The effect of the Prophet's words on the Companions and those who followed them upon righteousness:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

All praise is for Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds, and the peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad and his family and his companions and on those who adhere to his Sunnah and follow his guidance till the Day of Judgment. To proceed:

We will convey (to you) one of the many rights of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and from that which necessitates love for him صلى الله عليه وسلم and the sign of genuineness in the Shahaadah that Muhammad is indeed the Messenger of Allaah. If this reality settles in the heart; its end result is seen in ones Belief, obedience and reverence (for him صلى الله عليه وسلم) through honoring and giving precedence to his Hadeeth; which in reality is honoring the One (Allaah) Who is the source of this statement. Allaah تعالى says:

The Four Words in which all the Goodness are gathered for the Servants of Allaah:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh `Abdul Rahmaan bin Naaser al-Sa`dee رحمه الله said:

“(The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم) supplicated to (Allaah تعالى) with four words in which are gathered all the goodness for the servant (of Allaah) in regards to the Deen and the Dunya:

اللهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْهُدَى وَالتُّقَى، وَالْعَفَافَ وَالْغِنَى

(Allaahumma! Innee as-aluka al-Hudaa wal-Tuqaa wal-`Afaafa wal-Ghinaa)

“O Allaah! I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity and self- sufficiency” [Saheeh Muslim (6566)]

Complete Guidance is guidance towards beneficial knowledge, and righteous deeds – that is (proper) Guidance and true Religion. When one knows the truth and follows it; and when he knows the falsehood and avoids it – then he is guided towards the Straight Path (Siraat al-Mustaqeem). And whosoever fulfills the rights of Allaah and the rights of His slaves, then he is guided (to the path leading) towards Gardens of Delight (Jannaatin Na`eem)”

Source:

[الفواكه الشهية في الخطب المنبرية - ص 277]

Do not rush to praise someone - an important principle:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله reported that `Aaishah رضي الله عنها said: “Whenever you appreciate the good deed of a person, you should say:

اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّـهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ

{...Do deeds! Allaah will see your deeds, and (so will) His Messenger and the believers...} [Surah al-Tawbah (9):105] and you should not hasten to praise anyone (for doing what seems to be a good deed).”

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (9/154)]

A very important and overlooked principle, because we rush to praise someone and then he DOES something which is against the Sunnah and the Manhaj of the Salaf; and he SAYS something which is against the Sunnah and the Manhaj of the Salaf, and he CALLS to something which is against the Sunnah and the Manhaj of the Salaf.

Allaah protect us and keep us safe from falling into the same error.

For All The Keyboard Warriors!

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

قال العلامة صالح الفوزان العجيب أن بعضهم يخطب ويتحمس ويروّح أولاد المسلمين وهوجالس في بيته ياكل ويشرب صوتي دقيقتينhttp://t.co/J1ECudTeOs"

Shaikh al-Fawzaan حفظه الله said: "it is amazing that some of them give khutbah and incite the children of the muslims (towards Jihaad) while he himself sits at his home eating and drinking."

Shaikh Ibn Baaz: Celebrating the Prophet’s birthday is a Bid`ah

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:

Celebrating the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم birthday is a Bid`ah (innovation) and a means leading towards Shirk. If it were legislated, then the Salaf al-Saalih (the Pious Predecessors – the Companions and their followers) would have done that. As for the Hadeeth, where he صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about Monday, he صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

ذَاكَ يَوْمٌ وُلِدْتُ فِيهِ، وَيَوْمٌ بُعِثْتُ - أَوْ أُنْزِلَ عَلَيَّ فِيهِ

“It was the day on which I was born, on which I was commissioned with Prophethood or revelation was sent to me” ^[1]

This is to encourage fasting. ^[2]

Shaikh Saleh al-Fawzaan حفظه الله: The one who denies al-Ijmaa` is a Kaafir.

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Question: Your Excellency! Some of the scholars say: “Al-Ijmaa` (consensus of the scholars) is not a proof, it is just a way of consultation as there is no consensus at all except to look for the evidence in the Text (i.e. the Book and the Sunna). Moreover, the claim – in many issues – that there is a consensus regarding them is a matter of doubt.” What do you have to say about this?

Shaikh al-Fawzaan حفظه الله answers: Absolute denial of al-Ijmaa` tantamount to Kufr and apostasy from Islaam. Absolute denial of al-Ijmaa` - that the person says that there is no consensus at all – then he is a Kaafir. As for the one who denies some aspects of al-Ijmaa`, then this is debatable, and his words should be analyzed; is he correct or is he incorrect?

This is because there are issues where it is claimed that there is Ijmaa` regarding them, but (in reality) no consensus is reached in these regards. But as for the one who absolutely denies the consensus and says that they are not proof, then he is a Kaafir. He is a Kaafir in Allaah عز وجل, because al-Ijmaa` is there, and all praise be to Allaah. The scholars have consensus regarding `Aqeedah (Creed), they have consensus regarding Tawheed of Allaah عز وجل, and they have consensus regarding the prohibition of Ribaa (Usury and interest), and they have consensus regarding the impermissibility of Zinaa (adultery and fornication), and they have consensus regarding the issues of Deen which are known due to necessity. The one who absolutely rejects the consensus is a Kaafir. As for the one who rejects some aspects of it, then there might be a reason, so he is to be looked at and examined.

Source:
http://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/2387

Tafseer: {All will be questioned about لا إله إلا الله }:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسْأَلَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ * عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ﴾

{So by your Lord, We will surely question them all * About all that they used to do.} [Surah al-Hijr (15): 92-93]

Allaah تعالى also says:

﴿ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّـهُ﴾

{So know that none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah)} [Surah Muhammad (47): 19]

This is the Shahaadah: for which we were created; for which we will be tried and tested in this world; and about which it will be questioned on the Day of Judgment.

And they want us to worship the dead!

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

The grave worshipers invite us to worship the DEAD, those who are BURIED in their GRAVES, and NOTHING is left of their bodies except the COCCYX bone.

Whereas Allaah تعالى invites us to worship the Ever Living, Who dies NOT:

﴿وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لَا يَمُوتُ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِهِ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِ خَبِيرًا﴾

{And put your trust in the Ever Living One Who dies not, and glorify His Praises, and Sufficient is He as the All-Knower of the sins of His slaves} [Surah al-Furqaan (25): 58]

Tafseer: The meaning of "Judgment of the Days of ignorance":

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿أَفَحُكْمَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَ ۚ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّـهِ حُكْمًا لِّقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ﴾

{Do they then seek the judgment (rulings) of (the Days of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgment than Allaah for a people who have firm Faith.} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 50]

Shaikh al-Fawzaan on the means of attaining firmness upon the Deen:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan حفظه الله was asked: We ask your Excellency to mention to us the means of attaining firmness upon the Deen while there is frequent relapsing in this age?

The Shaikh حفظه الله replied: The means are many, and the major among them are: Taqwaa of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى (God-consciousness), fearing Allaah تعالى, similarly, asking the people of knowledge when you are confused (or doubtful about a matter), accompanying the righteous, remembering Allaah much and reciting the Qur’aan more, strictly guarding the prayer (and offering it) with the Jamaa`ah (congregation). All of these are from the means of attaining firmness upon the Deen.

Source:

http://alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/14584

Brief Notes on Du`aa Al-Istikhaarah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Link 1:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5a3nwj5iH9yTnNmSVBrNUFiaDQ/view?usp=sharing

Link 2:

Brief Notes on Du`aa Al-Istikhaarah by ilm4all

Acting upon Bid`ah is like eating bad food:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh al-Islaam, Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:

“The Legislated matters (Sharee`ah) are the nourishments of the hearts. So, whenever the hearts are nourished upon Bid`ah, there is no space left for the Sunnah. Its similarity is like a person being nourished upon bad food (which is neither good in taste nor beneficial for the body).”

[Iqtidhaa’ Siraat al-Mustaqeem (2/104)]

The meaning of Tawheed:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh al-Islaam, Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:

“The reality of Tawheed is that we should worship Allaah Alone. So none should be called [1] upon except Him; none should be feared [2] except Him; none should be revered [3] except Him; none should be relied [4] upon except Him; and Religion (worship) should be to none except Him – not to anyone from the creation. And when we are not suppose to take the Angels and the Prophets as our lords (and gods); then how can (we take) the Imaams, the Shuyookh, the scholars, the kings and other than them (as our lords)?!”

[Minhaaj al-Sunnatul Nabawiyyah (3/490)]

[1] Du`aa

[2] Khashya

[3] Taqwa

[4] Tawakkul

And still they asked for acceptance!

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

When the Imaam, the Shaikh, `Abdulazeez Ibn Baaz رحمه الله was explaining the Tafseer of the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ﴾

{And (remember) when Ibraaheem and (his son) Ismaa`eel were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka`bah at Makkah), (saying): “Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Verily! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.”} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 127]

He cried for more than 5 minutes and could not say more than:

“A special command, for a special slave, (assigned) with a special task, at a special place, and still he (Ibraaheem عليه السلام) is asking Allaah تعالى for acceptance!!!”

Then he رحمه الله cried even further.

People would have been lost if it were not for the scholars to correct them:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Al-Hasan al-Basree رحمه الله said:

“If it were not for the scholars, the people would have behaved like cattle.”

[al-Tabsirah of Ibn al-Jawzee (2/193)]

Do not entertain the people of desires:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Abu Qilaabah said: “Do not let the people of desires sit with you, as I do not feel safe (i.e. I fear) that they will plunge you into their misguidance and would cause confusion in some of the things which you already know (to be the truth).”

*******

Two men, from the people of desires (i.e. innovators), entered upon Muhammad Ibn Sireen and they said to him: ‘O Abu Bakr! Shall we narrate to you a Hadeeth?’

He said: “No!”

They said: ‘Should we recite to you an Aayah (from the Qur’aan)?’

He said: “No! You should both leave or I will leave.”

So they both left.

Some of the people said to him: ‘O Abu Bakr! What was the matter with you if they had recited to you an Aayah?’

He said: “I feared that they would recite an Aayah and distort it, and that distortion would linger in my heart.”

[Siyar A`laam al-Nubalaa’ of Imaam al-Dhahabee (11/285)]

Warning against innovators is a community service:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh al-Islaam, Ibn Taymyyah رحمه الله said:

“It was said to Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal: ‘A person who fasts, offers the prayers, and does I`tikaaf (seclusion in the Masjid) more beloved to you or the one who speaks against the Ahl al-Bid`ah?’ He (Imaam Ahmad) said: ‘If he stands (in the night), prays and does I`tikaaf, then these are all for himself. But when he speaks against the Ahl al-Bid`ah, then this is for (the welfare of) the Muslims and this is better.’

(Ibn Taymiyyah continues): So he (Imaam Ahmad) has made it clear that this benefits all the Muslims in general regarding their Deen, similar in nature to Jihaad in the Cause of Allaah.”

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa (28/231-232)]

Actions speak louder than words:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Shaikh al-Islaam, Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:

“Anyone who claims to love Allaah تعالى but does not follow (the Sunnah of) the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, (then know that) he has lied.” [Majmoo` al-Fataawa (8/360)]

﴿قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّـهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي﴾

{Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to mankind): “If you (really) love Allaah then follow me…”} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 31]

Do not make your deeds fruitless:

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ وَلا تَجْهَرُوا لَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ كَجَهْرِ بَعْضِكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ أَنْ تَحْبَطَ أَعْمَالُكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ لا تَشْعُرُونَ﴾

{O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), nor speak aloud to him in talk as you speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds may be rendered fruitless while you perceive not.} [Surah al-Hujuraat (49):2]

Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

“If just raising their voices above the voice of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was a reason to make their deeds fruitless (and futile), then what about those who give precedence to their own opinions, intellects, preferences, politics, and understanding over and above that which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came with? Is it not that these are more liable to have their deeds rendered futile?”

[I`laam al-Mooqi`een (1/41)]

Part 2: The meaning of "Salaah upon the Prophet" - Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

As for the meaning of: السلام عليه “as-Salaamu `alaih” (Salaam upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم), it is du`aa for the Safety of the physical self of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم while he was alive; and Safety for his صلى الله عليه وسلم religion; and the Safety for his body in his grave; and his Safety on the Day of Judgment.

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

The author’s saying: السلام عليك (as-Salaamu `alaik): by the word السلام (as-Salaam), it is said that it refers to the Name of Allaah, because the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

Asking for fewer refutations is a sign of Ahlul Bid`ah

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Al-`Abbaas bin Al-Waleed that `Uqbah said:

I was once with Artah bin Al-Mundhir when one of the people in the gathering said: “What do you say about a man who sits with the followers of the Sunnah and mixes with them, but when the followers of Bid`ah are mentioned he says: ‘Spare us from mentioning them, do not talk about them?’” Artah said: “He is one of them (i.e. he is also from the people of Bid`ah), do not let him confuse you about his condition.” I felt this was strange, so I went to Al-Awza`ee – and he used to clarify these matters when they came to him. He said: “Artah is right, the matter is as he said; this person forbids talking about (i.e.Ahlul Bid`ah), so how can people be on guard against them if they are not exposed?”

Recorded by Imaam Ibn `Asaakir in Tareekh Dimishq Vol 8 page 15

Part 1: The meaning of "Salaah upon the Prophet" - Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

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

His (the author’s) saying: “صلِّ على محمد” (Sallee `alaa Muhammad). It is said that Salaah from Allaah means: “Mercy”; and from the Angels means: “Seeking (Allaah’s) forgiveness (for him)”; and from the mankind means: “supplicating (to Allaah) for him”.

If it is said: “The Angels have sent their Salaah upon him”, it means: they supplicated (to Allaah) for his forgiveness. 

Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #22

No life worth living except the life of the Hereafter:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

The Book of al-Riqaaq (Softening of the hearts): Chapter: Health and Leisure. There is no life worth living except the life of the Hereafter.

Narrated Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.” ^[1] [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6412)]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #71

The Adhaan: its ruling and its virtues & the reward for the Mu`adhdhin is greater than that of the Imaam:

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

[Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen (5/25-31) of Shaikh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله]

Chapter: The Merits of Adhaan:

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

لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي النِّدَاءِ وَالصَّفِّ الأَوَّلِ، ثُمَّ لَمْ يَجِدُوا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَسْتَهِمُوا عَلَيْهِ لاَسْتَهَمُوا، وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي التَّهْجِيرِ لاَسْتَبَقُوا إِلَيْهِ، وَلَوْ يَعْلَمُونَ مَا فِي الْعَتَمَةِ وَالصُّبْحِ لأَتَوْهُمَا وَلَوْ حَبْوًا

“If the people knew what is the reward of making the call (for the prayer) and (of being in) the first row (in the prayer), and if they found no other way to get this privilege except by casting lots, they would certainly cast lots for it. If they knew the reward of the noon prayer, they would race for it, and if they knew the reward of the morning (i.e. Fajr) and `Ishaa’ prayers, they would present themselves for the prayer even if they had to crawl to reach there.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (615, 652, 653, 654, 2689) and Saheeh Muslim (437)]

Brief Comments of Shaikh Ibn Baaz on Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #21

The Adhkaar: its Spiritual and Physical effects on a person.

(The Adhkaar: Food for Body & Soul)

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said:

The Book of the obligation of Khumus: Chapter: The evidence that confirms that the Khumus (i.e. one-fifth of the war booty) is meant for the needs of Allaah’s Messenger and the poor; and the fact that Allaah’s Messenger favored the people of As-Suffah and the widows in this matter, for when Faatimah complained of suffering from grinding and the hand-mill and requested him to provide her with a slave-girl (from the booty), he (did not give her a slave-girl) but told her to ask for Allaah’s Aid.

Narrated `Alee رضي الله عنه: Faatimah رضي الله عنها went to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم complaining about the bad effect of the stone hand-mill on her hand. She heard that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had received a few slave girls (as captives of war). But (when she came there) she did not find him, so she mentioned her problem to `Aaishah رضي الله عنها. When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came, ‘Aaishah informed him about that. `Alee رضي الله عنه added: So the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came to us when we had gone to bed. We wanted to get up (on his arrival) but he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Stay where you are.” Then he came and sat between me and her and I felt the coldness of his feet on my abdomen. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Shall I direct you to something better than what you have requested? When you go to bed say سبحان الله (Subhaan Allaah) thirty-three times, الحمد لله (al-hamdulillaah) thirty three times, and الله أكبر (Allaahu Akbar) thirty four times, for that is better for you than a servant.”

`Alee رضي الله عنه added: I have never failed to recite it ever since. Somebody asked: Even on the night of the battle of Siffeen? He said: No, even on the night of the battle of Siffeen.