How people slip from the path of the Salaf

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Imaam al-Shaatibee said:

“Due to their turning away from the (clear) evidence and their reliance on men, some people slipped and went out of the way of the Sahaabah and Taabi`een and followed their desires without knowledge; so they went astray from the Right Path.”

[al-I`tisaam of Imaam al-Shaatibee (2/863)]

Some examples:

1. Following the ways of the forefathers.

2. Following the ways of the elders.

3. Ta`assub (fanaticism) towards a single Madhhab (school of thought) or individuals.

4. Having bad companionship.

5. Leaving the scholars and being impressed by eloquent speakers.

Advice during the times of Fitan:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Saaleh al-Fawzaan حفظه الله

Question: What do you advise us to do in this age in which the Fitan (trials and afflictions) have increased and the innovators have spread out and the death of the scholars?

Answer: The first thing I advise you is the Taqwa of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى, and do much supplication that Allaah تعالى keeps us and you firm upon the Deen and that He تعالى protects us and you from the evils of these Fitan.

Thereafter, I advise you to seek knowledge - seeking knowledge from the people of knowledge (the scholars) and being diligent towards seeking it. Verily, there is no protection from the Fitan except through correct knowledge, by the Will of Allaah. So, if you do not have correct knowledge, perhaps you may fall in the Fitan while you are unaware and you do not know that it is a trial. So upon you is seeking knowledge from the people of knowledge. Do not be lazy in seeking knowledge when you have the chance (and the means) of seeking it.

http://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/14958

From the advice of Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Al-Laith bin Sa`d and others have said: A man wrote to Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما saying: Write down (gather) for me all the knowledge. So Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما wrote back to him: “Verily! `Ilm is vast. But if you are capable of: 
1. Meeting Allaah تعالى with a light load on your back by (not spilling) the blood of people (unjustly) [1], 
2. Having a slender belly by avoiding people’s wealth [2],
3. Restraining the tongue from (playing with) people’s honor,
4. Sticking to their Jamaa`ah (and avoid splitting),
then do so.”

[Siyar A`laam al-Nubalaa (3/222)]

[1] During the turmoil of Hajjaaj bin Yusuf there was a lot of bloodshed and confusion.
[2] From usurping their wealth unjustly.

What’s in a name?

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Changing the name of an evil does not render it permissible, but this is how Shaitaan wants to beautify things for us.

Ibn Muhairiz narrated from a man among the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “People among my Ummah will drink Khamr (intoxicant), calling it by another name.” [Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (5658) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee. See also Sunan Abu Dawood (3688, 3689) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (3384, 3385, and 4020)]

What an age are we living in...

1. Where Khamr is called drink (booze, beer, spirit etc.)!

2. Where GAMBLING is called (a game of) CHANCE (luck, fortune)!

3. Where SINGING is called ART!

4. Where a BRIBE is called a GIFT!

5. Where FREE-MIXING is called CIVILIZING!

6. Where TABARRUJ (wanton display) is called ELEGANCE!

7. Where NUDITY is called LIBERTY!

8. Where ADULTERY is called transient relationship!

9. Where a DAYYOOTH (a man with no protective jealousy for his wife) is called MODERNITY!

10. Where HYPOCRISY is called POLITICS!

11. Where enjoining good is called backwardness!

12. Where forbidding evil is called rigidity!

13. Where lying is called bluffing!

14. Where Usury (interest) is called PROFIT!

We seek Allaah’s refuge from this evil and repent to Him for our sins.

Relatives have more rights in the Decree of Allaah over others!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Blood relations have more rights that good should be done to them over others!

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَأُوْلُو الاٌّرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَى بِبَعْضٍ فِى كِتَـبِ اللَّهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُهَـجِرِينَ﴾

{And blood relations among each other have closer personal ties in the decree of Allaah than the Believers and the Muhaajiroon} [Surah al-Ahzaab (33): 6]

Allaah تعالى also said:

﴿يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنفِقُونَ ۖ قُلْ مَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِلْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ﴾

{They ask you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) what they should spend. Say: Whatever you spend of good must be for parents and kindred (relatives) and orphans and Al-Masaakeen (the poor) and the wayfarers, and whatever you do of good deeds, truly, Allaah knows it well. } [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 215]

Everyone will receive their share of the Dunya:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى gives the share of the Dunya to all - those who love it and those who hate it, but He تعالى does not give the Aakhirah except to those who love it.

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا ۚ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ﴾

{That home of the Hereafter (i.e. Paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqoon} [Surah al-Qasas (28): 83]

Narrated `Ubada bin As-Saamit: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Who-ever loves to meet Allaah, Allaah (too) loves to meet him and whoever hates to meet Allaah, Allaah (too) hates to meet him.” `Aaishah رضي الله عنها said: “But we dislike death.” He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “It is not like this, but it is meant that when the time of the death of a believer approaches, he receives the good news of Allaah’s pleasure with him and His blessings upon him, and so at that time nothing is dearer to him than what is in front of him. He therefore loves the meeting with Allaah, and Allaah (too) loves the meeting with him. But when the time of the death of a disbeliever approaches, he receives the evil news of Allaah’s torment and His Requital, whereupon nothing is more hateful to him than what is before him. Therefore, he hates the meeting with Allaah, and Allaah too, hates the meeting with him.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6507) and Saheeh Muslim (6488)]

Words of Admonition

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

All praise is for Allaah, the Lord of the worlds, and blessing and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, his family, his Companions and those who hold onto his guidance till the Day of Judgment.

To Proceed,

1. The truest of Speech is the Book of Allaah.

2. The strongest bond is the Word of Righteousness (Kalimatu-Taqwaa) (i.e. Laa ilaaha ilallaah).

3. The best Millah (ملة – religion) is that of Ibraaheem عليه السلام and the Prophets.

True Friendship

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In the Qur’aan, Allaah تعالى says:

﴿الْأَخِلَّاءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقِينَ * يَا عِبَادِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ وَلَا أَنتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ * الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَكَانُوا مُسْلِمِينَ﴾

{Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except Al-Muttaqoon (pious). (It will be said to the true believers): My worshippers! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve, who believed in Our Ayaat (proofs, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and were Muslims (i.e. who submit totally to Allaah's Will, and believe in the Oneness of Allaah).} [Surah al-Zukhruf (43): 67-69]

From the people who will be under Allaah’s shade are: “two men who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of Allaah.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]

`Ajeeb (bizarre) are the actions of man!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Muhammad Ibn Is-haaq al-Thaqafee said: Someone from the learned men said:

“I am amazed at the one who grieves when there is a loss in his wealth but does not grieve at the passing of his age. And I am amazed at the one whom the world has turned away from and the hereafter is approaching him (head-on) while he is engaged in that which is fleeing and ignoring that which is approaching.”

[Abu Bakr Al-Daynooree, Al-Mujaalasah wa Jawaahir al-`Ilm (1120/3/508)]

It is from Faith that a person establishes prayer sincerely for Allaah alone:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

﴿وَهَـٰذَا كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ مُّصَدِّقُ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَلِتُنذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرَىٰ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا ۚ وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ ۖ وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ﴾

{And this (the Qur’aan) is a blessed Book which We have sent down, confirming (the revelations) which came before it, so that you may warn the Mother of Towns (i.e. Makkah) and all those around it. Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in (the Qur’aan), and they are constant in guarding their Salaah (prayers).} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 92]

Tafseer al-Muyassar (by the group of Prominent Scholars):

And this Qur’aan is the Book which We have revealed it unto you – O Messenger – highly beneficial, which upon truth bears witness to that which had been revealed in the earlier scriptures and it (this Qur’aan) is from Allaah. We have revealed it so that through it We can frighten the people of Makkaah and all those around it from every region (i.e. all the corners) of the earth of the punishment of Allaah and His Wrath. Those who believe in the life of the Hereafter also believe that the Qur’aan is the Speech of Allaah and they constantly guard their prayer and establish it in its respective time.

*******

Two Days and Two Nights like no other:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

It is reported that Anas bin Maalik رضي الله عنه said:

“There are two days and two nights the likes of which no one has ever heard of  before: the Day on which you will receive the news from Allaah تبارك وتعالى:  whether you will receive His punishment or His mercy, the Day you will be given  your book (of deeds): either in your right hand or your lef;, that [first] night which you will spend alone in your grave, a night like no other you have spent, and  that night on the morning of which will be the Day of Resurrection, after which  there will be no more night.”

[Abu Bakr Al-Daynooree, Al-Mujaalasah wa Jawaahir al-`Ilm (19)]

Lend your ear to the Qur’aan:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنه and other scholars of the Salaf said: “When you hear Allaah تعالى saying in the Qur’aan:

( يَـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ )

{O you who believe!}, then listen with full attention, for it is either some goodness that Allaah تعالى is enjoining, or an evil that He is forbidding.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer; Surah al-Baqarah (2): 23]

***

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

❝The phrase {O you who believe!} indicates that acting upon the command with firm belief or complete obedience is one of the requisites of Imaan.

Similarly, it also indicates that opposing the command or doubting it or belying it is the negation of Imaan – either in total or in perfection (i.e. either a person may lose his Imaan completely or there will be deficiency in it).

Thirdly, in this there is motivation and allurement for the one being addressed, as if He تعالى is saying: If you truly believe, then hear and obey.❞

[Tafseer of Surah al-Maaidah (5): 90 by Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen]

Learn step-by-step!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Narrated Anas Ibn Maalik رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

إن هذا الدين متين فأوغلوا فيه برفق

“Indeed this religion is strong, so go through it gently.”

[Musnad Ahmad (13052) and graded as “Hasan” (Good) by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami` (2246)]

“The stage in-between the two stages”, between the Mu`tazilah and the Modernists:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The Mu`tazilah (the deviated sect) came with the concept of “a stage in-between two stages”; saying that a person who does a major sin (like adultery, gambling, drinking intoxicants) is neither a Muslim nor a Kaafir, he is in-between the stage of being a Muslim and a Kaafir; and he will abide in the Hellfire forever.

The importance of stopping the bid`ah when it appears

The importance of stopping the evil when it appears

The importance of stopping the bid`ah when it appears

The importance of correcting the mistake when it appears

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Imaam al-Awza`ee رحمه الله said:

"When a bid`ah (an act of innovation in religion) shows up and the scholars don't warn against it, it becomes a Sunnah*."

[Sharf as-haab al-Hadeeth (1/17)]

* i.e. it becomes a norm in the society, people accept it to be the truth and follow it.

There is no comparison between a Muslim and a non-Muslim

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى says:

#1.

﴿وَلِلَّـهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ﴾

{And honor belong to Allaah, His Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and to the believers, but the hypocrites know not.} [Surah al-Munaafiqoon (63):8]