The Aqeedah and Manhaj of AhlusSunnah wal Jamah

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Category: Student of Knowledge

Books Recommended by Shaik Ibn Uthaimeen

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Question:We would like some advice about the books which the seeker of Islamic knowledge should obtain, study and refer to

Answer:

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah)

Praise be to Allaah.

  1. ‘Aqeedah (basic tenets of faith):
    • Shaykh al-Islam Imaam Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhaab (may Allaah have mercy on him).
      • Thalaathat al-Usool – The Three Fundamental Bases of Islamic Theology (pdf)
      • Al-Qawaa’id al-Arba’ah – Four Principles of Tawheed (pdf)
      • Kashf al-Shubahaat – Removal of Doubts ( pdf )
      • Al-Tawheed
    • Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah.
      • Al-‘Aqeedah al-Waasitiyyah (Principles of Islamic Faith ) which deals with Tawheed al-Asmaa’ wa’l-Sifaat
        • This is one of the best books written on this topic, and it is worth reading and studying.
      • Al-Hamawiyyah
      • Al-Tadmuriyyah – These two books are more comprehensive than al-Waasitiyyah
    • Al-Tahhaawiyyah
      • Al-‘Aqeedah al-Tahhaawiyyah, by Shaykh Abu Ja’far Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Tahhaawi
      • Sharh al-‘Aqeedah al-Tahhaawiyyah by Abu’l-Hasan ‘Ali ibn Abi’l-‘Izz
    • Al-Durar al-Saniyyah fi’l-Ajoobah al-Najdiyyah, compiled by Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Qaasim
    • Al-Durrah al-Madiyyah fi ‘Aqeedah al-Firqah al-Mardiyyah by Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Safaareeni al-Hanbali. –
      • This book contains some general statements which go against the madhhab of the salaf, such as his saying, “Our Lord is not an essence or an attribute or a physical entity, exalted be He.” Therefore the seeker of knowledge has to study it with a shaykh who is well versed in the ‘aqeedah of the salaf, so that he can explain the general statements in it that go against the ‘aqeedah of the righteous salaf.
  2. Hadeeth
    • Fath al-Baari Sharh Saheeh al-Bukhaari, by Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqallaani
    • Subul al-Salaam Sharh Buloogh al-Maraam, by al-San’aani,
      • his book combines between hadeeth and fiqh.
    • Nayl al-Awtaar Sharh Muntaqaa al-Akhbaar by al-Shawkaani
    • ‘Umdat al-Ahkaam by al-Maqdisi.
      • This is an abridged book; most of its ahaadeeth are narrated in al-Saheehayn so their authenticity does not need to be researched.
    • Al-Arba’een al-Nawawiyyah, by Abu Zakariyya al-Nawawi.
      • This is a good book because it includes etiquette and a good methodology, and important basic principles, such as the hadeeth, “Part of a person’s being a good Muslim is his leaving alone that which does not concern him.” (Narrated by Imaam Ahmad, 1 – 201; al-Tirmidhi, 2318; classed as hasan by al-Nawawi in Riyaadh al-Saaliheen, 73; classed as saheeh by Ahmad Shaakir in al-Musnad, 1737). This principle – if one made it the path upon which one walks – would be sufficient.
      • Another principle is given concerning when one should speak, “Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day, let him say something good or else
        remain silent.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-Adab; Muslim, Kitaab al-Luqtah, Baab al-Diyaafah).
    • Buloogh al-Maraam, by al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqallaani.
      • This is a very useful book, especially because it mentions the narrators, and quoted the opinions of others scholars, who said whose hadeeth is saheeh and whose is da’eef, and he comments on the hadeeth to say whether they are saheeh or da’eef.
    • Nukhbat al-Fikr by al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqallaani.
      • This is considered to be a comprehensive work. If the seeker of knowledge understands it completely then he will have no need of many other books of mustalah (the science of hadeeth). Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) has a useful way of writing, which involves examining every issue in depth and categorizing the topics he discusses. If the seeker of knowledge reads it he will find it stimulating, because it is based on making one think. I say: it is good for the seeker of knowledge to memorize it because it is a useful summary of the science of mustalah (science of hadeeth).
    • The Six Books (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Sahih Muslim, al-Nasaa’i, Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah and Tirmidhi).
      • I advise the seeker of knowledge to read them often, because that will serve two purposes: reviewing the main sources of Islam and reviewing the names of hadeeth narrators. If you often review the names of hadeeth narrators, then whenever you come across the name of one of the narrators of al-Bukhaari in any isnaad, you will know that this is one of the narrators of al-Bukhaari, so you will benefit from this knowledge of hadeeth.
  3. Books of fiqh
    • Aadaab al-mashiy ila’l-Salaah by Shaykh al-Islam Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhaab
    • Zaad al-Mustaqni’ fi Ikhtisaar al-Muqni’ by al-Hajjaawi.
      • This is one of the best texts of fiqh. It is a blessed book, brief and comprehensive. Our shaykh, ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) told us to memorize it, even though he had memorized the text of Daleel al-Taalib.
    • Al-Rawd al-Murbi’ Sharh Zaad al-Mustaqni’ by Shaykh Mansoor al-Bahooti
    • ‘Umdat al-Fiqh by Ibn Qudaamah
    • Al-Usool min ‘Ilm al-Usool.
      • This is an abridged book which serves as an introduction for the seeker of knowledge.
  4. Faraa’id (laws of inheritance)
    • Matn al-Rahbiyyah by al-Rahbi
    • Matn al-Burhaaniyyah by Muhammad al-Burhaani.
    • This is a useful and comprehensive abridged book dealing with all the laws of inheritance. I think that al-Burhaaniyyah is more comprehensive than al-Rahbiyyah in some ways, and it gives more information.
  5. Tafseer
    • Tafseer al-Qur’aan al-‘Azeem by Ibn Katheer
      • This book is good for tafseer based on reports and it is useful and trustworthy. But it does pay much attention to matters of grammar and style.
    • Tayseer al-Kareem al-Rahmaan fi Tafseer Kalaam al-Mannaan by Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa’di
      • This is a good, easy and trustworthy book, and I recommend it.
    • Muqaddimah Shaykh al-Islam fi’l-Tafseer.
      • This is an important introduction.
    • Adwaa’ al-Bayaan by al-‘Allaamah Muhammad al-Shanqeeti
      • This is a comprehensive book covering hadeeth, fiqh, tafseer and usool al-fiqh.
  6. General books on some subjects:
    • On (Arabic) grammar: –
      • Matn al-Ajroomiyyah. This is an abridged book.
      • Alfiyyah Ibn Maalik; this is a summary of the science of grammar.
    • On Seerah (Prophet’s biography)
      • Zaad al-Ma’aad by Ibn al-Qayyim –
        • The best book that I have seen. This is a very useful book in which he mentions the biography of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) from all angels, then he discusses many rulings.
      • Rawdat al-‘Uqalaa’ by Ibn Hibbaan al-Busti
        • This is a useful book despite its brevity. He compiled a large amount of useful material and stories of the scholars, muhadditheen and others.
      • Siyar A’laam al-Nubalaa’ by al-Dhahabi.
        • This book is very useful and the seeker of knowledge should read and refer to it.

From Fataawa al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (rahimallah), Kitaab al-‘Ilm, p. 92

From the barriers of seeking knowledge : Taking knowledge from the Asaaghir (young) – By Shaykh Abdus Salaam bin Burgess

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Certainly there has appeared between the students of knowledge during this time, the taking of knowledge from those young in age. This phenomenon in reality is a cancerous disease and a chronic illness and it hinders the student of knowledge from his intent and turns him away the sound path that will connect him to knowledge.

