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The Young Girl and the Veil – Shaykh ‘Uthaymeen

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Question posed to Shaykh ‘Uthaymeen, rahimahullah:

Q. My brother dresses his four year old daughter in a veil and says, “He who grows up upon something grows old upon it”, and he tries to force this upon my children.  Whereas I disagree with him in this, and say to him, when they reach their menses.  What is your opinion about this severity by which he has chained the childhood of this child at the age of four?  May Allah reward you with good.

A. There is no doubt that your brother’s statement is the common occurance: He who grows up upon something grows old upon it, this is why the Prophet, salallahu ‘alayhi wa salam, has ordered the one who reaches the age of seven years to perform the prayer, even though he is not yet responsible for his actions, rather this is an order than he be accustomed to it.

As for a young girl, there is no ruling concerning her private zone, it is not obligatory upon her to cover her face, neck and hands or feet, and it is not befitting that she be forced into this.  Whereas if she reaches a stage at which men start to become attracted to her, then she should wear the hijab to prevent trials and evil.  This varies with different women, for there are some who develope quite rapidly, while others are the opposite of this.  Allah is the One Who gives success.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
[Fataawa Manaar al-Islaam: 3/810]
From the  book  “Islamic Fataawa Regarding the Muslim Child”, page 153

In times of calamity, people divide into four levels – Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen

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Bismillaah

Q: What is the ruling on one who becomes discontented when he is afflicted by calamity?

A: In times of calamity, people divide into four different levels:

The First Level: Discontent and there are different types of discontent:

1. In the heart, as if he is angry with his Lord, and so he rails against what Allāh has ordained for him, and this is forbidden and could even lead to disbelief. Allāh, the Most High, says:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى حَرْفٍ فَإِنْ أَصَابَهُ خَيْرٌ اطْمَأَنَّ بِهِ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ فِتْنَةٌ انقَلَبَ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ خَسِرَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةَ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِينُ

“And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were upon the edge (i.e. in doubt): if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him he turns back on his face (i.e. reverts to disbelief after embracing Islam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter.” (Al-Hajj 22:11)

2. That it is spoken, such as invoking woe, destruction and the like and this is forbidden.

3. That it is physical, such as striking the cheeks, tearing the clothes and pulling out the hair and the like, and all of this is forbidden, because it negates the patience which is required.

The Second Level: Patience and this is as the poet says:

Patience is like its name, its taste is bitter,

But the end result s of it are sweeter than honey.

So, he considers this burden heavy, yet he bears it, even though he hates that it should occur, and his faith protects him from discontent. So, its occurring or not occurring are not the same to him. This is an obligation, because Allāh, the Most High has commanded him to be patient, saying:

وَاصْبِرُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ

“and be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are As-Sabirun (the patient).” (Al-Anfal 8:46)

The Third Level: Acceptance: That a person accepts misfortune, so that its presence or absence are the same to him. Its presence is not hard on him, and he does not bear a heavy burden due to it, and this is highly preferred, although not obligatory, according to the most authoritative opinion. The difference between it and the last level is clear, because the presence of misfortune and its absence are the same in the acceptance of this person, whereas in the level before it, misfortune is difficult for him, yet he bears it.

The Fourth Level: Gratitude, and this is the highest level: It is by him thanking Allah for the misfortune which has befallen him, because he knows that this misfortune is a cause of his sins being remitted and  and it might also be a cause of his reward being increased. The Prophet salAllahu alayhi wasallam said:

“There is no misfortune that afflicts a Muslim except that Allah remits a sin from him because of it, even the prick he receives from a thorn.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Transcribed from: Fatawa Arkan-ul-Islam | Islamic Verdicts on the Pillars of Islam, Volume 1 – Creed and Prayer | Shaykh ‘Uthaymeen | Darussalam English Publications

The Importance of Reference – Shaykh Albaani

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Shaykh Albaani, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said:

The Scholars have said:

“From the signs that one is blessed in his knowledge is him referring points of benefits to the founder of it”

(such as the author or a reference to where one got the benefit from)

Because in doing that one frees himself from plagiarism as it has been brought to attention by the Prophet, alaihi as salaatu wa salaam, in his statement:

“The one being satisfied with that which he has not been given is as a person wearing two garments of deception”.

Agreed upon by al Bukaari and Muslim.

