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Our Lord is of Vast Mercy!

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

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٲسِعُ ٱلۡمَغۡفِرَةِ‌ۚ

Verily, your Lord is of vast forgiveness [53:32]

Had it not been for His forgiveness, the lands and the servants [i.e. its inhabitants] would have been destroyed. Had it not been for His forgiveness, the heavens would have collapsed on the earth and no living creature would have remained on it. [ref 1]

Neither Is The Believer Allowed to Lose Hope In The Mercy of Allaah Nor Be Complacent Regarding The Evil Consequences of Sins

Allaah [The Most High] said:

قُلۡ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

وَأَنِيبُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمۡ وَأَسۡلِمُواْ لَهُ ۥ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن يَأۡتِيَكُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ

وَٱتَّبِعُوٓاْ أَحۡسَنَ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكُم مِّن رَّبِّڪُم مِّن قَبۡلِ أَن يَأۡتِيَڪُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ بَغۡتَةً۬ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تَشۡعُرُونَ

أَن تَقُولَ نَفۡسٌ۬ يَـٰحَسۡرَتَىٰ عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطتُ فِى جَنۢبِ ٱللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ ٱلسَّـٰخِرِينَ

أَوۡ تَقُولَ لَوۡ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هَدَٮٰنِى لَڪُنتُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ

أَوۡ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى ٱلۡعَذَابَ لَوۡ أَنَّ لِى ڪَرَّةً۬ فَأَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ

بَلَىٰ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡكَ ءَايَـٰتِى فَكَذَّبۡتَ بِہَا وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرۡتَ وَكُنتَ مِنَ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ

Say: “O ‘Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islamic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him, (in Islam), before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped. And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord (i.e. this Qur’an, do what it orders you to do and keep away from what it forbids), before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not!” Lest a person should say: “Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to Allah (i.e. I have not done what Allah has ordered me to do), and I was indeed among those who mocked [at the truth! i.e. La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), the Qur’an, and Muhammad and at the faithful believers, etc.] Or (lest) he should say: “If only Allah had guided me, I should indeed have been among the Muttaqun (pious and righteous persons); Or (lest) he should say when he sees the torment: “If only I had another chance (to return to the world) then I should indeed be among the Muhsinun (good-doers). Yes! Verily, there came to you My Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and you denied them, and were proud and were among the disbelievers.

Repentance:

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2019/08/the-obligation-of-repentance-especially-during-calamities-and-afflictions-by-imaam-abdul-azeez-bin-baaz-rahimahullaah/

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2019/09/brief-commentary-on-a-tremendous-supplication-related-to-repentance-by-imaam-abdul-azeez-bin-baaz-rahimahullaah/

http://www.salaficentre.com/2015/07/allaah-afflicts-mankind-with-different-types-of-afflictions-because-of-their-disobedience-and-wicked-deeds/


[Ref 1: An excerpt from Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan). Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm 1st Ed 1424AH (2003). Translation slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Surah Az-Zumar Aayaat 53-59

The [Pious, Upright] People Used to Advise One Another With Three Affairs

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

Abu Awn [rahimahullah] said: When the people of Khayr [i.e. the pious, upright] used to meet, they would advise one another with three [affairs] and when they were absent [from each other], some of them used to write to others, [saying], “Whoever acts for the sake of the afterlife, Allaah will suffice him with his worldly affairs”. “Whoever rectifies what is between him and Allaah [i.e. obedience to Allaah and fear of Him etc], Allaah will suffice him with the people [i.e. Allaah will protect him]”. “And whoever rectifies his secret affairs, Allaah will rectify his outward affairs”. [Al-Musannaf 7/165]

Hadeeth: [O Allah, Bless My People In Their Early Mornings]

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

The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: “O Allah, bless my people in their early mornings.” When he sent out a detachment or an army, he sent them at the beginning of the day. Sakhr was a merchant, and he would send off his merchandise at the beginning of the day; and he became rich and had much wealth. [Sunan Abu Dawud Hadith Number 2606. Declared authentic by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in his checking of Sunan abu Dawud]

Few Points of Benefit Related to the Above Hadeeth

This shows the importance of this time period. the greatness of the blessings and goodness with it.  The Salaf used to dislike sleeping during this time, in order not to waste it in laziness and weakness. Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said that the Salaf disliked sleeping between after Fajr prayer and Sunrise because it is a time in which great benefit is obtained. And even when they stayed up late at night [i.e. in worship], they still stayed up until after sunrise, for indeed it is the early part of the day and its beginning time- the time in which provision descends, the time in which one receives his portion of provision and the time in which blessings are obtained. An Excerpt from Fiqhul Ad’iyah wal-Adkaar’ pages 48-50′ parts 3&4

Why Are The Gatherings Where Allaah Is Remembered Considered to Be The Purest, Noblest, Most Beneficial And Loftiest Gatherings

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

The purest, noblest, most beneficial and loftiest gatherings are the gatherings  where Allaah is remembered. They are the loftiest in the sight of Allaah. Many texts have been reported regarding the virtues of the gatherings of Dhikr- that they give life to heart [i.e. obedience to Allaah and the Messenger], increase Eemaan, rectification and purification for a person, unlike the gatherings of heedlessness because a person does not retire from them except [being afflicted by] a decrease in Eemaan and weakness in the heart, and that will be a cause of loss and regret [on the day of judgement].

The Salaf [pious predecessors] used to give great importance to the gatherings of Dhikr. Abdullaah Bin Rawaahah [radiyallaahu anhu] used to hold a group of his companions by the hand and say: ‘’Come let us [re-revitalise, strengthen etc] our Eemaan; come let us remember Allaah and increase in Eemaan by obeying Allaah, so that perhaps He will remember us by way of His forgiveness.’’

Umayr Al-Khatamiy [radiyallaahu anhu] used to say, “Eemaan increases and decreases”, so he was asked, ‘’What increases and decreases it?’’ He said, ‘’When we remember Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic], praise and glorify Him, that is [a cause] of its increase; and when we are heedless, negligent and  forgetful, that is [a cause] of its decrease.’’

Indeed, the gatherings of Dhikr are the gardens of paradise in this worldly life. Imaam Ahmad, Imaam Tirmidhee and others have reported from Anas Bin Maalik [radiyallaahu anhu] that Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, ‘’When you go past the gatherings of Paradise, then graze as you like.” They said, “What are the gardens of Paradise?” He said, “The Circles of Dhikr.”

Ibn Abee Dunyaa, Al-Haakim and others reported the Hadeeth of Jaabir Bin Abdillaah who said, ‘’Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] came to us and said, ‘O people! Graze in the gardens of paradise’; we said, ‘O Allaah’s Messenger! What are the gardens of paradise?’ He said, ‘The gatherings of Dhikr.’’’

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said, “Whoever wants a to live in the gardens of paradise in this worldly life, then let him stay in the gatherings of Dhikr, for indeed they are gardens of paradise.’’ [Al-Waabilus Sayyib. page 145]

The gatherings of Dhikr are the gatherings of the angels, because they do not have gatherings in the worldly life except gatherings in which Allaah [The Exalted] is mentioned. Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu anhu] said that Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said:  Allaah’s Messenger said, ‘’Allaah has some angels who look for those who remember (glorify the Praises of) Allaah on the roads and paths. And when they find some people remembering (glorifying the Praises of) Allah, they call each other, saying, ‘Come to the object of your pursuit.’’ He added, ‘’Then the angels encircle them with their wings up to the nearest heaven to us.’’ He added, ‘’[After those people remembered (glorified the Praises of) Allah, and the angels go back to Allah], their Lord asks them (those angels) – though He knows better than them –‘What do My slaves say?’ The angels reply, ‘They say: Subhãn Allah, Allahu-Akbar, and Al-Hamdu-lillãh’. Allah then says, ‘Did they see Me?’ The angels reply, ‘No! By Allaah, they didn’t see You.’ Allah says, ‘How it would have been if they saw me?’ The angels reply, ‘If they saw You, they would worship You more devoutly and remember You (glorify Your Praises) more deeply, and declare Your freedom from any resemblance to anything more often.’ Allah says (to the angels), ‘What do they ask Me for?’ The angels reply, ‘They ask You for Paradise.’ Allah says (to the angels), ‘Did they see it?’ The angels say, ‘No! By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.’ Allah says, ‘How it would have been if they saw it?’ The angels say, ‘If they saw it, they would have greater yearning for it and would seek it with greater zeal and would have greater desire for it.’ Allah says, ‘From what do they seek refuge?’ The angels reply, ‘They seek refuge from the (Hell) Fire.’ Allah says, ‘Did they see it?’ The angels say, ‘No! By Allah, O Lord! They did not see it.’ Allah says, ‘How it would have been if they saw it?’ The angels say, ‘If they saw it they would flee from it with the extreme fleeing and would have extreme fear from it.’ Then Allah says, ‘I make you witnesses that I have forgiven them.’’’ (Allah’s Messenger ; added:) ‘’One of the angels would say, ‘There was so-and-so amongst them, and he was not one of them, but he had just come for some need.’ Allah would say, ‘These are those people whose companions will not be reduced to misery.’’’ [Bukhaari 6408]

