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Author: Abdullah Jallow

Verify, Contemplate And Ask The Scholars Before Speaking, For Indeed Sometimes The Transmitters Harbour Evil Intentions Or Are Genuinely Mistaken! – A Brief Reminder By Shaikh Uthaymeen

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Brotherhood, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam.

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

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said:

Verification is one of the most important affairs, if not the most important. Verifying what is transmitted from others is an important affair, because sometimes the transmitters harbour evil intentions, so they transmit – intentionally and deliberately – that which will tarnish the reputation of the one they transmit from. And sometimes they do not harbour an evil intention, but they understand something in a manner that is opposite to what is intended by it.
Therefore, it is obligatory to verify. So, when the proof [sound source] of the transmission is established, then the one from whom the statement was transmitted is engaged in a discussion [or his statement is examined] before a judgement is passed to [establish] as to whether it is a mistake or not. That is because it may become clear to you – by way of discussion [or observation] – that the one from whom the statement was transmitted is correct.
And if not, then what is [well] known is that if a person were to immediately pass a judgement merely based on what he hears, he will transmit things [i.e. statements, views, opinions etc] from some of the scholars – those considered to be the beacons of [Sharee’ah] knowledge – that which the souls will dislike; but when one verifies, contemplates and attaches himself to the Shaikh [or has close contact with the Shaikh], he [i.e. the Shaikh] will make the affair clear for him.
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Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ pages 75-76.
abridged & slightly paraphrased

Shaytaan Makes Evil Deeds Fair-seeming to The Mushrikoon And Ahlul Bidah-[By Ibn Abbaas, Sa’eed Bin Jubair and Qataadah]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Innovations In Islam (Bidah).

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

Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَفَمَن زُيِّنَ لَهُ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ فَرَآهُ حَسَنًا

Is he, then, to whom the evil of his deeds made fair-seeming, so that he considers it as good (equal to one who is rightly guided)? [Surah Faatir; Ayah 8]

Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) said: This ayah was revealed concerning Abu Jahl and the idolaters of Makkah.

Sa’eed Bin Jubair (rahimahullaah) said: This was revealed concerning the people of bidah and desires.

Qataadah (rahimahullaah) said: And from them (i.e. the people of desires and bidah) are the khawaarij, who make lawful the spilling of the blood of the Muslims and confiscating their wealth. As for the people of the Kabaa’ir (i.e. those sinful Muslims who commit major sins) they are not from them (i.e. not from those whom the evil of their deeds are made fair-seeming, so that they consider it as good) because they do not declare the major sins to be lawful.

The one to whom doubts are made fair-seeming and is submerged in it, and his deeds are made fair-seeming to him, so that he considers it as good, shaytaan makes it fair-seeming to him through waswaas.

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[Source: Tafseer Al-Baghawi 3/689]

 

Sit Down And Learn From The Scholars – [A Brief Reminder By Shaikh Rabee (hafidhahullaah)]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Brotherhood, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Scholars of Islam.

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

How can you not humble yourself in the presence of a scholar and sit on your knees in his presence with [good] etiquettes and take [knowledge from] him! We do not declare personalities to be free from shortcomings nor do we exaggerate their status, but we [deal with them based] on [good] etiquettes and honor [them]; and we acknowledge – in particular – the station of the scholars of the Sunnah, for indeed the scholars of bidah are not scholars [in reality].
The [true] scholars are those scholars who [possess sound understanding] of the Book of Allaah – the scholars of Tawheed and the [authentic] Sunnah. As long as they do not [hold and propagate] speech that is tantamount to [clear error or misrepresentation], excess and slanderous speech, as is the case with others, then we sit with this scholar and learn from him.
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Source: An Excerpt from ‘Majmoo Kutub Wa Rasaa’il Wa Fataawaa Fadheelatish Shaikh Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Umayr Al-Mad’khalee 1/36. slightly paraphrased

A Type of Misdeed Committed By a Student of Knowledge Against Himself And Others – [A Brief Reminder By Shaikh Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah)]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam.

