Be Different From Animals in Prayers

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Part #1:

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله:

The Prophet ﷺ forbade from imitating the animals while in prayers. For he ﷺ forbade from kneeling like a camel [1], and from looking here and there like a fox [2], and resting (spreading the forearms) on the ground like a wild beast [3], and squatting like a dog [4], and pecking like a crow [5], and from raising the hands like wild horses while concluding the Salaah with the Tasleem [6]. The actions of the one who is praying are different from the actions of the animals.

[Zaad al-Ma`aad (1/217-218)]

Police Brutality: A Legacy Of Shame!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

There is a continuous rise in police brutality everywhere around the world, especially in the power-hungry “democratic” (democrazy) countries of the world, the US, France, India, Russia, Philippines, etc., and new laws are being introduced to give the police officers more authority and immunity from criminal prosecution. These laws are being introduced especially to suppress the voice of the oppositions, and to oppress the minorities, without the fear of any repercussion or backlash from the public. There is more police brutality in the “democratic” countries than anywhere else. The systematic oppression and killing of the African-Americans and Native-Americans in the US, the pogroms and extrajudicial punishments against the Muslims in India, Burma (Myanmar) and China, and racial attacks on the minorities in different parts of the world are being carried out with the help of the police and army personnel. The people (police) who are supposed to uphold the law and maintain peace and security are the ones who are the worst in torturing the minorities. In many of these countries, torturing the poor has no consequences. 

All this was prophesied by the Prophet ﷺ 1400 years ago, and a severe punishment awaits these perpetrators in the Hereafter.

Is it “Du`aa” (supplication) or “Dhikr” (remembrance of Allaah)?

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

In regards to the saying after breaking the Fast, the following authentic Hadeeth is being circulated as a “Du`aa”:

Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما said that the Prophet ﷺ said when he broke his fast:

ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

❝The thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, if Allaah Wills.❞

[Sunan Abu Dawood (2357), Sunan al-Kubraa of al_nasaa’ee (3315, 10058), Mustdrak al-Haakim (1536), Sunan al-Daraqutnee (2279) and he graded it as “Hasan”, and also graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Irwaa’ (920)]

But is it actually a “Du`aa” or a “Dhikr”?

1) As mentioned in Sharh Usool al-Thalaathah, Du`aa are of two types: Du`aa for asking (دعاء المسألة) and Du`aa for worship (دعاء العبادة).

The 5 reasons for the downfall of the Ummah

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

It was narrated that Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما said: The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: ❝When you enter into `Eenah transactions ^[1], take hold of the tails of cattle ^[2], and are content with farming ^[3], and you forsake Jihaad ^[4], Allaah will cause humiliation to prevail over you ^[5] and He will not withdraw it until you return to your religion ^[6].❞

[Musnad Ahmad (4987) and Sunan Abu Dawood (3462) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (11)]

Notes:

[1] “`Eenah” (العينة): It is an illusionary transaction in which some people engage to conceal the Ribaa (usury/interest) dealings. The contract appears to be a “buying and selling” contract, whereas in reality, it is just Ribaa, and the transaction is just a cover-up. 

From the essential Duaa to be made in the prayer

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree mentioned in his Saheeh:

Book: Call to Prayers (Adhaan)

(149) Chapter: Invocation before the Tasleem

Narrated Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq رضي الله عنه: I asked Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ to teach me an invocation so that I may invoke Allaah with it in my prayer. He ﷺ told me to say:

Types of Fitan

⚡ Types of Fitan (calamities/affliction)

[Along with the advice by Shaikh Ibn al-Uthaymeen not to expose one self to them] 

▶️ There are two types of Fitan which affect a person:

➡️ 1) Affliction in the self: (And this is from the worldly perspective). This includes loss in wealth, health, live, honor, hunger, fear or any other type of physical or psychological loss or affliction. As Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ﴾

{And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits…}

📚 [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 155]

۞۝۞

➡️ 2) Affliction in the Deen: (and this is from the perspective of the Hereafter). Affliction in the Deen is far worse than affliction in the self. As Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ﴾

{And Al-Fitnah (affliction in the Deen) is worse than killing}

📚 [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 191]

And

﴿وَالْفِتْنَةُ أَكْبَرُ مِنَ الْقَتْلِ﴾

{...and Al-Fitnah is a greater (crime) than killing}

📚 [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 217]

This includes being afflicted by:

🚫 Shirk, 

🚫 or Bid`ah, 

🚫 or belittling the Sunnah or authentic Ahaadeeth,

🚫 or getting confused even after knowing the correct path,

🚫 or having doubts about the Deen,

🚫 or chasing the desires, 

🚫 or giving preference to personal opinions over the Texts, 

🚫 or laziness in religious duties, 

🚫 or self-amazement,

🚫 or following the path of falsehood after being guided, 

🚫 or swaying between groups and parties etc. 

Part of this affliction also includes being prevented from carrying out the religious duties by the enemies, or persecution in the name of religion. As Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَمَا نَقَمُوا مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا أَن يُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّـهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَمِيدِ﴾

{They (the enemies) had nothing against them (the believers), except that they believed in Allaah, the All-Mighty, Worthy of all Praise!}

📚 [Surah al-Burooj (85): 8]

Affliction in the Deen can lead to misguidance and eternal damnation. Moreover, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم frequently used to supplicate saying:

يَا مُقَلِّبَ القُلُوبِ، ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِكَ

❝O Changer of the hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion.❞ 

📚 [Sunan al-Tirmidhee and Sunan Ibn Maajah, and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

🌴🌴🌴

⚡ Do not expose yourselves to Fitan:

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen said:

❝We also learn from this Aayah that al-Fitnah - i.e. preventing the people from following their Deen (Islaam) - is a greater (crime) than killing them; because in their killing, the maximum they'll miss out on is this worldly life. But if they are prevented from (learning and having) Imaan then they will lose in this world and the Hereafter.

And many people approach the places of Fitan (e.g. a bad company, or an environment that would corrupt their religious beliefs and morals) and they think that this Fitnah will not affect (or harm) them. But if they continue like this, then it won't be long before they are overtaken by the Fitnah. This is why the Prophet ﷺ said: ❝Let him who hears of the Dajjaal (Antichrist) go far from him for I swear by Allaah that a man will come to him thinking that he (the Dajjaal) is a believer, then he will follow him because of the deceptive arguments he (the Dajjaal) will put forward (to confuse him).❞

📚 [Sunan Abu Dawood (4319) and graded as "Saheeh" by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

The important thing is that a person should not expose himself to Fitan. How many people approached the places of Fitan thinking that they were immune to it, but they were not!❞

📚 [Tafseer of Surah al-Baqarah by Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen (3/59-60)]

The outstanding attributes of al-Firqatun-Naajiyah (the Saved Sect)

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Question: What are the most outstanding attributes of al-Firqatun-Naajiyah (the Saved Sect)? And does a shortcoming in any of these attributes remove a person from the Saved Sect?

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

The most outstanding attributes of the Saved Sect are adherence to the path of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in beliefs, worship, character and conduct – one finds that the Saved Sect is distinguished in all these four aspects:

In beliefs, one finds them holding fast to what is proven by the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم sincerely declaring the Tawheed (Oneness) of Allaah in matters of worship, Lordship, and His Names and Attributes.

Hadeeth: The two matters that rectify the Ummah and the two that destroy it

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿ذَرْهُمْ يَأْكُلُوا وَيَتَمَتَّعُوا وَيُلْهِهِمُ الْأَمَلُ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ﴾

{Leave them to eat and enjoy, and let them be preoccupied with (false) hope. They will come to know!}

[Surah al-Hijr (15): 3]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝The first part of this Ummah was rectified[1] through al-Zuhd (asceticism)[2] and al-Yaqeen (firm Faith)[3], and its destruction will be because of al-Bukhl (niggardliness)[4] and al-Amal (false hope)[5].❞ 

Explanation of the Hadeeth: “I’ve been supported by awe over my enemies”

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿سَنُلْقِي فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا الرُّعْبَ بِمَا أَشْرَكُوا بِاللَّـهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ سُلْطَانًا﴾

{We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they joined others in worship with Allaah, for which He had sent no authority.} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 151]

He تعالى also:

﴿إِذْ يُوحِي رَبُّكَ إِلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فَثَبِّتُوا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۚ سَأُلْقِي فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا الرُّعْبَ﴾

Hadeeth: Fixing certain time and place for teaching women

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Narrated Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree رضي الله عنه:

❝Some women requested the Prophet ﷺ to fix a day for them as the men were taking all his time. On that he promised them one day for religious lessons and commandments.❞

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (101)]

Narrated Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree رضي الله عنه:

❝A woman came to Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ and said: “O Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ! Men (only) benefit by your teachings, so please devote to us from (some of) your time, a day on which we may come to you so that you may teach us of what Allaah has taught you.” Allaah's Messenger ﷺ said: ❝Gather on such-and-such a day at such-and-such a place.❞ They gathered and Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ came to them and taught them of what Allaah had taught him.❞

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7310) and Saheeh Muslim (6368)]

Ruling on raising the hands in Du`aa after the Salaah

Du`aa is before the Tasleem and Dhikr is after the Salaah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

QUESTION Is it allowed to raise the hands (for supplication) between the Adhaan and Iqaamah and after the compulsory prayers?

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله: ❝Yes, raising the hands for Du`aa (supplication) between the Adhaan and Iqaamah is from the etiquette of making supplication. This is because the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ❝A supplication made between the Adhaan and Iqaamah is not rejected.❞ [Sunan Abu Dawood (521), Sunan al-Tirmidhee (212) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Ruling on prolonging the final Sajdah of the Salaah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

From the Fatwa of Shaikh `Abdul `Azeez Ibn Baaz رحمه الله:

QUESTION: Some people prolong the last Sajdah (prostration) in the last Raka`ah (unit) of the prayer. They exclusively mark the last Sajdah for making Du`aa while leaving out the other Sujood. And sometimes it is the Imaam (of the Masjid) who does this, while we, the followers behind him, observe him prolonging only the last Sajdah. What is the ruling on this?