The gatherings of Dhikr are gatherings of the angels and gatherings of heedlessness are gatherings of the devils. The gatherings of Dhikr protect a person from loss and regret on the day of judgement, unlike the gatherings of heedlessness, for ìndeed they will be a cause of loss and regret on the day of judgement. Abu Daawud reported -with a ‘Hasan chain’ of transmission- from Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu anhu] who said that Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said: ‘’The Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said: If anyone sits at a place where he does not remember Allah, deprivation [i.e. he’ll be deprived of reward] will descend on him from Allah; and if he lies at a place where he does not remember Allah, deprivation will descend on him from Allah.’’ [Abu Daawud. Number 4856]

Abu Sa’id Khudri reported that Mu’awiya went to a circle in the mosque and said: ‘’What makes you sit here? They said: ‘We are sitting here in order to remember Allah.’ He said: ‘I adjure you by Allah (to tell me whether you are sitting here for this very purpose)?’ They said: ‘By Allah, we are sitting here for this very purpose’. Thereupon, he said: ‘I have not demanded you to take an oath, because of any allegation against you and there is none of my rank -in the eyes of Allah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam]- a narrator of so few ahadith as I am. The fact is that Allah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] went out to the circle of his Companions and said: ‘What makes you sit?’ They said: ‘We are sitting here in order to remember Allah and to praise Him for He guided us to the path of Islam and He conferred favours upon us.’ Thereupon he adjured by Allah and asked if that only was the purpose of their sitting there. They said: ‘By Allah, we are not sitting here but for this very purpose’, whereupon he (the Messenger) said: ‘I am not asking you to take an oath because of any allegation against you but for the fact that Gabriel came to me and he informed me that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, was talking to the angels about your magnificence.”  This is [one of the proofs] regarding the nobility of Dhikr in the sight of Allaah. Allaah loves it and it has status that distinguishes it from other acts of worship.

The gatherings of Dhikr bring about tranquillity, mercy and the angel encircle with their wings around those who remember Allaah. Agharr Abi Muslim reported: ‘’I bear witness to the fact that both Abu Huraira and Abu Sa’id Khudri were present when Allah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said: ‘The people do not sit but they are surrounded by angels and covered by Mercy, and there descends upon them tranquillity as they remember Allah, and Allah makes a mention of them to those who are near Him.’’’ [Muslim Number: 2700]

The gatherings of Dhikr are a great means of restraining one’s tongue,  protecting it from backbiting, tale carrying, lies, lewd speech and falsehood, for indeed it is inevitable that a person will speak, so if he does not speak through remembrance of Allaah- by mentioning Allaah’s commandments and about something good and beneficial, then it is inevitable that he will speak about forbidden things or some of them. Therefore, whoever makes it a habit for his tongue to remember Allaah, he will protect his tongue from falsehood and idle speech. And whoever deprive his tongue of remembrance of Allaah, he will utter falsehood, idle speech and lewdness. [Source: Excerpt from ‘Fiqhul Ad-iyah Wal-Ad-kaar.’ Pages 27-31. Slightly paraphrased]

Some of The Tremendous Benefits of Dhikr

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

The importance of Dhikr [remembrance of Allaah] and it’s tremendous benefit is not hidden from any Muslim, because it is one of the loftiest goals and most beneficial deed [through which one becomes mindful of Allaah, obedient to Allaah, keeps away from prohibitions, earns Allaah’s love, help, protection etc]. Indeed, in many places – in the noble the Qur’aan – Allaah commanded [us to remember Him], urged [us to do so], praised the people who remember Him and commended them with the most excellent and the finest commendation. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

[ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا – O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance]. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayah 41]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُم مَّنَاسِكَكُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَذِكْرِكُمْ آبَاءَكُمْ أَوْ أَشَدَّ ذِكْرًا – So when you have accomplished your Manasik [(i.e. Ihram, Tawaf of the Ka’bah and As-Safa and Al-Marwah), stay at ‘Arafat, Muzdalifah and Mina, Ramy of Jamarat, (stoning of the specified pillars in Mina) slaughtering of Hady (animal, etc.)]. Remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 200]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ – Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 191]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا – And the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues (while sitting, standing, lying, etc. for more than 300 times extra over the remembrance of Allah during the five compulsory congregational prayers) or praying extra additional Nawafil prayers of night in the last part of night, etc.) Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)]. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayah 35]

In these Aayaat, Allaah commanded us to remember Him a lot due to the fact that a person is greatly in need of it -greatly in need of Allaah and cannot do without Him in the twinkling of an eye. Every moment in which a person is devoid of remembrance of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic], it will be against him and not for [his benefit]. The loss [incurred as a result of the absence of Dhikr] is much greater than what he earns whilst being heedless of Allaah, and he will greatly regret that when he meets Allaah on the Day of Judgement. Aa’isha [radiyallaahu-anhaa] said that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “There is not an hour that elapses in which the son of Aadam did not remember Allaah [The Exalted], except that it will be a source of regret for him on the day of judgement.’’ [Ref 1]

The [authentic] Sunnah is filled with narrations that shows the virtue of Dhikr, its high status, lofty station and its numerous good outcomes and benefits for those men and women who remember Allaah a lot. Abu Ad-Dardaa [radiyallaahu-anhu] said that Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “Shall I not inform you of the best of your deeds, the purest in the sight of your Owner [i.e. Allaah] – that which raises you to your highest status, better for you than spending gold and silver, better than meeting your enemy so that you strike at their necks and they strike at yours?’’ [Ref a] They replied: ‘’Certainly O Messenger of Allaah! He said, “Remembrance of Allaah.” [Ref 2]

Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu-anhu] said that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “The Mufarridoon have preceded [others]”, so they [i.e. the people] said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Who are the Mufarridoon? He said, ‘Those men and women who remember Allaah a lot.’’’ [Ref 3]

Abu Moosaa Al-Ash’ari [radiyallaahu anhu] said that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “The likeness of the one who remembers Allaah compared to the one who does not remember Allaah, is like the one who is alive compared to the one who is dead.” [Ref 4]

The Ahaadeeth related to this subject matter are numerous, and perhaps it is appropriate at this point that I specifically mention that which the people of knowledge [i.e. the upright scholars] have stated regarding the benefits of Dhikr, which those who remember Allaah will obtain in this worldly life and on the day of judgement. The best amongst those who spoke about this subject matter was Al-Allaamah Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] in his book titled ‘Al-Waabilus Sayyib.’ I will therefore mention to you one benefit stated by Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] from the benefits of Dhikr; he said, “From benefits of Dhikr is that it repels shaytaan, restrains and crushes him. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَمَن يَعْشُ عَن ذِكْرِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ نُقَيِّضْ لَهُ شَيْطَانًا فَهُوَ لَهُ قَرِينٌ – And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allah) (i.e. this Qur’an and worship of Allah), We appoint for him Shaitan (Satan – devil) to be a Qarin (an intimate companion) to him]. [Surah Az-Zukhruf. Aayah 36]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِّنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْصِرُونَ -Verily, those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V.2:2), when an evil thought comes to them from Shaitan (Satan), they remember (Allah), and (indeed) they then see (aright)]. [Surah Al-A’raaf. Aayah 201]