The Reference:

The Preface of Shaykh Albaani for the Book: Kalimut Tayyib for Shaykul Islaam ibn Taymiyah

Over Socializing – Having too many acquaintances – Sufyaan ath-Thawri

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Keep Only a Few Friends

Sufyaan ath-Thawri (may Allah have mercy on him) said that one foolishly compromised one’s religion when one kept too many friends. Having too many acquaintances diverts one from one’s duty towards one’s Lord, for a person who has many friends is always busy socializing with them and fulfilling their rights over him; so he becomes preoccupied with people when he really should be preoccupied with his religious duties. The ill-effects of being too gregarious can last well beyond a social gathering. Sufyaan said, “I might meet a brother and as a result, remain heedless (of what I should be doing) for an entire month.”

A friend, Sufyaan insisted, should be someone who helps one to improve as a Muslim; otherwise he is not worth keeping as a friend. Sufyaan expressed this sentiment when he sad, “If someone is not with you, then he is against you.”

And Yousuf ibn Asbaat reported that he heard Sufyaan ath-Thawri say, “Whenever I spoke contrary to the desires of any man, he, regardless of who he was, would inevitably become furious with me. The people of knowledge and piety have departed.”

Sufyaan once advised someone to test the character of the person he wanted to befriend. Sufyaan said, “Choose whoever you want as your companion. But when you have made your choice, make him angry, and then order someone to go and ask him what he thinks about you-without him knowing that you sent that person.”

Bakr ibn Muhammad Al-‘Aabid related that Sufyaan ath-Thawri once said to him, “Direct me to a man with whom I can keep company.” Sufyaan said, “You are searching for something that cannot be found.”

Khalf ibn Ismaa’eel Al-Barzaanee reported that he heard Sufyaan ath-Thawri said, “Acquaint yourself with fewer people, and as a result, you will backbite less (frequently).”

Source: ‘Biography of Imam Sufyaan ath-Thawri ‘. this book is sold by dar-us-salaam and the author is “Salaahud-Deen ibn Ali ibn Abdul-Maujood”. Sufyaan Ath-Thawri: A True Mountain of Knowledge & the Leader of Believers in Hadeeth

The Reward of Being Busy in the Service of Allah – Imam Ibn al Qayyim

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A Precious Gem: The Reward of Being Busy in the Service of Allah

If the servant of Allah begins the day and the evening, without having any other concern except Allah, the Almighty, He will fulfill all his needs and relieve all his worries. He will empty the servant’s heart for the sake of His Love, his tongue will constantly remember Him and he will have the strength to perform religious duties for His sake.

And if he begins the day and the evening, without having any other concern except the life of this world, Allah, the Almighty will cast worry and grief into his heart. He, the Almighty will leave him to himself, and keep his heart busy with things other than His Love. His tongue will not remember Allah but will only be concerned with the creation. He will use all his strength in things other than the sake of Allah, and he will remain busy in the service of creation. He will work very hard in the service of others. Just like a bellows that pumps itself up and then squeezes itself to the utmost in the service of others. Therefore, whoever refuses to submit to Allah, to obey and love Him, will be afflicted with the servitude, love and service of creation.

Allah, the Almighty says in the Qur’an which means,

“And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allah) (i.e. this Qur’an and worship of Allah), We appoint for him Shaitan (Satan devil) to be a Qarin (an intimate companion) to him”

(Az-Zukhruf, 43:36)

Abu Sufyan bin ‘Uyaynah said, “You will never bring forward any famous proverb but I will bring the likeness of it from the Qur’an,” Thereupon someone said to him, “So where is in the Qur’an “Give your fellow brother a date, and if he does not accept it then give him a firebrand.” He then recited the previous Qur’anic verse.

Source : AL-FA WAID: A Collection of Wise Sayings – Imam Ibn al Qayyim
Al Bayaan Translation

A Precious Gem: The Reward of Being Busy in the Service of Allah

Advice: How to Set Your State Aright – Imam Ibn al Qayyim

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Let’s strive to be close to Allah.

Let’s long for the dwelling of peace wherein there is no toil, stress or weariness.

The easiest way is to consider the fact that you are passing a period that lies between two other periods, namely your current life, which is the present one and it is between your past and your future.

The past can be set aright through repentance, regret and asking the forgiveness of Allah, and this is a way, which affords you no toil, weariness or hard work, as it is concerned with the heart.

The future can be set aright by abstaining from misdeeds, and this is a means of comfort and relief for you, for it is not a difficult act, but it is an intention that relieves your body, heart, and your mind.

In brief, your past is set aright through repentance; your future is set aright through abstention, determination and intention, which have nothing to do with overburdening the body.

