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The Only Determinant of Nobility-[By Imaam Ash-Shaatibee]

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Ash’Shaatibee [rahimahullaah] said:

Know that Allaah has established this sharee’ah as a proof against the creation [i.e. mankind and jinn] – the old and young alike; the obedient and the disobedient; the righteous and the wicked. Allaah did not specify the proofs against anyone in exclusion of others. Likewise, all the other revealed laws were established as proof against the other nations to whom those laws were revealed.

The Sharee’ah is the judge- restrictedly and unrestrictedly. It is the judge for all those who have reached the age of responsibility. It is the path connected to [what Allaah has ordained] and the Greatest Guide. And have you not seen the statement of Allaah [The Most High]:

وَكَذَٲلِكَ أَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ رُوحً۬ا مِّنۡ أَمۡرِنَا‌ۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدۡرِى مَا ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ وَلَا ٱلۡإِيمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِن جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ نُورً۬ا نَّہۡدِى بِهِۦ مَن نَّشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا‌ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَہۡدِىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬

And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Ruhan (an Inspiration, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it (this Qur’an) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path (i.e. Allah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism).’’ [Soorah Ash-Shooraa. Ayah: 52]

He [alayhis salaatu wassalaam] was the first to be guided to the Book and Eemaan, and then those who followed him. The Book is the Guide and also the Sunnah which was revealed to him explains that guidance [i.e. the Sunnah and the Qur’aan explain each other]. All the creation [i.e. mankind and Jinn] are guided by it.

So when this is the case, the Sharee’ah is worthy of being a decisive proof against them and a guide by way of which they are guided to the truth. Their nobility is established in accordance with how much they embrace its rulings- through acting upon them in speech, belief and deeds– and not merely due to the level of their intellects or their nobility amongst their people. That is because Allaah [The Most High] determined nobility through Taqwa and not other than it. Allaah [The Most High] said:

[إِنَّ أَڪۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ- Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa] [49:13]

The one who is the firmest in adherence to the Sharee’ah is more worthy of honour and nobility; therefore, honour is [measured] in accordance with one’s [level of adherence] to the Sharee’ah.

[Source: Al-Itisaam 3/434. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

The One [i.e. Allaah] Who Made You Love Imaan is The Most knowledgeable Concerning What Benefits His Servants

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', 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:

وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ فِيكُمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ يُطِيعُكُمْ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ لَعَنِتُّمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْأِيمَانَ وَزَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَكَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَالْفُسُوقَ وَالْعِصْيَانَ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ فَضْلاً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَنِعْمَةً وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

And know that, among you there is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you (i.e. follow your opinions and desires) in much of the matter, you would surely be in trouble, but Allah has endeared the Faith to you and has beautified it in your hearts, and has made disbelief, wickedness and disobedience (to Allah and His Messenger) hateful to you. These! They are the rightly guided ones, (This is) a Grace from Allah and His Favour. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. [Soorah al-Hujuraat: Ayah 7-8]

Your love for Imaan, desire for it and its beautification in your hearts is not from yourselves; rather it is Allaah who placed it in your hearts.  He is the one who made it preferable and pleasing to you; therefore do not put yourself before Allaah’s Messenger- neither speak until he speaks nor act until he commands you.  The one [i.e. Allaah] who made you love Imaan is the most knowledgeable concerning what is of benefit for His slaves than yourselves.  And had it not been the Tawfeeq of Allaah upon you, your souls would not have submitted to Imaan.

[Madaarij As-Saalikeen 1/414—415. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

A Test for all of Us – [If You Really Love Allaah, Then Follow the Messenger’s Sunnah]

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said in Surah Aali Imraan Ayah 31:

[قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬ – Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful];

This Ayah is conveyed to everyone who claims to love Allaah, whilst he [or she] is not one who truly follows Allaah’s Prophet Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]- neither obeys the Prophet’s command nor keeping away from what the Prophet has forbidden. So unless he or she [i.e. the one who claims to love Allaah] truly follows the Messenger, then indeed he [or she] is not truthful in his [or her] claim. [Ref 1]

Allaah [The Most High] also said in Surah Aali Imraan Ayah 32:

[قُلۡ أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ‌ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ – Say (O Muhammad): “Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad).” But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers]; Meaning: Say O Messenger [to the people]: Obey Allaah by following His Book [i.e. the Qur’aan], and obey the Messenger by following his Sunnah -whether you were present during his lifetime or present after he has passed away. [Ref 2]

Allaah [The Most High] also said in Surah Al-Hujuraat Aayaat 1 & 2:

[يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ – O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Verily! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

[يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ  – O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet…]

When it is the case that Allaah forbade [them] from giving precedence to [themselves] over the Messenger, then which type of giving precedence to oneself over the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] can be more severe than giving precedence to one’s intellect over the revelation he was sent with? Many of the Salaf have stated [that this ayah means]: ‘’Neither say anything [about the religion] until the messenger speaks nor act until he commands you.’’

The most disobedient person amongst the people and the most severe with regards to giving precedence to himself [or herself] over the Messenger is that one who gives precedence to his [or her] intellect or the intellect of another person over the revelation the Messenger was sent with. And when it is the case that Allaah has indeed forbidden them from raising their voices above the voice of the Messenger, then how about raising their intellects above the statements of the Messenger and the revelation he came with? [Ref 3]

[Ref 1: (Tafseer Al-Muyassar). Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: (Tafseer Al-Muyassar). Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 3: (Al-Waabil as-Sayyib’ by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ page: 21). Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

 

The Fundamental Principles of The Deen Revolve Around Three Ahaadeeth

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam as-Sa’di [rahimahullaah] said that Imaam Ahmad [rahimahullaah] said: ”The Usool [Fundamental Principles of Islaam] revolves around three ahaadeeth:

1.”The lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear…”
2. ”Indeed, actions are judged by intentions…”
3. ”Whoever performs an action that is not from our affair [i.e. the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah] will have it rejected…”

Deeds either fall under commandments or prohibitions.  The first hadeeth- [The lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear] – is about unlawful actions. As for the second hadeeth– [Indeed, actions are judged by intention] – then commandments are either related to one’s intention and the aspiration of the heart, or the apparent physical actions, and thirdly these actions [i.e. acts of worship] are legislated in conformity with the Sunnah.

[Source: Tareequl Wusool Ilal Ilmul Mamool Bi-Marifatil Qawaa-id Wad-dawaabit Wal-Usool’ Page 23. Slightly paraphrased]

Noble Manners and Etiquettes Revolve Around Four Ahaadeeth

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

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

Ibn Abee Zayd Al-Qayrawaani [rahimahullaah] said: All noble manners and etiquettes revolve around four ahaadeeth.

The First Hadeeth: “Whoever believes in Allaah and the last day then let him speak good or keep silent”.

This Hadeeth teaches us about restraining the tongue from (evil, false, doubtful speech etc); for whoever is unable to restrain his tongue from (these blameworthy affairs) is not considered to be from the people of good manners.

The Second Hadeeth: “Part of the perfection of a person’s Islam is to leave that which does not concern him.”

This Hadeeth teaches us to refrain from engaging in excess and that which does not concern us. The person who concerns himself with those affairs of the people that do not concern him – either by listening, looking or speaking -is not considered to be from the people of good manners.

The Third Hadeeth: A man said to the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasalam) “Advise me.” He said, “Do not become angry.” The man repeated his request several times, and each time the Prophet said to him, “Do not become angry.”

This Hadeeth teaches us self-restraint when we are angry. That is because anger is the basis of every evil in speech and action. Whoever cannot restrain himself (or herself) from (evil) when he is angry cannot be considered to be from the people of good manners.

The Fourth Hadeeth: None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.

This Hadeeth is a means of rectifying the heart and soul, so that a person’s heart is free from harbouring malice, hatred, envy towards his Muslim brothers and sisters.

Conclusion:

If a person acquires a precise understanding of these four ahaadeeth and acts upon them, they have indeed acted on all the affairs related to good manners and etiquettes. These four Hadeeth comprise of four affairs:

Restraining the tongue from (evil, false, doubtful speech etc)

Restraining oneself from excess – be it by way of speech, looking, listening etc

Restraining oneself from evil desires and wishes during anger.

To have a heart free from unjustified hatred; blameworthy envy (i.e. wishing that blessings bestowed on others should cease) and malice etc

[Lesson15. Explanation of the forty Hadeeth of Imaam An-Nawawi’ (rahimahullaah) by Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him). Paraphrased]

 

One Can Never Follow The Example of Prophet More Than The Sahaabah, So Why Not Suffice With What Sufficed Them?!

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [ahimahullaah] said:

Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan, Ali and all those who were foremost to embrace Islaam of the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar used to depart from Madeenah to Makkah to perform Hajj and Umrah, and as travellers; but it is not stated that a single one of them strove to pray at [any particular] spots in which the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] prayed.  And it is well known that if this [practice] was something they considered recommended, they would have been more worthy to precede in it; because they were more knowledgeable about his Sunnah and followed it more than others.

[Source: Iqtidaa Siraat Al-Mustaqeem 2/748]

Our Lord! Make us not a trial for those who have disbelieved….

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

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

رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا رَبَّنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

“Our Lord! Make us not a trial for those who have disbelieved, and forgive us, Our Lord! Verily, You, only You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” [60:5]

Az-Zujaaj [rahimahullaah] said: The meaning of it is: Do not give them victory over us, so they think that they are upon truth and we are put to trial by way of that.

[Source: Ighaatha Al-Lahfaan 2/163]

A Supplication Before Bed Time Reminds Us of Allaah’s Blessings

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

English Translation of the supplication

All praise is due to Allah Who fed us, provided us drink, sufficed us and provided us with shelter, for how many people there is none to suffice and none to provide shelter. [Saheeh Muslim Number 2715]

 

Brief Reminder

In this supplication, there is a reminder for the Muslim before he (or she) goes to bed regarding the end of the day and the hours that have elapsed, in which Allaah provided him (or her) with food, drink and shelter, whilst there are a number of people who could not find food as a source of nourishment or drink to quench their thirst, or clothing to clothed themselves, or a dwelling place. So whoever Allaah blessed with food and drink, sufficed him (or her) etc then it is obligated on him (or her) to recognise (or acknowledge) the blessings of Allaah and consider it as something that is great indeed. That is because being grateful for the blessings Allaah has given you is a means to retaining and increasing those blessings. Allaah (The Most High) said:[وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ -And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allah), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe. (14:7)]

[Paraphrased Excerpt. Source: Fiqhul Ad’iyah Wal-Adkaar’ page 79′ parts 3&4′ by Sh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him)]

 

If You Concentrate On Your Own Rectification, Whilst Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil To The Best of Your Ability, You Will Not Be Harmed By Those Who Are Astray

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', 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 عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ ۖ لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ مَنْ ضَلَّ إِذَا اهْتَدَيْتُمْ ۚ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow the right guidance no hurt can come to you from those who are in error. The return of you all is to Allah, then He will inform you about (all) that which you used to do. [5:105]

Allaah [The Most High] said:[  يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ ۖ – O you who believe! Take care of your own selves]-Meaning: Strive to rectify and perfect your own souls, and keep them firm upon the straight path. That is because if you are righteous, you will not be harmed by the one deviated from the straight path; rather he only harms himself [or herself].  [However], this does not indicate that the servant [i.e. a Muslim] is not harmed if he abandons enjoining good and forbidding evil or becomes negligent of it, for indeed his guidance will not be complete except through fulfilling what is obligated on him [or her] with regard to enjoining good and forbidding evil.  If he is [genuinely] unable to stop evil with his hand and his tongue, but rejects it in his heart, then indeed he will not be harmed by the misguidance of others. [Ref A]

[إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا  – The return of you all is to Allah]-Meaning: Your final destination is the day of Judgement and your gathering will be in the presence of Allaah [The Most High]; [فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ -then He will inform you about (all) that which you used to do]- Meaning: [Your] good and evil [deeds]. [Re 1]

Ref A:

Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil

Question to Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [Rahimahullaah]:

Is enjoining Ma’ruf and forbidding Munkar, namely correcting the wrong by the hand, a right for all Muslims or is it just confined to those in authority and their deputies?

A: Correcting the wrong is a right for all Muslims according to their ability, because the Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Anyone of you who sees Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect), let them change it with their hand (by taking action); if they cannot, then with their tongue (by speaking out); and if they cannot, then with their heart (by hating it and feeling that it is wrong); and that is the weakest of Iman (faith).”(Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi & others)

However, changing by the hand must be based on ability that will not result in greater corruption or evil. Man has the right to rectify matters with his hand (by taking action) in his home, with his children, wife, and servants; and a manager has the authority to make changes with the hand within the organization they are responsible for, in accordance with the instructions that were given to them. Otherwise, people should not change with their hand anything they are not authorized to change.  If they do make changes in matters that they have no authority over, this will result in more evil and great corruption between them and the people and between the people and the state.

In this case they should make the change with their tongue (by speaking out). They may say: “O so andso! Fear Allah! That is not permissible. This is Haram (prohibited),” or: “That is Wajib (obligatory) on you,” and clarify it with Shar’iy (Islamic legal) evidence. This is what can be done by the tongue. As for changing matters with the hand, this should be done where one has authority, such as one’s home, with those under one’s responsibility, or those authorized by the ruler, such as organizations given permission and authority to enjoin Ma’ruf (that which is judged as good, beneficial, or fitting by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect). They should make changes in accordance to the degree of authority that has been given to them, in the way prescribed by the Shari’ah (Islamic law), without exceeding their jurisdiction. The same applies to the governor of a city; he should make changes with his hand, in accordance with the instructions he has. [Fataawaa Ibn Baaz 8/208. Salafitalk.net]

Ref 1:

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

 

Hasten Towards The Jumu’ah Prayer For The Remembrance of Allaah!

Written by enamul97@icloud.com on . Posted in Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانْتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِنْ فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salat (prayer) on the day of Friday (Jumu’ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah [Jumu’ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salat (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you did but know! Then when the (Jumu’ah) Salat (prayer) is finished, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working, etc.), and remember Allah much, that you may be successful. [Soorah Al-Jum’ah. Aayaat 9-10]

Few Reminders from the above Aayaat

Allaah [The Most High] commands His believing slaves to attend the Jumu’ah prayer and that they hasten towards it when the call for it is proclaimed. And ‘hastening’ towards it means to come to it- giving it importance and making it the most important [affair].

[وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ -Leave off business]-Meaning: Leave off business when the call for the prayer is proclaimed and perform it, for indeed [ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ – that is better for you] than preoccupying yourself with business and missing the obligatory prayer, which is from the most emphasised of obligations; [إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُون – if you did but know!] that what Allaah has with Him [of reward] is better and more everlasting, and that the one who prefers the worldly life over the religious [commandments and prohibitions], then indeed he has [incurred] a real loss, whilst thinking that he has profited.  This command to leave off business is during the time of the prayer.

[فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانْتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ – Then when the (Jumu’ah) Salat (prayer) is finished, you may disperse through the land] to seek earnings and business (transactions)].

And when it is the case that preoccupation with business is most likely to make a [person] heedless of the remembrance of Allaah, Allaah commanded that He be remembered much, saying:

[وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا – and remember Allah much]- Meaning: Whilst you’re standing, sitting and reclining;

[لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ – that you may be successful]; for indeed an increase in remembrance of Allaah is the greatest means to success.

Source: (Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan). Abridged and slightly paraphrased