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Tag: softening the hearts

Guarding Oneself From The Disease of Fame Seeking

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

Imaam Ibn Qudaamah Al-Maqdisee (rahimahullaah) said:

Know that the basis of (love) of prestige is the love of widespread fame and glory (for oneself). This is a great danger and in obscurity there is safety.  The people of goodness do not have an intention for (seeking) fame -neither do they turn their attention towards it nor towards the means to it; rather if it comes to them from Allaah (The Most High), they guard themselves against it and they used to prefer obscurity, as it has been reported about Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu-anhu) that he came out of his house and a group of people followed him, so he noticed them and said: ‘’Why are you following me? By Allaah had you known what is locked (behind) my door, then no two men amongst you would follow me.” And in another wording (of this report he said): ‘’Go back, for indeed it is humiliation for the follower and a trial for the followed.” [Mukhtasar Minhaaj Al-Qaasideen: Page 222]

Some Beneficial Contemplation To Help (In-Shaa-Allaah) Extinguish the Inferno of Envy

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

Imaam Ibn Qudaamah Al-Maqdisee (rahimahullah) said:

Know that envy is a great disease of the hearts and the diseases of the hearts are not cured except with knowledge and action. The beneficial knowledge for curing envy is to know that in reality envy is harmful to you in (your) Religious and worldly affairs, and the envied one is neither harmed in his Religious nor worldly affairs; rather he is benefitted by it. Blessings do not cease from the person you envy. And even if you were not a believer in the resurrection, this (envy) would still have necessitated a realization–if you are sensible–to be mindful of envy due to the pain it contains in the heart alongside (having) no benefit. So how about when you know of its punishment in the afterlife.

And the clarification of our statement: “Indeed the envied one is neither harmed in his Religious nor worldly affairs, rather he is benefitted by it in his Religious and worldly affairs;”is because the blessings Allaah has decreed for him will continue until the end of the lifespan and there is no harm upon him in the hereafter (due to being envied) because he has not committed any sin in that; rather he is benefitted by it because he is someone receiving oppression from you, especially if the envy comes out through speech and action.

As for the benefit in the worldly life (i.e. the benefits of being envied), it is that the most important goal of the creation (i.e. the envious ones amongst mankind and Jinn) is (to witness) the grief of an enemy and there is no punishment greater than the envy you find yourself in. If you contemplate on what we have mentioned, you will know that you are indeed an enemy to yourself– a friend of your enemy (within yourself).  Your likeness is nothing other than that of a person, who threw a stone at his enemy to kill him, but he could not harm him and the stone bounced back on his right eye and plucked it out. So his anger increased and he again threw a stone harder than the first one, but it bounced back on his other eye and plucked it out. So his rage increased and he threw a third stone, but it bounced back on his head and broke it, whilst his enemy is safe and laughing at him. This is a knowledge base cure (for envy). If a person reflects upon this, the inferno of envy will be extinguished from his heart.

As for beneficial action (to help cure envy), then it is to make binding upon oneself to destroy what envy commands one to do. So if it arouses him towards hatred and defamation of the one envied, then he should make it binding upon himself to praise and extol him. If it makes him arrogant, then he should make it binding upon himself to be humble towards him (i.e. the one envied); and if it makes him block favours from reaching him, then he should make it binding upon himself to increase in giving him favours. And there were a group of the Salaf who whenever it reached them that a person backbit them, they would give him (i.e. the back bitter) a gift.

These are very beneficial remedies for envy….

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[For further details, see ‘Mukhtasar Minhaajil Qaasideen’ page: 200-201 with the Takhreej of Imaam Albaanee (rahimahullah). Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

Your Reliable, Fast and Efficient Car Is Provision From Allaah, So Do Not Be Haughty!

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

Sulaymaan Bin Yasaar (rahimahullaah) reported that a people were on a journey, so they said when they were about to depart:

 سُـبْحانَ الَّذي سَخَّـرَ لَنا هذا وَما كُنّا لَهُ مُقْـرِنين

وَإِنّا إِلى رَبِّنـا لَمُنْقَـلِبون

Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts). And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return]

A man amongst the people who had a sturdy she-camel said: As for me, I indeed reached the night due to this sturdy she-camel, so it (threw) him and broke his neck. [Source: Al-Uqoobaat’ by Ibn Abee Dunyah’ page 316]

Reminder: See here; The pillars of gratitude: http://salaficentre.com/2012/07/abridged-the-pillars-of-gratitude-imaam-sadi/

Some Evils Connected To Harbouring Evil Thoughts about Allaah, Especially When Seeking After What One Loves

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimahullaah) stated:

The slave does not embark upon what he has been forbidden except through two ways. Firstly: (either) harbouring evil thoughts about his Lord that if he were to obey Allaah and preferred Him, He (Glorified Be He) will not grant him what is better from the lawful (things).

Secondly: (or) he acknowledges (that Allaah will grant him something better than the forbidden thing he pursues) and that whoever leaves something for Allaah’s sake, He (Glorified Be He) will replace it with something better; but lusts overcomes his patience and desires (overcomes) his intellect. The first affair is due to weakness in knowledge and the second a weakness in intellect and insight.

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[Source: Al-Fawaa’id’ page 78]

 

Seeking The Pleasure of The People Is an Unattainable Goal, So Fulfil Their Rights and Do Not Oppress Them, But Do Not Seek Their Pleasure To Displease Allaah!

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

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:

And what is obligatory to know is that it is neither an admissible (idea) for the intellect (i.e. the sound, uncorrupted intellect) nor (plausible) in the religion to seek the pleasure of the creation (i.e. mankind) due to two affairs:

Firstly: Indeed this is not possible, just as (Imaam) Ash-Shaafi’ee said: The people are an unattainable goal. Therefore, upon you is to (pursue) the affair that rectifies (or make your affairs upright and) adhere to it. Leave what is besides it and do not concern (yourself with) it.

Secondly: Indeed, we have been commanded to (strive to attain) the pleasure of Allaah and His Messenger, as Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَاللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَحَقُّ أَن يُرْضُوهُ إِن كَانُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ – but it is more fitting that they should please Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), if they are believers (9:62)]

Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to fear Allaah and not fear anyone except Allaah, as Allaah (The Most High) said: [فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمْ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ – so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers (3:175)]

Allaah said:

[فَلَا تَخْشَوُا النَّاسَ وَاخْشَوْنِ -Therefore fear not men but fear Me (5:44)]

Allaah said:

[فَإِيَّايَ فَارْهَبُونِ – Then, fear Me (Allaah) much [and Me (Alone), i.e. be away from all kinds of sins and evil deeds that Allah has forbidden and do all that Allah has ordained and worship none but Allah (16:51)]

Allaah said:

[وَإِيَّايَ فَاتَّقُونِ – and fear Me and Me Alone (2:41)]

It is incumbent upon us to fear Allaah and to fear Allaah concerning the (rights) of the people- we should neither harm them with our hearts (i.e. unjustified hatred, blameworthy envy etc) nor with of our limbs (i.e. physical harm). We should fulfil their rights by way of our hearts and limbs, and we do not fear them and leave what Allaah and His Messenger commanded- out of fear of them. The one who adheres to this path, the (good) end results will be his, just as Aa’isha wrote to Mu’aawiyah, (saying), ‘’To proceed: Indeed, whoever seeks the pleasure of the people at the expense of Allaah’s Pleasure will (earn) Allaah’s displeasure and Allah will cause the people to be displeased with him. And the praise of the people will become blame against him.  And whoever seeks Allaah’s Pleasure at the expense of people’s pleasure, will (earn) Allaah’s Pleasure and Allah will cause the people to be pleased with him.”

So the believer’s consideration and intention is nothing else but to (seek) the pleasure of his Lord and avoid His displeasure, and the (good) end result will be his – ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله

[Majmoo 3/233…Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

 

A Brief and Tremendous Admonition from Khaalid Ibn Safwaan That Brought Tears to The Eyes of Umar Ibn Abdul-Azeez

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

Ibraaheem Ibn Adham (rahimahullaah) said: It has reached me that Umar Ibn Abdul Azeez (rahimahullaah) said to Khaalid Ibn Safwaan (rahimahullaah):”Admonish me and be brief”; so Khaalid said: ”O Leader of the believers! Indeed there are a people who have been deceived by Allaah’s concealment of (their sins, blameworthy affairs, shortcomings etc) and are put to trial by the good praise (received from the people), so let not the ignorance of others about your (real state of affairs) prevail over what you know about yourself.  May Allaah protect us and you from becoming deceived by Allaah’s concealment of (our real state of affairs), delayed and negligent in that which Allaah has obligated and inclining towards desires.”  Ibraaheem said: So he (Umar) wept and then said: ”May Allaah protect us and you from following desires.” [Hilyatul Awliyaa 8/18]

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

 

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 Blessings of Safety, Health and Provision, So Let Us Be Grateful O Slaves of Allaah!

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

Ubaidullaah Ibn Mihsan Al-Khatmiy narrated from his father that the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “Whoever among you wakes up (in the morning) safe in his property, healthy in his body and has his daily nourishment, it is as if he has been granted the entire world.

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Reported by Imaam Al-Bukhaari in Al-Adabul Mufrad Number 300 and declared Hasan by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in As-Silsilah As-Saheehah Number: 2318

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]