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Author: Abdullah Jallow

If People Desisted and Did Not Enter Into Bidah, Certainly They Would Have Attained Safety- By Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Al-Barbahaaree [rahimahullaah] said:

‘’May Allaah have mercy upon you! Know that if the people were to desist from newly introduced matters, not entering into any of them at all and did not say anything for which there was no narration from the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] or from his Companions, there would not be any innovation.” [1]

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] comments on the above statement:

And ‘’if the people were to desist from newly invented matters [in the religion]”-Meaning: If they desisted and did not enter into them; restricted themselves to the Sunnah and did not leave it for innovations, certainly they would have attained safety.  But whoever relinquishes the Sunnah and innovate statements which have no proof in the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] will eventually be with the innovators and the deviated sects.  And there is no safety except by way of the Sunnah which the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] left for us. He [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ‘’Indeed, I have left amongst you two things, if you hold firmly to them, you will never go astray; the book of Allaah and my Sunnah.’’

And in another hadeeth:‘I have left you upon white plain [i.e. clear guidance], its night is like its day, and none deviates from it except he who is destroyed.’’

This is the path to safety- the Sunnah of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and that which his companions were upon…. [2]

[Ref 1: Translated by Abu Talhah Daawud Burbank (may Allaah have mercy upon him and his wife)

[Ref 2: It-haaful Qaaree Bitta’liqaat Alaa Sharh As-Sunnah Lil Imaam Barbahaaree’ Page: 82-83. Vol 2. Abridged and slightly paraphrased (Abdullah Jallow )]

Your feedback is welcome to improve the content of this post…

BaaraKAllaahu Feekum

Everyone Finds Pleasure In the Strength He [Or She] Is Given in an Affair- by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

Keep away from the one who shows enmity to the people of the Qur’aan and the [authentic] Sunnah lest you are afflicted by his loss [or depravity].

Beware of two enemies through which many people were destroyed: The one who was hindered from the Path of Allaah due to his [i.e. the person’s] Shubuhaat and adorned speech; fascination with his Dunyah [i.e. worldly possessions, achievements etc] and leadership.

Whoever is given strength and facilitated [with the means] to something, then his pleasure will be found in utilising that strength [in that affair].

  1. Whoever is granted the strength to have sexual relations, he will find pleasure in utilising his strength in it.
  2. Whoever is given strength to become angry and overcome [others], he will utilise the strength of his anger to [obtain what he desires].
  3. Whoever is given the strength to eat and drink, his pleasure will be found in utilising his strength in [eating and drinking].
  4. Whoever is given the strength to [obtain] knowledge and understanding, his pleasure will be found in utilising his strength and directing it towards [obtaining] knowledge.
  5. Whoever is given strength in [having] love for Allaah, turning to Allaah in repentance, submission and obedience, being devoted to Allaah [sincerely with one’s] heart, having an ardent desire [to please, obey and meet Allaah] and [desiring to come close to Allaah, be recognised and loved by Allaah etc], he will find his pleasure and bliss in utilising this strength in that.

    All these pleasures [i.e. numbers 1, 2, 3 & 4] will dwindle and disappear, except this one [i.e. number 5]. And the most praiseworthy outcome of [numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5] is that they should be neither for nor against the person.  [Slightly paraphrased]

Your suggestions and comments are welcome to improve the content of this article. Baarakallaahu Feekumn

 

The Students of Hadeeth Must Strive to Be the Best People In Behaviour- by Khateeb Al-Baghdaadi [rahimahullaah]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in 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

Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadi [rahimahullaah] said:

It is incumbent that the seekers of Hadeeth should be the [possessors of the] most perfect [behaviour, traits, manners, etiquettes etc] amongst the people; the most humble amongst the people, the greatest in their impartiality and adherence to the religion; the least in [deviating from good conduct] and [becoming] angry. And that is due to their constant listening to the narrations that combine 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 most refined and excellent [aspects of those traits, etiquettes, manners etc] and turn away from the most despised and lowly [traits, behaviour, manners, etiquettes etc]

[Source: (Jaami Bayaan Al-Ilm 1/78). Slightly paraphrased]

 

[3] Reminders From [Virtue of the Knowledge of the Salaf over the Knowledge of the Khalaf] -By Imaam Ibn Rajab [rahimahullaah]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties.

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

Imaam Ibn Rajab [rahimahullaah] said:

As for the knowledge which Allaah [The Most High] mentioned by way of dispraise, it is that which He [The Most High] mentioned regarding magic:

وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمۡ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمۡ‌ۚ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمُواْ لَمَنِ ٱشۡتَرَٮٰهُ مَا لَهُ ۥ فِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ مِنۡ خَلَـٰقٍ۬‌ۚ

And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. [2:102]

And the statement of Allaah [The Most High]:

فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَرِحُواْ بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ

Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things): And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment). [40:83]

And the statement of Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَعۡلَمُونَ ظَـٰهِرً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ هُمۡ غَـٰفِلُونَ

They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world (i.e. the matters of their livelihood, like irrigating or sowing or reaping, etc.), and they are heedless of the Hereafter. [30:7]

Likewise, the Sunnah categorises knowledge into ‘Beneficial Knowledge ‘ and ‘Unbeneficial Knowledge’, and that [one should] seek refuge with Allaah from ‘Unbeneficial knowledge’ and to ask Allaah for ‘Beneficial Knowledge’. Imaam Muslim [rahimahullaah] reports from Zaid Ibn Arqam [radiyallaahu-anhu] that the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] used to say:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ ‏لَا تَشْبَعُ ‏ ‏وَمِنْ دَعْوَةٍ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهَا

O Allaah! I seek refuge with You from knowledge that does not benefit; from a heart that fears not; from a soul that does not become satisfied and a supplication that is not answered. [Muslim 2722]

[Source: Fadl Ilmis Salaf Alaa Ilmil Khalaf’ pages 44-45. (Abridged and slightly paraphrased)]

To be continued…InShaaAllaah

 

The People of Jaahiliyyah Claimed That They Followed Their Pious Predecessors, Even Though Their Beliefs and Practices Opposed That of Their Pious Predecessors

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Methodology - 'Manhaj', Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab [rahimahullaah] said: ‘’They [People of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance] claimed to follow [their Salaf – pious predecessors], while they clearly opposed and contradicted them.

Shaikh Saaleh al Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] commented on the above statement saying:

The common [people] amongst the Jews and the Christians and the people of misguidance amongst those who attribute themselves to Islaam– all of them claim to follow the believers who preceded them.  So the Jews claim that they follow Moosaa [alyahis-salaam] and those who believed in him; the Christians claim that they follow the Messiah [alayhis-salaam] and those who believed in him; the people of misguidance of this Ummah claim that they follow the pious predecessors of this Ummah- the Sahaabah, the Taa’bi’een and the At’baa At-Taabi’een- and that what they are upon is the way of the pious predecessors. The claim of everyone who claims to be upon the path of the pious predecessors or upon the methodology of the pious predecessors cannot be  sound, until he makes apparent what he is upon based on the Methodology of the pious predecessors. So if that conforms to [the Methodology of the pious predecessors], then he is upon the Methodology of the pious predecessors, and if it is in opposition, then he is not upon the Methodology of the pious predecessors, even if he makes that claim.

Every deviated party [or sect] at present claims to be upon the way of the pious predecessors, but they are not upon the Methodology of the pious predecessors- because the statement of the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] regarding the way of the pious predecessors is: ‘’those upon that which I [Muhamad] and my companions are upon’’ is not applicable to them. This is what it [means] to be upon the methodology of the pious predecessors.  As for the one who is in opposition to this, then he is not upon the methodology of the pious predecessors even if he claims that.  Those who claim Salafiyyah are many, but they must make apparent what they are upon and if that is in conformity [with Salafiyyah], then it is truth; but if in opposition, then they are not upon the Methodology of the pious predecessors.

Likewise, there are those who attribute themselves to the Madhabs of the Four Imaams whilst being in opposition to the Imaams in Aqeedah, so their ascription is not correct because they oppose [the Imaams] in the most important of affairs and that is the Aqeedah.

[Sharh- Ma’saa’ilil Jaahiliyyah of Sheikh Fawzaan (Page: 295-296). Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

[2] Reminders From [Virtue of the Knowledge of the Salaf over the Knowledge of the Khalaf] -By Imaam Ibn Rajab [rahimahullaah]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Purification of The Soul, Seeking Knowledge.

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

Indeed, [we] have been told about a people who were given knowledge but their knowledge did not benefit them; for even though this [knowledge] is actually ‘Beneficial Knowledge’, however its possessor was not benefited by it. Allaah [The Most High] said:

[مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ حُمِّلُواْ ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةَ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَحۡمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡحِمَارِ يَحۡمِلُ أَسۡفَارَۢا‌ۚ  – The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Taurat (Torah) (i.e. to obey its commandments and to practise its legal laws), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey who carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them). [Surah Al-Jumu’ah Ayah 5]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

[وَٱتۡلُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ نَبَأَ ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فَٱنسَلَخَ مِنۡهَا فَأَتۡبَعَهُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَاوِينَ  – And recite (O Muhammad ) to them the story of him to whom We gave Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), but he threw them away, so Shaitan (Satan) followed him up, and he became of those who went astray….up to the statement of Allaah: [وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَٮٰهُ‌ۚ   – and followed his own vain desire] [Surah Al-A’raaf Aayaat 175-176] [Ref 1]

And Allaah [The Most High] said:

[فَخَلَفَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ خَلۡفٌ۬ وَرِثُواْ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ يَأۡخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡأَدۡنَىٰ  – Then after them succeeded an (evil) generation, which inherited the Book, but they chose (for themselves) the goods of this low life (evil pleasures of this world)…[up to the statement of Allaah]: وَدَرَسُواْ مَا فِيهِ‌ۗ And they have studied what is in it (the Book). [Surah Al-Araaf Aayaat 169-170]

[Source: Fadl Ilmis Salaf Alaa Ilmil Khalaf’ page43-44. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

To be continued..InShaaAllaah

Ref 1: See more benefits by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] here:

https://www.salaficentre.com/2017/03/part-1-one-likened-dog-abandoned-allaahs-aayaat-eager-dunyah/

https://www.salaficentre.com/2017/03/part-2-one-likened-dog-abandoned-allaahs-aayaat-eager-dunyah/

https://www.salaficentre.com/2017/03/part-3-one-likened-dog-abandoned-allaahs-aayaat-eager-dunyah/

[1] Reminders From [Virtue of the Knowledge of the Salaf over the Knowledge of the Khalaf] -By Imaam Ibn Rajab [rahimahullaah]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Methodology - 'Manhaj', Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

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

Imaam Ibn Rajab [rahimahullaah] said: All praises and thanks be to Allaah, the Lord of Aalameen [mankind, jinns and all that exists]. And may Allaah exalt and grant Muhammad a lot of peace, his family and Sahaabah. To proceed:

These are brief statements regarding the meaning of knowledge and its categorization into ‘Beneficial knowledge’, ‘Unbeneficial knowledge’, Blameworthy knowledge’ and a notification regarding the virtue of the knowledge of the Salaf [i.e. the pious predecessors] over the knowledge of the khalaf [i.e. those who came after the Salaf]. Therefore, I say- and Allaah’s aid is sought, I place my trust in Him and there is neither strength nor power except with Allaah.

The Meaning of Knowledge and Its Categorization

Indeed, Allaah mentioned-sometimes- knowledge in His Book with praise and that is [in reference to] ‘Beneficial Knowledge’.  And at other times, He mentioned knowledge with dispraise and that is [in reference to] ‘Unbeneficial knowledge’. As for the first type [i.e. Beneficial Knowledge], then its example is mentioned in the statement of Allaah [The Most High]:

[قُلۡ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعۡلَمُونَ- Are those who know equal to those who know not? [39:9]

And the statement of Allaah [The Most High]: [شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ   – Allah bears witness that La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness) [3:18]

And the statement of Allaah [The Most High]: [وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدۡنِى عِلۡمً۬ا   -And say: “My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” [20:114]

And the statement of Allaah [The Most High]: [إِنَّمَا يَخۡشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِ ٱلۡعُلَمَـٰٓؤُاْۗ – It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah. [35:28]

And what Allaah has stated regarding the story of Aadam- when Aadam was taught the names of those things and were then presented to the Angels, so the Angels – [as Allaah informed us] – said: [سُبۡحَـٰنَكَ لَا عِلۡمَ لَنَآ إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمۡتَنَآ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ – Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us. [2:32]

And what Allaah [The Most High] has stated regarding the story of Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] and Khidr- that Moosaa said to him: [هَلۡ أَتَّبِعُكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن تُعَلِّمَنِ مِمَّا عُلِّمۡتَ رُشۡدً۬ا – “May I follow you so that you teach me something of that knowledge (guidance and true path) which you have been taught (by Allah)?” [18: 66]

This is beneficial knowledge

To be continued…InShaaAllaah

[Fadl Ilmis Salaf Alaa Ilmil Khalaf’ pages 42-43. Slightly paraphrased]

A Brief Acquaintance with the Affair of Those Who Deviated Due To Their Erroneous Understanding of the Arabic Language and the Sharee’ah Terms

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Purification of The Soul.

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

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] said:

The one who does not know the language of the Sahaabah- the language they used when speaking to [one another]; the [language] used by the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] when he spoke to them and the manner in which they spoke in general- he will change words from their right places.  For indeed many people are nurtured upon the idioms of their people and their customary usage of words; so he finds those words in Allaah’s Speech, or the speech of Messenger, or that of the Sahaabah and thinks that what Allaah intends or what His Messenger [intend], or what the Sahaabah [intend] is what is intended by the people of his custom and their oral expressions, even though what Allaah and His Messenger intend is the opposite of that.

This occurred from a group of people- the people of philosophical rhetoric, the people who spoke about Fiqh, the people who spoke about the Arabic language, the common people and other than them.  And there are others who deliberately devised other meanings for the words of the Prophets and that of their [true] followers-meanings that are in opposition to their [true] ones.  Then they spoke with those words whilst intending to aid themselves, saying: ‘’Indeed, we are in agreement with the Prophets.’’  This is found in abundance in the speech of the heretical philosophers, the Ismaa’eeliyyah [Rawaafid] and those similar to them amongst the heretical philosophers, rhetoricians and the soofees.  The one who [truly] knows the Prophets and what they intend [by their speech], he will know by necessity that the [speech of those heretics] is not what is intended by the Prophets.

[Majmoo Fataawaa 1/175. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

Allaah Reminds The Nations About The Fate of Their Forefathers!

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

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

Allaah [The Most High] says in Surah Al-A’raaf Ayah 100-102:

[  أَوَلَمۡ يَهۡدِ لِلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ أَهۡلِهَآ أَن لَّوۡ نَشَآءُ أَصَبۡنَـٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمۡ‌ۚ وَنَطۡبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِہِمۡ فَهُمۡ لَا يَسۡمَعُونَ- Is it not clear to those who inherit the earth in succession from its (previous) possessors, that had We willed, We would have punished them for their sins. And We seal up their hearts so that they hear not?]- Meaning: Allaah [The Most High] informs those who inherit the earth in succession from those who preceded them, that He [The Most High] destroyed their forefathers due to their sins, yet they commit the same sins that were committed by their forefathers! Do they not take heed that had Allaah willed He would punish them due to their sins, for this is the manner in which Allaah deals with mankind – both the previous nations and those who inherited the earth after them. Allaah [The Most High] warned those who inherited the earth from the previous nations, but they did not take heed. Allaah sent them reminders but they did not reflect. Allaah showed them guidance through signs, but they did not follow guidance, so Allaah punished them by sealing their hearts – neither did truth enter their hearts nor did good reach their hearts; nor did they give an attentive ear [to the truth]; rather they only heard that which established the proofs against them.

Then Allaah [The Most High] said:

[ تِلۡكَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآٮِٕهَا‌ۚ وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَتۡہُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَمَا ڪَانُواْ لِيُؤۡمِنُواْ بِمَا ڪَذَّبُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ يَطۡبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلۡڪَـٰفِرِينَ – Those were the towns whose story We relate unto you (O Muhammad). And there came indeed to them their Messengers with clear proofs, but they were not such as to believe in that which they had rejected before. Thus Allah does seal up the hearts of the disbelievers (from each and every kind of religious guidance)]-Meaning: Messengers came and called them to that which will lead them to happiness [in the life and the next]. Those Messengers were given manifest signs and clear evidences to clarify the truth, but the people did not listen and thus were not benefited. And because they belied those manifest signs and clear proofs after being well aware of them, Allaah [The Most High] prevented them from accepting the sound and infallible creed ordained by Allaah. This was punishment on them because they rejected the truth, just as Allaah [The Most High] said in Surah Al-An’aam Ayah 110:

[وَنُقَلِّبُ أَفۡـِٔدَتَہُمۡ وَأَبۡصَـٰرَهُمۡ كَمَا لَمۡ يُؤۡمِنُواْ بِهِۦۤ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ۬ وَنَذَرُهُمۡ فِى طُغۡيَـٰنِهِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ – And We shall turn their hearts and their eyes away (from guidance), as they refused to believe therein for the first time, and We shall leave them in their trespass to wander blindly].

Then Allaah [The Most High] says in Ayah 102 Surah Al-A’raaf:

[وَمَا وَجَدۡنَا لِأَڪۡثَرِهِم مِّنۡ عَهۡدٍ۬‌ۖ وَإِن وَجَدۡنَآ أَڪۡثَرَهُمۡ لَفَـٰسِقِينَ  –  And most of them We found not (true) to their covenant, but most of them We found indeed Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)]-Meaning: The majority of the nations -to whom Allaah [The Most High] sent Messengers – were not true to their covenant. Neither were they steadfast nor did they adhere to the commands of Allaah, nor did they submit obediently to the commands of Allaah which the Messengers ordered them to obey; rather they followed their desires, except a very few of them. The majority of them turned away from guidance out of arrogance, so Allaah sent them various types of punishment.

[Source: Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah). Paraphrased and abridged]