That is because taking knowledge from those who are young in age; those who did not firmly establish their feet in knowledge, their beards did not become grey within it (they did not spend a long time with seeking knowledge) along with the presence of those older than them in age, whose feet are grounded, because of this the foundation of the beginner is weak. He is prevented from the benefit of the experience of the major scholars and attainment of their manners which is established by knowledge and time.

And from the evidences that give reason to this is the athar of Ibn Mas’ud (may Allaah be pleased with him) when he said:

“The people will not cease to be upon good as long as they take knowledge from their elders, their trusted and their scholars. If they (begin) taking knowledge from their sighaar and evil ones, then they are destroyed”

There is the affirmed Hadeeth on the authority of Abi Umayyah al Jamhee, that the Messenger of Allaah ملس و هيلع الله ىلص said:

“From the signs of the hour is when knowledge sought from al-asaagheer”

The people have differed in relation to the explanation of the word: “as-sighaar”.

There is some speech which Ibn Abdul Barr (may Allaah have Mercy on him) mentioned in al-Jaami’ and ash-shatibi (may Allaah have Mercy on him) mentioned in al-i’tisaam.

Ibn Qutaybah (may Allaah have mercy on him) took the view that as-sighaar are those who are young in age. And he said regarding the athar of Ibn Mas’ud:

“He intended that the people will not cease to be upon good as long as their scholars are mashaayakh (old) and that their scholars are not young (in age), because the shaykh (elderly) has left the pleasure of youth, his temper, his hastiness, his foolishness and he prefers practice and experience and nothing doubtful enters into his knowledge, his desires do not overcome him and he is not tempted by lust or greed. Shaytan does not cause him to fall (but) causes the young to. The one with age has dignity, honor and prestige.”

The young maybe will enter into some of these affairs that the elderly is safe from. If these affairs enter into him and he makes a ruling (then) he is destroyed and destroys others.

Ibn abdul Barr reported that Umar Ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:

“I knew when the uprightness of the people (was present) and when they became corrupted. When (an issue) of fiqh came from the young (in age) the elderly turned away from following them. And when (an issue) of fiqh came from the elderly; the young followed them and they were both guided.”

Ibn Abdul Barr also reported on the authority of Aboo Ahwas from Abdullah who said:

“Certainly you will always remain upon good as long as knowledge is found in your elderly and when knowledge is found in your young, the young will make the elderly appear foolish.”

In these two Athars are proofs for not taking knowledge from the young. Another besides which Ibn Qutaybah mentioned and it was fear of accepting knowledge if it came from the youth. At any rate, if its wording; as-sagheer is general (then) it is used in a way perceived and meaning (young in age).

This ruling is not without exception regarding the young in age, since a group from amongst the companions and taabi’een used to give fataawa and teach during their youth in the presence of those old in age. Certainly it is rare to find the likes of these individual so what about anyone after them. If they (the young) were present and their uprightness was known and their knowledge was examined and its firmness was apparent and no one from amongst the elders were found, then whatever knowledge they (the young) had with them was taken and safe from fitnah.

Hajjaaj bin Ar-Taah said:

“The people use to dislike that a man speak until grey was seen in his beard.”

The intent is not that knowledge of the young should be abandoned in the presence of the old; no! The intent is only to put people in their proper places. So the right of the intelligent young student is that he is benefited from in research, giving reminders and studies. As for putting him forward for giving rulings and questions being put forward to him the no! Certainly no! Because this will kill him and this is a fitna and deception.

Fudayl ibn Iyaad said:

“If you see a man gathering the people around him, then I say this (person) is crazy. What person gathers the people around him and does not like that they make good his speech”

He also said:

“It has reached me that the scholars of the past when they learned they acted, and when they acted they became busy,When they became busy they became lost (missing) and when they became lost they were sought (after) and when they were sought they fled “

So O seeker of knowledge if you desire knowledge from its source (fountain) then, here are the major scholars, those whose beards have become grey and bodies have become frail and strength have become weak (being exhausted) in knowledge and learning. Their commitments are before their lost and they bring out their treasures before they pass away (along) with them. (As) in the darkness of the night the Badr (moon) passes away.

A point of attention:

During these times the standards have been greatly blemished by the common people regarding properly estimating the scholars. So every individual who can give an eloquent speech, or a meaningful lecture, or a Friday sermon haphazardly becomes a scholar. He then becomes someone returned to for rulings and knowledge is taken from him. This is a painful and apparent affliction which its evil is airborne and it harms is circulated. When the connection of knowledge is (connected) to other than its people and when the affair (are in the hands) of other than its people, then look for the hour (Day of Judgment)

So the student must be warned of taking knowledge from these (types). Except if they are known to be from people who possess knowledge. Not everyone who has good expression is a scholar and not everyone who turns the people’s faces towards him with issues regarding the leaders of the Muslims or the mentioning of the death rate of aids and whatever is similarly to that is a scholar.

(Also) the meaning is not what has proceeded – as some understand it- ex. Not listening to them (the young in age) or not benefitting from their talks, No! The intent is only taking legislative knowledge from them and not raising them to the levels of the scholars and Allaah is the One Who gives success.

Translated by Abu Anas Atif Hasan
May Allaah make this a benefit for myself and the reader
burjes.com/burjes_article012.php

Posted from: Al-Binaa Publishing

With what do you direct the student and the beginning seeker of knowledge with? – Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzan

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Question:

We Hope to open this meeting O virtuous Shaykh with a question from one of the brothers who says: “Shaykh Sālih with what do you direct the students of knowledge or similarly the beginning students of knowledge and those who have begun and what are the books you advise they begin with, in their quest for knowledge and what is the reward for acquiring Islāmic knowledge?”

Answer:

With the Name of Allāh, Ar-Rahmān Ar-Rahīm, and all praises are for Allāh the Lord of everything that exist may the salāt and salām be upon our Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, his family and all of his Companions.

This an important question and it is how one should seek knowledge and how the student of knowledge should begin and who knowledge should be sought from and what are the books one should begin with and what is the important type of knowledge from all the (different) studies of knowledge.

So I say, and with Allāh is the success, without doubt seeking knowledge is an important affair. Allāh جل وعلا says: “Know! That none has the right to be worshipped except Allāh, and ask for forgiveness of your sins and for the male and female believers” (47:19)

Imām al-Bukhārī (May Allāh have mercy on him) said in his chapter “Knowledge proceeds speech and action”  then he mentioned this verse.

This is because if actions are not based upon knowledge, founded upon knowledge, then it is misguidance and tiring without benefit.Because the affair is like this it’s an obligation upon the Muslim to seek knowledge.

And this (knowledge) is categorized into two categories.

This first category ofKnowledge:

That which the Muslims religion will not be established except by way of it and this is an individual obligation upon every Muslim, male and female.That he learns that which his religion will be established by it. His Belief, his Prayer, his Zakāt, his Fasting, his Hajj, the five pillars of Islām. It is a must that he learns them, how he performs them. What are the requirements of every action, what are the conditions for them to be accepted by Allāh سبحانه و تعالى (as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said):

“Actions are only by the intentions” Having sincere intentions “And every person will have that which he intends”

This is what is obligatory upon every Muslim, an individual obligation upon (every) male and female and everyone who has reached the age of puberty, it is obligatory upon him that he begins with this.