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

If we saw a student of knowledge sitting in a gathering of jest, chitchatting and evil, then the [fact that] he has committed a misdeed against himself becomes a manifest and serious [affair]. And this [deed is also] an offence against knowledge and the people of knowledge, because [some other] people are likely to say: “These are students of knowledge and this is the end result of knowledge.” Therefore, he [i.e. the student who sits in a gathering of evil] has [in this case] committed a misdeed against himself and others.
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Source: Excerpt from Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ page 68. slightly paraphrased

If We Miss The Closest Rows Behind The Imaam, Then Strive to Be On The Right Side of The Masjid Whilst Praying Behind Him

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Al-Baraa’a [radiyallaahu anhu] said:
When we prayed behind the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], we liked to be on his right..
[Saheeh Muslim’ Number 1642]

Shaikh Abdul Muhsin Al-Abbaad [hafidhahullaah] said: Al- Haafidh Ibn Hajar [rahimahullaah] said in Al-Fath 1/270: This hadeeth is utilised as proof to show that it is desired that one prays on the right of the Imaam – in the right side of the Masjid [i.e. on the right whilst praying behind the Imaam].

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Source: ‘Sharh Aadaabul Mashee Ilas Salaah’  in the Shaikh Majmoo’ah titled: Kutub Wa Rasaa’il Abdul Muhsin Bin Hamad Al-Abbaad Al-Badr. Vol 5. page 129

Muhammad Ibn Al-Hasan [rahimahullaah]: Why Did He Remind The People About a Book on Business Transactions When They Asked Him to Author a Book on Zuhud?- [A Short Faa’idah By Shaikh Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah)]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in 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
It was said to Muhammad Ibn Al-Hasan Ash-Shaybaaniy [rahimahullaah]:
“Will you not author a book on Zuhud?” He said: “Indeed, I have written a book on business transactions.”
Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said: “When it was sought from Muhammad Ibn Al-Hasan [rahimahullaah] to author a book on Zuhud, he said, “Indeed, I have written a book on business transactions”; because whoever is acquainted with business transactions and its [sound Islamic] rulings, he will avoid haraam and declare lawful what is to be declared lawful, and this person is the Zaahid [i.e. a person of abstinence in reality].
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When The Prophet Asked Ubay, ” Which Aayah In The Qur’aan Is The Greatest?” The Response He Gave Shows Us The Lofty Station of Tawheed In The Hearts of The Sahaabah – [By Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr (Hafidhahullaah)]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

The Messenger of Allah said to Abay, “O Abu Mundhir! Do you know which verse from the Book of Allah – [you have memorised] – is the greatest?” He [Ubay] said, “Allaah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet [repeated and] said, “O Abu Mundhir [Ubay]! Do you know which verse from the Book of Allaah – [you have memorised] – is the greatest?”. He [Ubay] said, “Allāhu laa ilāha illa huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom [Aayatul-Kursi]. He [Ubay] said, “He [The Prophet] then struck me on my chest and said “By Allah, may you be blessed in your knowledge O Aba Mundhir.” [Muslim, hadith no.810]

Firstly: Ponder upon the question Ubay [radiyallaahu anhu] was asked!

He [radiyallaahu anhu] was a haafidh of the Qur’aan and was called the leader of the reciters. The Aayaat of the Qur’aan exceed six thousand in number, so when the Prophet asked him which Aayaah of the Qur’aan is the greatest, he extracted it from that [huge] number. He did not extract it from ten, a hundred or two hundred Aayaat, rather he extracted it from over six thousand Aayaat.

Secondly: Ponder upon the fact also that Ubay answered the question immediately. It did not take him a week, two weeks, a month or two, rather he answered immediately. When the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] asked him at first, he said, “Allaah and his Messenger know best.” But when the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] repeated the question, he knew that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] permitted him to strive and find the answer, so he replied.

