Isnaad is from the Deen

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

*Isnaad is from the Deen.

*Narrations are only to be taken from the Trustworthy.

*Criticism of narrators due to what is found in them is permissible.

*Doing so is not from the impermissible Gheebah (backbiting).

*Rather doing so is defending the Honorable Sharee`ah.

`Abdullaah Ibn al-Mubaarak رحمه الله said:

“The (true) Deen: (is found) with Ahl al-Hadeeth (those who follow the Two Texts).

The Lies: (are found) with the Raafidhah.

The Kalaam (rhetoric / philosophy): (is found) with the Mu`tazilah.

And Deception: (is found) with Ahl al-Raa’ee (those who prefer opinions over Texts).”

[Minhaaj al-Sunnah of Ibn Taymiyyah (7/413)]

=====

He رحمه الله also said:

“The Isnaad (the chain of narration) is from the Deen. If not for the Isnaad, anyone could say whatever he wanted.”

[Introduction of Saheeh Muslim (32)]

=====

Ibn Sireen رحمه الله said:

“Indeed, this knowledge (of Isnaad) is from the (foundation of this) Deen; so look from whom you take (learn) your religion.”

[Introduction of Saheeh Muslim (26)]

=====

Sufyaan Ibn `Uyayynah رحمه الله said:

One day al-Zuhree رحمه الله was narrating a Hadeeth, so I said to him: “narrate to us without mentioning the Isnaad (the chain of narration)”. So al-Zuhree said: “Can anyone reach the roof without a ladder?”

[Tadreeb al-Rawee (2/605)]

=====

Ibn al-Mubaarak رحمه الله said:

“The similitude of the one who wants to learn the matters of the Deen without Isnaad is like the one who wants to reach the roof without a ladder.”

[Sharf As-haab al-Hadeeth (1/41)]

=====

Sufyaan al-Thawree رحمه الله said:

“The isnaad is the weapon of the believer. So if he does not have a weapon then what will he fight with?”

[al-Majrooheen of Ibn Hibaan (1/27)]

Do not seek knowledge for 3 reasons

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Al-`Abbaas said to his son `Abdullaah رضي الله عنهما:

“O my son! Do not seek knowledge for three reasons:

1) To show-off with it.

2) Just to argue (with others) using it.

3) To become arrogant by way of it (and refuse to seek advice when confused or mistaken).

And do not forsake it for three habits:

1) Desiring to remain ignorant (due to laziness).

2) Content with little knowledge.

3) Shying away from learning.”

[Jaami` Bayaan al-`Ilm wa Fadhlih (1/559/937) (slightly rephrased)]

Tafseer: Importance of Taqwa in gaining `Ilm

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ ۖ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللَّـهُ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ﴾

{So be afraid of Allaah; and Allaah teaches you. And Allaah is the All-Knower of each and everything.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 282]

From Tafseer al-Muyassar (by a group of prominent scholars in Tafseer):

Fear Allaah تعالى in all that He has commanded you and in all that He has prohibited; and Allaah تعالى will teach you all that which is beneficial for you in this world and the Hereafter. He is the Knower of everything, nothing from your affairs is hidden from Him and He will reward you accordingly.

What is common between a Munaafiq, a Faasiq and a Hizbee?!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh al-Fawzaan حفظه الله said:

“No one engages in defaming the scholars, who are firm upon the truth, except for one of the three:

1) A Munaafiq (hypocrite) whose hypocrisy is well known.

2) Or a Faasiq (evil doer) who hates the scholars because they prevent him from doing evil deeds.

3) Or a misguided Hizbee (fanatic/zealot) who hates the scholars because they do not agree with his Hizbiyyah (partisanship) and his deviant ideology.”

الأجوبــةُ المُفيدَة عَن أَسئِلَة المنَاهِجِ الجدِيَدة ص. 75

You, yes you…Fear Allaah!

 بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

What is wrong with the people that they do not accept the statement: “Fear Allaah!”

If you were to say to one of them: “Fear Allaah!”, he would turn back on you and say: “Who are you? How dare you say to me: ‘Fear Allaah!’”

There are many such statements in the Qur’aan, the Sunnah and the statements of the Salaf, but only a few will be mentioned:

What have you learned?

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

It has been reported from Shaqeeq al-Balkhee رحمه الله that he asked Haatim (al-Asam): You accompanied me for some time (now), so what have you learned?

