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It is evident what gradually contributes to the decline of the wealthiest and most powerful nations

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Contemporary Issues, History of Islam, Mental Health, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Refutations, Shirk, Sin, Uncategorized.

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

Allah, The Almighty, said:

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ

As for ‘Ad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?” See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.)! [Fussilat 15]

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

This is a detailed account of the story of the two nations, Aad and Thamud. As for Aad, they were arrogant in the earth, together with their disbelief in Allah, their denial of His signs, and their rejection of His messengers. They subdued those – the servants of Allah – around them, oppressed them and were self-amazed with their strength.

[وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً – They said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?”] In response, Allah reminded them of a fundamental truth known to all: [أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً – See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them]. If Allah did not create them, they would not have existed. Had they contemplated their situation in a correct manner, they would not have been deceived by their own power, thus, Allah punished them in a manner befitting the strength in which they had placed their misguided trust. [1]

Imam Al-Baghawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

The statement of the Almighty: [فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً – As for Aad, they were arrogant in the land without right, and they said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?”] This was in response to Prophet Hud, peace be upon him, who warned them of impending punishment. They arrogantly claimed that their strength could protect them from such retribution, boasting of their tall and powerful physiques. In response, Allah said to them: [أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ – See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them. And they used to deny Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.)] [2]

Imam Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Allah, The Exalted, said: [فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ – As for Aad, they were arrogant in the land without right]- Meaning, rebellious, insolent and disobedient.

[وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً – They said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?] Meaning, believing that their physical strength and capabilities would protect them from Allah’s punishment. [أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً – – See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them]- Meaning, they did not reflect on the fact that Allah, who created them, is indeed stronger than they are! Did they not contemplate the One whom openly declared their enmity against? For indeed, He (Allah) is Al-Adheem (Footnote a) who created all things and endowed them with the strength to exist, and His punishment is indeed severe. [3]

Imam Al-Qurtubi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

The statement of Allah, The Exalted:[فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ – As for Aad, they were arrogant in the land] – without right – towards the servants of Allah, (towards) Prophet Hud, peace be upon him, and those who believed in him. [وَقَالُوا۟ مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً – They said: “Who is mightier than us in strength?] They were deceived by their physical stature when faced with the threat of punishment, saying: “We are able to avert the punishment from ourselves by virtue of our strength”. This was due to their tall and mighty physiques. It has already been stated in the explanation of Surah Al-A’raf” (based on a report) by Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, that the tallest among them was one hundred cubits, while the shortest was sixty cubits. In response, Allah said to them: [أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً – See they not that Allah, Who created them was mightier in strength than them] and in ability, rather, the ability of a person is contingent upon Allah’s power, and indeed, Allah is the most capable. [4]

فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا فِىٓ أَيَّامٍ نَّحِسَاتٍ لِّنُذِيقَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلْخِزْىِ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ أَخْزَىٰ وَهُمْ لَا يُنصَرُونَ

So We sent upon them furious wind in days of evil omen (for them) that We might give them a taste of disgracing torment in this present worldly life, but surely the torment of the Hereafter will be more disgracing, and they will never be helped. [Fussilat 16]

Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, said, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Verily, Allah will give respite to the oppressor until when He seizes him and he cannot escape”. Then he [i.e. the Messenger] recited the verse:

[وَكَذَٲلِكَ أَخۡذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَـٰلِمَةٌ‌ۚ إِنَّ أَخۡذَهُ ۥۤ أَلِيمٌ۬ شَدِيدٌ – Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, and severe]. [Hud. 102]

Al-Allamah Zaid Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

There is a warning against oppression in this lofty hadith- oppression against oneself through different levels and types of sins. The one whom Allah has given wealth, good health, safety and stability while he persists upon sin, this is Allah’s plan in stages against this sinner because he deserves it- وَلَا يَظۡلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدً۬ا – And your Lord treats no one with injustice. [Al-Kahf. 49]

There’s a warning – in this hadith – against oppressing others because the one who oppresses others is called an oppressor and the one who oppresses himself through sins is called an oppressor. Therefore, the one who oppresses himself and the one who oppresses others are (exposed) to great danger in this life, in the grave and in the afterlife. If Allah gives him respite and does not hasten punishment against him, then indeed Allah reserves for him the punishment he deserves due to the statement of Allah:

[وَكَذَٲلِكَ أَخۡذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَـٰلِمَةٌ‌ۚ إِنَّ أَخۡذَهُ ۥۤ أَلِيمٌ۬ شَدِيدٌ – Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, and severe].

This is how the hadith is in agreement with the noble verse, that if Allah gives respite to an oppressor, it is not that Allah has neglected his affair. If Allah delays punishment against him in the worldly life, Allah multiplies it for him in the hereafter, thus, he is recompensed based on what he did and the evil deeds he committed. Allah is the possessor of (perfect) wisdom, because He recompenses a doer based on his deed- good recompense for good deeds and evil recompense for evil deeds. [5]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Everyone with a bit of (sound) intellect knows that the corruption of the world and its ruin occurs due to giving precedence to opinion over the divine revelation and (vain) desires over sound intellect. These two corrupt motives are not entrenched in a heart except that its destruction becomes inevitable nor in a nation except that its affairs are completely corrupted. [6]

The Imam also said:

Whoever contemplates the state of the world will recognise that every instance of rectification stems from Tawhid, singling out Allah in worship and obedience to His Messenger, Muhammad. Conversely, every form of evil, trial, hardship, scarcity in sustenance, and subjugation by adversaries, among other issues, arises from opposing the Messenger and the pursuit of paths other than those prescribed by Allah and His Messenger. Whoever truly  contemplates this matter and examines the world’s conditions from its inception until the time Allah ends it, he will realise this about himself and others, both in general and in specific situations. Indeed, there is no might or power except with Allah – The Most High, The Most Great. [7]

Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Industrialisation and modern inventions; everyone has participated in it – the righteous, the wicked, the believer and the disbeliever. As for religion and manners in this era, it has greatly declined. 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 a person maybe from the most skillful in matters related to the material world, whilst he is one of the most ignorant people in matters 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 matters related to it. Its 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 this. Therefore, all good is found in the sound religion and all evil is found in rejecting and willfully denying (Allah, His Messengers, His Laws, Guidance, Commands, Prohibitions etc).

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.

The Remedy: What the Religion of Islam 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 Allah 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 Islam. Thus, even if the worldly sciences rectify (some) matters based upon that which people know in detail, it will still not be equal 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 Allah, 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. [8]

The followers of truth will remain until the end of time. The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

A group of people from my Umma will always remain manifest upon the truth. They will not be harmed by those who forsake them until Allah’s Command comes to pass (i.e. the Day of Judgment). [9]

Why Ponder Upon The Story of The Nations of Old?

قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ سُنَنٌ فَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ

Many similar mishaps [troubles, problems] of life were faced by nations that have passed away before you, so travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who disbelieved]. [Surah Aal Imraan. Verse 137]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Indeed, there were nations like yourselves before you, so look to their evil end. You have to know that the reason behind their evil end was due to their disbelief in the revelations of Allah and disbelief in Allah’s Messengers. They were the forefathers and you are the descendants. The main affair that connects you to each other is your disbelief and the ruling on that disbelief is destruction. [10]

Imam Muhammad Bin Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

If it is said, “What is the benefit in narrating to us the stories of the destroyed nations despite the fact that this Ummah will not be completely destroyed in a manner similar to the destruction of the previous nations before it?”