Thirdly: Also ponder upon how fast Ubay [radiyallaahu anhu] answered, which shows us the great station of Tawheed in the hearts of the Sahaabah and that Tawheed is the greatest subject matter in the Qur’aan. That is because when Ubay [radiyallaahu anhu] was asked he did not quote an Aayah regarding rulings on other matters nor an Aayaah regarding the story of the nations of the past, nor an Aayah regarding the events on the Day of Judgement, nor Aayaat regarding manners, rather the first thing that came to his mind was Tawheed.

http://al-badr.net/sub/29

 

An Acknowledgement of The Respect Owed To The Upright Scholars And Students of Knowledge

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Brotherhood, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Methodology - 'Manhaj', 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 As-Sadi [rahimahullaah] said: They [i.e. (the upright) scholars and teachers] are the mediators between the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and his Ummah with regards to propagation of his religion and clarification of his sharee’ah. Had it not been for these ones, the people would have been like cattle. They are the ones who guide the Ummah in the fundamental and subsidiary affairs of their Religion. They return them to the rulings pertaining to the rights and dealings that are incumbent upon a person to fulfil, just as they return them to the affairs related to acts of worship. Through them, the Book and the Sunnah are established; truth is distinguished from falsehood, guidance is distinguished from misguidance, the lawful is distinguished from the unlawful, good is distinguished from evil, and [sound] rectification is distinguished from corruption.  They are of varying ranks, in accordance with what they establish of knowledge, teaching and benefit- great or small. They have great rights [to be fulfilled] by the ummah and are possessors of a lofty status.

Therefore, the people must have love and respect for them. They must recognise their excellence and virtue, and thank them greatly. They are to supplicate for them in private and public, and seek nearness to Allaah by having love for them and praising them. They are to proclaim their excellence; guard the hearts [from harbouring evil against them] and [prevent] the tongues [from] insulting them, for this would tarnish their excellence. [End of quote] [Ref 1]

Shaikh Uthaymeen’s [rahimahullaah] explanation in Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm:
Beware of the disease of the despots: (pride) [1]; for indeed pride, avarice and [blameworthy] envy were the first [sins] Allaah was disobeyed with. [2] So raising yourself above your teacher is pride [3]; and being arrogant towards the one who benefits you from amongst those who are below you [in knowledge] is pride; [4] and your falling short in acting upon knowledge is a sludge of pride and an indication of being deprived of [well-being]. [5]

[1] The Prophet said: Pride is to reject the truth and mock at the people.

[2] This refers to shaytaan’s behaviour when he was commanded to prostrate to Aadam, but pride prevented him from doing so. He refused and was haughty.

[3] Raising oneself can either be by way of the tongue [i.e. speech] and it can also be by way of sentiments [feelings, attitude, behaviour etc]. He [i.e. the student] might be walking with his teacher, whilst swaggering and saying: I did this and I did this.

[4] Likewise, being arrogant towards the one who is below you in knowledge is pride. This also occurs from some of the students. If someone below him in knowledge informs him of something, you find him arrogant and does not accept.

[5] We ask Allaah for wellbeing because from the types of pride is to not act upon the knowledge one knows. [Ref 2]

Ref 1: Source: Noorul Basaa-ir Wal Albaab Fee Ahkaamil Ibaadaat Wal-Mu-aamalaat Wal Huqooq Wal Aadaab, page: 57-58′ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah). Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

Ref 2: Source: Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ pages 38-40′ by Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah]. abridged & slightly paraphrased

Some Reasons Behind The Sinful Silence of Many of The Obstinate Rabble Rousers and Stooges of The Hizbiyyoon-[Freeing Themselves From The Deviated Leading Figureheads of Jamiat Ahle Hadeeth Uk -In Speech and Action – Is a Difficult Affair!]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Refutations.

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

Bringing Down The Leading Figure Heads Is A Difficult Affair

Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool [may Allaah preserve him] said:

This is how some of the people justify their stances towards Bidah and its people.  So whenever Bidah occurs from one of those people with fame, he refrains from exposing the bidah of that famous person and refrains from warning against him, [whilst claiming]  that to bring down the leading figure heads is a difficult affair.

This is a false justification from different angles.  From them:

[1]Men are known by way of the truth and truth is not known by way of men.  Know the truth and you will know its people.  This [figurehead] opposed the truth, agrees with ahlul bidah and utters their statements, therefore he is not upon truth and it is obligatory to warn against his falsehood.

[2]The obligation [in relation to this affair] is to give advice, enjoin good and forbid evil.  His fame is brought to an end due to his bidah- as a warning and sincere advice to the Muslims, so that they do not fall into the falsehood he has fallen into.

[3]Truth is above everyone and from the well-known statements in that regard is [the statement]: ‘’So and so is beloved to me, but the truth is more beloved to my heart than him.’’

Therefore, when you wilfully incline towards such and such a person and keep quiet about his bidah, you have given him precedence over the truth and raised him above it. And what is there after truth except misguidance!  So regarding this [stance of yours], you have given precedence to this person -who describe as a leading figure- over the truth and thus you fall into misguidance.

[4]This saying [i.e. it is difficult to bring them down etc] is in opposition to the way of the pious predecessors, [for] they used to speak about the people.

[5]The application of this statement is in opposition to the clear methodology established by the pious predecessors with regards to acquiring knowledge, and that is: ‘Indeed this knowledge [of the sharee’ah] is Religion, so look to the one you take your religion from.’’ Therefore, how about your situation with a man from whom you take Hadeeth, Tafseer, Aqeedah and Fiqh? Do you either keep quiet about the bidah he has [based on your] claim that speaking against the leading figure heads is a difficult affair, or do you speak about him and his innovation- making his affair well known as a warning and advice, so that the people are not deceived by him and his bidah? There is no doubt that what is obligatory is to give clarification, otherwise your silence is a fraud and deception against the Muslims. And perhaps you will be the cause of his bidah and and misguidance being spread amongst the people due this [silence of yours].

[6]The reality of this statement [i.e. it is hard to bring them down] is itself an application of the manhaj of Muwaazanaat [Ref 1].  It [i.e. Muwaazanaat] is a false methodology that ruins and dilutes the Religion, whereas the truth is clear and sublime.  And within this [Muwaazanaat] is termination of the truth and disappearance of its people, except that which Allaah wills.

[7]This statement [i.e. it is hard to bring them down] embraces illegal partisanship. It [embraces] love and hate for the sake of the one being described as a leading figure head.  He [i.e. this figure head] is made a basis for love and hate in replacement of the truth, and this [attitude] is from the characteristics of those people who follow the satanic paths- those who call their adherents to the hell fire.

[8]This statement [i.e. i.e. it is hard to bring them down] is not from the manhaj of the pious predecessors, for we have not heard the likes of this statement stated about anyone from the Imaams of the Salaf, and all good is found in following the pious predecessors and all evil is found in the bidah of those who came after.

[9]What is a leading figurehead in your view? In your view, how did this man become one of the leading figure heads?  Who is it that has either clarified for you or him that he is a leading figure head?  O my brother, a person should know his limitations.  It has been reported in an authentic hadeeth from Iyaad Bin Himaar that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘Allaah revealed to me that you must be humble, so that no one is haughty towards another person nor oppressive towards another person.’

[10]The lowering of a man or being raised is something in the hands of Allaah, and He [The Most High] alternates it how He pleases and it is not in our control.

Fulfil the obligation you have been commanded and that is to clarify the truth; disapprove evil and warn against the bidah of this figure head.  If he accepts the [truth], humbles himself, returns to the [truth] and repents to Allaah, then Allaah will raise his status if He [The Most High] wills because Allaah raises one who humbles himself in His presence. But if he oppresses and transgresses, then this man is from Ahlul Bidah; [so] how can you shed tears for him and that he has been degraded?! Glorified Be Allaah and Free is He from all imperfections, weaknesses and faults!

[Source: Ibaaraat Moohimah’ pages 53-55’ abridged and slightly paraphrased]

Ref A: See articles about the bidah of Muwaazanaat:  http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ12&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm