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A Secret Regarding The One Who Bears The Whip!

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

Sa’eed Bin Jubayr [rahimahullaah] said, “Patience is the person’s acknowledgment that what has afflicted him is from Allaah, seeking for reward from Allaah and hoping for Allaah’s good recompense. Indeed, a man maybe in a state of distress whilst he is being whipped, but you see nothing from him except patience”. (1)

Reminder on The Above Statement

Regarding the statement “Patience is the person’s acknowledgement that what has afflicted him is from Allaah”, Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said, “It is as if this statement is an explanation of the statement “Innaa lil laah – to Allaah we belong”. So, the person acknowledges that he belongs to Allaah and his owner does whatever He wants with him.

Regarding the statement “Seeking for reward from Allaah”, Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said, “It is as if this statement is an explanation of the statement “Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raaji’oon – and to Him (i.e. Allaah) we shall return”, meaning we shall return to You, so that you reward us due to our patience and the reward for being patient during calamity will not be lost”.

Regarding the statement “Indeed, a man maybe in a state of distress whilst he is being whipped, but you do not see from him except patience”, Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said, “Patience is not that one bears the whip, rather it is to restrain the heart from getting angry with Allaah’s decree and to restrain the tongue from complaining about Allaah. Whoever is whipped and his heart is displeased with Allaah, then he is not one who is patient”. (2)


[Ref 1: As-Sabr  Wath-Thawaab Alayhi. By Ibn Abee Dunya page 113]

[Ref 2: Iddat As-Saabireen pages 183-184]

[16] Basics- [Revising And Revisiting The Most Important Fundamentals: (Muhammad is The Messenger of Allaah)]

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

Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] Is The Messenger of Allaah.

– What does “Muhammad is The Messenger of Allaah” necessitate?
– How Do We Approach Our Customs Whilst Striving to Follow The Sunnah of The Sunnah?
– How Do We Approach The Modern Beneficial Worldly Sciences Whilst Striving to Follow The Sunnah?
– Muhammad is The Messenger of Allaah Necessitates Rejection of Bidah!
– Obedience to The Messenger Leads to Unity and Bidah Leads to Splitting!
– Severe Consequences of Disobedience to The Messenger!
– Who Is The Most Disobedient Person to The Messenger?

What Does “Muhamad is The Messenger of Allaah Necessitate?”

What does “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah” necessitate? It necessitates belief in everything he [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] has stated, obey him in everything he has commanded, keep away from everything he has forbidden and worship Allaah only based on what Allaah and Muhammad have legislated. To testify that Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] is the Messenger of Allaah necessitates a testification regarding his Messengership. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا لِيُطَاعَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ – We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by Allah’s Permission]. [Surah An-Nisaa. Verse 64]

This is the purpose regarding which Allaah sent the Messengers, to be obeyed. It is not enough to say, “I testify that Muhammad is a Messenger”, but rather this testification necessitates that one follows the one who has been sent, obey his command, keep away from what he has forbidden and believe in everything he has stated. This is the true establishment of the statement “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah”, because the Messenger brought three affairs- commands, prohibitions and news, so whoever testifies to Muhammad’s Messenger ship must believe in everything Muhammad has stated.

The testimony that Muhammad is Allaah’s Messenger necessitates that he is followed just as the testimony that “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah” this statement necessitates that one establishes pure Islamic monotheism and sincerely devotes all the religion to Allaah alone.

Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] is a Messenger of Allaah and a Messenger’s most important task is to convey the words of Allaah. Allaah said: [وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ – The Messenger’s duty is only to convey (the message)]. [Surah An-Noor. Aayah 54]

Indeed, the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] did convey the message clearly. There is no good except that he has guided the Ummah to it and there is no evil except that he warned the Ummah against it. Therefore, whoever testifies that “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah” must submit to everything Muhammad has conveyed. Allaah said:

[وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا – And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)]. [Surah Al-Hashr. Verse 7]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission. [Surah An-Nisaa. Aayah 65]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ – It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision]. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Verse 36]

So, the Messenger must be obeyed in what he has commanded and whoever obeys him has obeyed Allaah. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [مَّن يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ – He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad), has indeed obeyed Allah]. [Surah An-Nisaa. Verse 80]
Allaah [The Exalted] said: [قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ – Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you”]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Verse 31]
The scholars refer to this verse [i.e. Verse 31, Surah Aal Imraan] as the verse that puts a person to trial regarding his (or her) claim, so whoever claims that he loves Allaah, then let him put himself to trial based on what will manifest evidence regarding his truthfulness in this matter. (1)

Question: How Do We Approach Our Customs When Striving to Follow The Sunnah?

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “It is obligated on every Muslim that he does not depend on custom; rather he presents it to the pure Islamic legislation (to be judged), so whatever the Islamic legislation affirms is permissible and whatever it does not affirm is impermissible. The customs of the people are not proof to determine the lawfulness of anything. All the customs of the people in their countries or tribes must be presented to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] for judgement, so whatever Allaah and His Messenger made permissible is permissible, and whatever they forbid, then it is obligatory to abandon it even if it is the custom of the people”. (2)

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The customs cannot make something that is not legislated (in the divine revelation) as something legislated, because of Allaah’s statement: [وَلَيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرُّ بِأَن تَأۡتُواْ ٱلۡبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا – It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, etc.) that you enter the houses from the back] [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 189], despite the fact that it was something they took as their custom and considered it to be an act of righteousness. Whoever takes something as a custom and believes that it is an act of righteousness, then it should be presented to Allaah’s divine legislation [i.e. to be judged]”. (3)

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] also said, “Extremism in related to customs is stringent adherence to old customs and not diverting to what is better than them. As for if the customs are equal in benefit [i.e. the ones judged to be permissible by the divine legislation], then a person remaining upon what he is upon would be better than going along with the new (or emerging) customs”. (4)

How Do We Approach The Modern Worldly Sciences When Striving to Follow The Sunnah?

Shaikh Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh [may Allaah preserve him] said:

The Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said: Verily, the creation of each of you is brought together in his mother’s womb for forty days as a drop [of water, semen], then he is a clot for a similar period, then a morsel for a similar period…. [An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadeeth. Hadeeth 4]

It is well known that during that era the companions of the Prophet did not know these stages (of development of the human being in the womb) through experimental knowledge, vision (i.e. by way of the naked eye) or other than that; rather it was simply (a statememt of the Prophet) which they (believed and affirmed). They were scholars by way of the revelation sent down to the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] and not by way of experimentation.(5)

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

“We do not say, ‘We do not give consideration to anything stated by the people in the subject matter regarding medicine, astronomy and the celestial bodies’, however, we do not accept everything they say. If what they say opposes the Book and the Sunnah, then indeed we do not accept their statements; (rather) we take (i.e. believe and affirm without any doubt) that which is conveyed in the Book and the Sunnah, and we say, ‘An era will come in which the people will bear witness to the falsity of those statements of theirs – at present – that are in opposition to the Book and Sunnah and (bear witness) to the correctness of that which has been conveyed in the Book and the Sunnah”. (6)

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

Indeed, that which is stated by the astronomers about the celestial bodies, their sizes and the distance between them, and that which is said about the earth (i.e. by the geologists etc) is categorized into three affairs: (a) That which is supported by the sound knowledge-based proofs (i.e. the Qur’aan and Sunnah), therefore it is accepted. (b) That which the knowledge-based proofs (i.e. the Qur’aan and Sunnah) declares to be false, therefore it is rejected. (c) That which there is no proof to either accept or reject it, therefore it is unproven until a person from the people of knowledge [i.e. upright scholars of Ahlus Sunnah] examines it to show whether it should be accepted or rejected. As for accepting it without (sound) investigation and observation, but merely accepting it by blindly following them [i.e. the astronomers, geologists etc], then this is impermissible because of the numerous mistakes that occur as a result of that, and speaking -without knowledge – about Allaah and what He has created. (7)

Also read here by Shaikh Abu Iyaadh Amjad Rafiq [may Allaah preserve him] regarding the two definitions of science: http://www.aboutatheism.net/articles/juvtbpd-understanding-the-two-definitions-of-science-and-scientific-enquiry.cfm

The Statement Muhammad Is The Messenger of Allaah Necessitates a Rejection of Bidah

[i.e. Newly Invented Matters In The Religion]

Worshipping Allaah is not to be carried out except based on what Allaah and the Messenger have legislated. Allaah is neither to be worshipped based on desires nor newly invented matters in the religion, and because of this there are numerous narrations reported from the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] that warns against newly invented matters in the religion and forbidding them. One of those great narrations – which the scholars consider to be one of the fundamental principles of the religion – is the statement of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], “Whoever initiates in this affair of ours [i.e. the religion of Islam] what is not part of it will have it rejected”. [Bukaari 2697 and Muslim 1718]. In another version of this narration, the Prophet said, “Whoever does a deed [i.e. an act of worship] that is not based on this affair of ours [i.e. Islam], it will be rejected”. [Muslim 1718].
When the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] used to give a khutbah, he used to say, “To proceed, indeed the best of speech is Allaah’s Book and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad, the worst of affairs are the newly invented matters in the religion and every newly invented matter in the religion is an innovation in religion”. [Saheeh Muslim 867]

Read more here by Shaikh Abu Iyaad [may Allaah preserve him] regarding the false claim that there is a good bidah- Parts 1-8: http://www.bidah.com/articles/ezaqa-the-notion-of-bidah-hasan-good-innovation-destroyed-part-1.cfm

The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] also stated in the hadeeth reported by Irbaad Bin Saariyah [may Allaah be pleased with him], “Verily, the one who lives amongst you will see a lot of differing, so adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Khulafaa Al-Mahdiyyeen Ar-Raashideen. Follow and adhere to it with your molars [ie. Strictly adhere to it], and beware of newly invented matters in the religion, because indeed every newly invented matters in the religion is an innovation in religion and every innovation in the religion is misguidance”. [Reported by Ahmad 17144. Abu Daawud 4608. Ibn Maajah 42]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated about the Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]:

[مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمۡ وَمَا غَوَىٰ-Your companion (Muhammad) has neither gone astray nor has erred]- Meaning, that is because the Daal [misguided person] is one whose knowledge is corrupted and the Ghaawiy [astray one] is the one whose intent is corrupted. Also, the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] described his four khulafaa [Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan and Ali] with the words “Raashideen and Mahdiyyeen”, because the Raashid [i.e. The one who is steadfast upon the right path and is firmly established upon it] is the opposite of the Ghaawiy [The one who strays from the right path or conduct], and the Mahdee [The one guided to the path of truth and yeilds obediently to it] is the opposite of the Daalun [the misguided one, especially in knowledge and creed]. (8)

Obedience to The Messenger Leads to Unity And Bidah Is The Cause of Splitting And Blameworthy Differing

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ وَلَا تَنَـٰزَعُواْ فَتَفۡشَلُواْ وَتَذۡهَبَ رِيحُكُمۡ‌ۖ وَٱصۡبِرُوٓاْ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ

And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute [with one another] lest you lose courage and your strength depart, and be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are As-Saabireen [the patient ones, etc.]. [Surah Al-Anfaal. Verse 46]

[وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ – And obey Allah and His Messenger]- Meaning, obey Allaah and the Messenger in that which you have been commanded and adhere to this path in all circumstances. [وَلَا تَنَـٰزَعُواْ – and do not dispute (with one another)]-Meaning, do not dispute because it will cause your hearts to become disunited; [فَتَفۡشَلُواْ – lest you lose courage]; [وَتَذۡهَبَ رِيحُكُمۡ‌ۖ – and your strength depart]- Meaning, (If you do not obey Allaah and His Messenger, and you start disputing), your resolve will depart. You will lose your strength and the promise you have been given that you will be aided -due to obedience to Allaah and His Messenger- will be withdrawn.
[[وَٱصۡبِرُوٓاْ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ – and be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are As-Saabireen (the patient ones, etc.)]-Meaning, exercise patience in obedience to Allaah (and obedience to His Messenger), because indeed Allaah will aid you and give you victory. Fear your Lord and humble yourselves to Him. (9)

Al-Allaamah Zaid Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali [may Allaah preserve him] said, “The Mubtadi [the innovator] is the cause for the splitting, because splitting is connected to innovation in religion and unity (upon the sound creed and methodology of the pious predecessors) is connected to the Sunnah. The obligation of refuting the Mukhaalif [the one who opposes the truth] is not lifted from the scholar due to anticipation of harm, unless it is harm he is not able to bear. Then (in this case), Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. The earth is not devoid of people of knowledge who will carry out refutation against the Mubtadi and the Mukhaalif”. (10)

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said: The cause of the differences that take place between the callers is the differing in methodologies. And had the callers (may Allaah guide them and grant them success) traversed a singular methodology; and that is the methodology of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] – that which the Messenger and his companions were upon, then these differences would not have occurred. Therefore, it is obligatory upon all the callers to make their methodology one–upon the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah, and that their call is (carried out) for the sake of Allaah and to make the word of Allaah uppermost. Their call should not be for the sake of desires, raising individuals or parties; rather their call should be sincerely for Allaah’s Face, to make Allaah’s word uppermost, to follow the Messenger of Allaah and to aid his Religion. (So) by way of this the differences will cease.(11)

Read the article in this link: The Splitting and Differing in the Ummah is Due to the Innovations and Innovators: http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=GSC01&articleID=GSC010003&articlePages=2

The Severe Consequences of Opposing The Sunnah of the Messenger

And Allaah (The Most High) said:

لَّا تَجۡعَلُواْ دُعَآءَ ٱلرَّسُولِ بَيۡنَڪُمۡ كَدُعَآءِ بَعۡضِكُم بَعۡضً۬ا‌ۚ قَدۡ يَعۡلَمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَسَلَّلُونَ مِنكُمۡ لِوَاذً۬ا‌ۚ فَلۡيَحۡذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦۤ أَن تُصِيبَہُمۡ فِتۡنَةٌ أَوۡ يُصِيبَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

Make not the calling of the Messenger [Muhammad] among you as your calling of one another. Allah knows those of you who slip away under shelter [of some excuse without taking the permission to leave, from the Messenger]. And let those who oppose the Messenger’s [Muhammad] commandment [i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.] [among the sects] beware, lest some Fitnah befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them. [Surah An-Noor. Verse 63]

[فَلۡيَحۡذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنۡ أَمۡرِهِۦۤ -And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah, orders, acts of worship, statements) beware]; [أَن تُصِيبَہُمۡ فِتۡنَةٌ – lest some Fitnah befall them]: Meaning: Lest misguidance, calamity in the worldly life or disbelief befall them.

[أَوۡ يُصِيبَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ – or a painful torment be inflicted on them]- Meaning, killed (by enemies) in the worldly life or punished in the hell fire in the afterlife. (12)

Imaam Ahmad [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said about this verse [i.e. Surah An-Noor. Verse 63], “Do you know what Al-Fitnah is? Al-Fitnah is Shirk. Perhaps if he (i.e. the person) rejects some of his (i.e. the Prophet’s) statements, then something of deviation enters his heart, so he is destroyed”. [Reported by Ibn Battah in Al-Ibaanah Al-Kubraa 97]

Narrated Abu Musa [may Allaah be pleased with him] that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “’My example, and the example of what I have been sent with is that of a man who came to some people and said, O people! I have seen the enemy’s army with my own eyes and I am a plain warner; so protect yourselves!’ Then a group of his people obeyed him and fled at night proceeding stealthily till they were safe, while another group of them disbelieved him and stayed at their places till morning when the army came upon them and killed and ruined them completely. So this is the example of that person who obeys me and follows that truth which I have brought (the Qur’aan and the Sunnah), and the example of the one who disobeys me and disbelieves the Truth I have brought”. [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Vol 9. Number: 7283]

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. [Surah al-Hujuraat. Verse 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…] [Surah Al-Hujuraat. Verse 2]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] 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? (13)

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

In this great Soorah there are lofty benefits and rulings. The Muslims are greatly in need of understanding (it), being conscious of it and take benefit from it. In the first part, there is a warning against putting oneself forward before Allaah and His Messenger. And that which is obligated on the People of Eemaan is that they are to be followers and not innovators, and that they do not put themselves forward before Allaah and His Messenger.

The people of knowledge say (that this verse means), “Do not speak until you are commanded by Allaah and His Messenger, and do not act until the Messenger acts and legislates; do not put (yourselves) forward before him with either speech or action, (but) be followers of that which has been prescribed for you and that which has been made clear for you in the (Islamic) legislation”. This is the way the people of Eemaan are to be -they do not innovate acts of worship and rulings in Allaah’s Sharee’ah.

[وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيم – And fear Allah. Verily! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing]- Meaning, Allaah hears their statements and nothing is hidden from Him with regards to your state of affairs. He hears the statements of the slaves and He knows their state of affairs. He knows the truth you utter and other than it. He knows what you do, the truth you utter and other than it. The meaning of (this is that): Be mindful of Him and be warned about (disobeying Him) because nothing is hidden from Him. He hears and He knows your state of affairs. Therefore, it is obligated on you to be followers, and not innovators in Allaah’s Sharee’ah. (14)

A Refutation Against The Extremists and Those Who Degrade His Status

Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari [may Allaah preserve him] stated:

The statement محمد رسول الله is an affirmation of the Messengership of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] and a refutation against the one who gives him a status above that and thus deifies him, or lowers the rank of his Prophethood and Messengership. (15)

Next topic: The Prayer [As-Salaah]


[Ref 1:An Excerpt From: Explanation of Important Lessons For The Muslim Ummah. page 52. Maktabah Malik Al-Fahad 1436AH. (2015)pages 53–56]
[Ref 2: Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 6/510]
[Ref:3: Tafseer Surah Al-Baqarah 2/299]
[Ref 4: Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 7/7]
[Ref 5: Sharh Al-Arba’een. Hadeeth 4]
[Ref 6: An excerpt from the ‘Explanation of Bulooghul Maraam’ Vol 1. page 130]
[Ref 7: An Excerpts from ‘Al-Adillah An-Naqliyyah Wal-Hissiyyah Alaa Imkaanis Su’ood Ilal Kawaakib Wa Alaa Jarayaan Ash-Shams Wal-Qamar Wa Sukoon Al-Ard’ page 74. slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 8: An Excerpt from Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed. Lesson 4. By Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr. Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 9: Tafseer as-Sadi. slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 10: Source: Al Ajwibah Al Mukhtasar Alaa As-ila Al-Ashrati. Pages43-44]
[Ref 11: Al-Ijaabaatul Muhimmah Fil Mashaakil Al-Mulimmah. pages 221-222]
[Ref 12: Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer’ By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi [may Allaah have mercy upon him]
[Ref 13: Al-Waabil as-Sayyib’ page: 21. slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 14: Al-Fawaa-id al-Ilmiyyah Min ad-durar Al-Baaziyyah: page: 391-392; Vol: 4. Publisher: Daar Ar-Risaalah 1st ed 1430AH (Year 2009)]
[Ref 15: Source:المقالات الشرعيّة pages 14-15]

 

The Most Stupid Person!

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

The most stupid of the people is the one who strays at the end of his journey [i.e. end of his life] even though the destination is close [i.e. his departure from this world]. The intellects that are aided with Tawfeeq -[i.e. aided with the means to sound guidance together with righteous deeds] regard the revelation- which the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] was sent with- as the truth that is in harmony with [sound] intellect and wisdom. The intellects that are forsaken [i.e. in misguidance] see a contradiction between Aql [sound] intellect and Naql [i.e. the affairs related to the sound creed, acts of worship, commands and prohibitions that have been transmitted in the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah], and between [sound] wisdom and the divine ordainments.

The closest path to [attaining the Pleasure of] Allaah are: Adherence to the [authentic] Sunnah and to restrict oneself  to it- internally [i.e. in one’s heart, mind etc], externally [i.e. by way of deeds]; to be in a state of constant need of Allaah and desiring His Countenance alone through speech [of the tongue] and deeds [of the limbs]. No one has ever attained Allaah’s [Pleasure, Guidance etc] except through these three affairs, and no one has been prevented from [attainting Allaah’s Pleasure, Guidance etc], except due to being separated from these three affairs or one of them.

The basis upon the happiness [success, well-being etc] of a person [in this worldly life and Afterlife] are three, but each of them has its opposite; so whoever is deprived of one of them, he will encounter its opposite: Tawheed [Islamic Monotheism] and its opposite is Shirk [associating partners in worship with Allaah]; the [authentic] Sunnah and its opposite Bidah [i.e. innovation in religious affairs], obedience [to Allaah and His Messenger] and its opposite is disobedience. These three affairs [i.e. Tawheed, the authentic Sunnah and obedience (to Allaah and His Messenger)] are opposed by one thing and that is: The heart being deprived of Ar-Raghbah Fillaah Wa Feemaa Indahu, Wa Minar Rahbah Minhu Wa Mimmaa Indahu [i.e. the heart deprived of the fervent desire to seek Allaah’s Pleasure through acts of obedience and hoping for Allaah’s reward, and deprived of fear of Allaah and the reward Allaah has kept for those who feared Him].

[Al-Fawaa-id page 167]

We ask Allaah to preserve our Islaam and protect us from everything that will tale it away from us Aameen.

Intrusion, Private Conversations, Etiquettes In Gatherings, Spying – [Distinction Between Reality, Ambiguity, Permissibility and Impermissibility]

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said: The basis of Banee Aadam’s misguidance is as a result of ‘General Terms’ and ‘Ambiguous Meanings’ [i.e. terms & meanings which can either be utilised for truth or falsehood when not explained in detail and distinguished], especially if they come in contact with a confused mind, then how about when [evil] desires and misguided enthusiasm is added to that? Therefore, ask the One Who keeps the hearts steadfast [i.e. Allaah] to keep your heart firm upon His Religion and not allow you to fall into this darkness. [Ref 1]

The basis of a person’s Islaam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi- wasallam] is the Messenger of Allaah, to believe in Allaah, declare that Allaah is One without partner, obey Allaah’s commands, keep away from what Allaah has forbidden and single out Allaah in worship. And safeguarding this path [necessitates] the prohibition of every expression [term or word] that contains Shirk Billaah [i.e. ascribing partners to Allaah] or Kufr, or will lead to one of the two. [Ref 2]  In the Qur’aan, there are many words that are utilised to rebut the words [or terms] that are in opposition to the call of the Messengers, the revelation that was revealed to them and the truth they brought. [Ref 3]

One of the general fundamental principles [in Islaam] is to know that words [or terms] are two types: Words that are mentioned in the Qur’aan and [authentic] Sunnah, therefore, it is obligated on every believer to affirm them – affirm what Allaah and His Messenger have affirmed, and negate what Allaah and His Messenger have negated. The words [or terms] affirmed by Allaah is truth and the ones Allaah negated are [negated] in truth, for indeed Allaah speaks the truth and guides to the straight path. The words [or terms] of the Sharee’ah are sanctified, and it is from perfection in knowledge that one seeks after the [sound meanings] which the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasalam] intended by them, in order to affirm what he affirmed and negate the meanings he negated; for indeed it is obligated on us to believe and bear witness to everything he has stated and follow him in everything he has commanded.

As for the words [or terms] that are neither found in the Qur’am and [authentic] Sunnah, nor did the Salaf hold a consensus regarding whether they are negated or affirmed, then it is not incumbent on anyone to agree with the one who negates them or affirms them until its intended meaning is explained. So, if its intended meaning agrees with the [revelation, commands, prohibitions etc] conveyed by the Messenger, it is affirmed; but if its intended meaning is in opposition to the [revelation, commands, prohibitions etc] conveyed by the Messenger, it is rejected. [Ref 4]

 

Intrusion

Intrusion means affecting someone in a way that annoys them and makes them feel uncomfortable …causing disruption or annoyance through being unwelcomed or uninvited….interrupting a peaceful situation etc

Question To Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah):

When a Muslim shows disapprove of evil (committed by) another person, he (i.e. the doer of the evil) replies to him saying, “You are intrusive” or ‘’Do not interfere in that which does not concern you’’. Is this speech correct in such an instance and what should be the reply to (this person)?

Answer:

This speech of his is incorrect. To say to a person who disapproves of his evil that “You are intrusive” or “This is not your concern”’ is not correct because Allaah (The Most High) commanded us forbid evil and enjoin good. It is obligated on us to enjoin good and forbid evil according to our ability, whether the one who is commanded or prohibited likes it or not. And he [i.e. the one who rejects the evil] should reply to him (saying), “Indeed, this concerns me because Allaah has commanded me to enjoin good and forbid evil, and that is because the believer to another believer is like a solid building- one part supporting the other. So that which concerns a Muslim [in this instance] is a concern of his brother”. [Ref 5]

 

Private Conversations

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] says:

And one of those etiquettes [to be observed in a] social gathering [or when sitting together] is that two [people] should not have a private conversation in isolation of a third person [i.e. a third person who is also present in the same gathering or sitting], because that will offend him. He may harbour an evil suspicion towards them – that they are either conspiring against him or reviling him, or backbiting him, or may think that they are looking down on him. The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, ‘’When three persons are together, then no two of them should hold secret counsel excluding the third person’’.

The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, ‘’When you are three persons sitting together, then no two of you should hold a secret counsel excluding the third person until you are with some other people too, for that would grieve him’’. [End of quote. Ref 6]

This hadeeth is [about the] etiquettes that should be observed when sitting together. If there are three people [together], it is forbidden for two of them to speak in private; because if they speak in private without the third person, he will harbour some doubts – fearing that they are talking about him. Also if they speak in secret without him, he will feel that they are looking down on him and that they do not give him any value, and that is why they hide their affair from him and speak in private without him, because they do not trust him. This will enter his heart and that is why the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, ‘’For that would grieve him’’- Meaning: It will bring about sadness in his heart, so he says [to himself], ‘’They are either speaking about me or looking down on me’’, so he becomes sad. Therefore, from the etiquettes of sitting together is that one speaks openly, and speaking should not be between two people in isolation of a third person. As for when there are many people in a sitting – more than three – there is no harm if two people speak in private because the other people are many and they will not harbour anything in their hearts.

This is from the etiquettes of sitting together. The hadeeth forbids two people from speaking to each other in private, whilst isolating a third [person who is also present in the same sitting]. It shows that if there are more than three people, then there is no harm if two people speak in private due to the statement of the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], ‘’Until you are with some other people too.’’ So if the reason behind the caution is non-existent [i.e. if there are many other people in the same sitting], then there is no harm [if two people speak in private]. [End of quote. Ref 7]

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] said:

And also if there are four people, they [i.e. three people] should not speak privately in isolation of the fourth person. The intent behind this is that there should be more than one person remaining if the rest are having a private conversation. If a group speaks privately in isolation of another group, then there is no harm in doing so as has preceded in the hadeeth reported by Aa’isha that the Prophet spoke to Faatimah in private [about something] in the house, but not to his wives. [End of quote. Ref 8] Here is the Hadeeth: Imaam Bukhaari Said, ‘’Chapter: Whoever has a confidential talk with somebody in front of the people and the latter does not disclose his companion’s secret, but when his companion dies, he discloses it. http://www.salaficentre.com/2016/10/heart-warming-incident-prophet-sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam-beloved-daughter-faatimah-radiyallaahu-anhaa/ [Ref 9]

 

It Is Not Allowed to Listen to The Conversations of The People If They Are Not Pleased With That

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [hafidhahullaah] said:

It is forbidden for a person to just come and sit with a person who is talking to another person because it may be that they are engaged in a private conversation. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Whoever listens to the talk of some people who do not like him [to listen] or they run away from him, then molten lead will be poured into his ears on the Day of Resurrection. [Sahih Al-Bukhaari Number 7042]. This is a severe threat, so one should not listen to the speech of the people if they do not want anyone to know what they are talking about. [End of quote. Ref 10]

Shaikh Zayd Bin Haadi [rahimahullaah] said:

It may be that two or more people gather to speak about a particular affair that concerns them, and they do not want anyone else to know about it; but then a person or more than one person becomes an obstacle by listening to their speech and [wants] to know what they are talking about, whilst they are not pleased with that. This is an act of transgression and foolishness – that a person involves himself into something that does not concern him. And from the perfection of a person’s Islaam is to leave that which does not concern him. However, there is an exception to this prohibition such as when a person listens into the speech of those who are focused or [involved] in seeking to breach the state of safety and security of the Muslims. [Ref 11]


[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah Alal Jahmiyyah Wal Mu’attilah’ – Vol 3. page 927. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Excerpt from ‘Mu’jam Al-Manaahee Lil Laf’dhiyyah’ page 34. slightly paraphrased. Publisher: Daar Al-Aasimah. 3rd edition 1996]

[Ref 3: Excerpt from Mu’jam Al-Manaahee Lil Lafdhiyyah’ page 10. slightly paraphrased. Publisher: Daar Al-Aasimah. 3rd edition 1996]

[Ref 4: Excerpt from ‘Al-Haqeeqatus Shar’iyyah Fee Tafseeril Qur’aan Al-A’dheem Was-Sunnatin Nabawiyyah’ page 17. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 5: Source: Al-Manaahiy Al-Laf-Dhiyyah’ Page 144]

[Ref 6: An Excerpt from ‘It’haaf At-tullaab Bi-Sharh Mandhoomah Al-Aadaab’ page 149. paraphrased]

[Ref 7: An Excerpt from ‘Tasheelul Ilhaami Bi-Fiqhil Ahaadeethi Min Bulooghil Maraam’ 6/172 paraphrased]

[Ref 8: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-taleeqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaari’ Vol 4′ page 192′ footnote number 2′. paraphrased]

[Ref 9: Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-taleeqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh al-Bukhaari Vol 4′ page 191]

[Ref 10:  An Excerpt from ‘It’haaf At-Tullaab Bi-Sharhi Mandhoomah Al-Aadaab’ page 149′ paraphrased]

[Ref 11: An Excerpt from ‘Awnul Ahadis Samad Sharh Al-Adabil Mufrad’ Vol 3 page 281′. paraphrased]

Dawah, Teaching, Lectures, Khutab, Co-operating Upon Piety And Righteousness, And Looking After Masaajid – [Goals And Aims]

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

Shaikh Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said:

Allaah [The Most High] stated:

قُلۡ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۟ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى‌ۖ وَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنَا۟ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ

Say (O Muhammad): “This is my way; I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allah i.e to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge. And Glorified and Exalted be Allah (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah; those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals or partners to Allah).”

[أَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ –  I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism)]. This part of the Ayah contains a notification regarding sincerity; for indeed some people call to themselves. It may be that a person propagates, delivers lectures and sermons, but his aim [or aspiration] is to become apparent to the people – to receive some status; praised by the people and that people gather around him and become numerous around him. If this is his aim [or aspiration], then he is not one who calls to Allaah; rather he is a caller to himself.

The person who abandons Dawah has indeed abandoned a great obligation and the person who is not sincere in Dawah has indeed fallen into a great danger; for Dawah has to be carried out sincerely for the Sake of Allaah and the aim should be to establish the sharee’ah of Allaah; to guide and benefit the people, whether you are praised or rebuked. As for some people, when they are not praised and promoted, they abandon Dawah. This is a proof that such a caller is not a caller to Allaah, rather he only calls to himself. So the Muslim should be warned and that his aim (or aspiration) -in relation to dawah- should be sincerity; to benefit the people; free them from Shirk and bidah; free them from those affairs that are in opposition to the sharee’ah, and fulfil what is obligated on him.

A great number of people around a person is a not proof that such a person is virtuous, for some of the Prophets were only followed by few people. ‘’A Prophet will come on the day of judgement with a few followers and a Prophet will come with no followers.’’ [Bukhaari 5705]. So does this mean that such a Prophet is not virtuous? No, definitely not! A person does not look at the large number of people who are present, for the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said to Ali: “If Allaah gives guidance to a single man through you, it is better for you than possessing red camels.” [Bukhaari 3009] [Ref 1][End of quote]

The Shaikh (may Allaah preserve him) also stated: Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah are not harmed by those who oppose them. If you are with them– all praise is due to Allaah- they are pleased with this because indeed they want good for the people. If you oppose them, you cannot harm them and due to this the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’There will not cease to be a group of my Ummah who will be manifest upon the truth- not harmed by those who betray (or forsake) them until the command of Allaah comes to pass (i.e. the day of judgement) whilst they are (still) upon that (truth).”  The one in opposition does not harm except himself.

What is given consideration is not the great numbers (of people upon something), rather what is given consideration is to be in agreement with the truth, even if a small number of people were upon it. And even if in some eras there is only one person (upon truth), then he is the one upon truth and he is the Jamaa’ah. The Jamaa’ah does not necessitate great numbers; rather the Jamaa’ah is what is in agreement with the truth – in agreement with the Book and the Sunnah, even if those upon it are few. However, if many come together and (upon) truth, then – all praise is due to Allaah- this is strength. But if the majority oppose it (i.e. the truth), then we side with the truth even if only a few are upon it”. [Ref 2][End of quote]

Allaah [The Most High] said: [ وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ – Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa [virtue, righteousness and piety]; but do not help one another in sin and transgression. [5:2]

Few Reminders From Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah]

This Ayah contains all the Masaalih [beneficial affairs] for the slaves in their worldly affairs and affairs related to the Hereafter- be it between themselves or between them and their Lord; for indeed every servant [of Allaah] finds himself within two circumstances and obligations – either [required] to fulfil the obligations owed to Allaah or the obligations owed to Allaah’s creation. As for the obligations owed to the creation, they include [righteous] association, companionship, aiding one another upon what Allaah loves and obedience to Allaah, and that is the goal behind one’s search for happiness and success in the afterlife. There can be no happiness in the afterlife except through Bir [virtue] and Taqwaa [piety], for it is basis of all affairs of the religion.

As for Taqwa, its reality is to act in obedience to Allaah based on Eemaan in Allaah and hoping for Allaah’s Reward; fulfil what Allaah has commanded based on having Eemaan in that which Allaah has commanded and affirming the reward Allaah has promised; abandoning what Allaah has forbidden based on one’s belief that what Allaah has forbidden is forbidden and fearing Allaah’s punishment, just as Talq Bin Habeeb [rahimahullaah] said: ”When Fitna occurs, extinguish it with Taqwa”. So the people said: ”What is Taqwa?” He said: You act in obedience to Allaah upon a light from Allaah [i.e. Eemaan, sincerity etc] and hoping for reward from Allah. And you abandon disobedience to Allaah upon a light from Allah and fearing the punishment of Allah.”

This is the best of that which has been stated regarding Taqwa, for indeed there has to be an aim and a goal behind every deed. A deed cannot be considered an act of obedience to Allaah and an act that gets one close to Allaah until it is based on Eemaan, so that which leads to the performance of that deed is solely due to Eemaan – neither [Un-Islamic] customs nor [evil] desires, neither seeking praise nor status and other than it; rather it should be solely based on Eemaan and the aim behind it should be to attain Allaah’s reward and seeking after Allaah’s Pleasure. [Ref 3]

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘I’aanah Al-Mustafeed Bi-Sharhi Kitaab At-Tawheed’ pages 97-98’ Publisher: Ar-Risaalah Publishers 1st edition 1428AH (Year 2007). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from ( لمحة عن الفرق الضالة )– pages 14 -15. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah’ Vol 1 pages 307-311. Publisher: Daar Ibn Al-Jawziyyah 2nd Ed, 1431AH- Slightly paraphrased]

[5] Source of Tranquillity, Firmness And Self-restraint Whilst They Adhered to Tawheed And Faced The Haughty Quraish Disbelievers!

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

هُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَصَدُّوڪُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ وَٱلۡهَدۡىَ مَعۡكُوفًا أَن يَبۡلُغَ مَحِلَّهُ ۥ‌ۚ وَلَوۡلَا رِجَالٌ۬ مُّؤۡمِنُونَ وَنِسَآءٌ۬ مُّؤۡمِنَـٰتٌ۬ لَّمۡ تَعۡلَمُوهُمۡ أَن تَطَـُٔوهُمۡ فَتُصِيبَكُم مِّنۡهُم مَّعَرَّةُۢ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍ۬‌ۖ لِّيُدۡخِلَ ٱللَّهُ فِى رَحۡمَتِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ لَوۡ تَزَيَّلُواْ لَعَذَّبۡنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا

إِذۡ جَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلۡحَمِيَّةَ حَمِيَّةَ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَڪِينَتَهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَعَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَأَلۡزَمَهُمۡ ڪَلِمَةَ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ وَكَانُوٓاْ أَحَقَّ بِہَا وَأَهۡلَهَا‌ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمً۬ا

They are the ones who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism), and hindered you from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (the sacred mosque of Makkah) and the sacrificial animals, detained from reaching their place of sacrifice. Had there not been believing men and believing women whom you did not know, that you may kill them, and on whose account a sin would have been committed by you without (your) knowledge, that Allah might bring into His Mercy whom He will, if they (the believers and the disbelievers) should have been apart, We verily had punished those of them who disbelieved, with painful torment. When those who disbelieve had put in their hearts pride and haughtiness – the pride and haughtiness of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance, then Allah sent down His [blessing] of Sakeenaah upon His Messenger and the believers, and made them adhere to the word of piety, and they were well entitled to it and worthy of it. And Allah is the All-Knower of everything. [Surah Al-Fath. Aayah 26]

[إِذۡ جَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلۡحَمِيَّةَ حَمِيَّةَ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ  – When those who disbelieve had put in their hearts pride and haughtiness – the pride and haughtiness of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance] – Meaning, when they refused to write [in the treaty document], “In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy, these are the terms agreed on by Muhammad, Allaah’s Messenger”,  denied the Messenger and the believers entry into Makkah in that year lest the people say, “They [i.e. Muslims] entered Makkah by overcoming the Quraish”. These traits and what is similar to them are  traits of pre-Islamic ignorance which were still not removed from their hearts until it led them to many acts of disobedience.

[فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَڪِينَتَهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَعَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ  – then Allah sent down His [blessing] of Sakeenaah – calmness, tranquillity, adherence to truth, bravery during trial (Ref 1) upon His Messenger and upon the believers]- Meaning, anger did not lead them to confront the polytheists, but rather they exercised patience whilst adhering to Allaah’s judgement, adhered to the conditions which contained the [command] to exalt Allaah’s divine injunctions regardless what they were, and they were neither bothered by what the people said nor the blame of the blamers. [وَأَلۡزَمَهُمۡ ڪَلِمَةَ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ    – and made them adhere to the word of piety], Meaning the statement ‘None has the right to be worshipped, except Allaah’ and the duties connected to it; so they adhered to it and established it. [وَكَانُوٓاْ أَحَقَّ بِہَا وَأَهۡلَهَا‌ۚ   – and they were well entitled to it and worthy of it], Meaning, they were more deserving of it than others because Allaah knew the good they had in their hearts, and this is why Allaah stated: [وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمً۬ا   – And Allah is the All-Knower of everything].

[An Excerpt from Tafseer As-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

Ref 1: Tafseer Al-Qur’aan Min Adwaa Al-Bayaan. Page 1382. Daar Hadyi An-Nabawiyyah. 2nd Edition  1431AH [2010]

Virtue of Knowledge Manifested Even In a Trained Hound- [Motivation to Attend at Least One Study Circle a Week Regardless Our Busy Schedules In The Dunyaa]

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ مَاذَآ أُحِلَّ لَهُمۡ‌ۖ قُلۡ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتُ‌ۙ وَمَا عَلَّمۡتُم مِّنَ ٱلۡجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ تُعَلِّمُونَہُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ‌ۖ فَكُلُواْ مِمَّآ أَمۡسَكۡنَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱسۡمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡهِ‌ۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡحِسَابِ

They ask you [O Muhammad)] what is lawful for them [as food]. Say: “Lawful unto you are At-Tayyibat [all kind of Halal (lawful-good) foods which Allah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits, etc.)]. And those beasts and birds of prey which you have trained as hounds, training and teaching them [to catch] in the manner as directed to you by Allaah; so eat of what they catch for you, but pronounce the Name of Allah over it, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Swift in reckoning”. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Aayah 4]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

Indeed, Allaah [Glorified be He] declared the prey of the untrained hound a dead meat and unlawful to eat, and He declared lawful the prey of the trained hound. This is from that which shows the nobility of knowledge, because Allaah did not declare lawful except the prey of the trained hound. Had it not been that knowledge and teaching has a special distinguished virtue and nobility, the trained and untrained hound would have been the same. 

[An Excerpt Mihtaah Daarus Sa’aadah. 1/55. Slightly paraphrased]

Part 1: The Reason Behind Earthquakes – By Al-Allaamah Muqbil Bin Haadee [rahimahullaah]

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

The People differ (in their views) concerning earthquakes-some say that it is a natural phenomenon and it has nothing to do with religion; others say that it (occurs) by Allaah’s decision and pre-decree and it has nothing to do with the sins (of the people); and others say that it is warning for (the slaves to fear Allaah’s punishment) and it has nothing to do with (their sins); and others say that it (occurs) as a result of the sins (of the people)?

The answer to this is: It may occur as a warning, a decision and pre-decree of Allaah and as a result of the sins (of the people). Earthquakes can occur as a warning for those who witness it and are alive. He (The Most High) said:

وَإِنْ مِنْ قَرْيَةٍ إِلَّا نَحْنُ مُهْلِكُوهَا قَبْلَ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ أَوْ مُعَذِّبُوهَا عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا ۚ كَانَ ذَٰلِكَ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَسْطُورًا
وَمَا مَنَعَنَا أَنْ نُرْسِلَ بِالْآيَاتِ إِلَّا أَنْ كَذَّبَ بِهَا الْأَوَّلُونَ ۚ وَآتَيْنَا ثَمُودَ النَّاقَةَ مُبْصِرَةً فَظَلَمُوا بِهَا ۚ وَمَا نُرْسِلُ بِالْآيَاتِ إِلَّا تَخْوِيفًا

And there is not a town (population) but We shall destroy it before the Day of Resurrection, or punish it with a severe torment. That is written in the Book (of our Decrees); And nothing stops Us from sending the Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs) but that the people of old denied them. And We sent the she-camel to Thamud as a clear sign, but they did her wrong. And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid (of destruction).[Soorah Al-Israa: Aayaat:58-59]

As for it being the decision and pre-decree of Allaah, He (The Most High) said:

مَا أَصَابَ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ نَبْرَأَهَا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ

No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah”. [Soorah Al-Hadeed: Ayah:22].

And He (The Most High) also said:

مَا أَصَابَ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَمَنْ يُؤْمِنْ بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

No calamity befalls, but with the Leave [i.e. decision and Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] of Allah, and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart [to the true Faith with certainty, i.e. what has befallen him was already written for him by Allah from the Qadar (Divine Pre-ordainments)], and Allah is the All-Knower of everything.” [Soorah At-Taghaabun: Ayah:11]

As for it being a result of the sins (of the people), Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) said in His Noble Book:

وَمَا أَصَابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَنْ كَثِيرٍ

And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. [Soorah Ash-Shoorah: Ayah:30]

He (The Most High) said:

ذَٰلِكَ أَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ رَبُّكَ مُهْلِكَ الْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا غَافِلُونَ

This is because your Lord would not destroy the (populations of) towns for their wrong-doing (i.e. associating others in worship along with Allah) while their people were unaware (so the Messengers were sent).” [Soorah An-An’aam: Ayah: 131]

And He (The Most High) said:

وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهْلِكَ الْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ

And your Lord would never destroy the towns wrongfully, while their people were right-doers.” [Soorah Hud: Ayah: 117]

And He (The Most High) said:

وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِنْ قَرْيَةٍ بَطِرَتْ مَعِيشَتَهَا ۖ فَتِلْكَ مَسَاكِنُهُمْ لَمْ تُسْكَنْ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ۖ وَكُنَّا نَحْنُ الْوَارِثِينَ
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ مُهْلِكَ الْقُرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ يَبْعَثَ فِي أُمِّهَا رَسُولًا يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ وَمَا كُنَّا مُهْلِكِي الْقُرَىٰ إِلَّا وَأَهْلُهَا ظَالِمُونَ

And how many a town (population) have We destroyed, which were thankless for its means of livelihood (disobeyed Allah, and His Messengers, by doing evil deeds and crimes) ! And those are their dwellings, which have not been inhabited after them except a little. And verily! We have been the inheritors. And never will your Lord destroy the towns (populations) until He sends to their mother town a Messenger reciting to them Our Verses. And never would We destroy the towns unless the people thereof are Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, oppressors and tyrants). [Soorah Qasas: Ayah:58-59]

He (The Most High) said:

وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ آمِنَةً مُطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِنْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ اللَّهِ فَأَذَاقَهَا اللَّهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ

And Allah puts forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure and well content; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favours of Allah (with ungratefulness). So Allah made it taste the extreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying Prophet Muhammad ) which they (its people) used to do.” [Soorah An-Nahl: Ayah:112]

He (The Most High) said:

لَقَدْ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ فِي مَسْكَنِهِمْ آيَةٌ ۖ جَنَّتَانِ عَنْ يَمِينٍ وَشِمَالٍ ۖ كُلُوا مِنْ رِزْقِ رَبِّكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ ۚ بَلْدَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ
فَأَعْرَضُوا فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَيْلَ الْعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلْنَاهُمْ بِجَنَّتَيْهِمْ جَنَّتَيْنِ ذَوَاتَيْ أُكُلٍ خَمْطٍ وَأَثْلٍ وَشَيْءٍ مِنْ سِدْرٍ قَلِيلٍ
ذَٰلِكَ جَزَيْنَاهُمْ بِمَا كَفَرُوا ۖ وَهَلْ نُجَازِي إِلَّا الْكَفُورَ

Indeed there was for Saba’ (Sheba) a sign in their dwelling place, – two gardens on the right hand and on the left (and it was said to them) “Eat of the provision of your Lord, and be grateful to Him, a fair land and an Oft-Forgiving Lord. But they turned away (from the obedience of Allah), so We sent against them Sail Al-‘Arim (flood released from the dam), and We converted their two gardens into gardens producing bitter bad fruit, and tamarisks, and some few lote-trees. Like this We requited them because they were ungrateful disbelievers. And never do We requit in such a way except those who are ungrateful, (disbelievers).” [Soorah Saba Aayaat: 15-17]

إِنَّ قَارُونَ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰ فَبَغَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْكُنُوزِ مَا إِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهُ لَتَنُوءُ بِالْعُصْبَةِ أُولِي الْقُوَّةِ إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ قَوْمُهُ لَا تَفْرَحْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْفَرِحِينَ

Verily, Qarun (Korah) was of Musa’s (Moses) people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. When his people said to him: “Do not be glad (with ungratefulness to Allah’s Favours). Verily! Allah likes not those who are glad (with ungratefulness to Allah’s Favours).

َابْتَغِ فِيمَا آتَاكَ اللَّهُ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنْسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَأَحْسِنْ كَمَا أَحْسَنَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَلَا تَبْغِ الْفَسَادَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِينَ

But seek, with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of legal enjoyment in this world, and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupts).

قَالَ إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِنْدِي ۚ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَهْلَكَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مَنْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرُ جَمْعًا ۚ وَلَا يُسْأَلُ عَنْ ذُنُوبِهِمُ الْمُجْرِمُونَ

He said: “This has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess.” Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected. But the Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) will not be questioned of their sins (because Allah knows them well, so they will be punished without account).

فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ فِي زِينَتِهِ ۖ قَالَ الَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا يَا لَيْتَ لَنَا مِثْلَ مَا أُوتِيَ قَارُونُ إِنَّهُ لَذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ

So he went forth before his people in his pomp. Those who were desirous of the life of the world, said: “Ah, would that we had the like of what Qarun (Korah) has been given? Verily! He is the owner of a great fortune.

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ وَيْلَكُمْ ثَوَابُ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ لِمَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَلَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا الصَّابِرُونَ

But those who had been given (religious) knowledge said: “Woe to you! The Reward of Allah (in the Hereafter) is better for those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and this none shall attain except those who are patient (in following the truth).”

فَخَسَفْنَا بِهِ وَبِدَارِهِ الْأَرْضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُ مِنْ فِئَةٍ يَنْصُرُونَهُ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُنْتَصِرِينَ

So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place. Then he had no group or party to help him against Allah, nor was he one of those who could save themselves.

َأَصْبَحَ الَّذِينَ تَمَنَّوْا مَكَانَهُ بِالْأَمْسِ يَقُولُونَ وَيْكَأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَقْدِرُ ۖ لَوْلَا أَنْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا لَخَسَفَ بِنَا ۖ وَيْكَأَنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الْكَافِرُونَ

And those who had desired (for a position like) his position the day before, began to say: “Know you not that it is Allah Who enlarges the provision or restricts it to whomsoever He pleases of His slaves. Had it not been that Allah was Gracious to us, He could have caused the earth to swallow us up (also)! Know you not that the disbelievers will never be successful. [Soorah Qasas: Aayaat: 76-82]

And He (The Most High) said:

فَكُلًّا أَخَذْنَا بِذَنْبِهِ ۖ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ حَاصِبًا وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَخَذَتْهُ الصَّيْحَةُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَغْرَقْنَا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَٰكِنْ كَانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

So We punished each (of them) for his sins, of them were some on whom We sent Hasiban (a violent wind with shower of stones) [as the people of Lout (Lot)], and of them were some who were overtaken by As-Saihah [torment – awful cry, etc. (as Thamud or Shu’aib’s people)], and of them were some whom We caused the earth to swallow [as Qarun (Korah)], and of them were some whom We drowned [as the people of Nuh (Noah), or Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his people]. It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves. [Soorah Al-Ankaboot: Ayah: 40]

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Makhraj Minal Fitan’. page:161]