Haatim said: (I have learned) Eight things:

1. As for the first: I looked at the creation (the humans), and everyone has something which is beloved to him, but when he reaches the grave, his beloved abandons him. So I made my good deeds as my beloved so that it accompanies me in the grave.

The path for seeking knowledge is long

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Saaleh Aal al-Shaikh حفظه الله said:

“The path for seeking knowledge is long, and it cannot be attained except by leaving off (wasting time in) amusement and desires, while approaching it with all seriousness and determination. Because Allaah عز وجل described what He تعالى would reveal upon Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم would be a “Weighty Word””

﴿إِنَّا سَنُلْقِي عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا﴾

{Verily, We shall send down to you a weighty Word (i.e. obligations, legal laws, etc.)} [Surah al-Muzzammil (73): 5]

[المنهجية في قراءة كتب أهل العلم لفضيلة الشيخ صالح آل الشيخ]

Imaam Maalik bin Anas, the Imaam of Daar al-Hijrah, رحمه الله was asked about an issue, so he said: “I don’t know.” The questioner said: It is a small and an easy issue and I wanted to inform the Ameer (the governor) about it. The questioner was a person in authority. Imaam Maalik got angry and said: “A small and an easy issue? There is nothing regarding knowledge which is something small. Did you not hear the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿إِنَّا سَنُلْقِي عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا﴾

{Verily, We shall send down to you a weighty Word (i.e. obligations, legal laws, etc.)} [Surah al-Muzzammil (73): 5]

The knowledge, all of it is weighty, especially that about which it would be asked on the Day of Judgment.” [al-Muwaafaqaat of al-Shaatibee (5/329) and `Ilaam al-Muwaqqi`een (4/167)]

The Time When Bid`ah Will Be Considered As Sunnah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

On the authority of Hudhaifah bin al-Yamaan رضي الله عنه:

He once took two stones and placed one on top of the other and asked his companions: “Do you see any light (passing) between these two stones?”

They said: “O Abu `Abdullaah! We don’t see any light (passing) between these two stones except for very little.”

He said: “By the One (Allaah) in whose Hand is my soul! Verily, Bid`ah (religious innovation) will (soon) appear till nothing of the truth is seen except for the amount of light which you see (passing) between these two stones. By Allaah! Bid`ah will circulate (so much) so that if something of it is left out, the people will say: The Sunnah had been abandoned.”

[al-Bid`a of Ibn al-Wadhdhaah (151); al-I`tesaam of al-Shaatibee (1/106)]

The Muslim's attitude

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

* When the Muslim hears a Command from Allaah and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, then he should carry it out without hesitation to the best of his ability.

* When the Muslim hears about a prohibition, then he should shun it without having any second thoughts.

* Don’t wait asking if it is Waajib or Mustahab or if it is Makrooh or Haraam.

Shaikh Muhammad ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaimeen رحمه الله said:

“Second point: Obeying his صلى الله عليه وسلم command and not hesitating in carrying it out due to the saying of Allaah تعالى:

{It is not for a Believer, man or woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.} [Surah al-Ahzaab (33): 36]

Disobedience: a cause for the destruction of the Ummah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

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

“Do you see any destruction more severe than the destruction of the Ummah nowadays? They are Billion in numbers, they are nearly one-fourth of the world population, but they have no value in the global community in spite of having moral force, material power and manpower. But when they neglected the Deen of Allaah, Allaah عز وجل forsook them, so that a person trusts* the oppressors among the Kuffar more than he trusts* his own brothers among the Muslims – and this is an ordeal and a calamity.”

[التعليق على السياسة الشرعية ص. 197]

* The word يركن can alternatively be translated as: relies upon, supports.

A Sound Heart

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿إِلاَّ مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ﴾

{Except him who brings to Allaah a sound heart} [Surah al-Shu`araa’ (26): 89]

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

The heart cannot attain absolute safety till it is protected from five things:

1. From Shirk which negates Tawheed.

2. From Bid`ah which opposes the Sunnah.

3. From Desire which opposes the Command.

4. From Negligence which negates Remembrance.

5. From Whim which negates Sincerity.

[al-Jawaab al-Kaafee (1/122)]

The Belief of a Muslim in regards to the Qur’aan

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The Qur’aan is the Word of Allaah, not created, from Him it originated and to Him it will return.