Shaikh Baaz رحمه الله: ❝We do not know of any evidence in the Sharee`ah regarding prolonging (only) the last Sajdah (prostration) of the prayer. Rather, the Sunnah is that all the Sujood (prostrations) should be in accordance (i.e. without marking anyone of them as special), and he (the Imaam) should not lengthen it on the people (while in congregation). Indeed the prostrations of the one offering the Salaah should be moderate and consistent (with each other). This should also be applied to his Rukoo` (bowing) and his Qiyaam (standings) in the prayer.

Explanation of Hadeeth: "Importance of having Dates in the house"

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Narrated `Aaishah رضي الله عنها that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝No household will go hungry if they have dates.❞

[Saheeh Muslim 152- (2046)]

Narrated `Aaishah رضي الله عنها that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝O `Aaishah! A house in which there are no dates, its people will go hungry. O `Aaishah! A house in which there are no dates, its people will go hungry.❞

He repeated it twice or thrice

[Saheeh Muslim 153- (2046), Sunan Abu Dawood (3831), Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1815), Sunan Ibn Maajah (3327)]

Hadeeth: Illustrative example of Life between Hope and Death

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

`Alee Ibn Abee Taalib رضي الله عنه said:

❝Verily, this worldly life is departing and the Hereafter is approaching and each of them has its children. So be the children of the Hereafter, and don’t be the children of this world. For indeed today there are (opportunities to do) deeds and there is no reckoning, but tomorrow there will be reckoning and no deeds.❞ 

Guidance & Advices for the Muslim Doctor

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

This is a two part treatise on the general advices and guidance for the Muslim doctors in regards to their profession, their behavior, manners and characteristics, and the religious regulations that they should maintain in the clinics and hospitals. Even though the subject matter is specifically addressed to the doctors, but people from other professions can benefit from this as well in regards to the good manners and behavior.

The first part is the translation of the Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen’s رحمه الله last lecture before his death, which took place in Riyaadh, in the year 1421H. The lecture is followed by Q&As. 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.

Link 1

Link 2

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

Indeed Allaah تعالى made the Sahaabah an example for those after them

The Sahaabah showed us the principles that one should adopt while believing in the matters of Unseen.

They showed us the way to true servitude. 

They showed us that pure hearts are the ones that easily submit.

When desires prevail, truth becomes obscure.

The Sharee`ah is complete and perfect for all times and places till the coming of the Hour.

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In the Hadeeth of al-Dajjaal the Companions asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: How long would he stay on the earth? The Prophet ﷺ said: ❝For forty days, one day like a year and one day like a month and one day like a week and the rest of the days would be like your days.❞ We said: Allaah's Messenger, would one day's prayer suffice for the prayers of day equal to one year? Thereupon he ﷺ said: ❝No, but you must make an estimate of time (and then offer the prayers).❞

[Saheeh Muslim (7015)]

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

Saying “Aameen” by the Imaam and those praying behind him:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Question: Is it necessary to follow the Imaam (even) while saying “Aameen”?

Answer by Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen: Yes! Saying Aameen is Sunnah Muakkadah [1] because of the saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:

إذا أمن الإمام فأمنوا

“When the Imaam says ‘Aameen’, say ‘Aameen’.” [2]

Not washing the body parts properly while making Wudhu is a Major Sin.

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

From Abu Hurairah, `Abdullaah Ibn `Amr Ibn al-`Aas, and `Aaishah رضي الله عنهم that the Prophet ﷺ said:

❝Woe to the heels because of Hell-fire.❞

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim. In the narration of Saheeh Muslim it is reported that Allaah’s Apostle ﷺ saw a man who did not wash his heel so he ﷺ said the above]

۝۝۝۝۝

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

The meaning of the Muslim greeting: السلام عليك

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

❝The Muslim greeting: السلام عليك is a supplication for peace and safety. Meaning: May Allaah protect you from affliction and harm - in your Deen (religiosity) and your worldly life, in your own self and your family, and in your home and your wealth; i.e. seeking protection in everything. This is the meaning with which a person starts (his conversation) when he meets his brother: السلام عليك. You are asking Allaah to protect him from every calamity, disaster and ordeal; and from every harm and adversity (and unpleasant things). This is the meaning of السلام, which also enacts as a greeting, generous reception and buoyancy when meeting a person. This is why when you come across a person and he does not greet you, automatically you sense (an ill) feeling within you against him. But when he greets you, whatever (ill) feeling you had goes away, and you now know that he is your brother who loves you.*

So with this the meaning of السلام عليك becomes: “I seek Allaah’s protection for you from every harm - in your Deen and Dunya, and in your family and wealth and in everything.❞

[al-Liqaa’ al-Shahree (13/3)] 

*Note: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ❝By Him in Whose Hand is my soul! You will not enter the Jannah until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you of something which, if you do, you will love one another? Spread the greetings of Salaam amongst yourselves.❞ [Saheeh Muslim (96)]

Tafseer: The means are useless without Allaah’s Will

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

﴿وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ﴾

{and (it is Allaah who) sent down water (rain) from the sky and (it is He who) brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 22]

While mentioning some of the points of benefit of this Aayah, Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said: