Difference between the Righteous and the Reformer

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Contemplate on the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهْلِكَ الْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ﴾

{And your Lord would not have destroyed the cities unjustly while their people were REFORMERS} [Surah Hood (11): 117]

Contemplate on the word that Allaah تعالى said: مصلحون (reformers) and He تعالى did not say: صالحون (righteous).

The difference is that a righteous person works for his own good alone, whereas the reformer works for himself and for the betterment of the society as well - enjoining what is good and prohibiting what is evil.

Zainab bint Jahsh رضي الله عنها said: O Messenger of Allaah! Shall we be destroyed though there will be RIGHTEOUS people amongst us? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Yes! When evil would be predominant.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3346, 3598, 7059, 7135) and Saheeh Muslim (6881, 6883)]

Narrated Hudhaifah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “By Him in Whose hand my soul is, you must enjoin what is reputable and forbid what is disreputable, or Allaah will certainly soon send punishment from Himself to you. Then you will make supplication and not receive an answer.” [Tirmidhee (2169) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Narrated Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq رضي الله عنه: You people recite this verse: {You who believe! Care for yourselves; he who goes astray cannot harm you when you are rightly guided.} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 105] I heard Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم say: “When people see something objectionable and do not change it, Allaah will soon include them all in His punishment.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (4338), and Sunan Ibn Maajah (4005) and Tirmidhee (3057) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Do not be carried away by your “righteousness”

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿لَقَدْ حَقَّ الْقَوْلُ عَلَىٰ أَكْثَرِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ﴾

{Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them, so they will not believe} [Surah Yaaseen (36): 7]

A few benefits mentioned by Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله regarding this Aayah:

1) One of the benefits we learn from this Aayah is: to reaffirm the important news even if the one being address does not deny it; because here Allaah تعالى is informing the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and the Believers, even though they are the ones who do not deny it. This is only because of the importance of reaffirming (the news).

The 3 afflictions which daily affect every human being

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Every day and every night, the children of Aadam are affected by the 3 afflictions. Not a day goes by except that they are afflicted by all the 3 of them.

THE FIRST AFFLICTION:

His lifespan is reduced everyday. He does not care much about his lifespan being reduced, but if there is any reduction in his wealth, he starts worrying. What he forgets is that wealth is recoverable but not the lifespan.

THE SECOND AFFLICTION:

Every day he consumes the sustenance provided to him by Allaah. If it is Halaal, he will be questioned about it [Surah al-Takaathur (102): 8]. But if it is through Haraam means, then he will be punished for it; and no one knows the extent of the punishment except Allaah.

THE THIRD AFFLICTION:

Every day he is nearing the Aakhirah by some distance; while at the same time he is being distanced from this worldly life by some distance. But his concern for the EVERLASTING HEREAFTER is nothing as compared to his concern for this FLEETING WORLD. He does not know if his abode will be the highest station in Paradise or the lowest depths of Hell.

اللهم لا تجعل الدنيا أكبر همنا، ولا مبلغ علمنا ، ولا إلى النار مصيرنا ، واجعل الجنة هي دارنا

O Allaah! Do not make this world our greatest concern, nor the limit of our knowledge. And do not set our path leading towards Hell. And make Paradise our final abode.

Why the previous nations had more people who used to receive inspiration than ours?

One of the greatest signs of the perfection of this Ummah in comparison the previous nations

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ❝There had been among the people before you Muhaddathoon (inspired persons) and if there were any such among my Ummah `Umar Ibn al-Khattaab would be one of them.❞

Ibn Wahb explained the word Muhaddathoon as: “those who receive hint from the High (Mulhamoon).”

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3689, 3469) andSaheeh Muslim (5901) from the Hadeeth of `Aaishah and Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنهما]

The foundations of all Good Manners

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

All the Good Islaamic values have been gathered in two words. Allaah عز وجل says:

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ

{Verily, Allaah enjoins Al-`Adl and Al-Ihsaan} [Surah al-Nahl (16): 90]

[Sharh al-Arba`een al-Nawawee (1/158-159)]

***

And in his book, Jaami` al-`Uloom wal-Hikam, al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab رحمه الله mentioned:

Imaam Ibn Salaah رحمه الله reported from Abu Muhammad Ibn Abu Zaid - who was the leading Imaam of the Maalikee Jurisprudence of his time - that he said: (The basis for all) the Good Manners and that which opposes it have been gathered in four Ahaadeeth:

1) The saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: ❝He who believes in Allaah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.❞ [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6018, 6019, 6135, 6136, 6138, 6475, 6476) and Saheeh Muslim (75, 76, 78, 4286)]

2) And the saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: ❝Part of someone's being a good Muslim is his leaving alone that which does not concern him.❞ [Tirmidhee (2317) and Ibn Majah (3976) and Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

3) And the advice of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم to the man: ❝Do not get angry.❞ [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6116)]

4) And the saying of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: ❝None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.❞ [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (13) and Saheeh Muslim (72, 73)]

[Jaami` al-`Uloom wal-Hikam (1/288)]

Tafseer: {Nor are you worshipers of what I worship}

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh al-Islaam Muhammad Ibn `Abdul-Wahhaab رحمه الله quoted Shaikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله as saying regarding the Aayah in Surah al-Kaafiroon:

﴿وَلا أَنْتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ﴾

{Nor are you worshipers of what I worship} [Surah al-Kaafirron (109): 3 & 5]

Approaching a fortuneteller

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Simply inquiring a fortuneteller (even if it is for fun) without believing in him will nullify our prayers for 40 days and believing in him is Kufr.

Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ said:

“He who visits a diviner (`Arraaf) and asks him about anything, his prayers extending to forty nights will not be accepted.”

[Saheeh Muslim (5540)]

۝۝۝

Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ also said:

“If anyone goes to a fortuneteller and believes in what he says, he has disbelieved in that which was revealed to Muhammad.”

[Sunan Ibn Maajan (639) and the wordings are his, Sunan al-Tirmidhee (135), and Sunan Abu Dawood (3904) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee. In Sunan Abu Dawood, the wordings are: “he has nothing to do with what has been sent down to Muhammad ﷺ.”]

۝۝۝

The Lajna said: “This means that those who go to fortunetellers to ask them anything, their Salaah shall not be accepted for forty nights but in case that they also believe them, then they are Kaafir.” [Faatawa Lajna (1/621)]

۞۞۞

Tafseer: The most comprehensive Aayah in regards to the rights of the wives

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ﴾

{And live with them honorably} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 19]

And the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

What “maintaining ties of kinship” really means:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Maintaining ties kinship does not mean that you treat them well only when they treat you well. This is not the real meaning of: “maintaining ties of kinship” is. This is only a favor in return for a favor.

Maintaining ties of kinship is when you maintain the bond even when they sever it; you maintain the bond even when they harm you; you maintain the bond even when they plot against you.

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:

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #96

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:

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #95

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]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #94

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.

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #93

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)]