Worshiping Allaah upon Ma`rifah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Question: Which is the first Command in the Qur'aan, according to the order of recitation (and not according to the order of Revelation)?

Answer: The very first Command in the Qur’aan (according to the order of recitation) is to worship Allaah upon Ma`rifah (sure knowledge, understanding and certainty); and this is what is mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah (2): 21.

This is the priority in the Qur’aan: To know Allaah and to worship Him alone.

As much as it is important to worship Allaah, it is also important to know who we are worshiping.

Our whole Da`wah revolves around:

a) Who to worship? (i.e. Tawheed)

b) How to worship? (i.e. Sunnah)

Allaah تعالى says:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ * الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ فِرَاشًا وَالسَّمَاءَ بِنَاءً وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ ۖفَلَا تَجْعَلُوا لِلَّـهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

{O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous * Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allaah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped)} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 21-22]

A) We are commanded to worship Allaah تعالى because:

1) He has created us and those before us.

2) He spread out the earth for our comfort.

3) He made the sky as a ceiling (making the atmosphere livable for us and as a protection from cosmic radiations).

4) He sends down the rain from the sky for our benefit.

5) He provides us with vegetation for our sustenance.

B) So when we have ACKNOWLEDGED all this; all our obedience, worship and loyalty be to Allaah alone, and that we should not set up rivals unto Allaah in worship.

The more we learn about Allaah, by learning Tawheed, the more eager we will be to worship Him sincerely.

Importance of Criticism to control people from playing with the Deen

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Imaam al-Shawkaanee رحمه الله said:

“If it were not for this Jarh and Ta`deel (criticism and praising of people), the liars would have played with the Sunnah (i.e. they would  have fabricated whatever they wanted in the name of religion without anyone to stop them), and they would have mixed good with evil, and the people would not have been able to distinguish between Truth and Falsehood.”

Source:

[رفع الريبة]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #81

Etiquette: Glorifying Allaah while ascending and descending

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Chapter: Glorification of Allaah by a traveler while ascending and descending:

975. Narrated Jaabir bin `Abdullaah رضي الله عنهما: Whenever we went up a place (like climbing a hill) we would say: “Allaahu-Akbar (i.e. Allaah is Greatest)”, and whenever we went down a place (down the valley) we would say: “Subhaan-Allaah”. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2993, 2994)]

Part 2 / 4: Importance of teaching Tawheed and issues pertaining to Creed over other topics

Part 2: A few points of benefits from “Hadeeth Jibreel”**

For part 1, please click here.

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In response to the doubts and the misunderstandings of some who may say: 1) We have already read books on Creed and Tawheed, so it is not necessary to read them over and over again; 2) or others who may say that the incident of Yusuf عليه السلام was between him and two Kaafirs and that is why he first began by teaching them Tawheed. But as for those who are Muslims, then it is not necessary for them to go through these same steps while learning their Deen.

The response to them is what has been mentioned in the very first Hadeeth of Saheeh Muslim, Hadeeth Jibreel.

Part 1 / 4: Importance of teaching Tawheed and issues pertaining to Creed over other topics

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Ten points of benefits from the conversation between Yusuf عليه السلام and the two prisoners:

When the two prisoners came to Yusuf عليه السلام asking him to interpret their dreams for them, this is how he began:

1) The first thing Yusuf عليه السلام did was he attributed the knowledge of interpreting the dream to Allaah تعالى. He did not take the credit for that, rather he said, I will inform you of its interpretation but the knowledge is from Allaah and not my own:

Mixing truth with falsehood?!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

When a person plans to buy a new car, he usually does a survey, looks at other people’s review, before deciding which car to buy. When he pays the price, he makes sure that he receives his money’s worth, he won’t settle for anything less. He wouldn’t accept a new car with scratch marks or some dent on it, nor would he accept a car with damaged upholstery.

Similarly, one wouldn’t want to pay money to buy rotten groceries or meat or other stuffs. Rather, one would not even compromise to have a mixed bag of groceries – the good vegetables mixed with the rotten ones.

The meaning of the word: “AL-`QUR’AAN”

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

One must differentiate between “Qiraa’ah” (reading), which is an act of the reader, and the thing Maqroo’ (that which is read), which is the Speech of the Creator. You will certainly be misled if you do not differentiate between these two. If a person finds written on a parchment…

* ألا كل شيء ما خلا الله باطل *

“Know that everything other than Allaah is to perish”

Aqeedah: 10 points regarding the Qur'aan

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

1. The Qur’aan is the speech of Allaah.

2. It originated from Him as articulated speech without us knowing how (bilaa kayfiyyah).

3. He sent it down to His Messenger as Revelation (Wahi).

4. The Believers attest to it as being the truth upon that basis.

5. They have certainty that it is the Speech of Allaah تعالى in reality (both in its wordings and meaning).

6. It is not something created like the speech of human beings.

7. So whoever hears it and claims it to be the speech of human, then he has committed unbelief (Kufr).

8. Allaah has condemned and criticized such a person (who claims that the Qur’aan is the speech of human) and has threatened him with Hell-Fire.

