Removing the Doubts: Hate the sin and not the sinner!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

One misconception which some people like to spread is:

“We should hate the sin (i.e. the action) and not the sinner (i.e. the one who does it).”

“We should hate the evil and not the evildoer.”

“We should hate the crime and not the criminal.”

Firstly, those who say the above have no evidence to support their claim. Moreover, if the above was true, then its opposite should also be true: 

Difference Between `Ilm (Knowledge) and Baseerah (Insight)

The things a person should never give up

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Among the things a person should never voluntarily give up are:

1) his water for ablution (Wudhu).

2) his place in the first row.

۝۝۝

1) Water for ablution:

If two people are on a journey and only one person has water for ablution; then the one who has water should perform ablution and his companion should do Tayammum.

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

❝Giving precedence to others over yourself in those things which are obligatory is not allowed. Example: in regards to Tayammum, if a person only has enough water for himself with which to perform ablution and there is another person with him who needs water (for ablution as well), he is not to give the water to the other person, the other person should do Tayammum. Because this is giving precedence to others over yourself in those things which are obligatory, and giving such precedence to others over yourself is Haraam.❞

[Sharh al-Mumti` (5/100 and 15/40) and Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (3/416-417)]

۞۞۞

2) The place in the first row:

Narrated Abu Hurairah: Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝If the people knew the reward for pronouncing the Adhaan (call for prayer) and for standing in the first row (in congregational prayers) and found no other way to get that except by drawing lots they would draw lots, and if they knew the reward of the Dhuhr prayer (in the early moments of its stated time) they would race for it (go early) and if they knew the reward of `Ishaa' and Fajr prayers in congregation, they would come to offer them even if they had to crawl.❞

[Saheehain]

۩ But unfortunately, people stand in rows with gaps in between them so much so that they can accommodate a few more people in the rows. Each person wants to have his own personal space, Ajeeb! Whereas the Companions used to stand shoulder to shoulder and foot to foot! And the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had instructed his Companions to form rows like the angels – by first completing the first row and filling the gaps in the rows [as mentioned n Saheeh Muslim].

۝۝۝

As for the sister, then for them the last rows are the best, as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝The best rows for men are the first rows, and the worst ones the last ones, and the best rows for women are the last ones and the worst ones for them are the first ones.❞

[Saheeh Muslim]

Some Ahaadeeth on avoiding obscene words and foul language

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

HADEETH #1

It is something which Allaah تعالى does not like:

In Saheeh Ibn Khuzaimah it is reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to `Aaishah رضي الله عنها:

❝Allaah does not like obscene words or committing of obscenity.❞

[Saheeh Muslim (5387), Saheeh Ibn Khuzaimah (574), and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (691). Also in al-Adab al-Mufrad (487) from the Hadeeth of Abu Hurairah]

۝۝۝

HADEETH #2

It is something which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم never said/did:

And in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree it is reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to `Aaishah رضي الله عنها:

❝Have you ever seen me speaking bad or dirty language?❞

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6032)]

۝۝۝

HADEETH #3

It is something which a true Believer avoids:

In Musnad of Imaam Ahmad it is reported from Ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝A true believer does not taunt or curse or abuse or talk vulgarly.❞

[Musnad of Imaam Ahmad (3839) and Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1977), Adab al-Mufrad (312, 332) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (320) and also graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh Muqbil in Saheeh al-Musnad (836, 853)]

۝۝۝

HADEETH #4

It is sign of hypocrisy:

In Saheehain it is reported from `Abdullaah bin `Amr رضي الله عنهما that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up.

1) Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays.

2) Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie.

3) Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous.

4) Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner.❞

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (34, 3178) and Saheeh Muslim (111)]

۝۝۝

HADEETH #5

Some of the categories of the inhabitants of Hell:

On the authority of `Iyaadh bin Himaar رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝The inmates of Hell are five:

1) The weak who lack power to (avoid evil). The (carefree) who pursue (everything irrespective of the fact that it is good or evil) and who do not have any care for their family or for their wealth.

2) And those dishonest, whose greed cannot be concealed even in the case of minor things.

3) Those who betray you morning and evening, in regard to your family and your property.

4) The miser and the liar.

