Skip to main content

Tag: Qur’aan

Verily! We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds

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

Allaah (The Most High) stated:

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا

وَإِنَّا لَجَاعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا

Verily! We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds. [i.e.those who do good deeds in the most perfect manner, that means to do them (deeds) totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance to the legal ways of the Prophet]. And verily! We shall make all that is on it (the earth) a bare dry soil (without any vegetation or trees, etc.).

Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) stated:

Allaah (The Most High) informed (us) that He has made everything on the face of the earth, such as the delicious foods and drinks, the beautiful houses, the trees, the rivers, the vegetations, the fruits, the beautiful scenes (or beautiful things that captures the attention of the eyes), the pretty gardens, the beautiful images, gold, silver, horses, camels and other than them, as an adornment for it, a trial and test.

[لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا -that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds]; that is: The most sincere (i.e. sincerity in worship) and most correct (i.e. carry out deeds in accordance with the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet).

And Allaah will (finally) make all these things disappear and the earth will return to been a bare dry soil- its enjoyment will disappear and come to an end. This is the reality of this worldly life! Indeed Allaah has made this worldly life clearly visible to us and warned us not to be deceived by it. He urged us towards the home of the (afterlife) – whose enjoyment is ever lasting- out of mercy to us. However, the one who merely looks at the outward appearance of this worldly life and not its true reality is deceived by its adornment and beauty; so he goes along with it just like animals and enjoys himself just like cattle that graze around freely. He neither gives concern to the rights of his Lord nor importance to knowing his Lord; rather his concern is only to follow his desires in every way he can and in every situation. When death arrives to the likes of these people, they are restless because of the disappearance of the enjoyment (of the worldly pleasures) and due to what they have sent forth of evil deeds.

As for the one who looks at the true reality of this worldly life and knows the true purpose behind it, he utilises from it that which will aid him to fulfil the reason it was created for him (i.e. he utilises the worldly blessings in obedience to Allaah). He utilises his noble lifespan as an opportunity (to obey Allaah). He makes this worldly life a place of transition and not a place of permanent (joy); a place of travel and not a place of permanent residence. Therefore, he strives to know his lord, fulfil the commands of his Lord (and keeps away from what his Lord has forbidden) and (strives to) perfect his deeds. This person has the highest station in the presence of his Lord and he is deserving- (by the kindness and mercy of his Lord) – of every good treatment, bliss, nobility and happiness (in the hereafter).


[Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan…abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

Reminder and Reflection: What Happened to a People Who Belittled The Blessings of Allaah and Transgressed?!

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَا مُوسَىٰ لَن نَّصْبِرَ عَلَىٰ طَعَامٍ وَاحِدٍ فَادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُخْرِجْ لَنَا مِمَّا تُنبِتُ الْأَرْضُ مِن بَقْلِهَا وَقِثَّائِهَا وَفُومِهَا وَعَدَسِهَا وَبَصَلِهَا ۖ قَالَ أَتَسْتَبْدِلُونَ الَّذِي هُوَ أَدْنَىٰ بِالَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ ۚ اهْبِطُوا مِصْرًا فَإِنَّ لَكُم مَّا سَأَلْتُمْ ۗ وَضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الذِّلَّةُ وَالْمَسْكَنَةُ وَبَاءُوا بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يَكْفُرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَيَقْتُلُونَ النَّبِيِّينَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا وَّكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ

[وَإِذْ قُلْتُمْ يَا مُوسَىٰ لَن نَّصْبِرَ عَلَىٰ طَعَامٍ وَاحِدٍ فَادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُخْرِجْ لَنَا مِمَّا تُنبِتُ الْأَرْضُ مِن بَقْلِهَا وَقِثَّائِهَا وَفُومِهَا وَعَدَسِهَا وَبَصَلِهَا – And (remember) when you said, “O Musa (Moses)! We cannot endure one kind of food. So invoke your Lord for us to bring forth for us of what the earth grows, its herbs, its cucumbers, its Fum (wheat or garlic), its lentils and its onions (2:61)]

