Author: The Salafi Centre of Manchester

Back to Basics Revision – [The First Condition of The Shahaadah] – 1

Written by The Salafi Centre of Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Shirk, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

The first condition of the [Shahaadah – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah] is “Knowledge that necessitates a negation of Ignorance”. This means that one should know its meaning, what it negates and affirms, what it demonstrates in reality regarding the Oneness of Allaah, devotes all acts of worship to Allaah alone, sincerely devote all aspects of the religion to Allaah alone and disbelieve in everything that is worshipped besides Allaah. Therefore, “Knowledge that negates Ignorance” necessitates sound knowledge and an upright understanding of the statement [Laa Ilaaha Illal laah – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah] by way of which one is removed from the path of the ignorant ones, because this statement does not benefit the one who utters it without knowledge. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ‌ۗ – So know that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women. (Surah Muhammad. 19)]. So in this verse, Allaah mentioned knowledge first because it is the foundation. (1)

The one who makes this testimony requires knowledge and truthfulness, and must act upon what he has testified to. The scholars say that knowledge of this testimony removes a person from the path of those Christians [who strayed after the departure of Prophet Eesaa (peace be upon him)] – those who act but have no knowledge, and from the path of those Jews [who strayed after the departure of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him)] – those who have knowledge but do not act, and truthfulness removes a person from the path of the hypocrites- those who claim that they believe but they have no certainty.

A person cannot be from the adherents of Tawheed [pure Islamic Montheism] until he fulfils the two pillars of Laa Ilaaha Illal laah: [لا إلهَ – There is no deity worthy of worship (i.e. Negation)] and [إلاَّ اللَّه – Except Alaah (i.e. Affirmation)]. The negation has to be comprehensive and the affirmation has to be specific – a comprehensive negation of all worship that is devoted to others besides Allaah and specific affirmation that only Allaah has the right to be worshipped. If a person utters the negation without the affirmation, then he is not an adherent of pure Islamic monotheism, and if he affirms without uttering the negation, then he is not an adherent of pure Islamic monotheism. If a person were to negate only by saying [لا إلهَ – There is no deity worthy of worship], then he is an atheist, and if he were to affirm that Allaah has the right to be worshipped without negating by saying that others do not have a right to be worshipped, then he is a polytheist. Therefore, one cannot be an adherent of Tawheed [pure Islamic Monotheism] until he testifies that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah.

And due to the mighty affair of this testimony [لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللَّه – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah], it is emphasised through the statement [وحْدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لهُ – alone, without partner]. The affirmation is emphasised through the statement [وحْدهُ – alone] and the negation is emphasised through the statement [لاَ شَرِيكَ له – without partner]. (2)

Then Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لِذَنۢبِكَ – And ask forgiveness for your sin]- Meaning, seek Maghfirah from Allaah [i.e. that Allaah erases your sins, hide them for you and protect you from the evil consequences of sins (3)], employ the means of attaining Maghfirah such as repentance and supplicating for Maghfirah, perform good deeds and abandon sins etc. [وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ‌ۗ – And for believing men and believing women]- Meaning, because indeed due to their Eemaan, every Muslim [male Muslim] and Muslimah [female] owe them rights and one of those rights they are owed is that one supplicates for them and ask Allaah to forgive them (i.e. erase their sins). (4)

[Ref 1: Source: Explanation of Important Lessons For The Muslim Ummah. pages 46-47. Maktabah Malik Al-Fahad 1436AH. (2015)]

[Ref 2: Source: An Excerpt from Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed. Lesson 2]

[Ref 3 See Majmoo Al-Fataawaa Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah 14/140]

[Ref 4: Tafseer As-Sadi. slightly paraphrased]

[1] Setting The Record Straight! [What Have Elder Teachers Been Doing In UK Since 1993 When Some of Us Just Started Secondary School?!] Reflect On a Statement of Al-Allaamah Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaami

Written by The Salafi Centre of Manchester on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Purification of The Soul, Salafi Masjid Birmingham, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

What Have The Elder Teachers Been Doing Since The Early 1993?! Have They Been Calling to Salafiyyah or Engaged In Blameworthy Competition Regarding Who is More Knowledgeable or Who Has Travelled The Most?!

Firstly, we remind ourselves regarding sincerity in the path of knowledge. Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated: “If one says: through what can sincerity in seeking knowledge be [present or attained]?” We say: Sincerity in seeking knowledge can be [present or attained] by making an intention for the following:

[The intention] to fulfil Allaah’s command because Allaah [The Most High] commanded it (i.e. to seek knowledge). Allaah said: [فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنبِكَ- So know (O Muhammad) that La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin’’ (Surah Muhammad Ayah19)]. So Allaah [Glorified and Exalted bee He] strongly urged (a person) towards acquiring knowledge. And strongly urging (someone) towards something necessitates having love for it; being pleased with it and commanding (one) to do it.

[The Intention] to preserve Allaah’s Sharee’ah. That is because preserving Allaah’s Sharee’ah can be done by way of learning, memorization and writing.

[The Intention] to protect and defend the Sharee’ah. That is because had it not been for the scholars no one would have protected or defended the Sharee’ah. And due to this we find the likes of Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah and other than him amongst the people of knowledge repelling ahlul bidah and clarifying the falsity of their innovations. We see that they reached a lot of good.

[The Intention] to follow Muhammad’s [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] Sharee’ah. That is because it is not possible for you to follow his Sharee’ah until you learn about it. (1)

Secondly, Al-Allaamah Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaami [may Allaah have mercy upon him] was asked, “Is the call to Islam obligatory on everyone?”

Answer: The call to Islam, calling to Allaah and to the path of Allaah is obligated on a specific group of people- the people of knowledge and insight. The one who does not possess knowledge and insight – wandering blindly – is not worthy of calling himself a caller to Islam. This one corrupts more than he rectifies. Therefore, the call to Allaah, the religion (He has ordained) and to Islam is obligated on the scholars, the people of knowledge and insight. We ask Allaah [The Exalted] to gather us upon good, include us amongst those who love one another for the Sake of Allaah, those who work in the path of Allaah, protect us and you from these trials and their effects”. (2)

The above statement of Al-Allaamah Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaami [may Allaah have mercy upon him] is a reality that applies to our elder teachers at Salafipublications and we have already addressed the affair regarding their travels and connection with the people of knowledge to this day. [Read: History Refuses to Be Rewritten! Has There Been a Period During Which Salafiyyoon of The West Solely Relied On Books and Stopped Travelling to Scholars?!]

[1] History Refuses to Be Rewritten! Has There Been a Period During Which Salafiyyoon of The West Solely Relied On Books and Stopped Travelling to Scholars?!

