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Author: Abdullah Jallow

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]

 

Some Evil Consequences of Pride and False Analogy – By Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Deviated Callers & Individuals, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam.

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

قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِن طِينٍ

[Allah] said: “What prevented you [O Iblis] that you did not prostrate, when I commanded you?” Iblis said: “I am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay.”

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said: It has been stated that the reason behind Iblees being distanced [from the Mercy of Allaah] is because of false interpretation, for indeed he made an analogy and gave precedence to the analogy over the text. He made a false representation about himself and gave precedence to that rational analogy over the command [that was given to him] to prostrate [to Aadam]. Allaah [informed us that Iblees] said: [أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ  – I am better than him (Adam)]- Meaning: A more virtuous individual cannot humble himself to the one who has been given precedence over him; then Iblees immediately stated [as Allaah informed us that Iblees] said:

[خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِن طِينٍ -You created me from fire, and him You created from clay].  He thought that this rational analogy that resembles the truth- even though it is false- will benefit him in his false interpretation. So that which happened to him happened and he became the leader of everyone- until the day of judgement – who makes a false interpretation of the divine texts. How many a people in this world are followers of this cursed leader! And if you contemplate on the majority of those doubts that are made to resemble the truth by the false interpreters of the texts- whilst seeking to nullify them- you will find that it is similar to the doubts of Iblees which they seek to portray as truth.

So a person says: If the intellect and the text oppose each other, then give precedence to the intellect; this is where this principle [i.e. false analogy] is derived from and he [i.e. this person] utilises it as fundamental principle by way of which he rejects those texts of the revelation which he claims are  in opposition to the intellect, just as his leader Iblees claimed that a [so called] rational evidence opposed the command to make Sujood. This doubt came to him due to pride and it prevented him from submitting to the clear text of the revelation.  Likewise, you find that every false disputer against the texts of the revelation does so due to pride. Allaah [The Most High] said:

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي آيَاتِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ سُلْطَانٍ أَتَاهُمْ ۙ إِن
فِي صُدُورِهِمْ إِلَّا كِبْرٌ مَّا هُم بِبَالِغِيهِ ۚ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ

Verily, those who dispute about the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, without any authority having come to them, there is nothing else in their breasts except pride [to accept you (Muhammad) as a Messenger of Allah and to obey you]. They will never have it (i.e. Prophethood which Allah has bestowed upon you). So seek refuge in Allah (O Muhammad from the arrogants). Verily, it is He Who is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. [40:56]

[Source: Badaa’i At-Tafseer al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ Vol 1. Page 377. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

Being Forgiving and Tolerant, Whilst Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil – by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim

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

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

There is no doubt that the one who is obeyed by the people [finds himself in] three situations: Firstly, he gives them orders and prohibits them [from certain actions] for their own welfare. Secondly, he obligates on them that which they must do in order to obey him. Thirdly, the people with him are of divided two categories: The loyal one who agrees with him and the obstinate one who opposes him, and they have rights he must fulfil. His obligation with regards to giving them orders and restraining them [from evil] is that he commands them with good in order to bring about rectification for them in their personal affairs and forbids them from what is in opposition that.

His Obligations towards the Obedient Ones:

His obligation towards those who obey him is that he enjoins on them that which is easy. He should be generous to those who are submissive and are not hesitant to obey him. He should not burden them with hardship and difficulties, and thus corrupts their affair.

His Obligations towards the Foolish Ones:

His obligation towards the foolish ones – those who act foolishness towards him- is that he turns away from them, neither responding to them in like manner nor taking revenge against them for himself. Indeed, Allaah [The Most High] said to His Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]:

خُذِ ٱلۡعَفۡوَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِٱلۡعُرۡفِ وَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلِينَ

Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish.

And what is intended [in this ayah] is not that [one] turns away from the one who has no knowledge and not to teach and guide him, rather what is intended is that [one] turns away from the foolishness of the one who behaves foolishly towards him, and he does not respond to him in like manner. This Ayah contains the affair of excellent social relationship with the people – fulfilling their rights and safeguarding oneself from their evil. And had all the people adhered to this ayah, it would have sufficed them and brought them close to one another, for indeed being forgiving [in reality] is to overlook the [bad] manners of the people and being tolerant towards their characters.

[Source: For further details, see Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim Al-Jawzee: Vol: 1: page: 434-436. (abridged & slightly paraphrased)]

Do Not Feel Lonely In The Path of Guidance – By Shaikh Ahmad An-Najmi [rahimahullaah]

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

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

Shaikh Ahmad Bin Yahyah An-Najmi [rahimahullaah] said:

Know that the truth is that which Allaah has revealed and [given to] His Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] in the Book and the Sunnah, even if its adherents and those who embrace it are few. What came in the Islamic legislation is the truth, which a [person] is commanded to follow, even if the majority of the people free themselves from it and those who follow it are few.

Allaah [Glorified Be He] stated:

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَىٰ شَرِيعَةٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

إِنَّهُمْ لَنْ يُغْنُوا عَنْكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا ۚ وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۖ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ

‘’Then We have put you (O Muhammad) on a plain way of (Our) commandment [like the one which We commanded Our Messengers before you (i.e. legal ways and laws of the Islamic Monotheism)]. So follow you that (Islamic Monotheism and its laws), and follow not the desires of those who know not. Verily, they can avail you nothing against Allah (if He wants to punish you). Verily, the Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.) are Auliya’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) to one another, but Allah is the Wali (Helper, Protector, etc.) of the Muttaqun (pious).’’ [Al-Jaathiya: Aayaat 18-19]

Therefore, O slave of Allaah! Be eager to follow the truth; follow the straight path and the path of the pious predecessors-the companions of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]-and do not feel lonely due to the small numbers of those who follow it and the large numbers of those who oppose it; for indeed Ibraaheem [alayhis-salaam] was an Imaam on his own and with Allaah lies all success.

[Ref : Source: Irshaad As-Saaree Fee Sharh Sunnah Lil-Barbahaaree page: 47. Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

The Religion [Ordained By Allaah] Would Have Vanished Had Allaah Not Placed a Righteous Group Amongst The Previous Nations – By Imaam as-Sadi [rahimahullaah]

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

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

فَلَوۡلَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرُونِ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ أُوْلُواْ بَقِيَّةٍ۬ يَنۡہَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡفَسَادِ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً۬ مِّمَّنۡ أَنجَيۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مَآ أُتۡرِفُواْ فِيهِ وَكَانُواْ مُجۡرِمِينَ

If only there had been among the generations before you, persons having wisdom, prohibiting (others) from Al-Fasad (disbelief, polytheism, and all kinds of crimes and sins) in the earth, except a few of those whom We saved from among them. Those who did wrong pursued the enjoyment of good things of (this worldly) life, and were Mujrimun.. [11:116]

After Allaah mentioned the destruction of the nations that belied the Messengers [in Surah Hud Aayaat 25 – 115] and that the majority of them ifwere deviants, [including] even those who received the Scripture, then all of this necessitates that the religion [ordained by Allaah] would have vanished had Allaah not placed a righteous group amongst the pervious nations,  who called to guidance and forbade [the people] from mischief, and thus the benefit they left behind preserved parts of the religion. However, these people were very few. They were saved due their adherence to the way of the Messengers [of Allaah] and established what the Messengers established. As for the wrong doers, they carried on enjoying the good things of the worldly life [i.e. whilst persisting in wrongdoing], so they deserved punishment.

This Ayah compels the Muslim Ummah to have in place those who rectify the affairs when people become corrupt-those who will establish the religion ordained by Allaah and call the misguided people to guidance, whilst exercising patience due to the harm they will receive [in the path of rectification and calling to the path ordained by Allaah]. This is a high station desired by those who desire [good] and the person upon such a path becomes an [upright and rightly guided] leader in the religion  [ordained by Allaah] if he performs this deed sincerely for the sake of Allaah. [Ref 1]

The Scholars Are the Rectifiers of the Affairs

Shaikh Abdullah Bukhaari [may Allaah preserve him] said:

