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Tag: softening the hearts

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

Written by Jallow Abdullah 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]

Consolation – Behave Well and Patiently Bear The Insults, Lies, Misrepresentations etc

Written by Jallow Abdullah 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:

لَتُبۡلَوُنَّ فِىٓ أَمۡوَٲلِڪُمۡ وَأَنفُسِڪُمۡ وَلَتَسۡمَعُنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبۡلِڪُمۡ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشۡرَكُوٓاْ أَذً۬ى كَثِيرً۬ا‌ۚ وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ ذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ

You shall certainly be tried and tested in your wealth and properties and in your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you and from those who ascribe partners to Allah, but if you persevere patiently, and become Al-Muttaqun (the pious) then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs, and that is from the great matters, [which you must hold on with all your efforts]. [3:186]

[وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ ذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ  – but if you persevere patiently, and become Al-Muttaqun (the pious) then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs, and that is from the great matters, [which you must hold on with all your efforts]- Meaning: This is among those determining factors in all affairs and that which the believers compete [to excel] one another. And none is granted this except those people with a strong [upright] determination and lofty ambition, just as Allaah [The Most High] said in another Ayah:

وَمَا يُلَقَّٮٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَمَا يُلَقَّٮٰهَآ إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ۬

But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient, and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of the happiness in the Hereafter i.e. Paradise and in this world of a high moral character). [41:34]

Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan

[Excerpt (abridged and slightly paraphrased)]

The Obligations On Muslims Living In The West:

 http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/articles/mbowy-shaikh-al-uthaimeen-how-muslims-should-behave-in-non-muslim-societies.cfm

 

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

Written by Jallow Abdullah 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

Temporary And Everlasting Affairs -[Ask Allaah For Tawfeeq to Keep On Identifying Them And Constantly Ask Allaah For Tawfeeq to Avoid Its Harms And Receive Its Benefits]

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

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

Al-Allaamah Siddeeq Hasan Khan
[rahimahullaah] said:

This includes affairs before and after death;

[1] There are those affairs whose enjoyment is restricted in this worldly life, such as disobedience and the permissible things.

[2] There are those affairs whose benefit is continuous in this life and the next, such as knowledge and obedience to Allaah etc.

3] There are affairs between the above two categories–and that is every enjoyable thing utilised to aid a person in fulfilling the obligations that will enable him to attain a good afterlife, such as the strength obtained from food, clothing to cover the awrah and to protect oneself from heat and cold etc.

However, after death a person is left with nothing else except if he purified his heart by keeping away from evil desires, being mindful of Allaah due to constant remembrance of Him and love of Him [The Most High]. This cannot be attained expect through knowledge and awareness of Allaah, and this knowledge and awareness comes about as a result of reflecting. Therefore, it is obligatory to be wary of everything that busies a person away from pondering upon the [short lived enjoyment] of the worldly affairs, and everything that aids a person to ponder upon the [short lived enjoyment] of the worldly affairs is indeed an affair of the afterlife.

 

[2] Different Beneficial Reminders from Shaikh Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah]- [Devotion to Acts of Worship In The Households Repels The Shayaateen]

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

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

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] said:

Jaabir [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: The Messenger of Allaah [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, when one of you finishes his prayer in his masjid, then let him give his house a share of his prayer [i.e. pray the optional prayers at home], for indeed Allaah will place something good in his house due to his prayer.” [Muslim 778]

The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ‘’Do not make your houses [similar] to graveyards [i.e. because it is prohibited to perform salah in graveyards], for indeed shaytaan flees from a house in which Soorah al-Baqarah is recited.” [Muslim 780]

This shows that recitation of the Quraan and performing [optional] prayers in the houses is a means of getting close to Allaah, and it is something that Allaah loves. It is a means of receiving blessings in the houses and it prevents shaytaan from being present a lot. That is because shaytaan flees when he hears remembrance of Allaah. He hates to hear good and loves to hear evil. Therefore, whenever the people of a household recite the Qur’aan a lot, mention the Ahaadeeth a lot, perform a lot of dhikr by uttering Subhaanallaah and Laa ilaaha illal laah, they are more safeguarded from Shayaateen and distanced from him. And whenever the household is preoccupied with heedlessness, music, idle pursuits and gossiping, they are brought closer to the presence of the shayaateen who urges them towards falsehood.

Al-Fawaa’id Al-Ilmiyyah’ 1/123-124. Abridged & slightly paraphrased

 

The Door of Success And Well-being Shut In Front of The People Due to Six Affairs – [O Allaah! Protect Us, Grant Us The Tawfeeq to Repent, Forgive Us And Grant Us Husnul Khaatimah.. Aameen]

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

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

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said: Shaqeeq Ibn Ibraaheem [rahimahullaah] said: ”The door of success and well-being are shut in front of the people due to six reasons: ‘Preoccupation with the blessings of [Allaah], whilst they are ungrateful; desire for knowledge, whilst abandoning action; rushing towards sin, whilst delaying repentance; being honoured with companionship of the righteous people, whilst not following their deeds; the worldly life elapses, whilst they run after it and the afterlife is approaching them, whilst they turn away from it.”

I [i.e. Ibnul Qayyim] say: The basis of this is due to not having a fervent desire and fear, weakness in one’s certainty, short-sightedness, lowliness of the soul and exchanging that which is better for that which is lower; for if the soul [of this person] was noble, it would not have been pleased with something lower [or inferior].

[Source: Al-Fawaa-id: page: 255. abridged and slightly paraphrased]

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

Written by Jallow Abdullah 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]

 

Great Numbers of People Upon a Particular Way of Life Is Not Proof That They Are Rightly Guided

Written by Jallow Abdullah on . Posted in Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.

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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَإِن تُطِعۡ أَڪۡثَرَ مَن فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَإِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ مَن يَضِلُّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۖ وَهُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِٱلۡمُهۡتَدِينَ

And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path. They follow nothing but conjectures, and they do nothing but lie. Verily, your Lord! It is He Who knows best who strays from His Way, and He knows best the rightly guided ones. [6:116-117]

Allaah [The Most High] said to His Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] whilst warning him against obeying the majority of the people: [وَإِن تُطِعۡ أَڪۡثَرَ مَن فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ   – And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path]; Meaning: The majority of the people have deviated from their religion [i.e. the sound religion of Tawheed revealed to all the Prophets and Messengers], (upright) deeds and knowledge. Their religious practices are corrupted and their deeds are based on their desires [i.e. not based on the final revelation revealed by Allaah to mankind and Jinn]. Likewise, their knowledge is neither based on certainty nor does it guide towards the path of righteousness; rather their aim is to follow conjecture, which can be of no avail against the truth. They lie and speak about Allaah without knowledge, therefore it is inevitable that Allaah warns His servants [i.e. mankind] regarding the likes of these people and describe their state of affairs. And even though this ayah was an address to the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], however the Ummah is to follow him in all the rulings which have not been specified to him [i.e. unless something is proven by text to show that a ruling is only applicable to the Prophet, otherwise such a ruling is also applicable to the Ummah].

Then Allaah [The Most High] said: [إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ مَن يَضِلُّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ‌ۖ وَهُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِٱلۡمُهۡتَدِينَ- Verily, your Lord! It is He Who knows best who strays from His Way, and He knows best the rightly guided ones]; Meaning: Allaah knows who follows the straight path and directs others to it. Therefore, it is obligated on the believers to follow Allaah’s advice; obey Allaah’s commands and keep away from what Allaah has forbidden because Allaah knows what is best for them and Allaah is more Merciful to them than they are to themselves.

This ayah shows that the mere fact that the majority of people (are followers of a particular path) is neither a proof that they are upon truth nor that a small number of people (upon a particular way) is proof that they are upon falsehood; rather the fact is that the people of truth are smaller in number, but they are exalted in the sight of Allaah and will receive great reward. Therefore, it is obligated (on a person) to judge truth and falsehood based on what Allaah has revealed as the only means to judging what is true or false.

[Source: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan’ by Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah). Abridged & slightly paraphrased]

End of The Nine Mischief Makers Amongst The People of Prophet Saaleh [alayhis salaam]-A Warning to All Plotters In Our Era!

Written by Jallow Abdullah on . Posted in Deviated Callers & Individuals, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan.

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

Allaah (The Most High) stated concerning those who disbelieved in His Messenger Saaleh (alayhis-salaam):

وَكَانَ فِى ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ تِسۡعَةُ رَهۡطٍ۬ يُفۡسِدُونَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا يُصۡلِحُونَ

قَالُواْ تَقَاسَمُواْ بِٱللَّهِ لَنُبَيِّتَنَّهُ ۥ وَأَهۡلَهُ ۥ ثُمَّ لَنَقُولَنَّ لِوَلِيِّهِۦ مَا شَہِدۡنَا مَهۡلِكَ أَهۡلِهِۦ وَإِنَّا لَصَـٰدِقُونَ

وَمَكَرُواْ مَڪۡرً۬ا وَمَكَرۡنَا مَڪۡرً۬ا وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ

فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ ڪَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ مَكۡرِهِمۡ أَنَّا دَمَّرۡنَـٰهُمۡ وَقَوۡمَهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ

فَتِلۡكَ بُيُوتُهُمۡ خَاوِيَةَۢ بِمَا ظَلَمُوٓاْ‌ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡلَمُونَ

وَأَنجَيۡنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَڪَانُواْ يَتَّقُونَ

And there were in the city nine men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the land, and would not reform. They said: “Swear one to another by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and afterwards we will surely say to his near relatives: ‘We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily! We are telling the truth. So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.  Then see how was the end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together. These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayah (a lesson or a sign) for people who know. And We saved those who believed, and used to fear Allah, and keep their duty to Him. [27:48-53]

In the city where Saaleh (lived) amongst his people, there were nine men whom Allaah described as mischief makers in the land. They neither had any (good) intention nor deeds of righteousness; rather they were prepared to manifest enmity towards Saaleh (alayhis-salaam) – spoke ill of his religion (of Tawheed and uprightness) and called their people to this enmity of theirs. [Ref 1] They used to shed blood, commit theft and violate the honour of women. They were also the ones who hamstrung the she-camel. [Ref 2]

Allaah (The Most High) informed us that Saaleh (alayhis-salaam) advised his people, saying:

فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ

وَلَا تُطِيعُوٓاْ أَمۡرَ ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ

ٱلَّذِينَ يُفۡسِدُونَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا يُصۡلِحُونَ

So fear Allah, keep your duty to Him, and obey me. And follow not the command of Al-Musrifun [i.e. their chiefs, leaders who were polytheists, criminals and sinners]; Who make mischief in the land, and reform not. [26:150-152]

However, they did not cease to be upon this evil state of affairs until their enmity towards Saaleh (alayhis-salaam) led them to make an oath to one another that they will approach him and his family at night and murder them.  They also agreed that when they are confronted by Saaleh’s (alayhis-salaam) near relatives with the claim that they killed him, they will reject the claim and make an oath that they were truthful. So they plotted to murder Allaah’s Prophet Saaleh (alayhis-salaam) and Allaah also planned, but Allaah saved Saaleh (alayhis-salaam) and destroyed his disbelieving people.  Indeed, they never fulfilled their goal and plot.

This is the reality of the end result; so ponder upon the way in which Allaah (The Most High) deals with His Friends and His enemies! The end result of oppression will always be devastation and destruction, and the end result of Eemaan and justice will always be safety and success.

Allaah saved those who believed in Him, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the last Day and in His pre-decree (its good and it bad)—and they were also those who refrained from shirk and disobedience, and they obeyed Allaah and His Messengers. [Ref 3]

[Refs 1 & 3: Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Ramaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan of Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah)… Abridged and paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Zaadul Maseer’ by Ibnul Jawzi]

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 Jallow Abdullah 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]