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 The Statement of Taqwaa

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

إِذۡ جَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلۡحَمِيَّةَ حَمِيَّةَ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَڪِينَتَهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَعَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَأَلۡزَمَهُمۡ ڪَلِمَةَ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ وَكَانُوٓاْ أَحَقَّ بِہَا وَأَهۡلَهَا‌ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمً۬ا

When those who disbelieve had put in their hearts pride and haughtiness- the pride and haughtiness of the time of ignorance, then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness and tranquillity) upon His Messenger and upon the believers, and made them stick to the word of piety [i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah], and they were well entitled to it and worthy of it. And Allaah is the All-Knower of everything. [Surah Al-Fath 26]

[إِذۡ جَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلۡحَمِيَّةَ حَمِيَّةَ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ  – When those who disbelieve had put in their hearts pride and haughtiness the pride and haughtiness of the time of ignorance]:

This was when the polytheists refused to allow [the scribe of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] to write the statement [بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ] whilst an agreement was been made between them and the Messenger. They also refused to allow the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and the believers to visit the kabah in that year lest the people say that the Muslims entered Makkah by overcoming the Quraish. [Ref 1] This affair [i.e. this pride and haughtiness of theirs] is from the [manners] of the people of the Pre-Islamic era of ignorance. It was something that did not cease be present in their hearts until it led them to commit many acts of disobedience [to Allaah].

Then Allaah said: [فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَڪِينَتَهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَعَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ – then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness and tranquillity) upon His Messenger and upon the believers]:

Anger did not lead them to deal with the polytheists in the manner the polytheists dealt with them, rather they exercised patience, whilst adhering to Allaah’s judgement. They adhered to the conditions that obligated on them to refrain from violating what Allaah [The Most High] prohibited them from violating, regardless of the speech and blame of the blamers.

Then Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَأَلۡزَمَهُمۡ ڪَلِمَةَ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ – And made them stick to the word of piety (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah]: Meaning: Allaah made them adhere to Laa ilaaha illal laah and the obligations attached to it. Allaah [The Most High] made them adhere to it and fulfil its obligations, so they adhered to it and fulfilled it. [وَكَانُوٓاْ أَحَقَّ بِہَا وَأَهۡلَهَا‌ۚ  – and they were well entitled to it and worthy of it]: Meaning: They were entitled to it more than others and were from those worthy of it, because Allaah knows the good [i.e. Eemaan, obedience to Allaah and His Messenger etc] that was in their hearts, and this is why Allaah said: [وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمً۬ا – And Allah is the All-Knower of everything].

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

[Ref 1: Read the long narration in Saheeh Al-Bukhaari regarding this incident. Hadeeth Number 2731 Vol 3. Book of Conditions]

The Most Trustworthy Handhold

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَمَن يُسۡلِمۡ وَجۡهَهُ ۥۤ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحۡسِنٌ۬ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰ‌ۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡأُمُورِ

And whosoever submits his face [himself] to Allaah while he is a Muhsin [good doer], then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold [Laa ilaaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah)]. And to Allaah return all matters for decision. [Surah Luqmaan. Aayah 22]

[وَمَن يُسۡلِمۡ وَجۡهَهُ ۥۤ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ  – And whosoever submits his face (himself) to Allah]- Meaning: This is the one who [willingly and sincerely] humbles and submits himself to Allaah [The Most High], sincerely carries out acts of worship and keeps away from what Allaah has forbidden; [وَهُوَ مُحۡسِنٌ۬ – while he is a good-doer]-Meaning: A good doer in the religion of Islaam, who [sincerely] carries out acts of worship that have been legislated by Allaah [The Most High] and in accordance with the authentic Sunnah of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]; or that person who [willingly and sincerely] submits to Allaah by carrying out legislated acts of worship in a manner as if he or she is seeing Allaah, even though [that is not possible in this worldly life], but knows that Allaah sees him or her; or that one who [willingly and sincerely] submits to Allaah by fulfilling the rights of Allaah [i.e. worships Allaah alone, fulfil Allaah’s commands and keeps away from what Allaah has forbidden] and fulfils the rights of the people. All the above explanations mean the same thing, because the performers of these [righteous deeds] accept such deeds and perform them perfectly. However, the only difference between them is the [level of striving and sincerity of each person].