Particularly with the affair of Creed, because it the foundation in which his actions are built upon. Action without knowledge is not accepted and actions (not built upon a sound) Creed are false actions and it will not benefit its doer, so if he begins with anything he begins with the Creed

(Allāh says) : “Know! That none has the right to be worshipped except Allāh” (47:19). This is Creed (mentioned in this verse) so he starts with knowledge of Creed.

Then after this he learns the rulings of the prayer which are compulsory upon him day and night, five times (a day) he knows its conditions, its pillars and its obligations and how he performs it, until (it is performed) in its legislative manner, so that Allāh will accept it from him (along) with him having a sincere intention.

Then he learns how to perform (pay) the Zakāt what are its conditions and what type of wealth which are obligatory (to be paid) regarding it and what is the amount obligatory (to be paid) on it, who are the one who it should be distributed to until it is performed in the manner demanded, because it coupled (paired together) with the Prayer.

Then he learns how he should fast during the month of Ramadhān and what the conditions of fasting are, what nullifies it and what makes it defective.

Then he learns how to make Hajj to the house al-Atīq and how he performs Hajj and Umrah.

So it is a must that he learns these affairs with details even if (he learns them) small portions (at a time) because all forms of worship has its small portions (in learning them). An individual beginning in his (studies) learns (these issues) with what is easy (while) returning to the people of knowledge.

This Second category of Knowledge:

Then he learns (that) which will aid him, he learns the rulings of transactions and this is from the second category of knowledge. This is what is obligatory upon some (but not every individual).

So whoever has the ability to learn it then he does so to benefit himself and the Muslims. Also this is what relates to the study of transactions, judgments and inheritance, wills and endowments, the book of marriage and divorce, the book of crimes and punishments, the book of qadā (etc.) All these are collective obligations, where one establishes it in what suffices himself and the Muslims, then this remains a right for the Muslims (in general) a recommended act (of seeking this knowledge) an affirmed recommended act.

So it is a must seek knowledge upon its known way, with the people of knowledge which Allāh has designed and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. So one does not seek knowledge except from its people, those known for it, he does not take knowledge from someone who claims [ المتعاال ] it or ignorant person الجاهال or the people of misguidance and deviation اهال الضالال و اننحافا but rather he takes knowledge from the people of knowledge who remain upright upon obedience (to Allāh) and worship and like this one take knowledge.

Either in schools with a system of study, or centers or colleges, or at the hands of the scholars in the Masājid. These are the places for seeking knowledge.

Also he learns that which will aid him in fiqh and the remaining sciences (of knowledge) as what is called knowledge of علاء such as Arabic grammar, Arabic language, or balāgha and this is something necessary for a person to learn that which is from the sciences of Arabic language. That from grammar and the Arabic language, that which the Qur’ān al-Karīm was revealed in and this regulates his recitation of Qur’ān and he doesn’t make mistakes in (its recitation) and this is not possible except by learning (Arabic) grammar.

Also he learns knowledge of measuring that which is distributed from inheritance, (knowledge) of how categorize in issues and how to give everyone who has a right, his rights as Allāh legislated and this is what is called knowledge of hisāb (measuring). So he gains understanding in transactions and other than that.

And this without doubt requires from the individual two affairs:

First affair: Patience upon the length (of time) in learning and patience upon the difficulties in learning.

Second affair: to act by what Allāh has taught him (what He has caused him to learn). There is a must that he works by what Allāh has taught him.

And a third affair: that he teaches the people (as Allāh says): “To obtain understanding in the religion and warn their people when they return to them that they might be cautious” (9:122)  So he learns and then he teaches.

—

As for the misguided group, who says we are not in need of learning knowledge as it hinders you from actions, and what is intended is actions and they strive hard in worship and they leave knowledge which is its guide and guidance. These people are misguided people and their actions are misguided. And this is mentioned in surah al-Fātihah which we read in every raka’ah “Guide us to the straight path – the path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your Favour, not of those who have evoked [Your] Anger or of those who went astray.” (1:6-7) Those who (Allāh’s) favour has been placed upon them are those who combine between beneficial knowledge and righteous actions. They don’t just take knowledge only without action and they don’t take action without knowledge. And those who have earned (Allāh’s) anger are those who took knowledge and abandoned action as the Jews. And those who are astray are those who took action and they abandoned knowledge. Those who are acquainted with this are the Christians, those who worship Allāh upon ignorance and misguidance. In every unit of prayer you read this great ayah. “Guide us to the straight path – the path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your Favour, not of those who have evoked [Your] Anger or of those who went astray.” (1:6-7)

So contemplate it and work by it! And do not pay attention to those who abstain from seeking knowledge and are firm upon that.Do not pay attention to those who meet knowledge with ignorance without knowing its guidelines and regulations and causes people to go astray.

These affairs are from principles in seeking knowledge and it is a must that the Muslim knows them.

And that which is the foundation is the intention, you seek knowledge with a good intention (i.e. for Allāh only) because seeking knowledge is worship and it is a must that the worship have an intention as the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Actions are only by the intentions and every individual will have that which he intends”

Translated by: Abu Anas Atif Hasan
Taken from: فتاوى على الهواء 1

Posted  from : Al-Binaa Publishing | Durham NC

Fear Allah and know your limit, O student of knowledge! – Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id Raslan [Video|Ar-En Subtitles]

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The One That Takes From His Beard is Not a Student of Knowledge – Shaykh Salih Al-Fawzaan

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As Salaamu Alaikum

The questioner says:

It has spread amongst the students of knowledge, i.e. the taking (of hair) from ones beard, so some advice is desired.

Ash-Shaykh Al-`Allaamah Salih Al-Fawzaan:

They are not students of knowledge nor scholars, the ones that take (hair) from the beard are not students of knowledge, the students of knowledge are the ones that act upon the Sunnah, and the Sunnah is to leave the beard, the one that takes from his beard is not from the students of knowledge! Yes.

Taken from: http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=119584
Translated by: Ehsaan Manzoor

The following is taken from : Fatwas of the Permanent Committee>Group 2>Volume 11: Jihad>Miscellaneous Fatwas>Al-Kitab Al-Jami`>Trimming the ends of one’s beard

The third question of Fatwa no. 20317

Q 3: Trimming the beard prevailed among the Multazims (practicing Muslims) youth, as you see them trimming the ends from time to time. Perhaps they belong to religious parties, thus they become an example for the common people to follow. They may rely on weak narrations or some sayings attributed to Ibn `Umar, as well as growing the beard until it reaches the length of the fist.

A: The Sahih (authentic) Hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) indicate the necessity of letting the beard grow as it is, in addition to prohibiting cutting, shortening or trimming it. In this regard, Al-Bukhari and Muslim related in their “Sahih (Authentic Hadith Book)” about Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: Trim closely the moustache, and let the beard grow to be contradictory to the unbelievers. It is mentioned in another narration by Al-Bukhari: Trim closely the moustache, and let the beard grow to be contradictory to the unbelievers. Muslim related in his “Sahih” from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allah is reported to have said: Trim closely the moustache, and grow beard, and thus act against the fire-worshippers. There are other authentic Hadiths in this respect, but the mentioned ones are enough In sha’a-Allah (if Allah wills). The great scholar Abu Muhammad Ibn Hazm is reported to have said: “The scholars agreed thattrimming closely the moustache and growing the beard are Fard (obligatory, based on a definitive text)”.

