The best things a person is given

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Habeeb al-Jalaab said: It was said to Ibn al-Mubaarak رحمه الله: What is the best thing a person is given? He said: “Sound instinct (intelligence).” It was said: What if he is not given this? He said: “Good manners.” It was said: What if he is not given this (also)? He said: “A good brother from whom he seeks advice.” It was said: What if he is not given this (also)? He said: “Prolong silence.” It was said: What if he is not given this (also)? He said: “Early death (i.e. short lifespan).” [Rawdhatul `Uqalaa’ (1/4)]

A Profit that will never perish

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Allaah تعالى says:

{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّـهِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنفَقُوا مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً يَرْجُونَ تِجَارَةً لَّن تَبُورَ}

{Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allaah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a profit that will never perish} [Surah Faatir (35): 29]

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Allaah تعالى says: {O son of Aadam, devote yourself to my worship. I will brim your breast with freedom from want and plug up your poverty. If you do not do this, I will fill your breast with (worldly) pursuits and will not obstruct poverty.}” [Musnad of Imaam Ahmad, al-Tirmidhee (2466); Ibn Maajah (4107). Authenticated by Shaikh Al-Albaanee, al-Saheehah (1359). The wordings are of Ibn Maajah]

Maalik ibn Deenar رحمه الله said: “Make the obedience of Allaah your profession; you’ll earn profits without (having to) sell anything.” [Rawdhatul `Uqalaa’ (1/13)]

Sound Understanding

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Abu Haatim said: “The first sign of goodness for a person in this world is having a sound understanding, and it is one of the best things which Allaah تعالى has granted for His slaves. So do not defile the blessing of Allaah تعالى by sitting in gatherings which oppose it.”

[Rawdhatul `Uqalaa’ (1/11)]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #64

The Obligation of Covering the Face.

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Narrated Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Whoever arrogantly drags his garment, Allaah will not look at him on the Day of Judgment.” So Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها said: “What should the women do with the hem of their clothes?” He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “They should lower them a hand’s span.” So she said: “Their feet will still be uncovered.” He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Then they should lower them a forearm’s length and do not add to that.”

Think before you speak, post or share

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

This one-liner has become quite famous on some of the social networks:

“The beauty of a woman comes from the Noor Of Allaah, not the noor of L'oreal” (Shuaib Webb).

A lot of brothers and sisters are seen sharing this on their facebook, twitter, tumblr and other social network accounts without understanding the major error that it contains.

First: There is no textual evidence – from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah – to support this claim.

Second: It is talking about Allaah without knowledge and it is prohibited to do so:

{Do you say about Allaah that which you do not know?} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 80]

{Say, “My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed - and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allaah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allaah that which you do not know.”} [Surah al-A`raaf (7): 33]

Third: Rather it is from the acts of Shaitaan who incites men to speak about Allaah without knowledge:

{…and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy. * He only orders you to evil and immorality and to say about Allaah what you do not know.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 168-169]

Fourth: This statement is false because it means that the creation shares the Attribute(s) of the Creator.

Fifth: This statement is in no way near to or has any relevance with Aayah 35 of Surah al-Noor (24).

Sixth: There is no comparing between the Noor of Allaah and the beauty of a woman:

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “His veil is the light. If He (تعالى) withdraws it (the veil), the splendor of His countenance would consume His creation so far as His sight reaches.” [Saheeh Muslim (352)]

Seventh: Allaah تعالى created Aadam عليه السلام with His own Hands [Surah Saad (38): 75]. But He تعالى never mentioned that He تعالى gave His Noor to Aadam.

Eighth: Allaah تعالى mentions the beauty of Yusuf عليه السلام in the Qur’aan and how those women cut their own hands with the knives. Still nothing is mentioned about of the Noor of Allaah.

Allaahul-must`aan.

People are playing with words to draw attention without realizing the grave error in their words.

Times when it’s prescribed to send prayers upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله ، وبـعـد

#1

After the Tashahhud in the prayers:

Once, “he صلى الله عليه وسلم heard a man supplicating in his prayer without glorifying the majesty of Allaah تعالى, nor sending prayers on the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, so he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “This man has been hasty.” He صلى الله عليه وسلم then called him and said to him and others: “When one of you prays, he should begin with the praise of his Lord, Sublime and Mighty, and his exultation, and then send prayers (in one narration: he should send prayers) on the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and then supplicate as he wishes.” [Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Abu Dawood (1481), Sunan al-Tirmidhee (3477) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Saying "Aameen": Its meaning and its ruling

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله ، وبـعـد

Adopted from al-Sharh al-Mumti`u

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

And the author’s (Abu al-Najaa Musaa al-Hijaawee) saying: “Everyone should say Aameen loudly in loud prayers (i.e. when Surah al-Faatihah is recited loudly)”, meaning: those praying individually, the followers and the Imaam (should say Aameen) in loud prayers.

As for the Imaam, then it is clear that he should say Aameen out loudly, because this is established from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when he said:

Importance of verification: the antidote of spreading lies and rumors

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله ، وبـعـد

On the authority of Hafs Ibn `Aasim that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “It is sufficient that a man has lied who narrates everything that he hears.” [Imaam Muslim in the introduction to his Saheeh]

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه said: “It is sufficient that a man has committed a sin who narrates everything that he hears.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (4992) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee. Also reported by Imaam Muslim in the introduction]

Meaning of "Allaahu Akbar".

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله ، وبـعـد

Were the Sufees to contemplate on the meaning of "Allaahu Akbar", they would have rejected all the false concepts of "Wahdatul-wujood", "Hulool" and "Allaah is everywhere".

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله in Sharh al-Mumti`u said:

Question: What is the meaning of “Allaahu Akbar”?

Answer: It means that Allaah تعالى is the Most Great - greater than everything - in His Self, His Names and Attributes, and everything that is understood from the meaning of this word. Allaah تعالى says:

{وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ وَالأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَالسَّمَاوَاتُ مَطْوِيَّاتٌ بِيَمِينِهِ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ}

{They made not a just estimate of Allaah such as is due to Him. And on the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be grasped by His Hand and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorified is He, and High is He above all that they associate as partners with Him!} [Surah al-Zumar (39):67]

Allaah تعالى also says:

{يَوْمَ نَطْوِي السَّمَاءَ كَطَيِّ السِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ كَمَا بَدَأْنَا أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُعِيدُهُ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا فَاعِلِينَ}

{And (remember) the Day when We shall roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books, as We began the first creation, We shall repeat it, (it is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it. } [Surah al-Anbiyaa’ (21): 104]

And from (this it is understood that) this Greatness is Greater than everything.

Allaah تعالى says:

{وَلَهُ الْكِبْرِيَاءُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ}

{And His (Alone) is the Majesty in the heavens and the earth, and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. } [Surah al-Jaathiyah (45):37]

So every meaning of this word (“Allaahu Akbar”) with the absolute meaning of Majesty - then it is affirmed for Allaah عز وجل.

[Sharh al-Mumti`u of Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen (3/22-24)]

Statements of the Salaf on seeking knowledge in youth

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله ، وبـعـد

On the authority of Qaboos that his father said that Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما said:

“Allaah تعالى has never send a Prophet except that he was young, and no scholar received better `ilm except when he was a youth.”

*******

On the authority of Qaboos ibn Abu Dhabyaan: One day we prayed the Fajr prayer behind Abu Dhabyaan and we were all youths and from the same locality except for the Mu’adhdhin, who was an old man. After he finished the prayer, he inquired a youth as to who he is. When he finished asking everyone he said:

“No Prophet was send except that he was young, and no one receives better `ilm except when he is young.”

*******

On the authority of Musaa bin `Alee that his father informed him that Luqmaan al-Hakeem عليه السلام said to his son:

“O my son! Seek knowledge while you are still young, for seeking knowledge becomes difficult in old age. O my son! An advice is hard for a foolish (to understand) as it is difficult for an old man to carryout  a laborious task.”

*******

Al-Hasan al-Basree said:

“Memorizing in childhood is like carving a line in stone.”

*******

`Alqamah said:

“Whatever I had memorized when I was young, it is as if I can still imagine seeing it written on a sheet or a piece of paper.”

[Al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih of Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (2/177-182)]

Seek knowledge before you seek a position

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله ، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said in his Saheeh:

Kitaab al-`ilm:

(15) CHAPTER: Wish to be like the one who has knowledge and al-Hikmah [wisdom i.e. the knowledge of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم]

And `Umar رضي الله عنه said: “Everyone must acquire sound religious knowledge early before he becomes a chief.”[1]

(Imaam al-Bukhaaree also said): “The Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had studied in spite of the fact that they were old in age.”

