When things get expensive

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Some people approached Abu Haazim complaining to him, saying: “O Abu Haazim! Do you not see that the prices (of commodities) have gone up?!” He replied: ❝Why does that distress you? The One (i.e. Allaah) who provides sustenance for us when the things are inexpensive is the same Who will provide for us when it gets expensive.❞

[al-Hilyah (3/239)]

Bishr Ibn al-Haarith said: ❝If the increase in prices distresses you out, then remember death, for it will take away from you the distress of the increase in prices.❞

[al-Hilyah (8/347)]

The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ❝Remember more often the destroyer of pleasures.❞ (i.e. death) 

[Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2307), Sunan Ibn Maajah (4258), and Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (1824) and graded as “Hasan Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Strangers to the Sunnah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

From the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝Islaam began as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being something strange. So glad tidings to the strangers.❞

[Saheeh Muslim (270)]

  

۝۝۝

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen said (paraphrased):

❝During its advent in Makkah, Islaam was a stranger. In the beginning and for a long time, there were only ten companions; then they gradually increased in numbers. Similarly, near the end of times, it (Islaam) will return back to its state of being a stranger.

This decrease may not necessarily mean the decrease in numbers, as there are more than a Billion Muslims in the world. It may not necessarily mean that near the end of times there will be only ten or twenty Muslims left. It may mean that the Muslims might be in their hundreds or in their thousands, but they will be strangers to the Sunnah (i.e. very few will be following and implementing the Sunnah in their lives as compared to the total Muslim population).❞

[Sharh Saheeh Muslim (1/302)]

It is sign of Faith to fight against Bid`ah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

• It is a sign of Imaan (Faith) that a person fights against Bid`aat and that which corrupts the Deen.

• Do not be baffled by the large number of people doing innovations in the Deen.

۝۝۝

It is narrated on the authority `Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

۞ 1) ❝There was never a Prophet sent before me by Allaah to his people but he had, among his people, (his) disciples and companions, who followed his ways and obeyed his command. 

Love for the Qur’aan is a sign of the love for Allaah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

One’s love for the Speech of Allaah (the Qur’aan) is indeed a sign for (his) love for Allaah عز وجل. If you ever want to know how much love - you or other than you - have for Allaah, then look for how much love you have for the Qur’aan in your heart, and that your delight upon listening to the Qur’aan is much more than the pleasure one derives from listening to the entertainers (actors and performers) and music and singing. For it is well known that when a person is in love with someone, then the speech and conversation of his beloved is dearer to him than anything else. As it was said:

When you claim to love me…

Then why did you abandon my writings?

Did you not contemplate on what it contains…

Of the sweetness from my speech?

And `Uthmaan Ibn `Affaan رضي الله عنه said:

❝Were our hearts to become pure, we would never get tired of the Speech of our Lord.❞

[Al-Jawaab al-Kaafee (1/235-236) (the book is also known as al-Daa’ wal-Dawaa’]

Al-Baihaqee further added to the statement of `Uthmaan رضي الله عنه:

❝I hate that a day ever goes by in which I have not looked into the Mus-haf (the Qur’aan).❞ 

[al-Asmaa was-Sifaat of al-Baihaqee (524/1/593)]

The prohibition of killing the emissaries, envoys, messengers and those under the protection of the Muslims

The prohibition of killing the emissaries, envoys, messengers and those under the protection of the Muslims:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Amr رضي الله عنهما: The Prophet ﷺ said:

❝Whoever killed a Mu`aahid (معاهدا - a person who is granted the pledge of protection by the Muslims) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelt from a distance of forty years (of traveling).❞

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3166, 6914)]

Narrated Nu`aym ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنه: I heard the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ say (to the two messengers) when he read the letter of Musaylimah (the liar who claimed to be a prophet):

❝What do you believe yourselves?❞

They said: We believe as he (Musaylimah) believes. He ﷺ said:

❝I swear by Allaah that were it not that messengers are not killed, I would cut off the heads of both of you.❞

[Sunan Abu Dawood (2761) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

`Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنه said: Ibn al-Nawwaahah and Ibn Uthaal came as envoys of Musaylimah to the Prophet ﷺ and he ﷺ said to them:

❝Do you bear witness that I am the Messenger of Allaah?❞

They said: We bear witness that Musaylimah is the messenger of Allaah! He ﷺ said:

❝If I were to kill any envoy, I would have killed you.❞

`Abdullaah Ibn Mas`ood said: “And it became a precedent that envoys were not to be killed.”

