“The guidance of the Prophet ﷺ with the Quran, is that he use to obtain it from Jibreel (alayhis salaam), Jibreel would convey it onto him from his Lord. So the Prophet ﷺ would begin with acting upon it and teaching it to the people, this is how his guidance was with the Quran.”
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Narrated Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa], “The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadaan when Jibreel visited him, and Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadaan till the end of the month. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] used to recite the Noble Qur’aan to Jibreel, and when Jibreel met him, he used to be more generous than the fair wind [sent by Allaah with glad tidings (rain) in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds]”. [Saheeh al-Bukhaari 1902]
Few Reminders From This Hadeeth
Zain Ibnul Muneer [rahimahullaah] said, “The intent behind the likeness [or comparison] between the Prophet’s [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] generosity and the fair wind, is that the wind is one of mercy which Allaah [The Exalted] sends and sends down rain that falls everywhere- both on a dead land [i.e. falls on a dry land and revives it] as well as the land that is not dead; [likewise] the Prophet’s [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] good conduct and benevolence benefits everyone – the poor, the wealthy and the one who has enough – more than the rain that falls [after the arrival of that] fair wind”. [An Excerpt from Fat-hul Baari Sharh Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Vol 4. Page 150. Hadeeth 1902. Publisher- Daarus Salaam 1421 (Year 2000). 1st Edition). Slightly paraphrased]
Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] said:
He [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] was the most generous amongst the people with regards to wealth and giving to the people, and not that he was (only) generous after being asked. And in the final year [of his life], Jibreel met him twice and he finished the recitation of the [Qur’aan] twice. And from the benefits of [this hadeeth] is that it is more virtuous to study and recite the Qur’aan at night- studying it with the righteous people, the scholars and the good people. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] recited [the Qur’aan to Jibreel] to receive Allaah reward. [An Excerpt from Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min Ta’liqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaariy. 2/121. Footnotes numbers: 1, 2 &3]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [hafidhahullaah] said:
Narrated Anas bin Maalik [radiyallaahu-anhu] that he heard ‘Umar [radiyallaahu-anhu] speaking, while standing on the pulpit of the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] in the morning [following the death of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)], when the people had given the Bai’ah [pledge] to Abu Bakr. He [praised Allaah, testified that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, and sent salutations upon the Prophet] before Abu Bakr, and said, ‘’To proceed; Allaah has chosen for His Messenger what is with Him [i.e. Paradise] rather than what is with you [i.e. the world]. This is that Book [the Qur’an] with which Allah guided your Messenger, so stick to it, for then you will be guided on the Right Path as Allaah guided His Messenger with it.” [Bukhari]
Benefits and Lessons:
The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], Abu Bakr [radiyallaahu-anhu] and all the companions [radiyallaahu-anhum] considered Umar [radiyallaahu-anhu] as one with great status, and because of this, he took [praiseworthy] stances during times of serious events in order to offer [sound] suggestions, such as during the Riddah [i.e. when some tribes left Islaam after the death of the Messenger]. And from them [i.e. those serious events] is that Umar [radiyallaahu-anhu] was the first one who gave the oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr [radiyallaahu’anhu]- he settled the affair as reported in the [following] hadeeth: ”When the Messenger of Allah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] passed away, the Ansar said: ‘Let there be an Amir from among us and an Amir from among you.’ Then Umar came to them and said: ‘O Ansar! Do you not know that the Messenger of Allah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] commanded Abu Bakr [radiyallaahu-anhu] to lead the people in prayer? Who among you could accept to put himself ahead of Abu Bakr?’ They said: ‘We seek refuge with Allah from putting ourselves ahead of Abu Bakr.’’ [Reported by Imaam Ahmad 3649]
On the second day, after the oath of allegiance was given to AbuBakr [radiyallaahu-anhu], he [Umar (radiyallaahu-anhu)] ascended the pulpit and delivered this great sermon, (saying): ”Amma Ba ‘du [to proceed]: Allah has chosen for His Messenger what is with Him (i.e. Paradise) rather than what is with you [i.e. the world]. This is that Book [i.e. the Qur’an] with which Allah guided your Messenger, so stick to it, for then you will be guided on the Right Path as Allaah guided His Messenger with it.”
This [statement of Umar] is Allaah’s command and the command of His Messenger other than (this) hadeeth, such as his [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] statement: ‘’I have left amongst you that which if you hold fast to it, you will never go astray after me: the book of Allah and my Sunnah.”
And likewise his [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] statement: ‘’The best speech is the Book of Allaah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. And the worst of all affairs are the newly invented matters (in the religion) and every innovation is misguidance.’’ [Muslim]
In the majority of his [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] sermons, he uttered this statement, in order to urge [mankind] towards adherence to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam]. Therefore, Umar [radiyallaahu-anhu] followed this path in order to guide the people to adhere to the Book of Allaah, for indeed in it is guidance and light. Indeed Allaah guided his Messenger through it-[Allaah (The Most High)] said:
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتَابُ وَلَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلَٰكِن جَعَلْنَاهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِي بِهِ مَن نَّشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
صِرَاطِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ أَلَا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَصِيرُ الْأُمُورُ
”And thus We have sent to you [O Muhammad] Ruhan [an Inspiration, and a Mercy] of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it [this Qur’an] a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And verily, you [O Muhammad] are indeed guiding [mankind] to the Straight Path [i.e. Allah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism]. The Path of Allah, to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. Verily, all the matters at the end go to Allah (for decision). [42:52-53]
The Book of Allaah [mentioned in this ayah] is the Qur’aan. Allaah [Glorified Be He and Free is He from all imperfections] did not guide him [i.e. the Messenger] except by way of His Mercy and by way of this Qur’aan. He [Allaah (The Most High)] said:
قُلْ إِن ضَلَلْتُ فَإِنَّمَا أَضِلُّ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِي ۖ وَإِنِ اهْتَدَيْتُ فَبِمَا يُوحِي إِلَيَّ رَبِّي ۚ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ قَرِيبٌ
Say: “If [even] I go astray, I shall stray only to my own loss. But if I remain guided, it is because of the Inspiration of my Lord to me. Truly, He is All-Hearer, Ever Near (to all things).” [34:50]
And He [Allaah (The Most High)] said:
اتَّبِعْ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ
‘’Follow what has been inspired to you (O Muhammad) from your Lord. [6:106]
And He [Allaah (The Most High)] said:
وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءَهُم بَعْدَ الَّذِي جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ ۙ مَا لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ
‘’And if you [O Muhammad] were to follow their desires after what you have received of Knowledge [i.e. the Qur’an], then you would have against Allah neither any Wali [protector or guardian] nor any helper.’’ [2:120]
The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] followed the revelation and its texts just as Allaah commanded him; and the Ummah are obligated with this [i.e. to follow as well], just as Allaah commanded them. He [Allaah (The Most High)] said:
اتَّبِعُوا مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ ۗ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ
Say [O Muhammad] to these idolaters [pagan Arabs] of your folk:] Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord [the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah], and follow not any Auliya’ [protectors and helpers, etc. who order you to associate partners in worship with Allah], besides Him [Allah]. Little do you remember! [7:3]
And just as Allaah commanded His Messenger to follow the revelation and to be guided by it, He [Allaah] also commanded the Ummah to follow the revelation and to be guided by it. Therefore, O Muslims! It is [obligated] on us to [take the] Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] as a [source of] guidance with truthfulness, sincerity, diligence and determination, and not with wishful thinking; rather we should be truthful to Allaah [The Blessed and Most High] with regards to holding fast to this Book [i.e. the Qur’aan] and the Sunnah, just as Allaah [Glorified and Exalted Be He] said to His slave Yahyah [alayhis-salaam]: [يَا يَحْيَىٰ خُذِ الْكِتَابَ بِقُوَّةٍ ۖ – O Yahya (John)! Hold fast the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah)].” [19:12]
Therefore, it is obligated on us to hold onto [the Qur’an] with diligence- neither with a slack nor lackadaisical [attitude] and nor through blameworthy blind following; rather it is obligated on us to ponder upon this Qur’aan just as He [Allaah (The Most High)] stated: [كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ – ‘’(This is) a Book (the Qur’an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember’’] [38: 29]
This Qur’aan was sent down to be pondered upon and to acquire (sound) understanding from it. And the one whom Allaah wishes good for, He gives him (or her) understanding in the religion.
It is incumbent upon you [to adhere] to this Book [i.e. the Qur’aan] and the Sunnah-give importance to them (by way of) memorization and acquiring understanding; utilise them as an aid in [seeking] a sincere and pure understanding based on the Messenger’s [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] statements and the understanding of the pious predecessors [may Allaah be pleased with all of them]. However, some of the pious predecessors may have some mistakes, so we seek Allaah’s Forgiveness for them and find excuses for them, however we do not follow them [in their mistakes], for everyone can have his statement accepted or rejected, except the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam].
(So) Umar (radiyallaahu-anahu) said: “Amma Ba‘du (to proceed): Allah has chosen for His Messenger what is with Him (Paradise) rather than what is with you (the world)….etc’’ and shortly before his death the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) delivered a sermon, as reported in the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed (radiyallaahu-anhu) – and said: ‘’Indeed Allaah gave a slave of His a choice between the Dunya and between what is with Him, so he (the slave) chose that which is with Allaah.’ So Abu Bakr (radiyallaahu-anhu) cried and said: ‘We sacrifice our fathers and mothers for your sake.’ We wondered why Abu Bakr (said such a thing). The people said: ‘Look at this old man! The Messenger of Allah says about a slave who was given the choice between the glitter of the worldly life and what He [Allaah] has with Him (of reward in the Hereafter); but he (i.e. Abu Bakr) says: We sacrifice our fathers and mothers for your sake!’ The Messenger of Allah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) was the slave who was to make the choice and (we acknowledged) that Abu Bakr was the most learned among us about the Messenger (i.e. because he knew the reason behind the Messenger’s statement).’’
Umar-and Allaah knows best-was referring to this (above) hadeeth. There is no Prophet at the time of death except that he is given a choice between the (bliss of) this life and what is with Allaah has (i.e. Allaah good pleasure and reward in the afterlife), and the Prophets chose what is with Allaah. Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu) said: ‘The Angel of Death was sent to Moosaa (alayhis-salaam); so when he came to Moosa, he (Moosaa) struck him in his eye. He (i.e. the Angel) returned to his Lord and said: You sent me to a slave who does not want to die.’ So Allah gave him back his eye and said: ‘Return to him and tell him to put his hand on the back of an ox and for every hair that will come under it, he will be granted one year of life.’ Moosaa (alayhis-salaam) said: ‘0 Lord! What will happen after that?’ Allah replied: ‘Then death.’ Moosaa said: ‘Let it come now!’ Moosaa then requested Allah to let him die close to the Holy Land so that he would be at a distance of a stone’s throw from it.” [Bukhari and Muslim] So he (alayhis-salaam) chose death.
The Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) was given a choice, just as he stated and just as Aa’isha (radiyallaahu-anhaa) said, ‘’The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) used to say whilst he was healthy: Never a prophet dies in a state that he is not made to see his abode in Paradise, and then given a choice.’’ ‘A’isha said that when Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) was about to leave the world, his head was over her thigh and he had fallen into swoon three times. When he felt relief his eyes were fixed at the ceiling. He then said: O Allaah, along with the high companions (i.e. along with the Prophets who live in the most elevated place of the Paradise). (On hearing these words), I then said (to myself) He is not going to opt us and I remembered a hadith which he had narrated to us as he was healthy and in which he said: No prophet dies until he sees his abode in Paradise, he is then given a choice. ‘A’isha said: These were the last words which Allaah’s Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) spoke: O Allaah, with companions on High. [Bukhaari]
So he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) chose the (company) of the high companions and departed from this worldly life.
This affair that Umar (radiyallaahu-anhu) referred to is in harmony with what the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) stated about the Prophets and himself. He (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) chose that which is with Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic). He chose the afterlife over the worldly life after completing his message perfectly. Allaah perfected this religion (of Islaam) and then gave him a choice (between this world and the hereafter), so he chose that which is with Allaah (i.e. the afterlife).
And likewise Anas (radiyallaahu-anhu) narrated: “Abu Bakr (radiyallaahu-anhu) said to ‘Umar (radiyallaahu-anhu), after the death of the Messenger of Allah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam), “Let us go and visit Umm Ayman [i.e. the wet nurse the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) during his childhood], as the Messenger of Allah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) used to visit her.” When they finished visiting her (and were about to leave) she began to cry. So they asked her: “What is it that makes you cry? Is not that which is with Allah better for the Messenger of Allah (saw)?” So she replied, “I am not crying because I am unaware that that which is with Allah is better for the Messenger of Allah (saw) but I am crying because the revelation from the heavens has stopped.” This moved them to tears, so they both began to weep with her.” [Muslim]
So this is what Umar (radiyallaahu-anhu) referred to- the Prophet’s (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wa-sallam) choice regarding that which is with Allaah (in the afterlife).
We ask Allaah to grant us and you (success, wellbeing etc) in His Religion. And that He grants us (the blessing, ability) to adhere to His Book (i.e. the Qur’aan) and to follow the guidance of His noble Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam). Indeed, our Lord hears the supplication (of His slaves). [The End]
[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Bahjatul Qaariy Bi-Fawaa’id Manhajiyyah Wa Duroos Tarbawiyyah Min Kitaab Al-I’tisaam Bil-Kitaab Was-Sunnah Min Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Pages: 11-17. slightly paraphrased]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Question to Shaikh Rabee: Shaikh Albaanee, Shaikh Ibn Baaz and Shaikh Uthaymeen have passed away, so who remains from the scholars?
Answer: Those who remain are numerous and all praise is due to Allaah. The Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] died and his noble companions [radiyallaahu-anhum] remained. Ahmad Ibn Hanbal [rahimahullaah] died and his companions [rahimahumullaah] remained. Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] died and his companions [rahimahumullaah] remained. Ibn Abdul Wahhaab [rahimahullaah] died and his companions [rahimahumullaah] remained. And those ones [i.e. Albaanee, Ibn Baaz, Uthaymeen (rahimahumullaah)] died and their students and brothers remain by Allaah’s Will. The truth will not be lost.
When Umar [radiyallaahu-anhu] was stabbed, it was said to him, “Appoint a successor!” He said, “Allaah will not allow His Religion to be lost”. So by Allaah this Religion will never be lost. It is upon you to put shoulder to shoulder and embark upon work-raise the flag of the [authentic] Sunnah and the flag of the truth. [The Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] said, “There will not cease to be a group amongst my Ummah manifest upon the truth-neither will they be harmed by those who betray them nor by those who oppose them till Allaah’s promise come to pass (i.e. the day of Judgement)”.
By Allaah! Neither knowledge nor the committee of senior scholars have died-all praise is due to Allaah-and there is good and blessing with them. Our Salafi brothers are in the different regions of the world. The world is filled with senior students of knowledge who fill this gap-all praise is due to Allaah. Therefore, neither can the people of falsehood rejoice nor become happy. [Source: الذريعة إلى بيان مقاصد كتاب الشريعة -1/ 208-209. Slightly paraphrased]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee [rahimahullaah] said, “I wished that the people learnt this knowledge and attribute none of it to me”. [Jaami-ul Uloom wal-hikam: page: 131]
It was said to Imaam Ahmad [rahimahullaah], “May Allaah reward you for the good you have (done) for Islaam; so he said, ‘Rather, Allaah has (done) good for me through Islaam. Who am I, and what am I?’” [Siyar A’laam Nubulaa: 11/225]
Sufyaan Bin Uyaynah [rahimahullaah] said, “Indeed, I become angry with myself when I see you come to me, and I say to myself: These people have not come to me, except due to the good thoughts they have about me.” [Hilyatul Awliyaa: 7/285]
Abu-Bakr As-Siddeeq [radiyallaahu-anhu] said, “I wish I was a piece of hair on a believer.” [Az-Zuhd of Imaam Ahmad: page: 112]
Yoonus Bin Ubaid [rahimahullaah] said, “Indeed, I found a hundred good qualities and did not recognise a single one for myself”.
Muhammad Bin Waasi [rahimahullaah] said, “If sins were a smell, then none would have been able to sit with me”. [Ighaathatul Luhfaan: page: 90]
Sa’eed Bin Ismaa’eel [rahimahullaah] said, “Fear of Allaah leads you to the [path, obedience and pleasure etc.] of Allaah; self-amazement within your soul cuts you off from Allaah and belittlement of the people within your soul is a disease that does not heal”. [Shu’ab Al-Imaan: 10/494]
Zubair Bin Nu’aym Al-Baajee [rahimahullaah] said, “I do not know whether I have ever relied upon Allaah a single hour”. [Hilyatul Awliyaa: 12/148]
Kab Al-Ahbaar [rahimahullaah] said to man who came to him and was from those who sought after hadeeth, “Fear Allaah! Increase upon what you already possess without [seeking] to be elevated in the gathering and do not harm anyone, for indeed if your knowledge filled what is between the heavens and the earth alongside self-amazement, Allaah will not increase you in it (i.e.in this knowledge) except ignominy and deficiency! So the man said, ‘May Allaah have mercy upon you O Father of Ishaaq! Indeed, they lie about me and harm me’. So he [Kab] said to him, ‘Indeed, the Prophets were lied against and harmed, and they exercised patience; therefore exercise patience, and if not, then you are destroyed’”. [Hilyatul Awliyaa: 5/376]
“Whoever goes out [to seek] knowledge and [only] desiring knowledge, it will not benefit him; but whoever goes out [to seek] knowledge and desiring to act on knowledge, he will be benefited [even] with little knowledge”.
Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] commented on the above narration: “This is what is incumbent upon a student of knowledge when going out for knowledge and to the gatherings of knowledge. His aim should be that Allaah benefits him through knowledge, for indeed even a little will benefit him. As for acquiring a lot without giving concern to implementation, this will not benefit the acquirer of such knowledge; rather it will be a proof against him and not for him. [Sharh Iqtidaa Al-Ilm Al-A’mal. Lesson 1]
Maalik Ibn Deenaar said, “Indeed, when a slave seeks knowledge to act upon it, his knowledge will restrain him [from what is blameworthy]; but if he seeks it for other than that, it will increase him in sinful behaviour and boastfulness”.
Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] commented on the above narration: “It will prevent him from self-importance and self-amazement; but if he seeks knowledge for other than acting upon it, he will increase in sinful behaviour and boastfulness. [Sharh Iqtidaa Al-Ilm Al-Amal. Lesson 1]
“There are two acts of transgression in the Dunyaa – transgression through knowledge and transgression through wealth. And that which will save one from transgression through knowledge is [to know] that [acquiring] knowledge is worship and that which will save one from transgression through wealth is Zuhd”.
Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] commented on the above narration: Transgression through wealth is well known, just as Allaah said:
كَلَّآ إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَيَطۡغَىٰٓ
أَن رَّءَاهُ ٱسۡتَغۡنَىٰٓ
Nay! Verily, man does transgress all bounds (in disbelief and evil deed, etc.). Because he considers himself self-sufficient.
Transgression through wealth [includes] extravagance, arrogance, self-amazement, self-deception etc. The other type of transgression is through knowledge, such as boasting, showing off, desiring to be mentioned, self-amazement, self-deception etc. So, just as there are people who are afflicted with transgression through wealth, likewise there are those afflicted with transgression through knowledge. If a scholar or student is afflicted with self-amazement, self-deception and boasting, then this is all tantamount to transgression through knowledge. [Sharh Iqtidaa Al-Ilm Al-Amal. Lesson 1]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The bestower of Mercy.
Some of the companions of Abdullaah Ibnul Mubaarak (rahimahullaah) saw him contemplating, so they said to him: “Where have you reached [in your contemplation]?” He said: “The Siraat (i.e. the bridge)”. [1]
A Tremendous hadeeth about The Siraat and other affairs on Yawmul Qiyaamah
Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu): ”The people said, “O Messenger of Allaah! Shall we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection?” He replied, “Do you have any doubt in seeing the full moon on a clear (not cloudy) night?” They replied, “No, O Allah’s Apostle!” He said, “Do you have any doubt in seeing the sun when there are no clouds?” They replied in the negative. He said, “You will see Allah (your Lord) in the same way. On the Day of Resurrection, people will be gathered and He will order the people to follow what they used to worship. So some of them will follow the sun, some will follow the moon, and some will follow other deities; and only this nation (Muslims) will be left with its hypocrites. Allah will come to them and say, ‘I am Your Lord.’ They will say, ‘We shall stay in this place till our Lord comes to us and when our Lord will come, we will recognize Him. Then Allah will come to them again and say, ‘I am your Lord.’ They will say, ‘You are our Lord.’ Allah will call them, and As-Sirat (a bridge) will be laid across Hell and I (Muhammad) shall be the first amongst the Messengers to cross it with my followers. Nobody except the Messengers will then be able to speak and they will be saying then, ‘O Allah! Save us. O Allah Save us.’ There will be hooks like the thorns of Sa’dan in Hell. Have you seen the thorns of Sa’dan?” The people said, “Yes.” He said, “These hooks will be like the thorns of Sa’dan but nobody except Allah knows their greatness in size and these will entangle the people according to their deeds; some of them will fall and stay in Hell forever; others will receive punishment (torn into small pieces) and will get out of Hell, till when Allah intends mercy on whomever He likes amongst the people of Hell, He will order the angels to take out of Hell those who worshipped none but Him alone. The angels will take them out by recognizing them from the traces of prostrations, for Allah has forbidden the (Hell) fire to eat away those traces. So they will come out of the Fire, it will eat away from the whole of the human body except the marks of the prostrations. At that time they will come out of the Fire as mere skeletons. The Water of Life will be poured on them and as a result they will grow like the seeds growing on the bank of flowing water. Then when Allah had finished from the Judgments amongst his creations, one man will be left between Hell and Paradise and he will be the last man from the people of Hell to enter paradise. He will be facing Hell, and will say, ‘O Allah! Turn my face from the fire as its wind has dried me and its steam has burnt me.’ Allah will ask him, “Will you ask for anything more in case this favor is granted to you?’ He will say, “No by Your (Honor) Power!” And he will give to his Lord (Allah) what he will of the pledges and the covenants. Allah will then turn his face from the Fire. When he will face Paradise and will see its charm, he will remain quiet as long as Allah will. He then will say, ‘O my Lord! Let me go to the gate of Paradise.’ Allah will ask him, ‘Didn’t you give pledges and make covenants (to the effect) that you would not ask for anything more than what you requested at first?’ He will say, ‘O my Lord! Do not make me the most wretched, amongst Your creatures.’ Allah will say, ‘If this request is granted, will you then ask for anything else?’ He will say, ‘No! By Your Power! I shall not ask for anything else.’ Then he will give to his Lord what He will of the pledges and the covenants. Allah will then let him go to the gate of Paradise. On reaching then and seeing its life, charm, and pleasure, he will remain quiet as long as Allah wills and then will say, ‘O my Lord ! Let me enter Paradise.’ Allah will say, May Allah be merciful unto you, O son of Adam! How treacherous you are! Haven’t you made covenants and given pledges that you will not ask for anything more than what you have been given?’ He will say, ‘O my Lord! Do not make me the most wretched amongst Your creatures.’ So Allah will laugh and allow him to enter Paradise and will ask him to request as much as he likes. He will do so till all his desires have been fulfilled. Then Allah will say, ‘Request more of such and such things.’ Allah will remind him and when all his desires and wishes; have been fulfilled, Allah will say “All this is granted to you and a similar amount besides.” Abu Said Al-Khudri, said to Abu Huraira, ‘Allah’s Messenger said, “Allah said, ‘That is for you and ten times more like it.’ “Abu Huraira said, “I do not remember from Allah’s Messenger except (his saying), ‘All this is granted to you and a similar amount besides.” Abu Sahd said, “I heard him saying, ‘That is for you and ten times more the like of it.” [2]
[1][Source: مفتاح دار السعادة لابن القيم (1/180 )]
[2][No. 771 (Sahihalbukhari.com)]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Ibnu Uyaynah (rahimahullaah) said: Among the supplications of Muttarrif Bin Abdillaah (rahimahullaah) was (that he used to say): ”O Allaah I seek your forgiveness for returning to what I repented from; and I seek your forgiveness for that which I made binding upon myself to perform for you, yet I did not fulfill it; and I seek your forgiveness for that which I thought I was to perform whilst seeking your Face, but then something else comes in my heart alongside what I may have carried out. [Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam: page: 24]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy.
A man said to Abdullaah Bin Mas’ood [may Allah be pleased with him], “I do not want to be amongst the companions of the right, I want to be amongst those foremost in faith; so, Abdullaah Bin Mas’ood said to him, ‘But there is a man right here [meaning himself] who wishes that he is not resurrected after he dies [i.e. due to fear of the hereafter]’”.
One day, he [Abdullaah] came out and the people followed him, so he said to them, “Do you have a need?” They said, “No, but we want to walk along with you.” He said, “Go back, for indeed it is humiliation for the one following and a trial for the one followed”.
He said, “Had you known what I know about myself, you would have hurried to cover my head with dust”.
[Source: Az-Zuhd of Imaam Ahmad: page: 195, 198, 265]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] stated in Sharh Hilyatil Taalibil Ilm pages 192-193 that it has been reported that Imaam Ash’Shaafi’ee [rahimahullaah] arrived as a guest of Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal [rahimahullaah]. Imaam Ahmad was a student of Imaam Ash’Shaafi’ee and used to be one mentioned with praise to the family of Imaam Ahmad. When Imaam Ash’Shaafi’ee came as a guest, Imaam Ahmad presented supper to him, so he ate all of it and the plate was returned empty. Imaam Ahmad’s family were amazed that Imaam Ash’Shaafi’ee ate all the food because the sunnah establishes that a person should eat little based on the hadeeth: ‘’It is enough for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls to keep him going, but if he must [fill his stomach], then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for air.” Then Imaam Ahmad went to his family [i.e. after spending time with Shaafi’ee] and Imaam Ash’Shaafi’ee also went to sleep. When the last third of the night approached, Imaam Ash’Shaafi’ee did not pray Tahajjud. And when the A’dhaan of Fajr was called, he went out for Salaah without asking for water to perform ablution.
In the morning, Imaam Ahmad’s family said to him, ‘’How can you say about Ash’Shaafi’ee what you [usually] say [i.e. praise]- the man ate the food and filled his stomach, slept and woke up without performing ablution?” So Imaam Ahmad said to his family, “I will bring you the news [i.e. the response regarding what you’ve asked]. Imaam Ahmad then asked Imaam Ash’Shaafi’ee, so Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee said, “As for the food, I have not found food that is more lawful than Ahmad’s food, so I wanted to fill my stomach with it. And there is no harm if a person fills his stomach sometimes [i.e. eats to his fill or more than what is sufficient], because the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said to Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu-anhu], ‘’Drink [more of the] milk’’ and he [Abu Hurairah] said, ‘’I cannot find [a space for it in my stomach].’’ As for the fact that I did not pray Tahajjud, then that is because I was examining something related to knowledge [i.e. to obtain a clear understanding of it] and that is more virtuous than Tahajjud. I was examining the Hadeeth in which the prophet said, ‘’O father of Umair! What did An-Nughair (a kind of bird) do (rhyming the words ‘Umair’ and ‘Nughair’)’’; and I derived more than a thousand beneficial points from it. As for the fact that I did not perform ablution when I went out for Fajr prayer, that is because I did not want to ask for water and thus place you in difficulty and I was still in a state of ablution since after the Ishaa prayer.” Imaam Ahmad then related -to his family- what Imaam Ash’Shaafi’ee said and they were amazed.
Then Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] stated that the intent behind this story is the affair of examining affairs of knowledge and pondering [i.e. to obtain a better understanding]. That is because a person [i.e. one who is qualified to derive benefits from the texts of the Book and the Sunnah] may derive benefits from a hadeeth based on what Allaah wills for him to derive, but then another person comes along- who possesses profundity in Istinbaat [i.e. the ability to derive rulings and beneficial points from texts]- and derives many issues from the hadeeth that are related to the religion. This is Allaah’s Bounty which He gives to whomsoever He wills. Therefore, the levels [in the path of acquiring knowledge and understanding] are: Firstly, to have knowledge of an affair [i.e. to perceive the affair as it is]; then secondly, to acquire a [sound] understanding; then thirdly, to examine the matter and ponder upon it [i.e. in a manner that is based on the sound principles of the religion], and then finally to strive and acquire a more precise, more robust and deep-rooted understanding that exceeds [the third stage]. [Paraphrased][Your feedback is welcomed to improve the content of this article BaarakAllaahu Feekum]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy.
He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “Indeed, you see an unbeliever with the healthiest body amongst the people and with the sickest heart; and you will come across a believer with the most upright of hearts and the unhealthiest body [i.e. physical illness]. I swear by Allaah, if your hearts were sick and your bodies healthy, you will be more insignificant to Allaah than dung beetles”.
He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “’Search for your heart in three situations [i.e. how you respond]: When the recitation of the Qur’aan is heard, in the gatherings where Allaah is remembered and in times of seclusion. If you do not find your heart in these situations, then ask Allaah to grant you a heart, for indeed you do not have a heart’’.
He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “Sins take control over the heart”.
He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “Indeed, the people make their speech very good and appropriate; the one whose speech is in conformity with his actions is that one who has achieved his portion of [goodness]. And the one whose speech is in opposition to his actions, then he is that one who has rebuked himself’’.
He [radiyallaahu-anhu] said: “There is not anything on the face of the earth more needed than a prolonged imprisonment of the tongue [i.e. speak good or remain silent]’’.
[Source: Al-Fawaa-id by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah]. page 213-221]