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We Are All Guardians and Responsible For Those Under Our Care!

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

Ibn Umar [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said that the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “All of you are guardians and responsible for those under your care.  The ruler is the guardian of his subjects and is responsible for them; a man is the guardian of his family and is responsible for them; a woman is the guardian of her husband’s house and is responsible for it; and a servant is the guardian of his master’s belongings and is responsible for them”.  Ibn Umar added, I thought that he also said, ‘A man is the guardian of his father’s property and is responsible for it. All of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and the things under your care’’’. [Bukhaari Number 893]

This includes [the responsibilities of] a father, a married couple, a head teacher [or manager], a [government] minister and other than them- those whom others are placed under their responsibility [i.e. under their authority, care or guardianship]. It is not only limited to the leader of a nation, [rather] a Muslim has responsibilities towards his children, spouse, [extended] family, society, and occupation, [as well as responsibilities] in his street and Masjid! [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Silsilah Ar-Rasaa’il Al-Manhajiyyah Fin-Nus’hi Wal-Irshaad Wat-Taw’iyah’ Pages 24-25’.  slightly paraphrased]

 

Uttering One’s Intention Before Performing Ablution – [Brief Clarification By Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh]

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

 Uttering one’s intention at the time of performing ablution

It is not allowed. The place of intention is the heart. Uttering the intention loud is something that was not done by our Prophet, and he is the example to be followed.  The Niyyah [legislated intention] is that the performer of ablution establishes in his heart that such ablution is for the prayer, or (for) touching a copy of the Qur’aan, or for [purification after one’s ablution has been nullified by defecation, urination or passing wind etc.] and what is similar to it. This is intention, because intention is the conviction of the heart to carry out an act of worship. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] ordered us to begin the ablution with the Basmalah [i.e. to say بِالسْمِ اللّه] and nothing other than it. So to begin it [i.e. the ablution] by pronouncing one’s intention loud is in opposition to what he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wsallam] has indicated to and commanded. [Source: Al-Min’dhaar Fee Bayaan Katheer Minal Akhtaa Ash-Shaa’i’ah. page 20]

Is It Necessary to Mention The Names of The Deviants When Refuting?!

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

Question to Al-‘Allâmah Ahmad bin Yahyā An-Najmī (rahimahullaah): This question states: What is your view of the one who warns against bid’ah and innovators in general but does not hold that names are to be mentioned?

Answer: When something happened the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) used to say: “What is wrong with a people (who did or say such and such)?! This is correct; but is this said about the leaders of misguidance – those who call the people to affairs of misguidance and the people are put to trial through them; is this said about them? No, these ones must be mentioned; they must be made known and they must be known, so that the people are cautious about them. As for us keeping quiet about them and saying: “No, we do not mention their names; we neither say Sayyid Qutb nor Hasan al-Banna, neither such and such person nor such and such person”; then with respect to the one who utters this statement, for example: If we were to warn against the people of bid’ah, who will be able to say that it is other than these people….these (people) are the leaders of ahlul bid’ah.

Download audio from this link: https://soundcloud.com/ftawaalnajmi/nj007

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [hafidhahullaah] said: The principle related to this [i.e. mentioning names] is about warning against mistakes and deviation, after identifying it as such. If the affair requires making known the name of an individual among the obstinate opponents so that beguilement does not occur through their [affair] – especially those individuals with deviated views or deviation in behavior and methodology, and they are well known among the people and the people have a good opinion of them- then there is no harm in mentioning them by their names and their methodology warned against.

The scholars carry out research in the science of Jarh Wat-Tadeel [criticism and praise] and then mention the narrators and the reproach stated against them. This is not [done] for the purpose of personal [criticism]; rather it is [done] for the purpose to giving advice to the Ummah in case they come across affairs from these individuals that are harmful to the Religion or lies against the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam].