Moreover, the previous Hadiths indicate that it is obligatory to let the beard grow and it is unlawful to cut, shorten or trim it, as the principle in commands is the obligation and the principle in the prohibition is declaring something unlawful. It is not permissible to turn it away from its principle and form except by a valid evidence and proof that can be relied on. There is no evidence or proof against this command. Thus, every Muslim should obey the command and follow the pattern of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) because he had a thick beard, as it was authentically reported about him. It was not reported about any of his Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet), who are the best of all people, that he used to trim his beard except what is reported by `Abdullah ibn `Umar He related that the Messenger of Allah trimmed the part of his beard that exceeds his fist at the time of Hajj. We can not rely on this act with the verification of the authentic Hadiths. `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) related that the Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: Trim closely the moustache, and let the beard grow to be contradictory to the unbelievers. (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). The principle of the evidence is the narration of the relater not his acts and Ijtihad (juristic efforts to infer expert legal rulings). The scholars said that the authentic narration of the Sahabah and their successors about the Prophet (peace be upon him) is the supporting evidence, and it is more reliable than the relater’s opinion if his opinion contradicts the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet). In this case, we rely on his narration of the Sunnah not of his act upon the Sunnah.

As for the narration of Al-Tirmidhy that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) “used to trim the length and width of his beard”, it is not only a weak Isnad (chain of narrators)of Hadith,but it is also Batil (false) and rejected. This is not authentically known about the Prophet (peace be upon him). As this Hadith is related by `Umar ibn Harun Al-Balkhy, who is Matruk (a narrator whose Hadith transmission was discarded due to unreliability) and accused of lying, this Hadith cannot be taken as evidence. Thus, the acts of these youth should not be followed. However, they and all of the Muslims should obey the commands of the Prophet (peace be upon him), avoid disobeying him, or imitating the enemies of Allah and His Messenger and avoid imitating women. A human being should be a good pattern in his sayings and actions. It is necessary to advise those who breach the commands of Allah and His Messenger, urging them to obey Allah and His Messenger and to avoid their prohibitions.

May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’

Member Member Member Deputy Chairman Chairman
Bakr Abu Zayd Salih Al-Fawzan `Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan `Abdul-`Aziz Al Al-Shaykh `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

 

Men Teaching Women without there being a Screen between them – The Permanent Committee

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Alifta.net – Fatwa no. 17929

All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon the final Prophet.

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta‘ has read the letter which was sent to his Eminence, the Grand Mufty, from the questioners, Chairman and Members of Association of Islamic law at the Faculty of Shari`ah and Islamic Studies at the university of Kuwait. This letter was transferred to the Committee by the Secretariat-General of the Council of Senior Scholars under the number 1202 in 11/03/1416 A. H. The questioners asked the following question:

Is it permissible that a male teacher teaches female students without there being a screen between them so that they see each other? It may be important to mention that mostly the teacher does not see their faces as they wear the face veil.

Is it permissible that a female student attends the office of her male teacher and the latter talks with her without there being a screen between them but mostly without seeing her face? Is it permissible that such a student takes a seat inside the office of a male teacher speaking with him about the field of study and so on, while no Mahram (spouse or permanently unmarriageable relative) accompanies her or she is accompanied by one of her female schoolmates and the teacher explains the lesson to them or answers their questions which are related to lectures and so on? It may be worthy to mention that the foregoing can be done by phone and that some of the teachers are still in their youth or have just started their old age while the female students are mostly in the beginning of their youth.

After the Committee had studied the question it answered as follows:

First, intermixing of men and women in schools or any other places is considered a great Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Shari`ah and Muslims of sound intellect) and a great evil with regard to the affairs of both Din (religion) and the world. Thus, it is not permissible for women to study or work in a place which intermixes men and women. Similarly, their guardians should not allow them to do so.

Second, it is neither permissible for men to teach unveiled women nor to teach women wearing Shar`y (Islamically acceptable) veil in privacy. By the way, all of the body of a woman is `Awrah (parts of the body that must be covered) as far as a non-Mahram (not a spouse or an unmarriageable relative) is concerned. As for covering the head and showing the face, this is not full Hijab (veil).

Third, it is permissible for a man to teach women from behind a screen in female schools where there is no intermixing of male and female students or male and female teachers.

If female students need to ask their male teacher about something, this should be done through closed communication networks, which are renowned and available, or via phones, however, such students should be careful not to soften their speech.

May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’
Member – Member – Member – Chairman
Bakr Abu Zayd – `Abdul-`Aziz Al Al-Shaykh – Salih Al-Fawzan – `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz

Fatwas of the Permanent Committee>Group 1>Volume 12: Jihad and Hisbah>Jihad and Hisbah>Knowledge>Men teaching women without a barrier

Examine carefully the speech of everyone you hear from in your time particularly – Imam al Barbahaaree

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Imaam Abu Muhammad al Barbahaaree (d. 329 H rahimahullaah), said in his Sharh Us-Sunnah :

May Allaah have mercy upon you! Examine carefully the speech of everyone you hear from in your time particularly. So do not act in haste and do not enter in anything from it until you ask and see: Did any of the Companions of the Prophet, may Allaah’s praise and salutations be upon him, speak about it, or did any of the scholars? So if you find a narration from them about it, cling to it, do not go beyond it for anything and do not give precedence to anything over it and thus fall into the Fire.

In Explanation to the above Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (haafidthahullaah) mentioned :

Do not be hasty in accepting as correct what you may hear from the people especially in these later times.  As now there are many who speak about so many various matters, issue rulings and ascribing to themselves both knowledge and the right to speak. This is especially the case after the emergence and spread of new modern day media technologies. Such that everyone now can speak and bring forth that which is in truth worthless; by this meaning words of no true value – speaking about whatever they wish in the name of knowledge and in the name of the religion of Islaam.

It has even reached the point that you find the people of misguidance and the members of the various groups of misguidance and deviance from the religion speaking as well. Such individuals have now become those who speak in the name of the religion of Islaam through means such as the various satellite television channels. Therefore be very cautious!

It is upon you O Muslim, and upon you O student of knowledge individually, to verify matters and not rush to embrace everything and anything you hear.

It is upon you to verify the truth of what you hear, asking, ‘Who else makes this same statement or claim?’, ‘Where did this thought or concept originate or come from?’, ‘Who is its reference or source authority?’

Asking what are the evidences which support it from within the Book and the Sunnah? And inquiring where has the individual who is putting this forth studied and taken his knowledge from? From who has he studied the knowledge of Islaam?

Each of these matters requires verification through inquiry and investigation, especially in the present age and time. As it is not every speaker who should rightly be considered a source of knowledge, even if he is well-spoken and eloquent, and can manipulate words captivating his listeners.

Do not be taken in and accept him until you are aware of the degree and scope of what he possesses of knowledge and understanding. As perhaps someone’s words may be few, but possesses true understanding, and perhaps another will have a great deal of speech yet he is actually ignorant to such a degree that he doesn’t actually possess anything of true understanding. Rather he only has the ability to enchant with his speech so that the people are deceived. Yet he puts forth the perception that he is a scholar, that he is someone of true understanding and comprehension, that he is a capable thinker, and so forth. Through such means and ways, he is able to deceive and beguile the people, taking them away from the way of truth. Therefore what is to be given true consideration is not the amount of the speech put forth or that one can extensively discuss a subject. Rather the criterion that is to be given consideration is what that speech contains within it of sound authentic knowledge, what it contains of the established and transmitted principles of Islaam.

As perhaps a short or brief statement which is connected to or has a foundation in the established principles can be of greater benefit than a great deal of speech which simply rambles on, and through hearing you can’t actually receive very much benefit from.

