Reflective Reminders

I advise you with five matters...

2011-12-23T03:07:00.001-08:00

Ibn Abee Haatim-"I advise you with five matters:

When you are treated unjustly,do not behave unjustly;
When you are praised,do not become happy;
When you are criticized, do not become upset;
... When you are not believed,do not become angry;
And if people act deceitfully towards you, do not act deceitfully towards them."
Ibn Abee Haatim said:" So I took that as my benefit from Damascus."

Related by Ibn al Jawzee in Sifatus-safwah(2/200)

The first thing for which a person...

2011-12-02T08:38:00.000-08:00

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is sound, he will be successful, and if it is lacking in any way, he w...ill be doomed. If his obligatory prayers are lacking, the Lord will say: “Look and see whether My slave has any voluntary prayers which may be used to make up what is lacking in his obligatory prayers.” Then all his deeds will be examined and dealt with in the same way.’”

[Sunan al-Tirmidhi no. 413; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2020]

Maya Angelou

2011-11-27T15:57:00.000-08:00

“The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.”
— Maya Angelou

Leave alone those who...

2011-11-27T15:36:00.000-08:00

Leave alone those who take their religion to be mere play and amusement, and deceived by the life of this world. But proclaim (to them) this (truth) : that every soul delivers itself to ruins by its own acts : Al-An'am:70

...

2011-11-27T15:34:00.000-08:00

So let my Enemies say what they will for my Sins are many, and perhaps because of their backbiting and slander My sins will be lightened and instead fall upon their shoulders " Shaykh Muqbil Ibn Hadi Al-Wadi'ee (rahimullah)

Sins

2011-11-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen (رحمه الله) wrote:

'The bigger desire you have for a sin, the bigger your emaan will be if you leave it.'
[Fath-ur-Rabb, p.105]

Is it permissible for little girls to play with baby dolls?

2011-01-15T16:21:00.000-08:00

The Types of dolls that are permissible Posted by Umm An-Nu'man on Saturday, January 8, 2011

Question: Is it permissible for little girls to play with baby dolls? Some parents say that these are images or could be used as idols. This is what is commonly mentioned in America in relation to these types of toys such as the Barbie dolls, and here in Saudi Arabia they have what is called the Fula dolls which could probably be better because she is a Muslim, she has a khimaar, a jilbaab and everything else. However, the point is that some parents remove the head from the doll and then give it to the child, making it undesirable for the child to play with as the child doesn't want to play with a doll without a head. Is this type of doll to be looked at as an idol or an image or something that is impermissible for the children to play with?

Answer: If this toy or doll is the type of doll which is magnified or glorified like 'China dolls' or dolls which the child is not allowed to touch - perhaps it is made from wood or glass or it is placed in a particular box or something like that, then this is something that is prohibited. This is what is prohibited.

As for the baby doll that is in the form of a girl or a boy or like this, and it is something that the child plays with and which the child throws around; something that you may find lying on the ground and the child picks it up and plays with it; then there is nothing wrong with this. `A'ishah رضي الله عنها had a toy horse with two wings which she used to play with; the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم acknowledged this and he never stopped her from playing with it. This is not the type of image/form which is prohibited in Islaam. The image/form that is prohibited is the one that is magnified or glorified and the one that no one should touch or play with. It may be in the form of a man or woman or like this. As for the toy that the child plays with, there is nothing wrong with it; it is not haraam because it is for children.

The Shaykh حفظه الله added to this, that the legislation of Islaam has prohibited taking dogs as pets and has prohibited pigs from being eaten or taken as pets as it is itself something that is najis (impure). Due to this, it is not permissible to play with toys in the image/form of a pig, a dog or anything that the legislation of Islaam has prohibited. This is not appropriate. However, if it is in the form of a lion, a camel or any animal which Islaam has not prohibited then this is okay.

Answered by: Shaykh Wasiullaah 'Abbaas

Title of Lecture: As-Seerah an-Nabawiyyah

Date of the Lecture: January 30th, 2007

Source: http://www.albaseerah.org/

Ashamed to turn away empty hands

2011-01-14T21:43:00.000-08:00

Narrated Salman radee Allaahu 'anhu Allaah's Messenger salaa Allaahu alayhi was salam said, "Your Lord is Magnificent and Generous and ashamed to turn away empty the hands of a slave when he raises them [2] to Him." [Al-Araba'a except An-Nasa'i reported it; Al-Hakim graded it sahih (sound)]

This Hadith states the raising of the one's hands while making supplication, is a Sunnah (a supererogatory act).

Let him honor his guest

2010-12-29T15:23:00.000-08:00

Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (6018) and Muslim (47).

The prayer is from the Hereafter, so when you enter it you leave the world.

2010-12-28T22:50:00.000-08:00

From Ibnul Qayyim's The Path to Guidance, Chapter Nine, pp 89-92

(1) That Allaah, the Exalted, wipes away sins by the five prayers.

(2) That the five prayers are an expiation for what occurs between them, if major sins are avoided.

(3) That sins burn and destroy a person, and thus it is necessary to extinguish that with the prayers.

(4) That the Muslim reaches the level of the truthful and the martyrs on account of his prayers, charity and fasting.

(5) The superiority of prayer*2 over other actions.

(6) That Allaah, the Exalted, bestowed a favor upon that Companion by entering him into Paradise before his brother who died as a martyr because he prayed more than he.

(7) That the prayer is light which illuminates the path of the servant in this world and the Hereafter.

(8) That an abundance of prostrations and prayers is the way to accompany the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) in Paradise.

(9) That a two-rak'ah prayer is more loved by the dead person than the world and whatever is in it.

(10) That emptying the heart for Allaah in the prayer puts a person in the same condition as the day when his mother gave birth to him...
Ibn Ahmad Maher ibn Ahmad (U.S.A.)

Knowledge is Light

2009-12-28T21:52:00.000-08:00

"Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend..."

2009-08-17T20:39:00.000-07:00

1 - Allah Said:

{"Ah! Woe to me! If only I had never taken so-and-so as a friend! He indeed led me astray from the Reminder after it had come to me!"}

[al-Furqan; 28-29]

2 - The Messenger of Allah said:

"A person is upon the way of his friend. So, let one of you look to whom he keeps as a friend."

['Sahih al-Jami'' (3545) and 'as-Silsilah as-Sahihah' (927)]

3 - 'Abdullah bin Ahmad bin Hambal said:

"My father went out to Tarsus on foot, and he perfored two or three Hajjs on foot, and he was the most patient of people upon being alone."

['Tarjamat al-Imam Ahmad'; p. 18]

4 - Ibn al-Qayyim said:

"Know that the greatest of losses is for you to be preoccupied with one who will bring you nothing but a loss in your time with Allah - the Mighty and Majestic - and being cut off from Him, a wasting your time with the person, a weakening of your energy, and the dispersing of your resolve. So, if you are tested with this - and you must be tested with this - deal with him according to how Allah would wish, and be patient with him as much as possible. Get closer to Allah and His Pleasure by way of this person, and make your getting together with him something to benefit from, not something to incur a loss from. Be with him as if you are a man who is on a road who was stopped by another man, who then asks you to take him on your journey. Make sure that you are the one who gives him a ride, and that he is not the one giving you the ride. If he refuses, and there is nothing to gain from travelling with him, do not stop for him, bid him farewell, and do not even turn back to look at him, as he is a highway robber, regardless of who he really is.

