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Acquire Knowledge Directly From Study Circles and Be Careful of Solely Relying On Your Books and Audios!

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

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said that from that which is obligated on a student of knowledge to comply with is that he acquires knowledge directly from the Shaikhs, for indeed he will reach -by way of that- several benefits as follows:

*The path to acquiring knowledge will be shortened for him instead of moving from one book to another whilst trying to find out the view that carries more weight (in a particular subject matter) and the reason behind it; also trying to find out the weak view in (that particular subject matter) and the reason behind it. Instead of going through all this, the teacher will give him what he seeks after through an easy path, present to him – two, three or more than three – different views of the people of knowledge together with a clarification of the view that carries more weight and the proof. Indeed, there is no doubt that this is beneficial (or advantageous) for the student.

*He will be facilitated with the ability to grasp a subject matter quickly, because when the student of knowledge reads to a scholar, he will grasp the subject matter many times quicker than when he reads books (on his own). That is because when he read books, he may come across difficult and obscure statements (or expressions), so he needs contemplation and repetition, which requires time and effort, and he may understand those statements wrongly and then act upon them.

*Close connection (or attachment) between the students of knowledge and the erudite scholars- junior people of knowledge attached to senior people of knowledge.

These are from the benefits of acquiring knowledge directly from the Shaikhs; but as mentioned earlier, it is obligated on a person to choose a scholar who is reliable, trustworthy and strong – one who has real knowledge and understanding and not superficial knowledge; truthful and firm in fulfilling what is entrusted to him and known for fulfilling acts of worship, for indeed a student follows the footsteps of his teacher. [Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm. pages 105-106. slightly paraphrased].

Question to Al-Allaamah Ubaid Bin Abdillaah Al-Jaabiti [may Allaah preserve him]: Is it permissible for the one who seeks knowledge from some Shaikh – by way of books and audios – to say to him [i.e. the Shaikh], “Our Shaikh” and thus he becomes a Shaikh of his?

Answer: There’s no harm in considering someone as one’s Shaikh, but I bring your attention to the fact that there are two ways of acquiring knowledge. The first path is seeking knowledge in person and sitting to acquire knowledge from the scholar directly- sitting in his presence, learn good manners from him and good Tarbiyah. This is the ideal way and the loftiest. This is the way of the Sahaabah in acquiring knowledge from their Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]- those who were with him in Madeenah and those who traveled to him. They acquired knowledge directly from the Prophet and taught their people. Likewise, this is how the Taabi’oon acquired knowledge from the Sahaabah- took knowledge (directly) from the Sahaabah, especially the seniors. Likewise, those who followed the Taabi’een did the same up to this era of ours. This is the correct and loftiest path of acquiring knowledge from a Shaikh.

The second path is to acquire knowledge from books and audios. There is no harm in this and it benefits, but it does not contain that which is found in the first method; rather it is for a woman and the one who is unable because of the difficulty in reaching the Shaikh due to distance, for one may not be able to sit in the presence of a scholar even in his own country. Not all women are able-some of them are sometimes able and unable at other times, and some are not able. So, these people benefit [i.e. from the books & tapes], but also they are not advised to enter into challenging (or very difficult) issues related to differences of opinion between the scholars; rather they entrust those affairs to the people of knowledge. And whoever is a teacher – one who gives instructions in knowledge (i.e. nurtures others) or an Imaam of a Masjid in his city district or town, we advise him to be at the service of the people and that he takes those questions of theirs which he is able to answer and respond to them in his city district. And those questions that carry difference of opinion and requires investigation, he offers his services to the people by sending those questions to the people of knowledge and take answers from them. This is a good service with regards to the Muslim helping another Muslim. [paraphrased] Listen to audio here:
https://safeshare.tv/x/aIVf6vxUqh8#

All praise is due to Allaah, many Salafi Masaajid and Centres either have a resident student or a student who travels to them. Do not cling to books and abandon the study circles. Do not be like those youth who frown and are filled with a sense of false independence when told to take knowledge directly from those who are known to the scholars. May Allaah protect us from self-amazement Aameen.

Aashooraa- [Some Great Lessons and Signs to Ponder Upon]

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

Among the amazing stories that Allaah repeated in the Qur’an and praised is the story of Musa [peace be upon him] and Pharaoh, because it contains great wisdom, profound lessons and constructive admonitions. In this story Allaah related the affair of the believers and the wrongdoers – the honor and aid granted to the believers, and how he humiliated and forsook the unbelievers. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ
نَتْلُو عَلَيْكَ مِنْ نَبَإِ مُوسَى وَفِرْعَوْنَ بِالْحَقِّ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعًا يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَائِفَةً مِنْهُمْ يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيِي نِسَاءَهُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مِنَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

These are Verses of the manifest Book (that makes clear truth from falsehood, good from evil, etc.). We recite to you some of the news of Musa (Moses) and Fir’aun (Pharaoh) in truth, for a people who believe (those who believe in this Qur’an, and in the Oneness of Allah). Verily, Fir’aun (Pharaoh) exalted himself in the land and made its people sects, weakening (oppressing) a group (i.e. Children of Israel) among them, killing their sons, and letting their females live. Verily, he was of the Mufsidun (i.e. those who commit great sins and crimes, oppressors, tyrants, etc.). [Surah Al-Qasas. Verses 2-4]

PDF Below

Aashooraa_Some Great Lessons and Signs to Ponder Upon

 

Guidance and Its Increase – By Imaam Ibnul Qayyim

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun [the pious and righteous persons 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). [Surah Al-Baqarah. Verse 2]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: This necessitates two affairs……..