This is the reality which is present in our time; one sees a tremendous amount of speech which only possesses within it a small amount of actual knowledge. We see the presence of many speakers yet few people of true understanding and comprehension.’

Transcribed from : ‘A Valued Gift for the Reader of Comments Upon the Book Sharh Us-Sunnah‘, page 102-103 | Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan (haafidthahullaah)

[Point 8 of 170] Sharus-Sunnah of Al-Barbaharee Explained by Shaykh Muhammad bin Ramzaan


http://ahlussunnahaudio.com/en/sharhsunna.html

Knowing a Man by his Moves – Sayings of the Salaf

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It is reported that Al-A’mash – Allāh have mercy on him – said:

They (the Salaf) never used to ask about [the religious condition of ] a man after knowing three things about him:

where and upon whom he entered,
where and with whom he walked, and
the close company he kept.

Meaning: Knowing these things about a man is more than sufficient for knowing whether he is following the right path on the Sunnah or not.

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibānah article 419.

This is from Sayings of the Salaf – translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

Be Careful From Who You Take Your Deen From ! – Shaykh Ahmad ibn Bazmool

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Shaykh Ahmad ibn Bazmool
Transcription by: Umm Yusuf min Sri Lanka

The shaykh hafidhahullah then stated that this issue of knowing merely the groups and the likes is a very important subject. It is taken from the statement of Muhammad ibn Sareeh rahimahullah this is a matter or this knowledge is a matter of deen, so be careful who you take your deen from. This matter is a matter of deen, so be careful who you take your deen from. So this is how important this issue is. Is that the knowledge when o­ne takes from someone or o­ne hears from someone or o­ne learns from someone that knowledge is going to be deen something that is going to weighty o­n the Day of Judgment something that he is going to meet Allaah with so it is important that he takes his knowledge o­nly from those who are known to have knowledge. And who are known to have taqwa and who are known to be upon righteousness, because what he takes is going to be his path to the Hereafter so look to who you take your deen from means that a Muslim must look and takes his deen from Ahlus sunnah, the salafiyoon the o­nes who follow the salaf us salih and secondly that the o­ne that he takes his deen from is someone who has knowledge, known for knowledge, known for being upright and known for having taqwa. This knowledge is a matter of deen so be careful who you take your deen from.

Then the shaykh Ahmad bin Bazmool hafidhahullah ta’ala stated that Imaam Malik rahimahullah mentions in the introduction of Saheeh Imaam Muslim that there was in Madinah a hundred men that were pointed to by the people as being worshippers and being people who were righteous and being people having abstinence from the dunya but no o­ne would take knowledge from them. This statement by Imaam Malik rahimahullah is saying, that it is not enough for a person to be known for worship and being known for having abstinence from the dunya and being known for the outward expression of his worship that you take from him. That these people were known for that and these people pointed to them for that but no o­ne would take their affairs from them because it was not from their affair. Their affair was worshipping and righteousness but their affair was not knowledge. He said that if we would understand that any of us who would see a brother who has his thobe properly clad and the length of his beard is long we would think that he is a scholar of his time of the mufti of his area and this is a great mistake.

Then the shaykh Ahmad bin Bazmool hafidhahullah ta’ala states that there is no doubt that is obligatory upon the people to learn ilmi shar’ee, Islamic knowledge and this is based o­n the Quraanic verse, Allaah subhana wata’alah says “Ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.” And it is based upon the statement of Prophet Muhammad salallahu alaihi wa sallam “that seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim”. And a man came to Imaam Malik rahimahullah and said, “I want to seek knowledge” and Imaam Malik rahimahullah told him start with that which you needfor your night and your day because he means that the areas of knowledge are many and extensive and what is important is what you need is for your night and your day. And of course the first thing that you need is Tawheed, because it is the basis for all actions. And then you need taharah the proper way to purify yourself and then you need the proper manner of how to make salaah and like this.

So this is understood and this has been explained, it is clear that that man needs what he needs for his day and his night of Tawheed and of taharah purification of salaah. Then we can see the mistake of those who want that the Muslims get involved or start without knowledge in siyaasah or political issues upon the methodology of the hizbiyyah or partisanship or defending the people who are upon shirk and bid’ah. We see that these people who call to these types of issues are not individuals from whom we should take are knowledge from.

Shaykh Ahmad bin Bazmool hafidhahullah ta’ala then went o­n to say that in reality the weakness of this ummah and the humiliation of this ummah is because of the ignorance of the ummah regarding this deen. It is not like some people say that the weakness of the ummah is because it does not have the physical strength or the weakness of the ummah is due to the fact that the disbelievers are conspiring against it. The shaykh says no, the weakness of the ummah is from inside the ummah, that the ummah does not have knowledge of deen . This ummah does not support Allaah so Allaah does not support it. As Allaah says in the Qur’aan, “If you support Allaah, Allaah will support you and will make your foothold firm. He said that the scholars say, that supporting Allaah means learning the deen, the ahkam the regulations of the deen, acting upon the deen and studying the deen. He says it is not like those people think that what we need to do is concentrate o­n the materialistic issues and if we knew about the strategies and conspiracies of the disbelievers and their political plans and we had a system arranged with all sort of leaders and the like that that will solve our problems. He said no, it is clear that humiliation comes from ourselves. Based o­n the hadith of Prophet salallahu alaihi wa sallam that if you deal in eena which is an illegal transaction a form of usury which means a Muslim will enter into which is forbidden regarding transaction and you follow the tails of the cows meaning will give in to agriculture and these type of issues and get them more importance than the Hereafter and you leave Jihaad neither do you establish Jihaad nor do you for Jihaad for Jihaad he said has two types of preparations Roohi wa Maddi, Roohi meaning spiritual preparation and Maddi meaning material preparation. And this is why you see the mistake of Usaamah bin Laden among many reasons for his mistakes he is wrong and incorrect is he thinks that Jihaad is o­nly the materialistic preparation and he has totally forgotten about the spiritual preparation and he has totally forgotten about many issues in Islaam. And that which he is doing is nothing to do with the sunnah and which he is doing has nothing to do with Islaam and he is in ignorance of these issues and the scholars have responded against him. So it is the issue that the Muslims, the ummah will not learn the deen and will get involved in tijaarah and forbidden trading transaction and will leave Jihaad and will become pleased with the dunya, then Allaah subhana wata’alah will send upon him humiliation. And He will not lift this humiliation off from them until they return to their deen. The scholars say return to the deen is learning the deen, acting upon the deen and spreading the deen. He says it is not through explosions and bombings and harming individuals who had no hand in any evil and this type of thing but it is returning to the deen of Allaah learning it, practicing it and spreading it.

Shaykh Ahmad bin Bazmool hafidhahullah ta’ala went o­n to say so we know and understand this. There is a very important point that we must understand and that is that it is forbidden for anyone who does not have knowledge to talk. That is if he is jaahil ignorant is forbidden to talk in the matters of the deen. And this is something very clear from the Qur’aanic verses in which Allaah says, “Do not talk about those matters which you have no knowledge, verily regarding the hearing, the heart and the talk all of these matters a person will be questioned about.” And then Allaah subhana wata’alah mentions the forbidden matters after mentioning al fawaahish outwardly and inwardly and mentioning other matters and He says and to ascribe to Allaah that which he has no authority or that you commit shirk and then He says and you speak about Allaah when you have been forbidden that you speak about Allaah when you have no knowledge. He said that the scholars have got from this that speaking about Allaah without knowledge is worse than shirk. Speaking about Allaah without knowledge is worse than shirk, for two reasons o­ne is that this speaking about Allaah tabarakta wat’ala without knowledge is something that is general something that it will affect everybody but the state of the something he has done regarding himself. So it is forbidden for anyone to speak about Allaah without knowledge. And there is the narration of the Prophet salallahu alaihi wa sallam in which some of his companions was with o­ne of his companions o­n a journey and he got injured and when he got injured he also fell into sexual defilement, state of junub and it was a very dark cold night and he wanted to know if he should take wudhu or tayammum and he asked them if it is possible to do this and they said no you must take a ghusl you must take a full ghusl, so when he did this, he died. So when this reached the Prophet salallahu alaihi wa sallam he said, “they killed him they killed him, may Allaah kill them. Why did they not ask if they were ignorant? Verily the cure for ignorance, is asking.” So this shows that it is forbidden for someone who does not know, to talk.

So Shaykh Ahmad bin Bazmool hafidhahullah says if we have understood from what has preceded, the o­ne being questioned if he does not know, if he cannot answer it is haraam for him to answer. He must also know that the Muslim who does not know it, is forbidden for him to ask someone who does not know. It is forbidden for him in matters of deen to ask someone who does not know. Rather he has to ask an aalim a scholar someone who has knowledge and this is what Muhammad ibn Sar’ee rahimahullahu meant when he said this matter is a matter of knowledge of deen so be careful who you take your deen from.

He said also in our daily life we had a medical situation or whatever, will we go to a mechanic ?, and if we had a problem with our car will we go to a farmer? and if we wanted to construct a house will we go to someone who is a specialist in cleaning?. No, we will go to each individual who has a specialty in which they are specialist in. So when it comes to an issue of deen we must go to the ulemaa we must go to the scholars. And it is not right to say ask anybody or to do what everybody else is doing this is a major mistake also. As comes in a narration of Abu Darda raliallahu anhu in this in the khilafa of Uthmaan raliallahu anhu in the time of Uthmaan raliallahu anhu when he went to the masjid and he prayed and he saw some tabi’een praying but they were not praying according to the sunnah. There salaah was not the salaah according to the sunnah. Abu Darda went home angry. And when Umm Darda raliallahu anha saw him she said, “What has made you angry, what has caused you to get angry.” He said, “By Allaah I don’t see anything that we were doing in the time of the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam that the Muslims are doing except that they pray together. Meaning that many of the sunan many of the practices that they were doing in the time of the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam that individuals were not doing it and what was left was that they were just praying together. This is Abu Darda’s statement while he is at the period which is close to the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam and there were a lot of sahabahs still alive and there were many tabi’een so what about now o­ne thousand four hundred years after that are the people the general masses upon sunnah? Are the general masses upon knowledge? Are the general masses people that we should follow? No! but we should follow the ulemaa Rabbaniyeen, the scholars who know the deen of Allaah tabarakta wata’la we should not follow what our mothers were upon our fathers were upon our relatives are upon but we should follow that which the scholars are upon. These people are not right that they follow the general masses but we should follow the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam and the o­ne who directs us to the right. In fact what the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam was upon are the scholars.

Then Shaykh Ahmad bin Bazmool hafidhahullah stated that the people are of two types. The awwam or the general laymen who have no knowledge and the tullabul ilm, al ulemaa they are together, tullabul ilm students of knowledge and the ulemaa. Now the ulemaa and the students are of two types. The ulemaa who are not in reality scholars and those are the o­nes who have hizbiyyah or innovation or partisanship or politics or this movement oriented overthrowing governments and blowing up things and things of this nature and bid’ah and mistakes in their aqeedah and their manhaj. These individuals should never be taken from whatsoever. The second is the tullabul ilm and the ulemaa who are upon the sunnah, salafiyeen upon the way of the salaf us saalih . They are upon the way of the sunnah and o­n the way of the salaf us saalih. These individuals the scholars are the source that you go to. The students of knowledge are actually made a (unclear ) source. They are individuals that you benefit from but you are never to take their statements over the statements of the ulemaa, of the scholars. So if we reiterate this point, the awwam the general masses don’t take anything from them but rather they should be taught, for they are ignorant.And those people who are considered scholars but their methodology is incorrect, their a qeedah and manhaj is incorrect they are involved in siyasah or politics or hizbiyyah or matters that are secretive and things of this nature they should not be taken from for they are in reality they are part of the seventy two groups that are promised the Hellfire.

Rather the o­ne that should be taken from are the tullabul ilm and ulemaa who are upon the sunnah and who are upon the way of the salaf us saalih. But the distinction must be made that we take the words of the ulemaa over the words of the student of knowledge. For instance Kibar ulemaa the Great body of Scholars like Shaykh Rabee for example says something then we take what he has said and what they have said because they are the greater scholars. And it is not right to take what a student of knowledge says just because he is salafee unless he has some clear evidence that he has stated that the scholars have missed. But if generally speaking the people have of taking the students of knowledge because he is salafee over the scholars is a great mistake.

Shaykh Ahmad bin Bazmool hafidhahullah said this issue of importance of returning to the people of ilm , returning in going to the people of knowledge as a source in going back to them we have two stories from the Prophet Muhammad salallahu alaihi wasallam regarding this issue. o­ne is the story regarding the man from before us from Bani Israel who had killed 99 individuals and he wanted to get to Allaah tabarakta wata’la so he found an aabid a worshipper, he said notice an aabid a worshipper not an aalim a scholar. A worshipper who was worshipping in seclusion and he said to him, “I have killed 99 individuals, is there any means for me to repent to Allaah to make Taubah”. So this aabid who was ignorant said, “No”. So he killed him and he completed a hundred individuals. So then he went to a scholar and saying to the scholar I have killed a hundred individuals is there any means for me to repent. The aalim said what is(unclear)between you and making Taubah to Allaah. Of course you can make taubah but you are in a land that is evil and it is upon you to go to such and such land where there are righteous people who worship Allaah so you go there and worship Allaah with them.” So this shows you the issue of going to the scholar verses going to someone who is ignorant.

The second story is about two individuals, o­ne who was righteous and the other was a sinner. And every time the righteous o­ne would pass by the sinner he would correct him and advice him but he would not accept. So o­ne day the righteous person said to him, “By Allaah, Allaah will not forgive you.” So Allaah tabarakta wata’la said, “Who is it who is bold enough to go over Me or above Me, verily I have forgiven him and I have made your deeds nothing.” So this is the righteous person because he was ignorant he led him to go into the area that was described by Allaah tabarakta wata’la that he would not forgive o­ne of His creatures. So Allaah tabarakta wata’la wiped away or made nothing the deeds of the obedient o­ne and forgave the disobedient o­ne. So this shows us the importance of knowledge number o­ne and that we should acquire it and the importance of returning to the ulemaa. Don’t ask anyone and everyone but ask Raazikeena fil ilm those who are well grounded in knowledge.

In closing Shaykh Ahmad bin Bazmool hafidhahullah that someone might say what is wrong with taking knowledge from the hizbiyeen and mubtadiyah (One who commits bid’ah), if they have something beneficial to give. I’ll just take the good and I will leave the bad. He said there were several issues wrong with this.

o­ne, is that the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam warned against the ulemaa as soo or al jahaal, taking from the evil scholars or the ignorant. And this is in a hadith in which he said, “That Allaah tabarakta wata’la does not take the knowledge after having given it by taking it away from your hearts but by the death of the religious learned men, the scholars, until there will remain nothing but the ignorant people who will contort it and will give verdicts according to their opinions and they will mislead others and they will go astray and will lead others astray.

