Written by Masjid Al Furqan on . Posted in Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.
Imaam Shafi’ee (rahimahullaah) said:
”The hour will not be established (i.e. the Day of Judgement) until knowledge becomes ignorance and ignorance becomes knowledge”
—————————————————————————————————
[Source: Quoted by Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari in Maqaalaat Ash-Shar-iyyah
page: 23; and the original source is in Musannaf Ibn Abee Shaybah 15/176]
Written by Masjid Al Furqan on . Posted in Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge.
Saalih Bin Mihraan Ash-Shaybaani (rahimahullaah) said:
”Every workman is not be able to carry out his work except with tools; and the tools of Islam is knowledge.”
[Source: Quoted by Shaikh Abdullaah Al-Bukhaari in Maqaalaat Ash-Shar-iyyah page: 23; and its original source is found in Tabaqaat Al-Muhadditheen Bi-Asbahaan 2/216 ]
Written by Masjid Al Furqan on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.
Imaam Dhahabi (rahimahullaah) stated: And it has reached us that Abu Daawud was from the diligent scholars who acted upon his knowledge, until some of the Imaams stated: Abu Daawud used to resemble Ahmad Bin Hanbal (in the manner in which he followed) the guidance, in conduct and character. Ahmad used to resemble Wakee in these (affairs) and Wakee used to resemble Sufyaan. Sufyaan used to resemble Mansoor in these (affairs) and Mansoor used to resemble Ibraaheem. Ibraaheem used to resemble Alqamah in these (affairs) and Alqamah used to resemble Ibn Mas’ood. And Alqamah said: Ibn Mas’ood used to resemble the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) in the manner he followed the guidance and in his conduct.
————————————————————————————————————————-
[Source: Tadh-kirah Al-Huffaadh 2/592 in the Biography of Imaam Abu Daawud As-Sijistaanee]
Written by Masjid Al Furqan on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Family & Women, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.
Allaah (The Most High) said:
[نِسَآؤُكُمۡ حَرۡثٌ۬ لَّكُمۡ فَأۡتُواْ حَرۡثَكُمۡ أَنَّىٰ شِئۡتُمۡۖ- Your wives are a tilth for you, so go to your tilth (have sexual relations with your wives in any manner as long as it is in the vagina and not in the anus), when or how you will] [Soorah Al-Baqarah Ayah: 223]
Imaam Al-Bukhaari (rahimahullaah) reported on the authority of Jaabir (radiyallaahu anhu), who said: The Yahood used to say: “If one has sexual intercourse with his wife from the back (i.e. he approaches his wife from the back, even though sex takes place in the vagina and not the anus), then she will deliver a squint-eyed child.” So this Verse was revealed: [نِسَآؤُكُمۡ حَرۡثٌ۬ لَّكُمۡ فَأۡتُواْ حَرۡثَكُمۡ أَنَّىٰ شِئۡتُمۡۖ- Your wives are a tilth for you, so go to your tilth (have sexual relations with your wives in any manner as long as it is in the vagina and not in the anus), when or how you will] [1]
The vagina is the place of seeking after children. As for the anus, it has not been uttered on the tongue of a single Prophet among the Prophets that it is permissible (to have sexual intercourse in the anus). Imaam Abu Daawud (rahimahullaah) reported in his Sunan from Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) that the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ”Cursed is the one who has sexual intercourse with his wife in the anus.” [2]
If it is the case that Allaah has prohibited sexual intercourse through the vagina due to an apparent harm (i.e. at the time of menstruation or post natal bleeding), then what about the area (i.e. the anus) which is a place for removal of harmful things (i.e. faeces) permanently.
The woman has a right to be fulfilled by the husband during sexual relations; therefore to perform sexual intercourse with her through the anus is violation of this right. Anal intercourse neither fulfils her sexual desires nor does it reach its objective. Also, neither is the anus naturally prepared for this act nor was it created for that purpose; rather the vagina is the natural place prepared for sexual relations.
Sexual intercourse through the anus is harmful for the man; likewise it is greatly harmful for the woman because it is something very strange and far removed from innate natural human disposition.
It is from the greatest causes of punishment and blessings being taken away because it brings about Allaah’s Anger and Curse. It also deprives the person of shyness because shyness gives life to the heart [i.e. makes it hate and stay away from evil (and) repugnant acts]. However, if the heart is deprived of this shyness, it starts beautifying repugnant acts and declaring good acts repugnant, and thus corruption becomes strengthened and dominant.
[Source: بدائع التفسير الجامع لما فسَّره الإمام ابن القيم الجوزية Abridged and slightly paraphrased. Vol 1. Page: 176-177]
————————————————-
[1] Bukhaari. Number: 4528
[2] Hadeeth declared Hasan by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in his checking of Sunan Abu Dawud. Hadeeth Number: 2162. Page: 327. Publisher: Maktabah Al-Ma-aarif
Written by Masjid Al Furqan on . Posted in Brotherhood, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Scholars of Islam.
Shaikh Ramzaan (may Allaah preserve him) stated:
*When the Scholars of Sunnah clarified the truth with its proofs, the haal (state of affairs) of the people of desires was exposed.
*When they urged towards adherence to the Jamaa-ah and the Sunnah, the haal (state of affairs) of the people of splitting and innovation became apparent.
*When they clarified the (true) state of Jihaad, the difference between it and corruption became apparent.
*When they clarified the state of affairs (regarding) bidah and its people, and the correct stance against them (i.e. the people of bidah), the Sunni and the Bid’ee became manifest to the people after what they (the people) have been living in for a long period of time, and after (a period in which) they used to equate the callers to bidah with the callers to the Sunnah.
————————————————————————–
[Asbaab Ihtiwaa Al-Khawaarij Li-Ba’di Abnaa-inaa. page 11]
Written by Masjid Al Furqan on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.
An Obligation Upon All Muslims
O slaves of Allaah! It is obligatory upon all the Mukallafeen among the Muslims–those who have reached the age of accountability in Islaam and are of sound mind– to repent to Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He); adhering to steadfastness upon the Religion of Allaah and to be cautious of what Allaah has prohibited, such as Shirk and acts of disobedience; so that they can receive wellbeing and be safeguarded from all evils in this life and the next. And so that all calamities are repelled from them and all good is conferred upon them. O slaves of Allaah! All these affairs cannot be accomplished except through obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, just as Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He) stated:
[وَلَوۡ أَنَّ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّقَوۡاْ لَفَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡہِم بَرَكَـٰتٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَـٰكِن كَذَّبُواْ فَأَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بِمَا ڪَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ]
And if the people of the towns had believed and had the Taqwa(piety), certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the Messengers). So We took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and crimes, etc.). [7:96]
And Allaah (The Most High) said about the Ahlul Kitaab:
[وَلَوۡ أَنَّہُمۡ أَقَامُواْ ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةَ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡہِم مِّن رَّبِّہِمۡ لَأَڪَلُواْ مِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ وَمِن تَحۡتِ أَرۡجُلِهِمۚ ]
And if only they had acted according to the Taurat (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), and what has (now) been sent down to them from their Lord (the Qur’an), they would surely have gotten provision from above them and from underneath their feet. [5:66]
And Allaah (The Most High) said:
[أَفَأَمِنَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ أَن يَأۡتِيَہُم بَأۡسُنَا بَيَـٰتً۬ا وَهُمۡ نَآٮِٕمُونَ ]
[أَوَأَمِنَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ أَن يَأۡتِيَهُم بَأۡسُنَا ضُحً۬ى وَهُمۡ يَلۡعَبُونَ ]
[أَفَأَمِنُواْ مَڪۡرَ ٱللَّهِۚ فَلَا يَأۡمَنُ مَڪۡرَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ ]
”Did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment by night while they are asleep? Or, did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment in the forenoon while they play? Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allah. None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers.” [7:97-99]
O slaves of Allaah! Fear Allaah and be mindful of Him in your actions and within your own souls, and amongst your families. Enjoin obedience to Allaah and adherence to the truth upon yourselves and your families. Abandon disobedience, evil and corruption. Exalt Allaah’s Sharee-ah (i.e. Allaah’s commandments, prohibitions, laws and everything Allah has ordained), and exalt the Qur’aan and the prayer.
The Shaikh (may Allaah reward him with abundant good in this life and the next) ended these beneficial reminders with long supplications-asking Allaah by His Lofty Names and Attributes for Guidance; Taqwa; wellbeing and self-sufficiency. He also supplicated to Allaah to repel all calamities from us and include us from those who are repentant. He also asked Allaah to grant the Muslims victory in every place, especially the people of Sunnah etc
[Source: [Abridged and slightly paraphrased. Source: عقوبات الله المتنوعة وأسبابُهاpages: 24-25]
—————————————————————–
This is the end of this series.
We ask Allaah to forgive us and our parents and show us mercy. We ask Allaah to grant us the goodness in this life and the Next life. We ask Allaah to grant us steadfastness and husnul khaatimah (i.e. a good ending in this life). Aameen. The next series will follow on soon In-Shaa-Allaah. And we ask Allaah to grant us with the ability to do so. Aameen.
Written by Masjid Al Furqan on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Purification of The Soul.
The All-Encompassing Wisdom of Allaah Regarding What He Has Decreed of Punishments
Indeed Allaah (The Most High) is All-Wise and All-Knowing regarding what He has decreed and what He causes to occur from what He has decreed; just as He is All-knowing with regards to what He legislated and commanded. He created what He willed of the [Universal Signs and Events] and He decreed various types of punishments in order to make His slaves fear (destruction) and as a reminder of what is obligated on them regarding the fulfilment of His Rights; as a warning against associating partners with Him; (a warning against being in) opposition to His commandments and (a warning against) committing what He has prohibited by way of opposing the Sunnah [of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] and the guidance of those who were foremost to embrace Islaam (i.e. the Salaf). Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He) said: [وَمَا نُرۡسِلُ بِٱلۡأَيَـٰتِ إِلَّا تَخۡوِيفً۬ا] ”And We sent not the signs except to warn, and to make them afraid (of destruction).” [17:59]
Allaah (The Most High) said: [سَنُرِيهِمۡ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فِى ٱلۡأَفَاقِ وَفِىٓ أَنفُسِہِمۡ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمۡ أَنَّهُ ٱلۡحَقُّۗ أَوَلَمۡ يَكۡفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ شَہِيدٌ ] ”We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their ownselves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur’an) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things? [41:53]
Allaah (The Most High) said: [قُلۡ هُوَ ٱلۡقَادِرُ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَبۡعَثَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابً۬ا مِّن فَوۡقِكُمۡ أَوۡ مِن تَحۡتِ أَرۡجُلِكُمۡ أَوۡ يَلۡبِسَكُمۡ شِيَعً۬ا وَيُذِيقَ بَعۡضَكُم بَأۡسَ بَعۡضٍۗ] ”Say: “He has power to send torment on you from above or from under your feet, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, and make you to taste the violence of one another.” [6:65]
Abus Shaikh Al-Asfahaaniy (rahimahullaah) reported from Mujaahid (rahimahullaah) that he said about this ayah:
[قُلۡ هُوَ ٱلۡقَادِرُ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَبۡعَثَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابً۬ا مِّن فَوۡقِكُمۡ-Say: “He has power to send torment on you from above]; meaning: destructive thunderbolts, stones and winds. [أَوۡ مِن تَحۡتِ أَرۡجُلِكُمۡ- or from under your feet]; meaning: earthquake and to make the earth swallow you.
All the calamities that take place, the trials and other than them by way of which the slaves receive harm and different types of injuries, then all of that is due to Shirk and acts of disobedience. Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) said:
[وَمَآ أَصَـٰبَڪُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ۬ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِيكُمۡ وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن كَثِيرٍ۬- ”And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.” [42:30]
Allaah (The Most High) said: [مَّآ أَصَابَكَ مِنۡ حَسَنَةٍ۬ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِۖ وَمَآ أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ۬ فَمِن نَّفۡسِكَۚ –Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allah, but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself]. 4:79
And Allaah (The Most High) said about the nations of the past:
[فَكُلاًّ أَخَذۡنَا بِذَنۢبِهِۦۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ حَاصِبً۬ا وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ أَخَذَتۡهُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ خَسَفۡنَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ أَغۡرَقۡنَاۚ وَمَا ڪَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظۡلِمَهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن ڪَانُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ ]
”So We punished each (of them) for his sins, of them were some on whom We sent Hasiban (a violent wind with shower of stones) [as the people of Lout (Lot)], and of them were some who were overtaken by As-Saihah [torment – awful cry, etc. (as Thamud or Shu’aib’s people)], and of them were some whom We caused the earth to swallow [as Qarun (Korah)], and of them were some whom We drowned [as the people of Nuh (Noah), or Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his people]. It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves.” [29:40]
[Abridged and slightly paraphrased. Source: عقوبات الله المتنوعة وأسبابُهاpages: 22-24]
To be continued In-Shaa-Allaah
Written by Masjid Al Furqan on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam.
Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) said:
And had it been that there was nothing else from the miracles of the Messengers other than the religion they were sent with, then this would have (sufficed) as the greatest evidence that the religion is from Allaah because of its (perfect) rulings and regulations, which (perfectly) measures all beneficial affairs and the truthfulness of its information in every era; its command towards every good and prohibition of every evil. Every Messenger (spoke) about the truthfulness of the (other) Messenger who came before him or was to come after him and bore witness for him.
And amongst the special miracles of Prophet Hud (alayhis-salaam) was that he was alone in carrying out his call; (alone) in discrediting their superstitions; declaring them misguided and rebuking their idols. They were a people of violence, strength and tyranny, and indeed they did threaten him with their idols that he will be afflicted with madness or evil if he did not stop (calling them to Tawheed); so (Allaah informed us that Hud) challenged them in public and said to them openly:
قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أُشۡہِدُ ٱللَّهَ وَٱشۡہَدُوٓاْ أَنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ۬ مِّمَّا تُشۡرِكُونَ
مِن دُونِهِۦۖ فَكِيدُونِى جَمِيعً۬ا ثُمَّ لَا تُنظِرُونِ
إِنِّى تَوَكَّلۡتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّى وَرَبِّكُمۚ مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذُۢ بِنَاصِيَتِہَآۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬
”I call Allah to witness and bear you witness that I am free from that which you ascribe as partners in worship; With Him (Allah). So plot against me, all of you, and give me no respite. I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving (living) creature but He has grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the Straight Path (the truth).’’ [Hood; Ayaat: 54-56]
They were not able to harm him; So what miracle can be greater than this challenge to those enemies- those who were eager to destroy his call through every means! And when their transgression was to come to an end, he turned away from them and warned them of the arrival of a punishment. So the punishment came upon them at the skyline and it was at a time in which they were greatly in need of rain. So when they rejoiced, as (Allaah) said:
[فَلَمَّا رَأَوۡهُ عَارِضً۬ا مُّسۡتَقۡبِلَ أَوۡدِيَتِہِمۡ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا عَارِضٌ۬ مُّمۡطِرُنَاۚ] ‘‘Then, when they saw it as a dense cloud coming towards their valleys, they said: “This is a cloud bringing us rain!” but Allaah said: [بَلۡ هُوَ مَا ٱسۡتَعۡجَلۡتُم بِهِ] ”Nay, but it is that (torment) which you were asking to be hastened!” due to your saying to Hud: [فَأۡتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ] ”Then bring us that with which you threaten us, if you are one of the truthful!” And Allaah said (about the punishment that finally came upon them): [رِيحٌ۬ فِيہَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ۬] ”A wind wherein is a painful torment!”[تُدَمِّرُ كُلَّ شَىۡءِۭ بِأَمۡرِ رَبِّہَا] ”Destroying everything by the Command of its Lord.” [Ahqaaf: Ayaat: 22-25]
——————————————————–
[Source: Qisasul Anbiyaa: page: 70-71]
Written by Masjid Al Furqan on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.
The Path to safety from disobedience
O slaves of Allaah! Safety (from disobedience is achieved by way of) repentance; so wake up from your heedlessness before what has befallen others befalls you. The enemies of Allaah do not overwhelm the obstinate ones among the Muslims except due to sins and disobedience. Chaos and restlessness does not occur except due to (the presence of actions that are in) opposition to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, and except due to (the presence of) shirk, disobedience, bidah and (actions that are) in opposition to (the path of) Allaah and His Messenger. So O slaves of Allaah! Remember Allaah in times of ease; repent to Allaah in times of ease and thank Him in times of ease, and He will save you during hardship and distress. All the sons of Adam commit mistakes (or sins) and the best of those who sin (or commit mistakes) are those who repent. And remember the statement of Allaah (The Most High):
[نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ] ”Declare (O Muhammad) unto My slaves, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful.” [15:49]
And remember the statement of Allaah (The Most High):
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمۡرُنَا جَعَلۡنَا عَـٰلِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡهَا حِجَارَةً۬ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ۬ مَّنضُودٍ۬
مُّسَوَّمَةً عِندَ رَبِّكَۖ وَمَا هِىَ مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ بِبَعِيدٍ۬
”So when Our Commandment came, We turned (the towns of Sodom in Palestine) upside down, and rained on them stones of baked clay, piled up; Marked from your Lord, and they are not ever far from the Zalimun(polytheists, evil-doers, etc.).” [11:82-83]
There is no relationship between Allaah and His creation except through (their) obedience to Allaah and fear of Him.
[Source: عقوبات الله المتنوعة وأسبابُهاpage: 21]
To be continued…In-Shaa-Allaah
Written by Masjid Al Furqan on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.
It is obligatory to ponder upon the punishments that were afflicted on the previous nations
Allaah (The Most High) promise to punish the Faasiqeen [rebellious, disobedient people] just as it happened to those before them–(punishments) by way of [خَسف—swallowed by the earth]; [ نَسف– wind blast]; [ريح—wind] and destruction, and punished for inattentiveness (to Allaah’s commandments and prohibitions) and heedlessness. [1] Allaah (The Most High):
أَفَأَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَكَرُواْ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن يَخۡسِفَ ٱللَّهُ بِہِمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ أَوۡ يَأۡتِيَهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
أَوۡ يَأۡخُذَهُمۡ فِى تَقَلُّبِهِمۡ فَمَا هُم بِمُعۡجِزِينَ
أَوۡ يَأۡخُذَهُمۡ عَلَىٰ تَخَوُّفٍ۬ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمۡ لَرَءُوفٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ
”Do then those who devise evil plots feel secure that Allah will not sink them into the earth, or that the torment will not seize them from directions they perceive not? Or that He may catch them in the midst of their going to and fro (in their jobs), so that there be no escape for them (from Allah’s Punishment)? Or that He may catch them with gradual wasting (of their wealth and health). Truly! Your Lord is indeed full of Kindness, Most Merciful?” [16:45-47]
Allaah (The Most High) said:
أَفَأَمِنَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ أَن يَأۡتِيَہُم بَأۡسُنَا بَيَـٰتً۬ا وَهُمۡ نَآٮِٕمُونَ
أَوَأَمِنَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ أَن يَأۡتِيَهُم بَأۡسُنَا ضُحً۬ى وَهُمۡ يَلۡعَبُونَ
أَفَأَمِنُواْ مَڪۡرَ ٱللَّهِۚ فَلَا يَأۡمَنُ مَڪۡرَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ
”Did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment by night while they are asleep? Or, did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment in the forenoon while they play? Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allah. None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers. [7:97-99]
Allaah (The Most High) said:
مِّمَّا خَطِيٓـَٔـٰتِہِمۡ أُغۡرِقُواْ فَأُدۡخِلُواْ نَارً۬ا
‘’Because of their sins they were drowned.’’ [71:25]
And Allaah (The Most High) said:
فَلَمَّآ ءَاسَفُونَا ٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ
”So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all.’’ [43:55]
O Slaves of Allaah! Indeed Allaah is [الْجَبَّار –The Exalted and All Mighty Compeller]; [الْقَوِيُّ -The One Perfect In Strength]; [الْوَاحِدُ –The One and Only (Who has no partner in His Names, Attributes and Actions and Allaah alone deserves to be worshipped) etc] and Allaah is [الْقَهَّار -The Overwhelming Subduer Who is Never Overcome]. Allaah shows the slaves signs and punishments by way of which they can reflect and contemplate; so that they may return to obedience and not remain in their misguidance and heedlessness.
How much wisdom is there regarding the afflictions with which Allaah afflicts some of the slaves and not others!? And from that wisdom–and Allaah knows best–is so that they serve as a lesson for those who are present concerning (the affair of those who) have preceded; and so that they may take heed concerning what has already gone by and prepare themselves for what is to come.
Allaah’s admonitions and reprimands are of various types: sometimes it is by way of drowning, just as the people of Nooh were destroyed through drowning; sometimes it is by way of winds, just as Allaah destroyed the people of Ad by way of that; sometimes it is by way of (severe torment- destructive loud thunder bolts), just as Allaah destroyed Thamood by way of that (i.e. thunderbolts followed by an earthquake); sometimes is it by way of turning their houses upside down just as Allaah destroyed the people of Lut by way of that; sometimes is it by way of a violent wind with shower of stones just as Allaah destroy shu’aib’s people by way of that. [2] And sometimes it is by way of enemies who are given the upper hand, just as Allaah gave a people who had extreme strength in war fare the upper hand over Bani Israa’eel. [3]
Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He) commanded us to reflect upon, saying:
قُلِ ٱنظُرُواْ مَاذَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ وَمَا تُغۡنِى ٱلۡأَيَـٰتُ وَٱلنُّذُرُ عَن قَوۡمٍ۬ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ
فَهَلۡ يَنتَظِرُونَ إِلَّا مِثۡلَ أَيَّامِ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوۡاْ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ قُلۡ فَٱنتَظِرُوٓاْ إِنِّى مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡمُنتَظِرِينَ
ثُمَّ نُنَجِّى رُسُلَنَا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْۚ كَذَٲلِكَ حَقًّا عَلَيۡنَا نُنجِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ
Say: “Behold all that is in the heavens and the earth,” but neither Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) nor warners benefit those who believe not. Then do they wait for (anything) save for (destruction) like the days of the men who passed away before them? Say: “Wait then, I am (too) with you among those who wait.” Then (in the end) We save Our Messengers and those who believe! Thus it is incumbent upon Us to save the believers. [10:101-103]
O slaves of Allaah! However with great sorrow, these calamities, miseries, admonitions and wars that we see here and there and hear about, are in reality a chastisement from Allaah upon His slaves, so that they may return (to Allaah in repentance and obedience) and seek rescue and delieverance from Allaah. Allaah (The Most High) said: [فَلَوۡلَآ إِذۡ جَآءَهُم بَأۡسُنَا تَضَرَّعُواْ ] ‘’When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not believe with humility?’’ Meaning: Did they humble themselves when our Torment reached them? [وَلَـٰكِن قَسَتۡ قُلُوبُہُمۡ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ مَا ڪَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ ] ‘’But their hearts became hardened, and Shaitan (Satan) made fair-seeming to them that which they used to do.’’ [6:43]
Therefore O slaves of Allaah! Indeed it is a calamity that these afflictions have reached many people but they still remain upon what they are upon. They have neither turned away from their sins nor repent to Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He). The one who stays away from the congregational prayer has not ceased doing so; the who does not pay attention to his children and their upbringing has not ceased doing so and has not woken up; the one who eats usury and engages in forbidden dealings is still not paying attention and turning away (from his sin). This is the case with regards to all other acts of disobedience and major sins. The people remain upon their misguidance and increase in it-neither being reminded nor learning lessons.
[Abridged and slightly paraphrased: Source: عقوبات الله المتنوعة وأسبابُهاpages 16-20]
To be continued..In-Shaa-Alaah
————————————————————————————
Footnotes in booklet:
[1] Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said, ‘’From the punishments for sins are (the following): Indeed it causes blessings to cease and brings about punishment. A blessing does not cease from a slave and punishment does not befall a slave except due to sin; just as Ali Ibn Abee Taalib (radiyallaahu-anhu) said: A calamity does not descend except due to sin and a calamity is not removed except due to repentance. And indeed Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He said:
[وَمَآ أَصَـٰبَڪُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ۬ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتۡ أَيۡدِيكُمۡ وَيَعۡفُواْ عَن كَثِيرٍ۬] And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.’’ [42:30]
And Allaah (The Most High) said: [ذَٲلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمۡ يَكُ مُغَيِّرً۬ا نِّعۡمَةً أَنۡعَمَهَا عَلَىٰ قَوۡمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِمۡۙ] ‘’ That is so because Allah will never change a grace which He has bestowed on a people until they change what is in their ownselves.‘’ [8:53]
So Allaah (The Most High) informed (us) that He does not replace the blessing He bestows on any individual unless the person changes his/her own state of affairs-by replacing obedience to Allaah with disobedience; replacing gratefulness to Allaah with ungratefulness; replacing the means to Allaah’s Pleasure with the means leading to Allaah’s Displeasure. When a person changes, Allaah changes his state of affairs as an exact recompense (according to his evil crimes). [وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّـٰمٍ۬ لِّلۡعَبِيدِ] ‘’And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) slaves.’’ [41:46] If he (the person) replaces obedience with disobedience, Allaah replaces his state of wellbeing with punishment and his state of honour with humiliation.
[2]Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He) said:
فَكُلاًّ أَخَذۡنَا بِذَنۢبِهِۦۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ حَاصِبً۬ا وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ أَخَذَتۡهُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ خَسَفۡنَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ أَغۡرَقۡنَاۚ وَمَا ڪَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظۡلِمَهُمۡ وَلَـٰكِن ڪَانُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ
‘’So We punished each (of them) for his sins, of them were some on whom We sent Hasiban (a violent wind with shower of stones) [as the people of Lout (Lot)], and of them were some who were overtaken by As-Saihah [torment – awful cry, etc. (as Thamud or Shu’aib’s people)], and of them were some whom We caused the earth to swallow [as Qarun (Korah)], and of them were some whom We drowned [as the people of Nuh (Noah), or Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his people]. It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves.’’ [29:40]
[3]Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He) said: [فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعۡدُ أُولَٮٰهُمَا بَعَثۡنَا عَلَيۡڪُمۡ عِبَادً۬ا لَّنَآ أُوْلِى بَأۡسٍ۬ شَدِيدٍ۬ فَجَاسُواْ خِلَـٰلَ ٱلدِّيَارِۚ وَكَانَ وَعۡدً۬ا مَّفۡعُولاً۬ ]
‘’So, when the promise came for the first of the two, We sent against you slaves of Ours given to terrible warfare. They entered the very innermost parts of your homes. And it was a promise (completely) fulfilled.’’ [17:5]