PDF Below

Guidance_and_Its_Increase

The Qur’aan Begins and Ends With Tawheed – By Shaikh Hammaad Al-Ansaaree

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

Quote: The Qur’aan begins and ends with Tawheed. Tawheed in the beginning of Surah Al-Faatihah and in the beginning of Surah An-Naas. [ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ – All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the Aalameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists)] – [قُلۡ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ – Say: “I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of mankind]. So, the Lord of the Aalameen is the Lord of Humankind. It is one and the same thing.

[ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ -The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful]-[مَلِكِ النَّاسِ -The King of mankind]. This is Allaah’s Oneness in His Names and Attributes. [إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ – You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)]- [ إِلَـٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ – The Ilah (Only True Deity) of humankind].

PDF Below:

The Qur’aan Begins and Ends With Tawheed

 

Traditional Foods of Other People: [Be Sensitive to Other People’s Feelings! Either Eat or Leave It, And Be Careful What You Say]

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

Abu Hurairah [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] never criticized any food, but he would eat it if he liked it; otherwise he would leave it”. [Saheeh al-Bukhaari Number 3563]

Meaning, he never criticized food that was permissible to eat, but as for forbidden food, he used to criticize, dispraise and forbid one from eating it. Imaam An-Nawawi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “One of the etiquettes of dealing with food is that one does not criticize it, such as saying, ‘Salty, sour, insufficient salt, coarse, need more such and such, not well cooked and what is similar to (these descriptions). (1)

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, ” This is from his [i.e. the Messenger’s] noble manners. He would neither say that it is salty nor the opposite of it.

Question: What if one says the food is such and such in order to warn (or notify the people)? Answer: There is no harm in doing so, for warning (or notifying) is something else because it is done to educate (people about food etc). (2) Ibn Umar [may Allaah be pleased with and his father]reported that there were some people with Allaah’s Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] from among his Companions, Sa’d [may Allaah be pleased with him] being one of them. There was brought to them the flesh of the lizard when a lady amongst the wives of Allaah’s Prophet [may Allaah be pleased with them] said, “It is the flesh of the lizard”. Thereupon Allaah’s Messenger said, “Eat, for it is lawful, but it is not my diet”. (3)

Abdullah Bin Abbaas [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father] reported, “I and Khaalid Bin Al-Waleed [may Allaah be pleased with him] went to the apartment of Maimoonah [may Allaah be pleased with her]along with Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], and there was presented to him a roasted lizard. Allaah’s Messenger stretched his hand towards it, whereupon some of the women [may Allaah be pleased with them] who had been in the house of Maimoonah said, ‘Inform Allaah’s Messenger what he intends to eat’. Allaah’s Messenger lifted his hand. I said, ‘Messenger of Allaah! Is it forbidden?’ He said, ‘No. It is not found in the land of my people, and I feel that I have no liking for it’. Khalid said, ‘I then chewed and ate it, while, Allaah’s Messenger was looking (at me)'”. (4)


[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Fat’hul Baari. Chapter 21: ‘The Prophet Never Criticised Food’. Vol 9. page 678. Publisher: Daarus Salaam, 1st Edition 1421AH (Year 2000)]

[Ref 2: Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taleeqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaari’Vol 3’ page 120’ footnote 2. slightly paraphrased. Source:]

[Refs3&4:http://www.sahihmuslim.com/sps/smm/sahihmuslim.cfm?scn=dspchaptersfull&ChapterID=823&BookID=21]

Salaah and Salaam Upon The Prophet, and The Du’aa After A’dhaan – Part 1

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

Salaah and Salaam Upon The Prophet:

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَتَهُ ۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيۡهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسۡلِيمًا

Allah sends His Salah on the Prophet (Muhammad) and also His angels too (do so). O you who believe! Send your Salah on him (Muhammad) and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islamic way of greeting (salutation i.e. As-­Salamu ‘Alaikum). [Surah al-Ahzaab. Verse 56]

The Du’aa After A’dhaan

Imaam Al Bukhaari [may Allaah have mercy upon him] reported from Jaabir Bin Abdillaah [may Allaah be pleased with him] that the Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Whoever after listening to the Adhaan says:

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ، آتِ مُحَمَّداً الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَاماً مَحْمُوداً الَّذِي وَعَدْتَهُ

O Allaah! Lord of this perfect call (i.e. this call regarding not to ascribe partners to You) and of the regular prayer which is going to be established!] Kindly give Muhammad Al-Waseelah (highest position in Paradise) and Al-Fadhilah (extra degree of honour) and raise him to Maqam Mahmud (a station of praise and glory, i.e. the honour of intercession on the Day of Resurrection) which You have promised him], then intercession for me will be permitted for him on the Day Resurrection].

PDF Below – Reminders On Both Topics

Salaah_and_Salaam_Upon_The_Prophet_and_Duaa_After_Adhaan

Were Animals Created Before Humans – [Beautiful and Precise Response by Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz]

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

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] was asked about the statement that animals were created two million years before humans; so the Imaam answered with the verse of the Qur’aan in which Allaah informed us that the angels said, [سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا – Glory be to You (O Allaah), we have no knowledge except what you have taught us]. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Verse 32] (1)

The Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz followed the path of his predecessors, such as the likes of Imaam ash-Shabi [may Allaah have mercy upon him]. Once Imaam Shabi was asked about an affair in religion, so he said, “I don’t know”. Then it was said to him, “Do you not feel shy of your statement, ‘I don’t know’ and you’re the jurist of the people of Basra?” So he said, “But the angels did not feel shy when they said: سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ لَا عِلۡمَ لَنَآ إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمۡتَنَآ‌ۖ- Glory be to You (o Allaah), we have no knowledge except what you have taught us]. (2)

No Speculation Regarding That Which Our Lord Has Not Told Us!

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

مَّآ أَشۡہَدتُّہُمۡ خَلۡقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا خَلۡقَ أَنفُسِہِمۡ وَمَا كُنتُ مُتَّخِذَ ٱلۡمُضِلِّينَ عَضُدً۬ا

I (Allah) made them not to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth and not (even) their own creation, nor was I (Allah) to take the misleaders as helpers. [Surah Al-Kahf. Verse 51]

Imaam Ash-Shanqeetee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The established meaning of this noble verse is that Allaah did not make you witness when he created Iblees and his hosts. Allaah did not make you witness the creation of the heavens and the earth – neither to seek your help to create them nor to create you, nor did you witness your own creation. I did not make you witness one another’s creation to seek help to do so; but rather I (Allaah) alone created all of that without a helper or supporter! So why do give them the right that belongs to me alone and take them as allies (protectors) besides me, whilst I am the Creator of everything. This verse – which shows that the Creator is the only true object of worship – is clarified in many othee verses, such the statement of Allaah: [أَفَمَن يَخۡلُقُ كَمَن لَّا يَخۡلُقُ‌ۗ أَفَلَا تَذَڪَّرُونَ – Is then He, Who creates as one who creates not? Will you not then remember?] [Surah An-Nahl. Verse 17]

Allaah said:

قُلۡ مَن رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ‌ۚ قُلۡ أَفَٱتَّخَذۡتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦۤ أَوۡلِيَآءَ لَا يَمۡلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمۡ نَفۡعً۬ا وَلَا ضَرًّ۬ا‌ۚ قُلۡ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِى ٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ وَٱلۡبَصِيرُ أَمۡ هَلۡ تَسۡتَوِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتُ وَٱلنُّورُ‌ۗ أَمۡ جَعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ خَلَقُواْ كَخَلۡقِهِۦ فَتَشَـٰبَهَ ٱلۡخَلۡقُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ‌ۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ خَـٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ وَهُوَ ٱلۡوَٲحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّـٰرُ

Say (O Muhammad ): “Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?” Say: “(It is) Allah.” Say: “Have you then taken (for worship) Auliya’ (protectors, etc.) other than Him, such as have no power either for benefit or for harm to themselves?” Say: “Is the blind equal to the one who sees? Or darkness equal to light? Or do they assign to Allah partners who created the like of His creation, so that the creation (which they made and His creation) seemed alike to them.” Say: “Allah is the Creator of all things, He is the One, the Irresistible.” [Surah Ar-Rad. Verse 16]

Allaah said:

هَـٰذَا خَلۡقُ ٱللَّهِ فَأَرُونِى مَاذَا خَلَقَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦ‌ۚ بَلِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬

This is the creation of Allah. So show Me that which those (whom you worship), besides Him have created. Nay, the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers and those who do not believe in the Oneness of Allah) are in plain error. [Surah Luqman. Verse 11]

Allaah said:

قُلۡ أَرَءَيۡتُمۡ شُرَكَآءَكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَرُونِى مَاذَا خَلَقُواْ مِنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَمۡ لَهُمۡ شِرۡكٌ۬ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ

Say (O Muhammad ): “Tell me or inform me (what) do you think about your (so-called) partner-gods to whom you call upon besides Allah, show me, what they have created of the earth? Or have they any share in the heavens? [Surah Faatir. Verse 40]

I (Allaah) did not make you witness your own creation, but rather I created you upon what I wanted and how I wished. (3)

Robust Clarifications By Our local Mashaayikh

The Myth of Darwinian Evolution – By Shaikh Abu Hakeem [hafidhahullaah]

The Myth of Darwinian Evolution (Part 1)

The Myth of Darwinian Evolution (Part 2) – Natural Selection

The Myth of Darwinian Evolution (Part 3) – The Fossil Records refute Darwin!

The Myth Of Darwinian Evolution (Part 4) – Hidden Archeology

Also listen to the lecture By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [hafidhahullaah]

Establishing One’s Belief Through Pseudoscience & Philosophy is a Path of Destruction – Khutbah by Abu Khadeejah

All about Atheism – By Shaikh Abu Iyaad [hafidhahullaah]

Click to access evolution-book-introduction.pdf

http://www.aboutatheism.net/authors/Abu.Iyaad.cfm


[Ref 1: https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/22704/%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%B5%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AA-%D9%82%D8%A8%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86

[Ref 2: I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 4/167-168]

[Ref 3: [Tafseer Al Qur’aan bil Qur’aan mi Adwaa Al bayaan. Page 572]

Reflection On Some Verses of The Qur’aan Regarding Water!

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

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِرَٰشً۬ا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً۬ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ رِزۡقً۬ا لَّكُمۡ‌ۖ فَلَا تَجۡعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ أَندَادً۬ا وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious). Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped). [Surah Al-Baqarah. Verses 21-22]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

لَهُ ۥ دَعۡوَةُ ٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ لَا يَسۡتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَىۡءٍ إِلَّا كَبَـٰسِطِ كَفَّيۡهِ إِلَى ٱلۡمَآءِ لِيَبۡلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَـٰلِغِهِۦ‌ۚ وَمَا دُعَآءُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬

For Him (Alone) is the Word of Truth (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but He). And those whom they (polytheists and disbelievers) invoke cannot respond to them with a thing, no more than one who stretches forth his hand (at the edge of a deep well) for water to reach his mouth, but it reaches him not, and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use). [Surah Ar-Rad. Verse 14]

Imaam as-Sadi [may allaah have mercy upon him him] said: This is an excellent similitude regarding the invocation of the one who invokes other than Allaah, for he is like one who stretches his hand at the edge of a deep well [to get some] water, even though it is impossible to reach it by doing so. This is the case regarding the one who invokes false deities besides Allaah [The Most High], for he will not reach his goal. Allaah [The Most High] said in another Ayah:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ عَنۡہَا لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمۡ أَبۡوَٲبُ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَا يَدۡخُلُونَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ ٱلۡجَمَلُ فِى سَمِّ ٱلۡخِيَاطِ‌ۚ وَڪَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ

Verily, those who belie Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and treat them with arrogance, for them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle (which is impossible). Thus do We recompense the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.). [7:40]

[وَمَا دُعَآءُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ – and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use)]: Meaning: They invoke false deities; therefore their invocation is tantamount to misguidance. As for Allaah, He is the True King of the entire creation and the only deity worthy of worship, therefore, to worship Him alone is the truth and it is what will definitely benefit a person in this life and the next. [Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan). slightly paraphrased]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

وَٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُوٓاْ أَعۡمَـٰلُهُمۡ كَسَرَابِۭ بِقِيعَةٍ۬ يَحۡسَبُهُ ٱلظَّمۡـَٔانُ مَآءً حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَهُ ۥ لَمۡ يَجِدۡهُ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَوَجَدَ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُ ۥ فَوَفَّٮٰهُ حِسَابَهُ ۥ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡحِسَابِ
أَوۡ كَظُلُمَـٰتٍ۬ فِى بَحۡرٍ۬ لُّجِّىٍّ۬ يَغۡشَٮٰهُ مَوۡجٌ۬ مِّن فَوۡقِهِۦ مَوۡجٌ۬ مِّن فَوۡقِهِۦ سَحَابٌ۬‌ۚ ظُلُمَـٰتُۢ بَعۡضُہَا فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ إِذَآ أَخۡرَجَ يَدَهُ ۥ لَمۡ يَكَدۡ يَرَٮٰهَا‌ۗ وَمَن لَّمۡ يَجۡعَلِ ٱللَّهُ لَهُ ۥ نُورً۬ا فَمَا لَهُ ۥ مِن نُّورٍ

As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing, but he finds Allah with him, Who will pay him his due (Hell). And Allah is Swift in taking account. Or [the state of a disbeliever] is like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with a great wave topped by a great wave, topped by dark clouds, darkness, one above another, if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! And he for whom Allah has not appointed light, for him there is no light. [Surah An-Noor. Verses 39-40]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

إِنَّ فِى خَلۡقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱلۡفُلۡكِ ٱلَّتِى تَجۡرِى فِى ٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآءٍ۬ فَأَحۡيَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِہَا وَبَثَّ فِيہَا مِن ڪُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ۬ وَتَصۡرِيفِ ٱلرِّيَـٰحِ وَٱلسَّحَابِ ٱلۡمُسَخَّرِ بَيۡنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡقِلُونَ

Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs, etc.) for people of understanding. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Verse 164]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجۡنَا بِهِۦ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ فَأَخۡرَجۡنَا مِنۡهُ خَضِرً۬ا نُّخۡرِجُ مِنۡهُ حَبًّ۬ا مُّتَرَاڪِبً۬ا وَمِنَ ٱلنَّخۡلِ مِن طَلۡعِهَا قِنۡوَانٌ۬ دَانِيَةٌ۬ وَجَنَّـٰتٍ۬ مِّنۡ أَعۡنَابٍ۬ وَٱلزَّيۡتُونَ وَٱلرُّمَّانَ مُشۡتَبِهً۬ا وَغَيۡرَ مُتَشَـٰبِهٍ‌ۗ ٱنظُرُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ ثَمَرِهِۦۤ إِذَآ أَثۡمَرَ وَيَنۡعِهِۦۤ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكُمۡ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يُؤۡمِنُونَ

It is He Who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth green stalks, from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date-palm and its spathe come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. Verily! In these things there are signs for people who believe. [Surah Al-An’aam. Verse 99]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَسَالَتۡ أَوۡدِيَةُۢ بِقَدَرِهَا فَٱحۡتَمَلَ ٱلسَّيۡلُ زَبَدً۬ا رَّابِيً۬ا‌ۚ وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيۡهِ فِى ٱلنَّارِ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ حِلۡيَةٍ أَوۡ مَتَـٰعٍ۬ زَبَدٌ۬ مِّثۡلُهُ ۥ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ يَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡحَقَّ وَٱلۡبَـٰطِلَ‌ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلزَّبَدُ فَيَذۡهَبُ جُفَآءً۬‌ۖ وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ فَيَمۡكُثُ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ يَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ

He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and the valleys flow according to their measure, but the flood bears away the foam that mounts up to the surface, and (also) from that (ore) which they heat in the fire in order to make ornaments or utensils, rises a foam like unto it, thus does Allah (by parables) show forth truth and falsehood . Then, as for the foam it passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth. Thus Allah sets forth parables (for the truth and falsehood, i.e. Belief and disbelief). [Surah Ar-Rad. Verse 17]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