--end of quote from Saheeh al-Bukhaaree

[1] The statement of `Umar ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه has two explanations:

a. Seek knowledge before you seek a position, like the position of a judge – as the doctors and engineers do. Nobody becomes a doctor or an engineer overnight. Similarly, nobody can become a judge or a scholar overnight. A careless doctor plays with the lives of the people, whereas an imposter – pretending to be a person of knowledge – plays with the Aakhirah of the people.

b. Seek knowledge before you are overtaken by the responsibilities which would prevent you from seeking knowledge later on in life. Seek knowledge early in life when a person has a lot of time and fewer responsibilities; and when a person is young and has strong memory to retain all that he learns, unlike later in life where the memory fails the person.

Be eager in seeking `Ilm

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله ، وبـعـد

Hishaam bin `Urwah said: My father (`Urwah*) used to say:

“Among the people, we used to be small (in age), but now we have grown big. As for you, now, are small, but soon you too will grow up. So seek knowledge so that you have the upper hand over the people and that they are in need of you.”

[Al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih of Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (2/178)]

* `Urwah رحمه الله was the son of Zubair bin al-`Awaam رضي الله عنه. His mother was Asmaa’ bint Abi Bakr رضي الله عنها and his aunt was Umm al-Mu’mineen `Aaishah رضي الله عنها.

`Abdullaah ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما said: After the death of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, I told a person (from the Ansaar): “Let us learn from the companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as they are many.” He replied back: “By Allaah! It is amazing O Ibn `Abbaas. Do you feel that the people are in your need while you still see that the companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم (around you)?” So I overlooked his saying and went in pursuit, and followed the companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. (It happened that) I came to know that one of the persons has heard a Hadeeth from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. I went to him during the time of the afternoon siesta and spread my cloak in front of his door. The wind blew dust on me (as I sat waiting for him). Coming out of his house and seeing me in that condition he said: “O cousin of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم! What's the matter with you? If you had sent for me I would have come to you.” I said: “I am the one who should come to you, for knowledge is sought, it just does not come (on its own).” I asked him about the Hadeeth and learnt from him. Later on, after the demise of the companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, that (Ansaari) man used to see me and that the people were surrounding me and were dependent upon me (for knowledge); he used to say: “He is more clever than me.” [Majma` al-Zawaaid (9/280)]

The Salaf and Good Manners in asking questions.

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Yunus bin `Ubaid narrated that Maimoon bin Mihraan said:

“Showing affection towards the people is half the understanding, and good manners in asking the question is half the knowledge.”

On the authority of Sa`d bin Ibraaheem that Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما said:

“No one asked me a question about an issue, except that I understood (from his questioning) if he is a person of understanding or not?”

On the authority of Imaam Maalik رحمه الله that whenever a person would come to Zaid bin Aslam for asking questions, and he (the questioner) mixes up (the question), he would say to him:

“Go and (first) learn how to ask (questions). When you have done so; then ask.”

[al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih of al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (2/63-65)]

Eloquence: little words of wisdom

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Al-Mubarrad said: I asked al-Ahnaf: “What is eloquence?” He said:

“Right words, with firm and established proofs, and free from too many words*.”

[al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih of al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (2/66)]

*i.e. speaking clearly, effectively and in little words.

Silence is golden.

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Muhammad ibn al-Hussain said: I heard Muhammad al-Koofee saying:

“Silence gathers two characteristics for a person:

a) Safety in his Deen*

b) and getting to know the nature of his friend**.”

[al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih of al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (2/63)]

* The more a person speaks, the more the chances of making errors.

** When a person is silent and his friend is speaking, he has more opportunities of learning about his friend and see how he behaves and hear what he speaks (analyzing how much knowledge he has). It is also said that if you want to know the nature of your friend, then go on a journey/trip with him for a few days.

And Allaah knows best.

Imaan is a stranger

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

On the authority of Sufyaan al-Thawree رحمه الله that `Abdul `Azeez bin Rafee` narrated that Wahb Ibn Munabbih رحمه الله said:

“al-Imaan is Ghareeb (strange - i.e. few people have it), its cloak is al-Taqwaa (God-consciousness), its beauty is al-Hayaa’ (bashfulness), and its wealth is al-Fiqh (religious understanding); and one should purify the intention in striving for it, so that he aims with it the Countenance of Allaah تعالى.”

[al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih of al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (2/48)]

Removing the Doubts: How the gates of Jannah and Jahannam will open?

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله ، وبـعـد

Allaah تعالى says about the gates of Hell:

﴿وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا﴾

{And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups, till, when they reach it, the gates thereof will be opened…} [Surah al-Zumar (39): 71]

And He تعالى says about the gates of Paradise:

﴿وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا﴾

{And those who kept their duty to their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups, till, when they reach it, and its gates will be opened…} [Surah al-Zumar (39): 73]