9. So since Allaah has threatened with Hell those who say: {This is nothing but the word of a human being}; then we know and we have full certainty that it is the Speech of the Creator of mankind.

10. And it does not resemble the speech of mankind.

[`Aqeedah al-Tahaawiyyah]

How your kids treat you in your old age depends on how you had raised them

• How your kids treat you in your old age depends on how you had raised them.

• If they are disobedient to Allaah now, they will be disobedient to you when you most need them.

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله:

“O Muslims! Don’t you fear of this responsibility? Don’t you fear that (how) you end up (in your old age) depends on how you have raised your children? When you don’t discipline them, they will grow up being disobedient to you – a fitting recompense! The one who does not fulfill the rights of Allaah in the proper upbringing of his children, it may soon happen that they will not fulfill the rights of Allaah regarding him when he grows old and dies.”

Source:

http://www.ibnothaimeen.com/all/khotab/article_356.shtml

Whoever imitates a people outwardly will eventually imitate them inwardly as well

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

[While discussing the things which are disliked in prayer, it was also mentioned about the belt or the rope which the Christian priests and nuns wear around their waist. And the Shaikh commented on that. (Please note that this is about imitating the Kuffaar in their religious attire and festivities).]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

مَنْ تَشبَّه بقومٍ فهو منهم

“Whoever imitates a people (in their actions), is considered to be one of them.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (4031) and graded as “Hasan Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #80

Good manners with Allaah take precedence:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Whenever we read about good manners in the Ahaadeeth, the first thing that comes to mind is about maintaining good behavior with fellow human beings, and maintaining good relation with them. But it hardly comes to mind that by default good manners also include having good manners towards our Creator, and establishing the relationship between the Lord and the slave. If people were to understand this, they would soon stop "fanaticism" towards individuals.

Nawwaas bin Sam`aan رضي الله عنه reported: I asked the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم about Virtue and Sin, so he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Virtue is noble behavior (Akhlaaq), and sin is that which creates doubt and you do not like people to know about it.” [Saheeh Muslim]

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said: “Good manners have two aspects: 1) good manners in regards to (the rights of) Allaah and His Worship and 2) good manners in regards to the rights of the creation.” [Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen]

And part of good manners towards the Creator is by:

1) Learning Tawheed.

2) Teaching Tawheed.

3) Affirming for Allaah what He تعالى has affirmed for Himself in the Qur’aan and through His Messenger ﷺ.

4) Negating for Allaah what He تعالى has negated for Himself in the Qur’aan and through His Messenger ﷺ.

5) Not speaking about Allaah or His Deen without knowledge.

6) Worshiping Him alone upon the Sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ.

7) Obeying His commands that are mentioned in the Kitaab and the Sunnah - doing what He has commanded and staying away from what He has prohibited.

8) Enjoining good and forbidding evil.

9) Clarifying the doubts regarding Allaah's Deen.
10) Defending it from being misinterpreted.

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #79

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The following points are covered under this topic:

1. Importance of revising knowledge

2. What forgetting the Qur’aan means and the rulings pertaining to it

3. Reasons for forgetting and its cure

4. Weak Hadeeth

Riyaadh al-Saaliheen: Chapter: The Command to keep on reciting the Qur’aan and being careful not to allow oneself to forget it.

1002 - Narrated Abu Musa رضي الله عنه: the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Keep refreshing your knowledge of the Qur’aan, for, by Him in Whose Hand my life is, Qur’aan runs away (is forgotten) faster than camels that are released from their tying ropes.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5033) and Saheeh Muslim (1727)]

1003 - `Abdullaah ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما reported Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying: “The example of a man who has memorized the Qur’aan is like that of a hobbled camel. If he remained vigilant, he would be able to retain it (with him), and if he loosened the hobbled camel it would escape.” [Saheeh Muslim (1722)]

The obligation for men to perform the Salaah in Jamaa`ah:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ﴾

{And perform al-Salaah, and give Zakaah, and bow down along with those who bow down (in prayer).} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 43]

This verse is prove that it is obligatory (upon individuals) to gather together to observe the Salaah in congregation. If the purpose was just to observe it, then the following command would not have been stated clearly in the last part of this verse: {and bow down along with those who bow down (in prayer).}