The second matter is that Allaah tabarakta wata’la and the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam‘s order of hizbudeen , preserving o­nes deen. And the person who goes and sits with the innovator or hizbee is not preserving his deen.

Thirdly, is that taking from the hizbiyeen or the innovators is that they are from the asaaghir, the small o­nes and we have been forbidden or the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam indicated that from the signs of the hour is that the people will take their knowledge from the asaaghir. And he said that the asaaghir are the innovators.

Fourthly is that the mubtadih you cannot forsake from the fact that he will not oppose you. You will think that he is giving you the best, but he will take you step by step until he pulls you and that is the way it has been amongst the past (unclear).

And the fifth matter is that the person who is going there saying “I will get the good and leave the bad” is ignorant. So he cannot protect himself from falling into a fitnah. So he can’t protect himself from falling into a fitnah. So for all these reasons above and more it is important that you take o­nly from the scholars who are known for the knowledge who are well grounded in their knowledge and we do not ask or take from anyone else. And then he said hadha wa salallahu wa nabiyinah Muhammad.

Seeking Knowledge In Our Time and Seeking Knowledge In The Time That Was Before Us

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Why the people who seek knowledge today don’t find the success with their knowledge and great benefit with their knowledge ?
The Student of Knowledge Today in Comparison to Those of Yesterday
Lecture by Shaykh Muhammed Ibn Haadee al-Madhkhaalee [hafidahullaahu ta’aala]

Translator’s Introduction:

“In shaa Allaahu ta’aala were giving a very praiseworthy lecture by Shaykh Muhammed Ibn Haadee al-Madhkhaalee [hafidahullaahu ta’aala] ad-Doctor from Jazaan. He did a beautiful lecture [about 2 weeks ago] entitled: Seeking Knowledge In Our Time & Seeking Knowledge In The Time That Was Before Us. After listening to this lecture; me, myself as the translator, I wanted to say that this has really changed my life, just since I heard this lecture. It had a tremendous effect in my life. So much so, that I just had to share it with the people, so that hopefully it will have an effect on our life or on your life, as it had an effect on my life. Or perhaps even have a greater effect on the lives of those who are listening, than it even had upon me and is continuously having upon me to this very moment right now; walhamdulillaah. The Shaykh – as a synopsis or the introduction – to what he talked about in his lecture, so you know what to look for, which is the reason why we entitled it online, the title we gave. Which is, the Shaykh he really talks about why the people who seek knowledge today don’t find the success with their knowledge and great benefit with their knowledge in their lives, and upon themselves, and everyone around them. As we seen, when knowledge was sought by those Imams, those `kibaar al-Ulamaa who just recently died & those that still remain, and the strong students of knowledge; how we see knowledge effect them. So in this lecture the Shaykh, he’s going to explain why we don’t find success. And he breaks it down to 4 main reasons. In which he’s going to give them first and then he’s going to explain each 4 of those reasons. And his lecture in Arabic was a total 1 hour & 10 minutes. With the questions and answers, it added another 33 minutes, but were not going to include, with this, the questions and answers. Were just going to include the lecture. And in shaa Allaahu ta’aala were going to translate this and hopefully with the success of Allaah subhannah wa ta’aala. And that Allaah, with the success lies & to Him I seek assistance and to Him I return to in repentance. So in shaa Allaahu ta’aala, this is basically what the Shaykh talked about…”

Listen / Download Mp3 Here (Time 1:18:24) (Arabic/English)

Note : Translator Unknown

Post Courtesy: Abu Bilal Nahim @ KSA_Dawah group

Story about a Student of Knowledge from 1980s as mentioned by Shaykh Falaah Ismaeel

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This lecture of Shaykh Falaah Ismaeel (حفظه الله) was recorded on Tuesday, February 08, 2011.

In this lecture the Shaykh covered everything in regards with following the Salaf. He mentioned that we should follow the Salaf in their Aqeedah (creed), Ibadaat (acts of worship), Ikhlaaq (good manners), Mua’mulaat, and in everything. He mentioned many stories and one of the stories was about one of the Student of Knowledge (حفظه الله).

The Shaykh said – “I met one Student of Knowledge about 30 years ago when he was studying in Madinah (Saudi Arabia). We used to live together and sit with Ulemah. He was a very good student, he was excellent in the first year, excellent in the second, and in the third year but when the forth year started, he came to me and told me that he would like to go back to his home country (United Kingdom). Everybody asked him that why you want to leave, you are almost there, finish your education, get your degree, and then leave. He began to cry and said that he got a phone call from his family member and they told him that his father is very sick and he is in the hospital and the family is afraid that he may die (upon kufr). We told him that your father may not die, a lot of people go to the hospital but not everyone dies immediately. But he said that something in my heart telling me to leave. So he got on the plane and went back and didn’t finish the forth and last year of the University”.

The Shaykh said that he didn’t care about the degree. He was truthful with Allah as related to guiding his father to Al-Islam and Allah was truthful with him as well. He went back and after a couple of days, we talked to him and he said alhamdulillah my father has accepted Islam. He said that alhamdulillah my father died upon Islam in the same hospital. The Shaykh said I visited him after many years and he said that now my mother is Muslim and my whole family is Muslim. The Shaykh said what we learn from this story that if you really care about your family and they are non Muslims, then focus your time and do what you can, the success is with Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

Giving precedence to ‘Aql (Reasoning) over Naql (Evidences) – alifta

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Q: What is your reply to philosophers who give reason preference over religious texts?

Ans:

The function of reason with regard to the Noble Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah is to understand and accept them. Reason has no role in religion except for this.

There are a lot of religious texts that make it obligatory for Muslims to follow the Noble Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah. Also, such texts warn Muslims against offering any opinions or suggestions that may oppose what is mentioned in the Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah.

Allah (may He be Exalted) says,(Surah Al-Hujurat, 49: 1) O you who believe! Make not (a decision) in advance before Allýh and His Messenger (peace be upon him), and fear Allýh. Verily, Allýh is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

He (may He be Praised) says,(Surah Al-A`raf, 7: 3) Follow what has been sent down to you from your Lord (the Qur’aan and Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah), and follow not any Auliyý (protectors and helpers who order you to associate partners in worship with Allaah), besides Him (Allaah). Little do you remember!

Also, Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says,(Surah Al-`Imran, 3: 31) Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him to mankind): “If you (really) love Allaah then follow me (i.e. accept Islaamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’aan and the Sunnah), Allaah will love you and forgive you your sins.”

He (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says,(Surah Al-An`am, 6: 153) And verily, this (i.e. Allaah’s Commandments) is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqýn (the pious).

Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) also says,(Surah Al-Nisa’, 4: 59) And if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) if you believe in Allýh and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.

He (may He be Exalted) says,(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 170) When it is said to them: “Follow what Allaah has sent down.” They say: “Nay! We shall follow what we found our fathers following.” (Would they do that!) even though their fathers did not understand anything nor were they guided?

There are other Qur’anic Ayahs that order Muslims to follow the revelation sent down from Allah (may He be Exalted) and warn against following one’s personal desires and all that is dictated by reason deviating from the right path.

