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Murder, Suicide, Dodgy Contracts, Theft etc – all Impermissible

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Brotherhood, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً عَنْ تَرَاضٍ مِنْكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا

O you who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves unjustly except it be a trade amongst you, by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you. [4:29]

Few Reminders from the above Aayah

Allaah forbade His believing slaves [from] eating one another’s property in falsehood- through force, theft, gambling and [other] evil earnings; rather consuming your own wealth out of vanity and extravagance is included in this because it is considered a path of falsehood.

After forbidding [the servants] from consuming property through falsehood, Allaah made trade permissible for them and earnings that are free from what is unlawful- including contracts established through mutual consent and other than that.

[وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ – And do not kill yourselves]- Meaning: Neither kill one another [i.e. except what is legislated by Islamic law and executed by the authorities (Ref 1)], nor should a person kill himself [or herself] by bringing about destruction to oneself and engaging in dangerous activities that will lead to ruin and destruction.

[إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًا  – Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you]- Meaning: And from Allaah’s Mercy is that He safeguards your lives and properties. He forbids you from wasting and ruining your lives and properties and legislated prescribed rulings in relation to that.

[Source: (Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer kalaam Al-Mannaan). Abridged and paraphrased]

Ref 1: Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] stated about the statement of Allaah:

وَإِذَا بَطَشْتُمْ بَطَشْتُمْ جَبَّارِينَ

And when you seize, you seize as tyrants. [26:130]

This is a rebuke from Allaah against Aad-the people of Hud (alayhis-salaam). Allaah rebuked them with this and that they are oppressors who strike people without right. They oppress people by way of striking, killing and seizing wealth by force. This is a rebuke against them and a blameworthy trait of theirs. Therefore, this is not permissible; rather it is obligated on a Muslim that he does not take wealth except based on what is right and he does not strike anyone except based on what is right. He neither has a right to transgress against the people nor to strike them; rather he seeks what is right through the path of the Islamic Law. If he has a right to seek after, he should seek it through the courts; through an upright path and through the authorities. He does not strike the people by way of oppression, transgression and injury. He should not oppress them by confiscating their wealth and striking; rather it is obligated on him to take his rights through the path of the Islamic Law and from an Islamic perspective. This (i.e. this statement of Allaah) is a rebuke against Aad and a blameworthy affair for which Allaah sent a devastating barren wind against them. They used to oppress the people and transgressed against them.

[Source: Slightly Paraphrased. see link: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/9111 ]

Make Room For Your Brothers In The Gatherings And Allaah Will Give You Ample Room From His Mercy

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Brotherhood, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا فِي الْمَجَالِسِ فَافْسَحُوا يَفْسَحِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا قِيلَ انْشُزُوا فَانْشُزُوا يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

O you who believe! When you are told to make room in the assemblies, (spread out and) make room. Allah will give you (ample) room (from His Mercy). And when you are told to rise up, rise up. Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do. [58:11]

This is a practical code of behaviour commanded by Allaah to His believing slaves- that when they come together in one of their gatherings, some of them or some of those who have already arrived should make room (for others); for indeed it is from (good) etiquettes to make room for him (i.e. the other person) to reach his goal.  And this is not to harm the one who is (already) in the gathering in anyway, rather he enables his (Muslim) brother to reach his goal without him being harmed, and reward is given in accordance with a deed; for indeed whoever makes room, Allaah makes room for him, and whoever shows generosity to his brother, Allaah will show him generosity.

[وَإِذَا قِيلَ انْشُزُوا – And when you are told to rise up]- Meaning: To rise up and retire from your gathering for an (obligatory or important) need (i.e. prayer etc), then [فَانْشُزُوا – rise up] – Meaning: proceed towards the fulfilment of that beneficial affair, for indeed the fulfilment of the likes of these affairs is connected to knowledge and Eemaan. And Allaah [The Most High] will exalt in degree the people of knowledge and Eemaan in accordance with what He has portioned out for them from knowledge and Eemaan.

[وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِير -And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do]- Meaning: Allaah [The Most High] rewards every performer of deeds in accordance with his [or her] deeds-if they are good, there will be good recompense, and if evil deeds, there will be an evil recompense. And in this Ayah [i.e. 58:11] is [a mention] of the virtue of knowledge, whose beautification and benefit is that one disciplines [himself or herself] with its etiquettes and act in accordance with what it necessitates.