The Answer: Indeed, this has two benefits: The first benefit is a clarification of Allah’s blessings upon us that the occurrence of a complete destruction is removed from us, and that were it not for Allah’s Benevolence we would have been deserving of it. Second, the likeness of the punishment they received may occur in the hereafter for the one who did what they did, if punishment was not received in the worldly life. And this may be understood from the statement of Allah: “Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the population of towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful and severe. Indeed in that (there) is a sure lesson for those who fear the torment of the Hereafter.” So what is apparent from this Aayah is that what is similar to the punishment they received will happen in the Hereafter, and Allaah knows best. [11]

Footnote a: Al-Adheem: [The Tremendous One, or The Magnificent. The One Tremendous in Greatness, and The Only One deservingly held in awe and venerated by the creation for His Greatness in every sense]. By Shaikh abu Talhah, may Allah have mercy upon him and his wife.

[1] Tafsir As-Sadi

[2] Tafsir Al-Baghawi

[3] Tafsir Ibn kathir

[4] Tafsir Al-Qurtubi

[5] at-Taleeqaat Al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaith As-Saheehah. 1/100

[6] I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/67-69

[7] An Excerpt from Bada’i Al-Fawa’id 3/525-526

[8] An Excerpt from “Al-Adilladul Qawaati Wal Baraaheen Fee Ibtaalil Usoolil Mulhideen”. Pages 45-50

[9] Sahih Muslim 1920

[10] I’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/181

[11]Al-Muntaqaa Min Fawaa’id Al-Fawaa’id 123-124

[37] Ascent and Decline of the Ottoman Empire

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq'.

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

Sultan Abdul Hamid II

He confronted his era amidst challenging conditions, severe crises, and a global conspiracy against the Ottoman Empire from both internal and external forces. He initiated state reforms grounded in Islamic teachings to avert European interference in state affairs, demonstrating a commitment to the implementation of Islamic law. He distanced writers and journalists from the capital and resisted all Western influences that contradicted the illustrious Islamic civilization in the provinces of the empire. He successfully established a robust intelligence apparatus to protect the state from internal threats and to gather intelligence on his adversaries abroad. He was also invested in the concept of Islamic unity, achieving notable results that unsettled Europeans, prompting them to strive for its disintegration. He spoke about his intelligence apparatus and clarified its purpose, stating:

According to Ottoman custom, the Sultan learns about the thoughts and grievances of the subjects through the governing apparatus, including his officials and judges on one side, and through the charitable institutions spread across the Ottoman Empire, with their leaders and ascetics on the other side, thus gathering all this information and building upon it”. He expanded his intelligence network by incorporating wandering ascetics into it. [Footnote a] This occurred when he ascended to the throne, and it continued thereafter.

He said: One day, I received information from our ambassador in London, Musurus Pasha, indicating that the former Grand Vizier, Sir Askar Hussain Aouni Pasha, had accepted funds from the English. If the Grand Vizier, who administers the country on behalf of the Sultan, is disloyal to his state, then it is imperative that his intelligence should inform the palace regarding his performance of duties. As a result, I felt disturbed and affected by this revelation. During that period, I met Mahmud Pasha, who provided me with insights about certain members of the Young Turks. The information he shared was of great importance. I asked him how he came by this information, and I learned that he had created a private intelligence network, financed by money, which included relatives of some Young Turks. These relatives would meet with their family members, listen to their discussions, and subsequently report back to him, for which he offered them compensation.

It is true that he is my sister’s husband; however, it is inappropriate for any of the state’s officials to establish independent intelligence operations separate from the state’s intelligence services. I told him that he must disband his operation immediately and refrain from engaging in such activities again. He handed over his operation to me, appearing quite distressed. The state cannot be secure if major powers are able to recruit individuals at the level of a prime minister to serve their objectives. Based on this, I decided to establish an intelligence agency that is directly linked to me, and this is the agency that my adversaries refer to as the secret police (intelligence gathering).

It was essential for me to understand that among the members of the journalism apparatus, there were genuinely loyal individuals as well as those who were slanderous, all from this agency without thorough verification. However, I did not believe it, nor did I accept anything that came from this agency without precise verification.

My grandfather, Sultan Salim III, used to say: ‘The hands of foreigners are on my liver (i.e. figuratively meaning causing me concern), thus, we must send ambassadors to foreign countries to convey the methods of European advancement. We need to dispatch envoys abroad and work swiftly to learn what they have achieved”. I too felt the presence of these foreigners, not above my liver, but within my liver. They are purchasing my esteemed ministers and advisors, using them against my country. How can this happen, when I have spent from the state treasury on them, yet I cannot discern what they are doing, what they are plotting, and what they are preparing? After witnessing my big newspapers being filled by foreign countries in exchange for the destruction of their state, and conspiring against their ruler, I established this apparatus not to serve as a tool against the citizen, but to identify and track those who betrayed my nation, while they were receiving their salaries from its treasury, at a time when the Ottoman grace was overflowing to the point of their throats”.

Sultan Abdul Hamid encountered intense criticism from the Committee of Union and Progress concerning the intelligence system he created. In truth, this system provided considerable advantages to the Ottoman state. When instigators and terrorists were urging the Armenians to rise against the Ottoman Empire, the soldiers were present to counter them, resulting in bloodshed. For three decades, Sultan Abdul Hamid’s intelligence service kept him promptly informed of every new movement, allowing him to effectively quell any internal insurrection in a timely fashion.

An Excerpt from ‘Ad-Dawlah Al-Uthmaaniyyah Awaamil An-Nuhood Wa Asbaab As-Suqoot 6/449-451

Footnote a: https://www.troid.org/understanding-zuhd-asceticism-in-islam/

The prophet’s indifference to the things of this temporary worldly life

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, The Salaf - Pious Predecessors, Worship - 'Ibaadah', Zuhd (Abstinence).

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

Qays, may Allah have mercy upon him, narrated: I heard Khabbab, may Allah be pleased with him, who had branded his abdomen with seven brands, saying, “Had Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, not forbidden us to invoke Allah for death, I would have invoked Allah for death. The companions of Muhammad have left this world without taking anything of their reward in it but we have collected of the worldly wealth what we cannot spend but on earth”. [1]

Imam Abdul-Aziz Bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “They died upon tremendous good and did not reach the adornments of this worldly life”. [2] “But we have collected of the worldly wealth what we cannot spend but on earth”. Imam Abdul-Azeez Bin Baaz said, “(Spent) on castles and houses”. [3]

Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Allah’s Messenger. peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “If anyone of you looked at a person who was made superior to him in wealth and (good) appearance, then let him also look at the one who is below him and to whom he has been made superior”. (4)

Imam Abdul-Azeez Bin Baaz said, “So that he may recognise Allah’s blessing upon him. In another narration, ‘So that he does not belittle the blessings Allah has bestowed upon him'”. [5]

