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We Have Made Some of You As a Trial For Others: will You Have Patience? -[Consolation And Encouragement]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَجَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فِتْنَةً أَتَصْبِرُونَ

And We have made some of you as a trial for others: will you have patience?

[Soorah Al-Furqaan Aayah 20]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said: This is universal among all the creation- they are put to trial by way of one another.  Those whom the Messengers are sent to are a trial for the Messengers, when calling to them to the truth, exercising patience in facing their harm and bearing the difficulties faced when conveying Allaah’s Message.  And the Messengers are a trial for those whom they have been sent to, with regards to whether those people will obey and aid the Messengers, testify to the truth of that which the Messengers have been sent with, or whether they will disbelieve, reject and fight the Messengers.

The ignorant people are a trial for the scholars with regards to whether they will teach and advise them, whilst exercising patience in teaching, advising, guiding them and been constant in that.  And the scholars are a trial for the ignorant people with regards to whether they will obey them and follow their example.

The subjects are a trial for the kings and the kings are a trial for the subjects. The poor people are a trial for the rich people and the rich people are a trial for the poor people. The weak people are a trial for the strong people and the strong people are a trial for the weak people. The leaders are put to trial by those who follow them and those who follow are put to trial by way of the leaders. The slave master is put to trial by way of his slaves and the slaves are put to trial by way of the slave master. A man is put to trial by way of his wife and his wife is put to trial by way of him. The men are put to trial by way of women and women are put to trial by way of men. The believers are put to trial by way of the disbelievers and the disbelievers are put to trial by way of the believers. Those who enjoin good and forbid evil are put to trial by way of those whom they command good and forbid from evil, and those commanded with good and forbidden from evil are put to trial by way of those who command them with good and forbid them from evil.

And due to this, the poor and weak Muslims amongst the followers of the Messengers were a trial for the wealthy people and leaders. They [i.e. these wealthy ones and leaders] were prevented from accepting Eemaan after knowing the truthfulness of the Messengers. [Allaah informed us that they said]:

لَوْ كَانَ خَيْرًا مَا سَبَقُونَا إِلَيْهِ

“Had it (i.e. the Message of the Messenger) been a good thing, they (weak and poor) would not have preceded us thereto!” [Soorah Al-Ahqaaf: Ayah: 11]

And (Allaah said that) they (i.e. disbelievers in the time of Nooh) said to Nooh:

أَنُؤْمِنُ لَكَ وَاتَّبَعَكَ الْأَرْذَلُونَ

“Shall we believe in you, when the lowest of the people follow you? (i.e. those without wealth or status in society)”

[Soorah Ash-Shu’araa: Ayah: 111]

 

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ فَتَنَّا بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لِيَقُولُوا أَهَٰؤُلَاءِ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ بَيْنِنَا

‘’Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: “Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favoured from amongst us?” [Soorah Al-An’aam: Ayah: 53]

So when a leader of high status saw that a poor person of lowly status had preceded him in belief and in following the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], he become furious and scornful about accepting Islaam [due to not wanting] to be similar to [that poor person of lowly status].  And he says: I enter into Islaam so that I may be at the same level with this lowly one?

Az-Zujaaj [rahimahullaah] said: Perhaps a person of high status wanted to accept Islaam, but he was prevented from it so that it would not be said: ‘’someone lower than him preceded him (in Islaam);’’ therefore he remained upon disbelief and not [wanting] a Muslim to precede him in virtue.

And the reason behind [the fact that] some people are a trial for others is that the poor person may say, ‘’Why am I not like the rich person?’’ and the weak person may say, ‘’Why am I not like the strong one?’’ and the one afflicted may say, ‘’Why am I not like the one upon well-being.’’

[Allaah (The Most High) said] that the disbelievers said:

لَنْ نُؤْمِنَ حَتَّىٰ نُؤْتَىٰ مِثْلَ مَا أُوتِيَ رُسُلُ اللَّهِ

“We shall not believe until we receive the like of that which the Messengers of Allah had received”

[Soorah Al-An’aam: Ayah: 124]

This ayah was revealed concerning the trial encountered by the idol worshippers due to the poor immigrants, such as Bilaal, khabbaab, Suhaib, Abu Dar, Ibn Mas’ood and Ammaar [radiyallaahu-anhum], for they [idol worshippers] used to say: ‘’Look at these ones that follow Muhammad and they are from our lowly ones and those under our service.”

Allaah [The Most High] said:

إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَرِيقٌ مِنْ عِبَادِي يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

فَاتَّخَذْتُمُوهُمْ سِخْرِيًّا حَتَّىٰ أَنْسَوْكُمْ ذِكْرِي وَكُنْتُمْ مِنْهُمْ تَضْحَكُونَ

إِنِّي جَزَيْتُهُمُ الْيَوْمَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا أَنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ

‘’Verily! There was a party of My slaves, who used to say: “Our Lord! We believe, so forgive us, and have mercy on us, for You are the Best of all who show mercy!” But you took them for a laughingstock, so much so that they made you forget My Remembrance while you used to laugh at them! Verily! I have rewarded them this Day for their patience, they are indeed the ones that are successful.’’ [Soorah Al-Muminoon: Aayaat: 109-111]

So Allaah informed (us) that He rewarded them for their patience, just as He (The Most High) said:

وَجَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فِتْنَةً أَتَصْبِرُونَ

‘’And We have made some of you as a trial for others: will you have patience?’’

Az-Zujaaj (rahimahullaah) said: This means: Will you not exercise patience when afflicted and indeed you know what the patient ones will receive.  I [Ibnul Qayyim] say:  Allaah [The Glorified One free from all imperfections] bounded affliction with patience in this ayah and also in His saying:  [ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا فُتِنُوا ثُمَّ جَاهَدُوا وَصَبَرُوا  -Then, verily! Your Lord for those who emigrated after they had been put to trials and thereafter strove hard and fought (for the Cause of Allah) and were patient” [Soorah An-Nahl: Ayah: 110]

There is no remedy like patience for the one put to trial! If he exercises patience, then that trial becomes a (source) of purification and rescue from sins, just as the bellows purifies gold and silver. Trials are the bellows of the hearts and the test for one’s Eemaan, and by way of it the truthful one is distinguished from the liar.  Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ

‘’And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test).’’ [Soorah Al-Ankabut: Ayah: 3]

Trials categorise the people into truthful ones and liars, believers and hypocrites, good and wicked.  So whoever exercises patience in facing trials, then this is a mercy for him and a safety from a greater trial due to his patience.  And whoever does not exercise patience in facing a trial will fall into a trial more severe than it.

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Ighaathatul Lahfaan: 2/170-172.’ slightly paraphrased]

The Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] Advised Mu’aadh [radiyallaahu anhu] to Make This Supplication Regularly at The End of The Prayer

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

It was reported from Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Hubli, from As-SunãbihI, from Mu’aadh bin Jabal, that the Messenger of Allah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] held his hand and said: “O Mu’aadh! I swear by Allah, I love you. I swear by Allah, I love you. I advise you, O Mu’aadh, that you never leave saying after every prayer:

[اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ – O Allah! Help me in remembering You, thanking You, and perfecting my worship of You].” And Mu’aadh advised As-Sunaabihi with that, and As-Sunaabihi advised Abu ‘Abdur-Rahmaan with that. [Ref 1]

Imaam Abdul-Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] says that it is better to supplicate with this supplication after the Tasha’hud and before the Tasleem, but there is no harm in doing so after the Tasleem. For further details, refer to this link to find out why the Shaikh (rahimahullaah) says so.  http://www.binbaz.org.sa/node/949

[Ref 1] Declared Saheeh [authentic] by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in his checking of Sunan Abee Dawud Hadeeth number: 1522

How The Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] Dealt With The Young Man Who Sought His Permission to Commit Zinaa – [An Admonition By Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Listen carefully to this affair! By Allaah! Sometimes it is very easy for those who have not experienced the difficulties of guiding teenagers to offer haphazard solutions without much contemplation. One must take into consideration – as the Shaikh stated in this short audio- that the youth of today face greater trials, so they are in need of advice and rifq. And most important of all, they are in need of supplication. May Allaah guide our children and make them the coolness of our eyes in this Dunyaa and Aakhirah Aameen.