وَأَرۡسَلۡنَا ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ لَوَٲقِحَ فَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَسۡقَيۡنَـٰكُمُوهُ وَمَآ أَنتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِخَـٰزِنِينَ

And We send the winds fertilizing (to fill heavily the clouds with water), then caused the water (rain) to descend from the sky, and We gave it to you to drink, and it is not you who are the owners of its stores [i.e. to give water to whom you like or to withhold it from whom you like]. [Surah Al-Hijr. Verse 22]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬‌ۖ لَّكُم مِّنۡهُ شَرَابٌ۬ وَمِنۡهُ شَجَرٌ۬ فِيهِ تُسِيمُونَ
يُنۢبِتُ لَكُم بِهِ ٱلزَّرۡعَ وَٱلزَّيۡتُونَ وَٱلنَّخِيلَ وَٱلۡأَعۡنَـٰبَ وَمِن ڪُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ‌ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَتَفَڪَّرُونَ

He it is Who sends down water (rain) from the sky; from it you drink and from it (grows) the vegetation on which you send your cattle to pasture; with it He causes to grow for you the crops, the olives, the date-palms, the grapes, and every kind of fruit. Verily! In this is indeed an evident proof and a manifest sign for people who give thought. [Surah An-Nahl. Verses 10-11]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَتُصۡبِحُ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ مُخۡضَرَّةً‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ۬

See you not that Allah sends down water (rain) from the sky, and then the earth becomes green? Verily, Allah is the Most Kind and Courteous, Well-Acquainted with all things. [Surah Al-Hajj. Verse 63]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

وَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٍ۬ فَأَسۡكَنَّـٰهُ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰ ذَهَابِۭ بِهِۦ لَقَـٰدِرُونَ
فَأَنشَأۡنَا لَكُم بِهِۦ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ۬ وَأَعۡنَـٰبٍ۬ لَّكُمۡ فِيہَا فَوَٲكِهُ كَثِيرَةٌ۬ وَمِنۡہَا تَأۡكُلُونَ
وَشَجَرَةً۬ تَخۡرُجُ مِن طُورِ سَيۡنَآءَ تَنۢبُتُ بِٱلدُّهۡنِ وَصِبۡغٍ۬ لِّلۡأَڪِلِينَ

And We sent down from the sky water (rain) in (due) measure, and We gave it lodging in the earth, and verily, We are Able to take it away. Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you, and whereof you eat. And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters. [Surah Al-Muminoon. Verses 18-20]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

وَلَٮِٕن سَأَلۡتَهُم مَّن نَّزَّلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَحۡيَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَوۡتِهَا لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ‌ۚ قُلِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ‌ۚ بَلۡ أَڪۡثَرُهُمۡ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ

If you were to ask them: “Who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and gives life therewith to the earth after its death?” They will surely reply: “Allah.” Say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allah!” Nay! Most of them have no sense. [Surah Al-Ankabut. Verse 63]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجۡنَا بِهِۦ ثَمَرَٲتٍ۬ مُّخۡتَلِفًا أَلۡوَٲنُہَاۚ وَمِنَ ٱلۡجِبَالِ جُدَدُۢ بِيضٌ۬ وَحُمۡرٌ۬ مُّخۡتَلِفٌ أَلۡوَٲنُہَا وَغَرَابِيبُ سُودٌ۬

See you not that Allah sends down water (rain) from the sky, and We produce therewith fruits of varying colours, and among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colours and (others) very black. [Surah Al-Faatir. Verse 27]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

مِّن وَرَآٮِٕهِۦ جَهَنَّمُ وَيُسۡقَىٰ مِن مَّآءٍ۬ صَدِيدٍ۬
يَتَجَرَّعُهُ ۥ وَلَا يَڪَادُ يُسِيغُهُ ۥ وَيَأۡتِيهِ ٱلۡمَوۡتُ مِن ڪُلِّ مَكَانٍ۬ وَمَا هُوَ بِمَيِّتٍ۬‌ۖ وَمِن وَرَآٮِٕهِۦ عَذَابٌ غَلِيظٌ۬

In front of him (every obstinate, arrogant dictator) is Hell, and he will be made to drink boiling, festering water. He will sip it unwillingly, and he will find a great difficulty to swallow it down his throat, and death will come to him from every side, yet he will not die and in front of him, will be a great torment. [Surah Ibraaheem. Verses 16-17]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مَهۡدً۬ا وَسَلَكَ لَكُمۡ فِيہَا سُبُلاً۬ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجۡنَا بِهِۦۤ أَزۡوَٲجً۬ا مِّن نَّبَاتٍ۬ شَتَّىٰ
كُلُواْ وَٱرۡعَوۡاْ أَنۡعَـٰمَكُمۡ‌ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّأُوْلِى ٱلنُّهَىٰ
مِنۡہَا خَلَقۡنَـٰكُمۡ وَفِيہَا نُعِيدُكُمۡ وَمِنۡہَا نُخۡرِجُكُمۡ تَارَةً أُخۡرَىٰ

Who has made earth for you like a bed (spread out); and has opened roads (ways and paths etc.) for you therein; and has sent down water (rain) from the sky. And We have brought forth with it various kinds of vegetation. Eat and pasture your cattle, (therein); verily, in this are proofs and signs for men of understanding. Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again. [Surah Taha. Verses 53-55]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرۡسَلَ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ بُشۡرَۢا بَيۡنَ يَدَىۡ رَحۡمَتِهِۦ‌ۚ وَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ طَهُورً۬ا
لِّنُحۡـِۧىَ بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا وَنُسۡقِيَهُ ۥ مِمَّا خَلَقۡنَآ أَنۡعَـٰمً۬ا وَأَنَاسِىَّ ڪَثِيرً۬ا
وَلَقَدۡ صَرَّفۡنَـٰهُ بَيۡنَہُمۡ لِيَذَّكَّرُواْ فَأَبَىٰٓ أَڪۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ إِلَّا ڪُفُورً۬ا

And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain), and We send down pure water from the sky, that We may give life thereby to a dead land, and We give to drink thereof many of the cattle and men that We had created. And indeed We have distributed it (rain or water) amongst them in order that they may remember the Grace of Allah, but most men refuse (or deny the Truth or Faith) and accept nothing but disbelief or ingratitude. [Surah Al-Furqan. Verses 48-50]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ يُرِيڪُمُ ٱلۡبَرۡقَ خَوۡفً۬ا وَطَمَعً۬ا وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَيُحۡىِۦ بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَآ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡقِلُونَ

And among His Signs is that He shows you the lightning, by way of fear and hope, and He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and therewith revives the earth after its death. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who understand. [Surah Ar-Rum. Verse 24]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ بِغَيۡرِ عَمَدٍ۬ تَرَوۡنَہَا‌ۖ وَأَلۡقَىٰ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَوَٲسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمۡ وَبَثَّ فِيہَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ۬‌ۚ وَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَنۢبَتۡنَا فِيہَا مِن ڪُلِّ زَوۡجٍ۬ كَرِيمٍ

He has created the heavens without any pillars, that you see and has set on the earth firm mountains, lest it should shake with you. And He has scattered therein moving (living) creatures of all kinds. And We send down water (rain) from the sky, and We cause (plants) of every goodly kind to grow therein. [Surah Luqmaan. Verse 10]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ۬ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ‌ۖ مَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِىٍّ۬ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ‌ۚ أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ
يُدَبِّرُ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ثُمَّ يَعۡرُجُ إِلَيۡهِ فِى يَوۡمٍ۬ كَانَ مِقۡدَارُهُ ۥۤ أَلۡفَ سَنَةٍ۬ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ
ذَٲلِكَ عَـٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحۡسَنَ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ خَلَقَهُ ۥ‌ۖ وَبَدَأَ خَلۡقَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنِ مِن طِينٍ۬
ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسۡلَهُ ۥ مِن سُلَـٰلَةٍ۬ مِّن مَّآءٍ۬ مَّهِينٍ۬
ثُمَّ سَوَّٮٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦ‌ۖ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرَ وَٱلۡأَفۡـِٔدَةَ‌ۚ قَلِيلاً۬ مَّا تَشۡڪُرُونَ

Allah it is He Who has created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them in six Days. Then He Istawa (rose over) the Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). You (mankind) have none, besides Him, as a Wali (protector or helper etc.) or an intercessor. Will you not then remember (or be admonished)? He arranges (every) affair from the heavens to the earth, then it (affair) will go up to Him, in one Day, the space whereof is a thousand years of your reckoning (i.e. reckoning of our present world’s time). That is He, the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. Who made everything He has created good, and He began the creation of man from clay. Then He made his offspring from semen of worthless water (male and female sexual discharge). Then He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him the soul (created by Allah for that person), and He gave you hearing (ears), sight (eyes) and hearts. Little is the thanks you give! [Surah As-Sajdah. Verses 4-9]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

أَفَرَءَيۡتُم مَّا تُمۡنُونَ
ءَأَنتُمۡ تَخۡلُقُونَهُ ۥۤ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقُونَ

Then tell Me (about) the human semen that you emit. Is it you who create it (i.e. make this semen into a perfect human being), or are We the Creator? [Surah Al-Waaqi’ah. Verses 58-59]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

أَفَرَءَيۡتُمُ ٱلۡمَآءَ ٱلَّذِى تَشۡرَبُونَ
ءَأَنتُمۡ أَنزَلۡتُمُوهُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُزۡنِ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡمُنزِلُونَ
لَوۡ نَشَآءُ جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ أُجَاجً۬ا فَلَوۡلَا تَشۡكُرُونَ

Tell Me! The water that you drink. Is it you who cause it from the rainclouds to come down, or are We the Causer of it to come down? If We willed, We verily could make it salt (and undrinkable), why then do you not give thanks (to Allah)? [Surah Al-Waaqi’ah. Verses 68-70]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

وَمَا يَسۡتَوِى ٱلۡبَحۡرَانِ هَـٰذَا عَذۡبٌ۬ فُرَاتٌ۬ سَآٮِٕغٌ۬ شَرَابُهُ ۥ وَهَـٰذَا مِلۡحٌ أُجَاجٌ۬ۖ وَمِن كُلٍّ۬ تَأۡڪُلُونَ لَحۡمً۬ا طَرِيًّ۬ا وَتَسۡتَخۡرِجُونَ حِلۡيَةً۬ تَلۡبَسُونَهَاۖ وَتَرَى ٱلۡفُلۡكَ فِيهِ مَوَاخِرَ لِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡڪُرُونَ

And the two seas (kinds of water) are not alike, this fresh and pleasant to drink, and that saltish and bitter. And from them both you eat fresh tender meat, and derive the ornaments that you wear. And you see the ships cleaving, that you may seek of His Bounty, and that you may give thanks. [Surah Al-Faatir. Verse 12]

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: This is news regarding Allaah’s Might, Wisdom and Mercy, that indeed He made the two seas as a source of welfare for all the creatures of the earth, but did not make them the same because the welfare related to them necessitates that the rivers should be fresh and pleasant to drink, so that those who drink from it and those who sow and grow crops would benefit. And sea should be salty and bitter, so that the air (or atmosphere) is not defiled by the stench of the animals that die in it, as well as the fact that it does not move in a manner similar to a river, and its saltiness stops it from changing so that its animals are in a better state and more tasty. This is why Allah said: [وَمِن كُلٍّ۬ – And from them both]- Meaning, from the salty sea and fresh river water, [تَأۡڪُلُونَ لَحۡمً۬ا طَرِيًّ۬ا – you eat fresh tender meat]- Meaning, fish which is easy to catch. [وَتَسۡتَخۡرِجُونَ حِلۡيَةً۬ تَلۡبَسُونَهَاۖ – and derive the ornaments that you wear]- Meaning, such as pearls, coral and other than them found in the sea. These are great sources of welfare for the people.

Also among these sources of welfare and useful things in the sea is that Allaah has subjugated it to the people to carry the vessels, such as ships and other means of marine transportation, so you see them traversing the sea and cleaving – travelling from one region to another region, from one place to another place, whilst carrying passengers, their belongings and merchandise, so that by way of this they receive a lot from Allaah’s bounty and kindness. This is why Allaah stated: [لِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡڪُرُونَ – that you may seek of His Bounty, and that you may give thanks].

يُولِجُ ٱلَّيۡلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيۡلِ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ ڪُلٌّ۬ يَجۡرِى لِأَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ىۚ ذَٲلِڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مَا يَمۡلِكُونَ مِن قِطۡمِيرٍ

He merges the night into the day (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the night are added to the hours of the day), and He merges the day into the night (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the day are added to the hours of the night). And He has subjected the sun and the moon, each runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah your Lord; His is the kingdom. And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date-stone). [Surah al-Faatir. Verse 13]

And amongst these bounties is that Allaah merges the night into the day and the day into the night- one enters the other and whenever one arrives the other disappears; one increases and the other decreases, then they become equal. So, by way of this, people attain welfare for their bodies, animals, trees and vegetations.

Also, Allaah subjugated the sun and the moon, the sun a shinning thing with heat, the moon a light, their movements and disappearance, and thus the people may disperse to seek His bounty [i.e. livelihood], as well as what they [i.e. the sun and moon] facilitate to make the fruits ripe (and plants, crops ready for harvest) and others become dry due to the sun’s heat, and other necessities whose absence would have brought harm to the people.
And the statement of Allaah [ڪُلٌّ۬ يَجۡرِى لِأَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ىۚ – each (i.e. the sun and moon) runs its course for a term appointed]- Meaning, the sun and the moon run their course for a period by the will of Allaah, but they will cease when the end of the world arrives, the ability given to them to do what they do will stop, the moon will eclipse, the sun will wound round and lost its light and is overthrown and the stars will fall.

So, after clarifying what He (Allaah) clarified regarding these mighty things, which He created, and the lessons within them, which shows His perfection and kindness, He then stated: [ذَٲلِڪُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُۚ – Such is Allah your Lord; His is the kingdom]- Meaning, He alone is the One Who created these things that have been mentioned and subjugated them for service to humankind. He is the true deity, who alone has the right to be worshiped and to Him belongs absolute dominion. [وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مَا يَمۡلِكُونَ مِن قِطۡمِيرٍ – And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date-stone)]- Meaning, the deified images and the idols do not own anything- neither a little nor a lot, and not even the thin membrane over a date stone which is a thing of the lowest value (or importance). This statement is related to the specific mention of something by way of which all other things are included, so how can you invoke these deified images and idols when it is the fact that they do not own anything found in the heavens and the earth?

إِن تَدۡعُوهُمۡ لَا يَسۡمَعُواْ دُعَآءَكُمۡ وَلَوۡ سَمِعُواْ مَا ٱسۡتَجَابُواْ لَكُمۡۖ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكۡفُرُونَ بِشِرۡڪِكُمۡۚ وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثۡلُ خَبِيرٍ۬

If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call, and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them. And none can inform you (O Muhammad) like Him Who is the All-Knower (of each and everything)]. [Surah Al-Faatir. Verse 14]

[إِن تَدۡعُوهُمۡ – If you invoke (or call upon) them]- Meaning, on top of that if you invoke them, they cannot hear your call because indeed they are either inanimate objects, dead things or angels that are busy in obedience to their Lord (Allaah). [وَلَوۡ سَمِعُواْ – and if (in case) they were to hear you]- Meaning, even if we were to say that this impossibility is possible (i.e. that they can hear you), [مَا ٱسۡتَجَابُواْ لَكُمۡۖ – they could not grant it (your request) to you]- Meaning, because they do not own anything. [وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ يَكۡفُرُونَ بِشِرۡڪِكُمۡۚ – And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them]- Meaning, they will free themselves from you and say: [سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا مِن دُونِهِمۖ- Glorified be You (Allaah)! You are our Wali (Lord) instead of them (Surah Sabah. Verse 41)]. [Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan). slightly paraphrased]

[وَلَا يُنَبِّئُكَ مِثۡلُ خَبِيرٍ – And none can inform you (O Muhammad) like Him Who is the All-Knower (of each and everything)]- Meaning, the knower of everything by Himself. [Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah)]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

 وَاللَّهُ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ الرِّيَاحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَسُقْنَاهُ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ مَّيِّتٍ فَأَحْيَيْنَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ النُّشُورُ

And it is Allah Who sends the winds, so that they raise up the clouds, and We drive them to a dead land, and revive therewith the earth after its death. As such (will be) the Resurrection! [Surah Al-Faatir. Aayah 9]

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah informs us of His perfect power and vast generosity – that He sends the winds, so that they raise up the clouds, drive them to a dead land and revive the dead land therewith; a source of life for the people, the animals are provided with sustenance and enjoy that good. Likewise, the one who revive the earth after its death will resurrect the dead from their graves after they had been dust. He will send rain upon them just as He sends it upon a dead land, so it falls on them, the bodies and souls return back to life from their graves and come to stand in the presence of Allaah to judge between them based on His just ruling. [Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan). slightly paraphrased]

 

Basis of Truth is Not Attached to The Character or Personality We Love, Choose or Prefer!

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

Abu Hurairah [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Love your beloved one modestly, for it may be that he will become hated to you someday. And hate the one whom you hate modestly, for it may be that he will become your beloved one someday”. [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee 1997]

Imaam Ibnul Atheer [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This means that you should love your beloved one with moderation and do not go beyond bounds (i.e. outside the boundaries of the what Allaah has legislated). Do not go into extremes in your love and hate, for it may be that one day you’ll hate the one you used to love and love the one you used to hate. Therefore, neither exaggerate in your love and become regretful, nor exaggerate in your hatred and thus become shy in the presence of the one you used to hate after you stop hating him”. [An-Nihaayah 5/284]

A man said to Imaam Maymoon Ibn Mehraan [may Allaah have mercy upon him], “The people will not cease to be upon good as long as Allaah keeps you (alive) for them”. He replied, “The people will not cease to be upon good as long as they fear their Lord”. (1)

Imaam Sufyaan Ibn Uyaynah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] used to say, “Indeed, the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] is the greatest criterion [i.e. amongst mankind and Jinn] and all affairs are presented to him [i.e. for judgement and judged] based on his manners, path and guidance; so whatever is in agreement with this is truth, and whatever is in opposition is falsehood”. (1.1)

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali may Allaah preserve him] said, “And (with regards to) the person with the proofs, it is obligatory to take his speech (on the grounds) of following Allaah’s Legislation and Proofs, and not (due to) the personality of that person”. (2)

Al-Allaamah Rabee also said, “The seeker of truth is not diverted from the truth, fairness and justice due to admiration of the big personalities and being amazed by them, for indeed the truth is more worthy to be followed. It is not permissible to drop the proofs for the sake of this or that great man. The principle [rule] of the Muslim – the unbiased one, the seeker of truth – is always: [قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ -Say, bring forth your proofs if you are truthful]. [Surah An-Nahl. Verse 64] (3)

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] interrupted a person who was reciting a poem and mentioned him in it! He objected and told him not to attach truth to personalities; rather he should say that as long as the Qur’aan and the Sunnah are present, the truth will remain. [Listen to audio in the link: https://safeshare.tv/x/5MCyl5iX03k

Question to Al-Allaamah Saaleh al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him], “What is the meaning of the principle, ‘The truth is not known by way of men, rather men are known by way of the truth?'”

Answer: Its meaning is that we do not merely blindly follow anyone, for it may be that one is blindly followed based on error; it may be that the Mujtahid is mistaken and the one who makes [a statement or holds an opinion] is mistaken, so we do not take [his statement, opinion etc] and say, “This is the statement of such as such; this is truth, because such and such is good, he is a scholar; such and such is Taqiy [i.e. one who fears Allaah]”. We do not say this because he is not infallible and he can make a mistake; so we know men by way of the truth – those who know; those who take [or adhere to] the proofs and indeed they are known to be scholars. As for those who do not give concern [or importance] to the proofs, they are not scholars; they are not people of [sound] understanding and they are not people of knowledge, so their statement is never taken straight away. It is imperative that the proof is presented, so if the proof is established as witness to [what he says or holds etc], then it is the truth; but if he opposes the proof, then indeed [his statement or opinion] is rejected; however if he is a Mujtahid and he is mistaken, he is rewarded [once] due to his Ijtihaad; but if he deliberately holds on to error, he has sinned. [Paraphrased. Refer to video here: https://video.link/w/9famb ]

NB: The Permissible and Prohibited Forms of Taqleed

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2012/06/the-permissible-and-prohibited-forms-of-taqleed-salafipublications-com-article-id-mnj060005/


[Ref 1: Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa. 5/75]

[Ref 1.1: Al-Jaami Li-Akhlaaq Ar-Raawi Wa Aadaab As-Saami’  page 8]

[Ref 2: Majmoo 9/40) 3rd paragraph]
[Ref 3: All-Mulakh-khasul Jameel Fee Bayaani Manhaji Ash-Shaikh Rabee Fid-Da’wati Wal-Jarhi Wat-Ta’deel. Page 87]

O Allah! Just as You Made My External Form Beautiful, Make My Character Beautiful as Well

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

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: [اللهم كما حَسَّنْت خَلْقِي فَحَسِّنْ خُلُقِي – O Allah! Just as You made my external form beautiful, make my character beautiful as well].

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Admonitions of The Scholars Regarding Good Manners

Admonitions of The Scholars Regarding Good Manners