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

The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Should I not inform you about the best of witnesses, they are those who bear witness before being asked”. The scholars say that what is intended by this hadeeth is for example: someone has a witness to give on behalf of another person based on truth, but the person does not know about it, so he (i.e. the one who should give the witness) informs the person about it; or for example, a person has already passed away and another person knows what the deceased person has left behind as inheritance, so he bears witness to that and makes it known. [For further details see Fat-hul Baari 5/260]

We ask Allaah to include us amongst those who bear witness to truth Aameen. And with regards to Al-Markazus Salafi, then indeed – after the Aid, Assistance and the Tawfeeq granted by Allaah, we have witnessed and are absolutely certain of Al-Maktabatus Salafiyyah’s selfless support and advice upon Salafiyyah – neither demanding any favour nor worldly gains, rather their relationship with us to this day is nothing but Salafiyyah and striving to maintain the sound Walaa Wal Baraa. The incidents of support and advise – both in private and public- are numerous and well-known to us. There was a period during which we did not have single lesson in the Masjid, then came along selfless Al-Maktabatus Salafiyyah represented – at the time – by Shaikh Abu Hakeem and Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, who  visited us once every month, Shaikh Abu Iyaad delivered regular lessons via Telelink and Ustaadh Abu Harun started Madinah Book 1, together with the constant advice given by Shaikh Abdul Ilaah, who had close contact with Abu Eesa (Faizal Kara). So, where is the financial gain for Al-Maktabatus Salafiyyah in all of this?! Indeed, neither did they demand and (have never demanded) a single penny nor personal loyalty to this day, rather their concern has always been Salafiyyah, truthfulness and clarity, even though the vile hater – pottymouth and slanderer (Usaamah Al-Utaybi) – claims that the overseers of Al-Maktabatus Salafiyyah are people who seek Dunya through Dawah Salafiyyah. This affair will be elaborated upon in the next post InShaaAllaah.

An Example of Dedication: Few weeks ago, our beloved Salafi brother Abu Maryam – Tariq [may Allaah protect him and his loved ones Aameen] reminded us of something very important, saying, “Whenever fitnah occurred, I witnessed the worry and concern of the elder teachers, but the firmness and tranquility of the scholars (Al-Allaamah Rabee and others) was something distinguished. I come to know that the reason behind this firmness is due to their certainty and experience, because they’ve witnessed many other Fitan in the past. Then when fitna occurred again, I found myself having the same worry and concern that I witnessed from the elder teachers, but I saw that they had certainty and firmness, so I came to realise that they have learnt this from the scholars throughout the years”. Then Abu Maryam said to us, “I was once with one of the elder teachers during Umrah when he received a phone call from an important personality, who made an unjustified demand related to a specific Manhaj stance, but the elder teacher firmly refused”. May Allaah protect this Maktabah, all the Maraakiz and teachers Aameen.

Finally, we must always remember that not only will the upright Salafi teachers face opponents, but they will also have to deal with the harm of those who betray the truth and those make statements to weaken their resolve when they strive to clarify truth, so we ask Allaah to grant us and them patience, certainty and praiseworthy bravery Aameen. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [فَٱصۡبِرۡ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ۬‌ۖ وَلَا يَسۡتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ – So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allaah is true. And let not those who have no certainty of faith, discourage you from conveying Allah’s Message (which you are obliged to convey)]. [Surah Rum’ Aayah 60]

[فَٱصۡبِرۡ – So be patient]- Meaning, upon that which you have been commanded and in calling them to the [path of] Allaah; even if you see them turning away that should not turn you away from the call. [إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ۬‌ۖ – Indeed, the promise of Allaah is true]- Meaning, there is no doubt about that. And this is from that which aids a person to exercise patience, because when a servant know that his deeds will not be in vain and will find a full reward for it [in the afterlife], then what he faces of hardship will become minor, and it will become much easy for him to bear every difficulty.

[وَلَا يَسۡتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ – And let not those who have no certainty of faith, discourage you]- Meaning, their Imaan is weak and their certainty is little, so their forbearance becomes lacking as result of that and their patience is little. So, beware out of fear of being discouraged by these people, because unless you are not careful about their affair, they will discourage you and lead you to not being firm in holding fast to the commands and prohibitions, and the soul may assist them in this affair and seek to be similar and to be in agreement with them. [An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: “Everyone will face afflictions, for indeed a person is a social being who must live with [other] people; the people have wants [or desires, wishes etc] and perceptions, and will seek to make him agree with them. If he disagrees with them, they harm and punish him; but if he agrees with them, sometimes they harm him and at other times he is harmed by others”. [An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawaa’id’ pages 293-300. slightly paraphrased]

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said stated regarding bravery: Allaah forbade that which is in opposition to it, and that is cowardice, dismay and fear of the creation when striving in the path of calling to Allaah. This sublime quality is innate within the person and it is strengthened by virtue of Eemaan. Bravery strengthens the heart, makes it firm and gives it tranquility in times of important events and distressful situations.

The Qur’aan commands fear of Allaah alone and that the person is not to fear the creation. The person’s heart is strengthened when he limits his fear to fearing Allaah Alone, and knows that the creation neither have the ability to benefit nor harm him, except by the will of Allaah. His heart is increased in strength when he places his reliance upon Allaah and is firm, just as Allaah [The Most High] stated about the best of the creation:

ٱلَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ قَدۡ جَمَعُواْ لَكُمۡ فَٱخۡشَوۡهُمۡ فَزَادَهُمۡ إِيمَـٰنً۬ا وَقَالُواْ حَسۡبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعۡمَ ٱلۡوَڪِيلُ

Those unto whom the people said, ”Verily, the people have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.” But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: ”Allaah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)” [Surah Aal Imran. Aayah 173]

The slave’s strength and bravery increases when he knows the good reward and recompense that follows on from being strengthened in Bravery and Religion, just as Allaah has stated:

[إِن تَكُونُواْ تَأۡلَمُونَ فَإِنَّهُمۡ يَأۡلَمُونَ كَمَا تَأۡلَمُونَ‌ۖ وَتَرۡجُونَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَرۡجُونَ‌ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا – If you are suffering (hardships) then surely, they (too) are suffering (hardships) as you are suffering, but you have a hope from Allaah (for the reward, i.e. Paradise) that for which they hope not] (4:104)

And that which is observed and known about the state of affairs and characteristics of the creation is that they neither own anything of benefit nor assistance and protection; they do not desire good for you, except with regards to that which is of benefit to them. Therefore, it must be known that attaching the heart to them with fear, veneration, awe, fervent desire and reverence is tantamount to loss, rather it is harm.

Indeed, it is obligated on a person to attach his fear, hope, expectation and awe to Allaah (Alone), Who (Alone) owns everything. He is The One who wants good for you when you do not desire it for yourself – knows what is for your well-being and you do not know, (and) enables you to receive that which you do not have any ability to (receive by yourself). The person realizes that cowardice is an illness and a weakness in the heart that causes abandonment of good and loss of beneficial things. It afflicts the weak ones, and the one afflicted by it is similar to timid women. And amongst the benefits of bravery are: the commands of Allaah and His Messenger are fulfilled, and (because of it) one is described with the characteristics of the people of insight amongst men of understanding. There cannot be a greater means to obtaining that which is sought after and a means to safety from difficulties and troubles when the heart is strengthened with what Allaah sends down upon it of relief and tranquility. The brave individual is enabled to guide and benefit the creation with wisdom and fair speech in accordance to their different social classes. As for the coward, he misses a great deal of good and fear prevents him from the blessings of his knowledge and from guiding and giving sincere advice to (Allaah’s) servants. A person is saved from a lot of hardships through bravery – finds tranquility when faced with afflictions and calamities, responds with what Allaah loves of patience and firmness, whilst hoping for Allaah’s reward. As for the coward, he is distracted and that which is of benefit to him is wasted away when these affairs come to him. He is made to waiver through harmful views that bring about painful things alongside calamities and difficulties; loses good and the reward for being placed under hardship. This praiseworthy quality (i.e. bravery) emanates from that excellent and all-inclusive quality of patience. And Allaah knows best. [An Excerpt from Fat-hul Raheemil Malikil Allaam Fee Ilmil Aqaa-id Wat-Tawheed Wal Akhlaaq Wal Ahkaam. Page 40]

We ask Allaah to bless all the teachers in the Maraakiz – in the UK and elsewhere, and bless Ustaadh Abu Mu’aadh for his continuous dedication to beneficial lessons at Al-Markazus Salafi and elsewhere. Indeed, whoever is not thankful to the people will not be thankful to Allaah. Likewise, we ask Allaah to bless both Ustaadh Abdul Hakeem Mitchell for his lessons and our Shorah member [Abu Aa’isha (Amjad Khan)] for his beneficial reminders on issues of Manhaj every Tuesday. We ask Allaah to unite our hearts upon righteousness and piety, and distance us from sin and transgression Aameen. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [ وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ – Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression].

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: This verse contains all the Masaalih (things that will bring about benefit and repel harm) for the salves in their worldly affairs and in the Hereafter- amongst themselves or in relation to their relationship with their Lord. That is because every servant finds himself within two circumstances and obligations – either to fulfil the obligations owed to Allaah or the obligations owed to Allaah’s creation. As for the obligations owed to the creation, they include (righteous) association, companionship, aiding one another upon what Allaah loves and obedience to Allaah, and that is the goal behind one’s search for happiness and success in the afterlife. There can be no happiness in the afterlife except through Bir and Taqwaa, because it is basis of all affairs of the religion.

As for Taqwa, its reality is to act in obedience to Allaah based on Eemaan in Allaah and hoping for Allaah’s Reward- fulfil what Allaah has commanded based on having Eemaan in that which Allaah has commanded and affirming the reward Allaah has promised; abandon what Allaah has forbidden based on one’s belief that what Allaah has forbidden is forbidden and fearing Allaah’s punishment, just as Talq Bin Habeeb [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “When Fitna occurs, extinguish it with Taqwa”. So the people said, “What is Taqwa?” He said, “You act in obedience to Allaah upon a light from Allaah [i.e. Eemaan, sincerity, guidance etc] and hoping for reward from Allah. And you abandon disobedience to Allaah upon a light from Allah and fearing the punishment of Allah”. This is the best of that which has been stated regarding Taqwa, because indeed there has to be an aim and a goal behind every deed. A deed cannot be considered an act of obedience to Allaah and an act that gets one close to Allaah until it is based on Eemaan, so that which leads to the performance of that deed is solely due to Eemaan – neither (un-Islamic) customs nor desires, neither seeking praise nor status and other than it; rather it should be solely based on Eemaan and the aim behind it should be to attain Allaah’s reward and seeking after Allaah’s Pleasure. [An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah’ Vol 1 pages 307-311. Slightly paraphrased]

To be continued InShaaAllaah.