[Musnad Ahmad (3761) and it is “Saheeh due to supporting chains” See the previous Hadeeth]

4 Narrations on the importance of advising the tyrant rulers

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

• Four narrations on the importance of advising the rulers privately even if they are tyrants.

• The scholars’ advice the rulers privately as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم instructed us.

• Only because we do not witness it doesn't mean that the scholars do not do it.

• Shouting from the minbar (pulpit) against the rulers is not from the Sunnah.

• Your hatred towards the rulers should not make you go against the Sunnah.

• Shouting behind their back is Gheebah (backbiting) and does not achieve the purpose (as the message does not reach them), except that it cause chaos and disruption.

Bilqees and Wisdom

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah's Messenger ﷺ said:

❝If Allaah wants to do good to someone, He bestows upon him the understanding of the Deen.❞

📚 [Saheehain]

Indeed, it is a huge blessing from Allaah when He تعالى bestows Wisdom and comprehension of the Deen upon his slaves. And whoever receives this blessing has received a lot of goodness.

PART 1:

In the past, and even in these days, there were people who were given wisdom even before they accepted Islaam and then Allaah increased them more in guidance after they accepted Islaam.

The 5 protection against al-Dajjaal

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

1. IMAAN (Faith):

a) When al-Dajjaal will come, the city of Madeenah will shake three times and all the Kuffaar and Munaafiqeen will be expelled from it. [Saheeh Muslim]

b) The word Kaafir (ك ف ر) will be written on the forehead of al-Dajjaal which EVERY Believer will be able to read, whether he is literate or illiterate. [Saheeh Muslim]

2. TAWHEED:

a) Before learning HOW to worship, it is important to learn WHO to worship. This is why it is important to learn Tawheed especially “Tawheed al-Asmaa’ was-Sifaat” (Tawheed regarding The Names and Attributes of Allaah). Whenever the Prophet ﷺ mentioned about the deficiencies of al-Dajjaal, he ﷺ would always say: ❝Behold, he is one-eyed while your Lord is not one-eyed.❞ [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]

b) In many Ahaadeeth the Prophet ﷺ mentioned the deficiencies of al-Dajjaal, he is short, hen-toed, woolly-haired, blind in right eye, eye-sightless, impotent etc.

The Prophet ﷺ said: ❝I have told you so much about al-Dajjaal that I am afraid you may not understand. The Dajjaal is short, hen-toed, woolly-haired, one-eyed, an eye-sightless, and neither protruding nor deep-seated. If you are confused about him, know that your Lord is not one-eyed.❞ [Sunan Abu Dawood (4320) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

c) The Prophet ﷺ gave the clear indication of how to identify him during that Fitnah: ❝If you are confused about him, know that your Lord is not one-eyed.❞

Now ponder this, many people label the callers to Tawheed as “Wahhaabee”, and al-Wahhaab (The Bestower) is one of the Attributes of Allaah. If such people cannot understand this basic thing, then what will be the case when they are in that turmoil? Amongst his Fitnah would be that he will give the command and it would rain and the earth will bring forth the vegetation. He will show the people Garden and Fire (his Garden will in reality be the Fire and his Fire will be the Garden). He would have river of cold water and river of fire (his fire will have the effect of cold water and his water will have the effect of fire).

3) Qur’aan:

Memorizing the first 10 Aayaat from Surah al-Kahf. [Saheeh Muslim – in another narration it is the last 10 Aayaat of Surah al-Kahf]

4) Du`aa

Seeking Allaah’s refuge from the Fitnah of al-Dajjaal in the final Tashahhud of every prayer. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]

5) Fleeing to Makkah and Madeenah:

The Dajjaal will not be allowed to enter Makkah and Madeenah. But as mentioned earlier, this will benefit only the people of Imaan, whereas the Kuffaar and the hypocrites will be expelled from Madeenah when it shakes three times.

And Allaah knows best

The bond between Tawakkul and Imaan

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

﴿إِنْ تُصِبْكَ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ وَإِنْ تُصِبْكَ مُصِيبَةٌ يَقُولُوا قَدْ أَخَذْنَا أَمْرَنَا مِنْ قَبْلُ وَيَتَوَلَّوْا وَهُمْ فَرِحُونَ - قُلْ لَنْ يُصِيبَنَا إِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلَانَا وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ﴾

{If good befalls you (O Muhammad), it grieves them, but if a calamity overtakes you, they say: “We took our precaution beforehand,” and they turn away rejoicing. Say: “Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allaah has ordained for us. He is our Maula (Lord, Helper and Protector).” And in Allaah let the believers put their trust.} [Surah al-Tawbah (9): 50-51]

Ibn al-`Qayyim رحمه الله said:

❝Al-Tawakkul is an essential and indispensable part of Imaan; and Imaan demands that one should have al-Tawakkul.

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَعَلَى اللهِ فَتَوَكَّلُوا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ﴾

{…and put your trust in Allaah if you are indeed Believers} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 23]

He تعالى made al-Tawakkul a condition for Imaan. So this is proof that Imaan is lost when Tawakkul is lost.

In another Aayah Allaah تعالى mentioned:

﴿وَقَال مُوسَى يَا قَوْمِ إِن كُنتُمْ آمَنتُمْ بِاللهِ فَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلُوا إِن كُنْتُمْ مُسْلِمِين﴾

{And Musa said: “O my people! If you have believed in Allaah, then put your trust in Him if you are Muslims”} [Surah Yunus (10): 84]

And here (Allaah تعالى) made al-Tawakkul as proof for the correctness of one’s Islaam.

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَعَلَى الله فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ﴾

{And in Allaah (alone) should the believers put their trust}

[Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 122, 160; Surah al-Maaidah (5): 11; Surah al-Tawbah (9): 51; Surah Ibraaheem (14): 11; Surah al-Mujaadilah (58): 10; Surah al-Taghaabun (64): 13]

The strength or weakness of one’s Tawakkul depends upon the strength or weakness of one’s Imaan. Whenever the Imaan of the slave (of Allaah) grows stronger, his Tawakkul also grows stronger; and whenever his Imaan weakens, his Tawakkul also weakens. And without doubt, whenever (one’s) Tawakkul grows weak, it is proof that (his) Imaan has grown weak as well.

Allaah تعالى has bonded:

Tawakkul (reliance upon Him) with (His) `Ibaadah (worship),

and between Tawakkul and Imaan (Faith),

and between Tawakkul and Islaam,

and between Tawakkul and al-Taqwaa (God-consciousness, piety),

and between Tawakkul and Hidaayah (guidance).❞

[Tareeq al-Hijratain (1/255)]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #112

When you feel low in Imaan, broken and dejected

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In everyone’s life there comes a point when they feel low in Imaan, broken, dejected, worried, or sad. So what should a person do if he finds himself in such a situation? One such narration which helps in understanding what causes a person to have this feeling is the Hadeeth of Hanzhalah (حنظلة) رضي الله عنه. Through this Hadeeth, one learns the importance of having good companionship, approaching the scholars to seek clarification, attending the circles of knowledge, reciting more Qur’aan, doing more Adhkaar and seeking Allaah’s refuge and repenting to Him – all these help in boosting one’s Imaan and in keeping firm upon the Deen.

Downloads:
Link 1

Link 2

Greeting by waving the hand or nodding the head

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The Islaamic greeting of saying: “السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته” is from the actions of the tongue (except when you are writing a message or letter to someone). So, one cannot substitute it by merely raising or waving the hand in the air, or nodding the head.

But if the person is at a distance and the voice is not audible, then raising/waiving the hand along with saying “السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته” will be right and In shaa Allaah will not be regarded as imitation.