﴿وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَائِفَةٌ مِّنْهُم مَّعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدُوا فَلْيَكُونُوا مِن وَرَائِكُمْ وَلْتَأْتِ طَائِفَةٌ أُخْرَىٰ لَمْ يُصَلُّوا فَلْيُصَلُّوا مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ﴾

{When you (O Messenger) are among them, and lead them in al-Salaah, let one party of them stand up [in Salaah] with you taking their arms with them; when they finish their prostrations, let them take their positions in the rear and let the other party come up which has not yet prayed, and let them pray with you taking all the precautions and bearing arms.} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 102]

Allaah تعالى has made it an obligation upon Muslims to observe the Salaah in congregation at times of war and great panic. If this is the case, then what about doing so at times of peace? If it was allowed for someone to abandon the Salaah in congregation, those who are engaged in war against the enemy would be the first to have an excuse for abandoning the congregation. So, it becomes evident that observing the Salaah in congregation is one of the most important obligations and that no one is allowed to abandon it.

[Majmoo` Fataawa of Shaikh Ibn Baaz (12/15-16)]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #78

Etiquette: Permissible sitting positions

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Chapter: On the permission to lie on one's back and put one leg across the other when one's private parts are not exposed, and the permission to sit cross-legged and sitting with one's legs drawn up

820 - Narrated `Abbaad bin Tameem that his uncle said: “I saw Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم lying flat (on his back) in the mosque with one leg on the other.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (475, 6287) and Saheeh Muslim (5239)]

821 - Jaabir bin Samurah رضي الله عنه said: “When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed the Fajr (dawn) prayer, he used to sit crossed-legged where he had prayed till the sun had come well up.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (4850) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Why some people can’t accept the truth?! (some of the reasons):

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

1) Hero worship:

In the past the people did not accept the truth because it went against the teachings of their forefathers:

﴿وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّـهُ قَالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا أَلْفَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَا أَوَلَوْ كَانَ آبَاؤُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَهْتَدُونَ﴾

{When it is said to them: "Follow what Allah has sent down." They say: "Nay! We shall follow what we found our fathers following." (Would they do that!) Even though their fathers did not understand anything nor were they guided?} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 170]

The intention of the Imaam is different from that of the followers

The intention of the Imaam is different from that of the followers. Everyone has to make the intention for the prayer he is about to pray. The place of intention is the heart.

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

1) Praying optional (Nafil) prayer behind the one who is praying the obligatory (Fardh) prayer:

a)

Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree رضي الله عنه narrated: A man came when Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم had already prayed, so he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Which of you will give some reward to this person?” So a man stood to pray with him. [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (220) and the wordings are his; and Sunan Abu Dawood (574) with the wordings: “Is there not a person who will give him charity by praying with him?”; and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Don't be lax about straightening the rows in congregations

And we want to unite the Ummah whereas we cannot even stand as one in our prayers:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:

And from the matters in which there is laxity and negligence - on the part of some of the Imaams (of the Masaajid) and those who are praying behind them in the congregation – is in regards to straightening the rows, standing (straight) in it, and being close to each other (while offering the prayer in congregation). And in this matter it is feared that the wrath of Allaah سبحانه may befall (the one who is negligent about it) on account of the threats that have been reported in this regard:

On the authority of Abu Mas`ood al-Ansaaree رضي الله عنه who said:  The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to gently pat our shoulders (when we were standing in rows) at the time of Salaah and say: “Keep (the rows) straight and do not differ from each other (do not be irregular) lest your hearts should suffer from discord.” [Saheeh Muslim (868)]

Narrated An-Nu`maan bin Basheer رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Straighten your rows or Allaah will alter your faces (and would create dissension amongst you).” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (717) and Saheeh Muslim (874, 875)]

It was reported on the authority of Anas رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:  “Straighten your rows, for the straightening of rows is a part of the perfection of Salaah.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (722) and Saheeh Muslim (871, 873)]

[Majmoo` Fataawa of Shaikh Ibn Baan (12/10)]

More Ahaadeeth on Straightening the Rows:

http://ilm4all.blogspot.com/2012/04/hadeeth-prophetic-method-of-uniting.html

Better a thief than a Raafidhee

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Bashshaar bin Bard said to Hilaal bin `Attiyyah and they were friends:

“O Hilaal! Will you listen to my advice?” He (Hilaal) said: “Yes.” He said: “(O Hilaal!) There was a time when you used to steal donkeys. Then you repented (from it) and (now) you became a Raafidhee. (O Hilaal!) Return back to stealing donkeys, for it is, By Allaah, better for you than to be engaged in Rifdh (i.e. better for you than being a Raafidhee).”

[Wafayaat al-A`yaan (1/425)]

The one with poor recitation should not be made the Imaam - especially when the meaning changes

Praying behind the one who makes apparent and clear mistakes while reciting the Qur’aan

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Question: Some scholars are reported to have said that the one who makes clear and obvious mistakes while reciting the Qur’aan, like substituting the letter (like ز instead of ذ, س instead of ث), or changing the vowel sound, or leaving al-Madd al-waajib (the compulsory prolongation) etc., then it is not proper to pray behind the one who does so. Please advise us in this regards.

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله:

The mistakes are of two types: 1) the mistake which alters the meaning. In this regards, the Imaam should be notified so that he corrects his recitation. Example: reciting

The Best Gift: Taqwa

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Taqwa is: “the Fear of Allaah” by which one abstains from sins.

Taqwa is: that which generates “the Love of Allaah” by which one performs all that he has been commanded.

Taqwa is: “God-consciousness” by which one is in constant remembrance of Allaah and is mindful of Him تعالى in all his affairs.

The best provision is: “Taqwa”

The best advice one can give is: “Taqwa”

The best advice one receives is: “Taqwa”

The best thing one enjoins upon others is: “Taqwa”

The best gift one can give to his loved ones is: “Taqwa”

The thing by which people will enter Paradise the most is: “Taqwa”

Welfare of the children: the concern of every parent

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The welfare of the children depends upon the righteousness of the parents. The more the parents are obedient to Allaah تعالى, the more they secure His protection for their children.

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿فَانطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَتَيَا أَهْلَ قَرْيَةٍ اسْتَطْعَمَا أَهْلَهَا فَأَبَوْا أَن يُضَيِّفُوهُمَا فَوَجَدَا فِيهَا جِدَارًا يُرِيدُ أَن يَنقَضَّ فَأَقَامَهُ﴾

{Then they both (Moosaa and Khidr) proceeded, till, when they came to the people of a town, they asked them for food, but they refused to entertain them. Then they found therein a wall about to collapse and he (Khidr) set it up straight…} [Surah al-Kahf (18): 77]

What is done sincerely for the sake of Allaah will remain

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Al-Suyootee رحمه الله said:

Ibn Abee al-Dhi’b رحمه الله authored “al-Muwatta” in al-Madeenah which was greater (in size) than “al-Muwatta” of Imaam Maalik رحمه الله. So it was said to Imaam Maalik: “What is the benefit of this work of yours?” Imaam Maalik رحمه الله said: “What is done (sincerely) for the sake of Allaah, will remain.”

[Al-Suyootee in “Tadreeb al-Raawee (1/93)]

And Allaah جل وعلا made the Muwatta of Imaam Maalik famous and spread throughout the earth and about which Imaam al-Shaafa`ee رحمه الله had said: “There is nothing on earth after the Book of Allaah that is more correct that the Muwatta’ of Maalik ibn Anas.”

Imaam al-Shaafa`ee made this comment before al-Bukhaaree and Muslim wrote their books, as was noted by al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer. The Isnaads of Maalik are of the highest standard of Saheeh, because of this, the two Shaikhs al-Bukhaaree and Muslim narrated most of his Ahaadeeth in their books.

How to purify the heart:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:

“Whoever takes care of his time by doing Dhikr (remembrance) of Allaah, reciting the Qur’aan, accompanying the good people, and distancing himself from the ignorant and bad company will purify and soften his heart.”

Majmoo` Fataawa of Shaikh Ibn Baaz (5/244)

A promise from Allaah: He تعالى will suffice His Prophet against the mockers

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

﴿إِنَّا كَفَيْنَاكَ الْمُسْتَهْزِئِينَ﴾

{Truly! We will suffice you against the scoffers.} [Surah al-Hijr (15): 95]

Shaikh al-Sa`dee رحمه الله said:

“Meaning: (Allaah is sufficient) for you (O Muhammad) and what you came with. And this is a promise from Allaah تعالى to His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم – that the mockers will not be able to harm him (or cause any damage to his reputation), and that Allaah تعالى will suffice him صلى الله عليه وسلم against the mocker by inflicting them with any punishment as He تعالى Wills. And He تعالى has already done this (in the past); verily, no one showed up, mocking the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and what he came with, except that Allaah تعالى destroyed him and gave him a violent (or a painful) death.”

Dhulm: its meaning and its types

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Ibn Faaris defines ظلم (Dhulm) as:

“ظُلْم [Dhulm] has two root meaning, one of (which is darkness) which is the opposite of light and radiance; and the other is: putting a thing in other than its own place.”

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The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: