People would have been lost if it were not for the scholars to correct them:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Al-Hasan al-Basree رحمه الله said:

“If it were not for the scholars, the people would have behaved like cattle.”

[al-Tabsirah of Ibn al-Jawzee (2/193)]

Do not entertain the people of desires:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Abu Qilaabah said: “Do not let the people of desires sit with you, as I do not feel safe (i.e. I fear) that they will plunge you into their misguidance and would cause confusion in some of the things which you already know (to be the truth).”

*******

Two men, from the people of desires (i.e. innovators), entered upon Muhammad Ibn Sireen and they said to him: ‘O Abu Bakr! Shall we narrate to you a Hadeeth?’

He said: “No!”

They said: ‘Should we recite to you an Aayah (from the Qur’aan)?’

He said: “No! You should both leave or I will leave.”

So they both left.

Some of the people said to him: ‘O Abu Bakr! What was the matter with you if they had recited to you an Aayah?’

He said: “I feared that they would recite an Aayah and distort it, and that distortion would linger in my heart.”

[Siyar A`laam al-Nubalaa’ of Imaam al-Dhahabee (11/285)]

Warning against innovators is a community service:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh al-Islaam, Ibn Taymyyah رحمه الله said:

“It was said to Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal: ‘A person who fasts, offers the prayers, and does I`tikaaf (seclusion in the Masjid) more beloved to you or the one who speaks against the Ahl al-Bid`ah?’ He (Imaam Ahmad) said: ‘If he stands (in the night), prays and does I`tikaaf, then these are all for himself. But when he speaks against the Ahl al-Bid`ah, then this is for (the welfare of) the Muslims and this is better.’

(Ibn Taymiyyah continues): So he (Imaam Ahmad) has made it clear that this benefits all the Muslims in general regarding their Deen, similar in nature to Jihaad in the Cause of Allaah.”

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa (28/231-232)]

Actions speak louder than words:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh al-Islaam, Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:

“Anyone who claims to love Allaah تعالى but does not follow (the Sunnah of) the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, (then know that) he has lied.” [Majmoo` al-Fataawa (8/360)]

﴿قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّـهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي﴾

{Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to mankind): “If you (really) love Allaah then follow me…”} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 31]

Do not make your deeds fruitless:

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ وَلا تَجْهَرُوا لَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ كَجَهْرِ بَعْضِكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ أَنْ تَحْبَطَ أَعْمَالُكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ لا تَشْعُرُونَ﴾

{O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), nor speak aloud to him in talk as you speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds may be rendered fruitless while you perceive not.} [Surah al-Hujuraat (49):2]

Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

“If just raising their voices above the voice of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was a reason to make their deeds fruitless (and futile), then what about those who give precedence to their own opinions, intellects, preferences, politics, and understanding over and above that which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came with? Is it not that these are more liable to have their deeds rendered futile?”

[I`laam al-Mooqi`een (1/41)]

Part 2: The meaning of "Salaah upon the Prophet" - Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

As for the meaning of: السلام عليه “as-Salaamu `alaih” (Salaam upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم), it is du`aa for the Safety of the physical self of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم while he was alive; and Safety for his صلى الله عليه وسلم religion; and the Safety for his body in his grave; and his Safety on the Day of Judgment.

Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

The author’s saying: السلام عليك (as-Salaamu `alaik): by the word السلام (as-Salaam), it is said that it refers to the Name of Allaah, because the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

Asking for fewer refutations is a sign of Ahlul Bid`ah

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Al-`Abbaas bin Al-Waleed that `Uqbah said:

I was once with Artah bin Al-Mundhir when one of the people in the gathering said: “What do you say about a man who sits with the followers of the Sunnah and mixes with them, but when the followers of Bid`ah are mentioned he says: ‘Spare us from mentioning them, do not talk about them?’” Artah said: “He is one of them (i.e. he is also from the people of Bid`ah), do not let him confuse you about his condition.” I felt this was strange, so I went to Al-Awza`ee – and he used to clarify these matters when they came to him. He said: “Artah is right, the matter is as he said; this person forbids talking about (i.e.Ahlul Bid`ah), so how can people be on guard against them if they are not exposed?”

Recorded by Imaam Ibn `Asaakir in Tareekh Dimishq Vol 8 page 15

Part 1: The meaning of "Salaah upon the Prophet" - Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

His (the author’s) saying: “صلِّ على محمد” (Sallee `alaa Muhammad). It is said that Salaah from Allaah means: “Mercy”; and from the Angels means: “Seeking (Allaah’s) forgiveness (for him)”; and from the mankind means: “supplicating (to Allaah) for him”.

If it is said: “The Angels have sent their Salaah upon him”, it means: they supplicated (to Allaah) for his forgiveness. 

Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #22

No life worth living except the life of the Hereafter:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

The Book of al-Riqaaq (Softening of the hearts): Chapter: Health and Leisure. There is no life worth living except the life of the Hereafter.

Narrated Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.” ^[1] [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6412)]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #71

The Adhaan: its ruling and its virtues & the reward for the Mu`adhdhin is greater than that of the Imaam:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

[Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (5/25-31) of Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله]

Chapter: The Merits of Adhaan:

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي النِّدَاءِ وَالصَّفِّ الأَوَّلِ، ثُمَّ لَمْ يَجِدُوا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَسْتَهِمُوا عَلَيْهِ لاَسْتَهَمُوا، وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي التَّهْجِيرِ لاَسْتَبَقُوا إِلَيْهِ، وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي الْعَتَمَةِ وَالصُّبْحِ لأَتَوْهُمَا وَلَوْ حَبْوًا

“If the people knew what is the reward of making the call (for the prayer) and (of being in) the first row (in the prayer), and if they found no other way to get this privilege except by casting lots, they would certainly cast lots for it. If they knew the reward of the noon prayer, they would race for it, and if they knew the reward of the morning (i.e. Fajr) and `Ishaa’ prayers, they would present themselves for the prayer even if they had to crawl to reach there.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (615, 652, 653, 654, 2689) and Saheeh Muslim (437)]

Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #21

The Adhkaar: its Spiritual and Physical effects on a person.

(The Adhkaar: Food for Body & Soul)

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

The Book of the obligation of Khumus: Chapter: The evidence that confirms that the Khumus (i.e. one-fifth of the war booty) is meant for the needs of Allaah’s Messenger and the poor; and the fact that Allaah’s Messenger favored the people of As-Suffah and the widows in this matter, for when Faatimah complained of suffering from grinding and the hand-mill and requested him to provide her with a slave-girl (from the booty), he (did not give her a slave-girl) but told her to ask for Allaah’s Aid.

Narrated `Alee رضي الله عنه: Faatimah رضي الله عنها went to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم complaining about the bad effect of the stone hand-mill on her hand. She heard that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had received a few slave girls (as captives of war). But (when she came there) she did not find him, so she mentioned her problem to `Aaishah رضي الله عنها. When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came, ‘Aaishah informed him about that. `Alee رضي الله عنه added: So the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came to us when we had gone to bed. We wanted to get up (on his arrival) but he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Stay where you are.” Then he came and sat between me and her and I felt the coldness of his feet on my abdomen. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Shall I direct you to something better than what you have requested? When you go to bed say سبحان الله (Subhaan Allaah) thirty-three times, الحمد لله (al-hamdulillaah) thirty three times, and الله أكبر (Allaahu Akbar) thirty four times, for that is better for you than a servant.”

`Alee رضي الله عنه added: I have never failed to recite it ever since. Somebody asked: Even on the night of the battle of Siffeen? He said: No, even on the night of the battle of Siffeen.

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #70

The First Adhaan of Jumu`ah is from the legislated Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliph:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

[Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (5/26-28) of Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله]

Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

During the era of `Uthmaan bin `Affaan رضي الله عنه - when the number of people increased - he رضي الله عنه made the first Adhaan of Jumu`ah (Friday); which is before the second (and the actual) Adhaan that is made in the presence of the Imaam. So on Fridays there are two Adhaan. In Ramadhaan, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم commanded Bilaal رضي الله عنه to call the Adhaan in the last part of the night when the time for Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) has approached and he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Bilaal calls the Adhaan during the night to wake those who are sleeping and so that those who are praying Qiyam can return (i.e. finish their prayers). So eat and drink till the son of Umm Maktum announces Adhaan for he does not pronounce it till it is dawn.” [The origin of this Hadeeth is in the Saheehain]. So we have Fajr with the first Adhaan, and it is not there except for the purpose of informing that the time for Suhoor has approached.

Your enemy will never over power you as long as you are obedient to Allaah تعالى

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

By Allaah! The enemy did not wrong you except after the Lord abandoned you, so do not think that Shaitaan overpowers you, it is just that the Protector (Allaah تعالى) Who has forsaken you.

Beware of your soul, for no misfortune befalls you except because of it, so do not ever be reconciled with it. By Allaah! Its honor is derived from its submission (to Allaah), its dignity is derived from its subservience, its reform is derived from its breakdown, its comfort is derived from its hardship, its security is derived from its fear (of Allaah), and its pleasure is derived from its sorrow.

[al-Fawaaid (1/68)]

Tafseer: 51 rulings from the verse of Tahaarah from Tafseer al-Sa`dee

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوا ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا يُرِيدُ اللَّـهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَـٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ﴾

{O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salaah (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles. If you are in a state of Janaabah (i.e. had a sexual discharge), purify yourself (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey or any of you comes from answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (i.e. sexual intercourse) and you find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands. Allaah does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favor on you that you may be thankful.} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 6]

Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #20

The prayer expiates sins

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

Book of Prayer Times: Chapter: Prayer expiates sins

Narrated Shaqeeq that he had heard Hudhaifah رضي الله عنه saying: “Once we were sitting with `Umar رضي الله عنه and he said: “Who amongst you remembers the statement of Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم about the afflictions?” I said: “I know it as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had said it.” `Umar said: “No doubt you are bold.” I said: “The afflictions ^[1] caused for a man by his wife, money, ^[2] children and neighbor are expiated by his prayers, fasting, charity and by enjoining (what is good) and forbidding (what is evil).” `Umar said: “I did not mean that but I asked about that affliction which will spread like the waves of the sea.” <sup>[3]</sup> I (Hudhaifah) said: “O leader of the faithful believers! You need not be afraid of it as there is a closed door between you and it.” `Umar asked: “Will the door be broken or opened?” I replied: “It will be broken.” `Umar said: “Then it will never be closed again.” I was asked whether `Umar knew that door. I replied that he knew it as one knows that there will be night before the tomorrow morning. I narrated a Hadeeth that was free from any misstatement.” The sub-narrator added that they deputized Masrooq to ask Hudhaifah (about the door). Hudhaifah said: “The door was 'Umar himself.” ^[4] [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (525, 1895, 3586, 7096) and Saheeh Muslim (276, 6914)]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #69

Which is the more honorable action in prayer, the Qiyaam or the Sujood?

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى الْعَزِيزِ الرَّحِيمِ * الَّذِي يَرَاكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ * وَتَقَلُّبَكَ فِي السَّاجِدِينَ﴾

{And put your trust in the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful * Who sees you (O Muhammad) when you stand up (alone at night for Tahajjud prayers) * And your movements among those who fall prostrate (along with you to Allaah in the five compulsory congregational prayers).} [Surah al-Shu`araa’ (26): 217-219]

Weakness of the Hadeeth: The Prophet taking an oath by saying: "By his father!"

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said regarding the statement of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:

أَفْلَحَ وَأَبِيهِ إِنْ صَدَقَ

“By his father, he shall succeed if he were true (to what he professed).” [Saheeh Muslim (11b)] ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Definition of al-Hudaa

Revised: January 17, 2014

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

If the definition of al-Hudaa (guidance) were limited to mean: information and acknowledgment only, then according to this definition, Ibees is among the guided for he did acknowledge the superiority of Allaah and he said to Allaah تعالى: “By Your Honor…” and he did acknowledge that Allaah تعالى created him and Aadam. But since he did not obey what he was commanded, so Allaah تعالى called declared him as Kaafir. Therefore this definition of al-Hudaa is incomplete.

The ruling on the one who does not offer al-Sunan al-Rawaatib [1]:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

  

Question: Shaikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله was asked about those who do not regularly offer the Sunan al-Rawaatib?

Answer: The Shaikh رحمه الله replied: “The one who is persistent in leaving it, then this is evidence about his lack of religion (faith) ^[2] and his testimony will not be accepted according to the Madhhab of (Imaam) Ahmad (Ibn Hanbal), (Imaam) al-Shaafi`ee and others.”

Shaikh Ibn Baaz: Do not lend your ears to the Fitnah which took place between the Sahaabah

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:

“The most (saved and) preferred opinion is to stop discussing ^[1] about the Fitnah which took place between Sahaabah رضي الله عنهم (Allaah be pleased with all of them) ^[2]; and do not to listen to the audios (or videos) which speak about the Fitnah that took place between the Sahaabah; for in them there are doubtful (matters) ^[3] which will only create confusion among the listeners.”

The Covenant between you and your Lord

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ﴾

{You (Alone) we worship, and you (Alone) we ask for help} [Surah al-Faatihah (1): 5]

“It is a covenant between you and your Lord that you WILL^[1] worship Him (alone) and that you will ask (only) Him for help; and that your love for your family and children is in accordance with the love of Allaah عز وجل and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم (i.e. your love for your family should not be a hindrance in your obedience to Allaah).”

No Sabr No Imaan

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said that `Alee bin Abu Taalib رضي الله عنه said:

“Verily! The relationship between Sabr (patience) and Imaan (Faith) is like how a head is to the body – if the head is cut off, then what good is the body.” He (`Alee رضي الله عنه) then raised his voice and said: “Verily! (A person) has no Imaan if he has no Sabr.”

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa (10/40)]

From the benefits of Tawheed and al-Istighfaar:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝The best remembrance is: لا اله الا الله (Laa ilaaha illallaah) and the best supplication is: الحمد لله (al-Hamdulillaah).❞

[Sunan al-Tirmidhee (3383) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (3800) from the Hadeeth of Jaabir رضي الله عنه and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Shaikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:

❝For Tawheed removes the essence of Shirk and al-Istighfaar erases its branches. Therefore the most lofty and concise Praise is saying: لا اله الا الله (Laa ilaaha illallaah) and the most concise du`aa is saying: أستغفر الله (astaghfiru-llaah).❞

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa (11/697)]

Du`aa are of two types:

1. Du`aa for seeking/asking (دعاء المسألة)

2. Du`aa for worship (دعاء العبادة)

1. Du`aa for seeking: asking Allaah for forgiveness, guidance, and that which will benefit in this world and the Hereafter. Similarly, asking Allaah to remove the difficulties, and to ward off that which will cause harm in this world and the Hereafter.

2. Du`aa for worship: worshiping Allaah by praising Him, thanking Him, fearing Him, loving Him, hoping for His mercy, putting one’s trust in Him, praying, fasting, doing Hajj, reading Qur’aan, doing the Adhkaar etc.