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Tag: ibaadah

Worship in Winter—Imaam Ibn Rajab (rahimahullaah)

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Imaam Ibn Rajab (rahimahullaah) stated:

Indeed, winter is the spring of the believer because during it he enjoys himself in the gardens of obedience to (Allaah) and wanders in the fields of worship, and his heart strolls along in devotion to the acts of worship facilitated within it, just like the animals revel in the pastures of spring; so they put on weight and (the state of) their bodies improve.  Likewise, during winter the believer’s religion is improved through what Allaah has made easy of acts of obedience; for indeed the believer is able to fast the days of winter without difficulty or being troubled by hunger and thirst because its days of fasting are short and cold, and the difficulty in fasting is unnoticed. And it has been reported in Tirmidhee from the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) who said: ”Fasting in winter is an (easily acquired) booty.” [a] [1]

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[a] [As-Saheehah of Imaam Albaanee: Number 1922]

[1] Lataa-if Al-Ma’aarif 326:

 

The difference between (mere) love of leadership and loving to be (an upright leader) for sake of calling to the path of Allaah-[Imaam Ibnul Qayyim]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', 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:

It is the difference between [exalting the command of Allaah and sincerity to Him] and [love of exalting oneself and hastening towards fulfilling pleasures]. Indeed the one who is sincere to Allaah and exalts Him loves that his Lord is obeyed and not disobeyed; (loves that) His Word should be uppermost; (loves that) all affairs of the religion should be established sincerely for His sake; and (loves that) the slaves should obey His commands and keep away from what He has forbidden. He is sincere in his servitude to Allaah and sincere to Allaah’s creation in calling them to the path of Allaah.

So he loves to be (an upright) leader in the religion; rather he asks his Lord to make him from the leaders of the righteous people who are followed, just as he is a follower of the righteous.  Therefore, if this slave (i.e. this person) who calls to Allaah loves that he is considered dignified in the eyes (of the people), revered and beloved in their hearts and one followed amongst them, so that he is trusted by them and they follow the example of the Messenger through him, then this (desire of his) does not harm him; rather he is praised for it. That is because the caller to Allaah loves that Allaah is obeyed and singled out in worship. He loves to be a means of aiding (the people) towards (obedience and singling Allaah out in worship). And because of this (when) Allaah mentioned those chosen slaves of His- whom He praised in His revelation and will grant the best of reward on the day they meet Him- He mentioned them with the best of their deeds and characteristics, and then stated (about them):

 وَٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبۡ لَنَا مِنۡ أَزۡوَٲجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعۡيُنٍ۬ وَٱجۡعَلۡنَا لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا

”And those who say: “Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for the Muttaqun” (pious) 25:74

So they ask Allaah to grant them the comfort of the eye by making their wives and offspring obedient to Allaah, and to grant them happiness in their hearts by way of being followed by the righteous upon obedience to Allaah and servitude to Him. That is because a trustworthy leader in the religion co-operates with (others) upon obedience (to Allaah), and that is to call them to (sound) leadership in the religion, whose foundation is patience and certainty, as Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنۡہُمۡ أَٮِٕمَّةً۬ يَہۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُواْ‌ۖ وَڪَانُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ

”And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, when they were patient and used to believe with certainty in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.).” [32:24]

So their supplication (Soorah Furqaan Ayah 74) to Allaah that He makes them leaders of the righteous people, is a supplication that Allaah guides them; grants them success; bless them with beneficial sciences and righteous actions–outwardly and inwardly–without which (sound) leadership in the religion cannot be achieved.

This is different from (merely) seeking leadership, for indeed its seekers hasten to obtain it in order to achieve their goals, (such as) exaltedness in the earth; servitude of the hearts to them; inclination towards them; aiding them in all their goals, whilst they are exalted above them and conquered.  This pursuit of leadership brings about corruption-which none can enumerate except Allaah- such as rebellion, envy, transgression,  enmity, oppression, trials, being ardent in defending oneself at the expense of violating the rights of Allaah, exalting those despised by Allaah and belittling those honoured by Allaah…..

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[Abridged and slightly paraphrased. For further details, see Ar-Rooh page: 487-489]

 

 

 

[1] Signs of the Sound Heart—Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah)

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

Neither does it become lax in the remembrance of its Lord nor does it get tired of serving Him (i.e. carrying out acts of obedience and keeping away from disobedience). It does not become habituated with other than Him, except the one who directs it to its Lord; mentions Him to it and reminds it of this affair.

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[Slightly paraphrased. Source: Ighaatha Al-Lahfaan page: 68]

[1] Those Who Call Unsuspecting Muslims to Shirk- All affairs are in Allaah’s Control!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Allaah (The Most High) said:

لَيۡسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ شَىۡءٌ أَوۡ يَتُوبَ عَلَيۡہِمۡ أَوۡ يُعَذِّبَهُمۡ فَإِنَّهُمۡ ظَـٰلِمُونَ

”Not for you (O Muhammad), but for Allah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to (pardons) them or punishes them; verily, they are the Zalimun (polytheists, disobedients, and wrong-doers, etc.) [3:128]

Narrated Sahl (radiyallaahu-anhu) that he was asked about the wound of the Prophet on the day (of the battle) of Ubud. He said, “The face of the Prophet was wounded and one of his front teeth was broken and the helmet over his head was smashed. Fatima washed off the blood while ‘All held water. When she saw that bleeding was increasing, she burnt a mat (of date-palm leaves) till it turned into ashes and she filled the wound with those ashes and thus the bleeding ceased. [Saahih Bukhaari. Vol 4. Number: 2911]

It is reported in the Saheeh that one of the Prophet’s teeth was broken and his head was injured (during the battle of Uhud), so he began to wipe the blood away from it, saying: How can a people be successful who cut the face of their Prophet and break his teeth, whilst supplicating to Allaah. So Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) revealed the Ayah: [لَيۡسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ شَىۡءٌ-Not for you (O Muhammad), but for Allah) is the decision] [Source: Zaad Al-Ma-aad 3/205-206]

[2] The Ten supporting (pillars) for acquiring knowledge [The 2nd affair (Sincerity)]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Articles, Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

A person has to (direct) his intention to Allaah in seeking knowledge-being sincere to Allaah and neither desiring (سمعة i.e. his intention should not be the desire to be heard) nor (رياء i.e. his intention should not be the desire to be seen); neither seeking fame nor a worldly goal from the worldly goals. Whoever directs his intention (sincerely) to Allaah, then Allaah will grant him success and reward him based on that. That is because (seeking) knowledge is worship; rather it is from the greatest (affairs of worship).

Deeds do not (receive) reward, except when carried out for the Sake of Allaah (The Most High) and in accordance with the way of the Messenger of Allaah (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam).  Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) stated:

[إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَواْ وَّٱلَّذِينَ هُم مُّحۡسِنُونَ– Truly, Allah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him), and those who are Muhsinun(good-doers)] 16:128

The greatest affair of Taqwah (fear of Allaah) is to sincerely direct one’s intention to Allaah. And besides (the fact that) the one who shows off in seeking knowledge is a loser in the worldly life, he is (also threatened with) punishment in the afterlife, just as it has been (narrated about) those three people who will be thrown in the hell fire on their faces, and amongst them will be a man who sought knowledge so that he is called a scholar and it was said. [1]

[Source: Ar-Rakaa’iz Al-Ashar Lit-Tahseel Al-Ilm pages: 11-12. Some parts slightly paraphrased]

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[1] Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) saying: Indeed, the first of the people who will be judged on the Day of Judgment will be a man who died a martyr (in battle). He will be brought forth and (Allaah) will make known to him His Favours and he will acknowledge them. (Allah) will say: And what did you do with them? He will say: I fought for your (sake) until I died a martyr. He will say: You have lied; rather you fought so that it might be said (about you): He is brave and it has been said. Then it will be commanded that he dragged on his face until he is cast into Hell-Fire. (The second person) will be a man who studied (religious) knowledge and taught it, and he used to recite the Qur’an. He will be brought forth and (Allaah) will make known to him His Favours and he will acknowledge them. (Allah) will say: And what did you do with (such favours)? He will say: I studied (religious) knowledge and taught it and I recited the Qur’an for Your sake. He will say: You have lied; rather you studied (religious) knowledge so that it might be said (about you): He is learned; and you recited the Qur’an so that it might be said (about you): He is a reciter. And it has been said. Then it will be commanded that he be dragged on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. (The third person) will be man whom Allah enriched and to whom He gave all kinds of wealth. He will be brought forth and Allah will make known to him His Favours and he will acknowledge them. (Allah) will say: And what did you do with them? He will say: I left no way in which You like that (wealth) should be spent, except that I spent for Your sake. He will say: You have lied; rather you did so that it might be said (about you): He is generous, and it has been said. Then it will be commanded that he be dragged on his face until he is cast into Hell-Fire.”[Muslim. Number 1905]

 

Read more about ‘Riyaa and Sum’ah’ in this link: http://www.sahab.net/forums/?showtopic=25251

 

Our Salaf: Umar Ibnul Khattaab–The best of deeds is the fulfilment of….

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Umar Ibnul Khattaab (radiyallaahu-anhu) said:

The best of deeds is the fulfillment of what Allaah has made obligatory, refraining from what Allaah has forbidden out of fear of Him and having a truthful intention in (hoping) for what Allaah has with Him (of reward in the hereafter).

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[Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam:page:379]

Our Salaf: Ibn Umar–[kind treatment towards animals]

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Wahb Ibn Kaysaan (rahimahullaah) narrated that Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu-anhu) saw a shepherd and some sheep in a filthy place, and he saw (another) place better than it. So he said to the shepherd: Woe to you, O shepherd! Move your sheep (to the better place); for indeed I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) saying: ”Every shepherd is responsible for his flock.” [1]

Shaikh Zaid Bin Haadi (rahimahullaah) said: This hadeeth shows the obligation of kind treatment towards those under one’s care, whether a human being or cattle…. [2]

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[1] See Adabul Mufrad of Imaam Bukhaari. Number: 416

[2] Slightly paraphrased. For more benefits derived from this hadeeth, see ‘Awn Al-Ahadus Samad Sharh Adab Al-Mufrad of Shaikh Zayd (rahimahullaah) Vol 1 page: 459

 

Imaams of Hadeeth gave precedence to defending the Religion and nothing else

Written by Masjid Furqan on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

Khateeb Al-Baghdaadi (rahimahullaah) said:

”There was no one amongst the people of  hadeeth who (merely) defended his father, brother or son in the knowledge of hadeeth. Ali Bin Abdillaah Ibnil Madeenee was an Imaam of Hadeeth in his era, but not a single word has been seen from him in (declaring) his father a strong (or good) narrator; rather it is opposite that has been seen.”

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[ Sharaf Ashaabul Hadeeth (page:41)]