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Author: Jallow Abdullah

The difference between (mere) love of leadership and loving to be (an upright leader) for sake of calling to the path of Allaah-[Imaam Ibnul Qayyim]

Written by Jallow Abdullah on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', 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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:

It is the difference between [exalting the command of Allaah and sincerity to Him] and [love of exalting oneself and hastening towards fulfilling pleasures]. Indeed the one who is sincere to Allaah and exalts Him loves that his Lord is obeyed and not disobeyed; (loves that) His Word should be uppermost; (loves that) all affairs of the religion should be established sincerely for His sake; and (loves that) the slaves should obey His commands and keep away from what He has forbidden. He is sincere in his servitude to Allaah and sincere to Allaah’s creation in calling them to the path of Allaah.

So he loves to be (an upright) leader in the religion; rather he asks his Lord to make him from the leaders of the righteous people who are followed, just as he is a follower of the righteous.  Therefore, if this slave (i.e. this person) who calls to Allaah loves that he is considered dignified in the eyes (of the people), revered and beloved in their hearts and one followed amongst them, so that he is trusted by them and they follow the example of the Messenger through him, then this (desire of his) does not harm him; rather he is praised for it. That is because the caller to Allaah loves that Allaah is obeyed and singled out in worship. He loves to be a means of aiding (the people) towards (obedience and singling Allaah out in worship). And because of this (when) Allaah mentioned those chosen slaves of His- whom He praised in His revelation and will grant the best of reward on the day they meet Him- He mentioned them with the best of their deeds and characteristics, and then stated (about them):

 وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبۡ لَنَا مِنۡ أَزۡوَٲجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعۡيُنٍ۬ وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

”And those who say: “Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for the Muttaqun” (pious) 25:74

So they ask Allaah to grant them the comfort of the eye by making their wives and offspring obedient to Allaah, and to grant them happiness in their hearts by way of being followed by the righteous upon obedience to Allaah and servitude to Him. That is because a trustworthy leader in the religion co-operates with (others) upon obedience (to Allaah), and that is to call them to (sound) leadership in the religion, whose foundation is patience and certainty, as Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ أَٮِٕمَّةً۬ يَہۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُواْ‌ۖ وَڪَانُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ

”And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.).” [32:24]

So their supplication (Soorah Furqaan Ayah 74) to Allaah that He makes them leaders of the righteous people, is a supplication that Allaah guides them; grants them success; bless them with beneficial sciences and righteous actions–outwardly and inwardly–without which (sound) leadership in the religion cannot be achieved.

This is different from (merely) seeking leadership, for indeed its seekers hasten to obtain it in order to achieve their goals, (such as) exaltedness in the earth; servitude of the hearts to them; inclination towards them; aiding them in all their goals, whilst they are exalted above them and conquered.  This pursuit of leadership brings about corruption-which none can enumerate except Allaah- such as rebellion, envy, transgression,  enmity, oppression, trials, being ardent in defending oneself at the expense of violating the rights of Allaah, exalting those despised by Allaah and belittling those honoured by Allaah…..

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[Abridged and slightly paraphrased. For further details, see Ar-Rooh page: 487-489]

 

 

 

[1] Signs of the Sound Heart—Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah)

Written by Jallow Abdullah on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Neither does it become lax in the remembrance of its Lord nor does it get tired of serving Him (i.e. carrying out acts of obedience and keeping away from disobedience). It does not become habituated with other than Him, except the one who directs it to its Lord; mentions Him to it and reminds it of this affair.

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[Slightly paraphrased. Source: Ighaatha Al-Lahfaan page: 68]

[1] Those Who Call Unsuspecting Muslims to Shirk- All affairs are in Allaah’s Control!

Written by Jallow Abdullah on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Allaah (The Most High) said:

لَيۡسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ شَىۡءٌ أَوۡ يَتُوبَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ أَوۡ يُعَذِّبَهُمۡ فَإِنَّهُمۡ ظَـٰلِمُونَ

”Not for you (O Muhammad), but for Allah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to (pardons) them or punishes them; verily, they are the Zalimun (polytheists, disobedients, and wrong-doers, etc.) [3:128]

Narrated Sahl (radiyallaahu-anhu) that he was asked about the wound of the Prophet on the day (of the battle) of Ubud. He said, “The face of the Prophet was wounded and one of his front teeth was broken and the helmet over his head was smashed. Fatima washed off the blood while ‘All held water. When she saw that bleeding was increasing, she burnt a mat (of date-palm leaves) till it turned into ashes and she filled the wound with those ashes and thus the bleeding ceased. [Saahih Bukhaari. Vol 4. Number: 2911]

It is reported in the Saheeh that one of the Prophet’s teeth was broken and his head was injured (during the battle of Uhud), so he began to wipe the blood away from it, saying: How can a people be successful who cut the face of their Prophet and break his teeth, whilst supplicating to Allaah. So Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) revealed the Ayah: [لَيۡسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ شَىۡءٌ-Not for you (O Muhammad), but for Allah) is the decision] [Source: Zaad Al-Ma-aad 3/205-206]

A Hadeeth of the Messenger and two statements from Two Imaams of the Sunnah- Enough to Busy the Hearts with Sincerity and Not Love of Leadership

Written by Jallow Abdullah on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) saying: Indeed, the first of the people who will be judged on the Day of Judgment will be a man who died a martyr (in battle). He will be brought forth and (Allaah) will make known to him His Favours and he will acknowledge them. (Allah) will say: And what did you do with them? He will say: I fought for your (sake) until I died a martyr. He will say: You have lied; rather you fought so that it might be said (about you): He is brave and it has been said. Then it will be commanded that he dragged on his face until he is cast into Hell-Fire. (The second person) will be a man who studied (religious) knowledge and taught it, and he used to recite the Qur’an. He will be brought forth and (Allaah) will make known to him His Favours and he will acknowledge them. (Allah) will say: And what did you do with (such favours)? He will say: I studied (religious) knowledge and taught it and I recited the Qur’an for Your sake. He will say: You have lied; rather you studied (religious) knowledge so that it might be said (about you): He is learned; and you recited the Qur’an so that it might be said (about you): He is a reciter. And it has been said. Then it will be commanded that he be dragged on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. (The third person) will be man whom Allah enriched and to whom He gave all kinds of wealth. He will be brought forth and Allah will make known to him His Favours and he will acknowledge them. (Allah) will say: And what did you do with them? He will say: I left no way in which You like that (wealth) should be spent, except that I spent for Your sake. He will say: You have lied; rather you did so that it might be said (about you): He is generous, and it has been said. Then it will be commanded that he be dragged on his face until he is cast into Hell-Fire.” [1]

Imaam Fudayl Ibn Iyaad (rahimahullaah) said, ”There is none who loves leadership, except that he will envy (others), transgress and seek after the faults of the people, and hates that anyone should be mentioned with good.” [2]

Al-Khateeb (rahimahullaah) said: It used to be said, ”Whoever seeks leadership will fall into humiliation.”[3] ——————————————

[1] Muslim. Number 1905]

[2] [Jaami Bayaan Al-Ilm 2/571]

[3] [Al-Jaami 1/321]


 

[2] Reminder for all those looking after Salafi Masaajid, Maraakiz and other Salafi Institutions

Written by Jallow Abdullah on . Posted in Brotherhood, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul.

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) stated:

So when a person wishes to associate with a Believer, or a Believer wishes to associate with anyone, and fujoor (wickedness) is mentioned about him, and it has been said that he has repented from it, or that that (the claim of him having wickedness) was stated about him, regardless of whether that saying was true or false, then he can test him (fa innahu yamtahinahu) by what he displays,  his goodness (bir) or his evil (fujoor), his truthfulness or his lying. And likewise, when he desires to give someone a position of authority, he tests him (imtahanahu), just as Umar bin Abdul Azeez commanded his servant to test Ibn Abee Moosaa (yamtahinahu) when his mannerism amazed him (somewhat), so he said to him, “You know my position with the Ameer ul-Mu’mineen, so how much will you give me if I indicate (the appropriateness) of your (being given) authority to him?’’ So he gave him a great amount of wealth. And from this Umar knew that he was not fit for authority.[End of quote: Source: www.salafipublications.com Article ID : BDH050015]

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We ask Allaah for Insight. Aameen. Therefore, we should not be oblivious of these affairs because not everyone is suited for a particular role despite the fact that people may possess other praiseworthy traits suitable for other roles. As for the one who blatantly announces his desire for leadership; rather he grieves when prevented from it, then indeed we ask Allaah to grant him Tawfeeq to overcome this weakness. Aameen. To be continued In-Shaa-Allaah

Abu Mu-aawiyyah (Abdullaah Al-Gambi)

 

[1] Reminders for all those looking after Salafi Masaajid, Maraakiz and other Salafi Institutions

Written by Jallow Abdullah on . Posted in Brotherhood, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:

The one seeking the (pleasure) of Allaah and the home of the afterlife cannot be steadfast in his path except by way of two restraints:

[1] To restrict his heart to seeking after (Allaah’s Pleasure and the home of the afterlife) and restraining it from turning to anything else besides that. Restraining his tongue from what is of no benefit; restricting it to the remembrance of Allaah and that which will increase his Imaan and knowledge. [2] Restraining his limbs from disobedience and lowly desires; and restricting them in the performance of obligatory and recommended duties. He should not depart from these two restraints until he meets his Lord; so that He (i.e. Allaah) frees him from those two restraints to (enter) into the widest and best of places.

And when he does not exercise patience in these two restraints (i.e. restricting the heart to seeking only Allaah’s pleasure and refraining from disobedience) and flees from them to (enter) into the wilderness of lowly desires, he is punished with that horrible imprisonment (of lowly desires) at the time of departure from this dunyah. Therefore, everyone departing from this dunyah is either freed from imprisonment (to the lowly desires in the world) or is going to be imprisoned (in the afterlife). And Allaah is the one who grants success. [End of Quote. Source: Al-Fawaa-id. page: 88]

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Indeed, it is a great blessing that many Masaajid and Maraakiz of Salafiyyah are opening in the West and America. Indeed, we pray that many people in these Masaajid and Maraakiz will travel to seek knowledge; attend the regular lessons, lectures and conferences; strive to improve their understanding of the Arabic language; serve the communities or look after various projects; and more Salafi schools will open In-shaa-Allaah. We ask Allaah for all this khayr. Aameen.

However, we should be on guard against shaytaan; we should be on guard against love of leadership; we should be on guard against self-amazement; love of praise and recognition.  Despite all the khayr we have seen already and the Ta-aawun, one should not be oblivious of the fact that only the Mukhlisoon will be successful in the Aakhirah.

فَمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلۡيَعۡمَلۡ عَمَلاً۬ صَـٰلِحً۬ا وَلَا يُشۡرِكۡ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦۤ أَحَدَۢا

So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord. [18:110]

We ask Allaah for Ikhlaas, Thabaat and Husnul Khaatimah

Abu Mu-aawiyyah Abdullaah Al-Gambi

 

[2] The Ten supporting (pillars) for acquiring knowledge [The 2nd affair (Sincerity)]

Written by Jallow Abdullah on . Posted in Articles, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

A person has to (direct) his intention to Allaah in seeking knowledge-being sincere to Allaah and neither desiring (سمعة i.e. his intention should not be the desire to be heard) nor (رياء i.e. his intention should not be the desire to be seen); neither seeking fame nor a worldly goal from the worldly goals. Whoever directs his intention (sincerely) to Allaah, then Allaah will grant him success and reward him based on that. That is because (seeking) knowledge is worship; rather it is from the greatest (affairs of worship).

Deeds do not (receive) reward, except when carried out for the Sake of Allaah (The Most High) and in accordance with the way of the Messenger of Allaah (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam).  Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) stated:

[إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَواْ وَّٱلَّذِينَ هُم مُّحۡسِنُونَ– Truly, Allah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him), and those who are Muhsinun(good-doers)] 16:128

The greatest affair of Taqwah (fear of Allaah) is to sincerely direct one’s intention to Allaah. And besides (the fact that) the one who shows off in seeking knowledge is a loser in the worldly life, he is (also threatened with) punishment in the afterlife, just as it has been (narrated about) those three people who will be thrown in the hell fire on their faces, and amongst them will be a man who sought knowledge so that he is called a scholar and it was said. [1]

[Source: Ar-Rakaa’iz Al-Ashar Lit-Tahseel Al-Ilm pages: 11-12. Some parts slightly paraphrased]

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[1] Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) saying: Indeed, the first of the people who will be judged on the Day of Judgment will be a man who died a martyr (in battle). He will be brought forth and (Allaah) will make known to him His Favours and he will acknowledge them. (Allah) will say: And what did you do with them? He will say: I fought for your (sake) until I died a martyr. He will say: You have lied; rather you fought so that it might be said (about you): He is brave and it has been said. Then it will be commanded that he dragged on his face until he is cast into Hell-Fire. (The second person) will be a man who studied (religious) knowledge and taught it, and he used to recite the Qur’an. He will be brought forth and (Allaah) will make known to him His Favours and he will acknowledge them. (Allah) will say: And what did you do with (such favours)? He will say: I studied (religious) knowledge and taught it and I recited the Qur’an for Your sake. He will say: You have lied; rather you studied (religious) knowledge so that it might be said (about you): He is learned; and you recited the Qur’an so that it might be said (about you): He is a reciter. And it has been said. Then it will be commanded that he be dragged on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. (The third person) will be man whom Allah enriched and to whom He gave all kinds of wealth. He will be brought forth and Allah will make known to him His Favours and he will acknowledge them. (Allah) will say: And what did you do with them? He will say: I left no way in which You like that (wealth) should be spent, except that I spent for Your sake. He will say: You have lied; rather you did so that it might be said (about you): He is generous, and it has been said. Then it will be commanded that he be dragged on his face until he is cast into Hell-Fire.”[Muslim. Number 1905]

 

Read more about ‘Riyaa and Sum’ah’ in this link: http://www.sahab.net/forums/?showtopic=25251

 

[1] The Ten supporting (pillars) for acquiring knowledge—Shaikh Abdullaah Ibn Salfeeq Adh-Dhufayree

Written by Jallow Abdullah on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Methodology - 'Manhaj', Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

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[Source: Ar-Rakaa-iz Al-Ashar Lit-Tahseel Al-Ilm’ (pages 9-10) by Shaikh Abdullaah Ibn Salfeeq Adh-Dhufayri (may Allaah preserve him) with the introduction of Al-Allaamah Ahmad An-Najmi (rahimahullaah)] ———————————————————————————————————————————————————

A person is weak and there is no might nor power except with Allaah [لا حول ولا قوة الا بالله]. If  he (i.e. the person) is entrusted to himself, he will be destroyed and ruined. And if he entrusts his affair to Allaah (The Most High) and seeks His Aid in seeking knowledge, then indeed Allaah will aid him. Indeed Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) – in His Book- has exhorted (one) towards this. He (The Most High) stated: [إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ –You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)]

And He (The Most High) stated:

وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسۡبُهُ

”And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him.” (65:3)]; meaning: Allaah is his Guardian.

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوٓاْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ

”And put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed.” (5:23)]

 

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

”If you were to put your trust in Allah the way He deserves, He will provide for you as he provides for the birds. They leave in the morning with an empty stomach and return in the afternoon with a full one.” [1]

Knowledge is the Greatest Provision.

 

Our Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) used to rely on Allaah and sought His Help in all his affairs. The supplication of leaving the home is proof of that as he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) used to say:

[بِسم اللَّهِ ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ ، لا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ إِلا بِاللَّهِ

”In the name of Allaah, I place my trust in Allaah, and there is no might nor power except with Allaah.” [2]

 

To be continued In-Shaa-Allaah

Abu Mu-aawiyyah [Abdullaah Jallow (Al-Gambi)]

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[1] Reported by Imaam Tirmidhee2344. Declared Saheeh by Imaam Albaani in Sunan Tirmidhee]

[2] Reported by Imaam Tirmidhee 3426. Declared Saheeh by Imaam Albaani]

 

 

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We Should Not Be Speaking In The Presence of Our Elders

Written by Jallow Abdullah on . Posted in Brotherhood, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Family & Women, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

Ibnul Mubaarak (rahimahullaah) was asked a question about an affair of the religion in the presence of Sufyaan Bin Uyaynah (rahimahullaah); so he said:”We have been forbidden from speaking in the presence of our elders”

[Siyar A’laam An-Nubulaa 8/402]

Hishaam Ibn Urwah: Do not question the people about what they have newly invented today, but question them…

Written by Jallow Abdullah on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

كان هشام بن عروة يقول: لا تسألوا الناس اليوم عما أحدثوه فإنهم قد أعدوا له جوابا، ولكن سلوهم عن السنة فإنهم لا يعرفونها

Hishaam Bin Urwah (rahimahullaah) used to say:

”Do not question the people about what they have newly invented today (i.e. bidah), for indeed they have prepared answers for it. But question them about the Sunnah for indeed they do not know it.”

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[Source: غياة الأماني في الرد على النبهاني of Imaam Al-Aloosee. Vol 1. Page 367]