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Don’t Merely Judge The Book By Its Cover- [This One Is Snubbed; He Is of Low Status and Not Missed When Absent; But Look at His Status In The Sight of Allaah!

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

The Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said:

رُبَّ أَشْعَثَ مَدْفُوعٍ بِالأَبْوَابِ لَوْ أَقْسَمَ عَلَى اللَّهِ لأَبَرَّهُ

‘’Many a person with dishevelled hair and covered with dust is turned away from the doors (whereas) were he to swear by Allaah (about something), Allaah will fulfil it’’.

[Sahih Muslim Number 2622]

 

A Short Reminder From This Hadeeth By Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him):

status1_1

This person is a close friend among the close friends of Allaah, and was he to swear by Allaah (about something); Allaah will make it happen due to his high status in the sight of Allaah, even though he is driven away from the doors. If he intercedes (for someone), his intercession will not be accepted; if he is absent, he is not missed, but he is a great one in the sight of Allaah. [Ref 1]

A Short Reminder From This Hadeeth By Imaam An-Nawawi (rahimahullaah):

status2_2

This type of person is one whom the people drive away from their doors in humiliation- he has no status in the sight of the people; but he is someone that if he were to swear by Allaah about something, Allaah will make it happen as an honour for him- by answering his request and safeguarding him from sin in relation to his oath. This is due to his great station in the sight of Allaah (The Exalted), even though he is someone despised in the sight of the people. It is said that the meaning of [الْقَسَمِ in this hadeeth is (الدُّعَاءُ – supplication) and (إِبْرَارُهُ   ) means (إِجَابَتُهُ   -the response to the supplication)] [Ref 2]

End of paraphrased quotes


We ask Allaah to include us amongst those who are humble-both inwardly and outwardly-; and include us amongst those who never utilise their status amongst the people to oppress, belittle and mock others. We ask Allaah to include us amongst those who are kind and compassionate towards the likes of the people mentioned in the hadeeth, for indeed whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy. We ask Allaah to grant us truthfulness, firmness upon the authentic Sunnah and distance us from bidah; we ask Allaah to grant us sincerity, humility, good manners, a good end in this worldly life, happiness in our graves and abundant mercy in the afterlife Aameen.


[Ref 1: It’haaf At-Tullaab Bi-Sharhi Mandhoomah al-Aadaab’ page 102. Abridged & paraphrased]

[Ref 2:Abridged & paraphrased. Source: Sharh Saheeh Muslim’ Vol 15-16’ page 144’ publisher: Daar Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah’ 1st ed. (1421AH- Year 2000)]

We ask A

A Lot of Regret When One Speaks Without Necessity – [An Advice from Imaam Ibn Hibbaan (rahimahullaah)]

Imaam Ibn Hibbaan (rahimahullaah) said:

It is obligatory that the sensible person adheres to silence until he is obliged to speak (i.e. either by necessity or obligation), for there is a lot of regret when one speaks (unnecessarily) and less regret when one remains silence. The people with the longest misery and greatest affliction are those with an unrestricted tongue and a blind (or unconscious) heart.


[Source: Rawdatul Uqalaa’ page 43]

Is Lying Permissible In The Affairs of Dawah – By Shaikh Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him)

Question to Sheikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him):

Is lying permissible in calling to Allaah? And is ‘the goal justifies the means’ a maslahah (benefit) from the masaalih (beneficial affairs) of the Sharee’ah?

Answer:

Lying is not permissible. It is a major sin from the major sins. It (lying) is not permissible except in three affairs which the prophet made an exception; lying during war, because war is deceit; lying in order to bring about peace between the people; and lying between married couples in order to bring about rectification to the family with regards to the relationship between (husband and the wife). These three affairs are that of maslahah, and in them is a greater good than evil; so (lying) is permissible (in this case).

As for calling to Allaah, it has no need for lies. It is not permissible to utilize lies in calling to Allaah. Calling to Allaah is to (be carried out) by way of truth, the Book, the sunnah, fine admonition and arguing in a way that is better and not by way of lies.


[Source: al-ijaabatul muhimmah fee mashaakil al-mulimmah, page:271-272]

Things of the Worldly Life Are An Adornment Placed In it to Test Us!

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

Allaah (The Most High) stated:

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا

وَإِنَّا لَجَاعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا

Verily! We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds. [i.e.those who do good deeds in the most perfect manner, that means to do them (deeds) totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance to the legal ways of the Prophet]. And verily! We shall make all that is on it (the earth) a bare dry soil (without any vegetation or trees, etc.).

Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) stated:

Allaah (The Most High) informed (us) that He has made everything on the face of the earth- such as the delicious foods and drinks, the beautiful houses, the trees, the rivers, the vegetations, the fruits, the beautiful scenes (or beautiful things that captures the attention of the eyes), the pretty gardens, the beautiful images, gold, silver, horses, camels and other than them- as an adornment for it, a trial and test.  [لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا -that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds]; that is: The most sincere (i.e. sincerity in worship) and most correct (i.e. carry out deeds in accordance with the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet).