[2] History Refuses to Be Rewritten! Ongoing Connection of The Teachers With the Upright People of Knowledge

Listen to what Al-Allaamah Ubaid Bin Abdillaah Al-Jaabiri [may Allaah preserce him] stated here about Salafipublication: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JfHq48Dl0k

Thirdly, some excellent efforts fulfilled in the arena of Fardu Kifaayah in the UK by Shaikh Abu Iyaadh [may Allaah preserve him]: https://salaficentre.com/2020/12/19/some-excellent-efforts-fulfilled-in-the-arena-of-fardu-kifaayah-by-shaikh-abu-iyaadh-hafidhahullaah/

Brief Acquaintance With Salafipublications For The One Who Asks, The Who Speculates, The One Who Seeks to Conceal and The One Who Disregards History

What is our da’wah, the call to Salafiyyah? The defining features:

https://abukhadeejah.com/what-is-our-dawah-the-call-to-salafiyyah-the-defining-features/
https://abukhadeejah.com/what-is-our-dawah-the-call-to-salafiyyah-the-defining-features-sunnah-and-hadeeth-part-2/

Duroos In The Masjid –

By Shaikh Abu Hakeem, Shaikh Abu Khadeejah, Shaikh Abu Iyaadh and Shaikh Abu Idrees

Live From Birmingham


https://www.salafisounds.com/

Websites – Shaikh Abu Hakeem, Shaikh Abu Khadeejah and Shaikh Abu Iyaadh
https://ah-sp.com/
https://abukhadeejah.com/
http://www.aqidah.com/creed/articles/fespl-muhammad-hijab-the-falasifah-mutafalsifah-and-jahmiyyah.cfm
http://www.ikhwanis.com/index.cfm
http://www.aboutatheism.net/authors/Abu.Iyaad.cfm
http://www.asharis.com/creed/authors/Abu.Iyaad.cfm
http://www.nabahani.com/authors/Abu.Iyaad.cfm
http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/authors/Abu.Iyaad.cfm
http://www.islamagainstextremism.com/
http://www.aqidah.com/creed/tags/jahmiyyah.cfm
http://www.themadkhalis.com/md/
http://www.salafis.com/
http://www.takfiris.com/takfir/
http://www.shariah.ws/
http://www.aboutatheism.net/articles/jqpdadp-a-muslims-guide-to-naturalism-atheism-and-evolution.cfm
http://www.asharis.com/creed/articles/lxtuo-ibn-taymiyyah-compared-with-the-philosophers-exposing-abu-adam-al-naruijis-acade.cfm
http://www.asharis.com/creed/articles/equytmb-revelation-philosophy-and-kalam.cfm
http://www.prophetmuhammad.name/pages/yb-donate-books-for-distribution.cfm
http://www.manhaj.com/manhaj/articles/uyryh-documents-and-resources-for-countering-and-exposing-the-musafiqah.cfm
http://www.bidah.com/index.cfm
http://www.bidah.com/articles/ezaqa-the-notion-of-bidah-hasan-good-innovation-destroyed-part-1.cfm
http://www.healthymuslim.com/index.cfm
https://twitter.com/AbuIyaadSP?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
http://abuiyaad.s3.amazonaws.com/health/vitamin-d-modulation.pdf
http://abuiyaad.s3.amazonaws.com/health/tebb-leprosy-contagion.pdf
http://abuiyaad.s3.amazonaws.com/health/aimma-smallpox-vaxx.pdf
http://abuiyaad.s3.amazonaws.com/health/ibn-battal-contagion-leprosy.pdf
http://abuiyaad.s3.amazonaws.com/health/paper-corona-pcr-test-2.pdf
http://abuiyaad.s3.amazonaws.com/health/paper-corona-respiratory.pdf

Masjid As-Salafi (Wright Street) and Masjid as-Sunnah (Aston), Bookstore, Schools – Primary and Secondary, Greenfields Primary School

To be continued….InShaaAllaah

[Ref 1:Sharh Hilyah Taalib Al’Ilm’ pages16- 17. Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt from ‘Qurratu Uyoon As-Salafiyyah Bil Ajwibati Al-Jaamiyyah. Page 295]

A Young Student of Knowledge – Studying In a Muslim Country – Gave Us An Important Reminder

Written by The Salafi Centre of Manchester on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

We had a WhatsApp conversation with one of our beloved young brothers – who is studying abroad at the moment – regarding some Dawah affair. During the conversation we mention the problem of blameworthy competition, so he stated: “This is the poison! I have moved to such and such level in my studies and now I understand where the poison starts. May Allaah protect me. Ego, some people are involved in seeking to gain ascendency and respect, and they want to be the reference point. It’s an easy trap to fall into which we are shielded from by our elders (i.e. the elder Students) in the UK”.

Pay attention to the statement of our beloved younger brother: some people are involved in seeking to gain ascendency and respect, and they want to be the reference point. It’s an easy trap to fall into here which we are shielded from by our elders (i.e. the elder Students) in the UK.

Indeed, the above reminder reminds us of the observations of the scholars of the pious predecessors and our present day scholars. Imaam Al-Fudayl Bin Iyaad [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “There’s none who loves leadership, except that he will envy, transgress, seek after people’s fault (i.e. falsely) and hates that anyone else is mentioned with good”. Reported by Ibn Abdil Barr in Al-Jaami. Number 971

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali [may Allaah preserve him] stated: “Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood [may allaah be pleased with him] said that the noble Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, ‘There is no envy except in two cases: a man whom Allah has given Al-Hikmah [i.e. knowledge of the Qur’aan and Sunnah] and he acts according to it; and a man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously. [Al-Bukhaari. Number 73] These people have Ghibtah [i.e. they desire the blessings bestowed on others but do not have a blameworthy envy]. Envy in this hadeeth means Ghibtah, but (as for blameworthy) envy, it is to wish that the blessings bestowed upon a person, such as wealth, knowledge and other that, should cease to exist – regardless whether you want to have the same or merely wishing that the blessings be taken away from him. This is a disease of the Yahood [i.e. those Yahood who knew the truth brought by the Prophet], but they rejected it out of envy] and we ask Allaah to alleviate (this disease) from the Muslims, for indeed it is destructive disease – and Allaah’s refuge is sought.

So, the envy intended in this hadeeth [i.e. the hadeeth of Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood] is Al-Ghibtah, which is to wish for the same blessings given to another person (without wishing that he be deprived of it). For example, Allaah gives a person knowledge and the (ability) to perform good deeds, so you wish that Allaah should also give you knowledge and the (ability) to perform good deeds just as it has been bestowed upon that person. This is Ghibtah and it is praiseworthy. It is a (praiseworthy) striving to excel one another in good deeds. Allaah said: [وَفِى ذَٲلِكَ فَلۡيَتَنَافَسِ ٱلۡمُتَنَـٰفِسُونَ – And for this (i.e. paradise) let (all) those strive who want to strive (i.e. hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allah)].

Therefore, it is incumbent upon the students of knowledge to strive in acquiring knowledge and hasten towards all that is good, but without blameworthy envy; rather they should do this based on Ghibtah and hastening earnestly to the obedience of Allaah. As for striving and hastening towards the Dunyah (against one another), it is blameworthy. ‘Do not envy one another and do not hate one another (i.e. blameworthy envy and hatred), do not outbid one another (i.e. do not offer a higher price for a commodity when someone else wants it even though you do not intend to buy it (see footnote a) and do not compete one another in a blameworthy manner’. [Muslim 2563]. All these traits are blameworthy – both in the worldly and religious affairs.

Therefore, in the hadeeth [i.e. hadeeth reported by Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood], Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] urged the Ummah to [hasten and seek to excel one another] in good deeds, such as in [acquiring] knowledge, [performance of the] Salaah etc. The Prophet said, ‘The best rows are the first rows’ [Muslim 440]. ‘If the people knew (the reward for) pronouncing the Adhaan and for standing in the first row [in the congregational prayer] and found no other way to get it except by drawing lots, they would do so’. [Al-Bukhaari 654] Hastening to get to the first row is a praiseworthy deed. Likewise, (it is praiseworthy to) hasten towards seeking knowledge, seeking to become proficient in it, excel and become talented in it. I ask Allaah to facilitate (ease and the means) for the Mutanaafiseen (i.e. those striving and hastening towards all good), so that there arises from this Ummah the likes of the senior Imaams, such as Al Awzaa’ee, Ath-Thawri, Maalik, Ash-Shaafiee, Ahmad, Ibn Taymiyyah, Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhaab and those like them amongst the Imaams of guidance – those by way of whom Allaah raised the guiding light of Islaam and guided the nations, and whose knowledge enlightened the whole world'”. (1)

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated about praiseworthy competition for good deeds and to excel each other: Every competitor competes the other and is happy when joined in it, just as the companions of Allaah’s Messenger [perace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] used to compete in good and they were pleased when others joined them; rather they used to encourage one another whilst competing. This is [an act of] seeking to be foremost in (good deeds). Allaah [The Most High] said: [ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ-So hasten towards all that is good].

Allaah [The Most High] said: [سَابِقُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ – Race one with another in hastening towards Forgiveness from your Lord (Allah), and towards Paradise, the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth]. [57:21]

Umar Ibnul Khattaab used to hasten towards (good deeds to compete) Abu-Bakr [may Allaah be pleased with them], but he never won. (2)

Umar said: One day Allaah’s Messenger commanded us to give sadaqah. At that time I had some property, so I said: Today I shall surpass Abu-Bakr if I am to surpass him any day. So I brought half of my property. Allaah’s Messenger said: What did you leave for your family? I replied: The same amount. Then Abu-Bakr brought all that he had with him. So Allaah’s Messenger said to him: What did you leave for your family? He replied: I left Allah and His Messenger for them. I [Umar] said: I shall never (excel you) in anything. (3)
Mercy Between Seekers of Knowledge

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh [may Allaah preserve him] gave some advice regarding the relationship expected between students of knowledge whilst in pursuit of knowledge: There may be different people in attendance -some of them attend for knowledge, some of them attend as beginners, among them are those who attend to be in a sitting where Allaah is remembered and they listen (especially if it is after dawn or during time periods when supplications are answered), and among them are those who attend for a benefit, and are content with whatever they obtain. And that which is befitting in reality is that the students of knowledge should treat each other well, so the student teaches his brother – who is a beginner – the way to learn and gives him advice. This is why we should show mercy to one another in the lessons, and in all affairs of knowledge, and perhaps the reason scholars begin their texts with the advice to the seeker of knowledge to be merciful. This is why you find in Hadeeth Ijaazaat that the first hadith transmitted is “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you”. [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee 1924]

Question: Why do they learn the hadith, “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful?” Answer: Know, may Allaah have mercy upon you, that it is one of the qualities of a seeker of knowledge – whom Allaah blesses and shows mercy – that he is merciful towards those around him, guides, teaches and aids them etc. If whilst in pursuit of knowledge you are merciful to the people – to colleagues and friends, and being present in cooperation and goodness, then receive glad tidings of Allaah’s Mercy and His true promise based on the statement of His Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful”. (4)

We ask Allaah to protect us and our young brothers from misguidance, self-amazement, envy and all blameworthy traits. May Allaah protect us and young brothers from every danger encountered in our path towards the Afterlife. Aameen.

Footnote a: For further detail see Al-Minhatur Rabbaaniyyah Fee Sharhil Arba’een An-Nawawiyyah’ page 260

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 51-52. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Ar-Rooh 431-432]

[Ref 3: Saheeh Sunan Abee Dawud. Number: 1678. kitaab Az-Zakaah]

[Ref 4: https://salaficentre.com/2022/10/23/advice-number-5-one-of-the-ways-to-benefit-from-lessons-and-advice-number-6-mercy-between-learners-by-al-allaamah-saaleh-aala-ash-shaikh/ ]

Personalities That Can Cause Harm to Dawah When Given a Position, Favoured With Some Knowledge or Influence

Written by The Salafi Centre of Manchester on . Posted in Brotherhood, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq'.

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

It used to be said that whoever perpetrates these three acts will be haunted by them: Rebellion against Allaah’s commandments: Allaah [The Most High] said: [يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا بَغْيُكُمْ عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِكُمْ – O mankind! Your rebellion (disobedience to Allah) is only against your ownselves]. [Surah Yoonus: Ayah: 23] Evil plotting: Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ – But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it]. [Surah Faatir: Ayah 43] Breaking pledges: Allaah [The Most High] said: [فَمَنْ نَكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنْكُثُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ – Then whosoever breaks his pledge only breaks it to his own harm]. [Surah Al-Fath: Aayah 10] (1)

There was a personality amongst us who was well-known to Maktabah Salafiyyah- prior to 1995, but many of us could not see his reality for a very long time. Shaikh Abu Khadeejah [may Allaah preserve him] stated about him many years ago, “This is how he works: Step 1: Prove that he’s a vanguard and protector of the da’wah – how? Refute the Shi’ah, the soofees, HT, and the Hizbees (Turaath etc). Step 2: Use that as the stage to gather youth around him. Step 3: Once these youth are convinced that he is the “true” defender of salafiyyah, he informs them of the Salafis who are “really under cover hizbees” against whom he has “hidden files” that one day he will expose for the world to see! Step 4: Get these youth to start the campaign. Step 5: Play the victim, “I am calling to the truth and these people don’t want it, so they oppose me” – so his campaign goes into high gear, and so on.” [End of quote]

Although outwardly he was “teaching”, he didn’t suffice himself with that. Instead he was always positioning himself into a favourable position in order to stay in control, whilst attempting to dislodge others. When his reality was finally apparent to us – first by the Tawfeeq of Allaah and then the advice received from elder students, we wrote him a letter and demanded that he abandons his controlling and overbearing character in the arena of Dawah; but he refused. He also demanded that unless we aid him refute people whom Al-Allaamah Rabee advised that we refrain from refuting, even though they did commit some wrong, he insisted that we must go ahead with the refutation. So, when we refused, he decided to stop the study circles, and even after we went to Birmingham to request for assistance, we still informed him of our request out of respect and acknowledgement of his pervious efforts; but he said, “Oh, you went to Birmingham for help and now you require my opinion?!” We said to him, “We are just informing you that the brothers from Birmingham are coming to deliver lessons since you have refused to do so”. This was the beginning of his blameworthy path and he further found lame excuses to stay away from the Masjid and gatherings as soon as he lost his teaching position due to his own bad behaviour. He still spoke well of Al-Allaamah Rabee, Al-Allaamah Ubaid Bin Abdillaah Al-Jaabiri, Shaikh Abdullah Al-Bukhaari and others, whilst both Maktabah Salafi and ourselves knew his reality; then when the Fitna of Al-Hajoori occurred, he found an excuse – whilst hiding behind the name of Al-Allaamah Muqbil (rahimahullaah) and the station of Dammaaj- to attack everyone. Indeed, the main problem with this personality was that he was very opinionated, always positioning and imposing himself as a reference point, considered himself as one who possesses that which no other student possesses and was disrespectful to students older than him in the name of “I follow evidence” and “I go straight to the Ulamaa”, but this was nothing but a plot to stay in control and impose his views. Ustaadh Abu Tasneem [may Allaah preserve him] informed us that whilst he was in Dammaaj, this personality was in touch with some Arab students and utilised them to give a negative image of Maktabah Salafiyyah when he disagreed with them on some Dawah affairs.

Therefore, we remind ourselves once again: “The one informed is not the same as the one who witnessed (with his own eyes). Indeed, Allaah [The Exalted] told Musa [peace be upon him] about what his people had done with the calf (i.e. worshipped the calf) and he did not throw the tablets, (but) when he saw what they had done, he threw the tablets (out of anger) and they broke”. [Saheeh Al-Jaami 5374]

أي المشاهدة ، إذ هي تحصيل العلم القطعي ، وقد جعل الله لعباده آذانا واعية وأبصارا ناظرة ، ولم يجعل الخبر في القوة كالنظر بالعيان ، وكما جعل في الرأس سمعا وبصرا ، جعل في القلب ذلك ، فما رآه الإنسان ببصره قوي علمه به ، وما أدركه ببصر قلبه كان أقوى عنده ، وقال الكلاباذي: الخبر خبران: صادق لا يجوز عليه الخطأ ، وهو خبر الله ورسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، ومحتمل ، وهو ما عداه ، فإن حمل الخبر على الأول فمعناه: ليس المعاينة كالخبر في القوة ، أي الخبر أقوى وآكد وأبعد عن الشكوك إذا كان خبرا لصادق ، والمعاينة قد تخطئ ، فقد يرى الإنسان الشيء على خلاف ما هو عليه ، كما في قصةموسى والسحرة ، وإن حمل على الثاني فمعناه: ليس المعاينة كالخبر ، بل هي أقوى وآكد ، لأن المخبر لا يطمئن قلبه وتزول عنه الشكوك في خبر من يجوز السهو عليه والغلط ، والحاصل أن الخبر إن كان خبرا لصادق فهو أقوى من المعاينة ، أو غيره فعكسه ، إلا أن ما ذكر في الخبر الآتي عقبه على الإثر يشير إلى أن المراد هنا الثاني

Meaning, witnessing, as it is the attainment of definitive knowledge. Allaah created for His servants conscious ears, and eyes that can see, and He did not make news (in general) as powerful as witnessing with the eyes (in general). And just as he placed hearing and sight (around the) head (area), He also placed that in the heart (i.e. sound perception), so the knowledge of that which a person sees with his sight becomes robust, and what he perceives with the sight of his heart is stronger for him. Al-Kalaabaadhee [Abu Nasr, Ahmad Bin Muhammad Ibn Al-Husayn Ibnul Hasan Bin Ali Bin Rustom (may Allaah have mercy upon him)] said, “News is two types: the one that is (absolute) truth and can never carry mistakes- the news from Allaah and His Messenger. And this (hadeeth) may also refer to the news other than this first one.

If news referred to is the first type, then its meaning is that eye witness is not like truthful news in strength- meaning news is stronger, more certain and far removed from doubts if it is truthful news, (because) the one who witnesses with his eyes can be mistaken – a person may see something in manner that is other than its true reality, such as what occurred in the story of Musa [peace be upon him] and the magicians. And if the hadeeth is applied to the second type of news, then its meaning is: the eye witness (in reality- without any deception etc) is not like news; rather it is stronger and more certain because the one who is informed is not reassured in his heart and his doubts do not seize regarding news from someone who can forget and make mistakes. The point is that if the report is true, it is stronger than the eye witness, or otherwise; however, the intent of what is mentioned with regards news refers to the second type [i.e. the true eye witness that is based on other than revelation and it contains no (deception, ambiguity) is stronger than true news (that is not based on revelation), even though both are accepted]. (2)

We ask Allaah not to leave us to our Nufoos.

[يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغيثُ أَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِيَ كُلَّهُ وَلاَ تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ

O Ever Living! O The Self Subsisting, Upon Whom Everything Depends! By Your mercy I seek assistance; rectify for me all of my affairs and do not leave me to myself, even for the blink of an eye. [Imaam Albaani declared it Hasan in Silsilah As-Saheehah Number 227]

[Ref 1: Kitaab Uyoonul Akhbaar of Ibn Qutaybah (rahimahullaah) Vol 1: page: 149]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Faydul Qadeer. 5/356-357. paraphrased]

Advice Number 5 – (One of The Ways to Benefit From Lessons) and Advice Number 6 – (Mercy Between Learners): By Al-Allaamah Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh

Written by The Salafi Centre of Manchester on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaikh [may Allaah preserve him] gave some advice regarding the manner in which a person can benefit from lessons.

The fifth advice was about writing down lessons – that one writes the Fawaa’id from the teacher and the student should not rely on what was recorded in the previous lessons. The student must not say, “There is no need to write, and the recording is available”. This is a big mistake that some students make. The student’s writing with the Shaikh has an effect on his preparedness in affairs of knowledge and in his behavior as it should be, because there has to be hardship, toil and struggle in attaining knowledge. Writing develops one’s ability to summarize knowledge, because one cannot write word for word what the teacher says, and for this reason, a distinction must be made between what the student transmits based on what was dictated to him and what he heard. So what is meant by writing? What is meant is that the student is trained on the ability to summarize, so he listens and then summarizes. At first it is noticed that the Shaikh speeds up and the student is unable to write. The second time, the student can write, but he misses things. Then there comes a time for him to write comprehensively and he can abbreviate the most wonderful examples, and this can only happen through practice.

Sixth Advice: Mercy between students: There may be different people in attendance: Some of them attend for knowledge, some of them attend as beginners, among them are those who attend to be in a sitting where Allaah is remembered and they listen (especially if it is after dawn or during time periods when supplications are answered), and among them are those who attend for a benefit, and are content with whatever they obtain. And that which is befitting in reality is that the students of knowledge should treat each other well, so the student teaches his brother – who is a beginner – the way to learn and gives him advice. This is why we should show mercy to one another in the lessons, and in all affairs of knowledge, and perhaps the reason scholars begin their texts with the advice to the seeker of knowledge to be merciful. This is why you find in Hadeeth Ijaazaat that the first hadith transmitted is “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on the earth and the One in the heavens will have mercy upon you”. [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee 1924]

Question: Why do they learn the hadith, “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful?”

Answer: Know, may Allaah have mercy upon you, that it is one of the qualities of a seeker of knowledge – whom Allaah blesses and shows mercy – that he is merciful towards those around him, guides, teaches and aids them etc. If whilst in pursuit of knowledge you are merciful to the people – to colleagues and friends, and being present in cooperation and goodness, then receive glad tidings of Allaah’s Mercy and His true promise based on the statement of His Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], “The merciful will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful”. [An Excerpt From (الوصايا الجلية للاستفادة من الدروس العلمية – pages 30-32. paraphrased] [Refer to Arabic Text Below]

PDF Here: Wasaayaa_PDF

النصيحة الخامسة : كتابةُ الفوائدِ من المُعلِّمِ
ولا يتَّكِلُ الطالبُ على ما سُجِّلَ في الدورات السابقة
وعلى الطالب أن لا يقولَ: لا داعي إلى الكتابة، والتسجيلُ موجود
وهذا غَلَطٌ كبير يقع فيه بعضُ الطلاب، وكتابةُ الطالب مع الشيخِ مؤثرةٌ في استعداداته العلمية، وفي سلوكه العلمي كما ينبغي، فلا بدَّ للعلم من مشقةٍ ومكابدةٍ ومجاهدةٍ
وفي الكتابةِ تتكون ملكةٌ في تلخيصِ العلمِ؛ لأنه لا يستطيع أن يكتب حرفيًا ما يقوله المُعلِّمُ، ولهذا ينبغي التفريقُ بين ما نَقَلَهُ الطالبُ إملاءً وبين ما سَمِعَهُ. فقد يكون في كتابة تلخيصِ ما سَمِعَهُ نقصٌ كبيرٌ عما قاله المُعلِّم
إذًا ما المقصود من الكتابة؟
المقصود أن يتدربَ الطالبُ على ملكة التلخيص، فيسمع ثم يلخص، يُلاحظُ في أول الأمر أن الشيخَ يسرعُ ولم يستطع الطالبُ أن يكتبَ. وفي المرة الثانية يستطيع الطالبُ أن يكتبَ، ولكن فاتَتْهُ أشياءُ، وهكذا يأتيه وقتٌ يكتبُ باستيعابٍ ويستطيعُ الاختصارَ على أروع مثالٍ؛ لأن الملكةَ ترتبت عنده. وهذا ما يكون إلا بِدُرْبَةٍ
وكيف تكون الدُّرْبةُ؟
تكون الدُّربةُ بالإضافة إلى ما ذُكِرَ بأنْ لا يعتمدَ على التسجيل
*النصيحة السادسة : الرحمةُ بين الطلاب
قد يكون في هذه الدوراتِ العلميةِ طبقاتٌ مختلفةٌ من الحاضرين:
فمنهم من يَحْضُرُ للعلم
ومنهم من يَحْضُرُ مبتدئًا
ومنهم من يَحْضُرُ لمجلس الذكر ويستمع (وبخاصة إن كان بعد الفجر أو في أوقات الإجابة)
ومنهم من يَحْضُرُ لفائدةٍ ما، ويكتفي بأيِّ شيءٍ يُحَصِّلُهُ
والذي ينبغي في الحقيقة أن يتعاهدَ طلابُ العلم بعضَهم بعضًا، فيعلِّمَ الطالبُ أخاه المبتدئَ الطريقةَ، ويُسْدي إليه النصيحةَ
ولهذا ينبغـي أن يرحمَ بعضُنا بعـضًا في الدروس العلمية، وفي العلم جميعًا
وربما ابتدأ العلماء متونَهم بالوصية لطالب العلم بالرحمة
ولهذا تجد في إجازات الحديث أولَ ما ينقلون حديثَ: {الراحمونَ يرحمُهم الرحمنُ، ارحموا من في الارض يَرْحَمْكُمْ مَنْ في السماء} هذا الحديث هو المعروف عند العلماء بالمسلسل بالأوَّلِيَّةِ؛ لأن كلَّ شيخٍ يقول عن شيخه: حدثنا شيخُنا فلانٌ، وهو أولُ حديث سمعته منه
قال: حدثني شيخي فلانٌ، وهو أولُ حديثٍ سمعته منه
إلى أن يصل إلى طبقة أتباعِ التابعين كلها أول
سؤال: لماذا يتعلمون حديث {الراحمون يرحمهم الرحمن…}
الجواب: اعلم – رحمك الله – أن من خصال طالب العلم التي يبارك اللهُ U بها ويرحمُهُ اللهُ – جلَّ وعلا – أن يكون رحيمًا بمَنْ حولَه يرشدهم، ويعلمهم، ويعينهم.. الخ
فإذا كنت في طلبك للعلم رحيمًا بالخَلْقِ وبزملائك وبأصدقائك وبالحضور في التعاون والخير فأبشرْ برحمةِ اللهِ – جلَّ وعلا – لك بوعده الصادق بقولِ نبيه – عليه الصلاة والسلام -: {الراحمونَ يرحمهم الرحمنُ..}

[11] Manners of a Serious Student Are Not Limited to Earnest Striving, Punctuality, Note Taking, Memorisation, Revision etc.

Written by The Salafi Centre of Manchester on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Seeking Knowledge, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Ash-Shawkaanee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “One of the reasons that leads to the abandonment of fairness and thus distances one from the truth -leads to concealment of truth and not clarifying that which Allaah has obligated – is love of high status and wealth. Both these affairs are a greater enemy to a person than two hunting wolves just as Allaah’s Messenger described, because indeed that was the reason that led the people of the scripture to distort Allaah’s Books and concealed that which came to them of clear proofs and guidance, such as what happened to the Jewish Rabis, and indeed Allaah informed us about this in His Mighty Book and the Messenger (also) informed us about it in the authentic narrations”. (1)

The Imaam also stated: “We often see a man holding a belief that agrees with the truth and what is correct, but when he speaks to someone who disagrees with him – one who inclines to something of the innovations in religious affairs, not to mention one of the people of leadership and one of those in possession of something of the worldly life, and not to mention one of the kings, he agrees with him, strengthen him, supports and aids him against others. The least in such situations is that he would conceal what he believes is the truth, and despises – in presence of a person from whom it is neither possible to receive harm nor is he is able to benefit from him – what has become clear to him is the right thing, so what about someone from whom harm and benefit is possible? This – in reality – is from that which is tantamount to giving preference to the worldly things and the present life of this world over the religion and the Hereafter. If he looked closely and pondered on what has happened to him, he would have known that his inclination to the desires of a man, two men, three or more – amongst those he compliments in that gathering, conceals the truth in order to be in agreement with them and in order to attract their affection, get hold of what they possess and escape from being alienated by them – is a shortcoming in (standing for the) truth and tantamount to exalting falsehood. Were it not that these people are greater in his sight than the Lord, he would not have inclined to their desires and left what he knows is what Allah wants and demands of His servants”. (2)

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from Adabud Talab Wa Muntahaa Al-Adab. Page 93. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Adab At-talab Wa Muntahaa al-Adaab. pages 94-95. slightly paraphrased]

Any Recent Important Clarification?!

Written by The Salafi Centre of Manchester on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam.

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

Those Who Belittle Elder Students Because They Are Not Graduates- A Clarification By Shaikh Abu Idrees [may Allaah preserve him]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aeB1qGI41s

Certificates of graduation and the reality of knowledge

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said that some of the people say that sincere intention in this present era of ours is difficult (to achieve) or it may be impossible (to achieve) because those who seek knowledge do so with the aim of receiving a certificate. The Shaikh replied to this statement saying that one’s intention is regarded to be corrupt if knowledge is sought in order to receive a certificate or a desire for an elevated worldly status by way of it. But a person’s intention is regarded to be good and not in opposition to sincerity if he wants an elevated status in order to benefit the people, for he knows that at present it is impossible for a person to achieve a high and beneficial position for the Ummah unless he has a certificate. And because of this, even if you were to find a scholar who is good in various affairs of knowledge but he has no certificate, it will not be possible for him to teach even in high school and this is the reality. And you will find that the one lesser in knowledge than this scholar will be accepted (as a teacher) at a university as long as he has a certificate. So in accordance with a person’s (sincere) intention and choices the certificate is not considered harmful and its obtainment enters into the statement of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]:

وما جاءك من هذا المال وأنت غير مشرف ولا سائل فخذه، وما لا فلا تتبعه نفسك

And what comes to you from this wealth without asking for it or having greed for it, take it; and if not given, do not run for it.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Number 1473. Vol 2. Book of Zakat] (1)

The Shaikh also stated: Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “It maybe that a person come long (whilst) holding the certification of a doctorate (PhD), and take up the position of teaching in the faculties and universities, yet he is the most ignorant of people. And if a secondary grade student came, he would be better than him (in understanding and knowledge). This is witnessed. At present, there is to be found one who has a doctorate certificate, but he does not know anything of knowledge- either he succeeded by cheating or succeeded by a superficial success that did not establish knowledge in his mind (and heart), but he is employed because he has a doctorate. A person comes along – a good student of knowledge, from the best of people and better than this one with a doctoral degree a thousand times, but he is neither employed nor teaches at a faculty; why? Because he doesn’t have a doctorate”. (2)

Al-Allaamah Taqiyuddeen Al-Hilaali [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated about a scholar called Al-Allaamah Ahmad Bin Sulaymaan Ash-Shanqeetee [may Allaah have mercy upon him]: He is the Allaamah, the Salafi, the Usoolee, the Mufassir, the skillful author, the poet and one proficient in various sciences of the religion. The likes of this man is rare in his era. He is needed by the teachers of Al-Azhar, the Islamic University of Madeenah and every Arab University. I do not say that he is (only) needed by students, but he is needed by the teachers. One of the adversities that has afflicted the Arabs in this era is the sweeping ignorance and (blameworthy) blind following in their midst, and their adherence to a crooked path, because indeed they do not give consideration to knowledge, but rather they give consideration to superficial certificates that are obtained by many people. They attain the highest ranks in universities, whilst being deaf, dumb, and blind [i.e. they don’t listen to truth, speak truth and contemplate (or see) truth]. I swear by Allaah – besides Whom none has the right to be worshipped- that if the university professors in Europe were to gain access to this man, they would have indeed benefitted from his knowledge and make every conceivable sacrifice to be at his service; but as we say one of the misguided traits of the Arabs (at present) is that indeed [يتركون العين ويطلبون الأثر – they abandon something good that is witnessed or seen, then seek for it after its disappearance]. And due to their dependence on certificates, they are as the poet said: [ولو لبس الحمار ثياب خزّ *** لقال الناس يا لك من حمار – If a donkey wore fine clothes, the people will say, “Oh what a donkey (i.e. praising a donkey just because it is wearing fine clothes does not change its reality!)]. Likewise, when an ignoramus obtains a certificate from a university, the people say, “Oh! What a scholar!” And if he does not have a certificate, they say, “Oh! What an ignoramus”. (3)

Ponder again upon the statement of Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen: “And because of this, even if you were to find a scholar who is good in various affairs of knowledge but he has no certificate, it will not be possible for him to teach even in high school and this is the reality. And you will find that the one lesser in knowledge than this scholar will be accepted (as a teacher) at a university as long as he has a certificate”. [End of quote]

Study – either under scholars or at a reliable institution, but do not inflate your importance until you belittle others without right. May Allaah bless all the Scholars, students and seekers of knowledge Aameen.

[Ref 1: Sharh Hilya Taalib Al-Ilm..page 22. Paraphrased]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Sharh Riyaadus Saaliheen. Audio number 74a]
[Ref 3: An Except from Sabeel Ar-Rashaad Fee Hadyi Khayr Al-I’baad. 3/18-19]

[10] Manners of a Serious Student Are Not Limited to Earnest Striving, Punctuality, Note Taking, Memorisation, Revision etc.

Written by The Salafi Centre of Manchester on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, Seeking Knowledge, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Refrain From Portraying Yourself – to the Simple People Who Are Amazed By You and Do Not Know You Very Well- As One Who Has Achieved Such and Such or Did Such and Such, Whilst You Dare Not to Do So In The Presence of Those Who Know You Very Well!

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

لَا تَحۡسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفۡرَحُونَ بِمَآ أَتَواْ وَّيُحِبُّونَ أَن يُحۡمَدُواْ بِمَا لَمۡ يَفۡعَلُواْ فَلَا تَحۡسَبَنَّہُم بِمَفَازَةٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡعَذَابِ‌ۖ
وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ۬

Think not that those who rejoice in what they have done (or brought about), and love to be praised for what they have not done,- think not you that they are rescued from the torment, and for them is a painful torment. [Surah Aal Imran. Aayah 188]

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [my Allaah have mercy upon him] said: From the benefits of the Noble Aayah: (a) A warning against the rejoicing (that one) is doing a favour to Allaah and His Messenger, or the rejoicing (accompanied with) deception and betrayal such as (what the) hypocrites (do). (b) A warning to the person against loving to be praised for what one has not done. This happens a lot, sometimes a person clearly states that he has, whilst he is lying, and sometimes he pretends (or play with words) so the listener thinks that he is the doer, whilst he is not. (1)

The Behaviour of The Pious Predecessors

Narrated Husayn bin Abdir Rahmaan, “I was with Sa’eed Bin Jubair when he said, ‘Who amongst you saw a shooting star last night?’ I said, ‘I did’. Then I said, ‘I was not in prayer, but was stung by a scorpion’ [i.e. the reason why I was awake and saw the shooting star was because I got stung by a scorpion]. He said, ‘Then what did you do?’ I said, ‘I performed Ruqyah’”… to the end of the hadeeth (2)

Question: Why did Husayn Bin Abdir Rahmaan [may Allaah have mercy upon him] mention – in addition – that he was not in prayer after informing Sa’eed Bin Jubayr that he saw the shooting star last night?!

Answer: Imaam Sa’di [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “That is because Salaf [the pious predecessors] were far removed from praising a person for something he does not possess”. (3)

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “He (i.e. Husayn) said this lest the people think that he was standing in prayer and thus he is praised for that which he did not do. This is opposite of what some people do, for they rejoice that people assume that they were standing in prayer. This is tantamount to a deficiency in one’s Tawheed. Husayn’s statement is not viewed from the angle of show off, rather it is a good deed, and it is not like that one who abandons acts of obedience to Allaah out of fear of Riyaa, for indeed shaytaan plays about with a person (in this affair) and beautifies for him to abandon deeds out of fear of Riyaa; rather one should perform acts of obedience to Allaah, but nothing should be in your heart that you want to be seen by people”. (4)

Al-Allamah Saaleh Aala Ash-Shaykh [may Allaah preserve him] said, “He (i.e. Husayn) made this statement out of fearing that those who were present would think that he saw the shooting star whilst he was in prayer (i.e. Tahajjud), so he negated that from himself. This shows the virtue of the Salaf, their eagerness for sincerity, being distant from showing off and adorning oneself with something one does not possess”. (5)

Strive Against The Desire to Boast and Raising Yourself!

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَمَا كَانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنفِرُوا كَافَّةً ۚ فَلَوْلَا نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ طَائِفَةٌ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ

And it is not (proper) for the believers to go out to fight (Jihad) all together. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may get instructions in (Islamic) religion, and that they may warn their people when they return to them, so that they may beware (of evil). [Surah At-tawbah’ A ayah 122]

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali [may Allaah preserve him] said, “Look (at this)! There is an aim behind knowledge. The one who boasts to the people about knowledge will not be able to acquire it; (rather the goal behind knowledge) is to give warning to your people. You (should) seek knowledge for the sake of Allaah and sincerely. Therefore, your intention -after sincerity – should be to benefit the people, and those worthier – first and foremost – to be benefited are your close relatives and family. You owe them a right to be fulfilled before all the people”. (6)

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “Raising oneself can either be by way of the tongue and it can also be by way of sentiments [feelings, attitude, behaviour etc]. He (i.e. the student) might be walking with his teacher, whilst swaggering and saying, ‘I did this and I did this'”. (7)

Ibnu Jamaa’ah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated about sincerity in seeking knowledge, “It is to have a good intention in seeking knowledge-seeking the face of Allaah by way of it; acting upon it; reviving the sharee’ah; enlightenment of the heart and (rectification) of its hidden affairs; seeking to get close to Allaah on the Day of Judgement, and putting one’s mind to that which Allaah has prepared for its people of His Pleasure and Great Favours”. (8)

[1: Tafseer Surah Aal Imran]

[2: Full hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim 220]

[3: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Qawlus Sadeed Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed’. page 77. Slightly paraphrased]

[4:An Excerpt from ‘Al-Qawlul Mufeed Alaa Kitaab At-Tawheed’. Vol 1. Page 97. Slightly paraphrased]

[5:An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Fat-hul Majeed Li-Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed. Vol 1. Page 162’. Slightly paraphrased]

[6: Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm. Page 249]

[7: An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm’ pages 38-40. slightly paraphrased]

[8: Tadh-kirah As-Saami Wal-Mutakallim of Al-Kinaaniy: 67-70]

[9] Manners of a Serious Student Are Not Limited to Earnest Striving, Punctuality, Note Taking, Memorisation, Revision etc.

Written by The Salafi Centre of Manchester on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah; even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [Surah An-Nisaa. Ayah 135]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all Imperfections] commanded His servants to stand out firmly for justice on behalf of everyone – be it an enemy or an ally. And the affair that is most worthy of being established with justice -by a person- are the (sound and upright) statements, views and methodology related to the commands of Allaah as well as everything that Allaah has informed (His slaves in the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah). Therefore, to establish these affairs based on desires and disobedience is contrary to the command of Allaah and a negation (i.e. either intentionally or unintentionally) of that which Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] was sent with [i.e. the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah]. The establishment of justice (i.e. based on the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah) is the responsibility of those entrusted with the task to convey Islam after the death of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], and this task cannot become a reality unless when one establishes it based on pure justice and sincerity to Allaah- (sincerity) to Allaah’s Book, to Allaah’s Messenger and out of sincere advice to Allaah’s servants. These people are the true inheritors [i.e. inheritors of the knowledge left behind by the Prophets], but not that one who merely makes his companions, sect and school of thought the determinant of truth and the distinction between (truth and falsehood) by showing enmity towards the one who opposes him and allies with the one who agrees with him, merely based on being opposed or agreed with (i.e. without sound proofs based on the Book and the authentic Sunnah), because where is that (application of the) command to stand out firmly for justice on behalf of everyone, even though standing out firmly for justice is the greatest command and obligation?!

Then Allaah (The Most High) says: [شُہَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ – As witnesses to Allah]: A witness is that one who presents information about something, so if he presents credible information, he is a just witness and his (statement) is accepted; but if he gives false information, he is a false witness. Allaah [The Most High] commanded us to stand out firmly as just witnesses for His sake, therefore it has to be carried out for the Sake of Allaah and not for other than Allaah. And in [Surah Al-Maa’idah Ayah 8, Allaah (The Most High) said]: [كُونُواْ قَوَّٲمِينَ لِلَّهِ شُہَدَآءَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ‌ۖ – Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses]: This Aayah establishes four affairs: One should stand out firmly for justice and do so for sake of Allaah; witness to justice and do so for the Sake of Allaah.

Then Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ‌ۚ – Even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin].

Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] commanded us to stand out firmly for justice and testify (for or against) everyone, even if it were someone who is the most beloved person to us. A person should stand out firmly for justice (whether for or against) himself, his two parents, his other close relatives and his best friend amongst the people. If a person’s love for himself, his parents and his relatives prevents him from standing out firmly for the truth against them, especially if the truth is with someone he hates and regards as an enemy due to them, then indeed none will stand out firmly for justice in such circumstances except one whose love for Allaah and His Messenger is more than their love for everyone else.

A person has to establish justice when dealing with his enemies and (when dealing with) that one who deprives him of his rights, because indeed it is not permissible that hatred for his enemies leads him to be unjust towards them, just as it is not permissible (to allow) love of himself, his parents and relatives to make him abandon standing firmly for justice against them. Therefore, hatred harboured against someone should not lead him to falsehood, and love (of himself, parents and relatives) should not make him fall short in establishing truth, just as one of the pious predecessors said, “The just person is that one who when angry his anger does not lead him to falsehood, and when he is pleased it does not remove him from truth”. The two verses of the Qur’aan [i.e. 4:135 and 5:8] convey two rulings and they are: Standing out firmly for justice and making a truthful testimony on behalf of one’s allies and enemies.

Then Allaah [The Most High] said: [إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرً۬ا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِہِمَا‌ۖ – Be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you)]- Meaning: Allaah is the Lord of both of them and their Protector, and they are both His slaves. It may be that you become fearful of standing firmly for justice by testifying against a rich person or a poor person – either fearing that the rich person might lose his wealth or because the poor person has nothing, so your hearts become lackadaisical towards standing out firmly for the truth. Therefore, it should be said to them [i.e. the people], “Allah is a Better Protector to both the rich and poor person. Allaah knows the affair of the rich person more than you and He is more Merciful to the poor than you, so do not refrain from standing out firmly for the truth and from giving testimony (for or against) the rich or the poor”.

Then Allaah said: [فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ – So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice]-Meaning: Allaah forbids (His slaves) from following desires, which will lead them to abandon justice.

Then Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا – and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do]- Meaning: Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] mentions two reasons that will inevitably lead to concealment of truth, then He warned against them and issued a threat: The first of them is distortion and the second is to turn away from giving truthful witness. That is because when a proof that supports the truth is manifested and the one who wants to repel it finds no way of doing so, he refrains from mentioning it and thus becomes a silent devil, and sometimes he distorts it. Distortion is of two types: distorting words and distorting meanings. Distorting words is when one utters a word in a context in which it does not establish the truth – either adding to the word or omitting something from it or substituting it with something else to the extent that the listener is made to believe something, whilst something else is intended by it, just as the Yahood [i.e. those Yahood who disbelieved in the Prophet and hated him] used to distort words when giving Salaam to the Prophet [i.e. saying As-Saamu Alayka (death be upon you), instead of saying Assalaamu alaykum)]. This is one type of distortion.

The second type of distortion is related to meanings – distorting the wording, giving it an interpretation that is not intended by the one who uttered it and pretending not to know its unintended meaning; or dropping other meanings intended by it etc. Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَإِن تَلۡوُ ۥۤاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرً۬ا – and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do].

And when it is the case that a witness is required to bear witness based on what the affair should be [i.e. the complete truth], therefore neither should he hide nor change it. Turning away from the testimony is tantamount to concealment and distortion is tantamount to alteration and substitution. Therefore, contemplate on this ayah and the treasures of knowledge it contains. The faith of a person cannot be complete, except by way of accepting the texts of the divine legislation and calling the people to them – neither turning away from them at times nor distorting them at other times. [An Excerpt from ‘Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim. Vol 1. Page 300-303. Slightly paraphrased]

[8] Manners of a Serious Student Are Not Limited to Earnest Striving, Punctuality, Note Taking, Memorisation, Revision etc.

Written by The Salafi Centre of Manchester on . Posted in Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said: Tale carrying is to transmit speech between the people with the intent of destroying their relationships. Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَلَا تُطِعۡ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ۬ مَّهِينٍ
هَمَّازٍ۬ مَّشَّآءِۭ بِنَمِيمٍ۬

And obey not everyone who swears much, and is considered worthless, a slanderer, going about with calumnies. [Surah Al-Qalam. Aayaat 10-11]

And the worst is that one who hastens to destroy the relationship between the students of knowledge and the callers to Islaam, split the Jamaa’ah of the Muslims and incite hatred between them. (see footnote a) The one who does this is a Nammaam [a tale carrier]. Indeed, Allaah [The Most High] forbade (us) from following and believing such a person even if he swears by Allaah, as Allaah said:

وَلَا تُطِعۡ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ۬ مَّهِينٍ
هَمَّازٍ۬ مَّشَّآءِۭ بِنَمِيمٍ۬

And obey not everyone who swears much, and is considered worthless, a slanderer, going about with calumnies. [Surah Al-Qalam. Aayaat 10-11]

The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “The tale carrier will not enter paradise”. (1) Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This is a threat against the tale carrier. If he is a person upon Tawheed, it is hoped that he will enter paradise, but it is feared that this sin will prevent him from entry into paradise for some time and enters him into the hell fire for some time, just as it is case with all other sinners. The sinners [i.e. those who die whilst committing sins lesser than shirk] are under the will of Allaah- if Allaah wishes, He will either punish them or forgive them straight away, or He enters them into hell for some time and paradise thereafter, just as Allaah said: [ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ – Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases. [Surah An-Nisaa’ Aayah 48] (2)

Wars may occur due to the Tale Carrier, the Muslims may split and show enmity to one another due to the tale carrier, neighbours may boycott one another and one’s household may show enmity to one another and split due to a Tale Carrier. Therefore, we must fear Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] and be mindful of the Tale Carrier. (3)

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Verification is one of the most important affairs, if not the most important. Verifying what is transmitted from others is an important affair, because sometimes the transmitters harbour evil intentions so they transmit – intentionally and deliberately – that which will tarnish the reputation of the one they transmit from. And sometimes they do not harbour an evil intention, but they understand something in a manner that is opposite to what is intended by it. Therefore, it is obligatory to verify. So, when the proof (sound source) of the transmission is established, then the one from whom the statement was transmitted is engaged in a discussion (or his statement is examined) before a judgement is passed as to whether it is a mistake or not. That is because it may become clear to you – by way of discussion – that the one from whom the statement was transmitted is correct. And if not, then what is known is that if a person were to immediately pass a judgement merely based on what he hears, he will transmit things from some of the scholars – those considered to be the beacons of knowledge – that which the souls will dislike; but when one verifies, contemplates and establishes contact with this Shaikh, the affair will become clarified. (4)

Footnote a: Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] stated: The cause of the differing that take place between the callers is the differing in methodologies. And had the callers (may Allaah guide them and grant them success) followed a singular methodology- the methodology of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] – that which the Messenger and his companions were upon- then these differences would not have occurred. Therefore, it is obligatory upon all the callers to make their methodology one–upon the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah, and that their call is (carried out) for the sake of Allaah and to make the word of Allaah uppermost. Their call should not be for the sake of desires, raising individuals or parties; rather their call should be sincerely for Allaah’s Face-making Allaah’s word uppermost; following the Messenger of Allaah and to aid His Religion. (So) by way of this the differing will cease. [Source: Al-Ijaabaatul Muhimmah Fil Mashaakil Al-Mulimmah. pages 221-222]

Al-Allaamah Zaid Ibn Hadee al Madkhalee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: The Mubtadi [i.e. the one who innovates that which is not from the religion and thus is labelled with the term ‘innovator in religion’ after the proofs have been established against him] is the cause for the splitting (in the Ummah). That is because splitting is connected to innovation and unity (upon the sound creed and methodology of the Salaf) is connected to the Sunnah. The obligation of refuting the Mukhaalif (the opposer of the truth) is not lifted from the scholar due to anticipation of harm, unless it is harm he is not able to bear. Then (in this case), Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. The earth is not devoid of people of knowledge who will carry out refutation against the Mubtadi and the Mukhaalif. [Source: Al Ajwibah Al Mukhtasar Alaa As-ila Al-Ashrati. pages 43-44]

[Refs 1 and 3: An Excerpt from ‘Atta-thab-but Fil-Akhbaar’ pages 34-36. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: https://www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/2527 ]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm Pages 75-76]