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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 Abdullah Jallow 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]

 

The End Result of Taqwah and Sabr

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in 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] informed us of the conversation between Prophet Yusuf [alayhis-salaam] and his brothers:

قَالُوا أَإِنَّكَ لَأَنْتَ يُوسُفُ ۖ قَالَ أَنَا يُوسُفُ وَهَٰذَا أَخِي ۖ قَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا ۖ إِنَّهُ مَنْ يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

They said: “Are you indeed Yusuf (Joseph)? “He said: I am Yusuf (Joseph), and this is my brother (Benjamin). Allah has indeed been gracious to us. Verily, he who fears Allah and is patient, then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the good-doers to be lost.”

They knew that the one who addressed them was Yoosuf, so they said: [ أَإِنَّكَ لَأَنْتَ يُوسُف -Are you indeed Yusuf (Joseph)]?” He said: [أَنَا يُوسُفُ وَهَٰذَا أَخِي ۖ قَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا – I am Yusuf (Joseph), and this is my brother (Benjamin). Allah has indeed been gracious to us]” [by granting] us Imaan, piety and authority in the worldly life, and that is due to patience and piety.

[ۖ إِنَّهُ مَنْ يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ -Verily, he who fears Allah and is patient]- Meaning: [He/She] keeps away from what Allaah has forbidden, exercises patience in facing pain and calamities, and [exercises patience] in carrying out the commandments [of Allaah], [فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِين – then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the good-doers to be lost]”; because this is from Ihsaan and Allaah makes not the reward of the one who perfects his deeds to be lost.

[For further details, see Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan]

Four Beneficial Reminders Derived From The Supplication of Dhun-Noon: [None has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) are You (above all that evil) they associate with You. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Belief - 'Aqeedah', Duroos (Lessons), Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Sad Bin Abee Waqqaas narrated that the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ‘’The invocation of my brother Dhun-Noon:[لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ – none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) are You (above all that evil) they associate with You. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers]; there is no one who faces hardship and supplicates with it, except that Allaah will relief him of his hardship.’’

[Saheeh Al-Jaami 3383]

Few Reminders from the Above Hadeeth

Look at the great distress which befell Yoonus [alayhis-salaam]?! The whale swallowed him and went to the bottom of the sea. He was in the belly of the whale and at the bottom of the sea – a great distress indeed. Therefore, there was nothing else for him to do at the time except to keep on repeating that supplication, whilst he was engulfed in darkness – the darkness in the whale’s belly, the darkness in the sea and the darkness of the night, and trapped at the bottom of the sea. He repeated this supplication, so Allaah commanded the whale to take him out. Yoonus [alayhis-salaamn] made this supplication whilst having a strong reliance upon Allaah and knew that deliverance from such a distress is in Allaah’s hand.

This supplication comprises of four affairs:

1: [Tawheed: (لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنتَ)-None has the right to be worshipped except You (O Allaah)]. This is singling out Allaah in worship.

2: [ سُبْحَانَكَ – Glorified (and Exalted) are You (above all that evil) they associate with You]; meaning: I declare that You (O Allaah) are free from everything that does not befit Your Majesty. I declare that You (O Allaah) are free from all deficiencies and defects, and I declare that You (O Allaah) are free from all that which the enemies of the Messengers attribute to You. Allaah [The Most High] said:

[سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ ٱلۡعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ – Glorified be your Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they attribute unto Him! (37:180)]

3: [إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ – Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers]. This is an acknowledgement of one’s wrongdoing and shortcomings.

4: [Servitude to Allaah]: An acknowledgement that you are a slave of Allaah and that you cannot do without Allaah in the twinkling of an eye.

Therefore, a person should turn to Allaah in all circumstances – when faced with pain, hardship, calamity etc.

To be continued InshaaAllaah

[Source: Atharul Adkaar Ash-Shar’iyyah Fee Tardil Hammi Wal-Gham’ pages 21- 23’ by Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr  (may Allaah preserve him) abridged & slightly paraphrased]

Hasten towards good deeds; for there will be trials which would be like a part of a dark night- [Shaikh Rabee Gives Us An Important Reminder]

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

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

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [may Allaah preserve him] said:

Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “Hasten towards (performance of) good deeds; (for) there will be trials which would be like a part of a dark night, wherein (i.e. during these trials) a man wakes up as a believer and becomes a disbeliever by night; or he begins the night as a believer and wakes up as a disbeliever, and a man would sell his religion for a (portion) of the worldly life (i.e. the worldly goods).”  [Saheeh Muslim Kitaab Al-Imaan number: 118]

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [may Allaah preserve him] said:

The author [i.e. Imaam Al-Aajurree] pointed out that a lot of fitan [trials] have occurred–a people were humiliated during it and also [others] were destroyed, such as the likes of Abu Muslim Al-Khurasaanee and [during] the fitna of Ibnul Raawandee.

 Many fitan have occurred and from them, the fitna of the khawaarij, the Rawaafid and killing. Deviation and misguidance have occured –either fighting and trials [related] to politics or trials [related] to creed, methodology and what is similar to it.  Many people who were to be destroyed were destroyed  and the one whom Allaah protected was saved and made to adhere to the true methodology.

Indeed, all praises and thanks be to Allaah, many [people] were saved due to the clarity and establishment of this methodology [of the Salaf], just as the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallaam] promised that “There will not cease to be a group from my Ummah manifest and upon the truth –neither being harmed by those who forsake them nor by those who oppose them until the hour is established.”

So Allaah’s proof has been established against the people from the time the Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallaam] was sent until the establishment of the hour.

A time will not come except that His [i.e. Allaah’s] proofs are established.  [These proofs will be] established by the inheritors of the prophets [i.e. the scholars of Ahlus Sunnah], the people of sound knowledge, the ‘Taa-ifatul Mansoorah [i.e. victorious group] that adheres to the truth and will not depart from it until the establishment of the hour. Allaah’s proof has been established against [the people] and through them [i.e. the inheritors of the prophets, the people of sound knowledge, the victorious group] Allaah saves many people, and all the praises and thanks be to Allaah.

So during every trial, they [i.e. the scholars of Ahlus Sunnah] must openly proclaim the truth and clarify this truth for the people. They should distinguish for them [the difference] between guidance and misguidance; between truth and falsehood; the manner in which the people will be safeguarded from these trials; the path through which they will be saved from entering into fitan and other affairs [by way of which] Allaah [The Blessed and Most High] guides this [victorious] group when [they] face every fitna.

And indeed the author reiterated this hadeeth: ‘’A man will wake up in the morning as a Muslim and by evening he becomes a disbeliever.” He [i.e. the author] said that a people will be humiliated; Yes! A man may be upon truth, and then you do not see him thereafter except that he has become a disbeliever! Or a misguided innovator! This is nothing else but humiliation! He used to claim that he was upon good, a possessor of knowledge and upon the truth, but then he falls into disbelief–either Kufr Akbar or kufr Asghar. This is ignominy and Allaah’s Protection is sought.

How many people have been humiliated and exposed by a trial! [Suddenly] you come to know of them and their false claims are unveiled, and their reality is clarified for you.

Source: الذريعة إلى بيان مقاصد كتاب الشريعة للإمام المحدث أبي بكر محمد بن الحسين الآجري

1/200-202. Abridged and slightly paraphrased

Ponder Upon These Words of Shaikh Uthaymeen Before You Place That Cigarette In Your Mouth or Harm Yourself With Drugs

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

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

Smoking is forbidden due to the evidences found in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, and based on sound opinion.  Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] said:

[وَلا تَقْتُلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيماً  – And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you] [Soorah Nisaa: Ayah: 29]

It is well-known that smoking causes harm to the body which may appear sooner or later, and this is an affair agreed upon by the doctors of today after the advancement of medicine. Smoking also disfigures the teeth, the lips etc.

Also, Allaah [the Most High] said: [وَلا تُؤْتُوا السُّفَهَاءَ أَمْوَالَكُمُ الَّتِي جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ قِيَاماً – And give not unto the foolish your property which Allah has made a means of support for you]. Therefore, Allaah clarified the wisdom behind wealth and that He made it a means of support through which the Religious and worldly benefits are established. And it is well known that spending wealth on cigarettes neither supports Religious nor worldly benefits, rather it does the opposite.

And from the evidences in the Sunnah concerning the impermissibility of smoking is that the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] forbade the squandering of wealth, and squandering wealth is when it is spent in other than what is beneficial. It is well known that spending wealth on smoking is a spending in which there is no benefit, rather it is spending in that which is harmful.

As for sound opinion, then sound intellect necessitates that a person does not partake in that which harms him and wastes his wealth, whilst he is a believer and that he will be brought to account. Therefore, sound intellect necessitates that a person does what benefits him and leaves what harms him, and from the perfection of [one’s religion and character] is to leave that which is of no benefit.

