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Tag: monotheism

[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

 

If Allaah (The Creator and Originator of Everything) did not send down any authority for their creeds, beliefs and deeds, then what are its sources?!

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

 Allaah (The Most High) informed us that Yusuf (alayhis-salaam) said to his companions in the prison:

يَـٰصَٮٰحِبَىِ ٱلسِّجۡنِ ءَأَرۡبَابٌ۬ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيۡرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٲحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّارُ

مَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ إِلَّآ أَسۡمَآءً۬ سَمَّيۡتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمۡ وَءَابَآؤُڪُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِہَا مِن سُلۡطَـٰنٍ‌ۚ إِنِ ٱلۡحُكۡمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ‌ۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

“O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible? You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not.” [12:39-40]

[يَـٰصَٮٰحِبَىِ ٱلسِّجۡنِ ءَأَرۡبَابٌ۬ مُّتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيۡرٌ أَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡوَٲحِدُ ٱلۡقَهَّار- O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible?] Meaning: Lords that are deprived of the ability to act and are weak-neither able to benefit nor harm; neither able to give nor withhold. And they are various types, (such as) trees, stones, angels and dead people and other than them of those various objects of worship that are taken as objects of worship by the polytheists. Are those objects of worship better or Allaah? [Allaah]–The only One Who has Attributes of absolute perfection; ٱلۡوَٲحِدُ The one singled out in His Essence, His Attributes and Actions, and He  has no partner in any of that.

[ٱلۡقَهَّارُ] The Irresistible- the one to whom everything has submitted due to his absolute subjugation of everything and His absolute dominion over everything–whatever He wills takes place and whatever He does not will cannot take place; (and)  مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذُۢ بِنَاصِيَتِہَآ‌ۚ– There is not a moving (living) creature but He has grasp of its forelock.

It is known that the one whose affair and description is as such is superior to (those) different gods, which are mere names–neither do they possess perfection nor actions. So because of this [Allaah (The Most High) said that Yusuf (alayhis-salaam) said to them]:

[مَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦۤ إِلَّآ أَسۡمَآءً۬ سَمَّيۡتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمۡ وَءَابَآؤُڪُم— You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers]; Meaning: You gave them names and called them gods, whilst they are nothing. They have no attribute of Uloohiyyah (i.e. attributes of absolute perfection-free from all deficiencies, weakness etc) and [مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِہَا مِن سُلۡطَـٰنٍ‌] – for which Allah has sent down no authority; rather Allaah has sent down authority in prohibiting them (i.e. worship of these things) and clarified its falsity.

And if Allaah did not send down any authority for it, then neither can it be a (sound) path nor a means (of worship), nor does it have any proof. That is because to Allaah (alone) belongs the judgement and He is the one who gives commands and prohibitions. And He (alone) is the One Who legislate the divine laws and rulings, and He is the one that commanded you أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ– That you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion]; Meaning: The straight religion that leads to every good and the other religions besides it are not upright; rather they are crooked and will lead to every evil.

[وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ –But most men know not] the reality of affairs, even though the distinction between worshipping Allaah alone and associating partners with him in worship is a clear and manifest affair (i.e. there is no doubt about the falsity of worshipping others and the absolute proof that Allaah alone has the right to be worship). However due to many people not possessing knowledge of this affair, they fall into shirk.

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[Slightly paraphrased…For Further details see Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan]

[1] Instilling the Greatness of Allaah in our hearts and not others; everything is under Allaah’s Absolute Will and Power

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا طَـٰٓٮِٕرٍ۬ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيۡهِ إِلَّآ أُمَمٌ أَمۡثَالُكُم‌ۚ مَّا فَرَّطۡنَا فِى ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ مِن شَىۡءٍ۬‌ۚ

”There is not a moving (living) creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book.” [6:38]

That is all the land and air animals, such as cattle, wild animals and birds–they are all nations like yourselves. (Allaah) created them just as He created you; (Allaah) provide them with sustenance just as He provide for you. They are all under the will and power of Allaah just as you are.

[مَّا فَرَّطۡنَا فِى ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ مِن شَىۡءٍ۬‌ۚ] ”We have neglected nothing in the Book.” There is nothing of these things that has been missed or forgotten by Allaah in the preserved tablet; rather all things—be they small or big—are written in the preserved tablet just as they are. All the events take place just as it was written down by the pen. This Ayah is a proof that the first Book (i.e. the Lawh Al-Mahfoodh) has all the things that will happen (i.e. written 50 years before the creation) and this is one of the levels of Devine Will and Decree. The Devine Will and Decree is of four levels:

[1] Allaah’s all-encompassing knowledge of all things; [2] The writing down of everything that will exist; [3] His all-encompassing Will and Power over everything; [4] He created all the creation, even the actions of the slaves.

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Slightly paraphrased and abridged…see Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan of Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah)

They (i.e. the people of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance) attributed Deficiencies to Allaah…..

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge.

Imaam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab (rahimahullaah) said:

”They (i.e. the people of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance) attributed Deficiencies to Allaah…..

Sheikh Saaleh al Fawzaan (Hafidha-hullaah) explained the above, saying:

Deficiency is opposite to Perfection.  Attributing deficiencies to Allaah (Glorified Be He) is a violation of His Lordship, and that is (case) when a son is attributed to Him because the father is in need of a son and is like him.

The Jews said that Ezra (alayhis-salaam) is Allaah’s son and the Christians said that The Messiah (alayhis-salaam) is Allaah’s son; and the Pagan Arabs said that The Angels are Allaah’s daughters; while, (on the other hand) the Christians declare their Monks free from having wives and sons; because (attributing this to the Monks) is a diminution of their rights.  So these (Christians) do not declare Allaah free from that which they free their Monks.

Likewise, the Arabs hated having daughters, while (on the other hand) they attributed that to Allaah.  So they attributed to Allaah what they hated for themselves and considered to be a disgrace and deficiency.  Allaah said:

 وَيَجۡعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ ٱلۡبَنَـٰتِ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ‌ۙ وَلَهُم مَّا يَشۡتَہُونَ

”And they assign daughters unto Allaah! Glorified and Exalted) is He above all that they associate with Him! And unto themselves what they desire’’ (16:57).

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَيَجۡعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ مَا يَكۡرَهُونَ وَتَصِفُ

”They assign to Allaah that which they dislike (for themselves)” (16:62)

A Muslim Scholar went on a mission to one of the kings of Rome, so when he entered upon (the King) he said to him, ”How is the wife and the children? Thus, those who were present became angry because how can (this Muslim Scholar) describe their leader as having a wife and children!  So (the Muslim Scholar) said to them, ‘you (people) free your leader from having a wife and a son, whilst (on the other hand) you attribute that to Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) and you do not declare Him free from that!  So he silenced them and debated with them, and greatly embarrassed them.

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[Source: ‘Sharh Masaa’il Al-Jaahiliyyah’ by Sheikh Saaleh al Fawzaan.  (Page: 150-151)]

Another Important Supplication

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

يا حَـيُّ يا قَيّـومُ بِـرَحْمَـتِكِ أَسْتَـغـيث ، أَصْلِـحْ لي شَـأْنـي كُلَّـه ، وَلا تَكِلـني إِلى نَفْـسي طَـرْفَةَ عَـين

”O The Ever-Living! O The One Who sustains and protects all that exists! By Your mercy I seek aid and deliverance, rectify all my affairs for me and do not leave me to myself, even for the blink of an eye.” [ صحيح الترغيب والترهيب 1/273]-[Number 654]

Shaikh Muhammad Bin Ibraaheem Aala Shaikh (rahimahullaah) said: It is neither obligated nor permissible to depend on oneself, as reported in the hadeeth (i.e. the supplication a believer makes): [فَلاَ تَكِلْنِى إِلَى نَفْسِى طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ ] ”Do not leave me to myself even for the blink of an eye.” [Majmoo al-Fataawaa of Shaikh Muhammad Bin Ibraaheem 1/70]

[1] Intro: The difference between legislated and innovated acts of worship

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Articles, Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

 بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:

Indeed, there has been much confusion in this subject matter just as it is the case in the subject matter of halaal and haraam.  Indeed a group of people make permissible some of the things which Allaah has declared impermissible and others declare impermissible some of those things which Allaah has made permissible.  Likewise some people innovate acts of worship that have not been legislated by Allaah; rather He (The Most High) prohibited them.

The foundation of the religion of Islaam is that the permissible affairs are those that Allaah and His Messenger have made permissible, and the impermissible affairs are those that Allaah and His Messenger have made impermissible.  It is not allowed (or befitting) for anyone to leave the straight path which Allaah sent His Messenger with.  Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ‌ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ وَصَّٮٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ

”And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become pious’”[6:153]

Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu-anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) drew a line for us and said: ”This is Allaah’s Straight Path.” Then he drew lines to its right and left and then said: ”These are other paths. Upon every one of them there is a devil calling towards it.” Then he recited: “وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَٲطِى مُسۡتَقِيمً۬ا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ‌ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمۡ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌  ”Indeed this is My Straight Path, so follow it. And do not follow other paths; they will separate you from His Path.” [Hadeeth reported by Imaam Ahmad  in Al-Musnad 4437]

Indeed Allaah has mentioned in Soorah Al-An’aam, Soorah Al-A’raaf and other them regarding the deeds the idol worshipers were rebuked for, when they made impermissible the things that Allaah (The Most High) have not declared impermissible, such as the Baahirah (i.e. a she-camel whose milk was spared for the idols and nobody was allowed to milk it) and the Saa’ibah (a she-camel let loose for free pasture for their false gods, e.g. idols, etc., and nothing was allowed to be carried on it).   They (also) made permissible those (deeds) which Allaah made impermissible, such as the killing of their children, and they instituted a religion which Allaah did not allow.   Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَمۡ لَهُمۡ شُرَڪَـٰٓؤُاْ شَرَعُواْ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱلدِّينِ مَا لَمۡ يَأۡذَنۢ بِهِ ٱللَّهُ‌ۚ

”Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed.” [42:21]

And there were impermissible affairs which they established as acts of worship, such as shirk, and lewd behaviour, such as Tawaaf around the Kabah, whilst being naked.

To be continued In-Shaa-Allaah

 

[Source: Al-Ibaadaat Ash-Shar-iyyah Wal-Farq Baynahaa Wa Baynal Bid’ah (page 7-8). Abridged and partly paraphrased]

How would the slaves (Mankind and Jinn) know what Allaah loves….?

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Methodology - 'Manhaj', Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Question:

How would the slaves (i.e. Mankind and Jinn) know what Allaah loves and what Allaah hates?

Answer:

They know it through Allaah sending the Messengers and revelation of the Books [i.e. the Zaboor, Tawraat, Injeel, and the Qur’aan (the final revelation)]— commanding what Allaah loves and is pleased with; and forbidding what Allaah hates and disdains.  And by way of this, Allaah’s irrefutable proofs are established against them (i.e. Mankind and Jinn) and His Perfect Wisdom is manifested.

Allaah (The Most High) said:

رُّسُلاً۬ مُّبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ حُجَّةُۢ بَعۡدَ ٱلرُّسُلِ‌ۚ

”Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allah after the Messengers.” [4:165]

And Allaah (The Most High) said:

قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬

”Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”  [3:31]

 

[Source: 200 hundred questions and answers on the Islamic creed by Haafidh Hakami (rahimahullaah) page: 14]  

What is the reason for which Allaah created the creation? – Haafidh Hakami

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Fatawa-Rulings, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Seeking Knowledge.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Question: What is the reason for which Allaah created the creation?

Answer: Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ

And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). [51:56]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَخَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلِتُجۡزَىٰ كُلُّ نَفۡسِۭ بِمَا ڪَسَبَتۡ وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُونَ

‘’And Allah has created the heavens and the earth with truth, in order that each person may be recompensed what he has earned, and they will not be wronged.’’ [45:22]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَا لَـٰعِبِينَ

مَا خَلَقۡنَـٰهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, for mere play; We created them not except with truth (i.e. to examine and test those who are obedient and those who are disobedient and then reward the obedient ones and punish the disobedient ones), but most of them know not. [44:38-39]

[Source: 200 Questions and answers on Islamic Creed by Haafidh Hakami (rahimahullaah)]

Who was the first person to categorise Tawheed into three? Shaykh Fawzaan

Written by Masjid Al Furqan on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Fatawa-Rulings, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Qur'aan, Refutations, Scholars of Islam.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Question: Who was the first person to categorise Tawheed into three ie Tawheed of Lordship, Tawheed of Worship and Tawheed of Names and Attributes?

Shaykh Fawzan responded: 

Meaning you have doubt in this? The Categories of Tawheed are taken from the Qur’aan. All the verses which speaks about Creating, providing, giving life, causing death, these verses are about the Tawheed of Lordship…. and all the verses which speak about worship and shirk, then these (verses) are about Tawheed of Worship… and all the verses which speak about Allah’s names and attributes then they are about the Tawheed of Names and Attributes.

(Emphasising) They (the categories of Tawheed) are taken from the Quran.

From the lecture:

مظاهو ضعف العقيدة في وقتنا الحاضر و طرق علاجها