However, our concern here is with the present time as it stands between the two other periods. If you waste it, then you are wasting your happiness and salvation. On the contrary, if you maintain it through setting your past and present aright, indeed you will attain success, salvation, relief, and pleasure.

Improving your present state is much more difficult than setting your past and your future aright, because it means that you should abide by the most deserving and beneficial deeds to achieve happiness. There are great differences between people in this regard. This is your chance to take the provision for your Hereafter, either Paradise or Hellfire. So, if you take this path to your Lord, you will attain glorious happiness and great success during this short period of time which has no value compared with eternity. However, if you prefer vain desires, idleness, play and amusement, the period would pass quickly, followed by a permanent and great pain, the suffering of which is much more severe than the suffering of patience, the patience required to obey Allah.

Source: AL-FA WA’ID: A Collection of Wise Syaings – Imam Ibn al Qayyim
Al Bayaan Translation Services

“And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you” – Imam Ibn al Qayyim

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Source: AL-FAWAID: A Collection of Wise Sayings

Allah, the Almighty says,which means,
“And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” (AI-Baqarah, 2:216)

In this Qur’anic Verse, there are several judgments, meanings and benefits for the servant.    If the    servant knows    that misfortune can produce a desirable thing, and that the desirable thing can produce a misfortune, he would not feel secure against the harm that can come from delight, and he would not lose hope of delight to come from harm, for he does not know the outcomes of things. Verily, it is Allah Who knows about that which the servant does not know, and in this context the following issues must be noted:

Nothing is more beneficial for him than abiding by the judgments of Allah, even if it is difficult for him at the beginning, because all its outcomes are good, delightful, and pleasurable. In the same way, nothing is more harmful for him than committing what is forbidden, even if he loves it. All its outcomes are pain, grief, evil and misfortune.

Furthermore, the mind bears little pain in comparison to the great pleasure and abundant good that it will experience, and likewise man is expected to avoid little in exchange for great rewards and preventing great pain and long term evil.

In this way, we can see that the perception of the ignorant does not go beyond the basics of life; his perception does not reach the goals, but the intelligent person always keeps his eye on the goals behind his actions in life.

The intelligent person perceives forbidden things like delicious food, which contain fatal poison. Whenever its pleasure arouses his interest, the reality of the poison would push him away from it. Also, he perceives the orders of Allah as bitter medicine that leads to good health and recovery.

Whenever its bitterness urges him not to take it, the reality of its usefulness leads him to comply. This requires knowledge that is more than the rudiments of the religion in order to understand the essential goals. It also requires strong patience to adjust oneself to it, in order to bear the difficulties that will be encountered for the sake of the goal. So if he loses certainty and patience, it would be difficult to achieve the goal, and on the other hand if his certainty and patience is strong, every difficulty would be rendered easy for him for the sake of permanent good and eternal pleasure.

There are other meanings of this verse. It also requires the servant to leave all his affairs in the Hands of the One Who knows the outcomes of all things, and to be pleased with whatever He chooses for him.

Also, the meanings of the verse include the fact that he should not propose or choose for his Lord, and should not ask Him for that which he has no knowledge of, for his harm and ruin may be in it and yet he does not know. He should simply ask his Lord to choose good for him and make him pleased with His choice, for that indeed would be the best ending. Also when he  leaves all his affairs to his Lord, and is satisfied with His choice for him, Allah will support him by providing him with ability, determination and patience. He, the Almighty would also keep him away from the evil that the servant would have encountered if he had chosen for himself. He would show him some of the positive outcomes of His Choice, which he would not have attained if he had chosen for himself.

Such thinking relieves him of the burdens of trying to choose for himself as Allah frees his heart from estimations and arrangements, which fluctuate in difficulty. And in spite of this, the servant would always be surrounded by what was initially preordained for him. If he is pleased with the Choice of Allah, the preordainment would grant him what is praiseworthy, worthy of thanks and worthy of Allah’s Mercy. Otherwise, the preordainment would incur on him all that is dispraised and unworthy of Allah’s Mercy, because it was his own choice. When he truly leaves his affairs to Allah and truly becomes pleased with that, he would be surrounded by kindness and care in the preordainment, and he would be under the care and kindness of Allah. His Kindness protects him from that which he fears and His Care makes it easy for him to bear that
which He preordained.

When the pre-ordainment is implemented upon the servant, the greatest cause of its implementation would be his trying to avoid it. Therefore, there is nothing more beneficial for him than submission.

Rendered into English by: Bayan Translation Services
Translation of Umm Al-Qura For Translation, Publishing and Distribution

A Precious Gem: Forbidden pleasure is combined with ugliness and it will cause pain after the moment has passed – Imam Ibn al Qayyim

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AL-FAWA’ID: A Collection of Wise Syaings

Forbidden pleasure is combined with ugliness and it will cause pain after the moment has passed. If you feel strongly inclined toward it, you should think about the pain it will leave behind. It is necessary to compare the two matters and discover the difference between them.

Suffering pain while worshiping Allah is combined with a good soul that will bear the fruit of pleasure and relief. When the soul finds it heavy and thinks to stop the pain and then compares the end results of the two  matters, he will surely prefer the way of hardship.

If you feel pain because of deeds, you should think about the happiness, joy, and pleasure you will gain, then the pain will seem easy to bear. If you get hurt because of abandoning some kind of forbidden pleasure, you should think about the pain that follows it and compare the two kinds.

To make the correct choice, you must know the reasons and consequences of each act and then choose that which is more deserving and useful. Whoever succeeds at doing this, would choose the better and prefer it. Whoever thinks about this Worldly life and the Hereafter, would know that he will never gain either of them except by hardship. He should bear this hardship in order to gain the best and more lasting of them.

Rendered into English by: Bayan Translation Services
Translation of Umm Al-Qura For Translation, Publishing and Distribution

The Body and Soul – Imam Ibn al Qayyim

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Source: AL-FAWA’ID: A Collection of Wise Sayings, Imam Ibn al Qayyim

The body of the son of Adam was created from the earth and his soul from the government of Heaven and then they were joined. If he is hungry, stays awake, and keeps his body busy in serving Allah, his soul will find itself lighter and more peaceful so that it would long for the place from which it was created and miss its heavenly world. But if he secures food, blessings, sleep, and rest, the body will incline to remain at the place from which it was created and the soul would be pulled along with it and be in a prison. If it was not for the fact that it would get used to that prison, it would ask for help, as a tortured person does, to find relief from the pain resulting from the separation and departure from its own world from which it was created.

In general, the more the body is light, the more the soul will be light and seek its heavenly world, and the more the body is heavy and seeks desires and relief, the heavier the soul will be and it will come down from its heavenly world and become lower and more earthly. You may see the soul of a man in Heaven while his body is on the earth. Another person serves Allah with his body and his soul is low and wandering about in lowly matters. When the soul separates from the body, it would either catch up with its high or low place. With the high, it would  find every blessing, happiness, beauty, pleasure, and good living while with the low it would find every distress, grief, suffering, sadness, and bad and difficult thing.

Allah says, which means,
“But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Qur’an nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship.”(Taha, 20:124)

“My Reminder” is His words, which He revealed to His Messenger, and “turns away” is by neglecting and abandoning working according to these words, and the majority of explanations saw that “life of hardship” is torture in the grave. Ibn Mas’ud, Abu Hurairah, Abu Sa’eed AI-Khudry, and Ibn ‘Abbas agreed on that and it has a traceable hadith.

This life of hardship is in return for relieving the body and soul with pleasures, desires and relief. The more you enrich the soul, it will restrain the heart until you live a life of hardship, and the more you restrain the soul, it will enrich the heart until that heart will be delighted and relieved. Hardship in this worldly life, following piety will find its relief in partition and the Hereafter, and relief in this worldly life following desires will find its hardship in the partition and the Hereafter.

You should choose one of the two: the better, more pleasant, and more lasting.You may distress the body in order to relieve the soul but do not distress the soul to relieve the body; relief and distress of the soul is greater and more lasting while relief and distress of the body is shorter and easier.

Rendered into English by: Bayan Translation Services
Translation of Umm Al-Qura For Translation, Publishing and Distribution

Allah commanded Yahya bin Zakariya (Peace be upon him) to implement five commands – Tafseer Ibn Kathir

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[Click here to Watch the Video]

What Yahya (Peace be upon him) was truly commanded with – Tawheed, of course.

Imam Ahmad narrated that Al-Harith Al-Ash`ari said that the Prophet of Allah said,

(Allah commanded Yahya bin Zakariya to implement five commands and to order the Children of Israel to implement them, but Yahya was slow in carrying out these commands. `Isa said to Yahya, `You were ordered to implement five commands and to order the Children of Israel to implement them. So either order, or I will do it.’ Yahya said, ‘My brother! I fear that if you do it before me, I will be punished or the earth will be shaken under my feet.’ Hence, Yahya bin Zakariya called the Children of Israel to Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), until they filled the Masjid. He sat o­n the balcony, thanked Allah and praised him and then said, `Allah ordered me to implement five commandments and that I should order you to adhere to them.