They said this [i.e. to be given something else] out of belittling the blessings of Allaah. This (also) shows their lack of patience. [ref 1]

[Allaah said] that Moosa said to them: [أَتَسْتَبْدِلُونَ الَّذِي هُوَ أَدْنَىٰ بِالَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ  – Would you exchange that which is better for that which is lower? (2:61)]

Therefore, they were recompensed for their (evil) deeds. Allaah said: [ref: 2]

[وَضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الذِّلَّةُ وَالْمَسْكَنَةُ وَبَاءُوا بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ – And they were covered with humiliation and misery, and they drew on themselves the Wrath of Allah].

[ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يَكْفُرُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَيَقْتُلُونَ النَّبِيِّينَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا وَّكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ -That was because they used to disbelieve the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah and killed the Prophets wrongfully. That was because they disobeyed and used to transgress the bounds (in their disobedience to Allah, i.e. commit crimes and sins) (2:61)]

———————————————————————————————————–

Refs 1 & 2: Paraphrased excerpts from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah)

 

A Mocker Is an Ignorant Person Who Is Deficient In Intellect!

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تَذْبَحُوا بَقَرَةً ۖ قَالُوا أَتَتَّخِذُنَا هُزُوًا ۖ قَالَ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ الْجَاهِلِينَ

And (remember) when Musa (Moses) said to his people: “Verily, Allah commands you that you slaughter a cow.” They said, “Do you make fun of us?” He said, “I take Allah’s Refuge from being among Al-Jahilun (the ignorants or the foolish).” [2:67]

That is because the Jaahil (ignorant one) is that one who speaks with a speech that contains no benefit and he is that one who mocks at the people. As for the sensible person, he sees that among the greatest blameworthy traits -which is rebuked by (sound) religion and intellect- is to mock at someone who is a human being like himself. And if he has been favoured over that other person, then this favour necessitates that he thanks Allaah and shows mercy to Allaah’s servants.  Therefore, when Musa (alayhis-salaam) said this to them [i.e. I take Allaah’s Refuge from being among the ignorant], they knew that it (i.e. what he commanded them) was truth, so they said:

[ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ يُبَيِّن لَّنَا مَا هِيَ -call upon your Lord for us that He may make plain to us what it is!(2:68)]

——————————————————————————–

[Abridged & slightly paraphrased. Source: Tayseer al-Kareem ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah). Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Edition 1424AH (Year 2003)]

 

Among The Fruits of One’s Certainty That He (or She) Will Return To Allaah

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ

الَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَاقُو رَبِّهِمْ وَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

And seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer) and truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khashi’un [i.e. the true believers in Allah – those who obey Allah with full submission, fear much from His Punishment, and believe in His Promise (Paradise, etc.) and in His Warnings (Hell, etc.)]. (They are those) who are certain that they are going to meet their Lord, and that unto Him they are going to return. [2:45-46]

[الَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَاقُو رَبِّهِمْ وَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ- (They are those) who are certain that they are going to meet their Lord, and that unto Him they are going to return]: They are certain that they are going to meet their Lord in order to be recompensed for their deeds and that to Him is their return. This is what makes acts of worship easy for them, obligates solace on them during calamities, gives them relief in times of distress and turns them away from evil deeds (i.e. by the Tawfeeq of Allaah).

——————————————————————————————————

[Abridged and slightly paraphrased. Source: Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah). Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm 1st Edition. 1424AH (Year 2003)]

Two Calamities Upon a Servant at The Time of Death Related to His (Her) Wealth

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

Yahyaa Ibn Mu’aadh (rahimahullaah) said:

”The creation have not heard (something) similar to two calamities upon a slave with regards to his wealth at the time of death; so it was said, ‘’what are they?’’ He said, ‘’All of it is taken away from him and he is questioned about all of it (on yaumul qiyaamah).’’