Al-Haarith Al-Ash’ari [radiyallaahu anhu] said that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said: ‘’Allaah commanded Yahya bin Zakariyyah to implement five commands and to command the Children of Israel to implement them, but Yahya was slow in carrying out these commands. Eesaa said to Yahya, ‘You were commanded to implement five commands and to command the Children of Israel to implement them. So, either command, or I will do it.’ Yahya said, ‘My brother! I fear that if you do it before me, I will be punished or the earth will be shaken under my feet.’ So, Yahya bin Zakariyyah called the Children of Israel to Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), until they filled the Masjid. He sat o­n the balcony and said, ‘Allaah commanded me to implement five commandments and that I should command you to adhere to them….’ then Yahyah commanded them implement Tawheed, perform Salaah, observe Siyaam and give Sadaqah; then he mentioned the fifth affair and said, ‘I command you to remember Allaah, for indeed the example of this deed is that of a man who the enemy is tirelessly pursuing and thus he takes refuge in a fortified fortress. Likewise, the servant cannot fortify himself against shaytaan except through remembrance of Allaah….to the end of the hadeeth’’’ [Ref 5]

Al-Allaamah Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] stated that this hadeeth contains a great affair and that it is befitting for every Muslim to memorise, understand [and act upon it]. [Ref 6]

This hadeeth gathers great virtues related to Dhikr – that Dhikr repels shaytaan and safeguards a person against him, and that it is like a fortified fortress and a robust shield, which is the only means a person can [utilise to] protect himself from this fierce enemy. There is no doubt that this is a tremendous virtue of Dhikr, and because of this Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said, ‘’If there was no other virtue related to Dhikr except this quality, then it would be true [or justified to say that] a person should not isolate his tongue from the remembrance of Allaah [The Exalted] and should never stop seeking refuge with Allaah through remembrance of Him; for indeed he cannot protect himself from his enemy [shaytaan] except through Dhikr. His enemy does not interfere [or approach him] except when he is in a state of heedlessness, so the enemy keeps an eye on him and when he is heedless, he pounces and preys on him. But when he remembers Allaah [The Exalted], his enemy withdraws, becomes small and is restrained until he appears like a wren and a fly. And due to this he is called Al-Waswaasul Khannaas – meaning: The one who whispers in the hearts, but when a person remembers Allaah [The Exalted], he withdraws-meaning: He stops and refrains. Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said, ‘Shaytaan lie in wait near the son of Aadam’s heart, so when the son of Aadam forgets and becomes heedless, he whispers; but if the son of Aadam remembers Allaah, he withdraws.’’’ [Ref 7]

We ask Alaah [The Exalted] to protect us the evil of shaytaan and his [enticement towards] polytheism, his madness, arrogance and poetry.


[Ref 1: Shu’ab Al-Eemaan’ Number 508. Al-Hilya 5/362. Hadeeth was graded ‘Hasan’ By Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in Saheeh Al-Jaami. Number 5720]; [Ref a: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/salafi-shaikh-fawzaan-on-jihaad-in-our-times-and-the-guidelines-of-jihaad-according-to-islam/ ]; [Ref2: Saheeh Al-Jaami 2676]; [Ref 3: Saheeh Muslim. Number 2676]; [Ref 4: Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Number 6407]; [Ref 5: Musnad Imaam Ahmad 4/202; Sunan Tirmidhee. Number 2863. Hadeeth was graded Saheeh by Shaikh Albaani in Saheeh Al-Jaami. Number 1724]; [Ref 6: Al-Waabilus Sayyib. Page 31]; [Ref 7: Al-Waabilus Sayyib. Page 72]

Hadeeth: [Allaah Freed Prophet Moosaa (alayhis alaam) From The False Accusations of The People]- With short Commentary By Shaikh Zaid Bin Haadi [rahimahullaah]

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

[The Prophet] Moosaa [Moses] was a very shy man and used to cover his body completely. No part of his skin was seen due to shyness. So, he was hurt by those amongst the children of Israel who said, “He covers his body in this way only because of some defect in his skin- either leprosy or scrotal hernia, or he has some other defect”. Allaah wished to free Moosaa [alayhis salaam] from that which they said about him; so one day whilst he was in seclusion, he took off his clothes and put them on a stone and started taking a bath. When he finished the bath, he moved towards his clothes to take them, but the stone fled with his clothes. Moosaa [alayhis salaam] picked up his stick and ran after the stone saying, ‘O stone! My clothes’ until he reached a group of the children of Israel who saw him without [clothes], and found him the best of that which Allaah had created, and Allaah freed him from what they had accused him of. They said, “By Allaah! Nothing is wrong with Moosaa”. The stone stopped there, so Moosaa [alayhi salaam] took his and put on them, and thereafter started hitting the stone with his stick. By Allaah, the stone still has some traces of the hitting- three, four or five marks. This was what Allah referred to in His statement:

[ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاذَوۡاْ مُوسَىٰ فَبَرَّأَهُ ٱللَّهُ مِمَّا قَالُواْۚ وَكَانَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَجِيہً۬ا- O you who believe! Be not like those who annoyed Musa (Moses), but Allah cleared him of that which they alleged, and he was honourable in the sight of Allaah].[Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayah 69]

This hadeeth [contains] one of the most amazing stories – a story through which Allaah raised the status of Moosaa [alayhis salaam]. In this hadeeth, there is a clarification regarding the fact that the Messengers and the Prophets were put to trial at the hands of the evil ones in  their nations; so they exercised patience whilst facing harm, received abundant reward from Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] and carried on propagating Allaah’s message. Indeed, the Messenger [Sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] informed us that Moosaa [alayhis salaam] was harmed by Bani Israa’eel but he exercised patience. In this hadeeth, there is proof to show that the miracles of the Messengers and Prophets are affirmed. And with regards to this particular miracle, the stone- an inanimate object – moved and fled with the thobe; then Moosaa [alayhis salaam] was finally able to catch up with it. He hit it several times and left a mark on it. This is the great miracle that has been mentioned in this hadeeth. [At-taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. Vol 1. page 135. Slightly paraphrased]

Some of The Fruits of Ikhlaas And Tawheed In This Dunyaa and Aakhirah

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

Ikhlaas and Tawheed are a tree in the heart; its branches are the [good] deeds and its fruits is the good life in this world and everlasting bliss in the afterlife. And just as the fruits of Jannah are neither cut off [by change of season] nor are they out of reach, likewise this is the case with the fruits of Tawheed and Ikhlaas. Shirk, lies and Riyaa are a tree in the heart; its fruits – in the worldly life- are fear and anxiety, grief and distress in the soul and oppression against the heart. Its fruits in the afterlife are the tree of Zaqqoom and an everlasting punishment. And Allaah has  mentioned these two trees in Surah Ibraaheem:

 أَلَمۡ تَرَ كَيۡفَ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلاً۬ كَلِمَةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬ كَشَجَرَةٍ۬ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصۡلُهَا ثَابِتٌ۬ وَفَرۡعُهَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ

تُؤۡتِىٓ أُڪُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينِۭ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهَا‌ۗ وَيَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَڪَّرُونَ

وَمَثَلُ كَلِمَةٍ خَبِيثَةٍ۬ كَشَجَرَةٍ خَبِيثَةٍ ٱجۡتُثَّتۡ مِن فَوۡقِ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَا لَهَا مِن قَرَارٍ۬

See you not how Allaah sets forth a parable? A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high). Giving its fruits at all times, by the Leave of its Lord, and Allaah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember. And the parable of an evil word is that of an evil tree uprooted from the surface of earth, having no stability. [Surah Ibraaheem. Aayaat 24-26]

[Source: Al-Fawaa’id. Pages 239-240]

 

One of The Many Admonitions Given By The Messenger During The Farewell Hajj – With Short Commentary By Shaikh Zaid Bin Haadi [rahimahullaah]

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

Abu Qutaylah narrated that Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] stood before the people during the farewell hajj and said, “Neither is there a prophet after me nor an Ummah after you, so worship Allaah your Lord; establish your five daily [prayers], pay your zakaat, fast your month of [Ramadhaan], obey those who have been placed in charge over your affairs and you’ll enter paradise”.

Shaikh Zaid Bin Haadi [rahimahullaah] said, This hadeeth gathers a number of beneficial Prophetic commandments, and the first and foremost affair is to worship Allaah, which is a general command that includes all types of worship- statements and deeds, apparent [actions of the limbs] and deeds concealed [in the heart]. Then the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] specified some of the types of worship and the most important of them being the obligatory prayers, payment of Zakaat, fasting during the month of Ramadhaan out of Eemaan and hoping for Allaah’s reward, and obedience to the ruler of the Muslims in that which is good. The fulfilment of these affairs are a great means of entry into paradise which Allaah has prepared for His believing servants. [At-taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. Vol 1 page 309. Slightly paraphrased]

Allaah Has Commanded Unity In The Religion And He Forbade Splitting – [A Statement of Imaam Muhammad Bin Abdil Wahhaab Explained By Shaikh Zaid Bin Haadi]

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

Imaam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab [rahimahullaah] said in Usoolus Sitta. “The Second Principle: Allaah has commanded Unity in the Religion and He forbade splitting in it; so Allah has clarified this with a clear clarification that is understood by the common people”.

Shaikh Zayd Bin Haadee Al-Madkhalee [rahimahullaah] commented on the above statement: I say’ this is truth stated in the Book of Allah, when Allaah [The Mighty ad Majestic] said: [ وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِحَبۡلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعً۬ا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواْ‌ۚ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِذۡ كُنتُمۡ أَعۡدَآءً۬ فَأَلَّفَ بَيۡنَ قُلُوبِكُمۡ فَأَصۡبَحۡتُم بِنِعۡمَتِهِۦۤ إِخۡوَٲنً۬ا وَكُنتُمۡ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفۡرَةٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنۡہَا‌ۗ – And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah (i.e. this Qur’aan), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allaah’s Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islaamic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 103]

Therefore, Allah commanded that [one] holds onto His Rope- the Firm Religion which the Book of the Lord of the Worlds and the Sunnah of the leader of the first and later Prophets- [Muhammad (Sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)]- came with.  And Allaah forbade His Messenger from division in the Religion; because it is the path of the Mushrikoon and the Innovators.  As for those who possess understanding in the Religion -from the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Prophet; they unite upon all affairs the Religion and they do not split- in compliance with the command given to them in the Revelation.

Unity upon the Clear Truth is the path of the Salafus Saaliheen [the pious predecessors]- those who possessed the correct understanding of Allaah’s Magnificent Book and the Sunnah of the trustworthy Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam].  Splitting is the path of the people of Bidah – those who are misguided and misguiding others, because they are the ones who bring about splitting as a result of deviating from the Siraat Al-Mustaqeem.

Indeed, Allaah commanded all the Ummah to follow a single path- the Siraat Al-Mustaqeem, and warned [them] against the crooked paths. Allaah said:

وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ‌ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۚ

And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. [Surah Al-An’aam. Aayah 53]

As for the people of the Qur’aan, the Sunnah and correct understanding,  they embrace this divine commandment in their hearts, tongues and with the actions of their limbs.  They do not turn away from the straight path that leads to Allaah’s  Pleasure. As for the people of Bidah, then indeed they deviate from that straight path to the other paths on the right and the left, as reported by Jaabir Bin Abdillaah [radiyallaahu-anhu] who said: We were sitting with the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam), so he drew a straight line in front of him and said, ‘this is Allaah’s path’.  He then drew lines on the right and left sides of this (straight line) and said, ‘these are the path of shaytaan’.  Then he placed his finger on the line in the middle and then recited this ayah: [  وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ‌ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۚ – And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path]. [Surah Al-An’aam. Aayah 153]

Therefore, whoever holds onto the middle line will be safe and happy; and whoever turns away from the middle line will follow the deviated lines, fall into destruction in this worldly life, in the Barsakh and in the hereafter. [Allaah said]: [ وَمَن لَّمۡ يَجۡعَلِ ٱللَّهُ لَهُ ۥ نُورً۬ا فَمَا لَهُ ۥ مِن نُّورٍ – And he for whom Allaah has not appointed light, for him there is no light]. [Surah An-Noor. Aayah 40]

The author [Imaam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab (rahimahullaah)] clarified that Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] forbade splitting and differing.  And regarding the first thing related to this subject matter, Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] forbade splitting in the Aqeedah, in the  Manhaj of Jihaad, in Dawah and in the Obligation of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil.  He clarified that splitting and differing in the Religion is a characteristic of the people of Bida’atul Mukaffirah [i.e. the bidah that nullifies one’s Islaam] and the people of Bida’atul Mufassiqah [i.e. the bidah that does not exit a person from Islaam] because all innovation in the Religion is evil, and the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] called it ‘Misguidance’. Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] dispraised splitting and its people with an intense dispraise in His statement:[  إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُواْ دِينَہُمۡ وَكَانُواْ شِيَعً۬ا لَّسۡتَ مِنۡہُمۡ فِى شَىۡءٍ‌ۚ – Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects (all kinds of religious sects), you (O Muhammad) have no concern in them in the least. [Surah Al-An’aam. Aayah 159]

Allaah [The Might ad Majestic] said: [  وَلَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُواْ وَٱخۡتَلَفُواْ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتُ‌ۚ – And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 105]

Therefore, Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted] cautioned us- in order that we do not fall into the splitting, differing, discord an sectarianism which those before us fell into- as a mercy upon us and a clear proof, so that no one may come on the day of judgment saying, “Neither did a giver of glad tidings came to us, nor a Warner, nor did we hear a Messenger [conveying] the command of Allaah [Al-Aliyyul Kabeer], even though Allaah did command His Messenger to give glad tidings and warning.

Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted] gave an excuse [to the creation] by sending the Messengers and by way of what He assigned to [the Messengers] to convey. [Allaah said]: [ رُّسُلاً۬ مُّبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ حُجَّةُۢ بَعۡدَ ٱلرُّسُلِ‌ۚ – Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allaah after the Messengers]. [Surah An-Nisaa. Aayah 65]

The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Indeed, the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets, and the Prophets do not leave behind Dinars nor Dirhams, but they leave behind knowledge”.

Therefore, splitting in the fundamental principles and foundations of the Religion- rather in all affairs of the Religion- is blameworthy. It (splitting) is not from the characteristics of the people of Eemaan and Certainty; rather it is from the characteristics of the deviants and the innovators. As for differing in those issues of the Sharee’ah in which differing is permissible, such as differing that occurs regarding [the ruling] on some acts of worship [i.e. as to whether it is obligatory, recommended etc] or [the rulings] related some of the issues of Mutual dealing and their what is similar to them – in which differing is allowed amongst the scholars of Ijtihaad; then indeed there is no basis for splitting, hatred, turning away from one another and boycotting [in this]; rather if this occurs amongst the  scholars of Ijtihaad, then each one examines the proof, its support and basis. And when the truth is made clear even in these issues, then it becomes obligatory to embrace it and leave that which is the opposite of it.

And the important thing we should be aware of, (is that): differing in the subsidiary issues, of that which differing is allowed through Ijtihaad, [from that which is (designated) to the people of scholarly research and examination]; then there is neither a basis for cutting off one another and turning away from one another (in this affair), nor should it bring about splitting between the people.   Indeed, the Salaf used to differ in some of the [subsidiary issues of the Religion], and each had his own view; because firstly they were scholars of Ijtihaad, and secondly their differing did not enter into the blameworthy differing.  And when the truth is made clear in a matter in which differing (occurs), then it is obligatory to settle with it. And in any case, the one who is right in this differing is rewarded twice, and the one who is mistaken is rewarded once and his mistake is forgiven. [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Sullamul Wusool Ilaa Bayaan As-Sitta Al-Usool, pages 17-21. Slightly paraphrased]

Read: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/tolerated-differing-and-impermissible-differing-in-islaam/

Hadeeth- Forbidden to Sit at a Table Where Alcohol is Consumed And Forbidden to Lie Down On Stomach Whilst Eating] -With Short Commentary By Shaikh Zaid [rahimahullaah]

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

Ibn Umar [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said:

“The Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] forbade [two affairs related to eating and drinking]: sitting at a table where alcohol is consumed  and a man who eats whilst lying on his stomach”.

Shaikh Zaid Bin Haadi [rahimahullaah] said: In this hadeeth there is an indication regarding the manners of eating food, because indeed these two deeds are not part of good manners. Firstly, sitting at a table where alcohol is consumed: It is not permissible for a Muslim to sit at a table where alcohol is consumed, because alcohol is the mother of all evil and a person is not safe [in such a situation]. The least sin regarding this affair is that one has shown approval to the one who consumes alcohol at a table. Secondly, it is [the deed of] a man who eats whilst lying down on his stomach; and it has been reported in a narration that the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said about lying on one’s stomach whilst sleeping, “Indeed, it is a way of lying down that Allaah hates”. [Saheeh Al-Jaami 2271] It is not permissible for a man to lie on his stomach, rather he should lie down on his back, or on his right side and that is noblest manner of lying down, or on his left side and there is no harm in that.


[At-taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. Vol 1. Page 408. slightly paraphrased]