So, save your heart, be wary of how you spend your days and nights, and do not let the Sun set before you arrive at your destination."

['al-Wabil as-Sayyib'; p. 45]

5 - Ibn Jama'ah said:

"So, it is upon the student of knowledge to abandon socialization, as abandoning it is from the most important things that the student of knowledge must do - let alone with members of the opposite gender - especially with those who spend most of their time in play, and spend little of their time in thought, as the nature of individuals can rob you.

The harms of socialization include the passing of life without any benefit, as well as the decline of wealth and religious practice, if this socialization were to occur with the wrong people.

The student of knowledge should not mix except with either those who he can benefit, or can benefit from. And if he is offered the friendship of one who will waste his time with him, will not benefit him, will not benefit from him, and will not assist him in reaching his objective, he should politely end the relationship from the start before it progresses to something deeper, as when something becomes established, it becomes more difficult to change it. There is a phrase that is constantly on the tongues of the Fuqaha': 'Repelling something is easier than removing it.'

So, if he requires someone to befriend, let that person be righteous, religious, pious, wary, intelligent, full of benefit, having little evil, good at complying, rarely conflicting, reminding him if he forgets, cooperating with him when he is reminded, helpful if he is in need, and comforting if he is in distress."

['Tadhkirat as-Sami' wal-Mutakallim'; p. 83]

6 - Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi said:

"Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend. You must verify that this potential friend has the neccessary characteristics that make friendship with him something to be desired. The one you seek to befriend must have five characteristics:

* He must be intelligent, as there is no good in befriending an idiot, as he will only harm you when he wants to benefit you. By intelligent, we mean one who understands things as they are, either on his own, or if they are explained to him;

* He must have good manners, and this is a must. One who is simply intelligent might be overcome by anger or desire, and obey his desire. Thus, there would be no benefit in befriending him;

* He must not be a fasiq, as such a person would not fear Allah, and whoever does not fear Allah cannot be trusted;

* He must not be an innovator, as his abundance of innovation is feared from befriending him;

* He should not be eager for the dunya."

['Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasidin'; p. 126-132]

Characteristics of those who think they're perfect or better than others

2009-08-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

Excerpt taken from The Decrease after the Increase

Another reason for Decrease After the increase is Ghular having self-delusion
‘Ihjaab being astonished with one self. Many people who have this believe that they are sticking to Quran wa Sunnah and they believe they are upon righteousness. The difference between an illusion in contrast to a delusion is that an illusion is to see something is real when it’s not there and a delusion is to believe something is real when it’s not.
So these types of people have this holier than thou attitude and them attending circles of knowledge show that they do have good within them but when Ghular and ’Ihjaab settles in they believe that they are perfect or that they are more complete than others (I seek refuge with Allah from being like this). So he/she doesn’t feel the need to increase their effort he thinks himself “well, doing fine, I’m righteous” no need to do anymore. He begins to compare himself with others i.e. I attend circles of knowledge they don’t, I’m in the Masjid others aren’t. So this person doesn’t try in increase himself because of his self-delusion and as a result he doesn’t fear having a bad ending and he feels safe from being lead astray.
This is a sign of weakness in him self and this could lead him to follow the wrong path having been misguided after being guided. Further more when one is amazed with himself he starts to look at the faults of others and he doesn’t try to deal with the faults of himself and soul needs him to deal with this Ghular as it is Kufr for one to feel safe from the punishment of Allah and to lose hope in Allah’s Mercy.
The way to deal with this is to do the opposite of it. Focus on himself before his family and the people around him make Islaah (rectification) with himself and Tawba (repentance).

Abu Uwais Raheemallah

Pondering This

2009-08-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

And by the Mercy of Allâh, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harshhearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allâh's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allâh, certainly, Allâh loves those who put their trust (in Him). (Aali Imran 3:159)

HADEETH 13: The Muslim is Honest and Truthful in All His Affairs

2009-07-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

Forty Hadeeth on the Islamic Personality, by Shaikh Ali Hasan al-Halabi

From Abu Hurayrah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) who said that Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu alaihi wa'sallam) said: Three things are the sign of the hypocrite: when he speaks he tells lies, when he promises he breaks it and when he is trusted he proves to be dishonest.

Reported by al-Bukharee (Eng. Trans. 1/31/no.32) and Muslim (Eng. Trans. 1/40/no.112) NOTES

So he is truthful and honest in his speech, faithful to his promise, trustworthy in carrying out that which he has been entrusted with. He does not deceive or defraud, he does not tell lies and is not guilty of hypocrisy. So truthfulness and honesty is one of the chief good qualities, whereas falsehood is the head of corruption and evil. So his honesty keeps him far away from evil and foul deeds and sickness of the heart. Therefore whatever action he does, he does it for Allaah, the One free and far removed from all defects, not to attain some worldly position, fame or repute.

Justice and Being Justly Balanced

2009-07-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

HADEETH 3: Justice and Being Justly Balanced

From Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) who said that Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam) said: Love the one whom you love to a certain degree (moderately), perhaps one day he will be someone for whom you have hatred, and hate the one for whom you have hatred to a certain degree (moderately), perhaps one day he will be one whom you love.

Reported by at-Tirmidhee (no. 1997) and others by way of Suwayd ibn 'Amr al-Kalbee: Hammad ibn Salamah narrated to us from Ayyoob as-Sakhtiyanee from Muhammad ibn Seereen from him. This isnaad is Saheeh (authentic) if Allaah wills.
NOTES
The Muslim is justly balanced in his loving and his hating. He is just both when giving and when taking and is moderate in all of that. His being justly balanced is one of the signs of his Religion and the Sharee'ah. So he is not one who goes beyond the limits, nor one who falls short of what is required. Furthermore the Muslim does not derive this quality of being justly balanced from his intellect and desires, nor from his own opinion or other than this, rather he takes it from the Book of Allaah, the One free of all imperfections. "Thus we have made you a justly balanced nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (Muhammad (salallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam)) be a witness over you." (Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 143). Being justly balanced is not an easy matter, indeed many of those who call out and declare it, desire only to water matters down and compromise. So for a person to be truly justly balanced as ordered by Allaah is not, as I have said, easy, rather it requires:

No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach

2009-07-09T19:44:00.000-07:00

Explanation Of The Hadeeth:

No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach…
Author: Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee
Source: Jaami’ Al-’Uloom wal-Hikam, hadeeth no. 47
On the authority of Al-Miqdaam ibn Maadiy-Karib who said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah saying:
“No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Aadam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath.” [Ahmad, At-Tirmidhee, An-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Maajah - hadeeth saheeh.]

