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The Virtue of Good Manners and Dealings, And What to Do After Violating The Rights of Others: [A Reminder For Myself, All My Brothers, Sisters And Elders At Salaficentre]  


In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [may Allaah preserve him] said:

[Good] manners have far-reaching [good] outcomes and this why Allaah and His Messenger commanded us [to have good manners]. The Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] used to apply these good manners when dealing with people – when dealing with his family in his house, [when dealing with] his companions and his adversaries. And even when a Yahoodi greeted the Messenger of Allaah and said: “As-Saamu Alaykum – death be upon you”, so the Messenger replied, “Alaykum- And upon you’’; then Aa’isha said to [the Yahoodi], “Wa Alaykumus Saam Wal la’nah – Death be upon you and the curse of Allaah”; so, the Messenger said, “O Aa’isha! Indeed, Allaah is kind and gentle and He loves kindness and gentleness.’’

Look [at how] the Yahoodi was dealt with kindly and gently. If he sees this kindness and gentleness, it might pull him towards Islaam, or at least these lofty manners will repel a lot of the evil of this Yahoodi, and thus this would make you [more] upright as well as your call to the Religion of Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted]. [An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ page 88. slightly paraphrased]

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [hafidhahullaah] said:

We have been commanded to learn; therefore, it is obligated on us to learn, act [upon what we learn] and call to the [religion] of Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted] based upon the path which Allaah has ordained and clarified for us- the path which the Messenger clarified for us and applied, and which was [also] applied by his companions after him. They spread Islaam in the entire world – in different nations. And this knowledge [of Islam] and goodness was spread mostly through [excellent, praiseworthy etc] manners – through patience, forbearance, firm fulfilment of obligations and responsibilities, truthfulness, honourable behaviour, nobility, noble mindedness, fulfilling promises and what is similar to that. These [excellent, praiseworthy etc] manners became manifest to the people, so the hearts, ears and eyes of the nations accepted this guidance, which the companions of Muhammad [sallal-laahu-aalayhi-wasallam] carried. [Source: An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ page 86. slightly paraphrased]

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [hafidhahullaah] said:

Abdullaah Ibn Al-Mubaarak [rahimahullaah] said: Whoever belittles the [upright] scholars will ruin his religion; whoever belittles the rulers will ruin his worldly affairs and whoever belittles his [Muslim] brothers will ruin his Muroo’ah [i.e. behaviour that either conforms to the Sharee’ah or behaviour of the people of a particular nation, tribe, clan or culture which is not in opposition to the Sharee’ah and is considered -by them- to be noble, befitting, praiseworthy  etc]. [An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 123-124. slightly paraphrased] Listen to Shaikh Albaani’s [rahimahullaah] speech on this link regarding Muroo’ah: https://safeshare.tv/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DhSro0pUhVrM%26feature%3Dyoutu.be

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [hafidhahullaah] said:

Good manners [or etiquettes] is a necessity in the path of seeking knowledge, and [when dealing with] the scholars and elders. It was said to king Abdul Azeez [rahimahullaah]: How do you view the people? He said, “The people in my view are three types: a man who is older than me, so he is placed in my father’s position; a man who is in my age group, so he is placed in my brother’s position, and a man who is younger than me, so he is like my son.’’  Therefore, a Muslim behaves towards his brothers in this manner- he places the people in these different categories. The student of knowledge should respect the elders, honour his contemporaries and shows mercy to those below his age. The one who is old in age is like his father, the one in his age group is like his brother and the one below him in age is like his son. [An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ page 123. slightly paraphrased]

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [hafidhahullaah] said:

This [i.e. guarding one’s speech and deeds based on knowledge of the Qur’aan and Sunnah] is beneficial knowledge – praiseworthy knowledge – in the Sight of Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted]. The possessor of this knowledge is one regarded to be in a praiseworthy situation because when he utters statements, perform deeds and acts of worship, he pays close attention to the fact that Allaah [sees and hears him, and knows everything about him], and he does so sincerely for the Sake of Allaah. He worships Allaah as if he can see Allaah, but even though he cannot see Allaah [i.e. in this worldly life], he [firmly] believes that Allaah [The Blessed and Exalted] sees him, knows everything in his soul and heart, and knows everything he needs. He knows this because of his strong awareness -whilst engaged in worship and in all other affairs of his life- that Allaah [sees and hears him, and knows everything about him].  Knowledge is not merely about studying and obtaining certificates, rather the goal [or aim] is to acquire sound and precise understanding – sound understanding in affairs of Aqeedah, worship, good manners, good etiquettes and everything related to the life of a believer.  It is obligated on the believers to carry out everything related to their lives based on the Book of Allaah and the [authentic] sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam]. The believer performs acts of worship sincerely for the Sake of Allaah because Allaah commanded him [or her] to be sincere. [Allaah (The Blessed and Exalted) said]: [وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓاْ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ حُنَفَآءَ وَيُقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤۡتُواْ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ‌ۚ وَذَٲلِكَ دِينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمَةِ – And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat: and that is the right religion]. [Surah Al-Bayyinah’ Aayah 5] [An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 72 – 73. Slightly paraphrased]

The Three Main Conditions of Repentance, and a Fourth One Related To Rights Owed To the People

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz (rahimahullaah) said: Know that Allaah’s Mercy is extensive and His Kindness is tremendous, and that He is [الجواد – (The Munificent, Bountiful); الكريم (The Bountiful, The Generous One Abundant in Good)]. He is the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy and the best of all those who forgive [Glorified and Exalted be He]. And know that also to have (the audacity to commit acts of) disobedience is a great evil, a great corruption and a cause of (incurring) the anger of Allaah; but when a servant repents to his Lord –a truthful repentance-Allaah accepts his repentance. Indeed, the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) was asked many times about a man who (committed) a lot of such and such faults, (acts) of disobedience and various types of kufr, and then he repents; so Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’Repentance wipes away what was (committed) before it (i.e. sins)’’ and ‘’Islaam (i.e. when a person abandons kufr and becomes a Muslim) wipes away what was (committed) before it (i.e. sins).’’ Therefore, you should know -with certainty- that by way of truthful sincere repentance, Allaah wipes away sins and evil deeds, even kufr. And because of this Allaah [Glorified Be He] said: [وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ – And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful. [24:31] So He (Allaah) connected success to repentance. Allaah (Glorified be He) said: [يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا عَسَى رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ – ”O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) [66:8]

Therefore, O brother! Truthful repentance is (incumbent) upon you- cling to it; be firm upon it and be sincere to Allaah in that. And (receive) glad tidings that it wipes away your sins, even if they are like a mountain.

The conditions (to be fulfilled in order for repentance to be accepted are) three: [1] To be regretful and remorseful regarding the past (acts of disobedience you committed); [2] To renounce and abandon the sins – the big and small (of them); [3] To have a firm resolve (or determination) not to return to it (i.e. not to commit them again). If you owe the people their rights- wealth or (you committed offences related to bloodshed, murder or causing injury etc) or violating their honour, then their rights must be given back to them. This is a fourth affair related to a complete repentance. It is incumbent upon you to give the people the rights they are owed. If the affair is related to retribution, then retribution is established (i.e. by the state), unless they (i.e. the people) permit that you give blood money; if related to wealth, you give them back their wealth, unless they forgive; if related to their honour and you did backbite them, you should seek their forgiveness; but if seeking their forgiveness will lead to evil, then there is no hindrance in refraining from (informing them that you did backbite them and that you seek their forgiveness); rather you should supplicate for them and seek Allaah’s forgiveness for them, and mention the good you know about them in the same place you did mention them with evil. This will be expiation for (that sin of backbiting). And it is incumbent upon you to proceed –without delay- towards repentance before death, and then exercise patience and be truthful. Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He) said: [وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُواْ فَاحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُواْ أَنْفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُواْ اللّهَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُواْ لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ اللّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّواْ عَلَى مَا فَعَلُواْ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ – And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse etc.) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins; – and none can forgive sins but Allah – And do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know. [3:135]

(So) understand the meaning of the (statement): وَلَمْ يُصِرُّواْ  – And do not persist in what (wrong)]- this means that they do not persist in sin, rather they repent, show regret and abandon the (sin) they committed; and they know [i.e. that persistence in sin is harmful, or that Allaah forgives the one who repents. Then Allaah [Glorified Be He] stated thereafter: [أُوْلَئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَجَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ – For such, the reward is Forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allah’s Orders). [3:136].  This is the reward for those who repent and do not persist in (sin)- for them the reward is paradise. [An Excerpt from this link: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/fatawa/4251  paraphrased]

Must Listen! Only 17mins and Few Seconds. Shaikh Abdullah Al-Bukhaari [hafidhahullaah] Delivers a Very Important Advice Regarding The Good Manners & Good Dealings Expected From Everyone-Students & Others, Whether Living In Muslim or Non-Muslim Lands. http://elbukhari.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/fawaid_sawtiyah_sh_albukhary_182.mp3

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