Tafseer: The Most Comprehensive Aayah in the Qur'aan

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالإحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ﴾

{Verily, Allaah enjoins Al-`Adl (justice) and Al-Ihsaan (good conduct), and giving (help) to relatives; and forbids Al-Fahshaa’ (immorality), and Al-Munkar (bad conduct), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression). He admonishes you, that you may take heed} [Surah al-Nahl (16): 90]

۩•۞•۝•۞•۩

Imaam Ibn Katheer رحمه الله reported in his Tafseer that Ibn Abee Haatim recorded that `Abdullaah bin Mas`ood رضي الله عنه said:

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The rule of "Equality" will destabilize the religion:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

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

I would like to warn you here about the thing which some people bring forth. Some may intend with it to bring good, whereas some intend with it to bring about the evil. And it is their saying: “The religion of Islaam is all about Equality”. This is indeed lying about the religion of Islaam because the religion of Islaam is not about Equality, it is about being Just. It is about giving every rightful person his rights. If two people are equally eligible (example: two scholars), then we treat them equally based upon their eligibility. But if there is a difference (example: one is righteous person while the other a sinner), then we cannot and we should not treat them equally. So we should never bring forth and say that the religion of Islaam teaches Equality, rather the religion of Islaam is all about being Just, because of the saying of Allaah تعالى:

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Justice is a necessity in everything:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

❝The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prohibited that a person should walk with only one shoe (or sandal) on*, even if it were for the purpose of taking the other shoe for repair. But why? This is because if you were to select only one of your feet for wearing the shoe, then this is injustice. This is how we see that the Islaamic Sharee`ah came with the concept of justice in everything.❞

[Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen of Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen (4/429)]

۩•۞•۝•۞•۩

* The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

“None of you should walk wearing one shoe; you should either wear them both or take them off both.”

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]

۝۝۝

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also said:

“If the strap of the sandal of one of you breaks, let him not walk in one sandal until he fixes it.”

[Saheeh Muslim and the other books of Sunan]

Knowledge: start with what people can comprehend

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In his Saheeh, Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله reported that Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما said:

“{كُونُوا رَبَّانِيِّينَ} {Be Rabbaaniyyoon (pious religious scholars)}, forgiving, wise, and learned men.”

And it is also said:“al-Rabbaaniy is the one who starts teaching people simple subjects of knowledge before touching big (difficult) ones.”

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1/24), Kitaab al-Ilm, Chapter No. 10]

Ibn Mas`ood: Hearts are like vessels

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Some people presented a scroll to Ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنه saying that there is a good story written in there. So Ibn Ma`sood رضي الله عنه asked his slave girl to bring some water and started erasing what was written on that scroll while reciting:

نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَـٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ

{We relate unto you (O Muhammad) the best of stories through Our Revelations unto you of this Qur’aan} [Surah Yusuf (12): 3

Ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنه then said:

The hearts are like vessels. So let it be preoccupied with the Qur’aan and do not let it be preoccupied with anything other than it.

[Jaami` Bayaan al-`Ilm (358)]

Wahb Ibn Munabbih: words of wisdom

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Wahb Ibn Munabbih رحمه الله said:

1) The one who is merciful (to others) will receive mercy.

2) The one who remains silent will be safe.

3) The one who remains ignorant will be overpowered (by his desires and his enemies).

4) The one who hastens will commit mistakes.

5) The one who persists in committing sins is not safe (from the punishment).

6) The one who does not avoid arguments will be insulted.

7) The one who is not bothered by insults will transgress.*

8) The one who dislikes evil will be protected.

9) The one who follows the Commandments of Allaah will be guarded.

10) The one who is cautious of Allaah’s (punishment) will be safe.

11) The one who takes Allaah as his Walee (ally) will abstain (from sinning).

12) The one who does not beseech Allaah will always be in a needy condition.

13) The one who is not with Allaah (i.e. the one who is against Allaah) will fail.

14) The one who seeks Allaah’s help will be victorious.

