When is a person considered to be upon the Sunnah?

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Sahl bin `Abdullaah al-Tustaree رحمه الله was asked: How can a person know that he is following (Ahl) al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah?

He said: “When he finds for himself ten characteristics:

1. That he does not abandon the Jamaa`ah.

2. And that he does not reviles Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

3. And that he does not revolt with (i.e. raises) the sword against this Ummah.

4. And that he does not belie (deny) the Qadr.

5. And does not doubt in (the articles of) Imaan.

6. And that he does not argue in (regards to the matter of) the Deen.

7. And that he does not abandon offering the Salaah (al-Janaazah) for anyone who died from the People of the Qiblah (i.e. the Muslims) due to a sin (which the deceased might have committed).

8. And that he does not abandon wiping over the Khuffs (shoes/socks).

9. And that he does not abandon the (Salaah in) congregation behind a pious or a sinner.”

[Sharh Usool I`teqaad (1/205/324) of Laalikaaee. This is how only 9 points are mentioned]

Affirming The Attributes of Allaah: Speech

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Audio (`Arabic): https://soundcloud.com/foodiefahoodie/uhdr6xbd98mb

Shaikh `Abdullaah Ibn Humaid رحمه الله said:

And this is the saying of our scholars.

As for this reasoning, which the Mu`tazilah set up and other than them - for example (in regards to) affirming the Attribute of Speech for Allaah - they say it is not permissible to affirm (the Attribute of) Speech for Allaah. (They say) Because if we affirm that Allaah speaks, then it becomes imperative (to believe) that He has a tongue and it becomes imperative (to believe) that He has two lips, and it becomes imperative (to believe) that He has gums. This is because speech is not possible without the lips, the tongue or the gums. If you affirm all these, then you have likened Him with His creation.

Do not be among those who recite the Qur’aan but curse themselves:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Saaleh bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan غفر الله له said:

“As for the saying of Allaah تعالى:

{…not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray.} [Surah al-Faatihah (1): 7]

{those who earned Your Anger}, they are the scholars, those who do not act upon the knowledge that they have.

{nor of those who went astray}, they are those who do actions without knowledge.

Delaying the prayer to watch a football match?

(This fatwa is not limited to a football match only)

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

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

“As for delaying the prayer just because one wants to watch a game; then I, By Allaah, advise you as a compassionate brother, do not spend your precious time in watching a game because I do not know of any goodness for you in that – neither in this world, nor in the hereafter. Rather, it is only wasting of time. Moreover, in many of these matches, as per what we have heard, the private parts are uncovered. One finds them wearing shorts which would reach only half their thighs or something similar, while they are youths. No doubt, youths will become a Fitnah if they uncover their thighs. On the other hand, in these games, the spectators support and praise a person with such praises which he is unworthy of (especially when he is a Kaafir).

Therefore, I wish that you instead gather for learning something beneficial, like Riyaadh al-Saaliheen or some other books in which there is benefit and rectification of the hearts and actions. And as you know that the lifespan is limited and a person does not know when he will run out of time. So make benefit of the opportunity (that you have been given). Baarak Allaahu feekum.”

[Majmoo` Fataawa of Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen (15/37)]

The stages of seeking knowledge:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Muhammad Ibn al-Nadhar said:

“The first (level) of seeking `Ilm is: Listening and paying attention, then its memorization, then its implementation, then its propagation.”

[Siyar A`laam al-Nubalaa’ of al-Dhahabee (7/227)]

Knowledge Revolves Around 5 Things:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ﴾

{O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth, and follow not the footsteps of Shaitaan (Satan). Verily, he is to you an open enemy.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 168]

Abu `Abdullaah al-Saajeey – Sa`eed bin Yazeed said:

“There are 5 traits by which `Ilm is completed:

1) Knowing about Allaah عز وجل ^[1].

2) Knowing the Truth (i.e. Islaam) ^[2].

3) Sincerity in doing things for Allaah (alone) ^[3].

4) Implementing the Sunnah ^[4].

5) Eating the Halaal ^[5].

If anyone of these is missing, the Deeds are not raised up (i.e. they are not rewarded).”

[Tafseer al-Qurtobee (2/208)]

=====

Salvation lies in 3 things:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُوا مِمَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ﴾

{O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth, and follow not the footsteps of Shaitaan (Satan). Verily, he is to you an open enemy.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 168]

Salvation lies in 3 things:

Sahl bin `Abdullaah رحمه الله said: “Salvation lies in three things:

1) Eating the Halaal.

2) Performing the obligations.

3) Following (emulating) the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

[Tafseer al-Qurtobee (2/208)]

Isnaad is from the Deen

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

*Isnaad is from the Deen.

*Narrations are only to be taken from the Trustworthy.

*Criticism of narrators due to what is found in them is permissible.

*Doing so is not from the impermissible Gheebah (backbiting).

*Rather doing so is defending the Honorable Sharee`ah.

`Abdullaah Ibn al-Mubaarak رحمه الله said:

“The (true) Deen: (is found) with Ahl al-Hadeeth (those who follow the Two Texts).

The Lies: (are found) with the Raafidhah.

The Kalaam (rhetoric / philosophy): (is found) with the Mu`tazilah.

And Deception: (is found) with Ahl al-Raa’ee (those who prefer opinions over Texts).”

[Minhaaj al-Sunnah of Ibn Taymiyyah (7/413)]

=====

He رحمه الله also said:

“The Isnaad (the chain of narration) is from the Deen. If not for the Isnaad, anyone could say whatever he wanted.”

[Introduction of Saheeh Muslim (32)]

=====

Ibn Sireen رحمه الله said:

“Indeed, this knowledge (of Isnaad) is from the (foundation of this) Deen; so look from whom you take (learn) your religion.”

[Introduction of Saheeh Muslim (26)]

=====

Sufyaan Ibn `Uyayynah رحمه الله said:

One day al-Zuhree رحمه الله was narrating a Hadeeth, so I said to him: “narrate to us without mentioning the Isnaad (the chain of narration)”. So al-Zuhree said: “Can anyone reach the roof without a ladder?”

[Tadreeb al-Rawee (2/605)]

=====

Ibn al-Mubaarak رحمه الله said:

“The similitude of the one who wants to learn the matters of the Deen without Isnaad is like the one who wants to reach the roof without a ladder.”

[Sharf As-haab al-Hadeeth (1/41)]

=====

Sufyaan al-Thawree رحمه الله said:

“The isnaad is the weapon of the believer. So if he does not have a weapon then what will he fight with?”

[al-Majrooheen of Ibn Hibaan (1/27)]

Do not seek knowledge for 3 reasons

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Al-`Abbaas said to his son `Abdullaah رضي الله عنهما:

“O my son! Do not seek knowledge for three reasons:

1) To show-off with it.

2) Just to argue (with others) using it.

3) To become arrogant by way of it (and refuse to seek advice when confused or mistaken).

And do not forsake it for three habits:

1) Desiring to remain ignorant (due to laziness).

2) Content with little knowledge.

3) Shying away from learning.”

[Jaami` Bayaan al-`Ilm wa Fadhlih (1/559/937) (slightly rephrased)]

Tafseer: Importance of Taqwa in gaining `Ilm

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ ۖ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللَّـهُ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ﴾

{So be afraid of Allaah; and Allaah teaches you. And Allaah is the All-Knower of each and everything.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 282]

From Tafseer al-Muyassar (by a group of prominent scholars in Tafseer):

Fear Allaah تعالى in all that He has commanded you and in all that He has prohibited; and Allaah تعالى will teach you all that which is beneficial for you in this world and the Hereafter. He is the Knower of everything, nothing from your affairs is hidden from Him and He will reward you accordingly.

What is common between a Munaafiq, a Faasiq and a Hizbee?!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh al-Fawzaan حفظه الله said:

“No one engages in defaming the scholars, who are firm upon the truth, except for one of the three:

1) A Munaafiq (hypocrite) whose hypocrisy is well known.

2) Or a Faasiq (evil doer) who hates the scholars because they prevent him from doing evil deeds.

3) Or a misguided Hizbee (fanatic/zealot) who hates the scholars because they do not agree with his Hizbiyyah (partisanship) and his deviant ideology.”

الأجوبــةُ المُفيدَة عَن أَسئِلَة المنَاهِجِ الجدِيَدة ص. 75

You, yes you…Fear Allaah!

 بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

What is wrong with the people that they do not accept the statement: “Fear Allaah!”

If you were to say to one of them: “Fear Allaah!”, he would turn back on you and say: “Who are you? How dare you say to me: ‘Fear Allaah!’”

There are many such statements in the Qur’aan, the Sunnah and the statements of the Salaf, but only a few will be mentioned:

What have you learned?

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

It has been reported from Shaqeeq al-Balkhee رحمه الله that he asked Haatim (al-Asam): You accompanied me for some time (now), so what have you learned?

Haatim said: (I have learned) Eight things:

1. As for the first: I looked at the creation (the humans), and everyone has something which is beloved to him, but when he reaches the grave, his beloved abandons him. So I made my good deeds as my beloved so that it accompanies me in the grave.

The path for seeking knowledge is long

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Saaleh Aal al-Shaikh حفظه الله said:

“The path for seeking knowledge is long, and it cannot be attained except by leaving off (wasting time in) amusement and desires, while approaching it with all seriousness and determination. Because Allaah عز وجل described what He تعالى would reveal upon Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم would be a “Weighty Word””

﴿إِنَّا سَنُلْقِي عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا﴾

{Verily, We shall send down to you a weighty Word (i.e. obligations, legal laws, etc.)} [Surah al-Muzzammil (73): 5]

[المنهجية في قراءة كتب أهل العلم لفضيلة الشيخ صالح آل الشيخ]

Imaam Maalik bin Anas, the Imaam of Daar al-Hijrah, رحمه الله was asked about an issue, so he said: “I don’t know.” The questioner said: It is a small and an easy issue and I wanted to inform the Ameer (the governor) about it. The questioner was a person in authority. Imaam Maalik got angry and said: “A small and an easy issue? There is nothing regarding knowledge which is something small. Did you not hear the saying of Allaah تعالى:

﴿إِنَّا سَنُلْقِي عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا﴾

{Verily, We shall send down to you a weighty Word (i.e. obligations, legal laws, etc.)} [Surah al-Muzzammil (73): 5]

The knowledge, all of it is weighty, especially that about which it would be asked on the Day of Judgment.” [al-Muwaafaqaat of al-Shaatibee (5/329) and `Ilaam al-Muwaqqi`een (4/167)]

The Time When Bid`ah Will Be Considered As Sunnah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

On the authority of Hudhaifah bin al-Yamaan رضي الله عنه:

He once took two stones and placed one on top of the other and asked his companions: “Do you see any light (passing) between these two stones?”

They said: “O Abu `Abdullaah! We don’t see any light (passing) between these two stones except for very little.”

He said: “By the One (Allaah) in whose Hand is my soul! Verily, Bid`ah (religious innovation) will (soon) appear till nothing of the truth is seen except for the amount of light which you see (passing) between these two stones. By Allaah! Bid`ah will circulate (so much) so that if something of it is left out, the people will say: The Sunnah had been abandoned.”

[al-Bid`a of Ibn al-Wadhdhaah (151); al-I`tesaam of al-Shaatibee (1/106)]

The Muslim's attitude

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

* When the Muslim hears a Command from Allaah and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, then he should carry it out without hesitation to the best of his ability.

* When the Muslim hears about a prohibition, then he should shun it without having any second thoughts.

* Don’t wait asking if it is Waajib or Mustahab or if it is Makrooh or Haraam.

Shaikh Muhammad ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaimeen رحمه الله said:

“Second point: Obeying his صلى الله عليه وسلم command and not hesitating in carrying it out due to the saying of Allaah تعالى:

{It is not for a Believer, man or woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.} [Surah al-Ahzaab (33): 36]

Disobedience: a cause for the destruction of the Ummah

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

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

“Do you see any destruction more severe than the destruction of the Ummah nowadays? They are Billion in numbers, they are nearly one-fourth of the world population, but they have no value in the global community in spite of having moral force, material power and manpower. But when they neglected the Deen of Allaah, Allaah عز وجل forsook them, so that a person trusts* the oppressors among the Kuffar more than he trusts* his own brothers among the Muslims – and this is an ordeal and a calamity.”

[التعليق على السياسة الشرعية ص. 197]

* The word يركن can alternatively be translated as: relies upon, supports.

A Sound Heart

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿إِلاَّ مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ﴾

{Except him who brings to Allaah a sound heart} [Surah al-Shu`araa’ (26): 89]

Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said:

The heart cannot attain absolute safety till it is protected from five things:

1. From Shirk which negates Tawheed.

2. From Bid`ah which opposes the Sunnah.

3. From Desire which opposes the Command.

4. From Negligence which negates Remembrance.

5. From Whim which negates Sincerity.

[al-Jawaab al-Kaafee (1/122)]

The Belief of a Muslim in regards to the Qur’aan

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The Qur’aan is the Word of Allaah, not created, from Him it originated and to Him it will return.

The Qur’aan is the Word of Allaah عز وجل and His revelation, which He sent down and which is heard from a reciter when he is reciting the words of Allaah عز وجل.

Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَإِنْ أَحَدٌ مِّنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ اسْتَجَارَكَ فَأَجِرْهُ حَتَّىٰ يَسْمَعَ كَلَامَ اللَّـهِ﴾

{And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the Word of Allaah.} [Surah al-Tawbah (9): 6]

Allaah تعالى also said:

﴿قُل لَّوْ كَانَ الْبَحْرُ مِدَادًا لِّكَلِمَاتِ رَبِّي لَنَفِدَ الْبَحْرُ قَبْلَ أَن تَنفَدَ كَلِمَاتُ رَبِّي وَلَوْ جِئْنَا بِمِثْلِهِ مَدَدًا﴾

{Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to mankind). “If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely, the sea would be exhausted before the Words of my Lord would be finished, even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid.”} [Surah al-Kahf (18): 109]

Allaah تعالى also said:

﴿وَلَوْ أَنَّمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِن شَجَرَةٍ أَقْلَامٌ وَالْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّهُ مِن بَعْدِهِ سَبْعَةُ أَبْحُرٍ مَّا نَفِدَتْ كَلِمَاتُ اللَّـهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ﴾

{And if all the trees on the earth were pens and the sea (were ink wherewith to write), with seven seas behind it to add to its (supply), yet the Words of Allaah would not be exhausted. Verily, Allaah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.} [Surah Luqmaan (37): 27]

Allaah تعالى also said:

﴿يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُبَدِّلُوا كَلَامَ اللَّـهِ﴾

{They want to change Allaah’s Words} [Surah al-Fath (48): 15]

And it is preserved (memorized) in the breasts as Allaah تعالى said:

﴿بَلْ هُوَ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ﴾

{Rather, the Qur’aan is distinct verses, [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge.} [Surah al-`Ankaboot (29): 49]

Imaam Maalik bin Anas رحمه الله said: “The Qur’aan is the Word of Allaah, the Word of Allaah is from Allaah, and nothing from Allaah is created.” [Sharh Usool `Iteqaad Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah (2/275)]

Akhlaaq (Good Manners) in regards to the rights of Allaah:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

We read many Ahaadeeth on the virtues of having proper etiquette and good manners, that it will be the heaviest on the Scale on the Day of Judgment, that that person will be closer to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and much more.

But remember that good manners should start with Allaah first:

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Allaah تعالى said: {The son of Aadam tells a lie against me though he has no right to do so, and he abuses Me though he has no right to do so. As for his telling a lie against Me, it is that he claims that I cannot recreate him as I created him before; and as for his abusing Me, it is his statement that I have offspring. No! Glorified be Me! I am far from taking a wife or offspring.}” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]

Similarly, denying the Names and Attributes of Allaah or changing their meaning; or giving preference to logic over the Sunnah, innovating in the Deen or speaking without knowledge is not good manners.

How can someone have good manners with creation but then speak without knowledge about the Creator and His Deen? This is not giving priority and in reality isn't good manners at all.

So that’s why: “Defending the rights of Allaah takes precedence and is more important than the honor of any other creation.”