Narrated `Amr bin Shu`aib from his father, from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ❝He is not one of us who resembles other than us; do not resemble the Jews or the Christians. For indeed greeting of the Jews is pointing the fingers, and the greeting of the Christians is waving with the hand.❞ [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2695) and graded as “Hasan li ghairihee” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (2194)]

Imaam al-Nasaa’ee reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ❝Do not greet with the greetings of the Jews or the Christians, for their greetings is merely with (gesturing with their) hand, (nodding with their) heads, and (pointing with their) fingers.❞ [Sunan al-Kubraa (10100) and the narrators in this chain are all reliable]

Guidance & Advices for the Muslim Doctors (Second Edition)

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

This is a two-part treatise offering general advice and guidance for Muslim doctors on their profession, behavior, manners, and character, as well as the religious regulations they should observe in clinics and hospitals. Even though the subject matter is specifically addressed to doctors, people from other professions can benefit from this as well, especially regarding good manners and behavior. 

The first part of the book is a translation of the last lecture of Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Ṣaaleḥ al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله, delivered before his death in al-Riyaaḑh in the year 1421H. The lecture is followed by a Q&A session. This lecture is available on YouTube for those who want to listen to the Shaikh directly. 

The second part is a summarized translation of Shaikh Muhammad `Alee Ferkous’ treatise, written by the Shaikh back in the year 1427H and available on his official website.

Download Links:

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen: Guidance for the Muslim Doctor by ilm4all on Scribd

Intoxicants: The mother of all evils

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

This is the state of every home whether in the West or in the East. Whenever intoxicants like Khamr (wine) or drugs (including marijuana, heroin) become common, it leads towards fornication/adultery and unlawful killing:

`Uthmaan Ibn `Affaan رضي الله عنه said: ❝Avoid Khamr (intoxicants) for it is the mother of all evils. There was a man among those who came before you who was a devoted worshiper and used to stay away from people. An immoral woman fell in love with him. She sent her slave girl to him, saying: “We are calling you to bear witness.” So he set out with her slave girl, and every time he entered a door, she locked it behind him, until he reached a beautiful woman who had with her a boy and a vessel of wine.

She said: “By Allaah, I did not call you to bear witness, rather I called you to have intercourse with me, or to drink a cup of this wine, or to kill this boy. [But if you refuse, I will shout and scream and expose you. So when he realized that he had no escape but to comply] He said: “Pour me a cup of this wine.” So she poured him a cup. He said: “Give me more.” And soon he had intercourse with her and killed the boy. So avoid Khamr, for by Allaah faith and addiction to Khamr cannot coexist but, one of them will soon expel the other.❞

[Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (5666, 5667) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee and said this is authentic only as the statement of `Uthmaan. The words within the brackets are from Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan (5348)]

Note: He chose Khamr thinking that it was lesser than the other two sins, but eventually under the influence of wine he committed the other two sins as well.

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #111

We all have that one friend:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Once in a while we come across a friend or a relative who with his continuous requests / asking / calling puts us in a spot where we cannot refuse and have to comply with their request.

We should be careful not to make abrupt requests which will cause discomfort, annoyance or embarrassment to the one being requested. Sometimes the requester will not be offended if his request is denied; but such abrupt requests tend to shift the weight of the responsibility / blame upon the one being requested, where they sometimes feel cornered into doing it.

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

❝And it is known that if someone were to give you a gift or gave you something out of modesty and bashfulness, then you should not accept it from him, because this is like he was impelled to do it. This is why the scholars’ رحمهم الله have said: it is forbidden for you to accept a gift from a person if you know that he is giving it to you only out of modesty or bashfulness.

Similarly, if you were to pass by a house and its owner invites you in, and you know that he did this out of modesty and bashfulness, then you should not enter it because this is like the one who did it out coercion. This is from the etiquette of attending the gathering, which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم legislated upon his Ummah that one should not make his brother get up from his place do that he can occupy it.❞

[Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (4/350-351)]

Scaring the children: a means for Jinn possessions

A very important point

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

❝Some of the foolish, ignorant people, lacking intelligence, scare their small innocent children and frighten them by saying: so-and-so (monster) will come (and take you), or so-and-so will (do such-and-such to you in the darkness). So the child gets scared and this fear and anxiety remains in his heart, and this becomes permanent in his heart so that he is constantly in anxiety, fear and distress.