The first is that you worship Allah alone and not associate any with Him. The example of this command is the example of a man who bought a servant from his money with paper or gold. The servant started to work for the master, but was paying the profits to another person. Who among you would like his servant to do that Allah created you and sustains you. Therefore, worship Him alone and do not associate anything with Him.

I also command you to pray, for Allah directs His Face towards His servant’s face, as long as the servant does not turn away. So when you pray, do not turn your heads to and fro.

I also command you to fast. The example of it is the example of a man in a group of men and he has some musk wrapped in a piece of cloth, and consequently, all of the group smells the scent of the wrapped musk. Verily, the odor of the mouth of a fasting person is better before Allah than the scent of musk.

I also command you to give charity. The example of this is the example of a man who was captured by the enemy. They tied his hands to his neck and brought him forth to cut off his neck. He said to them, ‘Can I pay a ransom for myself’ He kept ransoming himself with small and large amounts until he liberated himself.

I also command you to always remember Allah. The example of this deed is that of a man who the enemy is tirelessly pursuing. He takes refuge in a fortified fort. When the servant remembers Allah, he will be resorting to the best refuge from Satan.)

Al-Harith then narrated that the Messenger of Allah said,

(And I order you with five commandments that Allah has ordered me. Stick to the Jama`ah (community of the faithful), listen and obey (your leaders) and perform Hijrah (migration) and Jihad for the sake of Allah. Whoever abandons the Jama`ah, even the distance of a hand span, will have removed the tie of Islam from his neck, unless he returns. Whoever uses the slogans of Jahiliyah (the pre-Islamic period of ignorance) he will be among those kneeling in Jahannam (Hellfire).) They said, “O Messenger of Allah! Even if he prays and fasts” He said, (Even if he prays, fasts and claims to be Muslim. So call the Muslims with their names that Allah has called them: `The Muslims, the believing servants of Allah.’)

This is a Hasan Hadith, and it contains the statement, “Allah has created and sustains you, so worship Him and do not associate anything with Him in worship.” This statement is relevant in the Ayat (2:21-22) we are discussing here and supports singling Allah in worship, without partners.

Source: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Volume 1

This worldly life is like an unchaste woman – Ibn al Qayyim

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A Precious Gem: This Life of Deception

This worldly life is like an unchaste woman, who is not satisfied with one husband. So! be satisfied with whatever Allah grants you from this worldy life.

Walking thereon is like walking in a land that is filled with beasts, and water that teams with crocodiles. That which causes delight, turns to be the source of grief. Pain is found in the midst of pleasures, and delights are derived from its sorrows. As a bird sees the wheat, so does one’s insight perceive polytheism, while vain desires render its holder blind. Lusts were granted in abundance to humans, but those who believed in the unseen turned away from them! while those who follow their lusts were caused to regret.

The first category, are those, in which Allah says,which means, “They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.” (AI-Baqarah, 2:5)

However, the other category, are those to whom Allah says which means, “(0 you disbelievers)! Eat and enjoy yourselves (in this worldly life) for a little while. Verily, you are the Mujrimun (polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, criminals, etc.).” (AI-Mursalat,77:46)

When the successful ones are aware of the reality of this worldly life being sure of the inferiority of its degree, they overcame their vain desires for the sake of the Hereafter. They have been awakened from their heedlessness to remember what their enemies took from them during their period of idleness. Whenever they perceive the distant journey they must undertake, they remember their aim, so it appears easy for them. Whenever life becomes bitter, they remember this verse, in which Allah says,  which means, “This is your Day which you were promised”. (Al Anbiya’, 21:103)

Source : Al-Fawaid – by Ibn al Qayyim rahimahullaah

Where do you stand? – Shaykh al Islaam Ibn al Qayyim

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Oh you of little resolve! Where do you stand upon this path?

Aadam found it difficult and Nuh lamented because of it, while Allaah’s Khaleel Ibraaheem was thrown into a pit of fire due to it. Isma’eel was laid upon his side ready to be sacrificed for its sake, and while upon it Yusuf was sold for a cheap price and then falsely cast into prison for many years. Zakariyah was sawed in half, and Yahya was slaughtered due to it. Ayyub suffered great distress, while Dawood cried copiously, and ‘Isaa cured the wretched poor of their diseases and walked with wild beasts due to it. And how many, how many forms of difficulty and hardship did the Messenger Muhammad face while proceeding upon it – yet you live through amusements and distractions!