Abu Umaamah [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: A young man came to the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] and said, “O Messenger of Allaah, give me permission to commit fornication’’. The people turned to him to rebuke him, saying, “Shh, shh.” [The Prophet (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam)] said, “Come here’’, so he came close to him and he told him to sit down. He said, “Would you like that for your mother?” He said, “No, by Allaah, may I be sacrificed for you’’. He said, “Nor do people like it for their mothers’’. He said, “Would you like it for your daughter?” He said, “No, by Allaah, may I be sacrificed for you’’. He said, “Nor do people like it for their daughters’’. He said, “Would you like it for your sister?” He said, “No, by Allaah, may I be sacrificed for you’’. He said, “Nor do people like it for their sisters’’. He said, “Would you like it for your paternal aunt?” He said, “No, by Allaah, may I be sacrificed for you’’. He said, “Nor do people like it for their paternal aunts.” He said, “Would you like it for your maternal aunt?” He said, “No, by Allaah, may I be sacrificed for you.” He said, “Nor do people like it for their maternal aunts’’. Then he placed his hand on him and said, “O Allaah, forgive him his sin, purify his heart, and guard his chastity.” And after that, this young man never did anything.  [Reported by Ahmad 21708]

Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] said:

The trustworthy adviser, the one sent as a mercy to the Aalameen – may Allaah mention him with praise and sends salutations of peace upon him- placed his hand on the chest of that young man and said, ‘’O Allaah! Forgive him his sin, purify his heart and guard his chastity’’.

Three supplications; write them down, memorise them and give them importance: ‘’O Allaah! Forgive him his sin, purify his heart and guard his chastity’’.

I say: Write them down and memorise them, for indeed the youth at present are in an era of Fitan [trials and tribulations]. I don’t think that youth who was [present] during the era of the Prophet [sallal laahu-alayhi wasallam] encountered Fitan [i.e. trials and tribulations] similar to that which is encountered by the youth at present in this era; therefore -in this era- the youth [i.e. male and female] is in need-  [Shaikh pauses and cries]- of being shown mercy by the people of virtue, compassionate towards him, show him love and supplicate for him sincerely from the [bottom] of their hearts. The supplication of a father for his child is answered and the supplication of a mother for her child is answered.

A father should not say about his son, ‘’May Allaah humiliate him’’ or ‘’May Allaah prevent him from receiving good or despised him’’ or ‘’May Allaah curse him’’. He [i.e. the father] should not be a helper of shaytaan against him [i.e. the child]. The  youth are in need of mercy- the father’s mercy, the mother’s mercy, the mercy of relatives, the mercy of colleagues [and] friends. The youth are in need of these sincere supplications from the truthful [or sincere] hearts- out of hoping for Allaah’s [Glorified and Exalted be He] reward.

Due to the effect of this sincere advice, mercy and supplication of the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], this youth who was present in that era of the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam]  departed from the presence of the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] and nothing [i.e. that sin] remained in his heart; the desire left his heart. He got up, whilst the slightest desire for this affair [i.e. fornication] – which the hearts are inclined towards and are greatly put to trial by way of it – did not remain in his heart. He got up, whilst there was nothing in his heart. Three affairs [i.e. regarding the manner in which the Prophet (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) dealt with him]: Mercy, fine advice [or admonition] and truthful [or sincere] supplication, and the effect [or fruitful outcome] is great indeed; the effect [or fruitful outcome] is great indeed.

By Allaah! The youth nowadays are in need of those who show them gentleness; those who truthfully [or sincerely] supplicate for them; those who give fine advice [or admonition] and clarification to them, and those who are not helpers of shaytaan against them.

In relation to the likes of this advice, the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi- wasallam] said: ‘’Do not be helpers to shaytaan against your brother’’ when they – [i.e. some of the companions said about a man who was brought to the Prophet several times due to consumption of alcohol] – said: ‘’May Allaah humiliate him’’, ‘’May Allaah curse him’’, (so) the Prophet said, ‘’Do not be a helper to Shaytaan against your brother’’, so he guided one towards saying, ‘’May Allaah forgive you’’, supplicate for him [i.e. the sinner].

In a nutshell,  the [intended meanings of these admonitions] –  which the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] detailed – awakens the hearts when they have a heartfelt effect; it awakens the heart; ‘’Do you love that for your mother; do you love that for your daughter; do you love that for your sister etc….’’ This awakens the heart – a great and blessed awakening; so he leaves with this detailed and fine advice [or admonition], truthful [or sincere] supplication to Allaah [Glorified and Exalted be He]; it brings about a tremendous and blessed outcome, for indeed Tawfeeq [i.e. being granted guidance and the ability to act upon it], rectification of the hearts and purity of the souls is in the hands of Allaah, who guides whomsoever He pleases to the straight path. [Paraphrased. Listen to audio]

The Great Benefit Received By Those Who Begin The Day and Reach The Evening Whilst Their Foremost Concern Is to Seek The Pleasure of Allaah

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

If a person begins the day and reaches the evening, whilst his [foremost] concern is [to obey or seek the pleasure of Allaah], Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] will fulfil all his needs, take care of everything that worries him, [free his heart from other things and busy it with] love of Allaah, [preoccupy] his tongue with remembrance of Allaah and His limbs with acts of obedience to Allaah.

And if he begins the day and reaches the evening whilst his [foremost] concern is the worldly life, Allaah will make him carry the displeasure of his worries and griefs, leave him to himself, preoccupy his heart with love of the creation instead of love of Allaah, [preoccupy] his tongue with remembrance of the people instead of remembrance of Allaah, [preoccupy] his limbs with obedience to [people] by  serving them and being busy in their service, instead of being obedient to Allaah; so he toils in their service just like the bellows that blows and squeezes for the benefit of others. Everyone who turns away from servitude to Allaah, obedience to Allaah and love of Allaah, he will be afflicted with servitude to a created thing, love of it and serving it. 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 [Allaah], We appoint for him Shaitan [Satan – devil] to be a Qareen [an intimate companion] to him. [Surah Az-Zukhruf. Aayah 36]

Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawaa’id’ page 134-135. Slightly paraphrased

You are a Servant of Allāh or a Servant of Shaytān – Shaykh Fawzān

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Shaykh Al-Fawzān (hafidahullāh) said,

“The most noble of actions is worshipping Allāh (The Mighty & Majestic) alone; that you are an [obedient or submissive] servant of Allāh. Whosoever is not a servant of Allāh, he becomes a servant of Shaytān. He is a servant in all situations, either he is a servant of Allāh – worshipping Allāh alone and his heart attached to (the worship of) Allāh; or he is a servant of Shaytān. There is no way out of [these two types of] servitude.”

Shaykh Fawzān’s explanation of Igāthatul Lahfān, 1439-07-01

Fasting Makes Performing Good Deeds Easier – Shaykh Sālih al-Fawzān

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Fasting, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Must Read, Purification of The Soul, Ramadhan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Benefits of Fasting:

Fasting makes it easier to perform acts of worship, this is evident from seeing fasting people compete and rush to perform good deeds. When not fasting, maybe they would have been lazy or found the worship difficult for them.

Shaykh Fawzān’s Ithāf Ahlul Ēmān bi Durūs Shahr Ramadhān Pg. 157