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

Allaah [The Most High] said:

إِذۡ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ لِمَ تَعۡبُدُ مَا لَا يَسۡمَعُ وَلَا يُبۡصِرُ وَلَا يُغۡنِى عَنكَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا

 يَـٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّى قَدۡ جَآءَنِى مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ مَا لَمۡ يَأۡتِكَ

When he [i.e. Ibraaheem (alayhis salaam)] said to his father: O my father! Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not and cannot avail you in anything? O my father! Verily! There has come to me of knowledge that which came not unto you. [19:42-43]

Imaam Sadi [rahimahullaah] said: Look at this speech that is attractive to the hearts. He [Ibraaheen (alayhis-salaam)] did not say to his father, ‘’Indeed, you are a Jaahil [an ignorant person] lest his father is turned away due to rough speech; rather [Allaah said that Ibraaheem said]:

فَٱتَّبِعۡنِىٓ أَهۡدِكَ صِرَٲطً۬ا سَوِيًّ۬ا

 يَـٰٓأَبَتِ لَا تَعۡبُدِ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنَ‌ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنَ كَانَ لِلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ عَصِيًّ۬ا

 يَـٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ أَن يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ وَلِيًّ۬ا

So follow me. I will guide you to a Straight Path. “O my father! Worship not Shaitan (Satan). Verily! Shaitan (Satan) has been a rebel against the Most Beneficent (Allah). “O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment from the Most Beneficent (Allah) overtake you, so that you become a companion of Shaitan(Satan) (in the Hell-fire).” [19:43-45] [Ref 1]

Imaam Ash-Shanqeetee [rahimahullaah] stated regarding harshness and softness in their appropriate places: “It is idiocy and an offence to (apply) harshness in a place where leniency is to be (applied), and it is weakness and spiritlessness to apply leniency in a place where harshness is to be applied”.  If it is said, “Be lenient”; say, “Leniency should be in its [rightful] place, because the leniency of a young man in other than its [rightful] place is ignorance”.  [Ref 2]

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[Ref 1: Qisas Al-Anbiyaa’ page 45’ by Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah)]:

[Ref 2: Al-Islaam Deenu Kaamilu’ by Imaam Ash-Shanqeetee (rahimahullaah) page 12]

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

Allaah [The  Mighty and Majestic] said:

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ

Verily, Ibraaheem was an Ummah [leader], Qaanitan [obedient], Haneefan [one who worshipped Allaah alone], and he was not one of the Mushrikeen [polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, and those who associate partners with Allah]. [Surah An-Nahl. Aayah 120]

Three Qualities: Imaam – a leader of guidance and an upright guide for the people; Qaanitan – constant in worship and obedient to Allaah; Haneefan – turning away from Shirk [i.e. beliefs, acts, ideas and views that are tantamount to associating partners with Allaah];  [وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ  – and he was not one of the Mushrikeen – the polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah, and those who associate partners with Allaah].

Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] stated in another Aayah:

قَدۡ كَانَتۡ لَكُمۡ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬ فِىٓ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُ ۥۤ إِذۡ قَالُواْ لِقَوۡمِہِمۡ إِنَّا بُرَءَٲٓؤُاْ مِنكُمۡ وَمِمَّا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ

Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraaheem (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: “Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah…” [Surah Al-Mumtahinah. Aayah 4]

These qualities of Prophet Ibraaheem [alayhis salaam] are that of a person who actualises Tawheed [pure Islamic monotheism] and an encouragement for others to emulate them, just as Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] stated: [قَدۡ كَانَتۡ لَكُمۡ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬ فِىٓ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ  – Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraaheem].

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An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed- Lesson 2. By Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq al-Badr [hafidhahullaah]. Slightly paraphrased

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

[Muhammad (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam) Is The Slave And Messenger of Allaah]

This statement affirms Muhammad’s [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] servitude to Allaah and his Messenger-ship. These two affairs [Muhammad’s servitude to Allaah and his Messenger-ship] prevents a person from Ghuluww [i.e. exaggeration or going beyond bounds] and Jafaa [i.e. falling short in fulfilling what is required]. The fact that Muhammad [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] is a slave of Allaah necessitates that he is not to be worshipped; rather the Lord [Allaah] alone has the right to be worshipped. Therefore, this prevents a person from Ghuluww [i.e. exaggeration or going beyond bounds regarding the rightful status of Muhammad (sallal laahu-alayhi-wasallam)].

And the affirmation that Muhammad [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] is the Messenger of Allaah prevents a person from Jafaa [i.e. prevents a person from failing to follow the Prophet as he is to be followed; prevents a person from failing to give the Prophet his due rights, status etc]

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An Excerpt from Sharh Kitaab at-Tawheed -lesson 2. By Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah]

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

[لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللَّه وحْدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لهُ – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, alone, without partner].

The one who makes this testimony requires knowledge, 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 the Nasaaraa- those who act but have no knowledge; acting upon it removes a person from the path of the Yahood- 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 have no certainty.

This testimony [لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللَّه وحْدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لهُ – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, alone, without partner] has two pillars- Nafi [Negation] and Ithbaat [Affirmation]. A person cannot be from the people of Tawheed [pure Islamic Montheism] until he fulfils these two pillars. [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 – comprehensive negation of the worship that is devoted to all other objects of worship, and specific affirmation that only Allaah has the right to be worshipped.

If a person utters the negation without the affirmation, he is not a person of Tawheed [pure Islamic monotheism]; and if he affirms without uttering the negation, he is not a person of Tawheed [pure Islamic monotheism]. If a person were to negate only by saying [لا إلهَ  – There is no deity worthy of worship], he is an atheist; and if he were to affirm that Allaah has the right to be worshipped without negating that other objects of worship do not have the same right, he is a Mushrik [polytheist]. Therefore, one cannot be a person upon 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].

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Source: An Excerpt from Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed. Lesson 2. Slightly paraphrased

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

Indeed, one of the greatest bestowals on a believing slave of Allaah – which leads to guidance and righteous deeds -is that Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] facilitates for him the path to seeking knowledge, grants him an ardent zeal and eagerness for knowledge. Seeking knowledge is something one never feels that he has acquired enough, rather whenever a path to knowledge is made available, he pursues it.

Allaah protects the student of knowledge, guides and aids him, therefore it is obligated on a student of knowledge to exalt the affair of turning to Allaah [in submission, obedience etc] and that what he learns should be a proof for him and not against him; and that Allaah increases him in knowledge, facilitates him with the path to good and guidance. “Whoever follows a path in search of knowledge Allaah will make easy for a him a path to paradise”.

One of the noblest aspects of knowledge – an affair that occupies a mighty station- is to pay close attention to the characteristics of the Prophet, his specific qualities and deeds by way of which Allaah distinguished him from everyone amongst mankind, his manners, etiquettes and biography. That is because he is the greatest Imaam [leader] and the perfect example. Indeed, Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] commanded us to follow his example, made him an Imaam [leader] and example for us. Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] said:

لَّقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرۡجُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلۡيَوۡمَ ٱلۡأَخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرً۬ا

Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayah 21]

This noble Aayah – as the people of knowledge have stated – is a basis to established the fact that the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] is to be emulated; [but] emulating him cannot be actualized except by way of acquainting oneself with his characteristics, his qualities in general, his specific qualities and deeds by way of which Allaah distinguished him from everyone amongst humankind, his manners and etiquettes. The one who is unacquainted with the Prophet’s [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] characteristics and manners will not be able to emulate him, and that is why the scholars [of Islaam] have written beneficial books regarding his characteristics and qualities.

The manners and qualities of the Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] are a means of inviting [mankind] to this mighty religion [of Islaam]. Indeed, many people- during his era and thereafter – have been guided through their acquaintance with his manners and qualities. One used to come to him whilst harbouring the severest hatred towards him,  but after meeting him and [observing] his great [unmatched noble] etiquettes, noble manners, lofty dealings and benevolence, the person would depart whilst loving him more than everyone else on the face of the earth. Therefore, his characteristics are a means to calling to this religion- a weapon for the one inviting the people in the path of Allaah.

Speaking about his qualities, emulating him and calling others to emulate him strengthens the religion of Islaam, because he was the one whom Allaah appointed to convey and explain the religion to humankind. Allaah chose him and he is the best of all the slaves of Allaah- the greatest in his servitude to Allaah. Calling the people to emulate his qualities is a means to calling people to believe in the religion ordained by Allaah and a means to strengthening the belief of the one who has already believed in his Messenger-ship. This is why turning away from his Seerah has been the cause of people’s inclination towards the path of losers amongst men and women [i.e. those upon a path other than the path of Allaah]. As for the biographies of the Imaams of Guidance- the greatest of them being the Messenger, they are a means of rectifying the person and a means to safety from corruption and evil.  On the other hand, the biography of the losers is a path that will lead to evil, ruin and corruption. Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] said:

قَدۡ كَانَتۡ ءَايَـٰتِى تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فَكُنتُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَعۡقَـٰبِكُمۡ تَنكِصُونَ

مُسۡتَكۡبِرِينَ بِهِۦ سَـٰمِرً۬ا تَهۡجُرُونَ

أَفَلَمْ يَدَّبَّرُوا الْقَوْلَ أَمْ جَاءَهُم مَّا لَمْ يَأْتِ آبَاءَهُمُ الْأَوَّلِينَ

 أَمْ لَمْ يَعْرِفُوا رَسُولَهُمْ فَهُمْ لَهُ مُنكِرُونَ

Indeed My Verses used to be recited to you, but you used to turn back on your heels [denying them, and with hatred to listen to them]. In pride [they Quraish pagans and polytheists of Makkah used to feel proud that they are the dwellers of Makkah sanctuary Haram], talking evil about it [the Qur’an] by night. Have they not pondered over the Word [of Allaah, i.e. what is sent down to the Prophet], or has there come to them what had not come to their fathers of old? Or is it that they did not recognize their Messenger [Muhammad] so they deny him? [i.e. this is a rebuke against them because all of them – young and old – knew his lineage, truthfulness and trustworthiness, yet they turned away from his message]. [Surah Al-Muminoon. Aayaat 66-69]

This shows that contemplating on the Qur’aan and acquainting oneself with the Messenger’s guidance and biography is a path leading to safety, and a safeguard against turning back on one’s heels [i.e. a safeguard against turning away from the guidance he was sent with]. On the other hand, abandoning the Seerah of the Prophet and inclining towards the Seerah of the losers [i.e. those men and women upon other than the guidance of the Messenger] will lead to ruin. The people became corrupted – in this era – after being put to trial through movies and films; but had they turned to the biographies of the Prophets and the noble companions of the Prophet Muhammad, they would have found guidance and a path leading to steadfastness.

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Source: An Excerpt from: [شرح المختصر في صفات النبي ﷺ وأخلاقه] Lesson 1. slightly paraphrased

 

 

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

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali [may Allaah preserve him] stated: The one who rebuts a Mubtadi [an innovator] or a book in which there is Bidah, or disparages one who is deserving of disparagement, or rebukes one who deserves to be rebuked, [such as] some narrator, false witnesser and a sinner who announces his sin, then he [i.e. this refuter, rebuker] is not an oppressor because he has placed the affairs in their proper and [rightful] places, and the oppressive transgressor is the one who embarks upon speaking ill of him and conspires against him. In reality, he [i.e. the one who speaks ill of this upright refuter, rebuke] is the one who places something in order than its [rightful] place due to the fact that he praises the criminals- the callers to the gates of the hell fire- and speaks ill of those who give sincere advice to the Muslims. Whoever defends them [i.e. the innovators] and argues on their behalf with falsehood, then he is from those more deserving of the statement of Allaah:

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَلَا تُجَـٰدِلۡ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخۡتَانُونَ أَنفُسَہُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ مَن كَانَ خَوَّانًا أَثِيمً۬ا

يَسۡتَخۡفُونَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا يَسۡتَخۡفُونَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ مَعَهُمۡ إِذۡ يُبَيِّتُونَ مَا لَا يَرۡضَىٰ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ‌ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا يَعۡمَلُونَ مُحِيطًا

هَـٰٓأَنتُمۡ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ جَـٰدَلۡتُمۡ عَنۡہُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا فَمَن يُجَـٰدِلُ ٱللَّهَ عَنۡہُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ أَم مَّن يَكُونُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ وَڪِيلاً۬

And argue not on behalf of those who deceive themselves. Verily, Allah does not like anyone who is a betrayer of his trust, and indulges in crime. They may hide [their crimes] from men, but they cannot hide [them] from Allah, for He is with them [by His Knowledge], when they plot by night in words that He does not approve, and Allah ever encompasses what they do. Lo! You are those who have argued for them in the life of this world, but who will argue for them on the Day of Resurrection against Allah, or who will then be their defender? [Surah An-Nisaa. Aayaat 107109]

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An Excerpt from ‘Al-Mahajjatul Baydaa Fee Himaayatis Sunnatil Gharraa’ Min Zallaati Ahlil Akh’taa Wa Zayghi Ahlil Ahwaa’ page 29-30