1. Ibn Masaweh, a Muslim doctor, said after reading this hadeeth:
“If the people only used these words, they would avoid all diseases and maladies and the clinics and pharmacies would be idle.”
2. Another doctor, Al-Harith ibn Kalada said:
“That which has killed mankind is the introduction of food on top of food before it has been digested.”
3. As for spiritual benefits: humbleness of heart, strength of understanding, lessening of lower desires, lessening of personal opinions and anger, while overeating induces the opposites of all of those. Al-Hasan Al-Basree said:
“O, son of Adam, eat with one third of your stomach and drink with one third and leave one third of your stomach to breathe so that you may think.”
4. Ibn Umar: A man said to Ibn Umar:
“Shouldn’t I bring you some jawarish?” Ibn Umar said: “What is that?” He said: “Something which aids in digesting your food after you eat.” Ibn Umar said: “I have not eaten to being full for four months. That is not because I am not able to do so, but I was with a group of people who were hungry more than they were full.”
5. Not reaching your goals: Muhammad ibn Wasi said:
“Whoever eats little will understand and make others understand and will be clear and humble. Overeating weighs a person down and keeps him from much of what he wants [to accomplish]. “
6. Al-Hasan Al-Basree:
“The test of Aadam, alayhis-salaam, was food and it is your test until Qiyama.”
And, it used to be said:
“Whoever takes control of his stomach gets control of all good deeds.”
And:
“Wisdom does not reside in a full stomach.”
One day, Al-Hasan offered some food to his companion who said: “I have eaten until I am no longer able to eat.” To which Al-Hasan said:
“SubhaanAllaah! Does a Muslim eat until he is no longer able to eat?”
7. Allaah grants this world to those whom He loves and those He does not love but only grants hunger to those whom he loves.
8. Ash-Shaafi’ee said:
“I have not filled myself in sixteen years because filling oneself makes the body heavy, removes clear understanding, induces sleep and makes one weak for worship.”
9. In Bukhaaree and Muslim:
“The believer eats with one stomach while the kafir eats with seven stomachs.”
Meaning: The believer eats with the manners of Islam and in moderation, while the kafir eats based on desires and gluttony and so he eats with seven stomachs.
10. Also:
“Food for one is enough for two and food for two is enough for three and food for three is enough for four.”
11. Also: From Aa’ishah:
“The family of Muhammad (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) never filled themselves with wheat bread three days in a row from the time he came to Madeenah until he passed away.”
12. A Muslim should not merely follow his appetites. Allaah said:
“Then, they were followed by generations who neglected the prayer and followed their appetites. They will encounter a pit of fire except for those who repent…” [Maryam 59-60]
13. The best generations did not:
“The best generation is my generation, followed by the one after them then the one after them. Then will come a people who bear witness but are not asked to bear witness, who swear oaths but do not fulfill them and fatness will appear among them.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
14. From Abee Barza that the Prophet (sal-Allaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:
“My greatest fear for you is the appetites of transgression with regard to your stomachs and your privates and the inclinations which lead astray.” [Ahmad and others and its narrators are people of saheeh]

Whoever hides sincere advice from the Muslims has acted deceitfully towards them

2009-06-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

point 79: It is not permissible to hide sincere advice from any of the Muslims, whether pious or impious, in matters of the religion. Whoever hides that has acted deceitfully towards the Muslims. Whoever acts deceitfully towards the Muslims has done so towards the religion. Whoever acts deceitfully towards the religion has behaved treacherously towards Allah, His Messenger and the Believers [1]
[1] Tameem ad-Daaree narrates: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “The religion is sincerity.” Upon this, we (the companions) asked, “To whom?” He (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) replied, “To Allah, His Book, His Messenger and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.” Reported by Muslim (Eng. trans. 1/37/no.98).

Divorce as a result of complaining and Allah giving someone Better

2009-05-30T21:39:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from a long hadith Volume 4, Book 55, Number 583:

After Ishmael's mother had died, Abraham came after Ishmael's marriage in order to see his family that he had left before, but he did not find Ishmael there. When he asked Ishmael's wife about him, she replied, 'He has gone in search of our livelihood.' Then he asked her about their way of living and their condition, and she replied, 'We are living in misery; we are living in hardship and destitution,' complaining to him. He said, 'When your husband returns, convey my salutation to him and tell him to change the threshold of the gate (of his house).' When Ishmael came, he seemed to have felt something unusual, so he asked his wife, 'Has anyone visited you?' She replied, 'Yes, an old man of so-and-so description came and asked me about you and I informed him, and he asked about our state of living, and I told him that we were living in a hardship and poverty.' On that Ishmael said, 'Did he advise you anything?' She replied, 'Yes, he told me to convey his salutation to you and to tell you to change the threshold of your gate.' Ishmael said, 'It was my father, and he has ordered me to divorce you. Go back to your family.' So, Ishmael divorced her and married another woman from amongst them (i.e. Jurhum).

Then Abraham stayed away from them for a period as long as Allah wished and called on them again but did not find Ishmael. So he came to Ishmael's wife and asked her about Ishmael. She said, 'He has gone in search of our livelihood.' Abraham asked her, 'How are you getting on?' asking her about their sustenance and living. She replied, 'We are prosperous and well-off (i.e. we have everything in abundance).' Then she thanked Allah' Abraham said, 'What kind of food do you eat?' She said. 'Meat.' He said, 'What do you drink?' She said, 'Water." He said, "O Allah! Bless their meat and water." The Prophet added, "At that time they did not have grain, and if they had grain, he would have also invoked Allah to bless it." The Prophet added, "If somebody has only these two things as his sustenance, his health and disposition will be badly affected, unless he lives in Mecca." The Prophet added," Then Abraham said Ishmael's wife, "When your husband comes, give my regards to him and tell him that he should keep firm the threshold of his gate.' When Ishmael came back, he asked his wife, 'Did anyone call on you?' She replied, 'Yes, a good-looking old man came to me,' so she praised him and added. 'He asked about you, and I informed him, and he asked about our livelihood and I told him that we were in a good condition.' Ishmael asked her, 'Did he give you any piece of advice?' She said, 'Yes, he told me to give his regards to you and ordered that you should keep firm the threshold of your gate.' On that Ishmael said, 'It was my father, and you are the threshold (of the gate). He has ordered me to keep you with me.'

The Difference between Naseehah (Advising) and Tajreeh (Disparaging)

2009-05-30T21:26:00.000-07:00

The Linguistic and Technical Meaning of the word Naseehah (Advising)

The word “Naseehah” linguistically indicates something that is pure. It means purity from everything that is corrupt. It is said that milk is Naasih (pure) when it is free of impurity. Therefore the religion that Allah sent to our Prophet Muhammad (may peace & blessings be upon him) commands (us to observe) this aspect of Naseehah which is a purity from all that is deceptive, whatever that form of deceit may be. Whether it occurs in the relations people have, or during counseling sessions, or in their business transactions. Even during their arguments and disputes, or the rulings given amongst the people all of that is done sincerely without any deceit or its involvement.

Naseehah begins first with Allah which is to believe in Him, and to believe in His names and attributes while worshiping Him the Glorified, the Most High, the one who is alone having no partner. This is the meaning of Naseehah to Allah.

Then there is Naseehah to the Book of Allah. It is to believe that the Quran is the speech of Allah the Glorious, the Most High. To use it as a source of reaching a ruling in order to settle disputes, to adhere to what was revealed within it, to act according to its commands and to leave that which it prohibits.