And besides this, Allaah will (finally) make all these things disappear and the earth will return to been a bare dry soil- its enjoyment will disappear and come to an end. This is the reality of this worldly life! Indeed Allaah has made this worldly life clearly visible to us and warned us not to be deceived by it. He urged us towards the home of the (afterlife) – whose enjoyment is ever lasting- out of mercy to us. However, the one who merely looks at the outward appearance of this worldly life and not its true reality is deceived by its adornment and beauty; so he goes along with it like animals do and enjoy himself like cattle that graze around freely. He neither gives concern to the rights of his Lord nor gives importance to knowing his Lord; rather his concern is only to follow his desires in every way he can and in every situation. When death arrives to the likes of these people, they are restless because of the disappearance of the enjoyment (of the worldly pleasures) and due to what they have sent forth of evil deeds.

As for the one who looks at the true reality of this worldly life and knows the true purpose behind it and from it, he utilises from it that which will aid him to fulfil the reason it was created for him (i.e. he utilises the worldly blessings in obedience to Allaah). He utilises his noble lifespan as an opportunity (to obey Allaah). He makes this worldly life a place of transition and not a place of permanent (joy); a place of travel and not a place of permanent residence. Therefore, he strives to know his lord, fulfil the commands of his Lord (and keep away from what his Lord has forbidden) and (strives to) perfect his deeds. This person has the highest station in the presence of his Lord and he is deserving- (by the kindness and mercy of his Lord) – of every good treatment, bliss, nobility and happiness (in the hereafter).


[Abridged and slightly paraphrased. Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah)]

Young Men of The Cave Mentioned In Surah Kahf!

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَرَبَطْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ إِذْ قَامُوا فَقَالُوا رَبُّنَا رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَن نَّدْعُوَ مِن دُونِهِ إِلَٰهًا ۖ لَّقَدْ قُلْنَا إِذًا شَطَطًا

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 anyilah (god) other than Him; if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity in disbelief. [18:14]

Those (young men) used to live in the midst of their people who were disbelievers and they used to serve their kingdom.  Then they found the reality of Eemaan and Tawfeeq (i.e. in this case they were guided to the right path and enabled to act upon that guidance). They tasted the sweetness of Eemaan and their hearts were delighted, so (Allaah informed us that) they stood in the midst of their people and said:

[رَبُّنَا رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ -Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth]

The firmness and strength in their hearts necessitated a determination upon patience and steadfastness.  Their hearts were strengthened and aided with the light of Eemaan to bear the separation from the land of their people and  abandon the lowly life they were in. So they departed with their religion (of Tawheed) to the cave.

Firmness of the heart is the strength tied to the heart – it makes a person remember his Lord and follow what is pleasing to his Lord. The opposite of it is a weak resolve, which makes a person forgetful of the remembrance of his Lord; (makes him) follow his desires and thus his deeds are lost.


[Madaarij As-Saalikeen’ 3/67-68. paraphrased and abridged]

Verily! We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds

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

Allaah (The Most High) stated:

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا

وَإِنَّا لَجَاعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا

Verily! We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds. [i.e.those who do good deeds in the most perfect manner, that means to do them (deeds) totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance to the legal ways of the Prophet]. And verily! We shall make all that is on it (the earth) a bare dry soil (without any vegetation or trees, etc.).

Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) stated:

Allaah (The Most High) informed (us) that He has made everything on the face of the earth, such as the delicious foods and drinks, the beautiful houses, the trees, the rivers, the vegetations, the fruits, the beautiful scenes (or beautiful things that captures the attention of the eyes), the pretty gardens, the beautiful images, gold, silver, horses, camels and other than them, as an adornment for it, a trial and test.

[لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا -that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds]; that is: The most sincere (i.e. sincerity in worship) and most correct (i.e. carry out deeds in accordance with the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet).

And Allaah will (finally) make all these things disappear and the earth will return to been a bare dry soil- its enjoyment will disappear and come to an end. This is the reality of this worldly life! Indeed Allaah has made this worldly life clearly visible to us and warned us not to be deceived by it. He urged us towards the home of the (afterlife) – whose enjoyment is ever lasting- out of mercy to us. However, the one who merely looks at the outward appearance of this worldly life and not its true reality is deceived by its adornment and beauty; so he goes along with it just like animals and enjoys himself just like cattle that graze around freely. He neither gives concern to the rights of his Lord nor importance to knowing his Lord; rather his concern is only to follow his desires in every way he can and in every situation. When death arrives to the likes of these people, they are restless because of the disappearance of the enjoyment (of the worldly pleasures) and due to what they have sent forth of evil deeds.

As for the one who looks at the true reality of this worldly life and knows the true purpose behind it, he utilises from it that which will aid him to fulfil the reason it was created for him (i.e. he utilises the worldly blessings in obedience to Allaah). He utilises his noble lifespan as an opportunity (to obey Allaah). He makes this worldly life a place of transition and not a place of permanent (joy); a place of travel and not a place of permanent residence. Therefore, he strives to know his lord, fulfil the commands of his Lord (and keeps away from what his Lord has forbidden) and (strives to) perfect his deeds. This person has the highest station in the presence of his Lord and he is deserving- (by the kindness and mercy of his Lord) – of every good treatment, bliss, nobility and happiness (in the hereafter).


[Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan…abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

Be Mindful of Allaah’s Anger in Three Affairs- by Imaam Sufyaan Ath-Thawri

Sufyaan Ath-Thawree (rahimahullaah) said, ‘’Be mindful of Allaah’s Anger in three affairs: be mindful of falling short in that which you have been commanded; be mindful that Allaah sees you (always), whilst you are not pleased with what He has portioned for you (of the dunyah); be mindful that you seek for something from the worldly life and do not find it, so you become angry with your Lord’’.

[Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa 7/244]

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Repentance:

https://www.salaficentre.com/2012/03/abridged-the-best-way-to-seek-allaahs-forgiveness-with-comments-from-imaam-bin-baaz-rahimahullaah/

https://www.salaficentre.com/2016/08/salaah-tawbah-prayer-repentance/

http://salaficentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/obligation1.pdf

http://www.salaficentre.com/2015/07/allaah-afflicts-mankind-with-different-types-of-afflictions-because-of-their-disobedience-and-wicked-deeds/

 

If Speech Is From Silver, Then Silence Is From Gold!

 

Ibnul Mubaarak (rahimahullaah) was asked about the statement of Luqmaan [alayhis-salaam]: ”If speech is from silver, then silence is from gold”. So he (Ibnul Mubaarak) said, ”It means that if speech in obedience to Allaah is from silver, then silence (in keeping away from) disobedience to Allaah is gold”.

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Jaami’ul Uloom Wal-Hikam 155

Among The Excellent Manners of Our Salaf–a Warning against Pride and Self-Amazement by Ibnul Mubaarak

Abu Wahb Al-Marwazee (rahimahullaah) said that he asked Abdullaah Ibnul Mubaarak (rahimahullaah) about pride”, so he said, ”It is to mock at the people”.  And he asked him about self-amazement, so he said, ”It is to consider yourself as having something not possessed by others”.

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[Tazkiratul Huffaadz: 1/278]

Reminder and Reflection: What Happened to a People Who Belittled The Blessings of Allaah and Transgressed?!

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَا مُوسَىٰ لَن نَّصْبِرَ عَلَىٰ طَعَامٍ وَاحِدٍ فَادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُخْرِجْ لَنَا مِمَّا تُنبِتُ الْأَرْضُ مِن بَقْلِهَا وَقِثَّائِهَا وَفُومِهَا وَعَدَسِهَا وَبَصَلِهَا ۖ قَالَ أَتَسْتَبْدِلُونَ الَّذِي هُوَ أَدْنَىٰ بِالَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ ۚ اهْبِطُوا مِصْرًا فَإِنَّ لَكُم مَّا سَأَلْتُمْ ۗ وَضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الذِّلَّةُ وَالْمَسْكَنَةُ وَبَاءُوا بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يَكْفُرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَيَقْتُلُونَ النَّبِيِّينَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا وَّكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ

[وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَا مُوسَىٰ لَن نَّصْبِرَ عَلَىٰ طَعَامٍ وَاحِدٍ فَادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُخْرِجْ لَنَا مِمَّا تُنبِتُ الْأَرْضُ مِن بَقْلِهَا وَقِثَّائِهَا وَفُومِهَا وَعَدَسِهَا وَبَصَلِهَا – And (remember) when you said, “O Musa (Moses)! We cannot endure one kind of food. So invoke your Lord for us to bring forth for us of what the earth grows, its herbs, its cucumbers, its Fum (wheat or garlic), its lentils and its onions (2:61)]

They said this [i.e. to be given something else] out of belittling the blessings of Allaah. This (also) shows their lack of patience. [ref 1]

[Allaah said] that Moosa said to them: [أَتَسْتَبْدِلُونَ الَّذِي هُوَ أَدْنَىٰ بِالَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ  – Would you exchange that which is better for that which is lower? (2:61)]

Therefore, they were recompensed for their (evil) deeds. Allaah said: [ref: 2]

[وَضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الذِّلَّةُ وَالْمَسْكَنَةُ وَبَاءُوا بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ – And they were covered with humiliation and misery, and they drew on themselves the Wrath of Allah].

[ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يَكْفُرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَيَقْتُلُونَ النَّبِيِّينَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا وَّكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ -That was because they used to disbelieve the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah and killed the Prophets wrongfully. That was because they disobeyed and used to transgress the bounds (in their disobedience to Allah, i.e. commit crimes and sins) (2:61)]

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Refs 1 & 2: Paraphrased excerpts from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah)