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A Warning to Those Who Deliberately Give False Recommendations and Those Who Give It Without Insight

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

Imaam Barbahaaree [rahimahullaah] said: ‘It is not permitted for a man to say, ‘So and so is a person of the sunnah’ until he knows that he combines the characteristics of the Sunnah, so it is not said of him, ‘a person of the Sunnah’ until he combines all the Sunnah.'[1]

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] commented on the above statement of Imaam Barbahaaree saying:

Do not give recommended to a person and a praise of him, except based on knowledge, lest the people become deceived by your praise of him, whilst he is not what [you have stated about him].  So when his real affair and path is clear to you, his knowledge and steadfastness; then you can give him recommendation. As for giving out praise and recommendation whilst not knowing of anything about him, then this is a dangerous recommendation through which the people will be deceived by this person.

Had only those who give commendations to the people stopped at that [i.e. put it in its proper place], then they would not give recommendation, except for one who fulfils the conditions of (receiving) recommendation because recommendation is a ‘Witness’; so, if the recommendation is not correct it will be a false witness.

And concerning the statement of Imaam Barbahaaree: ‘until he knows that he combines the characteristics of the Sunnah’ Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan commented on the above statement saying: The characteristics of the Sunnah are to be in Aqeedah, Knowledge and adherence to the Salafus Saaleh.  But if there is not in him except a single characteristic of the (sunnah), then he is not judged to be from Ahlus Sunnah on the basis of a single characteristic or one thing, so what about the one who does not have anything from that? [End of quote][Ref 1]

The Correct stance towards the differing of the scholars concerning

Jarh and Tadeel-by Shaikh Ubaid [may Allaah preserve him]

http://salaficentre.com/2013/08/1-an-eye-opener-for-the-seeker-of-truth-al-allaamah-ubaid-bin-abdillaah-al-jaabiri-answers/

http://salaficentre.com/2013/08/2-an-eye-opener-for-the-seeker-of-truth-alallaamah-ubaid-bin-abdillaah-al-jaabiri-answers/


Ref 1: It-haaful Qaaree Bitta’liqaat Alaa Sharhis Sunnah Lil Imaam Barbahaaree

Vol: 2, page:275-276

 

Consultation: Consulting The Right People In Our Religious and Worldly Affairs Guides Us to The Best Outcomes By The Will of Allaah

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

Al-Hasan al-Basree [rahimahullaah] said: “By Allaah! Never have a people sought advice except that they were guided to the best of what was available to them.” Then he recited [the statement of Allaah]: [وَأَمۡرُهُمۡ شُورَىٰ بَيۡنَہُمۡ – And (the Believers) who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation] [42:38] [Ref 1]

Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] commanded His Messenger Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] to consult his companions in some affairs. Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] said: [وَشَاوِرۡهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَمۡرِ‌ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمۡتَ فَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ – and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah] [3:159]

He [i.e. the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] is the example to be followed by the Ummah, therefore when it is the case that Allaah commanded him [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] to consult his companions, then there is even a greater reason that the Muslims are in need of consultation amongst themselves. When a difficulty that is related to a Muslim’s religious and worldly affairs occurs, then indeed it is fitting that he consults someone whom he considers reliable, wise, truthful and sincere. He examines [the advice] given by that person, then he makes a choice – either to take that advice or decides not to take it based on what he is satisfied with, in relation to his personal affairs.

The hadeeth places emphasis on the fact that consultation guides to the best outcomes, and due to this it is said: ”The one who consults [others] does not regret [thereafter InShaaAllaah] and the one who performs Istikhaarah will not fail [to achieve good]”. Both Istikhaarah and consultation are legislated and a lot of good is achieved by way of them, as opposed to when affairs are pursued in a rigid and haphazard manner, for indeed this might lead to regret and harm. [Ref 2]

Your feedback is welcomed to improve the content of this article BaarakAllaahu Feekum


[Ref 1: Adab Al-Mufrad no.258, declared saheeh by Imaam Albaanee]

[Ref 2: Awnul Ahadis Samad Sharh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad’ 1/285’ (abridged and slightly paraphrased]

One of The Reasons Why The Human Might Acknowledge Truth, But Gives Preference to Falsehood

Al-Allaamah Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee [rahimahullaah] stated:

The human being does not [initially] hate truth because of considering it to be falsehood; rather he [or she] loves truth by way of his [or her] Fitra [natural inclination] and loves falsehood due to his [her] desires and lusts. The shift towards success or loss defends on what he [or she] gives preference.

Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted] said:

[فَأَمَّا مَن طَغَىٰ]

[وَءَاثَرَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا]

[فَإِنَّ ٱلۡجَحِيمَ هِىَ ٱلۡمَأۡوَىٰ]

[وَأَمَّا مَنۡ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِۦ وَنَهَى ٱلنَّفۡسَ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰ]

[فَإِنَّ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ هِىَ ٱلۡمَأۡوَىٰ]

Then, for him who Tagha (transgressed) and preferred the life of this world (by following his evil desires and lusts), Verily, his abode will be Hell-fire; But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode.” [An-Naazi’aat. Ayah:37-41]

[Source: التَّنْكِيل بِماَ فِي تَأْنِيبِ ٱلْكَوْثَري مِنَ الأباَطِيل]

2/179 with the checking of Imaam Albaanee (rahimahullaah)]

 

Sharing a Benefit With Those Who Asked For Some of The Details of The Jumu’ah Khutbah On 01/01/17 -at Masjid Al-Furqaan- Titled: The Three Pillars of Servitude In Soorah Al-Faatihah

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

Indeed, remembrance of Allaah and drawing close to Him through righteous deeds and statements cannot be accepted by Allaah unless the worshipper fulfils them based on three Pillars, and they are: Love, fear and hope.These three pillars are the pillars of servitude of the heart and no act of worship is accepted except through them. Allaah [جلّ وعلا] is to be worshipped out of love of Him, hoping for His reward and fearing His punishment. Allaah [The Blessed and Most High] mentioned these pillars of worship in Surah Al-Faatihah which is the best Surah of the Qur’aan.

Love as a pillar of worship is found in statement [الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ – All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)]. That is because Allaah is the Bestower of all favours (or blessings) and the Bestower of blessings (or favours) is loved in accordance with the favours (or blessings) He bestows, and [الْحَمْدُ] is to praise alongside having love for the one who is praised. Hope as a pillar of worship is found in the statement [الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ -The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful]. That is because the believer hopes for Allaah’s Mercy and desires its attainment. Fear as a pillar of worship is found in the statement [مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّين -The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)]. [يَوْمِ الدِّين – The Day of Recompense] is the day of reckoning.

Then the statement [إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ – You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)] follows thereafter, which means: O our Lord! We worship You based on those aforementioned pillars- love, hope and fear. These are the three pillars upon which[إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ   is established. They have also been mentioned in Surah Al-Israa Ayah 57:

[أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ يَبۡتَغُونَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمُ ٱلۡوَسِيلَةَ أَيُّہُمۡ أَقۡرَبُ وَيَرۡجُونَ رَحۡمَتَهُ ۥ وَيَخَافُونَ عَذَابَهُ ۥۤ‌ۚ إِنَّ عَذَابَ   -Those whom they call upon [like ‘Iesa (Jesus) – son of Maryam (Mary), ‘Uzair (Ezra), angel, etc.] desire (for themselves) means of access to their Lord (Allah), as to which of them should be the nearest and they [‘Iesa (Jesus), ‘Uzair (Ezra), angels, etc.] hope for His Mercy and fear His Torment].

In the above Ayah, the statement ”desire (for themselves) means of access to their Lord (Allah)”  means seeking to get close to Allaah through love and doing what He loves. Then Allaah stated, ”(They) hope for His Mercy and fear His Torment”. Therefore in this Ayah, love, fear and hope are mentioned, and likewise stated in Surah Al-Anbiyaa:

إِنَّهُمۡ ڪَانُواْ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ وَيَدۡعُونَنَا رَغَبً۬ا وَرَهَبً۬ا‌ۖ وَڪَانُواْ لَنَا خَـٰشِعِينَ

Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us.

Therefore, a slave (i.e. the one who worships Allaah alone) must combine these three pillars [love, fear and hope] in his (or her) acts of worship and remembrance of Allaah. It is not permissible to worship Allaah with only one of them without the others, such as worshipping Allaah with love alone without fear and hope, or worshipping Allaah with hope alone, or worshipping Allaah with fear alone. And due to this, some of the scholars said, ”Whoever worships Allaah with love alone is a Zindeeq (i.e. such as the extreme soofees etc); and whoever worships Allaah with fear alone is a Harooree (i.e. from the Khaarij), and whoever worships Allaah with hope alone is a Murji, and whoever worships Allaah with love, fear and hope is a believer and person of Tawheed. [End-Ref 1]

We should know that fear of Allah should be combined with love and hope, so that fear does not become a cause of giving up hope in Allaah’s Mercy. A believer should have both fear of Allaah and hope in Allaah’s Mercy, so that fear alone does not lead him to give up hope in Allaah’s mercy, nor will hope alone make feel secure from Allaah’s plan. That is because giving up hope in Allaah’s Mercy and feeling secure from Allaah’s plan are two affairs that negate perfect Tawheed.  Allaah [The Most High] said:

فَلَا يَأۡمَنُ مَڪۡرَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ

None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers. [7:99]

And Allaah [The Most High] said:

إِنَّهُ ۥ لَا يَاْيۡـَٔسُ مِن رَّوۡحِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرُونَ

Certainly no one despairs of Allah’s Mercy, except the people who disbelieve.” [12:87]

And Allaah said:

وَمَن يَقۡنَطُ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ رَبِّهِۦۤ إِلَّا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ

“And who despairs of the Mercy of his Lord except those who are astray. [15:56]

Ismaa’eel Ibn Raafi (rahimahullaah) said, ”Feeling secure from Allaah’s plan is when the slave is persistent in committing sin, whilst hoping for Allaah’s forgiveness’’.

The Scholars (rahimahumullaah) say, ”Despair is to distance oneself from having hope for relief and losing hope in that, and it is the opposite of feeling secure from Allaah’s plan. Both these two affairs are a great sin. It is neither permissible for a believer to adhere to fear alone, and thus despairs of Allaah’s Mercy, nor should he adhere to hope alone, and thus feels secure from Allaah’s punishment; rather he should have fear and hope – fearful due to his sins, performs acts of obedience to Allaah and hopes for Allaah’s Mercy, just as Allaah [The Most High] stated:

إِنَّهُمۡ ڪَانُواْ يُسَـٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ وَيَدۡعُونَنَا رَغَبً۬ا وَرَهَبً۬ا‌ۖ وَڪَانُواْ لَنَا خَـٰشِعِينَ

Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us. [21:90]

And Allaah said:

أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ يَبۡتَغُونَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمُ ٱلۡوَسِيلَةَ أَيُّہُمۡ أَقۡرَبُ وَيَرۡجُونَ رَحۡمَتَهُ ۥ وَيَخَافُونَ عَذَابَهُ ۥۤ‌ۚ إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ كَانَ مَحۡذُورً۬ا

Those whom they call upon [like ‘Iesa (Jesus) – son of Maryam (Mary), ‘Uzair (Ezra), angel, etc.] desire (for themselves) means of access to their Lord (Allah), as to which of them should be the nearest and they [‘Iesa (Jesus), ‘Uzair (Ezra), angels, etc.] hope for His Mercy and fear His Torment. Verily, the Torment of your Lord is something to be afraid of! [17:57]

When fear of Allaah and hope in Allaah are combined, it urges a slave (i.e. a worshipper of Allaah) to perform deeds and utilise the beneficial means to that; for indeed alongside having hope in Allaah’s Mercy, he performs acts of obedience and hopes for reward; and by way of fear, he abandons disobedience due to being fearful of Allaah’s punishment. But if he despairs of Allaah’s Mercy, he may stop performing righteous deeds, and if he feels secure from Allaah’s punishment, he is pushed towards acts of disobedience. [Ref 2]


[Ref 1: Abridged & paraphrased. Source: Fiqhul Ad’iyah Wal-Adkaar’ page 99-100′ parts 1&2′ by Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him)

[Ref 2: Abridged & paraphrased. Source: ‘Al-Irshaad Ilaa Saheeh Al-I’tiqaad War-Raddu Alaa Ahlish-Shirki Wal-Ilhaad’ pages 85 onwards’ by Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him). Publisher: Daarul Aa’simah’ 1st ed  (Year 1423AH- year 2002]

The Three Pillars of Gratitude- By Imaam As-Sadi [rahmahullaah]

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

Allaah (The Most High) said:

لِتَسْتَوُوا عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِ ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ

وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

In order that you may mount on their backs, and then may remember the Favour of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: ”Glory to Him Who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts).  And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!” (43:13-14)

Mentioned (in the above ayah) are the three pillars of gratitude, and they are:

  1. To acknowledge Allaah’s blessings
  2. To Proclaim Allaah’s Blessings, speak about them and Praise Allah for it.
  3. To Submit to Allah and utilise these blessings to carry out acts of worship for the sake of Allaah (alone).

That is because the intent behind the statement of Allah: [وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ   – And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return] is an acknowledgement of recompense and to prepared for it. The objective behind these favours is that they are an aid by way of which the slave (seeks) to fulfil that which Allah has commanded him (i.e. acts of worship and obedience etc)

And regarding Allaah’s saying: [ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُمْ – And then may remember the favour of your Lord when you mount thereon]; this is a specific mention of the (favour) in that instance (i.e. at the time in which the person enjoys those favours) because blessings intoxicates many amongst the creation, makes them heedless, evil and ungrateful. Therefore, this state in which Allah commanded (a person to remember Allah for His Favours) is a medication for this destructive ailment.

When the slave recalls that he is completely surrounded by the blessings of Allah and that nothing is from him (or herself), but rather blessings are (from Allah) -its means are facilitated and its obtainment made easy (by Allaah)- he (she) submits to Allah, humbles him (or herself), thanks and Praises Allaah. And by way of this he (or she) is given continuous blessings.


[Source: Fataawa Sadiyyah page: 61.. abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

Our Salaf- Shubah’s [rahimahullaah] Mercy Towards The Poor, Needy and Destitute

Abu Daawood At-Tayaalisee [rahimahullaah] said, ”Once we were with Shu’bah, so Sulaymaan Ibnul Mugheerah [rahimahullaah] came along whilst weeping. Shu’bah [rahimahullaah] said to him, ‘What makes you weep O father of Sa’eed?!’ He said, ‘My donkey died; I missed the Jumu’ah prayer and my needs.’ He (Shu’bah) said, ‘How much did you buy it for?’ He said, ‘Three Dinaars.’ He (Shu’bah) said, ‘I have three Deenaars; by Allaah I do not have other than it. O boy! Bring that scrap of cloth” and in it was three deenaars, so he gave it to him (i.e. Sulaymaan) and said, ‘Buy a donkey and do not weep.’ ”

Faa’idah Derived From a Statement of The Prophet to Hassaan Ibn Thaabit, ” Retort on my behalf. O Allah! Support him [i.e. Hassaan] with the Ruh Al-Qudus [i.e. Jibril (Gabrael)]?”

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

Narrated Sa’id bin Al-Musaiyab: ‘Umar came to the mosque while Hassaan was reciting a poem. (‘Umar disapproved of that). On that Hassaan said, “I used to recite poetry in this very mosque in the presence of one (i.e. the Prophet ) who was better than you.” Then he turned towards Abu Hurairah and said (to him), “I ask you by Allah, did you hear Allah’s Messenger saying (to me), ‘Retort on my behalf. O Allah! Support him (i.e., Hassaan) with the Ruh Al-Qudus [i.e. Jibril (Gabrael)]?” Abu Hurairah said, “Yes.” [Bukhaari 4/3212]

Imaam Abu Haatim [rahimahullaah] said: There is evidence in this narration similar to the command to disparage the du’afaa [weak narrators]. That is because the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said to Hassaan [radiyallaahu-anhu], ‘’Retort on my behalf.’’ He [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] commanded [Hassaan (radiyallaahu-anhu)] to defend him against the lies that the idol worshippers uttered about him. And when it is the case that the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] commanded [Hassaan] to defend him against the lies of the idol worshippers, even though neither did their lies harm the Muslims nor make what is Haraam to be Halaal and vice versa; then it is more appropriate that he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] is defended against those Muslims who lie about him [sallal-laahu-alahu-wasallam] through their [weak, fabricated] narrations and thus declare Haraam as Halaal and vice versa. [1]

[Source: Muqaddimah Kitaab Al-Majrooheem Minal Muhadditheen of Imaam Ibn Hibbaan (rahimahullaah). Page: 67-68. Slightly paraphrased]


Ref 1: Notes: Must Read: Regarding the Affair of Declaring Something Halaal that is Haraam and vice versa: http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=GSC05&articleID=GSC050006&pfriend=

Also see article about Takfeer on these links:

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ09&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/xwouo-takfir-and-the-excuse-of-ignorance-shaykh-ibn-uthaymeen.cfm

 

Certificates of Graduation and Sincere Intention Or Desire For Worldly Status?!

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

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) said that some of the people say that sincere intention in this present era of ours is difficult (to achieve) or it may be impossible (to achieve) because those who seek knowledge do so with the aim of receiving a certificate.

The Shaikh replied to this statement saying that one’s intention is regarded to be corrupt if knowledge is sought in order to receive a certificate or a desire for an elevated worldly status by way of it. But a person’s intention is regarded to be good and not in opposition to sincerity if he wants an elevated status in order to benefit the people, for he knows that at present it is impossible for a person to achieve a high and beneficial position for the Ummah unless he has a certificate. And because of this, even if you were to find a scholar who is good in various affairs of knowledge but he has no certificate, it will not be possible for him to teach even in high school and this is the reality. And you will find that the one lesser in knowledge than this scholar will be accepted (as a teacher) at a university as long as he has a certificate.  So in accordance with a person’s (sincere) intention and choices the certificate is not considered harmful and its obtainment enters into the statement of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam):

وما جاءك من هذا المال وأنت غير مشرف ولا سائل فخذه، وما لا فلا تتبعه نفسك

And what comes to you from this wealth without asking for it or having greed for it, take it; and if not given, do not run for it.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Number 1473. Vol 2. Book of Zakat]


See Sharh Hilya Taalib Al-Ilm’ page:22