The Qur’aan is the Word of Allaah عز وجل and His revelation, which He sent down and which is heard from a reciter when he is reciting the words of Allaah عز وجل.

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَإِنْ أَحَدٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ اسْتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرْهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسْمَعَ كَلَامَ اللَّـهِ﴾

{And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the Word of Allaah.} [Surah al-Tawbah (9): 6]

Allaah تعالى also said:

﴿قُل لَّوْ كَانَ الْبَحْرُ مِدَادًا لِّكَلِمَاتِ رَبِّي لَنَفِدَ الْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمَاتُ رَبِّي وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِهِ مَدَدًا﴾

{Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to mankind). “If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid.”} [Surah al-Kahf (18): 109]

Allaah تعالى also said:

﴿وَلَوْ أَنَّمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِن شَجَرَةٍ أَقْلَامٌ وَالْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ سَبْعَةُ أَبْحُرٍ مَّا نَفِدَتْ كَلِمَاتُ اللَّـهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ﴾

{And if all the trees on the earth were pens and the sea (were ink wherewith to write), with seven seas behind it to add to its (supply), yet the Words of Allaah would not be exhausted. Verily, Allaah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.} [Surah Luqmaan (37): 27]

Allaah تعالى also said:

﴿يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُبَدِّلُوا كَلَامَ اللَّـهِ﴾

{They want to change Allaah’s Words} [Surah al-Fath (48): 15]

And it is preserved (memorized) in the breasts as Allaah تعالى said:

﴿بَلْ هُوَ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ﴾

{Rather, the Qur’aan is distinct verses, [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge.} [Surah al-`Ankaboot (29): 49]

Imaam Maalik bin Anas رحمه الله said: “The Qur’aan is the Word of Allaah, the Word of Allaah is from Allaah, and nothing from Allaah is created.” [Sharh Usool `Iteqaad Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah (2/275)]

Akhlaaq (Good Manners) in regards to the rights of Allaah:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

We read many Ahaadeeth on the virtues of having proper etiquette and good manners, that it will be the heaviest on the Scale on the Day of Judgment, that that person will be closer to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and much more.

But remember that good manners should start with Allaah first:

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Allaah تعالى said: {The son of Aadam tells a lie against me though he has no right to do so, and he abuses Me though he has no right to do so. As for his telling a lie against Me, it is that he claims that I cannot recreate him as I created him before; and as for his abusing Me, it is his statement that I have offspring. No! Glorified be Me! I am far from taking a wife or offspring.}” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

Similarly, denying the Names and Attributes of Allaah or changing their meaning; or giving preference to logic over the Sunnah, innovating in the Deen or speaking without knowledge is not good manners.

How can someone have good manners with creation but then speak without knowledge about the Creator and His Deen? This is not giving priority and in reality isn't good manners at all.

So that’s why: “Defending the rights of Allaah takes precedence and is more important than the honor of any other creation.”

The 3 types of sins that Shaitaan commands:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

  

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ * إِنَّمَا يَأْمُرُكُم بِالسُّوءِ وَالْفَحْشَاءِ وَأَن تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّـهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ﴾

{and follow not the footsteps of Shaitaan (Satan). Verily, he is to you an open enemy.  He commands you only what is Soo’ (evil) and Fahshaa’, and that you should say against Allaah what you know not.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 168-169]

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله explained:

Al-Soo’: every type of disobedience and Minor sins.

Al-Fahshaa’: Major sins, like fornication.

From the Proofs of `Uluww (Highness/Transcendency) of Allaah تعالى:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Among the many proofs, Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله also mentioned:

As for the proof from the Fitra: Allaah has made all of the creation, the Arabs and non-Arabs, even the animals upon the natural disposition of believing in Him and His `Uluww. There is no servant that turns toward his Lord with supplication or worship except that he finds within himself a sense of requesting from One High above. He turns with his heart towards the sky, not to the right or left. And no one deviates away from this reality except someone who has been corrupted by Shayaateen and desires.

Always have good thoughts about Allaah جل وعلى

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In a Hadeeth Qudsee Allaah تعالى said:

أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي

{I am to my slave as he thinks of Me} [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7405, 7505) and Saheeh Muslim (6471, 6495, 6498, 6610)]

Jaabir bin `Abdullaah رضي الله عنه reported: I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying three days before his death: “Let none of you die except thinking positively of Allaah.” [Saheeh Muslim (6875)]

Abu Musa رضي الله عنه reported Allaah’s Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying: “He who loves to meet Allaah, Allaah too loves to meet him, and he who dislikes to meet Allaah, Allaah abhors to meet him.” [Saheehain]

Seeking Ilm for reviving Islaam

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

“Whoever seeks `Ilm to revive Islaam* with it, then he is among the Siddiqeen, his status is second only to that of the status of Prophethood.”

[Miftaah Daar al-Sa`aadah (1/121)]

* Islaam – As revealed by Allaah تعالى, as taught by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, as understood by the Companions and followed by the Salaf al-Saaleh; and NOT as misinterpreted by the apologetic modernists.

A trial in disguise:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

Favors/Blessings are of two types: 1) Absolute Grace and 2) Confined Blessing.

1) Absolute Grace:  It is the continuous and the permanent bliss, i.e. the blessing of Islaam and the Sunnah. It is the blessing which Allaah سبحانه وتعالى commanded us to ask Him in every prayer, that He تعالى guides us to follow the path of such people whom He had selected for it, and made them the people of Highest Companionship (الرفيق الأعلى), when He تعالى said:

﴿وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّـهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّـهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ ۚ وَحَسُنَ أُولَـٰئِكَ رَفِيقًا﴾

{And whoso obeys Allaah and the Messenger, then they will be in the company of those on whom Allaah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddeeqoon (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them, like Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are!} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 69]

…what is intended here is that this Blessing is an Ultimate Grace and it is specific only for the Believers. And if it is said: “For the Kuffaar there is no blessing from Allaah in this perspective”, then it is true.

2) Confined Blessing: The second blessing is the Confined Blessing, like the blessing of good health, riches, healthy body, high status, lots of children, a good wife and the like. These blessings are distributed between the pious and the sinner, and between a Believer and a Kaafir. So if it is said: “Allaah has bestowed blessings upon the Kuffar from this perspective”, then it is true. But when this Confined Blessing takes the Kaafir away from the truth and towards the (everlasting) punishment and suffering, then this is not a favor. It is rather a trial as Allaah تعالى has mentioned it in His Book:

﴿فَأَمَّا الْإِنسَانُ إِذَا مَا ابْتَلَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَأَكْرَمَهُ وَنَعَّمَهُ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّي أَكْرَمَنِ * وَأَمَّا إِذَا مَا ابْتَلَاهُ فَقَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقَهُ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّي أَهَانَنِ * كَلَّا﴾

{As for man, when his Lord tries him by giving him honor and gifts, then he says (puffed up): “My Lord has honored me.” But when He tries him, by straitening his means of life, he says: “My Lord has humiliated me!” Nay!} [Surah al-Fajr (89): 15-17]

Meaning: “Not everyone to whom I (Allaah) gave honor and favor in this world has really been favored; rather, it was a trial upon him from Me and a test. And not everyone for whom his means of sustenance were restricted by Me is humiliated. Rather, I test My slave with favors in the same way as I test him with sufferings.”

[Ijtimaa` al-Juyoosh al-Islaamiyyah (1/3-7) of Ibn al-Qayyim]

So when your wealth, your children, the internet, the social networking, your work or any other thing which prevents you from obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, prevent you from offering the 5 daily prayers, prevent you from offering the late night prayers, prevent you from the recitation of the Qur'aan, then indeed this is more of a trial than a blessing!

The first ones to make Takfeer

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:

“The Khawaarij are the first ones who made Takfeer of the Muslims; making Takfeer of people due to sins (they might have committed) and making Takfeer of those who opposed them in their Bid`ah; making it permissible to shed blood and to take away the wealth (of the Muslims). This is the state of affair of Ahl al-Bid`ah; they first innovate (in the matters of the Deen) and then make Takfeer of those who oppose them regarding it.

As for Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah, (they do not innovate), they follow the Book and the Sunnah, and they obey Allaah and His Messenger, and they follow the Truth and are merciful to the creation.

The first Bid`ah in Islaam was the Bid`ah of the Khawaarij and the Shi`aa, both of which happened during the Khilaafaj of Ameer al-Mu’mineen, `Alee ibn Abu Taalib رضي الله عنه and he punished both of them.”

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa (3/279)]