Then there is Naseehah to the Messenger of Allah (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) which is to believe in him (as the final prophet) and to affirm this belief while loving him and obeying him. It is to adhere to what he brought and to abandon all of the newly invented matters and innovations that oppose what was revealed to him (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him). This is the meaning of Naseehah to the Messenger of Allah (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him).

Then there is Naseehah to the Muslim rulers who are in charge of running the affairs of the people. This is done by listening to them and obeying them in goodness without trying to overthrow them. It also includes supplicating for them to have piety and honesty as well as carrying out the work that they have entrusted the people with from amongst the high ranking officials. So when they entrust those who are reliable with an order concerning the affairs of the Muslims and they place them in charge of them, then it is obligatory for the ruler to advise them in performing their jobs and carrying them out. This includes the princes, the judges, the employees, and the workers, all of those whom the ruler has placed in positions. All of them must be given Naseehah by the ruler in order to carry out their work. Just as Naseehah is to be given to the ruler as well in conveying what they observe form his shortcomings until he acts based on what he rectified and what he reconciled (of his shortcomings). This is Naseehah to them (the rulers) and cooperation with them.

Then there is Naseehah to the common Muslim people and that is by spreading love amongst the Muslims and rectifying all forms of discord. The Most High says: {Fear Allah and rectify all forms of discord amongst yourselves.} Soorat-ul-Anfaal: 1

And the Most High says: {And if two groups from amongst the believers begin to fight with one another then make peace between them both. However if one breaks the peace by resuming the differences amongst the two then all of you must fight the group that rebelled until it complies with the order of Allah. If they comply then make peace between them in fairness and be just. Indeed Allah loves those who are just.} Soorat-ul-Hujuraat: 9 -10

This is the Naseehah that is to be given to the Muslims.

Naseehah also includes enjoining the good and forbidding the evil to whoever falls into that which opposes (the religion) until he returns to the correct position.

{And the believing men and the believing women are supporters of one another. They enjoin the good and forbid the evil, they establish prayer, they pay the alms tax, and they obey Allah and His messenger. They are the ones whom Allah will have mercy upon. Indeed Allah is Mighty and Wise.} Soorat-ut-Tawbah: 71

Therefore enjoining the good and forbidding the evil is Naseehah. How do you watch your brother opposing (the religion) or upon some form of disobedience, you harm him and you harm society by not advising one another! You must advise one another and enjoin the good and forbid the evil by using wisdom and good admonition. Debating by using good words is best, not by disparaging, condemning, and belittling. This is not Naseehah rather this is Fadheehah (scandal and controversy): {Indeed those who love that al-Faahishah (filthy vile language, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) be spread amongst those who believe, they will suffer a painful punishment in this life and in the hereafter. And Allah knows but you do not.} Soorat-un-Noor: 19

The Difference between Naseehah (Advising) and Tajreeh (Disparaging)

It is not permissible to broadcast mistakes and to disparage those who have fallen into them and to construct our gatherings upon back biting and slandering them. Allah has prohibited all of that. The Most High says: {O you who believe do not let a group among you make fun of another group among you. It may be that those being ridiculed are better than those who ridicule them. Nor allow a group of women among you to ridicule another group of women among you. It may be that those being ridiculed are better than those who ridicule them.} Soorat-ul-Hujuraat: 11

So perhaps the one being spoken about is better than the one who speaks about him (as Allah says:) {It may be that those being ridiculed are better than those who ridicule them. Nor allow a group of women among you to ridicule another group of women among you. It may be that those being ridiculed are better than those who ridicule them.} Soorat-ul-Hujuraat: 11

The deficiency found in your brother is a deficiency found in you. If you want to rectify this deficiency that has occurred from the ruler or from the general Muslims then let this Naseehah occur between you and between the one being advised in private. That you sit in a gathering or speak on a tape recording or speak upon the pulpit during a sermon and disparage the Muslim rulers or that you disparage your Muslim brothers then this affair is not permissible. This is not Naseehah. On the contrary this is Fadheehah (scandal and controversy). It is the difference between Naseehah and Tajreeh (disparagement).

Naseehah is what Allah the Glorious and Most High commands. The Messenger (may the peace & blessings of Allah be upon him) commands it. It is (a form of) rectification. As for Tajreeh (disparagement) then it is corruption. It is the difference between corruption and rectification: {And Allah knows the corrupt person from the one who wants to make peace.} Soorat-ul-Baqarah: 22

The one who desires rectification does not call out his brothers when they fall into mistakes. He does not disparage them or announce their shortcomings. Rather he must sit with the one being advised or speak to him via the various modes of communication and discuss it privately. He may not know about the mistake that he has fallen into. So he is advised of it for the sake of avoiding it and no one is informed of that. This is the Naseehah which indicates clarity within the souls and love within the hearts. And this will produce rectification to those things which are corrupt as well as produce mutual brotherhood between the Muslims and the safeguarding used to cover up mistakes. So whoever covers up the fault of a Muslim, Allah will cover his in this life and in the hereafter.

By Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan (hafithahullah) Member of the Major Scholars and Permanent Committee for Religious Rulings
Translated by Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee –may Allah guide him
Source: The Difference between Naseehah and Tajreeh pages 14 – 18
http://thestraightforwardword.blogspot.com/2009/03/difference-between-naseehah-advising.html

Prohibition of Recounting of Favors

2009-05-28T18:27:00.000-07:00

Riyad-us-Saleheen
Prohibition of Recounting of Favors page 1185 & 1186
Allah, the Exalted, says:
"O you who believe! Do not render in vain your Sadaqah (charity) by reminders of your generosity or by injury.'' (2:264)
"Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury.'' (2:262)

1588. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallaahu alayhi was salam) observed: "There are three (types of) people to whom Allah will neither speak on the Day of Resurrection nor look at them nor purify them, and they will have a painful chastisement.'' The Messenger of Allah (sallaahu alayhi was salam) repeated it three times. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) remarked: "They are ruined. Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?'' Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (sallaahu alayhi was salam) said, "One who lets down his lower garments (below his ankles) out of arrogance, one who boasts of his favors done to another; and who sells his goods by taking a false oath.''
[Muslim]
Commentary: The Hadith makes it evident that it is forbidden for a man to let his lower-body garment go beyond his ankles out of arrogance. The Hadith also makes it clear that it is forbidden to take a false oath with a view to sell one's goods. Messenger of Allah (sallaahu alayhi was salam) also said in a Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari: ("Taking a false oath) helps one sell one's goods well but takes away Allah's blessings from it.''

To Remind About Charity Given is Forbidden

Upper Hand is better

2009-05-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

Narrated Hakim bin Hizam The Prophet said, "The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e. he who gives in charity is better than him who takes it). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money which is left after his expenses). And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient."

Narrated Ibn 'Umar: I heard Allah's Apostle (sallahu alayhi was salam) while he was on the pulpit speaking about charity, to abstain from asking others for some financial help and about begging others, saying, "The upper hand is better than the lower hand. The upper hand is that of the giver and the lower (hand) is that of the beggar."

Sahih Bukhari

Reconciliation

2009-04-23T20:23:00.000-07:00

•And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah (i.e. this Qur’aan), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allaah’s Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islamic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allaah makes His Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided Aal Imraan 3:103

•It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not hate one another, do not envy one another, do not turn away from one another. Be, O slaves of Allaah, brothers. It is not permissible for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three days.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6065; Muslim, 2559.

•It was narrated that Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three days, each of them turning away when they meet. The better of them is the one who gives the greeting of salaam first.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2757; Muslim, 2560.

•It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The gates of Paradise are opened on Monday and Thursday, and everyone who does not associate anything with Allaah is forgiven, except a man who has had an argument with his brother. It is said: ‘Wait for these two until they reconcile, wait for these two until they reconcile, wait for these two until they reconcile.” Narrated by Muslim, 2565. Al-Nawawi said: “Wait for these two” means wait until they have reconciled and love has been restored between them.

•It was narrated from Abu Kharaash al-Sulami that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever forsakes his brother for a year, it is as if he has shed his blood.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4915. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 2762.

Change

2009-04-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

For each (person), there are angels in succession, before and behind him.[] They guard him by the Command of Allâh. Verily! Allâh will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allâh). But when Allâh wills a people's punishment, there can be no turning back of it, and they will find besides Him no protector. (Ra'd 13:11)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tafsir
The Guardian Angels

Allah said next,

[لَهُ مُعَقِّبَـتٌ مِّن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ يَحْفَظُونَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ]

(For him (each person), there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allah.) Allah states that there are angels who take turns guarding each servant, some by night and some by day. These angels protect each person from harm and accidents. There are also angels who take turns recording the good and evil deeds, some angels do this by day and some by night. There are two angels, one to the right and one to the left of each person, recording the deeds. The angel to the right records the good deeds, while the angel to the left records the evil deeds. There are also two angels that guard and protect each person, one from the back and one from in front. Therefore, there are four angels that surround each person by day and they are replaced by four others at night, two scribes and two guards. An authentic Hadith states,

«يَتَعَاقَبُونَ فِيكُمْ مَلَائِكَةٌ بِاللَّيْلِ وَمَلَائِكَةٌ بالنَّهَارِ، وَيَجْتَمِعُونَ فِي صَلَاةِ الصُّبْحِ وَصَلَاةِ الْعَصْرِ، فَيَصْعَدُ إِلَيْهِ الَّذِينَ بَاتُوا فِيكُمْ فَيَسْأَلُهُمْ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ: كَيْفَ تَرَكْتُمْ عِبَادِي؟ فَيَقُولُونَ: أَتَيْنَاهُمْ وَهُمْ يُصَلُّونَ، وَتَرَكْنَاهُمْ وَهُمْ يُصَلُّون»

(Angels take turns around you, some at night and some by day, and all of them assemble together at the time of the Fajr and `Asr prayers. Then those who have stayed with you throughout the night, ascend to Allah Who asks them, and He knows the answer better than they about you, "How have you left My servants'' They reply, "As we have found them praying, we have left them praying.'') Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

«مَا مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا وَقَدْ وُكِّلَ بِهِ قَرِينُهُ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَقَرِينُهُ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَة»

(Verily, every one among you has his companion from the Jinn and his companion from the angels.'') They said, "And you too, O Allah's Messenger'' He said,

«وَإِيَّايَ، وَلَكِنَّ اللهَ أَعَانَنِي عَلَيْهِ، فَلَا يَأْمُرُنِي إِلَّا بِخَيْر»

(And I too, except that Allah has helped me against him, so he only orders me to do good.) Muslim collected this Hadith. Ibn Abi Hatim narrated that Ibrahim said, "Allah revealed to a Prophet from among the Children of Israel, `Say to your nation: every people of a village or a house who used to obey Allah but changed their behavior to disobeying Him, then He will take away from them what they like and exchange it for what they dislike.'' Ibrahim next said that this statement has proof in Allah's Book,

[إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ]

(Verily, Allah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves.)

[هُوَ الَّذِى يُرِيكُمُ الْبَرْقَ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَيُنْشِىءُ السَّحَابَ الثِّقَالَ - وَيُسَبِّحُ الرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَالْمَلْـئِكَةُ مِنْ خِيفَتِهِ وَيُرْسِلُ الصَّوَعِقَ فَيُصِيبُ بِهَا مَن يَشَآءُ وَهُمْ يُجَـدِلُونَ فِى اللَّهِ وَهُوَ شَدِيدُ الْمِحَالِ ]

At-Talaq 65:2&3

2009-04-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

...And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).
And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allâh will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allâh has set a measure for all things.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tafsir
Allah provides, suffices, and makes a Way out of Every Hardship for Those Who have Taqwa

Allah said,

[وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجاًوَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لاَ يَحْتَسِبُ]

(And whosoever has Taqwa of Allah, He will make a way for him to get out. And He will provide him from where he never could imagine.) meaning, whoever has Taqwa of Allah in what He has commanded and avoids what He has forbidden, then Allah will make a way out for him from every difficulty and will provide for him from resources he never anticipated or thought about. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "The most comprehensive Ayah in the Qur'an is,

[إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالإْحْسَانِ]

(Verily, Allah enjoins Al-`Adl (justice) and Al-Ihsan (doing good) (16:90). The greatest Ayah in the Qur'an that contains relief is,

[وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجاً]

(And whosoever has Taqwa of Allah, He will make a way for him to get out.)'' `Ikrimah also commented on the Ayah, "Whoever divorces as Allah commanded him, then Allah will make a way out for him.'' Similar was reported from Ibn `Abbas and Ad-Dahhak.`Abdullah bin Mas`ud and Masruq commented on the Ayah,

[وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجاً]

(And whosoever has Taqwa of Allah, He will make a way for him to get out.) "It pertains to when one knows that if Allah wills He gives, and if He wills He deprives,

[مِنْ حَيْثُ لاَ يَحْتَسِبُ]

(from where he never could imagine.) from resources he did not anticipate'' Qatadah said,

[وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجاً]

(And whosoever has Taqwa of Allah, He will make a way for him to get out.) "meaning, from every doubt and the horrors experienced at the time of death,

[وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لاَ يَحْتَسِبُ]

(And He will provide him from where he never could imagine) from where he never thought of or anticipated.'' Allah said,

[وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ]

(And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him.) Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that he rode the Prophet's camel while sitting behind the Prophet , and the Messenger of Allah said to him,

«يَا غُلَامُ إِنِّي مُعَلِّمُكَ كَلِمَاتٍ: احْفَظِ اللهَ يَحْفَظْكَ، احْفَظِ اللهَ تَجِدْهُ تُجَاهَكَ، وَإِذَا سَأَلْتَ فَاسْأَلِ اللهَ، وَإِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللهِ، وَاعْلَمْ أَنَّ الْأُمَّةَ لَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَنْفَعُوكَ لَمْ يَنْفَعُوكَ إِلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللهُ لَكَ، وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَضُرُّوكَ لَمْ يَضُرُّوكَ إِلَّا بِشَيْءٍ قَدْ كَتَبَهُ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ، رُفِعَتِ الْأَقْلَامُ وَجَفَّتِ الصُّحُف»

(O boy! I will teach you words [so learn them]. Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you, be mindful of Allah and He will be on your side. If you ask, ask Allah, and if you seek help, seek it from Allah. Know that if the Ummah gather their strength to bring you benefit, they will never bring you benefit, except that which Allah has decreed for you. Know that if they gather their strength to harm you, they will never harm you, except with that which Allah has decreed against you. The pens have been raised and the pages are dry.) At-Tirmidhi collected this Hadith and said: "Hasan Sahih.'' Allah's statement,

[إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَـلِغُ أَمْرِهِ]

(Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose.) meaning, Allah will execute His decisions and judgement that He made for him, in whatever way He wills and chooses,

[قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدْراً]

(Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things.) This is like His saying:

[وَكُلُّ شَىْءٍ عِندَهُ بِمِقْدَارٍ]

(Everything with Him is in (due) proportion.) (13:8)

[وَاللاَّئِى يَئِسْنَ مِنَ الْمَحِيضِ مِن نِّسَآئِكُمْ إِنِ ارْتَبْتُمْ فَعِدَّتُهُنَّ ثَلَـثَةُ أَشْهُرٍ وَاللَّـتِي لَمْ يَحِضْنَ وَأُوْلَـتُ الاٌّحْمَالِ أَجَلُهُنَّ أَن يَضَعْنَ حَمْلَهُنَّ وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْراً - ذَلِكَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ أَنزَلَهُ إِلَيْكُمْ وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَـتِهِ وَيُعْظِمْ لَهُ أَجْراً ]

Knowledge is a comforting friend in times of loneliness

2009-04-10T14:10:00.000-07:00

Abu Nu’aym (Rahimahullah) narrates in Al-Hilyah that Mu’aadh bin Jabal (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) Said:

“Knowledge is a comforting friend in times of loneliness, it is the best companion during travels, and it is the inner friend who speaks to you in your privacy. Knowledge is the discerning proof of what is right and what is wrong, and it is the positive force that will help you surmount the trials of comfort, as well as those of hardships. Knowledge is your most powerful sword against your enemy, and finally, it is your most dignifying raiment in the company of your close companions.

Through knowledge, Allah, blessed be His Name, raises some people in rank, and He makes them leaders in righteousness and models in morality. The vestige of their faith is avidly sought, their deeds are emulated perceptively, and people will seek and sanction their opinions solicitously and unequivocally. The heavenly angels seek their company and anoint them with their wings, every fresh or withered life they pass by implore Almighty Allah to forgive them their sins, even the fish in the oceans, the beasts of the lands and every bird of prey and migratory bird pray and solicit the mercy of Almighty Allah on their behalf.

This is because knowledge revives the dead hearts and drives them out of darkness into light, and because knowledge is the light of the inner eyes that cures one’s blindness and restores his inner sight”

Mixing good deeds with evil ones

2009-02-26T21:31:00.000-08:00

No. 4344 - Narrated Samura bin Jundab
Allah's Apostle said, "Tonight two (visitors) came to me (in my dream) and took me to a town built with gold bricks and silver bricks. There we met men who, half of their bodies, look like the most-handsome human beings you have ever seen, and the other half, the ugliest human beings you have ever seen. Those two visitors said to those men, 'Go and dip yourselves in that river. So they dipped themselves therein and then came to us, their ugliness having disappeared and they were in the most-handsome shape. The visitors said, 'The first is the Garden of Eden and that is your dwelling place.' Then they added, 'As for those people who were half ugly and half handsome, they were those who mixed good deeds and bad deeds, but Allah forgave them."
Sahih Bukhari
http://www.thenoblequran.com/sps/sbk/

Being truthful leads to righteousness...

2009-02-24T21:48:00.000-08:00

The Order to speak the Truth

Allah sent His relief from the distress and grief that struck these three men, because Muslims ignored them for fifty days and nights, until they themselves, and the earth -- vast as it is -- were straitened for them. As vast as the earth is, its ways and paths were closed for them, and they did not know what action to take. They were patient for Allah's sake and awaited humbly for His decree. They remained firm, until Allah sent His relief to them since they told the Messenger of Allah the truth about why they remained behind, declaring that they did not have an excuse for doing so. They were requited for this period, then Allah forgave them. Therefore, the consequence of being truthful was better for them, for they gained forgiveness. Hence Allah's statement next,

[يَـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ وَكُونُواْ مَعَ الصَّـدِقِينَ ]

(O you who believe! Have Taqwa of Allah, and be with those who are true.) The Ayah says, adhere to and always say the truth so that you become among its people and be saved from destruction. Allah will make a way for you out of your concerns and a refuge. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said that the Messenger of Allah said,

«عَلَيْكُمْ بِالصِّدْقِ فَإِن الصَّدْقَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْبِرِّ، وَإِنَّ الْبِرَّ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ، وَلَا يَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ يَصْدُقُ وَيَتَحَرَّى الصِّدْقَ حَتَّى يُكْتَبَ عِنْدَ اللهِ صِدِّيقًا، وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَالْكَذِبَ فَإِنَّ الْكَذِبَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْفُجُورِ وَإِنَّ الْفُجُورَ يَهْدِي إِلَى النَّارِ، وَلَا يَزَالُ الرَّجُلُ يَكْذِبُ وَيَتَحَرَّى الْكَذِبَ حَتَّى يُكْتَبَ عِنْدَ اللهِ كَذَّابًا»

(Hold on to truth, for being truthful leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. Verily, a man will keep saying the truth and striving for truth, until he is written before Allah as very truthful (Siddiq). Beware of lying, for lying leads to sin, and sin leads to the Fire. Verily, the man will keep lying and striving for falsehood until he is written before Allah as a great liar.) This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs.

[مَا كَانَ لأَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُمْ مِّنَ الاٌّعْرَابِ أَن يَتَخَلَّفُواْ عَن رَّسُولِ اللَّهِ وَلاَ يَرْغَبُواْ بِأَنفُسِهِمْ عَن نَّفْسِهِ ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ لاَ يُصِيبُهُمْ ظَمَأٌ وَلاَ نَصَبٌ وَلاَ مَخْمَصَةٌ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلاَ يَطَأُونَ مَوْطِئًا يَغِيظُ الْكُفَّارَ وَلاَ يَنَالُونَ مِنْ عَدُوٍّ نَّيْلاً إِلاَّ كُتِبَ لَهُمْ بِهِ عَمَلٌ صَالِحٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ]

10 Benefits I Gained from Damascus Al Haafidh adh Dhahabee

2009-02-24T21:27:00.000-08:00

Abdur Rahmaan ibn Abee Haatim ar Raazee stated:

“I arrived at Damascus and came across the students of Hadeeth. I passed by the circle of Qaasim al Joo’ee, I saw a group of people sitting around him while he was speaking, I loved the sight of them. I heard him saying:

“Gain five Characteristics from the people of your time:

if you are present in a gathering – you are not known,

if you are absent – you are not missed,

if you are present – you are not asked for counsel,

if you speak – your words are not accepted,

and if you do something – you are not rewarded for it.

I also advise you with five:

if you are oppressed – do not be oppressive,

if you are praised – do not be pleased,

if you are criticized – do not be sad,

if you are belied – do not get upset,

if people betray you – do not betray them.”

Abu Haatim stated: “So I made this the benefit that I gained from Damascus.”

SubulasSalaam

Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abdil Wahhaab al 'Aqeel

2008-12-21T20:41:00.000-08:00

…and from it is the saying of Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, in a Sunnah from the Sunan of Salaat; and it is the spacing in the Salaat; that a Muslim stands beside his Muslim brother and attaches is feet, knees and shoulders to his brother without being excessive or negligent, as was legislated by the Messenger – صلى الله عليه وسلم – who said:
“You will straighten your lines or Allaah will separate between your hearts or faces.”
This is why when the hearts have become separated during this time, so did the feet. Why is it that we can’t attach our feet to each other’s feet? It is because our hearts are detached from one another, if our hearts were attached to one another, our feet would also be attached. This is why if a person who loves you and whom you love were to put his foot over yours, you would not get upset, you would not say; ‘why is he bothering me’, this is because your heart loves him. But because there is a detachment between you and him, you cannot stand that he attaches his foot to yours let alone that he puts his foot over yours.

This is why Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, when he describes his state at the time of the Messenger of Allaah – صلى الله عليه وسلم – and his state after that, he says; “At the time of the Messenger – صلى الله عليه وسلم – we would attach our feet to our brother’s feet, and our knees to our brother’s knees, and our shoulders to our brother’s shoulders, in obedience to the Messenger’s orders – صلى الله عليه وسلم - , but if we were to do so today, he would escape like an obstinate mule.”
By Allaah I saw with my own eyes here in Madeenah, a man wanted to attach his foot to his brother’s foot, by Allaah his brother cut his Salaat, he cut his Salaat and left the whole first line and went to the second line. He left the first line to escape this Sunnah, and the cause of this is ignorance, may Allaah preserve you. This is why we must teach the people the Sunnah of the Prophet – صلى الله عليه وسلم – because people are enemies to what they are ignorant of.
SubulAsSalaam

Passionate Love

2008-11-07T16:11:00.000-08:00

For indeed faith increases with obedience and decreases with disobedience, so each time a servant obeys Allah out of love and fear, and leaves a prohibited action out of love and fear, his love and fear becomes stronger, and any love or fear of anything else besides Allah will disappear from his heart. Diseases of the hearts and their cures ibn Taymiyyah

Meeting with Allah

2008-10-29T22:38:00.000-07:00

Riba

2008-10-29T21:48:00.000-07:00

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allâh and give up what remains (due to you) from Ribâ (usury) (from now onward), if you are (really) believers. (Al-Baqarah 2:278)

Ali and Ibn Mas`ud narrated that the Messenger of Allah said,
«لَعَنَ اللهُ آكِلَ الرِّبَا وَمُوكِلَهُ وَشَاهِدَيْهِ وَكَاتِبَه»
May Allah curse whoever consumes Riba, whoever pays Riba, the two who are witnesses to it, and the scribe who records it...

Allah states that He destroys Riba, either by removing this money from those who eat it, or by depriving them of the blessing, and thus the benefit of their money. Because of their Riba, Allah will torment them in this life and punish them for it on the Day of Resurrection...

Tafsir concerning Riba

Dua of Yunus

2008-10-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
...none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allâh)], Glorified (and Exalted) are You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers." (Al-Anbiya 21:87)

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in the hadith recorded by At-Tirmithi and others:The invocation of my brother Dhu-n-Nun, "None has the right to be worshipped save You;glory be to You, far removed are You from any imperfection; I have been amongst the wrong-doers," none who is experiencing difficulty employs it except that Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala would relieve him of his difficulty.

The Five Categories of People who Pray

2008-10-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

Author: Al Imaam Ibn Qayyim al JawzeeyahReference: Mukhtasar Minhaaj al Qaasideen: P. 31

The first: The category of the oppressor to himself, the negligent one, one who is deficient in performing ablution for it, negligent with its appointed time periods, its boundaries and its pillars.

The second: One who preserves it appointed time periods, its boundaries, its outward pillars and ablution for it. However, he forsakes striving against his own self from whisperings and thinking to himself, and so is preoccupied with whisperings and thoughts.

The third: One who preserves its appointed time periods, its pillars as well as strives against himself in repelling whisperings and distracting thoughts that overcome him, he is busy in striving against his enemy in order to prevent him from stealing his prayer, he is in prayer as well as Jihaad.

The fourth: One whom when he stands for prayer perfects its rights, its pillars and its boundaries. His heart is occupied with preserving its boundaries and preventing anything of it being lost, rather all his attention is directed to performing it as it should be, in its most complete and perfect form, his heart is occupied with the prayer and worshiping his Lord the Elevated with it.

The fifth: One who performs the prayer like the previous person, but in addition to this, he has taken his heart and presented it to his Lord. He looks at his Lord with his heart, fully concerned with Him, in utmost obedience out of love and reverence for Him, it is as if he sees and witnesses his Lord. All distracting thoughts and whisperings fade away and the veil between him and his Lord is removed. The difference between this person in his prayer and others, is greater and better than all that is between the heavens and earth, he is fully occupied and overjoyed with his Lord in his prayer.

The first category is punished, the second is held accountable, the third is pardoned, the fourth is rewarded and the fifth is brought close to his Lord, because he gains a portion of what made the prayer a delight to him. For whoever is delighted with his prayer in the life of this world, will be delighted by being close to his Lord in the afterlife as well as being delighted with his Lord in this life, and whoever is delighted with Allaah, everything would be delighted with him, and whoever is not delighted with Allaah the Elevated, his soul will be torn apart for the life of this world in loss.

It is narrated that when a servant stands for prayer, Allaah the Glorified says; “Remove the veil.”, and if the servant turns away He says: “Replace it.”

This ‘turning away’ has been explained as the turning of the heart away from Allaah the Mighty to other than Him. So if he turns away, the veil is replaced between him and his Lord and Shaytaan enters and presents worldly affairs to him, he shows them to him in the image of a woman. But if he turns with his heart to Allaah and does not turn away, Shaytaan would not be able to come between Allaah and that heart, he only enters if the veil is replaced. If he returns to Allaah the Elevated with his heart, the Shaytaan would escape, and if he turns away, the Shaytaan would return, such is his state with his enemy in prayer.

Subul as Salaam

Righteousness and Sin

2008-10-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

Narrated An-Nawwas bin Sam'an I asked Allah's Messenger about righteousness and sin and he replied, "Righteous is good character and sin is that which revolves in your heart, and you hate people to notice." Muslim reported it.

Benefits of the Sunnah prayers

2008-10-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

Narrater Umm Habiba رضى الله عنها (the mother of the believers) She heard the Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم say, "Whoever prays twelve (voluntary) Rak'at in a day and in a night, a house will be built for him in Paradise with them (the Rak'at)." Muslim... In another version, it is mentioned "voluntarily."

At Tirmidhi reported the same and added: four rak'at before Thur, and two rak'at after it, two after Maghrib, two rak'at after Isha' and two before the Fajr prayer.

And in another version of Al-Khamsa, by her ('Aisha رضى الله عنها)"Whoever prays regularly four rak'at before Thur and four rak'at after Thur Allah will forbid for him Hell-Fire

Love and Hating for Allah

2008-10-23T22:08:00.000-07:00

Imam al-Barbahaaree rahimahullah said

From the Sunnah is that you do not help anyone in disobedience to Allah, whether they be parents or any of the creation. There is no obedience to a human in disobedience to Allah and no one is to be loved for that (i.e. disobedience to Allah) Rather, all of that is to be hated for (the sake of) Allah, the Blessed and Most High.

Sharhus Sunnah

The Believers do not befriend the Disbelievers

2008-10-23T21:54:00.000-07:00

You (O Muhammad SAW) will not find any people who believe in Allâh and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allâh and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW ), even though they were their fathers , or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Rûh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And We will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allâh is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allâh. Verily, it is the Party of Allâh that will be the successful. (Al-Mujadilah 58:22)

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Tafsir: The Believers do not befriend the Disbelievers

Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe to be affected?

2008-10-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

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'ân), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allâh). (Al-Hadid 57:16)

-----------------------------
Tafsir Ibn Kathir Surah Hadid 16 and 17
Encouraging Khushu` and the Prohibition of imitating the People of the Scriptures
Allah asks, `Has not the time come for the believers to feel humility in their hearts by the remembrance of Allah and hearing subtle advice and the recitation of the Qur'an, so that they may comprehend the Qur'an, abide by it, and hear and obey Muslim recorded that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "Only four years separated our acceptance of Islam and the revelation of this Ayah, in which Allah subtly admonished us,
[أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ]
(Has not the time yet come for the believers that their hearts should be humble for the remembrance of Allah)'' This is the narration Muslim collected, just before the end of his book. An-Nasa'i also collected this Hadith in the Tafsir of this Ayah. Allah's statement,
[وَلاَ يَكُونُواْ كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَـبَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الاٌّمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ]
(Lest they become as those who received the Scripture before, and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened) Allah is prohibiting the believers from imitating those who were given the Scriptures before them, the Jews and Christians. As time passed, they changed the Book of Allah that they had, and sold it for a small, miserable price. They also abandoned Allah's Book behind their back and were impressed and consumed by various opinions and false creeds. They imitated the way others behaved with the religion of Allah, making their rabbis and priests into gods beside Allah. Consequently, their hearts became hard and they would not accept advice; their hearts did not feel humbled by Allah's promises or threats,
[وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَـسِقُونَ]
(And many of them were rebellious.) meaning, in action; therefore, their hearts are corrupt and their actions are invalid, just as Allah the Exalted said,
[فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَـقَهُمْ لَعنَّـهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةً يُحَرِّفُونَ الْكَلِمَ عَن مَّوَضِعِهِ وَنَسُواْ حَظَّا مِّمَّا ذُكِرُواْ بِهِ]
(So, because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They changed the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them.)(5:13) meaning, their hearts became corrupt and they hardened, and they acquired the behavior of changing Allah's Speech from their appropriate places and meanings. They abandoned acts of worship that they were commanded to perform and committed what they were prohibited to do. This is why Allah forbade the believers from imitating them in any way, be it basic or detailed matters. Allah the Exalted said,
[اعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُحْىِ الاٌّرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ الاٌّيَـتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ]
(Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its death! Indeed We have made clear the Ayat to you, if you but understand.) This Ayah indicates that He brings subtleness to hearts after they have become hard, guides the confused after they were led astray, and relieves hardships after they have intensified. And just as Allah brings life back to the dead and dry earth by sending the needed abundant rain, He also guides the hardened hearts with the proofs and evidences of the Qur'an. The light (of faith) would have access to the hearts once again, after they were closed and, as a consequence, no guidance was able to reach them. All praise is due to Him Who guides whomever He wills after they were misguided, Who misguides those who were led aright before. Surely, it is He Who does what He wills and He is the All-Wise, the Most Just in all that He does, the Most Subtle, the Most Aware, the Most High, the Proud.

Al Haafidh adh Dhahabee

2008-10-21T21:30:00.000-07:00

Nasr ibn Mahmood al Balkhee said; Ahmad ibn Harb stated:
“I worshiped Allaah for fifty years, I wasn’t able to find the sweetness of worship until I forsook three things:
1. I forsook seeking the acceptance of people, so I was able to speak the truth.
2. I forsook the companionship of the sinner, so I was able to accompany the righteous.
3. I forsook the sweetness of the life of this world, so I was able to find the sweetness of the afterlife.

Subul as Salaam

حَيَاء Hayya

2008-10-21T17:23:00.000-07:00

Narrated by Abu Huraira رضى الله عنه: The Prophet said صلى الله عليه وسلم, "Faith Belief consists of more than sixty branches (i.e. parts). And Haya is a part of faith." Bukhari
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar رضى الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم passed by a man who was admonishing his brother regarding Haya and was saying, "You are very shy, and I am afraid that might harm you." On that, Allah's Apostle said, "Leave him, for Haya is a part of Faith." Bukhari
Abdullah ibn Umar رضى الله عنه narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Indeed haya (modesty) and Iman are Companions. When one of them is lifted, the other leaves as well." Baihaqi
Narrated on the authority of Anas bin Malik رضى الله عنه the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: When lewdness is a part of anything, it becomes defective; and when haya is a part of anything it becomes beautiful. Tirmidhi

حياء Haya Chapter An-Nur 24:30 & 31

2008-10-21T17:21:00.000-07:00

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَلِكَ أَزْكَى لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of what they do.
وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُوْلِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاء وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islâm), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.

No Shame

2008-10-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

Abu Mas'ud 'Uqbah bin 'Amr al-Ansari al-Badri, radiyallahu 'anhu, reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said:"Among the things that people have found from the words of the previous prophets was: 'If you feel no shame, then do as you wish.

Mu'aath ibn Jabal

2008-10-21T17:16:00.000-07:00

Aboo Nu`aim reports some sayings of Mu`aadh himself about the excellence of knowledge, among which we find the following:
Knowledge is a comforting friend in times of loneliness, it is the best companion during travels, and it is the inner friend who speaks to you in your privacy. Knowledge is the discerning proof of what is right and what is wrong, and it is the positive force that will help you surmount the trials of comfort, as well as those of hardships. Knowledge is your most powerful sword against your enemy, and finally, it is your most dignifying raiment in the company of your close companions.”
“Through knowledge, Allah, blessed be His Name, raises some people in rank, and He makes them leaders in righteousness and models in morality. The vestige of their faith is avidly sought, their deeds are emulated perceptively, and people will seek and sanction their opinions solicitously and unequivocally. The heavenly angels seek their company and anoint them with their wings, every fresh or withered life they pass by implore Almighty Allah to forgive them their sins, even the fish in the oceans, the beasts of the lands and every bird of prey and migratory bird pray and solicit the mercy of Almighty Allah on their behalf. This is because knowledge revives the dead hearts and drives them out of darkness into light, and because knowledge is the light of the inner eyes that cures one’s blindness and restores his inner sight.”

Ibn al Qayyim

2008-10-21T17:10:00.000-07:00

Stand Firm against evil thoughts for if you fail to do so they will become ideas if you do not they will become desires so fight against them If you do not they will become a form of determination and intention if you do not resist they will become actions and if you do not follow them up with their opposite they will become habits that will be hard to quit.