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An Advice of Imaam Sufyaan Ath-Thawri- Do not attach your heart to the worldly life; have Wara and leave the doubtful matters

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

Abdul-Azeez Al-Qurashee (rahimahullaah) said:

I heard Sufyaan (rahimahullaah) saying: It is incumbent upon you that you do not attach your heart to the worldly life (i.e. a blameworthy attachment) and you are not eager for its attainment (i.e. the eagerness that leads to sin, transgression, greed etc), and Allaah will make you see the concealed affairs of the worldly life (i.e. its corruption, true reality, worries etc when we are attached to it in a blameworthy manner).

It is incumbent upon you to have Wara (i.e. to have that type of fear that will keep you away from those affairs you fear will affect the affairs of your afterlife) and Allaah will make your giving account on (the day of judgement) less burdensome.

Leave what makes you doubt for that which is not doubtful to you; leave those affairs that resemble the truth but are falsehood in reality and your religion will be safeguarded. 

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Hilyatul Awliyaa 7/20

 

Do Not Scrutinize The Beliefs and Mistakes of the People!

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

Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him) said:

This statement is reiterated by some people when warning reaches them from one of the scholars or a student of knowledge against innovated statements (or views) that have occurred from some of the people, or when informed about mistakes committed in knowledge and he is warned about it; so you find that his face becomes red, his (behaviour) changes and he says, ‘’Do not scrutinize the beliefs of the people and do not search for their mistakes.’’ The reality is that this statement is truth by way of which falsehood is sought in this particular instance.

Firstly: The right place to (use this statement) is where one seeks after secrets and hidden affairs, which have neither manifested nor are there any factual evidences indicating towards that. The place (where this statement cannot be used) is  where innovation arises from one of (the people) or when one of them calls to falsehood, since there is a difference between that which is manifested and that which is either concealed, hidden and unknown, or that there is no indication towards that.

Secondly: This statement of theirs will lead to the abandonment of warning against mistakes and censure against innovation and falsehood.  And the meaning of this is that the common people will be beguiled, rather even some of the students of knowledge will become inattentive to this situation.

Thirdly: Was the speech of the Salaf with regards to warning against innovation and the people of falsehood not (carried out) from the angle of warning against false beliefs, innovations and affairs in opposition to the Sunnah?  So how can it be said, ‘do not scrutinize the beliefs and mistakes of the people’ to a person who either warns against an innovation manifested by an individual or points out a mistake committed by an individual?

Fourthly: Scrutinizing the beliefs of the people by way of interrogation and trial as the Khaleefah Mamoon did with regards to the belief that the (Qur’aan is created), then this is an innovation that is warned against.  (However) to make a clarification and (issue) warning against an innovation that some people call to, unveiling the falsehood of the callers to falsehood and warning against them, this is not from that (type of scrutiny that is warned against).

Fifthly: Those (people) who blame the one who unveils the (affairs) of the people of falsehood and issues warning against them, then it is either they disapprove innovations or do not!  If they disapprove innovation, point out mistakes and falsehood, and warn against them, then indeed they have pursued the right course by the Will of Allaah (The Most High). However, why do they disapprove of those who take their place in renouncing innovation?! If they do not warn the people against falsehood, then this (i.e. behaviour or stance of theirs) is not from the methodology of the Salaf and it suffices as a rebuke against them.

Sixthly: It has been reported in Durar As-Saniyyah (1/33) that the Imaam, the Mujaddid, Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab (rahimahullaah) said: I hold that the people of innovation are to be boycotted and their affair is to be made known until they repent.  I pass judgement against them based on what is apparent and I leave their secrets (or hidden) affairs to Allaah.  And I believe that every newly invented matter in the Religion is an innovation.

This [statement of Imaam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab (rahimahullaah)] is the statement of a Salafiy Athariy [i.e. a true follower of the Salaf and the authentic narrations] that emanates from the statement of Umar Ibnul Khattaab (radiyallaahu-anhu) when he said:

‘People were (sometimes) judged by the revealing of a Divine Inspiration during the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle but now there is no longer any more (new revelation). Now we judge you by the deeds you practice publicly, so we will trust and favour the one who does good deeds in front of us, and we will not call him to account about what he is really doing in secret, for Allah will judge him for that; but we will not trust or believe the one who presents to us with an evil deed even if he claims that his intentions were good.’ [Saheeh Bukhaari; Vol 3; Hadith Number:2641]

So examine the statement of Imaam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab (rahimahullaah) when he said: ‘I judge (ahlul bidah) based upon what is apparent’‘ and examine the statement of Umar Ibnul Khattaab (radiyallaahu-anhu) when he said, ‘but we will not trust or believe the one who presents to us with an evil deed even if he claims that his intentions were good.’  Then examine the (affair) of that person who disapproves of one who warns against ahlul bidah and exposes their falsehood- claiming that (this warning against ahlul bidah) is tantamount to scrutinizing the Aqeedah of the people.  Is this (statement of his) correct? Glorified and Exalted You are, O My Lord!  Is not judgement passed against the people except through what is apparent?! This principle affirmed by Al Faarooq, Umar Ibnul Khattaab (radiyallaah-anhu) is employed in warning against a person of innovation when he manifests his innovation. [1]

The Stance of Imaam Ahmad towards Daawood Ibn Ali Al- Asbahaanee

Daawood Ibn Ali Al-Asbahaanee came to Saaleh Ibn Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal with whom he used to have a good relationship.  So he (Daawood) spoke to Saaleh Ibn Imaam Ahmad to make it easy for him to meet his father.

So Saaleh approached Imaam Ahmad (i.e. his father) and said; A man asked me to bring him to you.

Imaam Ahmad: What is his name?

Saaleh: Daawood.

Imaam Ahmad: Where is he from?

Saaleh: He is from the people of Asbahaan.

Imaam Ahmad: Has he being (involved) in fabricating anything?

At this point: Saaleh refrained from describing Daawood to his father (Imaam Ahmad).  So he (Imaam Ahmad) did not stop enquiring about Daawood until he realized who he was.  Then he said: Muhammad Bin Yahyaa An-Naysabooree wrote to me about this (Daawood) saying that he (Daawood) claims that the Qur’aan is something that was brought into existence (i.e. created), so do not bring him near me.

Saaleh: O my father! he (Daawood) has negated and renounced this (statement).

Imaam Ahmad: Muhammad Bin Yahyaa is more trustworthy than him.  I do not give you permission to bring him to me.

O my brother! Contemplate upon the stance of Imaam Ahmad.  Is this the Imaam? He is the Imaam of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah in his adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and in following the narrations of the Sahaabah; so did he use to scrutinize the beliefs of the people and seek after their mistakes?!  Examine his statement and that of Umar Ibnul Khattaab mentioned earlier, ‘but we will not trust or believe the one who presents to us with an evil deed even if he claims that his intentions were good.’

Therefore, the statement of Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhaab (rahimahullaah) is certified by the statement of the Rightly Guided Khaleefah Umar Ibnul Khattaab (radiyallaahu-anhu) and that of Imaam Ahmad Bin Hanbal (rahimahullaah). [2]

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[1] Source: ‘Ibaaraat Moohimah’ pages 66-68- few words slightly paraphrased]

[2] Ibaaraat Moohimah’ pages: 66-69

 

Hidden Faults Which a Person May Not Realise About Him (or Herself)!

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

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:

What is manifestly clear is that many of the affairs of the inner self are hidden from a person and he does not realise them. There are many people in whose souls is a love of leadership yet he does not realise it; rather it may be that he is one sincere in carrying out acts of worship but his faults are hidden from him. The speech of the people (i.e. the scholars) in this affair is numerous and well known. And because of this, this affair is called ‘the hidden love of fame.”

[Majmoo al-Fataawaa: 16/346]

The Strength of Abstinence from Evil and the Strength of Courage’ by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:

There are two (types) of strengths within the soul: The strength of abstinence and the strength of courage. The reality of patience is that one makes the strength of courageousness a means of action in what benefits him and the strength of abstinence a means of action in refraining from what is harmful to him.

Among the people, there is one whose patience in carrying out what benefits him and being firm upon it is stronger than his patience in refraining from what is harmful to him; so he exercises patience in facing difficulty whilst carrying out acts of obedience, but he does not exercise patience in refraining from urges towards what he is forbidden.

And among them, there is one whose patience in refraining from things that are in opposition to the religion is stronger than his patience in carrying out acts of obedience and among them there is one who does not exercise patience in both affairs. The best of people are those who fulfil both affairs.

Many people patiently bear the hardship of praying Tahajjud during hot and cold nights, and the difficulty in fasting; but they do not exercise patience in refraining from looking at forbidden things. Many people exercise patience in refraining from looking at the forbidden things and inclination towards images, but they do not exercise patience in commanding good and forbidding evil….

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[Abridged and slightly paraphrased. For further details, see Uddat As-Saabireen.page 37]

 

The State of Affairs of This Person Will Not Cease To Amaze You!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq'.

Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَرَأَيْتَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُ هَوَاهُ

Have you (O Muhammad) seen him who has taken as his ilah (god) his own desire?

[Soorah Al-Furqaan: Ayah: 43]

Imaam as-Saa’di (rahimahullaah) said: Are you not amazed by his (i.e. this person’s) state of affairs and you are looking at the misguidance he is upon, whilst he judges for himself that he is upon lofty stations? [1] Imaam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said: And whenever something is desirable and he sees it as (something) good according to his own desires, it becomes his religion (or creed, judgement, way of life and school of thought). [2]

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[1] Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan

[2]Al-Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Tahdheeb Tafseer Ibn Katheer

 

Magic is not cured with Magic!

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

Question to Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him): What is the ruling on curing magic with magic out of a need?

Answer:
There is no need; there is no need; magic is not cured with disbelief because magic is disbelief,—Allaah’s refuge is sought—be it learning, teaching and acting upon it. Disbelief is not (used) as a cure. He (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’Seek (medical treatment) but do not with what is Haraam.” Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu-anhu) stated as (reported) in Bukhaari: ”Indeed Allaah has not placed your cure in that which He has forbidden for you.”

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Source: http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=136808

Two determinants of corruption and devastation in this world

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq'.

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said:

Everyone with a grasp of common sense knows that the corruption and devastation of the world occurs due to giving precedence to opinion over (Allaah’s) revelation and desires over sound (uncorrupted) intellect.  These two corrupt (affairs) do not get hold of the heart except that its destruction is established….

[A’laam Muwaqqi-een 1/67]

Summarized Benefits from Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan’s Clarification Regarding the Plots of Saudi’s Enemies [The Land of Tawheed]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Scholars of Islam.

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

O slaves of Allaah! Be grateful for the blessings of Islaam. You (all) know—may Allaah protect you—that this country is established upon the creed of pure Islamic monotheism, sincerity in worshipping Allaah alone, enjoining good, forbidding evil, ruling by the share-ah and establishment of the prescribed punishments ordained by Allaah; so its state of security remains and stability continues, and it lives—as you know-in blessing, comfort, security and stability, whereas the other countries are in trials and confusion.

This country-and all praise be to Allaah—is in a state of security, stability, comfortable living and tranquillity, except that this stability is not pleasing to the enemies of this country. So they have not ceased in attempting to demolish its state of security.They attempt to do this, so that it becomes like other countries.

It (i.e. Saudi Arabia) occupies the center of the hearts of the Muslims. It is the Qiblah in their Salaah and it has a status in the Islamic world. So if it were to be destabilized—just as the enemies desire to destabilize the entire Islamic world—then who will establish the Hajj and Umrah; who will provide safety for the pilgrims whilst they seek to fulfill the rites of Hajj and Umrah, except this country with the Help of Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He).

The (social) structure of this country will be destabilized if its security is lost; then where will the Islamic world proceed to? And because of this the enemies of Islaam plot against this country day and night,–as you all know—sometimes through seeking to cause doubts about the creed and disseminating filthy views amongst the children of the Muslims in order to implant idleness, extremism, or taking up arms, or carrying explosives, or causing destruction; sometimes by way of corrupting the manners, disseminating forbidden affairs and forbidden desires amongst the Muslim youth, in order to corrupt their manners and deprive them of their religion with the claim of freedom of expression and other false statements.

What is freedom of expression? The freedom to express evil! Freedom of expression has to be within the confines of Islam, for indeed Allaah has freed mankind through Islaam. Allaah has freed mankind from idol worship, forbidden desires and despicable manners. This is the correct freedom; but as for what is in opposition to it of lowly desires, doubts and corrupt manners, this is the freedom of animals.

However, they want this in order to corrupt the Muslim youth—either through extremism and harshness or through laxity in their religion. They attempt this and that—either to corrupt the intellects of the Muslim youth with intoxicants, drugs, cigarettes, Qaat and other drugs and intoxicants or through fabrications (i.e. ideas, views etc). They want to do away with the Muslim youth because after Allaah’s (Glorified Be He) Support for the Muslim society, the society is built upon its youth- so they want to corrupt the Muslim youth through any means so that they are able to demolish this country. As you can see –from time to time–huge quantities of opium and other types of drugs are smuggled. As you can see this did not come from nothing; rather it came about as a bad plan against this country. They want to destroy it from every direction. Therefore, you should all be a singular hand with your rulers and those charged of your affairs in repelling this enmity and to be attentive of it…..

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[Slightly paraphrased and abridged. For further details, http://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/2529]

 

 

Those Who Seek Knowledge Due to Its nobility and The Perfection Reached by Way of it! – By Shaikh Siddeeq Hasan Khan (rahimahullaah)

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Shaikh Siddeeq Hasan Khan (rahimahullaah) stated:

The aim behind the religious sciences is not to earn (wealth); rather it is for (the purpose of) acquainting oneself with the realities of the (Islamic legislation) and to rectify one’s behaviour (towards his Lord and the people). The one who learns knowledge (of the religion) for the purpose of trade cannot be a scholar; rather he only resembles the scholars. The scholars unveiled what the drive behind this was and they spoke about it when the building of schools reached them at Baghdaad, so they held gatherings of knowledge and said: “The possessors of lofty ambitions and the pure souls used to pre-occupy themselves with it (i.e. knowledge) –those whose intention behind (seeking) knowledge was due to its nobility and the perfection (that is reached by way of it), so they came to the scholars to benefit from them and their knowledge. However, when (monetary gain) is placed on it, the vilest people and the lazy ones will approach it and thus leading to its disappearance. So at this point, the (Islamic) sciences of wisdom (found in the Qur’aan, the Sunnah and the understanding of the Salaf) will be abandoned even though they are self-evident in their nobility.  [أبجد العلوم pages 77-78… Vol: 1]

Acquaintance with the truth–By Shaikh Siddeeq Hasan Khan (rahimahullaah)

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Scholars of Islam.

Al-Allaamah Siddeeq Hasan Khan (rahimahullaah) said:

Indeed, the one who combines five characteristics will be acquainted with the truth and the greatest of them is (1) Sincerity, (2) (sound) understanding and (3) justice.  (4)Fourthly-the scarcest to be found and (people) are mostly deprived of it–is eagerness in acquainting (oneself) with the truth and being keen in calling to it.

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[Source: Qatf Ath-Thamar Fee Bayaani Aqeedati Ahlil Athar: page 175]