Author: Jallow Abdullah

Brief Commentary On The Statements of The Talbiyyah’ – By Shaikh Rabee bin Haadi [may Allaah preserve him]

Written by Jallow Abdullah on July 30, 2020. Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Monotheism - Tawheed, 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

[لبيك اللهم لبيك – Here I am O Allaah, here I am!]

(The) meaning of it (i.e. the above statement) is that indeed you have made a (profound) covenant with Allah to establish obedience to Him (Glorified be He, The Most high), fulfil His commandments and stay away from His prohibitions. This is the meaning of [لبيك -Here I am]- obedience to You after obedience, answering to you after answering, in other words I am always answering to You (Allaah) and always fulfilling obedience (to Allah). This is the meaning of [لبيك اللهم لبيك -Here I am O Allah, Here I am!]

[لبيك لا شريك لك لبيك -Here I am, You have no partner, Here I am!]:

(A proclamation of) Allaah’s Oneness- that You (Allaah) have no partner in worship. You (Allaah) have no partner in your kingdom ship. You (Allaah) have no partner in Your Lordship. You neither have a partner in Deity ship nor in Your Names and Attributes. We declare Allah [The Blessed and Most High] free from all similitudes and partners in worship and other than it, and (we declare Him free from all similitudes and partners in His) Attributes.

[إن الحمد و النعمة لك -Verily all praises and blessings are Yours!]

All praises belong to You-you have no partner in (this).- you have no partner in providing and bestowing (blessings) to Your Creation (i.e. Mankind, Jinn etc). You are the only one worthy of all praise in an absolute sense because you are the one Who bestows bounties and the one Who blesses the slaves (i.e. the creation). You created them so that they may worship You and You created this universe to help them fulfil this worship.

اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الْفُلْكَ لِتَجْرِيَ فِي الْبَحْرِ بِأَمْرِهِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الْأَنْهَارَ

وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ دَائِبَيْنِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ

Allah is He Who has created the heavens and the earth and sends down water (rain) from the sky, and thereby brought forth fruits as provision for you; and He has made the ships to be of service to you, that they may sail through the sea by His command; and He has made rivers (also) to be of service to you. And He has made the sun and the moon, both constantly pursuing their courses, to be of service to you; and He has made the night and the day to be of service to you. And He gave you of all that you asked for, and if you try to count the blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them. Verily, man is indeed an extreme wrongdoer, ungrateful. [Surah Ibrahim Ayaat: 32-33)

These are Allaah’s blessings (bestowed) upon His slaves, which He enumerates to His slaves, for He made the heavens and the earth to be of service to them. He subjected the sun and the moon, both constantly pursuing their courses. Pay attention to the sun and the moon- how night and day constantly alternate by Allaah’s (absolute) control. Had Allaah not subjugated them, the people would have been destroyed. They would not have been able to live on the surface of the earth. This (i.e. subjugation of the sun and the moon) are among Allaah’s Greatest blessings, which He (Glorified and Exalted be He) bestowed upon His slaves.

Hence, blessings (come) from Allah alone (Glorified and Exalted be He) and He alone is worthy of praise (Glorified and Exalted be He). All praise belongs to Him (as He said): [الحمد لله رب العالمين- All praise belongs to Allah the Lord of the universe” (Fatiha Ayah 2)]

All praises are for Him (Glorified be He, The Most High). The one who does not praise Allah and thank the people will not thank Allah (The Mighty and Majestic). The people are thanked for all good (they do), but praise belongs absolutely to Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He)- blessings comes from Him entirely and He is worthy of all praise in all affairs (big and small), Glorified be He, The Most High.