Shaykh al Islaam Ibn Qayyim in his work al-Fawaaid, page 41

A Precious Gem: No Place for Two Contradictions – Imam Ibn AI-Qayyim

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Source: Al-Fawaaid – A COLLECTION OF WISE SAYINGS – Imam Ibn AI-Qayyim,
Rendered into English by: Bayan Translation Services

In order for a place to contain something, it must be free from whatever contradicts it. This principle appljes to mankind and all creation as well as to belief and desires.

So, if the heart is obsessed by belief in falsehood, there will be no place for truth. Accordingly, if the tongue is involved in trivial discourse, one shall be incapable of useful speech, unless falsehood is abandoned.Hence, if the body is busy doing wrong actions, then acts of worship will be inapplicable unless these contradictory actions are abandoned.

This is how this principle is applied to concrete objects, and it is also applied to belief and religion. If the heart deviates from loving Allah, lacks yearning for Him and longing for His closeness, then the removal of contradictory feelings, like being related to other than Allah, is the only way for this heart to be overwhelmed by love for Allah.

For the tongue to remember Allah, and the body to serve Him, one should be free of the impact of others like being busy remembering and serving them. Thus, if the heart is overwhelmed by the servants rather than the master, and is preoccupied with futile knowledge, surely there will be no place for being closer to Allah, or being acquainted with His Names, Attributes and judgments.

If the heart listens to trivial discourse, there will be no place for listening or understanding the words of Allah. Besides, if the heart is inclined to love others, there will be no room to love Allah, and if the heart remembers others rather than Allah, no place will be found to remember Him, and the same applies to the tongue.

Al-Bukhary recorded that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “It is better for any of you that the inside of his body be filled with pus which may consume his body, than it be filled with poetry”‘ [10]

This Prophetic tradition explained that it is possible that the inside of one’s body may be filled with poetry, which means that it might be exposed to suspicion, doubts, illusions, uncertainties, futile knowledge, and trivial discourse. So, if the heart is filled with such things, the facts of the Quran and precious knowledge, which cause happiness and perfection in mankind, will find no room in that heart.If a heart receives advice but it is filled with what contradicts it, there will be no place in that heart to accept this advice. The advice will simply pass over this heart and not be able to settle in it.

Footnotes

[10] Recorded by AI-Bukhary, in His Sahib, Book of AI-Adab (Good Manners and Form), Chapter on not recommending poetry, no. (6154), and recorded by Muslim in His Sahib no. (2258)

A Precious Gem: The Best Kinds of Remembrance – Heart & Tongue

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Among those who remember Allah are those who begin remembering with the tongue even if he is negligent. He continues to do so until his heart is involved too.

Others do not agree with that and do not start while in a state of negligence, but instead wait until the heart is ready. He begins with his heart and then involves his tongue in remembrance.

The first supplication goes from his tongue to his heart and the second from his heart to his tongue without emptying any of the contents of his heart. He just waits until he feels that the utterance is ready to be verbalized. When he feels that his heart will utter! then the heart’s utterance would pass to verbal utterance. Then he would engross himself in that until he finds that every part of his being is supplicating Allah.

The best and more useful kind of supplication is what the heart and tongue are involved in, to be from among the prophetic supplications, and whoever is reciting it feels its meaning and aims.

Source: Al-Fawaaid – A COLLECTION OF WISE SAYINGS – Imam Ibn AI-Qayyim,
Rendered into English by: Bayan Translation Services

Supplication of Yusuf (Peace be upon him) – Imam Ibn AI-Qayyim & Imam Ibn Kathir

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A Precious Gem: You are my Protector in this Life and in the Hereafter

Source: Al-Fawaaid – A COLLECTION OF WISE SAYINGS – Imam Ibn AI-Qayyim,
Rendered into English by: Bayan Translation Services

Allah says that Yusuf (Joseph, peace be upon him) said, which means,

“You are my Wali (Protector, Helper, Supporter, Guardian, etc.) in this world and in the Hereafter, cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous.” (Yusuf, 12: 101)

أَنتَ وَلِيِّي فِي الدُّنُيَا وَالآخِرَةِ تَوَفَّنِي مُسْلِمًا وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ

Anta waliyyee fid-dunya wal-akhirati tawaffanee musliman waalhiqnee bissaliheen (Yusuf, 12: 101)

This    supplication    combined    the    acknowledgment    of monotheism, submission to Allah, showing one’s need for Him, being free of taking any supporters other than Him, expressing that dying while being a Muslim is the greatest aim of any servant. This entails acknowledging that we are in the hands ofAllah and not in the hands of any servant, confessing the truth of the Resurrection, and asking to join with the righteous.

The below is take from Tafseer Ibn Kathir:

Yusuf begs Allah to die as A Muslim

This is the invocation of Yusuf, the truthful one, to his Lord the Exalted and Most Honored. He invoked Allah after His favor was complete on him by being reunited with his parents and brothers, after He had bestowed on him prophethood and kingship. He begged his Lord the Exalted and Ever High, that as He has perfected His bounty on him in this life, to continue it until the Hereafter. He begged Him that, when he dies, he dies as a Muslim, as Ad-Dahhak said, and to join him with the ranks of the righteous, with his brethren the Prophets and Messengers, may Allah’s peace and blessings be on them all. It is possible that Yusuf, peace be upon him, said this supplication while dying.

In the Two Sahihs it is recorded that `A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said that while dying, the Messenger of Allah was raising his finger and said – thrice, ثَلَاثًا (O Allah to Ar-Rafiq Al-A`la ﴿the uppermost, highest company in heaven﴾.) It is also possible that long before he died, Yusuf begged Allah to die as a Muslim and be joined with the ranks of the righteous.

The Servant Exists between the Hands of Allah – Imam Ibn al Qayyim

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The servant exists between hands of Allah at two times: while standing during performing prayer and standing on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever fulfills the rights of the first standing, will in fact be facilitating the second one, and whoever considers this easy and does not pay due attention to it, he will be making the other one difficult for himself.

Allah, the Almighty says, which means,

“And during night, prostrate yourself to Him (i.e.the offering of Maghrib and ‘Isha’ prayers), and glorify Him a long night through (i.e. Tahajjud prayer). Verily! These (disbelievers) love the present life of this world, and put behind them a heavy Day (that will be hard).” (AI-Insan, 76:26-27)

Source: Al-Fawaaid – A COLLECTION OF WISE SAYINGS – Imam Ibn AI-Qayyim,
Rendered into English by: Bayan Translation Services


Faith has both apparent and hidden aspects – Imam Ibn AI-Qayyim

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Faith has both apparent and hidden aspects. Its apparent aspect is when it is related by the tongue and acted upon by the body. The hidden aspect is the acknowledgment of the heart, and its submission and love. Therefore, the apparent aspect of faith will be of no use for someone who does not have the hidden aspect, though his blood is spared and his wealth and children are preserved by it. And no hidden aspect will be of any use, unless there is no fear that it will be weakened, coerced or in fear of being ruined. Therefore, the failure of apparent deeds without the existence of any real prevention, means the corruption of the hidden aspect and lack of faith. Its deficiency refers to its deficiency of faith and intensity refers to its intensity of faith.

Therefore, faith is the heart and core of Islam, and certainty is the heart and core of faith. Any piece of knowledge or deed that does not make faith and certainty stronger is abnormal, and any faith that does not urge one to perform good deeds is abnormal.

Source: Al-Fawaaid – A COLLECTION OF WISE SAYINGS – Imam Ibn AI-Qayyim,
Rendered into English by: Bayan Translation Services

The Resurrection is for the Body itself – Imam Ibn al Qayyim

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Source : Imam Ibn AI-Qayyim, Kitab al Fawa’id pg. 6-8

This chapter clearly shows that Allah, the Exalted returns the same body that had obeyed or disobeyed Him in life, in  order to reward or punish it just like He rewards the soul itself, which believes in Him and punishes the one, which disbelieves in Him.

That does not mean that Allah, the Exalted creates another soul, which will be rewarded or punished, as some people say.

Such people do not understand the nature of the  Resurrection, which the Messengers informed mankind about.

They claim that Allah, the Exalted will create another body that is different in all aspects and that Allah will reward or punish it.

They also say that the soul is simply a part of the body, so Allah will create another soul other than this one and a body other than this body.

This belief is contrary to what the Messengers taught, and what the Qur’an, Sunnah, and other Books of Allah, the Exalted say. This is in fact denial of the Resurrection and adopting the belief of the disbelievers.

Such people find it difficult to comprehend that Allah, the Exalted will recreate the very same body and soul that had known life.

They cannot imagine how the body will  become bones and dust and Allah will create it again in its original form.

Allah quotes them as saying,

أَإِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَامًا أَإِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ

which means, “When we are dead and have become dust and  bones, shall we (then) verily be resurrected? (As-Saffat, 37:16)

And such people also say,

ذَٰلِكَ رَجْعٌ بَعِيدٌ

which means, ” That is a far return.” (Qaf, 50:3)

If what they assert is true and another body other than  the one that had known in life is rewarded or punished, this will neither be Resurrection nor returning back, indeed, it would be a new creation altogether.

And the following verse would be rendered meaningless. May Allah forbid!

Allah says,

قَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا تَنقُصُ الْأَرْضُ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَعِندَنَا كِتَابٌ حَفِيظٌ

which means, “We know that which the earth takes of them (their dead bodies). 11 (Qaf, 50:4)

Allah answered the question that He, the Exalted will separate these pieces which had mixed with the earth and turned it into elements which are difficult to be separated.

So Allah, the Exalted told mankind that He knows what the earth is taking from their flesh, bones, and hair and just as He knows these pieces He is capable of separating, and gathering them after being separated, and creating them again.

He, the Exalted decides the time of Resurrection by His perfect knowledge, power, and wisdom.

The Spendthrift – Imam Ibn Baaz

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He , the Sublime and Exalted, says:

“But spend not wastefully ( your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift”  (al-Isra` 17:26 )

He, the Sublime, warns from at-Tabdheer which is spending wealth on unlawful things.

For example, spending wealth to oppress people or harm them, or spending it on oppressing one’s self such as spending it on intoxicants, narcotics, cigarettes, fornication and adultery, and the rest of the acts of disobedience, such as gambling and games of chance and the likes.

Also is the ruling of destroying it wealth without right such as excessive spending and purchasing products of which you have no need . this is from wasting wealth and from at-Tabdheer, and the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم ) has forbade wasting money.

Thus, at-Tabdheer is spending wealth in its incorrect ways, either acts of disobedience or on that which contains no benefit, out of play or neglecting money.

As for al-Israaf then it is the excess, un-necessary spending.

For example: a person eats and drinks extra food and drinks without need, such as if a kilo of food or a kilo of meat is enough for him but he adds more food or meat that he is not in need of. Consequently, the leftover food is thrown in the dirt or in the garbage; this is called Israaf.

Destroying wealth without a just cause and wasting it is also called Tabdheer, He, the Sublime, has clarified that those who make Tabdheer are brothers of the devils because they inmate them in play, wasting and disobedience.

Said Imaam ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Ibn ‘Abillah Ibn Baaz :

”Allah, the sublime and exalted, has sent down in His Grand Book many aayaat where wasting and extravagance is mentioned along with the prohibition of both, and the praise of those who adopt the middle course, and are moderate and Upright in their actions, eating, drinking and the rest of their spending. Therefore, there shouldn’t be any wastefulness, extravagance, miserliness, niggardliness, extremism, or negligence.”

Thusly Allah has ordained for the middle course to be adopted in all affairs oand from this is the prohibition of extremism.

Source : Taken from “A Warning from Wastefulness and Extravagance”  by Ibn Baaz

Beware do not lift the curtain !… – Sahih Hadith

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Tirmidhi #76 records on the authority of Nawwas ibn Sam’an that the messenger of Allah (sallallahu alyhi wa sallam) said:

“Allah has set forth the following as a parable:

There is a road that leads straight to the destination. On either side of the road there is a wall in which there are open doors with curtains hanging on them. From the remote end of the road, a voice calls, ‘proceed straight and do not turn aside’. Whenever someone intends to lift a curtain from the door another voice calls from above. ‘Beware! Do not lift the curtain; otherwise you will be lured inside’.

The prophet (sallallahu alyhi wa sallaam) explained the parable by saying that the straight path is Islam. the walls are the limits imposed by Allah, the open doors are the things that He has prohibited, the voice which calls from the end of the road is the Quran and the voice which calls from above is Allah’s monitor in the heart of every believer”.

It was declared Hasan Gharib by Tirmidhee and sahih by Hakim #245 with Dhahabi agreeing and Al-Albani , Sahih al-Jami’ #3887

Source: Excerpted from the Book “The Spiritual Cure – An Explanation of Suratul Fatihah”, Page 145,  Dar us Sunnah Publishers, Birmingham UK.

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