The affairs are three: [1] Beneficial things [2] Harmful things [3] Things in which there is neither harm nor benefit.  The first affair is sought after, the second affair is blameworthy, and regarding the third affair, a person refrains from it out of seeking perfection in his affairs, but there is no blame on him if he does it.

[Paraphrased and abridged: Source:  links http://www.ajurry.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8074] http://www.ibnothaimeen.com/all/noor/article_3610.shtml

 

A Warning to Those Who Deliberately Give False Recommendations and Those Who Give It Without Insight

Written by Masjid Al Furqan on . Posted in Methodology - 'Manhaj', Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors.

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

Imaam Barbahaaree [rahimahullaah] said: ‘It is not permitted for a man to say, ‘So and so is a person of the sunnah’ until he knows that he combines the characteristics of the Sunnah, so it is not said of him, ‘a person of the Sunnah’ until he combines all the Sunnah.'[1]

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] commented on the above statement of Imaam Barbahaaree saying:

Do not give recommended to a person and a praise of him, except based on knowledge, lest the people become deceived by your praise of him, whilst he is not what [you have stated about him].  So when his real affair and path is clear to you, his knowledge and steadfastness; then you can give him recommendation. As for giving out praise and recommendation whilst not knowing of anything about him, then this is a dangerous recommendation through which the people will be deceived by this person.

Had only those who give commendations to the people stopped at that [i.e. put it in its proper place], then they would not give recommendation, except for one who fulfils the conditions of (receiving) recommendation because recommendation is a ‘Witness’; so, if the recommendation is not correct it will be a false witness.

And concerning the statement of Imaam Barbahaaree: ‘until he knows that he combines the characteristics of the Sunnah’ Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan commented on the above statement saying: The characteristics of the Sunnah are to be in Aqeedah, Knowledge and adherence to the Salafus Saaleh.  But if there is not in him except a single characteristic of the (sunnah), then he is not judged to be from Ahlus Sunnah on the basis of a single characteristic or one thing, so what about the one who does not have anything from that? [End of quote][Ref 1]

The Correct stance towards the differing of the scholars concerning

Jarh and Tadeel-by Shaikh Ubaid [may Allaah preserve him]

http://salaficentre.com/2013/08/1-an-eye-opener-for-the-seeker-of-truth-al-allaamah-ubaid-bin-abdillaah-al-jaabiri-answers/

http://salaficentre.com/2013/08/2-an-eye-opener-for-the-seeker-of-truth-alallaamah-ubaid-bin-abdillaah-al-jaabiri-answers/

Ref 1: It-haaful Qaaree Bitta’liqaat Alaa Sharhis Sunnah Lil Imaam Barbahaaree

Vol: 2, page:275-276

 

Consultation: Consulting The Right People In Our Religious and Worldly Affairs Guides Us to The Best Outcomes By The Will of Allaah

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Brotherhood, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Al-Hasan al-Basree [rahimahullaah] said: “By Allaah! Never have a people sought advice except that they were guided to the best of what was available to them.” Then he recited [the statement of Allaah]: [وَأَمۡرُهُمۡ شُورَىٰ بَيۡنَہُمۡ – And (the Believers) who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation] [42:38] [Ref 1]

Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] commanded His Messenger Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] to consult his companions in some affairs. Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] said: [وَشَاوِرۡهُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَمۡرِ‌ۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمۡتَ فَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ – and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah] [3:159]

He [i.e. the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] is the example to be followed by the Ummah, therefore when it is the case that Allaah commanded him [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] to consult his companions, then there is even a greater reason that the Muslims are in need of consultation amongst themselves. When a difficulty that is related to a Muslim’s religious and worldly affairs occurs, then indeed it is fitting that he consults someone whom he considers reliable, wise, truthful and sincere. He examines [the advice] given by that person, then he makes a choice – either to take that advice or decides not to take it based on what he is satisfied with, in relation to his personal affairs.

The hadeeth places emphasis on the fact that consultation guides to the best outcomes, and due to this it is said: ”The one who consults [others] does not regret [thereafter InShaaAllaah] and the one who performs Istikhaarah will not fail [to achieve good]”. Both Istikhaarah and consultation are legislated and a lot of good is achieved by way of them, as opposed to when affairs are pursued in a rigid and haphazard manner, for indeed this might lead to regret and harm. [Ref 2]

Your feedback is welcomed to improve the content of this article BaarakAllaahu Feekum

[Ref 1: Adab Al-Mufrad no.258, declared saheeh by Imaam Albaanee]

[Ref 2: Awnul Ahadis Samad Sharh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad’ 1/285’ (abridged and slightly paraphrased]