[Source 🙁 Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan). Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

Children and Wealth Are Temporary Gifts of This Worldly Life, So They Should Not Divert Us From The Remembrance of Allaah

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Family & Women, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whosoever does that, then they are the losers.” [Soorah Al-Munaafiqoon: Ayah 9]

Allaah [The Most High] commanded His believing slaves to remember Him a lot because in that there is profit, success and abundant good.  And He [The Most High] forbade them from being diverted from His Remembrance by their wealth and children because many souls have a natural inclination towards love of wealth and children, so he (a person) gives them precedence over love of Allaah and in that there is a great loss.  And for this reason He [The Most High] said: [وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ – And whoever does that] – Meaning: Diverted by his wealth and children from the Remembrance of Allaah, [فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ -Then they are the losers] – Meaning: [Losers] in that eternal happiness and abiding bliss, because they preferred what will come to an end over what will abide forever.

 [Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan]

 

Normalization of Evil Cannot Distract the People of Taqwa –By the Tawfeeq of Allaah

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

قُل لَّا يَسْتَوِي الْخَبِيثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثْرَةُ الْخَبِيثِ ۚ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

Say: “Not equal are Al-Khabith (all that is evil and bad as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.) and At-Taiyib (all that is good as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.), even though the abundance of Al-Khabith (evil) may please you.” So 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)], O men of understanding in order that you may be successful.

[Surah Al-Maa’idah Ayah 100]

[قُل -say (O Muhammad)] to mankind- Meaning: Warning against evil and desiring good;

[لَّا يَسْتَوِي الْخَبِيثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ  – Not equal are (all that is evil and bad) and At-Taiyib (all that is good)]- Meaning: Imaan is not equal to kufr; obedience to [Allaah and His Messenger] is not equal to disobedience to [Allaah and His Messenger]; the people of paradise are not equal to the people of hellfire; filthy deeds are not equal to good deeds, and unlawful wealth is not equal to lawful wealth.  [وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثْرَةُ الْخَبِيث  – even though the abundance of Al-Khabeeth (evil) may please you (people)]- Meaning: Indeed it will not benefit the person in anything, rather it will harm his religious and worldly affairs.

[فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ – So 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)], O men of understanding in order that you may be successful]

[Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi  (rahimahullaah). Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm’ 1st Edition 1424AH (Year 2003). Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

 

Some Fruits of Taqwah and Sabr In The Story of Yusuf [alayhis-salaam]

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said in Surah Yusuf Aayah 90 that Yusuf’s [alayhis-salaam] brothers said:

قَالُوا أَإِنَّكَ لَأَنْتَ يُوسُفُ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا يُوسُفُ وَهَٰذَا أَخِي ۖ قَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّهُ مَنْ يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

They said: “Are you indeed Yusuf (Joseph)? “He said: I am Yusuf (Joseph), and this is my brother (Benjamin). Allah has indeed been gracious to us. Verily, he who fears Allah and is patient, then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the good-doers to be lost.

Few Reminders from the Above Aayah

They knew that the one who addressed them was Yoosuf, so they said: [ أَإِنَّكَ لَأَنْتَ يُوسُف -Are you indeed Yusuf (Joseph)]? Yoosuf said: [أَنَا يُوسُفُ وَهَٰذَا أَخِي ۖ قَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا  – I am Yusuf (Joseph), and this is my brother (Benjamin). Allah has indeed been gracious to us]-Meaning: By [granting] us Eemaan, piety and authority in the worldly life, and that is due to patience and piety. [ۖ إِنَّهُ مَنْ يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ -Verily, he who fears Allah and is patient]- Meaning: keeps away from what Allaah has forbidden, exercises patience in facing pain and calamities, and [exercises patience] in carrying out the commandments [of Allaah];

[فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِين -then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the good-doers to be lost]- Meaning: Because this is from perfection in worship and Allaah does not allow the reward of the one who perfects his deeds to be lost.

[For further details, see Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan]

 

 

O Mukallafoon! Our Deeds Differ Greatly, So Let Us Strive To Excel Each Other

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said in Surah Al-Layl Aayah 4:

[إِنَّ سَعۡيَكُمۡ لَشَتَّىٰ- Certainly, your efforts and deeds are diverse (different in aims and purposes)]- Meaning: O Mukallafoon [i.e. those who have reached the age of accountability]! Your deeds differ greatly based on the type of deed [being performed], its value and the enthusiasm of [its performer]; and based on the aim and intention [of the performer] ….

[Source: (Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer kalaam Al-Mannaan). Abridged and paraphrased]

Reminder: The Khutbah at Masjid Al-Furqan Today [Stoke-On-Trent] Was Based On This Article- [Standing Out Firmly For Justice As Witnesses For The Sake of Allaah, Even Against Oneself, Parents, Close Relatives and Friends]

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Brotherhood, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Khutbah 24/02/2017

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

Allaah (The Most High) said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [Surah An-Nisaa’ Ayah 135]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

Allaah [Glorified be He and Free is He From all Imperfections] command His [servants] to stand out firmly for justice on behalf of everyone – whether an enemy or an ally.  And the affair that is most worthy of being established with justice -by a person- are the [sound and upright] statements, views and methodology related to the commands of Allaah and everything else Allaah has informed [His slaves in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah]. Therefore, to establish these affairs based on desires and disobedience is something contrary to the command of Allaah and a negation of what Allaah’s Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] was sent with [i.e. the Qur’aan and the Sunnah].

