Tag: tawheed

[5] Sound Knowledge, Piety and Independent Defense Industry For Reformation and Strength – [By Well known and Highly Respected God-fearing Erudite Saudi Scholar – (Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz)]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Sound Knowledge, Obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, Together With Independent Defense Industry Needed For Reformation, Rectification and Strength]:

Pdf Article on This Link:

https://salaficentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1_Some_Causes_of_Weakness_In_The_Ummah.pdf

[4] Sound Creed and Adherence to Sound Islam is The Only Way towards Sound Reformation and Rectification – [By Well known and Highly Respected God-fearing Erudite Saudi Scholar – [Al-Allaamah Abdullaah Bin Muhammad Bin Humayd]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Al-Allaamah Abdullaah Bin Muhammad Bin Humayd [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: “We do not say that it is prohibited to study the beneficial worldly sciences because the religion of Islaam does not prohibit it, such as the knowledge of medicine, economics, business and its likes. However, these affairs come after rectification of the creed and after (acquaintance with) the knowledge of Tawheed. This is what is specified as an obligation”.

The Shaikh also said, “You say, ‘Indeed, my child graduated from such and such university and he has a master’s degree or what they call a PHD, and he studied in America or in London or in such university’, and you think that with these (qualifications) he has become a mountain amongst the mountains of the earth; however, as long as he is unaware of the rights of his Lord, unaware of your rights and the affairs of his religion, then by Allaah he is a mirage and there is neither goodness in him nor in his knowledge (of the worldly sciences). To be ignorant (of these worldly science) would be better for him because they led him to reject his religion, country and society. The situation of (this person) is that of evil and his manners have been corrupted. Therefore, it is obligatory that you do not become lackadaisical concerning the affairs of your children as long as they are young. Teach them what is beneficial and nurture them upon good”.

The Shaikh also said, “It is obligated on the teachers to implant the true creed in the hearts of the young generation. They should clarify -for them- the wisdom, beauty and underlying reasons behind the rulings of the Islamic law until their hearts grow in faith and radiated with its light, so that they become upright and benefit their country, governments, Islamic Nation, its people and the Religion”.

The Shaikh also said, “Alas, how can we be pleased with sending our young children to a faculty in America or to such and such country, and he (the parent) says, “My child has gone to study”, (whilst he has gone) to study disbelief, hearsay, deviation, how to turn away from his family, his country and religion!” “How can a person excuse himself for sending his young child to Germany, France, America, Italy and London, whilst he has not yet been nurtured upon the correct creed. This is an error. (Your Muslim child) will come to you whilst turning away from his religion, turning away from his parents and looking down upon them. He will consider them to be (people) who neither possesses understanding nor do they know, whilst in reality he is the one without understanding. Therefore, it is incumbent upon a person to give serious concern to the children under his care because they are a trust. And when you neglect them, then indeed you have betrayed the trust. Allaah [The Most High] said: [يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَخُونُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ وَتَخُونُوٓاْ أَمَـٰنَـٰتِكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ – O you who believe! Betray not Allah and His Messenger, nor betray knowingly your Amanat [things entrusted to you and all the duties which Allah has ordained for you]. [Soorah Anfaal: Ayah: 27]

Therefore, your children are a trust and when you neglect them, then indeed you have betrayed them. It is obligated on every one of us to fear Allaah with regards to the (affair) of his children and those under his care. The days go past and the end of a (person’s) lifespan draws closer, and a person does not know when his life span will suddenly come to (an end). (One) must strive to teach his children beneficial knowledge, nurture them upon goodness and obedience to (Allaah and His Messenger). The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, ‘All of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for his flock. A man is the shepherd of his household and he is responsible for them. A woman is a shepherdess in her husband’s house and she is responsible for her flock'”.

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fataawaa Wad-Duroos Fil Masjid Al-Haraam’. pages 938-944. slightly paraphrased]

To be continued…InShaaAllaah

[3] Sound Creed and Adherence to Sound Islam is The Only Way towards Sound Reformation and Rectification – [By Well known and Highly Respected God-fearing Erudite Saudi Scholar – (Imaam As-Sadi)]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imaam Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

Indeed, it is impossible to rectify the souls and acquire virtue solely through the worldly sciences. Experience and clearly witnessed circumstances are the greatest proofs regarding this affair, because despite its advancement and vastness it has been unable to nurture and rectify the souls [i.e. upon excellent traits, manners, dealings, characteristics, sound creed etc] which are the determinants of [sound] rectification and success. What the Religion of Islaam propagates is that which is entrusted with this rectification; it is what will guide the thoughts towards the truthful and authentic sources of knowledge, guide the actions of the people towards good and prevent them from evil. Islam is The Rectifier of the Creeds and Manners- the thing that cultivates the thoughts [upon righteousness], urges towards virtuousness and prevents from depravity.

The essence of that which the religion calls to – regarding belief in the Unseen, which includes belief in Allaah and that which He possesses of Names, Attributes and Actions of perfection; belief in Angels, belief in recompense for one’s good and bad deeds in this life and the next, which cannot be known except through the Messengers, is what acquaints a person with the fact that rectification – in reality – is not possible through other than sound belief and the religion of Islaam.

Therefore, even if the worldly sciences rectify [some] affairs based upon that which [some] people know in detail, it will still not be equal [in perfection, excellence etc] to the knowledge of the Messengers [in the least]. It will neither reach that which is reached through the knowledge of the Messengers nor can it influence the souls in the manner in which the knowledge of the Messengers has done; for indeed the souls do not voluntarily submit except through belief in Allaah, belief in His Angels, belief in His Books, belief in His Messengers and belief in the hereafter. And without this, voluntary submission is impossible, as is well known regarding human nature.

The Imaam also said: Industrialization And Modern Inventions: Everyone has participated in it – the righteous, the wicked, the believer and the disbeliever. As for religion and [virtuous] manners, then indeed -in this era-, it has greatly declined. So, when this industrial advancement is devoid of sound religion and faith, it became a great harm from two angles:

Firstly: It beguiled many people, who – due of their ignorance – think that worldly advancement is proof to show that its people are more worthy of achieving every good than others. They are clearly misguided, for indeed a person might be from the most skillful in affairs related to the material world, whilst he is one of the most ignorant people in affairs related to the religion, virtuous manners and the [other] beneficial affairs in this life and the next.

Secondly: When these inventions are devoid of sound religion, its mercy and wisdom, it becomes a great disaster for humankind due to the wars that resulted from them, killing, destruction and other affairs related to it. Its regulators [or overseers] and scholars are unable to laydown – for humankind -a stable, just and good life, rather they have not ceased moving from one miserable state to another. This is inevitable and the continuous state of affairs shows that [to be the case]. Therefore all good is found in the sound religion and all evil is found in rejecting and willfully denying [Allaah, His Messengers, His Laws, Guidance, Commands, Prohibitions etc.

[An Excerpt from Al-Adillah Al-Qawaati Wal-Baraaheen Fee Ibtaalil Usoolil Mulhideen. pages 45-50]

To be continued…InShaaAllaah.

[2] Creed, Adherence to The Qur’aan, Sunnah and Path of The Salaf; Correct Way of Pursuing Sound Reformation and Rectification – [By Well known and Highly Respected God-fearing Erudite Saudi Scholar – (Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz)]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Sahaabah, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Saudi Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

“The latter part of this Muslim nation will not be rectified except through that which rectified its early part”, just as the people of knowledge and sound faith have stated. This is a statement of Imaam Maalik [may Allaah have mercy upon him]- the well-known scholar of sound understanding and piety. Many other people of knowledge reported this statement during and after his era and they all agreed that the latter part of this Muslim nation will not be rectified except by way of that which rectified its earlier part. This means that the path followed by its earlier generations -the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His noble Messenger – is what will rectify its future generations until the Day of Judgement. The one who wishes to rectify an Islamic society or any other society in this worldly life through other than the path and practical steps that rectified those who have preceded, then such a person is mistaken and has spoken untruth. There is no path other than the path (of the Messenger and his companions). The only path of rectification and uprightness is the one that was followed by our Prophet and his noble companions, and then those who follow them exactly in righteousness till this era of ours. And this necessitates:

-To give close attention to the Great Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger and convey them to the people.

-To acquire understanding of the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah and convey both of them with knowledge and clear-sightedness.

-To clarify the rulings found in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, including – first and foremost – the sound creed and the views that must be accepted by the Islamic society. On the other hand, one should clarify the forbidden creeds and views that are to be avoided.

-To clarify the boundaries of Halaal and Haraam that have been legislated by Allaah and His Messenger, so that they are not violated. Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] said: [تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَقْرَبُوهَا – These are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not] [Soorah Al-Baqarah: Ayah 187].

These limits are the unlawful deeds forbidden by Allaah because they lead to sins. And just as Allaah forbade mankind from going beyond the boundaries of Halaal and Haraam, He also legislated acts of worship and rulings in the religion. [An Excerpt from ‘Awaamil Islaah Al-Mujtama’ah pages 1-2]

To be continued…InShaaAllaah

[1] Creed, Adherence to The Qur’aan, The Sunnah and Path of The Salaf; Correct Way of Pursuing Reformation and Advancement- [By Saudi King Abdul Azeez]

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Basics, Bid'ah (Innovation), Brotherhood, Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Salaf As Saalih (Pious Predecessors), The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Saudi King Abdul Azeez Bin Abdir-Rahmaan [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The foundation of the Islamic Creed is the Book of Allaah, the Sunnah of His Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] and that which the Sahaabah were upon; then the pious predecessors after them (see appendix a), and then after them the four Imaams of the Muslims- Imaam Maalik, Imaam Shaafi’ee, Imaam Ahmad and Imaam Abu Haneefah. The creed of these people is one in the foundation of the religion and that is the three categories of Tawheed- the Oneness of Allaah in His Lordship, the Oneness of Allaah in that He (alone) has the right to be worshipped and His Oneness in His Names and Attributes”. (see appendix b)

Saudi King Abdul Azeez said, “It is obligatory that we adhere to the Rope of Allaah  [i.e. the Qur’aan, Sunnah etc] and that which the Salafus Saaleh [pious predecessors] were upon. If we adhere to this, we will be callers to Allaah  [i.e. Callers to Tawheed, the Sunnah and everything Allaah has commanded], establish our affairs based on what Allaah has revealed, speak and establish our economic affairs based on Taqwaa [i.e. fear of Allaah by fulfilling everything Allaah has commanded and keeping away from everything Allaah has forbidden], so that Allaah may show us kindness. However, if we do not do so and we are abandoned to our own selves, then we might become like what Ali  [may Allaah be pleased with him] that Allaah said: [نَسُوا اللَّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ – They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them]”. [Surah Al-Anfaal. Aayah 67]

Saudi King Abdul Azeez said, “O Muslims! It is obligatory that we hold onto the Rope of Allaah (i.e. the Qur’aan), follow the Sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], follow the guidance of the Messenger, act on Allaah’s orders and keep away from what Allaah has forbidden. Indeed, every speech that is not followed by action is false. There can be no rectification for the Muslims except through their unity upon singling out their Lord in [His Lordship, Names and Attributes and worshipping Him alone and associate none to Him as a partner in Worship]. And during every differing that leads to splitting and division, the Religion commands us to hold onto Allaah’s Sharee’ah, enjoin one another with the truth and patience, just as Allaah  [The Most High] commanded us in the Qur’aan. We should be truly acquainted with our Lord and seek His Aid and Assistance. We do not fear except the (consequences of) our sins and it is obligated on the Muslims to follow Allaah’s Religion and obey all that Allaah has ordered, practically. In this is the (means of) rectifying their worldly affairs and the upright establishment of all their (other) affairs”.

Saudi King Abdul Azeez said, “Deeds that are in opposition to the Sharee’ah can never be beneficial for anyone and all harm (is found) in following other than the foundation brought by our Prophet Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]”.

He said, “Indeed, the progress and advancement of the Muslims is among those affairs we (pursue) – we call to it by the will of Allaah. (However), there cannot be advancement for the Muslims without a return to their religion, adherence to their sound creed and holding onto the Rope of Allaah (i.e. the Qur’aan and the Sunnah). The path towards this is clear and provided for the one who wants to follow it, and that is to single out Allaah in worship – to be free from shirk and bidah- and act on that which the religion has commanded us, for indeed there is no benefit in speech if not (accompanied) by action”.

[Source: An Excerpt from  “Haqeeqah Manhaj Al-Mamlakah Al-Arabiyyah As-Su’oodiyyah”. Pages 26-33]

To be continued InShaaAllaah

Appendix a: Mountains of Knowledge – Creed of The Salaf (Pious Predecessors): https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Mountains-of-Knowledge_-Inheritors-of-the-Prophets.pdf

Appendix b: Read “Creed of the Four Imama”: https://darpdfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/The-Creed-of-the-Four-Imams-Sh.-Muhammad-al-Khumayyis-1.pdf

Why An Increase In Immoral Behaviour (Deception, Lewd Conduct, Unnecessary Wars etc), Despite Vast Knowledge In Worldly Sciences and Huge Natural Resources?!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin.

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

Imaam As-Sadi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

Industrialization and Modern Inventions: Everyone has participated in it – the righteous, the wicked, the believer and the disbeliever. As for religion and (virtuous) manners, then indeed -in this era- it has greatly declined. So, when this industrial advancement is devoid of (sound) religion and faith, it became a great harm from two angles. Firstly, it beguiled many people, who – due of their ignorance – think that worldly advancement is proof to show that its people are more worthy of achieving every good than others. They are clearly misguided, because indeed a person maybe from the most skillful in affairs related to the material world, whilst he is one of the most ignorant people in affairs related to the (sound) religion, virtuous manners and the (other) beneficial affairs in this life and the next. Secondly, when these inventions are devoid of (sound) religion, its mercy and wisdom, it becomes a great disaster for humankind due to the wars that resulted from them- killing, destruction and other affairs related to it. Its regulators (or overseers) and scholars are unable to laydown – for humankind -a stable, just and good life; rather they have not ceased moving from one misrable state to another. This is inevitable and the continuous state of affairs shows that (to be the case). Therefore, all good is found in the sound religion and all evil is found in rejecting and willfully denying [Allaah, His Messengers, His Laws, Guidance, Commands, Prohibitions etc] (1)

Indeed, it is impossible to rectify the souls and acquire virtue solely through the worldly sciences. Experience and clearly witnessed circumstances are the greatest proofs regarding this affair, because despite its advancement and vastness it has been unable to nurture and rectify the souls, which is the determinant of (sound) rectification and success. What the Religion of Islaam propagates is that which is entrusted with this rectification; it is what will guide the thoughts towards the truthful and authentic sources of knowledge, guide the actions of the people towards good and prevent them from evil. Islam is The Rectifier of the Creeds and Manners- the thing that cultivates the thoughts, urges towards virtuousness and prevents from depravity. The essence of that which the religion calls to – regarding belief in the Unseen, which includes belief in Allaah and that which He possesses of Names, Attributes and Actions of perfection; belief in Angels, belief in recompense for one’s good and bad deeds in this life and the next, which cannot be known except through the Messengers, is what acquaints a person with the fact that rectification – in reality – is not possible through other than sound belief and the religion of Islaam.

Therefore, even if the worldly sciences rectify (some) affairs based upon that which people know in detail, it will still not be equal (in perfection, excellence etc) to the knowledge of the Messengers- neither will it reach that which is reached through the knowledge of the Messengers nor can it influence the souls in the manner in which the knowledge of the Messengers has done, because indeed the souls do not voluntarily submit except through belief in Allaah, belief in His Angels, belief in His Books, belief in His Messengers and belief in the hereafter. And without this, voluntary submission is impossible, as is well known regarding human nature. (1)

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

The basis of all sins – major and minor – are three: the heart’s attachment to other than Allaah, going along with the intense strength of one’s anger and the intense urge of one’s desires. These three affairs constitute shirk, injustice and indecency. Shirk and invoking other than Allaah is the ultimate affair related to the heart’s attachment to other than Allaah, murder is the ultimate affair related to going along with one’s intense anger and fornication is the ultimate affair related to going along with the intense urge of one’s desires. And because this Allaah mentioned the three together in the Aayah:

[وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدۡعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا يَزۡنُونَ – And those who invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse]. [Surah Al-Furqaan. Aayah 68]

These three affairs invite to one another – Shirk inevitably leads to injustice and indecency, just as Tawheed [sound Islamic Monotheism] and Ikhlaas [sincerity] turns a person away from them. Allaah [The Exalted] stated [about Prophet Yusuf]: [ڪَذَٲلِكَ لِنَصۡرِفَ عَنۡهُ ٱلسُّوٓءَ وَٱلۡفَحۡشَآءَ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِينَ – Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and indecency. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves. [Surah Yusuf. Aayah 24] – Meaning, turned him away from infatuation and illegal sexual intercourse.

Likewise, injustice inevitably leads to Shirk and indecency, because Shirk is the greatest injustice, just as Tawheed is the greatest justice. Justice is a companion of Tawheed and injustice is a companion of Shirk, and this is why Allaah mentioned both together.

As for Tawheed and justice, Allaah said: [شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُ ۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ قَآٮِٕمَۢا بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ – Allah bears witness that Laa ilaaha illaa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He is always) maintaining His creation in Justice]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Aayah 18]
As for injustice and Shirk, Allaah said: [إِنَّ ٱلشِّرۡكَ لَظُلۡمٌ عَظِيمٌ۬ – Verily, Shirk is great injustice]. [Surah Luqmaan. Aayah 13]

Indecency leads to Shirk and Injustice, especially when there is a strong desire that cannot be reached except through some type of injustice, such as seeking help through magic and shaytaan. These three affairs [i.e. Shirk, Indecency and Injustice] can either be the cause of one another or inevitably lead to one another. And this is why whenever Tawheed in the heart is weaker and the Shirk in it is greater, it commits more indecency, becomes stronger in its attachment to images and infatuated with them. And what is similar to this is the statement of Allaah:

فَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ۬ فَمَتَـٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا‌ۖ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٌ۬ وَأَبۡقَىٰ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّہِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
وَٱلَّذِينَ يَجۡتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓٮِٕرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡفَوَٲحِشَ وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُواْ هُمۡ يَغۡفِرُونَ

So whatever you have been given is but a passing enjoyment for this worldly life, but that which is with Allah (Paradise) is better and more lasting for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and put their trust in their Lord (concerning all of their affairs). And those who avoid the greater sins and indecency, and when they are angry, they forgive. [Surah Ash-Shooraa. Aayaat 36-37]

Allaah informed us that what He has with Him is better for the one who believes in Him and relies upon him, and that is Tawheed. Then Allaah said: [وَٱلَّذِينَ يَجۡتَنِبُونَ كَبَـٰٓٮِٕرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡفَوَٲحِشَ – And those who avoid the greater sins and indecency – Meaning, avoid the intense urge towards lowly desires]. Then Allaah said: [وَإِذَا مَا غَضِبُواْ هُمۡ يَغۡفِرُونَ – And when they are angry, they pardon]. This opposes the intense strength of anger, so Allaah mentioned Tawheed, pardon and justice together, and they are that which gathers every good. (2)

Misguidance necessitates extreme wicked behaviour, pride and lying, and this has been mentioned a lot in the Qur’aan. Allaah [The Exalted]:

يُضِلُّ بِهِۦ ڪَثِيرً۬ا وَيَهۡدِى بِهِۦ كَثِيرً۬ا‌ۚ وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِۦۤ إِلَّا ٱلۡفَـٰسِقِينَ
ٱلَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهۡدَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مِيثَـٰقِهِۦ وَيَقۡطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦۤ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفۡسِدُونَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ

Verily, Allah is not ashamed to set forth a parable even of a mosquito or so much more when it is bigger (or less when it is smaller) than it. And as for those who believe, they know that it is the Truth from their Lord, but as for those who disbelieve, they say: “What did Allah intend by this parable?” By it He misleads many, and many He guides thereby. And He misleads thereby only those who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah). Those who break Allah’s Covenant after ratifying it, and sever what Allah has ordered to be joined (as regards Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism, and to practise its legal laws on the earth and also as regards keeping good relations with kith and kin ), and do mischief on earth, it is they who are the losers. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayaat 26-27]

And Allaah [The Exalted] said:

يُثَبِّتُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِٱلۡقَوۡلِ ٱلثَّابِتِ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَفِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ‌ۖ وَيُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ‌ۚ وَيَفۡعَلُ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ

Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allah will cause to go astray those who are Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), and Allah does what He wills. [Surah Ibraaheem. Aayah 27]

And Allaah [The Exalted] said: [فَمَا لَكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡمُنَـٰفِقِينَ فِئَتَيۡنِ وَٱللَّهُ أَرۡكَسَہُم بِمَا كَسَبُوٓاْ‌ۚ – Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites? Allah has cast them back (to disbelief) because of what they have earned. Do you want to guide him whom Allah has made to go astray? And he whom Allah has made to go astray, you will never find for him any way (of guidance)]. [Surah An-Nisaa. Aayah 88]

And Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَقَالُواْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلۡفُۢ‌ۚ بَل لَّعَنَہُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُفۡرِهِمۡ فَقَلِيلاً۬ مَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ – And they say, “Our hearts are wrapped (i.e. do not hear or understand Allah’s Word).” Nay, Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so little is that which they believe]. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 88]

And Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَنُقَلِّبُ أَفۡـِٔدَتَہُمۡ وَأَبۡصَـٰرَهُمۡ كَمَا لَمۡ يُؤۡمِنُواْ بِهِۦۤ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ۬ – And We shall turn their hearts and their eyes away (from guidance), as they refused to believe therein for the first time]. [Surah Al-An-aam. Aayah 110]

Allaah informed us that He punished them due to their [deliberate] failure to accept Eemaan when it came to them and they recognised it, [but they] turned away from it; so, Allaah turned their hearts and eyes away and prevented them from it, just as Allaah [The Exalted] said:

[يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱسۡتَجِيبُواْ لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمۡ لِمَا يُحۡيِيڪُمۡ‌ۖ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحُولُ بَيۡنَ ٱلۡمَرۡءِ وَقَلۡبِهِۦ وَأَنَّهُ ۥۤ إِلَيۡهِ تُحۡشَرُونَ – O you who believe! Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he (Muhammad) calls you to that which will give you life, and know that Allah comes in between a person and his heart (i.e. He prevents an evil person to decide anything). And verily to Him you shall (all) be gathered]. [Surah Al-Anfaal. Aayah 24]

Allaah commanded them to respond to Him and His Messenger when they are called to that which will give them life [i.e. Eemaan by way of which the hearts are guided to the right path and righteous deeds in all affairs of life], then he warned them against turning away and being delayed from responding [to His call and that of His Messenger], as a result of which their hearts would be prevented from accepting Eemaan. Allaah said [The Exalted] said: [فَلَمَّا زَاغُوٓاْ أَزَاغَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمۡ‌ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَہۡدِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡفَـٰسِقِينَ – So when they turned away (from the Path of Allah), Allah turned their hearts away (from the Right Path). And Allah guides not the people who are Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)]. [Surah As-Saff. Aayah 5]

Allaah said: [The Exalted] said: [كَلَّا‌ۖ بَلۡۜ رَانَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِہِم مَّا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ – Nay! But on their hearts is the Ran (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn. [Surah Al-Mutaffifeen. Aayah 14]

Allaah informed us that the evil they earned sealed their hearts and became a barrier between them and belief in Allaah’s Aayaat, as Allaah stated that they said: [أَسَـٰطِيرُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ – Tales of the ancients! (i.e. the Aayaat of Allaah conveyed by the Messengers are nothing but tales of the ancients)].

And Allaah [The Exalted] said about the hypocrites: [نَسُواْ ٱللَّهَ فَنَسِيَہُمۡ‌ۗ – They have forgotten Allaah, so He has forgotten them. (i.e. prevented them from His guidance and mercy)]. [Surah At-tawbah. Aayah 67]

Allaah recompensed them for forgetting Him, so He did not mention them with guidance and mercy. Allaah [also] informed us that He made them forget themselves, so that they did not seek to perfect their souls through beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds- which is guidance and the religion of truth; made them forgetful of seeking after [guidance and the religion of truth], love of Him, knowledge and awareness of Him and being eager for it, as a punishment upon them for forgetting Him. He [The Exalted] said regarding them:

أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ٱلَّذِينَ طَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِہِمۡ وَٱتَّبَعُوٓاْ أَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ
وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱهۡتَدَوۡاْ زَادَهُمۡ هُدً۬ى وَءَاتَٮٰهُمۡ تَقۡوَٮٰهُمۡ

Such are men whose hearts Allah has sealed, and they follow their lusts (evil desires). While as for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance, and bestows on them their piety. [Surah Muhammad. Aayaat 16-17]
They were recompensed with a combination of Ittibaa Al-Hawaa [following desires] and Dalaal [misguidance] – the [evil] fruits of following desires and its inevitable outcome, just as the people of guidance are [recompensed] with a combination of Taqwaa [Fear of Allaah] and Hudaa [upright guidance]. (3)

“Whoever ponders upon the state of affairs of the world will find that every affair of rectification is due to Tawheed, singling out Allaah in worship and obedience to His Messenger (Muhammad). And every evil in the world, trial, affliction, scarcity (in livelihood), being overpowered by an enemy and other than that is due to (our) opposition to the Messenger and the call to other than (the way of) Allaah and His Messenger. Whoever truly ponders upon this and examines the state of affairs of the world- since its beginning and until the time Allaah will take it away and those upon it- he will realise this affair regarding himself and others, in general and specific (circumstances). And there is no Might or Power except with Allaah –The Most High, The Most Great”. (4)

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Mad’khalee [may Allaah preserve him] said:

We must know the value of this (divine Sharee’ah) knowledge in our possession, which many people deliberately ignore and seek to degrade its value. They do not consider this knowledge to be anything, and those who study the sciences of the Sharee’ah – in their view- are deficient and unadvanced because they do not possess knowledge of medicine and engineering. If medicine, engineering and chemistry are not placed below (and regulated by) the knowledge which the Prophets brought, they become nothing; (rather) they will only increase the people in corruption. The knowledge brought by the Prophets is (a means of) rectification for the people (in their religious and worldly affairs), a guide for them towards the right path and removes them from the darkness they are living in – the darkness of disbelief and ignorance. As for the knowledge of the philosophers and the heretics, then what Allaah has stated [i.e. in Surah Ghaafir’ Aayah 83] truly applies to it. [Allaah said]:

[فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَرِحُواْ بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ -Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge [of worldly things]: And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them [i.e. the punishment]. [Surah Ghaafir’ Aayah 83]

It is the knowledge which the people boast about nowadays, whether it is medicine, engineering, astronomy, (modern secular) politics and economics. After the Prophets came to them – to remove them from the darkness of ignorance and enter them into the light of the knowledge (of divine revelation) and faith, they became glad and boastful with the knowledge they possess, [just as Allaah has stated]:

[فَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَـٰتِ فَرِحُواْ بِمَا عِندَهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَہۡزِءُونَ -Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge [of worldly things]: And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment)]. [Surah Ghaafir’ Aayah 83]
Qaaroon said: [إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ عِندِىٓ‌ۚ – This [i.e. vast wealth] has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess]. [Surah Al-Qasas’ Aayah 78]

They [i.e. the people] rebuke him because he did not want to spend from his wealth based on what Allaah has commanded, so Allaah said that he said: [إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ عِندِىٓ‌ۚ – This (i.e. vast wealth) has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess. [Surah Al-Qasas’ Aayah 78]

Allaah said: [وَإِذَآ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنِ أَعۡرَضَ وَنَـَٔا بِجَانِبِهِ – And when We bestow Our Grace on man (the disbeliever), he turns away and becomes arrogant, far away from the Right Path. [Surah Al-Israa’ Aayah 83]

[ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلۡنَـٰهُ نِعۡمَةً۬ مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمِۭ‌ۚ بَلۡ هِىَ فِتۡنَةٌ۬ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ – Then when We have (rescued him from that harm and) changed it into a favour from Us, he says: “Only because of knowledge (that I possess) I obtained it.” Nay, it is only a trial, but most of them know not! [Surah Az-Zumar’ Aayah 49]

Allaah said that he [i.e. the ungrateful human being says after being rescued from hardship]: [قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمِۭ‌ۚ – he says: “Only because of knowledge (that I possess) I obtained it]; but Allaah said: [ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ – Nay, it is only a trial, but most of them know not!]

These sciences become a trial and tribulation if they are not placed below [and regulated by] the knowledge which Muhammad brought. (5)

Shaikh Abu Iyaadh [may Allaah preserve him] said: The wisdom of the Islamic Shariah: Cut off evils and harms to society from their very roots and enjoy the resulting freedom, ease and wholesome life. In contrast: the barbarity and backwardness of commercialising corrosive evils– usurious banking, alcohol, gambling–in order to profit from the masses through affairs in which their ruin and impoverishment lies–and then managing this commercialisation through legislation, policies, guidelines and so on to “limit the harms”. The result? Inescapable enslavement, bondage, disease and ruin of the masses for the enrichment of the few who peddle these vices. Where is the intellect?! (6)

The Shaikh also stated: We are living in a time in which the League of Iblees have a frightening grip and amazing amount of resources and means through which waves and waves of assaults are maintained against faith (eemaan), and against tawhid (monotheism), and against the morality that is based upon revelation (as opposed to the “do what thou wilt” of secular humanism), and against the family unit and its bonds (husband-wife, child-parent). And so it is necessary for the Muslims to beware and take extreme caution against the waves upon waves of such assaults that are being made from all directions, the aim of which is to desecrate the foundations of faith, and to desecrate the Prophets of Allaah, in particular Jesus, the Son of Mary (peace be upon them both) and to replace the foundations of faith with a “new age spirituality” which is nothing “new” at all, but comes from none other than Iblees himself and is but the same deception that Iblees used to make Adam err, which is the promise of immortality and eternity, and this is the core, underlying principle of the “new age spirituality” in all of its flavours and manifestations. Further, the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) warned that there would be many dajjaals (liars) in the later times. Such liars and imposters claim divinity or prophethood, and preach a religion other than that preached by the Prophets and Messengers, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammad (peace be upon all of them). For this reason, given the huge amount of propaganda disseminated through the great many forms of media in the modern age, it is necessary for Muslims to be well-informed about the plots of Iblees his deception and misguiding of the people through their army of devils amongst Jinn and men, all of whom refer to Iblees, spuriously, as “the light bearer”. (7)

[Ref 1: Al-Adilladul Qawaati Wal Baraaheen Fee Ibtaalil Usoolil Mulhideen (Imaam As-Sadi). pages 45-50. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Al-Fawaa’id 131-132. (Imaam Ibnul Qayyim). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from Al-Fawaa-id’ page 197-198. (Imaam Ibnul Qayyim). Slightly Paraphrased]

[Ref 4: An Excerpt from Badaa’i Al-Fawaa’id 3/525-526. (Imaam Ibnul Qayyim)]

[Ref 5: Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 99-100. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 6: http://www.shariah.ws/articles/suokooj-there-is-no-safe-limit-in-the-consumption-of-alcohol-and-the-prohibition-of-alcohol-in-the-quran.cfm ]

[Ref 7: Dajjal.com]

[2] Robust Principles That Protects Sound Creed In The Face of all Ideologies – [Past, Present and Future]!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Monotheism - Tawheed, 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.

The sound Islamic Creed is based on the Qur’aan and the [authentic] Sunnah as opposed to the other creeds. The sources of the other creeds differ and you’ll find them being in opposition to each other- filled with contradictions and diverse orientations. As for the person who has been blessed with the sound Islamic creed, he is saved from all of this. The sound Islamic creed is the creed that agrees with Fitrah [natural disposition of (human beings)] and sound intellect. Allaah [The Most High] said:

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

So set you (O Muhammad) your face towards the religion of pure Islamic Monotheism Hanifa (worship none but Allah Alone) Allah’s Fitrah (i.e. Allah’s Islamic Monotheism), with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq-illah (i.e. the Religion of Allah Islamic Monotheism), that is the straight religion, but most of men know not. [Soorah Ar-Rum: Ayah: 30]

The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Every newly born child is born in a state of fitrah [i.e. upon a natural inclination to worship Allaah (alone)], and it is his parents who make him into a Jew, a Christian or fire-worshipper……”

The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said that Allaah said: “Indeed, I created my servants as Hunafaa [i.e. inclined towards monotheism and distanced from polytheism], but the devils divert them from their true religion [of Islamic monotheism]”.

When a person of sound intellect is introduced to the sound Islamic creed and its evidences, he will not oppose it. He will know that it does not contradict sound intellect. It was said to one of the Arabs, “How do you know that the Messenger of Allaah [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] is truthful? He replied, ‘I have not found him command something, except that it is commanded by the sound intellect; and I have not found him prohibit something, except that it is prohibited by the sound intellect’”.

This shows that those who nurture the people upon the sound Islamic creed are the callers to that which agrees with the natural disposition and sound intellect, as opposed to the false creeds because they are in opposition to the natural disposition and sound intellect. Those who call to false creeds utilise lies, deceit, fables, dreams etc…. to spread those false and deviated creeds.

The false creeds and their adherents contradict each other, but as for the sound Islamic creed, its people do not contradict one another. Allaah [The Most High] said:

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآَنَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا

Do they not then consider the Qur’an carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein many contradictions. [Soorah An-Nisaa: Ayah: 82]

Allaah [The Most High] said: [لَا يَأْتِيهِ الْبَاطِلُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِ تَنْزِيلٌ مِنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ – Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it (it is) sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise (Allah)]. [Soorah Fussilat: Ayah: 42]

The sound Islamic creed founded upon the Qur’aan and the Sunnah is free from falsehood. Falsehood cannot approach it because it is founded upon a pure source. As for the other creeds, they are based on contradictions and differences;

يُؤۡفَكُ عَنۡهُ مَنۡ أُفِكَ

إِنَّكُمۡ لَفِى قَوۡلٍ۬ مُّخۡتَلِفٍ۬ ]

And certainly, you (i.e. people of false creeds) have different ideas (about Muhammad and the Qur’an). Turned aside therefrom (i.e. from Muhammad and the Qur’an) is he who is turned aside (by the Decree and Preordainment of Allaah)]

The sound Islamic creed is clear and there are no obscurities in it, as opposed to the creed of the falsifiers. Its fundamental principles and evidences are clear, as opposed to the other creeds. For example one of the people of philosophical rhetoric wrote a very abstruse treatise on the knowledge of the existence of Allaah and then said, “None will comprehend it, except someone who is firmly grounded in knowledge”. Ibn Abil Izz Al-Hanafi (rahimahullaah) said that one of the philosophers said, “I spent all night looking at the evidences of the philosophers till morning came, but I could not understand anything”.

The sound Islamic creed unites the hearts and prevents hatred and rancour between the people; rather it even unites creatures that are different from one another. For example, look at the bond between the angels and the pious people amongst the children of Aadam! Allaah said:

الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ

Those (angels) who bear the Throne (of Allah) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord and believe in Him (i.e. believe in the oneness of Allaah) and ask forgiveness for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) (saying): “Our Lord! You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your Way, and save them from the torment of the blazing Fire!’’ [Soorah Ghaafir: Ayah: 7]. So they (i.e. the angels) supplicate and ask Allaah to forgive the believers, and this bond between them and the believers is due to the sound Islamic creed they share.

Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ لَوْ أَنْفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِنَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ – And He has united their (i.e. believers’) hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah has united them. Certainly He is All-Mighty, All-Wise]. [Soorah Al-Anfaal: Ayah: 63]

It is Allaah Who unites (the hearts of the) believers through the sound Islamic creed and this is why Allaah (The Most High) said: [إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ – The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion)]. [Soorah Al-Hujuraat: Ayah: 10]

As for the bond you find between the people of corrupt creeds, they are all disconnected. Allaah (The Most High) said:[إِذْ تَبَرَّأَ الَّذِينَ اتُّبِعُوا مِنَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوا وَرَأَوُا الْعَذَابَ وَتَقَطَّعَتْ بِهِمُ الْأَسْبَابُ – When those who were followed, disown (declare themselves innocent of) those who followed (them), and they see the torment, then all their relations will be cut off from them]. [Soorah Al-Baqarah: Ayah: 166]

Allaah (The Most High) said:[الْأَخِلَّاءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقِينَ – Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except Al-Muttaqun ([the pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)].

The sound Islamic creed gives one’s heart peace and tranquillity. Allaah (The Most High) said: [مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ – Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)]. [Soorah An-Nahl: Ayah: 97]

A good life is dependent upon Eemaan and righteous actions. Allaah (The Most High) said:

طه (1) مَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآَنَ لِتَشْقَى (2) إِلَّا تَذْكِرَةً لِمَنْ يَخْشَى

Ta-Ha. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.] We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you (O Muhammad) to cause you distress. [Soorah Taahaa: Ayah:1-2]

Allaah (The Most High) said: [الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُمْ بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ – Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest]. [Soorah Ar-Radd: Ayah:28]

Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said: The hearts were created to be upon Tawheed, but when they abandon what they were created for, they become confused and bewildered. The heart’s need of Tawheed and remembrance of Allaah is like a fish’s need for water. A fish dies when deprived of water and likewise the heart dies when deprived of Tawheed and remembrance of Allaah.

The sound Islamic creed is a creed of uprightness and justice- neither going beyond bounds nor falling short, as opposed to the other creeds. There is not an affair in the religion- be it the beliefs, acts of worship and its laws- except that the people are divided into three categories in that regard; [a]The Extremists [b]Those who fall short and [c]Those who remain upon uprightness and justice upon the sound creed-those who cling to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. (1)

The (sound) creed in the Religion is like the roots of a tree and the foundation of a building. And just as a tree cannot stand (firm) except by way of its roots and a building cannot stand (firm) except by way of its foundation, likewise the Religion cannot be established except by way of (sound) Eemaan and Sound Creed. A person without sound creed is similar to a body without a soul. Allaah (The Most High) said:

[أَوَمَنْ كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَاهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُ نُورًا يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ كَمَنْ مَثَلُهُ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍ مِنْهَا كَذَلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ – Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out? Thus it is made fair-seeming to the disbelievers that which they used to do]. [Soorah Al-An-aam: Ayah: 122]

Allaah (The Most High) said: [يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُم – O you who believe! Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he (Muhammad) calls you to that which will give you life] [Soorah Al-Anfaal: Ayah: 24]

This is why Allaah called the revelation ‘Rooh’. Allaah said:

وَكَذَلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا مَا كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتَابُ وَلَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلَكِنْ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُورًا نَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ صِرَاطِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ أَلَا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَصِيرُ الْأُمُورُ

And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Roohan (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).” [Soorah Ash-Shoorah: Ayah: 52-53]

And why did Allaah (The Most High) call it Rooh? It is because the real life of the hearts cannot exist, except by way of the revelation, and the sound creed is the greatest affair in the revelation. Allaah (The Most High) said: [أَتَى أَمْرُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ (1) يُنَزِّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ بِالرُّوحِ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ عَلَى مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ أَنْ أَنْذِرُوا أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاتَّقُونِ – The Event (the Hour or the punishment of disbelievers and polytheists or the Islamic laws or commandments), ordained by Allah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted be He above all that they associate as partners with Him. He sends down the angels with inspiration of His Command to whom of His slaves He pleases (saying): “Warn mankind that La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so fear Me (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds)]. [Soorah Nahl:Aayaat: 1-2]

This (i.e. the sound creed, Tawheed, sincerity in worship) are the greatest affair in the revelation.

Some Virtues of the Sound Creed

The sound creed is the basis upon which the Religion of Allaah is built. This is manifested in the parable in the Ayah:

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاءِ تُؤْتِي

أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high). Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember.” [Soorah Ibraaheem: Aayaat: 24-25]

“Whose (i.e. this tree) roots are firmly fixed and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high)”. The firmness of these roots are [the sound Creed, sound Eemaan and Sincerity in worshipping Allaah alone], and thereafter, the branches are made strong and the fruits are produced. “Its roots are firmly fixed”; and what is well known is that a tree cannot be of benefit when its roots are not firmly fixed; so if the roots are firm, the branches will be strong and the fruits are produced. This is a parable in explanation of the Religion of Islaam and the status of the sound creed in the Religion.

And if you wish to know the status of the sound creed in the Religion of Allaah, then look at the date palm tree because the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said that the goodly tree which has been compared to the believer is the date palm tree. Ibn Umar (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) narrated: While we were with the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam), he said: ‘’Inform me of a tree which resembles a Muslim man. Its leaves do not fall and it does not, and does not, and does not; and it gives its fruits every now and then.’’ It came to my mind that such a tree must be the date palm, but seeing Abu Bakr and Umar saying nothing, I disliked to speak. So when they did not say anything, the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’It is the date-palm tree’’………[Al-Bukhaari: Vol 6: Number: 4698]

This (hadeeth) shows the nobility of this tree amongst other trees, because Allaah specified it and compared it to the believer. The date-palm tree has roots which are firmly fixed and deeply rooted, and it seeks after water by way of which it is given life. And whenever there is water, its roots seek after it; likewise the heart of the believer seeks after Allaah’s revelation by way of which it is given life. Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا أَنْ تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُحْيِي الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ الْآَيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah’s Reminder (this Qur’an), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its death! Indeed We have made clear the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) to you, if you but understand.” [Soorah Al-Hadeed: Ayah:16]

Allaah revives the dead earth by way of water; so just as a tree is given life by way of water and dies when deprived of water; likewise, the hearts cannot be alive, except by way of the revelation. And if (the hearts) are deprived of the revelation, they become dead. And that is why whenever a person is distanced from the revelation, he comes closer to death (i.e. his heart comes closer to corruption), and whenever he comes closer to the revelation, his heart is given life (i.e. obedience to Allaah, worshipping Allaah alone, distanced from sin etc) in accordance with his closeness to the revelation. (2)

[Ref 1: Source: Al-Madkhal Li-Diraasah Al-Aqeedah Al-Islaamiyyah: Lesson 1 of Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him)]
[Ref 2: Source: Al-Madkhal Lidiraasat Aqeedah Al-Islaamiyyah’ by Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr ‘ lesson 3]

[1] Robust Principles That Protects Sound Creed In The Face of all Ideologies – [Past, Present and Future]!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Bid'ah (Innovation), Contemporary Issues, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Pearls of Wisdom, Purification of The Soul, Shirk, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

The creeds are two types – the creed revealed by Allaah and the creed initiated by the people. However, the sound and correct creed can only be from Allaah’s Wahi [the revelation sent down by Allaah in the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah]. Allaah [The Most High] informed us about Yusuf [peace be upon him] that he said to his companions in the prison:

يَا صَاحِبَيِ السِّجْنِ أَأَرْبَابٌ مُتَفَرِّقُونَ خَيْرٌ أَمِ اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ; مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءً سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنْتُمْ وَآَبَاؤُكُمْ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ سُلْطَانٍ إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

O two companions of the prison! Are many different lords (gods) better or Allah, the One, the Irresistible? You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgement) is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight religion, but most men know not. [Surah Yusuf Aayaat 39-40]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ اللَّاتَ وَالْعُزَّى
وَمَنَاةَ الثَّالِثَةَ الْأُخْرَى
أَلَكُمُ الذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ الْأُنْثَى
تِلْكَ إِذًا قِسْمَةٌ ضِيزَى
إِنْ هِيَ إِلَّا أَسْمَاءٌ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنْتُمْ وَآَبَاؤُكُمْ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ سُلْطَانٍ إِنْ يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى الْأَنْفُسُ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَهُمْ مِنْ رَبِّهِمُ الْهُدَى

Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-‘Uzza (two idols of the pagan Arabs) And Manat (another idol of the pagan Arabs), the other third? Is it for you the males and for Him the females? That indeed is a division most unfair! They are but names which you have named, you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. [Soorah Najm:19-23]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ شَرَعُوا لَهُمْ مِنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَنْ بِهِ اللَّهُ

Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed. [Surah Ash-Shoorah: Ayah:21]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَكَذَلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا مَا كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتَابُ وَلَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلَكِنْ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُورًا نَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ
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). [Surah Ash-Shoorah: Aayaat 52-53]

All these verses of the Qur’aan demonstrate the fact that the sound Islamic creed can only be derived from the revelation [i.e. the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah].

The delegation of Abdul Qais: The delegation said, “O Messenger of Allaah, we come to you from a far-off distance and there lives between you and us a tribe- the unbelievers of Mudar, and it is not possible for us to come to you except in the sacred months; so direct us to a clear command regarding which we are to inform others and by way of which we may enter paradise. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, ‘I command you to do four things and forbid you from four things’, and he added, ‘I command you to have Eemaan in Allaah’, and then he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] asked them, ‘Do you know what Imaan in Allaah is?’ They said, ‘Allaah and His Messenger know best’’. He said, ‘It is the testimony that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allaah….’” [Saheeh Muslim]

These people were Arabs and people of eloquence in their language, however when the Messenger asked them about Eemaan they replied, “Allaah and His Messenger know best”. This shows that the affairs of the creed and Eemaan are only established by way of the revelation. As for the people of bidah and evil desires, some of them derive their creed by way of the intellect, opinions, dreams, fables and beliefs they desire.

Principles We Must Establish In This Affair

The First Principle: The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] has clarified all the affairs of the religion. He has clarified its fundamentals, subsidiary issues, beliefs and prescribed laws. Allaah [The Most High] said:[الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا – This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion]. [Surah Al-Maa-idah: Ayah 3]

Therefore, when it is the case that the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] even explained- in detail- the etiquettes of using the toilet, then it is not possible that he would not have detailed the affairs of the creed, thus giving an allowance for others to come along and make up beliefs based on their intellects, opinions etc. Indeed, the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] has clarified all the Religion, its creed and laws.

 

The Second Principle: The Qur’aan and the [authentic] Sunnah of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] are the sources of the religion, and every dispute between the Muslims is to be referred back to them. Allaah [The Most High] said: [فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا – But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad ) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission] [Soorah An-Nisaa: ayah:65]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا مُبِينًا

It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error. [Surah Al-Ahzaab: Ayah:36]

Allaah (The Most High) said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآَخِرِ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا

O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.’’ [Surah An-Nisaa: Ayah: 59]
And referring back to Allaah is to refer to His Book [i.e. the Qur’aan] and referring to the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-asallam] is to refer to his [authentic] Sunnah. The one who does not do this; then indeed he has deviated from the straight path. Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] used to say often:

مَنْ فَارَقَ الدَّلِيل ضَلَّ السَّبِيل وَلَا دَلِيل إِلَّا بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ الرَّسُول

Whoever opposes the proofs will be led away from the path, and there is no proof, except that which the Messenger came with.

Ibn Abil Izz Al-Hanafi [rahimahullaah] said:

كَيْفَ يُرَام الْوُصُول إِلَى عِلْمِ الْأُصُولِ بِغيْرِ مَا جَاءَ بِهِ الرَّسُول

How can one aim at reaching knowledge of the fundamental principles of the (religion) with other than what the Messenger brought?!

 

The Third Principle: A Muslim is not to put himself forward before Allaah and His Messenger. He is not to speak about the Religion without knowledge from Allaah and His Messenger, because that is one of the greatest sins and crimes. Allaah [The Most High] said: [يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ – O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Verily! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing]. [Surah Al-Hujuraat: Ayah:1]

This means: Neither speak [about the religion] until Allaah and His Messenger have spoken, nor act in the name of the religion until you are commanded- whether in affairs related to creed, acts of worship or affairs related to knowledge of the religion.

Allaah (The Most High) said:

وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا

And follow not (O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not, etc.) that of which you have no knowledge (e.g. one’s saying: “I have seen,” while in fact he has not seen, or “I have heard,” while he has not heard). Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned (by Allah). [Soorah Al-Israa: Ayah:36]

 

The Fourth Principle: Our understanding of the Qur’aan and the [authentic] Sunnah of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] has to be agree in agreement with the understanding of the Salaf [i.e. the pious predecessors]. They possessed the most pious of hearts and purest souls; they were the ones who received the religion directly from the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], transmitted it to the Ummah as they heard it and fulfilled its requirements. Indeed, Allaah selected them to be the companions of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and carriers of His religion, Allaah was pleased with them and they were pleased with Allaah, Allaah sent down tranquility upon them and granted them piety. Therefore, it is obligated on us to understand the religion in the manner in which they understood it, and t not permissible for anyone to come along and say, “They [i.e. the companions of Muhammad] were men and we are men [i.e. intending to abandon their way]”. If someone says this, then indeed he is a person of misguidance, and because of this reason, Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَمَنْ يُشَاقِقِ الرَّسُولَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدَى وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِ مَا تَوَلَّى وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا – And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad ) after the right path has been shown clearly to him and follows other than the believers’ way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen and burn him in Hell – what an evil destination]. [Surah An-Nisaa: Ayah:115]

And Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنْصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajirun) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success. [Soorah At-Tawbah: Ayah: 100]

This is the aim: We follow them exactly (in faith) and we follow their path. The closer a person is in following them, then the closer is he to guidance. In an authentic hadeeth, the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: ”The best of people are those living in my generation, then those who come after them, and those after them….’’

 

The Fifth Principle: It is obligated on a person who has been granted this favour [i.e. adherence to the Qur’aan, the authentic Sunnah and the path of the companions] that he remains steadfast upon it- steadfast upon it by way of knowledge, creed and action until Allaah takes his soul. Allaah said: [ فَٱسۡتَقِمۡ كَمَآ أُمِرۡتَ – So stand (ask Allah to make) you (Muhammad) firm and straight (on the religion of Islamic Monotheism) as you are commanded]. [Surah Hud. Ayah 112]

Steadfastness can only fulfilled through that which Allaah has revealed. Allaah [The Most High] said:[إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ – Verily, those who say: “Our Lord is (only) Allah,” and thereafter Istaqamu (i.e. stood firm and straight on the Islamic Faith of Monotheism by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden and by performing all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained), on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve]. [Soorah Al-ahqaah: Ayah:13]

Allaah [The Most High] said: [إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ – Verily, those who say: “Our Lord is Allah (Alone),” and then they Istaqamu , on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): “Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!].[Soorah Fussilat: Ayah:30]

This steadfastness is sought from a slave of Allaah- steadfastness upon the [sound] creed, righteous action and deeds that draws him close to Allaah until Allaah takes away his soul. Allaah (The Most High) said: [وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ – And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death)]. [Soorah al-Hijr: Ayah:99]
And Allaah [The Most High] said: [يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ – O you who believe! Fear Allah (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allah]. [Soorah Aala Imraan: Ayah: 102]

And one of the tremendous supplications is that which has been reported by Ibn Abee Shaybah that Abu Dardaa [radiyallaahu-anhu] used to supplicate:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ إيمَانًا دَائِمًا وَعِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَهَدْيًا قَيِّمًا

O Allaah! I ask you for abiding Eemaan, beneficial knowledge and upright guidance.

Mu’aawiyyah Ibn Qurra [rahimahullaah] transmitted this narration from Abu Dardaa [radiyallaahu-anhu] and then said: ”Because there is Eemaan that is not abiding, knowledge that is not beneficial and guidance that is not upright.” Therefore, a Muslim must ask Allaah for these (things) and he should employ the means to attaining them, as the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said: “Be eager for what is of benefit to you and place your reliance upon Allaah”.

The Sixth Principle: And after being steadfastness upon the [sound creed, the Qur’aan, the Sunnah and the way of the pious predecessors], one must call to it. Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَالْعَصْرِ
إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ

By Al-‘Asr (the time). Verily! Man is in loss, Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al-Ma’ruf) which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al-Munkar) which Allah has forbidden), and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allah’s Cause during preaching His religion of Islamic Monotheism or Jihad, etc.). [Soorah al-Asr]

One has to propagate the sound path and the religion based on what Allaah makes easy for him to propagate. The Messenger [sallal-laahu-alahi-wasallam] said to Ali [radiyallaahu-anhu], “By Allaah, for Allah to guide one man by you is better for you than red camels.” The Messenger also said: “Whoever calls to guidance, he will be rewarded, and (also) receive reward equal to those who follow him, without their rewards being reduced in the least.” The Messenger also said: ”The one who guides to good is like the doer of that deed itself”.

To be continued….InShaaAllaah

[Source: Madkhal Li-Diraasati Aqeedah Al-Islaamiyyah. Lesson 2- By Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him)]

Reminder as We Witness Strong Winds During The Past Few Days

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Supplication During a Windstorm

اللَّهمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَهَا، وَخَيْرَ مَا فِيْهَا، وَخَيْرَ مَا أُرْسِلَتْ بِهِ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا، وَشَرِّ مَا فِيْهَا، وَشَرِّ مَا أُرْسِلَتْ بِهِ

O Allah, I ask You for the good of it, for the good of what it contains, and for the good of what is sent with it. I seek refuge in You from the evil of it, from the evil of what it contains, and from the evil that is sent with it. [ Muslim 2/616]

The Wind – Mercy From Allaah to His Servants

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦۤ أَن يُرۡسِلَ ٱلرِّيَاحَ مُبَشِّرَٲتٍ۬ وَلِيُذِيقَكُم مِّن رَّحۡمَتِهِۦ وَلِتَجۡرِىَ ٱلۡفُلۡكُ بِأَمۡرِهِۦ وَلِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ

And among His Signs is this, that He sends the winds as glad tidings, giving you a taste of His Mercy (i.e. rain), and that the ships may sail at His Command, and that you may seek of His Bounty, in order that you may be thankful. [Surah Ar-Rum. Verse 46]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى يُرۡسِلُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابً۬ا فَيَبۡسُطُهُ ۥ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيۡفَ يَشَآءُ وَيَجۡعَلُهُ ۥ كِسَفً۬ا فَتَرَى ٱلۡوَدۡقَ يَخۡرُجُ مِنۡ خِلَـٰلِهِۦ‌ۖ فَإِذَآ أَصَابَ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦۤ إِذَا هُمۡ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ
وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيۡهِم مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦ لَمُبۡلِسِينَ
فَٱنظُرۡ إِلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِ رَحۡمَتِ ٱللَّهِ ڪَيۡفَ يُحۡىِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِہَآ‌ۚ إِنَّ ذَٲلِكَ لَمُحۡىِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ‌ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬

Allah is He Who sends the winds, so they raise clouds, and spread them along the sky as He wills, and then break them into fragments, until you see rain drops come forth from their midst! Then when He has made them fall on whom of His slaves as He will, lo! they rejoice! And verily before that (rain), just before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair! Look then at the effects (results) of Allah’s Mercy, how He revives the earth after its death. Verily! That (Allah) Who revived the earth after its death shall indeed raise the dead (on the Day of Resurrection), and He is Able to do all things. [Surah Room. Verses 48-50]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُرۡسِلُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ بُشۡرَۢا بَيۡنَ يَدَىۡ رَحۡمَتِهِۦ‌ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَقَلَّتۡ سَحَابً۬ا ثِقَالاً۬ سُقۡنَـٰهُ لِبَلَدٍ۬ مَّيِّتٍ۬ فَأَنزَلۡنَا بِهِ ٱلۡمَآءَ فَأَخۡرَجۡنَا بِهِۦ مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ نُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَڪَّرُونَ

And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain). Till when they have carried a heavy-laden cloud, We drive it to a land that is dead, then We cause water (rain) to descend thereon. Then We produce every kind of fruit therewith. Similarly, We shall raise up the dead, so that you may remember or take heed. [Surah Al-A’raaf. Verse 57]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

إِنَّ فِى خَلۡقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱلۡفُلۡكِ ٱلَّتِى تَجۡرِى فِى ٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآءٍ۬ فَأَحۡيَا بِهِ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِہَا وَبَثَّ فِيہَا مِن ڪُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ۬ وَتَصۡرِيفِ ٱلرِّيَـٰحِ وَٱلسَّحَابِ ٱلۡمُسَخَّرِ بَيۡنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَعۡقِلُونَ

Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs, etc.) for people of understanding. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Verse 164]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَأَرۡسَلۡنَا ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ لَوَٲقِحَ فَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَسۡقَيۡنَـٰكُمُوهُ وَمَآ أَنتُمۡ لَهُ ۥ بِخَـٰزِنِينَ

And We send the winds fertilizing (to fill heavily the clouds with water), then caused the water (rain) to descend from the sky, and We gave it to you to drink, and it is not you who are the owners of its stores [i.e. to give water to whom you like or to withhold it from whom you like]. [Surah Al-Hijr. Verse 22]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
فَسَخَّرۡنَا لَهُ ٱلرِّيحَ تَجۡرِى بِأَمۡرِهِۦ رُخَآءً حَيۡثُ أَصَابَ

So, We subjected to him (i.e. Prophet Sulaymaan) the wind, it blew gently to his order whithersoever he willed. [Surah Saad. Verse 36]

Allaah [The Exalted] said: [وَلِسُلَيۡمَـٰنَ ٱلرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَہۡرٌ۬ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَہۡرٌ۬ۖ – And to Solomon (We subjected) the wind, its morning (stride from sunrise till midnoon) was a month’s (journey), and its afternoon (stride from the midday decline of the sun to sunset) was a month’s (journey i.e. in one day he could travel two months’ journey)]. [Surah Saba. Verse 12]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

وَلِسُلَيْمَانَ الرِّيحَ عَاصِفَةً تَجْرِي بِأَمْرِهِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ الَّتِي بَارَكْنَا فِيهَا وَكُنَّا بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَالِمِينَ

And to Sulaiman (Solomon) (We subjected) the wind strongly raging, running by his command towards the land which We had blessed. And of everything We are the All-Knower. [Surah Al-Anbiya. Verse 81]

The Wind- A Means of Punishment

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَفِى عَادٍ إِذۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلرِّيحَ ٱلۡعَقِيمَ
مَا تَذَرُ مِن شَىۡءٍ أَتَتۡ عَلَيۡهِ إِلَّا جَعَلَتۡهُ كَٱلرَّمِيمِ

And in Aad (there is also a sign) when We sent against them the barren wind. It spared nothing that it reached, but blew it into broken spreads of rotten ruins. [Surah Adh-Dhaariyaat. Verses 41-42]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

إِنَّآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡہِمۡ رِيحً۬ا صَرۡصَرً۬ا فِى يَوۡمِ نَحۡسٍ۬ مُّسۡتَمِرٍّ۬
تَنزِعُ ٱلنَّاسَ كَأَنَّہُمۡ أَعۡجَازُ نَخۡلٍ۬ مُّنقَعِرٍ۬
فَكَيۡفَ كَانَ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ

Verily, We sent against them (i.e. the disbelievers of Aad) a furious wind of harsh voice on a day of evil omen and continuous calamity. Plucking out men as if they were uprooted stems of date-palms. Then, how (terrible) was My Torment and My Warnings? [Surah Al-Qamar. Verses 19-21]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

فَلَمَّا رَأَوۡهُ عَارِضً۬ا مُّسۡتَقۡبِلَ أَوۡدِيَتِہِمۡ قَالُواْ هَـٰذَا عَارِضٌ۬ مُّمۡطِرُنَا‌ۚ بَلۡ هُوَ مَا ٱسۡتَعۡجَلۡتُم بِهِۦ‌ۖ رِيحٌ۬ فِيہَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ۬
تُدَمِّرُ كُلَّ شَىۡءِۭ بِأَمۡرِ رَبِّہَا فَأَصۡبَحُواْ لَا يُرَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَسَـٰكِنُہُمۡ‌ۚ كَذَٲلِكَ نَجۡزِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ

Then, when they (.e. the disbelievers of Aad) saw it as a dense cloud coming towards their valleys, they said: “This is a cloud bringing us rain!” Nay, but it is that (torment) which you were asking to be hastened! a wind wherein is a painful torment! Destroying everything by the Command of its Lord! So they became such that nothing could be seen except their dwellings! Thus do We recompense the people who are Mujrimun (polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, etc.)! [Surah Al-Ahqaaf. Verses 24-25]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

هُوَ الَّذِي يُسَيِّرُكُمْ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ حَتَّى إِذَا كُنْتُمْ فِي الْفُلْكِ وَجَرَيْنَ بِهِمْ بِرِيحٍ طَيِّبَةٍ وَفَرِحُوا بِهَا جَاءَتْهَا رِيحٌ عَاصِفٌ وَجَاءَهُمُ الْمَوْجُ مِنْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ أُحِيطَ بِهِمْ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ لَئِنْ أَنْجَيْتَنَا مِنْ هَذِهِ لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ

He(Allaah) it is Who enables you to travel through land and sea, till when you are in the ships and they sail with them with a favourable wind, and they are glad therein, then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides, and they think that they are encircled therein, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him Alone, saying: “If You (Allah) deliver us from this, we shall truly be of the grateful.” [Surah Yunus. Verse 22]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:
أَمْ أَمِنْتُمْ أَنْ يُعِيدَكُمْ فِيهِ تَارَةً أُخْرَى فَيُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ قَاصِفًا مِنَ الرِّيحِ فَيُغْرِقَكُمْ بِمَا كَفَرْتُمْ ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُوا لَكُمْ عَلَيْنَا بِهِ تَبِيعًا

Or do you feel secure that He will not send you back a second time to sea and send against you a hurricane of wind and drown you because of your disbelief, then you will not find any avenger therein against Us? [Surah Al-Israa. Verse 69]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

إِنْ يَشَأْ يُسْكِنِ الرِّيحَ فَيَظْلَلْنَ رَوَاكِدَ عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ

If He wills, He causes the wind to cease, then they would become motionless on the back (of the sea). Verily, in this are signs for everyone patient and grateful. [Surah Ash-Shooraa. Verse 33]

Parables

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:

حُنَفَاءَ لِلَّهِ غَيْرَ مُشْرِكِينَ بِهِ وَمَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَتَخْطَفُهُ الطَّيْرُ أَوْ تَهْوِي بِهِ الرِّيحُ فِي مَكَانٍ سَحِيقٍ

Hunafa’ Lillah (i.e. to worship none but Allah), not associating partners (in worship, etc.) unto Him and whoever assigns partners to Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place. [Surah Al-Hajj. Verse 31]

Allaah [The Exalted] stated:
وَٱضۡرِبۡ لَهُم مَّثَلَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخۡتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَأَصۡبَحَ هَشِيمً۬ا تَذۡرُوهُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحُ‌ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ مُّقۡتَدِرًا

And put forward to them the example of the life of this world, it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it, and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken pieces, which the winds scatter. And Allah is Able to do everything. [Surah Al-Kahf. Verse 45]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَاللَّهُ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ الرِّيَاحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَسُقْنَاهُ إِلَى بَلَدٍ مَيِّتٍ فَأَحْيَيْنَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا كَذَلِكَ النُّشُورُ

And it is Allah Who sends the winds, so that they raise up the clouds, and We drive them to a dead land, and revive therewith the earth after its death. As such (will be) the Resurrection! [Surah Al-Faatir. Verse 9]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:
مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ كَرَمَادٍ اشْتَدَّتْ بِهِ الرِّيحُ فِي يَوْمٍ عَاصِفٍ لَا يَقْدِرُونَ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا عَلَى شَيْءٍ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الضَّلَالُ الْبَعِيدُ

The parable of those who disbelieve in their Lord is that their works are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously on a stormy day, they shall not be able to get aught of what they have earned. That is the straying, far away (from the Right Path). [Surah Ibraaheem. Verse 18]

Ibn Abbaas [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father] narrated: “The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] 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 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]

Zain Ibnul Muneer [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The intent behind the likeness (or comparison) between the Prophet’s [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] 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 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”. (1)

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “He [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] was the most generous amongst the people with regards to wealth and bestowing (things) 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: (a) it is more virtuous to study and recite the Qur’aan at night with the righteous people, the scholars and the good people. The Prophet recited (the Qur’aan to Jibreel) to receive that which Allaah has of reward [i.e. reward in the afterlife]. (b) Generosity in times (when people are in need) and in Ramadaan is something sought after [in the religion of Islaam]. (2)

[Ref 1: 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]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min Ta’liqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaariy. 2/121. Footnotes numbers: 1, 2 &3]

Whosoever Turns Away From Remembrance of the Most Beneficent, We Appoint For Him Shaitan to Be An Intimate Companion to Him!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Indeed, Dhikr (remembrance of Allaah) protects a person from shaytaan. Whoever leaves Dhikr, shaytaan will accompany him in that manner in which a person is accompanied by his shadow. Allaah said:

[ وَمَن يَعۡشُ عَن ذِكۡرِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ نُقَيِّضۡ لَهُ ۥ شَيۡطَـٰنً۬ا فَهُوَ لَهُ ۥ قَرِينٌ- And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allah) (i.e. this Qur’an and worship of Allah), We appoint for him Shaitan to be an intimate companion to him]. [Surah Az-Zukhruf. Aayah 36]

A person is not able to protect himself from shaytaan except through Dhikr. Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated – in his book titled Al Waabilus Sayyib- over seventy benefits of Dhikr, and from them are:

Dhikr brings joy, happiness and relaxation in the heart of a person. It makes the heart calm and tranquil, just as Allaah [The Most High] said: [ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَتَطۡمَٮِٕنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۗ أَلَا بِذِڪۡرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطۡمَٮِٕنُّ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ – Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest]. [Surah Ar-Ra’d. Aayah 28].

The meaning of Allaah’s statement [وَتَطۡمَٮِٕنُّ قُلُوبُهُم – and whose hearts find rest] is that the distress and unease in their hearts will cease and is replaced with cheerfulness, joy and relaxation. And the meaning of Allaah’s statement [أَلَا بِذِڪۡرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطۡمَٮِٕنُّ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ – Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest] is that it has to be the case that nothing else can bring (sound and everlasting) tranquility except remembrance of Allaah. If a person is deprived of remembrance of Alaah, his state would be similar to a body that is deprived of its (essential) nourishment. There’s no life (based upon virtue) for the heart except through remembrance of Allaah. Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The heart’s need of Dhikr is like a fish’s need for water, so what will be the state of a fish when isolated from the water!”

Dhikr prevents one from committing sins, wipes away sins and saves a person from Allaah’s punishment. Mu’aadh Ibn Jabal [may Allaah be pleased with him] said that Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “The son of Adam never performs an act that (grants) him safety from Allaah’s punishment more than the remembrance of Allaah [The Exalted]”. [Saheeh Al-Jaami. Number 5633]

Dhikr earns a person Allaah’s favour, reward and grace (in a way) that a person cannot earn through other acts of worship, even though it is the easiest act of worship. That is because moving the tongue is easier than moving the other limbs, because if the movement of the other limbs – day and night – was to be carried out in the same way as the movement of the tongue, a person will face great difficulty; rather he will not be able to do so, but still the reward of Dhikr (with the tongue) carries great good recompense and abundant reward. Abu Hurairah [may Allaah be pleased with him] said that the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “If one says one hundred times in a day, ‘None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, the (Alone), He is the One and has no partner; to Him belongs the kingdom [of the universe] and for Him are all the praises, and He has the power to do everything (the Omnipotent)’. One will get the reward of manumitting ten slaves, and one hundred good deeds will be written in his account, and one hundred bad deeds will be wiped off or erased from his account, and on that day he will be protected from the morning till evening from Satan, and nobody will be superior to him except one who has done more than that which he did”. [Al-Bukhaari Numbers 3293 & 6403; Muslim 2691]

The Prophet said, “Whoever says, ‘Subhaanallaahi Wabi-hamdihee’ one hundred times a day will be forgiven all his (minor) sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea”. [Al-Bukhaari. Number 6405]

Abu Hurairah said that Allaah’s Messenger said,”To say Subhaanallaah, Wal-hamadulil laah, Laa Ilaaha Ilal laah and Wallaahu Akbar is more beloved to me than everything over which the sun rises”. [Saheeh Muslim 2695]

Plants are grown in Jannah for a person through Dhikr, as reported in a hadeeth that “Paradise is a vast plain with fertile soil and sweet water, and remembrance of Allaah is what makes its plants grow”. Ibn Mas’ood [may Allaah be pleased with him] said that Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “On the night I was taken up to the heavens, I met Ibraaheem Al-Khaleel [peace be upon him], so he said to me, ‘O Muhammad! Convey my salaams to your Ummah and tell them that Jannah has fertile soil and sweet water, and it is a Qee’aan [i.e. a plain levelled land], and its cultivation [i.e. what makes its plants grow] is the [utterance] of Subhaanallaah, Alhamdulillaah, Laa ilaaha illallaah and Allaahu Akbar'”. [As-Saheehah 105]

Abu Ayyoub Al-Ansaariy [may Allaah be pleased with him] said that when Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] met Ibraaheem [peace be upon him] on the night in which he was taken up to the heavens, he said, “O Jibreel! Who is with you?” He [Jibreel- peace be upon him] said, “This is Muhammad”. So, he [Ibraaheem] said, “Convey to your Ummah that they increase in what cultivates [the plants of] Jannah, for indeed its soil is fertile and its land is vast”. So he said, “What is its [means] of cultivation?” He [Ibraaheem] said, “The statement: Laa Hawla Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaah”. [Musnad Imaam ahmad 5/418. This hadeeth is a witness for the hadeeth before it]

Jaabir [may Allaah be pleased with him] said that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Whoever says Subhaanallaahi Wabihamdihee, a palm tree will be planted for him in paradise”. [Saheeh Al-Jaami. Number 6429]

Dhikr is a light for the person in this worldly life, in his grave and in the hereafter. This light will be in front of him when he crosses the bridge of Siraat. There is nothing that illuminates the heart and the grave in a manner similar to Dhikr. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

[أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيۡتً۬ا فَأَحۡيَيۡنَـٰهُ وَجَعَلۡنَا لَهُ ۥ نُورً۬ا يَمۡشِى بِهِۦ فِى ٱلنَّاسِ كَمَن مَّثَلُهُ ۥ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ لَيۡسَ بِخَارِجٍ۬ مِّنۡہَا‌ۚ – Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out?] [Surah Al-An’aam Aayah 122]

The first person is a believer who is (given insight, clear guidance etc) through the light of Eemaan, love of Allaah, knowledge and awareness of Allaah and remembrance of Allaah. The second person is a heedless person who is heedless of Allaah, turns away from remembrance of Allaah and love of Allaah. [Indeed], absolute success is (achieved as a result of the) light of (Eemaan, Allaah’s guidance etc) and absolute wretchedness (befalls a person as a result of) missing this light. And because of this, the Prophet used to ask Allaah saying:

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ فِي قَلْبِي نُورًا وَفِي سَمْعِي نُورًا وَفِي بَصَرِي نُورًا وَعَنْ يَمِينِي نُورًا وَعَنْ شِمَالِي نُورًا وَأَمَامِي نُورًا وَخَلْفِي نُورًا وَفَوْقِي نُورًا وَتَحْتِي نُورًا وَاجْعَلْ لِي نُورًا أَوْ قَالَ وَاجْعَلْنِي نُورًا

“O Allah! Place light in my heart, light in my hearing, light in my sight, light on my right, light on my left, light in front of me, light behind me, light above me, light below me, make light for me”. [Muslim 763]

Dhikr is a light for a person’s face and body parts, light for him in his worldly (affairs), in the grave and on the day of resurrection.

Dhikr is a means of earning Allaah’s blessings, forgiveness, praise and benevolence, and the angels supplicate and Allaah to forgive the one who remembers Allaah. And whoever [receives this from] Allaah and the angels, then indeed he will be successful. Allaah said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱللَّهَ ذِكۡرً۬ا كَثِيرً۬ا
وَسَبِّحُوهُ بُكۡرَةً۬ وَأَصِيلاً
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُصَلِّى عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَتُهُ ۥ لِيُخۡرِجَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِۚ وَڪَانَ بِٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ رَحِيمً۬ا

O you who believe! Remember Allaah with much remembrance. And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon [the early morning (Fajr) and ‘Asr prayers]. He it is Who sends [blessings, forgiveness, praise and benevolence] on you, and His angels too [supplicate for you and ask Allaah to forgive you(Ref2)], that He may bring you out from darkness [of disbelief and polytheism] into light [of Belief and Islamic Monotheism]. And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers. [Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayaat 41-43] (1)

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] also said:

The intent behind Dhikr is not merely to remember (Allaah) with one’s tongue; rather it is remembrance with the heart and the tongue. Remembrance of Allaah includes remembering Him by His Names and Attributes, His commandments, His prohibitions and His speech. This necessitates that a person should have knowledge and awareness of Allaah, belief in Allaah, belief in Allaah’s Perfect and Lofty Attributes, as well as (constantly) praising Allaah with various types of praise [i.e. based on what Allaah has legislated in the authentic texts of the Sharee’ah and not by way of bidah]. And this cannot be accomplished except through Tawheed [i.e. singling Allaah out in His Lordship, Names and Attributes, and devote all acts of worship to Allaah alone]. True Remembrance of Allaah necessitates all of this, as well as remembering the blessings and favours, which Allaah has bestowed upon His creatures and His kindness towards them.

As for Shukr [i.e. to be grateful or thankful to Allaah], it is to act in obedience to Allaah and seeking to draw close to Him through those apparent (actions of the limbs) and (deeds of the heart) that are beloved to Him. The religion is based on these two – remembrance of Allaah, which necessitates having knowledge and awareness of Allaah, and being grateful to Him, which necessitates obedience to Him through acts of worship and [refraining from disobedience]. This is the purpose behind the creation of the Jinn, mankind, the heavens and the earth. It is the reason for which reward and punishment are determined; [the reason for which] Allaah revealed the Books and sent the Messengers. It is the truth for which the heavens, the earth and what is between them were created, and what is in opposition to it is falsehood, such as the assumption held by the enemies of Allaah that there is no purpose behind the creation [free is Allaah from what they attribute to Him].

Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَا بَـٰطِلاً۬‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ ظَنُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ‌ۚ – And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the assumption of those who disbelieve!]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَا لَـٰعِبِينَ
مَا خَلَقۡنَـٰهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ

And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, for mere play; We created them not except with truth (i.e. to examine and test those who are obedient and those who are disobedient and then reward the obedient ones and punish the disobedient ones).

Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَأَتِيَةٌ۬‌ۖ – And We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with truth, and the Hour is surely coming…]

Allaah [The Most High] said: [مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٲلِكَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ‌ۚ – Allah did not create this but in truth]. Allaah [The Most High] said: Allaah [The Most High] said: [أَيَحۡسَبُ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنُ أَن يُتۡرَكَ سُدًى – Does man think that he will be left Suda [neglected without being punished or rewarded for the obligatory duties enjoined by his Lord (Allah) on him]?

Allaah [The Most High] said: [أَفَحَسِبۡتُمۡ أَنَّمَا خَلَقۡنَـٰكُمۡ عَبَثً۬ا وَأَنَّكُمۡ إِلَيۡنَا لَا تُرۡجَعُونَ – Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?]

Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ – And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone)].

Allaah [The Most High] said:

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبۡعَ سَمَـٰوَٲتٍ۬ وَمِنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِثۡلَهُنَّ يَتَنَزَّلُ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ بَيۡنَہُنَّ لِتَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدۡ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عِلۡمَۢا

It is Allah Who has created seven heavens and of the earth the like thereof (i.e. seven). His Command descends between them (heavens and earth), that you may know that Allah has power over all things, and that Allah surrounds (comprehends) all things in (His) Knowledge.

Allaah [The Most High] said:

جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡكَعۡبَةَ ٱلۡبَيۡتَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ قِيَـٰمً۬ا لِّلنَّاسِ وَٱلشَّہۡرَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ وَٱلۡهَدۡىَ وَٱلۡقَلَـٰٓٮِٕدَ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ لِتَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمٌ

Allah has made the Ka’bah, the Sacred House, an asylum of security and Hajj and ‘Umrah (pilgrimage) for mankind, and also the Sacred Month and the animals of offerings and the garlanded (people or animals, etc. marked with the garlands on their necks made from the outer part of the stem of the Makkah trees for their security), that you may know that Allah has knowledge of all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and that Allah is the All-Knower of each and everything.

Therefore, based on what has [already] been mentioned it has been established that the purpose behind the creation and command is so that Allaah is remembered and thanked. Allaah is to be remembered and not forgotten, and He should be thanked and one should not be ungrateful to Him. Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] remembers the one who remembers Him, and He is Ready to appreciate good deeds and to recompense the one who is grateful to Him. Remembrance of Allaah is the reason Allaah remembers the one who does so. And being grateful to Allaah is the reason behind which a person is given an increase in blessings and favours.

Remembrance of Allaah is to be carried out with the heart and tongue; gratefulness is to be carried out with one’s heart- out of love for Allaah and constantly turning to Him in repentance and obedience with true faith [Islamic Monotheism]. Extolling and praising Him is to be carried out with one’s tongue and being obedient to Him [by performing acts of obedience]. (2)

[Ref 1: Fiqhul Ad-iyah Wal Ad-kaar. pages 17-21. Vol 1]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawaa’id’ pages 192-194. slightly paraphrased]