Abu Sa’id, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “The thing I am afraid of most for your sake, is the worldly blessings which Allah will bring forth to you”. It was said, “What are the blessings of this world?” The Prophet said, “The pleasures of the world”. A man said, “Can the good bring forth evil?” The Prophet kept quiet for a while till we thought that he was being inspired divinely. Then he started removing the sweat from his forehead and said, “Where is the questioner?” That man said, “I (am present)”. Abu Sa’id added: “We thanked the man when the result (of his question) was such”. The Prophet said, “Good never brings forth but good. This wealth (of the world) is (like) green and sweet (fruit), and all the vegetation which grows on the bank of a stream either kills or nearly kills the animal that eats too much of it, except the animal that eats the Khadira (a kind of vegetation). Such an animal eats till its stomach is full and then it faces the sun and starts ruminating and then it passes out dung and urine and goes to eat again. This worldly wealth is (like) sweet (fruit), and if a person earns it (the wealth) in a legal way and spends it properly, then it is an excellent helper, and whoever earns it in an illegal way, he will be like the one who eats but is never satisfied”. [6]

Imam Abdul-Aziz Bin Baaz said, “The Prophet clarified that good only brings good. Wealth is not absolute goodness, rather it is a trial. So whoever spends it in its rightful (place), it is good; and whoever spends it in dubious ways, it will be bad for him, such as the eater of the khadira (i.e. a kind of vegetation); but it becomes safe and sound when it defecates and urinates”. [7]

Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Paradise is nearer to any of you than the Shiraak (leather strap) of his shoe, and so is the (Hell) fire”. [8]

Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “This (i.e. the above speech of the Prophet) is from Jawaami Al-kalim (i.e. a short expression with a vast meaning). There is nothing between him (i.e. a person) and paradise except dying (in a state) of Imaan and (that can be within) a few moments. And there is nothing between him and the hell fire except dying (in a state) of disbelief and (that can be within) a few moments”. [9]

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “O Allah! There is no life worth living except the life of the Hereafter, so make righteous the Ansaar and the emigrants”. [10]

Imam Abdul-Aziz Bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “There is no life that has much importance except the life of the Hereafter because it does not end”. [11]

Aaisha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported, “The family of Muhammad had never eaten wheat bread to their satisfaction for three successive days since their arrival in Al-Madina till the death of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him”. [12]

Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baaz said, “A lot of wealth used to come to him (i.e. the Prophet) but he used to give precedence to others”. [13]

Aaisha reported, “A complete month would pass by during which we would not make a fire (for cooking), and our food used to be only dates and water unless we were given a present of some meat”. [14]

Imam Abdul-Aziz Bin Baaz said, “In some of the narrations (Aaisha said), ‘two months (passed and they would not make a fire for cooking)'”. [15]

Sahl reported: A man passed by Allah’s Messenger, then Allaah’s Messenger asked: “What do you say about this (man)?” They replied, “If he asks for a lady’s hand, he ought to be given her in marriage; and if he intercedes (for someone), his intercession will be accepted; and if he speaks, he will be listened”. Allah’s Messenger kept silent, and then another man from the poor Muslims passed by, and Allah’s Messenger asked: “What do you say about this man?” They replied, “If he asks for a lady’s hand in marriage, no one will accept him, and if he intercedes (for someone), his intercession will not be accepted; and if he speaks, he will not be listened to”. Allah’s Messenger said, “This poor man is better than so many of the first as to fill the earth”. [16]

Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baaz said, “This clarifies that what matters is the religion (of a person) and not wealth and status. All those (men) were from the Sahaabah”. [17]

Abu Hurairah reported: The Prophet said, “The example of a miser and an alms-giver is like the example of two people wearing two iron cloaks from their breasts to their collar bone; and when the alms-giver gives in charity, the cloak becomes capacious till it covers his whole body to such extent that it hides his fingertips and covers his footprints. And when the miser wants to spend, it (the iron cloak) sticks and (its) every ring gets stuck to it place, he tries to widen it, but it does not become wide”. (18)

Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baaz said: “This shows that the soul of the generous and kind person is at ease in alms-giving. And whenever the covetous and miserly person wants to give charity, his soul is constricted. This is an indication of that which is in his heart of covetousness, and that is because he is not prepared to spend”. [19]

Hakim Bin Hizam, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: I asked the Prophet, peace and blessngs of Allah be upon him, (for some money) and he gave me, and then again I asked him and he gave me, and then again I asked him and he gave me and he then said, “This wealth is (like) green and sweet (fruit), and whoever takes it without greed, Allah will bless it for him, but whoever takes it with greed, Allah will not bless it for him, and he will be like the one who eats but is never satisfied. And the upper hand in (giving) is better than the lower (taking) hand”. [20]

Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baaz said, “This hadith encourages (a person) to be contented and to obtain wealth in a good manner – (approved) by the Shariah. The giver (of wealth) is the upper hand and the receiver is the lower hand”. [21]

Imam Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Chapter: The one who does not care from where he earns his money.” Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet said, “A time will come upon the people when one will not care how one gains one’s money, legally or illegally”. [22]

Imam Abdul-Aziz Bin Baaz said, “Iman will be weak and there will be little fear (of Allah) at a time in which there will be ignorance and weakness in the matters of the religion. This (is the case) in our era and in other eras before it”. [23]

Ibrahim Bin Ad’ham, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Abstinence from the worldly life is of three types: Obligatory abstinence; the abstinence that is of a superior virtue and the abstinence that is safety. As for the obligatory abstinence, it is abstinence from the unlawful; the abstinence that is of superior virtue is to abstain from what is lawful [but unnecessary]; and the abstinence that is safety is to abstain from the doubtful matters”. [24]

The Jihad of a Lifetime Against Four Things!

1. Al-Bukhari 6430

2 & 3. Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taliqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. 4/229. Footnotes 4 and 5]

4. Al-Bukhari 6490

5 Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah 4/248. Footnote: 4

6. Al-Bukhari 6427

7. Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah. 4/229. Footnote: 1.

8. Al-Bukhari 6488

9. Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taliqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh al-Bukhari. 4/238. Footnote 3

10. Al-Bukhari. 6413.

11. Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-taleeqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. 4/222. Footnote 2

12. Al-Bukhari. 6454

13. Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min at-Taliqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhari 4/237. Footnote number:2

14. Al-Bukhaari. 6458.

15.Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min at-TaliqaAT Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhari 4/237. Footnote number 5.

16 & 17. Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min at-Taleeqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree 4/238. Hadeeth Number 5091]

18. Al-Bukhaari. 1443

19 Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min at-Ta’liqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhari: 1/436. Footnote: 3.

20. Al-Bukhari. 6441

21 Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min a-Taliqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. 4/232. Footnote:2

22 Al-Bukhari 2059

23. Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min at-Taliqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. 2/187. Footnote 2

24. Jami-ul Ulum Wal-Hikam. p310

Highly abridged account of over 70 years of Palestinian Suffering-Reminder to Steven Drucker

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Contemporary Issues, History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Refutations, Sin.

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

The prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said that Allah said: “O my servants! I have forbidden oppression for myself, so do not oppress one another”. [Sahih Muslim 2577]

Dear Steven, we have examined the details in your above post, which you describe as significantly condensed. To begin with, in accordance with the prophetic hadith we referenced at the outset of this response, we unequivocally denounce every atrocity perpetrated against Jews, irrespective of the identity of the offender, and we shall persist in our condemnation of any acts of violence against any group of people. We express no hesitations in denouncing anti-Semitism, [Footnote a] whether it occurred in the past or is present today, in any region of the world, when it is distinctly proven to be antisemitism, without exaggeration or manipulation as a political instrument to suppress criticism of the Zionists for their extremely brutal treatment of the Palestinians over the last seven decades. We condemn every instance of alleged injustice against the Jews, whether it involves murder or legitimate grievances of Jews being violated by others. In a similar vein, we would like to remind you of some of the brutal treatment endured by the Palestinians, which merely represent the surface of a much larger issue.

A Few Examples of Historical Zionist Atrocities Against Palestinians

The Deir Yassin Massacre: Took place on April 9, 1948, near Jerusalem, during which between 107 to 254.

Palestinians were massacred at the hands of the extremist “Stern” gang.  The Nasr al-Din Massacre: Took place in April 1948. Al-Lajjun Massacre: Took place on April 13, 1948, in a Palestinian Arab village in the Jenin District, where the Zionist Haganah gang attacked it and killed 13 people.

The Saliha Massacre: Took place in May 1948, during which 75 Palestinians were massacred.

The Abu Shusha Massacre: Took place on May 14, 1948, near the village of Deir Yassin, and claimed the lives of (50) citizens, including women, men, children, and the elderly.

The Beit Daras Massacre: Took place in northeastern Gaza on May 21, 1948.

The Tantura Massacre: Took place on May 22, 1948, in the occupied city of Haifa, and claimed the lives of about (200) Palestinians.

The Lydda Massacre: Took place on July 12, 1948, in the occupied city of Lydda, and resulted in the massacre of about (500) Palestinians, including (150) who were massacred inside the city’s Grand Mosque. The Zionists threw many of them alive into the town’s wells.

The Dawayima Massacre: Took place on October 29, 1948, when a battalion from the terrorist “Lehi” organization led by Moshe Dayan attacked the village and then began searching homes and shooting at its residents. Entire families were exterminated in the massacre, which resulted in the killing of 200 men, women, and children.

The Zionist massacres did not stop after the Nakba of 1948, but rather their frequency, intensity, and brutality increased in light of the use of more lethal and destructive weapons. Among the most prominent of these massacres were: The Sharafat Massacre, which took place in February 1951, in which 11 Palestinians were massacred, and the rest of the village’s people were displaced. The Bethlehem Massacre took place in January 1952, in which 10 Palestinians were massacred. The Qibya Massacre took place on October 14, 1953, in the village of Qibya, east of Jerusalem, during which (67) Palestinians were massacred, most of whom were women and children, and during which 56 homes were destroyed. The Qalqilya Massacre took place on October 10, 1956, when the occupation forces attacked citizens in the city of Qalqilya in the West Bank, during which about seventy citizens were massacred.

The Kafr Qasem Massacre took place on October 29, 1956, in which 49 Palestinians were massacred, including 11 children, when they were all returning home from work. The Khan Yunis Massacre took place on November 3 and 12, 1956, in which between 280 and 500 Palestinians were massacred.

In 1970, Zionist aircraft struck Bahr al-Baqar Primary School and Abu Zaabal factories, killing more than 150 Egyptian students and workers. In 1980, the extremist Jewish organization Kach attempted to blow up Al-Aqsa Mosque, and a shipment of explosives weighing 120 kg was discovered. The Sabra and Shatila massacre took place in September 1982. This massacre lasted three days, and its direct perpetrators were members of the Lebanese Phalange forces allied with the Zionists led by Ariel Sharon. The Ibrahimi Mosque Massacre took place on February 25, 1994, when a Zionist named “Barog Goldstein” stormed the Ibrahimi Mosque in the city of Hebron, and fired bullets and bombs at the worshipers. This massacre resulted in the massacre of 29 Palestinians. The Qana Massacre took place on April 18, 1995. [1]

Recent developments following the October 7 attack by Hamas have drawn significant condemnation from various international organizations regarding the severe retaliation executed by Netanyahu’s military forces. Reports indicate that Netanyahu and his allies have engaged in actions that violate the Genocide Convention, aiming to systematically eliminate the Palestinian population in Gaza. This includes not only killings but also inflicting serious physical and psychological harm, as well as imposing living conditions designed to lead to their physical annihilation. Month after month, the actions of Netanyahu’s military have dehumanised Palestinians in Gaza, treating them as a group devoid of basic human rights and dignity, clearly signaling an intent to eradicate them.
During the height of the conflict, various international organisations reported a harrowing two-month period where the population was under siege, grappling with starvation, displacement, and the threat of annihilation amidst relentless bombardments and crippling restrictions on essential humanitarian aid. Additionally, they highlighted that for several months, the forces under Netanyahu’s command engaged in acts that could be classified as genocidal, fully cognizant of the irreversible damage being inflicted on the Palestinian people in Gaza. This continued despite numerous warnings regarding the dire humanitarian crisis and binding resolutions from international entities demanding that Netanyahu and his associates take immediate action to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.

They stated in their reports that Netanyahu and his associates have consistently maintained that their actions in Gaza are lawful, claiming justification through their military objective of eliminating Hamas. However, the notion of genocidal intent can exist alongside military objectives and does not have to be the only aim. The context of dispossession, apartheid, and unlawful military occupation in which these actions have taken place has led to a singular, reasonable conclusion: that Netanyahu and his associates intended the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza, either in conjunction with or as a means to achieve their military goal of dismantling Hamas. Furthermore, while acknowledging the horrific crimes committed by Hamas and other armed groups on October 7, 2023, including unlawful killings and hostage-taking, it is crucial to understand that these actions cannot justify Netanyahu’s genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people in Gaza. The military response from the Zionist army following the attacks on October 7 has pushed Gaza’s population to the brink of disaster. This relentless offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 42,000 Palestinians, including more than 13,300 children, and has injured upwards of 97,000, with many casualties stemming from direct or indiscriminate attacks that have obliterated entire families. The scale of destruction is unprecedented, occurring at a pace and intensity not witnessed in any other 21st-century conflict, decimating entire cities and devastating essential infrastructure, agricultural lands, and cultural and religious sites. As a result, vast areas of Gaza have become uninhabitable.

They also highlighted that Netanyahu’s government created dire living conditions in Gaza, resulting in a lethal combination of malnutrition, hunger, and disease, effectively subjecting Palestinians to a slow and calculated demise. Furthermore, hundreds of Gazans have been subjected to incommunicado detention, torture, and other forms of mistreatment. The total siege imposed on Gaza cut off essential resources such as electricity, water, and fuel. Over nine months during the conflict, Netanyahu’s administration enforced a stifling and illegal blockade, severely restricting access to energy and failing to ensure meaningful humanitarian aid within Gaza. This obstructed the importation and distribution of critical supplies, particularly in the northern regions. Consequently, the already dire humanitarian crisis worsened. The extensive destruction of homes, hospitals, water and sanitation systems, and agricultural land, coupled with mass displacement, led to catastrophic hunger levels and a rapid increase in disease. The effects have been particularly devastating for young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, with serious long-term health implications.

Through its repeated “evacuatio” orders, Netanyahu’s government issued numerous “evacuation” orders, resulting in the displacement of nearly 1.9 million Palestinians—90% of Gaza’s population—into increasingly confined and perilous areas, often under dire conditions, with some individuals being forced to relocate as many as ten times. This relentless cycle of forced displacement rendered countless people unemployed and profoundly traumatised, particularly given that approximately 70% of Gaza’s inhabitants are refugees or descendants of those who were uprooted from their homes during the 1948 Nakba. They stated that Netanyahu’s administration showed a troubling unwillingness to implement measures that could have safeguarded displaced civilians and addressed their fundamental needs, indicating a deliberate choice to ignore their plight. They consistently denied displaced individuals the opportunity to return to their homes in northern Gaza or to seek temporary refuge in other areas of the Occupied Palestinian Territory or lands under Zionist control. This refusal continued to violate the rights of many Palestinians to return to the areas from which they were uprooted in 1948, as recognised by many nations. The administration was fully aware that there were no safe havens for Palestinians in Gaza.

The above information, derived from reports by various international organisations, has faced denial from Zionist factions, despite being evident in daily life. Furthermore, while Jane’s article highlights barbaric actions, it pales in comparison to the brutality faced by Palestinians over the past 70 years. It is crucial to remember that the roots of this conflict do not lie with the Palestinians, who did not instigate it, but rather with the colonial figureheads that supported the Zionists in creating the circumstances over 70 years ago. [Footnote b]

We would like to emphasise, once again, the strong insights shared by Prince Turki al-Faisal, may Allah safeguard him, which can be found in the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3-cWyFcK5w

In addition, some Zionists figureheads have also employed genocidal rhetoric against Palestinians. [Footnote c]

————————————————————

Footnote a:
https://abuiyaad.com/sn/muslims-antisemitism
https://abuiyaad.com/w/antisemitism-ernest-renan

Footnote b:

The Initial Rise and Gradual Impact of Christian Zionism on Some European Political Decision-makers

An Overview of Christian Zionism in America Since the Arrival of The Puritans


https://salafidawah.uk/2024/11/15/american-christian-zionists-media-initiatives-aimed-at-influencing-public-opinion-with-a-brief-mention-of-the-concept-of-greater-israel/

Footnote c:
https://abuiyaad.com/a/slaughtering-children-holy-war/print
https://abuiyaad.com/a/amalekite-genocide-doctrine-gaza
https://www.abuiyaad.com/a/pharoah-slaughtering-babies
https://salafidawah.uk/2025/01/15/must-take-a-look-at-what-is-happening-in-their-own-backyard-first/

[1] Compiled from various old Arab Newspapers

[36] Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq'.

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

Sultan Abdul Hamid I

continued……..

Medhat Pasha was accused of murdering Sultan Abdul Aziz. Sultan Abdul Hamid established a committee to investigate the matter and subsequently brought the accused to trial, where they were found guilty. Medhat Pasha was sentenced to death, but Sultan Abdul Hamid intervened, reducing the sentence to imprisonment. He was then exiled to Hijaz, where the military prison was located.

The constitution established a separation of powers in appearance rather than in reality. Additionally, the changes made to the governance system under it were simply transformative; (but) no one considered reducing the sultan’s sovereignty. The constitution also established that the Sultan was not answerable to anyone for his actions. As a result, the constitution was linked to him personally. He had the sole power to appoint and remove ministers, negotiate treaties, declare war, and create peace agreements. He served as the supreme commander of the military and could issue all laws in various areas without needing parliament’s approval. Moreover, the extensive powers given to the sultan by the constitution restricted the Prime Minister’s authority, relegating him to a minor role in governance. The constitution stated that members of parliament have the freedom to express their opinions and vote, and they could only be prosecuted if they violated the council’s laws. It designated Ottoman Turkish as the official language of the state for discussions in all sessions. It also specified that voting could be in private or public depending on the circumstances, and that the House of Representatives must approve the budget without interference from the sultan.

Regarding individual rights, the constitution declared that Ottomanism is the official policy of the state within the framework of the principle of equality established by regulations. The constitution granted Ottoman status to all citizens of the state, regardless of their religion, and emphasised personal freedom. It stated that all Ottomans are equal before the law and entitled to the same rights while being subject to the same duties. Additionally, the constitution affirmed the independence of the judiciary, allowing non-Muslims to refer to their own religious courts for matters related to their religious affairs.

Sultan Abdul Hamid ordered the implementation of the constitution and the holding of general elections, which were the first of their kind in Ottoman history. These elections resulted in the representation of Muslims with 71 seats, Christians with 44 seats, and Jews with 4 seats. The first Ottoman Parliament convened on March 29, 1877 (1294 AH), with the Senate consisting of 26 appointed members, including 21 Muslims, while the House of Representatives had 120 members. Some Arab representatives played a significant role, but the duration of the Assembly was short. Before the Assembly could hold its second session, on February 13, 1878 (1296 AH), the representatives requested that three ministers appear before the Assembly to defend themselves against the accusations made against them. However, Sultan Abdul Hamid decided to dissolve the Assembly and ordered the representatives to return to their countries, exiling and removing the prominent ones. Thus, the total duration of the Assembly during its first and second sessions was twelve months and twenty-five days. This Assembly was not called to meet again for thirty years, during which the Assembly hall was never opened even once.

Sultan Abdul Hamid was forced to announce the constitution due to pressure from the Masons led by Medhat Pasha. Therefore, when he had the chance, he suspended the council. He was against democracy and constitutional rule, which in Ottoman terms is known as (conditionality), meaning the ruler’s powers are limited. He viewed this as a Western idea and opposed those who advocated for it, particularly Medhat Pasha. He criticised his minister by saying: “He only saw the benefits of constitutional rule in Europe, but he did not study the reasons for this conditionality or its other effects. Medical prescriptions do not work for every patient or every constitution. I believe that the principles of conditionality are not suitable for every nation or every cultural environment. I once thought it was beneficial, but now I am convinced of its harm”.

The sultan had his reasons for this, including the poor handling by the proponents of the constitution in their initial response to the sultan’s ideas. For instance: The government requested the sultan, at the time of announcing the constitution, to sign some decisions, including the appointment of Christian governors in provinces where most of the population is Muslim, and a decision to accept Christian students into the Ottoman military academy, which is the backbone of the Ottoman army. The sultan refused to sign, and all that Medhat Pasha – the minister – could say to the sultan was: “Our aim in announcing the constitution is to end the tyranny of the palace, and Your Majesty must understand your duties”.

One of the reasons Sultan Abdul Hamid rejected the constitutional thought is: The Ottoman Empire is a state that unites various peoples, and constitutionalism in such a state means the death of the original element in the country. Is there even one Indian representative in the English Parliament? Is there even one Algerian representative in the French Parliament?

He did not change his stance on constitutional rule in his state; even after he was deposed, people began to practice constitutional governance. He said: “What happened when I announced the conditionality? Did debts decrease? Did roads, ports, and schools increase? Are the laws now more rational and logical? ! Is personal security now established? Are the people more prosperous? Have deaths decreased and births increased? Is global public opinion now more in our favor than before? A beneficial medicine can become a deadly poison if it is in the hands of those who are not doctors or do not know how to use it properly. I am truly sorry, as events have shown the truth of my words”. He indicates that his stance on constitutional rule is not fixed; if the circumstances in which he governs change, so will his perspective on constitutional governance. In this he states: “It should not be assumed that my thoughts and beliefs are always against the rule based on the principles of conditionality”.

An Excerpt from ‘Ad-Dawlah Al-Uthmaaniyyah Awaamil An-Nuhood Wa Asbaab As-Suqoot. 6/446-449

The most dangerous liars in society

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Aqeedah, Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Bid'ah (Innovation), History of Islam, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Qur'aan, Refutations, Scholars of Islam, Shirk, Sin, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

The Most Dangerous Liars in Society

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah preserve him, stated:

Among the categories of the liars are the Munaafiqoon and they are more dangerous for the society, especially the Islamic society. Due to this, Allah spoke about them a lot, warned against them a lot and made known their characteristics in chapters of the Qur’an; rather there is an specific chapter of the Qur’an called Surah Al- Munaafiqeen. Allah, The Blessed and Exalted, exposed them, unveil their hypocrisy and lies. And from that which Allah stated about them is:

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ

And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: “We believe in Allah and the Last Day” while in fact they believe not. Meaning, they are liars.

يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَمَا يَخۡدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ۬ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضً۬ا‌ۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ لَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُصۡلِحُونَ

They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. And when it is said to them: “Make not mischief on the earth,” they say: “We are only peacemakers.” Look at this big claim! Rather:

أَلَآ إِنَّهُمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَشۡعُرُونَ

Verily! They are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive not.

Every liar and corrupt person in the earth does not tell the people that he is a corrupt person; instead he says, “I am one who rectifies the affairs” and claims that he leads the Ummah to righteousness.

In summary, indeed Allah made known their lies and deception, and that this lie increases them in sickness – and Allah’s Refuge is sought. They are from the people of hypocrisy, and they are increased in hypocrisy. Allah said:

أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوۡاْ قَوۡمًا غَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡہِم مَّا هُم مِّنكُمۡ وَلَا مِنۡہُمۡ وَيَحۡلِفُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡكَذِبِ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ

Have you (O Muhammad) not seen those (hypocrites) who take for friends a people upon whom is the Wrath of Allah? They are neither of you (Muslims) nor of them (Jews), and they swear to a lie while they know. [Al-Mujaadilah. 14]

They made an oath to the believers that they are indeed believers, while they are Munaafiqoon, liars and allies of the Yahud [i.e. those Yahud who abandoned the path of Musa and rejected Muhammad].

أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمۡ عَذَابً۬ا شَدِيدًا‌ۖ إِنَّهُمۡ سَآءَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

Allah has prepared for them a severe torment. Evil indeed is that which they used to do.

يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَمَا يَخۡدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ۬ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضً۬ا‌ۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمۡ لَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُصۡلِحُونَ

They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. And when it is said to them: “Make not mischief on the earth,” they say: “We are only peacemakers.”

Allah said:
أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوۡاْ قَوۡمًا غَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡہِم مَّا هُم مِّنكُمۡ وَلَا مِنۡہُمۡ وَيَحۡلِفُونَ عَلَى ٱلۡكَذِبِ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ

Have you (O Muhammad) not seen those (hypocrites) who take for friends a people upon whom is the Wrath of Allah (i.e. Jews)? They are neither of you (Muslims) nor of them (Jews), and they swear to a lie while they know. [Al-Mujaadilah. 14]

They swore to the believers that they are indeed believers, while they are Munaafiqoon, liars and allies of the Yahud.

أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُمۡ عَذَابً۬ا شَدِيدًا‌ۖ إِنَّهُمۡ سَآءَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

Allah has prepared for them a severe torment. Evil indeed is that which they used to do.

ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ أَيۡمَـٰنَہُمۡ جُنَّةً۬

They have made their oaths a screen. Meaning, for their lies;

فَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ۬ مُّهِينٌ۬
لَّن تُغۡنِىَ عَنۡہُمۡ أَمۡوَٲلُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَـٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيۡـًٔا‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ أَصۡحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ‌ۖ هُمۡ فِيہَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
يَوۡمَ يَبۡعَثُہُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعً۬ا فَيَحۡلِفُونَ لَهُ ۥ كَمَا يَحۡلِفُونَ لَكُمۡ‌ۖ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّہُمۡ عَلَىٰ شَىۡءٍ‌ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّہُمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡكَـٰذِبُونَ
ٱسۡتَحۡوَذَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ فَأَنسَٮٰهُمۡ ذِكۡرَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ حِزۡبُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ‌ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّ حِزۡبَ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِ هُمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُحَآدُّونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥۤ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ٱلۡأَذَلِّينَ
ڪَتَبَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَغۡلِبَنَّ أَنَا۟ وَرُسُلِىٓ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ۬

Thus they hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, so they shall have a humiliating torment. Their children and their wealth will avail them nothing against Allah. They will be (the) dwellers of the Fire, to dwell therein forever. On the Day when Allah will resurrect them all together (for their account), then they will swear to Him as they swear to you (O Muslims). And they think that they have something (to stand upon). Verily, they are liars! Shaitan (Satan) has overtaken them. So he has made them forget the remembrance of Allah. They are the party of Shaitan (Satan). Verily, it is the party of Shaitan (Satan) that will be the losers! Those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), they will be among the lowest (most humiliated). Allah has decreed: “Verily! It is I and My Messengers who shall be the victorious.” Verily, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty. [al-Mujaadilah. 15-21]

Allah made known the state of these people, exposed them, made it known that they are liars and described their actions to be evil. Due to their state of loss, they took these oaths and swearing by Allaah as a screen. Allah said:

إذا جاءك المنافقون قالوا نشهد إنك لرسول الله والله يعلم إنك لرسوله والله يشهد إن المنافقين لكاذبون ـ اتخذوا أيمانهم جُنة فصدوا عن سبيل الله إنهم ساء ما كانوا يعملون ـ ذلك بأنهم ءامنوا ثم كفروا فطُبع على قلوبهم فهم لا يفقهون ـ وإذا رأيتهم تعجبك أجسامهم وإن يقولوا تسمع لقولهم كأنهم خشب مسنّدة يحسبون كل صيحة عليهم هم العدو فاحذرهم قاتلهم الله أنى يؤفكون ـ وإذا قيل لهم تعالوا يستغفر لكم رسول الله لووا رءوسهم ورأيتهم يصدون وهم مستكبرون ـ سواء عليهم أستغفرت لهم أم لم تستغفر لهم لن يغفر الله لهم إن الله لا يهدي القوم الفاسقين

When the hypocrites come to you (O Muhammad), they say: “We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.” Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed. They have made their oaths a screen (for their hypocrisy). Thus they hinder (men) from the Path of Allah. Verily, evil is what they used to do. That is because they believed, then disbelieved, therefore their hearts are sealed, so they understand not. And when you look at them, their bodies please you; and when they speak, you listen to their words. They are as blocks of wood propped up. They think that every cry is against them. They are the enemies, so beware of them. May Allah curse them! How are they denying (or deviating from) the Right Path.

And when it is said to them: “Come, so that the Messenger of Allah may ask forgiveness from Allah for you”, they turn aside their heads, and you would see them turning away their faces in pride. It is equal to them whether you (Muhammad) ask forgiveness or ask not forgiveness for them. Verily, Allah guides not the people who are the Fasiqin (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). [Al-Munaafiqoon. Verses 1-6]

Allah testified that they are liars; even if they testified to the Messengership of Muhammad and that Allah alone has the right to be worshipped, they are still liars and do not believe in that. Allah exposed them because He knows their reality- the disbelief and hypocrisy they hide in their hearts. Allah made it known that they disbelieved and believed thereafter, then they disbelieved finally; and Allah made it known that they do not understand and that even if Allah’s Messenger – the most virtuous amongst the creation – sought forgiveness for them, they will not be forgiven and Allah will not guide them to Iman and the truth due to their [wilful] wickedness and evil.

There maybe hypocrites in the Ummah who have these characteristics, thus receive this recompense from Allah. Sadly, some people think that hypocrisy has ended, while in reality it is something that will continue.

Hudhaifah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The hypocrites at present are more evil than the hypocrites during the era of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him”. Then he was asked about this, so he said, “Indeed, the hypocrites used to hide their hypocrisy and these people at present make it manifest”.

Whenever time elapses, they become many amongst the groups of ahlul bidah, burden Islam and the Muslims with their evil, plots and hypocrisy; and all of that is done under the guise of Islam and in the name of Islam. Many of ahlul bidah or many Mubtadi’ah– in the past and thereafter – in belief and matters related to shirk are from their plots and cunning ways.

Therefore, let the Muslims be careful of these hypocrites and infiltrators within the innovated groups. (1)

One of The Most Dangerous Groups

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali, may Allah preserve him, said:

However, the most dangerous of these (above) categories and the ones who produced the worst consequences were the people of innovation-the spiteful ones that are filled with hatred.  This is since by their plotting scheming and their camouflaging of themselves behind the cover of the Sunnah, they were able to penetrate every barrier. Thus, they managed to pour into every crack from these schools, universities and masaajid.  And they were able to create a group that carried their ideologies, whether all of it or some of it, and whether intentionally or unintentionally.

So this group-which they had trained and prepared according to the way they saw fit-began to form movements calling the people towards these ideologies in the universities, schools and elsewhere, and upheld it by becoming active in this place and that place. And these were crucial and significant times in which the dawah (call) to Allah had a great need for enthusiastic and active individuals that would raise its flag with firmness and conviction, fighting the enemies of falsehood, schemes and plots and thus turning them back upon their heels in disgrace.

So then using the name of Salafiyyah and the names of justice and fairness, this group was able to present the innovators-those who wage war against the people of Sunnah and Tawheed in their own land-as ones who were oppressed.

So then using the name of Salafiyyah and the names of justice and fairness, this group was able to present the innovators-those who wage war against the people of Sunnah and Tawheed in their own land-as ones who were oppressed.

And corrupted the minds and the beliefs of many of the youth, distorting the image of the Salafi Manhaj and its adherents in the eyes of the youth. Then the figureheads within this group began calling towards a ‘New Methodology’ with regards to criticizing the methodologies, ideologies, books and individuals-and they claimed that this was the methodology that was just and fair.  So many of the youth and those who wrote in their favour began to think that such was the correct way.  Rather, they even claimed that it was the Methodology of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah and this spread and circulated in the writings of some of those who ascribed themselves to the Salaf.

And it had an effect on many of the youth, such that they accepted it and clung onto it, thinking that it was the truth and that it was just.  And then unfortunately, that began to become deeply rooted in their hearts and they did not realize that this was a way of thinking that was foreign to Islaam and Muslims. This view crept into them from their enemies in the same manner that other (deviant) ideologies had crept into Islaamic Societies.

The effects of this methodology became clearly apparent in the conversations, debates, writing and attitudes of many of the youths and teachers.

So this methodology began to take firm root in the people’s hearts. And from its evil consequences, was that it weakened the Principles of Walaa Wal Baraa [Loyalty and Disassociation] to Allah and for the sake of Allah, and to the Methodology of Allah and those who adhere to it-instead there became manifest the loyalty, love and esteem for the callers, books, ideologies and methodologies that were all far from the Salafi Manhaj, and for their people and not it’s people.

Rather, that became the main avenue used in fighting the salafi Manhaj and they changed it with strong determination so that it (the Manhaj) would be replaced from its original form, halting its progression in its tracks after its departure had already taken place.  This (new) methodology had a great influence upon Writers who were one thought were from the best of the Salafis and from virtuous characters, personages and figures.

We ask Allah to grant them the ability to tread the way and methodology of their righteous predecessors in regards to calling to the Clear Methodolgy of the Salaf, the dedicated education of the youth that are upon it and implanting love for it and its followers whether they are dead or alive, and to follow their example and strengthen themselves by affiliating themselves to them. (2)

(1)An Excerpt from the link below

(2) Manhaju Ahlis Sunnah Wal-Jama’ah Fee Naqdir Rijaal Wal-Kutub Wat-Tawa’if. page: 19-20 (original post Salafi talk.net)

[35] Ascent and Decline of The Ottoman Empire

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq'.

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

Sultan Abdul Hamid I

Continued..

He was appointed to the caliphate following his brother Murad, on Thursday, 11 Sha’ban 1293 AH (31 August 1876), at which time he was thirty-four years old. The ministers, dignitaries, and senior officials from both civilian and military sectors were present at the ceremony in the Tuwaiq Palace. Cannons were fired throughout the empire in celebration of this occasion, and decorations were displayed across all areas of Istanbul for three days. The Grand Vizier sent telegrams to countries around the world to inform them of this event. He appointed Mehmed Pasha as Grand Vizier, and then on December 23, 1293 AH (1876), he announced a constitution that guarantees civil liberties. It established the principle of parliamentary governance. According to this constitution, the parliament was composed of two chambers: the House of Representatives, or Envoys, and the Senate or Council of Elders.

He faced the hardhandedness of the ministers at the onset of his reign, alongside the intensification of their Westernisation policies led by the Young Ottomans Society, which included the educated elite influenced by the West. This group was manipulated by Masonic hands to serve their objectives. The extent of the ministers’ despotism was such that Mehmed Pasha, in his capacity as the head of the Young Ottomans, wrote to Sultan Abdul Hamid at the beginning of his rule (1877): “Our intention in declaring the constitution was solely to eliminate despotism, to clarify Your Majesty’s rights and obligations, to define the roles of ministers, and to ensure the freedom and rights of all individuals, so that the country may advance to higher levels of progress. I will obey your command as long as it does not contradict the interests of the nation.” He stated: “I found that Medhat Pasha appointed himself as a ruler and guardian, and in his dealings, he was far from constitutionalism and closer to despotism”

Medhat Pasha and his Masonic associates were known to indulge in alcohol. Sultan Abdul Hamid noted in his memoirs: “It is well-known that the intellectuals and poets of that era gathered on the evening of the issuance of the Basic Law decree at Medhat Pasha’s palace, not to discuss state matters, but rather to engage in expressions of gratitude and revelry, while consuming wine. Medhat Pasha had been a heavy drinker since his youth, a fact well recognised. The intoxication from the wine coincided with the exhilaration brought about by the announcement of the Basic Law. When Medhat Pasha rose from the dining table, he leaned on the arms of others to avoid falling. As he washed his hands, he addressed his brother-in-law, Tosun Pasha, while his tongue was swaying in his mouth due to the effects of the alcohol: ‘O Pasha! Who can now, after all that I have achieved, remove me from my position? Who? Tell me, how many years will I remain in this supreme position?’ Tosun Pasha responded by saying: ‘If you continue in this manner, it will not be more than a week’. Medhat Pasha, during his private drinking gatherings, would divulge the most sensitive state secrets, and these secrets would spread the following day among the people of Istanbul. One night, Medhat Pasha spoke of his intention to declare a republic in the Ottoman Empire, stating that he would become the President of the new Ottoman Republic, and then its Emperor. This was reminiscent of what had occurred with Napoleon III in France”. [Footnote a]

An Excerpt from ‘Ad-Dawlah Al-Uthmaaniyyah Awaamil An-Nuhood Wa Asbaab As-Suqoot. 6/444-446

Footnote a: The reference to this individual’s alcohol consumption and inebriation is not something we can confirm; rather, the burden of proof lies with the author who made this claim. Given that this is a historical text, readers are encouraged to conduct further research on the subject. Our role is simply to relay what is presented in the historical narrative provided by the author, and we have not encountered any evidence to support or refute the assertions made by the author. Therefore, we withhold judgment regarding him in this context until definitive evidence is presented to us. Similarly, we have no proof to substantiate his involvement in masonic activities; therefore, it is the responsibility of the reader to conduct further investigation.

 

Clapping and Whistling

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Basics, Contemporary Issues, History of Islam, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

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

Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdil-Wahhab, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “They (i.e. the pre-Islamic people of ignorance) carried out worship by whistling and clapping their hands”.

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, said:

From the affairs (i.e. practices) of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance which Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, opposed was that they carried out worship – seeking closeness to Allah- through whistling and clapping. Allah, The Most High said:

وَمَا كَانَ صَلاَتُهُمْ عِندَ الْبَيْتِ إِلاَّ مُكَاء وَتَصْدِيَةً َ

And their prayer at the House (Ka’bah) was nothing but whistling and clapping of hands [Al-Anfal 35]

Meaning, the polytheists did not seek closeness to Allah at the noble kabah, except through whistling and clapping. Al-Mukaa means whistling and Tasdeeyah means clapping with the two hands and palms. They used to do this at the House of Allah and called it prayer- seeking nearness to Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, by through it. This is from the [matters] that the devils among mankind and jinn made fair seeming to them. This is because worship cannot be (carried out) except through that which Allah has legislated; it is Tawqeefiyyah (i.e. established based on the texts of the Shariah). A person should not initiate anything (i.e. acts of worship) or take it from someone else, while it is not legislated by Allah to be established as worship, nor does it have any origin in the Islamic legislation. And from this, the prohibition of these two traits -whistling and clapping- can be established, even if a person does not intend to perform worship through them, because there is resemblance to the polytheists in that.

And (with regards) to clapping, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,  specifically permitted it for the women when there is a need, such as informing the Imam (i.e. by clapping) if he makes a mistake in the prayer. And that is because of the Fitna – if men are present- that may take place from her voice. It is neither permissible for a man to imitate the unbelievers nor a women by way of clapping. If it the case that clapping is not permissible for men out of necessity with regards to informing the Imam when he makes a mistake in the prayer, rather he informs the Imam by way of Tasbeeh [i.e. saying سبحان الله], then it not being allowed when there is no necessity is even a stronger reason. In this there is rebuttal against those men who whistle in the gatherings in resemblance to the disbelievers.

Source: An Excerpt from Sharh Masaa’il Al-Jaahiliyyah. Page:104-105. Slightly paraphrased

Three motives behind genocide

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Sin.

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

فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ مِنۡ عِندِنَا قَالُواْ ٱقۡتُلُوٓاْ أَبۡنَآءَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُ ۥ وَٱسۡتَحۡيُواْ نِسَآءَهُمۡۚ وَمَا ڪَيۡدُ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬

Then, when he brought them the Truth from Us, they said: “Kill the sons of those who believe with him and let their women live”, but the plots of disbelievers are nothing but errors!” [Surah Ghaafir Ayah]

Qatadah, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated: “This is different from the first killing (i.e. previous occasion when the sons of Bani Israel were killed) because Fir’awn did cease from killing, but after Allah sent Prophet Musa, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, he resumed the killing. [1]

At first, the (killing was aimed at) stopping the emergence of a man like Musa, or an act designed to demoralise Bani Israa’eel and reduce their numbers, or both. As for the second (killing), it was to demoralise this nation so that they would consider Musa, peace be upon him, as a bad omen. [2]

[1] Tafseer Al-Baghawi
[2] Ibn Katheer

[34] The Ascent and Decline of the Ottoman Empire

Written by abumuaawiyah on . Posted in History of Islam, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq'.

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

Sultan Abdul Hamid I

Continued..

Firstly, his visit to Europe with his uncle Sultan Abdul Aziz:

Sultan Abdul Aziz traveled to Europe accompanied by a high-ranking Ottoman delegation, which included Prince Abdul Hamid. He presented himself to the Europeans in simple attire, reflecting his virtuous character. He had prepared for this journey through extensive readings, demonstrating a keen insight and judgment regarding the things he observed in the West. The Ottoman delegation met with prominent political figures of that era in Europe, such as Napoleon III in France, Queen Victoria in England, Leopold II in Belgium, Wilhelm I in Germany, and Franz Joseph in Austria. This journey followed his earlier visit with Sultan Abdul Aziz to Egypt, where he became aware of the deceptive allure of European glamour and the adoption of European formalities, which led Egypt into debt due to the extravagant spending of Khedive Ismail Pasha, who sought to transform Egypt into a part of Europe.

His trip to Europe lasted from June 21 to August 7, 1867. The Ottoman delegation visited France, England, Belgium, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During this European trip, Abdul Hamid’s perspective broadened significantly, influencing his entire reign thereafter. The key aspects that impacted him included:

1: European life with its peculiar lifestyles, diverse ethics, and formalities.

2: Industrial and military advancements, particularly in the French and German ground forces, as well as the British naval forces.

3: The intricacies of global politics.

The influence of European powers on the policies of the Ottoman Empire, particularly the impact of Napoleon III on his uncle, Sultan Abdul Aziz, and the pressure exerted by Napoleon for him to support Minister Ali Pasha, despite Sultan Abdulaziz’s insistence that he was not under the influence of any foreign power.

During this journey, he came to the realisation that France is a nation of leisure, England is characterised by wealth, agriculture, and industry, while Germany represents order, military strength, and administration. His admiration for Germany was profound, leading him to entrust the training of the Ottoman army to them once he ascended to the throne. This journey significantly influenced Abdul Hamid, prompting him to focus on incorporating modern inventions into his state across various sectors, including education, industry, communication, and military affairs. Notable examples of this include his purchase of submarines, a new military technology at the time, his personal investment in bringing the telegraph to his country, the establishment of modern schools that included contemporary sciences, the introduction of the first automobile and bicycle, and the adoption of the metric system. However, he firmly opposed the spread of Western thought within his nation.

His journey to Europe also influenced his policy of independence towards Europe; he was not known to be swayed by any European ruler, regardless of their friendship or the closeness between their country and the Ottoman Empire. During this trip, he was particularly struck by the discussions that Grand Vizier Fuad Pasha was having with various European leaders.

During this journey, Fuad Pasha was asked, “What is the price for the island of Crete?” He replied, “It is the same price at which we acquired it”. This indicated that the Ottomans fought for 27 years to retain control over Crete. Fuad Pasha was also asked, “Which is the strongest nation in the world today?” He responded, “The strongest nation at present is the Ottoman Empire, as you are undermining it from the outside while we are doing so from within. Neither of us has succeeded in its destruction”. He learned from this the lesson of the ability to silence the forces that sought to destroy the Ottoman Empire, and he also acquired the skill of political dialogue, in which he later excelled. At the time of this journey, he was 25 years old.

An Excerpt from ‘Ad-Dawlah Al-Uthmaaniyyah Awaamil An-Nuhood Wa Asbaab As-Suqoot. 6/442-444