The establishment of justice [based on what Allaah and His Messenger have commanded] is the responsibility of those entrusted with the task to convey Islaam after the death of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], and this task cannot become a reality unless when one establishes it based on pure justice and sincerity to Allaah; [sincerity] to Allaah’s Book; [sincerity] to Allaah’s Messenger and out of sincere advice to Allaah’s servants. These [people] are the true inheritors [of the knowledge left behind by the Prophets].  [A true inheritor of the Prophet [i.e. a righteous scholar] is not that one who merely makes his companions, sect and school of thought the determinants of truth and the distinction between [truth and falsehood] -by showing enmity towards the one who opposes him and allies with the one who agrees with him, merely based on being opposed or agreed with, [without sound proofs based on the Book and the Sunnah]- for where is that [application of the]  command to stand out firmly for justice on behalf of everyone [in the actions of that person who merely opposes or agrees with others based on other than the sound proofs found in the Qu’aan and the authentic Sunnah], even though standing out firmly for justice [based on the sound proofs in the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah] is the greatest command and obligation?!

Then Allaah (The Most High) says: [شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ – As witnesses to Allah]: A witness is that one who presents information about something; therefore if he presents credible information, he is [considered to be] a just witness and his [statement] is accepted; but if he gives false information, he is [considered] a false witness. Allaah [The Most High] command [us] to stand out firmly as just witnesses for His sake, therefore it has to be carried out for the Sake of Allaah and not for other than Allaah.

And in [Surah Al-Maa’idah Ayah 8, Allaah (The Most High) said]: [كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُہَدَآءَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۖ – Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses]: This Aayah establishes four affairs: [1] One should stand out firmly for justice and [2] does so for the sake of Allaah; [3]Witness to justice and [4] does so for the Sake of Allaah.

Then Allaah [The Most High) said: [وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ – Even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin];

Allaah [Glorified Be He and Free is He from all imperfections] commands [us] to stand out firmly for justice and testify [for or against] everyone, even if it were [against] someone who is the most beloved to person to [us]. A person should stand out firmly for justice [whether it is for or against] himself, his two parents, his other close relatives and his best friend amongst the people. If the person’s love for himself, his parents and his relatives prevents him from standing out firmly for the truth against them, especially if the truth is with someone he hates and regards as an enemy due to them, then indeed none will stand out firmly for justice in such circumstances except one whose love for Allaah and His Messenger is more than their love for everyone else. This is a test of one’s Eemaan, so that he becomes acquainted with the level of Eemaan [in relation to this affair] and [its importance] in his heart.

On the other hand a person has to establish justice when dealing with his enemies and [even] that one who deprives him of his rights; for indeed it not permissible that hatred for his enemies leads him to be unjust towards them, just as it is not permissible [to allow] love of himself, his parents and relatives to make him abandon standing firmly for justice against them. Therefore, hatred harboured against someone should not lead him to falsehood and love [of himself, parents and relatives] should not make him fall short in establishing truth, just as some of the Salaf said: ‘’The just person is that one who when angry, his anger does not lead him to falsehood, and when he is pleased, it does not remove him from truth.” The two verses of the Qur’aan [i.e. 4:135 & 5:8] convey two rulings and they are: Standing out firmly for justice and making a truthful testimony to it- on behalf of one’s allies and enemies.

Then Allaah [The Most High] said: [إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ – Be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you)]- Meaning: Allaah is the Lord of both of them and Allaah is their Protector, and they are both His slaves. It may be that you become fearful of standing firmly for justice by testifying against a rich person or a poor person – either fearing that the rich person might lose his wealth or because the poor person has nothing, so your hearts become lackadaisical towards standing out firmly for the truth. Therefore, it should be said to them [i.e. the people]: Allah is a Better Protector to both the rich and poor person [than you]. Allaah knows the affair of the rich person more than you and He is more Merciful to the poor than you, so do not refrain from standing out firmly for the truth and from giving testimony [for or against] the rich or the poor.

