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Tag: softening the hearts

A Great Achievement through Seeking Forgiveness Constantly!

Written by Jallow Abdullah 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 Jallow Abdullah 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 Jallow Abdullah 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]

Guarding Oneself From The Disease of Fame Seeking

Written by Jallow Abdullah 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 Jallow Abdullah 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 Jallow Abdullah 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 Jallow Abdullah 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 Jallow Abdullah 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 Jallow Abdullah 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 Jallow Abdullah 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