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A Book of Imaam As-Sadi [rahimahullaah] Recommended By Ustaadh Abu Hakeem [hafidhahullaah]

Ustaadh Abu Hakeem [hafidhahullaah] recommended – at the Birmingham Conference – that we buy Imaam As-Sadi’s Book Titled:

البراهين

العقلية على وحدانية الرب ووجوه كماله

The book has been explained by Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] in 12 Audios, so perhaps those of us who prefer audios can benefit from these audios or use them for more Fawaa’id whilst reading the Book. May Allaah benefit all of us from the works of the Ulama and the upright students Aaameen. Visit Link for audios:  https://al-badr.net/sub/395

After Me You Will See Others Given Preference to You, So Be Patient Till You Meet Me at The Haud

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

The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “After me you will see others given preference to you, so be patient till you meet me at Al-Haud [the pond (i.e. Al-Kauthar)] (on the Day of Resurrection]”. [Bukhaari]

It has (also) been reported in the Saheehayn [Bukhaari and Muslim] on the authority of Ubaadah Bin As-Saamit [radiyallaahu-anhu] who said, “We gave the Bai’ah (pledge) to Allaah’s Messenger that we would listen to and obey him both at the time when we were active and at the time when we were tired”. “And that we would not fight against the ruler or disobey him, and would stand firm for the truth or say the truth wherever we might be, and in the Way of Allah we would not be afraid of the blame of the blamers”. [End of ahaadeeth]

Indeed, the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] commanded the Muslims to exercise patience when others are given preference to them. They [must] obey their rulers in [good]- even if others are given preference to them- and should not challenge the authority [of the rulers]. Many of those who rebel against the rulers or most of them only do so when others are given preference to them, so they do not exercise patience when this occurs. Then it may be that the ruler has other sins [i.e. sins committed openly], so the person’s hatred – due to others being given preference to him – leads him to inflate those [other sins of the ruler] and thus he fights the ruler, [whilst] thinking that he is fighting for the sake of stopping fitna and so that the religion is sincerely established for the sake of Allaah alone. However, the greatest drive behind this [path of his] is to achieve his goals – either to seize power or [obtain] wealth, just as Allaah [The Most High] said: [فَإِنْ أُعْطُوا مِنْهَا رَضُوا وَإِن لَّمْ يُعْطَوْا مِنْهَا إِذَا هُمْ يَسْخَطُونَ   – If they are given part thereof, they are pleased, but if they are not given thereof, behold! They are enraged! [Surah At-Tawbah’ Ayah 58]

In the Saheehayn, the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “There will be three [types] of people whom Allaah will neither speak to them on the Day of Resurrection nor will He purify them [from sins], and they will have a painful punishment. [They are]: a man who had superfluous water on a way and withholds it from the wayfarers. And a man who sells something to another man after Asr and swears by Allaah [with a false oath] that he has been offered so much for it, whereas the buyer believes him and buys it although the seller has not been offered such a price. And a man who gives a pledge of allegiance to an Imam [i.e. a ruler] and only gives it for worldly [gains]; if he is given he fulfils his pledge, and if he is not given, he does not fulfil it”. [Muslim]

However, when Shub’hah [i.e. an affair that resembles the truth but is falsehood in reality] and Shah’wah [i.e. evil desires] come together, fitna arises. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasalam]- the one who conveyed Allaah’s legislation- commanded [us] with everything that will lead to rectification [or well-being] for an individual and the Muslims, therefore, he commanded the rulers to be just and sincere to their subjects to the extent that he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Any man whom Allaah has given authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, [Allaah] will forbid him from entry into paradise”.’ [Bukhaari] [i.e. the one who dies and failed to repent from this major sin, he is left under the will of Allaah. Allaah will either punish him or forgive him; but if punished, he will not remain in the fire forever. This applies to all major sins that are lesser than Shirk…see link regarding this affair: http://www.wrightstreetmosque.com/the-two-shaikhs-ibn-baaz-al-fawzaan-on-the-position-of-ahlus-sunnah-regarding-a-person-committing-major-sins-not-making-takfeer-of-the-sinners/

And he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] commanded the subjects to obey [the rulers in good] and to give them advice, as reported in the Bukhaari and Muslim: “The Religion is Naseeha (sincerity and sincere advice).” We said, “To whom?” He said, “To Allaah [i.e. sincerely worship Allaah alone and not to ascribe partners with Him]; to His Book [i.e. sincerely belief in the Qur’aan, affirm everything it has stated and negate everything it has negated, and judge by it in all affairs]; to His Messenger [i.e. obey the Messenger, believe in everything he has stated and keep away from what he has forbidden]; and [being sincere] to the leaders of the Muslims [i.e. obey the rulers in good, supplicate for them, refrain from rebelling against them, give them sincere advice in private etc ] and their general people [i.e. love for the Muslims what you wish for yourself, repel harm from them, advise them, teach them, stop them from evil, aid them when they need help etc]

He [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] commanded [the believers] to exercise patience when others are given preference to them and forbade them from fighting the rulers. He [forbade them from] challenging their authority, even though the [rulers] commit oppression. That is because the corruption that results from fighting them is greater than the oppression they commit; therefore, a lesser corruption is not to be repelled if it will lead to a greater evil. See link: http://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/

How to advice the rulers:

http://salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ16&articleID=MNJ160003&articlePages=1    

http://salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ16&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Silsilah Ar-Rasaa’il Al-Manhajiyyah Fin-Nus’hi Wal-Irshaad Wat-Taw’iyah’ pages 34-38. slightly paraphrased]

The Blessing of Contentment

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

Question: The questioner asks: How can a person attain contentment with what Allaah has provided for him (or her)?

Answer: Among those specific (manners) that will enable a person to be contented with what Allaah portioned out for him (or her) is to have Ridaa (i.e. to be pleased with Allaah’s decree and submit to it without any resistance or displeasure) with the livelihood Allaah has portioned out for him (or her). Allaah (Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections) stated:

نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُم مَّعِيشَتَهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۚ وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِّيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا ۗ وَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ

It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in this world, and We raised some of them above others in ranks, so that some may employ others in their work. But the Mercy (Paradise) of your Lord (O Muhammad) is better than the (wealth of this world) which they amass. [43:32]

This (i.e. what is stated in this ayah) enables a person to be contented with what Allaah has portioned out for him (or her). And also because of this Allaah (The Most High) said to His noble Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam):

وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ

And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them (polytheists and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah), the splendour of the life of this world that We may test them thereby. But the provision (good reward in the Hereafter) of your Lord is better and more lasting. [20:131]

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said that the Messenger of Allaah (salllal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: Look to those below you (i.e. compare yourselves to those lesser in status and provision than you etc) and do not look to those above you (i.e. those given higher status or provision more than you). This is more appropriate lest you look down upon Allaah’s favours (upon you). [Reported by Muslim]


[Source: Fadaa’il Al-A’maal pages 29-30’ by Shaikh Muhammad Bin Abdillaah As-Subayyil (rahimahullaah)]

Closing The Doors of The Masjid Due to Benefit And Removing The Fitna Makers From It- Those Who Bring About Trial For The People In Their Religious Affairs

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

Allah [The Most High] said:

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ وَسَعَىٰ فِي خَرَابِهَا أُولَٰئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَن يَدْخُلُوهَا إِلَّا خَائِفِينَ لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

And who is more unjust than those who forbid that Allâh’s Name be glorified and mentioned much (i.e. prayers and invocations, etc.) in Allâh’s Mosques and strive for their ruin? It was not fitting that such should themselves enter them (Allâh’s Mosques) except in fear. For them there is disgrace in this world, and they will have a great torment in the Hereafter [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 114]

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said:

And from the benefits of this verse is that it is permissible to remove a person from the mosque if there is a benefit, due to His statement: “that Allâh’s Name be glorified and mentioned much”;

Preventing someone from entering the mosques of Allah has requirements: sometimes the mosques are prevented [from being entered] so that its carpets, grounds, books or copies of the Qur’an are not degraded. Sometimes the doors are locked for fear of tribulation, such as in the case of a group of men congregating to stoke up trouble or [intending to] cause chaos, so they [i.e. the doors] may be closed to prevent them from congregating. Sometimes, they are closed for restoration or repairs. Sometimes, they may be closed for fear of theft. In all these cases, the closure [of a mosque] is permissible or desirable. [End of quote] [Ref 1]

Also in his explanation of Al-Arba’een An-Nawawiyyah, the Shaikh [rahimahullaah] narrated the incident regarding Imaam Maalik [rahimahullaah] and the man who asked him about the statement of Allaah -the Most High: [الرَّحْمَٰنُ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ اسْتَوَىٰ  – The Most Beneficent (Allah) Istawaa (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne] [20: 5]; then the man said, ‘’How did Allaah rise [over the Throne]?’’ So he [Imaam Maalik] bowed his head [Rahimahullaah] – and began to sweat profusely due to the gravity of what had been put to him [i.e. the question] and the veneration [he had] for his Lord [The Mighty and Majestic]. Then he raised his head and said: “The Istawaa is not unknown”- Meaning: It is known in the Arabic language, [for example] one rose above something, meaning that he ascended over it. Everything that has been transmitted in the Qur’an and Sunnah and from the words of the [ancient] Arabs [indicates] that when [the word] Istawaa is followed by [the word] ‘alaa, it means ascension. And his [i.e. Imaam Maalik] statement: “And the how is not known”- Meaning, that we cannot comprehend how Allah ascended over the [Mighty] Throne with our [deficient] intellects, rather indeed it is only [known] by way of the [authentic] texts of the Sharee’ah. And his [i.e. Imaam Maalik] statement: “And to believe in it [i.e. Istawaa] is obligatory”; meaning that believing in the ascension of Allah over the [Mighty] Throne in a way that befits [His Majesty] is obligatory. “And asking about it is an innovation”, meaning that asking about the howness of the ascension is an innovation, because the companions – may Allah be pleased with them – did not ask the Prophet – [Sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] questions such as this and they are the most eager in knowing [about] Allah. The Prophet if asked knows Allah better than we do, yet the questions never occurred to them. So should not what sufficed them suffice us?

The answer: Of course, so it is obligated on a Muslim that he suffices with what the Salaf as-Saalih [pious predecessors] sufficed with and should not ask [about this].

Then Imam Malik [Rahimahullaah] said, “I do not see you” meaning, I do not think [you are] “except an innovator”, you wish to corrupt the people’s religion, then he ordered that he [i.e. the person who asked this question about the howness of the Istawaa] be removed from the mosque- the Prophets mosque [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam]. And he [i.e. Imaam Maalik] did not say, “By Allah, I cannot remove him, I fear that I may enter into Allaah’s statement: [وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ  – And who is more unjust than those who forbid that Allâh’s Name be glorified and mentioned much (i.e. prayers and invocations, etc.) in Allâh’s Mosques] because I am preventing him from entering the mosque”. That is because he [i.e. that man] did not enter to glorify the name of Allah, rather he entered to corrupt the servants of Allah, and such a person should be prevented [from entering].

And when it is the case that the one who eats garlic and onions is prevented from entering the mosque, then how about the one who corrupts the religion of the people? Is he not more deserving to be prevented? Certainly, by Allah; but many of the people are heedless. [Ref 2]


[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Tafseer Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 114’. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2]: [An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Al-Arba’een An-Nawawiyyah pages 37- 38.’ Slightly paraphrased]

 

 

 

 

 

Our Noble Messenger Informed Us That Our Creator Commanded Us to Be Humble

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

Iyaad Bin Himaar [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: The Messenger [sallal-laahi-alayhi-wasallam] stood amongst us one day and addressed (us), so he said: Indeed Allaah has revealed to me that you must be humble, so that no one boasts over another and no one oppresses another. [Saheeh Muslim: Hadeeth Number: 2865]

[Indeed Allaah has revealed to me that you must be humble]- Meaning: Everyone should be humble towards the other and not elevate himself above another [person]; rather he [a person] should place him [i.e. the other person] in the same rank as himself or honours him more. And it was from the customary behaviour of the Salaf [may Allaah have mercy upon them] for one amongst them to treat someone younger than him like his own son and someone older than him like his own father, and someone similar to him like his own brother. So he looks at the one older than him with honour and reverence, the one younger than him with compassion and mercy and the one similar to him with equality-none transgresses against the other. This is from the affairs that are obligatory upon a person to characterise himself with- humble in the presence of Allaah and towards his Muslim brothers.

[An Excerpt from Sharh Riyaadus-Saaliheen- by Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah): Number: 602 slightly paraphrased]

Invoke Your Lord With Humility And In Secret – [A Command to Strive For Sincerity When Supplicating And Limiting Oneself to Legislated Acts of Worship]

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ

Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors. [Soorah al-A’raaf Ayah 55]

Imaam As’Sadi (rahimahullaah) said: Ad-Du’aa [Invocation or Supplication] includes Du’aa Al-Mas’alah and Du’aa Al-Ibaadah. [Ref 1]

Du’aa Al-Mas’alah [Supplication, when a request is made]: So supplication is to request one’s needs, and is worship when the servant requests that from his Lord. This is because it involves showing one’s poverty before Allaah, the Most High, and ones need to turn to Him, and one’s certain faith that He is the one having full power, the Most Generous, the one who gives bounteously and is Most Merciful. Seeking ones need from someone else from the creation is permissible if the one to whom the request is made is able to hear and understand it, and has the power to respond to it, like saying, ‘O so and so give me food.’

Du’aa Al-Ibaadah [Invocation through worship]: As for invocation through worship, then it is that the person does an act of worship seeking reward and fearing punishment, and this is not correct unless directed to Allaah alone. To direct this to anyone else besides Allaah is major shirk which takes a person out of the Religion [Ref A], and he falls under the threat in the saying of Allaah, the Most High:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ

And your Lord said: “Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism)] (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation). Verily! Those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!” [40:60] [Ref 2]

Therefore, Allaah commanded (us) to supplicate to Him with humility- being earnest in [our supplication of] request and devotedly in worship. [خُفْيَةً – secretly]- neither loudly nor overtly due to out of fear of [falling] into Riyaa [show off]; rather [it should be done] secretly [i.e. in a low tone] and out of sincerity to Allaah [The Most High].

[إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ – He likes not the aggressors]: Meaning: Those who transgress the limits in every affair. And from transgression is when the servant requests from Allaah [things that are not a source of well-being or righteousness] for him, or he goes into extremes whilst asking [Ref 3] [i.e. going beyond what the sharee’ah legislates in acts of worship, either adding acts or words to the act which are not allowed in the Sharee’ah etc [Ref 4], or he raises his voice [i.e. raises his voice where it is not legislated to raise ones voice – for example in the Qunoot it is allowed to raise ones voice but not in other instances unless there is evidence to do so [Ref 5]. All this is considered to be transgression. [Ref 6]


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

[Ref A: See article for further clarification regarding shirk and excuse of ignorance: http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/uncnb-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-abd-al-muhsin-al-abbaad.cfm

[Ref 2: English Translation of Usool Ath-Thalaatha page 96’ by Abu Talhah Daawud Burbank (may Allaah have mercy on him and his wife]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Publisher. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Ed 1424AH (Year 2003). slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 4: For further details regarding this affair- those who are over-stringent or go beyond bounds in acts of worship-, refer to the statements of the scholars in Sharh Saheeh Muslim 16/220 by Imaam An-Nawawi (rahimahullaah); Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen 1/416-418’ by Shaikh Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) and Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 10/620 by Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) regarding the innovations of the monks and the innovators]

[Ref 5: Shaikh Bin Baaz (rahimahullaah sheds light on this affair, see link: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/635 ]

[Ref 6: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Publisher. Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Ed 1424AH (Year 2003). slightly paraphrased]

“Gates of Paradise Are Opened and Gates of Hell Are Shut During Ramadhaan” – [Does This Mean Entry Into Paradise Without Reckoning For The One Who Dies During Ramadhaan?] – [Shaikh Uthaymeen Answers]

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

Question: The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ‘‘When Ramadhaan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of hell fire are shut and the devils are chained”; does this mean that the one who dies in the month of Ramadhaan will enter Paradise?

Answer: The affair is not so; rather the meaning of this is that the gates of paradise are opened as an encouragement for the performers of (good) deeds so that they are facilitated with entry. And the gates of the hell fire are shut so that the people of Eemaan are kept away from disobedience, (and) so that they do not (enter) these gates. And the meaning of this (statement of the messenger) is not that the one who dies in Ramadhaan is going to enter paradise without reckoning; rather those who will enter Paradise without reckoning are those whom the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) described in his saying: ‘’They are those who neither seek Ruqya nor do they believe in good bad or good omens (from birds etc.), nor do they get themselves branded (Cauterised); but they place their trust (only) in their Lord”, alongside fulfilling that which Allaah has obligated upon them to (perform) of righteous actions. [Source: Fiqhul Ibaadaat of Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) Page: 231]

 

The People of The Hereafter Are Three – [By Bishr Ibn Al-Haarith (rahimahulaah)]

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said that Bishr Ibul  Haarith [rahimahullaah] said: The people of the hereafter are three: The Aabid, the Zaahid and the Siddeeq. The Aabid worships Allaah [i.e. with love, fear and hope] whilst being attached to searching for [permissible] provision. The Zaahid worships Allaah [i.e. with love, fear and hope] whilst not being attached to worldly things which one can do without. The Siddeeq worships Allaah [i.e. with love, fear and hope] together with pleasure and compliance [i.e. strict compliance with Allaah’s  commands and prohibitions]; he takes from the [permissible] worldly things when he sees it fit to [do so] and abandons them when he sees it fit [to do so]. [Al-Fawaa-id: page: 175. Abridged & Slightly paraphrased.]


Who is an Aabid?  [A devout worshipper]

Who is a Zaahid? [He is one who abandons those permissible things he is not in need of, which also are not of any benefit to him in the afterlife. (See Madaarij As-Saalikeen). Sufyaan Ath-thawree said that the Zaahid is not the one who eats stringy food or wears woollen clothes, rather he is one who neither rejoices in some worldly gain nor becomes sad when he fails to get something.]

Who is a Siddeeq: [Shaikh Saaleh al Fawzaan says: The Siddeeq is the one who is (known) for much truthfulness and is extremely truthful. [Al-Haa-iyyah: page:117]

And In Whatsoever You Differ, The Decision Thereof Is With Allaah

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

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَحُكْمُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ

”And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allah (He is the ruling Judge).” [1]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimaahullaah) said:

This is a clear text regarding the fact that the judgement for all our differing is to be referred back to Allaah alone. He is the Judge in this (affair) through the speech of His Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam). If you were to give precedence to the intellect over Allaah’s Judgement, then you are not (considered as) one who judges by Allaah’s Revelation and His Book.[2]


[1] Qur’aan. 42:10

[2] As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah 3/828. See here; Ruling by other than the Sharee’ah: http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ05&articleID=MNJ050003&articlePages=1