Then Allaah said: [فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ – So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice]-Meaning: Allaah forbids [His slaves] from following desires, which will lead them to abandon justice. Then Allaah [The Most High] said:

[وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا – and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do]- Meaning: Allaah [Glorified Be He and Free is He from all imperfections] mentions two reasons that will inevitably lead to concealment of truth, then He warned against them and threatened [the one who perpetrates this sin]. The first of them is distortion and the second is to turn away from giving truthful witness. That is because when a proof that supports the truth is manifested and the one who wants to repel it finds no way of doing so, he refrains from mentioning it and thus becomes a silent devil, and sometimes he distorts it. Distortion is of two types: Distortion in wording and distortion in meanings. Distortion in wording is when one utters a word in a context in which it does not establish the truth – either adding to the word or omitting something from it, or substituting it with something else- to the extent that the listener is made to believe something, whilst something else is intended by it, just as the Yahood  [i.e. those Yahood who disbelieved in the Prophet & hated him] used to distort words when giving Salaam to the Prophet [i.e. saying As-Saamu Alayka (death be upon you), instead of saying Assalaamu alaykum). This is one type of distortion.

The second type of distortion is related to meanings – distorting the wording; giving it an interpretation that is not intended by the one who uttered it and pretending not to know what is not its intended meaning, or dropping other meanings intended by it etc. Allaah [The Most High] said:

[وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا – and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do].

And when it is the case that a witness is required to bear witness based on what the affair should be [i.e. the complete truth], therefore neither should he hide nor change it. Turning away from the testimony is tantamount to concealment and distortion is tantamount to alteration and substitution. Therefore, contemplate on this ayah and the treasures of knowledge it contains. The Eemaan of a person cannot be complete, except by way of accepting the texts of the sharee’ah and calling the people to them – neither turning away from them at times nor distorting them at other times.

[Source: Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah). Vol 1. Page 300-303. Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

 

Seven Temporary Pleasures of The Worldly Life Diverts Many People From The Remembrance of Allaah

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.

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

Allaah (The Most High) said:

زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ الشَّهَوَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ وَالْبَنِينَ وَالْقَنَاطِيرِ الْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ وَالْخَيْلِ الْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَالْأَنْعَامِ وَالْحَرْثِ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَآبِ

‘’Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life; but Allah has the excellent return (Paradise with flowing rivers, etc.) with Him.’’ [3:14]

Women: They are the greatest adornment of this worldly life, the most coveted thing and the greatest trial (i.e. the impious women)

Children: They are a source of honour and pride for a man etc

Gold and silver: They are a means of fulfilling one’s desires (i.e. wealth).

Branded beautiful horses: They are a source of might, pride and protection for their owners, and instruments of war, conquests etc

Cattle: They are utilised for riding, food, clothing (i.e. their furs and skins) and other benefits.

Well-tilled land (i.e. Vegetation): A source of nourishment for them and their animals, and also a source of fruits and medication (i.e. through plants).

Allaah (Glorified Be He) stated that all these things are the pleasures of this present worldly life. Then He (The Most High) urged His slaves towards the enjoyment of the Hereafter, saying:

قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَانٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ

Say: “Shall I inform you of things far better than those? For Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V.2:2) there are Gardens (Paradise) with their Lord, underneath which rivers flow. Therein (is their) eternal (home) and Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives) [i.e. they will have no menses, urine, or stool, etc.], And Allah will be pleased with them. And Allah is All-Seer of the (His) slaves”. [3:15]

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[Source: ‘Badaai’u At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ Vol 1 page: 216. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

The Evil Consequences of Our Actions On This Earth- By Imaam Ibnul Qayyim

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam.

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

Allaah (The Most High) said:

ظَهَرَ ٱلۡفَسَادُ فِى ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُواْ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ

Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned. [30:41]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:

This ayah was revealed regarding the state of affairs of the world- the relationship between it and the events that occur. You see how the occurrence of those evil actions and defects (of the people) affects the harvest, vegetation and the animals in every era, and the manner in which those evil (affairs) necessitates other evils. And whenever the people initiate oppression and wickedness, their Lord (The Blessed and Most High) brings about- from those evils and defects (of theirs)- deficiencies and harm in their nourishments, fruits, atmospheres, bodies, physical natures, outward appearances and manners, as a justification for their deeds, acts of oppression and wickedness.

Indeed, the grains of wheat and other than them used to be bigger than what they are today, just as the blessing in them was greater. Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) narrated with his chain of transmission that a packet was found in one of the treasury departments of Bani Umayyah in which there was a grain nearly the size of a date. This grain was grown and harvested during an era of justice.

The majority of the illnesses and the general evil affairs are remnants of the punishment afflicted upon the people of the previous nations; then there remained from that what remains, as a surprise punishment against those who remain upon the (evil) deeds of those previous nations. This is a just judgement and just decree.  And indeed the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) has indicated to this in his statement concerning plagues, that it is a remnant of an affliction or punishment that was sent by Allaah to the Children of Israa’eel.

[Source:Badaa’i-ul At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah: page: 313: Vol:2..abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

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

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam.

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)]