Sometimes it is the father who scares his son and sometimes it is the mother who scares her son and daughter.

But the most foolish ones are those who tell us that when a child does something wrong (then as punishment) he should be locked inside his room, alone. And even when he shouts and screams they do not feel sorry for him nor do they open the door.

And this is one of the means by which a Jinn overpowers (and possesses) the child. This was conveyed by one of the Jinns who had possessed a child and said that he entered in him when his father had locked him inside the room, and he began to shout and scream, and that's when he possessed him.

So we should be alert and take precautions from the things which can become a means for the Jinn to overpower us.❞

Source:

" بيان حقيقة صرع الجن للإنس ؛ مواعظ عامة ومواضيع متفرقة للشيخ محمد بن صالح العثيمين رحمه الله تعالى "

Seeking forgiveness: the solution to many of our problems

So seek forgiveness for yourself and others who have rights upon you.

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:

❝Al-Istighfaar (seeking Allaah’s forgiveness) removes the slave from doing things which are disliked (by Allaah) towards doing things which are loved (by Allaah); and from actions which are deficient towards actions which are (more) complete; and it raises the slave from the lower status to a status higher than it and more perfect.❞

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa (11/696)]

Between Hot and Cold:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

USING COLD WATER FOR DRINKING AND AS A CURE

As a cure to Ayyoob’s عليه السلام sickness, Allaah تعالى said to him:

﴿ارْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ ۖ هَـٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ﴾

❝{“Strike the ground with your foot: This is a spring of water to wash in, cool and a (refreshing) drink.”}❞

[Surah al-Saad (38): 41]

***

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝Fever is from the (intense) heat of the Hell-Fire, so cool it with water.❞

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3261, 3262, 3263, 3264, 5723, 5724, 5725, 5726) and Saheeh Muslim (5476, 5477, 5478, 5479, 5480, 5482, 5484, 5485)]

۞۞۝۞۞

PREFERABLE NOT TO EAT WHILE THE FOOD IS INTENSELY HOT

It has been authentically reported from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that he said: ❝One should not eat the food until its steam goes away.❞

[Sunan al-Baihaqee and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (1/748)]

***

Whenever Asmaa’ bint Abu Bakr رضي الله عنها prepared food, she used to cover it with something till its boil went away (and it had cooled down a bit), and she used to say: I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying: ❝It is for greater blessing.❞

[Saheeh Ibn Hibaan and Mustadrak of al-Haakim and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (392, 659)]

۞۞۝۞۞

PREFERABLE TO DELAY THE DHUHR SALAAH WHEN IT IS INTENSELY HOT

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝Refrain from praying (Dhuhr - the noon prayer) till the extreme heat passes away, for the Intensity of heat is from the exhalation of Hell.❞

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (533, 535, 536, 538, 539, 629, 3258, 3259) and Saheeh Muslim (1282, 1284, 1285, 1287, 1288, 1289, 1290, 1291)]

Tafseer: Fasting is not the atonement for breaking the oath

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

❝As a Kaffaarah (atonement/expiation) for breaking the oath, a person has been given the option to do one of the three:

1) Feed the poor,

2) or clothe them,

3) or manumit a slave.

A person has the option to do either one of the above three, and only when he is not able to afford it should he fast for three days.

But what has become widespread among the common people is that the Kaffaarah for breaking the oath is to fast three days - and this is wrong.

Therefore it is necessary upon the students of knowledge to make it clear for the people that fasting is not an option for a person who is capable of doing one of the above three (either feeding the poor or clothing them or freeing a slave).❞

[Tafseer Surah al-Maaidah [(5): 89] of Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen (2/319)]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen: Download

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Anyone who is interested, can download the translation of the selected passages from the Explanation of Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (شرح رياض الصالحين) by Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله, with a 100+ topics to read from. And all praise is for Allaah Alone.

Link 1:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5a3nwj5iH9ySENRWm5NV1R0Um8

Alternate Link:
https://www.scribd.com/document/168206535/Explanation-of-Riyaadh-Al-Saaliheen-Selected-Excerpts

Explanation of Riyaadh Al-Saaliheen - Selected Excerpts by ilm4all on Scribd