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Tag: pearls of wisdom

Severity of The Sickness and Corruption In The Heart Determines Its Inclination Towards Forbidden And Doubtful Matters

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

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

Staying within the boundaries of Halaal and Haraam, and not coming close to the doubtful matters depends on the righteousness or corruption of a person’s heart. If the heart has [ الورع – apprehensive fear (Ref1)] and Taqwah (piety), it will distance itself from haraam and that which will lead to Haraam. However, if the heart is corrupt, it will not be bothered about falling into (error).

If the sickness in the heart is not severe, the heart gets involved in the doubtful matters; and if the sickness increases, the heart gets involved in Haraam.

If the corruption is very severe, the heart will not be safeguarded against what is forbidden, and if the corruption is not severe, the heart will not be safeguarded against the doubtful matters. This shows the importance of rectification of the heart. [Ref 2]

Ref 1: The word [ الورع – translated as ‘Apprehensive Fear’ was taken from one of Ustaadh Amjad Rafiq’s (may Allaah preserve him) articles]

Ref 2: Source: Sharh Al-Arba’een’ Audio number’ by Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him). Paraphrased & abridged]

Sensible People Do Not Go With The Flow Because It Led Many Nations of The Past to Destruction

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

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

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz –rahimahullaah- said: So let every Muslim be careful of being deceived by the great numbers [of people upon such and such idea, view, belief, way of life etc], whilst saying: ‘’Indeed, the people have become such and such and have become accustomed to such and such, so I am with them’’. This is a great calamity, for indeed many people of the past were destroyed due to this [i.e. blindly following the majority]. Therefore, O sensible one! It is obligated on you to examine yourself; take account of yourself and adhere to the truth, even if the people abandon it. Beware of what Allaah has forbidden, even if the people do it, for indeed the truth is more worthy of being followed, just as Allaah [The Most High] says: [وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّه ِ -And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path. [Surah Al An-aam Ayah 116]

And Allaah [The Most High] says: [ وَمَآ أَڪۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَوۡ حَرَصۡتَ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ-And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly] [Surah Yusuf Ayah 103]

[Source: Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 12/ 412-416. Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

Four Categories of People We Might Come Across On a Daily Basis

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

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

The First Group: They are those whose company is like nourishment which one cannot do without in the morning and evening. One leaves it after fulfilling his need and returns to it when he is in need [again]. The people (intended in this similitude) are those who know Allaah, His commandments, the plots of His enemies, the diseases of the hearts and their remedies [i.e. the scholars]. They are sincere to Allaah, His Messenger and His creation, and there are comprehensive benefits in their company.

The Second Group: They are those whose company is similar to medication that is needed during illness. So, as long as you are healthy, you are not in need of intermingling with them. They are those you cannot do without in the beneficial things of livelihood and fulfilment of various dealings, partnerships, consultation, medication and the likes.

The Third Group: They are those whose company is similar to the different types of diseases and the differences in their severity and mildness. Amongst them is one whose company is similar to chronic illness – this one does not benefit you; neither in the religious nor worldly affairs together with the fact that you either might incur a loss in both your religious and worldly affairs or in one of them. So, if intermingling with him is made possible, it would be like the disease that will lead to death. And amongst them is the one whose company is similar to a tooth ache whose pain becomes severe, but when it leaves you the pain abates.

The Forth Group: They are those whose company is absolute destruction and intermingling with them is similar to eating poison. How common is this similitude within the people! May Allaah not make them numerous, and they are Ahlul Bidah Wad Dalaalah [The people of innovation and misguidance]. They are those who hinder [people] from the path of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and call to that which is in opposition to it. They are those who hinder [people] from the path of Allaah and seek to make it cooked; so they present innovation as Sunnah and Sunnah as innovation, and they present virtue as evil and evil as virtue. And when you established Tawheed amongst them, they say: You have degraded the Awliyaa [friends of Allaah] and the righteous people. And when you establish ittibaa [correct adherence to the path of the messenger with evidence] they say: You have invalidated [the affair] of the followed Imaams. And when you command that which Allaah and His Messenger command and forbid that which Allaah and His Messenger forbid, they say: You are from those who put people to trial.

Source: Badaa’i At-tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim
Vol: 3 Page: 467-469- Abridged & slightly paraphrased

An Affair Related to Loving and Hating Within The Boundaries Imposed By The Sharee’ah And Not Exceeding The Limits

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

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

Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu-anhu] narrated: The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, ‘’Love your beloved one modestly, for it may be that he will become hated to you someday. And hate the one whom you hate modestly, for it may be that he will become your beloved one someday.” [ref 1]

Ibnul Atheer [rahimahullaah] stated in An-Nihaayah 5/284 that this means: You should love your beloved one with moderation and do not go beyond bounds. Do not go into extremes in your love and hate, for it may be that one day you’ll hate the one you used to love and love the one you used to hate. Therefore, neither exaggerate in your love and become regretful [in future], nor exaggerate in your hatred and thus become shy in the presence of the one you used to hate after you stop hating him.

Ref 1: Sunan Tirmidhee 1997. Declared saheeh by Imaam Albaani in his checking of Tirmidhee]

Humility of The Imaams of The Salaf – [A Brief Acquaintance]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Calling To Islam - 'Da'wa', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

It was said to Imaam Ahmad [rahimahullaah]: May Allaah reward you for the good you have [done] for Islaam. He said: Rather, Allaah has [done] good for me through Islaam. Who am I, and what am I?

[Siyar A’laam Nubulaa: 11/225]

Sufyaan Bin Uyaynah [rahimahullaah] said:

Indeed, I become angry with myself when I see you come to me, and I say to myself: These people have not come to me, except due to the good thoughts they have about me.’

[Hilyatul Awliyaa: 7/285]

Has a Huge Library, Memorises and Understands, But Acts Little -[Sharing a Short Reminder From Shaikh Uthaymeen]

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

Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] said,

“O student of knowledge! Seek knowledge. And be not like some people who have [nothing], except a collection of books; he memorises and understands a lot, but acts very little. So, be a seeker of knowledge, one who acts [and] a caller to truth. Therefore, [it should be] three affairs: Firstly, to be truthful in pursuit of knowledge. Secondly, act upon it. Thirdly, call to it.”

Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ page 327

Our Lord Forbade Us From Corrupting The Earth After It Was Set In Order Through His Messengers

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

Allaah [The Most High] said that Shu’aib [alayhis-salaam] said to his people:

[وَلَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ بَعۡدَ إِصۡلَـٰحِهَا‌ۚ – And do not mischief on the earth after it has been set in order] – Meaning: Do not commit acts of disobedience [in the earth] after Allaah has already set it in order through His command that justice be established and by sending Messengers [i.e. Messengers who came to convey Tawheed and all virtuous deeds; forbid Shirk and all evil deed].

[Source: Zaadul Maseer ‘by Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah)’ abridged and slightly paraphrased. Page 506. Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm’ 1st Edition 1423AH (2002)]

Hearts Are Always In Need of Reminder Regarding What Allaah Revealed Because An Absence of Reminder Hardens Them

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

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ

Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe [in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism] to be affected by Allah’s Reminder [this Qur’an], and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taura (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before, and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fasiqun [rebellious, disobedient to Allah].

[Soorah Al-Hadeed: Ayah: 16]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:

And when it is the case that Eemaan necessitates humility and calls for it, therefore they were called [to move up] from the station of Imaan to the station of Ihsaan; Meaning, ‘’Has the time not come for them to reach Ihsaan through Imaan and actualize that through their submission to Allaah’s Reminder [The Qur’aan], which Allaah sent down to them. Ibn Mas’ood [radiyallaahu-anhu] said, ‘’There was only four years between our [embracing] Islaam and [the revelation of this] admonition to us. [Ref 1]

 And regarding the statement of Allaah:

وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ

Lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before, and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened?’’

Imaam as-Saa’di [rahimahullaah] said:

That is: Do not become like those to whom Allaah revealed the book, which obligates humility and complete submission on the hearts; but they [i.e. those who received the scripture] neither preserved [the scripture] nor were they firm [in holding unto it]; rather the term was prolonged for them whilst they continued upon heedlessness, so their Eemaan dwindled and their certainty ceased. So, the hearts are always in need of a reminder regarding that which Allaah has revealed and the wisdom behind it. It is not permissible to be heedless of that, for indeed that is a cause for the hardening of the hearts. [Ref 2]

[Ref 1: Source: Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ page 129. Vol 3. Publisher: Daar Ibn Al-Jawziyyah 2nd ed 1431AH. Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’. Publisher: Daar Ibn Hazm 1st ed 1424AH (Year 2003). Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

 

Look at Those Who Are Below You And Do Not Look at Those Above You – [Beneficial Reminders By Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him)]

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

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

Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu-anhu] narrated that the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, ‘’Look at those who are below you and do not look at those above you, for it is more suitable lest you look down on Allaah’s blessings [bestowed upon] you.”

[Saheeh Muslim’ Hadeeth Number 2963]

A person should neither be covetous of this worldly life nor anxious due to what afflicts him [or her], rather he (or she) should exercise patience and hope for [Allaah’s reward due to exercising patience] – whether he [or she] is poor, sick or other than that. The worldly life is a place of trial and test, so one should not become anxious due to calamities and trials. And what makes this affair easier for a person is the guidance given by the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] in this hadeeth [as follows]:” Look at those who are below you and do not look at those above you, for it is more suitable lest you look down on Allaah’s blessings [bestowed upon] you”.

A poor person should look at the one who is poorer and should not look at a wealthier [person], for if Allaah willed He would have placed you in the same situation as that poor person who has nothing. You have something – you have your daily nourishment; but that one poorer than you has nothing – he does not even have his daily nourishment. You are in a better situation, so praise Allaah for this and do not look at the wealthier people because that will lead you to harbour anger against Allaah and being displeased with His divine Will, and then you [will or might] say, ‘’Why can I not be like such and such person; why am not like the wealthy people?’’ This is the meaning of looking down on the blessing you have. However, if you look at the person below you, it will make you thankful because your situation is better than that of many people. Therefore, the one in good health should look at the sick person and then praises Allaah for granting him [or her] good health. The one who is sick should look at the one who is sicker than him (or her) and then praises Allaah for being less sick than the person who is sicker than him [or her]. This (hadeeth embodies) a great principle. Therefore, ‘look to the one below you’ in (relation) to wealth, health and in other affairs.

However, this should not be the case in affairs related to acts of worship – in affairs related to acts of worship, you should not look at the one below you. You should not look at the lazy people and those who neglect their religious duties, rather you should look at the righteous and God-fearing people so that you can join them in performing good deeds and be like them. Therefore, with regards to affairs related to the religion, you should not look at the one below you, rather you should look at the one above you in the religion, for why do not want to be like him (or her); why do you not want to be like the righteous people; why do not want to emulate the God-fearing scholars? [i.e. those scholars whose creed is sound; those free from shirk, religious innovations, superstitions, fictitious beliefs and practices- who practice Islaam based on the Qur’aan, the authentic Sunnah and the understanding of the Sahaabah]. If you are a student of knowledge, you should not be satisfied with the sciences of the religion you have acquired; rather you should seek to increase in knowledge as long as you are alive.

[Source: Tasheelul il’haami Bi-Fiqhil Ahaadeethi Min Bulooghil Maraam’ Hadeeth Number 1438’ Vol 6′ pages 168-169’ by Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him). Publisher: Daar Al-Imaam Ahmad’ 1st Edition 1430AH – Year 2009. Abridged & slightly paraphrased]