It is obligatory to attach the Ummah to the Rabbaani Scholars- those who are well known for their goodness, steadfastness, leadership and sound advice to the Ummah, and they are those who teach the smaller affairs of knowledge before the greater affairs.  Therefore, their status must be made known amongst the people because the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets, as reported in the narration from the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]. Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said in his explanation of this hadith: This is from the greatest virtues of the people of knowledge. And because the Prophets are the best of the creation, so their inheritors are the best after them. And when it is the case that everyone who is inherited from passes on inheritance to his inheritor, then the inheritors are those who take the place of those they inherit from. And none will take the place of the Messengers in propagating what they have been sent with, except the Scholars. They are the most worthy of their inheritance. [Ref 2]

[Ref 1: Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi  (rahimahullaah). Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Source:المقالات الشرعيّة page 15-16. slightly paraphrased]

Salaf- A Glimpse of How They Critically Examined Themselves – [A supplication of Muttarrif Bin Abdillaah]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

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

Sufyaan Ibnu Uyaynah [rahimahullaah] said that Muttarrif Bin Abdillaah [rahimahullaah] used to supplicate:

O Allaah! I seek your forgiveness concerning that which I return to after repenting from it; and I seek your forgiveness concerning that which I make binding upon myself to perform for you, but fail to do so; and I seek your forgiveness concerning that which I claim to perform seeking your face, but then what I do is mixed with something else in my heart.

[Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam: page:24]

One Can Never Follow The Example of Prophet More Than The Sahaabah, So Why Not Suffice With What Sufficed Them?!

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

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [ahimahullaah] said:

Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan, Ali and all those who were foremost to embrace Islaam of the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar used to depart from Madeenah to Makkah to perform Hajj and Umrah, and as travellers; but it is not stated that a single one of them strove to pray at [any particular] spots in which the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] prayed.  And it is well known that if this [practice] was something they considered recommended, they would have been more worthy to precede in it; because they were more knowledgeable about his Sunnah and followed it more than others.

[Source: Iqtidaa Siraat Al-Mustaqeem 2/748]

Absurd Promises of the Quraish Polytheists to the Makkan Believers  

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

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّبِعُوا سَبِيلَنَا وَلْنَحْمِلْ خَطَايَاكُمْ وَمَا هُم بِحَامِلِينَ مِنْ خَطَايَاهُم مِّن شَيْءٍ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ

And those who disbelieve say to those who believe: “Follow our way and we will verily bear your sins,” never will they bear anything of their sins. Surely, they are liars. [29:12]

Imaam Ibn Katheer [rahimahullaah] said:

Allaah [The Most High] informed (us) about the disbelievers of Quraish that they said to those who believed [in the message of Muhammad] and followed the [right] guidance: ‘’Abandon your religion, return to our religion and follow our way. We will verily bear your sins if you have any’’, just as a person says, ‘’Do this and your sin is upon my neck’’. So Allaah declared their statement false, saying that never will they [i.e. the Quraish] bear anything of their [i.e. the believers] sins. Surely, they are liars. That is because no one will bear anything of the sins of others. 1

Imaam At-Tabari [rahimahullaah] said:

They [i.e. disbelievers of Quraish] said [to the believers]: Be upon the likes of what we are upon, such as our denial of the resurrection after death and that there will be no good recompense and punishment for the deeds of the people.  If you follow our way in these affairs and are raised up after death [i.e. we doubt that will happen], and you are recompensed for your deeds, we will indeed bear the burden of your sins.2

Imaam Ibnul Jawzi [rahimahullaah] said that Mujaahid [rahimahullaah] said:

This is the statement of the disbelievers of Quraish to those believers amongst the people of Makkah; they said to them: ‘’Neither we nor you will be resurrected, so follow us. If anything is brought against you [i.e. we doubt that will happen], the burden will be on us.’’ Allaah said that they [i.e. disbelievers of Quraish] are liars due to the claim that they will bear the sins of the [believers]. 3

[1] Tafseer Ibn katheer (abridged and slightly paraphrased)

[2] Tafseer At-Tabari (abridged and slightly paraphrased)

[3] Zaadul Maseer (abridged and slightly paraphrased)