5) And those who are in the habit of abusing people and using obscene and foul language.❞

[Saheeh Muslim (6853)]

The similitude of the living and the dead

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Abu Moosaa Al-Ash`aree (May Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:

❝The similitude of one who remembers his Rabb and one who does not remember Him, is like that of the living and the dead.❞

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6407) and the wordings are his and Saheeh Muslim (779)]

۝۝۝

Ibn al-Jawzee said:

❝ The dead is not the one whose soul has left from the sides (of his body), rather the dead is the one who does not understand the rights of his Lord (upon him).❞

[التذكرة في الوعظ 1/18]

Etiquette while building Masaajid

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree mentioned the following four narrations in regards to the construction of the Masjid which establishes the actions which are a confirmed Sunnah, actions which are a Necessity, and actions which are Extravagance.

Chapter (62): The construction of (the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم) Masjid:

1) Aboo Sa`eed al-Khudree رضي الله عنه said: “The roof of the Masjid (of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم) was made of the leaves of date-palms.”

2) `Umar Ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه ordered the Prophet’s Masjid to be expanded (built) and said: “Protect the people from rain. Beware of red and yellow decorations, for they put the people to trial (by distracting them from prayers).”

Tafseer: Calling towards Truth and Sabr go hand in hand.

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

From the Tafseer of Shaikh al-Islaam on Surah al-Asr:

The following is an example from the Tafseer of Surah al-Asr by Shaikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, to show to the dear readers how the author of this book has gathered the statements of Ibn Taymiyyah - regarding a particular topic  or Aayah or Surah - from different books in one place.

Some of the signs that a person has been put to trials

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Some of the signs that a person has been put to trials are:

1) When he shaves or trims his beard after having it grow longer.

2) When he does what he used to warn against.

3) When he aligns, upon misguidance, with the same people he used to warn against.

4) When he abandons his night prayers.

5) When he completely abandons the Salaah.

6) When he abandons the recitation of the Qur’aan.

7) When he abandons his religion.

8) When a sister abandons her Hijaab.

9) When he allows free mixing.

10) When he lies about Allaah and His religion.

11) When he attributes a lie to the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم.

12) When he speaks without knowledge.

13) When he interferes in the matters which do not concern him.

14) When he does not accept the truth out of pride.

15) When he sees the truth, but still clings to the falsehood.

And list goes on…

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Whoever comes across a person suffering a calamity and says:

الحمد لله الذي عافاني مما ابتلاك به ، وفضلني على كثير ممن خلق تفضيلا

(Alhamdulillaahi-ladhee `aafaanee mimmaa ibtalaaka bih, wa fadh-dhalanee `alaa katheerim mimman  khalaqa tafdheelaa)

‘All praise is for Allah Who saved me from that which He tested you with and Who most certainly favored me over much of His creation.’ He will be kept safe from that calamity” [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (3431, 3432) on the authority of Abu Hurairah and `Umar رضي الله عنهما, and graded as “Hasan li ghairihee” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (602)]

And When a person realizes that he has been tested, he should repent to Allaah and seek his forgiveness, as was done by Prophet Dawood عليه السلام:

وَظَنَّ دَاوُودُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّاهُ فَاسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ

{And Dawud became certain that We had tried him and he sought Forgiveness of his Lord, and he fell down into prostration and turned (to Allah) in repentance}

[Surah Saad (38): 23]

Definition of Bid`ah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

#1

In the matters of `Ibaadah (or matters of the Deen), anything which was present/available during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ and he did not do it nor did his companions, then doing that which they did not do will be considered as Bid`ah.

Or in other words it can be defined as:

The Prophet ﷺ cannot benefit nor harm anyone after his death

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In the Qur’aan, Allaah تعالى said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم cannot benefit nor harm – himself or anyone else - except as Allaah تعالى wills.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم himself acknowledges that he will not be able to benefit anyone after his death.

But throughout the centuries, in defiance of the Qur’aan and the Ahaadeeth, the Sufees want us to believe otherwise. The want us to believe that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم can benefit us, provide for our needs etc. etc.

Evidence from the Qur’aan:

The 9 Means for warding off the punishments

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Pondering over the meaning of the Qur’aan for the purpose of practicing its teachings, is the one of the greatest Wisdom for its revelation. While studying the Qur’aan, from the things that one should ponder over and follow is what Allaah تعالى mentioned in it about the punishments which afflicted the previous nations because of their deviating away from the path of Allaah. One would find that there were very many different types of punishments and Allaah تعالى commanded us to take a lesson and admonition from these incidents, as Allaah تعالى says:

﴿قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ﴾

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)]

۞۞۞