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Tag: softening the hearts

The Effects On Our Hearts -During and After Admonitions’ [By Imaam Ibnul Jawzi]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam.

Imaam Ibnul Jawzee (rahimahullaah) said:

Indeed the listener is awaken at the time of hearing admonitions, but when he leaves a gathering (in which) Allaah was remembered he returns to a (state) of impenitence and heedlessness. So I pondered and came to know of its causes and saw that the people were in different (circumstances) in that regard. The general state of affairs is that the heart does not remain upon a distinct state of wakefulness after one hears an admonition, and this is due to two reasons:

Firstly: An admonition is like a whip and a whip does not cause harm after its use ceases.  Its pain is (felt) at the time it is used.

Secondly: Whilst listening to admonitions a person may be withdrawn from (worldly influences)—his body and thoughts are isolated from the influences of the worldly life and he pays attention with his heart; however when he returns to the (worldly) preoccupations, he is captivated by its hassels. Therefore, how can he be as he was (during the time of the admonition)?! This state of affairs encompasses all the creation, except that what maintains wakefulness differs in the manner their influences are maintained.

There are those amongst the (people) who are firm and they do not go back and forth—they proceed towards (wakefulness and righteous action) without turning away.  And had it been that they were hindered by their natural inclinations, they would not have complained just as Handhalah (radiyallaahu-anhu) complained about himself, (saying): ‘’Handhala has turned to be a hypocrite.’’ [1]

There are a people amongst the people whose natural inclinations make them incline towards heedlessness at times, and at other times they are called through admonitions to perform (righteous) actions.  They are similar to a grain of (corn) that is blown back and forth by the breeze.

There are a people who are not affected by (admonitions) except in accordance with the degree of what they heard, similar to water rolling on a smooth rock.  [Source: Saydul Khaatir: page: 14. abridged and slightly paraphrased]

[1]Hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim: Handhala (radiyallaahu-anhu) complained to Abu Bakr (radiyallaahu-anhu) that he has turned to be a hypocrite, because when he is the company of Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi wa sallam) he ponders over Hell-Fire and Paradise as if he was seeing them with his very eyes.  And when he leaves the company of the Messenger (sallal-laahu alayhi wa sallam) he is diverted by his wife, children etc and this makes him less attentive to what he heard from the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam).  So Abu Bakr (radiyallaahu-anhu) told him that he also experiences the same thing. So they both went to the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) and handhala complained to the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) about himself (i.e. that he does not find himself in the same state when he leaves the company of the Messenger).  So the Messenger (sallal-laahu alayhi wa sallam) said: By Him in Whose Hand is my soul is, if you remained in the same state as you are when in my company, the Angels will shake hands with you in your beds and in your pathways…. [Saheeh Muslim No. 6623]

Abu Faatimah (Abdullah Al-Gambi)

[3] Few Reminders From Imaam Ibnul Qayyim about The Diseased Heart

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

The diseases of the heart revolve around four things: corruption, weakness (i.e. unable to restrain oneself), forgetfulness (i.e. due to being heedless) and oppression.

Doubt, ignorance, confusion, misguidance, love of deviation and wicked lowly desires (found) in heart returns back to these four affairs (i.e. corruption, weakness, forgetfulness and oppression); so a slave (i.e. a person) pursues the causes of the heart’s sickness until he becomes sick (i.e. his heart becomes sick), then Allaah punishes him by increasing this disease due to him giving preference to the causes of this disease and pursuing them.

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[Source: Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim’ Vol 1. Pages 96-97]

[2] Few Reminders From Imaam Ibnul Qayyim about The Diseased Heart

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

 

The hearts of the hypocrites are (afflicted) with the sickness of doubt and illusion. The hearts of the disobedient ones are (afflicted) with the sickness of deviation and lowly desires. Indeed, Allaah referred to all of them (i.e. doubt, illusion, deviation and lowly desires) as diseases.

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[Source: Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnu Qayyim’ Vol 1. pagePage 96]

Oppression Against Oneself- [Rejecting Truth, Affirming falsehood and Giving Precedence to The Intellect Over Texts of The Qur’aan and Sunnah]

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

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] said:

When a person does not act on truth he is in needs of-neither affirming nor loving it, he is an oppressor against himself. When he affirms falsehood or loves it, and follows his desires, he is an oppressor against himself. Oppression against oneself returns back to following conjecture and what the soul desires, and this can be by way of following one’s views and desires. Bidah is the basis of evil and that is to give precedence to one’s intellect over the revealed text and choosing one’s desires over the fulfilment of a command. Following the guidance is the basis of good, as Allaah (The Most High) said:

فَإِمَّا يَأۡتِيَنَّڪُم مِّنِّى هُدً۬ى فَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ هُدَاىَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشۡقَىٰ

وَمَنۡ أَعۡرَضَ عَن ذِڪۡرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُ ۥ مَعِيشَةً۬ ضَنكً۬ا وَنَحۡشُرُهُ ۥ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ أَعۡمَىٰ

”Then if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery. But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur’an nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.” [Taha Aayat 123-124]

[Source: شرحُ حديث ٱللهم إني ظلمت نفسي ظلما كثيرا of Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah. Page: 66]

Servitude to other than Allaah!

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

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah) was asked about the statement of a person who says: ”I am free (or liberated?)”

Answer

If a liberated (or free person) says this and intends by it freedom from slavery to the creation, then yes he is free from slavery to the creation. However, if he intends by this that he is liberated (freed) from servitude to Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic), then indeed he has erred in his understanding of servitude and he does not understand the meaning of freedom. That is because servitude to other than Allaah is bondage. As for the servitude of a person to Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic), then this is real freedom because if he does not humble himself to Allaah, he will humble himself to other than Allaah. So he deceives himself when he says that he is free (or liberated), meaning: he is liberated from obedience to Allaah and does not fulfil (such obedience to Him).

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[Source: Al-Manaahiy al-Laf’dhiyyah: page: 117]

 

From the excellent outcomes of knowing one’s rightful status amongst the people!

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

Question to Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-Uthaymeen

May Allaah have mercy upon a person who knows his limitations and worth- [Does this (saying) have an (established) source and has it been transmitted in a hadeeth?]

Answer:

I do not know of an (established) source for it; however its meaning is correct. (That is) because when a person knows his (limitations and worth), he will be humble in the presence of his Lord. He will worship Allaah and will know that he is not free from being in need of Allaah in the twinkling of an eye. If he knows himself, he will know his status amongst the people and this knowledge will make him not to be haughty towards them because haughtiness is from the major sins, and looking down on the people is from the forbidden affairs. And that is why when the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) warned against haughtiness (or pride), they (i.e. the people) said: “Everyone of us loves that his clothes and shoes are nice;’’ so he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “Indeed, Allaah is beautiful and He loves beauty; haughtiness (or pride) is to reject the truth and look down on the people.”

So when a person knows his (limitations and worth), he will know his rank amongst the people.  He will place himself in his (rightful) place; humble himself in the presence of his lord and in the presence of Allaah’s creation.  And whoever humbles himself to Allaah, Allaah will raise him.

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[Source: Noor Alad-Darb: cassette: 250]

 

Had it not been the Tawfeeq of Allaah upon you, your souls would not have yielded to Imaan

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ فِيكُمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ يُطِيعُكُمْ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ لَعَنِتُّمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْأِيمَانَ وَزَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَكَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَالْفُسُوقَ وَالْعِصْيَانَ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ فَضْلاً مِنَ اللَّهِ وَنِعْمَةً وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

And know that, among you there is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you (i.e. follow your opinions and desires) in much of the matter, you would surely be in trouble, but Allah has endeared the Faith to you and has beautified it in your hearts, and has made disbelief, wickedness and disobedience (to Allah and His Messenger) hateful to you. These! They are the rightly guided ones, (This is) a Grace from Allah and His Favour. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. [Soorah al-Hujuraat: Ayah 7-8]

Your love for Imaan, desire for it and its beautification in your hearts is not from yourselves; rather it is Allaah who placed it in your hearts. He is the one who made it preferable and pleasing to you; therefore do not put yourself before My [i.e. I (Allaah)] Messenger-neither speak until he speaks nor act until he commands you. The one (i.e. Allaah) who made you love Imaan is the most knowledgeable concerning what is of benefit for His slaves than yourselves.  And had it not been the Tawfeeq of Allaah upon you, your souls would not have yielded to Imaan. Imaan would not have been (acquired) through your consultation and bestowed from yourselves, nor would you have given it precedence because your souls are unable and weak to (do that), and cannot reach it…. [For further details, See ‘Madaarij As-Saalikeen 1/414—415]

Abu Mu’aawiyah (Abdullah Al-Gambi)

 

A Great Achievement through Seeking Forgiveness Constantly!

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

Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (radiyallaahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: Indeed shaytaan said: ”By Your Might O my Lord! I will not cease to misguide your slaves as long as their souls are in their bodies”; The Lord (Allaah) said: ”By My Might and Majesty! I will not cease forgiving them as long as they keep seeking my forgiveness.”

[Reported by Imaam Ahmad 3/29 and declared authentic by Imaam Al Albaani in As-Saheehah 104]

It Is Good To Know Your Lineage, But Neither Be Boastful Nor Look Down On Others Because Righteous Action Is the Determinant of Success

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

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

The Messenger (sallal-laahu-aalayhi-wasallam) said:

Whoever is held back by his deeds, his (nobility) of lineage will not push him forward.(1)

Imaam Nawawi (rahimahullaah) said: ”Its meaning is that the one whose deeds are deficient and he does not catch up with the performers of (good) deeds, then it is obligatory upon him not to crown himself with nobility of lineage and the virtues of his forefathers, whilst he is lagging behind in (performing good) deeds.(2)

Ubay bin ka’b (radiyallaahu-anhu) said: Two men (mentioned their) lineages during the lifetime of Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam); one of them said (to the other): ‘’I am Fulaan the son of Fulaan (i.e. mentioning his name and that of his parents, grandparents etc.), so who are you (with) no mother? (i.e. rebuking him). So Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “Two men (mentioned their) lineages during the lifetime of Moosaa (alayhis-salaam); one of them said (to the other): “I am Fulaan son of Fulaan, until he counted nine (people from his lineage), so who are you (with) no mother” (i.e. rebuking the other). He (the other person) said: “I am Fulaan the son of Fulaan the son of Islaam.” So Allaah revealed to Moosaa (alayhis-salaam): ‘’Indeed those two who (mentioned their) lineages, as for you ascribed or attributed to nine, (they) are in the hell fire and you are the tenth amongst them. And as for you ascribed or attributed to two, (they) are in paradise and you are the third of them.” (3)

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(1) [Saheeh Muslim…part of hadeeth in ‘’The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness]

(2) [Sharh Saheeh Muslim:  Hadeeth Number 2699; Vol 17, page 18]

(3) [Reported by Imaam Ahmad 5/128 and declared authentic by Imaam Al Albaani in As-Saheehah 1270]

Two Short Reminders For Anyone Who Engages In Blameworthy Debate About Who He Prefers As a Khateeb or Considers The Status of a Person More Elevated Than That of Others Because He Stands On a Pulpit To Deliver Khutab!

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

Imaam Maalik (rahimahullaah) said that it reached him from Al-Qaasim Bin Muhammad (rahimahullaah) who said: “I met a people (i.e. Salaf) who were not amazed by speech; rather they were amazed by actions.” [Quoted by Shaikh Raslaan in Fadlul Ilm. page: 597]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) stated:

”Allaah loves that a slave of His should beautify his tongue with truthfulness, his heart with sincerity to Allaah and love of (Him), turning repentantly to (Him) and placing his trust in (Him).” [Al-Fawaa-id. page:327]