Therefore, first and foremost, this principle is about warning against mistakes. However, the one who committed such mistake(s) is not to be mentioned if that would either lead to greater harm or if there is no benefit in mentioning him. However, if the affair requires that his name be made known for the purpose of warning the people against his methodology, then this is [considered] to be sincerity to Allaah, His Book, His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk, especially if he [i.e. the one warned against] is active within the people and they have a good opinion of him, and acquire his books and tapes. Then there has to be clarification and the people must be warned, because [employing] silence will be harmful to the people. His affair has to be unveiled, but not for the purpose of defamation or following one’s desires [in that]; rather it has to be [done] for the purpose of sincerity to Allaah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and their common people. [Source: Al-Ajwibah Al Mufeedah; page 162 Question number: 66 Slightly paraphrased]

Some of the Deeds That Will Lead to Paradise By The Will of Allaah

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

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] said: The deeds of the People of Paradise: Imaan and Taqwa, and deeds of the people of hell fire: Disbelief, wicked deeds and disobedience to [Allaah and His Messenger].

Deeds of the people of Paradise:

Belief in Allaah; Belief in the Malaa’ikah; Belief in Books revealed by Allaah; Belief in Allaah’s Messengers; Belief in the Hereafter; Belief in Qadr (the good and bad of it); Belief in the Shahaadataan [None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah]; Salaah; Zakat; Fasting during the month of Ramadhaan; Hajj; Ihsaan [to worship Allaah as if you see Him, even though you cannot see him, but you know that He certainly sees you]; Truthfulness in speech; Fulfilling trusts; Fulfilling agreements; kind treatment towards parents; Sincerity to Allaah; Maintaining the ties of kinship; kind treatment towards neighbours; Kind treatment towards orphans; Kind treatment towards poor people; Kind treatment towards slaves; Kind treatment towards animals; Reliance upon Allaah; Love of Allaah and His Messenger; Fear of Allaah; Hope in Allaah; Hope for Allaah’s Mercy; Turning to Allaah with repentance and obedience; Exercising patience with Allaah’s judgements; Thanking Allaah for His Blessings; Recitation of the Qur’an; Remembrance of Allaah; Supplicating to Allaah for one’s special needs; Reliance upon Allaah whilst fleeing away from what one fears; Enjoining good and forbidding evil; Striving in the path of Allaah against the disbelievers and the hypocrites; Keeping good relations with the one who cuts it off; Giving to the one who deprives you and Pardoning the one who oppresses you.

Indeed, Allaah has prepared Paradise for those who fear Him-those who spend in times of ease and adversity; those who suppress anger and pardon the people. Allaah loves the doers of good. And from the deeds of the people of Paradise is Justice in all affairs and towards all the creation, even the disbelievers. [1]

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [hafidhahullaah] said: Allaah said:

وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَمَسَاكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِي جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ ۚ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

Allah has promised the believers – men and women, – Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of ‘Adn (Eden Paradise). But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah. That is the supreme success. [2]

This promise is for them – the companions, the first and foremost.  And you will rarely find a beautiful description or a promise of good like the one that I have mentioned, except that it will be attributed to the companions of the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] first and foremost after the prophets, and then the people that followed them.

Examine the statement of Allaah: [ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ – But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah]- meaning, Allaah will enter them into Jannah, and will address them, saying, “O dwellers of paradise!” and they will say, “At thy service and pleasure, our Lord, the good is in Thy Hands”. He [Allaah- The Lord] will say, “Do you wish for anything more?” Then they will say, “What more could you give us, whilst you have already given us that which you have never given to any of the creation?” He [Allaah-The Lord] will say, “Yes, (and) I shall give to you something greater than that!” They will say, “And what is that?” He [Allaah] will say, “’I will bestow My pleasure and contentment upon you, such that I shall never be angry with you eternally thereafter”.[3]

So, the pleasure and contentment of Allaah is greater than Paradise itself, “Two gardens’, its utensils’ and all of its contents which are made of Gold, and Two other gardens’, its utensils’ and all of its contents which are made of silver, and there will be nothing preventing the people of the Garden of Eden from seeing the Face of their Lord, except for His Curtain of Majesty (veil) [4]

During their bliss, Allaah describes them (as being): [ فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَا أُخْفِيَ لَهُمْ مِنْ قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُون – And if We had willed, surely! We would have given every person his guidance, but the Word from Me took effect (about evil-doers), that I will fill Hell with jinn and mankind together.)] [5]

And Allaah mentioned many characteristics of this bliss, and from them is that which appears in this hadeeth, (Two gardens, its utensils, and all within it of Gold)… and from them is that which Allaah mentioned in his statement:

مَثَلُ الْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُونَ ۖ فِيهَا أَنْهَارٌ مِنْ مَاءٍ غَيْرِ آسِنٍ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ لَبَنٍ لَمْ يَتَغَيَّرْ طَعْمُهُ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ خَمْرٍ لَذَّةٍ لِلشَّارِبِينَ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ عَسَلٍ مُصَفًّى ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مِنْ كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ كَمَنْ هُوَ خَالِدٌ فِي النَّارِ وَسُقُوا مَاءً حَمِيمًا فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَاءَهُم.

The description of Paradise which the Muttaqun (pious – see V.2:2) have been promised is that in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes; rivers of wine delicious to those who drink; and rivers of clarified honey (clear and pure) therein for them is every kind of fruit; and forgiveness from their Lord. (Are these) like those who shall dwell for ever in the Fire, and be given, to drink, boiling water, so that it cuts up their bowels? [6]

And from them is the mention of the Hoor Al-‘Ayn, and Allaah describes them many times, regarding their goodness and beauty, and giving one the urge [to perform good deeds]. All this bliss and happiness takes place before one receives the pleasure and contentment of Allaah, and this pleasure and contentment is greater than Paradise ,and it also takes place before the [believers] see Allaah, and there is nothing more beloved to them than to see their Lord. [7]

And due to their belief, truthfulness and sincerity, Allaah gives them this blessing. They strove, and for the one who strives there are a hundred levels, every level is between the heavens and the earth, and there is no one equal and better than them in that.

Therefore, it is obligated on us to know the status of the Companions of the Prophet, and that we are pleased with them, and that we call to their way, and we ask Allaah that he places us in their company and that of their prophet.  Love for them is Eemaan and a part of one’s religion, and hatred of them is Kufr (disbelief) and Nifaaq (hypocrisy). And there are many Aayaat mentioned in the Qur’aan regarding the virtues of the companions. So, read the Qur’aan and understand it, and you will find many (verses) more than this, and do not dismiss any of them.  [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Wasaayaa Al-Manhajiyyah Li Muttabi’ee As-Sunnah An-Nabawiyyah pg.316-318. Slightly paraphrased]


[1] Source: Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 10/422;  [2] Suratut-Tawbah – Verse 72; [3] Reported By Ahmad in his Musnad (3/88) Hadeeth no. 11857 and Bukhaari in Ar-Riqaaq no. 6549; [4] Surah As-Sajdah – Verse 17; [5] Reported by Ahmad in His Musnad (4/411), Bukhaaree in At-Tafseer (no.4878) and Muslim in Al-Eemaan (no.180),from the hadeeth of Abee Moosaa Al-Ash’aree (May Allaah be pleased with him); [6] Surah Muhammad – Verse 15; [7] Just as it appears in the Hadeeth in Musnad Ahmed (4/332 no. 19143, 19144) and Muslim in Al-Eemaan (no. 181) with the chain from Suhayb that the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ read this Aayah: [لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا الْحُسْنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٌ -For those who have done good is the best (reward, i.e. Paradise) and even more (i.e. having the honour of glancing at Allaah’s Face]. And then he said: When the people of paradise enter paradise, and the people of Hellfire enter Hellfire then the Caller will call out: “O inhabitants of paradise, indeed you have with your Lord a promise he wishes to fulfil,” so they will say: “What is that? Has He not already made our scales heavy, brightened our faces, entered us into paradise and saved us from the Hellfire?” He ( the narrator) said: “Then the Lord will lift the veil, and of that which has been given to them, nothing will be more dear to them and more beloved to their eyes than the sight of their Lord, The Mighty and Majestic. [7] Reported by Imaam Ahmed in Al-Musnad 2/335 (8402) and Bukhaaree in Al-Jihaad and As-Siyar (hadeeth no. 2790) from the Hadeeth of Abee Hurayrah (May Allaah be pleased with him), and Muslim in Al-Imaarah (Hadeeth no.1884) from the hadeeth of Abee Sa’eed Al-Khudree (May Allaah be pleased with him).

And Say to My slaves That They Should (only) Say Those Words That Are The Best, Because Satan Sows Disagreements Among Them

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَقُل لِّعِبَادِي يَقُولُوا الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلْإِنسَانِ عَدُوًّا مُّبِينًا

And say to My slaves that they should (only) say those words that are the best. (Because) Shaitan (Satan) verily, sows disagreements among them. Surely, Shaitan (Satan) is to man a plain enemy.

Allaah [The Blessed and Most High] command His slave and Messenger [i.e. Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] to command Allaah’s believing slaves that they speak to one another in their conversations and discussions with what is better and good, for if they do not do that, shaytaan will initiate a state of conflict between them and speech will lead to actions, and thus evil, [blameworthy] argumentation and fighting will arise; for indeed shaytaan is an enemy of Aadam and his children since [the time] he refused to prostrate to Aadam. His enmity is clear and manifest, so because of this it prohibited for a man to point at his Muslim brother with an iron [instrument], for indeed shaytaan [can entice an evil action] in his hand and he may strike [ his Muslim brother] with it. [Ref 1]

Imaam Sadi stated that this command [i.e. in Surah Al-Israa Aayah 53] is related to every speech that will bring a person close to Allaah, such as recitation [of the Qur’aan], remembrance of Allaah, enjoining good and forbidding evil, [to address the people] with good and gentle speech in accordance with their different social statuses and positions. If something resolves around two good affairs, then Allaah commands that the better of the two is chosen if it is not possible to combine both of them. Good speech leads to every beautiful mannerism and righteous deed, for indeed the one who controls his tongue will be able to take control of his affairs.

Shaytaan wants to cause disagreements between you. He hastens towards that which will corrupt the religious and worldly affairs of the slaves. Therefore, the remedy for this is that he is not to be followed when he incites you to utter statements that are not good in order to cause enmity and disagreements between you. He is your real enemy and it is obligated on you to wage war against him because he calls you to be among the people of the hell fire. [Ref 2]


[Ref 1: Source: An Excerpt from Al-Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Tahdheb Tafseer Ibn katheer’ Surah Al-Israa 17: 53]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-kareem ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan]

Family: [The Number of Children We Want, Giving The Wife a Break to Recover Properly Before The Birth of Another Child etc] – By Shaikh Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz

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

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] was asked about a husband and a wife who agreed not to have children and whether this is allowed:

The Shaikh [rahimahullaah] responded saying that this agreement of theirs is not permissible. As long as the woman is able [to bear children], then it is not permissible for them to do this because the Islamic legislation requires that the people give concern to bearing children and make the Ummah numerous. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: Marry the childbearing, loving woman for I shall outnumber the peoples by you on the Day of Resurrection. In another wording [of this narration the Prophet said]: Outnumber [i.e. the followers of the other] Prophets on the Day of Judgement.” That is because by way of this [i.e. having many children] those who worship Allaah among the Muslims will be numerous, the Ummah will be numerous and strong in opposing their enemies.

It is not permissible for a man to abandon having children out of fear of either tiredness in seeking after a livelihood or due to difficulty, or due to expenditure, or due to a desire to enjoy one’s wife and other than that. It also not permissible for a woman to do this, rather it is obligated on both of them to pursue the means of having offspring -be eager to seek the means to having children so that the Ummah becomes numerous and to fulfil what the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] stated.

However, if the woman either suffers a lot of pain due to an illness of the womb or she cannot give birth except by way of surgical operation, then this is an excuse to not have children. If the surgical operation [or caesarean] will harm her- it is feared that something will happen to her, and also if the children are many- born at close intervals and bringing them up becomes difficult upon her, then there is nothing to prevent her from taking some pills [or contraception] or some preventative measures for a year or two – the period of breastfeeding- so that she becomes strong enough to nurture the children and able to nurture the other newly born. Audio link with transcript http://www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/11853

NB: This is a general Fatwa, therefore married should ask the scholars about their specific circumstances, in order to receive specific ruling related to their situation.


Read also

Fertility issues and contraception in Islam: The choice to have children

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/fertility-issues-and-contraception-in-islam-the-choice-to-have-children-ethics-1-6/

Rulings Related to Contraception, Family Planning & Following One Pregnancy With Another by Abu Khadeejah

https://www.salafisounds.com/tag/contraception/

Abortion and its ruling in Islam

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/abortion-and-its-ruling-in-islam-redstone-academy-ethics-1-4/

Miscarriage of a foetus and the rulings related to the mother and child: Ibn Bāz and Ibn Uthaimeen.

https://www.abukhadeejah.com/miscarriage-of-a-foetus-and-the-rulings-related-to-the-mother-and-child-ibn-baz-and-ibn-uthaimeen/

Some Admonitions of Abdullaah Bin Mas’ood [radiyallaahu-anhu]

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

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “Indeed, you see an unbeliever with the healthiest body amongst the people and with the sickest heart; and you will come across a believer with the most upright of hearts and the unhealthiest body [i.e. physical illness]. I swear by Allaah, if your hearts were sick and your bodies healthy, you will be more insignificant to Allaah than dung beetles”.

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “’Search for your heart in three situations [i.e. how you respond]: When the recitation of the Qur’aan is heard, in the gatherings where Allaah is remembered and in times of seclusion. If you do not find your heart in these situations, then ask Allaah to grant you a heart, for indeed you do not have a heart’’.

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “Sins take control over the heart”.

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “Indeed, the people make their speech very good and appropriate; the one whose speech is in conformity with his actions is that one who has achieved his portion of [goodness]. And the one whose speech is in opposition to his actions, then he is that one who has rebuked himself’’.

He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “There is not anything on the face of the earth more needed than a prolonged imprisonment of the tongue [i.e. speak good or remain silent]’’.


[Source: Al-Fawaa-id by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah]. page 213-221]

Allaah Says the Truth, And He Guides to the Right Way – [By Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah)]

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

Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَاللَّهُ يَقُولُ الْحَقَّ وَهُوَ يَهْدِي السَّبِيلَ  – Allaah Says the Truth, And He Guides to the Right Way (33: 4)]

This noble ayah makes it absolutely clear that Allaah speaks the truth -truthfulness and certainty in His narratives; justice and wisdom in that which He has commanded and prohibited. Everything Allaah has stated is truth, absolute credibility and beneficial for the slaves. It is a source of wellbeing in their creed and manners, and in their religious and worldly affairs. Everything Allaah has commanded is an act of righteousness, a quality of perfection, a benefit and a blessing; and everything Allaah has forbidden is evil, harmful and corruption, whether in the affairs of the worldly life or the religion. The entire Islamic legislation is an explanation of this great principle, which Allaah has mentioned in this Ayah and other than it.

Then Allaah says [وَهُوَ يَهْدِي السَّبِيلَ  – And He (Allaah), guides to the right way]; It is the path leading to the truth which Allaah has mentioned, and by way of which Allaah establishes judgements. Allaah suffices (us) and clarifies this truth for (us) through clear perceptible evidences (i.e. sound evidences that agree with the upright innate human fitrah and the uncorrupted intellect) and divine evidences, as Allaah stated in another Ayah:

[سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ  – We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that (this Qur’aan) is the truth (41:53)]


[Source: Ad-Dalaa-il Al-Qur’aaniyyah Fee Annal Uloom Wal-A’maal An-Naafi-a Al-Asriyyah Daakhilatun Fid Deenil Islaamiy’ page 6′ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah)]

Utilised all The Blessings to Sincerely Pursue Praiseworthy Religious And Worldly Goals! [Who Was This Noble King?!]

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

إِنَّا مَكَّنَّا لَهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَآتَيْنَاهُ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ سَبَبًا

فَأَتْبَعَ سَبَبًا

Verily, We established him (i.e. Dhul Qar’nayn) in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything. So he followed a way. [18:84-85]

Ali bin Abee Talhah reported from ibn Abbaas who said, ”[it is] knowledge.” Qataadah, Ibn Zaid, Ibn Jurayj and Dahhaak said, “[it is] knowledge which led him to what he wanted.” Ishaaq said, “[it is] knowledge that led him wherever he wanted to [reach or go].” Many of the Mufassiroon said that he [Dhul Qar’nayn] was given knowledge of everything that a person needs to aid himself.  So he followed a path through those means bestowed upon him to reach their [praiseworthy] goals. [Source:  An Excerpt from Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah..2/165]

The Extremely Difficult Circumstances That Surrounded Yusuf [alayhis Salaam] When The Wife of The King Sought to Seduce Him!

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

Imaam Sadi [rahimahullaah] said: Allaah has placed in man’s nature an inclination towards a woman, just like the inclination of a thirsty person towards water and that of a hungry person towards food.  And even though many people do exercise patience with regards to their [desire] for food and drink, but not with regards to their [desire] for women.  This is not blameworthy if it is in accordance with what is permissible, rather it is something praiseworthy.

Yusuf- at the time- was a young man and the sexual desire of a young man is much stronger. He was a bachelor, a slave of the king’s wife and was bought for a few dirhams.  And a slave has no control over his affairs. He was a stranger in the land and a stranger in a strange land can fulfil his [evil] desires, which he is not able to fulfil in his own land, in the presence of his family and those who know him well [i.e. because he feels ashamed]

The wife of the King was a woman of high status and beauty; so one these two [affairs] would urge a person to agree with her request. The wife of the king was accessible [i.e. she was willing to commit the evil act of zina]. She sought after Yusuf; she desired him and was infatuated with him. Yusuf was living in her house, under her authority and would have feared being harmed for refusing to obey her. Yusuf was safe from being exposed because she sought after him and locked the doors. She also appeared in her best adornment and said to Yusuf, ‘Come on O you!’ She also threatened Yusuf with imprisonment and belittlement. She sought the assistance of the rest of the women and Yusuf sought the assistance of Allaah against them. Despite all these difficult circumstances surrounding Yusuf (alayhis-salaam), he exercised patience and preferred obedience to his Lord.  He preferred the pleasure of Allaah and fear of Him.  His love of Allaah made him choose imprisonment over committing zina.  He said: [قَالَ رَبِّ السِّجْنُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا يَدْعُونَنِي إِلَيْهِ  ] ‘He said: ‘O my Lord! Prison is dearer to me than that to which they invite me.’ [12:33]

So What Was The End Result? Yusuf was granted honour and authority in the land.  He was mentioned with good and beautiful praise.  This was his reward in this worldly life and his reward in the hereafter is Paradise.

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Asbaab Wal A’maal Allatee Yudaa-afu Bihaa Ath-Thawaab’ by Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) pages: 55-58]