Thus, it is not permissible for a person to be fooled by his reason whatever comprehensive understanding and thought he might have; that he takes his reason as a fundamental and the transmitted texts of the Qur’an and the Sunnah as a branch, accepting what is in agreement with reason and rejecting or distorting all that is in disagreement with it. This implies an accusation of the Divine Shari`ah (Law). Also, it undermines the fundamentals and pillars of the Shari`ah, as there are different reasons, natures, and thoughts, and people hardly agree on anything with the exception of necessities and the things that are perceptible through the senses. If the reality is as mentioned, which of all these reasons can be adopted as a fundamental to which people refer when differing on a case and to understand the transmitted texts of the Shari`ah?

What a wise opinion was said by Shaykh-ul-Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be Merciful with him),

“People should know that nothing related to direct reason or the authentic transmitted texts makes it obligatory to oppose the method of the Salaf (righteous predecessors). Those who oppose the Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah and the Salaf of this Ummah (nation based on one creed) are in a confused state in which they can not differentiate between right and wrong. Anyone who denies Ru’yah (seeing Allah), claims that reason regards such an act as impossible. Thus, he needs to have another Ta’wil (allegorical interpretation) for the word “Ru’yah”. Also, those who regard it as impossible for Allah (may He be Exalted) to have Knowledge and Might and to have uncreated speech, say that reason regards such matters as impossible, so they resort to Ta’wil. Moreover, those who deny the resurrection of bodies and real eating and drinking in Paradise claim that reason regards such matters as impossible, so they resort to Ta’wil. Also, those who claim that Allah (may He be Exalted) is not seated on the Throne, claim that reason regards it as impossible, thus, they resort to Ta’wil.

The evidence on the corruption of opinions offered by those people is that none of them has a fixed rule regarding what is considered impossible by reason. Some of them claim that reason regards as permissible or obligatory what is regarded as impossible by others. So, which of these can be adopted in terms of considering the Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah? As said by Imam Malik Ibn Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), “How foolish we are to abandon what is revealed to Muhammad (may peace be upon him) through Jibril (Gabriel) (peace be upon him) when a person excels others in argument comes to us!”

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’

The Ruling on Listening to Unknown Speakers? Shaykh Falaah Ismaa’eel al-Mandakar

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What is the Ruling on Listing to Unknown Speakers and Taking Knowledge from them?

ما حكم سماع أشرطة المجاهيل وأخذ العلم عنهم؟

Bismillah al-hamdulillaah wa salaatu wa salaam ‘alaa rasoolillaah wa ‘alaa aalihi wa sahbihi wa man tabi’a hudaahu wa bad.

The trials of today are very many. Innovations and mixing up innovators with the people of the sunnah and their outward call to the sunnah and salafiyyah is wide spread, for this reason one should be cautious. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Abbaas used to say, if a man said ‘I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) or the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, we (used to) rush to him and went out to seek him, listening to him, but when the fitnah occurred they began asking about the men (who were narrating the knowledge) like how Ibn Seereen mentioned “we said: name to us your men” meaning they were known by whom they narrated from. So from there they would know if they would listen and accept or refuse and not listen. If that was the case in that time, then our time has more priority. It is a must that one determines and limits those whom he listens to, and from whom he reads from, and who he takes from, and (the works he) issues, and also who he sits with, this is very important. As for being a haatib layl (one who gathers wood at nigh i.e. blindly, heedlessly), listing to everyone and those who are unknown. No, it is feared that a trial will befall this one. Surely from the signs of success from Allaah and wanting good for his slave, it is uprightness and guidance that he helps him to sit, mix with and take from the people of the Sunnah. It is obligatory to have seriousness and diligence towards seeking out that which brings about success and guidance from Allaah, and Allah is the one who grants success.

بسم الله والحمدلله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله وعلى آله وصحبه ومن تبع هداه وبعد ، الفتن اليوم كثيرة جدا, والبدع كثيرة جدا, وتلبس المبتدعة بأهل السنة وإعلانهم للسنة والسلفية كثير جدا؛ لذلك ينبغي الحذر. وإذا كان عبدالله بن عباس يذكر أنهم كانوا إذا قال رجل : سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم, أو قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم , ابتدرناه ،يبادرونه, يشرئبون إليه, يسمعون منه ، لكن لما وقعت الفتنة صاروا يسألون عن الرجال كما ذكر ابن سيرين: (قلنا : سموا لنا رجالكم). أي يعرفون عمن ينقلون, ومن ثم من خلال النقلة يعرفون هل يسمعون ويقبلون,أم يرفضون ولا يسمعون. فهذا إذا كان في ذلك الزمان, ففي زماننا أولى,لابد أن يحدد الإنسان لمن يسمع, ولمن يقرأ, وعمن يأخذ ويصدر, وعند من يجلس, هذا مهم جدا, أما أن يكون حاطب ليل يسمع للجميع وللمجاهيل ,لا,هذا تخشى عليه الفتنة ، وإن من علامات وصور توفيق الله وإرادته بعبده الخير والصلاح والهداية أن يوفقه إلى مجالسة ومخالطة والأخذ عن أهل السنة ، فالواجب الجد والاجتهاد والتحري استجلابا لتوفيق الله وهدايته ، والله الموفق

Shaykh Falaah Ismaa’eel al-Mandakar

mandakar.com/FatawaDetails.asp?ID=314

Translated by Muhammad Elmi

Partisanship to a Scholar or a Da’ee – Shaikh Saalih bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan

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Question:

What is the ruling of an individual who loves a scholar or a Da’ee and says: I love him very much, I do not want to listen to anyone refuting him and I take his word even if it goes against the evidence, because the shaykh has more knowledge of the evidence than us?

Answer:

This is detestable and blameworthy partisanship and it is not allowed. We love the scholars-and all praise is to Allaah-and we love the Du’aat (callers) for the sake of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. However if one from amongst them makes an error in an issue, we make clear the truth in that issue with the evidence and this does not decrease our love for the one who is refuted nor does it decrease his status.

Imaam Maalik-rahimahullaah- said: “There is no one from amongst us except that he will refute or be refuted, except the companion of this grave.” Meaning the Messenger of Allaah SAllaahu Alihee Wasallam.

If we refute some of the people of knowledge and some of the people of virtue, this does not mean that we hate him or dispraise him, we only make clear what is correct and for this reason some of the scholars, when some of their colleagues made an error, said: “So and so is beloved to us, however the truth is more beloved to us than him. “ And this is the correct way.

Do not understand from this that to refute some of the scholars in an issue where they have erred in, means lowering them or having hatred for them. Rather the scholars have not ceased refuting each other and at the same time being brothers and having mutual love. It is not allowed for us to take everything that an individual says unquestionably, whether he is correct or in error, because this is partisanship.

The one whose statement is taken absolutely and nothing from it is left, is the Messenger of Allaah Sallaahu Alihee Wasallam. Because he is a Messenger from his Lord and does not speak from his desires. As for other than them (messengers), then sometimes they make errors and sometimes they are correct, even though they may be from the best of the people, they are Mujtahidoon that make mistakes at times and are correct at others. No one is infallible from falling into error except the Messenger of Allaah Sallaahu Alihee Wasallam. It is therefore Waajib that we know this and that we do not remain silent upon error, due to love of an individual. Rather it is upon us that we make the error clear.

The Prophet Sallaahu Alihee Wasallam said: “The religion is sincere advice. We said: To whom. He said: To Allaah, His book, His messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and their general people.”

So clarification of an error is advice for all, as for concealing it, then this goes against advice.

Reference: Q67 Beneficial Answers to Questions on New Methodologies.”(Q: 67).

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