[الحلم لابن أبي الدنيا 1/49]

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Chapter: Do not criticize food

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّـهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ﴾

{O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with, and be grateful to Allaah, if it is indeed He Whom you worship} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 172]­

Sahl bin Mu`aadh bin Anas Al-Juhanee narrated from his father that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝Whoever eats food and says:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا، وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي، وَلَا قُوَّةٍ

Al-hamdu lillaahil-ladhee at`amanee haadha wa razaqaneehi min ghayri hawlin minnee wa la quwwah

(Praise is to Allaah Who has fed me this and provided it for me without any strength or power on my part),

his previous (minor) sins will be forgiven.❞ [Sunan Abu Dawood (4023), Sunan al-Tirmidhee (3458) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (3285) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: ❝The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم never criticized any food (that was presented to him), he would eat it if he liked it; otherwise, he would leave it (without expressing his dislike).❞ [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3563, 5409) and Saheeh Muslim (5121, 5124)]

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

"Food is that which is consumed either through eating or drinking. When food is presented to a person, he should appreciate the blessings of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى which He تعالى has facilitated for him, and he should thank Allaah for it and he should not criticize it. But if he desires and finds it pleasant, he should eat it; otherwise, he should leave it and should not insult or criticize it…If you don’t like it, then leave it, but do not criticize the blessing of Allaah which He تعالى has made it easy for you; it does not befit us to do such a thing."

[Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen of Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen (4/199)]

But some of us would go to a gathering, criticize the food saying: ‘it has gotten cold’, ‘there is not enough meat in it’, ‘it was not cooked properly’, and still eat it because of the freeloaders that some of us have become.

How our false desires keep us away from enjoying the true pleasures

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

When a person says (in the Salaah):

{الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ}

He should pause for a moment and wait for the response from his Lord to him, when He تعالى says:

❝My servant has praised Me.❞*

And when he says:

{الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ}

He should wait for His response, when He تعالى says:

❝My servant has lauded Me.❞*

And when he says:

{مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ}

Then he should wait for the response:

❝My servant has Glorified Me.❞*

What a source of delight for the heart, comfort for the eyes and joy for the soul because of the saying of his Lord to him: ❝My servant❞ three times.

By Allaah! Had it not been that the hearts were covered by the smoke of lusts and the fog of desires, the hearts would have been overjoyed and well pleased because of the saying of their Lord and Originator to them:

❝My servant has praised Me; My servant has lauded Me; My servant has Glorified Me.❞

[The Salaah and the rulings pertaining to those who abandon it (1/142)]

* This is in reference to the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه as reported in Saheeh Muslim (775) and the 4 books of Sunan.

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Lying for making reconciliation between people

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Narrated Umm Kulthum bint `Uqbah رضي الله عنها that she heard Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ saying: “The person who (lies) in order to conciliate between people is not a liar, when he conveys good or says (something) good.”

Imaam Muslim added that she also said: “I did not hear that exemption was granted in anything what the people call as lies except in three cases: in battle, for reconciling among people and the conversation of a man with his wife and the conversation of a woman with her husband (in a twisted form in order to bring reconciliation between the two).”

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2692) and Saheeh Muslim (6303)]

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

The purpose of seeking knowledge

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:

❝The seeker of Knowledge should seek knowledge to benefit himself and to get rid of his ignorance and to come closer to His Lord to please Him - upon sure knowledge; and to benefit the people, taking them from darkness to light, deciding their problems, making terms of peace among them, teaching the ignorant among them, guiding those who are astray, enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, and so on.❞

[Majmoo` Fataawa Ibn Baaz (7/204)]

Why we need to stress more on learning the Correct `Aqeedah:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In the Hadeeth it is mentioned that the very first question that will be asked in the grave will be: “Who is your Lord?”

The believer will reply: “Allaah is my Lord.”

As for the disbeliever, he will be in the state of shock and will say: “Hah! Hah! I don’t know.”

So, the believer will be able to answer the question, but not the disbeliever.

Hadeeth: "He is not from us"

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The following is a collection of some of the Ahaadeeth which has the phrase:

ليس مني: He is not from me (he has nothing to do with me).

ليس منا: He is not from us (he has nothing to do with us).

أنا بريء: I am free of him.

A) The definition of these phrases:

Ibn Taymiyyah: The Raafidhah are the donkeys of the Jews!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:

“This is the condition of Ahl al-Bid`ah (innovators), those who oppose the Book (of Allaah) and the Sunnah (of the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم), they follow nothing but conjecture and that which they themselves desire. Amongst them are those who are ignorant and wrongdoers, especially the Raafidhah, for they are the worst of the people of desires in their ignorance and wrongdoing. They are hostile towards (the Companions) the best Awliyaa’ of Allaah after the Prophets (and Messengers) - the first to embrace Islaam of the Muhajiroon (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansaar (the citizens of Al-Madeenah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajiroon) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith), Allaah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. The Raafidhah are loyal towards the Kuffaar and the hypocrites from the Jews, the Christians, the Mushriks (idolaters) and the groups amongst the heretics such as al-Nusairiyyah and Ismaa`eeliyyah and other than them from the deviants. When the two opponents – the Believers and the Kuffaar – dispute about their Lord; and when the people differ about what the Prophets had brought (of the revelations) – some believing in them while the others rejecting them; irrespective of if these differences are in speech or in actions, like the fighting between the Believers and the People of the Book and the Mushrikeen – one will find the Raafidhah or many amongst them to be allying and helping the Mushriks and the People of the Book against the Believers – the People of the Qur’aan.

The people have experienced this on more than one occasion, like how they (the Raafidhah) helped the Mushriks from among the Tatars (the Mongolian tribe) and other than them against the Believers in Khuraasaan, `Iraaq, the (Arabian) Peninsula, al-Shaam and other places. They supported the Christians against the Believers in al-Shaam, Egypt and other places on numerous occasions - the worst of which was what took place in the Islaamic History in the 4^th Century and the 7^th Century (Hijri). When the Kaafir Tatars entered the Islaamic lands and killed an innumerous number of Muslims – the number which only the Lord of the creation knows – they (the Raafidhah) showed their extreme enmity towards the Muslims and their loyalty towards the Kaafirs. Similarly, their cooperation with the Jews is a matter well-known, to the extent that people consider them to be the donkeys of the Jews.”

[Minhaaj al-Sunnah of Ibn Taymiyyah (1/20-21)]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #92

The three qualities which Allaah تعالى loves:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

It is reported on the authority of `Aamir bin Sa`d that Sa`d bin Abee Waqqaas رضي الله عنه was in the fold of his camels when his son `Umar came to him. When Sa`d saw him he said: I seek refuge with Allaah from the mischief of this rider. And as he (`Umar) got down he said to him (Sa`d): You are busy with your camels and your sheep and you have abandoned people who are contending with one another for kingdom. Sa`d struck his chest and said: Keep quite. I heard Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying: “Allaah loves the servant who is God-conscious (pious) and is free from want and is inconspicuous (hidden from the view of the people).” [Saheeh Muslim (7072)]

Chapter: Desirability of seclusion at the time when the people become corrupt, or fearing Fitnah for his religion or involvement in unlawful or doubtful acts.

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

Hadeeth: Narrating things from Banee Israa'eel

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Ibn al-Hajar رحمه الله said:

“And as for the statement of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: “Narrate things from Banee Israa’eel (i.e. the Jews and Christians), and there is no harm in that…” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

It means: There is no constraint upon you (to prevent you if you wish) to narrate from them (the People of the Book). Earlier, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had restrained (his Companions) from taking from them or looking into (reading) their books. Thereafter, this (ruling) was broadened (and reading/narrating from their books was allowed). It maybe that the prohibition was before the Islaamic rulings and commandments were revealed and before the religious principles were formed, fearing the Fitnah (that there will be confusion and mix-up between Islaamic teachings and the teachings of the people of the Book). But when the danger was removed, permission was granted regarding that...” [1]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #91

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

This is the explanation of the Hadeeth “The religion is sincerity” by:

1) Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen from the books: a) Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen and b) Sharh al-Arba`een al-Nawawiyyah

And by:

2) Shaikh Saaleh Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan from the book: Sharh al-Arba`een al-Nawawiyyah

The purpose was to gather all the benefits regarding this Hadeeth, mentioned in these three different books by these two noble Shaikhs and combine them into one book for the maximum benefit and understanding.

This Hadeeth is from the Jawaami` al-Kalim (concise in wording but comprehensive in meaning), In a few words the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم explained the rights of Allaah, His Book, His Messengers, the Imaams and the common Muslims have upon us. When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The religion is sincerity”, it means the essence of this Deen is nothing but Naseehah. And this is why it becomes more important for us to understand this Hadeeth as explained by the scholars.

You can download the book from the following links:

Link 1:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5a3nwj5iH9ybF9kdnc5U25TN3M/view?usp=sharing

Link 2:

https://www.scribd.com/doc/274296130/The-Deen-is-Naseehah

  The Deen is Naseehah

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #90

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

﴿وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلاَمًا﴾

{And the slaves of al-Rahmaan (the Most Beneficent (Allaah)) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness} [Surah al-Furqaan (25): 63]

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

Advising in private: Is it a condition?!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

`Adee bin Haatim رضي الله عنه reported that a person delivered a sermon in the presence of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم saying: ‘He who obeys Allaah and His Apostle, he in fact follows the right path, and he who disobeys both of them, he has gone astray.’ Upon this the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “[Get up! or he said: Go away!] What a bad speaker you are! (Rather) say: ‘He who disobeys Allaah and His Apostle’”. [Saheeh Muslim (1890), Sunan Abu Dawood (1099, 4981) and Sunan al-Nasaa`ee (3281). The words within the brackets are from Sunan Abu Dawood.]

۩•۞•۝•۞•۩

“What a bad speaker you are”: The Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم rebuke was because the man mentioned Allaah تعالى and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم in one pronoun (Ya`sihimaa), “disobeys”, which creates the notion that Allaah and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم are equivalent in rank, while there is absolutely no comparison between the Creator and the created.

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #89

Avoid statements which have no references and verify before you narrate:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Chapter: Ascertaining what one hears and narrates

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ﴾

{And follow not (O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not, etc.) that of which you have no knowledge} [Surah al-Israa (17): 36]

He تعالى also said:

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #88

On the prohibition of taking back the gift

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Chapter: On it being disliked for a man to take back his gift; and on the gift given by a man to his son; and on it being disliked to purchase something which he had given - as Sadaqah, or paid as Zakaah or as an expiation - from the one to whom he gave it. But there is no objection if he purchases it from a third person who is now in possession of the same.

1612 Narrated Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The one who takes back his gift is like a dog that swallows its own vomit and we do not set (nor act according to) this bad example.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2589, 2621, 2622, 6975) and Saheeh Muslim (3955, 3958, 3960)]

In another narration it is: “He who gets back his CHARITY is like a dog which vomits and then returns to that and eats it.” [Saheeh Muslim (3957)]

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Prohibition of raising one's eyes towards the sky during the Salaah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Chapter: Prohibition of raising one’s eyes towards the sky during the Salaah

1754 Narrated Anas bin Maalik رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “What is wrong with those people who look towards the sky during the prayer?” His talk grew stern while delivering this speech and he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “They should stop (looking towards the sky during the prayer); otherwise their eyesight would be taken away.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (750)]

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

Anas Ibn Maalik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prohibited that a person should raise his eyes towards the sky. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “What is wrong with those people who look towards the sky during the prayer?”; meaning: What is the matter with them? Why are they raising their eyes towards the sky? Either they should stop doing that or their eyesight would be snatched away. This is a threat, a proof that it is prohibited for a person to raise his eyes towards the sky while he is praying.

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Undesirability of looking around while praying:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Chapter: From the prohibited actions in prayer: Undesirability of looking here and there during the prayer without a valid excuse.

1755 - Narrated `Aaishah رضي الله عنها: I asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about one’s randomly looking here and there during the prayer. He صلى الله عليه وسلم replied: “It is what Shaitaan (Satan) steals from the prayer of any one of you.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (751, 3291)]