[End of Qoute] [Mukhtasar Minhaaj Al-Qaasideen page: 208]


What Is The Solution Before We Are Questioned?

Allaah (The Most High) said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ

O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whosoever does that, then they are the losers. [63:9]

 

وَأَنفِقُوا مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

And spend (in charity) of that with which We have provided you, before death comes to one of you and he says: “My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return to the worldly life), then I should give Sadaqah (i.e. Zakat) of my wealth , and be among the righteous [i.e. perform Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)]. [63:10]

وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا ۚ وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

And Allah grants respite to none when his appointed time (death) comes. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do. [63:11]

What  was Qaaroon Advised To Do With His Wealth and What Was His End When He Transgressed?

Allaah (The Most High) said:

 إِنَّ قَارُونَ كَانَ مِن 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). [28:76]

وَابْتَغِ فِيمَا آتَاكَ اللَّهُ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَأَحْسِن 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). [28:77]

قَالَ إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِي ۚ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَهْلَكَ مِن قَبْلِهِ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مَنْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةً وَأَكْثَرُ جَمْعًا ۚ وَلَا يُسْأَلُ عَن 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). [28:78]

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.”[28:79]

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ وَيْلَكُمْ ثَوَابُ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ لِّمَنْ 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).” [28:80]

 

فَخَسَفْنَا بِهِ وَبِدَارِهِ الْأَرْضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُ مِن فِئَةٍ يَنصُرُونَهُ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُنتَصِرِينَ

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. [28:81]

وَأَصْبَحَ الَّذِينَ تَمَنَّوْا مَكَانَهُ بِالْأَمْسِ يَقُولُونَ وَيْكَأَنَّ اللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَقْدِرُ ۖ لَوْلَا أَن مَّنَّ 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. [28:82]

Repentance and giving back what one has taken from the people unlawfully

http://www.salaficentre.com/2016/08/salaah-tawbah-prayer-repentance/


 

A Characteristic of Those Hostile Ones Who Used to Insist That Their Misguidance Must Be Followed

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

Imaam Abdur-Rahmaan Bin Naasir As-Sadi (rahimahullaah) said:

And what is well known is that Allaah neither loves ignorance nor doubts, neither confusion nor misguidance; rather He loves the religion, knowledge and certainty.

Indeed, He (The Most High) rebuked confusion. He (The Most High) said:

قُلْ أَنَدْعُو مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُنَا وَلَا يَضُرُّنَا وَنُرَدُّ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَانَا اللَّهُ كَالَّذِي اسْتَهْوَتْهُ الشَّيَاطِينُ فِي الْأَرْضِ حَيْرَانَ لَهُ أَصْحَابٌ يَدْعُونَهُ إِلَى الْهُدَى ائْتِنَا ۗ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللَّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَىٰ ۖ

‘’Say (O Muhammad): “Shall we invoke others besides Allah (false deities), that can do us neither good nor harm, and shall we turn on our heels after Allah has guided us (to true Monotheism)? – like one whom the Shayaateen (devils) have made to go astray, confused (wandering) through the earth, his companions calling him to guidance (saying): ‘Come to us.’ “Say: “Verily, Allah’s Guidance is the only guidance.’’ [Soorah Al An’aam: Ayah: 71]

Indeed, we have been commanded to ask Him (The Most High) to guide us to the straight path and this necessitates knowledge of the truth and acting upon it, and the Qur’aan is the cure, guidance and light.  The Muslims are agreed [upon the fact] that doubt and confusion are unpraiseworthy, and it is expected – absolutely- that a person who does not possess knowledge of something is obligated to keep quiet and seek knowledge via its (sound) sources.  Those atheists – the most doubtful of doubters, who command the people to eradicate the truth from the hearts in order to direct the hearts to other than it –  are opponents of the Book, the Sunnah and the consensus of those considered to be people of sound reasoning. They (atheists) are followers of their misguided leaders. [Ref 1]

Imaam Ismaa’eel Bin Abdur-Rahmaan [known as As-Sadee (rahimahullaah)] said:

The people of shirk said to the Muslims: ‘’follow our path and abandon the religion of Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)’’, so Allaah revealed the ayah: ‘’Say (O Muhammad): Shall we invoke others besides Allah (false deities), that can do us neither good nor harm, and shall we turn on our heels;’’ Meaning: (shall we turn into) disbelief ‘’after Allah has guided us (to true Monotheism)?’’, and so that we become like you? – those whom the devils have made to go astray in the earth.

And so that we become like you by disbelieving after believing, similar to a man who set out on a road with some people, but he got lost. So, the devils made him confused and he wandered in the earth, whilst his companions are on the (right) road. His companions started calling him saying: ‘’Come to us, we are on the (right) road”, but he refuses to go to them.  This is similar to the one who follows the (people of shirk) after being acquainted with the (message of) Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam). And Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) is the one calling to the (right) road and the road is Islaam. [Ref 2]

___________________________________________

[1] [Al-adillatul Qawaatiq Wal-baraaheen Fee Ibtaali Usoolil Mulhideen. Page 15. Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

[2] [Al-Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Tahdheeb Tafseer Ibn Katheer. Page 428]

[1] Among Those Aayaat That Reminds Us of the Importance of Constantly Striving To Purify Our Hearts

Allaah (The Most High) said:

يَوْمَ لَا يَنْفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ

إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail; Except him who brings to Allah a clean heart. [Soorah Ash-Shu’araa..Aayaat 88-89]

This (i.e. clean heart) is what will benefit you, save you from punishment and make you worthy of abundant reward (i.e. in the afterlife).

Some Characteristics of the Clean Heart

It is free from Shirk, doubt (i.e. about the religion) and love of evil.

It does not persist upon Bidah and Sins (i.e. it returns to repentance).

It is characterised with sincerity, certainty (i.e. about the religion) and love of good.

What it loves and desires agrees with what Allaah loves and what Allaah has revealed (i.e. the Qur’aan and the Sunnah).

To be continued. InShaaAllaah

Abu Eesa Faizal Kara

—————————————————————————————————————–

Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan of Imaam Sadi  (rahimahullaah). Abridged & slightly paraphrased

Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm. 1st Ed 1424AH (Year 2003)]

Partners In Crime [In The Worldly Life] Disown Each Other When It Will Be Too Late!

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا رَبَّنَا أَرِنَا اللَّذَيْنِ أَضَلَّانَا مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ نَجْعَلْهُمَا تَحْتَ أَقْدَامِنَا لِيَكُونَا مِنَ الْأَسْفَلِينَ

And those who disbelieve will say: “Our Lord! Show us those among jinns and men who led us astray, we shall crush them under our feet, so that they become the lowest.” [41:29]

[وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا  – And those who disbelieve will say]- that is those who were followers amongst them (will say) out of resentment towards those who misguided them:

[رَبَّنَا أَرِنَا اللَّذَيْنِ أَضَلَّانَا مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ  – Our Lord! Show us those among jinns and men who led us astray]; that is the group who led them to misguidance and punishment – the devils amongst the Jinn, Mankind and the callers to the hell fire.

[نَجْعَلْهُمَا تَحْتَ أَقْدَامِنَا لِيَكُونَا مِنَ الْأَسْفَلِينَ   – we shall crush them under our feet, so that they become the lowest]; that is to be humiliated and disgraced, just as they misguided us and put us to trial and became the cause behind [our stay in this place of ours (i.e. the fire)].

This ayah shows their resentment and declaring their innocence from one another.

——————————————————————————————————–

[Source: Tayseer Ar-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’ Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm’ 1st ed 1424AH (year 2003). Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

 

[B] WE HAVE OBLIGATIONS RELATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF SECURITY’ BY SHAIKH MUHAMMAD BAAZMOOL

Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) stated:

Among the evidences (showing) that preservation of security is a responsibility of everyone is (the fact that it is an act) of enjoining good and forbidding evil, and it is well known that enjoining good and forbidding evil is from the characteristics of this Ummah.  [Allaah (The Most High) said]:

كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ ۗ وَلَوْ آمَنَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَّهُم ۚ مِّنْهُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar(polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah. And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fasiqun (disobedient to Allah – and rebellious against Allah’s Command). [3:110

[Allaah (The Most High)] said:

وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful. [3:104] [Ref 1]

Question to Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz (Rahimahullaah):

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

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

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

In this case they should make the change with their tongue (by speaking out). They may say: “O so-and-so! Fear Allah! That is not permissible,” “This is Haram (prohibited),” or: “That is Wajib (obligatory) on you,” and clarify it with Shar’iy (Islamic legal) evidence. This is what can be done by the tongue. As for changing matters with the hand, this should be done where one has authority, such as one’s home, with those under one’s responsibility, or those authorized by the ruler, such as organizations given permission and authority to enjoin Ma’ruf (that which is judged as good, beneficial, or fitting by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect). They should make changes in accordance to the degree of authority that has been given to them, in the way prescribed by the Shari’ah (Islamic law), without exceeding their jurisdiction. The same applies to the governor of a city; he should make changes with his hand, in accordance with the instructions he has. [Ref 2]

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:

It is obligated on the one who enjoins good and forbids evil that enjoining good and forbidding evil is (carried out) for the sake of Allaah, and that his intention is to rectify the affairs of the one he commands towards good and forbids from evil and to establish the proofs.  His intention should not be for seeking leadership for himself, or for his group or to diminish the worth of others.” [Ref 3]

To be continued InShaaAllaah


Ref 1: [Source: Silsilah Ar-Rasaa’il Al-Manhajiyyah Fin-Nushi War Irshaad Wat-Taw’iyah’ page 22]

Ref 2: http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=16&Topic=9751

Ref 3: Quoted in ‘Kun Salafiyyan Alal Jaad-dati page: 62-63]

 

Ponder upon This Overwhelming Proof Based on This Short and Clear Statement’ by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim

Allaah (The Most High) said:

مَا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ ۚ إِذًا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَٰهٍ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ

‘’No son (or offspring or children) did Allah beget, nor is there any ilah (god) along with Him; (if there had been many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!’’ [Quran, 23:91]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:

Ponder upon this overwhelming proof based on this short and clear statement; for indeed a true god has to be a Creator and a performer of actions-benefitting the slaves and averting evil from them. Had it been that there was another god alongside [Allaah (The One Free from All Imperfections)], then that god would have had his own creation and actions, but [Allaah (The One Free from All Imperfections)] is not pleased that another god is associated as a partner of His. That is because (if such a god was existent) and able to overcome Allaah, he would have done so. And if (such a god) was unable to overcome Allaah, he would have taken away what he created and depart, just as the kings of this world isolate themselves from one another when they are unable to overcome and gain authority over others. Therefore, there has to be one of the (following) three affairs: Either that each god departs with what he has created and with his authority; or that some of them gain authority over others, or that all of them are placed under the authority of one god, who controls the affairs and they do not control His affairs, and they are restricted by His judgements, but they cannot restrict Him. So Allaah He (alone) is the true God and they are His nurtured and subjugated slaves.

The organization of the affairs of the world- above and below- the connection between them and their establishment upon a well-planned and perfect organization neither clashes nor becomes ruin. This is the most confirmed evidence that the controller of its affairs is one (i.e. Allaah) and that there is not another god besides Him; just as evidence makes it impossible for its creator to be more than one and that there is not another creator for it. And just as it is impossible for the universe to have another Lord and creator, likewise it is not possible for it to have another god that has the right to be worshipped (except Allaah). [Source: Badaa-i’ul At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah: page: 376: Vol: 1…slightly paraphrased and abridged]