Skip to main content

Author: Jallow Abdullah

Types of Envy’ by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah)

The First Type: This type is very little and does not lead the (envier) to harm (others)-either by way of (hatred in) his heart, (speech of the) tongue or (deeds of the) hand; rather the person has some envy in his heart but he only deals with his Muslim brother through what Allaah loves.

The Second Type: The envier desires that the blessing (bestowed on the one he envies) should cease. He hates that Allaah should give blessings to His slaves; rather he (desires) that the envied person should remain in that state (of deprivation)…

The Third Type is Al-Ghibtahl: It is when a person wishes to be like another person without desiring that the blessing possessed by that person should cease. The person who has this type of envy is not blamed; rather this is very similar to praiseworthy competition to excel another in good deeds.

————————————————————————————————————–

[Source: Badaa’i al-Fawaa-id’ 2/237’ by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah); slightly paraphrased and abridged]

This is the most disobedient person to the Messenger!

Allaah (The Most High) said:

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. [49:1]

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ

O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet…[49:2]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:

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): ‘’Do not say anything (about the religion) until the messenger speaks and do not act until he commands you.’’

The most disobedient person amongst the people and the most severe with regards to giving precedence to him (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?

———————————————————————————-

[Source: Al-Waabil as-Sayyib’ page: 21. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

Envy may lead to some of these destructive diseases

Imaam Ibn Hibbaan (rahimahullaah) said:

It is incumbent on a sensible person to avoid envy in all circumstances, for indeed the most despicable trait of envy is harbouring displeased against Allaah’s decree and wishing to oppose what Allaah (The Exalted) has decided for His slaves. Then the inner self of person is wrapped up in the (desire) to see a Muslim being deprived of a blessing. The soul of the envious person is never at ease nor does his body relax except when he sees his brother being deprived of a blessing.

———————————-

[Source: Rawdatul Uqalaa’ page 133]

Be mindful of envy because it leads to evil consequences!

Allaah (The Most High) stated:

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ

Say: “I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of the daybreak,

مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ

“From the evil of what He has created;

وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ

And from the evil of the darkening (night) as it comes with its darkness; (or the moon as it sets or goes away).

وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ

“And from the evil of the witchcrafts when they blow in the knots,

وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ

“And from the evil of the envier when he envies.

Envy is the most despicable trait. The first deed of disobedience through which Allaah was disobeyed in the heavens was Iblees’s envy towards Aadam and the (first deed of disobedience through which Allaah was disobeyed) in the earth was Qaabil’s envy toward Haabil. [1]

———————————————————

[1] [Source: Zaadul Maseer’ by Ibn Jawzi (rahimahullaah)]

The promise of Allaah is always true and will definitely occur!

Allaah (The Most High) said:

سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ ۗ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ

We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their ownselves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur’an) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things? [41:53]

[سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ –  We will show them Our Signs in the universe]: The (Islamic) conquest of the furthest regions of the earth. [وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ – and in their ownselves]: The conquest of Makkah.

This is the statement of Al-Hasan, Mujaahid and Sadiy (rahimahullaah)

————————————————————————

[Source: Zaadul Maseer’ by Imaam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah)]

Avoid The Deviated Paths and Be Steadfast Upon Allaah’s Path

Allaah (The Most high) said:

وَعَلَى اللَّهِ قَصْدُ السَّبِيلِ وَمِنْهَا جَائِرٌ

And upon Allah is the responsibility to explain the Straight Path but there are ways that turn aside.’’ [16:9]

[وَعَلَى اللَّهِ قَصْدُ السَّبِيلِ- And upon Allah is the responsibility to explain the Straight Path]: Az-Zujaaj (rahimahullaah) said: It is Allaah who will clarify the straight path and call to it with Hujaj (i.e. clear and overwhelming proofs that defeats all the obstinate and stubborn ones) and Burhaan (i.e. proofs that clarify and distinguish between truth and falsehood in everything).

[وَمِنْهَا جَائِر -but there are ways that turn aside]: Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu-anhu) said, ‘’They are the different types of desires (i.e. evil desires). Ibnul Mubaarak (rahimahullaah) said, ‘’They are the (evil) desires and the innovations in religion.’’

 —————————————————————

[Source: Zaadul Maseer’ by Imaam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah)]

.

Muslims Living In Hot Countries During Ramadhaan

Question to Shaikh Abdullaah Bin Humaid (rahimahullaah):

Will the Muslims living in hot countries or in hot houses be rewarded for their fasting more than those living in cold countries?

Answer:

Reward is received in accordance with the level of difficulty (i.e. the difficulty that is faced whilst carrying out legislated duties and obligations. As for innovations they are rejected). The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “Perhaps a fasting person will gain nothing but hunger and thirst from his fast (i.e. little reward).’’ [1]

The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: Whoever does not give up lying speech, (false statements) and acting on them (i.e., telling lies), and evil deeds, and behaving in an ignorant evil way, and speaking bad words to others, then Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink.” [2]

But if he (or she) intends to please Allaah through his (or her) fast; safeguards it from what will corrupt and nullify it, and distances him (or herself) from backbiting the people, then indeed the reward will be greater whenever difficulty, thirst and hunger increases. So this person (i.e. the fasting person who is living in a hot country) has more reward than others. It is well known that reward is given in accordance with the level of difficulty and that has to be carried out with a sincere intention. [Source: Al-Fataawaa Wad-Duroos Fil Masjidil Haraam…pages: 497. Slightly paraphrased]

————————————————-

[1] Reported by Ahmad 8856

[2] Reported by Bukhaari 6057

Can you eat in the presence of the people during Ramadhaan because you have (a legislated) Excuse to break your fast?

Question to Shaikh Abdullaah Bin Humaid (rahimahullaah)

Some of the people come for Umrah and eat in the Haram because they are travellers; but they eat in the presence of the people. Is it permissible for them to do so?

Answer:

It is permissible for a traveller to eat, but the scholars have stated that he (or she) should not eat in the presence of the people. He (or she) should eat in private lest the people disapproved of him (or her) and say that this person is thoughtless or lest the sinful people blindly follow him (or her).

You have a (legislated) excuse because you are a traveller. But it is not befitting that you eat in the presence of the people because they will accuse you and a person is commanded to safeguard his (or her) honour. Also the sinful people will follow you when they see you eating, saying: ‘’Such and such a person eats so we will also eat like him.’’

And indeed the scholars from the Hanaabilah (i.e. the scholars of the Madhab of Imaam Ahmad (rahimahullaah) and other than them have stated that it is permissible for the traveller to eat during the day in Ramadhaan and there is no harm in doing so, except that it is not befitting for him (or her) to eat in the presence of the people, rather of he (or she) should eat in private.

——————————————————————————-

[Source: Al-Fataawaa Wad-Duroos Fil Masjidil Haraam…pages: 493-494]