Therefore, whoever does this, [i.e. willingly submits] to Allaah, whilst being a good doer in Islam], then such a person has truly submitted to Allaah [The Most High] and is one who has  ‘Grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold [i.e. that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah]’, which will make a person steadfast and lead to safety – safeguards a person from destruction and lead to success through every path of good.

On the other hand, whoever does not submit to Allaah willingly and is not a good doer based on the acts of worship legislated by Allaah and are to be performed in accordance with the authentic Sunnah of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], then indeed such a person has not grasped the most trustworthy handhold.

And when it is case that such a person is not among those holding to this most trustworthy handhold, then indeed his or her end cannot be anything else but destruction. [وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡأُمُورِ – And to Allah return all matters for decision]- Meaning: All matters will return to Allaah, so that He will judge between mankind and jinn, recompense them for their deeds and assign them their destinations [i.e. hell or paradise].


[An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’. Slightly paraphrased]

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]

 

 

 

 

 

The People of Truth Will Not Pay Attention to The Insults of The Musaafiqah Whilst Refuting Their Falsehood

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

In Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm pages 253-254, Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] spoke about the six distinguishing signs of beneficial knowledge, then he stated that the third of them is that a person increases in humility whenever his knowledge increases, so he does not become arrogant towards the people. Then the Shaikh [rahimahullaah] said:

If there is a clash between humbling oneself to the truth and humbling oneself to the people, then one should give precedence to humbling himself to the truth.  For example, if there is a person who curses [or abuses, reviles etc] the truth and rejoices due to his enmity against the one who acts upon the truth, then in this case one should not be humble in the presence of this person; rather one should humble himself to the truth and debates this man [i.e. the one who abuses the truth]; even if he belittles or speaks against you, do not give concern to what he says [or to him], because the truth must be aided. [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]

A Brief Faa’idah Related to Aayaat 151-153 [Surah Al-An’aam]

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

قُلۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ أَتۡلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّڪُمۡ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ‌ۖ أَلَّا تُشۡرِكُواْ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا‌ۖ وَبِٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَـٰنً۬ا‌ۖ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوٓاْ أَوۡلَـٰدَڪُم مِّنۡ إِمۡلَـٰقٍ۬‌ۖ نَّحۡنُ نَرۡزُقُڪُمۡ وَإِيَّاهُمۡ‌ۖ وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلۡفَوَٲحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ‌ۖ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ

Say (O Muhammad): “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand”. [Surah Al-An’aam. Aayah 151]

وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ مَالَ ٱلۡيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحۡسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ ۥ‌ۖ وَأَوۡفُواْ ٱلۡڪَيۡلَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَا‌ۖ وَإِذَا قُلۡتُمۡ فَٱعۡدِلُواْ وَلَوۡ ڪَانَ ذَا قُرۡبَىٰ‌ۖ وَبِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡفُواْ‌ۚ ذَٲلِڪُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ

“And come not near to the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfill the Covenant of Allah, this He commands you, that you may remember”. [Surah Al-An’aam. Aayah 152]

وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ‌ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ

“And verily, this [i.e. Allah’s Commandments mentioned in the above two Verses 151 and 152] is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not [other] paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqoon [the pious]”. [Surah Al-An’aam. Aayah 153]

Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] said: All these Aayaat end with the command [ذَٲلِكُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِ – This He (i.e. Allaah) has commanded (or ordained) for you]. At the end of the first Aayah [.e. Al-An’aam Aayah 151] Allaah said: [ذَٲلِكُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُون- This He has commanded you that you may understand]; at the end of the second Aayah [i.e. Al-An’aamin Aayah 152] Allaah said: [ذَٲلِڪُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُون- This He commands you, that you may remember]; and at the end of the third Aayah [i.e. Al-An’aam Aayah 153] Allaah said: [ذَٲلِكُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ – This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)]. Some of the scholars say that because the first thing is that one should understand what is intended by the command; secondly is that he remembers and finally he fears Allaah [by doing what he has been commanded] and keep away from what will anger Allaah.


[Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed. Lesson 1]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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]

 

And We Made Their Hearts Firm and Strong, When They Stood Up and Said: “Our Lord is the Lord of the Heavens and The Earth

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

نَّحۡنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ نَبَأَهُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۚ إِنَّہُمۡ فِتۡيَةٌ ءَامَنُواْ بِرَبِّهِمۡ وَزِدۡنَـٰهُمۡ هُدً۬ى

وَرَبَطۡنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ إِذۡ قَامُواْ فَقَالُواْ رَبُّنَا رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَن نَّدۡعُوَاْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ إِلَـٰهً۬ا‌ۖ لَّقَدۡ قُلۡنَآ إِذً۬ا شَطَطًا

We narrate unto you (O Muhammad) their story with truth: Truly! They were young men who believed in their Lord (Allah), and We increased them in guidance. And We made their hearts firm and strong, when they stood up and said: “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, never shall we call upon any ilah (god) other than Him; if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity in disbelief.

Allaah said: [إِنَّہُمۡ فِتۡيَةٌ ءَامَنُواْ بِرَبِّهِمۡ – They were young men who believed in their Lord (Allaah)]- Meaning: They believed in the oneness of Allaah and associated none as a partner to Him, so Allaah appreciated and rewarded them for their Eemaan and increased them in guidance. Due to the basis of this guidance to Eemaan, Allaah increased them in guidance, and that necessitates beneficial knowledge and [guided to the performance of] righteous deeds, just as Allaah said [in another Aayah in the Qur’aan]: [وَيَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدًى – And Allah increases in guidance those who walk aright [true believers in the Oneness of Allah who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)19:76].

Then Allaah said: [وَرَبَطۡنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ – And We made their hearts firm and strong]- Meaning: We made them patient and steadfast, and bestowed them with tranquillity in their hearts when they were in that state of inconvenience [or unrest]. This is from Alaah’s kindness and generosity, for He granted them Eemaan, guidance, patience, steadfastness and tranquillity. [Ref 1]

[Allaah] fortified their hearts with patience and firmness; strengthened and supported [their hearts] with the light of Eemaan, so they were able to leave the land of their people, separated themselves from the comfort they were in and fled to the cave [for the safety] of their religion. [Ref 2]

Then Allaah said: [إِذۡ قَامُواْ فَقَالُواْ رَبُّنَا رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ – when they stood up and said: “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth]- Meaning: Allaah is the One Who created us, provided us with all blessings and provisions, the Who One controls all our affairs and nurtured us [by facilitating us with the ability and means to be guided in our religious and worldly affairs]. Allaah is the creator of the heavens and the earth – He alone created these great things. The images and idols [worshipped besides Him] can neither create nor provide anything; neither can they hurt nor benefit themselves [and others]; neither do they possess power [of causing] death nor [of giving] life, nor of raising the dead.” So, they [i.e. these youth] cited Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah as evidence to establish Tawheed al-Ilaahiyyah, and for this reason Allaah said that they said: [لَن نَّدۡعُوَاْ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ إِلَـٰهً۬ا‌ۖ – never shall we call upon any ilah (god) other than Him [Allaah]- Meaning: We will not invoke anyone or anything amongst the creation; [لَّقَدۡ قُلۡنَآ إِذً۬ا شَطَطًا – if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity in disbelief]-Meaning: If we invoke others whilst also invoking Allaah- after knowing that Allaah alone is the true Lord and the only one who has the right to be worshipped- then indeed that would be tantamount to great misguidance from the truth and a path that is far removed from what is correct. So, they affirmed both Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah and Tawheed Al-Ilaahiyyah; adhered to it, clarified that it is the truth and that what is in opposition to it is falsehood. This shows the perfection of their knowledge and awareness of their Lord and the increased guidance given to them. [Ref 3]


Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’. slightly paraphrased]

Ref 2: An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim. 2/157’. slightly paraphrased]

Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’. slightly paraphrased]

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]