on another proof- either a verse of the Qur’aan or a hadeeth. And it maybe that an affair falls under Ibaahah (i.e. permissibility), so it (i.e. an affair) maybe obligatory, recommended or something permissible, such as the statement of Allaah: [وَإِذَا حَلَلۡتُمۡ فَٱصۡطَادُواْ‌ۚ – But when you finish the Ihram (of Hajj or Umrah), you may hunt]. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Verse 2] Meaning, when you finish the Ihraam, then you can hunt. So, this affair is neither obligatory nor recommended, rather it is something permissible. (3) [End of quote]

Then Al-Allaamah Zayd Bin Haadee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] finally stated regarding eating fresh dates with melon, “So, he (i.e. a Muslim) acts as the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] did. This is something authorised (or established in the religion), but it is not obligatory”. (4)
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[Ref 1: Sunan Abee Daawud 3836. Declared Hasan by Imaam Al- Albaanee]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt from ‘At-taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. Vol 1. Page 368]
[Ref 3: https://youtu.be/8st36r4M0HE ]
[Ref 4: An Excerpt from ‘At-taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. Vol 1. Page 368]