[لا شريك لك إن الحمد و النعمة لك و الملك – Verily all praise and blessings are Yours, and all sovereignty]

Sovereignty belongs to Him (Glorified be He, The Most High)- The Owner of the heavens and the earth. All the creation are His slaves- the Angels, the Prophets, the Messengers, the pious and the Kings are His slaves and their forelocks are Bi Yadihee (in His hand). He gives life to whom he wills and gives death to whom He wills. He honours whom He wills and humiliates whom He wills. He acts in His kingdom ship with His (absolute and perfect) Greatness, Loftiness, Overwhelming Subjugation of all things and His Exalted and All-Mighty Irresistible Power, glorified be He, The Most High. All the creation are subjugated (to Him) and all things glorify Him with praise, glorified be He, The Most High. From this, we understand the Greatness of Allah (Glorified be He, The Most High) and His Magnificence. We free Him from all imperfections, affirm His perfection, praise Him, worship Him and thank Him (Glorified be He, The Most High).

This is how it is obligated on the believer to fill his (or her) heart with the love of Allaah and His Greatness- thanking Allaah; paying gratitude to Allaah; testifying to the truthfulness of Allaah’s Akhbaar (i.e. everything He has told us); testifying to the truthfulness of His (revealed) books; belief in what Allah has obligated on us to believe; obey Allaah and fulfil His commandments. All this results from exalting Allaah, proclaiming Allaah’s Greatness and thanking Him (Glorified be He, The Most High) due to the blessings He has provided and bestowed upon us.

This is how it is obligated on a believer to fill his heart with Allaah’s symbols (i.e. the acts of worship Allaah has ordained)- proclaiming Allaah’s Greatness, Exalting Him, Exalting His commandments (i.e. by fulfilling them), Exalting His Prohibitions (i.e. by keeping away from them), loving Him, relying upon Him and depending on Him in every situation. A human being cannot survive at any moment without Allaah’s Mercy (Glorified be He, The Most High). Allaah (Glorified be He, The Most High) protects him (or her), otherwise he (or her) will not be able to accomplish anything, and due to this we say: [إياك نعبد و إياك نستعين- You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)]. We are neither able to fulfil acts of worship nor any work in this worldly life, except by way of Allaah’s (Glorified be He, The Most High) Aid.

This is the meaning of the Talbiyah or some of its meaning, which a Muslim must call to attention when he (or she) utters it. That is because many people utter this statement (i.e. the Talbiyah) without understanding its meaning, nor adhering to what it necessitates. So understand the meaning of these symbols of Tawheed which are repeated (i.e. by way of speech) by many (people). Adhere to its meanings and act upon what they necessitate. May Allaah bless you. [Source: http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=105178 Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

Shared by our brother Risaalaat (may Allaah preserve him).

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

Written by Jallow Abdullah on July 29, 2020. Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Brotherhood, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Monotheism - Tawheed, 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.

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]

Benefits of Remembering Allaah and Being Grateful; Danger of Sinning Whilst Receiving More Blessings

Written by Jallow Abdullah on July 28, 2020. Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Monotheism - Tawheed, 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:

Allaah [The Most High] said:

فَٱذۡكُرُونِىٓ أَذۡكُرۡكُمۡ وَٱشۡڪُرُواْ لِى وَلَا تَكۡفُرُونِ

Therefore, remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc.). I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me. [2:152]

The intent behind Dhikr is not merely to remember [Allaah] with one’s tongue, rather it is remembrance with the heart and the tongue. Remembrance of Allaah includes remembering Him by His Names and Attributes, His commandments, His prohibitions and His speech. This necessitates that a person should have knowledge and awareness of Allaah [Ref 1], belief in Allaah, belief in Allaah’s Perfect and Lofty Attributes, as well as [constantly] praising Allaah with various types of praise [i.e. based on what Allaah has legislated in the authentic texts of the Sharee’ah and not by way of bidah]. And this cannot be accomplished except through Tawheed [i.e. singling Allaah out in His Lordship, Names and Attributes, and devote all acts of worship to Allaah alone]. True Remembrance of Allaah necessitates all of this, as well as remembering the blessings and favours, which Allaah has bestowed upon His creatures and His kindness towards them.

As for Shukr [i.e. to be grateful or thankful to Allaah], it is to act in obedience to Allaah and seeking to draw close to Him through those apparent [actions of the limbs] and [deeds of the heart] that are beloved to Him. The religion is based on these two – remembrance of Allaah, which necessitates having knowledge and awareness of Allaah, and being grateful to Him, which necessitates obedience to Him through acts of worship and [refraining from disobedience]. This is the purpose behind the creation of the Jinn, mankind, the heavens and the earth. It is the reason for which reward and punishment are determined; [the reason for which] Allaah revealed the Books and sent the Messengers. It is the truth for which the heavens, the earth and what is between them were created, and what is in opposition to it is falsehood, such as the assumption held by the enemies of Allaah that there is no purpose behind the creation [free is Allaah from what they attribute to Him]. Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَا بَـٰطِلاً۬‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ ظَنُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ‌ۚ

And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the assumption of those who disbelieve! [38:27]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَا لَـٰعِبِينَ

مَا خَلَقۡنَـٰهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ

And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, for mere play; We created them not except with truth (i.e. to examine and test those who are obedient and those who are disobedient and then reward the obedient ones and punish the disobedient ones)…[44:38-39]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَأَتِيَةٌ۬‌ۖ

And We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with truth, and the Hour is surely coming…[15:85]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٲلِكَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۚ

Allah did not create this but in truth. [10:5]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

أَيَحۡسَبُ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُ أَن يُتۡرَكَ سُدًى

Does man think that he will be left Suda [neglected without being punished or rewarded for the obligatory duties enjoined by his Lord (Allah) on him]? [75:36]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

أَفَحَسِبۡتُمۡ أَنَّمَا خَلَقۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَبَثً۬ا وَأَنَّكُمۡ إِلَيۡنَا لَا تُرۡجَعُونَ

“Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?”[23:115]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ

And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). [51:56]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبۡعَ سَمَـٰوَٲتٍ۬ وَمِنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِثۡلَهُنَّ يَتَنَزَّلُ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ بَيۡنَہُنَّ لِتَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدۡ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عِلۡمَۢا

It is Allah Who has created seven heavens and of the earth the like thereof (i.e. seven). His Command descends between them (heavens and earth), that you may know that Allah has power over all things, and that Allah surrounds (comprehends) all things in (His) Knowledge. [65:12]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡكَعۡبَةَ ٱلۡبَيۡتَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ قِيَـٰمً۬ا لِّلنَّاسِ وَٱلشَّہۡرَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ وَٱلۡهَدۡىَ وَٱلۡقَلَـٰٓٮِٕدَ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ لِتَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمٌ

Allah has made the Ka’bah, the Sacred House, an asylum of security and Hajj and ‘Umrah (pilgrimage) for mankind, and also the Sacred Month and the animals of offerings and the garlanded (people or animals, etc. marked with the garlands on their necks made from the outer part of the stem of the Makkah trees for their security), that you may know that Allah has knowledge of all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and that Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything. [5:97]

Therefore, based on what has [already] been mentioned it has been established that the purpose behind the creation and command is so that Allaah is remembered and thanked. Allaah is to be remembered and not forgotten, and He should be thanked and one should not be ungrateful to Him. Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] remembers the one who remembers Him, and He is Ready to appreciate good deeds and to recompense the one who is grateful to Him. Remembrance of Allaah is the reason Allaah remembers the one who does so. [Ref 2] And being grateful to Allaah is the reason behind which a person is given an increase in blessings and favours. [Ref 3]

Remembrance of Allaah is to be carried out with the heart and tongue; gratefulness is to be carried out with one’s heart- out of love for Allaah and constantly turning to Him in repentance and obedience with true faith [Islamic Monotheism]. Extolling and praising Him is to be carried out with one’s tongue and being obedient to Him [by performing acts of obedience]. [An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawaa’id’ page 192-194. slightly paraphrased]

Ref 1: Knowledge and Awareness of Allaah: Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said, ‘’ Marifatullaah” – Knowledge and awareness of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, with the heart, with such knowledge and awareness that it makes the person accept whatever He has prescribed and laid down, and causes him to submit to that, and to judge by the Prescribed Laws (Sharee’ah) which His Messenger Muhammad came with. The servant increases in knowledge and awareness of His Lord by considering the clear signs pertaining to the deen found in the book of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and in the Sunnah of His Messenger, and also by considering the signs which Allaah has provided for us in the creation. So whenever a person examines and considers these signs he will increase in his knowledge and awareness of His creator and His God, who alone has the right to all his worship. Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, says “And on the earth there are signs for those with certain belief, and also in your own selves. Will you not then consider?” [Soorah adh Dhaariyaat: 20-21] [Translated by Ustaadh Abu Talhah Dawud Burbank (may Allaah grant him and his wife abundant mercy…Aameen)]

[Ref 2]: [فَٱذۡكُرُونِىٓ أَذۡكُرۡكُمۡ وَٱشۡڪُرُواْ لِى وَلَا تَكۡفُرُونِ – Therefore, remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc.). I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me]: Ibn Abbaas and Ibn Jubayr said that this Aayah means, ”Remember Me by obeying Me and I [Allaah] will remember you by granting you My Maghfirah [Ref: A]

Al-Maghfirah: It necessitates that Allaah will protect you from the evil consequences of your sins, accept [your deeds, repentance etc], grant you His pleasure and favours, show you kindness and generosity etc. [Ref: B]

[And be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me]: Imaam Ibnul Qayyim said, ”And being grateful to Allaah is the reason behind which a person is given an increase in blessings and favours.” [Ref C]

Question: What are some of the evil consequences if a person persists upon disobedience, whilst he or she receives more blessings and favours from Allaah?

Answer:

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم مِّنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ

Those who reject Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not. And I respite them; certainly My Plan is strong. [7:182-183]

[سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُم – We shall gradually seize them with punishment] – by granting them plentiful provision and respite until they think that they will neither be taken to task for their disobedience nor punished, so they increase in disbelief and transgression, and evil upon evil. And through this their punishment is increased and multiplied, so they harm themselves in ways they perceive not. This is why Allaah said: [إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ -certainly My Plan is strong] [End of Quote] [Ref D]

————————————————————————————————————————————

[Ref A: Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit-Tafseer’by Imaam Ibnul Jawzi. Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm. 1^st Edition 1424AH (2002)]

[Ref B: Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 14/140]

[Ref C: Al-Fawaa’id’ page 192-194]

[Ref D: An Excerpt from Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer kalaam al-Mannaan’ by Imaam Sadi [rahimahullaah]. slightly paraphrased]

The Importance of Reading The Biography of The Salaf And Its Effects On Our Behaviour – By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi

Written by Jallow Abdullah on July 26, 2020. Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Ibnul Jawzi [rahimahullaah] said:

I saw that solely being preoccupied with studying Fiqh and listening to [transmission] of hadeeth is not enough to rectify the heart, except [when] combined with [the authentic narrations that softens] the hearts and looking into the biographies of the pious predecessors. As for having knowledge of Halaal and Haraam only, it does not have a great strength in softening the heart; rather the softening of the heart is [attained] by mentioning the Ahaadeeth on the subject matter and the stories of the pious predecessors. This is because they [i.e. the pious predecessors] grasped the intent behind narrating [ahaadeeth], demonstrated the tangible obligated actions by way of them, practical encounter with their meanings and the goals behind them. And there is nothing that will make you experience this, except after cultivation and experience. I find [i.e. in his era] that the ambition of the majority of the scholars and students of hadeeth is [focused on acquiring hadeeth that has the closest chain of transmission from the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and gathering numerous authentic Ahaadeeth on a particular subject matter in the religion etc], and the majority of the jurists [focus on] the science of debate and that which gives one the upper hand, so how can the heart be softened solely through these affairs? Indeed, a group of the pious predecessors aspired to see that a righteous slave should look to his character and upright guidance and not [solely] the knowledge he has acquired, because his character and upright guidance are the fruits of his knowledge. So understand this! The student of Hadeeth and Fiqh should combine [seeking after hadeeth and fiqh] with studying the lives of the pious predecessors and the Zuhhaad, so that it can be a means to softening the heart. Indeed, books have been compiled regarding the affairs and manners of each one of those well-known outstanding men – the affairs of Al-Hasan [Al-Basri], Sufyaan Ath-Thawri, Ibraaheem Bin Ad-ham, Bishr Al-Haafiy, Ahmad Bin Hanbal, Ma’roof and other than them amongst the scholars and the Zuhhaad. [Ref 1] [End of quote]

He [rahimahullaah] also said:

“I have met Mashaayikh, their circumstances varied, they were of various levels in knowledge and the most beneficial of them to me in companionship was the one who acted upon his knowledge, even though others were more knowledgeable than him”. [Ref 2] [End of quote]

It is necessary [or imperative] that the seekers of Hadeeth should possess the most perfect [behaviour, manners, etiquettes etc] amongst the people; be the most humble amongst the people, the greatest in their impartiality and adherence to the religion, the least in [deviating from good conduct] and [being overcome with] anger, because they constantly listen to the narrations that gather the excellent manners and etiquettes of Allaah’s Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], the lives of the virtuous pious predecessors, the path of the scholars of Hadeeth and the virtues of the [pious ones and scholars] who have passed away; so they adhere to the purest and excellent [aspects of those traits, etiquettes, manners etc] and turn away from the most despised and lowly [traits, behaviour, manners, etiquettes etc]. [Ref 3] [End of quote]

O Allaah! Overlook my numerous faults and bad behaviour – that which I know and that which I do not know, have mercy upon my parents and forgive all the believers Aameen.

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Saydul khaatir’ Page 171. Daar Ibn Rajab. 1st edition 2003. Slightly paraphrased]

Ref 2: An Excerpt from Saydul Khaatir. page 138. Daar Ibn Rajab. 1st edition 2003. slightly para[hrased]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Jaami Bayaan Al-Ilm 1/78. By Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadi (rahimahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

Day And Night: [Neither Are They Gods Nor Does One Conquer The Other, Rather They Are Two Mighty Creations of The All-Wise Creator!] – A Brief Reminder to Worshippers of The So-called Sun God

Written by Jallow Abdullah on July 25, 2020. Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَجَعَلَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ وَٱلنُّورَ‌ۖ ثُمَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِرَبِّہِمۡ يَعۡدِلُونَ

All praises and thanks be to Allah, Who (Alone) created the heavens and the earth, and originated the darkness and the light, yet those who disbelieve hold others as equal with their Lord. [Surah Al-An’aam. Aayah 1]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَٱلضُّحَىٰ (١) وَٱلَّيۡلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ (٢) مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ (٣) وَلَلۡأَخِرَةُ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ (٤)

وَلَسَوۡفَ يُعۡطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرۡضَىٰٓ (٥) أَلَمۡ يَجِدۡكَ يَتِيمً۬ا فَـَٔاوَىٰ (٦) وَوَجَدَكَ ضَآلاًّ۬ فَهَدَىٰ (٧) وَوَجَدَكَ

عَآٮِٕلاً۬ فَأَغۡنَىٰ (٨) فَأَمَّا ٱلۡيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقۡهَرۡ (٩) وَأَمَّا ٱلسَّآٮِٕلَ فَلَا تَنۡہَرۡ (١٠) وَأَمَّا بِنِعۡمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثۡ

By the forenoon (after sunrise); and by the night when it is still (or darkens); Your Lord (O Muhammad) has neither forsaken you nor hated you. And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present (life of this world). And verily, your Lord will give you (all i.e. good) so that you shall be well-pleased. Did He not find you (O Muhammad) an orphan and gave you a refuge? And He found you unaware (of the Qur’an, its legal laws, and Prophet hood, etc.) and guided you? And He found you poor, and made you rich (self-sufficient with self-contentment, etc.)? Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression, and repulse not the beggar; and proclaim the Grace of your Lord (i.e. the Prophet -hood and all other Graces). [Surah Ad-Duhaa]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahulaah] said: Allaah (Glorified Be He and Free is He From all Imperfections) swore by two of His great creations – the Night and the Day- both of which are an indication of His Perfect and Absolute Lordship, Perfect Wisdom and Perfect Mercy. Allaah is the one (alone) Who dispels the night by way of the Daylight and likewise He is the one Who dispels the darkness of ignorance and Shirk by way of the revelation and Prophet-hood.

Likewise due to His Mercy, it necessitates that His slaves are not left in the darkness of night permanently, rather He guides them towards the beneficial affairs of the worldly life and their livelihoods by way of the Daylight, therefore it does not befit His (Majesty) that He leaves them in the darkness of ignorance and deviation; rather He guides them by way of the light of revelation and Prophet-hood in order that they may attain well-being in this life and the next. [Ref 1]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ خِلْفَةً لِّمَنْ أَرَادَ أَن يَذَّكَّرَ أَوْ أَرَادَ شُكُورًا

And He it is Who has put the night and the day in succession, for such who desires to remember or desires to show his gratitude. [25:62]

The night and the day differ- this one is white and that one is black. So one takes an admonition [from them], contemplates on the difference between them and thanks Allaah for them. [Ref 2] Whoever misses the remembrance of Allaah in the morning, then he [or she] can do so in the evening and vice versa. [Ref 3]

Ref 1: Source: An Excerpt from Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah’ Vol 3’ page 327. Slightly paraphrased

Ref 2: Source: An Excerpt from Zaadul Maseer- by Imaam Ibn Al-Jawzi (rahimahullaah). Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm 1st edition 1423AH (Year 2002)

Ref 3: Source: An Excerpt from Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah). Publisher: Daar ibn Hazm 1st ed 1424AH (Year 2003). Slightly paraphrased

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

Written by Jallow Abdullah on July 23, 2020. Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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]

Written by Jallow Abdullah on July 22, 2020. Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Duroos (Lessons), Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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]

Truth Is Not Known Due to Men, Rather Men are Known Due to Truth!

Written by Jallow Abdullah on July 21, 2020. Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

A man said to Maymoon Ibn Mehraan [rahimahullaah]: “The people will not cease to be upon good as long as Allaah keeps you [alive] for them.” So he [Maymoon] said: “The people will not cease to be upon good as long as they fear their Lord.” [Siyar 5/75]

Shaikh Rabee [hafidhahullaah] said: “And [with regards to] the person with the proofs, it is obligatory to take his speech [on the grounds] of following Allaah’s Legislation and Proofs, and not [due to] the personality of that person. [Source: (See Majmoo 9/40) 3rd paragraph]

Shaikh Rabee [hafidhahullaah] also said: The seeker of truth is not diverted from the truth, fairness and justice due to admiration of the big personalities and being amazed by them, for indeed the truth is more worthy to be followed. It is not permissible to drop the proofs for the sake of this or that great man. The principle [rule] of the Muslim – the unbiased one, the seeker of truth – is always: [قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ -Say, “Bring forth your proofs if you are truthful”]. [Surah An-Nahl. Aayah 64] [Source: Al-Mulakh-khasul Jameel Fee Bayaani Manhaji Ash-Shaikh Rabee Fid-Da’wati Wal-Jarhi Wat-Ta’deel. Page 87]

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] interrupted a person who was reciting a poem and mentioned him in it! He objected & told him not to attach truth to personalities, rather he should say that as long as the Qur’aan and the Sunnah are present, the haqq will remain. [Listen to audio in the link: https://safeshare.tv/x/5MCyl5iX03k

Question to Shaikh Saaleh al-Fawzaan [hafidhahullaah]: What is the meaning of the principle: The truth is not known by way of men, rather men are known by way of the truth?

Answer: Its meaning is that we do not merely blindly follow anyone, for it may be that one is blindly followed based on error; it may be that the Mujtahid is mistaken and the one who makes [a statement or holds an opinion] is mistaken, so we do not take [his statement, opinion etc] and say, “This is the statement of such as such; this is truth, because such and such is good, he is a scholar; such and such is Taqiy [i.e. one who fears Allaah]”. We do not say this because he is not infallible and he can make a mistake; so we know men by way of the truth – those who know; those who take [or adhere to] the proofs and indeed they are known to be scholars. As for those who do not give concern [or importance] to the proofs, they are not scholars; they are not people of [sound] understanding and they are not people of knowledge, so their statement is never taken straight away. It is imperative that the proof is presented, so if the proof is established as witness to [what he says or holds etc], then it is the truth; but if he opposes the proof, then indeed [his statement or opinion] is rejected; however if he is a Mujtahid and he is mistaken, he is rewarded [once] due to his Ijtihaad; but if he deliberately holds on to error, he has sinned. [Paraphrased. Refer to video here: https://safeshare.tv/x/tyVyzaoU0tw# ]

No Room For Fear-mongering And Deception! Muslim Employs a Robust Principle When Verifying News

Written by Jallow Abdullah on July 20, 2020. Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Methodology - 'Manhaj', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَإِذَا جَاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِّنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا بِهِ ۖ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَاتَّبَعْتُمُ الشَّيْطَانَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they make it known (among the people), if only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly). Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allaah upon you, you would have followed Shaitaan (Satan), save a few of you.'[4:83]

Imaam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said: ”In this ayah (there) is a rebuke against the one who rushes towards affairs and then gives news about it before verifying it – circulates and spreads it -and perhaps there is no credibility in it.”

Therefore, this ayah obligates verification and clarification when (news) is heard, as Ibn katheer (rahimahullaah) mentioned. It rebukes the one who hastens in transmitting and spreading (news) before verifying its credibility.

This ayah (also) guides to another affair and that is (important news touching public safety and fear) is to be relayed to those in authority from amongst the Scholars and the Rulers and not to the common people, for there is no benefit in transmitting it to the common people; rather what is of benefit is that it is transmitted to the people in authority because they are those with a sound understanding of the affairs and the benefits that are extracted from them. They are the ones with the ability to avert the harmful affairs.

Ibn Katheer then mentioned a number of narrations about being careful about hastiness and lack of verifying news- and from them is a narration by Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’It is enough for a man to prove himself a liar when he goes on narrating whatever he hears’’.

And Mugheerah bin Shubah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said, ‘’The Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) forbade Qeel Wal Qaal (i.e. so and so said)’’. Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said, ‘’It is the one who narrates a great deal of that which the people say without verification, contemplation and clarification’’.

Then Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) stated: The hadith of Umar (radiyallaahu-anhu) collected by Bukhaari and Muslim should be mentioned here; when Umar was told that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) divorced his wives, he left his house and entered the mosque, where he found the people talking about it; so he could not endure waiting and ask for the permission of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) to speak to him; then Umar asked the Prophet, saying, ‘‘Have you divorced your women?’’ The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said, ‘No’. So Umar said, I said ‘Allaahu Akbar……’

And in the narration collected by Imaam Muslim, Umar said, I asked, ‘Have you divorced them?’ The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said, ‘No’. So I stood by the door of the mosque and shouted with a loud voice, saying, ‘The Messenger of Allaah did not divorce his wives’. Then the ayah (i.e. Ayah 83, Surah Nisaa) was revealed. Umar said, ‘I investigated this affair properly’ (i.e. whether the Prophet did divorce his wives).

Imaam As-Sadi [rahimahullaah] said about this Aayah [i.e. An-Nisaa 83]: This is a moral conduct [commanded by Allaah] to His slaves – that they do not do this [i.e. hasten to spread news]. And it is obligated on them that when there comes to them an affair from the important affairs – matters related to a universal benefit for the people, public safety and those affairs on which depends the sorrow or happiness of the believers, or an affair of public fear which may bring about calamity upon them- that they should verify the [news of that affair] and not to be hasty in spreading it; rather they should refer it back to the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and to those in authority- the people of sound opinions, the people of knowledge; those who can give sound advice, the people of intelligence and those who approach affairs with calmness, and they are those who know what is of overriding benefit and that which is in opposition to it [i.e. the scholars]. So, if they see that disseminating such news will bring about an overriding benefit for the Muslims, strengthen them, bring about happiness and make them vigilant over their enemies, then they would disseminate such news; but if they see that there is no overriding benefit in disseminating such news, or that there is benefit in it, but there is more harm in doing so; then they would not circulate such news. That is why Allaah stated: [ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ – If only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly)]- Meaning: They would have derived from it [the proper cause of action] through contemplation and through their correct opinions and rightly guided sciences.

Therefore, in this there is proof regarding a principle related to a moral conduct, that when an [important affair] from the [important affairs] suddenly appears, it is obligatory to refer it to those who are competent in the affair and one should not put himself forward before them, for that is closer to correctness and [safer] in preventing mistakes. And in this, there is a prohibition against being hasty in circulating news [that is related important affairs of public safety or fear] and a command to contemplate before speaking- to look into the affair, as to whether it is an affair of overriding benefit to be dealt with, or whether it should be avoided if it does not carry an [overriding benefit].

[وَلَوۡلَا فَضۡلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ وَرَحۡمَتُهُ – Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah upon you]- Meaning: by way granting you the ability to act upon righteousness, instructed you with moral conducts and taught you that which you never knew, then [لَٱتَّبَعۡتُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنَ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً۬ – you would have followed Shaitan (Satan), save a few of you]. [Ref 1]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [ يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوۤاْ إِن جَآءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوۤاْ أَن تُصِيبُواْ قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُواْ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِينَ – O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done]. [Surah Al-Hujuraat. Aayah 6]

Imaam As-Sadi [rahimahullaah] said: This is also one of the moral etiquettes that are obligated on the people of [sound] understanding to adorn themselves with and put into practice. And that is if a rebellious sinful person informs them of some news, they should verify his news and not to merely accept it, because indeed there is great danger [in doing so] and [possibility] of falling into sin. That is because if his news is placed at the same level with the news given by truthful reliable person, one might pass a judgement based on that news and what it necessitates, so loss of life and wealth occurs without right due to that news and thus brings about regret; rather, what is obligated with regards to the news given by a rebellious sinful person is that it is verified and clarified. So, if the proofs and clear indications demonstrates his truthfulness, then it [i.e. the news] is acted upon and declared to be true; but if they demonstrate that he is lying, then it is declared to be lies and not acted upon. Therefore, in this [Aayah] there is a proof that news [given] by a truthful person is accepted, the news [given] by a liar is rejected and the news [given] by a rebellious sinful person is suspended as we have stated. [Ref 2: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fitnah Wa Mawqiful Muslim Minhaa’ pages 78-83: By Shaikh Muhammad Aqeel [hafidhahullaah]. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Slightly paraphrased]

[4] Source of Tranquillity And An Increase In Eemaan When Believers Submitted to Allaah’s Judgement And That of His Messenger at Hudaybiyah

Written by Jallow Abdullah on July 19, 2020. Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ لِيَزۡدَادُوٓاْ إِيمَـٰنً۬ا مَّعَ إِيمَـٰنِہِمۡ‌ۗ وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمً۬ا

He it is Who sent down As-Sakinah into the hearts of the believers, that they may grow more in Faith along with their (present) Faith. And to Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise. [Surah Al-Fath. Aayaat 4]

Allaah [The Exalted] informs us of His favour upon the believers, that He sent down Sakeenah to their hearts, which is tranquillity, calmness and firmness during those distressing trials and difficult situations that would disorientate the hearts, divert the thoughts and weaken the souls. And from the blessings of Allaah upon His servant – in such a situation – is that He grants the person firmness, strengthens his heart and sends down tranquillity to it, in order that he faces those difficulties with a firm heart and tranquil soul, and so that he is prepared to fulfil the command of Allaah in such a situation, and by way of that his Eemaan increases and his certainty is ascertained.

When that which occurred between Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] and the polytheists with regards to those agreements [during the treaty of Hudaybiyah], which – as it appeared – lowered and diminished the status of the Sahaabah [radiyallaahu-anhum] and was hard for the souls to bear, however their Eemaan increased alongside the Eemaan they already had when they exercised patience and accepted those conditions. [وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمً۬ا -And to Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise]- Meaning, all of them are under His dominion and control, therefore the polytheists should never think that Allaah will not aid His Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] and the religion He has ordained; rather Allaah is All-Knowing, All-Wise, and His Perfect Wisdom necessitates that people’s state of affairs will alternate from one state to another, and victory for the believers is delayed till a later date.

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