The benefits of falling into a sin for a sincere believer!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The purpose of this article is not to encourage sins, but rather to encourage repentance. Every son of Aadam will eventually commit a sin or fall into error, as no one is perfect as has been mentioned numerous times in the Ahaadeeth:

Anas رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

“Every son of Aadam commits sin, and the best of those who commit sin are those who repent.”

[Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2499) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (4251) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Importance of having the correct Imaan, `Aqeedah and Manhaj before learning the Qur’aan

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

قَوْمًا يَقْرَءُونَ القُرْآنَ لاَ يُجَاوِزُ حَنَاجِرَهُمْ

“…there will be some people who would recite the Qur’aan but the Qur’aan will not reach beyond their throats (i.e. they will recite like parrots and will not understand it nor act on it).”

[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3344, 3610, 5058, 6931, 6934, 7432, 7562) and Saheeh Muslim (1791, 2316, 2318, 2323, 2328, 2335, 2336)]

Brief Comments on Riyaadh al-Saaliheen #97

It is disliked to shave only a part of the head

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله covers three points under this chapter:

1. The disapproval of shaving (or trimming) only a part of the head.

2. Letting the hair grow longer is not a Sunnah but only a part of the customs.

3. The impermissibility of shaving the head for the women and young girls. 

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Chapter: On disapproval of shaving a part of the head and permissibility of shaving the complete head for the man but not for the women

Men and women racing towards the goodness

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:

❝In these Ahaadeeth, there is evidence that the front rows (in the Masaajid) are more virtuous for the men than the last ones; and the last rows are better for the women than the first ones, because the last rows for the women are the furthest away from the men than the front rows. And the further a woman is away from the men, the better for her.

And based on this reasoning - and by the Will of Allaah it will be correct – if the women are in a special place (or in separate halls), like how it is found in many of todays’ Masaajid, we say: the best rows for the women are the first ones, and the worst rows are the last ones – like how it is for the men, as long as the women are separate from the men and there is a partition (or barrier) between them. This is because in the Sharee`ah it is loved that one races towards goodness, and this is also from it.❞

[Sharh Saheeh Muslim (2/205) of Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen]

Avoid personal attacks even if what is being said is true!

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In a Hadeeth, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝Shall I tell you about the most evil ones from amongst you?❞

They (the Companions) said: “Of course.” He صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

❝Those who go around with Nameemah; they make enmity between friends and they seek problems for the innocent.❞

[Musnad of Imaam Ahmad and al-Bukhaaree in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad (323) and graded as “Hasan li ghairihee” (good due to corroborating chains) by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Difference between al-Dhunoob (sins) and al-Sayyi’aat (misdeeds):

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

*Al-Dhunoob (sing. al-Dhanb)

**Al-Sayyi’aat (sing. al-Sayyi’ah)

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

“(In the Qur’aan), the word “al-Dhunoob” is used to describe: Major Sins; and “al-Sayyi’aat” is used to describe: Minor Sins.

If one were to contemplate over the Aayaat of the Qur’aan, one would see that the word “al-Maghfirah” (forgiveness) is associated with the word “al-Dhunoob”, and the word “al-Kaffaarah” (expiation/removal) is associated with the word “al-Sayyi’aat”.

Allaah تعالى mentions in the Qur’aan about the Du`aa of the righteous people:

رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّئَاتِنَا

{Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds…} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 193]

The word “al-Maghfirah” is more complete (and perfect) than the word “al-Kaffaarah” and that is why “al-Maghfirah” is mentioned along with “al-Dhunoob” and “al-Kaffaarah” is mentioned along with “al-Sayyi’aat”

The word “al-Maghfirah” includes (or guarantees) preservation and protection (of man from the punishment); and “al-Kaffaarah” includes (or guarantees) covering (of faults) and removal (of sins).

But when either word is mentioned on its own, the meaning of the other word is also included in it.

And the evidence that “al-Sayyi’aat” are Minor Sins is the saying of Allaah تعالى:

إن تَجْتَنِبُوا كَبَائِرَ مَا تُنْهَوْنَ عَنْهُ نُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ

{If you avoid the major sins which you are forbidden, We will remove from you your lesser sins…} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 31] 

[Abridged from Madaarj al-Saalikeen (1/317) of Ibn al-Qayyim]

Tafseer: {Cursing Time}

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In the Qur’aan, Allaah تعالى mentions:

وَقَالُوا مَا هِيَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا الدُّنْيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحْيَا وَمَا يُهْلِكُنَا إِلَّا الدَّهْرُ

{And they say: "There is nothing but our life of this world, we die and we live and nothing destroys us except al-Dahr* (the time).}

[Surah al-Jaathiyah (45): 24]

*The word al-Dahr means: “A long period of time”, “era”, “eon”, “epoch” etc.

Removing the Doubts: Increasing the area of washing during Wudhoo’

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Introduction:

This is a short clarification of the Ahaadeeth of Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه regarding the statement: “whoever can increase the area of his radiance while making Wudhoo’ (ablution) should do so.” The clarification is from the statements of the scholars including Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Baaz, Ibn al-`Uthaymeen and al-Albaanee رحمهم الله. Their statements have been summarized, paraphrased and arranged in points for short reading and better understanding.

The Ahaadeeth:

The first narration: 

Bid`ah: the foundation of Kufr

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:

❝BID`AH is the foundation of Kufr and its habitat (where it thrives); like how (following) the legislated SUNNAH is the manifestation of Imaan and a booster of Imaan – for Imaan increases with obedience and decreases with disobedience.❞

[Majmoo` al-Fataawa of Ibn Taymiyyah (10/565)]

Making Dhikr: The Sunnah way VS. the Sufee way

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

In the Sunnah, it is prescribed to add a prefix or suffix to the name, “Allaah”, while making Dhikr (Allaah’s remembrance). Example: if one were to merely say "Muhammad", it does not give us any information on what is being discussed. But when one says: “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah”, here the sentence is complete and is full of meaning.

So similarly one says:

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]